The smell of moss, humid soil, and raw metal colorized the claustrophobic ambiance. Torches creaked, illuminating the splintery wood and the golden brass of the cubical vehicle Artur and William rode. They were on their way to that town named Inanna, using a subterranean rail stationed right below that natural balcony.
"I know, right? this stuff is so bonkers it's heck amazing," Artur manipulated a pair of levers at the nose of the vehicle.
William looked around, amazed by the technology. He wondered if it was not another magical trick just like the ones he saw at that monastery. He had seen similarly complex machines in windmills and watermills —where his grandfather used to work— but that machine was not like anything he had seen before.
Its edges and walls were covered by steaming brass pipes, spinning gears, or smaller pieces moving like pulley systems. Was it powered by magic or a giant beast running below?
"Nah, you're wrong, Will. Nothing around us right now is magical at all. What actually powers this machine is water. It's heated and then presurized to move a series of turbines which move the vehicle ahead. The steam is then recycled by powerful coolers that turn the steam into the water again and the cycle continues. All of that is powered by coal. Is not it amazing? Who needs horses with a babe like this?"
"Wow, this is…"
"Great? Heck, it is. You can thank Aeschylus for it. He invented it. He calls it the 'locomotive' though you can call it whatever you want. Miris calls it the mechanical mole. You'd wonder what it'd be of us without the old man."
"Aeschylus… that person, you said he calls this thing in our chests a 'phylactery'," William pressed his beige coat against his chest, a light spot of aqua colors faintly illuminating. "That name doesn't sound… Reniramian."
"You're good for picking on details. That's a nice skill to have in this desolate land. You're right, Aeschylus comes from the west like us, but he's from another land; Dyskrea. You know, that place full of bearded men in togas philosophizing about stuff all day, or that's what the stories say, heh… You'll meet him in time. Just make sure to not get caught in his neverending palaver."
The locomotive descended in a vertical line at speeds William could not tell if were fast or slow. Aeschylus from Dyskrea; the fact that there was another westerner made him wonder: how many others could be there too?
Most people in Sunia had never heard about Reniram. But as Artur had said, it had been occupied the Mauric Empire —the same force that ruled most of the western continent. Managing to defeat the Mauris and gain their freedom was nothing to take lightly.
It explained why they spoke the same language, and why some westerners could be there as well, assuming that Aeschyrus man didn't arrive through any other means.
And Sunia, the kingdom was now under a civil war trying to get its independence. William fought for the liberalists before being captured. Something told him that he'd never see the end of that conflict by himself...
"Hey, the locomotive is speeding down, let's get outta it. I swear this mossy stench is gonna make my lungs crump like paper balls," said Artur some 30 minutes later, the steam machine growling metallic hisses as its moving parts began to halt.
It stopped, resting at the middle of an artificial cavern covered by conventional brick stones so worn-down William could swear the roof was gonna fall at them at any moment.
Artur turned on a torch, and he followed behind a narrow tunnel similar to an abandoned sewage system. Rats squeaked and water drops plopped amidst the dark.
"Good ride, wasn't it? this is an abandoned bunker from many years ago that probably no one remembers. We'll be out in Inanna on the other side. I've got some advice for you if you don't want trouble."
Artur halted. The way was impeded by a gate of rusty beams. William helped him, and both pushed it ahead before advancing.
"What's it? Can't say what can be more pleasant than all that happened," said William sarcastically.
"It's basic stuff you'll need if you're gonna be hanging around here. Although Inanna is in Reniram, this island kingdom is divided into three territories: Oksidi, Uchim, and Katos. We're currently at Oksidi or Western Reniram. Make sure to refer to Oksidi people as such and not as Reniramian; that's a word only foreigners use. Oh, and don't call them eastern either. Although we are westerners to them, they don't consider themselves eastern. It can be seen as an insult."
"Why so? What are they, then?"
"'Middlers', from the middle, if you'd like to use that word… There is a true east out there, Will. One that, just like the west, has tried to take over Reniram in the past, and they don't like them a little bit."
"Seems like they have it rough, then, being among two powers. What's that true east you mention?"
"Xiali is the name of their largest empire," explained Artur. "Zho came from there, though don't tell him I told you that. Reniram is a land rich in resources, and it's the bridge between west and east. Be it the Mauris or the Xiali, either side is gonna try to take over it. They tried so already in the past, even if they were kicked out. But you can be sure they'll try again. "
Xiali. William had only heard that name in stories, some kingdom or empire located far away in the eastern sea, where the finest jade jewelry and silky clothes came from. It explained why that man Zho Ming had a different name compared to Miris Ates, and it sounded too foreign from those that Artur mentioned; Oksid, Uchim, and Katos.
"But alright, enough geopolitics," continued Artur. "what matters now is the place we're in. Lemme do all the talk and stay by my side once out of this rat nest. Don't stare at anyone for too long, and don't be afraid if you see giant crabs or lobsters on the streets. Those are their beasts of burden. And when dealing with an Oksidi that has an attitude —little hint: all of them— stand firm and be direct, but know when to say sorry. They really don't take disrespect lightly. Oh, look, there's the exit ahead. C'mon, I'm hungry."
A rusty ladder hung from the short ceiling a few meters ahead, leading to a door trap in the same decaying state. It was time to get out. With everything that Artur said, William couldn't imagine what he would discover.