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"You better be hauling me away from the bridge for a damn good reason."
"You require enrichment outside of your enclosure."
"Um. Last I checked, bridges weren't enclosed spaces. Duh. Especially a suspension bridge?"
"That was poorly strung."
"Yes that was po—*hey*. My own make it across fine."
"Prior to the blinding ceremony?"
"You mean binding, Aunt Naeris."
"I meant what was said, Child."
"Oh."
"Rude. Just — rude."
"If you wish to return home, then do so now before we reach the grounds. You are more than aware of how fast my chariot mo—"
[*A gasp. A sharp inhale.*]
"There's smoke."
"... There's a *lot* of smoke. Can we land?"
"..."
"Naeris."
"Of course we can land. What a foolish question."
[*The battlefield is vast. The smell of iron mixes with rain and ash.*]
"Who started this?"
"... Mother, you've arri—"
"Who. Started. This."
"...Naeris, chill for a sec. Where's James?"
"He's inside."
"*Inside* the burning building?"
"Yes, Aloro. Yes, he is *inside* the burning building."
"Hey. I'm not the one stating the obvious."
"Why is he inside?"
"He was collecting as many of his tomes as he could."
"..."
"Naeris, we ca—"
"Years of knowledge. *Centuries* of knowledge are about to be lost. If you recommend once more to me to "chill", then there will be consequences. Regardless of if you are my brother or not, this is—"
[*A building collapses. Someone rushes out in the knick of time, curls muddled with ash and soot.*]
"...The badger made it."
"I still fail to understand why we call him badger."
"*I* call him badger, thank you."
"And who died and gave you the sole...right...to — you know what? I'll let you have the win. You—uh—"
"Smooth, father. (/S)"
"Quiet, kid. Shhhhh. Adults talking and whatever."
"Uh...huh."
"...Is he hurt?"
"What do you mean, is he hurt? Do those *look* like mortal flames?"
"I'm trying to he—"
"Henrik, do not snap at Paelias. He is asking a legitimate question."
"... I'm fine, Lady Naeris. I'm fine."
"...Your injuries say otherwise."
"Well, I didn't expect Vengeance to show up on our doorstep. So, all things considered? I think I'm okay."
[*A crash. A loud flap of leathery wings one after the other.*]
"That is because our discussion was not finished, rat."
"*Ugh* here we go again."
"Badger —"
"...You are far from home, Lady of Knowledge."
"I reside everywhere, Child of War."
"Actually, I think *Children* of War is more fitting."
"Our Father sends you his regards, Lightbringer."
"..."
"...Father."
"Take him back to the chariot, Aloro. Keep an eye on the probable claim."
"The dwarf."
"... How do they kno—"
"Ahahaha. *You're joking, right?*"
"Cisulla, bite your tongue."
"We all aren't particularly afraid of Father's little lap dog, Erie. Best mind your tone with me, aha."
"..."
"...Order is always the quietest of the bunch."
"Self-Sacrifice is just as quiet. Unless she's, y'know, one that speaks with her thoughts instead? One of those mind-reader types."
"For the brother of Knowledge, you most certainly are an idiot."
"ORDER SPEAKS! ALERT THE CRIERS."
"I should strike you down this instant."
"You don't scare me, shadowtwi—"
"*Erevan, let him go.*"
"He has disrespected our domain."
"He's hurt, for fuck's sake. Let him heal. Let him mend."
"There is no need for this violence. I do believe you have done enough."
"Three of your institutions remain."
"Knowledge stands above mortal concepts of institution, darling."
"If that is the case, then why run to protect your precious libraries?"
"Why cause as much havoc to catch our attention?"
"...We want the dwarf."
"What?"
"The one from the Mountains. We want them as our claim."
"You're kidding me, right? This is over a mortal?"
"We've been tasked with...*testing* limitations."
"How very orderly, Ivian. How very orderly."
"Watch it, Birdbrain."
"... Just let James go. Please."
"Or what?"
"Ereus. This is not a ga—"
"Or what. Erevan looks fully prepared to slaughter him. I see no issues in that?"
[*A crash. A boom. The roar of thunder.*]
"Wow. A whole family reunion!"
"Paelias, do you ever shut up?"
"Only when Father has torn those wings from his back."
"... I see we came at an unfortunate time?"
"Zaros. Zinedri. And...what a surprise."
"We've put out as many of the fires as we could."
"Any luck?"
"Perhaps it's best discussed away from Lady Know."
"You can report accurately, Zinedri. I hold no fault to you."
"None remain, then."
"*What?!*"
"...Records are lost."
"Well, be our guest with trying to sort through the wreckage, but...yes."
[*A sharp snap of something. A shriek. A thud.*]
"The dwarf Is ours."
"Let this be the reminder."
[END.]