Chapter 62 – Before Capital

The first day after the long discussion passed in a blur of work.

Tobren, Henda, and Berreth organized a small team of ten to focus on paper production.

The forge team, as expected, finished the fan blades without trouble, years of experience showed in their craft.

Elias and his team worked on the fan body. Ren suggested making the frame and feet from wood. Cheaper, faster, easier to build.

The second day, the fan was completed.

It was simple, one direction only, no rotation. That was on purpose. Later, when Ren improved it, they could sell it as a new innovation.

Elias, Dugan, and the others turned their hands to building the dough mixer. By the end of the day, it too was done. Efficient work. No wasted effort.

Tobren's team was nearly finished drying the first sheets of paper. The results were rough, but promising.

***

Third day came quickly, the last day Ren could stay.

Ren checked the paper for the first time.

Tobren's team laid the thin sheets out for him.

The fibers were rough in some places, the edges uneven, but the sheets held together.

Ren picked one up, feeling the texture between his fingers.

"Not bad for a first attempt," he said. "It's rough, but usable. Good enough to write on. The next batch, soak it longer and pound it finer. That should smooth the surface."

He tapped one of the edges. "And trim the sides cleaner with the cutter. But we'll take this batch as a gift, let them see what's coming."

Satisfied, he called Tobren, Henda, Berreth, Elias, and Dugan to the table. The air was warm, the sun creeping higher. They gathered, knowing this was an important talk.

Ren laid out the items. Fan, mixer, paper.

"Before I leave, we need to set prices. Something fair, but strong enough to support our work. Let's start. Dugan, how much metal, time, and effort for one of these fans?"

Dugan thought. "If we're making many at once, not much. The blades are easy. The body too, if we use wood like you said. Metal cost is low. It's the shaping that takes time, but nothing too hard."

Ren nodded. "Mixer?"

"Same. About as much as the small fan. Maybe even less metal."

Ren turned to Tobren. "Paper?"

Tobren said, "Cheap materials. Just time and labor. If we speed that up, it'll cost almost nothing."

Ren looked at Berreth. "And the price?"

Berreth grinned. "The fan, first of its kind. We price it high at first. Let the nobles and merchants pay well. Later, we lower it for the common folk. The mixer, mid-range. Something bakers or innkeepers will want. The paper, low at first, spread it fast. Once they're used to it, we can sell finer paper for more."

Ren smiled. "Good thinking. Anyone else?"

Elias added, "Spare parts. If something breaks, they'll come back to us."

"Agreed. You have your plan. Be fair, but don't be afraid to make them pay for the work we've done."

Tobren smiled. "Feels like real work now."

"It is. Like I said from the start. I'm serious about building this village."

They nodded.

The weight of it settled on them.

***

Early morning air was cold, sun had not yet shown its face.

The village lay quiet and still.

Final checks were done. Water pump, fans, mixer, and first batches of paper were stored safely, ready for the future.

Ren stood by the wagon, tightening the last strap.

He ran a hand along Becca's neck, feeling the warmth of her breath in the cold air.

"You alright, Becca?" he murmured. "It's going to be a long trip. But I'm counting on you."

Becca let out a soft snort and stamped the ground once, as if to say she understood.

Fera came up, pulling her cloak tighter. "She looks ready enough. But you're talking to her like she's your best friend."

"She is," Ren said with a small smile. "She's been through a lot with me."

Fera glanced at the empty road ahead. "You sure? Just the two of us?"

Ren nodded.

"The fewer who know everything about the East, the better. If we draw attention now, it'll only make things harder later. When they see how far we've come, they'll start watching, maybe send spies. Best not to give them a reason yet."

"Fair enough."

Ren checked the harness again, then patted Becca's side. "Let's go, girl. One more journey."

They set out as the sky slowly brightened. The wagon wheels creaked as they left the village behind.

The first day passed quietly.

The road was dry, the wind light, and they made good time.

Almost reaching the border between East and Central without a single sign from the map.

There's no something important, no bandit or monster. Nothing.

***

The second day brought clouds. The air was heavy, the wind sharp, as if the land itself was holding its breath.

The wagon creaked along the narrow road, tall grass brushing the wheels, crooked trees casting long shadows.

Ren kept one hand on the reins, the other resting on the map.

His mind drifted back to the great thunder that had roared from his hands, the shockwave that rolled to the South.

If I use it again… what if I lose control?

Then the map stirred. Faint lines glowing, a ripple along the eastern edge. A small dark mark appeared ahead on the path.

Ren tensed. His eyes scanned the trees.

"Fera," he said low. "We're not alone."

A shout came. Figures stepped from the trees, five bandits. Faces masked, blades drawn.

And with them, a massive beast, like a bear but longer, thick with muscle, fur the color of ash. Jagged bone ridges ran down its back. Its yellow eyes glowed, its breath short and angry.

"Beast tamer," Fera muttered, seeing the man with the bone-and-rope charm.

Ren cursed under his breath. "That thing exists?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!"

The bandits spread out. The beast charged.

Ren gripped his hammer. The storm inside him stirred.

Do I risk it?

The memory of that thunderstrike burned in his mind.

Too much… but no choice.

He hurled the hammer, not at the beast, but above its head. He called the storm.

Lightning split the sky. The charge leapt from the hammer into the beast's skull.

The creature froze, jerking, eyes wide. A strange sound tore from its throat. Half-growl, half-howl. It turned, confused, and tore into the bandits who'd tried to tame it.

The bandits screamed, scattered, fled.

Ren called the hammer back, sparks crackling as it slapped into his palm.

Fera breathed out. "The lightning before was—"

Ren raised a finger to his lips. "Ssh. Don't tell anyone. Sera said it's better that no one knows. If the kingdom finds out… you'll be called before a court for hiding a power like that."

He hated lying to Fera, but he had to. I'm sorry, Fera. I need to be careful. Very careful.

***

The third day dawned grey and cold. The road stretched ahead, empty and silent.

But Ren's mind wasn't on the path.

Becca's steps had grown slower. Her breath came heavier. Her head hung low. Sweat darkened her coat, though the air was cool.

Ren stopped the wagon, stepped down, and laid a hand on her neck. "You're not well, girl…"

Fera watched. "She's pushed too hard."

Ren nodded, concern deepening in his eyes.

We can't keep traveling like this.

His mind turned, piecing together the start of a plan.

There has to be a better way to travel across the kingdom.

Faster. Safer. Without pushing horses to the edge.

He patted Becca's neck. "Just a little more, girl. We'll make it."

And they moved on. Slow but steady, the towers of Central finally rising on the horizon.