by Eric Vall
“You two are amazing,” I breathed and took a moment to give both of them a kiss. Then I turned to the little stickman and gave him a one-fingered high-five. “You too, buddy.”
As we started for the train, Aurora took my arm to stop me.
“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” the half-elf asked, her emerald eyes shining.
I looked at her curiously and then followed her eyes as she looked to where Bobbie was parked. Her new sapphire windshields sparkled in the sun. She was right. How could I leave my other love behind?
Bobbie’s engine roared excitedly as I floated her up and into the locomotive. Then I attached a plain boxy second train car to tow it along before I joined the girls in the engine room.
“Are we ready to go?” Cayla grinned excitedly.
“Start up the engine,” I said to Aurora as my own smile split my face.
The gorgeous Ignis Mage let a small, steady stream of sparks flow from her fingers into the ignition of the Stirling engine. It caught at once, and the train lurched beneath our feet as the pistons started to pump. Slowly, our locomotive and the car it towed began to move out of the Magehill depot down the tracks, and I got into position to lay them out as we rolled out backward.
We were on our way, I thought.
My next thought was, well, maybe not.
Only a few feet down the track, the train suddenly gave a lurch and pitched forward as it ran into the ground. The gears ground together with a sickening crunch, and Aurora quickly cut the engine.
“What happened?” Cayla asked, alarmed.
“I’m not sure,” I replied with frustration as I jumped down to inspect.
The train sat on the rail like a fat kid on a seesaw, one end smashed into the dirt, the other end popped up. I smacked my head when I realized the problem. I had laid out tracks without ties. With a full load of hundreds of thousands of tons of railroad tracks, there was no way it was going to run smoothly on a track that wasn’t already secured to the ground.
“What happened?” Aurora asked as the girls joined me.
“Back to the forge.” I shook my head, annoyed with myself, as I stomped back to the factory.
Haragh had begun on some more tracks with the molds we had created, and he looked up surprised to see me.
“Back already?” the half-ogre questioned as he raised a bushy eyebrow.
“Sorry, I have to create a couple thousand of these,” I replied as I tapped into my power and lifted up a blob of liquid steel from the forge. At my command, it formed into an eight-foot long beam with flat spade-shaped ends. “They’re called ties, and they laid across the tracks to support them. Usually, they’re made of wood, but--”
“We’ve already got a functioning metal mined, and we aren’t a timber operation?” Haragh chuckled. “I get it. I’ll tell you what, bud. You do your thing, while I create a mold. We’ll knock these tie things out in no time.”
The half-ogre’s support was vital, not only to get the job done but to bolster my own confidence that this wasn’t too hard of a task.
It was mostly a grind, but Haragh had an ogre work song he began to sing as he worked, and after a few verses, I knew it well enough to join in. The language was complete nonsense to me, full of growls and snarls, but very useful to keep a rhythm to our work. I didn’t keep count, I just kept making ties and stacked them up as the hours went by.
It was night before we took a break and, as I wiped the sweat from my brow, I counted how many we had made so far. Just over a hundred and fifty thousand.
“Is that enough to get you started?” Haragh asked.
“Just enough for a day’s work,” I replied after I made my calculations. “Sixty miles, with two thousand five hundred per mile. Wood ties are usually closer together than that, but these are much sturdier.”
“I think you’re going to need another car,” the half-ogre said as he picked one up. “They’re not as heavy as the tracks, but they’re going to take up some room.”
“Good idea,” I yawned as I sent a pulse of my power out to lift a stack. Haragh was right. They weren’t light. “The only thing is that I’m going to need the ties and tracks next to me when I lay them out. I’ll attach a second car, put half of the ties and tracks in it as backup, and reload midway.”
“Go get some sleep, bud,” Haragh said with a grunt as he picked up another stack. “I’ll load up the cars.”
“Thanks, dude.” I grinned as I slapped him on the back. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Well, duh,” the half-ogre chuckled.
I left Haragh to it and trudged my way back to my house. Cayla and Aurora were already asleep, and the provisions they had packed were on the floor next to the bed. I crawled in next to them, fully dressed, and was asleep almost before my head hit the pillow.
The next thing I knew, once again I was reminded that I needed to invest in some curtains. There was Haragh’s big, ugly, smiling face in the window, with the rising sun behind him.
“Get your ass up!” he bellowed.
“Are we ready to try again?” Cayla asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
“Fingers crossed,” I replied with a bright grin. Then the three of us washed up and got ready for the day.
Haragh accompanied us as we boarded the train again. During the night, as promised, he had rearranged the loads, so there were six thousand tracks and seventy-five thousand ties in neat stacks in each of the two cars. I rubbed my hands together, eager to get started.
“Are we ready to give it another shot?” Aurora asked as she got into position by the engine.
“Power it up!” I shouted as I touched my power and sent a wave of a hundred and fifty ties one by one out onto the south track, one every two feet. Then I sent out a second pulse of magic to meld the ties so that they held.
The engine rumbled to life as Aurora cast her steady stream of sparks into the ignition. We began to roll along the tracks, and I held my breath as we approached the next segment I had just placed the ties on.
Ah man, was it smooth. Not even a bump as we rolled onto the next track.
Now we really were on our way.
Chapter 7
It took a few hours to get into a rhythm, but by the time we were a few miles down the road, I could whip out two tracks at a time and keep the train running at about the speed of a decent jog. From my angle, it resembled a wave in reverse as I arched out tracks just a few feet ahead of us and followed it up with a stream of ties.
I could only imagine what it looked like from a distance, but apparently, it was a sight to be seen because farmers and their families ran out of their houses to gawk as we passed. We took a parallel path to the road we usually rode to get to the workshop from Serin, so I imagined these simple people had just gotten used to the sight and sound of my motorcycle. A mighty train was on a whole other level though.
I took a second to steal a glance over my shoulder at Cayla and Aurora, and they both grinned ear to ear as they watched the farmers out the windows. Aurora’s hands were occupied by the engine, but Cayla was able to wave to them.
At first, I couldn’t help but think that I wished the train didn’t have to go backward so the witnesses would really know how it was supposed to look. The front of the car was a sight to see if I did say so myself. It was that iconic coal engine look that I had tried so hard to craft. Then I reasoned to myself that hopefully after the track was built, everyone would get a chance to see the train as it's intended to run.
But first, we had to get this railroad built.
In a few hours, the locomotive was almost empty of all its tracks and ties, but I could see the walls of Serin on the horizon. Even more people had gathered to watch us pass, and as we got closer to the capital, I saw there were more than the usual number of guards on the walls above the gates.
“Okay, we can slow down,” I said to Aurora. “We’re almost to the city.”
The Ignis Mage slowed the train to a crawl, and then at my signal,
cut the power entirely, so we ground to a halt. As I ran out of the last of the tracks and ties, we were about fifty meters from the gates, and as we disembarked, a great crowd of townsfolk streamed forward to check us out. They approached cautiously, except for the children who ran for the train in a frenzy of enthusiasm. Different worlds, but I guessed there was just something about trains that every kid loved.
From behind the crowd came the sound of the royal trumpets. Then the townsfolk parted for King Temin and his royal guard, and I saw right away the broad smile on the king’s face.
“By the gods, you did it, didn’t you?” Temin chuckled as he clasped my hand. “I never doubted it for a second, but I didn’t dream it’d be so … big.”
“These are only two of the cars,” I replied proudly. “Once the track is done and the cars are all lined up, we can make it much bigger and use it to transport pretty much anything. The question now is where do we build the official Serin depot station?”
“I think where you have the train now isn’t a bad location,” Temin replied thoughtfully. “Close enough to load and unload through the gates, but not right on top of us. And I thought your guns and metal steed were loud!”
I laughed. “I’m going to go recruit some Terra Mages from the Oculus to help me build the depot, but our time is probably better spent not making it too fancy. I can leave that for your local artisans to really make it something special.”
“Oh yes, it may be some people’s first impression of Serin,” the king nodded. “We don’t want to disappoint.”
“As a practical matter, one suggestion,” I offered. “I’ll create a functional defensive turret over the station, but I think it’d be smart to commission the watchmaker Elias to create two giant clocks on it, one facing the platform, one facing the gates. Eventually, the trains will be running on schedules, and it’d be good for everyone to know how much time they have to catch their ride.”
“We’ll have to make use of that mine of yours,” Temin smiled as he considered the design of the clocks. “I’m picturing rose gold with shining silver numbers.”
“Sure, but right now there is another matter I need to discuss with you,” I said, and then I lowered my voice. “In private.”
“Very well,” Temin replied, his brown eyes suddenly serious. “Let’s go to the castle.”
I held up a finger and opened the door to the locomotive. Bobbie purred her engine in greeting.
“Can I offer you a lift?” I smiled and gestured toward Bobbie’s sidecar.
“I’ve been hoping to get a ride on that contraption since I first saw it!” Temin roared with laughter. “But really, isn’t it undignified for a king of the realm to travel in such a way?”
“Then what’s the point of being king?” I asked with a wink.
A few minutes later, the four of us tore up the cobblestone streets aboard Bobbie, Cayla, Aurora, and I in our usual position, the King of Illaria in the sidecar. I glanced to my right and saw that Temin had a look of pure joy on his face as we raced past his subjects. Behind us, the royal guard on horseback galloped furiously to try to keep up.
“You will have to build me one of these metal steeds,” the king said, a wide smile on his face as we parked in the castle courtyard.
“I can do that once I’m finished with the project at hand,” I replied with a smile of my own, “though I can’t promise it’ll be quite the same as Bobbie here, and you’ll need to supply your own Ignis Mage to power it.”
Aurora shot me an amused glare as we walked up the castle stairs.
Once we were settled in the king’s private offices, I wasted no time as I brought up the serious matter we had to discuss.
“There was an act of sabotage in the mine,” I said grimly. “It was someone working for the Master.”
The king frowned and took a moment to digest this before he asked, “Was anyone hurt?”
“There were a few injuries, but thank the gods, none fatal,” I replied. “Morale still seems to be high among the mages. If anything, they’re more determined than ever, though they do not know of the Master’s hand in the cave-in.”
“That’s good at least,” Temin mumbled as he nodded, though his mood remained concerned. “So, it seems that the Master knows about our current plans and has infiltrated the Order of Elementa.”
“That may not be all he’s infiltrated,” Cayla cautioned. “There may be more attacks.”
“I will let my soldiers know to be on the highest alert,” the king replied. “It is disconcerting, to say the least.”
“That is why it is essential we get the train project finished as soon as possible,” I pointed out. “It is obviously something the Master wants to stop, so he recognizes the threat.”
“Then you had best be on your way,” Temin said as he rose from his seat.
We shook hands, and then I left with my princess and my Ignis Mage for the Oculus. In a few minutes, we parked Bobbie at the steps of the Great Library and ascended the staircase.
As usual, the main halls were crowded with mages, and I went up to the first one I saw, a wizened old crone with kind gray eyes.
“Excuse me,” I said. “I am looking for an Ignis Mage named Tzko.”
“Oh, you’re in luck,” the old mage said as she smiled and took my hand. “I’ll bring you to him. He’s in the classroom.”
I let the little biddy lead me through the horde and down a corridor to a small wooden door. She gave it two quick raps, and it opened to reveal a short man with greasy black hair. Behind him were rows of children between ten and twelves years old, heads buried down as they scribbled on their long scrolls, quills in hand. A smile broke out on his face when he saw us.
“Tzko, I didn’t mean to disturb you during lessons, but--” the old woman began.
“You’re Defender Flynt, the Metal Mage, am I right?” the Ignis Mage interrupted as he closed the door behind him and stuck out his hand. “We haven’t met, but I’ve seen you plenty of times around town on that amazing metal machine of yours. Headmaster Claudius Tzkorian, but everyone calls me Tzko.”
“Good to meet you,” I said as I shook his hand, and then I gestured to my companions. “This is Cayla and Aurora. We were given your name by Haragh who said you’re the person to talk to about recruiting some more Terra and Ignis Mages for our project. I take it you know all about it??
“Everyone knows all about it.” Tzko grinned. “It’s all anyone has been talking about. I can definitely bring you as many mages as you need. How soon do you need them?”
“Immediately,” I replied frankly. “But it looks like you’re in the middle of a test?”
“No, just started, and they’ll be at it for hours. I can see who I can round up right now,” the mage said as we all walked into the main corridor. “It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”
“Great. We need to do one last thing, but we’ll be right back, and we’ll meet you and the other mages here,” I said and ushered Aurora and Cayla down the long staircase to the research rooms.
Shoshanne waited for us expectantly, a big stack of her books at her side, together with an annoyed looking Wyresus. The curly-haired Aer Mage gathered the books up and ran to us.
“You made it!” Shoshanne said, a big smile on her face. “Does that mean you finished the train? I can’t wait to see it running!”
I was about to answer when Wyresus held up his hand to interrupt.
“Defender Flynt, may I have a word with you?” the head of the Order of Elementa asked irritably.
“As long as it doesn’t take too long,” I replied politely. “We have a pretty tight schedule. Do we need to go somewhere private?”
“Out of respect for you being so busy, I’ll cut to the chase,” Wyresus said, and then he paused while he considered his words carefully. “You are not respecting the ways of the Order, and this needs to stop.”
I raised my eyebrows at the mage, but in truth, I had expected something like this.
“Mage Wy
resus, I meant no respect to you or the Order,” I said sincerely. “When I first heard about the Order of Elementa, and its dedication to protecting the people of Illaria, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I think I am actually honoring that by using your mages for the good of the kingdom.”
“Mages are not meant to be ‘used,’ Wyresus sneered as he clasped his hands in front of him. “You are employing them as miners and ironmongers, just so you can get your little trains finished faster.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s--” I began.
“It’s demeaning to our traditions of which you know nothing,” Wyresus interrupted.
“Hold on,” I said as calmly as I could. “To be fair--”
“You bring this girl here for training, and I take her under my wing, but the moment you need a healer, you take her back,” Wyresus cut me off once again. “In your mind, you may justify your actions as doing good, but you are doing harm to this community with your arrogance. I insist that you stop at once. All I need from you are the words ‘Yes, I will stop,’ nothing more.”
As I listened to the head of the Order of Elementa rant, my mind went over what I had been through since I had landed in this kingdom. The beasts and bandits I had battled, the inventions I had created, all the times I had pushed the limits of my physical endurance. I thought of the mages back at the mine, overjoyed to have a purpose and direction. And here, this little undersized pipsqueak of a sorcerer forever stuck in research so that he never had to make a decision, he wanted me to stop?
Not going to happen.
“Let me put it another way,” I said as I gave him my sweetest smile. “Fuck off, you useless piece of shit.”
Wyresus stared at me, open-mouthed, an expression that was matched by every other person in the research room who heard me, and that included Cayla, Aurora, and Shoshanne. I raised my eyebrows and kept the smile on my face.
“Let’s go,” Aurora said quietly as she tugged at my arm, and the three of us followed her to the stairs.