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Chapter 4: Crumbling League

Opening

narrator
After witnessing the demise of Hector, Zephiel makes his way toward Ostia.
The remnants of Hector's army gather there, preparing to avenge their liege.
On his way there, Zephiel passes through the territory of Laus, governed by Lord Erik.
At a glance, Laus is a peaceful territory with vast meadows and clear streams.
Beneath this beauty, however, lies treachery and great skullduggery...

Castle Laus

(General Narcian flies in.)
noah
Ah, welcome. General Narcian of Bern, correct?
narcian
...Huh?! Where is Lord Erik?
noah
He contacted you some time ago, yes?
Promising soldiers, riches and even a girl or two for good measure, in return for protection from Bern's invasion.

Well, I'm afraid that won't be possible anymore.
A servant could not help but open the letter.
Once the truth got out, Erik's knights betrayed him, to the last.
Erik fled for his life. You will find no friends here.

narcian
And I suppose you head this insignificant little rebellion.
noah
Oh, not at all. I'm just a mercenary.
The name's Noah. I was hired by Lord Hector.
I was going to Ostia when the insurrection began.
I figured Lord Hector would've wanted me to help out here.
narcian
What manner of fool are you? Hector is dead!
Ally yourself with Bern, and your future shall be bright!
noah
The contract stands. Ilian mercenaries never betray our employers.
Now... Shall we fight, or will you surrender quietly?
(A soldier appears behind Narcian, cutting off his escape.)
narcian
......
Hmph... It's all the same.
Noah, was it? The king of Bern himself is on his way here.
You will soon wish you had knelt before me and begged for death.
Hm hm hm...
noah
Take the general away.

(Narcian is taken away.)

The ones in charge at Ostia will want to hear we have him.

soldier
A sound idea, Sir Noah!
Thank you for all your help!
noah
Don't thank me yet.
If Narcian's telling the truth, and the king is coming...
We'll need to give this our all. Looks like I'll be staying a while longer...

NPC Turn 2

erik
Curses! A thousand curses! This is unacceptable! Preposterous! ...Unfair!

(Erik spits.)

A pox on those ungrateful dastards!

(Erik spits again.)

And ten thousand poxes on that snivelling mercenary!
How dare they drive me out of my own domain...!

...Hmm? What's this? Such a large group headed for Laus...

(Erik starts.)

...! It's Bern!
(grins) Hahaha! The fools! They are about to pay dearly for their mistake!
All I have to do now is find the Bernese and curry favor with them.
Who needs loyalty? Moldy, old tradition does nothing but bind a man down.

NPC Turn 3

(Erik arrives from the south.)
erik
Almost there... I can see them in the distance!
Wait... Is that the king?! King Zephiel of Bern himself?!

(grins) Hoho... Oh, lucky day!
It appears today shall be the first day in Laus's history as a Bernese province!
And what a glorious history it'll be... Heh heh heh...
Now I just have to get his attention!

Turn 4

(Pirates approach from the southeast.)
scollan
(grinning) Heh... Foolish nobility. Always involved in some petty dispute.
'Course, you'll hear no complaints from us. Turmoil's how we make a living.
Heh heh heh...

Enemy Turn 5 (if Noah is still alive)

noah
Ah, there you are.
randy
What do you want?
noah
We need some backup.
Take some troops and prepare for battle.
randy
......
noah
Is there a problem?
randy
My sword is unmatchable. Choose their death.
Will they die by the blade... or by its light?
noah
Er... I suppose whatever is most convenient when the time comes?
randy
Hmph... So be it.
(Randy leaves.)
noah
What a strange man...
Then again, I suppose I'm in no position to judge him, am I.

...Come to think of it, did anybody tell that sellsword Lord Erik is gone...?

(Randy joins the battle with a squad of troops.)
randy
......
Light brand! Hear my plea!
Bring destruction upon my foes this day!

Conversations

Zephiel & Erik

erik
Hail, king of Bern!
zephiel
State your name.
erik
I am Erik, Marquess of Laus.
I had intended on joining forces with Bern. I have much I can offer you.
I discussed the details with one of your Wyvern Generals.
zephiel
...I have heard nothing of the sort.
erik
It must have slipped his mind. I shall repeat my vow to you, then.
I, Erik of Laus, hereby swear my allegiance to you and to Bern.
May glory find you, my liege, and may defeat find your enemies, now and forever.

(to himself) Yes, that ought to stick...

zephiel
...Are these not your troops we are fighting?
How do you explain that, Marquess?
erik
Er, indeed, indeed.
You see, I have been betrayed. They turned against me, the rats!
Not to worry, however. Once we retake my domain, its every resource shall be at your disposal.
And, at risk of sounding vainglorious...
(grins) My own sword arm is nothing to sneeze at. I shall help personally!
zephiel
...Very well. Impress me, and you shall earn a place in my army.
erik
My thanks, King Zephiel! You shan't regret this decision!
(Erik leaves.)
zephiel
...Hypocritical swine...

Erik & Randy

erik
Randy!
randy
...Oh? Lord Erik?
Hold on, what are you doing there? You stand with...
erik
Good eye, Randy. I stand with Bern.
Now the question is, why are YOU standing with those traitors?!
Forgotten who pays your dues, have you?
randy
...I was under the impression that I still acted under your orders.
erik
Well, no. I was driven out of Laus by the men.
Soon we will have it retaken, though...
Think long and hard on whose side you wish to be, Randy,
once the swords return to their scabbards.
randy
......
You pay well, Lord Erik.
They shall know the terror of my blade this day!

Noah

Combat

noah
This is bad...

Death

noah
Oof... Well, I did my best...

Locations

Eastern House

man
Bandits and pirates will attack nearby towns.
Once they loot a town, there's nothing left.
They're much like you in that regard, y'know?

Northern House 1

man
There are mounted soldiers with bows in Laus' army.
They're from the nomad clans of Sacae.
Do us a favor and sit tight while they shoot your faces.

Northern House 2

old man
You know the weapon triangle, but did you know it doesn't apply to all weapons?
Some weapons completely reverse the weapon triangle.
For instance, you might find an axe that will work well against swords.
...What? I don't like you guys, but I'm old. Old people like to teach!
Even if it's you guys.

Eastern Village

boy
Without a thief, you can't open doors and chests so easily.
Only thieves can use lockpicks.
But I have something called a door key, which will open any door.
Anyone can use it. You can have it.
visitor
This is really useless, kid.
boy
I know.
visitor
...Oh.
boy
Yeah.
(The visitor receives a Door Key.)

Northern Village

man
We're all on your side.

Haha, as if! The only thing I'm giving you is this sword!
It's heavy and unwieldy and bad and it's yours.
Screw you.

(The visitor receives a Steel Blade.)

Southern Village

man
I can't believe this war is happening...
We'll all suffer under Bern's iron-fisted rule.
But you just might be able to stop them.
Here is something that will help you fight a little longer.
Think carefully before using it.

...Wait a minute, who are you again?

(The visitor leaves.)

Hey! Hey! Bernese scum! Give me back my thing!

(The visitor receives an Angelic Robe.)

Ending

murdock
The remaining soldiers from Laus are retreating.
zephiel
The troops may stand down for the nonce.
murdock
Yes, my liege.
(Murdock leaves. Idunn approaches.)
idunn
Your Highness. Did you summon me?
zephiel
Hmph... Do you see, Idunn? How easily this rabble succumbs to in-fighting?
Human beings are such contemptible creatures. They sicken me to my core.
But not you... You are entirely devoid of all irrationality.
You and your brethren know no evil. You do not kill or betray for petty reasons.
Emotions have no place in your clear minds.

You are perfect, Idunn.
Dragonkind is perfect.

idunn
Your Highness...
(Jahn butts in.)
jahn
See, Zeph? This is why I like you.
You aren't afraid to admit who your betters are.
You'd probably be honored just to kiss my feet, wouldn't you?
Since we dragons are so superior.
zephiel
......
idunn
Shall I summon the dragons, Your Highness?
zephiel
No...
But, Jahn?
jahn
Hmmm?
zephiel
Leave my sight before I put this sword through your chest.
jahn
Pah! So much for "dragonkind is perfect"!
marcus
Lord Roy!
roy
Marcus! What is happening in Araphen?!
marcus
We were too late, milord. King Zephiel passed through hours ago.
I found Lord Hector inside the keep. He was long gone, as were his men...
roy
No! First Father, now Lord Hector... What will become of the Lycian League!?
bors
L-Lord Roy! We have no time to lose!
If Lord Hector and Araphen have fallen, then...
Ostia is likely to be Bern's next target!
We must make haste! Lady Lilina must be protected!
marcus
I believe Bors's suggestion would be the most prudent course of action.
Lord Hector must have left some of his army to protect his people.
If we can add our forces to theirs, a counter-attack may yet be possible.
merlinus
I agree with Marcus.
We do not know what reaction Lord Hector's death will cause.
Lady Lilina may well find herself in peril soon, as well!
roy
Lilina... She said someone needed to watch over Ostia until her father returned...
Now he never will...

(Roy fumes.)

Craven curs! Fiendish knaves! If they take Lilina's life as well, I... I...!

wolt
Lord Roy! Please, calm yourself!
These are grievous losses, but we are not yet defeated.
We can still recover. Reaching Ostia before Bern will be the first step.
But now more than ever, we need our leader to remain composed!
roy
Yes... Y-Yes, you're right, Wolt.
Yes. Very well. Move out, troops! We go to Ostia!
(The troops move out.)
roy
...Lilina, I pray we are not too late this time...!

Character Descriptions

Erik
The traitorous marquess of Laus.

Randy
A mercenary who is very proud of his sword.

Noah
A mercenary knight from Ilia. Lacks social skills.

Laus
Soldiers in service to the Laus territory of Lycia.