act39side

What are you up to this late at night? I could see your torch from a mile away.

Night watch.

You forget we're in a town? No saltfins barging into the camp at night, and the roof above your head isn't getting blown away by a saltstorm.

I know. Just not used to it.

Room's too hot, the bed doesn't shake. I can't sleep.

Besides, something's not right here. That Calificador, Silver, brought us here, but where is he?

Probably just thinks he's too good for us.

The townsfolk are still on their guard against us. That's why they brought us here at night and hid us in these abandoned shacks.

Aren't we people too? How're we different?

...*sigh*

Give me the torch. If you're that worried, I'll keep watch.

You get some sleep.

You'll need to get used to being 'civilized'.

I see you're still eating the jerky from your ships.

Señor Javier?

Ah, yes, jerky.

This kitchen hasn't seen use in quite a while, but Silver had it specially repaired. The utensils should be readily available.

I hear that you've always wanted to be a cook. So why do you not cook when you finally have a proper kitchen?

I just can't. Not today.

Whyever not? Is this still not enough?

It's enough, I assure you. Never seen so many kitchen tools my whole life.

Why, then?

I insist on knowing, Señor Javier.

When you cook, it's not the knife in your hand you're thinking about, but the people who'll be eating it.

How can I cook when they aren't here?

All your crewmates are here. If you mean the ones who obstinately continue to resist, neither of us need regret their poor choices.

...Tch.

You have obtained so many things. Precious things. A kitchen, food...

Silver gave us this stuff, not you. Why're you the one preaching at me—

Silver is dead.

...You killed him, didn't you?

I did.

What about us? You gonna kill us too?

No. You are to walk the very path I did. The path of atonement.

Get any sleep?

I wish. I could live with the heat and the bed not shaking, but my room doesn't even get a breeze! Felt like my face was gonna turn to stone.

Count your blessings.

Look at the older mates. The wind's blown their faces right crooked. It's enough to send people running off screaming.

You're young, so you still got the chance to grow up into a real beauty.

I don't see any smoke from the kitchen. Is Javier still not cooking?

I'll talk to him.

Our clerics have searched every corner of your den. There was no compass.

...Guess it got burnt to ash.

The key figures in this affair—the girl who stole the compass, the graverobbing cannibal, and your former leader...

All have entered the depths of the Salt Flat with their ill-gotten gains.

You want us to go after them?

You know better than I how to navigate the Flat, and you know the fugitives well.

How much you paying?

...Excuse me?

We work, you pay. Isn't that supposed to be how things work around here?

The Flat's got a thousand ways to kill you. Massive saltfins, dozens of meters long—could tear you apart just by shaking their heads!

And Skeletal Reef is the worst of it. The steam blasts there could punch a hole right through you!

If we're risking our necks, we need a proper bounty.

Quiet, you fools! I'm sorry, we don't need—

What don't we need?! We've only been here a single night, so how're we supposed to put food on the table without work?!

Calm down, that's not what he meant.

You see, Señor Alguacil...

The caravans under inspection were carrying both coin and trade goods.

I have no use for such worldly possessions.

Hah, I knew they were hiding the good stuff from us!

Wait, it's not what you think—

You heard him, mates! Do the work, get the loot. Now quit yapping and start moving!

Anastasio sees those before him as puppets of desire. Regardless of their intentions, he believes their desires will inevitably lead them down the path of evil.

'Much like the pits of hell, the greed of man is bottomless.'

Are you an idiot? What do you think happened to Silver?

Church conspiracies are above my pay grade. Best I can do is play the fool.

There's no conspiracy, Rus. Silver's dead. Anastasio killed him.

He's no schemer, but a complete lunatic. And now, there's no one to keep him in check.

You got a better idea?

You know how the others see you. Your word as the leader isn't even worth a hot meal.

Not that you're even cooking anymore.

I can only defend you for so long, Javier.

...Fine, let's board those ships.

Ugh... it's so bright...

It hurts... everywhere...

You awake? You had a bit of fever last night, but it's gone down. Have some water.

Pascuala sits up and takes the bottle Teach offers her. The bionic seadragon is hard at work across the deck carrying a wooden plank while flapping its wings.

Juana stands at the bow, gazing into the distance. Behind her, Elysium twists his whole body as he strains to turn the heavy helm wheel, like some strange exercise routine.

The high sun shines bright. It hurts a little bit.

This is our last bit of water. One pouch per person. Make it last.

...Is there anything I can do?

Glad to see you up and about again, chica.

Repair the hull, reinforce the mast, process the food...

There's plenty.

Leaf's helping out with the repairs. Let her rest a little longer.

...No.

I lived through whatever that was yesterday, we didn't hit any skeletons all night, or get run over by a saltfin. Now I even have water to drink...

*cough*...

So I'm gonna do my part... to get out of this alive!

Give me your hand. I'll help you up.

—Hyup!

Here, your water.

And your portion of jerky. We talked about it and thought it'd be best if you focused on fixing the compass. We can worry about everything else.

As long as we have that, we'll find our way. As for the rest, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

How much time do we have?

According to Señora Juana, they'll catch up to us by tomorrow morning at the latest.

That soon? That's not nearly enough time to fix the compass.

Just do your best. If you can't get it done, she said she'll risk the Skeletal Reef, compass or not.

...Mm.

And this is for you.