Volume 4 Chapter 24 Let's Build A Bridge IV
Cain followed behind Will, who looked pale. The air inside the tent was heavy. Everyone sat down quietly, eyes lowered like they were deep in thought. No one said a word.
Cain thought to himself, "Maybe someone should talk first..."
Will cleared his throat with a raspy cough.
"Ahem... I'd like to gather opinions on what comes next. But before that—listen well. No one is allowed to speak of how fast the bridge was built. Tell your men it took a whole day. Make sure they all understand that. Now... if anyone has requests or ideas for improvement, speak now."
Will's voice was low and calm, like he had to force it out.
The soldier captain stood and gave a quick look to Cain before facing Will.
"Sir Will. If I may, I'd like to tell my men right away. May I leave for a short while?"
"Yes," Will said with a short nod. "In fact, all of you should give your orders now. The meeting will start again in thirty minutes."
Everyone stood up fast, like they'd been waiting for the chance to move. "Yes, sir," they answered nearly in unison, leaving the tent at a quick pace.
As they left, Will looked tired. He waved to his butler, who quietly handed him a cup of scented tea. Will pressed his fingers against his eyes, then turned to Cain.
"Cain... do you always make bridges and stone roads like that?"
"Yes, Uncle Will. The method changes a little depending on the job, but I've used magic to build cobblestone roads and town walls before. Was something wrong with how I did it?"
Cain answered with a steady gaze. His voice was calm but serious.
"No... not exactly wrong," Will muttered, his mouth tight like he'd bitten something bitter. "Let me be honest. That was too much, Cain."
He sighed again, lowering his voice.
"If you do that every time, even my father won't be able to keep you hidden for long. The capital will find out soon enough... No, this time I asked you to do it, so I'll take the blame."
He spoke like someone making a promise to himself.
"Still... next time, please take your time. If people learn you can make a bridge appear in seconds, they'll ask too many questions—questions we don't want."
Cain gave a simple, "Yes, understood."
Behind him, Barvish and Gardy stood still, both thinking the same dark thought:
"Too late. People already know."
By the time Will and Cain finished their tea, the others had returned. Their faces showed how tired they were, but their eyes burned with determination.
The butler stepped forward and announced the meeting was starting again. He asked if anyone had ideas or opinions to share.
The first one to speak—unexpectedly—was Doughton, head of the maintenance bureau.
"First of all, thank you, Sir Cain, for making a wonderful bridge. Travelers and merchants can now cross the river safely. The old bridge was too narrow and worn down. It was built long ago, before so many carts began passing through. Thanks to you, both people and carts can cross without danger."
He gave a small bow and added, "Thank you once again."
He paused, then said, "If possible, I think we should add something to stop people from slipping on the slope—especially when it rains."
The others nodded. Doughton's idea seemed to spark many more.
The soldier captain raised his hand next.
"We need the railing a bit higher. That'll help keep carts from falling, and in case of a fight, a chest-high railing makes a good spot to hide after shooting arrows."
Another voice added,
"We should drill holes near the base of the railing. That way, rainwater can drain instead of sitting there."
Someone else suggested,
"How about a short wall in the center of the bridge to separate the lanes? It might stop accidents when two carts pass."
Many ideas came quickly after that. The Mason Guild would handle most of them, but one task was left for Cain: he would build a higher wall along the slope, on the Bridge Village side. This would happen only with Lord Shield's permission.
Notes:
• Will - Margrave Shield's son, Aisha's brother, and Cain's uncle. He is playful and enjoys teasing his father. He is a fan of Cain's 'hamburg' recipe.
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• Doughton - Project leader for the stone pavement project; practical and resourceful, knowledgeable in engineering and magic tools, serves as Cain's assistant or subordinate.
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