The spiral stone steps of the Nine-Cauldron Guild Tower were quiet as Kaelen Vance climbed toward the ninth floor.
Behind him walked Sera Thorne, Mina Vance, Linnea, and Chief Steward Barnaby Holt.
Each of them carried a critical component of the fortress defense apparatus.
Linnea held the detailed roster of the seven hundred garrison guards, while Barnaby held an iron casket of refined spirit-beeswax earplugs.
Sera carried her newly reforged Storm-Pike, its blackened spirit-iron shaft gleaming under the flickering wall sconces.
Kaelen reached the top landing, stepping onto the polished slate tiles of his penthouse sanctuary.
The canvas hammock hung securely between the two rosewood ceiling beams, swaying in a gentle arc in the evening mountain breeze.
Barnaby Holt checked the steel eyebolts once more, ensuring that the three-inch elevation difference between head and foot remained exact.
