We arrived hours earlier than expected, everybody especially our horses were beyond exhausted. I don't know what I was expecting when I came to the dwarf city state but this seems about right. Taking advantage of their surroundings the gnomes created a pretty impressive water-powered gate-system, and as we passed the gate it became astoundingly obvious that it's a combination of water-powered and clockwork technologies. Water diverted from the river into a system of pipes that lead to the gate mechanism. There there could be a water wheel or a hydraulic system. As water flows through the mechanism it exerts pressure on pistons or gears, causing them to move and lift the gates. At least that's what I thought.
As we entered the city state, the streets were busy with variaty of little men and women of at most 3-4 feet chattering and going about their businesses. Surprisingly the houses that lined the streets, finely made, were of normal sizes and some even castle like.
My carriage came to a stop and I got down. I wasn't the only carriage in the streets but there weren't many either. It was a densely populated city, and far deeper into the bustling city a tall clock tower loomed against the horizon,standing out amongst everything.
"Welcome to Dwarfdom", "Welcome to Gnomedom" I heard two distinct voices say almost at the same time.
I turned to find two dwarves by the sidewalk. One was gingered haired, burly, stout muscular dwarf with stocky build, thick limbs and robust facial features. He had long, bushy beards and wore heavy practical clothing. The other was clean faced, a tad shorter, very much slender and delicate features with a colorful clothing.
Behind them, up a flight of stairs was the knight we had sent ahead to make our living reservations. He stood by the door offering his greetings too.
"The council will like to know the purpose of your visit to see if they could be of help" said the slender one who must be a gnome because his speech pattern was as refined as you would expect a highly educated mind of a scientist or engineer.
"Nothing that would be of problem," I replied as my knight rider handed the reins to a waiting squire. "I am exhausted from my journey and would love some rest. In the evening I would love to meet your city's brightest minds."
"Understood, but the council are busy and often largely preoccupied and may not be readily available by evening," the gnome interjected smoothly, his words tinged with a hint of caution. "If you could be prepared within the hour, it would be best—"
"Evening" I repeated, and the gnome without looking stopped the burly one as if preventing him from saying something or stepping forward.
"As you wish" he gave a slight bow while the other was looking to the side, low grumbling.
I walked past them into my apartment, hoping on finally getting a proper few hours shut eye for the first time in days.
┌─────── ♕ ───────┐
I slept longer than I expected and must have woke up after midnight. There were no issues which meant that either those were not just some rogue elements and were notable characters who recognize the dwarf rule, or they was no one at all and it was all just my anxiety.
Or the dwarves, though without mana, are actually powerful enough to make even rogue elements obey their rule. I couldn't figure out which it was so few moments after I woke up I sent word to the council that I need to meet with their brightest mind and they gave me the name of Wilhelm Abakovsky.
Though it was the early hours of the morning the streets were still busy with little people and when I thought there were restrictions on movements of normal sized people I saw two of them, each on his own and unescorted.
"I thought I would never see someone else," I said to no one in particular.
"Well the dwarves are not known for their hospitality" came a surprise snarky comment from Erik which brought a brief glare from our guide. Vojnka wasn't paying attention, she seemed fascinated by the little people.
We continued our way down the streets of the city until we reached a gigantic mansion, if you would like. Bigger than anything I've ever seen.
"Abakovsky," the appointed guide said rudely, then turned and left.
I watch him go for a moment then turn to face the revolving door of the great building. It was made of glass with metal edges, an impressive feat for what should be around a medieval era. I walked up to the door, half expecting it to be automatic but it wasn't. I pushed it in stiffly and walked into the building. I was greeted by a grand entrance hall of what seemed like a massive library that exudes modern elegance. Tall, arched ceilings soared overhead, allowing streams of natural light to cascade into the space, illuminating the sleek lines of contemporary design. Ahead, a visually striking and expansive atrium beckons a central gathering point of the little gnomes, with spiraling staircases leading to alcoves and passages.
No doubt I was stunned. Along the walls, towering bookshelves stretched to dizzying heights, their wooden frames adorned with gears, cogs, and other mechanical wonders I couldn't understand to say. Gnomes of all ages were scurrying about, indifferent or unaware of our presence. I stopped one passing infront of us and he turned and looked at us like we were an invincible brick wall that just suddenly took form.
"Abakovsky" I asked
He turned around and searched the massive hall for a moment. He was too short to have a good view but he pointed at a direction and went about his way. I didn't know who we were looking for but I went at that direction. Our presence became noticed and the little people turned to look as we approached or pass them. If they knew who we were they didn't show it. I kept asking of Abakovsky until I was brought to a part of the library wall where an old gnome stood several feet above the ground ontop a cherry picker going through shelves.
"Abakovsky?" I called, a little bit too loud.
He looked down, peering at us then he touched something that made the cherry picker began to fold of some sorts, bringing him closer to the ground.
When it stopped, he climbed down, parchments in hand. He looked at Erik then Vojnka before returning to me at the middle.
"I imagined you'd be taller" he said to me, then made to walk past me.
He was shorter than the average gnome I've seen and instead of the usual clean shaven face he don a rough beard and even rougher hair. His face seemed weathered by the stress and age.
"Well sorry to disappoint you" I replied sarcastically.
"Nothing to apologize for," he said, walking past me.
His steppings were rushed. I couldn't tell if it was his natural way of walking or if he was trying to get away from me.
"I came for you" I said, following him.
"So I was told," he said without turning or slowing down. "I care not for politics"
He screeched to a halt, walked back a bit to collect a manuscript from the bookshelves before continuing his rushed walking.
"And why would I come to you for politics?" I asked
"Because my mind is greater than yours" he stated simply, replying to the rhetorical question. I instantly made a mental note to self not to answer him with sarcasm or rhetorical questions again.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?"
He gave a derisive laugh. "Well you are here, are you not?"
I don't like him and he is not taking me serious. He doesn't look the type that you convince with money or threat. It would be easier if the council have actual powers and order their citizen to listen to my request but he doesn't look the type that would conform to that either. I didn't want the idea to go through several hands to avoid leak or compromise which is why I wanted the best to see if it can be done or not but at this point I have little choice.
I increased my pace and caught up with him quickly. I snatched the frail parchments from him and he spun instantly, "Hey Careful! Give it back!" he said, like a child about to throw tantrums.
I raised it high, comfortable away from his reach in case he did a surprise quick jump but he didn't seem to have such intentions. He just stared back at me with that familiar hated and frustrated look nerds often have when you take something important from them.
"Hear my request and Drakoria will sponsor whatever crazy projects you intend on within the next year," I said, "Or say no and I burn these parchments and make a little mess here" I took a casual glance around "and see whatever consequence may follow."
His hate stare intensified and I conjured flames on my palm and held the fragile parchments dangerously close to it.
"Alright, alright!" he cried and I quickly extinguished the fire.
I pinched on where a bit of flame had caught the parchments to snuff it out and then gave them back to him. He quickly opened it, ignoring it's fragility, to check on the damage done. I saw relief set on his face and then he slowly began to fold back the parchments.
"What do you want?" he asked in a cold, disinterested voice.
Perhaps I was too rash.
"I would love to have the discussion away from prying ears"
He scoffed.
"All I ask is a fair chance if you don't like it then we will pretend like this never happened and Drakoria will still support your ideas and works for the year."
There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, followed by a moment of deep consideration.
"Fine," he sighed in resignation. "come with me"
He turned and began walking fast again.
"Attend to your matter," I say to Vojnka then turn to Erik. "Wait for me here"
I caught up with Abakovsky and he led me to a wire mesh door. I walked in after him and he slammed the door close.
There was a seat in the box and a power lever mounted on the wall. Even before he pulled the lever I recognized we were in what they imagined to be an elevator. The ride up was slower than what I was used to but at least it was smooth. I noticed Abakovsky looking at me and I looked down to face him.
"You are familiar with it?" he asked
"Why?" I replied and he just shrug.
"It was designed and built by my father's father and it doesn't exist outside of The Hub"
So? I wanted to ask but then I ignored it. I figured I was probably that friend who wasn't into art you show the Mona Lisa to, or he just wanted a chance to talk about his grandfather.
Few minutes later the sound of grinding gears echoed through the shaft as he shifted the lever to the middle, halting the elevator with a jolt. With a rough tug, he slid open the door, revealing a room that bore witness to the chaotic workings of a scholar's mind, almost a perfect fit to the one I had in mind. I stepped out, looking about the small room poorly litted by candles. Parchments littered every available surface, their corners curling with age, while books leaned haphazardly against one another, their spines worn from years of use. I walked close to the wall by his table where several parchments were pinned. Going closer I saw calculations, theories, workings and drawings about what looked like an air ship, and another of what I assumed to be a hologram. There were several others and the wall was filled but only a few were comprehensible to me.
Abakovsky, with nimble fingers, scoured the cluttered room until his gaze settled upon a small box-like device nestled amidst the disarray. With a swift motion, he grasped it, revealing a green crystal pulsating softly within. Positioning himself at the heart of the chaos, he deftly pressed a concealed button on the device, releasing a radiant green light that engulfed the room and held on for like a minute then died out.
"We are alone," he said, placing the box back on the table. "What do you want?"
I walked closer to him, "I have an idea for a new means of transportation." I said, " one that can see anyone, unawakened or not, travel from far south to Mittelreich in less than 10 hours"
"Sounds like sorcery" he muttered dismissively, already turning away to sift through the clutter on his desk.
"Not necessarily" I followed him, bringing out loose pages I had tugged away in my coat's inner pocket. I had transferred the train contents from my codex on disposable sheets to hand over to the gnomes. Handing them over, I watched as he accepted them, his curiosity piqued.
He unfolded the pages, his eyes scanning the intricate diagrams and detailed notes with intense focus. Furrowing his brow, he immersed himself in the information before him. His lips moved silently as he absorbed the contents, his expression transitioning from curiosity to deep contemplation.
"How did you come about this," he asked, his eyes still not leaving the sheets as he shifted through them one by one.
"I have been unawakened most of my life," I told him, "All I think about was how to make my life better without the need of mana"
He glanced up from the sheets to consider me for a moment then went back at it.
"Truly fascinating theories," he said, folding them up. "But it feels largely incomplete and...lacking, particularly your proposals for locomotion. The sheer size and weight of such a metal body would demand an extraordinary power source to propel it, let alone at the speeds you envision. Practically impossible."
"Trust me it's not," I said, "If we can build something that can harness the energy of the crystals, I gave a few ideas there, then there's no doubt you will be able to make it. It's worth a try, is it not? Think of the impact it could have on history. Unmatched!"
He regarded me with a steady gaze, weighing my words carefully. "Let's entertain the possibility that you're correct and it is indeed feasible. Do you grasp the expense involved? It would be unprecedented. It could take years and more time means more money, can you afford it?"
"I can afford the money, but I can't afford the time" I said, "I need it done in months time."
His brows instantly shot up. "I think you over estimate me, little Dragonhart" he replied with a wry smile.
"No I didn't." I countered. "I came up with this and part of the solutions in mere weeks, and you are telling me you can't do yours in same?"
He wasn't quick to reply as a charged silence quickly enveloped the room. It hung between us like a light curtain, tinged with expectation and challenge. You can always count on the vanity of egoistic people.
"And if I can solve it?" he finally ventured.
"Then you would become a great friend of Drakoria and I will be indebted to you," I replied. "In time you will know just how invaluable that is."
He seemed to consider my words, his expression unreadable as he processed the offer. Whether it was the allure of a new invention or the prospect of gaining favor, I couldn't be certain.
"I will look into it," he said at last, securing the papers into a box.
"Whatever you need will be treated as absolute priority." I added, "Just say the word"
He nodded in acknowledgement.
"You are different from what I expected," he remarked. "From the look of things you will either destroy the continent, or bring about such changes that will have you remembered for centuries. That makes you a threat to so many people"
"We all have our enemies," I replied as we began to walk out of the room towards the elevator.
"True," he said, "Some of us more than others"
We walked back into the elevator and began going down in comfortable silence. I was feeling more optimistic about the train project already. Lots of money is needed, more than the soaps can give. I will have to raid the southern kingdoms sooner than expected, but even if I am somehow successful it would put the east at edge, probably even the north and west, and they would be unwilling to give me lands for railways and stations.
The elevator came to a halt.
Perhaps in a week or two I should begin talks with the other kings and Dukes on deals and purchase of land for tracks and stations so when I raid the south it would already be too late for them to back out and they will have no choice but to believe me. Or they will band together to bring me down.
I tug at the elevator door to open then I felt a tug at my coat.
"No one will tell you this," Abakovsky said in a low tone. "But the continent wants you dead. No matter what happens, don't trust Karim AlHashem."
Shock and fear coursed through me at his words. It was so unexpected.
"What do you mean? What about AlHashem?"
"I can't say more, be careful" he motioned for me to leave the elevator and I hesitated for a bit and knew nothing would change his mind so I left. He closed the door and pulled the lever to climb back up. I stood rooted watching him go. Everything keeps happening so fast that it feels like I will get crushed sooner than later. AlHashem was my last hope against the gaze.