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* Siegbert: Was anyone seriously hurt?
* Soleil: Nah, we're fine, more or less.
* Ignatius: I'm just glad no one died. Who the heck WERE those guys?
* Velouria: It looked like they got bored of chasing us partway and left.
* Percy: Lucky thing for us, huh? If they'd kept at it, I don't think any of us woulda made it!
* Siegbert: I'm sorry, everyone. I'm to blame here. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't strayed too close to them.
* Ignatius: I thought it seemed strange for you to put yourself in harm's way. Couldn't you tell they were enemies? The same ones who attacked us all, no doubt.
* Siegbert: I know. I knew even then. It's just... It was hard to think of them that way. I saw a strange light... When it faded, the blade and bow their leaders carried were glowing faintly. The light they cast was so gentle and warm...it felt reassuring somehow.
* Soleil: OK, but then they turned around and used that blade and bow on us. I hate to say it, but it sounds like that light was a trick to lull you into giving up.
* Siegbert: Hmph. Be that as it may, I don't see our next move from here. With my father gone, the kingdom must be in an uproar.
* Percy: Hey, I've got an idea! What if we run a little recon? I bet I could learn all kinds of things from a dragon's-eye view.
* Ignatius: That's smart. We could get the drop on the enemy if they were still lurking around.
* Siegbert: ...No. Let's not exert ourselves any more than we must.
* Ignatius: Do you not think we can win?
* Velouria: I'm sure Siegbert's just tired. Let's wait here and leave the fighting to someone else.
* Percy: Uh, like who?
* Velouria: Oh, anyone. Whoever. Who cares? The king of Nohr going missing is a pretty big deal. It doesn't have to be us who goes looking for him. I'm sure someone will get to it. Not us, though. We don't even know which end of a sword is up.
* Percy: But what if there isn't anyone else? That means it's up to us to save the day!
* Velouria: Nope. You're wrong.
* Ignatius: What makes you so sure?
* Velouria: Because I've heard the sounds of fighting for a while now. Isn't that a relief? Now we know we're not the only ones here.
* Ignatius: What?! They could need our help!
* Siegbert: I don't know...
* Soleil: Really? You're not coming?
* Siegbert: I'll, er, see the rest of you off. But we barely survived the last battle. I've little confidence we can win this one.
* Soleil: Oh.
* Velouria: I'm behind Siegbert 100 percent. As bad as me dying would be, losing Siegbert is even worse. He's next in line for the crown if King Xander has croaked, after all.
* Percy: "Croaked"?! That's tactless even for you!
* Velouria: Would it be better to keep pretending that he might be around? I don't even think my daddy's alive...
* Percy: Don't say that!
* Velouria: But it's true. He took on all the enemies himself so I could get away. I was there. I saw what he was up against. So I know there's no way he survived. Didn't you tell me the same thing happened to your daddy, Percy?
* Percy: Yeah, but—!
* Velouria: So your daddy's probably a goner too.
* Percy: Stop saying that...
* Velouria: Just a big ol' slab of worm meat.
* Percy: STOP IT!
* Soleil: Cripes, Velouria! Enough is enough!
* Velouria: ...Fine.
* Percy: *sniffle* Pop... Pop!
* Ignatius: Um...there, there?
* Percy: AAAAARGH! V-Velouria's right... Pop's probably dead! I thought heroes never died, but... He stayed behind so Ace could fly away. And now I'll never see him again!
* Ignatius: Calm down, Percy. There's a chance he could have survived. My father faced odds just as bad when he was protecting me. But I know there's no way a man with his strength died that easily. What kind of sons would we be if we didn't have faith in them?
* Soleil: Look, Velouria. What happened to you happened to me too. Dad handed me a sword and then went off to act as bait so I could escape. I don't think there's any chance he could have gotten away. But I tell myself he's safe and fight on, because if I didn't, I'd fall apart. That goes for most of us, I'd bet. So what were you thinking?
* Velouria: I was just being realistic. If you're going to get like that about it, I won't bother pretending to be friends.
* Soleil: Velouria...
* Velouria: You're Siegbert's retainer, right? Then you already know what's best for your liege.
* Soleil: Yeah, I do. I'm going out to fight. And my "liege" is coming with me.
* Velouria: You can't be serious!
* Siegbert: What are you saying, Soleil?!
* Soleil: I know you too well by now for that act to fool me, Siegbert. So I'm calling your bluff. You want to go and fight them more than any of us, huh? So what's holding you back? Are you afraid we'll get hurt in the process?
* Siegbert: Not precisely... I hesitate to admit to my shameful true feelings. But as a prince, I must have my priorities in order. Were I to act out of self-interest, as before, and we all met a bloody end... I would be a disgrace to my father. To the entire Nohrian royal family.
* Soleil: Oh my gods, no you wouldn't!
* Siegbert: Soleil, really now—
* Soleil: There's no disgrace in going after what you really, truly want! What were you going to do, wait patiently for someone else to fix it for you?
* Siegbert: Of all the—
* Soleil: Nope, not arguing time now. It's fighting time. Saddle up, Siegbert. I guarantee we'll be fine. You'll have me watching your back, for one thing.
* Siegbert: Am I to have no say in this?!
* Soleil: Sure you do! If you can look me in the eye and tell me you don't want to fight, I'll obey you. I'm waiting.
* Siegbert: I...I don't want to... Hrmph! Very well. It's true, I want to join in the battle. I've been eager to do so this whole time. I want to live up to my father's legacy—to be as strong as he was.
* Soleil: Attaboy!
* Velouria: Hmph. Don't run crying to me when you come back with your tail between your legs.
* Siegbert: I'm sorry, Velouria. I know you had my best interests at heart. Perhaps my eagerness to prove myself in battle makes for a poor prince. All the same...I'd be grateful if you'd fight alongside us.
* Velouria: I dunno. What's the point of it all?
* Siegbert: A fair question. Whether dead or simply missing, my father is gone. His sword is all that remains. A pragmatist would proceed under the assumption that he will never return. But hope has its place, too. I believe our loved ones are still alive. And though this may be a delusion, if we can draw strength from it...why not? Velouria, I ask you to have the faith in your father that I have in mine.
* Velouria: Everyone seems so sure Daddy is alive. If he is...and I could save him...I would chase Daddy anywhere. Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't give up the hunt while the trail's not yet cold. I'll follow your lead.
* Siegbert: That's all I ask.
* Velouria: Sorry, Percy. And, um, everyone else too. I didn't really mean any of that.
* Percy: Water under the bridge! We've gotta look forward, not back!
* Ignatius: Besides, we know you were hurting, too. We don't hate you for that.
* Soleil: Yeah. Plus, you're way too cute to ever stay mad at.
* Velouria: Heh...thanks.
* Siegbert: Let's waste no more time, then. We will fight. We will survive. And we will get our parents back! (transition to battle map)
* Forrest: Relentless, aren't they? No sooner do we attempt to retreat than they give pursuit. Why on earth could they be dogging us so?
* Kana: It never ends, huh...? But we can't give up yet! (Shiro's group retreats)
* Kana: Huh! They changed their minds? Why?
* Forrest: Look past them. There's a small force approaching from the southwest. Our enemy may simply be opting to hunt easier prey...
* Kana: Then those people are in danger! We gotta go after them!
* Forrest: Not just yet.
* Kana: Why not?
* Forrest: I'm loath to admit it, but we could use a breather to prepare ourselves. We should still have plenty of time to join up with them afterward.
* Kana: Oh...good point. If we rush in, we'd just hurt ourselves worse, huh? OK, everyone, let's hang back for now! (everyone but Forrest retreats)
* Forrest: Wait, is that...Siegbert?! Oh dear. My apologies, Cousin. We'll come to your aid soon... Try to hold out until then! (Forrest retreats)
* Siegbert: Was that Forrest...?!
* Soleil: Forrest? He's here?
* Siegbert: I thought...but no. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. Then again, if I saw true, we'd be best served linking up with his forces. They may be able to fill in some of the gaps for us.
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