Before Battle

Brom:
“Mornin’, Jacob!”

Jacob:
“Look atcha, always sowin’ yer seeds! It’s lookin’ like it’ll be a fine crop this year–a real dandy!”

Brom:
“Heck, I just work the fields. It’s the rich soil beneath m’ boots and the fine sun over m’ head what does the hard stuff.”

Nephenee:
“Brom!”

Brom:
“Well, if it isn’t Nephenee. What’s the story with the armor? Haven’t ya heard the war’s over?”

Nephenee:
“You’ll be needin’ armor too. A revolution’s brewin’. Better suit up– and make it snappy!”

Brom:
“Revolution?!”

Jacob:
“…Oh yeah. Nobody tells us ol’ geezers much, but I hear talk about some young hotheads over yonder. They’re jawin’ about bein’ fed up with the queen, and how they want change…”

Brom:
“I don’t get it! Her Majesty is a fine, fine lady… …even if she is a tad young to be passin’ laws instead of havin’ fun. I guess I’ll go have a look for m’self.”

Yeardley:
“…We are the victors. It was Crimean blood and sweat that defeated Ashnard! And what do we have to show for it? We do not rule Crimea. Our towns have been destroyed. We need coin to ease our suffering. Who’s to blame?”

Young Man:
“The queen!”

Yeardley:
“We’ve been violated! Daein robbed us of families, friends, and homes! We cannot reconcile with monsters! And now, our hated enemy is rebuilding to threaten us again. Will we stand by and accept this?”

Young Man:
“No! We will not!”

Yeardley:
“To arms, I say! We are not afraid! We shall fight for the prosperity of our fatherland, as did Ike the patriot!”

Nephenee:
“Hmm…”

Brom:
“Oomph, hoaa… Lemmee tell ya… It’s been a while. This armor feels like a ton of bricks.”

Nephenee:
“Brom… Didn’t you say somethin’ about usin’ axes these days…not spears?”

Brom:
“Uh, yeah… I suppose I did. What, ya went and brought armor AND weapons?”

Nephenee:
“Here, you take this axe… And hold on to it good, ya hear? All right… Let’s go!”

Brom:
“Hey now… What’s going on?”

Young Man 1:
“Hey look, it’s Nephenee. She even brought her own weapon. So you’re gonna join the revolution?”

Young Man 2:
“Together, we can make a difference. Together, we have the power to dethrone the queen!”

Nephenee:
“…What’re y’all thinking?! You don’t know the first thing about Queen Elincia!”

Brom:
“Maybe this is all some big mistake? Our queen is a splendid gal. Ain’t nobody out there with a kinder heart. We should know as well as anyone… Heck, we fought beside her.”

Yeardley:
“…You fought with the queen, eh? Humph… I see. Brothers! Do not be deceived! These two are the queen’s agents, and are undoubtedly spying on us!”

Brom:
“Listen, fella, you’re talkin’ nonsense. Queen Elincia wouldn’t dream of usin’ spies like that!”

Yeardley:
“Do not be deceived, my people! If they go to the Royal Knights… …they will return bearing torches, burning homes, and taking prisoners! We must silence these spies!”

Brom:
“Listen up, you blockheads… I guess you forgot ’bout the war. After fighting for years, we finally have peace…and now you want to fight again?”

Nephenee:
“Ain’t no good, Brom. These folk got their blood a-pumpin’. Ain’t got a lick’a sense left in ’em.”

Brom:
“Horsefeathers. Reckon you’re right. Listen up, Nephenee, let’s try not to kill too many of these dang fools.”

(Heather appears)

Heather:
“Sounds like the whole village is in an uproar. More men fussing over nothing, I’m sure. Bigger fools were never made. Lucky me! Time to find one ripe for the picking, get his goods, and be on my way. Be home soon, Mom!”

(Heather leaves)

Heather:
“OK then… Yep, this oughta be enough to get Mom’s medicine. What a good day!”

After battle

Young Man:
“You bumpkins! Just stay out of it!”

Young Man 1:
“It hurts! It hurts so bad! Look, my leg! It… My leg!”

Young Man 2:
“M-murderer! You’re a murderer!”

Nephenee:
“But I…”

Brom:
“Yeah. That’s right. Nephenee and me… We been to war. When y’all were hidin’ in cellars and attics, we were toe-to-toe with Daein. And look at us now…”

Young Man 1:
“St-stop it… Please! I…was wrong! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Nephenee:
“You got your head on straight now? You youngsters get so riled up… Let me at ’em! and Bring ’em on! Hmph! You know spit about war!”

Brom:
“Nephenee… Let’s gear up and head out to the royal palace. Her Majesty’s gotta know Ludveck’s stirrin’ up all kinds of nonsense. And my girl, Meg… She’s off on her own… Knowing Meg, though, she’ll be fine. All righty then. Let’s get movin’.”

Nephenee:
“Sounds like a plan.”

Brom:
“You two’re really leaving, then?”

Nephenee:
“We put the people of this village in danger. We can’t stay here now, knowin’ that. We’ll hafta set things straight. I hate to leave, but…”

Jacob:
“Why did it have to come to this? I always thought our Queen Elincia was about as good as they come, lowering taxes and looking after orphans.”

Grandma:
“The young folk don’t care ’bout that stuff. They only care about what’s gettin’ their dander up. Then they ignore everything else. I reckon that’s why we gotta do what we gotta do. If we don’t step up, the whole country’ll be goin’ on the compost heap.”

Nephenee:
“That’s why we’ve got to get to Queen Elincia right away. It’s all gonna be just fine. If I know Her Majesty, she’ll take care of this uprising in no time. Then we can return to our farms and grow some mighty good eats. All of ya just hold tight, now.”