Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another instalment of this wonderful story from Ulf Berht, entitled

“Virtue’s Forge”

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 7, “Fire”

“Fire! Fire!”

When Merlin heard the shouting, he threw on his robe and boots and ran out into the pre-dawn twilight. Around the corner and up the street he could see the red and orange flames leaping high into the sky, showering sparks down upon the village. He ran to help and soon realized that Ulf’s forge was engulfed in flames. A bucket brigade had formed but clearly there was already no possibility of extinguishing the blaze. The fire fighters were now concentrating on putting out fires started by flying embers. Ulf was nowhere to be seen and no one could recall seeing him.

By noon, only smoking ruin was left. With no sign of Ulf, Merlin and others began poking through the blackened timbers. “Here! Over here! A body I think,” called out one of the searchers. “It must be the blacksmith.”

Merlin watched as guardsmen arrived and collected the body in a canvas sheet and took it to the mortuary. A few tattered scraps of cloth were stuck in the burnt and blackened flesh. There was nothing recognizable as Ulf’s, but the height and weight were a match. A sword lay by the body on the scorched floor. Other weapons and household item had also been scattered by the firefighting.

The Captain of the Guards approached Merlin.”You were acquainted with this man?” he asked.

“I am indeed. Ulf Berht is a particular friend of mine. I am not yet convinced that those remains are his.”

“Are you not, sir? Then whose might they be? I have not been informed of any other not being accounted for. Where were you prior to the blaze?”

“In my lodgings at the inn. I am sure the innkeeper can attest that I was there until wakened by the alarm. As to who this is, I have no idea.”

“I will, of course, verify your whereabouts with the innkeeper. I the meantime, I must ask you to remain in town.”

“Of course, Captain. May I search the site for things recoverable? I know much of what he owned.”

“You may, but one of my men will accompany you and catalogue what you find.”

“Good day to you then. We must be about our tasks,” said Merlin.

The Captain made no reply as he left to give some orders to his men. “Keep an eye on him,” Merlin overheard the officer say.

………..

The possibility that Ulf was gone increased with no sign yet of any resurrection. Merlin’s mood turned dark. “It is not my way to become attached to anyone,” he thought, as the warm water of the tub soothed his tired body. It had taken two tubs of water to be rid of the throat catching, nose stinging fumes of wet burned wood. Merlin’s searching had located Ulf’s tools, swords, and armor–all things a blacksmith would have taken with him had some business called him away. Most troubling was that the iron ingot containing the jewel could not be found.

Merlin’s dozing reverie was disturbed by a knock on his door. “More hot water sire. Can I bring it in?” a female voice asked.

“Certainly. But weren’t you just here?” The door opened and the maid stepped in with a large jug of steaming water.

“Not I sire. Mistress told me to bring more. Do you not want it?”

“Just pour it into the tub, girl, before it too gets cold.”

Merlin examined the girl as she emptied the jug. He noticed her attractiveness and was somewhat embarrassed by his nakedness. Darker skinned than any he had seen around Port Graff, small breasted,