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Chapter 7: Waterside Renvall

Opening

narrator
At long last, Renvall's unassuming landscape appears before Lyon's eyes.
Ephraim, Renais's prince and bearer of one of two bracelets Lyon covets, is supposedly here.
Surrounded by lakes, Renvall is a natural fortress, all but unassailable.
A lone bridge is its only entrace.

Lyon expects to be welcomed by Tirado, the retainer of General Valter.
However...

riev
(smiles) Heh heh heh... This is it, my lord.
Renvall. Here we shall find Valter's pawn...
And soon enough, the prince of Renais.
fomortiis
(grinning) Can you hear it, Ephraim?
Can you hear the bells of Hell tolling somberly?
They beckon your name... Will you not answer their call?

Today is the day I prove which of us is the worm...
And which wears the boot that crushes it.

(The generals observe the area and find it crawling with soldiers.)
valter
Oh, dear...
glen
What is it?
valter
I didn't leave nearly this many troops with Tirado...
In fact, I seem to recall he only had mercenaries under his command.
caellach
Your man's also not come out to greet us.
Yeah, this looks bad. More traitors is my guess.
glen
You mean to tell me, after all the trouble it took to get here...
We've only traipsed headlong into a trap?
Outstanding, Valter. I see now why you were reinstated.
valter
Glen... If you've something to say, just say it.
Come now. Out with it. I dare you.
glen
Very well.
You were rotting in a damp cell, and you should still be there, you snake!
valter
Oho! Bold words! You wound me, Glen.
I may be a gracious man, but an insult so grave as that...
How would you have me react, Glen?
Mayhap I should draw my lance and defend my honor...
selena
Enough of this! Are you going to fight here, in front of the prince?
valter
...Of course not. We are His Highness's loyal soldiers.
His swords and shields. Are we not... Glen?
glen
Mark my words, Valter. Should anything happen to him here...
You will answer for it with your blood. I will see to it myself!
valter
Oh, don't threaten me with a good time, Sunstone.
You'll tempt me to hurt the good prince myself...
(Glen fumes.)
glen
Dastard!
selena
I said enough!
Our first priority should be to ascertain these people's intentions.
If they are hostile, we should move to retake the castle from them.
With any luck, we'll find Valter's aide and get some answers from him.
Do any of you have any objections to this course of action?
caellach
(smiles) Heh, not me... Your wish is my command, Princess.
selena
...Act your age, Caellach.
caellach
Aye aye, m'lady.
(serious) Let's give them hell, then. After you!
valter
No more words and niceties. Let the carnage begin!
(Valter and Caellach leave.)
glen
...Grave turn of events, Selena.
So many deserters, and they are taking our positions from us now?
The Grado army has well and truly fallen into disarray.
It's a catastrophe, and we're here wasting time!
selena
Someone needs to return to Grado Keep and assess the situation.
We must convince the prince. Be that I knew why he's being so stubborn...
duessel
......
kyle
They've arrived, Forde!
forde
I can see that...
It's even worse than the guy told us. There's not just one general.
I think... I think it's all of them, Kyle. And... isn't that...
kyle
Prince Lyon of Grado, if the descriptions I've heard are accurate.
forde
This is ridiculous.
Why are they ALL here? How stupid are they?
kyle
I won't question it. It is good news for the prince.
He'll be able to accomplish his own goal easily this way...
forde
...While you and I give our lives for it.
kyle
Forde, you can go. I don't need you here.
Myself and the Grado deserters will suffice for this.
forde
Pfft. As if I'd let you go out in a blaze of glory all on your own.
No way. I want in. We'll die together for king and country.
kyle
Forde...
forde
Now all that's left is to decide who'll lead the first line of defense.
Should we draw straws?
kyle
Go inside, Forde. I'll defend the gates.
forde
(smiles) ...Fine. Good luck, my friend. Make them work hard for it!
kyle
(smiles) With pleasure.
(Forde enters the castle.)
kyle
...If I can cripple their forces here... Forde might have a chance to survive.
Come! Let me show you the fury of Renais's knights!

Turn 2

If Zonta and Zabba are alive

(Zonta and Zabba emerge from the eastern woods.)
zonta
...Nobody's paying any attention to this side now...
Something's made them forget about us.
zabba
Must be those reinforcements from Grado Lord Tirado kept bragging about...
zonta
Let's not stick around and find out.
If we make a break for it now, maybe we can get away.
zabba
What if the Grado soldiers find us instead?
zonta
We'll just pretend we were looking for them ourselves!
Then we'll fall in line and play nice, of course.
zabba
...Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Grado's army has been a lousy employer.
I'd be happy if this contract became just a bad memory...
zonta
Then stop making noise and start praying they don't come this way!

If only Zonta is alive

(Zonta emerges from the eastern woods.)
zonta
...Nobody's paying any attention to this side now...
Maybe if I make a break for it now, I'll get away safely...
At least, if Grado's reinforcements don't catch me trying to flee...
I'd rather just forget all about this fiasco of a contract.
Just as long as they don't come this way...

If only Zabba is alive

(Zabba emerges from the eastern woods.)
zabba
...All right, they seem distracted... I am safe for now.
All I have to do is move fast and avoid drawing their attention.
Then this lousy contract will be no more than a bad memory.
Assuming the reinforcements from Grado don't find me...
But surely they'll go straight to the castle. Why'd they come this way?

Enemy Turn 2

nate
The heck's this? An army's comin' toward the castle?
That's just great. Even more people's what I needed.
Dammit-- All I want is to rob some fishermen!
They told me fishermen like this river...
But so far all I've seen's soldiers armed to the teeth!

(smiles) Ah, but at least I'm better off now than before...
Not havin' to hear that Bone's annoying screeching voice.
Or havin' to listen to Bazba's delusional nonsense!
Yeah... Being on my own suits me just fine! Gehahaha...

Conversations

Saaga & Beran

saaga
Ahh, finally, a servant!
I had wondered where Prince Lyon kept all his retainers...
I was starting to think he had none! Some nobleman!
beran
What?
saaga
All this marching has left me parched.
It has also done a number on my make-up.
Fetch me some beverages and a make-up kit.
beran
Er...
saaga
Well? Chop chop! Post-haste, man!
What manner of lousy servant are you?
beran
I am not a servant. I am a soldier.
saaga
With that dopey face?
beran
...I will pretend I didn't hear that.
My name is Beran, milady.
And you are...?
saaga
Saaga. I used to be Rausten's court troubadour, you know.
A most prestigious position, looked down upon by that foolish pontifex.
beran
It sounds interesting. What did you do?
saaga
Ah, well, why, lots of things!
Dare I say, Rausten would have fallen apart without my efforts!
beran
Efforts such as?
saaga
...It is all too complex for a simple mind like yours.
(smiles) Ah, but I feel all energized now!
You have been quite helpful, my man.
beran
I have done nothing.
saaga
Yes, but you have helped me to come to terms with something.
This army cares nothing for the comfort of its members.
I shall simply have to deal with it. I am used to adversity by now.
beran
Very well...
saaga
Do not hesitate to let me know if you ever sustain any nasty cuts, Berna.
It's what I'm here for, after all!
beran
Thank you, but my name is...
(Saaga leaves.)
beran
Beran.

...What just happened...?

[Saaga gains 1 Magic, Skill, and Speed.]

Tiffani & Lyon

tiffani
M...Mister Lion? Is something wrong?
lyon?
Hmm?
Oh, it's you... What do you want?
tiffani
You look kinda scary... Are you upset?
I-I didn't do anything to make you angry, did I?
lyon?
You...
No, it's not you. You are doing fine.
tiffani
Mister Lion, I... I wanna go home.
lyon?
Oh, do you? And why would that be?
tiffani
I-I didn't think... I didn't know I'd have to...
lyon?
Kill people?
Fight for your life day in and out?
tiffani
E-Every time I burn someone with my book...
I-It reminds me of... t-that day...
lyon?
And yet, you know what will happen if you don't...
Tell me, what is scarier? To burn others, or to burn?
tiffani
......
Please. Let me go back home, Mister Lion...
lyon?
Not yet, Tiffani. I took a chance with you.
We're in this together, you and I, and we'll see it through.
tiffani
...Sniff... I-I... I'm sorry, Mister Lion...
I'm just... I'm just so scared... and tired, and sad, and...
lyon?
This world is a cruel place, Tiffani.
Power is all that matters. Those who lack it, die.
You have little power at present. I did too, once.
But you could become more powerful than most...
I will not allow that potential to go to waste.
You can curse my name on your own time.
Right now, you will dry your tears and focus!
lyon?
Sniff... Sniff... O-Okay, Mister Lion...
I... I still like you a lot... Even if you're scary...
You'll stop being scary soon, right?
You'll go back to being the Mister Lion I know?
lyon?
......
Concentrate now, Tiffani. Please.
tiffani
...All right...
(Tiffani leaves.)
lyon?
...Urgh...
[Tiffani gains 1 Defense.]

Anyone & Zonta/Zabba

If Zonta and Zabba are alive

zonta
Rats, we've been made!

I-I mean, hey there, Grado folks!
We were just looking for you!

zabba
Yes, indeed..
We're mercenaries with Lord Tirado.
Things were looking bad, and he ordered us to flee and find help.
We managed to make it out, and we'd been laying low here...
Waiting for our chance to leave Renvall behind.
zonta
Only so that we could go looking for reinforcements, of course!
We would never abandon the good Lord Tirado.
(smiles) After all, he's treated us so very well. Ha ha ha...
zabba
(smiles) It's really been a pleasure to work under him.
Why, I feel I might have even fallen for him! Ha ha ha...
zonta
Ha ha ha...
(frowns) (Don't you think you're overdoing it a tad?)
zabba
(scowls) (Shut your piehole, they're buying it!)
zonta
W-Well, in any case! Let us fight with you now.
We never saw Lord Tirado leave the keep.
He should still be inside. It's rescuing time!
zabba
R... Rescuing time?
Well, no matter. You may count my sword on your side.
talker
......
(They leave.)
zabba
..."Rescuing time," Zonta? Really? And I'm the one overdoing it?
zonta
Oh, hush, you. I was just trying to look enthusiastic about this.
The more thrilled we seem, the less it looks like we abandoned Tirado.
(Zabba shifts.)
zabba
Idiot, shut up! They'll hear you...!

If only Zonta is alive

zonta
Rats, I've been made!

I-I mean, hey there, Grado folks! I was just looking for you!
I'm the leader of the mercenaries working under Lord Tirado.
When things took a turn for the worst, I wanted to stay...
But he, uh, ordered me to flee and find help.
And now here you are! Let me join your forces.
I look forward to rescuing the good Lord Tirado! He's been so kind to us!

talker
......
(They leave.)
zonta
...Dammit! So much for leaving these employers behind...
No way I'm running from an entire army. Urgh...

If only Zabba is alive

zabba
Crud, they found me!
I mean... Oh, you're here to liberate the keep! I thought you were... You know.
A-Anyway, I'm Zabba. I'm one of the mercs in Lord Tirado's employ.
The Lord ordered me to escape and find reinforcements...
That's what I was going to do after I managed to evade the turncoats.
Yeah... So, now that we're here, let's go rescue the good lord!
I could never leave him to die... I care too much for him to do that.

(Drat... Did I overdo it...?)

talker
......
(They leave.)
zabba
...Phew... Dodged some nastiness there.
But I still gotta keep working for these people... Urgh...
I hope Tirado got done in, at least...

Bazba & Nate

bazba
Nate?! Is that you, you bastard?
nate
Bazba... Still alive, eh?
bazba
Surprised, are you?
(smirks) Heh, shouldn't be... As if the mighty Bazba would go down so easy!
nate
Not surprised, more like... Disappointed.
bazba
(scowls) You hideous oaf! Well, I'm alive and there's nothin' you can do 'bout it!
nate
Guess not. I mean, I could fight ya, but... Eh, why risk it?
bazba
All right, then. Come along now.
(Nate balks.)
nate
Wait, what?!
bazba
Got wax in your ears? Or is it water?
I'm still the boss! Bazba's Bandits may be no more...
(grins) But Bazba's Mercenaries? Hah hah hah hah!
We're in the employ of the world's greatest army!
nate
Grado? Wait, but isn't Grado the ones protectin' the keep?
bazba
(frowns) Long story. The important thing is... I answer to Prince Lyon himself!
nate
N...No way...

(Nate stands to attention.)

Boss! Sorry I left you in the dust!
Never will my loyalty waver again, or somethin' like that!
Honest! Pinky promise! C'mon, take me with ya...!

bazba
(smirks) Geh hah hah... Singin' a different tune now, are ya?
You were always a piece of work, Nate...
But there's never been any doubt about your muscle.
Welcome aboard!
nate
(smiles) Aye aye, cap'n!

Bone & Nate

bone
Nate?!
nate
Bone... What the heck are you doing here?
bone
Well, I've made it this far, as you can probably see...
The folks I'm with now, they're attacking the castle there.
nate
Wha... What kinda nitwits have you joined, Bone?
Grado's stationed there! Raidin' this place is suicide!
bone
Well, actually... I'm with Grado.
nate
......
I always knew you were a brainless dolt, Bone.
But this? This is a new low.
I just said Grado's the one that's GOT the castle!
bone
Hey, don't ask me! I don't get it either!
All I know is that the big man is leading the attack.
nate
The big man?
bone
Yeah. I mean "royalty" kinda big.
His name's, er... Uhh... Lion? Lemon?
(Nate balks.)
nate
Lyon?! As in, PRINCE Lyon of the Grado Empire?!
bone
Yeah, I figured Prince Lemon didn't sound right...
nate
(grins) B-Bone! Booone, old pal!
Man, I didn't say it before, but I'm so happy you're alive!
Really, it's so good to hear your... extremely pleasant voice again.
bone
Cut pulling my leg, Nate. I know what you want.
I'll put in a good word for you... Not that my word's worth much.
nate
Thanks, Bone. I mean it.
You may be insufferable, but you've got a good heart.
bone
(smiles) Okay, then. Let's go! We gotta earn our pay!
(Bone leaves.)
nate
Yes... Too good for a brigand.
How'd you even end up with Bazba, man?

Kyle

Combat

kyle
You can take this castle... You can kill us all...
But you can never win.
You lost before you even arrived!

Death

kyle
Prince Ephraim! Lead us to glory...

Locations

Western House

young man
Tirado was the new master of Castle Renvall.
He's supposed to be an adjutant to General Valter of Grado.
Who knows, though... Rumors say he's been plotting behind Valter's back.

None of that matters now, though. The castle's no longer his.
With any luck, the brave soldiers in there have already snuffed him out.

Southeastern House

old woman
Prince Ephraim? Well, gracious me... I haven't heard anything about him.
But now that you mention it, there was a big commotion a few days back.
I think the castle got attacked, but...
Well, I was so tired, I fell asleep and missed the whole thing.
There's a lot more soldiers around now, come to think of it...
But they're so nice. Nothing like that whippersnapper, Lord Tirado...

Ending

fomortiis
No sign of him outside? That's odd...
Everything I know about him indicates he's a brazen man.
He would've fought us outside... I know it.
riev
(smiles) Heh heh heh... Who knows.
Perhaps the rumors exaggerate the good prince's valor.
fomortiis
Hmph!
riev
(frowns) My lord?
fomortiis
...Perhaps. But I'm inclined to believe you are wrong, Riev.
riev
Oh...? Well, if you say so, my lord.
I am only your faithful servant. I simply wish to be of use...
fomortiis
Then go look for Ephraim.
(Riev leaves.)
selena
Prince Lyon! The outskirts of the castle are secure.
However, more enemies await us in the inner halls.
fomortiis
It was to be expected. Ephraim's among them, I presume?
glen
He has not been sighted yet...
fomortiis
...Useless imbeciles... Pah! Fair enough.
First, let's plow through the vermin he's left to entertain us...
(Fomortiis leaves.)
selena
...He was always so gentle... What is happening, Glen?
glen
I don't know, Selena. But we'd best be wary.

(Glen turns to Duessel.)

Duessel? Aren't you going to say anything?

selena
You too have been acting strangely of late...
You've been so quiet, Duessel. What is on your mind?
duessel
...We are following His Majesty's orders.
We have no other choice, do we, Selena? Glen?
The blame for these acts cannot be laid upon us...
glen
Duessel, perhaps you should ask for a leave of absence.
selena
Yes... You have done enough. We'll talk to the prince and--
duessel
You'll treat me like a doddering old fossil now?
No, my resolve is not wavering. In fact... It is stronger than ever.
I have made a decision... One I should have made much earlier.
selena
And that would be...?
duessel
You would not understand, Selena. That is clear to me.
selena
...Well... Whatever it is, I'm glad you're in higher spirits.
glen
One day, Grado will be restored to its former glory.
We just have to brace ourselves and endure the storm till then...
duessel
...Of course, Glen. Of course...

Character Descriptions

Nate
Former member of Bazba's Bandits. He's found a new calling in swashbuckling.

Kyle
A steadfast and honorable cavalier in sworn service to Renais.

Forde
A cavalier of Renais. He is skilled, but reckless. He's Franz's brother.

Traitor
Renegades from the Grado army who wish for the war to end.