Lux had been expecting the barren echo of his first visit, to his surprise, the town hall wasn’t empty anymore. Right inside the doors, a heavy wooden desk now loomed off to the right, and a whole stretch of counters lined the left.

  The place was actually starting to look a little official, not just walls and a roof anymore. Maybe soon it would look like somewhere people actually worked, Lux mused, quickly scanning the upgrades.

  He didn’t get long to admire it. Beatrice burst out from an office, striding over with a bundle of news ready to unload. She didn’t bother with small talk, it was straight down to business.

  “Lux, I have paid off all the debt. I also approved hiring more workers and some materials for construction. We need to get a move on with construction before the complimentary three-month period for founding settlements expires.” As she rattled off the facts, her eyes narrowed. She looked seriously worried about the extension visas.

  “There are also applications to build a grocery store and houses from the permanent residents. I did not approve the application because we had not spoken about selling land yet. Oh, and this came while you were away.” Beatrice fished out a shiny tablet from her belt pouch and held it up like a prize.

  Lux perked up. “Hiring more people while we are still in the free period of extension visas was a good plan.” He was itching to avoid the headache of finding extension visas himself, so it was a relief that Beatrice was already on top of getting construction accelerated.

  Before he could say anything else, Beatrice placed the tablet into his hands. The surface was glassy and cool, and Lux couldn’t hide his grin. He could check on the town hall even if he wasn’t here! An entire system at his fingertips.

  He realised his hands were full, the tablet in one, and the coin purse he’d just collected in the other. He tossed the coin purse to Beatrice, then settled in to study the new gadget properly. A tap on the screen, and it came to life with a burst of crisp light.

  First up, the Silver City summary. Lux’s eyes danced over the numbers, then stopped. Four hundred and six workers? Was that right?

  Silver City

  Treasury: 250,786 gold coins.

  Population: 35 (Permanent residents), 406 (Temporary residents)

  Contracted Workers: Labourers, Farmers, Merchant, Architect, Mechanical engineer, winery Manager, Hospitality staff.

  Weekly wages: 665 gold coins.

  Buildings: 10 Shoddy houses, Farms, Wooden houses, Dirt Path, Town hall, Logging factory, 2 Granaries, 2 Warehouses, Mill, Main Roads, Side Roads, Farm, Winery, Brick factory, 1 Apartment Complex (under construction).

  Exports: Produce, Ice wine, Fruit wine.

  Monster Cores required: Low 28, Medium 3

  Monster Core stock: Low quality: 190, Medium Quality: 20

  No wonder the construction had exploded. With four hundred and six workers, it made sense all those buildings were finished. That would explain the speed. The wages though, they were burning through coins every week. At least the debt was paid off, and they could afford it for now.

  Lux scrolled further, curiosity piqued by the list of buildings. His eyebrows rose at the mention of an apartment complex under construction. He had to admit, he was thoroughly intrigued. He wondered just how much they had managed to complete already. He couldn’t wait to walk over and see it in person.

  Lux slipped his tablet away, turning his full attention to Beatrice. In truth, he’d sidestepped her question and it gnawed at him. “I also am unsure about selling land. I will ask Silver and get back to you.” The city was his canvas to shape, but the matter of slicing off pieces of it to sell? That felt like it needed a higher approval.

  Just speaking of selling land brought a new worry bubbling to the surface, the issue of permanent residents. The city needed them, that was obvious. You couldn’t just run everything with tourists and labours, someone had to do the daily work. And now, with Silver City soon to be in charge of issuing extension visas for contracted workers, the need was even clearer.

  Lux made a mental note, after his tour with Trella, he’d need to sit down and hammer out the city map again, this time carving out a living space for people who would actually call Silver City home. If he didn’t, he doubted he’d attract many to settle here.

  A stray thought surfaced about George. “Beatrice, I appointed George in charge of the merchant department. Is there a list of departments that a city needs to function properly?” Lux didn’t want to invent his own system from scratch if there was already a standard one floating around.

  Beatrice nodded right away, which made Lux grin. “Great! Could you send it to my tablet?”

  “Yes, I’ll send it through shortly. I set a screen for communication between us. I thought that would make things easier for both of us.” Beatrice’s tone was brisk as she explained how to find the screen, and just as she was finishing up, Trella appeared in the hall.

  Trella was almost vibrating with anticipation. “Hey Beatrice, can I take Lux?”

  Beatrice let out a laugh, waving her hand. “Go. I know you have been dying to show off.”

  Trella didn’t need to be told twice. “Let’s go!” He more or less dragged Lux out the door, his excitement a physical force. “It feels like you have been gone forever, I have so much to show you!”

  Outside, two massive, shaggy dogs waited near the building. They were easily the size of ponies, which made Lux do a double-take. Trella strode over to the animals without hesitation. “Violet tamed some Mountain Grey Wind Wolves, they are great for getting around quickly.” As he spoke, Trella swung himself onto one of the wolves. “Quick get on!” He pointed to the other beast, clearly expecting Lux to just hop on.

  Lux eyed the animal warily. He’d never even tried riding a horse on earth, and this was a wolf. “I’m okay, I’ll just walk.” Better to keep his dignity intact, even if it meant being slow.

  Trella looked horrified. “What no! That will take too long.” He promptly dismounted and brought the wolf right up to Lux. “This is Beauty, she is the most docile wolf.” Trella gave Beauty’s head a fond rub. “See, she is very friendly. Besides Violet especially tamed this one for you.”

  Lux studied the wolf. Beauty’s calm eyes gave nothing away, but there was no hint of aggression. He’d always liked dogs, even if he’d never owned one. Cautiously, he reached out and ran his hand through Beauty’s fur. Her tail thumped against the ground. Trella grinned, triumphant. “See she likes you!”

  Lux felt he had to be honest. “I don’t know how to ride.”

  “That does not matter, the Mountain Grey Wind Wolves are good to start learning on because they have wind magic. Once they start running the magic will cover your body helping you to stay on.” Trella explained, clearly convinced it was foolproof.

  Lux supposed there was only one way to find out. He told himself that coming to Mystic Beau was about new things, and this definitely qualified. He just hoped he wouldn’t immediately make a spectacle of himself as he awkwardly scrambled onto Beauty’s back. He gripped the thick fur with both hands, anchoring himself. Once he was up, he could feel the wiry strength of the wolf beneath him, a living engine, waiting to run.

  He was not given even a moment to figure out how to balance atop the wolf before Trella swung himself up and sped off without so much as a backward glance.

  Beauty lunged forward, and Lux, clinging to the thick fur at the back of the animal’s neck, felt his heart hammering wild and desperate in his chest as wind tore at his face, and the world around him blurred into streaks of movement and colour.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  For a dizzying instant, he was certain he would tumble off and make a complete fool of himself, but as the wolf raced on, a strange invisible force pressed him lightly but insistently against Beauty’s back, anchoring him to the animal, and, little by little, his mad heartbeat slowed. He leaned into the beast, breathless, and let himself enjoy the sensation of flying over the ground.

  They reached the apartment complex in what felt like no time at all. As Beauty slid to a stop, Lux had already forgotten about the wolf entirely. His attention was stolen by the sight of the new buildings rising up before him. Without thinking, he scrambled down, eyes fixed on the six tall apartment blocks standing like sentinels.

  Two of the six buildings had windows installed, and sunlight glanced off the glass in sharp, shifting angles. Between the buildings, strips of green grass sprang up in thick clumps, a clean, simple path led off behind the complex. The main entrances to each building opened onto the street, but Lux wondered if there was a back way in, straight to the inner gardens.

  “The first building is complete. The second building, that one with the windows,” Trella pointed to the structure just right of the first, “it has the shell finished, but no interior walls or furniture yet.”

  “The others are in a similar situation, we could get the outsides up, but not much else with the money we had,” Trella finished, voice flat.

  Lux’s curiosity tugged at him. “Can I look inside?” Trella nodded, and led him to the second apartment block. The moment Lux stepped through the doorway, his jaw dropped open. Timber frames crisscrossed the rooms; through the gaps in the beams, he could see the exterior brick panels, bare as bones. No insulation, no plaster, nothing hiding the skeleton of the place.

  He did a quick calculation in his head. It was no wonder the debt had soaked up almost every coin, and with only a trickle of funds coming in after that, this was all that could be managed. Even now, he could already see how today’s cash would vanish into the gaps in these walls. The city needed more exports, more income, he realised grimly.

  Lux decided there was little point in lingering here. He had already seen a completed room in the first building, and these empty shells weren’t going to offer any new revelations. Instead, his interest shifted to the heart of the complex, the green space he glimpsed beyond. He told Trella as much, and he nodded, leading him out a back door.

  Here, the scene changed completely. A tidy gravel path wound through a broad, manicured lawn. Trees cast dappled shade on the grass, and tables, gazebos, and flower beds popped up everywhere in the park at the centre of the apartments. Lux slowed his steps, letting the hush of the place and the warmth of the sun seep into his skin.

  Two buildings caught his eye at once, he hesitated, uncertain which he ought to investigate first. Trella took the decision from his hands: “If you haven’t had breakfast, let’s head to the canteen first.” He was already turning, and Lux hurried to keep up, suddenly eager to see what food the canteen had on offer.

  The canteen building itself was plain, a sturdy wooden rectangle with wide windows that let in plenty of light. A handful of people were already scattered at the outdoor tables, separated by hedges that carved the terrace into cozy nooks. They chatted as they ate, laughing quietly.

  Lux stepped through double doors flung wide open, four people could walk side by side without squeezing. The first thing that hit him was the smell, a homey, mouth-watering scent, strong enough to make his empty stomach give a loud, plaintive rumble. “It smells so good!” he blurted, surprised.

  Since arriving at Mystic Beau, he’d gotten used to meals that were almost nothing but meat, day after day. The new aroma drifting through the air from the canteen was a promise of something better, and Lux could hardly wait to taste it.

  He drifted into the hall, following the trail of that mouth-watering scent, his eyes darting around, taking in the place. The layout was simple, a big room, timber floorboards underfoot, the bulk of the space packed with wooden tables and long benches, all lined up neatly. Right at the front, in front of the doors to the kitchen, a row of buffets waited.

  He made his way to the glass-covered buffet and pressed close, the steam rising in thick plumes from the trays inside. A glorious lineup of breakfast foods, eggs, toast, porridge, sausage, pastries, mushrooms and tomatoes grilled to perfection, all of it crowded behind the barrier just begging to be eaten.

  Someone he didn’t recognise stood guard behind the buffet. Lux eyed the server hopefully. “I’ll have one serve of everything!” The food was scooped out and stacked onto a wooden plate, and Lux was sure he was drooling, unable to tear his gaze away from the buffet as the plate steadily filled.

  When the pile of food reached the edge, the server carried the plate over to the counter at the end of the buffet line. There, wooden cutlery was stacked in rows, along with a strange little machine nestled between the utensils.

  Lux grimaced. He hated wooden cutlery, the bitter aftertaste always ruined good food. He missed the proper stuff. At least Devon had brought in real porcelain and metal utensils to trade, or he’d have to suffer these splinters every meal.

  “Tap your room card on top please.” The server pointed to the machine.

  Lux froze, uncertain. “Room card?”

  “If you don’t have a room card, then you can’t eat,” the server replied, jerking a thumb at a massive sign on the wall. ‘Canteen is only for Temporary Apartment Complex One’.

  “Exactly my luck,” Lux thought. He did not have a room in the apartments! The steaming food mocked his, hunger was gnawing at him now!

  Luckily, just then, Trella strode over and tapped a card to the top of the device. “Alvin, this is Lux. He’s the boss. Let it slide just for today. I’ll get him a card later, so you don’t get in trouble for handing out meals to someone without clearance.”

  Lux looked at Trella, surprised. Trella had even thought through the risk for the employee, making sure the server wouldn’t get chewed out for bending the rules. The more he learned about Trella, the more Lux felt he was a real leader. No wonder Trella could rally a whole site’s worth of workers wherever he went.

  “Hey Trella, do you want to be official construction manager of Silver City?” Lux turned, trying to read Trella’s face, he felt his heart thump a little faster. This was a huge job, and as the city grew, the scope of the job would only get bigger. He could feel his palms slick with sweat as he waited for Trella’s answer.

  Trella scratched his head, confusion drawing down his brow. “Lux I’m a site manager, not someone fit for a position that important.”

  “I bet you’re perfect for it,” Lux insisted. “You see the big picture, but you also notice all the details. Try it out? If you hate it, we’ll find someone else.” In his gut, Lux was sure Silver wouldn’t object.

  Besides, once Trella said yes, he’d never dare tell Silver he wanted to quit. With Trella in charge, city building would go on smooth as ever, even once Lux was out of the picture. Maybe Silver would even reward him with a stash of high-level monster cores for making it all work out.

  Trella nodded, “Alright, I’ll give it a go.”

  If Lux’s hands weren’t full, he would have rubbed them together in glee. He hurried to a seat and dug in, food vanishing from his plate bite after bite. Trella joined him, and both were too busy chewing to bother with talk.

  When he finished, Lux leaned back, belly round and content. “That was divine! I really missed eating food other than monster meat,” he declared, patting his stomach in bliss.

  Trella burst out laughing. “That’s exactly how I felt when this place opened up. Wait until dinner… you’ll get dessert, and then you’ll never want to eat anywhere else!” Trella’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he spoke, already imagining the sweets to come.

  “I take it you have a sweet tooth, Trella.” Lux watched Trella nod with a solemn gravity, as if he were agreeing to some unspoken truth about the world.

  “Lux, there is nothing better than a dose of sweet food after a hard day’s work, oh unless it’s a nice cold beer!” There was a fervour in Trella’s tone, a kind of reverence for both dessert and drink that Lux recognised from his own moments of indulgence.

  The conversation drifted, easy as a breeze through an open window. For a while, Lux forgot the tour, lost in the comfort of shared tastes and the ordinary pleasure of a meal well-earned. Then, as if waking from a nap with the sudden recollection of an unfinished task, Lux shot to his feet. “We need to finish the tour so that I don’t miss that dessert you’re talking about.”

  Trella responded with action, grabbing his plate, Lux followed. They made their way to the back of the hall, where a station for dirty dishes waited. As they left the canteen behind, Lux looked back to take in the room. The set-up was simple, nothing fancy. Yet it worked without a hitch, and Lux felt a flicker of satisfaction that the finished space echoed exactly what he’d envisioned.

  But the bathhouse was next, the real prize. That thought pulled him forward. The building wasn’t far from the canteen, and the whole area was wrapped in a tall wooden fence, the kind that promised privacy and quiet.

  The entrance faced the park, and Lux walked at a comfortable pace, letting the food settle in his stomach while he enjoyed the lull.

  Trella used the slow walk to circle back to business. “I want to hire some more workers, there’s only a month before the complimentary three-month period for founding settlements expires.”

  Lux didn’t even need to think, Beatrice had already brought this up earlier. “I agree. Beatrice and I already talked about it. She will gladly sign off on the workers.” Lux’s thoughts strayed to the new design he planned to draw up that afternoon.

  “I’ll be designing an area for permanent residents soon. We’ll need labourers for that, too. After the free period, we can scale back the temporary workers.”

  “Great, I’ll go see Beatrice after we finish the tour.” Trella was clearly pleased.

  Trella slowed his steps and Lux followed noticing that they had arrived at a wooden arch marking the entrance to the bathhouse, sturdy and welcoming.

  This was one of the projects Lux was actually looking forward to, a place to bathe in comfort, every single day. That was something he’d sorely missed, and now, here it was, on the brink of being real.