BOLVERK THE SMITH
[/color] The lad smiled and answered him, telling him that the woman was here to respond to his letter. Some time back, Bolverk ahd went about the lands to other smiths shops. One in particular caught his eye and after hearing the history of it, Bolverk could not resist reaching a hand out to a fellow shop owner. And here she was. A woman who was neither plain nor exotic.
"Ah yes, do come in." He held the door open for her and waited until she was inside before closing it. A desk, a book shelf and two chairs could be found in the small room. The one with the cushion was offered to her while Bolverk lowered himself into the one he had been sleeping in.
"Thank you for coming to respond to my letter. By all means, precede."[/ul]
LARA CAMPBELL[/b] Soft warm words politely spoken while Lara lowered into offered chair. Had work been going on the words would have been lost. Falling silent after that Lara contemplated how best to proceed. The letter itself had been well-written. Consideration and heavy debate had been what took so long to respond. Making decisions rashly was only done by fools.
"Your offer was most intriguing and generous. I must admit that I was shocked." It was only the many years spent in Normandy that brought about such clear and precise speech for one born in Scotland. Though accent could be caught upon occasion.
"I wanted to make sure I understood it right. Your offer is that we merge though I still run my business alone, and would not have to change its name? And by doing this I would not have to worry about cost or supplies any longer?" Lara was intelligent though still experiencing a bit of disbelief. The business when it'd been in Normandy, ran by her husband, had been prosperous. Yet it'd been left behind, the money earned from it put toward saving her family from clutches of Maubrey, and having not done that work for three years while establishing oneself in a new place was a task.[/ul]
BOLVERK THE SMITH[/color] Bolverk fell silent as he held patience in waiting for her to gather the right words. It was not as if he had offered her a free sword. This business would be binding for a good period of time and both of them had much to lose, but more to gain. He only hoped she favored the gaining part as much as himself. The accent and the way she dress were all noted in his mind though Bolverk's eyes never lingered too long or one thing or the other. Despite his private matters, Bolverk was a gentleman. A soft smile rose on his features as she repeated back his letter in more informal wording.
"That is correct Lady Campbell. I wish for us to merge and you to become a smaller branch of my business. Nothing will change on your end save better supplies or keeping the ones you prefer in top shape. The name can remain as it is, for I have no wish to steal business from you or take your hard earn work for myself. The cost of extra things will be yours and you will pay for everything you need. I will be a silent partner if you will. Should you find yourself low on coin because the season had not been kind, I will offer to buy what you need. But only what you need." Bolverk knew many other smiths did not favor a woman running a shop such as that. He saw no wrong in it as long as the woman knew what she was doing.
"Also, if for some reason you are unable to do business with other men, I will step in and do it for you to make sure you get what you need. I know many here do not favor a woman's hands on metal."[/ul]
LARA CAMPBELL[/b] Brows furrowed as mind worked before gaze raised once again to clearly meet his own,
"I would not ask for what I do not need. I seek not for hand outs. Though my business is small and not yet established fully I have experience running one. I did such work for many years in Normandy while my husband was away and after his death." What Lara sought to establish now was her position. Partners they would be. Money would not be accepted unless needed.
"Please, call me Lara. It is much easier on tongue than Lady Campbell." Once more voice had fallen silently though lips curved in amusement at his words.
"Aye, so I have learned. Even in Normandy there were many men not fond of such. I would welcome your support though if they cannot accept that it is I who make weapon then- well as a religious woman it would not be polite to say where they can take their business." Lara didn't really have any of her own terms besides what she had explained. She did not want to solely depend on another. Aid when necessary? She would accept, but not aid when unnecessary.
"I could be accepting of a silent partner, Bolverk. Though I should let you know that my expertise lies more in armor than weapon. I can make both, but my arms are...not up to par."[/ul]
BOLVERK THE SMITH[/color] He had already seen how big her shop was, now he wanted to know of her staff and how good they were if any.
"If you have someone who can look after your shop for a week or so out of a month, I would be willing to take the time to teach you some finer points on arms. Perhaps you have secrets to teach me on armor." Bolverk turned for a moment to reach into his desk and pull our a piece of parchment he had written up.
"I assume you can read? Judging by your accent, I knew you were not of this land. If you can not read the language, I can have another copied for you in your own." If she could read the parchment, he would pass it to her to look over.[/ul]
LARA CAMPBELL[/b] Simple statement though honest enough. Lara would not idly toss aside formality. It just seemed not to make sense for them to be in business together and remain standing on it. Attention was paid to every word spoken even while hand accepted the parchment,
"Then it seems we are opposites. I would not mind learning to improve the quality of my arms. It is something that I was to be further educated on when my husband was called to fight. As for my shop, at present, I have perhaps three working for me. As to where some men dislike a woman touching metal it seems that others are unwilling to work for one who does." Complete nonsense in her mind. Coin would be earned the same whether business was ran by man or woman. It would keep roof over head and food on table for their families. To allow such foolish reason to keep your family from properly being cared for made not a lick of sense. Brown eyes met his with spark of humor before dropping to peruse the document,
"Aye, I can read this language as well as French. I was born in Scotland and lived there for sixteen years before I moved to Normandy after I married. It explains my, at times, stubborn nature. Though rest assured that it does not mean I am mule headed." Ability to be honest about self was something to be admired in some sense. Lara sought not to pretend to be the paragon of femininity.[/ul]
BOLVERK THE SMITH[/color] At the mention of her husband. Bolverk gave a soft nod of his chin.
"I am sorry to have heard you lost so much Lara. I know this life can be very cruel, but you are a strong woman for trying to keep things going and keeping yourself alive. I admire that very much." He waved a hand towards the table for her to bring the parchment over. A quill and ink jar awaited her so she could sign the parchment. Bolverk would do the same to seal the deal for them both.
"I have heard there was interest in blacksmithing for the military as special orders. With business doing so well and the possibility of more hands, I was interested in offering my services. If that is something that interest you, then I would love for you to join me when I go to meet the Mo'r Triath and Mo'r Oukselo."[/ul]
LARA CAMPBELL[/b] Comment on business with France brought the slightest quirk of lips,
"Indeed, it means that I can once again put my French to use. I only use it on occasion when conversing with my brother's wife." At times Lara spoke in tongue with Liliana when they conversed about matters of a private nature. Otherwise they stuck to speech that all could understand.
"They are useful. One is more for purpose of delivery than actual work I suppose. The youth is taking care of siblings after the loss of parents and needed the coin." In this life much could happen that thrust those unprepared for responsibility or adulthood into it against their will. Lara had felt sympathy for the young man and so had hired him on. It was the broach of personal topic that made smile lessen if only slightly. There was a light of sorrow that appeared in depth of brown eyes as she spoke gently,
"It is all we can do, no? Continue onward with our life and not allow spirit to die. It is what those who loved us would want and from such loss we tend to appreciate life more. I must live for them." Four loving faces that constantly swam through her mind. They were who she continued to live for each day. The thought that all of them were together and looked down on her was a comfort even if heart still yearned for them to be upon this earth. Shifting forward now, parchment placed on desk, Lara's slim hand moved to wrap long fingers about quill after dipping it in inkpot. Signature was written with smooth movement of wrist that made clear precise strokes along the document. Once complete hand offered the quill to Bolverk for him to do the same and to bring the deal a sense of finality. Now mind turned to that of military.
"Aye, I had heard of this interest as well. I would love to join you as well. Skye could use skilled hands and I would be honored to help lend them."[/ul]
BOLVERK THE SMITH[/color] Bolverk waited for her to sign the parchment and when she was done then moved out of the way, his tall form leaned over the desk so he could take the quill and sign his own name. He would make a copy for her as well with every last word unchanged. The quill was placed back into the water before he rose and turned to face her.
"Wonderful. It will be nice to have another there to help me speak with them. I am sure they would be honored to have both a man and woman working on it. No doubt the Mo'r Oukselo will seek your hands often. If you remain in town for another few days, I will send to see if they can meet and speak with us soon. The travelers inn is very nice. I stayed there when I first came to the city. I will help you pay for the room should you need it. If not, please take a look around and enjoy your stay. As soon as I get a letter in return. I will send for you." Bolverk moved to walk her out and said his goodbyes before moving back into his small office area so he could write a letter and have the lad send it out.[/ul][/font]
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