[SP-F01] The First Few Lessons

[Miyukii 0]

The forge’s warmth greeted her long before its doorway did. The scent of coal and burning steel was heavier now, thick with sweat and soot. Her cloak was stained, her leg still throbbed, but Miyuki walked with purpose.

Three tusks. Three victories.

She entered quietly, stepping around scattered scrap metal until the clang of the hammer paused. Lyle turned, wiping his brow with the back of a blackened hand.

Miyuki said nothing at first. Instead, she approached the anvil and placed the tusks down one by one firm, deliberate. Each landed with a satisfying weight. Then, with a calm voice, she added:

“I was told you owe Dorian.”

Lyle's brow twitched. Not in shock in mild annoyance.

“Hmph. That old fool finally sent someone, did he?”

He inspected the tusks with a slow nod, grumbling under his breath. “Figures he’d wait until I’m knee-deep in orders. Well, a deal’s a deal.”

He turned toward a shelf behind the forge, rummaging through drawers until he pulled out a small pouch, the jingle of coins unmistakable. Tossing it to her, he said, “Tell him that settles it. If he says otherwise, he can come down here himself and see how fast I rework his kneecaps into paperweights.”

Miyuki caught the pouch, giving it a soft shake to confirm the weight. It wasn’t about the col it was about closure. Another thread tied up in this strange world.

“Understood.”

Lyle gave a low grunt of satisfaction and returned to his anvil without another word.

She didn’t wait for more.

Slipping the pouch into her inventory, Miyuki turned and made her way toward the lake the docks just visible past the rooftops, where Pete Larkin and the final leg of this task awaited.

One more debt. Then back to Dorian.