act46side

My family made a living hunting in the mountains for generations, following the holy teachings of Kjeragandr, and we show our faith by sculpting statues in Her image.

Dad... myself, and my siblings, we've always prayed to Kjeragandr, always paid our respects.

Why are WE the ones who have to pay the price?!

Spooked by the sudden outburst, the Rift Cloudbeast leaps down from a trembling Joanna and goes over to Enya.

Enya bends down and lifts it up, placing it back on Joanna's shoulder.

Don't move, or your wounds will reopen.

This is the first time I've heard about any of that.

If you want to argue, go ahead, Silverash.

No, I don't.

I'm... different from the others. I have to stay at home most of the time, and what I know about the land today comes mostly from the accounts of others.

Sometimes I go out and experience things for myself, but it's not enough.

Kjeragandr will never abandon any children of Kjerag. I promise.

Hmph...

You better promise yourself that you pull through whatever's going on...

What was with those bandits, anyway? I know all the hunters living on the mountain. I didn't recognize any of those guys.

I think... they came for me.

For you? Do you have enemies?

Hmm... It's a long story.

If that's the case, you'd better stay put tonight. They won't give up so easily.

My dad's friend has a shop in town, and my siblings have been helping out these past few days. I'll go get some medicine from him.

And get help to fight the bandits.

No, don't.

Why? Are you afraid to be on your own? I'm fast and strong. I can be back by tomorrow morning if I go down the mountain now.

That's not what I'm worried about...

Why? You Silverashes are such a bother. If you have something to say, just say it.

If you can't fight, I have no choice but to get help from town. That's the deal.

Wait, I can tell you—

Enya hurriedly gets up, tugging at the sleeve of the huntress who is about to leave, causing her own cloak to fall off.

The S-Saintess...?

Actually, I'm...

I-I'm sorry!

Please, Your Holiness, punish me for my insolence!

No, I'm not going to punish you...

Please, just sit down...

Enya tries to stop the huntress, but she quickly takes a step back, putting more distance between herself and Enya.

She turns to leave, but then seems to remember something, and spins back around and bows reverentially to Enya, before finally leaving the room.

*sigh*...

General Gulo...

Could you knock on the <i>cheibe</i> door before barging in, Matterhorn boy?

What are you doing here?

I was accompanying Lady Ensia for a checkup. She suffered a car accident this morning, but fortunately she's unharmed.

I was told you were here too, so I thought I should pay a visit—are you alright?

Hmph, just a scratch. But—

Wait, you said something happened to the young Silverash lady?

Lady Ensia was delivering something to Sir Enciodes when she suffered a head-on collision with another vehicle on the way to the Vine-Bead Court. It was fortunate that Madam Degenbrecher quickly arrived on the scene.

You said she was going to the Vine-Bead Court too?

Strange. My master received a summons from the Vine-Bead Court this morning, saying there was a meeting, and it was on the way there that we were struck by falling rocks.

...Did you hear anything from the Browntails?

No... not yet, at least. What's the matter with the Browntails?

No wonder Sir Arctosz was fuming when he left... I haven't seen him so angry in a long time.

But this—argh!

Listen, brother, I need you to do me a favor. Can you ask Sir Enciodes to go to the Browntail manor at once?

Sir Arctosz is even more hot-headed than I am. I'm afraid he might do something impetuous. Sir Enciodes is the only one who can stop him.

I see... I'll let him know immediately.

I suggest you get your head checked at the hospital, Arctosz. The symptoms of a mild concussion are easy to miss.

Don't try to change the subject!

Answer me! Why is it that only Clan Silverash and mine were attacked, while you Browntails sit safe and sound in your home? What do you know?!

Everything that I know about what happened today came from you.

More excuses!

Even the servants of Silverash knew to show concern, and tell me that Ensia suffered too.

But what about you? You look like you couldn't care less, like it's nothing more than a piece of snow falling on the ground! Is this the Browntail stance?

I apologize for my demeanor. All of Kjerag has suffered in recent days. I ask for your understanding.

Enough of this hypocrisy.

We both know there's been gossip going around about the Browntail Witch.

I never took it seriously. I couldn't care less what you did, as long as you did it for Kjerag and Kjeragandr.

But now?

When did Kjeragandr teach you to stab your allies in the back, Ratatos?

Watch your words, Arctosz. Do not disrespect Kjeragandr, even if you intend to insult and provoke me.

Stop dodging the question and answer!

Was Clan Browntail involved in the attack on me and Ensia?

You're wasting your time. I've already told you multiple times: I know nothing about it, and I express my sympathies.

If that's your final answer, then don't accuse me of going too far.

What do you mean?

Don't think I'm out of Paleroches just because you took Gulo out of action. Before I went out, I told my men when to show.

Clan Browntail's estates will be thoroughly searched. I didn't want to go this far, but I'm afraid Sciurus and her children will have to bear with me a little.

You dare?!

You made me do this, Ratatos!

The door to the drawing room flies open without warning. Arctosz draws his sword immediately.

The sharp-eyed Browntail guards raise their weapons too and stand in front of Ratatos.

I take it you've already discussed the incidents that occurred today.

I came for the same reason, and I've reached certain conclusions. Please, stand down.

Seeing that Arctosz has sheathed his sword, Ratatos raises a hand, and her guards hesitantly back off.

Good timing, Enciodes.

With the leaders of Clans Paleroche and Silverash both present, we demand a thorough audit of Clan Browntail's documents, and cooperation from Clan Browntail in the investigation.

Sorry, Arctosz, but I don't assent to the demand.

What?

Why would Ratatos want to get rid of us?

Assassinating the heads of the other two clans at this moment would only cause even more chaos.

Clan Paleroche has the most warriors, while Clan Silverash runs Karlan Trade.

Ratatos could not hope to keep the situation under control if you and I both died in an accident. Meanwhile, retribution would be swift and harsh.

Am I right?

Ratatos avoids Enciodes's gaze and nods lightly.

That doesn't explain why Clan Browntail wasn't attacked.

Maybe a coincidence, maybe bad timing. Maybe the attackers had something planned for the Browntails too, and we just don't know about it.

You won't convince me with talk of coincidences, Enciodes.

Who would have done such a thing, if not Ratatos?

This is not a question we can solve in a short time.

Don't forget that there are plenty of people looking to take advantage of the chaos, and take a piece of Kjerag for themselves.

This assassination coincided with the arrival of Victorian aid. The mastermind wants to keep us from working together.

The Victorians did this?