With a painfully harsh, ear-splitting sound, the shaft vanished into the floor in a shower of sparks, causing the archer to jump back in astonishment. The place where it struck was a diamond-shaped slit in the stone. Turning to Ralph, the Thane leaned back thoughtfully in his chair and said ironically, ‘I see.’ The room was immediately abuzz with excitement, but the Thane seemed lost in thought for a long moment. Abruptly, his eyes came back into focus, and when he considered Ralph once more there was a concealed seriousness behind his words.
‘You were well-chosen to come at our need. But it seems to me no small coincidence that Malina should find one so mighty in craft. Do you make . . . other such artifacts?’
Ralph shrugged. ‘This arrowhead was a first for me. I had no idea-’
‘What my friend is trying to say,’ interrupted Pran quietly and leaning forward, so that only the Thane could hear, ‘is that in his world, smithing does not produce anything beyond the mere working of metals.’
The Thane and Pran exchanged a long look. Finally, to ensure that nothing would be overheard by any nearby, the Thane directed his aides to withdraw a discreet distance. ‘Well,’ he said very quietly, sitting on the edge of his chair, leaning forward on his elbows, ‘it seems that fortune has indeed been in our favour, at least for now.’ Noticing Ralph’s expression, he added, ‘It is fortunate for all of us that the King hasn’t yet met your acquaintance. Was that in fact the only such weapon?’