SHERRI: No use to feign ignorance, father. I know you know.
MREUVA: I do not. And I wouldn't tell you if I did!
SHERRI: Is that any way to speak to your own daughter? Or...have you abandoned me, as you did mother?
MREUVA: I have abandoned no one.
SHERRI: Then you'll tell me where to find the Apocrypha.
MREUVA: You'll have no aid from me in that foolishness, Sherri. None!
SHERRI: You leave me no choice but to bring you with me.
[The soldier guarding Mreuva grabs him by the back of his cloak.]
MREUVA: What!? Unhand me!
SHERRI: I'm sure you'll change your mind once we've reached Heim.
MREUVA: Do not do this, Sherri!
SHERRI: Prepare him for the journey. Time to leave.
[The soldier pushes Mreuva out and Sherri begins to gather her soldiers when Denam breaks in, slashing the guard in the process.]
DENAM: Abuna Mreuva, are you all right?
MREUVA: Who are you?
DENAM: Would you know me if I said I was Denam of Golyat?
MREUVA: Prancet's son!
DENAM: There will be time for talk later. Let me handle this.
MREUVA: Yes...but please, spare the woman.
DENAM: What?
MREUVA: She is my daughter, Sherri.
DENAM: ...Very well.
MREUVA: The Father watch over you.
SHERRI: I always knew LeRozza was useless. All breeding and no substance, that one. What about you, Denam? I seem to remember you as a fey child, delicate as a rose. But no matter. Such fancies will not stay my blade.
[Denam and company hold off Sherri's troops in hopes of escaping with Mreuva.]
OLIVYA: Sherri! Stop this at once! We mustn't fight one another!
SHERRI: Then surrender to the Bakram, and it will end! You prolong this by clinging to father...a man who couldn't even guard his own wife!
OLIVYA: Surely you cannot lay this at his feet! The Bakram killed mother, not him.... The very Bakram you now serve!
SHERRI: You are wrong, Olivya. When a man vies for power and loses, he pays a price. Mother's blood is on our father's hands!
OLIVYA: How can you say father lost, when it is you who have lost your way, sister? You saw him as he truly is, and you could not accept it. So you chose to throw it all away! It is you who have lost!
[Another of Sherri's sister pleads to end the fight.]
CISTINA: Please, sister, lay down your arms! We do not wish harm upon you!
SHERRI: Harm to me? I am not so careless as that. My strength will not fail me!
CISTINA: I fear that strength will become your undoing, sister. The Dark Knights brought the Liberation front to ruin, and they will do the same for the Bakram!
SHERRI: And your Almorican friends are any different? Do you not wield your strength against us? You take pains to find fault with me, when you only need look at yourself!
CISTINA: We do not fight to seize power for ourselves, sister! We seek an end [sic] this bloody conflict...even though it mean more bloodshed.
[Cerya stands up to her sister.]
CERYA: Stand down, Sherri. Return with your men to Heim.
SHERRI: A colder reception than I'd hoped for, sister. Though I am glad to see you live, even though your front does not.
CERYA: Yes, I live. And I will bear my shame until the Dark Knights are driven from the isles forever!
SHERRI: Even if that should mean drawing sword against your own blood?
CERYA: You wanted this, Sherri! You've chosen this path, and now you must walk it!
[The sisters are forced to fight. Sherri questions Denam's true motives.]
SHERRI: Why have you come here? Do you think to make an ally of my father? What is it that draws men to him, even now? Say what you will of Heirophant Morne, at least he does not lose his battles.
DENAM: Why drive your family to the feet of he who ruined you?
SHERRI: Because there is no surer road to victory than to join the winning side.
DENAM: What good victory without principles?
SHERRI: As much good as taking your principles with you to your grave, surely. It is the victor who lives. that is the only truth that matters.
[Denam and Sherri's sisters have no choice but to keep attacking.]
SHERRI: No...I will not accept defeat at the hands of a child! I've come too far to turn back now. The Apocrypha will be mine!
[Sherri is killed.]
SHERRI: Forgive me...mother...
[She falls.]
[Denam and Sherri's sisters wound the leader and obey Mreuva's wishes.]
SHERRI: You've made a dire enemy this day!
[She flees, leaving Mreuva freed.]
MREUVA: So Prancet has rejoined the Great Father.... I grieve with you.
DENAM: Then help me.
MREUVA: What good will come of it? I know you are no tyrant - no Balbatos or Ronwey. But it is the people who suffer in any struggle, however noble. You know this as well as any. Your own Golyat suffered such a fate.
DENAM: The more reason to quench the flames of war for good and all. We must forever rid the isles of the vile instruments the Heirophant and the duke have used against us. As Dorgalua once united us, Valeria must unite itself!
MREUVA: Dorgalua's time is long past.... What vestiges of that era remain are in the hands of the Dark Knights.
DENAM: Catiua...
MREUVA: Have you the will to wage war upon her?
[Choice 1 - That I cannot do.]
DENAM: She is my sister. I must find some way to help her.
MREUVA: The old bonds die hard.
DENAM: She is family to me, whether by blood or no.
MREUVA: Family...yes. Very well. Such aid as I have to offer is yours.
[Choice 2 - I shall do what I must.]
DENAM: I will become like the ogre if I must. I see no way around it.
MREUVA: You would choose the path of violence?
DENAM: But I cling to my hope, and will do so as long as I can. If anyone can save my sister...it is me.
MREUVA: Ah. If I'd had your courage, perhaps I too could have saved Sherri. ...I will accompany you, Denam, if you will have me.
DENAM: You honor me.
???
[Regent Brantyn stands alone in a foggy ruin.]
BRANTYN: Where is this place?
[He looks around.]
BRANTYN: ...And why am I here?
[A red light flashes in the distance.]
BRANTYN: Who's there? Show yourself!
[Another flash, followed by a roar that Brantyn hears.]
BRANTYN: "Make haste"? Make haste with what? Who are you to command me!?
[Again a loud roar and flash. Brantyn falters.]
BRANTYN: What...? Waaah!
Barnicia Castle
[A loud scream brings Brantyn, sitting down in the comfort of his keep, awake and sweating.]
BRANTYN: Ha.... It was a dream. A foul dream.
[A messenger enters.]
SOLDIER: A report, Lord Regent.
BRANTYN: What is it?
SOLDIER: Lady Phoraena's expedition for the Apocryhpa has not reported in on schedule.
BRANTYN: Sherri? The Almoricans' work.
SOLDIER: I cannot say, though given the circumstances...
BRANTYN: Poor, poor Sherri. All breeding and no substance.
SOLDIER: Perhaps they've taken hostages. Shall I send a party to Almorica?
BRANTYN: No. Leave them!
SOLDIER: My lord?
BRANTYN: I said leave them. Do not make me repeat myself again. She was given a simple task, and she failed. The Bakram have no need of such "aid."
SOLDIER: As you say, lord Regent.
[Brantyn stands and walks to the window.]
BRANTYN: Must I be surrounded by such fools?
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