Flight of the Delirium part 1 (WIP/unedited)

Please dont read this Xd it is not up to par for your eyes, poorly written and desperately needs editing.           Introduction: The Bellerose 2 Days Ago   Eirnin Clarke woke to a high pitch whistle echoing from the boiler. He jumped up and quickly ran to a nearby meter perched on a pipe. His blurred vision only allowed him to observe a small needle rising from a green half circle to a red indicating a massive lack of steam that powered the ships’ engines. The Bellerose had irritable machinery that had to be tended to almost constantly. Eirnin ran quickly to a lever attached to the boiler pulling it quickly releasing reserved water into a containment bin which then boiled it and sent it throughout the ship to make sure the ship stayed at its current altitude. He heard the captain’s voice from the intercom speaker on the celling. “Clarke? Everything all right?” Eirnin reached for a small voice box, pushed a button, and spoke clearly. “The boiler is acting up again; I had to use the reserves. I think it’s still leaking steam somewhere.” His Irish accent was thick as were most Irish lowborn. At first Captain McMillan, a highborn government official couldn’t understand him, constantly asking Eirnin to repeat himself. Now it seemed he could understand just fine. “Well we need to find it, and soon. We should make it to Cailin’s Rest. Join me in my quarters, lad. We need to talk about our visit.” “Captain that might not be a good id-“ “I’m a viscount lad, I can bend the rules.” “Aye, sir” Eirnin opened a large iron door and proceeded out of the darkened boiler room and into a large wooden corridor that spanned the length of the ship. His footsteps echoed along the marble walls as he wiped the oil and grime from his face. The Captain’s room was two floors up placed at the end of the highborn district of the massive vessel. He knocked, avoiding the looks of well-dressed gentlemen in their suits and expensive footwear. The captain opened the door and invited Eirnin to come inside. He was a tall man, thin and toned, with a captain’s uniform made of a fine and clearly expensive material. His various war medals and ribbons were worn proudly on his vest and he wore, as was the custom when a highborn finds themselves in the presences of a lowborn, a gasmask covering his gray hair clean shaven face. Eirnan walked in and stood until asked to be seated. To His surprise the captain removed his gasmask after closing the door. When he noticed Eirnan controlling his breathing in order to breathe as little as possible he spoke quickly. “Don’t believe that rubbish, lad. The air you breathe is no different from mine.” “I’m sorry sir?” “And don’t call me sir, you’ve been with us since the age of 7, my name is Daniel. Remember it.” In confusion, Eirnin nodded. Daniel then reached for a churchwarden tobacco pipe that sat on a stand perched on his dresser. He reached for pinch of tobacco in a nearby can and offered Eirnan a pinch as well. To this Eirnin simply took it to be polite, reaching for his own pipe hanging off of his belt by a thin piece of leather. He pushed the tobacco down with a match lit the pipe inhaling the rich smoke into his lungs. “Apple?” he spoke after cherishing the flavor. “Indeed, this is the expensive brand, Clarke. The leaves are tended with care.” Clarke nodded and took another puff from the pipe savoring every moment of this unheard of kindness. “You are from Cailin’s rest, right Clarke?” “Yes, my parents lived there for most of my life. When we met in London, they were trying to find a place with better opportunities.” “Did they?” “Sadly not. They died several years ago. Killed in a mugging.” “Tell me about this city.” “From what I remember it’s downright savage, nothing like London. The crime is higher her than anywhere else in Ireland. The lowborn are sent here in exile. You won’t find much high class here. Daniel slouched forward and spoke softly in a very disappointed voice. “Eirnan, this will be our last stop. The Bellerose is being decommissioned and all its crew relieved. I wanted to tell you this before the rest of the sorry lot find out. You’ve saved quite a handsome amount of coin, you should be fine.” Instead of the expected shock, Daniel observed the intelligence he had come to admire from Eirnan. “I had figured that out the moment we left Port Royal. Few ships enter the docks of Cailin’s Rest and leave without being merchants or smugglers. I remember that much. Where will you go?” “Don’t worry about me lad, a ship is waiting for me. I’m more concerned about you.” “Not sure where I can go, in Ireland, lowborn mean little.” “Lad, I’m sorry, you’ve done well on this ship. Maybe you can make a living on those inventions of yours.” “Possibly, we just have to see.” At that point the captain reached over and handed him a small envelope. “There is your last pay check. Now head to the top deck with me. You can finally see what it looks like when a ship ports. “ Eirnin held the pipe in his mouth as he stood up and walked to the door. Daniel placed his mask back on and followed him out. It wasn’t long till the dawn sky could be seen. This Perfect blend of colors would be the best backdrop for the last flight of the Bellerose. The dock workers would raid the ship, ripping it apart. The city was already visible. A walled in circular quarantine for the lower class. Eirnin and Daniel leaned forward on the railing “I hate to see her go.” Eirnin spoke softly. “So do I lad.” They observed the horizon for some time, refusing to look to the city below. It was then that Eirnin saw a silhouette in the sun which turned to two then to four, all the way to 20 distinct shapes approaching from the east. “What is that?” Daniel was watching too fixed on the sight with confusion and a sinking feeling in his gut. It was then that both men felt the sudden heat and lift of an explosion launching them across the deck.   Cailin’s fall 2 Days Ago   Eirnin woke to a shout. Daniel was standing over him yelling his name. When he responded it was with disoriented speech indicating no harm was done. “We have to go lad, follow me.” With no weapons, fighting off these attackers would be suicide. Eirnin stood and followed behind the captain watching as roughly put together airship flew around launching missiles and bullets at the ship. Several bodies lay scattered. Soldiers and highborn gentlemen alike ran and fought the invaders. Just before Daniel and Eirnin arrived at the door to the lower decks, several attackers boarded the ship fighting ferociously with the few soldiers on the top deck. The door slammed behind them as they ran quickly down the wooden corridor. Screams, explosions, and gunfire could be heard from afar. They stopped at the door of the captain’s quarters. The door opened and Daniel quickly wandered the room collecting his metal cuirass, pistol, and a fine crafted rapier. He handed Eirnin a pistol and asked, “You know how to use that?” “Very well sir, it seems simple enough.” The man nodded “What effects do you need?” “I’m not sure I understand, sir. Are we not fighting?” “This ship is not nearly armed well enough for a proper defense. My orders are to abandon ship. I’m heading to the bridge to make the announcement; you go below and get all the things you need. Meet me at the bridge when you’re through.” Eirnin nodded finding it difficult to run from a fight. He turned and ran as Daniel mad his way to the bridge. He passed several ladies and gentlemen scouring through luggage finding their valuables and possibly weapons. Eirnin found the elevator and slowly traveled to the engineering floor. He exited the elevator with haste and ran to the boiler room, where he slept. He looked around grabbing whatever seemed necessary or valuable. Exiting the room (omit exiting the room) he heard an explosion coupled with screams of the engineers. He investigated and found (Maybe not investigated, but upon exiting the room he found…) that a giant hole had been ripped from the ship. He could see two hands fighting to pull their owner up to safety. He ran dropping his things and helped a young African man up to the sanctuary of the deck. After the thank you was given he turned quickly grabbing his things and made his way back to the elevator. As it rose he heard the voice of Daniel McMillan over the intercoms. “This is the captain and I’m ordering all to abandon the vessel. (immediately? to display urgency of the situation?)” There was more said but an explosion below him drowned it out. The elevator began to shake and Eirnan saw below him nothing but the surface of the earth. The elevator started to screech and Eirnin felt it slowly fall. He pressed the emergency stop button and began working the door open with a small pry bar he had taken from the boiler room. The door opened and the elevator continued its decent. He reached out and grabbed a pipe lifting and holding him onto it as the elevator slowly fell. He worked his way up to the next floor and worked the door open. He saw a war torn feud between the rich passengers of the ship and the attackers. He slowly worked his way to safety and ran to the aid of a couple of women being harassed by a six foot dark skinned man. The women were fighting him off with their handbags when he got to close. Eirnin raised the pistol and fired hitting the man square in the back. The man fell as Eirnin ran to collect his weapon, a shotgun with several shells. Eirnan loaded the gun putting his pistol in his belt and ran without a word to the bridge. He fired several shots killing many of the attackers as they continued their assault on this once impenetrable fortress. He opened the door to the bridge and Daniel was there to greet him alone observing the fighting on the deck. “Ready to go?” Eirnan nodded and followed the captain to a large door. An elevator opened to let them in taking them slowly to a docking bay where a small plane was waiting for them. The propeller spun rapidly as they ran to their new found safety. It was at this time that The Bellerose shook violently and began to descend to the ground. They entered the plane and watched as the pilot left the bay. The ship made a nosedive into the city of cailin’s rest. Massive explosions erupted from the collision and debris rose and fell randomly as the city slowly burned. “Scrappers, captain.” The pilot spoke with a disgusted tone. Daniel nodded and Eirnan observed the carnage with grief. “What now?” he asked. Daniel spoke in a harsh voice. “We have to land. The scrappers will be looking in the sky, if we are lucky they won’t land with us. The plane slowly descended to the ground making a rough impact before coming to a (complete?)Stop. The three men jumped out of the plane and looked at their surroundings. They had landed in a field right next to the tree line of a fairly thick forest. They walked to the shelter of the trees and continued west well into the night. The fire could be seen lighting the night sky and explosions still echoed in the distance. “Where are we going, sir?” “Cork isn’t far from here if we continue west, we can make it before tomorrow night.”   Cork, Ireland Present Day   “Madam Gwen?” She looked up from her journal passed her curled red hair at her assistant, her Ice blue eyes piercing the air between them in a stern gaze. She set down her quill and listened intently as the young (fair skinned brunette) brunette with fair skin continued speaking. Her tone was soft and kind despite her profession. Most girls at the bordello spoke with confidence in sharp tones or seductive draws adding the occasional light moan. “The ambassador from London will be joining us tonight. His letter was just received downstairs. He wishes, in particular, to spend the night with Madison little.” “Have you told Madi of her appointment?” “Yes, she is currently in the process of preparing herself for the ambassador’s arrival.” “Then what’s the matter?” “We have no supplies to support a guest like this.” She looked down at her notebook and read the lines where the record of the ambassador’s exchange was listed. She flipped a few pages and found her way to a financial record and added an entry. “Two hundred Victoria’s should suffice for a feast I would think. The girls could use a meal fit for royalty.” “I imagine it would add to your current reputation of benevolence madam.” “Then make it so, I wish for you to go to the local grocery and inspect the Inventory personally.” “I will make each item well worth the investment.” “On your way then, don’t bother bringing any back. Spend it all…” This was Guinevere’s way of saying, keep the rest. Her kindness knew no bounds. As the young girl left a drunken Sadie stumbled into the room. The woman took in the sight of her madam’s office. From the red satin bed with its equally red canopy, to the red carpeted walls and floors, then drawing her attention to the mahogany desks arranged in an L shape in the far corner of the room where the madam sat. The madam was wearing a beautiful black gown with an ornate piece of clothing that began at a broach at her chest and akin to a flower bloomed around her head in a full circle, growing larger and more elaborate as it reached its peak just at the back of her head. Her hair was down. This was unusual. Perhaps a stressful day or a need to relax, either way, despite how high the social standards were, Harlots were always the best at keeping secrets and would never say a thing about their beloved madam’s practices. “Sadie, can I help you?” Gwen had caught her gawking at the room. The lowborn girls never get used to such extravagance. “I was wondering,” she began with slow speech maintaining complete control as was the training provided by the very one she was speaking to. “, If you could hire another pair of strong arms…we need help moving the heavy stuff and some of the new girls don’t feel safe. If we aren’t hurting for money, it would help.” “Were always hurting for money, darling, but I will keep an eye out for a poor man who would work in a brothel.” With a nod she gave a neat “Thanks mum (I love the idea of them referring to me as a mother figure... helps with the distraughtness later when I lose the baby),” and turned away leaving the madam in peace. She was finishing listing the new girls in her service within the fine leather journal she kept. She looked to the financial section of the journal. They could indeed hire another pair of arms. Added protection from the undesirables would be a good insurance and of course help with heavy lifting is always needed. Another knock on her door broke her concentration. She closed the book and gently spoke. “Come in.” her voice was loud and commanding, yet she was taught how to apply tenderness to her voice that always put others at ease. A young gentleman walked into the room with his wife. The McAllister couple, whom regularly came here. Sometimes they come looking to partake of her various fruit, other times for more personal matters. “Madam,” The gentleman began, “Did you receive our letter?” “I did, and I have your treatment here, sir. “ She reached down to her previously unseen red corset. A metal plate with a leather strap holding a large vial of little multicolored tablets in place was in clear view. She removed the vial from its perch and removed the cork that sealed it shut. She looked inside and poured a single red tablet into her hand. “Here you are,” Mrs. McAllister took it with a slight reluctance. “Are you sure this works. Could it not just be my Alex shooting blanks? Should we not see a doctor to make sure we are not being cheated out of money? “ “Amy, I can assure you, all my girls take this pill routinely every 4 months. What better way to prove a pill can control a woman’s right to her womb than through those who exercise it most often.” “It is just so new. Nothing like this has ever been invented. Were sworn to secrecy of course,” she spoke the last quickly as Gwen raised an eyebrow. The most intimidating thing she’s ever known to do…mainly because it is so effective. “We cannot afford any more children. I just want to make sure this works.” “If you have so many children…how is it you can doubt your husband?” Alex replied quickly in a blush. “The other children took quite some time to actually produce. Amy and even I assume it is because of my…seeds quality.” “Conceiving children is a difficult task. Truly a miracle as many times it does happen so little in our day in age. Alex, please don’t be embarrassed. There are countless men on this earth that have little quality. Consider yourself lucky to still be able to produce. With the highborn inbreeding as it is, many are born or become sterile.” “Thank you for your consolation.” “And Amy, I have concocted hundreds of different experimental formulas before I was able to produce the one in your hand. I know how the body works. It will perform its task admirably. Now take it.” She poured a glass of water and gave it to the woman while taking a payment from Alex. “And go home with your husband so that he may do the same.” She walked them out of the brothel leading them down the red carpeted stairwell and out two large ornate doors. It was noon now, and in the hour her assistant should return with tonight’s feast. She waved to Madison Little whom was frantically putting on her clothes and make up reciting lines she had devised for the ambassador. One thing that Gwen prided her was that she taught these young former whores to make seduction a game of wit and manipulation. She turned these women of ill repute into walking weapons. They knew the arts, they knew their trade. This intimidated their clients, and the men loved that. Little(go ahead and call her Madison, if I like her enough to let her be the ambassador’s then I like her enough to call her by first name) nodded in Gwen’s direction as to assure her that all will be well, and Gwen left the building, with a plan to hire a new young man looking for work.         Cobb, Ireland 24 Hours Ago   Eirnan Clarke woke in the middle of the night; their humble hotel room was void of decoration and held only two beds and a single telephone and television. He took the time to flip through the channels searching for a local news station. When he found it, as expected, the burning city of Cailin’s rest was in full view. The scrappers were long gone and the airship recording the visuals made circles around the city making sure all angles of their carnage could be seen. Bodies were being dragged out of rubble and on occasion a glimpse of the oil sea could be seen off the coast. Years ago, the oil industry came under fire from several terrorist groups. Oil wells were destroyed and to conserve cost and to meet the demands of several environmentalist groups, who some believed caused some of the disasters, left the wreckage and founded a new form of energy. Henry Mattock from the Americas fashioned a new and improved version of the steam engine. While keeping similar functions such as miles per hour and horsepower, one could modify a car engine to run on water compared to gasoline. The air travel industries were hit the most. They were forced to build cheap airships that in all truth worked better than many of the fixed winged craft of the past. The highborn who invested in these companies were known to commit suicide; even today, five years after the event, the occasional suicide would pop up and cause controversy. McMillan was already awake. “They had been known to attack the boomtowns, but Cailin’s Rest is bold.” “They know we escaped, a ship without its captain won’t go unnoticed with the Highborn either.” “I don’t care much for the opinions of the higher classes. I spent my days depending on the working class to keep my darling craft in the air, and not one highborn ever picked up a shovel, or a hammer. Sorry to say, I prefer the Lowborn engineer to the highborn ballroom.” He nodded to Eirnan smiling. “Are there many highborn like you?” Eirnin replied smiling back. “Depends on what you mean by ‘like me’.” “You know that the fact Lowborn don’t breathe toxic fumes, you always treated the lower class with respect, you even risked you own status, and life I might add, to speak with me all those times.” “Oh, I imagine there are many like me. Here in Ireland, Anything to rebel against his majesty King Henry would be met with open arms.” “I see, well I’d like to meet more like you.” “Careful, Henry has made it a point to promote English viscounts here in Ireland. Word spreads that any highborn consorting with lowborn and the wrong people hear it is the Key Makers you shall meet.” Eirnan laughed and before he could speak, a commotion was heard downstairs. Shouting and breaking glass echoed throughout the hotel. McMillan grabbed his pistol and Tiernan, who didn’t even remove his shoes when he laid himself to sleep, followed his lead and slowly opened the door. Half a dozen men were seen at the end of the hallway breaking bottles of wine over the head of a young man who was trying to fight them off, staining the tacky design on the hallway carpet. A woman screamed as one of the men, whom like the rest was dressed in an outfit that seemed put together over years of salvaging, made a deep laugh that indicated an insatiable lust. “Scrappers,” The captain whispered. “We are not in a position to fight.” “I’m helping her,” Eirnan spoke with unwavering force. He turned the corner with his pistol drawn, aimed, and fired a single shot hitting the lustful man square in the side of the head. The other five turned their attention down the hallway and ran quickly to their position. Daniel was able to kill one as was Eirnan but before they knew it the men had engaged them. Eirnan’s pistol was knocked from his hand as a man lunged at him knocking him down. Daniel was fist fighting another man and the last was dealing heavy blows to Eirnan’s face. Eirnan Wiggled his hand out of the grip of the man on top of him landing punches wherever he could. The man on top of him groaned and rolled off as Eirnan quickly rolled out of the way as the second man continued his assault. Eirnan ran to the young gentlemen the Scrappers were harassing before who was running, cane in hand, at the attackers. Eirnan grabbed the cane. “Go see to the lady.” Like his own, Eirnan saw the bloodied face of the highborn nod and limp back to his room in the care of the woman Eirnan had, now regrettably, saved. He turned around and raised the cane above his head taking a defensive stance shifting his weight to his right leg bringing his left back behind him. The two men were running to him quickly. He swung overhead and brought it upon one of his attacker’s faces and used his left hand to strike the next in the throat. After a choking sound the man fell with a broken(can't break a trachea, say collapsed or something of that nature) trachea, allowing Eirnan to draw his attention to the other man whom had by then recovered from the heavy strike from the wooden cane. Eirnan assumed his defensive stance once again and swung bringing down the cane on the other side of the aggressor’s face the man gave out a sharp scream landing on the floor. He took this opportunity to remove a knife holstered in a leather strap on the man’s leg. He took one clean stab and killed him instantly. He brought the knife up to a throwing position and aimed for the last scrapper. Daniel was never a fist fighter. He threw the knife the moment a clear course occurred to him and the man screamed as the blade made contact. Daniel was in a worse condition than Eirnan. He was clearly missing a tooth and his nose had been crushed. “Fine work, lad.” He gurgled through the small flow of blood. “The soft spot for ladies though, that could get someone killed.” He laughed then groaned clutching his stomach. Several more men had exited the elevator and were running to them. Eirnan helped Daniel back into their room and barricaded the door. The scrappers did their best to break the door down, but so far, it held. “Listen lad! At the window, Trash Barge.” Eirnan ran to the window and saw a large airship collecting trash on the lower levels of the hotel. “It’s the only way out of this room, and the sails and airlift should slow the descent.” “Alright then, come on.” Daniel shook his head. “ I couldn’t make that fall. Not to mention these bastards would be on us quickly. I’ll stay and keep them busy.” “No sir, you won’t.” “It is important you get to cork.” He was pushing against the door now applying more force. “Take that bag.” He pointed to a large duffle bag that contained all that was left of his belongings. “Go to Cork and speak with the viscount. Tell him the scrappers are planning."   something big, nothing else explains why they are getting so bold. Put the mask on and some of my cloths, you can pass as an Irish highborn from the Americas, He won’t expect a thing.” Eirnan stared at him and then at the window. The Door then swung open despite the captain’s best efforts. “Go!” it was at this that Eirnan Sprinted to the other side of the room and jumped at the large window. The glass broke easily enough. Eirnan felt the sting of glass cutting into his bare arms. He fell at increasing speeds to the Barge below. He extended his arms, increasing his wind resistance. The knife in his right hand was then brought down as the barge rose up to meet him. The knife cut into the thick fabric of the balloon Air lift and descended down to the outer hull of the unmanned barge. He knelt down as it slowly descended. The Steam being released from the hole quickly escaped the balloon and Eirnan remained still until the barge gave a quick jolt touching down on the ground. He slid down the hull and landed on the ground in a quick sprint heading west to cork.   Daniel knelt down in a corner as the men entered the room. A large man with a deep voice grabbed Daniels face and brought himself uncomfortably close. The stench almost made Daniel vomit. “No one escapes.” “I did,” Daniel laughed then was silenced by a quick strike to the face. “And you left a detailed trail to track.” “Who the hell taught you idiots how to track?” Another strike followed, this time to the diaphragm. The large man snapped his fingers, and the captain found himself staring down the barrel of his own pistol. Cork, Ireland present day   Gwen walked slowly down the street observing all who walked passed. She studied them intently trying to picture the kind of person they were, ignoring men and women with masks and fancy dress. It was within this moment that she truly saw the state of her beloved city. The sky was beautiful but that beauty came at a great price. The pollution had increased to such a point that the various chemicals hovering over the city created what seemed like a blend of different colors each with its own metallic sheen. The streets were covered in grime as were many of the buildings. Gwen often found it strange that even the highborn let their homes entertain the same look. She looked up and noticed there was not one person on the side street she had ventured onto. She turned her head from side to side carefully taking each step, paying close attention to anything that moved. She was near the docks and this part of town was more than known for its ever increasing crime rate. The air was cool and the sun beat down between the buildings as she made her way. However, sure enough, there were a group of young men, none of them could have be over seventeen, who jumped out at her. They were not openly armed, but Gwen knew at least two of the five had to have had a knife stashed away somewhere within easy reach, just in case a mark decided to give them more trouble than expected. They surrounded her before she had a chance to really formulate a way out of the situation. “Scuse me miss.” She chose to smile and answered calmly. “Can I help you gentlemen?” “Anything of value would be nice.” They knew that everyone understood how this situation plays out. If she complied, the group would leave her alone, despite her being a woman in a deserted side street. But she knew these streets well. She taught her girls the where the money was, where the crime was, and how to get away from just this kind of situation. She was of the streets too and she would not sit and have these children demand a thing from her, even if it meant her life. “I’m sorry young sir but as a woman of ill repute I’m afraid I have nothing to offer. Please move along.” The young man looked at her with anger. “We know who you are, you have money. Give it, now.” He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. The other men slowly closed in, inch by inch. Gwen immediately lashed out with her free arm, scratching the man with her arm across the face. The man gave a slight grunt releasing her arm. She found her opportunity and ran at the undefended hole passed the man she had struck who was still trying to recover with a bleeding wound on his face. She may have actually clipped the eye. She ran quickly but to little avail. Her dress made it fairly difficult to run. Before she was able to lift her dress to give herself more leg room the men were upon her. She was grabbed from behind and forced around to face the other attackers and a man with bleeding scratch marks came at her with a vengeance. With closed fists he landed punch after punch. She felt blood slowly fall down her face. She was released and fell to the ground. Two men knelt down and began to feel around for a money pouch or a pocket of some kind. The pain elevated as she really started to get a grasp of how badly she was hurt. Her ribs felt terribly. She didn’t even recall being hit in the stomach as she was too busy trying to recuperate from the face shots. They had found her pouch filled with the few copper Henry’s. They found a few silver Mary’s and at least three gold Victoria’s tucked in her corset. She saw her chance and raised her leg as close to her chest as she possibly could and gave a kick that connected to the face of the closest attacker. She wasn’t giving up so easily. She glanced at the entrance to the side street where she had come in just in time to see her assistant stared with wide eyes back at her, groceries in hand, and then turn to get some form of help.   *** Eirnin Clarke walked with his duffle bag tossed over his shoulder and pistol gleaming at his side. He had recently arrived, and was tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a bath. He had not changed into his fancy garb quite yet, as he needed a place that it could be done with decency first. Several shopkeepers were yelling loudly flaunting their wares and the news boy could be heard clearly above them. “Cailin’s Fall. A daring raid by scrappers on the Irish frontier leaving three thousand dead, two thousand injured and another thousand unaccounted for. He continued his walking keeping the grisly sight of the burning city out of his mind. he was stopped by the sight of two men arguing in the street. Steam cars were zooming by as a young highborn and middle aged lowborn screamed at each other ferociously about, what Eirnan was able to infer, an unintended graze on the shoulder of the highborn. The screaming stopped and the Highborn took a swing striking the face of his adversary. No one even moved, just chanted as the highborn continued swinging. Blood dripped from the Lowborn’s mouth as he took a quick jab resulting in the entire congregation, whom were mostly highborn, fell upon him. They swarmed him with feet and fist till no more fight was left. Eirnan quickly moved passed it only looking back when he had a safe distance between he and the violent fighting. When he did he saw the man being lifted by a rope around his neck that hung on a light pole. Barbaric, He thought to himself as he quickened his pace. He almost broke into a quick run when he saw the Key Makers Temple. He was approached the sacred ground and stopped to catch his breath observing the 3 effigies of the Key Makers themselves. The courtyard was vast and many people of various classes spoke with the clerical monks asking for answers to whatever problems they found themselves in. As he looked at the temple itself his attention was grabbed by the effigies which seemed to have grown since he first noticed them. On the left hand side of the courtyard a giant statue stood on a marble pedestal. This was Element, Goddess of The universal forces. The Statue resembled a female visage made of various metals and minerals, each color gleamed beautifully. The second Visage in the center of the three and placed right in front of the temple was that of Duality, the Divinity with no gender. This being of balance kept the universe in sync allowing order and chaos to exist in some form of harmony. The Statue was of a human divided in half by substance as well as gender. On the right side the statue was made of pearl and exemplified the female visage, while the left was made of onyx and portrayed the male. The third image on the right was that of Somnium, God of emotion, thought, and dreams. His statue was of no particular shape or form; rather it shifted forms for each individual who gazed upon its magnificent image. Every statue of Somnium is blessed by the Key Maker himself to look differently to each person. Together they created the universe itself and through the use of Arcane Keys, allow Humanity to feel and utilize the power of their mystic embrace. Eirnan himself had never seen the use of such powers, but after his travels on the Bellerose, anything was possible. He turned back to face the road and saw the road was emptied out. Authorities had been called out to the lynching a few streets back and as always, everyone flocked to see. It was here that Eirnan felt it safe to wander out of the courtyard. He walked quickly keeping his face to the ground and pistol within easy reach, holster unlatched and weapon loaded. Here he noticed a young brunette running to him. Her face was red, indicating a heavy run, and she was gasping for breath as she spoke. “Please-“ she bent over trying to force the words out. “-I need help,” “What seems to be the problem?” To this there was no answer, merely a gesture to follow her and the words: “You will need your gun.” Forced out through harsh breaths.     Madam Gwen was on her feet now. They were cocky, and she would use that to the best of her advantage. She will get here soon, She repeated the words over and over in her head as a mantra, forcing herself to keep her balance and not let them gain ground on her. She had bruises already visible on her arms, and she could bet her life on the fact that the repeated blows to the stomach had already bore fruit. “Give me back my effects now gentlemen, before the authorities arrive.” Laughter erupted from the group. There were far too many to actually stand a chance, and with no weapon the odds of even standing up to a smaller amount of thugs were slim. In her deep though, she accidentally let a blow through what poor defense she was able to make. She would have sworn her jaw dislocated on impact, but it seemed she still had control. It was then that a gunshot echoed off the buildings startling each of Gwen’s Attackers. The group began to run to the opposite end of the street hoping to get away until another shot was fired freezing them in place as a member of their ranks, the one who was closest to escape, fell to the ground clutching his leg allowing all his fellow criminals to view his pain. “Give her back all stolen effects. The next shot will be fatal.” An Irish accent rang out as an omen of death to the band of thieves. Gwen glanced at the origin of the voice and saw her assistant standing next to the young man who, with a pistol raised, pointed in the direction of her assailants. Her assistant ran to her aid as Eirnin Clarke focused all attention to the men who caused her grief. The man with the scratched face reluctantly took out Gwen’s pouch and along with the spare coins found with her corset, tossed it at Gwen’s feet. She smiled tauntingly as she collected her money and Eirnan Fired again as if starting a race. He had never seen men run so fast. It was obvious to him that these men were not adept to firearms. He walked to the women whom at this point had slid down a brick wall sitting on the stone ground. He reached into his duffle bag and grabbed an old handkerchief that McMillan had replaced years ago and gave to him so he could “Maintain an elegant appearance” He wiped the blood from Gwen’s nose and helped her to her feet. She looked up into Hazel eyes and greasy short brown hair. “Are you all right?” “Better now, thank you.” She turned to her assistant. “And thank you for coming to my aid.” The girl grinned and pointed to a bag of her own, that contained much of the food she had bought. “Didn’t lose much, I dropped a bag on my way to finding help, i'll go and retrieve that.” Without another word, she turned on her heels and quickly walked out of the side street. “Thank you again sir, if you hadn’t come to my aid, I may be in a very different position now.” “I do my part.” He looked at his watch and his eyes widened. The Viscounts office would soon close. “Well miss, would you need an escort home, or can you manage.” “I’ll manage, Thank you again.” She tossed a Gold Victoria at him which he caught. “Much appreciated.” “Madam Gwen’s East End Bordello. One night is on me.” She turned and walked out of the side street and toward the nearest gunsmith.