He tested the weight of the blade, nodding when he found it perfectly balanced. He ran over the sharpened edges with his eyes, then the hand guard, and finally tipped the blade downwards to expect the pommel. It was a fine piece of work, masterfully crafted yet plain and practical. He gripped it with both hands, feeling the edge of the grip curving up into the pommel. His upper hand rested comfortably under the unornamented hilt. The man stepped out into the open, and ran through a few warm up exercises. He smiled. The blade handled remarkably well.

"It'll suit?" a warm, amused voice asked. He looked over at the smith, meeting blue eyes with his own brown.

"Better than the last, Daniel," he answered, smile shrinking to a comfortable grin. He slid the longsword into its scabbard. "You've outdone yourself on this beauty."

"The best for the best, Jack," Daniel said, rubbing his soot-blackened hands against his tunic. He glanced down at the streaks they left, and frowned. "Anyway, will you stay for supper? Jonas can make something approximating edible."

Jack considered, grin twitching up to a smirk. "I'd rather keep my stomach where it is, thank you. Don't you have anyone who can cook around here?"

"Um," Daniel's brow scrunched as he thought. "Oh! I think I've been invited for supper at the Carters. You know—the father who's looking to marry the daughter who's in love with the Guardsman? He wants me to marry her, but so far I've been able to fend him off. The daughter cooks delicious meals, though, so I can never turn down an invitation. The father thinks that's an indication that I'm madly in love with his daughter, simply too—well, I'm too shy and too modest in turns."

Jack let out a bark of laughter. "Yeah, I remember them. They won't mind an extra mouth?"

"Doubt it," Daniel denied. "Jonas!"

"Yes, Master Daniel?" the apprentice inquired.

"Mind the forge while the knight and I sup with the Carters," Daniel ordered, and the young man nodded assent before turning away. "Shall we?"

Jack clapped Daniel on the shoulder and proclaimed, "To sup!"