Tazo slashed one hand sideways through the air. "I do really want to see this lightning technology Vonn's talked about, but come on. We figured out that all they need for their specific needs is an alcohol bath and a little burst of lightning, right? Zaps the weird sap off of those roots. You don't have to be a Mage to cast a beginner spell. So let's just get somebody to teach the right spell to a couple of the villagers, and get Selen to work up some basic distillation gear, and cross that task off the list."

Urika reminded them, "We were going to sell the devices."

"We can. Later. This is a good enough solution for now, unless their Baron really objects to people even learning a basic spell. One they might even already have. Or unless the Necromancers really want total control over who has the plant-processing machines, rather than just to get production of a product they want. In which case, I don't care what they want."

Vonn pointed at Tazo from his vantage point slumped on the bench. "This."

#

It was dinnertime, and Brightstep sent for them to all meet him at the Reeve's house, which he'd commandeered for an hour. Waiting there was a cleaned-up Polestar, shuffling his hooves and avoiding anyone's gaze.

Brightstep said, "Another mystery, eh? Father has arranged a team to visit the dungeon tomorrow morning to do that scouting you suggested, Vonn. Our scouts so far are saying the dungeon has enveloped most of the iron mine all across the surface. So Shieldpoint isn't in immediate danger, but now we'll need armed lookouts just to continue digging. We might be able to get regenerating ore deposits but I doubt anyone's eager to fight monsters every day for them."

Vonn said, "A mine's not a safe place at the best of times."

"Right. Anyway, Father has sent a messenger north to the Duke to accuse Baron Kolm of treason for doing... whatever it is he did."

"I hope he didn't send all of our evidence."

"No." Brightstep's grim expression said it all: he wasn't sure the Duke had been completely innocent of what his underling was doing. But accusations against the powerful weren't good for your health in these parts. Brightstep added carefully, "It would be in the Duke's interest to make sure Kolm is brought to justice and blame is properly assigned."

Polestar spoke up. "The whole time I was down there, I didn't see faces I could pick out of a lineup. They hid their faces. Mostly Kobolds though, not counting the zombies."

Selen knocked and they let her in. When they'd caught her up she said, "Lord Brightstep --"

"Don't bother with the title. Father's taught me to relax about it. Except around Mother."

Selen's head-feathers stood up in an Aves smile. "All right. Your father is busy preparing the dungeon trip, but he said he wants my hot air balloon ready as a quick escape method. I tried to explain it can't carry more than a few people and we can't control where it goes, but he insists that the team keep it available. And that I can't personally join the team to supervise it. So, they're going to borrow the balloon and I get to train them in how to not get killed using it. Fun."

Vonn said, "I'd suggest that rule number one is, only use the thing if you're desperate."

"Yeah. And no Centaurs on the platform, sorry to say."

Brightstep said, "I'll wait for your third or fourth model before I even try that; no offense."

Tazo explained the need for an alcohol distiller. Selen said, "I can whip that up if you'll do some metalwork."

"You can whip it?"

"Whip it good! But then I need to get home, if I'm not urgently needed here. I have my own projects going on."

Brightstep told them, "In fact, Vonn, you may need to go north and testify to what you saw. The Dungeoneer Guild there will be eager to hear, too, if the Duke doesn't quash the information."

"I'm a little worried about getting --" Vonn shut his muzzle before implying anything about the Duke.

"Yes, well. We will send one of the tainted gems along with you as further proof, and offer to send Agent Kura and this newcomer to testify too, after you return."

Vonn looked to Polestar. "You're staying in Shieldpoint for now, right?"

"Uh. Your Baron has strongly suggested it."

Brightstep said, "You're not a prisoner. Given what you know, you're valuable to Father. Be patient and we can relocate you to the other two villages Father rules, or even send you on elsewhere. Just bear with us; there's a crime to resolve. You of all people ought to want justice."

"All right, all right. How do I earn my keep?"

Vonn said, "For a short-term solution, maybe you can help Urika around our shop or make deliveries for my parents. And if there's no other roof over your head you're welcome to rest in the shop, or under the tent beside it. That's an airplane hangar but we're not using it right now."

Polestar whistled. "Thank you kindly. I'm used to living a little rough, including... before, so this'll be all right for now." His gaze and ears darted to one side. "Just don't know what I've been mixed up in."

#

So, the plan was to split up. Tazo would stay behind for now to teach basic magic to the villagers. Then she would return to Engineer work producing the high-tech staples of the Rising World Company, like bicycles, in between tinkering with the machine tools. Selen stayed in town long enough to rig up a device for boiling cheap wine, then came along with Vonn on a north-bound boat. Several of Bogstep's Human soldiers came along, officially to testify to their part in the raid but really to protect the others.