Chapter 4
It's been 3 years since Jade and Nightmare had traveled across the Desert of Death and visiting Hatari. For no reason Jade had decided to keep quiet about it and went about her normal life earning money by doing odd jobs, sketching people and Laguz alike, and even some mercenary work. After returning from Hatari she immediately went home and helped her family move to a new place somewhere in Daein where she believed was more safer than most. Her mother was working as a painter in their old town and is now setting up a new shop, setting up some of the sketches that Jade has done as examples to display. During her travels her mother and her father helped her younger brother Joric, who is now 19, to join the army after being trained expertly by their father, who is a former weapons master when he was younger. Satisfied that her family was okay she left again.
Now that she has time on her hands to do whatever she wished Jade felt like going across the desert to visit the Wolf Queen the the Heron Prince that she had befriended. Strolling into town they came to a new shop that wasn't there before. Curiosity getting the better of her she went in to see what she could buy, leaving Nightmare outside to wait for her. Her mother has said that she had always been the curious child and would take up almost any challenge. The shop had many items ranging from common items to rare relics and sturdy weaponry to protective gears. While browsing through the shelves of random items she found a book with only blank pages.
"This is perfect for a new sketch book. I left my old one at home." Jade said to herself. She purchased the book and a new sword for herself because she had lost her old one in the last job she had taken up. They went further into the city and bought enough food and water to get them across the Desert of Death, even some sweet oats for Nightmare as a treat.
They were about to exit the city when she saw the back of someone peering behind a building at some people that she could probably only guess they were following. Jade strolled up to the person and tapped them on their shoulder, which was covered by their red armor. 'I wonder what they're wearing that for.' She thought briefly as the person whirled around in surprise.
"Hi, my name is Jade and this is Nightmare. What's yours?" Asked Jade, who was surprised to see that it was a girl wearing the red armor. She had short brown hair held up in pigtails on her head and had one of the cutest chubby faces that Jade has ever seen.
"I'm Meg." Meg said a bit shyly.
"Nice to meet you Meg. So where are you from?" Jade asked as she shook Meg's hand.
"I'm from Crimea." Meg replied, feeling a little less shy.
"Kind of far from your home huh. So what are you doing all the way out here?"
"Aah!" Both Jade and Meg screamed out when they were suddenly jumped by a silver-haired girl and a green-haired boy.
"There, now we can see your faces." Said the girl. Jade could only guess that she was the Silver-Haired Maiden that everyone was talking about.
"They're... girls?" The boy said in surprise.
"So what?" Said Jade in a not caring way. Meg apologized and was about to run away when the girl asked her not to leave and Jade held her back.
"My name is Micaiah. Don't be afraid." Micaiah assured Meg, who seemed to calm down a bit. The boy who was with her said something to her about her not telling them her name and them being on the run. "It's alright. They're not after us." Micaiah said to him. "This is my... brother, Sothe. We're from Nevassa."
"I'm Jade. This is my friend Nightmare and this girl here is Meg." Said Jade, just deciding to introduce them all.
"Hi there." Meg said, Nightmare nickered.
"What are you two doing out here at the edge of the desert?" Micaiah asked them. Jade looked at Meg with a smile, telling her to go first, since that was what she had asked first.
"I'm looking for someone. Someone very important. Someone very close to my heart..." Meg started to trail off on her answer
"All by yourself?" Micaiah asked. Meg nodded.
"You're meeting someone way out here?" Sothe asked.
"I'm not sure, exactly. All I know is that this is where he came before he disappeared. I thought maybe he went into the desert." Meg replied
"What a coincidence. We're also looking for someone in the desert. Would you like to come along?" Micaiah said cheerfully.
"Really? Are you sure?" Meg asked surprised by Micaiah's offer
"Of course."
"Oh thank you! I've been lonely since I've left Crimea on my own."
"You came all the way from Crimea? I'm surprised you made it this far." Sothe said
"How about you, Jade? What is your reason for coming out here to the desert?" Micaiah asked Jade, almost forgetting she was there.
"I was planning on visiting some friends who live across the desert. It's been three years since I've seen them and I thought that I might as well pay them a visit. And yes, there is another country on the other side of the desert. Surprising isn't it." Was Jade's nonchalant reply.
"How interesting. Would you like to come along too?"
"I would love to. The more the merrier right?"
"That's it then. Welcome aboard you two. You're one of us now." Micaiah welcomed them warmly to their group and led the way to the desert after joining up with the rest of their party, the Dawn Brigade.
As they traveled through the desert Jade and Meg were properly introduced the the rest of the Dawn Brigade members. Nolan, a Fighter, made the first move in welcoming them. He was a lot older than the rest of them, as Jade could tell by the beard, but he was nice. He shook their hands in a warm gesture of friendship and pointed out the other two members, who waved back at Jade and Meg and waited until Nolan was done talking. The first one he pointed out to was a young man named Leonardo, an Archer, who has blond hair, blue eyes, and blue attire. His whole appearance seemed calm and dignified. The next one is another young man named Edward, who is a Myrmidon. He has dark brown hair and eyes and wore a goldish shirt under a red one. He looked to be good natured and a very confident person. A young woman named Laura was introduced next and she was a Healer with short black hair, brown eyes, and had a warm personality. Her childhood friend is a soldier named Aran with green hair. To Jade he kinda looked a bit bored, but that was about it.
"I see you fight using a sword." Edward spoke up first. "Then I would like to challenge you to a match!"
"You're on." Jade got into a fighting stance and was about to take out her sword when Nolan held out a hand in front of them, earning some whining complaints from both sword fighters
"Wait you two. Why would you start having a fight out here in the desert." Both Jade and Edward just stared at Nolan, wanting him to get to the point. "Could you at least wait until we've stopped to rest. You'll just get tired on the way if you start now." Nolan said, sighing in relief when both swords were put away.
"The minute we stop, that's when we start." Said Jade to Edward, passing him to follow more closely to Micaiah and Sothe while leading Nightmare next to her. Edward nodded and walked right next to her to make conversation instead to pass the time. Nolan and Leonardo just looked at each other and shook their heads as they brought up the rear of their interesting group.
The desert was hot and sandy and the day just kept getting hotter and hotter, the feeling all too familiar to Jade's dislike. Out of boredom Jade climbed onto Nightmare's back and pulled out her new sketchbook that she had bought. Leaning on the horse's neck for support Jade started to draw everyone individually, every now and then getting 'what the heck are you doing' looks from her new companions. "I like to draw people, places, and things. Especially Laguz." Jade explained when Meg finally asked her what she was doing. Once Jade was done she ripped out the pages and gave each of them their own. Feeling a bit more energized again she slid off of Nightmare and continued to walk again.
Eventually Micaiah led the group to some ancient ruins that were probably built by Laguz, as had Sothe suggested. Sothe as ordered the rest of them to check the surroundings and he and Micaiah entered the building, checking out what might have called Micaiah to the ruins. As the group walked through the cool stone structures they marveled at the architecture of the building, amazed by its vastness and how it is even still standing. When it seemed as if everything was alright Nolan had told them to take a rest before the met back up with Sothe and Micaiah. Just as Jade had said, once they had stopped Edward rushed over to Jade and challenged her again.
"What? Already? Come on, we just got here and I'm tired and hot." Jade said plopping down on a fallen pillar, Nolan and Leonardo sitting on either side of her with no room left for Edward.
"But you said that we can fight once we were able to stop somewhere." Edward whined, lowering her sword. Green eyes briefly flickered down to his sword then back up the the young swordsman.
"Edward, we are all tired. You should rest and save your energy in case something happens, not waste it on in idle swordplay." Leonardo chided the Myrmidon.
"That's right, I did. And we will." Jade said shifting a bit.
"Alright then. When?" Still holding his sword Edward crossed his arms over his chest disappointedly.
"Now!" Jade had positioned herself so that when she quickly drew her sword and rushed Edward she would not hit either Nolan or Leonardo, who had jumped back in surprise at Jade's sudden movement. Edward was caught off guard and was barely able to block a strike to his shoulder. Leonardo just sighed in slight annoyance as he watched his friends spar with one another. After a few hurried blocks Edward was able to get his footing and start to deliver some offensive attacks. Having more experience in sword fighting Jade decided to take it easy on Edward for a bit until he started getting serious. Edward was pretty good with a sword, she'll give him that much, but her of course has a whole lot to learn. After warming up a bit Jade started to move from defense to offense and started striking faster at Edward. Jade raised her sword above her head as if going for an overhead side slash to the left, Edward also raising his in defense, but then Jade feinted and changed her position so that her sword would slash Edward's unprotected side. Not really wanting to hurt him Jade swung her sword and batted Edward with the flat of the sword. Edward had cried out, expecting the feel of steel ripping flesh, but felt nothing but the slap to his side. "You're dead." Jade merely said. Edward huffed and rushed her again.
Jade and Edward had been trading blows for a good seven minutes when Nolan heard Micaiah calling for them. "Everyone, Micaiah and Sothe needs us." Nolan shouted to them urgently. Everyone stopped what they were doing, quickly gathered their belongings, and rushed after the Fighter. They followed Micaiah's call to another large room that contained mounds of gold, but their amazement to the treasure shifted to the forms of Laguz bandits surrounding them from every side.
"Feel like drawing these Laguz, Jade?" Leonardo teased Jade as he started shooting a string of arrows at a Laguz that had come too close.
"Not if they're about to rip me to shreds." Jade yelled to the Archer as she charged at a cat Laguz. The cat saw her coming and waited until Jade was closer for it to pounce, but Jade has fought with many troublesome Laguz before and also waited for the cat to make a move. Suddenly it pounced aiming for her throat, ready to end her quick. Ready for the expected pounce Jade sidestepped and cut a deep gash into the cat's side once it had landed on the spot she was just at. The cat Laguz yowled in pain and lashed out at her again only earning a stab in the neck with her sword.
"One down and only, like what, nine more to go?" Jade cried out, rushing to help Meg and Leonardo with an especially strong tiger. Meg was trying to hold him back with Leonardo backing her up, but the tiger just kept coming back and dancing away, keeping them on their toes and tiring them out. Jade had snuck up on the the tiger Laguz and was about to dig her sword into its backside when it suddenly whirled around and batted her away with a powerful paw. Temporarily distracted by Jade Leonardo was able to come in close and shot in some arrows to the heart, ending him instantly.
"Are you okay, Jade? That looked like it hurt." Meg said, quickly helping Jade up off the ground.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting that one." Jade coughed a bit and got herself ready for their next opponent. While Jade, Meg, Aran, Leonardo, and Edward were taking care of the Laguz near the entrance from which they came from Micaiah, Sothe, Nolan, and Laura fought their way to the leaders of the Laguz bandits. There were many close calls when it seemed like Micaiah was going to be killed but Sothe would always come running to her rescue with Nolan not too far behind. Soon enough every Laguz in the room were routed to the relief of the Dawn Brigade.
"Hey Micaiah, you okay? You kind of look a bit shaken." Jade said as she passed Micaiah while looking for Nightmare. Everyone else were gathering around and making their way to where Micaiah and Sothe are.
"I'm fine. Where's Yune? Yune? Yune, where are you? You can come out now." Micaiah called for the little orange bird that always travels with her.
"You and that bird. It's... a little strange." Sothe commented, looking at Micaiah in a weird way.
"You're just jealous. Wait, I hear something."
"I can't hear anything."
"Someone's singing. It's coming from over there." Micaiah pointed to the direction to where she claims to hear the singing and dashed off, Sothe in pursuit.
"Michaiah, wait!" Sothe called out. Seeing their leaders running off in a hurry to somewhere Jade and the others started to follow them, wondering where they were going to this time. As the group got closer to what seemed like another large room Jade and everyone else could now also hear the singing voice that Micaiah was talking about.
'This voice sounds... kind of familiar.' Thought Jade. She saw that Nightmare's ears were pointed forward and he seemed eager to overtake Micaiah and Sothe ahead of them.
Once they entered the room from which the singing was coming from everyone stopped in slight surprise. Jade, who somehow ended at the back of the group, peeked around to see what everyone was looking at, and what she saw made her so excited that not even her huge smile could express her happiness. There across the room from them was Nailah, Rafiel, and Volug, Rafiel sitting on a stump of a pillar with Nailah and Volug laying on either side of him in their wolf forms. Rafiel was the one that was singing and on his shoulder was Yune. When they had entered all three heads had turned their way.
"Nailah! Rafiel! Volug! I'm so happy to see you again." Jade said as she ran to her three Laguz friends with every intent on hugging all of them them to death. Nailah had just stood up, still in her wolf form, as she was tackled by an excited Jade. Letting go of Nailah Jade then moved on to also hug the Heron prince, embracing him more gently than she did with Nailah. Lastly, of course was Volug, who looked as if he was going to move away but Jade just pulled his furry wolf neck to her. "I really missed you guys. How are all of you?" Jade asked, finally stepping back and both wolves shifted into their humanoid form.
"Jade, you know these people?" Micaiah asked when everyone had already made their way across the room and were standing a few feet from where Jade had met her friends.
"Yes. These are my friends who live across the desert that I was going to visit." Jade explained.
"Hello. Who are you?" Asked Micaiah as she got closer to the three Laguz and addressed the Heron prince.
"I am Rafiel. A voice guided me here. Was it you?" Rafiel asked Micaiah.
"No, but I heard a voice that guided me here as well. Someone or something may want us both here." Micaiah replied.
"You're laguz, aren't you? One of the heron clan, and two of the beast tribe. Right?" Sothe said as he stepped up next to Micaiah to get a better look at them.
"You are correct, Beorc youth." Said Rafiel.
"
Your white wings reveal you're of the heron royal family. Are you related to Prince Reyson, by any chance?
"Reyson? My younger brother? You know of him?"
"You could say that. We served in the same company for a while."
"What? You are suggesting that my brother is still alive?"
"Yes. He is still alive. And as far as I know, your father the king and the princess Leanne are as well. Unless something's happened, all three of them live in the royal palace of Gallia, country of the beast tribe."
"Unbelievable! My father and my sweet Leanne... They're still with me! Oh, goddess! I'm...not alone. Not anymore... ...Ah..." Rafiel looked like he was about to cry in happiness at hearing the news of his brothers and sisters that Jade felt like giving him another hug.
"Rafiel..." Nailah spoke up, getting the Heron's attention. Volug was obviously standing next to her and not saying anything, again.
"Hello. And you are?" Micaiah asked as she finally noticed Nailah and Volug.
"I am Nailah, Queen of Hatari, and this is Volug, my loyal servant. Our kingdom lies far east of here." Nailah said. "Until we met Rafiel, we didn't know there were countries on this side of the desert. After all, no one had ever crossed the Desert of Death and lived to tell of it. Without Rafiel's guidance, we would never have survived the crossing."
"My people, the heron clan of Serenes, were blamed for the murder of Begnion's empress. Begnion mobs rose up in rage and massacred them. I had thought the whole of my clan, my entire race, had been wiped out. I wandered the desert in despair. If not for the queen, I would have died. In Hatari, I vowed to dedicate my life to her. And yet every night for these past three years, a voice has called out to me. Day by day, it has grown stronger... Until the voice led me to you all. Your news brings such joy! Father...Reyson...Leanne... My beloved family... My thanks to thee, O goddess... Ah..." Rafiel spoke up again so full of emotion.
"Rafiel... You talk too much. Control yourself. You, beorc... What's the best route to Gallia?" Nailah asked, getting to the point.
"It would be suicide to travel through Daein for a group of Laguz. We could take to you Crimea, but that would take longer" Sothe answered for Nailah.
"We would be grateful. By all means let's travel together. But why to Crimea and not straight to Gallia?" Nailah asked curiously.
"Entering Gallia by yourselves would be nearly impossible. The man you need to get you into Gallia actually resides in Crimea. That man, Ike, is in contact with King Caineghis and his advisors. There's no doubt in my mind that he's the man you need." Sothe said, sounding a little proud about mentioning Ike.
"Right. Lord Ike, hero of the Crimean Liberation, leader of the Greil Mercenaries, and father of Sothe's children..." Micaiah said sarcastically, making fun of Sothe as he talked about Ike again. Jade and everyone else that were listening laughed at Micaiah's joke.
