Haley and Elan are introduced to some dignitaries at a state dinner.
Cast[]
Transcript[]
- Panel 1
It's a waxing gibbous moon at the Palace of Blood.
- Panel 2
Haley: I can't believe you're wearing that again.
Elan: Haley, it's a formal dinner. Nothing is more formal than a sash.
Elan: NOTHING.
- Panel 3
Elan: See?
Tarquin: Elan! Haley! You two crazy kids done "scrubbing the monkey," I take it?
- Panel 4
Elan: Yeah, uh, but it's still pretty dirty. We may have to wash it again after we eat.
Tarquin winks.
Tarquin: HA! That's my boy! Make sure you wash behind the ears, if you know what I mean.
Elan: Suddenly, I don't think I do.
- Panel 5
Tarquin: Here, let me make some introductions.
Tarquin: Elan, this is Polozius, our ambassador from elven lands.
Tarquin: And this is Gourntonk, our liason with the bordering nation of Reptilia.
- Panel 6
Gourntonk: Will the Empress be joining us this evening, General?
Tarquin: No, no. We've decided it's best if the Empress avoids eating in front of guests from now on.
Tarquin: Too much clean up, both from her meal and from guests losing theirs.
- Panel 7
Tarquin: And this is Captain Amun-Zora, of the Free City of Doom. She's been petitioning me for military aid.
Amun-Zora: General Tarquin! Please, I must speak with you.
- Panel 8
Amun-Zora: General, it has been seven months since the Empire of Tears began their siege of our city.
Amun-Zora: Our children are starving! If not for our sake, do it for your own, lest the Weepies decide to attack you next in their misguided drive to conquer us all!
- Panel 9
Tarquin: Yes, yes. I've heard these arguments before. Luckily, our benevolent Empress has given me full discretion in this manner.
Tarquin: I have already dispatched 500 dragoons to join the battle, Captain. They should be arriving by...oh, I'd say tomorrow?
Tarquin: Dawnish?
Amun-Zora: R-really? Let the alliance between the Empire of Blood and the Free City of Doom stand forever!
- Panel 10
Elan: See, Haley? My dad is a good guy! He's helping that nice lady's city.
Haley: Helping defend against a mutual enemy is good strategy, but not necessarily altruism.
Haley: Plus, I think he may have had an ulterior motive.
Haley: Look.
- Panel 11
Amun-Zora: I don't know how I can begin to properly thank you for your deeds.
Tarquin kisses Amun Zora's hand.
Tarquin: No need, my dear.
Tarquin: Although there are many ways to seal alliances, some of which are more entertaining than others.
- Panel 12
Tarquin: I may be a silverback, but your old man can still bathe an ape himself from time to time.
Elan: Wait—so you're saying that you're going back to your quarters to have a meeting with your secret dwarf ally?
Tarquin: Ha ha! I wouldn't call him a dwarf, but there will definitely be some spelunking involved!
Elan: OK, now I'm SURE I don't understand.
Trivia[]
- Elan is wearing his original outfit from #1 through #356, except for a white shirt in place of the chain shirt. He stole his current outfit from a shop in Cliffport in #388.
- Sashes are worn by members of an Order of Chivalry on formal occasions.
- This is the first appearance of Amun-Zora and Gourntok.
- This is also the first appearance of Polozius, the disguised identity of Zz'dtri. He would remain in this identity until #789.