Interesting turn of events

It's amazing how much quicker going down a mountain is compared to going up one. We arrived at the valley camp yesterday afternoon in time for a late afternoon meal and a rest in the warm sunshine. It may have been a rare rest if what the other travelers say is true.

They're heading south east to avoid what they believe is a large contingent of soldiers heading towards the larger known townships- like the one my family lives in. The rumor is that the city to the north of our current position had an uprising. The peasants were starving to death, even worse than usual since the air pirates have doubled in number and their attacks on the cities supply chains have increased. This means that the city leaders are taking even more away from their lower classes, where even less is available than usual. Eventually something has to give.

Unfortunately for the lower classes of the cities, they don't seem to have much in the way of education or strategy planning. They always seem to wait to revolt until they're on the edge of death already and easy to disperse. The rumor circulating now, though, is truly disturbing. The city is one of the largest around, and so has quite a large population of peasants. Numbers equal power- of a sort. The other side of the coin is that the General of the city is a cruel, horrible man. Rather than simply dispersing the crowd of hungry people, maybe giving them a penance to satisfy their empty bellies, he killed them! Each and every one.

Now, the city has no working class to serve the leaders. The soldiers have been sent out to the known townships to capture as many travelers as they can to replenish the lower classes. Easier said than done, though, as we won't submit to being slaves easily.

I'm filled with worry for my family. Whereas it's true that the township has some amazing defenses, it's still vulnerable to attack. Most of the people that live in the townships are young families and the elderly. It's where I was raised, though. Even though I can't imagine settling into that sort of life again, I still think of it as home. It's a concept that Steve can't seem to grasp. His family was always on the move; one of the ones I used to envy as a child.

Luckily, the township is home to a large port for the air pirates, Skyrates as they've begun to call themselves. They help to strengthen the town's defenses, and they'll fight if need be. I can only hope there's enough willing to fight to overwhelm the soldiers that are marching south even now!

Steve and I are now faced with a difficult decision: continue south, or change course. We cannot fight in a battle, and would be more hindrance than help in the great scheme of things. But then I will be sick with worry for my family until I know what's become of them. We are still several days travel away from the the township, at least 2 days behind the soldiers if the rumors are true. Steve's tried to find the documents on the machine to show what is happening, but the security is tight; we're blind to their plans.