The carriage arrived before dawn.
The sound of the heavy wheels over the stone road echoed through the mansion's courtyard and woke me up even before someone knocked on the door. I got up, went to the window, and saw the dark structure stopped in front of the gate.
It did not look like an ordinary carriage.
It was reinforced with metal plates on the sides, carved details that resembled ancient runes, and a hammer-and-anvil crest engraved on the front. The horses were larger than the standard I knew, with harnesses ornamented in matte silver.
I went downstairs and found the group already gathered in the living room.
"I didn't know dwarves used something so… imposing," Vespera commented.
"They don't make anything small," I replied.
We went out together to the courtyard. Two dwarves were waiting beside the carriage. Both wore light but very well-crafted armor. Their beards were long and braided with small metallic rings.
One of them stepped forward.
"Takumi of Vaillor?"
"That's me."
He nodded respectfully.
"By order of His Majesty, King Durgan Ironhammer, we have come to escort you."
His formality contrasted with the weight of the carriage behind him.
We placed our luggage in the back. We got in. The interior was surprisingly comfortable, with cushioned seats and enough space for everyone.
Lyannis sat beside me.
"This is better than most lodgings we've stayed at," she said.
Rai'kanna closed the door from the inside, and the carriage began to move.
The sun was still rising when we left Vaillor behind.
During the journey, the mood was light. We talked about what to expect from the dwarven kingdom. Liriel began imagining what the forges would be like. Elara showed curiosity about the architecture. Vespera wanted to see the legendary weapons they produced.
I listened more than I spoke.
The road changed as we advanced. The terrain became rockier. Mountains began to appear on the horizon, first small, then increasingly larger.
Dwarves did not build their kingdoms on plains.
They lived where stone was abundant.
We traveled for hours. At times, we remained silent, simply observing the landscape through the small windows.
In the middle of the afternoon, one of the dwarves knocked on the side of the carriage and opened a small hatch.
"We are close."
My body leaned forward automatically.
A few minutes later, I felt the carriage slow down.
When the door was opened, I stepped out first.
And I stood still.
The dwarven city did not look like anything I had ever seen.
It was not spread across the surface.
It was carved into the mountain.
Houses sculpted directly from the rock, connected by stone bridges, towers carved into the very cliff face. What drew the most attention, however, were the details.
Rubies, sapphires, and other precious stones were embedded in the walls as if they were part of the natural decoration. The sunlight struck them and reflected in dozens of bright points throughout the city.
"This is… absurd," Vespera murmured.
Elara slowly turned, observing everything.
"Now I understand why they call it the city of riches."
Lyannis's eyes were wide.
"I thought it was an exaggeration from the stories."
It wasn't.
The movement in the city was intense. Dwarves walked from one side to the other, carrying tools, crates, ores. The metallic sound of hammers echoed in the distance, constant, almost like the place's own music.
I had already visited human, elven, and demi-dragon cities.
None had this sense of solidity.
There, everything seemed eternal.
One of the guards gestured.
"Please, follow us. The king is waiting."
We followed the main path. As we advanced, more dwarves looked in our direction. Some whispered. Others simply watched with evident curiosity.
I noticed.
They knew who we were.
The castle stood further back, also carved into the mountain, but much larger than the rest of the constructions. Thick columns supported the entrance, all adorned with detailed carvings.
We were led inside.
The interior was illuminated by crystals embedded in the walls, emitting a soft golden light. The floor was polished like a mirror.
"Takumi of Vaillor!"
The voice came even before we saw who was speaking.
A dwarf with a long, gray beard approached with wide, animated steps.
"Welcome! And your entire group as well!"
He opened his arms as if greeting old friends.
I did not expect that.
I stepped forward and gave a slight bow.
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
He let out a loud laugh.
"No formalities! Here, you are guests of honor!"
I looked at the group. Everyone was as surprised as I was.
King Durgan Ironhammer had none of the rigid posture I expected from a king.
He seemed genuinely happy with our presence.
"You must be tired from the journey. Dinner is already being prepared. We will talk calmly in the hall."
We followed him through wide corridors to a large stone hall.
As I walked, I noticed something.
That invitation was not just curiosity.
It was respect.
It was recognition.
When I entered the hall and saw the table already prepared to receive us, I had a clear feeling.
We were no longer just adventurers.
We were seen as something greater.
And that, for the first time, began to truly weigh on me.
I sat at the table, took a deep breath, and thought.
The visit to the dwarven kingdom had just begun.
And I had the feeling that nothing there would be ordinary.