mudrok

Kazdel doesn't just have to be where the Soul Furnace is.

The soils, the bogs, and the sands. Perhaps in those serene, expansive, and peaceful places, can we find our true Kazdel...

Our true home.

The group simmers down. Quietly, they wait.

Until Mudrock places the urn down, and murmurs faint words to the earth.

Until the earth tremors and the mud and rocks answer her call, forming a furnace roughly the height of a person, as they have done for Mudrock countless times during the journey here.

Until firewood is placed in the furnace and a modest flame is kindled, there is no wailing or bellowing—only the soft crackling of the firewood.

Mudrock.

Mudrock!

Is that you...?!

I didn't expect you'd be all the way out here. You sure gave me some trouble.

Nice seeing you again, Mudrock.

...Bob?! It really is you—you came!

I got held up a little on the way, but I made sure I got here just on time.

But your camp was empty when I got there, so I was worried something happened. Good thing I haven't lost all my skills from my bounty hunter days—

Bob!

Big Bob! You actually came!

I had to. The Mudrock Squad wants beer, and who am I to say no?

So you're... Big Bob? You brought us beer... for real?

Oh, are you the new guy?

You got it. Everyone, I give you, beer!

Bob's Farm special brew, brought to you by courtesy of the owner, and enough for the whole Mudrock Squad.

But judging by the mood, now's not a good time to pop caps?

No, no...

Bob, the timing is perfect. Now's the right time... for some beer.

Mudrock opens the urn and scatters the ashes of a warrior who has traveled a long way home into the flames.

Then, she takes a beer from Big Bob.

She pours the golden, foamy liquid into the furnace, causing a few cracks and bangs, echoing like the laughter of a friend who arrived too late for the Sauin parade.

(Sniffle)

Damn the smoke's choking, right?

...Yeah, and you all know how my mask... doesn't block dust.

Anya... Anya...

*hic*...

Sobs can be heard from the Mudrock Squad as the remaining paraders gather by the furnace.

Watching the dancing flames, each one reflects on those who should have been here but are no longer.

...Bob, got more beer?

Plenty more.

Gimme one! I'm not gonna let Anya drink the lot!

Everyone... come get your bottle.

Uh, if you have any spare...

Here!

My Originium refrigeration broke down on the road anyway! With this much to drink, the Mudrock Squad is gonna need all your help!

The cold beers work their magic, and the tears soon stop.

Stiff upper lips relax, and tipsy faces flush with red. Sobbing turns to singing, which blossoms into hearty conversations.

The aroma of hops drifts into the darkness, where the souls slumber.

Mudrock! If you can make shelters and Colossi out of earth, you think you can uh... *burp* make something... uhh... poetic?

Poetic?

Like—if you turn all this Kazdelian wasteland into soil so dark and rich you could drink it—that's right... turn it into a barley field!

Turn it into a berry orchard!

I vote barley field.

See—see!

Homburg, think carefully! The only thing Jürgen can brew is sparkling vinegar! If I get my orchard, I promise you'll have berry wine every single day!

BER-RY WINE! BER-RY WINE!

Bob, thank you. We couldn't have done this without you.

No. Something tells me, even without any beer to save you from drinking piss, it's still a cozy Sauin tonight.

Also, I'm sorry. I wrote before that I'd visit you in Columbia, but now you had to come to Kazdel first.

Nah, I kinda like it here. Columbia's got the wheat fields and the hops, but there's also the ATAO...

The... ATAO?

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Arts Units and Originium. In short, pesky taxmen who won't give me a break.

I thought about sending someone to deliver the beers, but I needed some time away from the ATAO. Plus, had to make sure nothing went wrong with the beers.

Besides, you did ask me for a sample of hops, right? Figured I'd just bring you a whole truck of beer.

But what will happen when you get back...

Who knows! Those hounds love to bite. They might have me arrested the second I'm back on Columbian soil! Haha!

Haha...

What about you? You and your crew gonna bunk here for good?

No. There'll be a day when we leave, when we resist.

Against who?

Ursus's lords, Leithanien's nobles... No, not just them.

Oh, music to my ears. Can you put the ATAO on your list?

(Smiles) Assuming we do go to Columbia.

But truth be told, it's a lot harder resisting the things you have to... than the things you choose to.

The two fall silent, while over by the furnace, the lively banter carries on.

But for now, at least, the fact that we're still alive, carrying our dreams and memories, and laughing from our hearts—it's our own, small way of resisting.

In our collective home.

In Kazdel.