"Absolutely!" Emyr exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with excitement. "I've been up half the night putting the final pieces together. Trust me, it's ready."

"When are they coming to inspect it?" Jamie asked, still not up to speed after the last two nights.

"Today," Knall replied matter-of-factly.

"Today?" Jamie echoed, surprise evident in his voice.

"The soldiers weren't too interested at first. But the Hafenstadt officials pushed to hurry the process," Knall explained. "At least, that's what I've heard."

"I see," Jamie considered, thinking this was one of Maria's maneuvers to speed up the city's defenses.

"That's why you need to talk some sense into her," Knall insisted, gesturing at Emyr.

"Aside from the name, is there anything else?" Jamie inquired.

Jay, the feline familiar, leapt onto the weapon, perching atop it with keen interest.

"Yes! The proportion of serpentine powder," Knall emphasized. "She's using too much. At that quantity, the metal won't withstand the pressure. It could explode."

"But that'll make for a more impactful kaboom! Isn't this a demonstration?" Emyr retorted, her enthusiasm undeterred.

Jay hopped down from the weapon, a look of alarm crossing his face at the mention of an explosion.

"She's not wrong," Jamie conceded thoughtfully. "We need to impress the commanders and soldiers."

"What's the chance of failure during the test?" Jamie asked

Knall and Emyr exchanged glances, each calculating in their minds.

"At the current amount, there is a 20% chance the weapon will explode," Knall assessed with a frown.

"I'd say 15%," Emyr countered.

"That's because you don't understand metallurgy!" Knall snapped, frustration edging his voice. "The pressure will be too high, and the quality of the metal we're using is far too low."

"Alright," Jamie intervened, aiming for a compromise. "Let's reduce the amount until we have only a 10% chance of failure."

"Hmph. Fine," Emyr conceded, though she didn't seem particularly happy about it. She turned back to the weapon, preparing to make the necessary adjustments.

As Emyr continued her adjustments to the weapon, Jamie gazed beyond the city walls. The mid-morning sun bathed the landscape in a soft glow. Close to the wall were the remnants of the village that had nestled at the city's edge. Now, only charred timbers and crumbling stone remained. Beyond the ruins stretched the vast expanse of the forest.

Turning his attention, Jamie surveyed the testing grounds. A rocky expanse of barren land was situated a safe distance from the fertile fields where crops were grown. The ground here was scarred and blackened from previous trials, a testament to the power of Emyr's inventions. It was a secluded spot, seldom visited by the townsfolk, making it ideal for their purposes.

As he observed the results of the recent tests, an unusual commotion caught his attention. Distant at first, the sound of hooves clattering and wheels grinding grew louder. Peering over the other side, Jamie observed a group of carriages approaching the wall.

A line of ornate carriages made its way toward the defense tower. Some bore the crest of the Hafenstadt family while others displayed the emblem of the City Guard. Flanking the carriages were soldiers marching in disciplined formation.

'Security was increased,' Jamie thought, noting the heightened military presence.

Coming down from the tower, Jamie made his way to the forefront of the installation. As he approached, he straightened his tunic and adjusted the cloak resting on his shoulders.

From the leading carriages emerged several City Guard commanders. Jamie recognized some of them. Some were men who had, in the past, accepted the discreet bribes offered by the Golden Fiddle. Their faces were stern, but a flicker of discomfort crossed their eyes upon seeing him.

At the rear of the procession, stepping from a carriage adorned with silver filigree, was Maria von Hafenstadt. Her emerald eyes met Jamie's, and a subtle smile played on her lips. It was an expression that spoke volumes. They shared an understanding as though they were co-conspirators in a grand design known only to them.

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"Long time no see, bard," came a gruff voice that pulled Jamie's attention back to the present. Leading the group was Captain Mordrick, a figure whose girth tested the limits of his uniform. His face was flushed, and a thin sheen of perspiration glistened on his forehead. "Seems like it was just yesterday you rolled into our city seeking favors."

Jamie met the captain's gaze. "A pleasure to see you again, Captain," he replied, extending his hand. "Though I recall our interactions involving fair exchanges, not mere favors."

Captain Mordrick grasped Jamie's hand with a firm grip, his thick fingers threatening to crush bone. "Perhaps your memory isn't the best," he remarked, a hint of a sneer curling his lip.

With a smile, Jamie withdrew his hand, flexing his fingers to restore circulation. "Perhaps," he said.

The captain held his gaze for a moment longer before turning. "Let's get on with this," he barked to his subordinates, striding toward the tower where the demonstration would occur.

'We'll have resistance,' Jamie thought, recognizing the signs. The alliances he had formed, the influence he had gained, all threatened those who had held power unchallenged.

A soft meow drew his attention downward. Jay had appeared at his side.

"Wasn't that the big fellow you bought the tavern from?" Jay asked, his whiskers twitching with amusement. "He doesn't look particularly pleased."

Jamie allowed himself a faint smirk. "I suppose. He sees a 'nobody' who, with a couple of gold coins, became one of the most influential people in the city," he replied, sharing his thoughts with Jay. "That same person fucked his plans, and he can no longer collect his usual bribes."

"Yeah. I would be pissed." Jay agreed.

As Jamie moved forward, he greeted each captain of the guard with a firm handshake and a respectful nod. As Jamie approached Maria, two soldiers abruptly stepped in front of him, their expressions stern as they barred his path.

"Stand aside, you idiots," Maria admonished, her eyes flashing with irritation.

"Apologies, my lady," the soldiers mumbled, stepping aside to allow Jamie through.

Maria stepped forward to meet him, a faint smile curving her lips as they began to walk together. "What do we have in store today?" she asked in a low voice, her gaze forward but her attention on him.

"Always straight to business?" Jamie remarked.

"Why, do you want to talk about our lives?" Maria asked.

Jamie let out a low chuckle.

"If you don't know, rumors are spreading around the city. So let's focus on the job," Maria said.

"Rumors?" Jamie asked, but never got an answer.

"We'll have a simple demonstration," Jamie explained. "A weapon they haven't seen before. Something they don't have access to yet but desperately need."

Maria arched a delicate brow. "And how much will this cost us?" she inquired, already calculating the potential expenses in her mind.

"I'm not sure yet," he admitted. "It depends on whether we can secure Serpentine. That's their name for gunpowder."

"Do we produce it anywhere near the city?" Maria asked.

Jamie shook his head. "No. It comes from the North. They use it for mining. Have tried for weaponry, but with low success."

"Why?" she pressed, intrigued.

They entered the stone tower and began ascending the spiral staircase.

"It's expensive to produce," Jamie explained. "And the Northerners have always relied on their mages for warfare. The idea of arming common soldiers with such power hasn't occurred to them. Also, it challenges their traditions."

Maria nodded, contemplating his words. "I see. Then we'll need to improve our relations with the North," she pondered aloud.

Jamie glanced at her, his expression neutral. The prospect of engaging in diplomatic missions did not particularly appeal to him.

Maria noticed his hesitation. "You know our relationship with the North has been strained since my uncle's... indiscretions," she commented, a hint of frustration in her tone.

"Right," Jamie said. In truth, he wasn't fully aware of the details. It wasn't information he sought out.

She sighed. "I may need your help," she confessed, pausing briefly on the steps to look at him directly.

He met her gaze. "I was exiled from my homeland," he reminded her. "Returning there isn't exactly a simple matter."

"Exiles can be pardoned," Maria pointed out. "Circumstances change. Alliances shift."

"Perhaps," Jamie conceded as they reached the top of the tower.

The open platform bustled with activity. Around Emyr and Knall stood a group of five commanders and several soldiers. All of them eyeing the new weapon with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. The device itself was an impressive sight. It was a hefty column of metal mounted on four sturdy wooden wheels. The front of the weapon was crafted to resemble the maw of a dragon, its jaws open as if ready to unleash destruction.

"What is this supposed to be? Some kind of wand?" one of the commanders scoffed, his brows furrowed.

"A metal wand, and a massive one at that," another grumbled. "What use is it on the battlefield?"

Jamie exchanged a brief glance with Maria before stepping forward. He separated himself from her and addressed the crowd. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce a weapon capable of defending our city like never before," he announced.

"It looks cumbersome," someone remarked.

"And not particularly powerful," added another.

Jamie smiled. "While it may appear weird, it can be operated by anyone, regardless of class or magical ability. Its destructive force is formidable enough to stop a troll dead in its tracks."

A hush fell over the group as they regarded the weapon with newfound interest.

Behind him, the weapon stood silent yet imposing.

"Behold, the Dragon's Breath," Jamie proclaimed, stepping aside to give them an unobstructed view. With a deliberate motion, he signaled to Emyr.

Emyr, her eyes alight with nervousness and pride, ignited the fuse at the weapon's rear.

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