FOLCURT: The ship is ours once more. We sail with the tide. We'll take you safe to Rhime, as agreed. Best get aboard.
[Bayin died.]
DENAM: We should make for Golyat first - stock up on supplies. Most of the duke's men muster in the Psonji Weald. The town's defense should be light.
FOLCURT: Good. Oh, and one other thing. I'd like to pay a visit to Boed Fortress before delivering you to Rhime.
CATIUA: Boed? It's more ruin than fortress. Why go there?
FOLCURT: Run-down it may be, but Boed is an essential fastness. Our leader, Cerya, commands from there.
DENAM: Cerya? The same woman Bayin bade us stop with his dying breath?
FOLCURT: You will know when we're there. And you will learn of many other things besides. Now, aboard. I'd like to reach the deep while we still have some light.
BAYIN: Hold, Folcurt. They've taken Cistina.
FOLCURT: What!? I thought her safely away.
BAYIN: The others are safe. Her alone they took and scurried back to their den. Surely we must rescue her ere we return to Boed.
FOLCURT: Of course. And we shall. But first we must take them to Rhime.
BAYIN: Foolishness! You'd as well kill Cistina yourself.
FOLCURT: They honored their promise. I owe them no less.
BAYIN: I though Cistina dear to you. Perhaps I was mistaken.
FOLCURT: Before all else I am a knight, Bayin. I'll not break a sacred vow.
BAYIN: Stubborn mule! If you'll not help, perhaps I can appeal to their better nature. You heard my tale. Our friend is taken captive by pirates. No concern of yours, to be sure, but we'll need help if we are to rescue her. What do you say?
CATIUA: Surely there are many others you might call upon. Why do you not do so?
BAYIN:By the time our pleas reached them, it would already be too late.
CATIUA: We are pursued ourselves. Already we've delayed too long. And have we not kept our word? This fortress is fallen, and your ship is yours once more. Sir Folcurt has the right of it. It now falls to him to fulfill his part of the bargain.
BAYIN: You'll be safe once at sea. The Walister cannot give chase. An attack on the pirates now will delay your arrival in Rhime by a scant few days.
FOLCURT: Enough, Bayin. She's right, you know.
BAYIN: Yours is the final word, Denam. I would hear your thoughts.
[Choice 1 - We will help you.]
DENAM: You have our swords. Though we may disagree on much, I find your devotion to your allies admirable.
CATIUA: But, Denam!
DENAM: Follow my lead, Sister. The others will understand.
FOLCURT: I am in your debt, Denam. You have a kind heart.
BAYIN: I know where the pirates make their den: Ndamsa Hold on Deknigos.
DENAM: To Ndamsa Hold, then.
[Choice 2 - We must decline.]
DENAM: I am sorry, but we cannot lend you our swords. Time is too pressing, and the stakes too high. What!? Has the whole of Valeria sold its standards at market, then? Bah!
FOLCURT: Leave off, Bayin. Our problems are not theirs. Pay him no mind, Denam. Off to Rhime, now, before your hunters arrive.
BAYIN: You too, Folcurt? Bah! If none will aid me, I'll go myself!
[He storms off.]
FOLCURT: Sorry. If that old man were any more set in his ways, I'd need a chisel just to wake him in the morning. If you're on to Rhime, there's someone I'd have you meet in the fortress at Boed. What say you?
CATIUA: Boed? It's more ruin than fortress. Why go there?
FOLCURT: Run-down it may be, but Boed is an essential fastness. Our leader, Cerya, commands from there.
DENAM: And you would have us meet her, the leader of your Liberation Front? Why?
FOLCURT: You will know when we're there. And you will learn of many other things besides. Now, aboard. I'd like to reach the deep while we still have some light.
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