Chapter 17: A Heavy Bargain
Alden woke the next morning with an unease that lingered from the strange events of the previous day. He couldn't shake the image of that beam of light, shooting into the sky like some celestial signal. It had felt important—dangerously so. And even as the morning sun filtered through his window, the weight of the discovery hung heavy in his chest.
He hurried through his morning routine, already planning to return to the hidden valley to investigate further. However, as he made his way toward the estate's entrance, Bran appeared, rushing toward him.
"Young master, there's trouble," Bran said, his face pale.
Alden's heart sank. "What kind of trouble?"
Before Bran could respond, a small group of finely dressed men on horseback rode up to the estate. At the front of the group was a tall man in a polished military uniform, his face stern and sharp. The others behind him wore simple black cloaks, though their posture radiated authority. Alden could see the unmistakable seal of the royal capital emblazoned on the chest of the military officer.
"Lord Alden Harroway?" the man at the front called, his voice commanding but not unkind.
Alden stepped forward, his mind racing. "I am Alden Harroway. How can I help you?"
The man dismounted with a swift motion and strode toward him, his boots crunching on the gravel. "Captain Rothermere of the King's Special Envoy," he said, pulling off his gloves with an air of professionalism. "We understand you may have found something… unusual. Something that fell from the sky."
Alden's stomach twisted. How had they known? He hadn't told anyone, and Bran had sworn to keep quiet.
"I—" Alden hesitated, realising there was no use denying it. "Yes. I found something."
Rothermere's eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded. "Good. We'll take it from here."
Before Alden could protest, the rest of the group dismounted, and two men in black cloaks began walking toward the hills in the direction of the hidden valley. It was clear they knew exactly where to go. Alden's pulse quickened, and his instincts screamed that something was off.
"You can't just—" he began, but Rothermere cut him off with a raised hand.
"Lord Harroway," Rothermere said, his voice low and careful, "this matter is beyond the scope of local interests. What you found is of national concern. There are forces at play here that you would be wise not to interfere with."
Alden clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him. He had worked so hard to study the object, to try to understand it. And now, in an instant, it was being ripped from his hands.
"What is it?" Alden asked, his voice betraying a hint of desperation. "What did I find? You must know something about it."
Rothermere's gaze flickered, but he did not answer. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a leather pouch. He tossed it to Alden, who caught it out of instinct. The weight of the pouch was unmistakable—gold.
"This should be more than enough compensation for your troubles," Rothermere said, his tone firm. "Consider this the end of your involvement."
Alden's hands tightened around the pouch, his mind spinning. They were trying to silence him. Buy his silence. The reality of it hit him like a blow to the chest. Whatever this object was, it was valuable—so valuable that the royal capital had sent an envoy to retrieve it, and they didn't want anyone else to know about it. Not even the person who had found it.
Rothermere turned to walk back toward his horse, and Alden felt a surge of anger. "You can't just take it," he called after the captain, his voice shaking. "That object… it's part of my research. I—"
"You would do well to let this go," Rothermere interrupted, his voice colder now. "Take the money and move on with your life. Trust me when I say this is not something you want to be involved in."
Alden's jaw clenched, but he knew there was no point in arguing further. These men had come prepared, and the royal seal they bore meant there would be no recourse, no appealing to higher authorities. The object was as good as gone.
Within moments, the men who had gone to retrieve the object returned, carrying it on a cloth-draped litter between them. The metallic surface still pulsed faintly, though its light seemed diminished. They were careful not to let anyone get too close, as if they feared it might explode—or worse.
Rothermere mounted his horse once more, offering Alden a final, curt nod. "You're a clever man, Lord Harroway. Use that cleverness to keep yourself out of trouble."
With that, the envoy turned and rode away, the men carrying the object following closely behind. Alden stood there in stunned silence, his mind whirling. The pouch of gold felt heavy in his hands, a cruel reminder of the power he had just lost.
As the dust of the departing horses settled, Bran approached, his face a mix of confusion and concern. "What was that about? What did they take?"
Alden's fingers clenched around the pouch. "They took everything, Bran. Everything."
Days passed, and though Alden now had a significant sum of money from the royal envoy, it felt hollow. His dream of studying the strange object, of unlocking the secrets of its power, had been torn away before he had even begun. The research, the possibilities—it was all gone.
But Alden wasn't the type to give up easily. He had been denied a path forward before, in his old life and now in this one. The key, he realised, wasn't just about what he had found. The knowledge that the object existed was power in itself.
He would use the money they had given him, not as a bribe to forget, but as a way to build a foundation for the future. If the royal capital was this eager to seize such an artefact, it meant there were others—other objects, other forces at play in this world that could be harnessed. He didn't need to rely on the object they had taken; he needed to dig deeper, to understand this world better.
He would build his laboratory, establish a network of contacts, and gather resources. Genetics was still his passion, and now, with this newfound wealth, he had the means to pursue it on his own terms. But he would also begin to learn more about magic—its roots, its connection to the stars, and how it intertwined with the physical world.
If they thought they had silenced him, they were wrong. This was only the beginning.
Alden turned toward the estate's horizon, his heart no longer burdened by regret but fuelled by a renewed sense of purpose. This world still held mysteries, and he would find a way to unlock them—one way or another.
In his hands, he held both gold and the lingering determination to reshape this world, much like the stars above that had first called him to his destiny.
Chapter 18: Laying the Foundations
Alden stood in the wide clearing near the edge of the estate, his mind buzzing with anticipation. This spot, nestled just beyond the farmlands but close enough to the estate for supplies, would be the perfect place to build his laboratory. It wasn't much now—just a flat patch of earth bordered by trees—but in his mind's eye, it was already teeming with activity.
Though the mysterious object was gone, its absence had not broken his resolve. If anything, it had sharpened his focus. He would move forward, build his own research space, and lay the foundations for a new science in this world.
But first, he needed a plan.
Returning to his room that evening, Alden sat at his desk, grabbed a piece of parchment, and began writing a list. He drew on his knowledge of genetics and biology from his previous life but tempered it with the constraints of the medieval technology surrounding him. No microscopes, no automated equipment—at least, not yet. He would have to get creative.
List for Laboratory Construction:1. Tools and Equipment
Basic Cutting and Measuring Instruments: Scalpels, scissors, small blades, tweezers, rulers. These could be commissioned from the local blacksmith. The quality might not match modern standards, but with precise instruction, they could produce tools fine enough for his needs.
Magnifying Glasses: While microscopes were far beyond the technology of this world, magnifying glasses were within reach. He had already seen merchants selling lenses for reading; he could obtain or commission higher-grade lenses for detailed work. He'd need them to study plants and, eventually, cells.
Flasks and Beakers: Glassware would be essential. Fortunately, the local glassblowers had a decent skill level. They could produce simple flasks and beakers to hold various solutions, plant specimens, and other organic materials. He would need to be mindful of the fragility of the glass and ensure he had plenty of spares.
Clay and Metal Containers: Some experiments, particularly those involving heating or chemical reactions, would require heat-resistant materials. Clay pots and metal containers could serve as makeshift equipment for more rudimentary tasks, like fermenting solutions or mixing plant extracts.
2. Storage and Workspace
Shelves and Cabinets: His research would require a clean, organized space for storing plants, seeds, and tools. Local carpenters could construct sturdy wooden shelves and cabinets to store samples, equipment, and notes.
Workbenches: Flat, stable surfaces were essential. He needed plenty of room to work—whether dissecting plants, recording observations, or simply organizing seeds.
Drying Racks: Since much of his early experimentation would be with plants, drying and preserving specimens would be important. He could have the carpenters build racks for drying leaves, stems, and seeds.
3. Environmental Control
Temperature-Controlled Chambers: Here, Alden's modern understanding would meet the challenges of this world's limitations. He needed a way to regulate temperature for certain experiments—particularly for seed germination and cultivation. With careful instruction, he could fashion insulated wooden crates or chambers lined with clay to maintain a more stable environment.
Natural Light vs. Controlled Light: The greenhouse concept came to mind, but full-scale glasshouses were out of the question. Instead, he'd experiment with constructing a small space with adjustable panels to control light exposure. He could manipulate light with cloth coverings or thin wooden shutters to mimic natural cycles for plants.
4. Seeds and Specimens
Drought-Resistant Crops: This was one of his major goals. He needed to start with local grains, legumes, and vegetables—collecting seeds from the hardiest crops and using selective breeding to develop strains better suited to this world's harsher climate.
Herbs and Medicinal Plants: He would gather various medicinal herbs. Many of the local plants had magical properties, but Alden was more interested in their biological effects. With selective breeding and careful study, he might uncover new applications.
Soil Samples: His experiments with the mysterious object had shown that soil could be transformed in strange ways. Though that particular soil was now out of his reach, he could still begin experimenting with different soil types from around the estate to optimize growth.
5. Alchemy Tools and Techniques
Herbal Extracts and Potions: Though Alden's approach to genetics was grounded in science, he understood that alchemy was a prominent field in this world. He could adopt some of their techniques—like distillation and extraction—to create potions, balms, or even plant-based elixirs to assist his work. This wouldn't require much—only a distillation apparatus, which he could have fashioned by a skilled craftsman.
Incubation Chambers: Alchemists often used heat in their experiments, and Alden could adapt this for more scientific purposes. He'd start by using controlled heating sources, like enclosed hearths, to create incubation spaces for seeds or biological specimens.
6. Scientific Notes and Record Keeping
Parchment and Ink: Detailed records would be vital. Alden planned to document every step, every failure, and every success meticulously. He would need large amounts of parchment and ink for detailed observations, diagrams, and eventually, publications.
A Code System: To keep his work from prying eyes, Alden considered devising a personal code. He would encode his notes with symbols or languages from his previous life. This would ensure his most sensitive discoveries remained hidden until he was ready to share them.
7. Animal Specimens/Small Animals for Study: While his focus was primarily on plants, Alden was also curious about the fauna of this world. Selective breeding of livestock, or even smaller animals like rabbits or chickens, could lead to breakthroughs in their biology. He would need enclosures for these animals—nothing too elaborate, but secure enough to prevent escapes.
8. Laboratory Assistants/Local Helpers: Alden couldn't do everything alone. He would need trustworthy assistants to help him in the lab, whether it was recording data, preparing specimens, or simply helping with physical tasks like cleaning and organizing. Training them in the basics would take time, but it would pay off in the long run.
With the list in front of him, Alden allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. This wasn't going to be easy, and he knew that much of it would require time and effort, not to mention clever improvisation. But this was his start—his first step toward bringing a scientific revolution to this world.
He folded the parchment and tucked it into his satchel. The next step was putting it all into motion. He had the gold, the drive, and now a plan.
The following days were spent traveling to local towns and villages, commissioning the tools and equipment he needed. The blacksmiths were perplexed by his requests for such fine instruments, and the glassblowers shook their heads at the idea of making beakers and flasks to such specific dimensions. But with enough money and persistence, they began working on Alden's orders.
The carpenters were more straightforward—wooden benches, shelves, and drying racks were easily understood and quickly made. Still, Alden spent hours overseeing their work, ensuring that everything was precise and up to his standards.
The estate's farmers, now used to Alden's strange requests and methods, watched with mild amusement as he experimented with various soils, adjusting irrigation techniques, and testing how plants responded to the smallest of changes. Though many still regarded his ideas with skepticism, there was a quiet respect growing for his relentless drive.
Weeks passed, and slowly but surely, the lab began to take shape. It wasn't grand—not yet—but it was a start.
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GOT IT