Can I suggest that you don't use words like "interpose" and "maladroit" in the middle of a fight scene? Never use a ten-dollar word where a one-dollar word will do, as the saying goes. Another thing - cut down on the exposition, even if it only means chopping off half a sentence.
And this, I'm sorry,but this is cliché:
Perfecters are in stories from the Grand Battle or minstrels tails.” He left the not blacksmiths apprentices from some village no one’s ever heard of unsaid.
I love the story, don't get me wrong, but it just needs a little polish.