act46side

Since when are you as restless as Sciurus?

I'm sorry, Matriarch... but I just can't help myself at a time like this...

There's nothing I can do for her but pray.

Always so uneasy, you and Sciurus.

She is my younger sister, and the future Browntail Matriarch. A little thing like this should be no trouble at all.

That idiot's in excellent health. You remember how she sneaked out to climb Mount Jungfrau when she was eight, and ended up breaking her leg when she fell?

They thought she'd never walk again. In two months, she was running and jumping around like nothing ever happened.

No one gave it a second thought... are we really sure there were no lingering effects?

No, no, of course there wouldn't be...

It was so long ago, and the doctors say she's healthy as a burdenbeast...

But can those Victorian doctors really be trusted? I'll have their heads if anything happens to my stupid sister...

<i>Gopferdammi...</i> it's been four hours! Why haven't they come out yet?

Matriarch, report from Captain Monch—

Shut up! Don't bother me, whatever it is!

Understood...

L-Let's take a deep breath, Matriarch...

Kjeragandr will protect Rus...

She's the gentlest woman I've ever met... who would Kjeragandr watch over, if not her?

*sigh*...

You're right... you're right...

Kjeragandr...

O Kjeragandr... hear my prayer...

I am hardly the most pious of Kjeragandr's people, but now I muster all my piety, in the hopes that Kjeragandr will grant this one favor.

If Clan Browntail must be punished for our past transgressions, then let all that punishment fall upon me.

I will accept your anger, your wrath.

But please... spare my foolish sister...

By Kjeragandr...

Dear travelers, please note that train KT392 departing from Lake Silberneherze bound for Brig Pass will be delayed by one hour due to inclement weather.

Kjerag Rail sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience.

Please speak to a staff member at the information desk if you require assistance...

Are Victorian trains ever NOT late? Looks like they've rubbed off on Kjerag Rail.

It's just a little wait. Frankly, I'd rather stay here for a while longer than deal with those investors back home.

At least they have good cystymilk here for free... *burp*.

But inclement weather, they say? Doesn't look like it's snowing...

What's the hurry? The trains aren't running.

Sorry... excuse me...

Wait a minute...

I've seen this trick before! You're a pickpocket, aren't you?

Stop right there! Let me make sure you didn't steal anything...

The woman breaks free of the hand grabbing her shoulder and runs in the direction of the crowd, vanishing into a sea of people.

Huh! Hey! Somebody, help! Thief!

Did you lose something, ma'am?

My purse, jewelry, terminal... huh? Everything seems to be here?

But that one...

Probably some unfortunate sod trying to get on without a ticket.

I told you, this is pious Kjerag, not postwar Londinium. No one's after your purse.

By Kjeragandr...

Does trying to ride without a ticket get you hunted down by warriors, in Kjerag?

Found you.

Madam Carolin of Rhine Lab.

I know who you are, and what you've done. Come quietly, unless you want everyone under the sun to know.

The Vine-Bead Court will grant you a fair and impartial trial. First, give me what you're holding.

The woman silently clutches the folder in her arms and thinks for a moment before crying out without warning.

Run!

Run! There's a bomb in the station!

The crowded station quickly descends into chaos at the woman's cry.

The creator of the chaos once again disappears into the crowd.

Damn...

Rus... so glad you're alright...

How are they... the children?

Perfectly fine. Your sister's taking care of them.

Rest now, and don't worry about a thing.

*sigh*...

Yucatan... there were a few times there I thought I was going to see Kjeragandr...

Every little bad thing that I ever did came flashing back before my eyes... even that time when I climbed that tree to steal fowlbeast eggs when I was eight...

What would Kjeragandr punish me for...?

She already punished you, remember? That time you spent two months in bed.

Don't worry about it, Rus... we've made it through so much. Now we've got another reason to keep going.

We have to see Oak and Berry grow up.

Kjeragandr won't separate us...

Yucatan... is it snowing outside?

It's a little cold...

I'll add some firewood and get you another blanket.

Sleep well, Rus.

The winter will pass... and we can go see the flowers by the lake when spring comes. All of us, together.

Sciurus closes her eyes and falls asleep quietly.

It should be a moment of happiness...

But Yucatan feels a rock in his heart.

He looks outside. The clouds are thick and heavy, but the snow refuses to fall. This kind of weather is rarely seen in Kjerag.

Maybe we're in for a cold winter this year, Yucatan thinks.

When the winter passes...

'She is omnipresent, She cannot be sought.'

We need not question Her existence. She is there when we choose to follow Her.

...Do you remember this from the scriptures?

No... this is not how it should be...

If She is omnipresent and cannot be sought, then who hears Her will, and who—*cough* *cough*!!

You should rest, Great Elder. Don't let yourself suffer.

I see it, Enya...

I see unprecedented calamity descending upon Mount Karlan...

I see Originium bringing ruin to the land...

I see... I see Her abandoning Kjerag!

Caught up in a bout of excitement, the old man stares outside the window, his face warped and twisted, seemingly seething in anger, or engulfed by a terror that defies description.

He raises his withered arms, trying to grasp something, only for them to fall back down meekly.

Finally, he quiets down, as though he has expended the last sliver of strength he had...

Great Elder...

Enya...

Say a prayer for me...

The final chapter... of the <i>Kjeragandr...</i>

'...And all the rivers shall converge upon this place at the end of it all;

And you shall walk the path forward alone,