The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (35 page)

The man stepped to a large stone wheel, pumping a foot pedal that caused the wheel to spin. He held the blob end of the bolt to the wheel, and sparks began to fly. A minute later, he stopped and held the bolt up for everyone to see. The blob was gone, leaving a clean, flat end.

“
Isn
’
t it wonderful?
”
the old man asked, cackling again.

He dipped it into the tub of water for a moment before flipping it toward Brock.

By instinct, Brock snatched the bolt out of the air. Realizing what he had done, he was surprised to find that he hadn
’
t been burned. While it was still warm, it wasn
’
t too hot to hold.

“
Got you, sonny!
”
Nindlerod cackled again.
“
You see, the heat from the bolt dissipates when it
’
s removed from the heat source. First, it cools as heat is conducted into the casting, then through the casting into the tub of water. Finally, it cools even faster when placed directly in water.
”
He held up a finger.
“
However, the rate of cooling should be managed for best results to prevent it from becoming brittle.
”

Brock stepped closer to hand him the bolt.

“
No, you keep it. You might use it for what
’
s next,
”
Nindlerod said, cackling again before he addressed the class.
“
We
’
ve covered the basics of physics, woodworking, metal smithing, and casting. You
’
re now ready for the Catapult Challenge!
”
He ended the last sentence with a finger pointed high in the air.

Nindlerod waved for them to follow. Like a herd of cattle, the group of sixty students trailed along as he strode toward the huge double doors at the end of the building. Nindlerod
’
s chunky assistant flipped the lock open and began pushing on one of the doors. The small wheel that supported the door squeaked as it rolled. As the door opened, sunlight began to stream-in. Nindlerod swept through the open doorway with his herd of students in tow.

They stepped into a holding yard filled with stacks of raw material resting in the shade of slanted awnings. Nindlerod stopped as the group filtered into the yard, students fanning around the small master engineer. Satisfied that everyone was present, he addressed the class.

“
This is the Foundry yard. Here, you can find the raw materials you will need to build your catapults. Treated wooden beams over there.
”
He paused and pointed to the side.
“
Wheels of different types and sizes over there.
”
He pointed again.
“
Metal rods, ropes, pulleys, and more.
”

“
In addition, you have access to any of the casting blocks and tools I showed you in the forge area. This will allow you to cast bolts, nuts, hooks, levers, gears, and other components you might need, depending on your design.
”

Nindelrod paused a moment, scanning the faces before him.
“
You may be wondering what the Catapult Challenge is all about.
”
He stepped over to a large cart loaded with metal balls, each about a foot in diameter.
“
These will be your projectiles, each weighing as much as I do. Your objective is to launch one of these balls as far as you can. Each team only gets two attempts, so make them count. The team who builds the machine that launches a ball the furthest, wins.
”

He paused again, rubbing his palms together in anticipation.
“
I
’
m so excited! I can
’
t wait to see what you come up with this year!
”

The crowd of students parted to create a path as Nindlerod headed back toward the Foundry. Just before entering the dark building, he turned to face them.

“
Don
’
t forget that the winning team gets twenty-five gold imperials!
”
He smiled.
“
Form groups of five students and get to work. The challenge is four weeks from today.
”

The man pushed his round spectacles into place, nodded to the class, and disappeared into the dark building. Brock heard his cackling laughter fading into the distance.

Students began to mill about, forming into teams. Brock was already standing next to Benny. Cameron made his way over to join them.

Brock noticed Corbin grab Karl Jarlish, pulling him into his little clique. However, that meant they now had six. Someone was going to be excluded. Corbin spoke with Parker, who stepped away from the group.

Benny waved Parker over. When he approached, Benny greeted him.

“
You can be on our team, Parker. We could use the help and would be happy to have you.
”

Parker nodded.
“
Um
…
Thanks,
”
he said, not sounding thrilled.

That left them with four, but they needed five. Brock went in search of a student who still needed a team. That
’
s when he spotted Lars standing by himself. Weaving his way through clusters of students, Brock walked toward the huge kid with black curly hair. As he approached, Lars glared at him.

“
Hi, Lars.
”
Brock flashed a smile.
“
If you aren
’
t on a team yet, we
’
d be happy to have you join us.
”

“
You think you
’
re funny, don
’
t you?
”
Lars replied, crossing his arms on his massive chest.

Brock was confused.
“
What do you mean?
”

“
Nobody wants me on their team. I
’
ve no idea what
’
s going on in this class. Clearly, I
’
m too dumb.
”
His eyes looked down, and his voice quieted.
“
You don
’
t want a big dummy messing things up.
”

Brock realized that Lars was feeling insecure.
“
We all have talents and weaknesses, Lars. I think that
’
s why teams work. If we get a bunch of different talents together, we each contribute in some way. It makes a team more effective than someone working alone. If we all brought the same talents and weaknesses, the team might excel in the some areas but would fail in others.
”

The large boy
’
s brow furrowed.
“
What are you saying?
”

“
I
’
m saying that we already have one person who
’
s amazing at this Engineering stuff. You don
’
t have to be good at it and neither do I. We just need to band together and contribute with our own skills, the best we can,
”
Brock replied.
“
I
’
m saying that we
do
want you on our team. Please join us, Lars.
”

Lars squinted at Brock, studying him for a bit before giving a nod. Brock smiled and waved for him to follow.

Brock crossed the yard to rejoin the group.
“
Lars is joining us to make five,
”
he said, pointing his thumb back at the big kid grinning over his shoulder.

Brock addressed them.
“
In this effort, I think we can agree that Benny is the lead.
”

Everyone nodded as a grin spread across Benny
’
s face.

Brock pointed at Benny.
“
Now you know what we have to work with and what we need to achieve. How long will it take to draw up plans for our catapult?
”

A look of concentration clouded Benny
’
s face. His head bobbed and lips moved, but no sound came out. After a moment, he broke into a grin.

“
Give me five days and I
’
ll have it figured out.
”

Brock nodded.
“
Okay. Let
’
s meet in the novice lounge after dinner five days from now. After that, things will get busy for a while.
”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Their team was set. Step one of their plan was in place. In four weeks, they had a contest to win.

Brock
’
s eyes drifted across the crowded yard, locking onto eyes that burned with cold hatred. Corbin
’
s clenched jaw loosened, and a smile spread across his face. Brock remained stoic, not responding to Corbin
’
s smug grin.

CHAPTER 57

Brock remained stoic, not responding to Corbin
’
s smug grin.

Now fifteen minutes into the mock trial, Brock had meticulously stated his case. Master Pretencia, acting as the magistrate, nodded and took notes the entire time.

Representing the plaintiff, Brock had one chance to state his case before relinquishing the floor to the state defense. Unfortunately, that person was Corbin Ringholdt. Brock regained focus and made his closing statement.

“
As you can see, my client is innocent. The state, as I have proven without a doubt, has violated this man
’
s rights,
”
Brock stated confidentially.
“
I move for him to be cleared of all charges and to be issued the sum of eight gold imperials to replace his destroyed property.
”

Brock bowed to Pretencia and retreated to his seat after building a strong case for his mythical client. He imagined how the man would thank him profusely for reclaiming his property and for convincing the magistrate to award the gold needed to replace the building. Brock smiled, appreciating the reward of helping a person in need.

Corbin
’
s voice disturbed him from his reverie.

“
I must commend my opponent for his comprehensive and compelling argument,
”
Corbin said as he took the floor.
“
If circumstances were different, I
’
ve no doubt that his case would be sufficient to sway the magistrate in his client
’
s favor.
”

Corbin paused, looking back with a smirk.

“
However, in this case, my opponent
’
s argument is irrelevant.
”
Corbin paused, allowing the words to sink in.
“
You see, when the plaintiff was described to us prior to these proceedings, there was one glaring omission.
”

Corbin pointed at his own forehead.
“
The man was never described to have a rune. That would make the defendant an Unchosen, which leaves him with no official rights and unprotected by Empire law.
”
Corbin slammed his hand down on the table as he ended the statement, the sound echoing in the room.

“
I move for the state to retain this man
’
s property. In addition, I move for the plaintiff to be jailed for thirty days, working slave labor to repay the state for the cost of these proceedings.
”

Corbin bowed to the magistrate and spun to face the audience. He flashed one last smile as he retreated to his seat. Brock hated the pompous jerk.

Pretencia stood to address the courtroom.
“
I have come to my decision.
”
His voice boomed with authority.
“
In the case of Dane Baskins versus the state, I find the state innocent in all regards. As the state defender noted, Dane Baskins is indeed Unchosen. Per Empire law, he
’
s not a protected citizen and has no official rights to property.
”
Pretencia paused, changing his tone to one less official.
“
Very good, Mister Ringholdt. You
’
ve won again.
”
He shifted his gaze to Brock.
“
You, Mister Talenz, have improved. However, you once again find yourself on the wrong side of the decision. Keep trying. Perhaps you will win a proceeding one day.
”