The Audience

Campaign: Trek to the Aquapolis

Chapter 7 / 3-1

The Audience

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Summary

It comes to light that Zacharias, the ruler of Saint Lotier, is actually Ranzal's father. In order to win his trust, the prince agrees to hunt the terrible beast menacing his city.

Dialogue

Saint Lotier

—Lord's Chamber—

Well, if it isn't Euden, seventh scion of the Alberian line. You've come far to grace us with your presence.

"The Lord of Saint Lotier: Zacharias"

Or perhaps I ought call you the royal brother to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Zethia? I come to you today as the self-declared ruler and emissary of New Alberia. Indeed, the sea breeze has carried word of your new venture even here. I hear you are a noble man, Zacharias, and that your rule is just and fair. Will you offer aid to the Halidom and help in our fight to save Grastaea's people? Even a fraction of the sea's water mana and Saint Lotier's bountiful resources could aid the Waterwyrm and us in our fight. I know that a world in chaos would not serve you well. As such, I ask that you place your faith in me and stand by the Halidom as our ally. Ha ha ha! And yet you come to me with a faithless cur at your right hand. How can I possibly place my faith in a man who so clearly lacks judgment? Faithless cur? Who do you— Why have you come here, Ranzal? You are a son to me no longer. Nice to see you too, Pops. What?! Ranzal, you're... Then... You are next in line to rule Saint Lotier?! How could you keep something so salient from us?! You were most emphatic about ceding your claim and leaving this city behind you. How dare you come crawling back now? Eh, I thought puttin' in an appearance was the right thing to do. If I'd hidden out back at the Halidom, it might'a seemed like we were tryin' to fool ya. I mean, you woulda found out eventually, yeah? And look, ya know I never had anything against this place. I just ain't cut out for politics and all that malarkey. Ruling over a kingdom—or hell, a city— this size just ain't for me. The whining of a petulant child! Fine then. I'll waste no more breath trying to instill responsibility in a lost cause. My apologies, Prince, but I must ask you to see yourself out. The Aquapolis does not bow to the Empire, but nor will it participate in a fool's mad rebellion. Your kingdom is a flea atop the lion's back, and my people will not bleed for you. Please, you must reconsider. I know I can prove the worth of our cause to you! Besides, allowing the empire to continue unchecked will only cause more blood to be spilled. People are suffering now—they cannot wait one day more. I know you must understand this! ...Very well. If you insist, I will take the matter under further consideration. But I will join no alliance. Instead, I will send a lieutenant to this "Halidom" to oversee your activities there. You would have us become a colony of Saint Lotier?! Unacceptable! Are you crazy?! A kingdom's way higher up on the food chain than one stupid city! Unless that kingdom is a castle in a stand of trees and the city is Saint Lotier. The Aquapolis dwarfs you easily. ...Well? What is your answer? If we accept this lieutenant of yours, will the Aquapolis promise to defend our people? As it suits Saint Lotier. A vassal state is in no position to shape its suzerain's military policy. Then I'm afraid I can't accept your offer. I seek an alliance of equals—nothing less. If that requires greater trust than I inspire, I am committed to forging that trust from the ground up. Allow me to serve Saint Lotier as you deem necessary. Interesting. You would pay for Aquapolitan blood with the sweat of your own brow? ...Very well. A nest of fiends in the swamplands near the city have been causing trouble lately. Our frontier guard has as yet been unable to eliminate the problem completely. So you want us to finish the job? All right. We'll see to it at once. Urgh. I'm sorry, Euden. If I was on better terms with my pops, he wouldn't have— His position makes sense—I know we're a new, small kingdom. I was just surprised to find out you're his son. Yeah, but that was a lifetime ago. Can ya really see me holdin' court? That's yer job. Hunting fiends is mine. Speakin' of which, let's get started. Chaps my cheeks a bit that we're doing it at HIS command, but I ain't gonna turn down a good scrap!