"Hmmm..."Patrice seems to be in deep thought, pondering about his sister's words.
"He is a good man. I won't doubt that. A hard worker, a qualified warrior, and with Ghal's death he also cemented himself a protector of people. But is goodness all that motivates him? Or does he desire to prove something? To others? Or to himself? That truly is..."
"Such is no insolence for me. A proper ruler should face each challenge and find innovative solutions where others would only see a rock and a hard place. I may not have the full strength of the blood as Secondborn, but I will balance it with qualities the people wish to see in a ruler. Especially after this war."Marigold grows silent. On the flipside, Duchess Eleshyn has an encouraging smile.
"I guess you really could call Meshel the Seventh Chosen, even if he is most likely not of blood."
"I just wish the Sage could guide us, the people of Khalderas, more actively. Maybe the war could have been prevented, or the disappearance of the Mamkute Tribe, if he would have appeared at courts..."
"Maybe. There's value in soldiers too. But it is the duty of those of blood to spread it across the land and sacrifice themselves so those of Major Blood may live another day. The more people of blood, the more sturdy the seal holding back the Dark One is. It is not merely pride. It is to prevent a second Age of Strife."
"It's mostly pride with you though, Thrum." "I am proud because I do my part in keeping humanity safe! Only Spawnkin wouldn't be proud of such a role... Well, that's too harsh of a statement, I admit. But blood exists for a reason, no matter if you like it or not, squirrel avenger."
"..."
"You're right, Rork. It will be impossible to swap them out secretly, especially now so shortly before the ceremony, but thank you. The truth... matters. Ceodor, you brought it with you as I asked, right?"
"Of course, Sir."He hands over a simple, small bag to Dunas.
[Now Playing: Tear Ring Saga - Legend of Yutona]King Alfalm stands tall in front of his throne and raises his hand, demanding attention. The royal siblings excuse themselves, with Arnston standing close to his father and Eleya taking a small jewelry box from the royal bodyguard Orlsen. The hall quickly becomes silent.
"We shall now commence the Emblem Ceremony."Princess Eleya graciously delivers the box to King Alfalm.
"I am aware that this is a historic event, for it has been too long since the last one. A decade? Two? I shall adress the rumors right now: For the longest time, looking at the Emblem... it brought me pain. A pain shared by all of us, the kidnapping of Crown Prince Falmer. My hope ever burned bright to find him, but every time I saw the Fire Emblem, it made me falter in my willpower. And yet, I should have also thought of the people, of serving you all, of which a ceremony is integral. In that regard, I have disappointed you. Please accept my deepest apologies."Alfalm opens the box in Eleya's hands, grasping something within it with silk gloves. The Fire Emblem. Or, as Dunas' Entourage is most likely aware of now, a convincing replica. It was not shining and no crest shows on his forehead. Unsurprising, since direct contact is necessary to show someone's bloodline.
"Even now, the Emblem weights heavily in my hands, far greater than the sum of its material components. Yet, hope must return once more for the people. I call the four Dukes and Duchesses of Dunland forward. First, of Angbar, Duchess Marigold. Do you wish to..."Greoger Alfalm let his eyes shift to the side and suddenly grows silent, beginning to cough. If a particularily attentive one would follow his gaze, they would notice Sir Dunas, holding a jewel box quite similar to the one Eleya is still holding.
"He knows..."The king quickly regains his composure.
"Pardon. Duchess Marigold, do you wish to confirm your presumed bloodless nature?"She shakes her head, declining.
"Very well. Duchess Eleshyn of Felworn, do you wish to confirm your presumed mix of Charos and Usala blood?"She, too, shakes her head and declines.
"I understand. Duke Laspa of Lestern, do you wish to confirm your presumed bloodless nature."He politely declines.
"... Duke Zornac of Thavios, do you wish to confirm your presumed Charos bloodline?"
"I cannot fathom why the others would decline, but I shall not do so."Eligor Zornac steps forward. King Alfalm gently rubs the emblem as he hands it over. As protocol demands, Zornac faces the audience, raising the Emblem above his head. The red gem on the Emblem glows, confirming Minor Charos. As soon as it began, the Emblem is returned to the king. He places it back in the jewel box, Princess Eleya lightly curties and brings the box back to Orlson.
"For something that didn't happen in so long, it was an unusually swift ceremony. Fate surely has its quirky path. With that done..." "Your Majesty! If I may!"Sir Dunas quickly steps forward, before the lowest step of the small stairs leading to the eleveated throne. The guests are confused, whispering to each other.
"Sir Dunas... That is rather uncouth of you." "And I apologize for my sudden interjection. But I have not found the right time yet to deliver this gift of mine to you, so this may be the last moment before the guests separates into those who attend the desserts and those who enjoy their remaining stay in the guest quarters."He looks towards Lulu for a second, his eyes saddened, as if wishing to say sorry to her.
"Dunas... Don't..."The knight opens the jewel box, revealing the Fire Emblem. Of course, only those near the thrones could properly see it, but it was enough to make King Alfalm close his eyes and take a breath while his children and his bodyguard seem confused.
"I cannot fathom the purpose of such a... gift, Lord Dunas. Nor those of your actions." "Why, royal knight, what is this?"Prince Arnston steps forward and grabs the Fire Emblem, holding it in front of himself and thus making it visible for the audience. There was a gasp going through the audience as they realize what Sir Dunas presented to the royal family.
The Emblem did not glow.
"... What are you intending to do with such an insulting trinket, knight?" "Wait... That means, Your Royal Highness is...!"[Now Playing: Tear Ring Saga - Swordmaster]A sudden strong rumble fills the hall, swiftly shutting down whatever was going on. From outside the hall, people begin to shout and shriek. As the confusion within the hall peaks, the western wall suddenly bursts, bricks and rubble flying through the air, hurting a few people, sadly including Tanja.
People instintively draw their weapons, if avaible, but as they realize what storms into the hall, the sheer awe and shock makes it difficult to uphold proper posture. For they witness something that hasn't been seen in decades. Something that, given the circumstances, is far worse than a Darkspawn.
Shimmering bronze scales and wings spread to assert dominance, a large dragon enters the scene.
"A... a Mamkute...! But how...?"The air begins to smell of ozone, soon discharging into lightning bolts running across walls, the ceiling and the pillars. It didn't hit anyone, but the immediate threat makes people flee in a panic. The knights Dulosta, Jernigan and Vigrid help the people outside in as orderly a fashion as possible and also assisting or even carrying the injured while Orlsen reacts swiftly and guides the royal family towards the side entrance they came from, grabbing a panicking Queen Ulen by her arm.
In the end, only few people remain in the hall: Dunas' Entourage sans Tanja, Sir Thrum, Duchess Eleshyn and Count Palatine Ragnvald.
"Please come to your senses, mighty dragon! It is not yet too late for peaceful talk! What is it that you want?" "I do not know where you come from, Mamkute, but stay your claw and transform back immediately if you don't want your head to decorate my wall!" "It would be a shame if a Mamkute would die so shortly after one appears from beyond the veil of the past. Dearest sister, I shall protect you as I attempt to make the Mamkute come back to its senses."91/100 EXPVictory Condition: Defeat the Dragon, convince Eleshyn and Thrum to flee, or find a different solution.
- Dunas counts as permanently dismounted.
- Allies reduced to 0 HP will have death timers similar to Player Characters.
- The Dragon is a powerful opponent who can easily withstand multiple attacks each turn. Be watchful of its Rampaging Swipes and Gathering Storm Specials.
- Eleshyn and Thrum can be given commands, but they will focus on fighting the Dragon, or keeping their distance if the Dragon could use Rampaging Swipes. Commands that do not achieve these goals will be ignored for now.
- Dunas' Entourage and Patrice can TALK to Eleshyn, Thrum and the Dragon.
Author
Topic: Fire Emblem on Forums: Heritage of the Chosen (IC) (Read 36908 times)