Empress of Fire

Chapter 104: The Price of Offence

As soon as I got down from the carriage, Cramer came sauntering towards me, a grin stretched across his face.

“My dear lady, let me be the first to welcome you to Markash. Tell me what you think of it.”

“It’s certainly different from the empire. Though I do now understand why you decided to leave this barony," I said. “The heat is dreadful."

“Aye,” he said, then gestured to his manor. “My home is your home. It is a fine manor, much more comfortable than those mud hovels, but for all that, during the day, it is like an oven.”

A man dressed in flowing white robes came towards us, accompanied by a woman in a blue dress similar in style to the empire. Cramer’s sister, I presumed, since they had the same golden hair and blue eyes. Her neck, ears, and fingers were decorated with silver and emeralds, as if the woman were a walking advertisement for her brother's business.

There was little warmth in her, and the smile she wore, at least to my eyes, was hiding thinly veiled derision. Without the finery, she wasn't an exceptional beauty by any means. Her nose was too large and her cheeks too full. The only redeeming feature she had was her exceptionally large eyes.

“Dear sister,” Cramer exclaimed, walking over and gathering her in an embrace, which she forced herself to return.

“Brother. How nice of you to return, with guests, I see."

“Indeed,” Cramer released her and turned to me while keeping a hand on her shoulder. Then he waved his other hand melodramatically. “May I present Lady Myr, the maiden of fire. A magus from the empire. She is our guest, and do make sure she is treated well. The entire east wing will be her domain for the remainder of her time here.”

Frustration etched across her face before she realized what Cramer said. “But the east wing… A magus? Here?… How did…”

Uninterested in their dynamic, I said to Cramer, “Do show me to my accommodations, Ser Cramer. Travel has been long, and I desire a proper bed."

“Please, please, my dear, at least let me show you around the manor. I will take some time for your servants to sort everything out.”

Then he looked at his sister, his arm on her left shoulder, gripping rather tightly. “Samson here can coordinate with your people, arranging their accommodations and such. Isn't that right?”

There was a flash of pain across his sister's face as she answered, “Yes, he can.”

Anicia stepped forward, looked the old man up and down, then turned her attention to me. ”I'll make sure everything is sorted.”

I nodded to her and then said to Cramer, “Very well, do show me the sights.”

He released his sister and then gestured towards the manor. "It is my honor.”

~

The manor was quite large and beautiful, particularly the polished white stone pillars that supported high ceilings. The floors were also made of large square stone slabs polished to a near-mirror shine. Decorating the walls were pieces of armor and weapons, as well as paintings of men, women, landscapes, and even a few animals, which I couldn't identify.

The left wing was apparently the largest section of the manor, where their parents once resided. After they died, it remained empty for Cramer’s use. Since he refused to live in Markash or near his mine, it remained empty. He graciously gave the entire left wing to me. It had practically every luxury available for the home of the wealthy. There were servants' quarters, six bedrooms, a smoking room, a dining area, and several rooms to lounge and entertain. There was even a wine cellar.

“I must say it is a fine manor.”

“My thanks. My father spent a fortune on its construction. Ended up dying a year before it was completed."

“Yet you refuse to live here.”

“Well, perhaps that will change.” He said, pointing to a young man placing an air warmer.

“I’m thinking around thirty of them will be enough to keep the manor wonderfully cool. And I'm already hanging the lanterns. They’re many times brighter than a candle and produce no heat.”

“You’ll need a lot more than what I’ve sold you to properly light this entire manor."

“Aye, and I’ve not the gold for it just yet. Though, if I can work out a deal with a certain merchant, you’ll have your first piece of orichalcum.”

“What exactly would this merchant want?”

“He is a glassmaker. The largest in the city.” From what I knew, making glass is a difficult process, one that I had learned back at Cramer’s mine. The most significant problem was getting sand hot enough for a long enough period of time without adding impurities. After that, shaping the glass was an even more complex task, requiring constant management of the bellows to heat the glass precisely.

“Yes, I can do it. It's not difficult to make a construct that can melt sand at a high temperature. Filter out contaminants, and I can even make a tool to make shaping and blowing the glass easier. It will have no bellows, and maintaining the proper amount of heat would be as easy as breathing. May I assume this man has orichalcum?”

“Yes, a ring. He brags about it unendingly. But that is for later; I’m sure you'd like to rest for a few days. Right now, I have runners sending messages to my contacts. I suggest we hold a grand ball, demonstrating all your magic. We light up the night with dozens of lanterns. Spread air warmers all through the manor, making every room and hall as cold as winter. There should be plenty of food, music, beautiful women, and handsome men to satisfy every eye and taste. All the while, I’ll have some of my servants who've been practicing with the magical tools, demonstrating their function.”

“What do you think is the most valuable item?" I asked.

“The water generator, to most wealthy people who have a well of their own, might seem like a simple trinket. People like me who travel will see the incredible value. In fact, they might try to pretend that it isn't as valuable as we know it is.”

“Prices?”

Cramer grinned so viciously that it made me uncomfortable. “I had a thought while traveling. We don't sell single items, only sets.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“Say someone only needs 35 lanterns to light up their home, and we only sell sets of twenty. Will they leave a portion of their manor poorly lit? Certainly not. We don't sell singular ovens or those magical kettles. We sell entire kitchen sets, a stove, perhaps a magical sink, along with a roaster, an oven, ice, and chill boxes. All in one set for a massive price."

“How would you price the sets?”

“400 for a set of 20 lights. 300 for the kitchens. 350 for 20 air warmers. As for special creations like the glassmaker, that can be negotiated.”

“That's thousands of royals for every manor. Only the extremely wealthy could afford such," I said. “I’m also willing to accept platinum, jewels, azurite, and magical items. Platinum is around twenty times more valuable than gold, and orichalcum is several hundred times more valuable. We can have a unique magical item valued the same as a single piece of orichalcum… Of course, your share will be the same, as if I received the entire payment in gold."

I made sure to add that last bit so Cramer wouldn't be motivated to avoid magical items or extra orichalcum.

“Just in case, so you don't get swindled.” Reaching into my shirt, I pulled out my reservoir and showed him the orichalcum.

“Beautiful.” He said. “I’ve only ever seen it described. What do you…” He paused mid-sentence as he met my cold gaze. “I’ll see to it.”

~

“This room is quite wonderful,” Anicia said as she observed the tall fireplace dominating the north corner of the room. There was a massive four-poster bed, a sitting area, smoking rooms, and an entire attached servants' quarters.

“Yes. Cramer is indeed putting his best foot forward,” I said. “What have you learned about his family?”

“Sister hates him. That's rather clear, but it looks like Cramer doesn't care either. The servants are tolerable.” Anicia paused and then asked, “Should we recruit from them?”

“No. Cramer's sister might be the lady of the house, but in the end, it all belongs to him. We should give him some small amount of face and not poach his people,” I said. ”How are our own people settling in?”

“Decent enough, there was a small argument about rooms that was sorted out. It’s not even worth discussing. Micheal, Nubin, his son, and Elias are in town buying up as many sand steeds as we can get our hands on.” Anicia reached into a large chest, pulling out a well-made red dress. “I plan on going out into the city and spending quite a bit of coin. Would you like to join me?”

I shook my head. “I have too much to work on, and it’s good to create some anticipation. Just spread my name and spend coin like you're on your deathbed."

Anicia smirked as she began undressing. “It's a difficult task, but someone has to do it. What about you? What are you building?”

“I have one final addition to the energy furnace, and I think I’ll finally start working on a magical carriage.”

“I thought you said energy limitations prevented you from making something like that?”

“It did; however, that gift Ben gave me was rather enlightening. And besides, my furnace can produce far more energy. Compared to when I first made it, and after my final addition, it's probably around a ten times difference. " Walking over to my personal chest, I pulled out a roll of parchment.”

“What am I looking at?” Anicia asked.

“The base of a carriage with magical gears to drive the wheels. The driver will control the entire carriage with a set of levers; the one on the right controls the two right wheels, and the one on the left controls the left."

“How does it turn?”

"I'm reasonably sure the empire's carriages work by rotating one side faster than the other. However, that remains to be seen. I’ll need to work with our cartwright to modify a carriage and see if this system works.”

“How fast will it go?”

I shrugged. “The empires' carriages can keep up with galloping horses. So, that is my goal.”

After helping her change into the dress, fixing her bodice, and making some final adjustments to her hair, I picked out some fine gold jewelry to adorn her neck, fingers, and ears. I spent a minute or two making sure that she noticed me admiring the swell of her chest, hips, and rear end. “You look rather lovely. But do take a parasol, or you’ll cook like an egg in the sun.”

Anicia failed to hide a satisfied smirk. “I’ll take Nihl, Ben, and Nettie as added protection. I think that girl might have some potential. And Hugh, I think I can make a thrall of him?”

“Truly?” I said, throwing my mind back to Meave’s cousin, not recalling anything exceptional about him. Though it wasn't as if I paid much attention to them. “What about him do you think is useful?"

“Not sure yet. All I really know about him is that he got arrested because he’s Meave's cousin, though they were raised more like brother and sister. Meave’s the actual wild one, but now she’s actin’ like she’s a saintly healer, and already most people like her. She could always get what she wanted because of her looks and…well, her brains compared to his.”

“Ah, so a bit of privilege and recognition could satisfy his inferiority.”

“That’s what I think, at least.”

Julia entered carrying a silver tray with a steaming cup of caff. I smiled and eagerly took a sip; my eyes flew open, and I stared at her in disbelief. “Dear Julia, what is this?”

She smirked and answered, “People around here drink it with sugar, milk, and something called nutmeg. I thought you’d like it.”

If it weren't steaming hot, I’d have drunk the entire thing in a single gulp. “You guessed correctly. I’ll have one of those every morning.”

Julia nodded and said, “I’ll stock up for you.”

With a nod to Julia, Anicia left.

“Are you settling in well?” I asked Julia.

“Aye, Most got a room, and sharin’ ain't bad. Most o’ the prep is done, and we got people runnin' around town buyin' up food.”

“Good, good for now. Prep a meal for me, something light. I'll be working at my desk for some time.” I nodded towards a beautiful mahogany desk next to the large bed.

“Were ‘bout done settin’ up the kitchens, so I can get started."

With a nod and a wave, Julia left, and I sat down, designing the final iteration of the energy furnace. The last thing to be added was a small windmill-like device inside the exhaust. Designing the initial metal sails for the rotor to be both balanced and efficient and attaching that to a bearing inside the shaft would be a challenge.

After that, there was little else I could do to make the energy furnace produce more energy. I could absorb the light created by the fire. But in the end, it would be meaningless since the walls of the burning chamber would quickly be covered by soot. It also served as good practice for bearing creation.

With pure living air as a reactant, proper intake management, and the rotor to capture energy from the exhaust. The energy furnace, at least as far as I could tell, would have no room for improvement.

Anicia

I stood in front of a cartwright, trying to purchase a carriage for Myr. We were in the rear of the workshop, and the monstrosity of a carriage was without wheels and unpainted. But even now, it looked like it would be weeks before completion.

“So you mean to tell me. This man hasn't yet paid for the carriage. You have no contract. And I, a willing customer, offer you twice the rate, and you still refuse me." I said indignantly.

“I have a verbal agreement with Lord Juna, my lady. He is a man I cannot afford to offend. Perhaps I can offer you…”

I turned my nose up at him. “So you can afford to offend My lady? Is she beneath this Lord Juna?” A magus residing in Cramer’s home had already spread through the city like a plague. Every shop and stall I had visited served me eagerly.

I could hear Nettie behind me trying to stifle a laugh. The young man was dressed in a thick leather apron, sturdy gloves, and boots, looking distressed. His eyes darted around as if searching for an escape.

“Well, speak. Is my lady beneath this Lord Juna?” I demanded. As he opened his mouth, I held up a hand. “Your actions speak loud enough. I do hope you can weather the consequences.”

“Please, my lady…”

I turned and walked away, followed by my guards. After leaving the construction area of his business, I exited through the short gates onto the cobbled streets.

“That wasn't nice,” Ben said, as soon as we were out of earshot of anyone else.

‘There truly is nothing in that mind of his.’

“Nice doesn't matter. Our lady is to be treated with deference, not to be held below anyone else." I stopped, turned, and looked at his helmeted head. “Do you hold anyone above her?"

The helmet quickly shook back and forth. “No, it's just…”

“You feel sorry for the young man, yes? Caught between a magus and a city lord, it's an impossible situation.” Ben nodded. “It doesn't matter if it’s an unreasonable request. If Myr wants something, it's our job to get it for her. Do you think all she gives you? The protection, the magic, the privilege simply falls from the heavens. We must safeguard her reputation, as well as her body.”

“Ah, I see.” He said, though I doubt he saw anything.

“Join Nihl on the carriage. Hugh and Nettie will watch my back for now."

Ben paused, then returned to the massive transport piled high with supplies. I hopped into the carriage ahead of it and nodded for Nettie and Hugh to join me. After closing the door, the two sat across from me, staring at me blackly. Nettie's hair has grown out a bit. Now it was a finger and a half long. It turned out she was actually a dirty blonde, not brown-haired. A decent enough face, but not exceptional by any means.

Hugh had beady, suspicious eyes, a stark contrast to his cousin's almost constant warm smile and sunny demeanor.

“Are you two pleased with your positions?"

Nettie shrugged. “Two meals with meat and a bed. Ain't much to complain bout.”

I looked at Hugh. “‘Bout the same…You want somethin’ dont ya?”

With a force of will, I put down my doubt and continued, trying with all my might to think how Myr would go about recruiting them.

“That cartwright. What should be done about him? That's disrespect we can’t tolerate.”

Nettie looked at me, confused, while Hugh remained stone-faced, with his head slowly tilting to the left, like a cat.

"Threaten ‘im?" Nettie asked.

Hugh shook his head and stared at her. “No, you'll just get the guards on us. Those are problems we don't need.”

“Burn his shop down then. Seen it done before, I'm sure our lady can magic up something subtle.” Nettie suggested sounding confident.

I considered it for a moment and then shook my head.

“Juna’s the key, not the cartwright."

As soon as Hugh uttered those words, the plan fell into my lap. “Yes, I think you’re right.”

“Is that all ya’ wanted?” Hugh asked.

“Essentially. Sometimes it's good to hear more opinions.”

“Why not ask our Lady?”

“We can’t go to her for every little thing.”

“Perhaps you two shall accompany me again. Who knows, maybe the next fool who denies Myr will need his house burnt down.” While I said it casually, neither of the two seemed horrified by the idea.

“Does that come with more pay?” Nettie asked, grinning.

“‘Course.” I shrugged and stared out the window. “Would you be willing to make this a permanent arrangement?"

“What do you mean?” Hugh asked.

“I do need a little assistance here and there. Someone to bounce ideas off, someone to watch my back from time to time. Someone to burn a house if needs be.”

“That’s risky. What if the lay comes knocking?"

I smirked and quoted Myr directly. “Laws only exist for the poor and weak. And besides, Myr trusts me; I can convince her to put more effort into you two."

“What kinda effort?” Nettie asked, sitting up straight.

“More magic, more coin, better accommodations, and deadlier weapons. Myr trusts me implicitly, and if I trust you, she does. And she can be very generous.”

"Do I have to slum it with the rest of the fighters?” Hugh asked.

“You need to learn how to fight. But a comfortable private tent, a personal bath, more magical items, and a carriage for you two are simple to arrange."

“I take that deal… And I still want a horse and such." Nettie said, quickly. I nodded to her, then stared at Hugh. “We get better food. Not that Lira’s cooking isn't bad or anything.”

“Whatever quality food I eat, you will, and when you two finish training, you’ll only take orders from me, Lady Corina, or Myr herself."

“Well then, my lady, I can agree to that,” Hugh said, offering a hand, which I shook. Nettie quickly stuck hers out.

“Now unto Juna," Hugh asked. ”What do you plan to do about him?”

I chuckled and said. “I’ll tell Myr to disinvite him and his entire family from the festivities."

A small chuckle came out of Hugh’s nose.

“I don't get it,” Nettie said. Hugh sighed and shook his head.

“This city has never been graced with a magus. No one with sense can afford to miss it. Let alone missing out on purchasing magical items. For nobles, to not attend would be akin to social suicide," I explained. “And once this spreads, everyone in the city will know what the social standing is. All must bow now and beg before our Lady. Is that understood?"