Morning in Iron Hearth always arrived with a chorus of sound.
It wasn't the sound of roosters crowing or birds chirping like in the southern cities. Here, the day began with the hiss of steam from factory chimneys, the rhythmic pounding of foundry machines that never slept, and the thunderous roar of trains gliding over magnetic rails. These sounds were the city's heartbeat—loud, constant, and tireless.
Rumina Sudrath had been awake since dawn.
She stood before the mirror in her room, adjusting the collar of her deep blue gown. Her eyes were slightly puffy; she had only managed three hours of sleep after ensuring Vernazza and her guards were comfortably settled in the guest quarters. But there was no time for complaints. Today was Vernazza's final day in Iron Hearth, and as the host, Rumina had to ensure everything proceeded perfectly until the very last second.
