Naphril stood impatiently at the entrance of his cousin's forge, looking in at the blacksmith himself, who was pounding a a blinding-hot spearhead with a heavy mallet. The noise was too loud for them to communicate, and the heat of the furnace too uncomfortable for Nephil to close enough to hear anyway.
Corith finally stood up straight and set his mallet down leaning on the wall. Taking off his protective mask, he pulled two rough wooden stools over to the doorframe where Nephil was standing.
"If you don't tell me something, Corith, I'll weld you to the wall," said Nephil impatiantly.
Corith smiled, "That's an unfounded threat. We both know that you wouldn't get near enough to the forge to melt a candle."
Nephil stared at him silently.
"Fine, I'll tell you," said Corith, "but first you have to tell me what happened with the catch today."
Nephril gave in, "Well, first of all, I didn't even see it. Some huge warrior named Kínadhen was blocking the entire door. But two others did show up."
"I know of Kinadhen. No one gets past him. But go on, please."
"You try my patience Corith. But the others were some exceedingly serious woman and Bestialán, the one you made the maces for." finished Nephil, "Now tell me, please! I know about the council meeting to decide what to do with the catch, but what else?"
"Well," began Corith, "I hear from Tarrela, whos brother's mother-in-law is actually on the council, that they're having a feast and an open discussion about the catch."
Nephil looked at him. "That's all?"
Corith nodded.
Nephil slumped. "I already knew that, you fool" He stood up and left, walking down the hallway to his room.
"Well then what are you going to do?" called Corith, leaning out of the open doorway.
"I'm going out!" yelled Nephil, who emerged from his room strapping on his weapons.
"Bring back something nice!" called Corith after Nephil's retreating back.
Nephil pounded along the corridors impatiently, looking for Bestialán. He emerged into a public room and spotted him, leaning against a wall and speaking softly to the woman from earlier.
"Bestialán!" called Nephril.
Bestialán turned to look at Nephil.
"I'm going out. Catches don't usually travel alone. If we hurry, there might be more, but not if we sit here and wait for the council to decide."
"Why do you want me to go with you?" asked Bestialán suspiciusly.
"Because if we went out alone, and against each other, you would probably kill me and take whatever I find for yourself. Of course, there is also the possibility that you might betray me no matter what the circumstances, but I'm willing to take that chance."
Bestialán looked at Nephil scrupulously. The woman watched this exchange blankly.
"My invitation is extended to you as well," added Nephil to her. He waited for thier answers with an unreadable look on his face.
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