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Until she realizes she is back at the forest entrance.

....This is the fifth time!

Not going to let me leave? Really? Forcing me back into the city, is that it?

Hmph. Well, I'm not going back.

I'll set up a tent outside the forest if I have to. I'll get my chance to leave, sooner or later.

...Hm?

Wow. There are so many people here...

Sorry. Please make way—

—Aah!

I've been to Millington Street already. It was picked clean ages ago! The shops are still open, but the shelves are all empty! Even the shopping bags are gone!

Kraman said they had stuff left here, so I ran five blocks only to find not even a single fowlbeast feather left!

Might as well go back, grab my crossbow, and sneak past the guards to hunt in the Dark Woods—at least I might get some real meat before I starve.

...What?

You've really gone crazy from hunger now—going into the forest is a death wish!

And you're <i>not</i> crazy? Stop talking like you know anything!

Who are you to say I don't know anything? The grain store on Lagran Street, Emma's place, you know about it?

Haven't had a chance to check it out yet. What of it?

I went there and had a look. There's no grain left, but from what Emma says, it's all because of those bloody Victorians!

The Victorian bastards have been blockading us since forever. This isn't new, so why act like it's a big shock?

Because their spies have already infiltrated Na Saoirsí!

Come again?

When Emma went to visit the ag plate, she saw the charred remains with her own eyes. Dublinn is still investigating!

Bloody hell! We should've struck back the minute Tara gained independence!

You're right about one thing though: you should go get your crossbow. Not to hunt, but to root out the traitors!

Of course, if <i>I</i> caught them, I wouldn't let them off that easy. A quick death is too good for them.

(*Whispers*) I guess the stores have been cut off from the supply of grain...

(*Whispers*) I boiled a few potatoes for Culann, but is it enough?

(*Whispers*) There are too many people here. I'll take another route.

(*Whispers*) Lots of them are armed too...

(*Whispers*) Are they planning to hunt down Victorian spies? But there's no grain left in the city... what does that have to do with the Victorians?

(*Whispers*) But I....

(*Whispers*) I...

I'll be fine. I'm Mr. Culann's apprentice—everyone knows that.

Don't be afraid, Theo. No one will hurt you.

Theo crouches down and squeezes through the crowd, making his way to the opposite corner of the street. He nimbly slips through a dark, narrow passage and emerges on the other side of a brick wall.

The noise of the crowd gradually fades from his ears.

....See? No one gave me any trouble.

Mr. Culann must still be busy with the dragon sculpture. By the time he notices what's going on around him, all the stores will be empty.

I need to help him.

Take these and give them to the neighbors. Tell them not to worry.

What about you? Or Nemos? Will she have anything to eat?

Instead of giving us grain, it'd be more useful to help everyone catch the spies. Otherwise, we'll never get to the root of the problem.

...I'll go. Please let everyone know.

But for now, just take them.

Nemos stands with The Leader, so it's only natural to endure a little hardship for everyone's sake.

...Alright then. Thank you.

Hey Culann, you must have more where that came from, right?

Besides, how'd you know we'd be running out of grains? Did Nemos tip you off in advance, or...?

What are you saying, Rory?!

If you don't want any, fine.

How do I know you or Nemos aren't spies? You've both been raising that Victorian boy together!

...Get out.

What, did I hit a nerve? Am I right? Are you really—

Culann! I heard you've been distributing grain! Impeccable timing! So where is it?

Everything that's left is right here.

Don't change the subject. You still haven't answered me.

I've said everything I had to say. If you feel these potatoes will dirty your hands, then give them to someone else.

Why you—

Do you want them or not, Rory? If not, then let me have them. There are plenty of hungry bellies to feed. Don't be ungrateful.

Now give them here—

Why should I?

You don't want them, right? So give them to me!

Fat chance!

Ugh—Aaahh!

The potatoes in the bag were very small. None had the usual oval shape.

My arm!

My God! He's bleeding! How could you turn a blade on a fellow Taran, Rory?!

I, I—

Drop the sword.

Don't make me use my hammer on you.

Y-You're the only one we can count on, Culann.

Something's been off about Rory lately, I'll follow him a bit, to check up on him. He's been out of sorts ever since his antique collection got burned in the war.

As for his blade, just take it. Don't let him have it back.

Culann... I... Ughh...

The wound isn't too deep. Come here, I'll stop the bleeding. As far as the grains, I'll have Nemos think of a solution when she gets back.

I know... ow ow ow... I know. You're giving away everything you have.

But you know, you're not as scary as you look—

Ow!

Don't talk. Save your energy.

I might have some cornmeal left at home. Let me check.

You can have it, then I'll walk you home.

Culann! Are you and Theo doing alright—

...Why is there blood in here?

Rory lost control and slashed someone.

Where's Theo?

He left a while ago for—

Dammit!

You—

*Sigh* Forget it. No one could have foreseen things getting so bad, so quickly.

How are things in the city?

Rumors are spreading everywhere that the Victorians destroyed the ag plate, and Na Saoirsí is about to boil over.

I know no one dared to go after Theo after you stood up for him, so you felt safe letting him run around. But this time... it's different.

I have to go find him.

Do you have time for that? Aren't you making that statue?

It only needs to be finished before Samhain. There's still a little time left...

Dammit! Dammit!

I'll worry about Theo. You just focus on your work.

Okay.

Have you seen Theo?

Theo? Where has that boy run off to... Slacking off again, no doubt. Culann spoils him too much. You really should talk to him about that.