Chapter 1 #3
“Then I will look farther than that.” Blaze put his designs into his satchel. He almost broke the leather string as he bound it. His hands were shaking with rage. I am not years from finishing. I can’t be!
“Without me, it will take you decades to gain the interest you need to build your airship.”
“I appreciate your concern.” The tightness building in Blaze’s chest was threatening to leak out of his eyes. He wasn’t going to cry in front of the scion of the only noble family this side of the Hinden Woods. He wasn’t. After a cough, he said, “You have my address if you change your mind.”
Blaze was halfway to the door when Lord Gustus sighed. He paused. My sheer determination won him over!
Instead, Lord Gustus said, “I wish I was surprised, but you are the same as every fool who approaches me. May the gods favor your future endeavors, Mr. Levimist. You will certainly need their help.”
Numbed by the dismissal, Blaze left the workshop complex without stopping to admire any of the wonders around him. Every hope had been pinned on Lord Gustus seeing him, and it had melted into an utter disaster.
He plodded down the street. His fathers would be understanding about his decision, but perhaps he had been too quick to turn down the lord’s offer of work.
With a job, he would have been able to set aside gold for his personal projects.
It would have taken longer, but he might have been ready with a smaller craft within a year or two.
Worse, what if Lord Gustus had seen some flaw that Blaze hadn’t? What if what he had was a dud? A failure? Another thing to take up space around a home littered with the remnants of unrealized dreams?
A flyer was thrust under his nose. He noticed the grease on the elf’s hand before reading the words in front of him.
“Are you capable of enchantments? Able to repair broken wheels or axel tongues? Need roommates at Everend Market? Maybe you have experience fighting ruffians or win bar fights on a consistent basis? Seek out Kidd Kidderson’s Killer Kontraptions! ”
The elf shook the pamphlet.
Blaze took the paper. The elf handing it to him couldn’t be much older than him, but he had the sparkle of an elfling on their Name Day, the time when young elves announced their gender and declared their chosen name to others.
His skin was the color of copper in the sun, and his rusty-brown curls stuck out in all directions.
A pair of goggles was pushed up into his hair, leaving the marks of dirt and grime where he hadn’t been covered obvious.
He was leaning across the counter of a shop that was little more than a stall. The sign over his head read, “Kidd Kidderson’s Killer Kontraptions.” With no one else around, he had to be the aforementioned Kidd.
“You’re going to Everend?” Blaze asked.
“Why do you got to ask it like that?” Kidd demanded.
Blaze glanced at the hodgepodge mess of household wares—which did seem to be quality spellwork, even if they were haphazardly displayed—and back to the disheveled Kidd. “You don’t seem the type.”
“Because I’m not rich nor am I showing off some radical, but likely useless, invention?
” Kidd scoffed. “The market’s not just for the wealthy and the fame-seekers.
Brilliant minds come from all over the continent, and they’ll be bringing some of the freshest ideas and finest new materials.
That kind of cultural exchange is invaluable. ”
“New materials?”
“Of course! Do you think oracles divine trade routes?” Kidd asked.
“They’re set up by merchants who meet at times like this.
And what have they got to use? Carts! Someone’s got to repair them.
I’ve got a cousin who wants a break from the market this year and is willing to let me rent their stall and their house.
Prime spot for the stall and the house is on this sweet little island on the Glaesflod.
Absolutely magical location. So I’m putting together a crew.
We’ll go, earn a little coin, and come home with stories that’ll get our drinks paid for the next couple of years. ”
Blaze tightened his grip on his satchel. “Do you think we’d be able to get our hands on a riverboat?”
“Weird question, but I’d bet we’d be able to rent one if nothing else. I plan on traveling by caravan, though, given that we live in the middle of fields and forests.” Kidd narrowed his eyes. “Why ask that?”
“I’ve got a project for the Innovation Awards, but I need a ship to finish it,” Blaze said. “Assuming I’d be able to bring what I already have done.”
“Depends.” Kidd crossed his arms over his chest and scanned Blaze. His scrutiny held no malice; his seriousness was more akin to an elfling’s demeanor when considering how to ask for more sweets. “Do you have any qualifications for caravan work? Mercenary skills? Or wagon repair?”
“I have a degree in mystical engineering,” Blaze replied. “Over half my studies involved repairing magical machines.”
“Then a cart should be simple for you!” Kidd lit up with a smile and clapped him on the back. “Welcome to Kidd Kidderson’s Killer Karavan! Now, why exactly do you need a riverboat?”