Volume 4 Chapter 26 Let's Build A Bridge VI
Cain stepped through the tent's flap, pushed forward by Barvish and Gardy. The air inside was heavy with the smell of parchment and dust. He stopped just past the entrance and called softly.
"Excuse me. May I come in?"
A voice replied before he could take another step.
"Cain? You look like you've already done something wrong. Or am I wrong?"
It was Will's butler. Will himself looked up from the pile of papers on the desk, his sharp eyes squinting at Cain with a tired smile.
Cain shifted from one foot to the other.
"It's about the railing... the one I was supposed to make."
Will tilted his head. "What, couldn't do it?"
Cain looked down.
"No, it's done... already. I didn't really spend time on it. I just... finished. I'm sorry."
Will blinked once. Then twice.
"You just left to work on it a few minutes ago."
He leaned back in his chair and gave a small laugh.
"Yeah. That sounds like something you'd do."
He stood, walked over, and bent down to meet Cain's eyes. His expression had turned serious, though his voice stayed gentle.
"Cain. You don't understand how different you are. If I told a birdman to move like a normal person, what do you think they'd do?"
Cain blinked. "Fly?"
"Exactly. Birdmen have big white wings. They live in the north. For them, flying is normal. Walking is the strange part."
Cain's eyes widened. "So, there are people like angels?"
Will nodded.
"And you, Cain, are even more different than that. If a birdman is a pigeon, you're more like a wyvern."
Cain flinched. "Wyvern?!"
Will gave a low chuckle and placed a hand on Cain's shoulder. Then another.
"You're dangerous without meaning to be. That's not your fault. Until you grow up, we adults need to keep you steady. Barvish, Gardy—he's yours for now. Good luck."
The two guards stiffened at the order. "Understood."
Cain looked from Will to the guards, unsure if this was praise or punishment.
"If your work here is done," Will said, voice steady again, "head back to Bridge Village and rest. Tomorrow's a big day."
Cain gave a quick nod, turned, and left.
Will sat back down, sighing as he stared at the papers in front of him. The butler, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.
"Sir Will, was that wise? Even if he's still a boy... isn't that too soft?"
"No. Cain's a genius. A rare one. If normal people try to bind someone like him with normal rules, it won't help him—it'll only hold him back. Besides, the merchants who cross that bridge only come once every two months. Who would believe a kid built that thing in a blink unless they saw it happen?"
The butler gave a small nod. "True. Very true."
Will leaned back in his chair and groaned.
"Still... I need to report this to Father right away. Maybe I should go to the capital myself this time...?"
His voice trailed off as he mumbled to himself, already thinking three steps ahead.
* * *
The wagon rattled as Cain, Barvish, and Gardy rode back toward Bridge Village, squeezed together on the driver's bench. The afternoon wind was gentle.
"Uncle Will said not to worry... but I still think I should be more careful."
Barvish gave a small nod.
"Next time, just include the expected finish time when you report in."
Gardy added,
"If we can check your plans before you start, we won't have another surprise like this."
"Got it." Cain scratched the back of his neck. "But... did he really have to call me a wyvern? Isn't that a bit much? I mean, I know I'm not normal, but... seriously?"
Barvish chuckled.
"No, Sir Cain. You're more like a dragon."
"A red one," Gardy said with a grin. "Maybe even worse."
Cain groaned.
"Wait—so I'm not just different, I'm a disaster?"
"You're not that bad," Barvish said gently.
"You're kind," Gardy added. "You just have a... big presence."
Cain sighed, slumping in his seat as the wagon rolled on, the sun dipping behind the hills.
Notes:
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• 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.
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