Chapter 264
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Chapter 264
Glancing up from her latest calculations, Mila sighed and tossed the diagram aside to join the other failures. It still wasnt right. How many iterations did this make now? The tenth? The hundredth? Shoulders sore and eyes tired, she wavered between stretching her arms or rubbing her eyes first and opted for the unsatisfactory compromise of doing both at once. Belly rumbling in protest, she wrinkled her nose and shuffled her diagrams about, hoping there was a plate with food hidden somewhere beneath the myriad of scattered parchments. An embarrassing dilemma, too hungry to sleep but too tired to go out in search of food, what was she to do?
A knock came at the door followed by Rains cautious inquiry. Mila my love? May I come in? Though she tried to respond, it seemed like there was a disconnect between her mind and her mouth as no sound emitted from her dry, parched throat. In fact, now that she thought about it, she wasnt sure if she even opened her mouth, too drained from her efforts to make Rains vision a reality.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
That damned idiot with his nonsensical, infuriating ideas, gorgeous amber eyes, and crooked, heart-melting grin would be the death of her.
After loudly announcing his intentions to enter, Rain cracked open the door and peered in, taking his sweet time as he surveyed the area. Seeing her stare, he flinched and disappeared from sight before reappearing after a short pause with eyebrows raised in surprise. Oh good, he said, forcing a smile as he stepped into the forge. Youre... uhh... Hello my love. I brought breakfast.
Simpering at her beloved betrothed, Mila tried to thank him but words failed her. Carefully clearing a space on the desk, Rain presented her with a sumptuous meal of pork-bone and preserved egg congee, topped with diced peppered greens and scallions. Taking a seat beside her, he wrapped one arm around her waist while the other poured a cup of tea. Leaning against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed in contentment, enjoying his tender, loving care.
Hmph. Its about time he showed up, who did this idiot think he was? Here she was slaving away for who knows how long, all to design the Spiritual Weapon hed envisioned. It wouldnt kill him to show some appreciation every now and then, a tiny thank you for working so hard Mila, or I love you and dont deserve you Mila, or maybe even youre so incredible Mila, no one can compare to your brilliance. He hadnt even given her a betrothal gift yet, despite having found a fortune in antiques and Spiritual Hearts. Whatever, this made up for it, somewhat. Grunting, she nodded at the cup of tea and opened her mouth, waiting for him to get the hint. Chuckling, Rain brought the cup to her lips and let her sip much too slowly for her liking. Drinking greedily, she finished the cup and squeaked for more, too tired for complete words much less sentences.
Kissing her temple as he refilled the cup, Rain whispered, Silly girl, overworking yourself like this. At least youre finally willing to eat, I was worried my cooking wasnt to your satisfaction. Snorting softly in reply, Mila sipped her tea and wracked her memory, trying to remember if this wasnt his first visit. Whod brought her meals? Was it Rain? The only people she remembered talking to were Papa, Tenjin, and the other experts shed requested, their names long forgotten in her haze of Inspired effort. How long had it been since she started working? A day? Two?
Dismissing her thoughts, she leaned further into his arms, content to lay in his embrace and be fed like a child. This was nice, enjoying her meal while he hummed a catchy little tune, the comfortable thrum of her chest filling her with warmth. Rain rarely sang but his melodies were varied and original, like nothing shed ever heard before. Lin often made up words to go along with the tunes, little nonsense verses beloved by Tali and Tate. So darling and well-behaved, Mila adored the white-haired twins, though she didnt know how to care for them. That was Rains domain, a master in the mysterious ways of the domestic arts. If it werent for his wandering eye, wanton behaviours, and inability to drink within his limits, hed be a perfect husband.
Even with all his flaws, Mila wouldnt trade him for the world. She only wanted to rid him of one or two poor habits, was it too much to ask?
You keep looking at me like that and I cant be held accountable for my actions, Rain whispered, his hot breath brushing against her neck and sending a cold shiver down her spine. My lovely Mila, so helpless and vulnerable, how am I to resist? Another kiss followed as her cheeks heated up, both scared and excited by his suggestive tone. He wouldnt, would he? Not here in Papas forge and certainly not like this. When was the last time shed even bathed? All she could remember were endless hours of frenzied scribbling and exhaustive mental efforts, desperately seeking to hold onto her precious Mother-given knowledge.
Oh no... whos been cleaning her chamber pot these past few days? It couldnt possibly be Rain, could it? Mila was still an unwed maiden, shed die of embarrassment if her beloved handled her... No, no, no...
Oh my love, no need to cry, Rain said, hugging her tight. I was kidding, I wont take advantage of you, I swear. Shaking her head, she wanted to tell him that wasnt why she cried, but she couldnt find her voice. All she could do was clasp his hands and hold him close lest he think she found him repulsive. Relieved, Rain sighed and closed his eyes, taking a moment to rest. Okay, no more bawdy jokes. Are you still hungry? Thirsty? Need to use the chamber pot? No? Then its time for bed. Youve been working too hard my love, you need rest. Ignoring her feeble squeaks of protest, he slid an arm behind her knees and carried her like a princess to the back of the forge. Though he still struggled beneath her weight, his steps were firm and arms stable, a sign of his growing strength. Laying her gently on the cot, he draped the quilt over her and knelt at her side, stroking her hair to lull her to sleep.
Though she wanted nothing more than to sit up and return to work, she lost the battle against fatigue and fell into deep, restful slumber. It felt like she had only just closed her eyes before she opened them once again, wakened by her full bladder. Finding the room shrouded in darkness and her face pressed against a damp, furry body, she leaned back and wiped her mouth, trying to muster the strength to stand and find the chamber pot. Too uncomfortable to sleep but too tired to do anything about it, this was becoming a too-familiar situation.
Awakened by her movements, her furred companions chest rumbled in protest, kneading her belly with two massive paws. Piecing together the clues, she patted Auries head and rubbed his cheeks with her thumbs, feeling his massive fangs hidden beneath his jowls. If Aurie was here, then Rain couldnt be far, the sweet, affectionate wildcat never straying far from his papa. Rain? she asked, her voice rough and raspy. Are you there?
Right here my love, Rain replied, his voice sounding distant and surprised. Sparks flew and candle-light flooded the room to reveal Rains lethargic expression over by the door while Mama rose from the ground beside the cot, her face etched with worry. Song blinked sleepily from beside Mama and Sarankho while Papa snored atop his bench beneath the window.
Girl, you truly are a cause for concern, Mama said, stroking Milas cheeks. Losing yourself in the Mothers blessings for so long, barely eating or sleeping, I was beside myself with worry. Worse, you called for the boy first, so unfilial.
Her soft smile took away the sting of her words. Sorry Mama, Mila whispered. What are you doing sleeping on the floor?
Hmph, this poor excuse of a wildcat stole my spot, keeping me from sharing your cot. Rolling her eyes, Mama bopped Auries head in mock anger, who responded with a happy chuff. A spoiled, overindulged fur bag is what he is. Were he left to his own devices, Im certain hed have starved to death in his youth.
Mm, no Mama, I mean... why arent you all sleeping in your rooms? This was a little much, sleeping in the forge with her entire family.
My daughter has been in a waking stupor for the better part of a week and you expect me to sleep in my room? Weve all been staying here and taking turns looking after you.
So how does Charok do it? Doesnt his finger flicking thing work on the same principles, storing energy in his bent finger and unleashing it at the point of impact? Hows he so accurate?
Thats what I asked but he couldnt give me a straight answer, Mila huffed, remembering her frustration. Shed have to apologize to him too, so unfair. In the end, we concluded since his body was the medium, he instinctively smoothed out the process or somehow accounted for other factors. The strange thing is, hes not the only one who can do it, but no one can explain how.
Ha, now you know how I feel most of the time. No one explains anything ever.
Sighing, Mila ignored his delight and continued. Your coiled spring idea suffers all the same problems and several unique ones to boot. Its theoretically similar to Charoks flicking, but lacking the ability to stabilize the spring and smooth out the process. You say the axe is too short, but make it too long and the coil vibrates too much during decompression. Not only does it make timing Amplification difficult, the projectile will be wildly inaccurate. Whats more, theres a problem with efficiency.
Not efficient enough?
Far from it. Mila shook her head. With how much force I can pack into a near-indestructible spring, it can launch a projectile at speeds anywhere from 100 to 150 meters per second depending on the weight, which isnt too amazing compared to a good bow. However, if we factor in Amplification, we could easily see anywhere from two to four times the speed. For some reason, it irked her how accurate Rains randomly sprouted numbers were. Six hundred meters per second wasnt as preposterous as shed once believed.
... so whats the problem?
This time, Mama answered for Mila. The faster an object moves, the greater the force of wind acting on the object. Around 350 meters per second, the force is so great it can shatter steel bolts with ease.
Yea, the sound barrier. All three of them stared at Rain until he explained. As you approach the speed of sound, 350 meters per second or close to it, aerodynamic drag sharply increases. Breaking the sound barrier is why whips make a cracking noise. Its not a big deal, you pierce through with slim, inflexible flechettes or avoid the sound barrier by using heavier projectiles, retaining more kinetic energy at lower speeds. Pretending not to see their questioning gazes, Rain looked down at the diagram once more. Besides, for the accuracy thing, couldnt you secure the projectile in place instead of resting it against the coil? Then stick something like a prod to the end of the coil. The spring uncoils, the prod strikes the projectile, and boom goes the Defiled. No more stability or spin issues. Hmm... you could even use multiple springs to help minimize the effect of errant oscillations.
Its not so simple! Mila exploded, angered by his happy-go-lucky attitude. This is a Spiritual Weapon, not a wood-cutters axe. So what if his idea had merits? Oh, she could use a telescoping arm to help further stabilize the springs, even placing it in the middle of four springs. That would allow her to shorten the spring without losing power. Another idea flashed through her mind, to make a hammer and insert the springs in the head. Instead of launching a projectile, it could be triggered to propel the head forward 5 to 10 centimeters, much easier to Amplify and with no need to worry about projectile accuracy. Or a giant spike emerging from the tip, oh, it would be so magnificent... No focus. Catching herself before falling into another daze, Mila shook her head. Most warriors only get one, so it has to be perfect.
This time, it was her turn to be stared at. After a long pause, Mamas asked, Dear daughter, are you telling me you have been slaving away the past week not because your ideas will not work, but because they are less than perfect?
Frowning, Mila defiantly stared back and answered, Isnt it the same thing? If youre going to do something, do it once and do it right.
Her imitation must have been on point as everyone in the room turned to look at her still sleeping Papa. Though he pretended to be slovenly and lazy, Mila knew better than most the pains he went through the ensure every object he crafted was made to perfection. Even the tiniest of flaws in the most common of iron tools would not pass muster, and Mila strove to reach the same standards. While they were distracted, she reached for her inkwell and brush, readying to draw out her newly imagined axe-rifle and impact hammer.
They would need better names, but that could come later.
Losing herself in the work, she only came to when someone took hold of her brush. Lashing out on instinct, her fist bounced off iron-wrought flesh. Nursing her bruised knuckles, Mila looked up to see Mama towering over her with an amused grin. Enough girl. Your work ethics are commendable, but this is too much. Come, she said, dragging Mila out into the afternoon sunlight. We have a funeral to attend and it will not do for you to arrive looking like a beggar.
Whose funeral Mama?
The former Marshal of the North, Shing Du Yi.
Oh no... poor Yuzhen, she must be devastated. Squeezing Mamas waist as they rode Kankin through the streets, Mila closed her eyes and wept. It was obvious Shing Du Yi sacrificed himself to keep his daughter safe, one final act of fatherly love. Mila could only imagine how torn up Yuzhen must be.
Rest well in the arms of the Mother, Shing Du Yi, a true Dragon among men.
Chapter Meme
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Chapter 264
Glancing up from her latest calculations, Mila sighed and tossed the diagram aside to join the other failures. It still wasnt right. How many iterations did this make now? The tenth? The hundredth? Shoulders sore and eyes tired, she wavered between stretching her arms or rubbing her eyes first and opted for the unsatisfactory compromise of doing both at once. Belly rumbling in protest, she wrinkled her nose and shuffled her diagrams about, hoping there was a plate with food hidden somewhere beneath the myriad of scattered parchments. An embarrassing dilemma, too hungry to sleep but too tired to go out in search of food, what was she to do?
A knock came at the door followed by Rains cautious inquiry. Mila my love? May I come in? Though she tried to respond, it seemed like there was a disconnect between her mind and her mouth as no sound emitted from her dry, parched throat. In fact, now that she thought about it, she wasnt sure if she even opened her mouth, too drained from her efforts to make Rains vision a reality.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
That damned idiot with his nonsensical, infuriating ideas, gorgeous amber eyes, and crooked, heart-melting grin would be the death of her.
After loudly announcing his intentions to enter, Rain cracked open the door and peered in, taking his sweet time as he surveyed the area. Seeing her stare, he flinched and disappeared from sight before reappearing after a short pause with eyebrows raised in surprise. Oh good, he said, forcing a smile as he stepped into the forge. Youre... uhh... Hello my love. I brought breakfast.
Simpering at her beloved betrothed, Mila tried to thank him but words failed her. Carefully clearing a space on the desk, Rain presented her with a sumptuous meal of pork-bone and preserved egg congee, topped with diced peppered greens and scallions. Taking a seat beside her, he wrapped one arm around her waist while the other poured a cup of tea. Leaning against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed in contentment, enjoying his tender, loving care.
Hmph. Its about time he showed up, who did this idiot think he was? Here she was slaving away for who knows how long, all to design the Spiritual Weapon hed envisioned. It wouldnt kill him to show some appreciation every now and then, a tiny thank you for working so hard Mila, or I love you and dont deserve you Mila, or maybe even youre so incredible Mila, no one can compare to your brilliance. He hadnt even given her a betrothal gift yet, despite having found a fortune in antiques and Spiritual Hearts. Whatever, this made up for it, somewhat. Grunting, she nodded at the cup of tea and opened her mouth, waiting for him to get the hint. Chuckling, Rain brought the cup to her lips and let her sip much too slowly for her liking. Drinking greedily, she finished the cup and squeaked for more, too tired for complete words much less sentences.
Kissing her temple as he refilled the cup, Rain whispered, Silly girl, overworking yourself like this. At least youre finally willing to eat, I was worried my cooking wasnt to your satisfaction. Snorting softly in reply, Mila sipped her tea and wracked her memory, trying to remember if this wasnt his first visit. Whod brought her meals? Was it Rain? The only people she remembered talking to were Papa, Tenjin, and the other experts shed requested, their names long forgotten in her haze of Inspired effort. How long had it been since she started working? A day? Two?
Dismissing her thoughts, she leaned further into his arms, content to lay in his embrace and be fed like a child. This was nice, enjoying her meal while he hummed a catchy little tune, the comfortable thrum of her chest filling her with warmth. Rain rarely sang but his melodies were varied and original, like nothing shed ever heard before. Lin often made up words to go along with the tunes, little nonsense verses beloved by Tali and Tate. So darling and well-behaved, Mila adored the white-haired twins, though she didnt know how to care for them. That was Rains domain, a master in the mysterious ways of the domestic arts. If it werent for his wandering eye, wanton behaviours, and inability to drink within his limits, hed be a perfect husband.
Even with all his flaws, Mila wouldnt trade him for the world. She only wanted to rid him of one or two poor habits, was it too much to ask?
You keep looking at me like that and I cant be held accountable for my actions, Rain whispered, his hot breath brushing against her neck and sending a cold shiver down her spine. My lovely Mila, so helpless and vulnerable, how am I to resist? Another kiss followed as her cheeks heated up, both scared and excited by his suggestive tone. He wouldnt, would he? Not here in Papas forge and certainly not like this. When was the last time shed even bathed? All she could remember were endless hours of frenzied scribbling and exhaustive mental efforts, desperately seeking to hold onto her precious Mother-given knowledge.
Oh no... whos been cleaning her chamber pot these past few days? It couldnt possibly be Rain, could it? Mila was still an unwed maiden, shed die of embarrassment if her beloved handled her... No, no, no...
Oh my love, no need to cry, Rain said, hugging her tight. I was kidding, I wont take advantage of you, I swear. Shaking her head, she wanted to tell him that wasnt why she cried, but she couldnt find her voice. All she could do was clasp his hands and hold him close lest he think she found him repulsive. Relieved, Rain sighed and closed his eyes, taking a moment to rest. Okay, no more bawdy jokes. Are you still hungry? Thirsty? Need to use the chamber pot? No? Then its time for bed. Youve been working too hard my love, you need rest. Ignoring her feeble squeaks of protest, he slid an arm behind her knees and carried her like a princess to the back of the forge. Though he still struggled beneath her weight, his steps were firm and arms stable, a sign of his growing strength. Laying her gently on the cot, he draped the quilt over her and knelt at her side, stroking her hair to lull her to sleep.
Though she wanted nothing more than to sit up and return to work, she lost the battle against fatigue and fell into deep, restful slumber. It felt like she had only just closed her eyes before she opened them once again, wakened by her full bladder. Finding the room shrouded in darkness and her face pressed against a damp, furry body, she leaned back and wiped her mouth, trying to muster the strength to stand and find the chamber pot. Too uncomfortable to sleep but too tired to do anything about it, this was becoming a too-familiar situation.
Awakened by her movements, her furred companions chest rumbled in protest, kneading her belly with two massive paws. Piecing together the clues, she patted Auries head and rubbed his cheeks with her thumbs, feeling his massive fangs hidden beneath his jowls. If Aurie was here, then Rain couldnt be far, the sweet, affectionate wildcat never straying far from his papa. Rain? she asked, her voice rough and raspy. Are you there?
Right here my love, Rain replied, his voice sounding distant and surprised. Sparks flew and candle-light flooded the room to reveal Rains lethargic expression over by the door while Mama rose from the ground beside the cot, her face etched with worry. Song blinked sleepily from beside Mama and Sarankho while Papa snored atop his bench beneath the window.
Girl, you truly are a cause for concern, Mama said, stroking Milas cheeks. Losing yourself in the Mothers blessings for so long, barely eating or sleeping, I was beside myself with worry. Worse, you called for the boy first, so unfilial.
Her soft smile took away the sting of her words. Sorry Mama, Mila whispered. What are you doing sleeping on the floor?
Hmph, this poor excuse of a wildcat stole my spot, keeping me from sharing your cot. Rolling her eyes, Mama bopped Auries head in mock anger, who responded with a happy chuff. A spoiled, overindulged fur bag is what he is. Were he left to his own devices, Im certain hed have starved to death in his youth.
Mm, no Mama, I mean... why arent you all sleeping in your rooms? This was a little much, sleeping in the forge with her entire family.
My daughter has been in a waking stupor for the better part of a week and you expect me to sleep in my room? Weve all been staying here and taking turns looking after you.
So how does Charok do it? Doesnt his finger flicking thing work on the same principles, storing energy in his bent finger and unleashing it at the point of impact? Hows he so accurate?
Thats what I asked but he couldnt give me a straight answer, Mila huffed, remembering her frustration. Shed have to apologize to him too, so unfair. In the end, we concluded since his body was the medium, he instinctively smoothed out the process or somehow accounted for other factors. The strange thing is, hes not the only one who can do it, but no one can explain how.
Ha, now you know how I feel most of the time. No one explains anything ever.
Sighing, Mila ignored his delight and continued. Your coiled spring idea suffers all the same problems and several unique ones to boot. Its theoretically similar to Charoks flicking, but lacking the ability to stabilize the spring and smooth out the process. You say the axe is too short, but make it too long and the coil vibrates too much during decompression. Not only does it make timing Amplification difficult, the projectile will be wildly inaccurate. Whats more, theres a problem with efficiency.
Not efficient enough?
Far from it. Mila shook her head. With how much force I can pack into a near-indestructible spring, it can launch a projectile at speeds anywhere from 100 to 150 meters per second depending on the weight, which isnt too amazing compared to a good bow. However, if we factor in Amplification, we could easily see anywhere from two to four times the speed. For some reason, it irked her how accurate Rains randomly sprouted numbers were. Six hundred meters per second wasnt as preposterous as shed once believed.
... so whats the problem?
This time, Mama answered for Mila. The faster an object moves, the greater the force of wind acting on the object. Around 350 meters per second, the force is so great it can shatter steel bolts with ease.
Yea, the sound barrier. All three of them stared at Rain until he explained. As you approach the speed of sound, 350 meters per second or close to it, aerodynamic drag sharply increases. Breaking the sound barrier is why whips make a cracking noise. Its not a big deal, you pierce through with slim, inflexible flechettes or avoid the sound barrier by using heavier projectiles, retaining more kinetic energy at lower speeds. Pretending not to see their questioning gazes, Rain looked down at the diagram once more. Besides, for the accuracy thing, couldnt you secure the projectile in place instead of resting it against the coil? Then stick something like a prod to the end of the coil. The spring uncoils, the prod strikes the projectile, and boom goes the Defiled. No more stability or spin issues. Hmm... you could even use multiple springs to help minimize the effect of errant oscillations.
Its not so simple! Mila exploded, angered by his happy-go-lucky attitude. This is a Spiritual Weapon, not a wood-cutters axe. So what if his idea had merits? Oh, she could use a telescoping arm to help further stabilize the springs, even placing it in the middle of four springs. That would allow her to shorten the spring without losing power. Another idea flashed through her mind, to make a hammer and insert the springs in the head. Instead of launching a projectile, it could be triggered to propel the head forward 5 to 10 centimeters, much easier to Amplify and with no need to worry about projectile accuracy. Or a giant spike emerging from the tip, oh, it would be so magnificent... No focus. Catching herself before falling into another daze, Mila shook her head. Most warriors only get one, so it has to be perfect.
This time, it was her turn to be stared at. After a long pause, Mamas asked, Dear daughter, are you telling me you have been slaving away the past week not because your ideas will not work, but because they are less than perfect?
Frowning, Mila defiantly stared back and answered, Isnt it the same thing? If youre going to do something, do it once and do it right.
Her imitation must have been on point as everyone in the room turned to look at her still sleeping Papa. Though he pretended to be slovenly and lazy, Mila knew better than most the pains he went through the ensure every object he crafted was made to perfection. Even the tiniest of flaws in the most common of iron tools would not pass muster, and Mila strove to reach the same standards. While they were distracted, she reached for her inkwell and brush, readying to draw out her newly imagined axe-rifle and impact hammer.
They would need better names, but that could come later.
Losing herself in the work, she only came to when someone took hold of her brush. Lashing out on instinct, her fist bounced off iron-wrought flesh. Nursing her bruised knuckles, Mila looked up to see Mama towering over her with an amused grin. Enough girl. Your work ethics are commendable, but this is too much. Come, she said, dragging Mila out into the afternoon sunlight. We have a funeral to attend and it will not do for you to arrive looking like a beggar.
Whose funeral Mama?
The former Marshal of the North, Shing Du Yi.
Oh no... poor Yuzhen, she must be devastated. Squeezing Mamas waist as they rode Kankin through the streets, Mila closed her eyes and wept. It was obvious Shing Du Yi sacrificed himself to keep his daughter safe, one final act of fatherly love. Mila could only imagine how torn up Yuzhen must be.
Rest well in the arms of the Mother, Shing Du Yi, a true Dragon among men.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 264Glancing up from her latest calculations, Mila sighed and tossed the diagram aside to join the other failures. It still wasnt right. How many iterations did this make now? The tenth? The hundredth? Shoulders sore and eyes tired, she wavered between stretching her arms or rubbing her eyes first and opted for the unsatisfactory compromise of doing both at once. Belly rumbling in protest, she wrinkled her nose and shuffled her diagrams about, hoping there was a plate with food hidden somewhere beneath the myriad of scattered parchments. An embarrassing dilemma, too hungry to sleep but too tired to go out in search of food, what was she to do?A knock came at the door followed by Rains cautious inquiry. Mila my love? May I come in? Though she tried to respond, it seemed like there was a disconnect between her mind and her mouth as no sound emitted from her dry, parched throat. In fact, now that she thought about it, she wasnt sure if she even opened her mouth, too drained from her efforts to make Rains vision a reality.Follow current novels on novelbin.comThat damned idiot with his nonsensical, infuriating ideas, gorgeous amber eyes, and crooked, heart-melting grin would be the death of her.After loudly announcing his intentions to enter, Rain cracked open the door and peered in, taking his sweet time as he surveyed the area. Seeing her stare, he flinched and disappeared from sight before reappearing after a short pause with eyebrows raised in surprise. Oh good, he said, forcing a smile as he stepped into the forge. Youre... uhh... Hello my love. I brought breakfast.Simpering at her beloved betrothed, Mila tried to thank him but words failed her. Carefully clearing a space on the desk, Rain presented her with a sumptuous meal of pork-bone and preserved egg congee, topped with diced peppered greens and scallions. Taking a seat beside her, he wrapped one arm around her waist while the other poured a cup of tea. Leaning against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed in contentment, enjoying his tender, loving care.Hmph. Its about time he showed up, who did this idiot think he was? Here she was slaving away for who knows how long, all to design the Spiritual Weapon hed envisioned. It wouldnt kill him to show some appreciation every now and then, a tiny thank you for working so hard Mila, or I love you and dont deserve you Mila, or maybe even youre so incredible Mila, no one can compare to your brilliance. He hadnt even given her a betrothal gift yet, despite having found a fortune in antiques and Spiritual Hearts. Whatever, this made up for it, somewhat. Grunting, she nodded at the cup of tea and opened her mouth, waiting for him to get the hint. Chuckling, Rain brought the cup to her lips and let her sip much too slowly for her liking. Drinking greedily, she finished the cup and squeaked for more, too tired for complete words much less sentences.Kissing her temple as he refilled the cup, Rain whispered, Silly girl, overworking yourself like this. At least youre finally willing to eat, I was worried my cooking wasnt to your satisfaction. Snorting softly in reply, Mila sipped her tea and wracked her memory, trying to remember if this wasnt his first visit. Whod brought her meals? Was it Rain? The only people she remembered talking to were Papa, Tenjin, and the other experts shed requested, their names long forgotten in her haze of Inspired effort. How long had it been since she started working? A day? Two?Dismissing her thoughts, she leaned further into his arms, content to lay in his embrace and be fed like a child. This was nice, enjoying her meal while he hummed a catchy little tune, the comfortable thrum of her chest filling her with warmth. Rain rarely sang but his melodies were varied and original, like nothing shed ever heard before. Lin often made up words to go along with the tunes, little nonsense verses beloved by Tali and Tate. So darling and well-behaved, Mila adored the white-haired twins, though she didnt know how to care for them. That was Rains domain, a master in the mysterious ways of the domestic arts. If it werent for his wandering eye, wanton behaviours, and inability to drink within his limits, hed be a perfect husband.Even with all his flaws, Mila wouldnt trade him for the world. She only wanted to rid him of one or two poor habits, was it too much to ask?You keep looking at me like that and I cant be held accountable for my actions, Rain whispered, his hot breath brushing against her neck and sending a cold shiver down her spine. My lovely Mila, so helpless and vulnerable, how am I to resist? Another kiss followed as her cheeks heated up, both scared and excited by his suggestive tone. He wouldnt, would he? Not here in Papas forge and certainly not like this. When was the last time shed even bathed? All she could remember were endless hours of frenzied scribbling and exhaustive mental efforts, desperately seeking to hold onto her precious Mother-given knowledge.Oh no... whos been cleaning her chamber pot these past few days? It couldnt possibly be Rain, could it? Mila was still an unwed maiden, shed die of embarrassment if her beloved handled her... No, no, no...Oh my love, no need to cry, Rain said, hugging her tight. I was kidding, I wont take advantage of you, I swear. Shaking her head, she wanted to tell him that wasnt why she cried, but she couldnt find her voice. All she could do was clasp his hands and hold him close lest he think she found him repulsive. Relieved, Rain sighed and closed his eyes, taking a moment to rest. Okay, no more bawdy jokes. Are you still hungry? Thirsty? Need to use the chamber pot? No? Then its time for bed. Youve been working too hard my love, you need rest. Ignoring her feeble squeaks of protest, he slid an arm behind her knees and carried her like a princess to the back of the forge. Though he still struggled beneath her weight, his steps were firm and arms stable, a sign of his growing strength. Laying her gently on the cot, he draped the quilt over her and knelt at her side, stroking her hair to lull her to sleep.Though she wanted nothing more than to sit up and return to work, she lost the battle against fatigue and fell into deep, restful slumber. It felt like she had only just closed her eyes before she opened them once again, wakened by her full bladder. Finding the room shrouded in darkness and her face pressed against a damp, furry body, she leaned back and wiped her mouth, trying to muster the strength to stand and find the chamber pot. Too uncomfortable to sleep but too tired to do anything about it, this was becoming a too-familiar situation.Awakened by her movements, her furred companions chest rumbled in protest, kneading her belly with two massive paws. Piecing together the clues, she patted Auries head and rubbed his cheeks with her thumbs, feeling his massive fangs hidden beneath his jowls. If Aurie was here, then Rain couldnt be far, the sweet, affectionate wildcat never straying far from his papa. Rain? she asked, her voice rough and raspy. Are you there?Right here my love, Rain replied, his voice sounding distant and surprised. Sparks flew and candle-light flooded the room to reveal Rains lethargic expression over by the door while Mama rose from the ground beside the cot, her face etched with worry. Song blinked sleepily from beside Mama and Sarankho while Papa snored atop his bench beneath the window.Girl, you truly are a cause for concern, Mama said, stroking Milas cheeks. Losing yourself in the Mothers blessings for so long, barely eating or sleeping, I was beside myself with worry. Worse, you called for the boy first, so unfilial.Her soft smile took away the sting of her words. Sorry Mama, Mila whispered. What are you doing sleeping on the floor?Hmph, this poor excuse of a wildcat stole my spot, keeping me from sharing your cot. Rolling her eyes, Mama bopped Auries head in mock anger, who responded with a happy chuff. A spoiled, overindulged fur bag is what he is. Were he left to his own devices, Im certain hed have starved to death in his youth.Mm, no Mama, I mean... why arent you all sleeping in your rooms? This was a little much, sleeping in the forge with her entire family.My daughter has been in a waking stupor for the better part of a week and you expect me to sleep in my room? Weve all been staying here and taking turns looking after you.So how does Charok do it? Doesnt his finger flicking thing work on the same principles, storing energy in his bent finger and unleashing it at the point of impact? Hows he so accurate?Thats what I asked but he couldnt give me a straight answer, Mila huffed, remembering her frustration. Shed have to apologize to him too, so unfair. In the end, we concluded since his body was the medium, he instinctively smoothed out the process or somehow accounted for other factors. The strange thing is, hes not the only one who can do it, but no one can explain how.Ha, now you know how I feel most of the time. No one explains anything ever.Sighing, Mila ignored his delight and continued. Your coiled spring idea suffers all the same problems and several unique ones to boot. Its theoretically similar to Charoks flicking, but lacking the ability to stabilize the spring and smooth out the process. You say the axe is too short, but make it too long and the coil vibrates too much during decompression. Not only does it make timing Amplification difficult, the projectile will be wildly inaccurate. Whats more, theres a problem with efficiency.Not efficient enough?Far from it. Mila shook her head. With how much force I can pack into a near-indestructible spring, it can launch a projectile at speeds anywhere from 100 to 150 meters per second depending on the weight, which isnt too amazing compared to a good bow. However, if we factor in Amplification, we could easily see anywhere from two to four times the speed. For some reason, it irked her how accurate Rains randomly sprouted numbers were. Six hundred meters per second wasnt as preposterous as shed once believed.... so whats the problem?This time, Mama answered for Mila. The faster an object moves, the greater the force of wind acting on the object. Around 350 meters per second, the force is so great it can shatter steel bolts with ease.Yea, the sound barrier. All three of them stared at Rain until he explained. As you approach the speed of sound, 350 meters per second or close to it, aerodynamic drag sharply increases. Breaking the sound barrier is why whips make a cracking noise. Its not a big deal, you pierce through with slim, inflexible flechettes or avoid the sound barrier by using heavier projectiles, retaining more kinetic energy at lower speeds. Pretending not to see their questioning gazes, Rain looked down at the diagram once more. Besides, for the accuracy thing, couldnt you secure the projectile in place instead of resting it against the coil? Then stick something like a prod to the end of the coil. The spring uncoils, the prod strikes the projectile, and boom goes the Defiled. No more stability or spin issues. Hmm... you could even use multiple springs to help minimize the effect of errant oscillations.Its not so simple! Mila exploded, angered by his happy-go-lucky attitude. This is a Spiritual Weapon, not a wood-cutters axe. So what if his idea had merits? Oh, she could use a telescoping arm to help further stabilize the springs, even placing it in the middle of four springs. That would allow her to shorten the spring without losing power. Another idea flashed through her mind, to make a hammer and insert the springs in the head. Instead of launching a projectile, it could be triggered to propel the head forward 5 to 10 centimeters, much easier to Amplify and with no need to worry about projectile accuracy. Or a giant spike emerging from the tip, oh, it would be so magnificent... No focus. Catching herself before falling into another daze, Mila shook her head. Most warriors only get one, so it has to be perfect.This time, it was her turn to be stared at. After a long pause, Mamas asked, Dear daughter, are you telling me you have been slaving away the past week not because your ideas will not work, but because they are less than perfect?Frowning, Mila defiantly stared back and answered, Isnt it the same thing? If youre going to do something, do it once and do it right.Her imitation must have been on point as everyone in the room turned to look at her still sleeping Papa. Though he pretended to be slovenly and lazy, Mila knew better than most the pains he went through the ensure every object he crafted was made to perfection. Even the tiniest of flaws in the most common of iron tools would not pass muster, and Mila strove to reach the same standards. While they were distracted, she reached for her inkwell and brush, readying to draw out her newly imagined axe-rifle and impact hammer.They would need better names, but that could come later.Losing herself in the work, she only came to when someone took hold of her brush. Lashing out on instinct, her fist bounced off iron-wrought flesh. Nursing her bruised knuckles, Mila looked up to see Mama towering over her with an amused grin. Enough girl. Your work ethics are commendable, but this is too much. Come, she said, dragging Mila out into the afternoon sunlight. We have a funeral to attend and it will not do for you to arrive looking like a beggar.Whose funeral Mama?The former Marshal of the North, Shing Du Yi.Oh no... poor Yuzhen, she must be devastated. Squeezing Mamas waist as they rode Kankin through the streets, Mila closed her eyes and wept. It was obvious Shing Du Yi sacrificed himself to keep his daughter safe, one final act of fatherly love. Mila could only imagine how torn up Yuzhen must be.Rest well in the arms of the Mother, Shing Du Yi, a true Dragon among men.Chapter Meme
