After we left the training grounds, we headed back to town. We stopped at the blacksmith shop to check in on the progress of the water heater designs. Riktor had a few questions for me about the blueprints. I was able to answer his questions and add my input, while Kirin observed with feigned disinterest.
My eyes kept darting towards him as I spoke to Riktor, but his fox-like grey eyes were studying the designs. Al noticed and smirked, but didn't comment. I'm sure he will say something later. At least he doesn't embarrass me in front of Kirin. I thought thankful that my new cousin-in-law had some common courtesy.
The blacksmiths had a plan and got to work. I left with Al to head towards the bakery for a quick lunch break before heading to the craftsman shop. Sia and Canaria were happy to see us and greeted us cheerfully.
"Hi, Al. Hi, Alisa. The new mayo and herb mayo are a hit! Try one of each sandwich on the house. I can't thank you enough for your recipes, Alisa!" Sia gushed about the new popular menu items that I had helped to create.
We accepted the sandwiches and thanked Sia. "Mmm, these are much better than before. The mayo adds a creamy texture, and the herb mayo adds more flavor to them. Good job, ladies!" Al complimented us on our new contributions. Sia and Canaria beamed with pride at the clan leader's compliments. I smiled at him.
Next, we headed to the craftsman shop located across from the theater. I remembered how Yuno, the craftsman's son, had helped to recreate the piano inside the theater. His father, Arno, was supposed to be the best craftsman in the Kanta region.
A bell rang above the door as we entered the medium-sized wooden shop. A middle-aged man with black hair and grey eyes came to greet us from the back of the shop. "Ah, good day, Clan Leader Al, how may I be of assistance to you today?" He greeted Al formally and bowed slightly.
Al waved at him, "No need to be so formal, Arno. I brought my cousin-in-law to meet the best craftsmen in the Kanta region. She just flew in from Stanarussi. Arno, meet Alisa." Al introduced me.
As soon as Al mentioned Stanarussi, Arno's eyes glinted with longing. He had heard about the famous inventors from the most advanced kingdom in the world, and never dreamed that he would be able to meet someone from the faraway kingdom that closed itself off from the rest of the world.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Lady Alisa. I have always dreamed of meeting someone from Stanarussi. I have heard of their advanced technology and inventions. I would be glad to hear anything that you can share with me about your home." Arno greeted me enthusiastically.
A younger man with black hair and grey eyes who looked like a younger version of Arno appeared from the back of the shop. He smiled at Al and looked at me as if he was trying to figure out where he had seen me before. "It is nice to meet you, Arno. Please, just call me Alisa. I am not that formal. My father was one of the best inventors in Stanarussi, and I am excited to share some of the inventions and technology with the Kanta clan. I plan to stay in Ilmir, and I hope that you can help me make it feel more like home to me."
"It would be my honor. Ah, meet my son, Yuno. Yuno, come welcome our new member to the Kanta clan, Alisa." Arno waved Yuno over to greet me. I smiled politely and greeted him. He bowed slightly to Al and then to me and greeted us both professionally.
"It's nice to meet you, Alisa. Welcome to Kanta. I heard from my wife, Canaria, that you have already contributed a few new recipes to the bakery. We are all very grateful to you for the delicious new additions to the menu." Yuno warmed up to me as soon as he heard my name.
Arno agreed with Yuno and looked at me with more awe. Just wait till you see the gadgets that I brought from Stanarussi! I smiled and chuckled softly to myself. "It's great to meet you both. Al, Katie, and Abby have all told me how you helped with the piano and other inventions. I have a few projects for you if you are not too busy." I inquired politely.
"Of course, we would be more than happy to assist you with any new inventions! We have been working on a few new toys for the merchants based on Abby's ideas. My other apprentice is at warrior training at the moment, but he should be back soon. We are almost done with the toys and looking for a new project or two." Arno was thrilled! I could tell that he was the type who liked to stay busy. He probably needed something to do over the winter months.
"Great! The blacksmiths are already working on a new design for an indoor water heater, but once that is completed, they will start working on replicating the hot-air balloon that I used to fly here from Stanarussi. They can work on the metal parts, and I would like you and the others to work on the basket and balloon designs." I explained.
They both looked at each other with wide eyes. Gossip travels fast in small towns, and they had both heard about the magical, cloth balloon that had floated up the mountain. It was too enormous and strange for the townspeople not to talk about it. "That was you who arrived in the giant flying basket?" Yuno asked me with a look of admiration in his wide eyes.
Al chuckled at their faces. "Yes, Alisa arrived with a warrior from Shibatsu named Zed, who is our new Second Lieutenant. We have moved the balloon and basket closer to my house, but you are welcome to look at it. I believe Alisa also has a few things to share with you."
"Yes, before we head over, I have another project that will not take as long. I have a map of the world based on my travels. I would like to have it framed and placed inside the school to help teach the children about the geography of this world." I reached into my knapsack and handed Arno a rolled-up parchment. He gently accepted it as if it were a delicate treasure.
He unrolled the map onto a wooden table as if it were a treasure map. Al and Yuno looked over his shoulder to see the map. Al was slightly surprised, but he had the most knowledge of the kingdoms on this continent due to his royal upbringing. He looked towards the other continent and noticed Stanarussi at the top of the map.
"I thought Stanarussi was a coastal kingdom like Annalaias?" He asked me with a quizical raised eyebrow.
All three pairs of eyes looked at me for my response. "Technically, it is along the northern coast of the Eastern continent, but they do not trade with anyone by sea. The map cuts off the top part of Stanarussi because no one considered it important. The mountains create a natural border with a small opening in the center. My home was located in the mountains between Stanarussi and the Kingdom of Lancri." I pointed towards the mountain range where the tower was.