I've been to Millington Street already. It was picked clean ages ago! The shops are still open, but the shelves are all empty! Even the shopping bags are gone!
Impatient Resident
Kraman said they had stuff left here, so I ran five blocks only to find not even a single fowlbeast feather left!
Impatient Resident
Might as well go back, grab my crossbow, and sneak past the guards to hunt in the Dark Woods—at least I might get some real meat before I starve.
Theo
...What?
Angry Resident
You've really gone crazy from hunger now—going into the forest is a death wish!
Impatient Resident
And you're not crazy? Stop talking like you know anything!
Angry Resident
Who are you to say I don't know anything? The grain store on Lagran Street, Emma's place, you know about it?
Impatient Resident
Haven't had a chance to check it out yet. What of it?
Angry Resident
I went there and had a look. There's no grain left, but from what Emma says, it's all because of those bloody Victorians!
Impatient Resident
The Victorian bastards have been blockading us since forever. This isn't new, so why act like it's a big shock?
Angry Resident
Because their spies have already infiltrated Na Saoirsí!
Impatient Resident
Come again?
Angry Resident
When Emma went to visit the ag plate, she saw the charred remains with her own eyes. Dublinn is still investigating!
Impatient Resident
Bloody hell! We should've struck back the minute Tara gained independence!
Angry Resident
You're right about one thing though: you should go get your crossbow. Not to hunt, but to root out the traitors!
Angry Resident
Of course, if I caught them, I wouldn't let them off that easy. A quick death is too good for them.
Theo
(*Whispers*) I guess the stores have been cut off from the supply of grain...
Theo
(*Whispers*) I boiled a few potatoes for Culann, but is it enough?
Theo
(*Whispers*) There are too many people here. I'll take another route.
Theo
(*Whispers*) Lots of them are armed too...
Theo
(*Whispers*) Are they planning to hunt down Victorian spies? But there's no grain left in the city... what does that have to do with the Victorians?
Theo
(*Whispers*) But I....
Theo
(*Whispers*) I...
Theo
I'll be fine. I'm Mr. Culann's apprentice—everyone knows that.
Theo
Don't be afraid, Theo. No one will hurt you.
Theo crouches down and squeezes through the crowd, making his way to the opposite corner of the street. He nimbly slips through a dark, narrow passage and emerges on the other side of a brick wall.
The noise of the crowd gradually fades from his ears.
Take these and give them to the neighbors. Tell them not to worry.
Friendly Resident
What about you? Or Nemos? Will she have anything to eat?
Friendly Resident
Instead of giving us grain, it'd be more useful to help everyone catch the spies. Otherwise, we'll never get to the root of the problem.
Culann
...I'll go. Please let everyone know.
Culann
But for now, just take them.
Culann
Nemos stands with The Leader, so it's only natural to endure a little hardship for everyone's sake.
Friendly Resident
...Alright then. Thank you.
Brooding Resident
Hey Culann, you must have more where that came from, right?
Brooding Resident
Besides, how'd you know we'd be running out of grains? Did Nemos tip you off in advance, or...?
Friendly Resident
What are you saying, Rory?!
Culann
If you don't want any, fine.
Brooding Resident
How do I know you or Nemos aren't spies? You've both been raising that Victorian boy together!
Culann
...Get out.
Brooding Resident
What, did I hit a nerve? Am I right? Are you really—
Anxious Resident
Culann! I heard you've been distributing grain! Impeccable timing! So where is it?
Culann
Everything that's left is right here.
Brooding Resident
Don't change the subject. You still haven't answered me.
Culann
I've said everything I had to say. If you feel these potatoes will dirty your hands, then give them to someone else.
Brooding Resident
Why you—
Anxious Resident
Do you want them or not, Rory? If not, then let me have them. There are plenty of hungry bellies to feed. Don't be ungrateful.
Anxious Resident
Now give them here—
Brooding Resident
Why should I?
Anxious Resident
You don't want them, right? So give them to me!
Brooding Resident
Fat chance!
Anxious Resident
Ugh—Aaahh!
The potatoes in the bag were very small. None had the usual oval shape.
Anxious Resident
My arm!
Friendly Resident
My God! He's bleeding! How could you turn a blade on a fellow Taran, Rory?!
Brooding Resident
I, I—
Culann
Drop the sword.
Culann
Don't make me use my hammer on you.
Friendly Resident
Y-You're the only one we can count on, Culann.
Culann
...
Friendly Resident
Something's been off about Rory lately, I'll follow him a bit, to check up on him. He's been out of sorts ever since his antique collection got burned in the war.
Friendly Resident
As for his blade, just take it. Don't let him have it back.
Anxious Resident
Culann... I... Ughh...
Culann
The wound isn't too deep. Come here, I'll stop the bleeding. As far as the grains, I'll have Nemos think of a solution when she gets back.
Anxious Resident
I know... ow ow ow... I know. You're giving away everything you have.
Anxious Resident
But you know, you're not as scary as you look—
Anxious Resident
Ow!
Culann
Don't talk. Save your energy.
Culann
I might have some cornmeal left at home. Let me check.
Wait, you're—oh, 'The Singer'. What brings you here?
'The Singer'
I heard rumors of chaos in the city, so I thought there might be something I could do to help. Alas, there is not. All I've heard is that the supply shortage was caused by Victorian sabotage.
'The Singer'
I've only ever run into the Victorian army by accident, and you and Culann were the ones to save me at the time.
'The Singer'
Also, the information you've provided us on the wakemen has been truly fascinating—
Nemos
Ah, sorry sir, but I really don't have time to be reminiscing. But I could use your assistance. Culann's apprentice, Theo, has gone missing. Can you help me look for him?
'The Singer'
I am... unable to help with that.
'The Singer'
The cityfolk are angry enough at the Victorians to flay one alive. Why bother running around looking for a Victorian child?
Nemos
Forget it then. I'll go look myself.
'The Singer'
Remember that the celebration will start in just over an hour. Don't you need to deliver the sacred instruments symbolizing the wakemen's blessings to the venue?
Nemos
Gah!
'The Singer'
*Sigh* Sorry, I really must be going now.
Nemos
...
Nemos
What do I do now...?
Loughshinny
Nemos? Is that you?
Loughshinny
I've finally found you. What happened in the city?
