CHAPTER 80: HARVEST OF PROMISES

A couple weeks had rushed by in both worlds like a river in flood season. In Valdris, Marcus spent every spare moment creating new mushroom spawns for the next cultivation cycle while working closely with Temir, the genius blacksmith apprentice who'd become essential to his textile revolution plans. It had been challenging to convince both Temir and his master to take on Marcus's unusual projects, but a little silver had a way of solving most problems. Together, they'd begun shaping the first prototypes of sewing machine components, each piece requiring precision that pushed medieval craftsmanship to its limits.

Meanwhile, Aldric, Marcus, Sara, and Sara's cousins had fully settled into Owen's warehouse, transforming the front section into their official shop while using the back for expanded production. The move had given their business a legitimate feel that attracted better clients and higher paying contracts. In the modern world, Marcus balanced his job at Pressley Guns with his security certification course, all while waiting for the remaining gun workshop crew to return from their Texas fair. His family's worried phone calls had become a weekly ritual he couldn't bring himself to answer.

But today was harvest day. Yesterday, the mushrooms had started to pin, and Marcus had specifically instructed the farmers to supply fresh air to the whole barn and spray air with water. In those two weeks, Lord Hammond's people had transformed the east side outside the castle walls into their own district. They were still expanding, but now everyone could sleep under proper temporary dormitories rather than cramped tents. The community was beginning to feel permanent, which brought both hope and new responsibilities.

Marcus walked through the morning mist toward the mushroom cultivation barn, his heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. Everything he'd told Lord Hammond, everything he'd promised the farmers, everything his reputation now depended on, would be proven or disproven in the next few minutes. He found Captain Bush waiting outside the barn with an expression Marcus couldn't quite read.

"Captain, good morning!" Marcus called out, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

"Young master is here! Welcome, welcome!" Captain Bush greeted him with enormous enthusiasm. The doubts that had clouded his face for weeks were completely gone. That meant the mushroom sprouting had happened successfully. The transformation from pin to full grown mushroom typically took just a day, which seemed like magic to people who'd never witnessed controlled cultivation, but Marcus knew that some mushroom varieties could grow remarkably fast under the right conditions.

"Captain, I'll take that enthusiasm as a good sign. We must have good sprouts."

"Yes, young master, I've never seen anything like it. Some of them grew giant in just one day. It's unbelievable. Everything you said was true." Captain Bush was practically bouncing with excitement, his weathered face split by a grin that made him look twenty years younger.

Marcus felt relief flood through him like cool water on a hot day. "I'm glad we have a short term solution when food shortages increase."

"You saved thousands of people. Thank you." Captain Bush's voice became serious for a moment. "You go ahead, Lord Hammond is waiting for you. I notified him of your success, and I'll bring some of our products to show him."

"Thanks, Captain. Also, don't throw away the spent bags. They can still produce mushrooms in a couple weeks, but after the third harvest, it's time to replace them entirely."

"Don't worry, young master. After this success, I've ordered three more barns to be built right next to this one. I will follow every step you say."

"I'll show you the process one more time. Don't worry about that."

Marcus sighed with relief. Infected mushrooms could always happen, contamination was a constant threat, but after this harvest he could explain about infection prevention and rot management. Today, he'd built enormous credibility that would serve his larger plans. He was also glad he prepared large batches of new spawns.

As he walked toward the middle of the new Hammond district from the farm side, Marcus marveled at the transformation. They'd constructed a modest wooden building for their lord, simple but sturdy. Lord Hammond was a brave man, Marcus thought, choosing to live among his people rather than seeking safety inside the city walls. He approached the guards and explained his situation, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Kalu Dean, Lord Hammond's right hand man whose name Marcus had finally learned, rushed to the gate and welcomed him in with obvious respect. The success of the mushroom project had elevated Marcus's status considerably.

Lord Hammond's office was humble but functional, with maps covering most surfaces and reports stacked in careful piles. The man himself had changed in the past weeks. He seemed slimmer and had grown a neat beard that gave him a more seasoned appearance.

"Welcome, Marcus. Please sit." Lord Hammond gestured to a chair across from his desk. "I heard the good news. You can consider your loan paid in full. I also heard we'll need to constantly buy your mushroom spawns. For every time you fill a barn with successful cultivation, I'll give you fifty silver. Is that acceptable?" He turned to Kalu Dean. "Take note of that agreement."

Marcus was stunned by the generosity and speed of the decision. Without Marcus saying a single word, Lord Hammond had made all the financial arrangements. "However you see fit, my lord."

"But when it comes to making a huge campaign with other lords and the King, don't get your hopes up." Lord Hammond's expression grew more serious, and Marcus could see the political realities weighing on him.

"After my scouts gathered new intelligence and we analyzed it according to your conclusions, I agree the city is heading toward famine. But I cannot convince the King or other lords to listen to me. They see me as someone who lost his status due to Malachar's invasion."

Marcus leaned forward, urgency creeping into his voice. "But creating a campaign, mobilizing everyone, is so important for our survival."

"I know, I know." Lord Hammond rubbed his temples, the burden of leadership visible in every line of his face. "I've scheduled a meeting with the King. I'll bring samples of your mushrooms, and I want you to be there. It's in two days' time. Be ready to present your case directly to His Majesty."

Marcus felt his stomach drop. Presenting to the King was an opportunity he'd dreamed of, but also a terrifying responsibility. "I'll be ready, my lord."

"Good. Kalu will give you details about court protocol and proper presentation. This could be our only chance to get royal support for large scale agricultural reform."

Marcus left the office with mixed emotions. Relief at solving their immediate money problems warred with sadness at having to convince everyone again not to die of hunger. Royalty and nobles would take whatever they needed first, and the common people would suffer. With tensions increasing between locals and refugees, this situation could turn very messy very quickly.

As he walked back through the growing district, Marcus saw children playing between the buildings, women hanging laundry, men discussing construction plans. This community was becoming real, becoming home for thousands of displaced people. But it was also dangerously exposed, situated between Malachar's forces and the city walls. If food became scarce, if political tensions escalated, if Malachar decided to attack, these people would be caught in the worst possible position.

The mushroom success was just the beginning. Marcus needed to convince the King not just to support agricultural expansion, but to take the threats facing the kingdom seriously. He needed to position himself as more than just a clever refugee with farming ideas. He needed to become someone the crown would trust with larger responsibilities.

Marcus found Temir at his forge, working on the latest batch of sewing machine components. The young blacksmith had embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, creating parts that were more precise than Marcus had thought possible with medieval tools.

"How are the gear mechanisms coming along?" Marcus asked, examining Temir's latest work.

"Better than I expected," Temir replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Master Gareth thinks I'm wasting time on foolish inventions, but these tiny wheels and springs are teaching me things about metalwork I never knew existed."

"Keep that between us for now. After I meet with the King, we might have royal support for larger manufacturing projects."

Temir's eyes widened. "You're meeting with the King?"

"In two days. About the mushroom success, but also about bigger plans for feeding the kingdom."

Marcus spent the rest of the day preparing for the royal audience, reviewing his arguments about food security, agricultural reform, and the threats facing Valdris. He also checked on the mushroom harvest, which had exceeded even his optimistic projections. Hundreds of pounds of fresh mushrooms were being distributed throughout the district, providing nutrition that had been missing from refugee diets for months.

As evening approached, Marcus reflected on how far he'd come since Celestine had first approached him. The mushroom cultivation was proving successful beyond his expectations. His business partnerships were thriving. Palwin was adapting well to life in Valdris, becoming a valuable member of their team. Political obstacles were being overcome through careful negotiation and demonstrated results.

But the real challenges still lay ahead. Convincing the King to support large scale changes. Training Palwin for whatever mission Celestine had planned. Preparing for eventual confrontation with Malachar's forces. Finding a way to copy the world seed without destroying everything they were trying to protect.

Still, today felt like victory. The mushrooms had grown, the people were fed, and doors were opening to greater influence and responsibility. In both worlds, Marcus was learning that success built on success, that credibility earned through small achievements could be leveraged for larger goals.

Tomorrow, he would begin preparing for the most important meeting of his life. The King's support could transform everything, turning his individual innovations into kingdom wide policies. The stakes couldn't be higher, but Marcus was beginning to believe he might actually be capable of meeting them.

For the first time since arriving in Valdris as a confused college student, Marcus felt like he was exactly where he needed to be, doing exactly what he was meant to do. The harvest was just the beginning.