Chapter 45 – New House and Orders
Early in the morning, following a hearty breakfast at the Tropical Inn, Kaelen sat at the table with the group in the main area to align the direction for the day. He shared the guidelines with a calm nod, indicating how they could efficiently divide tasks so that no one felt overwhelmed.
— Akra and I will go to the Trade Guild to handle our registration paperwork — he justified, casually adjusting his linen tunic. — While we take care of that, Thys, Miri, and Eradan can swing by the local markets to provision the essentials and basic items for our future home. We don't need to skimp on necessary preparations, but I'm counting on Miri's experience and bargaining skills to negotiate the best prices with the vendors.
Tucked under Kaelen's arm, carefully wrapped and rolled up to avoid creasing, were the two schematics he had spent a good part of the previous night drafting on the oak desk: the prototype of the oil drum lamp with an anti-spill nozzle and the detailed design of the ceramic water filter.
It is worth highlighting an ingenious technical detail he had engineered for the filter: the outer part was solid ceramic, but the filter core itself was designed as two small pieces of ceramic fitted together by a simple screw thread. Their interior was hollow, designed precisely to accommodate and compact the necessary layers—the porous base, crushed charcoal, fine sand, and gravel—allowing the filter candle to be easily unscrewed, cleaned, or replaced without having to discard the entire vessel body. There was also an additional parchment with a larger model of the device, designed to be installed on top of the house and supply the entire structure through ceramic channels. Well, at least all the time spent staying up late shaping those strokes on the parchment would be worth it if the locals there possessed any commercial vision.
They walked through the streets of Felis-Tigris until they reached the imposing building of the Trade Guild. The facade proved much larger and more structured than Kaelen had imagined for a city of heteromorphs—although he already knew from his family's records that they had maintained active trade routes with the House of Vance for generations.
He crossed with calm steps, with Akra right by his side. The young girl walked in silence, but her fingers constantly released small invisible sparks and crackled with contained heat due to the hyperactivity and anxiety that the street hustle provoked in her aberrant mind. He headed straight to the reception service counter.
The receptionist, a heteromorph with polished feline traits and neat clothing, raised her gaze and evaluated him from head to toe. Her eyes narrowed subtly, blending cautious respect for his well-groomed attire with distinct perplexity. What on earth is an unaccompanied twelve-year-old noble child and a skittish dragonkin doing here at the commercial headquarters so early? — she thought, adjusting her posture.
— Good morning, young senhor — she said, adopting a polished tone, yet laden with understandable curiosity as she twitched her pointed ears forward. — A very warm welcome to the Tigris Trade Guild. I am the receptionist on duty. Tell me, what brings the senhor and his scaled companion to our counters today?
— Good morning — Kaelen replied with serenity, offering a friendly smile to disarm her suspicion, while Akra remained alert beside him, her electric eyes shining slightly as she observed the papers.
Leaning his arms on the counter, he presented the points they needed to resolve to organize their stay in the city.
— First, I would like to know what is required to complete my formal registration here at the Trade Guild. I would also like to acquire two magical contracts for safeguarding technical secrets—do you have copies of those available, and what would the total cost be? Additionally, would you know if the Guild trades any portable magical storage pouch or where I might find such an item in the city?
He paused briefly to allow her to note down the requests on the ledger sheet and then outlined the real estate demand.
— Finally, I am looking for a permanent property. Depending on contractual conditions and location, I may opt for purchase or rent. We are in need of a reasonably quality dwelling that meets some practical specifications to accommodate our group: five rooms, a good kitchen, two pantries to store provisions, a central dining hall, and a closed shed in the back or nearby for manual work with tools. If the property features some open land for planting and proximity to a clean water flow, it would be the ideal scenario. What does the Guild have available matching this profile, and what would the average market values be?
The receptionist blinked a few times, processing the flow of detailed demands from a twelve-year-old planning to settle down with such a specific structure, before breaking into a professional smile and pulling a thick tome from the shelf above. She rested her elbows lightly on the polished wood, showing that his direct, sensible, and well-articulated approach had managed to capture her full interest.
— I see the young senhor prefers to handle business with planning and caution, which is an excellent virtue to display right on your first day in the city — she commented flatteringly, pulling out a clean form and dipping her quill in ink. — To carry out your formal registration here at the Trade Guild as an independent investor, the registration fee is ten silver coins, requiring only the verification of your insignia to attest that there are no legal restrictions or embargoes in Eldoria.
She quickly jotted down the first lines on the paper and continued.
— Regarding the magical contracts for safeguarding technical secrets, we possess standard intermediate-grade specimens directly linked to our Trade Guild seal. They guarantee protection against breach of confidentiality through coercion or direct theft of artisanal formulas. Each parchment endowed with the binding clasp costs fifty silver coins—meaning five gold coins for each pair the senhor takes.
Upon hearing the mention of the dimensional pouch, she shook her feline ears negatively, adjusting her collar with an apologetic expression.
— Now, as for the magical storage pouch, portable dimensional space artifacts are rare and extremely expensive items on the frontiers. The Guild rarely keeps these objects readily available at the counters, as they strictly depend on caravans coming from the Central Kingdom. If the senhor truly requires such a piece for your routine, I suggest stopping by Master Galian's House of Relics and Curiosities, located on the tailors' street, or trying your luck negotiating directly with elite merchants near the noble district. But prepare a good stash of coins in your pouch, because no unit ever goes for less than a few hundred gold coins.
Finally, she opened the large dark leather-bound tome, flipping through some pages covered by notes and small cadastral maps of the intermediate rings and the outskirts of Felis-Tigris, until she fixed her index finger on a specific sheet.
— Now, regarding the property... Specifications like five rooms, dual pantries for provisions, and above all, a closed back shed bordering a running water flow... that is a profile of structure highly sought after by independent alchemists or artisans who choose to operate their devices away from the city center noise. I have precisely two registered owner options that fit your search perfectly:
The Willows Property, located in the East Border: It is situated approximately a ten-minute walk from the river's secondary canal. It features the main residence with five spacious rooms, two large pantries, a central dining hall, and at the back of the land, there is a structured shed formerly used for tanner activities. The floor is packed earth, but it has excellent ventilation and sturdy wooden beams. The owner prefers direct sale for four hundred and twenty gold coins, but accepts a lease contract with an option for future purchase at thirty-five gold coins per month.
The Old Mill Estate, situated in the Northwest Outskirts: It is located a bit further from the central walls, positioned very close to the bank of a clean stream descending from the hills. The residence has the exact size the senhor requested, a large fully fenced yard—excellent for small crops or vegetable gardens—and a very robust wooden shed next to it. Since the location is slightly further from the noble wing, the price becomes considerably more accessible for the coffers: three hundred gold coins for definitive acquisition, or twenty-five gold coins monthly should you opt for a standard seasonal lease.
A slight smile of satisfaction escaped the corner of Kaelen's lips upon hearing the mention of the mill. He leaned his body forward slightly, resting his fingers on the counter's edge with total cordiality.
— I am quite curious about a specific detail regarding this second option... Does the old water or wind mill still remain on the property? Does it work, or are at least the mechanical structure of the rustic gears and the waterwheel still intact in place? In any case, I would like to schedule a visit to go see this second property today, provided there is availability on the Guild's schedule.
Maintaining his calm tone and working out the math mentally, he confirmed the rest of the acquisitions.
— As for the magical contracts, evaluating our routine carefully, I've changed my mind: I would like to take four scrolls instead of just two. We can process my formal registration in the Trade Guild right now and add all the fees to the total so I can make payment upfront.
Pulling his coin pouch from inside his cloak, he untied the leather drawstring with total normalcy, making it clear he possessed the capital required to cover the four contracts—which totaled ten gold coins for the runes—and the registration fees without any hitch or need for haggling.
The receptionist broke into a wide smile upon seeing the gleam of gold and his firm, objective posture during the transaction. She collected the registration form with agility, pulled four properly sealed scrolls in protective wax tubes, and filled out the receipt with precision.
— From what is noted in the registration records of the Old Mill Estate, the basic waterwheel structure and mill shell remain perfectly erected on the bank, but the internal gear and milling mechanism has been idle for some time, needing a carpentry overhaul and lubrication. The former owner was a miller who ended up moving to the royal capital — she explained, stamping the registration sheet with the Guild's signet. — As for the four magical safeguard contracts, that is ten gold coins in total. Adding the ten-silver registration fee, the total counter amount comes to ten gold coins and one silver.
She slid the official receipt, the four tubes containing the runes, and the registration term to his side, offering a quill for validation.
— Simply register your signature here with your legal name to formalize your bond in the Guild archives. Once complete, I can request assistance from one of our on-duty brokers to accompany the senhor and your companion to the limits of the Old Mill Estate property. Would you like to proceed with the visit this morning?
— I thank you very much for your help, mademoiselle. Could you write down the names and addresses for me, please? — he said with a polite smile.
Safely storing the four magical contract tubes at the bottom of his leather pouch, he kept only the two rolled technical schematics securely tucked under his arm. With the paperwork sorted and his operational base officially guaranteed, he gestured to Akra, who stood firmly at his side.
He made a quick mental note: they would need to stop by the shop mentioned by the attendant later—Master Galian's House of Relics—to inquire about the portable pouch and assess the market. But before taking the final step toward the property, the receptionist tapped her signet lightly on the table, catching the attention of a heteromorph with fine traits, wearing a formal gray tunic and sporting drooping ears, who was finishing organizing some cadastral rolls on a shelf in the back of the hall.
— Kaelen, this is Mr. Varis, our on-duty senior broker. He will accompany the senhor and your partner to the limits of the Old Mill Estate. Good luck with the property inspection, young senhor!
Varis approached with a polite bow and collected the bundle of documents containing the land maps, while Kaelen and Akra prepared to head toward the location.
— Good morning, Mr. Varis. Can we head to the location to take a good look at the residence and evaluate the structures? — he asked politely, comfortably adjusting the papyrus scrolls under his arm, while Akra assumed an attentive posture beside him, trying to control her static flow so as not to disturb the employee.
Varis adjusted his collar, broke into a courteous smile, and extended his hand indicating the main exit portal of the Trade Guild.
— Perfectly, young Kaelen. The Old Mill Estate is located a short carriage ride away, or approximately a twenty-minute brisk walk toward our northwest outskirts. If it pleases the senhor to walk to stretch your legs after the long road trip and learn a bit more of our urban architecture, we can go on foot. The route is extremely peaceful, safe, and borders the citadel's secondary trade route.
As they advanced through the bustling dust of Felis-Tigris's streets, Varis walked at a steady, calm pace beside them, pulling out the specification sheets to point out reference landmarks.
They walked for about twenty-five minutes, gradually leaving behind the buzz and chatter of the grand commercial avenues. As they advanced toward the limits of the northwest outskirts, stone-paved roads gave way to packed earth paths, flanked by rustic wooden fences and considerably denser, greener vegetation. The air out there revealed itself noticeably purer and lighter, laden with the damp scent of wet soil and low-lying foliage, sharply cut by the relaxing sound of running water just ahead.
Mr. Varis stopped his steps before a rustic wooden gate, though sturdy and well-fitted in structure, which provided access to a property fenced by tall grass and a few fruit trees displaying small shoots. An old faded real estate ad sign rested in one corner of the pine fence.
— We have arrived at our destination, young travelers — Varis announced, lightly wiping sweat from his forehead with a linen handkerchief before pointing with his index finger toward the main building and the side structure leaning against the bank. — As the senhor can clearly observe, the residence has a solid facade erected in stone and wood properly treated against the climate, withstanding the change of seasons very well. On the west wing, you have the ample yard extending directly to the stream bank, excellent for growing a garden or subsistence crops as the senhor mentioned. And right over there to the left, taking advantage of the natural water flow, stands the wooden carcass of the old mill. The waterwheel remains coupled to the external central axle, though it needs some repairs on the collection paddles, and the diversion channel is clear of branches and debris.
The broker pulled a ring containing heavy iron keys from his coat pocket, selected the largest one, and unlocked the residence's main door with a dry click, making a courteous gesture for Kaelen and the young girl to enter first and evaluate the interior.
They entered the house walking side by side, maintaining calm steps over the wooden floorboards that creaked subtly beneath their boots. The environment proved spacious, airy, endowed with high ceilings, and exuding a soft pine scent mixed with the old dust of time spent closed. While Mr. Varis chose to remain outside, resting and reviewing contractual terms, Kaelen began walking leisurely through the residence rooms, closely inspecting the spatial layout of the five rooms, the central dining hall, and the two large pantries strategically located near the area reserved for the kitchen.
He maintained a relaxed posture, pretending to be strictly focused on evaluating the natural light entering through the large windows. He paused for a few moments in front of the main living room window, pretending to admire the property's peaceful view—the green lawn swaying softly in the wind and the stream flowing steadily at the very back of the land.
With his back to the entrance and ensuring his field of vision was perfectly blocked from the broker waiting on the outer porch, he took a deep breath and closed his eyelids for a second. He focused his psionic energy on the residual energy and vital vigor impregnated in the old window wood, cleanly and silently activating Psychometry.
In the exact same millisecond, fragments of foreign memories and emotional echoes from the estate's former owner began to flood his mind vividly, like an accelerated, soundless glimpse of past eras: he visualized a middle-aged man wearing simple miller and local merchant clothes, gathering belongings with clear urgency and packing papers into rustic wooden boxes. There was an expression of clear panic and haste on his features, but his train of thought revealed the fear wasn't motivated by dangers in the residence or frontier criminals... echoing in his mind was the severe, impositional warning of a tax collector or a debt collection writ accumulated with a major merchant guild operating in the capital. The man had fled the province due to defaulting and accumulating abusive interest, choosing to abandon the estate and mill in a hurry before chancelry officials came to confiscate his assets and lock him in the dungeons.
He opened his eyes calmly, controlling his reactions so as not to betray any trace of surprise or alteration in his countenance. Ah, so that was the financial reason the former owner had to vanish abruptly without a trace toward the men's capital... He found himself completely choked with debts to major creditors and preferred to ditch the estate and mill on a silver platter to save his own skin.
With this valuable information kept under total secrecy, he turned back toward the interior of the dining hall, catching Akra's attention with a light, complicit look of everything is clean and safe here, but stay alert, as he headed back to the entrance to speak with Mr. Varis.
Leaving the bedroom wing, he walked calmly to the exit, finding the senior broker reviewing some notes and documents.
— Mr. Varis, the residence structure and land dimensions really pleased me quite a bit. It is a space of reasonable quality and perfectly meets what we seek to settle down, so I would like to close the definitive purchase of the property — he said, maintaining a firm, calm, and resolute tone of voice, crossing his arms lightly while Akra positioned herself beside him with readiness. — From what the receptionist presented at the central guild counter, the owner's stipulated acquisition price is three hundred gold coins. I merely wish to confirm if this sum already fully covers the issuance of certificates, the transfer of official documentation at the chancelry, and definitive registration in the Trade Guild tomes. If everything is in order, can we return right now to the central headquarters to settle the papers?
The broker widened his brown eyes for a brief instant, visibly surprised by the speed, firmness, and maturity with which a twelve-year-old boy made a real estate decision of this magnitude without showing hesitation or the need for haggling, but a wide, extremely professional smile soon took over his features. He closed the papers with a snap and gave a satisfied nod, visualizing his guaranteed commission for the shift.
— Young Kaelen, the senhor is an admirably decisive and objective client! It is a true privilege closing business with someone who knows how to read opportunities and values clarity — Varis replied, descending the wooden steps and gesturing with his arm toward the return trail. — And to answer your technical doubt with total clarity: yes, the three hundred gold coins cover absolutely all transaction costs, including the expenses of on-duty scribes, the property transfer fee at the city chancelry, and the definitive insertion of your name in our guild's archives. We shall return to the office right now, and I guarantee that in less than an hour the senhor will leave holding the definitive keys with the estate officially registered in your name!
Turning back at the rustic gate, they began their return walk along the packed earth trail, leaving the Old Mill Estate behind for a few hours until they organized their move.
After exactly twenty-five minutes of walking, Varis and Kaelen crossed the imposing gates of the Trade Guild building once more. The interior atmosphere remained taken up by the movement of merchants and caravans of the Central Route, but they headed straight to the counter where the same feline-trait receptionist continued running her shift. Varis directed the bureaucratic part and maps with one of the chancelry scribes in the back, while Kaelen positioned himself at the dark wood counter to settle the financial details of the real estate transaction.
Opening his leather pouch, he calmly counted out the exact sum of three hundred pure gold coins, stacking them in an orderly fashion on the table before the attendant. The feline's eyes shone brightly as they registered the weight and gleam of the full payment made upfront, while guild employees were already pulling the sheets of the definitive purchase and sale agreement to collect final signatures.
While the gold pouch was properly weighed on the scale and checked by accountants, he took the opportunity to settle another important domestic logistics front. Leaning lightly over the counter with total cordiality, he looked at the receptionist:
— While we wrap up the paperwork, would the mademoiselle know how to direct me, through the guild directory, to three fully trusted professionals for some repairs at the estate? I need a skilled blacksmith, an experienced joiner in mill mechanics, and a potter.
As soon as the word "potter" left his lips, the attendant's ears gave a slight start and her features contracted in confusion. Behind that silence lay an evident questioning of what a young noble who had just bought an estate with a mill upfront using pure gold planned to do with clay and ceramics right on his first day in the city.
He maintained a perfectly imperturbable posture, pretending to ignore the attendant's expression, and continued the list with total naturalness.
— Besides the artisans, where can I find good quality seeds and planting supplies in the region? As we will spend two years settled here, we need to organize the entourage's sustenance.
The receptionist blinked, shoving her thoughts aside to pull a quill and consultation parchment.
— The Guild maintains a registry of local providers and vendors. I will write down the names and locations to hand over along with the keys.
— I appreciate the help.
Collecting the receipt, transfer document, and the bundle of keys Varis extended, he stored the four magical contract tubes in his leather pouch, kept the two schematic rolls under his arm, and gestured to Akra.
— Let's stop by the forge first.
They walked to the artisans' district, where the sound of metal striking metal echoed through the alleys. Unlike human central cities where dwarves dominated high-forges, in Felis-Tigris heavy work was undertaken by minotaurs. They stopped before a dark stone building bearing a carved sign: The Iron-Bull Anvil.
They stepped past the entrance and were immediately hit by the heat. The environment was spacious, dominated by the glow of a large central furnace. Near the anvil, a massive minotaur wearing a soot-marked leather apron hammered an incandescent steel bar with a two-handed hammer. A young assistant carried a bucket to the quenching tank beside them.
The master blacksmith interrupted his movement, rested his hammer handle on the anvil, and stared at them with deep eyes, evaluating Kaelen and Akra.
— I am Gorgon, the master blacksmith — he said in a deep voice echoing off stone walls, crossing his arms. — The Guild knows who truly works hard around here. Quality steel has its price, but work is never lacking for those seeking precision. State what brings you here. Do you need blades, door reinforcements, or repairs to heavy gears?
— Good morning, Master Gorgon — he replied, maintaining a calm posture before the anvil. — We have just settled in the city and acquired an estate in the northwest outskirts. I need some simple structural repairs on the house and routine maintenance on iron latches. I would like to know how your work is priced, whether by daily rate or by service, and if the senhor has availability to go there and evaluate the land.
Gorgon arched one thick eyebrow, but the gleam in his eyes denoted he liked the calm tone. He let out a short, deep laugh.
— You speak directly, kid. And if you came by Trade Guild referral, it's because you're looking for real service. I like clients who don't waste my time. I charge per workday on the property or lock in a fixed price for common repairs once I inspect the site. But why all this formality for old latches?
— It's just that I am somewhat eccentric in my business and strictly value discretion — he replied with a side smile. — I tend to work with tools and improvements requiring absolute secrecy at my residence. Therefore, before locking down the day rate and opening up property details, I insist on signing a confidentiality and technical exclusivity contract with my partners. If the senhor is fair with your time and material costs, we'll have an excellent arrangement for this maintenance and future services. Interested?
The blacksmith observed him for a few seconds, measuring his seriousness. A smile appeared on his broad snout.
— You like guarantees, lad. I respect that — Gorgon said, extending his soot-stained hand over the anvil to seal the conversation. — If the clauses are fair and don't stop me from working on the city's common goods, I'll sign right now. Show me the paper.
Pulling one of the sealed tubes from his leather pouch, he slid it across the anvil alongside the Guild's magical quill. Gorgon carefully opened the document, read the clauses protecting against confidentiality breaches, gave a firm nod, and stamped his signature with the metal signet, returning the copy. Kaelen signed immediately afterward, formalizing the agreement with the guaranteed fee.
— The senhor will not regret this, Master Gorgon — he said, putting the document back in his pouch.
With the blacksmith properly tied down by guild secrecy and fixed pricing, he shifted his posture. He pulled the first of the two technical schematic rolls from under his arm and spread it directly over the workbench beside the anvil, revealing a detailed design for a high-efficiency lamp. Looking at the blacksmith and Akra, who stepped closer curiously to look over his shoulder:
— Actually, Master Gorgon, the latches are just the beginning. What I need you to forge is a dual-chamber gravity-fed lamp with a shielded dome. Unlike common ones that burn through oil fast and light poorly, this uses two stacked reservoirs and a calibrated metal channel feeding the wick steadily, amplifying luminous output. It consumes less vegetable oil and keeps the flame stable even in gales, isolated by a robust light-metal casing. Your job will be making this airtight structure with tight seals, a polished internal reflector, and precision fittings. And I'll tell you: this is just the beginning. In a week I'll bring designs for a stove, a water boiler, and a new system for the property's mill.
Gorgon stared at the lamp drawing for long seconds in absolute silence before letting out a raspy laugh that rattled the tools hanging on the wall.
— By the iron horns... You've got me pegged, kid. You don't just want to fix an estate's latches. You want to revolutionize Felis-Tigris's utility market. And with the contract signed, the secret is locked tight. The design is clean, ingenious, and perfectly executable in my forge. You can count on my steel and my silence.
Releasing a short laugh, Kaelen shook the minotaur's robust hand.
— I warned the senhor you wouldn't regret it, Master Gorgon. You'll have so much work you'll soon need more assistants. To ensure our profit and security, discretion will be our best ally.
Gathering the sketches from the workbench, he grabbed his coin pouch.
— I want to pay for material costs in advance so the senhor can set the metal aside today. How long to get the first piece ready?
Gorgon slapped his heavy thigh, laughing with genuine enthusiasm echoing through the smoky workshop.
— Leave it to me, kid! Discretion is basic for anyone wanting high profits in this city, and I haven't seen a challenge like this on my anvil in a long time. As for material and labor on this prototype, give me three gold coins to cover the bronze, dome glass, and sealing alloys. Tomorrow before noon, I'll finish the threading and welding on the dual chamber. I'll show up at the estate late afternoon and deliver the finished piece in person!
Counting out three gold coins, he slid them across the anvil to the minotaur, who collected them with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
— Perfect. See you tomorrow, Master Gorgon — he nodded and gestured to Akra, satisfied to see the first gear of the grand plan spinning at full force.
They left the workshop toward the carpentry. As they walked, he glanced discreetly at the young girl beside him and projected his thoughts into her mind:
— How are you feeling amidst so many people, Akra? Can you understand why I'm making all this commotion—buying the estate, locking down contracts, and seeking trusted artisans?
Akra kept a steady pace, though her breathing quickened slightly. She tried answering aloud, but the words came out cut in half, blending with a direct echo inside his head:
— The hustle is... way too noisy, there are too many minds echoing here, it's annoying... and yes, I understand... — her voice faltered on her lips, but the continuation emerged vividly in Kaelen's thoughts. — ...you're building a legal paper wall and steel contracts so nobody dares try taking what's ours later. It's smart. Annoying, but smart.
A smile appeared at the corners of his lips. Despite the hustle typical of her nature, she captured the essence of the strategy perfectly.
They kept walking until turning onto a more wooded lane, where the scent of sawdust and cut pine replaced the odor of coal and metal. Soon they spotted a workshop with wide doors open to the street, surrounded by piles of treated boards and timber logs. Kaelen greeted the artisan working at a workbench in the back:
— Good morning.
