Aiden stood on the ridgeline overlooking the Ironspine foothills, the wind cutting through his coat. Weeks had passed since Eldrenholt fell into line and the river trade flowed under imperial banners.
Supply lines were stable. Food stores were full. Now it was time to stop relying on captured stockpiles and start building what the empire actually needed.
"Crystals and high-grade metals," he said. "Enough to double the sky-palace fleet and feed the Golden Womb properly. We're not raiding anymore. We're claiming the source."
Elizabeth adjusted the map on the portable stand. "The mountain clans won't like it. They've lost entire hunting parties to the fracture zones. They call the deep veins cursed."
"Then we show them the curse can be broken," Aiden replied. "Nyra, send scouts. We build at the largest accessible vein cluster. Call it Blackvein Forge."
