“The current will pull us through,” said Jacob. “Just use these to keep the rocks away from my boat.”
The skiff rocked gently under their feet as they navigated towards the cliffs. Jacob peered forward through squinting eyes, as if searching for something.
“Are we docking anywhere near here?” ventured Farris. Dwarfed by the sheer scale of the mountains, it seemed reasonable to question if they were going the right way. Jacob remained silent, however, re-enforcing his proficiency a master smuggler.
As if the cliffs themselves had listened, a yawning cave appeared ahead of them. Amidst white waves of foam crashing against the walls, the skiff drifted towards the opening. Jacob changed his grip on the oar, now forcing it straight down under the water, pushing the boat onwards by pressing against the rocks beneath the surface.
“I’ll take it from here,” said Jacob, right as Farris was about to do the same. The smuggler navigated the ship through the cave with precision and agility as if he had full control of every inch of the hull. In the dim light, the damp cave walls glistened with moisture, dripping with wet mud and sand. Farris ducked his head as the ceiling dipped lower. It was only then that he noticed Jacob lying flat and forward on the skiff.
“It’s usually tighter than this on a high tide,” he whispered back. “Be grateful that we don’t have a greater load.”
“A greater load? Surely I’m the most valuable cargo you’ve smuggled into Penance.”
“You’ve obviously never sold white crystals on the black market.” Jacob let out a roaring laugh that caused the boat to quiver. “If they were worth their weight in gold, I’d be selling them at loss.”
The cave’s walls widened to reveal a tiny grotto with sharp stalactites hanging low from the ceiling. Jacob manoeuvred the skiff against one of the cave walls, gesturing to a ledge slightly overhead.
“We’ll climb up and carry on through the cave,” he said, producing a length of rope from the side of the skiff. He reached out and found an iron ring against the rock without looking. He quickly looped the rope though it, punctuating each pull with an abrupt knot. When he was satisfied, he stood and hoisted himself upwards onto the ledge.
“Do you need a hand?” he asked. “It’s probably been a while since you did any second-story work.”
“I’ll be fine,” said Farris, stubbornly. He rapidly scaled the wall up toward Jacob, displaying less effort than he gave.
“I’ll lead the way then.” Jacob ignored Farris’s exasperated breaths. “It’s not far to the Rustlake.”
Farris followed for some time through those winding caves, hoping each corned they took would reveal the full splendour of the City of Steam, but to his disappointment, each turn led to more dark, meandering tunnels.
Just as he was about to complain, however, the cave levelled out and formed a straight path. Up ahead, the cave opened to an entrance. Morning had fully broke, and Farris heard the faint sounds of wildlife up ahead. The last time he had emerged from a cave like this, he had been chased by a mountain troll. Now, with his old ally, returning to the city he so dearly missed, was certainly an improvement.
“Here we are,” said Jacob. “The walk around the Rustlake is lovely this time of the morning.”
Farris emerged from the cave immediately after Jacob, and welcomed the fresh air, blended with the faint scent of soot. Across the lake, the city of Penance was in full view: huge buildings and spires peering over great stone walls, all surrounding remnants of Sin. The details of the broken tower were visible in the morning light now; Farris could even spot a few individual airships docked at its upper levels.
The sight was marred by a peculiar movement across the Rustlake. The lake itself was as still as the surrounding rocks, but there, on its north bank, a number of distant figures were moving towards them, with startling speed. Some moments later, their forms came into view.
“Jacob?” asked Farris, pointing to the north. “Are you sure we weren’t seen?”
The smuggler was tending to his equipment, folding a rope in loops around one hand. “Seen? No, of course not, I—”
The sound of hooves thundering on stone cut him off. Farris met Jacob’s eyes, and nodded towards the source: a group of elk cavalry came galloping along the lake, only close enough now for Farris to appreciate their speed, and to realise there was likely no use in fleeing.
“Quick,” said Farris. “Who else knows of this passage?”
“Nobody. Just me and the Silverback!”
“Perfect. Just leave everything to me.”
They stood still as the elk riders approached. Farris had figured they were likely scouting for the Triad, based on their lightly armoured bodies and steeds. If the Silverback’s bid to curry favour with the Triad was going according to plan, it was possible he informed them to monitor this passageway.
Over the course of several more seconds, Farris found the optimal line of questions and answers that would lead him straight to the Silverback if his previous assumptions were true. As the riders approached, one mounted Simian took the lead, slowing to a halt in front of Farris. The elk towered over the Simian, with two great antlers emerging from its hulking mass.
Its rider wielded a long halberd with an axe-head of green-tinted steel. He pointed it at Farris, then spoke. “The city is closed for trading and travel at this time. State your business.”
Once Farris heard the rider’s voice, all his alibis and answers vanished.
“Come now, Garth,” he said, reaching out to push the weapon aside. “That’s no way to be speaking to me. What would Mother think?”
Chapter 5:
The Children of Penance
Penance is one of the largest settlements on Alabach, and the oldest by a significant margin. Before the Fall of Sin in AC 88, Penance was the focal point of trade for Simians across the Northern Reach. However, following the Fall of Sin, Simians were forbidden to leave Penance’s walls. This led to the migration of natives from the other Simian settlements of the Northern Reach, leaving Col, Tán, and Elis Point mere ghost towns today.
Although restricted to Penance, the Simian people forged significant scientific advances in the years following the Fall. The building of Aldrich Canal brought unprecedented growth to the city in the following years, essentially forcing the Seachtú of Alabach to trade with the Simian city.
Today, Penance is made up of five districts, built around the remnants of the Tower of Sin. The area immediately surrounding the Tower is known as the Shadow of Sin. The other districts extend out from the Shadow. Starting with the most northernmost and going anti-clockwise, they are: The Stoneworks, the Goldworks, the Dustworks, the Saltworks, and the Steamworks.
Guide to the City of Penance, Benedict the Blessed, AC388
***
The walls of Penance loomed ahead as they made their way around the Rustlake. Farris walked alongside Garth and his mount, accompanied by Jacob. The other riders lingered behind. Whatever urgency brought them to the caves had vanished now as they took a slower pace towards the city.
“We’ve been keeping eyes on Moray Head,” said Garth. “Can’t be too careful with battlemages crawling through the Clifflands now.”
“Indeed,” said Farris, throwing a glance at Jacob. Either he had vastly overestimated the smuggler’s prowess, or the Triad was just being extremely cautious. The scowl on Jacob’s face alluded to the latter.
“Are we’re under arrest then?” asked Jacob. “Why not put us in chains and be done with it?”
