Chapter 11: Knorda Market



“Tired from so many long battles, Marth and the League arrive at last in Akaneia, Princess Nyna’s mother kingdom. Past the mountains lay the royal palace, known to some as Millennium Court; and within its walls awaited many treasures and captives the enemy had taken.
With each step, Marth draw nearer to one of the great waypoints on his journey.”

(Beginning of Chapter)

Marth:
“Nyna, soon the palace will be in sight. I…know this can’t be easy for you.”

Nyna:
“…When the palace fell, many, many good Akaneians were killed. The royal family…My family were…Their bodies were hung before the gates as an example. I cannot unpaint that vivid picture, of my parents grotesquely changed…I feel as though I should cry, Marth; or scream. But no tears come, and I cannot chase away the sadness and rage… …I cannot change the past. I can only shape the future. Lead the way, Marth. I am ready. Take me home.”

(Houses)

Young Man:
“This here is Knorda, Akaneia’s closest market town. Drop by the armories and vendors if you’ve an interest in rare goods.”

Young Man:
“A gang of ruffians have rounded up some Akaneian folk and are holdin! em over at the edge of town. What a world it’s become, that we’ve gotta be prisoners in our own land!”

Middle-aged Man:
“Three ancient weapons known as the Regalia have been passed down through the generations of House Akaneia: Parthia, the bow of flame; Gradivus, the lance that pierces stone; and Mercurius, the spectral sword. Only those blessed by the gods may lay hands on them- or so it goes.”

Old Woman:
“I’m sick of war. If it ain’t the screams of battle you’re hearin! it’s the bawlin! of the widows! You all should go home to your loved ones if you ask me.”

Young Man:
“Watch out for the ballisticians. They can fire their missiles quite a long ways. If you see they’re usin! a weapon called an arrowspate, move your fliers out of there, before their wings get clipped! Also, ballisticians have a weapon called the thunderbolt, which is particularly effective against other ballisticians.”

(Anna’s house)

(Before recruiting Jake – first time visit)

Anna:
“Not everybody fighting for Grust is a bad apple, you know. Take my sweetheart, Jake. He’s got a heart of gold, that one. If you see him, tell him Anna’s worried sick about him. ’Course, my Jake won’t talk to no-one but the most beautiful of women! That’s just the way he is.”

(Before recruiting Jake – subsequent visits)

Anna:
“I hope this warring is over and done with soon. And I hope my Jake is well.”

(Jake visits – first time visit)

Anna:
“Jake! What are you doing back?…Oh, so you’ve decided to fight for the Akaneian League now?…No, no, I won’t stop you. Sure, I wish you’d just stay put for a change, but I know you wouldn’t fight unless it were for a fine cause indeed. Go get ’em, honeycomb!”

(Jake visits – subsequent visits)

Anna:
“Go get ’em, Jake!”

(End Houses)

(Visiting Village)

Ruffian:
“Heh. Whadda you want? A broken nose?”

Marth:
“I hear you are holding some Akaneians here against their will. Release them at once!”

Ruffian:
“How ’bout I release my fist into yer- Munchin! Manaketes! The Altean army?! Aieee! Get me outta here!!!”

(Ruffian leaves conversation)

Marth:
“Is everyone all right? I know you’ve been through a lot. Go home to your families.”

(Boy enters conversation)

Marth:
“Em? What’s wrong, lad? Why don’t you go home?”

Boy:
“Because! I have no home to go to.”

(Boy takes off cloak, and is revealed to be Linde)

Marth:
“You! You’re a girl! Why were you dressed as a boy?”

Linde:
“To hide, sir. My name is Linde. My father is – was – Miloah, a pontifex. I donned men’s garb to escape Gharnef, but no sooner was I away when those ruffians grabbed me.”

Marth:
“So you’re Linde! I’m glad you’re safe. Princess Nyna was worried about you, you know! Well, we’re all together now. I promise to keep you out of danger.”

Linde:
“No! Let me fight. With Princess Nyna’s blessing, and the tome my father left me, I can wield Aura magic. Let me use it to avenge him. I want to destroy Gharnef myself!”

(Linde joins)

(Recruiting Jake [must have visited House 6 first])

Shiida:
“Hail, ballistician of Grust! Are you the one they call Jake?”

Jake:
“Hail yourself, sugar! What’s a fetching lass like you doing out here on the battlefield? And how do you know my name?”

Shiida:
“I am Shiida of Talys. An Akaneian woman by the name of Anna told me about you.”

Jake:
“Really? Anna mentioned me? …In a good way, right?”

Shiida:
“She’s very worried about you. She wants to know why such a good man is fighting for the wrong side.”

Jake:
“Wrong side? Hmm… Well, I have to admit, I’m not too keen on kicking Akaneia while they’re down…”

Shiida:
“They why not fight for Akaneia instead? Help us defeat Grust and Doluna, and set the world right.”

Jake:
“Well…I don’t know. I don’t think it’s that simple… Hmm…”

Shiida:
“Anna would love you for it, I’m sure.”

Jake:
“She would? Hmmm… All right, you win. But I’m doin’ it for Anna-“
just to be clear!

(Conversation Marth and Jake)

Jake:
“Are you the Altean prince? The name’s Jake. I just joined up.”

Marth:
“Many thanks, Jake.”

Jake:
“You know, I’ve been to Altea once. Have you uh… Ever paid a visit to the ecret-say op-shay there?”

Marth:
“The what?”

Jake:
“The secret shop! Didn’t you know there are secret shops hidden all over the continent? Well, there’s one in Altea, too.”

Marth:
“Oh, really? Where exactly?”

Jake:
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a secret, now would it? The entrance is disguised so you can’t find it.”

Marth:
“Disguised?!”

Jake:
“And they don’t let anybody in without a VIP card. So don’t expect to waltz through the door by accident.”

Marth:
“But how do they stay in business?”

Jake:
“Who knows! Last I heard, they were desperate for customers.”

Marth:
“Then maybe they should reopen as a “tell your friends” shop.”

Jake:
“Ha! Very clever. Anyway, you should drop by when you’re in the neighborhood.”

Marth:
“But I don’t know- Ugh. Never mind.”

(Battle with Jake)

Jake:
“I knew I wasn’t cut out for the military. Well, too late now. I just hope Anna’s OK.”

(Battle with Khozen)

Khozen:
“Burn…! Burn, till your blood boils and your flesh cooks!”

(Defeating Khozen)

Khozen:
“Emperor Medeus…I have failed you…”

(Chapter End)

Marth:
“Good news, Nyna! We’ve wrested control of the gates from the enemy.”

Nyna:
“Then…we’ve won!”

Marth:
“Not quite yet. We can enter the palace, but Doluna still holds strong inside her walls. Also, a number of knights are being held captive inside.”

Nyna:
“Loyal soldiers who fought for their kingdom and their people…Marth, I wish to free them as soon as possible.”

Marth:
“I understand. We should strike now, then, before enemy reinforcements can arrive. I believe we have a good chance.”

Nyna:
“Thank you, Marth. As always, I am counting on you. Worry no more.”