level_act37side_st02

<p=1>Streets of Norport</><p=2>December 26th, 1098, 5:23 P.M.</>

How'd things go on your end, Dagda?

Mr. Lane's still alive, but he's got a busted leg. His sworn brother didn't make it, though. I tried asking some old friends...

None of them know when that brother passed away exactly. Might've been when trying to escape Norport, might've been some Sarkaz at the end of their tether during the allied counterattack...

Did you manage to see Mr. Lane himself?

I did. He works at the port now. He didn't bring up the old days, and he avoided talking about his crew.

But he thinks that now, he's living a good life.

Bloody hell.

I strolled around one of the factories we used to look after. It's full of little punks now. None of those youngsters have even heard of us Glasgow Gang.

That pack of brats deserves a right trashing!

Did you swing by the old restaurant we always went to?

Torn down. Parliament sent some men over to get in touch with all the old shopkeeps. Anything so run-down it couldn't be fixed up, and whose owner was missing, was slated to be torn down and rebuilt.

The pub on Sunset Street, Paul's Bar, the magazine stall that runt from Kazimierz ran... They're all gone.

Hannah...

I checked out that public cemetery they were talking about too. I couldn't find McClaren, or—

(Choking back tears) Dammit, why don't these graves have names on them?

Stuff me, can't believe you caught me crying.

Let's head home already. Don't wanna leave Morgan waiting.

I thought... I thought the gym was going to be a rougher sight.

Thank you.

Looks to me like you've been taking care of the place this whole time.

I thought if you were still alive, you'd be coming back sooner or later. Doesn't matter how you look at it, I'm still part of the Glasgow Gang.

You didn't get on Duke Windermere's ship with us back then—

I wasn't so far gone that I needed saving by the dukes.

But... I gotta admit, I was being a right fool back then. After all that, I took some of the crew out to fight some devils hanging around Norport.

I ended up hearing about the Exemplars from them.

You pulled off some crazy stunts I could never dream of. An army, hah... When the battle outside was in total chaos, some of the gang helped out on the front line with me.

But there wasn't much we could do. All I got in the end were a few cuts and bruises—

You're Infected too?

Yep. Heard the same happened to Indra after she took a bad scrape on the battlefield not too long ago.

She's real lucky she had friends like you there with her.

Morgan stares blankly ahead. She'd never considered that problem. Not even Indra herself had.

No, no, that ain't right. Why do I feel all funny hearing you say that? Though I gotta admit I'm not sure what's not right about what you said.

Hah, whatever you say. Anyway, if you ever get the chance, tell Siege I said sorry.

If you stick around you can tell her yourself.

My Glasgow Gang's long gone. Since you're coming back, it's only right that I head out.

Did Delphine not come back with you?

She's standing by Vina's side.

Hah, sounds like you lot had a squabble too. I heard about her mum from a broadcast... Doesn't matter who she might be, at least she's got some nerve.

Where you headed off to next?

Norport needs more hands to rebuild it, and the port's busy shuttling in goods from outside all day every day. Me and my crew are gonna keep an eye on it.

And then... And then I'll head into Central to bash in some merchant bastard's head—Err...

That's only a maybe. Norport's changed, Morgan.

The folks I know are gone, and the shops too. There's some new gang of brats that's popped up. Don't know their arse from their elbow yet they're still trying to fight for dominance...

Anyway, I'm giving the gym back to you lot.

Parliament talked a big game in that broadcast of theirs. I talked it over with some of the boys. We'll wait a spell, then head over to some other dukedom to see what's what.

We'll find a new turf.

A new turf, a new beginning. I'll need some time to forget a few things.

Morgan, was that Cador leaving just now?

Yep.

He came to say goodbye, and decided to hand this back to us while he was at it.

She pulls out a butterfly knife from her pocket. It's badly scratched, but the emblem of the Glasgow Gang can still be clearly seen.

Baird's butterfly knife. Hannah would recognize it anywhere. It was her who insisted on engraving that emblem once she beat Baird, after all.

Cador found it on the body of a cleaner... He couldn't find Baird herself, though.

I went there too.

All I found was some stuff on the wall I didn't get. It's almost all gone, what with all the rain. But I'm sure...

I'm sure she was there. I saw her handwriting.

'I hope so too'...

<i>'I hope so too.'</i>

<i>What did Baird hope for? We thought about it long and hard, but we were never able to make sense of it.</i>

<i>Her wishes had already been washed back into Norport's soil by the rain.</i>

<i>We decided not to dwell on it much longer.</i>

<i>We never could guess her last little secret.</i>

<i>She's definitely having a good laugh at us right now.</i>

I remember that whenever we went to the video shop, Baird hated weepy scenes about grieving the most.

Yeah. She never thought death was worth being all that sad for.

Pass the knife to me. I'll think of a way to hang it up on the wall.

Then I'll go get some drinks. To celebrate us coming home, and a toast to Baird!

Should we wait for Vina?

She ain't got the time to come.

But just in case—

Then we'll hold off right before we get completely pissed, Hannah.

Booze waits for no man.

<i>That day, without having to say a word on the matter, we all drank our drinks real slow.</i>

<i>We were waiting for one more person.</i>

<i>It seems there was a lot of chit-chat going on that day. Not that we remember any of it after the hangover.</i>

<i>All I remember is that Hannah and I got in a fight, and Dagda's brow got itself another scar. Why? None of us knew.</i>

<i>If Vina were there, it'll all be fine. She always stayed the most sober out of all of us, and she'd remember for us.</i>

<i>But she never showed up that day.</i>

I dragged the body back, Boss.

But... Will this really be okay? I mean, snatching away the corpse of a condemned criminal from right under Parliament's nose—

Did you really think you could take that away without some silent approval from above?

What of the Columbian?

He's not in the best of moods... Boss, do we really need <i>him</i> to carry these goods? What if—

Millscar says nothing. The mercenary sighs.

Alright, I get it. Look, Boss, I'm not trying to make you mad. But ever since Parliament made a move on us, everyone's been on edge.

It doesn't concern you lot.

I'll handle the Columbian.

Eliseo. I presume I don't need to introduce myself.

Millscar. I've heard about you.

Good, no need to waste words then. I need you to see this batch of goods out of Londinium safely.

You will, of course, receive payment. I can send this 'corpse' along with you.

Leave the city, and go as far away from it as you can.

Her name is Diane, Millscar.

Who she is isn't important to me.

What's important is that she doesn't show her face again in Londinium.

You call this payment? Making someone who just got home leave again?

Eliseo, you are well aware she cannot stay in the city. As far as everyone is concerned, she is dead. Hanged from the gallows.

Vina made a mistake. So long as this person is alive and within the city, sooner or later someone is going to use her as a knife to stab Vina in the back.

*sigh* She really must learn to be more decisive.

You know the condition of her infection better than I do, Eliseo. She doesn't have long.

You're welcome to refuse, of course. But I will still help Vina settle this matter. In my own way.

I know your story, Millscar. Or rather, Lady Allerdale Cumberland.

There's a lot of versions of it out there, but they all agree you really did fit with the title of 'Cumberland the Ever on High', once upon a time.

Fine, I'll get Diane out of here. I can take better care of her back in Columbia.

Happy?

You're a good man, Eliseo. She's lucky to have made a friend in you.

Get ready. You could be leaving at any time.

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Did you ever think you'd turn out this way?

Why ask just me?

Countless heroes lived through the war. From the most radiant of them to those that none remember. I too am curious as to how they will change in the face of reality.

Lying down amidst the meadow, the soldier senses a slight itch. The cold wind blows at the stalks of grass, and their tips tickle her face.

Is this what the land of the dead is like? She opens her eyes and sees someone most unexpected.

Huh—Wha—?!

You're awake.

You—

It's me, Eliseo. You shouldn't just go off on your own to do dangerous stuff without a word, Diane.

I-I remember standing atop the gallows...

You're dead, at least to those who witnessed the execution.

Before we left, I asked the people at Rhodes Island to give you the once-over. It's not looking too good.

A lot of your major organs have already begun to crystallize. In other words, Originium is replacing those organs.

So... I'm not dead? Am I lucky or unlucky?

I'm not sure if the Speaker knew about this beforehand...

So it was Vina who let me go? That's rather foolish of her.

To tell you the truth, I really don't get some of you people. *sigh* Sorry, Diane. I'm afraid you can't go back to Londinium.

Only now does she realize they are no longer in Londinium. She sees the tell-tale giant tracks laid down by the nomadic city not too far off in the distance.

Just ahead of them, Sarkaz children run around in the meadow, waving at her as they pass.

Most displaced Sarkaz have lost the light in their eyes to confusion. They can go anywhere, but nowhere can they call home.

I'll be taking you to Columbia, Diane. I might be able to do more for you there.

Alright then. Columbia, eh...?

I still remember saying that if I get the chance, I'd love to see the place you keep talking about.

How far are we from Columbia, Eliseo?

Well, still very far away. Let me get out my map—

Will I be able to make it there in my condition? Walking the whole way?

...I see. Could you promise me one thing, Eliseo?

I know what you're going to ask, Diane.

When the day comes, I'll bring you home. I'll bring you back to Londinium.

I'm rather curious myself as to how much the city would have changed by the time we return.

<i>The day we went back to the gym and got drunk, I had a dream.</i>

<i>In that dream, there was a tomb, all dressed up to the nines. Our names were carved onto the plaques inside it—</i>

<i>'Morgan', Kate Morrigan... 'Indra', Hannah Jackson</i>

<i>'Dagda', Isabelle Montague... 'Baird', Brigit Lucan</i>

<i>Outside the tomb, there was a blazing carriage, and atop it sat a golden lion. He was calling my name.</i>

<i>Vina Victoria.</i>

Mmfh... Vina...

...A blanket? Who put this blanket on me?

Urgh, my head hurts real bad. What time is it—

Morgan, didn't I tell you not to drink like a sodding wino all the time?

Hah, considering how wild Hannah and the rest can get, shouldn't you be looking after them?

Eh...? Vina? Vina!

Morgan nimbly launches herself out of the sofa, leaping over the short table to throw herself at Vina.

Vina, you came over!

I thought... I thought...

You thought what?

Why didn't you wake me, Hannah?!

Weren't you yapping and yowling yesterday about how she definitely wasn't coming?

Look at you. You turned out the most excited out of all of us.

No I'm not!

Stubborn prick.

Quiet down, Morgan. Dagda's still asleep.

(Mmph...)

The one resting her head atop Indra's lap twitches her ears, still lost within a lovely drunken dream.

Seems like Dagda drank the most out of you lot. I tidied up a lot of empty bottles.

She must've been in a real rotten mood, Vina.

Sorry.

I just hope I'm not too late.

Well of course you're not!

Wasn't what you said yesterday, Morgan.

(Shut it, Hannah!)

Welcome home, Vina!

I was really hoping to pop in earlier, but there's simply far too much to handle over at Parliament.

Then... How'd you...

I'm afraid I've given Horn another headache to deal with.

I suspect she'll only just have discovered I slipped away—

Then does that mean you need to head back?

I can't run away from my responsibilities.

But I owe you all an apology.

Vina, you don't need to—

Eh? Siege? Vina!

How long've I been asleep?!

Relax, Vina's only just arrived back.

That knife hanging on the wall—

It's hers. Cador brought it back.

Cador?!

<i>Vina never brought up having to head back the whole day, but we all knew—</i>

<i>That the Siege Vina, the boss of the Glasgow Gang, the ever-victorious king of the 'Slobberknocker', and (one of) my best friend(s) could leave us at any moment.</i>

<i>So I was loathe to lose a single moment where I could tell Vina about all the changes in Norport that she hadn't had the chance to see yet...</i>

<i>Cador, Mr. Lane, the video shop...</i>

<i>The reworked port, the rebuilt stores, a handful of old friends who rushed home after hearing the news...</i>

<i>Of course, who could forget the inexperienced little buggers who wanted to 'take over our gym'. After Vina beat them all to kingdom come with a smile on her face, they apologized by way of a few cartons of beer, and said they wanted to join us—</i>

<i>Seems like Norport's forgotten about us, but I don't think that's such a bad thing.</i>

<i>The war really was over.</i>

Do you still remember this place?

Why don't we get back to our little games, see who's fastest this time around?

Before Vina has even finished speaking, Indra has already begun to set off.

Hannah, you lousy cheat!

She didn't say nothing about a countdown. I'm still the champ here!

Hmph.

You've gotten slower ever since your injury, Hannah.

Say that after you've caught up.

Eh? Wha—?

What's going on? Wait for me!

Don't fall behind, Delphine! Follow me!

Hear that, Del? You're a real slowpoke!

Several figures speed through the streets, and a few workers heading home after work give an inquisitive glance at the brash crew.

They can't quite seem to remember who this gang is—

'Must be another bunch of outsiders just arrived at Norport. Maybe.'

High above the gaps between the factories, the Glasgow Gang return to a favorite spot of theirs.

Here, they can look down upon the squatting factories, and look out at the Shard's pointed peak over at Central.

It was here that they started, and it was here that they left home. After a long period of wandering about, they have finally returned to this familiar place.

But—

I left a glass for Baird.

Sure you don't want a tipple, Dagda?

No thank you. I'm not going to embarrass myself in front of Vina again.

I'll give your share to her, then.

Just fruit juice for you, Del?

Don't call me that. I'm still not too used to alcohol.

Suit yourself. I'll keep watch over you all.

Hell yeah! Finally, the part where we can start bloody drinking!

To Baird! To the Glasgow Gang!

To Baird! To the Glasgow Gang!

To Rhodes Island! To the Exemplars!

To everyone who fought in the war!

And, and, to all those who risked their lives coming home!

To all those who live, and who left... To all those still by our side...

To all those who shed blood and tears, to all those who struggle in darkness and in pain...

...To Victoria.

To Victoria!

There is no need for sorrow. The living engrave the moment in their memories, while those who left leave behind their hopes and dreams.

The fowlbeasts croon as they spiral overhead, echoing their words.

You heading off too, Delphine?

Only for a short while. I need to go back to Lynncardine. Shearer will come along to recuperate.

If you ever get real fed up of those lousy bastards, you can always come back here.

This is your home too.

Of course I will! I promised Vina, after all.

If there's ever a day you feel like it's all too much for you, Vina—

I'll come back.

But I think I can handle it.

I hope the Londiniers can live in peace and happiness, and I hope that everyone can live their best lives. It's what they deserve.

Everyone should be like us. Smiling, without a tear in sight or an empty belly to be heard.

I'm not going to let everything we've accomplished go to waste.

If someone tries to take it from us, I'll be fighting back.

Just like how we looked after this place back then.

Vina...

Vina, Alexandrina, either's fine. There's no difference the way I see it. No?

*burp*—

If Baird were here, that's what she'd want me to do.

You're right, Vina.

I really do hope so...

To the Glasgow Gang. To all of you.

Welcome home, everyone.

<i>Vina left us on the morning of the day after. She didn't let us see her off. Maybe she didn't want to wake us.</i>

<i>In truth, we were all awake. I watched her change into those clothes I was never fond of, and walk off on her lonesome towards Central Londinium.</i>

<i>I hope Vina managed to get a real good night's sleep, the best she's had in a long while. After all, it's only when she's at home that she doesn't need to think about anything.</i>

<i>I spent the entire night writing down everything that happened the day Vina came home, no matter how big or small.</i>

<i>I believe there will come a day that you, Vina, will read these words I wrote down.</i>

<i>They might not be of too much use, but they can help you remember some of the more easily-forgotten things.</i>

<i>Vina, do you still remember that dream I wrote about earlier?</i>

<i>In that dream, there was a tomb, all dressed up to the nines. Our names were carved onto the plaques inside it—</i>

<i>Outside the tomb, there was a blazing carriage, and atop it sat a golden lion. He was calling my name.</i>

<i>Vina Victoria.</i>

<i>I dreamt I was you.</i>

<i>I dreamt of a time I was all old and withered, some afternoon decades after I lost touch with my Glasgow friends...</i>

<i>I walked into the tomb that 'Siege' built for the gang.</i>

<i>I cherish that unforgettable memory that is no longer mine. I cherish the tale that started in Norport.</i>

<i>Vina, from the day you put on those clothes, I knew...</i>

<i>In the end, you walk alone. You have no choice but to walk alone.</i>

<i>I'm sorry. There's no way for us to help you, or to stay by your side...</i>

<i>But I wanted to let you know, we will always be here.</i>

<i>The Glasgow Gang will always be here.</i>

<i>To you, Vina Victoria.</i>

<i>—'The Memoir of Alexandrina'</i>

<i>By Kate Morrigan</i>