Later that day:
Rosalie: It says that today is her mother's birthday, so she'd like to take some time off to pay her a visit...
Reese: Do you know when she will be returning?
Rosalie: I'm sorry, I don't... She seemed to be in a hurry...
They are then interrupted by a guest.
Vester: We've got lots to talk about, and drinks are on me tonight! Ward, you should come, too!
Ward: Hah, that sounds like a good time! We will have to take you up on-
He pauses, noticing something unusual.
Ward: Lord Vester, why are you carrying a bouquet of roses?
Vester: Oh, these? They're for Tianna, of course. Where is my darling, anyway? I haven't heard seen her in more than half a year.
Reese: Your... darling...?
Ward: I-It can't be...
Rosalie: Um... Were the two of you not aware...?
Ward: Are you saying you were, Rosalie?
Rosalie: Well, no... But when a lady wears a diamond ring on her finger, it seems pretty clear she's taken...
Reese: She wears a ring? Did you ever notice, Ward?
Ward: No, I didn't... Though I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised. A beautiful woman like her must have more than a few gentleman callers vying for her hand...
Rosalie: ("More than a few"?)
Reese: Oh, I'm sorry. Unfortunately, Tianna had some urgent business to attend to. I imagine she will return tomorrow, although...
Vester: Oh... Guess it can't be helped. I can wait another day, I suppose. Well, Lord Reese, when the two of you are ready, find me at my house. You'll always be welcome there!
He makes his way out, and the discussion about Tianna's "engagement" continues.
Ward: To think that she will one day be the Duchess of Bornia, but she hid something so important from us? Lady Tianna certainly likes to keep us in the dark...
Rosalie: General Ward, please don't speak ill of Lady Tianna like that! You have no right to judge her for having her own private life!
Ward: Y-Yes, you're right... I spoke rather rashly... I did not truly mean any slight against Lady Tianna, but it was a rather rude thing to say nonetheless...
Normally I'd raise an eyebrow at that out-of-character apology from Ward, but it fits here. Rosalie was trying to shoo Vester away by saying Tianna was taken, but it backfired and ended up having the opposite effect.
Humourous misunderstandings aside, Tianna's absence does have a gameplay impact.
Rosalie will replace her until the end of the next mission, and no promotions can take place until then, since Tianna needs to be present at the ceremonies.
I receive 620D in ransom for the soldier captured during Vester's rescue:
Now, let's wrap up the citizen requests for this chapter.
Bluck: Thanks for your trouble. How was Columban?
Sherlock is unsure how to break the news, and doesn't offer an answer.
Bluck: Well? How was he, Sherlock?
Sherlock: ...The house was empty. The only things left were the arrowheads and this letter.
Bluck silently acknowledges his response, taking the letter.
Bluck: Columban, you old fool... You've really... gone on ahead and left me behind...
Sherlock: Bluck, I...
Bluck: Y'know, it was thanks to Columban that I managed to become a bowyer in the first place. We had different goals, but we still helped each other, and we understood each other... Most of the time, anyway. More than once, we argued from sundown to sunup... Heh... I'd probably get sick if I tried to do that today...
Sherlock: Sounds like he was a good friend.
Bluck: Yeah, he was... Well, I'll be damned if I don't fulfill his last request! I'll take these arrowheads, and I'll make the best arrows this world has ever seen!
Some hours later...
Bluck: (How's that, Columban? Think I did a good job?)
Sherlock: I can see why they're called the thunder-god's arrows... Look at how they shine...!
Bluck: Our last collaboration... Sherlock, I want you to have them. You made it possible, after all.
Sherlock: I can't take something so precious from you...
Bluck: Nah, it's what Columban would want. Arrows are meant to be used, right?
Sherlock: Thank you... I'll employ them well.
That's actually a bundle of 20 arrows, which is nice. Next, we hand over Karmell's lost property.
Rosalie: Something came up, so I'm here in her place.
Karmell: Oh, I see. Well, thank you all the same! Please take this as repayment for your generosity.
Rosalie: I'm sorry, I can't take that... If I do, Lady Tianna will scold me.
Karmell: No, no, I can't simply leave you unrewarded for your efforts! Take it, I insist!
Karmell: By the way, I have good news. We've already been contracted for our next job.
Rosalie: (Barselphon... Have I heard that name before...?)
Hmm... Guess he's still around in Narvia somewhere.
Maris: Thank you so much!
Czene: It was a bit tough, but I'm just glad to see you happy.
I have to admit, I was as surprised as Czene when I saw this. Kaga is quick to remind us that war sucks in pretty much of all his stories. That said, the player is usually able to make some difference in this respect.
Liz: Maris! Thank the Goddess you're alive!
Maris: The same to you! You were bleeding so badly... I thought the soldiers had killed you!
Liz: I only escaped by playing dead. After they left, I tried to get away... but I couldn't catch up to you with my injured leg. Luckily, the Narvian Army helped me. I've been recovering at the abbey here for the last month.
Liz: Even though I had no money, they cared for me just the same. I wanted to repay them somehow, so I started helping out, too. During my time off, I've been looking around the city for you... and now, here you are...!
Maris: Liz... I'm so happy you're alive! I-I've been so alone...
Liz: I'm sorry, Maris... It must have been awful...
Maris: Well... When I thought you'd died, I was going to go back to Turon to get the hat you made for me...
Liz: You were going to go back?!
Maris: Yeah... But this nice lady went all the way there and got it for me.
Liz: She did all that...?
She steps over to Czene.
Liz: It seems my little brother has caused you quite a bit of trouble.
Czene: It's no big deal. I'm happy to see a smile on his face.
Liz: My brother and I are deeply indebted to you. I wish I could thank you somehow...
Czene: Nah, don't worry about it.
Maris: Here, this is for you, Miss.
Maris: One of the soldiers dropped it when we ran into them. I was gonna keep it, but I want you to have it instead.
Czene: Are you sure?
Maris: I've got my big sister back. I don't need anything else.
Czene: All right, then. I'll take it gladly.
Maris: Thanks again, Miss.
Liz: Yes! Thank you very much!
Czene: Don't mention it. Take care, you two!
The next update will be a story-focused one, as some of our gallant warriors face trials and tribulations. We'll also meet a new face.