act39side

Food and water!

I spotted their granary earlier, so I snagged some in the chaos!

Set it alight afore I left, too! Haha! They'll be too busy putting out the fire to worry about us.

Not half bad, you bastard.

Now put your backs into it, ladies and gents! We reach home tomorrow night!

What're you looking at, chaval? You'll fall over the railing like that. First time in Mar Pálido?

This ship is... unusual. It's almost entirely wood and bone... Must be a lot lighter than the average landship.

Of course. Our salt ships are the only thing that can cross the Flat. If you tried it with those heavy iron beasts, they'd just get stuck in the salt.

Fascinating.

You don't look the least bit scared. Didn't you hear what the townsfolk called us?

Bandits.

You've got guts, saying it straight to my face.

I mean, you saved me from the gallows, didn't you?

Still, why run with us? The townies will brand you as one of us now.

...Do you know of a sword technique that will let you cut through the sea's wind and waves?

A sword technique? You having a laugh?

So none of you know?

Never heard of it.

Where's your ship stopping?

You want off? No can do, I'm afraid. You're heading back with us.

...Sorry, but that's not in my plans.

Not my problem, chaval.

Don't say that. I'd rather not have to draw my sword against the ones who saved me.

I get that you're a dab hand with the blade, but...

Grkh...

You need to watch your back.

Heh, all these years as a thief, and not once has anyone spotted me as I make my move.

That was enough dizzyleaf smoke to keep him asleep the entire trip.

Don't get cocky. So where's the compass the boss wanted? We put a lot of work into saving your sorry behinds, so don't disappoint us now.

You wound me, señor. I've just delivered you more than just the compass.

(Pouts) I got you my amigo over there too, didn't I?

In fact, considering the added value, saving me's not enough. I'll need a little something extra to make it worth my while.

You think we're just gonna take your word for it that he's an alchemist? Wait til the boss checks him over afore you run your mouth again.

Fine by me. Whatever's meant to be in my pocket, will find its way there eventually.

Hmph.

Anyhow, where's the kitchen? I'm always a little peckish after staring death in the face.

Second floor of the stern.

Muchas gracias, O generous señor!

AHHHHHHHHH!

AAAAHHHHH—!

I'm only going to remove the bone spines from the wound, not amputate your leg.

Only the most vicious of bandits would make barbed blades like this... The bleeding's stopped.

Urgh...

Hold on a little while longer. I've already sent someone to get Doctor Añora. Once she's here, we can have a better look.

Be at ease, you seem fine. You'll be better after a few square meals.

Señor Calificador, we've put out the fire in the granary, but there's nothing left inside.

...I'll think of a way to feed us.

What of the doctor? Her legs are not so good at her age. Did you not help her over?

She's gone.

Then where is sh—Wait, what? What happened?!

She was knocked over by the bandits and hit the back of her head. She is... no longer with us.

...I see.

Señor Silver... Are you...?

Did that hurt...? Sorry... Bear with it.

She's giving birth, Silver! The widow's giving birth right now!

Might be because of the bandits' attack. Or not. Can we have the doctor see to her first?

...Wait, where's the doctor?

Don't ask. I'll check on her myself.

Don't shake her. She won't be waking.

Señor, I... Señor, she... Señor, the child...

The child, too.

Señor, you...

Clerics, guard the bodies. We bury them tomorrow morning.

Sir.

Prepare a burdenbeast. After the funerals, go and search for Añora's son. We must ask him to return, no matter what.

This town needs a doctor.

As I recall, she was teaching you some of her craft, was she not?

A man who has only just learned how to make ointment cannot be considered a doctor.

Otherwise, the widow and her child would not have died.

Now go, back to work.

Through the tightly closed shutters of their windows, the people of Aarón can see a faint pink light floating through the fog-choked streets.

Silver does not know when it became dark. It feels like it was morning only minutes ago, when he was tidying up his robes for the execution.

But now, those robes are stained with blood. Not the blood of thieves or blasphemers, but of the townspeople.

Out of nowhere, he sees another faint pink light across the street.

A gaunt, lanky man with a bloody hole in his abdomen, large enough for him to see right through it.

The man calmly walks towards him, as if nothing was wrong.

Do you need assistance, señor?

You look gravely wounded.

I am fine, Señor Calificador. <i>You</i> on the other hand, look most pale indeed.

I am an alguacil, newly transferred. Might you require my assistance?

Ahh—

I must say, I didn't expect you to sleep so well hanging upside-down, joven.

This sort of thing happens to me a lot. You get used to it.

Your old shed's as good as new. Remember to thank Javier. It took him all night to fill in that tunnel of yours.

You could have saved him the effort if you just let me go.

Yet you're the one giving himself nothing but trouble by refusing to fix my compass. Do that, and you're free.

I told you, I don't know a thing about alchemy. That's not going to change, no matter how many times you ask.

Send him back to his shed. And skip the bread for his meals.