A Secret Forged In Fire

A strange man in a black cloak came to the festival today. No, no. Stranger than usual. I could tell almost nothing about the man. I just remember strange things he said and the odd job he had. He asked me to fix an iron ring, which isn't so odd usually. But during festival? No one ever needs smithwork done now unless its for the festival. Only reason I keep the forge going right now.

This man found me at my booth. Ha, very funny. I charged headlong into that one, I guess. Anyway, we're in the square, but he insisted I do this work before nightfall. Said he would lose himself if he didn't. No I don't know what he meant, why would I even ask. It was simple enough. I charged him extra, but not as much as I should have. Don't look at me like that, you have no idea what trouble this job's causing me. Anyway, he never balked or haggled, which is also a little odd. Especially this time of year.

I've been looking for him. I talked to Ennis, but couldn't quite describe the man. I remember his voice though. I'll never forget that. It was deep and vacant, like from within a cave, but also nasally and annoying. I swear, the way he put on that ring when I gave it back, you'd think he was old Cotter downing a spiced ale after Nema made him fast all week. It was like a sick man perking up after Selea finally drowns his fever.

But none of that's as strange as the ring itself. I felt uncomfortable just holding it. I'm not usually one to shiver. And the detail work. I'd never seen such small etching, so precise. I think they might be words. I squinted at the thing for nearly an hour trying to make out all the details. Here, I've got it drawn out. I had to, in order to finish the pattern. I hope it's just a pattern, or else I wrote gibberish on the parts I repaired. What do you think? Does it spell anything out? That's alright, it probably doesn't say anything. Something about it... let's just say this stranger and this ring... I really should have charged more.

I met a strange foppish sort of man at the festival, seems like an educated sort... Trace? Trace The Third. Yeah, I figured you know him. Do you think he would be able to read it? But I don't know if I want more strangers involved in this. And anything I told him would be passing all over town by morning if it was even half-way interesting.

No, nothing interesting. Why would you ask that? Look, let's just keep this between us, for now. I need to think more on this. Yeah, got me again Jaren. But it's true enough I suppose. I'll see you around. Hey, you haven't felt anything strange on your shoulder, have you? No, never mind. It's just been a weird night.