He scooted aside so I could get a better look while tilting his head to see the blueprint.
“What about that one?” Oss pointed to a black gear I hadn’t noticed before.
“It’s not as shiny as the gold one he had, but at least it isn’t bent.” If Buster’s suspicions were correct, he wouldn’t need the gear for long before it changed to flesh and bone. I shivered at the thought of my entire body changing. It had to be traumatic on every level.
I pulled down the black gear, then set it on the table. Reaching in, I grabbed the folding measuring stick I’d brought with me and carefully compared them. “Perfect.”
“Great!” Oss clapped his hands together. “Let’s go.”
We left the workshop and closed the door behind me. Before we had taken more than two steps, Oss stopped. “Why would he lock things up if he already had protection against people he didn’t want in here?”
“Hmm, that’s a good question.” And not one that had occurred to me. “Maybe he used to have visitors? Or his mechanicals could open things? Buster said he was the only one left, but maybe he might have had prototypes before him, and humans aren’t the only creature that can open things. My birds get into stuff sometimes too.”
“Possibly,” Oss agreed. “Keep an eye out. We don’t want to get injured because we were sloppy.”
Oss and I exchanged knowing looks. As street kids we had often been hurt because of the risks we took to find food and shelter. It is a harsh world for those who have nothing. We left the workshop without injury. I patted the door and made a silent vow to return.
As we traversed the city, I realized it was set up in almost the same pattern as the City of Keys. “I wonder if the same person designed both cities or if one person copied the other.”
Justin must have noticed my preoccupation. “I found a journal in my library a few months ago. It stated that both cities were designed by an ancient Lock Lord named Thalmas. I was going to give the book to you for your birthday but…” He looked away from my glare.
“Yeah.” I kicked a pebble. I didn’t wish to rehash my argument. It had no resolution, or rather, not one I supported. “I’ve heard many stories of how and why the City of Magic was formed. I’m not sure which ones are true.”
We heard Cruller growl but didn’t catch sight of him on our way back to the Key Tower. When we reached there, we found some of the missing citizens. Two guards stood outside the entry doors. They had green hair and silvery skin, both bowed low when Oss approached. They opened the doors for us without speaking. So far, so good. We didn’t meet any other people until we reached the staircase to the portal.
A woman with blue skin and yellow hair stepped out of the shadows. “Greetings, Key King, I am Brouha, your advisor.” Purple butterfly wings fluttered on her back.
“Who appointed you advisor?” Oss asked, petulant to the core.
Brouha didn’t lose her smile. “There was a vote on who would be best to help you acclimate. I was chosen by the people.”
I approved of the way she didn’t lose her temper over Oss’s rudeness. Any advisor to Oss would need a pool of unending patience.
“We need to get above. Buster is dying.” Oss brushed her off.
Brouha scowled. “We thought it would take longer.” Her attention transferred to me. “You are the new Gear Master, are you not?”
“Yes. That is why we are down here to fetch replacement parts.” No sense in trying to deny it. I was ready to accept the weird destiny fate seemed ripe to place in my hands.
“You have triggered this change?”
“We think so.” Oss spoke for both of us.
She gave a decisive nod. “We had heard of this phenomenon but were uncertain if it would affect Buster. He is the oldest of us all.” There was a lingering melancholy in her words as if she had already accepted his death. “If you can please send back news of Buster’s health. Many here are quite fond of him.”
“We’ll try. The guards above have proven difficult,” I said. “It may be hard to return.”
“When were you planning to return?” she asked Oss.
“The leaders of Keys need to accept my authority before I will be allowed to come and go freely. I’m hoping to open a trade agreement between the two cities with myself listed as Magic’s ruler,” Oss explained.
The scent of garden soil pulled my attention out the open window to the dozens of gardens dotting the city. “If you have an abundance of food, it would make a good trade point.”
Brouha nodded. “We have plenty. We would have to send a contingent up above to see what your city has that we might need. Your Majesty will be a good resource for setting that up.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Oss promised.
I hid my smile. Oss was known for taking care of his people whether they be street kids or his sick mother. Now he had an entire city to place beneath his protection. They couldn’t have chosen a better person beneath his prickly exterior.
