Canoes off the Riverside

As far as I was aware, Rose Riverside was dissolved after your princess fled far away and the Canoes scattered.

Quite a few former Canoes have gone on to serve the Military Commission.

Reestablishing our long-lost contact right after the Commission's decline suggests you want something from me. I can't guarantee you'll get it.

Not even for old-time's sake? You're the same as ever, Kal'tsit.

It's hard to believe how much Amiya has grown. No doubt she's keeping an eye on me, yes?

A necessary precaution.

Logos warned us of your appearance.

Since we withdrew from the falling airship, you are the first outsider to reach our safe house.

...'Outsider'.

Are you like me, Dame Kal'tsit—most difficult to persuade when we're in the throes of grief?

This is not a Babel safe house, Entelechia.

...

Hearing that codename coming from your lips truly takes me back.

I passed by the charnel house that is Londinium on my way here. I rescued a few fortunate souls, and sent off a few unfortunate ones.

It brings me no joy to see my countrymen spill their blood on foreign soil, Kal'tsit.

I don't recall you being such a sentimental person.

Why would you risk crossing the battlefields of Victoria to see me, Entelechia?

If you require assistance, Theresis would be the better option.

No need for these probing questions, Kal'tsit. I'd rather not have anything to do with the Regent. Perhaps some of the sisters agree with him, but as you know...

Ever since Her Highness Theresa's untimely accident at Babel, there has been less and less contact between us. Our sororal bonds have weakened.

But that is not why I came to find you, Kal'tsit. I intend to help Ascalon with a trifling matter, one that will allow her to enter the city a tad easier.

What do you want?

...

According to our latest intelligence, the Military Commission is strengthening its control within the city.

The Nachzehrer troops and the ducal armies are facing each other down at the city walls. The situation is ever-changing.

Oh, I know, I know. But such an adorable and studious youngster as her is well worth the effort to look after.

That is not what I mean. Given the circumstances, you should have been unable to find any trace of Ascalon. I am very familiar with her ways.

She is wounded. Gravely so.

...

She's never used something like that as an excuse to lower her guard.

You really trust her. It's hard to say whether I should be happy or worried for her that you hold her in such high regard.

Who is helping you with this?

Trickster, one of our sharp-eyed sisters. As a technician, she was able to hunt down a few clues I was looking for in Londinium.

Her? I remember you all cherished her and would never have approved of putting her in the middle of this battle. And according to the vows made by all you Canoes, none of you should even be here.

...As I suspected, you know of our plight. Her intelligence was right. You have a trail leading to the princess.

As I'm sure you're well aware, Dame, I am the only one who will not and can not leave this river of blood.

Do you still doubt me, even after all I said?

Rhodes Island thanks you for your assistance. We will repay the Canoes in kind, just as Theresa did during the Babel years.

I will tell you all I know in regard to that princess.

Thank you, Kal'tsit.

On another note, while I was in the bowels of the city, I caught a whiff of Duq'arael's stench. While I would love to help settle that matter for you while I'm there—

I will need help from your people.

I'm afraid Rhodes Island does not have any more to spare inside the city.

...

There is a local faction known as Millscar. Finding them should not be a challenge for you.

They are close to the heart of the storm, but are determined to avoid entangling themselves with any of the involved parties. A stance you would find familiar, I'm sure.

You would trust someone like that?

We retain shared interests, for the time being.

If the Military Commission has other plans for Duq'arael's arrangements, they will undoubtedly affect the ducal alliance's next moves... or even disrupt the Exemplars' plans to enter the city.

Neither Rhodes Island nor Millscar wishes to see such an outcome.

Haha. You really haven't changed one bit. Did this plan come from you, or that commander of yours?

It is Rhodes Island's plan.

...Rhodes Island. Very well, do send my regards to your commander. Though I fear I'm simply another lost memory at this point.

Dame, there is a question that's been eating away at me, one I was hoping you could answer.

Aside from His Highness the Regent, I'm afraid only you hold the answer. After all, you were the only ones who made it from the airship.

Is a question you already know the answer to really so important?

...Of course it is.

If one does not see it with one's own eyes, hear it with one's own ears, say it with one's own mouth, then saying goodbye becomes quite a challenge.

Even though my heart sensed the echo of the myriad souls as they left with such clarity, I still ask myself over and over if she was among them.

And so I must ask... Has Her Highness left us once more?

*cough*, *cough*...

I've left you your life, and a knife. I'd say that's a very generous price for answering my question.

Who hired you all to kill me? Few even know of our existence.

I'm dead either way, so do me a favor and be quick about it—

'Release' him.

I mean with a quick death like he asked for, Entelechia.

As long as he spills enough blood, you can always just tear out the memories you want from him, right?

...

Well, since you mention it—

I find I'm rather against that suggestion.

...?!

Go on then, mercenary. As you can see, I have far too many people trying to kill me at the moment. I shan't be remembering your face.

No need to thank me.

Watching that cringeworthy performance of yours was painful.

Not many know the name 'Rose Riverside'. I didn't have to do anything to him to guess who's hunting us.

Her Highness has only just left us, and those who have hidden in the shadows for too long are only too eager to act.

...

You played your part well, though. Otherwise, it would have been such a bother finding an excuse to let him go.

Don't misunderstand me. Her Highness is dead, and I have no intention of following the Regent to throw my life away in Victoria.

Which is why I found my own way forward, one that lets me live.

It almost sounds like you want to kill me too, Milton.

Even if I did, I couldn't touch you... or any of you, for that matter.

If not, I'd have taken back my sister a long time ago.

You best make yourself scarce, then.

Hah.

You helped your sister deliver messages, which is why I remember you. My memories hold true, and whatever your role may be now, it has no bearing on them—

You and I both know what Her Highness's passing means for Kazdel.

I sense a storm approaching, and none of us can escape it.

I do not wish for your sister to mourn. Leave while you still can.

The situation is rather murky at the moment, and the sisters have scattered. Even I am having trouble tracking them down.

The chaos in Kazdel has forced me to bid many a farewell. There are fewer and fewer informants I can speak to as the days go by.

I do not intend on losing another sister because of you.

...There's nowhere any of you can hide.

Most of the people after you aren't doing it out of hatred, but for the information you have.

Even if the Military Commission says they won't hunt down anyone with ties to Babel, do you really think they'd let you waltz away with all those secrets spilling out of your pockets?

Hmph.

I'd like to see them try and stop me.

You're on a fool's errand, Milton.

I'm just a worthless merc, but if I really do manage to bring your head in, at least I'll have a chance to protect my sister.

I'm out of options, Entelechia!

Tch.

You could have been more honest from the start.

If I promise you that none living shall approach this street, will you speak with candor?

...

Yes, exactly what you're thinking. Your friends in ambush will not be coming.

You're not as calm as you're pretending to be either.

You pretend your pursuers bother you and claim you acted only to expose a traitor.

Then you send everyone who finds you back to reveal your location, all so that anyone with a grudge against the Canoes will focus solely on you.

I heard from my sister that you were the one who cleaned up after every operation. The cleaner, they call you.

Once when she barely escaped by the skin of her teeth, you used a similar method to draw attention to yourself.

Though it involved faking an injury that time. You were losing a lot of blood, true, but the Arts you used was powerful enough to turn everyone who even glanced at you into a fine red mist.

My sister risked her life to let you all 'cleanse' her blood, turning her into a pure Vampire... but even she couldn't eat for days after seeing that.

I did endeavor not to splash too much blood. I'm not fond of working in such a garish fashion myself—

No. What I hate is your arrogance.

You think you can bear the entire blood debt of Rose Riverside by yourself.

...And what makes you say that?

If I really were as capable as you claim, I would have held on to my sisters and have them accompany me upon this river of blood.

And Rose Riverside would not have scattered so prematurely...

I wish I'd had time to do more than clean-up duty during the crux of the civil war. I was so busy I didn't even hear the whispers in the wind.

And that was that. I could not save Theresa, nor a single Canoe.

Even what you're willing to do for your sister now, I cannot do myself.

...

What the—?!

Shh.

Take it back to the one you believe can save your sister. There are only two people in this entire land who can tell the difference between it and my Little Garnet. I can promise you that much.

Your... earring?

More than that... but you needn't know. Now go.

I wish you the best of luck, just as I do for my sisters.

What about you?

Judging by what you're holding, am I not already slain by your hand?

...

If you have the chance to see your sister again, tell her I will find that woman, and have her provide an answer to all us sisters.

This princess of yours, is she a traitor? A liar? Or something else?

...

...Thank you.

Can you hear me?

I'm inside the Military Commission's command center. The communications shutdown has been lifted.

That's mighty quick of you, Entelechia.

Naturally. Same old trick of mine.

While I was dealing with Duq'arael's altar, I found quite a few people lying in pools of blood. Some were closer to the Military Commission than others.

There was still information on the command center in their memories.

Ah... Seems my divination today was off the mark.

Today's blood drops were in the shape of two swords. Thought it meant you would have to face off against the Royal Court's army and have a tough time getting in.

Still playing at fortune teller, are you?

...Are you alright over there?

Dammit, tripped over a cable again.

Anyway, with a body as bad as mine, I'm not casting any crazy blood Arts any time soon. Just let me mess around with a couple of drops now and then, okay?

Won't you consider telling me where you're hiding right now?

Why fix what isn't broken? Even back in Rose Riverside, when we Canoes were close as anything, nobody knew my hiding place.

But now that you're in Londinium, there's nowhere that can guarantee your safety.

No need to worry about me.

Found the target, to the northeast. Sounds like there are two teams. Make sure to avoid them.

Understood.

We may have destroyed the Commission's command structure, but the mercenaries who are taking it over are unfamiliar faces.

—Bzzzzz...

...Are you still there?

I'm here. Sisters working together, just like old times.

Yes, just like old times.

The three in charge of those mercenaries had some past dealings with Babel.

I may be here at Kal'tsit's request, but I doubt we would get very far using our old friendship as leverage.

Would you say this goes against our sisterly vows?

I'd say it all depends on how you see it. No Canoe shall interfere in matters related to Babel... It was you who set that rule.

Some people don't really mind killing their own, you know.

With more rules comes less trouble. I know what us sisters are like... and how bad the blood can run between us at times.

Yep. Some join, so obviously there'll be some who leave too.

We have to accept that, Entelechia.

This does not explain her sudden disappearance, though. I should think that I know her the best.

Obviously. No one else has got a single drop of her blood on them.

Which means her departure was truly without warning, rather than us missing a sign.

Sounds like you've doubted yourself.

Join the club. It was only after it happened that I really got into this 'divination' thing.

It's never accurate, more like a game of associations that gets you thinking. But at least it gives me some sort of warning, reminding me to be mentally ready for any and all changes.

I'll help you out. At the very least, we know she came by Londinium.

Two heads are better than one, and one clue's better than none, right—

Hold on. There's movement outside the command center. Victorian alliance troops are locking horns with a group of unknown Sarkaz.

Those would be the mercenaries who have come to take charge.

It would seem they're right behind us.

I'll tidy up this command center for them then, save them the trouble later.

Would you mind leading the way?

No problem. I'm always here.

Entelechia.

...You're late, Kal'tsit.

Drafting a final plan of attack demanded my time. It's rare to see you absent-minded.

Rhodes Island's medical operators can provide standard medical aid, but if a Vampire does not wish to staunch their own bleeding, I'm afraid there is little they can do.

It's nothing. Who doesn't bleed a little in battle?

I was simply pondering the shape this bloodstain has taken. It seems like a bad omen, no?

But do go on, Kal'tsit.

...Forgive me, but as usual, I can only thank you in a personal capacity for destroying Duq'arael's remaining Arts circles and saving Londinium from yet another calamity.

To be fair, I only did so out of my loathing for Duq'arael.

It wasn't to help you, and certainly not to help those Victorians.

Nonetheless, your action helped clear many obstacles for Wiš'adel and her people.

True, true. I trust you'll remember my help today, Dame.

Naturally. About the information you gleaned from within the Arts circles of blood, have you told Millscar?

Just a hint, but that little kitten is smart enough to figure it out.

When the Victorians and Sarkaz began hostilities, it was inevitable that some among them would seek cooperation over common interests.

This war must end. These problems must be left to Londinium, to Victoria itself.

Amiya and the Doctor are currently fighting their own fight with the Victorian delegation to bring things to a peaceful close.

If negotiations go as we hope, all the Sarkaz will leave at the appointed time. The tragedy of Londinium can end.

The more one knows about the past, the more worries it add to their brow.

It almost sounds like you're mocking yourself, O Nearly-All-Knowing Dame Kal'tsit.

Four years ago, I found a Babel in complete disarray. We may have had our similarities in that sense.

Us cleaners really hate having to leave, and are disinclined to accept defeat. So I stayed, wanting to piece back together all the shattered fragments.

...As promised, I've synced what I know about your princess to the frequency band you provided. It's just scraps of information, but it should be enough to help you.

Thank you, Kal'tsit.

If you and Rhodes Island still need any assistance, do tell me now. Getting all the Sarkaz to agree to leave is hardly the easiest matter, after all.

There is one thing you must know. The person receiving this information did not respond.

...?!

Closure managed to triangulate the approximate location of the band signal, albeit with great difficulty, but our people were prevented from approaching.

No, rather than 'prevented', they were being distracted. This sort of activity can only mean there are people in the shadows with their own purposes.

After me, perhaps?

...

—

Your blood still isn't dry... Someone has kept the last of your dignity.

...Only someone living can leave behind minute Arts such as this, Arts of life—

My Princess, is this... is this all the mercy you could spare?

...Who killed you?

Was it the Victorians, or the Military Commission—

No, wait—What about the people we're looking for? Are you really alright with this?

Didn't you want to bring back all our sisters too?

...?!

My Princess... Why did you choose to return this to me now? Why now, of all times?

You were here, so why did you leave so soon?

Was it because you could not save her? Or was it because of the war that barely ended? Because of all that transpired years ago?

Or maybe... it's simply to say farewell...

Not planning on staying in Londinium?

I have found the answer I sought.

That princess of yours did come by this city.

Neither the Military Commission's information network nor our covert web in Londinium could find anything on her. This is not good for us.

She did not come here for the war.

'Rose Riverside will no longer take part in anything to do with Babel.' A rule I set myself. She would not have violated it.

Kal'tsit, she may have simply come to say farewell to Her Highness... Or perhaps it was to stop Trickster and I from continuing our search...

The sudden disappearance of your princess on the eve of Babel's collapse is suspicious enough. I cannot even confirm if she left on Theresa's orders.

Until we know where she truly stands, Rhodes Island cannot rule out the possibility that she might interfere with our plans.

Even if I too wish to believe that she has simply come to say her goodbyes.

I will find her, Kal'tsit. The final clues Trickster left for me will be enough.

She owes me an answer, too.

If you need assistance, we are still happy to—

I know you are going to say that Rhodes Island wants to help.

But Rhodes Island and Babel are very different beasts. I do not wish for Rhodes Island to be ensnared in the past once again. I believe Her Highness would not want it either.

Our name may have changed, Entelechia, but our mission hasn't.

Rhodes Island will not continue down Babel's doomed path, but we will never deny the ideals Babel showed us.

Besides, I want the truth too.

...I thank you for your kindness.

A drifting canoe needs its berth, and for us, that can only be Kazdel...

The Royal Court, shaped by Duq'arael, reeks with a stench that displeases the sisters. No doubt, sooner or later, another vile creature will emerge from his pool of blood.

Perhaps I will rope in some other Canoes in due time, to cross the river of blood once more, and return to the city Her Highness built.

I foresee Kazdel having even greater need of us in the wake of this war than Babel ever did.

I fear persuading those sisters of yours will not be easy. Not to mention your drifter of a princess.

...

I believe in the vows of us Canoes, even if many of us detest each other.

Send this petal of Trickster's to Kazdel in my stead, Dame. See her home.

You have my promise, and Rhodes Island's as well.

Then don't blame me when trouble comes knocking on your door.

It has been a long time since Rhodes Island was as weak as you imagine, Entelechia.

We can only hope. Goodbye, Kal'tsit.