At Red Tide's railway station, a pitch-black track cleaved the snowfield like a great black serpent crouching against the ground, following the terrain into the distant gray-white sky.
Parked beside the platform was Louis's private steam train.
Louis wore dark traveling clothes beneath a long, cold-resistant cloak, its fastenings neatly secured.
His two wives stood on either side of him at the platform's edge to see him off.
Sif was wrapped in a thick polar bear fur coat, her breath turning to white mist before her.
She leaned closer and spoke in a voice only the three of them could hear. "You're rushing off because you're afraid of tonight... aren't you?"
Louis paused. His ears warmed almost imperceptibly, and he turned his head to cough, as though he had not heard her clearly-or simply could not be bothered to answer.
Seeing his reaction, Sif's smile deepened. "Come back soon. Otherwise, I'll go to the harbor and drag you back."
This time, Louis glanced at her, lowering his voice. "I really do have business to attend to."
Even he felt he had explained too much, so he stopped there.
On his other side, Emily straightened his collar and fastened the topmost button. "Ignore her. The harbor is windy, so remember to keep warm. And... don't wear yourself out. You can leave some things to your subordinates."
Louis nodded. "I'll be careful. Remember to take care of yourselves while you're in the city, too."
The whistle sounded just then. White steam burst from the valves and billowed over the platform, obscuring everything in an instant.
Louis waved, turned, and boarded the carriage.
The connecting rods began to move, steel striking steel in a low, steady rhythm.
The iron beast slowly pulled away, carrying its steady power into the distance.
Before the