Last Knights Page #3

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the wounds of honor

are self-inflicted.

Draw your sword.

My Lord...

- please.

- Commander...

draw your sword.

Your devotion to the code

is absolute, is it not?

- Yes, My Lord.

- Then, as your lord and master,

I order you to complete this duty.

From this moment on,

be no more grieved

about what you have done.

This will quiet any whispers of dissent

for quite some time.

We must deal with Commander Raiden

with a quick and firm hand.

Do you offer this for our master's

benefit or your own?

Did you see how he stood before you?

He's a rabid dog, that one.

We control the warriors through

their absolute loyalty to their masters.

How do you think two million

of them would react

if we eliminated one of their own

for exemplifying...

- ...the virtue of loyalty?

- What if he should seek vengeance?

He is not to be touched.

There are already too many disavowed

looking for a reason to act.

If you come upon real proof

that he intends to move against you,

then I will order his death.

But not until then.

- Is that understood?

- Yes, Master. Until then.

Shall I see to the eviction and the

subsequent dispensing of the Bartok lands?

The lands should be divided equally

so as not to favor

one nobleman over another.

Of course. But I will not bother our master

with the details at this time.

I will attend to it myself.

I'm certain you will.

You must keep aware

of the Minister, My Lord.

I know you do not approve of Gezza Mott,

but his ambition and greed

serve my interests well.

Yes, My Lord.

Hannah.

Father.

Auguste! I hear your crops

were plentiful this season.

Yes, they were.

So the lands I took and gave over to you

proved sufficient in replacing

the dying ones you had when we first met?

They have.

Perfect.

Now tell me, you knew Lord Bartok.

What do you know of his retainer?

I did not know Bartok that well,

though we had a few dealings.

As to this Raiden,

I only know of him through rumor.

Tales of his violent past.

You spent time with him.

What is your assessment?

I would be shocked

if he were to let this go.

I ask that you send me

a thousand of your men

to increase my security

until this is over with.

- A thousand?

- Yes.

- That is more than half my retainer.

- All of whom you have because of me.

Would you prefer to return

to the impoverished state you were in

before I graciously

took your daughter as my wife?

No, Minister.

You will oversee the eviction.

After that, and for as long as it takes,

I want eyes upon Raiden

every minute of the day.

When he decides to strike,

we will be ready.

Sir!

Are we going to let this happen?

- We won't leave without a fight!

- Yeah!

Everyone must pack

their things and leave.

Palace guard is already on its way.

We're simply to be thrown out

into the street with nothing?

How are we supposed

to support ourselves?

Commander, are we to understand

that you would have us do nothing?

Our master is dead.

I'm no longer your commander.

From now on, you owe allegiance

to no one but yourselves.

Gentlemen,

you are disavowed.

Don't touch her!

These people are losing their home.

You will treat them with respect.

Where are you going?

I'll have a drink here!

Round for my friends.

That's all of it? Well, it's barely enough

to meet our expenses.

Tonight we'll treat ourselves to a good meal

in the city. It will do you good.

All right. Well, I'll be on my way.

The roads into the market

will already be busy.

Did you see?

Your father gave me my own brand.

That's wonderful. He's never taken

to an apprentice so quickly.

And I hope soon to stop saying "apprentice"

and start saying son.

Now add your mark. We have to be going.

Once they have done installing the panels,

we will continue with the floors.

Yes, sir.

Cannot find a dagger like this

anywhere in the land.

Token of my deep respect.

Support such as yours

is how our nation grows in strength.

You can be certain your request

for tax relief will be heard.

Thank you, Minister.

- Are you almost done?

- Yes.

Perhaps my body would have the strength

to rid itself of this memento

if I had a physician of real skill.

I have followed the proper treatment.

Something seems to prevent

the wound from closing.

Is that what you offer

as an explanation?

"Something"?

Get out!

Why did you send a servant away?

You do not allow for interruptions

when in conference.

Did you consider

that the servant is required

to taste everything she brings me

for the threat of poisoning?

No? Or perhaps you were fully aware...

- ...and you feigned ignorance.

- Of course not.

And I'm expected to take your word

simply because you're my wife?

The tea's getting cold.

It appears the tea is not poisoned.

How is the gate coming along?

This iron gate is capable

of holding back an entire army.

Perhaps, once it is installed,

we could release some of the extra guards

on loan from your father-in-law.

Providing for them has brought us outside

the parameters of our budget.

The cost will not be an issue.

The cost of the pavilion now stands

at five times the approved estimate.

Without the gold leaf...

As stimulating as your accounts

of my accounting are,

I need a word in private

with my commander.

What news have you for me?

- More of the same.

- And his men?

Scattered about.

Finding employment where they can.

- Has he had any contact with them?

- No.

And yet he still remains in the capital.

We have eyes upon him

every moment of the day and night.

He's patient.

But his act doesn't fool me.

Nor should it you.

Prod him.

Find out what he's hiding.

Please follow me. Look who is here.

- Lieutenant.

- Please sit, everyone.

- Bring us some more to drink.

- Gabriel.

So, what do you say

about my establishment?

- Certainly it is a good fit for you.

- A perfect fit.

And you, how are you keeping yourselves?

I'm managing the fishing boats

of a wealthy merchant.

Gabriel is working for them also.

That would explain

your distinctive fragrance.

And the reason my wife

allows me to remain here alone.

No other woman will touch me.

Perhaps without compensation.

- Half price for you.

- No, thank you.

I will accept that offer.

Once you begin paying for your drinks,

I will consider extending

my discounts to others.

Gentlemen, to your prosperity.

- That way you will further increase mine.

- Hear, hear.

Cheers.

And you, Jim?

I work when I can.

Maybe there's some work at the harbor.

Should I inquire?

No. Such... such a labor's not for me.

Between your poverty and his smell,

I must be sitting with the two

loneliest men in the capital.

Indeed, we're the two loneliest men.

He spends most of his days here now.

Thought you told me he had

fallen back to his old ways,

I find it hard to believe.

He appears to be better

than usual tonight.

- I must be going.

- Please, do not leave on account of him.

It sickens me to be in his presence.

Lieutenant. Lieutenant!

Where you going?

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