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Track

Speaker

 

1

Étienne d’Ambreville

Do I live? Am I dead? Am I…dead? Or do I merely dream of the life that once was mine. My past, spread out before me. Glimpses in a brass mirror. All my mistakes, all the lost opportunities! Old loves, old enemies. Joy, heartbreak, betrayal after betrayal. While through it all I lie here, helpless. The Old One said, see who you are. See what you have become. By your choices we shall judge you. Whose, then, are the voices that mock me, and who can break the patterns that entrap me?


2

Petit-Singe

Mesdames and messieurs, may I have a word with you? It is very important, très important. Lives in the balance, the prospect of much money, yes? I represent a wealthy family, and we need you, you and your friends. Come; let me buy you a fine dinner, wine, just for the task of listening to me.


3

Petit-Singe

My name is Maurice Belòn. I am often called Petit-Singe. I am by trade a teacher of children; I have been many other things, though. A court jester, a magician, a historian. I work for the d’Ambreville family of Nouvelle Averoigne in Glantri. New Averoigne, you would call it. A year ago, I was entrusted with a mission to search the world until I find someone, a special someone, who would fulfill the prophecy. I thought my search was in vain. Then, I saw you, Standing there with gold raining down upon you, and in the light, it seemed truly to be gold dust. I knew you were the one promised to us in a vision.

Wilton

Ahem. Dinner is served.


4

Petit-Singe

You have heard, perhaps, of Étienne d’Ambreville? The prince-magicien? A great wizard, and a great man. Before his disappearance at the end of the Alphatian War four years ago now, he was a master of the Great School of Magic, Prince of Nouvelle Averoigne, and perhaps the most skilled magician in all of Glantri. We believe that on the last day of the war, as Glantri City was being bombarded by Alphatian wizards, he cast some truly potent spell, that caused the attack to fail, but perished in the process, sacrificing himself to save his country.

Wilton

Ground pepper in your soup, sir.

Petit-Singe

A soupçon, Wilton, if you please.

Wilton

Very good, sir.

Petit-Singe

His body was never found, disintegrated, no doubt, by the magical energies he released. His death left the family in the Principality in chaos as his relatives squabbled over the succession. Eventually…that will do, Wilton.

Wilton

Very good, sir.

Petit-Singe

Eventually, after months of bitter feuding, his sister-in-law, Princess Isidore, and her husband, Sir Richard, triumphed when she destroyed their chief rival, Prince Henri, in a magical duel. Now, Isidore and Richard rule the Principality jointly, and things have settled back to normal, or as near to normal as the d’Ambrevilles ever get.

Wilton

More wine?

Petit-Singe

Then, a year ago, Étienne’s mother, Dame Camille, took me aside and told me she just had a prophetic vision. Poor Madame, she been drifting through life with very little contact with reality for decades, but that morning she was completely lucid. I think perhaps, she was never truly senile all those years. I think instead, that her mind was sleeping, recovering from tragedy. Now, to prevent another tragedy, she has awakened. The vision? Oh yes. She told me that Étienne was not dead. She dreamed of heroes, so blessed by the Immortals that showers of gold rained down upon their heads. Upon awakening, she knew that these heroes were the key. Only they could retrieve her lost son from whatever spell or whatever prison holds. Once before, when Étienne was assassinated by his wife Catherine and his brother Henri, the Immortals cursed the whole clan.

Wilton

Indeed sir, a most unpleasant incident.

Petit-Singe

Yes, cursed the whole clan, banishing the castle into a strange dimension of mist, where family members slowly went mad, until brave adventurers from outside broke the curse and returned Étienne to life. Now, as then, the Immortals have clearly decreed that gallant outsiders are needed to put things right. I suspect that old curse has arisen like a zombie from its coffin. Something's wrong with the d’Ambrevilles. It’s subtle, nothing a stranger might notice. But I am not a stranger I have known these people for centuries. Again, they’re starting to grow peculiar. Glantri needs the d’Ambrevilles, and the d’Ambrevilles need you.

Wilton

Dessert, sir?

Petit-Singe

Ah! The pièce de résistance. The flambé! Oui, Wilton, oui! A flambé, yes Wilton.

For now, Dame Camille feigns madness, keeping her return to sanity a secret. Étienne has many friends, but also many enemies who would try to prevent his return if they learned of it ahead of time. Believe me when I say, Sir Richard and Princess Isidore would not relish giving up the reigns of power, not to mention rival Princes, who are glad to see Nouvelle Averoigne’s influence within Glantri diminished, or foreign nations which would be rejoice to see Glantri wither like a plucked rose. So you must be circumspect, discreet, cautious.

Wilton

Ahem, beg pardon sir, but I believe her exact words were: “Find them, Petit-Singe. Make sure they are not all muscle-headed morons, and make it worth their while to help us."

Petit-Singe

So, here is our plan. You must come with me to Château Sylaire in the guise of paid companions to old Dame Camille. As servants, you will be able to move about the castle freely, and escape suspicion

Wilton

Indeed sir, I have always found that most members of the family showed remarkably little interest in what went on below stairs

Petit-Singe

So we hope. My friends, for your troubles I will pay all your travel expenses and five golden ducats.

Wilton

Ten golden ducats

Petit-Singe

That's what I meant. Yes. Ten golden ducats.

Wilton

Apiece

Petit-Singe

Of course. Apiece

Wilton

Per day.

Petit-Singe

Per day. Yes, yes. Per day. Once we reach the family château, and when you succeed in finding out what has befallen the prince-magicien, and return him to us, which I'm sure great adventurers such as yourselves shall accomplish easily enough, my lady will pay your group a very, very generous total of twenty-four thousand golden ducats from the family treasures. A princely sum indeed, hey? Of course, I need not mention you should restrain yourselves from any kleptomaniacal impulses. If any family member's personal possessions go missing, the most recently hired servants are always interrogated first, and with great vigor.

Wilton

Quite so, sir. One calls to mind that unfortunate incident where Sir Richard caught a footman stealing some of Princess Isidore's spell components. Compelled the unfortunate fellow to ingest them, as I recall.

Petit-Singe

Please, Wilton, don't remind me while we're eating. The mere thought conjures up a most disagreeable image. Now, what do you say, my friends? Will you prove that you are indeed the heroes of our prophecy?


5

Wilton

Pardon me for taking the liberty, sir, but it occurred to me that you may not know that priests suffer certain restrictions in Glantri. For decades, the practice of clerical magic was highly discouraged. To put it baldly, even Père Simon, Prince Étienne's own brother, had to remain in hiding in fear of his life for many years. Today, a much more liberal policy persists. Priests aren't precisely burned at the stake or broken on the wheel or snapped on the rack, but it might be in your best interest to register at the border and refrain from vulgar displays of magical powers. I have letters signed by Dane Camille that will allow you passage in Glantri. Each letter permits you to cast one specific kind of clerical magic. The first is for the practice of Healer. As such, you could cast only healing magic while Glantrians are about to observe you, in a clearly unobstructed manner. The second is for the practice of Provider. You could cast only spells that produce food, water, and the like, and of course, should be with the said Glantrians observing you in the aforementioned unobstructed manner. If you should conjure up water, might I recommend it have an invigorating and bubbly quality to it? The Glantrians like that sort of thing. The third, and last, is for the practice of Investigator. You may only use magic that finds and analyses things. Cast a spell not of the approved type where Glantrians can see you, and you can be charged with illegal clericism, and, of course, punished. Punished rather severely. Well, to be quite honest, executed, in fact. Slowly. Now feel free to choose any one of these letters. But, I remind you, whichever one you choose, you will be looked upon with great suspicion by some while you are within Glantri's borders. Of course, you can just pretend to be an easily identifiable, somewhat boorish garden-variety type of fighter of the lowliest class. In that case, I recommend you carry a sword, even if you can't use one. That will help to complete the disguise. This way, you would be under no suspicion, for mindless thugs are somewhat the rule in Glantri. On the other hand, if you do assume said disguise and were then observed casting any spell whatsoever, and turned in, you would be tried and executed. This is quite an important decision, so think it over tonight, and tell me your choice in the morning.


6

Guard 1

Halt! Who goes there?

Guard 2

Halt! Who goes there?

Guard 1

Ah! Fatigue! I already said that!

Guard 2

I was just trying to make it more official-like.

Guard 1

Look, mon ami, you stick to your lines and I'll stick to mine, eh? Right from the top then. Halt! Who goes there?

Guard 2

One more time. You got a bit ahead of me.

Guard 1

Halt! Who goes there?

Petit-Singe

It is I, Petit-Singe, with some new servants for Dame Camille.

Guard 1

Ho, ho, ho. How do we know you're the real Petit-Singe, eh? You might be one of those, uh, uh,  double-goer types, eh? Come to spy on us, you might.

Guard 2

Ah-ha. Quick! What's the password? If you are who you say you are, you will know the password.

Petit-Singe

The password?

Guard 1

The password? We've got a password?

Petit-Singe

There isn't any password, you idiots.

Guard 2

Ah-ha. That’s just what you would say if you were a spy.

Guard 1

Hm-hm. Since when have we had a password?

Petit-Singe

But a real spy would know the password. And since there isn't one, and I don't know it, then obviousely I'm not engaged in any duplicity!

Guard 1

Give me a bit. Let me think this one through.

Guard 2

Let him pass!

Guard 1

All right, you may pass.

Guard 2

Yes, open the gate! Ouvrez la porte!

Guard 1

So. What is the password?

Guard 2

There isn't one. I just made that part up.

Guard 1

Then how could he know it?

Guard 2

He didn't. That's how come we knew.

Guard 1

Knew what?

Guard 2

That he wasn't.

Guard 1

Wasn't what?

Guard 2

What he wasn't.

Guard 1

Wasn't he?


7

Emile

Good evening, madame and messieur. Welcome to Château Sylaire.


8

As track 9, in Sylaire (French)


9

Richard

So glad you finally arrived. Another day, and you might have missed the big event.

Geneviève de Sephora

And where is the happy couple?

Richard

Wandering starry-eyed in the atrium, of course. They'll be delighted that you're here.


10

Richard

Little ape! I would have sworn you’d be dead by now. Quel dommage. And who are these?

Petit-Singe

They're for your mother, great Prince. She sent me out into the world to find her some amusing companions. These are they.

Richard

Compagnons? Mother, you grow embarrassing in your dotage.

Camille

Well, I only wanted some chicken, dear. Come to grand-mère, little goslings. You must be starved, poor little things. Come up to my room. We'll get to know one another over some tea, while they're making goo, your rooms ready.


11

Camille

Well now, so you are the ones. I knew you were coming today. Last night, I had another dream of Étienne. He was a child again, an infant, barely a toddler. In my dream, I saw him exploring the mansion, small but unafraid, walking down a long hallway, unaware that a coach drawn by four night-black stallions was racing down the hallway behind him. I couldn't move or speak, only watch as his doom raced toward him. Just before he was trampled, he was snatched to safety by someone who looked just like you. The image of my son as an infant sticks in my mind. Even now, I see it more clearly than I see you before me. I think it must signify that Étienne is returning to us! But somehow, vulnerable. And the coach, something threatens him, but I'm powerless to stop it, whatever it is! I'm old, and tired. You, my young friends, are the key to his return.


12

Ariette

So you're Dame Camille's new pets? Just make sure you behave and don't end up a canary like poor Pierre. You're lucky though. She's the nicest of them all, I think. Not a grouch like Richard or Marie-Hélène or a meanie like Guillaume or Janette. They're all touched, you know, even the nicest ones like Simon and Magdalène and Gaston. Sometimes, I think people weren't meant to live hundreds of years. It does something to them. The servants too! Everyone here is a bit mad. The cook is quite mad. And I am deranged! And you must be truly twisted to willingly come here!


13

Instrumental


14

Janette

Oughtn't to be allowed, a priest walking around in the open like that.

Guillaume

I agree, my love, but, if Richard allows such a farce, what is there to do?

Janette

There are ways to show him his error.

Guillaume

Perhaps it is time we tried that.


15

Simon

So, you think forgiveness impossible, or merely impossibly difficult?

Claude

Does it matter? We are doomed in the grand scheme of things.

Simon

Of course it matters! The Immortals judge us by our efforts, not the results.

Claude

Perhaps. But some failures stain a mortal soul that he can never be free of the taint again. As you know well, dear uncle.


16

Jean-Louis

Ah, you have to let the young people have their fun, Aunt Marie-Hélène

Marie-Hélène

Hmph! A complete waste of time, if you ask me!

Isidore

Good thing nobody asked you, then.

Jean-Louis

Eh, eh, eh, eh.

Marie-Hélène

Hmph!


17

Michel

Bonjour! May I have the pleasure of this dance?


18

Dian de Moriamis

Well, hello there. Is this seat taken?


19

Georges

Hey! You! The lackey with the excessively stupid bovine expression! Get me a fresh plate! And a fresh glass while you’re at it!


20

Monique

I’m so glad you’ve come. Something’s terribly wrong! Come to my room in half an hour. Make sure you’re not followed.


21

Instrumental


22

 

Concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…concentrate…concentrate


23

Michel

Make me proud, Étienne. You’ve been given a great gift. You must forge it into a mighty weapon.

Étienne

I’ll study, Father! I don’t want to play. I don’t want to sing. I don’t need friends.


24

Étienne

Pardon. And please forgive me. But I can’t talk for long. I have to study. My father told me to study hard, so he’d be proud of me. I want him to be proud of me. He says I’ve inherited a great gift for magic from my mother, and I can’t afford to waste it. It might save my life, or his, or hers or the whole family’s someday. So there’s no time to play like my brothers. I have to study. I’m sorry; I can’t talk to you anymore.


25

Michel

Trying to corrupt my little boy, are we? Trying to make him set aside his studies and become a little idiot like you are? I’ll teach you to interfere!


26

Sound effect


27

Véronique

So, you are the chosen ones. Not what I would have expected. They usually prefer empty-headed musclemen and silly women with pretty faces. No, I think you will be better.


28

Véronique

My name is Véronique Gaudin. I am a friend of the d’Ambrevilles. I was Magdalène’s lady-in-waiting and her friend for many years. This place is a dream, a memory of the château of many, many years ago. You see it as it was when Étienne grew up in it. Michel d’Ambreville was never the ogre you just saw. This is a childhood memory of him from the times Étienne was angry with him for making the boy study instead of playing with his brothers. The prophecy is true. I cannot tell you why, or how. Étienne is coming back. He is not, how do you say, complete. He is growing up again. You just saw him as a boy, reliving a half-remembered incident from his past. When he was a boy, he chose only to study, never to be a boy. When he became a man, he could not remember the joys of being a child. So, he was less a man then he might have been. And now, it is happening all over again. He will relive much in the next few nights. Events that shaped him, many that shaped him wrongly. He needs to be helped, to achieve the full humanity he never had. Only you can help him. He cannot see me, or my friend Holiancer. Please help him. The fate of our Glantri turns on what Étienne d’Ambreville becomes. But, be aware there is someone else out there in the shadow mansion. Étienne has many enemies. In his life, he dealt a great defeat to the forces of Entropy. They crave revenge, and they will try to make him like them. Dark, corrupt. Even if you do not interfere in the tableau his mind imagines, they will, and they will try to stop you. Beware.


29

Richard

Some of you may not know it, but my daughter was attacked last night. (murmurs) Quiet! As we speak, her life lies in the balance.

Isidore

Fortunately, good Father Simon, the priest, has lever les morts, raised dead on Monique, and she is safe for now. But she is still very weak, and can tell us nothing about the attack. For safety’s sake, we’ve moved her to our own chambers until she’s fully recovered.

Richard

In the meantime, I can’t prove yet who was behind last night’s attack, but I have my suspicions. Only one person here has deliberately harmed another member of the family. Only this person dared to strike against our own flesh and blood. Catherine! You poisoned your own husband once! Rad knows Étienne deserved it, but the fact remains that you are a poisoner!

Catherine

Richard, Isidore, you know I would never harm Monique! I, I love her like she was my own daughter!

Richard

So you say! I intend to find out. Guards!

Isidore

I advise you to go quietly, dear. If you are innocent, we’ll soon find out. If you’re not…

Catherine

I tell you I’m innocent, Richard! And I can prove it.

Richard

One way or another, something will be proven.


30

Richard

The pall of this night is lifted. Monique is safe now. Today, we celebrate a happy occasion. The long awaited marriage of my wife’s brother and my only sister.

Isidore

Magdalène, darling, you’ll have to pick a new maid of honor. Monique is simply too ill to attend.

Richard

André-David, Magdalène. I apologize for all this unpleasantness. Brother Charles, a toast!

Charles

Hm? Oh. A toast. Yes. Well. The lady Magdalène and her mighty hunter. May they be as happy as they deserve.


31

Instrumental


32

Simon

Poison in my cup.

Richard

Lucky you detected it in time. What tipped you off?

Simon

My dear brother, I can’t remember the last time I sat down to a family dinner without a detect poison spell handy.

Richard

Unfortunately, you are right. But we will deal with this after the ceremony.


33

Simon

I’ll keep this brief and not bore you with a long sermon. We all know why we’re here, and how right it is for these two to be joined. If anyone has objections, now is the time to make a fool of yourself and voice them. Right. Magdalène, do you take this good man as your husband from this time forward, until Death herself parts you.

Magdalène

I do

Simon

And you, André-David. Do you take this good woman as your wife until Death herself parts you?

André-David

Oh yes.

Simon

Then, I pronounce you husband and wife, until the Immortals themselves part you at life’s end. I’d kiss her now if I were you.


34

Simon

Hot in here, isn’t it. Or is it just me? It smells like smoke. (screams)


35

Messenger

Sir Étienne! Your father’s unit is hard pressed! I think the line is collapsing!

Étienne

Reserves be damned! We have to save my father! Forward!

Soldiers

d’Ambreville! d’Ambreville!


36

Hazelthorn

The enemy must suffer for this evil deed, Étienne. We captured their quartermaster, their wounded, some of their women and children. Give me the word, and I will have them all executed in full view of the enemy. Our foes will learn what it means to kill a lord of the d’Ambrevilles

Wounded prisoner

Water! Somebody, help me!


37

Étienne

Yes. Execute them. Let them suffer as I suffer now.


38

Hazelthorn

You are real. In Château Sylaire? What are you doing here? Never mind. These men are forces of the enemy. They encourage you to weakness! Let us kill the prisoners now!


39

Hazelthorn

You’ve made an enemy now, you meddling children. You’ll regret you ever stood in my path!


40

Étienne

You had the courage to stop me from making a terrible mistake. I will always remember your actions. Please, take this as a token of my thanks.


41

Camille

This ring. I have not seen it in years. Yes, it is! It’s Étienne’s! I gave it to him myself when he was only sixteen. He lost it to a thief long ago. But it was already worn with years of wear when it was stolen. This one looks almost new.


42

Sound effect


43

Étienne

I’m sorry. It has to be this way. I’m forced to walk a path you must not follow. Someday all the world will be my enemy. I will not have this happen to you. We can never marry.

Geneviève

You have to tell me why! You owe me that. Whatever it is, I will face it with you! We belong together!

Étienne

No! Geneviève, you must find someone else to love. Someday, you will know what I am, and you will hate me also! If some part of you does not, it will thank me for doing this.

Geneviève

Oh, Étienne!


44

Confessor

There, there, my child. I’ll protect you from these foul intruders.


45

Charles

Oh, yes. I know what’s going on. I’ve known all along. Simple, really, once you separate out the red herrings. Red herrings, red herrings! The innocents and scapegoats killed or framed to confuse the issue. The secret...secret, secret, I got a secret, don’t take a peek, it’s my little secret...is to find the common link. Some traits all the real victims shared. Then you will know why they were killed and who killed them. There are really only six of us who have to die...six, six, a boat on the sticks, pennies on my eyes, how I’m in a fix…myself, Isidore, Magdalène, Monique, Gaston, and Guillaume. I imagine he’ll kill Catherine and Janette, and my wife if he can, though it’s not really necessary. But he’ll probably do it anyway. He never was subtle, and he hates us all so. Clever, though. Not as clever as I am (laughs). He’s confused the issue, which is revenge, revenge on the whole family. None of the rest can inherit. Petty, but almost brilliant. After all, who’d ever suspect the dead? I have a brother, mostly dead. It’s Henri of course. Richard and Isidore killed him, now he’s killing us. And we can’t stop him because, he’s already dead. Funny, isn’t it? (laughs)


46

Étienne

Ah, my old friends. I am ashamed that you see me this way. They have undone me, Catherine and Henri. The wine they served me with their own hands was full of poison. I am dead. I do not know how it is that my mind continues to function. Perhaps it is so with all the dead. I hope not, for this is the most horrible fate I can imagine for anyone. I lie here, and feel decay begin to pluck at my body. I smell my own corruption. May the Immortals help me! Help me! I’m dead!  But there is still power within me, and Henri and Catherine will not go unpunished! There is still power within me...


47

Étienne

Revenge, suffer, hate, revenge, suffer, took it all with my revenge. All my family has hated me at one time or another, so all deserve to suffer! Revenge, revenge, revenge…


48

Étienne

Now, we are in a place of no escape. My hateful family is trapped here to suffer forever! Living an eternity of agonizing life, as I exist in agonizing death. I will change them, make them grieve, teach them pain, teach them horror. See the revenge I will unleash on them!


49

Étienne

How noble of you, but my vengeance is already set into effect. You see it flying above you. It has to have victims. My family will be those victims, unless you wish to take the vengeance on yourselves! Revenge, revenge, revenge, revenge…


50

Étienne

You wish to do this? To suffer so? For people who are not your kin?


51

Sound effect


52

Étienne

Ah, so tired. I feel my mind fade. At last, I sink into true death. Perhaps it is better. The rest of my vengeance is now free to roam.


53

Véronique

He’s not really dead, you know. He’s trapped in a state between life and death. His mind sleeps but is aware, and his enemies are out there to poison that mind. If we are to succeed, you must find him. Help him to awaken. Help him to feel! Use everything you know, and everything you find here.


54

Instrumental


55

Hazelthorn

So, my old enemy. You are in my power at last! How I’ve longed for this moment. What a lovely sight it is, to see you trapped in your own rotting dead body. They were glad to see you die, you know, your family. How they celebrated once you were safely encoffined and they were rid of you at last! Now, you will lie there forever, alert yet unable to move, as your flesh slowly rots off your bones, gnawed by vermin, infested with grave worms, till you go mad with despair.


56

Hazelthorn

Visitors are here, Étienne! Its time to give them a piece of your mind!

Étienne

No, no, please don’t.

Hazelthorn

Your friends cannot save you now, Étienne. You have no friends. Ah, how ugly I will make you, the prince-magicien. Your own children, your mother, your old lover, will all recoil in horror at the sight of you!


57

Richard

Petit-Singe, I find you guilty of conspiring to murder members of my family. Of smuggling assassins to this very château in the guise of paid companions. And of helping those murderers to escape once their evil work was done.

Camille

But, Richard…

Isidore

And you, chère mère, it’s not safe to let you wander about anymore. I’ll find you some truly suitable companions. Some muscular matrons from out back to keep you out of trouble, perhaps. You’ll thank me in the…u'est-ce que c'est? what’s this? Caramba!

Richard

Speak the name of a fiend and he will appear. And all his hordes with him, it seems. I sentence you all to death for your crimes, and for disappointing my dear mother as you have. Kill them! l'attaque! l'attaque! mort! mort!


58

Camille

Enough of this charade. Henri, you were a terrible brat. You still are. En garde!


59

Étienne

It is right, Henri. Time for you to step down as Prince.


60

Henri

Curses, foiled again! You haven’t seen the last of me, Étienne! I’ll be back! I’ll..Yikes!


61

Étienne

I have returned, thanks to the help of these good people. Already the memory grows dim. All I can say is that my spells to defend the city from the Alphatian‘s attack swept me away to a distant dimension. Since then, I have been dreaming, dreaming of all the failures in my life. But these adventurers, these bold ones, they have saved me from that grim fate. Alas, that they could not save poor Geneviève. But what’s this? The body’s melting. It’s snow! This isn’t Geneviève at all! It’s a simulacrum.


62

Geneviève

Perhaps I can explain. I suspected that something was amiss when I intercepted Monique’s message asking that scoundrel, Malachie du Marais, for help. So I decided to come myself. I thought that by sending a simulacrum in my place and disguising myself as one of your maids, I could see twice as much without drawing suspicion to myself. Pardon me for saying so, but you d’Ambrevilles never did pay enough attention to your hired help.

Étienne

Eh, eh, eh. Then perhaps it’s time we did something about that. It is good to see you again, mon amour.


63

Camille

Étienne, will you do one thing for your old mother?

Étienne

Ma mère, you know you have only to ask.

Camille

It’s all very well having you back, but I miss my other little goslings. Could you bring them back from the dead, just like last time, just for me?

Étienne

(sighs) Oh, very well. But it’s the last time, you understand. If they get themselves killed again, they’ll have to see to it themselves.


64

Étienne

My friends, my debt to you is great. Please, stay in my home as my honored guests for a few days, while I think of a suitable reward.


65

Véronique

I fear that he is not all that he could be, but at least he lives. Perhaps he can learn the humanity that he failed to learn during his previous life. Thank you for trying to help


66

Véronique

He’s more than he used to be, more humane and less indifferent. He neglected his family, now he will treat them better.


67

Véronique

You have done better than any could have guessed. Glantri owes you much, and the events that overtake this land in future years are largely due to what you have done. You may find that you have gained allies who are more powerful than you realize.


68

Étienne

Here it is, and you would honor me if you would accept this modest domicile. It is yours, to keep or to sell as you choose. I’ve tried to think of everything, furnishings, ground, staff.

Geneviève

The horses, Étienne!

Étienne

Ah yes, I was forgetting. The horses you ride are yours as well. Treat them well. Their sires came from Old Averoigne, from my father’s own stables.


69

Petit-Singe

Forgive me; perhaps I should have waited a bit longer. I have always been impatient. No matter; you did very well. I will have a word with that gentleman and let him know that he should go home. Au revoir! Pardon me, messieur. May I have a word with you? My name is Maurice Belòn. I am often called Petit-Singe.

 

 

Many thanks to Tharquil for his help in creating this transcript.
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