zumama

You're back, Zumama.

I read your letter. But shouldn't Gavial be dealing with the padishah's discovery of the Durins?

It's not that bad. Well, not anymore.

I took a shipment of Durin ale to his court, and that kind of washed away the suspicion that the spies had planted in his mind. Now he's convinced it's just a bunch of drunkards who popped up in Acahualla and can brew decent ale.

Problem solved, then.

You're back too, High Priest.

Since when have I failed to come back after getting blown up?

You got blown up again?

Please, High Priest, don't interrupt.

You hear that, Inam? Don't interrupt. Problem solved, everybody's happy.

You went off the rails first.

...Never mind.

Anyway, the ale went down so well with the padishah that he ordered Acahualla to 'start building things so it looks like people are actually living there and stop being an embarrassment to the satrapy'.

Now the Durins are busy building up their new settlement and don't have any time, so I had to call you back for the design. You think you can do it?

Zumama?

Those pretty steel buttresses by the lake...

Oh, the steel-framed sand castle.

It's a model of the new Zeruertza that Stitch built. The Durins loved it, and they're now modeling their new settlement after it.

Wow.

Wow is right. Now, as their neighbor, we need you even more.

What did the Tiacauh say?

No much, other than 'Bigger!' and 'Taller!'.

The one who wanted bigger got into a fight with the one who wanted taller.

Who won?

Neither. It was a draw.

Anyway, the Tiacauh settlement is counting on you in order to compete with the Durins.

You learned a bunch of stuff at Rhodes Island, didn't you? There's a different look in your eyes.

What about me?

You? You're fine the way you are. You can help out when you're in the mood; when you're not in the mood, well, it's not like anyone's counting on you anyway.

What? Did you hear what she said, girl?

Girl? Zumama? Operator Eunectes?

Eunectes does not hear a word.

She looks straight at 'New Zeruertza' by the lakeside. Perhaps she is admiring it, perhaps she is still processing the shock, or perhaps she is already thinking about competing with it.

Hmph! Well, if you put it that way, I'm not getting involved at all this time! You do whatever you want, and don't come begging for help if you screw up!

A few days later...

You're still here, High Priest? Are you not helping Zumama design the new settlement?

I said she can do it on her own this time and it's none of my business. Your memory is lousy!

You've got a long memory for grudges.

I'm a man of my word.

But it's been a few days. Where's Zumama?

You could always check for yourself, if you're worried.

No, na-ah, not going to happen. Your High Priest has got to lead by example.

Do you know what kind of settlement Zumama wants to build?

Wh-What kind?

Pfft.

Inam, how big of a project can Acahualla support with the resources we've got?

Well, I'm not sure how to answer that. What do you have in mind?

Bigger.

And?

Taller.

And?

...Let me think about it.

So you didn't get an answer either!

It needs to be bigger, and taller. Zumama said so.

I've already started gathering materials. Will you help?

I said it's none of my business.

(Laughs) Suit yourself.

A few days later...

Good morning.

Good morning, High Priest. Are you here for a bath?

No, just wanted to ask if the girl came to you lately.

Zumama? Yeah, she came.

How was she? Did she come begging for help with despair in her eyes, because Inam said what she designed wasn't realistic?

Not exactly...

Then what did she come for?

Croque, I wanted to ask, why haven't the Durins built a nomadic city, with all your advanced technology?

A what city? You mean those massive things with wheels that run around, transforming into fighting robots when they bump into enemies?

Yeah, those.

Let me think... why, indeed?

Maybe it's because there are no enemies? Or the underground railroads are too narrow?

Those are both true, but I don't think they're the key reason... Thinking, thinking... maybe it wouldn't be profitable? No, people would gladly pay for something as cool as a city that turns into a fighting robot...

It must be because everyone is inside the city, so they don't get to see the city transform from the outside.

Yes! That must be it!

What do you mean, 'Yes! That must be it'? Isn't it because there's no Catastrophes underground?

No what? Oh right, now I remember. People who come back from the surface say that's a thing.

You Durins are just as unreliable as the Tiacauh—

Wait, she's building a nomadic city?! Without me?!

Didn't you say you weren't helping? That's what Inam said.

Th-That's none of your business!

But there's so much to do in order to build a nomadic city. It's not going to build itself while she shuts herself in a room, is it?

Yota, do you think we're spending too much time using fully automatic high-power saws? Should we spend some time working out?

Weren't you telling me to rest more a little while back? Hey, what's that below the high-pressure saw, it just showed up?

High-POWER saw.

No, it's the High Priest!

Now you're getting even worse. How did you get those mixed up?

It's 'high-power'. No 'r' after the 'p'.

I mean—

He means me.

Oh, hey, High Priest. Haven't seen you in a while.

Yes, it has been a while. I heard the girl summoned you yesterday?

Yeah—

No!

No?

We didn't see Zumama.

Then who are you cutting down trees for.

Er...

Drop the act. More than one witness saw you meeting with Zumama. What did she say to you?

Oh, er, 'no man's city'!

First, we need wood.

Well, if you need trees cut down, you've come to the right guys. What kind of wood you need?