New Foundations/Joshua: Resolute Tempest

Joshua: Resolute Tempest - C

Ewan	Hey, Tethys! You won’t believe your ears! Joshua has become the next king of Jehanna!
Haven’t I taught you not to make jokes at another’s expense? What if someone took you seriously?		Tethys
Ewan	But I am serious, I swear! I overheard Prince Alfonse and the summoner talking about it.
Well, if that’s the case... Wow. I’m not even sure how to respond to that. What do you think, Marisa? I mean, put a risk-taker like him in charge of the treasury and it’ll be cleaned out by morning...		Tethys
Marisa	It doesn’t much matter to me. As long as he keeps honing his sword skills, he can be the king of whatever he wants.
Hah! That’s our Marisa. What about you, Chief? Do you thi— Hm? I could have sworn he was here a moment ago. Where did he run off to?		Tethys
Gerik	Nice getup. It suits you.
You also think I’ve changed, huh? The threads don’t always make the man, you know.		Joshua
Gerik	Others might be distracted by your clothes, but I can tell you’re different. Right down to your very core. You have the eyes of a man who’s finally decided to embrace his fate.
Hah. I may have taken my sweet time, but getting here was something of a group effort. I’ve only been able to come this far thanks to the time I spent traveling the world as a hired sword. You’ll be glad to know that you and your mercenaries played no small part in making me who I am today.		Joshua
Gerik	That so?
You know how to rally your troops. They’ll follow you anywhere, and for good reason. And, of course... Ephraim and Eirika never shirked from their duties or backed down from a fight. I learned how a leader and a royal should act from all of you.		Joshua
Gerik	Well, I’m glad to hear your time away from home was well-spent. Speaking of teaching... The mercenary Joshua is already here in Askr, you know. Are you planning on talking to him?
No. I walk my path, and he walks his. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of his journey. Besides, this is something he needs to decide for himself. No matter how hard it may be...		Joshua

Joshua: Resolute Tempest - B

Gerik	Joshua, let me ask you something.
By all means. If I’m able to answer, I will.		Joshua
Gerik	I don’t presume to know everything about what you’ve gone through, but I can’t help but wonder... Did you finally decide to accept the crown because of the tragedy that befell Queen Ismaire?
What happened to my mother was ultimately the result of my own immaturity and naivety. I left to wander the world, and by the time I arrived in Jehanna Hall, it was already too late. Her fate was sealed. The queen was mortally wounded, and even the throne was reduced to mere cinders... All at the hands of a former comrade.		Joshua
Gerik	Still, do you really think you could have predicted what could happen?
Perhaps not...but I am glad Jehanna did not bend the knee. It weathered the storm and lived to see the dawn. My mother always wanted me to lead our people, and they need me now more than ever. But I know that I can’t hope to do it alone. This burden is far too great for me to shoulder it all by myself. Speaking of which, do you recall the bet we made? I wanted you to join me once the war in Magvel was over. I still do. But no coin flips or sleight of hand this time—just an earnest request. Will you join me?		Joshua
Gerik	Ha, you don’t need to tell me it’s earnest. I can hear it in your voice. I do have one condition, though...

Joshua: Resolute Tempest - A

Joshua	A condition, huh? I can’t imagine you want something as simple as money or fame, but I’ll hear you out.
You once told me that a man can have all the skill in the world and still have a bad day. What happens to the people when their king has a bad day?		Gerik
Joshua	I’d like to say, “It’s life really, innit?” but I believe you’ve already heard that one. I remember you said there’s good luck and bad, but that neither one is an excuse for failure.
And I still stand by those words. But know this... For a mercenary, that single bad day of yours means they likely won’t live to see the morrow. Working for a client who could put my soldiers in a position like that would be a grave mistake.		Gerik
Joshua	So that’s what you’re getting at, huh? You want to see just how lucky this king really is.
Right, so how about we settle what’s going to happen after Askr. Heads, we work for you. Tails, we remain a free company. Deal? You know you can’t pull a fast one on me, so don’t even think about trying.		Gerik
Joshua	You really like making the stakes as high as possible, don’t you? Fine. I accept your terms.

Joshua: Resolute Tempest - S

Gerik	It’s time, Joshua. Will it be heads or tails? Well... Here goes nothing!
...Well? Come on, show me the coin already. The suspense is killing me!		Joshua
Gerik	It’s...tails. Look like we won’t be settling down in Jehanna after all.
Damn it. I really needed that win... Lady Luck can be a cruel mistress, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. No use crying over spilled milk.		Joshua
Gerik	There are two sides to every coin. Mine just happened to come up tails this time. That’s all. But you know the funny thing about luck? You can make your own...and your friends can help you.
Right. Sometimes I forget I’m not on my own anymore. Old habits die hard, I guess... Something as reckless as staking the fate of a kingdom on a coin flip will only end well half of the time. I’m no longer a wayward swordsman. I’m a king, with all the responsibilities that protecting my people entails. It’s high time I relied on my friends and kicked Lady Luck to the curb. At least for a little while, eh?		Joshua
Gerik	Works for me. I’m sure we can come to a temporary arrangement. I am a mercenary, after all. So, when I return to Magvel, it will be in the employ of Jehanna’s king. I’ve got your back.
Gerik... Thank you.		Joshua

Scenario
← Amelia		Gerik →
New Foundations
Neimi	Joshua	Rennac	Colm

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