The Sylvan Archer

Campaign: The Waterwyrm's Cradle

Chapter 2 / 2-1

The Sylvan Archer

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Puddled Path

Summary

The prince and his fellow fugitives have a run-in with a brash young sylvan named Luca whose village is under attack from the Empire. They team up and hurry to the village to intervene.

Dialogue

Euden and his companions have become fugitives from the Royal Guard. Several days pass as they are harried by soldiers and fiends alike...

*sigh* You look bad, Euden. You wanna rest for a bit? Yeah, cheer up! I mean, sure, the kingdom's turned into an evil empire and our lives have all basically been ruined...

But whenever I feel low, I look up at the clouds 'n' remember I don't have to be blue... That's the sky's job!

Ugh.

I think you need to dig a little deeper for words of inspiration.

Aw, come on! That was great! Don't worry, everyone. I'm fine. I just wish we had some sort of plan. Halt! They've found us, and they got an archer! Everyone, down! If you're smart, you won't move a muscle, because I never miss. Look at those ears... He's a sylvan!

And he looks seriously hurt, too!

I think it's safe to assume a sylvan would never do Harle's bidding.

Easy, friend. You look like you're about to fall over there.

Nngh... You imperial vermin did this! You and your dragons! Did you say "dragons"? I'd never have lost to them if they'd fought fair!

I'd still have my little sister, and you wouldn't see...a scratch on me...

He's out cold. What's our play here, Euden? We can't just leave him here; I need to know what he meant by "dragons." Can someone heal him? I know a bit of the restorative arts, even if my power pales next to Zethia's. Thanks, Cleo. Arrrgh... Wh-where am I? Are you all right?

We've healed your wounds, but you should keep still.

You're...those people from before. Why did you help me?

You're not with the Empire?

We're WANTED by the Empire.

What'd they do to ya, anyway? You look like nine kinds'a hell.

They attacked us for no reason.

We were just going about our lives, when— *cough* Argh...

Sit still, or else I shall cast tranquilizing magic on you. It's for your own good.

Tell us everything that happened. Begin with your name.

"Southern Sylvan" "Woodland Archer: Luca" I'm Luca. My village and the kingdom have always left each other be.

I heard about all the political shake-up but assumed things would stay the same. Until that snake came along with his dragon and ordered us to bend the knee to the emperor. He said he was some prince— sixth in line for the throne.

Emile... We refused, of course, at which point he threatened to destroy the village. So I lunged at him, and...and I was winning! No, you weren't. Only a fool would challenge a dragon. You lost and washed up by the side of the lake. What? No! I fought valiantly! ...Er, by my reckoning. Well, sounds like ya had a rough time. But now it all makes sense.

When we bumped into Emile and his army, they musta been comin' here to invade yer village.

Then the Dyrenell Empire has returned in more than name, for they were merciless curs who tortured man and dragon alike.

The demon worshippers struck fear in all who crossed their path. Why would the king resurrect such a detested name?

Uh, to scare people, probably. And I'd say it's workin'!

No better way to get folks to toe the line than sayin', "Hey, remember those guys what slaughtered half the world?"

That's why they want to destroy your village. They want to make an example. I don't care what their reason is. They'll pay for all of this.

I can't stay here a moment longer. I need to help my people.

You NEED to rest. Luca, you won't be any help to your people if you're dead. Let us go with you. And put you face-to-face with that dragon? I don't think so.

I don't want you on my conscience, too.

Emile is using his dragon to torture innocent people. That affects all of us.

But we can stop him together. And more to the point, I'm sick and tired of running away. I need to confront him and find out who has taken my father's place on the throne.

Wait... Who ARE you? I'm Euden. Emile's younger brother, and seventh in line for the throne. Holy pine nuts! You're the traitor they're all looking for! Bzzt! Wrong! Lies!

Don't believe a word those spiders say.

Oh, I don't. Now that I've gotten a closer look at you, I can see in your eyes that you're all honest folk.

I accept your help, Euden. Gratefully. Now follow me, everyone. We have a dragon to confront!

Wait. You're going to trust us, just like that? Ha ha! The elder said it best. "When the wicked brand traitors, that's when you know who to trust."

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now, are we a team or what?

We are, Luca. And thank you. Now let's get to your village!