act9mini

They...

Something's definitely pressing on 'em, and that's what's keeping 'em away from here. It can't be anything good.

Ha, I was right!

I knew it. It couldn't have been that simple when they came looking for me. You're up to some risky business, aren't you?

If Flametail and Ashlock made the right call... then they—no, we—want you to lend us your power.

Oh, and there's the other thing... they put up some extra money to rescue you.

...Can you repeat that?

They wouldn't have wanted you to know. Not every member agrees with how our leader's going about things. She saw the news report about you, and decided to try getting you out.

Since the deal even got made, there must have been conditions attached...

Stop. I don't wanna owe 'em favors. If that's really how it's going down, I'm mad as hell, because I've got some responsibility for this too.

Fess up. Where'd they go?

They went to a neighborhood with an Infected settlement, to scatter them before they're taken away.

Wait, Wild Mane!

What now?

Flametail and Ashlock, they're both exceptionally kind, honest knights. I'm certain they want to recruit you because they know you're like us...

They're not just Infected knights, they're people who want to change the lot of the Infected in Kazimierz.

And what does that mean?

When you... see their efforts, you'll understand.

Over there—over there—

Don't worry, just get behind me...

Come out, Infected! You can't run!

*whimper*... I'm sorry... I... I'm not bad... don't take me...

Calm down, I'll keep them away. Are you all hidden, kid?

Yeah... Miss, I—I'm scared... where's... mom and dad...

I'll protect you, just like your mom and dad did. Trust me, okay? Once I call for you to come out, we'll find somewhere new to live, together.

Miss... I want to go home...

Keep quiet a sec.

Mmm...

Right then.

Phew. C'mere—

Yo.

Huh?! You—

...Wild Mane?

Found you this fast and all I had was a wisp of a clue, and I got here quicker than that gray Zalak did. No slouch, am I?

You really did track us down.

You're protecting this kid? He's Infected?

Yep.

What, you're gonna hide a kid here? That's a whole five hunters. If just one of 'em succeeds, then he's lost before you even try to get him back.

We... we're too short-handed right now. This is the most we can do.

Mm-hm. So, this is what you're really up to?

Yeah. That's about the size of it.

You're not just in for Infected knights. You guys are helping out more Infected besides, aren't you?

That's the deal.

Ha... and that's why you only recruit Infected knights. Because only the Infected would sympathize with Infected.

Everyone keeps the same secret, has the same wish, even though it seems... totally head-on with those competition knights, yeah?

Yeah. Wild Mane, I don't have time to give you the whole story right now, so if you want out...

Why? I think this is majorly cool.

Oh?

Yeah, no time. But before anything else, Flametail, I want you to seriously, truly invite me one more time.

You mean... you've decided to do this with us?

Ha. What, am I not just like you?

Alright... I get it.

Wild Mane, are you willing to become a member of the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub, to aid and be aided as an Infected knight, and to give your all, as we all do, for the sake of the Infected?

Wild Mane? Sorry, I messed that up, didn't I. I never feel like that speech quite works for me...

Call me Iwona.

I'm the Wild Mane Knight, Iwona Krukowska.

Ha. Alright, you're calling me Sona then.

Sure, Sona. I, Iwona, as a new inductee to the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub, will serve as a knight to seize glory, and to achieve our ideals.

And my ideals—Sona, if Pinus Sylvestris can change the lot of the Infected, and protect the people... then together with you, I'm going for broke.

Going for broke... yeah, that's exactly the right choice of words here.

But it's not time to stake our lives just yet. We can't leave this kid alone. You're the leader, and it'll be too risky if anyone sees you in an alley doing this stuff.

Just get the kid out of here for now, and I'll handle things here.

Watch close, see what I'm really capable of—wait, no, you oughta go first. Watch another time, then!

Get out of here! By the time you've got the kid dropped off safe, I'll probably be on my way back to find you.

Got it. Don't make this a scene though. Settle it slick, and we'll be waiting for you at the real Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub camp!

No sweat.

Phew... kept'cha waiting, huh, Ashley...

Good going, Sona. All done?

For the time being. Say, where's Iwona... uh, Wild Mane?

Seems she went off reminiscing with Jamie...

Here you were, I got back forever ago. Wanted to ask Jamie for a drink, but there's no good booze anywhere around here.

How's this, then. You get the prize money, and I'll treat you to a round.

Ha, done.

I'll join too then.

Nah.

'Scuse me? Why won'tcha let me in on this?! What, you guys already have stuff to talk behind my back?

Do you even have time? There's a mountain of paperwork from the Knights Association...

Agh... don't remind me.

We'll just be belly-aching the whole time, and you hate that stuff. Besides, you're not that good with liquor, and you don't like staying at bars all night.

Ugh... no lie. If that's what you're planning, you're your own.

Right, Iwona, if you're not busy, there's a few things I need to tell you about, regarding a few projects Pinus Sylvestris has going...

Those, yeah? Greynuty just told me about 'em.

Rescuing Infected, and Infected knights, and using prize money to help more Infected get legal identities...

Huh, you're all wised up already... so, what'cha think?

All the prize money I earn can go to you guys. I was training to become a campaign knight. Never thought about doing this to earn big bucks. If it wasn't for... ugh.

Whatever. But in terms of the, uh, more detailed plans, I didn't actually get any of it.

Greynuty said, what Pinus Sylvestris is gonna do for the Infected, how we should do it... you do all that planning.

So I get it now. You can think this stuff through and put it into practice. That's mad mighty.

Mmm—it's not all that mighty, heh...

I've been thinking about doing something for the Infected forever... just like the Blood Knight! He does some good, fine stuff.

The Blood Knight reformed the Major's regulations, but us... Pinus Sylvestris looks to bring together a big group, form an even greater bloc, and do even more for the Infected.

Then I'm definitely part of it.

So it's settled, I'll follow you all the way. I believe you're what's right, and whatever bigger challenges come, I'll be there to help you deal with 'em.

But, if you can help me sort out a few problems of my own first, I'll worship you all the more.

Heheh. If it'll win more trust, of course I'm happy to do it. What'cha need helping with?

Uh... what's this?

My pet.

Peeehhh... pet?

A pet, huh... that's... it's pretty cute! Iwona, how'd you come across it?

Ha, just saw it in a dump by the roadside, felt like I could get some use. They say you know a reliable engineer or some sort?