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Chapter 10B: Western Resistance

Opening

narrator
In order to reach Juteaux without undergoing unnecessary risks,
Zephiel leads his army west.

Along the way, they come across a small village.
The local lord, a young noble of Etruria, was recently installed.
Though there were initially doubts about her capability,
she has proven a kind lord that the locals have quickly grown fond of.
However, her short tenure as lord of this small hamlet will soon come to an end...

soldier
Lady Clarine, the patrol has returned.
clarine
Nothing to report, I imagine?
soldier
Actually... There is something to report. Something big.
An army, flying the banner of Bern!
clarine
B-Bern!?

(Clarine starts.)

That's the country that Lycian mongrel tried to sell me out to!

soldier
Er... Excuse me, Lady Clarine?
clarine
I was looking for my brother. I found myself in the Laus region of Lycia.
The marquess there tried to give me up to some general from Bern...
As if I were a mere piece of livestock! Can you believe that?

...B-But never mind that! What are they doing here?

soldier
Nobody knows... What are your orders, milady?
clarine
Be that I could run to my brother's side... But he has his own duties.
I can't be a child all my life. I was granted this village to protect.
I must take responsibility. We will defend the villagers!
And send a messenger to Juteaux! Dame Echidna must know of this!
soldier
Yes, milady!
(The soldier leaves. Clarine turns to Melady, who has been waiting in the room.)
clarine
As for you...
melady
Before you say anything, let me clarify, I know nothing of this--
clarine
Liar! You led them here!
You intended on stabbing me the moment I turned, did you not?
Well, I'm afraid you won't have such an easy time.
You will have to contend with the fury of the winds to get to me!
melady
I truly knew nothing of this. My mission is to find the princess. Nothing more.
clarine
A likely story. What would possess you to search for your princess here?
melady
...I will take my leave now. Will you allow that much?
clarine
Hmph... Begone from my sight before I change my mind.
brunnya
King Zephiel, a village stands in our way.
Soldiers are flowing out from the castle.
zephiel
They have spotted us.
brunnya
It would seem that way. Your orders?
zephiel
Kill everyone and storm the castle. What else?
brunnya
At your command...

Enemy Turn 1

(Zeiss descends from the mountains to meet with Melady.)
zeiss
Were you able to ascertain Princess Guinivere's whereabouts?
melady
Unfortunately, no...
Had I stayed any longer, I fear they would have turned hostile.
zeiss
Oh...
melady
Zeiss... I'm sorry.
King Zephiel wanted to keep the matter of Princess Guinivere a secret, so only I was assigned to search for her.
I'm sorry to get you mixed up in this...
zeiss
Don't worry yourself.
melady
But you work directly under Commander Galle. Surely you have other duties.
zeiss
Commander Galle agreed to allow me to assist you.
He thinks it's vital we find the princess and the Fire Emblem.
melady
...Do you think Princess Guinivere has the Fire Emblem?
zeiss
That's what His Majesty the king thinks.
And I think he's correct, all things considered.
melady
......
zeiss
Come now, don't be like that...
I'm sure Princess Guinivere went with good intentions.
Let's hurry now. There are still a few towns we haven't checked.
melady
You're right...
(Zeiss and Melady fly away to the north.)

Turn 4

clarine
What is going on out there?
Why is it taking so long to drive off those dastards?!
soldier
Forgive us, Lady Clarine... We're doing what we can, but--
clarine
Well, it's clearly not enough! This is Bern we're talking about!
Tell the men to double their efforts! We cannot lose!
soldier
Y-Yes, milady!
On another topic... Brigands approach from the west.
clarine
No! We won't be able to protect the villagers from both them and Bern...
soldier
It's not all bad news, milady. Another force also approaches from the south.
Reinforcements from Juteaux!
clarine
Could they have received the message this quickly...
Or is Echidna simply clairvoyant?
Either way, they may just save our lives...
I must remember to thank her personally when this is all done.

Turn 6

(Brigands approach from the northwest.)
scollan
Gyahaha... Look at that village over yonder!
I'm going to raze it and grab all the loot!
That's what being a brigand means, after all.

Man, it feels lonely doing this on my own, though...
What kinda brigand gang only has one brigand!?
I need to find me some brigand friends!
Then we can all burn some villages together!

Turn 8

(Morgan and Thea enter from the southeast alongside two resistance fighters.)
soldier
That's the Bernese Army...

Thea, take your soldiers and attack from the north.
We'll commence the attack from here.

thea
Yes, sir.
(Thea leaves.)
soldier
Ready then? Let's move.

...Hey! Rookie! What're you waiting for?

morgan
A-Ah! Forgive me, sir! I'm on it, sir!
soldier
Hmph... You're lucky Dame Echidna can be a merciful woman when she wants.
Were it up to me, you would've been killed back when Arcardo got the boot.
morgan
I... I was only following orders--
soldier
So you claimed, but you are still responsible for so many deaths.
All those people taken to the mines to die... After you captured them!
You should be rotting in a dungeon, but you're being given a chance.
I expect you to be on your best behavior, and fight your hardest!
morgan
Yes... Yes, sir!
(The soldier marches out.)
morgan
Urgh... I really was just following orders! Honest!
W-Why does everyone hate me? I didn't... I just...
If I stay in the Isles, sooner or later, I'll... Oh, no, that can't happen!
But would Bern take a wretch like me? I don't like my chances...

(Morgan flounders.)

Oh, Lord Arcardo! If only you hadn't been banished...

Turn 9 (if Clarine is still alive)

soldier
Lady Clarine, more reinforcements should arrive soon.
clarine
Blast... I can only pray they will be enough...

Turn 10

(Thea enters from the northwest with a pegasus unit.)
thea
Are you ready? We move southward!
shanna
Aye aye, sis--I mean, Captain! Let's go!
peggy
Captain... Are you sure we'll be all right?
thea
Is something wrong?
The resistance have shown time and time again they are virtuous.
I, for one, am honored to fight under them.
peggy
Yes, but... D-Do you truly believe we can win against Bern?
You know, the largest, strongest military force in the continent?
thea
We won't know until we try.
Either way, the Ilian code forbids us from turning coat!
You should know that, Peggy!
peggy
Of course I do! I was not trying to imply anything like that...
thea
Then stop making needless remarks and concentrate.
We will soon be upon the enemy!
(Thea leaves.)
peggy
...W-Wow...
She somehow manages to be even scarier than Commander Sigune...
shanna
Haha, I know Thea can be pretty intense, but she really cares.
You'll be okay with her. Trust me!
peggy
...I-I wonder about that...

Turn 14 (if Clarine is still alive)

soldier
Additional reinforcements will be arriving shortly!
clarine
......
Elimine help us...

Conversations

Kel & Scott

kel
It would appear the gods have smiled upon you as well...
scott
Kel? Wouldn't have expected you to join these guys too.
What happened to your honor?
kel
The same thing that happened to yours, Scott.
I chose to preserve my life.
scott
Heh... Don't look so sullen, my friend. It was the smart choice.
kel
Swordsmen live and die by the blade.
I am a disgrace to my trade...
...But I've known that for a long time.
scott
No hard feelings, I trust?
kel
Sigh... What would the point be? No hard feelings, Scott.
scott
(smiles) Excellent, excellent...

(serious) You know something, Kel? I don't get you.
You're always going on about your pride and honor...
But you sell your skills to the highest bidder. How come?

kel
Pride and honor don't put food on the plate.
I do what needs to be done.
scott
Certainly, but I have a rough idea of how Sacae works.
The clans are close-knit communities.
You wouldn't be wandering the land alone without a reason.
Did you have a falling out with your clan or something?
kel
...You could say that.
Or, more precisely, I misjudged them.
scott
How so?
Ah, forgive me. I'm being nosy.
kel
Don't fret.
I was born in Bulgar to a merchant couple.
Then they died, and I had to fend for myself...
I ended up being taken in by a member of the Djute.
I thought that'd be a fine place to hone my swordarm...
And perhaps finally learn what it means to be Sacaen.
...Instead, I learned the Djute are a blight upon Sacae.
scott
That's when you left, huh.
I feel for you, brother.
kel
Do you, now?
scott
I mean that. You might not believe me, but...
I was sad to see my crew grow so hostile towards me.
We had such good times, before... It all went awry.
And now that I'm on my own, back on square one, well...
It is a horrible thing, to feel like you don't belong anywhere.
You and I, we share that feeling now.
kel
Perhaps you are correct.
But you do not intend to let things stand for long.
scott
Of course not. I've been through worse troubles.
One day I'll rise back up...
(smiles) When that happens, I will remember your name, Kel.
kel
...Feel free to contact me, when you can pay me.
If I'm still alive.
scott
Heh... I'll keep that in mind.

Tick & Flaer

flaer
Ahh, you are Sir Galle's lieutenant.
tick
Only one of his commanders.
You are General Narcian's lieutenant, are you not?
flaer
Indeed... Not the best post to hold at this moment.
It becomes less and less prestigious a position by the day.
I fear some of the king's disdain for my superior is spilling over to me...
tick
You have my sympathies, Sir Flaer.
I was fortunate. Mine is a just, level-headed superior.
Serving under him has been my honor.
flaer
Well, you do enjoy some notoriety, yourself.
As one level-headed enough to match even Sir Galle.
It is no wonder General Murdock holds your division in high regard,
when it counts men like Sir Galle and yourself among its own.
tick
You flatter me. It's nothing, really.
I've never been one to let my emotions get to my head.
Even as a child, I always took care to think before acting.
(smiles) Heh, the other kids often called me a bore.
flaer
I may be your senior, but I have plenty to envy you for.
It feels like every day, I drown in insurmountable stress...
tick
(serious) Nonsense. Serving someone like Narcian, that is only understandable.
Besides, in my humble opinion, you're handling it quite well.
If Narcian's platoon hasn't sunken lower, it is in great part thanks to you.
flaer
(smiles) You flatter me, my friend.
tick
(smiles) Have heart, Sir Flaer, and bide your time.
Everyone knows Sir Galle is well on his way to become Wyvern General.
When the time comes, I shall speak to Sir Galle on your behalf.
flaer
(serious) I would owe you quite the debt, my friend.
But I suppose first we'll need to find General Narcian...
tick
(frowns) As long as Narcian holds the position, Sir Galle cannot advance.
And as long as he remains missing, he cannot be relieved of it.
I must admit, it is positively vexing...
flaer
Tell me about it.
I have served in this army for nearly 20 years, and in all that time...
Never have I worked with a soldier so appalling as General Narcian.

A-Ah, but I should not speak so. He is still my superior...

tick
I don't believe anybody will judge you.
But yes, I suppose we mustn't forget our place.
Nor the battle.
flaer
Quite right. Let's get back into the fray.
tick
After you.

Maggie/Rose & Scollan

scollan
Ho ho! What do we have here? A brigand! You're a brigand, right?
maggie/rose
Good eye, sweetie!
scollan
I'd know a brigand anywhere. We all got the same look in our eyes.
The look of someone who enjoys burning down houses!
The same EVIL look!
maggie/rose
I guess, yeah.
scollan
Tell me, this army you're with... Do they raze villages often?
maggie/rose
We do commit the odd war crime, yeah.
scollan
Awesome! Tell your bossman that Scollan is at his service!
maggie/rose
Nice. Welcome to the team!
scollan
Heh heh, now where's the nearest village?!

Zephiel & Morgan

zephiel
...Well? Will you not raise your spear?
morgan
I, uh... I would rather not, thank you.
zephiel
Very well. Then I will grant you a swift death.
(Morgan shrinks back.)
morgan
No no, wait, wait!
That's not what I... Listen, take me into your army!
zephiel
Why should I take in a member of the Western Isles' resistance?
morgan
Because, I am not that!
I am... well, was, an Etrurian commander under Lord Arcardo.
Then the resistance ruined everything... We all split up.
I was caught and tried, but they let me off the hook, somehow...
Under the condition that I join the resistance force and redeem myself.
But not everyone agreed with Echidna's decision...
It won't be long until someone takes matters into their own hands, and...!
zephiel
Decides to end your sorry existence in the name of "justice."
morgan
P-Precisely so, sir!
So, uh... Yes. I have nothing left here...
If you would have me, I would gladly fight for you!
My rank was taken from me, but not my skill with the lance.
I will be handy to have around, sir! I swear...!
zephiel
Fine. I will give you an opportunity to prove your worth.
Come along, now.
(Morgan salutes.)
morgan
Y-You will not regret it! This I promise!
(Morgan leaves.)
zephiel
...My army is so full of worthless worms these days...
But I suppose expendables are always useful.

Arcado & Morgan

arcado
Morgan!
morgan
Lord Arcardo? You are here!
arcado
Indeed. I arrived with Bern.
morgan
So... Does this mean we're about to rise up again?
arcado
Of course not. Bern will take the Isles for themselves.
It's all we can do to prove we're useful enough to avoid being killed...
morgan
Oh...
W-Well, even so. The resistance fighters keep giving me the evil eye...
arcado
No wonder. You were one of my most trusted men, Morgan.
morgan
Yes... Well, on that topic...
Do you think I may join you again? For old times' sake?
arcado
Not for old times' sake. For survival, Morgan.
And the answer is not mine to give, but...
I will speak on your behalf.
For what little that is worth...
morgan
(smiles) T-Thank you so much, Lord Arcardo!

Sigune & Peggy

sigune
You... I know you.
You'd just joined up with my squad before this whole thing started.
peggy
C-Commander Sigune...!
sigune
Peggy, right?
peggy
Y-Yes!
sigune
You know the code of the Ilian mercenaries.
peggy
Never betray your employer...
sigune
Indeed. Which means... You must now fight me.
Draw your lance. Do not hesitate.
peggy
A-Ah... Oh--

(Peggy flails.)

Oh no! No no no no no! What have I done?!

sigune
...You've dropped your spear, Peggy.
Hold on...
(Sigune flies down to retrieve Peggy's spear.)
peggy
Commander! What are you doing?
sigune
There.

(Sigune hands the spear back to Peggy.)

Try not to do that again, okay?

peggy
......
Screw it. I'm joining you.
sigune
You would betray the Ilian code?!
I would never accept someone like you back into my squad.
People like you will change allegiances at the drop of a hat.
I will not risk that happening when my life depends on you.
peggy
C'mon, you seriously think that's even going to happen?
You're the Ivory Devil! Among the most famous knights of Ilia!
Me, I'm just... some girl...
sigune
...Sigh... All right. You may join us.
But only because I know I can kill you if ever you are tempted to betray us....
Don't make me have to do that, would you, Peggy?
peggy
(smiles) O-O-Of course not, Commander! I'd never! Ha ha ha... Ah...

Thea

Combat

thea
Stay calm, everyone. Send them flying!

Death

thea
Juno... Shanna... I...I fought until the end...

Shanna

Combat

shanna
Don't panic, Shanna... You've got this!

Death

shanna
Juno... Thea... Sorry... I won't make it home...

Clarine

Combat

clarine
I am not afraid! I am the daughter of a Mage General!
You won't do to this village what you did to Lycia!

Death

clarine
No! Please, help! Klein, my brother...

Locations

Northwest House (Left)

young woman
Ah!
(She runs.)
visitor
...What a swift woman.
Oh? She dropped this...
(The visitor receives a Speedwing.)

Northwest House (Right)

man
Hey, hey, what's all the ruck-- Oof!
A soldier?! Well, you won't take me down so easily!
Check this out. See this blade? Fancy, isn't it?
I will use it against you! This is your only warn--
(The visitor attacks him.)
man
A-Auugh!
(He dies.)
visitor
...Fancy, indeed...
(The visitor receives a Wo Dao.)

West House

man
Damn you! Damn you to oblivion and back!
Go ahead, take everything I have. Not that I have much of value...

(He starts.)

N-No! Wait! Not that! It's a memento of my son...!
It's all I have to remember him by! Please, don't steal it...!

(The visitor receives a Dragonshield.)

Southwest House

woman
I wonder how Mary's doing...
Her brother passed away, and she moved with her lover to Eidyna.
...O-Oh, my! Please, put the weapon aside!
There's no need for violence... Please, just take this and go!
(The visitor receives a Barrier staff.)

Southeast House

man
A few months ago, my granddaughter went missing.
visitor
She will go missing again.
man
Why would you say such a thing? There's no need to be so mean...
(The visitor receives a Swordreaver.)

East House

young man
I hate the resistance!
They make me pay taxes!
Sure they're lower than before, but they should've abolished them!
...What's that? You promise your king will do that when he's in charge?
You PINKY promise? That's it, have this thing.
Now go and kick the resistance out of these Isles already!
(The visitor receives a Master Seal.)

Northwest House

young man
You may take my things...
But you will never take the Isles!
The resistance will never allow it!
(The visitor receives a Sleep staff.)

Ending

jahn
(grins) Humans burn so easily, don't they. Hah... It's pitiful, really.
Of course, you wouldn't know, since you refuse to transform.
idunn
...His Highness did not order it.
jahn
(frowns) Man... You're such a drag. Your head's just empty.
Lights are on, but no one's home. You're even worse than your toys!
idunn
......
jahn
Bah. I don't even know why I bother trying to converse with you.
I wish "Your Highness" would order you to tell a joke or something.

...Then again, who else could I speak to? Everyone else is a human.
Or Zephiel. Jury's still out on that one.
No human could possibly grant an engaging conversation to a dragon.
The last TRUE dragon, might I add!

mieu
...Uh, h-hi?
jahn
GAH!

(Mieu wanders in, startling Jahn.)

Who DARES sneak up on--
Oh... What a tiny little human.

mieu
S-Sorry if I scared you, sir... I-I...
I had better get going...
jahn
No, please. Don't be afraid. I know I look a bit scary...
And I am. You should be scared. I should terrify you, in fact.
mieu
I... I just came to give Miss Clarine this basket of sweet buns...
Do you know where Miss Clarine is?
jahn
I know nobody by that name. Unless...
idunn
The woman guarding the castle is dead. We killed him.
(Jahn starts.)
jahn
I-Idunn! You can't just tell her that...!
mieu
...Does that mean... She's gone where my big brother and my mom went...?
They left and didn't come back... Did Miss Clarine go visit them?
jahn
...This human... It's so small... It's enough to make me cry...!
I-I didn't even know dragons could cry... Sniff...
(Zephiel walks in.)
Zephiel
Hmph... Are you certain you truly are a dragon, Jahn?
Jahn
YAAAAHH!
(Jahn jumps away from Zephiel.)
jahn
Zephiel! You psychopath, why would you scream in my ear like that?!
zephiel
There was nothing of worth in this keep, save for this sword.
...Who is this young girl, Jahn?
jahn
I... I don't actually know. What's your name, little one?
mieu
Mieu, Mister... I'm Lot's little sister.
zephiel
I care not who Lot is.
mieu
...I-I don't like you!
(Mieu hides behind Jahn.)
zephiel
...Bah. Let us go, Idunn. This is idiotic.
We must continue on west.
The mines won't take themselves.
(Zephiel leaves.)
idunn
Yes, Your Highness.
(Idunn leaves.)
jahn
...Sheesh.

(smiles) So... Where are you from?

mieu
I lived here... B-But since Uncle Ward left, we moved west to Eidyna...
jahn
(frowns) ...Oh, dear.
(Zephiel obtains a Wyrmslayer.)

If every house was visited

murdock
King Zephiel, we have searched every house in the village.
We found this hidden under the carpet in one of them.
zephiel
Excellent. Good work, Murdock.
murdock
(smiles) Thank you, Your Majesty.
(Zephiel receives a Master Seal.)

Character Descriptions

Scollan
A brigand.

Morgan
A former Etrurian commander that lost everything when Arcardo was exiled.

Peggy
A member of a pegasus squad. Inexperienced.

Clarine
A self-centered lady of Etruria. Commander Klein's younger sister.

Thea
The leader of a pegasus knight unit from Ilia.

Shanna
A pegasus knight in training. Traveling the world to hone her skills.

Resistance
Soldiers serving the lords of the Western Isles.

Ilia
Mercenary knights of Ilia.

Bandit
Bandits roaming the Western Isles.