A Sea of Promises

## Trophies

"**A Sea of Promises**" is the eighth chapter of *A Plague Tale: Requiem*.

## Plot

### Synopsis

> Amicia, Hugo, and Arnaud landed on the island of La Cuna in the midst of annual celebrations. During the Count's speech, Arnaud tried to get Hugo to call the rats and kill the lord, his sworn enemy. Amicia discovers that Arnaud saved her on the continent in exchange for Hugo's help killing the Count with his rats. Arnaud fights the Count anyway, but Amicia stops him before he does more damage and Arnaud is sent to jail. Emilie, the Countess, arrives and invites Hugo and Amicia to her wonderful palace where she tells them more about the Child of Embers, the child-god she and the whole island worship.
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### Summary

#### Celebration of the Brighter Days

Amicia, Hugo, Sophia, and Arnaud sail the *Rascasse* to La Cuna. Amicia gets a chance to speak with her companions and explore the ship.

#### Enter the Village

They dock at La Cuna's port. Sophia advises Amicia to "be nice", given that the island is under the Count's law. Sophia stays on board to fix a few things while Amicia, Hugo, and Arnaud go ashore to explore. They are greeted by a woman who gives Hugo a flower crown and introduces the village holiday as the celebration of Brighter Days. She cheerfully explains that during the Brighter Days, all children are kings - just like the Child of Embers, who watches over the island. Hugo's presence is a blessing because he is the future, just like Him, for he will deliver all of us from the darkness.

Arnaud comments that the Church would oppose La Cuna's religion, but they seem to be doing well for themselves so far. As the trio ventures further into the well-decorated village, Hugo is excited to be in the place he had dreamed of. Arnaud stops them to offer his help, but says he needs to know what they are looking for exactly. Hugo describes his dream and Arnaud complains about how vague it is to search for a “bird, tree, and water,” which could be anywhere, but seems eager to help if he can.

They find a lavish marketplace full of perfumes and bright colors. Hugo asks Amicia if they can ask the islanders about his dream, and she agrees so long as she can be the one who asks. The islanders are polite, but they cannot help much.

Amicia asks Arnaud if they have to worry about the Count's army, given how quiet the soldiers seem. He says they should be alright - "different captain, different men, different land".

Hugo adores the island. They find chanters who form a parade through the village, which the islanders call the Walk of Devotion.

Arnaud speculates the Child of Embers is a local deity. He says it is the summer solstice; on the continent, they celebrate it with Saint John's week, so this celebration is likely “all about fertility and prosperity.” He remarks that the god is Pagan, to which Amicia counters his distaste by asserting that it is a peaceful one.

They follow the procession through the village and eventually finish in the main square, where a crowd has formed.

The Count stands above the crowd. The Countess was expected to be present, but hasn't arrived yet, so he addresses the crowd himself. Arnaud seems excited to see him. The Count tells the crowd that Emilie, their Priestess, will arrive soon to open the festivities with the beautiful words of the "Mother of the Child of Embers". He describes the Child as one who "protects his sacred lands from the rats of disease and war". Amicia is concerned by the mention of rats.

Arnaud takes Hugo's hand; he says "it's him", and starts to lead him away. Hugo resists and Amicia asks what is happening; Hugo says that "it's because it's the Count". Arnaud reminds Hugo that they have a deal, and demands that he call his rats. Amicia is furious at the realization that Arnaud saved her life and brought them here only so Hugo would control the rats to murder the Count. He says her survival comes with a price, but she snaps that taking advantage of a child is not a deal. Despite the trio speaking in hushed voices, the crowd has started to notice the situation.

Arnaud curses and says he doesn't need them, then turns and starts approaching the Count. Amicia's protests fall on deaf ears. He confronts the Count, who tells his men he will take care of Arnaud; they should catch the girl. Amicia grabs Hugo and runs. She says it isn't their fight.

#### The Deal

They shake the soldiers off by hiding in a house. Hugo takes off his flower crown, devastated by the turn of events. He asks why nothing ever stays good. Amicia decides to prove him wrong; even though things aren't always nice, they can be changed. She tells him they will save his dream by fighting to stop Arnaud before he does more damage.

#### Stopping Arnaud

The siblings sneak through the back allies of the village until they reach the main square, where a falconeer is waiting for them. They have to move forward carefully.

They find Arnaud and the Count still locked in combat nearby. Amicia cuts a rope holding up a post and it falls and knocks Arnaud down, allowing soldiers to arrest him. The Count approaches the de Runes with his sword raised, but before he can attack, he's interrupted by the Countess. She stops him from getting "carried away", reminding him that Amicia helped stop Arnaud. The Count is significantly calmed by her presence. He orders Arnaud be taken to prison. The Countess invites the de Runes to dinner.

#### Guests

The de Runes join the Count and Countess in their palace overlooking the village. They give the siblings a tour. Eventually they come to an altar for the Child of Embers, where a child is depicted before a phoenix. Amicia asks for privacy so she and Hugo can pray for their father, then once they are alone, asks Hugo if the bird is the one from his dream. He says it is.

The Count and Countess show the de Runes to a guest room and offer dinner and new clothes.

## Trivia

* In this chapter, the Count only disappears from the screenshot function when the player disables enemies.
* The composer, Olivier Derivière, makes a subtle reference to *Halo* in the music while the de Runes and Arnaud are leaving the boat.
* While walking past the parade before it begins, singers can be heard warming up and bantering. These singers are voiced by the game's audio director and his colleagues.

## Refences

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *YouTube* – "A Plague Tale Requiem - Composer Walkthrough - Chapter 8" by Derivière, Olivier. Published November 16, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.

Navigation

* I – Under a New Sun
* II – Newcomers
* III – A Burden of Blood
* IV – Protector's Duty
* V – In Our Wake
* VI – Leaving All Behind
* VII – Felons
* VIII – **A Sea of Promises**
* IX – Tales and Revelations
* X – Bloodline
* XI – The Cradle of Centuries
* XII – The Life We Deserve
* XIII – Nothing Left
* XIV – Healing Our Wounds
* XV – Dying Sun
* XVI – King Hugo
* XVII – Legacy of the de Rune Family