"I am back!" I called as I booted the door to the workshop open with my stack of books in my arms.
"You know we have servants to help with carrying things, right? Fewer carpenters to fix the damn door if you break it!" Thordin complained as I put my books on the workbench.
"We have bigger things to worry about than broken doors, old man. War is happening in my homeland, and my dumbass father is the cause. Not only that, but he seems to be possessed by something like Shigora, and do not ask me how I know her! What we need right now is to change the shop around," I said as I tried to mentally picture how the place was going to have to change, but the place was too small.
"You are not changing my damn shop around! If you need a big space, then we will have to use a building in the city," Thordin growled, and I looked at him with a surprised look. I should have thought of that!
"Can we really just take over a place in the city so fast?!' I asked with excitement, and the dwarf sighed.
"You know, every time I think you look bright and mature, you say something stupid. You are the prince of this kingdom and the future king. Do you really think that anyone would not give up their space if it was to help protect their home?" Thordin prattled to me, and I gave the dwarf a show of appreciation by giving him the middle finger.
"Fine, if you are so smart, who do I have to talk to about this?" I asked, but Thordin just shook his head.
"You don't need to ask anyone if it is for the protection of the kingdom. Just go find a place that works for you and get to work. If you are in a hurry, then you don't have time to waste. Send all the expenses to the castle and they will be taken care of."
After that, I took my books and marched out of the workshop. Thankfully, I saw Alex, the servant who had looked after me while I was being shipped over.
"Alex! Just the person that I was looking for!" I lied with a grin, and the servant took my books without me asking.
"What is it that my Prince is off to do?"
"I need to find a shop in the city and start getting it set up so I can start working tomorrow. Do you think that you can go and find me a list of the largest warehouses in the city? Preferably one that isn't being used, but be comprehensive."
Alex bowed his head. "At once, my Prince. Where should I meet you after?"
"I will go see if Marcella wants to come for an outing, so meet me down at the gates in one hour with what you have gathered. Please make sure that you bring those books," I explained, and Alex bowed to me again, clutching my books.
"At once!"
With Alex on the move, I headed in the direction of Marcella's room. Considering that I was going to be leaving in a week after not being here very long, I should try to spend any time that I can with her. I had no clue how long it was going to take.
I knew I would be gone for at least a month if I couldn't figure out how to make the boat move faster. I also didn't know enough about boats to know if it was even safe to make a boat of that style go faster. The trip over had been harrowing enough with the storms. The last thing I wanted was for the boat to flip over.
By the time I arrived at Marcella's chambers, a light sweat had formed on my brow from the brisk pace I had set. The guards outside her door recognized me with nods, stepping aside to allow me entry after a brief knock.
Marcella was seated at a modest writing desk, her focus absorbed in the paper sprawled before her. She looked up, surprise flickering across her features as I entered.
"Gideon, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" she inquired with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
I grinned, feeling a bit sheepish. "Thought maybe you'd like to come and help me pick out a new workshop site. It's a big decision, and I could use your eye for... aesthetics. And, well, I wanted to spend some time with you before I leave."
Her expression softened, and she laid her quill down gently. "I'd love to join you," she replied, standing and smoothing out her dress. "Just give me a moment to prepare."
As she excused herself to make ready, I gathered my thoughts. This wasn't how I pictured spending time with someone I was growing fond of—scouting out locations for war preparations. Yet here we were, thrust into roles and decisions neither of us had sought out. It underscored how swiftly life could pivot in unexpected directions.
Marcella soon returned, more suitably dressed for a venture into the city, her practical attire still managing to accentuate her natural grace.
Together, we made our way through the ornate corridors of the castle and out to the gates where Alex awaited with a list in hand, the books I had tasked him to carry tucked securely under his arm.
"I have prepared all the locations that you might find suitable, and I have also sent out servants to let the owners know that we are coming," Alex said and I grinned.
"Thanks, boss. You did good. I will take the list, and we will go to the places and check them out. Since you sent runners, I will send back the one at the place we decide, and my books can be sent over. I will also send for a large list of other supplies with them," I explained.
Alex gave me a puzzled look but nodded. "At... Once, my Prince," Alex said almost thoughtfully and then left us.
"Why did you call him boss?" Marcella asked, and I winced. That was something I used to say in my past life to anyone that helped me. That had been the first time in this life I had said it, so I could see how it could be misinterpreted.
"Sorry, past life thing," I said with a grin as a pair of guards fell in behind us.
I didn't really feel like we needed them, but according to Marcella, it was good for our public image. After some thought, I felt foolish for thinking it wasn't good to have them. I was trying to make security tighter and get better control of the city. Hardly would seem right if I was not taking those same precautions for myself and Marcella.
Marcella nodded, understanding the slip. "It's good to see you showing appreciation to those who serve us," she said with a gentle smile. Our conversation flowed easily as we walked, discussing plans for the workshop, the types of Divinatech defenses I had in mind, and the implications of the war.
The first warehouse we visited was too small, its ceilings too low to accommodate some of the larger constructs I had envisioned. The next was better situated but had been recently leased for storing grain.
As we were about to move on to the third site on the list, a commotion in the streets caught our attention—a crowd had gathered, their murmurings turning into a collective gasp as a group of royal messengers on horseback galloped through, shouting news that stopped everyone in their tracks.
"Vienerstien forces march towards Jagar! King Alphonse calls for all able men to take up arms in defense of the kingdom!"
The announcement struck like a thunderclap, sending a ripple of fear and urgency through the onlookers. Some ran to spread the word, others to gather their loved ones, and still, others, mostly men, looked determined, set on joining whatever resistance they could muster.
Marcella grabbed my arm, her grip firm. "Seems father wants to start increasing our own defense. Time is even more precious now," she said, her voice laced with anxiety.
I nodded, resolve hardening within me. "We need to find a suitable workshop—quickly. I can't afford any delays in my preparations. The safety of Jagar and possibly even Havenby could depend on it."
With renewed urgency, we quickened our pace, heading towards the next location on the list, hoping it would meet the requirements necessary for the daunting task ahead. The war was no longer a distant concern; it was on our doorstep, and time was a luxury we no longer possessed.