A thick silence settled between the three of them after Alex's last question.
A heavy tension was all that filled the air between them.
Rothwind's gaze shifted back to the orb in his hand, his lips pressed into a thin line as he pondered Alex's inquiry.
Finally, with a deep sigh, he shook his head.
"I don't know…"
He admitted softly, even a little embarrassedly.
Alex blinked, taken aback by the unexpected response.
Rothwind's voice carried a rare vulnerability, a candidness that was far removed from his usual demeanour.
"I've heard about them, heard stories passed down from the Ancients… but I've never seen or touched one myself until now. I'm no Ancient class being, not even close to becoming one if a million years passed, nor have I ever personally come into contact with one. I'm just a dwarven smith tryin' to reach the elusive Grandmaster status."