Feeling slightly more capable of navigating, Dellen set out to find Lumina’s Aetheric Atelier. Gilgamesh stayed behind to explore the Northcote Estate.

Leaving his estate on foot, Dellen was immediately beset by the sight of the moving cityscape. It occurred to him that perhaps a guide would be a sensible precaution; a group of scruffy boys walked nearby.

“You, lads, can one of you escort me to Lumina’s Aetheric Atelier?”

One of the boys looked at a distant tower. “Would have been quicker about an hour ago, mister.”

“You’ll do just fine,” Dellen said and flipped the boy a sovereign.

“Yes, sir.” He said. “Name’s Toby.” Toby had a mischievous glint in his eyes and a wide grin spread across a dirt-smudged face. He led Dellen as he darted to a narrow alleyway. “We need to be quick; if we miss the next bridge, we’ll be all day getting there.”

They passed through a small but bustling market district that appeared to serve the noble houses established on the same cog as Dellen’s family estate.

From there, they crossed a gear-powered drawbridge that spanned the drop between cogs. This brought them to an artisan’s quarter, where works of metal, wood and glass were on display.

Dellen could not help but notice that the cog felt… worn. Buildings showed signs of age, with repair jobs made from mismatched metals and welds. “Was there a fire here?”

Toby glanced at him, “No m’lord, do you not leave Aurum Heights often?” He sounded hesitant, “A lot of the city looks like this.”

Five minutes of walking later, Toby took him to the edge of another cog and stopped.

“And now?” Dellen said.

Toby shrugged. “We need to wait; we’re not connected to the right cog yet.”

After five minutes of standing on the enormous tooth of a cog, watching the city spin by, Toby said, “Ah, there it is. The Aetherspark Quarter. Follow me.”

Toby stepped from one cog to another, and Dellen followed.

“We’re almost there.” He said, leading Dellen deeper onto the cog.

Four streets later, Toby said, “Look,” and pointed.

At first, Dellen didn’t see it. There was a small sign, almost lost between two grand and impressive establishments. The store’s exterior was a humble affair, with brick walls and a tarnished copper sign.

In contrast, its neighbours boasted impressive facades and displays of wealth. The door to Lumina’s Aetheric Atelier was made of sturdy, dark wood, reinforced with iron bands and a formidable-looking lock, giving a sense of security to the otherwise mundane storefront.

Dellen flipped Toby another sovereign and said, “Please wait here, I might have work for you yet.”

Stepping inside, Dellen was surprised to find the interior was immaculate, with gleaming wooden floors and polished brass fittings reflecting the warm glow of the gaslights. Carefully arranged display cases showcased a variety of intriguing devices, each accompanied by a handwritten or typed card detailing its specifications and purpose.

The walls were lined with shelves that held an assortment of books, schematics, and decorative items. Some of the curios seemed to be functional, while others appeared to be purely decorative.

“Lord Northcote,” said a woman from behind him, “What an unexpected surprise. I’m not sure how many years it’s been since you crossed this threshold.”

Dellen’s pulse quickened. He knew this person, or this person knew him. He placed a faint smile on his lips to hide his ignorance and spun around.

Before him was a woman with a striking appearance, long wavy auburn hair, and emerald eyes that sparkled with curiosity and intelligence. She wore a long-sleeved green blouse fitted at the waist and an ankle-length skirt.

“What was the last thing you bought here?” Lumina tapped at her chin. “Ah yes, the Aether compass. I did warn you to tell your father that it is quite useless, except in rather extraordinary circumstances. All sales are final.”

“I have no complaints about the compass,” Dellen said.

“In that case, what has brought you to my humble atelier today? Is there a custom piece that you want?”

“I’m looking for information; I want to know more about becoming an aetherforged.”

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Lumina’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Now, what would you be wanting with that? It smacks of hard work and industry. Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“It’s a new interest,” Dellen said.

“Well, at least you’re gainfully occupied. Well, trying to be,” She said. “It’s nice to see that in a noble.”

“Do you have information for me?”

“No.” Lumina paused a moment before shaking her head. “You could try the Artificer’s Anvil; there might be someone there who knows a bit more than me. Really, the people to see would be the Aetheric Cultivators, but their information may not come as freely. They tend to want people to join their organization.”

“The Artificer’s Anvil,” Dellen repeated under his breath.

“Thank you, Lumina, it was a pleasure.” He tipped his head in her direction and stepped out the door.

“Toby,” Dellen called out. “Do you want another sovereign?”

Toby appeared out of seemingly nowhere. “Yes, m’lord, I believe I could see fit to be of assistance.”

“I want to go to visit the Artificer’s Anvil.”

Toby looked at him and, for once, seemed surprised. “The Artificer’s Anvil.” He added a belated “M’lord.” A few moments later. “Ah, well.” He dragged the words out. “It’s more like a junkyard for broken parts.”

Dellen just looked at him.

Toby held up his hands. “Not meaning to question you, m’lord, if that’s where you want to go, that’s where I’ll take you.”

“Splendid.”

They continued through the city, Toby leading him through a maze of alleys and streets before reaching the edge of the gear and navigating across a series of shifting bridges.

“Here we are, m’lord,” Toby said, a touch of pride in his voice. “I don’t think anyone could have got you here faster.” He looked up. “Well, maybe one of those carriages.” He trailed off momentarily, his gaze pointing toward the city’s outskirts, “But no one on foot.”

“You did very well.” Dellen flipped him another sovereign; wait for me, please. He turned to face the building.

The Artificer’s Anvil was a large, dilapidated building, its exterior covered in various metal parts, some of which seemed to have a life of their own. The front door was wide open, revealing a chaotic interior filled with piles of mechanical debris and the faint sound of hammering echoing from within.

It was noticeably louder inside. The clang of hammers, the whir of gears, and the hiss of steam competed to dominate the space. The air smelled of oil and hot metal, and the atmosphere buzzed with energy.

The interior of the Anvil was vast, with shelves that stretched to the ceiling, bursting with forgotten parts. Where the shelves ended, there were mounds of parts, a frozen wave made from metal. There were even small animals making their homes amidst the debris, Dellen was sure that he saw an octopus squeeze by.

Despite the disarray, the Artificer’s Anvil teemed with activity. Artisans and mechanics bustled about, rummaging through the heals of parts in search of the perfect piece for their projects. Apprentices hurried after masters, carrying trays of tools and materials, their faces smeared with grease.

In the centre of the workshop, a large scarred workbench stood, surrounded by various stations dedicated to different crafts: a forge for metalwork, a lathe for shaping wood, and an area for assembling delicate clockwork. Dellen’s fingers itched to try the tools for himself.

A group of women huddles around a table, discussing the finer points of aetheric resonance while pointing at a blueprint unrolled before them. Nearby, a burly blacksmith hammered away at a glowing piece of steel, metal sparks flying with every strike. A young woman with goggles atop her head adjusted minuscule gears within a pocket watch.

A young man, no older than eighteen, approached Dellen; he wore a burn-scarred leather apron and a pair of glasses.

“Excuse me, sir,” he said, wiping his hands on a rag. “What brings you to the Anvil today?”

“I’m looking for any aetherforged artisans that might be employed here.”

“Oh, well then,” the young man said through pursed lips, “I’m ah, not sure if we have anyone who can help you.” He frowned, then brightened, “I’ll take you to Ms. Thornwood. She’ll know.” He led Dellen through the workshop, weaving around and occasionally stopping for the busy artisans and their projects.

They arrived at a small office tucked away in the corner of the Anvil, where two women were locked in a heated discussion. One of the women, middle-aged with a stern face and her hair pulled back in a bun, gestured at blueprints that Dellen thought were for an airship engine. The young woman, presumably her assistant, countered her arguments.

After waiting several minutes for a lull in the conversation, Dellen cleared his throat. “Excuse me; I don’t mean to interrupt.”

“Then don’t.” Said the one Dellen took to be Ms. Thornwood.

They continued for another five minutes before coming to an agreement.

“What did you want?” Said Ms. Thornwood.

“I’m looking for an aetherforged artisan.” Dellen said.

Both women gave him a strange look. “That’s oddly specific. Is there something you think an aetherforged craftsman could do better?” Her expression darkened, “Or do you just want the prestige of having a piece in your home created by an aetherforged?”

“Neither,” Dellen said. “I’d like their advice. I’m finding it hard to locate information on how to become an aetherforged. I’d like to speak to someone who has already accomplished it.”

Ms. Thornwood squinted at him like she was seeing a new species for the first time. “I think most of the artisans I know who’ve forged a body part managed it through a combination of dumb luck and incredible stupidity. It isn’t something to be undertaken lightly.”

Dellen nodded, “I’m not afraid of a little danger.”

Ms. Thornwood rubbed her forehead, muttered to herself, and averted her gaze to the ceiling for a minute. “Fine, I will check in with any craftsmen I know that I think there is an outside chance might be helpful. Can you come back in…” She shrugged, “Maybe a week or so?”

“A week or so?” Dellen said. “Fine.” He nodded. “Can you recommend anyone or anywhere else where I might find that information?”

Ms. Thornwood looked at him as one might a rather slow child. “Has it not already occurred to you to visit the Aetheric Cultivators?”

“I was hoping to find information that would hopefully not cost quite so much.”

“We all have choices to make. Now, if you don’t mind, I,” She paused to look at his clothes, “Have work to do. I trust you can see yourself out.”

Dellen stepped out of the Artificer’s anvil and found himself torn; going to the Aetheric Cultivators was likely his best way of learning what he sought, however, he didn’t want to be beholden to anyone.

The sound of an explosion tore through the air. It came from the east, then came another from the north. A string of explosions rocked through the city in all directions. The horrified screams of people accompanied the cacophony of destruction. The ground beneath him stuttered and shook.