In a message dated 6/25/02, Starshadw at aol.com writes: In a message dated 6/25/02,Thomas Yan writes: >>p39: Aerich passes 3 weapon-smiths, stops at hostelry with fat >>partridge sign, basement door with a small sign of a simple >>longsword {why this one?} > >Yes, this bothered me. Either he knew of the place previously, >or there was some small sign we didn't recognize somewhere that >clued him in, or it was an implicit statement of his skill with the >sword that he wasn't concerned about getting "the very best." Also keep in mind that the first three weaponsmiths were pointed out by Pel. The fourth, Aerich chose for himself -- after asking Pel if he knew the smith, and being told no. Rae