Chapter 9: Design Lab

DESIGN LAB

“Ah! Charles, my good friend!” An older gentleman with grey balding hair and portly belly looked up from a nearby table as the four apprentices followed Craftsman Primrose through the large metal doors of the design lab. He straightened a tweed bow tie before putting his hand on his hips and observing them.

“Apprentices, I’d like you to meet the great Craftsman Rami Shad.” Craftsman Primrose patted Craftsman Shad on the shoulder. “You won’t find a finer designer in Medlock.”

Craftsman Shad chuckled. “Flattery will get you everywhere!”

“We have several design labs, but this has become known as Design Central,” Craftsman Primrose said, gesturing to the hive of activity.

It was a cavernous space, and craftsmen in their mustard-gold jackets stood working around large tables with drawing boards. At the far end were numerous personifate bodies at various stages of development: Prue could make out an eagle and a border terrier, but there were also many metalwork skeletons of different sizes, and something huge at the back that was covered by a sheet.

“Delighted to meet you all!” said Craftsman Shad. “Although Edwin and I of course have run into each other once or twice in the labs,” he said, shaking the girls’ hands in turn.

“This was always my favourite place to run errands.” Edwin beamed.

Craftsman Shad looked to Craftsman Primrose. “Brave choice going for a personifate apprentice. Don’t get me wrong,” he said, turning to Edwin, “I’m all for equality.” Then he brought his voice down a little. “Some of the craftsmen are a little more old-fashioned in their views, but don’t you mind them. I hear you’re quite the talented artist. Primrose should be careful I don’t poach you for my own apprentice! Master Woolstenbury tells me I should take on more, uses it as a carrot to the red robe, but in truth I’m far too busy with my latest creations to deal in politics.” He quivered his head and shoulders as though politics was rather odious. “Why don’t you all come and see my most recent project!” He lifted an arm on to Craftsman Primrose’s shoulders and hurried to the far end of the room.

They passed numerous personifate shells: cats, dogs, birds and some even more weird and more surprising creatures. There was what appeared to be a giant butterfly, a dragon the size of a small dog, and a creature with the head, shoulders and front legs of an eagle and the back end of a horse.

Craftsman Shad paused by it. “Impressive, eh?”

“Yes,” Prue said keenly. It was amazing. Prue wondered what new body would be best to bring Francis back in. Then a thought struck her. “Craftsman Primrose, why does the Guild use animal forms?”

“A very good question, Frances. We call it the Biomorphic Principle.”

“Biomorphic?”