「Three days later.」
Kenna burst into the Alchemy Room just as Ian was cooling a cauldron of potion.
The furnace fire illuminated one side of his face. He held a Crystal Rod, stirring at a constant speed as the liquid potion shifted from deep purple to a viscous dark blue.
"Sir."
Kenna stood at the entrance, panting, his forehead slick with sweat.
He didn't dare step inside, instead bracing himself against the doorframe. "There's trouble."
Ian didn't look up. With a flick of his wrist, he tapped the Crystal Rod twice against the cauldron's rim, and a fine layer of bubbles rose to the potion's surface.
"Speak."
"It's a message from Robert, just came in."
Kenna swallowed hard, his voice tight. "All three of the suppliers we contacted... they've all cut us off."
"Regarding the Abyssal Rune Stones, the steward from the Rococo Commerce Association said 'someone warned him off.' He doesn't dare supply us anymore."
