Anima, Ch.24: To Find a Path

[Anima, Ch.24: To Find a Path]
----------------------------
--01-- <BGM: Whisper of Wind> {SFX: pit-pat}
Ugh. I woke up with a pounding headache yet again. They're starting to get worse.
I hadn't even used any magic yesterday...
The beating on the inside of my skull throbbed in synch with my heartbeat.


--02--
Why are the headaches back already?
I'd just rebirthed a week ago; usually that suppressed the maladies I suffered from for a good month.
They're coming back faster now; why?
Maybe I'll ask Dilys...

--03-- {SFX: failure}
In a haze of pain I fumbled through my bags, dug out a wound remedy potion, and gulped down
the sour concoction. The pain quickly faded away.
Good thing I can make these now; I may need a lot more...


--04-- [Scene: Tir Chonaill] <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
I want down the stairs, waved at Piaras, then headed outside. After being here so long, I essentially
had a permanent reservation at his inn, though these days I just paid for my room with gold.



--05-- <BGM: A Credible Roadsign>
I'm luckier than most. Two dozen tents were set up in the south fields of Tir Chonaill by
otherwise homeless Milletians. Word is, something was in the works to alleviate this vagrancy crisis...



--06-- [Scene: Dugald Aisle] <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies>
Through the Moongate I went, to the logging camp in Dugald Isle.
Today it was abuzz with activity.
And there Price is, under a lean-to, with his table and wares set up. I warily approached him.


--07-- <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies>
(Price)
Good morning! See something you like?




--08-- <BGM: The Lumberjack's Skies>
Oh, I certainly do... No! Pure thoughts, Meara. Stay focused.
"Actually, I'm more interested in some information... Like what you might know about Redire?
I've heard you knew him..."


--09-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Yeah...you could say I knew him. I knew him pretty well.
Haven't heard from him since the Fomors sacked Emain Macha several years ago, though.
Why do you ask?



--10-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"Well, I've found myself in a rather difficult situation, and I'm wondering how a
great hero the likes of him would have gone about dealing with it."



--11-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
Price looked at me oddly, crossing his arms. His expression hardened.

Did I say something wrong?


--12-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
...difficult situation? Maybe you'd better explain this in more detail.
I've never been that good at giving advice, but at least I'll hear you out.



--13-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"Are you aware Paladin trainees are being used as forced labor to mine gold?
Two of my friends are caught up with them and I'm not sure what to do about it.
I can't stand to watch them suffering."


--14-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Is that so? Well, it's not the first I've heard of it, but...




--15-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
The source of your problem is higher up the chain of command.
Things haven't been the same there since the Tragedy.



--16-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"What, their leader Craig? Is he the problem?"




--17-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
No. He's a good man, but he's too naive to question his orders.
If he was told to march off a cliff, he'd probably do it without asking why.
At least not where anyone could hear him do it.


--18-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
I'm talking about the prime minister, Esras.
She's the one who's been pulling their strings.
The Paladins answer to her now, and not the Church.


--19-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
She was only meant to be a temporary regent because of Lord Rian's age, but she's still holding
the power now, even though he should be more than old enough to have taken the reins...



--20-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"Oh, that condescending minister that told me to mind my own business and 'not get involved in human matters.'"
I put my hands on my hips.
"She doesn't think very highly of elves, it seems."


--21-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
You've met Esras?
You went in for an audience with the Lord, I take it.
Did you see Lord Rian? How was he?


--22-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"He looked...very sick... Practically on death's door. He couldn't even speak."
Maybe I shouldn't say anything about Lord Rian whispering, 'help me.'
I'm not sure that I didn't just imagine it...


--23-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
Price looked troubled at hearing this. He lowered his arms, clenched his fists, and his expression turned more grim.




--24-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
I see...
So, that's what's been going on.
I was afraid of this...


--25-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Anyway... To answer your original question...?
I take it your friends are convinced they can become Knights of Light just through training?
If they really want to go down that path...


--26-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Then they need to follow the example of Lugh Lavada.
Now there's a real hero for you.
Everyone in Uladh knows of him and his heroic deeds, blessed by the gods and spirits.


--27-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
That Redire, he was just a pale imitation.
From what I hear, he got killed by the Dark Lord during the tragedy of Emain Macha.
Well, that's how the rumors go, but I haven't seen him since then, so...


--28-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
If they really want to be Knights of Light, as you say...it seems more preferable they should
find their own path, rather than trying to follow someone else's.



--29-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Becoming a Knight of Light isn't something you're given, it's something you find within yourself.
Someone will just have to show them how it's really done.



--30-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"They're totally convinced they're on the right path, though.
As much as they're suffering, they think there's some greater good they're serving,
and...I can't bring myself to question them..."


--31-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
If your friends insist on staying the course under Esras' heel, maybe they need to be inspired
to reconsider... If you can't sway them with words, perhaps you should lead them by example.



--32-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"Me? It's not my place to go looking for that kind of power... I just want to point them in the right direction..."
I tapped my right ear.
"Besides, I'm not human, would it even work the same way?"


--33-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Hmm... Perhaps it wouldn't...
Well, then. Plan B?
Here's a voucher for a book from Aeira's bookshop in Dunbarton.
Try and get your friends to read it. And read it yourself, for good measure.

--34-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
Price handed me a small folded coupon. I accepted it, and put it away.
Huh. 'Food for the Soul for True Good Deeds,' huh?
Sounds preachy. Well, I'll give it a shot...


--35-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Don't take what you read in it literally, just as a guide.
As for what the Paladins are up to, they're carrying out Esras' orders...
Whatever they are, no good'll come of it. Get your friends out.


--36-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
I still have connections among the Paladins, and some of Emain Macha's nobles.
We're looking for evidence of Esras' intentions...
What she's up to, what she's done... The gold is only part of it.


--37-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Once they locate something, I'd like you to help me confirm their findings...
Then take action, if it's solid proof.
When we have something to go on, I'll get back to you... Um, what's your name?


--38-- <BGM: Today I Wander> {SFX: failure}
"Meara."
He held his hand out.
I put my hand in his, and we shook hands. Ow, what a grip!
"I'll look forward to hearing from you, then."
I withdrew my hand and shook it a bit.
--39-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
(Price)
Ah, sorry about that.
You see, some of my contacts have...either vanished, or starting acting oddly.
I'm not sure who I can trust anymore.
Since you're an...outsider, I think I can confide in you.

--40-- <BGM: Today I Wander>
"All right. I think I'd like to get to the bottom of this as much as you."

Since I can't act on my own in Emain Macha without drawing unwanted attention,
I guess I'm going to have to wait on Price...

[chapter end]