Art by  asterionblazing

Brogan's tail lashed from side to side, his heart skipping a beat at each of Tor's grunts as the elder blacksmith ran calloused hands along the sword. The blade was a special order, commissioned for the Sergeant of the Dredgestone Guard. And Brogan had done all the work on it.

Brogan tried to keep quiet. Tor was blind, but he would still hear any noises his apprentice made. The process was agonizingly slow for the younger bull as Tor felt the edge of the blade, tested its balance, and took a few practice swipes.

Finally, after Brogan thought he'd explode from anxiety, Tor spoke. "An exceptional blade for someone of your skill level, Brogan," he said in his gravelly voice, looking in his apprentice's general direction.

Brogan let out a sigh of relief, only to suck it back in as Tor added, "Except..."

"E-except what, master?" he asked timidly, heart pouding in his skull.

Tor scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Except I think I neglected to tell you the new Sergeant is a kobold. I don't think he has use for a sword thrice as tall as himself."