Chapter 54: Change of plans
"Did you really run into Basil?"
Irwin jerked from the sudden question and looked up to see Lamia almost skip towards him. She had a look of reverence, awe, and longing.
"What did it feel like?"
What?
Irwin blinked, not sure he'd heard her right. As she continued staring at him, he looked around, seeing more than a few smiths stare at Lamia with as much surprise as he had.
Guessing it wasn't just him, he shook his head. "Feel like? What do you mean? Hard? He is wearing his armor!"
"Yes, yes- but when you hit him, did it feel like slamming into a wall?" she asked, her face suddenly red as if she had only just realized the weirdness of her question.
Irwin had no idea what she was going on about, but as Lamia was always nice to him, he tried to recall. Replaying the scene and trying to focus on the moment of impact, he shook his head. "No. More like running into a heavy bag of sand that gave a little."
Lamia stared at him with gleaming eyes, making Irwin wonder if he'd said something wrong. She seemed about ready to ask more when Olger moved from between the others.
"Enough of this nonsense. Back to work! We are already behind, and this isn't helping. Orwin, start by bringing us new ingots, please. We are lacking. You can go practice after that."
Irwin jolted at the unveiled annoyance in Olger's voice. He was glad it wasn't directed at him, but he still quickly ripped his jacket and shirt off. As he was putting his leather jerking on, he realized not everyone had left. Someone was watching him. He looked up to see Lamia inspect him with a cocked head, tapping her finger on her lower lip.
"You are definitely not skinny anymore," she said with a smirk. Then she turned away while Irwin felt his cheeks turn red.