act39side

Chaval.

Teach? What's going on?

Javier led the Inquisition to us. Señora Juana is being held captive in the captain's quarters.

Why did you come back?

I don't know... Same reason as you, probably.

Wait... is that one of your friends hiding on the opposite deck?

Huh? Is that Isidro? I guess he really did come back.

See, I told you. I mean, even I couldn't stay away.

Of course he'd come back when he saw the fire. He's my best amigo, after all!

What about me?

Why did I have to come too?

Um, to help put out the fire?

Ugh...

Wake up, señora!

Perlita... Where's Nene? You shouldn't have come back.

I set it free in the Flat. It may be weak, but better out there than getting killed by mutineers.

We can't just leave you here.

You don't look well...

What did they do to you?!

Nothing... just gave me some drugs.

You could have fled. You would have lived.

I didn't take you for someone who would give up so easily.

Now that we're all here, don't we have better things to do than just talk? You know the Salt Flat better than anyone else, señora. Is there anywhere we can go?

How big is our group?

Twenty-four.

Excelente. Enough to commandeer a ship.

Which one?

La Conquista.

That's the oldest one, slower than the newer salt ships.

But I know it best.

Besides, because they consider it an antique, it will be lightly guarded. All the easier for us.

I'll take eight men up to the deck and get rid of the sentries. The others will go in through the side with Elysium and deal with the rest.

What about me?

Stay with Señora Juana. She's... not at her best, and won't be able to move as quickly.

Okay.

What's that noise?

Argh—

Ngh—

My aching bones... Maybe I'm getting too old for this.

The guys on the deck are out cold. I tossed 'em overboard.

Good. Climb the mast and be ready to hoist the sail at my command. We'll need full speed on the double.

You done over there?

We got the ones below deck.

A hand, please.

Now we wait for the boss.

Search inch by inch. By the Alguacil's orders, we must find the compass.

We've turned every room upside down, but haven't found anything remotely like it.

Keep looking. Don't miss a single nook or corner.

Yes, sir.

Señores, the Alguacil has issued new orders. A squad is to come with me to pursue the fleeing alchemist.

And why are you the one delivering the order?

What's wrong with that? We're still working together according to our agreement.

Very well. Wait here while we muster the men.

Gracias.

What is Javier doing over here?

No idea, but he's gotten rid of the warrior priests for us, even if he didn't mean to.

When they leave, we can continue behind those tents.

They won't be able to see us from any of the salt ships.

I can see you've become an expert at sneaking through our base.

Ngh...

Hang on. We're almost there.

Okay...

Go on to the deck first. I need to fetch something from the lab.

Be quick.

A ship from the old era...

Does your desire for the compass point towards the source of the calamity, the ocean?

Where did I leave it...

You.

...You.

It is you who has been leading the raids.

And it is you who has been repairing the compass.

People always tell me to look for the good in others.

The truth always proves them fools. When first we met, I knew you intended to take the compass for your own sinful alchemical research.

I was right.

The compass is no more. I'm still trying to scrape what's left of it off the transmutation table.

That black mud? No, that is not the true compass. Your lies have no purchase here.

Must the Inquisition spill so much blood for each thing it loses?

You know that the compass corrupts the heart.

It's nothing more than a tool for sailing the seas.

Sailing the seas. Hah.

Those who attempt to elude both judgment and the reins of morality often seek out thorny paths that few have walked, and distant shores that none have reached.

As if their accomplishments could offer sanctuary for their sins.

I don't recall sinning.

Harboring a thief, feeding upon the remains of the townsfolk, assaulting a cleric of the Inquisition, associating with bandits who menace the town... Is that not enough?

Pretexts and framed crimes.

And now you begin to deny your sins.

All who have sinned will desperately deny it. I was no exception.

But I learned to accept my sins, and thus discovered the path of atonement.

My life was born from the evils of cannibalism. My very being is a sin. I am unworthy of the liberation of death.

But you were once pure and upright, before desire corrupted you. You have the right to die.

I will free you.

You're insane...

I don't have time for this!

Strange. Why isn't Isidro here?

It's all right. He must be somewhere on the ship, so everybody's accounted for.

Just waiting on your orders, señora.

Hoist the sails.

We sail.

This ship...

(Mierda, Juana doesn't know this lunatic is in here!)