Mark of the Fool

Chapter 466: Growth and Labour

Chapter 466: Growth and Labour

Now that weve got our mana core liquified, we have to apply it to the false roots, Alex explained to his golem.

FatherI have a question, Claygon said.

I love it when you have questions. Alex put the processor down so he could check the temperature of his mixture. It shows that youve got a curious mind, Claygon, and having some healthy curiosity takes you much farther in life than being a dullard. So, what would you like to know?

The pot Claygons attention was on the soil. It isfull of earthbut in the shop we went tothere were plants floating in liquid. Why notdo it that way?

Oh? You mean why bother with the soil at all? The young wizard checked the temperature gauge on the sideof the processor, nodding in satisfaction. Yeah, thats a good question: its true that certain plants can be cultured in water, and some you can use a mineral-rich liquid solution for. But the answer is time. Remember how you said you were alright with waiting? That you were patient?

Yesfather, Claygon said.

Well, sometimes patience is rewarded. And sometimes without patience there is a consequence,Alex explained. You see, the soil slows how fast our little aeld branch friend will take up the liquified mana core. Its more of a slow release of energy into the staff.

And thatsa good thing? His golem asked.

Oh, its not only a good thing, its a necessity. Alex tapped the side of the plant pot. The aeld branch is going to take up this entire solution through the false roots, right? But if it drinks it toofast, then the mana core will recrystallise

Itsgoing to recrystallise? Claygon looked at the liquid with concern. It had sharp points when it wassolid. Will thatnot hurt the aeld branch?

Very astute: the answers a very strong and mighty yes. Alex patted Claygon on the arm. Oh, and by the way, be careful when youre interrupting someone. I dont mind it, because I understand youre just excited to learn, but some people could find it very rude and insulting.

Ohsorryfather Claygon said.

Oh, bah, no need for apologies, Im just warning you for when youve got your fancy, shiny speakerbox and youre chatting with everyone you meet, Alex chuckled. Not everyones as understanding, kind, intelligent, wise, forgiving and devilishly charming as I!

He laughed, then paused, reflexively waiting for someone to roast him.

Of course, no one did.

Claygon simply nodded as though his fathers words were the greatest truth the world had ever known, and besides, the only other living creatures around were the vermin in the walls and his summoned army hunting them down. And they were a little busy at the moment, and probably not really up on the whole roasting between friends thing.

Alex coughed awkwardly. Anyway, I mean I might be exaggerating on my good qualitiesa little.

Isthathumour, father? Claygon asked.

Er, yes, but anyway! My point was that you were rightbut you were also a little wrong. Alex tapped the branch gently, and its light flickered as though his touch was ticklish. When it solidifies in the branch, it can hurt itif it drinks the liquefied mana core too fast. He rubbed the bark. You see, if it absorbs the mana core too quickly, the liquid wont have time to flow through the wood evenly, and pockets of liquid mana core will form. Those pockets will then harden, forming small, sharp crystal blooms thatll tear through the wood fibres. Thats where the soil comes in handy, it slows the process down, giving the liquid a chance to spread through the entire branch consistently. Then, when it does crystallise, itll solidify through the whoooole branch, along the wood grain.

And thatthat doesnt sound like it would hurt the branch, Claygon mused.

Thats right, Alex said. Anyway, did that answer your question for now? Its just about time to move on to the next step.

Yesthank you, father.

Oh youre welcome, Alex held the processor over the pot, slowly pouring the liquid into the mana-rich soil around the aeld branch, watching as the earth shone with dozens of coloured lights. He was moving at a snails pace, slowly and steadilyensuring not a single precious drop was spilledas he covered the soil with liquified mana core.

We want to get as even a distribution as we can, he said to Claygon. So we have to soak the soil around the branch fairly evenly. The false roots can correct for some imbalanceslike too much liquid on one side of the potbut its better to keep things as even as possible.

Yesfatherso that the aeld branch drinks it evenly, and the mana core crystallises evenly.

Youve got it, Alex gently swirled the liquid over the soil. Very good. Aaaaand, with that, were just about done.

Tipping the processor, he let the last few drops of liquified mana core drain into the soil, then paused, admiring the multi-hued glow coming from the soil. Hed learned that in the most northern and southern places of the world, there were nights when the sky was filled with lights of different hues and shades, weaving like silk tapestries hung by deities.

He wondered if they looked anything like these shining in the soil surrounding the aeld branch.

Alright! He said enthusiastically. So far so good!

Whathappens now? Claygon raised a hand as though wanting to touch the soil.

Well, now we do that thing that youre so good at: we wait patiently, Alex said. In the next hour, we should know for sure if the branch is taking up the mana core.

What happensif it doesnt?

Well, one of two things. Alex began cleaning and sanitising his tools. Best case scenario is theres a little bit of an imbalance in the soil, which means I can simply adjust it with some fertiliser.

And what isthe worst case scenario?

Alex gave a nervous chuckle. Worst case scenario is that I screwed up a step when I was making the mana core, which means that Id have to toss everything I just did, and start all over again. If that happens, then youll have your first experience seeing your father fall to his knees and cry.

...you said those ingredients were expensive.

And thats why Id be falling to my knees and crying.

Ah.

Exactly aaaaaaah! Id be screaming that word too! You get it! Alex scrubbed out the pressurised processor. In any case, weve got some time to kill and a bit of mana left, so we might as well get a little more work done since were here, and Traveller knows the place needs it, he looked around the kitchen. We might be able to kill all the vermin todayor at least most of them, I definitely dont hear those dire rats anymorebut theres still a lot of junk to remove.

I can move the heavy thingsfather. You just stay hererest. You are tired and I dontget tired. Claygon said, standing a little straighter.

Ohoho, no you dont! Alex wagged a finger. I didnt just polish you to a mirror-sheen just to see you get dirty hauling a bunch of garbage around. He cracked his knuckles. Like I said, Ive got some mana leftso lets leave that sort of thing to some new helper friends Ill be calling.

Formiac ants were some of the greatest workers in all the outer planes.

Virtually tireless, ultimately focused, loyal to a fault and excellent at teamwork, they could raise literal mountains on their home plane if given enough materials, and theyd complete the task in surprisingly little time.

For the job of taking out years of garbage and disposing it in a city-provided bin, they were more than qualified. Alex stood in the common room, conjuring the final member of his squad of six ants while Claygon watched.

To anyone walking into the bakery unawares, the ants would have made for a terrifying sight; each the size of a pony, with long, hooked pincers and front legs that ended in unnervingly human-like hands.

Their long antenna flicked the air while beady, insectile eyes took in their surroundings with a strange, distant intellect. Unsettlingly alien minds lurked behind those eyes, coldly assessing their summoner, their surroundings, and even Claygon.

Only the deities knew what manner of thoughts were sparking in those chitinous heads.

Alex cleared his throat, switching to the creatures insectile tongue; a tongue that required making a series of clicking sounds so distant from any language hed ever heard, that he could scarcely believe what was coming from his own throat.

Hello, friends, Ive got a job for you, he said slowly, stumbling over their language. Every ants head snapped toward him, focusing on the young wizard with an eerie stillness. They could have easily been mistaken for stone if not for antennae that bobbed and twitched with every pulse.

The Thameish wizard was a hairs breadth away from giving in to a strong urge to shudder, but he closed his eyes for a breath, pushing it down, avoiding offending his new friends.

So, Ill lead you upstairs in a moment: there, youll find rooms full of all sorts of inanimate objects. Big ones He spread his arms out. small ones His arms came together until only a tiny space lay between his hands. and Id like you to take all of it and bring it down to that bin over there.

Alex led the ants through the front door where a bin crafted of thick timbers and iron bands sat atop sturdy wheels of planed wood and metal. Renting the thing had been quite the culture shock: in Alric, when farmers or townsfolk had trash to dispose ofwhich was a rare thingtheyd either bury it as fertiliser for their crops and gardens, or burn it in huge fire pits dug just outside of town for that purpose.

When hed brought up disposing of the bakerys garbage to Toraka Shale using the same manner used in Alric, all the colour had drained from the master crafters face.

If you tried that here, youd be fined so enthusiastically, your descendants would still be paying the city long after you were dead and gone, shed said in a horrified tone. This is a city of wizards, as you well know: if everyone just dumped their waste however they wanted, all the alchemical run-off would have filled the wilderness with masses of mana-twisted mutants and wild magic by now. In Generasi you have to go, get a permit, then rent a bin on wheels. When youre done with it, contact the city and theyll take it away and dispose of everything safely.

Its a sound practice, Alex thought, showing the ants how to put things in the enormous bin, then leading them to the staircase on the side of the building. And its probably a good thing that Im not burning all that trash piled up upstairs. I could see those fumes killing half the city.

and bring it all down these stairs, or you can climb out the windows and come down the side of the building, if you want. Alex finished detailing the job to the ants whose antennae were flicking in time with his words. Just keep dumping everything in the bin until the mana starts running out on my summoning spells. When you feel the tug starting to call you back to your home plane, drop whatever youre holding into the bin, then wait down here for me, and as a little thank you for helping me, Ill give you this.

He pulled out a small sack of sugar, shaking it in front of the enormous, extraplanar ants. Their antenna flicked wildly at the scent of the sweet treat, then they didnt hesitate, immediately springing into action, scampering up the stairs with absolute mechanical efficiency.

Soon, the giant ants formed a constant stream of chitin and litter, ferrying the garbage from the upper floor, to the bin in front of the bakery. Their efficiency was almost golem-like; they never stopped moving, never stumbled, never paused for a break, never got distracted, or even slowed to click at each other.

They were a study in efficiency, and Alex was amazed at how quickly the bin began to fill up with the contents of the second floor.

Bloody hell, he swore, happily. At this rate, well have the place free of trash in no time. Fantastic! Ill save hours of labour costs, if this continues.

He wrapped his fingers together behind his back, looking up at the building with a sense of pride spreading through his chest. Well, Claygon, Ill still need to hire folk to give the place an extreme scrubbing once all the trash is gone, and Ill also need to get carpenters in to do much needed repairs, but this place might be livable a lot sooner than Id originally thought.

Alex smiled up at the golem. And then, Ill get that basement set up good and proper for my workshop, which means youll have that speakerbox in no time.

There was a pulse of excitement from Claygon. You area goodfather to me.

Well, I try, the Thameish wizard shrugged. Id be a pretty shit one if I didnt do my best by you. In any case, why dont we wait a bit, then check on the staff. Tell you what, Ill teach you how to play cards. maybe you can play Thundar andbreak his winning streak. And speaking of him, I cant wait to show him and Isolde our new home. I think theyre going to be real bloody surprised.

Fatherits beautiful Claygon murmured. Look at the light

It is beautiful, isnt it? Alexs eyes shone with anticipation, observing a multi-hued glow pulsing upward through the aeld branchs bark. It means our aeld friend is drinking all that liquified mana core just fine.

His smile widened. Looks like Ill have a brand new staff thats ready for our next battle, after all.