I HOLD NO CLAIM TO ANY OF THE ORIGINAL SACRED STONES CHARACTERS! NOTHING! :(

Chapter Twelve

Ephraim

Turning Traitor

A former lance instructor to Ephraim, Grado's General Duessel often came to Renais as an emissary of his empire. Despite their stations, the two men share similar dispositions and a warm relationship.

Why has Grado started this war? What is the miasma of evil emanating from the country? Ephraim believes that Duessel can answer these questions.

It is this belief that propels Ephraim forward into Grado territory.

"What did the two of you see?"

Kori and Vanessa had just landed their horses with the group again, having been scouting ahead.

"There, towards the sea, is Grado's Imperial Army, waiting for us." Kori answered the Prince.

"There is a Knight from Frelia on their way here," Vanessa announced.

"From Frelia?" Kyra raised her head. "For what? Has something happened?"

"I do not know. I saw her and came back to announce her." The green-haired woman answered her.

The Winged Knight landed before them only moments later. "Please wait, Prince Ephraim. I have a message from Frelia. There's been an uprising in Carcino. Pablo is leading a force of renegade Grado supporters in rebellion."

"In Carcino," The Prince thought for a moment. "Any word of Eirika? Is my sister safe?"

"The last word we received had Princess Eirika heading to assist Prince Innes." The woman told him. "We've not heard from her since." Kori gripped her fists.

Ephraim felt the same. "…Blast. I sent Eirika to Rausten thinking it would be the safest mission. If I could, I'd pull out of here now and go look for her but…"

"Prince Ephraim," Seth took a step forward. "You need not worry, or do you forget who rides with your sister?"

"Yes, yes," Ephraim nodded. "Your sister will keep mine safe till the end." He sighed. "I mustn't let my emotions dictate my actions. If Carcino has allied itself with Grado, then defeating Grado is our best bet. We proceed as planned. Tell them that."

"Understood." Seth nodded before turning back to the others.

"Be careful, Eirika." Ephraim whispered.

"Your sister will be fine, Ephraim." Seria told the Prince. "Don't worry."

"They're heading through Carcino," Arryn thought for a second. "Then maybe they'll run into Saleh and Myra! And then your sister will be truly safe!"

"Who are they?" Ephraim asked.

Seria brought forth a large smile. "Saleh and Myra are my brother and best friend. A Sage and a Swordmaster that-"

The ground shook, throwing everyone off balance. "What in the world?" Kyra cried, calming her horse down.

"Was that an earthquake?" Ephraim asked. "I think it's passed."

"Prince Ephraim," Seth moved forward again.

"I'm fine," He told him. "There's nothing to worry about. I was surprised, that's all. You're not shaken in the slightest, are you?"

"Actually, it surprised me as well. I'd heard that tremors such as those were commonplace in Grado. Apparently, they are usually weak and cause little, if any, damage." The red-haired man answered, running a hand down his white horse.

Kori snorted as Ephraim made a comment about a tremor years ago while he and his sister were there. "They're all not weak like that. Wait until you get ahold of the bad ones. It'll make you piss yourself." She glanced at the sea for a moment. "I didn't realize how much I missed this place." She said softly. "It's a lot different with no sand anywhere in sight."

"We don't have any time to tend to injuries just now," Ephraim stated, chuckling at the Falco Knight's comment. "We must press forward. We must see to the Capital."

~I sat before the Wise Man

In the Autumn of my youth

And I told him all the things

I had to know~

"I do not understand…" Duessel commented. "Why this course of action? What is the emperor thinking…"

"You have to see it like this, Duessel," Seras told his General. "The King…is not who we used to serve. Something has happened and-"

"General Duessel." They turned to see Selena and Stefan approach them.

"…Is that you, Selena? Are you to be assisting me in this…duty?" Duessel asked.

"Yes…Frelia's army will be coming soon from the north. We're just waiting for the order to engage them." The blonde woman nodded.

Seras glanced at Stefan. The man wore a look on his face. A warning look as the two Generals continued to talk. The man's gaze traveled between Selena and Duessel urgently. It took Seras a moment to understand but he obtained the picture.

"Duessel," Seras began, giving his friend and nod. "I think we should-"

"Order all units to hold," Duessel was saying. "Do not initiate the attack. I want to speak with Ephraim first."

Everything fell silent. "So, it's true," Selena said softly. "You plan to betray the empire and ally yourself with the enemy."

Seras and his General both looked at the woman in shock as Stefan closed his eyes. "How dare you," Seras placed himself in front of his General.

"General Duessel, you stand accused of treason of the highest order. Lay down your weapons, and follow my commands. If you fail to do so, if you resist in any way, I will execute you on the spot."

"This is nonsense!" Duessel growled, taking a step forward. "Who si behind this madness!"

"These are His Majesty's orders." Selena answered him. "The emperor has anticipated you treachery."

"Then that should explain everything!" Seras cried. "The old fart's off his rocker worse than we thought he was!"

"Prepare yourself." Selena told them.

"Impossible…His Majesty?" Duessel looked lost for words.

"Move!" Seras immediately shoved Duessel backwards, sending horse running off, carrying the General away from the men that were now their enemies. Stefan stared after them for a moment before following Selena to the fort. Cormag was there, waiting for them with his dragon soldiers.

"Cormag, Stefan, the three of us will bring that traitor down." Selena told the men beside her. She looked at Cormag. "Go around that fort to the southeast and drive into them from the sea."

"We're fighting General Duessel?" Cormag looked between Selena and Stefan with shock. "But he's one of the cornerstones of the empire. How could-He's been like a father to you and to my brother. Do you truly mean to kill him?"

Selena was silent. "If that is what my emperor commands, the yes. Without hesitation. Cormag, if you are a true knight of Grado, you will do the same."

Stefan watched the dragon rider before placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry."

Cormag nodded to the other man before mounting his dragon and leading the others off.

~He said you have the future

If you need to find the truth

And in his eyes

I saw that it was so~

"Something's odd," The Prince commented as they stood over the land below them, watching the Imperial Army. "They're chasing someone down. Is that a deserter?" He narrowed his eyes to see better. "Wait! That's…Duessel?" He sounded shocked.

Kori jerked her head up. "What? Duessel? The General?"

"What are your orders, My Lord?" Kyra asked, her hands already reaching for her weapons.

"We rescue Duessel! Ride!" Ephraim cried.

The Grado army was not ready for an attack from the middle of the army and from behind. A Few men were still with Duessel, Seras included, and the enemy had to divide into two to fight them all. Immediately Vanessa and Kori took to the air to take care of the ships firing at them and a Dragon-rider or two that decided to chase them. Vanessa was still just a Pegasus so the Falco Knight took the two Dragon Riders on, leaving the last boat to the other flyer.

Lute and Artur were back to back against a few axe wielders. Lute looked up once and saw Kori struggling with the two Dragon Knights as they had her pinned between the two. "Artur!" The woman cried. The monk looked up and saw Kori. She had hit one of the riders with a spear and her horse had kicked the dragon in the face. Deciding to given her some help, Artur struck the other one with lightening before returning back to Lute and the others.

Amelia found herself with Michael, Natasha, and Tora. Tora was happily slicing and dicing through the enemy here and there and picking from their bodies and shoving interesting things in her sack as Michael gladly guarded Natasha as she healed the warriors around her. She had been learning from Artur how to use a little of the tomes and every now and then she would cast thunder on them as Amelia whacked and stabbed with her lance.

"I need to get to General Duessel," Ephraim panted, kicked the body off of his lance.

Seria wiped sweat from her forehead and nodded. "I know that. I could clear a path, but the girls…"

Ephraim glanced at Myrrh and Arryn behind them. Myrrh looked a bit afraid and Arryn looked like she wanted to join in. He turned back to the older woman. "I'll keep them safe as you make the path."

"Ephraim, I can't-"

"You have to trust me," The Prince cut her off. "Duessel can most likely tell us what's happened in Grado. If we can save him, then we're a step closer to ending all of this. I can protect the sisters. Trust me."

Seria still looked doubtful for a moment before nodding. "All right. But if one of them gets hurt-"

Ephraim gave a grin. "You won't even have to worry about it."

~So I came right out and asked him

The meaning of Life

And as he smiled I saw

The Twinkle in his eye~

"Valter," Stefan hissed. He hated this man almost as much as Glen did.

"What do you want?" Selena asked the man that had just joined the two of them in front of the fort.

"Ah, Selena. You're to return to the capital immediately. Duessel is no longer your concern. His Majesty has declared you untrustworthy. I've been sent to relieve you of command."

"What?" Selena demanded.

"How dare you," Stefan's horse stomped angrily behind him.

Valter ignored the man. "You've proven yourself incapable of dealing with a single old man…I tell you, having to clean up your mess makes things difficult for me, Selena. Now then," Valter's voice faltered (hey, that rhymed, XD) as Stefan's fist landing in his face, knocking the crazed knight backwards and off his feet. Selena grabbed her knight so he wouldn't jump on the other man but she needn't worry.

"Speak to Selena like that again, you bastard, and I will happily place Duessel's cursed lance back in your hands!"

"Come," Selena pulled her knight back. "We return to the capital." She glanced at Valter. "I know better than to trust your word. I will speak to the emperor himself."

~He said with all his years

There's still so much he has to learn

And once again

I saw that it was so~

"You know what," Kira glanced over her shoulder at the Paladin behind her. "I need a drink after this."

Seth gave a laugh. "I think that I'll join you on that."

"I'll go with that," Kyra joined in, let another arrow fly loose. "I've been needing one for a while now. Too bad we don't have dates to accompany us."

Seth glanced at her as Kira laughed. "What are you talking about, Kyra? You have a date."

Kyra and Seth both looked at her as she killed the last soldier in this area. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Seth would look very cute together, you know. Why not go ahead and tie the knot?"

Kyra refused to look at Seth, turning her head to hide her red face. She didn't get to see the red tint to his own cheeks as he stuttered at her cousin.

"Duessel!" Ephraim cried as he approached the Grado General.

"Is that you, Prince Ephraim?" Duessel turned, leaving Seras to the man they had been fighting.

"Why were those Grado men after you? What's going on? Wait, we can talk later. Let's get you to safety first. Come with us, Duessel." Ephraim told the man. The General stayed silent. "Duessel!"

"I am General Duessel, the Obsidian, of the Imperial Three…this name and my service to His Majesty have been my life's blood. As of this moment it is all gone. I've no reason to continue…"

"Duessel…" Ephraim closed his eyes. "Enough of this rubbish! You are my mentor! I will not let you die!"

Duessel lifted his head. "Prince Ephraim."

"I know about the emperor's madness. How will your death serve Grado? Who will it help? What of your country? It's people? It's future!" Ephraim demanded. "You will live, Duessel. As a traitor…in disgrace…I know that for a man such as you this is more agonizing than death. But you will live nonetheless. You will live for something important."

Duessel stared at the young Prince in silence for a moment. "I understand. This old fool's life is yours."

"Aww, don't say it like that," Seras turned to his General with a smile. "Besides, I have something that you might want to live to see."

"Oh?" Duessel asked his knight. "And what is that?"

"Her." Seras pointed up.

In confusion, both Duessel and Ephraim followed his finger to see Kori fighting one of Cormag's Dragon-riders in the sky. Duessel stared for a moment before seeing the crest that was cared in her right shoulder. "Kori?" He turned back to Ephraim. "Kori is here? On your side?"

"I thought that you would know her," Ephraim said.

"What about the Princess?" The Great Knight demanded. "Is Princess Lyra here as well?"

"We can talk after the fight, Duessel," Seras told his General.

Ephraim seemed to agree and had turned to fight off a few other men. Duessel watched the Falco Knight for a moment longer before the ground shook behind him and a large shadow fell. He turned to see that a Dragon Rider had landed behind him. He'd recognize that dragon anywhere.

"Is that you, Cormag?" Duessel called.

"Sir Duessel…" The man lowered his head. "You have abandoned your country and your lord. I must take your life."

"I know," Duessel sighed. "I'm ready now. I have no duty anymore. But you, Cormag. You're a soldier of the empire. Follow your orders and fulfill your mission. I'm ready." The Dragon-rider didn't move. "Cormag!"

"To be honest," The blond began. "I'm confused. Must you truly die? Is your crime really deserving of death? I know my brother could have settled this, but…I've come here to stop you, and yet I find that I cannot. You see, I couldn't believe you would ever truly turn traitor. And now I stand here, looking at you, Duessel of the Imperial Three. And you do not have the eyes of a traitor." He lowered his weapon. "No. I cannot turn my lance on you, the empire's faithful son. General Duessel…until this matter is sorted, you travel under my protection."

"Cormag…forgive me…" Duessel sighed.

The battle didn't last too much longer after that, allowing the warriors some time to rest and check on the others.

"The remaining enemy troops have retreated, Prince Ephraim." Kyra announced.

"I see. And what of Duessel? Is he unharmed?" The Prince asked.

"Yeah, he and his little friends are over there." Kyra pointed off and Ephraim turned. Duessel and Seras were just heading inside the Fort, a blond man following them. Ephraim hurried after.

"Prince Ephraim," Duessel faced him. "You're grown to be quite the impressive commander. I remember what a stubborn young lad you were when I taught you. Almost as bad as this one here," He gestured at Seras who stuck his tongue out in reply.

"Any skill I have, I owe to you, Duessel." Ephraim proudly admitted as Arryn and Myrrh walked up behind him. Seria was close behind, talking to Kira and Kyra. "I'm curious, why are you being pursued by your own troops?" Duessel closed his eyes as Cormag gripped his lance tighter. "Speak to me, Duessel. I want to put an end to this war. I'm sure you feel the same way."

"It's because the emperor has gone nuts, that's why!" Seras growled, stepping forward.

Duessel shot his knight a look before giving a soft sigh. "As you know, the emperor was once a man of compassion. He loathed war, and he worked to build peace across all nations. Then…one day that all changed."

"But why? Why did he change? What happened?" Ephraim asked.

"I wish I knew." Duessel answered him. "but if you're looking for a likely cause, I have one. This all seems to have begun when Princess Lyra disappeared. At that time, Prince Lyon was lost without his sister and turned to something else. The Prince and the mages created a strange gemstone they referred to as the Dark Stone."

"The Dark Stone?" Seria asked, joining the two dragon-children at Ephraim's side.

"That's what the clerics and the prince called it, at any rate." Duessel nodded. "Now, I'm just a soldier. I don't know anything about these magic things. But they said the Dark Stone is more powerful even that the Sacred Stones."

"And the Sacred Stones had the power to defeat the Demon King." Ephraim nodded. "If the Dark Stone is stronger that they are…"

"Ephraim," Myrrh reached up and tugged on the Prince's sleeve.

"What is it, Myrrh?"

"The wave of evil we felt surging from the capital…it hungers…it consumes. It envelops and transforms."

"This power," Arryn furrowed her brows. "It can taint the purest of souls with its corruption."

"It appears," Seria crossed her arms. "That this Dark Stone is responsible for everything that has happened so far."

"The timing does fir, doesn't it?" Ephraim agreed. "The stone is created, and then-Duessel, where is the Dark Stone now?"

"It's in the capital, with Prince Lyon." The General replied. "He's been carrying it with him ever since the day it was created."

"Understood." Ephraim nodded. "Duessel, I'm going to the capital. I must talk to Lyon. Maybe we can restore the emperor together."

"We're going with you." The elder man told him.

"But we'll be fighting Grado's army-your own men." Ephraim told him.

"I appreciate your concern, but Seras and I've already been branded a traitor and Cormag has joined us. Prince Ephraim, if you mean to save my lord the emperor…if you hope to restore him to his former self…then I will pledge my loyalty to you until your cause is won."

"And don't think that I'm not coming too," Seras joined in. "I'll follow you until the lands fall apart, General Duessel!"

"You already know where I stand," Cormag told the elder man. "Your road is our road, General."

Duessel looked like he was about to cry. "Bah, I'm getting old. I'm a sentimental old fool." He turned back to the Prince. "If you will have us, we're yours."

Ephraim held his hand out and Duessel grabbed it.

"You truly think that you're going to be able to stop this and set everything back to normal?" They turned to see Kori entering the fort, yanking her helmet off of her head.

"Kori," Cormag whispered as Duessel stayed silent.

"Lyon and Vigarde are both long gone from sanity, I assure you. If this Stone of theirs corrupts like these Manaketes say it does then there is no hope for the emperor and his son. No hope at all."

"You don't know that!" Seras took a step towards her as she continued to walked to them. "You don't know what can happen!"

"If you truly believe that, then you're a fool." Kori told the knight.

Seras went to make another comment but Duessel held his hand up, just staring at the woman. "It's good to see you again, Korianne."

Kori tried to keep her face straight but she couldn't help but give a small smile. "You too, Grandpa."

Seria placed a hand on Ephraim's shoulder. "I believe this is the time for us to take our leave."

Ephraim, still glancing between the two warriors, nodded and walked out of the fort, leaving the four Grado soldiers alone.

Kori stepped from foot to foot a bit nervously as the three men looked at her. "What do you men 'Grandpa'?" Seras asked.

"It's not really that hard," Kori told him.

Seras frowned angrily. He had been inside Duessel's house before, had seen the portrait of his daughter and her husband and their child. "There is no way that you are that cute little girl hanging in Duessel's house!"

The redheaded woman glared at him even more. "Well get used to it!"

Duessel shared a look with Cormag. Her anger seemed to have grown over the five years that she had been gone. "If you're here with Ephraim…what about Koranna and…and Lyra? Are they here as well?"

"Lyra," Seras looked at his teacher again. "As in the princess?" He glanced back at the woman. "You were one of the ones that ran off with the princess?"

"Princess Lyra and Koranna are both safe," Kori answered the elder man. " the two of them ride with Eirika at the moment, heading for Rausten to warn the King."

Cormag opened his mouth to make a comment before shaking his head. "Seras, come with me." The Dragon-rider left the fort. Seras gave Duessel another look before following the other man. Both knew that the family should have a moment to themselves.
"You left." The man began. "And you didn't even tell me. Didn't warn me. Never wrote to me. Do you know how worried I was?" He demanded, stepping towards her. "How frightened? And not just me. Cormag as well."

"I'm sorry," Kori hung her head, rubbing her arm. "But I suppose that my apologies do nothing. I couldn't handle it. Their deaths. I didn't know what to do so I just ran. I didn't expect to run into the Princess and Koranna that same night. When she asked me to go with them…"

Duessel took a few more steps towards her until he towered over her. Staring down at the woman, Duessel saw his small granddaughter from those years ago, falling off of the back of his horse as he tried to teach her to ride. He bit his life before pulling her into a long awaited hug.

~Keep on living long

And waiting your turn

It's the only way

To ease your concern~

"Prince Ephraim, we must now take to the seas," Seth told the Prince. "The Frelian army is readying a ship for us now. We have some time to rest until it's ready to set sail."

"Right. We'll take a break, then. Tell the men." Ephraim then sighed. "The road ahead is bound to be a rough one." Seth nodded and walked off.

"All roads are rough, Ephraim." Seria told him with a soft smile. "But they can make your stronger."

"And you know this?"

Seria smiled. "You forget, I'm older and have also been through worse and gone further than you have. You've been to Frelia, Renais, and Grado. Rausten and Jehanna wait for you, as do the lands across the seas."

Ephraim looked at her. "You've been across the seas?"

"When you're friends with two little girls that can change into large dragons that love to fly its kinda hard not to travel." She paused for a moment. "I wanted to thank you," Seria told the man softly. "I was worried but you kept Myrrh and Arryn safe for me. I appreciate it, Ephraim."

The Prince looked at her for a moment. There was a strange feeling in the bottom of his gut but he shooed it away as he gave her a nod. "I keep to my word, Seria. You can always count on that." The woman opened her mouth to say something else but closed it, shaking her head. "What is it?" He asked her.

"The ship's here," Tora called out to them before Seria could answer him, waving her arms from the docks with Amelia Michael, and Natasha still.

"Let's go then," Seria went to move forward but turned back to the Prince. "Is something troubling you?"

"No…it's nothing," the Prince shook his head. "All right. Here we go!"

PLEASE REVIEW :)