Beyond the Beyond: Update 14.5: More Exploring Zalagoon

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 14.5: More Exploring Zalagoon

When last we saw them the team was staring at the grass path leading towards the castle of Zalagoon. Sure there was a nice road through town but I guess budget cuts meant it couldn't go all the way to the castle. I guess they don't move troops or anything important through the front gate.

Well I think we've seen all there is to see in town.
Are you ready to request an audience then your highness?
*takes a deep breath* Yes. There's no use putting it off any longer.

Having said that Edward leads the group down the walled in path leading to the castle. Zalagoon seems pretty big on that whole security thing.

(both) This is Zalagoon Castle! If you are here without permission, you must leave!
Tell your superiors that Prince Edward of Marion is here to call upon the king.
What? Marion's Prince Edward is here to see the King of Zalagoon? Mmm, please wait a moment.

The portcullis rises and the guard disappears inside.

Don't worry your highness I'll handle this.

When the guard returns several others follow. Chief among them is a man dressed in fine robes who steps forward like he owns the place.

Who claims to be Marion's Prince Edward?

*walks in front of Edward* How dare you treat me like a liar! I demand to see the King of Zalagoon immediately.
You think you're in any position to make demands?
Let us see him! Or shall we force our way in?

Sir Samson?! It's me, Sir Piat! Remember? We fought together against that troll a couple of years back. Remember?
Yes... I remember you, Sir Piat. You fought bravely.
As did you. It was an honor. Oh there is so much to talk about!
Sir Piat, you are an honorable man! Tell this arrogant bureaucrat that I tell the truth, and this is indeed Prince Edward!
Lord Glade! He is truly Marion's hero, Samson, and I know he's not lying. This is Prince Edward of Marion.
Is... is that right? If you say so, then I should believe him.
Yes you should.
But, what about the rumor of the prince's capture? Was that a lie?

With a lull in hostilities Samson returns to Edward's side.

But what if it was just that, only a rumor? Besides which it is obvious that if Prince Edward was captured he escaped. Otherwise he and Sir Samson wouldn't be standing here now.
*grumbles* You do make a good point, Sir Piat.

Hey Annie you ever feel like you're a fly on a wall during a really awkward moment?
All the time, why?
No particular reason. It's just how I feel right now.

Piat and Glade turn to face the group

Prince Edward, I'm glad to see that you're safe. It must've been difficult escaping from the Bandore troops.

Glade rather rudely turns his back on Edward. Piat doesn't seem to notice.

The prince [...]
*mutters something inaudible*
[...] was indeed captured by the invading Bandore troops. My friends and I rescued him and brought him safely to Zalagoon. Now, we must see the King of Zalagoon. He needs to send troops to Marion.

_{Something doesn't feel right about this.
Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth just yet.
I wish I could be as calm as you are.}

I was concerned about never seeing Marion freed, but now that we made it safely to Zalagoon, my mind can rest easy. I know the King of Zalagoon will help me free Marion from Bandore!

As Glade turns around, perhaps to finally acknowledge that Edward is there, Piat looks to the advisor and the party enjoys a moment of silence to whisper amongst themselves.

Prrr. Soon we'll get to kick up our feet in an actual castle, Finn.
Hell yeah! I never did get to visit Marion Castle like Dad said I would. I'll just have to substitute Zalagoon Castle instead.
And I can rest these weary wings and get a nice, relaxing, scale-cleansing bath.

See, look at Piat your highness. This is all going very smoothly.
For that I am grateful.

We are very tired from our long journey. Could you provide a place to rest?
As soon as I get consent from the advisor.
*nods* We should arrange an audience with the king first.
How long will that take?
As long as is necessary. You can't rush these things.
It's all right. We understand there are customs and procedures that must be followed in these sorts of situations.
By the way, I was just thinking. Since you're the famous Samson, perhaps you could give us a show of your mighty strength?
*shakes head* What?! Advisor Glade, are you saying that you still don't trust us?
*shakes head* I trust Sir Piat dearly... However, I am still not convinced.
But -
It won't be that difficult. If you are the hero Samson, then you don't need to worry. Or are you, for some reason, unwilling?
This is ridiculous! We've come all this way, risked our lives, and you want us to put on a show for you as if we're traveling entertainers? How dare you mock us by making such a request!
Prince Edward!
I am responsible for the safety of Zalagoon first and foremost! If you are who you say you are then surely you understand what kind of commitment that requires.
Commitment? This is how you treat your allies, with suspicion and, and -
No that is how we treat suspicious people who show up on our doorsteps claiming to be our allies! In case you haven't noticed this is a time of war and you are making a request of Zalagoon that could spell the death of the entire kingdom. I trust Piat's honor but it is my duty to be scrupulous of people who offer nothing to back up their stories and ask that we believe them solely on faith. Do you have any way to prove without a doubt that you are who you say you are?
But you just said you trusted Piat. Does that mean nothing?
Piat has served Zalagoon with honor and dignity for many years but that doesn't mean I am going to trust any of you solely on his word. In case you weren't aware it is well known that two of Bandore's top generals are powerful sorcerors. Even if Samson is telling the truth and is who he says he is how are we to know that you are who you say you are and not some trick so Bandore can invade us as well? Did you really think you could leverage so much solely on the name of Marion's great hero?
What are you suggesting, Advisor Glade, that I'm some sort of fake sent to impersonate Prince Edward?
I am not "suggesting" anything. I am merely postponing judgment until I know more about you. Again, if you have some means of proving your identity then I am all ears.
You...
Your highness!

Excuse us a moment.
Take all the time you need. I am in no rush.

This is getting us nowhere.
How can you be so calm? How can you let what he said stand?
I hate to say it but technically nothing he has said is untrue. He does have the right to question us. If you get mad and lose your temper, however, that just gives him an excuse to have us thrown out of town.
Sir Samson...
I know it hurts.
You can't seriously be considering this. What if he's doing this just to humiliate us?
What choice do we have? We have to do what is best for Marion.
What is best for Marion... alright. *hesitantly nods*

I will do it. I will prove, once and for all, who we really are.
All right then. Give us some time to get ready. Have a look around our beautiful Zalagoon. We'll send someone when we're ready.

Everyone in Glade's group but Piat return to the castle. Piat walks under the gate, turns, and looks back.

That could have gone better. Well, uh, take care Prince Edward. I'm sure everything will work out in the end.

Then Piat walks into the castle and the portcullis closes.

Sooo, now what?
Now? Now I think we need to give Edward a moment to calm down.
Chat up the guards?
*shrugs* It's not like we have anything better to do.

*clears throat* Hi there!
(east) Hello. Please excuse me for being rude. If Sir Piat trusts you, then I trust you.
Is Sir Piat really that important?
Why yes. He has served Zalagoon for many years and is Sir Bison's primary aide.
Huh. Well, now we've learned something today, Finn.
Yay learning!
You two seem awfully cheerful considering what just happened.
I've been through so much shit in the last couple of weeks that everything happening now just feels completely unreal, like I'm walking around in a dream.
If nothing else, Finn, I must admire your honesty. And what of you, Annie?
I had a sneaking suspicion something bad was going to happen. Our luck of late has been less then stellar after all.
(west) Samson? You're the famous Sir Samson? I... I always wanted to be like you.
Prrr. Samson is famous here, it seems.
Yes he is. Now if you're all finished here I would like to return to town. Suddenly I am very tired and would like to rest.

It seems Finn won't get to put his feet up just yet. The group returns to town to find a child standing directly in their path.

Prrr. Who is that?
You're the guys from Marion, right? You wanna get in the castle?
Do we?
Yes, yes we do.
I know a secret. There's an underground waterway that leads into the castle's basement. The wells connect to the waterway.

Well gooood luuuuck!

The kid runs off.

Okay, that was weird. Who was that?
I have no idea. Where did he run off to?
I didn't see. Wait, there's a soldier right there. Let's ask him.

Excuse us but did you see a small child run by?
A child? No, no I didn't see anyone run by.
Figures.
Wait a minute. You're the one from Marion, right? Have you visited Sir Bison? He came to Zalagoon with Queen Scarlet. He would be interested in what you have to say.
'The one from Marion?' Really?
What?
There are five of us and we're all from Marion.
Do you really have to get pedantic about this?
You know what? Nevermind. We are going someplace else RIGHT NOW.

I see your calmness has its limits.
This town has been rubbing my nerves raw ever since we got here.
So you stormed into the same shop that wouldn't sell to us an hour ago?
It's not outside.
O-kay.
(armor) We were actually hoping you'd come back today.
(weapons) Yup, a message from the palace arrived just a few minutes ago signed by Queen Scarlet. You are now officially allies of Zalagoon as far as the sales ban goes.
Kyaaa! Some good news today!
I won't even pretend to understand how that happened. What do you have for sale then?

We have a nice war chest for this early point in the game and can afford to outfit everyone with new weapons. Dead enemies don't hit back, after all. For now rods are the most expensive weapon type and we have to buy two but other weapon types will gradually catch up in price.

Weapons bought: Middle Sword > Finn Steel Axe > Samson Bronze Rod > Annie & Edward

In the armor department we can't quite afford everything now available.

Armor bought:
Journey Dress > Annie
Travel Garment > Edward
Gauntlet > Samson
Silk Ribbon > Annie
Leather Hood > Edward

That leaves the Wood Shield as the only upgrade we could get right now but we're just short on cash and Finn still has the Defense Ring so the +2 defense he would get from the shield isn't critical right now. We can come back for it later.

Well we've spent almost all of our money. Now what?
Hell if I know.
Do you think Glade will call for that audience today?
No way. The only way you get granted an audience the same day one is requested is if you're someone super important. Or if it's an emergency. At least, that's how it worked back in Marion.
But you're important, aren't you Edward? I would think they'd want to talk to you today.
Glade does not strike me as the type to be in any hurry.
Yeah, he'll make us wait for as long as he thinks he can let us sweat while Marion suffers. *grinds teeth*
(outside church) You came from Marion seeking help?
Yes we did.
You'll probably get it. I'm sure Queen Scarlet would want to help her native home.
The queen is from Marion?
Yes, she is my aunt. I thought I said this once before.
Now that you mention it, yeah you did. Huh, I guess in all the excitement I sort of forgot. Sorry about that.
No worries. If Sir Samson weren't here I would have fallen to pieces several times over trying to keep track of what needs to be done.
Wait if the queen is your aunt then why can't she vouch for us?
Huh, you know that's a good point.
And why did she send out an order that we can buy stuff but didn't come greet us at the gate?
I - I don't know. This is all so confusing.
I thought something seemed fishy. Sir Samson is there anything you can tell us that would help us understand what's going on?
Hmm, nothing I'm certain enough of to talk about.
There's the inn. Uh, Edward, you, you walked right past it.
I'm not staying there tonight.
Uh, what?
I don't feel safe here.
So we're going to take our chances out where we can be attacked by monsters?
At least then Edward can be worried about enemies who most certainly mean him harm rather then those who maybe, sorta want to kill him.
Exactly.
Now you sound paranoid.
The gate is not far ahead now. Are we really going to leave town today?
Does that bother you?
*shrugs*
(patrolling, south wall) Oh, it's you again. I heard you got to see Advisor Glade.
Seeing him and arguing with him are technically the same thing, right?
*grumbles*
Are we going to go to Marion's aid? Advisor Glade hasn't said anything... I know I'm not the only one wondering when we're going to mobilize.
All we can say is: Be patient and see what happens.

-- BONUS CONTENT --

Edward Magician Age 13 Marion's slightly spoiled Prince. Having been weak and prone to illness since he was young, he has no experience in hand-to-hand combat. He is, however, gifted in the use of magic and is currently under the tutelage of the castle wizard. With enough experience, he will probably be able to hold his own against enemy combatants by using strong magic attacks.

Well Edward would be able to hold his own with strong magic attacks if Beyond the Beyond didn't fall into the same design pit that Shining Force CD did and not give casters nearly enough MP for their expensive spells of somewhat effectiveness. Edward's main source of damage output throughout the game will, sadly, be hitting things with various staves. (I know, I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating.)

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we take up Advisor Glade's offer of seeing the kingdom in order to get a better handle on just what is going on behind the veils of power.

Update Fourteen | Index | Update Fifteen