I HOLD NO CLAIM TO ANY OF THE ORIGINAL SACRED STONES CHARACTERS! NOTHING! :(
Chapter Ten
A New Journey
Eirika and Ephraim stood in the hall, talking amongst them as they walked forward. Seria and the sisters were close by to Ephraim while the others were all scattered around the kingdom, resting as much as they could. Seth and Bethany wanted to join them but Eirika implored them to rest as much as the others. They had to do as she asked.
"Eirika! Ephraim!" Tana wanted to throw her arms around the two that now stood before her but she restrained herself and gave a huge grin. "Welcome! The two of you returning together, it's like a dream come true. You must know, I've prayed every day for your safe return."
"I'm so happy to see you, Tana," Eirika grinned.
"I'm sorry, Tana," Ephraim began. "I didn't want to worry you." Ephraim apologized.
"Oh, it doesn't matter now…All that really matters is that we've been brought together again. My own brothers will soon return from the field. It will be nice to sit down and discuss things again."
"How many royal brats are there?" Arryn asked Seria.
The taller woman couldn't help but laugh and gave the child a pat on the head. "Forgive her," She told the three in front of them. "She has a problem holding her tongue."
"It…it's all right." Tana smiled. She apparently hadn't been expecting to be called a brat in her own kingdom but then again, who did?
"Princess Tana!" A guard came running forward. "Prince Innes and Prince Richard had returned from the front!"
Eirika and Ephraim turned around happily to lay eyes on the two Princes that they hadn't seen in a long time.
The eldest was Richard who had taken on the light brown hair of their father. His eyes were a dark grey as he was dressed in the outfit of a Hero.
Innes, a sniper, was the middle child with short, silver hair and matching eyes around the ages of the late teens.
"Welcome home, dear brothers!" Richard happily accepted his sister's hug but Innes tossed his aside. "I am so happy to see you return safe and sound!"
"You didn't expect less, did you?" Innes asked her. "Do you think Grado's slugs could touch us? With my bow, I'll take down every Grado soldier from here to the emperor's palace!"
"Well met, Innes." Ephraim stepped forward. "Richard."
"Ah, the Prince returns, eh?" Richard smiled. "You know, you had your sister worried sick."
"Yes, I know. Everything is fine now, though." Ephraim exchanged a grip with the older man.
"Ephraim," Innes frowned.
"It's good to see you two again," Eirika told the two Princes.
"It is an honor to see you again as well, Your Highness." Richard told the young woman. "I am sorry to hear of your father." Eirika didn't reply, not sure what to say.
"…They say Renais has fallen." Innes commented. "I believe I warned you before. This happened because you provided Grado the opportunity to strike."
"Brother!" Tana cried as Richard rolled his eyes. "Mind your tongue! This is no occasion for such harsh words. Ephraim and Eirika have lost their father to this terrible war…"
Innes closed his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear of your father's death. Hear me, Ephraim. Our most important task is to defeat Grado and end this war." Arryn jumped forward and landed a kick against the silver-haired lad's shin. The Prince let out a squeal, hopping on one foot as Seria placed a hand over her mouth to hide a giggle. "How dare you, you little-"
"Stop being such a jerk!" Arryn told him. "You ain't ever gonna find a wife acting like that!"
Innes stared at her for a moment, shock clear on his face as he struggled to search for something to respond with. Instead, he stomped off, cursing under his breath as Richard laughed at him.
"I'm sorry, Eirika, Ephraim." Tana sighed, staring after her brother.
"It's all right," Ephraim shook his head. "It's comforting to see that, in all of this, at least he hasn't changed. Innes has hated me for as long as I can remember."
"That's because my brother is a pansy," Richard clapped a hand on the other Prince's shoulder.
"What he means is that Innes looks upon you as a rival." Tana explained. "And as you know, he wants to be the best at everything. The best King, the best General, the best fighter, the best man…He won't allow himself to be beaten at anything."
"Then why doesn't he do this with his brother?" Seria asked, tilting her head as she looked at the other Prince.
Richard grinned again. "Because he knows he won't win against me. To Innes, Ephraim is the obstacle that blocks his path from reaching me."
"You two talk too much." They turned to see that Innes had joined them again. "My father would like you to sit with him in a war council."
Seria looked at the four royal members of the hall and shook her head. "You Royals are some of the strangest people I've ever met."
Innes glanced at her for a moment before turning back to the others. "Will you come with me to take part in your official Audience?"
"Yes, of course." Ephraim answered. "There's much that I have to tell him."
"It will be our honor to attend." Eirika agreed.
"This way." Innes turned to lead the way.
Ephraim glanced back at Seria and the two children. "It would be a good idea for you to come with me."
"Are you sure?" Myrrh asked. "We are not…royalty."
"Myrrh, you and your sister are more royalty than any of those people in that room," She glanced up at the Prince. "No offense."
"None taken." Ephraim nodded and held the door open. "Come. Your story will be needed."
"It does my heart good to see you all here safely within our castle walls," The King did look relieved at the sight of the five royal children sitting around the table before him. "…Would that we had more time for pleasantries, but…let us hear your news."
Innes shared a look with Richard and turned back to their father. "Very well, I will begin. I've directed the body of Frelia's army south to engage Grado directly. Our troops are proving themselves superior, and the battle progresses favorably."
"Hmm…but the riddle still needs answering. Why did Grado begin this war in the first place?" The King asked.
"Your Majesty, we may well have found something relating to that…" Eirika decided to speak. "We learned something on our travels, news that weighs heavily upon us."
"Ah, yes," The king turned to her. "Our messenger delivered your report to us a few days ago. Grado is trying to destroy the Sacred Stones…is that it?"
"Yes." Richard raised an eyebrow, interested in hearing more of this.
"We've strengthened the tower's defenses. Frelia's stone is safe for the time being." The King told her. "But we remain confused in this. What does Grado hope to gain by destroying the Sacred Stones?"
"We don't know," Eirika admitted. "The legends say the stones protect us all from the power of darkness."
Ephraim took a step forward now. "…I can't say if it relates, but I have a story about Grado. It's…been troubling me, and I would like to share it with you all." He glanced over his shoulder. "Seria. Come here, please." The woman, placing her hands on ether back of the two children with her, walked forward together.
"Who is this?" The King asked.
"The two of them," Richard stood up to get a better look. "There are wings on their back. Ephraim, who are they?"
"This is Myrrh, her sister Arryn, and their guardian Seria. I met them while fighting in Grado territory." Ephraim answered.
"You," Eirika gave the tall woman a closer look. "I know you. You were that woman that Valter had tied to the back of his dragon."
Seria gave a foul look. "Unfortunately. Ephraim saved me from him right before we came across you."
The Prince nodded. "Seria, will the three of you please tell everyone here the story you told me?"
Myrrh lifted her head and looked at Seria. She nodded, her soft hand supporting her. Myrrh opened her mouth but lowered her head. "Please, you tell them."
Arryn sighed at her sister. "You're such a big baby." She took a step forward, her head held high. "My sister and I belong to an ancient race of dragon folk; The Manaketes. I'm sure that you've heard of us in a few of your legends."
"Manakete?" Eirika tilted her head.
"Yes, "The King nodded. "The name appears several times in the tale of the Sacred Stones. It says they were neither human nor demon but a separate, aloof race."
"We live in the east…" Myrrh decided to speak. "In Darkling Woods. One day…" She paused.
"Yes?" Richard seemed just as interested as his father.
"We felt something," Myrrh continued. "An ominous energy to the south."
"From the direction of Grado," Seria explained. "They felt a…force flowing out of the Grado Empire."
"The three of us," Myrrh continued. "As well as Saleh and Myra…we went to investigate this energy. But on our way, we came across a battle and were drawn into the conflict…"
"We got lost," Arryn admitted. "And ended up wandering to some isolated region near Grado's border. There, Myrrh and I got into trouble and were almost taken as slaves. If Seria hadn't of been there…" Arryn shook her head. "That was how she got captured and given to that foul man instead of us! But…they still got Myrrh's Dragonstone…"
"It was just outside of that last castle, about a week ago, that Ephraim appeared and helped us rescue Seria." Myrrh told them.
"It was by chance when Grado's men had a trap waiting for us," Ephraim admitted. "Everything they told me seemed beyond belief, and yet…and yet when I saw their wings, when I saw that dragon transform into the little girl, what could I do but believe?"
"This dark wave of energy still flows from the southlands." Myrrh continued. "It's current is strong and runs deep. It has awakened the evil ones. I…We want to stop it."
At that moment a guard ran in. "Your Majesty! I bring word!"
The King looked up. "What is so urgent you would interrupt a private council?"
"There are a set of women outside, claiming that the tower holding Frelia's Sacred Stone was being attacked!" The man announced. "We thought they were just foolish but…it's truly being attacked! It's been destroyed by the Grado army!"
"What?" Hayden was on his feet instantly. "That's impossible! What of the soldiers on watch? There were supposed to be many…"
"The enemy forces…they were led by Caellach the Tiger Eye and Selena Fluorspar! Our soldiers fell before even half a day had past!"
"Selena Fluorspar," Richard raised a hand to his chin. "Only General Duessel is higher in Emperor Vigarde's reverence."
"Fluorspar…She came personally…" Hayden hung his head for a moment, thinking of what to do next. "So they really do wish to see the Sacred Stones destroyed. Blast…"
"So," Seria closed her eyes. "The Tower of Valni has fallen, has it? Only three Stones remain. As long as we keep them from being destroyed everything should be fine."
"You! Bring those women here at once!" Hayden ordered the guard. "I want to know how they knew of this." The guard turned and hurried out and the king sighed. "How could this happen…How could I have allowed our Sacred Stone to be destroyed? Dark energies from the empire's capital…Evil monstrosities roaming our lands…Vigarde's mad invasion…And now this, the destruction of our sacred talisman. And we have no idea of Grado's goals. We are in dark times once again. But even so, we cannot sit here, wringing our hands." Hayden lifted his head. "I agree with you," He told Seria. "First, we must warn the nations that house the remaining Sacred Stones. If Vigarde seems to destroy the Stones, they are all in grave danger. Jehanna and Rausten must be warned. The nations must join together to fight our common foe."
"Do you think they will believe us?" Eirika asked the King.
"It is a difficult tale to believe, I must agree," Hayden nodded.
"I will go, Father." Innes stepped forward.
"Innes?" Hayden looked at his middle child.
"A direct visit from the Prince of Frelia is not something they can ignore. I will travel to Jehanna, where I will forge an alliance with her queen. If our Sacred Stone has been destroyed, then Frelia could be in greater danger." Innes told his father. "Father, I cannot let you leave the nation in such a time of crisis. It is imperative that I be the one to go."
"And I will head for Rausten." Eirika added.
"Eirika?" Ephraim and Richard echoed eachother with a look of surprise. "You know I can't let you put yourself in such danger," Her brother told her.
"Rest easy, dear brother. I will journey to Rausten by ship across the North Sea. There will be no danger." Eirika told him. "And I have made a vow. I will fight as you have until the day Renais is liberated."
Ephraim thought for a moment. "…I understand." He turned to the King. "King Hayden, I will take troops and march on the imperial capital from the west."
"The west? Are you saying you will begin an assault on Grado from here?" Hayden demanded.
The Prince nodded. "If we can take Grado Keep, the war will be over. The Sacred Stones will be safe. If we start here and press forward with all our might…"
"And once you reach the capital? Vigarde's generals will be there waiting for you." Hayden told him.
"If they oppose us, we will fight." Ephraim told him simply.
Hayden sighed and shook his head. "…You've got your father's foolhardy courage, don't you? Very well. I entrust all our hope to you three. Innes, you will go to Jehanna, Eirika to Rausten, and Ephraim to the imperial Capital. Funding you will have, but of soldiers, we have few to spare. For each of you, a difficult road awaits."
"What about me, Father?" Richard stood up. "Do I not get to go?"
"I need you to stay here, in case the Capital is attacked itself, understand?" Hayden told his eldest child. Richard looked at his father from a moment before nodding his head and sitting back down with a sigh.
"If any of us meets with defeat," Ephraim announced. "The battle will turn to Grado's favor. There must be no errors. We must not fail."
"Where I command, there are no mistakes." Innes replied.
"I have no doubts." Eirika grinned. "I'll succeed, I swear it. Come, it is time to go!"
"Your Majesty," The guard entered the room again. "The women you asked for." Everyone in the room eagerly turned to see the women that had brought to them the announcement of Valni Tower.
There were three of them, two of them standing on either side of the middle on like they were her guardians. The young woman, looking to be about 23 or so, to the left was dressed in pale blue robes of a sage and a white cloak with short blonde hair and green eyes. The woman to the right appeared to be a bit older with a harder look on her face and dressed in the armor of a FalcoKnight. Her hair was long and red with a pair of green eyes herself. The third woman with them was undoubtedly an Assassin in the robes of a silverish shade. Her mask was still pulled up over her face, showing nothing put tan skin and purple-gray eyes.
The Sage and the FalcoKnight bowed to King Hayden and the other but the Assassin stayed straight.
"I hear that you three are the ones that came to us with reports of Valni tower." Hayden began. "How did you know?"
The Sage glanced at the Assassin who had closed her eyes. The Sage turned back to the King. "We come from Jehanna, your Majesty. When we had heard of Grado attacking Renais we left to try and see if we could help but by the time we finally arrived we learned that Renais had fallen. We didn't know what to do after that."
The FalcoKnight gave the Assassin a look of her own before continuing. "It was from Grado soldiers that we had learned about them searching for the Sacred Stones to destroy them. We had received news of two of Grado's generals heading this way and decided to come and see if we could warn you in time but it seems that your men choose not to believe us." She folded her arms.
The Sage gave her companion a curt look. "Though that is understandable of course, Your Majesty. Why believe a group of outsiders in a time like this?"
Hayden stared at them for a moment. Both women glanced at the Assassin again before back to the Royals.
"You three appear to be mercenaries," Richard decided to speak. "Tell me, who do you work for in Jehanna?"
"We-" Richard held up his hand, cutting the Sage off. "I want your friend there to answer this time." Ephraim and Eirika shared a confused look but stayed silent as the Assassin opened her eyes and looked at the Prince.
"We serve Princess Lyra." Came the soft voice. At the name, guards immediately lifted their weapons, surrounding the three women, Neither of them moved, just watching them. A deathly silence followed it.
"Lyra?" Innes raised a brow. "The Princess of Grado? Why would their own Princess send scouts out to inform other countries of the war?"
"Lyra has been gone for years," Eirika took a step forward before the women could answer Innes' words. "Are you telling me…that she's been in Jehanna this whole time? While this has been going on?"
"Is that a crime?" the FalcoKnight sneered, glaring at the guards around them. "Is this really necessary? You took all our weapons already. We came here trying to help you and you threaten us instead of saying thank you."
"Kori," The Sage hissed. "Hold your tongue. We are in front of Royalty. Show your manners."
"I'll show them manners when they remove the guards off of us." The FalcoKnight growled.
"You are a foolish woman," Innes stood from his chair. "You come into our Kingdom and-"
"Innes," Hayden's voice settled his son down. He looked closer at the middle woman before waving his hand. The guards backed off. "I apologize."
"Father, what are you-"
"Do you not see it, Innes?" Richard asked his brother.
"See?" Ephraim raised a brow. "See what?" Eirika and Innes both asked the same.
Hayden stood up. "I believe that you have…nothing to do with all of this, correct?"
The Assassin closed her eyes. "No, I don't. When I had heard…what was I supposed to do? This was why I left in the first place but it seems that war follows you no matter where you go."
"Father," Tana decided to finally speak. "I don't understand. What's going on? Do you know this woman?"
"In a way," Hayden answered his daughter. "It's all right. I don't believe that you are…part of all of this. You don't have to hide your face here."
The Assassin was still for a moment before raising a hand to her mask. The Sage caught it. "I don't think…"
"Koranna, I think we can trust Lord Hayden. I don't believe that he'll do anything." The Assassin told her companion.
Koranna and Kori shared a look before the third woman pulled her mask off, freeing her light purple hair and showing her face. Ephraim and Eirika recognized her right of the back, both of them jumping from their chairs with their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide. Innes and Tana both still looked confused though but the moment that the name slipped from Eirika's mouth they knew.
And Innes was pissed.
"Lyra!" The Princess cried. She hurried from the table and threw her arms around the neck of the other Princess that she had not seen in over five years. So many questions came from her mouth that the other woman shook her head with a small life.
"Calm down, Eirika." The Princess of Grado told her friend. "I know it's been so long. It's good to see you again, too though I do wish that it were…under better circumstances."
"Father," Innes turned to the King. "Arrest her." Hayden looked at his son. "This is the daughter of Vigarde. We can use her to-"
"I understand how you feel," Lyra called to the Prince. "But I will be no use of you in the plans you have unfolding in your mind." They all looked at her again. "I left Grado years ago. My father dethroned me, leaving everything to Lyon. I'm afraid that I'm not seen as my father's daughter nor a Princess of Grado anymore. He would just look away from me now and let you do whatever you wished with me." Innes opened his mouth to reply but his father gave him another look.
"Why did you leave?" Ephraim asked the woman as his sister backed off of her.
"Simple," Lyra scratched the back of her head. "I didn't want to be a Princess. I never liked the politics and I hated the castle. I wanted to go through adventures like the stories I read and travel the world. Lyon was fit for the throne more than I was and so I just left one night, Kori and Koranna here coming with me. I found just what I was looking for after all these years in the deserts of Jehanna and Rausten. But when I had heard what had happened…" She hung her head for a moment again. "Perhaps if I had stayed then I could have talked Father out of doing this." She took a step forward, staring at King Hayden. "Please, let me help. I know that you most likely don't trust me and that understandable but please…I didn't come all this way for nothing! Destroying the Sacred Stones will do nothing but bring the evil and darkness back to Magvel. I don't want that and I don't want to stand by and just watch as others fight to keep it from happening."
Kori stepped forward on her own after a few moments of silence. "Her Majesty risked a lot coming here to try and warn you, Frelia King."
"I understand that," Hayden closed his eyes. "But at the same time…you are Vigarde's daughter. I'm afraid that I'll have to lock-"
"Let her come with me." Eirika interrupted.
"What?" Tana looked shocked.
"Let Lyra come with me. I'll keep her close and guarded during the travels. If she wants to help then she can prove it. Locking her away will not tell us if she speaks true or not."
"Eirika, I cannot,"
"Please, King Hayden." Eirika pleaded.
Hayden looked at the Princess for a moment, deciding, before he sighed. "Fine, but I'll have guards sent with you, understand?"
Eirika gave a nod and turned to Lyra as Innes had an argument with his father. "Lyra, you know a good path to Rausten, don't you?"
~Tear up my heart
For the way that it feels
I will still remember
Where you long-forgotten me~
"Farewell, Brother." Eirika hugged him. "I will return."
"Mm…to be honest, I still do not want you to go. I would rather you wait here for my return."
"Please, Ephraim…I will be fine. There's no need for you to worry. Mine is the easiest task, and I'll be in no danger. I'm far more worried about your mission. Challenging the might of an empire with a handful of men?" Eirika shook her head.
"What's this now?" Ephraim smiled. "Have you lost your faith in me?"
"No, of course not. I know your true strength, Ephraim. No one can defeat you." The teen assured her brother.
Ephraim tossed his head back and laughed. "Hearing you say that fills me with confidence. I think I know my own limitations. I won't overextend my reach. I can't die and leave you on your own, can I?"
"Ephraim…"
"Let us both survive to be reunited. Give me your word, Eirika." Ephraim told his sister.
"You have it, Brother."
Ephraim still had to admit that he was shocked with several things from the night before. Lyra showing up. Frelia's Stone being destroyed. Lyra being allowed to travel with his sister. He was extremely worried about that part but at the same time, after he and Eirika had spent all night talking to the Princess of Grado he wanted to believe that nothing had changed about her over the years. He was still worried though but he knew that Bethany wouldn't let anything happen to his sister.
"Prince Ephraim." The Prince turned from his thoughts to see Seth, Kyra, and Kira.
"Is that you, Seth? I'm almost ready to depart. I'm leaving Eirika in your care."
"Actually, milord…" Seth began. "We have the honor of riding with you."
"What?" Ephraim looked surprised. "What about Eirika?"
"We all got together last night," Kyra smiled. "And decided that we were going to split up and go both ways."
"What do you mean?" Ephraim asked her.
"Well, we decided that instead of all of us going off with one of you we would split up half and half." Kira told the Prince.
"Now, you have myself, Kira, Seth, Seria and her two little friends, that FalcoKnight Kori, Tora, Artur, Lute, Vanessa, Natasha and Michael traveling with you now." Kyra told her Prince.
Ephraim shook his head. "I will be fine. Please go and attend Eirika with the others."
"It's kinda too late because they're already left," Kira smiled.
"My sister will take care of your sister, milord." Seth assured the teen.
"I know that she will…Oh, Eirika." Ephraim sighed.
"Let them come if they want," Seria told the Prince. "The more the merrier."
He gave a small smile. "Very well. You will all come with me. But steel yourselves. This will not be an east journey. I want only volunteers who are unafraid of meeting death."
"We'll let the others know." Kyra nodded.
"I must say, your Highness," Kira crossed her arms. "They are already preparing to depart. They know the risks they're taking and not a one will be daunted."
~Tear up my heart
For the way that it feels
I will still remember
Where you long-forgotten me~
"Everything will be fine, Eirika. You don't have to worry about be stabbing you or the others in the back." Lyra told her friend as they stood in the hall, getting ready to leave.
"That's not what I'm worried about. It's more of my brother. He's going straight into Grado! What if-"
"Princess Eirika," The woman turned from Lyra to see Bethany and Kyle behind her. "Is your departure time near?"
"Yes," The woman nodded. " Bethany, Kyle, I'm traveling to Rausten. I ask that you two serve my brother well."
"Actually," Kyle began. "There's been a slight change of plans. We're going with you, Your Highness."
"What? But..."
"Don't fret, your Majesty," Bethany assured the Princess. "You're brother does not ride alone with the Frelians."
Eirika tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Kyle gave the General a look before speaking. "The Group split. Only half are rising with you. Bethany, myself, Forde, Joshua, Moulder, Gilliam, Colm, Neimi, Garcia and his son, Franz, Amira, Mitchel, Christopher and now Lyra and that…sage companion of hers will be coming with you to Rausten."
"But my brother's mission is far more dangerous than mine!" She insisted. "I will go and speak with him…"
"Princess Eirika," Kyle started. "Prince Ephraim would be more worried about your safety than his own. Seth and a few others that you can place you trust in will keep your brother safe, let alone himself. He will not fall, Your Highness. No matter how close death comes, the Pale Horse will not catch him."
"Kyle…I understand." Eirika finally replied. "Thank you for your service and your bravery. I would be honored to have you ride at my side."
"The honor is mine," The green-haired man bowed.
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