"Protect, teach others, and save lives? Please, tell us more," Aaran eagerly prompted.
"The first is... liquid stone. I heard it called by another name, cement," Rafael explained. Aaran furrowed his brow, deep in thought, trying to grasp what "liquid stone" or cement could be. On the other hand, Julius, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly widened his eyes in realization.
"No, it can't be!" Julius exclaimed.
"High Priest, do you know what it is?" Aaran asked, sensing the urgency in his mentor's reaction. Julius remained silent for a moment, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
"And... what are the other things?" Julius finally asked, having regained his composure.
"The other is a machine made of wood and metal that mass-produces books. It's called a printing press. Oh sacred one, thank you again for your knowledge," Rafael said, his voice lowering in reverent prayer, yet still audible to the others.
This time, both men felt their legs weaken and quickly sat down where they could. "Ahahah, thank you, Jesus! Thank you!" Aaran began to pray as well, his voice filled with fervor. Julius, however, kept his gaze fixed on Rafael, his mind racing. What if it's real? Paper was real! If all this turns out to be... He couldn't even finish his thought, overwhelmed by a mix of expectation, ecstasy, and astonishment. Initially skeptical of Rafael's supposed divine mission, Julius's doubts were quickly melting away.
"...And the last one? You said 'to save lives'?" Julius asked, leaning forward.
"Yes! It's something made of metal used to purify liquids. It's called distillation." Rafael couldn't help but feel a sense of pride; his plan was unfolding perfectly.
Though this last invention wasn't as immediately impactful as the first two, it still piqued their curiosity, despite neither man fully understanding its potential.
"Cleric Robert, you're a blessed man. You've received a mission from our great Lord, and we will help you complete it," Julius said, his voice quivering with emotion. For the second time in his life, he had witnessed a miracle that deepened his faith.
"Aaran, quickly, grab some ink and parchment. Robert, could you explain these items in detail so we can begin testing them?" Julius instructed. Aaran sat at the table, ready to jot down everything Rafael had to say.
"The first one, cement. We take limestone and heat it in a kiln. Afterward, you can store it for later use. When you want to create liquid stone, mix this white paste with volcanic ash or crushed pottery and water. That's it. After a few days, it will harden like stone. You can even add gravel or small stones to the mix to make it stronger than a simple rock."
After Aaran wrote everything down, Rafael continued with the second invention. "The printing press. Tiny letters from our alphabet are crafted by blacksmiths. We arrange these letters in the correct configuration on a wooden frame, then apply ink to them, and finally press it onto paper or parchment."
"Oh my God, this is incredible! How have I never thought of this?! It will make copying books or producing multiple copies of the Bible so easy!" Aaran exclaimed, smiling with excitement. "It's so simple..."
"And the third one," Rafael continued. "It's a large tube with a bowl attached to the bottom. In the middle of the tube, there's a smaller bowl with a thin tube that ends outside the large tube. On top, place a large bowl filled with cold liquid. Light a fire under the lower bowl, which is filled with the liquid you want to purify, and then just wait for the purified liquid to exit through the thin tube."
"That's amazing," Aaran said, carefully noting down every detail. "We need to test all these ideas as soon as possible. You two, go find limestone to test the liquid stone. I'll speak with the blacksmiths to make the letters." Julius hastily left to begin his tasks.
"Yes, High Priest," they both replied, heading out. "Brother, you are a miracle! This only shows that we are on the right path, and He is on our side!" Aaran was nearly jumping with joy.
"Yeah, I'm grateful to our Lord and Savior for giving me this important mission. But first, could we stop somewhere to eat? I haven't eaten since yesterday," Rafael suggested, feeling optimistic about his future.
"Right, no problem. Let's go." They crossed to the other side of the central area, arriving at the barracks where many soldiers and guards were already eating porridge.
Oh no, no no! Not this! Rafael thought, his enthusiasm quickly waning. He asked Aaran if they ate porridge every day and received a nod in response.
"Why do you ask? What do you eat if not porridge?" Aaran inquired.
"Well... what about soup? Or fish with bread?" Rafael suggested.
Aaran raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right, I forgot you were a merchant before. No, that type of food is too expensive to have every day. Besides, porridge isn't that bad," he said, having eaten it since childhood.
I'm going to ask Julius for something different to eat, at least for lunch, Rafael decided, storing the thought for later. They each took a plate of food and ate back at the church. Afterward, they made their way to the only place in Calistoga with skilled stonemasons.
It was a large building made of wood and stone, with four people working on large rocks.
"Hello," Rafael greeted as they approached.
"Good afternoon, sir," the man replied. He wore simple clothes, an apron with tools, and had black hair streaked with white, suggesting he was entering old age.
"Do you have some unused limestone?" Rafael asked.
"Limestone? Yes, of course. What do you need it for? Want some bricks made from it?"
"No, nothing like that. We just need it in its natural form," Rafael explained. The man ordered a younger worker to bring a basket filled with limestone. The young man needed help from another to carry the heavy load.