Old Ivan brought the train to a slow stop before the massive boulder. As the workers atop the cars began operating, a mechanical arm lowered and wedged itself against one side of the rock.
Then the Clamorer drove its transmission gears, producing a teeth-grinding screech as the boulder was pried from the middle of the tracks and shoved aside.
Old Ivan pulled the lever, and the locomotive designed specifically for clearing the way pushed the rock completely to the roadside before the train continued onward.
The whistle sounded once more.
No one had needed to get off the train throughout the entire process. The workers operating equipment on the roof were protected by shielding as well. So long as the tracks were not damaged, this train could handle most troubles on its own.
The crowd erupted into cheers again, and Theus finally smiled.
This train was more than a simple ore hauler. Ever since the Fishmen had begun their relentless attacks day and night, the islanders had been forced to remain confined behind the church's high walls.
When Fishmen landed in large numbers, the Faithguard Army and the Banshees could drive them back. But small-scale infiltrations were impossible to guard against.
It was not much of a problem when the army went out, since small groups of Fishmen were practically throwing themselves away. But for workers to leave the walls, they needed large numbers of soldiers to escort them. The cost was considerable and tied up too much manpower.
Leaving through the underground tunnel network was not much of an issue, but for one thing, the tunnels still needed guards, and for another...
This was Castel. It was their homeland. No one wanted to live like a rat, able to survive only underground.
Theus was determined to let people walk