(KBTCM) Ch 34: Enter Into The Royal Forge, Forge Master Baric

Rowena's footsteps echoed softly through the golden halls of the palace. The morning light filtered through the tall windows, painting ribbons of warmth along the marble floor, but her mood was far from bright. The whispers of servants followed her wherever she went, like a draft that couldn't be shut out.

Apparently, Sylara and Theron had gotten into a fight yesterday — not just an argument, but a full-blown clash that had left half the training courtyard cracked and a few pillars toppled. The rumor was impossible to miss; even the cooks in the royal kitchens were gossiping about it between stirring pots.

Rowena pinched the bridge of her nose as she walked. "Honestly, those two..." she muttered under her breath. Of all times to lose control — when their kingdom was preparing for war. Her siblings had always been fierce and proud, but now? Their tempers were becoming liabilities.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Father's going to have both their heads when this is over," she said quietly to herself.

But as she stepped out into the sunlight beyond the palace gate, the tension slowly melted away. Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile as her mind wandered to something — someone — far more pleasant.

Today, Kerren was coming to the castle.

The young blacksmith.

The thought brightened her spirits like a torch in the dark.

He had agreed to her invitation to visit the royal forges — the finest in the kingdom — and she could hardly wait to show him around. He was so different from the stiff nobles and boastful knights she was surrounded by. There was a quiet honesty in him, a sincerity that reminded her of a time when things were simpler.

So she waited outside the gates, her long red hair shining like fire under the daylight, the wind tugging playfully at her braid. The royal guards at her side tried to remain stoic, though they kept stealing nervous glances at her. It wasn't every day the eldest princess of the realm decided to stand guard beside them.

Rowena ignored their looks, her sapphire eyes fixed on the road ahead.

And then — she saw him.

A small figure walking up the path, hammer slung across his back, his dark hair glinting in the sun.

Her face lit up instantly. "Kerren!" she called, voice ringing like a bell across the courtyard.

Kerren froze mid-step, squinting as a giant shadow approached him. His instincts screamed at him to run — until he realized who it was. He barely had time to brace himself as the towering princess dashed forward, her massive form closing the distance in a blink.

"Whoa!" he yelped, taking a few steps back as Rowena knelt before him, her smile wide and warm.

"I'm so glad you came," she said, her voice booming softly but full of warmth. Her face hovered close, eyes glimmering like sapphires.

Kerren scratched the back of his neck, smiling nervously. "I wouldn't miss this opportunity. It's not every day a blacksmith gets to see the royal forges."

Rowena's grin grew. "Then let's not waste any time."

She lowered a massive hand before him, her palm flat against the cobblestone. "Come on, climb up," she said playfully. "It's a long walk for your little legs."

Kerren hesitated for a moment — then shrugged and stepped onto her hand, steadying himself as she lifted him high into the air. From his perch, the world spread out beneath him: the gardens, the towers, the city beyond the walls.

"The forges are behind the castle," Rowena explained as she began walking. "They're... a bit larger than what you might be used to."

"I'll believe that when I see it," Kerren said with a grin.

Rowena laughed, the sound echoing off the marble walls as they moved through the garden path. He could smell the faint sweetness of the flowers mixed with the distant tang of smoke and metal. The closer they got, the heavier the air became — hot, alive, thrumming with power.

Finally, they reached it.

The Royal Forge.

It was colossal — an entire building of black stone and iron pipes, with fire roaring inside tall chimneys that reached toward the sky. Sparks flickered through open vents, and the rhythmic pounding of hammers filled the air like a heartbeat.

Kerren's eyes widened in awe. "By the gods..." he whispered. "It's massive."

Rowena smiled proudly. "I welcome you to the royal forges," she said, stepping inside.

The heat hit immediately — a wave of warmth and the scent of burning coal. Inside, dozens of blacksmiths worked tirelessly at their stations: some human, others dwarf or half-giant, all pounding metal and shaping weapons destined for war.

As Rowena walked through, heads began to turn. Conversations faltered. Even the hammers slowed.

Kerren noticed it immediately. The stares weren't hostile — just... cautious. Curious. But still, it made him uneasy.

Before he could say anything, a voice thundered through the forge.

"Who gave you permission to stop working?!"

Every head snapped back to their stations in an instant.

Kerren turned to see where the voice had come from — and spotted a stout figure walking out from the smoke. A dwarf, short but broad-shouldered, with a beard white as snow and arms thick with muscle. His eyes burned brighter than the forge fires themselves.

"Princess Rowena," the dwarf said, bowing stiffly. "You honor my forge, though I wish the lads here remembered their manners better."

Rowena chuckled, kneeling down respectfully so she was closer to his level. "Forgemaster Baric," she greeted. "I apologize for the distraction. I know you've been busy preparing for the coming battle."

Baric waved a soot-stained hand. "Bah! No need to apologize, Your Highness. You've done no wrong. It's these young pups that need breaking in. They've got good arms, but no discipline yet."

Then his sharp eyes turned, landing on the small figure standing in his shadow. "And who," Baric said, squinting, "is this little pup you've brought along?"

Rowena smiled. "This," she said, lowering her hand and letting Kerren step gently onto the ground, "is Kerren. He's a young blacksmith from the outer districts. I've invited him to see the royal forges — and perhaps learn from you, if you'll allow it."

Baric crossed his thick arms, beard twitching as he studied the boy. "Another human, eh?" he muttered.

Kerren straightened, his nerves melting into determination. "You say that as if you're not human."

Baric's brow lifted, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. "What you haven't seen a Dwarf before!"

The tension eased, but Kerren couldn't believe that he was standing before an actual dwarf, he heard only legends of their greatness, their skill in metal work was well known.

Rowena looked between them, smiling. "So, what do you say Baric, can I trust you'll give him a fair test?"

The dwarf nodded once. "Fair enough. But I warn you, Princess — I don't go easy on anyone, not even guests."

Kerren smirked, already feeling his heartbeat quicken at the thought. "That's fine by me."

Baric's grin widened — a gleam of approval in his old eyes.

"Good," he said, turning toward the rows of blazing furnaces. "Then let's see if you can keep up."

The forge roared louder, as if answering his challenge.

And as the first sparks of Kerren's trial began to fly, Rowena couldn't help but smile.