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Chapter 18B: The Law of Sacae

Opening

narrator
After defeating the Pheraen knight, Zephiel crosses the border and enters the land of Sacae.
The Djute, the most powerful clan in Sacae, serve Bern unbendingly.
As Zephiel sets foot on the plains, their allies should have welcomed them.
However, the chieftain of the Kutolah clan, the famed Silver Wolf Dayan, led a guerrilla resistance, initially to disappointingly little effect.
Against all odds, this resistance eventually succeeded in defeating the Djute.
Now, the former Djute territory belongs to the Kutolah.
Slowly, Sacae has begun to regain hegemony over their own country...
soldier
The Bernese Army marches toward us.
sin
...Have the other clans been notified?
soldier
They have indeed.
sin
Good...
The Bernese don't know this land. They're unfamiliar with our ways.
soldier
The clans unite to fight against foreign invaders.
Such is the law of Sacae.
sin
......
soldier
The help from the other clans will be valuable in this fight.
With such a powerful enemy as Bern, however, I have to wonder....
sin
We are not like the Djute.
We have always fought and died for Sacae.
We've not thrown away our honor out of cowardice.
We drove both Bern and the Djute out of Sacae.
We can defend our own land against them.
soldier
Yes... You are correct, Sin. Forgive my momentary weakness!
sin
....Move out.
galle
......
murdock
Galle. What is on your mind?
galle
Ah! General...
Forgive me. My mind was elsewhere...
murdock
The battlefield beckons, Galle.
Distractions mean death. Do not forget that.
galle
I know that, General. I am ready.
murdock
...Sigh... Get it out of your system.
Go on, Galle. Tell me what it is.
galle
Is it not obvious?
Have you ever loved anybody, General?
murdock
......
I love my homeland.
You should talk to Brunnya about this.
galle
...That's...
murdock
Forgive me, Galle...
I have never been any good at this kind of thing.
My parents died when I was young. I had no other family.
All my life, I have had nothing but my duty to His Majesty.
I closed off my heart to emotion long ago.
...Or at least, I tried to. It is easier that way.
galle
Easier how?
I cannot imagine it can be easy living like that, General...
murdock
...Easier to tell myself I have not noticed how he's changed...
galle
Come again, General?
murdock
...It's nothing.
I, too, have allowed myself a moment of fleeting distraction.
We have both taken our time. Now let us focus squarely on the battle.
galle
I... suppose we should, yes...

Turn 5

(Lim and Denning enter from the northeast.)
lim
......
One with the power to create. Like my master, yet not.
I sense them. I must find them.

Conversations

Sigune & Monke

monke
Grrrr... Damnable Kutolah! How dare they steal MY land!
sigune
Someone's brow is looking even more furrowed than usual.
monke
Leave my sight, pegasus knight. You do not belong here.
You are only asking for death, venturing into Sacae.
You will be shot down before the sun sets.
sigune
We'll see. I'm not called Ivory Devil for nothing.
I've been through worse. I can handle myself.
Kind of you to worry, though.
monke
Hmph... I care not for your triffling life!
There are far more pressing matters!
I must reclaim my rightful property!
sigune
Rightful? I didn't know Sacae worked with dynasties.
I thought this land's rule was survival of the fittest.
Only the strongest shall rule, that sort of thing.
monke
I aim to change that.
I will take this country's old, rusty ways by storm!
I shall rise up as the first of Sacae's grand monarchs!
(grins) Emperor Monke I! Gahaha, it'll be a grand thing!
sigune
(smirks) Hm hm hm hm...
monke
(scowls) Was that... laughter?!
You wish to be shot out of the sky, wench!?
sigune
(subdued) Hehe... You must have misheard.
No, but that's an interesting plan you've got there.
You think Bern will allow it, though?
monke
They ought to! The Djute have helped them immensely!
Without us, they would have nothing! Nothing!
Right now I am forced to wade through the mud and fight, but...
One day, my patience shall be rewarded! You will see!

Enough talk! It is time to recover my domain! Hie!

(Monke charges off.)
sigune
...You talk such a big game, little man.
And yet you expect Bern to hand stuff over to you?
I don't think you've quite understood King Zephiel...
You'll be fortunate to survive this ordeal at all.
..As will I...

Wagner & Carlyle

wagner
(smirks) My, my. Look at yourself.
You are a rather pitiful wretch, are you not?
carlyle
What is the meaning of this insult?
wagner
Hey, I just had an idea.
You're supposed to do anything you're ordered, correct?
If I tell you to do a cartwheel, you have to do it, right?
carlyle
Insolent--
wagner
(serious) You don't want me to tell King Zephiel he doesn't enjoy your...
full cooperation, now do you?
Oh, I imagine that would end poorly for a certain someone...
carlyle
......
wagner
Tell me your king's most embarrassing secret!
carlyle
What?
wagner
Oh? Should I tell the king that he no longer needs the prince ali--
carlyle
He peed himself once during an audience with a Lycian ambassador.
He claimed he had no time to listen to outrageous demands and fled.
The requests were entirely reasonable. He risked crippling our relations for that.
wagner
(grins) Hwahahahahaha! Oh, that's great!
(serious) Hmmm... How about his son, the prince?
carlyle
...Rrgh...!
wagner
Oh, come now! Tell me! I order you to tell me!
carlyle
He... still sleeps with a teddy bear.
He's 23. He's... He's the most beautiful man that ever lived.
wagner
(grins) Hahahahah! That's priceless! I won't question how you know.

(serious) Oh, I've got one that could prove truly spicy.
The prince... Was he truly the king's child?

carlyle
Yes.
wagner
That's rather boring.
...Say, wasn't he a bit too old to have been his dad?
You said the prince was 23. Wasn't the king like, 98 years old?
It's unbelievable his son managed to get himself killed before him.
That princeling boy must've been truly useless.
carlyle
What did you just say?
(Wagner starts.)
wagner
E-Er, I--
(Carlyle storms over to Wagner, who cringes back.)
carlyle
WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?
wagner
Gah! Gaaah! Cease! Cease! Get back!
I'll tell them! I'll tell them to kill the prince! I will!
D-Don't hurt meeee!!
(Carlyle roughs up Wagner.)
carlyle
......
(Carlyle backs off.)
carlyle
...Slip of the tongue.
They wouldn't have killed him... He's still alive. He must be!
(Wagner regains his composure.)
wagner
Haah... haah... Damnable dullard...!
Look at this! This stain's never going to go away!
Punch yourself in the nose!
carlyle
......
(Carlyle does so.)
wagner
Hmph... That didn't make me feel better.
Bah. I'm bored of you now. Who wants to face my magic?
(Wagner leaves.)
carlyle
...Endure, Carlyle. It'll all be worth it...
I've done so much for him. I've always been so nice to him!
He has to reciprocate my love. He has to...!

Ruben & Acheron

ruben
Munchin' Manaketes! There's a face I hadn't expected to see.
(Acheron starts.)
acheron
Ack!
I-I mean... Who might you be?
ruben
C'mon now, Weathervane. Don't play dumb.
My memory's not so bad that I'd forget that ridiculous hairdo.
acheron
H-How dare you!
I'll have you know, my stylist is the best in Etruria!
And besides, who are you to judge my hairstyle?
Look at yourself! You look like a serial killer!
ruben
Only one difference between those and mercs.
They do it for fun. We do it for money.
Now... Wanna become my next victim, Acheron?
acheron
That's not... Why!?
Why would I become your next victim?
I have done nothing to you!
ruben
Yeah. Exactly.
Where's the money you owe me, Acheron?
acheron
I-I don't know what you're talking about.
ruben
You still spouting that rubbish? Let me jog your memory.
You wanted a piece of Count Reglay's territory.
You hired me to help you with your little insurrection.
Lost a lot of good boys that day. Still, we kept you alive.
Then you pinned the blame on us and sent us packin'...
Without the payment we were owed. That ring any bells?
acheron
Well... I can't say I...
(Ruben advances menacingly, and Acheron flinches.)
acheron
All right! All right, calm down, Ruben.
I don't have money on me right now.
But when the war ends, I'll return to my demesne.
I have plenty of gold stored in my castle.
I will pay you your dues. Rest assured of that.
ruben
All of a sudden you remember my name and all, huh.
Okay. But make no mistake. I'm keepin' an eye on you.
You won't worm your way outta this one, "Lord" Acheron.
(Ruben leaves.)
acheron
Balderdash! This is not good...
I'll have to disappear again as soon as the war ends...

(Acheron stomps in frustration.)

Confounded fate! All I wanted was the lands that are rightfully mine!

Lamia & Acheron

lamia
(smirks) My, my, my... What a pleasant surprise.
(Acheron starts.)
acheron
Ack! I-I mean...
Who might you be?
lamia
Come now... You can't have forgotten me.
That's just too cruel, Lord Acheron.
After all the good times we had together.
acheron
E-Er, well... That is, I... verily...
lamia
(serious) Where's my money, Acheron?
acheron
Y-Your money? You'll have to pardon me, I just can't--
lamia
Quit playing dumb, you dandy peacock.
I want the gold you owe me, and I want it now.
You know what I'm capable of. You don't want to piss me off.
acheron
Ah! I--
lamia
Don't you remember, my friend? The fun times we had?
Back when you wanted to take some of Count Reglay's lands for yourself.
You hired my ladies and I to keep their knights entertained.
Had to say goodbye to many of my dear friends that dark day...
Then you had the gall to blame us for YOUR sad excuse for a revolt.
Of course, we had to run. No payment for us.

(smiles) I don't see anybody that could protect you now, though. Do you?

acheron
Look, I'm glad you're okay, Lamia. Truly, I am.
lamia
(scowls) Oh, so now you do remember my name, do you?
acheron
...That being said, I'm afraid I simply don't--
(Lamia advances menacingly, and Acheron flinches.)
acheron
Wait! W-Waaait! Let me finish!
I don't have any money on me at the moment.
When the war ends, though, I'll go back to my demesne.
I've got a lot of gold stored in my castle.
You'll receive your payment! That I swear!
lamia
(smiles) Good boy. See? That wasn't so hard.
Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll stay nearby.
We'll fight better together. And besides...
(serious) That way we make sure you don't get any funny ideas.
(Lamia leaves.)
acheron
Balderdash! This is not good...
I'll have to disappear again as soon as the war ends...

(Acheron stomps in frustration.)

Confounded fate! All I wanted was the lands that are rightfully mine!

Zinque & Nord

zinque
(smiles) Ah, Lord Nord! I did not know you had joined us.
nord
(smiles) Heh heh... Well met, Lord Zinque.
zinque
Glad tidings that we have your power on our side.
I shall fight with a bit more confidence now.
nord
Of course. We shall work together, Zinque.
Just as in the old days of the Isles...
zinque
You were a man best had on one's side, my friend.
I still remember the heinous things you did to your captives...
nord
The captives the rest of you sent to me, Zinque. Don't forget.
You are every bit the sinner I am. Heh heh heh heh...
zinque
(frowns) N-Naturally, Lord Nord.
nord
Ahh, but those were the days.
It always amused me, how living creatures react to dark hexes.
Whether the forest critters I'd test my powers on as a child...
Or the troublemakers you'd send for me to... rehabilitate.
The screams are always so delicious. So... unique.
No two beings scream the same, when they stare into the abyss.
zinque
......
nord
Hah hah hah... Worry not. I won't harm you.
You're a lot more interesting alive, Zinque.
zinque
I shall take that as a compliment, I suppose.
nord
Don't. I can easily predict what your death would sound like.
I much prefer listening to you prattle pedantically about noble nothings.
(Zinque starts.)
zinque
What?!
nord
(scowls) Yes, you may speak so warmly now, Zinque, but I know...
I know how you looked down on me.
Because my noble name was not as prestigious as yours...
I wish I could have seen your face when your castle fell!
How did it feel, Zinque? Being captured by peasants?
zinque
Grrr... My noble name harkens back as far as the royal line!
Yet the court treated me like a base cutpurse...
Fie on them all! Where are they now? Dead and buried!
(smirks) He who laughs last, laughs the longest. Hahahahaha...
nord
(smiles) But I escaped. Unlike you, they could do nothing to me.
Who is truly the lesser noble, when my power is superior by far?
zinque
(scowls) Hmph...
This is not the mainland. The Isles are ruled by might.
nord
(serious) ......
zinque
......
nord
...What?

Zinque & Wagner

zinque
(smiles) Ah, Lord Nord! I did not know you had joined us.
wagner
Nord? My name is not Nord. I am Wagner.
zinque
(frowns) Eh? But I could've sworn... You look like his spitting image!
wagner
I assure you, I don't know this man you speak of.
zinque
Hmm... Well, regardless, well met.
Dark magic as fearsome as yours is rare to come by.
wagner
(smiles) Heh heh heh... Thank you, my good man.
It is also rare to find someone who appreciates it.
zinque
I worked with a dark mage much like you, before.
The entirety of the Isles trembled in fear of him!
wagner
(serious) I assume this is that man, Nord, correct?
zinque
Indeed. Minor lord, he was, but his power was inarguable.
As I hear it, from his early youth he was fascinated by the dark arts.
He was casting dark hexes on little critters before he could grow a beard!
The things he did to the captives we sent his way... Oh, it was truly dreadful!
(smirks) Of course, that is precisely why we sent them to him. Hehehehe...
wagner
Hmm... Sounds like a true scholar of elder magic.
Might I meet this man?
zinque
(frowns) Alas, I haven't the faintest clue what became of him.
He vanished when our mining operation was dismantled.

Confounded fate... Still vexes me so what happened!
Did you know I am of a noble line as ancient as the royal dynasty?
And yet I was treated like a common criminal by the court!
(smiles) Ahh, but where are they now? Dead and buried.
He who laughs last, laughs the longest. Hahahaha!

wagner
Oh, I agree. I killed my lord myself... His terrified face was flawless!
I was treated like a mere errand boy by him. He had no respect for me!
Despite my great power and intellect... Just because I was a peasant!
zinque
(frowns) Oh, you're a peasant?
Hmm... Well, don't forget, it's a peasant's duty to serve their lord.
And a peasant doesn't earn their lord's favor by doing their work poorly...
Perhaps you should have been more dedicated to your labor?
(Wagner balks.)
wagner
Mock me, will you?! I will cook you alive in your armor!
zinque
Hmph...
This is not the mainland. The Isles are ruled by might.
wagner
......
zinque
......
wagner
...What?

Idunn & Lim

lim
Your quintessence is so unique. So strong.
Your aura. It is so similar to his.

You are the one I seek.

idunn
Who are you?
You are not human... Not dragon, either...
lim
I was his masterpiece. I was supposed to die.
I did not die. I kept going.
Even when he was gone. Even when they were all gone.
Even when the pain was... unbearable.
I have wandered the land, seeking another like him.
Another that will make more like me.
idunn
...If His Highness wishes it.
lim
......
idunn
What... is your name?
lim
I am...
Lim.
I am not human. I am not dragon.
I am only...
idunn
...?
lim
I am not Lim. He did not give me that name.
But I am alone. I am incomplete.
My name no longer matters. And...
Yes, neither do I.
idunn
You can come with us...
His Highness could use a powerful mage like you.
lim
I will accompany you. Until my body no longer carries me.
idunn
I... see.
lim
......
idunn
...Who is that behind you?
lim
A friend. The only one that remains.
He served his purpose. Now he travels with me.
He cannot speak, but he will fight if I command it.
We will go with you. Until the end.
idunn
......
Sorrow...? I haven't felt... In such a long time...
I...

Sin

Combat

sin
You will not survive.

Combat w/ Thoril or Kabul

thoril/kabul
Kutolah vermin! We will reclaim our territory!
For Chieftain Monke! For the Djute!
sin
......

Death

sin
Not here... I've come so far...

Locations

North House Right

old woman
Enemies will face the wrath of the united clans...
Such is the law of Sacae.

North House Left

old woman
The clans will defend against all invaders.
Such is the law of Sacae.

West House Upper

old man
The clans shall unite to repel invaders...
Such is the law of Sacae.

West House Lower

old man
Pray to the sky and the earth...
Such is the law of Sacae.

Ending

zephiel
The Kutolah nomads are truly a force to be reckoned with.
Even more skilled than the Djute.
Such a shame they won't be swayed.
We could use warriors such as these.

Regardless, there is no reason for us to tarry here.
We continue to pursue the traitors!

galle
...Ah, y-yes...
zephiel
Galle?
Before, I heard no hesitation in your voice.
To be frank, I was more confident in you than even your fellow generals.
That is no longer the case. Why is that?
galle
Your Majesty, I...
I loved her, Your Majesty.
zephiel
Loved who?
galle
Melady...
zephiel
...Hmph. Pathetic.
(Galle starts.)
galle
...!
zephiel
You will clear your mind of such pitiful thoughts.
You do not want to be branded a traitor alongside her...
Love... Pah! Such a worthless notion.
Quite human, at that. Dispense with it!
(Zephiel leaves.)
galle
W-Worthless...?

(Galle shakes himself.)

It is my loyalty that is a worthless notion...
What a terrible mistake I have made!

Character Descriptions

Lim
A mysterious mage of unclear origins and an unsettling visage.

Denning
Lim's mysterious companion. Apparently mute.

Sin
A member of the Kutolah. Loyal to the Silver Wolf.

Sacae
Nomadic warriors of various Sacaen clans.

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