Chapter 89 89: the beginnings of a monopoly

If we reach 25 comments, . You have five hours from the time this chapter is posted. If we reach the goal, the next chapter will be posted in eight hours.(Valid comments must include information about what you like or dislike about the story, what you would like to see about the story, or any questions you may have about the story, as the devil is in the details.) ------------------------------ If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. ------------------------------- Sommerzeit--25,2489 IC The courts had started functioning a couple of weeks ago, and apparently, they had operated well, although I was informed that the witch hunters had threatened them to release people accused of minor crimes by their own colleagues—accusations that didn't make any sense. That left me quite thoughtful. A group of witch hunters was politically at odds with another inside the city. Luckily, there were no records of physical fights, but there were constant clashes between two factions: on one side, the unbearable fanatics who tried to start illegal investigations every time someone said they suspected a woman of being a witch; and on the other, those who preferred to observe, investigate thoroughly, and gather evidence before asking for the purifying fire. Though they didn't shy away from torture, as one of the latest trials—led by the captain of that faction—ended with ten people burned for performing rituals with animal blood. It was an exhaustive investigation, the trial was quick, and the public execution followed. Despite their methods, at least this faction respected imperial laws, used informants, and worked together with the guards. They were fewer than half, but while their captain was in charge, they were the most tolerable of all. And if that meant the others would bother me less, I was grateful. Because the cases multiplied, just as I had predicted. From eighty, it had gone up to almost a thousand in just a few days. Fortunately, more than eighty percent were dismissed by the judges due to lack of evidence, although some cases continued due to suspicious actors within the population, and there was enough evidence to proceed with investigations. As for me, I dedicated myself to cleaning up the damn forest of Merxheim, which was plagued by beastmen. The poor management of the land in recent years had allowed them to multiply uncontrollably. According to the local population, many women had been kidnapped during the past winters, while the old administrator didn't lift a finger, as long as the attacks didn't reach his castle. So, through the lector from Reinsfeld, I informed the Cult of Sigmar of my discovery: we were possibly facing a heretic who collaborated with the beastmen or tolerated them. Meanwhile, my men and I continued the cleaning of the forest and the felling of trees. We had already managed to push the forest's edge almost six kilometers back from Merxheim and its roads. We quickly began the work to convert the recovered land into arable plots, using heavy plows and horses. The work was almost endless, but the Bretonnian peasants proved to be incredibly efficient, setting up fields while respecting certain key trees to protect future crops from the wind. We left triple rows of oaks every three kilometers to form stable plots. The Bretonnian serfs were already working at full speed, trying to plant something before winter arrived, though we were at least a season behind on the plowing calendar. Still, with the forests so full of beastmen, I had been mainly focused on moving the garrisons while the trees were felled slowly but steadily, leaving only those that would serve as natural protection for the future farms. At the same time, we began planting new trees in strategic locations to ensure adequate coverage and reinforce the boundaries that would separate the forest from the cultivation areas. Since everything seemed to be in order, I decided to visit my mining village and, along the way, my hidden laboratory. Riding without much hurry, I arrived in a few hours. The village had regained some calm since the guards had given a tremendous beating to everyone involved in the riots. Now, most of them worked without problems, though some simply sat on the sidelines, with broken legs or arms. Predictable consequences of the repression I ordered, but necessary to impose order in an area that had decided to fight over absurd territorial disputes, with no sense in a civilized land like Reikland. After verifying that everything was running—at least as much as it could run in a place recently crushed by force—I headed toward the fortress, which was beginning to resemble one due to the constant work of the dwarfs, who didn't stop for a moment. I watched as they laid brick after brick, using their special mortar that fused the rock with perfect precision. I also saw them reinforcing interior areas, carefully preparing the foundations, while the structure took a solid, compact shape. Finally, I descended to the deepest level, where the laboratory was finished. All the sections were installed. The runes carved on the walls and doors were complete. The interior metal walls had the appropriate inscriptions, protections against demons, against visions of the future, against accidents caused by the use of acids or dangerous substances. The place was armored against almost any eventuality. Inside, the dwarfs were already working efficiently, producing pigments and large quantities of gunpowder. The demand was constant, especially since Rutger had to bring cotton from Araby in every one of his shipments when he returned. "Dawongi!" one of the dwarfs said, whom I recognized as the clan's engineer, opening his arms enthusiastically. "Greetings, honorable dawi. It's good to return to a place with friendly faces," I responded, extending my hand to receive a strong handshake. "Everything is going according to plan, dawongi. The laboratory you requested from our clan is fully operational. The fortress that protects it should be ready in the next few months. It will be the best fortress in the Empire. Nothing will be able to destroy it," the dwarf said with evident pride. "I'm glad to hear that... As for our deal... I see that you're producing gunpowder. Should I assume you've found clients, or not?" I asked with a smile. "Ah, you have a good eye, dawongi... The answer to that question is yes. It took quite a while to get them to buy it, as it was something so novel, but some clans showed interest in trying it. The caravan that transports the products is still out, as they tried to take it to Karaz-a-Karak. However, some of our envoys have returned confirming orders. Many engineers want to try it in their repeating firearms, as a common problem was that the cannons clogged when they used too much black powder. With smokeless powder, that problem almost disappears, so in every fortress they've gone to, they've bought it. We have so many buyers that we can't keep up. The amount of cotton we bring is very little," explained the dawi engineer. "I see. The problem lies, honorable engineer, in that we have to bring it from Araby, since cotton is not grown in the Empire. It could be attempted in Averland, but they only care for their cattle and farmland. I don't think they want to risk planting cotton... But I have an idea. An idea I've had for a while, but... I don't know how to make it a reality. Although I'm sure a dawi with as much knowledge as you could easily help me with this dilemma, right?" I asked the dawi, who was listening attentively. "Of course... If it can be built, I can try it," the dawi responded, puffing his chest with pride. "Look, the mechanics are simple..." I said, pulling out my notebook with notes. "It's a glass structure that allows certain plants to grow in ideal conditions, even in winter. The glass must be thick and pure enough to allow sunlight through but capable of maintaining stable temperatures. It should be connected to a water pump so that the plants receive the necessary amount, preferably manually, to avoid drowning them or letting them dry out. If everything goes well, the soil should not freeze during winter, which would leave us with fertile ground to work with all year... and we could have all the cotton we wanted. Therefore, all the gunpowder we can produce," I concluded, handing him a sketch where I tried to make the best drawing I could with my limited artistic skills. "Hm... it shouldn't be too hard, dawongi. It's very similar to the underground mushroom farms we have, as they require the control of certain elements. Surely some rune could be used to maintain the temperature of this structure you ask for. How many will we need?" the engineer asked. "All the possible ones. If we need to fill the prairies outside the mountains with this, so be it. Because, from what I see, we need a lot, but a lot of cotton, right?" "Yes, too much. Almost everything the umgi named Rutger brings is used up within days, and that's with him bringing more each time. But the purchases from engineers in other dwarven fortresses are many, as they want to make sure the gunpowder is a viable change. Therefore, we'll have secured purchases for at least the next five hundred years, while they make sure everything is in order with your creation, dawongi," the engineer replied with a satisfied smile. "Well, that's good," I said, noticing a dawi I knew entered the laboratory. "Ah, Durán, my friend, how are you?" I greeted the thane of the dawi. "Dawongi... fortune smiles upon us, without a doubt. Your invention is on its way to filling our coffers. In your coin, it would be fifteen imperial crowns per ''kilogram'' of your gunpowder, and considering we process tons every day... there's no doubt we'll fill the coffers of our clan and yours," said the thane with a firm voice. "I'm glad to hear that. Ah, right... what concerns us. I inform you that I'll be gone for about two to four months, because I've committed to the Cult of Sigmar to help with the cleaning of the Drakwald. As soon as I return from that trip, I'll come back here, and then we'll attempt to clean another of your clan's lost fortresses. With some luck, we could try recovering two, if the temperature inside the tunnels allows it, of course," I responded with a smile. "Thank you, dawongi. I'd be grateful for such help in recovering the glory of our clan... We have part of the payments we've received for the gunpowder, for you to take your share, as we agreed," Durán said, extending a small chest. "Keep it. I made a request to your engineer, and it will be a lot of work. Use it to pay for their labor so they can help me with the construction of what I requested. It will be a lot of effort, considering they're still working on the fortress," I responded, placing my hands on my hips. "I understand, dawongi... Regarding this, a couple of small clans from the fortresses of Karak Azgaraz and Karak Norn want to try settling in our karak. Clearly, that could put our current agreement on mining rights at risk, and I was wondering if some changes could be made. More dawi hands could help maintain what was once the territory of my clan... considering you own the mining rights," Durán said, looking at me intently. "Of course... the more dawi, the better. One day we'll recover every single fortress of your clan, and I doubt they can be protected by just a few of yours. So it's fine by me. As long as the dawi have your permission, my mining rights extend to them," I replied without hesitation. "Thank you, dawongi. I'll make sure they know they are welcome in our karak and that they'll help with your work," Durán said. "No need to thank me, friend. Here, the two of us have a relationship that benefits us both... and I want this to last forever," I said with a smile. Durán and the engineer smiled at my words. "Well, if you'll excuse me," I said, walking toward a room sealed within the laboratory. "Old man... are you here?" I asked, placing my hand on one of the runes. It glowed, and the door opened slowly. Inside, I found Hieronymus collapsed on a stone table. "Old man? Don't tell me you're dead..." I murmured, approaching. "What...? No... I don't want... anymore..." Hieronymus mumbled, with an empty dwarven beer mug in his hand, almost not knowing where he was. "Ha, ha, ha! What a mess you're causing out there... and look at you now," I said, laughing, ------------------------------ If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. -------------------------------