Nealuchi: Wait, there's more! It seems that Prince Reyson was able to escape Duke Tanas's villa and make his way safely to Serenes Forest. However...we have word that Tanas's men have entered the forest in hopes of recapturing the prince. We've not a moment to waste! Please, O king of hawks! Reach out your mighty talons, strike down these wretched humans, and rescue Prince Reyson. I implore you, Your Majesty, take wing at once!
Tibarn: Why is Naesala not here?
Nealuchi: That...er... His Highness must not be seen here at this time... It's-
Janaff: What's going on, you old buzzard? King Kilvas is the White Prince's friend, isn't he?
Nealuchi: Well...how do I put this? Hm, it's all very complicated...
Tibarn: I care not for excuses. If anything happens to Reyson, blood will be spilled.
Nealuchi: Oh, no! Please! There's no cause for worry. Duke Tanas treats his works of art with a delicacy so extreme that it could best be called...abnormal. He would never let any harm befall Prince Reyson...He probably can't even bring himself to touch him. The king himself told me so. That is the only reason he accepted this proposal-
Ulki: Proposal?
Nealuchi: Ah! Um... What I mean is...Er...
Janaff: Hold it! You crows set the prince up?!
Nealuchi: S-set up? Set up? Oh, no, no! Well...not exactly. Um...Please don't hurt me!
Tibarn: So that's the truth of it, eh? Naesala treated Reyson like a piece of merchandise and sold him. To a human...
Nealuchi: No, that's not... The only one who referred to him as merchandise was Duke Tanas. We never-
Tibarn: It doesn't matter! Claiming ignorance does not grant you innocence. You treated Reyson like a trinket in a public market!
Nealuchi: Oooh, dear...
Tibarn: If Reyson hadn't escaped on his own, perhaps the crow king would have rescued him when things cooled down. Regardless, Reyson trusted in his friend and followed him into the trap... And Naesala spit on that friendship. That, I cannot forgive!
Nealuchi: Your assessment of this old bird is correct. I am a worm, nothing more. But please, I beg of you... Temper your outrage. Let it cool.
Janaff: You're unbelievable. What is it with you crows, anyway? Everything you do is so dirty and deceptive. We will never understand your ways. Do you hear me, greywings?
Nealuchi: I hear you well, young hawk. But our nation... Our nation has... It has its own issues. Please, this is not the time to yell at a tired old man. You must hurry to Prince Reyson's side! Once he is safe, you can punish me in any way that you see fit... Tear me limb from limb if you wish...But please! Go to Prince Reyson! I beg of you!
Tibarn: This begging is unseemly and unwanted. We would rescue Reyson regardless of this pathetic show of tears. Return to Kilvas and report these events to your accursed king. Tell him that when this is over, King Tibarn of Phoenicis will be paying him a visit.
Nealuchi: ...Y-yes, Your Highness!
Janaff: Sigh... I know he deserves it, but I still feel bad for badgering the old coot.
Ulki: Your Majesty, what will we do now?
Tibarn: Ulki, use your ears to pick out the sound of Reyson's wings, then tell me the direction from which it comes.
Ulki: At once!
Tibarn: Janaff, use your eyes to peer between the trees and find me a road.
Janaff: You got it!
Tibarn: Human scum...If you think to replay that night from twenty years ago, you'll get no quarter from me.
(Scene change.)
RM: Hm? Is that you, Soren? You're up early.
Soren: Actually, I'm always awake at this time.
RM: Really?
Soren: Yes. You're the one who's up earlier than normal.
RM: I want to finish our mission today. I think my nervous energy woke me up.
Soren: I understand... The last two days spent searching Serenes Forest for that heronhave been frustrating and fruitless. I'm sure he's in there somewhere, but...
RM: I agree. And Duke Tanas's men are still hunting away. They must think the heron is there as well.
Soren: The only place left is the forest's heart. That's where we should go today. With luck, we may finally locate our target.
RM: I get the feeling it's going to be a long day.
(RM heads inside the current base and prepares for the next battle. A few minutes pass. RM exits the base.)
Soren: I believe this is the place where we ended our search yesterday.
RM: I realized something a couple of days ago...Even in this forest, you always know exactly where you are, don't you?
Soren: Hm?
RM: How do you do that? I think it's the lack of color, but these woods are starting to look the same to me.
Soren: Yes, that's a problem...
Nasir: RM! We're approaching a large clearing. I think we should have the apostle and some of the others wait there.
RM: Good idea. Even if we find the heron today, there's no need for them to tramp through the forest with us.
Soren: Mmm...
RM: We're going to head deeper into the forest and continue the search. Please wait here. If we find the heron, we'll send for you immediately.
Elincia: I understand. My lord RM, everyone, please be careful.
Sanaki: ...We're counting on you.
RM: Sigrun? Tanith? May I entrust the princess to your care?
Sigrun: Of course.
Tanith: You've no need to worry. We will protect her with our lives.
RM: Very well. Until later.
(Scene change.)
RM: All right. Greil Mercenaries, move out!
Oliver: Gah! Haven't you fools found my precious little bird yet? I've no doubt the poor thing is even now quivering with loneliness and cold.
Begnion Soldier: Duke Tanas! I've just received word that the mercenaries who invaded your villa are in this forest!
Oliver: Blast! Those wretches... They're here to steal my bird! Their souls are black with greed and jealousy! I have found beauty incarnate, and I will not relinquish it! Only I, Duke Tanas, can appreciate its worth!
Begnion Soldier: Um...I'm...sure that's true, Your Grace, but what about the mercenaries? What should we do about them?
Oliver: Hunt them down like dogs! Let none leave this forest alive! They will not rob me of my prize.
Begnion Soldier: But, Your Grace, they serve at the pleasure of the apostle herself! Striking them would be-
Oliver: Leave the apostle to me! I can deal with her once this is finished! All I need from you is silence and obedience. Is that clear?
Begnion Soldier: Yes, Your Grace! I beg your pardon.
(Oliver leaves.)
Begnion Soldier: There they are! Do as Duke Oliver commanded! Slay them where they stand! Let none leave the forest alive, not man, woman, or child!
RM: Oh, not the duke's soldiers again...I think it's about time we put an end to these fools. Listen up, everyone! Let's end this here!
(A battle begins. A few minutes pass. RM defeats all the enemies and ends the battle.)
RM: Curses, they just keep coming and coming. How many soldiers does he have?
Nasir: There's no telling. He is a bishop and a senator, but he holds peerage, and that means he could command many men.
Nasir: Perhaps we, too, should call in a few reinforcements. What do you think?
RM: That's not a bad idea. And while we wait, we could take a breather and reorganize our attack strategy... Let's do it.
(Scene change.)
Tibarn: What was that sound?
Janaff: I heard something, too.
Ulki: It came from the northeast. It's unlike anything I've ever heard.
Janaff: To the northeast...? Aha! There are ruins over there. Perhaps the White Prince found them to be a good hiding place.
Tibarn: Let's check it out. Maybe we can find him and escape while the humans fight amongst themselves.
Janaff: What are those humans thinking? Why would they be trying to lop each others' heads off?
Ulki: Shall I make an inquiry?
Tibarn: Leave them. They're nothing but trouble.
Janaff: I second that! Now, if we want to avoid the human skirmish, we should head...thataway! Through these trees!
Tibarn: Let's go.
Ulki: Yes, sir!
RM: All right, let's figure out where to go next.
Mist: Brother!
RM: What is it, Mist?
Mist: Did you...hear a sound just now?
RM: Huh? No, I didn't.
Mist: Really? I guess it was just me then.
Lethe: That sound you heard, was it high-pitched, like the chiming of a bell?
Mist: Ah! Yes, it was! That's it exactly!
Mordecai: I heard it, too. It was very beautiful.
RM: I didn't hear a thing.
Lethe: It created only a slight disturbance in the air. It could only be heard by those possessed of extraordinary hearing... So, your sister's hearing is on par with that of the laguz.
Mist: Wow! Did you hear that? Neat!
RM: Don't let it go to your head. A sound that beorc can't hear...Hmm... That's interesting.
Nasir: It is said that those of the heron clan all practice the art of seid magic. Perhaps this sound is related to that?
Mist: Seid magic? What's that?
Nasir: It involves arcane songs known as galdrar. The effects of galdrar on the listener depend on the lyrics and melody. For example, a galdr can restore lost strength and vitality to those who hear it. And if the singer is of royal blood, the galdr may be powerful enough to move its listener to extraordinary feats. I've even heard tales of a galdr that could give one the speed to do the work of two men. The galdrar grant many powers.
Mist: Wow... That sounds incredible, doesn't it, RM!
RM: Yeah. But even with all that power, they were still wiped out by the beorc.
Mist: Right...
Nasir: Herons are highly attuned to the forces of balance. Even if they had the means to resist, I doubt they would have used them.
RM: ...We leave as soon as our reinforcements arrive. Duke Tanas must not succeed! Let's rescue the heron while there's time!
Mist: All right!
Lethe: We should head toward the ruins in the northeast. I sense something odd there.
RM: Got it. Thanks for the information.
Lethe: It is nothing. It is only natural...to aid one's companions.
RM: I couldn't agree more.
Nasir: ...