It turned out that cider mills were rather tedious places, at least once one had gotten over the novelty of finally seeing one. A large stone wheel was pulled around a circular trough filled with apples to crush them, and they were then placed in large presses to strain out the juice. The story behind the strange bricks of apples proved far less interesting than I had hoped.
Of course I would never reveal how utterly bored I was; not even the dimmest of Wisewolves would be so thankless. Besides, I could practically see a tail wagging from my companion's rear every time I let a feigned gasp of astonishment escape my lips, and I was no less stupid in hoping that he would forever remain so boyish.
The mill operator guided us through their factory as pleasantly as he seemed capable of being. Which was to say that he grudgingly showed me the various contraptions, but would not suffer me to drink any of their product. My companion rubbed my back sympathetically when he realized that I was close to my breaking point.
"Whew..."
He almost never whistled, except when he was getting down to business. Flattery got him nowhere with me, but that was not because he was always bad at it. At least he had certainly mastered it where business was concerned. Sure enough, the disdainful mill operator took notice and stood taller in appreciation.
"Impressive huh?"
Before us was one of the press contraptions. It looked like a stack of wet apple-pillows being squashed from above. A lever was under the device to pull a platform down on the apple mash, being manipulated by another tall and lanky individual. It was all so tiresome that I had to amuse myself with the mental image of an army of such men pulling levers like determined goblins.
The only interesting thing I noted was what type of cloth the pillows under the press were made of. It could not have escaped my companion's eyes, either.
"Is that a lever press? I didn't know you used them in cider mills."
"Yeah, they're more efficient than the traditional hand presses, so we've been hoping to build another one."
Not even a child would miss the intent behind that reply, but my companion seemed determined to get under his skin. There was no way the man could prove whether my companion was lying or not, even if it seemed obvious that he was.
"Oh, good thinking! That'd be a surefire way to stay ahead of the competition."
The man's eye twitched quite obviously, just as my companion was conveniently staring elsewhere. It was clear that the mill operator was fast losing what little patience he had.
"Indeed it would! Shame that all we have to line it with is straw."
"Oh? But isn't that what's normally used? I remember them using it down south."
The man's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. I could practically hear the blood rushing to his head.
"Take a close look... does that look like straw to you?"
My companion did as he was told, then sharply rose back up as though he finally understood. His fist smacked against his open palm.
"Ah! I see now! That's why your worker asked if we were your suppliers!"
"Indeed! If nobles would settle for straw-pressed cider then we wouldn't be in this predicament!"
My companion's head was still bobbing like a doll being shaken shaken by a child. It was surreal to see him acting this way, knowing that his audience was already interested in closing a deal.
"Well, I do sympathize, but I'm afraid that my canvas was already bound for another client, as I mentioned."
"Oh? Is that how it is?"
The man's voice lowered a little, and if he could afford to let his eyes roll he would have.
"And to be precise it's to repay a debt with that client. Even if he's no longer around, I can hardly charge someone for it when I was was giving it away, that would be unconscionable!"
Unable to bear this travesty any longer, the mill operator's arms folded across his chest and he put on a joking tone.
"In other words, your conscience is too heavy to even accept proper compensation for it?"
My companion was wholly undeterred.
"Ah, not as such. But is it really my place to take the money rightfully meant for your regular suppliers? I hear the canvas market is in trouble lately, and they're not the kind of folks I'd want to turn into enemies..."
"Why you-! What's your game already?!"
The mill operator finally lost his temper and stepped up to my companion, grabbing him by the collar. I could not say that I blamed him, given the sham he was being forced to endure. However, he never expected that it was his head that would receive a sound knocking a moment later.
"Agh!"
He ducked and turned around slowly to see an old man staring at him like he was a pathetic child in need of a scolding.
"Father?!"
"Idiot. You couldn't close a deal if your life depended on it."
I then heard a strange snort from beside me, followed by my companion bursting into laughter.
"Ahahaha!"
My companion's true smile was bright as day, but his unbridled laughter was such a rare treat that it was downright infectious. It took everything I had to not break into a fit of giggles as he held his stomach in mirth. It took him longer than usual to recover, by which point the older man had placed his hands squarely on his hips.
"Please don't make sport of my dimwitted son like that."
"Sorry, sorry! I just couldn't resist."
The old man nodded, clearly not really upset, and a thin smiled appeared under his bushy beard.
"Then shall we head into the office and do some proper dealing?"
"Yes, let's shall."
The old man flashed a dry stare at his red-faced son, who immediately understood and turned on his heels again like a well-trained soldier. The old man then raised his arm, directing me and my companion into a small room further in the building as he looked at me.
"Don't worry, miss. You will not be disappointed."
If I tilted my head in confusion at his words I would not be fit to call myself a third-rate actress. That said, I was quite looking forward to seeing how all of the pieces of this puzzle fit together.
