Thank the gods! But … wait …Blaze’s heart soared, but then his hope faltered faster than a kite missing the wind. Everything made in Lord Gustus’s workshop was seen ashis.
His fathers had understood his need to appeal to Lord Gustus but insisted that he stand his ground and demand partnership.“We’ve heard too many stories at the tavern about Lord Gustus claiming rights over an invention crafted in his workshop. Don’t lose your heart’s work to him.”
Maybe I misunderstood.Blaze wrung his hands, grateful he’d had the foresight to put them behind his back so he could hide the action. “So I have access to the materials and assistants needed to finish my prototype for the Innovation Awards next month?”
“Finish?” Lord Gustus asked.
“I have enchanted several of the smaller workings and have an engine under construction, but I need a craft to bind it to and?—”
Lord Gustus waved a hand to silence him. “You’re jumping over too many steps. Come work for me, and we can hammer out the deficiencies in your schematics. You’ll be ready in a few years’ time. A decade at most.”
“Patience is important in all things, coggin.” “A failure isn’t a setback. It’s a data point.”Blaze’s fathers had a million useless words for letting time slip by. Months had a funny way of turning into years. Years into decades. Decades could become a century. Though—gods willing—Blaze had centuries ahead ofhim, every day was a chance to push boundaries and make his dreams come to life.
His prototype was only held back by a lack of components. All he needed were the funds, and he would be able to prove his concept. He could even scale it back for a smaller craft. A river boat would be enough to prove it worked! And a far lot easier, he realized as he adjusted the plans in his mind. It wouldn’t be as flashy, but it would demonstrate his theories all the same.
But when Blaze opened his mouth to reveal his new idea to Lord Gustus, he saw the gluttonous want in his hard gaze. Lord Gustus was attempting to butter him up, but he only wanted another hand in his workshop making thingsforhim, notwithhim. The wordpartnerwould never come up around an elf like him.
“No.” Blaze began to roll up his schematics and slide them into their tube.
“Mr. Levimist, do you have any idea how many airship schematics I’ve seen this last decade alone?” Lord Gustus asked. “What you need to do is apply your trade in a nurturing setting so you can understand the difficulties in creating something so unique. After a few years in my workshop, you’ll be able to approach your designs with a sharpened eye.”
“No, thank you.”
“No one else is going to give you the chance to explain your ideas and theories,” Lord Gustus continued. “No one in a hundred miles could possibly afford the extravagant costs of this project.”
“Then I will look farther than that.” Blaze put his designs into his satchel. He almost broke the leather string as he bound it. His hands were shaking with rage.I amnotyears from finishing. I can’t be!
“Without me, it will take you decades to gain the interest you need to build your airship.”
“I appreciate your concern.” The tightness building in Blaze’s chest was threatening to leak out of his eyes. He wasn’t going to cry in front of the scion of the only noble family this side of the Hinden Woods. Hewasn’t. After a cough, he said, “You have my address if you change your mind.”
Blaze was halfway to the door when Lord Gustus sighed. He paused.My sheer determination won him over!
Instead, Lord Gustus said, “I wish I was surprised, but you are the same as every fool who approaches me. May the gods favor your future endeavors, Mr. Levimist. You will certainly need their help.”
Numbed by the dismissal, Blaze left the workshop complex without stopping to admire any of the wonders around him. Every hope had been pinned on Lord Gustus seeing him, and it had melted into an utter disaster.
He plodded down the street. His fathers would be understanding about his decision, but perhaps he had been too quick to turn down the lord’s offer of work. With a job, he would have been able to set aside gold for his personal projects. It would have taken longer, but he might have been ready with a smaller craft within a year or two.
Worse, what if Lord Gustus had seen some flaw that Blaze hadn’t? What if what he had was a dud? A failure? Another thing to take up space around a home littered with the remnants of unrealized dreams?
A flyer was thrust under his nose. He noticed the grease on the elf’s hand before reading the words in front of him. “Are you capable of enchantments? Able to repair broken wheels or axel tongues? Need roommates at Everend Market? Maybe you have experience fighting ruffians or win bar fights on a consistent basis? Seek out Kidd Kidderson’s Killer Kontraptions!”
The elf shook the pamphlet.
Blaze took the paper. The elf handing it to him couldn’t be much older than him, but he had the sparkle of an elfling on their Name Day, the time when young elves announced their gender and declared their chosen name to others. His skin was the color of copper in the sun, and his rusty-brown curls stuck out in all directions. A pair of goggles was pushed up into his hair, leaving the marks of dirt and grime where he hadn’t been covered obvious.
He was leaning across the counter of a shop that was little more than a stall. The sign over his head read, “Kidd Kidderson’s Killer Kontraptions.” With no one else around, he had to be the aforementioned Kidd.
“You’re going to Everend?” Blaze asked.
“Why do you got to ask it like that?” Kidd demanded.
Blaze glanced at the hodgepodge mess of household wares—which did seem to be quality spellwork, even if they were haphazardly displayed—and back to the disheveled Kidd. “You don’t seem the type.”
“Because I’m not rich nor am I showing off some radical, but likely useless, invention?” Kidd scoffed. “The market’s not just for the wealthy and the fame-seekers. Brilliant minds come from all over the continent, and they’ll be bringing some of the freshest ideas and finest new materials. That kind of cultural exchange is invaluable.”
“New materials?”
