Vanator continued to tear at the leg while Dust answered his inquiry, having to wipe his mouth on his sleeve. The Drykas nodded when she mentioned a bondmate. The subject of a bondmate did not come up much between the two friends, Van had only known that Dust was unbonded. But the Drykas had learned that finding a bondmate was a compelling trait that seemed to affect all Kelvics, and it appeared Dust indeed was keeping a look out for someone. The Drykas was glad she didn't appear interested in an Akalak mate. He knew how the Riverians viewed their Kelvics, as pets. Van did not like the thought of his friend being condemned to that status.
"I began to bond with the twins mother, but back then, I didn't know anything about Kelvics or bonding, and had no idea what was going on. I thought I was well, falling in love with her. When we had our falling out, I learned what was happening. She broke the bond, it was pretty traumatic."The conversation was tabled as the pair were drawn to a weapons vendor. The merchant sold mostly simple weapons, most likely brought in by ship from other ports around the Suvan. Van knew Dust had some interest in slings, though he himself had never used one. As the raven girl looked over the selection, he perused the other offerings. The merchant, a crafty looking balding human, eyed the simple hand ax thrust through Vanator's belt, and insisted that he look at some special items.
Giving a curious grin to Dust, Van turned back to the vendor, who held out something in both hands, wrapped in a brown cloth. The Drykas pulled back the fabric to reveal a battle ax and a matching hand ax. Finely crafted, the heads etched with the same exotic design.
"Cold steel." The merchant taunted. Van took up the weapons in his hand, one at a time, examining the construction of each. The handles were carved with a hatchmark design, giving better grip, and secured firmly to the head. The balance of each was excellent, especially the hand ax, which could easily be thrown. Then Van lifted them together. His smile beamed as he hefted the fine weapons. They would be a fine combination, if he could learn to use them together.
They were beautiful, and Vanator wanted them. Little time was spent haggling on price, and Van settled up with the man, grinning like a school boy. He looked to Dust to see if anything had caught her fancy as well.
Ledger1- cold steel battle ax 35gm
1- cold steel hand ax 20gm