“What book is that?” I tilted my head to see the title. The spine was turned away from me.
Oss shrugged. “The biggest one on the first bookshelf I passed.”
“We’ll never make a reader out of you.” I would have given anything to live in a place with such full bookshelves. That Oss didn’t even read their spines hurt my bibliophile soul.
“Nope,” Oss agreed without shame.
Buster ignored our banter as he sketched out a map from memory. Did mechanical people have perfect memory? I twitched from all the unasked questions I longed to pose. I didn’t want to distract Buster into forgetting anything important. My entire life I’d researched the cities’ forefathers and especially Gear Master Torren because of our similar magic. Entering his workshop would be the highlight of my life.
“There.” Buster circled a spot on the east side of the map. “There used to be a tower there, but it fell over about twenty years ago. No one can access the interior of the building in order to fix it. Maybe Mr. Small can do something about it?”
“Call me Marbrey,” I muttered. Buster had an obnoxious habit of formality. “Was Torren an architect too?” Even though I had read most of the writings on the Gear Master, I still knew little more than common knowledge. Forgotten history was like food to someone like me and I hungered for more.
Buster made a humming noise. “Not a trained architect, but there wasn’t anything he couldn’t build. He had an instinctual talent for all things constructible.”
“Like someone else I could name.” Oss nudged me with his elbow.
I shrugged. It was hard to take credit for a talent I was born with.
“Which is why I’m confident he can make his way through the Gear Master’s traps,” Buster replied.
“Traps?” No one had mentioned traps before. “I thought it was only a matter of understanding what he did and grabbing the right gears.” I wasn’t the daring sort. I’d rather hunker down in my workshop and build than to go adventuring.
“If it makes you feel better, there is nothing life-threatening in there,” Buster promised. “Not that I remember at least. The workshop is more likely to block off access if it doesn’t find you worthy.”
“I’m beyond reassured.” I scowled.
“You’ll be fine. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” Oss promised.
That did make me feel a little better. Oss’s protective streak had saved my life countless times. Now wasn’t the time to start doubting him. “Thank you. Are there any dangers in the City of Magic we need to be aware of that might have popped up lately?” I had this weird sensation of being the hapless hero in a Penny Dreadful adventure story. One that had been persuaded into following the wrong path.
Buster took over the narration. “Cruller would have been the biggest obstacle, but as you are traveling with the king, you should be fine.”
“Didn’t stop him last time,” Oss muttered.
Not reassuring.
“If you run into him, you’ll have to convince him you are following the Gear Master’s wishes. Most of those down below still respect Torren.”
“How will they even identify me as Torren’s heir?”
Buster stared at me for so long I had to fight the urge to duck away from his gaze. “You don’t know, do you?”
I exchanged a puzzled look with Oss before turning my attention back to Buster. Whatever it was, I doubted I would like the answer.
“Know what?” Oss asked.
“Your magical signature is all over the gate between cities. Between you, Oss, and Affie, there isn’t one resident of the City of Magic who won’t know who you are or what you have done. As soon as you set foot into the city, everyone will be alerted to your presence.” Buster handed back the book with the map on top, then slumped down, his gears clicking and whirring like a nest of angry wasps. “I need to rest now.”
“Thank you for the information.” That we would be noticed as soon as we entered the city almost had me canceling the trip. If Buster didn’t need that gear so badly, I would postpone it indefinitely despite the allure of all that lost knowledge. I hated being the center of attention.
Oss patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s not like we haven’t gone into rougher areas before.”
“Surprisingly, that fails to reassure me.”
Oss laughed.
“Are you going to allow them to crown you?” I couldn’t imagine Oss planting his ass on a throne. His active nature didn’t lead to a stationary life and the idea of Oss being diplomatic almost sent me into fits of giggles. That the city below appeared to be a peaceful place would only exasperate Oss’s violent urges.
