Two months into Winter, a small convoy arrived for the Trading Post. The village had reverted to its silent and dreary winter ways. The Trading Post tavern was no more. It returned to its original use as a receiving station for trappers, while the once lively surroundings turned deserted.
The two wagon convoy brought supplies for the Lodge. No longer loaded with liquor and supplies for the Military, its main goods consisted of low-grade flour and other foodstuffs. In fact, only one wagon had a load for the stores.
This obviously provided a stark comparison from the last winter's five wagon convoy which regularly made trips out to Karst. The loads in the other wagon in this small procession belonged to a little commoner called Chu. Included in this cargo was a young man.
Master John was quick to get the accompanying man settled. The now silent forge in the village had long been requisitioned. The blacksmith owner had graciously cleaned and prepared everything of use. But before this new visitor could begin work, he had to first meet his new employer.
Mr Thomas and Chu came alone for this weekend trip. The others were too busy using the winter as an excuse to snuggled within their warm blankets. He tried to coax Lucy to come with them, but ever since she returned from the cave she always ventured out on her own.
When he asked she always answered that it was for special training. He did not pick her further since he trusted her judgment. It was more than he could say for another certain someone. That guy had returned to dabbling in pellet making. He shuddered as he cleared his mind to the present.
He reminded Mr Thomas they needed to purchase some healing powder from the Trading Post. Recently he had been putting together different medicines and bandages to make a simple first aid kit. He planned to make some bags and backpacks to carry these essentials. Their wagon already had a large storage box outfitted for this very purpose.
When he moved to the village on earth for his last job, he had spent a few days hiking in the surrounding hills with the locals. By feeding on this limited but slightly fresher memory and combining it with Mr Thomas adventuring experiences, he planned to create a backpack containing survival supplies. This would be for their use exclusively.
The young Dareck met his new employer in one of the Lodge rooms. The old man leaked out an aura of dominance. Such was to be expected from a person the patron spoke highly about.
"Where are you from young man?"
"I am from a small town outside of Haven. Master Griz is my Smithy's Patron. I am an apprentice under Master Borak and moved along with him to Karst."
Dareck answered.
He was humble when facing this old man.
"An apprentice?! What level?"
"I am Master Borak's junior apprentice sir."
The young man turned red as a forge as he continued. He had heard the sharpness and slight disappointment in Mr Thomas's voice.
"Please do not hold my Master responsible for this. Even if my Seniors did not want to move to this place, my Master would have sent them once the Patron demanded. It was the Patron himself who selected me to be sent here."
At this point, Chu tugged on Mr Thomas sleeve.
To an observer, it looked akin to a boy begging for candy from his old man.
"What's this thing about apprentices? What's the deal here?"
Mr Thomas gave a glance at Dareck and offered an explanation.
The blacksmiths, weapon-makers, and even tailors were all registered under one Guild named the Artisan Guild. This was the place that helped promote skilled workers and helped them earn valuable aid.
Blacksmiths were either self-sufficient or supported under a Patron. Those under a Patron worked exclusively for them, allowing the Patron to promote and sell their products.
Large Merchant families all had their own blacksmiths to lower cost and bring in additional wealth. Because of the high cost of startup, this arrangement was usually reserved for the richer families in the cities.
Blacksmiths tended to pass on their skills to the next generation, but they usually took in as many apprentices that they could. In the event, they found a skilled apprentice the trade was passed on to them instead.
Senior apprentices were the ones most destined to carry on the legacy and were undoubtedly the most skilled. No blacksmith would part with their cream of the crop. Junior apprentices conversely were a blacksmith in name only.
For the price of learning the basic trade, their job was mostly to clean and take care of the menial everyday task. The legacy or certain ways of making that Smithy's main product was not divulged to them.
"So they are treated essentially as servants then?"
Chu asked.
Mr Thomas glanced at the young man before replying.
"You really need to get out of this little hole. A junior apprentice is always nothing more than a servant and treated a little better than a slave.
Most junior apprentices either live out their lives like that or make their way to the villages like this one to etch out a living. I can bet you all the gold coins I ever made that the guy who owns the Smithy here was once some junior apprentice."
"Then what about the other Senior apprentices? Don't they clash for leadership?"
Mr Thomas snorted.
"If a Smithy is prospering there is no reason to have more than one Master Blacksmith, especially if they are working for a Patron. If a Senior apprentice leaves a Smithy, it is either to work for himself in the city or work under a new Patron. These guys tend to be gobbled up and worked to death under the Artisan Guild also."
While the two were carrying on their conversation, Junior apprentice Dareck was turning more and more red. Mr Thomas turned to him an asked.
"So how did we end up with you then?"
One look at Chu and Mr Thomas knew the boy was pissed. He was expecting a skilled craftsman and ended up with a rookie assistant.
Dareck fumbled inside his patched shirt and produced a crumpled letter. He could see the look of disappointment on the man's face. What he did not observe was where the source of unhappiness originated. The last thing he wanted was to be forced to return to the town.
Something like that would only be a mark of shame to both the Patron and the Master of the Smithy he worked near his whole life. He was trying to think of some way to convince the man when he suddenly remembered something important.
"Patron Griz sent this letter over. He said it was for the brat...I mean Master Chu."
Dareck handed the letter over with respect to Mr Thomas. He could not believe he nearly insulted his new boss. Such words should only be used among friends of the same level of standing. The old man however simply took the letter and handed it over to the little boy at his side.
The kid promptly scanned it and then broke the seal. Four gold coins dropped out from the opened document. After a moment he handed the letter to Mr Thomas. He shamefully pocketed the money in front of Dareck's googling eyes.
The letter was short and obviously meant for it's intended reader...
'The young man is not skilled but has been with the Smithy for ten years. He knows his way around a forge and most important he is very honest, has no family and is a sucker for following instructions from his superiors. Master smith Borak has even sworn to this by your favorite medium: gold.
You are well aware of how far a man can live on four gold coins. This person is slow-witted but is also an honest, hard worker. I know you will be happy so I cannot live with myself in good conscience if I don't burst that swelling head of yours.
P.S. You owe me four gold coins but keep it. What's a little money between friends. By the way, all the deeds to the lands acquired have been changed to double ownership. I will not demand anything, but at least half of what you are planning should be mine. Take note there has been some new bandit activity around the villages to the south-east of you. Tell John to give the merchants using that route a heads up.'
Mr Thomas laughed when he finished.
"Hahaha...Even though Griz might have made a small fortune, there is no reason for a man like that to shed a piece of copper to a kid from the slums. Brat, take it from me, Merchants don't go sharing money willy-nilly. That guy is going to make sure he milks you like a cow."
"Damn man is even more greedy than me."
Chu grumbled as he decided to vent on the young man sitting before them.
"Get your belongings, you are going to stay in the village home. Heaven alone knows if Griz has John keeping a tab on us using the Lodge to bunk."
Dareck was stunned as the small kid begun to rant and then dropped an order. He turned to Mr Thomas while glancing at the boy. Kids should at least show respect to their elders. He was even more peeved when the boy casually insulted his Patron.
"Beg your pardon sir, but the Patron specifically instructed me to only take orders from you Master Chu."
Mr Thomas gave him the look as he was staring at an idiot. He then remembered that they did not really introduce themselves in the beginning. He scowled as he saw the brat beside him give that signature wry smile.
"Kid, My name is Mr Thomas and like you, I work for the same person you called Master Chu."
Dareck could only stare at the man.
"Then when will I meet the new master?"
The door suddenly slammed open as a panting John stumbled in.
"Boss Chu we got it, both the ore and the ship guide box. Four gold, the cost is four gold towards the Trading Post winter accounts. Hahaha!... I am going to be the most profitable Master in the surrounding villages for the Company. When Master Griz eventually moves to the city, I will be a shoo-in for the position in Karst!"
"Oh, so I finally got the compass? I mean the guide box? Here take these four gold pieces, make sure to tell Griz that it was spent on this purchase for our shared business and that I did not personally receive any gifts of money. He thus owes me four gold on a compound interest of five coppers per week. It works both ways you know, he can't promise money without the accompanying interest."
It was at the middle of Spring when Chu had ordered for this crude compass. Only now did he finally come to possess it. Perfect timing no less because he also had a cave to explore.
"Brat what's this compound interest, I have a feeling the last Money lender I dealt with scammed me."
Mr Thomas asked as he saw John still shuddering and then grabbing the door-frame for support. The young man's wobbling legs nearly giving way from the previously shocking words.
This 'compound interest' seemed to cause a mighty reaction from the known miser.
"Not much its..."
"Wait who are you?"
Dareck spoke up suddenly as his slow brain picked up something of major importance.
"What do you mean who is he? That's your new Boss, Master Chu."
John answered.
"Eh?"
Dareck mouth dropped as he registered the information.
"Eh?"
John muttered as he gave Chu a weird look before continuing
"What's with this guy you ordered, he defective?"
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The next day Chu whistled and skipped through a light snow drizzle on his way to the Smithy. Mr. Thomas walked beside him holding in his hands some rolled up parchments in a small bag. The two bore a stark contrast to the dismal and near-deserted streets.
They had returned to the farm where the boy spent his time scribbling and scrawling for nearly half the night. He did not understand what drove the boy to such lengths under the dim candlelight.
Chu entered the Smithy like a typical boss. The few years of work in an office and his interactions with business people gave him a confident air. Like an experienced supervisor, he gave a nod to his new subordinate and made a quick inspection.
"Good day Mr Chu. I have already cleaned the workplace and had all our materials stocked in the small storage shed. Last night I started the forge, it should be ready soon for work."
"Good Morning. You can skip the formalities and call me Chu or boss."
Dareck placed the broom on the side and reported to Chu. He had dropped off his belongings at the house and spent the entire night here in the smithy. According to him, the forge needed time to restart until the temperature was suitable for 'striking iron'.
Chu had not the foggiest idea what he was talking about. He left him to do as he pleased. A good supervisor was one who worked on his subordinates strengths. Proper allocation of labor was a key to efficient job completion.
He called over Dareck to a small table and laid out the parchments containing some sketches and little worded scribbles.
"This is going to be our first project. Once completed all we have to do is iron out a few kinks and we can sell the idea. If you are worth my trust, then you will be one of the few chosen to follow me in the future."
He chuckled inwardly at his little joke.
The first invention Chu decided to go with was a simple well pump. The workings were not complex and he remembered actually using one when he lived out in the country. Using trial and error he hoped to bring it to reality in this world.
Once it was built he would test it out in the farm and work out any modifications needed. As long as he could get a working model, he was sure Griz would be able to sell it to the Empire. It was after all a high-tech invention for this age.
Currently, well water was drawn by the old-fashioned rope bucket. In those noble houses they moved it by using slave or servant labor. This invention was suitable for release in this time. He felt ashamed because it was also one of the few inventions he could sketch out a complete diagram.
"How long do you want this pipe? Is it for a stack like the one over the forge?"
Chu inspected the pipe Dareck pointed at before speaking.
"It should be about twelve feet. We can cut it after to suit the site. I preferred it to be one solid pipe and not like that chimney. It should definitely not be a flat plate rounded into a tube and held
together by rivets."
The smokestack was constructed out of a piece of iron sheeting that had then undergone some pounding into a cylinder. It was then crudely riveted together. The three to four feet cylinders were then fitted into each other at the ends to make the long stack.
After yesterday Dareck made sure to treat this young kid with respect. Whether he liked it or not the boy was actually his boss.
"Beg your pardon Mr Chu, I mean Chu, but I am afraid we cannot make such a thing. This forge is a simple one designed to handle a menial task like bending iron or hammering out kinks.
The work you are calling for requires a Master forge made for smelting and molding iron. Even then it takes weeks to prepare a mold and hammer out the final product."
Chu felt his world shudder on the brink of collapse.
"What the heck are you talking about?"
***
Chu returned to the village home in a dejected manner. He did not bring all the plans for the pump that day. Being on the cautious side, he was hoping to construct the parts and then try to piece them together by himself at the barn.
That way he could safeguard his intellectual property rights until he trusted Dareck. Who knew he would end up being stonewalled even before he actually started. Only after spending the entire morning with the junior smith did he actually learn his limit.
'Making horseshoes was not exactly what I had in mind.'
He did get a bout of inspiration at the end and made out another set of drawings for Dareck to work on. It surprised him that such trivial things were not in use in the Empire. He could only imagine the possibilities of what was going to happen when he released this crude invention.
"Elder, can you check with John and see if he has those tree saws for sale? I want another one for our use. When Dareck gets our materials he might need hand tools, let John purchase it through our Company."
Chu moved his finger to his lips as he was thinking.
"Aren't you afraid he would take things and run?"
The question only brought a laugh from the boy.
"Ahem, Elder look around you. First only a madman would decide to steal those heavy loads from a forge and brave the winter in no man's land. Second and more importantly, I just asked you to let John spend out Merchant money to buy things for the guy."
Mr Thomas nodded as he understood. He was worried that the young man had plenty of leeway since they lived some distance away. In the event of they being stranded by a snowstorm or other means at the barn, the young man could grab anything of value and run.
He never took into consideration the Master of the Trading Post.
Even though John was the Master, he still was a shareholder in the merchant company consisting of Chu as one of the partners if not the most important partner. A scrooge like John would never allow someone to take advantage or worse rob them.
Out here in this village, that guy moved like a miserly lord. One could only imagine his reaction if he was scammed.
The boy grinned as he witnessed the man having a glimpse of understanding.
"Remember Elder, we will not be confined to this place. It will be, however, our stronghold. Soon with a little push from us, Griz will stake a claim in Limerock. John naturally has to fill the void in Karst.
In such a future scenario, anyone wishing to deal or conversely harm us from the Empire has to trek through our turf. There is no way we can be caught by surprise."
Chu left Thomas with his mouth open as they trudged along the snow-filled road. The old man never expected the kid to plan so far ahead. The little brat was truly unfathomable.
Chu made a brief visit to the house before leaving.
"Mrs May, I need some quilts large and thick enough to seal out a wall this big. If I can get it in one piece it would be perfect. Also, Dareck will be a tenant here until his probation time is up. Please ensure his everyday needs are taken care of."
Mrs May nodded as she replied.
"No problem Boss Chu. We have enough food and firewood to more than cover the rest of the winter. Any more and these scoundrels would begin to get fat and lazy. Even if we have to work at night the quilts will be done long before you need us for the fields."
Chu smiled at her reply. Mrs. May was a dedicated worker and a hard taskmaster.
At the moment there were three girls and two older couples who were busy in the main room sorting and handling those rags. The village home now had a total of ten tenants working for food and board.
"Next week I am going to be bringing some wood blocks for Dareck to use in the Smithy. He is going to need some extra help there to do some fine work and smoothing. Get some helpers for him, that work will take priority."
Before she could answer, her husband Jim came into the kitchen to join them. Evidently, he had overheard them talking.
"Boss, let me and the other two old guys help the smith. I promise we will not disappoint you. Hopefully, I can do more than stringing needles with my shaking hands waiting for Spring. I prefer working in the forge."
Chu looked at the expectant faces of the other two men. He sighed and turned to the woman.
"Mrs. May is your immediate boss in the village. She will decide how to allocate the work. Some of the future work may need small and stable hands, so the girls may be necessary. Talk to Dareck to find out how much help he needs."
Chu left after giving some added instructions.
Mr Thomas looked at the boy sitting beside him on the wagon on their way home. Sometimes he would snicker and then calm himself only to cycle through that kind of disturbing scene.
"What the heck is wrong with you?"
He finally had to ask.
The boy was in the middle of a chuckle when Mr Thomas inquired turning the laugh into a coughing fit.
"Ahem, what is it?"
"What the hell are you so happy for. I was sure you were ready to cry when the smith busted your plans."
Chu grinned as he replied
"Elder, elder. No matter the setback, I will never give up in this world. Sure I was ready to slap Dareck back to Karst but in the end, he opened another door. In fact, I believe that come next winter our little merchant company is going to make it big. Really, really big!"
Chu rubbed his hands as he thought of all the possibilities opening up. He had seen too many fantasies and medieval times movies from all different cultures not to know the many uses of this simple piece of machinery.
What was perfect was that this civilization had not even thought of implementing it on a widespread scale. Maybe somewhere they had begun to use it without understanding its real value but to the senile inventor like him, it was a boon from heaven.
How stupid of him to rack his brains thinking about complex inventions when he should have focused on where exactly this world was in terms of technology.
In an Empire that resembled the middle ages of the past world, it was the simple inventions that paved the way for the more complex ones of the Renaissance age.
For Heaven's sake, the people here still told time using a sundial. According to Mr Thomas, the Military used banded candles at night to estimate time to the nearest hour. Maybe only the Tower Mages had access to an hourglass for their needs.
The Empire was on the brink of an age of enlightenment and he was going to capitalize on it before someone else did.
'Blatant Plagiarism!'
"Mr Thomas, do you know what a Gear is?"
Even an idiot like Chu could think of uses for this simple machine.
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