[ Berkut straightens his shoulders. He may hold himself with confidence; however, when speaking of his country, he must be proud. ]
The Empire is a nation built on strength. In order for his people to be strong, the War Father chose to found Rigel on cold, harsh lands. Every struggle we overcome is a testament of our power.
[ Ah. Definitely an empire at odds with her own country. But she reserves judgment, taking note of the slight shift in his posture while changing nothing of her own. ]
And what does Rigel do for its weak and poor who cannot endure that strict regimen?
None is weak in the Empire. The cold? Famine? We the people have always found a way to overcome these trials and more. Enduring the regimen is not an option: It is a must.
[ Despite his harsh words, he speaks earnestly. It is his sincerest belief that the people of Rigel are strong—barring, of course, those who reek of corruption and indolence, but the latter is generally not an issue. ]
If your people are as hardy as you say, I am truly impressed.
[ But his words sound painfully optimistic to her. Strange that a country built on a bleak premise should have such an idealistic outlook. She knows too well that not all people can be saved, and even if they are powerful, not all people are strong enough to defy their worst natures. ]
It would seem our countries stand at opposite ends. Mine is a modest island nation often beset by ambitious peoples such as yours. To Britain, weakness is not a sin.
[ He thinks of Zofia, but instantly banishes that thought. Although the kingdom may lack ambition, it is certainly not modest. This king standing before him already strikes him as someone far more competent than the likes of Lima IV. ]
Peace and dignity for the commonfolk. Service and chivalry in every knight. We are a country famed for our esteemed knights, whose outstanding deeds and character stand exemplary to all others the world over. I will be so bold as to say there has never never been a greater gathering of knights in the history of my world.
[ She normally isn't one to brag, but if it comes to pride for her country, she'll never back down. She considers it a necessary trait in any ruler. ]
[ With no evidence to the contrary, Berkut has no reason to doubt her claim. He finds her character to be more credible than that of Mordred's, anyway. More importantly, this piques his interest. ]
If your knights are so great as to stand as examples for the rest of the world, this must be true. Rigel's knights are also comprised of the land's finest nobles.
As they should be. Those who reap the wealth of the land must be willing to risk life and limb in defense of it.
[ It was much the same in her homeland... Something she would take advantage of when disgruntled lords retired from her court to their castles, in fact. In any case, she doesn't intend to fight (overmuch) about the merits of Britain versus Rigel, so she eases her expression into faint smile. ]
It seems we would have much no shortage of topics to unravel, Prince Berkut. There are few here who intimately understand the conventions of rule and knighthood, so I would be happy to speak at length with you in a more comfortable setting. That is, unless I am keeping you from more urgent business?
[ He did kind of stumble on her harassing his horse and all... ]
[ Now that he knows of her station, he can hardly complain. In fact, it is something of an honor that a monarch would find his horse worthy of admiration. As such, he's quick to accept the invitation. ]
No, of course not. Have you one such setting in mind? I'm afraid that my . . . domicile is not entirely suited for a king such as yourself. [ He motions to the building next to them. It doesn't stand out: He hasn't touched it up at all. ] But it would be my honor to welcome you inside its walls regardless.
[ "Domicile," he says... Having been raised in a humble household, Saber doesn't mind the quaint nature of Chroman housing herself, but she can see why more traditional royalty would feel unsatisfied. So be it; she won't pressure him to let her into a home he might feel embarrassed about. ]
In that case, I would be more than satisfied with a stroll with your horse. I find the peaceful clip-clopping of hooves very nostalgic, you see.
[ Even now, he loathes that he was assigned a place to reside like some sort of livestock. It suits him better to be out and about, returning only once he's tired of undesirable company. With a curt nod, he readies his horse for a walk.
It'll be enjoyable for Buceph, too. The woods are not safe. Consequently, his horse has been seeing less and less of the town in recent weeks. Any excuse to stretch those legs is good. ]
[ Saber's eyebrows tick upward. Buceph... as in Iskandar's Bucephalus? It's a strange coincidence if it is one. But for all she knows, Rigel is a nation from the future of her world she's never heard of... ]
Certainly. I was required to travel with my army to every shore of Britain. For many years, I spent more time in the saddle than within the walls of my castle. Before that, I rode to towns and villages all across the country in order to gather support for my cause; and before that, I was tasked as a squire to tend to my brother knight's horse. You could say I spent my whole life indebted to the grace and power of horses.
[ She smiles up at Buceph. ]
Which is why Buceph caught my eye. He is a most handsome mount. Does he come from Rigel as well?
[ A squire . . . He supposes that all nobility must start somewhere. While Berkut has never been assigned to tend to another man's horse, he grew up taking care of his own to assert his independence. Her appreciation of horses is most respectable.
Seeming to find Saber's smile pleasing, Buceph snorts. ]
Yes. I've seen to his care since he was a yearling. He has fought many a battle and emerged victorious by my side.
[ Saber mirrors his frown. She isn't familiar with the term "Terrors", but his second statement was strange as well... ]
One would expect a country that has just overthrown its leader to withdraw and reform rather than invade another country. There is no wisdom in such a thing. What is their justification?
In surrendering the previous war despite favorable odds, we returned autonomy to Zofia under certain conditions that we thought rather reasonable. Perhaps they disagree. Instead of reform, they chose to invade under the command of a mere farmboy.
[ Berkut scoffs. Coming at Rigel like a motley band of disgruntled fools, Zofians understand nothing of politics. The Empire might have surrendered in the past, but the Kingdom knows who the true loser was. ]
[ Well, she can't get on board with that condescending use of "farmboy," but she has to agree that this Zofia's actions don't quite add up. She gets the sense that Berkut is writing it off as foolishness, but her curiosity is piqued; clearly, there are extraordinary circumstances fueling such strange choices. ]
I would not dismiss such a commander out of hand. If his blood is not noble, then his skill and charisma must speak twice as loudly for him.
[ She speaks from experience, of course. Being short and fair of face did her no favors during her rise to rule. Thus, she made sure to lead her army twice as boldly and crush her opponents twice as hard so that no one could question her right. ]
[ Berkut stops walking. Beside him, Buceph grinds to a halt.
Ah. This king thinks like a Zofian. Far be it from him to criticize a monarch, but this way of thinking puzzles him. All nobles know that commoners are born to be led, not to lead. Exhaling, he resumes his previous pace. ]
One of theirs approached us for a ceasefire. Zofia would pay Rigel a compensatory sum in exchange for their right to self-govern, as well as the negotiating knight's appointment as chancellor.
[ A fatty deposit of greed, that one. Berkut hadn't enjoyed his bluster in the slightest. ]
But he was recently slain by the same commoner who must fancy himself the next king of Zofia.
[ Saber stops a step after Berkut does, turning by half to look at him with a steady, patient gaze. Though he doesn't reproach her, his pause is a plain sign of disagreement on its own. So be it. She's not so self-centered as to think that all people should think as she does. She'll be content to let Berkut stand by his opinions as long as he's content to let her stand by hers.
When he resumes walking, so does she as if they hadn't stopped. ]
I see. A messy business.
[ The Zofian people -- or at least the portion of them that has seen fit to rebel -- must have been highly dissatisfied with the governance of the Knight Chancellor. It wouldn't surprise Saber if the late Chancellor's initial appointment was a design of his own making. It would be a poor look on any negotiator to emerge with greater personal elevation than the people he was negotiating for. ]
I confess some sympathy for the Zofian people. Their circumstances echo that of my own country some years past.
My uncle Vortigern, who sat the throne before me, made his bed too deeply with the foreigners who invaded our land without end. Yes, it strengthened his position against the lesser kings of the land who contested him, but the people as a whole saw it as a betrayal of Britain itself. When I overthrew Vortigern, no Briton mourned him. The people preferred to follow a young, motivated king over one who fraternized with outsiders to advance his own position.
[ She describes this all very analytically, neither prideful or boastful about her own role in the story. It was merely a necessary act. She looks askance at Berkut. ]
Of course, it is your natural right to defend your land. However, I can see how the perceived illegitimacy of the former Chancellor may fueled the self-righteousness of the Zofian people.
[ Even a young, motivated king of common stock? The people of Rigel would never allow a mere peasant to sit the throne. The Zofians, however, are different: Driven by desperation, even its most acclaimed knight foolishly handed the reins over to Alm. It seems anything is possible down there.
These thoughts fade to the background when he considers Saber's story. Berkut would sooner present himself to the executioner than entertain a traitorous thought against his uncle, but this is because His Majesty is a mighty ruler without equal; he knows there exists incompetent kings who besmirch the good name of the nobility with their weakness. Saber's uncle sounds to be have been one such king, relying too heavily on others to exercise strength that didn't belong to him—certainly not the kind of king a country of proud knights deserved. ]
A country needs a strong ruler. The Lima Dynasty ended with a king who neglected his people and mocked his neighbors, seeking hedonism above all else. Zofia was already on the brink of collapse by the time the Chancellor came into power.
[ He, too, states all of this as an observation as he meets her eyes with a stony countenance. If the Zofians were truly seeking what was righteous, they would have stopped at the border. They didn't. ]
He was a poor candidate. But he was a convenient excuse for the Deliverance to invade, and nothing more.
[ Saber inclines her head slightly, sympathy just short of full agreement. Far be it from her to make a judgment based on scant information. Even she could not fault the Picts and Saxons for invading Britain, however feverishly she fought against them; the Zofians could well deserve similar consideration, especially in the aftermath of multiple disastrous reigns. What reason could they have to invade an empire so urgently...? ]
In any case, I wish you a swift resolution. You must be quite eager to return to your homeland, considering the circumstances that await you.
I have my duties. War or no, I cannot abandon them.
[ Just as Saber must have her own duties to which to attend. He doesn't voice this, lest he make himself presumptuous. He knows that he's already voiced rather strong opinions for a mere heir in the presence of a monarch. ]
It is my hope to return before long. To that end, I shall do what I must here.
[ To a point. If it means forgoing his principles, he will turn away from Chroma. ]
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The Empire is a nation built on strength. In order for his people to be strong, the War Father chose to found Rigel on cold, harsh lands. Every struggle we overcome is a testament of our power.
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And what does Rigel do for its weak and poor who cannot endure that strict regimen?
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[ Despite his harsh words, he speaks earnestly. It is his sincerest belief that the people of Rigel are strong—barring, of course, those who reek of corruption and indolence, but the latter is generally not an issue. ]
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[ But his words sound painfully optimistic to her. Strange that a country built on a bleak premise should have such an idealistic outlook. She knows too well that not all people can be saved, and even if they are powerful, not all people are strong enough to defy their worst natures. ]
It would seem our countries stand at opposite ends. Mine is a modest island nation often beset by ambitious peoples such as yours. To Britain, weakness is not a sin.
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What is the prevailing law in Britain, then?
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[ She normally isn't one to brag, but if it comes to pride for her country, she'll never back down. She considers it a necessary trait in any ruler. ]
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If your knights are so great as to stand as examples for the rest of the world, this must be true. Rigel's knights are also comprised of the land's finest nobles.
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[ It was much the same in her homeland... Something she would take advantage of when disgruntled lords retired from her court to their castles, in fact. In any case, she doesn't intend to fight (overmuch) about the merits of Britain versus Rigel, so she eases her expression into faint smile. ]
It seems we would have much no shortage of topics to unravel, Prince Berkut. There are few here who intimately understand the conventions of rule and knighthood, so I would be happy to speak at length with you in a more comfortable setting. That is, unless I am keeping you from more urgent business?
[ He did kind of stumble on her harassing his horse and all... ]
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No, of course not. Have you one such setting in mind? I'm afraid that my . . . domicile is not entirely suited for a king such as yourself. [ He motions to the building next to them. It doesn't stand out: He hasn't touched it up at all. ] But it would be my honor to welcome you inside its walls regardless.
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In that case, I would be more than satisfied with a stroll with your horse. I find the peaceful clip-clopping of hooves very nostalgic, you see.
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It'll be enjoyable for Buceph, too. The woods are not safe. Consequently, his horse has been seeing less and less of the town in recent weeks. Any excuse to stretch those legs is good. ]
His name is Buceph.
If I may, do you ride?
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Certainly. I was required to travel with my army to every shore of Britain. For many years, I spent more time in the saddle than within the walls of my castle. Before that, I rode to towns and villages all across the country in order to gather support for my cause; and before that, I was tasked as a squire to tend to my brother knight's horse. You could say I spent my whole life indebted to the grace and power of horses.
[ She smiles up at Buceph. ]
Which is why Buceph caught my eye. He is a most handsome mount. Does he come from Rigel as well?
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Seeming to find Saber's smile pleasing, Buceph snorts. ]
Yes. I've seen to his care since he was a yearling. He has fought many a battle and emerged victorious by my side.
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[ Countries to be conquered, local lawbreakers, neighborly nuisances... the possibilities are endless. ]
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[ He frowns. ]
They have profaned Rigel's soil with their march and must learn their place.
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One would expect a country that has just overthrown its leader to withdraw and reform rather than invade another country. There is no wisdom in such a thing. What is their justification?
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[ Berkut scoffs. Coming at Rigel like a motley band of disgruntled fools, Zofians understand nothing of politics. The Empire might have surrendered in the past, but the Kingdom knows who the true loser was. ]
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I would not dismiss such a commander out of hand. If his blood is not noble, then his skill and charisma must speak twice as loudly for him.
[ She speaks from experience, of course. Being short and fair of face did her no favors during her rise to rule. Thus, she made sure to lead her army twice as boldly and crush her opponents twice as hard so that no one could question her right. ]
What were the conditions you set before Zofia?
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Ah. This king thinks like a Zofian. Far be it from him to criticize a monarch, but this way of thinking puzzles him. All nobles know that commoners are born to be led, not to lead. Exhaling, he resumes his previous pace. ]
One of theirs approached us for a ceasefire. Zofia would pay Rigel a compensatory sum in exchange for their right to self-govern, as well as the negotiating knight's appointment as chancellor.
[ A fatty deposit of greed, that one. Berkut hadn't enjoyed his bluster in the slightest. ]
But he was recently slain by the same commoner who must fancy himself the next king of Zofia.
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When he resumes walking, so does she as if they hadn't stopped. ]
I see. A messy business.
[ The Zofian people -- or at least the portion of them that has seen fit to rebel -- must have been highly dissatisfied with the governance of the Knight Chancellor. It wouldn't surprise Saber if the late Chancellor's initial appointment was a design of his own making. It would be a poor look on any negotiator to emerge with greater personal elevation than the people he was negotiating for. ]
I confess some sympathy for the Zofian people. Their circumstances echo that of my own country some years past.
My uncle Vortigern, who sat the throne before me, made his bed too deeply with the foreigners who invaded our land without end. Yes, it strengthened his position against the lesser kings of the land who contested him, but the people as a whole saw it as a betrayal of Britain itself. When I overthrew Vortigern, no Briton mourned him. The people preferred to follow a young, motivated king over one who fraternized with outsiders to advance his own position.
[ She describes this all very analytically, neither prideful or boastful about her own role in the story. It was merely a necessary act. She looks askance at Berkut. ]
Of course, it is your natural right to defend your land. However, I can see how the perceived illegitimacy of the former Chancellor may fueled the self-righteousness of the Zofian people.
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These thoughts fade to the background when he considers Saber's story. Berkut would sooner present himself to the executioner than entertain a traitorous thought against his uncle, but this is because His Majesty is a mighty ruler without equal; he knows there exists incompetent kings who besmirch the good name of the nobility with their weakness. Saber's uncle sounds to be have been one such king, relying too heavily on others to exercise strength that didn't belong to him—certainly not the kind of king a country of proud knights deserved. ]
A country needs a strong ruler. The Lima Dynasty ended with a king who neglected his people and mocked his neighbors, seeking hedonism above all else. Zofia was already on the brink of collapse by the time the Chancellor came into power.
[ He, too, states all of this as an observation as he meets her eyes with a stony countenance. If the Zofians were truly seeking what was righteous, they would have stopped at the border. They didn't. ]
He was a poor candidate. But he was a convenient excuse for the Deliverance to invade, and nothing more.
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In any case, I wish you a swift resolution. You must be quite eager to return to your homeland, considering the circumstances that await you.
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[ Just as Saber must have her own duties to which to attend. He doesn't voice this, lest he make himself presumptuous. He knows that he's already voiced rather strong opinions for a mere heir in the presence of a monarch. ]
It is my hope to return before long. To that end, I shall do what I must here.
[ To a point. If it means forgoing his principles, he will turn away from Chroma. ]
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What you must... I understand that includes forging bonds with the people here. Has that come easy to you, Prince Berkut?
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Bonds of interest are easily acquired. But I have no interest in forging bonds of another kind.
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