The convoy wasn’t moving anywhere quickly, but they made it out of the woods without any more issues, and into the open grasslands full of fields for Aramos village.
"We will be right up against the walls for the night. That’s the safest spot for us, and we won’t disturb the town with our work.
Even the ones who didn’t send their gear in for repair have some mending to do before they’re done for the night, and the leather worker will be riveting new straps on all night long." The guard riding outside their door explained as the trucks rolled down the road.
Dominic nodded in understanding and returned to his work as the driver pulled the forge wagon to a stop in the middle of the gathered transports.
Now he could work with a bit more speed, and try to get all the weapons fixed before midnight. With the help of Wiz and Bella, they had done pretty well during the trip, but there was simply too much damage to get it all repaired before the sun went down.
They hadn’t even stopped to join the rest of the caravan for dinner, and had chosen to make a simple meal of reheated steamed buns and the sandwiches that Wiz’s mom had packed for the pair before they ran off to accompany the guards.
Late in the evening, once the repairs were made, the trio laid out their bedrolls on the top of the carriage. It was not nearly as hot as inside, but the metal still held much of the heat from the forge, so it was an effective ward against the early morning chill.
Dominic was roused from his sleep by a brisk knock at the door, then a lady’s maid in Palace uniform opened the door and climbed inside.
"Is her majesty’s armour ready yet? Why are you still sleeping?" She demanded.
"Her majesty’s armour is on the rack at the rear of the carriage. The rest of the weapons are complete, and my work is finished for the moment, unless there are more repairs to be done to the transports." Dominic replied with a sleepy sigh.
These Palace people got up even earlier than Pops did. The sun wasn’t even properly up yet, and already they were here demanding to know why he slept in the dark.
If he wasn’t trying to become a Royal Apprentice to get vengeance for his home village, Dominic would have already given up on dealing with such pretentious people and moved on. Aramos Village seemed pretty welcoming, and he was sure they wouldn’t mind having a Weaponsmith in town.
But instead of complaining, Dominic packed up Princess Alexis’ armour and the weapons from her Royal Bodyguards for the servant.
"These go to the Princess’ team. Please ensure that they make it to their proper owners."
The woman looked insulted, and he suspected that she was about to refuse the guards’ weapons. Then she smiled and reconsidered.
Not in a malicious way, Dominic hoped.
In truth, the maid had seen an opportunity. The Princess’ personal guards were mostly unmarried young Nobles, assigned by the King to help ’encourage’ her to choose a husband. But that also meant that they were free for the taking if the Princess didn’t wish to choose one of them.
Wedding the third son of a middling Noble might not be a huge accomplishment for the Princess, but it was for her maids.
Dominic fired up the forge, preparing for the day’s requirements, and warming it up to cook breakfast, in case the soldiers weren’t making anything edible. Growing up, he had heard horror stories from the soldiers about the gruel that they ended up eating on missions, and Dominic wasn’t quite that desperate yet.
Fortunately, though these were reservists, the King had provisioned them well, and the porridge looked decent, with some spices and dried fruits added in.
But what he hadn’t expected was to return to the forge wagon to find the Princess and her advisor waiting outside.
"Your Majesty, Advisor Morgana." He greeted them with a formal bow.
Morgana the Techno Witch’s eyes flickered with magical lightning as she motioned for him to stand.
"No need for all that, it only makes ranking members better targets. The Aramos City Guards have high praises for your skills with magic, and that has raised some questions." She began.
Dominic nodded. "I always appreciate praise, and I can answer anything you would ask. If I know the answer, that is. Would you like to sit? The forge is merely warm, and the carriage is private."
The creepy Techno Witch entered the forge wagon, then Princess Alexis motioned for Dominic to enter before her, so she could guard the door from the outside.
Morgana cast some sort of spell over the walls, and Dominic belatedly realized that he might be in trouble.
"Now, let us begin. Where were you born and what is your purpose in entering the Palace?"
Dominic hesitated, trying to decide how to answer, but found that his mouth was already moving, as if compelled.
"I am from the Wistover Manor region, in the Wistover River Valley. Formerly on the border between Wavemates and Cygnia, now overtaken by Dagos. I entered the Palace as Pops’ apprentice, but I was intending to become a Royal Apprentice to use my one boon to request that Cygnia avenge my home."
Dominic clamped his mouth shut, knowing full well that it wouldn’t stop her magical compulsion from forcing him to answer anyhow.
"You were not attempting to make your way into Princess Eleanor’s bed using a saviour complex?" The witch demanded, and Dominic laughed.
"No, most definitely not. She’s like thirteen years old." There was no need to try to resist that answer.
"And what about Princess Alexis? Are you fond of her?"
Dominic wasn’t sure how to answer that, but the compulsion didn’t care.
"I like her. And I like her attitude. But I also like my head firmly attached to my shoulders. Foreign Sorcerers don’t mix with Royalty in Cygnia. Not in that way, at least."
Advisor Morgana frowned. "And where did you think that the Royal Family got their inherited Divine Magic from?"
Now it was the Techno Witch laughing.
"I will provide you with a weapon blueprint, and you will spend the day creating as many of them as possible. We need at least six before sunset."
That wasn’t a compelled statement, but Dominic nodded anyhow. It was his job to make weapons for the convoy, or repair what they had.
Besides, there really wasn’t a reason that he wouldn’t want another blueprint for his repertoire.