MOONSET'S POV
Even more walking. Yay. Camilla,Clarine, and Abel have it so easy, being on wyverns and horses respectively. But I pushed through-I had to, for Alfonse and Anna. This time, we had to meet up with Alfonse's sister before anything bad happened to her. The worm of fear that had been plaguing my sleep was still slowly growing by the day. However, I made it apparant that I was OK. I didn't risk asking Clarine for help because 1)she may talk about it and I didn't want word of my weakness getting spread around, 2) it could mean that I would be taken out of battle and thus everyone would be at a serious disadvantage, and 3)Clarine was kind of a snob, let's be honest. I didn't say it to her face, or out loud, but I knew I wasn't the only one who thought the same of her.
"Commander Anna! Brother! What has taken you so long to get to the Wirld of Mystery?" A girl with blonde hair and green eyes. She seemed a very friendly person, but also a strong fighter. The lance at her side told me of her fighting prowess.
"Sorry, Sharena. We had to battle our way here," Alfonse answered her question.
"Who's this with you? Oh my! You're holding the divine relic...and it's all aglowaglow! Are you...the Great Hero? Our group has hoped beyond hope that you might cone to save us!"
"Please, calm yourself, Sharena. This is Lauria. As it turns out, the Great Hero us a talented tactician as well. We're already in good hands," Alfonse gave Sharena my introduction without my consent. Needless to say, I was a bit irritated. But then it was Sharena, his own sister, who lifted my spirits.
"But... that's amazing. And Great Hero, you're as great as I imagined. I'm going to be your number-one fan. Oh, my manners have gone right out the window. I'm Sharena, Alfonse's darling little sister," She flashed me a gentle smile.
"It's great to meet you. I'm certain that we'll be great friends, Sharena," I had to get at least one thought out. Passing a glare at him, I started to think about the situation-the war and my own problems.
"Alright, alright...," He chose to ignore my glare and instead moved to ask his sistersister about her scouting mission. Pompous ass, "Just tell us, what's the situation here?"
The mood instantly changed with Sharena's answer, "Simply put? Absolutely dreadful. The empire has taken control of a Hero from the World of Mystery," My heart dropped at the news. I didn't want this Hero to be Marth-I loved him too much to fight him, "She swoops through the skies, a fearsome figure, all in red,
"A red flier from Mystery? It sounds like Princess Minerva. This will be tough. We should bringbringa Hero who's an archer, or perhaps...,"
"Begone outsiders!" A woman in red armour with an impressive axe and riding a green wyvern flew overhead swooped down and called out, "I am Minerva, Princess of Macedon. Now, I'll warn you once-return to your world. I am boundbound to serve the Emblian Empire, and the imperial princess, Veronica, has given me an order. She has commanded that I attack a kingdom near her empire. I have no time for the likes of you."
"So this is Minerva...huh. I do not want to get on her bad side," I muttered under my breath. She read 'power' and 'don't mess with me if you know what's good for you'. A shudder ran down my spine, but it was masked by my coat. It was my favourite thing in this world-comfy, stylish and, useful! The floppy hood hid my face from both the sun and prying eyes. Only when camp was set up would I take it off. After all, I didn't like getting my hair messed up, and I work pretty damn hard on my daily braid.
Getting back on track, Alfonse responded to Minerva's words in a very different manor than what I would've done, "Princess Minerva, please hear me out. My name is Prince Alfonse, of the v run kingdom you plan to attack. I beg you, put down your weapons. We of Askr have no desire to battle you noble Heroes," Way to go Alfonse. Using deplomacy that you forget to use on me and will probably cause me to make your day very bad if it continues further. I don't take this sort of behavior very lightly, just saying.
"I am under contract to obey Princess Veronica. There is only ONE way to release me. Prove you are stronger,"
"Must we resolve this with a battle, Princess Minerva?" Alfonse kept trying to reason with her
"Prince Alfonse! She has named her terms. We must fight-and win! Everyone, prepare for battle!" Anna stopped him finally and gave the order to attack.
Fighting alongside Minerva was Palla, Catria, and Maria. The two pegasus sisters were a sword and lance user respectively and Maria a staff user. From my view point, on Camilla's wyvern, Maria and Minerva seemed to be related, and the other sisters fighters for this other princess.
Back on the ground I gave my orders, "Camilla, you're on Catria. Be sure to draw her out. Abel, follow up with taking out Palla. Clarine, support Virion as he works on Minerva and Maria!" As usual, the 4 followed my orders without fail. Clarine somehow read my mind and healed anyone who took damage. It still amazed me how much power I had over these people. Within a short amount of time, the battle had been won, and it was our victory
"Well done, Prince Alfonse. You have proved strong enough to breal our contract with Veronica. And so, we are free once more. I give you my oath that we will not attack your kingdom. Farewell," Minerva accpeted defeat and called off her attack peacefully. She was strong, sure, but when up against my tactics, she fell short.
"That completes this mission, Lauria," Alfonse told me.
"You're such an excellent tactician. Why, I think I'm going to be very fond of you," Sharena said and it warmed my heart, unlike some people. I couldn't help but glare once more at the prince.
"At least someone appreciates me and my skills," I didn't personally dislike Alfonse, but he did get on my nerves more than I would like to admit. And besides, I didn't respond well to people saying that sort of thing while I was nearby. Irked me the wrong way, if you will.
"Everyone, listen up. I've just gotten a report that Emblian soldiers are advancing on our kingdom!" Anna gave some very disturbing news.
"What? Then all of this, here-?" Alfonse was confused by this revalation
"It was just a distraction. We've left our kingdom open to attack," Sharena made the connection
Anna was the voice of reason, "What's done is done. Now, let's make haste. Back to Askr!"
There wasn't anytime to rest for we had all teamed up and started to move at a much faster pace. I was with Abel, as he expertly steered his horse foward, following the pack.