As the group stepped out of the Everwood encampment, the weight of their meeting with Lord Mathias still lingered over them. The crisp night air felt heavier than usual, thick with the unspoken tension of what had just transpired.
Onyx stood by the carriage, his massive form illuminated by the flickering torchlight. He huffed as Kalem approached, nudging him lightly with his nose.
"You're right," Kalem murmured, scratching the bull behind his ear. "That was exhausting."
Jhaeros let out a long breath. "I think I preferred fighting Isolde to that conversation."
Garrick scoffed. "That wasn't a conversation—it was a warning wrapped in pleasantries." He turned to Kalem. "So? What now?"
Kalem exhaled slowly. "We go back. Think. Plan."
Lyra crossed her arms. "You're actually considering his words?"
"Of course I am," Kalem said simply. "He made it clear—people are watching. More than before."
Nara frowned. "You think we're in actual danger?"
Kalem glanced back at the tent, then at the darkened streets ahead. "We always were. But now, it's more... structured."
That answer didn't sit well with anyone.
Jhaeros tapped his fingers against the carriage. "And what about the favor you owe us? Are we making requests before someone tries to kill us?"
Kalem smirked. "If you die before I make your weapons, I'll be very disappointed."
Garrick chuckled. "That's a terrifying way of saying you care."
With that, they climbed into the carriage. Onyx started pulling forward, his powerful strides cutting through the dimly lit streets of Eeyrendyl.
Back at the Forge
The moment they arrived, Kalem wasted no time. He stepped into the forge, grabbed his notebook from the workbench, and flipped it open.
Lyra groaned. "You're working already?"
Kalem didn't look up. "I've been stuck in bed for days. I have time to make up for."
Jhaeros leaned against the doorway. "You could at least pretend to be human."
Kalem smirked. "I'm an engineer. That's worse."
Nara settled onto a nearby crate. "So, are we seriously doing this? Getting custom weapons?"
Kalem nodded. "I promised, didn't I? If you've decided, tell me now."
Jhaeros was the first to speak. "I want something fast and precise. Lightweight, but strong enough to handle my movements."
Kalem nodded, jotting down notes. "A curved short blade. Reinforced but flexible."
Nara leaned forward. "I don't want a weapon."
Kalem paused. "You don't?"
"I fight with my body. I need something to enhance that, not replace it."
Kalem thought for a moment before scribbling. "Weighted gauntlets. Shock-absorbing lining. Maybe some embedded alchemy."
Nara grinned. "Now we're talking."
Kalem turned to Lyra. "And you?"
Lyra shrugged. "A catalyst. Something stable enough for high-level alchemy reactions, but sturdy enough to survive combat."
Kalem tapped his pen against the paper. "I'll need special materials for that. Something that doesn't react unpredictably under stress."
Lyra smirked. "I might have a few ideas."
Garrick crossed his arms. "And what about my armor?"
Kalem smirked. "I'll start designing it tomorrow."
Garrick raised an eyebrow. "No arguments? No ridiculous conditions?"
"You paid," Kalem said simply. "That makes you a client."
Garrick huffed. "I was ready for a fight."
Kalem glanced back at his notes. "I'm too tired for that. But if you want, we can argue tomorrow."
Jhaeros shook his head. "That's the most Kalem thing I've ever heard."
Lyra sighed. "You're going to work all night, aren't you?"
Kalem didn't answer.
Nara groaned. "He's definitely working all night."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
Kalem smirked. "And what do you plan to do?"
Lyra plucked the pen from his fingers. "This."
Kalem scowled. "Lyra—"
"No. You never stop working. You always do this."
Kalem reached for the pen, but she held it out of his reach. "Lyra."
"You need sleep," she said firmly.
"But the data—"
"If you don't rest, you'll start making mistakes." She folded her arms. "You will get some sleep tonight."
Kalem exhaled. "Fine."
Garrick smirked. "That's a first."
As the night deepened, the forge settled into a rare moment of stillness. The fire crackled, the scent of metal and soot thick in the air.
For the first time in a long time, Kalem wasn't working alone.