"I swear that woman has a relic for everything..." Flint hovered over the lake beside Noble. He tucked his thumbs in his leather belt as she watched the progression of the relocation.
Across the lake, an impossibly long rope was tethered at either end. Noble and Flint had flown one end across to the palace and attached it firmly to the outer wall's foundation.
"Syrce did come into quite a windfall, I must admit. I didn't think anything would be able to span that distance." Noble smiled softly.
"I wish we had looked closer when we had the chance," the dark-haired Master ran his hand through the orange streak.
"I doubt it would have changed anything. And some of that stuff was very dangerous. Remember that harp?!" Noble still got a small knot in her stomach when she thought about how close to Flint's death that single pluck of a string had brought them.
Thankfully, this rope seemed to have no other purpose than to attach things across great distances. It was exceptionally strong. What would a Daemon have needed to bind with it?
"You worry too much. Maybe when we are settled on the other side, I will have a look through the remaining items when we unpack." Flint nodded as he continued toward the rafts on the far shore.
"I think Syrce might have a thing or two to say about that if you shirk your work to go play with dangerous toys," Noble eyed the man carefully.
Smirking, he shrugged. "Who says she has to know?"
Child of Promise narrowed her gaze. "Now you are just playing with fire. And I don't mean that piece of coal you have..."
The pair drew close enough to the other side that the Soldiers could hear them. Noble cupped her hands around her mouth.
"It's secure. Send the first raft!"
Maelys waved her hand in response. "Shove in!" she ordered.
A few moments later, the first barge was launched into the water. The wagon's high center caused the boat to rock more than on the previous trip, and water splashed lightly over the sides.
But the raft remained upright.
After making sure the raft was properly weighted, all but one of the men moved to the left side. They took hold of the rope and pulled with all their might. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But then, slowly, the boat began to glide through the water.
With only the rear man using an oar as a rudder, the raft glided easily forward. The rope strained, but held firm. Even as the second and third rafts settled onto the surface of the lake, the braided cord held firm.
"It...it works!" Noble felt a small amount of excitement well up in her.
"Did you think it wouldn't?" Flint raised one eyebrow at her.
"I knew it would in theory, but seeing it is something entirely different." Noble defended herself. "If you knew it worked, why hadn't anyone suggested a similar contraption to Lord Anvil?"
The surly Master frowned. "I believe it has been tried a few times. Now, most of the boats are simply too large to be dragged like this day in and day out. Also, we don't have a rope quite like this one."
Walking across the water, Aether stopped below his two companions and shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked up.
"They are having a much easier time this way."
Flint looked down at his younger companion. "Not everyone can be a Nightwalker."
"That is true," Aether smiled. "But even then, a raft is an unweildy beast. I am glad the rope is helping them so much."
A shadow passed overhead. Noble looked up to see a familiar griffin.
"Everything seems to be working smoothly!" Roan announced, his blue scarf waving triumphantly in the breeze. "They will be on the other side in less than a quarter of an hour at this rate. I never dreamed it could be so seamless."
"They'd better take a rest before they try to make another trip. Their arms will be burning." Noble imagined the strain on the mundane bodies. It would be a shame to lose people to exhaustion when they were so close to setting up a new home.
"Speaking of trips, are you ready?" Roan tilted his chin toward the palace.
"I was born ready," Flint flexed his bicep.
"Really, because I think the only reason you are ready is that you are using my powers?" Noble crossed her arms. "Otherwise, you would have been left on the shore like Helie."
"Details!" The surly Legacy waved his hand dismissively.
"Was Helie upset to be left behind?" Noble aimed her question at the cohort's leader.
"She is using her powers to make the ramp smooth for the boats to slide into the water. Plus, Lady Mae seemed to respond well to Helie's words. She and Lady Syrce are making sure that Mae has all the support she needs." Roan pointed to the spot where the three ladies were stationed.
Indeed, Maelys was between the other two women discussing something quietly. Noble felt a small pang of jealousy that Helie seemed to succeed where she had failed, but the feeling quickly passed.
They had work to do. Noble and the three men met the boats on the far shore. Then, each using a method of their own design, they retrieved the rafts for the return trip.
Using her Paradox fang like a needle, Noble threaded her rope memory between two of the planks and fastened it tightly. She pulled, and the barge followed behind her like a duckling chasing its mother.
Soon, four rafts were returning to Maelys and the waiting members of the caravan. While the barges were difficult to carry while heavily laden, the absence of cargo made tugging them across the water almost as easy as carrying nothing at all.
In this manner, the team created a loop of rafts around the lake. The soldiers pulled themselves across and unloaded, and then the Masters brought back the rafts for the next load.
In this way, the caravan swiftly transported the entire camp to their new home. Maelys pulled the last craft across herself, reveling in the cheers of the crowd.
"Thank you! It was nothing!"
"Does she not realize we are cheering because we made it across without losing anything?" Flint's voice was thankfully covered by the din of the crowd.
"Lady Mae is having some difficulty with social cues, but I am not going to correct her, are you?" Noble clapped and cheered along with those around her.
Flint lifted off the ground and started floating toward the boat. "I might just..."
"Don't you dare!" Noble cut off their connection. "And release me from the belt. We are done with the lake anyway."
Pursing his lips, Flint reluctantly complied. With the tether severed, he removed the belt and flung it over his shoulders.
"Fine. What now?" The surly Master crossed his arms.
Through the crowd, Noble locked eyes with Syrce. The commander had just finished helping her elder sister onto the shore. The mossy-haired Saint nodded subtly to Noble.
"I don't know about you," Noble answered Flint. "But I have an appointment to keep..."