Good morning, everyone. I hope you had a good New Year. TL;DR: across all the sites, half of you are pro-Patreon and Patreon-only, while the other half are against Patreon. I guess these line up well enough for me since I can keep Ko-Fi going and toss up a Patreon for those who want it. I'll get to work on it.
---
Squeaks shut his eyes as he glided his fingers across the weapon. He followed each line of the runes, slowly twisting the gun in rapt concentration.
It was as if he were a man possessed. His eyes moved under his eyelids, seeing an unseen pattern. It was…eccentric. But I suppose that was to be expected of genius, or at least it wasn't entirely insane.
After standing awkwardly for far longer than I expected, I motioned to speak, but Padraic eyed me from the side and brought a finger up to his lips. A deathly serious expression on his face, only lessened by the soot-covered rag over his nose and mouth.
I nodded to him in understanding and decided to wait. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long as Squeaks slowly opened his eyes.
"Thirty-two runes, three sequences, and I only recognize ten runes, half of one of the sequences, and there are seven runes that we only had partials of," Squeaks said solemnly.
"That is quite the find, then, I assume?" I asked.
"This is more than 'quite', Kaladin. Twenty-two new runes are unheard of. It is a monumental moment in just finding a single partial, let alone a whole rune. The last person to find a new rune and create a sequence with them was Bowen, and that was years ago," Squeaks said.
"And without knowing anything, what do you believe this is?" I probed.
"Judging by the shape and the way it's meant to be held, it's either a weapon or a tool of some kind that uses fire magic. The runes for fire are well known, and they are part of the sequence I can read," Squeaks inferred as he scratched his chin.
"It was indeed a weapon. The undead had many of these things and used them to launch magic at us. Most of the spells were at least at the Intermediate level," I said.
"Intermediate…not impossible, I suppose. These runes…could be an amplifying sequence of some kind. But this powder…perhaps it was the catalyst that increased the power," Squeaks guessed.
Scary accurate. That is my exact guess.
I may not understand exactly how the weapon worked, but I did understand its purpose. The powder was undoubtedly a substitute for gunpowder. At first glance, that made little sense as the powder didn't propel a projectile and instead fired a fixed magic spell.
Regardless, it was still a source of "fuel" for the magical projectile. We just needed to understand what the powder was composed of and its exact purpose.
"This isn't all, Bowen compiled books and notes for you. We also have a large golem-like machine that needs an expert's attention," I said, reaching into my ring and taking out a stack of books and paper.
Squeaks gently accepted the materials with a look of reverence. His excitement radiated off him, but was washed away by a dark expression. His hands balled into fists as he set his jaw.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Kaladin. I need a loan," he said gravely.
"Shouldn't be a problem? How much are we talking?" I asked, unaware of what was to come.
"Two—no, three Mythril coins. Maybe more. And land, enough for a workshop," Squeaks said.
Three…Mythril coins?
Padraic let out a choking cough as he turned wide-eyed at us, the broom glued to his hands.
"That is…quite an amount. May I ask why?" I questioned.
"We need a proper rune forge. This place," Squeaks said, motioning to the forge under the university. "It is of high quality, truly one would struggle to find it lacking. Even for minor rune creation and repairs, it will more than suffice. But this? This is beyond this place's scope."
"So you need the material, manpower, and such," I said.
"That is but only a few aspects. I require a permit and the expertise to create the forge, as well as the necessary tools to work it. Krunbar closely guards the secrets to a rune forge; even I only have a rudimentary understanding of it. And it was those restrictions that led me, in my youth, to my choices…" Squeaks trailed off as he looked down at his arms.
"You turned yourself into a walking forge?" I asked.
Squeaks sighed deeply as he explained, "Essentially, yes. I copied the runes of a forge directly onto my flesh. I believed it was a new path, a way for us not to rely on the crown and their need for control. But the cost was significant, the never-ending pain, the permanent damage to my body, it is a choice I have to live with for the rest of my life."
"So it can't be undone? Perhaps Sylvia could—"
Squeaks put up a hand and shook his head. "You must understand, I spent many years trying to undo everything. These runes are permanent; they changed my very being. No Vampire or light mage can turn back time, Kaladin. Trust me, I tried, and I've long since come to terms with it," he said.
"As you say, then. So, some coins? I don't see a problem with it. I don't imagine you need that exact amount immediately; pulling it together over time is doable. The land won't be a problem; we need Lauren to take a look at things. I'm sure we can buy out those near the foundation office as well," I said.
Squeak's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Not fast enough?" I asked.
Squeaks vehemently shook his head as he said, "No, no, it's not that at all. I didn't expect you to agree so readily. Kaladin, this is not some small amount of money. This is the amount that could shake a small kingdom."
I shrugged and answered, "I'm aware. And it's not like it's a money sink. I don't doubt that you have any problems with it being connected to the foundation, which in and of itself is more than worth it. Not to mention a private rune forge, headed by a Forgemaster and his budding apprentice? With our connection to supplies, how long would that take to return the investment through sales or even renting time at the forge? Five? Ten years?"
"The research and development will be enough to make someone faint. It wouldn't be a long shot to say it could very well be a hub for master forgers in the future, let alone a pipeline for the foundation. So, I fail to see an issue. The forge can be built by anyone with money, but the talent? That's not something that can be bought. Most people would sacrifice their souls just for your talent and skills. This is a worthwhile investment."
Squeak's chin fell to his chest. "Thank you, Kaladin," he said softly.
"There's nothing to thank me for. I was told I'm a rather ruthless task master. I'll be sure to work you and your apprentice til you beg me to stop," I said with a smile.
"I get two paid months of vacation a year!" Padraic shouted from within the forge.
Squeaks shook his head with a tooty grin. He stacked the books on his table, and before I turned to leave, I said, "I'll get all the paperwork done and sent over as soon as possible. You'll be sending the written requirements the forge needs?"
"I'll get it done before the end of the next day," Squeaks said confidently.
"Good. I look forward to it. And Padraic, I'll see you in a few hours," I said as I left.
Quite the fruitful events today. Let's hope it ends even better.
—
"You just had to go train before the pick up time?" Sylvia asked with a sigh.
"What? I had already woken up early and completed one part of it. I've had a hectic day, you know. I secured the future pathway to Forgemasters for generations to come, saw a budding genius with the raw ability to rival the greatest heroes, and hired two extremely skilled individuals who could change the foundation forever," I said in my defense.
"Sounds like you spent a lot of money," Sylvia said suspiciously.
Umm…
"Maybe? Takes spending money to make money…" I mumbled.
Sylvia rolled her eyes but still grinned. "Let's hope Mila doesn't take after your spending habits. I think you've gone blind to the value money holds," she chuckled.
"That may be true," I agreed. "Or perhaps I don't allow money to guide my every action, mm?"
Ring.
Ring.
The bell signaling the end of the morning school day rang out. The doors to the building were pushed open as a flood of children flocked out to their families, their laughter and cheer filling the air. Some boarded guarded carriages, others rushed toward family members. While most skerted to the outside, ready to take the paths through the city to wherever home was.
I noticed Rosemary first. She happened to be at the front, as she trudged toward her carriage. Her face was set in a stony expression unbefitting a child her age.
Some wounds don't heal that fast. If ever. But she's strong; she just needs time.
She climbed into her carriage, and I spotted Dallin not too far away. He saw me and waved at me before jogging off. I felt a gaze on the back of my head, one that was not of the usual bystander. I turned around and met a pair of amethyst eyes staring at me. My father quickly averted his gaze, and my heart sank slightly.
"They still haven't talked to you?" Sylvia said, concern laced in her hushed voice.
"Maybe they are not ready? It's not like I can force them to feel a certain way," I said.
Sylvia slipped her fingers between mine and squeezed hard. "They'll see reason, even if they need more time. I know they will. Your parents aren't ones to abandon family, ever," she said firmly.
I hope so.
It wasn't much longer before an orange ball sped through the crowd straight for us. Mila bounded over the stone curb and straight into Sylvia, who caught her and swung her around.
Mila giggled excitedly as she launched into conversation, "Mommy! Daddy! School was fun! We learned how to write our names, but I already knew how so that wasn't fun…but! At play time, Dallin, Rose, and I played a new game where we threw a ball at a wall and saw who could catch it faster!"
"Oh? And I'm sure you won lots, mm?" Sylvia hummed.
"I did! But…Rose didn't play much at first…and well, Dallin…he wasn't very good, but he said he had fun, so—" Mila trailed off as she let out a big yawn.
Mila's eyes started to flutter as we walked through the group of people. Even so, she continued on, "But after that, we went back inside and we had lunch, the food was really good! And…uh…then we learned more writing! But it was easy, and the teacher had to tell us that things would change as everyone learned more!"
"I see. It sounds like you had a busy day," Sylvia said.
Mila rested her head on Sylvia's shoulder. Her body relaxed, and it looked as if someone had pressed the power down button on her. "I did! We did! And…someone asked about you, Daddy, and I told them to go ask you—and…yes…"
Those were her last words before sleep took her over. It was a matter of seconds; she was softly snoring to herself.
"Seems I wasn't the only one to have a long day," I said proudly.
But Sylvia didn't immediately answer. She just stared at Mila's sleeping face in rapt silence with a warm smile. I didn't want to ruin the moment, so I took a few steps forward and walked just in front to make way. The walk back home for them wouldn't be that long; hiring a carriage was just a waste of a good summer day. In Owlkirk, it would have been soul-crushing humid outside by now.
However, with this many people staring, it may be prudent to consider it for security reasons in the future.
"Kaladin?" Sylvia whispered.
"Mm? What is it?" I asked.
"Just one or two more," she said quietly.
"One or two more? One or two more of what?" I questioned.
"If it's two now, we can do two or three more later," she said cryptically.
"What are you on about? Days? Do you need more time for something?" I asked, confused.
I checked the roads to be certain I was in the right place; we had arrived at the crossing. I'd have to go back to the office for a little longer to at least pretend to work on the insurmountable paper stack that JD had given me. I was sure I would die from old age long before I ever got through it.
"Children."
"One or two more? I mean, sur—what?"
My mouth moved before my mind could catch up. I slowly turned around. Sylvia was red all the way up to her cheeks. I had to blink a few times as I felt my heart beating in my chest.
Sylvia tilted her head to the side and asked innocently, "Is three at the same time too much? It probably is. Then just one more?"
…
JD, perhaps you were right. I may have skipped a few steps.
Oh, well.
"Procreating before a war, although a natural biological inclination, is perhaps not the wisest of choices. I believe your time is already spread thin as it is," a deep voice rang in my head.
Thanks for the reminder, Commander Obvious, as if I wasn't aware.
"Just reminding you of what is at stake. A widow and a fatherless child are bad enough. Two fatherless children are worse," Kronos said dryly.
Assuming I'm going to die already? How wonderful, glad I have your support.
"Wouldn't be our first, or even second time. Third time's the charm, or so they say. Or has it been three times already?" he said.
Is this your attempt at a joke? It's rather dark, even for us.
"No."
"Is—one too much then?" Sylvia asked, sounding somewhat hurt.
"Sorry, just thinking to myself. And, no, it's not—wait, that's not the point. It's not that—wait a moment, we are getting ahead of ourselves here, just how about we do things properly first?" I said calmly.
Sylvia's face flushed to her eye color as her ears wiggled. "Thi—things properly? I—"
"Misunderstanding! That's not what I meant!" I shouted in panic.
Mila twitched in her sleep but otherwise remained asleep. I sighed to myself. That was not how I imagined the walk going.
"This appears to be a joke in and of itself. Is this the term, 'backseating' in action? I was unaware of its idiosyncrasies. This is quite enjoyable, in its own twisted way," Kronos droned off.
Get out of my head for a moment, will you?! I'm trying to pull myself together!
I took a deep breath and steadied my hand in front of me. "No, first…we should get married, right? That's how people do these things."
"You want to get married!?"