章 172: Chapter 171: One-handed Sword
Viserys pondered for a moment, though he had already thought of an answer to this question long ago, he confirmed it once again in his heart.
"A one-handed sword."
Viserys was proficient in many weapons. He had once followed the Red Keep's master-at-arms and practiced traditional knight swordsmanship, taught to his elder brother, Sir William Darry, which involved the use of one-handed swords or two-handed broadswords.
Later, he briefly trained with Braavos' First Swordsman, Syrio Forel, in the art of the Water Dance. This experience deepened Viserys' understanding of swordsmanship, though it was brief.
Subsequently, when Oberyn Martell arrived at Dragonstone and traveled to Andalos, Viserys practiced spear and lance techniques with him, which were more suitable for combat on horseback.
As the bearer of the 'Sun-piercer' sigil, House Martell had always had an excellent grasp of long weapons. Thus, Oberyn's guidance greatly improved Viserys' combat skills on horseback.
Viserys was proficient in both spears and swords, but when choosing, he prioritized one over the other.
A sword.
The spear was more practical for him, but the priority lay in the sword.
Viserys had many reasons for making this choice.
The sword as a weapon had strong symbolic significance, representing power and status. Many families used the sword as a symbol of their heritage.
Moreover, the Heart of the Comet was a unique treasure, even rarer than Valyrian steel. Valyrian steel weapons were everywhere, but it seemed that only House Dayne had a two-handed broadsword forged from a comet's heart.
Viserys could craft a side-sword with it, which would increase his influence and cohesion.
The size of the Heart of the Comet also determined that it was not enough to forge a spear, but there was more than enough material to make a spearhead, with some even left to make a dagger.
However, using it to forge a one-handed sword would be just the right size. The remaining material could be used as decoration on the hilt or scabbard.
"A one-handed sword, then?"
Master Tobho held the Heart of the Comet in his hands, which were reddened from the cold. He weighed it and examined the size before nodding.
"No problem, Your Grace."
Master Tobho then asked Viserys for paper and pen, and drew a sketch on the spot.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. For a blacksmith, being trusted to forge a legendary weapon with ample materials was a dream come true.
Viserys had given him this opportunity, so Master Tobho suppressed his excitement, sketched a design on the ground, and handed it to Viserys.
Longswords were the most common weapon for knights in Westeros, so Tobho easily drafted the sketch. The sword was about three feet long, double-edged, with a heavy crossguard above the hilt to protect the wielder's fingers during combat.
Perhaps due to his excitement, Tobho's inspiration flourished, and he added some artistic touches to the hilt and crossguard.
As an experienced blacksmith, he could tell at a glance how big of a weapon could be forged from this material.
Using the Heart of the Comet to forge a longsword might leave some excess material, which could be used to make the sword a little longer for others, turning it into a hand-and-a-half sword.
However, the wielder of this sword was Viserys, a Targaryen with royal blood. Naturally, he couldn't use a hand-and-a -half sword, which could be considered a 'bastard sword.'
Therefore, the sword's specifications were set at the standard length of a 'three-foot sword,' and Tobho could only utilize the remaining material from other angles.
...
Tobho had sketched out a rough design for the sword, in which he lengthened the hilt a bit.
The crossguard was artistically crafted into the shape of a dragon's claw with five fingers, as if a dragon's claw was gripping the blade. At the end of the long hilt, there was a small, fierce dragon's head.
Master Tobho presented the sketch to Viserys, who examined it and was generally satisfied with Tobho Mott's design.
As expected of a master smith capable of forging Valyrian steel, the design of the sword was near perfection.
However, Viserys made some adjustments according to his personal preferences.
He knew that the dragon's head at the end of the hilt was for counterweight, to balance the overall feel of the longsword; otherwise, a top-heavy or bottom-heavy sword would affect a knight's use of the weapon.
The adjustment of the weight relied on the smith's skill and the preferences of the swordsman.
"Remove this dragon's head."
"Replace it with an equal-weighted golden or brass counterweight ball."
Viserys felt that the dragon's head was a bit ostentatious and didn't match his aesthetic taste. He requested a more modest decoration, while retaining the design of the dragon's claw crossguard.
"I understand, Your Grace."
Master Tobho noted Viserys' requested changes and nodded.
"This is still just a rough sketch, not the final design of the sword."
Forging was a complex craft, and as this was related to the goal he had been striving for his entire life, he would naturally return to his workshop to refine the design further.
Then, as if Tobho Mott had thought of something, he slapped his forehead and spoke.
"Your Grace."
"To forge this sword with the Heart of the Comet, my apprentices and I alone are not enough."
"I need to borrow a few death-row prisoners to help."
Tobho requested.
"Death-row prisoners?"
Viserys was slightly taken aback by Master Tobho's request, unsure of what he needed the prisoners for, and why others couldn't help.
Since the lives of these prisoners were worth little and they were going to die anyway, Viserys didn't think too much about it and agreed.
"Alright, Master Tobho, take as many death-row prisoners as you need."
"Since that's the case, I entrust the forging of this sword to you, using the Heart of the Comet."
Viserys nodded slightly, preparing to let Tobho Mott and his apprentice leave.
A faint female voice came from outside the room.
"The Heart of the Comet is a gift from the Lord of Light to Your Grace."
"Born from the flames, it may forge the legendary 'Lightbringer.'"
Hearing the woman's voice, Viserys turned his head towards the doorway.
A woman dressed in a red robe stood quietly by the door, gazing at the people inside the room.
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with an unusual light as they stared at the Heart of the Comet in Master Tobho's hand.
...
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