The Bonefire Necromancers were involved and invited. Outside the workshop they conducted a demonstration with a zombie and a few iron rails. Mom and the town Geomancer helped coach people and improve on the technique. A Y-shaped formation was a relatively safe way to put the people powering the rail system, behind the repulsion field. Not exactly a good winter festival, but the gathering let people at least feel more in control of the situation.

Soon after the lesson broke up, the Baron arrived. And then came the troops.

#

A heavy barge came downriver, with Woven sitting in ranks with oars. Dozens of them, led by an Elf crew. Other boats pulled to either side of it. The tough, boxy vessel stood out like an island of quiet surrounded by the normal river traffic. A scent of leafy vines crept out through the rowdy dockside.

Vonn and the others gathered to watch. He said, "So the Duke's getting serious."

Birb flew for a better view, wheeling through the cold air. "There's another!"

A second vessel came downriver, just the same, and then she spotted a third. Vonn gaped. Tazo said, "An army!"

Vonn ducked back into the shop, saying, "Make sure we're ready for any demands." He fussed over everything, putting stray tools away, checking inventory, and looking in on the flying boat in the hangar. Ashfall met him as he was checking the machine tools. "The Duke won't be here in person. And the Woven are on our side."

He nodded, but fidgeted. "Let's get the airboat ready again."

A low boom outside. He peeked out and cursed. One of the booming toad monsters had crawled into the village area and gotten past the mercenaries. He reached for his wind gun, then recalled he'd loaned it out. "I suppose the Reeve doesn't want me running over there to cast spells, either."

The Smith mare shook her head. "Let the professionals handle it."

By the time the airboat sat outside and its ropes and cloth had been checked, One of the Elf officers had come to the shop, flanked by two Woven. The Elf wore a thick padded cloth jacket meant less for winter than for wearing under armor. Vonn greeted the group at his door with a slight bow.

"Engineer Vonn, of the Rising World Company? I'm here on my lord the Duke's business. You are to put aside civilian projects and assist our commander, Lord Taraleo."

"I expected as much, sir. Our workshop is at your group's disposal. I take it there's to be a move to stop the dungeon?"

"You'll have to speak with Lord Taraleo for details, but yes. He wants me to ask about the flying machines you're said to have." The officer turned toward the one off by the hangar. "Oh, is this one of them?"

Vonn nodded. "We have this, which can maneuver slightly in the air, and a simple scout balloon. You can also reposition them somewhat by dragging them like kites. With the right materials we can build more quickly."

Tazo said, "Mention the boats too."

He nudged her. "You tell him."

Tazo blushed and talked about the motor-rafts in progress, which could transport more than the flying machines. She also brought up the magic militia training she'd just been doing, as a way to wall off an area. "Though we're short on rails."

The Elf looked pleased. "I'll tell my commander, then. We may be able to work your projects into the plan. We'll be speaking with the Necromancers as well."

On the river's north side Vonn could just make out a richly dressed Elf, giving orders. The nearby officer left to join him.

Birb had been crouching behind the boat's engine with a wrench to be inconspicuous. "Suppose Selen is coming, too?"

"She wouldn't miss this."

In fact, the town grew crowded. The Woven erected three long tents in a field of wheat stubble and the Elf commander took over the Reeve's house. Mom and Dad offered him Vonn's old room but he found other lodging. Though the Woven didn't eat, there were enough curious river tourists that Birb got summoned back to her father to chip in at the Hammer and Feather restaurant. She grumbled.

Vonn assured her, "You'll be more useful with us when any real trouble starts."

Even while Vonn was getting a quick meal, the adventurers were on duty. Ever since the flying monsters emerged, the news was that the whole region had been plagued with a steady drip of more aggressive attacks. That meant an unholy beast or two harassing the western mine village, and the next settlement to the north, and even some of the south farms across the Little Star, every day or so. This'd be a constant problem until the dungeon was tamed -- or destroyed. But at least there hadn't been any hitting Shieldpoint since the soldiers arrived.

"Suppose they're going to break the core this time?" asked Polestar.

"Seems likely. This is no treasure-hunting trip."

The Centaur sidled closer. "Say. You handed over one of two tainted shards to the Duke, but what happened to the other one?"

"I thought it was still with our Baron. Wouldn't be surprised if he'd quietly handed it over to Ralator." Vonn sighed. "I'm sorry, but in our last meeting, someone spilled the beans about your origin."

"Kotta?"

"How'd you know? Oh, he must have been asking you for theology and Dragon stories."

"Exactly. Look, I just want to own my own place and settle down to raise a family. But I'm here when there's trouble to solve."

"Thanks."