“I’m glad you think ahead,” Sean said. “I had no idea that I’d need so much mithril at the time.”
“I’m curious what you’re using it all for,” Fredrick said.
“The armor and weapons for my family. Can I get some adamantine, as well?”
“How much do you need?” Fredrick asked.
“Hmm... that’s a good question,” Sean said slowly, thinking. “Four or five times what we normally use for the trucks?”
Fredrick nodded slowly. “I can manage it. I might have it in a few days.”
“Just send it over.”
“Why?” Giralt asked.
“I’m armor-plating the passenger compartment for the car. A half-inch to an inch thick plate should stop most attacks.”
“Ah, you’re making something like the Queens’ carriages, then,” Fredrick nodded. “They’re the only ones I know who have plated their carriages in a similar manner.”
“I doubt theirs will be as protected as mine,” Sean chuckled.
Neither Giralt nor Fredrick gainsaid him, but both wondered how much he was planning on doing.
“Anyway, let me look over the truck. I see they finished their first attempt, too.”
“Yes, late yesterday,” Giralt said.
“I’ll start with what they’re working on now, and then move to the finished one,” Sean said, grabbing a creeper so he could roll under the trucks.
~*~*~
Fredrick, Giralt, Ryan, and Sean were all standing by when Archlet stepped out of her carriage. Fredrick stepped forward to speak, “Madam Archlet, it is a pleasure as always.”
“Gertihs, Giralt, Watercaller, and MacDougal? Goodness, a grand welcome, indeed,” Archlet smiled. “I was pleased to be invited to see your production of these marvelous inventions.”
“We are glad to have you,” Fredrick said. “Watercaller heads the team in charge of the lightbulbs, and Giralt heads the truck production.”
“And MacDougal?” Archlet asked.
“He’s in charge of research and development,” Fredrick said.
“That is an understatement from what I’ve heard,” Archlet laughed lightly. “Please, show me these wonders.”
Sean followed as Fredrick had Ryan explain lightbulbs, then Giralt go over the trucks. Archlet asked surprisingly insightful questions as she viewed each team working. When it was done, Fredrick led all of them into an office attached to the workshop. A young Raccoon Moonbound was there to serve them tea and snacks.
Archlet gave the young woman a long look. “Your family works for Flamehair, do they not, dear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the maid replied.
“She’s in charge of the staff’s needs while they work,” Fredrick said.
“This is a wonderful room to rest in,” Archlet said. “Does it have cooling runes to help in the summer?”
“Of course,” Fredrick said.
“And it has two of the iceboxes,” Archlet said. “A very well appointed resting place.”
“We do have a few things you might be interested in,” Fredrick said as he sipped his tea. “Torcs for comfort and an icebox.”
“And what is it you’d like in return?” Archlet asked amiably.
“Your goodwill,” Fredrick replied. “Forged Bonds values friendship above most other things.”
Archlet’s eyes went to Sean. “Yes... I’ve seen and heard of how loyal those in the association can be, even going as far as saving them from attacks.”
“My friends and family are special to me,” Sean said. “I’m hoping to clear up the last few troubles we’ve been having so we can live quiet, peaceful lives.”
“Hmm, that might be a steep cliff,” Archlet replied. “The commander of the guard dislikes you, one of the few remaining crafters not in your association has made it his goal to see you removed from the city, and the City Lord actively hates you.”
“I’d deal with them if they’d let me,” Sean shrugged. “Sharpeyes will hide behind his rank, Carver hides behind him, and Lomar shields them both. If I had a way of dealing with them, they would already be gone. I don’t want to end up in front of the magistrate again.”
“A good thing, too. Besides Jasper, I do not believe any of the others will view you favorably.”
“I figured,” Sean said.
“In fact, the chief magistrate was called before Lord Sharpeyes yesterday. I heard that it was a very argumentative meeting. I wouldn’t expect him to be as understanding if you go before him again.”
“Understood,” Sean said.
“I doubt any other Knights will be coming to duel you,” Archlet continued. “News about how quickly the Mithrilarm family was cut down is circulating now. If not for the elder Bloodheart being the moderator, it would have been called into question. Even Lord Sharpeyes isn’t going to insult him by implying it was less than fair.”
“Good. If they learn to not come after my friends, it’ll be better for them.”
“Well, that has yet to be seen,” Archlet smiled as she set her cup down. “Flamehair has family arriving tonight. Part of the main branch is displeased with her. It seems that high powered families have complained that Charie has gone too far. I expect it to be quite… contentious.”
Sean exhaled slowly. “Maybe it will be. I believe that meeting is tomorrow, though, not tonight.”
Archlet smiled brightly. “I do believe you are right.” She got to her feet. “Gertihs, I shall accept the items, and I will make sure that word of your generosity to those who are loyal spreads. It won’t help with the city here, but it should start to show dividends in Westpoint.”
“We are most grateful, Madam Archlet,” Fredrick said.
“What about beyond Westpoint?” Sean asked as he and Fredrick stood up.
“Well, that would take more influence,” Archlet smiled.
“Bring your carriage in and I’ll upgrade it a little,” Sean said. “I guarantee you’ll enjoy the ride better.”
Archlet’s eyes sparkled and she nodded. “Very well. If your claim is true, I shall exert myself to spread the word farther.”
“Very gracious,” Giralt smiled. “I shall assist you, Sean.”
“That’ll make it go faster,” Sean nodded.
~*~*~
Sean smiled as he thought of the smiles on his wives’ faces and the shock on Mizuki’s. He’d finished their armor sets off and presented them at evening sparring— now, all of his wives were equipped for war if needed. He felt a bit of relief from that. Even though he knew the armor wasn’t going to be deployed all the time, the fact that they had it and could summon it in seconds helped.
Chuckling, he thought of their reaction when he’d told them that he’d be upgrading the carriage into a car with Giralt the next day. Arliat had been the most excited at the idea— she admitted that she’d wanted to try driving one of the trucks since he’d made the first one.
Arliat had to go slow, as the guard recruits were being walked through the streets and shown the patrol routes. That made Sean a little happy, as he hadn’t upgraded the carriage yet and it would definitely make them stand out more.
Reaching the Oaken Glen, Sean waited to leave the carriage. Once he was allowed out, he followed Helga and Ida into the inn. Joseph calling out his name made him smile. As he went to join the group, he greeted the few people who called out to him.
“Mother, it’s good to see you,” Ida said, taking the seat that Henry had left so she could sit beside Sam. “I’m sorry I haven’t come more often.”
“It’s fine. I knew you left the other table to sit with us more often,” Sam said. “How is the baby?”
“Fine,” Sean said, taking his seat. “None of them have had any problems and we’ve kept them from exerting themselves.”
“Now that we’re all here, Fredrick, please, for all that is good, spill,” Joseph whined.
The table laughed at Joseph’s over-the-top complaint.
Fredrick made a placating gesture. “Calm yourself,
Joseph. The sale of the Blissful Waters bathhouses is done. We own them now. Sean, can we ask your wives for their help?”
“We’d be glad to,” Ida smiled. “We’ll do them in turn. The other one is closer to our home, so we’ll do it first if you have the pipes ready.”
“We’ll have everything delivered on Tenday,” Fredrick said.
“The channels are already in, but I will stop by to re-Shape the angles into bends to make the piping easier,” Italice said.
“Drinks?” Tabitha asked, coming by the table.
“Berry tea,” Ida smiled. “I have to refrain from alcohol now.”
“Hot cider,” Helga said.
“Dark Delight,” Sean said, then looked at Henry. “Thanks for bringing that back. I really enjoy it.”
“I’ll have a keg of the family reserve taken to your home,” Henry said. “The chief magistrate accepted the will today. My brother was irate… I might have to remove him from the family, but I’m giving him a chance to calm down first.”
“That’s always sad, but sometimes, it’s needed,” Mageeyes said.
“Where’s Charie?” Sean asked.
“She sent her regrets, but her family arrived tonight,” Fredrick said. “Her message did thank you for agreeing to be there tomorrow at midday.”
“I’ll be there for her,” Sean nodded.
“Sean,” Mageeyes said to get his attention before continuing, “you spoke with Toivo?”
“He took the Agreement,” Sean said.
A Messenger Fairy landed on the table. “Excuse me, MacDougal, sir? I come from Knight Bloodheart. He and his daughter would be delighted to have dinner tomorrow night.”
Sean frowned, then nodded. “Toivo will be there, too?”
The Fairy shook their head. “I do not know.”
“Let the elder Bloodheart know I will be glad to have them, but Toivo must attend, as well.”
The Fairy blinked, then bowed. “As you say, sir.” They left in a flash.
“You’re having the elder Bloodheart and his daughter over?” Joseph asked, leaning forward.
“I’m helping Toivo,” Sean said. “I help my friends where I can.”
Mageeyes smiled softly. “Thank you, Sean. This might help solidify your standing even more.”
“We have Archlet’s help, too,” Fredrick said.
“He’ll have to make a move soon,” MacLenn said. “Things are slipping away too fast for him.”
“What of Carver?” Sean asked MacLenn.
“He’ll be made an Aspirant tomorrow,” MacLenn smiled. “Fair game for you.”
“Sharpeyes is backing Carver?” Mageeyes asked, shocked.
“Yes. Carver has all but stopped his own business and has been up at the Lord’s manor since Denmur died.”
“Sorry for my delay,” Babbitt said, taking his seat. “My wife kept me longer than I had thought she would.”
Sean chuckled. “Good for her.”
Babbitt bowed his head. “Thank you again, Sean.”
“He likes helping the people around him,” Knox grinned.
“Your drinks,” Tabitha said, dropping them off, then collecting Babbitt’s order.
“I’ll be going after this mug,” Sean told the table. “I have a lot to do tomorrow, and Fiona asked me to not stay late.”
“Hmm, yes, a good idea,” Giralt said. “Since we’re working on the carriages first thing, I should call this my last one.”
Chapter Nineteen
Sean rolled out from underneath his carriage on the creeper. “That should do it for now. There are still upgrades left to do, but I have a meeting to get to.”
“It’s been a productive day,” Giralt smiled, sliding out beside Sean.
“I hope your driver can handle it. For now, I put the restriction on it to keep the speeds down to a walking horse. Once you think he can use it, I can back it off so it can go faster.”
“Yes, it’s better this way,” Giralt said as he sat up. “I can’t wait to get home and let Clara see it. I hope she likes it.”
“The horses are fine here until you can send someone for them,” Sean told him. “Quinna will hand them off to whoever you send.”
Shaking hands after they got to their feet, Sean walked Giralt out of the shop. His new car was already waiting for him in the yard. Sean waved to the driver and footman sitting next to each other in the cab.
“See you tonight. I bet they’ll all ask when we can do theirs,” Sean chuckled.
Guffawing, Giralt shook his head. “No bet. Oh, this will be entertaining getting home.”
Once they were rolling out of the yard, Sean turned to find Arliat and Helga waiting for him. “We should be good to go. You got practice in with Giralt’s driver, right?”
“Yes, sir. The wheel is very easy to understand. The long pedal makes it go forward and the flat pedal stops it. I need to push the lever from P to D to go forward, or down to R to go backward.”
“I’ll be in the front with you on the way to Charie’s just to make sure you have it all down,” Sean told her. “Helga, sit in the back.”
Helga looked like she wanted to object, but nodded and got into the backseat. Once she shut the door, Sean and Arliat got into the cab. Sean slid the hatch between the front and back open, so Helga could talk to them if she needed to.
“All good back there?” Sean asked.
“Yes, sir,” Helga said.
“We’re all ready,” Ven said from the dash.
“Arliat, take us out,” Sean grinned.
Arliat looked like a fighter pilot as she checked and rechecked everything before getting them underway. Sean was glad for that— it meant she was taking it seriously.
She has to, though. She’s been entrusted as the driver… she doesn’t want to fuck it up and have me mad at her. Or worse, not trust her to drive again, Sean thought. If she does good, make sure to tell her so when you get there… oh, I wonder how the gate guards will react?
Sean stayed quiet and just watched Arliat drive with a smile on his face. Arliat was very cautious, slowing when she came up to each major street and making sure no other carriages were coming before going through.
Sean was also glad that the snow had stopped. He hadn’t created wipers yet, and he had ideas for a rune that might work even better than them.
People watched them with open mouths, pointing and shouting as they went past. Sean understood the trucks were just starting to be sold, so while it might’ve been talked about, actually seeing a horseless carriage was novel. Sean waved back to a few children who waved at them.
“What else are you going to do to it, sir?” Arliat asked as they drove.
“I want to plate the whole thing in metal to make it resistant to attacks, just in case.”
“That is forward thinking, sir.”
“It’s also why you have the mirrors you do, so you can see beside you.”
Arliat glanced at her side mirrors and nodded. “I check them periodically.”
“Good, but mostly keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes in front of you.”
“Yes, sir. I’m glad for the hatch to speak to you through.”
“It’ll make giving directions easier without us having to keep using the Fairies for small things,” Sean smiled. “It’ll also let you partake in conversations now and again.”
“Yes, sir,” Arliat smiled.
“How’s the ride, Helga?”
“If I could not see outside, I would wonder if we were moving at all.”
“The gate is just ahead, sir,” Arliat said.
“Let’s see how they want to do this,” Sean said grimly. He rolled down his window as they got closer.
“Stop!” a guard shouted at them, getting in the way.
Arliat braked the car and waited.
Sean started speaking, “Can we help you?”
“What is this?” the guard demanded, seeing Sean was speaking and angling around the front to him.
“My car, the first
iteration of a personal transport without horses. It’s like the trucks, but for people instead of goods.”
Noble Solutions Page 17
