Глава 13

The people of Norport are squeezed into holds meant to store ammunition and weapons, trying their best to find a clean place to sit down.

This is not the best accommodation, even if the most dangerous weapons have been removed. Vina's gang are doing their best to maintain order.

The refugees whisper about her amongst themselves. The officers on the ship pay no heed, nor does Vina respond to their calls of 'Your Majesty' or 'Your Royal Highness'.

Regardless, she has become the heart and soul of this place.

Perhaps the civilians don't even realize themselves, but the reason they trust Vina is not so much because of her status, but because she is the only one they can rely on in this unfamiliar environment.

How goes the war?

The number of reports coming in is unreal. Too many variables to keep track of.

The Duke of Wellington's offensive is unsteady, and our own defensive lines are being pressed...

We should have an overwhelming advantage in terms of forces, even if the dukes have yet to commit their full strength. We are facing a foe beyond the scope of modern military theory.

The Nachzehrer King... the only thing we know about him comes from sparse records of ancient times.

It has been too long since Victoria, indeed Terra as a whole, last faced a real Sarkaz army.

What chain reaction will their witchcraft produce? Are they really as primitive and backwards as the records say?

What force have the various Sarkaz branches come together to form, where we can't see them? Why do they stand together?

No need to worry too much, though. Mother... Duke Windermere and Duke Wellington will conduct this war together.

The Duke of Caster has also publicly declared her allegiance. The stalemate will not last long.

Once we return to Irnclad Galavae, both supplies and support will—

Whoa! What was that?

Looks like we're passing through a canyon... a good thing. It means we're about to leave the battlefield.

A canyon.

I feel even less at ease.

I know where mother's confidence comes from. This ship is defended by Windermere's pride, her Swordguards.

If the Sarkaz think this merely a reckless act by the Duke of Windermere, they will find themselves on the receiving end of blades that have been honed since the War of the Four Emperors.

But do we truly know the Sarkaz?

Is the ship slowing down, Siege?

I think so. And the weather outside... say, what time is it?

How long has it been since we left Norport?

A few hours, I think.

Is this just an ordinary canyon?

Yes, nothing remarkable besides some abandoned factories...

Abandoned factories. Yes, this place has been abandoned since before Londinium fell into chaos.

Why? Because of Catastrophe.

The massive crystal formations that Catastrophe left behind...

Be careful!

Hey, I'm talking to you!

Something's not right.

There's a different smell in the air.

I look around instinctively. All the elite soldiers in the hold are gone.

This is not right!

Get away from him, Hannah!

Siege pulls her back before I can.

I see the soldier smiling at me.

Look out!

It's too late.

Blood seeps from the gaps in the ceiling, dripping into the infiltrator's eyes.

Drip.

Merge.

Spread.

Blood?

Where did this blood come from?

Look out!

Siege pushes me away. An instant later, a blood mist bursts where I stood.

Soon, the entire hold is engulfed in crimson.

Blood mist? Sarkaz witchcraft!

Too many civilians here.

Morgan, Dagda, Indra.

The four of them exchange gazes, and take up positions around the frightened crowd.

The emotions in the crowd ranges from shock to panic. Some in the corners begin to scream, without even seeing exactly what happened.

Go down! The stairs are to the north!

Lady Delphine!

Are you the ship's doctor?

We're under attack by witchcraft. The ship's casters can't decipher it yet. The Duke and—

Damn, how did they—

Look out!

A claw slaps away the sword that was inches from his throat.

The blood mist disperses, then reconverges, taking a gooey, wet form.

A Sarkaz emerges from the bloody shadow.

(In Sarkaz) The Vampire's witchcraft has taken hold.

I know that outfit... the skull mask...

(In Sarkaz) The Sighs of Kings... one variable to eliminate.

(In Sarkaz) Cause chaos and eliminate the outblood. Hesitate not to spill your own blood.

(In Sarkaz) Oh?

You were part of the siege of the Knights of the Tower...

Careful! I've gotcha!

(In Sarkaz) You will die here with your king, Victorian.

(In Sarkaz) Do it.

(Mother is on deck, but we still have civilians and our people below... I...)

Delphine! Your left!

Ugh!

Careful.

Sorry, thanks.

There aren't many of them. We can pin them down. The reinforced compartment is one bulkhead away. Get the civilians there—

No, there's something more important that you must do.

Those people came with me. I promised to protect them.

Duke Windermere likely doesn't know how bad things are below.

Go and inform her. I'll hold out until your reinforcements arrive.

But I—

This suits us better. You have a formal command structure. There's no way to integrate us quickly.

Vina...

Go!

Damn, you've got a hard head. Almost made my hand go numb.

*Sarkaz profanity*...

(In Sarkaz) So be it. The Sighs of Kings will be spoils enough.

(In Sarkaz) Surround the Aslan.

Get ready for a brawl, mates.

For an instant, I wished I was with them.

Like when I first joined Slobberknocker Gym, when I went from being alone to being in a community.

Cador, and... Baird.

We stood together.

This ends now.

The swing of the hammer compresses the air in the passage. It roars.