In the days that followed, the streets of Savadra became a sea of gleaming spokes and polished frames. Bicycles of all shapes and sizes zipped through the cobbled lanes, their riders—mostly the children of nobles—giddy with delight. Teenagers, in particular, hounded their parents to purchase the newest, most fashionable models, eager to be seen atop these symbols of modernity.
To meet the surging demand, Matthias expanded his operations. A second workshop rose on the outskirts of the city, beyond the clamor of the market square, and more craftsmen were hired, their hammers and saws singing late into the night.
But success drew unwanted attention. Envoys from Prince Reuben's camp arrived at Matthias's door, their words laced with veiled threats. They demanded production of a specialized bicycle fitted with a sidecar. Refusal, they warned, would mean the closure of his shops. Though bitterness simmered in Matthias's heart, he had no choice but to comply.
