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"...
- Guards! - You need an army
to defend yourself against the Prime Order.
- Your word you'll free my family. - You have my word.
Are you promising to free our kindred?
- Zed may have answers. He can help. - Another Blackblood?
If you intend to be the One and control the Asterkinj,
- you need me. - Then stay here.
She's a false queen and you are just her puppet.
- I'm celebrating our engagement. - I'm not desperate enough
to marry you.
By the end of the week,
Garret Spears will be yours to command.
This key unlocks a great power
that could solve the problems of our people and your Queen.
You will return to The Outpost.
You will kill the Blackblood.
You will kidnap the False Queen.
My purpose is clear.
He's not hard to look at, is he?
Pity that's all he's good for.
His men seem to like him. Perhaps he's more than he appears.
Maybe when he's not drunk and acting like a pig.
You know, he runs one of the most prosperous districts in the Realm.
Your sister, his Advising Counsel,
runs one of the most prosperous districts
- in the Realm. - Yeah, well, trust me,
she's not doing that all on her own,
even if she pretends she is.
You sure you don't like him?
Like him? No.
Well, I don't know what my sister said to him,
but he must be doing something right.
Yes, he has tried the stick, now he's trying honey.
Only I'm not a dog.
That's my girl.
Still, it's nice having him around, isn't it?
Our army is still too small even with his men.
Perhaps I shall need to attract more suitors.
You two would make beautiful babies.
Alrighty, I shall leave you then
to reflect on your royal obligations.
Beautiful babies.
When were you planning on telling me about this?
When I could trust you,
which obviously I can't.
You know, I let you stay here,
and you repay me by going through my things?
You lied to me!
Look, you don't understand how important this is!
No, I don't, because you haven't told me.
I told you, it's a key!
Yeah, a key to great power.
- What is that supposed mean? - I don't know.
Hopefully it's some power that can help us save our people.
- What, like a weapon? - Maybe. Your books don't say,
and the stories I remember from being a kid
were about some stone wall and the stars.
How do you even know these stories are real?
Well, there's obviously some truth to them,
because you have the key.
Just tell me where the rest of it is.
- What are you talking about? - The key.
- Where is the rest of the key? - That is it.
No, it isn't. Look.
In the middle, there's a stone and it's missing.
That's all the Dragman gave me.
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -
All right, let's have a look.
Gods above.
Whose is this?
All our animals were attacked.
Been finding them all week, even this morning.
Oh, Your Majesty.
What brings you out here on this not so very fine day?
Looking for you. Hmm?
I received word that the miners are already talking about striking.
You said you paid them fair wages.
I have.
They're just pushing their boundaries, that's all.
Don't worry, I'll deal with it.
Elinor, what seems to be troubling these folk?
Well, it seems that Talon's not obeying her orders.
- How so? - Have a look.
What did this?
Lu-Qiri demon.
It's the only creature that could've done that.
And we're worried it will be our children next.
You have my word this creature will be dealt with.
Elinor, take care of these people.
Pay them each for what they have lost out of the treasury.
And straighten out that situation with the miners.
- Foreman. - Hmm.
How lovely to finally meet with you.
Could have shown me the courtesy
of sharing a pint at the Nightshade.
But you got no respect for working men,
which is why me and the boys
- have been talking. - Yeah?
You and the boys been talking?
What have you been talking about?
Well, let's start with the pay.
Three coppers a day is not fit for a pig feeder,
and here we are risking life and limb.
Can I offer you some, Foreman?
Don't mind if I do.
What would it take to make everything right again?
30 gold beads to me is all, and I'll make it go away.
Sounds like you and I have got a lot to discuss.
Come into my office.
Come on, come on.
I'll do what I can about work conditions, Foreman.
But corruption in the workplace, we just can't abide.
Leave this place, or I swear I'll call on my Lu-Qiri.
Call your demon, and I swear to you,
I will set every man in this Outpost on him
and cut him down like a diseased dog.
Take him!
And find me Talon.
What are you doing?
You lied to me.
Your Blackblood and his demon were banished
- by my royal decree. - It's not that simple.
I trusted you to do what I asked.
And Zed is not some creature you can command,
and neither am I.
His demon is killing livestock,
and Zed deliberately disobeyed a royal decree!
Both are punishable by imprisonment or death.
Zed is the only reason you are alive.
If it wasn't for him, you would be dead.
Yes, yes, he saved me from a demon...
using another demon.
Clearly, I wouldn't need saving
if you Blackbloods just stayed where you belong.
So, tell me, Gwynn, where do we belong?
That's not what I meant.
You're the one who wanted a demon army in the first place.
Yes, and I was wrong.
It was a mistake.
A horrible mistake.
So what are you going to do with him?
He can't leave my prison.
- And his demon must be eliminated. - No.
He can control it.
It can stay with him, away from the people.
Clearly he cannot. It's out there right now
roaming and killing as it pleases,
wagons full of livestock dead.
Any moment now, I expect to hear that he's killing people
like your demon did.
I need to keep my people safe.
If he sends Vikka back,
will you release him free and clear?
I'll make you an oath.
If you rid of that demon for good,
then I will pardon Zed of his offenses.
Fine.
Zed can go back with his demon.
No, I need him.
- Why? - He's teaching me about my history,
my people, and the prophecy.
I'm sorry.
I just...
I don't trust him.
He must return from whence he came.
Then we'll just leave the demon out there killing.
You wouldn't.
Try me.
If Zed does anything wrong, I'll banish him myself.
You have my word.
Any more demons without my permission, and I will banish you both.
- Fine. - Deal.
Her Majesty Queen Rosmund cares deeply,
very deeply about all of you ugly dogs.
The upper mine is working full bore,
and she's now opened the lower mine,
and she's looking for hard-working men
such as yourselves.
You'll have coin in your pocket,
you'll have food in your belly,
and you'll have a swagger in your step,
and don't you think that us ladies won't notice.
So, step up, make your mark.
Long live the Queen!
I can't see how this helps us, Mum,
us paying all these miners.
Queen's Treasury is paying for it.
Yeah, but it's your money, ain't it?
Oh, Munt, my lovely idiot boy,
I'm just lending the Queen the money.
The time's gonna come
when I'm gonna get it all back and then some.
Excuse me.
You know, the Queen's army would be better off
fighting the Prime Order with a pointy stick!
Apologies, Mistress.
Don't you call me that!
I'm Counselor to the Queen. I'm Treasurer to the Realm.
- Yes, ma'am. - What?
Yes, ma'am. Yes, um...
- What are you calling me? - Your counselor-ship.
- Madam Treasurer. - Yes? Yes, all right.
Shut up. Get back to work. No more cutting corners.
You make this like you have to fight with it yourself.
I will not pay for shoddy work.
Munt, get over here.
You were making a good point, Munt.
- I did? - Yeah.
You were saying that we can't bankroll this whole racket ourselves.
- I was? - Mm-hmm.
And that the queen needs some kind of steady revenue
so that she can pay us back.
That's precisely what I'm meaning.
Yeah, of course you were, Munt, in so many words.
And since it was your idea, who better to pull it off?
So, I'm gonna make you tax collector to the Realm.
You all right?
Oh, I've missed bread.
There's nothing to eat but Graylock on the other side.
Listen, Gwynn you offered a deal.
We send Vikka back and you're free to go.
No. I can't send Vikka back.
Well, it's either that or you rot in here forever.
I left you the whistle.
Use it to call Vikka and break me out.
- I won't do that. - Why not?
Are you really gonna side with humans over your own kind?
Look, I am trying to save Vikka's life.
If he breaks you out, or even if he doesn't,
men will hunt him down and eventually kill him.
You see, that's exactly what I'm talking about.
They'd kill an innocent creature.
Not if we make a deal with the Queen.
She'll let me send him back safely.
Do you trust this queen more than you trust me?
Yeah, I do.
Unbelievable.
- Well, I'll never trust her. - Well, you don't have to.
Look, just trust me. I want to save Vikka.
But right now, the only place he's safe
is on the other side of the portal.
Then send us both back.
That's what you really want, isn't it?
You're right. I'd love that.
But if I send you back, who is going to help me use the key
to unlock the power to free our people?
Is that what you want?
My mother had the power to bring the Blackbloods home,
but she didn't, and I don't know why.
I need you to help me understand.
Well, I suppose trust has to go both ways.
Yeah, it does.
E-ja halo, Vikka.
E-ja!
I'm sorry.
I know what he means to you.
We've been together longer than you've been alive.
You'll be with him again.
I did what she asked.
Good. Then I know where we can find the missing piece to the key.
Hi.
Talon.
Hi. I'll be... Ow! What was that for?
You don't want her to see we're together.
That's not true.
- We're together. - That's great, Janzo.
You two are perfect for each other.
- You're not angry? - Why would I be?
- Jealous? - Not even a little.
- Good. - Now that that's sorted,
I need a flask of your special drink,
the one that sharpens your senses.
Should I be worried? What's going on?
I'm just going out of town for a while.
Oh, right. Well, I'll just, um,
clean up shop here, and then I'll get my stuff.
I mean, timing's not perfect...
Janzo, not this time.
Why not?
You have important things to do here.
You have to find a cure for the Plaguelings,
and Gwynn needs at least one person she can count on.
Except I don't exactly have the queen's ear, do I?
Don't you?
How long will you be gone away?
No idea.
You have a good thing going here.
Try not to blow it while I'm gone.
Bye.
Leave us.
The Queen has summoned you.
Well, I am busy right now.
Busy making a fool of yourself!
We had a deal, Tobin.
It's one drink!
Is that one drink worth more to you
than making your son a king?
I saw how she was looking at you
when you were working outside the wall.
You might actually have a chance
if she saw you as anything but a drunk.
Why should I care what she thinks?
- I've given her everything. - Why?
Because she's worth it, Tobin.
Janzo!
- Yes, Aunt Gertie? - I gave you instructions.
- No more drink. - Sorry, he's just way bigger than I am.
He has an audience with the queen.
Don't worry, I'm going to make a special tonic
that'll sober up his big old head.
What am I missing, Jazzo?
My name's Janzo, that's what you're missing.
About the queen. Why does she hate me?
She's not just going to open up her heart to you, Tobin.
I mean, the lady just lost the love of her life.
Soldiers aren't the only ones who wear armor.
- Who was it? - Garret.
- The base commander? - Mm.
You mean, they were...
I gonna go and make you that tonic now.
- Great speed, nephew. - Before you go, one last thing.
What was so special about this... this Garret?
He had a good heart and a sense of duty.
Good luck finding that.
- Ah, Master Tobin. - Your Majesty.
I'm so pleased you've decided to give me another chance.
Yes, well, don't read into the gesture.
It's simply that I saw your hard work today
and I appreciated it.
Yes, well, I made a promise I'd work for you,
and I intend to keep it.
Which is why you deserve
to be treated with more respect
than I have shown thus far.
Well, I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty.
I opened the late General Calkussar's wine cellar.
I sent for a particularly fine vintage,
which I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Thank you, um, but none for me.
Baron?
Since when do you turn down good wine?
Since I met you.
Could've fooled me.
Since this morning,
I no longer partake in the drink.
Well, you are full of surprises.
In that case, Naya, I too shall abstain.
Clearly, I need to keep my wits about me.
This could be a trick to gain the upper hand.
There's nothing sinister here, Your Majesty.
I'm just trying to be a better man,
and Gertrusha talked me into it.
Treasure that nagging voice.
You'll miss it when it's gone.
Was old Calkussar a nag, too?
He and my father were good friends, you know.
He certainly liked a good drink now and then.
Yes, he did, but, um...
no, I was actually thinking of someone else.
I don't intend to pry, but I...
I heard you lost someone recently.
Your commander.
Garret, yes.
Were you close?
Were.
We were friends since we were children, actually.
More than friends?
Then I am very sorry for your loss.
Let's drink to Garret,
with this lovely, refreshing goblet of water.
He would have approved.
To Garret, who died fighting the Prime Order.
A true hero of the Outpost.
Why did you come to my aid, Tobin?
I can't decide if it was incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.
I had to do it.
You're our only chance for a world without a Prime Order.
And why does that matter to you,
a rich nobleman who lost nothing in the overthrow?
- Lost nothing? - You kept your palaces,
your land, your servants.
After your family were beheaded,
the Prime Order stopped at our stronghold
to demand allegiance.
I was only eight,
but I watched as my father bent the knee
and pledged his loyalty to those bastards.
And still they...
They still killed my sister in front of everyone,
just to remind him of whose boots he was licking.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, well, he should've fought,
but he was too afraid.
He was too scared to lose it all...
his possessions, his privilege, his legacy.
And in the end, he lost so much more.
I don't intend to make the same mistakes as my father.
I intend to fight.
For revenge against the Prime Order?
No.
To put an honest and compassionate leader in their place.
That will be my legacy.
Good legacy.
I understand it was a traitor
- who gave Garret up. - Yes.
- You hanged him, I presume? - We never caught him.
Wythers was investigating,
but now there's no word from him either.
So there's still a traitor in our midst?
I'll get on the case and we'll hang the bastard.
I'm so sorry.
Elinor, that really doesn't suit you.
Standing behind a bar is much more flattering to a woman
- of your figure. - I do love our little chats, Gertie.
Come and sit over here where I can look down on you.
You know, a friend sent me a message from the Capital.
- Your colipsum distributor? - A friend caught word
that the Prime Order are putting in motion
plans to attack and destroy the Queen
and everyone around her.
- What is this plan? - That's all he's got.
Best guess is they're combining regiments to form a massive army,
and they're attacking really soon.
We need to accelerate now.
Then you need to get your queen to accept her only hope
- of victory. - What, marry Tobin?
You and I both know, if she did marries that idiot,
it's not gonna help.
Between your armies and mine, we are no match
for the combined regiments of the Prime Order.
Yes, you're probably right.
Any word from the other nobles?
Nope, not a one.
No, I didn't think there would be.
However, if a union between Tobin
and the queen were announced, others would come.
Until then, they'll hide in the shadows.
They're too afraid of the Prime Order
to be the first to join the queen.
What are you saying?
I provide an ally, you provide a marriage.
Have you got anyone in mind?
Tobin has a cousin, Milus Aegisford.
He has men and lands to rival Tobin's.
His men combined with mine and yours
would make a formidable force.
How loyal is he to the Prime Order?
Covenant soldiers sacked his grain towers in the famine winter.
His people nearly starved to death.
He is no friend to the Prime Order.
- He sounds perfect. - Except for one thing.
The last time they met, Tobin cut Milus wide open.
- Ooh. - And that's about as friendly
as the feud between them has ever been.
Well, sounds like Tobin
needs to prove his strength
in the only way that counts...
on his knees.
Why're we doing this, Janzo?
I've got more important work to do.
What could be more important
than figuring out how to cure a Plagueling, Munt?
Like figuring out how to tax 'em.
But the only way to do that is to cure them.
You see, you can't tax a Plagueling,
- but you can tax a human. - You sure about that?
Never been more sure about something in my entire life.
That's it. Right. Oh, okay.
Have you ever wondered why Plaguelings
only come out at night, Munt?
It's more scary at night.
True, but insignificant.
Plaguelings avoid the sunlight, is what I was getting at.
And that, my dear friend, could be a clue for the cure.
A clue for the cure.
Okay.
- Now what? - Chain up the rest.
Go on.
You don't need any help, do you?
Yeah, it'd be nice to have a little help over here.
Shame Brogan's not around.
Yeah.
Here we go.
Munt, have you ever had a girlfriend?
Nah.
Nah, Mum told me not to.
Said they'll take advantage of my sweet nature.
Strange. She never said that to me.
Yeah, she said you'd never have a girlfriend.
- What? - Yeah, she said,
"It'd be a cold day in hell
before Janzo has a girlfriend."
Okay, that's enough, Munt. Thank you.
"There's not one single girl
in all the Outpost for Janzo."
Quite the comedian today, aren't we?
- "We'd have to send to the Capital for..." - Munt, that's enough!
Why are you asking? 'Cause you like Naya?
- Is it that obvious? - Yeah.
It's, um... it's all a bit of a dream, really.
It's like whenever she looks at me,
there's no one else in the entire world.
- Do you know what I mean? - Yeah.
Yeah, I know what that's like. Yeah.
No, actually, no, I don't... I don't know what that's like.
Shame. Maybe one day you'll get there.
I could give you some tips.
Now what?
Now we let the sun do its magic.
Ah.
Excuse me, miss. Letters for her Majesty.
Ah, yes. Thank you. I'll take them.
Oh, this last one is addressed to you.
Oh, yes. Thank you.
_
Baron, what can I do for you?
Do you keep a record of every message
- coming in and out of this Outpost? - Yes, sir.
Marshal Wythers had me keep a log.
- Anything unusual in here? - No, sir.
_
I'll get on the case and we'll hang the bastard.
I'm so sorry.
- Do you ever read anyone's messages? - Never, sir.
Everything is delivered sealed.
And this bird for Naya, where did it come from?
The Capital, sir.
The next time you get anything for Naya, you bring it to me.
- Yes, sir. - Okay?
- Would you like to see the Queen? - No.
I wanted to talk to you. You're new here, right?
Um, not really. New to serving the Queen.
Hmm. And before that?
Uh, I did menial work around town.
Where are you from?
Mimm's Burrow, the Capital.
Ahh, you're from a poor family.
You got a bird yesterday. Who was it from?
What do you want from me, sir?
- Who was it from? - It was from my sister.
- My mother is dying. - Oh.
Remarkable thing, that.
Two girls from Mimm's Burrow who can read and write.
Your mother must be proud.
We were poor, sir, not ignorant.
I have things to do.
Naya, I thought I'd surprise you.
Do you want to take a walk outside the walls with me?
Now's not a really good time, Janzo.
Come on, just sneak away for a moment.
Janzo, really, I can't.
There's a kiss in it for you.
Janzo, I can't just drop everything for you
at a moment's notice.
But I brought you flowers.
This is a well-trod road.
It's the fastest route between the Outpost and the Capital.
All the traders and supply caravans use it.
Is that where we're going? The Capital?
No.
We'll leave this road soon.
Oh, this air, you don't know how good it is.
On the other side, you're always choking on ashes.
You have to cover your face just to go outside.
This land is barren compared to the village where I grew up.
Is that where we're going?
No, somewhere else.
Well, anyway, now that we're away from the Outpost,
it's time you call Vikka back. He'd like this place.
No.
Just think what trouble we could run into on this road.
Bandits, wolves, the Prime Order.
- Vikka would protect us. - We can protect ourselves.
He could hunt for us, bring us food.
I swore an oath to Gwynn.
So? You've disobeyed her before.
It's not the same as breaking my word.
- I made a deal to free you. - Oh, come on,
an oath is only as good as the person it's made to,
and your queen thinks all Lu-Qiri are monsters.
Maybe they are.
The first Lu-Qiri I summoned
killed innocent people just to torment me.
Baphnoro?
He hunted alone. He had no master.
I'm surprised you even tamed him at all.
Vikka would do as I command.
- He won't hurt anyone unless... - I gave my word.
You believe your Queen and the Prime Order are opposites
just because one is less of a tyrant than the other,
but both would banish us just the same.
Your queen would just do it in the name of protecting her people.
- Well, doesn't that make her a good queen? - Perhaps for humans.
But the Blackbloods will never be welcome among them.
Those in power will always fear us because we're different.
The Realm is big.
There's room for all of us.
Someday soon you're going to have to pick a side, Talon.
I just hope when that day comes,
we're standing together.
Your Majesty, it has come to my attention
that you haven't inspected your fields as of late.
I'm sure the common folk will want to see their queen
as much as these fops.
Will you join me for a ride?
I'll deal with the fops.
Excellent.
There she is, my kingdom.
She certainly has seen better days.
Nonsense.
I think she's quite the beauty.
I look forward to getting to know her more.
You're supposed to be looking out there.
No, this is more pleasant to look at.
Are you trying to woo me, sir?
Oh, it depends. Is it working?
Perhaps. A little bit.
You know, there is something else you could do for me.
Name it, Your Majesty.
Make peace with your cousin Milus.
- Never. - He has a sizeable army, and he is your blood.
Your two peoples are alike in every way,
- so, unite them. - Our people may be alike,
but he is worse than a snake.
Yes, my advisor said that there's a feud between you?
His grandfather was scum, his father was scum,
and Milus is no different.
- We don't need allies like him. - Yes, but we do need allies.
- So, if not Milus, then who? - Anyone else.
What was the offense committed?
His grandfather built a wall over my grandfather's land
and claimed it as his own.
My grandfather knocked down his wall, and they went to war.
A grandfather's war. Ah, the things we inherit.
If my memory serves me correctly from my history lessons,
your fathers actually made peace, but then never spoke.
Was there some other crime committed after that that I'm not aware of?
- No. - And has Milus done any harm?
- He is a snake. - Has he done anything?
He cannot be trusted. He wants my land.
Disputes can be mended, Tobin.
Give him the disputed land
in exchange for declaring his support.
I need you to swallow your pride.
That, my lord,
is the greatest gift you can give your queen.
My own men might lose faith in me.
Convince them it's a victory, not a surrender.
You are something else, Rosmund.
The ride was exhilarating.
And Tobin said that he would try and make amends with his cousin Milus.
If he succeeds, then the other noblemen
might turn in their favor and line up behind us.
But we must act fast.
If the Prime Order discover,
then they'll move quickly to stop us.
You're awfully quiet this evening.
Apologies, ma'am.
Just wrapped up in my own thoughts, I guess.
We'll set up camp here.
It's good hunting country.
Want to go catch us something to eat?
Save the rations?
I do all my hunting with Vikka by my side.
You mean Vikka does all the hunting with you
- by his side. - No, that's not what I...
Can you at least make a fire?
Or does Vikka do that for you, too?
Garret?
Talon! What in the gods are you doing out here?
You're alive. I thought you were dead.
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -