level_act46side_01_beg

Team Alpha, drop the supplies in the east-side clearing.

Set up medical tents in conjunction with the Paleroche reinforcements and be ready to receive wounded.

Right!

Team Bravo, take your shovels and wineskins and look for survivors in the ruins of the train station. Be thorough and keep your ears open for any cries.

Alright! Team, grab your gear and follow me—

Try not to make too much noise. We could still be looking at a second avalanche. A team is on its way to investigate the mountains.

Trust our people, and trust in Kjeragandr's protection.

By Kjeragandr.

...By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

Time's a-wasting. Get moving.

Yes, sir!

Before the voices disperse on the cold wind, the servants of Clan Silverash are already on the move, spreading out on the snow in every direction.

They are not the only ones here. The white tide has torn a gash in the peace.

Over here! This one's alive!

Hang in there! You're a son of Kjerag, you can take it!

M-My leg...

I can't move my leg... my leg is... argh!

Don't move! Somebody in the back, report!

We dug a hole, but his leg is pinned under a steel girder. If we can't get it out of the way, we'll need a surgeon to... no, I'll try to dig it open a little bit more!

Grr—okay! Good news, the girder's already broken! All we need to do is lift it up!

All we need is a little elbow grease! Over here, all hands on deck!

Hold tight, one, two, three...

—Hrragh!!

Argh... it hurts...

We got a gap! Pull him out now!

I got him. Take it easy, lift him up and put him on the tarp. Careful not to pull the wound open...

Slowly, carefully—

Got it! Stretcher!

Out of the way! Stretcher coming through!

Suppressed, restrained cries. Rescues. Stretchers. Survivors.

The rescuers run back and forth on the white snow, their faces red with exertion, hot sweat dripping on the snow.

Take over for me here, Gulo. Save every soul you can.

Right!

But where are you going, sir?

Sir Arctosz... is rescue work in the south already done?

No, not yet.

Gulo's overseeing it. I came to find you.

We're handling things here, no need to worry. The Browntails' help has already arrived, they brought blankets and food.

Madame Ratatos wanted to come personally, but she seems to be otherwise engaged.

...I figured as much.

We know what's going on. Nobody blames her.

<i>Schiisdräck!</i> The timing of this bloody disaster!

It came out of the blue. There were no warning signs, no chance to prepare.

Yes! That's why I came to you.

You know the rules. This avalanche happened on Paleroche land, and we're responsible for the mountains here.

We've been watching the thickness of the snowpack. I've seen the records myself. Everything was normal!

That's why I came to ask. Don't you have people at that <i>research institute</i> of yours whose job is to check on the mountains? What are they saying?

Research institute... you mean Rhine Lab?

Yeah! They spend all day on the mountains carrying all that newfangled gear. You're not telling me they didn't find anything, are you?

They have their own projects to deal with, and they don't necessarily focus all their attention on the mountains.

Besides, we came as soon as we heard about the avalanche. We haven't had a chance to find out what they know.

Sir Enciodes sent Degenbrecher up the mountains with a team. They should be back soon.

Hm...

This is sending chills up my spine. What in blazes is this avalanche...?

The wind wails, carrying snowflakes with it. The man turns around and stares at the mountain. He may be a mountain among men, but he is little more than a pebble before the silent mountains.

Is that...?

A group is moving quickly down the snowy mountain path, heading for the two men.

Sir Matterhorn!

We must let Sir Enciodes know at once! W-We found—

The investigator's expression is deathly pale, his fur boots wet and gray with dirty snow.

In the wind, his rapid and ragged breathing sounds almost like wailing.

If there are no further questions about the framework agreement, let us now move on to the detailed terms of the agreement.

First, concerning taxation of the joint Kjerag-Kazimierz mining endeavor—

(Whisper) Sir, Madam Degenbrecher is outside. She has something to report.

...Right now?

(Whisper) Yes. She says it's extremely urgent...

What's this urgent matter?

We found this on the mountain where the avalanche occurred.

Degenbrecher opens her gloved hand, and a small, black shard of Originium lies quietly in her palm.

On a mountain in Kjerag?

If the mountain by the train station counts as Kjerag.

Both Gnosis and Rhodes Island's have examined it. It's almost certain that...

Degenbrecher looks around her, making sure there are no eavesdroppers, and drops her voice.

This avalanche was a Catastrophe.

How many know?

The investigation team is our people, so we can keep them quiet, but a number of those at the foot of the mountain have been infected.

It won't be a secret for long.

Instruct Matterhorn to set up a blockade and not allow civilians to approach. I want checkpoints on the mountains as well.

Contact Rhodes Island and request secrecy in the housing and treatment of patients. Tell them to contact Karlan Trade if they need any help.

And tell Ratatos and Arctosz to meet me at the train station in one hour. Whatever it takes.

Understood. Anything else?

...Take a squad and go to Vine-Bead Court immediately.

And tell Gnosis to take a team to protect the Rhine Lab observation station.

Understood.

Enciodes checks his clothes and goes back into the conference room.

I apologize for the delay. Let us continue.

First, concerning taxation of the joint Kjerag-Kazimierz mining endeavor...

Preposterous... preposterous!

There has never been such a prophecy in any of the scriptures. Why would Kjeragandr punish us with a Catastrophe? It's preposterous!

But it happened! She has left us because She is angry with us!

How do we explain this Catastrophe, if not by Kjeragandr's anger?

Look at the crowd surrounding the Vine-Bead Court now. They are pious believers in Kjeragandr, gentle children of Kjerag.

Are we to tell them that the families and friends they lost, all their suffering, happened for no reason at all?

The people are troubled. Their faith is shaken... but it is at times like this that our own faith must be stronger than ever.

How do we know this isn't a trial from Kjeragandr to reinforce our faith?

Kjeragandr has not abandoned Kjerag... why would She punish Kjerag for no reason?

Perhaps it happened because we've acted against Kjeragandr's will—

The young cleric takes one look at the Saintess in the middle of the hall, then lowers his head without a word.

You may speak your mind.

Saintess...

I believe this is the fury of Kjeragandr... it's a warning...

Because the Vine-Bead Court... because we made the wrong choice.

We should not have allowed the faithless to build upon Mount Karlan. We should have remained firm, rejected them...

If they did not defile the temple of Kjeragandr and anger Her, why would Kjerag...?

His voice grows lower, but at the same time firmer. The hall is quiet, with no one speaking out in objection.

I see.

You believe that I, the Saintess, have offended Kjeragandr and brought Catastrophe upon Kjerag.

N-No, Saintess, what I mean is...

No, your words offer valuable insight. It is not only the people at the foot of the mountain; many who sit among us think the same way.

This is what is happening now. People doubt the Vine-Bead Court, and you, too, are anxious and wavering.

Cleric Fangot, Cleric Ronoa. One of you believes that Kjeragandr continues to favor us as She always has. The other believes that Kjeragandr has...

She bows and thinks for a moment, her alabaster face calm as ice.

Recite to me the Three Protections detailed in the <i>Kjeragandr.</i>

...Yes, Saintess.

The First Protection, Page 7, Line 9 of the <i>Kjeragandr.</i>

'And so She spoke to the shepherd boy, saying—'

'I shall grant you shelter, and all that you may need.'

'I shall hunt in the woods, and I shall plant seeds in the earth, such that you will have furs to wear and food to eat, and neither frost nor famine shall take you.'

'And thus, She protects us from the harms of cold and hunger.'

The Second Protection, Page 25, Line 17 of the <i>Kjeragandr.</i>

'And so the protector came forth from the people, awakened in the clouds of myriad colors, and built high walls of earth watered with snow.'

'And thus, She protects our homes and our kin, and She taught us the means to defend ourselves from our enemies.'

And... Page 32, Line 2 of the <i>Kjeragandr,</i> towards the end.

'That day, She proclaimed to the people:'

'My eyes shall watch over you, my fur shall warm you, my backbone shall protect you, while my flesh and blood shall bless you.'

'You have learned the way of wind and snow, and learned the form of walking.'

'You are the people of Kjerag, and the land of Kjerag belongs to you from this day forth.'

Very good...

Now tell me... is there anywhere in the <i>Kjeragandr</i> where Kjeragandr promises that Kjerag will always be safe from Catastrophe?

Are you making that promise to Kjeragandr's people on Her behalf?

Many of the seated clerics look down without a word.

It is quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The smell of incense fills the nostrils, but it feels as though their breaths have been frozen in place by the exchange that just occurred.

Your words ring true, Saintess.

Catastrophe has struck Kjerag. Some have died, and others have become afflicted.

The entire Snow Realm has heard the news. Fear, anxiety, sorrow, and even anger, are spreading throughout the people of Kjerag.

Our duty is to seek a solution.

Certainly. Now is not the time for debate, and my words are intended as a warning, not to fall into the twin traps of panic and prejudice.

You are the faithful devotees of Kjeragandr, and you understand the weight that words have. No member of the Vine-Bead Court is to speak of 'Kjeragandr's punishment' from this moment forth.

Tomorrow, I will go into the Hall of Writings, and devote myself to studying the scriptures and hearing Her voice.

Elder Adso.

Yes, Saintess.

As the new Great Elder, you shall oversee the Vine-Bead Court in my stead, during my retreat.

You are to carry out the duties of the court faithfully and diligently, from placating the people to conducting the memorial service and copying the scriptures for the repose of the deceased.

Understood...

We must have faith...

...Kjerag has weathered many storms and overcome many challenges. The Vine-Bead Court is ever with the people.

*sigh*...

At least things haven't gotten out of hand...

The girl exhales and slumps over the desk, finally able to relax the back that she has kept straight as a fir in the snow.

I don't understand. Why do people keep treating our god as a wishing well? Why do they attribute everything good and bad in their lives to Her?

I know, this is not how I should think, as their Saintess, but...

But I don't understand why a Catastrophe would strike now, either.

*sigh*...

Bring in the dressers, please, Kjarr.

The funeral preparations are done. Starting tomorrow, we'll...

Kjarr?

The room is quiet except for the whistling of the wind and the cracking of the fire.

Enya turns to find that the room is completely empty.

Kjarr... where are you?

The handmaiden who should be at the Saintess's side at all times is nowhere to be seen. There is only Enya's own shadow, thin and long in the light of the fireplace, flickering in the dim room.

Kjarr...?

Enya...

Tell me... honestly...

Do you still... hear Kjeragandr's voice?

The cracking of burning firewood echoes through the empty room.

The wind continues to wail outside the window. She can almost hear the cries of the bewildered devotees at the foot of Mount Karlan.

Enya recalls the day that she first came to the Saintess's quarters.

An unfamiliar room, an unfamiliar smell. Home was well in sight, yet she would never return there under her own name. At that time, she felt the same emptiness, as though this room were a snowy cave.

But she has grown accustomed to having a companion, someone to whom she can pour her heart out, someone on whom she can rely.

But now...

The <i>Kjeragandr</i> scriptures lie open on the desk. The dressing mirror reflects the girl's helpless expression.

Kjarr...

You promised me you wouldn't disappear so suddenly...

Exactly... what happened?