quercu

That is why I saved you.

You know something? Every letter my brother sent back...

No matter what else, he'd always mention you.

He said you were a great captain and leader, never berating people at each turn like the rest did...

Said you looked after him so much...

I believe my brother wouldn't lie...

I believe...

You must have your reasons for doing what you did.

Thank you for saving me.

I'll live. I'll live on well.

I see Michael slowly hang his head.

I can sense the emotions, bottled in his heart all along.

These past few days have shown me how incredible you are.

Michael!

What are you doing?!

But I still can't bear it.

I'm sorry.

Won't you retaliate against this?!

You haven't retaliated either, have you?

He thrust wide.

Did he mean to?

It doesn't matter.

Hey. You won't even be angry?

It's not you who should be bearing this, after all.

You know you're a victim too. You're not the one to blame when these things happen.

What happened back then, regardless of who was right or wrong, means nothing now no matter how deep you probe.

Suffering, casualty, hostility, blades, envy... all cut us far adrift from the earth.

And in that moment, we are all the victims.

I just don't know what to say to you.

I'm sure Forrest hoped his brother would have a proper life to live.

In that instant, he was reborn, and found his way back to the earth's sprawling roots.

If we continue to persecute each other so...

Letting hate drive hate...

We would do no service to their wishes.

Theirs?

Theirs.

And so—

This is the best account I can give him.

And you needn't keep blaming yourself any longer.

Mm. Congratulations.

How nice for you.

You've finally managed to get yourself killed.

Are you really giving up, just like that?

You're the doctor here.

And more than that, a Druid priest.

Will <i>you</i> give up on life?

I beg of you, take care of him for me.

*cough* *cough*... I...

Never should death have been so lauded.

Life is to be celebrated.

Mum...

Take the child out of here for now.

Almost every day brings new faces before me, but I still try to remember all their names. Life should not be abandoned like this without a trace.

Quercus! What the—?!

What's all the blood on you about?

I'll fetch you a doctor right now.

I <i>am</i> a doctor.

And I was once a Victorian soldier.

Now I'm a Rhodes Island Branch Operator, and Rhodes Island Gododdin intelligence officer.

They who suffer are hung up high.

Look! That's our hero!

So the busybodies below the scaffold loudly cheer.

The Doctor's headed for Londinium.

They need our backing on the intelligence front.

But you...

I'm fine.

I just took a quick trip to the refugee camp earlier.

Hero!

Hero!

The children chant in voices raised high.

But they notice not the looks of worry in their parents' eyes.

I'm lucky Grani isn't back yet. I know she wouldn't let it rest without learning every last detail.

I hope everything's going smoothly on her end. Please let nothing trouble her.

For now, I'd best pretend I'm asleep before it's too late...

Another day's dusk.

But the night won't be long.

Quercus!

Did you get some proper rest?

Quercus.

I'm here to see you.

Good evening...

*cough* *cough*...

Quercus!

Look at you! You didn't listen to me, did you?

Grani, the twenty-four hours are almost up.

Then I'll ground you for another twenty-four!

You lie down for me, right now!

Quercus, you look in terrible shape.

I'm fine. I'll be good.

In fact, I've baked you some biscuits.

Death casts away the dead, and salivates for the living. The most fearful torment would not so easily indulge these friends who mind each other so, nor those relatives for whom relief comes with great difficulty.

May the earth forgive.

May life endure.

May...

Quercus!

Heheh.

I'm starving...

(Sniffs) That smells amazing!

Hey, have you heard the news?

The Druid's Treasure! Everyone's going mad about it!