Chapter 9

Jade was treating Nightmare to a snack of apples and carrots when she and the rest of the Dawn Brigade heard Edward shouting at the top of his lungs as he ran towards them. After he had taken a breather he told everyone what he had heard from Sothe and Micaiah, that the Apostle was going to send an inspection team to investigate the occupation army's abuses and that she will send an imperial edict that will stop military action. After weeks of fighting and making their way to Nevassa everyone felt so relieved and happy for the good news they started cheering so loudly that some soldiers would look at them as if they were crazy. Which they probably were at the moment.

That evening a feast was held in celebration of their victory. There was so much food and drinks that some of them couldn't believe that such a spread stood before them, ready to be eaten. However, before anyone could dig in Prince Pelleas arrived with Izuka, who cleared his throat and tried to shout over the noise of excited soldiers.

"Aahhrrm! Silence!" Izuka shouted with his annoying creaky voice, getting everyone's attention. "Prince Pelleas would now like to favor you with a word." The creepy looking advisor turned to the Prince with a nod. "You may begin, my Prince."

Prince Pelleas took a step forward as he started to address the gathered soldiers. "Everyone, you've done a find job. Once the inspection team arrives, Daein will be free once again! In anticipation of our emancipatoin, I invite you to eat and drink to your hearts' content."

The soldiers cheered as they toasted to their prince and started helping themselves on food and drinks. The members of the Dawn Brigade gathered together at a fire pit near the food spread as they chatted away like the other soldiers in the camp. Tormod was seated amongst them as he told about his travels with Maurim and Vika, waving his hands around and talking animatedly to make his stories more interesting. Even some of the soldiers came over to listen to the Fire Mage. Sometimes he would be interrupted by someone with a question or a comment and Tormod would respond with slight annoyance at having to stop in the middle of his sentence, but then would go back to talking like nothing happened.

Jade was sitting a little bit away from the group as she listened, eating her food and idly drawing random patterns on the ground with a stick since she really couldn't sketch in the dark. Since the Liberation Army had been nearing Nevassa Jade had been thinking about her family lately, wondering how they were without her and thought that once they had reached the city she would go back to wherever you parents were living and stay with them for a while. The last time she had seen them they had just gotten a puppy that her mother just adored, even Jade got a little attached to it. Looking up from the ground to take a bite of a piece of chicken Jade could make out the shadowed shape of Volug lying behind Micaiah, who had just gotten up to walk away, with Vika and Maurim next to him. Volug had lifted his head to watch Micaiah walk off, probably to go get more food or something, and turned to look at Jade. The blue haired artist smiled back at Volug and went back to scratching patterns on the ground. She didn't really notice Volug had walked over to her until the shadow of a wolf was blocking the light of the fire.

"Hey Volug, you didn't have to come over here. Go sit with Vika and Maurim, I'm sure you feel more comfortable with them since you're all Laguz." Jade said as she good-naturedly pushed at Volug's foreleg so that she could have her light back. From the corner of her eye Jade thought she saw the Raven Laguz watching them, but when she looked up she saw that the two Laguz were talking with one another. When Volug didn't move and continued to look at her Jade sighed with a small smile. "Okay you win. Now get back here and warm me up, I think I'm starting to feel cold." Jade said as she patted the space behind her. Instead of going to his usual spot when he was with Jade Volug sat down in front of her, deliberately blocking the light of the fire so that Jade could barely see the ground. "Are you serious?" Jade said as she lifted an eyebrow at him and dropped her cheek onto her fist. Before Jade could say anything else Volug got behind her, pushed her closer to the group, and laid down behind her. Giving the Wolf Laguz a halfhearted glare Jade wacked at his ear and continued to eat her food. After a while, when Micaiah hadn't come back yet, Sothe got up and started walking away.

"Hey Sothe, where are you going? I was just getting to the good part." Tormod said when he noticed Sothe was leaving, one arm in the air and the other below in the middle of mimicing a closing jaw.

"Micaiah should've been back by now. I'm going to look for her." Sothe said without looking back at his friend and walked off. Tormod shrugged and continued with what he was saying.

Later that night everyone found out that when Micaiah had slipped away from the party to be alone she was attacked by Jarod, who would have killed her if it wasn't for the appearance of the Black Knight. Sothe was obviously upset about the fact that he was still alive, and that he wasn't there for Micaiah when she needed him, and didn't trust him, but couldn't do anything about it because Micaiah accepted the Black Knight's assistance. Especially when she believes that it wasn't going to be the last that they would see of Jarod. Everyone else didn't know what to think about having the Black Knight around but decided that they would leave the judgement to Micaiah and Sothe.

After a few days the Liberation Army made camp on a hillside near Nevassa, and what they saw the next day shocked them. In the city of Nevassa they could see that Jarod had launched an attack on the people of Daein. Soldiers from all over the camp gathered around the edge of camp as they watched in horror as possible friends and loved onces were killed, crying out that their parents lived in Nevassa or their wife and kids were still down there. Soon enough Prince Pelleas and Micaiah came out of the main tent as the Prince addressed the soldiers just waiting to get their revenge on Jarod for what he's doing.

"Um... Soldiers of the Liberation Army! Heed my- No, no... Hear my words! I am Pelleas, true Prince of Daein." Pelleas said, his voice wavering somewhat.

"Yes, we know who you are, Milord! We ought to by now!" Called out a soldier from somewhere in the crowd. This made Pelleas seem a little more nervous.

"And so, uh... So..." Pelleas dropped his head slightly at a loss for words. The soldiers all around looked from one another and back to their Prince, wondering what was wrong with him and asking if he was all right.

"Prince." Micaiah said as she and the Black Knight approached him from behind, but stopped a few feet from him. The presence of the Black Knight caught the undivided attention of the other soldiers, their gaze now fixed on Pelleas, who was beginning to gain some confidence.

"...And so... And so, beloved friends and comrades dear." Pelleas said, his voice starting to strengthen as he continued to speak. "With thanks to you, our capital lies close! And if we do not act, if we turn back, the war still ends with us the victors proud, and Daein's rule still falls back to our hands. And if we choose to fight and free this town, we may enrage the empire once again. Thus Daein's fortune turns to sorrow swift. But while I speak, Nevassa's hardship grows! Our brothers suffer, our sisters die, and... I shall not... I... I cannot ignore this tragedy. No man can, and certainly no prince... I cannot look away when my people suffer. And so I ask... I ask you all. Please, will you join me?!" Pelleas stared at the army of soldiers before him, his eyes moving over their faces. After a few moments soldiers started stepping forward and and began to cheer. Shouting praises to their Prince, as their spirits rose in determination to save their country, they banged swords on shields and stomped their spears to the ground.

With a sigh of relief Pelleas turned to look at Micaiah with a smile. "Very well, my Prince. We are at your service." Micaiah said. At her words the rest of the Dawn Brigade gathered around to show their support, each of them how eager they were in different ways.

Pelleas nodded at her. "My army is well arrayed and waiting. Be well... and, no overly heroic risks, please."

Micaiah gave him a nod as she turned to address the soldiers. "Company, at attention! Our objective is to save the town and take the keep! Now move out!" With that Micaiah and Sothe started running, followed by the Dawn Brigade and then the rest of the army as they charged towards the city. Once they were in Nevassa Micaiah split the army into teams to fight off the enemy and help any of the townspeople that they could. While the soldiers of the Liberation Army were busy throughout Nevassa Micaiah's group fought their way to the keep to where she knew Jarod would be waiting for them.

Entering the keep they heard Jarod's voice as he prepared his men for battle. "That shout... that's Jarod!" Micaiah said. "For Daein's sake, this time I swear I'll put an end to him." With everyone gathered around they quickly prepared themselves and, without hesitation, charged foreward. A few of them split off from the group to take care of the first set of soldiers while the rest kept moving on.

Nailah, Volug, and Jade took the lead as they jumped over the first set of soldiers and headed up the stairs, followed by Jill and Maurim. Waiting at the top of the stairs was a soldier with a lance in hand, ready to strike anyone that came up through the staircase. Growling Volug leapt at the soldier as a distraction while Jade quickly slid off from the wolf Laguz's back and lunged, driving her sword into the slits between the armor. Grunting in pain the soldier fell dead as he was finished off by a heavy pounce by Volug while Maurim and then Jill flew past to start attacking the other soldiers on the landing. Staying away from the mages, Volug and Nailah took care of the soldiers further ahead while Jade and Jill easily fought and took down the mages.

Down at the bottom Micaiah's group were fighting and making their way up the stairs and ledges. Moving past Micaiah and Sothe, who were fighting off some soldiers with the others, Leonardo went up the stairs to shoot at the soldier on top of the ledge while Edward tried to jump up and attack the ones that were coming to block the path. Once the ledge was clear Nolan and Leonardo climbed after Edward to help him fight with more soldiers, injuring every one they saw while Leonardo took them down from afar. After finishing the soldiers at the bottom who had come in from behind as reinforcements, Sothe, Micaiah and the Black Knight followed their group up the stairs while Zihark went after Nailah's group.

By the time Micaiah's group reached the top of the first landing, it was already cleared of soldiers. "Is everyone okay to move on?" Sothe asked when they briefly met up, briefly giving the Black Knight a death glare before looking around. When he saw that all were well and ready, with the exceptions of a few scratches here and there, Sothe sent up Nailah's group for the first attack. Skipping the general waiting for them at the stairs, Maurim, Jill, and Zihark attacked the two soldiers and mage behind it while Nailah, Volug, and Jade jumped the other ledge to get to the next set of soldiers. Being so close to Jarod now more of his men began start targeting them as fast as they could to prevent them from getting any closer. While Nailah and Volug fought with two generals Jade covered their backs when two archers aimed for them. Charging at them, Jade managed to avoid the first arrow but didn't have enough time to dodge the second one and got nicked at her side. Biting back the pain, Jade slashed at the arm of one archer, disarming him, quickly killed the second archer in two blows, and then finished off the first archer before she could get caught in another skirmish.

With Nailah's group taking care of soldiers on the left side and working their way up, Sothe and Micaiah raced to the right staircase in order to gain a higher vantage on one of the other landings above Jarod. With both sides of their groups surrounding Jarod, it wouldn't be too hard to defeat him. As the two leaders ran past with Laura and Leonardo, Nolan, Edward, and the Black Knight followed a little behind as they fought with the four generals guarding Jarod. Guarding the landing were three simple soldiers. Lunging for the nearest one, Sothe slashed at him a few times, dodging a counterattack and creating an opening for Leonardo to shoot an arrow through him. Next to Leonardo, keeping at a good distance, Micaiah shot the next soldier with her light magic while Sothe and Leonardo killed the other one. The soldier that Micaiah attacked attempted a counterattack as he threw a javelin at her, but was intercepted by Sothe who threw it back at him and finished him with a slash to the neck. It was now just the four of them on the platform overlooking where Jarod stood horrified at how quickly he was being beaten.

Finished with the remaining soldiers at the back Jill and Zihark hurried to help Nolan small group with the four strong generals. Maurim came up behind, shifted back into his humanoid form with some injuries. Keeping away from the battle Maurim eventually made it to the top of the left landing where Jade quickly took out a mage that had climbed up in a desperate attempt to keep them away. Same with the other side when they went up against Sothe's daggers. After those two mages, it was just Jarod by himself. Despite being the only one standing, he still wore a mask of dignified arrogance. Looking challengingly at Micaiah at his left he smirked and gestured her forward.

"So it's you... little girl." Jarod said, looking challengingly at Micaiah at his left as he smirked and gestured her forward.

Standing next to Micaiah, Sothe looked at her. "Don't, Micaiah."

"Maiden, take no risks upon yourself." The Black Knight said as he stepped up to her other side. "You are the heart of this army, the soul that inspires us. We must not loose you." Like Sothe, he too turned to look at her as he drew his sword. "Leave this battle to me, and stay back."

Sothe opened his mouth and was about to say something to the Black Knight, but was interrupted by Micaiah as she addressed them both. "Thank you for your concern, Sothe, Sir Knight. But I am going to fight." Micaiah said as she stared down at Jarod. "You and and everyone else are putting your lives on the line. I will not shirk my duty."

"You... are much... like her." The Black Knight said, his sword lowering without meaning to.

"What?" Asked Micaiah.

"... Nothing."

Taking a steadying breath, and ignoring the warnings of Sothe and the Black Knight, Micaiah jumped down to face Jarod, but still kept herself at a safe distance. Sothe followed quickly behind her as Nailah, Volug, and Jade also jumped to join them at the bottom. "General Jarod, the battle is over. Surely you can see it. You never believed Daein could do it, did you? But here you stand, broken, defeated by my countrymen and friends." Micaiah said, her voice ringing loud and clear throughout the keep.

"Have I really, I wonder?" Jarod said as he shifted his weight onto one foot and crossed his arms over his chest. "Didn't I tell you, with you dead, there is no 'Liberation Army.' This is my golden opportunity... One blow is all it takes to turn defeat to victory. Such a lovely thought."

"I will not loose to you. More importantly, the people of Daein will not loose to you." As if on cue, Sothe shot forward for an attack. Moving past the point of Jarod's spear point, Soth managed to strike him in a few spots where his dagger could tear skin and quickly got out of range.

"So, you have the audacity to approach me at last. Don't expect an easy fight. Before I die, I will see each of you dead before me." Just as Jarod said that, Jade rushed towards Jarod. He lunged his spear out towards Jade, who blocked his attack and left him open for Volug and Nailah's fangs. Blood gushing from his wounds and surrounded by his enemies, Jarod glared angrily at all of them. His eyes especially found Micaiah's as she dealt the final blow.

"Gg-ghuahh..." Jarod cried out, dropping to his knees but keeping his body supported a moment longer with his spear. "I am... sorry for nothing. I regret... nothing. Because I did it my way... You win, Priestess. You must be delighted. Enjoy it while you can... Because... sooner or later... you..." Even with his last breaths, Jarod didn't get to finish what he was saying. As the tension left his body, Jarod slipped into death and fell onto the floor.

Micaiah allowed a short moment to go by as she stared at the dead general's body before turning to her friends. "We've won! We've taken back our country! Daein is under our control once again!" Micaiah shouted and everyone cheered. "Alright. Since we've done our part, I think we should head outside and help out as much as we can. I will go back to camp with Sothe and give my reports to Prince Pelleas." When everyone was in agreement Micaiah led everyone outside the keep and began splitting them off into groups and informing them on what they can do.

Just as they were about to move out a golden dog with floppy ears and something around its neck came running up to them, straight for Jade's turned back. Before the dog could get to her Volug stepped forward and bared his fangs at the dog. Cowering and whimpering before the wolf the dog looked pleadingly at Jade and tried going around Volug. When Jade turned around to see what was going on she stopped short at how familiar the dog looked. "Sunny, is that really you?" With a small laugh Jade made her way towards the dog, rubbing Volug's head as she passed. "It's okay, Volug. Sunny is just my mom's dog. Why are you here little one?" Jade stooped down to hug Sunny as he greeted her with barks and yips.

"What a beautiful dog." Micaiah said behind Jade as she reached to pet Sunny on the head. "But if he's your mother's dog what is he doing here?"

"What are you doing here, Sunny?" Jade said, a strange feeling settling over her as she stared at the dog that she once knew as a puppy. "And what's this around your neck?" Sunny sat still as Jade tugged open the small pouch, leaving it tied around his neck as she peered inside. In the pouch was a folded note along with some coins. Hesitantly Jade pulled out the piece of paper and started reading it. Jade didn't notice that at the same time she finished reading the note Volug looked so suddenly at her that some of the members of the Dawn Brigade did the same only to be confused.

"Hey Jade, is there simething wrong?" Edward asked, since he, other than Micaiah, was closest to her. Silently folding the paper Jade stood up, her head thoughtfully lowered as she looked at Sunny for a moment. Sighing deeply Jade looked at Micaiah with a slight smile.

"Can I ask you a favor, Micaiah?" Jade asked.

"Of course, what is it?"

"Um, my mother asked me to pick up a few things for her here. I'll be right back so you all can go back to camp. I'll catch up... Please." When Micaiah nodded her head Jade took off with Sunny close on her heels. She ran down the street for a few moments before Sunny led her down a different street and was gone from sight. Volug had taken one step, as if to follow, but stopped when Micaiah picked something off the ground. In her haste Jade dropped the piece of paper she had been reading earlier.

"So what does it say?" Nailah asked, suddenly appearing next to Micaiah with Sothe on the other.

"Jade said that it was just something that her mother wanted her to get." Micaiah said.

"It didn't seem that way to me."

"What do you mean?" Nailah didn't answer, but nodded at the piece of paper instead. Wordlessly Micaiah opened the note and read loud enough for only the other members of the Dawn Brigade to hear. "We're in Nevassa. Saw you in the army during the attack. Your father and brother died protecting me and Sunny. We've always been proud of you and love you very much. I am sorry for leaving you so soon. Sunny will lead you home. Take care of him for me or you'll get a terrible scolding with paint and charcoal." Micaiah's eyes widened once she had finished reading, feeling sorry for their friend. The note was hurriedly scribbled on a piece of paper dotted with wet marks and a bit of red on the corner.

"She'll probably stay at her parent's home for a while to mourn." Nailah said, taking the note from Micaiah to take a better look at it and then giving it back. "Volug, stay with Jade until she decides to return to camp, I shall accompany Micaiah back." The corner of Nailah's lips curled up slightly in an almost sad and knowing smile as she watched Volug bolt down the stairs of the keep and onto the streets as he followed Jade's scent.