Riordan, sir!

It's been awhile.

Good to see you again.
What are you doing here?

Something strange has been reported in Hilder Forest.
I was stopping here on my way to investigate.

Hilder Forest...? The forest beyond Ainle?
Ortel Castle is there, but...

I'm leaving.

Is the situation serious?

....

Why aren't reinforcements being sent there?
Is is because of Fobellow Prairie?

I honestly don't know. With the order against deploying
additional troops there, there's little we can do.

Ah, everyone was here.

Ingkells! How did you get here...
Oh, pardon me, sir. I am Gwynn...

It's quite all right.
Don't be so nervous.

What is the meaning of this?
Why are you here?

Are you still following me around?
Don't you trust me?

So THAT's what it was all about? I thought
you were running away from me all this time.

What?

Ah, we'll fight later.
Just return my soldiers for now.

What? Absolutely not.

No? Is it that you CAN'T return them,
or is it that you don't WAN'T to?

What does it matter?
My answer still stands.

That's fine. I don't care what your answer is.
You can't refuse to return my own men.

They are now my soldiers.
I won't let you take them back.

Ha, Riordan! When did you become such a child?

W...what did you just say?

Look, relax...I'm only taking a few of my men back.
Don't be a child about this.

Hmph! Why not take these mercenaries here?
They should be...adequate for your needs.
Trained soldiers are wasted on your command.

(Ingkells is no longer listening.)
You...!

What?

...!

Haha, look who it is!
Is it really you, Aodhan?

Ingkells, what are you doing here?

This is marvelous!
I never expected to find you here.

You must be the captain of the
mercenary unit here?

I am, but...

Splendid! I need someone I can trust.

(Ingkells looks at Riordan, as though
he only just noticed him.)

Why are you still here?

What?

Really, why are you still here? Surely you have
something better to do than waste our time.

Eh?! I...was just passing by!

Then keep passing.

Are you saying you don't need any support?

I certainly don't need your support.
I'd trust these mercenaries over your soldiers.

...Do as you wish.
But I'll be keeping my eye on you.

(Riordan kicks open the door and leaves.)

Temper, temper... Hahaha.
Anyway, how long has it been since we last met?

You haven't changed a bit.
Oh, have you met Silberin?

That would be me.
A pleasure.

And who are you?

Salute to him.
This is Lord Ingkells.

Ingkells? Lord of Ortel Castle?
It is an honor to meet you!

Oh, you know who I am?

Everyon [sic] in Colhen has heard about you, sir.
I grew up hearing about your heroic exploits.

Before I could even lift a sword...
You were my hero.

Good to hear, son.
And you are...?

Oh, I should introduce myself.
I am Marrec, a Crimson Blade mercenary.

This here is Ceara, and that is Gallagher.

I am Ceara.

I'm Gallagher.

And this is <Grimden>.

<Grimden>? Heh, interesting name.
One of yours, Aodhan?

For now, yes.

For now? What does that mean?

This mercenary is in the process of entering the Royal Academy.

The Academy? Are you telling me that this mercenary
is to become a soldier of the Royal Army?

Now, Aodhan, I really thought that...

....

Hm.

Well, all right then. I assume, Aodhan, that
any one of your men would be trustworthy.

An interesting group you've gathered here.

Thank you, sir.
But is there something wrong?

What brings you all the way up here?

There is indeed something wrong.
It would be better for you to see it for yourself.

You'll see what I'm talking about.