Korin hesitated only briefly before nodding. "They're not here. Lord Luminaris's makes monthly inspections, they search the forge thoroughly. I keep my private work elsewhere."
"At our home," Naia explained. "It's not far from here. If you're willing to accompany us, my lord?"
"Lead the way," Grim agreed, signaling to Huangyan that they would be extending their visit.
The Silverscale residence proved to be a modest cottage on the outskirts of the mining district, where the dense industrial smoke thinned somewhat. Though small, it was meticulously maintained, with a small garden of plants that Grim recognized. Likely cultivated to provide some relief for Naia's condition.
Inside, the contrast between their professional and personal spaces was striking. While the forge had been purely functional, their home contained carefully chosen decorative elements that reflected both their heritages—dragon-motif carvings alongside delicate coral.
