Another world, Celeste

Chapter Eight

The next morning, I walk to the kiln alongside Bane. On our way there, the little elves notice Bane and waves at him. He's easy to stop within a village full of elves. Their parents greet both of us with an elvish bow while holding the little elves from charging towards us to play with and tell them not to be too friendly as Bane is to the elves, a protector of Kana Forest. At first, it was baffling that they're acting the same way Stefan does towards me until Syl explains that I'm being regarded as Bane's companion which instantly elevates my position tremendously. Since when do I gain a position? The little elves pout while I chuckle at the difference of treatment between the young and the old. Well, at least they're not scared of Bane and no one is putting a distance from me. I let the little elves know that they can play with Bane some other time.

Since we are going to a kiln, I put my hair into a messy bun and readily dress to do physical labour with a casual t-shirt, tattered jeans and boots. The map says it's somewhere here, but the location is right at Bertha's workshop. Just standing there is useless. I walk in and sees Bertha tending to the shop as usual. This is the third time I'm here but it's my first time to look around. Don't shops selling crafts usually display their work in front of the window display and fill the shelves with their products. I don't see anything here to indicate they are selling any wares. Maybe it's by order only. I vaguely remember Bertha mention something about receiving customer orders. That must be it.

"You're back again. Are you here to make an order?" Bertha enquires.

I shake my head. "Do you know where Chief is? He told me to meet him at the kiln."

"Chief?" Bertha doesn't expect to hear that. "I'll take you there myself."

I follow Bertha outside with Bane to a warehouse building behind the shop. No wonder I can't find it. It's hidden. Bertha informs me that it's to keep intruders away as it's a trade secret, furthermore, the little elves likes to play in the woods and it would be worrisome if they stumble upon this area by accident. We arrive in front of a large wooden door, big enough even for Bane to walk through. Bertha guide us inside and as the clinking noise gets louder, so does the heat. Bertha pays no mind to it. The rooms are large and the floors are divided for different usages; the ground floor is where several dwarves are busily working at the furnaces and glassblowing and on the second floor is a place for the gnomes working on the pottery wheels with their hands working fast with the clays. We walk up to the fourth floor but it's blocked by a metallic door. Bertha uses her pass to enter and we follow suit.

"Chief, you have a guest," Bertha announces.

I peek in and sees Chief with another dwarf. Chiefly gladly invites us in while the other dwarf doesn't look like he's expecting guests. The room is cramped with tools lining up on the walls and drawers. Unlike the other floors, this one looks to be where they make prototypes and keep important materials like those mana stores they're storing in one of the many drawers. They're not labelled but I can feel their energy from the door. The tables are occupied with incomplete parts of various templates and models.

"This is my husband, Kif. He runs the kiln." Bertha points towards the other dwarf in the room.

"I'm Iris. Pleased to meet you."

Kif's eyes landed on the Great Wolf who walks in after me.