Dark clouds hang low, almost touching the temple's eaves. It is a cold day even by Kjerag standards, and the north wind seems to penetrate the eyes and spines of the mourners.
Family members and clerics gather in the courtyard with heads bowed. The people of the Browntail domain have gathered outside, to honor and grieve their matriarch, who protected Kjerag with her life.
Snow falls upon the black umbrellas. One of the Browntail nobles gives the one in his hand a little shake, and sighs as the snow pours down.
Male Browntail Noble
So, the matriarch's body...
Female Browntail Noble
They never found it. The fire was too big. They turned over every inch of whatever was left, but found nothing.
Female Browntail Noble
I heard they had to put her usual attire in the coffin, along with some ashes gathered from the scene. Nothing more.
Male Browntail Noble
How sad... to think that one as bright as the matriarch would—
Male Browntail Noble
M-Madam Sciurus.
Male Browntail Noble
...I apologize. I spoke out of turn.
Sciurus
...
Sciurus does not answer. She walks to the center of the courtyard, waiting for her sister, who had been by her side for long as she could remember.
Chimes tremble to the melody of the flutes. The clerics put their hands together and chant Kjeragandr's hymn, and the people place their hands upon their hearts in prayer to the song—
Kjeragandr have mercy, take her with you.
Six members of Clan Browntail's main branch carry a heavy nanmu wood coffin up the muddy road, Yucatan at the head of the procession.
They carefully lay the coffin down on a table, in front of the new Browntail matriarch.
Yucatan walks to his wife, the grief on his face contrasting with Sciurus's calm expression.
Sciurus
Yucatan...
Yucatan
Rus, I...
Sciurus
Thank you.
The hymn draws to a close. All is quiet and all eyes fall on Sciurus.
For the first time, she understands the mask that Ratatos was forced to wear, the weight of responsibility, which crushes those unworthy of it.
Sciurus
...
Sciurus
Thank you for being here, to honor the memory of Ratatos Browntail.
Sciurus
She was my sister, staunch guardian of Clan Browntail, and faithful child of Kjeragandr...
Sciurus
Her wisdom gave her courage. She told me that she would protect me and everything here... and she always believed in a better tomorrow for Kjerag, even in the most troubling times.
Sciurus
All her life, she carried out the task that our grandfather entrusted to her, giving everything to Clan Browntail, even in her final moments.
Sciurus
I have lost someone very dear to me. It is only today that I realize the weight of the burden that she carried, but I will never have the chance to tell her.
Sciurus
I know you will remember her face, her voice, her sacrifice, and her deep love... for Kjerag, for Clan Browntail, and for her family.
Sciurus
And you will remember, as I do, who took her from us, leaving behind wounds that can never fully heal.
Sciurus
'A life so short and bright as dawn, shall walk with Her in eternity'...
Sciurus
By Kjeragandr.
'By Kjeragandr,' answer the crowd, following Sciurus' lead as they kneel and pay respect to the departed.
Even in times like these, when all is swept up in calamity, Kjeragandr will continue to bring peace and tranquility to the people of Kjerag...
Two figures emerge from the crowd as those in attendance stand back up. It is Arctosz and Matterhorn, approaching the coffin with white flowers in hand.
Arctosz
My condolences, Sciurus...
Arctosz
Ratatos died because of me. I'll never forget it.
Sciurus
Thank you, Arctosz.
Sciurus
This is a painful lesson to both our clans, to recognize who our true enemies are.
Arctosz
I...
Matterhorn
Matriarch Sciurus...
Matterhorn
Sir Enciodes expresses his regret for not being able to attend the funeral, and sends his apologies and condolences. He will pay a visit to Browntail Manor personally, when the time is right. Please take care, Matriarch Sciurus.
Arctosz
He's so busy he can't even come to the funeral?
Sciurus
Thank you. I understand. Clan Browntail recognizes the work that Enciodes has done for Kjerag.
Sciurus
Let us continue the ceremony. I believe we have matters to discuss.
The crowd departs. The empty coffin is buried on Browntail land, next to the grandfather who loved her so dearly.
With lips pressed together, Sciurus looks to the two men before her. Both look slightly angry.
Matterhorn
I'm simply reiterating the decision of the last Tri-Clan Council, Sir Arctosz: All external affairs shall be handled by Sir Enciodes and Clan Silverash, including matters associated with Victoria.
Arctosz
Is this why you had the nerve to demand the Victorian spies?
Arctosz
The murder of the Browntail Matriarch is no small affair. I won't allow the Silverashes to interrogate them on your own.
Sciurus
Master Matterhorn, it was the Matriarch of Clan Browntail who was assassinated. I believe Clan Browntail should have full authority on this matter.
Sciurus
Is Enciodes not pleased with this arrangement?
Matterhorn
Of course not. However, it is a matter of principle to defer to the tradition of the Tri-Clan Council. There is formal and rational justification for allowing Clan Silverash to handle the spies.
Arctosz
We've deferred to Silverash enough already, Matterhorn.
Arctosz
You people have given us nothing but excuses when it comes to negotiating with the Victorians, and now these people have conducted terror attacks in broad daylight.
Arctosz
How about we invite Enciodes to explain his attitude towards the Victorians and what he's planning to Sciurus's face, and then we can talk about the spies.
Matterhorn
Kindly refrain from baseless speculation, Sir Arctosz. I have already shown considerable restraint.
Matterhorn
You and Matriarch Ratatos were not the only ones to be attacked. Lady Ensia also narrowly escaped with her life. I would like nothing more than to get my hands on the assassins personally.
Arctosz
Well, if that's true, then this will be easy enough.
Arctosz
We'll put the Victorians on trial in front of all Kjerag, and then we let Clan Browntail have their way with them.
Arctosz
Let all Terra know that Kjerag shows no mercy to our enemies.
Matterhorn
Too reckless!
Sciurus
...
Sciurus
We already interrogated them. They were awfully tight-lipped. I doubt a public trial would achieve anything.
Sciurus
Instead, I'm worried they may see that as an opportunity to get a rise out of the people. It's not a risk we can take, with all the unrest in Kjerag right now.
Arctosz
If they have the guts to do so, just cut their tongues out.
Arctosz
We should have dragged them out and spilled their blood for Ratatos at the funeral!
Sciurus
Arctosz... no one wants vengeance for my sister more than I do. But we can't get carried away while there is still the hope of actually coaxing some information from them.
Matterhorn
Matriarch Sciurus is right. This is a matter for—
Browntail Servant
Please excuse the interruption. A cleric from the Vine-Bead Court has something to discuss.
Sciurus
The last envoy from Vine-Bead Court almost got Arctosz and Ensia killed.
Sciurus
How do I know you are who you say you are?
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
There is no need to be concerned. Sir Arctosz knows me.
Arctosz
He's right, this is Father Frey from the Vine-Bead Court.
Sciurus
Alright then. What is it you want to say, Father?
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
I am here for the Victorian spies.
Matterhorn
?!
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
The position of the Vine-Bead Court is that this is an extremely delicate issue. There will be considerable criticism and unrest, no matter which of the three clans takes charge.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
Therefore, the spies should be placed in the custody of the Court. We shall arrange interrogations, of which you will be informed and in which you'll have the opportunity to participate.
Arctosz
I object. Why delay things when we're going to kill them anyway?
Matterhorn
The Vine-Bead Court can't do this. The Tri-Clan Council has already decided that Clan Silverash will handle Victorian affairs.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
Need I remind you that the Tri-Clan Council also agreed to return temporal power to the Court?
Matterhorn
The Saintess is on her Pilgrimage right now. The Vine-Bead Court cannot decide on her behalf!
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
It is interesting that you would mention the Saintess now, when Sir Enciodes has always been at odds with us.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
All Kjerag knows that the Saintess and the Vine-Bead Court have always been of one mind. The scriptures speak testament to this.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
The Vine-Bead Court has often acted on behalf of the Saintess in her absence.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
Tell Sir Enciodes he should not presume to take all the power for himself.
Matterhorn
Father—
Sciurus
Calm down, Matterhorn.
Sciurus
...
Sciurus
Clan Browntail accedes to the request. You can send your people tomorrow, Father, and we will hand the spies over to the Vine-Bead Court.
Arctosz
Sciurus?
Sciurus
I know your concerns, but it's more important than ever to put aside the conflicts between the three clans... it would be great to have the Vine-Bead Court mediate.
Vine-Bead Court Envoy
Thank you for your wisdom, Matriarch. The Vine-Bead Court prays for Clan Browntail.
It is past noon, and the funeral procession begins to disperse.
A man sitting in a car parked a little bit away witnesses the scene, then draws the curtain over the window.
Enciodes
Looks like someone is getting impatient.
Enciodes
There has been a lot of movement in the Vine-Bead Court ever since the Saintess's departure.
Degenbrecher
I was surprised that Ratatos was willing to go this far.
Degenbrecher
Using herself as bait to draw out the Victorian spies.
Enciodes
An impressive performance that brought the actions of Victoria into the daylight.
Enciodes
And if the Victorians are trying to instigate a war between her and the other clans, this is also the most effective way to cleanse any suspicion from Clan Browntail.
Enciodes
But it's not enough... we must make good use of the valuable time that Ratatos bought us.
Degenbrecher
Why didn't you show up at her funeral?
Enciodes
I wanted to avoid direct conflict with the other clan leaders, especially in public.
Enciodes
And... How's Enya?
Degenbrecher
Her injuries were minor. All the Victorian assassins are dead.
Degenbrecher
Enya says she has a plan to carry out in secret. She told me to come back, once we cleaned up.
Enciodes
All the people know is that the Saintess is currently on her Pilgrimage. All the Victorians know is that their assassination attempt failed. You've wiped out all the traces from the mountains.
Enciodes
And it's certainly true that the presence of the legendary Black Knight would not be conducive to secrecy.
Degenbrecher
That's what I thought as well.
Enciodes
Not a bad plan. I also need people I can trust by my side for what is to come.
Enciodes
Our real troubles have only just begun.
Enciodes takes out an envelope and hands it to Degenbrecher. Inside is a thick stack of agreements, and a letter written in Victorian.
To the Chairman of Karlan Trade, the son of my kinswoman Elizabeth—
Dear Enciodes Silverash,
I hope this letter finds you well. It has been more than a decade since we met at that banquet.
Perhaps you recalled our conversations, as I did, when you heard about recent events in Victoria. You foretold the conflicts that I was personally involved in, and you have earned the right to sit at the table with Victoria as equals.
But do not forget that every step you have taken is on a path that Victoria wants to see taken, one which she has paved for you.
Victoria's position remains the same after the Catastrophe. We support Kjerag's development and respect Kjerag's faith. And I believe that Clan Silverash and Kjerag have never needed more help than now.
I will offer that help.
...
Based on the current partnership with Karlan Trade, I will accept the following proposal: A special office jointly created, funded and managed by both sides, establishing a foundation with its location in the city center.
Victoria will double down on existing investment in the form of equipment and interest-free loans, and share more industrial technology to support the future development of Kjerag.
All Kjerag needs to do is to open its doors to Victorian mining efforts, including but not limited to Originium, repaying the loans in kind.
Karlan Trade will not need to provide any cash. After all, there are many places where it can be put to good use, considering present circumstances in Kjerag. I believe this to be a fair sign of good faith.
The associated contracts have already been drafted and enclosed, ready for your review and signature.
I will be happy to meet with you, should you wish to discuss the details.
I look forward to the links that the Caster bloodline can build between us.
And I am curious as to whether Kjerag has become what you wanted it to be.
