Chapter 19
Something happened the night before. Gabe had taken watch and Larken had heard some sort of commotion. She didn't think anything of it at the time and went back to sleep when it seemed there wasn't any danger. Now, she was regretting not having gotten up to see what the fuss was about. They had just hit the road again and Gabe seemed…. Hostile. Whatever was going on, Scyther seemed to be on the same wavelength, walking next to him on the cart and tossing a mean glare to someone every little bit.
She scooted up to Elaine at the front of the carriage and whispered into her ear. "Do you know what happened last night?" She had climbed onto the front seat and kept her voice low. Houndoom matched her curiosity and had bounded forward, avoiding Scyther, and carrying Arya on his back.
"I…I don't know." Elaine said as she steered the Ponyta. This was, of course, a lie. Everyone had woken up that night and had heard at least a part of the conversation Gabriel and Lanz were having. Unfortunately, she heard him yelling about how he loved Evelynn. Elaine didn't know much about this girl; she had only been mention briefly a few times before. She certainly didn't know Gabriel loved her. Not that it mattered. She didn't think she care for him in that way. "I was… asleep the whole time."
Brandt and Vasant had decided to walk, rather than tire out the Ponyta by riding on the cart. They figured it would be nice to stretch their legs and just talk. Both figured that talking would be the hard part, but not as unimaginably painfully awkward as it turned out to be. Both men walked at the back in silence, each step filling the awkward silences between their breaths.
"So…" Brandt said as he attempted small talk. The two had worked with the same troop for some time, but on different contracts. This was the longest the two had spent in each other's company. Growlithe nipped at his heels with every step, sensing the awkwardness and giving them something to talk about. "Growlithe seems very excited."
"Yeah. He usually isn't. Only when he gets fat." He forced a laugh. He had been joking, but now that he thought about it, Growlithe was getting a thicker around the middle. He had been feeding him a little bit more than usual. He couldn't help it. He wasn't feeling all too hungry whenever they ate, so he gave his leftovers to him. Old habit.
The group had been drawing closer and closer to the mountain range. Lanz and Gabriel had yet to speak a word to each since they left the camp. Lanz knew he had overstepped when he questioned Gabriel about his feelings about Evelynn and Elaine, but he had to be sure. Unfortunately, he knew everyone had heard some part of the conversation. Gabe, on the other hand, was too irate to have noticed. So when Lanz overheard Elaine tell Larken that she had been asleep the whole time, he took note.
He walked up to Larken as she sat in the front seat and whispered into her ear. "You know, if you're going to talk about something private or secretive, it would be better to whisper at a lower volume. Or to at least wait till the rest of us aren't awake. You whisper quite loudly." The girls blushed in embarrassment.
Gabriel looked as Lanz approached the girls with all smiles. Maybe he overreacted the night before. He didn't like what was being asked. He did think about Eve often, it just hurt not knowing what was being done to her while under Ferren captivity. Maybe he should apologize. It would be right to do so, but he won't be the one to break the silence.
Larken had moved away from the front of the cart. She didn't really want to discuss the previous night anymore, at least, not with Lanz. She sat next to Gabriel as his mind wandered. He didn't seem to notice her. He was probably thinking about the night before. She thought it better not to ask. She rested her head on his shoulders. She did feel a little tired still, though, not as weak as before. She felt much better than only a few days prior. It was amazing what miracles Lanz can do. She had to remember to thank him yet again for his efforts.
There was still a silence between them. Brandt and Vasant began to step in sync by accident. Vasant quickly adjusted his pace to not only keep up with the large man but to not echo his steps. Houndoom had fallen back to the two men, Arya jumping from his back into her father's arms. She shrieked in joy as he playfully tossed her up into the air. Her Happiny suddenly burst forth from Vasant's clothing, colliding with the young girl mid fall. Surprised, he stumbled back and fell over Growlithe. Brandt caught his daughter and her Happiny, both woefully ignorant of Vasant's tumble. He held them in one of his arms as he held out his hand to help the youth upon his feet.
The mountainsides were drawing ever closer. Only the day before they were just on the horizon, now they covered nearly the entire skyline. The mountain pass laid before them and it was becoming progressively obvious that there would be more trouble than they bargained for. The amount of guards was too many to count. Suddenly their plan to simply walk through under the mercenary guise seemed very… ineffective.
"Our plan seems like it was pulled out of our asses now that I actually see that damn wall." Gabriel said as they pulled the cart off the beaten path. He grumbled to himself, apparently still angry over last night's events. Vasant sat there contemplating their initial plan. He discussed it with Brandt when their short conversation somehow broached the subject. They were supposed to use the orders given to him to get through pass into Primel. But with the amount of guards patrolling the outskirts of the wall and the sheer number of guards on the wall themselves, it didn't seem likely that they'd get through without any problems.
"It seems like my former companions may have gotten here before us." Vasant sighed loudly. He tapped his fingers on the hilt of his blade. He hadn't had much practice in a battle of wits. His low ranking in the mercenary group had caused him to follow not lead. But now was his chance to show what he was made of. It had been his idea that failed and now it will be his that gets them through.
A loud horn echoed through the plains. The group turned to see a massive, red force-marching towards their position, the Ferren banners flowing in the wind. Whether they were there to capture the fugitives or not, it became extremely apparent that they wouldn't be escaping to Primel without some more scars. Everyone quickly piled up onto the cart and charged to the mountain pass. Even if they weren't allowed past, they'd at least have some friendly swords at their sides. After all, an enemy of my enemy is my friend.
"So much for that," Lanz said, holding onto the side. "Looks like we're going to have to earn our way through and pay with blood." They were in a mad dash for the wall. The guards had already taken notice of the red army and went into formations. As the group drew ever closer, the guards readied their spears and just as they were about to attack, Lanz spoke up. "We are no enemies of yours! In fact we can help you fend off this Ferren army!" He said quickly, waving his hands about.
The soldiers didn't have time to debate, not with an army on their doorstep. The guards opened up their center to allow the small group into the gate. The cart barely pulled in when the entrance started to close behind them. Gabriel hopped off the back and ran out with Scyther by his side as they shut. They tried to fall in line at the back of the formation, but they were pulled up to the front. These men weren't exactly eager for a fight, especially not with an invading force that fearsome. He readied his sword and checked his bandaged chest. It didn't hurt to move anymore and his wound seemed to have been nearly healed. He grinned. Lanz had done a good job. He really should apologize.
With one large thud, the red army stopped, leaving an open expanse between them. A large rider descended from the sky, his Fearow screeching loudly. "We are here under the orders of our Lord, King Lucian Ferren IV. Surrender now or prepare to be destroyed." He gripped his lance and stared down the defending men. The red army roared loudly, beating their swords against their shields.
From atop the wall, a man lifted the face shield of his helmet. "By orders of our Lord, Sebastian Primel, we shall not move!" The Primel soldiers cheered, their cries echoing of the mountainsides. "Turn back now or consider this an act of war!" He didn't wait for answer and pulled his face shield back down. He glanced behind him and looked at his troops behind the wall. He could see the fear in their faces. The wall hadn't been breached in hundreds of years and he would not be the first to allow an enemy army onto his lands.
The border pass was a military town, largely inhabited by soldiers. There were, however, many civilians living amongst them. It was their duty to their Lord, to the people and to themselves; they could not let them through.
"You! New people! Make yourselves useful. Help the civilians out of the town. Now." He ordered. Without hesitation, Lanz, Larken and Brand piled out of the cart. They gathered the children and the elderly onto the cart. As Elaine got the cart moving, she couldn't help but look back at the wall, she couldn't help but worry about Gabriel on the frontline. It was Vasant who would say what was on all of their minds.
"He shouldn't be out there alone," he said as they walked through to the other end of town. He shook his head. "Someone should be helping him."
"He's not alone," Larken said as she held a young girl's hand. "He's got a small army by his side." She smiled at her.
The red army broke formation as a horde of armored Pokemon charged the defenders. Nidoking, Nidoqueen and Rhydon shook the ground with two small companies following right behind them. Gabriel clenched his blade tightly. This was the second time he was facing this onslaught. This time, he didn't plan on getting injured. Some Ferren soldiers got to them first and without a shield, he had to carefully defend himself. A spear jabbed at him and with one move he grabbed the wooden shaft behind the spearhead, breaking it with his blade. He threw the spearhead at the attacking soldier, just barely dodging another soldier's jab.
Scyther slashed the soldier in the chest, the blood splattering upon his claws. Scyther continued slashing at the soldiers when a large purple tail swung its way. The green bug jumped just high enough to avoid the Nidoking's tail and hurtled itself towards the drill Pokemon. Scyther swiped at the plated Pokemon, having no real effect. Using all its weight, the Nidoking used its horn to stab into Scyther. Flying back, Scyther tumbled across the ground.
Gabriel leapt onto its back, grabbing hold of one of the spikes down its spine. Holding on for dear life, Gabriel refused to let go as Nidoking swung its body around in a vain attempt to get him off. "That boy's got courage!" The Captain yelled from atop the wall. "But there's a reason we haven't lost this pass in decades!"
With his cry, a group of Sandslash and Sandshrew burrowed up from under the ground. Suddenly, the attacking Pokemon and companies collapsed into holes dug into the ground, a sand tornado surrounding them. Letting go, Gabriel was flung off the Nidoking. It attempted to give chase but found its legs trapped in the hole and the sand tornado refused to let anything else out. The drill Pokemon roared in anger. The defenders opened their gates momentarily and a small gang of Quagsire came barreling out. The moment they were out on the battlefield, they commenced a barrage of Mud Bombs. In combination with the sand tornadoes, the trapped Pokemon wouldn't be able to escape. They were being pummeled by sand and dirt.
The general circled the battlefield just above them from atop his Fearow. "Tch. And I thought we'd take this wall easily. No matter. The rest of you down there! Attack!" And with that order, the rest of the battalion marched forward as a wave upon the beach. The red mass charged forward, spears in hand, archers at their back. Between their ranks various Pokemon ran alongside them. Nidorino collided with a defender, denting his shield. Soldier after soldier jabbed and stabbed at one another. The flanks were being pushed back against the wall, the center still held their position, effectively creating a triangle formation. At the head of it all, was Gabriel and his Scyther, slashing left and right.
"Our flanks are being pushed back! We need them up here!" Gabriel stabbed into a soldier's side and kicked him to the ground. A red soldier attempted to jab him in the back, but his armor held just enough. Instead, Gabriel fell to the ground. With a quick swing of his blade, he tripped the soldier and incapacitated him.
"Do you think we had only one trick up our sleeve?" A defender said as he quickly helped Gabe onto his feet. With a loud horn, large dust trails descended the mountainside. "You're doubts offend me." After a moment, Gabriel realized what was leading the dust trails. Donphan. The already fast Rollout was increased exponentially as they raced down the mountainside. The Donphan flew across the field, disrupting the enemy formation. They crashed into enemy soldier and Pokemon alike, tossing them to and fro. Dust, sand and mud flew about the battlefield. In the chaos, the gates opened and the second of the defending companies came out. The entire companies counterattacked, their wedge formation breaking through the already failing offense.
"Well that's an interesting development." The general said, fleeing westward. The loss of their leader sent the battalion into chaos. Soldiers and Pokemon fled in every direction until all that was left were those too injured to run. Gabriel sheathed his sword and checked on Scyther. They both had their share of cuts and bruises, but they were both coming out better than the enemy. There were a number of injured soldiers and Pokemon alike scattered across the ground. For a brief moment, Gabriel thought about ending the enemies' lives. But he quickly dismissed the thought. He wasn't like the Ferren.
From the gates came cart pushing people, gathering the injured and tending their wounds. Gabriel checked an unconscious soldier lying in the ground. His face was bleeding and his leg appeared broken. He gingerly picked him up and brought him to a medic. They were showing no discrimination, whether they were friend or foe, they were to receive treatment.
Elaine came running out from behind the walls, Lanz and Larken following right behind. She took hold of the young knight in her arms. For a brief moment, they held each other. Until the pain crept in. Gabriel cringed. Her hug pressed hard against his bruised arm and back. It didn't help that her hug was followed quickly by Lanz and Larken in what became a mass hug on the middle of the battlefield. Gabriel didn't say a word.
They walked into the mountain town and took the moment to relax. Lanz approached Gabriel, medicine in hand. "No. Not me. There are others more injured." He pointed to the injured walking in through the gates. Lanz nodded in silence. "Wait. Hold on." He called to the walking monk. He scratched his head and looked away as he began to mumble. "I'm sorry."
"No apologies necessary." Lanz smiled at the knight and went to tend to the injured soldiers. Gabriel smirked as the monk paced back and forth between a number of soldiers. Arya came bouncing towards him, her Happiny mimicking her trot.
"Gabe! Are you injured?" She asked, jumping onto his lap. He winced in pain again. He didn't realize he had a bruise on his thigh as well. She pinched his cheeks. "You look ok silly." She bounced away and started helping Lanz tend to the wounded. Gabriel couldn't help but laugh. The look of astonishment on Lanz's face was priceless, especially since the little girl showed a competence in medicine. Vasant and Brandt were helping bring the injured into the town as Larken helped people settle back into their homes. Gabriel slowly removed his armor, careful not to brush against his bruises. Elaine sat next to him as he tried to take off his chest plates. She reached around and helped him take the breastplate off. Her face was close to his as it came above his head. He could feel her breath against his cheek. He cleared his throat.
"Ahem… thanks." He said and looked away. She wasn't sure, but Elaine thought she caught a red flush upon his face. She smiled and laughed to herself. As she walked away, Scyther looked to Gabriel and grinned.
"Don't give me that look." He said, watching her saunter away.
Author's Note
Certainly my longest chapter (I think) at 2975. The ending's kinda blegh. I definitely enjoyed writing it though. Hopefully I'll get better at the whole strategy and combat writing part, but I feel it's satisfactory. Also, there is a name change. They are no longer the Ferrenese from Ferren. They are the Ferren from Fer. I intended to make the change a long time ago but decided to see how it would play out. Now, it just bothers me. So that's the change. I apologize for the inconvenience.