Tales of Steam and Sorcery

"While standing up to both of those is unreasonable, it still remains in our favor to stand united on this. We may be able... to all together decide to throw our weight one way or the other" Says Rebecca.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - Morning (Day Two)

"Interested?" Said Weston, astonished. "No, of course I don't want this to happen! I just don't think you passing along a letter to people who hate you will do anything! Especially on the onset of war!" He said, crossly. He paused for a moment and sighed. "I don't have any idea how to stop this... If you think anyone - especially in Circium - is going to believe that a part-creature part-machine undead snake-thing ravaged this town on the Border..." He shakes his head, eyes to the floor, rather despondently. "Well, good luck. Maybe you won't meet their soldiers along the way."

---

"To one side or the other?" The mayor seemed rather shocked and saddened by his daughter's statement. "Well, then tell me, Rebecca;" He put a hand on her shoulder. "Who would you have us stand against? Your tutors, the Anilixians who taught you science and mechanics, or your friend Katherine Wolfe, who introduced you to magic? While we are neither Circite nor Anilixian, it would be foolish to deny that we are simultaneously a mix of both." He sighed heavily. "My daughter, my dear sweet child, I am so sorry for this. For all of this. I had hoped that the Rebellion would be the last time these fair lands would ever see bloodshed in the name of war, that you would never have to live through something like that. Alas, it would seem that my wishes were not to be granted." He shook his head, sorrowfully. "If you wish to try and rally the other towns, then I shall not stop you. Perhaps you are right, and I am merely being a cynic. But i warn you, please, do not get your hopes up too high. I would hate to see you more miserable than this abysmal situation has already made you."

Not entirely dead.

Ferrus sighed, leaned back onto a chair. "I understand your doubt about that, but honestly it's better than Anilix. I love my country's ideals, but the utter chaos it will be enveloped in as they no doubt attempt to mobilize for war will be a worse impediment than a country simply hating me because I make machines. I know it's hard to believe, Weston, but I do believe in at least occasional application of prudence, and I could probably talk my way over into the country. And yes, that proof... nothing is left? Not even the scales of the creature? The presumably unbreakable ones?"

edited 14th Oct '12 5:51:13 PM by Taco

"I've had a long life, Father. Not as long as yours of course, but still rather long and with no prospects of it ending any time soon. I guess it was just a matter of time before some conflict passed my way. However, I do not intend to let these circumstances carry me along where they may like a leaf on a river. I won't rest idle and fear what comes from both sides of the Border. If this war is to happen then so be i, but I'll fight for it to be on our own terms" says Rebecca, her eyes full of pure determination. Her body might be tired, but her spirit would never give up the fight "It's been over a century since I first became a woman grown, Father. Whatever comes our way, I shall stand up to it"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two)

The day had passed slowly, with the anxiety and dread of the coming war lurking in the back of everyone's mind. Gossip and unnerving questions arose among the townspeople; it took at least a day for the common man to reach the border from most Circite or Anilixian cities, but couldn't the militaries of the two nations be faster? The common man had no rolling war-machines, spewing smoke behind them as death spread ahead of them, or towering golems with thunderous footsteps and an unstoppable stride. And what's more, as clouds gathered on the horizon, obscuring the setting sun and the sky it painted a blazing shade of orange, people wondered if there may yet be more monsters on the loose, and whether they could survive another attack. Not all towns had been as fortunate as Weist Town, after all, and whatever did away with them was still out there, somewhere...

Just as many of the nervous townsfolk were sitting down for dinner, a small dirigible floated quietly to the ground. It had shut off its engine just moments before reaching Weist Town, conserving just enough fuel to make the trip back, if need be. It glided to the ground just a short walk away from Weist Town, hitting the ground with a sudden bump that would no doubt disturb its passengers. It was a curious sight, and not an altogether welcome one, given the oncoming war.

Not entirely dead.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two)

Aileen took a step out of the dirigible, letting her naked feet feel the grass beneath them as she took a long deep breath "Ah... Air... I've almost forgotten how lovely it tastes... I feel stronger and fifty years younger already"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist town - Border - evening of the second day

Varlam had been staring out the windows, amazed by the change in landscape. The amount of plant life and green was more than he'd ever seen in person. Once the dirigible landed, Varlam ran out quickly, making sure not to bump into Aileen in the process, and went right over to a patch of ferns where he got down on his knees to check them out right up close.

He blinked at them, and poked a few of them here and there. Then he looked back at Aileen, trying to work out which of a many questions he wanted to ask he would ask first. Finally he settled on, "you're over fifty?"

edited 6th Nov '12 12:44:27 AM by FirockFinion

You are reading this.

Weist Town

Ferrus woke up in his room, again surrounded by joyous ragtime from his alarm. The repaired armor sat in a corner, now wrapped in a steel locking device, safe to be left alone for the day. So, instead of the full ensemble, Ferrus just strapped on his sword on his hip and shield on his back over his... Overalls? He supposed they would now be Oversomes. He headed downstairs and began eagerly munching on some homemade Sanderssen Pancakes, trying to figure out a Plan today. The creature's fang, the only part still intact, sat in his room.

Then people started talking about the zeppelin that landed in Weist Town. Never before had the inn's door received so much Ferrus-based energy and remained intact.

"112 winters I have lived through if I'm not wrong" says Aileen non nonchalantly as she found a patch of flowers and then decided to kneel down to feel their fragrance "How old are you then, Varlam?"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist town - Border - evening of the second day

Varlam stood up and thought to himself for a bit, briefly counting out on his fingers. "More than twelve, less than... twenty. Most call me 'kid'" Varlam said slowly and ended with a small shrug. His exact age had been a secondary concern as an orphan. He knew which day of the year was his birthday, and usually tried to celebrate it, albeit in a rather toned down manner. But, he hadn't kept track of how many he had had.

He looked at Aileen again and tilted his head a little. "You don't look like over hundred. Is some kind of Circium magic?" Varlam asked curiously, having seen propaganda about people in Circium warding off death with magic. Of course, since it was propaganda, it usually depicted them as looking like wicked old hags, and had the magic involve a blood sacrifice of some sort.

Varlam had a hard time picturing Aileen doing that. In general, he half ignored most of the propaganda anyway.

edited 6th Nov '12 12:56:28 AM by FirockFinion

You are reading this.

"Indeed, a few rituals every so often, a certain lifestyle some magical exercises and such have kept me this way through a long time" says Aileen modestly "Still, I've heard of people on Anilix that do the same... albeit in a different way"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - evening of the second day

"Yes, but it is... Replacing body, with machine" Varlam said, briefly reminding himself of a girl he knew that had replaced her right hand and eye. Granted, she was around his age, so it was due to an accident rather than body failing with time.

Then Varlam glanced around, remembering what he had seen from above and comparing that with what he was seeing now. "There is town not far away, yeah? Might be place to spend night" Varlam suggested, pointing in the direction of Weist Town. He started heading that way himself, to at least take a look around and maybe ask a few people about a place to stay.

That, or ask them about Circium. It could go either way with Varlam.

edited 7th Nov '12 9:02:27 PM by FirockFinion

You are reading this.

Aileen shuddered a little at the idea of merging with a machine, but respectfully kept her opinions about such in check. She merely said a simple "I see" before following Varlam, believing his choice of finding some shelter for the night a wise one.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two

As Aileen and Varlam progressed towards the town, however, they would quickly spot several figures on horseback riding towards them. The duo would quickly find themselves surrounded by these figures, who point an eclectic mix of weapons at them. "Hold it right there!" Said one women, jumping off a semi-translucent green horse to point a pistol at them. "You... You don't look like any Anilixian scouting party I've ever seen..." She said, uncertainly. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Not entirely dead.

Weist Town

"Isn't it obvious?" a certain Engineer called out from about a hundred feet away, jogging at a steady pace to reach them. "They're from Anilix, and they want to do something about the inevitable war!"

Ferrus slowed to a stop as he got within normal speaking range. "And—it's false! I need you people to listen to me, I know about the attack yesterday, I was there!"

Weist Town - Border - evening of the second day

Varlam stopped as he and Aileen were surrounded by the figures on horseback, and looked at their weapons with a mix of worry and curiosity. Before he could respond to their inquiry, another figure arrived and spoke out. Varlam glanced at the man, then at the guards, and back and forth a few times, looking very much like a child who was confused about the current scenario and bit upset that they were confused.

"Scouting party? No, I headed to Circium, and she had to leave Takei" Varlam tried to answer, motioning at Aileen. "I am Varlam Motya, and this is Aileen... Um, what war? You, you at Takei yesterday?" Varlam asked, assuming that Ferrus meant the slime monster attack.

You are reading this.

"No." Ferrus said. "But it confirms my theory: another monster, a vast beast covered in scales and a really, really bad attempt at framing Circium attacked. I slayed it with the assistance of a brilliant inventor and two magical women, and it decayed almost immediately. I have the only part left, its fang." Ferrus shook his head, holding a hand to his temple. "I'm sorry, I got overly eager just then, with all that talk of war; it's been at the forefront of my mind since the attack."

"Wait, wait... this is going too fast. I'm a woman of the Khaletti tribes of Circium. I was residing on Takei on a personal quest when I was forced out and rescued by this young man. I know nothing of Takei spies or this war you speak off" says Aileen.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two)

"Then you must not have been in Takei very long." Muttered the woman, holstering her pistol. "Alright, stranger. You seem harmless enough, I guess. You can call me Lieutenant Raede, and we're with the Town Watch. A police force of sorts... It's complicated... Anyway, come back to Weist Town with us and we'll get things sorted out." She said.

The rest of the guards put their weapons away and dismounted from their semi-translucent horses, which promptly vanished. Lieutenant Raede lead the way back to Weist Town, speaking as she did so. "And actually, the war is mostly just hearsay so far... Or, at least, we haven't seen any War Golems or Death Tanks..." She glanced over her shoulder at the duo. "There's talk of troop movements from the heart of Anilix, and a declaration of war from Circium's Arch-Mages. What's more, just yesterday we were attacked by... Something... A monster, but not like any I've ever heard of. I hesitate to call it a snake, but that's what it looked like... We lost some good people that night..." She paused for a moment. "Wait... Did you say something happened in Takei yesterday?"

Not entirely dead.

Weist Town - Border - evening of the second day

Varlam nodded as the other three spoke, to help confirm the bits about the monster attack; or in Aileen's case, the whole thing. When the guard asked, Varlam stepped in again. "Yesterday, slime monster covered in mud attacked Takei; swallowed up people. Nearly swallowed me too, but Warren helped me blow it up" Varlam said, letting a little pride etch into his voice with the last part there.

Then it came down again as he got to the next part. "The people were angry and confused. Think she did it; had to get her outta town before mob caught her" Varlam added, motioning to Aileen.

You are reading this.

Aileen, for her part, merely nods her head somberly letting them know that which Varlam says is true.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two)

"Sounds rough." Lieutenant Raede notes. "I can't say we've seen anything quite like that over here... It's awfully suspicious, though. And this was yesterday? Just like our attack?" Her brow furrowed slightly. "Maybe it was Circium... We are closest to the Anilixian side of things, after all... I wonder if anywhere else was attacked..." She paused briefly, and for a moment they walked on in silence. "Wait a minute," She said, turning back to look at Varlam over her shoulder again. "Who's Warren? A friend of yours?"

Not entirely dead.

Weist Town - Border - evening of the second day

"Yes, attack was just yesterday. During bad storm, monster came on train tracks" Varlam said, a little solemnly, but glanced at Aileen when Raede guessed that maybe Circium was behind it. "I think, not all Circium people bad... I head to Circium myself, to see what it's like" he continued, going back to Raede and thinking about her next question.

"President Warren. He let us spend night at Steam Palace, and let us use dirgible*

" Varlam mentioned as well, smiling again. "He is nice man. Gave me fresh clothes, as gift!" he added, indicating he meant the clothes he was currently wearing.

You are reading this.

Weist Town - Border - Evening (Day Two)

Lieutenant Raede stopped, turned around and looked at Varlam with surprise and confusion. ""President Warren?" She said. "As in, the president of Anilix? He sent you here?" Baffled, she looked over to Aileen. "And you came with him? On the president's dirigible? You, a witch from Circium?"

Not entirely dead.

Aileen nodded her head solemnly "He provided assistance to me in my hour of greatest need. At request of Varlam, but he still knew full well just exactly what I am"

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.