Chapter 64 - 63: The Breathless Village
Inside Kaelmart Industries, the clatter of barrels, the scraping of herbs, and the occasional whistle of boiling fat echoed through the open hall.
Kael was helping a group of workers grind dried herbs. Renn was giving instructions at the mixing station, and Seris had gone back to the shop to keep business running in town.
Today was training day two. Real soap production would begin in three more days.
Kael wiped sweat from his brow. Just then a young boy burst in through the factory doors.
"Lord Kael! The mayor’s here—in a carriage!"
Kael blinked, surprised.
He looked up from the workstation. He wasn’t near the front doors, and with the warehouse’s layout, he couldn’t see much from where he stood. He gave a nod to Renn.
"You’ve got the floor. Keep ’em steady."
He made his way through the hall, passing curing racks and drying trays. The heavy front doors were already propped open. Outside, in the dusty yard where carts unloaded supplies, a modest black carriage stood waiting, trimmed in dull brass. Two city guards flanked it—only two, but armed.
The mayor stepped down with practiced ease, adjusting the pale-blue cloak over her shoulders.
Kael stepped out to meet her, wiping his hands on a cloth.