Rio and Kaschet stepped out of the cart and faced what appeared to be a gated entrance.
"Well, here we are," declared Belosh as he hopped out of the cart.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "SUPPLIES HERE!!!"
Outside the mine tunnel entrance, at the foot of the tallest part of the Felsokro mountain range, a cluster of buildings dotted the area.
To the right lay the manufacturing section, featuring scattered small houses with smoke spiraling from their chimneys.
Working men noises echoed from various buildings, each serving a different purpose. Some stored stacks of stones and rocks, with workers transporting them in and out. In another building, the rhythmic melody of metal music played, accompanied by the pouring of molten metals into molds and the resounding clang of hammers.
Observing the metal-focused part of the mine was a 5.10ft bald, muscular man with a thick mustache, wearing a leather apron and a brown tunic.
"SUPPLIES HERE!!!" echoed a distant shout.
"And there he goes," the bald man remarked.
"Alright, round them up! Belosh is here," he commanded, clapping his hands to gather the attention of the workers.
"Kreken, call the woodworkers; it's their turn to cook," the bald man instructed, looking at a man pushing barrels.
"Yes, sir Olbert," Kreken acknowledged and hurried off.
"Round up at the hall, boys. The refinery's inspector will be here today. Give your best look," Olbert announced.
"Yes, sir!" the men responded, readying themselves for Belosh's arrival.
At the gate entrance...
"There, they should come here soon," Belosh stated.
Rio glanced at the old man, covering his ears.
"Hey, what was the shout about?" Rio asked.
"Well, how else are you gonna call 'em?" Belosh replied.
"Can't you use a bell or something?"
"Hmm, that's a good idea now, lad. I'll ask Olbert to make one," Belosh considered.
Kaschet stood between the two, maintaining a straight posture. If Kaschet were dressed like a noble rather than a village chieftain, he would indeed resemble a king.
In the distance, a shining object approached, causing Rio to squint his eyes.
"What's that?" Rio asked, shielding his eyes from the blinding light.
The silhouette clarified into a tall, bald, muscular man with a thick mustache – Olbert, wearing a leather apron and a brown tunic.
"One day that throat of yours will break, old man," Olbert remarked.
"Blinding as always, Olbert," Belosh replied.
"Just the right time and angle of the morning sun," Olbert shrugged.
"Hm? You finally brought your son with you, chief?" Olbert asked, noticing Rio by Kaschet's side.
"Rio seems to be losing some interest back in the village. I figured I'll bring him with me for a visit and show him some things done here," Kaschet explained.
"Well, okay then."
"Sir, they are in the hall now. Sir Bennedick's team is on its way there too," Kreken reported.
"Alright, go tell them the chief is coming," Olbert instructed. Kreken nodded and went ahead.
"Well, chief, they seem to be ready now. Let's go," Olbert said.
The three men and one boy entered the gate entrance of the area outside the mine tunnel. The even area outside the tunnel measured at least 100 meters long and 55 meters wide.
Rio observed what looked like another village. To the left were ordinary Izba houses made of uncut logs, and to the right were houses made of stones, with anvils and wheelbarrows scattered around. Some buildings emitted smoke from chimneys, while others had broken molds and hot furnaces with noticeable chimneys.
"Cool place, isn't it, boy?" Belosh commented.
"It's like a village," Rio replied.
"Hehe, indeed. The left side is where they sleep or rest. The biggest one on the left is where the paperwork is done by those four nerds," Belosh explained, glancing to his left, with Rio following suit.
"In the right side is where the magics are built. All the stuff they get in the mine is stored in the storage over there," Belosh said, pointing at the largest building on the right, made of stones with a large wood gate.
"And the other buildings are where they make some raw ingot and send them to the east refinery," Belosh added, waving his hands around to indicate the other buildings.
"And that's not all ther—" Kaschet began before Belosh was cut off.
"I'll handle that part, Belosh."
"Oh, right. You did bring your son for some interesting things. Oh well."
"Hm?" Rio wondered, looking at the two with curiosity.
"Don't worry, we'll get there," Kaschet assured Rio.
The group continued, and a little while later, they stood in front of a building. With stone foundations and walls made of planks, the structure was at least 12 meters wide and 15 meters tall. Its form resembled a Christian church, minus the cross and with pointy towers. The gate, 10 inches taller than Kaschet and twice as wide as his height, opened to Olbert stepping forward.
Inside, a group of people engaged in discussions or casual chats. The room, 10 meters wide, held a long rectangular wooden table in the middle, supported by two thick wood pillars. Smaller circular tables and chairs were scattered around. The hall, resembling a Viking hall, featured a second floor accessible by stairs on both sides of the door. In the middle of the ceiling hung a circular iron structure with candle pockets, filled with candles suspended by a chain.
Some individuals occupied the second floor, their elbows on wood fences holding wooden mugs supported by iron rings, forming mini barrels. With the door wide open, attention focused on the new arrivals: Belosh, Kaschet, and Rio.
"OH, chief!"
"Chief is here!"
"Looks like he brought his son with him."
Men flooded them with comments, and a man at the middle table, with long hair tied in a loose ponytail, stood up. The man, topless with pants made of animal fur, approached with a grin on his face.
"Hey, Chief, you actually brought your kid with you today!" the man exclaimed.
"I just figured as much, Bennedick," Kaschet replied.
"Brother, you should be leading your team; you're on cooking duty today," Olbert advised.
"It will be fine, brother. I taught them well enough," Bennedick replied.
"That does not mean you should leave them. The whole group is cooking, not just the member," Olbert argued.
"Alright, whatever," grumbled Bennedick, walking past the group. Before leaving, he asked Belosh about their supplies for the day.
"What do we got today, Belosh?" Bennedick inquired.
"Some Olentail. It's a bit mature, but it should still be good," Belosh replied.
"I see, okay then," Bennedick said, looking down at Rio. "Just wait, kid. I'm the best cook here," he added before leaving.
"Okay, everyone, the chief is here with some news from the refinery. Steady up!" Olbert clapped his hands and yelled, prompting everyone to find their chairs based on their group affiliations.