The King's Mistress

Chapter 164: Resourceful

Before she had a chance to ask him about it, Alistair realized it was time for him to depart. They hurriedly left the room and headed out to the entrance of the resort, where the carriage was already waiting for him.

After saying their final goodbyes, Alistair planted a quick kiss on Sierra’s lips before boarding the carriage. With the jingle of the bell on the cat’s collar, the carriage took off into the distance, disappearing down the road and into the mist.

Sierra stood there for a while in silence, watching on even after the carriage was long gone. Alistair’s words were still replaying in her mind.

The last person before Alistair who told her they loved her, was Cedric. Remembering his betrayal made her blood boil. She curled her hand tightly into her fist as she walked back to her room.

Fear ran down her spine. Would Alistair betray her as he did? Sierra shook her head, hoping to shake the thought out of her mind.

"No, he’s different," she reminded herself.

Later that day, Sierra met up with Vy and Dygo. They were having tea in Vy’s room when Sierra brought up the topic of the gift she had to prepare for the ceremony. She had a rough idea of what she wanted to do, all she needed were the right tools and materials.

"Perhaps I should return to Drakin early to get everything ready. I would need at least three days to get it-"

"Or you can come to the Alterra Sector with us. I know a blacksmith who would be able to get it done for you in a day or two," Vy interjected.

"Oh no, I can’t possibly do that."

"Why not?"

"This gift, I have to do it on my own. I can source the materials with your help, I would very much appreciate that but I have to make it on my own," Sierra explained.

"Well, why didn’t you say so earlier? I have blacksmithing equipment at my home, you can use it. As for materials, I’ve got plenty too," Vy exclaimed.

As it turned out, Vy was quite the merchant. Not only did she have multiple businesses in various fields, but she also had a keen eye for gemstones and geodes. Over the years, she also kept a collection of precious metals, especially when she became interested in forging her own weapons.

"I must say, Sierra, I’m surprised that you’re familiar with forging," Vy mused.

It was still rare for a knight to know how to forge their own weapons. It was more commonplace for them to go to a blacksmith to have theirs made to order.

"My father... the Bancroft Family descended from a family of famed blacksmiths. Hence it was tradition for us to forge our own weapons, especially the ones we used in battle. As such, all members of the family have to learn the art of smithery as soon as they can walk."

Sierra started her journey a little late since she was adopted. However, she quickly picked up the tools of the trade. Her father and even some of the blacksmiths of the army praised her for her attention to detail and fine work.

She drew her twin swords to show Vy. The twin swords she carried with her were forged by her own hands.

"You forged these?" even Dygo was impressed.

He’d seen many pieces of weaponry in his lifetime and still, he was impressed.

"Yes, sourced the materials myself too," Sierra said as she beamed with pride. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"These are amazing! If things don’t work out for you as a member of the royal court, you’ll make a fine living as a blacksmith, Sierra," Vy praised, "I’ll be your first client."

"Really? You aren’t just saying that to make me feel better, are you?" Sierra asked worriedly.

Few knew about the truth of her blades. Heck, even Alistair didn’t know. Furthermore, General Leon was a tough critic.

"The way a blade is forged, the materials used and the skill of the blacksmith will ultimately determine its value in battle. But there’s something some people often overlook," he would always say.

"What is it?" She would ask in return, eager to know the secret, "The purpose and the emotions of the blacksmith are arguably of equal importance, if not more."

Those words rang in Sierra’s mind.

"I swear I’m telling the truth," Vy replied, pulling Sierra back to the present.

"Well then you need not wait long," Sierra chuckled, "being a member of the royal court doesn’t stop me from forging."

"I like you even more now, Sierra," Vy laughed.

Opal slithered off Sierra’s wrist, resting in her lap. This piqued Aether, Vy’s familiar, interest. He had wanted to meet Opal for some time, but she refused to do so. But as Vy and Sierra grew close, Opal seemed to trust them a little more.

The little snake carefully slithered onto the table, looking up at the three of them.

"Look who decided to join us," Sierra smiled as she gently let Opal on the top of her head, feeling her scales beneath her fingers.

Vy held out her hand to Opal, "it’s great to finally meet you, Opal."

From her wrist, Aether slithered onto the table too. Both snakes looked at one another, coiling around each other while softly hissing.

"Are they communicating?" Sierra wondered.

"Seems so, hopefully, we don’t have to break up any fights," Vy joked.

Her remark made Aether turn to her and hiss as he projected his voice into all of their minds, "We’re not barbarians, you know,"

This earned a laugh from everyone at the table. Opal looked over to Sierra, then back at Aether. It was clear that they were communicating through telepathy though Sierra wasn’t sure what they were talking about.

But Aether cued her in, projecting his voice into her mind to explain the situation. As it turned out, Aether told Opal that he had a way to help them establish a telepathic connection between them.

"A telepathic connection? Between Opal and I? Like how I’m able to hear you?" Sierra asked out loud.