by Eric Vall
There was no beast to be seen, just ten men who had come off the road, and they argued loudly with the traders. They were just as raggedy and unkempt, and one of them climbed into one of the train cars and began to rummage around.
“Hey!” I shouted. “Get out of there!”
Yaxin looked back at me and yelled back, “We got this!”
The trader boss climbed into the same car, and a moment later returned holding the man by his collar. This prompted another man in the new group to draw a sword, and in the blink of an eye, there was a full on brawl.
Considering that Cayla, Aurora, Shoshanne, and I easily bested Yaxin’s men in a bar fight in Keld, they were actually pretty good brawlers. It was entertaining to watch them go at it, and they certainly weren’t afraid to fight dirty.
Nor were their opponents. One of the new fighters picked up a tie from the closest train car and held it up, ready to swing it.
Cayla casually took out her revolver, cocked it, and shot the tie out of the man’s hand at two hundred yards.
God, that was hot.
“That’s enough!” the princess yelled. “We have to get going!”
The new guys stared at her for a second, until she cocked her gun again and shot it into the dust at their feet. That was all the motivation they needed to get their asses out of there.
“Well,” the baroness cleared her throat as if nothing had happened. “Like I said, shouldn’t you best be on your way?”
“Yes, ma’am!” I chuckled. “I guess we best. Make sure to keep that steak warm for when I get back, all right?”
As we walked down to the train with the other mages, the baroness shouted one more piece of advice, with a point of her wrinkled finger due south, “You know where you’re going, don’t you? That’s the fastest route!”
“Thank you!” I shouted back as everyone boarded the train.
I took a moment to take Yaxin aside before I got on myself.
“They’re not bandits,” the lead trader said as he anticipated my question. “Just rival caravan traders, thinking we looked like easy pickins for some reason. They won’t be botherin’ us again I’m sure. That girl of yours is something else.”
“We agree on that,” I chuckled, and then I got aboard the locomotive.
“South to Eyton?” Aurora asked eagerly.
“The baroness said that’s the straightest route,” I said as I pointed the direction she had shown us.
“Mason,” Cayla started as she shook her head, a smile on her lips, “that woman and her husband have steak for brains. Just around the next bend through those trees over there, that sleepy little creek goes over a fifty foot waterfall. Obviously you impressed them so much, she thought you can fly.”
“Maybe someday,” I laughed. “All right, point me in the right direction and let’s see if ninety miles of track will get us to Eyton.”
Chapter 14
“No, you can’t have an audience with my father looking like that,” Cayla frowned as she looked at Yaxin. “You’re basically dressed in rags and you look and smell like you haven’t taken a bath in … ever.”
“Ugh.” Yaxin’s shoulders slumped as he helped his men and my mages finish loading the last of the tracks into the locomotive from the last of the train cars.
It was noon the day after we had left Pautua. We had one reload after thirty miles and continued on for another thirty before night fell and we slept out under the stars. Yaxin, his men, and my Terra Mages had reloaded the locomotive first thing that morning, and after another few hours, we were ready for our last one. Even with the Terra Mages easing the burden, it was back-breaking work. Still, if the traders had any complaints, they were smart enough to mutter them out of earshot.
That was to say up until the moment when Cayla began her evaluation of whether or not Yaxin was to be allowed an audience with her father, the king, as promised.
“You need to,” the raven-haired beauty hissed. “You smell gross.”
“When we get to the lake, I’ll take a bath,” Yaxin said with a sigh.
“That’d be a start,” Aurora joined in. “What you need is a nice cover up. I’m seeing a cloak in yellow-green.”
“Why yellow-green?” the trader asked, bewildered.
“Because right now, you look like a two-bit prairie trader,” Cayla said with a sweet smile.
“I’m no longer sorry I called you a bitch,” Yaxin grumbled. “What else am I supposed to look like?”
“Like a man who makes trade deals with kings,” Aurora replied sternly. “Come on, man, find a yellow-green cloak and wear it because you like to stand out and be counted, like Mason Flynt.”
“Don’t get me involved in a discussion about fashion,” I chuckled as I held my hands up and shook my head. “That’s not my area of expertise.”
“You might not think so, but why don’t you wear white robes with brown trim like the other Terra Mages?” Aurora countered as she pursed her lips.
Before I had a chance to reply, Cayla answered for me. “Because that doesn’t define you, any more than being a two-bit prairie trader defines our friend Yaxin here. Don’t get stuck in a uniform.”
“And don’t argue with women,” I added as I winked at my beautiful princess.
“That’s fine, fine,” Yaxin gave up and headed for the now empty train car he shared with his men. “When we get to Eyton, show me the shop, and I’ll buy a yellow-green cloak.”
“You know what?” Cayla said as the rest of us boarded the locomotive. “I’m beginning to like him.”
I shook my head with a chuckle and pitied the poor guy as we set off on the last leg of our journey.
Cayla’s directions took us along the edge of Lake Falder, right in the shadow of the great city walls. The sun hung low in the sky casting every shade of red and orange, which the placid lake reflected back like a mirror. We were down to our last few tracks, probably just enough to make it to the city, but as I looked at the lake, I could picture our station in the reflection as well.
“Cut the engine,” I told Aurora, and as the train came to I halt, I jumped to the ground. In the distance, I watched the city gates open and a retinue of horses ride out, but I paid them little mind as I turned to the raven-haired beauty at my side. “What would you think about having the station here?”
“I love it,” Cayla said as she joined me. Her eyes were the same color as the crystal blue lake and sparkled just as brightly. “Not only because it’s beautiful, but it’s also practical. There are so many sellable commodities in Lake Falder, fish, Barbil oil, pearls, herbs, and we’re only a little over a hundred yards away from the city gates.”
“Well, that is convenient,” King Davit said as he reached us, accompanied by his royal guard with their brightly colored and easily recognizable banners flapping in the breeze. Davit trotted his steed over to his daughter and deftly slid from the horse with a broad grin. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
The king and princess embraced, and I received a hearty handshake. As the rest of the mages and traders came out of the train, each received a royal welcome as well. It was curious I didn’t see any signs of Yaxin, but it was no concern of mine.
“You knew we were coming today?” I asked curiously.
“I try to keep abreast of any major developments in my kingdom,” the king replied with a nod. “And you know you can hear the racket of this … train thing of yours from miles away. As far as I’m concerned, let’s set the station here down by the lake, far, far away from my bedroom window.”
“Then we’re all in agreement,” I chuckled as I clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s going to look amazing.”
“You have a design in mind?” David asked as he tilted his head at me. Now it was his turn to be curious.
“I do, as a matter of fact,” I replied thoughtfully. “As we’ve been traveling from Illaria to Cedis, we’ve been doing different kinds of depots and stations to suit the style and needs of each town and village. In Serin, we made a pa
rticularly grand station with domes and a great tower King Temin is putting a giant clock into. It just seemed like a capitol city should have that sort of magnificence for visitors’ first impressions. We’ve had two days on the road since Pautua to think about what to do to make your grand station stand out.”
“And what have you come up with?” asked the king eagerly.
“Make it exactly like the one we made in Serin,” I said with a sly grin.
Davit frowned. “That doesn’t sound very creative, Defender Flynt.”
“It’s about what it symbolizes,” I explained. “The unity between two kingdoms joined together even with all their differences, neither better than the other.”
“I suppose if you made the one in Eyton even an inch bigger or smaller than the one in Serin, or if you made a bigger dome but a smaller clock tower, even with all the best intentions, national feelings are going to get hurt,” Cayla said as she considered it. “I have to say I think it’s a great idea. A symbol of a new and strengthening alliance.”
“Very well,” King Davit said as he looked at his daughter fondly, “I’m sold.”
“I’ll have my mages get started on it first thing tomorrow morning,” I said as I grinned. “Speaking of selling, by linking up all these markets throughout your kingdom, you’re going to be making some markets very rich. But the converse is also true, meaning the markets that are not on the route are going to suffer. I don’t need to tell you that it’s in the best interest of everyone if there’s openness in commerce. I would suggest you find someone of experience to facilitate imports and exports and make sure the little guy isn’t left behind.”
“Do you have someone you would suggest, Mason?” Davit asked as he appraised me.
“I think you would do well with someone like Yaxin,” I replied.
“Yaxin?” the king questioned with a furrowed brow.
“Yaxin,” said Yaxin as he suddenly stepped forward, his hand outstretched.
He was a man transformed. His hair slicked back, a large diamond in his ear, clean-shaven, and a beautiful fur cloak in yellow-green.
The king’s eyes darted to me, and I nodded my approval.
“Well, Yaxin, then, what do you propose?” King Davit inquired as he shook the trader’s hand.
“I propose an exclusive agreement between parties to manage trade routes through Cedis and Illaria for the mutual benefit of all,” Yaxin said, and he even sounded different. More refined somehow. “I can have a contract for you to look at by tomorrow if that pleases Your Majesty.”
“I look forward to reading it,” the king replied before he turned to Cayla, “but not now. Now I would like to spend some time welcoming my daughter home.”
I followed Cayla and her father through Eyton and into the castle gates before I said, “Why don’t I catch up with you back at the workshop, princess?”
Cayla turned to me, a little surprised, but nodded. “I’ll make sure everyone is fed and has a place to sleep, Mason.”
“I knew I didn’t even have to ask,” I said with a smile.
The rest of the group followed Cayla and the king, but Aurora held behind for a moment.
“Is everything okay?” the half-elf asked, worry in her emerald eyes.
“More than okay. I just have a little surprise to plan.” I grinned and waved off her concern. “Go on. I’ll see you at the workshop.”
I made my way down the castle corridors to the chambers of Gwain, the royal blacksmith. He was as always at the forge, and I waited until he was about to hit his hammer hard against the red-hot plate before I issued forth a small push of my power and made it curl up and roll away. The blacksmith looked at the plate confused, and then he glanced up, saw me, and groaned.
“I might have known,” said Gwain. “You go off and become famous for your metal magic, and I never hear from you until you’re playing a prank on me. Tell me, did you really make something more marvelous than that metal steed of yours?”
“Different,” I replied with a smile. “Not better. Nothing’s better that Bobbie, but the railroad system may revolutionize everything and bring about peace in our time. So that’s a nice trick.”
“I’d settle for a piece of ass in my time,” the blacksmith grumbled. “So what do you want now? More ammunition for your guns?”
“No, what I’m looking for is help putting together an explosive for a certain special someone,” I said with a sigh. “Apparently Cayla is not a princess that like jewels.”
“I like you, Mason,” Gwain said as he grinned and shook his head, “but you are weird.”
That didn’t bother me. I took it as a compliment.
Over the next hour, I took Gwain through the steps of what I wanted to make. It was a lot of detail work at that scale, with a tiny little globe and little chambers and a spring through it. When I asked about the filling, Gwain said he had a contact.
“Klueon, the royal botanist owes me a favor,” the blacksmith said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Come back tomorrow, and I’ll have your little present ready.”
When I stepped outside the castle, I realized how much time I had spent at the blacksmith’s. The moon hung high in the sky over the city, and for a moment I considered going back inside and asking the castellian for a bed. That was when I spotted Bobbie at the bottom of the steps, her engine humming in anticipation.
As I boarded the motorcycle, she told me, in her own non-verbal way, how she had taken the girls to the workshop hours ago. I let her take control, and we drove out of the city and over the gentle fields, until I was home. My workshop in Illaria might have been different, but this one was exactly how I had left it, and it was a welcome sight. When I walked into the workshop bedroom, I found the two girls wrapped in sheets, arms around one another. Obviously, they’d had some fun without me, I thought, only regretting that I was not there to watch.
I pulled myself into bed between them and closed my eyes.
The next day was crazy. I woke up at dawn and found my girls already dressed and ready to go. Bit of a disappointment there.
“How about you take ten or twenty minutes and come back?” I asked as I pulled back the sheets to show what I could offer.
“Tempting,” said Cayla.
“Very tempting,” agreed Aurora, “but the mages will be at the tracks by now, waiting for your instructions. Let’s get this done, before we have some fun.”
I groaned. They were both so irresistible, particularly as they looked now. Aurora in her thigh-high boots and just below the waist high robe, and Cayla decked out her traveling costume of tight leather with see-through cut outs. Knowing that they were into me too made the anticipation almost too much, but I nodded.
Work first, fun later.
The three of us boarded Bobbie and headed to town. On the way, while I stroked Cayla’s thighs which were wrapped around me, I thought I should compliment them on Yaxin’s makeover.
“I didn’t mean to be discouraging,” I called over the wind. “Obviously, you both were right, and the proof is plain to see. I’m just amazed he got himself cleaned up so quickly.”
“Well, it wasn’t all him,” Cayla said. “He confided to me later that as soon as he ran into the first shop, as soon as he mentioned my name, they set him up. They didn’t even take a payment in return, but he gave me this.”
Cayla slipped a gem into my hand, and I felt a familiar hum of energy spark through me. I glanced back at the princess in surprise.
“Does he know this is a channeling gem?” I asked, excited.
“I don’t know if he knows that specifically, but he does know it’s rare,” the princess said.
I thought about all the ways I could use one, since the only other one I’d ever received was from King Davit, and I had used to give life and sentience to Bobbie. The first thing that came to mind was to put it in Big Guy, because how cool would it be to have a metal knight with a mind of his own?
I let the thought go to the back of my mind as we arrived in
Eyton. From the front gate, I saw the Terra Mages as they made their way to the lake and our train. Bobbie didn’t need to be told. She slowed down and came to a stop when the thought passed through my head that I ought to go and talk to them.
“We’ll send Bobbie back to you,” Aurora said as they continued on into town.
I went to the mages, all of whom had been with me when we built the station in Serin, and cleared my throat.
“Can you do this without me supplying the vision?” I called to the group. “Now maybe you need me to put down the rails and ties, and create the rail switches. That’s fine. But I need you to step up. We are recreating the station in Serin. And by ‘we,’ I mean you.”
“Booyah!” shouted the mages, and I smiled in satisfaction.
“We won’t let you down,” Pindor said earnestly. “Come back in a few hours and see.”
“Just do your best,” I said to the boy with a clap on his shoulder.
It was amazing to see so many individuals, men and women, all different colors and sizes, as they joined together. As they linked their power, I saw walls of stone rise up from the ground. I felt a part of it too, but I walked away. They could do this all on their own.
I walked through the town of Eyton and accepted handshakes and kisses to my cheeks as I made my way through the crowd. Sometimes a young lady was daring enough to push her lips to mine, and who was I to resist?
The first thing I had to do was write to King Temin and tell him to send the support he promised to Cedis. I headed up to the royal library, where I requested a pen and paper.
“Do you mean a quill and papyrus?” the head librarian asked.
She was a nasty old thing, at least eighty years of age, with wild, white hair that stuck out at all angles. Her eyes were like a cat’s, slightly slanted but multi-colored, and always suspicious.
The head librarian hovered over me like an angel of death while I used the quill and ink to put together a letter on papyrus.
“Temin, the railroad is open,” I wrote. “Please send support to Cedis.”
I wasn’t sure how to sign it, but “Best, Mason” was what I settled on. Then I handed the note to the librarian, who hovered near me like a moth to a flame.