Chapter 5
“Friendships cannot be molded from inferior goods; they must be forged with bonds of pure iron and adversity.”
-Jonathan Torren - Gear Master’s Journal
“Howis that possible?”I finally got the words out after the initial shock faded.
“Magic.” Buster’s voice had a flat tone as if he couldn’t understand why I was asking such a stupid question. “Your kind of magic.”
“But I can’t do that. I don’t have that much power.” My voice came out breathless and panicky. I didn’t want that kind of power. I was happy making my mechanical beings and struggling to pay bills. Making things come to life was hang-me-from-the-Lock-Tower kind of magic. A cold hard ball lodged in my chest. If anyone suspected I could build people, being hung for practicing dark magic would be my smallest problem. Angry mobs had already set parts of the city on fire, I’d prefer they didn’t do the same to me.
Buster closed his eyes for a second. If he were human, I’d say he was gathering up his patience. “We don’t know that yet. I suspect eventually you’ll be able to convert just about anything you’ve built into its living counterpart.”
I shuddered at the thought. Some abilities should remain dormant.
Oss broke into my thoughts. “Why didn’t you change years ago?”
I nodded. Excellent question. If all the mechanicals had transformed, what had made Buster so different? Why had he gone centuries without change? Had he received less magic when created? Or been formed from different metals? Did the materials used change the rate of transition from gears to flesh, or was it powered purely by magic? I longed for a pad of paper and a lead pencil.
“I was the last mechanical person Master Torren created. I was meant to be the protector of the City of Magic along with any descendants. I believe the connection between you and the new magic started my change.”
I had so many questions about Torren I wanted to ask. Having a first-person account of my idol was far better than any of the dozens of books written decades after his death. Information about the man was sketchy and none of Torren’s workbooks had ever been found. With Buster here, I could get answers to questions scholars would sell their souls for.
“Are you all right with changing now?” I couldn’t help asking. If I was an immortal mechanical, I would be a bit peeved to become a lesser life form.
“I have no control over it,” Buster stated with little emotion. “Maybe I have outlived my purpose. We have a new king now who doesn’t need me to oversee things like before.”
“I’m not so certain of that,” Oss replied. “I still need guidance.”
And someone to restrain him from stabbing argumentative subjects. Oss didn’t have the patience for politics.
“I can still act as an advisor.” Buster slid the blankets up over his chest. “If I survive transition, I will continue to live a mortal lifetime. Becoming flesh won’t take away my knowledge.”
“If you are beginning to change into a human, what about the dragon? Is he changing also?” Oss asked.
“Dragon, what dragon? I thought all the monsters were outside the city?” Had there been a break in the wall? Surely I would’ve heard something about that by now?
“The one in the City of Magic, remember? I told you about Cruller.”
Language I would normally never use spilled from my lips. Although I grew up on the streets, I have always been inordinately proud of my vocabulary. All my supposed learning fell by the wayside when confronted by the reality of a possible dragon running loose.
“Cruller didn’t appear to be turning last time I checked,” Buster assured us. His mechanical eye made a soft clicking sound as he moved it about.
“Do you think that will change?” I didn’t want to be responsible for bringing a dragon to flesh. A mechanical man was bad enough.
Buster shrugged. “Time will tell.”
Before I could give into my hysteria, Buster interrupted my spinning thoughts.
“I would appreciate it, Mr. Small, if you could look me over. It has been many years since anyone transitioned and Master Torren always oversaw the changes to correct any problems that might occur.”
A snort escaped me. “You sound like you’re putting on a new coat, not changing your entire body chemistry.”
Buster tilted his head. “I’ve been bored and lonely for many years. I would like a companion. Those below the city aren’t interested in one of my composition. If I can’t find someone, maybe you can make me a partner.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.” I didn’t want to disappoint Buster, but I wasn’t comfortable building a human being, or even a mechanical that might turn into one. The public would either have me drawn and quartered, or worship me for my powers. The ethical issues were enormous, and I refused to become a custom-made human peddler. Human trafficking wasn’t a new concept even between walled cities. A greased hand here and there and a guard could be persuaded to look the other way. If those of the wrong moral persuasion found I could make a person to their requirements, life would take an ugly turn even if I could build my way to a mansion of my own. My drafty place with gravity issues was looking better and better.
“Maybe in time.” Buster didn’t sound convinced of his own words. The right side of his mouth turned down while the left remained neutral. I shivered at the strangeness of it all.
