"We are so happy to be here assisting our venerable colleagues from the palace in judging this battle of crafting might!" Laurel roared to an approving crowd. It was more of a mixed bag than some of the other events. Guild members of every stripe and profession were there supporting their fellows, and this was enough of a show to drive the rest of the city to come and watch. "In a show of generosity, my friend here has decided to up the ante for the winners."

She smacked Devon hard on the back and watched as he repressed the flinch. He just made it so easy.

"Those of you here in person should count yourself lucky, Devon of the Thousand Hands Sect is one of – dare I say the – best enchanters in the world. The wonders he can create are so vast and varied you would grow old were I to list them out. One of the architects of Verilia's successful defense during the last beast wave."

Here she paused for a timely cheer from the surrounding crowd. With a deep breath came the scents of fried foods and sweat that always marked a worthwhile festival.

"Today, he has agreed that he will add an enchantment to all those items that reach first place in today's contests. A new fishing net is handy, but one that never tangles is better. Or how about wood that can never rot, or metal that never rusts? All this and more is within reach for our contestants. Now I hand it back over to the incomparable Minister of Domestic Affairs, Madam Curson, to outline the rules and procedures for each contest."

Laurel did just that, stepping back to stand next to Devon and smile while Curson did the boring parts. The Forum was an impressive sight, decked out for a festival. An older, smaller version of the nearby stadium, it stood empty most days, in between being used as a market location or playing host to public ceremonies. Today the wide expanse was covered in a sea of small tables, each housing the end result of one of the crafting competitions. Or Artisan Expos if they were going by the official names. The stands were packed with spectators, ready to flood out onto the floor to get a closer look once Curson gave the signal. She and Devon had agreed to be honorary judges, and sweeten the pot for the winners.

"So kind of you to volunteer my services," the man of the hour grumbled under his breath.

Could she have told him their idea beforehand? Yes. Had she? No. This was better. And avoided the tedious negotiations after which he would have agreed anyway.

"Picked out where you're planning to go yet?"

"Yes. I finished ironing out the new agreement with the Palace yesterday. I'll be taking over from the rotating group that has been keeping Harock in check. Enough people that the Core has been struggling without a single person dedicated to it. Way up in the mountains and near enough to the most productive mines."

"Have anyone you've recruited already heading out there with you?"

"I put a notice up at the guild that I'm looking for members. Some sort of smithing, woodworking, really any practical skill knowledge as a prerequisite. We'll see. Not looking forward to starting from scratch. Honestly amazed you and Martin have gotten as far as you have so quickly."

"Well the first few stages are the easiest. And we aren't focusing on teaching a meticulous enchanting process. We'll send some people to visit though, help you with any new recruits you get."

"That…will be appreciated." The stiff way he said it had Laurel cracking a grin.

Curson's speech was coming to a close, and she officially welcomed the judges and spectators alike onto the show floor to view the entries. Devon and Laurel joined in, though their full Sectmaster regalia, robes and jewels and aura and all, kept a bubble of space surrounding them whenever they stopped at a table.

Most were impressive examples of what they were trying to be. A perfectly crafted rocking chair. A complete steam engine, the entrants for which were a team of exhausted artificers. A glass sculpture with fronds so delicate it looked like they swayed in the wind. There were even a few tables with mannequins set up beside them, covered in fashionable clothing. Some were more humble but no less well crafted. Perfect lengths of rope, a set of ceramic dishware, a leather satchel. She could not wait to see what Devon figured out how to add enchantment to a piece of rope, without messing up its ability to be tied in knots.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The best part, however, was the New Innovators Display. Apparently with historical precedent coinciding with the foundings of several influential guilds, it was a long standing tradition for those with the means and ability to showcase new products or methods they hoped to ride into fame and fortune. Almost no limits were placed on the entrants, beyond that they must be showing something new in their given fields. The results were a fascinating slice through Meristan culture.

Two tables set up across from one another were advertising restaurants in the upper districts. At which the head chefs were fiercely competitive and engaged in a long-standing rivalry. Laurel watched them send glares and the occasional barbed comment back and forth while she sampled the array of foams on one bench, and the use of some foraged edible plants on the other. Neither was getting her vote but it was a fun diversion.

She continued making rounds, talking with the stall holders and taking notes for scoring purposes, until she reached all the way back around to Devon. He had gotten stuck on the first row of entrants and not budged since. The man was going on about his new lighting method, and Devon was nodding along with a look in her eyes she could only describe as a manic zeal. Laurel spotted Grimley lurking behind the booth, their ally in the merchant guild in an uncharacteristically somber suit. That is to say, one where the colors didn't immediately start a headache in whoever looked at him. Making eye contact, he joined her as Devon began berating the pair of engineers presenting their innovation.

"Where does the modern obsession with coal come from? It's dirty. It takes up room. It smells."

"The energy has to come from somewhere. The kind of speed we would need for an equivalent waterwheel is impractical anywhere except the mountains, where a waterfall might do it."

"Don't be ridiculous," Devon said. He leaned over and snatched at the sleeve of Laurel's robe. She swatted his hand away but acquiesced in joining the discussion.

"Lightning stone."

"I beg your pardon?" Laurel said.

"Ugh. Will you please provide us with a chunk of crystalized mana, imbued with your lightning aspect, oh Madam Stormblade."

That tone would require some correction later, but she complied. Something making Devon this fired up was likely to be useful. Or at least impressive in its failure. A few moments of concentration and the stone formed in the palm of her hand. More pure than what her students could produce, and far deadlier, it would spend the stored energy to create lightning. Useful to keep on battlements in case of enemies, lobbed out as primitive grenades. Not so useful for much else, usually. Anyone that could safely direct the lightning would also not usually need such a trinket.

When he went to pluck it out of her hand, she closed her fingers first. "Are you going to be judging the competition?"

"I'm changing the world!"

"That's fantastic! Maybe after we judge the contest."

"I swear. Let me just do this first, then we go out and finish the show."

Slowly, she uncurled her fingers and let Devon grab the stone. Not wasting a moment, he hopped over the low table and started tinkering with the example machine the contestants brought. A few minutes of hammering and enchanting later, he placed the stone in a small nook and activated it while stepping back.

The engineers, a man and woman in their late twenties, if she had to guess, in formal clothing they looked uncomfortable in, leaned around Devon to watch what happened. Nothing, as it turned out. Devon ducked back in and tinkered with the enchantment a bit, Laurel felt the mana seeping into the metal casing around the stone as he worked.

Once more, they, and the small crowd that had built up around them a respectful distance back, watched what happened. Arcs of lightning jumped from the stone to the surrounding metal, brief sizzling following each. As they observed, bits and pieces started moving. Cogs turned, something else started moving back and forth, a slight breeze picked up off of a propeller on one end.

"It's a fan?" Laurel whispered.

"The fan is just an example, it's the mechanism in the engine…" Devon trailed off at Laurel's blank look. "It's impressive, trust me."

One of the engineers let out a low whistle, whacking various pieces with a wrench in what couldn't possibly be a useful way of investigating.

"Efficiency is better than what it was before. And we were already pretty proud of that." She turned to Laurel then to Grimley. "Don't suppose those lightning crystals are for sale."

Grimley perked up and looked hopeful. Laurel shut it down. "My time and effort is pretty expensive at the moment. With a more evolved City Core, we could probably set up power plants to eventually use magic to power the machines. Of course that requires both the residents of the city to bind themselves, and a petition to the palace that it would be the best use of our magical resources."

She was ostensibly talking to the engineers, but saw the light spark in Grimley's eyes. Good. The more people they could get pulling towards a real City, the better. Instead of answering the young woman made to march off, towards the pillar outside the Forum or towards Curson, Laurel wasn't sure. Her companion pulled her back while Devon started rapid firing questions at them and taking notes.

Laurel gave it five minutes before she dragged Devon away. The end result might not be in question but they still had to make a show of stopping at each of the stands, talking with the entrants and congratulating them on their hard work. A few others caught the enchanter's eyes enough to provoke a real conversation, but nothing like the early booth.

She floated along and did her best to give the impression of kindly and wise sectmaster while Devon talked shop with the crafters. At every natural opportunity she mentioned how the benefits of a City would improve their work, but otherwise enjoyed the atmosphere, and the wandering vendors selling snacks to the spectators and participants alike.

It was hours later that the prizes were awarded. As promised, Devon would be working with winners in all categories for some magic flair. There was also a cash prize for the top three in each competition, provided by the palace. To many of the entrants, that paled in comparison to the guild recognition. Those members that placed highly were rewarded. The few non-members that made a splash were snatched up by recruiters trawling through the stands.

On the way out, Laurel saw the stars of the day standing by the anchor pillar at the entrance to the Forum, entreating everyone who walked by to bind themselves. She couldn't help but smile.

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