Alice folded her arms, her tail flicking behind her. "Wait a second. You want us to work for you? We're the ones paying you."
Hilt didn't look up from the anvil. She picked up her hammer and tapped it once against the steel, a sharp, ringing note.
"I said help me speed it up. If I do it alone, it'll take all day. You said you want it fast, didn't you?"
Alice opened her mouth, then closed it. Her tail slowed.
"...That's true."
Azrynn caught the flicker of irritation in Hilt's eyes. She stepped in before Alice could make it worse, resting the bundled arrows on the counter.
"We'll help. Just tell us what to do."
Adam glanced at her. Azrynn met his gaze briefly, then looked back at Hilt.
"We need that dagger today. If working the bellows or hauling coal gets it done faster, that's a fair trade."
Hilt studied her for a moment. Then she nodded, a small, approving tilt of her chin.
"Good. At least one of you has sense."
Alice made a face. "Hey—"
