CHAPTER 74: INNOVATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS

The morning air in their market stall carried the smell of ink and ambition. Marcus and Sara worked side by side under a patched canvas tent, their printing setup humming with efficiency. Papers stacked in neat piles around them as they cranked out advertisement orders for various businesses across Drakmoor.

"Just in time," Marcus called out as Aldric approached carrying a heavy bag of materials. "I was telling Sara about my meeting with Lord Hammond. I got a promise. If my mushroom ideas work, he'll give us more funding."

Sara didn't look up from changing papers in their makeshift printing press. "You keep inventing more stuff to do. Leave the food industry to the King and Lords." Despite her complaints, she and Marcus had become quite the team, printing large volumes of orders with practiced coordination.

Aldric set down his bag and began unpacking ink materials. "I don't know about you dividing attention to so many places, partner, but I can't complain if you bring capital and business ideas." Even Aldric had to learn some production capacity where business was tight.

Marcus grinned while feeding another sheet through the press. "I was going to say don't worry. But last time I got involved, we almost hanged and you lost your shop."

"Just don't spread too thin," Aldric warned, though he was smiling.

They continued discussing what to do next. Marcus explained the new investment opportunity and pulled out a paper with strange designs. Metal wheels, gears, and needle mechanisms covered the page in detailed sketches.

"This is a sewing machine and this is a spinning machine," Marcus said, pointing to different sections. "With both of them, we'll revolutionize the textile industry. But first, we have to find replacements for us working on the ads and find an extremely good blacksmith."

Sara finally looked up from her work. "I can fetch my cousins again. They're already familiar with the business."

"Should I continue selling advertisements to businesses?" Aldric asked.

"Yeah, we can't stop that. Also, we need to talk to Owen about acquiring his warehouse or leasing it for a very long time."

Sara's expression darkened. "I don't want to go over there again, Marcus. I almost lost my hand there. How is yours, by the way?"

Marcus showed his patched up hand. "Almost healed. Barely any scars." He stopped his hands that had been frantically working the printing machine. "Okay, all done. Five thousand flyers. The rest is up to you two."

"What's your rush? We didn't even drink morning tea with Aldric," Sara said in a flirty way.

Marcus stood up and stretched. "You two lovebirds can flirt later. We need to look for blacksmiths, especially good molders."

Aldric's face reddened. "Marcus, I don't like you making jokes about us. Stop it. It harms Sara's chances of finding a good man." He said the words, but Marcus noticed him blushing. Sara couldn't understand the subtlety and yanked Marcus's arm.

"Let's go, Marcus. We don't want my name linked with anyone," Sara said angrily.

"Look, you made her angry," Aldric muttered.

Sara and Marcus left for the workshop district, a sprawling area of the city where smoke rose from dozens of forges and the sound of hammering filled the air. Narrow streets wound between workshops, each specializing in different crafts. The smell of hot metal and coal smoke hung heavy in the air.

They talked to almost every blacksmith in the district. None were cooperative about working with them on any project. Marcus noticed that beyond their poor attitudes, their craftsmanship wasn't particularly good anyway. Most seemed stuck in traditional methods, unwilling to try new techniques.

"Isn't that the Celestine woman? The one Sergeant tied up?" Sara pointed toward two figures walking toward Roady Inn.

Marcus saw Celestine and a young woman in her mid twenties heading into the inn. Without realizing it, he steered Sara in that direction.

"Yeah, that's her, and I need to meet with her. Sara, you go ahead. We'll look for blacksmiths later."

Sara looked confused but nodded. "Don't take too long. We still have work to do."

"Marcus headed toward Roady Inn, his mind racing. I must have brought Sara here subconsciously. And who was that woman with her? Every time Celestine appeared, his life seemed to grow more complicated.

The inn's wooden sign creaked in the breeze as he approached. Through the windows, he could see the two women settling at a table. Time to get some answers about what Celestine was really planning.

Whatever it was, Marcus had a feeling it would change everything yet again.