Welcome to Alhafra. This is the largest town in western Osenia... You can find anything you need here! ...Unless you need a boat, that is...
A massive tidal wave hit us and destroyed every ship in Alhafra.
I hear the tidal wave knocked Indra into Osenia. Is that true?
Really? It's just so hard to believe, you know? Still, that would explain the massive jolt we felt right after the tidal wave hit.
I was hoping a traveler like you might have a better idea of what happened... Oh well...
I guess what those men told me was true... I'd figured they were just playing a joke on me, so I ignored them all...
Right after my boat got crushed, a group of men came by asking if I had one for sale. They were pretty swarthy, like they might have been sailors or something.
This guy's probably wondering about that boat sitting down at the pier... It still floats, but I don't think the thing can move...
Losing our boats was awful... But I feel so bad for all the people whose houses were destroyed by the tidal wave.
I just can't believe a single tidal wave could cause an entire continent to move like that. But I used to be able to see Indra to the north of us, and it's definitely not there...
Those guys looking for a boat sure were in a hurry. I wonder why... Hey, at least I was able to unload that boat with the busted mast on them.
[Voice] Finally! We made it!
[Assistant 1] We-We're here?
[Assistant 1] Where's the Elder?
[Villager 1] He's coming now...
[Villager 2] Haaa hoo hooo... Are we...here? I feel like I just walked 500 miles.
[Villager 2] I'm fine... I feel like I could walk 500 more!
[Mayor of Madra] So...is this Alhafra?
[Mayor of Madra] Madra's a pretty big place, but this town is huge!
[Elder of Madra] We didn't come to Alhafra to shop, Mister Mayor.
[Elder of Madra] We're here to bring in Briggs the Champa.
[Mayor of Madra] I know that!
[Elder of Madra] Then we should go straight to speak with Alhafra's mayor.
[Assistant 1] We're in no shape to go present ourselves to the mayor right now!
[Assistant 2] Look, Briggs is obviously not here, and besides, we already know Piers is—
[Elder of Madra] Silence!
[Elder of Madra] It seems Alhafra has felt the effects of the tidal wave as well...
[Villager 1] It looks like they suffered a good deal of damage...
[Elder of Madra] That would explain why Alhafra doesn't seem to have any boats for sale, either!
[Villager 2] You know, just looking around, I get the impression they only had one boat to begin with!
[Elder of Madra] So if you really needed a boat, the only way to get one would be to steal it. Hmmm... But wouldn't that cause quite an uproar?
[Mayor of Madra] ...Which means the pirates must still be here, trying to get a boat!
[Assistant 1] So, you think we've actually caught up with Briggs?
[Assistant 2] No doubt about it!
[Elder of Madra] That's why I want to meet the mayor of Alhafra before the Champa steal a ship.
[Mayor of Madra] Oh yeah... I get it now. In that case, let's go see Alhafra's mayor right away.
[Mayor of Madra] Um... Say, excuse me...
[Mayor of Madra] Where would we find the mayor of Alhafra?
[Old man] Uh... The mayor?
[Old man] Just keep going down this road. It's the last house. You can't miss it.
Those men didn't look like they were from Osenia... I wonder what business they have in Alhafra...
Those people that just came through looked totally exhausted. You don't suppose they passed through the Yampi Desert to get here, do you?
We've had a lot of strangers coming through here lately.
Our port was ruined by the tidal wave, so kids aren't allowed there anymore... But all I want to do is just see what kind of wind is blowing in off the sea...
The only boat spared by the tidal wave is that newfangled ship that catches wind in a sail. The thing is...the mast that holds up the sail got snapped apart!
Let me guess... You're here because you want to buy a canoe, right?
Sorry, but I'm totally backlogged with preorders. I'm gonna be up late finishing these as it is...
That's good, because I've got a ton of work to do already... And then I have to head down to the wharf and help clean up the wreck...
That boat at the wharf uses a sail, so it's more efficient than any galley. But since the mast is broken, it's not going anywhere. What a waste.
Why would the mayor go and sell our boat to a bunch of foreigners? I know it's got a broken mast, but come on!
...
If this guy's looking to buy a boat, he's looking in the wrong town... I already sold the last boat in town, and it had a broken mast!
Who would come to Alhafra across the Yampi Desert? It's way too dangerous! Anyone with half a brain would've just taken the bridge to the northwest...
This tidal wave's actually been good for Alhafra. The town is bustling with activity... I think I'll steer clear of those swarthy men at the wharf, though... They're a scary lot!
I don't know why they won't let us kids go down to see the dock... I wanna see what kind of damage the tidal wave did!
I wonder if my partner has finished up that canoe yet... The sooner he finishes, the sooner we can clean things up down at the jetty.
We can't raise the mast until we get rid of the debris. But I can't help get rid of the debris until I finish at least this one last canoe!
I still can't believe those guys wanted to buy my busted boat! One man's junk...
It may be newfangled, but it's no good if it's broken. Forget technology! I'm sticking with boats with oars! No masts for me!
[Sea Fighter] Ooo... This ain't good!
[Sea Fighter] That guy looked like the mayor of Madra...
[Sea Fighter] He must have come here looking for Briggs.
[Sea Fighter] I'd better go tell the others!
What's your problem? What are you, some kind of freak?
Well? What!? You got a problem with me?
Ah, who cares what you think? I've got stuff to do, so scram, kid!
So where do you get off invading my personal space, huh? Scram, stinkbreath!
Where was I? Oh yeah, I was going to tell them about the mayor of Madra!
I don't care if it WAS broken! The mayor shouldn't have up and sold the town's only boat!
Those guys who bought the boat looked kinda shabby... But I hear they paid the mayor a whole wad of cash for it...
I wonder if the mayor will use that money to repair our poor town...
Why would anyone pay so much for a broken old boat? I know I shouldn't be so suspicious, but there's something odd about them...
We're taking care of some people whose house was destroyed by the tidal wave. But...they're just so demanding! My wife feels so overwhelmed that she can't take it anymore!
Augh! With all these demanding houseguests, I feel like I've lost control of my own house!
Aren't you thirsty, my dear?
Oh, you're right, dear. I am!
Sorry to bother you, but we'd like some tea.
Are you talking to me?!
If you want tea, you can go right ahead and fix it yourself!
Well! I say! It seems the lady of the house is no lady at all!
When we lost our house in the tidal wave, the master of this house offered his home to us. But living with another family isn't easy. Hahhh... They're absolutely exhausting!
I just wish that old man would stop pestering my wife all the time!
I don't mind helping people in need, but I won't be taken advantage of...
All I ask is for a little tea, and that's the behavior I get!? I just want to get out of this inhospitable house and back into my own sweet home...
Is this how a young bride treats her husband these days? Back in my day, we were never like that!
We were hit by a wave so strong that it swept homes off their foundations! What's worse is, all my best weapons were washed out to sea!
Losing all my most expensive items may well ruin my business entirely...
That tidal wave may well wash out both my business and the weapon shopkeeper's!
It doesn't matter how well-crafted a suit of armor is... If you soak it in seawater, it's junk. All my furs are ruined... All my steel is rusted. It's nothing but garbage now...
Don't mention the tidal wave to the other merchants... It did a lot of damage, and we'd really just rather not talk about it, you know?
If all my goods were damaged by seawater, they'd be useless. I'd have to throw them all away... I'm lucky the wave missed my shop.
Maybe you've noticed, but a lot of folk here lost their homes in the wave, but don't mind them.
You see how full our inn is? You'd think we'd be making money hand over fist... But that's not true... We just don't have the heart to charge the people who lost their homes.
The town ought to give money to all the people who suffered from the tidal wave... That way, maybe the innkeeper could afford to make us better food...
I can't believe the innkeeper is renting out more rooms when we're as busy as this.
The innkeeper told me to use only the cheapest ingredients to help save money.
The innkeeper serves his paying guests better meals than we Alhafrans get. That's so cheap! I want gourmet meals, too!
We're all guests in the same inn, so why is my meal so awful? At the very least, they should let us go back for seconds of that stinking slop!
Ohhh... I'm hungry... My tummy hurts... When's dinnertime?
I don't think I've had a bite of meat or fish ever since setting foot in this inn.
I'll never forgive the mayor for failing to come to our aid when we were all suffering... I wonder what I can do to make him suffer...
Our guests are very upset with the mayor. I just hope they don't do anything...rash...
My pop's been lookin' around, an' he says the mayor keeps all his treasure underground. He says it's south of the palace, but that's all I know about it.
Why do we all have to be cooped up in such a small room? How am I supposed to sleep with Grandpa grinding his teeth all night?
We all have to bear the discomfort of this place until our homes are repaired.
I heard there's only one person staying in the room next door. Can't they just move one more person into that room? Like me?
[Alex] So, you've finally come.
[Alex] I had suspected we might run into each other again, since we both are looking for boats.
[Alex] Unfortunately, the only boat this town possesses has already been sold.
[Alex] I will be resting here in Alhafra a bit longer. I have traveled long and hard, and I am weary.
[Alex] Perhaps we can get along at least until we both depart.
The broken mast on the ship they sold won't be easily fixed. That is, as long as we Adepts don't do anything about it.
I never imagined anyone from Alhafra would ever stay at my inn.
Perhaps the mayor will cover the cost of lodging everyone so we can feed them a decent meal. We're just trying to be helpful, but we're the ones who end up looking cheap.
I bet the master of the inn could afford to give us better food than he's been giving us.
I can't believe the innkeeper is cramming all those poor people into that tiny room. He certainly can't badmouth the mayor...they're both stingy!
I can't believe I'm only supposed to feed the villagers vegetable dishes.
Maybe it's 'cause all we've been eating is vegetables, but I just never seem to fill up.
I think I've lost weight from all these vegetables! Sure, I'm looking skinnier than ever, but something tells me this just isn't healthy.
Maybe I'm just hungry, but everything they put in front of me looks delicious. I'm so hungry I could eat my own hand...
*Sniff sniff* That smell! That's the smell of fish... No! Now I'm drooling!
I hope the mayor's treasure room doesn't run too close to the prison... If those thieves found out about it, they'd dig their way out in no time flat!
I know our mayor's bad, but he wouldn't stoop to stealing from his own people, would he?
Everyone says the hill beneath the mayor's mansion is full of tunnels. I wonder if that's true.
I think they put me next to Grandpa so they wouldn't have to listen to him grind his teeth.
When you're living packed in together like this, you're bound to get on each other's nerves. I just hope everything goes back to normal once we move back into our own homes.
That warrior next door is so suave and handsome, just how I like 'em. I hope we can be friends.
Really, I do wish you would quit using your Mind Read on me... Trust me, my thoughts will become all too clear in due time...
!
In the middle of Osenia, there's a terrible village where they worship a foul and vengeful god.
The people of Garoh brought the curse upon themselves for worshipping their wicked god...
Everything's so boring here... Why doesn't anybody do anything...criminal?
I don't know why there are so many outsiders in Alhafra now, but it's bound to mean trouble.
Did you want to see the mayor?
Sorry, but he's meeting with some visitors from Madra right now... Maybe you can see him once he's finished with them.
The mayor is very open to meeting visitors, but he's in an important meeting now... So it's probably good that you're not here to see him...
Listen, you look like an OK guy, and I'd love to let you through, but I just can't... I mean, if I let you in, then I'd have to let everyone in, right? I'm sorry, but it wouldn't be fair.
I hate my job. I always have to be so tough and secretive around people. Deep down inside, all I really want to do is read them some of my poetry...
My partner's always in such a bad mood... Maybe I should bake him a cake...
No one is allowed beyond this point. Don't even think about it.
The mayor said no one goes through, and I mean to make sure no one goes through!
[Sea Fighter 1] It's... It's no use!
[Sea Fighter 1] The mast just won't budge, no matter how many people we get to help us!
[Sea Fighter 2] We're going to have to get all this junk off the mast first.
[Sea Fighter 2] If we could just get some decent footing, we could have this thing clear in no time!
[Sea Fighter 3] There's more to it than that, though...
[Sea Fighter 4] We still have to do something about that rope over there.
[Sea Fighter 4] Untangling that'll be a piece of cake, once we get a boat we can use...
[Sea Fighter 1] Oh, yeah... A piece of cake... Except for that huge rock over there!
[Sea Fighter 2] Oh yeah... The rock...
[Sea Fighter 4] How are we supposed to get the mast out from under that thing? It's huge!
[Sea Fighter 3] There's no way we're gonna move it by ourselves...
[Sea Fighter 4] Well, either way, we can't do anything until Zack finishes the canoe.
What's your problem?
You're new in town, aren't you?
Well, I've never seen you before, but whatever...
You're probably curious about this here ship, huh?
Masted ships like this were originally built by the Champa... Oh, forget it. It's lost on you.
They call this a "sailing" ship... Wind is the only thing that'll make it move... Isn't that incredible?
You kids today, with your "been there, done that" attitudes... It's a shame...
Yeah, well, think how surprised we were to find that Alhafra had learned to build sailing ships! I suppose the age when anyone could sail the seas was bound to come someday.
We paid big money for this ship. It's ours now, so don't you go cryin' about it.
We sent my pal into town to get some supplies, but he came back looking pale... He went straight down to talk to Briggs, and I haven't seen him since...
If we could just raise the mast, we could head back to Champa...
People call us Champa a seafaring people because we make sailboats... And sure, maybe we do a little pillaging on the side... But now that Alhafra can build sailboats, Briggs's pirating days may be ending.
I thought it would be easy to right the mast, but I think I must have been crazy...
That lousy rat... If something happened back there, he should have told all of us! Now I can't stop worrying... What's taking him so long!?
When I think about how long it will be until we go home, I miss Champa all the more. I'm just glad nobody in Champa knows we're pirates.
[Briggs] The mayor of Madra? Here?
[Briggs] You're certain?
[Briggs] How did he know we came to Alhafra?
[Zack] He knew we needed a ship, and he knew we went east. It seems pretty easy to me.
[Briggs] Arr... Well, yeah... When you put it that way, it does make sense...
[Zack] He was looking to find the mayor of Alhafra...
[Briggs] He must be hoping the mayor will tell him where we are...
[Zack] He'll probably tell the Alhafrans we're pirates, too, huh?
[Briggs] Pirates!? That seems a little unfair!
[Zack] What do you mean? We...are pirates, aren't we? I mean, we've taken all sorts of stuff that didn't belong to us.
[Briggs] That's only because everyone in Champa would starve otherwise! We don't have any choice.
[Zack] Ah...
[Briggs] And even then, it's never a lot.
[Zack] Wha-What's not?
[Briggs] The stuff we take. We never take too much from any one town.
[Zack] Yeah, I guess not...
[Briggs] And why do you think that is?
[Zack] Er... Why?
[Briggs] Because you never can tell how these wealthy towns will react. It's too risky, right?
[Zack] Hey, yeah! Which is why we didn't steal anything from Alhafra...
[Briggs] Right! That's why we avoid the risky towns and just take what we need from the others!
[Zack] See? That's why you're our captain, Briggs! You've got brains coming out your ears!
[Jenna] Hmph! There's nothing brainy about that!
[Briggs] Did you hear that? It sounded like a girl! Who's out there!?
[Zack] What do you think you're doing?
[Sheba] Don't you know that someone has been falsely imprisoned for your crimes?
[Briggs] Er... What's your point?
[Jenna] You have to come with us and attest to that man's innocence!
[Briggs] And...why would I want to do something like that?
[Kraden] Oh-ho! I was hoping we could avoid any ugliness, but you leave us no choice!
[Kraden] We'll bring you in against your will if we must, but either way, you're coming with us!
[Kraden] Isn't that right, Felix?
[Jenna] Good for you! Let's teach these guys a lesson!
[Jenna] After what they've done? Come on, we need to make them fess up!
[Zack] You don't stand a chance! We're hardened criminal types! We eat punks like you for breakfast!
[Briggs] Watch yourselves, you self-righteous little brats! You're the ones with a lesson to learn!
[Jenna] Well, that takes care of that!
[Sheba] And I'm willing to bet everyone Briggs has been harassing will be quite happy to hear it!
[Kraden] This should set everyone in Indra at ease... They all seemed to fear the pirate Briggs...
[Briggs] We lost...
[Briggs] Even pirates have honor... I'll go quietly. I won't make a scene just because I lost...
[Briggs] Go on... Hand us over to Madra or Alhafra or whoever...
[Jenna] Good... First off, you can tell the Madrans that the man called Piers is innocent.
[Briggs] Fine. So, what, I just have to say that Piers isn't one of my men?
[Sheba] That's right. You tell the Madrans that, and they can release their prisoner.
[Sheba] Saying Piers is innocent won't clear you of your own crimes...
[Kraden] We've secured Briggs's vow... We should take him to the Madrans...
[Chaucha] Wait!
[Chaucha] Can't you find it in your hearts to forgive Briggs and his men?
[Kraden] And who are you?
[Chaucha] My name is Chaucha. I am Briggs's wife.
[Jenna] So you're a pirate, too?
[Briggs] No! Chaucha hasn't done a thing! Let her be!
[Chaucha] I know Briggs and his men have caused some great trouble with their piracy...
[Chaucha] And I know their crimes cannot be ignored...
[Sheba] If you know all that, then how can you ask us just to forgive him?
[Chaucha] The only reason Briggs became a pirate was to help the people of Champa.
[Chaucha] We Champa are a seafaring folk. Our livelihood depends entirely upon the sea.
[Chaucha] But in recent years, the sea has changed... We can't live the life we once could.
[Briggs] The oceans have warmed, and the fish have vanished from our waters.
[Chaucha] The soil in Champa is rocky and barren. No crops can grow there.
[Kraden] No crops? So you have no grains? And no meat? It sounds like life in Champa is hard...
[Briggs] It's not hard! It's unbearable! Our children can't eat! Our village is dying!
[Chaucha] These men promised to return with food enough for all our people, but they found none...
[Jenna] So you became pirates...thieves...
[Sheba] We don't know where Champa is...
[Kraden] It sits on the southeast corner of Angara...
[Jenna] Southeast Angara? Isn't that near Xian and Lama Temple?
[Kraden] You have a good memory! If you were to head south through the mountains, you'd find it.
[Jenna] That's so far away...
[Briggs] Well, yeah! You think we could be successful pirates so close to home?
[Chaucha] If they raided any towns near Champa, it would be obvious to all who the attackers were...
[Briggs] And no one back home could forgive me if they knew. Not even my grandmother...
[Mayor of Madra] But where does that leave us? Are we simply to accept your looting here on Indra?
[Mayor of Alhafra] I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked!
[Elder of Madra] What's so shocking?
[Mayor of Alhafra] It looks like they really are pirates, just like you said...
[Mayor of Madra] Mister Mayor, I am appalled that you could not take our word for it!
[Assistant] He probably wouldn't even have believed we were from Madra if the mayor hadn't come!
[Mayor of Alhafra] Am I supposed to believe the accusations of a complete stranger?
[Assistant] Is this your position, Mayor?
[Mayor of Alhafra] How can I be expected to believe a tidal wave could wash Indra into Osenia?
[Mayor of Alhafra] Or that a group of men could walk—on foot!—from Madra all the way to Alhafra?
[Elder of Madra] It sounds to me like you had forgotten about us altogether!
[Mayor of Alhafra] I'm not sure you remember the last time we met. Do you?
[Mayor of Madra] We met when I was just a child... It must have been more than ten years ago now...
[Mayor of Alhafra] Twenty years! It's been twenty years since I last saw you.
[Elder of Madra] Has it really been so long?
[Mayor of Alhafra] It's been a long time indeed!
[Assistant] I guess we can't blame you for forgetting his face.
[Mayor of Alhafra] Don't be silly! I didn't forget his face! His face merely... changed!
[Kraden] Ahem! Forgive my interrupting your interruption, but...
[Kraden] Would I be correct in assuming that I am speaking to the leaders of Madra and Alhafra?
[Mayor of Madra] You are correct! I am the mayor of Madra.
[Elder of Madra] And I...
[Mayor of Alhafra] I am...
[Mayor of Alhafra] I am the mayor of Alhafra.
[Elder of Madra] I am Madra's town elder.
[Asssistant] And I am a close personal friend of Shin, whose lover was injured by the Champa!
[Kraden] I am the scholar Kraden.
[Kraden] He is Felix, the leader of our group.
[Jenna] I am Jenna, Felix's sister.
[Sheba] I am called Sheba. I come from the town of Lalivero.
[Kraden] Now, what errand has brought you all here?
[Mayor of Madra] We came for Briggs...
[Mayor of Alhafra] The mayor of Madra claims—
[Mayor of Madra] We followed Briggs here from Madra.
[Mayor of Madra] Of course, we have good reason to suspect them of being pirates.
[Mayor of Alhafra] Ahem! And I was honestly taken aback to hear a businessman being slandered!
[Mayor of Alhafra] If they truly are pirates, then why would they go to the trouble of buying a ship from us?
[Elder of Madra] Because the very funds they used to purchase the ship were pillaged from our homes!
[Briggs] If the ship was bought with Madran gold, then it belongs to the Madrans!
[Briggs] What do you say? If you give them the ship, will that fix everything?
[Mayor of Madra] Then where will you go?
[Briggs] I won't run, and I won't hide. ...Actually, I don't feel up for much of anything right now.
[Elder of Madra] Then you probably won't mind being locked up, will you?
[Chaucha] Briggs...
[Briggs] Don't worry, Chaucha! I'll be back!
[Briggs] Take care of Eoleo!
[Briggs] Your strange powers surprised me, but even without them, you would have overwhelmed us.
[Mayor of Madra] We'll be taking that boat, then.
[Sea Fighter 1] You're taking our ship!? You're worse than we ever were!
[Sea Fighter 2] Aren't you at least going to pay us for the boat!?
[Briggs] Quiet! All of you!
[Briggs] Do as you must, but I have one request...
[Briggs] You have to let Chaucha and Eoleo stay in the boat until it's repaired.
[Mayor of Alhafra] You haven't done Alhafra any harm, Briggs...
[Elder of Madra] At least keep him locked up until the boat is repaired...
[Assistant] And our prisoner, Piers... Is he one of your men?
[Briggs] I don't know any Piers! Sounds to me like you've made a pretty big mistake!
[Elder of Madra] See! It's just as I said! Piers is innocent!
[Elder of Madra] You must return to Madra and free him immediately!
[Assistant] ...Me? What, alone?!?
[Mayor of Alhafra] Only two of us will remain here. You can return to Madra with the others.
[Assistant] Understood! We'll return immediately!
[Soldier] Can you come with us? ...Please?
[Mayor of Alhafra] It looks like that wraps this whole mess up...
[Mayor of Alhafra] Let us return to my mansion for a nice cup of tea...
[Mayor of Alhafra] You say your name is Kraden?
[Mayor of Alhafra] Thank you very much for the help with Briggs.
[Mayor of Alhafra] If you have the time, please come see me at my mansion before you go...
[Mayor of Alhafra] It's nothing special, but I would like to thank you for everything you've done.
[Mayor of Madra] Why do I get the feeling the mayor of Alhafra prefers to deal with my father over me?
[Mayor of Madra] Thank all of you very much.
[Mayor of Madra] Due to your efforts, Piers is going to be released.
[Mayor of Madra] And now, this fine ship belongs to Madra.
[Mayor of Madra] None of this would have come to pass were it not for you. Thank you.
[Mayor of Madra] Unfortunately, I don't have any reward I can offer you here...
[Kraden] Oh, pish posh! We don't need any reward, do we, Felix?
[Mayor of Madra] Ha! Your honesty is refreshing, Felix!
[Mayor of Madra] That's as may be, but I still feel quite indebted to you.
[Mayor of Madra] So, what shall we do?
[Mayor of Madra] I know... Come to Madra after our boat has been fixed and we've sailed home.
[Mayor of Madra] We are still recovering from the effects of the tidal wave, so it won't be much... But we do want to give you some kind of reward.
[Mayor of Madra] Well, shall we be going?
[Chaucha] I see, so...
[Chaucha] Oh! N-Nothing. Never mind...
[Chaucha] I do get to stay on the boat, right? At least until it's repaired?
[Chaucha] Yes. That's where I'll be if you need me. ...With Eoleo...
[Sheba] I feel kind of bad for Chaucha.
[Jenna] What can we do about it? After all, she's the one married to a pirate.
[Kraden] So, what should we do now?
[Kraden] I suggest that we try to find Piers. He could prove enlightening!
[Sheba] That's true... He seems to be a Water Adept. He might be able to tell us a little about these lands...
[Jenna] Do you think we should help them fix the boat?
[Kraden] Say, if we help with the boat, maybe they'll give us a ride back to Madra! Good idea!
[Sheba] What do you say, Felix?
[Jenna] All right! Let's go see what we can do to get this thing sailing again!
[Jenna] You're opposed to it? Well, since you seem to have your own ideas, let's get going!
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