Interlude

## Intro?
\g[Chamber]
\f[2|Owen]\f[6|Oscar]\f[5|Frederica]\f[1|Shane]
\w[8]
\s[2]
Thank you for coming on such short notice,\n
Generals Shane and Oscar. And you too, Regent.|

\s[5]\b[5|2]
We've been over this before, Owen\n
dearest.\b[5|0] That word makes me feel\n
like someone's servant. Rika is fine.|

\s[2]
Apologies. I've had a lot to think\n
about these past few days.|

\s[5]
I understand. You're missing your dear friend\n
Sawyer, aren't you? How long has it been since\n
he and his retainer disappeared into the night?|

## Annoyed?
\s[1]\b[1|1]
I mean no disrespect, Federica, but I was\n
told we were having a war council this evening.\n
I wasn't anticipating a therapy session.|
\s[-2]

\b[1|0]
\s[1]
Lord Owen, if you would so kindly\n
begin? There is work to be done.|

\s[2]\m[2|2]
Right, of course. Apologies, General Shane.|\n
I've brought you all here tonight because I\n
believe that I may have found the perfect\n
solution for dealing with Arynden.|

\s[6]\e[6|1]
Astounding! Do tell, Lord Owen.|

\s[2]
I don't think we need to argue the point\n
that we are outmatched against Arynden.\e[6|0]\n
Their military outclasses ours tenfold.|\n
We are hanging on solely from terrain\n
advantages at our borders and the\n
sheer willpower of our soldiers.|\n
But, are any of you aware of the nation that\n
supplies Arynden with powerful weaponry?|

\s[6]
That's a simple question, Owen.\n
I expected better of you, even\n
if you're only a baron.|\n
It's Toska, of course. Far up to the\n
north, where snow falls year-round.|

\s[2]
Right you are, General Oscar.\n
Arynden's Greatest Trade Partner.|\n
If we are to defeat Arynden, we are\n
going to need to quash their supply\n
routes and gain considerable new forces.|

\s[1]\e[1|2]
And how do you suggest we accomplish either? The\n
civil war cut our strength in half. And Toska's seas\n
are patrolled by the greatest navy the world over.|\n
Blockading them would be sending men to their deaths.\n
And Arynden will be at our gates within a fortnite.|

\s[2]
... Rika? If you will.|

\s[5]
Yes, Owen.|
\s[-2]

\e[1|0]
\w[16]
\m[5|5]\w[4]
\s[5]
Gentlemen, do you know what these are?|

\s[6]
... Letters? Wait, is that...|

\s[1]
This wax seal... It's the Tsarina's Shield!\m[1|1]\n
These are Toskan communications!|

\s[5]
Right you are. It seems Sebastian\n
had a friend up north. A spy who has\n
been feeding him Toska's latest gossip.|\n
What I find quite interesting, is\n
the sheer amount of Civil Unrest.|

\s[1]
Hold on, does that mean--|

\s[5]
Ahem! Wait your turn, please.|
\s[-2]

\s[5]
According to these letters, the people of Toska\n
are starving. Whispers of a "resistance group"\n
are reaching ears in places high and low.|\n
The Toskan aristocracy has yet to find them,\n
but our spy believes some of them may reside\n
in a small settlement by the name of Nevynsk.|\e[5|1]\n
Which brings us to the plan. Owen, the floor is yours.|

\s[1]\e[1|2]
Rrg...|
\s[-2]

\e[5|0]

\s[2]
Toska sends very few vessels to patrol\n
the stretch of their border where the\n
mountains and ocean overlap.|\n
What I propose is we sail a nondescript\n
ship out into those waters with a task force.|\n
Once a lone Toskan vessel boards for inspection,\n
we strike and take out the crewmates and captain.|\n
From there, we can sail it into one of\n
the less-populated port towns and travel\n
to the spy's last known location on foot.|\n
Which just so happens to be Nevynsk.|
\s[-2]

\s[6]
So, this spy and the resistance\n
reside in the same place...|

\m[1|1]\s[1]
What you're advocating is suicide!\n
Toska is ironclad! If you got caught,\n
your forces would be swiftly put down!|\n
Not to mention your men would freeze\n
to death in the extreme conditions!|\n
Regent Federica, how could you be entertaining\n
this notion! Lord Owen's plot is madness!|

\s[5]
General Shane, your concern is appreciated.|\n
But, if there's anyone that can take on Toska,\n
it's Owen and the remainder of Belle's army.\n
As a matter of fact--|
\s[-2]

\event
## Music Change? idk

\f[0|Oona]\m[0|3]\w[4]
\s[3]
D-duchess Frederica!|

\s[1]\m[1|1]
Excuse me!? This is a private meeting--|

\s[5]
Hold, General! Goodness, Oona! You're\n
as pale as a sheet! What's going on?|

\s[3]
I apologize for interrupting, but Belle\n
is in serious pain! It started so suddenly,\n
and nothing I've done is helping! I--|

\s[5]
Don't say another word, I'm right behind you.|\n
You three: I want a completed strategy\n
written up within the night. That's an order.|
\s[-2]

\f[3|nil]\f[5|nil]
\w[16]
\r[1]
\w[32]
\s[1]
Great, you two planned this,\n
didn't you? Now we have no choice\n
but to entertain this asinine idea.|

\s[6]
General Shane, enough.\n
You're embarrassing yourself.|
\s[-2]

\r[1]\s[1]
What? Oscar, you too?|
\s[-2]

\event
## Music Change?

\m[6|5]\w[5]
\s[5]
Contrary to Lord Owen's initial statement, this\n
plan is far from perfect. However, a covert\n
operation performed by a small group has merit.|\n
If Owen successfully incites a rebellion, Toska's\n
greatest strength becomes its greatest weakness.|\n
Seneca's downfall has demonstrated how effective\n
such a strategy can be.|

\s[1]\m[1|1]
Oscar, it's not the same. Arynden tied up Seneca's\n
hands, distracting him from hunting Belle successfully.|\n
However, Toska's vast armies are all garrisoned,\n
ready and waiting. There's no sneaking through a\n
forest when the trees themselves are watching!|

\s[5]
I believe that is what the rebels are for, Shane.|

\s[2]
Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere?|

\s[1]
... Fine. I shall find a minute taker, then.\n
Follow me, lest we have anymore interruptions.|
\s[-2]

\f[1|nil]
\w[32]

\f[2|nil]\f[5|nil]

## Next Convo

\g[Dungeon]
\f[5|Owen]\f[2|Oscar]\w[16]
\f[1|Shane]

\f[1|Shane]
\s[1]
There. No one should bother us here.|

\s[5]
Thank you, Generals. Now, General\n
Oscar, what are your biggest concerns?|

\s[2]
Yes, I briefly scanned over these letters.|\n
While Queen Belle's unit is skilled and diverse,\n
this plan relies heavily on many uncertainties.|\n
It hinges on the testimony of a spy, who answers\n
to a traitor, and the letters' informal tone suggests\n
the rebellion might not have gained traction.|\n
Additionally, there's a chance the spy has\n
already left Nevynsk, leaving us stranded.|

\s[1]
Excellent Point, General Oscar. So,\n
Owen, what if there is no rebellion?|

\s[5]
Then we go to the capital, Yuvelir,\n
and kill the Tsarina.|

\s[1]\b[1|2]
Tch. More madness... Have you no limits?|
\s[-2]

\s[5]
Nevynsk is on the way to the capital. If we fail to\n
make contact, we could sneak into Castle Yuvelir.|\n
The chaos of losing Tsarina Laika would plunge\n
Toska into chaos. A power struggle would ensue,\n
effectively halting weapon shipments to Arynden.|
\s[-2]

\w[16]

\b[1|0]\w[16]
\s[1]
Minute-taker, pause here, and\n
hand me your notes if you will.|
\s[-2]

\f[6|PriestM-0]\fc[6|Fortuita]\name[6|Minute Taker]
\s[6]
Of course, General Shane.|
\s[-2]

\m[6|4]\w[32]
\m[4|4]
\w[64]
\f[4|nil]
\w[16]

\s[1]
... Lord Owen, General Oscar, do you\n
see this report? Do you know what\n
happens if we sign, and Owen fails?|

\s[5]
... ... ...|

\s[1]\e[1|2]
Doom, gentlemen. The Toskan's will not allow\n
an assassination attempt to go unpunished.|\n
They will declare war. And Fortuita will\n
become a memory. Do you understand?|

\s[2]
General Shane. Arynden's boot is already on\n
our throat. While Owen's plan is extremely\n
risky, his success could help break us free.|

\s[1]\e[1|0]
Bah. Owen, do you understand?|

\s[5]
I understand that Oberon has the\n
Staff. Fortuita may already be doomed.\n
All we have left now is faith, Generals.|

\s[1]
Sigh. Then whatever faith I\n
have left, is yours.|

\s[2]
Mine as well.|

\s[5]\b[5|2]\m[5|5]
Thank you, Generals.\b[5|0] I promise you, our\n
skill and determination will win this war.|

\s[1]
I'm sure you think that.|\r[1]\n
Minute-taker, your notes.|
\s[-2]

\w[16]

\r[1]\f[4|PriestM-0]\fc[4|Fortuita]\name[4|Minute-Taker]
\w[8]
\s[4]
Thank you, General.|
\s[-2]

\m[4|6]\o[5]\w[16]

\s[1]
We will not be accompanying you,\n
in the event this contingency you're\n
attempting to buy us fails.|\n
Now, if we're finished here, I have\n
a report to finish for the regent.|\e[1|2]\n
If you would so kindly gather up\n
your forces and depart immediately,\n
I would greatly appreciate it.|

\s[5]
That was my intention. Good evening, Generals.|
\s[-2]

## Next Scene
\g[Courtyard]
\r[3]\f[3|Charles]\f[1|Eli]\w[16]\w[8]
\f[6|Owen]\m[6|5]\w[4]
\r[3]\m[3|2]\w[4]
\s[1]
Welcome back, Milord. Did the\n
generals end up listening to you?|

\s[5]\b[5|2]
I had to drag them kicking and screaming into\n
it,\b[5|0] but the plan has been ratified by what\n
remains of the council. We're in the clear.|

\s[1]
I figured that would be the case.|\n
I've already informed the others of the\n
plan, and we're set to depart to the port\n
town of Altier first thing tomorrow morning.|

\s[5]
Excellent. Now, get some rest while\n
you can. We're going to have a rough\n
few weeks ahead of us.|

\s[2]
... Did something happen with\n
Belle during the meeting?|

\s[5]
Yes, her condition had worsened, fortunately\n
Oona and Federica stabilized her. Rest easy\n
Charles, Belle is in capable hands.|

\s[2]
... That's good then, I suppose...\n
I just hope she'll be alright...|

\s[1]
Charles, You know what she'd want you\n
to do now? Focus on the road ahead.|\n
Come on, let's ensure she wakes up\n
to news of our victory.|

\s[5]
Elijah's right, I've known Belle for\n
much longer than you, Charles. She's\n
one of the toughest people I've ever met.|\n
She doesn't need your worries, but we\n
do need your axe.|

\s[1]
You're right, thanks you two.|

\s[5]
Don't mention it.|
\s[-2]