A couple months later….
M’Craft whistled as he walked over to the deluxe food box he had bought and investigated the contents. Sylvia had instantly taken to the new Magi-Tech appliance and, being a hungry half orc herself, quickly filled the cold section with a nice variety of foods. Something M’Craft’s stomach appreciated during the times they had to work late on a case.
What to eat this time? Ham and cheese? No, too many of those recently. What’s this? Oh, it’s one of those noodle soup bowls from the new restaurant down the street! Let’s try that. Grabbing the bowl, he placed it in the hot box and eagerly set the time and temperature. Even if we never take another case, we’re going to get rich off the commissions from the food boxes. They are just so convenient! When the food box bell dinged, he grabbed his hot meal and wandered back to his office to eat.
A few minutes later, he heard a buzz from the ten by eight-inch Magi-Tech crystal screen propped up on his desk. Pressing the accept button he was rewarded with a full color image of Sylvia in the front reception area.
“Hey boss, got a representative of the local wizard’s guild here who wants to talk to you. Should I send him in?”
M’Craft grimaced inside at her carefully chosen phasing. Obviously saying no is not an option, but perhaps a delay is. I’m glad William’s in town and only she can see and hear me. “Send a message to William asking him to join me and then set up a meeting for later when we can both be here. Stroke his ego if needed. We don’t want any unpleasantness.” Yet!
“Will do!”
M’Craft quickly moved the papers for the current case into its sealed, fire and waterproof case. Pressing a spot on the wall that only responded to his and Sylvia’s touch, he caused his new Magi-Tech Safe of Shrinking to open and a tray of case holders to slide out. Sliding the case into the appropriate slot, he slid the tray back into the safe and watched with satisfaction as the safe door resealed and then faded into the wall. Let’s see them find my notes now. He smirked. I don’t know how I ever did without such a handy and hidden safe before. Used to be, I’d have to lug something sensitive down to one of the local bank vaults to have any chance of keeping things safe from prying eyes. Or keep it in an old iron floor safe here if it was small enough. Now. Now, that’s no longer a problem.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
He sat back and considered the possible reasons the wizard’s guild had sent a representative over. They could just have need of our services. Nah, Sylvia would have said a guild customer was here if that were the case. It’s got to be about William’s new Magi-Tech. Already his food boxes and small safes are selling as fast as his people can make them. And not just to the rich! His prices are reasonable enough that I see food stands and small businesses starting to employ them. Something I’m sure the guild has taken notice of.
His screen buzzed again as Sylvia called. “Boss, the meeting is all set for an hour from now. William says he’ll be right over and is bringing his team with him.”
“Thanks Sylvia. Tell the guild representative I look forward to seeing him and set out the fancy spread. No need to poke the bear and some good food should make things more civilized for all of us.”
“Will do. See you then.”
Shortly thereafter William zipped into his office from one of the side doors followed at a more sedate pace by Wilma. Bruno entered a moment later lugging a large case of supplies which he set down on the floor.
“Thanks for coming William. I take it that you’re not surprised by our situation?”
The pint-sized mage practically vibrated in place as he tried to speak slowly enough to communicate, his eagerness and excitement obvious. “Nope. Nurrim and I were expecting something like this and have already put together a plan on how to deal with it. It’s going to be fun!” This last word rising in pitch as William’s excitement overcame his effort to keep his voice low and slow.
M’Craft looked over at the team who all had big grins on their faces and smiled. “Tell me about this plan of yours.” A few minutes later he was grinning as well.