Chương 74: 9 – Wood

Houses in Tacuria were simple things. They had a sort of temporary permanence to them because a harsh storm or a flood could occasionally destroy them entirely. Sometimes violently. It was rare, of course, but with the houses being as simple as they were, a new one could be built relatively quickly. The people, sympathetic, and fearful of their own misfortune, would often pitch in to help build the victims a new one. Burnom… wasn't likely to receive such altruistic treatment.

He'd flaked on jobs he'd been hired for and he'd cultivated a reputation of unreliability. He'd never helped others build their own houses, and most people knew him from seeing him thrown out of the bar more than once. I was hoping that would change after my craft, but I didn't have high expectations. Still, he'd asked me to come, and I did have reasons to talk to the Woodworkers. Houses were usually made from wood posts and wattle and daub frames here, and Travmetis was an expert in creating hard planks of wood.

His talent was common. His Woodwork skill received a passive buff whenever he was wielding an axe. That buff scaled with the quality of the axe, which wasn't usually very impressive. I had given Travis an axe that never dulled. This, coupled with the sudden and intense need to cut clearings on the outskirts of town, had resulted in a peculiar situation at the woodworker's hut. The lumber yard was simply surrounded in logs. There was more wood here than I'd ever seen. Cut timber, logs, sticks, firewood, planks.

If it could be made from wood and used in construction, it was here. That was all the more impressive because there were only two men doing all the work. Burnom and I approached the woodworker's hut around noon. I was relieved to find only Travis there, as I was still trying to work out exactly what to say to Pretyr.

"What an unusual pair of visitors. Mera, always a pleasure. Burnom. Never would've expected to see you here," Travis said as he looked up from his work. He was shirtless despite the cold, and a sheen of sweat covered his body. He was, predictably, splitting wood. This particular batch looked like firewood to me. There were piles and piles everywhere, stacked in neat rows that wouldn't have looked out of place in April's world.

We might have to worry about food this winter, but if anyone in Pemolar's Hill was cold, I'd eat my foot.

"Well, times change, my friend. I'm looking to build a house on the east end of town, south of the new clearing you and Pretyr made out there.

"Never thought I'd see the day. You? Wanting a house? Why now? You've been here longer than Pretyr, and never wanted for one before," he asked.

"Things change," Burnom replied. Burnom had insisted I come with him. I got the feeling that what he was really asking for was my reputation. He was using my company to garner a smidge of good will where otherwise he would find none, even if he truly had turned a new leaf.

"That explains you. And your partner here?" the woodworker asked, looking to me.

"I've got my own requests, beyond hoping you'll help Burnom out. It seems the axe I made you has been doing you well," I said. He grimaced before looking closely at the tool.

"Aye. It has. Saved my life in Mitoras. Rumors are you had your own ill luck there. Sorry I wasn't in the bar to hear your story last night."

"That's alright. I was hoping you might help Burnom out with the lumber though, as a favor to me," I said.

"I can trade a bit of food, and a few pouches of pepper spray. I know it's not enough to cover the cost of logs for a home–!"

"Naa," Burnom interrupted.

"I didn't bring you along to give me charity. I can make my own way." Travis glanced back at his own small house behind the hut.

"Food might go a bit further than you'd expect. Prices are high, and generosity has been left by the wayside lately. I'm obviously not hurting for stock. You think you have something to offer instead, Burnom?"

"Your chimney's falling apart. I can repair that. Probably make you a new stove too, if you're using what I suspect in the house back there. Might have to work with Sebinet, but I'll have to work with him anyway."

"You… you're a mason?" he asked doubtfully.

"Skills at one hundred seventy-eight," Burnom said proudly.

"Atrophied, though. Gonna take a little work to get it back proper." I blinked. My talent apparently rounded down. Good to know. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"I… would love that, but it's not enough for the timber for an entire house. You'll need wattle and daub–!"

"Don't need it," he interrupted.

"Just looking for the posts and frame. The house'll be stone."

"I… suppose that makes sense. You're really a mason? Have been all this time?" he asked. Burnom grinned.

"Till now, I've been a professional drunkard. My alcohol tolerance is almost as high as my masonry. I'm… going to try turning that around. Bond Crafter here gave me a bit of a kick," he said with a gesture to me. I flushed, not really feeling like I'd done anything all that impressive for him.

"Huh. Hasn't Edra been giving you kicks for the past decade?" Travis said.

"Mera kicks harder," he said.

"I never once kicked you," I said, feeling like the whole metaphor was getting out of hand. Travis and Burnom shared a laugh, but Travis sobered quickly.

"No offense, Burnom, but I'll believe it when I see it. For now, you'll have the lumber as soon as the chimney and stove are done."

"That's fair," Burnom said sourly.

"I'm going to need to talk to the miner and get some ingots off him. Bet he's dying to get rid of all the excess stone, too. Mind if I step inside and see what sort of setup you have?" Travis gestured to the house, and Burnom took off walking toward it. When he was out of earshot, Travis turned back to me.

"Is all that nonsense real?" I sighed.

"I think so. I crafted something for him. I think it was a statue of his wife's face. Something changed in him. I'm… optimistic but doubtful. He's not lying about his Masonry skill, though."

"So are you just here for emotional support?" he asked.

"It's more than he deserves if you ask me. The lazy bum. Still, if he's really turning himself around, who am I to get in the way. Burnom Mason. Who would've thought?"

"Ah… his last name is Carelost. They do things weird in Rechin."

"Really?" he asked. I nodded.

"I'm actually here for more than just him, though. I wanted to talk to you about a… commission." He eyed me oddly.

"After everything your mother spent on those peppers, I'd be surprised if you Farmers had a copper between you, no offence. But this axe you made me… it saved my life. For that, I'll always be grateful. What can I make for you?"

"Arrows," I replied. His eyebrows rose.

"I'm not going to lie and tell you I can afford them in the amount I'm asking for. Part of this is because I'm afraid of another rift break, and part of this is because I no longer trust the central army to handle anything. But I want arrows. I want bows. Wagon wheels an axles. Carts and construction material. I want axe hafts. Anything Fedenat makes with a bladed edge, I want it to have a hilt ready to go." His eyes widened.

"I already make several hundred arrows a month, and you've got to know I can't make hilts. Hafts, maybe, but you're describing carpenter work. You'll need to talk to Mularet." he said.

"I intend to. When I ask him to make hafts, hilts, and bows, my intention is for him to never have a supply issue. When he looks to his own stocks for wood for a sword haft, or so much as a belt buckle, I want him tripping over what he needs. Every bow he hands out to our people, I want a thousand arrows. More if we can get them." If his eyes were wide before, they were round as saucers now.

"You… can't afford that. The entire town couldn't afford that," he said.

"The entire town might not have a choice," I said.

"Were you there when I talked to the Mayor a few days ago?" He shook his head.

"Heard about it from Pretyr, but I didn't see it. Always more work to do. Actually… he's pretty mad at you." I grimaced.

"That's another reason I'm here. I was hoping to apologize."

"You shouldn't have to. Everyone understands why you did what you did. It makes sense to avoid making enemies when you're being drafted into the fucking army, but he's still nursing a grudge. He's off in the south woods, but should be back in a while, if you're sure you want to speak with him." I quirked an eyebrow.

"Isn't he your best friend? That's a bit harsh."

"It's the truth. I've listened to him and Owinda's ceaseless whining about you for days now. Way, I see it, you risked your life. Probably could've avoided the draft if you hadn't gotten involved, and now…" he gestured down at my foot. I shook my head.

"Well, what's done is done. Back to my point. If you only heard about it second hand, then you might not know. We think Eschal has a way to control rift monsters. Or direct them, at least." He grimaced.

"Right. That. I did hear about that. Hard to believe–!"

"Believe it," I interrupted.

"Every person I can convince now might be another person who lives later. I love seeing this yard filled to the brim, Travis. I want you to empty it. Even if I am completely wrong, sooner or later, some army is going to want good arrows. Worst…" I paused, horrified at the prospect, but continued on.

"Worst case scenario, you can give them to Eschal as a bargaining chip if they ever do roll over us."

"Heavens, Mera. You… really think it'll come to that?"

"I hope not," I said.

"But I don't like leaving things up to chance. The war isn't something I can just avoid thinking about. Not anymore." I glanced up and saw his newest need bubble. He needed wood, flax, and ether dust. He needed it to protect him from wind magic. That was… very telling to me.

"Alright. I'm… keeping at least twenty percent available, but I'll do it," he said.

"For you, Mera."

"That's wise anyway. We… might need new buildings. More buildings than just Burnom's new house I mean." I said, beaming at him.

"Thank you for this, Travis. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully repay you, but I can do something to get started. Could you get me some flax stalks, wood, and ether dust? I don't think I need much." He grinned.

"I'll get it to you tomorrow. Will you be at the bar?"

"Aren't I always?" I asked.