[Mkguild] Fit to Print (4/6)

[Indagare]

Chapter 4: Making the News

Misha led the way back to the press building where the press was already
waiting. They found the door unlocked and went inside.

The area within was large and unfurnished. The floors were made of stone
that matched the building color. There were windows all around the
building, at least where it didn’t meet either the Keep wall or Writer’s
Guild, and they allowed in a dusty light. For some reason, Lodo felt as
though the space was even larger than it seemed, but he dismissed it as
simply misinterpreting it due to it being empty.

First Lodo and then Misha tried to lift the press individually. The press,
however, was heavier than it looked and it took both Misha and Lodo to
carry it, despite its relatively small size. “I’d go taur for this, but I’m
not sure that’d help. Fortunately, we don’t really need this to be very far
in.”
Nodding, Lodo tried to focus on anything other than his arms as he hefted
the press in. He could feel Misha pulling it up much more easily. I really
need to get in better shape!

Once well inside, they placed it on the ground. Both Michael and Tabitha
had been told where to drop off the wood and paper, and they or a
representative would probably be arriving soon.

Lodo pulled the instructions out of the satchel. He noticed an easel he was
sure wasn’t there a moment ago. Shrugging, he placed the instructions on
it. “There we go! I can hardly wait to get started!”

“Same! I’ll have to keep up with my duties, but I plan to help as often as
I can. Has Kyia made you a room yet?”

“I don’t think so. At least, I’m not sure how to find it. Speaking of
duties, I’m not one to shirk my fair share of work. I’m an artist by
nature, a creator of items ordinary and extraordinary. I’d like to earn my
keep here.”

“Oh, all you need to do is set up a shop and sell your art from it. I
guarantee you’ll be hired! People here love the arts and I’ve seen your
work–people will pay top coin for it!”

Lodo blushed. “Thank you for those kind words.”

“You deserve them! Oh! I think I know the perfect place for you in Keep
Town. It’s somewhere I own. I’ll show it to you later.”

“Thank you!”

***

“Hello Papa! Whatcha doin’?”

Lodo looked up. He had definitely not heard the automaton, and the building
was not noisy enough to hide sound. How had Madog gotten in? How could
something so large move so swiftly and silently?

“Hello Madog. We’re building a press to print books with.” Misha smiled.
Madog’s sudden appearances had long ceased to surprise him even if they
were no less confounding.

“Ah! I am looking forward to reading all about it!” Madog had a sense of
humor. Odd, at times, and often seeming to reference things that only made
sense later–sometimes much later.

“You’ll be able to read once we’re able to start printing,” said Lodo as he
helped with the frame. The thing was coming together faster than expected.
Madog looked around at the device and even sniffed it.

“This is very nice Papa!”

“Thank you Madog.”

“You should make dancing letters to go with it!”

“Dancing letters?” Misha looked at where Madog was, but he’d already left
the room.

“That fellow can move very quickly. I can’t say I saw him leave!” said Lodo.

Misha chuckled. “He does seem to like doing that. I wonder what he meant by
‘dancing letters’.”

“Hmm, well, the notes says this can print books, and there’s some
indication of block print for it. Nothing too unusual about that–rather
like more complex signet rings–but it’d be pretty cumbersome.”

Misha’s eyes widened. “Unless we could make it where the blocks move! Yes,
individual letters in a matrix! They could be switched out to make whatever
we wanted!”

“That’s brilliant Misha! Who could make them?”

“I could. It’ll take a while, probably a month, but I can definitely make
the first molds. After that we’ll need to get ink–Pascal can help with
that–and then experiment until we can print.”

“That sounds like a good plan! We’ll finish this and once you’re ready we
can start making books with it. Say, do you think the Writer’s Guild next
door would be willing to help us?”

“Likely, as long as we can convince them we’re not trying to make them
useless. If anyone could be quick with forming words, it would be them!”

***

After long hours of work, Lodo and Misha had gotten the press together. All
that remained was the movable type, which Misha would have to work on when
he could. The Deaf Mule was not too far, and it was thankfully open very
late. It was a three-story building that showed signs of being recently
rebuilt. Most of it was now made out of stone with windows to let light in.
There was a picture of a mule with plugs in its ears above a sign reading
“Deaf Mule”.

The interior had a worn, wooden floor and a bar. There was dark wood
paneling along the walls as well. Even at this hour there were patrons in
the various dimly lit areas of it and a strange, smokey haze permeated it.
Looking for the source, Lodo saw several people smoking what appeared to be
pipes. The scented tobacco added to the atmosphere. Behind the counter was
a bovine being of immense size.

“Hey Donnie, could I get a couple of late night meals for myself and my
friend?”

“Right up, Misha! ‘Tis good to see you again. How goes the Jolly Collie?”

Misha had recreated the Jolly Collie after its destruction. The two pubs
were not rivals: the Collie served Euper as the Mule served the Keep.
“Faring well, I’m glad to say. I’m also happy to see you rebuilt this place
in stone.”

“Ah, well, there are still wooden floors and boards against the walls to
give the illusion of it being wood, but you’re right: stone is more
enduring.”

“I always found it odd that Kyia didn’t remake it for you,” said Misha.
“This is part of the Lower Keep and within her abilities to alter or
regrow.”

“Well I’m not Raven, so I can’t ask her, but I think she may have sensed I
wanted to do this on my own and let me. I’m glad she did.”

Misha nodded; it made sense, and the work would have made the Mule feel
more like Donnie’s place rather than just another building in the Keep
Proper. Lodo was looking around. Aside from some of the clientele, it
reminded him of taverns and inns he’d seen before. He and Misha sat at a
table near a window that looked out on the street. Though the Deaf Mule had
an external lantern, no other building had any lighting at all, making
anything beyond a few feet of the light shadowy at best. Lodo shivered.

“You okay?” asked Misha.

“Just a bit cold. It’s much warmer where I come from. It didn’t bother me
so much during the day, but at night…”

Misha nodded. “I do understand. Sometimes I’m cold even with all this fur.”

Donnie returned quickly with two mugs of beer and a pair of steaming bowls
of stew. They smelled delightful. “That ought to help you gents. These
spring nights can be awful cold.” He smiled and winked at Lodo, who
blushed. Both of them focused on eating their hearty, spicy stew and
cleaned up the leftover broth with some bread that Donnie brought. They
quaffed their beers, paid the tab, and headed out of the tavern, muffins in
tow.

“Will I be able to come and go here or do I need your help?” asked Lodo as
they walked the darkened streets of Metamor. Lodo was still unsure of his
way around and feared becoming lost. The dark and cold were not helping
ease these fears. Misha had lit a small lantern to show the way. Lodo
cursed himself for not thinking to bring one. Then again, he hadn’t planned
to be out so late!

“I think so. Like I said, Kyia lets people get where they need as long as
they have good intent. Just ask anyone that’s ever found the library!” he
chuckled. Being one of the buildings inside the Keep Proper, the library’s
position could and did change.

“I see.” Lodo sighed. He still had one worry. “I have to be honest, while I
understand the need for people being trained and serving to help on the
various patrols, I fear I’d be a rather poor fighter.”

Misha nodded. “A lot of other folks have felt the same way over the years.
Most of them ended up surprising themselves with an unusual proficiency.
That said, the mandatory training isn’t because we like having it; we’re
basically all that stands in the way between invading forces from the north
and everyone else!”

“I do understand. I’m just not looking forward to it. I’d much rather be
making art in a studio than out on patrol in miserable weather or fighting
goodness-knows-what.”

Misha chuckled. “I think we all would, my friend, but I promise you it’s
not that burdensome. Would you like to stay with me and Caroline tonight
since you’re not sure where your room is?”

“Hi!” A cheerful voice called out in the darkness before Lodo could answer.

“Madog!” Lodo shook his head. There was no possibility of missing any
sounds. “Misha, are you sure he’s not part ghost?”

Both Misha and Madog laughed at that. “I have a soul, but I am not a
ghost.” To prove it, Madog nuzzled under Lodo’s hand. His metal felt
comfortingly warm and Lodo could not resist scratching between Madog’s ears.

“You’re really a fine fellow. I’m glad I got to meet you.”

“Same. I can take him to his spot Daddy.”

“Alright. You’re in good care Lodo. I’ll see you tomorrow sometime!” Misha
waved and headed off into the night. Lodo looked at his vulpine guide.

“Follow me!” Madog went quickly, but not so fast that Lodo lost track of
him. Through the gate and into the area that was Keep Town, he followed
until Madog stopped at a building. It was a beautiful old structure with an
unusual, large front window that would be perfect for showing artistic
pieces in. It seemed to have two floors as well, likely so that the
shopkeeper could sleep just above. Lodo, with some trepidation, knocked on
the door while Madog watched, his tail wagging.

The door opened and Lodo walked inside. “Is anyone home?”

No one responded, but Madog was laughing. “Daddy owns this. You stay here
now.”

Lodo stared at Madog in amazement. “I–thank you!” Madog bowed and left.
Lodo made a mental note to be sure to ask Misha about the shop in the
morning. He had a feeling it was the same one Misha had mentioned earlier.
It was empty of all furnishings, but there was a pile of wood by the
hearth. Lodo lit it and slept near it on the floor. Not the most
comfortable rest, but he was warm and safe, and that was all that mattered.

***

Misha had happily helped Lodo to get the shop in his name. It had taken a
bit longer to secure the materials he needed were purchased, but as soon as
he was settled he started taking commissions. Misha had been right; people
loved his art!
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