Gadis -

“He vanished,” Ember said. “And this forge is the last place he touched. I stay because I am still waiting for him to come back and tell me I did it right.”

“Then you will need more than a knife,” she said. “He vanished,” Ember said

Ember’s heart did not falter. She had forged steel long enough to know that some truths were sharper than any blade. “He vanished,” Ember said

A murmur rippled through the forge. Korvin’s face reddened. “She is but an apprentice, my lord. Untested.” “He vanished,” Ember said

Arin was silent for a long moment. Then he drew a small pouch from his cloak. “Payment.”