Fabian’s attack had derailed Adrian’s schedule, and the mory of his brother’s sneering face still made him angry.
But Adrian was confident everything would be resolved, especially when Fabian’s condition was discovered.
The workshop’s iron door creaked as he pushed it open, the familiar heat of the forges and scent of sawdust welcoming him.
The ten craftsn were already at work and Adrian imdiately noticed the addition of ten more clocks, which really left him impressed.
"Master Adrian, you’re back. Thought you might’ve taken a longer rest."
"I’m back now. Sorry for the delay."
Before they could say any other thing, Adrian unrolled a new schematic, spreading it on a workbench.
"You’ve mastered the clocks," he said, his voice carrying over the forge’s crackle. "Now we’re building sothing bigger. A water pump. It’ll pull water from streams or wells, enough to irrigate a field in hours, and fill buckets effortlessly. Gather round."
The craftsn crowded in, their aprons dusted with soot and shavings. The schematic showed a weighted crank driving a piston, forcing water through a pipe.
Adrian explained each part: the piston’s seal, the crank’s leverage, the pipe’s flow rate.
"It’s simple but precise," he explained.
Gavrin stroked his beard, intrigued. "My team should start with ’em tal?"
"Yes, start prepping it," Adrian said. "Lir, your team’s on the wooden housing — oak, tight joints. Rest of you, forge the piston and pipes. Questions?"
Torm, the glassworker, raised a hand. "Water’s muddy in the lowlands. Won’t it clog the pipe?"
"Good catch," Adrian said, sketching a filter sh on the schematic. "We’ll add this. Torm, can you craft a fine glass screen?"
Torm grinned and adjusted his goggles. "Easy. I’ll make it tougher than crystal."
The n split into teams, their movents fluid, like a well oiled machine.
By the ti the sky had darkened, the craftsn had completed five water pumps!
The n, sweat-soaked and dusted with soot, stood around the pumps, their faces lit with pride.
They knew how revolutionary their products were to the kingdom, and it gave them a good deal of confidence and satisfaction.
"Well done," Adrian said, his voice cutting through the workshop’s hum.
"These are solid. Tomorrow, we’ll kick off at a faster pace. We would be making more invention from them, so get so rest; you’ve all earned it."
The craftsn grinned, their exhaustion tempered by triumph. Gavrin clapped a hand on Lir’s shoulder.
"Never thought I’d build sothing like this. Thanks, Master Adrian." The others echoed him with their heartfelt thanks.
Their spirits were high as they filed out, joking about the ale they’d share at the tavern. Adrian watched them go with warmth in his eyes.
’It really feels good to be a teacher.’
He soon returned to his room, the estate’s corridors quiet under the evening’s hush. Calling for dinner, he was promptly served a tray of different assortnts of foods.
After he was done with his al, and had refreshed with cold water fetched by the maid, he was about to settle onto his bed when a knock ca to his hearing.
"Adrian!" Serena burst in before he could even give a response, flopping onto a chair.
"You won’t believe my day. Pure torture. Mistress Elira kept late for magic lessons, calling my control sloppy for my ’talent’. Can you believe it? And Father forbade from visiting you, said I’d distract you. As if!"
Adrian chuckled. "No problem, Serena. You were not supposed to co anyway. I’m busy, and you’ve got your studies."
She pouted and crossed her arms. "You’re no fun. But fine. and mum went to the market. Oh, you should’ve seen the market today..."
They talked for a while with Serena spilling stories of the estate’s gossip, even those that happened long ago.
Adrian, anwhile; made himself a good listener to please his dear sister; laughing and contributing whenever he could.
Their chat was soon cut short by another knock. A maid entered after Adrian said, "co in".
"Master Adrian, Lord Cedric requests your presence in his study."
Adrian smiled, already guessing the topic. ’I guess the kid is lot more stupid than I thought, poor guy.’
He rose from the bed to follow the maid, "I’ll be back, Serena,"
As expected, she sprang up to join him. "I’m coming too!"
The maid shook her head. "I’m sorry, Lady Serena, His Grace specified Master Adrian alone."
Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry. You can go to sleep, it’s getting late."
Serena huffed but nodded before leaving, while he followed the maid out.
Cedric stood behind his desk, his white hair stark against the firelight. Fabian slouched on a couch, his nose looked good already, but his eyes were smoldering with rage.
Adrian entered gracefully, ignoring his brother’s glare, and bowed slightly. "Lord Cedric, you called?"
"Yes, Adrian. Sit," Cedric said, gesturing to a chair beside Fabian.
Adrian sat, his posture relaxed but alert. Cedric’s gaze remained steady.
"Adrian, what happened between you and your brother?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow at the term brother. "You an Fabian?"
At Cedric’s sigh and nod, he continued, "He attacked . I hit him once, and he fell and beca a ss."
Fabian shot up with his fists clenched and his face red. "I would have beaten—"
"Silence," Cedric snapped, making Fabian sink back onto the couch.
Cedric’s eyes narrowed, returning to Adrian. "Fabian was in a bad state when we found him; bleeding profusely, barely conscious. You, however, look fine. Strong, even."
Adrian shrugged, his tone calm but edged with calculated defiance.
He knew what he was doing. It wasn’t arrogance, but a deliberate move to cent his value. If Fabian saw him as weak, he would be at a greater risk.
"I didn’t expect him to be that fragile. What’s even your point, Lord Cedric?" His voice carried a hint of anger, just enough to underscore his stance.
"If Fabian tries attacking again, you won’t be pleased with the consequences."
Fabian’s jaw tightened, but Cedric raised a hand. "Calm yourself, Adrian. I apologize for my son’s poor behavior."
Fury took over Fabian at that mont. "Siding with him? Father, he nearly killed !"
"Sit," Cedric ordered in an icy tone. "You will apologize, Fabian. Now."
"Apologize?" Fabian spat. "You saw what he did!"
Cedric’s expression darkened and his voice beca noticeably lower.
"Fabian, did you dare talk back to ?"
"I... I’m sorry, Father—"
"Shut up," Cedric cut in. "You attacked a guest here to aid the Dukedom — no, the Kingdom — and you’ve yet to show remorse."
Fabian’s face contorted, but he turned to Adrian. "Sorry."
Cedric’s eyes flashed. "Is that how you were taught?"
Fabian gritted his teeth and lowered his head. "Sorry, Adrian. Forgive my... egregious folly. I was foolish to attack you."
Adrian t his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. He didn’t respond though — forgiveness was far from his mind — and instead turned to Cedric.
"Anything else, Lord Cedric?"
"Yes," Cedric said, his tone softening but firm. "Fabian, leave us."
Fabian stood with evident anger as he stord out. As the door slamd, he muttered under his breath,
"Just you wait, Adrian. I’ll deal with you one day. That’s a promise."
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