Chapter 13x: The Peddler Merlinus[]
Opening Scene[]
(Eliwood's Story)
- Hector: Bah! Dark already.
- Eliwood: We'll have to stop here for the night. We'll set out for Laus at the first sign of sunlight. Marcus, prepare the camp.
- Marcus: Yes, my lord.
- Hector: So this is Caelin? You think we ought to present ourselves to Lord Hausen?
- Eliwood: We're simply passing through, so I don't see the need. I am curious how Lyndis is getting along, though.
- Hector: Lyndis?
- Eliwood: Marquess Caelin's granddaughter.
- Hector: Oh, her. The missing heir who dealt with Lundgren last year. Didn't you have something to do with that?
- Eliwood: Mm.
- Hector: And? The granddaughter? Is she a beauty?
- Eliwood: A beauty? She's... I don't...she's... I think it must be her Sacae heritage. She's...striking...
- Hector: Striking? Too bad, isn't it?
- Eliwood: What?
- Hector: That we don't have time to see her, loverboy.
- Eliwood: No! Lyndis and I are... We're not...
- Hector: You're not? Then why are you getting so worked up?
- Eliwood: Hector! Don't make me angry!
- Hector: Ha ha ha ha! You are so much fun to tease! Huh? What was that? Did you hear something?
- Eliwood: It was a scream. Someone's being attacked!
- Hector: Do we help?
- Eliwood: Of course!
(scene change, to bandits and Merlinus)
- Merlinus: Oh noooooo! Someone! Help!!!
- Bandit: Grrr! Stupid old fool! He's kept us running in circles for hours!
- Merlinus: My... My valuable merchandise! What are you going to do?
- Puzon: Hey, look at this. The old fool's wealthy.
- Bandit: Huh huh huh. Our lucky day. Eh, Puzon?
- Merlinus: Let go! Let go!! Will you let go!!!
- Bandit: What a racket! Puzon, can we get rid of this simpleton?
- Puzon: I suppose so. There's no reason to let him live.
- Merlinus: Oh my!! Eeeyaaaaahhh!
- Eliwood: Release him!
- Puzon: Who--
- Eliwood: I told you to let the man go!
- Hector: If you move quickly, we'll let you live.
- Puzon: Ha! A pair of dandies like you? You know what I think? Living off your parents' names, prancing about... I despise you! Come on! Don't hold back! We'll kill you all!
(Hector's Story)
- Merlinus: Oh noooooo! Someone! Help!!!
- Bandit: Grrr! Stupid old fool! He's kept us running in circles for hours!
- Merlinus: My... My valuable merchandise! What are you going to do?
- Puzon: Hey, look at this. The old fool's wealthy.
- Bandit: Huh huh huh. Our lucky day. Eh, Puzon?
- Merlinus: Let go! Let go!! Will you let go!!!
- Bandit: What a racket! Puzon, can we get rid of this simpleton?
- Puzon: I suppose so. There's no reason to let him live.
- Merlinus: Oh my!! Eeeyaaaaahhh!
- Hector: Hold! Release that man!
- Puzon: What?
- Hector: We're not after you, dullard. We want the old man and his goods. If you value your life, you'll leave now.
- Puzon: What did you say? Who do you think you are? Do you think you can walk away with our spoils?
- Hector: You half-wit! Do we look like thieves to you?
- Puzon: We'll not let our profit be snatched away so easily! Come! To me now! Hold nothing back! Kill 'em all!
Before Battle[]
(Eliwood's Story)
- Merlinus: Aaaiiieeee!!! You! They call you Mark, am I right? I am Merlinus, a humble and lowly merchant. I know nothing of combat. Please! You must protect me!
After Battle[]
- Bandit: Oof… Blast! I won’t forget this!
- Hector: Then you’re smarter than you look! Get out of here!!
- Eliwood: Are you all right?
- Merlinus: Hm? Oho!! I… I’ve been saved!
- Eliwood: We’ve driven them off. Are you injured?
- Merlinus: No, not at all. As you can see, I’m as fine as fine can be.
- Eliwood: I’m glad to see that. Good day, sir. Hector.
- Merlinus: Wait a moment, please! A token of my thanks…
- Eliwood: Do not worry yourself. We did nothing to merit reward.
- Hector: That’s right. We’ve no need of a peddler’s junk.
- Merlinus: P-P-Peddler?
- Eliwood: Hector!
- Hector: Oops!
- Merlinus: Ahem! I am Merlinus. You’ll find no other traveling merchant whose goods compare. Don’t let your eyes fool you: I’m quite prosperous.
- Hector: Huh? You’re a merchant? Books and knives and all that, eh?
- Eliwood: Hector, your manners are terrible. Merlinus, please… Pay no mind to what this oaf has to say.
- Merlinus: No, of course not. I wasn’t concerned at… Ahem! By the way, you two obviously come from highborn houses. Would you grant me the honor of your names?
- Eliwood: I am Eliwood, son of the marquess of Pherae.
- Hector: I’m Hector. Marquess Ostia’s brother.
- Merlinus: Goodness! Ostia! Pherae! The greatest houses in all of Lycia!! Ahh… To be saved by noblemen such as yourselves… It is an honor beyond words!
- Hector: It’s nice to be appreciated for a change. Lately, people just seem to want us dead. Tell me, Merlinus, what are your plans?
- Merlinus: Pardon? My plans, my lord? I had planned to travel Lycia selling my merchandise, but… It may not be possible in such dangerous times.
- Hector: If that’s the case, why don’t you come along with us?
- Eliwood: Hector?
- Hector: Our travels will not be ending anytime soon. We’ve gained more people and more items, right? It might be good to have help managing our things.
- Merlinus: Oho! Now THAT is a splendid idea! Managing merchandise is my specialty, after all!
- Eliwood: Are you sure?
- Merlinus: Quite sure, my lord. To be honest, I’ve dreamt of working for a noble house. To have my fondest wish granted in such a way… I cannot stem these tears of joy! Lord Hector! Lord Eliwood!!! Take me into your bosoms and keep me safe forever!
- Eliwood: Uh… Thank you. Well met, Merlinus.
- Hector: We’re counting on you! Now, I’ve got some things I want you to carry…
- Merlinus: Yes, of course. Whatever you have, Merlinus will keep!