Summer of the Fifth Year of His Grace King James
Liuz kept his eyes open as the top of the table exploded.
To be honest, exploded might be too enthusiastic of a term. The stone table top WAS still there, after all, sitting on four wooden legs. He could see that in the mirror, angled so they could see inside the enclosed room without being in direct line of fire of anything. The small pile of powder was gone, smoke and a black scorch mark the only remnants of its existence.
"I think that was better."
Zarek nodded beside him, blinking. The blond teen rubbed his eyes with his right hand.
"Looked right at it."
"That's the only way to see it."
"Right at it." Zarek dropped his hand, blinking some more. Liuz chuckled.
"That was with less sulfur, right?"
"Yeah. The rest was the same. We had a cleaner flame, it looked like." Walking along the brick wall, they entered the room as others uncovered windows. "I almost think we have the mixture right. At least enough to start figuring out what to do with it."
Liuz nodded. He wasn't the alchemist of the group. Mixing chemicals or metals wasn't his thing. He trusted Zarek for that.
"Let me know when you're ready for the dangerous part."
****
The seventeen year old walked out of the brick testing chamber, blinking under the noon sun.
"I want gunpowder," the King had said. "I want to build weapons that can throw a lead ball half a mile at the enemy. Here are the three ingredients. Go."
Liuz shook his head. His Grace had such trust in him and his sister. Trust in no way well placed, as flattering as it was. Yes, so far they had managed to deliver what King James wanted, but it was more chance than skill. Or was accidental innovation a skill? Hmm...
Pondering that, he crossed the meadow. The workshop loomed before him, its waterwheel turning swiftly beside the two story structure. They had barely tapped the power of the falls, its warm water coming directly from the Kikker hot springs up above. Only its location in Kikker lands at the end of the island had kept it free until His Grace had offered it to Liuz. Or had he been saving it for some future use? One never knew with the King. His goals, and priorities, could be strange.
A pair of wagons was moving away, down the raised road towards the city. Another batch of Lincoln Logs for the next Watu trading ship. Even though anyone could make the things, "Polish Pieces" seemed to be popular out in the world. Kasia had early on suggested burning the Polish Eagle onto one end of every wood log. Was that why Harveen's father could not get enough of the things into his ships? Even letting other woodworkers in the city help make them hadn't sated the demand.
A clanging came from across the stream. Good. The metal smith was working on those gears Liuz needed. Wood gears were good enough for toys, but for anything more serious he had to rely on others to make the parts he required. Not that there was a market for clocks, yet. They were expensive, unreliable, and really unneeded. Maybe after he had the four faced one the King wanted for the main plaza finished and installed...
Another horse drawn cart appeared, passing the two loaded wagons. Liuz tried to think of what they were expecting. The coal bin was full (His Graces' reluctance to have the smiths start using that miracle fuel still confused him). He wasn't expecting a wood or ore shipment. Was this just a messenger?
The small cart came to a stop beside the bridge over the stream, as if unsure where to go. The driver, a Kikker, noticed Liuz approach. He waved.
"Greetings!" His Polish was heavily accented. Liuz wondered if any Kikker on the island didn't speak Polish at this point. You almost never heard their language, even the few times he had been in Visvang.
"Greetings." Liuz came to a stop beside the cart. "What can we do for you?"
"I have a passenger for you." The cart shifted. He saw two sets of greenish feet appear on the other side, one very small. "Chief Ajani sends them, with his respect."
Liuz frowned. He didn't like people forced on him. He wanted to pick his workers. Yes, everyone sent had worked out, but it was the principle of the thing. He was not a dumping ground for people too clever to fit in elsewhere.
The woman came into view. The first thing he noticed was her chest. It was covered. Unlike every other Kikker female he had ever seen, she wore a cloth vest dyed purple, fastened closed with two buttons. Her skirt was also cloth, yellow in color. Her skin was light green, with darker splotches. At her side was a smaller, flat chested version of herself, dressed in just a yellow skirt. The girl was gazing around in wonder.
"Hello," the woman said. Her accent was beyond thick, Polish obviously new to her. She bowed her head. "I am Tabia. This is my daughter, Yaa." Gently getting the girl's attention, she signaled with her head. The child bowed.
"I'm Liuz. What can we do for you?"
"Chief Ajani said you were looking for workers." She came to a sort of attention. "I am a very good seamstress, can work with fabric and leather. My daughter cooks." The girl looked up. Liuz knew Kikker aged differently than Poles, but she looked young. Younger than his sister, certainly. A thought came to him.
"Polish food, or insects?"
Tabia's eyes widened. Obviously, that distinction hadn't occurred to her. Liuz shook his head.
"Why did you come here?"
"We heard Nowy Poland was a good place. A good place for Kikker who want to improve their lot. A good place to..." She dropped her head. "Start again."
The fact that she could say that in Polish was almost more impressive than what the words actually meant. New to the language she was, but she had studied hard. He nodded.
"If you're willing to work, we'll give you a try." He motioned with his hand towards the house. "Come."
****
Harveen sat in the main room, hands and feet holding open a book, one of the first from the new printing press. Liuz smiled. The old press had worked fine, and was now churning out books for His Grace's new schools, but Kasia's improvements seem to have been worth the months she had put into it. The movable type was even better.
His Watu friend noticed him, tossing the book onto a cushion and leaping to her feet. She didn't run to him, instead walking slowly as she smiled, adjusting her feathered vest. Reaching him, she ran her right hand down his bare arm, claws lightly scratching in a way he found amazingly pleasant.
"Did the test go good?" she asked. He smiled, placing his left hand on her head. After his last growth spurt she now stood only an inch or two taller than his belly button.
"I think so. I told Zarek to move on."
Her eyes seemed to notice the two Kikker. They hardened, her fingers wrapping around his arm.
"And these are?"
"New workers, maybe." He looked at them. "This is Tabia, and her daughter Yaa. Tabia works with cloth and leather. Tabia, this is Harveen." The two bowed.
"Are they staying here?" Harveen's hand began moving up and down his arm, one claw lightly scratching. Damn, she had somehow become very good at that.
"I think they have to. There's still that empty room upstairs, right?"
She nodded slowly, seeming to relax.
"Yes. I'll have Dorata get it ready."
"Thank you," Tabia said, bowing again. Harveen smiled, Yaa taking a step back in apparent fright.
"Work hard, and you will be welcomed here."
****
Kasia swiftly made her way down the cobbled sidewalk.
The new crutches were working well. Lighter, yet giving more support. A better grip on both grass and stone, too. Liuz had outdone himself.
She stopped beside a store window, examining herself in the vague reflection. She didn't like having two crutches. It seemed more... well, permanent. More a sign this was her life from now on. Which, yes, it would be. No longer could she carry anything, unless it fit in one of the small pouches on a crutch. She was dependent on others. But, she could move faster now. Maneuver easier. Whack people in her way without losing her balance. It was a tradeoff well worth making.
She continued on. People smiled at her as she passed. The city was somehow friendlier than Fredrick, not that the mainland town had been mean. Or, maybe, she was somehow just more likable now. That could be. Kasia was now more of a woman. Not that she was in any hurry to become one. Being a woman could be a huge pain.
Kasia came to the town plaza. Short benches encircled a large stone fountain, main public source of water for the harbor. With a tired sigh, she slid down onto the closest bench. Leaning back, she closed her eyes.
Roda was married.
It had taken longer than Kasia had expected. Longer, she suspected, than Roda's mother had expected. The girl was attractive, after all, and most girls were getting married and popping out kids by fifteen. Had she been pining for Liuz all this time? Had Roda wanted him to call her to Nowy Warsaw? Maybe.
Kasia knew the idea had never even crossed his mind.
Her brother had no interest in girls. No interest in women. Thankfully, also no interest in (ew) men. She had heard rumor of some in the Palace who did that, and just the idea gave her the willies. Thank Jesus she had never seen anyone like that on her visits to the Palace. She would have reported them to Ola right away.
Not only did Liuz have no interest, Kasia thought, but he honestly could not see the interest others had in him. It was amusing, in some ways. The confusion when introductory flirting brought no reaction other than politeness always entertained. Yet... she did want him to find someone. He deserved happiness. Should she help? Try and get him to see those around him in that light? But, then he might notice what Harveen was doing. She had toned it down, true, but apart from the most intimate of acts (which Kasia did not even WANT to think about), the Watu was acting as if she and Liuz were already joined. Which, maybe, they were.
Kasia sighed. Was SHE ever going to find someone? Were there people flirting with HER, that she was not noticing? Was she as bad as her brother?
"May I sit here, Lady?"
She looked up, frowning. A dark haired man was looking down, clothing well tailored but slightly gaudy. His beard was trimmed short.
"I would prefer my own company, thank you." She hoped she was not too dismissive. Kasia did not want to insult the man. He smiled.
"What a coincidence. I would prefer your company as well." Her eyes widened as he sat beside her, thigh not quite touching hers. She moved her crutches so they lay between them, moving herself farther right on the bench. His smile did not change.
"Lady, do I scare you?"
Scare? She frowned. The man was easily twice her age, but in no way did he frighten her.
"You annoy me."
Kasia turned her attention to the fountain. His Grace thought to put a clock on it. One with a bell, or bells. Something that would ring for the start of school, a way for all to arrive at somewhat the same time. Would it work? Probably. The metal gears would not swell in the humid air above the fountain, nor in the rain and snow. Servicing it would be difficult, but that would not be her job. Hmm. Perhaps the entire clock could be removable, lifted off so it could be reset and serviced on the ground. He'd have to talk to her brother. The King would want the result attractive, she knew that.
Kasia blinked. The man was no longer beside her. She glanced around. He was gone completely. She wasn't sure how she should feel about that. He had found her, well, attractive enough to come and try to get her attention, yet not enough to continue after being ignored. That was... well, noble of him. Insulting as well, but it increased her opinion of him. Whoever he had been. What would she say if he returned? She did not like men who openly lusted after women.
Movement across the fountain caught her eye.
Swiftly, she looked into her lap, hands going to her hair, forcing any stray strands away from her face. Her eyes slid upwards.
From the glassworks, a teen boy crossed the cobble stones. His body radiated strength, sweat. Confidence. Blond hair stuck to his head, thin shirt plastered to his body. Kasia bit her lip. Would he...
With a shake of his head, beads of sweat seeming to fly off into the noon air, the young man reached down and pulled his shirt off. Kasia heard a female gasp, one which could not be from her. His body was all muscle, more perfect than any machine her brother had ever built. Reaching cupped hands out into the falling water, he tossed it over his body. Kasia watched as droplets ran down his skin.
She looked away. She saw other women on other benches, their eyes on the teen. How could they? How could they ogle him like some lecherous man with a tavern wench? Did he know they did that? She should go to him. Tell him. Warn him. He would appreciate that. Maybe... maybe he'd...
He was walking back to the glassworks, shirt held in his right hand. She watched his bare back as he vanished from sight.
Her body seemed to collapse down into the bench.
Why was her heart beating so fast?
****
Liuz reached out and touched the wooden frame before him.
Why was he bothering with this?
The loom looked back, mocking him, its threads stretched across the wood frame. The thing worked. Had worked for generations. Those more skilled than he created marvelous things with looms, wove clothing, tapestries, rugs. More and more were being exported, as the Polish began to regain their glory.
So why did he want to improve it?
"Because it is there," he heard the voice of the King say. Perhaps. Perhaps the clock had been too 'easy' once the hints of His Grace had been heard. Perhaps the printing press had been more trial and error than real inventiveness.
Perhaps he just wanted a really big rug for his room.
The first place to improve, perhaps the only place, was the shuttle. It was just... awkward. He leaned over the frame, back protesting as he passed the piece of wood though the strings of yarn. How could women do this all day? Because it took all day. If he could just...
The sound of crutches cut through the other sounds of the workshop. He heard others greet his sister, the sound of saws and the sander not stopping. Liuz leaned back in his chair.
"Hello."
"Hello."
She stood beside him, hand resting on the back of his chair. Kasia looked tired. He turned in his seat, hand going to her waist.
"Bad day?"
"Naw. It went OK. We probably should build some spare parts for that press, though. They're hard on that thing."
"Easier to give them the new one, as we'd have to bring that back here to custom fit anything new."
"Probably have to. Maybe we should make copies of this one, while it's here." She glanced back towards the closed door. "Who's the Kikker with the little girl?"
"Seamstress the Village Chief sent to us."
"Hmm."
"Yeah." Liuz turned his upper body, spine cracking. "Any news?"
She cocked her head at him.
"Roda got married."
"Good." He turned back to the loom. "About time."
****
Kasia gently dropped from the wagon, hands grabbing the side as her left foot took all the weight. The driver handed down her crutches.
"It won't take too long to load everything," he said, expression concerned. "Want me to collect you when I'm ready?"
"No. I'll find a ride later." She adjusted the crutches. "I have a couple stops to make, and am not in a hurry."
"OK." He dropped himself to the ground, heading off into the warehouse. Steadying herself, Kasia made her way to the street.
She actually didn't have much to do. She just wanted to do nothing away from the workshop. Away from the sound of the waterwheel, of machines. It just got to be too much sometimes. She'd be starting a new project soon enough. Maybe flying.
Kasia couldn't help but let a giggle out. Flying. People flying. No, she wasn't going to try that. Not yet. She wasn't sure they had a thin enough fabric that was strong enough.
She made her way to the plaza. Wives were out in force, gathering water, gossiping. She made her way to her favorite bench, dropping onto it with a relieved sigh. Even short walks could be tiring. She felt her foot begin to throb. Grabbing the lower part of her dress, she lifted, forming a makeshift sling which lifted the offending leg upwards. Grabbing her ankle, she maneuvered the foot into her lap, ignoring whatever way this exposed parts of her that were not to be exposed. She had underwear on, after all.
"Wonderful." She took her knit boot off, examining the foot.
"Are you OK?"
The male voice came from beside her. Annoyed, she looked up.
It was HIM.
His eyes were dark brown. All else about him went unseen.
"Is it your foot?" He knelt down before her, looking at the reddish white appendage but keeping his hands to himself. Some sense returned to Kasia.
"It just decided to be a pain today. It'll be fine."
"Good." His eyes came up to hers, returning somewhat awkwardly to her leg. "I've seen you about. Not many three and a half legged woman."
Kasia couldn't help it. She laughed, even as she felt her face burning with heat. Her eyes went over his shoulder.
"You're a glass blower?"
"Yes. I don't think I've done work for you." Her eyes dropped, meeting his. Red tinged his perfect skin. "Like I said, not many like you."
"I'm Kasia."
"Natan."
Natan. His name was Natan. Her eyes dropped to her foot again, hands fumbling to slip the boot back on. She felt his hands, coming to help...
Every bell in the Kingdom began to ring.
Natan jumped to his feet, Kasia a moment behind, boot falling to the ground. She grabbed her crutches, Natan's hand grabbing her shoulder for a moment until she was stable. Her head swung around.
"Where?! Is it a fire?"
"I don't..."
A cry rose from the direction of the lake. Kasia was off, crutches moving swiftly. Natan matched her speed.
"I don't see smoke!"
"Nothing could get through the locks, so..."
They stopped, harbor now in view.
An island with a white tower now sat in the middle of the lake.
Kasia felt herself step back, Natan's hand pressing between her shoulder blades in support.
"Oh, this isn't good..."