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"Looks like you've got the guy covered," Gaill replies to the healer, looking down at the swordsman with a somewhat dubious expression. He has to admit that he feels bad, watching him fall like a sack of potatoes like that after he'd given him the rapier and asked him to head up north. Still, aren't swordsmen supposed to be good at not getting hit? He'd live to see another day. "As for the arrow, not a good idea to pull it out. You'll tear the muscle around it and probably some veins, and you'll be worse off than you started. Try not to move that arm too much until this is all over." Move to J9 and Wait.

Marcus' restrained strike effectively knocks the archer unconscious, and he crumples to the ground. Wounded from earlier, the fighter isn't able to see Akane's incoming attack and is quickly eviscerated. Cheat Sheet:

"The Seyrm tribe . . . ?" It's not one of the ones close to where his tribe had established their home; he barely recognizes the name. But he is surprised to hear someone else who's met a nomad. Though, if these 'manaketes' are dragons, then perhaps it's not that surprising. Dragons are said to live for an extremely long time, and he would expect that they would have seen everything the world has to offer at some point. The thought is both frightening and somewhat sad. Reaching out to take the box from her hands, he nods. "Wes? I will keep it in mind." It's an odd name for one of the nomadic people, but she had said 'supposedly', so. "You are very trusting, to have confidence that a complete stranger will deliver this for you."

Having momentarily forgotten about the shopkeeper, Idei blushes to hear that they had been overheard. It had been something of a personal matter for both of them, but the shopkeeper's next words catch his attention. "Yes. I am a nomad, of the Nayavu tribe. So, not from Arcadia as most people think of it." More often than not, Arcanos is what he's come to realize people associate with the desert island. As it's the only center of population, it's not surprising, but people seem to readily forget that there are other pockets of civilization that thrive in the sands.

" . . . I understand." He can't quite keep the note of disappointment from his voice, however he tries. To run into someone who knows something of the nomads, maybe even of his tribe . . . maybe it's too much to ask for — after all, there are at least a dozen other tribes that inhabit the Arcadian sands — but if only Cass could remember even how long ago he had known the man, there might be a chance he could have some hope that the goal he had been working towards isn't just a fruitless one. But it's clear he's not going to find anything about it here. Cass is more than happy to put whatever had happened behind him, and focus only on events going forward. "Thank you for at least telling me this much, then." The rest will be up to him, it looks like.

Cass' short tale catches him off guard, and he's not sure what to make of it — while telling it bluntly, he also seems to be reluctant to say much, and Idei isn't sure whether Cass' assertion that he doesn't remember much of anything about the people he'd traveled with is true or simply a way to get out of having to say more. There are things that don't make any sense to him: if this one person had mattered to him, why couldn't he remember anything about him? If Cass had learned how to play instruments and songs from them, then he must have kept their company for at least quite some time, and Idei knows that no nomad, of his tribe or not, would have willingly shared their travels with an outsider unless they trusted them. What had happened, then, to separate them? And why couldn't Cass remember someone who'd clearly kept him in his confidence? " . . . I can tell you don't want to talk about it," he says quietly, tone returning to its usual subdued quality. "I will not force you. They say every man has his secrets. I'm interested because — " For some reason, his gaze drops to the whistle in Cass' hand, and he frowns. " — You are the only one I have met who has known my people, and the only talk of them that I have heard in half a decade. I can't help but be curious."

"I'm no musician," Idei replies good-naturedly, looking at Cass' newest purchase. "My father always scolded me for refusing to practice. That doesn't look too hard to play, but I think I'll leave the instruments to you. And I thought you mostly used your guitar. Where did you learn to play all of these?" He pauses for a second. "And you still haven't told me about the other nomads you traveled with."

Swooping down, Marek's halberd connects with the Captain's shoulder, wounding him. Though he manages to get a counter in, his javelin isn't sturdy enough to pierce Erce's scales. Weaving through the trees, Arthur comes up on the Captain's right and the two also exchange blows, both just barely hitting. Cheat Sheet:

[ ENEMY PHASE ] Archer 1 attacks Herrman. Knowing that this is probably the end for him, the archer decides to go for one last attempt at fighting back and shoots an arrow at the troubadour. "So they're fighting back. Hm, only proves that they're guilty. How far the Queen's Knights have fallen. Men, to arms! Let's stop them here!" A shadow descending over the nearby house alerts him to the arrival of that same red-haired pipsqueak who had insulted him earlier. Young upstarts these days who think they know everything just because they've fought in a battle or two. "You certainly posture a lot for someone who just likes to start fights," he retorts dryly with a raised eyebrow. "Feeling proud of yourself for killing a man or two? I suppose you think you're something because you're a dragoon. If you're what the Queen's Knights are hiring these days, then maybe Sathor really has gone to the dogs. Keep thinking you're clever, see how far it gets you. Even if I die here today, I'll look forward to seeing you someday in hell. For now, I've got better things to do." Captain moves to L10 and attacks Arthur. The Captain's javelin manages to find its way past Arthur's armor. Fighter 2 moves to I10. Fighter 3 moves to P8. Mercenary 2 moves to O11. Thief 2 moves to P16. [ ALLY PHASE ] "Here they come! Time to give 'em hell." Move to O7 and attack Fighter 3. Ducking into the trees, Noah throws his hand axe at the enemy, wounding him significantly. Turn 3 Rokan's Imbue heals 1 HP. Cheat Sheet:

One swing of the halberd is all it takes to finally finish off the thief for good. Cheat Sheet:

He can't say he really plans on throwing all his chips in with this guy, shady as he is ( is he really on their side? ). But at least he can say he tried. Still somewhat reluctantly, he parts with the rapier. "Yeah, don't go conveniently 'forgetting', then. It's a deal." Trade Steel Rapier to Kayde.

Arthur swings at the archer with his blade, but the bowman manages to move out of the way of the heavy weapon. Marcus' approach effectively boxes the archer against the fence. Seeing that he's surrounded, he starts to panic, and the monk is able to get in an easy shot. Cheat Sheet:

Having just been minding his own business, pilfering from the houses in all the chaos of the fight, the thief hadn't expected to be a target. Marek's blow wounds him badly, and he tries to lash out in self-defense, only to find that his dagger does nothing. Cheat Sheet:

"Heh, sure, but I softened him up for ya. Don't forget it!" Rokan's arrow easily pierces through the startled mercenary's light armor and brings him down. Cheat Sheet:

Unable to evade her onslaught, the archer sustains moderate injuries from Akane's blows. "Huh?" From inside the door, a young man's voice can be heard, and he steps into the front hall to greet Elise. "What's going on out there? I heard some ruckus earlier when I was at the market -- did Lord Fenway lose his gladiator again?" The young man shakes his head, waving the ladle in his hand disapprovingly -- from that, and the pungent smell of potatoes and spices cooking from down the hall, it's clear he'd been making lunch. "Honestly, it's like the third time since he got him. If he can't keep a handle on his gladiators, he should just get rid of them. Though, after what happened to his daughter, that's probably not far from what he's thinking to begin with. Are you helping him look for his gladiator? You don't look like one of his hired men. Eh, either way, doesn't really matter to me. Here, take this, though. Been looking for a way to get rid of it for a while, and it looks like you could use this better than me, anyhow." Elise receives Iron Lance. Cheat Sheet:

[ ENEMY PHASE ] Archer 1 moves to L7 and attacks Akane. Seeing an opening, the archer goes in for a strike at the unguarded swordswoman, but his arrow misses its mark. Mercenary 1 moves to O6 and attacks Rokan. From the east, a swordsman rushes Rokan, wounding him slightly with his sword. Thief 1 moves to K4. Thief 2 moves to R12. [ ALLY PHASE ] "Well, doesn't he talk big," Noah mutters under his breath, referring to the armored knight that had told him he shouldn't try to run away. "Figures he'd say that. What does he know about me, anyway?" He'll show them what he plans to make of his own life. Move to P5 and attack Mercenary 1. Despite skewed odds, Noah manages to make the hit connect, causing the mercenary to stagger. Turn 2 Marek's Imbue heals 1 HP. Rokan's Imbue heals 3 HP. Cheat Sheet:

The halberd comes down in a powerful blow, finally downing the soldier like a sack of flour. Cheat Sheet:

Riding up to the soldier, Herrman takes a shot at him with her axe. However, the soldier proves fairly competent and strikes back, wounding her greatly. Cheat Sheet:

One blow is more than enough to put the fighter, on his last legs, out of his misery. Cheat Sheet

Seeing the knight barreling at him, the fighter gets ready to engage, and the two exchange blows. Cheat Sheet:

Not expecting to be rushed by a magic user right off the bat, the soldier isn't quite ready for the attack and takes a hit. Rokan's arrow soars true and strikes the fighter in the side, wounding him slightly. Marek swoops in to get in another strike on the soldier, but this time the man sees it coming and manages to swerve out of the way. His own lance only glances off Erce's scales, but it's something. Cheat Sheet:

"Incredible," the captain remarks dryly, seeing the interchange between Wren and Akane. "I never knew the Queen's Knights were so divided in their ranks. To be expected when they let just anyone in." He turns his attention back to Rokan with a frown. " . . . I never said anything about a Gladiator. So you were helping him." Heaving a sigh, he shakes his head at Marcus' question. "My orders from Lord Fenway are not for you to question, even if you are a Queen's Knight. He has his reas -- " Whatever he had been about to say cuts off as soon as he hears Marek's disparaging comment. The captain's jaw tightens, but otherwise he merely tightens his grip on his lance. "Need I remind you that you are the ones who helped him escape? I don't have time for this. For breaking the law, you're no better than the enemy. Men, to arms!" he calls, falling back to the middle of the ranks as the soldiers begin swarming the streets, surrounding the outside of the arena. "Hey!" From the interior, the boy emerges again, this time hefting his hand axe. "I'm not about to let some flashy Queen's Knights fight my battles for me." WIN: Defeat Boss. LOSS: All Player Units Die or Noah Dies. Turn 1 Cheatsheet

He looks from Moss Head to the old guy to the . . . he doesn't have a name for him yet, but the guy with a bright red hair. "I mean, shouldn't it be obvious? Fenway, duh. The son of a bitch just wants to see gladiators -- hey!" Seeing Marek pass off his hand axe to the archer, he cuts off mid-statement. "What're you doing with that? Give it back!" And seeing him toss it into the arena's front hall, his eyes widen. "Huh?" "There he is! With the Queen's Knights!" "Are they helping him?" "Either way, we're here to put down the kid. More trouble than he's worth, Lord Fenway said." Well, fetch it is. Without another word, he bolts into the arena as fast as his legs can carry him, after his axe. A heartbeat later, the Captain steps up to the Knights with an unimpressed look on his face. "With all due respect, I saw you helped that boy get away. Is this what the Queen's Knights have come to?"

The boy scoffs. "You're the Queen's Knights, so you fight for her, right? Enforce her rules and stuff?" The blueblood with the hair that looks like moss isn't any surprise; just another Sathori noble like the rest of them. "Whatever, you caught me, so just get it over with. The soldiers'll give me back to my master and he'll do whatever he wants. Better yet, just put me down like a rabid animal. Probably be saving me the walk back to the house." Suddenly, the sound of the soldiers returning in the distance seems to change the boy's resolve and his tone hardens. "Or you can give me my axe back and let me at least go down fighting. You can even watch, if you want. S'what you guys do anyway."

He has half a mind to snap back: Yeah? How about you put me down first and then I'll talk? Is this how you guys treat people, hefting them over your shoulders like dead animals? But then he remembers that -- well, yeah, actually. And also, he doesn't really have much room to be bargaining. These are Queen's Knights, and he knows better than to mess with them. On top of that, they're fully armed, and just took his only weapon away. "Can you at least stop feeling me up, old man?" he protests, wriggling. "Look, I'm just some dumb Gladiator, running away from his master because just maybe I don't like being sold off to the highest bidder, risking my neck for some stupid blueblood just for the privilege to eat his table scraps. Happy now? So you might as well turn me in."