"Thank you for your kind words, Commander," Serena said.
Alexander gave her a respectful nod, then turned with a sweeping gesture. "It is my pleasure," he replied, a touch too eager.
Alexander moved with brisk, purposeful steps, clearly determined to impress. Hosting a representative from a Cardinal Pack, especially one famed for its ruthless precision and military discipline, was no small feat. Serena could see it in the way he held his shoulders, a little too square, his chin slightly lifted like he was on parade.
Darius followed behind. He was to act as Serena’s escort for her trip here. He wondered if it was overkill, the Alpha of Ironshade following the ambassador like a sick puppy.
He grumbled silently to himself. Maybe he came off as an anxious leader trying to do his best. Darius scanned the area, looking at the warriors concentrating on their sparring matches. Updates are released by novęlfire.net
"We will visit the armoury first," Alexander said. "My lady."
Serena hesitated. Her eyes flicked to the offered hand, then to Darius, whose face was conveniently turned the other way. She slid her hand into Alexander’s with a polite, distant smile.
They walked for a few minutes before they reached a great stone house. General Silas’ quarters was not the only stone building around then.
The massive wooden doors were open. The building only had one level. The width of the building was triple that of a cottage house. The height from the ground to the ceiling was about that of a giant oak tree.
Serena lifted her gaze to the ceiling, many wooden beams ran across, supporting the weight of the roof. No decorative chandelier in sight. Of course there wouldn’t be, it was unnecessary in an armoury.
The air smelled of iron and fire. Wolves moved in a blur of soot and motion, their hands blackened, their faces focused and working diligently.
"Let me show you the great forge, belly of Iron," Alexander said matter-of-factly.
Serena held her awe back, giving him only a small nod. She wished earnestly to let her guard drop and fawn over these new sights.
Alas, she was the ambassador of another great pack that supposedly rivaled Ironshade’s glory. Her role was that of a high delegate, here on tour to compare and contrast how things worked in Ironshade. Serena did not want to come off as an awe-struck child.
She folded her hands neatly in front of her. Still, her fingers fidgeted, twining together in a way that betrayed her nerves.
Alexander glanced back at her and grinned knowingly. "I offer my apologies, my lady."
Serena’s brows pinched together. "Whatever for?"
"I noticed you came without your gloves. I assume it’s hotter than what you’re used to in the East," he said with a laugh.
Serena’s smile faltered for a second. How did he-? She had asked Darius for gloves when they were to attend Beatrice’s event, citing Crimsonclaw custom. A half-forgotten tradition she didn’t fully understand, only that it mattered. And yet... Alexander had picked up on it like he’d studied it.
How in the world did Alexander know that much about Crimsonclaw? Her job just got a tad more tedious.
"Yes, it is much different from the snow I am used to," Serena said.
Alexander seemed very pleased with himself and turned his back to her. Serena glanced at Darius, who had watched the whole exchange.
She felt her nails dig into his forearm slightly, her breath hot against his ear. "I thought these wolves knew nothing about Crimsonclaw."
"Ah, you would be mistaken." Darius didn’t miss the way her eyes widened at his words. She said she would do anything, didn’t she?
"Explain," she demanded.
"That man- Alexander. He’s well-read," Darius said. "I’m sorry, my hands are tied. I’m sure Silas had something to do with it. Don’t worry so much. I am with you."
Serena let go of his arm and they walked forward, covering the distance between them and Alexander. So this was a trap. The general really must want her gone, then.
Breathe. Breathe. Serena repeated in her head. Did she suddenly have no faith in herself and her father’s teachings? The time she had spent reading, cover to cover, the books Darius had given her would not be in vain.
It may be a trap, but Alexander came off as a student eager to please. There was some solace in that. She just had to steel her voice and be firm.
"There," Alexander said, gesturing ahead. "I would not wish to make you uncomfortable, so we will watch from afar."
Serena’s gaze followed where he was pointing. There stood a great hearth. A stone chimney was above it, to let out the thick black smoke from the intense heat needed to smelt the iron.
A man of short stature fed coal to the great fire. His tunic clung to his skin with sweat, tightly bound at the wrists to avoid catching on any wayward embers. He shoveled coal into the hearth, flames spitting angrily in response. Soon, he walked off to the side, where someone doused him with a bucket of water.
They laughed and returned to their duties. A woman walked to the hearth, holding tongs, and brought out a casing of melted iron that glowed an angry orange. She poured it into a cast. A willowy man stood nearby, inspecting her work.
"It is a simple process. The ore we mine is set over here to make our tools," Alexander explained.
Serena looked at the people who worked at the hearth. They wore the same clothes- men and women alike. The white garments they wore were barely discernible beneath all the stains and soot from the fire.
"How many people man the furnace?" Serena asked.
"About fifteen people," Alexander said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Are you worried we do not have enough people here?"
"Not particularly." Her tone was light, almost casual. Then she tilted her head. "Do they have shifts?"
Alexander blinked, caught off guard. "Shifts?"
"Yes," she said. "I imagine they would love to visit their families."
There was a beat of silence before Alexander let out a surprised, hearty laugh. It echoed through the forge, drawing a few glances.
He exhaled, shaking his head with a smile. "I would not have imagined meeting a wolf from the East would be this compassionate."