Глава 14

Good to hear. I knew you could do it. I always knew.

Welcome back, Bagpipe.

Wait, she's...? You're not—

Everyone, we mean you no harm. It's alright to come out.

One by one, silhouettes emerge from the shadows.

The elderly, children, the sick and the wounded, civilians.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes stare at Siege and her men in fear and curiosity, taking their measure.

You're not with the ducal armies?

M-Most of you aren't dressed like Victorian soldiers. In fact, you mostly look like workers to me?

That's right. We're not under any of the dukes.

We're called the Exemplars.

Shearer's counting up the civilians who were hiding in the factory and giving them a check-up. All he can say at the moment is that it's looking better than we expected.

Aside from those infected soldiers under the Duke of Fife who came along with you, and a small team of military engineers under the Duke of Normandy, everyone else is just local civilians who couldn't escape.

The ducal alliance armies came through here a few days ago, but they rather give up a chance at being rescued than seek help from the Grand Dukes.

It's understandable why the soldiers would avoid them. They're either worried about the status of their infection, or worried about a court-martial. But as for the civilians...

Perhaps this was the year the people living around Londinium got to reassess their country and those decorated higher-ups.

Bagpipe, how did you manage to get their trust—

...Are you listening, Bagpipe?

Huh? Oh, er, aye, Captain!

You need to pay attention during tactical meetings. The map's on the wall, not my face.

Sorry, Captain!

Horn lets out a small sigh.

*sigh* I really shouldn't be asking. You are Fiona, after all.

Hehe.

I'm just... a wee bit glad.

The Exemplars, the Tempest Platoon's predecessors. I guess the rumors were true.

I'm actually amazed that you still remember what you learned in military history class.

Well of course! When I was still at trainin' camp, Triangle made sure I committed this fact to memory!

Out by the trainin' field, the sycamores were full o' leaves, blockin' the sun juuust right. Then there were the rocks at the top of the cliff, hard as, well, rocks. Hand'll sting if ye tried to climb them.

I remember when Cello and Oboe had a wager on who could complete the rock climbing training course the fastest. The loser had to do a hundred one-handed push-ups.

Oboe was a right fool! Who would've taken that bet wi Cello?!

Maybe you should have reminded him back then. You were even sitting on his back the whole time he was doing those push-ups.

Hehe. I was just helpin' him with his training. And I'd say it turned out alright in the end, aye? He was just a hair behind Cello the next time!

The Exemplars... When the Tempest Platoon was first established, nothing was left of this legendary unit from the War of the Four Nations, not even its unassigned unit ID.

But now, it has returned once more to the battlefield.

We're all members of the Exemplars now, Bagpipe.

As long as our team is still here, we will never stop fighting the good fight.

Isn't there a strategy meeting inside? Why're you standing out here in the cold?

Just wanted to clear my head for a few minutes.

Did you think I was someone else?

Baird, or...

No, not really.

I believe you. If someone suddenly popped out of the fog tonight, I wouldn't have any expectations either.

Not everyone is as lucky as Horn, reuniting with the person they most want to see.

'Luck' eh? That's a luxury around here.

That's enough blues for tonight. We should head inside.

Wait.

Victorian soldiers? Are they the remnants who stayed behind?

No, they can't be. I never noticed them until they got this close.

They're the elite of the elites.

Caster's men?

Ah! It's positively frigid out here! My hands are frozen stiff.

The days truly are getting colder as they go by.

Why, I've only taken a little jaunt, and my full plaid's already half soaked through.

My young friends, won't you invite me inside to warm my hands for a spell?

Since you've come all this way in person, I suppose we should show you some courtesy.

Delphine—

Yes, Vina?

Let's show the duke the way.