Chapter 16: The Atonement (Script)

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Main story

Before battle

Reyson
What is this? Who are you? What have you done with Naesala?

Oliver
Oh... Ooooo...This is something everyone should see. There can be no doubt--I gaze upon the last living wonder of the Serenes royalty. Those golden locks! Witness how they gather in the morning sun and multiply its brilliance. The gentle lustre of those argent wings! Manifest proof of royalty, as sure as I am alive. Magnificent... Absolutely magnificent. A true work of art wrought in flesh and feather. All this beauty... Mine... The fortune I paid the raven king seems like a pittance compared to this treasure!

Reyson
What? Naesala...sold me? To YOU?!

Oliver
Oh ho ho ho! You are exquisite, even in rage! Now, if you behave yourself, I'll grant you a life of luxury...

Oliver
Oww!!! My nose! My beautiful nose!

Bengion Soldier
Bishop Oliver?! You winged freak! You'll pay for that!

Oliver
Noooo! You mustn't harm him! You mustn't ruffle a single feather of those gorgeous wings!

Oliver
My beauty, you mustn't be frightened. In time, you will come to see how kind and charitable a master I can be.

Reyson
This is madness!

Oliver
Oooh! S-so frightening! How delicious! But I fear that we must now be separated for a short while. Loyal servants! Attend my words! You must not raise a hand to this one. Prepare his meals with care, and do not disturb his rest. I would not see his countenance marred by displeasure. Herons, you see, are such delicate things. And then, at the proper time... Yes, the proper time. When will it be? I say to you, those haughty senators and their ilk have looked down their noses at me for the last time! I shall show them all! Ooooh, but I must have a grand stage. One where none can fail to see me. The Serenes royals are creatures of legend, and when I arrive with one at my side... I can hardly wait to see Duke Gados's face. Oh ho ho ho! Aho ho ho ho ho ho ho!

Reyson
Naesala, you wretch... Curse your eyes! How dare you do this to me...

Ike
I've brought him.

Sanaki
Well done, Ike. I shall see that you are well rewarded.

Ike
Where's your usual entourage? I see only two of your holy guard...

Sanaki
Oh, there was some sort of disturbance. I think they're clearing away the rabble. But on to business... Is that one there the ringleader of the thieves? Why, he's nothing but a child! Has he offered up any kind of defense for his deplorable actions?

Tormod
We are no thieves! We are trying to free the laguz that these filthy aristocrats hold in captivity!

Sanaki

What manner of absurd fairy tale is this? In the year Begnion 624, Apostle Misaha, my honored grandmother, emancipated every last laguz slave. In accordance with her law, today there is not a single slave to be found in all of the Begnion Empire.

Tormod
You lie! Countless noble houses even now keep laguz as servants or entertainment...or worse! And the senate! Those vast windbags grant tacit approval by doing nothing!

Ike
That's enough! I told you to keep a cool head.

Tormod
Bu-but--!

Sanaki
Ike... Whyever would you bring such an ill-mannered rogue to meet me? What is it you're planning?

Ike
If anyone's planning something, it's you.

Sanaki
Really? And what could you possibly mean by that?

Ike
Your last mission showed us the slave trade, and now you've put us in contact with an underground emancipation group. From the very beginning, I found this whole arrangement a little odd. You have more vassals than you can use, yet you hire us for these missions? Your motivations have me puzzled.

Sanaki
Oh, I see. And have you solved this puzzle of yours?

Ike
You want to expose the depravity of the inner circles of power. But you don't want the general public to know that the majority of the senate is involved in slavery.

Sanaki
And to think I thought you were as untutored as a wild monkey. You're actually quite bright.

Ike
I didn't figure it all out by myself. I have companions whom I trust with my life. They helped.

Tormod
Hey! Hold it! What in the world are you talking about? Would someone like to explain this to me?

Ike
The apostle is aware of the laguz slavery. On top of that, it appears she intends to do something about this problem.

Tormod
Are you serious?

Sanaki
I am. However, whether I succeed or fail depends largely on what you do next.

Ike
So be it. I think it's time you told us about the next job you have lined up for us.

Sanaki
I've received reports that Bishop Oliver, the duke of Tanas, is up to something suspicious. Duke Tanas has a villa near the woods of Serenes. Go there, and return with irrevocable proof of...whatever he's doing. If you succeed in this, I promise to support your Princess Elincia with all the power at my command.

Ike
We'll bring back whatever information it is you're looking for. Be ready for us!

Exit base

Ike
Is this the place?

Soren
Yes, it is. It's rather heavily guarded. Even so, I think a direct attack would be our best chance of gaining entrance.

Bengion Soldier
Halt! Who goes there? What are you doing? This villa is the property of Duke Tanas, senator of the empire! No trespassing!

Ike
I am Ike, of the Greil Mercenaries. Under orders from the apostle, we've been charged with investigating the duke.

Bengion Soldier
What? The apostle sent you? Wa-wait here a moment!

Mist
All right, Brother, we'll sneak around out here and see what we can see.

Ike
Good idea.

Titania
Leave it to us. If we get stopped, we can talk our way out of it. All right, Mist, let's get going.

Mist
Yeah!

Oliver
What is it I hear? That you lads claim to be here on the apostle's business?

Ike
We have a letter here that bears her seal.

Oliver
Hmm... Well... I see. It appears genuine. Very well. Am I in a position to ask what, exactly, I am suspected of doing?

Soren
We are here by the apostle's leave. Do you honestly intend to make us discuss this private matter outside?

Oliver
Oh! No, no, of course not. Never! I would never insult...Please, c-come inside...

Oliver
Oh? Slavery? Me? The apostle would honestly accuse me of such an unfashionable thing as slaveholding? Oh ho ho ho!

Ike
Do you claim no knowledge of such a thing?

Oliver
I've shown you every nook of my mansion, every cranny. I've been most thorough, have I not? And you saw no trace, not a single sign, of any laguz here, did you?

Ike
That is true.

Oliver
This accusation is absolutely ridiculous! To think that I, a bishop who serves only the apostle's will, would do anything to violate our country's emancipation act! Be certain that you tell the apostle everything! Tell her that Duke Tanas is upright and cleanhanded! There is not even a shadow of falsehood in my noble eyes! Look into them deeply, my boy, and tell me what you see...

Oliver
Well? Hmmmmm?

Ike
Ugh! Hey, stop that! Back off!

Soren
We have little choice, do we...I think it would be best if we left for the time being.

Bengion Soldier
Hey! Halt! You can't go in there!

Ike
Ah!

Mist
Ike!

Ike
Mist, what is it?

Mist
Ike, I saw him! In a room on the top floor of this building, I saw someone--I think he was one of the bird tribe! He looked like he was trying to jump out a window, but he was forced away from it and back into the room.

Oliver
Wha-what? What is this...this child babbling about?

Soren
Someone from the bird tribe? Can you describe him?

Mist
Um, he had long hair! It was...sparkling, like gold. And his skin...it was so pale--almost translucent. Oh! And his wings! They were pure white!

Ike
Is that accurate, Titania?

Titania
It is. I saw him as well.

Soren
That can only mean there is a member of the heron clan in this place. According to books, only members of the royal heron family possess white wings.

Ike
It appears that there is at least one room we have yet to see. What is it going to be, Duke Tanas? You can cooperate and show us this room that you somehow forgot, or...

Oliver
Guards! Kill them all! Don't let a single one escape!

Ike
So this is how you want to play it, eh? I thought it might come to this. Mercenaries! It's time!

Devdan
Devdan hears the sounds of battle...

Kimarsi is attacked

Kimarsi
You dare to bring conflict into Bishop Oliver's home? My lance will make you pay for your impudence!

Kimarsi dies

Kimarsi
What... What fate is this? Is it just punishment...for my complicity...in this evil...
After battle

Reyson
Ah!

Oliver
Oh, my sweet, beautiful little bird! Don't be frightened! Come, let us fly away together...

Reyson
Stay away from me, you filthy fat man!

Reyson
...Urgh!

Oliver
Come quietly! You belong to me! I will not give you up. No one shall take you from me...

Reyson
Though the price may be my life, I will never cooperate with you!

Unknown
Hey! Where are you, Duke Tanas? ...Are you in here?

Oliver
...Ah... N-n-nooo...

Ike
Duke Tanas...

Reyson
Who are you?

Ike
Ah! You... You're the Serenes--Are you unharmed? We have come to help you. Your injury... Did that man do that to you?

Ike
This wound must be tended to...

Reyson
Stay back!

Ike
But...

Reyson
Do not approach me! Cursed human!

Ike
The Greil Mercenaries have returned.

Sigrun
Ah, Master Ike. It is good to see you well. How went the mission? Did you unearth any meaningful proof?

Ike
Where is the apostle?

Sigrun
Master Ike?

Ike
I must speak with the apostle. Where is she?

Sigrun
Apostle Sanaki is in the garden, having a pleasant conversation with Princess Elincia. I will go directly and see if she will meet with you. Please wait here.

Ike
In the garden? Great.

Sigrun
Ah, Master Ike! No! You mustn't behave so! You will cause such problems!

Ike
Apostle...

Sanaki
What? You! What are you doing? How dare you approach me unannounced! This is most inappropriate, and I will not--

Elincia
What has happened, my lord Ike?

Ike
All of it. I want to hear all of it...Now!

Sanaki
What are you talking about?

Sigrun
Master Ike! One must not speak to the apostle in such a discourteous fashion!

Ike
Twenty years ago, something happened in Serenes Forest. Something terrible. I want to know.

Sanaki
What?

Sigrun
Master Ike?

Elincia
W-what happened twenty years ago?

Sanaki
You found one of the heron clan? And a Serenes noble no less...One of them still lives? But that...such a thing...

Sigrun
Apostle Sanaki...

Ike
Tell me.

Sanaki
That is a very...difficult problem...Hmm... How to impart this tale...

Nasir
It would appear that no one is willing to begin this story. That being so, I would open with what is commonly known of the matter. Do you find this acceptable?

Sanaki
And you are?

Ike
He is a friend of mine. Nasir, if you know something, I would hear it. When you are done, the apostle can clarify. Agreed?

Sanaki
Hmmm...

Nasir
It begins with the assasination of the previous Begnion apostle. It was twenty years ago... One year after the declaration of emancipation was made. The leader at the time was the Apostle Misaha, who was more adored by the public than any apostle before...or since. When she was assassinated, the citizenry was wracked with grief. All of Begnion despaired. And then, a rumor began to circulate that the assassination was the work of the Serenes herons. In the twinkling of an eye, the rumor spread throughout the Begnion capital. One night shortly thereafter, it happened. The citizens grew violent. They massed at the edge of Serenes Forest, home of their supposed enemy, and set it to burn. The crowd raged on for three nights, and in the end, the heron clan was lost.

Elincia
But their involvement was just a rumor...Wasn't it? Why, why did they...

Sanaki
Oh, the shame of it...

Nasir
Apostle? The remainder of the tale is yours. You stand as the empress of Begnion. You are responsible for the acts of your citizens, are you not?

Sanaki
...False. The accusation was completely false.

Ike
The assassination of the apostle was not the work of the Serenes clan?

Sanaki
That is correct.

Nasir
The heron clan possess no fighting skills. Their tribe survived by living a life of peace and piety within their forest. Unlike other laguz, they never focused on developing their strength for the purposes of combat. Anyone with any knowledge of laguz would have known such a thing. At the very least, the citizens of Begnion would have known this. However, they had lost their leader, and in their grief, they cared little for the truth. They were merely looking for some way to vent their rage and despair. Isn't that true...Apostle?

Nasir
Please, Lord Nasir! Your tone of voice...

Sanaki
It's all right, Princess Elincia. He speaks the truth, be it with a sharpened tongue or no.

Nasir
Ike, the bird tribes of Phoenicis target only Begnion ships with their piracy. The ravens of Kilvas are after cargo, and so they attack everyone with equal vigor. The hawk clans, however, hold the heron clan as brethren...and still remember the false accusations. And their brutal murder.

Ike
The heron at Oliver's mansion...He slapped my hand away when I tried to help him. He had such hatred in his eyes. When he leapt from the window, he spoke to me. "Remember the genocide," he said. "Twenty years have passed, but I will never forgive what you did!"
 
Sanaki
Such needless pain...It may sound like utter hypocrisy, but my people regret deeply the actions of that horrific night. We stole the heron clan from this world... Every time we see the blackened forest, our grave sin comes back to haunt us.

Nasir
Apostle... You are honorable. The majority of the senators have done their best to banish all memory of the Serenes and that night. Yet you have resisted. That is your intent, is it not? You are not like them... You are attempting to take responsibility for the actions of the people. To undo the wrongs of the past, you launched your own investigation into the laguz emancipation issue. You've even gone so far as to hire outsiders like Ike and his mercenaries to expose the problem, haven't you?

Sanaki
...Princess Elincia?

Elincia
Yes?

Sanaki
I would like once more to make use of your escorts. Would you grant me this boon?

Elincia
Of course! Er, that is...If Ike and his group agree, I have no objection to your proposal.

Ike
Depends on what you want.

Sanaki
The member of the heron clan you met...I want you to find him. I want to meet with him. I want to speak with him.

Ike
If that is your wish, we will do it. In any case, we let that monster Oliver slip through our grasp. We'll handle both tasks at the same time.

Sanaki
I'm counting on you.

Base Conversation

Muarim

Muarim
Ahem...

Tormod
Muarim!

Muarim
Little one! How... How was it? Were you treated roughly? Did they attempt to punish you?

Tormod
No, it was nothing. And the apostle? I thought she'd be some mean old hag, but she's just a kid. Really, she's even shorter than I am.

Muarim
Li-little one! You must lower your voice. And watch your tongue!

Tormod
What? Why?

Ike
Rest easy, Muarim. Everyone in this room is with me. The apostle has no ears here.

Muarim
That is good.

Tormod
Muarim?

Muarim
Speaking ill of the apostle here is considered treasonous. Keep it up, and they'll kill you--or threaten to.

Tormod
What?

Muarim
Little one... While we are here, please choose your words with more care than you have shown. I beg of you.

Tormod
Oh, right. Right. I understand.

Ike
For a laguz, you seem to know more about the court etiquette here than my fellow beorc, Tormod.

Muarim
Bah...

Tormod
That's 'cause...'cause I don't know much about any of this stuff. That's all!

Muarim
It is no matter, little one. Ike, the reason I am familiar with the customs of the Begnion nobles is...I myself was once a slave.

Ike
What?

Tormod
Oh, no...

Muarim
For generations, my family...served as slaves to one house. They were wealthy and powerful, senators all. As a child, I was raised never to question my station as a slave. From the day that I was born, the most grueling physical labor was as natural as breathing. I knew nothing else. To ensure we were liked by our masters, we were drilled in the etiquette of polite society until it became second nature. We were slaves... We did what we could to live as long as we could. The most important thing was not to incur the wrath of our masters. If we displeased them, we were punished. If we were lucky, we were beaten. If we were unlucky...

Tormod
Muarim! That's enough!

Muarim
I am sorry. Lord Ike...If a former slave like myself is present, all of you will be judged, scorned, and looked down upon. I came here...to ask if you would... take care of something for me. I would have you take care of the little one.

Tormod
Why would you say such a thing? You were born a laguz slave...And you're not allowed to be free...That's not right! That's why we promised each other we'd change all of that. We made a promise! Laguz, like beorc, would build homes and plant fields! Families would live together in peace and freedom! That's the world we dreamed of...

Muarim
That's a dream that belongs to us as former laguz slaves. We don't need the help of another beorc like you.

Tormod
What?...sniff!

Muarim
Little one!...

Ike
...Does it really warrant that much concern?

Muarim
Huh?

Ike
Since I first arrived here in Begnion, it's something that's been bothering me. If you're born into a noble house, you're a noble. If your parents are slaves, you're a slave. Do you think a person's worth is decided at the moment of their birth? That's... I can't understand a country where that passes for normal, I just can't.

Muarim
Those don't sound like the words of someone working for Princess Crimea. Princesses are princesses because they're born into royal families, right? Are you going to deny that?

Ike
No, you're right. Elincia... She is a princess. I don't think we've treated her with more respect than any other employer we've had, but...Heh. Funny. We've addressed her as "Princess" the entire time, but I've never really considered what it meant.

Muarim
From where I stand, I think you've been blessed. You were born a beorc and raised in a country with a lenient social structure. That's an enviable life.

Ike
It's so hard... I... No matter how I try, I'll never fully understand your pain. But listen, I didn't treat Elincia any differently after I learned of her heritage. I'm not going to think of you or treat you differently just because you used to be a slave. It's not going to happen. You're...you. And I'm free to think of it that way if I want, right?

Muarim
...

Ike
Muarim, there's nothing anyone can do about your past.About the burdens you carry. And I know I don't know everything that'sgoing on, but you shouldn't be trying
to push Tormod away. He's dedicated to you, and being with you is his choice. It's part of his freedom.

Muarim
...I see now. I will go...and find him.

Ike
If meeting those in the temple is uncomfortable, I can go and bring him back. What do you think?

Muarim
No, I can do it. I have a good nose. Tracking the young one's scent while avoiding other beorc is an easy task.
Ike
I see.

Muarim
Ike... I want... I mean...Never mind. May our friendship be true and enduring.

Ike
I share your sentiment. Our troop will have you for as long as you wish.

Stefan

Ike
What the...? Um...who are you? How long have you been a member of my troop?

Stefan
I joined after the battle in the sands. My name is Stefan. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier.

Ike
Why are you here?

Stefan
In part it's because I'm curious. But mostly, it's the guiding hand of fate that has led me to you.

Ike
Huh?

Stefan
In the desert, I watched the dance of your sword. You have a unique style, but it is incomplete, filled with hesitation. You have recently lost your teacher, no?

Ike
Ah...

Stefan
Luckily, your foundation is quite strong. Which is why I can be of service. Your technique... How powerful will it be when perfected? I would like to know.

Ike
Wh-who are you?

Stefan
You can learn the dance of blades from me without knowing my history, can you not? What say you? Let your heart decide.

Study

Ike
I understand. If you can help me perfect my technique, I will gladly accept an invitation to learn from you.

Stefan
Then prepare yourself. Come! Attack me with all your strength.

Don't Study

Ike
I appreciate the offer, but I decline. I must perfect my technique on my own. Under my own power.

Stefan
Very well. That, too, is an honorable path. With your leave.