Weekend updates won't be a regular thing, I just so happen to be home alone so I can edit the snot out of this!
A thing I noticed is while this and the old version were Soren and Mia-centric this one has a lot more people in secondary roles. Seeing as he is going to be around them, Zihark has to be a focus and even Ike has gained more focus than the original version.
Whether it continues like this I can't say but I enjoy writing it this way so maybe...anyway, onwards
Chapter 8 – Web of…
The State of Gull Tor
"Welcome to the capital city of Thyremog: Gull Tor."
Ike and Titania noted that compared to Blu Run, this place was gigantic, many more buildings and homes and a large castle in the distance, not unlike Melior.
"The King should be waiting for you." Edal stated.
As the two followed the horseman they did not notice the two men from the Blu Run raid watching them.
"There they are…what should we do Ilk?"
"Kill them, it'll benefit everyone." The man stated as Zanzu scratched his head "Are you sure? Barbyos and-"
"I know they didn't say anything…doesn't matter. Now come on!"
The State of Reed Baum
"Look out!"
Two soldiers raised their shields to stop a volley of arrows only to be tackled from the side by a bandit that proceeded to cleave them open.
As another home burst into flames, Neteau charged forward and impaled a bandit before whirling around and striking another with the flat of his spear, knocking them to the ground. Spinning the weapon he sunk it deep into the bandit's chest.
"Sir!"
"Maz!"
"The 30 have emerged from the woods!"
"Are your men at the ready?"
"The larger portion is set to hold them off but there are too many!"
"Of course!"
The pair turned to another bandit, larger than the ones they'd been killing with and holding a twin headed axe.
"I am Hetyo of the Barbyos Legion! Prepare to die!"
At the front the city guard was being pushed back as seven of them had already fallen.
"We have to hold the-"
Cut off by an axe the remaining guards kept moving back, barely able to take down a few bandits that were merely using their numbers to ram into them.
At that moment a horse charged through, a man with an axe leapt off and cleaved a bandit to death.
As a few surrounding ones noted him, arrows flew in from afar, killing them.
Emerging from the trees the rest of the Greil Mercenaries swarmed in and began whittling down the bandit forces.
Ranulf shot out, tackling a bandit and snapping his neck before shifting back to face the city guardsman "Hey, where is Neteau?"
"Uh…he…he's in the town, there was another troop that snuck in from the rear."
"Soren! Mia!"
Relaying the information the two nodded before Mia turned "Z!"
Striking down a bandit he ran over to them as Soren gestured to Ranulf
"You and Oscar get everyone rounded up once this is handled."
"Got it!"
With that Ranulf shifted again and took off as Soren, Mia and Zihark entered the town.
Thyremog Palace
"So that's it?" Lytros asked.
Ike nodded "Yes, we just came to extend a hand from Tellius in peace."
Lytros looked over to Yatno then back to Ike and Titania.
"I take it you're the psychic?" Ike asked.
Yatno nodded "Yes."
"And?"
"Well…I sense nothing but…good thoughts. Honest thoughts. You people don't seem to harbor any ill intent…in fact I feel you thinking rather hard on the statement 'why would we even bother?' Am I right?"
Ike chuckled "You are. I had a few doubts that your powers were real. A few."
"Indeed you did, I felt your uncertainty the second you walked in here."
Lytros laughed at that before speaking "I suppose this is good to know…honestly when I first heard of you I thought you'd be Islanders but apparently a land called Tellius does indeed exist."
"I've heard that term from Exet, what is Hitenticul?"
The King sighed "A land we used to trade with, we had good relations with them, but once the Barbyos Legion emerged, they began destroying ships that came in from Hitenticul so we had to cease contact until we could assure their safety. Now our ships and infrastructure are under constant harassment."
Ike and Titania glanced to each other as Lytros spoke again.
"You mentioned you were Mercenaries back in Tellius, in this Crimea."
Titania nodded "Yes you're majesty, we were the best."
"In that case, I'd like to hire you."
Ike crossed his arms "We didn't exactly come here looking for a fight…"
"That is absolutely true." Yatno stated "I really don't think we should be asking these people to take risks for us, your majesty. In the grand scheme of things they might as well be…tourists."
"Well, actually we are officially sanctioned Emissaries." Titania answered.
Lytros held his hands out "I understand that you don't want to engage in matters that don't really involve you…what I want is my people protected. The Barbyos raids have been spreading are forces too thin and we've been relying far too much on the state of Gren Haus to front our ship building and recruit training. I'd like to have an arm not tied to the Senator's pockets."
Ike raised an eyebrow "Someone is demanding money to protect the country?"
"It's just business, the ships allow us at the very least more manageable internal trade, going around the Ports of Thyremog is faster than caravans crossing the countryside but our ships are the main target for Barbyos. The idea would be using the trade funds from the Gren Haus ships to pay back the State but all our ships including the Gren Haus ships keep getting firebombed and sunk."
Looking up Titania spoke "Not that I pretend to know the finer points of economy but internal trading is not the most profitable-"
Lytros groaned "I know! But I can't risk ships going to Hitenticul for aid, there was an incident and we believe Barbyos smuggled someone out of Thyremog to Hitenticul…we've no idea who but the fact that happened was enough to convince those on the fence we could not keep contact with Hitenticul. We have to focus on our Kingdom, we can't bring trouble to others out there."
"What do you think Ike?" Mulling over the paladin's statement, Ike sighed "Well, we could use the money…and we are Emissaries, what better way to prove our intentions than to help them with this problem?"
Titania nodded "Sounds like a good idea."
"And honestly, Lytros…though we just met, I feel that you are a good, honest King. You want us to help protect your people, I noticed walking in there are not as many soldiers around the Palace as outside. That speaks volumes."
Lytros smiled "Thank you, Ike."
Yatno clapped his hands "If that is all, we can escort you to your rooms and send out a message to bring the rest of your group here."
Ike nodded "That would be fine…though I do have one last question. Your majesty. Why is there a woman hiding in this room?"
Lytros and Yatno eyed each other quickly before looking back to Ike. Before Lytros could speak, Uhnie appeared and laughed "Well well…you are definitely as sharp as you look!"
Lytros noted the questioning look in Ike's eyes "She's not a threat or anything malicious this-"
"Sir!"
The group turned as a man ran in with Yatno feeling his panic "Captain Abbard, what is it?"
"Reed Baum is under attack!"
The State of Reed Baum
Axe clipping his arm, Neteau fell aside, rolling out of the way as a second sunk into the ground.
"Face me scum!" turning Hetyo smacked Maz's lance away before punching the man in the throat. Struggling to breathe he fell to the floor.
Neteau raised his lance "I wouldn't! Unless you want this man's blood on your hand. Let me kill you and I'll be on my way."
Sneering Neteau looked down to Maz then to Hetyo "Why me?"
"Our provider needs to break the establishment or something like that, it includes killing you, Yatno and Hilt."
Neteau wanted to strike but Hetyo lowered the axe to Maz, any movement and his head would be rolling away.
As Neteau prepared to speak a gale struck Hetyo followed by a woman, shooting in from nowhere and cutting through Hetyo. As he stumbled away he cursed.
Mia smiled, raising her blade "Ready to go?"
Throwing his axe, Zihark landed, his bright red Killing Edge flashed, deflecting the axe with ease. Taking the opening Mia shot over Zihark. Seeing her coming at an alarming speed, Hetyo retrieved another of his fallen weapons just as she landed. Roaring he swung only for her to roll under the blow, standing and spinning quickly she slashed through his leg. Growling he turned to face her, swinging as she leapt away. Zihark repeated her action, slicing into Hetyo's other leg.
Falling to his knees he cursed, raising his axe to throw it, a knife sunk into his hand. Roaring he dropped the weapon and gripped his hand, turning to see Soren who just smirked.
Focusing on Maz, Soren kneeled and began healing him as Neteau approached Zihark and Mia with the latter speaking "Are you alright Commander Neteau?"
Taking a step towards her, he raised his lance before impaling, Hetyo, twisting his weapon he ripped it out of the man's chest, causing him to fall forward and bleed out.
"Now I am."
Thyremog Palace
"My King, we can't go out there-"
Yatno groaned as Lytros stormed away "Come on Yat…you have to know he's not in his listening mood.
Turning to Abbard Lytros ordered him to gather the troops as Yatno yelled again "You have to be aware of how far Reed Baum is, by the time…"
The door shut causing the psychic to groan again "Uhnie, please."
Nodding Uhnie followed Lytros with Ike and Titania close behind her.
"Lytros I know you heard Yatno, by the time we get to Reed Baum whatever is going on will be over! And if I may add the bandits would love nothing more than you sticking your neck out so they could cut your head off! There is nowhere safe in Thyremog for you right now!"
"I don't care!" He yelled as they stepped outside, Ike prepared to say something when he noticed a hand around a corner and scattered bloodstains.
"Lytros!"
Leaping forward he brought the King to the ground as Zanzu emerged, swinging his axe followed by Ilk. Jumping to meet him, Titania stopped Ilk's blades with her axe.
Uhnie flipped away from Zanzu's wild axe swings, taking a few additional steps back as he raised his weapon again and slammed it into the ground.
Ilk broke away from Titania, spinning his blades before charging in again. Spinning the Gold Knight deflected the blades again before leaping and striking Ilk's face with the flat of her axe.
As he spun out Ike stood drawing Ragnell as Zanzu headed for him and Lytros "Stay down!" Ike commanded, preparing to swing only for Uhnie to leap in and kick Zanzu in the face, throwing knives he blocked with his axe.
"Shit Ilk, they're fast." Zanzu commented as he aimed his axe at Uhnie again.
"Doesn't matter! Just kill the King!" Ilk yelled.
The two moved forward again only for Titania and Uhnie to meet their attacks causing Ilk's frustration to grow. The woman before him, her weapon was massive, he had two blades how could he not cut into her? As his blades hit the axe's pole he roared "I'm faster than you!" Only for Titania to ram the blunt end of her axe into his chest, pushing him back.
"And nowhere near composed enough to pose a threat."
Ilk spat looking over to Zanzu who was getting pushed back by Uhnie. His charge was broken by her sinking a knife into his leg.
As the two moved back again, she looked to Titania "Quite the Scarlet Bruiser."
"Crimson Beauty."
"Oooh I like it." Uhnie stated with a wink.
"Time to end this." Ike commented before meeting Titania's eyes and nodding.
The Golden Knight dropped to the floor as Ragnell began to give off blue flames. Seeing this, Uhnie leapt into the air. Zanzu and Ilk charged forward again prompting Ike to spin around, unleashing a bright blue circle of energy, striking the bandits and tossing them against the castle's walls, dazing them.
At that moment, the palace guards emerged, led by Yatno, Abbard and Edal.
"Finally!" Uhnie stated as she landed before gesturing to the fallen Zanzu and Ilk "Take them!"
Walking over to Lytros she helped him up "You alright?"
"Yes, thank you Uhnie, Titania, Ike."
"You hired all of us for a reason." Uhnie commented as she looked to Titania "And thank you for the assist."
"Don't mention it."
"We still have to find out what happened in Reed Baum." Lytros added as Yatno put a hand on the King's shoulder "We'll receive word soon enough, please let's return to the castle?"
Nodding Lytros let himself be led back in, Ike stood watching the guards force Zanzu and Ilk to their feet.
"This isn't…over…" Ilk muttered as he was led away. Ike sighed "It definitely isn't."
The State of Gren Haus
A few hours later a note arrived at Jilger's office.
Reading it over he laughed "And here I thought the Barbyos Legion was a threat. One commander dead, the other two in custody…that leaves only the Head, his 2nd and a bunch of untrained bandits…"
Shaking his head he turned in his chair to look out the window "The country probably sees peace as imminent, and they're right. My peace."
Barbyos Legion Hideout
"Sir…"
Barbyos looked over to Get, taking the letter in his hand.
Reading it over he nodded with a smirk.
"So?"
"So? It looks like the timetable has moved up…greatly…"
"Are we ready?"
"Our part is the easiest, but just in case…I need something from you Get and something from him."
The State of Reed Baum
"That was flawlessly planned, as always."
Soren nodded "It's not like the bandits were well trained.
Mia agreed "Yeah, according to Neteau the guy he executed was a commander."
"Maybe we're just on another level…"
"We totally are!" Mia stopped upon noticing Soren's confusion.
"What is it?"
"Something just…doesn't feel right about all this."
Zihark appeared "It has been a while since we had a curb stomp battle in our favor, maybe it's just throwing you off?"
Neteau joined them "Thank you all again, very much. I've heard of you foreigners and am glad to know that my worst thoughts about you were false."
"Not a lot of faith." Zihark muttered.
Neteau shrugged "The convenience of it all is hard to swallow for anyone."
Mia nodded "We understand, just glad we don't have to fight."
Neteau spun his lance "I wasn't at the top of my game, even then I'd be no match for all of you."
Neteau then looked to Soren "So this was all your plan?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, he nodded "Yes."
"And you came up with it on transit?"
Soren shook his head as Zihark spoke up "He came up with our formations and everything before we even left Blu Run."
"Impressive."
"Commander Neteau, is this truly how the bandits perform every battle?"
Nodding the commander spoke "Yes, wild and abusing their numbers against us. The cunning comes in the targets, they scare potential military recruits hampering our military, Fire Bomb our ships breaking our infrastructure and economy. Every once in a while they attack caravans but realizing how much more effective the ships are…"
"Sounds like your strategist is at the core of a planning nightmare." Mia commented.
Neteau sighed "He is…Hilt can only do so much but he has prevented an attack on Low Benet working with Tol and secured Sil Tem, those states haven't seen attacks in forever though Hilt believes their smaller size made them less primary among the Legion's aims."
"Can you get more soldiers?" Zihark asked.
"We have to pay Gren Haus to take them and train them, and even then it takes a while for a troop to be deployed. During that time we are being harassed and soldiers are being killed. We are spread thin among Blu Run, Reed Baum and Gull Tor as it is."
As the Mercenaries continued walking along with Neteau to Gull Tor, Soren kept trying to rack his brain.
How did it get this bad? How are mere bandits posing such a problem to the forces on Thyremog? How are they in such abundant stock of these Fire Bombs?
How?
The majority of them were untrained, merely brutalizing people, destroying buildings and using their numbers.
No technique.
So why couldn't they be stopped?
"Hey Rexcalibur? You alright?"
Soren turned to Zihark "Rexcalibur?"
"Yeah, that's your best tome right?"
Soren shook his head and looked away, Zihark looked to Mia "I tried."
She smiled before he continued "…and I'm really sorry."
"It's alright Z."
"No, it isn't. I'm sorry."
Still wearing a smile she put an arm around Zihark "Thanks Z."
Thyremog Palace
"So, who are you exactly? Why would Lytros hire an assassin to stand in his room?" Ike asked.
Uhnie finished sharpening one of her knives "Why do you think? The best protection is the kind that you don't know is there."
As Ike prepared to say something, Uhnie chuckled "If you know what I mean."
"What?"
"Really? You didn't-never mind…either way I didn't think I'd appreciate having others to fight alongside thought I totally could've handled Ilk and Zanzu."
Ike shrugged "You're welcome."
Rolling her eyes she laughed "Whatever. This isn't the end of it though, Barbyos himself and his right hand man Get are still out there."
"Are you going to do anything about it?"
Uhnie shook her head "I would but I have to make sure no poisoned food, drinks or hidden weapons make it to the Grand Hall. The King is my paycheck the people are yours."
"Paycheck eh? Didn't look that way when you were helping him."
Uhnie raised an eyebrow "…whatever it is you are thinking is most likely wrong."
"How do you know what I'm thinking? I just don't believe you do this for the money."
"Why not?"
Ike turned away "Because from the way Lytros was talking about Gren Haus basically owning them, I didn't think he'd have the money."
Uhnie laughed "That is true, I'm being paid far less than usual."
"Then why?"
"Not all assassins are gold hounds, take Jilger for examples. He'd have to offer A LOT for me to work for him, he creeps me out."
As Uhnie fell silent, Ike raised an eyebrow "The one in charge of Gren Haus? The Senator?"
Uhnie sheathed her knives "You ask a lot of questions."
"Just trying to get the lay of the land, how long have you been employed?"
"There was a meeting some time back between Lytros, Jilger, Baak and Otum, Neteau and Hilt were in attendance as well as Captain Atz, Exet's predecessor. He was being promoted, upon approaching Lytros he drew his weapon and tried to kill the king. Hilt leapt in and lost an arm for it before striking down the man. Hilt almost died, a team investigated Atz and it turns out he was in league with Barbyos. Lytros sought me out at a local tavern, all he told me was to watch for oddities in his day by day meetings. He didn't want another of his friends to be put in danger like that again."
Crossing his arms Ike sighed "That still doesn't explain why you took the job. Or why his first go to would be an assassin."
"This place looks to be a political minefield. Atz wasn't the first, there was a mess at Gren Haus that left Jilger in charge and I subscribe to the belief that not all the Captains that died in battle, died honorable deaths. People want power and status so they moved things along."
"You are very cynical, I know a few people like you."
Looking to the moon, Uhnie sighed "It's pretty late, any more questions foreigner? Or are you going to keep assuming I'm sleeping with the King?"
"No, that's all…I…what?"
"What?"
"That's not what I was saying at all!"
Uhnie laughed "Wow. You look to be a strong man, you are a strong man but you're face!" She kept laughing "Is this the first time you ever heard casual sex talk?"
Ike rolled his eyes and looked away but he felt his cheeks burning "Look if it makes you feel any better, what you were probably actually thinking is right. Lytros and I were friends growing up. He came to me for help and I couldn't turn him away, the last thing I want is for him to die. Alright?"
Ike sighed and nodded "Alright. Thanks for the information Uhnie."
"No problem…if you don't mind I'd like to go chat up the rest of your squad, see if they're all like you."
"Please don't…"
As she laughed Ike got serious again "Uhnie."
Sighing she raised an eyebrow "What?"
"I get that you think you're doing well here, you probably are. But if you had a chance to go out there and take down the leaders before they get here…"
Uhnie smiled "Does sound better to take a more active role. Thanks." With that she winked before walking away, once she was gone, Ike thought over everything she told him. He had to bring it to Soren, so the tactician could work on it and figure out just what is going on, who wants what and why.
