[ WP ] A young , talented engineer is sent back in time to the early Iron Age . It has been 30 years since then , and he lives as a hermit to avoid being burned as a wizard .

“ Ask him. ” 
 
 “ No. You know he hates people. ” 
 
 “ Ask him, he can help. Are you scared? ” 
 
 “ Yes! And you should be too. Have you seen his forge? Nobody knows how he does what he does. It's better to stay away from him. ” 
 
 “ Fine then, I'll go. I've never met him, but I'll go. We ca n't afford to miss the season. You know this. ” 
 
 He gave up, knowing that she would not be dissuaded. His daughter had always stood strong. Soon, she was on her way out of town. She made her way through the forest towards his house. She had a faint hope she would not have to go near his forge. The path was barely visible. He really did n't like having any visitors. There were things... he was a mystery as much as the oracles. No one approached his house willingly. She knew she had no choice. The season was approaching fast. 
 Finally, she saw she was getting close. The path opened up to a large clearing. On one end stood a hut, on the other, the forge. The only other thing visible was a well with a weird looking contraption over it. It looked like some kind of handle.. 
 
 She approached the hut and put up her hand to the heavy door. She hesitated for just a moment and then lightly knocked. Nothing. Again, she knocked, slightly stronger this time. She felt a nervousness such like she hardly ever felt. She decided to knock again, it was still early in the morning. Knock, knock. 
 
 Suddenly, the door swung open. She gasped, surprised. The tall, muscular man was old. Much older than she had expected. A long gray beard covered his face. His face looked tired, but the eyes... they burned bright in that old face. 
 
 For a while they stood there, facing each other. She did n't know how much time had passed between them standing there. 
 
 “ What do you want? ” 
 His speech was odd too. 
 
 Long pause... “ I, I came to ask you something, Blacksmith. ” 
 
 “ Out with it girl. ” 
 
 “ My father's plow, it broke. We have very little time before we will need it. Can you please fix it? ” 
 
 He grunted, shifted his body uncomfortably. 
 
 “ Why come to me? ” 
 
 “ Because ”, she paused, ” I, well, we do n't have the means to get to the city in time and back. Please Blacksmith. We will pay. ” 
 
 “ With what? You have nothing. Your land is not your own. ” 
 
 “ We will give you grain from our share. Please. ” 
 
 He turned back to the inside of the hut. The Blacksmith seemed to be thinking. Finally, he turned back her way. 
 
 “ I do n't usually fix farm tools. My clients, they want.. ” he left the rest unsaid. “ Fine, tell your father to haul it here by tonight and leave it before the door to my forge. ” 
 
 He pushed past her and walked towards his forge. That was when she saw it. The device. His large frame blocked the doorway before. Transfixed, she stared into the open hut. Then she felt pressure on her shoulder. The Blacksmith turned her towards him. She felt scared, she finally knew why her father had been so reluctant. He towered over her, but there was something strange in his eyes. She was still awed by what she saw and the feeling of his eyes escaped her. 
 
 “ It will be better if you do n't speak of what you saw here, girl. Better for you. Now go, tell your father to bring that plow. ” 
 
 He closed the door this time, locked it, and disappeared into his forge. She stood there for some time, taking in what she saw. Was it magic? It was so shiny. She stumbled back into the forest, trying to wrap her head around the inside of that hut. As she walked, she realized what she saw in that brief moment in the Blacksmith's eyes. It was fear.
