Mark of the Fool

Chapter 657: An Exciting Day

Well, this is going to be an exciting day, a smiling Lucia said, stepping off the gangplank of her flagship. The heel of her boots clicked as they touched the stone wharf in Generasis harbour.

At her back, her crew had begun unloading cargo brought all the way from the southlands; crates and chests loaded with fragrant spices, alchemical reagents, and wondrous magical items crafted in far away realms.

A stream of merchants were already waiting on the pier, eyeing her cargo with big expectations.

My, my. Lucia clapped a hand to her mouth, hiding a smirk. Look at all of you; I bet none of you would have spared me a single pleasant word back when I was driving a sky-gondola. Now, look at you, drooling like starving dogs over my merchandise. I wonder what youd do if you saw the wonders I have below deck?

Deep in the confines of her flagship, a strongroom forged of steel had been built, it was enchanted with enough wards to turn an entire band of would-be thieves into whimpering babes.

The vault was protected by magic that slowed ones mana flow.

Magic that forcibly ejected mana.

An enchantment to strike the mind with sleeping magic, while another one stole the strength from a would-be-thiefs muscles, sending them into a state of relaxation so deep, theyd flounder around like a wingless fly in a vat of spirits.

The last line of warding magic was set to overload the senses, making even the touch of ones own clothing feel like a full body massage with a curry comb of thistles.

Naturally, the strongroom had been the brainchild of none other than Alexander Roth.

If thieves try to break in, the wards wont kill them, hed explained to her while engraving the last security glyph on the inside of the strongroomsdoor. But theyll definitely mess them up; I designed the lock so itd be tough to pick, even for master lockpickerswell, most masters, anyway.

Hed shuddered. I heard about this lockpicking barrister thatoh, never mind. The point is, the locks hard to pick, and the steels got so many enchantments on it, that a thief would have to spray dragonfire, or maybe smash it with a titans fist to even the slightest prayer of opening it by force. Andif anyone tries to damage it, or puts anything in the lock that isnt the right key, its set to blast them with enough magic to turn them into a drooling wreck. So, you dont have to worry about being robbed, Lucia, but if on the off-chance you are: after everything the thieves will go through, lets just say theyll deserve the golem.

The strongroom was built to hold golems that Lucia was shipping to their buyers, a job she had just finished. Shed delivered a golem to a southwestern Rajah to serve as a bodyguard for his sons and daughters.

The job had been quite the adventure.

After shed completed the sale and went to her lodgings for the night, assassins hired to eliminate the ruler and his heirs to the throne, had appeared at the palace, courtesy of his brother. They were skilled men, as quiet and as quick as shadows, with great mastery of their tulwars.

Unfortunately for them, their timing couldnt have been worse,good steel was of little help against a ten foot tall iron guardian with an advanced golem core burning in its chest.

According to the Rajahwhen hed recounted the story to her the next day, and thanked her profuselya half-dozen assassins, each having slain at least five of his childrens elite guard, were now not much more than red paste, thanks to the latest member of his household.

In gratitude, hed provided Lucia with a generous bonus to top the price of the golem shed delivered, and the strongroom was now filled with enough gold, rubies, pearls, yellow sapphires and other gemstones to buy ten warships from her share alone.

Toraka Shale and Alex Roth were about to become even richer.

Of course, that would make the day exciting for them.

What was about to make the day exciting for her, was not only picking up a pair of iron golems to deliver to a couple of very wealthy clients to the east, she was also looking forward to getting an entirely new crew to guard her ships and cargoes.

When I get those new guards on board, Id actually welcome thieves, what a great way to advertise the business. Crooks and brigandsll wish theyd never set foot on my ships, or ever heard my name, she whispered, heading to a chartered sky-gondola.

Welcome, madam, were ready to transport you to Shales Workshop, at your pleasure, said a rather dignifiedlooking sky-gondolier, a man who looked more like a butler whod be working for the very wealthy in the Generasi countryside, than a sky-gondolapilot. Shall we go?

With a smile, she drew several platinum pieces from her pouch, pressing them into the gondoliers hand as he helped her into the boat. Of course, Alfred.

The boatman failed to hide his boggling eyes at the payment. You are too kind, Madam Lucia!

No, she said. I just know what its like to be sitting where you are.

Alex, you lookstressed, Lucia said.

The hulking Thameish wizardwho looked even bigger, or was she imagining thingspaused mid-handshake.

Well, thats a nice way to greet someone, the mage withdrew his hand. Why dont you just tell me that I look like trash.

Oh, dont be so dramatic, Toraka said, shaking Lucias hand. You do look stressed. You are stressed. Youve been in the lab more than youve been home, lately, and it shows. Youre also back in school on top of everything else! You should take some time to relax.

Alex, looking wild around the eyes, shook his head rapidly. No rest for me. Ive got goals to meet. Targets to hit, and besides, I only need like two hours sleep a night. Ill be fine. Its fine. Im fine.

Fatheryou really should rest, though.Lucia heard a familiar voice speaking over the sound of a thunderous, metallic footfall.

She turned as the door to Shales office opened, revealing

Claygon? Lucia blinked in surprise. Is that you? Youve changedyoure iron now!

I amI havebeen through a lot of changes lately.

Well, its all for the better, Lucia smiled, looking the construct up and down. You look fantastic; Alex and his sisters craftsmanship really stand out on polished iron.

Oh wow, so you tell me I look stressed and lousy, and you tell him he looks fantastic, the young wizard said flatly. Great. Just what I wanted to hear when I got up today.

He crossed his arms.

Lucia and Toraka looked at each other.

Alex looked out the window, refusing to meet their eyes. Sunlight shone across his long hair, which now fell past his shoulders. I know what youre thinking, but this isnt what it looks like.

It looks like youa grown exhausted adultare pouting, Toraka said.

...okay, so its exactly what it looks like! He threw up his hands. Alright, so lets just go down stairs. A shimmer of excitement suddenly sparked in his eyes, erasing his grumpy mood. Ive got some nice things to show you, Lucia.

Together, the golem crafter, the Thameish wizard, the golem and Lucia left Torakas office, heading to the main chamber of the golemworks. The place was bustling with activity; it had been busy the first time Lucia had been there, but now it seemed even busier. It appeared that the number of staff had doubled; things looked chaotic, but the chaos seemed controlled. New golems were being built for the market with the efficiency and precision of a well oiled machine.

Lucia looked up toward the ceiling.

A whole new floor had been added, replacing the space that was once just a soaring ceiling.

The golemworks had grown, with the addition of another storyand from what Toraka had mentioned, they had plans to add another one.

Soon, the business would tower above much of the district, dominating the skyline.

You have been busy, Lucia remarked. You really have been expanding.

We had to, Shale said with pride. From the time Alex demonstrated Claygons might, and we revealed some of our new iron golem models, the citys been infected with golem fever; a fever I can happily say seems to be contagious. She looked proud. New orders keep coming in on a daily basis: people want new constructs built, they want us to modify old ones, repair damaged ones, and even upgrade some that people bought from us years ago.

Lucia whistled. Sounds like business is good!

Overflowing. Toraka grinned. Im looking to buy a quarry soon; at the rate things are going, itll make more sense to simply mine my own supplies rather than getting them from others, even at wholesale prices. Plus, golems are an item for the very wealthy and powerful. I want to look into expanding our market.

Thats where I come in. Alex smiled. Theres a quaint little magic item crafting studio in the southend of town. The owners getting on in years and looking to retire and spend her time doing whatever she wants out in the countryside; shes ready for something beside the daily grind of making potions, wands, and enchanted jewellery. Ill be helping her make her dream come true by buying the business.

Oooooh, a magic item studio? That sounds wonderful, Lucia said.

Mhm, and Ill be sourcing my supplies from Toraka, whichll help both of us. In a decade, were going to own a quarter of the city. Each. He grinned evilly.

Oh, listen to this one. Toraka rolled her eyes as they reached stairsleading to a passageway that looped into the basement lab. What happened to that cute crafters assistant I hired not so long ago?

You taught him too well, Alex replied smoothly.

Now youre just making me look bad, Shale shot back.

Truthfully, this is all really impressive, Lucia said sincerely. I just bought some more ships and I thought that was remarkable

Oh, right! Alex interrupted. Finish your thought, then I want to talk to you about your ships.

got it, now where was I? Lucia paused. Oh, yes. I thought you were already busy running your bakery

Bakeries.

What? Lucia asked, her voice dropping into that familiar, monotone deadpan tone of hers for a moment. Did you say, bakeries, like bakery, but with an, i e s instead of a y?

Yes, I did. I bought two more around the city, Alex grinned. Honestly, I had to. The lineups were getting so out of hand that poor Troy was actually starting to panic. Hiring extra staff helped for a bit; but the problem was that there were too many people coming from across the city. So, in order to properly serve them, I bought a couple more buildings, set them up the way we needed, and there we are...three Roth Family Bakeries to feed the masses. It was a lot of work, and thats a fact, but its taken much of the pressure off the original bakery and the staff, and as a bonus, profits already up. Theyll pay for themselves in no time.

Lucia blinked. I havent been away from Generasi that long, how in the world did you set up two more bakeries so fast?

Alex shrugged, with a twinkle in his eye. I learn fastits a hell of a lot easier to do something the second and third timeand this time around I didnt have any buildings to renovate.

It still sounds impossible. Lucia shook her head. I work hard. I like working hard, but even Im starting to feel exhausted just listening to you. So, youre saying that youre running multiple bakeries, building golems, getting supplies, going to class? Can you really spend time on another business?

I have to, he said with a note of conviction in his voice. Theres a lot I need to do, and I dont have a lot of time to do it. Also, lets just say that travel time is basically no longer a problem for me. You remember that teleportation trick I used in the tournament?

Yes? Lucia asked.

Well, I can teleport about twenty-five miles in one jump now.

Thats so unfair, she groaned. Youll put every shipping company out of business.

As long as I put every shipping company out of business except yourspartnerthats fine with me. But enough business talk.

Theyd reached the end of the corridor and entered the basement laboratory.

Instead, lets talk about business. He grinned at his own joke as forceball lights blazed into life.

Lucia gasped; four new iron golemseach powered by the new golem coreswere standing silently, waiting for her. They were polished to perfection.

Beautifularent they Claygon said, a note of melancholy in the voice he was currently using, that of a young man whod smoked too much pipe-herbs. Father andTorakareally make the best golems.

Ill say, and they do it fast too, Lucia agreed. I expected to only be picking up two today.

We have another potential buyer, Alex said. A bit of a gamble, but if this new contract works out, then what weve done so far will seem like nothing more than pocket change. But the real exciting part begins now.

He gestured to the other side of the lab.

There, twenty figures stood in utter stillnesseach covered with a black tarp. From their shape, it was clear that they were humanoid, but Lucia could tell little else.

Its time to meet your new crew. Alex smiled. Just as promised.

Lucia gasped.

Goodness me, I knew this would be an exciting day, the former sky-gondolier clapped her hands in anticipation.