[Mkguild] Fit to Print (2/6)

[Indagare]

Chapter Two: Pressing Matters

There was one winery in Metamor Keep, though there were more outside of it.
It was located next to the local brewery and run by a husband and wife duo.
One was a burly bull named Farlow and the other a sleek leopard named
Bertha. The duo made a good trade with the Blind Mule.

“Ho now! To what do we owe the honor of your lordship?” asked Farlow,
bowing a bit to Misha.

“Would you gents like a drink?” asked Bertha.

“I appreciate the courtesy, but we’re here on a simple mission. Would you
happen to have a spare wine press?” asked Misha.

The two looked at one another, then back at Misha. “Odd you should be
askin’ that your honor. One of ours just busted, didn’t it Berty?”

“Splintered like a toothpick, it did, Farley. Though we ought to have seen
it coming; it’s as old as this place!”

“Right you are Berty! The press is still in great shape, but we can spare
it. Hardly get to use it ‘cept near wine season.”

“Indeed Farley! It’s hardly worth the pressing sometimes, but the Duke
appreciates it, and we’re closer than the others.”

“His own special stock, he calls it,” said Farlow, swelling with pride.
“Sure if it’s good enough for the Duke, it’s good enough for anyone.”
Farlow slipped around to the back and returned with a good-sized screw
press. “Here we are! I can deliver it for you Misha, wherever you want.”

“That’d be great! There’s a new building next to the Writer’s Guild. It
looks almost the same except for the emblem. I’ll also give you
compensation for it too, so you can build a fine new press.”

“Much obliged,” said Bertha. “Planning to press some private wine for the
boys of the Hall?”

“No, books.”

Farlow was so startled he almost dropped the press on Lodo.

***

“Where are we going now?” Lodo asked. “And will that fellow be able to find
the new building?” The rain had stopped, though the sky was still overcast.
Lodo was trying to take in Keep Town. Its design fascinated him. While the
Keep Proper was where the Duke resided and a few other buildings existed
(including the famous Deaf Mule), it was Keep Town where most people worked
and lived.

Misha noticed Lodo looking around and slowed his pace. “We’re heading to
the lumber yards outside the Keep. Michael the Beaver is in charge now and
might be willing to help with the construction. And, yes, Farlow will be
able to find the new building pretty easily. Kyia never keeps someone from
somewhere without good reason.”

“Ah, that makes sense. This place is truly amazing! So many marvels! It’s
like potential waiting to happen!” He kept looking around at morphs going
about their daily business before they reached the gate to the Killing
Grounds and then headed out to Euper.

“I have to say, you’re taking us animal morphs better than most,” said
Misha.

Lodo waved a hand dismissively. “Outer form is but clothing for the soul
within. It is that soul which is important. Anyone who thinks otherwise is
a fool.”

Misha nodded and smiled.

***

The Lumber Yard was located close to the Metamor River. Misha had led Lodo
through the town of Euper and through what he called the River Gate.

There beyond lay docks and buildings extending out into the river. There
was even an artificial island where the river had been diverted. Lodo
wondered whether it was an extension of Euper.

They headed to a wooded area to the north where lumber mills were set up. A
plaid beavermorph was there looking over plans of the Valley. He looked up
as they approached. “Hey Misha! Who’s your friend?”

“This is Lodo. He’s been helping with Drift’s folios.”

Michael shook his head. “Shame about that.” He paused and chewed on a
stick. Lodo had noticed a lot of rodents had those. Something about how
their teeth kept growing. “He was a good, hard worker for us before he went
back to the smithing business, and then...well, hope he ends up okay. I’m
just looking at the maps of the forests. We keep track of where and how
much we’ve cut down. Gotta be careful not to cut too many trees, you know.
All sorts of nasty things can happen. Oh, and pleasure to meet you too,
Lodo.”

“Same, Michael.” Along the way, Misha had explained about Michael and his
odd coloration. Lodo tried very hard not to stare.

“We’re planning to build something we found, could you fill an order to
exact specifications?” asked Misha.

“Sure thing! I know you’re good for it. Mind if I ask what the thing’s
supposed to do?”

“If it works, it’ll make thousands of books in a short time,” said Lodo.

Michael gaped, his chewstick dropping to the ground.

***

“This is a rather long walk to the mill,” said Lodo. He and Misha were
going south around the western side of the ridge that the Keep was built
on. They continued along the Metamor River until it met a small canal
leading from Euper and the Keep.

“The paper mill makes a lot of noise. No one wants it too close to them.
Strangely enough, though it is outside both the Keep and Euper, it was
never attacked during either of the wars.”

Lodo smiled weakly. “Perhaps it just didn’t seem important enough? Please
excuse my grumbling, but I’m not used to so much exercise. I’m dreading my
first patrol.”

“You don’t have to stay here that long, you know. Not that it would be
terrible, but you know the Curse will hit first.”

Lodo waved his hand dismissively. “I’d rather be here than almost anywhere
else. Besides, I’m not that worried about it. Agemorph, animalmorph,
gendermorph: no matter how I change I still ought to be able to create,
though I admit it’ll be unusual. ” He looked up; the sky was beginning to
clear. “And this place is beautiful.”

Misha smiled. “We’re not far now. Johan Svenson runs the local paper mill.
He’s an impala. He’s got a shop up the canal closer to Euper.” A plaster
building with a thatched roof stood where the Metamor River and canal met,
a water wheel slowly turning on the side, a landmark that cued them to turn
east along the canal.  Skirting a scattering of buildings that Misha
informed Lodo were an extension of Euper, Misha led the way to one in
particular.

The inside of the shop smelled like fresh paper and Lodo could see they
were arranged by type. He appreciated this, since most people did not
understand the difference between types of papers–or even the difference
between paper and vellum! The person in the shop, however, was neither a
man nor an impala. She looked instead like a white, wooly, long-necked deer.

“Misha, welcome! And who’s your friend?”

“Tabitha! Is that you? My, you’ve grown! Curse finally hit? This is Lodo.
He's new.”

“Like clockwork. Took me a ton of time to figure out what I’d turned into,
though. I was at the library so often you’d have thought I was Mael’s
assistant! She didn’t know what I was either, and I think it bothered her
more than me! But finally we found an old bestiary of Fan Shoar and
discovered I’m an alpaca. But if you’re looking for Johan, he’s out for the
day.” She paused a moment. "Pleasure to meet you Lodo!"

"Same!" replied Lodo.

Misha nodded. “You’re here and you’ll do just fine. Do you think you’ll be
able to help us with the paper? We’re going to need some that are sixteen
inches wide and two feet long. I’m not sure how many we’ll need, but I
think at least two thousand for a start.”

“No problem at all!” said Tabitha as she started getting the paper ready.
“What will you need this for? Is the Writer’s Guild planning some new book?”

“Actually, we’re planning to use a device to start creating books with the
help of a press,” said Misha.

Tabitha’s eyes grew wide and she smiled. “Oh count me in!”
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