Chapter Three - Return to the Mournland

Within the gem, Laulith watches embers glow and dim, then split, releasing bright flames. A kaleidoscope of ebbing and flowing energy. As she stares, the elf notices her thoughts seem to crackle and sizzle in the primordial Ignan language. As she continues, Laulalith hears the sounds coming from her own mouth. Barely above a whisper, but like a warm, gentle fireplace.

Leon gives Vice a nod and looks toward town, "Very well Mr. Tryne, let’s follow our nose. You coming Meepo?", he flicks the reigns and starts the horses, "Find the smith, Slippy."

The mighty horses smoothly pull the steel cart away from the hall and head into the heart of town. Many of the townfolk gawk at the team of black horses, drawing the elegant cart. Without much input from the coachman, the team heads across town to the rail track and turns to the right. They pass the little apothecary, a few little houses and shacks, before passing the rail station and stopping in front of the smith.

Garundah bounces out of the shop, hopping with excitement. "She never disappoints, even with horses pulling her.", she runs her tiny green hand over the cart’s lines, lovingly. "I’m Garundah, sir.", she gestures to a slight, but muscular young blacksmith who walks out as well, "And the is Mr. Adrianus, Salvation’s blacksmith."

"A fine team you have there.", he says in a husky voice. "As Garundah, said, I am Adrianus. She also said you would like a hitch put on this contraption."

"Leon, little one. Also , kindly remove the hitch. You may keep it as payment if you wish."

The sinewy smith agrees, grabs his hammer and a crowbar. Leon begins a to unyoke the team and within minutes, the hitch falls loose to the ground. Leon takes the opportunity to feed and water the horses. Meanwhile, Garundah is taking measurements, working on positioning the trailer hitch. With Adrianus’ help, a short while later, a sturdy hitch is mounted to the rear of the elemental cart. It needs paint, but that can wait.

As the team is resting, Leon takes a few minutes to show the cart’s locking mechanism in the driver’s seat. The arcane key slides and Leon shows Tryne the brake lever, drive lever, direction control and the steering wheel. Leaving the brake set, the coachman gestures to the direction lever, "Would you like to do the honours? Gently, of course."

The Khoravar makes his way around the cart, taking in its elegant, robust, gnomish design. Perhaps surprising, the leaf springs and wheels are of fine make, but rather mundane. The components that draw most of Tryne’s attention are the curling loops are the front and rear of the cart. Much smaller than the arms of an elemental airship, these half loops appear to serve a similar purpose. Somewhere within the cart, he senses abjeration magic, likely from the bound elemental within.

As he warns those working on the cart, he eases the lever carefully forward. A flash of light fills his eyes as purple-white energy stretches between the loops before him. He can feel the static in the air as the sizzling energy glows. Held in place by the brake, the cart doesn’t move. Through the handle of the lever, he feels a connection with something within the machine. Testing the controls, the steering seems to be powered by the elemental as well. Despite the small control wheel, the carriage wheels turn with relative ease. As Tryne pushes the lever forward, he can feel the cart lurching against the locked wheels. Pulling the third lever, the lightning flickers out at the front and appears in the rear loops and the cart now leans in that direction. Perhaps problematic when towing. Shifting it forward agin and the lightning reappears in front of him.

Tryne realizes, it’s not the most discreet mode of travel and would clearly attract a lot of attention, especially at night.

Tryne and Meepo stand by as the cart is rigged up with the tow hitch. Part way through the modification, Leon excuses himself and mounts Slippy, saying he’s off to feed and water his team and get a drink himself. He then leads the team across the street to the town stable.

Tryne watches the little goblin work her magic, perhaps literally, on the cart. He recognizes a fellow artificer plying her trade. It takes nearly two hours to make the necessary adjustments, but the hitch is ready for use. Knowing the group are eager to leave, Garundah promising to paint it when they return. With that, the odd pairing of a half-elf and a mobile are ready to go.

The elemental cart sizzles to life once more, drawing even more attention from the nearby townsfolk. Tryne is very cautious and decides it would be a bad idea to turn around. Keeping slow, he makes his way out to the south edge of town. He passes the Salvage Market, and turns down the last street. Straight ahead is the hall. Holding the throttle lever, Tryne can feel the elemental inside resisting him, but he maintains careful control. With the control wheel, he can sense that the elemental sometimes is not as helpful in powering the steering. Surprising even himself, he arrives unscathed.