The Carnival at Moonbright
Collegiate Combustion

Barthemus smiled as he finished with the artillery repairs on the cannon. Giving himself a minute to cool down in the afternoon, he wished only for a quick drink and maybe a light snack.

Maybe Blight opened the café tent?

Next to him sat an older gnome with surprisingly formal-looking attire. His black jacket and waistcoat had seen some better days, but the heat had gotten to this creature, and sweat stains were starting to show. In his left hand, he held out a drink for Barthemus. He removed a small pocket watch from his right and opened it. Inside, it contained primarily rocks and twigs instead of machinery. Barthemus knew this to be a miniaturized bag of holding placed into a pocket watch, but it always looked silly.

“Why, it is after lunchtime, Mr. Muffins. I appreciate the flow in seeing your work, and I never want to jump in the middle of it, but ensuring you eat is important in keeping your health!”

“I appreciate your candor, Humboldt, and you being here. I must say, though, where did you come from? I didn’t know you would be in Moonbright this time of year?”

“Ah, yes. I came here on behalf of some wizard who needed my help. Do you remember Westford, of course, the top college of Artificery, as you called it? I was just there, and they asked me to bring a few packages. I was delighted because I knew this was one of the last trips for the carnival, and I do love performances.”

“Well, I only have to test these cannons, Humboldt, and we could be on our way. I hear Blight has done an amazing job procuring some fish from a river we passed and has generously offered some to me.”

“You paid him, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I paid him, Humboldt. I couldn’t let good fish go to waste. Call it charity, if you will.” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Barthemus stood up and brushed some grass off his pants. He pushed the cannons out about twenty feet and prepared them.

“Mr. Barthemus Muffins, instead of just shooting them, can I add some… flair?”

“Please, Humboldt! Be my guest.”

Barthemus lit the wicks of the two cannons before him and watched Humboldt produce a tiny wand from his sleeve. With a flick, the cannonballs shot outward with a deafening BOOM!

Grass and other organic debris flittered around the cannonballs, forming two draconic figures. Barthemus, realizing the gift of the moment, pulled his specialized hand cannon from its holster, spun the weapon’s chamber, and stopped it as it placed the pin and hammer right behind a crystal. He aimed and squeezed the trigger, shooting small drops of energy out of the hand cannon with incredible speed. A crowd gathered from the noise as Humboldt moved the dragons around, and Barthemus displayed skill from his hand cannon, taking shot after shot until finally destroying the dragons in a dramatic and skillful performance. He walked over to Humboldt, smiling as he holstered his weapon.

“Let’s get some fish.”

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