Sharpen the Steel

As soon as her light paw pads cross toward the table, Fern allows her gaze to shift to look at the swords and stones on the workbench. After she unbuckles the scabbard and props the wooden sword against the table, she turns her full attention to Artorias. When instructed to, Fern pulls the steel sword from its black leather house and lays it gently on the workbench. The sword is in great condition and she feels her lips tug upward in a smile. Who knew something so deadly could be so beautiful? Turning her gaze back to Art and his sword, she listens as he points out each part of the sword, glancing from the weapon of front of him to the steel sword in front of her. Mentally, she labels each part, and runs a paw of them to memorize the shape of each. Artorias picks up one of the river stones, identifying it as a whetstone and giving clear instructions on how to use it.

Then, he puts his words into actions and Fern watches closely as the Aegis runs the whetstone along the edge of the blade. The sound of steel being sharpened rings through the armory and her smile reappears. Each time the stone works down the edge, making the sword sing, Fern feels her heart zing with it. She listens very intently as Artorias speaks of how to find nicks and burs and she nods her firmly at his warning not cut herself. When he flips his sword over, preparing to sharpen the opposite side, he tells the gray girl to give it a try. The smile grows even more, as she pulls the whetstone toward her and picks it up. Using her other paw, Fern feels both sides of the stone before flipping it over to the smoother side. Holding the grip in one paw, the gray girl places the stone on the edge of the blade near the crossguard.

She runs the whetstone down the edge, grunting when the stone jumps slightly from her lack of constant pressure. Returning to the top, Fern adjusts her shoulders and tries again. The blade sings its happy song and her smile is as bright as the sun. She settles into a rhythm, monitoring the pressure as she slides the stone down the edge in slow, even-ish strokes. When Art asks if is still happy here, Fern chuckles and says, “More than happy, Art. I am building a beautiful life here. With family. By the way, did Rudy tell you… I proposed to him?” Keeping her eyes on her sword, the gray girl uses her peripheral vision to try and catch Artorias’s reaction. After another pass along the blade, Fern sets down her whetstone and lightly runs her paw pad over the edge. There are no dips or sharp divots so she turns the sword over to work on the other side.

As the sword rings out anew, Fern says, “I have been meaning to ask you something Artorias. What kind of stuff does Rudy like? I know your birthdays are coming up and I want to get him something very special. Any ideas?” The stone glides more easily over the sword and Fern puts the stone to the side and runs her paw pad over it. Giving a small nod to herself she gestures for Art to check her progress so far.


"Fern Lark"