EA-2 But Only Farewell

...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 not 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 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.

....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!

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.

Theo, Theo!

What trouble has that boy gotten himself into this time?

Have you seen Theo?

...

Are you alright?

...Me? Yeah, I'm fine. Just... hungry. So what is it? Did you say something?

Just the person I was looking for! Has that boy Theo been up to anything suspicious lately?

...No. Just keeping himself busy, as usual.

Hmph, well he'd better.

Theo!

What are you doing here, Wakewoman?

Wait, you're—oh, 'The Singer'. What brings you here?

I heard rumors of chaos in the city, so I thought there might be something I could do to help. Alas, there is not. All I've heard is that the supply shortage was caused by Victorian sabotage.

I've only ever run into the Victorian army by accident, and you and Culann were the ones to save me at the time.

Also, the information you've provided us on the wakemen has been truly fascinating—

Ah, sorry sir, but I really don't have time to be reminiscing. But I could use your assistance. Culann's apprentice, Theo, has gone missing. Can you help me look for him?

I am... unable to help with that.

The cityfolk are angry enough at the Victorians to flay one alive. Why bother running around looking for a Victorian child?

Forget it then. I'll go look myself.

Remember that the celebration will start in just over an hour. Don't you need to deliver the sacred instruments symbolizing the wakemen's blessings to the venue?

Gah!

*Sigh* Sorry, I really must be going now.

...

What do I do now...?

Nemos? Is that you?

I've finally found you. What happened in the city?

I've checked every inhabited street, and found no sign of Theo anywhere. All I saw were the flames on the townsfolk growing even stronger, as if a sudden gale had swept through.

What's more, everyone just seems used to it at this point. Getting rid of the flames would only terrify them. They'd only have numbness in their body.

Does this mean it's too late for the people of Na Saoirsí?

...No. I can't think that way. My first priority is to find Theo. I should go find that nomad named Brigid, the one Nemos mentioned.

But... would anyone really be willing to pitch a tent outside the city, just because they can't get into the Dark Woods?

'Walk out along the right side of the guard outpost, then wade through the creek'...

Ah. I think this is it.

A Perro with blonde hair. Tall, yet agile.

This must be the Brigid Nemos mentioned—

You know me?

No, I don't believe we've met before. Nemos asked me to come find you. My name is Reed.

You...

You're not the red dragon from the city.

What? I'm not a red dragon at all, I'm just—

You're not the one from the city—you're a different one. A second dragon returning to the city... just like the old stories.

And you can tell with a single sniff?

Sure can. Your flames smell different.

But that's none of my business. What can I do for you, Reed?

Theo's gone missing. Nemos told me you might have an idea where he is. I've heard you often chat with him when you're in town.

He's missing?!

He went out this morning and never came home, and the city's in chaos today. We searched all over Na Saoirsí, both Nemos and I, but there was no sign of him anywhere.

But I saw him just before I left the city! He was doing fine—

No, I can't say he was 'fine'...

Anyhow, I went to the citadel after that, then left town. Haven't seen him since.

Where the heck could he be?

Theo! Theo!

Should've knocked him out and carried him back with me when I had the chance.

Say something, Theo! This time you're coming with me, you hear?!

Um, where are we, Brigid?

This plate was dragged out during the war, supposedly to appease some noble or other. But when they brought it back, it was left like this, barely clinging on to Na Saoirsí. And no one's bothered fixing it up.

Theo always hides out here when he's feeling wronged.

Could he have left the city?

...I've only seen one person leaving the gates—Emma from Lagran Street. Theo sure wasn't with her.

What's more, she was taking a cartful of who-knows-what to the entrance of the forest, all by her lonesome. She met up with someone there, they took the goods, then she came back by herself.

And she didn't notice you?

The cityfolk don't see too well. Or hear. Or smell. Besides, I was pretty far from her.

So she delivered a large shipment and returned by herself... Where did all those goods come from?

What does this Emma do for a living?

Runs a grain shop. I've delivered letters to her before.

So a shopkeeper... left the city... and now keeps close at home...

Seeing how this is the only lead we have, we should hurry over to Lagran Street.

Brigid? Reed?

Hello. You wouldn't happen to have seen Theo around, would you?

Theo? Did Nemos send you to find him?

That's right.

Nope, haven't seen him. Heavens knows where that boy has run off to. I hope he didn't skip town along with the spies that set the ag plate on fire.

How can you—

Brigid. We need to find him.

How about Emma, then? Have you seen her anywhere?

She closed up shop early today. Actually, I came to see if she might be willing to reopen for me, but... I guess I wasted the trip.

*Sighs* There it is again, that cold burnt smell. It's been everywhere in Na Saoirsí lately.... I can't stand it.

I've been meaning to ask: are you able to smell purple flames?

Yeah. The scorched stench of the red dragon's flames. Lately, even the cityfolk have been reeking of it.

It's not just the smell... The fire itself has spread to them.

What? How? I don't see any flames on 'em.

So you can't see them either?

I was gonna ask the same thing. You saying you can see the flames?

Then again... *Sighs* Makes sense. You being a dragon too, and all.

The cityfolk live so close to the other one, even worship her like a god—guess it was only a matter of time before they got burned.

Emma, it's me. Brigid.

Emma!

Is she not in?

With that purple flame stench comin' out of the keyhole? Must be someone in there. So what now? Break in?

...I don't see any other options.

Whoa, so dragon-fire can burn through locks, too?

...Let's save that conversation for later. We need to get in there.

Here, Officer, have a drink. We may not have a proper feast, but there's more than enough booze to go around.

Cheers.

Oh, if it isn't our resident Wakewoman. The Leader invited you too?

I'm here... to present the sacred instruments to the red dragon on behalf of the wakemen.

Ooh, offerings from the wakemen? Let's see what you've got... a whistle? And what else?

Samhain is almost upon us. The wakemen do not have much left to offer. This is all they could spare.

That's it?

My sincerest apologies.

Weren't you the one swearing to us you'd bring in those ritual doodads to give this celebration the dignity it deserves?

I'm sorry, I didn't think it through...

Who cares? It wasn't Nemos's idea, anyway.

I was against it from the start. What's so auspicious about offerings from people who deal with ghosts and corpses all day? We should be glad they only gave us a whistle.

Of course you'd take her side—she saved your life. But we can't just laugh this off! Tell us, Wakewoman, how do you plan to take responsibility for this?

...

Quiet!

This was not solely her responsibility. If you truly wish to hold the wakemen accountable for disrespecting The Leader, we can revisit the matter later.

Set aside the matter of the ritual objects for now. The Leader sent me ahead to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves.

These are difficult times, so we're keeping things simple—there will be no feast for the ceremony. But feel free to go and relax until she arrives.

Not you, Wakewoman. I expect you to provide Her Highness an explanation for your failure.

Perhaps you could take this chance to curry favor with the other officials. They could put in a good word for you later.

I'll... pass on that, thank you.

Quite the righteous one, I see.

Brigadier, sir, these fellows, have they always been like this?

Ha. Always?

The Bureaucrat once exhausted himself managing logistics for the Silverrock Bluffs front. He went days without sleep, until he was so worn out that he nearly collapsed on the Na Saoirsí agricultural plate.

The Cruel Officer is a cold-hearted scoundrel, to be sure. But during the war, the wealthy merchants and nobles hoarding grain near Na Saoirsí would tremble at the mere mention of his name.

The Torturer I've seen take pleasure in others wailing and screaming. But I've also seen him charge into the enemy ranks like a rabid tuskbeast.

Now, though? Had Her Highness not vetoed it, they'd probably be enjoying a lavish banquet right now, even with the city as it is.

*Sighs* Will our dear Brigadier ever remove that stick from his arse?

You look like you're in a bit of a mood too, Bureaucrat. What's wrong?

What's wrong is that the city's almost out of grain, and I'm responsible.

Well, what can you do? It was a poor harvest.

(*whispers*) Besides, didn't I tell you to pin it on the Victorians? That Emma girl said exactly what you told her to, and the townsfolk took the bait, so what's the problem?

(*whispers*) Even if there is a famine, these people treat The Leader like a god. They'd never turn on us, never.

(*whispers*) Or are you afraid Emma will spill the beans?

(*whispers*) No. She's been on edge since she got back, but she follows instructions to the letter. I'm not worried about that.

(*whispers*) What worries me is the merchant who met with her—there's been no word from him. Normally, we'd have heard something by this morning.

(*whispers*) So there's a little delay, what's the big deal?

What are you two muttering about over there?

Oh, uh...

We were discussing that hero, Culann.

Oh? What about him?

At the time, he told us he took out a whole squad of Victorian scouts in the Dark Woods by himself. Four or five men, by using the terrain to his advantage. Said there was one child left behind, but he couldn't bring himself to finish the job. Sound about right?

But think about it. Why would a scout squad bring a child with them?

Huh? The Wakewoman already explained that. The scouts had taken hostages—a group of merchants who'd travel between Tara and Victoria—and forced them to guide them through the forest.

Sure, I buy that there was a caravan, but the scouts? *sighs* I don't know about that...

'but the scouts? I don't know about that...'

I'll go get you some more.

Here you are, your beer.

Thank you kindly. Now where were we?

The Dublinner's ugliness at the celebration banquet.

Oh, right.

Well then. The true star of the party is about to make her entrance...

*sighs* Well, I—

Tch.

What is it?

Is there something crawling on my head?

Ha. It may be freezing here in Na Saoirsí, but at least there are still bugs. Don't move. I'll grab it.

W-Wait...

...Uh, one of the decorations fell down. Go on, put it back.

Such enthusiasm, Mr. Bureaucrat!

Your Highness?!

I-I just wanted to catch this stray beetle for you!

Of course. Why would I blame you for that?

O-Oh, alright then.

By the way, about the sacred instruments I reported to you about...

A trifling matter.

What is truly important is that my faithful servants be rewarded for this victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the very hall where the treasures of the ancient King Gaeil were once displayed.

The furnishings had all been looted by the Victorians, as they are wont to do, but we have finally returned most of them to their rightful places.

That beetle you were chasing was awarded personally to a capable official. He was praised for his tireless work in gathering ever last grain of the harvest and storing it in the treasury.

And now, you are worthy of the same. Without you, our army would likely have collapsed from hunger a hundred times over.

Go chase it down, for it is yours. As long as it is willing to land on you, you will always have the right to collect our grain.

Yes... Thank you!

Now then...

It seems none of you can stand to wait any longer.

How about this, then: everyone, feel free to take whatever in this room you desire.

Go, my servants. These are my rewards for your loyalty.