Chapter 7: South Cornwall

It has already gotten pretty dark.

Mm, I'd like to scrub this damp stench off me as soon as possible.

Oho-ho, never fear. You shall bathe with hot water tonight.

I had no idea the Princess of Cornwall would be friends with Merry.

Oho-ho! Merry is a very good friend of mine, in fact. She even gives me good deals from time to time.

If you're such good friends, why did you let Ciri get taken by a slaver?

Such rash assumptions, goodness.

You may not believe it, but I was planning Ciri's rescue. However...

Officially, I could not oppose my father's policy of legal Catfolk slavery, so I had to proceed in secret.

Your Highness...

I apologize I could not move more swiftly, Merry. I know it was hard for you, but I couldn't tell you if I was to succeed.

It's all right! Yer Highness always works hard for us Catfolk. Everyone knows it.

I misjudged you, Princess. I am sorry.

I understand. You are the Swordbringer, yes? I am in your debt for helping Merry and all those who were suffering.

There they are! Seize them!

What are those soldiers doing? They're charging over!

Hey, Catfolk girl! Didn't Ethan fulfill his end of your agreement? I'm sick of running.

What's going on, Merry?

I don't know! The castle soldiers all know me...

I know all our soldiers by name. Those men are not from Cornwall.

We should split up for now. Let us lure them away.

Thank you, Swordbringer. If you can throw them off our trail, I will send my friend!

Whew... A chase that lasted through the night...

Your Highness, I am so sleepy...

Of course. I am surprised, though, that Morgana is being mature about it, rather than being her usual grumpy self.

.......

Ethan! She's fallen asleep standing up!

Seriously? Man, I gotta carry her again.

You there!

...?

Do you have business with us?

Are you the Swordbringer's party?

We are... Who's askin'?

One man and three women. Well, one woman being carried, but it must be...

Princess Isolde is having me bring you back. Follow me.

This must be the friend she mentioned sending!

I figured that, but she's awfully stern. Are all knights like that?

Hm? Why are you looking at me?

Nothing, Bedivere. Thanks for helping me realize everyone's different.

Cut the prattle and come quickly.

It will be trouble for Princess Isolde if anyone sees you with me, Uaaagh!

She fell down! Are you quite all right?

That was quite a noise, Your Highness.

Mm-mm...

This world's full of nothin' but imbeciles.

You did well coming this far.

You're good at fleeing yourself, Princess.

Thank you for giving me the time to.

But the ones chasing us were wearing Cornwall armor. Is there a revolt going on or something?

No, they... I believe them to be assassins sent by Chancellor Hamann.

Hamann told Father to surrender to the empire, but I have continued to fight it tooth and nail.

So you're his opposition. That's why he tried to harm you. You can be put to death for trying to kill a country's princess!

Oho-ho... Hamann's influence is extraordinary. I am a princess with none, and lacking solid evidence. I cannot accuse him yet. My father is also only holding out due to Dame Lua's support.

That explains the secret army...

Yes, and not under Hamann's authority... I believe they will be of service to Father one day...

In any case, what happened? Tristan looks terrible...

A lot happened. Falling, rolling, more falling...

S-Silence!

Your Highness, are you certain you wish to trust this band of idiots? I believe we can handle this ourselves.

Who's calling who an idiot? You fell from slipping on dog shi...

Hush! Hush at once!

Mmph! Mmmmph!

Um... Princess Isolde, we really must meet King Mark. Is there any way?

Yes?

Ah, Father is currently doing an inspection at a local town. He won't be at the castle.

Even when he returns, it will be difficult to request an audience... Though, I might have another way.

Have you?

Certainly, but... while we wait for Father to return, might you help us first?

I don't see why not.

Oho-ho, thank you.

There are ruins near the plains where Tristan's forces are stationed.

I want you to retrieve the relic stored there.

There, a chest!

It really is here.

[Followers of a false god... You will never leave this place alive.]

Is this the one?

I knew the Swordbringer could do it! Wonderful, oho-ho!

Your Highness, is that...?

Yes, this is just what we need.

Yes, just in time.

May I ask... What will you speak with him about?

Um... We wish to persuade him to join the alliance to fight against Vortigern.

Ah. That is why you brought the Fairy Queen Morgana...

Hm? No, I'm going to bed. The humans can handle the human stuff.

Tsk, lazy fairy.

Excuse me, piggy? Care to say that again?

Oho-ho, I see. Then I shall tell you how to meet my father, as promised.

What is that potion?

An invisibility potion. The guards will never detect you.

It, uh... doesn't look like it'll go down easy...

Oho-ho, it is better than it looks.

Are you sure this is the only option?

Yes... It is hard for even me, his own daughter, to meet him.

If you request an audience from the castle gate, Hamann's assassins will move once more.

That is why, to meet the king without anyone getting in your way, you will use a secret passage that leads into the castle.

And with this potion, you may reach the passage undetected.

A secret passage? Are you sure you can tell us about that?

But of course. I know you are on the side of good. Now, Tristan?

I shall lead the way, as you command...

But only as it's a command!

No one asked you to clarify, Tristan.

So damp... I do not wish to go any farther.

I know it is not easy, Bedi, but please hurry. Tristan said it is not a very long passage.

Hey, Elizabeth.

Yes?

You think you can switch places?

All I see in front of me is a nasty shaking butt, it's so annoying.

Wh-What did you say?! I have a lovely rump, thank you very much! My bubble behind is the talk of the fairy world!

Whatever, just switch.

This passage is narrow as is! Stop trying to move us around for your convenience! Gah! You fat piggy!!!

Shut up! Stay still! Huh?

Nice going, Bedivere! You're the best!

Wh-What do you think you're touching?! I'll kill you, piggy perv!

Uagh!

Ah, finally a wide open space!

Whoa, a golem. Maybe it's here to guard the secret passage.

Just need to knock him out. Move.

Morgana, wait...!

Ethan, someone's there.

Good, let's ask the way.

Hey there! We're looking for the king. You know where to go?

Are you... intruders?

You may not pass through here. If you snuck in, then you must face me!

Ethan! More soldiers are coming!

Damniiiit! So freakin' hard to meet one stupid king!

Stand back, everyone. I shall stop them.

Tsk, fighting us yourself now, huh?

Be careful, Ethan. I sense a strong force from that blade.

E-Ethan... she is... impossibly strong.

Truly... None of my attacks worked.

And someone is restricting my magic, so I am powerless.

We don't got time to whine. If no one's gonna tell us where to find the king, we'll just have to make them.

The king? You mean King Mark?

That's what I said before!

So you are Elizabeth Pendragon.

Yes, Your Majesty...

How unexpected for the missing daughter of King Uther to come and find me.

Only Vortigern thinks she is missing. In truth, she was preparing for what was to come.

And you are?

He is Ethan, the Swordbringer summoned forth as the prophecy foretold.

Ho... the one who barged into my castle and immobilized my soldiers was the Swordbringer?

Well, they wouldn't even let me inside, and we really had to speak with you... Your Majesty.

If I may, I shall speak directly.

Why did you decline to join the alliance? Does that mean you are fine with Cornwall being trampled under Vortigern's flag?

You have come to persuade and appease me then?

Trampled... nonsense. You seem to be mistaken, Princess Elizabeth.

It is my duty to protect and advance my kingdom.

Should Vortigern attack, then we will surely resist.

However, Vortigern does not wish to shed needless blood. We are simply in a relationship of common understanding.

In a way, I'd like to think of him as a sort of ally...

An ally?! With that shameless usurper?! Do you not think everyone will reproach you for joining hands with such a man?!

It is preferable to the kingdom falling.

It won't fall! I know you're trying to do the best for your kingdom, but...

I am tired... Come back another time. The hour is late.

Y-Your Majesty!

You shall be treated as guests, but if you wish to speak again, I expect an attractive offer from you.

We had our audience with the king at last, yet we have gained nothing...

'Cause he's not really pressed to make a decision right now. Plus, I don't think he fully trusts us.

What must we do? We made that bold proclamation to everyone at the Council Chamber in Avalon, but if King Mark turns his back...

If he doesn't trust us, we need to plant seeds of trust.

But first, let's get some rest. I'm pretty wiped out from the sewer and ruins.

Yay! Ethan finally wants to take a break as well!

Skeletons and thieves... What a long day...

Bedi, shall we wash up and go take care of our things? I saw that the smithy was open.

Sounds wonderful, Your Highness!

Have fun...

I've made up my mind.

Yes?

About how to persuade King Mark. He wanted an attractive offer, right?

We use the Holy Grail. Tell him that since we found it he shouldn't doubt our strength. Or something.

Hmph, sounds like what a trickster piggy would say. Have you forgotten? It's not the real Holy Grail!

Well, a replica Holy Grail is still a Holy Grail. It's the best shot we got.

Right, let's go!

Your Majesty!

Oh, the din...

Do you consider attacking guests of Cornwall to be proper etiquette?

I wondered what made you want to cause such a ruckus... I will allow it. For now.

I entrusted the chancellor with the security of the castle. It cannot be helped if that leads to a couple unwanted effects.

Did Your Majesty not command summary punishment for all intruders during wartime?

It was the king who said we could come. Try and be a little more flexible, yeah?

You forgot one thing, Swordbringer.

What is your attractive offer? You shall get no discussion without it.

Oh, I have one, don't you worry.

Elizabeth!

R-Right away, Ethan!

Your Majesty... We... We have found the Holy Grail...!

The Holy Grail, you say?

That's right. The Holy Grail. It was even acknowledged as such at the meeting in Avalon.

Hah, now that's a bold-faced mmmph! Mmph!

Sorry, Morgana. I think it best if you keep your mouth closed for now.

Eh? What was that?

Never mind her. Just a fairy who grumbles about everything.

Anyway, is this good enough to continue our discussion?

The Holy Grail is deserving enough indeed.

Your Majesty, it is but a Holy Grail. How does a holy relic affect the war, I beg the question.

The chancellor is not wrong.

What is it you intend to say this time, anyway?

We are on the verge of war, as you can see. However if you wish to persuade me, you must come with a way to put a stop to this war.

Now that would be an attractive offer.

And if you cannot... well, my choice is between amity and rebellion.

I understand. Then I shall return later.

Let's go, Elizabeth.

Ah, yes!