Sheath – Part 01
A cylindrical container for housing a blade.
“A sheath?”
Aria nodded. “Yeah, I want my own sheath.”
The day after the incident with the Inhuman, Cecily Campbell, Aria’s partner, was forced to recuperate at home. She had suffered cuts, bruises, and sprains all over her body, along with a few broken ribs. Prayer Pacts were used to treat her, using all available jewel steel from the Knight Guard’s inventory. It was a blessing that she got off lightly, considering the circumstances—falling into a ravine and battling an Inhuman. Or perhaps she had her own toughness to thank for that.
The Inhuman’s remains were being kept by the Knight Guard. Examination of its body and investigations into the incident were currently underway. Civilian casualties were high, damage to the city was severe, and the creature’s identity remained a mystery. Amid all this, Aria found some relief in knowing that her partner hadn’t suffered more severe injuries.
She must have mixed feelings about the whole incident, though.
The delay in the Knight Guard’s initial response had cost the lives of many citizens. Even the day after the attack, Cecily appeared listless, burdened by the memory of those who perished. Knowing that offering words of comfort wouldn’t change anything, Aria opted not to bring it up.
Today, Aria visited Cecily, who was resting in her room. After a brief greeting, she shared her desire to create her own sheath.
“I think it’s a great idea. You need to rest for a while, and since I have nothing else to do, there’s plenty of time to work on it. What do you think?”
“Of course, if that’s what you want, I’m not going to say no, but… why now all of a sudden?” Cecily propped herself up in bed. “I don’t really get it, but wouldn’t being in a sheath feel cramped for you? Besides, you can usually stay in your human form.”
“That’s not necessarily true.” Aria, trying her best to smile, proceeded to share the reasons she had prepared beforehand. “I’ve been feeling a bit off lately. My body feels sluggish… but it’s nothing serious. I’ve felt this way for a while. Yesterday’s intense battle might also be taking a toll on me. To tell you the truth, during those times, it’s more comfortable for me to be a sword rather than a human. I think that’s because it’s my true form. If I regularly take breaks in sword form, I can manage the lethargy. But I think it wouldn’t be right to be unsheathed during those times. That’s why I want a sheath.”
“I-I see.” Cecily crossed her arms thoughtfully.
“Sorry for being demanding.”
“It’s important for you, isn’t it? Feel free to speak your mind.”
Cecily seemed unaware of Aria’s excuses, and for that she felt guilty.
“Then, I’ll talk to the captain and ask him to introduce you to a skilled craftsman.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t need any money, either.”
“What?”
Aria smiled at her partner. “I already have everything I need.”
“So there you have it.”
In the early afternoon, shortly after lunch, most of the farming citizens in the Seventh District were taking a nap.
Aria had set out to a particular workshop by herself.
“Please make me a sheath!”
“Do you lot not know the words ‘shame’ or ‘restraint’?”
Luke Ainsworth, the master of the workshop, let out a weary sigh. Sitting comfortably in a chair, he was sipping tea served by his assistant. His right eye was drooped. He looked grumpy. Beside him, Lisa held a tray with a bewildered expression.
“I don’t know what’s going on.” Luke casually slurped his tea. His features seemed slack, likely exhausted from the morning’s smithing work. “But we’re a smithy. I could probably make a sheath, sure. But aren’t you basically city property? Why not have the old geezer introduce you to an actual sheath maker? They’d probably cover the costs, so you wouldn’t need to worry about money.”
“I thought the same thing. But if possible, I’d rather not involve money. You’re the only one who’d do it for free, and since you already know my situation, we don’t have to waste time explaining things.”
“For free?”
“I won’t pay you in cash. Instead, I’ll offer you information.”
A faint spark lit in Luke’s weary eye. “What kind of information?”
“I want you to make the sheath in exchange for what I know about Valbanill.”
That caught his attention. Luke, keeping his calm, leaned in slightly. Aria knew her hunch had been right.
For all sorts of reasons, the current consensus across the continental nations was to reseal Valbanill.
As long as Valbanill lived, it would continue to release Aetheria. Without it, no new Aetheria would be produced. Aetheria was essential to Prayer Pacts, which fueled the economy and supported urban development. Moreover, Aetheria was the reason the Housman Forest could attract the volcanic ash coming from Blair Volcano to the woods. Losing them would be a disaster for the city, both economically and practically.
Aetheria was also key in preserving the bodies of demons, directly affecting the lifespans of both Lisa and Aria. Sealing Valbanill, rather than killing it, was the only viable solution.
Valbanill’s fate affected not just the continent but the lives of those closest to it. Luke knew this as well.
I know your hatred runs deep, Luke, Aria thought. You won’t stand for just a resealing.
Luke’s family and a woman dear to him was killed by Valbanill. He named the demon she left behind after her, and for three years, he had nothing but revenge in mind, forging swords in search of one that could kill a god. The hatred and animosity he’d built up wouldn’t just vanish overnight.
If everything fell into place, if there were no cost, if luck favored him…
That’s why Luke was so hungry for any lead on Valbanill. He would grasp at any shred of information. He was desperate.
This was all just speculation, however. Even demons can’t read people’s minds. But Aria felt like she understood. Whatever was festering inside Luke was the same emotion that was deeply tied to her own creation as an Infernal Blade.
Luke crossed his arms and looked down, weighing her offer.
“Well? Not a bad deal, right?”
“What’s this information worth?”
“A decent amount, I think. At the very least, you’re not walking away empty-handed.”
“I want upfront payment. If the information’s worth it, I’ll make the sheath.”
Aria pouted. “Come on. Isn’t that a little dirty?”
“You can leave, then.”
For someone so interested, you’re awfully stubborn.
This was exactly why she couldn’t stand him. So stubborn and unreasonable, with absolutely no charm to make up for it.
“What does Cecily even see in this guy?”
“Did you say something, wannabe Infernal Blade?”
“Nothing at all, you blockheaded blacksmith.”
Now that she thought about it, this was the first time she’d ever had a one-on-one conversation with Luke. The distance between them was unclear, making it hard to gauge the right approach. But she’d just have to roll with it now.
Aria glanced at the corner of the room. Lisa was watching the exchange with bated breath. She wondered what Lisa thought about Luke’s hypersensitive reaction to the mention of Valbanill.
Noticing Aria’s gaze, Lisa, much to her surprise, gave a solemn nod, as if to say, “Don’t worry about me.”
That’s right. Lisa had already made her choice.
No matter what happened, she had decided, of her own free will, to follow Luke wherever his path would take him.
Aria returned her gaze to Luke.
“The information’s about Infernal Blades.”
And then, she told him the truth.
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