“No, it just startled me,” Buster replied. “Your magic has a different feel than Master Torren’s. Just as strong, but different.”
I blushed. Buster was the only one still around who could compare our two magics. “Does it? I’m surprised you can remember that far.”
“I remember everything.”
“If you’re turning human, it could explain why you have symptoms you’ve never experienced before.”
Buster remained quiet. Only the whirring and clicking of his gears broke up the silence. I leaned closer to examine the spot where a human’s heart should be located. The largest gear didn’t move. That could be the source of his discomfort, but I had no way of fixing it without ripping open his chest. I poked at it with my screwdriver, trying to urge it along. It remained still. “Well, I can see one problem right away. One of your gears isn’t turning. It’s quite bent.” I cleared my throat before continuing. “Ideally, I’d have to take you completely apart to examine you fully. I’m not sure what that might do to you if you are becoming flesh. I’ll have to hope that what I can see here is enough to fix you.” If Buster changed into a human while I had him in pieces, it would lead to his death.
“Which gear?” Buster asked, trying to look at where I pointed.
“The large one that is in place of your heart. It couldn’t be in a worse spot.”
Buster sat up, trying to see where I was indicating. “I believe it is still safe to operate. If I am transforming, it would be better if you fix me quickly before my flaws become defective organs.”
“I wish we could drag you down with us,” I muttered.
Oss snickered. “I don’t think even with Thorne’s muscles we could get him there. We’d probably damage him more.”
Buster turned his head to lock gazes. “I have already exceeded the lifespan I had anticipated. I won’t blame you for my malfunction.”
“I prefer to go out kicking and screaming.” A smirk curved Oss’s lip.
I smiled. “I can see you fighting against death.”
“Can you replace my gear?” Buster interrupted.
I leaned forward to examine it closer. “If I find what I need in Torren’s workshop, it should be possible.”
“Hmm,” Oss hummed as he examined the gear I pointed out. “If there isn’t one at the workshop, we might be able to order it from another city.”
“It would take at least a full quarter to have an airship pick up supplies during a scheduled delivery. That could be too late.” They loaded the dirigibles according to necessity and food always took up most of the hulls. I couldn’t imagine them bumping a gear into early loading especially when requested by someone with no clout. I didn’t have a duke to lean on anymore, and Oss wasn’t officially recognized as a king or Thorne’s partner. The best we could hope for was Thorne bribing one of his fellow guards.
“I remember Torren having a large selection of gears,” Buster offered. “It would be your best option.”
“I hope I’m the heir you think I am.” Buster was placing a lot of confidence in a man he barely knew.
“Of course you are.” Oss’s scoffing tone jolted me out of my downward spiral of inadequacy. “Who else could possibly take that position? The magistrate? You are the most talented inventor in the city.”
I thought over my competition and sighed. “You’re right. If there is to be a new Gear Master, I’m the best match.”
The ramifications of becoming Gear Master skittered around in my head. When we opened the gate between the cities, I knew I was standing in the Gear Master’s spot as much as Oss represented the Key King. However, I hadn’t gone further than that in my musings.
“What does the Gear Master do exactly?” Oss asked.
I looked to Buster for the answer. I knew of the title, but not the responsibilities. What was I getting myself into? The mythology of an all-powerful Gear Master had little connection to me. In my mind, an almost godlike glow surrounded Torren’s memory, and I wasn’t fit to fill his shoes.
“He’s the one with the power to pull a spirit into mechanicals and transform them,” Buster said. “He is the all-creator.”
“Sounds like a nice vague statement.” I cringed at my rudeness toward the obviously ailing mechanical man. I didn’t have to be impertinent about my denial.
“Marbrey.” Oss’s warning tone had me rolling my eyes.
“Sorry.” I offered Buster an apologetic smile, not because of Oss, but because Buster didn’t deserve my scorn. “I don’t think I am the one to take over for Torren. I haven’t moved a spirit anywhere.” No sense in giving him hope if he counted on me to get him through his transformation.
“I understand your concerns. Gear Master Torren was a great man, and it will be difficult to uphold his legacy. However, I don’t believe it is beyond you. You must take over the workshop. Once you gain total control of your powers, you can help me transform.”
I loved vague statements that told me nothing. My sigh was long and heartfelt. “You make it sound sentient.”
