(The next morning, amidst the sounds of calling birds, Gremio
enter's Tir's bedroom, and goes to the dresser. Tir turns over, and Gremio notices.)

Gremio:
Oh, did I wake you up?
Good morning.
Listen, Young Master.
Master Teo departed while 
you were sleeping.
You're such a late sleeper...
Today you start working as
a member of the Imperial
forces.
We must prepare to visit 
Commander Kraze.

(Tir gets out of bed to join Gremio.)

[Gremio joins the entourage!]

(When they go downstairs, Pahn and Cleo are waiting.)

Pahn:
...so the next time we have
a day off...
Hey, here he comes.
You're late, Young Master.
It's your first day
on the job.
I'm so excited!
Whether it's battling bandits
on Mt. Seifu or monsters on
Lake Toran, Pahn here's your
man.

Cleo:
Calm down, will you?
All you ever think about is
fighting.
Our job is to protect the 
Young Master.

Pahn
I know, I know.
Now let's be on our way to
the palace.

[Pahn joins the entourage!]

[Cleo joins the entourage!]

(Ted gets out of his bed as they're about to leave.)

Ted:
Hey, wait for me, Tir.
How can you leave me behind?
You know you'll be lonely
without me, right Tir?

[Ted joins the entourage!]

*****NPCs*****

(In Sonya's house...)

Sonya Shulen:
So General Teo has already
departed for the north.
I wish I could accompany him.
But I, too, have my
responsibilities as an
Imperial General.
Tir, I hope you'll come
visit me from time to time.
I feel much better when I see
your face.

"Sonya's Diary"

General Teo has already
departed north.
I'm glad I was able to be with
him last night, if only for a 
moment.

(Entering palace gates...)

Man just inside gates:
Excuse me, but aren't you
General Teo's son?
You're working for the
Imperial Guard now?
General Teo must be proud of
you!

Man further inside:
They say the real reason for
General Teo's trip is to put
down the rebels.
They call themselves the
Liberation Army, but they're
nothing but traitors.
I'll finish them some day!
Ha ha ha.

Woman by steps:
Goodness, look at me.
I got covered with mud over
at the stables.
The stables? They're just
ahead.

Woman by stables:
I was looking forward to
meeting a real Dragon Knight,
and this punk shows up.
What a drag!

(A little further on, a boy and dragon are standing in the 
stableyard.)

Futch:
Stop staring at Black.
Haven't you ever seen a
dragon before, you country
bumpkins?

Ted:
What did you say?!

Gremio:
Now, now, take it easy.
We must hurry to Commander
Kraze's room.

(Inside palace...)

Woman:
How wonderful it is that
you'll be working under His
Majesty the Golden Emperor
Barbarosa.
It's like a dream come true.

Man:
Something's going on up north.
But there's nothing to worry
about if General Teo's going
there.

Woman:
Lady Windy, the new Court
Magician, bears quite a 
resemblance to the late
Lady Claudia.

(Across from Kraze's room...)

Recruit:
A runt like you is a member of
the Imperial Guard?
What's the world coming to?

Man:
So you're the Great General
Teo's little boy?
Good luck to you.

Man:
Say, you're General Teo's son!
How you've grown.

*****PLOT*****

(In Kraze's room...)

Kraze:
Heh. So it's Teo's boy?
You're late!
You can't be pampered all
your life, you know.
Now for your first assignment.
Listen carefully, because I'll
only tell you once.
Northeast of Gregminster lies
the Magician's Island.
Leknaat the Seer lives there.
She has been commissioned to
look into the stars.
Go there and bring me her
results.
Are you listening?
Tell me where the Magician's
Island is.

Tir:
*Northeast of Gregminster.
*Northwest of Gregminster.
*Somewhere on this earth.

/-----

Tir:
Northeast of Gregminster.

Kraze:
Heh.
At least you can understand
what I'm saying.

-----

Tir:
Northwest of Gregminster.

Kraze:
Do you have wax in your ears?
The Magician's Island is
Northeast of here.
Pay attention.

-----

Tir:
Somewhere on this earth.

Kraze:
Don't think you can treat me
like a fool just because
you're the son of a great
general.
Keep acting up and you'll be
sorry.

/-----

Kraze:
Heh. Here are the rest of 
your instructions.
There is no boat to Magician's
Island, but I've arranged for
a Dragon Knight from the
Knights of the Dragon's Den
to take you there.
You'll find him in front of
the barn.
---The dragon will transport you to the island.
By the way, Leknaat the Seer
is the younger sister of Court
Magician Windy, so you'd
better behave yourself.

(If you talk to him again...)

Kraze:
You'll find the Dragon Knight
in front of the barn.
What?
You don't know where the
barn is?
It's somewhere in the palace,
you fool! Find it yourself!
I'm not your babysitter!
Now get out of here!

(Upon exiting the palace...)

Pahn:
Gee, I was looking forward to
your first job, and it turns
out to be an errand.
As if we were kids.
I was hoping for something
really exciting...

Cleo:
Take it easy, Pahn.
Besides, the astrological
results are very important
for the Empire. It's not such
a bad assignment.

Gremio:
You're right.
And this job won't be so
dangerous...
Oh, I don't mean to imply
that you're not reliable,
Master Tir, but...

Ted:
Hey Tir. 
We get to ride a dragon,
and meet a real Dragon Knight!
Dragon Knights are really
cool.
Come on, let's get going!

(By the stables...)

Futch:
Are you the Imperial Guard?
I'm Futch, apprentice
Dragon Knight, and this
is my dragon Black.
Hey Black, introduce yourself.

(Black stretches his wings and roars.)

Futch:
Isn't he cute?
So you'll be going to
Magician's Island.
Black will take you there
in no time.

Ted:
You're a Dragon Knight?
You're just a punk.

Futch:
What did you say?
You're a punk yourself!

Ted:
I'm a punk?
I happen to be 300-years...

(Gremio goes to speak to Ted.)

Gremio:
All right, that's enough.
Let's be on our way.

(Ted struggles and turns away.)

Ted:
Let go of me, Gremio!
He called me a punk!

Cleo:
Oh boy, this is going to be
some trip.

Pahn:
Take it easy, Futch.
Let's get going.

Futch:
OK, OK.
Everyone climb aboard the
basket on Black's back.

(They do so, and Futch joins them.)

Futch:
Are you ready?
Hold on tight, or you'll
fall off.
Not that I'd mind if one of
you did fall off.

Ted:
Hey!

Cleo:
Watch it.
Quit fighting in the basket.

Futch:
OK Black. Let's go!

(Black roars and takes off, flying through the clouds to their
destination. They land on rocky ground, with the sound of waves
coming from nearby, and dismount.)

Futch:
Here we are.
Speed make you dizzy?
Well, my job ends here.
I'll wait here until you're 
done.
Be careful.

(If you talk to him again...)

Futch:
Finished already?
Do you want to return to
Gregminster?

Tir:
*Yes please.
*No. We still have things to do.

/-----

Tir:
Yes please.

Futch:
Fine.
Come on aboard.

(They fly back to Gregminster.)

Futch:
Come back when you've finished
your business.
The Magician's Island is just
a short hop for Black.

(If you talk to him again...)

Futch:
OK, let's go.

(They fly back to Magician's Island.)

-----

Tir:
No. We still have things to do.

Futch:
Too bad.
I thought we'd be able to go
back now.
Hurry up and finish what you
have to do, or else we'll
leave you behind.
Right, Black?

/-----

(They walk north through the forest until they meet a boy.)

Luc:
How unusual to have visitors
on this island.
I must prepare an appropriate
welcome.
Wind Rune...

(A golem appears and attacks the party. After it's defeated...)

Luc:
Wow, you guys are really
something, beating my magic
like that.
I'm impressed,
Imperial Guards.

(Pahn steps forward.)

Pahn:
Hey!
Have you got something
against us, or what?

Luc:
Take it easy.
I know who you guys are.
You've come to see Lady
Leknaat, right?
I just wanted to test you.
I guess you're the real thing.
Come this way,
honored guests.

(He walks off to the north, where there is an elaborate tower.
The party climbs the stairs to the top, and find a cloaked woman
waiting.)

Leknaat:
I was expecting you,
messengers from the Empire.
Oh my, what a cute messenger
we have this year.

(Ted turns to Tir.)

Ted:
She says you're cute,
Tir.
How do you feel about that?

Leknaat:
I'm sorry.
You're a soldier of the
Empire.
I shouldn't call you "cute."
I have prepared the Astral
Conclusions. Follow me.

(She goes to the next room, and everyone turns to Tir.)

Gremio:
Young Master, we must go to
Lady Leknaat's.

*****OPTIONAL*****

Pahn:
Master Tir, Let's get
The Astral Conclusions quickly
and get back home.
I'm starving!

Ted:
Tir,
Don't you think Lady Leknaat
is so beautiful...
Anyway, you should hurry.

Cleo:
So, it seems that we'll get
The Astral Conclusions
shortly.

Gremio:
Tir, Lady Leknaat should
be waiting for you....

*****PLOT*****

(In Leknaat's room, we see an elaborate stained glass window,
panning down to a room with a crystal ball. Leknaat stands
before it, waiting.)

Leknaat:
Imperial messenger, here are
the Astral Conclusions.
Please take them.

(Tir steps forward to accept them.)

Leknaat:
!!!

(She pauses.)

Leknaat:
What's your name?
I see. Tir
-- such a friendly name.

(She hesitates again.)

Leknaat:
I am an astrological magician.
My job is to see the future in
the stars.
But the future is not
unchangeable.
All I can see is the overall
flow of things.
Tir, you are bearing a
huge burden in the flow of
destiny.
You will have to make painful
choices, and experience a
great deal of pain and sorrow.
And I know not what the
outcome is.
But always remember that your
destiny is in your own hands.
Never forget that.
You must decide what is
right.
Do you understand?

(Again she pauses.)

Leknaat:
Here are the Astral
Conclusions.
My job is now done.
But we will meet again.
Not that I see our reunion in
the stars...
It's just my wish.

[He receives the Astral Conclusions.]

(If you talk to her again...)

Leknaat:
Believe yourself, Tir.
I cannot say more than
that now...

(Tir returns to the room where he left the others, and they
turn to greet him.)

Ted:
You're back at last.
You sure took your time.
What were you up to in there,
eh?

Pahn:
If we don't hurry, Futch will
get impatient and leave us
behind.
Let's get going.

Cleo:
Don't be so rude to Lady 
Leknaat. Are you hungry
or something?

Pahn:
Shut up.

(Leknaat enters.)

Leknaat:
You must all be bored.
I'll have Luc take you to the
shore.
Luc?

(He appears next to the stairs.)

Luc:
I'm here, Lady Leknaat.

Leknaat:
Take Tir and his 
companions to the shore.
And none of your tricks now,
do you hear?

Luc:
Of course not, Ma'am.
I would never trick anyone.

Cleo:
If you'll excuse us, Lady
Leknaat, we'll be on our way.

(Leknaat steps forward to look at Cleo.)

Leknaat:
You...

Cleo:
Yes?

Leknaat:
Your job is to protect
Tir.
Take this.
It should come in handy
sometime.

[Fire crystal acquired!]

(Leknaat turns back to Tir.)

Leknaat:
Tir...
Remember what I told you.

Luc:
Ready, everyone?
Then close your eyes.

Luc:
Wind Rune, show your power.

(There is a flash. On the shore, Futch and Black are still waiting.)

Futch:
Boy are they late.
Hey Black, think we should
leave?
The Imperial Guard should be
able to fend for themselves.

(Tir, Gremio, Pahn, and Cleo appear behind him in sudden flashes 
of light.)

Pahn:
What the??
Whoa, what's going on here?
We're back here already.
I've never seen such magic.

Gremio:
You are a worthy apprentice
to Lady Leknaat.

Cleo:
That's all fine,
but... where's Ted?

(Ted appears in another flash of light - several feet above
the ground. He falls with a thud, shakes his head, and
gets up.

Ted:
Ouch! Watch it, you punk!

Futch:
Better watch your mouth!

Gremio:
Enough is enough.
I'm sick of all this fighting.

(Tir approaches Futch.)

Futch:
It's about time.
Hurry up and hop on, or we'll
leave you behind.

(They do so.)

Gremio:
W-we're all aboard.

Pahn:
Darn, it's crowded in here.

Futch:
OK Black, let's fly back to
the Imperial Capital!

(Black takes off, landing at the stables at the palace again, and
they dismount.)

Futch:
That's the end of my job.
You all have to deliver the
Astral Conclusions to the
Commander.
While I'm in the capital,
I might as well take a look
around.
How would you like to go
to the theater, Black?

(If you talk to him again...)

Futch:
What's the matter?
You'd better hurry over to
Commander Kraze and deliver
the Astral Conclusions.

*****NPCs*****

(By palace entrance...)

Woman:
If Lady Windy and Lady Leknaat
are sisters, why don't they
live together?
Maybe they don't get along.

Man:
Master Tir, how are you?
Have you gotten used to your
new job?

(Inside the palace...)

Woman:
Reputation and reality are
really two different things.
Those Imperial Guardsmen
are so arrogant!

Woman:
His Majesty seems to like Lady
Windy very much.
How wonderful!

Man:
Not just General Teo, but all
the Five Great Generals have
left the capital.
I smell bloodshed.

(Room next to Kraze's...)

Man:
How was it?
It was an easy assignment,
wasn't it?

Man:
Why, Young Master, you'd
better hurry over to Commander
Kraze's room.

Recruit:
B-big deal!
Don't act like a big shot just
because your father's a Great
General.

*****PLOT*****

(In Kraze's room, another man is standing behind him.)

Kraze:
Finally back, eh?
I've been sick of waiting for
you.
Hurry up and give me the
Astral Conclusions.

[Deliver Astral Conclusions.]

Kraze:
I guess you've done your job.
You're apparently not totally
useless.
So get ready for your next
assignment.
What's the matter?
Why don't you look happier?
It's an honor to be able to
work for the Empire.

(The man behind him jumps.)

Kanaan:
Commander Kraze is right.

Pahn:
Ho hum.

Kraze:
Listen carefully.
East of Gregminster,
you'll find a town called
Rockland.

(Kanaan jumps again.)

Kanaan:
Understand?
Rockland, east of Gregminster.

Kraze:
For some reason, this town
has failed to pay its taxes.

(Kanaan jumps again.)

Kanaan:
For some reason,
they won't pay.

Kraze:
So you will go to Rockland.

(Kanaan jumps again.)

Kanaan:
That's right,
you'll go to Rockland.

Kraze:
And tell them that their tax 
payment is overdue.

(Kanaan jumps again.)

Kanaan:
Tell them they're overdue.

(Kraze finally turns to him.)

Kraze:
Shut up! 
Stop yapping while I'm 
talking.

(Kanaan jumps again.)

Kanaan:
That's right.
All of you stop yapping.

Kraze:
Idiot!
Kanaan!
I'm telling you to shut up!

(Kanaan jumps again - then again, as if genuinely snapping
to attention.)

Kanaan:
Who, me?

(Kraze turns back to Tir.)

Kraze:
Forget it.
Anyway, ask the military
commander of Rockland about
the tax situation.
His name is Grady.
And you'll take Kanaan with
you on this mission.

Kanaan:
Heh heh. Listen, all of you.
I'm your superior in the
Imperial Guard.
Disobeying me means disobeying
the Empire.
Keep that in mind.

Cleo:
What a creep.

Kraze:
That's all I have to say.
Now get on your way to
Rockland!

[Kanaan follows.]

(If you talk to Kraze again...)

Kraze:
Rockland is a short way to
the east.
The military commander's 
name is Grady.
Ask him why the tax payment
is delayed.
Got it?

(And again...)

Kraze:
Rockland is due east.
The military commander's name
is Grady.
Ask him about the taxes.

(And again...)

Kraze:
How many times do I have to 
tell you!
Rockland is east,
the name is Grady,
the subject is taxes!

(And again...)

Kraze:
Rockland!
East!
Name!
Grady!
Don't forget the tax!

(And again...)

Kraze:
ROCK-
EAST-
GRADY-
TAX

(And again...)

Kraze:
Do I have to repeat myself
again?

*****NPCs*****

(At the inn...)

Marie:
My, my, what are you doing
here?
If you want to rest, go home.
Or is there some reason you
can't?
Have you been picking on
Gremio again?