The Flying Emporium

“Huh? Severin! It really is you. And you Sam. I knew I recognized that big back of yours.”

“Milly, what a surprise. How are you? How is your son?”

“I’m doing just fine, and I suspect Nel is having the time of his life right now. He begged me to stay outside. Next to that area with the two dummies. Lots of fighting going on there. And magic everywhere. Not often we get to see too much of either of those things, and you know how boys his age are.”

“Glad to hear you’re alright, but what brings you here? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Well, obviously, I just had to check things out myself. The new terminal, I think they called it, that appeared almost overnight and just outside of the walls had become the talk of the city. At least amongst classbearers. Had nothing much to do with us common folk; public announcement or not.

But ever since the Games, a few couple of adventurers have become regulars of mine. Fairly certain that is because of you,” she said while facing the half giant. “That one evening. Learning who you are and the fact that you were staying with us. Really was the best kind of advertisement my small inn could hope for. I still haven’t thanked you for that.”

“Haha, I’m sure I had nothing to do with that and is all about your delicious food and clean rooms.”

“Don’t even try,” Milly answered with a laugh. “But where was I? Right, the adventurers. They talk, you know. Gossip. Among other things, also about magic potions and food. And about how the store the Slaughter King himself had endorsed was the same that was located on the other side of that terminal. And then all things considered…well, I counted one and one together.

So when I learned the admission fee for us regular folk wasn’t quite as steep, we just had to come and see it with our own eyes.

So here I am, and it is quite something, let me tell you. You really are quite the bigshot, aren’t you?” This was towards Severin. “Though I have to say, that pile of stones? That fortress or whatever? A bit overdone, if you ask me.”

At once that remark made Severin forget his frustrations. Sneaking a glance at the other woman standing next to the counter, whose expression didn’t change the slightest, he did his best to suppress a laugh. “Duly noted.”

This was met with a serious nod.

“But enough about all that. What you said about that stone, that sphere, is it true?

And about having another one that can cool things down?

Can’t say I agree with your choice of words, calling half a gold only, but if it can keep its promises, it might just be a worthwhile investment, after all.”

By now Severin naturally understood that he very likely had missed something when first evaluating that small metal sphere’s usefulness. And he wasn’t the only one. Before getting the opportunity to answer, another voice chimed in.

“Excuse me, missus, but might you be willing to share with us the reason for your interest in this particular… device? Judging by your apparent interest, it seems we might have overlooked something substantial. If you are willing to help us out?”

This request put a disbelieving expression on Milly’s face, as if the woman before her just asked the most ridiculous and obvious question there was. Then, looking the questioner up and down, concluded, “You are a classbearer.” It was no question at all.

It followed a short moment of awkward silence, before Samuel took it upon himself to intervene.

“We are indeed all classbearers. I should have made the introductions earlier. Excuse me for that oversight. This right here is…“ One by one he made the introductions, at the end of which the innkeeper once again nodded to herself.

“So, just as I thought. Only classbearers wouldn’t know how to appreciate all the possibilities that come with a tool like this. Not everyone can use fire magic. And not everyone can afford to have other people make all of their meals. To heat their rooms. Laundry. Baths.”

“We get the point.“

THe stout woman ignored the interjection. “But somewhere down the line, there is always someone like me who has to go through all the troubles that are related to starting a fire. And caring for it, keeping it alive.”

Milly did not mince her words as she schooled the-in her opinion-pampered classbearers; largely due to the fact that Samuel had not mentioned any class names and, therefore, wasn’t aware of the identity of the other woman who bore the brunt of her small lecture.

But neither would have Krill if it wasn’t for his employment in Severin’s service; most regular people would seldomly get the opportunity to see and therefore recognize their rulers, much less their offspring.

But said person didn’t seem to mind and, in fact, appeared quite intrigued by this rare occasion.

“What about the magic heating pipes? Wasn’t there a royal initiative to spread the usage of those? I was under the impression their running cost was quite affordable.”

“Yeah. Unlike the cost to install them in the first place,” Milly snorted her reply. “No. Most of us are dependent on good old wood. Sometimes coal. And before you ask, it is not as cheap as you might think. Not at all. Not in the long run, and not with that demand.”

“Then what about the other heating artifacts that are out there?”

“Don’t get me started on those lukewarm things.”

With that, Milly abruptly turned away and back towards Severin. “Which begets the question, just what temperatures can your tool produce? From what I have heard about your store, I hope yours is a bit more… potent?”

“Uhm.” Severin was taken aback by the sudden question, though he should have seen it coming. After his initial frustration with the tool, he hadn’t bothered checking any of its specifications. The tooltip wasn’t too helpful in that regard either. But after thinking back to the numbers he had carved into the metal, he said, “One half turn and it should reach temperatures sufficient to boil water.”

Eeek

Inadvertently, an almost girlish, and very much uncharacteristic squeal of delight-especially now, her right after her harsh words-escaped Milly’s lips.

She quickly caught herself, and with a heavy blush, cleared her throat.

The next moment, and so matter-of-factly that made everyone doubt her small outburst had actually just happened, she said,

“Not quite enough to fuel an oven, or to replace an open fire to heat a room, I fear. But still.

That being said, I would have to see its effects first hand, if you don’t mind.”

..

Five minutes later, everyone was surrounding a large pot of water Emily had been sent to fetch from the kitchen.

“Well, then, if you will do the honor? Please, just be careful…“

“…not to burn myself. I get it. First set the temperature…”, she twisted the according half sphere to slightly above the mark which said 100, ”and since the timer still isn’t set, I can safely keep on holding it. Nice design, really. It’s basically impossible for someone to accidentally burn themselves.”

“…right.” Severin half-heartedly agreed but was largely ignored.

“And then... let’s put it on five minutes for a start? Or maybe ten?”

Another twist and Milly threw the sphere the size of a tennis ball in the water filled pot.

Not half a minute later, the water inside was boiling at literally full steam.