act39side

And you attacking one of his men right in front of him can be seen as a rather harsh warning.

Considering your recent promotion to main chef, best keep a low profile. Some things are better left unsaid.

I think <i>he's</i> the one who needed that advice.

Just let him be, Javi. I don't pay it any mind, so why should you?

Because I know our boss isn't a madwoman playing around with other people's lives.

Well, aren't you sweet?

If we do get that compass fixed, can it really tell us how to avoid the sea monsters and find what we need?

Of course. I would never lie to you, Javi.

The Salt Flat won't be able to support us for generations to come. While the sea is a nigh inexhaustible font of resources.

Now that we have both the 'compass' and an alchemist to fix it, this is a chance for us to turn our lives around. We can't afford to miss it.

But aside from you, none of us have even seen the sea, or experienced that age of gold and plenty.

I've been living in the Flat for as long as I can remember, but the old cook said that only a century ago, this was fertile soil.

What if that bountiful sea of yours has already become just as barren as the Flat after the Profound Silence?

And this magic compass of yours... can't guide us back to the past.

'The tides will wash away my footprints, and the wind will scrub away the foam from the waves.'

'But the sea and the shore will stand, forevermore.'

What...?

Just an old poem, Javi. Unlike the land, the sea is tenacious. Though it may be infested with strangely fleshed beasts, it is still abundant with precious lifelines, waiting for us to find them.

It was once ours, and it can be ours once again.

I want to believe you, I do.

But these rumors... You have to prove yourself in front of everyone, show them you're not talking nonsense.

I will.

Oh, right. I did as you asked and went by the shed. There really is a hole in there. I'll fill it up tonight.

What should we do about the boy? He can't stay there anymore.

Don't worry, I've already found a place for him.

But where? If you mean my place, then no.

Don't you worry your little head over it. You'll see on your way home.

Damned little brat, this peg-leg you sold me is pure garbage! Two days and it's already split in twain!

Eh, it just needs a bit of spit, polish, and glue and it'll be good as new.

You sack of finshit, how about I rip <i>your</i> leg off and use that instead?!

H-Hey, settle down now! I'll take the leg back, no need to get violent!

I-I-I've got a knife! Don't come any closer!

Javier! Right on time! Help me catch the little wench!

Out of my way, idiot!

Tch... Troublemaker.

Ow! That hurts!

Give him back his money.

Let me go! I'll tell Juana you've been bullying me!

Use your head, chica. This isn't somewhere you can run your mouth. We're not like those cowards in other towns.

If you mess with us, we won't bother locking you up or putting you on trial. Left hand or right hand? Choose the one you want to keep.

H-How dare you! If it weren't for me, your boss would never have gotten ahold of that compass!

Care to try your luck?

Err... Fine, I'll return the money! But you gotta give me back that peg-leg!

Not on my life. If it's stuck to my leg, it's mine.

Y-You're no better than a pack of bandits!

I'm glad you've finally come to an accurate assessment of us, señorita.

Haha... Slip of the tongue is all... Here, the money. And, uh, adios.

What was the boss thinking, letting a dastardly little girl like that aboard our crew?

She's got her reasons.

I heard that kid ran off again. Why not just break his legs and be done with it?

And now she's gone and strung him up here, ordering us not to touch a hair on his head. Seeing that grumpy face of his pisses me right off. You don't know how much I wanna give it a good punch.

Hey, don't go, Javier! I was just thinking out loud!

Hey!

You've been running around all day. Want some water?

Cloudbeast got your tongue?

I won't surrender to you lot.

If that's how you want it, chaval.

Just here to give you the bad news. I'm afraid you're going to be out here like this all night.

...Whatever. I don't care.

Good to hear.

The dawn light falls upon the coin, and a stray ray reflects onto Isidro's eyelid, causing him to blink. The light wanders, and the circular marking on the coin begins to ripple.

He begins to feel discomfort and hands the coin to the man ashore, though the man is in no hurry to receive it. Instead, he grabs onto Isidro's legs and lifts him up by the feet.

The boy struggles, and the man ashore begins to speak:

'If you have nowhere to go, my young friend, you can come with me.'

'They call me Aulus, and you have my thanks for finding my coin.'

The rays of the setting sun seep through the cracks of the salt ship's frame, shining onto Isidro's eyelid. He blinks in discomfort.

People walk by, and none can resist snickering at him as they pass.

He feels a little dizzy. The faint laughter causes his cheeks to flush, though it might just be an effect of being hung upside down.

Out here in the Salt Flat, simple tents and ramshackle shacks are put up one after the other.

Enormous salt ships are berthed on either side of the road, like a herd of slumbering seabeasts.

Upon their masts hang great sacks for gathering rainwater, flapping in the wind as they await clouds to pass overhead.

Upon the road, people walk shoulder to shoulder, laughing and squabbling, until all of a sudden a quarrel breaks out, which soon escalates into a chaotic all-out brawl.

And in the quieter corners, some are pulling their lovers in close for an intimate kiss.

These guys really are a bunch of barbarians.

Why'd I'd even come to such a lousy place?

Good question, Pascuala. How did <i>I</i> end up in this den of thieves?

*Cough* *Cough*

Not too sure myself...