dagda

(This won't do. Master Finn taught me that modesty was a knight's virtue...)

(I'm here to assist. Knocking Indra away is far from right.)

(And she'd buy a ceiling lamp and end with a bath heater if she just gets angry enough...)

Oi, oi, now I've got you wide open!

My turn!

Hahaha! How LONG'S it been since I went like this? This is the STUFF!

Give your hand here, I'll pull you up!

Wow... You can tell Instructor Indra's got real-deal talent, though! What a turnaround!

I know, right! Why else would I recommend her to you?

Yeah, yeah, I heard that! So you lot were doubting me just now?

Erk!

No, no, we weren't! You Glasgow Gang people are all incredible examples!

You're calling us... 'examples'?

Of course I am! Everyone knows how amazingly strong each of you are, and I hear you're a knight too... a 'Tower Knight', was that right?

Not to mention Instructor Indra! Joining up with a street gang's always been a childhood fantasy of mine!

I can imagine the look on my dad's face...

I seriously can't thank you two enough, I've taken so many notes! Instructor Indra, I'll be even more powered up by the time you're back again!

...Pff.

What are you gigglin' for? About time someone sings my bloody praises, right?

Yeah, you <i>are</i> right tough!

So, let's get back to it?

Master Finn,

As mentioned in my previous memorandum, I boarded a landship by the name of Rhodes Island, together with Siege. Today we depart it, and return to Londinium.

Indra asked I hold her final class together with her, and bid farewell to her sparring partners. It was a deliberate move of her so that I'd shake some of my nerves, I know.

I taught them how the Knights fight. I never imagined anyone would care what combat lessons a 'Knight of the Tower' had to teach.

They all know Victoria has its Steam Knights, those tremendous heroes that soar through the air, rumble-ye-rumble. People seem more keen to believe their stories.

But these operators, sparring for practice? The name of 'Tower Knights' is familiar to them too, and their notes hold our combat characteristics as you first taught me. All while they're not even Victorians.

I seem to understand why Indra loves boxing with them so much now.

I apologize, Master.

It's been so long that I'm bound to forget some of what you first taught me. But I still remember how you entrusted me with the matter of the vacant throne, though I can't remember the words in concrete any longer.

Found ya, you sneaky bastard! That should be our last drop of the good stuff!

A shot for each! Here's to us, together once again!

We need a better celebration than this—

Bleaagh! What IS this?

My giddy aunt, why've we still got this blanket?

It's been hard getting new supplies in these past few years. It's still usable if you care.

I'm supposing Hannah still doesn't admit she caused the gashes in it?

Wasn't me! Like I'd even bleeding remember!

Shh, keep it down! We'll have another scene if that little arsehole out there hears you!

What, scared he can take me? Back when we moved this gym sofa in, he was still in nappies!

Hannah, calm down. I can go talk to him. Too many people we've been unable to save in recent times, that's all, it's getting to him...

Who gives a shit about him, let's drink! C'mere, don't just stand around like an idiot! Haven't introduced you yet, even—here, this is Baird, here, this is Dagda!

How do you do, Madam Baird. I've heard plenty about you before. They say you do very pretty work with butterfly knives, and you make good drinks too.

Here we go again... bleeding 'Madam'...

Er, I suppose...

Shame I can't make you lot anything right now. Too low on goods, and everything we've scavenged is filthy.

That <i>is</i> a shame... Indra's eyes light up every time she recalls it. I've always wanted to...

Okay, okay! Nice to meet each other, ain't it? You're not getting her drinks, nah? So let's just down this stuff!

I'll fetch you a glass, Dagda. How much can you take?

Just a little'll be fine. I don't really want to get drunk.

Baird, how tough's your liver these days? Used to be we could each drink half a crate by ourselves, remember!

I'll take just a little too. I don't really drink much as of late.

Baird, want to take a walk with me?

I'd like to see what this place has become. I've been away so long.

...Sure.

You could drink first and <i>then</i> go—

Agh! Bloody hell are you hittin' me for?

Let them go!

Dagda, you want a little something to drink?

In a bit, maybe. How about after the two of them come back? Madam Baird doesn't look in the best of moods.

We haven't met for too long, is the thing. With how much's happened here...

I fancy we just need more time to chew the fat, but... that's not time we've got right now.

Forget all that nonsense! Once Baird's back, you watch me give her a right proper hug!

I've heard no end about your boxing gym. Now I'm finally seeing it... I remember the huge row I had with you all back at first. And still, after that, you gave me these clothes of mine.

Since that day, I've reckoned you to be a bunch of... pretty alright people. Just a bit tempersome.

Repeat that?

And it's been a long time, since I've... celebrated, with a group of people like this.

Is this how you and your Masters used to do dos? Drinking and all? Or was it karaoke? Maybe a little dance?

Well, drinking was a little...! I suppose they did have to tell me to loosen up all the time, but... we did mainly sing to celebrate.

What kinda stuff?

Oooh! Alright, ahem... <i>Isa,</i> you're in charge of this get-together from hereon. Lead us all in celebration!

Haha, good impression, right?

We're back. What have you been talking about?

We've...

Dagda remembers the final night she sang with her colleagues in merriment.

Her Masters nudged her to allow some air between her and the Knights' creeds, and they shed their armor, and led her on down to a cramped little basement bar.

They squeezed together on the seats and held each other shoulder by shoulder, so as not to be seen, and sang to the murky ceiling at the top of their voices, singing until the patrons all about them cursed at them for the noise—

By wild and a-yonder, by rage and a-galewards ♪

Red-ripper moons and the blackest of broadswords ♪

Death hangs above in the air and does eye me ♪

Here in the tower, Victoria be me ♪

Death hangs above in the air and does eye me ♪

Here in the tower, Victoria be me ♪

Death hangs above in the air and does eye me ♪

Death hangs above in the air and does eye me ♪

*hic*!

...Baird?

You don't have to come out if you don't feel like it, I just wanted to chat with you. Things like, um. 'Siege and the gang mention you a lot, so even though this is the first we've met, I feel like I already know you pretty well.'

And, um... 'You speak about things a little differently to how they do, and I'd like to get to know you a little more.'

*cough*... Okay! I admit, Morgan pushed me to see you, I don't actually... really know what to say. I'm sorry, Madam Baird.

...Pfft.

Sorry, I guess my mood's been spoiling it for you lot.

You say that... The first time I met them, we ended up in a huge scrap. Indra was in splints for weeks after. I think that would've spoiled their moods more, right?

Oh, never knew about that... What did you say to set all that off?

Well, that I was a Knight of the Tower. And I'd sworn to succeed to the honor and the shame of Victoria, and I'd be leaving with Siege, so we could return to have her installed as monarch as soon as possible.

That was the sticking point. Even on the way here, Indra hasn't stopped arguing with me about that.

How about you lot? Did you tend to argue at first?

Mm... we'd get Hannah to clean the room for once, and she'd just stuff away everything she didn't recognize into one tiny cupboard...

Eugh, I just knew she'd do something like that...

Or... let me think. Hannah might've accidentally sprayed Vina in the face with fizzy pop one time? I remember they had a MASSIVE scuffle about that.