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"Hmm, it might be something to look into," Tavi says thoughtfully. "Seems that we are both stuck here for awhile either way though, so perhaps if you hear anything else you'll let me know?" she asks.

"As long as you're buying drinks, I'm happy to tell you anything I hear," the bard says with a grin, putting his elbows on the table and resting his head in his hands.

"If I keep buying you drinks, I won't have any money for myself," Tavi points out with a grin. "Though, I am looking for someone that could fix my sword. It kind of broke."

"Is that so? That's bad luck, isn't it? Or maybe that's just mirrors," Helak comments idly. "In any case, you might want to see ol' Carbuncle Blusterbuckle then. He's the local smith, although," he adds, leaning in confidentially, "I hear he's quite mad. So best be on your guard." He then leans back into his chair. "His shop is on the main road. You probably passed it on your way up here."

"What do you mean he's quite mad?" Tavi asks curiously. "Or, maybe I should say, what makes you say that about him?"

Helak shrugs noncommittally. "I never met him myself; never had reason to. But that's the rumor, that he's insane. I'm not sure if it's true or not, or where the rumor came from," he admits. "But gnomes are strange folk in general, I've heard." He chuckles. "And I guess we must all be a little mad to stay here, aren't we?"

"Maybe a little," Tavi says in agreement before she stands. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Helak. I look forward to the next time we meet."

Helak does not bother to get up. He does wave, though. "Fare thee well, o beauteous one. I'm sure we'll cross paths again," he says, perhaps a tad over-dramatically.

Tavi giggles lightly as she takes her leave. She goes in search of the crazy smith she was just told about.

Leaving the inn and heading west, she sees that building she saw before, the one that bears the emblem of a sword and axe crossed over a shield. She assumes it's the right place, so opens the door and steps inside.

It's a simple shop with a forge (unlit) taking up most of the space inside. There are a couple of dummies for holding armor, but both are bare. She does spot a few shields on the wall. There's a few weapon racks on the walls that hold a collection of swords, daggers, spears, polearms, hammers, axes and maces.

Sitting behind the counter, eating a leg of lamb and drinking from a flagon, is a middle-aged gnome with dark hair and a beard. He looks up in surprise as Tavi enters, apparently not having expected anyone. Wiping the foam from his mouth, he looks up at her from his stool. "Err...yes? Hello. How can I help you, stranger?" he asks, setting the half-eaten drumstick on its plate and wiping his hands off on his apron.

Tavi glances over the gnome for a few moments. Though, she isn't sure why he was called crazy. "Um, yes, I was wondering how much and if you could fix a broken sword."

Pushing the plate and flagon aside, he licks his fingers, then wipes them off of his apron. "Yes to the first question. To the second, that depends on what type of sword and how badly broken. Let's have a look."

Tavi slowly takes her broken blade and places it before the gnome gently. "It belonged to my father, so if possible I would like to have it fixed. It is the only thing I have left of him," she explained a bit sadly.

Taking out a small lens, the gnome examines the broken pieces of the sword. "Hmm...appears to have corroded, which is why it broke." Putting the lens away, he looks up at her. "I have no other projects lined up today, so I can have it ready by tomorrow. It will cost seven gold pieces."

Tavi nods and starts digging out the gold pieces. "Thank you," she says. "So is there any work...of any kind to be found in this town?"