Inside the Stonemason Clan's hall, firelight danced across Imaer's face, casting his hard-edged features into relief.
The dwarf chieftain rose to his feet, his shadow stretching diagonally across the stone floor like an uncrossable line.
"Helson!" His voice was low, but every word struck like a chisel. "You came in the name of an envoy, yet carried accusations with you. The Stonemason Clan considers you unwelcome—leave my territory at once."
His gaze shifted to Dain, his brows drawn tight. "Though you come from the Iron Hammer Clan, you led a Foreign Race into our territory. That was also a grave mistake. You will leave as well."
Dain's expression darkened. He stepped forward, his beard trembling slightly. "Lord Imaer, I understand your anger. But the mountain roads are treacherous, and our supplies are exhausted. We cannot descend the mountain in the dead of night. For the sake of the Iron Hammer Young Chieftain being your cousin, and for the sake of the old friendship that still exists between our two clans—please allow us to stay in the city for one night. Tomorrow, as soon as the first ray of sunlight appears, we will leave without hesitation."
The hall fell silent.
Imaer stared at Dain for a long while before finally snorting. "For my cousin's sake, I'll allow you to stay for one night. But you must leave at dawn!"
"Thank you for your mercy, Chieftain." Dain lowered his head in gratitude. Though his tone was calm, it could not conceal a trace of restrained emotion.
The two men were led out of the hall by the guards and settled in a stone-built guesthouse in the city. The room was low-ceilinged, the fire in the hearth weak, and the stone bed hard, but it was already rare hospitality.
After the guards left,