Chapter 610 - The Wolf's Hunt (3)

Pale dawn filtered through the shattered arrow slits of the old forge-tower, and the first light of morning felt almost shy—like a guest uncertain it was welcome in this forgotten place. Golden beams rolled across broken stone and rust-flecked iron, illuminating floating dust motes that danced in the cold drafts. The air smelled of ash that would never fully leave the walls, soot that had long ago seeped into every crack, and a subtle, bitter tang of dried blood that no amount of wind could carry away.