What Goes Bump In The Night

XV: Frigid Ambush

For the remaining hours of the Adlerbahn's trek up north, Pearce kept shooting out any idea he could think of. Sorina was quiet, listening in and taking the opportunity to either reinforce him when he had a good idea or laugh when he had a bad idea.

"I'm running out of ideas here-"

Despite his groan, he still has a smile on his face.

"-none of those sound fun to you?"

I think first before replying, but then shake my head as I had done over a thousand times by now.

"I see. Not even underwater basket weaving?"

Sorina bursts out cackling at Pearce's question which seemed all too genuine.

"Sorry, but I don't think I'm interested."

Pearce finally gave up, but he promised it was only for now. When I looked outside the window to check on our progress, I was surprised to see the city already in view. Glaseholm, a frigid city that never sees the light of day. Not once have I come here and seen the Master Star, for not even He would grace such a city with His light. Trees fit to survive in the frozen climate line every street, every hill, and everywhere. The homes are made of wood but all spout out smoke, like the dying breaths of weakened wyverns. Exiting the station, I get the feeling that it hasn't been modified or updated since the building was first erected. Dull bricks are everywhere and the platforms themselves are designed using an architecture long outdated. Going over cracks, my boots stomp along the icy stone. Once we pass the overhang that protects the rails from snow, I feel the prick of ice landing on my skin. Immediately my cheeks flush red and I look to the others to see how they react. Pearce is red too, his ears and cheeks burning bright. As I expected, Sorina looks no different, her pale skin showing no red beyond a small patch at the end of her nose.

"The border's not far from here, only about an hour's walk."

The Ice Witch announces, speeding up to take the lead.

"Aye aye, captain!"

Pearce replies, his voice weirdly chipper.

"Aye aye? Were you a sailor?"

I ask, confused as to why he would use such an expression.

"No, I just felt like saying it. Were you?"

"No."

His face suddenly lights up.

"Oh! Is that a hobby you'd like? Sailing?"

Before I could even answer, Sorina turned over her shoulder with a grin.

"Really? You think she'd want to be out on the high seas?"

"Why not? I think I could be a pirate!"

Both Sorina and I laugh, with the Ice Witch taking an opportunity to throw a playful jab.

"A sea wolf? A little absurd isn't it?"

He frowns, upset that we've dashed his childish dream of being a buccaneer. Walking through the desolate streets, they're still crowded with festive decorum. Just a week ago was a holiday celebrated exclusively in the northern district, one to honor the Servant Star. Seeing as both stars are stand-ins for celestial beings in the Church's religion, it's strange they'd celebrate for just the Servant and not the Master.

"Have you ever wondered what it's like in other countries? If they're as religious as Rotelan, I mean."

Pearce's question was abrupt, but Sorina answers in a calm and even manner.

"Krovnoch is far more religious than Rotelan. As for Meridionale and Utajiri, both have their sects and restrict honoring a different religion than the centralized practice. From what I know, Rotelan is the only country on the Eastern Plane to actually allow a choice in religion. The Church is the largest, but they don't require its citizens to follow. If I remember correctly, Krovnoch tends to suppress those with different ideals using violent methods; the primary reason for the exodus it's experienced in the last decade."