Sparks flew as Bernie hammered upon his blade, his badge of office glowing an angry red. After the events following his arrival in Providence, his blade needed a fresh temper, sharpening, and a good wash.
Treat your weapon as you would a woman: care for her, and she will treat you well.
The words of his mentor Alfred rung in his ears as a fond memory of simpler times, bringing a smile to his face.
While Bernie would not call his trade easy, he found comfort in the relative simplicity of blacksmithing. The forge didn’t test his will or his faith, only his endurance and strength - things Bernie possessed in abundance. So it was, then, that Bernie found time to think while hammering away, where all of his thoughts, both good and ill, cascaded upon one another in a great big pile for Bernie to sort out like some game of 52-pick-up.
The first card he picked up was Sylas. The man had been traveling with Bernie after Bernie’s accolade, and while Bernie thought he knew the man well, Sylas managed to surprise Bernie in a precious moment on that Saturday night. Bernie was well within his rights to be angry with Sylas, or even condemn him, for what Sylas had told him, but Bernie possessed another quality in spades - hope. The familiar ache of worrying for his best friend caused his rhythm to slow for a moment. Bernie looked at his blade and saw Sylas’ face. Quickly shaking his head to clear his mind, he continued on, picking up his pace.
The next was a sense of pride in himself, something he rarely allowed himself to feel for fear of hubris, but something he would allow himself now. Somehow, in the last few days, Bernie had managed to do a lot of good in a place that sorely needed it. The prospect of becoming a figure the town of Providence would look to for protection bolstered him in a way he very much needed prior to his arrival. Now, beneath his hammer, he saw a mirror-image of his own face.
The third was a sense of foreboding, a worry for his future - both immediate and long-term. He had gotten himself into a lot of trouble in the last two days, but he had faith that he was doing the right things. Bernie knew that his new job as sheriff’s deputy would make him an even bigger target than before, but Bernie was never one to shy away from adversity. Bernie always seemed to shine when the odds are far away against him (which is one of the main reasons Sylas won’t play often with Bernie for real money). He had a town to protect and a lot of foes - both old and new - to worry about. Bernie looked down at his blade again, expecting to see a familiar face - but instead saw a weapon ready to be tested. Plunging it into the bucket of water at his side and ready to face the challenges ahead of him, Bernie reached into the pocket of his apron for a rag…
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