And the War Really Begins

In the days following the battle where Mist's sword showed its true nature the mercenaries spent much time investigating why it had reacted like it did. The group continued to travel to Castle Crimea to see the Queen of the country of scholars, Queen Elincia of Crimea. The green haired maiden who joined the fight to protect her people despite the consequences.

"Queen Elincia there is someone requesting your audience!" a guardsman yelled as he approached the young queen with a grin. Her eyes lit up and she understood immediately who her guest was at this hour in the night. Ike, the hero of Crimea and his band of mercenaries. Oh how I have missed you so… these three years have been a stressful time. She drifted off into thought as the guard stood there. The green armored guard interrupted her thoughts with an interjection "Umm your Excellency, what do you want me to tell the door man? They are waiting patiently." She shook her head to clear her head "yes, of course let them in. I'll be in the study." She walked away and sent the guard on his way with a curtsy.

The night sky shone with an encasing darkness pierced through by the light of millions of stars shining through the dark. Queen Nailah strode over the earthen ground, paw over paw as her white pelt danced brilliantly in the darkness. I have to know who this other queen is. She supports the laguz and even fights against her Beorc countries to save us. What kind of person could she be that she even moved The King of Lions heart? She kept up her pace hoping to make it to Castle Crimea before the dawn arose.

The mercenaries were excited to see the Queen again. It had been nearly three years. And none were more excited than Mist. "Brother! We get to see Elincia! ...Oops I mean Queen Elincia now." Her excitement was barely contained as they passed through the corridors to the large study. Mist leapt into Elincia's arms and hugged her tightly and the green haired maiden queen, shocked at first, grinned and hugged her back. "Oh Mist how you have grown in these years. You are nearly as tall as me!" They both shared an innocent laughter in spite of themselves.

Ike spoke up and interrupted their embrace in a dire tone "this may be a joyous occasion but there is both interesting and bad news to deliver." He continued to speak, "The Black Knight is alive…" he watched quietly as the queen sucked in her breath and stood their understanding what he was saying. "Also during the battle on the way here he appeared to us in the heat of the battle but for some reason backed away when something strange happened to Mist's sword."

Something… strange? She pondered.

They discussed what had happened during the battle of the plains and Elincia had a ponderous look in her eyes. "I may have to ask Bastian and Camille. I have never known something like this to happen before. We shall investigate further and discuss at length what we will do about it and whether this is a blessing or a curse." She paced around the room. "I also have dire news…Begnion has declared war on the laguz once again…"