REBIRTH OF THE CRESCENT

📌 Previously in Chapter 25:

Zayd spotted an opportunity in his village's underused talent — skilled blacksmiths with no capital to expand. With trust, clear planning, and partnership, The Ember Forge was born, promising to bring dignity and coin back to local craftsmen.

📍 Scene: The Ember Forge – Morning

The newly built smithy echoed with the sound of iron and ambition. Sparks flew as Khalaf and Abbad hammered glowing metal, while Qadir polished a set of finished hinges like they were made of gold.

Zayd leaned over a dusty wooden table in the corner, counting coins and rubbing his temple.

ZAYD:

"We have maybe enough coin to last two more weeks. After that, it's either profit… or prayers."

QADIR (mouth full of date):

"Prayers are cheaper. Tastes worse, though."

YUSUF (from the forge):

"Maybe we start with basic tools for the traders? Horseshoes, cart axles?"

Zayd was about to respond when a sharp voice outside caught their attention.

MERCHANT (passing by):

"By all that's holy, riding in that cart again is like being flogged by bricks!"

The merchant stormed off, holding his back. His workers struggled behind him with crates stacked on a wobbly cart.

QADIR (grinning):

"That man needs a softer life."

Zayd froze, eyes wide.

ZAYD (quietly):

"No. That man needs a softer ride."

📍 Scene Change: Inside the Forge – One Hour Later

Zayd had spread out parchment across a wide bench, drawing rough designs. Curved springs, suspension systems, layered seats.

ZAYD:

"In the future, carriages are built with the passenger in mind. They absorb the road's shock — even if the path is uneven."

KHALAF:

"What in the world is a spring seat?"

ZAYD (pointing):

"This. It's like a coiled metal snake under the seat. It compresses when you sit and expands back. The bump on the road? It softens it."

ABBAD:

"You want us to make a snake that carries merchants?"

QADIR:

"I like it. If it works, we'll sell it with a pillow and call it a 'noble's nap.'"

They drew four blueprints based on Zayd's sketches, each with small differences in wheel spacing, seat depth, and frame support. The forge roared to life with a new purpose.

📍 Scene: Forge Courtyard – Over the Next Ten Days

One by one, the first four carriages were built and tested.

The first? Too bouncy. A pot of water spilled after two steps.

The second? Wheels snapped on a bump.

The third? Too tall — tipped over.

The fourth? Decent… until the axle bent.

The fifth?

They all stood around it. Silent. Tired. Almost broke.

QADIR (hands raised to the sky):

"Oh Allah, if this one fails, I'll sell Nimr to a date vendor."

YUSUF:

"Blasphemy! That bird's smarter than you!"

They all laughed nervously as they hitched the fifth carriage to a mule. Zayd climbed in with Qadir. Yusuf gave the signal.

The mule walked. The wheels turned. The seat barely shook.

QADIR:

"...Did we just invent a magic carpet with wheels?"

ZAYD (grinning):

"No. We just invented comfort."

Everyone broke into loud cheers. Hammers were lifted into the air. Nimr screeched overhead. Abbad grabbed a handful of sawdust and tossed it like confetti.

KHALAF (shouting):

"Let's build more before someone steals the idea!"

📍 Scene: That Night – Beside the Forge

The team sat around a fire, drinking tea, laughing.

QADIR:

"So what do we call it?"

ZAYD:

"Let's keep it simple — The Cloud Cart. Because it feels like riding on one."

Everyone agreed. And with it, the first original invention of the Crescent Forge was born.

End of Chapter 26