Valkyria by Ink Blood

just got to the Ringlands and will stop here for a
short time before continuing on my way west.”
    “ West? Why in the world
would you go west? There is nothing out there but sea.”
    The young engineer was right. Nothing
had ever come of anyone heading west. Sailors or pilots would
either return with stories of endless sea or not return at
all.
    “ Just because no one else
has found anything does not mean I will not. You are looking at one
of the greatest Travelers in the known history.”
    What am I saying? If he asks any
questions about travelling I will have no answers. Seran could feel
the sweat beginning to slide down his face. I hope I have not
ruined my cover already. The engineer stared at him with eyes half
closed and one eyebrow raised for at least ten seconds.
    “ Well, if you really want
to then why should I care? As for this little wonder; it is a new
type of catapult, designed to fling bombs at super-intense heat and
great speed.”
    “ Why would you need
something like that here in the Ringlands?”
    “ Simple. I need it to
remove Eerhart from his little throne up on the mountain over
there. Word has it that he is an Alexandria Empire supporter so we
need to remove him.”
    Well Lord Eerhart, it seems you are not
so well versed in the methods of keeping a secret. Seran moved
closer to the engineer.
    “ This Eerhart man, how
would I meet him?”
    “ Why would you want
to?”
    “ Well, I would like to see
what kind of man would support the Alexandria Empire after
everything they have done,” replied Seran. If this fool can get me
there earlier that will be far better than waiting.
    *~*~*
    16
    EINAR
    The storm had cleared completely, and
it seems as though it had never touched Argent. The city was so
much more than beautiful to Einar as he stepped off the
boat.
    The buildings stretched into the sky as
if they wanted to fly, reaching at least ten floors. Between them
flew air-taxis like most cities, but also other airships. Cargo
ships! I cannot believe I actually get to see cargo ships! Through
the windows of the higher level apartments he could see red walls
and stunningly carved furniture, but in the lower windows the
apartments resembled his own hut.
    The screams and wails of children
running through the street kicking a pig’s stomach echoed in his
ears. Men in fine shirts with bow ties conversed with women in
exquisite dressed of blues, reds or purples.
    Steamcarts rolled around the
cobblestone roads alongside horse-drawn carts. The steamcarts were
uniform black in colour but stretched out at the front to hold the
engine as steam poured out of them. On the side of the road stood
an aging man playing the violin as people dropped coins in front of
him.
    The city was alive with energy, and
Einar could not help but succumb to the magnificence of it all. As
he stared around the area he noticed a group of young girls pointed
and laughing at the group of boys kicking the pig’s stomach. The
girls were dressed in long gowns with their hair resembling a
finely carved statue. The boys, however, were wearing rags and
tunics much like Einar and Alexia wore. Alexia. I have to find
her.
    Einar started forward, wondering where
to begin when he noticed a great airship coming into the port five
floors above him. It was a delicately designed machine yet it was
obviously strong in build. The young boy continued on his way,
every now and then gazing in awe at the airship once again. After a
good ten minutes he arrived at a small tavern, the smell of ale in
the air giving away its position.
    Inside, the sound of a harp and horn
filled the atmosphere as smoke filled Einar’s lungs. A youthful
woman was spinning and dancing on a large platform in the middle of
the tavern, her surprisingly short skirt fluttering around a she
moved. The men were gawking at her with their mouths
wide.
    Einar made his way to the bar and
placed four coins on the counter. A rather elderly man hobbled over
to him, his hair seeming to run away