Gate of Memoirs/Defiance

Miriam blocks off Estia's escape, but Evie takes sides against her own mother.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Strike! Break!"	Music: "Strike! Break!"
 	
*As the last assassin falls, Elaina turns to them with a grave look.
 	
*Elaina: We need to get Lady Estia out of here. They are definitely after her.
*Elaina: I have no doubt they've already surrounded the tower.
 	
*Evie: Our only option is to go through the underground.
*Evie: It should lead to the southwest corner of the courtyard. Once there, we'll make a break for the city proper.
*Evie: Elaina, if you stall them, I'll lead the way out.
 	
*Elaina: Understood.
 	
*Estia: But...!
 	
*Elaina: Live to fight another day, Estia.
*Elaina: The people need you. Sir Xenon can attest to that.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Source Hall"	Music: "Source Hall"
 	
—West Tower, Underground
 	
*Xenon: My lady, hold on for a while more.
 	
*Estia: I'll be all right. Thank you, Xenon.
*Estia: I just...can't imagine why this would be happening.
 	
*Evie: Wait.
*Evie holds up a hand, straining to listen amid the howling whispers of a long-unused underground passage.
 	
*Evie: ?!
 	
*The dust from the sudden burst of magic subsides, and through it, black shadows slowly approach the group.
*Miriam's elite force.
*Among them, one dark-eyed woman stood out.
 	
*Evie: Vera? What are you...
 	
*Vera: ...My lady.
*Vera brandishes her silver throwing daggers, eyes narrowed.
 	
*As Evie draws another streak of black lightning from her staff,
 	
*her confidence falters as a final figure walks into the dull torchlight.
*Evie: Mother?!
 	
*Miriam: Surprise is strangely endearing on you, Evgenia...
*Miriam: And unbecoming.
 	
*Miriam steps forward with the calculated gait of a prowling predator surveying its prey.
 	
*Miriam: I was content to leave you alone in your little tower all these years, Lady Estia.
*Miriam: Alas, Vera here has kindly informed me of some...unsettling news.
*Miriam: So. Absconding from your little dream of revolution?
 	
*Estia: I don't know what you mean by that.
*Estia: I've done nothing to undermine your authority, or to seize the throne.
*Estia: The rebels are acting of their own twisted accord.
 	
*Xenon: Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding, Your Grace. 
*Xenon: We only wish to put an end to the brewing civil war in Elysia.
*Xenon: Surely you wish for the same.
 	
*Miriam: Sir Xenon. I haven't seen you at all since Master Learyl passed.
*Miriam: ...Though I suppose it's only natural. Has he not served House Valen—and only them—his entire life?
 	
*Miriam: There was little reason for you to remain. No?
 	
*Xenon narrows his eyes at the remark, but does not budge from Estia's side.
 	
*Miriam: The rebels always seemed to have such an unhealthy obsession with you, Lady Estia.
*Miriam: Even when Gortius was still here.
*Miriam: The only way to eradicate this spreading corruption is to eliminate the root of the problem.
*Miriam: They dream of the day the "wicked Harpy" will fall from her roost...
 	
*Miriam: ...But for the sake of Elysia's people, I will not let them have their end.
 	
*Xenon manages to parry Miriam's lightning-fast rapier, though the sudden provocation was a nasty surprise.
 	
*Estia: Xenon!
*Estia: You—!
 	
*Miriam: Not bad...
*Miriam: You're going to need those skills, knight.
 	
*With a raised hand, Miriam's forces close in.
 	
*Evie: Mother...
 	
*Miriam: You would rather stand against me?...
 	
*Evie: I stand for reason, and you have proven this night how incapable you are of it.
 	
*Evie: Stop this madness. Please.
 	
*Miriam: How dare you.
*Miriam: For your sake...I hope you do not regret your decision, Evgenia.