Part 122: Final Rites

Toro see what happen.
What?
And Elsa not have clue!
Who?
She fall in love and here be line at ground:
Our three becoming two.
Oh.

Nice touch of time of near night,
There magic everywhere.
And with all love in air that all around,
Bad thing also in air!


Toro can feel love tonight.
Peace bring by time at dusk.
Silmaria in real good music sound,
And with all things that live.


So many things to tell her,
But how to make her see
The truth about my crimes? Impossible.
She'd turn away from me.


He's holding back, he's hiding,
But what, I can't decide.
Why won't he see the queen I know I am,
The queen I see inside?


Toro can feel love tonight.
Peace bring by time at dusk.
Silmaria in real good music sound,
And with all things that live.


Toro can feel love tonight.
Toro not look too far.
Quiet walk through night with not sureness,
Love be where Nike are.


And if Elsa fall love tonight
Toro can assume,
Her carefree days with us are history.
In short, our pal be dooooooooooooooooommmmmmmed.

Chapter 28: Final Rites


Ahoy there, Nike. Someone broke inta Ferrari’s place last night. Don’t know if anything were swiped, but the Fat Man was really mad at his guards fer not catchin’ the thief. As fer me, I figure Ferrari deserves anything he gets.
You think you can get away with saying that?
The Fat Man ain’t here, is he? Folks are laughin’ all over behind Ferrari’s back. All those guards, and a guy still got inta the house. He may not be the worst sort like that fellow in the hood, but he’s definitely pompous, arrogant, and self-centered. Even fer a thief, he be an easy one ta hate.
So what did you hear about the robbery?
Ferrari’s place were loaded with his guards. There’s nary a doubt the Fat Man had something he wanted ta keep safe. It’s evem whispered that he’s got the Blackbird, and damn me if it’s true. But the one that got in must not ‘o got it, as Ferrari’s acting too full of it.
Oh, really? What if I were to tell you that I—
Hold off there, matey. There’s some things I best not know about. I might start laughin’ in the Fat Man’s face the next time I see him.
Alright, good point. But you know, I’ve got a couple statues here I happened to steal recently. Perhaps you should take a look at them?
Ah, a winged lion made o’ gold. Too light ta be solid, so I’d say it were only worth 100. Oh, and what be this? Some sort ‘o bird? I might be willin’ ta buy it from ya fer a reasonable sum.
If it’s alright with you, I think I’d rather hang on to this one for now.

*Arestes writes something down on the guild logbook, and winks at you.*

A pleasure doing business with you.
Aye, and I hope it be a pleasure fer some time ta come.

*That Night*



We’ve got to stop meeting like this.
Ha, ha. I’m heading back to Minos’s island. I now know where I can find the proof that he’s guilty. I just wanted you to know who to blame if I don’t come back.
You’re leaving? What about the assassin?
Proving Minos’s guilt is more important. After your break-in, Minos was very upset, and didn’t notice me searching the treasure room. In a corner, I saw something that looked like the Prophecy Stone. If it is, then it means that Minos is behind the breaking of the Dragon Pillars. I’m not sure what he’s up to yet, but I intend to find out.
The Dragon Pillars are keeping the dragon that Atlantis released locked inside some temple somewhere. If they all break, the dragon gets loose and destroys us all.
I understand that part, I’m actually wondering why he’s trying to release it.
He probably thinks he can control it or something. That’s what the last two evil wizards I faced thought.
He’s not a wizard, though. He’s just an advisor, a politician.
Really? …You know, I don’t think I’ve faced an evil politician before. I guess I have no idea what he’s thinking.
And that is exactly why I am trying to find out what he’s up to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to the ship.
Elsa, wait. I…please be careful.
Of course I will be careful. I’m not an inexperienced fool. You know that.
Yeah, but I…Listen, Elsa, there’s something I wanted to tell you. I was talking to Katrina earlier, and she offered to let me stay in her castle to avoid dealing with the whole Dragon of Doom thing. Normally, I’d be all over an offer like that, but I told her no. And it wasn’t until she pointed something out that I realized—the reason I didn’t accept her offer was because I knew you’d be in trouble. I don’t care about saving the world, Elsa, I care about saving you. I think I cared even before we met, when I was talking with all the townsfolk in Spielburg who told me about your kindness, your sweet nature, your spunk, your smile, even the mercy you showed as the brigand leader. We didn’t see each other much after you regained your memories, but I remember seeing your face, and I don’t think I ever forgot, in spite of everything that happened later. And when I saw you again here in Silmaria, saw the kind of person you’d become, the hero I knew you always were, I realized that there could be no one else. I love you.
You…love me? Don’t say such things unless you mean them.
I do. I bought this ring today, just in case I saw you again before…you know, we’re pretty lucky, coming from a society that lets women be warriors and wives. Elsa, will you marry me?
You know, you really have awful timing. First you want to kiss just after we finish killing a dragon, and now you ask me to marry you right before I go on a mission I may not survive? I do care for you deeply, as a friend and as a hero. Even before I knew myself, from the moment we met in Spielburg I knew you were a man I could respect. But you saying all of this now, about love and the kindness I thought I had left behind to become a brigand…I never thought I would love anyone. I thought I would have to grow out of such girlish emotions to become a true hero. But I’m glad that you proved me wrong.

However, things are still very dangerous. It’s possible that neither you nor I will survive what will come. So for the time being, let us be heroes, and lovers afterwards. I feel…proud that I love you, and proud that you love me too.
Does that mean yes?
It means not yet. But soon, assuming we live long enough.
That works for me.

*Next Evening*


You!
Yeah, me. This time you don’t get away from me.
Who are you?!
I’m Bruno, you little prick! I bet you didn’t expect to see me again, did you?
Sorry, who?
Bruno! B-R-U-N-O! You and Elsa broke up the brigands before I had the chance to take over!
Nope, still don’t remember.
That’s it! You’re dead meat, kid!
Oh, you did not just call me that.


A series of daggers fly back and forth.

Gah! You killed me. I can’t believe it…
Who hired you, Bruno? Come on, you don’t owe him anything for this.
I owe you even less, cocksucker. I ain’t tellin’ you nothing. Least this way I’ll die knowing you’re hosed. And when ya get ta Hades, tell ‘em Bruno sent ya.



Toro hear fight! Hero Nike okay? Not look good.
Yeah, I finally got him. I took some poison cure pills too, so I should be fine. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll just pass ou~



*Some Time To Recover And One Recap Later*

I hope you are feeling better. You were lucky to have taken Salim’s latest anti-venom, or you might have wound up unconscious for much longer. So, the assassin is dead, and his master is still unknown. I know whom you suspect. However, we still cannot act without real proof. This is the Rite of Justice after all, not Revenge.
I don’t see why what we have isn’t enough. Bruno mentioned Elsa, but she’s the only contestant besides Gort who wasn’t targeted, and it’s pretty obvious the scientists weren’t behind this.
Yes, I realize this points suspicion to Minos, but it is not enough to be considered proof. Minos has always acted as a man of integrity. He has been a trusted member of the council to the king for many years. If this is a power play on his part, then he is a most subtle and devious man. What do you suggest we do in this manner?


If you’re having trouble reading, the options are “trick Minos to confess,” “threaten Minos,” “confront Minos with suspicions,” and “consult with Minos.”

Here, finally, is where the Ring of Truth pops up as an option. Sadly, it turns out to be just one option out of many, since every option leads to the same result. The paladin gets Puzzle Points for using the Ring of Truth as opposed to any other option, but that’s the only distinction. At least the designers realized that picking the wrong option here would be a stupid way to get a game over.

I’ve been known to be a little “subtle and devious” myself. If you can get him to come here again, I bet I could make him think that Bruno confessed before dying.
I’m not so certain about this idea. I do not lie easily or very believably. If we attempt this, you will need to be the one to confront him with this deceit.
No problem.
I shall announce that this Rite has ended. We will see if Minos dares to show up. We should also hope that Elsa von Spielburg is careful in her attempts to find proof. Let us hope she will show up for the end of the Rite.

*You are informed by the guards you will be summoned from your bedroom at the inn in time for the conclusion of the Rite of Justice.*


Checking your inventory after the assassin attack, you may be surprised to notice that the hero apparently kept the poisoned dagger he got stabbed with as a memento. The poisoned dagger works much like the glass swords in the Ultima series: it deals incredible amounts of damage (equip it to see your Offense go up by 1000!), but only works once. It can also be charged with Zap, for that extra little bit of “fuck you.”


You are summoned to the Hall of Kings.


Silmaria has suffered the afflictions of war, invasion, and regicide. People have been murdered on the streets, and we were helpless to stop the assassin’s poison. By the Rites of Rulership, we have Peace. Now it is time that we have Justice, as well. The assassin of our king has been justly punished for his crimes. Prince Nike of Shapeir has completed that portion of this Rite. It is now his duty to finish the Rite in its entirety. Prince Nike, who is it that hired the assassin? Who is it that started the war between those of Atlantis and ourselves? Who hired the mercenaries? Who had the king killed, and all the other victims of the assassin?


Choosing any option earlier doesn’t limit your options here in any way, and all of these options either work or send you back to try again. If you’re still having trouble reading these, the new options are “accuse Minos of all crimes,” “consult with Minos about crimes,” “say the assassin confessed,” “threaten Minos to confess his crimes,” “tell Minos about the assassin,” and “ask Minos where Elsa is.”

After I delivered the fatal blow, the assassin told me some interesting things about Minos, like how Minos hired him to lure guards across the length of Marete simply so that he could kill them in front of Dragon Pillars, an act which caused each one to break in turn.
So, Bruno confessed before he died? And you believe an assassin’s word against my reputation?
We did not mention the assassin by name, Minos.
Then fuck it. I will rule Silmaria despite your foolish contests. I have the Prophecy Stone in my possession. One by one, I have fulfilled the omens of destruction. Either you will crown me king of Silmaria, or I shall release the Doom that befell Atlantis, and the dragon will destroy you all!
Guards, seize him!


Hey Minos, did you ever hear the one about the wizard and the farmer’s—


Well, shit.
Prince Nike, I must rely upon you to stop Minos. If he breaks the Prophecy Stone, then Silmaria will be devastated and Atlantis completely destroyed. I will seek what allies I can find, but time is critical. I will send you directly to Minos on the fastest ship Silmaria has, and I will send anyone else who can help to the dragon’s temple in case you fail. Go now, and may the Furies of Vengeance ride with you!

*You are led to a small, fast sailboat that swiftly launches into the sea. The wild winds drive you onward to face Minos directly in his fortress home. You must find a way to prevent Minos from destroying the Prophecy Stone.*