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Chapter 2: Ostian Skirmish

Opening

narrator
There is a small village on the border of Pherae and Bern.
This is where Zephiel is to meet Galle and his subordinates.

Just east of the village is a small castle occupied by Ostia's forces.
Leading them is a veteran knight, in service to Ostia for many years.
As news of Pherae's fall reach Ostian ears, the flames of war lit up again...

soldier
Sir Oswin! I-I bring dire news!
oswin
Dire news? But the campaign has not started yet...
soldier
It's Pherae, sir! It has fallen to the enemy!
oswin
...Dire news indeed. Do we know of any survivors?
soldier
Marquess Eliwood was inside when the enemy breached the gates.
He... I am afraid it would've been impossible for him to make it.
There was no sighting of Lord Roy, however...
Perhaps he did not return home in time.
oswin
Given the circumstances, we had better pray he did not.
Lord Eliwood, dead... Blast. Lord Hector won't take that well...
soldier
Sir, they will most likely come through here next. Your orders?
oswin
They cannot be allowed to reach Araphen.
It will be a catastrophe if they strike our armies before they assemble...

I will remain here with my troops and hold them at bay.
Please, make for Araphen and relay the news to Lord Hector.

soldier
Yes, Commander Oswin! I pray luck be with you...
(The soldier leaves.)
(Zephiel's troops enter the field.)
murdock
Here is Galle, my king.
galle
Well met, Your Majesty.
I was told that you were successful in vanquishing Pherae...
zephiel
Do you have anything to report?
galle
I sent Commander Tick to scout ahead, alongside the Etrurians.
They should return shortly.

Ah, I do believe that is him.

(Tick approaches.)
zephiel
Commander Tick. What news do you bring?
tick
Lycia has a platoon guarding this area.
Even though they should have no reason to expect an attack here...
zephiel
The Lycian Army is led by Lord Hector. He is said to be a talented tactician.
It is not surprising that he would not leave such an opening unaccounted for.
It won't be a problem. We shall take care of them, then head for Araphen.

Where are the Etrurian maggots? I understand they are under your care.

tick
So they are, but I decided to press on ahead with the report.
They should catch up momentarily.
Worry not. Martel and the Ilian commander are keeping an eye on them.
Should they dare dream of switching sides again...
zephiel
Fair enough. We will begin our advance now.
They may join the fray when they arrive.
tick
Sir!
(Tick leaves.)
galle
By your leave.
(Galle leaves.)
idunn
Shall I deploy the dragons now, Your Highness?
zephiel
No, not yet. Thank you, Idunn.
idunn
......
(A Lycian soldier spots the Bern army.)
soldier
There they are! Stop them here!
For Ostia! For Lord Hector! For Lycia!
(Lycian troops move to cover the pass.)

Turn 2

(A priest and pegasus knight approach from the south.)
martel
They should be around here somewhere...
Sigune!
Check around and find the king's legion!
sigune
Of course.
(Sigune flies ahead as more troops arrive behind Martel.)
roartz
Er... Sir Martin, was it?
martel
Martel, you hideous crow! It's Martel!
roartz
H-Hideous... How dare you!? I am the High Chancellor of--
martel
Was, Roartz. Now you are but a rat,
come scurrying to your betters for protection and benefits.
roartz
What!?
arcado
We are nobles of Etruria! You'd do well to watch your words with us!
martel
Heh... I belong in the Bernese Army. Where do YOU belong?
Etruria will never take you again. I suggest you begin pulling your weight.
Both of you.
arcado
...Urgh...
(Roartz advances, shaking with fury.)
roartz
Insolent cur! Why, I should--
arcado
L-Lord Roartz! Please, calm down...
Forgive us, Sir Martel. We will do as you say.
With my horse and Lord Roartz's armor, we shall prove useful.
martel
Good, good. I appreciate that you see reason.
Now go and fight these Lycian mongrels!
(Martel leaves.)
roartz
I am the High Chancellor of Etruria... I should not have to...
arcado
Let us bide our time, Lord Roartz. Patience will be key here...
roartz
(smiles) ...Indeed. You are correct, Arcardo.
(Sigune returns.)
sigune
I found your king to the west.
It would seem they have already engaged the Lycian Army.
martel
Excellent. We join them, post-haste!

Conversations

Zephiel & Martel

zephiel
Martel. How do the Etrurians fare?
martel
Not well, I'm afraid. They are but cowardly vultures.
If I may be so bold, Your Majesty...
I do not see what we stand to gain from letting them hide behind us.
zephiel
Hmph. Expendable fodder is always useful.
Do not hesitate to throw them at the enemy. That is what they are meant for.
martel
Hahaha... Brilliant! Understood, King Zephiel!

Oswin

Combat

oswin
In the name of Ostia.

Combat w/ Jahn

oswin
......
jahn
You don't look half as afraid as you ought to be...
I am the last true dragon, you foolish human!
My power dwarves that of even the strongest of your kind!
oswin
I know not if I can best you, but...
We stand to lose far too much.
I must at least try.
jahn
Hah! Oh, don't make me laugh, little human!
I will scorch you to ashes!
You, and the rest of your kind!
At long last!
oswin
You are not the first dragon I face in my lifetime.
We shall see how it goes, this time...

Death

oswin
Lord... Hector... I did what I could...
It's all up to you now...

Locations

West House

old man
The weapon triangle... Swords, axes, and lances.
Remember, swords best lances, axes best swords, and lances best axes.
Keep this in mind and things will be much easier for you.
Totally.

Central House Left

man
Forts are the key to a good defense.
If you're in a fort, you can defend and even dodge more easily.
On top of that, your wounds will heal slowly over time.
Good luck gettin' to 'em, though. Ostia's knights are the greatest!
You Bernese will fall soon!

Central House Right

young man
I have nothing to say to you.

Village

young woman
Armored knights have nearly impenetrable defenses.
But some weapons, like this sword, can pierce their armor.
You'll never get it from me, though!
visitor
......
(The visitor approaches threateningly.)
young woman
A-Ah!

(She runs away.)

No! Stay away! Nooo...!

(The visitor obtains an Armorslayer.)

Ending

murdock
Victory is ours, my king.
zephiel
What a waste of time that was...
Thank you, Murdock. You are dismissed.
(Murdock leaves.)
zephiel
Galle.
galle
My liege?
zephiel
What have you discovered regarding Guinivere's whereabouts?
galle
I'm afraid I haven't received any information worth sharing yet.
Melady is on it, though. I am certain she will find your sister.
zephiel
The Fire Emblem must be found. Do you understand me, Galle?
galle
Have faith in Melady, Your Majesty. She will not fail you.
zephiel
...I shall take your word for it. Now, enough dallying.
To Araphen, that we may crush the bulk of Lycia's army in one fell swoop.
galle
......

Character Descriptions

Galle
A wyvern rider of Bern. Favored by Murdock.

Tick
A commander in charge of Bern's standing forces in Lycia.

Martel
A bishop supervising the Etrurian turncoat Roartz.

Sigune
A unit leader of the Ilian pegasus knights.

Roartz
The former High Chancellor of Etruria, now a servant of Bern.

Arcado
An Etrurian noble. Led the mining operation in the Western Isles.

Oswin
A veteran knight of Ostia who has served Hector for decades.

Ostia
Soldiers in service to the Ostia territory of Lycia.