1 00:00:00,420 --> 00:00:56,020 Speaker 1: Planesguard. 2 00:00:56,980 --> 00:01:02,860 Speaker 1: Chapter one: Festival Day. From Nikolai's Journal of Villamancy, page 3 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:08,900 Speaker 1: seven. Disease: Nightcrosis. Symptoms: Putrification 4 00:01:08,960 --> 00:01:14,020 Speaker 1: of flesh when exposed to night sky. Duration: permanent, 5 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:20,900 Speaker 1: but practically speaking, given the effects, not long. Transmission: bodily 6 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: fluids. Other notes: A wonderful little disease. Once it has done its work, be sure 7 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 1: to swing by the rotting corpses of your enemies to collect more samples. 8 00:01:33,780 --> 00:01:38,340 Speaker 1: Mother Lysandra looked at the assembled crowd and grew increasingly worried that she 9 00:01:38,380 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: was the most important person in the room. The representatives from the physical 10 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:47,980 Speaker 1: plane looked far too bookish to her. They looked like assistants to leaders, not the 11 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:52,180 Speaker 1: leaders themselves. In a word, they were expendable. 12 00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:58,780 Speaker 1: The delegation from the magical plane wasn't much better. Representatives from all 13 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: 10 great houses, but fewer than a dozen masters total, and nearly half of those were 14 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 1: from her own house. It did not bode well for their peace talks. What was the point 15 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:14,340 Speaker 1: in talking if neither side was willing to listen? The moderator filed into the room 16 00:02:14,380 --> 00:02:19,940 Speaker 1: on the ground floor. The robed man surveyed the crowd as he walked up to the podium, 17 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: waiting for the crowd of 100 to come to order on its own. Father Emir leaned over to 18 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:31,700 Speaker 1: whisper in her ear. "Where is Nikolai?" Lysandra looked at the empty seat at the 19 00:02:31,740 --> 00:02:36,300 Speaker 1: end of their box and rubbed her temples. Even the House of Commons was failing 20 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:41,620 Speaker 1: today. By the love of the Original, couldn't they get anything right? It was a peace 21 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:47,100 Speaker 1: talk. If this didn't merit full attendance, what did? War, maybe. 22 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: That was the only thing that both sides seemed fully invested in at the moment. 23 00:02:52,220 --> 00:02:58,180 Speaker 1: Fools. Children. Imbeciles. "Perhaps he will deign 24 00:02:58,260 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: us with an appearance later." Father Emir shrugged. "It might be better if 25 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:10,060 Speaker 1: he didn't come." "Don't say that." Mother Trista, Master of Identity, 26 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:14,900 Speaker 1: leaned over and giggled. "Maybe he's with the other Masters of Burden." 27 00:03:14,900 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 1: [sighs] More levity, when they should 28 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: all be focused on preventing a war. There were no other Masters of Burden. 29 00:03:27,180 --> 00:03:31,340 Speaker 1: There were some practitioners scattered across the planes, but none that rose to the 30 00:03:31,380 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: level of master. She shivered. Who would want to? She wouldn't say 31 00:03:37,420 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: it, but she agreed with Emir. It was best if he didn't come. The moderator 32 00:03:43,460 --> 00:03:48,100 Speaker 1: smacked his gavel against the podium, evidently tired of waiting for the room to 33 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:53,820 Speaker 1: realize he was still standing there. The crowd slowly quieted. "My 34 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: name is Rex Cobbler, and I'm the mayor of this city, and I've been appointed as 35 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: moderator for these opening talks." [clapping] "Oh, I 36 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:11,020 Speaker 1: feel sorry for him." "Love his name, though. Rex Cobbler." "Shh." 37 00:04:11,180 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: Mother Lysandra shushed both of them, though they were hardly the only ones talking. 38 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:21,500 Speaker 1: "Sorry, Mother." Lysandra ground her teeth. She 39 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: wouldn't have to use her honorific in a literal sense if they would all just behave 40 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: like adults. Father Catar, at least, sat quietly with his arms crossed, and 41 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:38,700 Speaker 1: she looked a little closer, his head bowed. He was asleep. 42 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 1: Mother Lysandra threw her head back and stared at the ceiling far above. By the 43 00:04:44,340 --> 00:04:50,220 Speaker 1: Original's grace, why did she even try? Everything about this event was a sham. 44 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:55,500 Speaker 1: She was beginning to think Nikolai had the right idea by not even showing up. 45 00:04:55,500 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: [fire crackling] 46 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: Father Nikolai, Master of Burdens, representative of the House of Commons, watched 47 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:15,300 Speaker 1: closely as the street merchant fried an entire onion. "Now, 48 00:05:15,820 --> 00:05:21,380 Speaker 1: you say you can fry anything?" "Yes, for the last time, the 49 00:05:21,460 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 1: stand's called Fry Anything." This place could not rightly be called the 50 00:05:27,140 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: physical plane. Nikolai had already asked this stranger to fry half a dozen things. 51 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: He'd even gotten the man to fry his own shoe after he offered entire gold coin for 52 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:43,140 Speaker 1: it. If that wasn't magic, what was? Nikolai narrowed his eyes. Of 53 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:48,980 Speaker 1: course, the street merchant wouldn't be able to tell that. "Would you fry 54 00:05:49,060 --> 00:05:54,900 Speaker 1: your own hand?" The merchant laughed once. Nikolai waited 55 00:05:54,960 --> 00:06:00,780 Speaker 1: in silence. "Wait, seriously?" "You learn the most about a man 56 00:06:00,860 --> 00:06:06,824 Speaker 1: by testing his limits." I'm not frying my hand. The merchant 57 00:06:06,884 --> 00:06:11,424 Speaker 1: set the fried onion on top of the plate of other fried items, a few of which were 58 00:06:11,524 --> 00:06:17,144 Speaker 1: certainly inedible. Hmm. That'll be all then. I see now what you're made 59 00:06:17,364 --> 00:06:23,184 Speaker 1: of. What's that supposed to mean? I think you know. The street merchant 60 00:06:23,264 --> 00:06:28,944 Speaker 1: set down his tongs and took one step toward Nikolai. Listen, buddy, I don't know 61 00:06:28,984 --> 00:06:32,724 Speaker 1: what's up with the mask, but I think it's time you got back to the circus. 62 00:06:35,224 --> 00:06:40,664 Speaker 1: Nikolai left the man. He considered breaking a vial of blastwarts as a parting gift. 63 00:06:41,204 --> 00:06:46,604 Speaker 1: It was probably poor form, though. The peace talks were already doomed, so it's not 64 00:06:46,644 --> 00:06:51,124 Speaker 1: like he could jeopardize them further, but the practice of vilemancy certainly 65 00:06:51,184 --> 00:06:55,764 Speaker 1: didn't need to be further sullied. He lifted his heavy case onto his back and 66 00:06:55,804 --> 00:07:01,024 Speaker 1: continued down the row of festival vendors. There was a cornucopia of delights here, 67 00:07:01,724 --> 00:07:07,704 Speaker 1: food and performers, music and dance. Who would want to be stuck inside in a stuffy 68 00:07:07,764 --> 00:07:12,604 Speaker 1: building, arguing with people who had no intention of listening? All of this was so 69 00:07:12,784 --> 00:07:18,024 Speaker 1: strange, and yet so familiar. Nikolai grabbed a young man by the shoulder. 70 00:07:18,844 --> 00:07:24,844 Speaker 1: Excuse me, what are you celebrating today? The young man gave him a very long, 71 00:07:25,044 --> 00:07:30,304 Speaker 1: uncertain look, then walked off. So Nikolai approached a group of children who were 72 00:07:30,344 --> 00:07:35,504 Speaker 1: watching two dancers, their dirty little faces fixed with awe at the spectacle. The 73 00:07:35,544 --> 00:07:40,884 Speaker 1: dancers weren't very good. Children, what are you celebrating today? 74 00:07:42,224 --> 00:07:46,484 Speaker 1: One of the kids spared Nikolai a glance, then promptly went back to watching the 75 00:07:46,524 --> 00:07:51,884 Speaker 1: dancers stomp their wooden shoes on the ground with a rhythmic clacking sound. No 76 00:07:51,944 --> 00:07:57,944 Speaker 1: one answered him. Very well, then. I forbear reading for 77 00:07:58,024 --> 00:08:03,624 Speaker 1: dexterity of hand. Nikolai felt an electric tingle run down his arms, 78 00:08:03,884 --> 00:08:08,944 Speaker 1: then suddenly felt twitchy and energetic. You, dirty child, 79 00:08:09,744 --> 00:08:15,504 Speaker 1: watch this. Then he pulled three daggers from his heavy black coat. The child 80 00:08:15,564 --> 00:08:21,364 Speaker 1: glanced back and his eyes went wide. Nikolai threw the daggers into the air one by 81 00:08:21,484 --> 00:08:26,924 Speaker 1: one, giving them just a little spin. He caught each one and threw them back into the 82 00:08:26,984 --> 00:08:31,544 Speaker 1: air again, a decent display of juggling. If he was willing to forbear something more 83 00:08:31,584 --> 00:08:36,344 Speaker 1: important, he could juggle the child, too. Though he suspected that was a bad idea, 84 00:08:36,484 --> 00:08:41,944 Speaker 1: given how many knives were in play. The kids turned one by one to look at him and 85 00:08:42,004 --> 00:08:46,484 Speaker 1: started clapping in time, cheering as he added another knife to the array of flying 86 00:08:46,584 --> 00:08:52,264 Speaker 1: objects. Nikolai did a complete spin one time and still kept juggling. He 87 00:08:52,324 --> 00:08:57,284 Speaker 1: nearly skewered his left hand, but fortunately no one had noticed. He used his coat 88 00:08:57,344 --> 00:09:02,024 Speaker 1: to sweep all four daggers out of the air in a final flourish. The children stood up 89 00:09:02,064 --> 00:09:07,444 Speaker 1: and clapped. Even the dancers clapped. Now, children, what are we 90 00:09:07,544 --> 00:09:13,484 Speaker 1: celebrating today? Independence Day. So that's what they were 91 00:09:13,564 --> 00:09:18,784 Speaker 1: calling it. Father Nikolai looked at the paper banner hanging above the dancers. The 92 00:09:18,864 --> 00:09:24,004 Speaker 1: runes written there were unfamiliar. He leaned toward the closest child and pointed 93 00:09:24,064 --> 00:09:29,724 Speaker 1: at the banner. What does that say? She eyed him suspiciously. That was 94 00:09:29,784 --> 00:09:34,544 Speaker 1: good. It was never a good idea to be too friendly with a stranger throwing knives 95 00:09:34,604 --> 00:09:40,504 Speaker 1: around. Independence Day. Ah. He 96 00:09:40,544 --> 00:09:45,504 Speaker 1: would need to get reading back later. The young man he'd seen earlier stepped 97 00:09:45,524 --> 00:09:50,064 Speaker 1: between him and the excited children, who were now bouncing around demanding another 98 00:09:50,124 --> 00:09:56,084 Speaker 1: show. Can I help you? Hmm. I doubt it, but I'd love to hear your ideas. 99 00:09:56,764 --> 00:10:01,564 Speaker 1: The young man gave him that blank stare again. Not a lot going on between those 100 00:10:01,664 --> 00:10:07,164 Speaker 1: ears. I said I doubt it, but I would love to hear your 101 00:10:07,404 --> 00:10:12,984 Speaker 1: ideas. I heard you. Quiet down. Why are you dressed like that, anyway? What are you, 102 00:10:13,064 --> 00:10:18,684 Speaker 1: a performer? I'm supposed to be, but I couldn't be bothered to stay inside. 103 00:10:20,864 --> 00:10:26,544 Speaker 1: Stop with that look already. Does everything confuse you? Come on, kids. Let's go. 104 00:10:27,604 --> 00:10:31,804 Speaker 1: Then the young man shuffled the assembled children away from him. They fussed, 105 00:10:31,984 --> 00:10:36,064 Speaker 1: demanding to see another show, but eventually something else caught their attention, 106 00:10:36,284 --> 00:10:41,924 Speaker 1: and the young man had to chase to keep up. Ah, the universal fickleness of 107 00:10:42,024 --> 00:10:47,484 Speaker 1: youth. A group of men with clubs on their belts pushed through the crowd at the end 108 00:10:47,544 --> 00:10:53,344 Speaker 1: of the street fair. The man from the Fry Anything stand pointed directly at Father 109 00:10:53,424 --> 00:10:59,104 Speaker 1: Nikolai, and the peacekeepers started jogging toward him. Looked like it was time to 110 00:10:59,164 --> 00:10:59,604 Speaker 1: go. 111 00:11:07,924 --> 00:11:13,144 Speaker 1: Chapter Two. Brown Street Orphanage. From Nikolai's Journal of 112 00:11:13,224 --> 00:11:18,624 Speaker 1: Forbearance, Page 12. Forbearing your skills is a staple for any 113 00:11:18,744 --> 00:11:23,964 Speaker 1: situation. Don't forbear anything you'll need soon, and don't forget to pay back 114 00:11:24,024 --> 00:11:24,944 Speaker 1: your debts. 115 00:11:31,704 --> 00:11:36,524 Speaker 1: It took Xavier almost an hour to get the kids back to the orphanage, even though it 116 00:11:36,564 --> 00:11:41,384 Speaker 1: was only a half mile away. They fluttered between every spectacle, no matter how 117 00:11:41,444 --> 00:11:46,964 Speaker 1: small, and he couldn't find it in his heart to stop them. Come on, in you go. 118 00:11:47,984 --> 00:11:53,284 Speaker 1: He held open the door while the last child trudged up the steps. This sucks. I want 119 00:11:53,304 --> 00:11:58,784 Speaker 1: to stay out. Where did you learn to say that? Trev crossed his arms and shut his 120 00:11:58,844 --> 00:12:04,144 Speaker 1: mouth comically tight. I'll give you a copper piece if you tell me. It was Wendy 121 00:12:05,312 --> 00:12:10,992 Speaker 1: Xavier shook his head. "Get inside, Trev." "Where's my coin?" "You'll be 122 00:12:11,192 --> 00:12:16,952 Speaker 1: lucky I don't tell Wendy you ratted her out." Trev scowled, then rushed inside. 123 00:12:17,572 --> 00:12:22,452 Speaker 1: Xavier took one last look at the distant street fair. He could still hear the music. 124 00:12:23,312 --> 00:12:28,032 Speaker 1: It would be wonderful to spend the whole day there, alone. It would be wonderful to 125 00:12:28,072 --> 00:12:32,972 Speaker 1: have the money to actually enjoy it. He closed the door and shepherded the kids into 126 00:12:33,012 --> 00:12:37,612 Speaker 1: the common area. He hardly needed to. Now that they were inside, they all rushed to 127 00:12:37,652 --> 00:12:42,752 Speaker 1: Miss Maria to tell her about everything they saw. Wendy mentioned the masked man 128 00:12:42,792 --> 00:12:47,532 Speaker 1: with the knives three separate times, and each time Miss Maria acted just as 129 00:12:47,572 --> 00:12:53,172 Speaker 1: surprised. That encounter had been especially strange. Something about the man had 130 00:12:53,232 --> 00:12:58,972 Speaker 1: seemed dangerous, but not violent. Xavier was well-versed in both types of people, 131 00:12:59,192 --> 00:13:04,272 Speaker 1: and his intuition was rarely wrong. Still, it hadn't seemed like a good idea to let 132 00:13:04,312 --> 00:13:08,912 Speaker 1: the kids near him. Miss Maria finally dispersed the children with the promise of 133 00:13:08,972 --> 00:13:13,592 Speaker 1: supper if they cleaned up first. Once they'd cleared the area, she walked over to 134 00:13:13,652 --> 00:13:16,752 Speaker 1: talk to Xavier. "So, how was it?" 135 00:13:18,432 --> 00:13:23,712 Speaker 1: Xavier shrugged. "Still feels weird. It's only the second time we've celebrated it. 136 00:13:24,032 --> 00:13:28,672 Speaker 1: Isn't it kinda weird to celebrate independence when you're still at war? Seems a 137 00:13:28,712 --> 00:13:34,412 Speaker 1: little premature." Maria smiled faintly, the many creases of her face framing the 138 00:13:34,492 --> 00:13:40,212 Speaker 1: smile, only emphasizing it. "I believe you can be both independent 139 00:13:40,352 --> 00:13:45,912 Speaker 1: and at war. Lord knows we all need an excuse to celebrate." "I guess." 140 00:13:46,772 --> 00:13:51,992 Speaker 1: She watched him for a silent moment. "Is something wrong, Xavier?" 141 00:13:53,512 --> 00:13:58,252 Speaker 1: [sighs] "Only a million things, but a million things she already knew. 142 00:13:59,332 --> 00:14:05,032 Speaker 1: Nothing new." "It's okay to be restless. You're young. You 143 00:14:05,092 --> 00:14:10,652 Speaker 1: deserve to get out and explore, find your place in the world." He shook his head. 144 00:14:11,332 --> 00:14:15,712 Speaker 1: It was so easy to say things like that, but what would happen to Brown Street if he 145 00:14:15,811 --> 00:14:21,052 Speaker 1: left? What would happen to the kids? The only reason he was even halfway functional 146 00:14:21,112 --> 00:14:27,052 Speaker 1: was because of this place. He deserved to be on the streets, dealing fire vein, but 147 00:14:27,112 --> 00:14:33,072 Speaker 1: instead, he found a home. Plus, it's not like Maria was getting any younger, and 148 00:14:33,112 --> 00:14:38,152 Speaker 1: there wasn't anyone else. So no, he really couldn't get out and find his place in 149 00:14:38,172 --> 00:14:43,372 Speaker 1: the world, not even if he deserved it. "I've got what I need here, but 150 00:14:44,192 --> 00:14:44,732 Speaker 1: thanks, Maria." 151 00:14:47,452 --> 00:14:52,192 Speaker 1: Maria leaned her cane against the wall and motioned for a hug. He walked into her 152 00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:58,212 Speaker 1: arms. "I can barely fit my arms around you anymore. When did you get 153 00:14:58,312 --> 00:15:00,772 Speaker 1: so big?" "Hmm." 154 00:15:02,532 --> 00:15:07,732 Speaker 1: She pulled away from the hug just enough to look at his face. "Do you remember what 155 00:15:07,792 --> 00:15:13,072 Speaker 1: you said you wanted to be when you grew up?" "A peacekeeper." "No. 156 00:15:13,932 --> 00:15:19,712 Speaker 1: You told me you wanted to be a tree because they were big." "I'm still working on 157 00:15:19,772 --> 00:15:24,192 Speaker 1: it. There's still hope, right?" She tapped him lightly on the chest and retrieved 158 00:15:24,232 --> 00:15:29,692 Speaker 1: her cane. "You need a new dream now, 159 00:15:29,892 --> 00:15:35,392 Speaker 1: Xavier. You're not trapped here." "What? What was wrong with being a tree?" 160 00:15:36,272 --> 00:15:41,892 Speaker 1: Miss Maria pointed at the front door with her cane. "I can put the kids to bed. 161 00:15:42,292 --> 00:15:46,192 Speaker 1: You go. Be young. Go do something stupid." 162 00:15:46,312 --> 00:15:51,992 Speaker 1: [laughs] How could he ever leave this place? "I'm 163 00:15:52,032 --> 00:15:57,952 Speaker 1: broke, Maria." "Yes, but she's not." "Who?" The 164 00:15:58,012 --> 00:16:03,712 Speaker 1: front door opened, and a young girl with smooth, coffee-colored skin walked in. Her 165 00:16:03,792 --> 00:16:09,092 Speaker 1: short, jet-black hair was tied back in a red ribbon bow. She had a short white dress 166 00:16:09,132 --> 00:16:14,772 Speaker 1: with black leggings underneath. Kelsey was dressed to kill, or at the very least, 167 00:16:15,012 --> 00:16:20,692 Speaker 1: dressed to maim. "How's my timing?" "Excellent, dear." She pumped 168 00:16:20,792 --> 00:16:26,412 Speaker 1: one fist in the air. "Yes." Maria prodded Xavier in the back with her cane. 169 00:16:26,412 --> 00:16:32,292 Speaker 1: "Kelsey, I can't let you pay for this." She rolled her 170 00:16:32,412 --> 00:16:38,412 Speaker 1: eyes. "It's a street fair, X. I think I can swing it. Are we gonna go or what?" 171 00:16:39,472 --> 00:16:44,252 Speaker 1: Xavier flashed a gracious grin at Maria and rushed out the door. "I owe you." 172 00:16:45,072 --> 00:16:50,892 Speaker 1: "Yes, you do. Already planning my payback. Now go." Xavier closed the 173 00:16:50,952 --> 00:16:56,952 Speaker 1: door. Kelsey slipped her hand into his. It was warm and small and soft. 174 00:16:57,672 --> 00:17:01,972 Speaker 1: He could hear the brass band and drums in the distance, the soft sounds of a 175 00:17:02,032 --> 00:17:07,772 Speaker 1: nighttime crowd. And for the first time in a long time, he let himself be happy. 176 00:17:08,872 --> 00:17:14,772 Speaker 1: Chapter Three: Dealing in Bad Faith. From Nikolai's Journal of Villamancy, 177 00:17:15,112 --> 00:17:20,592 Speaker 1: page 18. Disease: Inversion Pox. Symptoms: 178 00:17:21,252 --> 00:17:26,372 Speaker 1: Large blue boils on the skin within seconds of exposure. Duration: 179 00:17:27,072 --> 00:17:32,892 Speaker 1: Short-lived, usually only a few hours. Transmission: Airborne but weakens as it 180 00:17:33,012 --> 00:17:38,712 Speaker 1: spreads. Other notes: Do not scratch. Father 181 00:17:38,772 --> 00:17:43,032 Speaker 1: Nikolai wandered around the city of Everton for the rest of the day, speaking to its 182 00:17:43,092 --> 00:17:48,552 Speaker 1: people, trying its cuisine, and digging through its trash. He spent a lot of time 183 00:17:48,612 --> 00:17:53,612 Speaker 1: digging through their trash. It was absolutely fascinating. So many useful 184 00:17:53,672 --> 00:17:59,012 Speaker 1: materials. So many potential diseases. These people really knew how to generate 185 00:17:59,072 --> 00:18:02,752 Speaker 1: filth. He was on his way back to the theater dome, where the rest of the Magical 186 00:18:02,852 --> 00:18:07,752 Speaker 1: Plane delegation was both working and living for the next three days. They wouldn't 187 00:18:07,792 --> 00:18:12,272 Speaker 1: need him for these opening ceremonies. If Mother Lissandra was right, it wouldn't 188 00:18:12,332 --> 00:18:18,196 Speaker 1: matter what they said anyway. Still, even he could only neglect his duties for 189 00:18:18,276 --> 00:18:24,236 Speaker 1: so long. Pity, there was so much to explore here. If only they could stop killing 190 00:18:24,276 --> 00:18:29,356 Speaker 1: each other. Nikolai was two city blocks from the theater dome when he spotted 191 00:18:29,416 --> 00:18:35,156 Speaker 1: something he couldn't pass up, a dark alley. He took a few tentative steps down the 192 00:18:35,256 --> 00:18:40,036 Speaker 1: alley, looking at the ground to make sure his eyes weren't fooling him. Yes, those 193 00:18:40,076 --> 00:18:45,736 Speaker 1: really were rat droppings. And was that a dead rat? It was hard to tell from this 194 00:18:45,796 --> 00:18:51,296 Speaker 1: far away. He drummed his fingers on his thighs. He really should get going. 195 00:18:52,556 --> 00:18:57,696 Speaker 1: A quick look wouldn't hurt. About halfway down the alley, he sensed something was 196 00:18:57,796 --> 00:19:02,696 Speaker 1: wrong. There were back doors leading to businesses here, but the alley itself ended 197 00:19:02,756 --> 00:19:08,616 Speaker 1: in a dead end ahead. It was so dark. Quietly, he slipped the 198 00:19:08,656 --> 00:19:13,536 Speaker 1: heavy wooden case off his back and set it on the ground. Then he took a mental 199 00:19:13,616 --> 00:19:19,156 Speaker 1: inventory of his current forbearances. He ran down the list. He was currently 200 00:19:19,216 --> 00:19:23,936 Speaker 1: missing the hearing in his left ear. His hair and fingernails weren't growing. He'd 201 00:19:23,976 --> 00:19:28,756 Speaker 1: given up reading, his ability to speak demonic, and he'd stopped his digestion. 202 00:19:29,476 --> 00:19:35,216 Speaker 1: Nikolai started to pry open the wooden case as quietly as he could, looking around 203 00:19:35,276 --> 00:19:41,236 Speaker 1: in every direction. Something was wrong all right, but what? As he reflected, 204 00:19:41,296 --> 00:19:47,276 Speaker 1: he found that the list of forbearances was actually much longer. Now was not the 205 00:19:47,356 --> 00:19:53,176 Speaker 1: time to pay them back either. Oh, fine. What was something he really didn't 206 00:19:53,236 --> 00:19:53,936 Speaker 1: need right now? 207 00:19:55,616 --> 00:20:00,936 Speaker 1: I forbear bladder and bowel control for heightened senses. And then Father Nikolai 208 00:20:00,996 --> 00:20:06,716 Speaker 1: experienced two very different, very alarming sensations. The first he had 209 00:20:06,756 --> 00:20:11,736 Speaker 1: expected. He knew many men entered battle with soiled trousers. The trick was to 210 00:20:11,796 --> 00:20:16,616 Speaker 1: kill your enemies so they couldn't tell anyone about it. The second sensation was 211 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:22,196 Speaker 1: far worse. The sounds of whispers and scuffling feet behind the doors. 212 00:20:22,975 --> 00:20:28,676 Speaker 1: Every door in the alley. Nikolai flipped open his wooden case just as the doors 213 00:20:28,756 --> 00:20:33,496 Speaker 1: opened. He pulled out three vials, crushing one in his left hand, throwing another 214 00:20:33,556 --> 00:20:38,036 Speaker 1: into a still-opening door, and keeping the last one in his right hand. Men in 215 00:20:38,116 --> 00:20:42,356 Speaker 1: uniforms filed into the alley from every direction. He leapt toward the door he'd 216 00:20:42,396 --> 00:20:46,356 Speaker 1: thrown the second vial into, and he pressed his back against the wall next to the 217 00:20:46,396 --> 00:20:52,036 Speaker 1: doorframe. Something that was no longer a man, and certainly not a soldier, 218 00:20:52,316 --> 00:20:57,176 Speaker 1: roared inside that room. He smashed into the metal door just as the soldiers in the 219 00:20:57,256 --> 00:20:58,876 Speaker 1: alley raised their guns to shoot. 220 00:21:01,256 --> 00:21:05,896 Speaker 1: The heavy door rebounded painfully off Nikolai as it flew open. It was a small price 221 00:21:05,916 --> 00:21:11,076 Speaker 1: to pay as he heard bullets ricochet off the metal. He waited behind the cover of the 222 00:21:11,136 --> 00:21:17,096 Speaker 1: door for the newly born war fiend to start his work. It didn't take long. The war 223 00:21:17,156 --> 00:21:22,176 Speaker 1: fiend pounced on his first victim. The man's hands fused into bone-like protrusions. 224 00:21:22,836 --> 00:21:27,376 Speaker 1: Its uniform shredded as the transformation continued. It rammed its blades up 225 00:21:27,416 --> 00:21:31,636 Speaker 1: through the soldier's chest and sprayed the alley with his blood. It opened the next 226 00:21:31,696 --> 00:21:36,736 Speaker 1: man down the middle, viciously throwing pieces everywhere. The two dozen soldiers 227 00:21:36,796 --> 00:21:41,596 Speaker 1: ignored Nikolai and started shooting the monster smashing through their ranks. Men 228 00:21:41,716 --> 00:21:47,556 Speaker 1: screamed and died. Some of them fled. Not enough of them. Unfortunately, these 229 00:21:47,696 --> 00:21:53,116 Speaker 1: men were well-trained. They fired in rapid but controlled bursts. These weapons 230 00:21:53,156 --> 00:21:57,916 Speaker 1: didn't need to be reloaded immediately for some reason. Nikolai had never heard of 231 00:21:57,976 --> 00:22:03,216 Speaker 1: such a thing. No wonder the enemy wasn't interested in surrender. Not good. 232 00:22:03,776 --> 00:22:09,376 Speaker 1: Not good at all. This wasn't just an ambush of opportunity. It was part of 233 00:22:09,436 --> 00:22:15,436 Speaker 1: something bigger. Dying here was not an option. Nikolai looked down at the vial 234 00:22:15,476 --> 00:22:21,116 Speaker 1: in his right hand. This was going to hurt. He tossed the vial into the 235 00:22:21,216 --> 00:22:26,316 Speaker 1: alleyway and held his breath. The plague mask and outfit would help, but he wanted 236 00:22:26,356 --> 00:22:30,955 Speaker 1: to be as contaminated as little as possible. Generally a sound strategy with 237 00:22:30,996 --> 00:22:36,916 Speaker 1: villomancy, but even more so with inversion pox. A soldier pulled away the door he 238 00:22:36,956 --> 00:22:41,176 Speaker 1: was using for cover. He lunged and grabbed the soldier's face. The blue crystals 239 00:22:41,316 --> 00:22:45,376 Speaker 1: spreading from his left hand grew over his mouth and nose. The man clawed at his 240 00:22:45,436 --> 00:22:50,096 Speaker 1: face, trying to pull away the rapidly spreading crystals as they grew up his nose. 241 00:22:50,836 --> 00:22:54,756 Speaker 1: Bullets bounced off the walls around Nikolai. He shoved the soldier away and glanced 242 00:22:54,836 --> 00:23:00,676 Speaker 1: around. The war fiend lay still on the ground. Six men were still alive, regrouping. 243 00:23:01,356 --> 00:23:05,956 Speaker 1: One of them already had his gun raised, taking shots. Nikolai raised his 244 00:23:06,036 --> 00:23:10,636 Speaker 1: crystal-covered left arm and turned sideways to make a smaller profile. Bullets 245 00:23:10,676 --> 00:23:14,776 Speaker 1: plinked off the crystals, sending shards flying. A bullet caught him in the leg and 246 00:23:14,796 --> 00:23:20,156 Speaker 1: he fell to the ground with a grunt. If he could... If he could just get to his case. 247 00:23:21,296 --> 00:23:26,976 Speaker 1: Where was his case? He couldn't see it anywhere. His vision was getting 248 00:23:27,056 --> 00:23:32,636 Speaker 1: worse. His thoughts, sluggish. How many times had he been shot? 249 00:23:33,256 --> 00:23:39,236 Speaker 1: Nikolai slumped against the ground. I forbear walking for blood 250 00:23:39,336 --> 00:23:45,116 Speaker 1: clotting. The pain in his leg was incredible. The crystals spread from his 251 00:23:45,216 --> 00:23:50,996 Speaker 1: arm to his shoulder to his torso. As long as they didn't cover his face, he would 252 00:23:51,056 --> 00:23:56,456 Speaker 1: live. He just had to survive a few more. The 253 00:23:56,556 --> 00:24:01,676 Speaker 1: soldiers at the other end of the alley stopped shooting and started screaming. 254 00:24:02,516 --> 00:24:07,796 Speaker 1: Blue crystals crept across one eye, but he could still see with the other. The 255 00:24:07,876 --> 00:24:12,956 Speaker 1: soldiers pulled at their clothes, tearing at their own skin. Large blue boils formed 256 00:24:13,016 --> 00:24:18,416 Speaker 1: all over their body. Nikolai felt the first boils forming on his own legs and hoped 257 00:24:18,476 --> 00:24:23,700 Speaker 1: they wouldn't rupture. He closed his one working eye. He didn't need to see what 258 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:29,620 Speaker 1: came next, but he still heard it. The sound of a person's insides being forced 259 00:24:29,740 --> 00:24:35,020 Speaker 1: out through a one-inch hole in their skin, like squeezing a doll filled with putty. 260 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 1: When it was done, Nikolai lay his head back. Those people would certainly not 261 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:48,660 Speaker 1: be telling anyone about his soiled pants. His mind swam. His vision 262 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: drifted in and out of darkness. Someone stood over him, screaming. Had he 263 00:24:54,500 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: really missed one? Pity. This city had so many interesting places left to 264 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 1: explore, if only they could stop killing each other. 265 00:25:05,260 --> 00:25:08,740 Speaker 1: No. No, that person was not a soldier. 266 00:25:10,380 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 1: I think, I think I know him. Kelsey stood at the mouth of the alley, her 267 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 1: hand over her mouth. She had already puked. They both had. Let's 268 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:27,460 Speaker 1: go. We don't need to get involved. X, please. The corpse in front of 269 00:25:27,540 --> 00:25:33,160 Speaker 1: Xavier was covered in blue crystals from the waist up. But from the waist down, 270 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:39,700 Speaker 1: Xavier had to cover his mouth again. The man's legs were flabby, deflated things, as 271 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:45,060 Speaker 1: if only the skin remained. It was like a steamroller had crushed him somehow. 272 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 1: There were so many horrors here that Xavier's mind could not process it. Was this 273 00:25:51,460 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 1: magic? Is this what their enemies did? 274 00:25:56,780 --> 00:26:01,660 Speaker 1: Young man. Xavier scrambled away from the talking corpse. 275 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:08,560 Speaker 1: I must ask you a favor. You're alive? A favor. 276 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: A what? Do you see a wooden case in the alley? 277 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:20,860 Speaker 1: Xavier somehow still had the presence of mind to look around. No. 278 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:23,300 Speaker 1: The corpse sighed. 279 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:31,180 Speaker 1: Then your city may be in grave danger. Someone grabbed Xavier's arm. 280 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:37,020 Speaker 1: He pulled away in surprise, but it was only Kelsey. He's alive? What's 281 00:26:37,080 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: wrong with him? Oh, me? Don't worry. These effects are only temporary. 282 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:48,020 Speaker 1: Xavier heard the sounds of a siren in the distance. He did not want to be here when 283 00:26:48,060 --> 00:26:53,820 Speaker 1: the Peacekeeper showed up. I'm sorry. I have to go. He and Kelsey 284 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:59,020 Speaker 1: walked quickly back toward the street, trying and failing to not step on the gore. 285 00:27:00,140 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 1: If you leave me here, everyone in the city is in peril. Xavier 286 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: stopped walking. Kelsey tugged on his arm, insistent. She wasn't wrong to do 287 00:27:12,020 --> 00:27:17,420 Speaker 1: it. It was the wise move. He really didn't know this man, and he certainly couldn't 288 00:27:17,480 --> 00:27:19,780 Speaker 1: be of any help. But... 289 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: How? 290 00:27:23,500 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 1: There's more of what did this in that case. A lot more. And a lot 291 00:27:29,140 --> 00:27:35,020 Speaker 1: worse. Someone else has it now. Why would you bring something like that here? 292 00:27:36,420 --> 00:27:42,180 Speaker 1: To his surprise, the magician went silent. It was, in retrospect, 293 00:27:43,220 --> 00:27:49,220 Speaker 1: an unwise decision. Xavier, you can't help him. If we stay... 294 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 1: Xavier let go of Kelsey and walked back down the alley. If I help you, 295 00:27:56,380 --> 00:28:02,200 Speaker 1: can you find the case? Perhaps. That's not good enough. I fear 296 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:08,140 Speaker 1: that something grander than a missing villamancy case is happening here. But I'll 297 00:28:08,180 --> 00:28:13,780 Speaker 1: do my best. Xavier looked down at the masked man. There was no way he would 298 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:19,400 Speaker 1: survive whatever was wrong with him. Right? People from the magical plane were 299 00:28:19,460 --> 00:28:25,420 Speaker 1: supposed to be the same. More or less. They could die. He knew that. Tell me what 300 00:28:25,460 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: to do. First, take me somewhere safe. Xavier leaned down to grab him, 301 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 1: then pulled back, cautious. Is it safe to touch you? Oh, 302 00:28:37,260 --> 00:28:42,240 Speaker 1: yes. I'm past the contagious stage. You should be fine as long as you don't eat the 303 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 1: crystals. Eat them? Why would I eat them? 304 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:53,240 Speaker 1: I'm told they're quite delicious. Xavier tried to pry the man off the pavement, but 305 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:58,180 Speaker 1: the crystals held him there. Another set of hands grabbed his other arm. Come on, 306 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:03,140 Speaker 1: hurry up. Thanks. On one, two, three. 307 00:29:04,380 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: The man came free from the ground with a resounding crack. They lifted him between 308 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:13,460 Speaker 1: their shoulders and jogged down the alley. What are we doing, Xavier? The 309 00:29:13,540 --> 00:29:18,740 Speaker 1: Peacekeeper sirens were close now. He shook his head. He had no idea. 310 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 1: Whatever it was, he was sure he'd regret it later.