act37side

The eye to see beyond time... A rare thing indeed. In comparison, ambition beyond one's means is as cheap as chips, wouldn't you say?

I can't say I disagree.

Despite the many years past, there are still those who have not forgotten that Victoria once had a king.

And there are those who carry the former heir to the throne in mind, alongside that sword of royal authority.

Duke Caster's actions are hardly inscrutable. Whenever she dispenses advice to the other dukes, do not forget that there are eyes upon her in turn.

I will inform Her Grace, my Lord.

It's getting late. I fear I must be heading off.

Not staying for dinner, Lady Cumberland?

I have an appointment with my tailor to prepare some winter clothes. I'm sure you're aware that summer in Londinium lasts but a few fleeting days—

But winter? Winter never comes late.

Then I shan't keep you any longer, my Lady.

I shall send a ticket for opening night to you beforehand. If Her Grace would like to watch, Duke Cavendish would happily sponsor the troupe to tour the Caster demesne.

I pray that Her Grace will not be blinded by her own tears.

A most suffocating banquet, was it not?

And who might you be?

You may call me Clovisia. Based on that distinctive white hair of yours, you must be Lady Allerdale Cumberland.

Madam Ailshie of your estate <i>has</i> ordered some outfits for the upcoming season from our shop, but I'm afraid we haven't finalized the details of yours quite yet.

Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Earl Morris. It seems your reputation as a critic of the arts is well-earned.

You flatter me. I presume you too are concerned about the present situation in Londinium.

Hardly, hardly. It's just rather difficult to <i>not</i> listen in as the clientèle discuss the recent changes when you work at a tailor's.

*sigh* It's getting dark. I should head home. Once you've settled on a design, please have Madam Ailshie contact me at your convenience.

Ah, right, speaking of Madam Ailshie, she asked me to pass you the Londinium Daily.

Farewell.

Might as well see if there's anything else newsworthy today, I suppose.

A vicious brawl in Norport Borough?

Is that...?

Feckin' 'ell! That's bloody ridiculous is what it is!

It's the third time this month. Been accident after accident here in the factory ever since that scoundrel took over the union.

Watch close enough and you start to notice how whenever some brave soul puts out a complaint about the union, he ends up dead in some freak accident a few days later.

Let's go then already! Take me to 'im. I'm gonna see just how brass this bastard's balls are!

Calm down! The union handles union business, the street handles street business. That's the rule.

Giving every bastard I see a right thrashing's <i>my</i> rule!

I know! Of course I know... But we've got no other choice.

The union's keeping it all hush-hush inside the factory. Not even the coppers can investigate.

This new foreman... Johnny, right? Who's behind him?

I remember hearing he's got some big name backing him. A relative of Duke Davendich, apparently...

Do you mean Duke Cavendish?

Yeah! That's the one!

Is he trying to get anything out of you lot?

Hasn't been asking for money or any of the sort... but ever since he became foreman, lots of the important jobs are getting taken up by workers from outside.

I see. You head on back. We need to talk this over a bit.

What're we waiting around for, Morgan?! Are we gonna let these bastards do as they like?!

It's not that simple.

You heard the man. This isn't your average union tosser. He's got the backing of a duke. Why's he going out of his way to play tyrant in some little factory, though?

Who cares why?! Since when did we need a reason to take out buggers like him?

I know Londinium's rather restless these days. The dukes've been playing their games around the clock. Don't tell me you haven't noticed all these fresh faces on the street lately?

Time to come up with a plan, Vina. We're all ears.

Since we've taken their protection money, it's up to us to do the legwork.

Let's go have a chat with this bastard of a foreman. Doesn't matter if he's got a duke behind him.

That's more like it!

Alright, if you say so, Vina...

But just to be safe, we should scope out the factory a bit, get some info. You're with me, Baird.

Sure.

Hey! Why didn't you ask me?!

What's wrong? You've been looking rather glum lately.

It's nothing. I was just thinking... I might be enjoying myself a little <i>too</i> much.

What, not too happy here?

You have a duty, Siege.

I've told you before, Dagda.

I've found a life for myself now, so why—

Is this life of yours helping your neighbors seek the justice of the streets, then heading to the noble manors to lob a few bricks?

There's no escaping some things.

You promised me you wouldn't talk about this in the gym.

Then I'll stay by your side, waiting for the day you have your answer.

<i>Life is long, but the pivotal moments that change you? They're over in an instant.</i>

<i>I recall that one afternoon, before the chaos of the storm struck us, when we could still enjoy those peaceful hours.</i>

<i>Indra didn't speak to me the whole day on account of my hesitation. Baird had to step in and smooth things over between us, and by nightfall we were all happy as could be, buying hot dogs and beer.</i>

<i>But I couldn't shake off the feeling that the Glasgow Gang was about to enter the craziest chapter of this story yet.</i>

<i>It wasn't until those wild dreams of ours came to an end that I realized the most pressing issue...</i>

<i>The main character of this tale wasn't the Glasgow Gang. It was Vina. Just Vina, all along.</i>

What's the matter, Ailshie?

Did you not instruct us to keep a close eye on Her Royal Highness Alexandrina's whereabouts?

The chief of the Royal Police has just looked over the case file of that ghastly brawl in Norport.

It involved a video shop known as McClaren's Place and a street gang going by the name of Glasgow.

Here is the original copy of the file.

It's rather vague, merely a record of the involved parties, but I thought you ought to know.

Upon a fuzzy black-and-white photograph, a woman sucking on a lollipop stares indignantly at the camera.

'Person of Interest: Siege (self-identified)'

Miss Allerdale, if you are near-certain she is Her Royal Highness... Why not seek her out immediately?

And what then? I bring her back to Cumberland Manor? Or send her off to Caster?

Whether or not she is Alexandrina no longer matters. The dukes are watching her closely. She can escape them no longer.

It sounds to me like she would be swallowed by the city itself.

Hah. We'll be swallowed too, Ailshie.

I'm willing to bet we're not the only ones with an interest in her. This matter has long since grown out of my control.

Considering Duke Caster's orders, should you not find her and bring her to Her Grace?

I need some time to think, Ailshie.

I saw her once before. I saw...

Her Royal Highness.

But no matter how you put it, it was all such a long time ago. Things being what they are, is an unknown heir truly so important?

It's merely an inkling... From the very first time I saw her, so many years ago, I always believed she would change things.

Let's go. There's a few workers I need to pop in on. I would also like to know how Her Highness has been doing these past few years.

Who's there?!

Grk—

The coast is clear.

I've handled this side too.

This is it. The place Charlie told us about.

We heard some chatter. Lately, the union's been keeping a whole bunch of goods inside this old factory, like they were a smuggling ring.

Johnny seized control of the union not just to skim some funds, but to do this sort of business.

What's inside those containers?

Just open 'em up and we'll find out—