After the slithers grew inaudibly distant, I felt all my energy leave. I was hungry, hurt, tired and very cold. Travelling in the wind’s embrace has never been comfortable, but today I experienced a new low. Wanted nothing more than to pass out where I stood.

That would only bring on a sickness. Having just spent weeks in bed, I felt like enough time has been wasted.

I felt grime on my face from the subterranean traversing. Fumbling in near dark, found a working faucet. Water trickled reluctantly, as if by mistake, but it was enough to fix up my appearance.

Cut up a shredded glove to hold my forearm’s gash together. Reconsidering, tied the left hand’s two thumbs atop the clawed finger. Cartilaginous digits were unbelievably flexible, but this did restrict movement enough. The arm unhappily flailed to the sides at the wrist and elbow, but it didn’t manage to shake the binding off.

I slapped it and was punched back. I hated this thing.

The fight soon went out of the unfortunate affix. It had to be exhausted, too. Wrestling a slithering spinal cord hadn’t been easy and it accomplished far more than me. If not for that, I’d have been a one-handed cripple again. Or worse.

Dark damn, I hated everybody for putting me through this.

I wandered out of the dilapidated apartment complex and witnessed countless copies in the exact same state. This felt like stepping back in time. A very bad time. The perimeter wall had clearly been rebuilt to be up-to-date with the newest standards, but inelegant blocks of grey prefabs were permitted to age with dignity. It was not a good look.

Just like an invisible horror said, this place struggled with population. I wasn’t that shocked, having witnessed how expendable even the elite soldiers were to one of Raktkalis lineage. Still, to singlehandedly cripple a town would have been an accomplishment. Everyone probably just moved to wealthier outposts. This was a transitional safe harbour, merely a point of disinterest between central Zones and the heavy industry in the east.

Kalantan capital was further out too, amidst the mining drudgery. Unlike most other snobs, Raktkalises kept all available hands on the pulse of their business. Whether it was conscientiousness or tightfistedness, this caused some logistical and bureaucratic issues all over the place. Rest of the governing body wasn’t particularly keen on such decentralisation, as generals needed to meet once in a while and discuss plans. The constant pressure from beasts had to be the only thing keeping so many strong personalities still holding hands.

It made my job harder too, even besides the arduous journey. I had primarily stuck to central lands, so Kalantan idiosyncrasies were unknown to me. I needed to stay well out of sight until I learn what’s what.

Which meant now was the prime time to do some skulking. No rest for me.

I spiritlessly headed towards the train terminal to observe the reactive procedures after a sighting. They were still at it. Commotion carried well in the darkness of night. Lights, sounds. People.

Upon getting closer I immediately located a good chunk of the population standing all armed at the ready. Two whole companies was nothing to scoff at. Perhaps more. It was hard to count at a glance.

Slipped into a stairwell of a five storey apartment building. It was as decayed as the rest, but had more life to it. Most of the windows sported curtains. Some had lights. The corridors were swept. Not ideal. I would have preferred another neglected structure to squat in, but it would work.

Finding an apartment I presumed to be vacant, twisted the handle and found the door unsurprisingly locked. Pulled out my tools and practised one-armed living. Did not enjoy a second of it.

Stranger’s home smelled stale. Before even seeing the countless portraits of kids, I could tell this place belonged to an elderly person. Perhaps I can pass for one of the progenies if questioned by neighbours. Clutching a bottled naptime, I walked around and found nothing but dust. I would be undisturbed.

Pulled chair to a window. The tracks were brightly lit by an artificial daylight and I could examine the countless sentinels with ease. Protectors of this little outpost weren’t equipped with scanners.

Cracked the window open to be privy to even more details. People were talking in whispers due to a late hour. All I caught were barest of crumbs.

“… Nothing…”

“… A mistake…”

“… He swears…”

“… Anomaly was…”

“Clear.”

“All clear.”

I nodded off some time after the presence of soldiers has significantly dropped off. Apparently, welcoming committee stuck around for the welcoming only. In which case, it was possible to stay hidden among the transported goods and sneak out afterwards.

After my restless nap, I snuck out again. I set out to tackle the administrative shelves and drawers of a station’s annex. It was quiet and locked up for the night. Entry wasn’t arduous – several windows had been ajar for ventilation, and most cameras looked out towards the tracks rather than the human incursion. Considering the poor state of soldiers’ equipment, I didn’t think they worked either.

There wasn’t much to steal in this nest of bureaucracy anyway. Unluckily to them – papers were what I was after. Schedules, passes, exceptions, delays, procedures, ledgers. To me, all of that painted the Kalantan world in vivid colours. This little outpost will unlock rest of the kingdom.

Not long into the perusing I found out Raktkalis clan had a residence in town. Unsurprising. It was likely the case for every settlement they claimed and a few beyond. It had to be no more than a comfortable bed to spend the night mid-transit. Hotels weren’t a booming business, for obvious reasons.

Close to dawn, I heard keys jangle in the yard and hurriedly started putting away all the mess I’ve created. I kept the stacks neat, so it didn’t take long. Took a lot of photographs to analyse at leisure, but there was more. Way more. Other offices, basement archives. They all held secrets too. I’d need several visits. For right now – I was wiped and ready to rest.

I returned to the apartment, but I woke from each and every scuff in the stairwell. The house was far too lively than I was used to.

Decided to forego the deep sleep effort and watched people through the window until the sunset threw down its curtain. More or less confident about local fashion, I donned the old lady’s clothes and wandered out.

Strolled by the residence of the Kalantan governors to evaluate security. First pass was devastatingly unproductive. I expected a hedge of some sort, but the house was hidden from prying eyes behind a wild forest. And not a single tree was that of fruit-bearing variety!

Central cities dismantled all unnecessary roads to make way for edible plants instead. Grew them on the walls. Kalanta wasn’t overcrowded, so they could afford this – and yet it looked wrong. This unnecessary, overgrown excess was offensive. A slight to efficiency, yields and economic validity. Each bite they didn’t grow, they needed to import.

I chuckled at this audacity. Craved to indulge in it myself. After all, what’s the point in having riches if not for dumb crap like this? Shook myself out of the daydream.

Woodland au naturel provided me with ample points of in and out. Branches offered helpful hands climbing over the spiky barrier outfitted with working sensors. They buzzed. I’d just have to come back another time for a closer glance at the building itself. Merely looking at the detection apparatus out here I knew I’d have to bring the warhorse next time.