Among Snowy Shrubs

Your wounds aren't that bad. There was some distance, and your thick clothes absorbed some of the impact.

But the bolt has a hooked head. It'll hurt when I pull it out. I'll try to be steady.

Phew—finally...

Thank you... very much...

I'm not done yet. Hang in there a little longer.

You can yelp if it hurts. I won't laugh.

I don't want to make you more nervous.

It'll only hurt more if your hands are shaking.

Hmph.

...Huh?

Don't touch it. It doesn't like strangers.

(Whisper) Get back in, Rift Cloudbeast...

You call it... the Rift Cloudbeast?

Come to think of it, I don't know your name yet, my hero.

...

Joanna.

I don't need to know your name, Silverash. Don't think for a moment that we're friends.

Why? You've been good to me.

And how have you people treated me?!

Hmph... forget it. Nothing to do with you, anyway.

By 'you people', do you mean Clan Silverash?

Or Enciodes...?

Not just him.

My dad says the Silverashes have been obsessed with blaspheming Kjeragandr ever since Enciodes's father was clan leader.

He poured asphalt on Kjeragandr's backbone, and poison on Kjeragandr's tail. His greed led to his downfall.

...

Enciodes hasn't learned his lesson. He's done even more to wreck Kjeragandr's peace.

But his greatest sin was the hole he dug in Kjeragandr's flesh. This disaster is proof that Silverash has angered Kjeragandr.

But Kjerag can't stay in the snowy mountains forever.

Haven't industry and trade brought us better lives? Why would the kind Kjeragandr punish us just because we're living better lives?

Better lives?

You Silverashes sit by the warm fireside, eating the best food and drinking the best wine...

Many beasts lived at the foot of the mountains when I was little.

For a thousand years they lived off the land—drank from the rivers, and went back to the forest to find berries and leaves.

But Karlan Trade's railroads divided the mountains and rivers, forcing the beasts to risk their lives crossing the railway.

You even blame them when your trains run them over!

The beasts were forced to move higher, but there isn't enough room there for large packs. They had to fight each other for space and food, and their numbers dwindled.

Not to mention all the cloudbeasts that are sensitive to noise... you have no idea how many died, and how I ended up taking in my Rift Cloudbeast!

But the farmers by the mountains need the fertilizers and seeds that the trains bring. And sick people on the mountains need medicine.

Where's the bountiful game that Kjeragandr once gifted us, then?

The beasts grow fewer each year. Even water from the springs is less sweet.

My family made a living hunting in the mountains for generations, following the holy teachings of Kjeragandr, and we show our faith by sculpting statues in Her image.

Dad... myself, and my siblings, we've always prayed to Kjeragandr, always paid our respects.

Why are WE the ones who have to pay the price?!

Don't move, or your wounds will reopen.

This is the first time I've heard about any of that.

If you want to argue, go ahead, Silverash.

No, I don't.

I'm... different from the others. I have to stay at home most of the time, and what I know about the land today comes mostly from the accounts of others.

Sometimes I go out and experience things for myself, but it's not enough.

Kjeragandr will never abandon any children of Kjerag. I promise.

Hmph...

You better promise yourself that you pull through whatever's going on...

What was with those bandits, anyway? I know all the hunters living on the mountain. I didn't recognize any of those guys.

I think... they came for me.

For you? Do you have enemies?

Hmm... It's a long story.

If that's the case, you'd better stay put tonight. They won't give up so easily.

My dad's friend has a shop in town, and my siblings have been helping out these past few days. I'll go get some medicine from him.

And get help to fight the bandits.

...

No, don't.

Why? Are you afraid to be on your own? I'm fast and strong. I can be back by tomorrow morning if I go down the mountain now.

That's not what I'm worried about...

Why? You Silverashes are such a bother. If you have something to say, just say it.

If you can't fight, I have no choice but to get help from town. That's the deal.

Wait, I can tell you—

...!

The S-Saintess...?

Actually, I'm...

I-I'm sorry!

Please, Your Holiness, punish me for my insolence!

No, I'm not going to punish you...

Please, just sit down...

*sigh*...

General Gulo...

Could you knock on the cheibe door before barging in, Yek boy?

What are you doing here?

I was accompanying Lady Ensia for a checkup. She suffered a car accident this morning, but fortunately she's unharmed.

I was told you were here too, so I thought I should pay a visit—are you alright?

Lady Ensia was delivering something to Sir Enciodes when she suffered a head-on collision with another vehicle on the way to the Vine-Bead Court. It was fortunate that Madam Degenbrecher quickly arrived on the scene.

You said she was going to the Vine-Bead Court too?

Strange. My master received a summons from the Vine-Bead Court this morning, saying there was a meeting, and it was on the way there that we were struck by falling rocks.

...Did you hear anything from the Browntails?

No... not yet, at least. What's the matter with the Browntails?

No wonder Sir Arctosz was fuming when he left... I haven't seen him so angry in a long time.

But this—argh!

Listen, brother, I need you to do me a favor. Can you ask Sir Enciodes to go to the Browntail manor at once?

Sir Arctosz is even more hot-headed than I am. I'm afraid he might do something impetuous. Sir Enciodes is the only one who can stop him.

I see... I'll let him know immediately.

I suggest you get your head checked at the hospital, Arctosz. The symptoms of a mild concussion are easy to miss.

Don't try to change the subject!

Answer me! Why is it that only Clan Silverash and mine were attacked, while you Browntails sit safe and sound in your home? What do you know?!

Everything that I know about what happened today came from you.

More excuses!

Even the servants of Silverash knew to show concern, and tell me that Ensia suffered too.

But what about you? You look like you couldn't care less, like it's nothing more than a piece of snow falling on the ground! Is this the Browntail stance?

I apologize for my demeanor. All of Kjerag has suffered in recent days. I ask for your understanding.

Enough of this hypocrisy.

We both know there's been gossip going around about the Browntail Witch.

I never took it seriously. I couldn't care less what you did, as long as you did it for Kjerag and Kjeragandr.

But now?

When did Kjeragandr teach you to stab your allies in the back, Ratatos?

Watch your words, Arctosz. Do not disrespect Kjeragandr, even if you intend to insult and provoke me.

Stop dodging the question and answer!

Was Clan Browntail involved in the attack on me and Ensia?

You're wasting your time. I've already told you multiple times: I know nothing about it, and I express my sympathies.

If that's your final answer, then don't accuse me of going too far.

What do you mean?

Don't think I'm out of Paleroches just because you took Gulo out of action. Before I went out, I told my men when to show.

Clan Browntail's estates will be thoroughly searched. I didn't want to go this far, but I'm afraid Sciurus and her children will have to bear with me a little.

You dare?!

You made me do this, Ratatos!

...

I take it you've already discussed the incidents that occurred today.

I came for the same reason, and I've reached certain conclusions. Please, stand down.

Good timing, Enciodes.

With the leaders of Clans Paleroche and Silverash both present, we demand a thorough audit of Clan Browntail's documents, and cooperation from Clan Browntail in the investigation.

Sorry, Arctosz, but I don't assent to the demand.

What?

Why would Ratatos want to get rid of us?

Assassinating the heads of the other two clans at this moment would only cause even more chaos.

Clan Paleroche has the most warriors, while Clan Silverash runs Karlan Trade.

Ratatos could not hope to keep the situation under control if you and I both died in an accident. Meanwhile, retribution would be swift and harsh.

Am I right?

That doesn't explain why Clan Browntail wasn't attacked.

Maybe a coincidence, maybe bad timing. Maybe the attackers had something planned for the Browntails too, and we just don't know about it.

You won't convince me with talk of coincidences, Enciodes.

Who would have done such a thing, if not Ratatos?

This is not a question we can solve in a short time.

Don't forget that there are plenty of people looking to take advantage of the chaos, and take a piece of Kjerag for themselves.

This assassination coincided with the arrival of Victorian aid. The mastermind wants to keep us from working together.

The Victorians did this?

They are potential suspects, as is any foreign politician who attempts to intervene at this juncture.

Therefore, I would like to maintain the status quo of our previous meeting—I will continue to handle all external affairs, including those involving Victoria.

I will discover the truth, for Clan Paleroche, for the peace of the three clans... and for Ensia.

...

I'll trust you one last time...

Hmph...

Don't you dare look smug, Ratatos. You got lucky today. You can thank Enciodes and Sciurus.

If it turns out you're behind all this after all, you'll get what's coming to you!

Thank you for calming that maniac down, Enciodes.

But I'm exhausted. I'm sure you understand how tiring it is to deal with baseless accusations.

If you suspect me and want to question me, I—

There's no need for that. Trust between the three clans has never been more important than now.

I have other urgent matters to attend to. I'll take my leave.

Pardon me for not seeing you out.

Ensia wasn't hurt. You can rest easy.

I was the one they were after.

Obviously. The accident was very likely staged. They targeted your car, without knowing who was inside.

Something's not right... it's too forward. It's as though the people behind this want to make the point that they have no qualms about deploying extreme measures.

They're trying to sow chaos and suspicion. The act itself is more important than the result.

There is another possibility... perhaps it's not me, Ensia, or Arctosz whom they're truly after.

There will be trouble on the mountains.

It's Enya they're after?

If anything happens to the Saintess at this point, it will serve to affirm all the conspiracy theories, and drag Kjerag further into the quagmire.

I need you to protect Enya, Degenbrecher.

...

Enya set out a long time ago. I can't promise anything.

You need to prepare for the worst.

...

I believe in Enya.

You 'believe'.

And you will not provide any of your basis for that belief to reassure me? Like you usually do?

Correct.

I believe.