act22side

You drop the bloody idea. You think they'd make it easy on you?

Bloody wouldn't. They'd torture you first, crush your spirits.

Two minutes with someone like you, and they'd get everything about us pouring out.

Look. We've got no meds. Torture by sickness, that's torture all the same, yeah?

Are you—short of medicine?

Haha... we were sent out to rustle up some more, I'll say. They're waiting for us, a decent ways back somewhere.

We were here planning to buy it, honest.

But we knew in our heads, all the shops'd shut the moment lights-out sounded. We'd never make it in time beforehand.

So we got a rough idea of when the patrol changes shifts, er, and we smashed through a shop window... I thought they wouldn't notice around about then.

...God.

...You? Guessing you're from the city. What got you out in this desolate a place?

...I'm searching for some things.

Do you—know about 'Dublinn'?

Yes, I understand.

I have some—antihemorrhagics and bandages on me, actually.

Mr. Fionn, I saw you were hurt... we should sort that out.

Oh, you noticed? It's nothing big, really...

But—if you're willing to share a bit of medicals with me, that'd be fair play.

Our mates are hurt far worse. I'd bring 'em to them, if that's okay.

Er, they got bit by gloompincers.

In that case, I can go with you...

That way! We have footprints in the mud, leading that way!

It's the Tara rabble behind the arson! They're around here, no doubt!

—Q-Quick, hide!

It's... it's a whole unit, half a dozen people, they're shining their torches this way!

Quick, bend down, come this way! It's solid ground here!

It's alright... those soldiers won't dare to move too fast through the marsh.

—Shh.

(Fionn, I can hear your teeth chattering!)

(I... ngh...)

A torch flashes over them.

Reed grips her spear tight, the metal warming, hotter and hotter.

Well, that's shite! How come you lot get torches?! Pisses me off just seeing you!

Dublinn?!

Get her! She's got info, no doubt!

Get me? You're codding me!

Peuch! What're you slinging mud for?

Ugh—

Come on, Fionn, we've got to help her! Don't be a coward!

Alright, alright, okay...

Urgh—!

Hah, couple of fresh boys don't take much to sort out.

Hey, Fionn, Fergal! You made a right hames here, didn't you? Would've kicked the bucket if I didn't come looking, no?

No, yeah. Saved our skins. All thanks to you.

I told you, see, all this smashing and looting business might be beyond me...

Wait, what are you doing, Selmon? It's enough to knock them out. You're going to kill them all?

Aren't we going to be more guilty for that?!

Same difference! It doesn't matter how guilty if they're after a Taran—you get taken in, you're not coming out alive.

*sigh* It makes a difference in my head.

Coward. You watch, I'm gonna do all these Victorian bastards right and—

Stop. Don't do that.

And who do you think you are?

Hah, what's the staring for? Gonna be a tattletale? Just you try.

Tattle? No, you're not even part of Dublinn. Why are you... dressed like that?

Why are you copying the Spectre Force's methods?

—And on what basis do you claim that? You some Dublinn know-it-all?

Er, calm, now, Selmon.

She's just a doctor. She was doing a runner with us just now...

...I think she's a good soul. I told her all about us.

Right, um, doctor... what you said about taking a look at our wounded, is that still valid?

Selmon, honest, you need to cool it... We mucked it all up. We didn't get the medicine. This kind doctor says she can help us, so that's all we can rely on now.

Tch, leave me out of this. Seems this doctor here recognizes my clothes.

...I'm sorry, I'm not a doctor.

But I still want—to try and help you.

Harmonie's status as a spy has been confirmed, but the intelligence personnel she planted have all evacuated in advance under her cover.

The Infected is indeed another Draco. Where she's headed is within our grasp. As soon as you give the orders, my team will continue our pursuit.

On another note... Pardon me for asking, but to the one listening to this report from behind the screen—are you the head, or... the Duke herself?

Very sharp of you. I don't remember how many years it's been since I last met a youth who could single that out.

Pardon me, I'd just like to enjoy this cup of tea first. Come, take a seat.

No, being Infected, I'm best off standing here.

When you came, did you see the little theater on the street corner?

Yes, I did... It wasn't open, and no suspicious persons were loitering there.

That theater was built by a group of self-proclaimed Taran artists. Every night, they put on plays based on Taran culture there.

Do you need me to investigate them?

No, their existence is one I much admire.

As for capturing the Draco, you needn't worry. I'll have someone else take care of it. The intelligence you brought is highly valuable. Given your talents, we shouldn't be wasting your time on clean-up work.

I would like you to surveil the Duke of Wellington's movements from a specified location.

Understood. I thank you for your appreciation.

Oh, yes, as for our prior question. Have you decided on your answer?

Hi, Miss Messenger, how far can you deliver letters? As far as you want?

Could you help me write one, then?

Just a word or two. I just want to let my family know I'm still alive...

I'm sure you heard the farmer just now. Caravans pass through this area regularly. There'll be one in half an hour.

Follow the caravan, and if you can hide in their transports, all the better. The regions around County Oak Grove should be the Duke of Wellington's territory. He won't permit transgressions against the Tarans.

You'll be in grave danger if you miss this chance. The search team will make their way here from the nearest nomadic city as quickly as they can. It won't take them even an hour.

But if you manage to make it out, you won't have to worry about your future. It's me who they're after. If they lose track of you, they won't pursue you any further.

Er, wait... so, when Bagpipe said you were Dublinn's Leader, that wasn't just me hearing things?

Yes. If any of you still want to fight alongside Dublinn, you can come with me.

But Dublinn's name won't shield you, and the road ahead may be much the same as what we're experiencing now... monitored by many, continually chased.

Hey, I'm back.

I did what you said and talked to her. Said everyone who escaped the village with me decided to settle down here, and made up a place name that doesn't exist in the Scáthanna Fields.

Still, that Messenger seemed a nice lass, though... If she's an actual Messenger, not just someone here to investigate us, we'd be sending her on this trip in vain, no?

...I've spent most of my life in hiding. I've seen plenty of people in pursuit, disguising themselves as Messengers.

*sigh* Alright. Suppose that's how it is from now on.

Stop sighing so much. We need to divvy up our supplies while we've still got the time.

And you're hurt. Don't force yourself to go with Reed. We'll fight the Tarans' fight for you.

Haha. I count as having fought for the Tarans, then, eh...?

...Reed, a moment?

Something I need to tell you.

I'd wrote about it in my will, but... *sigh*... well, I survived, so.