Whoa... This chapter was EVIL.
First, I couldn't think of a title I liked, but I eventually settles on 'A New Fight' because Mark and company is fighting a group that isn't Bern, and two, because of the coup and it is a new fight as well.
And then I tried to write the part in Ostia several times, the setting ranging from obnoxious Mark in a meeting, to drunk Mark on the way back from a pub, to drunk Mark at a pub... Wow. I might just have to make a whole new fic with scenario's of Mark being... Mark in different situations...
R&R.
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Chapter 11: A New Fight
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-Location Unknown-
The room was dark, illuminated only by a few candles. The walls were painted an ugly shade of violet, peeling in some places. An object, indistinguishable in the light, cast a shadow on one side of the room, as another did to the opposite side.
"Roartz. Arcard." His voice shattered the silence, commanding the attention of all present. "I take it that you two are the men I was sent to meet with?" The upper half of his body was cloaked in darkness, the lower half visible in the dim light. He appeared to be wearing an extravagant white cloak with golden trim. His hair was black, even darker in the absence of light. He stared coldly through his blue eyes.
"Yes. You are... Sir Waldstein?"
"Yes," the man replied, stepping from the shadows. "Please, I must see you to confirm your identities."
They slowly walked out of the shadow they had been standing in, the dim light showing their faces. Lord Waldstein looked them over.
One, the older of the two, if looks were anything to go by, stared at Lord Waldstein with appraising eyes and a scowl. His hair was grayed and stark in contrast to his violet cloak.
The other wore navy blue armor with a pale purple cape, somehow lightening his already lively purple hair.
The first inclined his head, ever-so-slightly, to Lord Waldstein. "I am Count Roartz," he said. His voice was old, Waldstein noted, and lacked any emotion whatsoever.
The second bowed lower, introducing himself as Lord Arcard.
"So you are the two who intend to carry out this coup? Just you alone?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion. "Not to say it could not be done, but..."
"We have convinced all our men. As well, a few minor nobles have joined us."
"Do the royals have any suspicions?"
"They no nothing."
Waldstein smiled. "Well, I assume you know the layout of the castle?"
They nodded.
"Excellent, this will be much easier. We have operatives inside the castle, and inside your manors. They will give you a breakdown of the plan and lead you through it. Roartz, yours is named Cyrus and Arcard, yours is named Lee.
"They will give you an in-depth walk-through of the plan, but this is how it will work, essentially. You will seek an audience with the King, at the same time and date, telling him it is of urgent news. You will arrive, taking different routes, and will meet in the Meeting Room. From there, you will subdue him and after that, we will take care of everything. Understood?"
"Er, yes," Roartz replied.
"Yes," Arcard said.
"Good, then I would have you return to your manors, and I will see you later," Waldstein said as he turned to leave.
"But what of you?"
"I'll be arranging things with the other operatives. Good day," Waldstein said, exiting the room.
-Ostia-
"So, we've been turned into Etrurian slaves in exchange for the freedom of our country. Damn, what wrong with us? Our deal-making skills suck."
"It was necessary."
"Your lips say one thing, but your eyes say another."
"...What?" Roy asked, confused.
"Nevermind, wrong context. So what's this announcement thing for anyway?"
"We're giving the citizens of Ostia the news about the New Lycia Alliance."
"Well, as long as I get to wear this awesome cloak. Totally awesome."
Mark wore a long, bright green cloak. Under it, a black collared shirt with black pants, both with golden trim. His brown hair was combed, ever-so-slightly, and his blue eyes were open all the way.
"Alright, here we are," Roy said as they walked into a radiant light.
Mark shielded his eyes for a moment, taking his arm away after a few seconds and blinking rapidly.
As he grew adjusted to the light, he noticed the massive crowd around the large balcony. As far as he could see, people stood, staring at the three who stood on the balcony.
Eliwood, Roy and Mark.
"People of Lycia!" Eliwood began, his voice somehow strong, despite his illness.
Mark stopped listening right there, instead concentrating on the crowd before him. Near the front stood his party and the various other Marquesses of Lycia. Behind them were the soldiers, and then the citizenry behind them.
"Oh, look at me, I'm on a balcony, and I'm totally bad-ass," Mark muttered to himself.
The speech ended, the crowd roaring as Eliwood lifted his hands to the air.
Mark could not help but smile at the scene before him. Thousands of people had gathered to cheer for him. And Eliwood and Roy. An excellent feeling overcame him, which he immediately categorized as pride. This was what made his victories all worth it.
The cheering continued as they left the balcony, Eliwood first, then Roy, then Mark.
-Later-
"Look, Eliwood, no matter what you say, I will not stay. I have to leave, okay? No, don't cry. Come on, I'll visit later."
Eliwood stared confusedly at Mark.
"Dammit, Eliwood! I will not stay!" he suddenly screamed. "Roy needs my help! I don't care if you love me!"
"What?"
Mark's eyes suddenly softened, and he placed a hand on Eliwood's shoulder. "Eliwood. Look me in the eye, and tell me this isn't necessary for Lycia to survive."
"But it is..." he said.
"I'm glad you're finally seeing reason," Mark softly said. He released the grip on Eliwood's shoulder as Merlinus approached them in his carriage.
Mark peaked inside, sighting several piles of brand-new, shining weapons.
"Uh, Merlinus, you do realize that stealing is illegal, right?" Mark asked.
"I didn't—"
"Not to say that I mind. I mean, if you want to steal us a massive store of weapons, that's fine with me."
"These aren't—"
"But it just doesn't seem right, you know?"
"These weapons—" Merlinus suddenly stopped, looking at Mark, who didn't move, instead raising his eyebrows. "Were not stolen. They were bought with funds donated from the Ostian treasury."
"Oh. Well, what do we have? And where is everyone? And why are they still with us?"
"They're right over there, ready to depart," Roy said, pointing to the group of soldiers.
Merlinus piped up after Roy. "After we've departed we can go over the weapons and assign them."
Mark shrugged. "Fine. But, let's head out now. I'm ready, and the Western Isles aren't getting any less-terrorized!" he cheerfully said, climbing onto Merlinus' cart and moving to the weapons.
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Okay, so not much happens, but only the part with the coup was planned, originally. The rest was just... filler. So don't hate me for it being short! I'll have the next chapter out ASAP. Promise!