Radiant Priestess
Chapter One
Evening came and went. Sothe, who departed earlier than the rest of the team, promised he would meet up with them in a few hours. He sent his regards to Micaiah—asking Nolan to keep her safe—and glowered one last time to Kagome before leaving the hideout.
The remaining five members of the Dawn Brigade ate a small meal before fleeing from the hideout, desperate to make their escape from Nevassa and head to the dessert. However, luck was not on their side.
"This way's no good either. Begnion soldiers have every alleyway blocked. A kitten couldn't sneak past them." Edward reported as he ran back towards the team. All five remained huddled in a corner, the roof of a large building providing them cover from the enemy.
Nolan rubbed his chin in thought and surveyed their surroundings. From where they stood, the chances of fleeing the capital without bloodshed were slim to none. He sighed regretfully and took a strong step forward. "It looks like this really is the least guarded path, then. Even so, it's swarming with soldiers."
"There are more coming up behind us!" Micaiah warned them, her voice no louder than a meek whisper. "We'll be trapped if we don't move quickly!"
Kagome nodded. "If we keep moving, the chances of injury will be far lower."
"I conquer." Nolan clicked his tongue. "Let us leave quickly then. We can't wait for Sothe." One by one, they ran up the nearest staircase, Nolan in the lead and Kagome managing the rear. Kagome kept her eyes and ears open, looking for any signs of an approaching soldier. So far, they had managed to escape from various battles with only minor injuries with Edward and Leonardo sporting the majority.
"Nolan," Kagome hissed, attempting to keep Edward in line, "those steps by the market should lead us to the exit.
"Good work." Nolan offered her a nod, his weapon of choice leaning against his left shoulder.
"When can we attack?" Edward asked, his eyes shining fiercely with determination. Once again, he was eager for more fighting with the enemy, wanting to improve his skills.
"Edward, remember we're just trying to leave the capital." Nolan scolded him. "We'll be attempting to engage in as little fighting as possible."
"Aw…" the young swordfighter pouted.
"Remember to keep your distance from the enemy." Kagome reminded all three teens. "Team up and bring them down one by one."
"We'll be careful." Micaiah reassured her.
"Leave it to us." Leonardo said with a smile.
"That's good." Kagome grunted and ushered the group forward.
The battle in the town's various alleyways raged on for a good hour. Kagome and Nolan worked well together, managing to defeat a good handful of the enemies, while Micaiah, Leonardo and Edward took turns taking the enemy down. One by one the soldiers fell, their screams littering the air and blood staining the ground.
"We must keep going." Kagome grabbed Edward by the back of his shirt, successfully managing to drag him away from semi-unconscious enemy. "Edward, just leave him. We only need to worry about leaving town successfully."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Edward said his gloved hands covered in bits of red. Kagome faintly noticed the amount of sweat dripping down from his forehead. It was evident that the boy was getting tired.
She smiled. "Tell you what, if you're up for it, sometime later on we can spar together."
"Really?" he instantaneously perked up. No one offered to spar with him. Usually Nolan was too busy and Sothe just flat out refused. "You really mean it?" He asked, hopeful.
"For sure," she answered with a nod. "It would be fun to spar. But remember," her voice lowered as she leaned over to whisper, "I'll only practice with you, if you promise to no longer rush foolishly into battle."
Edward opened his mouth ready to rebut, when Kagome placed her hand over his mouth, silencing him. "Come on, we need to get moving. The others are already ahead." Without bothering to wait for a response, she grabbed him by the arm and dashed forward, passing the carcasses of dead soldiers.
"Woo!" Edward cried.
"Be quiet and keep running!" Kagome screamed, noticing the small amount of soldiers following them. The two dashed up a staircase and Kagome caught sight of a boy with green hair. "Sothe," she hissed, catching Edward's attention.
"Everybody… this way!" Sothe announced.
"What about Kagome and Edward?" Kagome heard Micaiah shout.
"They'll meet up with us later." Sothe reassured the girl in a calmer tone. "But we need to keep moving."
"Have no worries!" Edward called from above. All four members of the Dawn Brigade looked north and saw their remaining two members running down the last flight of stairs. Micaiah visibly perked up and Sothe inwardly scowled. Part of him was hoping that the soldiers would have finished off Kagome—but not Edward, of course.
"Edward," Kagome shook her head, "stop talking and keep moving."
"Yeah, yeah," he whined, jumping down the last few steps.
Not too far from them, a group of Begnion soldiers stopped by the railing of a fence. The leader of them shouted, pointing to the Dawn Brigade. "They're running to the center of town! After them!" They quickened their pace and moved, running down the steps in quick unison.
Once caught up with everyone, the Dawn Brigade neared the center of town and immersed themselves in a large cluster of people. With the Begnion soldiers not too far behind, Nolan and Sothe warned them to stick close, but to avoid being seen. Kagome requested that Edward and Leonardo not flee too far from her, while Sothe warned Micaiah to stay close.
Bit by bit, they made their way towards the exit, watching out for soldiers and spies alike. Leonardo and Edward did their parts well and managed to stay relatively quiet as Kagome pushed them on with various head gestures. Soon enough, the three of them made it out of the square and were on the outskirts of town.
Leonardo huffed and puffed his face red. "I hope the others weren't caught."
Kagome smiled his way. "Don't worry, they'll find us soon." Standing close to the young archer, she surveyed his injuries. Unlike Edward, he didn't suffer from too much; just a few gashes on the legs and some cuts around his elbows.
"We'll tend to those injuries tonight," she advised, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Leonardo, who blushed light pink, nodded his gaze locked on the ground. Edward was standing next to his best friend and was just about to taunt him for the sight when he noticed Sothe and Nolan heading straight for them. Not only that, but Micaiah was unconscious and being carried by Sothe.
"What happened?" Edward demanded, concerned.
"No time for explanations," Sothe said. "We need to leave town… immediately."
"Right," Leonardo and Edward chorused, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads in large clusters. Kagome chuckled and clicked her tongue, adjusting her equipment.
Throughout the entire night, the team travelled barely stopping to rest, tend to their injuries and eat. Sothe, who repeatedly insisted that he carry Micaiah, was met with numerous amounts of rebuttals by Micaiah herself, who stated that if the other members of their team were able to persevere through the evening without being carried, then so could she. During that same time, Edward and Leonardo were back to teasing each other, engaging in various arguments and spats about nothing. Kagome and Nolan, who found their antics amusing, were laughing at their squabbles throughout most of the evening as they conversed over multiple topics on the side.
Now, with dawn just breaking near, Nolan stopped to face the group. "Just a quick half-mark, and we'll be in Kisca. I'd like to stock up there, but…" His voice wavered as Sothe continued.
"Begnion will be on the lookout for us. We better steer clear of towns for now, unless we want more trouble."
"Don't tell me," Edward yawned, his lower lids drooping. "This means another night sleeping on the cold ground with nothing but bugs to keep us warm."
"Edward," Kagome chuckled at the remark, "don't say such things." She was trying to keep an optimistic outlook on their situation, even though she could understand the boy's irritation. When first beginning her trips in Feudal Japan, she couldn't stand the thought of sleeping outside for more than a few evenings without once experiencing the pleasure of a roof over her head at least once a week.
But now I love sleeping outside, she corrected herself.
Even Micaiah was on Kagome's side. "Oh, Edward, it's not that bad! The forest is so beautiful and serene. I'd almost rather be out here. Right, Yune?" Micaiah's companion, a small orange bird, tweeted in response.
Kagome watched as Micaiah's eyes lit up and she couldn't help but frown. I wonder how Kirara's doing, she thought to herself, her frown worsening. I last saw her a few days ago. I hope she's not hurt.
Just then, the group heard footsteps approaching. All readied their weapons and got into stance. "Be on guard," Sothe warned them, taking a protective step in front of Micaiah.
"Right," Edward and Leonardo chorused their weapons out and ready.
As the footsteps continued to grow louder, Kagome and Nolan moved from the rear of the group and into the middle. However, right as the enemy drew closer, Kagome noticed that it wasn't an actual enemy but rather a young girl. The young girl had short black hair, carried a healing staff and wore a white sleeved dark yellow dress.
She stopped right before them, gasping for air. "Um, excuse me," she fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "Are you people heading to town by any chance?"
Sothe eyed her wearily. "Why?" He snarled.
She explained: "Our abbot is ill. He needs medicine, but Begnion soldiers are hoarding our provisions in the manor house."
"The Dawn Brigade, at your service," Micaiah spoke politely as she moved past Sothe. "I'm sure we can help you and your abbot."
"Micaiah," Sothe spoke in a condemning tone, "we don't have time for this."
"What's your name?" Kagome asked, moving into the conversation.
The young priest looked towards her with a smile, "Laura."
Kagome's eyes softened. "It's nice to meet you Laura. I'm Kagome and this is Micaiah, Sothe, Leonardo, Edward and Nolan." She pointed to each one as she called out their names. "As Micaiah stated before, we're members of the Dawn Brigade."
"Kagome," Nolan said in a warning tone, "where are you going with this?"
"Nowhere dangerous," she stated with a flick of the wrist.
"Then stop talking." Sothe said matter-of-factly, his entire face dark.
Kagome ignored him. "Laura, you were saying that Begnion soldiers were hoarding your provisions in the manor house, correct?"
"That's, um, right," Laura nodded, clutching her healing staff tighter in her palm.
"And tell me," Kagome continued, "in your provisions; it would be necessary for you all to carry not just healing staffs and tomes, but also weapons, such as, swords, axes and knives?"
"That's correct."
Nolan and Sothe's eyes lit up. "Now I understand," Nolan exclaimed, rubbing his chin in thought. "If the provisions we'll need are located in the manor house, then we won't need to head to Kisca."
"Precisely," Kagome laughed.
Though Sothe would not admit it openly, the idea was not half-bad. "But I'd assume there would be a lot of guard watching over the house." He voiced.
"Not a problem," Edward grinned, his sword still in his palm. "With all of us together, we're unstoppable!" He swung his sword excitedly, managing to perform a few attacks without dropping the blade.
Leonardo rolled his eyes. "Right away at hearing the word fighting, naturally you get hyper."
Edward nearly dropped his sword. "Hey!" He shouted.
Everyone ignored him.
"Laura, please lead the way to the manor house." Micaiah said her light tome tucked under her right arm. "The sooner we help you, the better."
Laura looked positively jubilant. "Thank you all so much. Come then, I'll show you the quickest route to the manor house."
"Another fight done and finished," Kagome sighed joyfully, cleaning her blade with a cloth. They had just slain the last of the enemies in the manor house and were now searching through the enemy storeroom. So far, Nolan had managed to one salvageable steel and hand axe respectively. Edward lucked out in finding two steel swords and proudly strapped them to his back. Leonardo located an iron bow—and took another bronze bow for safety precautions. Sothe stocked up on knifes and daggers of various kinds, while Micaiah reluctantly filled her small bag with two Lights and an Ellight tome. Kagome, unlike her newfound companions, merely took a small set of arrows and a bronze sword—one for training practice with Edward, she decided. On the sly, Kagome took another healing staff for Laura and each member took two vulneraries.
Then leaving the manor compound, they moved their way back into the forest where Sothe congratulated them. "Well done, everybody! Are we all present and accounted for?"
Micaiah looked around and saw that Laura was not among them. "Wait! Laura's missing! She was just with me." Kagome, however, knew that was a lie. Laura was missing for quite some before, when she had announced to the group that she would be taking the required medicine to her abbot. After that, she never returned.
I don't like how this is fairing, she thought, shifting back and forth on the balls of her feet.
Sothe groaned. "Let's split up and search for her then. Micaiah, you can come with me." Sothe extended a hand forward, but Micaiah rejected the offer with a shake of the head.
"Sothe, the forest is huge. We can cover more ground if we search individually."
"But…"
"Let's rendezvous at Kunu Swamp in three marks' time." Micaiah suggested thoughtfully. The remaining members of the group agreed with her and everyone quickly dispersed. Sothe looked highly agitated and Kagome noticed him ball a hand into a fist before heading in another direction.
She arched a brow, eyeing the spot where Micaiah once stood. Again, she didn't like how this was turning out. "Safety in numbers," she hissed and took off after the girl. Knowing how reckless Edward was, she assumed that Leonardo would most likely join him. Knowing Nolan, he would want to stay close to them. And as for Sothe… well, he would probably follow Micaiah regardless, successfully managing to stay hidden the entire time.
"But I won't do such a thing," Kagome whispered, dashing down Micaiah's chosen path.
That girl should know better than to go on her own. She can barely hold down a fight on her own… and with the amount of Begnion soldiers on the lookout for her, she's an overly easy target.
"You sensed me, did you?" Kagome slowed down, hearing the sound of voices. Faintly off to the right, she deduced, making her way through the shrubs.
"Where is Laura?" Micaiah demanded, Yune still atop her shoulder.
"And you saw through my ruse. You're as clever as they say, my dear." By now, Kagome was close enough to see the duo through the bushes. One was evidently Micaiah and the other looked to be some Begnion general. From the angle Kagome was hiding, she couldn't make much of the man, except that was tall and wore dark purple armour.
"You even came alone." Kagome heard him taunt Micaiah, "How brave of you. Was that to give your friends a chance to escape? What a thoughtful little thing you are."
"M-Micaiah," Laura stuttered, now surrounded by a hoard of guards. "Don't come any closer!"
"Laura!" exclaimed Micaiah. "Let her go!" She shouted to the general. "She isn't one of us…"
"Now, you know I can't do that." The man chastised. "She's a valuable hostage, just like you!"
Yune tweeted angrily at the general as it extended its wings and flew off Micaiah's shoulder. "No! Yune, fly away!" Micaiah instructed, watching her companion depart. The general made few remarks about the bird before instructing his subordinates to bring Micaiah and Laura to another castle. Both girls tried to make a loud ruckus, but were gagged, bound and knocked unconscious for trying.
Kagome cursed her luck. Drat, with the two knocked out, I'll have no choice but to follow them…
It turns out that Micaiah and Laura were taken to no castle, but a prison. As Kagome followed the guards from behind, she managed to overhear them talking about an execution. It would seem like they were planning to execute someone in the near future. If she had to guess, Kagome would assume Micaiah.
But I'm going to free them before anything happens, she decided, raising a fist into the air. Now wandering down the old halls of the penitentiary, Kagome made sure to stay on her toes at all costs. If any guard came near her, she silenced them instantly and hid their bodies in the safeness of the depths of darkness. Luckily, with the building being a prison there were plenty of dark, empty places where she could store the bodies.
Dusting her hands, she rolled her eyes at the newest batch of soldiers she had just finished taking care of. "I swear, you never end," she spoke, referring to the endless amount of soldiers she had taken care of throughout the last two days.
I've never killed this many people in a long time…
Her heart lurched at the thought. She despised killing; it was typically against her nature. Nevertheless, this was war and in war, it's either yourself or the enemy that perishes. One must die and one must live. "If I have to choose who'd live, I pick myself." She said to herself and continued down the hallway.
"I hear footsteps." Kagome recognized that voice.
"Micaiah," she said happily and ran the rest of the way.
"Kagome?" Upon nearing the cell, Kagome noticed that not were Micaiah and Laura locked up, but so were two other women and a young boy with a startlingly familiar companion.
"Kirara?" exclaimed Kagome, tears suddenly lining her eyes.
Kirara meowed and jumped from the boy's shoulder, rushing to greet her mistress. Though the bars prevented Kirara from moving forward, that didn't stop her from meowing, her twin tails spinning joyfully. Kagome chuckled and wiped her eyes.
"I'm glad you're safe." She squatted down and stroked the feline through the bars.
"Um, Lady Kagome…" Laura trailed off, "if you don't mind."
"Oh, right." Snapping back into her senses, Kagome got up and made quick work of unlocking the cell. When the lock fell to the ground and Kagome pushed the door open, Kirara made a dash for her owner, nearly knocking her to her feet.
Giggling, Kagome stood up, allowing Kirara to perch herself onto her left shoulder. Nuzzling her neck continually, Kirara purred merrily, beyond content at being reunited.
"Kagome, how did you find us?" Inquired a curious Micaiah.
Kagome scolded the girl, "Micaiah, you should have known better than to run off on your own like that back in the forest." Micaiah blushed light pink and chuckled. Kagome stroked Kirara's head and continued, "I followed after you and watched both you and Laura be dragged off."
"Then you followed us to the prison," Laura finished calmly.
"Precisely."
"While this reunion is touching," the older woman of the two, whom Kagome did not know, spoke, "may we continue it after leaving the compound?"
"My thoughts exactly."
"Sothe!" exclaimed Micaiah.
"Micaiah, how many times do I have to tell you to not go off on your own?" He sighed.
"But Sothe, you weren't one to object," Kagome pointed out.
Sothe glowered her way but moved towards Micaiah. "Come on, we need to get moving. The others are waiting outside."
"But how did you manage to find us?" Micaiah insisted.
"Yune," Sothe said with a shrug, one hand firmly placed on Micaiah's wrist. "Yune came and found us not too long after we split up."
"And where is Yune?"
"With Nolan and the others."
"I see."
"Let's get going, shall we?" Kagome mused, her sword drawn and ready. "If the others are outside, we better get moving."
"Kagome's right." Micaiah nodded, ushering Sothe forward. The two passed Kagome and the others heading straight; however, Sothe stopped upon noticing Kirara.
"What… is that?" He pointed towards the feline.
Kirara, who was still purring, stopped and turned to face Sothe. The two engaged in a long heated staring contest before both Kagome and Micaiah diverted their attention.
"Let's get going!" They whispered in unison.
"Right," Sothe agreed, his gaze, however, still locked on the feline that was perched on Kagome's shoulder. Casting one final glare towards both Kagome and the cat, Sothe tried to rid his mind of the thoughts that plagued him of the Dawn Brigade's newest member.
Something isn't right with that woman, and I intend to find out; one way or another…
Author's Note - Zihark and the others will be in the next chapter. Well, how was this chapter? I know I didn't incorporate much fighting scenes, but there will be some later-on. Please tell me your thoughts on the story so far. I love to hear from you all. Thank you to the two who reviewed and all those who favourited/watched the story. You're all amazing. :)
~TFSA