Chapter Twenty One: A chaotic ride

We walked back into the chamber and took a seat. "We have decided to give you a trial. We will create one of your weapons and test its performance. If it works as well as you claim, then we'll accept your alliance." "I understand. Please make this one." I handed over blueprints to make a small flintlock handgun. It was something they could make quickly, after all; I have a meeting this evening about the city's, no, the nation's future.

"I will also need some sulfur." They looked at me, confused, but it wasn't surprising, since gunpowder didn't exist in this world yet. I already have charcoal and nitrates from the city's crop fertilizer. "Okay, we should have this completed by tomorrow." "Sorry, but I'll need it done now. Plus, you will need to bring a representative back to our city to witness the weapon."

It sounds like I pressed them too hard, but I think the dwarves need to not only see the weapon but also the city I have been building. That way, they can, without a doubt, understand what they are getting into. "Fine, we can do that, but if anything happens to our representative, then you know what will happen. "Of course, I would expect nothing less." "Then we are all in agreement. This council meeting is adjourned."

"Follow me," The head dwarf said. We gathered our things and followed him out of the chamber and into the city. We stopped at what looked to be a blacksmith's workshop. When we entered, we were hit with scorching heat from the forge inside. Inside was full of metal workings, from swords to everyday items like cups. All of them look very well-crafted. "Boris, I need you to make something," the head dwarf said.

Boris ignored him and kept forging. "Boris!" "Working," he grumbled. The head dwarf let out a sigh. "Look, this is important." He continued to ignore him. "Here look!" The head dwarf put my blueprint for the flintlock pistol in front of him. He stopped forging and looked at the paper. "Hmm, interesting design." "I need you to make it now." He looked at him, then at us.

"Fine, since it's rare to see you with Humans and a beastkin." He put down the thing he was working on and grabbed the paper. "It'll take me an hour or more." "Good, and one more thing, I need you to accompany them on their way back home." "Fine, but you need to leave me be." "Understood, now let's get you all a drink while we wait." "No, they stay. You go."

There was an awkward silence between us. "Fine, I'll go, but you need to witness if that weapon you're making works." With that, he left the workshop. We were left with Boris. He had long, braided gray hair, a long, braided beard, and his hands and face were covered in dust from metalworking. He got up from the forge and started gathering tools from around the workshop. He was wearing some kind of goggles, which I can assume were to protect his eyes.

He continued to work without saying a word. I looked at the others, and they just shrugged their shoulders. I guess he's a man of few words. I can respect that. "I heard whispers of you saying you have a cure," Bois said as he worked. "I don't have a cure, but I do have a solution."

"So did the council, but in the end, many still die. They continue to get sick, but the mines still call for them, for the coal keeps us alive." Boris quietly grumbled. "Did someone important to you die?" Kate asked. He stopped for a moment, then continued. "Everyone here has." That statement hit me hard. I know that pain more than anyone else.

"I promise you that we'll do whatever we can to end your people's plight." He stopped and looked at me. "Humans never keep their promises." He then returned to his work. Kate was about to speak up, but I stopped her. "I understand your pain and distrust, but I still promise you that I will help your people." He paused again for a moment, then continued in silence.

He continued for about an hour. "It's done." I looked over at it, and sure enough, the pistol was exactly like my design. It's impressive that he was able to finish it so quickly. I pulled the hammer back, and it clicked into place. Then I pulled the trigger, sending the hammer down, sending sparks around. "You did a great job." He only responded with a grumble.

With the pistol in my hand, we left the workshop and were greeted by the head dwarf waiting outside. "Good, you're finished already. Here's that sulfur you wanted." He handed me a bag. "Now, Boris, go with them and see if the weapon actually works like they say it does." Boris just grumbled in acceptance. "Good. Safe travels to you all." And with that, we all were led back up to our carriage.

When we got back, I saw Leon getting the carriage ready. "Did you get some rest, Leon?" I asked. "Some." He clearly had bags under his blue eyes. Hmm, without thinking about it, I know what his features are. The same goes with Kate and Mary. I suppose subconsciously, I felt they were important enough to remember.

Then again, I'm still bad at remembering small details, like his clothes. He tends to wear a dark blue tunic with a metal chestplate. I suppose he does have a knightly look about him. Well, other than his attitude, which is more outspoken and less chivalrous. "Is something wrong, Lenka?" Leon asked.

"No, I was just lost in thought, but anyway, I need you to get us back home as fast as possible." "Okay, but it might be a bumpy ride." "That's fine as long as we get there in one piece." He gave a smile. "No promises." "It never is with you." He laughed and boarded the carriage.

I was going to talk to Boris, but he walked past me and sat up front next to Leon. "You can sit inside with us, Boris." He looked at me and grumbled. "Don't want to disturb you, ladies." Oddly nice of him. There's something off about him, but I can't quite put my finger on it. It's almost like he's distant from people. Kind of like I was and still somewhat am.

"Come on, Lenka, let's leave them to it," Mary said. I entered the carriage and we started to set off. It was the worst ride I think I've ever been on. We were being tossed around inside. I know I said get there as fast as possible, but I didn't mean like this. We hit another big bump, and some of our belongings went flying in the air around us.

An object was sent flying towards me, but Kate quickly jumped up and shielded me from it. "You okay, Lenka?" Kate asked. Kate was right in front of me to the point that our faces were almost touching. Her bright red eyes matched her red hair and fox ears. If there were one word I could use to describe her, it would probably be beautiful, but so were the other girls in this world. Mary, Annabelle, and Miss Evergreen were all beautiful; heck, even Leon is someone I would consider handsome.

"Ahhh," Kate let out a scream and backed away. "My tail is not something for you to grab onto." "I'm sorry, Kate." It was Miss Evergeen who was on the floor holding on to Kate's tail for dear life. "I'm going to give Leon a piece of my mind when this is over!" Mary said as she clung to her seat.

I started to laugh, and everyone stared at me. I don't know why I was laughing. Perhaps it was the chaotic nature of this ride, or maybe it's because I feel like I have something like a family again. After a few seconds, everyone joined in laughter.

We finally arrived in the city, and it was nearly evening. It looks like we made it in time, but we all look a little worse for wear. We all had messy hair, and the carriage was a mess of belongings. When Leon and Boris got a look at us, they tried their best to hide their laughter. "Leon! We will be having a little chat about your driving skills later," Mary angrily stated.

Leon quickly stopped laughing, and his face turned to fear. Leon looked over at me like he was asking me to help him out. "You can go a little easy on him, Mary. After all, I was the one who asked him to get us here fast." Mary rolled her eyes, but at the same time gave a soft smile. "Fine," She said.

Well, as much as I appreciate this touching moment, I have things I need to attend to. I said goodbye to Miss Evergreen and Leon, then grabbed the bag of sulfur and the pistol and went to the manor. Once there, I had Boris wait in the living room while Mary and Kate went to get us some refreshments. I went upstairs to my room, where I had the charcoal and nitrate ready. I carefully mixed them into black powder, then loaded the pistol with the powder and a lead ball.

I headed downstairs to the living room, but I was greeted by Godfrey, who was waiting by the front door. He looked very panicked. "Lenka, we have an urgent problem." "What, have the nobles already sent an army?" He passed for a second. "No, some elves are here." Wait, evles? Why would they come here? Does it have to do with the food shipments?"

"Lenka, you must come quickly; they are causing trouble." This sounds bad. Are the elves making their move before the humans can? I holstered the pistol on the backside of my belt. Kate, Mary, and Boris were all behind me, curious about what was going on. "Come on, let's all go see what's going on."