NinjaOverlord: Hi and welcome back. This chapter will include scenes three and four, because they're so very short when you translate them!
Kami-Elf: Maybe your writing just sucks…
NinjaOverlord: -raises eyebrow- You want a repeat of our last confrontation?
Kami-Elf: -sweat drop- N-no! Anything but that! Please!
NinjaOverlord: -grins- I love my job.
Linku: he doesn't own Fire Emblem.
Act 1 Scene 3
In a room in Canas' house…
Lloyd and Florina enter.
"I am packed and ready for my journey, sister," says Lloyd. "While I am gone, please write to me."
"Do you doubt me?" she asks playfully.
Ignoring her joust, Lloyd continues, "For Raven, and the matter of his affection, tread carefully. He is at the age of youth in which such things are temporary only; no more."
"No more?" asks Florina, all signs of playfulness gone.
Smiling gently at her, Lloyd answers, "Perhaps he loves you now, but, even if that were to remain so, his will is not his own." His smile fades. "As Prince, he is bound to his duty to Etruria. Do not place yourself in a position of dependence or submission, or you may find yourself with great heartache."
Florina bows her head meekly and replies, "I shall keep your words close in my mind…and my heart. But, my brother, be sure to hold yourself to your own advice and not allow your own affections go too far."
Lloyd smiles. "I shall try." He looks to the door. "Ah, here comes our father."
Canas enters.
"For shame, Lloyd, to wait so long," he says. "Your convoy awaits you with great expectation." He lays a hand upon Lloyd's head. "Go with my blessing. Have great care during your stay in Lycia, and return safely to us."
"Farewell, Father, and you as well, Sister. Remember what I said. I humbly take my leave."
He leaves.
"What is it he said to you, Florina?" asks Canas.
"Matters concerning the Lord Raven, Father."
His brow furrows. "It is told to me that recently he has given private time to you, and you have been most free with your own time. Is this so? If it is, you must take great care. What is between you two? Answer truthfully."
"He has, my lord, lately made many mentions of his affections toward me."
"Ha! Affections. You speak like a girl of thirteen. Do you truly think his professions to be true?."
"My lord, I do not know what I should think."
"I shall tell you. Treat all his revelations of love as if they are likely to be false. Inspect each as carefully as you can, to be sure of their legitimacy. And above all do not admit such love to him, or else he shall have a hold on you."
For the second time in nearly as many minutes, Florina bows her head meekly.
"I shall obey, my lord."
Scene 4
On the ramparts behind the castle walls…
Raven, Isadora, and Lucius appear through the mist.
"The air bites harshly," comments Raven, "it is very cold."
"Indeed, my lord," replies Lucius.
"What hour is it now?"
"I think it is just of twelve."
"No, it has struck," says Isadora.
"Indeed? I did not hear it," says Lucius. "It is near the hour, then, that the spirit does walk." A chorus of trumpets sounds from within the castle, causing Lucius to frown in puzzlement. "What means this, my lord?"
Sneering, Raven makes his reply. "The king does revel, and make merry with the members of the Court, gloating the triumph of his new Queen and Kingdom."
"Is it custom?"
"Yea, though to me, even as a native, it seems to be one which would raise our honor to ignore rather than obey it. It would appear that men, being full of one virtue, are then filled with a vileness to even it out. Thus all men are, in some measure, the same."
Lucius suddenly gives out a shout. "Look my lord! It comes!"
The Ghost emerges from the mist.
"St. Elimine defend us!" cries Raven. "Be you good or evil, your shape is so questionable that I must speak to you. I'll call you Pent, King, father; Oh, answer me! Why does your form come from its placement in death, whether from Heaven or Hell? What do seek from us? Speak!
The Ghost beckons to Raven.
"It gestures for you to go with it," whispers Lucius. "and impart you of its desire, alone."
"Look," whispers Isadora. "It does wave to a secluded spot in the forest. But do not go with it."
"No, by no means," agrees Lucius.
"It will not speak," says Raven aloud, "then I shall go to it."
"Not so my lord!" cries Lucius, and he and Isadora attempt to restrain the Prince.
"It beckons me still- Go on; I'll follow you."
"My lord, you shall not go!" shouts Isadora.
"Hold off your hands!"
In desperation, Raven draws his sword, and forces back the others. The Ghost begins to glide towards the forest. Raven leaps from the walls to follow, and lands unhurt.
"He becomes desperate with imagination," says Lucius.
"Let us follow", says Isadora.
"To what purpose? What would we learn?"
"Something is rotten in Etruria"
"Heaven shall direct it."
"Nay, let us follow him"
NinjaOverlord: Cliffhanger! Ha!
Linku: But…But…
Kami-Elf: You arse!
NinjaOverlord: Now, now; don't strain yourself with big words.
Kami-Elf: ….grr….
NinjaOverlord: Update soon. Please review.