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Episode: Part 44 "The Deliverance"

Author: Harlan Guthrie
Duration: 00:49:02

Episode Shownotes

In the 44th part of our tale Arthur is brought back from death thanks to John and Yorick. Though reunited, the trio must find a way out of the Hag's Den. Though she may be gone, her magic lingers and the path forward is murky at best. Tricks, traps &

obstacles of all shapes and sizes lay between Arthur and his freedom but can he manage a way out before he loses more than just his way...If you enjoy this show, please consider supporting: https://www.patreon.com/TheINVICTUSStream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full Transcript

00:00:23 Speaker_00
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Vic Tonetta.

00:00:32 Speaker_02
Why keep on breaking my heart? When it's beating for you, only you. Why do you toil with my dreams? They're depending on you, too.

00:01:20 Speaker_00
And here is your blood and sand, Mr. Lester. Anything else? I... I see. Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. This must seem incredibly odd. Where am I? No, not odd at all. You're at the Waylay. The Waylay? And... I'm sorry. It sounds terribly simple.

00:01:48 Speaker_00
How did I get here? I'm not entirely sure. You'd have to speak with management about that. Now, if there isn't anything else... Is this... Sorry? Am I... Is this... No, no, no. Oh. Well, what is it then? The Wayland. Right.

00:02:14 Speaker_00
How long have I... I'm sorry, Mr. Lester. For what? Your drink will be here for you when you get back. Thank you. Take care. Thank you. Get back from...

00:02:28 Speaker_03
Arthur! Arthur, you're alive! Get off of him!

00:02:34 Speaker_01
What? What? Witch! It's going to be okay. He can't take it! What? No! Sheep! Sheep! I'll take care of you. It'll be okay.

00:03:48 Speaker_00
Morning. You're rising much easier now. Well, it's been what? Three days since I was stabbed. I figure by now you're getting sick of my whinging. Three days where you've barely stayed still, Arthur. Wounds take time to heal. That they do. That they do.

00:04:17 Speaker_00
Well. I am growing tired of these walls.

00:04:26 Speaker_01
Good morning, master. My king. Did you slumber well?

00:04:29 Speaker_00
Yes, thank you, Yorick. And the witch's bed? Does it still suit her? If there were any other option, believe you me, I would have taken it. With your wound, you needed to give your body time to heal. I can heal in the sunlight just fine.

00:04:42 Speaker_00
It's these stupid hallways.

00:04:44 Speaker_01
There are still many paths we have yet to try. I feel confident we will find the correct one today.

00:04:50 Speaker_00
Yes, yes.

00:04:51 Speaker_01
It is a deceptively complicated labyrinth.

00:04:53 Speaker_00
And pushing yourself yesterday. You spent nearly all day looking for a way out. And I'm just about ready to head back to the windmill. And then what? You can't climb.

00:05:02 Speaker_00
Yorick sewed up your stab wounds, but they're likely to come undone if you don't pace yourself. I know. You're right. Perhaps the witch sealed us in. One final curse. Like the stairs.

00:05:18 Speaker_01
I don't believe so. But it is a possibility.

00:05:23 Speaker_00
I must say, I'm glad you prefer the skull, Yorick. I need not a body. Only a mouth. Okay. That sword isn't Tatters. Well, it's the only one we've got. Not true. There are plenty of clothes the witch has taken from her previous victims. What? Where?

00:05:47 Speaker_00
Behind the wall of roots, opposite her bed.

00:05:49 Speaker_01
Why didn't you say anything? You did not ask.

00:05:53 Speaker_00
Right, Yorick. My apologies.

00:05:55 Speaker_01
Accepted.

00:05:58 Speaker_00
Straight ahead.

00:06:02 Speaker_01
Did you dream last night, master?

00:06:05 Speaker_00
No. Dreamless slumber last night, thankfully. And still nothing from when I was... You know. Dead? Yes. I don't understand. Me neither. You remember the Dark World, even... even if you hid it from me. You're not... keeping things from- No, honestly.

00:06:27 Speaker_00
After she stabbed me, I- I mean, there may have been something, but it's gone. I truly... The dark world would not have faded so quickly. Which makes this all the more terrifying, John. What do you mean?

00:06:49 Speaker_00
Well, if there is no dark world for me, when I die... Not when, if.

00:06:58 Speaker_01
When is correct, my king.

00:07:00 Speaker_00
If I die... Does that mean there's... Nothing else? The Dark World is not a place to yearn for. No, but if... If it's nothing at all... If it's just... Emptiness... If all this just... Ends... Isn't that... Worse? I don't know. And you?

00:07:32 Speaker_00
You know, having control still when I- I didn't. I could still see, but I couldn't control your hands or body. It was dead. In the minds, when you had simply fallen unconscious, it was different. I had agency. Here, I was truly trapped.

00:07:54 Speaker_00
Then I'll have to stay alive, I guess.

00:07:57 Speaker_01
I feel confident, Master, that the Dark World will welcome you into its embrace soon enough.

00:08:03 Speaker_00
Thanks, Yorick. Where is the, uh... Here. Here. Here. A chest. It's against the earthen wall behind this... Yes. Right. Hmm. Filled with clothes. And... armor. Things the witch must have removed from her victims. Ah. My breastplate is in there.

00:08:28 Speaker_00
Your... Breastplate? Here, here. On top. What... is... It's a thick piece of metal to cover your torso. Leather straps hold it tight against your clothes.

00:08:43 Speaker_00
Look, I know this sounds foolish, but- Arthur, with the amount of times you've been stabbed, I think it would be foolish not to wear it. Agreed. As the Romans do. There are clothes underneath, some rather stately looking. There, there.

00:09:01 Speaker_00
That is a shirt and... pants. There. Alright. Perhaps... Perhaps it's because of the talisman. There. What? Perhaps that's why, you know, there's nothing for me.

00:09:24 Speaker_00
Magics beyond this world knew that I would come back or... Or maybe erased my memory of what was beyond. You think? I don't know. I feel... Everything has led to the idea that... Well, fuck, John.

00:09:48 Speaker_00
If everything that ever existed... If when it dies... They all go to the Dark World, then... You think she's there? She has to be. But if I'm not... She's waiting there. For me. To see me again. Yes. Perhaps the talisman. Empty platitudes.

00:10:37 Speaker_00
We genuinely don't know. You're right. You're right. The time will come when we both find out. But that time is not now. We have many miles to go before we sleep. Yes. Thank you, Yorick. Oh, oh, oh. Take it easy, Arthur. I'm dizzy for a moment.

00:11:04 Speaker_00
You're still- No, honestly, look, three days is more than enough. I'm ready to get the fuck out of here. Once I'm dressed.

00:11:11 Speaker_01
As I said, the labyrinth holds an exit. I'm sure of it.

00:11:15 Speaker_00
The windmill. Arthur. Look, we stack boxes, we find a rope. Here. She has to have something, I'm sure of it. We find a way up those stairs and we head back through the tunnels to the windmill. Even if we could find a way back- I know the way. Great.

00:11:30 Speaker_00
Even if we could, you are still only at a portion of your strength. John, I have spent three days in this hovel, resting, mending. I... I cannot spend a fourth. All right. If you feel confident that you could. I do. It's just a matter of whether I should.

00:11:52 Speaker_00
Yorick seems equally confident about the hallways.

00:11:56 Speaker_01
I'm sure we'll find our way today, Master. Do not lose hope!

00:12:02 Speaker_00
Now the breastplate. There. How do I look? Less like a sore thumb.

00:12:18 Speaker_01
Harder to kill!

00:12:20 Speaker_00
I'll take it. So, try again at the maze, or head back to the windmill. Keeping in mind you just became dizzy while standing up. You're sure you can get us out this time?

00:12:36 Speaker_01
Absolutely, Master.

00:12:38 Speaker_00
Fine. Thank you. Only because I can't stand the notion of needing to rest once again if I hurt myself.

00:12:45 Speaker_01
Exactly.

00:12:48 Speaker_00
Though, Yorick, you have changed your tune from thinking these halls may have an exit to being quite certain. All right, then. Assuming we won't return here... Still not going to read it? No. It doesn't feel... New York. Oscar, this... this letter.

00:13:21 Speaker_00
It's so far away. It feels... wrong. How so? I don't know. Thinking about what's behind us. All those people, all those moments that mattered. They're all gone. They're all... still to come. They'll still exist, have their lives. You're right.

00:13:55 Speaker_00
But it still doesn't feel like the right time. Not yet, at least. And the talisman? Still not wearing? No. No reason to advertise what's transpired here. After all you've told me, who knows what may come looking for us. Mother Darkness.

00:14:14 Speaker_00
If she's even still alive... She most certainly is. But you don't have any idea who she is, or... As I told you, if she is alive, and finds out we've killed her... daughter. We have six more bullets. Hmph. Well said.

00:14:33 Speaker_01
I doubt six would be enough. If Mother Darkness truly resurrected the Hag without the use of- That reminds me.

00:14:39 Speaker_00
What? Reminds you of what, Master? You mentioned yesterday that there was a bag here. A fabric- Bag? Yes. There's nothing of value in it. It's barely large enough for your exce- Don't worry about it. Right, that's everything.

00:14:55 Speaker_00
Look, even if you can't find the exit, Yorick, I'd rather sleep on the floor of the windmill before heading back here. Completely understand, Master.

00:15:04 Speaker_01
You need not worry. I feel quite certain the key is in the statues.

00:15:09 Speaker_00
We've been over the statues. Multiple times. The serpent, the faun, the headless rider. They don't mean anything. I believe they are the key, nonetheless. Is this the prince or the vanguard pushing to re-examine the statues? Either. Alright, the door. Here.

00:15:25 Speaker_00
Alright, remind me which way.

00:15:33 Speaker_01
The first left, then the first right. Straight past the two intersections, for now.

00:15:40 Speaker_00
What I mean to say, is are your theories about the statues based on the prince's experiences, or the vanguards?

00:15:49 Speaker_01
I know not what you mean, but the witch put the statues there for a reason.

00:15:54 Speaker_00
Did she, though? What do you mean? Did she put them there for a reason?

00:16:00 Speaker_01
Of course she did.

00:16:01 Speaker_00
Right, right. I suppose I'm asking... Well, what is the purpose of this labyrinth? Yorick, you said that she had many ways in and out of this harbour, right? And you believe we must have come through the back door? Possibly. Right, well...

00:16:24 Speaker_00
What is the purpose of this maze, then? Is it to confuse and bewilder those who get lost? Is it meant to drive us mad, like it has? Perhaps her magic is still active. The stairs haven't returned.

00:16:39 Speaker_00
The labyrinth would no longer be- But if this maze is the entrance, the intended entrance, and was meant to obfuscate the way into her den to prevent anyone from finding her lair, sure, I can understand the complexity.

00:16:52 Speaker_00
But then why is it so difficult to find the way out? For those she's... trapped?

00:16:58 Speaker_01
A maze would be just as complicated from the exit as from the entrance, Master.

00:17:03 Speaker_00
Right, okay. Yeah, I suppose so, but... I don't know, something feels... like we're missing something. Perhaps... John is right. Her magic is still active. What if it's simpler than that? Simpler? Obviously, yes. She used magic.

00:17:25 Speaker_00
But look, her purpose to remove the stairs was for what? To trap us. Right. To prevent us from leaving. It was a matter of removing something physical, or at least something we perceived as physical, to prevent us from escaping. Right. And the labyrinth?

00:17:45 Speaker_00
It too may have been altered. From what, we have no idea. For all we know, these halls could have led straight to the entrance, and she shifted it knowingly to prevent any chance of our escape. And when she died? They remained.

00:17:58 Speaker_00
The magic no longer active, just... she failed to return it to its previous form. Conjecture, master! So what you're saying is... What I'm saying is a lot of guesswork, yes. But what if there is no longer an exit?

00:18:15 Speaker_00
What if it's not a matter of solving these statues, because all of this is still just designed to keep us here? But the statues... May very well be meaningless. Maybe. Look, you said multiple exits, right, York? Indeed.

00:18:29 Speaker_00
So look, we know that the windmill is one. We hope that the labyrinth is one. But perhaps it's sealed off. Maybe we should be thinking about this from her perspective. What would serve her best? And what is that? I don't know. Right. Right! Oh, right, right.

00:18:59 Speaker_00
She was ahead of us. Yes. Do you think these walls are simply nothing to her? Like she could pass through any of them? If she could, why have a bridge or a staircase at all? Hmm.

00:19:16 Speaker_00
And why did she walk through the passage towards the prince when we first saw her? Why not just move through the stone itself? It would certainly be easier. She entered and exited that room through the same passage we did. Okay. Okay.

00:19:33 Speaker_00
For a moment, working on the hypothesis that she cannot pass through rock and stone, which admittedly is only a theory, how did she get in front of me? Was she ever behind you? No, I suppose not. She was in her room when you took the talisman. What?

00:19:55 Speaker_00
What? I heard her breathing behind the roots. Watch it. Why didn't you? Let it go. Let it go. She's dead. Okay, so she's somewhere. Where did she stab me? Lead us there. Straight ahead. The blood still stains the stone where you fell. What?

00:20:30 Speaker_00
No, it's... You know... About how you dealt with her. And... What she told you. And what it taught you about yourself. And you know that I love you too. And I couldn't do this without you. I know. But I don't recall if I told you how proud I was of you.

00:21:02 Speaker_00
For finding your way without me. Without anyone. It must have been difficult to fight for who you were. For who you are. It was. He was not alone! Yes, Yorick. He's right. Thank you, Yorick. Anyway, sorry, I'm getting distracted. Okay.

00:21:32 Speaker_00
Maybe instead of searching for the end to these walls, we must find the exit in these walls. You think- What's around here, roughly? It's another T-section.

00:21:46 Speaker_00
And a little bit further, to what we call the North, is another four-way intersection with the Faun statue.

00:21:53 Speaker_01
The Faun?

00:21:53 Speaker_00
Yes, yes. Is?

00:21:57 Speaker_01
Perhaps.

00:21:59 Speaker_00
Meaningless. Come around, have you?

00:22:02 Speaker_01
With careful consideration, I suggest we investigate the wall here.

00:22:06 Speaker_00
Which part? It's just stone, right? I suppose, just feel around. What are we looking at? I believe my error was in believing that the specialness of the statues mattered. When, in fact... Wait a minute.

00:22:21 Speaker_00
Is that... If I were to hide a secret... What is this? This... What am I touching? This isn't stone. It feels different. This is wood. Knock it. Knock on it. It would be in the most mundane of places. It's hollow. This is a door. Yorick, you did it!

00:22:37 Speaker_00
Of course, if I said so humble. I can't see how it opens, but this is... This must be the exit. We just need to figure out how... I see a latch here, between the wood and the stone. It's painted, almost, disguised as part of the wall.

00:22:59 Speaker_00
Well, I can't... I can't reach... There's nothing to... The dagger! Ah, yes, yes! One moment, Master. What?

00:23:07 Speaker_01
Consider that this door may open only for her. Why do you say that? There seems to be no handle, or knob, as it were. Right, but the dagger... We can just wedge it open. Yes. It may break the dagger.

00:23:22 Speaker_00
Okay. What do you suggest?

00:23:25 Speaker_01
If it only opens for her.

00:23:28 Speaker_00
We could retrieve a piece. A piece of her? Yorick... We dumped her body in the water, Yorick.

00:23:37 Speaker_01
I... Arthur... If we retrieve her body from the water, and remove a piece of her, it should allow us to use this door.

00:23:45 Speaker_00
Just use the dagger, Arthur. We don't need to head back. Yes, Yorick, I... I urge you to consider, Master, that this may not be the only door between us and an exit.

00:23:57 Speaker_01
Perhaps the dagger will work here. But if the proper entrance is sealed, it only opens for her.

00:24:04 Speaker_00
He's right. You think there'll be more doors? I think. If she is the key to opening this door, it would be wiser to have that than to brute force our way out. A wise decision, Master. Enough. Fine. If you want to head back... I don't want to. Believe me.

00:24:24 Speaker_00
But I think York has a good point. There is nothing to prove her dead body will open this. Honestly and primarily, I mean about breaking the dagger. I am by far the least interested in backtracking.

00:24:35 Speaker_00
But I'd rather rule out her presence as being a factor before damaging our only weapon. It's not our only weapon. We have the gun and the rapier. The gun has a very limited lifespan. And the rapier won't do much good up close. Just... please.

00:24:50 Speaker_00
Yes, of course. I'm... just... I know, I know. We'll be quick.

00:24:58 Speaker_01
To our left, Master! Why the latch?

00:25:07 Speaker_04
Hm?

00:25:08 Speaker_01
If the door opens with her presence, as he says, it must still prevent others from leaving.

00:25:14 Speaker_00
How do you presume a door remained locked? That's not what- John, to the point. Why a physical latch? Seems hardly necessary if the door itself is magical. Or at least responds to magic.

00:25:27 Speaker_01
Yorick? You comprehend very little about magic and its function. It is folly to assume a door cannot be opened magically simply because. It may also open without.

00:25:40 Speaker_02
Why?

00:25:43 Speaker_00
Does the rotted muscle on this skull prevent you from believing I move these jaws with other means? But the muscle could still move your jaws. There are many reasons the witch may prefer multiple ways to pass through a door. Left again.

00:25:59 Speaker_00
Regardless, I want this to be over quickly. Right here. So, what part are you going to cut off? I... Might I suggest her left hand? Her left? Sure. Why? Why? A hag's left hand can be a powerful object. What do you mean, can be? What is your goal here? My goal?

00:26:30 Speaker_00
to aid you in leaving this place, Master. Cut the bullshit! Is there another reason you want this hand? Yorick, there are a great number of things... Answer him!

00:26:40 Speaker_01
I do believe it will be of use to us. To escape? Or... I... cannot tell.

00:26:47 Speaker_00
Why not?

00:26:48 Speaker_01
I do not know.

00:26:50 Speaker_00
I don't know, Arthur. Something feels... off about this. Agreed. The hand will be of use, this is certain. Only since defeating her has this become known to me. What does that mean? He doesn't know. Fine. We'll get the hat, and then we'll leave.

00:27:11 Speaker_00
No matter what. The pool is just ahead. The green water still and silent. Here, here. It didn't move much when we dragged her in, did it? No. Wonderful. All right, well, where is she anyway? Can we use something to pull her body out?

00:27:34 Speaker_00
She's no longer on the surface. No? She think. Great.

00:27:42 Speaker_03
Well... Careful. Oh.

00:27:51 Speaker_00
I'm just gonna drag her body back to shore. Would it not be wise after all? Well, thank God for that. Anything? Nothing. You may need to look below the surface. The green water is reflecting the torchlight within the cavern. It's difficult to see beneath.

00:28:19 Speaker_00
Goddammit.

00:28:25 Speaker_01
Okay. It's clearer within. I can see the water. It grows. Deeper.

00:28:33 Speaker_00
The brown rocky walls of the pool dive down toward the bottom.

00:28:39 Speaker_01
I see her! At the bottom!

00:28:47 Speaker_00
She's down there. Yes. Yes, she's do- Okay. But- Arthur!

00:28:53 Speaker_01
Arthur! Jesus, be quick! Swim deeper, as fast as you can. The bottom is quite far away.

00:29:05 Speaker_00
She's along the bottom, tangled up in black weeds. Her hair in thin floating strands surround her, frozen in place. A sickening visage of the dead.

00:29:24 Speaker_01
Keep going. You're almost there. Her... her hand. The left one. Is up.

00:29:33 Speaker_00
Rising out from the black weeds. Upstretched. As if reaching for the surface. I... I don't think you can bring her back to the shore. She's too tangled. You'll need to... Yes.

00:29:47 Speaker_01
Yes. A little more. Here, here, here. That's her hand. Lop it off at the wrist.

00:30:06 Speaker_00
The dancing light from above catches the dead white of her eyes. It gives the appearance that her eyes are moving, slowly studying us, watching those who took her life brutally maim her corpse. You're almost done.

00:30:40 Speaker_01
There, there! We're done. Swim back up, then.

00:30:47 Speaker_04
Arthur! Arthur, swim!

00:30:51 Speaker_01
Why are you... Fuck! Arthur, the weeds! The black weeds! They're around your ankle! Cut them! Quickly! More, Arthur! More are wrapping around your feet! Your legs! Arthur, your arm! Cut, Arthur! We can't! You're unable to cut them fast enough!

00:31:19 Speaker_01
More are shooting up from the bottom! Latching themselves onto us! They're pulling you down! Down towards... her! No! No! These aren't reeds, Arthur! They look like... veins! Like from the membrane in the cavern! Below the windmill! The bottom, Arthur! Deeper!

00:31:47 Speaker_01
There! There, Arthur! Before you! The bottom! Feel it! This is what was in the tunnels! Cut it! Yes, Arthur! Come through the membrane, Arthur! Just... a little... more... ARGH!

00:32:17 Speaker_03
Yes, Arthur! Arthur, we're... We're outside. Yes!

00:33:17 Speaker_00
We're sitting in a muddy, wet pile beneath trees, tall and green, taller than I've ever seen. The forest surrounds us, the wind slowly moving through the trees. The late afternoon sun cuts perfect shadow stencils from the leaves above.

00:33:48 Speaker_00
The ground is soft, wet, but fresh smelling. It's beautiful, Arthur. We... we really are here. England? Not the way I thought we'd get here. The forest crests down slightly. The rolling green hill leads to the edge of a massive field.

00:34:25 Speaker_00
I see a dirt road not far away. We should head for it. And head where? Castle Caringford, remember? I told you, she mentioned that castle by name when talking about- Right. About those who worship the old gods. Yeah.

00:34:40 Speaker_00
And if we get there, and if it matches the vision that we had through the Glass of Leng... Then we've found our destination. Either way, it's the best lead we have right now. Agreed. But the road... I don't know.

00:34:53 Speaker_00
I don't know how wise it would be to take the road just yet. Perhaps sticking to the trees parallel would be safer, no? And slower! I suppose. But if the road is the most direct route, Who knows? Maybe we can even find a sign. Or someone to point the way.

00:35:13 Speaker_00
Look, I hear you. But the woods are the safer bet, and I'd rather stay away from people for the moment. At least until we're dry. Very well. A wise choice, Master. Her children will have more difficulty spotting us from within the woods. Jesus.

00:35:30 Speaker_00
Her children? Why didn't you- Yorick! Lead with the information that would be best to know to keep us alive! Always. I will do my best.

00:35:46 Speaker_01
Arthur, what's wrong?

00:35:50 Speaker_00
Tumble. I may have pulled my... stomach. Oh, fuck. It's alright, it's alright. I just need to... take a look. I believe you are bleeding again. It's fine, it's fine. We're out. Once again. Take a moment. I will, I will. Just let me... get out of this.

00:36:11 Speaker_00
What is... What did we fall out of? We've been thrust out of a passage, a small opening in the wall of this large hill. The windmill must be upon it, behind us somewhere. Like a chute. Just to your right. There's a log there. Okay. Wait! The hand! Master!

00:36:32 Speaker_00
The hand. Oh, right. What a waste that was. We're out. I don't care how. Here, here. The log. Let's see, you'll need to remo- Yes. This breastplate is going to be a pain. I imagine it helped quite a bit while tumbling through the water. Fair point.

00:36:57 Speaker_00
Though its heraldry may cause problems. Heraldry? Mm-hmm. It bears a mark.

00:37:03 Speaker_01
The Prince's Mark! The Heraldry of Areval.

00:37:07 Speaker_00
Prince... Areval? Prince Warren of Areval. Prince Warren? It is a title of courtesy only. Okay. How bad? A few stitches have broken, but the wound is still largely closed. I'd recommend adding a few more stitches while we have a moment.

00:37:33 Speaker_00
If you're okay with it. Of course. Right. This breastplate is... It's a bit of a cause for concern then, no? Perhaps we can... I don't know, hide it? I believe that would hinder our efforts. The prince was already killed.

00:37:51 Speaker_00
Plus we don't know anything about him.

00:37:53 Speaker_01
I do?

00:37:54 Speaker_00
Yes, and you're so forthcoming with information.

00:37:57 Speaker_01
Thank you.

00:37:58 Speaker_00
That wasn't... We should not plan to visit Caringford while posing as this man. Agreed. Well... Actually... What? I mean, yes, pretending to be him is relying on Yorick for the drips and drabs of information.

00:38:16 Speaker_00
It isn't wise, but the prince would at the very least stand a better chance at entering a castle over an unaffiliated traveler. I suppose. Additionally, he is expected at the castle. What? Prince? Yes. Castle Carringford.

00:38:35 Speaker_01
It was his destination. Why? How? He was interrupted during his travels. An accident on the road.

00:38:43 Speaker_00
The witch retrieving his body for her children. I know I know We both know what he's going to say though. Look, this is just gonna keep happening.

00:38:52 Speaker_00
Clearly the onus is on us to prompt him York why was the prince heading to Castle Caringford an invitation to the castle the host was not known to the prince had he Had you been to the castle before? No.

00:39:08 Speaker_00
The prince was not aware why his attendance was requested, nor the intention of the visitation. However, his curiosity was... piqued. Very well. The glass of lang, the witch mentioning it by name... It's all pointing to the castle.

00:39:26 Speaker_00
Well at least we're not stumbling around in the dark, looking for where to start. Speak for yourself. There. You're done. Thank you. Okay. We travel the woods to Carinford. Any idea how far it was before the accident, Yorick?

00:39:47 Speaker_00
To my understanding, we were still quite a fair distance away. Perhaps half a day's travel. By cart. Which means we have miles to go. Yes. But think of how far we've come. Okay.

00:40:15 Speaker_00
We'll keep the road to our left, try and keep an eye for when it might turn off and do our best. And if a sign does show up? We'll head down and try to read it. Hope we can find our way to Carenford safely. Right. Master!

00:40:29 Speaker_00
Before you leave, I have decided on what I want. What you want? What? King! You had promised me whatever I wanted. Should I help you? I believe I have decided. What is he talking about? I don't know. Do you not recall? You offered me whatever I wanted.

00:40:50 Speaker_00
To trust. You. I... John? He's right. Before the witch could hear me, while she dragged you back to the slab, I told Yorick that I may have to lie to her. To manipulate her. I asked him to trust me. And in return, you would give him whatever he wants.

00:41:18 Speaker_00
We would. Yes. All right. All things considered, I suppose that's a fair deal. What do you want? I wish to have the Hague's hand. Her hand? Why?

00:41:36 Speaker_01
That is of my concern. In this request, I would have access to it. Additionally, You would aid me in using it however I see fit. And however I choose to alter it. Without question.

00:41:55 Speaker_00
Alter it? You reckon? How do you intend to alter it? This is my request. Without knowing why? Knowing why is not part of my request. That's... Not part of the deal.

00:42:09 Speaker_01
This is my request. Will you honor it?

00:42:14 Speaker_00
Yes, I mean, what choice do we have, really? Thank you. I'm sorry. It's fine. You did what you had to do. I don't blame you. Still, I... You thought you were going to lose everything. And you were right. You made the right call.

00:42:34 Speaker_00
We're just honoring that deal. Alright, Yorick. It's yours. You... own it. What will you have us do to it? For the moment, nothing. Perhaps at nightfall, your aid will be requested. Very well. That doesn't seem far off. Then I suppose we should get moving.

00:43:03 Speaker_00
I suppose so. Thank you, the Dies Irae. The Dies Irae? You called us that before. You said that was our title. What does it mean? Day of Wrath. Day of Wrath? Why is that our title? You will see. I... Let's just go. The forest, for the most part, is open.

00:43:43 Speaker_00
The floor is covered in a thin layer of grass, but the trees are far apart, and the... Is that...? The owl! It returns! Alexander! How did you find us? It must have heard us. The windmill must only be behind us on the hill. I can't believe it!

00:44:06 Speaker_00
What are you doing out here? I thought you said owls were nocturnal. Only some. Perhaps I was wrong about him. Hey, Alexander, hey! What use are we to him? I don't understand why he would- Perhaps he sees us as food. Could be. Owls don't eat people, boys.

00:44:25 Speaker_01
Of course.

00:44:26 Speaker_00
Right. I, for one, am glad you're here, Alexander. Between this one never shutting up and this one always with me, I appreciate a companion who seems to enjoy the silence.

00:44:40 Speaker_01
Which am I?

00:44:42 Speaker_00
Take a guess. I think he'll follow us, no? I don't know, maybe we can find something for him. Arthur, let's not be waylaid by this fucking owl, please. Right, right, yes. I... I... What? Nothing. I... I don't understand. What don't you understand?

00:45:07 Speaker_00
I... I... I remember something. Remember? From where? When? The word you just said. Waylaid. Yes? I was... I was... I was waylaid. I was... There was a... Hold on. What was that? What was what? Give me a moment. There was... I was... I was... Somewhere...

00:45:45 Speaker_00
John, I was somewhere. I don't- After you died? Yes. Yes, but it wasn't the Dark World. It wasn't- You're sure? Yes. Yes, I- I remember asking. Asking?

00:46:08 Speaker_03
There were others there?

00:46:10 Speaker_00
Yes, many. They were all around me, I think. Standing. No, sitting. You could see? I... I don't... I don't recall. There was... I could hear people all around me. They were... eating, drinking, and there was... music. Music, John, I remember the music.

00:46:44 Speaker_00
It was a band, or a man singing a song. I'd never heard it before. It felt... Jesus, what else? A waiter. He told me I was at the Waylay. He said I... I wasn't in the Dark World. And I... I don't remember. I think he told me to speak with someone.

00:47:16 Speaker_00
Was it a dream? Maybe? It felt... real, but... A dream, Arthur. You were dead, master. One does not dream in death. So what does that mean? Yorick?

00:47:34 Speaker_01
I know nothing of this. I hold a place in the dark world. And this one... I have not heard of this.

00:47:43 Speaker_00
Waylay. John? I don't know. It doesn't... sound familiar. But... You're sure you don't remember anything else? I think... I think the waiter ordered me a blood and sand. You ordered a blood and sand? No. No, actually it was waiting for me.

00:48:10 Speaker_00
Someone knows your drink order. I suppose. I suppose someone does. Perhaps more will come back to you. Perhaps. Shall we? Yes. Let's. This way. The road is to our left. Let's see how far we can get before needing to find a spot to rest for the night. Agreed.