Arms beading with sweat, Henryk brought his hammer down again and again on the metal bar. He had found himself at the forge increasingly more often lately, even when there was no work to be done for Dorgund's enterprise. Whenever he had to think, the rhythmic staccato of the hammer helped him organize his jumbled thoughts into a neat line between each strike.

Lord Salnim and Lady Kasendra had spoken of the continuing relief efforts for the people of Mestanir and Talador--his people. It made him realize how little he had done himself after traveling here to Vornavis with Dorgund and the other dwarves from his ruined village.

Henryk closed his eyes. Sparks flew as the hammer pounded away.

He was grateful for all of the aid provided by the Malwinds, Chandrennins, and even House Illistim on the other side of the Dragonspine. More than that, he wanted to give something back; had said as much to Sir Bristenn and Guarrin at the docks where they'd met Captain Duncarr.

He wasn't sure they'd taken him seriously. "Are you really an adult?" He remembered Arrec's words, said in jest, but still a biting reminder that he hadn't either the years or experience of the two older warriors, much less the longer lived half-elf.

"Give it another couple o' whacks and ye might be able to shoe a horse with that one!" Henryk started at the sound of the gruff voice, glancing over his shoulder at Dorgund chuckling as he went on his way to the yard. "Go to bed, Henryk! It's gettin' late!"

Turning back to his work, he saw what the dwarf meant; the short sword blade he had been hammering was grotesquely curved and misshapen from his lack of focus. Tossing it aside with a groan, he wiped a sooty hand across his brow and tucked the hammer into the loop of his belt. "I heard 'close' counts in horseshoes," he called back in retort, eliciting another guffaw from Dorgund outside.

Locking up the workshop, he made his way to bed. He may have ruined perfectly good steel, but he didn't consider it a total loss. He'd come to a decision, and when the time was right, he'd talk to Sir Bristenn.