"It's almost finished. Have patience."
The heat in the forge never wavers as are the hammers that rings true around it. Hewg finds it odd that this particular warrior of Queen Marika's has commissioned him to create a ring, a simple design, made with the scarcest of metals. An alloy of starlight shards and one Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. The smith does not know how this man came in possession of such precious resources, but he saw the earnestness of the man when he came in covered in grime and blood just to have his precious ring made.
"Is this for the Queen?" Hewg scoffs, but curiosity bleeds in his tone, "You're wasting your time."
"Princess."
He almost drops the ring. "Not the Queen, but you're still overreaching. Give up, boy. Those in their fancy castles don't care about expandable swords such as yourself." He did not mean for it to come out harsh, but it is the reality.
"I know." The man says.
Hewg sighs, "Why not marry a nice maiden? Someone who isn't above your league. You're no Elden Lord."
"If she wishes it."
"What?" The smith says bewildered. Thank the Erdtree that no one heard the man.
"If the Lunar Princess wishes it. Then it shall be done." The hairs on the back of Hewg's neck stands, the finality of the man's words rings true than any hammer.
Ranni is once again subjected to the odd tradition of her extended family. The birth of her half-brother and sister has the whole golden city abuzz with excitement and merrymaking. As part of the said family, she is required to attend. Seeing her father and step- mother is already insult enough but celebrating the fruits of their union still hurts.
Radahn is with her despite his new responsibility as one of the Generals of the Golden Order. If her brother is uncomfortable, he does not show it or hides it very well through mingling with the knights. Rykard is somewhere out at sea wooing his mystery woman.
"Let's finally settle this, Godwyn!" her brother shouts. Finally bored with talking. "I want to see the strength of the son of the mighty Godfrey."
The Golden Prince shakes his head, not in the mood. "Forgive me, brother. But I fear I might be too intoxicated to give you a good and roper spar."
"Ah." It was almost comical the way Radahn deflates.
"How about the Queen's dog, Son?" Her father suggests. He smiles, all teeth.
She glares at her father who tries not to flinch from it. The Lunar Princess knows it's not the Queen's half- brother but her dear woodsman.
"Dog?" Radahn asks innocently
"Yes, that dog." Radagon points at the guard beside his second wife.
If Radahn has any decency, Ranni thinks, his brother will reject this idea of play fighting to relieve his boredom.
But the idea caught Radahn's interest, "A worthy one, are you?"
There's a tug at her heart upon seeing the Queen beckon at Vaughn with just a gesture of her fingers and a quick whisper to the man.
She can read Marika's lips, "Go on."
She hopes her brother would let this go just this once. That he would not see anything remarkable.
"Brother, cease this tomfoolery."
"Dear sister, it would be a disservice to the everyone if I hold back."
Then she sees the sudden challenge on her brother's eyes as Vaughn removes his helmet.
"A disservice indeed. Especially to the warrior of Gold."
Her fears are further warranted as Radahn picks up his famed greatsword.