Ronan couldn’t deny that he liked having the boy around. Unmarried and living alone was fine with the thirty-six year old blacksmith but since Arien had joined him, he found he looked forward to the company and conversations they shared at mealtimes. Granted Arien did most of the talking while Ronan mostly listened, but it made life less lonely with someone there.

“What is it?” Ronan asked when the boy stepped through the doorway and into the workshop.

Arien’s gaze rested on the King’s Sword. “It is beautiful, Master Culley. I hope to have so much skill one day,” the apprentice said softly, admiration filling his words.

Ronan’s attention dropped to the weapon he held. Carefully, he laid the sword on the leather hide and wrapped it again, feeling a bit embarrassed to be caught admiring his own handiwork for the second time since he’d finished the assignment.

“Do you need something?” Ronan prompted as he placed the wrapped weapon on the table.

Arien nodded and held out the small dagger he’d finished that morning. It was his first project completed without supervision. Ronan took the blade and turned it in his palm. Fairly smooth lines, no rough edges, and the hilt wrapped tightly. He scratched at his beard thoughtfully.

“Well, done. The blade is as good as any I’ve ever seen. Lot Greer will be pleased,” Ronan said after several moments of inspecting the weapon closely. He offered a nod and handed the dagger back to Arien. The boy beamed with pride.

“If I don’t keep you under my eye, you might steal all of my business right out from under me,” Ronan added just to give the boy an extra boost.