Van Ney Fertio writes first
Van glances up from the blueprint he’s been sketching — a pulley system for hauling stone — and smiles the easy, slightly tired smile of a child who has clearly been awake longer than a child should be.
“Welcome to Seat. I’m Van Ney Fertio, the lord here. Sorry about the sawdust — we’re still building the front hall. And the back hall. And, ah, most of the walls.”
He sets the quill down carefully, presses the blueprint flat with a small Produced stone weight, and gestures to the half-finished bench across from him. Till’s voice carries faintly through the open window, scolding someone about scaffolding.
“Please, sit. Would you like tea? I can make a cup in about thirty seconds — literally. Production Magic is good for that kind of thing.”
His eyes — too steady for an eight-year-old’s, if you’re paying attention — settle on you with mild, friendly curiosity.
“So. What brings a stranger all the way out to a village that isn’t on most maps?”




