Yanda pushed the plate away from her. It was her signal that the meal was over. Kelton soaked up the more of the peppery gravy on his plate with a chunk a bread and tossed it in his mouth and chewed casually. Princess Yanda waited with a patience born of her ruse. Only Kelton could see what was fuming behind her eyes. Even now, she was not used to waiting for others. He leaned back and smiled at her, and she rolled her eyes. Royal torture.

"You get fat," Yanda said, pointing at his plate.

"Mayhap, I wish to give you more to hold on cold nights," Kelton said.

"I bed, you fat on floor," Yanda said, then bit her lip to disguise her smile. Kelton laughed and stood from the table. Unlike Princess Alliette, there was no need to respect her position, only her friendship. Although there was little doubt that she ruled the relationship, he held power as well. She chose him instead of returning to Sorinnia. The choice itself relinquished some control to him.

"Kelton!" Vasco called from across the dining hall. He ran forward and caught them both before they left. "Master wishes us in the main house." He took a couple of deep breaths to slow himself down. "Master Laradia has sent a rider to say he is en route. Must have ridden half the night."

"Muzzle work?" Yanda asked with excitement.

"It works?" Eyrus questioned. She was sitting at the table, cradling her babe Lillian in one arm as she ate with the other. Others at the table became interested in the question. The idea flowed through the dining hall like a wave, faces turning to Kelton for the answer. Many were now involved in the construction, and more wished to be.

"It is not known yet," Kelton said, trying to lower the excitement. Too many were vested in its success. If it failed, the disappointment would be widespread as well. He should have maintained more control over the making of them. Then again, the muzzles wouldn't have been as good.

"It has to be," another said, "Why else would he come so soon and so fast."

"It is my thoughts as well," Vasco said. "We must go. Master is waiting." Kelton left Yanda smiling, and others talking of success. It was a heavy weight to bear. He silently prayed that the muzzles worked.

"Tallies will have to wait," Master Tarvakian announced when Vasco and Kelton entered the room. He waved them to the seats, his son already in place.

"Kelton no longer needs to be followed about," Vasco said as he sat. "We can split up the duties and handle the tallies in half the time this afternoon."

"Good," Master said, nodding his head to Kelton. "You are learning far faster than I hoped." Kelton smiled at the praise. It felt better than he imagined it would. Slaves shouldn't be happy pleasing their master, yet it felt as fulfilling as Gossamer's praise had once felt. The house was becoming his family.

"Master Laradia is on his way, Master?" Kelton asked to prompt Tarvakian to tell what he knew.

"Aye, and coming fast. I think your muzzle does what you claim."

"The rider did not say, Master?"

"Nay, though he was sent in a hurry to warn of Laradia's visit. Many tend to forget details when they are rushed." Tarvakian replied.

"We must come up with a cost," Zello said. "If the muzzle works, it has great value."

"Aye," Master said, nodding to his son. He looked at Vasco. "A measure of time to construct and the items used. You will see to it, will you not?"

"Aye, Master," Vasco replied.

"It's made of scraps, master," Kelton added. "They were to be thrown away, or used as poor stuffing." He didn't want a high cost put on the muzzle. If it worked, it had to be low, or they wouldn't be desirable. It would be measured against the cost of new slaves. Everything hinged on widespread acceptance.

"Now scraps have value," Master said with a smile. "This house survives on profits. You know that."

"Aye, Master," Kelton said, inwardly dejected.

"It is a good thing," Zello said, smiling at his father. "Kelton has found advantage in waste." Tarvakian was about to speak again when he was interrupted.

"Master Laradia has arrived, Master," Eveyin announced. She stood in the door, her face frozen as always. Kelton smiled at her, though she made no indication she'd seen it. Master Laraida moved from behind her and entered the room. His hair was windblown, and parts of the road still dusted his clothes.

"I need more of these kuzzles," Laradia said, ignoring the usual pleasantries. "Many more." He held one in his hand, blackened with soot.

"You are exhausted, Kark," Tarvakian said, pointing to a chair. "Bring tea," he ordered Eveyin. She nodded and left.

"Hundreds more, Heralic," Laradia added, ignoring the seat. He tossed the muzzle to Tarvakian who caught it after a brief fumble.

"It is well blackened, Kirk. Are you sure it works?" Tarvakian held it by his fingertips, trying not to let it touch much.

"Turn it over," Laradia said. Tarvakian did and sucked in a small breath. Kelton smiled when he saw it. The inside was pristine as if the soot of the mine had never seen it. "The kuzzle works," he added.

"Muzzle," Zello corrected as he leaned over to see the clean inside.

"It is called a kuzzle now. At least at my mines," Laradia said, adding a chuckle. "I was about to threaten the Lesson to get the men to try it. Instead, I told them who made it." He looked at Kelton. "Stories of you have reached far. It seems one who has thwarted a ship of sailors and hundreds of viners can muzzle a man. A mere owner must threaten the whip, or worse. They have renamed it to Kelton's muzzle, and it was shortened further when they fought over them."

"Fought?" Tarvakian asked.

"Aye, most viciously," Laradia said. "It took guards to break them up. That first day, the men who tried them emerged with a clean circle about their nose and mouth. And unlike the others, they didn't cough up the day's work. It has been difficult moving the kuzzles about, some claiming others have had too many turns. Some claiming they need it more than others. I fear a revolt if there are not enough to go around."

"There are twenty or so more in my room," Kelton offered. He had been slowing down the construction in case of failure. Now, it seemed a mistake.

"What is the cost?" Laradia asked Tarvakian.

"It has not been determined," Tarvakian replied. "It is a new thing, and the process is yet to be understood. There are materials, and man time, and...".

"What is the cost for the twenty?" Laradia asked, rolling his eyes.

"They are some of the first ones, Master," Kelton said before anyone else could speak. "It is best that we see them work and measure how long they last. Five coppers a piece is a fair price if Master Laradia is to help perfect them."

"Done!" Laradia said, then looked at Tarvakian and grimaced. Kelton wasn't the one who could set the price.

"Five coppers," Tarvakian said with a nod and started laughing at the sloppy negotiations. "I will not promise new ones at that price. Not until we see the true costs." Kelton was relieved. He was able to set the price low enough, a target for further production.

"Heralic, do you know what this could mean?" Laradia asked, then answered himself while he paced. "I could have men working well past the normal years. Sure, at first it will cost coin and leave me at some disadvantage. But, it will save trips to the auction, and I'll not have so many sick to care for." He pointed at Tarvakian. "You know the cost of training. Now that will be cast across twenty, thirty years, not five or ten." He laughed. "I will finally have some who know all, like Vasco here."

"And less will die," Kelton added.

"Aye, Kelton," Laradia said. "Less misery, more profits." He turned to Tarvakian. "You wouldn't want to sell this one, would you?" He smiled as he pointed at Kelton.

"You don't have enough coin, Kirk. No one does." Tarvakian chuckled, his eyes casting fatherly pride at Kelton. "Go collect what Master Laradia desires, Kelton."

"Aye, Master," Kelton said, as he moved out of the room, his mouth stuck in a happy curl.

"It work?" Yanda asked. She had been waiting in their room instead of doing her tasks for the day. Kelton wondered how many others were waiting for word.

"Aye, they work well," Kelton replied. Yanda's smile threatened to tear her cheeks. She framed Kelton's head with her palms and pulled it forward.

"For me," Yanda said and kissed his forehead. "For Juno," she whispered, and then kissed his lips. It was a quick peck, yet it was the first time their lips had touched. "She happy if know."

"Aye, she is a healer," Kelton agreed. Yanda's lips were more pleasing than he expected. He wondered what other things he could do for Juno to be proud of. Then shook the idea out of his mind. "Master Laradia is expecting the other muzzles we made." He began collecting the ones stored on the shelf.

"Glenda have more," Yanda said.

"More?"

Yanda nodded. "She say you not brave. We brave for you." She laughed as she helped Kelton collect the muzzles in the room. Kelton took a deep breath and let it out. It was strange to still feel the weight of the hopes of others after the muzzles were proven to work. The pressure should have receded. Of course, there were other steps to his plans, things he had less control over.

"Forty-seven in total, Master," Kelton said as placed the heavy bag of muzzles on the floor in front of chairs.

"I thought you said twenty," Zello said before his father could reply.

"I will take them all," Laradia inserted before the price could change.

"It seems others are braver than I," Kelton told Zello. "They did not doubt the muzzle would work and kept constructing them."

"On their own time?" Tarvakian asked.

"Aye, Master. It is seen as a good thing. We make cloth and such for the house, but it does not save lives. These muzzles make us feel that we make things better." Kelton smiled. "If house Tarvakian profits, so much the better." He had to keep his master thinking of the profits. Change needed to flow within the prevailing currents.

"A house within a house." Laradia chuckled. "Your property seeks pride and profit. It is a reflection of a good owner, I think."

"Flowery talk will not lower the kuzzle's cost," Tarvakian warned, then shared a smile with his friend.

"Shall we trade coin, or do you wish an accounting from the coal wagon next week?" Laradia asked.

"Vasco?" Tarvakian asked.

"We are well funded with Barrenkee's payment," Vasco replied. "Either will work, Master."

"Coal, it will be. Will you sit and enjoy some tea?" Tarvakian asked.

"It would be a joy. Let me get these to my men outside." Laradia held up the bag of kuzzles. "These must find their way to the mine before I have a revolt on my hands. They will move on ahead. I will impose for the night if you allow me."

"Always welcome," Zello said. His father nodded agreement as Zello led Laradia out of the room to drop off the kuzzles.

"We will need more property," Tarvakian said to Vasco. "Perhaps a new building to produce these kuzzles. There are what, hundreds of mines?" Kelton closed his eyes. It was the opposite of what he wanted to happen. House Tarvakian couldn't produce enough.

"Aye, hundreds," Vasco said. "We are short of housing as well. We may need to pass on long deliveries and hold coin for construction. By Master Laradia's comments, I think we can demand a high price for the kuzzles."

"If they last, Master," Kelton interjected before the conversation began counting profits. Both Tarvakian and Vasco paused to look at him, so he continued. "If they are short-lived, then the price may be lower. We do not know as of yet. Mayhap, we can continue as is and hold off on more property until we know the truth of it."

"Hold off?" Tarvakian asked. "I will not demand my property to work past their time. And I cannot have them end their current duties and assume another."

Things were moving faster than Kelton had hoped. He wished a slower transition of events, time for everyone to get used to things. Kelton had underestimated the desire for profit. He calmed his mind and decided to trust that Tarvakian would see a conservative approach with low investment as a better option.

"You need not demand, Master," Kelton said. "They do it willingly to better the world. Mayhap, I could suggest something if you will allow."

"Aye, though I do not see pushing my house to breaking as a solution."

"Mayhap, a fund, Master," Kelton said carefully. Tarvakian eyes squinted, but he didn't flinch, so Kelton continued. "A copper from each muzzle sold to be used by those who built them on their own time." Master's eyes were widening. Kelton sped up. "There would be no investment, your property would be pleased, and the working of the muzzles could be verified." Tarvakian looked at Vasco.

"It is a strange concept, Master," Vasco said, then shrugged. "Kelton is correct. The cost would be far less than acquiring and housing new property. And there is no risk to it."

"What does property need with coin. Do I not provide what everyone needs?" Tarvakian asked. Of all the reasons not to like the idea, Kelton never imagined Master would think it an insult.

"Everything, and then some, Master," Kelton replied. "It would not be for need, it would be for pleasurable things. I can not name them, for they would be chosen by those who help in the constructing. We can not spend coin, so the fund would be spent through you. Perhaps, some crogerts or wine when the mood hits and you allow."

"I've never heard of such a thing." Tarvakian shook his head.

"It would allow me time to calculate a true cost," Vasco said. "And assess the kuzzle's true value over time. If the value is low, we can adjust." Kelton was thankful Vasco knew his sums well and wasn't comfortable with guessing.

"They would have to know it is not a demand," Tarvakian insisted. "If they wish to decline, there will be no ramifications. I will not become house Barrenkee." Ketton smiled and nodded. "And scheduled production will not suffer. I'll not have orders unfilled so kuzzles can be made instead."

"Aye, Master," Vasco agreed, then he looked at Kelton.

"Aye, Master," Kelton agreed as well. "I think you will be pleased in how it works. In truth, fund or not, the muzzles will be made unless you demand they are not."

Karvakian sighed, then chuckled. "A house within a house. Kelton, you are curse wrapped in a blessing." He shook his head, then pointed his finger at Kelton. "I will question these builders myself. I will know that they give their time freely."

"Aye, Master," Kelton repeated with a smile. He had done it. Another step forward. Now, if only things would slow down and happen at a more manageable speed. Juno would be proud. Maybe, he would tell Yanda about it.