As a group, they came up with several things to look at, but Dirk also took the chance to tell Verdan about what had happened before he’d arrived at the larger meeting at the guard headquarters.

Apparently, Silver and Varen had been dancing around the question of training more Wizards so they could increase production of the enchanted bolts and arrows.

Thankfully, Dirk had shot that down and explained that the process, if they could even find a suitable group of candidates, would take far too long for the current issues.

Verdan knew that pressure would return in time, but for now, Dirk was right. If they were going to increase production, they would have to focus on the machines directly.

The ones he’d already made had proven their worth many times over, but even working at a steady rate, there were only so many they could make.

For security, both of the machines had now been secured in a hidden compound that was protected by the city guard. It wasn’t as convenient as them being on his estate, but it also made it harder for anyone to steal or destroy them.

Verdan was keen to not make his estate a prime target, and keeping things away from it was a big part of that.

Still, while more arrows or bolts would be good, Verdan was considering something a bit larger.

“You said you needed me for something?” Magnus asked, knocking on the open door of the room that Verdan was using in the workshop as he sketched out his idea.

Tucking the sketch away, Verdan got up and grabbed his staff, beckoning for Magnus to follow as he left the room. “Come with me. We’re going to visit a friend of mine. How’s your spiral work coming?”

“I’m making progress, Master,” Magnus said, the honorific making Verdan fight to restrain a sigh. Magnus had picked that particular habit up off of Dirk, and showed no sign of letting it go.

“Good, and how are you with splitting your attention?”

“Better, I think I will be able to do as you’ve described soon. Well, at least something akin to it, anyway.”

“Excellent, then this will be of use to both of you,” Verdan said as he led the way out of the workshop and then out of the estate.

His staff beat out a steady rhythm against the cobbles, a comforting sound when there was so much uncertainty in the air at the moment.

Verdan wanted to be true to Magnus, which was why this particular idea would work well. He was rapidly going to run out of time for teaching, and with all the Chosen learning as well, someone had to be cut out.

For now, that would be Magnus.

That being said, Magnus’s stubbornness and determination would be well suited to this particular task, and if he stuck to it, he may well see some strong improvement.

They were just making their way through an area filled with rebuilt homes when Verdan heard someone calling out his name. Glancing around, he saw Samuel, the middle-aged foreman who’d been helpful to him in the past.

“Verdan!” Samuel called out again, jogging over to shake the Wizard’s hand. “I heard you were back, but didn’t want to intrude.”

“Not at all,” Verdan said, giving the older man a genuine smile. “How’s things here? Is everyone doing okay?”

“Well, rebuilding has gone well,” Samuel said proudly, gesturing to some houses that Verdan remembered had been reduced to rubble during the Vespa attack. “The city is starting to pick up again now, as well. We’re making more glass and harvesting more lumber than we have in years. We’ve just had the city announce a contract for construction workers as well, though that’ll be outside the walls.”

“Sounds like things are going well for you,” Verdan said, giving a satisfied nod. That last part sounded like those watchtowers that Silver had mentioned.

The sooner they were built, the better for all of them.

“That they are, but we remember our friends around here, and I know that you’re one who always has something going on. So, if you need any labourers, even for just a few hours, give me the nod, okay?”

The foreman held out his hand again, and Verdan took it without pause. “Thanks, Samuel. That means a lot.”

“Hey, you did right by us from the start, before you were even finished moving in. I won’t forget that.” Samuel gave Verdan a nod before turning and hurrying back to the group he’d left, several of whom waved in Verdan’s direction.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Verdan returned the waves before carrying on a little further to the door of Elliot’s forge. The pounding of a hammer came from somewhere inside, though it cut off when Verdan knocked.

Magnus gave Verdan a questioning look, but ultimately waited patiently as Elliot came and opened the door.

“Verdan, please, come in,” Elliot said, stepping aside for them. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon. I’m sorry, but I’ve had little chance to gather any information or speak to my brother and sister.”

“Not to worry, this is about something else entirely,” Verdan said, producing the sketch he’d made earlier. “I want you to make this for me, and then as many medallions as possible. They need to be about this large.” Verdan made a rough circle with his hands to give Elliot an idea.

“I can do that. The first piece will take longer, but the medallions I can start doing now alongside other work. What will all this do, though?”

“One moment,” Verdan said, holding up a hand as he felt something on the edge of his awareness. Focusing in, he realised what it was before casting a simple silencing ward on Elliot’s home.

He didn’t want anyone listening in on this.

“Sorry about that,” Verdan said, focusing back on Elliot. “Purpose wise, if this works the way I think it will, a lot of things will change. More importantly, it will save a lot of lives.”

“Then that’s all I need to hear,” Elliot said, moving over to a workbench in the corner and started making a more detailed version of the sketch that Verdan had done. “Talk me through these parts so I understand it right.”

“Of course, so the underlying principle is the same as what we’ve done before…”

It took Elliot several minutes to make a design that he was satisfied with, at which point Verdan waved Magnus over.

“So, this is the part where you come in, Magnus. Elliot, how long until you finish the machine?” Verdan looked over at the smith questioningly.

“I can get it done by the day after tomorrow. It’s a lot smaller than the others.”

“Good. Magnus, I want you to come back at that point with me. I’ll do what I need to, and then you’ll spend the day here with Elliot. Every medallion he makes must go through the machine to have the proper effect. One of the guards will come with a handcart in the evening and help you bring them all back to the mansion. Then you do the same every day for the next week.”

“The whole week?” Magnus echoed with a downcast look.

“The whole week, and when you’re not running medallions through the machine, I want you to practice with your spiral. Specifically, I want you to be actively using your spiral whenever you use the machine, understood?”

“Yes, Master,” Magnus said, bracing to attention as he heard the order in Verdan’s voice.

“Excellent, and don’t feel so down about it. Your work will quite literally save lives. Oh, and don’t do too many medallions at once. You’ll need to pace yourself.”

Magnus nodded, but Verdan could tell he didn’t quite believe him. That was fine, though, as long as Magnus still did as Verdan had asked.

“If you don’t mind, I’ve got some orders I want to get done so I can shift focus to this,” Elliot said, motioning for them to both get out. “I can’t give you all my time, but I’ll be able to do enough to meet what you need.”

“Glad to hear it, thanks, Elliot,” Verdan said, shaking the big crafter’s hand before heading back out onto the street.

He had some time left before he was going to head out, so he decided to head back to the estate and spend it with Natalia. He was rapidly about to lose his free time, so he wanted to take advantage of what moments he could.

-**-

Verdan almost made it back to the estate without incident, instead having a cloaked figure come out of an alley to join them.

Magnus started at their appearance, but Verdan waved for him to relax. He’d been half expecting this to happen since they’d left Elliot’s forge.

“You know, you really take the fun out of things sometimes,” Val said as she sauntered over to walk alongside him, keeping her hood up but lifting the edge enough to flash him a grin.

“Consider yourself lucky that I realised it was you,” Verdan said, shaking his head at the irrepressible Sorcerer. “Did you have a reason for spying on me?”

“I did actually,” Val said in a hurt tone that quickly faded into a throaty chuckle. “Well, one beyond seeing if I could pull one over on the mighty Wizard.”

“And will you actually be telling me that purpose?” Verdan asked with a sigh.

Val chuckled again before stepping a little closer and dropping her voice. “There’s been some unusual activity in the city recently. It began not long after you left and picked up not long before you got back.”

“What sort of usual activity?”

“The kind where people are using some sort of method to block my from overhearing their conversations. There are quite a few Sorcerers who learn how to hide their words, but none that I’m aware of in the city.”

“I see. Any obvious allegiances or goals that you’ve been able to find out?”

“No, which makes it all the more suspicious.” Val muttered with clear frustration.

“Have you spoken with the city guard at all?”

“Falk has taken a look with me, but we’ve not been able to identify anyone. Whoever they are, they’re good at hiding. I only know this is happening at all because of the deadspots I find.”

“The effect lingers, then?” Verdan asked sharply, looking down at Val intently as she nodded.

He’d not seen any real use of Aether constructs or wards by Sorcerers, which made this issue suddenly quite interesting.

Unfortunately, Verdan had more than enough to see to right now, so this would have to wait.

Ignoring the questioning look she was giving him, Verdan gestured back the way they’d come. “So why come tell me now, what prompted this?”

“Well, I’ve heard about what you fought up there, and what you brought back with you,” Val said slyly. “It occurs to me that such a thing could be the target of a group like this. So, I thought a warning was in order.”

Verdan did his best to keep a neutral expression and not admit to anything, but from the pleased smirk she had, he must have given something away.

“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” Verdan said, deciding to play it safe. “But I won’t turn away a general warning. Thank you for letting me know.”

“Of course,” Val said, her smirk widening into a smile as she split off from them once more. “Good seeing you.”

Verdan rubbed his face and tried to work through the implications of what Val had told him. The chance of them being after the Automaton was low, not if they’d been active from before his return.

“So, what just happened?” Magnus asked, giving Verdan a look of utter confusion.

“Nothing to be concerned about,” Verdan said, holding back a laugh as he led the way through the gates of the estate.

He’d trust Val to keep an eye on things, but he’d also make sure his security was as good as it could be.