Harmonie's status as a spy has been confirmed, but the intelligence personnel she planted have all evacuated in advance under her cover.
Fischer
The Infected is indeed another Draco. Where she's headed is within our grasp. As soon as you give the orders, my team will continue our pursuit.
Fischer
On another note... Pardon me for asking, but to the one listening to this report from behind the screen—are you the head, or... the Duke herself?
Duke of Caster
Very sharp of you. I don't remember how many years it's been since I last met a youth who could single that out.
Duke of Caster
Pardon me, I'd just like to enjoy this cup of tea first. Come, take a seat.
Fischer
......
Fischer
No, being Infected, I'm best off standing here.
Duke of Caster
When you came, did you see the little theater on the street corner?
Fischer
Yes, I did... It wasn't open, and no suspicious persons were loitering there.
Duke of Caster
That theater was built by a group of self-proclaimed Taran artists. Every night, they put on plays based on Taran culture there.
Fischer
Do you need me to investigate them?
Duke of Caster
No, their existence is one I much admire.
Duke of Caster
As for capturing the Draco, you needn't worry. I'll have someone else take care of it. The intelligence you brought is highly valuable. Given your talents, we shouldn't be wasting your time on clean-up work.
Duke of Caster
I would like you to surveil the Duke of Wellington's movements from a specified location.
Fischer
Understood. I thank you for your appreciation.
Duke of Caster
Oh, yes, as for our prior question. Have you decided on your answer?
I'm sure you heard the farmer just now. Caravans pass through this area regularly. There'll be one in half an hour.
Reed
Follow the caravan, and if you can hide in their transports, all the better. The regions around County Oak Grove should be the Duke of Wellington's territory. He won't permit transgressions against the Tarans.
Reed
You'll be in grave danger if you miss this chance. The search team will make their way here from the nearest nomadic city as quickly as they can. It won't take them even an hour.
Reed
But if you manage to make it out, you won't have to worry about your future. It's me who they're after. If they lose track of you, they won't pursue you any further.
Fionn
Er, wait... so, when Bagpipe said you were Dublinn's Leader, that wasn't just me hearing things?
Reed
Yes. If any of you still want to fight alongside Dublinn, you can come with me.
Reed
But Dublinn's name won't shield you, and the road ahead may be much the same as what we're experiencing now... monitored by many, continually chased.
Injured Refugee
Hey, I'm back.
Injured Refugee
I did what you said and talked to her. Said everyone who escaped the village with me decided to settle down here, and made up a place name that doesn't exist in the Scáthanna Fields.
Injured Refugee
Still, that Messenger seemed a nice lass, though... If she's an actual Messenger, not just someone here to investigate us, we'd be sending her on this trip in vain, no?
Reed
...I've spent most of my life in hiding. I've seen plenty of people in pursuit, disguising themselves as Messengers.
Injured Refugee
*sigh* Alright. Suppose that's how it is from now on.
Taran Refugee
Stop sighing so much. We need to divvy up our supplies while we've still got the time.
Taran Refugee
And you're hurt. Don't force yourself to go with Reed. We'll fight the Tarans' fight for you.
Injured Refugee
Haha. I count as having fought for the Tarans, then, eh...?
Fionn
...Reed, a moment?
Fionn
Something I need to tell you.
Fionn
I'd wrote about it in my will, but... *sigh*... well, I survived, so.
Reed
Mm. What is it?
Fionn
......
Fionn
You see... I was the one who bashed the soldier with the hoe. I'm the reason everyone has to go on the run.
Fionn
That night, I saw him beating—beating the Tullys' little girl. So I picked up a hoe someone set aside, and beat him on the head.
Fionn
I'm shaking, aren't I? I... *sigh* I really am sorry. It's been so long, and I still dream about it.
Fionn
She was only fourteen. She was screaming, crying, and it... it got to me.
Fionn
I know I figured, it was so dark out, no lamps allowed and all, so it didn't matter if it might've cracked his skull, shed some blood. Wouldn't have seen it no matter how bad it was.
Fionn
I just... didn't expect I'd mess this up for so many people.
Fionn
Afterwards, I thought I'd go with them and try to help everyone settle down, and then I'd leave to atone for my mistakes...
Fionn
But some of us never even made it, in the end, to a place we could settle down.
Reed
Did you make up the charge—about not having your papers in order?
Fionn
*sigh*. I'm sorry.
Fionn
I was worried they'd be suspicious when I wasn't on the wanted posters initially. That's why I went to the pharmacy with Fergal... and then I dragged you into this mess too.
Reed
Don't say that, Fionn. My identity was bound—to catch up to me one day.
Reed
And the Tarans' sorrow—is bound to catch up to everyone, one day.
Fionn
Alright... alright, alright.
Fionn
Hey, Moran. Do you want to...
Moran
What is it, Fionn?
Fionn
No, nothing. Here, pass me the rope. You won't get very far tying up your luggage up like that.
Moran
Heheh. Fine, you're the expert.
Fionn
So, you're following Reed into the fight?
Moran
Mm. Selmon said I've got the strength to get a lot of things done for them.
Fionn
But you can't see when there's no light... That'll be hard on you.
Fionn
Besides, it's war we're talking about. You'll face far more, far greater enemies than we did that night.
Fionn
The cannons, too. War isn't like the plays, where the heroes take a cut, bleed a drop, fall and climb back up. In real life, people die the ugliest deaths in no time...
Moran
But. This is the path I want to choose.
Moran
I rarely ever get the chance to choose, and I want to take it.
Reed
The caravan's coming in.
Fionn
Okay, I'll negotiate with them to carry the injured.
A rib taken from what was once the greatest nomadic city, furnished with the crystallization of the Victorian military's technological prowess. Most should be proud of having the privilege to board this battleship.
Eblana
Even across all of Terra, I doubt there exists a military machine as worthy of admiration as this.
Duke of Wellington
I expect no less from something bearing the name of a legendary officer under the Draco.
Eblana
I'm sure many have sought to track it, trying to fathom where you stand...
Eblana
But after a seven year journey, today is finally the day it comes to shore.
Duke of Wellington
How many Messengers are on the way to report the news of our change of course?
Victorian Officer
The Duke of Caster and many others besides are paying close attention, but none of their armies will be able to interfere in time.
Victorian Officer
County Oak Grove has stopped sailing and is ready to link. This is the first time in seven years our ship comes anywhere close to a nomadic city, but there'll be little resupplying or maintenance needed while we're docked.
Victorian Officer
His Lordship has indicated he'll personally receive you at the dock.
Duke of Wellington
Those Aslan lapdogs. So hesitant, so indolent, they may never even find out who this city truly belongs to until this ship has made it to County Oak Grove.
Eblana
And they have no idea of the fires that will rise again thence.
Eblana
Dublinn's army, the Tarans who thirst to be released from this injustice, have made their way here from every part of Victoria.
Eblana
My strategist... has done very well.
Duke of Wellington
Has my city stopped where I hoped it to?
Victorian Officer
Yes. Given terrain limitations and safety considerations, this is the position closest to the ruins that this city's course can reach.
Duke of Wellington
What do you think, Princess Eblana? You paid those ruins a visit on your way here.
Eblana
I think this will suffice. It doesn't matter how highly those who clamor for the restoration of Taran culture think of King Gaeil's palace. It's ultimately no more than a decaying ruins.
Eblana
When the time comes, the romanticist dreamers need only catch one glimpse of it through the wild morning mist, and it will sink in that what once stood atop the hills perished in Catastrophe. That will do.
Duke of Wellington
From what I hear, once the Taran dynasty fell and the Dracos fled, the Aslans let that castle stand empty until the day Catastrophe claimed it. The Tarans have all but forgotten it.
Eblana
The remnants of that olden dynasty... were never of any intrigue to begin with.
Eblana
The title of King Gaeil was bestowed upon him by Victoria's regent. He was no more than a more celebrated servant. If his crown was still extant, I would destroy it. If his throne still remained, I would render it ashes.
Eblana
But the place lacks even those to speak of.
Duke of Wellington
Hence why the young Warwick sought to rediscover Taran history starting from the legend of King Gaeil. A fine thing to do, really.
Eblana
You mean 'The Eulogist' Warwick, the 'Warwick of the Northern Front?' ...Oh, so you knew him?
Duke of Wellington
I once sent an envoy to one of his parties. This battleship began its patrol right around that time.
Eblana
You've always been of great foresight.
Duke of Wellington
I'd hardly call it much of a long wait.
Duke of Wellington
County Oak Grove... Say, are you keen on seeing it for yourself?
Eblana
Of course. I'm very curious how it's rebuilt itself since that great fire.
My elder sister's spear in hand, I stand in the hallway for some time.
Everyone in the manor hangs their heads in silence, trying to keep busy. The moment they see me, they avert their gaze.
Our teacher's health has been poor. He hasn't left his room since making his way back through a snowstorm from a dinner party. Dr. Dale readied him the mulled wine, yet hasn't been punctual in fetching the empty glass.
The muted sounds of crackling wood seep through the gaps in the door. The fireplace must be a bed of warmth on this snowy night, but the flames' eerie silence makes my teeth chatter.
Now that—you've convinced everyone to turn against me... Why shouldn't I partake in this glass of wine?
Eblana
I thought you would want to know what your missteps were, such that your servants would seek help from me.
Earl of Warwick
*cough*... That is no matter, Eblana...
Earl of Warwick
What is important is... can you continue to hold their trust?
Eblana
Yes, of course.
Eblana
And I see you don't ask why I would agree to help them.
Earl of Warwick
*cough*... I'm sure you know what's going to happen to this city once I'm gone.
Eblana
The balance of power between the nobles will be lost, and no one will dare to oppose Count Philip in Parliament. Still, our own two junior barons will no doubt set to work in the shadows, so as to earn the Duke of Stafford's favor.
Eblana
And simultaneously, the Tarans who have just rediscovered their names will lose their leader and protector.
Eblana
They will continue to be upheaved, trodden down by the harsh rule of law and the nobles... to the point they cannot bear it.
Eblana
Yet even if you live, all the bloodshed, the violence, the rioting would happen sooner or later.
Eblana
Wouldn't you say, sir?
Earl of Warwick
Hohoh... and what will you do when that time comes?
Eblana
I will... reach my hand out, and drag them up from the ashes.
Loughshinny
......
For some unknown reason, a satisfied smile appears on his pale face.
Earl of Warwick
The insatiable Dracos, their ambitions knowing no bounds... Half my life spent searching. It was not in vain... ahh...
He removes his spectacles, and with a slow, arduous turn, faces out through the window, out to the snowstorm.
That gaze, filled with fond nostalgia and earnest expectation, is the same as on that winter night ten years ago, the night he finished reading the legend, the night his fingers brushed across the Taran letters embossed in gold upon the book's spine.
Earl of Warwick
I see... a new age belonging to the Tarans... right in front of us.
Earl of Warwick
Oh...
I stand motionlessly in the doorway. Reflected on the glass pane is my face, illuminated by the cold flames around us.
Though filled with fear, our pitiful expressions are one and the same.
