“Lively bunch you’ve got there,” she commented, positioning the thin tobacco pipe between her lean fingers.

“Yes, Madam Baker,” Staff Bryce responded almost immediately. “The physical conditions of these recruits are mostly acceptable. Even the weaker looking ones should toughen up by the end of the month.”

Madam Baker surveyed the courtyard through the glass window, placing most of her weight on her left ankle. Her long and straight blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, sliding over her shoulders as she looked over. The trail of smoke rising from her pipe filled the office, seemingly covering the place in a light haze.

“Interesting,” Madam Baker remarked, slotting the pipe between her lush red lips.

Staff Bryce sat patiently in the guest chair, waiting for Madam Baker to finish her draw. The tobacco leaves sizzled in the chamber, burning with a bright orange hue. She tilted her head to face the ceiling, promptly releasing a small cloud from her mouth cavity. Her eyes were fixated on the smoke, admiring it as it was gingerly dissipating in the air.

“Do you know what I like about tobacco leaves, my dear Bryce?”

Staff Bryce remained silent, with his arms folded across his chest, appearing to give half a thought to the question. He could never really answer any of her questions, much less comprehend the purpose to them. Imagination was never his strong suit.

“They are simple and pure,” Madam Baker answered her own question, seeing no input from Staff Bryce. “Just a tiny spark and it is ready to fulfill its purpose.”

Madam Baker twirls the pipe between her index and middle fingers, keeping her eyes on Staff Bryce as she did so.

“And all it takes,” she went on, after a slight hesitation. “Is a little moisture…”

Madam Baker took another draw, savoring the flavors of the Tobacco as she left her listener hanging. This time around, the smoke appeared to be leaking from the corners of her slightly agape mouth.

“And a little aging,” she continued, moving her focus to Staff Bryce’s forehead scar while making a striking motion with her free hand. “For the flavors to change completely.”

Staff Bryce’s eyebrows narrowed, having caught her drift.

“Followed by the trial by fire,” she added, revealing a little sadness in the tone of her voice. “Only to go out in a blaze of glory.”

Madam Baker flipped the pipe over, scattering a little less than a pinch of ashes onto her wooden working desk.

“Madam Baker,” Staff Bryce spoke up calmly. “Rest assured that they will be more than prepared for whatever dangers await them in the mines.”

“Believe me, my dear Bryce. I have utmost confidence in your abilities to deal with those abominations,” Madam Baker retorted, almost instantly. “It’s the front lines that worry me.”

Staff Bryce soon realized what this was all about. Madam Baker’s younger brother was amongst the elites deployed to the front lines against the invading kingdom of Rishaidia. It has been a month since, and Madam Baker has yet to receive any letters from her brother. Deep down, Staff Bryce knew the younger brother’s fate was fraught with grim possibilities.

“Please ensure that they are prepared for whatever comes their way in the future,” Madam Baker solicited subtly. “I am certain their loved ones would agree, too.”

Staff Bryce concurred, nodding lightly while maintaining eye contact.

“I may not be as good as Agnar at this job, but I will try not to disappoint you while I’m at it,” affirmed Staff Bryce.

“Speaking of which, I’ll have you know that the project is going smoothly,” Madam Baker announced, picking up a rolled-up report. “This is why you’re here in the first place, isn’t it?”

The report was tied with a red string, suggesting the top-secret classification of the document. The seal of the research division held the rolled up paper together, imprinted with the initials “K.B”. Madam Baker strolls over, presenting the report like a baton.

“Much appreciated, Madam Baker,” Staff Bryce thanked her, receiving the report with his right hand. “I hope Captain Atkins would be pleased with this.”

“I’m sure he will be,” Madam Baker replied confidently, watching Staff Bryce tuck the report into a compartment within his chest plate.

Staff Bryce straightened his back, removing his thighs from the cushion. Being at least two heads taller than Madam Baker, he had to adjust his face downwards just to bid her farewell. Twisting the knob on the door, Staff Bryce reached out his war hammer by the exit.

“Bryce,” Madam Baker called out, with her back leaning against the desk.

Staff Bryce cranked his head sideways, stopping in his tracks.

“Let me know if you want anyone to take a look at that hammer of yours,” Madam Baker offered.

“Of course,” Staff Bryce responded, stepping out of the room. “If I want to.”

The door swung to a close, followed by a clicking noise indicating the activation of the locking mechanism. The room was once again silent, so much so that she could hear her own breathing and heartbeat. Madam Baker stepped towards the window leisurely, once again gazing out of the window.

“What a stubborn man.”