act22side

Are you... advising me to leave as soon as I can?

What's done can't be undone. You can't run from the responsibilities you have to bear.

But I think that, to some people, whether you are a Draco or not doesn't actually matter so much.

By tender stream that brushes on and through the upland grass ♪

We make a toast to those of us not here to raise their glass ♪

Someone's singing.

...It's probably Fergal.

Is this Taran?

Yes. It sounds like... it's about wine, and the uplands in summer. I've never heard it before... but it's beautiful.

Bid flap your wings to wake by light, wee fowl upon the bays ♪

Bear off the news we gather round, along and with the waves ♪

They're... all so happy.

I can tell.

But all they have are their tents and fire.

Then I'm sure they'll be even happier when they have their houses and farmland.

Let's head inside.

Chenchen, you're finally back! Here, look at this! Mr. Odhrán can whistle with a blade of grass!

(Whistles sharply)

Haha, my pitch can be pretty off. My da was really good at it, though. I picked up a bit here and there from him.

Hmm—hm-hmm—

Oh, you don't mind if I sing along a little, do you?

Go ahead! It's our drinking song. Only thing I'll take offense to is an empty bottle, haha.

What's the lyrics, then? Is it okay if I sing in Victorian?

Hm... Let me fetch someone else. You just listen to them.

Fionn, you're up.

*sigh*...

'Ever does this land well with tears, yet we drink only of bygone dews and flames.'

By winding lane that blooms with rose and bellflow'r on the loam ♪

You're out of tune! That's terrible!

Shut up! Not like you're any better!

(Sharp whistle)

Ugh... I'm begging you, enough of that noise. You've got some bloody novel way of arguing...

Oi, no throwing stones either! What if we actually got hit here?

Wow, that bread smells good...

You can have half!

Oh, ta! Here, Chenchen, you have a bite. Come on, just one.

Lush, isn't it? I wonder what herbs they're usin'...

Hmm... Can't tell.

Eh? You spent ages back in Yan. What, did your taste buds get more fussy, or just duller a bit?

What do you think? We Lungmenites brew our tea in the summer with twenty-four kinds of medicinal herbs.

Really...? Oh, you're pullin' my leg again, aren't you?

I'm not.

...Are you enjoying yourself, Reed?

This is how their lives could've been all along. A bit better than this too, of course.

You gave them their lives back.

Reed, you know Taran. No excuses from you. Sing!

...Eh?

(Teasing whistle) Sing.

Fare on and long, you traveler, but to where do you now roam? ♪

The transport will leave clear tracks in the mud. Should we take a detour?

No need. We'll head straight to our destination.

Good stuff. And you, Moran.

Miss Moran, what're you doin' sittin' so far off? Reed's told you a million times it's okay!

She's right. Come on, 'Wandering Bard of the Glen of Camai...' Sing.

O, mists that shroud the valley... hide her figure waying far... ♪

Well, gosh, I think I once heard this beautiful singing years ago.

I'm sure you have.

Right you are. I remember taking my sister around—she wasn't so sick that she couldn't walk yet. We were stood on the stone bridge, listening for a good while.

*sigh* There must be more bridges like that, right? With just how far the Camai flows.

Bid breezes past the rugged lime ♪

Bring the civilians under control first, but don't let any of them get hurt.

Our target possesses excellent military accomplishments. Avoid direct confrontation to all possible extents.

Pick me a flower for her ♪

Selmon, look. How's this for defensive posture? Learned it from you.

So? You'll just be chasing fowlbeasts from now on. What'd you learn that for?

Till summer dries our laughs ♪

Do not talk to any of them. Not even a single word.

Leave the rest to me.

Bare bottles chill the bones with hurt ♪

Don't forget, we need to be out of here before daybreak.

We make a toast to those of us not here to raise their glass ♪

Crossbows at the ready. Prepare smoke grenades.

The tears we cup to drink are all the same and one, my lass ♪

*sigh*... I'm hopping out for some fresh air.

Hm? Mist at this hour...?

You—

Wh—

When did you...

Good evening, sir.