Music, music.
Speaker 2:Are you done yet? Squishy, We are starving.
Speaker 3:Just a moment. Just a moment. I want everything to be perfect.
Speaker 4:Braco, come on, we can smell it from out here and it's driving us mad.
Speaker 3:Okay, ready Ladies. please join me for supper.
Speaker 4:God's salt earth Braco This is all this. This is enough to feed 20 people. I thought even the food in the cities was rationed. How did you get all of this?
Speaker 3:Come, come sit, Don't worry about that. I want you two to experience a bit of luxury. You deserve it.
Speaker 2:No, we can't, We can't we will give what we leave to the rest, of course, none of this should go to waste.
Speaker 4:Well, I mean, if we are going to share it.
Speaker 3:Come, come, sit down, sit down.
Speaker 2:It smells so good.
Speaker 3:Try this one first. This is breast skin. It's an imeduine specialty. In the original recipe the broth had a meat base. Some people in the city use rat or field vermin. Some people do a seafood version to get the flavour, but I think you can really get a good taste with mushroom. Try it. Miquel is an artist when it comes to breast skin. This this is heavenly.
Speaker 2:Victoria we're supposed to share this. I will not share a drop.
Speaker 3:The pot is full of it. There is plenty Here. let me serve you some.
Speaker 2:So, squishy, you like to play safari in the camps? Chora what? He is only sniffing round because he wants to sample something different, right, squishy.
Speaker 3:Of course not, chora. I find the company of you, andy sender, to be absolutely delightful, and it is a pleasure to help improve the conditions in the camps.
Speaker 4:Leave him be Chora. Gods Brocko, do you eat this every day?
Speaker 3:Not every day Ys, but often yes, you can make most of it using the staple reration. I will teach you once you all get out of here.
Speaker 2:When you get us out Chora, what You don't want to know his plan.
Speaker 3:I am working with the abbot and the order to petition the council and the guard commander. It is difficult to get the camps on the agenda with all the trouble in the city.
Speaker 2:The squishies have forgotten about us. Now we are locked away. Not a problem for them anymore.
Speaker 3:I fear there is some truth to that, chura, and I wish it was otherwise.
Speaker 2:Why doesn't your family help?
Speaker 3:They.
Speaker 4:You don't have to answer that, brocco, let's just enjoy our meal.
Speaker 3:Thank you, ease, but I think Chura deserves an answer. The truth, the truth is that my family are part of the reason that you and the Jing are in here in the first place. It was they and their friends who petitioned the Crown to have you removed from the city. When the petition failed and King Dante refused to expel the untouchables, well, We remember what happened next.
Speaker 3:My family took advantage of the opportunity and petitioned the King again, but this time pleading for the Crown to protect you all. I honestly believe the conditions would not be so dire Had it not been for all the fighting, if the Crown had kept control. But everything is upside down now.
Speaker 2:Is the King dead?
Speaker 3:I honestly don't know. His forces are trapped inside the Citadel. The rebels have surrounded it. There is a council made up of a bunch of important stakeholders in the city, Headed by the Guard Commander, which run the city now. but it's all a mess. That's why it's so hard to get anything done about the camps.
Speaker 2:I bet the squishies would start paying attention if we started making some trouble.
Speaker 4:They would kill us all. Chura, what do your parents think of you spending your time in the camps Brooko?
Speaker 3:I honestly don't know. They were opposed, but I don't see much of them these days. We have drifted apart.
Speaker 2:That's why he is Centelnik. His parents don't talk to him. He has no power, Chura don't be so rude.
Speaker 4:You're eating Brooko's food.
Speaker 3:It is your food, Descender. It is a gift given freely. Chura speaks some truth. My relationship with my parents is not the best.
Speaker 4:What happened?
Speaker 3:I am not sure exactly. I was never close with my father. Eric was always disinterested. There was a time when my mother and I were close when I was very young, but as time went on she spent more and more time in her bed, sick, she would say. We barely spoke and father showed little interest By the time she started to get better. Well, i had grown up and I wanted different things.
Speaker 4:I'm sorry to hear that, Brooko.
Speaker 2:You must live in a palace to drift apart and live together.
Speaker 3:Very true. To live in such a large house means that you can go a full ten day without seeing your own kin. but enough of my complaints, Let me serve you some more.
Speaker 6:You two have been very upbeat today. Any particular reason you're in such good spirits and hanging round us like flies Good gift big gift That rain for you. Chief. Wow, that is a bit of kind. And where did you get this from?
Speaker 5:Sought some little things, little things, hatchling You. What Not from here, chief? No worries From where? From inner wall Place with little houses.
Speaker 6:And what were you doing in the inner wall?
Speaker 5:No, no, no, chief Leatherfoot, pay us to go.
Speaker 1:What are they talking about? Why are you so upset? Hatch.
Speaker 6:These idiots kidnapped and sold some kids from another area of the city Inside the wall.
Speaker 1:You weren't seen, were you?
Speaker 2:No, no no sea in darkness, only shinlikas Speak funny, funny name Aska's. There's lots of coin, you know him boss?
Speaker 1:Oh, shinlikas, are you talking about Simi? and quiet knife, seize me on. Yes, he's head of one of the families.
Speaker 6:I know He does business with my father. Yes, that they won. Let me get this straight Me. Your chief tells you to stay in wide end and keep your eyes out for trouble. And you? You are approached by an old halfling from another part of town offering you gold to pinch kids for him, and you just go, we not go long.
Speaker 6:You abandoned your post to work for someone else and bring me some kind expecting me to celebrate you. Are you trying to fuck this up, chief, hatchling Children What happens if someone hears we are lifting kids?
Speaker 5:eh, We lift pups all the time in camp.
Speaker 6:We aren't in the fucking camps, Uma only let the straw.
Speaker 5:Who are you sugar? You're gone. Soft chief, Soft My eyes.
Speaker 6:We don't touch the kids. People get very upset about kids. They act unpredictably. I, ruslow, get in here. I want these two back in the camp where they belong, offer the permits and pass to anyone who will make them die slow. Yes, chief, and make sure everyone is aware We have a new house rule No kids. This is not the camp. I am not my father. We are civilized Sarians.
Speaker 3:Try this. Oh, you mustn't let this pass. Oh, and this as well, of course. You know this is an absolute specialty Ease. You absolutely must try this. Let me just Get off me. I am, so I've trapped some of the stringy pieces.
Speaker 4:They are called noodles, i think.
Speaker 3:On my honor. I did not mean to, i did not mean to touch you there, what, what is he? going on about Braco.
Speaker 2:He's under. I think he's spiky Pass me some of that soft looking stuff, Braco are you alright?
Speaker 4:You didn't see. See what?
Speaker 3:I am ashamed to say that I accidentally nestled Cheris, cheris bosom.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 3:What I mean to say is her, her mammaries, my, what Your breasts.
Speaker 2:What, what.
Speaker 4:What is so funny? Can't you see that part of her body is scaled?
Speaker 3:Oh well.
Speaker 2:They are venomous squishy. I have no need for breasts.
Speaker 3:Well, well, um, am I going to die Only of stupidity? Well, shall I serve some more?
Speaker 6:Oh, Ah, hanshlo Jorah, what do you want? I'm in no mood to play What happened.
Speaker 2:You are hurt.
Speaker 6:Badly. there's nothing, Just a lesson from my fool of the father.
Speaker 2:Let me help. You cannot reach.
Speaker 6:No, I'll clean it. I don't need your help. Tss.
Speaker 2:I thought it was your father who was the fool. You will get sick if you don't clean it properly. Who will help us then You will be food Fine, can you sew? Not clothes, i hope. But I can suture.
Speaker 6:I've got some clean water and a clean cloth from the order. Just do what you can. Peel off the scale if you have to, then sew it up tightly. I don't want them falling out.
Speaker 2:Okay, So why did he do this to you?
Speaker 6:He's a fool.
Speaker 2:You said this Why.
Speaker 6:He lacks vision. This campus is kingdom So long as we're all trapped in here.
Speaker 2:he is our king. He doesn't want to get out.
Speaker 6:Why would he? He has everything he needs here.
Speaker 2:He knows you left.
Speaker 6:Yes, cezal, my friend who let me use the sewer tunnel. he tortured him, threw him in the pit with the carrot, told him everything. I need to be more careful next time. The second he gets a new hatchling I'll be dead. Next time I leave, it needs to be for good.
Speaker 2:Do you have a plan?
Speaker 6:No, Ah, there is no work. Nothing will get me a pass. I came back this time because some little shithead, leatherfoot, chopped me out. To the skinners I said I was trying to steal their jobs. I barely got out. I'm not giving up Chora. I won't rot away in here with him. I'm meant for more Just don't get yourself killed.
Speaker 2:You promised I will come with you.
Speaker 6:I keep my promises, Chora. I'll get you out too. I'll get us all out.
Speaker 3:Ease, ease.
Speaker 4:In here.
Speaker 3:What the devil are you up to?
Speaker 4:Devil really.
Speaker 3:Oh my, it was just a turn of phrase.
Speaker 4:Braco, relax, I'm teasing you.
Speaker 3:Huh, hi, yes, yes, just a bit of fun.
Speaker 4:Salt the earth. Braco, I despair for you sometimes.
Speaker 3:Well, so long as I'm in your thoughts, I will take it.
Speaker 4:You want to be in my thoughts, Braco.
Speaker 3:Well, you know, friendly collegiate, platonic thoughts. What is taking so long, oren, is I'll be out in a minute.
Speaker 4:I'm just trying to get this fox. I see you have to stop. Send a watch out, dad. I've got you Braco, it's okay, i'm going to get the watch out.
Speaker 3:Hey, hey.
Speaker 4:Uh, most of the boxes were empty, you know Yes.
Speaker 3:Yes, i, i realise that now.
Speaker 4:I guess you uh overreacted a little bit. Yes.
Speaker 3:Yes, I thought you might be in danger.
Speaker 4:You were trying to protect me, or was it just an excuse to wrestle me to the ground I wanted?
Speaker 3:to protect you, of course.
Speaker 4:Really. So why are we still down here, braco? Aren't you worried about getting this close? I might steal your soul Or your innocence.
Speaker 3:I would really like.
Speaker 4:Oren, oh, i, i was just, she was just inside The box is started.
Speaker 1:Oh, she was protecting us, i was worried Um.
Speaker 4:Well, um, I've got the box.
Speaker 3:Yes, and look at the time It's getting dark, i guess we should both get going, then Yes, a good night, good night. Oh, did you want to? It just felt natural.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, No a hug is fine.
Speaker 3:I mean, a handshake is traditional, but Should we um?
Speaker 4:Should we try this again?
Speaker 3:Sure, yes, Uh, good night.
Speaker 4:I thought we agreed on a hug.
Speaker 3:I thought you wanted a handshake.
Speaker 4:Braco.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 4:You might be the most hopeless man I've ever met. Never change.
Speaker 7:Send him in Rowan.
Speaker 6:Domina Elirolitefoot daughter of Quite.
Speaker 7:Enough of that. I agreed to take this meeting because it was requested by a woman of standing and importance. You are none of those things, So speak your peace and then get out.
Speaker 6:Straight to business. I appreciate that I come with an offer. My friends and I are planning to significantly increase the flow of sooty carrow into the city.
Speaker 7:No, get out If you just. That stuff is poison, i won't allow it in my city.
Speaker 6:My mistake. My father has been moving it in for a while. Perhaps I will go to Semyon with my offer. The quiet knives strike me as a far more entrepreneurial family. Anyway. Good day then.
Speaker 7:Wait.
Speaker 6:Yes, Domina.
Speaker 7:What are you proposing?
Speaker 6:I'm glad you have the vision to see the opportunity here. My father has been supplying the city's demand for sooty, poorly Small quantities from the camps Through some bent skinner. I propose to end that relationship and to instead work with a far more reputable distributor such as yourself. I will be increasing the supply by a factor of ten, making it far cheaper to buy for you anyway as a sole purchaser, as well as offering you the opportunity to determine where exactly in the city is he sold.
Speaker 7:You are a shrewd little lizard, aren't you?
Speaker 6:I like to think so, domina.
Speaker 7:Deal I'll purchase one hundred percent of your sood on the condition that the relationship with Semyon is severed immediately And that no other buyers are permitted.
Speaker 6:I wouldn't have it any other way. Lady Asalde will be best to hammer out the details of the arrangement, but I think we have reached a happy accommodation In principle.
Speaker 7:You are a shrewd lizard, but you are new here, so, in case there is any ambiguity whatsoever, if you fail to keep your word to me, i will wear your skin as a coat.
Speaker 6:I think we're going to be very good friends. Domina, I like your style.
Speaker 3:Hey, hey, how was your day?
Speaker 4:Small talk. You were with me all day.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes, but we didn't get much chance to talk.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I got the feeling you wanted to talk to me.
Speaker 3:What do you mean?
Speaker 4:You've been staring at me all day. What?
Speaker 3:No, i haven't. I was merely watching your form, your body, i mean, as you. I was trying to learn from your technique.
Speaker 4:Chora says you stare at me every day.
Speaker 3:No, I wouldn't Not that.
Speaker 4:Am I really so strange and frightening to you?
Speaker 3:Heavens. no, i think you're beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 4:When we met. You must stop me for a demon or a devil.
Speaker 3:Ysenda, you might be the most beautiful woman I have ever met.
Speaker 4:Well, you learn how to tease and flirt. You are a quick study.
Speaker 3:Look I. I don't know how much longer my nerve will last, so I must get this out now.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 3:I have begun to feel certain feelings towards you, and, over the months, i have felt that a certain energy has grown between us. I am I find it difficult to concentrate when I'm away from you. I find that the world is darker when you are not around and, quite frankly, i feel a deep pull within my soul to be near you. I fear that you do not feel the same way, but that discomfort of not knowing is greater than this fear, and so I would like to ask you do, do you like me?
Speaker 4:Oh, brooko, you're so precious, are you sure I haven't just cast some evil glamour over you?
Speaker 3:I see, yes, i was foolish.
Speaker 4:No, no, brooko, not foolish, adorable. I've just never had someone ask me that question, Never mind with such a long and poetic preamble. What do you think, brooko? You're handsome, intelligent, charming, rich and about my age, i'd guess.
Speaker 3:So you do like me.
Speaker 4:Yes, sweet Brooko, i like you.
Speaker 3:Mummy, daddy, i'm home.
Speaker 4:Why would I?
Speaker 1:know What will you care about with yourself? Someone has to look out for the future of this family.
Speaker 6:Learnians, if you're not Learnians.
Speaker 1:They are strong. We are weak. It is only a matter of time.
Speaker 5:They are on the other side of the Taken Mountains. They haven't come back in 200 years.
Speaker 1:Turk has fallen to Herand, reaching Top of Gone. There is nothing stopping them marching straight through. Who is going to stop?
Speaker 5:them. Everyone knows they won't risk it. They rule with fear. The Helots would rebel. The second they left Learn. All you've done is betray our homeland, And for nothing if someone were to find out.
Speaker 1:Do you think the letters were delivered by hand? Do you think the Learningers use the postal guild? They are coming, Eric. Why would they care about rebellion and learn when they plan to take Amidu as their home?
Speaker 5:No more contact with them. I forbid it. I forbid it, Ivana.
Speaker 1:You forbid it. What makes you think? I care what you think or what you say, you spineless, insignificant little coward. Then I wouldn't fool the.
Speaker 5:God myself, i will not be parted to this.
Speaker 1:Will you? Eric Kaunidda will be here in a few hours. Do you think you can have me arrested before I have the chance to tell him of your betrayal? You wouldn't. Do you think you'll be able to hide from the unholy assassins, eric?
Speaker 5:I don't know what has happened to you, Ivana. You are not the woman I feel in love with.
Speaker 1:You haven't got the first clue about love, eric. All you care about is yourself. You didn't lift a finger when I was. when I was ill, i barely even recognised my son anymore. The least you could have done was look after him.
Speaker 5:Dare blame me for your habit.
Speaker 1:Dare. Tell me, eric, how convincing do you think your threats are? What will you do? Go back to the club and drink yourself into a stupa. Someone in this family needs to dare, and it will never be you, mommy.