Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, Nintendo does. I own the plot, the name of the tactician and his physical description.
Ok, I'm starting over so I apologize if the quality had changed but there were parts of the story that were not working.
The tactician's back ground will be briefly explained in this story, but the full details will be in the Prequel. A good number of Fire Emblem Blazing Sword Characters will be mentioned, and a few will make an appearance in this story.
A/N: This story was inspired by Kaze-Kami-Ha. The tactician appears in this story and is in a series: A Prequel: Fire Emblem 7: Lord Tactician; which tells how the tactician came to be known. Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones: The tactician's journey in Magvel and a paring of Tactician and Eirika. Fire Emblem 6: Binding Blade: Where Erina, Will and Eirika's daughter, travels to Elibe becoming involved in the Lycia-Etruria-Bern War which her father promised to help his friends' children survive but is now missing.
A/N 2: I have decided to use the second ranking of Famed Genius for the tactician instead of the Superb Mind. I know it's implied that the tactician was never found but for my plot he returns after everyone stopped searching for him.
Prologue: Fall of Renais
Continent of Elibe: One year ago
The port city of Badon hadn't changed, since his last visit, except for the new arena champions. As he wandered the semi-empty streets keeping off to the side not wanting to attract any attention to the large crowed that was gathered in front of a stage were a group of performs acted out a scene from the War with Nergal. The performances had started a month just after the war ended and he thoroughly complaining about it to everyone that knew him after finding out because a lot it was made up on hearsay or rumors. The only ones that seemed to have the war written correctly were historians even if they disagreed about him except for his brilliance in tactics.
As the performance came to a close for the night, as it was a six day performance, the crowed began to disperse he continued down the street towards the inn were he hoped to find passage to the continent of Magvel having grown restless and exploring all of Elibe's nations.
(Scene Change)
The captain sat at the back of the inn enjoying the last good meal he would have for months, anxious to be underway. Leaning back against the wall he glanced around the room, pausing when he saw the stranger who entered his face hidden by a green cloak. The stranger weaved his way through the busy inn towards him the weight of the steps defining him as male.
"Sir, I'm told that you are delivering cargo to the continent of Magvel. May I seek passage on your ship?" the stranger said pleasantly.
"I am, but are you in trouble with the law?" The captain said not wanting any trouble.
"No, but I do understand your concern. Name is Will."
The captain nodded appreciatively as it was sometimes hard to find people that understood his concerns when he was trying to make a decent living. "I usually don't take on passengers...but I could take you to Magvel if you are willing to pay for passage."
"I am, and I'll pay you 6,000 in gold upfront and another 6,000 when we arrive."
"You've hired yourself a ship, but I need to know the cargo?"
"Just me and what I'm carrying in my travel pack," Will replied as he placed a bag on the table.
"Do you have a specific reason why you want to travel to Magvel?" The captain questioned taking the bag.
"Let's just say I've grown restless now that everyone is not searching for me."
"I see. Just be on board before we leave which will very soon. It's the last ship on the second dock."
"I'll be there," Will promised, then turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
The captain stood quickly seized by a sudden thought and pushed his way through the crowed, stopping short outside the inn and blinked in surprise at the semi-deserted street, but unable to find the stranger. Turning towards the docks, the captain made his way down the street pondering the identity of the stranger. Many stories and rumors spoke of Will Binachi, a tactical genius known as the Famed Genius and the Lord Tactician. He was also the only surviving son of Lord Jarred, ruler of House Bianchi which had been destroyed by jealous and corrupt Bern nobles. Yet, no one had seen him in years and he wondered if the stranger was the famed tactician.
The captain stopped midway up the gangplank when he spotted the stranger sitting off to one side reading as his crew ran about readying the ship. The captain shook his head, making his way to the bridge, leaving the stranger to his own company as he ordered the ship to sail. As the ship sailed away from port, the stranger closed the book he'd been reading tucking it away in the pack at his feet.
"Excuse me sir, but are you Will Bianchi?" A sailor whispered, pausing from scrubbing the deck.
"I am, but please don't tell anyone…I sort of don't like my fame." Will whispered back.
The sailor nodded discreetly returning to his work, whistling as Elibe, slowly faded from view. Tears ran down the tactician's checks. "Goodbye everyone, I'm sorry that I have to leave you all, especially you Lyn. You all know that I can't settle down right now, but I will return."
He turned and looked westward, wondering what new surprises were in store and what new knowledge he would learn.
Continent of Magvel: One Year Later
"In an age long past…evil flooded the land. Creatures awash in the dark tide ran wild, pushing mankind to the brink of annihilation. In its despair, mankind appealed to the heavens, and from a blinding light came hope; The Sacred Stones. These five glorious treasures held the power to dispel evil. The hero Grado and his warriors used the Sacred Stones to combat evil's darkness. The defeated the Demon King and sealed his soul away within the stones. With the darkness imprisoned, peace returned to Magvel. But this peace would not last….
The continent of Magvel; for some eight hundred years, a quiet peace reigned in the absence of the terrible darkness. The Sacred Stones have been passed from generation to generation. Nations have been built around their power and their legacy:
The Kingdom of Renais ruled by Fado, the peerless Warrior King.
The Kingdom of Frelia ruled by Hayden, the venerable Sage King.
The Kingdom of Jehanna ruled by Ismaire, Queen of the White Dunes.
The Theocracy of Rausten, ruled by Mansel, the Divine Emperor.
The Kingdom of Grado ruled by Vigarde, the stalwart Silent Emperor.
These five countries house the power of the Sacred Stones.
They are joined by the emerging mercantile Republic of Carcino.
In these times of peace, tales of the past conflict have drifted into legend, and memories of the ancient dark arts have all but evaporated. It is now the year eight hundred and three….in an instant, the whole of Magval is threatened by an unexpected atrocity. The Grado Empire, the largest of the Sacred Stone Nations, has invaded Renais under orders from Emperor Vigarde. A longtime ally of Grado, Renais is caught off guard, unable to mount any resistance. Grado's forces move quickly, seizing one territory after another. Compounding Fado's worries, his son, Prince Ephraim, has gone missing.
Grado's momentum carries its armies to the gates of Castle Renais itself. Renais will fall…It is investable.
The gates to Castle Renais groaned as the forces of Emperor Vigarde battered away at them. Behind the closed gates the remaining soldier of Renais's army stood ready to defend the castle and their liege with their very lives. The gates shook once more swinging open, Grado forces pouring in and engaging the Renais soldiers, quickly forcing them back with their superior numbers. The Renais commander turned running towards the throne room as his men fought to delay the enemy so he could warn his king.
Rushing through the open doors and knelt before his lord. "Your Majesty, the castle has been breached. Emperor Vigarde's forces are within the castle and are pushing our forces back."
"I understand." King Fado replied glancing at the open doors as he sat on his throne, worry etched on his face.
Inside the throne room with him were four knights and a girl the soldier continued. "Contact with Prince Ephraim had been lost….we can expect no aid from him or his men. What are your orders my lord?"
"Order your men to lay down their arms." Fado ordered as he stood. "There's no point in losing more lives."
The soldier saluted and left, the girl stepping forward. "Father…"
Fado turned towards the blue haired girl. "Eirika, please tell me that you wearing the bracelet I gave you?"
"Yes father." Eirika replied raising her left arm which she wore the bracelet on. "I have it right here."
"Good." he replied. "Seth."
"Your Majesty." the red haired paladin replied, his horse ready to leave.
"Take Eirika and head for Frelia." Fado began. "King Hayden is an honorable man. He will keep both of you safe."
"Yes my lord." Seth replied quickly mounting his horse. "And what will you do, you're Majesty?"
"I shall remain behind, I must know why Grado, who's always been peaceful towards us, has decided to attack." Fado said sitting back down on the throne, "I need to know if I am responsible for this." He paused sighing. "Have I erred in my leadership? I was to guide Renais….How could I have failed her so?"
"Father!" Eirika cried. "You can't stay behind! If you remain behind then so shall I, Renais is my home too!"
"Seth, go now!" Fado shouted over the sounds of marching boots as they approached. "Take her to safety now!"
"Father!" She cried again as Seth pulled her onto his mount, restraining her from dismounting.
"Forgive me Your Highness." Seth said spurring towards the door, his fellow cavalier following.
As they left, two armored generals moved towards the throne to protect their king, who silently watched his daughter leave. A moment after the knights and princess left, Grado forces entered the throne room, Shamans, Druids, Knights and other Grado forces.
"Ephraim, Eirika, my children." Fado whispered. "You must survive, please survive for me."
Castle Renais sat in between two huge mountains, with forests and ridges dotting the land. Two of the four fortresses' that guarded Castle Renais were destroyed during the assault on the castle. The two knights stopped once clearing the castle, where Seth finally set the princess down.
"General Seth what do we do now?" asked the youthful blonde haired cavalier.
"Franz, ride ahead to Frelia, and bring word of our coming." Seth ordered. "You'll have better odds of passing unseen by Grado's men alone. Once you reach Frelia, convey all that has happened here and petition for reinforcements."
"U-understood general, be safe." Franz replied saluting, before urging his mount forward.
Seth turned to Eirika. "Princess Eirika we must-behind me, quickly!"
Moving quickly Seth placed himself in front of Eirika, as she looked up, catching sight of three wyverns descending upon them. The leader landing in front of them, flanked by the other two, he approached the two a grim smile on his face.
"You there, the one with the girl." he called out. "Tell me, is that the wayward princess of Renais? Well, this surely is my lucky day. You're a dead man, and the wench goes with me."
"Never!" Seth cried unsheathing his sword and readying his shield. The man coldly laughed while bringing his lance up to strike.
"I am Valter, the Moonstone, one of Grado's finest Generals." the man declared, his beast growling in response. "You're just a corpse, one who does not know his is dead."
Seth charged, swinging to strike at Valter but missed as the beast took flight, the beast struck forward as Valter stabbing with his lance wounding Seth's sword arm.
"Ahh, No!" Seth cried as he moved his steed away, tightly gripping the reins.
Sheathing his sword he turned and pulled Eirika up onto his horse once more, urging his mount onward, they sprinted away from the battle.
"Such terrible wounds and still he holds to his knightly duties." Valter said in a cold and grim voice. "How entertaining." his cold smile returning, he called out tauntingly. "Fly away little man. Fly away but you can't outrun death."
Once they were out of sight he continued. "Now I have more time to savior the hunt…and the kill."
(Scene Change)
Stopping between a pass between two mountains, Seth glanced behind him. "Princess Eirika, this way please." he continued after setting the princess on the ground. "I can see they are not following us. We've made it this far, and have earned a moments rest. Please forgive me for grabbing you so…brusquely earlier?"
"Seth, don't be foolish." the princess replied in understanding. "You are the reason I'm still alive, and you have my gratitude, I would never have made it out of the castle alone." she sighed. "Whoever that man was, it's clear he was after me. I'm sorry but it's my fault you were wounded with a grave wound. Please allow me to treat it, I-"
"Your Highness, I won't allow an injury like this to be an obstacle. " Seth interrupted wincing slightly, as he bandaged his arm. "There are more important matters we need to attend to, we must press on to Frelia as quickly as possible. We must honor his Majesties wishes."
The princess sighed, slightly frowning. "I wonder how my father fares all alone? Do you think he'll be safe? And what of my brother, Ephraim, we've heard nothing from him in days."
"Your Highness, King Fado and Prince Ephraim are both brave and valiant men." Seth replied tightening the knot of his now wrapped arm. "I doubt Grado's might could stop or hold them in check." he glanced down the path. "Your Highness, it's important that you look to your own safety. They both would be sad if something should happen to you. Once we reach Frelia, we'll ensure that the day of your reunion, is a happy one."
"Yes, of course." Eirika replied nodding her head. "You're right. I will not despair. I look forward to the day I am reunited with my father and brother. Come Seth, let us go."
Nodding Seth nudged his horse into a slow trot, keeping up with Eirika as she walked down the path. Seth looked around watching for any Grado forces, but for now they were alone. As they neared a bridge he spoke up. "Across that bridge we'll be in Frelia, near Border Mulan, let us processed Princess Eirika."
Eirika nodded, glancing towards the bridge. "Princess Eirika" Seth said in concern. "Our ride will not be an easy, please." He reached into his saddlebags, withdrawing a sword. "Take this rapier, to defend yourself, and if something should happen to me, please continue to Frelia alone, if need be."
"Thank you Seth." Eirika said tying the sword to her hip.
"Over there you Renais dogs." a voice shouted behind them. "Now where are you headed?"
Eirika and Seth spun around, a group of axe welding men rushed towards them. "Grado's men, they've followed us." Seth cried unsheathing his sword. "Princess Eirika, please stand back."
"Seth, I'll be fine." Eirika said gently. "My brother has taught me something of swordplay. I will stand with you."
(Scene Change)
Along a mountain pass a man dressed in blue-green shirt, blue pants, with brown boots a matching belt tied around his waist, and a green cloak walked quickly to out distance his pursuer. His pursuer was still a mile away, but gaining on him, he sighed knowing he couldn't be caught.
"Athos my friend you were right, fate does blow a strange wind in my direction." Will said. "Now fate has brought me to Magvel for a purpose that I do not yet understand, but how did Grado learn my identity? Someone must have looked into the rumors mentioning my presence in Magvel, however I believe working for Renais is better than being impressed into leading Grado's forces."
Glancing at his pursuer Will sighed and turned around, surprising his pursuer who halted. Will's pursuer, a Grado soldier was a typical axe fighter, one who relied on strength alone.
"Surrender you!" The axe fighter shouted.
Will shook his head. "Why should I surrender to you?"
"My orders are to take you Lord Tactician." the fighter answered. "With your skills Grado could offer you a position as an advisor and possible as a general."
"My skills are for those who are oppressed by tyranny, I'll never join Grado willingly or by force." Will stated slowly backing away.
"Halt, or else." the fighter warned.
"Or else what?" Will asked continuing to back away.
"I…I'll attack."
Will took another step back, the fighter lifting his axe, throwing it towards the tactician. As the axe neared Will dodged to one side the axe missing him clattering to the ground. Will slowly bent down his eyes watching the fighter, and picked up the axe.
"That was a very foolish move on your part." Will stated as he hefted the weapon. "Well goodbye."
Turning around Will strode down the path, as the fighter rushed the opposite direction, slowly descending from the mountains. A shout caught his attention as he exited the mountains quickly running in the direction of the sound he rounded the corner finding a group of fighters attacking a paladin and a girl. Quietly crossing the bridge he approached both groups hoping that he'd found someone from Renais.
"Princess Eirika, please be careful, you must reach Frelia safely." Seth said watching the fighters approach slowly.
"I will Seth." Eirika said licking her lips. "Do you think we have a chance?"
"I'll say you do, if you work together." Will stated as he walked up to them.
Seth and Eirika spun around, the tactician stopping as Seth moved in front of Eirika, glancing at Will and the approaching fighters. "Who are you? Are you with these Grado forces?"
"My name is Will Bianchi, and I'm not with these Grado forces. I'm a tactician from Elibe, who's trying to find any remaining forces of Renais who will accept my service as a tactician."
"Wait, as in Will Bianchi the Lord Tactician and the Famed Genius?" Eirika said astonished.
"Yes, that's me." Will replied lowering the hood of his cloak, revealing sea-green eyes and silver-blonde hair. "But it's just Will to my friends."
"I'm Eirika, Princess of Renais and this is Seth." Eirika said stepping around the paladin. "And I accept your offer to lead us."
"Your Highness!" Seth cried. "Are you sure it's safe to tell this stranger your identity?"
Will spoke up quickly before Eirika could reply, "I overheard before I spoke up, I was being chased by an axe fighter in the mountains, so I was aware already…Seth right?"
Seth nodded warily, "Yes that is correct sir tactician."
"Just Will please Seth." Will replied before turning back to Eirika. "Still want me to lead you?"
"Of course, I could use your aid in freeing my home, but our top priority right now is defeating these soldiers. However I must tell you that Renais is overrun with Grado forces so it might be impossible to retake."
"Doing the impossible is my specialty." Will said with a grin. "Now let's takes care of these fighters shall we. Now in battle it's important to follow my orders, because they will keep you alive and unharmed."
"I understand…Will." Eirika replied thankful to have help. "But I must apologize for not being able to pay for your services."
"We'll work out those details later." Will said reaching into his pack for a vulnerary, handing it to the paladin, "Seth, take this vulnerary this battle may long considering these fighters look experienced in fighting."
"Will, we cannot-" Seth started to protest.
"I appreciate your dedication to duty Seth, you remind me of an old friend." Will interrupted. "But I need you at your full capacity."
"Yes sir, I mean Will." Seth replied in resignation, taking the vulnerary, drinking it contents the wound healing.
"Now, I will require your protection, I've never been able to master the ability of combat." Will added as the fighters continued to approach.
"Right, I'll protect you Will." Eirika said stepping closer to Will.
'She reminds me of Lyn, she was always looking out for me.' Will thought of his adopted sister.
"Ok, Eirika take the one who's approaching to the left, and Seth go for the one on the right, and then charge the one behind him." Will ordered.
"Right, for Renais!" Seth and Eirika shouted charging the enemy.
Will watched as his companions charged the enemy fighters both surprised of being attacked. Seth quickly converged on his opponent, blocking each other's attacks, but Seth was quicker and after batting aside the fighter's axe, stabbed his sword into the man's chest, and charged the next fighter. Eirika was doing well, for her first time on the field, nimbly dodging the enemy's attack. She struck back wounding the man on the chest, who grunted and clutched the wound as he retreated with the axe held defensively.
"Princess Eirika!" Seth cried out as he finished off the second fighter cutting into the man's chest.
"I'm fine Seth." Eirika assured, watching her opponent. "He was slow in attacking, and I was able to dodge. Now it's my turn to attack!"
She rushed forward swinging at the man's side the fighter moving to block the attack, she then stab forward with her sword piercing the man's heart.
"Interesting, a bit of Lord Eliwood's style, and yet entirely different." Will said softly. "Unlike Eliwood, Eirika used the momentum of her inward movement in her attack, while the red haired lord moved back then stabbed while moving forward."
"Will, Princess Eirika." Seth called out. "It seems the only one left is their leader."
Will and Eirika walked to where Seth waited, watching the leader who stared silently. Will glanced over leader, noting he carried a larger axe than his companions. The leader moved forward slowly taunting the three people in front of him.
"You think you can take me, lording?" he asked, laughing, "Come, it's time your knights learned a lesson to respect a true warrior of war."
"A true warrior is honorable is war." Seth said solemnly. "You were going to attack us while I was wounded, and capture the princess, which I won't allow."
The fighter growled charging. "You'll be the first one to fall by my axe, followed by the white haired one."
"It's not white." Will muttered annoyed. "Its silver-blond."
The axe fighter swung his axe as he leapt forwards towards the paladin, Seth moving his shield to block, the attack pushed the paladin back, allowing the fighter to toss a small hand axe towards Will, who ducked, the hand axe imbedding itself into a tree.
"Will, are you alright?" Seth asked slashing at the axe fighter.
Will nodded. "I'm fine Seth, now let's finish this battle. It would be to our advantage to leave quickly before any reinforcements appear."
Charging the leader roared, his axe rising to strike at the tactician, swinging he found his attacked blocked by Eirika, who pushed him back and stood defensively in front of Will. The man grinned and lunged towards Eirika his attack forcing her back. Seth charged, swinging at the man's back, but the fighter turned blocking the attack then forced the horse to rear up. As Seth calmed his horse down, the fighter turned, swinging his axe at Eirika, and cutting into her armor.
Eirika stepped back, the fighter grinned raising his axe for another strike, when Eirika stepped forward striking, her sword piercing into the man's chest and into his heart.
"How…." the axe fighter muttered as the princess withdrew her sword and stepped back, and fell over dead.
"Princess, are you wounded?" Seth said in concern as they cleaned their swords.
"I'm fine Seth." Eirika replied. "My armor took most of the attack."
Eirika turned Will. "Your advice was helpful Will, thank you."
"You're welcome princess." Will said curtly .
"Please, call me Eirika. It doesn't seem fair when you ask us to call you Will."
"As you wish Eirika."
"Come on then Will, to Frelia!" Seth said shouting.
"Wait a minute Seth." Will called out. "We've just fought a battle and need to rest."
"True." Seth replied contemplatively. "but didn't you say we should leave before reinforcements arrive?"
"Yes I did." the tactician answered forthright. "we can rest once we are farther away from here. Once we find a place to rest you can tell me the entire situation we are facing."
Ok the first chapter of Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones is redone, and I hope that the chapter has improved. Enjoy. If anyone has questions about Will's last name see my profile.
Please read and review. Comments on how I can improve are appreciated. Please let me know of any mistakes you find so I can correct them as quickly as possible.