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CHAPTER EIGHT : VORTEX OF STRATEGY
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Passing through Araphen and Khathelet, Lyn and her friends arrive in Caelin. However, Caelin is now under the rule of Lord Lundgren. Lundgren's henchmen lay in wait to assassinate Lyn. They wait for her approach and ready a special weapon.
-Kumiko's Journal
"Look, Kumi!" Lyn called out to me, her voice seeming excited. I looked up from my logbook to see her pointing to the mountain ranges of Bern. "The mountains seem so far away now. We've come such a long way..."
"Milady Lyndis! Kumi! We can't be very far from the castle now!" Sain added, as he pulled on his horse. He sounded very relieved…
Kent retained his formal self, "By my reckoning, we can reach Castle Caelin in two days if we hurry."
"Two more days..." Lyn whispered, "Hold on, Grandfather. Please..."
Beside Lyn was Florina, who was also pulling her pegasus by its reins. She turned to Lyn, and said, "Cheer up, Lyn. If they see you looking so sad, the entire company will lose heart."
Lyn smiled and nodded, "Florina... You're right. There's nothing to be gained by worrying. We just have to press onward."
"That's the spirit!"
So that was the case. We were already in the outskirts of Caelin, as Kent told me the night before. Now we were still marching deeper into the land, and I decided to pick up a slower pace as to go with the rear group and figure what they were talking about.
The group walking slower was composed of Dorcas, Serra, Erk, Wil, Rath, and Lucius. Matthew was trailing behind on his own.
The first statements I heard were from Wil.
"We sure have come a long way, huh? Lady Lyndis will finally see her grandfather!"
"That is if we even get through to Castle Caelin safely," Erk remarked, "His granduncle will probably be launching attack after attack at us."
"Oooh, Erky!" That could only be Serra, "You don't have to be so negative! Of course Lyn will see her grandfather! Because she has us! We'll cut through that Lundgren guy and… well, of course you guys will do the cutting! I can't do that! After all, I'm just a frail priestess that needs to be escorted to Ostia! And Erk! Don't forget that you still have to escort me to Ostia! I'm still your master! Recently, you've been failing to protect me, maybe I should take down your pay by a gold or two! Maybe—"
"Serra," Erk snapped, "I don't mind. I will gladly leave you to go to Ostia on your own at any day."
Serra blabbed on some more, and Dorcas and Rath were quiet as usual. They hardly ever speak! Lucius and Wil were chatting about something or another. Matt was whistling to himself…
"Hey," I nudged the thief, "What did you steal from the treasure room?"
Without any word, he just took out a pouch and handed it to me. I took it, and I decided it was filled with gold. Great! We could use the money!
And he also took out a red, spherical stone… ah, a red gemstone. I think it'll sell at shops for a fine amount of gold! I took that from him as well.
"That's all I got," he said.
I was about to tease him, by implying that maybe he's hiding something or another, but I decided not to. He might get offended by it, and besides… this is enough! I ran to Kent and handed him the things, because he took care of our finances and all…
"Maybe we should set camp here to have lunch…" Lyn suggested when we stopped by a grassy plain. The sun was already pretty high, and we haven't eaten a thing yet…
"Yes, I guess that would be best," I nodded in agreement.
We all settled down on the grass, and Kent distributed around some beef jerky. I heard a number or so of complaints for the food—Serra's, to be exact, but you can't really be picky with food when you're traveling.
I was seated beside Lyn, and she was about to take a bite of her food when Nils whispered, and in an eerie voice to boot:
"Lyn... Danger approaches..."
Lyn only blinked at him. "What did you say?"
Sain and Kent were on the alert. Sain, after looking around, said, "I don't see anything. Are you sure?"
"I feel it, too. I'm sure of it," Ninian voiced. And suddenly, she screamed, "Ah! Milady, don't move!"
Lyn only put on a puzzled face, but the next thing we knew was an arrow came from the skies, hitting the ground right beside Lyn. We gasped.
"What in—" Lyn was shocked, "Where did this bolt come from?"
Kent immediately concluded, between gritted teeth, "They have a ballista!"
"Lord Lundgren is getting serious. Deploying siege engines is no mean feat." Sain said, and he was still a bit calm.
"What is a ballista?" Lyn questions, as she took the bolt that almost hit her in her hands.
"It's a weapon designed for long-distance attacks," I told her knowingly, "Only archers can use them, but they can be devastating."
The next thing I did was to tell the group to cut whatever they were doing. Clearly Lundgren's troops were around! They hesitantly left the food, and I said, "Nils, Ninian, stay here. Florina, watch over them! And don't take to the air! The ballista would target you in an instant! Dorcas! Stay here too and guard the camp!"
"Yes!" Florina and Dorcas chorused.
"Is there a way to combat the ballista?" Lyn asked me as everyone was getting ready.
"The safest course is to use someone with good defense as bait, so the enemy wastes arrows," I answered, "And then we can get rid of the person manning the ballista."
Lyn only nodded, and as the group tried to hurriedly prepare, I managed to pull Wil aside, and I asked, "Wil, can you use a ballista?"
"I've never tried, but..."—he strapped his quiver to himself—"It's just a really big bow, right? I should be able to figure it out."
I was getting my logbook out of the bag when I heard Matt's voice from behind me, "Ah, Kumi! I have some minor... business... to attend to. I'm unable to join you."
I was about to turn to him to ask him why, but he was gone, as quick as that… I looked around camp to find him, but he was gone…
Oh, well. He's Matt, so he probably knows what he's up to…
I ran with the guys across the plains and through mountains, with Kent and Sain in the front lines again. There was an occasional rain of arrows, and we have to add the enemies that were engaging the group as well…
I saw Lucius and Erk, back-to-back, simultaneously casting spells. I noticed, when Lucius casts his Lightning spell, his eyes don't glow like Erk's… Lucius doesn't seem to be possessed by some spirit. Now that I think of it, I must wonder how Lucius can stay in the presence of violence, him being a monk and all… I wonder how---
"Kumi, watch--!"
Yikes! An arrow, and arrow! And it's coming towards me! What do I—no, don't panic…!
Instinctively, when the arrow was about to hit me, I rose my hand (holding my logbook) to protect my face out of fear and the arrow struck my logbook. Whew! That was close! It could've been my face!
…Wait up… my logbook!
"Stupid arrow…" I cursed as I tried to pull the thing off my precious logbook. I kept my records there! But I couldn't pull it off, and I sighed, as I crouched down to evade a sword stroke from a mercenary (my reflexes are getting better, a little) and then Lyn killed off the thug for me.
"Sain!" I called on the cavalier, and I got on his horse. I figured I'd be safer with him than walking alone, wandering when some arrow will hit me again. I held on tight to him as he attacked other cavaliers, and I ignored the stupid things he was saying.
A few more fights and we reached the ballista, where Erk immediately dispatched the archer manning it.
I got off Sain's horse and ran to Wil, who was already examining the ballista.
"Are there any bolts left?" I asked importantly.
"There seems to be three more here…" he held up these gigantic arrows. The ballista itself was like a gigantic bow, activated by pulling a trigger. The ballista was on elated ground, and we could see the battle brewing around easily. I pointed to an enemy fighting with Sain, "Can you try attacking him?"
Wil loaded a bolt, aimed, and pulled the trigger to the ballista.
The huge arrow came flying in the air, but landed a few feet away from the enemy. Actually, it almost hit Sain clear on the head.
"Hey!" Sain yelled, "Watch out! Careful with that thing!"
"Yikes," Wil and I said at the same time.
"…It's awfully hard to aim, and I'm not used to it yet… Maybe Rath can use it better?" he suggested.
I called Rath, and he rode over to us.
But when I asked him to try the ballista, all he said was a flat, "No."
"Why not, Rath?" I asked.
"Nomads don't use ballista."
"But you're an archer as well, right?" I pressed.
"I don't shoot well when I'm not on a horse."
And then he rode away. Wil and I were left to blink.
"Odd fellow…" I whispered to myself, and then I turned to Wil again. "Hey, Wil. It means it's just you. Maybe after the battle you can train with it… but not now while there's fighting. You might hit one of our guys by accident."
"Right!" he nodded enthusiastically, and we ran down to the battle once again.
Finally, the battle was over. From atop a tree branch, I watched the battle come to a close, still clutching my arrow-struck logbook with me. Kent has just finished off the guy defending the castle fort, and… he didn't look well. Kent's face rarely showed emotion, but I just felt like there was something wrong…
"Is it over?" Lyn asked. I overheard her as I watched Nils, Ninian, Dorcas, and Florina arrive, lugging our supplies with them. They must've sensed that the battle was over. Serra was tending to Rath's wounds, and miraculously, she didn't speak much to Rath. Rath had that kind of effect on people. Erk was dusting the earth off his cloak, and Lucius was already resting, sitting on a tree stump. Sain was wiping the blood off his lance point.
"Yes. I see no more enemy soldiers. However, something is bothering me." Kent said. I knew it, something was wrong…
"What is it?"
"I noticed it during the fighting. Our opponents... They were soldiers of Caelin. I even recognized some of those we fought. I trained with many of them... And yet they attacked us without hesitation."
…What? So the enemies were Caelin knights…
"They're black-hearted traitors who've joined Lord Lundgren. Good riddance, I say. It also means less resistance at the castle." Sain pointed out the positive.
"I hope you're right..." Kent said. He looked really troubled by this… I guess even Kent, who tried to be so stiff and formal, has emotions as well.
Lyn decided to think positive, just like Sain, "I'm just glad Nils and Ninian were with us," she glanced at the siblings, "If that first shot had hit me, I might not have survived."
Nils and Ninan heard this, and Ninian said, "We are honored to have served you well."
"We won't let you down!" Nils added.
"I know. I'm relying on you."
Right after Lyn said that, I felt the tree branch I was settle on shake, and I clung onto the trunk for dear life. Yikes. I wonder what I looked like. But the next thing I see is that the thief Matthew is sitting on the branch, beside me. The branch became unstable, and I clung more to the trunk.
"What's this? You dealt with the ballista, too? Nicely done!" the thief said.
"Matthew, where were you during all this?" Lyn asked.
He jumped off the branch and landed nicely, even quite gracefully. The branch shook again, and I couldn't help but yelp as I wrapped my arms around the trunk once again. Those who witnessed me, Matt, Lyn, Sain, and Kent, even giggled as they watched me. Oh, that's it! I'm not settling myself on a tree again!
When they recovered from giggling and I was red from embarrassment, Matt cleared his throat and said, "I went to the village to sniff about for information. I got some interesting news for my trouble, too."
Lyn said, "Let's hear it!"
I wanted to hear this. I wanted to. The others were clearing the place, maybe even exploring the fort, as I jumped off the tree branch and fell on my feet clumsily. I was about to crumple to the floor because I lost my balance, but Matt held me firmly on my shoulders, and I managed to regain my balance. I heard giggles again.
"First, about Marquis Caelin's illness," Matt returned to business, his hands still on my shoulders. "He really is unwell. He's been abed for nigh on three months."
"Oh, no... Grandfather..."
"I heard an interesting rumor about his condition, though. The people believe that someone's been poisoning the marquis..." Matt continued.
"He's being poisoned!?" I shrieked, as Matt pulled his hands off me, and I managed to stand straight again.
"And this someone... Well, everyone's too afraid to mention a name. However, they say that, as soon as the marquis took ill, a certain noble took control of the castle as though it were his own. I fed a hungry innkeeper some coin, and he fed me a name. The marquis of Caelin's own brother, Lord Lundgren."
"How can this be? How can they allow him to get away with this? The villagers know he's the one poisoning my grandfather, and yet no one raises a hand against him? Why?" Lyn said, outraged.
"They are afraid, and they lack proof," Kent pointed out, "The whisperings of the common people means nothing."
"That's the truth of it," Matt said, "And of the marquis's loyal retainers who might have lent credence to these rumors, there is no sign."
I ordered the others to take rest in the fort, and they willingly obeyed, since they were tired from the fight as well.
"Are you saying they've been silenced?" Lyn asked Matt.
The thief just shrugged, "It's a fair assumption," and then he added, "The worst news is yet to come."
"What? There's more?"Sain, who had been with us as well, said.
"An imposter's appeared, claiming to be the marquis's granddaughter. At least, that's the story Lundgren's telling to all who'll listen."
Oh, gosh… Lundgren could do that? How could he…
Lyn didn't seem to understand what Matt meant, so she asked for a clarification, "What does that mean?
"It means that people are waiting for two traitorous knights and a baseborn child to appear and lay claim to Castle Caelin." Matthew answered.
Kent, Sain, and Lyn were all shocked. Sain protested, "But... But that... It can't be!"
"Traitors? Us? Ridiculous!!!" Kent said.
Lyn looked thoughtful, and puzzled, "He says... I'm an imposter?
"Don't you have anything that proves your lineage?" Matthew calmly asked.
"When my mother joined the Lorca, she brought nothing of Lycia with her…" Lyn answered.
Sain's face suddenly lit up, as he pointed to Lyn's face, "Milady, Marquis Araphen himself remarked at your resemblance to Lady Madelyn! Your face is your proof!"
Kent shook his head, "They'll say we found a look-alike somewhere... We're seen as betrayers of our knightly vows. Our word means nothing. No, our only hope is to see Marquis Caelin himself."
"We must hurry," Lyn spoke with determination, "If not, my grandfather... I must see him!. With my last breath if need be."
"But we must formulate some manner of plan!" I insisted, "Even if we set out for the castle, the troops patrolling the area will cause no end of problems. You have been branded as oathbreakers, after all!"
After thinking my words for a while, Lyn said, "I've got it! Eliwood... He seemed sympathetic to our plight. He should still be in Kathalet. If we can talk to him, he might help us!"
Back to Kathalet…? Oh, gosh, we have to march all the way back to Kathalet? "Of course! A sound idea!" I said, a little sarcastically.
However, they didn't seem to notice I meant that sarcastically, for Sain shouted, "Let's hurry!"
"Yes! Back to Kathalet!!" Lyn announced.
I rolled my eyes, and pointed out, "We'll take half a day to reach Kathalet again. And then we have to return to this place. I think it best that only some of us go to Kathalet," I pointed to the sky, "And the sun is setting as well…"
"…What do you suggest, Kumi?" Lyn asked.
"I suggest that you, Kent, and Sain go to Kathalet while we wait here."
"Splendid idea," Matt remarked, and he patted me on the head again. I ignored him.
"That seems like a time saving plan…" Kent said, "So, we ride to Kathalet?"
"Will you be alright here, Kumi?" Lyn asked me, and she looked concerned…
"Don't worry about your precious tactician! I'll make sure to watch over her!" Matt said.
"What?" I reacted, "I'll be fine on my own, I don't need a guar—"
"Very well," Lyn said before I could finish, "I trust you'll watch over her, Matthew. Kent, Sain… We ride to Kathalet! We can't waste any time!"
And so, Lyn rode with Kent on his horse, and she, Kent, and Sain disappeared into the direction of Kathalet.
I sighed, and I walked into the fort, Matt trailing after me.
Later that night, I was with Wil and Matt at the ballista again. I left Rath and Dorcas to watch over the others in the castle. I had hoped to get Wil some training, so even if it was dark…
Matt had collected some more bolts, and those things were sitting beside me and Wil, beside the ballista. Matt was holding out a torch in the distance, and the goal was to hit the tree right beside him. I worried that Matt might actually get hit, but he said that there was no way he'd let that happen to him. He was a thief fast on his feet, so I doubt he'd get hit so easily.
Wil loaded a bolt, and he aimed, and he pulled the trigger. The arrow came flying towards the tree, and landed just right before Matt's feet. He jumped away in time, thankfully.
Wil kept doing this, trying to shoot the tree, one try after another. And finally, on the tenth try and on the last bolt, he hit the target!
"Yes!" he and I both shrieked, and we jumped around for joy. Matt waved his hands in congratulations. He picked up the bolts in the ground, ran to give them to us. He ran back to the tree, where Wil got some more target practice done. He actually hit correctly this time around! Yes!
After a few more shots, I tapped the archer on the shoulder, and I told him, "Let's call it a day, Wil. I think you've already gotten the hang of it."
"Alright," he nodded, "Thank you, Kumi."
"Thanks for what?"
"For giving me a chance to learn to use the ballista."
I just smiled, and I called Matt over. We all went back to the fort, to get some rest.