act37side

Doctor?

Rhodes Island received a few invitations from the dukes.

They want us to sit in on the post-war conference on handling Londinium.

Handling... You mean before all the Sarkaz are even gone?

Are they really in such a rush?

I don't think the city as it is now is willing to play ball with their machinations.

They realized that too.;That's why they chose you.

Hmph...

You could always refuse, Vina.

This is my home, Doctor.

Made your decision, Vina?

Wasn't it made the moment we lead the Exemplars on our charge into the city?

They know it, and I do too.

It's not something to take lightly, but you have my full support.

Then Rhodes Island will 'attend' the conference.;We'll stand by your side.

Thank you, Doctor.

I suppose you're saying the biggest challenge is yet to come?

Hah, I'm supremely curious as to what they'll spew out of those pretty little mouths of theirs.

We'll meet you as soon as we can.

Coming home's not always easy, is it?

<p=1>Palace of Westhaleg</><p=2>October 8th, 1098, 7:28 P.M.</>

Shortly after the war

This was a resplendent place twenty-six years ago.

At the time, the dome above was polished to a mirror sheen, and the radiance of the twin moons and the enchanting darkness of the starry sky dancing together was a most beauteous sight.

Once, I kissed the back of His Majesty's hand here. 'Paying respects to King Alistair', a rare honor indeed.

Victoria no longer has a king, my Lady—

Or should I call you the Earl of March?

Just Eleanor is fine.

I did not beg His Grace the Duke of Normandy for the seat of County March to hold the title of Earl, but rather to expedite a few business matters, Your Highness.

If it were not for that farcical royal hanging, we might have been much closer, Vina.

She takes out a gilded purple business card, its face embossed with nothing more than a golden loosestrife flower.

Please, take it. Since you're more accustomed to do things in a businesslike manner, this might put you at ease.

I'm afraid we are not so well-acquainted. Do you all always decide the future of Londinium here, my Lady?

It was never up to me where we meet. Besides, considering all that's happened here, surely there is nowhere else more suited than this?

Eleanor looks at the faded statues and dusty doors at the end of the hallway, as if she could capture their past glory.

In the room beyond was the King of Victoria's throne. Upon it he once sat, dictating the rise and fall of the Empire.

But what remains behind those doors now?

I arrived early to both walk down memory lane and to meet with you. We have much to talk about.

Did you not wish to meet me too?

You know I'm holding a—

Vina, surely your friends from Rhodes Island have divulged what the other dukes are thinking to you.

The other dukes? I don't see much difference between you, them and the Duke of Normandy backing you.

Oh, don't get me mixed up with His Grace. He's a man worthy of respect, but it's not worth bothering him with trifles such as handling Londinium.

As for the rest of them, I dare not say I'm worthy of comparison.

The Sarkaz withdrawal does not mean that Londinium's troubles are over. None are willing to tally up the change in the Infected population, but the outcome is rather clear.

Victoria's pharmaceutical production lines are insufficient, and nobody wants to rework their precious factories for the sake of the Infected. You know what I mean.

What <i>do</i> you mean?

I have a long-standing partnership with the Columbian military. They've even referred me to several pharmaceutical companies.

There is no crack that cannot be plugged. For the right price, of course.

Is that a threat?

Only if you think it is. Don't be too hasty to respond. Figure out what bargaining chips you have first before you come find me, Vina.

Let's start our future partnership on the right foot.

Oh, and, you know you can tell just by looking around that your family once steered the course of all Victoria from this ancient palace.

Your Royal Highness Alexandrina, Londinium is far too small for you—

The city's far <i>too large</i>, if you ask me. It shames me to admit, but the wailing I heard all across Londinium had me quaking in my boots, and in my panic, I went the wrong way.

Ah, so many tragic sights in this city...

You really have grown, Ellie. I still remember how you used to clamber up my back and grab onto my antlers.

I am ever grateful for your generosity. His Grace the Duke of Normandy also reminded me that he is off soon to convalesce in greener pastures. You may join him, if you wish.

Hah, I'm not one to leave my manor before I've drained my wine cellar dry of the fine vintages within.

And here I was thinking old Normandy would understand the importance of this little meeting of ours.

But no matter. You are the reason we have gathered here today, Alexandrina.

*cough* Your Grace didn't need to cut to the chase quite so quickly.

The old soldier's running late... Did he refuse your invitation again?

He turned his eyes away from Londinium a long time ago. I'm sure your spies will have all the details of my meeting with him served to you with breakfast tomorrow.

Yet even now, his elegance is no less impressive than the time Gaul was swallowed whole.

I wouldn't consider this a good thing for Victoria.

Tara and <i>Dublinn...</i> Though he has not explicitly declared independence from Victoria, only the blind fail to see the reality of the situation.

Abercorn and Fife suffered tremendous losses, and so have 'forfeited the right' to take part in the big decisions. And the one behind Ashworth has decided to stay far from any sort of turmoil.

As for Normandy... His stance is rather clear-cut.

Gododdin smiles at the Young Duke. Eleanor simply performs the most minute of bows in return.

Aye, the vagaries of life.

Back in those days, we still held parliamentary banquets here, and King Alistair still sat in the throne room. None would take his words lightly.

Hah.

In the dark and dusty hall, Duke Gododdin lithely taps out a beat etched in his memories with one foot, just like in days past.

Smoke, music, and the sunlight shined upon him from the dome above. He was a spirited young man back then, with all the lords and ladies at the feast lined up to be his dance partner. Even His Majesty applauded him.

Then, together with the other dukes, he sent the King to the gallows.

No need to memorialize the dead, Your Grace. His orphan stands before us, does she not?

Hah, aye, so she does. What does it matter if Victoria has no king?

<i>The Siege.</i> That's all I can call you until you accept our proposal.

There are better ways to implement your ideas on the Infected, the refugees, even those pain-in-the-arse Sarkaz.

<i>...Madam Speaker.</i>

Should I consider this advice from the 'will of the empire'?

Call it an attempt at giving some. We have other means to handle this near-ruined city.

This is not a lifetime appointment. We will judge whether or not you are fit for the position.

Just like the past, no?

With your 'dinner table Parliament', a handful of dukes could dance around the King behind closed doors, deciding the nation's future on a whim.

And the results? Look outside. We have not yet washed ourselves clean of all the Sarkaz blood—

You look only at this little city, while I look at the whole of Victoria.

If Londinium has become an ulcer sapping Victoria's strength, I do not mind gouging it out.

I will allow other nations to see Victoria bleed, but I will not tolerate them mocking our scars, nauseating though they may be.

If you stand in a sewer, you cannot expect to have full view of an ancient empire. Do not forget that the family name 'Victoria' is no stranger to me, Your Royal Highness Alexandrina.

Only the strong and the heroic have the power to steer the empire on its future course.

Let's not frighten our future friend, Your Grace. Didn't we gather here to soothe our worries in a more pleasant manner?

Old Wellington is far from the core, Windermere is in a constant state of uproar, and the rest are keeping an eye on how we stand.

Since it's rare for us all to see eye-to-eye on a matter, let's keep things simple.

That, I cannot deny. But Vina, you can do far more than this.

Though this does not mean the Speaker must sit on the throne, Ellie.

Are you all finished?

She draws her sword, and the hall falls deathly silent.

<i>Vina insisted on recording some minutes for that secret meeting.</i>