FC-ST-2: From the Ashes

FC-ST-2 From the Ashes	What the Firelight Casts: Swamp in the Mists Previous FC-7 (Story) Next FC-8 (Story)
The survivors of the conflagration go their separate ways.

Characters

Fischer Loughshinny Reed Duke of Caster Duke of Wellington Earl of Warwick Eblana Fionn Moran Injured Refugee Taran Refugee Victorian Officer

Backgrounds

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“

Most of the Tarans who followed Reed have chosen to keep fighting. At the same time, Eblana and the Duke of Wellington gaze out upon the horizon onboard a high-speed battleship. Dublinn's army is ready.

”

<Background 1>
[Fischer is giving his report to the Duke of Caster.]
Fischer	Harmonie's status as a spy has been confirmed, but the intelligence personnel she planted have all evacuated in advance under her cover. The Infected is indeed another Draco. Where she's headed is within our grasp. As soon as you give the orders, my team will continue our pursuit. On another note... Pardon me for asking, but to the one listening to this report from behind the screen–are you the head, or... the Duke herself?
[The Duke pulls the screen to reveal herself.]
Duke of Caster	Very sharp of you. I don't remember how many years it's been since I last met a youth who could single that out. Pardon me, I'd just like to enjoy this cup of tea first. Come, take a seat.
Fischer	...... No, being Infected, I'm best off standing here.
Duke of Caster	When you came, did you see the little theater on the street corner?
Fischer	Yes, I did... It wasn't open, and no suspicious persons were loitering there.
Duke of Caster	That theater was built by a group of self-proclaimed Taran artists. Every night, they put on plays based on Taran culture there.
Fischer	Do you need me to investigate them?
Duke of Caster	No, their existence is one I much admire. As for capturing the Draco, you needn't worry. I'll have someone else take care of it. The intelligence you brought is highly valuable. Given your talents, we shouldn't be wasting your time on clean-up work. I would like you to surveil the Duke of Wellington's movements from a specified location.
Fischer	Understood. I thank you for your appreciation.
Duke of Caster	Oh, yes, as for our prior question. Have you decided on your answer?
<Background 2>
[An injured refugee is asking a Messenger,]
Injured Refugee	Hi, Miss Messenger, how far can you deliver letters? As far as you want? Could you help me write one, then? Just a word or two. I just want to let my family know I'm still alive...
<Background fades out and in>
Reed	I'm sure you heard the farmer just now. Caravans pass through this area regularly. There'll be one in half an hour. Follow the caravan, and if you can hide in their transports, all the better. The regions around County Oak Grove should be the Duke of Wellington's territory. He won't permit transgressions against the Tarans. You'll be in grave danger if you miss this chance. The search team will make their way here from the nearest nomadic city as quickly as they can. It won't take them even an hour. But if you manage to make it out, you won't have to worry about your future. It's me who they're after. If they lose track of you, they won't pursue you any further.
Fionn	Er, wait... so, when Bagpipe said you were Dublinn's Leader, that wasn't just me hearing things?
Reed	Yes. If any of you still want to fight alongside Dublinn, you can come with me. But Dublinn's name won't shield you, and the road ahead may be much the same as what we're experiencing now... monitored by many, continually chased.
[The injured refugee returns.]
Injured Refugee	Hey, I'm back. I did what you said and talked to her. Said everyone who escaped the village with me decided to settle down here, and made up a place name that doesn't exist in the Scáthanna Fields. Still, that Messenger seemed a nice lass, though... If she's an actual Messenger, not just someone here to investigate us, we'd be sending her on this trip in vain, no?
Reed	...I've spent most of my life in hiding. I've seen plenty of people in pursuit, disguising themselves as Messengers.
Injured Refugee	*sigh* Alright. Suppose that's how it is from now on.
Taran Refugee	Stop sighing so much. We need to divvy up our supplies while we've still got the time. And you're hurt. Don't force yourself to go with Reed. We'll fight the Tarans' fight for you.
Injured Refugee	Haha. I count as having fought for the Tarans, then, eh...?
Fionn	...Reed, a moment? Something I need to tell you.
[Fionn and Reed separates from the rest to talk in private.]
Fionn	I'd wrote about it in my will, but... *sigh*... well, I survived, so.
Reed	Mm. What is it?
Fionn	...... You see... I was the one who bashed the soldier with the hoe. I'm the reason everyone has to go on the run. That night, I saw him beating–beating the Tullys' little girl. So I picked up a hoe someone set aside, and beat him on the head. I'm shaking, aren't I? I... *sigh* I really am sorry. It's been so long, and I still dream about it. She was only fourteen. She was screaming, crying, and it... it got to me. I know I figured, it was so dark out, no lamps allowed and all, so it didn't matter if it might've cracked his skull, shed some blood. Wouldn't have seen it no matter how bad it was. I just... didn't expect I'd mess this up for so many people. Afterwards, I thought I'd go with them and try to help everyone settle down, and then I'd leave to atone for my mistakes... But some of us never even made it, in the end, to a place we could settle down.
Reed	Did you make up the charge–about not having your papers in order?
Fionn	*sigh*. I'm sorry. I was worried they'd be suspicious when I wasn't on the wanted posters initially. That's why I went to the pharmacy with Fergal... and then I dragged you into this mess too.
Reed	Don't say that, Fionn. My identity was bound–to catch up to me one day. And the Tarans' sorrow–is bound to catch up to everyone, one day.
Fionn	Alright... alright, alright. Hey, Moran. Do you want to...
Moran	What is it, Fionn?
Fionn	No, nothing. Here, pass me the rope. You won't get very far tying up your luggage up like that.
Moran	Heheh. Fine, you're the expert.
Fionn	So, you're following Reed into the fight?
Moran	Mm. Selmon said I've got the strength to get a lot of things done for them.
Fionn	But you can't see when there's no light... That'll be hard on you. Besides, it's war we're talking about. You'll face far more, far greater enemies than we did that night. The cannons, too. War isn't like the plays, where the heroes take a cut, bleed a drop, fall and climb back up. In real life, people die the ugliest deaths in no time...
Moran	But. This is the path I want to choose. I rarely ever get the chance to choose, and I want to take it.
Reed	The caravan's coming in.
Fionn	Okay, I'll negotiate with them to carry the injured. ...... ...... Reed... Can I go? Can I leave, the way I am now?
<Background black>
I believe everything is prepared. All that's left... is my little sister. She is still lost at a crossroads, but she will make the right decision in the end.
<Background 3>
Top Deck of High-Speed Battleship Gastrell
[Eblana, the Leader of Dublinn, is talking with the Duke of Wellington at the Gastrell's deck.]
Eblana	A rib taken from what was once the greatest nomadic city, furnished with the crystallization of the Victorian military's technological prowess. Most should be proud of having the privilege to board this battleship. Even across all of Terra, I doubt there exists a military machine as worthy of admiration as this.
Duke of Wellington	I expect no less from something bearing the name of a legendary officer under the Draco.
Eblana	I'm sure many have sought to track it, trying to fathom where you stand... But after a seven year journey, today is finally the day it comes to shore.
Duke of Wellington	How many Messengers are on the way to report the news of our change of course?
Victorian Officer	The Duke of Caster and many others besides are paying close attention, but none of their armies will be able to interfere in time. County Oak Grove has stopped sailing and is ready to link. This is the first time in seven years our ship comes anywhere close to a nomadic city, but there'll be little resupplying or maintenance needed while we're docked. His Lordship has indicated he'll personally receive you at the dock.
Duke of Wellington	Those Aslan lapdogs. So hesitant, so indolent, they may never even find out who this city truly belongs to until this ship has made it to County Oak Grove.
Eblana	And they have no idea of the fires that will rise again thence. Dublinn's army, the Tarans who thirst to be released from this injustice, have made their way here from every part of Victoria. My strategist... has done very well.
Duke of Wellington	Has my city stopped where I hoped it to?
Victorian Officer	Yes. Given terrain limitations and safety considerations, this is the position closest to the ruins that this city's course can reach.
Duke of Wellington	What do you think, Princess Eblana? You paid those ruins a visit on your way here.
Eblana	I think this will suffice. It doesn't matter how highly those who clamor for the restoration of Taran culture think of King Gaeil's palace. It's ultimately no more than a decaying ruins. When the time comes, the romanticist dreamers need only catch one glimpse of it through the wild morning mist, and it will sink in that what once stood atop the hills perished in Catastrophe. That will do.
Duke of Wellington	From what I hear, once the Taran dynasty fell and the Dracos fled, the Aslans let that castle stand empty until the day Catastrophe claimed it. The Tarans have all but forgotten it.
Eblana	The remnants of that olden dynasty... were never of any intrigue to begin with. The title of King Gaeil was bestowed upon him by Victoria's regent. He was no more than a more celebrated servant. If his crown was still extant, I would destroy it. If his throne still remained, I would render it ashes. But the place lacks even those to speak of.
Duke of Wellington	Hence why the young Warwick sought to rediscover Taran history starting from the legend of King Gaeil. A fine thing to do, really.
Eblana	You mean "The Eulogist" Warwick, the "Warwick of the Northern Front?" ...Oh, so you knew him?
Duke of Wellington	I once sent an envoy to one of his parties. This battleship began its patrol right around that time.
Eblana	You've always been of great foresight.
Duke of Wellington	I'd hardly call it much of a long wait. County Oak Grove... Say, are you keen on seeing it for yourself?
Eblana	Of course. I'm very curious how it's rebuilt itself since that great fire. After all, I once called it home.
<Background black>
My elder sister's spear in hand, I stand in the hallway for some time. Everyone in the manor hangs their heads in silence, trying to keep busy. The moment they see me, they avert their gaze. Our teacher's health has been poor. He hasn't left his room since making his way back through a snowstorm from a dinner party. Dr. Dale readied him the mulled wine, yet hasn't been punctual in fetching the empty glass. The muted sounds of crackling wood seep through the gaps in the door. The fireplace must be a bed of warmth on this snowy night, but the flames' eerie silence makes my teeth chatter. Nonetheless, I open the door.
Earl of Warwick	Now that–you've convinced everyone to turn against me... Why shouldn't I partake in this glass of wine?
Eblana	I thought you would want to know what your missteps were, such that your servants would seek help from me.
Earl of Warwick	*cough*... That is no matter, Eblana... What is important is... can you continue to hold their trust?
Eblana	Yes, of course. And I see you don't ask why I would agree to help them.
Earl of Warwick	*cough*... I'm sure you know what's going to happen to this city once I'm gone.
Eblana	The balance of power between the nobles will be lost, and no one will dare to oppose Count Philip in Parliament. Still, our own two junior barons will no doubt set to work in the shadows, so as to earn the Duke of Stafford's favor. And simultaneously, the Tarans who have just rediscovered their names will lose their leader and protector. They will continue to be upheaved, trodden down by the harsh rule of law and the nobles... to the point they cannot bear it. Yet even if you live, all the bloodshed, the violence, the rioting would happen sooner or later. Wouldn't you say, sir?
Earl of Warwick	Hohoh... and what will you do when that time comes?
Eblana	I will... reach my hand out, and drag them up from the ashes.
Loughshinny	......
For some unknown reason, a satisfied smile appears on his pale face.
Earl of Warwick	The insatiable Dracos, their ambitions knowing no bounds... Half my life spent searching. It was not in vain... ahh...
He removes his spectacles, and with a slow, arduous turn, faces out through the window, out to the snowstorm. That gaze, filled with fond nostalgia and earnest expectation, is the same as on that winter night ten years ago, the night he finished reading the legend, the night his fingers brushed across the Taran letters embossed in gold upon the book's spine.
Earl of Warwick	I see... a new age belonging to the Tarans... right in front of us. Oh... But Loughshinny... And you... You...
I stand motionlessly in the doorway. Reflected on the glass pane is my face, illuminated by the cold flames around us. Though filled with fear, our pitiful expressions are one and the same. Loughshinny... whose student will you be?