Keir looked at Idris, confused. Hadn’t he just fought with him about speaking at all? And now here he was, rambling away…
“Tonight marks the first step in that journey, a journey we will take together. We begin with the ‘lectrics, courtesy of your very own industrialist, whom I’ll be introducing shortly. But first, I wanted to make one more announcement.”
A hush went over the crowd.
“As some of you may know, I’ve chosen to take a profession in addition to my royal duties. I’ve devoted my life to the pursuit of knowledge, and I can think of no finer place to continue that pursuit than right here in Wilderise. I’d like to announce the construction of the King’s College in Wilderise, beginning this very summer between Fossholm and Gull Bay!”
A cheer went through the crowd. No one clapped louder than Lady Sibba, who seemed as though she might scream herself hoarse.
“To support the university in its mission, we will also be opening a branch of the King’s Hospital in Fossholm under the supervision of your very own Marquess of Caernock, Dr. Keir Ainsley!”
This was a surprise to Charlotte. She looked at Keir, who stood near the back of the stage. His expression was difficultto read in the dim light from the streetlamps, but it seemed as though it was a surprise to him as well.
Perhaps this was what Keir had meant about Idris being a buffoon.
“To help support the continued growth of ‘lectrics here in Wilderise, I’d also like to announce a new manufactory under the supervision of Yordin of the Rodaz Mountain dwarves and your very own Gwenla of Herot’s Hollow! Happy Solstice to all. Looking forward to working together to build a better Wilderise in the new year. Gwenla?”
Gwenla also seemed surprised by the news, but she concealed it better. “Welcome, everyone, to Herot’s Hollow!” The crowd was still murmuring about Idris’s news. He stepped forward again and held up a hand, which silenced them almost immediately. “Thank you,” said Gwenla. “We’re here today to mark a new beginning for Herot’s Hollow, and indeed, all of Wilderise. I never thought I’d be the one stood before you. I am here because I love this town.”
There were quite a few cheers at that.
“I love this place. When I heard about the plans for it, the only thing I could think of was to find a way to preserve our home. And with the help of some very clever friends, we’ve done it, and we’ve brought ‘lectrics too!”
There were many more cheers now.
“The ‘lectrics that will light this tree came from the sun. The very sun that grows our crops. It’s good, clean ‘lectricity, and no one’s house had to go to the bottom of a lake for it!”
There were a few scattered cheers from the Herot’s Hollow villagers, and a lot of confused murmurs from everyone else.
“Anyway, enough from me. Let’s see the lights! Count down with me in five – four – three – two – one—”
Gwenla flipped a brass switch in a box at the front of the stage.
And nothing happened.
There was a collective groan from the crowd. “Wait! Wait!” shouted Gwenla. “The wire was a bit loose. Let’s try it again.”
She flipped the switch again, and this time, a string of lights from the streetlamp to the tree’s base came on.
“Is that it?” yelled an older woman.
“No, no, hang on. Hang on, folks, we’re still working out the kinks.”
Finnli led Charlotte up to the stage as Alison and Rinka tried to work out what to do.
“Magic?” suggested Rinka.
“I don’t know if I could pull it off,” said Alison. “Idris?”
“Now wait, all of you,” said Gwenla. “This ought to work. Some of the lights are working.”
They followed the string of lights with their eyes to the base of the tree. “Is a wire loose there?” asked Charlotte.
“I know what’s wrong,” said Alison. “It happened in the street near my office. One of the bulbs is bad. Gwenla, did they send any spares?”
“There was a box with a dozen or so bulbs without any string. It’s under the stage. I didn’t know what to do with it.”
Alison led the charge, retrieving one of the extra lightbulbs and heading to the base of the tree to switch it out. Charlotte led Finnli back to their spot in front of the stage.
