Deus Ex Machinarium

In the end, they left Sheridawn well after midday. Even though all the kinfolk participated in repacking and loading the mules, and did it in an extremely efficient manner, against the backdrop of Nord's urging for speed, and cheers, laughter, and comments from the onlookers. Up until a city's militia patrol came around and ordered the crowd to disperse.

Anh was proud of his handiwork. Only five robes, ten pairs of spare underwear, and two pairs of soft-sole moccasins. Three shirts, two pairs of linen trousers. A very carefully curated selection of books, a dozen of them, which seemed topical for the trip - about navigation, maargardian fauna, a copy of Vihrs' Wisdom - Cammona edition of 1392, a guide to Isdelburg, some romance novels from a local writer. All packed under Brandt's watchful and discerning eye.

A tubus was also included, containing several sheets of parchment and several more sheets of wood-pulp paper, along with four inkwells, each with different colored ink, a few dozen quills, a dozen reed pens of different rigidity, and also some other items of the might-be-useful category. Like paper clips and writing backing. Two nightgowns. A sextant. A compass. A blue sleeping hat with a pompon. Another sleeping hat with a pompon, but dyed pink instead. Stack of handkerchiefs and some sashes.

All in all, minimalistic, bare essentials.

The other mule Anh packed with his companion in mind, thus there were two pots of slightly different sizes, with a spatula and two spoons. Ten kigram sack of oatmeal. One kigram of absurdly expensive raisins from Usterl. Two kigrams of dried beef. Some dried fruit and a pouch of herbs.

In all honesty, one mule would be enough for all of this, at least in Thernohh’s opinion. But she was quickly reminded that they expect more things to be picked up along the way.

Neither Anh nor his kinfolk understood Brandt's exasperation when it came to the size and weight of all the luggage. Whatever the hoomin thought about any of this, he kept it to himself. Anh suspected he wasn't all too happy, but instead of voicing it, he just helped to pack and secure everything onto the mules. Then, finally, after a short ‘ceremony’ of handing over the shop keys, they moved out in a curious procession, where Brandt led from the horseback, followed by the mules and with an enrobed tanai floating a bit to the side and glancing around curiously.

It took a better part of the candle to navigate through the streets, queue at the bridge, and then get everything checked at the western gate. That last bit threatened to be a source of even more delay. But it went smoothly, as the banker had all the paperwork in order. Soon the dull grey walls of Sheridawn disappeared behind a fold in the terrain.

Early spring on the Gisean plateau was a showcase of mud in a variety of forms and consistencies. The snow was at this point but a memory, and all the water had already seeped into the soil, making it wet. Those of the fields that weren't left fallow were awash in fresh greenery of the staple crops sown at the beginning of the winter. A damp carpet of grass universally covered meadows or pastures, whereas the forests and woodlands were still a grim collection of naked trees with only a sprinkling of nuggets of budding greenery. Thankfully, so close to the spring equinox, Bivos kept in the skies long enough to melt the snow over the last few weeks and maintain the temperature at somewhat tolerable levels. This in turn promised that in a short time flora, both natural and farmed, would spring to life.

This was something that Anh hoped his companion would also partake in - being alive that is - because ever since they left Sheridawn, which was a few candles ago, Brandt barely spoke a word.

-* if we’re meant to spend more time together *- grumbled Greoo -* he could be more of a companion * otherwise its going to be one boring trip *

-* i think we need to give him some time *- replied Anh -* he might be one of the quiet types * recall our meetings from before * all business * no small talk *

-* i know! *- she continued -* but nonetheless, this is infuriating *

-* speak for yourself *- Thernohh chimed in -* i enjoy the companionship of our, well, companion * he isn't really bound to do anything *

-* what do you mean? *- said Greoo

-* what i mean * he has no obligations towards us going beyond our contract * likewise us towards him * what we are doing is pure business * once we are done we part ways * no need or a reason to make this into a lifelong friendship *

-* i would like to point out *- Birdekk joined the conversation -* that we still don’t know where we are going * which is something anh could bring up *

-* we are going to the na-no-forge in the wildlands *- said Thernohh -* this is kind of obvious * i mean * the one in maargard is going to be either looted or built over at this point *

-* you don’t know that *- said Tow -* and even if we take that as a given * which i don’t agree with * we haven’t discussed the issue with our illustrious active leader *

-* why would you not agree with that? *- burst out Thernohh.

-* because precursorial artifacts were, and are, found regularly * even in cammot and maargard * hoomin spread wide * just not that wide *

-* goblin kingdom * tow * the place of the first vihrzug *- shot Thernohh -* of any places * that one is void of content *

-* may be *- said Birdekk -* but regardless we still need to discuss the matter with brandt * dominant * please? *

-* sure *- Anh finished the exchange - “ Mr Zerster. To which of the two outlined locations do you think we should go?

The hoomin barely reacted, apparently deep in his thoughts. He was gazing forward into the slowly greying sky and seemed to simply let the horse follow the tract almost on its own accord. Anh trailed somewhat behind and to the left of the Nord, but now has sped up slightly to catch up. His burden animals were tied by the bridle to Brandt’s horse.

-” Southern Maargard” - replied Brandt, suddenly straightening in the saddle and looking over at the tanai - “I spent an evening poring over a map. I've followed your suggestions and reasoning, and I've managed to narrow the location of that particular… how did you pronounce it? ‘nenaforge’?"

-”Na-no-forge.”

-” Yes. I narrowed it to within a few dozen kimers of the town of Katzburg on White Orda.”

-” Any reasons why there?”

-* Because there is an old fort from the first vhirzug there? *- uttered Tow.

-” There is an old fort there. Kaar Erste. The first castle established as the Guard of Maaren.” - replied Brandt, unaware of having been already commented on - “ I gather it was built on an important site from First Vihrzug. There were several battles with the goblins in that area, fought over several years, which finally secured the land under the Maaren People's rule.”

-* good thinking *- commented Tow -* please continue *- Greoo giggled a bit, hearing this

-” The border has moved far to the northwest since then, and the fort has been abandoned, but Katzburg remained. A fairly busy town, trading mostly in wood over Orda.” - the nord recited all this as if he was reading from a 'Guide to Southern Maargard'.

-* tentative * i must say he did his research * need to hear more though *- commented Tow.

-* it's precisely the reason why we should not go there *- Thernohh’s mental voice was dripping with sarcasm -* whatever was there, has already been built over a dozen times *

-* that is also undeniable *

-" However… this is not the sole reason why I think we should start there.” - the hoomin continued as if he was never interrupted. Because in his experience, he never was - " For a very long time, the entire region around Katzburg had been under an unofficial control of the Ordo Pvrgatore. With a large office and contingent of functionaries and workers. Which is rather odd, because the town isn't exactly a main den of heresy.”

-* there isn't anything about this in any of the books I've read about the region *- said Tow -* could he be lying? *

-" How do you know this?" - asked Anh out loud.

Brandt shot him a side glance.

-“ I know this from a… well, let's call him an informant. A source I am unwilling to disclose, for obvious reasons. The veracity of this account is confirmed though, so…" - he paused for a moment - ”Anyway. Such an office only makes sense if precursorial artifacts were not only found but also in great numbers. My thinking is thus if the ‘na-no-forge’ thing was indeed there, then these artifacts were sourced, at least partially, from it.”

-* which is the reason why there is nothing there now *- shouted Thernohh -* because they scooped it all *

-* i kind of agree *- chimed in Birdekk -* if there indeed is an oddly placed office of the ordos * then it both confirms that there was something there and digging for treasure at their doorstep is seeking to get hurt *

-* can’t argue that *- added Anh -* however* wildlands are far away anyway * the faster we go there * the faster we’ll be home *

-* domin is right *- sadly added Tow -* i actually would like to go there * but dealing with purifiers is probably not worth it * although confirming our hypothesis on the precursor coordinate system would be nice and much easier done going to katzburg *

-* greeo? *- Anh nudged her to take action -* do you have anything to say *-

-* i’m fine with whatever action you take * we are going to visit enough maargard anyway so we can go straight to wildlands *

Brandt was probably aware that something was happening inside of Anh’s skull, as the back and forth between the dominant and subservients took a few drips of awkward silence, but thankfully, or tactfully more like, he didn’t react.

-” I agree that the closer location is… well, closer.” - Anh finally spoke his mind - “ But despite that, I think we should move towards the site in the Wildlands.”

-” Explain your thinking please, Mr Trawins? ”

-” Well. Firstly. I agree that Katzburg is closer, and so it'd be quicker to check, but even that will add something like two or three weeks to our journey.”

-” Yes. That is indeed the case. A necessary cost.”

-” Right.” - there was a hint of hesitation in tanai’s voice. He cleared his throat - “My thinking is that if there is indeed an office of Skola Pro Cvrsi in Katzburg, and it is there for the reason you stated, then it is a good enough reason on its own to try and avoid this one and try the Wildlands site.”

-” There was an office there.” - replied the Nord, fixing his gaze back on the horizon - "As far as I know, they vacated the area perhaps a decade ago."

-” Yes… but. Skola most likely collected anything worth collecting. Also, doing any excavations so close to a populated area is… well, risky. In my view, it will just act as a significant delay before we can go towards the more promising site.”

The Nord just frowned and nodded.

-” I need to think about it. We’ll talk more when we get to our first stop.”

-* he is against *- nonchalantly stated Greoo -* he already made his mind up *

-* then why won’t he just say so? * - said Anh, frustrated.

-* i’ll give him the benefit of the doubt * but maybe he recognizes our consensus as valuable * and wants to give it a chance to change his mind * so far he seems like a very sensible person * did all yous noticed that he is very tactful when we discuss stuff *

-* i noticed *- said Tow -* and i respect that *

-* so did i *- begrudgingly admitted Thernohh -* it does not make his decisions any more justified *- she added dismissively.

But then the road stopped climbing and Greoo forced Anh to turn around. The view was spectacular. Bivos was now behind their back and its rays illuminated the entire valley down below, crisscrossed with dykes, fields, and an occasional grove of trees. Veisa meandered slowly right through the middle, like a wide ribbon of pure silver. And right there, in the center of the entire valley lay the city of Sheridawn, with the majestic Spour Castle, ruling over the streets and buildings like a giant mythical creature. Anh felt a pang of nostalgia. As soon as he puts roots somewhere, something comes along and rips them out again. From where he stood, he could just about make out the right bank of the river, with its docks and towers. Somewhere there was his shop. Somewhere there was his home.

He sighed heavily and turned around, speeding to catch up with his new companion, who by then had traveled a good few dozen mers down the track.

-* adventure awaits! *- screamed Greoo? ecstatically.