A soft breeze blew through the green hills of the Vinci countryside, rippling through the fields and the leaves of the large trees that shaded a dirt road. The blue skies, bird calls and chittering of insects made for a pleasant ambiance.
This was of little relevance to Pyrite as it trod the path, its well oiled pistons whirring faintly with each step. Its delicate mechanisms could hear each cricket and spot a bluejay’s egg from two hundred metres, but all of these things were merely analysed to determine whether they might constitute a hindrance for its mission.
Pyrite was walking along the right side of the road. On its left, Quartz’s pointed head was gleaming in the sun as it moved in a mirror image. They led the convoy. Behind them, five men-at arms and their sergeant were escorting a horse-drawn wagon, and further behind, Zinc and Bismuth were guarding the rear.
The men were sweating under their military outfits, carrying their long pole arms. They did not complain. They had the craggy faces of experienced soldiers, who are used to walking for days and enduring any weather. Their battered shields proudly bore the crest of House Laviotta, as did the wagon. Each Automa also wore the Laviotta crest, studded with their namesake stone.
“Halt,” commanded the sergeant as they approached an abandoned farm with an old well. The Automa stopped at once and stood immobile as the men inspected the well.
They brought buckets to the two horses, filled their canteens and splashed some water on their sunburnt faces. As they walked back to the wagon, the guard named Elio stopped near Pyrite, inspecting its sleek metal limbs.
“These things are amazing,” he said, “They don’t drink, don’t eat and don’t moan about nothing!” He leaned over, trying to peer inside the metal chest, “It’s my first time seeing one so close. I fought alongside some at the battle of Pemarlo, but they were on the flanks and I couldn’t get a good look. These ones look even better though!”
“The Duchess commissioned these four personally. Even named them,” the sergeant said as the troop started marching again, “Not surprising she’d be a bit sentimental, each of those Automa cost more than what a Captain makes in a year.” Elio whistled through his teeth. “I’ll be damned!” He shot a sideways glance at the wagon. Inside it he could make out a large metallic coffer, with a lock the size of his head. “Must be some treasure in there… I wonder what it is.” The guard behind him spoke up, “Jewels for sure. Some big gold chain with diamonds so that our fair Duchess can show the other posh people what’s what.” “You’re full of it, Lonzino,” a third guard chimed in. “Duchess Vitina of House Laviotta isn’t some vain courtesan who spends her house’s fortune on fancy tiaras or pendants.” “Y’see,” the guard continued, “When she was little her father almost ruined the family. She had to scrape and fight to bring the House back to its rightful rank. No, what she likes is books. I bet you that coffer has some rare treatise about arcane science or some such inside it.” “What good is that?” Lonzino scoffed, “I wouldn’t know what to do with a stack of paper. At least you can sell jewels…” “Shut up, the lot of you!” The sergeant shot them a stern look. “None of you have any idea what’s in there, and you know why? Because that’s none of your business! As far as you’re concerned, that coffer is as empty as your commoner skulls.” The men stopped talking. The road was climbing over a hill, and for a moment there was only the huffs and grunts of the men and the creaking of the wagon. Pyrite slowed its pace to stay close to them. “It’s not empty, though,” Elio said. “It’s gotta be something precious, or they wouldn’t have given us four Automa and made us travel discreetly on the old road. It’s something precious enough that they don’t want us to know what it is!” “Yeah, they wouldn’t trust us ruffians with that,” Lonzino nodded in agreement, “Bet you they didn’t even tell the sarge about it.” The sergeant scoffed, “I see what you’re doing, Lonzino. You won’t get a word out of me!” Elio perked up. “Oh, so you do know!” “No, he doesn’t,” Lozino said as his grin widened, “They don’t tell things like that to mere sergeants!” “You can think what you want,” the sergeant said, stroking his bushy grey beard. “I’m not saying anything.” Elio winked at his comrade, “Of course the sergeant knows, Lonzino! He’s very respected by the Captain. He’s privy to all kinds of things you and I aren’t fit to hear.” “That’s right!” the sergeant said. “I’m next in line to be promoted. I know exactly what’s in that chest.” Lonzino waved a hand dismissively. “You don’t know… maybe you have an idea, but you don’t know for sure!” “Maybe you’re right,” Elio said, making sure his whispers were loud enough for the sergeant to overhear, “Maybe he doesn't know for sure…” “Fine! You want to know? I’ll give you a guess! We’re only a few hours from the estate, then it won’t be our problem anymore.” Elio and Lozino exchanged an excited glance. The other soldiers were all ears as they hiked up the hill. The sergeant spoke in a low, dramatic tone, “Our cargo is more precious than you could even imagine. You need to think: what’s behind the riches and power of not just House Laviotta, but of all the Duchies of Vinci? What makes the Duchess, the other nobles, the University masters so superior to simple soldiers like us?”
