Butler Henry winced as Sean poured ale into the cauldron. Though common among mercenaries, ale was hardly cheap—brewing it required vast grains, a luxury when most townsfolk couldn't afford refined flour. If this fails… He swallowed, praying silently to the Light.
Sean laughed at his tension. "Relax, Henry. The Light's guidance can't fail. Do you doubt the divine?"
"Never, My Lord!" Henry wiped his brow, though his gaze remained glued to the cauldron.The Science of BoilingWhile waiting for the ale to heat, Sean explained distillation: "Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water. When we boil ale, the alcohol vaporizes first. We collect that vapor, cool it, and—"
"Alcohol? Boil?" Henry frowned. "What is'boil'? And vaporize?"
Sean sighed. Divine terminology, right. "It's a sacred process from the Light's realm. You'll understand once we have the spirit."The First DistillationAs the cauldron bubbled, wine fragrance filled the room. Tom and the boys swallowed hard but kept feeding the fire. Steam hissed into the bamboo tube, condensing into a clear, pungent liquid dripping into the barrel.
Henry fetched a cup of the raw distillate, nose wrinkling at the sharp odor. "Is this it, My Lord? Or does it need more?"
"Not yet—this is the raw spirit." Sean took a sip, wincing at the 60-proof burn. He added 10% boiled water, swirling the cup. "Taste now."
Henry downed it in one gulp, face turning crimson. "By the Light! It's like drinking fire! Why would dwarves—" He coughed, reaching for water, but Sean stopped him.
"Feel the warmth?" Sean asked. "That's why they love it—for surviving the severe cold of the plateau. In Laine, it's a luxury. But to dwarves? Worth its weight in iron."
Henry's eyes lit up as he watched the golden liquid drip. "We'll make a fortune, My Lord. No one else in Laine has this!"Delegation of DutiesSean clapped his shoulder. "You'll oversee this operation. Protect the secret—no one outside this room learns the method. Understood?"
Henry hesitated. "But the territory—shouldn't I—"
"Anduin will handle governance. Your focus is here."
"Consider it done, My Lord!" Henry declared, now staring at the distiller like a treasure trove.The Future of ProfitBy evening, three barrels of 53-proof spirit stood ready. Sean sent for Borin, the Dwarven Marksman, who sampled it and roared, "Moradin's beard! This'll make you a legend in Ironforge, My Lord. Dwarves will trade steel for every drop."
Sean nodded, already planning the next steps: perfecting perfume with Kyle, finalizing Jamie's shoe designs, and drafting a letter to the Dwarven Kingdom.
With alcohol securing funds, fertilizer boosting crops, and luxury goods attracting nobles, he thought, Riverside's rise is inevitable.
Even Henry, once skeptical, now spoke of the "Light's miraculous distillation" to anyone who'd listen. In a world where faith and innovation intertwined, Sean's greatest alchemy was turning doubt into devotion—one fiery sip at a time.