Shield of Miglance

Aldo, stop!

Eh? What's up?!

Show yourself. We know you're following us!

Sorry. I didn't mean to alarm you. But I'm glad I've found you at last. I'd heard that you were based somewhere round here...

Yeah, well, I travel a lot so I'm often away for long periods. What did you want of me anyway?

I was asked to give you this letter...

A letter? Who from?

Well, I don't know, actually. Their face was hidden. But, see, here's the letter.

What are you going to do with the letter, Bertrand? This all seems really suspicious.

No, no need to fret, Aldo. I can guess what the letter says.

Yes, it's an offer of employment. Just as I thought.

Mercenary employment, is it?

I get jobs like this from time to time.

Oh, is it something a bit shady?

No, nothing like that, Aldo. But it's a lot of responsibility for a lowly mercenary like myself. But the pay is good... No idea who the sender is, but it's too good an offer to refuse.

Hmm, I see. So what is it?

Not again!

Again? What again?

Never mind, Aldo, I was just talking to myself. This job is over in the Karek Swampland. So, I'm going to head over that wa...

Then I'm coming too. I can't let you go all by yourself.

So, that's the kind of person you are, Aldo. In that case, let's go to Karek Swampland together.

Halt, who goes there?!

Calm down, kid. I was told to come here. I'm Bertrand, a mercenary by trade...

Oh, you're Bertrand! Then I have a message for you. It...

Get to the point, kid.

Well, err, actually we've received disturbing reports about the actions of the beasts in the vicinity of Unigan.

Remnants from the attack on Miglance Castle, is it?

That's quite possible. Our plan of action is to scout out several of the beasts' likely hiding places at once...

And we need you to send you on a patrol into the Karek Swampland.

The Order has its hands full with scouting along the Serena Coast.

I see. Well that explains why I received this offer of employment...

See here? This is the route along which we would like you to send your patrol.

Understood. I'll let you know as soon as I learn anything.

So, we've scouted everywhere we were instructed to...

And we haven't found anything out of the ordinary...

I suppose we better go report to that ki, That soldier that we haven't found anything. But I can't shake of this feeli...

Captain Bertrand!

What is it, kid?

A hurried dispatch from our forces on the Serena Coast! They have sighted remnants of the beast forces!

How is that possible?!

Well, it looks they pulled the short straw...

Sorry, Captain Bertrand, this is not in the terms of your mercenary contract, but would you...

Don't fret it, kid? I'm more 'n' used to sudden changes in the terms, and running here and there...

This is worrying, Bertrand. We've got to get to the Serena Coast!

We've got you cornered now, you vile beasts!

Hurr, hurr, hurr, stoopid 'umans. You fink we's gonna let King Guildna's sacrifice be for nuffin?!

Oi, lads, bring up da big guns!

Aaargh?!

How'd ya like that in yer gobs, eh, 'umans?

Cannons, is it? And so the beasts produce something new to ruin our day!

So, you're the commander here, are you, Lakhesis.

And who should appear but the noble Captain Bertrand?! The men said that a skilled mercenary captain had joined us, but I didn't think it would be you! Well, this is one time I'm glad to be wrong!

Don't go getting your hopes up. I'm no frontline trooper anymore. So, tell me, how is the war progressing?

Well, it's progressing very badly, to be honest with you. The beasts have brought cannons up from somewhere! We have need of the Shield of Miglance. Are you with us?

Quit it with the nickname, Lakhesis. It doesn't suit me.

Anyway, all you need is for someone to take care of the cannons, right?

Indeed. Unfortunately, the cannons are ranged in the enemy rearguard, and well protected from assault.

Hmm... Pull your troops back, Lakhesis. This isn't something you can handle.

What... If we leave them unchecked, they'll be hammering at the gates of the capital in no time!

Hear me out, Lakhesis. You need to gather your troops and prepare them to attack when the opportunity presents itself.

But the way will be open, unguarded...

You leave the cannons to me.

All of them?!

I've been called here for my skill as a mercenary captain. Let me do what's expected of me.

You were ever like this, Bertrand. There's no point trying to reason with you when this mood takes you!

I leave our fate in your hands then...

Well, I'm coming along, too. You'll need an outrider.

Ah, Aldo, your help would be welcome. Don't go getting in front of me though...

Retreat! Fall back! If one of those shells hits us, we're done for!

We've got this now. You troops, fall back to Lakhesis' position.

What? Are you mad? There's just the two of you!

Don't get cocky, kid! Just fall back! I won't last long, either. So you and Lakhesis' forces will have to finish the job with a counterattack!

Okay, understood. May you have good weaponluck!

Hurr, hurr, hurr! It don't matter oo you send, puny 'umans!

We'll see if it matters, you pack of hairy curs!

Right then, lads, this one 'ere wants a taste of our artillery!

Wear that, puny 'uman!

Bertrand!

Hurr, hurr, hurr! You can 'elp wipe 'im off the floor!

Oi, what's this?! Dat woz s'pposed to be a direct 'it!

Oi, lads! 'Urry up and put some balls down the throats of them cannons!

Aldo, quick now! Before they are able to reload their guns!

Understood! Time to sweep up this rabble! Charrrrge!

Urrgh!

Lakhesis! Now's your chance! Send in your troops!

Knight of the Order, this is our only chance! Onward for Unigan and victory!

Unigan and victory!

You two are our saviors! Who knows how this battle would have gone, had you not been here!

I only did what needed doing, Lakhesis.

As charming as ever, Bertrand! Will you never learn to accept a compliment.

I told you what to expect, didn't I?

Ah well, we can't stand around here all day gossiping. We will fall back for the time being. And I have a pile of reports to write. Please drop by the castle guardroom later. I'd like to thank you both properly.

Okay then, Bertrand, let's go to Miglance Castle.

Ahh, there you are! I've been waiting for you. I want to thank you again for your efforts in the last battle. I see that the old Shield of Miglance remains as unyielding as ever.

Lakhesis, was it you who requested my aid? The letter I received asking for my help was anonymous...

I'm sure I don't know what you mean!

Bertrand, remember, the guy who delivered the letter didn't know who it was from either...

All of the anonymous requests I've received have been concerned with the defense of the realm. And they always come when my purse is at its lightest. If that was your money, Lakhesis...

What is this nonsense? How could I hope to know the contents of your purse?

You've got your knights crisscrossing the realm gathering intelligence. If not you, Lakhesis, who else? I may be a mercenary now, but I don't need a patron doing me favors.

Don't think too highly of yourself, Bertrand. Why would I be doing you favors?

But...

I've told you I don't know. And I don't. Time for you to stop pretending you know things you don't, too!

Hmph, and you have the nerve to tell me to be honest!

Hey, you two, what's come over you? At each other's throats all of a sudden!

Pfft!

You can't teach old dogs new tricks... Anyway, this is hardly being at each other's throats!

We're just a stubborn old pair of bucks. We've been bickering like this for years.

Although we always enjoyed our time together at the banqueting table...

Speak for yourself! Anyway, it serves no purpose to rake over old coals like this. Come on, Aldo, we're leaving...

Bertrand, wait! Hear me out on this last thing...

......

I know you've long sought the answer to a problem... Tell me, are you any closer to a solution?

I don't know... I do know one thing, though. Someone like her, doesn't need an old crank like me in her life. One day she'll return to castle. When she does, she won't need a stick-in-the-mud like me around.

I see. In that case I will say no more. But I will say that it was good to fight by your side again, Bertrand. And thank you, Aldo.

No problem. I'm always ready to help out if something like this happens again.

I'm done with accepting these damnable requests...

If only you would accept it, there's always a place for you in the Order...

But, no, I suspect you are still seeking to follow your own path...