act39side

G-Gracias...

I injured a holy man when I corralled the burdenbeasts and startled one by accident. I will forsake half of my serving as penance.

No, eat up so that it doesn't happen again.

There's enough saltfin for everyone. Eat.

But, Señor Silver, overeating is—

Is better than letting food go to waste. Saltfin flesh won't last in this weather. Finish it before it spoils.

Kindly bring these to our injured brothers, my good chef.

They need something nutritious to eat, after the beating they've taken these past few days.

Have you reviewed the plan, Señor Alguacil?

I do not understand how such a notion could have even occurred to you.

If the bandits surrender the compass and the blueprints for a salt ship, I will pardon most of them and permit them to live as I allow them to.

Many are young and healthy. They will be invaluable labor if this town is to move.

Besides, it will convenient to have sword hands unbound by religious dogma, in the event of any future negotiations.

They will destroy your town.

Eliminate the Ægir leading them, and the rest are just a disorganized mob. The three whom we have locked up in the basement are each playing their own game.

I will split them and give them conflicting interests, such that if they do raise their swords, it will only be against their former fellows.

You once saved these townsfolk, taught them to suppress desire and maintain purity... yet now you would pardon the very bandits who murdered their friends and family, all for worldly benefit?

Did you imagine the people accepting this?

How is this anything less than a betrayal?

What would you suggest, then?

I would lead our men into the Flat without delay, eliminate the surviving bandits, and destroy the very means by which they have sinned.

Our injured brothers need rest.

We have neither the manpower nor the resources for another major campaign.

I will ensure they are ready.

I hope you'll forgive my bluntness, Señor Alguacil.

But the three bandits in the basement will 'escape' at nightfall. If all goes well, they will soon bring news back to their fellows.

All I need from you is to maintain order when the bandits come to negotiate.

What made you change your mind?

It's just a compass. There wasn't much to think about.

Would someone with so little on their mind have such restless hands? Should I be worrying about you making a hole in my ship, joven?

I'm not that strong.

Come now, don't be like that. I hope you realize that being serious all the time only makes you the butt of the joke.

Now grab a change of clothes. You have blood all over you.

...Gracias.

Come with me.

*Cough* *Cough*...

Sorry, I should have told you to hold your breath. This cabin hasn't been used in decades, and there's dust everywhere.

I'm sorry for touching things without permission.

Don't make me sound like such a petty woman.

You can touch whatever you want here. It's all top-notch alchemical equipment. Unless your hands are more dangerous than cannon fire or a storm, they'll survive.

This will be your lab from now on.

You have a full-fledged alchemy lab on your ship?

Yes.

Before I forget...

These clothes belonged to the previous alchemist. You're about the same size, so try them on.

Oh, uh...

You can change in the storage room to your left.

Do I look weird?

Of course not. It fits you well.

Do you like it? The style is decades-old, but it was tailor-made with the finest fabrics.

It feels brand-new, though.

It was meant to be a coming-of-age gift. But he fell into the sea along with the shells of the Iberian Defensa the very day before reaching adulthood.

I searched for his body myself, but never found a trace. I only hope it was the fins that got him. There weren't quite so many Seaborn back then.

You've fought the Iberian Defensa?

This was before the Profound Silence, when we still sailed the high seas. This very ship, La Conquista, was captured in that era.

I don't suppose you have an interest in history?

No, I've just heard a few tales about the ocean.

Then fix the compass and see it with your own eyes.

First you wanted me to fix your compass, now you want me to follow you out to sea?

It requires an alchemist to operate it.

Let me have a good look at you. Hm... raise your collar a bit, wear the shawl over your shoulder... not bad at all.

Er, I can handle the rest...

Try to avoid any strenuous effort for a few days. Your injuries aren't life-threatening, but given the hygiene on the ship, you can never be too careful.

Yes, yes... Oh! I know what's missing!

How could I forget?

I haven't given you the compass yet.

Isidro takes the compass from Juana and caresses its surface.

It is light, and cold.

I can't guarantee success, but I'll give it my all.

Your all, you say?

When I make a promise, I intend to keep it.

Then you shall have all the support I can offer.

Good. First, I'll need an assistant. I'm not asking a lot, just someone clever and hard-working.

Naturally.

Right, and I have one other present for you.

If what the boss says is true, then we're out of options.

The townsfolk now control the route from the Flat to the inland, and we're their mortal enemies.

There's no way back. We have to face the ocean.

I...

Is there really no other way?

Señor Rus! Señor Javier!

Slow down and breathe. What's going on?

Th-They're back!

Who's back?

O-Our mates who got caught! They escaped and came back!

And they brought someone with them!

Take a look at this scallywag I found outside!

Healthy, works hard, don't eat much. And he's yours for two months of saltfin garum!

His face is kind of nice...

He's all skin and bones. A flick of a saltfin's tail would send him packing...

Hey! I take exception to that!

I'll have you know I'm ripped under this loose fit!

Okay, going for one-and-a-half months of saltfin garum!

For an absolute adonis like me? I'm worth at <i>least</i> a year of that fin stuff!

Shut up already! Can't you see no one wants you?

Going for one year of saltfin garum!

One month!

Two years!

Two weeks!

Three years!