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Houses of brick and timber line up with one another to form a web of village streets and alleyways that is not quite a chaotic and unplanned mess. Stones pave every path within the walls, with spellwork to keep them clear of snow even in the cavern's eternal winter. The widest and broadest road leads up to the side of the cavern, where a small castle has been built out from the natural cliff face.
You and Örjan do not approach that part of town at all.
"Is there anyone in town who buys things off of traveling adventurers?" you ask your young guide. You haven't stopped clinging to his arm, which gets the two of you some looks and gossiping whispers. Unfortunately, Örjan does not seem to know what to do with a woman who's been throwing herself at him.
In fact, he seems completely oblivious to your charms. He happily responds, "Yeah, let me take you to Ryckard's shop. If you got anything steel or iron... even if it's in bad condition, he can just smelt it down into ingots."
Örjan leads you to a great round building, attached to which might be the largest set of bellows that you've ever seen. They easily dwarf those attached to the forges of your village, and from the look of it they appear to be powered by a rare stream of water that has not frozen over in the cavern's chill. A water wheel turns a gear, that makes the bellows pump a mighty gust of wind into the furnace.
Inside the building is toasty and warm despite the winter chill outside. A stocky man with white hair and wolven ears works at a hunk of metal with a hammer. When he catches Örjan in his eyes, he stops his work and breaks into a grin, "Örjan, my friend! It's been too long since you've visited the shop... and with a surface dwelling beauty in tow, ho ho ho. Have you finally learned a woman's charms?"
You shake your head at the man. He quirks an eyebrow at you. Örjan just sounds confused, when he says, "Ryckard, what are you talking about?"
"I'll tell you when you're older, lad," Ryckard shakes his head.
"I've been a man grown for two whole years now," Örjan complains. "I feel like I'll be shriveled up and grey by the time you tell me."
"Don't worry, Örjan," you tell him. "Sven asked me to show you the roped, so I'll be going over all that in detail with you later."
Ryckard chokes at your words before bursting into laughter. Örjan looks between the two of you with confusion on his face, before letting out a long sigh. "You know I used to think this was just a woman thing, but now it feels like everyone is in on it. Anyways, Ryckard, this is Herta, an adventurer from the surface who lost her way. I was hoping you could cut her a good deal on some things she picked up from some goblins."
Ryckard nods, and gestures to the table. "Well, let's take a look at what you've got..."
