Chapter 1: Dawn of destiny
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As the morning sun rose at the horizon, a group of 8 individuals were rushing out of a fort at the border of Ostia after receiving news that castle Pherae was under attack. A messenger arrived few minutes prior to say that a group of bandits has attacked the towns/villages around Pherae but due to Eliwood being ill, they couldn't counter.
Roy alongside Wolt, Bors, Honoka, Umi and three knights mounted horses and went in the direction of their homeland. The 8 of them were supposed to go to the Ostian capital to discuss about Bern's recent declaration of war, but were forced to go back after hearing the news.
It didn't take them long before arriving at the Pheraean capital and the sign disgusted them. Houses were burning while the townsfolk were running away. The bandits were at the castle's gate, trying to force it open while some others were running after the villagers.
The red-head leader made a fist with his right hand, feeling a deep anger building inside him. He jumped from the horse and so did his archer vassal and the Ostian knight Bors. "Charge! Do not let any of them get away!"
The other soldiers nodded and moved forward, engaging against the brigands. Meanwhile, Honoka and Umi alongside one of the elder knight Marcus were looking as the sword knight Alan, the spear knight Lance, the armor knight Bors, the archer Wolt and the Lord Roy knocked, slashed and smashed the enemies. "Reckless…" The bluenette commented.
Her girlfriend patted Umi's shoulder and she turned to face her. "I can understand them." Honoka turned forward and got down from the horse. "Their homeland is being attacked so of course they are going to give their all."
The older man nodded at these words. "We indeed need to allow them to get some battle experience, so we'll check their back meanwhile."
Umi got off her horse as well and nodded at the ginger. Together, the two of them—closely followed by Marcus—ran in the direction of the 5 younger boys.
The green-haired Ostian knight was giving his all and knocked an enemy archer with his steel spear. He had to move quickly. "Lady Lilina… Please be safe." True enough, the princess of Ostia was inside the castle of Pherae. She was supposed to be taking care of Marques Eliwood until Roy returned, but things turned south. "Take this!" Bors knocked another bandit and moved forward.
However, he didn't see a thief who was sneaking behind him, ready to stab his neck from behind. Fortunately, his life was saved as a mounted knight with red hair and wearing red armor slashed the enemy before he could harm their companion. "Sir Bors; are you all right?"
"Yes! Thank you Alan!"
Another knight with green hair and wearing a green armor moved near the two. "Alan, the enemies are coming this way. We need to organize our strategy."
"Roger that!" The red knight nodded and got in position. "We'll show them what a knight of Pherae can do." He turned to his best friend. "Lance; could you watch my back while I engage the axe users?"
"Sure!"
Inside a burning village however, Roy and Wolt were having a hard time fighting against magic users. An enemy mage casted a spell thunder and almost got the archer if it wasn't for his crush who tackled him at the last second. The two of them fell on the ground. "Wolt; are you all right?"
The older boy's face slightly turned pink from the sudden closeness. "I'm alright…" The two stood up quickly and looked as the enemies have surrounded them. "Master Roy…"
"No!" The red-head turned to his friend. "We already talked about it! No 'Master'!"
The young archer's face turned into a darker shade of red before he turned his back at the Lord, Roy doing the same so they were back to back. "Roy; we need to find a solution and quick. We are not the best units to use against magic users."
"I know that." The lord held his sword high and it emitted a light before a thunder fell on one of enemy mage. He sighted as the opponent still stood up after his attack. "They are tough. One hit of the thunder sword is not enough against them…"
Wolt on his side took an arrow from his bag and charged his bow. He aimed and shoot at the nearest shaman. The enemy got hit, but didn't fall as an enemy wielding a heal staff healed the shaman's would. "Damn it! There are too much enemies."
"Do not give up yet, Wolt!" The archer looked at the side of his eyes to see that Roy was smiling at him. "I know we can do this. After all, our bound is enough strength to allow us to accomplish miracles."
"Roy…" The archer couldn't help but to smile. He then turned to the enemies, a new resolve in his eyes as he took another arrow from his bag and aimed at the shaman from earlier. The arrow hit the enemy on the head and he fell on the ground, lifeless. "And one down!"
The red-haired boy smiled at his friend's success and grabbed his thunder sword once again, but instead of casting a spell, he charged at one of the opponents, trusted forward and hit two of the magic users. He then quickly jumped back and rushed by his ally's side before any of the enemy could counter. "That makes three enemies out."
Wolt nodded, but more enemies appeared out of the burning buildings. "There are still more…"
The young lord cursed before grabbing his sword once again and readied himself for another attack. However, a mysterious flame fell from the sky and burned three of the enemies out of nowhere, leaving the two young boys and the bandits confused.
"Oh my… What a mess we have here…" A female voice came from the exit of the village. The smokes made it hard to see, but they could agree that there were two women walking in their direction. "Guess we are not too late… Thanks god that messenger managed to tell us as soon as he could."
Wolt however recognized the voice and a smile spread on his face. "Mom!"
His comment made Roy smile as well as the two turned to the now visible women. The first one had waist-length green hair, a bow on top of her head. She was wearing a gray-and-green dress and a cape alongside red shoes. She was holding an Elfire tome in one hand. The second woman had past shoulder green hair attached in a pair of braid and was wearing a brown shirt and skirt with brown battle boots. We weapon was composed of a longbow and few arrows. "Sorry for keeping you wait!" The archer woman smiled at their son.
"Aunt Nino and Aunt Rebecca…" The red-head smiled wider, seeing the two women and then turned to the opponent. "Now, we have no other choice but to win, don't we?"
"Yes!" Wolt nodded before grabbing another arrow and aimed another enemy. Rebecca did the same and shoot the enemy priest. That was enough to knock the enemy, but not enough to defeat him yet. Roy took care of the rest and kicked the man's stomach hard enough to send him through one of the burning buildings.
"My turn now!" Nino held the book with both hands and chanted a spell. Flames started dancing around her body then rose up in the sky. Seconds later, the flames fell on the enemies, burning them to the bones. "There!"
After a quick glance around, Roy saw a last mage who was still standing and gave the final blow. "And that was the last one!" He then turned to the older women. "Thank you for your help, Aunt Nino and Aunt Rebecca!"
"You're welcome, Master Roy." The archer smiled before moving in between Wolt and the young lord and hugged the two of them at the same time. "I am glad we arrived in time."
Nino just smiled while watching the three of them acting all touchy. "I'm glad I decided to build a family with Rebecca. I couldn't dream for a better life." She chanted another spell and clouds appeared on top of them. Seconds later, rain poured on them, stopping the houses from burning any further. "A loving wife and four childrens… Who could wish for better?"
After the village was taken care of, the four of them nodded to each others before rushing toward the royal palace. There, they met up with the two other groups. "What took you so long?" Marcus asked as he saw them arrive. "Alan and Lance have already taken care of the enemy boss."
"Sorry! We were busy fighting against magic users." Roy just smiled awkwardly.
Together, the 10 Pheraean soldiers got inside the castle and met up with the actual Marques—Eliwood. Said red-haired man was sitting at the throne room, coughing while the Ostian princess was standing beside him.
"Father!" Roy rushed by his father's side and drew circle on his back.
"Roy… You are safe. That's great!" Eliwood smiled and raised his head to see the 9 other guests. "I am glad you all made it safe here."
Lilina too was glad to see that the Ostian knight—the brother of her beloved Wendy—was there. "Bors… Thanks god you are safe as well."
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"So, that's how it is!" The Marques of Pherae concluded the meeting after giving every information he had. The others also gave their opinions and as a conclusion, they decided to go to the border of Lycia-Bern to meet up with the Marques of Ostia—Hector—so they could unify the Lycian alliance and counter the tremendous menace that Bern was giving. "Also, I've contracted a band of mercenary who will be helping you during your mission."
"Really?" Honoka smiled excitedly at these words. "Thank you for your support, Lord Eliwood! We will give our all in this mission. You can count on us!"
The other soldiers smiled at the ginger's words. The Marques himself smiled and took a pouch of gold from his bag. "Here! Please have this fund. It's not that much, but I hope it will be enough to buy rations and what you need for your trip." He then eyed at an old man with long blue hair beside him. "Also, may I ask you take Merlinus alongside you? His carriage might come in handy to transport weapons, items and your tents."
The former merchant bowed at his lord. "As you wish; your majesty. You can count on me to fulfill my mission."
Eliwood then turned to Marcus, Rebecca and Nino who were sitting across the table. "Also, may I ask for your assistance once again for this time? I know that you already did more than your normal share during the war 20 years ago, but your experiences in battle could help our younger soldiers."
"It's always my pleasure to serve the royal family of Pherae!" Marcus stood up and bowed as a proof of his sincerity.
The archer stood as well. "If it wasn't for Lord Eliwood at that time, I wouldn't be here today; so I accept!"
The mage was soon followed the two. "I owe you all my life; so ye!"
The Marques smiled. "Than, it's settled."
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As soon as the meeting was over, Lilina quickly rushed by her knight's side. "Bors… I have a favor to ask of you."
"You want me to swear to protect Master Roy with my life, is that right?" The young knight replied, already knowing what his princess was about to ask.
"S-sorry about that…"
"Worry not, princess! I am a knight of Ostia! My duty is to execute orders from the royal family so it's all right." He then smiled at the bluenette. "Also, may I wish you good luck? I heard that you will be going back to Ostia and will take the lead until Lord Hector returns."
"Yes! I will do my best!" She made a 'faito da yo' pose à la Honoka mode. "Also, Wendy will be helping me, so you do not have to worry."
"Very well!" The knight then turned toward the exit and walked alongside the 9 other members of the expedition. "And please wish good luck to Wendy from me."
"You can count on me!"
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Next chapter: "The Princess of Bern"
Roy's group meet up with the band of mercenary that signed a contract with Eliwood, but an unexpected battle erupted. Who is that mysterious cleric who asked for their assistance and why are Bern's soldiers holding that Lady captive?
