It took longer than I expect for her to understand the situation with the bridge.

Godrick would normally send a messenger with request to repair the bridge. It wasn't actually something they were 'contracted' with. Instead it was something they were requested to do in exchange for either resources or gold depending on how the village was doing at that point in time.

Despite the fact that it wasn't a contracted job the people at the guild became worried when they hadn't received word to make the repairs. It was something that should have been done over a year ago now, no wonder it looked to be in such bad shape.

They had even gone so far as to prepare the materials in case the worst happened and the bridge went out. They had been willing to take the loss and make the repairs for free. I wasn't aware but most of the silver ore the guild refines is from a small mine outside Godrick.

She seems extremely happy by the fact that I had brought gold to pay for the work. She quickly tossed two of the coins to a man who was forming wood planks in the corner. Likely his payment for making the boards in advanced.

I noticed the technology they had for milling wood was not great. It was mostly done with axes and hand tools. It seemed like hard work. I was somewhat surprised no magic was used for this, but I guess that's what makes it a craftsman guild.

Or so I thought. But a moment later I learned the woman who I've been talking to, Susan, was actually an earth spec'd mage similar to the farmers I had seen earlier. Her power was much stronger though. She mainly used it for working metal, apparently earth magic can operate similarly to a hammer.

Her blades are said to be the best in the city, or so she said. She can also make them at a rate no other ordinary blacksmith can match. She was basically a power-hammer. I had used the device dozens of times in my other life. It was probably something I could build here easily.

I've seen the ones they used in the 1800's and they were fairly simple. Though I doubt this worlds technology level is anywhere near earth-1800's. However, with the help of magic who knows how quickly they could evolve technologically.

There was also something called a 'trip hammer' that they used in china as far back as 1000 BC. When I asked about it Susan claimed no such technology existed here.

She seems incredibly intrigued by the concept of a hammer that can strike repeatedly in a single place though. No matter how I looked at it this world's technology level was all over the place. They could make intricate metal works with earth mages. They had limitless clean water from water mages. But this lead to technology in those fields becoming entirely stagnant.

Even the concept of an aqueduct, something used by humans more than 4000 years ago (on earth), was an entirely new and interesting concept to Susan.

After she spoke with several craftsmen about our bridge repair, they began grabbing pre cut planks that had been collecting dust in the corner of a store room.

I had thought she was bluffing but they really had prepared all of the materials ahead of time. What a good group.

Yeah, I think I've decided.

I was worried they would be a group of greedy craftsmen, stuck in their ways when I first walked in. But that feeling had passed. Even the man drenched in sweat in the corner forming planks eagerly listens to me as I explain the concept of a handsaw to him.

I will leave it at that for now, the concept of a circular saw would probably explode his mind.

They will be the ones I slowly spread new technologies through. They seem to be a capable bunch. There was fourteen of them in all. Several had earth spec's, several had water, and a few even possessed the rare fire specialization. They would also contract farmers for other various work that needed to be done, be it earth or water. Depending on scenario.

I was curious. What can water spec's do to help craftsmen? I learn it was the ability to make ice. The craftsmen guild was contracted with several groups to make regular deliveries of ice. Mostly to nobles, as well as restaurants or inns like my mothers.

Thinking about it we'd always had ice, so I guess this was something my mother handled.

I learned more about magic.

This was probably all information I had heard before. But I seemingly pay more attention this time around. It seems that with Susan's aptitude with earth, not only could she strike metal. Typical earth mage farmers wouldn't even be able to dent the glowing iron. But she could also carve stones as simply as the farmers had moved the dirt.

When she demonstrates by taking a large scoop out of a nearby chunk of marble my jaw dropped. This was incredibly useful. But why was her aptitude higher? If all the farmers possessed this ability too. I assume not only would the farm work become quicker, but they could also work in mines or for instance on my upcoming canal project.

Though I hadn't mentioned the final aspect to Susan yet.

She explains that the reason farmers couldn't wasn't really for any exact reason. Other than 'what they know was enough', forty people operating a field a day was typical.

And with the various peasant and farming families. There was never a lack of workers. They trained to reach a level where they could take a medium sized scoop and turn it adequately.

As long as they could do this they got a share of food to feed their families. But it was seen as enough. If they could survive it was better than most.

Peace means nothing if the people are starving, do the people in charge realize this?

I had to change this world. Susan explains, that if a child is unable to learn earth or water magic adequately within their first fifteen years, they would have no place in their families homes.

So someone like me, a late bloomer. Would probably be cast out at ten. I must thank my mother for not doing that.

The scenario for magic aptitude for water was similar to earth.

Just generating a fist sized ball of water and being able to force it into the soil was seen as fairly difficult. However, the water mages working at the guild were generating lakes worth before they learned to make ice.

The main issue seemed to be training. While some of the craftsmen were older, most were only a few years my elder. Likely in their early or late twenties.

When I asked the various mages they, all received training from either their parents, or one of the illustrious mage schools.

So, public schooling should be added to my mental list. If the next generation all have the abilities these people in the guild have then my industrial revolution should be pretty easy.

But, it won't happen quickly.

As the craftsmen workers were all headed to the bridge anyways Susan and I tagged along.

Horsey seemed happy with my return, or well…

I guess he just wore his typical horse expression, but I hoped he was happy with my return. Thinking about it now I didn't want to part with this horse. He was a little older, but going on a journey with another horse right after I have named this one… Well, it seems tantamount to cheating.

I'll talk to Degin about it.

I group back up with the slow moving ox drawn flat bed carriage carrying the various planks of wood and pins for repairing the bridge. Again I felt a sense of pride. I was slightly surprised when Degin gave me the small bag of gold coins. But when I learned that I could use it as a deposit on repairing the bridge on a yearly basis I was happy that I had brought extra.

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I'm sure I had been sold on some sly salesmanship on Susan's part, but instead of being insulted. I was actually impressed. That she possesses a strong business sense as well as strong abilities as a craftswoman and mage. She will become a useful tool.

After warning the driver to leave the ox cart on the Havas side of the bridge the driver nodded in agreement and parked the cart. They then began unloading with the men who had walked along beside the cart.

Looking at the sky it still wasn't even noon.

Even for the Earth-me it would be rare to get so much done before lunchtime.

I was actually somewhat reluctant to leave.

There was so much I could still get done.

I lead Susan in the direction of the Inn. I wanted to discuss various things with her. She seemed eager for the same thing and lead her horse to follow my own. Again crossing the bridge, I went first.

I told Susan to view the bowing as I walked across. Her eyes widened and she reluctantly lead her own horse across carefully afterwards.

When we reached the camps stables I untacked Horsey and let Susan stable her horse in a nearby makeshift stall. Leaving the stable area and waving to a few of the families who were milling about in the center of 'camp', Susan finally spoke.

"I will be honest, I'm surprised by how kind you people are."

What do you mean 'you people'?

"Ah well we may be bandits, but we don't mean any harm to anyone. We have a pact not to hurt citizens. The guys sometimes even get paid to protect caravans heading into the bay." I say with a coy smile.

"Right, I had heard that, I'm sorry if that sounded rude." She says biting her lip a bit, I guess it is slightly scary in the center of a bandit camp. Though I saw it as normal I guess the spike fence and painted tents are a little intimidating.

"Well it will be more comfortable to talk inside." I say leading the woman through the door of the Inn.

Degin was already seated.

I introduce him to Susan and he praises me for the rapid work of getting the bridge repairs started. When I glance at the window I notice the men have already removed one plank and were gingerly replacing it with a rough hewn one from the man I had spoken to earlier.

Susan and Degin began talking about the deal we had made. I assume Susan likely thinks 'this man is in charge' but I'll leave it like that for now.

This gives me a chance to draw.

My mom looked somewhat confused when I asked for paper. I must have used the wrong word. It's something I had realized. Sometimes I use words from earth without even realizing.

Tylenol, Bathroom, Paper, etc.

These were all foreign words in this world. What somewhat confuses me is the fact that a lot of stuff still held the same names though. Swords are still called swords, which isn't an easy name to come up with. Common language seems to share root words with English as well.

After using a few other words to describe what I was asking for she finally gave me a pile of thin slabs of wood.

She typically used these when placing orders. Thinking about it this was in fact the only writing material I could think of. The only paper was that which the church or schools used for books, but it was typically made from stretched animal skins. Earth-me called it parchment but it wasn't common.

The slab was slightly whitish, but it was by no means a proper writing surface. I settled with it for now and began etching it with a thin charcoal pencil.

It was actually easier to draw what I wanted than I expected. First I drAw the basic mechanism needed for a Trip hammer. It was extremely basic. Typically run by a waterwheel. But here, theoretically, it could be run by a low level water specialized mage.

Just another handy feature in this world. I'm not sure how long it will take this world to develop a steam engine to run a real power-hammer. But I still drew the mechanism for it on the back side of the slate of wood anyways. No harm piquing her interest.

After that, I draw a few other items.

A plow and seeder. Things completely necessary for my farming reforms.

I also draw something that although unsure I assume would be necessary.

If you follow the river up stream about a mile there is a waterfall about five feet in total height.

I know because my father often trained me there. Thinking about the waterfall training I had seen in so many movies in my memories it felt nostalgic on two fronts.

Right, so the other thing I draw is the basic operation of a canal lock. I was planning on explaining the concept of a canal to Susan once she was done chatting with Degin but that time didn't seem to be soon approaching. So I continue my drawings.

I think it probably only took maybe a half hour to fill the five slabs with illustrations. I had completely focused on my drawing. Even going so far as to write short explanations of how certain objects moved, or how they were attached.

I didn't notice that the conversation between Degin and Susan had waned, and attention was now focused directly on me. All the slates I had once neatly stacked in front of me were instead spread like a deck of cards. Being inspected by the both of them closely.

"This is… " She begins pointing to the explanation for how a steam engine's piston is attached with a rod so it can maintain free movement.

I began to think of an excuse for how I had come up with such a thing but she interrupted my thoughts with something that hadn't even dawned on me. "The language of the builders."

Right I had written all that in English hadn't I? Wait did she say 'builders'?

And anyways do I even know how to read and write anyways?

My mother, seemingly confirming my question grins while asking. "Oh, have you learned to read and write suddenly?"

That way of asking was extremely bizarre but I will ignore it for now with the more important question. Language of the 'builders'? What does that mean? So I decided to just roll the dice and asked. "What is the language of the builders?"

Susan frowns for a moment. Seemingly pondering something other than my question. She gave up on her own questions and began answering mine instead.

"This language was used by the craftsmen guild, long, long ago. It's barely even taught anymore. It's said to be able to describe mechanical and technological things much better than Common. I'm only able to recognize a few of the words but there is no doubt this is it."

I see, it's similar to how Latin is used for naming of animals and the metric system is used for all sciences.

Here English was used for most construction methods and machinery designs. But why?

The only logical explanation would be that there was others like me before. At least one but possibly many since English was spread so readily to even be recognized today. One thing was for sure, they had likely been the cause for the advancement from the forty eight tribes era into the civilized period we now live in.

I surely can't let down my elder.

I must do my utmost to advanced society as well.

Susan believes me when I had explain that I learned it while reading. For some reason even Degin backed up the fact that I was often reading. Which was somewhat strange seeing as in this world I had probably never even held a book much less read one.

It was just as my mother had said earlier, I can't read in this world. Yet now I've inadvertently revealed that i can read and write in a nearly dead secret language.