Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Trial by H. L. Burke

Author:H. L. Burke [Burke, H. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Auric smiled as he inspected the schematics. Lotta stooped over her notebook, sketching.

“These are the materials we’ll need.” She passed him a list. “My father’s shop had a lot of it, but much was destroyed when … when he died.” She sighed. “I have some funds left over from my inheritance. It should be enough to purchase everything.”

“Well, if we can get Cordon’s help, I’m sure he’ll put up some money,” he said. “This is beneficial to the factories he’s invested in. I’m sure he’ll be happy to bankroll it in return for a reasonable percentage of the profits.”

She twisted a lock of hair around her fingers. “You think so? Hmm. Would eighty percent be enough?”

Auric raised his eyebrows. “I was thinking more like twenty. Finances aren’t my expertise, but I’d expect the majority of the profits should belong to you as the inventor.”

She shrugged. “I’m not doing this for the money. As long as my expenses are covered, I’m fine.”

Auric wasn’t sure if he was more impressed or befuddled. “That’s incredibly selfless of you, but how will you live?”

“Room and board can be included in the expenses.” Lotta drew a deep breath. “You’re right, though. It might look like I don’t care if I give away so much. I hadn’t thought about that. Would you pick a respectable percentage?”

“You trust me with that?” He tilted his head.

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?” She peered at him, her brown eyes earnest.

“No, except as I said, finances aren’t my expertise. I’ll do my best, though.” Simultaneously worried and flattered by this trust, he decided he’d have to get her a lawyer later for contract matters. Whether she was in it for the money or not, she deserved to benefit from the project.

A gentle knock sounded from the door.

“Come in!”

Cordon’s butler entered. “Master Spellsmith, you asked me to inform you when Master Styles returned? Well, he has returned.”

“Thank you.” Auric stood and took up the papers. He offered Lotta his hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me? You can explain this better than I can.”

She turned her gaze away from him, not rising or taking his hand. “No, you’d better … I’m not ready yet. Besides, he knows you. He’ll listen to you.”

Auric’s shoulders slouched. “All right. I’ll be right back.”

He followed the butler towards Cordon’s study. Lotta’s shyness could be a problem. Auric had an inkling of how her device worked, but not enough to convince a true skeptic. Cordon would take him at his word. Others, presumably, would need more persuasion. After their pleasant chats, Auric had thought he was breaking through her barriers. The last hour or so she’d been almost pleasant to him. Blast, he liked looking into her eyes when she smiled.

They approached a polished oak door with the Styles family crest engraved upon it: a stylus in the hand of a rampant lion.

“Master Spellsmith to see you, sir,” the butler announced.

Cordon looked up from a large wooden desk. “Thank you, Baxter.” He waved towards a leather-bound chair.

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