Hephaestus

Part IV - An Undiscovered Talent

Layton immediately stepped in front of Melanie. "She's not Wilford, Hes." He stated in a firm, but still unchallenging tone.

The man turned a questionably pleasant smile to Layton. "Course not." He answered before turning back to Melanie. "She's much prettier, ain't she?"

Layton relaxed his stance a little, but still stayed highly alert to the man's movements. From his days in the Tail, Hes had been something of a legend. A ghost to many who lived there as he stayed mostly to himself in his forge room in the Tail. If someone needed something made; a pot, a spoon, a buckle or clasp of some kind, they came to Hes with an 'offering'. Usually this consisted of something of metal they were willing to trade to get something of metal in return.

The only thing Hes had refused to make to Layton's knowledge, was a weapon of any kind. He had heard a story once of someone coming to Hes' forge one day, telling the metal worker he wanted Hes to make him a knife. The blacksmith had refused. But the other man didn't have the good sense to take the metal worker's answer and leave, and the exchange between them became quite loud, attracting the attention of others in the area. But eventually the man had run from the room, howling for all he was worth with his hands held over one side of his face, the unmistakable smell of burned flesh filling the space behind him as he fled the room. Hes had appeared abruptly at the doorway to his forge, staring down those gathered outside.

"No weapons!" Was all he bellowed at them before snapping the heavy curtain that separated his private area from the rest of the train.

"Sooo," the man drawled out again in the thick Scottish accent that underlie nearly every word he spoke as he kept his eyes fixed on Melanie, "what would the pretty little engineering woman want with Hephaestus?"

Melanie answered his suspicion with a small smile as she reached into the pocket of her engineering uniform and pulled out the new hex nut."

"Did you make this, Hes?" She asked.

The man slowly reached over and took the hex nut from her, Layton's whole body tensing up a notch for every inch his hand got closer to her.

But finally the man took the small piece of metal from her and held it up between two fingers as he turned it one way and then the other against the light of the forge. Finally, with a slight huff, he turned back to her. "Aye. I made it." He responded, indicating Layton with the hand that still held the small metal piece. "He came asking for it a few nights ago. Showed Hes one that was broken and asked if Hes could make one for him just like it." The man shrugged slightly. "Not a difficult thing. Easy."

Melanie looked at the man in amazement. "Easy?" She asked.

The man lifted the hex nut up again and seemed to look it over for a few seconds before turning back to the forge and casually tossing the precious item into it's fire.

He turned an almost bored expression back to the engineer. "Easy."

Layton swore at the act Melanie nearly dove right after the little piece of metal, ready to do anything in her power to save it from the burning forge. But she held back as instead she stood in silent desolation as she watched it hit the fire and disappear into the forge's pit. Finally she turned two cautious eyes back to the man. But Hes seemed to have lost interest in the hex nut or its end. Turning from them, he had retreated a small way back into the room and taken a small item off one of the shelves that lined the room. Taking the item and limping back over to where they still stood, he held it up to Melanie.

Sitting in his hand, just slightly larger than his palm, was a small, perfect replica of her engine.

In complete awe, Melanie reached over and took the tiny train from his palm and held it up to inspect it closer. Her eyes grew wide in amazement at the detail of the tiny object. Putting it in her own palm, she placed her finger on top of it and carefully moved it forward on her palm and watched as the small pistons connected to the wheels moved, in turn causing the wheels to turn.

Melanie stared at the tiny train, at first utterly speechless at the sight of it. But slowly she turned back to the metal worker. In her mind she was already working out everything that what she held in her hand could mean for her train. It was a heaven sent miracle she had never even dared dream of happening.

"You made this, Hes?" She asked in a breathless whisper.

The man 's returned look spoke volumes of his pride in his work.

"THIS...," he stated with every ounce of his pride evident in his tone, "...is what Hes can do with pieces of metal. THIS is craftsmanship. THIS is skill."

Melanie turned the little train several different ways as she admired it. "Hes, this is beautiful."

The man's whole demeanor simply soak in her praise at his work.

"Keep it." He suddenly stated. "Is a gift."

Melanie didn't catch Layton's stiffening next to her, as enraptured as she was in her gift from Hes.

"I don't know we had anyone on the train who could work with metals like this."

"Because you don't ask." The man replied.

Melanie looked up quickly from admiring the tiny train. "What do you mean? There are other people who can do this?"

The man seemed to consider her question for a moment. "Have been teaching a few who show promise. Just...not a lot of space...or materials. So teaching goes slow. Same with making things. Not a lot of materials. Not enough space. And can only make small things. Nothing large."

Melanie fell silent as she took in the man's words. Slowly she had started to look more carefully around the area they had been standing in. Although not many, there were several small shelves set in the walls opposite the forge area. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the dimmer light, she now could make out small objects set on the shelves. Small figurines and other works of art decorated the spaces. Each one seemingly more intricate than the last.

Layton was trying to catch up to her train of thought, since he already had a good idea of what she was thinking. But he knew she was missing crucial pieces to make this decision.

Hes may come off to people as a slow witted savant who was good working with metals. But Layton had observed the man over the past seven years and knew he was so much more than that. Like her, he took great pride in what he did. And the fact that he had 'gifted' her one of his prize works so randomly set his nerves on edge. It was totally out of character for the man to part with something so valuable to him so willingly.

Melanie had carefully considered her answer before turning back to the man.

"Hes, this train is in danger."

The man regarded her past a long, silent stare. "And why should Hephaestus care about this?"

Melanie returned his stare measure for measure. "Because Hephaestus is on this train, too."

The man studied her for a moment as he considered her words. "What sort of...'danger'?"