!DOCTYPE html>

Chapter 11: Fort Rigwald

Opening

narrator
While Generals Glen and Caellach make their way to Carcino's capital,
the remaining Grado forces march in the direction of their homeland.
Their first roadblock is Fort Rigwald, which once belonged to Grado.
However, the defectors surrendered it to Frelia after their takeover.
Fort Rigwald is renowned for its sturdy construction and unassailable layout.
It will doubtless put the mettle of Lyon's forces to the test...
(Lyon warps in, startling Selena.)
selena
Ah...!
riev
(smiles) Heh heh heh... Hello, my lord.
Might I ask how fares the mission to the east?
lyon
They're making progress.
What about you? How does it look?
riev
(serious) I'll let Selena fill you in, my prince. Selena?
selena
...Yes, of course. We have just arrived at Rigwald.
As the scouts have gathered, Frelian troops are garrisoned within.
There is no sign of the commanding officer we had stationed here.
If he's still alive, he has long since escaped the premises.
Or perhaps he turned traitor as well, and was reassigned...
lyon
Any captives?
selena
Only a few, apparently. Most of the men defected.
lyon
We need all the help we can get.
We should move to free the prisoners.
Is there any way we can infiltrate the fort?
selena
There is only one entrance, and it will be heavily guarded.
I got word from one of our spies, however.
Apparently, there may also be a secret passage not far from here.
We should speak to the spy in person for more details.
lyon
Very well. Thank you, Selena.
In any case, I'll take charge. Let's retake this place.
riev
Are you sure, my prince?
Too much warping is bad for your health.
Perhaps you should take a break?
Let us faithful servants handle this little skirmish...
lyon
I cannot afford it. We're in a really bad spot.
We need all hands on deck if we want to turn this around.
That includes me, but don't worry, Riev. I feel fine.
valter
Hahaha... You are made of sterner stuff than you look, Prince.
Now it's time to back your words with actions.
Try not to collapse in the middle of this, hmm?
I would hate to have to fly you out of the battlefield...
lyon
Don't worry about me, Valter.
You won't have to interrupt your fun on my account. I promise.
valter
(grins) Hahaha! Fantastic! That's all I wanted to hear.
riev
(smiles) To battle, then. Heh heh heh...
(The enemy commander speaks to a captured priest.)
vanessa
...Please, Father McGregor.
Is there nothing I can do to make you reconsider?
mcgregor
My mind is made up.
vanessa
The sorcerer Knoll spoke highly of you.
He told us you went to great lengths to prevent this war.
He said you even risked incurring the emperor's fury...
Why would you refuse to stand with us now?
mcgregor
I am heeding the advice of one I hold in the highest regard.
And, I'm sorry to say, I don't know the first thing about you.
Who is to say Frelia won't move to take over Grado in the end?
I disagree with this war, but to such an end for Grado, I am also opposed.
Do with me as you must, but waste no more time trying to persuade me.
vanessa
...Hmm... I understand your reservations, Father, but...
We cannot let you go at this time.
mcgregor
What will you do, then? Execute a holy man?
vanessa
Of course not! That's out of the question!
I'm uncomfortable enough keeping you prisoner...
But we have heard the prince's army is not far from Rigwald.
mcgregor
By the prince, you mean Prince Lyon?
vanessa
Nobody knows where they went after the massacre at the Tower of Valni.
It would seem they intend on returning to Grado...
mcgregor
That makes sense. Their own homeland has been overtaken.
It stands to reason they would want to recover control of it.
vanessa
And for this reason, I'm sorry, but we cannot let you go yet.
Endure a few more days. Then we will set you free.
Pray forgive us, Father...
mcgregor
I suppose there isn't much I can do about it.
Whatever happens next is up to the gods.
(McGregor is taken to a cell.)
mcgregor
Sigh... Natasha... I pray you were in the right...

Conversations

Spy

spy
...It may look like there's only one way in, but that's a lie.
There is a secret passageway that goes straight inside the fort.
Problem is, it was made for the people inside to escape in emergencies.
It's rigged so the wall only opens up for a very short amount of time.
Then it closes tight and you can't open it again for a day or so.
Crafty, isn't it? I could open it from the outside, but...
You'll have to be quick, and only one person will be able to go through.

Shall I open the secret passage?

Open up the secret entrance

spy
You only get one shot. I hope you're ready.
(The spy opens the passage and leaves the battlefield.)

Keep it closed for now

spy
All right. Talk to me again if you change your mind.

Lyon & McGregor

lyon
Father McGregor?! Why are you here?
mcgregor
So it's you assaulting the fort, Prince Lyon...
Still intent on fanning the flames of war, are you?
Have you not had your fill of these horrors yet?
lyon
...Let's not have this argument here and now, Father.
If we allow ourselves to be distracted, we'll both die.
That would serve no one, would it, Father?
Natasha would be devastated if you were killed here...
mcgregor
True enough... But I'll have a word with you after.
lyon
Yes, Father.
mcgregor
In the meantime, my staves are at your disposal.
(McGregor leaves.)
lyon
......

Beran & Murray

murray
(grinning) Another day, another battle for Murray's Brigade!
Onwards, everyone! Keep them at bay!
beran
Hello, Murray.
murray
(serious) Ah, Beran. How are you?
beran
Same old, same old.
Being General Valter's adjutant has never been so easy.
Why, I feel like he has forgotten about me, even...
murray
Huh... That's rough, man.
beran
How does Tirado treat you these days?

If Tirado is alive

murray
About the same as always.
He looks at me like he found a cockroach under his pillow.
beran
Don't take it personally. He looks at everyone that way.
murray
Then with the same look in his eyes, he tells me to do things for him.
No "pleases" or "thank yous." He just expects me to slave away for him.

If Tirado is dead

murray
...Oh, didn't you hear? He died.
beran
Oh.
...I suppose I should feel sorry.
murray
Not really. He was a giant jerk.
beran
You were dealt a bad hand with him, Murray.
murray
Eh. It's not all bad. Honestly, I prefer it to what you got.
Valter's a pretty monstrous man. Frankly, he scares me.
beran
I will not lie to you, Murray.
I'm honestly glad he doesn't pay me any mind these days.

If Tirado is alive

beran
...But don't tell Tirado that.
murray
(grins) Hah! Don't worry, I won't.
(serious) Anyway, being the adjutant to an adjutant is not so prestigious...
But I'm confident I'll earn my promotion before it's all said and done.

If Tirado is dead

beran
...Heh, Tirado would've laughed at me if he heard me say that...
murray
Yes, he would have...
Anyway, being the adjutant to an adjutant is not so prestigious...
Especially now that he's, you know, dead and all.
But I'm confident I'll earn my promotion before it's all said and done.
beran
You're a diligent man, Murray. You'll get there, I'm sure.
murray
(smiles) Thanks, Beran.
[Murray and Beran gain C-rank support with each other.]

Saar & Breguet

saar
You there!
breguet
Who are you?
saar
Saar, of the Serafew border watch!
That used to be my post, at least.
Now, I am a proud member of Prince Lyon's royal guard!
breguet
Right. Charmed. Breguet's the name.
So, is there actually anything you want from me?
saar
You and I, we are armored knights of Grado.
We are the shields that protect our prince's vanguard!
Ours are among the most honorable positions in the army!
To give up our safety and even our lives, should it come to that!
All in the name of king and country! In the name of Grado!
breguet
...Aha.
So, you just wanted to drop a speech on me?
Good going, Saar! We just wasted so much time!
And, in case you didn't notice, with all this weighty armor on,
we need more time to get around than everyone else.
After standing around for so long, we'll be left behind for sure...

(Breguet fumes.)

Worthless cur! It's all your fault! You distracted me!

saar
W-What?! How dare you, sir!
I merely wished to take a moment to contemplate our good fortune!
But I see you are no true knight of Grado.
How the standards of our great army have fallen these days...
Tsk, tsk. Verily, such a shame.
breguet
You want to be useful? Start thinking how we can speed up.
Heavy armor is all well and good in a regular army...
But the prince likes running all over the place!
It's horrible! I've never been so exhausted in my life!
saar
And now you dare question His Highness's designs?!
Scum! Perhaps I should report you to the generals!
breguet
Yeah, yeah. Report the stick up your behind while you're at it.
saar
Insolent knave!
Bah... But you've the right of it.
I fear there is no place for us in an army like this...
Which is why we ought to stick together!
If we have no place, we shall carve one out!
Are you with me, Breguet?
breguet
And how do you propose we do that, exactly?
saar
In order to find the best way to serve my liege...
I have studied my armor intently. Written down its weaknesses...
I believe I know which parts to shed without sacrificing its structure.
This should be good for any standard-issue heavy armor suit.
I have fashioned some blueprints. Take a look for yourself.
breguet
Lemme see...
(smiles) Color me impressed! You could've been a blacksmith, Saar.
Forgive me for my outburst. This'll be a great help!
Let's do it right now. Haha... Things are about to change!
No longer will we be left behind!
Nothin'll stop us from earning names for ourselves!
saar
Hear, hear! For Grado!
breguet
Sure. For Grado!
[Saar and Breguet each gain 1 move and gain C-rank support with each other.]

Bazba & Novala

novala
(grinning) Hahaha... Fort Rigwald, eh? What a trifle!
My dark magic shall make short work of our foes!
They will rue the day they crossed I, Novala!
bazba
Hey!
(Novala startles.)
novala
(serious) Ack! I didn't expect a foe to ambush me from that side...
What are my allies doing? An enemy has snuck back here!
bazba
I ain't an enemy, you moron. I'm Prince Lyon's stealth operative!
novala
...Why are you yelling, then?
bazba
Trying to get yer attention is all. I got a question.
Can I see yer face?
novala
What do you mean? My face is right here!
bazba
I mean under the hood, man! Yer whole face!
novala
...!
No.
bazba
C'mon, man, lemme see what you look like!
(Novala shrinks away.)
novala
I-I refuse! This is a blatant invasion of my privacy!
bazba
What's the harm? Lemme see yer face!
(Novala steps forward again.)
novala
You're obviously some manner of crook!
I don't know why you want to know what I look like, but...
It can be nothing good, so leave at once or face my magic!
bazba
What's your problem?
What, yer tellin' me ya never take off that hood, ever?
Ya sleep in it, too?
novala
Wha-- That's-- How is this any of your--

(Novala flounders.)

WHY do you want to see my face?!

bazba
Curiosity's wrong now?
I ain't ever met one of you shaman types in person!
Always with yer robes, yer hoods and yer secrets...
I just wanna know what a shaman looks like, honest!
novala
Go on, shoo! I have better things to do!
Why don't you go stare at the prince? He's a dark mage too, you know!
bazba
Not the same. It's different.
He uses dark magic but he ain't a dark mage, ya get my meanin'?
novala
No, I don't get your meaning.
(Bazba becomes agitated.)
bazba
Ya'll get my axe if ya don't lemme see yer mug!
novala
Hmph!
Think I've heard about enough. I am leaving!
I suggest you go do your job before I report you to the prince.
Whatever your job is supposed to be. "Stealth operative," right...
(Novala leaves.)
bazba
Oi!

(Bazba tries to move after him.)

Don't just walk away from me, you... you...!

Dagnabbit! I really just wanted to see your face, honest!
I don't get what's so wrong 'bout that...
...Maybe the threat was a mistake, but uh...
(closes eyes) Oh, dammit...

[Novala and Bazba gain C-rank support with each other.]

Vanessa

Combat

vanessa
There's too much at stake. I have to stop you here!

Combat w/ McGregor

mcgregor
...!
vanessa
Father McGregor...
I'm so sorry. You should've stayed in your cell...

Combat w/ Agrippina

vanessa
Q-Queen Agrippina...!
agrippina
Vanessa... You and I have some things in common.
Overshadowed by those that call themselves family...
Join us, and ascend above the shadows of your kin.
vanessa
I'll never betray Frelia! Have at you!
agrippina
...Shame.

Death

vanessa
Please... Forgive me...

Ending

If McGregor survived

selena
The battle is over, my prince.
We have successfully seized Fort Rigwald.
And... We found a captive.
lyon
Is something amiss?
selena
...You'd best see him for yourself.
(Lyon sees McGregor.)
riev
Heh heh heh... What a sight this is.
McGregor... You continue to consume air.
mcgregor
Leave my sight, heretic snake. I wish to speak to the prince.
riev
Heh heh heh... Go ahead.
(Riev leaves. Lyon moves closer.)
lyon
Father McGregor... It has been some time.
mcgregor
Indeed it has...
lyon
You did not join the deserters?
You were one of this war's most vocal detractors. I am surprised...
mcgregor
I am choosing to take my pupil at her word.
lyon
Ah... I remember. Natasha came to speak with me.
About convincing my father to stop the war...
...Yes, we spoke at length on the topic that day...
mcgregor
Clearly I wasn't getting through to either of you.
She requested that I allow her to try, and I did.
When she returned, she told me to place my trust in you.
I could hardly believe what I was hearing, but...
Natasha is a bright young girl. If she says I should trust you...
I will give you a chance.
lyon
......
Thank you, Father McGregor.
It gladdens me that you see reason after all.
mcgregor
However! I wish to see how you conduct yourself in person.
I shall accompany you in your travels henceforth.
I will assist you in battle as well, if I must.
Do you agree to my terms?
lyon
Of course! A seasoned priest like you would be a great help.
mcgregor
I have no love for war, but saving lives is what I live for.
My knowledge of the healing arts is yours to utilize, Prince Lyon.
I only beg that you show prudence and compassion where you can.
(McGregor leaves.)
lyon
Sigh... Even now, I still feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in his presence.
My old teacher... He was the last person I expected to find here.
(Riev returns.)
riev
Heh heh heh... I would object to this, my prince.
That man knows too much and is against our cause.
He might be a liability somewhere down the line.
Especially if he discovers the truth about...
Well, you understand. Heh heh heh...
lyon
I said it before the battle. We need all the help we can get.
He's one of Grado's best medical experts. We need him, Riev.

...We can always take care of him later...

riev
Heh heh heh... That is fine by me.
As long as we are clear on this point.
I exist to do your bidding, my lord... Heh heh heh...
lyon
......

If McGregor died

selena
The battle is over, my prince.
We have successfully seized Fort Rigwald.
And...
lyon
Is something amiss?
selena
...There was a captive. He died during the battle.
It was Father McGregor...
lyon
Father McGregor... He's gone, huh...
selena
......
lyon
It cannot be helped, I suppose.
Let's meet with the rest of the generals.
selena
Yes, Prince Lyon.
(Selena leaves.)
lyon
...Sigh...
valter
That was a splendid battle. I had a great time, personally.
riev
(smirks) Heh heh heh... Don't get ahead of yourself, Moonstone.
This is just the beginning.
You'll have plenty of warm bodies to feast on, you savage beast...
valter
(grins) That's all I can hope for...
Bloodbath after bloodbath. Oh, I truly am so gluttonous...
selena
...And with that enlightening topic covered, let us discuss our next move.
We should travel to Bethroen next.
We can secure a ship there and set sail to the mainland.
We must journey swiftly. Word of our whereabouts will spread fast.
The less time we give them to organize a proper defense, the better.
lyon
Yeah, sounds good. All right, then!
I'm off to see Caellach and Glen. Good luck.
riev
Good luck to you, my prince...
(Lyon warps away.)

Grado Keep

knoll
...Still no news of the prince's location, Master Garcia?
garcia
None, Knoll. They've vanished off the face of the planet.
knoll
They have to be somewhere.
Should we send out more scouts? What do you think, Master Garcia?
garcia
Hmm... Tough to say. We've sent a good few already...
I don't think sending more would accomplish much, no.
knoll
What, then? We wait?
garcia
Hmmm...
(A soldier approaches the gate.)
offscreen
S-Sir Knoll! An unexpected visitor!
He requests an audience with you!
knoll
Who is it?
offscreen
General Duessel, the Obsidian!
(Knoll starts.)
knoll
What?!

...Usher him inside!
Master Garcia, be prepared for anything.

garcia
......
(Duessel is ushered in, along with his cyclops companion. Garcia moves protectively in front of Knoll.)
garcia
W-What is that thing?!
knoll
A monster. A more formidable one than most...
I assume this means you do not come in peace, General?
duessel
...I know how this looks. But please, grant me a chance.
knoll
A chance to do what?
duessel
Ask you one question, Knoll.
knoll
...Well?
duessel
Why?
Why did you betray Grado? Why do you sit upon the emperor's throne?
knoll
I have no desire for power or influence, if you're wondering.
If it were up to me, I would have taken my own life long ago.
But that would be too easy. I must first undo my greatest sin.
And to that end... Prince Lyon must die.
duessel
...Prince Lyon? Not the emperor?
knoll
The emperor is blameless in all this, Duessel.
In fact, he is already dead.
(Duessel starts.)
duessel
What?! He's been killed?!
knoll
No, Duessel. He passed away.
Over a year ago...
duessel
You speak madness! He was alive but weeks ago!
knoll
By then, he was no more than a puppet of flesh and bone.
His body was transformed into that following his passing.
And like a ventriloquist, Prince Lyon spoke through him, ordering Renais's invasion.
duessel
Prince Lyon... He was behind all of this?
I... I've had a terrible feeling about him for some time, but...
I had hoped to be mistaken. And yet...
If what you say is true, even my worst fears fall short...
...And it certainly adds up... Explains a few things...
Oh, by the Stones...!
garcia
Tell me something, General.
duessel
Hmm? And who might you be, sir?
garcia
Were you in Ide when the Grado army massacred its citizens?
knoll
Master Garcia...
(Duessel starts.)
duessel
Ide...!

......
Yes. I... I was there... In Ide... when...
...When we committed atrocities unspeakable...

garcia
...!
Then... Was it you?
Did you kill my son?!
knoll
Garcia! That's enough!
duessel
...I may have. I do not know...
We followed Prince Lyon's orders, and defeated Ide's militia.
I could deflect the blame onto my companions, but the truth is...
We are all to blame. Together, we murdered Ide's children...
(Garcia trembles with rage.)
garcia
You... You...!
knoll
Garcia, he was deceived!
Just like all the men and women of Grado who have joined our cause!
Moreover, a man of his might and experience would be a huge boon.
Give him an opportunity for redemption, just as you did me!
garcia
......
duessel
I... I know it means little, but...
I'm truly sorry--
(Garcia lunges forward and kills the cyclops with a single blow.)
duessel
Ah...!
garcia
Duessel, was it?
Save the apologies. This is all I require of you:
You will put everything you have to the service of good.
You will help us put an end to this terrible catastrophe...
That is how you apologize for what happened!
To me, and to everyone else Prince Lyon has wronged!
duessel
I...
knoll
...General Duessel... I know you are a virtuous man.
This is the right thing to do. You know it to be true.
duessel
......
(Duessel changes allegiance.)

Wilderness

lyon
...!

......
Well then...

(Lyon warps away.)

Character Descriptions

McGregor
A court priest of Grado. He was a mentor to Ephraim, Eirika and Lyon.

Vanessa
A sincere, honest, and honorable pegasus knight of Frelia.

Spy
A covert operative working for the army of Grado.

Frelian
The army of Frelia, a prosperous country to the north west.

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