The Singer and the Stone: Part I

Ishpeming, Keweenaw Protectorate, American Union

The first jackhammers split the air as the miners went to work. Before long, the great bucket-wheel excavator had begun to dig, churning up tons of earth. The massive loads of ore were rich in minerals like iron, giving the great loads a dark color.

Kevin grabbed his shovel and began to walk down to the mine. The air was cold, and it was windy. He walked through the center of the gray town, coming to the flagpole in the center. At the top was the Raritanian Flag; brown, white, and blue, with a black eagle. Below was the company flag; crossed pickaxes on a black field.

Kevin and the workmen saluted the flag, as the national anthem began to play.

“Great job yesterday.” Said the foreman. “We exceeded quotas by 15% and it seemed like we could perhaps have done even better. We need to today. Sturgeon has placed an order, I hear, and our quotas are raised by 10% for the next month.

Izmir, Sedrosia

The man walked along the coast, lute in hand. He was tall and thin, with red hair; he was very conspicuous among the locals. He looked off to the west, over the waters of the Aegean sea, and then kept walking.

He did not care if strangers observed him; too long he had walked these shores to continue to care, even if he was an obvious foreigner.