The Heavy Lancers

Strahd von Zarovich

I do not understand why we wait... our raid has silenced their Priests, why must the people without power be made to suffer? Should we not give them a chance to repent, our siege will strip them of everything.

Captain Thoma Thorm

The leaders of this town chose rebellion. Their suffering belongs to them, not to us.

Strahd von Zarovich

But we could have... we could have chosen otherwise, could we not? It is our own Lancers that encircled them. Should we not bear responsibility for the famine, the plague that follows? Even their water was poisoned.

Captain Thoma Thorm

Responsibility? Yes. Power demands it. But our responsibility is not pity for those who made their defiance clear. Answer me this, boy: If you could save the next ten villages from this—

Strahd von Zarovich

Captain, what—what do you mean?

Captain Thoma Thorm

If you could save the next ten villages from famine, disease, rebellion—prevent ten wars before they began—at the cost of here delivering a fate so terrible, none will be able to look upon their doom without fear. Would you act with resolution, or would you allow weakness that calls itself mercy to control you? Even if that mercy could eventually cost us our kingdom?

Strahd von Zarovich

I... I do not know... there is no easy answer...

Captain Thoma Thorm

But you must answer. As a ruler, you will be defined by the decision you make. Will your leadership leave hundreds broken by war in a slow, endless suffering? Or will you act decisively and swiftly? Your name will not be sweet to their lips, I assure you. But your people—

Strahd von Zarovich

What people?

Captain Thoma Thorm

Those who are loyal will live.

Strahd von Zarovich

I think I understand you. An act of brutality, to prevent countless others. That... is that justice?

Captain Thoma Thorm

To those who must look beyond this conflict and see the chain of consequences that follow it. Come now, boy. Let us see what a rebellion’s failure truly looks like.

Strahd von Zarovich

What—where are we going?

Captain Thoma Thorm

Beyond the hill... the one you have avoided looking at all evening. The King's Judgment has already passed, my boy.

Strahd von Zarovich

Judgment...? What did you—

Captain Thoma Thorm

Your education is incomplete without this sight. Look closely. Do not avert your eyes.

Strahd von Zarovich

No.... Morning Lord No! ... What is it? ... Why is it moving? ... Are they flies? Why are there so many flies? ... Underneath the swarm ... it's not a shadow is it, its a pool, ... is it blood? - with ... dark reflections ... are they rising trees, or roots ... but dripping ... what broke them like this? Why are they moving? ... The flies, like leaves ... but on what ? That is... that is not.. it can't be humans —it is, Thoma, is this how—how we...?

Captain Thoma Thorm

Yes. It is how we protect our kingdom, young prince. Remember this. A ruler’s power is not in his sword, nor in his words, reputation can be forged to cast a shadow that stretches far beyond any man. You must rule for all your subjects, including those who are selfish, those who will never bow to a kind heart. Those who would divide and diminish our kingdom will only kneel for one cause, they will bend their backs to fear, my boy.

Strahd von Zarovich

But this— a bleeding ... forest of agony! This...

Captain Thoma Thorm

..is the power of the Lancers.

Strahd von Zarovich

No. Thoma, we could have found another way!

Captain Thoma Thorm

There is no other way. Those who challenge will fall. And the next ten will not rise against us.

Strahd von Zarovich

...a ruler must become this. But at what cost?

Captain Thoma Thorm

At any. Look at them, boy. Let this sight burn the softness from your heart. To be a leader is to bear the burden of monstrous deeds. Rebellion dies so that the kingdom survives.

Strahd von Zarovich

And yet I—I feel nothing but... dread.

Captain Thoma Thorm

Good. That means you're learning.