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Chapter 6: Cornered

Opening

narrator
After taking Windham, a former priest of St. Elimine, and a soldier of Bern into their ranks,
Zephiel and company enter Thria, southeast of Ostia.
Thria is governed by Lord Orun, Hector's cousin.

Orun's home castle seems well fortified, its dwellers prepared to defend it.

As such, Zephiel expects a long and arduous siege.
However, unbeknownst to them, Thria is embroiled in turmoil...

soldier
Thank you for everything, Sir Trec...
trec
Don't sweat it... How's Lord Orun?
soldier
...Dead, I'm afraid.
That snake Wagner stabbed him good before you got to him.
We did what we could, but... He lost too much blood.
trec
Uh huh... So no one's in charge anymore?
soldier
No... But please, don't concern yourself.
Continue to Ostia. I'm sure you'll be more needed there.
trec
...Noah's message said the king of Bern was going to Laus...
That was some time ago. He'll be close now.
Plus, Wagner escaped. He could come back...
And then there's the other guy you guys have captive...
soldier
Looks like we're going to have a full plate.
All the more reason you should leave as quickly as possible, Sir Trec.
???
Hey! Hey! Anyone in there?!
Got news! Bad ones!
soldier
Eh?
(The soldier leaves to speak with the messenger, then returns.)
soldier
......
...Leave this place now, Sir Trec.
Bern has arrived. We are doomed.
trec
You will not leave?
soldier
The folks at Ostia will need all the time they can get.
We will delay them as much as we can.
trec
Then count me in.
I'll take over, if nobody else will...
soldier
Sir Trec... You are a true knight.
trec
Nah...
(Trec approaches Zephiel at the gates.)
trec
Oh, you're already here... We were just talking about you.
zephiel
Surrender, and we might consider sparing your lives.
trec
Meh... I don't know.
How about you turn around and leave the way you came?
Please.
murdock
Insolent cur! You speak to the king of Bern!
You dare to try and make demands of His Majesty so nonchalantly?!
My king, permission to attack! I beg of you!
zephiel
You have it. Crush these bugs underfoot.
trec
Ah, well. I had to try.
Looks like we've got to fight... I just hope we have better luck with that.
(Trec withdraws into the fort.)
zephiel
Hmph... What a pitiful excuse for a knight.
Though at this point I shouldn't even be surprised.
Every Lycian we have met has been a thoroughly pathetic worm.
windham
Quite correct, Your Majesty.
Even back in Etruria, everyone looks down on these backwater hicks.
It will be no great loss for them to die. After you, Your Majesty!
zephiel
Show me what you can do.
raith
...Hello! I'm also here!
(Zephiel leaves, causing Raith to balk.)
raith
Dammit! Dammit all! He just ignored me...!
windham
Hahaha...

Turn 5

(A fighter enters from the southeast.)
damas
Hwahahaha... Look at this!
Such an opulent mansion, turned into a battlefield!
Tsk, tsk... They shoulda known better.
Imma rob 'em blind 'fore they even notice I'm here!

Conversations

Tick & Raith

raith
(smiles) Tick! Thank the stars!
tick
Cousin? You've joined us?
raith
(serious) Yes...
I was hoping I'd have better luck with the king's regiment.
So far, though... Just doesn't seem to be the case!
tick
The king's personal army is no place for the meek.
You'll get eaten alive, Raith.
I advise you turn around and return to General Narcian.
raith
The general was captured. We all scattered...
I had no idea what to do, until I met this priest.
He convinced me to seek out the king himself.
Said it was my best possible move.
tick
Did he, now...
Cousin, I think you've been swindled.
That man only wanted to use you to get close to the king.
(Raith huffs.)
raith
Y-You don't think I've figured that one out by now?!
Tick, you've got to protect me!
You're the only one I can count on anymore...!
C'mon, remember how we used to build sandcastles?
tick
Yes, when we were four.
When was the last time we saw each other, anyway?
raith
T-That's not important!
Blood is thicker than water, right?!
tick
Sigh... Look, just...
Stay out of sight, okay? Don't be a liability.
raith
U-Urgh...
tick
Ahh, Raith... I just don't get it.
Why did you ever join the military?
raith
W-Well, I wanted my parents to be as proud of me as yours are of you.
...You know. Before they died of that nasty sickness.
Now I guess I just don't know where else I could go.
I always admired you, you know. That's not just flattery.
I suppose a part of me still hopes I'll be able to match you, one day.
tick
......
All right. Try to remain calm. I shall protect you where I can.
raith
(smiles) Y-You will? Oh, thank you, cousin! Thank you so much!
tick
(smiles) Hey, I'm not an entirely emotionless husk.
I care about you. You're my cousin.
raith
H-Hah... Love you too, cousin.

Zephiel & Monke

zephiel
Who are you, prisoner?
monke
King Zephiel... Of all places to meet.
I am Monke, Chieftain of the Sacaen tribe called Djute.
zephiel
The Djute... Yes, I have heard the name.
Brunnya told me you were reliable allies during the invasion of Sacae.
monke
We believed it the best course of action in order to survive.
Our deal has not ended just because you are no longer in Sacae, of course.
As a token of our fealty, I sent some of my best men to join forces with you.
Now that things in Sacae are under control, I had intended to join you myself...
zephiel
Hmph. What are you doing here, then?
monke
I was captured on the way by these Lycian mongrels.
I know not how they knew I was on your side...
I did refuse a request to enter their service and fight Bern.
But surely anybody could have done that!
It does not mean I am with Bern... I mean, I was-- I am! But still--
zephiel
I was under the impression that Djute nomads have... deft hands.
How come you have not broken yourself out yet?
monke
Some of my brothers have learned to pick locks like filthy cutpurses, yes.
But not I. I live and die for and by the sword. Or bow, rather.
I have no need of such skullduggery. I am a greater warrior than that.
zephiel
So you say, and yet you just let yourself be captured.
Disappointing. I would have expected better of the leader of a proud Sacaen tribe.
(Monke fumes.)
monke
If you think I will simply allow such an egregious insult slide, you--
zephiel
I, what?
(Monke shrinks back.)
monke
...Forgive me. I spoke out of turn...
Please, give me a bow and I shall once again prove our loyalty to you.
(Monke leaves.)
zephiel
Pah. What a disgrace.
Had you actually tried to fight me unarmed, you'd have earned my respect.
It's my own fault for expecting a challenge of a Sacaen.

Brunnya & Monke

brunnya
Chieftain Monke? Is that you?
monke
That we should meet again here, General Brunnya...
brunnya
So far from Sacae. What happened?
monke
We finally got things under control at Sacae.
That was after I had sent Thoril and Kabul to you.
I decided I'd be more useful with the king, as well.
Thus, I mounted my best horse and rode out to catch up with my men.
However, I was captured on the way by these Lycian mongrels!
brunnya
How unfortunate you do not have the same...
abilities, as your subordinates.
monke
If I did, I may have been able to break myself out, yes.
However, I represent the Djute clan at large.
I cannot be seen picking locks like some common burglar.
My honor must be unquestionable. No underhanded tactics!
brunnya
...Of course. Your honor is indeed unquestionable.
You lead the greatest tribe in the entirety of Sacae.
It is a great responsibility.
monke
(smiles) Hah, right you are, General.
I am pleased to see you remain as wise as ever, my friend.
Well, then! If you have a bow to spare, I would ask for it.
I will riddle them with arrows for daring to keep me captive!
(Monke leaves.)
brunnya
...Hmph... Still a dull buffoon, that one.
Count your lucky stars that you are useful.

Zephiel & Damas

zephiel
What's this? A mere brigand?
damas
Who're ya calling "mere"?! Name's Damas!
zephiel
...Do you even know who you are speaking to?
damas
Some nobleman or other, judgin' by the fancy get-up.
Hey, speakin' of... How 'bout you hand over your gold?
That way, this here axe won't feel tempted to kiss you in the neck...
zephiel
Come at me, then.
Come and die, as so many before you.
damas
...E-Er...
(Whoa, this guy's pretty scary, now that I'm getting a good look at him...)
(L-Look at those dead, hollow eyes...! Oh my goodness, what have I done?!)
zephiel
Afraid? You should be.
If you won't come, then I shall! Perish!
damas
Wait-- Look! Look there!
It's a, uh...
zephiel
......
(Zephiel turns to Idunn.)
idunn
Is it time to summon the dragons, Your Highness?
zephiel
......
(Zephiel turns back to find Damas has fled.)
zephiel
......
Cowardly weakling...
You had better hope we never meet again.

Trec

Combat

trec
I guess it was inevitable... You guys are too strong.
Well, nothing to it. I guess I'll just give it my best shot.

Death

trec
Well...even in darkness, there is...

Ending

zephiel
When will these Lycians begin to pose a challenge?
Even Hector was nothing. Disappointment after disappointment.
Sigh...
No matter. Ostia is next.
I do not expect much from soldiers deemed too weak to join the frontlines.
But at least, Ostia's fall should mark the true end of Lycia, once and for all.
murdock
Everyone is ready to begin marching. We await your order.
zephiel
You have it. We have nothing more to do here.
murdock
Very well, sire.
(Zephiel leaves.)
murdock
......
brunnya
Is it Narcian you wish to speak of?
murdock
We were told he was being held here.
But I personally conducted a full sweep of the building.
There is no sign of him.

Tell me, Brunnya. Do you believe he could have escaped on his own?

brunnya
Come now, Sir Murdock. He's Narcian.
My opinion is that it's more likely he was moved ahead of schedule.
Perhaps we will find him in Ostia.
murdock
...Of course.
I swear, when I find that man, I'm going to...
brunnya
He's not worth it, Sir Murdock. Remain focused.
murdock
You're right, of course. I am glad some of us can be depended on.
(Galle approaches.)
murdock
You as well, Galle, naturally.
Were it up to me, you would already be a Wyvern General.
But bide your time. Narcian will get his, and when he does...
(smiles) I shall be ready to recommend you as his successor.
brunnya
(smiles) Myself, as well. You are competent beyond your years, Galle.
Of course, compared to Narcian, anybody looks exceptional.
But you are a formidable warrior on your own right.
galle
(smiles) You honor me, generals. I am hardly worthy.
(serious) Frankly, Melady would be far more deserving of the honor.
If only she wasn't stuck searching for the princess...
murdock
(serious) She will join us in due time. Of this, I have no doubt.

Now, let us not make the king wait. To Ostia!

galle
Yes, General Murdock!

Character Descriptions

Monke
The chieftain of the Djute clan of Sacae.

Damas
The former leader of a Pheraen group of bandits. Now, a lone thief.

Trec
A mercenary knight from Ilia. Sleeping is his passion.

Thria
Soldiers in service to the Thria territory of Lycia.