Welcome to Gaia! ::

The man seemed as though he had to think about that question. He took a long moment to answer, and when he did, he shrugged his shoulders slowly.

"I would have to say," he said slowly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "that anything that presents me a challenge gives me particular pleasure. Things that are new. Never done before."

His eyes shone brightly. He obviously liked to talk about his work as well.

Balthier blinked at Lin, a little confused as to what she might mean. His inspiration? How did he like it? So many interpretations!

"Er ... well, I make them," he said slowly, certain he must be getting her meaning wrong, "and I just ... play with different ideas, I guess. There's a lot of work to be done before I can make a real one, testing to see how they'll balance and all ..."

"Definitely the balancing," the man replied without hesitation. "The handle has to be the same weight as the blade with a much smaller length. Any hilt has to be added into the equation. Any design, any part of the metal that is going to be expanded or filigreed ... every bit of it has to be factored in. The balance must be perfect. So many swords are simply not possible ... the folding, tempering ... everything ... it must be perfect ... and of course I can only use the metal itself to experiment, because nothing else can simulate the density and weight ..."

His eyes appeared almost glazed as he went on about his work. Something that was also obviously his passion.

After a few moments, Balthier stopped speaking mid-sentence and chuckled a bit, his already dark face flushing just a bit darker.

"I apologize," he bowed deeply. "I tend to go on ... please forgive me."

"Perhaps we should be moving on," Amora suggested softly, placing one hand gently on Lin's shoulder. "We still have other stops to make, and it is pushing towards noon already."

They had lunch at the inn to get to, as well as the other shops that Lin had said she wanted to visit.

"You are quite welcome," Balthier smiled, bowing deeply to Lin. "It is rare that I find someone as interested in my work as I am ... it was a great pleasure talking with you. Please, if you are in the area, do come again."

It seemed that he was as friendly as everyone else in the city.

They arrived at the inn in perfect time for lunch, and they were greeted warmly by Rayna and immediately ushered into the private dining room, which was in the process of being prepared for their meal.

"Sir Gilead, if you would like, you're free to join us," the woman smiled warmly at the guard. "If Princess Amora doesn't mind."

Amora smiled brightly. "Not at all," she assured the Rayna cheerfully. "Just don't let Mother or Father find out." She winked at Lin.

Rayna smiled and poured water from a pitcher into a basin, then set the pitcher aside. "Come, wash," she invited. "You must be dusty ... it's quite a hot day out today."

Amora laughed softly. "Much hotter than yesterday," she agreed, "though at least yesterday we had a restful morning."

As she reached for the basin, Rayna noticed the bandages on her hand. "Accident?"

"Training," the princess replied, beginning to wash her hands. "Have you met Lord Elwin?"

Rayna shook her head, and her eyes were curious. "Tell me about him?"