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Hank wakes up.
Of all the usual results of a blow to the head, this one probably isn’t even in the top four. One minute a misunderstanding with a crowbar and a man called Hercules—in retrospect that should have been a warning sign—the next…something else.
This isn’t the Colt Arms Factory, and it isn’t even Hartford. He’s in the middle of a ravine he’s never seen before. Must be a practical joke by someone who’s about to be unemployed. He groans, pushes himself to his feet, and works his way up the nearest slope. On second thought, this is less of a practical joke and more of a dream. The half-clockwork dog would be decidedly impractical to fake, and the enormous bipedal beetle is far too well-dressed.
At the top there’s a fence, with signs facing the other side. No gate is in evidence, but the fence isn’t too much of an obstacle. From the other side, the signs can be read as saying variations on “beware of the magic.” Huh.
From atop the slope, there’s at least a clearly visible destination. A nearby city, it may not be any city that was nearby when he was last conscious, but it’s better than here. He heads toward it.
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connecticut_yankee
connecticut_yankee
He stops to talk as briefly as possible to the proprietor, and then heads north.
The proprietor grants the hold and says Ayabel will still be there in two hours.
When he has been walking for a bit less than twenty minutes (maybe Ayabel has a slow gait) he's almost to the city walls and he can see a gaudy mansion a couple of blocks to the left.
When he has been walking for a bit less than twenty minutes (maybe Ayabel has a slow gait) he's almost to the city walls and he can see a gaudy mansion a couple of blocks to the left.
connecticut_yankee
He observes a lack of "no soliciting" signs, and heads doorward to knock.
He is answered by a young lady. The front hall has a lot of bizarre curios in it. "Can I help you?"
connecticut_yankee
"I'm looking for a Mr. Terunone; I've been informed he buys things retrieved from magics?"
"He does, yes. Can you wait for a short while?"
connecticut_yankee
"Yes, of course." Making the assumption that the word "short" doesn't mean something drastically different here, but it seems like a fair one.
She shows him inside, invites him to have a seat on any of several drastically mismatched and (in one case) purring chairs, and leaves him be for half an hour, after which time Mr. Terunone comes in. "I hear you have something for sale!"
connecticut_yankee
"I do. Hank Morgan, pleased to meet you.
I just came out of a magic, and was apparently very lucky if that chair is anything to go by, and heard that you offer a fair amount even for useless items sometimes.
I've got a wallet full of what I assume is meant to be money that's no good here, and these clothes if it's worth making another trip back here after buying some normal ones, but the main thing is this."
He shows the pocket watch. "No explosions or unexpected behavior of any kind. But it keeps track of what time of day it is, more precisely than any non-magical method. And it can show you which way is north, if you need that kind of thing." He launches into an explanation of how to use it for both.
I just came out of a magic, and was apparently very lucky if that chair is anything to go by, and heard that you offer a fair amount even for useless items sometimes.
I've got a wallet full of what I assume is meant to be money that's no good here, and these clothes if it's worth making another trip back here after buying some normal ones, but the main thing is this."
He shows the pocket watch. "No explosions or unexpected behavior of any kind. But it keeps track of what time of day it is, more precisely than any non-magical method. And it can show you which way is north, if you need that kind of thing." He launches into an explanation of how to use it for both.
Mr. Terunone is fascinated by the object. "The chair that purrs we think used to be a cat, actually... The object is fascinating. What do you want for it?"
connecticut_yankee
"Fifteen hundred? There isn't exactly a standard number, inconveniently enough."
"Could I interest you in a trade?"
connecticut_yankee
"Probably not, but it's possible. Did you have something specific in mind?"
"No, I have a wide variety of objects that no longer interest me as much as they did when they were new. What might tempt you?"
connecticut_yankee
"It would have to be something that does things, reliably, useful rather than merely interesting. The ideal case would be a tool that aids in making things if provided with designs and materials.
But considering how predictable magics aren't, it would require an astonishing amount of good fortune for such a thing to even exist."
But considering how predictable magics aren't, it would require an astonishing amount of good fortune for such a thing to even exist."
"I don't have anything quite like that," he agrees. "I do have a set of animated knitting needles which, depending on their - mood - will sometimes knit things to order?"
connecticut_yankee
"Afraid not; maybe if they worked in metal instead of yarn. I realize objects that do useful things predictably are rare; that's why I thought it more worthwhile to start from money rather than barter."
"They can actually knit wire, although only of a pretty fine gauge... I have an oil lamp that takes water instead of oil and will change the color of its flame reliably on command? A length of rope which, supplied with a drawing and some lint to eat, will tie itself into knots?"
connecticut_yankee
"Neither of those sounds like it would be useful in my enterprise, unfortunately."
"All right, money it is. The piece might be useful, but fifteen hundred seo is a bit much - it's not especially decorative, nor so obvious in its utility that it could make back the cost for me. Shall we say a thousand?"
connecticut_yankee
Hank pauses to do some calculations. Involving numbers. That he knows. Definitely.
"A thousand sounds close enough. I think we have a deal."
"A thousand sounds close enough. I think we have a deal."
"Excellent. Will you consider a note for the bank sufficient or would you prefer to hold the object until I can procure coins?"
connecticut_yankee
"I think I might need the coins, if it isn't too much of a burden on you."
The banking system could look like anything here. Slavers might accept bank notes and make change, or they might not. For that matter, the notes could be backed by gold, or anything else, or nothing at all, and who knows what that might mean.
The banking system could look like anything here. Slavers might accept bank notes and make change, or they might not. For that matter, the notes could be backed by gold, or anything else, or nothing at all, and who knows what that might mean.
"Perhaps you could come back tomorrow afternoon, then?"