Beltane the Smith

In a secluded woodland glade, a young smith named Beltane lives a solitary life beside a babbling brook. He is as comfortable with an anvil as he is with the songs of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the ancient lore taught by the hermit Ambrose. Though skilled in metalwork, herbology, and the constellations, Beltane knows little of towns, courtly life, or the mysteries of women—a topic his mentor warns him against with grim moral warnings.

One day, while sketching the forest’s beauty, Beltane catches the eye of a mysterious traveler whose presence hints at a world beyond the trees. Their brief encounter stirs a curiosity that pulls Beltane toward strangers, knights, and the promise of adventure. As the brook’s chatter grows louder, the smith begins to wonder whether his quiet life can ever satisfy the new longing unfolding in his heart.