Chapter 4 #2
“It might not be the biggest wheat region, but there are still a lot of wheat farms in this area,” Elowen commented, following his gaze.
“And they produce a fine quality of flour.” She nodded toward the man sitting alongside the mill, his posture tense and his eyes focused on the movement of the wooden wheel.
“They use the Dust already being generated by the mill’s movement to further treat the flour. That’s how they get it so fine.”
“So that man is a craftsman, then?” Theo asked, interested enough to slow his horse for a better look.
She nodded. “I believe some mills employ more experienced craftsmen who can even use the mill’s magic to remove imperfections and pests from the wheat before it’s processed. It’s a well-developed system, but I don’t know all the details.”
“It’s an excellent notion,” Theo said. “I’ve heard of craftsmen being employed to harness the magic of mills in Siqual, but I believe they only increase the volume of wheat that can be processed, rather than further refining the product.”
They needed to hurry now to catch the others, but he lingered for one more moment, watching as another man came out of the building, slapping his fellow on the back. Theo could see the posture of the first man relax as, with a nod, he retreated into the mill.
Theo understood the necessity for frequent changes in shift.
He’d learned enough theory of magic craft to know that the magic produced by movement couldn’t be stored.
It had to be harnessed and used as it was created, or it was simply reabsorbed into the environment.
A sophisticated craftsman could mold it into an enchantment that might have an extended effect, but they couldn’t store it as raw power to be molded later.
It would take great concentration and endurance for a craftsman to continuously mold power for any length of time, hence the need for regular shift changes.
And any time the mill didn’t have a craftsman on duty, the Dust stirred up by the wheel’s movement would simply drift back into the landscape.
It was impressive that the business had been able to employ two craftsmen.
The group was soon moving with a sense of urgency that told Theo they were nearing their destination.
Sure enough, as the road wound around the base of a small group of hills, a body of water came into view.
Prince Patrick spurred his horse off the main road and along a smaller track that ran around the water’s edge.
A sharp intake of breath sounded from Lady Sophia’s direction.
“That’s the dam that’s in peril?”
“What is it, Sophia?” Elowen asked.
The noblewoman looked troubled. “It’s the biggest dam in our region. It services a dozen farms, and it provides drinking water for a number of towns.” She nodded toward a hamlet visible between the folds of some low hills in the distance, on the other side of the dam. “That one, for example.”
Theo could see what she meant. Irrigation channels spread out from the dam in multiple directions, sunlight glinting off the lines of water.
“Not to mention that town would be flooded if the dam were to break,” he said.
“You’re right.” Elowen sounded distressed. “We have to stop it somehow.”
She pushed her horse forward, trying to catch up with her brother once again, and Theo kept pace with her. They found the prince conversing with a burly man who was practically sweating with stress.
“I don’t understand it, Your Highness. The damage to the foundation is extensive.
I’ve no idea what would cause it. We’ve had no floods or tremors or anything like that.
It was discovered only this morning, and we’ve been working hard to try to repair it, but the pressure coming against it is too strong.
I’m not confident we can prevent a burst.”
“We must prevent a burst,” Prince Patrick said. “The results would be catastrophic for the region.”
“I understand, Your Highness.” The man mopped his brow.
“If we had some magic craftsmen, it might help, but we don’t have an official guild house in the area.
We’ve requested some craftsmen from the capital, but we’re still waiting.
His Grace arrived a short time ago, and he’s leading an evacuation effort for that hamlet there, in case we can’t prevent disaster. ”
“Simeon,” Lady Sophia said suddenly. “He might be able to help. Didn’t he return home yesterday evening, Bertrand?”
“I think you exaggerate his abilities, Sophia.” Bertrand’s tone was incredulous. “He’s one servant, he wouldn’t be able to hold a dam together on his own.”
“He could help,” she insisted. “We should find him.”
“I thought of Simeon, My Lady,” the local man said. “He’s well known around here, often helps out with little magical tasks. But I thought he was in the capital with Your Lordship.” He looked inquiringly at Bertrand.
“He was yesterday, but no one seems to know where he is now,” Bertrand said in irritation. “It’s no matter, I’m sure it wouldn’t make a difference. What we need to do is shore up the barrier. Show me where it’s weakened.”
The man led them down the sloping side of a hill, toward the base of the dam.
Theo followed with a twinge of misgiving, his eyes fixed on the golden head in front of him.
If the dam was so close to giving out, any of them who weren’t actively helping with the restoration effort would be wise to keep some distance from it.
“Father!” Lady Sophia’s cry made everyone look up.
The Duke of Nirocha was approaching at a smart trot from the other side of the retaining wall, his expression sober. The two groups had almost met in the middle of the plain when a cry went up from the rim of the dam above.
Theo’s eyes darted up to see two men sprinting along the stone barrier in opposite directions, each desperate to clear the area before the whole structure collapsed.
“She’s done for!” one of them bellowed. “Everyone back!”