act46side

What is your wish?

This day... has been too long in coming...

Do you think that? This day has been too long in coming...

Of course not...

You taught me many things.

You have done well...

But I was a poor teacher... a poor elder...

I was not even... a pious child of Kjeragandr.

Great Elder?

I haven't heard Kjeragandr's voice... for many years...

I prayed day and night... recited the scriptures over and over... but She never answered my call.

I was lost... I was afraid...

But I had to keep going...

I thought... if Kjeragandr's will was to protect Her people... it was not against Her will to act in such a way...

I wanted to strengthen the Vine-Bead Court's authority... I wanted the hearts of Kjerag to be united and firm...

But I erred... in many ways...

'One can lie to a man, but no one can deceive Kjeragandr.'

She sees all that we do.

She knows all our errors, and our repentance.

I know... I believed...

But a long time passed... and I thought that I had not been punished by Kjeragandr...

And so... I stopped believing.

Until last night... Kjeragandr came to me in a dream.

She did not reproach me... She simply walked in front of me, leading me to the lake whose surface was like a mirror...

And She said, 'All the rivers shall converge upon this place...'

And then I knew, my time was up...

I want to repent... I must repent... but it's too late for me...

Enya...

Tell me... honestly...

Do you still... hear Kjeragandr's voice?

Her followers must listen carefully to Her teachings at all times.

The noise of the land may deafen our ears to Her voice, and the wind and snow blind our eyes to Her teachings.

But remember always that She is good, and those who forsake Her walk on the wrong path.

It is harder to be good than evil, to forgive than to hate, to be humble than to be proud.

Those who tread this path must know it is a treacherous one, but those who stray from it shall find it even harder to return.

Stop making all that noise, Yucatan.

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...