Guildmaster Einar of the Artificers' Guild sat alone, fingers toying with an aurum coin. The copper disk caught the dim light as it rolled across the polished wooden table.

Einar's eyes followed the coin's path.

The Artificers' Guild of Holden had once been renowned for their mastery of complex, intricate creations. Clockwork marvels, delicate automatons, and finely calibrated instruments were their stock in trade. But such artistry came at a steep price—both in materials and labor.

In a bustling metropolis, perhaps, there might have been a market for such luxuries. But Holden, a modest town on the fringes of the kingdom, could ill afford such extravagances. The wealthy patrons who once commissioned their works had dwindled, leaving the guild struggling to stay afloat.

Einar caught the coin as it neared the table's edge, his calloused palm silencing its spin. He sighed. The guild's coffers were growing empty, and the weight of that knowledge pressed down on him like a physical force.

The soft creak of the door announced visitors, and Einar's shoulders tensed.

He didn't need to look up to know who had entered.

"Guildmaster Einar. I trust you know why we're here."

Einar nodded, still not looking up. "The debt," he said simply.

"Indeed," the man replied. "I'm afraid Lord Karstein's patience is wearing thin. He expects payment in full by the end of the month."

Now Einar did look up. His eyes grew wide.

"The end of the month? But that's impossible! We haven't had a commission in weeks, and our reserves are-"

"Your financial difficulties are not Lord Karstein's concern," another man cut in, his voice sharp and cold. "The loan was given in good faith, and he expects it to be repaid. In full. By the end of the month."

Einar's shoulders slumped.

He knew arguing was pointless.

These men were merely messengers, and unpleasant ones at that. They had no power to negotiate, only to threaten.

Something which they’d gladly do if he gave them the opportunity.

Silently gritting his teeth, he spoke up:

"I understand."

The first man clicked his tongue.

"For your sake, Guildmaster, I hope you do. Lord Karstein is not known for his forgiveness in matters of coin."

With that, the men turned and left.

When the door closed behind them, a voice exploded from the corner of the room. "How can you let them treat you like this?!"

Einar turned to see his assistant. Her face was flushed with anger. She had been so quiet during the exchange, he'd almost forgotten she was there.

"You're a man of excellent talent! If it wasn't for your master's incompetence and betrayal, you would be in the capital instead of rotting away here in this backwater town!"

Einar listened quietly, his eyes fixed on the aurum coin still clutched in his hand. Lydia's words were nothing new—she had expressed similar sentiments many times before.

But today, her outburst felt particularly grating.

"Lydia. Please, shut up."

The young woman's mouth snapped shut, her teeth audibly clicking together.

She turned away, gritting her teeth, her eyes blazing with barely contained fury.

But she did not say another word.

Einar sighed, again, and rubbed his temples. The day had already been long, and it showed no signs of improving. He was about to suggest they close up for the evening when the door creaked open once more.

A man Einar didn't recognize stepped into the hall.

Who could it be?

He was dressed simply but well. In his hand, he held a sealed letter.

"Guildmaster Einar?"

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The man inquired politely.

"I am. And you are...?"

"Leto. I come on behalf of Lord Theodore." The man—Leto—held out the letter. "My lord requests your presence at your earliest convenience. This letter explains the details."

Einar took the letter with his brow furrowing in confusion. Lord Theodore? Why would a lord be summoning him?

With Lydia and Leto watching curiously, Einar began to read, his eyes widening with each line.

It was clear that the Artificers' Guild of Holden might soon find itself with a most intriguing commission.

***

Guildmaster Einar Einar stood outside Lord Theodore's study, his fingers nervously tugging at the hem of his jacket. The corridor was silent save for the muffled sounds of activity beyond the thick wooden door. Einar's mind raced with rumors he'd heard about the young lord.

Yet, there were other—better—stories too.

How Lord Theodore had revolutionized soap production, bringing affordable cleanliness to the masses. Some even claimed the young noble had undergone a remarkable personal transformation.

But Einar had lived long enough to know that actions spoke louder than hearsay.

So he’d see it for himself.

The door opened, and a servant beckoned him inside. Einar took a deep breath, straightened, and stepped into the study.

He needed this commission.

"Ah, Guildmaster Einar. Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."

Einar bowed slightly.

"My lord, it's an honor."

He settled into the offered chair.

Theodore leaned forward.

"I have a project in mind, Guildmaster, one that I believe will revolutionize personal hygiene in our fair city."

Einar nodded as the lord continued:

"I want to build a bathhouse. A luxurious establishment with a new bathing system I call a 'shower'."

The young lord grabbed some parchments and showed them to Einar.

"We'll need a series of pipes to transport the water," Theodore explained. "And a showerhead—that's the part where the water comes out in a spray."

Einar leaned closer, studying the drawings.

"My lord, I'm not familiar with this 'showerhead' concept. Could you elaborate?"

Theodore nodded, unsurprised by the question. "Think of it as a large, flat disk with many tiny holes. When water flows through it, it creates a rain-like effect."

"Ah, I see. Like a very fine watering can for humans."

"Exactly! Now, we'll also need valves—er, knobs—to control the water flow and temperature."

As Theodore continued his explanation, Einar found himself alternating between fascination and bewilderment.

The young lord spoke of concepts like "mixer taps" and "drainage systems" with an ease that suggested intimate familiarity, yet these ideas were entirely foreign to Einar.

"My lord," Einar interrupted gently, "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the term 'mixer tap'."

Theodore paused, then smiled. "Of course, my apologies. Think of it as a device that combines hot and cold water streams. By adjusting two separate controls, you can achieve the perfect temperature."

"I see. A fascinating concept, my lord. It would require precise metalwork and careful calibration, but it's certainly achievable."

As the discussion continued, Einar found his initial nervousness fading, replaced by professional curiosity and excitement. Lord Theodore's ideas were revolutionary, yes, but not beyond the capabilities of a skilled [Artificer] such as himself.

"Now, for the plumbing," Theodore said. "We'll need a system of pipes to bring water to each shower stall. And don't forget the drain pipes to carry the used water away."

Einar leaned in, studying the drawing. "A closed system, then? To prevent water from pooling on the floor?"

"Yes. And we'll need to ensure proper water pressure throughout the system."

"Could you elaborate on that, my lord?" Einar asked, his brow furrowing again.

"The force with which water flows through the pipes," Theodore explained patiently. "Too little, and you get a weak trickle. Too much, and you risk bursting the pipes."

Einar stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I see. We could use a series of reservoirs at different heights to maintain consistent pressure. And perhaps some form of pump for the initial lift..."

"Yes, excellent idea! In fact, let's discuss the pump design in more detail."

What followed was interesting. Lord Theodore's knowledge seemed to span far beyond what one would expect from a young noble, yet he never spoke condescendingly. Instead, he encouraged Einar's input, often building upon the Guildmaster's suggestions.

"Now, for the shower enclosures themselves," Theodore said, pointing at a rough cubicle design. "We'll need sturdy partitions between each stall for privacy. And some sort of curtain or door at the entrance."

“We could use treated wood for the partitions, my lord. And perhaps oiled cloth for the curtains? It would repel water while still being easy to clean and replace."

"Brilliant," Theodore grinned. "And what about the flooring? We'll need something non-slip and easy to clean."

Einar pondered for a moment. "Textured stone tiles, perhaps? We could source them from the quarries I’m in contact with. They're known for their durability and resistance to water damage."

The discussion flowed smoothly, with Theodore introducing new concepts and Einar quickly adapting them to fit within the realm of possibility. They talked of water heating systems, ventilation to manage steam, and even the logistics of towel storage and soap dispensers.

"One last thing," Theodore said, leaning back in his chair. "I want this bathhouse to be accessible to all. We'll need to consider how to make it affordable without compromising on quality. I’m thinking of a tiered system. Basic services at a lower cost, with additional luxuries available for a fee. Thank you for your time and insights, Guildmaster Einar," Theodore said, standing to shake Einar's hand. "I look forward to seeing your detailed plans. And please, if you have any questions or ideas, don't hesitate to reach out."

Einar bowed deeply.

"The honor is mine, Lord Theodore. This project... it's unlike anything I've ever undertaken. But I assure you, the Artificers' Guild will rise to the challenge."

For the first time in a long while, Guildmaster Einar walked with a spring in his step, eager to return to his workshop and begin bringing Lord Theodore's ideas to life.