Chapter 19: Entrusted (Script)
This content was originally provided by Generic Officer.
Main Story
Before battle
Narration
Princess Elincia's newly-formed Crimean army, with Ike as its
commander, marches to Tor Garen and claims its first victory. Tor Garen
is a vast wall guarding Daein's border. Manned by battalions of
well-trained soldiers, it was long thought impenetrable. Yet the
strength of the Crimean army under General Ike's leadership far
outstrips Daein's expectations, and Tor Garen falls. Learning of
Gallia's increasing interest in the war, Ike wastes no time ordering
his troops further into the heart of Daein. The gears of history, which
had come to a halt with the fall of Crimea, slowly creak to life once
more...
Exit base
Petrine
Naesala! King Naesala of Kilvas! I would speak with you now!
Naesala
Oh, if it isn't General Petrine. What brings you up to these frosty
mountain peaks?
Petrine
I've no time for pleasantries. Is it true? Has Crimea's army breached
Tor Garen?
Naesala
Though I am loathe to report it, this appears to be the case.
Petrine
Bah! Kayachey, you worthless dog! Being defeated by that girl's motley
band just proves how useless he was.
Naesala
Surely it's not the general's fault alone. He was told that Crimea's
army was weak and that Tor Garen was impregnable. And yet...he was
defeated. I'd say that someone severely underestimated our enemy.
Wouldn't you?
Petrine
What was that? Do you dare to insult Daein, crow? Men have forfeited
their lives for less.
Naesala
Insult Daein? Never! Come now, General Petrine. I'm merely stating the
facts. Regardless of the previous battle's outcome, Crimea's army will
be stopped here. I will be taking the field myself.
Petrine
...Hmph. Sounds like you've set the stage for a grand performance.
Naesala
General Petrine, Kilvas will always stand at Daein's side... As long as
we receive our payment, of course.
Petrine
If gold is all it takes, then may our friendship never end. See to it
that your performance warrants such consideration! Homasa! Come here!
Homasa
Yes.
Petrine
Work with King Kilvas and put a stop to Crimea's army. No screw ups! Or
else!
Homasa
Leave it to me, General.
Petrine
I will not suffer another failure, King Kilvas. You must finish them,
and do so quickly...Are we clear? Arrr! I am sick to death of being
made a fool by that Crimean floozy and her pathetic band of sellswords!
Naesala
And the remaining portion of my fee?
Petrine
Don't worry, we have it ready. You'll get paid when the job is done.
Naesala
As long as we're clear on that point, everything's settled. Well then,
I'm off.
Petrine
Dog's breath! Even by half-breed standards, those crows are complete
scum! Give that one even the smallest opening, and he'll steal the eyes
from your skull. What an untrustworthy wretch.
Janaff
So, General...there look to be a lot of enemy soldiers ahead. Mostly
Daein, but there are some crows from Kilvas as well.
Ike
More than our last fight?
Janaff
Yeah, there's a lot, but the most troubling thing is that King Kilvas
is with them.
Ike
The crow king himself is cooperating with Daein?
Janaff
Yep. And compared to the other crows, the king is in a class by
himself. Obviously, he's no match for our king, but... Anyway, you
should move carefully.
Janaff was killed
Ulki
...General Ike. I hear the sound of many wings ahead. It would seem
Kilvas soldiers have joined the troops of Daein for this fight.
Ike
Is Kilvas's contingent larger than the what we faced in the last battle?
Ulki
There are many... But what causes me more concern is the voice of King
Kilvas.
Ike
The king himself is cooperating with Daein?
Ulki
Yes. And compared to the other crows, the king is in a class by
himself. We must be cautious.
Ulki and Janaff were killed or refused Reyson's offer
Bengion Soldier
Enemy forces ahead! It's the Daien army!
Ike
An ambush on this mountain road... They're trying to stop us from
crossing. How many are there?
Bengion Soldier
It's not a huge battalion, and they're mainly foot soldiers. Whether
they're a match for us or not, I can't say. ...Hold, General! Kilvas
crows have
just been spotted as well!
Conversation continues
Ike
An entire unit under the command of King Kilvas? I think that bodes ill
for us.
Soren
The outcome of the battle hinges on how we deal with them.
Ike
...
Titania
Kilvas soldiers, hm? As fellow bird tribe laguz, what can you tell us
about them?
Janaff
Please don't lump us together with those carrion birds.
Ulki
We're not partial...to the crows.
Reyson
...
Ike
As you know, we are outmanned by the Daein troops. Is there any way to
get the ravens to withdraw? That would be a tremendous help.
Janaff
...Well, suppose I could go meet with King Kilvas... If I had to. I
don't think that my speaking to him is going to make a difference,
though.
Ulki
If you like, we will try, but...Don't expect anything to come of it.
Reyson
No matter the circumstance, I will never again speak to a crow.
Soren
No matter what we decide, sitting here like this is giving the enemy
more time to prepare.
Ike
You're right. Come on, let's get moving!
Daein Soldier
Sir! The Crimean army has arrived!
Homasa
I hope they are prepared to pass into oblivion. For this will be their
final resting place!
Naesala
Crimean stragglers joined with an army on loan from Begnion. I've even
heard they have a betrayer in their midst. And yet they still march
on... What an odd group. But as long as Kilvas stands at the side of
Daein, they have no future. Ah, I suppose they're just unlucky.
Nasir
It appears the enemy has spotted us.
Ike
Well, a group this large is hard to miss.
Nasir
How will you proceed?
Ike
No tricks. Nothing fancy. We'll hit them from the front--fast and hard.
Nasir
I'm sure you're already aware of this, but if you don't do something
about Kilvas, you're at a disadvantage.
Ike
Yes, I've heard about the ravens... But even so, it's not as if we can
turn tail and run away.
Nasir
Now that I think on it, King Kilvas and Prince Reyson used to be close
friends. Did you ask him to speak to the king?
Ike
He was most emphatic in his refusal. It seems that Naesala was
responsible for Reyson's capture at the hands of Duke Tanas. I can't
really blame him.
Nasir
And the hawks? They, too, are of the bird tribes. Surely some
connection can be found there.
Ike
They...weren't very excited about the suggestion.
Nasir
You could command them to do it.
Ike
There's an antagonism between the tribes that we don't understand. I'd
rather not force the issue. Trying to coerce them into it would
be...unfair. I will let them do as they please.
Nasir
That is so very like you. However, giving orders that are unpopular is
often necessary when one is in command, and--
Ike
Maybe so. But I can only do things the best I know how. My own way.
Ike
Come, it's time to go!
Janaff talks to Naesala
Naesala
You...
Janaff
King Kilvas! You egg-stealing snake.
Naesala
One of Tibarn's flock, eh? You are his "eyes," if I'm not mistaken.
Janaff
It's not enough that you sold the White Prince to humans? Now you're
fighting against laguz?
Naesala
You hawks rescued Reyson didn't you? So everything worked out in the
end! What's the problem?
Janaff
I'd like you to repeat those words to the prince's face.
Naesala
Reyson is here? HERE?! Why?!
Janaff
He supports the Crimean army! The beorc leading this army helped him to
escape Serenes Forest.
Naesala
Helped him? Are you saying a human came to the aid of Reyson? A laguz?
Janaff
Yes! And he rescued Princess Leanne, too!
Naesala
Leanne...is alive?
Janaff
Don't play the fool! You know the life of the forest has returned. That
was their power at work.
Naesala
I see. That's how the forest...Of course.
Janaff
Listen up, crow! You need to fly over there and talk to the prince. If
you don't do it, I'm gonna know that you really are the enemy and
report that back to King Tibarn. Think it over!
Naesala
Yes... Mmm...What to do.
Naesala
You...
Ulki
King Kilvas. Why have you decided to make the laguz your enemy?
Naesala
One of Tibarn's flock, eh? You are his "ears," if I'm not mistaken.
Ulki
Why did you sell Prince Reyson to a beorc?
Naesala
You hawks rescued Reyson didn't you? So everything worked out in the
end! What's the problem?
Ulki
Would you repeat your words to Prince Reyson himself?
Naesala
Reyson is here? HERE?! Why?!
Ulki
The beorc leading this army helped him to escape Serenes Forest.
Naesala
Helped him? Are you saying a human came to the aid of Reyson? A laguz?
Ulki
That is what I say. He also rescued Princess Leanne.
Naesala
Leanne...is alive?
Ulki
She was asleep for all these years. The forest protected her. Their
voices brought the forest back to life.
Naesala
Of course, so that's how...
Ulki
Why don't you try speaking to Prince Reyson? If you do that, perhaps
King Tibarn's rage will burn less brightly.
Naesala
Tibarn's rage, eh? Hmm...Mmm...
Naesala talks to Reyson
Naesala
Reyson!
Reyson
...
Naesala
Hey, Reyson! Look at you! You look sharp, kid!
Reyson
Go...away...
Naesala
Oh, so you can talk.
Reyson
You... How dare you show your face to me!
Naesala
Well, I have been called brazen before. Some have gone so far as to say
shameless. Come on, at least let me give you a reason.
Reyson
Begone! My ears are closed to you.
Naesala
Reyson, we're friends, are we not?
Reyson
Oh, yes! Friends! In fact, we're such good friends that you sold me to
that foul, bloated man!
Naesala
I didn't really sell you! Besides, I planned on rescuing you right
away. You were just impatient and flew away on your own, so--
Reyson
Are you blaming me?
Naesala
No, no! Well, maybe... I mean...It was I who was in the wrong. On all
accounts.
Reyson
...
Naesala
No one was hurt in the end. Come on, smooth those ruffled feathers. All
right?
Reyson
Leanne is alive.
Naesala
Yes, Tibarn's attendant told me. That's wonderful news. When he sees
her face, I'm sure King Lorazieh will begin to feel better at once.
Things are really looking up, aren't they, Reyson?
Reyson
...I suppose that... If you hadn't deceived me and taken me to the
forest... We might not have discovered her... So, I will forgive you.
Just this once!
Naesala
Reyson! Oh, that's--
Reyson
WITH...conditions. Will you accept them?
Naesala
...What are they?
Reyson
Pull your troops from this battle. Now. And never again enter into
combat against your fellow laguz.
Naesala
Oh, come now, Reyson. That's asking too much--
Reyson
What will you do, then? Will you continue to fight the Crimean army to
which I'm in service?
Naesala
Very well. You win, Reyson. I'll leave and take my soldiers with me.
However, I cannot say what the future will bring. I have the fate of my
nation to consider after all.
Reyson
Hmm... Very well.
Naesala
So, we're friends again? Come to Kilvas for a visit, will you? Nealuchi
will be so pleased.
Reyson
I'll do that. When this war is over, Leanne and I will both come.
Naesala
Oh, and as for Tibarn...
Reyson
I'll speak with him. There's no need for you to worry.
Naesala
Thank you. Farewell. And watch yourself! This is war, you know?
Obtained knight ring
Naesala
Oh, I almost forgot. I've got something for you. Call it an "I'm sorry"
present.
Reyson
Eh? What's this supposed to be?
Naesala
It's a human trinket. It's called a knight ring.
Reyson
Something made by beorc?
Naesala
Don't make such a disgusted face. I tried it, and it proved to be quite
useful.
Reyson
Understood. I'll take it for now.
Naesala
Don't get killed, Reyson. If anything were to happen to you... Nealuchi
would never let me hear the end of it.
Reyson
Naesala... Thank you.
After Naesala spoke to Reyson
Naesala
Listen to me, darkwings! We of Kilvas are leaving. Turn at once and
head for home.
Homasa
Kilvas has betrayed us?
Daein Soldier
I think "abandoned" would be more accurate, but--
Homasa
Idiot! It's the same thing! Aaaargh! Accursed sub-humans! We should
never have trusted them.
Homasa is attacked
Homasa
My sword is lightning! Do you think you can follow its dance?
Naesala is attacked
Naesala
Oh ho! Black wings! Among humans these are considered bad omens, are
they not? Then take these omens as fact, and let them herald you to the
afterlife!
Homasa dies
Homasa
...The shame...
Naesala dies as an NPC
Naesala
N-no... This cannot be...Is this...my...fate? What of Kilvas--
Naesala dies as an enemy
Naesala
Guaa... I was careless...and you're better than expected. To me, my
brethren! We leave at once!
After battle
Homasa is killed but Naesala didn't retreat
Raven Laguz
King Naesala, the Daein army has been routed!
Naesala
How nice. What a lot of braggarts they turned out to be. Very well, let
us withdraw as well.
Raven Laguz
Are you sure? If we retreat now, what will General Petrine say?
Naesala
Promises made to humans are worth less than a dead snake. Forget about
her. Losing the remainder of our payment stings, but still... You can't
buy your life back, can you?
Raven Laguz
Good point. Well made, sir.
Naesala
Fly, my darkwings! We return to Kilvas!
Made Naesala retreat by talking with Reyson
Ike
We won...somehow.
Nasir
It's because you did an excellent job of driving off the ravens.
Ike
Yeah, if we had continued to fight them, we would have suffered more
casualties than this. I must extend thanks to Reyson.
Elincia
My lord Ike! I'm pleased to see you well. You haven't been injured,
have you?
Ike
Princess Elincia. I'm fine. I'm unharmed.
Elincia
Oh, that's good...
Titania
Ike! May I have a word? And if you don't mind, Princess Elincia, would
you join us as well? Please join me in that building.
Elincia
What could it be?
Ike
Let's go see.
Didn't made Naesala retreat
Ike
We won...somehow.
Ike
Yeah, if we had continued to fight them, we would have suffered more
casualties than this. I must extend thanks to Reyson.
Elincia
My lord Ike! I'm pleased to see you well. You haven't been injured,
have you?
Ike
Princess Elincia. I'm fine. I'm unharmed.
Elincia
Oh, that's good...
Titania
Ike! May I have a word? And if you don't mind, Princess Elincia, would
you join us as well? Please join me in that building.
Elincia
What could it be?
Ike
Let's go see.
Conversation continues
Elincia
This is...
Ike
Holy...
Titania
Incredible, no? It's gold. All of it.
Ike
Daein must be filthy rich! There's so much, it doesn't even seem real.
What do we do with it?
Soren
It's the spoils of war. So naturally, it's ours.
Ike
In that case, I'd like to borrow fifty thousand. Would that be all
right?
Titania
That's a lot of money. What are you planning on doing?
Ike
It's a private matter...
Titania
I apologize, Commander. You're not a child. There's no reason for me to
pry.
Soren
...
Elincia
My lord Ike, please use this gold for the mercenary company. Until now,
I haven't had the resources to adequately pay them. So please...
Ike
No, if I may borrow the fifty thousand, that will be more than--
Titania
You won't borrow it, you'll accept it! And in good faith. The remainder
we'll give to Soren for company maintenance. Would that be all right,
Princess Elincia?
Elincia
Yes, of course.
Petrine
Grrr...
Daein Soldier
Um, General P-Petrine? P-please, General! I'm just a...m-messenger!
H-however...I have to tell you--
Petrine
I already heard, you dunderhead! I hated those filthy crows right from
the start. Even so, to be betrayed in such a fashion... Grrr... Someone
will pay for this! Oh, you certainly had your way with us, didn't you,
King Kilvas? But if you want to make an enemy of Daein, then so be it!
Once Gallia's fallen, we'll turn our attention to your puny nation and
wipe it off the face of the world!
Daein Soldier
...
Petrine
Why are you still there? Do you find me amusing?! Shall I make my lance
dance for you?
Daein Soldier
N-no, ma'am! No! Never! N-not at all! I beg your pardon! So sorry...
I'll be...going...now...
Petrine
Dog's breath! I need...something. A brilliant plan... If this continues
much longer, the king will have my head.
Volke
You wanted to see me?
Ike
You've waited a long time. Take this. It's the gold you were promised.
Volke
Finally scraped it together, eh? I'll gladly accept it.
Ike
Aren't you going to count it?
Volke
There's no need. I'll trust you.
Ike
All right, then I'll take what was promised. The report you wrote for
my father.
Volke
There isn't one.
Ike
What?
Volke
There is no report. Never was.
Ike
You lied to me? You exploited my need to know more about my father!?
Volke
There is something I must tell you. However, it could not be written
down. It is too great of a secret for that. Your father told me to wait
until I thought you were mature enough to hear it, and then to tell you
myself.
Ike
Mature? Then what was the fifty thousand gold for?!
Volke
Ah, the gold. That was my idea. I thought it would be a good way to
test how resourceful and responsible you were.
Ike
Get started. I want to hear it all.
Volke
I've spent a long time as Greil's hired shadow. A long time. I remained
hidden from sight in case the day ever arrived that I needed to fulfill
my contract... All that time, for one job.
Ike
What was it?
Volke
If Greil were ever to go berserk, I was to stop him. I was to take his
life.
Ike
What?!
Volke
Actually, there was one other thing. If Greil were ever slain by his
pursuers... I was to watch over his son and tell him Greil's secret at
an appropriate time. That was my job.
Ike
Berserk... What are you talking about? Why would you have to kill my
father?
Volke
Because of Lehran's Medallion.
Ike
What medallion? What are you talking about?
Volke
The medallion your sister carries.
Ike
Huh? That old bronze thing? I thought it was just a keepsake of my
mother's... Are you telling me that it's something more?
Volke
Greil told me it was an object of great peril, but nothing more. I did
some investigating on my own, though. And what I discovered...surprised
me.
Ike
Tell me.
Volke
Lehran was one of the heron clan, an ancestor of our Prince Reyson,
who carried with him a bronze medallion. Long, long ago, a band
of heroes defeated an evil god and imprisoned it therein.
Ike
An evil god? Do you think this is funny? You ARE joking, aren't you?
Volke
Unfortunately, I'm not. And I've no idea how the cursed thing came to
be in Greil's possession. That being said, I do know that the men who
hunted your father were actually seeking the medallion. Why they wanted
it and what they planned to do with it... Just thinking about it gives
me chills.
Ike
I'm finding all of this a little hard to believe. You said the
medallion was "an object of great peril," didn't you? Then why would my
father allowMist to carry it around? That doesn't make any sense.
Volke
It's because she can carry it safely. Actually, she's the only one who
can. If you want proof, think back. Have you ever once touched it?
Ike
...No. I haven't. A long time ago, I remember reaching out for it while
Mist had it in her hand... My father scolded me harshly. After that, I
assumed...it was my sister's alone, and I never reached for it again.
Volke
Compared to other people, the balance within your sister is extremely
strong. Your mother, it seems, was the same. That's why they could bear
it safely. The medallion is like a strong poison. It takes the worst
aspects of a person and magnifies them a thousandfold. Greil touched it
only once, and it drove him to complete madness.
Ike
So that's what you meant when you said he went berserk?
Volke
That's right. Beorc and laguz are made up of two forces: balance and
chaos. In this, there is no difference between us. It is the proportion
of balance to chaos that determines how much the medallion
affects a person. In that sense, it predicts how much harm that person
might do.
Volke
Your father was one of the preeminent swordsmen of his generation. That
day, after he touched the medallion...Twenty soldiers had come for him.
Twenty highly trained killers. Your father barely broke a sweat cutting
them down. Then he began attacking his neighbors, those who had taken
him in, concealed his identity, and called him friend. He slew them one
by one, until your mother rushed in...thinking only to save her husband
from himself.
Volke
It was over in an instant. Your mother grabbed the medallion from his
hand and stepped away from him...They say she smiled as he pulled his
sword from her breast and forgave him as her life's blood spilled into
the street.
Ike
My father...killed my mother? No. That can't be...
Volke
It was the medallion. Its power is too great for any man. Even one of
your father's caliber. Me? You? If either of us touched it, I'm certain
that we both would have been consumed by madness. When your father
regained his senses, he tracked me down. It seems he'd heard rumors of
me some time before. He said he had need of someone like me:
closemouthed, skilled, and most importantly, willing to do any sort of
work. Of course, after hearing what he wanted me to do, I turned him
down. Greil was once a famed general... He was Sir Gawain, one of
Daein's Four Riders, and I recognized him at once.
There was no chance someone like me would ever be able to stop him.
Ike
But you took the job anyway...Why did you change your mind?
Volke
Greil had lost his wife, and his grief was overpowering. To keep
anything like that from happening again, he crippled himself. He
slashed the tendons in his sword hand so that he could not wield a
sword again. I took the job only because he had become someone my skill
could handle. And even then, he was still far stronger than most men...
Ike
I... I don't know what to say...
Volke
That is Greil's secret, as I know it. I now entrust to you the
responsibility of seeing that the medallion does not fall into the
wrong hands. Your sister must keep it.
Ike
...As my father lay dying, he told me to forget everything and live in
peace. What did he mean?
Volke
He didn't want you to lose yourself and go hunting for revenge, I
suppose. He was killed much, much sooner than he ever expected to be.
Ike
So my father's dying wish was for me to protect the medallion? If I can
do that, everything will be all right?
Volke
I believe so. At the very least, that must take precedent over
everything else.
Ike
I understand.
Volke is dead
Volke
Well then, my work here is done.
Ike
...
Volke
Whatever you decide to do now is up to you.
Ike
If I call, can I count on your assistance again?
Volke
If I'm not busy with anything else, I might agree to work for you
again. Farewell.
Ike
Father...
Selected the decline option in chapter 9
Volke
Well then, my work here is done.
Ike
...
Volke
Whatever you decide to do now is up to you.
Ike
If I call, can I count on your assistance again?
Volke
I guess we'll have to see. I won't do anything that goes against my
better judgment.
Ike
Father...
Volke
Oh, one last thing.
Ike
What is it?
Volke
Do you want to hire me? In the event that you go berserk someday? If we
make a deal now, you won't have to worry about it anymore. As for
payment... I can take it out of the fifty thousand you just gave me.
What do you say?
Don't Hire
Ike
No... I don't think that's right for me.
Volke
I see.
Ike
What will you do now?
Volke
I'll continue on as before. If you need anything, call me. That's all.
Ike
Understood.
Hire
Ike
Please.
Volke
That's a wise decision....And in that case, I no longer need to conceal
my true identity.
Ike
Huh?
Volke
I'm not really a thief. I'm an assassin. From now on, I'll take on any
job you've got, no matter how...dirty.
Conversation continues
Ike
Father... Mother......Oh, why...
Base Conversations
Jill
Mist
Bye. See ya later!
Jill
Yep. Oh, Mist! Watch your step! It's slippery...
Mist
Whooooa!
Jill
Mist!
Mist
Ow! I landed right on my butt! Hee hee! This snow's cold!
Jill
Be careful!
Mist
All righty! Hey, watch, Jill! I'm gonna make a snow angel! Wheeee!
Jill
...It must be nice to be so cheerful.
Unknown
Jill!
Jill
...Who's there?
Haar
It's me.
Jill
Captain Haar? B-but...This is an enemy camp!
Haar
I've been trying to track you down ever since you disappeared at Toha.
I figured you were off chasing after the Crimeans. I never imagined
that you would join up with them.
Jill
At first, it was just circumstance, but... But now it's different. Now
I'm with them because I want to be. Spending time with them--and coming
into contact with laguz--has shown me what a fool I've been.
Haar
Laguz? I never thought I would hear that word from someone who once
said "sub-human" with such absolute hatred. Sounds like you've had some
good experiences with this happy little band.
Jill
I knew that if anyone would understand, it would be you, Captain.
Haar
So you're forming your own set of values for the first time. That's
good. That's very, very good. But what are you planning to do now? If
you keep moving forward, you're going to face General Shiharam before
long.
Jill
Causing trouble for my father was never my intent. However...As a
member of this army, I will face him with my shoulders straight and my
head held high.
Haar
So you're determined to see this through?
Jill
I am!
Haar
So be it. Then there's nothing left to be said. Farewell. The next time
we meet, it will be as enemies. Prepare yourself... And get some rest!
You know how important it is.
Jill
...
Mist
Ike? Can I talk to you? A few minutes ago, a man I've never seen before
showed up and spoke to Jill. I wasn't sure what was going on, so I went
and found you. W-what should we do? Whatever they're talking about, it
sure looks serious!
Ike
Jill trained in the Daein army. Fighting against her countrymen will be
tough...No matter how prepared she thinks she is.
Mist
I don't care what happens! You can't let her fight against her own
father! All right, Ike?
Ike
Hmmm. It might not be a bad idea to keep her at the base camp...Just
while we're in Daein.
Three Brothers
Boyd
What do you think, guys? Are we going to be able to perform a new
special attack?
Oscar
I think we might. I was looking through some old scrolls on fighting
techniques, and I found one that looks perfect.
Boyd
Awesome! Nice work!
Rolf
What is it?! What is it!? Come on, tell us how it works!
Oscar
Well, if we want to learn it, there are some things we'll have to do.
Boyd
Aw, dang! I hope it's not all technical, 'cause I won't be able to keep
up. Just summarize it, will you?
Oscar
I can do that. All right, the most important thing is we all have to
use the same weapon. So, if all three of us can use a bow, that'll be
one problem out of the way.
Boyd
A bow? You and I have to use bows?
Oscar
Boyd, are you even listening to me? Yes, we all have to use the same
weapon. That's part of the deal.
Boyd
Crud! Nothing we can do about it, I guess. You better not slow us down,
Rolf! You little brat.
Rolf
Stop calling me a brat! I'm a better archer than you! If anyone slows
us down, it'll be you, Boyd!
Boyd
What did you say? I'm gonna--
Oscar
Knock it off, Boyd! Your skills with a bow aren't as polished as
Rolf's. Anyone can see that. Which means that even if Rolf has some
natural skill, whoever taught him the fundamentals was an expert
archer...
Boyd
Yeah, I know, but he just keeps blabbering this nonsense about how he
taught himself.
Rolf
I... I did teach myself! I'm a prodigy.
Oscar
Well, judging by your stance and the way you hold the bow, I think we
all know the real story.
Rolf
Eeep!
Boyd
Huh? What is it? What real story?!
Rolf
Oscar! No! Shhh!
Oscar
...The story... That Rolf's lucky to have a genius like me for a
brother, that's what.
Boyd
Aw, stop messing around. This is getting stupid.
Rolf
Whew...
Unkown
What're you guys talking about?
Ike
The three of you have been huddled up here for a while now. What are
you scheming?
Boyd
Shh! Um... Uh... Hi, Ike!
Oscar
Scheming is such an ugly word! We're just--
Rolf
Oh, hey, Ike! We're working on this special man--
Boyd
Yaaaaaaaaa!
Boyd
Gaaa...I forgot something...
Boyd
Oooo...gotta go...
Boyd
Sorry about that, Ike. He's been acting a bit odd these days.
Ike
Really? Seems to me that you're the odd one in the bunch.
Boyd
Um, sure, all right! Do us a favor, though, and make sure the three of
us are all in the next battle.
Ike
Sure, I guess that's fine. But why?
Boyd
Well, it's a surprise. That's all. We'll show you later! I'm sure
you'll like it! Come on! We can't be standing around all day. Let's go!
Oscar! Rolf!
Ike
Special man? Hmm... Man......Mandolin?...Manicotti?...Manifesto? Oh,
who cares?
Janaff
Janaff
Brrr... I'll take on any number of enemies, but this snow is another
story! I think my beautiful wings are icing over.
Ike
That sounds like trouble. Are you going to be able to fly?
Janaff
...Yes, of course I can fly. These wings aren't for looks, you know?
They're made of flesh and blood and feathers. It's not like I'm some
animal that has to hibernate when winter rolls in. Sheesh! Can't you
beorc tell the difference between comic exaggeration and serious
conversation?
Ike
Um... Oh, I was supposed to laugh, was I? Sorry about that.
Janaff
Oh, my...such sincerity. This is unexpected. It looks like someone
taught you manners.
Ike
Er...
Janaff
By the way, I've been meaning to ask...What are our chances for victory?
Ike
We're still at an extreme disadvantage.
Janaff
What? That's not the answer I wanted! You gotta do better than that,
beorc general! I'm here! If we lose, how am I ever going to show my
face in Phoenicis again?
Ike
We're at a disadvantage, but I don't intend to lose. There's a man in
Daein that I need to find...and I will be the last thing that he sees.
Janaff
Ha ha! Well said! I wish you could repeat that to today's younger
generation. There are some weaklings back home that I don't even want
to call hawks. I'd love to stick 'em back in their eggs and start over
from scratch.
Ike
Hey, you hatch from eggs?! Eh?
Janaff
I was speaking figuratively. You know? Like...a metaphor? We haven't
hatched from eggs for many generations now. Silly beorc... All right,
I'm outta here. I gotta warm up the ol' wings before battle, or who
knows what might happen.
Ike
I figured that egg thing was a joke, but I had no idea it ever really
happened...Bird tribes... Go figure.
Ulki
Ike
Excuse me, do you have a moment?
Ulki
...Oh. General Ike. What is it?
Ike
It's nothing really...I just thought I'd say hello.
Ulki
That's...considerate.
Ike
Um... Your king is very generous, isn't he? And it's not just Reyson
I'm talking about. He left us his two retainers as well.
Ulki
...How do we pertain to the king's generosity?
Ike
I guess it's because Reyson kept apologizing... I just thought that...
Am I misinterpreting something?
Ulki
I...don't know. But I know that the king can survive without our help.
Ike
Is that true? That's pretty amazing. I've been given the title of lord,
but I still can't run this army on my own. Titania and Soren handle all
the little details, and that's what keeps us from collapsing into chaos.
Ulki
Our king...does nothing special. Everyone just does what's needed.
There is no chaos.
Ike
He's really trusted, isn't he?
Ulki
That's...natural. In laguz society, the strongest become king. Unlike
the beorc, kingship is not tied to blood, so we have no weak kings. I'm
sorry... Perhaps that was improper.
Ike
No, I agree with you. Choosing a ruler by strength instead of birth
makes much more sense.
Ulki
When we face Begnion troops, we target the units with weak leadership
and eliminate them first. Beorc weapons can be very powerful, but not
everyone wields them well. Since beorc also choose generals by
bloodlines, their competency is uneven...and that is a weakness of
beorc armies. As for you, General Ike, the time to prove yourself is
approaching.
Ike
It's true. No matter how strong the individuals are, that strength is
worthless if they're weak as a unit. An army's power comes from
leadership and management... That's good to remember. Thanks.
Ulki
Mmm.
