120 To the north

Meanwhile, Asda held a deeply private conversation with Andros.

Following that, Andros spoke with Arnold.

"You're leaving?" Arnold stared. "But… things were finally looking up! We had basic industries going, we were starting to seriously expand…"

"And then the Beast Tide came. I don't know about you, Arnold, but I can't keep on like this." Andros shook his head. "I came here to get away from trouble, not get into more, and the Beast Tides are more than I can handle. I have received a good offer from Asda. Fal'Herim will be safe for our people. We should take it."

"But this… behind Remian's back…" Arnold struggled to find the words. "How could you do this to him?"

"What? It's the Frontier. Every man for himself. You know that. He knows that. That's how it's always been."

"No, it hasn't! Not since Remian!" Arnold protested. "It's not like that any more! We shouldn't be like that any more! We can be different! We can be better!"

"There is no better. It's the same the whole world over." Andros snorted. "You don't know because you're treated better than the rest of us thanks to your machines and your engineering skills. But for those of us who weren't born into much education, we always have to look out for ourselves. That's just the way it is."

"It doesn't have to be." Arnold frowned. "I don't think that's the kind of place that Remian is trying to build. That WE are trying to build together."

"Well, count me out. The grass may be greener on this side, but from where I'm standing, it's stained with blood. Better to stand on the sands, and forge our steel where its safe."

"There is no grass on the sands, Andros. No grass at all."

"You're saying we should go farther north? Into the civilized countries?" Andros shook his head. "We can't. You know the kind of background my people have. We can't go back. Not if we want to live free."

"Maybe Remian can put in a good word for you with the Iron Legion."

Andros snorted. "Would you have me owe him a favor now? Weren't you just talking about how leaving was a sort of betrayal?"

"That…" Arnold trailed off. He didn't know what else to say.

"Come by and buy our stuff sometime." Andros waved with forced cheeriness, and went to pack.

***

Throughout the night, candle light flickered as hushed conversations took place all across the ruins. From the farm to the Encles' settlement, from Kara-Goth to the hastily repaired airport, low voices discussed matters of great import, much urgency, and utmost secrecy.

The next morning, two hundred people gathered at the barely-functional airport and quietly slipped on board the Sky Barge preparing to head to Fal'Herim 'for supplies'.

That afternoon, another hundred joined them.

By nightfall, two more hundred had arrived, but the Sky Barge was too full to take them all.

Andros and his crew worked overtime to finish weaponizing the second Tug in a hurry. Doing so had required some internal work done, so they had had to wait until it was all finished before using it to take the Sky Barge to Fal'Herim.

"Are you totally sure about this? Once you leave, there's no turning back." Arnold said to Andros as final preparations were being made to launch the Tug-and-Barge.

"Pretty sure." Andros said. "You should come too. The princess is offering a sweet salary."

"I…" Arnold hesitated. "I don't know. I need to think about it some more."

"Good. Do that. Come join us when you've figured it out." Andros said, snorting and marching on into the Sky Barge.

Just like that, hundreds of people left the Frontier, never to return.

Hundreds more awaited their turn on the next flight out.

***

"Back so soon?" the Crown Prince asked Asda wryly when the Sky Barge reached Fal'Herim the next day.

By then, Fal'Herim was in the boom of reconstruction. It was lively; it was noisy; construction was taking place everywhere, and the new roads and structures looked bigger and better than the ones before.

"This all looks expensive. Did you really manage to get that foreign aid?" Asda asked.

"In fact, I did. Everyone else in Coalition of Six has chipped in. Apparently, nobody's eager to bail out a sinking economy, but when your capitol is destroyed by an Elder Dragon, it totally opens up the 'disaser relief' budget. Saudara Nation has sent a lot of supplies and workers. Paleres actually sent troops, so our security and order is quite good. Kuasa Besar has invested over a hundred million in a new business district and a new industrial district. The Ira Caliphate is taking on construction orders for cheap. All of them sent some money. Believe it or not, the Rainforest Commonwealth sent the most money; I suspect those funds to be a form of apology from the Dragon Empire, since they're the Empire's vassal states and all..."

"So… we're good?" Asda asked, hesitantly.

"We're going to have to pay them back over time, but basically… we're good! We're better than ever!" the Crown Prince crowed. "Or at least, I am. You, on the other hand… you're basically rebels, you know?"

"Sorry!" Asda bowed immediately. "I was wrong! Please be nice to your cute little sister!"

"Of course, of course." The Crown Prince nodded generously. "But your mother… that's a different story, you know?"

"W-what do you want from me?" Asda's mother asked, pale.

"Nothing. I want nothing to do with you." The Crown Prince said flat out. "At all. I want you out, and I want you gone today. Permanent exile."

"B-but… where could I go?"

"Anywhere. I hear the weather in the Rainforest Commonwealth is especially good this time of year. It should be summer right about now."

"They're near the equator. The weather is always summer there."

"Exactly. Go get a tan on a beach or something."

***

Following the stop at Fal'Herim, the Sky Barge continued north, bearing cargo and some passengers bound for Ashdale.

Jane was there to pick up the cargo at the airport.

"So many people? Why the sudden rush to visit Ashdale?"

"We're not visiting." One of the Encles people told her shortly. "We're here to stay. The luggage we brought with us? That's all we have left."

"To stay? Why? What happened?" Jane asked.

So the story was told.

Word spread soon enough, and before long, Mandy got wind of it.

"There! You see! I knew it!" Mandy exclaimed triumphantly. "THAT's why I brought you all here! It's too dangerous at the Frontier! Plus, you have a lot more opportunities here! You should all thank me!"

"Yeah, yeah." Jane rolled her eyes. "You say that all the time."

"So, where's Mindy? Where's Tim, and George? Surely they've come too?" Mandy looked around earnestly, eager to brag and say that she'd told them so…

"They're not here." Jane shook her head. "They didn't come."

"What?! But… but the Beast Tide! The town was destroyed! And… and… what is there left for them?" Mandy spluttered. "Why aren't they coming here??"

"No idea. Want me to go ask them?" Jane asked sarcastically.

"Yes! That's a brilliant idea!" Mandy suddenly got to her feet. "Jane, do be a dear and go fetch them for us, please."

"What? Me?!" Jane protested.

Yep. Her.