(Kyra approaches Percote's alehouse and undoes Apate's bindings.)
kyra
There. You're free.
Listen, I'm really sorry
about this, but--
apate
The knot was not nearly tight enough, and
you didn't even search me for weapons.
I could have stabbed your back any time
I desired.
Next time you try to kidnap someone,
I would advise you be less sloppy.
kyra
Glad your snark survived
the fright, at least...
I would've expected you to
be a lot angrier, though.
apate
What would I gain from begrudging
you? This was my own folly.
You are but a pawn, and I have
played you poorly. That is all.
kyra
......
apate
...I had not seen this part of your
village when I was here.
kyra
There isn't much more to it.
It's just this, the prison and the
part where Redbeard's guild is.
The alehouse is right there. At
this hour, it should be closed...
But look. The door is not only
unlocked, it's slightly slanted.
apate
Quite inviting. I wonder how long it will
take before our throats are cut.
kyra
That's not going to happen.
Edward would not--
apate
Do not excuse yourself to me, girl.
I care not to hear it.
You have brought us to the lion's den.
All that remains is to greet the beasts.
kyra
...Or maybe everything will
turn out all right.
apate
In the many years I have spent upon
this realm, that has never happened.
But what does it matter, at this point?
There is only one path before us.
I suspect you will die tonight. When you
do, I shall set out once more.
Until I find another...
And the cycle begins anew.
kyra
Almost sounds like you've been
in this position before.
apate
If our sham of an alliance survives the
night, perhaps I will tell you more.
But I do believe we have spoken long
enough. Let us not keep them waiting.
kyra
...Here goes nothing...
(They enter.)
kyra
The fireplace is going strong...
apate
...And already, that which I knew
to be true is confirmed.
kyra
...!
lorenzo
I have been
expecting you.
Please, ladies.
Have a seat.
kyra
I remember you... You're the guy
who was with Heaven's Scythe...
lorenzo
Indeed. Quite on my lonesome,
as you can plainly see.
apate
Are you armed?
lorenzo
Yes, but I have no desire to see
my blade leave its scabbard.
I merely wish to parley. I regret
I have no refreshments to offer...
kyra
I wouldn't take a drink from
you anyway.
lorenzo
Let us speak plainly.
The Grand Inquisitor, benevolent as she
is, wishes to grant you another chance.
It has been a fun game, but as all good
things, it must come to an end.
...Such were her exact words.
kyra
You shouldn't bother.
The answer is no.
lorenzo
I would request that you leave the
hag in my care.
All you must do is leave this building
now... Without her.
You may then go back to your little
cadre and tell them it is over.
After that, you can all go your own
ways in peace.
I give you my word of honor that
nobody will be persecuted.
The slate shall be wiped clean.
You will be able to live your lives.
kyra
Are you deaf under the helmet?
What did I just say?
I'd have to be a special kind of
moron to believe you, anyway.
You really expected me to buy
that drivel?
lorenzo
...Well, no. Which brings us to
the second part of our offer.
Your brother is currently under
our supervision.
kyra
So that's it. You intend on using
him as a hostage again.
Because that worked out so well
for you last time.
Maybe we should just cut to the
chase and see which is faster.
Your sword arm, or my bow arm.
lorenzo
You misunderstand!
kyra
Eh...?
lorenzo
We know the true reason you
became her lapdog, Kyra.
These are the terms the Grand
Inquisitor proposes.
Give us the hag, and we will
make her cure your brother.
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
What?!
apate
...!
lorenzo
You accuse us of holding him hostage, but
what has she been doing all along?
She will bleed you dry, then leave you to
take a sword to the chest for her.
Your brother's fate is utterly irrelevant to
her, as is yours.
We would sooner see you both live long,
happy lives together.
And all it would take is your assistance in
the arrest of this duplicitous heretic.
What say you, Kyra?
kyra
That's...
(Apate tenses.)
kyra
...Y--
(Apate stabs Kyra in the back.)
kyra
Urrgh!
(Apate runs.)
lorenzo
The hag escapes!
After her!
(Lorenzo runs after Apate.)
kyra
......
(Kyra exits the alehouse.)
kyra
Apate!!
How could she possibly
move so fast?!
???
Oh, Kyra, Kyra...
Underestimated the hag, did you?
That's all right. I'm just delighted
that you made the right choice.
(Kyra starts.)
kyra
...!
(Sandraudiga reveals herself.)
Sandraudiga...!
sandraudiga
I mean it, Kyra.
I was not certain you would.
It fills me with joy that we get
to work together.
kyra
Work together?
You and me? Are you serious?
sandraudiga
Well, of course.
The hag has absconded, has she not?
No doubt she will fill your companions'
ears with lies, much like she did yours.
And then they'll keep fighting the good
fight... and your brother will die.
But we can still prevent that tragedy
from coming to pass...
As long as we put our past differences
aside and work together. Eh?
kyra
...Where is he?
I want to see him!
sandraudiga
He is resting in our encampment,
on the outskirts of the village.
kyra
Don't you dare try to--
sandraudiga
Lorenzo, please.
Bring the child to us.
Lorenzo
At once, Madame Grand Inquisitor!
Kyra
......
(Lorenzo runs off.)
kyra
...What the heck are you plotting?
sandraudiga
Me? Nothing. I believe I told Lorenzo
to be forthcoming with you.
I genuinely would rather see you live,
Kyra. You and your dear brother.
kyra
How stupid do you think I am?
C'mon!
sandraudiga
You should know by now, Kyra, that I am
not like the rest.
The hierophant and his believers, the
other knights under me...
Perhaps they despise you, as one who
defied the Mother's precious order.
Me? I find that I quite respect you.
None before you challenged me so.
A lowly nobody from such a hovel, and
yet, a born, gifted and mighty leader.
You easily escaped my grasp.
You quelled a civil war in Glamorgan.
And without a moment's pause, you've
returned to cause more mayhem!
Oh, I am thoroughly impressed.
Let the rest hate you if they must.
I am in awe of you!
kyra
......
I will do anything to save
my brother.
Anything...
And yet...
sandraudiga
Are you worried I will force you to fight
your former companions?
On the contrary. I will give you a chance
to save as many of them as you can.
Convince them to stand down, and I give
you my word they will be spared.
No one needs to die. Not your brother.
Not you. Not your friends.
kyra
......
I will hold you to your promise,
Sandraudiga.
sandraudiga
Very good. Very good.
Without further ado, then.
Let us seek them out.
But first... I prepared a small
gift of gear for you,
in the event that you saw
reason. Here it is.
To a long, fruitful alliance.
Hahahahaha...
kyra
......
(Kyra promotes to Warrior, wearing the same coat as Alastor.)
(Dawn has broken. Kyra returns from the rebel camp.)
kyra
......
elias
Kyra...
Are you sure about this?
kyra
What do you mean?
elias
You're... betraying everyone...
kyra
...Apate has used us long enough.
It's time she made good on her promise.
If this is what I must do to make her...
So be it.
You're going to live, Elias. A long, happy
life... No matter what it takes.
elias
Even if it takes fighting our friends?
Uncle Ed?!
kyra
They were never our friends, and
Edward was never our “uncle.”
You are my only true family.
I will do anything to save you.
Anything at all.
elias
......
Kyra...
I don't--
???
Ah, you have returned, Kyra!
(Elias starts and clears the way for Sandraudiga.)
sandraudiga
By the look on your face, I can only
imagine you were unsuccessful...
kyra
...A few of them have returned with me.
But...
Most of them are prepared to fight to
the end, it seems.
sandraudiga
Ah, don't let it concern you, Kyra.
You offered a reasonable deal, and they
declined, as was within their rights to do.
We can only respect their decision...
and reward it in kind.
kyra
......
I'm ready to move out.
sandraudiga
As are we.
Let us claim the day
for ourselves, Kyra.
(Soter, Nikolaos, Laertes, Zaccheus, and Simeon will turn coat if they are alive. Sandraudiga, Antiope, and Lorenzo will join as deployable units. Sandraudiga must be deployed.)