Haldor led them along a packed-earth path that wound deeper into Pillarforge's steamy embrace. To their left stretched cultivated fields where farmers worked the dark soil, their backs bent under the perpetual mist that rose from the river. As they passed, the field workers paused to wipe sweat from their brows, offering Haldor genuine smiles and curious glances at the newcomers. One particularly brawny woman straightened up from her potato plants, squinting at Kai with an appraising look before giving Haldor a knowing nod.

  "Good harvest this season?" Haldor called out to the farmers.

  "Aye," came the reply from a grizzled man missing two fingers. "This year will be a good harvest." He held up a massive turnip bigger than a man's head for inspection before tossing it into his basket with a thump.

  As they neared the settlement's heart, the architecture grew more dense and ingenious. The river wasn't merely a feature of the landscape here - it was the village's lifeblood, its heat harnessed with impressive ingenuity. Stone archways bridged the steaming waters at regular intervals, their surfaces worn smooth by generations of use. Upon these arches stood entire homes, their foundations resting directly on the warm stone to capture every bit of the river's geothermal gift. Thin trails of vapor rose from between the floorboards of these bridge-houses, creating the illusion that the structures floated on clouds.

  But what truly dominated the village center were the forges. Every third building seemed dedicated to metalwork, their open-front designs revealing roaring fires and sweating, bare-chested smiths. The clang of hammers created a relentless rhythm that pulsed through the settlement like a heartbeat. In one forge, a team of burly men worked in synchronized motions, their muscles glistening as they turned glowing metal rods with tongs. In another, a younger apprentice carefully poured molten metal into molds, creating the distinctive ingots Kai had noticed stacked near the gate.

  The metallic tang Chen Gong had noticed earlier now revealed its source - great vats of quenching oil bubbled near each workspace, their acrid fumes mixing with the ever-present steam. Kai watched as a master smith plunged a freshly forged blade into one such vat, the resulting hiss sending up a plume of smoke that smelled like burnt almonds and iron.

  "Metal runs in our blood here," Haldor said proudly, noting Kai's fascination. He gestured to a particularly large forge where teams worked on what appeared to be structural components rather than tools or weapons. "We're the only settlement in Northend that can produce our own steel. That wall around us?" He patted one of the massive support beams holding up a bridge-house. "Every rivet forged right here in Pillarforge."

  "This town really built that wall?" Kai asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he stared up at the massive iron barrier encircling Pillarforge. The structure loomed over them, its surface a patchwork of different metals—some dull with age, others gleaming where fresh plates had been welded on.

  "Aye," Haldor said, puffing out his chest with pride. "Took generations. Every blacksmith in Pillarforge adds to it—mending cracks, reinforcing weak points, hammering in new plating. It’s tradition. Some families have entire sections bearing their mark." He pointed his calloused hand along a particularly ornate segment, where swirling patterns had been etched into the metal. "My great-grandfather worked on this part. Still holds strong."

  Chen Gong frowned, tilting his head. "But where do you get so much metal? A wall this size would drain entire mines."

  Haldor blinked at him, then chuckled as if the answer were obvious. "From the mineral pillars, of course. That’s why this place is called Pillarforge. The land here is rich with them—pure ore, ready to be smelted. Iron, copper, even veins of silver if you know where to look." He shrugged. "Truth is, we produce more metal than we can sell. So, we put the excess to good use."

  Kai exhaled, impressed. "And the wall keeps out…?"

  "Giants. Wild beasts the size of houses." Haldor’s expression darkened for a moment before he clapped his hands together. "But enough about that! You’re here now, and that’s what matters. Come on—let’s get you fed."

  He led them to a squat, unassuming building wedged between two forges. The sign above the door—a hammer crossed with a bed—creaked in the wind. "The Bed and Hammer," Haldor announced. "Best inn in town. Only inn in town, actually."

  The inside was cramped, with low wooden beams and a hearth crackling in the corner. A handful of tables sat empty, their surfaces worn smooth by years of use. The air smelled of smoke, ale, and something savory simmering in the back.

  "Yuni!" Haldor bellowed, his voice shaking dust from the rafters. "We’ve got guests!"

  A loud thud sounded from upstairs, followed by hurried footsteps. A young woman—barely more than a girl—burst into the room, her long black hair tied back in a messy braid. She had wide, curious eyes and a smudge of flour on her cheek.

  "Dad! What do you mean, guests? You didn’t say—" Her words died as she spotted Kai and the others. For a heartbeat, she froze. Then her face lit up. "Outsiders!" Without another word, she spun on her heel and dashed toward the kitchen. "I’ll start cooking right away!"

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  Haldor grinned, watching her go with unmistakable pride. "That’s my Yuni. Sharp as a blade and twice as quick." He motioned for the group to sit. "Now, let’s talk business."

  Business? Kai exchanged a glance with Chen Gong. There was clearly some misunderstanding, but for now, he held his tongue.

  Yuni returned moments later, balancing a steaming teapot and cups with practiced ease. She poured for each of them, her movements swift but careful. When she handed Kai his cup, their fingers brushed briefly, and she flashed him a bright, fleeting smile before vanishing back into the kitchen.

  Haldor leaned forward, his thick forearms resting heavily on the table. "Now, I might only be an innkeeper here, but—"

  "Wait, you're an innkeeper?" Lulu interrupted. "Not a guard?"

  Haldor chuckled, shaking his head. "Pillarforge doesn’t keep standing guards. We take shifts—every able-bodied soul pitches in. This week just happened to be mine." He tapped the well-worn hilt of the axe at his belt. "But don’t let the apron fool you. I’ve split more than a few skulls in my time."

  He straightened, his tone shifting into something more authoritative. "Anyway, as I was saying—I may run the Bed and Hammer, but I’m also this village’s unofficial leader. So if you’re here to negotiate for our metal, you’re talking to the right man."

  Chen Gong frowned. "Negotiate?"

  Haldor’s eyes flicked to the insignia on Chen Gong’s cloak—a faded but unmistakable magistrate’s mark. "Aye. I saw your badge. Magistrates only trek this far north when they need metal for some grand city project." He spread his hands. "And we’re happy to supply—for the right price, of course. But I’ll admit, I’m surprised you came by land. Most officials take the coastal routes and sail to Cloud Port and up the river. Safer that way." His gaze sharpened. "Unless you hired Windriders. They’re the only ones mad enough to cut straight through Northend’s heart."

  Kai exchanged a glance with Chen Gong before shaking his head. "Sorry, but there’s been a misunderstanding. We’re not here to buy metal."

  Haldor’s bushy eyebrows shot up. "Oh? Then why’s a magistrate wandering the wilds?"

  "Former magistrate," Chen Gong corrected smoothly. "We’re just travelers looking for a place to settle. We were scouting near that tower-like mountain when we saw signs of your village and thought to—"

  "WAIT!" Haldor slammed his palms on the table, making the teacups rattle. "You’re settling near Titan’s Reach?"

  Kai blinked. "Is that what it’s called? Then yes. Is that a problem?"

  Haldor let out a disbelieving laugh. "Problem? That’s like calling a blizzard ‘a bit chilly.’" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a grave murmur. "That mountain marks the border between the Cloud Coast and the true wilderness of Northend. Past it? The beasts aren’t just big—they’re old. The kind that swallow men whole and don’t even notice. Only the Windriders traverse those lands, and even they don’t linger."

  "So this region is called the Cloud Coast?" Kai asked.

  "Aye," Haldor said, relaxing slightly. "One of the few ‘safe’ pockets in Northend—if you can call anywhere safe with giant animals roaming about. There are only three settlements here: Cloud Port, a fishing village; Wonju, a farming hamlet; and us, Pillarforge. Past Titan’s Reach? Nothing but endless forests. A place much too dangerous for most humans."

  Kai suppressed a smirk. Dangerous for mortals, perhaps. With his beastkin companions, the so-called giants had already learned to keep their distance. The land was perfect—unclaimed, feared, and undisturbed.

  "If it’s so deadly," he said casually, "then it shouldn’t bother anyone if we settle there, right?"

  Haldor stared at him like he’d just volunteered to wrestle a storm. "I mean… technically, no. But you’ll be a corpse in no time."

  Kai smiled. "We can handle ourselves."

  Haldor opened his mouth, then paused as Yuni emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray of steaming bowls. The scent of spiced stew filled the air, but her curious gaze lingered on Kai.

  "Dad," she said slowly, "did I just hear them say they’re going to Titan’s Reach?"

  Haldor sighed. "Aye. Apparently, they want to settle there."

  Yuni set the steaming platter down with a clatter, her eyes locked onto Kai with unsettling focus. The roasted tubers and spiced venison stew sat forgotten as she spoke. "You really shouldn't go. The area around Titan's Reach is too dangerous. If you need somewhere to stay, we have empty houses near the eastern wall. Old Man Gerrik passed last winter and no one's claimed his smithy yet." Her voice carried a surprising urgency. "You could—"

  No one would mind, huh. Kai kept his face neutral, but amusement flickered in his chest. He imagined these villagers' reactions if his spirit beasts came prowling through their tidy streets—the lynx with star-flecked fur, the bear whose claws could rend stone. They'd bar the gates before sunset.

  "Your kindness honors us," Kai said, dipping his head slightly. "But we're accustomed to handling dangers. The mainland journey alone should prove that." He deliberately avoided mentioning the eviscerated giant bear they'd left in the forest on the way here and barely broke a sweat doing it.

  Yuni opened her mouth again, but Haldor raised a calloused hand. "Enough, girl." His sigh carried decades of recognizing futility. "I saw that look in my grandfather's eyes when he swore to outbuild every smith in the village. Some men won't be swayed from their paths. If you're determined to dance with giants, at least share how you crossed the great forests without becoming some beast's dinner." He gestured to the untouched food. "Eat, and give us a tale worth telling."

  Kai smiled before he wove their journey into a carefully crafted tapestry of half-truths, spinning tales of crossing the jagged mountains and the dense forest of Zan without mentioning the spirit beasts or about being cultivators.

  Two hours melted like spring snow as stories flowed between them. Kai found himself genuinely laughing at Haldor's tale of the time a drunken miner tried to shoe his goat. In this dim circle of light and laughter, he allowed himself to pretend they were simply men swapping tales after a long journey.

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