A Blacksmith’s Dream
[id: a digital comic in black and white.
1: a blacksmith is hammering a hot piece of metal against an anvil. They have mid-length light hair (burnt at the tips) and light skin. Their face is covered with a mask, and they’re wearing a light shirt, a skirt, and a dark apron. The text reads,
“I know what I look like doesn’t matter / Especially in my line of work”
2: two well-dressed figures in the foreground admire a necklace in their hands. The blacksmith stands behind them (still wearing their mask) and wipes their hands, looking towards the figures. The text reads,
“It doesn’t matter.”
3: the blacksmith sitting on a bed, with their hair down, lit by a bedside candle. They’re facing away from the viewer, instead looking out through a dark window. The text reads,
“It doesn’t.”
4: The blacksmith is in a crowd, being offered a sword by two figures. They’re small, with elfin ears, dark skin, and long hair. One holds a delicate and wrapped up sword up to the blacksmith, the other holds a bag. The blacksmith is pointing to themself as if to say “me?”. The crowd around them appears shocked. The text reads:
“But I think I’m close to something / There’s a shift”
5: The blacksmith hammering something outside of the image, sparks flying. Their hammer is raised high to strike, and the muscles in their neck and arms are taut. Their hair is flying out behind them. The text reads,
“It’s in my hands / the hairs on my arms”
7: A closeup of the blacksmith’s eye through the slit in their mask—it’s wide and intense. Their other eye is slightly visible to the left, and sparks fill the foreground. The text reads,
“A pulse in my eye”
8: a silhouette of the smithy against a dark grey background, casting long shadows. The blacksmith is working inside, also a silhouette lit by the forge, still hammering. The text reads,
“I think maybe if I do this / (and nothing but this)”
9: a silhouette of the blacksmith being thrown backwards, against a bright white background. Pieces of metal and the blacksmith’s mask are also being thrown backwards, casting dark shadows that emphasise the explosion. The text reads,
“I might make something so extraordinary, / that I, / my body / my face / will be blasted off the surface of the earth.”
10: the blacksmith on the ground, with only their feet visible. Their mask is also on the ground. Everything is casting long shadows, as if what’s in front of them is shining. The text reads,
“No one will ever see me again, / but not because I’m not there / Their eyes will simply glance off.”
11: The blacksmith holding the sword triumphantly in front of them, surrounded by burning ruins. The sword is thin, and embellished with curls of metal around the hilt—it’s shining brightly. The blacksmith’s posture is braced as if holding it is an active effort, and their hair is loose and half covering their face. Through the hair, their eyes are shining too, and they’re smiling. The text reads,
“Blinded completely / By what I’ve made.” ]
