"The Nabradian forces are entrenched here Your Majesty." General Madira pointed to a spot north of the capital of Nabudis. "Their missives tell us they can hold out perhaps a week against the Western Armada. After that all of Nabradia will be vulnerable."

King Raminas turned to his son-in-law who was attending the strategy meeting in the Map Room. "What forces does your father have in his capital?"

"The Royal Guard and the auxiliaries of course." Replied Rasler as he considered. "They could perhaps slow the Imperials down, but a concentrated siege would break through without reinforcements."

"Then I must send my knights north to aid our allies. Captain fon Ronsenburg is already there lending his aid. I will have Captain Azelas lead the knights out at once."

"I must question this Your Majesty." Minister Yulgoth broke in. "Should the Archadians attack Dalmasca while our knights are stationed in Nabradia our forces will stand little chance of…" He was interrupted by the great doors of the Map Room being thrown open. All stared as Captain Basch fon Ronsenburg marched in urgently.

"Nabudis has fallen!"

"What? Impossible!" cried Raminas in shock.

"My father?" asked Rasler in an anxious tone.

"I know not." replied Basch with a shake of his head. "The city was completely destroyed when I arrived two days ago. I am sorry." The Captain felt for the Prince. He had been through this himself.

"If Nabudis has indeed fallen the Archadians will make Dalmasca their next target." Madira addressed the King. The map crystal showed the Empire moving towards Rabanastre breaking all barriers in their way. "There is nothing to stop them now."

Raminas nodded with a sigh. "Secure Nalbina with all haste."

Basch nodded. "I will go." He saluted and strode out of the room.

"And I will go at his side." Added Rasler, following the knight out of the room as Raminas sadly watched them leave.

KP

"When do you leave?"

"At first light." Reks was with Sophia in her quarters. He had just informed her he would be leaving for Nalbina with Basch. "The Imperials are approaching as we speak. We have to fortify our position before they arrive."

Sophia's eyes turned away, tears falling. "It's a hopeless battle, isn't it?"

Reks embraced his girl from behind. "Hey, come on. The greatest knights in the kingdom are fighting. Even the Prince will be there. And Vossler and Sir Basch…"

"Basch can't save us!" cried Sophia angrily. "He couldn't even help Miss Ashe!"

"Sophia, there was nothing he could do about that." Reks sighed. "You have to let it go."

"Miss Ashe is miserable! And now Nabradia has fallen and this horrible marriage was all for nothing!"

"I know. But we have to defend Dalmasca. We will defend Dalmasca. If anyone can stop the Archadians it is Sir Basch. He stopped the Nomad Invasion five years ago and the Rozzarian incursion before that. He'll stop the Empire as well."

"When you say it, I believe it." whispered Sophia. "I just wish he could be there for Miss Ashe."

"I can't do anything about that. But I can be here for you… right now."

The maid smiled at her lover. "I can be here for you as well Sir Reks." Turning around she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. The young squire ran his hands along her back, massaging her soft skin under her linen outfit. Their need growing within them, they begin to strip each other of their clothing.

"I love you Reks." smiled Sophia as he laid her down on her bed.

"I love you too Sophia."

KP

"You leave tomorrow then?"

"Yes my Princess." Rasler was making his own preparations in the chambers he now shared with Ashe. "I am sorry to leave you so soon, but I must fight my way to Nabradia no matter what."

"You're thinking of Thalia, aren't you?" Ashe asked with a sympathetic smile.

"I can't stop thinking of her." Rasler admitted with a bitter tone. "Nor of my parents and siblings. From what Basch told us all of Nabudis is in ruins. I have to find out if anyone survived."

"I am so sorry this has happened to you."

"Makes you wonder what it was all for." Rasler laughed mirthlessly. "This marriage, this alliance. Has the Empire grown so powerful they can lay waste a city in a day? What chance could we have ever had against such might?"

"Is it useless to defend Nalbina then? Will Rabanastre fall as easily as Nabudis?" Ashe wondered, a worried look passing over her beautiful face.

"The knights will defend it with all they have. I have been granted command and Captains fon Ronsenburg and Azelas will ride at my side. I swear to you Ashelia, we will do everything in our power to stop these murderers!"

Ashe nodded, but felt no comfort from his words. Basch was going to Nalbina to meet the force which had crushed Nabradia. Did he have any chance of survival let alone victory? Should he fail then Dalmasca would fail as well. Everything she cared about hinged on this one battle.

KP

The next day the Knights of the Order and their civilian volunteer reserve units assembled before the Royal Palace as the King prepared to grant his blessing to them on the upcoming battle. The people of Rabanastre were frightened after hearing what happened to Nabudis, but seeing the glory and might of their knights boosted their spirits and gave them the belief that victory was indeed possible. High above on the Presentation Balcony of the palace Prince Rasler, with Basch and Vossler at his side, stood before King Raminas. The King gave his own sword to the Prince to use in the upcoming battle, and added a prayer to the Galtean Gods to protect his son-in-law's life.

The Prince looked at his wife, the Princess Ashelia, who favored him with an encouraging smile. Nodding, Rasler turned to the troops below and brandished his sword with a cry of righteous fury. The answering cheers echoed through Rabanastre.

Ashe did not notice any of it, however. Her eyes were on the blonde knight to the right of her husband. She regarded him with a sad, yet unfailing gaze as if she were memorizing his every feature. The knight smiled at her, so slightly that it was almost imperceptible. The Princess returned the smile, her steel gray eyes shining in a way that had not for weeks. Oblivious to the cheers and cries around them, they continued to stare at each other until the ceremony had ended. They were noticed by no one save King Raminas who had tears in his eyes as he beheld the love that ran between them.