“Show him,” she urged.
Reluctantly, Ardan unsheathed the blade and placed it in the middle of the table. Harwin leaned forward, his brows drawn together, to get a good look at it. He reached for it, gave Ardan a questioning look.
“May I?” he asked.
The boy nodded.
Harwin picked it up, turning it this way and that, letting the light glint off the shiny, wavy blade. Hehmmeddeep in his throat. In the lamplight of the room, there was a rainbow iridescent glow to the steel.
“What do you think now?” Snow asked.
“This was made by someone with a love of the craft. I have never seen a more perfect blade,” Harwin said. “It’s magnificent.”
He handed it back to Ardan.
“Thank you,” the boy said.
“It was definitely made by an Artificer,” Harwin said.
“What’s an Artificer?” Ardan asked.
“A master craftsman that can wield the elements,” Snow answered.
“You mean with magic?” Ardan asked.
“Yes,” Harwin and Snow said in unison.
Ardan sheathed the dagger once again, then reached for this tea. Harwin looked at Snow then.
“You said you had answers,” Harwin said.
She nodded, then cut a glance at Ardan. “I do, but he doesn’t know anything about…” She pressed her lips together.
Harwin grinned as he sat back in his chair, holding his cup. “I understand.” He gave Ardan a look of earnest. “Would you mind waiting outside then?”
Ardan’s eyes flew wide. “Me? But I’m supposed to keep an eye on Snow.”
“I assure you she won’t leave my sight,” Harwin said with a grin.
Ardan glanced from her to Harwin, disdain clearly on his face. He took one last sip of tea, then rose from the table and shuffled out, closing the door with a snap behind him.
“You’re not allowed to leave the village, are you?” he asked.
She shook her head, staring down into the tawny brew.
“But you did anyway, didn’t you?”
She lifted her gaze to his finally. “I went to the wizard’s cabin.”
Awe was written all over his face. “You did?”
“Yes,” she said. “And I found him.”
“You foundhim?” His brows knit in confusion. “He was there?”
“Well, a version of him, I guess you could say.”
“What does that mean?” he asked.
