Unlike most of the shops in the ramshackled maze of a town, the blacksmiths stood alone and obvious. It was situated to one side of an open plaza, it"s own weapon and armour shop built next door. It was not the only blacksmiths in Julip town, there was another located in what Mino dubbed as the "new" town, the showy side of the town that outsiders were more apt to visit and tour. That blacksmith was hidden behind the facade of its own large shop front, which displayed all of its expensive wares in all of their glory and had to be paid a small fortune for custom goods. It would never lower itself for common goods such as horse shoes and door hinges.Mars" blacksmith displayed his common swords in a barrel near the entrance and had a few pieces of chain mail armour displayed on a wooden manikin. There were a few odd ornaments on a table, probably just to show what else was produced there. However, on one wall, just behind the counter, were set a display of exquisite swords that had Jin Li practically drooling over like a child in a pastry shop.
The boy behind the counter, who had been polishing a small piece in hand, looked startled by his appearance then somewhat wary. Jin Li ignored the clear distrust upon his face, too busy examining the swords with a fairly well trained eye.
"Ah Aren," Mr Clawse called to the boy as he and Leon followed Jin Li into the store. The boy visibly relaxed upon seeing the apothecary. "Is your Master available for a few minutes." The boy nodded and ran out of the side door to find him.
Mr Mars was stout, though there was not an ounce of fat on his muscular body. His height or there of lack of and his huge biceps and shoulders and chest simply made him look stout. His skin was bronze in tone and his hair untamed. He had a puckered scar running down the side of one arm and he observed them with a sharp eye. He welcomed Mr Clawse with great warmth, slapping the taller man on his back, to which Mr Clawse was thrust forward with every large tap.
"What can I do for you, Clawse?" his voice was as rough and as grizzly as his looks.
"I came to see how you were faring," Mr Clawse told him. "And also to introduce you to someone. This is Leon. He requires your a.s.sistance." Leon blushed immediately beneath the scrutiny.
"N-nice to m-m-meet you," Leon greeted nervously. Jin Li tore his gaze away from the interesting swords and moved so that he was standing directly behind the boy.
"Huh," Mr Mars thoroughly scrutinised the skinny lad. "And what exactly is it that you want?" He hoped it wouldn"t be for an apprenticeship or something. He had no time for a weak kid like this.
"D-d-door hinge," Leon blurted under the intense gaze.
"Speak clearly boy!" Mr Mars growled loudly.
"Mars.." Mr Clawse attempted to calm the man, he had forgotten that the blacksmith lacked patience and social skills. This was why he had gotten into trouble with the practioner in the first place.
Leon shivered, getting more and more fl.u.s.tered and simply unable to speak. Jin Li placed a hand upon the boy"s shoulder, his body stilled instantly. "Our hut was broken into," Jin Li said, shortly. "The door needs a new hinge."
"Why didn"t you say so in the first place?" Mr Mars" voice boomed through his shop and Leon let loose an almost inaudiable squeak.
"It"s not as if you gave him a chance to," Mr Clawse sighed. He paused, before questioning them further; "Wait, I thought you were an alchemist student of Ascending Mountain Academy." Leon nodded to confirm that he was. "So why is the school not a.s.sisting you, at the very least they should be investigating this!"
Leon shuffled on the spot for a moment. "D-d-don"t w-want to m-move again," he said finally. "And... um... th-there w-w-were b-bribes in-involved l-last time?" Mr Clawse sighed loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course he had heard of this sort of thing occurring. He"d heard many a student complain of bullying and wealthier students using money as a solution to everything. He could clearly tell that Leon was a tiny fish in a large pond when it came to his behaviour. But surely his talents would have him stand out and protect him somewhat?
"Aye, I can have one of my own deal with that," the blacksmith dismissed the whole matter with a wave of his hand. "I"ll send one back with you. I don"t see why I had to deal with this personally." This last sentence was said directly to Mr Clawse, who in turn offered a small smile and replied;
"Oh, I thought you might like to meet the one that created the improved pill that saved your life," Mr Clawse said offhandedly. Mr Mars" jaw dropped.