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“Swords are one of my specialties.” Temra and I always say this to customers, regardless of what kind of weapon they want. Truth be told, I’m good at everything involving iron. Part of the magic that courses through my veins.

“Excellent.” Kymora takes a turn about the forge, eyeing my tools and castings on the floor. With her back to me, she says, “I want you to outdo yourself. I want you to treat my sword as though it is the weapon you’ve been practicing for your entire life. It is to be of immense power. Something that can defeat many opponents at a time. Something that could bring nations to their knees.”

She turns. “Do that, and I will pay you triple your usual rate for the weapon in question, and the position at my estate is yours.”

I allow myself only a moment to worry over her request. “It will be a challenge, but I like challenges.”

“Good.”

“There is one other thing.”

Kymora inclines her head.

“My sister—”

“Oh, I thought that girl was your hired help. Very well. There will be accommodations for both you and your sister on my estate. Is there anyone else I need know about?”

“We have a horse,” I joke.

She smiles then. “I look forward to seeing the finished weapon. I have business in Ravis’s Territory. It should keep me for about three months. Is that sufficient time to make my broadsword?”

It’ll be tight, but I’ll just cancel any other commissions I have scheduled. “Yes.”

“Good. I will return then.” She heads back for the doors to the shop, seeing herself out.

I stare after her in bewilderment.

When she passes by the front desk, which Temra has taken position behind, Kymora unties a purse from her waist and sets it before her. “Half upfront—that’s how it works, is it not?”

“It is,” Temra confirms.

“As I told Ziva, I’m willing to pay triple the usual rate if she can do what I ask. Here is half of your usual fee. There will be much more when I return. Perhaps you can encourage her best work.”

She starts for the door before turning once more, as though remembering something. “You needn’t worry about the miscreants who did this.” She twirls a finger around the shop. “I’ll deal with them.” Then she and her men leave without a backward glance.

Temra shivers. “Something about her makes me uneasy.”

“The arrogance,” I suggest.

“The power, I think. How many people do you suppose she’s killed? Maybe that’s it. All the death that surrounds her.”

“I’d imagine it’s somewhere in the hundreds.”

“Thousands, I bet,” Temra says.

We both stare in the direction of the door she exited.

“When she said she’ddeal with them, you don’t think she meant…” Temra lets the words drift off.

“She’s not going to kill them.” But as soon as the words are out, I reconsider them.Would she kill them?

“Is it terrible that I kind of hope she kills them?”

“Yes!”

“You’re right. Too extreme. Maybe just maim them.”

“Temra!”