Louisa's POV
"Louisa, look at me! I'm flying!" Will waved at me on a small wooden pony with excitement.
I waved back at him. He was so adorable and happy on that tiny little pony.
The music stopped and the carousel seized rotating.
I jumped off my horse and lifted Will up in the air and carried him off the merry-go-round.
I just couldn't wait to kiss and hug him.
"Could we please do it again, Louisa?" Will looked at me and begged.
"We've already done three rounds today and Lucian's waiting for us. We don't want to keep him waiting for too long, so let's call it for today and I promise I'll bring you back here again in the future," I said.
"OK..." Will looked a bit disappointed, but he didn't insist. He placed his cheek on my shoulder and stroked.
A street vendor approached us, holding a basket of toys.
Soldiers stopped him, but Will stretched out his arms and wanted to get one.
"Will, I can't buy your toys. I don't have any money." I said with embarrassment. I felt so bad to say no to him.
"OK..." Will buried his face in my arms.
Lucian waved his hand. The soldiers stepped back and let the vendor come forward.
"Beta Lucian, please buy a toy for the young master!" the vendor pleaded.
"You can pick one," Lucian said to Will.
Will looked into the basket and picked up a small wooden horse figure.
"It looks like the one I rode on the carousel!" Will exclaimed.
A soldier handed the vendor a bill.
The vendor looked awkward and said, "Sorry, Sir, but I don't have money for the change."
"You can keep the change," Lucian said.
"But that's 100 krons! Beta Lucian, you're always generous to us, but 100 krons is..."
"It's from Alpha Lucas. Take it," Lucian said.
The vendor bowed with appreciation and walked away.
Will looked happy while he was playing with the toy horse in my arms.
"Will, Lucian has bought you a present. You should say thank you to him." I said.
"Thank you, big bad wolf," Will said reluctantly while waving the toy horse at Lucian.
"Is that my new name?" Lucian frowned. "I paid 100 krons for a small wooden horse for you and that's all I've got?"
Will thought for a while and said, "You can hug me if you want, but only for a while."
Lucian took him from me and held him in his arms. He looked up and saw the Sun coming behind the clouds, so he covered Will up with his cape.
"We need to get to the carriage soon," Lucian said. "Later today, I'll send a tailor to take his measurement. We have to make a special cape for him to cover himself during the daylight."
"Thank you, Lucian. Thank you for everything," I said.
When we got back to our carriage, I saw some kids playing with Colt and Alex.
"Hey, you're back!" Colt said.
"What are you doing with all those children?" I smiled at him and asked.
"They've brought me some broken toys and we're fixing them," he said.
Then, he picked up a small tin duck and played duck's voice. "I'm a ducktor. I save broken toys."
All the children roared in laughter.
Alex stood up and asked Lucian, "Where shall we go now, Sir?"
Lucian put Will in the carriage and said, "We'll go to the forest outside the Camp first."
"Yes, Sir," Alex said as he was preparing for the horses.
"Are you coming back tomorrow and playing with us?" A small girl grabbed Alex's leg and said.
Alex melted. He crouched down and said, "I don't know, Sally. But when I'm back, I'll let you know."
That little girl blushed, quickly pecked Alex's cheek, and ran away.
Alex looked overwhelmed while stroking his cheek.
Colt smiled and said, "It seems Alex has got a secret admirer."
Alex looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Thank you, Colt. I've been to the city several times, but no one has ever talked to me. Sometimes they even throw stones at me."
"Tell me about it," Colt smiled and said. "People in my village used to throw stones at me all the time. I guess they just wanted to get my attention or something. I don't know. Why don't they just walk to me and say hi."
Lucian helped me to get into the carriage and said, "Your friend is a very colorful person."
"Colt's a really nice guy. He's a talented craftsman and he's with a big heart," I said proudly. "He used to make a mechanical bird that flew around to protect an old lady. I was invited into his studio once, and you should see those machines he made... They were mind-blowing."
"Are you guys talking about how amazing I am?" Colt popped his head inside and asked.
"Come in here, Colt." Lucian said.
Colt got into the compartment.
"Do you need a job?" Lucian asked.
"A job?" Colt looked confused. "I've got a job. I've got a studio in the Mountainside Village. I help people to fix stuff."
Lucian said, "We are always in need of good craftsmen. If you want to join us, you can work with Alex and build something for us. The package will be good. You'll have your own workshop and everything will be paid for by us."
Colt looked surprised. He looked at me and then lowered his head. I knew he was in doubt.
That's strange. I thought to myself.
I thought he would take this offer without any hesitation.
"I'm sorry, Beta," Colt scratched his head. "Your offer is very generous. I would love to stay with Louisa and Alex all the time. But it's just... I can't work for you."
Lucian frowned and asked, "Why?"
Colt rubbed his nose and said, "I'm a craftsman, Sir. I make lighters, clocks, umbrellas, and boots. I can help other people fix their chimneys or stoves, or help kids repair their toys. I don't build things that can be used in wars, Sir."