The Ironmongers' Guilds

Fred and Astra stopped their squabble and turned to Francis. "I would like to be at the Philapetra Fields before nightfall, where we would be safer from the evils of this place, and could prepare our revenge on the dragon's minions, if ye be game. I am a mite weary, and could use the bath." Velus yipped spiritedly, approving of the plan to go to the Fields.

Before Fred could protest the impropriety, Francis lay down his hammer, and removed his boots. He was grimy from his time in the caves. Francis then placed his apron, tunic, and breeches in a pile, and waded into the spring.

Francis, like most smiths, had huge, muscular arms from the practice of his trade. On his left arm there was a tattoo of a bear, in front of an ornate R. Francis was natually a massive man, though. "He must weigh at least seventeen stone, and probably more, little of it fat." Fred admitted to himself. Francis' body was covered with black hair. There were cuts and bruises visible, and a scar on the outside of his right thigh that appears to be from some sort of burn wound that made Astra shudder. When Astra asked him about it, Francis smiled wanly - "I got marked repaying one of the dragon's men. It still hurts from time to time."

Fred felt gloomy and uncomfortable. This slick stranger was assuming the leadership of the group, and was capturing the princess' heart with showy scars from whatever 'battles' he had fought. "Probably from some drunken brawl back from whatever miserable hamlet he came from," thought Fred. He did not see any choice but to follow his lead - Francis had obviously been here longer - but Fred did not trust him. Fred decided that he would bathe in a different part of the spring, and carry his sword with him, just in case the stranger proved treacherous.

Fred stripped to his trousers and his sword and waded in. Astra said nothing, but smiled and shook her head at Fred's stubborn streak. In an effort to regain his composure and appear courteous while cutting the stranger down to size, Fred asked, "So, Francis, how did you come to be branded with the mark of a bear?" Fred wished to imply that Francis was a runaway conscript or a prisoner, but Francis did not reply defensively. "This is the mark of one of the Three Guilds of the Ironmongers. In Rinsberg, I was apprentice under Herbert, Grand Master of the Rinsberg guild, who learned under Davie Gathrop, a Master of the legendary School of Hespatius Major." Francis lowered his voice, as if parting confidential information. "The reach of the three guilds extends far beyond the Havnheim and the Shreken. Indeed, wherever there is a guild hall with a sign of the bear, I will find fast friends. Lord Fred, I do not know if you have ever looked, but at the base of your sword's blade, I would be willing to bet that there is a fox."

Fred looked at his sword's blade, and indeed there was a smith's mark, a fox and the arms of the Duchy of Suffex.

"Ah, the fox, the eagle, and the bear - the three great guilds of the ironmongers. The fox, small, subtle, relying more on finesse than power. It is the largest guild, and most common objects and small arms are produced by that guild." Fred bristled at the implication. Francis continued. "The Eagle - soaring, unconventional - the membership in the Guild of the Eagle is not broad, but their knowledge is deep. They are the one guild, besides that false guild of the accursed Snakes, which are said to meld the arcane arts with those of ironmongering. I knew a journeyman of the Eagle Guild at one time. He was a good friend, and the day of our parting was a sad one for me. And like our mascot, the members of the Bear Guild produces articles of great might and power, in addition to more common instruments - as Master Herbert told me, not everyone can use our best instruments. Like the bow of Odysseus, or the sword Excalibur, our best works of war can only be used by the mighty."

1. "What do you know about the ways of the Snake Guild?" asked Fred. Fred had heard rumours of this group, but had little solid information.
2. "You talk more like a merchant than a smith," Fred replied. "What sort of mighty weapon could you forge for me?"
3. "Why do you think that the Philapetra Fields are safe?" interrupted Astra. "Could not the dragon enter there?"

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