📌 Previously in Chapter 25:
Zayd spotted an opportunity in his village's underused talent — skilled blacksmiths with no capital to expand. With trust, clear planning, and partnership, The Ember Forge was born, promising to bring dignity and coin back to local craftsmen.
📍 Scene: The Ember Forge – Morning
The newly built smithy echoed with the sound of iron and ambition. Sparks flew as Khalaf and Abbad hammered glowing metal, while Qadir polished a set of finished hinges like they were made of gold.
Zayd leaned over a dusty wooden table in the corner, counting coins and rubbing his temple.
ZAYD:
"We have maybe enough coin to last two more weeks. After that, it's either profit… or prayers."
QADIR (mouth full of date):
"Prayers are cheaper. Tastes worse, though."
YUSUF (from the forge):
"Maybe we start with basic tools for the traders? Horseshoes, cart axles?"
Zayd was about to respond when a sharp voice outside caught their attention.
MERCHANT (passing by):
"By all that's holy, riding in that cart again is like being flogged by bricks!"
The merchant stormed off, holding his back. His workers struggled behind him with crates stacked on a wobbly cart.
QADIR (grinning):
"That man needs a softer life."
Zayd froze, eyes wide.
ZAYD (quietly):
"No. That man needs a softer ride."
📍 Scene Change: Inside the Forge – One Hour Later
Zayd had spread out parchment across a wide bench, drawing rough designs. Curved springs, suspension systems, layered seats.
ZAYD:
"In the future, carriages are built with the passenger in mind. They absorb the road's shock — even if the path is uneven."
KHALAF:
"What in the world is a spring seat?"
ZAYD (pointing):
"This. It's like a coiled metal snake under the seat. It compresses when you sit and expands back. The bump on the road? It softens it."
ABBAD:
"You want us to make a snake that carries merchants?"
QADIR:
"I like it. If it works, we'll sell it with a pillow and call it a 'noble's nap.'"
They drew four blueprints based on Zayd's sketches, each with small differences in wheel spacing, seat depth, and frame support. The forge roared to life with a new purpose.
📍 Scene: Forge Courtyard – Over the Next Ten Days
One by one, the first four carriages were built and tested.
The first? Too bouncy. A pot of water spilled after two steps.
The second? Wheels snapped on a bump.
The third? Too tall — tipped over.
The fourth? Decent… until the axle bent.
The fifth?
They all stood around it. Silent. Tired. Almost broke.
QADIR (hands raised to the sky):
"Oh Allah, if this one fails, I'll sell Nimr to a date vendor."
YUSUF:
"Blasphemy! That bird's smarter than you!"
They all laughed nervously as they hitched the fifth carriage to a mule. Zayd climbed in with Qadir. Yusuf gave the signal.
The mule walked. The wheels turned. The seat barely shook.
QADIR:
"...Did we just invent a magic carpet with wheels?"
ZAYD (grinning):
"No. We just invented comfort."
Everyone broke into loud cheers. Hammers were lifted into the air. Nimr screeched overhead. Abbad grabbed a handful of sawdust and tossed it like confetti.
KHALAF (shouting):
"Let's build more before someone steals the idea!"
📍 Scene: That Night – Beside the Forge
The team sat around a fire, drinking tea, laughing.
QADIR:
"So what do we call it?"
ZAYD:
"Let's keep it simple — The Cloud Cart. Because it feels like riding on one."
Everyone agreed. And with it, the first original invention of the Crescent Forge was born.
End of Chapter 26