By late afternoon the mountains widened into a broad descending slope The caravan reached an area where the wind softened and trees thickened along both sides Birds circled above and sunlight filtered through branches painting shifting patterns across the dirt path Travelers relaxed slightly though their faces still held the tension of the Fog Hollow Kane felt the shift in atmosphere as a breath of relief

As they traveled the sound of hammering metal reached them faint at first then growing louder with each turn The air carried the scent of coal fire and heated iron Brann raised his voice Ironford ahead Prepare yourselves Kane had heard the name before from traders passing through Riverbend Crossing A town built around forges mines and hard labor A place where noise never stopped

The road opened into a valley carved by rivers and dotted with buildings Ironford stood proudly in the center Smoke rose from chimneys wide stone furnaces glowed orange and the clang of metal rang through the air like a constant heartbeat Workers carried raw ore in carts Muscular blacksmiths shaped glowing metal into tools blades nails and wagon parts

The caravan rolled into the main square where merchants and villagers gathered to inspect newcomers People wore thick gloves leather aprons and soot stained clothes Their movements were strong and efficient Kane smelled burnt coal mixed with hot metal and sweat The heat from nearby forges struck him like a wave

Brann instructed that each wagon be inspected for damage from the cliffs and fog attacks He ordered the travelers to take advantage of Ironford’s skilled smiths Even minor damage could become fatal on future roads Kane examined his wagon and noticed a slight crack on the left wheel spoke likely from the Wind Cliffs He guided the wagon toward a forge where a blacksmith hammered rhythmically

The blacksmith looked up wiping sweat from his forehead Thick arms strong jaw voice rough You need repair

Kane pointed at the wheel The spoke cracked during the cliff crossing

The blacksmith inspected it briefly You are lucky it held One more hard hit and it may have snapped I can fix it but it will cost

Kane nodded What is the price

The blacksmith named an amount fair for Ironford Kane agreed without hesitation Strength on the road was worth more than coin The smith set to work removing the damaged spoke carving a new one from seasoned wood and fitting it with practiced precision Sparks flew as he reinforced the metal rim Kane watched with admiration for the craft

While waiting Kane wandered to the edge of the square where other merchants traded tools and raw materials A miner approached with a bag of iron flakes He held them out Want to buy Good for sharpening or trade in the south Kane examined the flakes and noticed small impurities He declined politely

Instead he found a stall selling rope reinforced with woven metal threads A unique Ironford craft The stall owner boasted Rope strong enough for cliffs storms even wild animals Kane tested the rope’s feel It was heavy but extremely sturdy He bought two coils sensing their future value in dangerous terrain

Nearby children played with wooden toy hammers mimicking the blacksmiths laughter filling the hot air A woman sold hot bread shaped like small anvils People here lived with strength and rhythm Their heartbeat matched the sound of metal striking metal

As Kane returned to his wagon Serra walked toward him Her hair pulled back tightly from the heat of the forges You got repairs done good You will need them The road beyond Ironford becomes unpredictable The path splits into three routes If we take the western one we reach the coastal plains If we take the eastern one we find the snow ridge villages The central road leads to the long northern line where trade grows risky but profits can be high

Kane asked Which route do we take

Serra shrugged Brann decides based on caravan needs But rumors say trouble stirs along the central route Bandits regrouped after winter perhaps And the Guild checks wagons more aggressively there

Kane’s pulse tightened at the word Guild Serra noticed the change in his expression You had trouble before

Kane answered carefully I have been watched but not stopped

Serra gave a concerned hum The Guild does not waste effort watching people for no reason Something about you caught their eye

Kane avoided her gaze While he trusted Serra’s honesty he was not ready to share his full story Not yet

Brann called for everyone to gather Traveling merchants formed a circle around him He said loud and firm We stay in Ironford until morning Repair your wagons gather supplies Trade for what you need Our next route depends on news arriving tonight Scouts are returning from three different roads We will decide at dawn

Kane returned to his wagon tired but alert He checked the new wheel spoke the forged rim and the added strength The repairs gave him confidence The rope coils he bought rested beside his seat ready for the next challenge

As the sun dipped into the horizon Ironford glowed with furnace light turning the sky orange Workers continued forging tools into the night Their rhythm never paused Kane admired their dedication

He sat near his wagon eating a simple meal when an unexpected figure approached a man in travel clothes carrying a satchel His face hidden by soot and dust He stopped in front of Kane and spoke in a low urgent tone You are Kane the young merchant from Riverbend Crossing

Kane froze Yes

The man glanced around then leaned closer I carry a message Someone saw the Guild searching for a merchant who sold rare roots weeks ago Someone who traveled alone Someone with bright eyes and calm words

Kane felt cold settle deep in his chest The frostroot again The Guild still searching

The man continued They say the Guild patrols have orders If they find this merchant they will question him thoroughly

Kane kept his voice steady Why tell me this

The man sighed I owe a debt to a friend who once traveled with your father His voice softened Your father helped many people on the trade routes Even small kindnesses ripple through time

Kane’s throat tightened He had not expected to hear his father’s name in a place like Ironford He could not breathe for a moment

The man stepped back Be careful Kane The Guild does not warn twice

He vanished into the crowd leaving Kane sitting in silence the heat of the forges washing over him but unable to warm the chill that now wrapped around his heart

The road ahead was changing faster than he imagined