10 Minute Tales

Apr 25 - Unexpected Visitor

He grunted as he fought against the nut, getting it as tight as he could.

"C'mon, you little bugger..." he groaned between gritted teeth, giving it one last surge of energy before stopping to catch his breath. He rested his hands on his knees as he panted, looking up. "Good, great, it's gonna work now..." he reached for a rag and started wiping his hands down. The machine, a rough assembly of brass and desperation that filled most of the room, would hopefully prove to be enough for the task. The noble lady Bara - he stood to attention and saluted for a second as the name crossed his mind - had commissioned a machine that would produce more energy than it used. He knew that it should have been impossible, but one does not say so to her ladyship, so he worked. Nothing he had tried had worked, nor had he expected it to, until luck found him. A meteor had crashed nearby, bringing with it a metal he had never seen before. The meteor had crashed a week ago and it was still too hot to touch; this metal now sat in the core of the machine, constantly heating the water to power the turbines. If it worked, he would have the eternity engine he had been commissioned for. "Best wrench in the land..." he repeated, remembering the reputation that came with the challenge. He grinned, but this grin vanished as he heard a thunderous clattering of hooves against the cobbles outside. Curious, he went to the front door. Before he could open it, however, it was thrown open, nearly smacking him in the face. Stood on the other side of the door was a short gentleman, almost comically so. The glimmering scabbard at his side, however, stifled his laugh in his throat.

"Now announcing the arrival of Lady Aurelia of Starholme!" he barked, quickly stepping aside.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" the mechanic objected. "You can't just barge into someone's home and-"

"Forgive him." a new voice requested, soft and smooth enough to silence him. "He is simply in a rush, as am I." the lady that entered stole his heart at first glance. She was taller than her escort, taller even than the mechanic, and very slender. Blonde hair drooped down to hide one eye; the other stared into him, its blue tint immediately reminding him of the ocean on a brilliant summer's day. She wore a teal dress that covered her arms and completely concealed her legs, billowing out behind her. The hairs on the back of his neck stiffened as he realised the dress, despite its size, wasn't touching the ground. Magic. "I hope you can forgive us?"

"W-well, uh, I..." he stammered, his thoughts abandoning him quickly. "I-I haven't got anything, uh... tea? Would you, uh, would you like some tea?" The lady smiled, a gentle smile that nearly made him swoon there and then.

"I am flattered, but I am afraid we are too pressed to stop. You see..." she glanced at the door to his workshop, still ajar from the unexpected guest. "You have something that belongs to my family."