act14side

We're boarding a train to Karlan.

You don't need to come with yet.

Huh?

You mentioned your home was in an industrial area, in the mountains.

Yep.

For now, go back and visit.

Nothing's more important than family.

But...

You're back in the mountains. It's the perfect opportunity to head for home. The Doctor thinks so, too.

Did the Doctor say that?

...I understand. If you're okay with it, then I will.

So, the Doctor...

The Doctor has me with.

The train for the foot of Mt. Karlan is about to depart.

The train will depart soon, please board now.

I'm heading out.

Have a good break, Aurora.

With a steam whistle and a faint announcement, the train departing for Karlan sets slowly into motion.

Doctor, let me tell you about the names of all these peaks.

Look. The one there with the flat-ish slope is Jungfrau. The third Saintess named that one.

The really steep one there, that's Matterhorn. His name actually came straight from that one.

Ensia continues on, with something to say about all the scenery that passes by, and all that Kjerag is.

Aside, Courier wears his eternal smile, listening to every word quietly and respectfully. But from time to time, the faraway look in his eyes carries a hint of something unclear.

Sharp reclines against the seat browsing net pages. He'll find that the contents of Kjerag's internet far exceed his expectations.

Alternately, you listen to Ensia, and cast your gaze out of the window.

Outside, remnants of ice drift in a lake reflecting the blue sky. Some locals are together at its shallows, some drawing water, some doing their laundry, some laughing.

The purest white snowpeaks stand imposingly tall, any attempt to lift your head and see their end blocked by the sunlight.

Halfway up, where the mountains level somewhat, a young shepherd herds flocks of stockbeasts home. No surprise crosses him as he sees the people aboard the train; instead, he lifts his whip, waving at you in greeting.

Not far away is the village where he lives, smoke spiraling from chimneys, peaceful and prosperous.

The sight of it all wipes the cares from your mind.

Perhaps, this journey will be just fine.

Tch. It's taking too long.

Keep it down, Sciurus. You're interrupting my train of thought.

What's to think about? Enciodes has to hand his land over this time.

Yucatan, your opinion?

...I agree with Rus, but Sir Enciodes won't just lie down and take it.

At least you think before you talk. Unlike your wife here.

Oh, who exactly is this about?!

You, of course, my beautiful little sister.

If only it wasn't for Arctosz and his idiot face firing off at anything to do with Karlan. I didn't want to fall out with Enciodes this soon, that's for sure.

People like Enciodes are a handful. Even if he croaks, he'll be sure to put us on the brink too at least. Not to mention...

Something tells me he won't accept his sorry lot, and it's telling me loud.

Hmph. In my view...

I said keep it down, Sciurus. If you really have something to say, you can go outside, and then tell the mountains about it.

Of course, I won't let you back indoors.

Tch. Fine, I'll just shut up then.

(Murmured) So happy to talk to yourself.

Sir Arctosz arrives.

At the summit of Karlan in winter, the frigid winds never rest, but the look in Arctosz's eyes, and the sound of his great axe as it drags along the ground in bursts, come to fool people—it's as if the winds are his to bring.

Look who's here, Arctosz, my fine friend.

Enciodes?

Who am I to answer that?

I thought you would've bumped into each other outside and settled everything there, and that way I wouldn't need to be tormented in here, and I could go home happy.

How surprising that something can even torment you, Ratatos.

Of course. I've got torment to the nines.

Such as, more and more people in my territory wanting to work for a living at Enciodes's instead.

Or, Gulo, the most able officer you have, not showing up today. Why?

He caught a cold.

Kjerag's sturdiest soldier catching a cold. That's no good omen.

Looks like we'll need that man under Enciodes to give him some treatment. Gnosis, that one.

He'll get better on his own.

Fine, fine. No good deed of mine goes unpunished.

Seeing as you're here, it looks like we're just missing Enciodes now.

The three o'clock chime has not yet sounded.

I see I've kept the two of you waiting.

S-Sir Enciodes and the Great Elder arrive!

Hm?

Tch, there's a mystery. Why are the two of them together...?

Enciodes, don't tell me you went praying to the Saintess before coming to this meeting?

Far from it. I met the Great Elder along the way, and had a few words with him.

Great Elder, you first.

A fine courtesy.

The entrance to the hall slowly shuts, the air inside settling down in an instant after.

The Great Elder sits straight in the middle, Arctosz and Ratatos stand to one side, and Enciodes to the other.

The gulf of difference is stark.

Former Tri-Clan Councils always had us sit together, talking of the year's crop of affairs, of whose house had done more, and of whose required assistance after blights of snow.

I had not foreseen such a topic at today's council... *sigh*.

You'll want to really grill Enciodes about that.

No need for such aggression, Arctosz.

As the Great Elder said, the Tri-Clan Council should be no place for us to blame and reproach each other.

I wonder if you've heard one about the pot and the kettle, Enciodes.

Enough, enough. Given we are all here, we shall commence this meeting of the Tri-Clan Council.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

I presume all three are aware of the purpose of this Council.

On Mr. Arctosz and Ms. Ratatos's proposal, last meeting, that the Silverashes would cede governing authority over the valleys and mining regions, for the Paleroches and Browntails to then administrate.

In addition, the Silverashes' withdrawal from the parliament of the Tri-Clan Council.

Gnosis Edelweiss has been expelled from his post by myself. I believe both of you know this already.

What good does knowing that do? Gnosis is your aide. How could his actions not have been according to your instruction?

If you think pinning the blame on him will let you escape punishment, then think again!

Arctosz, why come to such an arbitrary conclusion?

Enciodes, there's much I can tolerate from you. You can open your factories in your territory, do your business, recruit your foreigners.

That is your territory. Whatever ghoulish form you twist it into, it's not my concern.

But never should you have led your railroad to Karlan, bringing the copper stench onto holy earth. And your mining up to Karlan's foot, extracting resources in secret, is beyond the pale.

What do you take the ground of Karlan for—what do you take the land of Kjeragandr for?

You even plotted against any inspection teams so that they wouldn't investigate your factories. My subordinates are still bedbound for it.

Is that what you want to say? That these are all the doing of that accursed Edelweiss, and nothing to do with you?!

Gnosis was once my most trusted partner, and I mistakenly gave him too much power.

For that, I am deeply regretful.

What of you, Ratatos? Is there really no leeway to reverse course between us?