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[GreenKnight]

Rork settles his axe back on his shoulder, glad to see that they didn't have to duel to the death with the Manakete today. The fact that it was, in reality, his Liege's mother was something to be worried about later, not now. Having noticed Noelle was no longer with the group, the burly axeman trudges up to Ceodore.

"Did Noelle escape with the other party goers? Lost track of her during... That." Rork says, waving a hand to the massive hole in the wall that Wymera had made.

[SirAston]

"Allow me to assist."
The Count Palatine also approaches Rhian and does his part in helping.

After making sure that Emilia is being accounted for, Sir - or rather, Lord Dunas - looks towards Rork.

"I would assume as much. Sir Jernigan said the safety of the guests had been assured."
His eyes then fall once more upon his mother, revealed to be a Mamkute.
"... Being His Majesty's bastard was already a tough life. And now I learn that I am part Mamkute."
"Please forgive me, my son. I did not intend to withhold this truth from you, but... As you might have already figured out, the so-called disappearance of our tribe... was a massacre. Orchestrated by Greoger."
"Why? And how did no one notice this truth?"
"I wish I knew... Maybe our tribe really was hated for the longest time."

The Duchess steps forward.

"I refuse to believe as much. The only one who openly showed their distaste was Duke Zornac and a genocide would be too drastic an action even for him."
"Humm... I had some suspicions and superstitions, but I no longer feel strongly about them since very recently. Still, servant of the castle, your actions were of both bravado and foolishness. To risk so much for so little gain, all on your own."
"... About that... ... I am not working alone."
"...! Oh no... You did all this to distract us, didn't you?"
"That is correct, Sir Jernigan."
"Thrum! Jernigan! Hurry! You must find His Majesty!"
"At once! You coming with us, boy!"
"I shall remain here until Emilia is healthy again and Wymera has been arrested. She may be my mother, but treason is treason."
"... I could arrest her, since I can imagine that-"
"I. am. fine! Serve the crown first!"

Startled by his outburst, Thrum, Jernigan and Eleshyn leave the scene.

"..."
"..."


Meanwhile, in a different part of the castle, King Alfalm of Dunland hastily moves through the corridors, Orlsen by his side.

"... Your Majesty. There is no need to be so carelessly speedy."
"I thought they were all gone... All gone... Why..."
"Your Majesty."
"The thing I feared the most, I gave it my all. But now..."
"Greoger!"
"Ah! ... Thank you, Orlsen. I need a clear head..."
"You are thinking about it again, aren't you?"
"Of course... I wish he never came to my castle on that day... I wish I never asked for Meshel to read my son's stars..."
"... Given your rambling earlier... I assume you are connected to the disappearance of the Mamkute Tribe, are you not?"
"No point in hiding it any longer, then... I am truly sorry that you had to dedicate your life to protect such a vile murderer."
"I see. It is completely and truly unfortunate, Your Majesty."

A gust of wind made the torchlights flicker and darken the corridor for a moment as Orlsen quickly draws his blade, lunging forward. The blade flashes with the flickering lights' reflection.

The sound of metal violently meeting metal.

"No... way..."
"Traitorous swine."

Orlsen's blade has locked with another peeking out from around the corner of an intersection. The holder of that sword emerges from the shadow.

"As formidable as ever, Orlsen. But I anticipated that."

For the fraction of a second, something runs up Dulosta's blade at high speed. It was hard to distinguish even if one would have paid attention, but it felt like a bolt of lightning. Lightning running through Orlsen's entire body now, knocking him away against the wall with a forceful thud before he slumps to the ground.

"You gave it your best shot, Greoger. But the Mamkute Tribe will outlive you. Pray that your Firstborn Falmer is still alive, for I am willing to surrender the world to the Dark God if it means you are breathing no longer."
"... My Firstborn... is still alive."
"That eases my conscience. At least in your final moments you are able to act like the Hero of Light you were supposed to be."

Dulosta engulfs his sword in what can only be described as a miniature thunderstorm as he swings it.

[TricMagic]

Artair moves away to collapse against the pillar.

I've no clue what is going on anymore..

She hasn't met Sir Dunas' mother, and him not being bloodless is kind of a kick in the teeth.

[Chevaleresse]

"You're not actually going to arrest her, are you? I've got my own words for her but my thoughts haven't changed. Anyone willing to kill an entire people like that can burn."

[GreenKnight]

"We can make a show of it at least, though if she's got accomplices we may be in for more bloodshed before the day is out." Rork grumbles as he hoists his axe back up on his shoulder. He looked exhausted, and the fact that his suit was making it hard to move and fight was not improving his mood. "Lord Dunas, should we go after the others, or d'you want to ah... Gather our folks and get ready to leave."

[rustytengo]

"Well they where being a big meanie and hurting everyone so at least they should get a very stern talking to. Especially since they almost ruined the nice dresses people are wearing." Eiriol said in her usual cheerful manner

[Sora]

"I will refrain from having any strong opinions about the things that happened here today. I only await to know if we should proceed to go after the others or if you wish for us to keep any further affairs to ourselves Sir Dunas."

[IamanElfCollaborator]

Emilia stirs, lain out on the floor after having been placed down by Rhian.

"..."
"...is everyone alright?"

She groans as she pulls herself up, using her staff for support. All things told, she'd had worse days. The war wasn't exactly a vacation.

Still, getting subjected to the wrath of a Mamkute was up there on the list. It was an experience Emilia preferred not to repeat. Or have gone through at all.

"Rhian, are you doing alright?"

[Chevaleresse]

"I'm fine," she replies with force.

[SirAston]

"... I broke the oath of silence I've given to father. I finally can act as who I am. Yet, I feel empty..."
"Better days to reveal yourself have been plentiful. And yet, I feel that it was the right decision. You taking your fate into your own hand... It wiped away my rage-induced blindness."
"It sacrificed the person I trusted the most."
"Dunas..."

A long silence, in stark contrast to the revelry of the feast and the chaos of the battlefield that seem both so distant now.

"... You have not yet fully revealed yourself, Lord Dunas."
"Count Palatine?"
"Who have witnessed your act just now? Not many. You knights of Dunland are close-knit, so they will not talk if you wish to keep it hidden. The duchess knows the Maiden Warrior's code of upholding peace, and the Firstborn being a bastard would surely inspire unrest. She shall be silent too, if you desire. I certainly will cooperate, Firstborn Prince Alfalm. Or, rather... Sir Dunas. And so will your company, that much I am certain."
"Ain't the first time I kept a secret..."
"Right now, I'd wager you have utmost freedom in how you shall proceed from here. Your father will be secured and questioned before an independent court. Of course, the halls of the Maiden Warriors shall be avaible for this purpose. The same goes for your mother. A fair trial for all, as the Goddess wills it."
"... You have my gratitude. I cannot imagine a place as impartial as yours. That does ease my heart."

Dunas then turns around and embraces Wymera, taking her for a warm hug.

"It will take time for these wounds to heal. But in the end, you're still my mother..."

As the tender display of family bonds ends, Wymera presses something in Dunas' hands. At the same time, her hybrid gestalt vanishes, with her human side remaining.

"Take my Dragonstone, my son. If, Goddess permits, you meet more of my kind, present it and utter our sacred words: From cloud to cloud, from scale to scale, it is our mission, harmony without fail. They will listen to you."
"... I understand. Count Palatine?"
"I will keep watch on her."

The Firstborn prince draws his sword.

"My fellow companions, join me so that we can unearth all the truth of that fateful year. The truth behind the Mamkute genocide. You will be handsomely rewarded, of course."
"Wait! Noel is still missing, m'lord."
"Oh, correct. Given her... nature, it would be critical to find her again... Whom should we prioritise now? Noel, or fath... King Alfalm?"

[Chevaleresse]

"Noel. The old schemer can wait." Forward. There will be time to rage and brood and plot later.

[rustytengo]

"Yeah we should go find Noel she's probably scared and confused with all what happened."

[SirAston]

"So be it. Her well-being is as important as getting to the core of everything."

As such, the entourage travels through the castle. Their movement draws attention of the guards outside, with them soon investigating the hall where the battle happened until minutes ago. For now, you have to trust that the Count Palatine will be able to keep the upper hand in dealing with Wymera. Dunas didn't dare to hesitate as the soldiers move past him. A few minutes later, you manage to find Noel, at the other side of the corridor you're currently in, peeking around a corner as a cross section. Her face was pale, her stance stiff and frightened. Whatever she was witnessing down the intersecting corridor, it must be terrifying. As she notices you, she places her index finger in front of her lips, urging you to keep silent. You slowly approach, Dunas leading, thus peeking around the corner on your side first. He silently gasps, then makes some room so more of you can observe.

Three bodies were collapsed to the floor, resting against the walls. You can see the royal bodyguard Orlsen, the king of Dunland himself, and the knight Dulosta. There is a puddle of blood each under the latter two and they just got bandaged by two figures present. One, standing next to the other figure kneeling down to check on the king, was crown prince Arnston.
"What a miserable yet puzzling situation. Whoever did this was able to overpower one of our best knights and even Orlsen. Yet, while they wounded him, they did not take father's life nor kidnapped him... They tried so hard, they got so far, but in the end, their actions didn't even matter."

The person kneeling next to the king rises.
"It's a question you can solve at a later date. Did the best I could, but I doubt he'll be in ruling form any time soon. The situation is rather unorthodox, but you finally now have your chance to shine, your Royal Highness."
"I'd like to think that, Thylessa. But... it won't happen."
"Oh? Unless Prince Falmer returns to court, you're next in line, so you should be able to rule until His Majesty can sit on the throne once more."
"... I'm afraid the situation has changed. It was to be announced during the ceremony anyway... Father wished to lead another crusade against the Darkspawn, in cooperation with Westwind, as a sign that there shall be no bad blood between the two nations despite the war. The return of the Hero of Light and all that. During that time, it would be Duke Zornac acting as interim king while I act as his primary council, until he returns or falls in battle."
"Really now? That is rather unusual. I know that a king's duty is to find a heir of blood and it's only out of convenience that the heir is an offspring, but still..."
"Father must have a good reason for it."
Arnston looks at his right hand, the one he held Dunas' Fire Emblem with earlier.
"... ... He must have..."

A moment of silence. Noel looks towards you from the other side of the intersection, still feeling frightened and confused.

[Chevaleresse]

This was convenient, at least. They'd found Noel and the king at the same time. And, of course, more questions.
"Zornac. . ." Perhaps he was the mastermind, not the King. He certainly seemed positioned to benefit from what was happening - and his agenda would be furthered by the king remaining alive.

[GreenKnight]

There's a brief moment of contemplation as Rork decides whether now is a good time to retrieve Noel, or if he'd be interrupting the group and causing Dunas problems by doing so. However, he can't leave Noel in that state alone, and so decides to play the Stupid Ex Bandit card. He shuffles forward loud enough to alert the nobility as he goes to stand by Noel, trying to provide comfort by his presence alone. "Good to see you safe still, kid."