The forge roared as more air pumped into its fiery depths. The white-hot metal glowed, intense enough to make one look away, as the big man laid it on the large anvil. Raising his hammer high, he brought it down in an arc to land squarely on the glowing metal. The metal rang out sweetly as he pummeled it into shape. Fancy watched him form the piece of metal into a large "S" shape from her hiding place.

Fancy thought back to her escape from the workhouse in Glacier City. She had run away from the workhouse, hiding herself in the top of a tree. She waited until the wee-hours of the morning and stiffly climbed down from her tree and ran downriver. By luck she chanced on a warehouse and dock sitting separate from the others. With careful stealth she managed to slip on board one of the captured Mysian vessels. That had been an ordeal too!

The Black Bear people that captured the ship, did not know how to pilot her very well. Three times they ran onto sandbars! Fancy could still recall one poor fellows face as the ship suddenly caught the current and rushed away from the sandbar. He stood staring at the ship, mouth agape, stranded. She certainly hoped he made it to one of the shores safely.

Fancy turned her attention back to the big burly man shaping the metal inside the big, dark building. He had a very kind face, despite his huge stature and bulging muscles. This size of man in Glacier City commanded respect and in her experience was always a hired body guard. This fellow did not appear to fit her pre-conceived notion of brawny men. The kindness of his face intrigued her. This kept her crouched behind the water trough, peeking through the boards at the big blacksmith.

Charius closed down the hearth door, secured the bellows and sat down. Withdrawing a large blue cloth, he wiped his ample brow. 'That raggedly-dressed girl cowering behind my shop is still there... Usually the children get bored watching me shape the metal and skip off to play,' he mused to himself. He called softly to an equally large equine standing nearby. The massive palomino nickered softly at the sound of Charius' voice.

"Well Hamby, looks like we done a good days labor. What say you, to a bite to eat?" Charius pulled back the rail that served as a barrier. The big animal walked out, quietly following him. Charius eyed the gap in the boards the girl had been peeking through, she was still there. He smiled and patted the big horse beside him.

"Hamby, do ya' suppose the little gal there, would do us the honor of having dinner with us?" Charius watched. The girl jumped back from the shadowed board and disappeared.

"One of us appears to have scared the little thing! Now why would anyone be afeared of us, Hamby?" Charius shook his head sadly and the big horse nudged him forward affectionately.

"Okay, Okay! Must have seen your big appetite and been feared you would munch on her too! Shame on ya', Hamby!" The big equine blew impatiently as Charius stopped to close the doors to his smithy.

"Hope the poor little gal will be okay." Charius muttered to his companion and the horse nickered softly.

Fancy attempted to straighten out her ragged appearance at the horse trough outside the smithy's. She climbed the big oak tree just outside when she was spotted and now she noticed another small rip. Sighing with resignation she dipped her hand in the water and attempted to comb out her hair with her fingers. She had watched as the smithy gently brushed and fed the enormous horse. He spoke so kindly of her! Not at all like she was used to at the workhouse, or the streets of Glacier City. Glacier City had changed so much after the big battle with the Mysians. Over half of the towns people were killed fighting off the invaders. Her parents and older brother were among those killed. Fancy pushed the thought away quickly as tears fought to overcome her. The towns people who lived through the fight were the cowards and dregs of Glacier City.

Seizing all the choice businesses and properties, they rapidly turned the town into a nightmare existence. Fancy and all those with no parents were thrown scraps of food occasionally. One nasty fellow decided the orphans were a viable workforce and opened an 'orphanage'. The children were forced to work from well before sun-up to sunset. In turn, each received one measly meal a day and a space on the floor to sleep. The children were rented out in 'teams'. Forced to push heavy wheels to provide power for the miners, since many of the stock animals had been lost. The minerals mined from the ice fields were Glacier City's main industry.

Fancy straightened up and raised her chin. She was not going to behave like a beggar! She was on her own now and could take care of herself! She furiously scrubbed at her face and tried to remove all the grime she could see in the water reflection. Satisfied, she walked resolutely toward the inn of Innis.

Delmar opened the kitchen door to toss out a pan of dirty water. Before she realized it, she had drenched a wretchedly-dressed little girl standing at the doorway, poised to knock. Sucking in a horrified breath, Delmar began to apologize.

"Oh, dear child, I am so very sorry! Here, take this towel and dry your pretty face. Oh my, I didn't look what I was doing! I get so scatter-brained when I'm this busy!" Fancy took in the plump, kindly face with errant strands of hair clinging to her in sweaty, dirty swirls. She wiped the water off of her face and handed the towel back to the woman. Fancy grinned at the woman before her.

"It's okay. I certainly needed a bath anyway!" Fancy giggled and held out her ragged remains of a dress to curtsey. Delmar looked at her closely, then began to laugh.

"Well dear child, what can I do for you? I certainly owe you after dousing you like that! Come in and let me fix you a plate while you tell me all about it." Delmar started to place an affectionate hand on the girls shoulder to gently guide her in the door. Delmar took note but made no comment on the way the girl shied away from her touch. She led her to the side of the large hearth. Delmar indicated the wooden bench sitting perpendicular from the fireside. Fancy was all too willing to sit next to the warm fire and savor the incredible smells coming from its center. Delmar instructed one of her helpers, another amply built, red-haired woman, to give Fancy a plate of stew.

"Now, you eat this first and we will talk later. I'm going to get you fixed up with a clean frock and if you want I'll even pour you a bath." Delmar plopped two very large biscuits onto Fancy's plate and swept away. Fancy only had time to nod yes, her mouth full of stew. Delmar's matter-of-fact demeanor was still so kindly, Fancy was in shock. She wasn't sure, but maybe she drowned on the river and she had woke up in heaven!