Metal Mage 6

by Eric Vall

  This time, everything was different.

  Not only had I finally tapped into my metal and Terra magic on a more dynamic level, but …

  I slid my hand into my pocket and glanced over my shoulder to be sure the iron door was fully closed before I pulled the gem out.

  I could feel the magic of the channeling gem coursing through the air around me as I studied it in my palm, but even the beauty and allure of the powerful gem didn’t drown out the pain.

  Bobbie stood lifeless in the corner of the workshop. She was handily concealed by a pile of scrap metal, and her sidecar was dismantled into bits for the extra steel. Her wheels would be coming off as well, and I sighed as I told myself I wouldn’t cry this time. I wasn’t that drunk, and I’d had some time to process things, but it still hurt like hell to look at the gem without the pulsing glow it had given off when Bobbie roared to life.

  Still, it needed to be done.

  With Bobbie’s channeling gem, I wouldn’t need a transmission to power the axles, and to be honest, I wouldn’t even need an engine.

  And yet, in my drunken stupor the day before, I’d taken the sterling engine out of the bike anyway. Removing the channeling gem had felt like ripping Bobbie’s heart out, and in a bout of nostalgia I’d decided if I couldn’t have Bobbie anymore, her growl might soothe the ache a bit. I eyed the large lump Aurora assumed was scrap metal when she’d nudged it with her boot.

  The engine wouldn’t be necessary anymore, but it was definitely wanted.

  What would be necessary were properly functioning axles so the wheels would have the right action, some means of accelerating and braking, and of course a steering wheel. I needed the full rolling chassis basically, but a slightly modified one.

  I had a feeling if I imbedded Bobbie’s gem into the center of the steering wheel, the axles would respond as they should without the need of a full-fledged transfer system, but I wasn’t so sure about the brake and the accelerator.

  When I’d tested the gem for the first time on a model version of my father’s Mustang, I’d needed to command the miniature car to drive and stop and turn. This version was much larger. Not to mention, there was something more satisfying about being able to control the stop and speed of a car with a pedal. Otherwise, it was like having a chauffeur.

  I slid the jug closer and mulled over my options while I drank a bit, and I finally decided that although I could create rotors, and then form the brake pads with the iron, steel, and copper I had on hand, I didn’t have the necessary graphite to fill out the composition properly. As far as the brake and the accelerator, I could hope the gem would simply read my intention for the use of each pedal, but I didn’t like the idea of leaving that up to chance at the final hour.

  So, I still needed to figure out a few things in the next couple days, but for now, I stood and pulled a lump of steel from the shelf along the wall and started on the rolling chassis for the Mustang. I decided to form the axle components first and drank a bit more as I thought through the necessary mechanism. I would need a pair of constant velocity axles on both sets of wheels in order to be sure that the suspension accounted for and the steering was responsive enough.

  I started with the inner portion of the axle and created a sliding tripod joint like the one I’d taken apart on my second car back on Earth. I’d failed horribly at reassembling it, but the months I’d spent toying around with the components paid off now.

  I made a quick sketch of the CV axle in order to get a clear idea of the dimensions I would need before I summoned my magic and began to form the axle rods themselves. One end of each rod would fit into the center of a stout carrier that looked a lot like a fidget spinner with three needle bearings mounted around the sides. I melted two small lumps of steel down and molded them into the two carriers next, and once the metal had fully solidified, I slid an axle rod through the center of each. With only a little tweaking, the pieces fit like a glove, and I moved on to the tiny steel needles that would allow the bearings to rotate properly.

  Ideally, the needle bearings would roll inside their chamber once they were mounted around the carrier, and they would account for much of the movement the suspension picked up while the car was in motion.

  Each needle was about an inch long and only a millimeter in diameter, and by the time I’d made enough for all of the axles, I had a neat pile of impossibly small prongs of steel. I dropped the needles all over the place more times than I could count while I pieced the bearings together, but eventually, they were lined neatly around the inner ring of the bearing and secured with an outer ring I polished to within an inch of its life. This outer ring rolled around the needles with ease, and although I didn’t have the proper lubricant on hand, I hoped they would last long enough for me to find a better solution. In the meantime, I was banking a lot on the gem and my own metal magic for upkeep.

  I melded three needle roller bearings around each carrier to complete the assembly, and once I’d worked out the proper size disparity between the shape of this assembly and the housing compartment it would fit in, I formed two identical compartments. The axle rod with its bearing assembly needed to fit into each of the housing compartments so they could move up and down with a little swivel around the axis, but without leaving so much room the mechanism could shift out of place.

  I held my breath and tested the rotation and range of movement, and then I took a drink in celebration when everything actually moved as it should. The last thing I needed to complete the inner joint would be a boot shaped like a cone that would fit with its base against the housing compartment in order to seal the bearings off from dirt and debris. Since I didn’t have the proper lubricant, this seemed especially important.

  Normally, the boot would be made of a slightly malleable, plastic material, and I stared at a chunk of steel for a while as I worked through this problem. I knew I could soften metal, but I’d always allowed it to harden again when I’d found the shape I needed.

  This time, I melted the lump of steel down and formed the conical shape of the boot, but as the metal began to harden, I pushed back with my magic, and nudged the metal toward its malleable state again. I let it waver back and forth between soft and hard for about a minute, and I continued to nudge it toward a middle ground, before I abruptly cut the connection between my power and the metal.

  When I picked up the boot, my fingers were able to press indentations into the steel, and a broad grin spread across my face.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” I mused. “Next level mage shit.” I chuckled at the strange new state of the steel and admired the metallic sheen as it bent and found its shape again in my grip.

  Then I carefully split the side open and slipped the boot around the axle, and with the metal resealed, I melded its base to the housing compartment to fully conceal the needle roller bearing assembly inside.

  I duplicated this assembly with identical measurements in order to form the inner joint of the second axle. With each axle rod finally secured to its inner joint, I stretched to loosen the muscles in my back. I’d been hunched over the worktable for longer than I’d noticed, but the sky wasn’t dim yet outside the two small windows, so I scruffed my head a bit to keep the blood flowing and continued on.

  The outer joint of each axle would have the wheel hub unit and mount directly to the wheels. These needed more of a swivel in order to accommodate the steering, so the bearing assembly was slightly different.

  Each unit would need six ball bearings, which meant I needed to form twelve in total for the front wheels. I lined them all against the wall at the back edge of the table so they couldn’t roll and disappear in the mess of scrap on the floor, and then I started on the rest of the outer joint.

  I grabbed a small chunk of steel and split it into two before I formed two pieces shaped similarly to gears, except the indentations were smoothly sloped to fit a ball bearing in each. The axle rods would slide into the center of each of these inner races just like with the needle bearing
carrier.

  They still needed a cage-like structure in order to hold the ball bearings in place while allowing them to roll properly, so I laid one of inner races flat on the table and carefully set six ball bearings into their slots. Then I eyed the assembly for a measurement as I formed a round and skeletal cage for the outer race. My first outer race was a centimeter too large, and the ball bearings slipped and rolled out while I scrambled to catch them all. The next attempt was spot on, though, and the outer race slipped neatly over the bearings and allowed for smooth rotation.

  Last, I formed the housing compartment to complete the outer joint by carving out a nest in a lump of steel and matching the shape to the complete bearing. It took three tries, and the bearing still wouldn’t fit right, so I finally placed it on top of a fresh chunk of steel and closed my eyes to do the work without watching.

  With my magic, I could sense the two pieces flush against one another, and I slowly shifted the chunk of metal so the bearing could sink into it. The steel molded itself like a puzzle piece, and once the two were secured together, I carefully rotated the bearing around. I adjusted the disparity between the two pieces for a few minutes as I rotated the piece every direction, and I finally found a sweet spot where the bearings didn’t catch anywhere, but also couldn’t be wrenched right out of the compartment.

  My brow had a sheen of sweat from the hours I’d spent engrossed in the meticulous construction of the front axles. I wiped it clean and blinked hard to wake my eyes up a bit as I picked up the axle rods that already had their inner joints mounted. I slid the opposite end of each rod into their outer joints at the center of the ball bearings, and then I let my magic tighten each hold, so the rods were undeniably secure.

  I took another swig and laid each assembly in front of me, and with a tendril of magic, I shaped the exterior of the two outer compartments to make them suitable for mounting the wheels themselves to. Finally, I played with a bit of steel until I had two more malleable boots to conceal the ball bearings.

  Just as I finished this last bit, a light tap echoed through the door, and I rolled my eyes as I thought of Aeris’ smug face. I quickly shifted a few things around to make the project less noticeable and tucked the jug of wine behind the vat of water in the corner.

  When I pulled the door open, Shoshanne’s beautiful face smiled up at me, and she balanced a plate of food in one hand while she leaned against the door frame.

  “Defender Flynt,” she purred.

  I grinned. “Now there’s a sight I needed,” I told her, and I pulled the healer in for a kiss.

  Shoshanne let out a husky laugh when I released her, and she handed the plate up for me to take. “I thought I might come and check in on you,” she told me, and I noticed the healer’s bag strung over her shoulder.

  “My back’s feeling better,” I assured her, “mostly just scars that are healing up.” I gestured for her to come in while I made my way to the table to wolf down the food she’d brought me. A bright green lizard was split down the center and roasted in what smelled like honey, and there were jungle fruits arranged around the meat with a small wedge of cheese.

  I scooped up the lizard and tore off a chunk with my teeth, and the sweet and salty flavor hit the spot. “Damn that’s good,” I groaned and shoved a bit of fruit in with it.

  Shoshanne chuckled. “They are the fancy lizards,” she pointed out. “Now, Deya mentioned Ruela may have gotten a bite in … ”

  I rolled my eyes. “Damn wolf.”

  The healer sent me an apologetic smile. “Deya says Ruela isn’t the sort of dog to handle being locked up all day.”

  “No shit,” I agreed. “Is she gonna keep the dog with her then?”

  Shoshanne shrugged. “They went for a run a while ago.”

  I quickly swallowed. “When? Has she been gone long?” My pulse had kicked up the moment she’d said the words, but Shoshanne stroked her hand along my cheek.

  “She’s alright,” she assured me. “She was invisible when she left.”

  I nodded and tried to let this calm me down. “Good,” I said. “If she’s not back in an hour, let me know. We’ll search the grounds and--”

  Shoshanne sighed and swiveled the stool I was on so she could stand between my legs, and then she ran her fingers through my hair as a gentle breeze began to circle through the shop. My eyes fell shut in the woman’s tender grip, and I let the healer soothe me as she pleased.

  “You need to breathe,” she told me, and a cold trickle of air bloomed in my lungs like a winter day. I breathed deeply and let the icy sensation spread, and as I did, I realized how long it had been since I felt genuinely relaxed. I sighed and opened my eyes, and Shoshanne’s warm brown eyes glittered as she smiled.

  “Better?” she asked.

  “A million times,” I said, and I pulled the woman close to settle my palms around her hips.

  “Good,” she said with a smirk. “I know you’re trying to fix everything at once, but you’re going to go mad like this.”

  I nodded my agreement and eyed the bed of cleavage peeking out from Shoshanne’s leather bodysuit. The woman’s caramel skin had a dewy sheen of sweat, and I couldn’t help but think of the spray of the waterfall dripping down her neck and to her breasts.

  The healer trailed her finger down my neck, and then she grasped me by my beard to tilt my gaze up to her. She kissed me gently at first before she pulled me in closer for a deeper kiss, and a shiver of heat crept down my spine.

  I slid my hands a little lower and locked her to me, but Shoshanne let out another chuckle and sent me a coy smile.

  “Let me see the damage,” she muttered.

  I sighed. “It’s not important, come here,” I told her, but the healer wasn’t having any of it.

  She leveled me with a stern look, and I relented immediately. I never could argue with the woman’s wishes.

  “Fine,” I chuckled and slid my vest off to pull my shirt over my head.

  Shoshanne clicked her tongue when she saw my chest and dropped her bag on the table. She dug around the contents a bit until she found her poultice, and I eyed the many vials in the bag curiously. There was definitely a glint of silver in there.

  “I don’t suppose … ” I mused, but the healer rolled her eyes and tilted my chin out of the way.

  “Hold still,” she ordered. The healer’s plush hips pressed into me as she stood between my thighs, and I settled my palms near the hem of her robes as she applied the poultice. It stung like hell, and I glanced down to find four deep red gashes across my chest. They were only lightly flecked with blood, but two purple bruises had already appeared where Ruela’s heavy paws had landed.

  “Damn dog’s gonna eat me one day,” I sighed.

  “She would not,” came a gentle voice, and Shoshanne and I looked over to see Deya and Ruela in the doorway of the workshop. “You’re not on Ruela’s list.”

  The beautiful elf’s soft pink hair was tangled from her run, and the wolfish beast panted heavily at her side. Deya’s long dress was still hitched up at her waist, and her slender thighs gleamed in the late afternoon light while her cheeks glowed from exertion.

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Shoshanne chuckled. “Are you two feeling better?”

  “Much,” Deya replied with a smile, “although I drank too much wine at House Pree.” The beautiful elf carefully stepped around the metal strewn across the floor. “I think Ruela and I are not well suited for Lyralus.”

  I grinned. “I don’t think any of us are, don’t worry.” I winced lightly as Shoshanne began to massage the poultice into the cuts.

  Ruela followed her master as the beautiful elf tiptoed over, and when she perched herself up on the worktable, the wolfish beast sat at my side and panted up at me.

  Her jaws gaped wildly, and her stark green eyes didn’t have their crazy glint anymore.

  “Alright, I forgive you,” I told the dog and scruffed the thick fur behind her wolfish ears.

  “She loves you,” Deya
informed me.

  I raised my brows. “Did she tell you that?” I asked and gestured to the gashes on my chest.

  “I can tell she does,” Deya said haughtily.

  I shook my head, and Shoshanne sent me a coy smile.

  “Hey,” she purred. “We love you, and we do way more damage than she managed to.”

  Deya blushed as a silvery giggle burst from her lips.

  I tweaked the healer’s thigh. “That’s a good place to stop,” I told her and turned to grab my shirt.

  “See what I mean?” Shoshanne giggled.

  I quickly pulled my shirt on as the two women eyed the scars all across my shoulders. “Alright, I’m getting back to work,” I informed them pointedly.

  The healer shrugged innocently and turned back to her bag. “Open your mouth first,” she ordered, and I furrowed my brow. Then Shoshanne curled her fingers in my beard and slipped a silver berry onto my tongue.

  I grinned as the Tiorlin berry burst and sent a tingle of energy through my spine.

  “You’re an angel,” I told the healer and pulled her in for a kiss.

  “I know,” she assured me, and then she looped her healer’s bag over her shoulder, and Deya hopped down from the table’s edge.

  The two women headed for the door of the shop with Ruela close behind, and before Shoshanne slid the door shut she sent me a wink. “Don’t work too late,” she said.

  I smirked and turned back to the table, but an idea popped into my mind. “Hold on a second,” I said, and I hopped up to catch the edge of the door.

  Deya was unfurling the folds of her dress, but I tried to keep my eyes on her face.

  “You still wanna help me out?” I asked the beautiful elf.

  Her eyes sparked eagerly. “Yes please,” she said with a mischievous smile.

  I chuckled. “Alright, I need you guys to find some really comfortable cushions you wouldn’t mind having around for a while. A lot of them. Preferably something Aeris would definitely mind parting with.”

  Shoshanne narrowed her eyes. “Is the surprise a bed that’s big enough for fiv--”