Beyond the Beyond: Update 55: Dusk In Marion (Marion Kingdom pt. 2)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 55: Dusk In Marion (Marion Kingdom pt. 2)

The day in Marion is winding down but that doesn't mean its people aren't busy with their lives.

After spending their afternoon wandering through and around Isla the kids eventually circle back and head home. The day's light begins to fade as they walk into Sonya's house.

I... didn't expect you to be back so soon.
Walk off without saying goodbye? No way!
...
I guess this means we're not going to be camping out tonight.
It's been so long I don't even remember what my own bed feels like.
Prrrra. Five minutes after you lie down you'll be complaining again.
Mom what's wrong? Don't you want us to stay here tonight?
I do it's just... Forget it. I should just be grateful that you're safe.

Before anyone can say anything else Steiner decides he's rolling out.

Well this has been fun but I have a play date to keep. Laters!

With no one to stop him Steiner flies out of the house.

Steiner just tookoff. The world's not about to end is it?
Nah. He just doesn't like sitting around here doing nothing.
Good. He can be someone else's problem tonight.

The kids turn their attention back to Sonya.

So what's for dinner?
What? You don't want more of my awesome cooking?
You know I never would have pegged Sir Samson as a good cook.
Eh, he's okay.
Like you're one to talk.
It's not like he's here to contradict me!
If it's all the same I'd rather have my mom cook tonight.
I was thinking about making a stew but I don't have much meat in the house.
Don't worry we can fix that.
Tont to the rescue!

Meanwhile in Marion Castle the setting sun finds the king on his throne waiting for someone to arrive.

You sent for me?

Sir Galahad enters the throne room.

Yes. It's about Edward.
What's wrong? Did something happen?
He has been vocal about going to Bandore. Not in public. He's not that rash. But whenever he gets a moment of my time in private he can't wait to launch into another attempt to persuade me.
He is a boy of strong convictions, your Majesty.
Those other kids... I saw you speak to them before they left. Where are they headed?
If I had to guess I'd say they're probably home in Isla right now.
Your daughter reminds me of her brother Percy. They both have strong wills.
Yes, Annie has quite a strong spirit.
Edward has told me that she is a cleric skilled in the healing arts. I am curious to know who trained her.
Well, uh, how to put this... She's sort of self taught actually.

After Galahad explains what happened to his daughter in the Cave of Spirits the king is quiet for a moment.

What a bizarre series of events. Despite her troubles it seems Arawn has blessed her. What good fortune.
I'm just glad she's still with us.
And that boy, Finn, what courage he has to save her life.
He takes after his father.
To know that Lord Kevins has a son is still a bit of a shock. He has always been a man married to his job, as the saying goes.
Ahh, yes. Well... things happen sometimes.
I never would have been able to tell by looking at the boy.
Children can be strange like that.
Yes, that is true.
Is something else bothering you?
Edward is still quite vocal about Bandore, as you know, and I think he feels a bit hurt that the friends he made on his journey have left. He needs something constructive to hold his interest. Something to take his mind off of Marion's troubles. I was wondering if you had any ideas.

The fading daylight finds Annie and Sonya sitting at the table in their house catching up on all that they had missed. Or at least Annie was catching Sonya up in a rather one-sided conversation.

Mom you've hardly said two words since Finn left.
Lost in thought. That's all.
About Percy?
Is it true that he's still Bandore's prisoner?
Yeah...
You don't have to spare me the truth. I can handle it.
I wish I knew if he's okay.
When Finn goes to Bandore will you go with him?
What makes you ask that?
That's his nature - try to play the hero.
Finn a hero? Please! He's too reckless. *pause* If we go it'll just be a rescue mission. Nothing more. I promise.
For Percy or for Lord Kevins?
Why does it have to be a choice?
That just seems to be how things work. If you had to choose...
Mom don't say things like that!
Listen to me. My daughter is home after an adventure across Greenheim and the only thing I can talk about is her brother.
You're worried. That's normal.
I know that this is Arawn's will. He has given you power to help the world. It's just... I didn't expect to send you out into the world quite so soon.
We've done good things, helped people. I can't hold onto regrets knowing that.
That's... What's that noise?

Walking outside they see the kids at play with Steiner.

You couldn't catch me if I was hogtied!
Wanna bet?

Now that brings back memories.

The kids continue to play as Steiner flies up to Sonya and Annie.

Prrraa. Where's Finn?
Off with Tont trying to find dinner.
Well I guess we won't see them for a couple of days.
Seriously though they're out looking for something to add to the stew Mom's planning on making.
If they're not back soon I'm going to have to start without them.

Well when you see Finn tell him I had a whole bunch of fun while he was gone.
Admit it, Steiner, you're just upset that Finn doesn't play with you like when he was a little kid.
I admit to nothing, human. I have more important things to spend my time on.
Sure you do.

Steiner flies away.

There's something I've been wondering. Are you going to join Dad in the capital?
No. My home is here.
Here where you're all alone?
I do miss your father terribly and worry about him.
I don't get it. Mom, if you miss Dad so much why don't you just go live with him in the castle? It's not like the king would really object, would he?
It's not that. It's just that... when your father's there, ah, the job, it changes him. That's why before you were born I came back to Isla with Percy. I just couldn't stand to watch what was happening to him.
I don't understand.
It was years ago. Don't let it trouble you.
...Mom...
It's getting late. I'd better get to work.

As the moon rises over Marion Castle Sir Galahad enjoys a moment of peace.

Suddenly he hears a noise behind him.

And who could that be?

Although he cannot see it Sir Galahad can hear the distinct creak of a door to the tower beside him opening.

Out steps the Hero of Marion.

I know those footfalls. That would be Samson.

Sir Galahad waits silently for his old comrade to approach.

You seem to be settling back in Sir Galahad.
Not necessarily because I want to. Kevins didn't change much did he?
He didn't have to. You left the knights in good shape.
...
Besides you've only been gone for six years, not a lifetime.
You don't have to flatter me, Samson.

Are you worried that old habits die hard?
Has it really been six years? It feels like much longer. I was always told that time flies by faster the older you get.
...
I still clearly remember it. Falling off that horse, Kevins helping me up as if it had just been a random accident. I didn't feel any pain. That came later with the hangover. Told myself I was never going to drink again.
An empty promise.
Annie's a good-hearted girl isn't she? I know she worries about dear old Dad.
Nobody forced you to accept the king's offer.
I'd never be able to forgive myself if I had refused.
You weren't always like this, Sir Galahad.
I was once young and hopeful and pretty stupidly optimistic. Some days I wish... No, despite everything that's happened I've grown a bit wiser. We've all made our sacrifices for Marion. That's part of the job.
I don't like that look.
You know I have to ask you. How much have you told the kids?
I've kept my mouth shut. That was the arrangement, right?
Yeah.
Then what's the problem?
Shutat. I went down into the archives. Everything about the royal family had been pulled out and left in a big stack. Samson... I think that's why he pushed for the invasion.
You're sure about that?
The servants who stuck around say Shutat spent many of his days poring over any scrap of paper he could get his hands on - histories, genealogies, birth and death records. He was searching for something. Thank Arawn he didn't get his hands on the book Ancient Marion. Apparently Ramue returned to the castle with it but a servant girl saw her put it down and made off with it. Samson, what happened? How could you lose something like that?
I don't know.
You don't know?
I remember that I had it. The castle had been breached and I couldn't find Edward so I went, I got the book, then I hurried out through the escape tunnel. I - I remember we were at the border church and then...
Then what?
Edward and I were in the garden behind the church. I reached for the book and it was gone.
Gone? Into thin air?
I have no other explanation. I don't know what happened. Things were moving so fast and I was so worried that Ramue might catch us...
I guess things worked out in the end. It bought us time.
So Shutat spent his days looking for someone. Hmm... Bandore didn't seem eager to kill the king.
Nor Prince Edward. Lord Kevins managed to get the king out of the castle during the invasion but Edward was elsewhere with his teacher and well... we know how that turned out.
I handled it as soon as I could!
I'm not blaming you for what happened. I just... wonder if Shutat was keeping Edward alive because he had to be sure.
So you do think that was the whole point of the invasion.
And I see you reached the same conclusion.
Yes. It's the only logical answer. And the youngsters? Did you actually send them?
They left of their own accord. Not that I expected Percy to wait it out. As for Finn *pauses* it's hard to dissuade him once he gets an idea into his head. I didn't want Annie to be a part of this. Arawn seems to have other ideas though.
Hrm. *looks away*
What is it?
Finn. In hindsight I should have known what was happening all those years. I guess... I thought my part was done. I should have been better prepared for the inevitable.
You said yourself that you didn't want to know. I honored that. Kevins felt differently. He had to meddle. Now only his obstinence prevents Shutat from learning all of our secrets.
We'll get him back. Don't worry.
Good because when he gets back I'm going to punch him in the face for dumping all of this on me!
I see where Annie gets that impulse from.
You of all people should understand the hell I went through to make the plan work. I had to rewrite Marion's history, erase people from memory, and deny that they ever existed. Then after I retired all Kevins had to do was keep his mouth shut.
Is that why you barely spoke to Kevins? Resentment?
Somewhat. Not that retirement saved me from him. Now look at me. I'm right back where I started, all alone and once again tasked with keeping Marion together.
You're not alone. I'm here.
You're here until Edward can't stand to wait any longer. Then he'll leave and take you with him.
Wha-what do you expect me to do, Galahad? I'm his bodyguard! If he leaves the castle I have to go with him. That's my duty!
...
Seriously what is the problem? I think I have earned the right to at least know why you're mad at me.
You weren't here when I needed you thirteen years ago.
Oh come on! You're still bitter about that?
Why wouldn't I be?! You left me to clean up your mess all on my own. You abandoned us!
Don't give me that! I served as best I could. I always did what was asked of me.
Until you suddenly couldn't.
I was the best tracker in Marion when those orders came down and I will have to live with the shame of what that brought me for the rest of my life!

You left without a word in the middle of the night. All I got was a note resigning your post. No goodbyes, no explanation, nothing.
What would you rather have had me do, Galahad? I had failed the trust put in me. Looking people in the eye and pretending everything was all right... I couldn't do it anymore.
Do you have any idea what I had to do to save your career? To keep the knights and the court from falling apart? Marion was still being ravaged by plague. A newly-crowned king deep in mourning wondering if his infant son was the next in the family to perish. And to top it all off the people's heroes were being torn away by cruel fate. I understood why. But our plan, that fantasy the four of us... People asked me so many questions and I had to keep that fantasy alive. I got to know the bottom of a bottle quite well.
If you want to be angry with me about that then fine. Go ahead. I've earned it. Just remember though that when you sent for me I answered that call without hesitation. My loyalty to Marion never wavered.
Two years later you went back to Zalagoon to be a mercenary again. You gave the king a day's notice then you were gone. Do you know what that did to Edward? He wouldn't stop asking about you. Every damn day the same questions. "Where is Samson?" Is Samson back?" "Why did Samson leave?" He looked up to you so much.
...
I still don't understand why you answered the king's letter in person. Did you really plan on accepting his offer to be Edward's full-time bodyguard?
It was time to pay my debt. I won't let anything happen to Edward. Not on my watch. I owe it to him.

Meanwhile Prince Edward lay fitfully in bed with his own worries.

And yet disaster almost took him too.
By the time I got back the castle had been overrun. I just... hoped that Kevins had gotten Edward somewhere safe.
Life has a way of getting us when we least expect it. But, you know that better than I do.
I got him back safely. I got all the kids back safely.
Even the one you picked up along the way.
Kid had his own run of bad luck. I guess I'm going a little soft in my old age. He pulled his weight and got along with the others so I don't really have a reason to complain.
The king is worried about Edward; asked me what I thought of the situation and of how to keep the prince from running off after Bandore.
What did you tell him?

I told him I'd find something. I wish I had told him what I was really thinking - that it will take a miracle to keep Edward in Marion.
*smirks* Seems to me like you're the miracle man of the hour.
That's funny coming from you.

Unable to sleep the fitful prince rises from his bed and makes his way across his room to stare out at the moon-illuminated balcony.

After several minutes of staring at the moon Edward looks down and finds he has a visitor.

Well hello there kitty. You must be a good climber to get all the way up here.

The white cat approaches meowing silently at the prince from the other side of the glass.

You're right. I shouldn't be afraid. I know what needs to be done.

The young prince gets dressed and heads out into the darkened castle.

And in Isla Finn and Tont finally return to the village well after nightfall.

So that's how you met Steiner. He was pretty lucky you came by.
Yeah I guess you could say that.
Of course he's been happy to eat anything offered to him hasn't he?
You wouldn't think that such a tiny a dragon could have such a huge appetite. I guess he needs it for all that flying he does.
How old is he anyway?
I have no idea. Can't be that old in dragon years.
Heh you're gonna be an old man one day and he's still gonna be tiny. Just wait and see.
And he'll still be busting my chops about whatever he can think of!

The boys approach Sonya's house.

Would you have it any other way?
Naw. *pauses* Well, time to face the music.
We went out headstrong and cocksure. We come home empty handed.
I'm starting to wish my dad had taught me how to use a bow. Would've been handy today.
Hunting does go a lot smoother when Steiner's around to scare the prey into running towards you.

Back in Marion Castle a light creeping down the stairs marks the arrival of someone in the castle's old library/archive room.

Illuminated by the magical light of his staff Edward is careful to avoid a misstep and a fall as he enters the dark room.

Hmm, dusty down here isn't it? No wait the floor's been swept recently.

...Hmm, I hope everything is still in order.

Now where is that candle? There should be at least one down here.

Aww, there it is.

With a brief incantation and the expenditure of some mana Edward lights the candle providing some warm, if weak, illumination.

Well it's a start.

I guess I'll have to make do without a table though.

Some time later a tired and rather sore prince makes his way back up the stairs to the main floor of Marion Castle.

AGH!
I thought I might find you here.
You scared me, Dad.
A bit jumpy are we? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given everything that's happened. Anyway, I went to your room only to find your bed empty.
I -I couldn't sleep and I promised Finn I would look something up for him.
Did you find it?
No.
It's late and you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow. Come, I'll see you to your room.

The king and Edward turn to leave but only get a few steps before Edward's next question brings his father to a halt.

Dad who was Sir Norton?

...
Dad?
That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
Who was he?
He was a knight of Marion. Why do you ask?
Because there's no record of any such man in the membership lists of the knights.
That can't be right! Are you sure?
Dad I checked and double checked to be sure. His name was nowhere to be found.
That can't be right. He should be on there.
Maybe he's listed under another name?
No. He wouldn't be. This has to be some sort of mistake!
Dad are you ok? You're getting pretty worked up about this.
I am just shocked that a man like Sir Norton could be forgotten. He was a brave knight, one of the most valiant of his time. All of Marion mourned his passing.
Sir Samson would only tell me that Sir Norton was "before my time" whatever that means.
Yes. He died about a year before you were born. You would have known him if he had lived for he would have been your uncle-in-law. He married my younger sister.
...what?
Yes. Scarlet was the oldest, then there was myself, and finally our little sister Katherine.
Why didn't you mention that I had another aunt?
She died before you were born. It was all a very painful business. It still is. Let old ghosts lie, that's what my mother always used to say.
Then why...?

Before Edward can utter another word Sir Samson walks in.

There you are Prince Edward. Good evening your Majesty.
And to you Sir Samson. Are you getting settled back in?
I was actually just discussing training protocols with Sir Galahad. The knights have lost a lot of skilled warriors and new recruits will have to be brought up to speed quickly in case Bandore tries something else. We were trying to decide on what to focus on first.
Sounds good. Since you are here now I will leave my son in your capable hands.
Father...
Sir Piat will be leaving tomorrow morning and I expect you to be there Edward.
Of course. I understand.

The king leaves.

*takes a deep breath* Why does he do that?
Why does he do what?
Just drop everything, pretend like the conversation we had going never happened, and leave me with you.
*raises an eyebrow*
Not that you're bad company or anything. It's just... he's my father and I rarely get more then five minutes out of him.
I'm sure he has his reasons.
He just can't be bothered to deal with them or me.
Hrm... I don't presume to speak for the king but from what I saw, after your mother died of the plague and you survived, frail and sickly, he kept his distance.
Does it have something to do with what happened to Katherine?
I once heard a platitude that tragedies come in threes. I don't really believe it. It's a bit trite. But sometimes bad things do happen in rapid succession and people change because of it.
Sir Samson what is the Great Light?
An old legend that's been kicked around for a long, long time. *pauses* Did all that talk about it back in Simone worry you?
The Great Light, ancient wars, Vicious Ones... and what Shutat was talking about. That's a lot to take in.
Don't let it get to you. You've got duties here that need your attention.
But there is still so much I don't understand about my own family! How am I supposed to focus on my duty when I have that constantly hanging over my head?
Bad memories all around. No one wants to relive them. As for the king, he will tend to himself like he always has. There's nothing you can do to change how he feels.
And...?
And the dead are gone. We have only their legacy with us.
A legacy that noone wants to talk about.
Hrm.
And I suppose if I ask Sir Galahad I will get the same sort of non-answer?
I don't know.
What did Norton do that was so horrible that he had to be erased from history?

_{He was too valiant for his own good.}

The next morning finds Isla quiet, it's occupants slow to rouse themselves from their beds.

You have quite the appetite.
What can I say? I'm a growing boy with a fine appreciation for home cooking.

Finn and Annie walk downstairs and join their team mate.

As long as you don't have to do the cooking. Right?
Hey I'm not one to turn down anything that's delicious.
And I see you two finally decided to crawl out of bed.
*stretches* Had sleep to catch up on.
I don't mind. It means more food for me!
Tont how the hell are you always so damn chipper in the morning?
*shrugs* I just am.
So what are you kids planning on doing today?
Don't know. Haven't gotten that far yet.
I wanna see this cave of beasties and death you've got around here.
Eh we don't have to do that today. It's not like we've got a deadline or anything.
Mom is there anything you need help with?
The garden is in sad shape thanks to those Bandore soldiers and it's too late in the season to replant. I should teach you kids how to set snares.
I'm totally okay with whatever you want to teach, Miss Sonya.
I guess we're going to get our hands dirty today.
And I guess Steiner's going to lay about the village today.

Prryaaa! You guess wrong, human! You're not going anywhere without me!

Steiner flies in low to the ground and perhaps a bit flustered at the suggestion of being left behind.

Why Steiner you actually sound a little jealous.
As if! You see these ears? These are finely tuned instruments. They are capable of hearing you getting yourself into trouble from a mile away and I know that it will, like always, be hilarious.
Well I'm glad that I could amuse you so much.
Good. Eat well because you're not as funny on an empty stomach.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we'll just have to wait and see.

Update Fifty-four | Index | Update Fifty-six

Comments

[ladyabaxa.livejournal.com]

You know I was wondering why so much of my plot stuff seems to happen during the night and I realized that it's because the game defaults to mid-day for everything. With the exception of that evening scene at the beginning of the game the sun is always shining bright. If I want to shake things up and inject some variance then I have to put plot stuff either at early morning, dusk, or at night. It's almost become shorthand at this point that things are going to get serious, even deadly, if the sun goes down in screenshots. (And if Samson starts talking then whoa look out!)

That and it gives me an excuse to vary up the game's color palettes. Yeah there's a lot of blue in night shots (blueeeeey blues of blue!) but I also get to play with yellows and reds and even though it's a pain in the butt to actually do seeing a completed shot with the palette adjusted and the shadows shifted around can be pretty satisfying.

Also the conversation between Sir Galahad and Sir Samson has been something of a bone of contention for me. It has gone through a number of revisions, edits, and trimmings to get where it is now. The timetable alone has been a finicky thing.