Chapter 296
Kai and Erik had expanded since my last visit. Open forges created a billowing heat that flowed outward, jumping the temperature at least twenty degrees from the silo's room temp. Several apprentice smiths, enchanters, and artificers attended various projects behind the open counter. Kai was dressing one such artificer down, his high-pitched voice and colorful language barely audible over the din of metal and buzzing of magic.
Erik was leaning forward on the counter, burly arms crossed beneath him, crumpling his black apron. His gaze shifted between me and the crowd outside the glass windows with a mix of caution and curiosity. "Busy morning?" he asked gruffly.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Looks like you guys stepped it up a notch." I looked around in quiet approval. "Several, for that matter. Business that good?"
Erik kneaded his forehead tiredly. "Steady. Been up to our necks in commissions for a few weeks now, hence the extra help. Trying to get them out before the transposition." Suddenly, seeming to remember that I was a customer, he straightened up. "Yours are more or less ready to go."
"More or less?"
"Aye. But it being a prototype, new design and all, I'd like a few more days to tinker if I'm honest."
"And a few days from now, you'll want a few more." Kai called over as he approached the counter, his flowing, colorful robes clashing with his surly expression. He crossed his arms and looked at me, then seemed to finally notice the commotion outside. "Can I get that loaner back—what the fuck is happening? What are they all doing? Is that a shoe?"
Before anyone could respond, Kai was already around the counter and peeking his head out the door, looking up at where the rogue user was still hanging. After a moment he retreated, slowly closing the door and peering at Erik. "I've been bitching about aesthetic for weeks now, but now I really have to put my foot down. Why is there a human piñata decorating our shop?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Erik brush his fingers horizontally across his throat.