"Well, welcome to Newcity, Edith O'Smith! But, I think Emerson is more able to answer your question than me."

Smalls turned at looked at a young buck who was wearing white robes, with an emblem of a wrench around a red diamond sewn into the shoulders.

"Theoretically, True Blue can be consumed by anyone- though I seriously doubt wolves or raptors would ever eat flowers. However, if they manage to infuse it into drinks, or food, they will, in all likelyhood, experience the same effects as we do; increased lifespans, renewed vigor, sharper minds..."

"That's the motive," said Owen, glaring at the map, "Now all we need to do is figure out the method. To that end, we've enlisted Windcutter and a few of her tribe members for a joint operation."

"Well, you've all certianly been busy enough to skip dinner," Heather said, gazing over the sprawling maps. She furrowed her brow as she noticed a paper that was one of Heyward's schematics for a new machine she didn't immediately understand.

"What's this?" she asked, pointing to it.

Smalden's eyes twinkled, "Heather... That's the future."

"More precisely, Your Majesties," said Heyward, his old perfectionist streak shining as he redjusted the blueprints so they were parallel to the table edges, "It is a steam-powered cart, of sorts, that runs on an iron path. Emerson estimates that, if one of these was succesfully installed between here and Nick Hollow, you could make the trip within seven hours."

Heather gasped at that. A journey of a few weeks, shortened to mere hours?

"It truly is an age of wonders," she said.

"Indeed," spoke King Joveson, "But even an age of wonders needs a rest now and again. And now that I know what time it is-"

He put his hand over his mouth, covering a yawn. It proved contagious, though Edith succesfully managed to hold her mouth shut with her hands, and soon everyone in the room felt quite tired.

"I'll see you all tomorrow. Windcutter, I've instructed for a nest to be built for you in one of the upper levels of the city. Owen, Emerson, Heyward- get some rest- doubly so for you two," he said, glaring at the two engineers, "We don't need anymore midnight explosions."

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty," Emerson and Heyward said in unison, though not joyfully.

"Edith, take the rest of the night off," Heather said, "You did very well today."

"Thank you, Ma'am!" Edith winced, "I mean, Your Majesty. Your Royal Majesties!"

They cleared out of the room, leaving only the King and Queen.

"You know, I don't think I'm tired enough yet for bed," said Heather.

"A walk in the moonlight then, my Queen?" said Smalden, offering his hand.

"Yes, let's," replied Heather, taking his hand and staring into his eyes, and him into hers.

They stood there, just like that, for a few minutes.

CREAK!

"Sweet butter biscuits! Emerson, Heyward, could one of you fix this?!"

___

And that's Chapter 1, retroactively titled "The Mending Continues". Hope you enjoyed it, and be on the lookout for Chapter 2 of the Crimson Spark, "Thieves in the Night"!