Phidoc Castle (with Catiua)
[Catiua and Denam meet with their top forces and Abuna Mreuva.]
CATIUA: Thank you for freeing me from the Bakram. I will not forget your loyalty and service.
MREUVA: You are most gracious, your Highness.
CATIUA: I wish only for this warring to be over. Peace cannot come a day too soon. Nor will it come without the help of the Order of Goldscale. I expect great deeds of you.
MREUVA: And you shall have them, even if it means our lives. You Highness, you are welcome to remain here in Phidoch -
CATIUA: Abuna Mreuva! If I am to lead my people, I cannot afford to remain holed away, far from where the arrows fly. I will join the ranks, in the front. I will show my people and my soldiers who fights for them.
MREUVA: But, your Highness!
CATIUA: Do not worry on my behalf. That...is an order, Abuna.
MREUVA: As your Highness wishes.
CATIUA: About the front lines...
DENAM: The Bakram move independently now. The Dark Knights have lost the regent's trust.
CATIUA: Then a resolution is at hand. Let us return to the city my father built. Back to Heim to end this for all time!
DENAM (rising): Ready the troops!
[The soldiers leave to make preparations.]
CATIUA: Well. How did I do?
DENAM: You've really come into your own, sister. Father would be proud.
CATIUA: Come into my own? Odd, when I felt like someone else entirely.
MREUVA: Not to worry, Catiua. You will do splendidly.
CATIUA: I hope you're right.
DENAM: Still, you should stay here in the castle. For your safety, and that of -
CATIUA: I said I wouldn't, and I meant it. I won't be some figurehead for my people to hoist and carry about. You'll come to my rescue should I get in any real trouble, won't you?
DENAM: Well, of course, but...
CATIUA: It's settled then.
MREUVA: The late king loved the front no less. Must be in the blood.
CATIUA: Yes. The Dynast-King's spirit will protect me.
DENAM: That's all well and good, but still...be careful.
CATIUA: Don't worry. I will.
Phidoc Castle (Without Catiua)
[Denam's trusted warriors meet in the castle halls.]
DENAM: Sadly, we were unable to save the Princess Versalia. I lacked the strength.... The failure is mine. Forgive me. But do not forgive the Dark Knights! They abandoned the princess when they realized their own defeat was inevitable. I tried to persuade her to our cause, but the Dark Knights had sown deep the seeds of doubt and fear. She took her own life.... It is for her that we fight as well.
KNIGHT: We're ready to march, my lord. Just give us the word.
DENAM: Good. We move against the Bakram and the Dark Knights with everything we have. The final battle awaits. Onward to Heim!
[The soldiers leave.]
MREUVA: You did well.
DENAM: I tire of this theater!
MREUVA: Do not say that. You must bring this war to an end. If that means enduring a little "theater," I think it a fair price.
DENAM: I watched as my sister died.... Was that part of the price as well?
MREUVA: You must push such thoughts from your mind. Naught will come of it. Right or wrong, let history be the judge. Now you must focus on the task at hand, Denam.
DENAM: ...
Phidoch Castle (Catiua slain)
[Sullenly, Denam sits with Mreuva.]
MREUVA: Right yourself, Denam! This is no time for maudlin reflection! Much remains to be done, and swiftly.
DENAM: I doubt that not. And all of it meaningless, without her.
MREUVA: So was it fated. You cannot blame yourself.
DENAM: Fate? It was not fate who killed my sister! It was me!
MREUVA: Leave us.
KNIGHT: M'lord.
[The guards leave.]
MREUVA: You must calm yourself, Denam. If your men see you waver so, you will lose your command, and then the war. What is done is done. No amount of mourning will raise Catiua from the grave.
DENAM: ...
MREUVA: With Catiua gone, only one path remains to us. The Dark Knights plotted her murder - what more reason do we need to brand them traitors and cast them from our shores! After all, it was they who drove the princess to her doom.
DENAM: No. It was I who robbed her of hope. I did this...
MREUVA: What are you saying! Have you any idea how many lives you hold in your hand, commander? Prancet was right, you know. It is you who must lead us toward peace. Never forget that!
DENAM: ...
MREUVA: The Bakram stir. There is no avoiding conflict now. I have ordered our men to prepare for an all-out attack. You must put this behind you. Our armies need their commander, Denam.
[He leaves Denam alone.]
DENAM: Catiua...
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