The stranger’s appearance was jarring, he had a mane of white hair and piercing blue eyes, with a frame that was wiry and strong. Beyond his garbs, black runes could be seen wrapped in a spiral around his right arm. Upon the table, he laid open a piece of fabric to reveal a piece of black material. Its appearance, structurally, was that of wood. Its qualities, though, were of a dark glassy metal. Kiem stared at the material, feeling the embers of passion flaring to life. “Where did you find this?” He asked, not taking his eyes from the material. “To the west.” Responded the figure. “I require a dagger.” He continued, “The material must remain pure during the forging process.” “Can you offer payment?” Kiem inquired, knowing he would do it for free. The stranger smiled taking Kiem’s right hand in his own. Before Kiem could react, the man clasped his family ring tightly and pressed a stone into the empty socket. Startled Kiem recoiled and stole back his arm, examining the new addition that was now fused to the band as if it had never left. The stone shone with an otherworldly brilliance. “Consider my debt to you family paid.” And with that, he left the small shop.