Jamie met Knall's gaze, his voice firm and unwavering. "I've come to end them once and for all. With this, you don't need to feel any guilt about what will happen next."

Knall's eyes widened in surprise, his thick brows knitting together. The dwarf's hands, calloused from years of crafting, clenched subtly at his sides. "What do you have in mind?" he asked cautiously.

Jamie glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze sweeping the narrow street outside the workshop. Seeing no one, he turned back to Knall. "It's best if we discuss this inside," he suggested quietly.

Knall nodded. "Aye, follow me," he said. "Go 'round the side to the back entrance and head up to the second floor. Open the skylight while you're at it." He gestured vaguely at the disarray within the workshop. "I'll tidy up down here and join you shortly."

Camille and Jamie exchanged a brief glance before moving toward the alley beside the workshop. The scent of oil, metal shavings, and lingering smoke hung heavily in the air.

They made their way along the narrow path, the cobblestones uneven beneath their boots. At the back of the building, a wrought-iron staircase spiraled upward. The metal steps groaned softly underfoot as they ascended. Weeds and small tufts of grass sprouted from cracks in the stone walls.

Reaching the second floor, Jamie pushed open a heavy wooden door that creaked in protest. The room they entered was expansive, with a vaulted ceiling crisscrossed by massive wooden beams darkened by age. The entire space was open in the middle, revealing a clear view into the heart of the workshop below. From this vantage point, they could see the extent of the devastation—overturned tables, shattered glass, and scattered tools that lay like casualties on a battlefield.

"Let's get some air in here," Jamie said, striding toward a set of skylights embedded in the slanted roof. He reached up and unlatched them, pushing the glass panels open. A fresh breeze swept in, carrying with it the distant sounds of gulls. The gust stirred the dust motes into a swirling dance, and the fumes from spilled chemicals began to dissipate.

After several minutes, the sound of footsteps ascending the staircase heralded Knall's arrival. The dwarf emerged onto the landing, wiping his hands on a sooty rag before tucking it into the pocket of his leather apron.

"Sorry for the wait," Knall said, his tone weary but resolute. "Did what I could downstairs. It'll take more than a quick sweep to set things right, but that'll have to wait."

"Understandable," Jamie replied, gesturing toward a small wooden table surrounded by four sturdy chairs. "Shall we sit?"

The three of them settled around the table. Knall rested his elbows on the worn surface, his fingers interlaced. "So, tell me," he began, his eyes flickering with curiosity. "What have you brought me this time?"

Jamie leaned forward, his gaze intent. "Before we proceed, I need Camille to activate a [Silence Vow]," he stated plainly. "What I'm about to share cannot leave this room. It's of the utmost importance that our conversation remains confidential. Even though I trust you, precautions are necessary."

Knall studied Jamie for a long moment, his deep-set eyes searching. The room seemed to hold its breath. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "Very well," he agreed. "I understand the need for secrecy, especially in times like these."

Camille drew a quiet breath and closed her eyes, centering herself. She raised her hands, palms upward, and from each blossomed a shimmering circle of azure mana. The ethereal circles spun slowly, symbols and runes weaving through the luminescent light. Threads of energy unfurled from the circles like tendrils, expanding outward to envelop the trio in a delicate web of arcane power.

Camille's emerald eyes glowed softly with the infusion of mana, a cerulean hue swirling within their depths. The air around them shimmered subtly, a sign that the [Silence Vow] was fully in effect.

"It's done," she said softly, lowering her hands but maintaining the spell's concentration.

"Right," Jamie began, his voice measured and deliberate. "I already had an idea of where the Dusters' base was located. But after investigating further last night, I've gained a clearer understanding of their exact position and operations."

Knall arched a bushy eyebrow. He absently stroked his beard, his keen eyes reflecting curiosity. "But everyone knows it's those two houses near the eastern wall of the city," he interjected. "That's no secret."

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Jamie nodded in acknowledgment. "True, those houses are commonly recognized as their territory. But the key detail isn't just the houses themselves." He leaned in slightly, his gaze intent. "If you pay close attention to the people coming and going, you'll notice they all exhibit signs of dust, sand, and sometimes earth—on their hair, shoulders, and especially their boots."

Knall paused, considering this information. "Now that you mention it," he murmured, scratching his beard thoughtfully.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Jamie's mouth. "My hypothesis is that they've used those houses to excavate tunnels beneath the city, particularly under the wall itself. This would allow them to smuggle materials from outside the city directly into their base, bypassing official channels."

The realization dawned on Knall, his eyes widening slightly. "Makes sense," he conceded. "They've got plenty of dwarves among them. Digging tunnels would be second nature. Wouldn't take them long to carve out a network underground."

"Exactly," Jamie affirmed. "Which makes any assault on them exceedingly difficult. Not only do they have superior numbers, I roughly counted at least thirty well-trained individuals, not including other servants, but their subterranean stronghold gives them a significant tactical advantage."

Across the table, Camille sat with a composed demeanor. Her eyes were focused, lips pressed into a thin line as she concentrated on maintaining the spell. Though silent, she was fully attuned to the discussion, nodding occasionally to signal her understanding.

Knall shifted in his seat, the wooden chair creaking under his weight. "I imagine you have a proposal to address this predicament?"

Jamie met his gaze directly. "I do. With their main force underground and primarily composed of dwarves—who, as you know, are resistant to both magic and physical attacks—we need an alternative approach. That leaves us with one viable option: poisoning."

Knall's expression tightened, and he leaned back slightly. "But dwarves have a strong constitution against poisons," he objected. "You've seen me handle my share."

Jamie inclined his head in agreement. "True, but the substance I'm proposing isn't a conventional poison. It's an alchemical weapon, something even dwarves won't be able to withstand. It represents the pinnacle of warfare advancements. However, I can't divulge the specifics without first ensuring you both agree not to share or use this knowledge with anyone else."

Knall regarded him carefully, his gaze searching. After a moment, he adjusted himself in his chair, leaning forward with a resolute expression. "I'm listening," he said firmly, commitment evident in his tone.

"I need you to gather some specific ingredients," Jamie began, his voice steady as he laid out his plan. "Common salt, stone ash, and oil of vitriol."

Knall frowned slightly, stroking his thick, fiery beard. "Stone ash?" he repeated, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Jamie scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. He realized that terms might differ between regions—or worlds. "Yes, it's a black residue left over in the forges," he explained. "Sometimes it's used to remove the green tint from glass during the crafting process."

"Ah," Knall nodded in understanding. "We call that 'black stone residue' around here. And the oil of vitriol?"

"It's a pungent, acidic liquid," Jamie continued. "Often found in volcanic regions. It's highly corrosive and known for dissolving metals and other materials."

Knall tapped his fingers against the wooden table, deep in thought. "I believe I have some stored away. Nasty stuff, that is. We use it sparingly in certain alchemical processes due to its strength."

"Once you mix these ingredients," Jamie said, leaning in, "the reaction will produce a potent gas. It's imperative that you keep the mixture sealed and collect all the gas that is released. I call it 'Executioner's Breath.' Be extremely cautious. It's incredibly dangerous, even for someone with your experience."

The dwarf's eyes widened slightly. "I've never come across a recipe like this before," Knall admitted, a hint of admiration in his tone. "But I trust you. After all, if it weren't for you, I'd never have tasted that marvelous brew you call beer." A broad grin spread beneath his bushy mustache.

Jamie returned the smile briefly before his expression turned serious once more. "I need you to produce as much of it as possible. We plan to release it into the Dusters' hideout, forcing them out into the open where they'll be vulnerable. In their weakened state, we'll have a better chance of confronting them."

Knall considered this, his gaze drifting to the chaos of his ransacked workshop below. "I see your point," he said slowly. "Very well, I'll begin preparations. But I'll need to acquire more materials to produce the quantity you're asking for."

Reaching into his cloak, Jamie retrieved three glittering gold coins and placed them on the table. They caught the light as they clinked together, a small fortune for most. "Use this," he instructed. "Pay extra if you must. We need everything ready within two days."

"Two days..." Knall echoed, his brow furrowing at the tight timeframe. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It's a challenge, but not impossible. I'll make it happen."

Jamie stood, signaling the end of their discussion. Camille, who had been maintaining the [Silence Vow], gracefully released the spell.

Before turning to leave, Jamie placed a firm hand on Knall's shoulder. "When all of this is over," he said earnestly, "I'd like you to consider joining us. I won't pressure you like Thorgrimm did. You'll always be free to choose your own path. But it would be an honor to have you on our team, where we can watch each other's backs."

Knall looked into Jamie's eyes, the weight of the young man's words sinking in. "I'll think about it, young bard," the dwarf replied, leaving the possibility open.

"Until then, master alchemist," Jamie said with a respectful nod.

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