Robert didn't angrily storm out, as his tone might have led the others to believe. His growing dissatisfaction with those in the tent was more than obvious however, and it didn't take long for him to leave Edric's company.
Ned accompanied his friend, but not before throwing one last glance in Edric's direction. A call to repentance maybe? To repeal what had been said, to make the tense atmosphere disappear faster than it came, but Edric moved not, with neither his lips nor his resolved complexion making the slightest of movements.
Neither side was truly angry in truth. Simply exasperated with the actions that the other party had undertaken, or the lack of understanding.
But neither could back down, and so the wolf left the tent to follow the stag, in search of the taste of female flesh and crimson of grapes to feast upon, their mood quickly regaining its earlier joy.
Edric, seeing them leave, initially wanted to follow them. They would have a great time and great company along with them, he could socialize, and rest, or at least take a break from constant physical effort.
He wondered if he had been given endurance and drive along with his other skills considering how hard he worked.
But he quickly put aside his drifting thoughts and slight shame to head back to the forge; it would take only a little convincing to gain some of the materials needed, along with parchment for a preliminary design.
———
It was an hour later that he managed to find and convince the chamberlain of house Whent.
"I thank you for being understanding, haha, I have been thrust into a rather difficult position you see." Edric laughed.
"Letting you use this smithy isn't a problem, Lord Whent has already granted you authorization, however getting the materials you might want on short notice will be rather difficult." the fat man said to him, his arms crossed.
"You needn't trouble yourself too much. All I ask is for is wood, iron, copper and a little spelter* also. I will give you coin for your trouble."
Greed flashed in the man's dark eyes, shifting from deathly exasperation to lively expectation. His triple chins rippled as his face rose up to meet him in an instant.
"Then you needn't worry! The quality of the goods will match your generosity." he said with a malicious grin.
Noticing the barely veiled greed almost wafting off the man, Edric wasn't pleased in the slightest. He rebuked the man, who he now deemed as a fool.
"Don't be too greedy, I will give you two gold dragons, more than enough, for your time, and kindness mostly.
But in return, I require honesty and quality worth that price. You are a good man, which is why I come to you. Let this not be the last time we deal together."
In instances like this one, Edric's height truly was an immense advantage, and he took full advantage of God's gift. However, he made sure not to push the ignorant too hard into the corner, for breeding resentment was not his goal.
"Of course." The chamberlain smiled rilley, before walking away under the smith's watchful eyes.
"Wait here," he said, not even bothering to turn around and face him. Whether that was due to nervousness or sheer lack of respect however remained to be seen.
"I'll bring you your parchment," he said, finally stopping in his path and turning his head. "And servants will bring you your metal and other required materials for which you so kindly asked for."
"Thank you."
Hearing that, the overseer of Harrenhal left.
Edric only needed to wait for a minute or two, before he received a score of parchment sheets, time that he used to start a quick fire and burn some wood for charcoal that he would use to do the sketching.
As he started drawing, he began to ponder. The search for distracting thoughts had commenced. He imagined the final beauty of the armor, with its auric finish and majestic presence, necessary for an armor that was both ceremonial and practical. For that was what his design was to be, so that the soldiers could admire and be inspired by their general who gave orders from afar without the latter and his steed being too burdened by it. A careful balance between aesthetics and practicality.
Then the kingsguard came to mind, with their gilded steel plate, symbols of their great prowess and high rank, Edric decided to inspire himself of that, to add the white cloak prestige while also mixing in something else, far grander than a simple brass finish.
He would add a little color in the form of waves. A beautiful Lannister crimson to accompany the armor's resplendent gilding. The house had no valyrian steel sword, having lost it when a reckless Lannister king sailed to plunder Valyria, and failed spectacularly. He wondered if that Valyrian aesthetic would ease the wound and make the steel skin worth its steep price.
Thinking back to the kingsguard and then the royal family, the anvil's master thought about the prince who would partake in the joust and wondered how confident he must be to enter a competition where Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Arthur Dayne would be participating in.
Wait, he thought. Do I truly need to be there? I can just have the others tell me about it. And use that time to finish the armor.
He pondered further, finishing sketches until late into the night, the dark coat of the sky not directly visible, but its results undeniable as sunlight left the castle.
It wasn't too late, just into the beginning of the night. And as such, he decided to go see Robert.
It was obvious he would be with the camp followers, specifically the tent brothels which had brought an unprecedented amount of maidens for the golden dragons it cost to deflower even one of them, not that Robert cared much for maidenhood in a whore.
He walked towards the biggest and most luxurious of the tents that offered these services and entered.
While he couldn't see, through the private chamber that was reserved for the clients of the establishment, he could clearly hear one of the girls moaning his name, another calling out his ferocious libido, and final women praising his fantastical body that was a maiden's wet dream.
Edric chuckled and then waited.
And waited a little longer, until a girl of great beauty came unto him and offered to give him a good time.
He pressed a silver stag into her palm, surprised at how daring she was. None of the other girls had dared approach him, intimidated by the daunting mountain of muscle and bone that he was.
"You're a daring one." he smiled at her.
"Wait here," he said. "I'll be with you shortly, I'm waiting for a friend."
"You want the three of us to play, that's daring," she laughed. "But it'll cost you double."
Edric looked at her strangely, making her breath hitch. She wondered if she had said something wrong.
Edric ignored her words, and simply waited until Robert burst out of the small room of the tent. Shouting to the workers and asking for more wine.
He couldn't miss Edric standing right ahead of him however and chuckled.
"I knew you'd come!" He laughed. "Playing smith for the whole moon was bound to exhaust you someday."
Edric smiled. "I apologize about my behaviour earlier, I did get a little greedy."
"Don't talk about that, I get angry just thinking about it. Let's just enjoy tonight"
Edric said nothing, smiling simply.
He was right, he thought.