The Northern BelieversSummary
In the Holy City of Grams, within the Curia, Pope Origa commands Cardinal Graht to capture the prince. Meanwhile, the prince's group, having arrived in North Grastaea, disembarks from the Gran Fiore and sets off for Grams.
Dialogue
Curia of the Ilian Church of Grams
Graht: We have received word of a colossal ship near the border, Your Holiness.
Graht: It is without a doubt the landship bearing the prince of Alberia.
???: So they've come at last. Where are the apostles?
Graht: I fear they are still away investigating the androids and the sealing stone.
Graht: What shall we do, Pope Origa? This is no man to be trifled with, having laid low the Other as he did.
Origa: There have also been whispers that he stole away the beast's power in so doing.
Graht: Perhaps we ought to induce a conversation and confirm the truth of these matters, if such exists.
Origa: I even hear they have in Alberia an Auspex who bears power much like my own, something I would know more of.
Origa: Capture the seventh scion and bring him to me.
Graht: With all due respect, Your Holiness, Alberia is the sole great power in South Grastaea.
Graht: If we were to welcome their royals in such a way, Basel would doubtless kick up quite the fuss.
Origa: Inform him that such remonstrations are unneeded. If we behaved in a demure fashion and had our overtures refused, it would besmirch the Holy City's name.
Origa: I ask you this, Graht: What is the greatest nation on the face of the world?
Graht: Our brilliant city-state of Grams, of course.
Origa: Indeed. Which is why no matter what nation attempts to apply pressure, they will prove no match for me.
Origa: There is no nation that Grams fears, thus no need for humility or caution. Now capture him and bring him to me.
Graht: Understood, Your Holiness. Shall I send word to the sovereign?
Origa: Do as you will. The sovereign is, at best, nothing more than a particularly vibrant decoration.
Graht: All shall unfold according to your word, Your Holiness.
Origa: The seventh scion of Alberia is a man of lacking soul and manifold pacts... Heh heh heh...
The Holy City
The Prince: We boarded Chelle's landship and departed Alberia.
The Prince: After a bit, we crossed the border and arrived in North Grastaea.
The Prince: We then set out for the Holy City of Grams in hopes of meeting Gatov, the man who sent the letter to my brother Leonidas.
The Prince: What's going on, Chelle? Why have you stopped the ship?
Chelle: Unfortunately, our graceful cruise must come to its end here.
Chelle: According to the information provided by my little kittens, Grams is not exactly on friendly terms with Alberia.
Chelle: As such, it would be a bit dangerous to simply sail the Gran Fiore into the city.
The Prince: I see. So we'll be walking the rest of the way, then.
Chelle: It's good to travel with two feet on the ground from time to time. It helps one consider the lives of the common folk.
The Prince: True enough. I'll tell everyone to get ready to move out.
Luca: Aw, yeah! First time in North Grastaea!
Notte: Yeah, I've never fluttered my little wings here either. Pretty rad!
Cleo: Traveling via landship is convenient, but I believe good old-fashioned foot travel is what suits us best.
Luca: She's right about that, ain't she, big guy?! ...Hey, wait. Where's Ranzal?
Zena: I told him we were disembarking a short time ago. He should be along presently.
Chelle: These antics of his are a distraction for the rest of us. I shall have to give him a stern talking-to later.
Chelle: Setting that aside for now, take a look at this map. According to it, we'll arrive in Grams in a few days time.
The Prince: Since none of us have ever been here, we'll have to be careful not to get lost. ...Say, Chelle?
The Prince: Is that your luggage for the trip? I'd be glad to carry it for you if you want.
Chelle: You treat me as a true gentleman ought to, dear brother, but I am perfectly capable of handling this little item myself.
Chelle: It's not too heavy a burden. Besides, I'll be needing it for some...light recreation along the way.
Chelle: Now then, we've no more time to waste dawdling here. Our priority should be making for Grams with all speed.
The Prince: Agreed. Once Ranzal gets out here, we'll be ready to go.
Everyone: Right!