Various earth aligned creatures and heavy golems ran about the place. Those that were competent mages were creating slabs of rock. Other less magical races were walking about the land marking all the hills and troughs. Small gnomes and dwarves were giving orders while riding on the backs of golems. Golems, with their basic cognitive capabilities, made for capable and competent heavy machinery. Despite the chaos of so many people running around, it was an organized chaos stemming from each person knowing their own job.

[Bilt] Hm. So this is the build site. It would be nice if we could build our little dragon nest up high. Maybe on the canyon wall? Then again we wouldn’t want it too close to the dungeon and the far canyon wall is a bit too distant. Let’s see. If the walls are going up over there then…. Hmmm.

The little gnome continued muttering to himself for quite so time. Despite seemingly blindly walking through the chaos, his path never interrupted another’s work. He did, however, walk right into someone. Someone who was not, in fact, working.

[Bilt] Hey! Watch it. Why aint cha working?

Despite his grumbling and complaining, it soon became apparent that this was not one of this workers. The light leather clothes. The cleanliness about her. The casual smile. Not one thing would place her on a worksite. And certainly not his worksite.

[Bilt] You. Who are you? The guards should have stopped anyone from coming in.

[Eita] Now now, don’t you know? I’m sure you’ve been told things about me.

The description of the dungeon core had indeed reached his ears. There was a good deal of talk about it in the carriage as well. So much so that he wished he could get away from it if only during the journey.

[Bilt] You’re the dungeon huh. Yeah. I have been told about you. The one you want to talk to isn’t here. The new master of this town is still back in the town proper until we finish some buildings.

[Eita] No no. I have exactly who I want to talk to. I did of course notice you guys building right next to my dungeon and I thought, ‘Why I’d be a terribly poor neighbor if I didn’t say hi and offer a little house warming gift’.

Stolen novel; please report.

[Bilt] Hmph. It’s too early for that. You can deliver it to Master Lasarim yourself when he comes.

[Eita] Unfortunately it’ll be much too late by then. No. This is a gift that needs you after all.

[Bilt] What do you mean? Quit speaking so vaguely girl.

[Eita] Of course of course. Well you see, my gift to the new master of this town is the most fantastic building and town he’s ever witnessed.

The little gnome’s eyes grew wide for a moment before he snorted and waved dismissively.

[Bilt] Hmph. As if. I can already provide him that. We don’t need you girly.

[Eita] Well I certainly hope so. It would be disappointing if you were some run of the mill architect. But even you would only provide a normal town for him, don’t you see?

[Bilt] I am Bilt Masten. My buildings are a work of art and efficiency. Just as you can tell a dwarven architect from their straight lines and sharp corners from the elven ones from their lack thereof, anyone can tell my buildings apart on sight. I would NEVER design a mere normal town for him.

[Eita] Yes but you are only… well, gnome. If you could accomplish so much with what you have, then think of what you could do with me. What could you do with paper thin walls strong enough to hold a building. Of water and waste being created and destroyed for you. Of works of architectural art that could defy the pull of the earth and the ravages of time.

To outsiders, this speech would have seemed to freeze the little gnome in his tracks. However, that is incorrect. Rather, the master architect simply had no more room in his brain to process walking, so fast were his thoughts.

[Bilt] W-well. Yes. Indeed. But I’ve sworn an oath of loyalty. I can’t break it. It’s impossible. There are consequences.

[Eita] An oath of loyalty. Sure. But you aren’t betraying your master. You are just helping me prepare a wondrous gift for him. After all, I do intend to inform him of the circumstances as well once he arrives.

The gnome pulled several handkerchiefs from his pocket, each old and dusty and perhaps staind with some substances. He took no notice of this and dabbed at the sweat appearing on his neck and face with them, although it’s uncertain whether he or the handkerchiefs is getting cleaner.

[Bilt] I I do suppose perhaps the oath might allow for it…

[Eita] I couldn’t imagine our master wanting to live in a city with filth in the streets, where one out of control man could destroy the walls, where repairs are slow or impossible to finish. But just think. You could present him with a city unlike any other. A city where trash and waste simply disappear underground. A world where water is ever abundant and the gold runs like water. It’s simple you know. All you have to do is tell me how to help you. How to use my abilities to serve you and our master. Doesn’t he deserve better than just those other towns?

The gnome’s eyes were no longer focused on what’s in front of him. Or perhaps it could be said that it was focused on only what was in front of him. And what was in front of him was a very, very big job. Despite this, a grin was creeping onto his face.

[Bilt] Yes. Yes. I suppose he does.