The Descended Shadow

by BC-Butch Cassidy-BC

24 years have passed since Hitomi returned to earth but Gaea is not the same place she left behind. War, oppression and death are all commonplace, and in this shadow a new visitor comes from the Mystic Moon... A new story is Dawning, the Descended Shadow!

11. The outcast and the rebel

A VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE
The Descended Shadow
Chapter XI
The outcast and the rebel

Disclaimer – Escaflowne is not mine; the characters and story are the property of Bandai entertainment. The story and characters of 'The Descend Shadow' or 'Shadows of the Past' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum . Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at

- Visit the Home of 'The Descended Shadow' at

………

It was in the year 1243 of the Asturian calendar that the relative peace that the nation of Zaibach had known since the Great War was shattered. The emergence of the Zaibach rebels as they came to be known was a complete surprise to the governments of the occupying nations, each of whom had invested dearly into the rebuilding of the nation. At the time Duke Chid Fried commented that the uprising would last not but a few weeks.

Unfortunately the rebels today are still deeply entrenched in the country, using a new form of warfare. This new type of battlefield, the city, has been attributed to the actions of the original leader of the uprising, one Letús Charnel. Originally a university professor, his knowledge of military tactics proved very useful to the rebels, winning him several decisive battle on both a pitched and unpitched basis against the alliance forces before his eventual capture, and subsequent death in an alliance prison.

Even with the removal of the uprisings leadership the rebels have continued their reign of terror against the alliances soldiers in the country, with no stock for any civilians caught in the crossfire. Today the fight to rid the country of these terrorists continues but with the alliance soldiers split, now having to defend coastal towns from Entóntrian raids it does not look likely that their Champaign will come to an end anytime soon.

Von finished reading the page and placed the book down on the dry grass beside him, its title 'Dunkirk's shadow' exposed to the sky. He sighed and wiped his hand across his brow, it wasn't particularly hot but something didn't sit easy with him. He sat, his back to a tree his eyes looking out over the expanse of the city below.

It had been days since it became public the grave situation in which Fanelia stood. On that first night there was a massive panic as the news and rumours spread, hundreds having to be restrained from fleeing the city. Many people where hurt, but compared to the frightful possibility of a full-scale siege it seemed pitiful. He looked over the buildings; it was almost like nothing had happened at all, but the calm yet again was to be short-lived. He shifted his eyes to the Courtyard of the Kings, which was swamped with hundreds of people, each pair of eyes transfixed upon the tower Babel, which dominated the skyline. He smiled,
"She must have started"

It was only this morning that he had been released from his study, the one he had occupied under guard since 'that night'. He took a deep breath and looked down to his right hand,
"Did I really do that… to her?" Von shuddered as if the very thought made him uncomfortable. He wasn't himself when it happened, but even so, it was his hand that had done it. It was he who was to blame. He shook his head and returned to his book,
"How could I have done that?"

The crowds that swamped the Courtyard of the Kings attention were transfixed on the Tower Babel, or more particularly the bridge-way to it. Hundreds of eyes watched the small entourage upon the bridge, not a sound but for the words of her voice. For in the centre of the party stood Merle, several advisors and Onoír by her side, but it was she, who spoke,
"People of Fanel, we are all in danger. You already know what we face, so I will not darken this sacred place with those words. It has been a quarter of a century since we returned to this our home, but once again I'm afraid me must depart her sanctuary" Even over such a large area there wasn't a single man, women or child in the crowd who didn't hear her words. A slight murmur flowed across the mass of faces, but still they listened.
"The young. The old. Women and Children. I say this for you. You must all depart Fanel" A greater disturbance circulated the crowd but it was quickly brought to a end, "This city is no longer safe, so you will go where it is safe. In two days time you will leave Fanel. There you will wait for the call of return"

"Men! We will not force you to stay, if you would rather remain with your loved ones; then by all means accompany them, but if you have the courage to protect your kingdom, I beg you come to the castle and make your wish known. If Fanel is to fall, we will not let her people fall with her, or without a fight. So make your decision, for it is your and your alone to make"

With those last words she turned her back on the crowd and bridged the few steps to the entrance of the Tower. Onoír followed her while the advisors remained behind to elaborate on Merles details. Crossing the threshold Onoír came up close behind her,
"How do you feel?" He asked, to which she turned with a faint smile,
"I'm fine," She answered. Just moments later she stumbled on her feet; Onoír caught her just before she fell, one hand on her shoulder.
"Fine?" He scolded her. She waved it off and straightened herself, allowing Onoír to let her go.
"Your not up to this sort of thing so soon" He told her. Letting her free, he looked down at his hand, faintly stained red,
"You shouldn't even be out of the hospital"

"Don't worry about it," She told him but he would not,
"Now that Von's back to normal at least get some rest. The kingdom will not fall apart if you do that"

"Onoír, without you I don't know what I would have done, but please don't… just don't" She told him, but his stern look failed to fade, and she sighed,
"Alright, I'll try"

………

The small fire crackled at Nimura's feet as he looked into it. He had been distracted by it for only a few moments but it felt like so much longer. A long plumb of smoke rose, obscuring the forests canopy above them. He looked up to Sadako, whom was similarly looking into the flames. With a sigh he watched the deep wall of trees behind her,
"How much more of this forest will we have to go through?" Sadako asked out of the blue, he matched her gaze,
"It'll take us near enough a week before we hit pasture" Nimura told her, "We'll be deep into Basram before then"
"Basram? What is it like?" She asked,

It already been a couple of days since they had left Caderle and it was as if nothing at all had happened. Neither of them appeared very willing to talk about it, but with that silence, even if everything was fine between them, she appeared cold. He had watched her over the fire, wondering what she was thinking, wondering what she felt but he was never any clearer.
"I've never been there myself so all I know is what I have been told," Nimura told her,
"Been told? Can you trust it then?" She asked but Nimura nodded,
"There were so many travellers in Zaibach, true most of them where fond of tall tails but I think I have heard enough of them to piece the truth together"

Sadako didn't look very convinced,
"So what did they say?"
"Well they don't have a king like most countries, they have this council" He told her, "You see they have a cast system"
"Yeah, some of the old civilizations on earth were run like that. Warriors, worship, and others" Sadako interjected.
"Warriors, Religious and Protagonist casts" Nimura continued, "They rule the country by placing so many of each cast onto it, and as a group they decide what the country does. Unfortunately the warriors have always had that bit more power than the rest"
"Why? Shouldn't they each hold an equal share?" She asked, more to keep the conversation going that anything else. Sadako too had noticed that things appeared to be cold between them; unfortunately she didn't really know how she was meant to act around him any longer.

"They should, but the country has never, until now been very peaceful. Remember they are sandwiched between three other kingdoms. Cesario, Asturia and Deadalus. Until the Great War forced these nations to work together they were at each others throats most of the time, and the warriors haven't been too forthcoming on reform"
Nimura laughed,
"Blood thirsty, angry brutes. And don't expect any of the hospitality we have received up until now, they are far from the friendliest people"
"Then how are we meant to get their help?" Sadako asked, and Nimura shrugged,
"We use their own bloodlust against them. They have always said that the alliance would collapse, well now's their chance to be right, and join in the fight"
"That's your strategy?"

"Have you a better one?" Nimura asked, "This is how their countrymen think, and if we can get them to come forward on the side of Fanelia… it could be enough"
"Yeah, but if Fraid holds the biggest army in the alliance, it couldn't be that cut and dry" Sadako asked, to which Nimura added,
"True, but Fraid have already split their forces and are now fighting on three fronts. They have many of their soldiers protecting their border with Entóntria, and let's not forget Zaibach. It would only take a relatively small swing in alliance nations to at the very least give Von a fighting chance"

Sadako sat for a moment, not a word on her lips.
"Even if we do succeed it is only temporary. A longer term plan will be needed" Nimura continued,
"So what is that plan?" She asked. He paused before answering,
"No idea and I doubt we would be able to do anything long-term anyway. It would take something serious after the siege is lifted"
Sadako shook her head,
"I guess there isn't that much more we can do then" Sadako added, "But hopefully the steward will be able to supply Von with at least some of the support he needs"
"You weren't too specific before, what exactly did you and he speak about" Nimura asked. It had been a while since they had left Caderle, but since then hadn't really talked much at all, whether about that meeting or anything else he never got the details.

"Well not much more than I have already mentioned. We approached the steward and he pledged his support in secret, that's it. No troops, no men and nothing in public, just supplies. It would have been better if you had been there actually" She explained but he batted it off,
"It's probably better this way. It really is. I'm sure the old guy had just as much wish to see me, as I had to see him"
"What's your problem with the Steward? He is gonna help us after all" She asked,
"What's my problem? If he wants to help he should do it in the open and not like a thief. With his deafening silence he insults every page of the history of Cesario! He sits on the throne, which he holds no claim and dictates the peoples allegiance? He has no right… and I felt it best not to tell him to his face"

Sadako didn't reply for a moment before smiling,
"You really love there don't you? Your home I mean"
"Yeah" Nimura answered, "I do. It was the home of my father and mother. Whether I live somewhere else or not, it will always be my home"

She continued to bask in her smile for a moment. Playing with a stick, which sat in the bed of flames, several sparks freed themselves and burned her hand. She pulled it away with a hiss, and Nimura, with a clear idea of what had happened got to his feet. Grabbing a bottle from his pack he reached out for her hand,
"Give it here" He asked her, but she pulled her hand away from him violently. He froze, and she apologised,
"Sorry. I'll do it myself," She said taking the bottle from him. He turned back, his mind a flurry of horrors. Taking his seat at the far side of the fire he watched her apply the ointment.

Had things really gotten this bad between them? Was she afraid of him? They had been so close, and now it's as if they are strangers… no worse than strangers. Had it all been destroyed? He looked over to her, and it wasn't anger in his eyes, it was sadness, for she was the one who had to make the move. If she truly didn't trust him there was really nothing he could do about it anyway, and if he did he would probably just make things worse.

He made no further attempt to talk to her that night, though that wasn't such a long time. Soon enough they slept, once again under the stars until mornings dawn broke,

They started out early the next morning, Nimura again at the lead though just as much to avoid her gaze as anything else. As the hours wore on and the sun ran across the sky the brush grew thicker and still few words where passed between them, the situation was becoming dire when, to their luck a possible rest bite came across their path. The trees thinned again before they walked out into a clearing, a shallow river running through its centre. To the head of the clearing, on their side of the river a small, what looked like an abandoned cabin lay, a huge wooden wheel rotating with the flow the water. The grass in the clearing was long, dried by the recent lack of rain in the area.

Nimura, whom entered the clearing first froze struck by the sight with a mixture of surprise and envy. Sadako came up behind him and exclaimed,
"Wow, you didn't mention any towns around here" Nimura's eyes failed to shift,
"That's because there isn't one, or anyone else in these parts"
"Well I guess your information isn't as reliable as you thought it was" She added snidely.
"There wasn't anyone, and there still isn't anyone. The house is abandoned" Nimura replied angrily. He sighed and motioned to the house,
"We can stay here for the night; it's not likely we would find somewhere better before nightfall anyway"

"Alright" Sadako agreed, but when Nimura failed to follow her lead to the cabin she looked back. Nimura put on a wholly inadequate attempt at a smile,
"Don't worry. I'll be over in a short while, I just need a little time to think" Sadako nodded,
"Sure, I'll come with yo…" She started but he bit her off,
"No!" He shouted but then quietly added, "I would prefer to be alone" She watched him for a moment with a strange look in her eyes before heading off. Turning his gaze from her he crossed along to the bank of the shallow river and sat. The bank dropped sharply into the water after a raised ridge so he was all but hidden from view.

As the hours passed and it became steady darker but Nimura continued to sit in silent contemplation, only pausing to throw the odd smoothed pebble into the river. He knew how he had felt about Sadako, but now he wasn't so sure. She didn't seem to be the same person he had meet and grown close to. It seemed to be tearing him up inside. He wasn't proud of it, but it felt that with every passing day he was becoming colder to her, and she to him. He sighed openly and watched the calm water flow pass him by,
"Could it be time we went our separate ways"

Clenching his fists he pressed them angrily into his legs. If only he hadn't done that, hadn't been so forceful with her. How was he to know how she felt, and now because of his thoughtless actions their relationship lay in taters. She was cold to him but he could only blame himself for her actions. It was his fault, and maybe it was time he bit the bullet and left, or would that be the cowards way out?

Another train of thought and another stone skimmed across the water,
"Were we stupid to think we could possible rally anyone behind Fanel? Perhaps we should have remained and helped to protect the city… how many mistakes can one man make?"

He cupped his face in his hands,
"Its my fault. All of it" He was in his own world and never heard Sadako approach, the first time he was aware of her presence was when she placed a small plate of food down beside him. He looked up into her eyes and for the first time since that cold, wet night in Caderle he saw the Sadako he fell in love with.
"I'm sorry" She apologised, her voice in her throat, "I didn't mean to hurt you" He was silent as she sat beside him,
"How long have you been there?" Nimura asked his voice as a mouse. Her head drooped,
"Long enough"

He swallowed nervously, things were not meant to pan out like this,
"I haven't been trying to hurt you… but it just ended up that way" Sadako told him, and looking up and over the river she sighed, "I didn't know how I was meant to react when you kissed me, I really didn't know what to say" She sighed and looked over to him,
"But I feel I now know" She shuffled towards him, "I know how I feel" With that said she lowered her head onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. He watched her a moment his eyes shaking,
"Can we just sit like this a while" She asked, and with a gladness in his heart he wrapped his arm around her and was at peace. And so they did sit there for a while, the sun offering its final surrender to the night. It may only have been a short while, but for that time they both felt what they had not felt before, the joy you can only get in the arms of your loved one.
"You know I love you" Nimura told her with all his heart, and she didn't need to pause even a moment before adding,
"And I love you"

Finally the moment was broken, as Nimura heard something. His eyes shot open, and he listened again. The movement was distant but getting closer, many pounding paws. He let his hand pass over Sadako's hair and she looked up to see the concern in his eyes,
"What's wrong" Nimura continued to listen as he answered, whispering,
"There is something coming this way" He told her, and helped her to her feet, "We have to get back to the camp"

Sadako agreed with a nod and they were off, it wasn't long before they had entered the ring of burning light that was formed by the camp fire Sadako had built to make them something to eat. As they crossed into its light Sadako queried,
"Why here, won't the fire guide them to us?" Nimura wasn't acting like himself, instead more instinctual. With his answer he demonstrated his knowledge without question,
"From the sound, and our location I'm sure they are wolves, a pretty large pack. Wolves will not be warned off by steel but they will with fire"
"So if we can scare them off or at least keep them at bay until dawn we should be fine" Nimura added, Sadako sighed,
"Why do I get the feeling this is going to be a long night?" She asked facetiously.

Nimura ignored the comment, lifted a branch of wood and tested its strength. He motioned to it,
"Get some grass and wrap it tightly around the top of a branch. Set it into the fire and let it burn as long as you can" Without a word she agreed and carried out his orders as he himself finished them. Once his branch was aflame he turned his attention to the darkness beyond their circle. The sound was slowing in pace but was nearing them. It was then that Nimura saw the beasts for the first time, large glowing eyes. White with a tint of yellow, shinning out of the darkness like jewels. As the seconds passed the eyes seemed to multiple, some coming closer, while others seemed to start circling. Sadako then called out,
"Over here!" She warned him, "Their over here too"

Nimura's heart began to pound, as he quickly estimated the number of animals from their eyes. He was quite sure they were in trouble,
"Hold your branch like a sword, if they get too close scare them off with it" He told her, and pulling the branch out of the fire, its tip ablaze she readied herself to do it.
"There are a lot of them, will that really work?" She asked. Nimura wasn't sure but he felt he could sense at least an under lying fear in her voice, even if she wasn't letting it show.
"It will at least hold them off for the moment. Till I think of something…" Nimura replied and without argument Sadako focused all her attention on the gemming eyes beyond their circle of protection. The first wolf to pounce did so on Nimura, he who hadn't even removed his own branch yet pulled it out of the fire with speed and brought the animal to a abrupt stop several paces from him. It paced slowly ahead of the burning stick before Nimura added his steel to the mix. While still waving his branch he thrust his sword at the poor animal, which narrowly avoiding losing an ear. The animal grrr'ed at Nimura before turning tail and returning to the safety of the pack.

As time passed more and more of the beasts joined the others till they seemed to be surrounded by a veritable wall of eyes. Sadako gulped, unnerved by the haunting sight.
"Any further with that plan of yours?" Sadako asked as she warded off another of the animals after it became confident enough to advance. She wouldn't have admitted it but she could feel her arms becoming heavier as she tired. Nimura called back,
"I'm thinking. I'm thinking," He had been thinking but between wolves approaching and heat of the fire behind him he seemed to have precious little time. It was then, looking at his feet that it occurred to him.
"Sadako!" he called back to her, "What are we standing on?" The question was most peculiar but she answered anyway,
"Dirt. With the exception of the few patches of grass this whole area has been prepared for outdoor fires" Nimura smiled,
"Perfect. Cover me"

Sadako didn't even bother to indicate that she would, but just abandoned her position and crossed over to him and asked the inevitable question,
"What the plan?" Smiling he embedded his sword in the dirt and placed his branch back in the fire. Kneeling he pulled his bow out of the long pack he had been storing it in, along with some arrows.
"You can wait and see"

As it turned out Sadako never did have to cover Nimura as just after he kneeled all the animals appeared to stop moving, instead rising their noses to the sky and offered up an incredible bloodcurdling howl. Pulling grass from the ground he hurried,
"Their preparing to attack" He warned her, before tying the grass around three of his arrows and setting them into the fire. Sadako, whom at first was perplexed finally, understood his goal. With a smile she raised her sword in preparation.
"I'm ready"

Finally he stringed his bow and removed the first of the now burning arrows from the fire and prepared to shoot. Lowering their heads the wolves turned their attention back to them and Nimura let his first arrow fly.
"You don't like fire? Let's see how you like an inferno"

Moments later the first arrow landed and he prepared the second. At first it appeared that Nimura had missed for he failed to hit any of the animals. However after a few moments the grass where the arrow was left smouldering burst into flames. The wolves near the new fire burst into a panic, many fleeing and others being pushed into the speedily spreading flames, which only helped the panic and spreading of the fire. Nimura let his second and third arrows go, opening new areas to the flames and spreading the panic still further. He smiled as he watched his plan unfold perfectly. Within a few minutes most of the animals had fled in a blind panic, but several remained. Several of the animals at the front of the pack had been unable to escape the flames at first but now the fires of Nimura's arrows had started to spread everywhere, converging into one massive fire which surrounded the camp. Sadako coughed as more smoke was blown to them by a foul wind, and she covered her mouth with her sleeve.
"What now?" She asked, to which Nimura replied,
"We have to get to the river" Nimura had positioned his arrows so the flames would engulf the riverside path first. As grass burns quickly the flames in that area were all but gone. Nimura grabbed his sword, and turned his back on the hellfire at the wrong moment. In desperation the remaining wolves, with nowhere else to go launched on Nimura. Barely hearing their snares over the fire he turned in time to protect himself from the first beast. The first of the wolves jumped, baring its fangs to attack. Not having the adequate time to react he raised his sword as a shield, which the animal landed on. With all his strength he threw the wolf backwards, but unfortunately the second, which was only moments behind the first bit into his leg. Nimura yelled in pain as the animal's fangs buried themselves in his flesh. Without even looking he thrust his sword into the it's skull.

Moments later Nimura fell to the ground, from a mixture of pain and fatigue. His breathing was erratic, his vision blurred so he had little idea of what was happening around him. The first breast took this opportunity to return, this time with a few more of its friends. It hung back a moment then when Nimura made no protective action it jumped upon him with its claws. It didn't remain there long as Sadako decapitated it in a single swing. With its head removed the animal's muscles relaxed and fell from Nimura. Nimura was groaning, and in the single glance she could spare she saw he had been quite badly hurt, blood staining his clothes across his figure. She cursed herself for not being there sooner and took point, three more panic stricken wolves ready to pounce.

Sadako's sword was in her hand, and when the first animal attacked she sliced it with her blade. It whimpered as her sword dug deep but it prepared to attack again. However moments later with a sickening crack the animal fell to the ground. She heard a whistle in the air, and the other two animals fell with similar crunches. Illumed in the menacing flames she saw what killed them, each an arrow burred deep in its skull. She turned to Nimura her sword still in her hand, but he still lay barely conscious.

She ran to his side,
"We have to get to the river, can you walk?" She asked but between deep breaths of the smoky air he replied,
"I don't think so" Panicked she started to look around her for something to help, but soon enough that something came to her. Out of the smouldering remains of grass by the forest a black-cloaked figure slowly approached them, a bow now upon his back. His hood was raised, and a strong frame was what the cloak hid. Sadako had seen the man before.
"Géaroid?" She asked as he lifted Nimura off the ground,
"What you are doing here?"

………

Multiple hollow thumps rung through the hall. Merle stood there bashing the large wooden door of Von's room, her words getting her nowhere.
"Von! Let me in!" She called but as before there was no acknowledgement from inside the room. It was the night of the great celebration, and Merle had come to Von's room in fear. She had never seen him act that way, to yell out at the people like some sort of mad man. Endanger his people with his actions, for that is what would happen. The panic spread by a kings words of defeat and disaster could have no other effect on a city.

She banged the door several more times though she knew it was futile. Von was ignoring her, which scared her even more. She didn't understand what had happened fully, but she was adamant that she must see him. She stopped and thought for a moment, wondering what could be done.

As her mind gained clarity, her straight thinking reminded her of something she had forgotten in the moment. She smiled and shook her head ironically. Her dress held a single pocket in its left-hand side and placing her hand into it she felt and then removed a small key. Von had given it too her many years ago, and told her to always keep it with her, encase of such an emergency. She was placing the key in the keyhole when a couple of heavily armed soldiers charged down the corridor towards her. They came to a stop meters from her and saluted.
"Madam, the General sent us to assist you"

Merle smiled,
"That's sweet of Onoír, but you two just wait here. I have things under control" She ordered them, too which they nodded and took up sentry positions on each side of the doorway. Merle turned the key and pushing the door open her heart began to pound even harder than it had done before hand. Arching her head round the small opening she had made she saw the room was darkened. At first Von was nowhere to be found, but then she spotted him by the window, looking out carelessly.
She breathed a sigh of relief and entering the room she closed the door behind her. She quietly approached him,
"Thank God you're alright" She said and it most certainly sounded like she meant it. Von made no reply or indication that he had even heard it. Merle however continued her approach and stopped directly behind him. Wrapping her arms around him she added,
"I was worried"

Von slowly looked around, the sight of his eyes leading her to back off. His eyes were red with fury, his face twisted with anger. Merle wanted to say something but found she couldn't.
"TRAITOR" He growled, "You're just like the rest of them, traitors and thefts" Finally Merle got the words out,
"What's wrong with you?" She asked, but Von's advance continued.
"I won't let it happen again! I won't let you get away"

Merle turned and was about to run when he grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back. He pinned her up against a small table with such force the vase atop of it fell and shattered. Wrapping his hands around her neck he tried to choke the very life out of her. She couldn't speak, she couldn't call for help, she couldn't do anything but look into those furious read eyes.

Moments later the door was thrown open,
"Sire, are you alright?" The first guard asked, "We heard…" The sight froze his words. His sword dropped from his hands as he forced his way behind Von, and tried to unlock his hands from Merle's neck.
"Let her go!" He told Von, "Sire, STOP IT"
"I order you to let go of me!" Von's crackled voice told the guard but he ignored it, instead putting extra pressure in Von's wrist, which eventually weaken his grip a little.
"I will not!"

Suddenly Von let her go, and pushed backwards throwing the guard off his feet. Merle gasped for breath and fell to her knees unable to keep balance. Her hands protected her throat, as Von turned back to her.
"A traitor is sentenced to death," He told her, and before the guard could get to his feet he had freed a small knife from his belt and stabbed at Merle. The knife entered her shoulder with a burning pain, and she cried out.

Suddenly Merle awoke with a shout. She sat bolt upright in bed, taking in small sharp breaths. The memories of that night were still extremely fresh with her, and still every time she remembered it…

Wrapping her arms around herself she began to sob uncontrollably. She hadn't seen Von since that night, and even though she knew he wasn't himself when he did it she couldn't help but cry. The tears just kept coming as she remembered what he had done to her and the same question continued to ring in her ears. What was she to do now? She choked on a tear before some footsteps outside the door caught her attention. She lay back down and pulled the covers back over her head to pretend to be asleep.

Finally the footsteps stopped and she heard the door open. They closed the door after entering the room, as Merle tried to make herself as quiet as she could. The footsteps came to a stop beside the bed and they took the seat next to her. At first they didn't speak, just sat there but then he did.
"Merle are you asleep?" Von's voice asked. She froze with the voice but didn't answer. She wasn't sure what she felt, relief or fear, she was unsure.

He took a deep breath,
"Asleep or not, I had to come" He told her, "And I have to…" He stopped a moment as if he was having trouble getting the words out.
"I have been told what happened. What I did, but I don't remember it ever happening. I am beyond sorry, beyond remorse. How I could do such a thing… it fills me with the saddest form of horror. You have been the same as a sister to me, my closest friend, and to think I could ever do…" He paused a moment again.

"I feel as if I am being torn up inside, as if there is something torturing me. I haven't come before, because, because I've been scared. Scared that you would scorn me, or worse hate me. I do not understand why, but of late there have been times when I'm not myself, when… when it feels as if someone else is with me, telling me what to do and others when I don't even know what I am doing"

He paused again, before she felt him take her hand, which lay outside the sheets. He cupped it in his hands,
"I will always love you my little sister" He clenched her hand before letting it go, "I swear it" He was about to raise when she grabbed his hand and asked,
"Please don't go"

Von nodded and remained. He avoided her eyes, which were now peering at him,
"You have been awake this whole time?" He asked and she nodded,
"Yes" He waited a moment then added,
"I understand if you hat…" He started but silenced him with a shake of her head,
"I don't hate you" She told him with a smile, "I could never hate you" He formed an unsure smile, and met her gaze for the first time in so long and he relaxed. She could have faked her words but not her eyes, and they made him relax. He took her hand again,
"So you forgive me?" He asked; the dreams of a child in his eyes.

She shook her head,
"I do not forgive" She told him, "For there is nothing to forgive. If you truly have no memory of what happened how could I blame you? Anyway, how could I hold a grudge against my own brother?" His smile widened still further and he tightened his hold on her hand.

"Are you well?" He asked, "I heard you gave the speech this morning" Merle nodded slowly,
"I'm sorry" She apologised, "We… the council felt it would be best not to force you to give it" Von nodded too,
"Yes, I understand and it is what I would have done if I were in your position" Von added, "But now I am able to return to my duties and I plan to do so" Merle agreed,
"Yeah, but you won't be alone. The council will be at your side. Your advisors" Von avoided eye contact and she became wary again,
"I have requested a special session of the council, but if you do not feel up to coming I will understand" Von reassured her, but she batted it off,
"I'm fine. The only reason I'm here is Onoír asked me to. I can leave at any time"

Getting to his feet he said,
"That's good. I'll wait for you outside then" Without another word Von stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He leaned up against the wall and closed his eyes. Vons mind was still a flurry of thoughts. What he had said was true, he really didn't remember anything of what happened that night from when he entered his room. He clenched his fist in frustration. How could he not remember doing such a thing? How could he have done it?

He sighed and opened his eyes, instead deciding to focus on the painting, which hung directly ahead of him. The painting depicted the calm before a great battle. There were hundreds of soldiers in multiple colours poised at each other across the cloth and great instruments of war, but no Gymelef's. This painting depicted a battle before Gymelef's when the nation of Fanelia was still young. At the head of one of the armies, which appeared to be bathed in light a young man stood. His weapon was raised to give his people the strength they would need. He was not but a boy but he held the stature of a king.

Fanelia won that battle of so many years ago, but for how many more will they have to fight? Inheriting victory is the greatest honour but also the constant struggle to protect it. He sighed. Was he such a bad king, that his kingdom would be so threatened twice in his lifetime?

Beside him the door was opened and Merle exited her arm in a sling. His eyes darted to it, and then back to her. With her by his side he made to go, and they started down the corridor.
"The doctor says I should keep it like this for a while" She answered his unasked question,
"What?" Von said defensively, "I didn't say anything"
"Don't act so innocently, I saw you looking," She continued, "But better this way. At least it won't affect my work"

It wasn't too long before they had reached the council. The council chamber, which Von had seen precious little of lately, was the room where he and his advisors would meet on matters of state. It wasn't an elaborate room, just a large circular oak table in a long rectangular room. There where no windows in the room, its light coming from dozens of candles around its walls and table. Around the table eight large chairs sat each for an important person in the kingdom.

To the head of the table, the furthest point from the door Von sat. He may be king but when it came to being seated at the council table he was an equal, though he did have final say.

To Von's left sat Onoír, general of Fanelia's armies and military adviser to Von. To Von's right Merle was seated as Von's personal aid and the symbolic 'Queen' of Fanelia, due to her close relationship with the king and the king's failure to marry. To her right sat Poker, Von's chief adviser and a man whom had sat on Von's father's council long before the Great War, but now a frail man. To his right sat two lesser advisors, the kingdoms leading experts on Foreign affairs and localised matters. Finally there are the governors of Fanelia's two cities, Fanel and Urthas.

They met Onoír waiting outside the door to the chamber,
"I have gathered them as you requested" Onoír informed him, "Are you ready to do this?"
Von smiled,
"Of course"

With that they entered the council chamber and quickly took their seats. Around the table each of the advisors awaited him, with the noticeable exception of Governor Néigh. Each of their faces were stern, each awaiting the kings address. It wasn't long after he had taken his seat that Von spoke,
"I appreciate my return to this council, and would like to start by congratulating you on your actions in my absence" There was a murmur of agreement from some of the advisors though most waited for what they knew would be the more important words to come.

"However let's get down to business shall we. In only a couple of days most of the city will be leaving and we need to know where to put them. Eric?" Von continued and motioned to his advisor for localised issues whom took the floor,
"We have several options before us. Because of the current situation we have precious few allied nations whom could take them in. Cesario perhaps, or even hiding in Zaibach but most likely they would have to remain in Fanelia. Any further a-field and we would be risking additional bandit attacks"

"Agreed, but I doubt Lord Grear would allow our people entry. He may be our ally but he is walking a fine line as it is" Poker commented,
"I don't care how fine a line he is walking. For God's sake we came to his aid when he needed it in the war of the Wolves!" Lore, the governor of Fanel interjected angrily,
"Maybe but if he did help us Fraid would turn on him. And for all we know he may believe the lies Fraid is circulating of Von killing Lord Shazar" Poker rebutted, "But anyway, there would be no easy way for them to reach Cesario, or do you think we should have women and children climbing mountains?"

"WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING?" Lore shouted angrily, Von whom had let the argument continue stopped it cold there,
"Please, we are all looking for the same thing here. This is too important a matter to squabble" Von told them, "Hán' what do you think?" Von's advisor on foreign affairs looked up from where he was quietly pondering the situation.
"Well Cesario is out of the question, both politically and geographically" Hán' warned, "But so is Zaibach. There aren't many water sources once you pass the border into Zaibach, and we most certainly don't have the supplies for that long a trip"
"True and Zaibach is both crawling with bandits and Fraidan troops. To send them there would mean risking too much"
"Alright, but if we can't send them out of the country where can we send them?" Merle asked hoping to steer the conversation in that constructive direction.

Now the discussion had returned to his field Eric returned to the floor,
"Well there are only two real options. Either we send them south, near the Zaibach border or north to the farmlands. Unfortunately both roads hold their dangers. If they head north they must first go east, along the road to Asturia, if south they must first pass through the gates to the forest which the Fraidan army must be nearing"
"Why is that a problem? We could just fly them in Levi ships" Lore asked, too which Onoír smirked snidely,
"Oh yes, a fleet of Levi-ships descending into the forest, the perfect way to remain incognito. And where, might I add, would you find that many ships? I for one don't have them"
"Correct, that many people and supplies would have to go by foot. To the south we believe the Fraidan army will be in striking distance of the Gates to the Forest in six days. If the departure takes place in two days as Merle announced they should pass through the Gates just before Fraid arrives"
"Then why not east?" Hán' asked,
"The problem with east is we have no idea where the Asturian army is or how quickly they are moving. We could pass by fine, or on the other hand we could walk right into an army of heavy armed men" Poker added, "Lord what do you think?"

Von looked up,
"To head south is risky, but to head east when we don't even know where Asturia is would just be foolhardy. They should head south, to the Great Lake; there they may wait for word that it is safe to return home" A quiet murmur of agreement circled the table, and Von smiled. That was the quickest 'debate' they had ever had on an issue.

"With that resolved, Hán' and Eric you overview the supplies for the journey. Lore, oversee the shut down of the cities unnecessary infrastructure before leaving. The last thing we need when defending the city is to worry about such things. Onoír begin training of the new troops, we need them ready when the time comes" Von sent out the orders and nobody protested but nodded in agreement. This was not the time for arguing. Several of the advisors prepared to get to their feet but Von stopped them,
"Wait a moment; I have a final piece of business to discuss"

They retook their seats as Merle eyed Von suspiciously.
"From noon tomorrow consider this council broken" Von told them. The surprise was tangible as several of them gasped, and others just stared unable to believe their ears. It was Poker, who spoke first,
"Do you understand what that means? This council has never been broken, how can you possible justify this lord?" The frustration of the council's oldest member was far from masked. Von sighed angrily,
"I will not leave this city, but you will. Onoír and I shall remain but the rest of you are to go with the civilians to the great lake"
"But Sire our place…" Lore started before Von cut him off,
"Your place is to lead Fanelia's people, not to remain in her capital. Those people will need leadership, and if Fanel should fall there must be someone left to rebuild"
"Then you should go Sire. It is your place with the people," Poker suggested,
"Wrong. It is my place to protect my people. I failed to protect them when Zaibach burn Fanel but I will not let history repeat itself. My mind is made up, and I will not be persuaded" Von told them unequivocally.

A deafening silence hung over the camber, before Von got to his feet and concluded the proceeding,
"I have sat at the head of this council for many years now, faces change but passions don't. This could be the last time we meet like this, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your services" Von said before bowing to the council, "I Thank you"

His advisers hurriedly got to their own feet and bowed back to their king,
"The pleasure has been all ours" Poker spoke for them all. Rising from his bow with a smile Von told them,
"Don't you all have work to do?" And without delay the council abandoned their chairs and one by one passed through the doors. Before leaving, Poker stopped by Von and gave him a stern grandfather like look,
"I can see you have made your mind up so I won't try to persuade you, but I ask you this. Are you sure?" He asked and Von nodded,
"I am" He placed his hand on Poker's shoulder, "I appreciate your service the most my old friend, but make sure to keep the rest in check in my absence" He smiled,
"I will make sure to" And with that Poker left. Finally only Von, Merle and Onoír remained. Merle was staring at the table, while Onoír got to his feet.
"I would appreciate it if you could meet the new men in the morning Lord, a boast in moral would be appreciated" Onoír asked Von, whom nodded.
"Sure. I would love too"

Finally Onoír left, leaving only Merle and Von. He fell into his chair with an exhausted sigh. At first he too looked into space but then asked,
"How did I do?" She didn't look at him but the tone of her voice said she was not happy,
"I'm not going you know" She commented and Von narrowed his eyes,
"I made it clear that…" She broke him off very quickly,
"You don't order me." She told him unequivocally, "I will not go"
Even if she wasn't looking to him he was looking directly at her,
"You will. For your own protection you will"

"I WILL NOT" Her voice was angry, "I have remained by your side through thick and thin, war and peace and I will not leave you now" Her voice was less words but more growl but finally she turned to him,
"I have never asked anything of you Von, but I ask this. Do not send me away" Von shook his head in his hands and groaned in frustration before returning his eyes to her.
"If that is truly your wish" He added, "You can stay. I'm sure we could use the help anyway"

Merles frown vanished to be replaced by a piping smile. Even so she sniffled twice before a couple of tears fell from her eye,
"Thank you" Finally Von reiterated,
"Thank you"

………

Sadako felt like her heart was going to burst. She was running along side Géaroid, gasping for breath. Nimura was on Géaroid's back, but it hadn't been long since they crossed the river. Things had been moving so fast she was extremely relieved when Géaroid finally slowed and stopped.
"We can rest but only for a short while," Géaroid told her. She stopped and confronted him immediately,
"What are you doing here?" She asked him angrily. She had no reason not to trust him for this was the second time he had saved her life but she still wanted answers. He slowly lowered Nimura to the ground before offering her an answer.
"I was passing through and happened to see the fire" His answer only made her angrier,
"Bull" She told him straight, "In the middle of nowhere you just happen to be passing through. I don't believe it for a second"

Géaroid sighed and turned from her,
"This is not the time. Nimura needs…" Géaroid said but she grabbed him by the arm and broke him off,
"I never told you his name. Who are you?" Géaroid ignored her and bent over him,
"Listen, if I don't do something he could die" He warned her taking the wind out of her sails, "Just wait a minute"

Backing off she did, allowing him the room he needed. Along with Nimura Géaroid had also been carrying a bag, and pulling it from his back he started to rummage inside. Soon enough his hand clasped onto what he wanted and he pulled out a torch and couple of flat stones. It was very dark, for it had now been hours since the fall of night. He placed the torch down upon the dirt and then bashed the stones together above it. Sadako guessed they where flint when the sparks caught the torch and set its top ablaze.

With the torch in his hand he slowly let it pass across Nimura illuminating his injuries. As the torch passed by Nimura's face he stirred in his unconscious state. Sadako came up beside him, and knelt.
"This doesn't look good" Géaroid commented, which she immediately set on,
"What do you mean? How bad is he hurt?" She asked slightly panicked. Her heart, which had calmed down since they stopped was starting to speed up again.
"These cuts are deep, and he is already starting to show the early signs of a fever" He continued and then she asked,
"You can help him cant you?"

He nodded, and Sadako gave a breath of relief,
"But there isn't much I can do here. I'll give him something to stop further infection but his fever is going to get a lot worse before it gets better" Before he had even finished explaining he pulled a pouch out of his bag and carefully he started to rub its contents into Nimura's wounds. Nimura stiffened from the pain caused. Weakly Sadako sat upon the ground next to them and watched every action he took. After a few minutes Géaroid handed her the torch,
"Here. This would be easier with two hands" She took it and using it offered him the light to work by. Every time Géaroid rubbed some of the herbs into Nimura's wounds he groaned with pain. It was as they slowly continued that Géaroid finally answered her previous question,
"Your right in that I wasn't passing by. I have been following you since you left Fanel" Géaroid admitted, but any anger Sadako had had, had already evaporated.
"Why?" She questioned, though she had already foreseen his admission she had not guessed why. He mulled over his answer for a moment before giving it,
"I was asked by an old friend to look out for you" He continued and Sadako thought again before asking,
"Who?"

"I think you already know the answer to that one" Was his response and she sighed,
"Von"
"Yes" Géaroid told her finally adding the herbs to the last of his wounds, "He asked me to keep an eye on you, but not even I expected either of you to do something this dangerous"
"How do you know Von?" She asked but he ignored the question,
"Another story for another time. For now we have to get to those hills" Géaroid said while indicating to a collection of hills in the direction Nimura and she were already heading,
"Shelter" Sadako said confirming and he nodded. Carefully picking Nimura off the ground Géaroid laid him on his back and failed to make any indication that he was carrying additional weight. He was about to lift his bag when Sadako lifted it and added it to Nimura and her own, it wasn't fair that he should carry the entire burden.

It took them the best part of a couple of hours to reach the hills Géaroid had indicated too. Géaroid held the torch ahead of them but it was still very hard to see what was coming so they had to be careful of where they where walking. As they made their way Sadako considered Géaroid very carefully. This was only the second time she had been with him and she already appeared to trust him, and what's worse was she was not really able to work out why she did. True, he had saved her life more than once now, but was this story about being sent by Von really true. She wasn't sure what to think or who to believe… wouldn't it be so much simpler if nobody in the world could lie.

It wasn't long before they found some shelter at the foot of the hills. Buried into the rock face dozens of caves dug into the hills side and offered some shelter. Géaroid came to a stop outside one of the shelters and indicated for her to do the same. He continued into the cave and moments later returned,
"This will do"

Entering the cave Sadako understood why he chose this one, as inside not only was there plenty of room to move around but there was also more than enough room for them to stand. Slowly and carefully Géaroid lowered Nimura from his back and laid him upon the ground. He turned to Sadako,
"You got blankets? Bandages?" She nodded,
"Both"
"Good, while I'm gone wrap up his wounds and then wrap him up in blankets well. He must be kept warm" Géaroid told her approaching the door,
"Where are you going?"

He stopped for a moment,
"I haven't all the herbs I need to help him. Don't worry I wont be long" Her attention quickly returned to Nimura, and he left. She could finally feel the intensity of what had happen begin to hit her, but she tried her best to ignore it. She needed to focus; Nimura's very life was at stake. She kneeled over him, his body clammy, and yet shivering, his forehead covered with beads of sweat. She pushed his hair back from his eyes, and dug into her bag. She needed to concentrate.

………

"Even I was surprised by how many came forward" Onoír informed Von. Von, as he had promised had come down to the arena to meet those whom had opted to stay and fight for their kingdom. Onoír had come to meet him, and they now approached the new soldiers who were training. There really where allot of them, hundreds training in smaller groups of twenty or so all across the arena. Von nodded,
"It's good; we will need every man we can get if we are to defend the city"
"Indeed. In fact, because there are so many we have had to split up all of my men with any form of experience to train the rest. But no matter what I will have them trained"
"Let's hope so, for a man without training would be more of a risk to those around him than a help"

As they approached the first group, their instructor was still handing out swords to his pupils, and showing them how they're meant to be held. He held his as an aid to them,
"Make sure to hold the blade tightly with both hands. I don't want to see anyone trying to use it one handed or showing off, in my eyes you are all rookies and I will not tolerate anyone trying to get above their station. Do you get me?" Each of the men answered that they where but they were far from synchronized. The instructor sighed but as he saw the king's approach he stepped aside and allowed him to take centre stage with Onoír.
"Good morning" Von greeted them, and once again each of their voices cried back,
"Good morning, Sire" For a moment Von waited and then stepped back,
"Don't let me interrupt, please continue"

The instructor nodded and directed the men to slowly parry each other, then paused for a moment and turned to Von,
"Sire, would you do us the honour?" And offered Von his sword. He thought for a moment and then taking the sword he smiled,
"Sure"
He stepped forward and projected his voice into the crowd,
"Now the first thing you need to note about using a sword is to always keep it supported. A two-handed sword is also your shield; so don't be afraid to use it as such. You need to be sure that the blade will not be forced back into you when it is hit"

"Now, the basis of all attacks and defence with a blade are based around three simple movements. Left, Right and Above. First we will teach you these three moves. First…"Von lowered his sword to his lower left,
"This is the left-hand block, make sure to keep your blade away as far from you as you can while still keeping your arms close by your torso, make sure to keep your arms flexible at the same time, for if they are ridged, your arm could buckle under the pressure of your opponents blade"

Moving the blade he mirrored its left-hand placement,
"The right-hand block works in the same way as the left, but finally" Von said raising the blade above his head,
"The upper block is the most imperative. If you screw this up you could lose your head. Hold the sword tightly and away from your face, put as much distance as you can between you and the sword without stretching you arms. Keep your arms lose and manageable for you could be switching from one of these positions to another in a split second. When moving from one position to another, move them in a circular motion as if the blade was making a circle. Finally, when your opponent's sword makes contact with yours push their blade back"

He turned his head, and smiled too Onoír,
"Shall we?" Onoír offered up his hands and stepped forward, he and his king facing each other over the dusted floor of the arena. They repositioned themselves so neither had their back to the soldiers and Von said,
"Watch carefully" Before turning back to Onoír, "Now only the three I've just shown" Onoír seemed to frown a little disappointed but hid it,
"As you wish"

They waited a moment before Von launched the first strike, of which Onoír blocked. To the soldiers they appeared to be moving so fast they could barely see who was attacking and who was blocking the strikes. As time ticked by they moved a little, but neither slowed the ferocity of their attacks or defence. Left. Right. Left. Up. Right. Up. Left. Right. Eventually Von slowed, and taking this as a sign that they had shown enough Onoír stopped along with him.

The new recruits shocked faces brought a smile to Von's as he offered the sword back to the group's instructor.
"Practise that amongst yourselves. Once you have mastered it, the rest will come much easier" Splitting into groups of two they did so, though at a much slower speed than Von and Onoír, some even guiding each other in slow motion to get the motions right. Von watched them before the their instructor came up beside him,
"Ah, thank you. It has been a long time since I had the chance to instruct some rookies" Von thanked him but he shook his head,
"The pleasure was all mine, I assure you. Sire, may I ask you a question?"

Von nodded,
"What is it?" He paused for a moment as if considering the wording, and then asked,
"Are things really as bad as they seem? I mean, could we really see an army march on Fanel?" There was an underlying fear in the mans voice, a fear he had heard in so many voices. Even with Merle's speech to the people there was still so much that they had not been told, so much more that he knew of the events of the past months. Eventually he swallowed and answered,
"Truthfully? Yes it is" Was Von's blunt answer, but he elaborated, "An army is already marching on Fanel, and will be here no later than a handful of weeks" The mans underlying fear became more prominent as he gulped,
"Really?"

Von placed his hand on his shoulder,
"That is why what you are doing is so important" Von assured him, "But don't worry, I have full confidence in you and anyone with the courage to remain when their families are not" He straightened his back and met Von's eyes,
"Thank you sir" Von gave recognition and turned his attention back to the soldiers whom had heard nothing of their short conversation. He noted that most of them where working correctly and those who weren't where getting there, Onoír leaned over and whispered in his ear,
"Sir we have a lot of groups to see" Von nodded and offered his hand to the group's instructor,
"We must be on" Von warned him and he shook it.
"I'm sure I speak for the new recruits when I say we appreciated it"

And with that they left the first group and started over to another. They where approaching a group practising archery when Onoír asked him a question.
"What do you think?" He asked leaving Von to think for a moment,
"Their good men" He answered unequivocally, "But you will need to train them well" Onoír was about to reply when one of the men's voices from the group practicing archery caught their attention.
"Why do we have to use this backwards technology?" His angry voice carried, "What real use will it be in a fight" Their instructor had instructed them to practise, but this particular man was having trouble hitting the target.
"There is no way anyone could hit that target!"

He finished just as Von and Onoír entered the group to the great surprise and embarrassment of the man. Their instructor was about to reprimand him when Von stopped him,
"Wait, I'll show him," He told the instructor quietly before whispering into Onoír's ear,
"You still remember the archery Dawn taught you?" Onoír nodded and smiled as he realised what Von wanted him to do,
"Of course, it's like riding a horse. It never leaves you" Onoír stepped forward and offered out his hand to take the mans bow. The man, who was practically shaking, handed him the bow and an arrow.

With the instruments in his hands he took a step back and a closer look at the target. It was only fifty feet away… this would be a synch. Keeping his eyes on the target and without a glance at what his hands were doing he lifted the bow, positioned the arrow onto the string and aimed its tip. His arms as steady as can be he waited a moment before he let the arrow fly. With a whistle it flew, before digging itself deep into the wood of the target. The men fell silent for a moment before erupting into lively cheering as it became clear the arrow struck bull's-eye. After a short bask Onoír turned and handed the bow back to the man,
"You should be able to hit that target with minimal training; an experienced marksman can hit a target three, four times that distance"

Having calmed his nerves the man who started this all gathered a little courage and challenged his superior anyway,
"That's all and good, but what use would it be in a real battle?" Onoír stopped in mid-stride, and turned back angrily to the man,
"What use does it have…!" He started but stopped as Von came up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder, indicating that he wanted to handle it.
"Do you not understand how deadly an arrow is in combat?" Von asked as the man returned to his meeker manner,
"Yes… but you wouldn't have time to load and fire in a…"

"Let's just assume your right for a moment, which you are not. What is this?" Von asked slightly angrily indicating to an arrow the instructor handed him,
"An arrow?" He replied but was shot down in a second,
"WRONG. It is a weapon" Von corrected him, "Come close combat, you have a dagger, come far off enemies you have an arrow. You need to learn, for in battle there is no such thing as an 'illegal' weapon. You must fight to survive, and here's a good place to start. When our walls are charged what would you like to do, sit and wait for them to climb the walls? Or show them that they will pay for each inch they take?" The solider appeared to be almost panicking now,
"I'm sorry Sire, I didn't…" He stuttered but Von interrupted him before he could finish his apology,
"You are new to this, but that's all the more reason to listen to your instructor. If you are serious learn and don't complain"

Von turned his back on the man and headed across to the groups instructor, which had been keeping his distance. Von's fist was shaking angrily, but he politely handed the arrow back to its owner and apologised to the instructor,
"I'm sorry about that"
"No, no, it was a huge help Sire. I doubt anyone will cause trouble now" He bowed to his king, "Thank you"

Von thanked him and with Onoír by his side left their second group. He sighed angrily, but there was no need to put his grievance into words. He looked across the other couple of dozen groups and wondered if they would all be so difficult. He was about to ask Onoír that very question when he realised his gaze was not on their next group but in the stands of the arena. Upon one of the wooden benches sat a young blond haired girl. She appeared to be looking right at them, making it clear whom she was, Jennifer.
"Go on then" Von said his mood lifted a little,
"What?" Onoír asked,
"She's obviously here to see you, go on," Von continued, but Onoír shook his head,
"That's alright. She knows that I can't just drop everything" Von sighed again,
"Look, I can manage on my own. Don't worry, and anyway you must never disappoint a pretty young lady. Now go"
"Are you sure?" Onoír asked but Von near enough pushed him away,
"Go already!"

With that Onoír decided it was not worth it for him to argue and split off from Von with a nod in thanks. Making his way over to Jennifer was slow work as she was literally at the other side of the arena. The arena itself was a huge oval, three sides of which where built up of stands. To one end it opened up into the gardens but to the northern side it was built onto the castle, which penetrated the mountain, and to the other side, built under the stands and beyond the arena lay the barracks for the castles guard, and training grounds.

As Jennifer saw him approaching she came down to greet him, as he reached the edge of the stands. He was about to greet her when she beat him to it, with a tight hug.
"It's nice to see you too" Onoír said as she let go,
"It's been soooo long!" She told him wishfully,
"I know, but shouldn't you be packing?" Onoír told her off but he couldn't really hide that he was happy to see her, "Remember you do have to leave tomorrow"
"Don't worry about that," Jennifer said taking a seat on the stands, "We're not going" Onoír's heart missed a beat,
"What do you mean your not going!" He asked angrily raising his voice. She looked up at him a smile curled over her lips,
"It means just that. We have discussed it and none of us are going. Not mum, not dad, and not me" Onoír slowly took a seat beside her, never taking his eyes of her.
"Do you really understand what you are doing?" He asked, somehow calmed by her words, "It will not be safe here" Her lips were confident but her eyes were anything but,
"I know what is coming, but this is our home. I have lived here my whole life, and my mum and dad have lived here even longer than that. We know it wont be safe but we want to do our part to protect it" She told him, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared but I feel a lot better knowing you are here to protect us, rather than in the wilds having left you and the king behind"

Onoír dropped his gaze to his feet and sighed,
"I can't believe it"
"You can't believe what?" He raised his gaze back to hers,
"I can't believe how much you have matured and grown. I have watched you since you were born, taken care of you, and now look at you" Onoír told her too which she blushed,
"But I haven't…" She started but stopped as she couldn't think of a way to continued the sentence,
"What's changed? You have" Onoír said before her eyes became as sincere as her smile,
"Does this mean you will stop calling me kid?"
"No" Onoír told her snidely, "Well maybe sometimes"

They laughed for a moment but soon enough Jennifer became serious again,
"Have you heard anything from Nimura?" She asked sadly, but Onoír could only shake his head. It seemed like years since he had let Nimura and Sadako leave, even if it had only been a few short weeks.
"I'm sorry… but I haven't heard a thing"
"I hope he's Ok," She said aloud,
"Of course he is, that boy can take care of himself. He'll be fine" He reassured her, "Anyway if anyone is in danger it is us"
"I suppose so" She agreed, "When do you think you will be able to see us again?"
He straightened and looked back out to the men still training at the other end of the arena,
"I don't know. We won't have much time for anything other than work soon…" He said, "I won't have too much time to go into the city"
"Oh, Ok, I understand" Jennifer said sadly. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and Onoír got to his feet,
"I'd better get back to Von" He told her, and she frowned,
"But you will try to come and see us soon?"
"I'll try" He replied and she smiled.
"Ok… but how is he?" She asked, concerned, Onoír assumed the 'he' referred to Von,
"Oh don't worry he's fine now" He replied,
"I'm glad" He mused her hair and shook his head,
"Don't change" And he left, leaving her more than just a little perplexed about that last comment of his.

………

Pain. Sorrow. Humiliation. Betrayal. It was sharp, but then it was gone. Nimura stood his back against the wall his sword in his hands. He was in a room of stone, a hall of rock, all of which appeared hollow. The grey stone had dulled the already scarce light but he couldn't possibly take his eyes off his opponent. Nimura was breathing hard as the man continued to approach him. His opponent was tall and rugged, stubble across his face. This was long like he was older beyond his years; even so he seemed to posses an air of dignity. Nimura's eyes shot from left to right but always meeting in the centre, upon his opponent. Finally he reached Nimura his own sword in his hand and smiled,
"Come on son, you know your beaten" His calm, almost soothing voice came.

In an instant Nimura's whole composure changed to one of confidence, any fear he may have possessed banished. He griped his sword tighter and lunged at his attacker,
"You know me better than that"

The man was caught completely off guard and barely raised his sword to deflect Nimura's. In one final powerful crash the sword was knocked out of his hands and Nimura's was to his throat. He looked down at the blade and his momentarily lost smiled returned,
"Are you going to kill me?" He asked Nimura's stern features. They melted, and he dropped the swords tip,
"Don't tempt me master" Nimura sheathed his sword before taking up his masters and offering it back to him,
"Did you let me win?" Nimura asked as he took the sword and sheathed it,
"Not this time" He replied but Nimura didn't believe it,
"Don't toy with me"
"No I'm serous. It was all you"

"What does that mean master?" Nimura asked turning his back. The man smiled as if he had just seen his son come of age,
"It means you can stop calling me master for one" Nimura turned back his eyes as wide was saucers,
"Are you serous? But I'm nowhere near finished my training"
"That's true you will never stop training as long as you live but you have learned as much as you can from me"
"Is it because I won master, it could well have been a fluke" Nimura interjected but he shook his head,
"No I have been thinking about this for a while now, you are ready to move on"
"Master," Nimura started but he was cut off,
"Letús, call me by my name for your master I am not"

Nimura paused for a moment before he removed his sword and bedded its tip in the ground. Then kneeling he bowed his head,
"It has been an honour"
"As it has for me" Letús added and taking his arm he helped Nimura up.
"I have something important to tell you" Nimura looked into his eyes a sense of foreboding taking him,
"What is it?"
"Tomorrow I am leaving. I have no idea how long I will be away" He warned Nimura and he immediately volunteered,
"I'll come with you, you will need protection" Letús sighed,
"No, I will travel with Talús"
"But,"
"We will travel alone" Nimura distracted his gaze,
"So that's how things are"

"Listen Nimura we need to travel in secret, this mission is extremely important" Letús told him in an attempt to preserve his ego,
"Can you at least tell me where or why you are going?"
"No I can't, but if successful we can finally get the damned alliance out of Zaibach once and for all"
"How is that possible?" Nimura asked but he was robbed of an answer,
"I cannot tell you any more, and please don't share this with the others, not yet anyway"
"I won't pretend I'm not curious but I won't ask again. Another duel?" However Nimura's words were met with a shaking of his head,
"Afraid not, I need to get things in order before I go"

He turned his back to Nimura and uttered only one last phrase, the last thing Nimura heard him say,
"Goodbye" For this was the mission Letús never returned from,

The scene dyed white, then black and Sadako opened her eyes. She awoke as if from an ordinary dream but she knew it was most certainly not any ordinary dream. Nimura had told her of that day before, the day Letús left. She thought for a moment edging it into her memory so she wouldn't forget like so many other dreams. She was lying down by the fire, but she rose wondering why she had seen Nimura's memory; however that was quickly forced from her mind. Quietly, almost as if not to wake him up Sadako turned to Nimura and yet again she felt the sadness she had experienced when he was first injured. It was as if her heart was in her throat and felt like she couldn't breathe. She came down beside him. He was still completely unconscious, but he was shivering. She couldn't be sure though if it was because he was cold or he was dreaming. Lifting a cloth she wiped some of the sweat that had gathered on his forehead. His face was hot, and again she nearly froze up. She didn't really know what she should do for help him, she just didn't know. Looking away from him for a moment her eyes wandered to the mouth of the cave. There Géaroid stood silhouetted against the light, his hood down upon his shoulders. It had never occurred to her before but this was the first time she had ever seen Géaroid without his hood,
"Géaroid?" She asked to get his attention. He jumped and replaced his hood before turning to face her,
"Morning,"

Eying him suspiciously Sadako got to her feet.
"Why do you wear that cloak and hood?" She asked, "What are you trying to hide?" He avoided her gaze and ignored her question instead opting to look out of the cave,
"No reason" This answer was most certainly unsatisfactory, her train of thought considering why he hid his face only went to bad places, reawakening her suspicious feelings,
"Who are you?" She asked calmly, but he again failed to offer any real answer,
"What does it matter?" Was that answer.
"WHO ARE YOU?" She yelled angrily. Géaroid's back went stiff and he turned. Sadako, as usual couldn't see through his cloak or hood but she didn't need to see his eyes to know he was angry. Grabbing her by the shoulders he yelled back, Sadako placed her hand on her blade,
"YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM? YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY I HIDE MY FACE?" She clenched the base of her sword more out of fear than anything else. Sure she hadn't been with him for very long but she had never seen him like this, and in a haunting sort of way it seemed familiar. Letting her go he stepped back and pulled the hood from his face and she couldn't stop before she gasped.

His face was like nothing she had seen before, something she hoped she would never see again. It showed her that he once had an elegant face, which made the sight even worse. Dozens of redden scars crossed his face, scares long since healed but not forgotten. One of these passed right over his right eye, where he had been blinded by steel. Up and down his cheeks more scars lined his face, more upon his chin, forehead and several even intruding into his scalp, where hair no longer grew. The hair he still had was untidy and brown, almost like he had long lost any interest in it. Similarly he wore a straggly brown beard, which he kept more out of apathy than anything else. His eyes looked so tired, almost like someone who hadn't slept in weeks. It was a disturbing and yet saddening sight.
"Wha.. what happene…ned to you?" She asked, her words scattered.

He laughed,
"What?" He said, "First let me answer, 'who I am'" He paused as he saw Sadako seemed unable to look at him, and she continued to deflect her eyes from his mutilated face. He raised his hood again and then started his tale,
"Long ago, but after the Great War I was in service of Lord Fanel. I don't know how he felt but after a long while in his service I saw him as more of a friend than as my Lord. I even met your mother when she came to Gaea" Upon the mention of her mother Sadako interjected,
"You met her?" She asked, "What was she like?" No later had she finished the question than she laughed at it. She had been asking everyone that same question since she came to Gaea,
"She was a kind woman. Truly kind" He answered, "It was not hard to see why Lord Fanel loved her so much. Enough to have you" Sadako's eyes widen,
"How do you know of that?" She asked,
"I didn't, well not really. It was just a hunch but don't worry I wont tell a soul" Sadako growled but didn't continue and say what she wanted to,
"Anyway you where in the middle of a story" She prompted him between gritted teeth.

"Ah yes. Well I though he trusted me like I trusted him, but one day there was something he didn't tell me. Not even his personal bodyguard Dawn Kosime was told this." He continued,
"Dawn Kosime?" She asked, "Nimura's father?"
"You've heard of him? He was a close friend of Von's, but anyway Von wouldn't talk about what had happened. So…" He said before stopping himself,
"So?"
"So I found out what happened, through my own means. I figured if the king was hiding something this big I could show him he wasn't alone if I showed him I knew it too. What I learned was shocking" He told her calmly, "The details where sketchy but something was happening in Zaibach, something I should never have been allowed to know. I lay low for a while, but unfortunately they found me before I was able to return Fanel"
"They?" She asked, hanging on every word,
"Duke Fraid. They held me for months before I finally was able to escape. They did unspeakable things in that place, and this is the end result. I'm quite sure they think I'm dead now, but whether they do or not is immaterial. I'm alive, and willing to do anything it takes to put this right" She was saddened by his story but she needed to confirm her own feelings,
"So that is why you are following us?" She asked, "Because you want to help Fanelia?"

He shook his head,
"No I told you Von asked me" He replied but Sadako added,
"That's a lie and you know it, he didn't ask you do follow us at all. Why would he have sent you when he didn't want us to go in the first place? That's why Onoír followed us after leaving Fanel" Géaroid was silent for a moment and then came clean,
"Alright I wasn't asked but everything else I have told you has been true," He told her in the utmost sincerity, but Sadako already knew that to be true. Although he had lied, she had gauged his character and knew him to be kind. He was trustworthy.
"Don't worry I believe you" She warned him and he relaxed a moment,
"That's good… Wait, that's why Onoír followed you from Fanel?" He asked,
"Yeah, because Von wanted him to bring us back"
"Wait, if you where there why didn't you do anything? Those bandits could have killed us!" She asked angrily but Géaroid smiled in the way only someone who knows something you don't can,
"I did, I saved Onoír from a nasty appointment with the end of a sword" He added, "And didn't even let him know it either. I didn't want to break my cover, which I kept so well, until yesterday anyway, but I didn't really have a choice now did I?"

Sadako nodded in slow agreement, he was right. If he hadn't helped them out they would probably have both been killed or at least barely escaped with their lives. Where would that have left their mission? She was most certainly grateful but she wasn't so keen on the feeling that they had been being followed for such a long time without them even knowing. 'He must have some amazing skill' she thought and remembering how easily he killed those wolves just backed it up. Nimura may have been injured but she could feel a little more at ease knowing he was watching her back.

"How did it go last night?" She asked, "Did you get the herbs you needed for Nimura?" Her voice was unusually hushed but that was to be expected. Géaroid hadn't seen what happened between them on the beach but it was obvious enough to him how close they really were. He nodded,
"Yeah, and don't worry he'll be fine. It may not look it now but in the next few days his fever will come down again"
"That's good" She said, her relief evident, "But is there anything I can do for him?" Géaroid shook his head,
"No, but you should rest a little, don't forget that you were also hurt last night" He asked her, "Look, there's a lake several hundred meters from here, go get yourself cleaned up. I'll keep an eye on him" Her eyes shifted to Nimura a moment but she shook her head,
"No, I couldn't. I should be with him"
"You're exhausted; if you continue like this you will only hurt yourself and what good would that do Nimura?" He asked and after a final glance at Nimura she agreed to his offer,
"Alright, but make sure to take care of him" She said and then smiled, "But I can guess you wouldn't need to be asked to do that"

And with that she left Nimura with him and headed out in the direction Géaroid had indicated, it didn't sit well with her that she was going, and she couldn't help herself but to look back to the cave several times before it was lost behind a wall of foliage. She straightened herself and with her head held high made her way through. Soon enough the growth lightened and she came face to face with the lake Géaroid had mentioned. She had been in Gaea for months now but she had seen few things as beautiful as the one she now laid her eyes upon.

The lake was a huge oval, its water gently rippling down towards her and the largish stream, which exited it far to her right. At the far end of the lake water entered it through a collection of three smaller streams, which seemed to link into one and other before heading down what appeared to be stairs in the rock rather than a steep waterfall. The effect of which was that the water entering the small lake was almost silent like it was sneaking past whomever visited onto beauty. Its water was perfectly clear, almost like crystal. In the centre of the lake, which was really only two to three hundred meters across lay a small Island, or more a berth dotted with a few tress which's roots delved into the water at the surface of the island. The lake was also almost invisible to the outside world, as thick threes surrounded it. She smiled and looked back the way she came, but even though she was only a few minutes, and probably within a loud shout from the others it felt like she was in another world entirely.

She took several steps forward to the edge of the water and gave it a closer look. Bending down she pulled one of her shoes and socks off allowing her to tip her toes into the water. She shivered as she did so, but she paid no heed and slid her whole foot into the lake. At first the water appeared to freeze her to the core but then seemed to warm. She smiled like a happy schoolgirl,
"Perfect"

The smile was well justified, since she and Nimura had left they had only really had the chance to bath a couple of times and with every passing day she felt more and more like some sort of hermit. The chance to get a good bath, even if it was in a lake was a Godsend. When she was back at home she used to use the bath as often as possible, usually being every night. Yukari constantly complained but Hitomi never did anything to dissuade her, 'cleanliness is next to Godliness' she used to always say.

Her smile turned to a frown as she started to remember home, how long had it been since she had last seen them? It had only been a couple of months but she had never been away from her family for so long… She disrobed and left her clothes tucked under a rock to the side of the lake, she covered herself as she took the few steps to the side of the lake and then when the water was up to her waist she sat so only her head pierced its surface.

She tried to turn her mind from home but found herself consumed with sorrow, a sorrow that only showed itself when she thought of home. She wondered what they were doing, Amano… Yukari… Mum. Would they still be looking for her now? Or would Hitomi have explained to them what had happened? Does time even work in the same way here? She had no friends, Per-se, she did have some people whom she would hang out with once in a while but other than her mum nobody had really gotten very close to her… that was until she met 'him'.

Nimura. Just remembering him brought the smile back to her lips. Not the Nimura that lay with Géaroid, but the Nimura she had seen for the very first time the night before, the Nimura whom said that he loved her. The memory of those words made her feel warm inside, like she had never felt before. To love and be loved in return… she never expected such a thing to happen between them. Looking back in hindsight she could now see it, but only in hindsight.

Again reality came crashing down upon her as the rest of the night before returned to the forefront of her mind. How their mutual discovery had been cut short, how he had been… there it was again, sorrow. If only she hadn't reacted so badly in Caderle maybe this could all have happened sooner, maybe they could have been together for a while before… or even avoided it in the first place.

It wasn't easy but she forced her mind away from the 'what ifs' and kicking back she started to swim out into the lake. Unfortunately because of its size she ran out of lake very quickly and instead sat beside the rocks that formed the island in the lakes centre. Her mind wandered again but this time not to Nimura or home, or maybe home, her second home, Fanel. How were things going there? How were Merle, Von, Onoír, and everyone else? She started to feel an unpleasant tugging inside her, the feeling of not knowing. Even if it were something bad it would be better to know than to not. For all she knew they could be dead! She just wanted to know.

So we have to wait here a few days and then Nimura will be well enough to continue, but what then? They will head off to Basram and then who knows what will happen. If Fanelia's two closest allies wouldn't lift a finger to help them then what are the chances that a warrior nation out for only themselves would? The people here seemed to believe that her mother was sent to them from the Heavens to save them, for what did that make her? Her mother helped rid the world of the tyranny of Zaibach but with the blood of the thousands who died, on both sides. She lowered her head into the water until only her eyes are hair was visible, 'Can there really be an end to war?' She blew a few bubbles underwater. Is it her great task before to help save Fanelia, only for it all to happen again in the future?

Is it fate, or just mankind that is cruel? She sighed and raised her head above the surface again allowing her to breath. She wadded her way back to the shore, perhaps it was both.

………

It was the crisp cool breeze of the early morning, which greeted Onoír as he stepped out onto the battlements. Dawn had broken, but only just, meaning that it was still quite dark and very chilly. His sword was in his hand as he came up to do some training, or that was his excuse anyway. The battlements of which he now stood were those of the third wall of the city, between the cities second and third segments. These early hours would usually be as quiet as the dead but now they where not, as it seemed the whole of the city was awake. In fact they were, and all gathered in the Courtyard of the Kings, for this was the morning of their departure. Although he completely agreed with Von's decision it still did not sit well with him. Evacuating the entire city was an incredible step, a vindication to those who say they can't hold the city. Slowly, almost nervously he crossed over to the wall's gate, and looking north his eyes met his fellow countrymen. It was truly an amazing sight, so many people gathered in the one place at the one time. Even Merle's address was less attended than this final goodbye.

Hundreds of stories where playing themselves out in the crowd, each soul with their own. Wife's bidding their husbands goodbye. Children playing, with no idea of the significance of that last kiss from their father. The young, the old, the sick. Most men, and some women of a fighting age had come forward to protect their city, but this just meant further tearful goodbyes. God willing they would return to Fanel, but in his heart even Onoír doubted the chances of this happy outcome. Their final goodbye. He turned, and looked south down the straight road, which flowed through Fanel, which was now completely deserted.

He couldn't stand the sad sight any longer, a sad sight he was going to have to be apart of until Jennifer's shock announcement that they were not to leave. Even though he hated himself for it he was almost glad that they weren't going even though he knew for them to stay would mean almost certain death. He sighed, and walked back away from the wall. His thoughts were far too morbid.

Once he was a safe distance, or in his mind anyway away from the crowd he prepared his sword and held it aloft in front of him. Then slowly he began to attack invisible enemies all around him, up, down, left, back, up again. If he were a kid people would have thought he was playing but it was serous for him to practise. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to spar with anyone who had even half of his skill recently and he was starting to feel sluggish. If a great battle was coming he was sure he was going to be on the front, not cooped up in some building waiting for the enemy to come to him. He sighed; he had come back to that depressing subject of the coming battle. Well it wasn't that easy for him to avoid, they did have a tactical meeting later that day and all to deal with the coming logistical problems of war on a scale unseen since the Great War in Fanel. And if their reports where to be believed they didn't have too much time to prepare.

He was sure he was going to have the wall to himself but soon enough his solitude was shattered as another figure joined him on the walls. He was quite a distance away but Onoír could quite easily make out that he was a big man. He was wrapped in a dirty brown cloak, which had a hood though it was dropped at the moment. As he approached Onoír stopped training so they didn't feel intimidated by his actions. The closer he got the more haunting a feeling of similarity came over him, not Disavow, but more a feeling that he had not only seen this man before but he had known him in some way or another. His short black hair was hung messily, a thick beard of the same colour occupying his face. Onoír never took his eyes off him as he approached but it was only as he was passing that he noticed that to his side hung a long sword. A sword, which was most certainly not Fanelian.

The man smiled as he passed,
"I will see you again soon" He said to which Onoír turned, now angrier than confused or perplexed. Rising his own sword again he called out to the man to stop but he failed to do so leaving Onoír no choice but to chase after him. As he did so however the man broke into a run,
"Stop NOW!" Onoír ordered but again his words fell on deaf ears as he bolted along the battlements. Placing his hand on one of the pillars on either side of the stairway back into the city he threw himself around it and down the first few stairs in one leap. Onoír was close in chase, and even if he wasn't doing any showy stunts he was going mark-ably faster than the man and closing the gap fast. Making the corner at the base of the stairs Onoír slipped on the damp stone and fell into the road face first. He cried out in surprise at first but he was back on his feet in a matter of seconds and back in chase cursing his clumsiness.

"For God's sake" He cursed angrily. Fortunately he was still in sight of the man but if he managed to slip up again it would be the end of this chase.
"Stop!" Onoír ordered again at the top of his lungs but this time the man called back mockingly,
"I have nothing to say. Well not to you!" Onoír could feel his blood boil as the man made a final corner into the Courtyard of the Kings. He smiled, obviously having forgotten that this was no ordinary morning and the courtyard was not as it would normally be. Turning the corner himself he had to force himself to an abrupt stop before he crashed into the mass of men, women and children which had gathered under the shadow of the tower Babel. He cursed again and looked back the way he came fully understanding the impossibility to finding his prey now.

It was at that moment that a horn was sounded and then a mans voice called out,
"Ladies don't let the kids out of your sight as we move out" And then added, "We're leaving" Onoír had just arrived in time for the final departure of the civilians. It was a moment that would remain embedded in his memory for the rest of his life. The sorrow of the people was palpable.

………

The small fire crackled as Sadako prodded a couple of the sticks deeper into its flames. The fire was built in a cone shape, but with a flat base at the top, which currently supported a pot. The pots content slowly simmered under the heat and she leaned back from it. The fire was burning at the mouth of the cave, the smoke gently escaping into the night's sky. Nimura, still wrapped in bandages continued to sleep to the back of the cave, breathing harshly. It had now been over a day since he was hurt and since his fever was brought on but there had already been a marked improvement in his heath. His head had cooled if only by a little and he seemed a lot calmer in his sleep. She allowed herself a guilty smile before taking a spoon carved from wood, which by the way she had found in Gearoid's bag and started to stir the pots contents. It was a soup, or at least looked like one, a brownish liquid given volume by the vegetables, which swirled as she stirred.

She had returned from the lake refreshed and since Géaroid left almost as she arrived she thought she could make something for them to eat. Géaroid was true to his word, having treated Nimura before she left to scout the local road, to the far west. He wasn't too confident but as he told her sometimes people still used the road around here and if they could find someone with a cart to help them to a town it would be a great help. She wasn't sure but she got the idea he just went as an excuse not to be in the same place for too long.

Bored, again she looked around the cave again and noted the long time it would be before their meal was finished. Her wanting eyes locked on Géaroid's bag again and she decided to be nosy. She would never admit it but she was the sort of person who wanted to know everything she really shouldn't. She calmly scooted over to the plain brown bag; it's opening at the top sealed with a single pull string. She rummaged about a moment before pulling two books from the bag, one wrapped in plain leather marked with its title 'The land to the west, Entóntria, fact or fantasy?' the other similarly wrapped but unmarked. She was more interested in this book, but opening it she noticed that upon the top of each page were gorgeous handwritten notes, each proceeded by a date. She immediately closed it coming to the assumption it was a diary and even if she was nosy she would never be guilty of reading someone else's diary. As it was closing one name caught her eye, 'Yakamo'. She shook her head as if disgusted with herself and then lifted the other book. Upon closer inspection she noticed that even though the book looked old it was actually quite new, just made up to look old.

She opened it to a random page and read out from it aloud,
"Little is known about the nation of Entóntria, or so we think, for the question is where we level what we know. For example, if we gauge knowledge as something we have irrefutably proven we have little to no knowledge of our neighbour to the West. However if we consider the stories we have long heard from travellers and traders we know a lot more than one might think" She thought for a moment to take a breath and then continued reading,

"Stories tell us of a decadent society, a nation whom's cities are built of gold and crystal. These though are stories I feel we can discount as false, for most agree that such cities do not exist to the west. What most agree on is of a collection of nation states that call themselves 'Entóntria' when combined but still hold their own national identity. Men talk of huge cities that stretch as far as the eye can see, cities without walls, as they have no fear of attack. A people who are unwelcoming to strangers, which is why so few pass through their lands"

"Even less is known of Entóntria's military power, other than they are extremely acute and use very powerful weapons of war. We are also aware that they have little qualms with working with unsolicited groups, bandits, mercenaries and the likes. However the facts as mentioned above have recently been put into disrepute as even though the Alliance has been at war with Entóntria for over a year now they have not attempted a full scale attack on any of the Allied nations. More over, they have only engaged small skirmishes with our troops. There is no real explanation why if they were really that powerful they would not attack, or at least try diplomacy in an attempt to end hostilities"

Sadako re-read the previous paragraph and corrected it,
"There has now been one" Before she and Nimura had left to meet Sanjiyan many weeks ago Sarah's inn was alive with the news that Entóntria had attacked, both Fraid and Basram to be exact. She mulled it all over in her mind. If Entóntria really did have that much strength behind them why don't they attack? Thinking back over what she had heard of the nation she wasn't too sure what type of people they could be but the words of the old couple on the boat into Caderle came back to her,
"Do you truly believe you are that important to the rest of Gaia? You are but a speck in comparison to some of the Alliances that exist in this world, and yet your arrogance is boundless" She quoted and suddenly she felt very uncomfortable. If this were the case would what their doing in Fanel really matter that much in the bigger picture? She was about to put the argument to test when she suddenly remembered,
"The Soup!" She cried out dropping the book and grabbing the pot off the fire. She placed it onto the ground just moments before she dropped it, due to the heat of the metal.

Lifting the lid she looked in on the content and sighed,
"Well I guess its still eatable" She complained, "barely" Turning back to the book she realised she would never find her page again, it having closed on impact so she lifted it and carefully placed it back into Géaroid's bag before turning to her own. Pulling a couple of wooden bowls from it she placed them down beside the pot and frowned again at the soup. 'I have to stop doing this' she thought angrily. She filled both of the bowls with the soup with the same wooden spoon she had used to stir it before moving the pot to beside the fire. This she hoped would keep it warm without actually burning the content… anymore.

She lifted one of the bowls before sitting it back down beside Nimura. Kneeling she arched over him and placing her hands under his back she lifted him into a seated position. As she did so she felt his breath on her neck, hot and yet cold at the same time. His blanket fell from his torso revealing the bandages that criss-crossed his stomach and chest, a hunting reminder of his condition. She had to try hard to hold back her own feelings of horror at the sight, instead busying herself with feeding Nimura. With one arm she held him up, supporting his back and with the other she raised and lowered the spoon to his mouth. She remembered that back at home people would talk to their loved ones even if they were sick because they believed it would help them recover. She wasn't sure if it would work but she decided to try anyway.

"Nimura?" She started, "You may not be able to feel it now, but you are getting better… you are going to be fine" She sighed and shook her head not really sure what she was doing. After a momentary pause she continued,
"Please get better… please," She said, "You need to get better, I don't know what I would do without you" She huffed,
"This is stupid" As she picked herself off the ground Nimura wrapped his hand around her arm. She turned back, her eyes as wide as saucers to find him looking back weakly. His eyes may have been tired and red but they were most certainly open and looking right at her,
"Don't stop," He said weakly, followed by an abrupt cough. She placed her hand over his and could hardly hold back her joy,
"Thank God"

As it turned out he was only awake for a couple of minutes but that was enough to calm Sadako and give her the strength to continue until he was back on his feet. She could rest easier with that.

………

The Fanelian capitol had but one library for the entire city, a library that was built in the castle itself. Unlike many other parts of the alliance, with the exception of Asturia, Fanelia had a very high level of literacy. Most parents were encouraged to send their children to at least a low level of public schooling, though this rarely continued past the basics of reading and writing.

Because there was only the one library most of the books in the city where stored in one place instead of being split between multiple smaller institutions. This meant the one library in the castle was huge. The entire library was in one huge room, which encompassed four storeys. In fact it was more like four floors of huge halls than one single room, though each floor was linked into the next by an open expanse in the centre of each floor, which let light pass from the roof down through each. Other than this skylight there were no windows in the room, instead each wall was layered with nothing but books. The claustrophobic feeling of so many books in such a small space was quite overpowering, but also extremely inspiring. On the ground floor, directly under the skylight a couple of dozen tables where symmetrically lied out for people to use in their studies. The room, even after night had fallen would be home to a dedicated few but not now. Since the majority of the civilians and learned of Fanel had gone there was no one other than her king to use the room.

Even so there was a lone candle burning at one the tables but instead of being covered in books the table in front of him was layered with maps, scrolls, parchment, and documents of all types. Atop of one of the maps he had carelessly left a wineglass. Beside it was the half full bottle, which the glass had been filled by. His candle had burned itself down a sign that he had been there a while. It was Von and he flicked though the papers in a rush, from the map, to a page of numbers to a list of names. His eyes darted between them trying to take in the information.

The map showed all of the Alliance, from Zaibach in the south to the northern tips of Deadalus and Fraid. Asturia to the east and Entóntria's border to the west. Directly in the centre was Fanelia, and on the map there were several of what appeared to be figurines of a couple of soldiers. One lay on Fanelia's border with Asturia to the East, another just over the mountains to Fanelia's West. Dead in the centre of the country lay a small square marked, 'Gates to the Forest'. It was here that his attention was constantly returned.

"When Fraid move on the Gates, we will be unable to hold unless we send backup" Von warned himself moving Fraid's figurine towards the Gates to the forest, "With back-up we could hold, or even force Fraid to retreat. But…" Moving Asturia's piece to the Gates too he frowned,
"…if Asturia should be far enough along to join in the attack, even with reinforcements we will not be able to hold the castle or town" Moving Asturia and Fraid's pieces over the Gates they approached Fanel,
"Leaving us defenceless"

He lifted his glass and took it all in one gulp. His frown turned to anger as he forced his head into his hands and sighed. With a spurt of rage he threw his glass into the figurines, shattering both, spreading dozens of shards of glass across the papers. His eyes were closed and that is how he remained for a moment before opening them to the mess. He made an ironic smile,
"If only it were that easy"

He leaned back from the map, his heart still pounding. He had been puzzling over what to do for several hours, just him and his solemn candle. It was clear that there was no easy answer to what they had to do, but if he made the wrong decision it could be the end of their war before they had even offered a defence. He sighed, Onoír and Merle would be joining him soon for the official meeting into what to do but he doubted anything they would say would make this any easier of a decision. He trusted them with his life, but he was still the king and the final decision was his.

He motioned to lift his glass but settled for the bottle to take his drink. He leaned back, looking up through the skylight into the night's sky. Hundreds of stars and the moon welcomed his eyes but they didn't comfort them like they would have on nights past.

Night may have fallen but it did nothing to cool the unpleasant heat that had built up in the library. It wasn't a particularly hot day but the design of the room didn't exactly offer the greatest ventilation for the air. He cleared a little sweat from his forehead before undoing his shirts top button.

He had just brushed the remains of his glass and figurines to the side when the door to the far side of the library was opened and Merle, with Onoír by her side joined him. Merles arm was still in its sling, protecting it. At first Von didn't notice them lost in his own little world. In fact they were seated and waiting before he had even noticed they were there,
"Drinking from the bottle? Really Von that's a horrid habit" Merle complained, which was the first time he noticed they had even entered the room. He looked down at the bottle and made a feeble attempt to defend himself before giving up,
"I… the glass… Oh forget it"
"You need to take better care of yourself, if you drink too much…" Merle continued but Von seemed to have another idea,
"What's the point in that? We could be dead in a couple of weeks. We might as well enjoy ourselves!"
"Well yes, but" Merle didn't really agree, but she couldn't think of what she could say to dissuade him. He nodded,
"Alright then,"

Onoír coughed to grab their attention and indicated to the map.
"I think we have more important things to deal with," He reminded them, so their focus was shifted to the map, and what exactly they were going to do.
"Well I have been looking at this damned thing now for too long and I can't see any way around it! None" Replaying the scenarios in his mind he indicated them on the map as well,
"We have Fraid to the west, and we can guess their location. Unfortunately we can't do the same with the Asturian forces; we have heard nothing from them since they crossed the border a week ago. So we have two choices, either we send back-up to The Gates to tackle Fraid. But if Asturia turns up, there is no way we will be able to hold the castle, and it would leave us defenceless if we are made to retreat. Or…"

Von paused a moment almost discussed by the words he was about to say,
"…We could surrender the Gates" Their reactions were solemn; Merle remained silent while Onoír leaned back in his chair with a frown on his face.
"Is there no way we could intercept Fraid's forces before they reached us?" Onoír asked, "Use guerrilla tactics against them?"
"No, such tactics were hardly effective in defending Urthas" Von told him, Onoír narrowed his eyes angrily,
"Maybe that could have been prevented if you had listened to someone else's opinion" Onoír reminded him coldly, and Von's eyes shot to his,
"What is that meant to mean?" He asked angrily. Onoír straightened,
"I'll tell you exactly…" Onoír started before being cut off by Merle.

"Stop it! You're arguing like children" She told them, "This is serous, and all you two can do is point the finger!" Von who had stood up angrily sat down again and returned to the map,
"Sorry" Von offered, which Onoír returned as hollow as it had come. Merle felt it would be prudent to head the discussion as the tensions between Von and Onoír showed no signs of abating.
"Alright, what do we know of the force coming in from Fraid?" Merle asked. Von quickly rummaged through the papers on the table before finding the one he was searching for,
"I know it's in here, ah, here it is" He read over the figures himself before reading them out,
"Five dozen Gymelef's. Two divisions, each containing one thousand men. We also know that they are backed up with their new Marquis Gymelef units"
"You mean those monsters with the ballista's built into their arms?"
"Those ones, yes" He replied.

"That's going to make defence a lot more difficult, more so for Fanel than for The Gates to the Forest" Onoír interjected,
"Please elaborate"
"Think about it, those weapons would massacre our Gymelef's with little trouble, not to mention the ease of which they would be able to scale the walls of the city" Onoír continued to explain, "At least with The Gates we wont have the worry about them scaling the walls, due to the caesium that surrounds the castle"
"So we should avoid using Gymelef's in the defence of The Gates?" Von asked not totally convinced, "That would leave our men almost defenceless"
"Unfortunately yes…" Onoír admitted,
"That's just great isn't it; we're between a rock and a hard place"

"Not necessarily" Merle said catching their attention. She looked like she had just come up with the idea of the century,
"Our men would only be defenceless if they could see them"
At first Von and Onoír looked puzzled and then it all clicked,
"We hide them"
Merles smile was ten fold,
"Bingo" She cheered, "We hide them in the thick forest on both sides of the road and…" She grabbed one of Vons many pages and began to draw on the back of it. First she placed a large circle to the left-hand side and two parallel lines approaching it from the right.
"We station people at four points down the road, camouflaged into the forest. One at the end of the road, in front of the gates, a second several hundred meters down the road. Because of the terrain Fraid will be forced to send a squad of men only a couple of hundred ahead of the main force. When the signal is given they will strike, sealing the enemy in and taking them out" She drew a few more circles on the page for the squads of people.

Onoír was now leaning forward,
"But that will do nothing but delay their attack a few hours more" Merle just wagged her finger.
"Once news of this attack reaches their main forces further back in waiting, they will strike back, and no doubt with their Gymelef's anxious to wipe our people out as quickly and cleanlessly as possible" She continued, "But then we spring the trap. You see we can place traps along the road, which can't be activated by a person, but by a Gymelef. In the confusion, several of our Gymelef's and people throw them into disarray and retreat. At the same time we can…"Von cut her off,
"We have the rest of our Gymelef's attack their main camp and without their Gymelef's their men will flee in panic"
"Exactly"

Onoír looked blindly for a moment as if considering if the plan was even feasible.
"If we pulled this off…" He said, "We would push back Fraid, and with little cost of our own lives" He slowly nodded,
"If we can do it, lets" Onoír said agreeing with the plan, "What do you think Lord?" Von delayed an answer but eventually he nodded,
"This could just be mad enough to work" He commented, "Onoír; you can take as many of the men you think you will need…"

"Thank you" Onoír replied but Von hadn't finished,
"…but don't forget, if Asturia attack you are to pull back immediately" Onoír grudgingly nodded, and Merle looked from one to the other,
"You mean you're not going Von?" She asked. There was a little puzzlement in her voice but more relief,
"No" Von confirmed, "Someone needs to stay here and teach these new recruits, and their Onoír's men, he should have the right to lead them into battle"

The candle flickered and Onoír got to his feet. To the great surprise of Von he bowed,
"Please pardon my earlier words" Onoír offered, "I was out of line" Von returned it with a nod of his head,
"As was I" He smiled and offered his hand, "Take the Levi-ships first thing tomorrow… I know you will do us proud"
"Yes sir" Onoír said before turning on his heel but then he stopped, "Sire, I don't know if it's important but today I came across someone…" Von looked up,
"Someone?" He asked but Onoír offered no answer,
"No, just forget it Sire" And with that he made his exit. The libraries door opened and closed with a distinct creak and then there was silence.

Von drooped as Merle leaned back in her chair. Merle never took her eyes off him; they however weren't loving eyes, but pitiful ones. She knew too well how much he was suffering, but knew just as well that she couldn't do anything for him, anything at all. She sighed and pulled herself out of her chair. Von looked up,
"You're going already?" He asked, but she nodded,
"I need some sleep," She told him, before crossing around the table. She came to a stop behind him and wrapped her uninjured arm around his shoulders so she spoke right into his ears,
"And you shouldn't be up much longer" She whispered, "You need to rest"

He looked around and smiled,
"Don't worry about me, I've just got a little more to do" She returned the smile and after freeing him kissed him on the cheek,
"Alright" And a moment later she too had passed through the libraries heavy wooden doors. He sighed and returned to the papers on the table. Spotting Merles drawing he lifted it off the table and looked it over again,
"Could it really work?" He asked himself before a noise startled him from behind.

Large heavy footsteps walked across the wooden beams of the floor from behind a bookcase a dozen or so meters away. He turned to look behind, but he couldn't see anything there. At first he thought the steps were a figment of his imagination, but they most certainly were not.
"I didn't mean to startle you Lord Fanel" A cool voice came from the shadows, the words chilling. This time there was no mistaking them and Von rose from his chair and placed his hand on the base of his blade,
"Who are you?" Von asked angrily. Since the evacuation there shouldn't have been more than a handful of people left in the castle, and none of them would have hidden themselves when their king was in the room,
"Show yourself!" He ordered.

At first there was no reply but then,
"Don't you recognise me?" He asked, but then corrected himself, "No, we never did get the chance to meet properly did we… but kidnapping Nimura was so long ago" Von's heart missed a beat, whoever this was, it was serous. Finally the man stepped out from behind the bookcase, now half of his figure shadowed while the other was clear even in Von's candlelight. He was a tall, large man his face mostly hidden by his thick black beard and overabundance of messy black hair. He wore a brown cloak over his clearly battered clothes.
"Who are you?" Von demanded again,
"My name?" He replied, "I am Sanjiyan"

Von knew his name, knew him to be the one whom betrayed Nimura. He drew his sword angrily,
"What are you doing here?" He asked, "How much did you hear?" The man grinned,
"It all, but that doesn't matter" He said, "You wont be needing that" He motioned to the sword before stepping right out of the shadows, even so not that much more could be told about him by this act other than his sword was still in its sheath. Von kept his blade tight in his hands as Sanjiyan approached and finally stopped by the table.
"There has been some bad blood between us, granted, but lets not let it affect our current working relationship"

In a flash Von brought his sword to Sanjiyan's neck, as impressive as this was he made not attempt to dodge, or evade the blade,
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," He mocked, but Von just pushed it tighter into his flesh,
"Give me one reason not too," He challenged but Sanjiyan just smiled an ironic smile,
"Fire. You see my men are buried throughout your city. They have clear orders; if I do not return by an appointed time they are to burn this city to the ground"
Von flinched drawing blood from his neck before removing the sword and taking a step back,
"Why have you come here?" Von asked again, but Sanjiyan just lifted Von's bottle,
"You mind?" he asked and without waiting for an answer he took a swig, "Don't worry you have nothing to be afraid of, you see we come in peace" Von laughed angrily,
"Peace? What say you about peace? Even if I were to believe this tripe, why would I ever trust you?" Sanjiyan, the bottle still in his hand took the seat Merle had occupied until recently and put his feet up on the table,
"Easy. You have no choice" Sanjiyan laughed, "You are here on the brink of destruction and you have the gull to turn away anyone with the ability to help you? But you see this isn't my decision, I don't like you or anything about you. But you did make quite an impression on Letús"

Von felt like his heart had stopped for a moment,
"Letús?" He asked, "He's dead isn't he?"
"Well that's what he wanted you to think, you and everyone else…" He told Von, "…Little Nimura took it quite hard when the news came back that he had died, and now he doesn't even know the truth" It was Sanjiyan's turn to laugh snidely,
"Serves him right for running off with that wench" Von felt his eye twitch involuntarily from anger but masked it,
"So he's alive but what do you mean, made a good impression?"
"Simple, he thought so after you met" Sanjiyan answered but seeing the bewildered look on Von's face he decided to elaborate, "Of course he wasn't going with Letús then"
"When?" Von started to mumble to himself but to save time Sanjiyan decided to speed up the process,
"He even said you helped him out of quite a pinch with some alliance soldiers back in the capitol"

It was then that Von remembered the man he had helped back in Zaibach from Calár, one of Fraid's 'four'. He shook his head choosing not to believe it but decided to voice his suspicions anyway,
"Uri?" He asked, "Uri is Letús?" Sanjiyan nodded which left Von open mouthed,
"You can't be serous!" He told him angrily, "There is just no way!" Sanjiyan only laughed,
"No way? Then how did I know of him and your trip to Zaibach? Did you not wonder why one of the 'four' was tracking him? Why he tried to recruit you?" He laughed furthermore, "He is the same man, but you ran into him when he was still 'dead'" The shock was wiped off Von's face as he remembered who he was taking too. He tightened the grip on his sword,
"Lets just pretend I believe you" Von asked, "Then why did he fake his death, lie about it and what are you doing here!" Von's delivery actually got harsher and angrier. Sanjiyan took in a deep breath and put Von's bottle back onto the table,
"I am here because he asked me to come" Sanjiyan explained, "News spreads like wildfire, and news of your betrayal of the alliance has even reached our ears"

"I betrayed no one!" Von corrected him angrily, and Sanjiyan raised his arms defensively,
"Alright then, news of your struggle has reached our ears, and Letús felt it would be prudent to lend you a hand… and so I am here"
"Perhaps I do not need your help?" Von asked snidely and Sanjiyan let out a thunderous laugh,
"Don't need our help? We know more about the state of your own forces and those of your enemy than you do and you NEED our help. There is no way you can hold this city under these odds"
"Why should I trust you or any of your people?"

Sanjiyan took his feet off the table and got up. Stepping forward he uttered,
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Then he offered his hand to Von,
"Our grievance is the same, even if our methods up to this point have differed" Von thought a moment,
"I think I have a job for you if you are indeed trustworthy" And he took Sanjiyan's hand.

End of Chapter Eleven
………
Butch Cassidy
23.07.05 (Euro-Date system DD.MM.YY)
………

Author Message:
Well another chapter of The Descended Shadow is out and yet again it is behind schedule. Are you surprised; its starting to become a custom of ours isn't it? And I assure you that this was not a deliberate attempt to annoy you, so please don't be angry. :( How time has flown! It has now been two years since the release of chapter 1… oh God I get scared when I look back at that writing!

For those of you who don't remember this chapter has some direct connections with Chapter IX (The Fanel bits) as chapter X focused on Sadako. Character development to boot in parts of this one, and finally the war is about to come home to our cast! Von losing control of himself! Nimura out of action! Georoid makes a come back! Whatever happens next? Well time will tell. I hope to have the next chapter out in September but as they have been for the past few just add two months too that :)

Im actually not having too much time to write even though it is the summer, and no its not because a Job is screwing me over, im currently in the process with several others of orginising Northern Ireland's first ever Anime Convention, and its not a moment too soon. Some of you in the States are probably wondering but as it goes for Anime in the UK we are quite backwards in the term of popularity, and Northern Ireland even more so. You know we have only one Anime Club (That shows anime) in the N.I, and yes I run that too:) Well the Con is TOMO-DACHI (www Dot td-con dot com – For Gods sake why did they block out links!) so have a look if you wanna see where so much of my time is currently going.

By the way, this chapter is another record brocken, a full 300 words bigger than chapter IX.

Alright id better go but before I do. Fvourate Animes – 3x3 Eyes, His and Her Circumstances, Escaflowne. Favourate Mangas – Kare Kano, Marmalade Boy, Confadential Confessions. Favourate NEW films – The downfall, Sin City, LOTR Favourate bands/singers – Russell Watson, Trans-sibrian Orchestra, 8stops7. Alright see you next chapter! And remember a wise man once said, 'Learn as much by writing as by reading'
Butch Cassidy