A DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT; AN INEVITABLE TWO-PRONG ATTACK!

As per his nature, Merchant Kim left the next day, his wagons straining under the weight of pelts, and timber. Griz accompanied him, needing to return to Karst to handle preparations which would play a part in deciding their fate. He also had to make arrangements for his Master Blacksmith, destined on the profitable journey to Frost City.

Chu walked on the well-traveled road leading to the Windmill, the dew still rolling down the corn stalks in the faint light. His industrial complex, soon came into view, shrouded in an early morning mist. On earth, this site might look like antiquities of the past, displayed together, but here in the Empire, he rated it as cutting edge technology.

The towering structure of the windmill loomed over him, while behind it the shadows of the workshop and the large smithy could be seen. Jim and his group cycled between the fields, complex and the forest, their work spread out among this period of the construction boom, but the skeleton of the buildings slowly began to take form.

Puffs of smoke joined the sky, ever since the blacksmith building opened for business. With the wind direction blowing from the south-west, the black smoke from the smithy poses no issue.

"How is it so far?"

"It works great, the only problem happens when we try to stop the windmill from spinning. The locking mechanism tends to wear away fast. The big problem of the mill spinning quickly has been solved. Sally and Old Hodge had us change the cloth to these strips of wood. The slow speed allows for better grinding."

Toll answered.

Chu went outside and took a glance at the new sails. The four of them had now changed into lattice-like wooden sails from the previous cloth one. Besides being more durable, by covering or opening more holes in the frame, the speed of the mill could change and adjust accordingly.

This type of modification had been achieved by a little girl and old man through simple observation and tinkering with a model version.

'Creating the Research Division had to be my best idea ever.'

Chu though as he chatted with Toll. A boy and a girl about Ming's age moved about the mill, scribbling notes onto a piece of parchment. These two had only one job during the day--learn everything about building and running the windmill. Chu had them assigned with Toll and Halter during construction for that very purpose.

"What about that other thing? How far has Dareck progressed in making one?"

Chu asked.

"Boss, to tell the truth, we still have a few kinks to work out. Somehow it jams unexpectedly, last time in the forest, I nearly pissed my pants, facing a charging wild boar. Luckily for me, Miki and Rose fended it off and killed it."

Toll replied apologetically.

Ever since they returned from Karst, Toll spent his weekends in the forest, joining the regular hunting and trapping teams. He had developed a thirst for hunting with a crossbow, and practiced regularly with Miki during evening training. Shine had sworn her husband might even try to practice at night if she left him alone.

"I will have to let him focus his time on it then. Something like this will give us an edge if our negotiations fail. If needed then have the Research Division involved."

Chu said.

After chatting he made his rounds to the workshop buildings to check the progress, and then to the smithy. Senior blacksmith Bon, along with Halter would soon receive their new tokens from the Artisan Guild. Chu had recommended their names along with Dareck to be submitted for the gear inventions.

By next month, Chu would officially have two Master Blacksmiths, and one Master Carpenter working for him. He would also have an unexpected Master Artisan--Old Hodge had also asked him to submit his name. Once news spread from the Guild that he had so many talents under him, willing apprentices would soon flock to his door.

"Hello Master Bon, How is the work today."

Chu asked. After finishing his rounds, combat training came next.

"Good, good, no complaints. Master Griz promised to send two loads of iron ore, from Frost City. That stockpile would last us through winter."

Bon beamed.

Since the Military had interest in the portcullis gear device, Griz had to send his Master blacksmith and apprentices to Frost City. Under the care of the Military, they would build and install the machinery on the needed Forts. They would also train other Master smiths from other Patron Houses since this machine had urgent use.

Anything Chu requested at this moment from Frost City, the Military would ensure it came as quickly as possible, so as to maintain a good standing.

"Great, good job then. I'm going to look at the fields then head back. Can you get the wagon ready for me."

Chu said. Normally he walked, but seeing a boy and girl fixing what looked like a wagon spring, he remembered the comfortable ride.

"Wagon? Did you forget already? Didn't you give it to Merchant Kim and Griz for their return trip home?"

"What?! Those two old coots... Son of a bit*h!"

For a week, Chu moved around in a grumpy state, taking out his anger on the practice dummies in the training ground. Ming and the others knew him well enough to tiptoe around, while Bon kept a wide berth. The only one to draw his wrath had been Doug.

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This group had spent nearly a year on the road, and a month in the Capital. As far as experience on the road and places visited, they had enough to dazzle the villagers for an entire lifetime. They had decided to remain on the farm, secretly hoping that they might gain a high standing among these new recruits.

Unfortunately, they decided to approach Chu to complain about their lodging. The little Boss had sneaked out with her group along with Miki and Rose last night for a hunting session in the forest. They had not returned as yet, probably waiting to hitch a ride with Jim and the lumberjacks.

Thus no one informed Doug about the Big Boss's mood. This led to their current predicament.

"Damnit, we should have stayed in the Capital, rather than return here to face this hard work."

Chong complained.

Presently they had been assigned to work in constructing a huge fenced enclosure, covering about one acre. The fence opened out onto the southern side, like a funnel extending into the grasslands. Within the proposed acre, Clod brought the entire farm one day, having them plant quick bearing vegetables and edible herbs.

"Stop complaining, you should be thankful we are out of sight in this place, otherwise the Boss would grind us to the bone. Clod says he nearly drowned him and Dareck in that new well when they made the mistake of suggesting it after we left."

Singh said, piling a post into the freshly dug hole.

Now only Doug and his group toiled in that lonely place to the south, about four hours walk from the farm. Their only consolation would be the horses assigned for them to ride, along with the sporadic visits by the lumberjack wagon to drop off the boards and posts.

"Man I'm tired, tomorrow I call first dibs on sentry watch in the tower. I can't wait to return, little Boss says she will have some hares waiting for us by the butcher shop."

Doug said, his mouth-watering in anticipation.

Chu did have the group construct a small watchtower to serve as their base and sentry away from the farm. In the late evenings, a group of children from the farm would practice their riding skills, heading out to accompany them on the return trip. Chu allocated two rooms in the dormitory for their use.

That did not stop them from cooking their own food near the western entrance. Close to it, an outdoor fire pit had been constructed. The folks who fought and won the right for night watch duty would frequent their patrols there, simply to eat the roasted meats and vegetables cooked during the night.

Of course, this all depended on the fighter group who scouted the surroundings and made trips into the forest. Jim also earned a reputation in the farm, as many sought to curry favor with him and his lumberjacks. Their snares provided some quality content, ranging from birds to even small deer.

During these sessions, it gave Doug's group the chance to boast and talk about their experience in travel, and the life in the Capital. To the younger men, the group became proof of what they might accomplish in the future, to the older ones like Halter and Bon, this squad of boasters deserved a beating.

'Talking about going into the Headquarters of the Artisan and Merchant Guilds as if walking in the park. Do these fools even realize that is a dream of an Artisan?'

The relaxing atmosphere helped to keep the residents fear down, even when working out in the fencing project. Knowing that capable guards accompanied them eased their minds.

"Man, you guys lived the life."

Today a teen around Clods age worked with them in nailing up the fences. The strapping teen continued chatting freely

"I don't know why you guys returned to this crappy place when you had the chance to run away in the Capital. Sure the food here is good, but besides that, I guess the only other thing would be those sweet girls."

"I have been saying the same thing to Doug, the very same thing!"

Chong complained.

"Exactly, the only thing keeping me here is the eldest daughter of the farmer. If I get a chance with her alone... hehe."

The teen turned, grinning at them evilly.

"You sure have taste, let me tell you, even in the whole Capital, you will find it hard to find a woman like that."

Singh said, sharing a leer with the boy.

"I know, these girls are too stuck up, look at that Dyna, strutting around just because she has those wolves of hers. Anyone can do that if they found some pups. When she grows up, one of these days I'll show her what a real man feels like... hehe"

The teen sneered and walked off.

Chong extended his arm reaching for him from behind, but Doug intervened, walking up beside the teen and patting him on the sturdy shoulders.

"All those thoughts are good, but you should keep them to yourself, waiting until the time to strike."

Doug said while sneering.

They both chuckled together as they further bonded in work.

On the last week of summer, John sent a message delivered from Griz. The representatives from the Capital had arrived, and by next week, Griz expected them to move on the information leaked by him, as well as the corroborating evidence gathered from the Thief's Guild.

Although Chu expected it, he still felt a little tense. The future discussions would decide the fate of his group. Similar to a meeting between rival companies, he felt the butterflies in his stomach. This waiting period usually created the most anxiety.

The last day of summer saw the long tables stretching out from under the tree. This time the feast consisted of soft bread, sweet cakes, jams and bowls of different types of meats. Chu had Bon bring a newly constructed wok and placed it over the outdoor fire. Using selected herbs and seasonings, he stir-fried some meats and vegetables, creating a mouth-watering scene.

"Best birthday ever."

Yin cried along with the other girls as they received those stuffed little animals.

The older men and teens couldn't agree more, Master John had dropped cases of ale in preparation for today. Lots of cheers rang out every time, thanking Amanda and Sakura whenever they passed by, both had been assigned this task by Chu, and staged it brilliantly.

As for the women, they chattered about the wonderful coats, made from the pelts of predators the hunting group defended against while scouting in the forest.

Jill could not believe her luck, also receiving a present from the group. Such a comfortable coat would be worth its weight in gold in the Capital. Even though most of these items found their way into storage chest, whenever these women had to step out into a city, they would be dressed even better than some noble families.

Chu busied himself cooking and laughing with the group of men. All this took his mind off the coming days. He was in the middle of showing Clod how to mix another sauce for the vegetables when Singh came galloping up to the entrance. He jumped down the horse and hurried towards them.

Since the implementation of the Inyoni traps out in the south, one person always kept an eye out near the tower, waiting and watching for any signs of the elusive birds. Chu's plan was to funnel them into the enclosure and trap them. Singh had drawn the short end of the stick, having the bad luck to be out on watch duty today.

"Boss, Boss..."

The young man panted. It was if he had run instead of having ridden the way. Chu indicated for someone to give him some water. After gulping it down, his nerves settled. His heavy breathing and flushed, red face did not dissipate in the least.

"Boss, in the forest, I saw one... "

Singh blurted out.

He reached into his riding cloak and pulled out an object, holding it in his hands.

A small crude, iron dagger, the blade stamped with strange glyphs suddenly took center stage.

Mr Thomas stiffened and exhaled a slow breath. Chu recalled seeing something like these glyphs before in an old book. He remembered it because he had been conducting research on a particular topic.

His biggest problem--these guys picked the worst time to appear.

The Goblins had begun to move.

> End of Book Two.