"With love, luv, all I did was accuse the gentlemen of being interlopers and "mistaken" about their mission. Seems screaming vile epitaphs about Cygnans may have been a little more impactful when it comes to turning the town, and the innkeeper, against us."
Kita sighed. Patting Erryll's arm, she said, "You ain't wrong. But you're also the smartest one here. I rely on you to use that big brain to explain stuff to us dummies. Then maybe next time, the big-mouthed ogrun won't feel the need to beak off in front of the locals."
Settling her hat firmly on her head, she said, "Time to get gone." She turned to head north along the river, towards "civilization". Looking back over her shoulder, she said, "Don't kill the trollkin."
"With love, luv, all I did was accuse the gentlemen of being interlopers and "mistaken" about their mission. Seems screaming vile epitaphs about Cygnans may have been a little more impactful when it comes to turning the town, and the innkeeper, against us."Kita sighed. Patting Erryll's arm, she said, "You ain't wrong. But you're also the smartest one here. I rely on you to use that big brain to explain stuff to us dummies. Then maybe next time, the big-mouthed ogrun won't feel the need to beak off in front of the locals."
Settling her hat firmly on her head, she said, "Time to get gone." She turned to head north along the river, towards "civilization". Looking back over her shoulder, she said, "Don't kill the trollkin."
"I rely on you too dear friend; the right thing to do is to both thank and express regret to Lily, she was very kind to all of us ... but there are times you seem to know that it is more prudent not to do the right thing. Is this one of those times?"
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A rusty female voice seems to come out of the 'mouth' area of the steamjack's head.
:I..aM...KnOWn as....The Queen Viktoriya Sunbright. mY...fRInD s .. cALl me VIcKy."
The voice is little more than a whisper by the time the steamjack is finished introducing herself. A small trickly of black smoke whisps out of her chimney.
Erryll casts Sense Cortex again, mostly to confirm this is the cortex he had sensed ... but also to see if it was any stronger than it had been.
"Nav? Do me a favor? Ask her if she needs fuel, or is tired, or both? There's something odd about the sense feedback ..."
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"She seems to be running out of power. The tarp will burn for a bit, but if we had coal it would be better. She is not walking far without some fuel." Nevitash says.
Nevitash reaches out to the cortex to see if it wants fuel so it can get out of this shed.
"Don't kill the trollkin."
Rosaleen nodded, "I agree. The locals are mad enough as it is. Although we may want to get out of here before its back on its feet."
She hadn't seen a steamjack up close in awhile, especially one in such poor shape. Turning to Nevitash she asked, "So you heard VIcKy when you were sitting in the inn? That's fascinating."
Being familiar with chemicals and knowing what substances would burn well, Rosaleen searches around the shed for possible sources of fuel. Barring that, the alchemist also kept an eye out for a possible method for transporting VIcKy because one thing was certain, they wouldn't be leaving the steamjack behind.
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@Rosaleen: Behind the shed is a beat-up cart partially covered with an old blanket. Under the cover, you find the cart full of coal and a large barrel full of brackish water.
@Nevitash: Yes, she is almost entirely out of power...it seems that she has been using a trickle-charge of energy to keep herself 'conscious' for some time, but her contacting you has almost used up the last of that stored energy.
@Rosaleen: Behind the shed is a beat-up cart partially covered with an old blanket. Under the cover, you find the cart full of coal and a large barrel full of brackish water.
@Nevitash: Yes, she is almost entirely out of power...it seems that she has been using a trickle-charge of energy to keep herself 'conscious' for some time, but her contacting you has almost used up the last of that stored energy.
"OMG Lady Rosaleen ... brilliant!"
Erryll looks thoughtful for a moment"Nev, open Queen Viktoriya's boiler again, let's get some coal in there. NOW!"
"I rely on you too dear friend; the right thing to do is to both thank and express regret to Lily, she was very kind to all of us ... but there are times you seem to know that it is more prudent not to do the right thing. Is this one of those times?"
Kita sighed, feeling a wave of "I don't care" about to wash over her. That happened from time to time, and usually led to a few days (or longer) just lying in bed. Sometimes, it all seemed so pointless. No matter what she did, people died, and sometimes she killed them, and nothing every changed.
Kita shook her head, hard, and made herself take several deep breaths. Sometimes it didn't matter if she allowed herself to be swept away with the wave of "I don't care", but out here, it would get her killed. Or somebody else. Or all of them.
Mustering herself, she said, "I think the right thing to do is high-tail it out of here."
As Erryll magicked the coal into the hopper, she watched as "Vicky" came slowly "to life". She still wasn't sure if the machine was truly, properly alive, or just a clever bit of magic, but she supposed it didn't matter one way or the other. Clearly she was coming with them, so Kita pitched in and helped carry coal to the hopper the old fashioned way.
Nevitash will load the coal in and go find water from the well if there I not something closer at hand.
Nevitash will load the coal in and go find water from the well if there I not something closer at hand.
Nevitash will lift up the water and pour it into the boiler. “This should get Vicky up and about.”
While the others attended to the steamjack, Rosaleen began to search around for what they needed to get it up and running. The sooner they could leave this place behind them, the better.
She found something covered with a tarp on the other side of the shed. Peeking underneath, she quickly threw back the edge to reveal a cart. If they couldn't get VIcKy mobile then at least they had another option. Considering the cart contained coal and some water as well, she wondered if it belonged to the steamjack.
Poking her head around the side of the shed, Rosaleen focused on the more muscley members of their rag-tag group. "There's a cart over here with what you seem to need. We can move it closer to VIcKy if someone gives me a hand."
Rosaleen can't help but smile at Erryll's enthusiasm, both at her find and his concern for VIcKy. She was still trying to figure out if him calling her a Lady was teasing or just trying to be respectful or an interesting quirk. Whichever the case, she decided that she liked it.
She did what she could to help, not afraid to get her hands dirty. She also found the mixture of science and magic mentally stimulating which she always enjoyed, She was still amazed that Nevitash had heard VIcKy from back inside the inn. She watched the Ogrun work thinking that the steamjack had somehow imprinted itself on him and he just intuitively knew how to help it.
The alchemist watched the steamjack slowly come to life as the fuel was added. "Do we need to put VIcKy in the cart or will she me able to move on her own? I guess we can also take whatever is left of the resources and get moving."
"I rely on you too dear friend; the right thing to do is to both thank and express regret to Lily, she was very kind to all of us ... but there are times you seem to know that it is more prudent not to do the right thing. Is this one of those times?""With love, luv, all I did was accuse the gentlemen of being interlopers and "mistaken" about their mission. Seems screaming vile epitaphs about Cygnans may have been a little more impactful when it comes to turning the town, and the innkeeper, against us."Kita sighed. Patting Erryll's arm, she said, "You ain't wrong. But you're also the smartest one here. I rely on you to use that big brain to explain stuff to us dummies. Then maybe next time, the big-mouthed ogrun won't feel the need to beak off in front of the locals."
Settling her hat firmly on her head, she said, "Time to get gone." She turned to head north along the river, towards "civilization". Looking back over her shoulder, she said, "Don't kill the trollkin."
"Kita dear friend, I am conpelled to ask again, do we need to apologize to someone or at the very least pay someone? Perchance VIcKy will tell us is this was actually "her" coal ..."
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Agnar was feeling quite full of himself. Having given a raiding arm of the "army" what-for, he could only think that getting encouraged to move on was simply in character for that the sheep-citizens of the country.
"You really think they would have let a functional 'jack out of their grungy grips without killing them?" he asks of everyone and no-one. "I harbored a thought they might thank us. The whole of this village of sheep were rousted and standing agog, looking on in impotent anger as more bandits-that-call-themselves-the-army do as they will with private property, and, when someone comes along and saves them from further despotism, they call their savior a villain."
He sighs.
"Such a waste."
He considers adding the old adage to 'contemplate this on the Tree of Woe,' but he doesn't think anyone would get the reference.
"Yes, now that the sheeple are fully threatened by our freedom of thought and action, we should take the 'jack and away.
No, we do not need to apologize. They had their chance to claim a slice of liberty from their masters and they denied it. To take the coal would, I believe, be something they not only tolerate but encourage.
When we tried to stop the army from pillaging them, they condemned us. Hence, they must, in their culture, prefer to be pillaged.
It is only logical."
Through out all this, Mohammed was standing outside, keeping the crowd at bay, glowering and pushing them back.
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With a low groan and then a loud "bang" followed by the smokestacks belching out a great plume of black smoke, Vicky seems to come alive.
"Oh gracious me...excuse me! I am so sorry. It has been a while since my boilers were topped up. It will just be a few more moments until my hydraulics kick in, then I shall be ready for travel.
Umm..where are we going sir?"
The last was sent to Nevitash mentally from the 'jack.
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"Kita dear friend, I am conpelled to ask again, do we need to apologize to someone or at the very least pay someone? Perchance VIcKy will tell us is this was actually "her" coal ..."
Realizing that Erryll wasn't going to be satisfied with a brush-off answer, she thought a moment. "I don't think we need to apologize for taking the coal. If Vicky is alive, then this is lifesaving fuel for her. I wouldn't apologize for stealing bread to stay alive. As for payment," she looked around, "I don't see anybody to pay. Clearly Vicky, and this coal, were forgotten long ago."
We are going to Corvis. When we get out of town if you can ride in the cart you should so we can save the coal.
"Bring it all. We are going to be reported anyway. If the cart will hold Vicky, then I will push it once we leave town to save her power for when we need her mobile." Nevitash says wondering if he might be able to get a mule or two between here and Corvis.
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"That will not be necessary. I should have sufficient fuel to make the journey as long as we are only travelling. Anything more might require me to expend extra fuel. I do not know your name or rank...how should I call you?"
The SteamJack moves slowly at first. You can hear the grinding of long-dormant gears as Vicky energizes her systems in what seems to be quite a while. Once she starts to move, some of the jerkiness leaves her movements, but there is still a sense that maybe she needs a good overhaul!
With the ogrun pushing the cart of coal, and Vicky grinding along beside him, Kita wondered if they'd just added an asset to their party, or a liability. As they started up the road to Corvis, she said, "We stirred up quite a hornet's nest back there. I'll take point, keep my eyes peeled for trouble. Y'all keep an eye behind, in case trouble follows us."
I had not counted on stealing... forgive me... liberating goods from these people. You seem very sure of yourselves and that this is the right thing to do. In the midst of lack of information and because these people may well turn violent, I will leave understanding until later. Let us leave.
Nevitash nods and will pull out enough coin to pay for the coal and cart and place it in the shed before he leaves. "Yeah, this stop did not go as I planned either. But those soldiers were going to loot this place and hurt anyone that questioned them. So at least this bit will hopefully help whoever owns this coal some."
Looking at the jack slowly start moving again Nevitash responds, I am not in the military currently. You can call me Nevitash. I will work on cleaning out those joints and doing repairs when we get to a place we can stop for the night.
Nevitash nods and will pull out enough coin to pay for the coal and cart and place it in the shed before he leaves. "Yeah, this stop did not go as I planned either. But those soldiers were going to loot this place and hurt anyone that questioned them. So at least this bit will hopefully help whoever owns this coal some."
Looking at the jack slowly start moving again Nevitash responds, I am not in the military currently. You can call me Nevitash. I will work on cleaning out those joints and doing repairs when we get to a place we can stop for the night.
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"K-girl, I am sorry, I need to do this."
Erryll steps away from the group and into the dishpit of inn; he stops whoever he sees, and asks if they might bring Ms Lily to speak him
Erryll nods his head at the woman, and leaves.
They weren't going to agree, and he wasn't going to argue.
The crowd can become a mob in moments. Let us leave at haste.
"Let us be off"
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The party makes good time on the road to Covis and in two short days, they arrive at the gates of this ancient city. In the last day or so the area on either side of the road has become more and more tamed. Small hamlets and little fishing villages are no more than a few hours apart, and more and more people are traveling the roads. You can easily find places to stay and eat, as well as small markets where you can buy the most common items.
Vicky slowly begins to lose some of the stiffness and creaking of a SteamJack left too long without maintenance. Nevitash makes many small repairs and is able to get or fabricate the parts he needs. Surprisingly Ol'Vicky is in pretty good shape, but her technology is a real Hodge-podge of old and fairly new.
With the gates of Corvis in sight, the party is finally getting to their destination. Most of the local talk has been about the upcoming festival. At the gate, a clerk and several guards question all entering, as well as collecting taxes and tolls. As you approach, the clerk asks, in a tired voice, your name, business, and extent of your stay in Corvis. He also asks about any goods the party might be carrying and then informs them it will be 1 farthing (CP) entry fee and 1 Shield (sp) for the LaborJack.
Erryll turns to Kita
'¿Es ahora un buen momento para hacerles saber a todos que NO deben gritar insultos raciales viles contra los ciudadanos de Cygnan? Solo revisando ..."
Nevitash will pay for Vicky and himself to enter Corvis.
Shrugging, the knight pays and enters after a few broad ambiguous answers.
Erryll will take care of himself, and Kita, and Ros, letting the guards know that he is reporting to the Order of Wizardry straight away.
Is now a good time to maybe let everyone know NOT to yell vile racial slurs against Cygnan nationals? Just checking ...
Kita nodded, glad of the reminder. To the group at large (but mainly at Agnar), she said, "Jus' remember what we talked about. This ain't the place to beak off about Cygnar. We're way outnumbered. Don't matter how true it is or ain't. Keep it to yourself."
Passing through the gate, Kita winced a little as Erryll had to cover her, yet again. It had been funny at first, but it was getting embarrassing. This city better have work for me.
As they entered, her eyes widened appreciatively. It had been lovely travelling along the river for the last few days - as desert born and raised, she never got used to bodies of seemingly unending water. She hadn't expected the city to be divided by the river, or...was that two rivers? Amazing.
"Where to first? Might be hard to find a room, place looks full up." She could always find a bunk at the local Warder's Guild branch; in fact, she should head there soon and register herself, if not for a bunk, then at least for work.
Nevitash looks around at the crowded streets and says, "Finding a room should probably come first. Then we can look into what business we have here."
Nevitash looks around at the crowded streets and says, "Finding a room should probably come first. Then we can look into what business we have here."
Kita is here because she's a good friend, and is accompanying Erryll. She'll be looking for work, though, cuz she's broke.
I think Rosaleen was coming mainly for the train ride (wanted to steal something, which she did), not sure if she had a purpose in town.
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The West Gate is alive with many hawkers, beggers, and regular folk going about their business. On the busy thoroughfare, you see a few laborjacks hauling loads through the streets, as horses are forbidden (except for the military or rich!).
While standing there, a young boy wanders by yelling at the top of his lungs.."Get ye News here! Be in the Know! Discover the secret events being held during tomorrow's celebrations! What is the Order of Wizardy up to? Get all the news worth reading right here!"
The lad wanders on and you see a couple more youth. These ones seem to be pasting waybills onto almost every flat surface. You wander by to take a look at what is being hung.
Pray, tell me, what is the plan? I am... at a crossroads of purpose and am inclined to travel with you further if it be right
Kita wanders over to see what the youth is hanging, then gasps in shock. "The plan?!" She raised her collar of her duster and pushed her cattleman further down over her face. "I'd say getting the hells out of Corvis is the plan."
"It would seem that news travels fast ... faster than we did. It would seem that we do, in fact, need to explain ourselves at the very least, and possibly apologize to someone."
Erryll smirks a little ...
"I guess we can each have a quiet moment with ourselves about the kind-hearted decision to leave the troll alive? Yeah, GREAT thinking that was. That guy for SURE wasn't going to go back somewhere and leverage the entire Cygnan army to make himself look like he wasn't scamming salvage on a bonded-steamjack. Brilliant move of altruism that!"