Fear Fall and Courage Rise

{When the transmission begins there is the strange sound of a car rolling by in the distance, followed by an alarming amount of static. After several moments Beatrix begins speaking, almost as if she had been waiting for the signal to become strong enough. It seems she's getting the hang of things quickly.}

I know not of the adversity which befalls this strange world when the fog rolls in, but I commend those aiding the less fortunate in such a time of need. I, too, would like to extend my services.

{Her voice is steady, marking her iron spirit and unbreakable resolve, but she is to the point, speaking quickly so as not to waste time.}

Be you in need of a sword, or white magic, you need only ask and I will do my best to come to you if you are unable to make it to Lady Zelda's hospital.

I would ask that none of you take unnecessary risks, but I am too well aware that many of you demonstrate an astounding lack of commonsense, even if logic stares you in the face. I beg you instead not to hesitate to call for assistance should you need it... or be blindly heroic.

Please, err on the side of caution. Exercise courage, but not foolhardiness.

{She sighs, pausing only long enough to be sure she has addressed everything she wished to, and then the transmission cuts out.}

{At first there is static, followed by the soft rustling of branches, and then mailed boots stumbling out of thick, if dead tree growth and bushes. A faint muttering can then be heard; a woman's voice clearly displeased and a little uncertain, judging by the subtle waver and ascension at the end of her inquisition.}

This is not Alexandria! Where in Gaia am I...?

My Queen, are you here? Steiner?

{Beatrix sighs heavily, but her footsteps never cease for a moment. It appears she is, at the very least, intent upon finding someone she might wring some answers out of. One can at least credit her to not being self-pitying, and to persevering in the face of unpleasantness...}

Perhaps all was too good to be true, then? Perhaps, though I fear something else is amiss. There is no sign of my companions anywhere.

And this... strange little... thing. Hm. I do not know what sort of magic it is made from, but it reminds me a great deal of the black mages.

{She carries on, walking and, at the same time, seemingly studying the communicator she is holding. It perplexes her, but her thoughts are soon drawn elsewhere at the sound of a sudden groan behind her. Mailed boots hurriedly stop on the worn and snowy path, the sound of swift movement following, and metal being unsheathed. A brief sound of surprise ushers from Beatrix's lips. There is the sound of careless, staggering movement, and the woman darting quickly away from whatever it is that has found her. A click of her tongue. A wet sound as sword meets flesh. A groan, and then a loud crack as the communicator is dropped, the transmission cutting out abruptly...}