Chapter IV- Gunner's Heaven

The exterior may be completely different, but the interior of Gunner's Heaven hadn't changed in the slightest. It was a walled fortress with an inn, a bar, a small shop and (the pride and joy of Gunner's Heaven) the arena. The crowds in the stadium were cheering loudly as one of the warriors inside appeared to be doing quite well.

Virginia headed to the bar, hoping that she might run into one of her comrades, but the only people there were all unfamiliar faces. She sat and ordered a drink, tolerating (but just barely) the stares that the other men were giving her. The bartender walked up to her and apologized.

"Sorry miss, the gents don't mean any harm, but pretty girls are hard to come by way out here," the bartender said. "You look like you've had a rough time, so the drink is on the house."

Virginia smiled and thanked him, but her words were drowned out by another woman's voice.

"Hard to come by?" Came the loud, girlish titter. "What about me?"

"Well Coney," the bartender smiled. "You know I meant no offense."

There was a loud cheer from the drunkards as Coney walked in. She wore a brown jacket and a dress of the same color underneath. She wore white, ceremonial gloves. Virginia was well aware of the cheerful, if somewhat bloodthirsty, young master of ceremonies Coney. She was the commentator for arena events.

"I guess the match is over then?" The bartender asked.

"Yeah. It was terribly boring. The poor guy got his arm torn clean off and didn't want to continue. So I got out early. Lord Begucci wasn't exactly thrilled either. He didn't even last but one round, though," Coney softened up slightly. "I suppose the Hydra is tough enough opponent. The crowd sure loved it. Get me a drink darling, I'm parched."

The bartender handed Coney a glass of a strange brownish liquid that smelled almost like cider, but with a hint of alcohol. She downed it in one gulp and thanked the bartender. She then began to look over Virginia.

"Say, sugar? Haven't we met before?" She asked.

"I've been here before, yes," Virginia replied. "I was traveling with three men at the time."

"Now I remember," Coney smiled admiringly. "And you were the leader of that group. You sure knew how to keep your men in line. What is your secret?"

Virginia shrugged and shook her head.

"So," Coney said. "What are you doing all the way out in these parts?"

"My sand craft was attacked," Virginia explained. "And I just woke up on the shore about three days hike south west of here."

"That's terrible!" Coney cried. "What about your friends?"

"I don't know if they made it or not," Virginia felt like she was about to cry. Finally talking about it with somebody- the fate of her comrades, that is- seemed to be getting to her at last. She stiffened up. "But I'm gonna keep looking for them. I need to find some was across the dunes."

"Where to?" Coney asked.

Virginia thought about it, and then decided. "Humphrey's Peak. That's where we were headed."

"Humphrey's Peak, eh?" Coney pondered, crossing her arms. "I reckon you could probably get there on foot if the land doesn't stop moving. But let's see."

Coney pulled out a map of Filgaia and placed it on the bar.

"Your only hope of getting back to the mainland is taking the abandoned railroad tracks southeast. There's a tunnel that goes under there and it should take you right to Highland Station," Coney said. "Of course if you're gonna do it, I'd do it fast. Lord knows when the changing terrain will start affecting that tunnel."

"Thank you," Virginia bowed. "Is there any place I can purchase a horse?"

"Stable's around yonder," Coney said pointing out behind the bar. "They'll sell you one cheap I reckon. If you flirt a little with 'em."

There was a trumpet fanfare and Coney blushed. "Oh my goodness! I have to get back to the arena! Good luck darling!"

And with that, Coney ran out of the bar and back to the arena. Virginia headed out behind her and hiked a short distance over to the stables, where an old man in white robes was waiting for her.

He's a member of the Order of the Ark of Destiny. Virginia realized with a shudder. She suddenly remembered that she was still a wanted criminal. But she had no choice. She headed over to the man and pulled out her purse.

"How much to borrow a horse?" She asked.

"100 gella, but for a pretty lady like you… I'll…" the man gave her a quizzical look, and then lightning flashed across his eyes. What Virginia had been fearing came to pass. "You're the one that killed Lamium! Guards!"

Virginia decided to take a page out of Jet's book; now was not the time to try and reason. She jumped over the fence and grabbed a white horse from the stable. She snapped on the reins and the horse took off with a dash. Two guards with rifles began to fire after her, but their aim was terrible. Virginia made it out of the gate and back onto the wasteland.

Or what had once been a wasteland.