In the Distant Capital

Campaign: Entwining Flames

Chapter 8 / EX2-1

In the Distant Capital

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In the Heat of the Moment

Summary

Leif, White Sparrow knight of Alberia, has yet to stage a counterattack. Vice Captain Patia grows impatient, but then learns that Leif has been gathering intel while waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Just then, a mysterious invitation arrives...

Dialogue

I had hoped we would find a royal ally in Leonidas, and yet here we are. Are there none other than His Majesty who we can trust? Has everyone else already bent the knee to the Empire? It could be so. Still, it's a bit premature to give in to despair. Just because every nearby territory has yielded to the Empire does not mean they are all our enemies. I don't understand. There may be some who have fallen in line with the Empire out of fear or self-preservation who yet remain on the side of Alberia. A nation is like a family. Even if it is torn apart, those we care about still remain.

Imperial Capital

Dys fahr Dyrenell! Dys fahr Dyrenell! Thank you, Lady Patia. Of course. Thanks to you, we were able to repel the attack of the Rokkan rebel army. Clearly, our forces are superior. I entrust you with continuing the campaign. As for me, I must return to the captain. Understood! Captain! I can take no more! What is it, Patia? You look...furious. Just how long are the White Sparrows planning to yield to the whims of the Dyrenell Empire? Ours is a noble order, granted autonomous authority by the Alberian royal family! The White Sparrow Corps can accept no restrictions or leash, even if it means opposing king and country! And yet, we obey these people? Why?! It is the trend of the times. That is no answer, and you well know it! A proposal, Captain: With things as they now stand, let us simply cross blades with Empress Zethia. The Empress has lost her sanity. If we can at least strike a blow, I would gladly give my life! Please, Captain! Give the word! Very well. I will make a decision. We will depart the capital and wait carefully for the right opportunity. You would run instead of fight?! Do you have feelings for Empress Zethia? ...Or have you simply lost your nerve? The White Sparrow conquers and then returns. In other words, we leave the capital that we might come back with a dragon in tow. A dragon...? The Imperials believe that because they took the capital by force, Alberia has been defeated. But the heart of Alberia does not lie in its capital. Then where is it? The heart of Alberia is in the blood of dragons. And so long as that bloodline continues, the Imperials can raze every city to the ground and never defeat us. The next king WILL strike back at those who have raised the flag of revolution. I am certain of it. Thus was it necessary for us to remain here in service to that eventual counterattack. So up until now... Yes. I have been gathering intelligence. On the structure of the Empire and such. However, I now have enough. The time has come to spread the wings I have been resting for so very long. I should have known that you would have such deep and intricate plans... I AM a bit displeased, however. Because we don't rush headlong into war? Because you did not speak a word of this to me! And would you have been willing to wait patiently while I gathered the necessary information for this plan? You are many things, Patia, but patient is not one of them. You would have chafed under the pressure and eventually taken flight from the capital. You don't know that. I do. I know you very well indeed. And now that our minds are made up... (Where should we go first if we're to unite against the Empire...? To Euden's location? Or no, perhaps...) Captain! I come bearing news. What is it? It's a letter addressed to you, sir. Some manner of invitation. A letter? No, it can't be...