An empty wooden transport cart shattered against the stone wall of the forge.
Balthazar lowered his heavy boot and glared at the splintered wood resting in the dirt. The massive blacksmith was covered in a thick layer of soot and sweat. He turned around to face his idle apprentices and let out a deep sigh of frustration. The roaring blast furnaces filled the workshop with stifling heat but the anvils remained completely silent.
Leo stepped over the broken cart and entered the sweltering workspace. He wore his usual dark coat and observed the halted production with a calm expression.
"The fires are starving," Balthazar announced loudly. He pointed a thick calloused finger toward the empty storage bins lining the back wall. "I have dozens of master smiths ready to swing a hammer. We have
