Chapter 18 Part 1: Innovation and Unexpected Advice

Jun desperately wished his other hand could move. Christopher made the Vera stone bow. The sound of the crystalline metal bending tore at his heart. Hands rushed to ears as people ducked. Jun put his ear to his shoulder, covering the other.

Christopher’s eye was closed—his other eye, glinted as a crooked grin spread. Tarron approached and snatched his hand, stopping the noise. He flicked his finger, as if scolding a child and then pulled out his slate. HIs hand still held Christopher’s wrist as he maneuvered his fingers to scrawl on the surface. The young merchant’s face was pale as he read.

Jun looked back to the Vera Stone. It was bent over, similar to how the orient bowed their bodies. It was… chilling. As he moved closer, the metal shifted, slowly and noiselessly returning back to its starting position. Jun watched, hand to his chin as he tilted his head this way and that.

The slow motion resembled a pneumatic motor. Now that he could watch the whole thing seemed to mirror a muscle. Though, if this was like a muscle, it was too thick to bend well. Like a corded rope, it could only move so far and likely was straining from the pressure. As for why it returned back to its original state, he had no idea.

While Christopher was chided, Mei came over and watched with him.

“How do you think this works? And why would anyone want to put faith into something that makes that horrendous noise?”

Jun noticed a thin piece off to the side and, ignoring Mei’s pestering, applied a bit of faith to it. It bent, or bowed, though without the extra noise. Jun looked at the metal in his hand and Mei stared at it as well. He tried to apply more faith, but after a certain point, it stopped moving. The metal was slightly hot to the touch as he continued to push it with faith. Once he could no longer hold it, he set it aside, observing as it straightened once more.

His mind started whirling, gears turning, as he watched. His hand moved to his arm. Assuming they had the right sort of gears and engineering… could he move his hand without assistance? The idea made his heart skip a few beats. Then he licked his lips. In his mind he saw Elain in her wheelchair, pushed around, hardly moving on her own. He could see it in her despondent eyes. Freedom. If she had that again, would she smile again, would she realize the manipulations she was under? He scoffed. That was a pipe dream. If she could run around again, wouldn’t she come after him, seeking his death?

“So?” Christopher snuck up from behind. “What do you think? Can you see the potential of this Vera Stone?” Before Jun could answer, the merchant was already shaking his head.

“Ah, but what could a warrior and healer know of products and goods?”

Jun’s brow raised as he stared. Was he mocking?

“You better be careful, Christopher. He’s an old man trapped in a young body. The sort of wisdom and ideas he spouts are not to be ignored.”

“Ah, I jest! I know sarcasm is not my strength. So, in all honesty. Any ideas? I was thinking we could fashion this into pendants or chalices, Holy Items, since it resembles the Silver Flames.”

Jun’s eyes were wide as he stared.

“That’s… all?” he asked. Christopher shrunk back. Tarron smiled.

“Is there anything else to do with this?”

Jun brought his hand to his forehead. The lack of ingenuity with this man was astounding. How was he going to make it as a merchant?

“It moves like an arm or leg.” Jun demonstrated with his own arm and then pointed to his limp arm. “With a few modifications, we could make it so the disabled could regain some mobility again.”

It took them a few moments to digest what he had said. When their eyes lit up, Christopher pounced.

“You must tell me more!”

Tarron however was more practical.

Go to bed.

His slate was sent to each of them. Jun readily agreed.

As he excused himself, Christopher complained and then tagged after him. Jun entered his own tent, only to be followed by the eager merchant. Despite Jun attempts to dissuade him, the two talked long into the morning over Jun’s concept.

He woke to Mei tapping him, a plate of warm food for him and Christopher. Jun managed to eat before succumbing to sleep once more. Christopher was the one who woke him from his dreams.

“Say, did you only want it for yourself? Or was it really so noble a cause?” His high and mighty tone seemed to mock the notion he conveyed. Jun grunted, trying to roll over.

“Did you?”

“Why do you ask?” Jun responded.

Christopher’s grin grew. “Well I… happen to know a girl who can’t walk.”

Jun froze, smile vanishing. He eyed the merchant.

“How do you know Elain?”

Undeterred, Christopher spoke.

“We met after you two had… your fallout.” His voice faltered as he looked at Jun’s eyes. Then he looked away and continued without delay. “Thank you for doing that by the way, created a wonderful connection opportunity.” Jun’s stomach knotted. He closed his eyes and laid back in bed.

“You don’t have to rub it in my face.” He grumbled. He thought he had been doing well, but to hear that some other man had gotten close to her… he didn’t want to listen anymore.

Christopher remained silent for a time and then Jun felt an insistent poke in his side. “If I didn’t know better… is it possible? No. Really?”

“Just get to the point.” Jun heaved.

“Do you like the Red Silver Saint.”

Jun stiffened. His heart hammered, hand clenching. Christopher watched and he let out a sharp ‘Tch’ with his tongue, pulling the covers up.

“Sorry. Had to know.”

“Why?” Jun growled.

“Well I suppose I was curious. I got to talk to her quite a bit and-“

Jun filtered out his prattle, unwilling to hear it.

“Jun, look. I know it’s rough, but just hear me out.” Jun sighed as he tilted his head a bit. “The best advice I heard when facing an enemy is to give them a heartfelt gift and expect nothing in return.”

Jun blinked before rolling over, staring at the merchant.

“What?” His brows shifted. Christopher shrugged.

“You can’t always win them over, but the gesture at least says ‘give me a chance’. Though… I’m not sure if that works for relationships. It’s a merchant thing really. So just pretend you didn’t hear me.” Christopher’s eyes closed as he laughed, brows pinched upward.

Jun rolled back over, the words playing over in his mind.

Christopher, likely content he had spoken his fill, left Jun alone, even departing the tent in search of something.

Jun tossed and turned, sleep eluding him. The sun was high and the temperature was climbing. He grumbled, stepping out. Another of Amalie’s disciples greeted him as they walked by. Jun returned the greeting and looked in the direction they were heading. A crowd had assembled and he meandered over, curious.

Christopher’s voice rang out.

“Alright, listen up. There’s a second mine of the Vera Stone nearby.” The crowd murmured as he continued. “However there are some people who have taken control of it. As of now, we need more information about them and anything we might learn of their numbers and strengths.”

“Someone’s trying to rob the island?” a voice shouted over the crowd. Tarron stood upright, his head appearing over the others as silence fell. He scrawled on his slate and then Christopher’s voice sounded again.

“Jun, Solara. Are you two here?”

The crowd slightly parted for the two and Jun found himself ushered into the middle. Tarron nodded.

‘Take charge, Jun.’ His right ear tickled. Jun stammered. What?

“Tell them what Mei told us,” Christopher hissed.

“Oh.” He looked out at the sea of heads. At least, at that moment it felt like a sea. There was no more than one hundred disciples from the two groups.

“Last night we learned that the Kasai and Jinshari, the ones who have been targeting some of us, have taken possession of the mine. We don’t know their motives, their numbers or the dangers this poses.” As he spoke, his voice grew louder. “What we do know is they don’t do things without a reason, and that is reason enough to find out more so we can decide the best course of action.”

Solara stepped closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll travel with any group that decides to go out and scout. If you get separated, then head back and Jun can heal you.”

“You think they will attack us?”

Jun sighed.

“It’s not like they don’t threaten, poison and attack me and the ol man on a regular basis.” Mei’s voice resounded and people looked to see her sitting up in a tree. “But if it’s the Kasai we are up against. Then I have a few ideas how we can handle it.”