Let's Play The Spirit Engine 2
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Chapter 4: Any Port in a Storm
Part 1: Her Maleficentness
You two stay here a moment. I'm going to go and make some inquiries with the Guard. Don't wander off, or I'll lose you.
When you describe it with the terminology normally used for a disease, I would agree. This place is nauseating, disorienting and... dangerous. We could be watched unknown by any number of eyes.
The sooner we can conclude our business here and leave, the better.
You can't be serious, Ionae! There is so much to do here, so much to see. This place is a crossroads between Lereftain and the Northern Exotics. Ships from all around civilised Medea dock here in search of trade.
It is my assignment to walk the land in search of new experiences to derive wisdom from, but in such a place I expect one could simply put down a chair, sit, and let it all walk by you.
You are as much a stranger in this land as I am, Ionae. Are you not curious?
Not at all. Curiosity seems to me to be one of the most unhelpful of human instincts, quite contrary to the instinct of self preservation. One is better off keeping to oneself.
Only if you assume that the world is a universally dangerous place. And being an optimist, and a well travelled one at that, I can assure you that it is not, Ionae.
There is so much to see, so much to learn and so little time for us each to do it in. Curiosity is what drives humanity forwards, and I consider myself blessed to be filled with it.
Then I shall happily leave such investigations to fools like yourself who are willing to poke their hands into fires to test their temperature. You'll get no sympathy from me when you get hurt.
Risk is all part of the great game, and life is empty without it. Are you a stranger to Lereftain, Ionae, or a stranger to the human race itself?
You speak the language with perfect emulation, yet you know so little of the local custom, or even the basics of life itself.
When I first met you, I was struck by your missing aura. Grandfather and I have spoken much about it.
Was it taken from you? Were you born without it? Or is it cancelled out by something darker? Just what sort of life do you possess?
Can I not do or say anything without you and your imaginary friend analyzing it? If either one of us here is a cause for concern, it's you.
I don't know what you're accusing me of, PyanPau, but I find it offensive. I have had a sheltered upbringing. One cannot help one's lineage, can one?
Perhaps. An interesting response. Please excuse my rudeness. Would you allow me a moment to pen some thoughts?
Since you've already started writing, I doubt my answer means much. What exactly is that book and what are you writing in it?
My diary is the single most important possession that I carry. It was given to me when I left the academy to seek wisdom in the world.
I am to fill it with my thoughts and share them amongst my fellows when I return, as great philosophers have done generations before me.
I am finding it difficult, though. Perhaps there is finite understanding to be found in the world, and I am searching in vain for new frontiers.
But you, Ionae, I doubt that even the great Karvey, had such an aberration from the natural order to observe. You may be my one chance to return significant new knowledge to the Academy.
You're writing about me? In front of me? Don't you think that's rather rude?
I find it best to do so when the need occurs. Valuable thoughts are like snowflakes on a spring morn. They hang in the air for a few brief moments, and if you do not catch them quickly, they melt against the warm earth.
Would you like me to do it when you're not looking?
I would rather you didn't do it at all. But since I am currently powerless to stop you, then I would prefer it, yes.
Maybe you could just turn around and pretend that I'm not here?
Much as I would love to do that, I find it very, very difficult. And flattering though the thought that you find me interesting is, PyanPau, I'd suggest you keep your distance. Curiosity will get you burned.
So!
Porto Vale. It rules.
Let's see what great and insightful encounters we will have in this city!
We kneel before you as your humble foot soldiers, my Queen. Command us! Direct your mighty army of the damned!
If our toil is not sufficient to please Your Darkness, we offer ourselves as a sacrifice Anything to serve you.
Take me first! Strip my soul and consume me, my Queen! I've been such a wicked boy!
Stop squirming around on the ground like that, it's pathetic. All of you. I think there's been some sort of mistake here. I'm no member of Royalty.
I don't understand. There is no mistake, Your Darkness. We have heard and seen your beautiful wings from afar. Your coming was prophesized. By Erik, I think.
No, it wasn't! It was me! Eric's always taking credit! I thought of it first!
...or maybe Morbior, we're not really sure then. What must we do to prove yourselves worthy of service to you?
I don't want you to do anything for me. All I want is for you to go away. You're causing a scene and it's going to get us into trouble with the Guard, or worse - the Inspectorate.
Let them come! Let them try to break us! We shall stand and fight and our bloody sacrifice will be a sign. The first battle in the beginning of the end of this cruel world!
Did you not hear her? She wants us to leave her to brood in solitude! Would you seek to disobey our Queen's orders?
No! It is a test! We must show our loyalty to the coming darkness! We must hold our ground!
You would defy the decree of our Dark Queen? Foul heretic! The mere sight of you sickens me!
Kill him! We must kill him! Spill blood for our Dark Queen!
No! Please, stop it! You lunatics, you'll get us all arrested. I won't want to be arrested again. I don't bear captivity well at all.
We don't understand, Your Darkness. Why do you reject us? You already have these two minions in your service. Think what you could do with a mighty army such as this!
They're not minions. They're travelling companions. And I don't need an army around me, let alone one comprised of pale-faced children. I don't want to cause a fuss. I just want to be left alone.
But we have spent so long in search of you, oh Queen. If we are of no use to you, we are nothing!
Better to end our worthless lives now than to keep living them in the knowledge that our miserable, fleshy bodies are not even worthy of sacrifice to your maleficentness.
I have a rusty pen-knife, brother. We can take turns using it!
No! No! Put that thing away!
Alright, I do have something that I need from you. In my most dark and sinister of quests, I need... a gem of great magical power. It is the gem of... the gem of...
The Gem of Kghstylis, your maleficentness.
Yes. What he said. And I want you fools to bring me two of them. In good condition. Only then may darkness reign and suchforth.
Our Dark Queen has spoken! Quickly, you worms, to work! Out of her sight!
They look like a local cult. Misguided wretches with too much time on their hands and a desperate need to feel wanted. They're mostly harmless, so long as they're kept occupied.
That gem, Denever. It doesn't exist, right?
Not that I know of, no. They could spend forever and a day searching and never find a single one. I think you're safe for now, Ionae.
Oh, thank heavens. I don't know what I've done to deserve this.
Sins in a past life, perhaps? Poor Ionae. I'm sorry, but you have to laugh. Hehehe.
Hmmph. You're merely jealous that you don't have your own army of idiots at your beck and call, PyanPau. We'll see who laughs last.
Next time: Porto Vale!
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