Reyson: Nealuchi, you're looking well.
Nealuchi: And feeling well, too, thank you very much. This old crow's as spry as ever. Hee hee!...Tell me though. How fares your father, King Lorazieh?
Reyson: The same as ever. Since that terrible day, he remains abed... He seldom rises anymore.
Nealuchi: Mmm... I'm not surprised. In the span of a few days, he lost his family, his friends, and almost all of his countrymen.
Reyson: Yes...
Nealuchi: And yet, we're blessed that you are still with us! Prince Reyson, if there's anything this doddering old bird can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
Reyson: Thank you. I appreciate your kind sentiment.
Naesala: Sorry to have kept you waiting, Reyson. Nealuchi! You can talk ancient history later. Leave us at once.
Nealuchi: Yes, yes, of course. I'm sure you've much to talk about, much to say. I'll just take my leave of you...Please, Prince Reyson. Make yourself at home.
Naesala: Hmph! Old Nealuchi's always been fond of House Serenes. When he heard the White Prince himself was gracing us with a visit, he could barely contain his joy. So, Prince. What's this all about? We haven't seen your face around here in a long time, and I'm naturally quite curious as to your intentions.
Reyson: Your attitude during the Goldoa meeting piqued my interest. What is it you're after, Naesala? Why do you provoke Tibarn?
Naesala: You came all this way for that? Are you serious?
Reyson: Do not mock me, crow king! Tibarn is my father's guardian. If not for him, we might have suffered the end of House Serenes itself. I will not brook any insults to him.
Naesala: Oh, I see. So rather than ally yourself with me, your trusted companion of old, you would side with this new protector? That's an unfortunate shift in attitude. I trust you remember that when you and your sister were young, it was I, and not Tibarn, who watched over you?
Reyson: Any change in my bearing can be laid at your roost, Naesala. After all...you, my old friend, are the one who continues to engage in commerce with my enemy. With humans. If you were to change your ways, I'm sure we could rebuild the relationship the two of us once shared.
Naesala: Oh no, that I could never do. You see, humans are essential to the fulfillment of my ambitions.
Reyson: ...You've changed, Naesala. If this is the path you've chosen, I've nothing left to say.
Naesala: ...I doubt you could ever understand what it means to guard Kilvas, Prince. To protect an entire country.
Raven Laguz: King Naesala! Duke Tanas of the Begnion Imperial Senate has arrived.
Naesala: Bring him in.
Oliver: Your Majesty! J-just now, I brushed against the most splendid specimen! W-was that a Serenes noble? They're supposed to be extinct!
Naesala: And what if it were?
Oliver: Oh, I was right! Wonderful! My eyes did not deceive me. Those dazzling white wings. And that shimmering hair, sparkling like falling gold dust...That is the crystallization of beauty in its purest form-
Naesala: Duke Oliver, can we please discuss the business at hand? Per your request, we have appropriated several pieces of art from the ships of Duke Gaddos.
Oliver: Yes, yes, and you will be compensated as promised. But right now there is...something else that I simply must have.
Naesala: Really? Another request? What can we purloin for you today? More art, perhaps?
Oliver: Oh ho! Something much more stunning. And if you agree to my proposition, I will double your normal fee!
Naesala: That is a most generous offer. Tell me, what is it you desire?
Oliver: Desire? But surely you've already guessed...
(Scene change.)
RM: Meeting with the apostle was fine, but all she did was pay us and give us another job. She answered no questions.
Titania: I wonder what she's planning. That cargo... I can't help but believe that there were living creatures inside, but...What do you suppose the apostle intends to do with them?
RM: I don't know. Titania, are all nobles and royals like this? They have plans and paperwork for every little thing, and their speech is as confusing as it is tedious.
Mist: But, RM, the other nobles we know are different! There's Princess Elincia, and King Gallia, and the dragon prince, too! All of them have been so nice and friendly and easy to talk to.
Titania: Perhaps the rudeness of the upper echelon is unique to the beorc class system. Princess Elincia was raised in special circumstances. Maybe that's why she's so different.
RM: Bah! I could never get accustomed to the culture of beorc nobles.
(RM heads into the current base and prepares for the next battle. A few minutes pass. RM exits the base.)
RM: Tell me, Soren, are you all right?
Soren: Hm?
RM: Recently-ever since we reached Begnion, in fact-you've seemed depressed.
Soren: Is...is that so? How odd. Well, I can think of nothing specific that's bothering me.
RM: Well, if you say so. So, it's time for the desert! Which is the best direction to enter from?
Soren: ...
RM: Soren?
Soren: ...Eh? Yes, what is it?
RM: All right, I know there's something going on!
Soren: I'm... I'm sorry... I was...thinking. What is it you wanted?
RM: Well, I was going to ask you for directions, but it's no longer necessary. It looks like we're being met.
Soren: Ah!
Tormod: Who are you? Answer me!
RM: We're mercenaries. We were hired to take care of a group of bandits operating in this area.
Tormod: More of the senators' dogs! You cast us as thieves so you can murder us and hide your guilt! But we will not be defeated! Mark my words! The day will come when all slaves are free, and then you will pay for your crimes!
RM: What on earth are you talking about?
Tormod: No more useless words! Come, my brothers! Take them!
RM: What? We're facing laguz? I don't like the look of this!
Soren: Laguz or no, it doesn't change the fact that they are brigands. Do not lower your guard!
RM: I know what I'm doing. Everyone! Watch your footing in this sand. Take care and fight well!
(A battle begins. A few minutes pass. Lethe sees a Vauge Katti and goes to pick it up.)
Lethe: Sniff... Hm? I...sense...something... ...Grrrr...Must be my imagination...
Stefan: A female cat! Splendid! I've not seen your face in these parts before.
Lethe: Aaaah! Wh-where...Where did you come from?
Stefan: Oh, I see that I've startled you. My apologies.
Lethe: Who are you?
Stefan: If you wish to learn someone's name, isn't it polite to introduce yourself first?
Lethe: Grrr... I am...Lethe. From Gallia.
Stefan: And I...am Stefan! I live here in this desolate wasteland, playing at being a hermit.
Lethe: Is that so? Well, don't let me interrupt your...life.
Stefan: Oh no! Please don't worry about it.
Lethe: Oh, I won't. ...And?
Stefan: What?
Lethe: Why are you standing there staring at me? Stefan: I'm interested in Gallia's beast tribes. Fascinating, really. I have an idea! Can we go somewhere and talk?
Lethe: ...I don't think so.
Stefan: Why not?
Lethe: My companions and I are in the middle of a battle! I've no time to chitchat with you!
Stefan: Very well... Then I will help you! And once this battle is finished, you'll have time to converse, yes?
Lethe: I suppose...perhaps...
Stefan: Right! Off we go then!
Lethe: ...What sort of lunatic have I found now?
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Muarim.)
Muarim: My companions and I are not thieves. I'm sure you could not care less, though!
(Oscar and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Muarim.)
RM: If what you say is true...If you aren't really bandits, then stop fighting! If this is some kind of mistake, we can talk it over.
Muarim: Ha! I won't fall for that trick. That's how your kind always deceives and traps us. ...Here I come!
RM: Hey!
(RM and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. Rolf approaches Muarim.)
Muarim: What? You're so young...
Rolf: I-I'm not scared of you! It doesn't matter if you're a laguz; an enemy is an enemy!
Muarim: Please! Stop! Why are young cubs like you on the battleield? Why?
(Rolf and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. Mist approaches Muarim.)
Muarim: What? No, not another child...
Mist: ...
Muarim: Stop! Your sword hand, it's trembling! ...Please! Don't do this!
Mist: ...No...I will not be the only one who runs away!
(Mist and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. Mordecai approaches Muarim.)
Muarim: Move away, brother tiger. I have no wish to fight one of my own.
Mordecai: I do not wish to harm you, either. Let's stop fighting and talk.
Muarim: ...Talk? It seems you've already been tamed. ...How unfortunate... Now you die!
Mordecai: Ah! Stop!
(Mordecai and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. Lethe approaches Muarim.)
Lethe: Listen to me, brother. Come to your senses and stop this!
Muarim: Heed my words! Do not throw away your Laguz pride and run with humans like-
Lethe: What did you say? You are one to speak of pride! You who associate with a band of common thieves!
Muarim: This is a waste of time. Come, I will show you the truth of my words.
Lethe: Uh!
(Lethe and Muarim fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Muarim.)
Muarim: ...Urk... N-no...
(The defeat of Muarim causes the battle to end.)
Muarim: Haah...haa...haa... We lose...
RM: You! You're the leader of this band, aren't you?
Muarim: Yes...I am. I'll resist you no further. Take me with you or execute me here... I care not. But my companions... Would you let them go? ...Please?
Unknown: No! I won't allow it!
RM: Huh?
Tormod: I won't let you take Muarim!
Muarim: Grrr... Stay back, little one! You were not supposed to expose-
Tormod: If you want Muarim, you'll have to kill me first!
RM: You're-
Muarim: Yes, he is a beorc child. I claimed him when he was little more than an infant. He has nothing to do with us...sub-humans...
Tormod: Stop lying! I'm here because I want to be! Who's the leader of the laguz emancipation army? I am! You're a big jerk, Muarim! Trying to cover for everyone and get yourself killed? I won't allow it!
Muarim: Little one...
RM: Hey! I don't care who the real leader is. A laguz who calls himself a sub-human is protecting a kidnapped beorc who claims to lead a laguz emancipation army? Do I have that right? Because if I do, I have absolutely no idea what any of you are talking about. Would someone please tell me what is going on here?
Tormod: ...
(Scene change.)
RM: All right... Please go over that again. It's been customary throughout Begnion's history to keep laguz as slaves?
Tormod: That's right.
Titania: But that's in the past now! Twenty years ago, all slavery was outlawed, and all laguz were freed!
Nasir: And as far as the general public is concerned, that is exactly what happened.
RM: So there's a portion of society that willingly breaks the law?
Tormod: The commoners obey, but there are still many laguz slaves in the homes of nobles. Muarim and I brought this to the attention of the senators, but they would not listen. That's why we gathered other fighters. We break into the homes where slaves are kept and help them escape. Of course, the nobles can't let this be known publicly, so they brand us thieves and turn us into wanted outlaws.
RM: All right. I think I understand your motives, but you're not going to solve the basic problem this way.
Tormod: We know that. But we can't give up and leave them in chains. We can't and won't!
RM: Do you mind if I try to help?
Tormod: Huh?
RM: This sort of beorc behavior is something that's been bothering me. I think there may be something that I can do...
(Scene change.)
Reyson: Naesala! Stop this foolishness! Where are you taking me? Tell me!
Naesala: It's only a little farther! I'll tell you once we've arrived, just as I promised.
Reyson: I left no word with Tibarn. If I had known we were coming this far, I would have left a message...
(Scene change.)
Naesala: Here we are. This is what I wanted to show you. Look below you, Reyson. What do you see?
Reyson: What...what is this? How is this possible? What happened here?!
Naesala: ...
Reyson: This...is Serenes? Is this what you're trying to tell me?! This colorless vista, these cracked and withered branches, these lifeless trees... This is my forest? (Sacred trees! Seed, root, and trunk! Awake from your slumber and heed my cry! Answer the call of the green, mighty ones!)
Naesala: ...The ancient tongue. It's been many years since I heard it last. You can still speak it.
Reyson: The voice of the forest is still. Why... How did this...
Naesala: It's been like this since your clan's been gone. The area near the entrance is especially bad. They used fire...Most of the trees are dead.
Reyson: ...Unforgivable. How...how can they do things like this. Cursed humans... What did this forest do? What did my clan do...
Naesala: Humans hold all laguz in contempt. And in the same way, they hold all of nature in contempt as well. They think everything exists for their pleasure and betterment...They are beneath contempt.
Reyson: Naesala... It appears that I have misjudged you. I called you a groveling toady to humans and labeled you traitor. I was overly harsh. I apologize.
Naesala: Not to worry. I engage in occasional commerce with humans...That much is true. A more pressing issue is the growing darkness. You can return to Phoenicis tomorrow, can you not? I'm certain that some noble has a villa in this area. At this time of year, it is almost certain to be empty. I suggest we borrow it for the evening.
Reyson: You would sleep in a human building?
Naesala: Think about it... Bird folk like you and I have no night vision whatsoever. If we were discovered by humans, they would surely overwhelm and capture us, right?
Reyson: Mmm... I see your point.
(Scene change.)
Naesala: Very good. I'll go stumble around until I find something to eat. Please...make yourself comfortable.
Reyson: Naesala!
Naesala: Yes?
Reyson: Thank you. For everything you've done. I...I appreciate it.
Naesala: Don't be ridiculous. We're old friends, are we not?
Reyson: Right you are! Old friend.
Naesala: Is everything in place?
Raven Laguz: Yes. That Duke Tanas cannot sit still. He is literally...quivering with anticipation. It's not pretty.
Naesala: I bet it isn't. Just make sure that mountain of suet stays hidden. If Reyson catches so much as a glimpse of his bulk, he will take wing.
Raven Laguz: Understood.
Naesala: Now, time to put on the finishing touches. This, too, I do to raise up Kilvas. Reyson, please don't judge me too harshly. That being said, I'm sure you will. Ah, well. Such is life. Enjoy your new one... Old friend...