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As Cloutric had foretold, Balom the Black did not waste time grieving for his nephew. Instead, he threw himself at once into organising preparations for war. For this reason, a steady procession of grim-faced individuals entered the sanctum where the dwarves kept the Key of Ingenuity. The same dwarves and dwarfesses, too—in their odd long, grey dresses—came out, faces aglow with inspiration. Wheelwrights made extra-sturdy cartwheels, smiths tempered and honed unmatchable battle-axes and needle-dwarves stitched brilliant-coloured war banners. The dwarves worked everything to the highest standard, as in the Old Days.
Emily received armour made of white iron, so cleverly worked that it was light but could turn any blade or point. On her head, she wore a helm of the same metal crested wit
