Arrival

by William Dickey

  “If such a thing were possible the Academy would know of it. I would know of it,” Phineas boasted.

  The looks of doubt grew larger. Phineas was a mage, if anyone knew about these sorts of things it would be him. Besides, people already knew about magical artifacts and even though a person didn’t need to be a mage to use them, only a mage could create and refuel them. Mages were rare and their services weren’t cheap. Only the wealthy could afford artifact lights.

  This was my chance. I had to turn the tide of opinion or all would have been for naught. I cleared my throat.

  “The lamp works entirely without magic,” I reaffirmed. “All you have to do is try it for yourselves.” I passed out a few of the lamps to the people nearby.

  “Turn the cranks,” I instructed. “And voila. The light turns on.” The crowd watched as bystanders turned the cranks and activated the lights.

  “Where’s the real proof. That doesn’t mean it’s not magic,” said Phineas. “Everyone knows non-mages can activate magical devices. The crank could just be a trick. All it really does is activate magic stored inside. In a couple hours the magic inside will run out, the light will die, and you won’t be able to pay to refill it.”

  “If you still have your doubts, feel free to take a look inside,” I offered Phineas. Phineas approached from out of the crowd and I pried open one of the light boxes so all the internal components were plainly visible.

  Phineas looked over the lamp for a long moment, plenty of time to check everything inside the simple device but he remained silent.

  “As you can see my lamp contains no mana crystal. How can an artifact function without a mana crystal?” I said. “The device is powered by muscle, not magic.”

  “Preposterous,” Phineas cut in. “I don’t know how you hid it but that thing must run off of magic somehow. How would the Academy not know of a way to do it? Don’t trust this charlatan. He is only trying to trick the rustic sensibilities of the good people of Mill Valley. Don’t fall for it.” Phineas set his shoulders squarely and stared down at me confidently. From people’s looks, I could tell most of the crowd was favoring Phineas’ position. His reputation was strong.

  I needed to turn it around, to change people’s minds, to open them to the possibility that I was right and Phineas was wrong. I did it with a single sentence. “If your precious Academy knows everything, then how come they didn’t predict the arrival of the otherworlders?”

  People’s eyes turned downward towards to ground rather than to Phineas or me. They were looking away. Trying to clear their minds and think. I did have a point. Pressing my advantage I continued, “Can Phineas explain where I came from?”

  “Can he or the Academy explain how we have our strange abilities? How we have immortality?” I said. People were nodding as they came around to my way of thinking. I was right. The mages had no explanation for the events surrounding the otherworlders.

  “Of course the Academy has no idea a device like this exists because it, like me, comes from another world. It runs off a thing called electricity. It doesn’t work in a way Phineas or any other mage can understand but it works. A flameless, smokeless, magicless reusable light: Stein’s Amazing Electric Lamp. Get it now for only 400§. Hurry up, my supplies are limited.” I pointed to the cart, displaying just how few devices I had built.

  More than a few people were convinced. I could see them rummage through their purses. 400§ was a lot of money. Ordinary candles cost around 20§ so the electric lamp would have to last longer than 20 candles in order for people to see savings.

  “Don’t be fooled,” Phineas shouted. He couldn’t just let it go. “Just you watch. Whatever powers them will wear out and you will be sorry.”

  “I’ll sweeten the deal,” I countered. “If the lamps break in the first three months after you purchase it, I’ll replace it for free.” This tipped the scales. A person would use a lot more than 20 candles in three months. Even if the lamp were secretly powered by magic, people would still profit if it were guaranteed to last three whole months. People swarmed to buy up the lamps. I looked out at the crowd. Phineas was alone. He grumbled before sauntering off. I had won.

  In 15 minutes, I sold out, all 40 of them. Several people complained that they hadn’t been able to buy one. It wasn’t fair that they hadn’t been closer when the crowd had first formed. I promised I would make more and come back in a few days. Bolstered by my success, I had an extra kick in my step as I bounded gleefully back to the Beating Hammer. I had work to do.

  Chapter 10: Success

  The next month went by in a flash. Word spread quickly of an otherworlder selling a revolutionary device from his world: a flameless light that doesn’t use magic. In the beginning, many were unsure of such incredible claims but as time passed, more and more people got their hands on my lamp and saw the results for themselves. After a few weeks, everyone in town knew how effective they were and soon after, I could hardly keep up with demand.

  Even working around the clock, I could only make 3-4 lamps per day. That wasn’t nearly enough. So I hired a few local craftsmen to build the common components and focused all secrecy on the one part other potential business competitors wouldn’t be able to identify, the magnet. I handled all magnet production myself and made sure I only did it when I had complete privacy.

  As for money, I was raking it in hand over fist. Materials cost 123§ per lamp. The labor costs for the additional help: 64§ per lamp. I kept the selling price at 400§ so I made 213§ on each lamp. In a month, I had sold 183 lamps, earning me around 40,000§. My money problems were over for the moment but I still had a long way to go if I wanted to be a master merchant.

  Outsourcing the work also had another benefit. I had a lot more free time. Rather than let it go to waste, I set about preparing for when I would finally be free of this town. As charming as it might be, Mill Valley was still in the middle of nowhere and if I wanted to grow both myself and my business, I needed to move to a larger city. I still had some months before the snow thawed, plenty of time to get ready. With those goals in mind, I spent many days experimenting in Kanis’ forge.

  “What are you working on?” asked an older man I didn’t recognize. The forge and shop in The Beating Hammer shared a simple large room. While the design suited Kanis’ multi-tasking attitude, it had become quite annoying. Rumor had spread that I worked out of Kanis’ shop and after the success of the light boxes, people kept coming by to see what I was working on. Some out of curiosity but most were trying to figure out the secrets behind my works. It was troublesome to me but Kanis didn’t seem to mind. With so many people stopping by, his sales were up and they didn’t even bother him since all of the visitors were focused on me.

  “Nothing important,” I said. I wanted to get rid of the man as quickly as possible, but my words were also true. I wasn’t working on anything I planned to sell but something for my personal use.

  “Surely you must be making something special,” the man spoke rapidly. “I bought one of your lamps. One of the most interesting things I have ever… Ahh, now I am getting ahead myself. I am Martin Flanders, a simple merchant in town. On behalf of my brethren in the Merchant Guild, I wonder if we can discuss the purchase of your lamp invention.”

  “Not interested,” I said. I didn’t even slow down my work or give any other sign that I was paying him much attention. With all the visitors butting in while I was working, I think I finally understood while Kanis always seemed so grouchy.

  “Why not?” asked Flanders. “I know I don’t have enough money to sway you now but I’m sure once the roads reopen I can get word to the guild. They could pay you any amount you asked for.”

  “Not interested,” I reiterated. My goal was to create a whole line of products, to build my own empire. I didn’t intend to sell out. The lamp was an excellent launching pad for everything else I wanted to do.

  “Well, if you still want to handle the lamps yourself, why don’t you join the guild? We can provide you with a
lot of help exporting and contacting additional craftsmen for more production. These are just some of the many benefits,” said Flanders.

  “Not interested,” I said again.

  Flanders squinted, as if trying to read into what little I was giving him. “Well, nothing can be done until the roads reopen. Think on it. It’s a shame to waste potential. If you change your mind, you can reach me at this address.” Flanders passed me scrap of parchment with his address written in elaborate script.

  “Let an elder pass on a bit of wisdom to the younger generation: making the right friends comes second to not making the wrong enemies. In the business world this can be the difference between life and death.” I recognized the man’s thinly veiled threat. If the guild deemed my device too valuable, they would get it, one way or another.

  “I’ll think about it,” I assured him.

  Flanders left and I continued to work, my next project wasn’t going to build itself. After I finished welding the metal canister, Kanis whistled to get my attention.

  “You had best be careful boy,” Kanis advised. “You’re starting to draw too much attention. You don’t have to worry about me because I am old and happy where I am. However, many people move up in the world by taking. Even more try.”

  “I know,” I said. “That’s why I said I’d think about it. Just not sure I want to tie myself down yet. He didn’t seem to be a man who would let it go. So I guess it’s a good thing I am immortal.”

  “Just because you can’t die, doesn’t mean they can’t find ways to get to you,” said Kanis, darkly.

  “I understand,” I said. To most beings, death was the ultimate fear. I was free of such fear, but it was only replaced with something else. My current condition brought an even greater danger, an eternity of pain.

  Kanis nodded, satisfied that I was at least aware of the situation. “So what are you working on?” Kanis asked. I shared with Kanis everything except some of the finer details like how the magnets were made. He had helped me a great deal, teaching me how to smith, letting me use his forge, even now when I shared what I was working on he would share little tips on the best way to make what I wanted.

  “Nothing too special today, just some portable canisters for setting off Zhuge powder,” I said. Zhuge powder was a mixture of sugar and a strange mineral unique to this region of the mountain. When ignited the powder generates a large volume of dense smoke. I was building a smoke bomb.

  “Ooh,” said Kanis sounding somewhat disappointed. “I was hoping to see another interesting thing like those spears you made.” Kanis was referring to my previous project. I had made a set of five identical collapsible spears.

  “Not everything can be revolutionary,” I said.

  “Mind if I take another look at one of those spears,” Kanis asked. Kanis hadn’t shown much interest in the lightbulb, but his reaction to the spears made his obsession with weapons obvious.

  “Course not.” I pulled a steel cylinder from my inventory. The cylinder was only 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. In the center of the rod was a small red button. Just above the button, I engraved the small dagger symbol, †, that I borrowed from all the game interface menus. I didn’t have any plans on selling it, but I put the symbol on it anyway. It was still one of my creations.

  †Collapsible Throwing Spear†

  Damage: 15-25

  Durability: 100/100

  Requirements: Level 10

  Additional Attributes: Deals double damage for strikes while the spear is extending

  Description: A complex steel spear designed to collapse for easy storage. Inside the crafter put a series of springs so the entire spear can be extended at the push of a button. When fully extended the pieces lock in place making a long rigid spear. Due to the inexperience of the craftsman, damage output and durability is low.

  “This spear really is something,” said Kanis, looking over my creation with his masterful eyes. “In my 40 years in the weapon business I’ve never seen anything like it. You really have some talent, kid.” Kanis didn’t hand out many complements so it was a pretty big deal.

  The spear wasn’t nearly as strong as the ones Kanis made but I didn’t need them to be strong. The spears were built for convenience. In the past, I carried large numbers of spears for throwing. Problem was they were a pain to lug around even with my inventory so I made a spear that was easy to store and carry.

  I finished making the canisters and said goodbye to Kanis. As always, I gave him a big thank you for letting me use his forge. As always, he said it was nothing, that the older generation has a duty to pave the way for the younger generation.

  Heaps of praise came at me from every direction as I walked down the streets.

  “I love you eclectic lamp.”

  “I bought three of them.”

  “First time ever, something interesting happened in Mill Valley.”

  “What other things from your world can you bring here?”

  “You’re so young, yet you’re doing so well. You must meet my granddaughter.”

  Most everyone in town loved my lamp. Only the candle makers were angered because I was hurting their business. Unlike back home, here I was respected. Here I was powerful. Here I had proved my worth. I took the long way back to the warmth of the Epoch Inn, soaking up praise wherever I went.

  “Hey Rowley,” I greeted my host as I entered the inn. Rowley was making some simple repairs and renovations to the inn. The summer busyness kept him from doing much upkeep so such tasks were delayed until the usually guestless winter season.

  “Hello Isaac,” said Rowley. “Been working out of Kanis’ forge again?”

  “Yeah,” I said.

  “I still can’t believe you found Kanis’ good side,” said Rowley. “But I suppose these days your Mill Valley’s golden boy.”

  “Yeah well, talk to you later Rowley.” I headed upstairs. I still had some work to do assembling the smoke bombs.

  “Oh, one more thing.” Rowley caught me just before I got into my room.

  “Yeah?” I said turning back to Rowley.

  “Lilith wanted me to remind you that you’d promised to talk some more about your inventions.”

  “Is she in right now?” I asked. The magic student seemed quite interested in how it worked. To be honest I had been trying to avoid her the last few weeks. I was afraid her feminine wiles might get the better of me and get me to spoil my secrets. Fortunately, she always seemed busy so I didn’t see her around much.

  “No. She’s out searching for that ruin she’s always looking for. She’s camping out and won’t be back for a few days,” said Rowley, much to my relief.

  I said goodnight to Rowley and went back to my room. I finished putting together the smoke bombs before I let myself get some sleep.

  Izusa Wolfclaw pawed at the ground. She was always this way before battle. She wasn’t nervous. She didn’t fear death, much less the pitiful beings before her. She was just eager to get started. The rush of the air, the pounding of her heart as she charged toward the enemy, the warm taste of iron as she crushed someone in her jaws, she loved all of it.

  Izusa watched them. Her eyes penetrated the depths of the woods. There they were in tidy wooden structures heated by their little fires. Those weak Xebryans were nothing. They would never know the joys of prancing through the thick woods, flying across the moonlit sky, or hearing the calm tempo of the wilderness. Instead, they favored breaking, cutting, and burning the forest. They destroyed the land and replaced it with their perverted form of order.

  Izusa closed her eyes letting the sounds of the village drift towards her. They were still too active. Too many were awake. The sun had been down for an hour, but between the lights of the town and the waxing moon there was too much light. Izusa howled three times, signaling the strike to begin in three hours. The moon would be lower and most would be in bed. They would be at their most vulnerable.

  I awoke to sounds of shouting. Something was up. Never had I heard so
much noise from this sleepy mountain town, much less late at night when the majority of people were in bed. From my room the sounds of yelling were muffled so I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I looked out the window. Panicked people ran up and down the streets.

  Still unsure of what was happening, I put on my armor and grabbed all my newly minted weapons. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. Downstairs, I caught Rowley in his pajamas trying to shove on a pair of boots.

  “Do you know what’s going on?” I asked.

  “Get your stuff,” said Rowley, still stuffing his foot in a hole. He looked up at me as he finished. “Oh, you’re already ready. Oh, right the shouting… It’s the-.”

  A loud clear shout from just outside the inn cut Rowley off. “Guards. Guards. To your posts. It’s the beastmen. The beastmen are attacking.”

  I froze solid. The beastmen, the enemy the people of Mill Valley kept worrying about. The enemy I thought they were overreacting to. The enemy that I thought would never come. That enemy arrived.

  Chapter 11: Raid

  “The beastmen are attacking. All guards to the eastern fence,” a man outside repeatedly yelled, further stirring up a panicked populace.

  Mill Valley was set against a large deep lake to the west, while the other three sides were covered by a long 10-foot high wooden fence. The fence was mainly set up to guard against wild animals and monsters from the woods. It wasn’t until the last year or so, when word spread of frontier outposts falling to beastmen raids, that guards were set to watch around the clock. The paranoia of the inhabitants of Mill Valley had paid off. Without the defenses and advance warning, the city would have fallen long before anyone realized.