Let's Play The Spirit Engine 2

[prof]

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Chapter 2: Gunpowder and Steel

Part 1: Brave Frontier

Do you always moan this much? Isabelle's come this far without a single complaint, and she's only thirteen.


What does she have to complain about? She's young and healthy. She's got the whole of her life ahead of her.


She's also just seen her brother killed, you insensitive idiot. What's the worst thing that happened to you today, Ionae?


Meeting you three. You'll be the death of me yet.


Both of you need to be quiet. These trader stations are rather rough establishments, frequented by all manner of cross-border smugglers and ruffians. We should avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves.
Unfortunately, this is also the last top before we cross the plains. We ought to take a break here.


Fine. My stomach is aching almost as much as my feet. I'm going to see if there's anywhere around here that offers a decent meal.


I'm going to search for a vendor of local trinkets and oddities. This is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the local charm. I shan't be gone too long.


Do you need anything yourselve, Isabelle? Are you hungry?


No, I'm fine, thanks, mister. I had plenty for dinner last night, just before...


Alright. Be sure to ask if you change your mind. I don't want you suffering in silence. How are you holding up?


I... I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Sad, I guess. Scared. I keep thinking about Elai and Ardal and how I shan't be able to see them again for a very long time.


Isabelle, I know that you won't want to talk about it, but it's important for all of us that you do. Do you have any idea why those men wanted to harm you?


No. I'm sorry, mister, I don't know who they were. I don't know why they were chasing us.


It's alright. I'm sorry I mentioned it. You know, you remind me a lot of my niece. She was a very pretty girl with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. Very quiet and very shy, but the most wonderful piano player I have ever heard.


That was a long time ago, and she's been gone for several years now. She had such terrible headaches, and I think in the end it was a mercy that she went sooner rather than later.
She was a teacher for twenty-five years, and a good one, too. She shared her gift with so many people in the time she had. I think you would have liked her, all the children did. My dear Clara...


What's wrong, mister? Why are you crying?


Oh, don't look so worried, Isabelle, it doesn't suit such a pretty face. They're happy tears. When you find yourself where I am in life, they have to be. I have a lot of good years behind me.


I have returned bearing a mug hand-painted with a picture of the fort and this charming shirt which informs people that I have been here. I also saw a man over there selling equipment. We might want to check his stock before leaving.


The sooner we get moving, the better. This place is full of ugly, rude people, some of whom have been giving me the most unpleasant looks. You wouldn't believe how much I had to shout just to get some service.


You must be brave if you're trying the local food, Ionae. It looks rather exotic. What have you bought?


I have no idea, but the woman at the stall recommended it. Right now I'm hungry enough to eat almost anything. Does anybody want some? Denever? Isabelle?


No, thank you. I ate well enough last night.


Ewww, I can smell that from here! I don't think you should be eating it, Ionae.


Now that you mention it, the filling does smell a little ripe. I had wondered why there wasn't a queue outside the stall. I think I've been duped...


Never mind, we can get a proper meal at the fortress. We only need to walk another four furlongs to reach it now. It won't be an easy trek, though. We still have to cross a short stretch of the Great Plains.
The Great Plains are a No Man's Land. A three-hundred furlong wide wilderness separating us from the border with Yaegara.
We'll only find friendly Lereftese patrols on this side, but we must look out for the less welcoming wildlife and stray crossfire. Don't look so worried, it's nothing we shouldn't be able to handle.


Crossfire/ Why are the Yaegarans firing into Lereftese territory? I thought that your country remained at peace with them.


It does, but they trade daily artillery fire with the Longreach batteries across the plains. They never aim to hit anything. Besides looking impressive, it helps to train the gunners.
The fortress is actually the safest place on the plains. They wouldn't dare aim directly at it for fear of hitting it and causing a major incident.


Oh, this is all so wonderfully educational. This was your great idea? Marching us through a firing range?


Relax, Ionae, it's really nowhere near as dangerous as it might sound. Plenty of traders make the crossing each and every day to reach the fortress. Few of them are as well equipped as ourselves.
Our main concern will be the local wildlife. The incessant roar of the guns has driven most of them quite mad, and they are likely to attack if they feel threatened.



Two new skills for Denever! We will see them soon, no doubt.



This is the first time we get to spend freely in a peaceful area!

It's kind of a shithole.



A bit of a stop to get more equipment! We have a fair chunk of money to spare.

I end up emptying most of his inventory to spice up my armors a bit.



Leaving enough for a couple weapons from this extremely charming young man!

There seems to be some commotion over to the right...


C'mon now, Artie, calm down and take your medicine. You know this kind of thing is only going to get you into trouble.


Can't you understand? There's too many of us now. They can't control us all! That's why they turn us against each other. But I'm special. That's why they'll come for me. You have to help! You have to...






Poor Artie, he was never quite the same since he came back from the Spirals last year in a terrible state. I hope the Inspectorate can fix him back to his old self. I do miss his stories.


Those were the Rakari, yes? We do not have them in Sakeida, and I had hoped to see them in person before I finished my journey. I hear so little about them.


I think they look horrid. Ardal said they were dangerous and that we should never, ever go near them.


Come now, Isabelle, don't be so quick to judge. Not everything is as it appears.


You're fortunate to have them here. People are inherently selfish, spiteful creatures, and they require strong leadership. A truly great civilization needs governance by creatures free of human weakness.



Next time: Crossing the plains!


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