Wildspark

by Vashti Hardy

  Craftsman Primrose rocked back on his heels. “It’s actually a very easy mistake to make. We do, after all, pride ourselves on our ability to create realistic forms. Most wildlife never show any interest in the personifates – indeed, they seem to be scared off by them – we believe they detect something in the high-pitched sounds of the mechanics. Some animals have become used to it in Medlock, so you may have noticed that pigeons seem to coexist quite happily these days.” He looked at his pocket-watch. “Right, almost time for a special morning meeting that Master Woolstenbury has called, then we’ll get straight to showing you around inside.”

  “Special meeting?” Prue said.

  “Indeed. You’ve all arrived at the Guild at a rather exciting time,” he said.

  Craftsman Primrose led the apprentices back from the perimeter gate towards the main factorium building, past the crowds of people swiftly emerging from the pneumatic transport hut behind them. As they neared the factorium, a slender man approached. He wore the ruby-red cloak of a master. He swept a hand back through silver-white hair, cropped short at the sides. His face had a crooked angle to it, with white eyebrows closely guarding pin-sharp eyes; his mouth was tight and purposeful.

  “Glad you made it, Apprentice Duval,” the man said to Cora. “Primrose, you’re taking my new apprentice for the morning. Master Woolstenbury has planned urgent discussions with the masters about the hundred after the meeting this morning.”

  Prue didn’t like the way he’d told Craftsman Primrose rather than asked.

  “Of course, Master Sollentude.”

  “Didn’t Master White say something about one-hundred back in Medlock?” she whispered to Agapantha.

  She nodded in reply. “I wonder what it means?”

  Cora opened her mouth to say something to Master Sollentude, but he had already turned to walk away. He called loudly to a mole personifate not far ahead. “The lawns are overgrown, tidy them up.”

  The mole dropped the basket of potatoes he was carrying and they bounced across the ground. “Of course, Master Sollentude.”

  Master Sollentude just breezed on past. Craftsman Primrose tutted quietly and rushed to help the mole. Prue and Agapantha hurried to help too.

  “A please from Sollentude wouldn’t go amiss,” Craftsman Primrose said, shaking his head. “Honestly, sometimes I wonder if he’s any better than the ASL. Here you go, Abel.”

  “Much obliged, Craftsman Primrose,” said Abel, carrying on his way. “Best get on with tidying the lawns.”

  “You have as much right to be at this meeting as Master Sollentude. I’m sure some of the other personifates can help you later,” Craftsman Primrose called after him.

  Prue felt glad she was apprenticed to Craftsman Primrose – he had a kind heart.

  “Right, we’d better all get inside,” he said.

  THE NEW APPRENTICE

  Prue felt like a mouse beneath a great oak as they approached the entrance to the enormous factorium. The doorway was huge, leading into a central atrium lined with flight upon flight of ornate ironwork stairs around the edges and access walkways. There were two lift systems on either side, cogs and pulleys left in the open for all to see. Autumn sunlight streamed in from a glass ceiling, casting shadowed web patterns on the wall from the intricate metal latticework above.

  Apprentices, craftsmen, masters and personifates mingled in the atrium. Prue saw a golden lynx, just like the one she’d seen when she first arrived in Medlock, and there was also a rabbit personifate who darted through the people to join a winged wolf, a large brown bear and a golden eagle who was perched on the railings. Many more joined them. Prue noticed that the personifates stayed together on one side of the atrium.

  “Do all those personifates work here?” Prue asked.

  “Yes, we have many allocated to the factorium: messengers, technicians, gardeners, cooks, assistants and whatnot,” said Craftsman Primrose.

  Prue spotted five masters in red, including Masters White and Sollentude. There were many more craftsmen in the mustard-gold jackets, around thirty to forty in total, Prue guessed, and about thirty apprentices in blue.

  “And do the craftsmen and masters live here?” Prue asked.

  “No, most live in Medlock, or nearby villages, but we all travel here daily to work. Come along, we’ll stand here, and I’ll stay with you rather than join the craftsmen, as it’s your first day.”

  Chatter stopped as the golden lynx took the platform, followed by an older woman dressed in a cropped ruby-red jacket. Her hair was white, and immaculately styled short on the sides with a chic, brushed-back quiff. Her face had an arresting stillness and strength. Even if Prue hadn’t known who she was, it was obvious that this woman wielded power. Next on the platform was a face Prue recognized from Medlock – it was Governor Watson-Wentworth. Master Woolstenbury looked to her colleagues, who all dipped their heads to her. She gestured to the governor to take a seat on the platform. Even though the governor had more formal power as head of the Sovereign Chancellery, Master Woolstenbury’s authority here was evident. It was as though an entirely different atmosphere had taken over the room. Everyone seemed to be standing straighter and every single eye was on her. The lynx personifate went on to the side of the platform where several other personifates were lined up.

  Master Woolstenbury’s gaze took in the room. “Good morning, everybody. We have some important announcements, but firstly, I would like to welcome three new trainees: Apprentices Haywood, Young and Duval.” She gestured her hand towards Prue, Agapantha and Cora, and all heads turned to face them.

  For a horrible moment, Prue felt as though everyone could see deep inside of her to the truth. She glanced to her side and saw Agapantha’s cheeks instantly flush, while Cora beamed confidently. Master Woolstenbury’s eyes met Prue’s directly for a few seconds, which felt like a lifetime.

  Master Woolstenbury addressed the girls. “As you will have discovered from your first journey here, we like to keep our location away from prying eyes where possible. I remind you that what you see, hear and learn during your time here stays strictly between these walls.”

  The three new apprentices nodded keenly.

  “At the Guild there are numerous facets and specialisms. You will learn all the many areas, but just because you excel in one, it doesn’t mean you will earn yourself a place as a craftsman of the Guild. An understanding of all aspects is crucial to achievement.”

  There were murmurs of confirmation from the other masters and craftsmen. Craftsman Primrose looked down and gave Prue a reassuring smile.

  A flood of panic hit Prue. She figured she could find her way round the mechanical side of things, but didn’t have the first idea about anything else. But she reminded herself she just had to stay long enough to find a way to Francis without getting found out.

  “But, if there is one thing I want you to take away from your time here it is this: a personifate is not property; they are friends, companions, vital parts of the working community of Medlock, and first and foremost they are individuals. My personal assistant, Zareen, is not only a colleague, but a good friend.” Master Woolstenbury nodded respectfully at the lynx, who returned the gesture.

  “On that note, I would like to continue with a special announcement. We live in an era of great progress and change, and today is a momentous occasion for us at the Guild.” She gestured to a white personifate stoat who was standing not far from Zareen. “I would like to extend a warm welcome to former personifate technician Edwin Snow-Moon, who has been taken on as the first personifate apprentice.”

  A flurry of looks exchanged – a range of shock, uncertainty and excitement. Chatter rippled throughout the atrium.

  Prue noticed Cora roll her eyes.

  “Edwin has shown an exceptional aptitude for design and creative thought, and will be joining Craftsman Primrose. Please take your place with the others, Apprentice Snow-Moon.”

  Prue felt a pang of disappointment; she wasn’t sure she wanted to share
her apprenticeship with anyone else.

  Craftsman Primrose placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Sorry, Frances. I couldn’t mention it before – Master Woolstenbury wanted to keep it a secret until today.”

  A ripple of polite applause went around the atrium as the personifate stoat scampered nervously down the steps towards them and stood beside Craftsman Primrose.

  Master Woolstenbury put her hand up for silence, which was almost instant. “We work together for a better, more understanding world for us all. If you work hard and remain at the factorium, you will all be privileged to be at the forefront of a bright future.

  “Now, I would like to invite Governor Watson-Wentworth to say a few words. He has kindly joined us this morning, to officially share some more … exciting news.”

  The Governor stood up. He wore a silk red cravat and shimmering gold jacket. He took a few moments, clearly enjoying all the eyes on him.

  “Demand for personifates is at its highest, therefore keeping up with the social need is one of the greatest challenges we have to meet. In just a few moon cycles we will experience a blood moon – harnessing new signals will be at optimum possibility. Therefore I have commissioned the Imperial Personifate Guild of Medlock to create…” He looked around the room then broke into a big grin, spread his hands wide and said, “One hundred personifates, to be awoken on the night of the blood moon!”

  The apprentices in the room all gave an excited gasp, but the masters and craftsmen looked unsurprised. Prue noticed several cynical looks being exchanged between them.

  “I have no doubt you will all rise splendidly to the challenge! Not only that, but I should like to remind all of you that it’s only two weekends until the Inventors Parade of Medlock, a wonderful celebration of our city. I hope to see you all there!”

  Prue didn’t know what the Inventors Parade was, but it sounded thrilling.

  Master Woolstenbury left the platform along with the Governor, and the masters, craftsmen and other apprentices hurried off in all directions. Craftsman Primrose remained talking with Master White close by. Prue looked down at Edwin, whose black, bead-like eyes were flitting around the room. He looked nervous.

  “Hello, I’m Frances,” Prue said, crouching down and holding out her hand. Every time she said the name out loud, it felt easier, despite how it threatened to bring the bad memories back.

  He shook a finger with his paw. “I’m Edwin.”

  “You must be pretty excited to be the first personifate apprentice?”

  He smiled awkwardly. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, to tell you the truth. But I’m glad to be with another apprentice.”

  His voice was young; she guessed he must have been about her age when he’d left his first life. Like Francis. Despite her earlier misgivings, she realized it could be very useful to know a personifate in her mission to find a way back to him.

  Agapantha joined them. “Master White says I’m with you this morning; the masters have a meeting about the hundred with Master Woolstenbury.”

  “This is Edwin,” Prue said.

  Agapantha offered her hand to Edwin. “I’m Agapantha. I think it’s great they’ve got a personifate apprentice,” she said quietly.

  Edwin’s shoulders relaxed, and he smiled and shook her hand.

  Cora came over, and said in a loud whisper to Agapantha, “I must say, I’m not sure if I’ve been apprenticed to a factorium or a farm.”

  Edwin stepped forward and extended his paw, but Cora looked over his head as though he wasn’t even there.

  “Cora, this is Edwin,” Prue said loudly.

  “I know,” she said forcefully.

  “Ah, glad to see you all getting acquainted,” said Craftsman Primrose, approaching them and clapping his hands together. “Let’s get straight to it – we will begin with the design lab.”

  DESIGN LAB

  “Ah! Charles, my good friend!” An older gentleman with grey balding hair and portly belly looked up from a nearby table as the four apprentices followed Craftsman Primrose through the large metal doors of the design lab. He straightened a tweed bow tie before putting his hand on his hips and observing them.

  “Apprentices, I’d like you to meet the great Craftsman Rami Shad.” Craftsman Primrose patted Craftsman Shad on the shoulder. “You won’t find a finer designer in Medlock.”

  Craftsman Shad chuckled. “Flattery will get you everywhere!”

  “We have several design labs, but this has become known as Design Central,” Craftsman Primrose said, gesturing to the hive of activity.

  It was a cavernous space, and craftsmen in their mustard-gold jackets stood working around large tables with drawing boards. At the far end were numerous personifate bodies at various stages of development: Prue could make out an eagle and a border terrier, but there were also many metalwork skeletons of different sizes, and something huge at the back that was covered by a sheet.

  “Delighted to meet you all!” said Craftsman Shad. “Although Edwin and I of course have run into each other once or twice in the labs,” he said, shaking the girls’ hands in turn.

  “This was always my favourite place to run errands.” Edwin beamed.

  Craftsman Shad looked to Craftsman Primrose. “Brave choice going for a personifate apprentice. Don’t get me wrong,” he said, turning to Edwin, “I’m all for equality.” Then he brought his voice down a little. “Some of the craftsmen are a little more old-fashioned in their views, but don’t you mind them. I hear you’re quite the talented artist. Primrose should be careful I don’t poach you for my own apprentice! Master Woolstenbury tells me I should take on more, uses it as a carrot to the red robe, but in truth I’m far too busy with my latest creations to deal in politics.” He quivered his head and shoulders as though politics was rather odious. “Why don’t you all come and see my most recent project!” He lifted an arm on to Craftsman Primrose’s shoulders and hurried to the far end of the room.

  They passed numerous personifate shells: cats, dogs, birds and some even more weird and more surprising creatures. There was what appeared to be a giant butterfly, a dragon the size of a small dog, and a creature with the head, shoulders and front legs of an eagle and the back end of a horse.

  Craftsman Shad paused by it. “Impressive, eh?”

  “Yes,” Prue said keenly. It was amazing. Prue wondered what new body would be best to bring Francis back in. Then a thought struck her. “Craftsman Primrose, why does the Guild use animal forms?”

  “A very good question, Frances. We call it the Biomorphic Principle.”

  “Biomorphic?”

  “Yes; initially, more human, robotic-like bodies were tried, something like your farm creations, but the spirits, or ghost frequencies, didn’t latch on to the qwortzite very easily. Qwortzite is the substance that makes it all possible, but you’ll find out more about that soon. One of Hannah Woolstenbury’s great innovations was realizing that realistic animal-like forms have a much higher success rate. The supernatural view says that there’s something deep about human souls that connects with animals – many cultures have animal spirits in their folklore and customs for this very reason. Also, nature is the best designer, so, at the factorium, we’ve melded technology with the wild.”

  Craftsman Primrose patted the back of the eagle-horse. “I hope we get a good match for this one, Rami. Are you thinking guard material?”

  “Indeed.”

  Prue wondered what he meant by a good match, but she couldn’t ask because Craftsman Shad was already urging them on towards the back of the lab and the huge covered object. Craftsman Shad hauled the sheet from it.

  Beneath was an enormous pure-white lion, twice the size of a real lion, with ivory-coloured, feathered wings. “What do you think?” Craftsman Shad asked, chuckling to himself.

  “It’s certainly something, Rami.” Craftsman Primrose pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

  “Of course, the darned Sovereign Chancellery won’t license it, some bish-bosh about limits an
d necessity, and I can’t even get Woolstenbury on my side; she said something about a craftsman’s humility. It’ll likely never see a personifate life.” He sighed. Then with a twinkle in his eye he nudged Craftsman Primrose and said, “We can but try! Well, that’s for the future, when it’s not a blood moon.” He winked. “Let’s just say I’m predicting that some of the more creative projects will be put on hold and we’ll be sticking to the Sovereign Chancellery specification until then. It’ll mostly be a commission for companions, guards and messengers from what I’ve heard behind the scenes so far.”

  “Do you think we’ll manage it?” asked Craftsman Primrose.

  Craftsman Shad pulled in a long breath. “It’s going to be tight. Not sure if the Sahwen celebration will happen this year. But I’m certain Master Woolstenbury will pull all resources to get ahead.”

  Craftsman Primrose looked to the apprentices. “You’ll certainly be in at the deep end!”

  “What have you got planned for the young whippersnappers this morning?” Craftsman Shad asked.

  “Well, I thought—”

  “Think no more! I have the perfect task to get them started. A little project I’ve been dabbling with for a while. Some fresh eyes might be just what it needs.”

  Craftsman Shad led them back to the art boards and faced the apprentices. “This is a task with practical implications. Let’s test your ability to design a new personifate with a specific purpose. Imagine that there are huge mineral supplies to be found under the oceans at a secret location. The mining of such material would be problematic, unless we had some personifates designed for underwater use. I’d like you to get working on the problem. Let’s see what animal forms you can come up with. Use what you know, but be creative!”

  They were all assigned to a design board. The others got straight to work. Prue stared at her paper for a full minute. She picked up a pencil. Put it down again. Picked up another. Suddenly her mind was as blank as the page before her. She became aware of Craftsman Primrose moving around the group. He spent the next minute with Edwin, who was behind Prue, and had already got to work on something detailed. Glancing over her shoulder, she marvelled at how his small paws moved with precision.