My name is Talon.
I'm the last Blackblood, or so I've been told.
I escaped when Everit Dred killed all my people.
I cut off the points of my ears to hide in plain sight.
A tiny creature lives inside me,
passed to me by my dying mother.
It gives me the power to open portals to another world
and summon powerful demons called Lu-Qiri.
But I can only summon them when I have their names,
something that's proving to be a challenge.
The Prime Order wants me dead, but I've found sanctuary
at the farthest edge of the Realm in a place known as the Outpost.
Previously on "The Outpost"...
She's a false queen. The girl in the portrait looked a lot like Gwynn.
But the real Rosmund had a misshapen face.
You have to promise to help the Queen.
With a Lu-Qiri army, she can defeat the Prime Order.
Help me summon my kinsmen and we will win your war for you.
You have my word.
So you want me to give up all of my advantage
to save some human woman I've never met.
- Yes. - Talon will never give in to your demands.
Looks like you aren't the One.
I may not be the One...
... but neither are you.
I'm heading out to bring my son's body back.
- Garret! - What say you, Mr. Spears?
I am yours.
Please, Majesty, can you stand still?
Janzo said I should apply this
several times a day to prevent scarring.
She's going to be angry with me.
You are her queen. She'll understand.
What will I understand?
Talon, you're here. And without a knock.
Shall I leave so you two can finish talking about me?
Oh, stop it. Come, please, sit down.
After the events of yesterday, seeing those demons fight,
and learning that there are more Blackbloods out there like that Rebb,
Talon, I no longer think it's wise to summon a demon army.
You said yourself that you didn't think you could control a whole army.
But you need an army to defend yourself against the Prime Order,
which is no doubt already on its way.
Look, I just... I just need some time.
Zed may have answers. He can help.
- Zed? - Yeah. He, um,
he's another Blackblood.
Another Blackblood?
It was his demon that helped save you.
That doesn't mean he would fight for me.
Clearly, Blackbloods are dangerous.
- You're not serious, are you? - I don't mean you, Talon.
- You're part of this world. - They were part of this world, too,
before they were betrayed.
Okay, enough. We will find another way.
One that doesn't include monsters.
And by monsters, I assume you mean Lu-Qiri.
Talon, before yesterday I'd never actually seen a Lu-Qiri.
Now I've stood face to face with one up close.
I know how dangerous they are.
They're only dangerous in the command of dangerous people.
You mean dangerous Blackbloods.
You will send the demon back,
and the Blackblood that came with it.
Do it today.
Vikka and Zed.
- I'm sorry? - Their names.
You should at least know their names
before you send them back to that horrible place.
They saved your life.
- Talon... - It's an order, right?
It is.
As you wish, my Queen.
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -
Stables.
Ah.
Here you go.
A fine morning to you, sir.
It will be a lot finer with a piece of meat in me belly
and a good bed to keep in.
I started out on the Watch meself.
Not in as fine a place as this, mind you.
Oh, do you still serve?
I do indeed.
No finer honor than to serve The Three.
It's what brings me to the Capital.
I'm a Gate Marshal, tracking an escaped prisoner badly wounded.
I think the Ambassador may have picked him up along the way.
Did you happen to see him come by?
Yeah. Dred rode in here with a prisoner,
and buckets of blood leaking from that one.
Probably dead by now.
Well, uh, I'm supposed to pick him up dead or alive.
Do you know where I might find him?
Well, they would have taken him to the Institute either way.
Might check with the Watch there.
I will indeed.
Thanks for your help.
Now go get some rest, huh?
Thank you, sir.
No, no, no.
- No? - Yes. No, Naya.
Every time you come in here,
you come in and think up some new idea
about how I can humiliate myself,
and I'm very respectfully done.
No.
The kiss didn't work then?
No, it didn't work, Naya.
Well, um, you're not dead,
so it must not have gone too horribly.
No, not too horribly at all.
Actually, do you know what she said to me?
She said that maybe eventually
she might love me in 30 or 40 moons.
So why don't you just go and check back with me then?
I'm sorry it didn't go as well as I expected.
Um, show me.
Show you what?
Show me how you kissed her.
Um, for purely scientific reasons, so, um,
you know, I can understand what you could have done differently.
Well, it won't be an exact recreation because we're in a different room
and you're much smaller than Talon...
Janzo.
All right.
Mm.
No.
You couldn't have done anything differently.
That was, um, perfect.
Janzo!
- Janzo. - Yes, Mum?
Gods. Did you rob a treasury?
You know as well as I do that the treasury
is about as empty as Munt's head.
This is all mine.
Mine, mine, mine, and your Auntie's turning up in a minute.
Right, although you do realize
that that doesn't explain any of this.
Indeed, Elinor.
Please do explain all of this.
Morning, Aunt Gertie.
Morning, Janzo.
Well, sister? You insisted I visit you this morning.
Is it to apologize for our last encounter
or help you with your counting?
You never were very good at maths.
Have a seat, sister.
Janzo, wine. Best we've got and a couple of glasses.
Right. It's just you realize we only have one type of wine
and it's not really very good.
Janzo, your auntie's getting older by the second.
What are you laughing at?
You, Elinor.
Is this because I called you poor?
You want to prove that you're wealthier than me?
Well, my dear sister, I freely admit it.
I have no wealth of my own.
But I live in a mansion the size of this whole Outpost.
I have servants that wait on me day and night.
And I have the ear of the future king.
It's not about money, dear sister.
It's about power.
Well, if it's about power then, dear sister,
you don't have a pot to pee in.
Gods, where did you learn this language?
Right here.
While you were away getting a proper education with your father,
I was here learning something much more important.
Oh? And what's that?
People.
I learnt a lot about people.
You see, I learnt how to read people,
what they want, what they don't want.
And let me tell you something, Gwynn doesn't want your Baron,
so you don't have the future king's ear.
You have the ear of a spoiled rotten lout.
Your Majesty, my soldiers cannot continue at this pace.
Their hands are bleeding. Day and night they are digging the trenches,
even though we've got nothing to line them with but sharp sticks.
We need steel, Your Majesty.
Not just for our defenses, but for our men.
There's steel in those mines, begging your pardon, my Queen,
just waiting to be forged,
and men willing to go in, but for a fair day's wage.
- Wait your turn, sir. - I've been waiting all day.
Me, too. There is no food.
How is she going to pay your miners, huh?
How about she stops paying your soldiers?
Enough.
Enough!
Your problems are my problems,
but we must unite together to solve them.
I will not stand here and lie to you.
I cannot snap my fingers and alleviate our woes.
Not without a little time.
I know we need more men and the money to arm them.
And I know that the solution is in the mines.
But I cannot ask men to work without a way to pay them.
What about the food?
Captain Orlick, how much grain is left in the winter storehouses?
That's for the soldiers, Your Majesty.
Not anymore.
My rightful claim to the throne has put us in a tenuous position,
but I will not have starving subjects.
Start rationing the food. That will help for now.
Thank you. Thank you, Your Grace.
You have my word, I will find a way to solve all these problems.
You're not alone.
What do you think?
When I suggested we go for a walk,
I was hoping to see a bit more of the Capital.
You're still healing, Garret.
Besides, I want to be by your side as you walk those streets
and learn about our home.
I've missed you.
How can you miss me, silly?
I never left your side.
Have you taken your medication?
Not yet today.
Take it now.
Of course.
You summoned me, Your Majesty?
I did indeed.
I wanted to thank you for trying to save me from my captor.
It was very brave.
How are feeling?
- Never been better. - You're drunk.
I'm celebrating our engagement.
That's funny. I don't recalled accepting your proposal, Master Tobin.
Well, Your Majesty, seeing as your...
your coffers are empty, your battlements are unmanned,
and your three days are long up,
I was feeling confident.
So shall we celebrate together?
Yeah?
But I have nothing to drink to.
- Okay. - You're right.
Nothing has changed since your proposed marriage.
If the Prime Order marched on my gates today, my army would fail.
I would be hanged for treason or worse.
We desperately need more men and the money to arm them,
but nevertheless,
I've made my decision.
I am not desperate enough to marry you.
A drunkard, a lecher.
A man who thinks that the best way
to ask for the Queen's hand in marriage
is to back her into a corner
and taunt her for lack of options.
You are not deserving of a place at my side.
Do you think I'm bluffing?
This isn't a game of Octor.
If you do not accept my proposal, I will take my men,
I'll take my gold, and I will leave.
- I mean it. - So do I.
You have no honor.
You care for nothing but yourself.
And I shall happily watch from my unmanned battlements
as you turn tail and leave my Outpost for good.
- You may go. - You'll regret this.
Perhaps, but I would regret the other option far more.
- That was... - Idiotic?
No. That was incredible.
It's just that...
what are you going to do now, Majesty?
The Prime Order army could be days away.
I have no idea.
I got a couple of questions for you.
It would be a smart idea if you answered them honestly.
You seem like a smart geezer,
so, uh, we don't have a problem, do we?
Now when I take my hand away,
you scream, I'll cut your bits off.
You lie to me, I'll cut your bits off.
And if you run...
You'll cut my bits off.
Yeah. Smart man indeed.
Is Garret Spears still alive?
I don't know, I swear.
Get that cape off.
- Garret? - Wythers? What...
what are you doing here?
I was going to break in and save your ass.
I thought you'd look a right bloody mess.
Oh, I did. They fixed me up.
- It's good to see you. - Likewise.
I can't believe you came all this way.
Garret, you're my only child.
I thought you'd all forgotten me.
Don't be daft. Come on, let's get you out of here.
No, no. I'm not going anywhere.
This is my home now.
What are you talking about, boy?
The Outpost is rotten.
A false queen, a Blackblood intent on destroying the world.
What would I be going back to? A life of lies?
Keep your voice down. Have you gone mad?
You're mad if you think I'd go back knowing the truth.
Those people want to commit treason against The Holy Three.
Enough of that.
I'll drag you back to the Outpost on my shoulder
like a sack of spuds if I have to.
No.
Guards!
You'd call the guards on your own father?
It's for your own good.
- Who is this? - He's my father.
And he's as blind as I once was.
- Take him away. - What have they done to you, boy?
- Take him away! - Huh?
What have they done?
You can fix him, can't you?
As you fixed me?
I will take care of him, I promise you.
Thank you.
What? I'm a prisoner here as well, then?
You can leave come morning,
and good riddance to you.
I've been looking for you everywhere.
I wanted to go see Vikka, but these two idiots...
Are doing their job.
Come on.
Go back to that filthy...
Save their queen and this is how they act.
Filthy.
Seems not too much has changed in this world.
- Talon, I brought you medicine. - Look, not now, Janzo.
- Please. - Blackbloods heal fast.
She doesn't need your medicine, human.
Please.
Thanks.
Janzo!
Gwynn needs more of the ointment you gave me.
Naya, hello.
It's um... it's nice to see you.
- Janzo? - Hmm?
Are you all right?
- You're acting a bit odd. - No, I'm not.
- Am I making you nervous? - No.
No.
Actually, if you must know,
I've just been a bit distracted lately.
- What, by me? - Amongst other things, yes.
Really?
Naya!
What are you doing?
I just saved your life.
Thank you.
Though now that I think about it,
you not being a colipsum user,
your life wasn't terribly in danger.
I mean, just the... the puncture wound
of a parasitic Plagueling worm
is quite unpleasant.
It becomes a red mound of swollen skin
that secretes a surprising amount of pus.
Would have looked ghastly on your beautiful neck.
Janzo, will you...
I mean, would you like to meet me tomorrow?
- Hmm? - Take a walk in the gardens?
The sun might do us both some good.
- The sun? - Mm-hmm.
The sun.
Naya, you're a bloody genius.
Why do Plaguelings only come out at night, huh?
I don't know.
Well, I don't know either.
But I'm gonna find out.
I told you to stay here.
Can you blame me?
A century of confinement? I wanted some fresh air.
Gwynn commanded me to send you and Vikka back through the portal.
And I think she's right.
No, you don't.
People are afraid of you.
People are always scared of what they don't understand.
Are you afraid?
- I just don't trust you. - That's wise.
Well, I can't very well gain your confidence
if you send me back to the darkness and dust, now can I?
So the odd little man was right.
You're still hurt.
Let me see.
It's fine. Janzo will fix it.
I want to help, Talon.
Hmm. Broken bones.
Take us longer to heal.
Take off your shirt.
It's purely medicinal.
I meant what I said, Talon.
I want to help.
You want to help your own people.
No one else.
You're just like Rebb.
Rebb would sooner see this world burn than share it with humans.
My clan understands compromise,
especially if it means our freedom.
Rebb said my ancestors are the reason
the Blackbloods are trapped behind the portal,
that my clan tricked their own people.
No, I believe your clan was tricked, too, by humans.
My people don't blame you.
They understand the history of the Blackbloods.
Humans use us, they take advantage of us,
and they discard us.
Gwynn wants you gone.
She thinks you're dangerous.
Are all humans dangerous?
- Of course not. - Blackbloods are no different.
Your Queen doesn't seem to understand that.
But you, you want to understand, don't you?
You need to be with your own people, Talon.
And if you intend to be the One
and control the Asterkinj, you need me.
I know the names of every single Lu-Qiri.
Just think, with me by your side, we could bring back our people.
If I let you stay, I'm disobeying direct orders from the Queen.
I won't tell if you won't.
I mean, for all I know, she's right.
You could be dangerous.
I could be.
Talon, you have so much to learn,
and I'm the only one who can teach you.
Then stay here.
All right, well, no more wandering around.
No one can find out that I disobeyed the Queen.
You've made the right decision.
Then prove it.
I've been told you have an urgent need to speak with me.
Yes, Your Majesty. Uh, take a seat, would you?
How kind of you to offer me a seat on my own throne.
But something tells me I ought to remain standing at the moment.
What is it that's brought you here to see me this morning?
I'll cut straight to it.
You sent the Baron packing with a good spanking,
if the talk in the pub is any measure.
Yes, well, he was not a good match.
Except he had everything you need.
- Not everything. - Your Majesty, uh,
speaking as a woman who's had
her fair share of men,
I do understand that no one
will ever measure up to Garret Spears.
I understand you sister is Master Tobin's advisor.
I assume you're here on her behalf
to implore me to accept the Baron's proposal after all?
Gods, no. Gertie and that Baron can shove that proposal of theirs
right up their tiny, little a...
My apologies.
Why are you here?
I have a proposal of my own, Your Majesty.
I may not have an army, but gold?
Gold I have, and lots of it,
and I'll be getting a whole lot more.
It will pay for the reopening of the mines,
fill the food stores, and buy you time.
And the good news is you don't have to marry me,
because, frankly, you're not my type.
You don't make this offer out of the goodness of your heart.
So what do you want?
Simply to be made Royal Advisor to the Queen.
Hmm.
Perhaps I should sit down after all.
I don't wish to know how you came into such wealth.
And although your offer is generous,
these funds, I fear, come from questionable sources.
- I'm a businesswoman. - You're a criminal.
Your Majesty, you're about to go to war.
You need a criminal.
And I will advise you from a perspective
I wager you have never dreamed of.
And let's face it, gold's gold at the end of the day.
If I were to make you advisor, then I would need assurance
that you detach yourself from these business endeavors.
- I can make arrangements. - And that you come and speak with me
before you act on any other opportunities that may come your way.
If you make me Treasurer of the Realm as well.
Hmm.
Madame, I accept your proposal.
It sure beats marrying that dolt.
I thought you'd see it that way.
And remember, Janzo!
Janzo, just because I put you in charge,
it doesn't mean you're in charge.
- Do you hear me? - Yes. Yes, Mum.
I want very, very detailed books.
I want no drop of ale unaccounted for,
no crumb of brown bread, no...
Mum, please stop. Just tell me one thing.
Why did Gwynn appoint you Advisor?
My attention to detail.
You've got lipstick on your teeth.
Sister, hello!
The Baron's not here. I know.
I was surprised as you are,
considering how much he likes his...
- You're in high spirits. - I know!
Janzo, come and tell your auntie why I'm in such high spirits.
The Queen made Mum Royal Advisor.
So tell me, does a Queen outrank a Baron?
I didn't get your education, so I get a bit confused around that point.
May your journey home be as uneventful
as the rest of your life.
I don't care if it'll be dark.
We'll light some torches and we'll keep going.
The sooner we're out of this dump, the better.
We're not going anywhere.
Yes, we are.
I say we are, so we are!
Your temper was terrible when you were a boy, Tobin,
but be assured it's less so with age.
I want to get as far away from this place as possible.
I don't want to be near that harpy.
Hold your tongue, young man.
And answer me this, is your vanity more important than your legacy?
The legacy that you deserve?
Well, what can I do? She's rejected me.
If you had done things my way, she would already be yours.
I know how to seduce a woman.
I've always been quite successful.
Yes, with your common strumpets.
This is a queen.
From now on, you will do things
exactly as I tell you to.
Do I make myself clear?
Yes, my lady.
By hook or by crook, Tobin,
I will make you a king.
- Barkeep. - You're supposed to be gone.
But I decided to stay, so give me your finest ale.
Janzo, you're not to serve the Baron another drop.
Do I make myself clear?
- What? - No more drink.
The Baron will be taking his rooms again.
This can't be all there is.
I got us some cheese.
You better clean this up.
It looks like Janzo's lab in here.
Sorry. I guess I got a bit excited.
But, look, I found something amazing.
I always thought this was a myth.
But your smith, he had it right here.
Have you seen this before?
- What is this? - The key.
- What? A picture? - No, a key.
I was hoping your smith might know where it is.
He never spoke to me about it.
I've never seen that before.
What does it unlock?
If the stories are true, this key unlocks a great power
that could solve the problems of our people and your Queen.
Well, in my experience, powers just create more problems.
Talon, I have this new theory about the Plaguelings,
- but first I need... - Oh, come on.
You're supposed to be gone.
- Janzo. - What's he doing here?
Didn't Gwynn tell you to send him away?
Talon didn't want to see me go.
He's helping me.
No. No, I'm sorry, but I help you,
and I'm very good at it.
What can he help you with that I can't, hmm?
Understanding who I am.
What I'm meant to do.
Well, Gwynn's not going to be very happy about this, is she?
Yes, and I'll tell Gwynn when I'm ready.
But until then...
... can you keep a secret?
Talon, this is manipulative and unfair.
Yes.
Shut up!
I waited in the garden for you.
Oh, I forgot. I've just got so much on my mind.
- You stood me up. - I'm sorry, all right?
I was on my way, and then...
and then I got sidetracked by...
- By what? - Well, I actually can't tell you
because I made a promise.
Suffice to say,
I'm sorry and I forgot, all right?
I don't understand why I will forever be seen
by women as just a friend.
A boring, trustworthy friend
that they can just pile all of their secrets onto, you know?
Do you know that I've only ever kissed
two women in my entire life?
Talon because she thought I was dying,
and you... it wasn't even real, was it?
Did it feel like it wasn't real?
Well, no. No, of course not,
but you were just trying to fix me, weren't you?
You don't need fixing, Janzo.
Well, that's good news for you then, isn't it?
Because ever since you started meddling, Naya,
I'm more... more Janzo than ever.
Not all women care about muscles and all that stuff.
They want someone sweet and kind.
A man who is caring, funny, brilliant.
That's what most women want.
Do you know any men like that?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm?
I'm honored to bow before The Three,
and I pledge my heart and my blood.
Rise.
When your commander bowed before us,
we were pleased with your progress.
But one concern remains.
That it was not to The Three
he pledged his heart and blood.
But to you.
That was the first part
of the positive conditioning.
But we now have confirmation
that our conditioning of Garret Spears
has gone to the next level.
And you know this how?
He passed one last test. He rejected his own family.
We are convinced my Three,
Garret Spears is ready for his purpose.
Then send him before us.
Alone.
The miners agreed to these terms?
Mm-hmm. I let them have a few wins first,
just so everyone felt a bit warm and fuzzy.
Thank you.
Our mining operation is officially reopened,
thanks to you.
I will get them cracking then.
Do you have a moment, Your Majesty?
I'm afraid Her Majesty has run out of moments.
Off you go, or I'll have you sent out a window.
Now that's no way to talk to a Baron, Elinor.
Besides, I just had that window repaired.
It's all right, Elinor. Thank you.
I think I'll stay, Your Majesty.
I've come to apologize, Your Majesty,
for the way I behaved.
- You have? - Yes, I was greedy,
and I thought you might be greedy, too.
I saw what you needed, and I used it to force your hand.
That is very big of you to admit, Baron,
but my mind is already made up.
An apology won't convince me to marry you.
The road to your home is long. You should go.
Before you hit the road, why don't you have a drink?
It's on me.
Begging your pardon, Majesty, but I'm not going anywhere.
And neither are my men.
Your men.
They are yours to command, as am I.
It would be an honor to serve a queen
as passionate and honorable as yourself.
You flatter me, but why are you doing this? What's the catch?
I told you, I wanted to secure my legacy.
Yes, to be the father of kings, which is off the table.
Yes, it is, but without that, what is my legacy?
Drunken brawls?
Gambling? Whoring?
Ahem.
This, serving you.
Helping you retake the Realm,
that will be my legacy.
It's time I started doing the right things
for the right reasons.
Wakey, wakey.
Oh, you look like bloody hell.
You're about to look a lot worse.
Your son asked me to look after you.
That's a shame.
I'm not so eager to be in your care.
Well, you will be when the Tormentor here is finished with you.
I am honored to bow before The Three.
I pledge my heart and blood.
Rise.
The Three has a purpose for you, Commander,
if you are ready.
I am, my Three.
Son!
Commander Spears, kill your father.
Garret.
From this day forward,
you will no longer answer to the name Garret Spears.
You are now The Blade of The Three.
Are you ready for your purpose, Blade of The Three?
With all my heart.
You will return to the Outpost.
You will kill the Blackblood.
You will kidnap the false queen.
My purpose is clear.
I will fulfill it with honor.
Hail to The Three.
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -