A few minutes later, the carriage came to a complete stop. Alfred was the first one to step out, scanning the surroundings before allowing Theo to get out of the carriage.
Theo saw the townsfolk looking at him and whispering, though they kept a respectful distance, as if they were aware of boundaries and didn't intend to break them.
It was not like the first time he visited, when they were all over the place due to his visiting for the first time.
When Theo noticed a group of children staring at him and talking among themselves, he waved at them with a smile, and that made them immediately shout and wave back.
Theo entered through the large gate Alfred held open, only to be hit by a wave of prickly heat.
The sharp clang of hammer striking metal echoed from almost every direction, forcing Theo to squint his eyes as he looked around.
At the center of the vast warehouse stood a massive furnace, open from all four sides, and blazing with intense heat.
