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Chapter 13: Mage General

Opening

narrator
With the Western Isles secured, Zephiel readies to mount an ofensive on Etruria.

At the same time, Guinivere's whereabouts are discovered.
She is in hiding alongside Roy of Pherae at the Missur Peninsula.
King Mordred granted them asylum, placing them under the protection of an Etrurian platoon.
Great General Douglas and Knight General Perceval, meanwhile, await orders at Aquileia.
Everything indicates that Etruria will be caught off-guard by Bern's surprise attack.

However, unbeknownst to Zephiel, problems are beginning to arise.

Mage General Cecilia rides out to Missur to confer with Roy, just as Zephiel sails there with his troops.

He expects a lightly guarded landscape, but he will soon be proven incorrect...

cecilia
I received your missive, Roy. I made for Missur as fast as I could.
...Roy?
roy
Is there a problem, General?
cecilia
...Roy, you look like you haven't slept in days...
roy
Let's focus on the matter at hand, shall we?
A wyvern rider of Bern was sighted circling the area.
If Bernese scouts are all the way out here, then...
guinivere
It's worse than that... I believe she saw me...
She used to be my bodyguard. Most likely, she was looking for me.
roy
...Then the Bernese will definitely attack us.
cecilia
We have been worried about their movements for some time.
Rumors circulated that they were invading the Western Isles.
We were going to send some troops there to ascertain this, but...
Well, it would seem that will no longer be necessary.

I will send a messenger to Aquileia. We will need to steel our defenses.

guinivere
If I may, General... What shall we do?
roy
We fight them, obviously.
cecilia
No, Roy. You are our allies, but this is Etrurian soil.
It is not your duty to protect our borders. I shall take command.
roy
Do not try to drive me away, General!
The blackhearts have stolen so many innocent lives...
My father... Lord Hector... And...
They murdered Lilina...!
Every time I close my eyes, I see her, lying on the ground...
Beaten... Bloodied... And the king of Bern standing above her!
guinivere
Roy...
roy
I will never forgive them. I will kill them all here...!
And you will not stop me, General Cecilia!
wolt
Lord Roy, calm down! Do you forget yourself?!
You stand before the Mage General of Etruria!
We owe her and Etruria our lives. You cannot lash out at her like--
roy
Shut your mouth, Wolt. Do not tell me what to do.
wolt
R-Roy?!
cecilia
Roy, you worry me...
I speak not as a general or your mentor, but as your friend.
You need rest, Roy. All the more reason you should leave this to me.
roy
What you should worry about is the Bernese!
They will raze your cities to the ground, execute your people!
You'll need all the help you can get... You need me!
cecilia
Roy...
bors
......
melady
This is the area where I saw the princess.
To be specific, it was at a fort beyond these bridges.
zephiel
The place is swarming with Etrurian vermin...
Soldiers! Crush the Etrurian army, and conquer the fort!
He who secures Princess Guinivere will be rewarded!
melady
Yes, Your Majesty.
zephiel
You stay in the rearguard for now, Melady.
Stay alert in case anybody tries to sneak past us.
And if you see Guinivere... Take her into custody immediately.
melady
Ah... At your command, Your Majesty.

(Zephiel leaves.)

...I just wish I knew... Why did you leave, Princess?

Enemy Turn 1

soldier
G-General Cecilia! Thank goodness you're here!
It's Bern! They're attacking us as we speak!
cecilia
As expected... You may go, soldier. Thank you.
(The soldier salutes and leaves.)
roy
Already here...
Very well. We'll meet them at the bridges.
cecilia
No, Roy. I will not allow you to take to the field on this day.
roy
Again?! Cecilia, you can't--
cecilia
General Cecilia, Roy.
Don't force me to order you around. I will, only if I must.
You will retreat to Aquileia alongside Princess Guinivere.
Your retinue may escort you there.
I will lead the Etrurian forces against King Zephiel.
guinivere
That is probably for the best... Roy, come, let us--
roy
Unhand me!
guinivere
Ah...!
roy
Maybe you're content to gaze sadly upon the horrors of war and lament your impotence, Guinivere, but not I!
I will fight! I will kill them all! For all that are dead because of them!
guinivere
Roy, that's... That's not...
merlinus
Lord Roy, you are making a scene!
This behavior is unbecoming of he who will succeed the throne of Pherae!
I beg of you, Lord Roy, think the things you're saying through, and--
(Roy fumes.)
roy
Will you all stop lecturing me already?!
The throne of Pherae? Don't make me laugh, Merlinus!
Pherae is no more, and neither is Lycia. Bern destroyed them!
I've watched too many people I cared about die already...
I refuse to let it happen again. Today, I will fight.
I will not abandon you, General Cecilia...!
cecilia
...Ah... So that's why... I see.

Sir Marcus.

marcus
How may I help you, General?
cecilia
Restrain Lord Roy.
marcus
What!?
roy
What is the meaning of this, General?!
cecilia
Forgive me, Roy... But I can't let you do this.
Lycia will need someone to guide her when this ends.
You are her last hope... Her people's last hope.
You must survive, Roy. By any means necessary.

Sir Marcus! Take Roy to Aquileia!

marcus
I understand... Forgive me, milord!
(Marcus grabs Roy.)
roy
No!

(Roy thrashes.)

Let... go of me, Marcus! That's an order!
Are you deaf!? Let go of me! Let go!

No! General Cecilia!
CECILIA!!

(Marcus takes Roy away.)
cecilia
I'm sorry, Roy... But yours is the more important life.
...May Elimine watch over us...

NPC Turn 1

zinque
Bern attacks the castle?
soldier
Yes, sir.
zinque
...Hmmm...
soldier
You seem deep in thought, Lord Zinque.
zinque
I have to wonder...
Is opposing Bern truly the best course of action for us?
soldier
It's true that, since Lord Arcardo's exile, we have fallen from grace.
Look at us... Playing border watch!
zinque
Yes... Within my domain, I used to be like a king, myself!
But now, I answer to those vexatious generals...
No land of my own, no titles... Just a lowly commander.
And they have the gall to tell me I am "lucky" to get that at all!
soldier
Well... What shall we do, Lord Zinque?
zinque
For the time being, observe.
In due time, however, we shall retreat back to Etruria...
soldier
And how will you explain that to General Douglas?
zinque
I will figure that out later! Now fall in line!
(The soldier salutes and leaves.)
zinque
This is not the mainland. The Isles are ruled by might.

NPC Turn 2

(The camera moves to a sniper in the Etrurian army.)
mary
...I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time.
These people look incredibly strong... I don't know if I stand a chance.
...I may have to surrender. No matter what it takes, I have to survive.
I have to return home with this money...
And I can't die on Mieu! It would break her poor little heart...
After all she's been through...
(The camera moves to a myrmidon in the Etrurian army.)
lamia
(grins) Ohoho! This looks like an enjoyable diversion.
Stay alert, ladies. We'll have some fun soon enough.
Hmm... Though perhaps I'll strike a new, better deal.
Etruria is not long for the world, but Bern... Hoho.
I'll see if I can have a couple words with the good king.

Hahaha... Today's going to be a good day, I can feel it.
I'll finally show that cretin Ruben who his betters are.
The look on his ugly face when I take my sword to his neck, too!
I'm going to remember it fondly... Ahahahaha!

(The camera moves to a wyvern rider in the Etrurian army.)
ruben
Easy, boys. Wait for 'em to come to us.
We'll have their heads on plates in due time.
Hmm... That's a lot of plates we'll be needing, though...
Might be about time we jumped ship.
If the rumors about King Zephiel are right, I doubt he'll mind takin' in a bunch of former deserters.
It's been years, anyway... Just let me do the talking.

(smirks) Ahh, Lamia... It's almost time.
You worthless temptress, I'll show you who's top dog.
I'm gonna enjoy beating you to death after I join Bern!

NPC Turn 3

murdock
Your Majesty, there has been an additional development.
zephiel
What is it?
murdock
We have discovered that a Bernese knight is being held captive at Missur!
One of our men heard enemy soldiers speak about it amongst themselves.
Apparently, it is a high-ranking member of our regular army.
zephiel
A Bernese knight...?

Let me guess. It is not Narcian.

murdock
The knight's identity is not know.
zephiel
In that case, there is only one way to go about it.
We proceed as planned!
murdock
Very well, my king.

NPC Turn 10 (if Zinque has not been killed or recruited)

soldier
Yes, Commander Zinque?
zinque
The time has come. We're leaving.
soldier
Are you sure, Commander?
zinque
Verily. This battle will be lost. There is no doubt about it.
If we escape now, we can argue we were sent to retrieve reinforcements.
soldier
...Yes, that should stick. Very well, sir!
(Zinque and his platoon leave the battlefield.)

Turn 12

(A platoon of cavaliers enters from the southwest.)
daniela
(smiling) Hm hm hm hm...
Hurry, man! We're going to miss the battle at this rate!
soldier
G-General Daniela, you must slow down!
Our horses are exhausted, and we can't--
daniela
(frowns) Slow down? Please!
If we slow down, we will be too late to join the party!
We have to move faster, if anything!
soldier
But...
daniela
Fine, then let's do this. Tell me what you think.
I will charge ahead and butcher them.
You catch up at your pace and clean up the bodies.
soldier
Come now, General Daniela, on your own you'll get k--
daniela
Psch! As if! I am far too powerful for that to happen.
You worry about yourself, little man.
soldier
...Okay, then! Do what you want!
daniela
(grins) I will, thank you very much! Aha ha ha ha!
(Daniela rides off.)
soldier
What an arrogant woman...
How did such a dreadful person become a general of Etruria?
Oh, right... The High Chancellor named her before he was ousted.
They must have forgotten to send her packing alongside him...
I'll see if I can do something about that after the battle's over.

Conversations

Raith & Peggy

peggy
Oh man... Oh man...
Oh, brother... How'd I get into this mess?!
No, I shouldn't be here! This is too much!
The King of Bern himself in one side! Etruria's Mage General in the other!
What chance does someone like me stand against such elites?!
raith
Hey, hey! Calm down up there!
You'll get nowhere by letting fear control you.
peggy
EEEK!!
raith
GAAAH!!
(They both run away from each other.)
raith
......
peggy
......
(They approach one another again.)
peggy
S... Sorry... Thought you were an enemy...
raith
I was just trying to give you advice... No need to startle me...!
peggy
Startle YOU?! You're the one who...
raith
I... Pfft.
(smiles) Look at us... We're cut from the same cloth.
peggy
(smiles) Y-Yeah... Heh... What's your name, sir?
raith
Raith. I joined the Army of Bern a few years ago.
Had some real dreams of fortune and glory, but...
It never gets any easier. I wish it did.
These days I'm just trying to get by and keep my head.
How about you?
peggy
Peggy. A mercenary from Ilia, though I have little experience.
I'm hoping to learn, though! So one day I become real strong!
Strong enough to eclipse the Ivory Devil herself!
raith
That's a decent goal. Keep at it, and I'm sure one day--
offscreen
Overthere! Soldiers of Bern! Take them out!
raith
OH GOD!!
peggy
RUN, RUUUUN!!
(Raith and Peggy scatter.)

Pheros & Morgan

morgan
Oh! H-Hello. Who might you be?
pheros
I am Pheros. A healer for this army, at the moment.
morgan
I see. I am Morgan, knight of Etruria!
pheros
...Not quite, if you fight for Bern.
I, too, used to be something else. It's all right.
morgan
Ah, yes...
I-I suppose you've the right of it.
pheros
...In truth, I have heard of you.
morgan
Truly?
pheros
Yes... Back when I was on the Isles, on a mission for the church.
Morgan. Known as the Warden of the Isles.
The man who kept watch over captured citizens.
Who were then sent to Eburacum and forced to work until they...
morgan
...O-Oh...
pheros
I had imagined you a more fearsome man.
Fearsome, and loathsome. Yet you are...
"Small," for lack of a better word.
morgan
W-Well... I guess it's a good way to put it.
Lately, I've had a lot of time to think.
At first I cursed my fate that I was made to work with the resistance.
But it made me see things. People who worked differently.
Now, I'm just not so sure about stuff... Or about myself.
pheros
Yes, that's what I saw in your face.
You have the eyes of a lost lamb.
morgan
Lamb? I'm not a lamb... Am I?
pheros
(smiles) Haha... Of course not. It's an expression.
(serious) You need guidance, Morgan.
The guidance of...

Ah, but listen to me. I'm going all priestly on you.
I'm not even a member of the church anymore...
And considering I left it, I can't recommend it.

morgan
Oh, you left? Why?
pheros
...I could not bring myself to love it anymore.
morgan
R-Right... I won't pry.
Guess we're not so different, in that way.
Except in my case, it's slave-driving that I'm conflicted about.
Heh... I am quite the pathetic wretch, wouldn't you say?
To have been party to such abominable crimes...
And to regret them only when it's long since over.
pheros
The fact that you repent is a good sign.
Nobody is undeserving of redemption.
Turn your efforts to the service of good, and one day...
You may yet be forgiven.
morgan
By the people of the Western Isles?
pheros
By yourself.
morgan
......
I shall take your words to heart, Madam Pheros.

Damas & Thoril/Kabul

damas
Oi! Ya there! Whaddya think yer doing?!
thoril/kabul
Who are you? What do you want?
damas
Think I ain't noticed, do ya?
Yer doin' thievin' stuff, pal! Ye got yer own lockpicks'n all!
thoril/kabul
What is your problem?
damas
You're my problem! That's MY job now, y'hear?!
I ain't sharin' the spoils with some dandy prick on a horse!
thoril/kabul
Hmph! I am a proud nomad of the Djute.
I won't roll over for a filthy brigand like you.
damas
Ye'd do well ta roll. I'm stronger than I look!
And I look mighty strong, so that's how strong I am!
Might have t'hurt ya if ya stay in my way, y'know!
thoril/kabul
Are you daft? This is not a competition!
With my horse, I can perform my tasks far more efficiently than you.
I've also been in the king's army far longer than you. I have his trust.
Face it. You do not stand a chance against me!
damas
Ya literally just said this ain't a competition!
Okay, okay, look, sorry I blew up on ya just then.
It's just... The king don't like me very much!
I can't have ya beatin' me to the punch every single time.
I-I gotta show I can do stuff or he might cut me open!
thoril/kabul
That is not my problem.
If you want to live, you will make yourself useful.
Do not beg me to spare you scraps to feed on, vermin!
damas
Heartless bastard, I'm not askin' for that much!
C'mon, man! My life's at stake here!
thoril/kabul
You can have whatever treasure you can get before me.
damas
...Bah! Well, y'know what? Fine! Have it yer way.
I'll carve a place in this army by bein' a damn good fighter!
Yer not beatin' me there. No way, nossiree!
thoril/kabul
I am one of the Djute's best warriors--
damas
Pfft! Really? This the best the Jooty or whatever can do?
Look at those spindly arms! Do ya even lift?
(Thoril/Kabul sputters.)
thoril/kabul
Y-You...!
I don't have to endure this. Farewell!
(Thoril/Kabul leaves.)
damas
Heh... Yeah, that's right! Ride away, lil' man!
'Nother win for Damas. I'm just too good!
Hwahahahahahahaha!

Arcado & Zinque

arcado
Lord Zinque... It is good to see you again.
zinque
(smiles) Ah, Lord Arcardo! Glad tidings that you are unharmed.
(serious) How did you escape the resistance's wrath?
arcado
I fled to Bern and sought asylum there with the High Chancellor.
zinque
...Do you think perhaps they've room for one more?
arcado
Are you not satisfied with the mercy Etruria has extended to you?
zinque
Bah! They treat me like an errand boy these days!
No, I believe I shall try my luck with Bern, thank you.
arcado
...They won't be any better...
But it would reflect well on myself to bring in additional help...
zinque
Hmm? What's that?
arcado
Just speaking to myself, old friend.
Yes, I believe this agreement should be mutually beneficial.
Good to work with you once more, Lord Zinque.
zinque
(smiles) Likewise, Lord Arcardo.

Morgan & Zinque

morgan
Is that you, Lord Zinque?
zinque
Oh... You were... Morton, correct?
morgan
Er, Morgan, sir... But yes, more or less!
I see you were pardoned as well...
I was made to join the resistance army...
zinque
And I, the Etrurian army, as a commander.
morgan
You had better luck than me...
zinque
You would think so, but truly, it was a symbolic position.
I was no more than a lapdog to those damnable generals.
In actuality, it was a similar fate to yours, Morgan.
morgan
You keep speaking in past tense... Are you not with them anymore?
zinque
Of course not. I am with you now!
morgan
What?!
zinque
You will speak on my behalf, naturally. Will you not?
morgan
O-Of course, Lord Zinque! I would not abandon you...
zinque
(smiles) Excellent. Good boy, Morgan. Let us be on our way, then.
I owe the Etrurians some payback.
(Zinque leaves.)
morgan
...W-What just happened...?

Zinque Recruitment

This plays after Zinque's recruitment conversation, regardless of who recruited him.

zinque
Soldiers! Heed me!
We turn on the Etrurian Army! Bern are our allies now!
Show those uppity mongrels the might of the Western Isles's nobility!
soldier
Aye, Lord Zinque!

Mieu & Mary

mary
Mieu!? Mieu!
What in the world are you...
mieu
M... Mary...
A-Auntie Mary!

(Mieu runs up and clings to Mary.)

Mary... Auntie... Ma...ry... S-Sniff... Aa...!

mary
It's okay... It's okay... I'm here...
Can you tell me what happened?
You don't have to, if you don't want...
mieu
T-The bad guys from Bern came to our home...
They... T-They... killed...!
mary
...! D-Don't tell me...
He's dead?!
mieu
...Y... e...
Sniff... Waah...
mary
......
That's it, then... They're both gone.
My foolhardy little brother, and my uptight... sweet...
...Both gone... Just like that...
mieu
A-Auntie Mary... Y-You have to come with us...
They'll hurt anyone who isn't on their side...
T-They've made... They've made ME hurt people...!
mary
What kind of heartless animal would do such a thing?!
mieu
H-He said I had to do it... Or else they'd hurt me too...
I-I didn't wanna, but... I had to... I-I had to!
Auntie Mary, I had to!
mary
It's okay... Calm down, Mieu. It's all right.
I'm here now. You won't have to hurt anyone else.
If they need someone to fight for them... Let me be the one.
You just go where it's safe and stay there, okay?
mieu
...Mmhmm...
D-Don't leave too, okay, Auntie Mary?
D-Don't leave me all alone...
mary
Never. I promise.
(Mieu leaves.)
mary
...Then again...
Is that not the same promise you two both made to me...?
Oh, goodness... Lot, Ward...!

Zephiel & Lamia

zephiel
...If you refuse to fight, you would do well to get out of my way, woman.
lamia
(smiles) Hohoho... You're every bit as handsome as they say, King Zephiel of Bern.
zephiel
I have little use for flattery. Save it for someone else.
lamia
My, so direct, too. Not one thought spared for my poor feelings...
Fair enough. I will get to the point. We wish to join your merry band.
zephiel
What use do I have for a common cutthroat?
lamia
Oh, cutthroat I may be, but "common"? Not quite.
I am known as Lamia the Infernal.
Would you like to know how I acquired such a colorful moniker?
zephiel
I can hazard a guess.
So, you're skilled. Let's say I do wish to hire you.
What payment would you demand?
lamia
Oh, we can talk about that after we've gotten to know each other.
My girls and I, we enjoy some good mayhem.
After I've left you all impressed, we can talk about cold, hard coin.
zephiel
...Fair enough.
Go, then, and prove your allegiance. Bring the fight to the Etrurians.
lamia
They won't even know what hit them. Ohohoho...
ruben
What!? The king let Lamia bamboozle him, as well?!
Grrr... He's less bright than I had thought him to be.
Fine. I'm not the one who's about to die!

Men! Go! It's time we showed Bern why we left them!

Zephiel & Ruben

zephiel
...What are you doing? Why do you not strike at me?
ruben
'Tis not a fight I'm lookin' for, Your Majesty.
Me and my boys, we'd like to join your band.
zephiel
You think I do not recognize you for a wyvern rider of Bern?
I may not know your name, but I know what you are...
A deserter. Why should I show you mercy?
ruben
I know what the punishment for deserters is.
But these are no ordinary circumstances, are they?
You're gonna want all the strength you can get against Etruria.
Me, I don't want to be stuck in a sinkin' ship.
I'd say this'd be convenient for both of us. Am I wrong?
zephiel
Hmph... And how do I know you won't betray us again?
ruben
You have my word, for what little that's worth.
Me and the boys are mercs now.
We may not have much in the way of honor, but...
We don't betray our employers. Not good for our reputation.
zephiel
.......
Fine. We've taken in worse scum by now.
What's one criminal more or two? Go. Fight the Etrurians.
Prove to me that I would be mistaken to execute you.
ruben
(grins) Heh! You're not gonna regret your decision, Your Majesty.
lamia
What?! Bern's king took in that filthy deserting mongrel?
Tsk, tsk... He has worse judgment than I would've expected.
It's his funeral, though. Far be it from me to judge.

Charge, ladies! Let's slit their necks to the last!

Thoril/Kabul & Daniela

(Daniela jumps in excitement.)
daniela
(grinning) Aha ha ha ha!
You there!

(She approaches Thoril/Kabul.)

You will be the first to die!
How sad for you to make it all the way here,
only to be butchered by me!

thoril/kabul
Such a reckless woman...
(smiles) This may be a good opportunity to put that skill to good use...
daniela
What are you muttering about, lowly mutt?
Afraid to die, are you? You should be. Hm hm hm hm...
thoril/kabul
(serious) ...Hah!
(Kabul fires a shot and misses, causing Daniela to titter.)
daniela
Aha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh, that was good.
You fired in the completely wrong direction!
They let you out on the field with this kind of aim?
Coming out to play this day will be your last mistake!

(Daniela is caught by a rope and dragged to Thoril/Kabul's side.)

(scowls) Yeouch!

(She struggles.)

What was that?!

(Thoril/Kabul looms menacingly.)
daniela
What are you doing?!
thoril/kabul
Surrender quietly, or be silenced!
daniela
(grins) ...Oh, my... Am I being captured?
How gracious... I would have extended you no such courtesy...

Just tell me... How did you do it?

thoril/kabul
(smirks) Heh. A simple, yet effective trap.
That arrow I shot in the wrong direction?
It was tied to a thin rope.
You could have seen it, but you were too distracted.
daniela
What a fascinating trick...
Seems I fall prey to my own hubris. How poetic...
thoril/kabul
Us Djute are well trained in such tactics.
After all, why kill an opponent when they can be of use?

You are at our mercy now. I suggest you cooperate.

daniela
Hm hm hm hm... Sure.
Might as well see where this leads...

Lamia

Combat

lamia
Come, one and all! Let us dance the waltz of death!

Death

lamia
N-No... How...

Ruben

Combat

ruben
I didn't quit the army just to die in a place like this!

Death

ruben
Gyaaaah!

Ruben vs. Lamia

The same conversation plays regardless of who you recruited.

lamia
(smiling) Hello, Ruben. So good to see you.
ruben
(smiling) Oh, for once I agree, Lamia the Infernal.
Are you ready to be sent to the inferno yourself?
lamia
Ohoho... Big words for such a little man.
I'll have you kneeling soon enough.
Then you'll beg me for mercy...
ruben
Heh! Not if I kill you first!

Cecilia

Combat

cecilia
This isn't over yet. If we can take down the king...

Death

cecilia
Etruria... Be a beacon... for the future...

Locations

Northwest House

boy
Cecilia, Perceval, and Douglas! They're the three Etrurian Generals.
Even the three Wyvern Generals of Bern are no match for them.
...That's what I'd like to think, anyway.
visitor
You'd be wrong.
Well, Narcian is probably weaker than them, that's true.

Hey, you haven't happened to see him, have you?
Blond hair, young, likes the sound of his own voice...?

boy
...Why are you asking me?
You don't know where one of your leading generals is?
visitor
No.
boy
Oh.

Northwest Village

young man
This ring will build up your muscles when you use it.
I tried it out, see if I could use my new bulging muscles to beat the living daylights out of you guys.
Sadly, I still don't know how to fight, so... Meh.
There you go. Take it. I mean, you were gonna anyway...
(The visitor receives a Body Ring.)

Northeast House

man
Roy of Pherae... He's just a lad.
And yet, he's suffered so much... You can see it in his eyes.
He may just be the one to take you dastards down.

Southeast House

young woman
General Perceval still swears loyalty to Prince Myrddin even after his passing.
Loyal and hard-working to the end. That's what I call a real man...
...Not that you have a shortage of real men, yourselves.
General Murdock... Oh, he's so dreamy...

Southeast Village

man
I thought I'd try to defend myself with this sword, but I don't know how to use it.
It's a nice sword though, isn't it?
The last one to use it was a kid named Al.
He was a courageous one, and he stood up to Bern.
Hey, since I don't know how to use it, might as well bribe you with it!
There, it's yours. In exchange, I get to keep my head. Deal?
(The visitor receives Al's Sword.)

Ending

If Daniela was captured

soldier
Generals!
One of the Djute men took this woman into custody.
What shall we do with her?
murdock
Let us see her first.
(The soldier salutes and brings Daniela forward.)
daniela
Hello. I am Daniela. Just a mage for hire.
Well, not exactly. I am now, but... Oh, what's the point?
Explanations are boring. Just call me a mercenary.
murdock
A mercenary...
What do you think, Brunnya? Do we execute her?
brunnya
Hmm... I don't know if that would be necessary, but...
daniela
If I may, just for the record...
I have no particular fondness for the Etrurian folks.
They paid okay, but I fight more for the thrill of it!
(grins) Nothing gets my blood boiling like a good battle!
murdock
And I suppose what you're getting at is...
You'd be willing to fight for us instead.
daniela
Quick on the draw. Good man.
murdock
Brunnya, you're the one who is adept at magic.
I shall defer to your judgment here. The decision is yours.
brunnya
There aren't many that can wield magic atop a horse.
It takes a great deal of training, for the rider and the horse both.
She would most certainly be an asset... If we can secure her loyalty.
murdock
We don't need her loyalty. She is our prisoner.
She will fight for us, or she will die.
daniela
Ohhh, so I'm a slave now? How exciting!
Do be gentle, masters. I am a delicate flower at heart...
Hm hm hm ha ha ha ha...
Well, what are we waiting for?!
Let's find some more fools to butcher!
(Daniela leaves.)
murdock
Halt! You can't just wander off on your--
...And off she goes. Brunnya, is this truly a wise idea?
brunnya
She does not seem quite sound of mind, but at the same time...
For that reason, I don't think she's likely to turn on us.
murdock
...We shall see.

brunnya
My king, the Etrurian Mage General lies dead.
zephiel
Hmph...
brunnya
Are you not pleased, Your Majesty?
zephiel
She should not have been here. Her presence bodes ill.
I had hoped to find a meager border watch brigade.
One we could quickly silence before they could get a messenger out.
brunnya
There was certainly ample opportunity for them to send word to Aquileia...
The element of surprise is lost. We will have to be quick now.
zephiel
Inform the troops. At sunrise on the morrow, we depart.
We must cross the Nabata desert as fast as we can.
brunnya
It shall be done.
(Brunnya leaves.)
zephiel
......
murdock
Sire!
zephiel
Murdock, why is it taking so long to find Guinivere?
murdock
...I'm afraid she is not here.
Neither is the Pheraen boy, for that matter.
My hunch is that the general sent them away to Aquileia.
zephiel
That makes sense, unfortunately. How positively vexatious...
murdock
We have, however, found a pair of prisoners.
The Bernese knight I mentioned earlier, and an Etrurian.
Shall I show you to their cell?
zephiel
Yes. If they have any information they could give us, I wish to hear it.
(Zephiel descends into the dungeon and speaks to the prisoners.)
orlo
(smiles) Ah! Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings!
My most sincere thanks for the rescue.
Elimine thanks you as well, I'm sure.
zephiel
What is a priest of Elimine doing in an Etrurian dungeon?
orlo
(frowns) Hmph... It is most incomprehensible, I assure you.
I was in charge of the mines at Eburacum, in the Western Isles.
When things went... awry, I was regrettably not quite fast enough.
They put me through an utter sham of a trial, then shoved me in here.

Yes, truth be told, I was rather harsh on the workers, perhaps...
But I represent the gods! All I did was in their name.
Surely your arrival is a sign that I am recompensed for my faith...
And they have been punished for the sin of mistreating a holy man!
Quite convenient, is it not?

zephiel
...I see.
You there! Stop lurking in the shadows and reveal yourself!
orlo
Ah, worry not, Your Majesty. He is no foe of ours.
In fact, he is a member of your army!
We've spoken at length since he joined me here in my humble abode.
Come now, friend, let your king see your face...
(Slater approaches.)
slater
U-Um... Your Majesty!
zephiel
Exactly as I had predicted.
It is not Narcian.
slater
Well... I am a member of the general's legion. He--
zephiel
Say no more.
Back in Lycia, General Narcian took off unexpectedly, leaving you behind.
You were captured while trying to reunite with him and taken here.
You also believe he had already returned to my side.
slater
Er... Yes! That sums it up pretty thoroughly.
But how--
zephiel
You're not the first of his messes I've had to clean up.
...I swear, at this point he had better hope I never find him...
slater
Ahem... Well... If the general is not here, I suppose an introduction is in order.
I am Slater, sir. I'm one of the lieutenants under General Narcian.
I'm... not sure what I'm supposed to do now, to be honest.
Shall I resume my search for the general, or...?
zephiel
Forget Narcian. You will merge with Brunnya's legion.
You answer to her now. Do not prove a liability.
My patience is particularly thin for Narcian and his underlings...
(Slater cowers back, bumping into Orlo.)
slater
...H-Have mercy, Your Majesty...!!
orlo
Hey! Personal space! One does not just bump into a holy man!
zephiel
...Sigh...
(Zephiel returns to the foyer, where Melady is waiting.)
melady
Ah, Your Majesty!
zephiel
Melady. What is it?
melady
I have been questioning the locals.
Apparently there is rumor of a village deep within Nabata...
zephiel
And? We are on a tight schedule, Melady.
We have no time to be stopping at random villages for no reason.
melady
Sire, they say dragons live with humans in this place!
zephiel
What?! Impossible!
...Hmph... I hesitate to believe such a tall tale.
(Jahn butts in.)
jahn
So do I. Dragons and humans don't mix.
Not usually, at least...
Besides, I am the last true dragon. No more live. I know that.
zephiel
......
Can you be sure, Jahn? Absolutely sure?
jahn
Why would they be living in some village lost in a desert?
It makes no sense. If there truly were dragons left...
They would've returned to the Dragon Sanctuary with me.
...Unless...
zephiel
Unless?
jahn
Hmm... Maybe there's a chance the rumors have some truth to them.
It might be worth checking out, if we have the time.
zephiel
In any case, our priority should be crossing the desert.
If by chance we discover this village, we shall investigate it.
melady
Yes, Your Majesty!

If Zinque was recruited

soldier
Commander Zinque, we will station ourselves at this castle for now.
zinque
Good idea. The more favor we can curry with Bern, the better.
soldier
Additionally, here is something we found lying around...
I guess the general must've dropped it, so it's property of Etruria.
Here, you hold onto it. Make sure to... return it to its rightful owners.
zinque
Heh heh... It is in good hands now. Thank you, soldier.
(The army receives a Master Seal.)

Character Descriptions

Zinque
An Etrurian noble, once in charge of a small village on the Western Isles.

Mary
A woman from the Western Isles who fights to provide for her family.

Lamia
A cruel sellsword known across the land as the Infernal.

Ruben
A deserter of Bern, now a ruthless, amoral hired blade.

Daniela
Etrurian general tasked with protecting the border.

Roy
The next heir to Pherae. The antagonist of this story.

Cecilia
The Mage General of Etruria. Roy's instructor in tactics.

Etruria
Soldiers from the western kingdom of Etruria.

Deserter
Deserters from the Bernese army, now mercenaries for hire.