"I hope the others escaped…" Micaiah said idly, pacing a small portion of her jail cell.
"I'm sure they're safe and secure, just as I believe the abbot got his medicine. I believe in them," Laura said.
"Pardon… excuse me? Not to pry, but did you know you're bleeding? You've got blood on your sleeve!" a woman asked.
"Hm? Oh, you're right. I didn't notice…" Micaiah said.
"Unfortunately, we have no vulneraries to heal you… try wrapping this cloth around your wound," the woman said.
"Thank you very much. I don't believe we've met… I'm Micaiah," Micaiah said, wrapping the cloth around her arm.
"I am Aimee. I've been a guest in this dungeon for some time. On behalf of me and my snoozing friend Ilyana, it's very nice to meet you, Micaiah," Aimee said. As she said that, Ilyana snored, and turned on her side.
"So, why are you two in here?" Micaiah asked.
"I'd ask the same question. I belong to a merchant caravan passing through en route to the next market day. When we arrived here, we were brought to this charming prison against our will. Now we await 'the general's pleasure'," Aimee said.
"…That doesn't sound good. How unfortunate," Laura said. A fifth prisoner made a sound, and everyone looked around.
"…If you wish, you can use this salve on your wound. It's an infusion of olivi grass," the boy said.
"Olivi grass? I've heard of it… are you sure it's safe for beorc?" Aimee asked.
"It is unquestionably safe," the boy said. Micaiah took the poultice, and rubbed it on her arm.
"Well, aren't you the trusting one. Are you comfortable applying laguz medicine to your wound?" Aimee asked.
"I am a laguz, Aimee," Micaiah said. "And thanks for the medicine either way." A soft noise sounded, and everyone looked around. Sothe had appeared in front of the jail cell, and had opened it.
"Sothe! You're all right!" Micaiah said.
"Sorry about the wait… Hello, there. Do I know you three?" Sothe said, addressing the last part to the other three prisoners.
"You ought to… I remember you. My, you've grown to be easy on the eyes… I'm a little smitten. To think such an adorable boy would grow to be such a strapping young man," Aimee said.
"Ah. Aimee. Micaiah, we met each other during the war… anyway, let's get out of here before the guards come," Sothe said.
"I would like to leave, too. Like Aimee, I don't know why I've been imprisoned. May I join you?" the traveller asked.
"Of course!" Micaiah said.
"I thank you. My name is Kurth," Kurth said.
"Well then, Kurth, after you!" Micaiah said, gesturing forth.
"Sothe, this way!" Nolan said, as Sothe left the building and entered the courtyard.
"Nolan! Edward! Leonardo! It's good to see you all!" Micaiah said, looking at her companions with glee.
"How did you lot get in this far without my help?" Sothe asked.
"One of the soldiers let us in the back," Nolan remarked.
"Begnion?" Micaiah asked.
"Yes. He told us that if we were here for Laura, we were to go in," Edward said.
"A Begnion soldier… mentioning me?" Laura asked.
"The prisoners are escaping!" a man called out, raising his sword. The sound of galloping followed, and a mounted woman entered the prison, holding her axe at the ready.
"Well… surprise. They found us," Micaiah said.
"Micaiah, this is for you," Sothe said, handing Micaiah her tome of magic spells.
"How did you get it?" Micaiah asked, flipping through the pages.
"I saw a Begnion holding it. His corpse is currently packed within a closet, to scare the heebie-jeebies out of the next man to open it… anyway, here it is," Sothe said.
"Ah, Sothe… Your resourcefulness is matched only by your humour," Micaiah said. Sothe handed Laura a staff, as the mounted woman approached the group. She took off her helmet, and smiled at Ilyana.
"Hey there… I thought I'd have to break you out. But no, you did fine on your own," the woman said.
"Astrid? What are you doing here? I thought you were with the Crimean knights," Ilyana said, to the surprise of the Dawn Brigade.
"I am. Jorge ran all the way to Crimea, and told me you had been captured. Luckily I was on the Crimea/Daein border, huh…" Astrid said.
"I've been captured that long…" Aimee asked.
"Anyway, I've got you a thunder tome…" Astrid said, looking through her sack, and pulling out a thunder tome for Ilyana.
"Are you lot all right to fight on your own?" Astrid asked, looking at Ilyana in particular.
"I will fight… I'm very angry… the food was terrible… and they hardly gave us any…" Ilyana said. Astrid stepped back, before galloping from the prison. The Dawn Brigade took that, as well as Aimee and Kurth stepping back, as their cue to leave things to Ilyana. Ilyana let out a scream, and every Begnion within about a fifty-metre radius was struck by lightning.
"Takes her food seriously, doesn't she?" Micaiah asked.
"You have no idea…" Sothe said. "Now, let's move on, before Ilyana's next thunderbolt hits us."
"Good plan, Sothe…" Micaiah said. A few reinforcements showed up, one of which was clad in black armour. Laura took in a breath.
"What is it?" Micaiah asked.
"That's the soldier who let you in?" Laura asked.
"Why, yes, actually," Nolan remarked.
"Ilyana, don't hit him," Laura said. Ilyana nodded, and refrained from using another thunder magic spell.
"Aran… I can't believe it! It is you!" Laura said, approaching Aran. The Begnions surrounding looked about curiously, before approaching the Dawn Brigade.
"Laura…" Aran said.
"I knew it! Or… suspected it. But why, Aran? Why would a Daein join Begnion?" Laura asked.
"A Daein? I don't think I count as one of those… not since the Begnion merchants took me in… but I could never do anything to hurt you. You've been a little sister to me… get out of here, Laura, while you have the chance! I'll turn a blind eye," Aran said.
"But Micaiah and Sothe! They risked their lives fighting for the abbot… and me. I couldn't abandon them now, even if it meant saving myself," Laura said.
"Oh, the bother… I can't lie to myself any longer. I can't support what Begnion is doing to Daein. From now on… I fight for what's right. Just like the abbot taught us. Come on. Let's get you, and everyone else, out of here!" Aran said.
"Thank you, Aran! You haven't changed a bit. Your family would be so proud of your consideration!" Laura said. A pair of Begnions peeked around from a wall, and charged the group. Aran swung his lance about, and dispatched of both assailants. He led the party through the prison, and the group made their escape.
"Thank you so much… all of you! Because of your bravery, I can finally re-join my merchant caravan!" Aimee said. Micaiah looked around.
"What happened to Astrid?" Micaiah asked.
"She's on her way back to Crimea. She does have a duty, you know," Jorge said.
"Anyway… seeing Nevassa for myself, I was stunned at the terrible state of things. Who'd have thought Begnion would rule with an iron fist. They run your nation with boundless cruelty, looting your towns and sending your able-bodied men to camps. It breaks my heart," Aimee said.
"They make me miss Ashnard, the Mad King. I never thought I'd say that… at least he never tried to destroy the country Crimea," Jorge said.
"What do you mean by that?" Micaiah asked.
"People make the country. Not just one person. A strong country exists only when the people are strong. As Begnion crushed the citizens, it slowly destroys Daein," Daniel said.
"The dastards treat Daein like a nation of slaves! If this keeps up, Daein's strength will be sapped, and the nation itself will cease to exist!" Jorge said.
"Can we do anything to save our country?" Micaiah asked.
"There's a rumour…" Jorge said.
"Look, Jorge. Don't go spouting rumours," Muston told him sternly.
"Tell me, Jorge. If there is even a shred of hope, I will take it," Micaiah said.
"Well… the rumour is that King Ashnard left behind an orphan," Jorge said.
"Ashnard had a child? I have never heard this!" Sothe said.
"It is only a rumour… but if it is true, then it would be a strike of great fortune for Daein," Daniel said.
"Crimea used a scion of the royal family to unify the people and create its liberation army. Who's to say Daein can't use the same tactic?" Jorge asked.
"…Where is the orphan?" Micaiah asked.
"According to the rumour, he's in the east, near the Desert of Death, trying to raise an army to claim the throne," Jorge said.
"Micaiah, what do you think?" Sothe asked.
"In the desert… there is an important encounter. It will be one that changes our future," Micaiah said.
"Well, I'm sticking to her plan. We'll head to the desert to meet our destiny," Sothe said.