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Not a Moment's Rest
Endless reports.
An avalanche of intel has flooded this lonely battleship ever since it left Norport.
There are signs of trouble from Leithanien to the east, Sargon to the southwest, Kjerag to the west... while everything remains silent in the south.
The messages are suffocating, eating away at my nerves.
My mother seems utterly unmoved, impassively issuing order after order.
But even she cannot resist a frown when she reads the 'congratulations' from her fellow dukes.
This is her life.
She is here, and so this is my Lynncardine.
I am home.
......
Focus, Delphine. Listen to the reports. This is no time to let your mind wander.
She adjusts the position of her eye patch. Is it to hide the wrinkles?
The weather here is very different from Lynncardine. It's suppressed, heavy, the gloom of rain and fog ever present.
I just want to—
- ???
What are you gazing at so absent-mindedly, Delphine?
- Delphine
Nothing, Mother.
- Delphine
It's just...
- Delphine
I don't get to see Londinium from this angle very often.
- Duke of Windermere
I know how you look when your mind is wandering.
- Duke of Windermere
Are you bored by the chatters from the rear?
- Delphine
No... I'm just thinking about Norport Borough.
- Duke of Windermere
Sorry, I didn't expect the situation in Londinium to deteriorate so much, so quickly.
- Duke of Windermere
I should have arranged for your evacuation sooner.
- Delphine
We had compiled reports on everything that went on in Londinium, but we weren't able to bring them.
- Delphine
We should be the ones apologizing.
- Duke of Windermere
That's alright. A few little troubles don't mean much to the big picture.
- Delphine
Perhaps the Duke of Caster should be held responsible for most of them.
- Duke of Windermere
I know. Let's hope my Messenger isn't making things too difficult for her right now.
- Delphine
But the value of that intel to subsequent operations...
- Duke of Windermere
Pales in comparison to your value, Delphine. Relax.
- Duke of Windermere
I'm here, and Irnclad Galavae is nearby. Everything will be right again once we return to the city.
- Duke of Windermere
We'll restore Londinium, and Victoria.
- Delphine
Of course.
- Delphine
Mother, I...
- Delphine
I thought I would die down there.
- Duke of Windermere
I wouldn't let that happen to my daughter.
- Duke of Windermere
You've done well. You have the patience and attention to detail of your father.
- Duke of Windermere
But you don't have to be the one to do all that work. You're my heir, and your place is at Lynncardine.
- Duke of Windermere
Our standoff with Leithanien can be trying. You'll need to get used to those matters. Plus... I could use someone to talk to.
- Delphine
I thought I could do better.
- Delphine
...Sorry.
- Duke of Windermere
There are many things that a Duke of Windermere must worry about, for which she needs nerves of steel.
- Duke of Windermere
But that's not your burden. Not yet.
- Duke of Windermere
You can rely on your mother, at least until she's too old to walk.
- Delphine
I understand... thank you, mother.
- Duke of Windermere
We'll be home in another four or five hours. I've arranged for all the stuff you left behind at the old house to be set up.
- Duke of Windermere
Your pajamas, your pillow, your bed, your bathtub.
- Delphine
That's all stuff from before I came to Londinium—
- Duke of Windermere
It's not like you're any taller.
- Duke of Windermere
I have some nice things for you as well, but I'll keep those a secret for now.
- Duke of Windermere
Get a good night's sleep once we're back.
- Duke of Windermere
But don't get complacent. We have a lot to do.
- Delphine
......
- Duke of Windermere
What is it?
- Delphine
I was in Londinium a long time, wasn't I?
- Delphine
I had many friends. Outstanding friends, from whom I had a lot to learn.
- Delphine
We lived in a city in disorder, chewing up and swallowing the lives we once had. But we believed in our cause. I was proud of it.
- Delphine
Then... things changed. One agent after another disappeared, and the Sarkaz took the city...
- Delphine
I was on my own. I had to live with more... common people. For the first time, I learned how they lived, and how they viewed Victoria.
- Delphine
Most of them are dead now. Those who still live huddle in the bowels of this ship, waiting for you to decide their fate.
- Delphine
One hundred meters beneath my pajamas, bed, and bathtub.
- Duke of Windermere
Hmm.
- Delphine
I'm really grateful, really, but is it all because—
She does not let me finish.
She puts her hand on my head without patting it, but I know this is her way of showing affection.
- Duke of Windermere
You did well, my daughter. You exceeded my expectations.
- Duke of Windermere
Go and see the troops below. It'll do you good to talk with them.
With that, Her Grace departs. She's always swift and decisive. I have no chance to say any more.
I scratch my slightly untidy head.
- Delphine
Mother!
- Duke of Windermere
We can talk later.
- Delphine
You shouldn't have come here yourself!
The words that come out of my own mouth surprise me.
Was it not because of my call for help that she came?
How could I say that.
- Delphine
It's too... risky!
- Delphine
We can't fully trust the Leithanians, and we don't know what the Sarkaz are planning next!
- Delphine
We've fallen behind on intel—
She dismisses me with a wave, perhaps telling me not to think too much about it.
Her silhouette remains sharp, making me feel like I'm worrying too much, and that she can take handle it all.
Sigh. She's right.
I'm not much taller at all.
- Siege
How long will our food last?
- Siege
I don't think this warship was prepared to take on so many refugees.
- Indra
We can't just leave 'em to fend for themselves!
- Indra
Mrs. Emil grabbed my hand just now. She didn't say nuffin'. All she did was look at me...
- Indra
I... I can't take it anymore. Let's find Delphine!
- Dagda
Calm down, Hannah. We're on someone else's ship.
- Indra
I just—
- Morgan
I'll go keep 'em company. The old timers will feel better with a familiar face around.
- Siege
I'll stay with you.
- Delphine
Sorry to keep you waiting. I talked to the quartermaster.
- Delphine
Some food will make it to those who need it most... that's the best I can do.
- Siege
Thank you, Delphine, and thanks to Duke Windermere.
- Delphine
Part of me hopes that Mother really wants to help these poor people out of the kindness of her heart, but...
- Siege
I know. It's because of me, or should I say, because of who I am.
- Siege
It's fine, as long as it helps the people who fled with us.
- Delphine
You've adapted quickly, Vina.
- Siege
The time when we could do as we pleased has passed, Delphine.
- Siege
Many souls on this ship are counting on me. I have a responsibility to them, both as Vina and as the Siege.
Lots of people are looking at us. I can tell Vina is busy.
Mother's ship is one of the biggest of the Victorian ships-of-the-line, but it was never designed to evacuate civilians. Certainly not this many.
The people of Norport are squeezed into holds meant to store ammunition and weapons, trying their best to find a clean place to sit down.
This is not the best accommodation, even if the most dangerous weapons have been removed. Vina's gang are doing their best to maintain order.
The refugees whisper about her amongst themselves. The officers on the ship pay no heed, nor does Vina respond to their calls of 'Your Majesty' or 'Your Royal Highness'.
Regardless, she has become the heart and soul of this place.
Perhaps the civilians don't even realize themselves, but the reason they trust Vina is not so much because of her status, but because she is the only one they can rely on in this unfamiliar environment.
- Siege
How goes the war?
- Delphine
The number of reports coming in is unreal. Too many variables to keep track of.
- Delphine
The Duke of Wellington's offensive is unsteady, and our own defensive lines are being pressed...
- Delphine
We should have an overwhelming advantage in terms of forces, even if the dukes have yet to commit their full strength. We are facing a foe beyond the scope of modern military theory.
- Delphine
The Nachzehrer King... the only thing we know about him comes from sparse records of ancient times.
- Delphine
It has been too long since Victoria, indeed Terra as a whole, last faced a real Sarkaz army.
- Delphine
What chain reaction will their witchcraft produce? Are they really as primitive and backwards as the records say?
- Delphine
What force have the various Sarkaz branches come together to form, where we can't see them? Why do they stand together?
- Siege
......
- Delphine
No need to worry too much, though. Mother... Duke Windermere and Duke Wellington will conduct this war together.
- Delphine
The Duke of Caster has also publicly declared her allegiance. The stalemate will not last long.
- Delphine
Once we return to Irnclad Galavae, both supplies and support will—
- Morgan
Whoa! What was that?
- Delphine
Looks like we're passing through a canyon... a good thing. It means we're about to leave the battlefield.
A canyon.
I feel even less at ease.
I know where mother's confidence comes from. This ship is defended by Windermere's pride, her Swordguards.
If the Sarkaz think this merely a reckless act by the Duke of Windermere, they will find themselves on the receiving end of blades that have been honed since the War of the Four Emperors.
But do we truly know the Sarkaz?
- Dagda
Is the ship slowing down, Siege?
- Siege
I think so. And the weather outside... say, what time is it?
- Siege
How long has it been since we left Norport?
- Delphine
A few hours, I think.
- Siege
Is this just an ordinary canyon?
- Delphine
Yes, nothing remarkable besides some abandoned factories...
Abandoned factories. Yes, this place has been abandoned since before Londinium fell into chaos.
Why? Because of Catastrophe.
The massive crystal formations that Catastrophe left behind...
- Indra
Be careful!
- Victorian Officer
......
- Indra
Hey, I'm talking to you!
- Victorian Officer
......
Something's not right.
There's a different smell in the air.
I look around instinctively. All the elite soldiers in the hold are gone.
This is not right!
- Delphine
Get away from him, Hannah!
Siege pulls her back before I can.
I see the soldier smiling at me.
- Delphine
Look out!
It's too late.
Blood seeps from the gaps in the ceiling, dripping into the infiltrator's eyes.
Drip.
Merge.
Spread.
Blood?
Where did this blood come from?
- Siege
Look out!
Siege pushes me away. An instant later, a blood mist bursts where I stood.
Soon, the entire hold is engulfed in crimson.
- Delphine
Blood mist? Sarkaz witchcraft!
- Siege
Too many civilians here.
- Siege
Morgan, Dagda, Indra.
The four of them exchange gazes, and take up positions around the frightened crowd.
The emotions in the crowd ranges from shock to panic. Some in the corners begin to scream, without even seeing exactly what happened.
- Delphine
Go down! The stairs are to the north!
- Shearer
Lady Delphine!
- Delphine
Are you the ship's doctor?
- Shearer
We're under attack by witchcraft. The ship's casters can't decipher it yet. The Duke and—
- Shearer
Damn, how did they—
- Dagda
Look out!
A claw slaps away the sword that was inches from his throat.
The blood mist disperses, then reconverges, taking a gooey, wet form.
A Sarkaz emerges from the bloody shadow.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) The Vampire's witchcraft has taken hold.
- Dagda
I know that outfit... the skull mask...
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) The Sighs of Kings... one variable to eliminate.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Cause chaos and eliminate the outblood. Hesitate not to spill your own blood.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Oh?
- Dagda
You were part of the siege of the Knights of the Tower...
- Indra
Careful! I've gotcha!
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) You will die here with your king, Victorian.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Do it.
- Delphine
(Mother is on deck, but we still have civilians and our people below... I...)
- Morgan
Delphine! Your left!
- Delphine
Ugh!
- Morgan
Careful.
- Delphine
Sorry, thanks.
- Delphine
There aren't many of them. We can pin them down. The reinforced compartment is one bulkhead away. Get the civilians there—
- Siege
No, there's something more important that you must do.
- Siege
Those people came with me. I promised to protect them.
- Siege
Duke Windermere likely doesn't know how bad things are below.
- Siege
Go and inform her. I'll hold out until your reinforcements arrive.
- Delphine
But I—
- Siege
This suits us better. You have a formal command structure. There's no way to integrate us quickly.
- Delphine
Vina...
- Siege
Go!
- Siege
Damn, you've got a hard head. Almost made my hand go numb.
- Confessarius Guard
*Sarkaz profanity*...
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) So be it. The Sighs of Kings will be spoils enough.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Surround the Aslan.
- Siege
Get ready for a brawl, mates.
For an instant, I wished I was with them.
Like when I first joined Slobberknocker Gym, when I went from being alone to being in a community.
Cador, and... Baird.
We stood together.
- Siege
This ends now.
The swing of the hammer compresses the air in the passage. It roars.
......
......
Tiny drops of liquid fall on my face.
My vision blurs.
- ???
Delphine!
A shadow draws near.
- ???
Delphine!
- Delphine
Mother?
I try to wipe my eyes.
I see another pair of eyes right there in front of me.
Red flows from their sockets.
- Victorian Officer
Delphine... go no further...
- Delphine
You're hurt—
- Victorian Officer
You'll only be in the way. Same for me.
- Victorian Officer
Kill me, before whatever this is consumes me.
- Victorian Officer
The Swordguards and Her Grace will kill the Sarkaz.
- Victorian Officer
Do not put yourself in danger, Delphine... no...
- Victorian Officer
I don't even feel the pain anymore...
- Victorian Officer
Free me. Then stop.
I draw my sword.
She is still conscious. I should not do this to her. But I see the relief in her eyes.
She grabs my sword, sending it into her own body.
I'm trembling. I can't see clearly.
- Victorian Officer
Lady Delphine—You must live—
- Victorian Officer
Thank you—for freeing me—
I look down and see the red eyes.
She gives up breathing, smiling to the end.
- Delphine
This is... Sarkaz...
- Delphine
Mother...
My feet cannot move. Worry, unease, and fear grip them.
The lights go out. The only light comes from above deck.
There is only silence amongst the bodies. Rain solidifies as it falls.
Flowing backwards, evaporating, converging.
A red-black sun rises into the sky, obscuring its white counterpart.
A bloodless complexion emerges from the black sun, not a speck of blood on it.
He descends from the black sun.
I avert my gaze.
Am I afraid?
How shameful...
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Hmm.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
You should not have dodged.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
The paleness of your face would have contrasted well with the blood drops.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
They would have painted a picture of beautiful despair.
- Duke of Windermere
Hmph.
- Duke of Windermere
Leeches can't stop playing with blood, I see.
- Duke of Windermere
Nothing has changed with you people, even after all these centuries.
Rain begins to fall again.
Drip. Drop.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Look.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
It's a good day to die.
- Swordguard
Your Grace, this attack was planned.
- Duke of Windermere
As expected.
- Duke of Windermere
For a sovereign of the Sarkaz to pay a personal visit, though... all well and good, I suppose.
- Swordguard
The battle below is not going well. The officers are organizing the defense.
- Duke of Windermere
No matter. This one is our only threat.
Mother... the Duke of Windermere points her sword towards the invading Sarkaz leader.
I cannot see the expression on her face, but I know that is not the mother I know so well.
The soldier was right. I would only be in the way.
- Duke of Windermere
I've long had enough of Leithanian Spire Arts.
- Duke of Windermere
I wonder what the spine of a Vampire looks like.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Hmmm.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
You're a strong Victorian. You don't think you'll shirk back.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
But your blood will betray you.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
The creator built a bridge of life for humanity, and I stand above the bridge.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Oh?
- Duke of Windermere
Not any worse than those spire madmen.
A blue blade cuts through the rain of blood.
A tiny drop of rain cuts open Mother's cheek.
Was it the red rain, or blood seeping out? I could not see.
There is no change in Mother's expression, but... have I ever seen her get hurt before?
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Poor fool.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Still clinging to dreams and fantasies.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Guess why your battleship fell from within?
- Duke of Windermere
......
- Duke of Windermere
Focus on the mission at hand, soldiers.
- Duke of Windermere
Ready.
- Swordguard
Roger.
- Duke of Windermere
Your duty is to kill the enemies of Windermere, not protect the life of Windermere.
- Duke of Windermere
Do all you can to weaken the Sarkaz. Victoria will take back what is hers.
The Vampire's movement starts to slow.
No, the Swordguards are too fast.
I've received formal military training. I did not go to Londinium unprepared.
But here and now, I realize the weight of the words 'Duke of Windermere'.
My mother never let her daughter see the kinds of battlefields that she knew.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Hm.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Not bad, not bad... you aren't a duke of Victoria for nothing.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
How many Sarkaz have you eaten?
- Duke of Windermere
I don't have any such disgusting habits.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
No.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
You and your ancestors reveled in war, from Kazimierz to Leithanien.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
A Duke of Windermere once had an army of Sarkaz. In the War of the Four Nations, which engulfed most of the land...
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
How did you or your ancestor use them?
- Duke of Windermere
......
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Parlor tricks, the theft of witchcraft, a favorite of the Nachzehrer.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
The blood and flesh of Sarkaz spread across the battlefield, becoming yet another bulwark for your glorious armada.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
You ate them up, alright.
- Duke of Windermere
Are you after revenge, Sarkaz?
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Of course.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
How dare you trifle with the methods of my creation, the property of the Crimson Court?
- Swordguard
He's being strengthened by the blood of the fallen?
- Duke of Windermere
No.
- Duke of Windermere
It is no longer bodily fluids, but a part of the curse.
- Duke of Windermere
Prepare counter-Arts.
Stay calm.
Take a deep breath.
My throat is coarse. I cannot speak. I try to gasp for air, but the smell of blood is all there is.
Vampire and... Confessarius.
This is Mother's flagship. Lynncardine's most experienced commanders, bravest sailors and most steadfast warriors are gathered here.
Mother once told me that war is not about heroes, about charging into danger. A commander must see the whole battlefield, in order to see the way to victory.
But—
I realize why this ship sailed deep behind enemy lines without support.
Because of me.
- Delphine
I...
No...
This is no time for self-flagellation.
I have to do something. If there is no place on Mother's battlefield for me... someone must bring order.
One of the Kings of the Sarkaz Court is here. But would they really attack us so recklessly?
My espionage background tells me that something is missing from this puzzle.
I have to do something.
Think!
- Delphine
—!
- Delphine
Could it be...? No, Arts that can teleport an entire army are unheard of... our ship fell from within...
- Delphine
I know this feeling...
Damazti.
I encountered him personally when leaving Norport. I had heard about this terrible King of the Sarkaz Court from Amiya. But he was defeated. How could he...?
Still, this is the most likely answer.
There are two Kings of the Sarkaz Court on this ship.
A truly terrifying conclusion.
- Delphine
But what about the Vampire? Why didn't he go straight to his target, if he could use his witchcraft on the officers?
- Delphine
Attacking secondary targets with witchcraft, then creating disorder with assassins... that's too inefficient.
- Delphine
But the Sarkaz fighting with Mother...
- Delphine
The Damazti... did he simply infiltrate us by taking the face of a Victorian?
- Delphine
If...
- Delphine
—Damn it!
- Delphine
Mother!
- Duke of Windermere
Delphine?! Stay back—
- Delphine
That one's fake!
The Swordguards' weapons impale the Vampire.
The light of Arts penetrate the Sarkaz's twisted visage. The Arts of the Swordguards of Windermere, passed down from generation to generation, are simple, but brutally effective.
Mother quickly sets her sights back on the target.
I draw my sword.
The Swordguards do not hear my cry, but Mother is ready.
The Vampire laughs.
The massive Blood Arts explode before it can be cast.
A gust of wind sweeps through the sticky air, blowing away the sanguine rain and wind.
Death falls silent. True terror begins to spread, slowly but surely.
Blood converges upon the hand of the silhouette, forming a crystal. Then...
The other, the true—
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Enough.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
I don't enjoy seeing another wear my face.
The Swordguards pull back instantly.
Even so, two of them are late by an eyelash, and their flesh takes incomprehensible form in a split second.
I can feel my sword hand trembling, my throat seizing up. This is a battle beyond my comprehension.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
A little girl saw through your disguise.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
You're losing your touch, Damazti. The previous you would have been more convincing.
- Damazti Cluster
......
- Damazti Cluster
Is that so?
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
These Arts are merely a poor imitation by the Confessarius.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
Foul, uncouth, vulgar killing.
He looks towards me, then towards Mother.
I'm trembling.
- Duke of Windermere
Delphine.
- Delphine
Y-Yes!
- Duke of Windermere
Good job seeing through the trick. All the Swordguards would have been lost.
- Duke of Windermere
But there's nothing more you can do here now.
- Delphine
I, I—
- Duke of Windermere
The escort fleet is approaching. We must ensure that communication with the fleet is maintained.
- Delphine
The communications tower... it's behind the deck!
- Duke of Windermere
The enemy is few in number. Go.
- Duke of Windermere
...I'm counting on you.
She pats my shoulder with an injured hand.
Only then do I notice that she has many more scars on her than I remembered.
- Delphine
Understood.
I turn around and run for the communications tower.
Pride overcame fear in that instant. Mother said, 'I'm counting on you.'
I see the Confessarii trying to blow the communications tower, and our soldiers still resisting.
- Delphine
Thank goodness, the communications tower hasn't fallen yet—
- Delphine
The ship's slowing down?
- Delphine
It's the engines! They're attacking the engine room!
- Delphine
—!
- Victorian Soldier
D-Damn it!
- Delphine
—
- Delphine
Grab my hand!
- Delphine
Don't look back! Get up!
- Victorian Soldier
Thank you! Oh, L-Lady Delphine—
- Delphine
We must regroup and counterattack. Reinforcements are on the way.
- Delphine
Listen up, men!
- Delphine
Dust clouds in the distance! Help is on the way!
- Delphine
Their plan—
Has failed? So easily?
I turn around.
The front of the deck has been completely engulfed in red fog, with only the flashing of sword and vampiric Arts to penetrate it.
Why do I feel so uneasy?
I—
- Siege
Delphine! Look out!
A pair of eyes peer at me, in the infinite raindrops, in the reflection of blood on the deck.
The Vampire's hand brushes my neck. Why? Is he not fighting Mother?
Vina tries to push me away, but it's too late.
My sword. I still have my sword.
I am her daughter.
She is counting on me.
The blood-woven crimson witchcraft vanishes into thin air.
- Delphine
*Pant*... *pant*...
- Siege
Are you alright?
- Delphine
I'm fine... it's all in my head...
- Siege
Your troops are holding back the enemy down below, so we've come up to help.
- Siege
The bad news is that we found traces of the Damazti down there.
- Delphine
We know. The Sanguinarch and Damazti are attacking together.
- Delphine
No, wait...
That attack was not a Damazti feint. It was true blue vampiric witchcraft.
If the King of the Sarkaz Court had intended to kill me, there is no reason I should still be alive.
It was not my own strength that allowed me to resist.
He had other plans. There's no doubt about that.
Once again, I look towards the Swordguards. Their swords are still flashing. I can faintly see their silhouettes converging—
Something's not right.
They are falling, one by one.
They're backing up?
This is not right!
Where is Mother?
- Siege
Delphine? Where are you going?
- Siege
Agh, dreadful!
- Confessarius Guard
......
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) The scent of blood has changed. The Confessarius has succeeded, as has the Sanguinarch.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Pull back.
- Confessarius Guard
(In Sarkaz) Those unable to do so, drive your daggers into your hearts on my command.
- Siege
You—
Impossible.
Even if the fight against the fake Vampire had taken its toll, Mother and her Swordguards could not have fallen so easily.
I know the legends of Windermere's sword which no wall could stop, the blade of light that struck down the spires, one of Victoria's two sharpest swords.
I grew up listening to them.
Why? How?
I charge into the fog of blood, hearing only my accelerating heartbeat.
Finally, I spy a figure.
- Duke of Windermere
Ugh...
- Damazti Cluster
You have lost all sensation in your arms. Your guards are routed.
- Damazti Cluster
How do you feel now?
- Damazti Cluster
......
- Duke of Windermere
Argh... ugh...
- Duke of Windermere
Sarkaz...
- Damazti Cluster
He caught you.
- Damazti Cluster
An instant of weakness, of disorder... why? We do not understand.
- Damazti Cluster
We find it... regrettable.
- Duke of Windermere
......
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
......
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
She's finished. Let this great warrior savor the fading of life.
- Damazti Cluster
Are you leaving?
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
I have no interest in the inconsequential deaths that remain.
One glance from that devil is enough to freeze my blood.
But he does not kill me.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
This blood is a penny a gallon.
- Damazti Cluster
What are you after? We are unsure.
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
......
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
The age of shame is coming to an end.
- Damazti Cluster
Are you hurt?
- Sanguinarch of Vampires
...It does not matter.
He disappears into the blood.
- Delphine
Y... You...
- Damazti Cluster
Oh, there you are.
- Damazti Cluster
The one who saw through us.
- Damazti Cluster
He said we were losing our touch. How convincing was the last one?
- Damazti Cluster
Is this good enough?
- Delphine
Don't—you dare—wear her—face—
He smiles at me with Mother's face.
- Damazti Cluster
...We must try.
Then, with an identical sword—Mother's sword—
He impales his own chest.
- Delphine
Sarkaz!
In my fury I try to charge, but my body refuses to move.
- Damazti Cluster
(In Sarkaz) We'll do better next time.
He whispers in my ear, wearing my own face.
Mother's sword is still in his chest.
In 'my' chest.
He falls, then familiar blood witchcraft covers him, consuming him.
After the blood boils and evaporates, it is as though nothing had ever happened.
All I can do is pick up Mother's sword.
I...
I catch sight of Mother.
The sound of fighting has stopped. The wind has calmed. The ship has stopped.
I see blue hair on the ground. Mother is bleeding.
- Delphine
—
- Duke of Windermere
Delphine...
- Duke of Windermere
I can't see very well...
- Duke of Windermere
Have they retreated?
- Delphine
Mo...ther...
- Delphine
They're gone...
- Delphine
Mother... I, I'll call for the doctors—
- Delphine
You'll be fine. You're the Duke of Windermere. You're my mother.
- Delphine
Wait here, I'll—
- Duke of Windermere
I couldn't beat him... I can't believe it...
- Duke of Windermere
Don't go, Delphine... don't go...
- Duke of Windermere
Let me... look at you...
Mother's body grows cold in my arms.
I dare not let go.
The sound of Mother's heartbeat fades further and further away.
- Duke of Windermere
Don't cry.
- Delphine
I... I'm not crying, Mother.
- Duke of Windermere
I saw you swing your sword, Delphine... very good.
- Duke of Windermere
You had injured your hand. Your grip... it was never right. I was too hasty.
- Delphine
Mother... don't say any more...
Mother gazes towards the horizon. Is that the direction of Londinium?
Her eyes have always lain upon Victoria.
- Duke of Windermere
I remember... the direction your father left in...
- Duke of Windermere
We had a surprise for you... one that we prepared long ago...
- Delphine
Mother...
- Duke of Windermere
Delphine, you—
- Duke of Windermere
I thought you would be taller... the clothes will be a bit loose...
- Duke of Windermere
Just... calm down, Delphine...
The rain stops.
