“And in every case, the problem is manpower and money,” Padrick added. “Yes please, a nice thick slice of that mutton would be—ah, perfect. Never let them have a chance to think about manpower and money until everyone they are accountable to has a chance to build expectations and clamor for what you want to build. And that would be where you two come in.” He pointed his knife at Bret and Bart and went back to eating.

“Who?”

“Us?”

“Yes, you.” Padrick’s mouth was full, so Vance took over again, as Beyrn listened intently. “You were planning on going to the pub tonight to fill yourselves full of beer right?”

“Uh—” They both looked sheepish.

“My dear boys, that’s exactly what we want you to do. And tell everyone about the magnificent ferry or floating bridge, and the even better stone bridge, we are planning for them. Tell them how wonderful the plans are—yes, I know they don’t exist yet, but they don’t know that. Make it all sound splendid. And in the morning, when I get done figuring how may men it will take, and how much wood, and he starts to get cold feet and wonder how it’s to be paid for, the townsfolk will turn up on his door demanding these things be built right now. They might even volunteer to work, or offer wood, but the important thing is that they demand these projects begin immediately. And that will get our reluctant horse over the jump. A spot more of that bread and butter, please.”

Beyrn was not the only one listening intently as they sat around a very nice fire, with the leg of mutton kept warm on a spit to one side, the big clay pot of vegetables just in the coals, and the bread and butter and tarts on a makeshift table made of a couple of storage chests and some planks. Abi listened with all her concentration. Seeing Vance at work today and listening to him now had made her realize that it was not just creating good structures and executing them that made a Master—it was knowing how to manage the people that would make sure the project got built in the first place.

That, it would seem, was an art in itself.

When no one could manage another bite and the last of the food had been stored safely away from vermin and insects, Bret and Bart strolled happily away to the pub—beside which they had made their camp—the Masters took themselves off to bed, and Stev propped himself on a saddle beside the fire for his nightly communion with his Companion.

Abi decided to take a stroll through the village to get herself acquainted with it. There was a full moon, and plenty of light, and she wanted to walk off a certain restlessness.