All night, Dory was trying to come up with plans to execute the mission and also clear the infamous Arlo Caesar out of the way. If anything he was going to be a huge hurdle in the way, that if he's just as smart and strong as Sirene described him.
At the end, none of the plans seemed to be a good one. Well, Dory was Dory. He'll surely have something up his sleeve especially when the deal this time is ten times or hundred times serious, harder than the previous one.
Morning came with movement, not silence. The courtyard in front of the forge was already busy before the sun fully rose. The sound of hooves shifting against dirt and the creak of wood made it clear that Elian had not come unprepared.
His carriage stood just outside, larger than the usual village carts. It wasn't extravagant, but it was solid, built for long travel. Two horses were already harnessed, their breath visible in the cool morning air as they stamped their feet impatiently.
