"The materials are being prepared, but it will take at least two or three months to gather everything required for the city's construction," Benjamin reported, his voice carrying the faint pride of a craftsman whose work had received Kaelor's approval.
Osric stepped in smoothly. "The ballista project is still stalled. The engineers haven't finalized a workable blueprint yet. If they fail to complete it before the materials are ready, will construction still proceed?"
Kaelor's answer came without hesitation. "Of course. A few unfinished ballistas will not delay Whitestone's rise. Those siege engines will be far more critical for Ivory Hills than here."
While their discussion continued in the high-roofed hall, sunlight streaming across crude stone floors, Hound made his way to the massive blacksmith compound, a sprawling structure of timber, brick, and soot-stained iron. Heat radiated from its many open forges, the clang of hammer on metal ringing like a chorus of war drums.
