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Chapter 21: Return to Salinas
Flames roar, wind howls, and waves crash as Phyr kicks the magic up a notch to hasten their approach to the shore. The coastline between Eversummer and the Forgotten Wastes comes into view on the horizon in the mid-afternoon, and by sunset they are making their final approach. On Alice’s signal, Phyr stops casting so that she can safely make landfall without risking damage to the boat or running aground.
As Vector helps Phyr out of his harness and Alice drops anchor, Pannych says, “I was thinking - how exactly are we going to sneak into Salinas?”
Phyr shoots her a pedantic look and says, “Uhh, don’t get seen by the guards. Duh.”
“Yeah, but there’s a lot of ‘em, there’s paladins now, and they’ve got watchtowers all over the place. So how specifically are we going to give them the slip?”
“Well, you’re a ninja,” Phyr says, “So between your sneaking skills and Alice being able to See through walls, shouldn’t we be able to just not get seen?”
“I could also swap out for an invisibility spell and the Lasting Buffs feature,” Vector says.
“Or we could just change our appearance and take the social stealth route,” Alice suggests.
“See, this is what I’m talking about,” Pannych says with a facepalm, “We should plan this out before we’re in the moment.”
“Oh, no,” Phyr says, “We are not forking the story again. We haven’t done that for seven damn chapters, I don’t wanna start again now.”
“Then we can choose D: All of the above,” Vector says. The others look at him. “You know, roll up all incognito, sneak when we can, go invisible when we have to. No forking required.”
“That still leaves the matter of who specifically we talk to,” Alice says.
“There’s that Warner guy,” Vector offers. “I’m sure a desert guide would be able to give us some kind of help provisioning ourselves for a long journey with no fresh water.”
“True,” Pannych says, “But he might be out on a raid or something.”
If you checked “CLANDESTINE CARGO” or “MAYORAL MEETING” on the last page, then Pannych adds, “There’s also Admiral Starling; she might just happen to be ashore tonight. I bet an experienced seafarer could be even more helpful.”
If you chose “BOOKFINDERS’ BOON,” then Admiral Starling and her crew are all dead, and Pannych says, “There’s also Clint in the magic guild chapterhouse; he might be around. I bet the head of spacetime magic could be even more helpful.”
Pannych then clutches her head and doubles over in pain. She staggers a couple steps across the deck, then leans against the mast and reaches around it with one arm to steady herself until the feeling passes.
If you have FIVE TALLY MARKS in “CAREFULLY CONSISTENT” and NO MARKS in “RETCONNING RASCAL,” then this is all that happens. Also, thank you for playing by the rules in good faith.
However, if you have FOUR OR FEWER MARKS in “CAREFULLY CONSISTENT,” or ANY MARKS in “RETCONNING RASCAL,” then Pannych also collapses to the deck of the boat, screaming in agony, and curls up into the fetal position. Put a tally mark in Painful Portent on the last page.
Finally, if you also have either FOUR OR MORE MARKS IN “SNEAKY PEEKY,” or TWO OR MORE MARKS IN “RETCONNING RASCAL,” then she also rocks back and forth, muttering incoherently between bouts of crying to herself.
“And this is what I’m talking about,” Phyr says firmly. “Vector and I are able to deal with these forks with no problem, it’s just a little confusing. But they cause you physical pain, and I bet a load of psychological distress comes with it.” Vector moves to help her, but Phyr stops him with a hand. “No, just let her ride it out. I know it sucks - believe me, I know - but we can’t help her while this is happening. She just needs space.”
Vector grumbles for a moment, but then backs off and joins Alice, who is sitting on a deck chair with her arms folded across her chest, looking impatient. “What’s your take on all this,” he asks her, once Pannych seems to be regaining her composure.
Alice looks at him with her empty eye sockets and says, “After that whole bit about my past the other day, do you even care?” Vector sucks air in through his teeth and looks the other way, his body language all but shouting, Sorry I asked.
After Pannych has fully recovered, Phyr helps her into a deck chair. He then stands before the group and says, “We shouldn’t fork the story any more if we can help it. Let’s just go see Warner, he’s right in the middle of the city and there are plenty of ways in and out. Otherwise we’re headed straight along the coast, and we either have to take a detour or risk being spotted any time there’s a whiff of trouble.”
“The coast is busier, though,” Pannych says, shaking off the last of the unpleasantness. “It’ll be easier for us to go unnoticed in the hubbub. Either way, if we’re gonna be walking around the city at night, then I’m changing. Whoever had this boat before left some cute clothes in my size, and I’m totally stealing them.” The others look amongst themselves awkwardly, noticeably avoiding her gaze. “What? I can’t just go through town looking like a ninja or a mercenary, that’ll definitely get noticed! You guys should change, too.” There are general mutters of agreement, but no eye contact. Pannych can tell that the awkwardness has increased, but she can’t tell why. She folds her arms defiantly and says, “What aren’t you guys telling me?”
Vector looks to the other two, who are suddenly very interested in minor details of the boat, like this deck screw or that spot of tarnish on the rail. With a sigh, he faces Pannych and says, “We, ah, may have stolen this boat from Rayla and Aqu’s super-secret seaside cave on Noob Isle.”
Pannych blinks a couple times, then says, “Oh, that makes sense, then. She’s apparently got good taste.”
They head below to change. Phyr and Vector wear their suits, sans jackets and cufflinks, with the sleeves rolled up and collars unbuttoned. Pannych wears a green wrap skirt with a white camisole, and brown leather sandals with half-calf thongs. Alice has no other clothes besides the blue silk dress she’s been wearing for days, so Phyr lets her use the purification ray to remove the smell and most of the ickiness, and then they’re all presentable enough. Having cooled down some, they finally decide how they’re going to approach tonight’s adventure.
If you checked “CLANDESTINE CARGO” or “MAYORAL MEETING” on the last page, and you think they should SEEK THE ADMIRAL’S ASSISTANCE, then click here (change of plans - book no longer structured like this).
If you WANT TO READ A DIFFERENT OPTION ANYWAY, then put a tally mark in the “Retconning Rascal” box on the last page and turn to whichever option you want.
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