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// A Good Blade is Forged From Heart 
// Story: The Twi'lek 
// by Gallants 
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"Ok, Sasha I want to let you know upfront, my blades aren't cheap,"  Somara said leading me to the forge, "but that's because I don't sell crap like that Minotaur," when we reached the back she sat me down in a chair and placed her talons on either side of me, "I want you to understand something specific there are a lot of ponies with a talent for blacksmithing, like Sharp, but nothing most of them will craft for you will come even close to good Griffish steel," she pulled a dagger out as she told me that and offered the handle to me, "there's a reason I have the militia S.A.R.S contract," holding the blade in my hand I found it extremely well balanced twirling it in my hand with ease I knew what I wanted to request.

"You want a blade that you can use one-handed, that'll about a meter long, right?" I looked at Somara astounded and nodded, "wipe that look off your face I know what a creature needs in a blade," she turned around and lit her forge, "normally I would charge extra for an inlaid blade, but for you, a long sword with a mana crystal inlay," as she placed the first ingot of steel in I saw the contemplation in her eyes, "that'll be three hundred bits," smiling I slid my bag off my back and reached in pulling my bit pouch out I got ready to start counting bits, "Now what do you think you're doing, I don't accept payment until the job is complete and you're satisfied,"

"And when will the job be complete?" I asked placing my pouch back in my bag and standing up.

"At least a week just tell me where you're staying and I'll send Sharp to get you when it's ready," she told me pulling the steel out inspecting, and placing it once more into the forges embrace. Coughing I told her I didn't have a place to stay as I just left the hospital, she laughed and told Sharp to lead me to an inn but one that wasn't too expensive she did intend to get paid after all.

The inn I was led to was small, isolated, and very cheap at only five bits a night, I had a fair bit more than I would need thankfully. The innkeeper was Hounskull a gruff stallion with a helmet as his cutie mark, he kept a spear hanging above the desk and a blade under the counter, "Welcome to the Watches Retreat the most secure inn this side of Equestria, you're lucky I'm not currently hosting royalty or officers," his deep voice rumbled with decades of experience but with simple kindness, "Let me get you a room, somewhere towards the front with a small window right?"

"What is with this town and its ponies reading minds!" He started to laugh as I vented.

"I noticed how you looked for routes of escape when you walked in," His hoof dropped a key on the desk, "rooms not booked so I won't have to force you out anytime soon, keep it clean, and don't break anything ok?" I grabbed the key and read the number and headed to my room with a kind nod. 

The next week was boring I spent it walking around the town before I went back to the hospital to have my arm checked and the cast removed. During my wanderings I purchased some leather-like string and made a pendant from the shards of my kyber crystal; I eventually stumbled upon the Celestial Memorial, a massive monolith honoring the soldiers who lost their lives during an event called the rift. I spent a few days reading every name on it, a couple thousand not all of them ponies. Many stared and whispered.

I was meditating during my eleventh day at the inn when there was a knock on the door, "Ms. Sasha," it was Sharp, "Master Somara has finished the blade but there is an issue," frowning I stood up and opened the door to be led to the shop.

"Good, you're here," Somara was fidgeting, "when I was forging your blade," she let out a sigh, "the metal fought me which is the first time something like this has happened," I raised my brow, "It wouldn't form, crown it wouldn't stretch to the length you wanted," she reached to the side and drew a long dagger, "I'm sorry it turned out this way, if you still want it I won't even charge you," I reached my hand out and gripped the dagger and it felt perfect not as good as my saber but a suitable replacement for the time.

"It is a bit short doesn't give much space for deflecting," flipping it in the air I was able to easily catch it and give several swings and jabs while transitioning my grip, "very well balanced," I admired the inlay of the crystal and the purple shine it gave when mixed with the crackling flames. Cracking a smile I looked at the hen, "Where's the sheath?"