(Upon returning to Lenankamp, they go about their business in town, then head to the inn.) *****NPCs***** Man by inn: Heh heh. I knew the Liberation Army's hideout had to be here. Bet the traitors are all rounded up by now. *****PLOT***** (They enter the inn, and find the innkeeper wounded on the floor.) Odessa: What happened? Are you all right? Innkeeper: The Imperials... They suddenly... I'm sorry... Lady Odessa. Odessa: My god! (She runs for the room with the staircase to the hideout, and Viktor steps forward to late to stop her.) Viktor: Hey, Odessa. Gremio: Let's go after them, Young Master! (If you talk to the innkeeper again...) Innkeeper: Ohhh my god! I really can't... let you stay. (The party heads for the hideout, and finds it swarming with Imperial Guards. Making their way through, they hear a scream from the southern area.) Odessa: Ohhhh! (They look around.) Cleo: What was that? Gremio: Let's hurry. (They head south, and fight more guards, only to find Odessa lying on the ground, wounded. They rush to her side, Viktor standing over her.) Viktor: Are you all right, Odessa? (She sits up slowly.) Odessa: C-come... you can come out now. (A child emerges from under her cloak.) Odessa: Quickly! You must run... Boy: O-OK. (He runs away, and Odessa trembles.) Odessa: Ahhh! (Gremio jumps forward.) Gremio: Lady Odessa! You're bleeding! Viktor: Odessa! What have you done? Without you, the Liberation Army... (Odessa shivers.) Odessa: I'm... so sorry, Viktor. It appears... I've chosen to be a woman... rather than commander of... the Liberation Army. I couldn't let that child die. I'm a failure... as a leader... (Cleo steps forward.) Cleo: Don't talk, Odessa. You'll reopen your wound! Odessa: Tir, will you.. come here? (He steps forward as she continues to tremble.) Odessa: I have... two requests. First, give this earring... to a fellow named Mathiu... in the village of Seika... Viktor: Stop it, Odessa. I don't want to hear any final requests! Odessa: Viktor... thank you, but... I know the end is near. Tir, take it... (He kneels before her to accept it.) [Earring received.] Odessa: M-my other request... Please throw my body... into the stream there... Gremio: What? But why? I can't do such a horrible thing. Odessa: Please...Tir. Tir: *I can't. *As you wish. /----- Tir: I can't. Viktor: He's right, Odessa. Why do you ask such a thing? Odessa: If the Liberation forces find out I'm dead... the Movement will lose faith and die... That is why you must keep my death a secret. The tiny... newborn hope... must be kept... alive... Tir: I can't. Odessa: Look, Tir... this is blood. My blood... You are not aware of it, but a lot more blood is being shed by the innocent... at the hands of the Imperial Government... You must put an end to it. Even if I die... If my hopes remain alive... I can be proud of my life. My blood... Tir: I can't. Viktor: All right, Odessa. I'll do it. Odessa: Thank you... Viktor, You're crying for me... ----- Tir: As you wish. Viktor: Tir! How can you... Odessa: Thank you, Tir. You understand me, don't you? Viktor... if the Liberation forces find out I'm dead... the Movement will lose faith and die. That is why you must keep my death a secret. Our tiny, newborn hope... must be kept alive... /----- (She pauses.) Odessa: If you... ever see Flik again, tell him that his kindnes always saw me through hard times... Well... it appears the end is near... Tir, I hope that you will be able to see the Free World that I was... never able to... (She falls, and the screen goes to black.) Viktor: Goodbye... Odessa. (Later, they are in the inn (with a new innkeeper).) Gremio: I suppose we should go to Seika. Cleo: Yes. And find this fellow Mathiu. But to get to Seika, we have to pass through the Fortress of Kwaba. Viktor: The Fortress of Kwaba... that's going to be tough. But we'll give it a try. *****NPCs***** Innkeeper: Come now, wipe your tears away. Stay at the Keyaki Inn! 70 bits per person per night. Man by inn: The Liberation Army is finished. Things should quiet down now. Man by blacksmith: So the Liberation Army has a hideout there. Had I known, I'd have joined up with them. *****PLOT***** (They set out for Kwaba to the south. Upon arriving, they pause for a moment.) Cleo: The Fortress of Kwaba. It's Commander is Lord Ain Gide, an old friend of Master Teo's. He doesn't know us, but he certainly knows your face. Gremio: Can we get away with it? Let's test our luck. Viktor: No problem, don't worry. Meanwhile, let's decide on some fake names. We'll be in trouble if they ask us who we are. Gremio: I'll be Roi. Cleo: I'll be Maria. Viktor: You don't look like a Maria. Cleo: What did you say? Viktor: Hmmm, I guess I'll be... Schtolteheim Reinbach III. How's that sound? Cleo: ......... Gremio: ......... Young Master, how about you? Tir: *Masamune. *Piisuke *Schtolteheim Reinbach IV. /----- Tir: Masamune. Cleo: ......... Gremio: ......... Viktor: Ok, let's go Roi, Maria, Masamune! ----- Tir: Piisuke. Cleo: ......... Gremio: ......... Viktor: Ok, let's go Roi, Maria, Piisuke! ----- Tir: Schtolteheim Reinbach IV. Cleo: ......... Gremio: ......... Viktor: Ok, let's go Roi, Maria, Schtolteheim Reinbach IV. /----- (They walk up to the gates, and are stopped by two guards.) Guard: Hey you! You there! (Tir turns his back while Viktor talks to them.) Schtolteheim Reinbach III: Me, sir? I'm just a poor jujube vendor, with hungry kids waiting at home... Guard: Not you! The little runt. You look like that fugitive, Tir McDohl... (Another man approaches behind them.) Ain Gide: What's the matter? (One of the guards turns to him.) Guard: Sir. I thought this young fellow here looked like Tir McDohl, the fugitive. Ain Gide: Tir? You there. Show your face. Cleo: Uh oh, if Lord Ain sees me... (Gremio suddenly turns on Tir angrily, pushing him back.) Gremio: You! I've just about had it with you! Always causing trouble! And completely useless too! Now they think you're a fugitive. You're a pain in the neck even when you're doing nothing! Sir, if you find this boy suspicious, I'd be glad to lop off his head, right here and now. (One of the guards jumps.) Guard: W-wait a minute... Gremio: Don't worry, sir. I can't be thought of as harboring a fugitive. You, prepare to die! (He turns to Tir again, and the guard steps up to them.) Guard: No, stop, stop! Ain Gide: Hmmm. Think about it, Rosh. McDohl's son wouldn't be dressed like a beggar. You all, you may pass. (The guard turns to Ain Gide.) Guard: But sir, I think... Ain Gide: Don't worry about it, Rosh. Let them go. (They pass through. While walking past Ain Gide, he addresses Tir once more.) Ain Gide: Hey, sonny. Take good care of your father. (Tir hurries past. They pause on the other side of the fortress.) Gremio: Forgive me, Young Master. Even though we were in danger, I went too far. I'm ready for any kind of punishment. You can even cut off my head... Viktor: Hey, hey, Gremio. It's no big dea. Safe passage is all that matters. Tir has a big heart. Tir: *Unforgivable! *I understand, Gremio. /----- Tir: Unforgivable! Cleo: Young Master, you know Gremio spoke like that to save you. Tir: Unforgivable! Viktor: That's enough, Tir. A joke's a joke. Tir: Unforgivable! (Gremio turns away.) Gremio: You're right. I didn't think you'd forgive me. I'll kill myself... (Viktor steps in front of him.) Viktor: Whoa! Wait a minute! Tir I understand your humiliation, but do me a favor and forgive Gremio. ----- Tir: I understand, Gremio. Gremio: Y-young Master... /----- (By the fortress stands a peddler.) Chandler: Howdy, I'm Chandler. Just an idle peddler. I travel here and there in search of a profit. I hope someday I'll have my own store. (They leave Kwaba and head to Seika.) *****NPCs***** Woman: Children grow up even without their parents, I suppose. Says "Master Mathiu, Master Mathiu" all day, and never listens to me. Man: My hobby's fishing, and I often go to Kaku to fish. It's just a ways southwest of here. (In the inn...) Woman: Hey, who are you? Are you a friend of that spoiled brat Sheena? He's been so obnoxious lately! Man: They say the Imperial forces attacked the Liberation Army's hideout. But Lady Odessa's apparently safe. As long as she's alive, everything's OK. Innkeeper: This is an inn. The fee is 100 bits per person per night. Antonio: My life's devoted to cooking, but I don't have my own restaurant yet. I wish there was a place where I'd really be of use. Marie: My my, if it isn't Tir. Are you all right? Me? They found out I was hiding you. But I'm fine now. No, I don't blame you. Fate, that's all. (In the runemaster's...) Gentleman: I thought I was so lucky to get a crystal, and it turns out it's damaged. I thought I'd be able to use magic too. (In a house...) Onil: Say, did you know that Odessa, leader of the Liberation Army, is missing? *****PLOT***** (Viktor approaches a man at the foot of a steep incline.) Viktor: Hey! do you know where Mathiu lives? Mathiu: Just up those steps. (They head up the stairs to a house with a few kids in it.) Boy: I really like Master Mathiu, but he gives out so much homework. Girl: Guess what? But don't tell anyone. I've decided to marry Master Mathiu. Boy: Master Mathiu? He's out for a walk. (They head back outside, not having found Mathiu there, and talk to the man who directed them to the house.) Viktor: You! Trying to fool us? You're Mathiu! Mathiu: Yes, I'm Mathiu. What can I do for you? (Gremio steps forward.) Gremio: We're here to honor Odessa's last request. She asked us to deliver this earring to you... Mathiu: Last request?........ I-I see. So she's dead.... She was a fine young woman, but she got mixed up in that... (Viktor steps forward.) Viktor: That what? I don't like your tone of voice. What's wrong with what Odessa was doing? Mathiu: She was a fool. I knew it would come to this. I can't accept this earring. Please leave. (Viktor steps aside, and Mathiu goes to his house. If they follow and speak with him...) Mathiu: I'll have nothing to do with Odessa. Please leave. *****NPCs***** Boy: Gee, Master Mathiu. You looked so scary that time! *****PLOT***** (After leaving Mathiu's, the party pauses.) Viktor: Who is this guy? He makes me sick. Cleo: Me too. But why did Odessa ask us to see him? (Several Imperial guards approach.) Guard: Hey! Get out of the way! (Cleo steps back, and the guards proceed up the steps to Mathiu's house.) Gremio: Those Imperial Soldiers went towards Mathiu's house. Cleo: I wonder what's going on. (They find the soldiers in Mathiu's yard, holding one of the children between them.) Mathiu: What are you doing? What do you plan to do with that child? Guard: Mathiu Silverberg. You are hereby ordered to return to duty in the Imperial Army. There's no reason why a fine doctor like you should be wasting your talent in this pathetic village. Why, you're a hero of the Battle of Kalekka. Mathiu: I refuse! I've had it with war. Nowadays I'm nothing but a poor recluse. (The guard takes a step closer.) Guard: We have been ordered by Lord Kasim Hazil to bring you with us by force, if necessary. Mathiu: I have no intention of returning to Imperial Service. (The guard turns to the boy.) Guard: Really? If you choose to be stubborn, there's no telling what will happen to this child. Say, maybe we'll send him to the Banaar Mines. Pretty hard labor there. Who knows if the kid will survive... (The boy struggles.) Boy: No! No! Help me, doc! Help me! (Mathiu steps up to the two guards holding him.) Mathiu: Let-let him go. Right now. (Behind them, unnoticed...) Gremio: Looks like trouble. What should we do, Young Master? Tir: *Help them, of course. *Wait. Let's see what's happening. /----- Tir: Help them, of course. Viktor: Great. Let's do it. Cleo: Oh my, trouble again. It's not easy serving you, Young Master. Gremio: Come on, Cleo. I know you're about to enjoy yourself. Young Master, let's go. ----- Tir: Wait. Let's see what's happening. (They continue to watch.) Guard: I don't know about that. Maybe if you agree to come with us, I'll let the kid go. How about it? Boy: Shut up! (He breaks free and goes to hide behind Mathiu. The head guard gets angry.) Guard: How dare you! Capture them all! (Behind them...) Viktor: Uh oh. Let's go, Tir. /----- (They step forward and approach the guards.) Viktor: Wait a minute. We're taking over this fight. Guard: Who are you? Tir: *Survivors of the Rebel Army. *Just some good guys passing by. /----- Tir: Survivors of the Rebel Army. ----- Tir: Just some good guys passing by. /----- Guard: Whoever they are, capture them. (The guards step forward to do so, but are easily dispatched.) Mathiu: Oh my god. All this killing... in front of a children. (Inside Mathiu's house...) Mathiu: I know who you are. Tir, son of General Teo McDohl. How do I know? I still keep in touch with a few friends in the Imperial Army. Gremio: Those Imperial soldiers, they called you Mathiu Silverberg... Mathiu: That's right. Odessa, Odessa Silverberg was my sister. Cleo: Then why did you say such terrible things about her? Mathiu: I decided that I would never again be involved in war, in killing. But not Odessa. She chose to fight for her beliefs. How did Odessa describe me? Cleo: Just as a man in Seika named Mathiu... (He turns away.) Mathiu: I see. I guess she never forgave me. Odessa told me that a powerful man who doesn't use his power is a coward. Yes, I am a coward. I would rather be called a coward than have to bear seeing that awful sight again. Even if it meant being rejected by my own sister. Gremio: Awful sight? Mathiu: Watching people die from my own actions. Friend and enemy alike... But today..... I have realized something. Even if I close my eyes, the world will not disappear. From now on, I will strive for what Odessa was striving for. Gremio: You'll accept this earring, then? Mathiu: Earring?... You should keep this. Tir: *Why? *But Odessa... /----- Tir: Why? Mathiu: Look at it closely. There's a map inscribed in it that shows the location of the Liberation Army's hideout. Whoever holds this earring is destined to lead the Freedom Fighters. ----- Tir: But Odessa... Mathiu: I believe she wanted you to have it. /----- (He pauses.) Mathiu: I am a talented military surgeon, but hardly the type to lead the Liberation Army. But You Tir, however, are a born leader. I'm sure Odessa realized that. That's why she wanted me to meet you. Please accept this earring, and live out your destiny as leader of the Freedom Fighters. Tir: *I can't do it. *I'll do it. /----- Tir: I can't do it. Mathiu: I see. It's a difficult decision, for sure. Take some time to think it over, and come back with your answer. (If you talk to him again...) Mathiu: Tir. Have you made the decision to inherit Odessa's leadership? /----- Tir: I'll do it. Mathiu: Thank you, Tir. From this moment on, you are the leader of the Liberation Army. Henceforth I shall call you Master Tir. Viktor: Gremio, Cleo, what will you do? You won't be able to return to the Empire. Gremio: Wherever you go, I go, Young Master. Master Teo will forgive me. I'm sure. Cleo: Me too. I've just about had it with the corrupt Empire. Mathiu: Master Tir. As your military surgeon, may I offer my first piece of advice. To revive the Liberation Army, we must recruit volunteers. People who are dissatisfied with the Empire. And to do so, we need a headquarters. Viktor: You're right. Too bad the hideout at Lenankamp burned down. Mathiu: I'm thinking of something much bigger. A place that can withstand an attack by the Imperial Army. There's an abandoned castle in the middle of Lake Toran that I believe would be perfect for our purposes. Why don't we make for Kaku, a town on the shores of the lake? Gremio: Aren't you coming with us, Mathiu? Mathiu: I must prepare for the move. And I'll have to give the children a year's worth of homework. *****NPCs***** Mathiu: Why not head for Kaku, and cross to the Castle of Toran from there?