Adriannu255: I'm really (once again…) for the long wait. I've been kinda sick lately and didn't feel like typing anything for a while. Hope you enjoy this one 'cause it's (sadly) the last update for a while. I need to focus on my other stories before coming back to this one. Here is chapter twenty one!
To you,don't,know: Soren has never seen or heard of the feral ones before, since he was never deeply involved with Daein's military. Almedha wouldn't have allowed it, in my opinion. About what Sephiran said, I was trying to show that he was starting to have second thoughts on his whole 'goddess awaken and judge' plot. So I guess it could be considered a good thing… But I don't know!
Note: I have made a small change in Soren's age. I read somewhere (can't remember where) that the PoR timeline indicates that he is 19 at the end of the game, so at this point, he is 18 in this story instead of 16. Just a small change that I thought I should mention. (It actually works better that way. Now he'll be old enough in Book 3!)
Disclaimer: Same…
Chapter 21: Emancipation
Soren quickly walked through the halls of Mainal Cathedral. He stopped a young maid as she approached. "Excuse me. Have you seen Duke Persis anywhere today?"
"Yes, of course, Your Highness," the maid responded quietly. "I saw him heading towards the garden only minutes ago."
"Thank you," Soren said with a grateful nod. He then continued down the halls to catch up to the senator.
Sephiran had just reached the garden when he heard someone quickly approaching from behind. He stopped and turned as someone called, "Duke Persis!"
Soren? Sephiran thought as the Branded approached. "Yes, Prince Soren?" he asked when Soren caught up.
"May I ask you something?"
"Certainly. What is it?"
"Why have you requested that Apostle Sanaki send me with the Greil Mercenaries on all of their missions in Begnion?" Soren averted his eyes as he asked.
Sephiran sighed. "I'm sorry, Prince, but as I told Apostle Sanaki, I do not wish to-"
"-discuss your reasons," Soren quietly interrupted, "I know. But I believe I have a right to know, as it concerns me."
Sephiran, once again, sighed and put a hand to his head. "Forgive me, Prince. But I cannot tell you my reasons, yet."
Soren was shocked by what he saw then. Sephiran looked down at him and Soren thought he saw a shadow of sadness briefly cross his features. "When will you be able to tell me?"
"I cannot say, but you may be able to find out yourself. Excuse me." Sephiran turned and left without another word.
Soren watched him with a blank look before sighing. He headed back inside to prepare for their departure to the Grann Desert.
Three days later… Grann Desert
"So, Soren," Ike said approaching the prince, "I've been meaning to ask, were you able to find out anything about those 'feral ones'?"
Soren turned to face Ike from beneath the hood of his cloak. "Nothing, until I questioned the librarian. He told me that feral ones are how they refer to laguz who remain in their shifted states all the time, almost as if they cannot revert. I asked Lethe and Mordecai and they said that it was impossible for a normal laguz to do so, without the use of certain items. I'm sorry I couldn't find out more." Soren turned his attention back to the sandscape, his keen eyes searching for their targets.
Just then, an annoyed-looking Lethe approached with a strange man by her side. Soren's eyes widened when he and the green-haired stranger met gazes. "Commander," Lethe called, "this man wants to join us. Is that alright with you?"
Ike stared dumbly for a moment before remembering he had a voice. "Um…sure, I guess so, but why?"
"Because you have Gallian laguz with you," the stranger replied, his voice a rich tenor, "and I wish to speak to them."
"What is your name?" Ike asked.
"My name is Stefan. I have lived in this desert for many years as a hermit. Lethe has informed me that you are searching for the bandits causing trouble for the Begnion nobles, correct?" Ike nodded in confirmation. "I believe I can help you find them," Stefan finished.
"Ah, I see," Ike said with a nod. "Can you fight?"
Stefan patted the sword attached to his waist. "I don't carry this sword just for show."
Ike then noticed the weapon, and blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, right…"
"In any case," Stefan said with a laugh, "the bandits that you are searching for are located in the ancient ruins to the north. Follow me." Stefan turned and headed north, his purple robe billowing slightly in the wind. The Mercenaries followed Stefan for what seemed like an eternity, until the ruins came into sight. Stefan pointed toward them. "That is where the bandits live."
"And it looks like they're coming to 'welcome' us…" Ike stated grimly as a beast laguz and a small, orange-hooded figure quickly approached.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" the hooded figure asked suspiciously.
"We're looking for the bandits who have been raiding the nobles of Begnion," Ike answered calmly, placing his hand over the hilt of his sword.
The hooded figure muttered something about "the senators' dogs" before shouting, "We will never stop until all slaves are free! Come, my people! Attack them!"
He and the laguz turned and ran back toward the ruins as the mercenaries were suddenly surrounded by more laguz.
When did they surround us? Soren inwardly panicked. It's as if they appeared from the Akasha!(1) Soren opened his new tome chanting, "Merciless embrace of frost, strike my enemy! Blizzard!" and a quickly approaching hawk and raven were struck by a gale of ice and snow. With that, the desert descended into chaos.
Mainal Cathedral
Sanaki, Tanith, and Sigrun watched from the throne room as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the distant mountain range. The third day since the mercenaries had left for the Grann Desert had ended and they still received no word on their progress. "I am beginning to worry," Sanaki's quiet voice broke the tense silence. "I knew this mission would take long, but I expected them to have sent word of their progress by now."
Sigrun placed a comforting hand on the Empress's shoulder. "I am certain we will receive word tomorrow, Empress. Do not fret."
Tanith nodded in agreement. "You should go to bed now, Empress. If they do not contact us tomorrow I myself will organize a search party to find them."
"That will not be necessary," a calm voice came from behind. They turned and saw Sephiran approaching, with Jill by his side.
When they reached the Empress, they both bowed respectfully. Jill then pulled a letter from under her breastplate. "Apostle Sanaki, Commander Ike sent me to deliver this message to you." Jill handed the letter to Sanaki, who took, immediately opened, and read it out loud.
Apostle Sanaki,
We have made contact with the leader of the bandits, and he has told us quite an interesting tale. I cannot give the full details in this letter, but he has provided an excuse for his actions, and is willing to meet with you to explain. I request permission to bring him before you upon our return to Sienne. Please send your answer back to us with Jill, the woman who delivered this letter.
Commander Ike
Sanaki exchanged knowing looks with her guards and advisor. "Thank you for delivering this, Jill. You may go rest and I shall give my answer tomorrow," Sanaki said neutrally.
"Thank you, Apostle," Jill said with a bow and relieved sigh.
Once Jill left their presence, Sanaki turned her gaze to Sephiran and walked over to him. He smiled slightly, and took her small hand in his. "Come, my child. Let us get you to bed."
Next day, Grann Desert…
"Commander," Soren called, entering Ike's tent.
"What is it, Soren?" Ike asked as he finished reading over Titania's battle report.
"Jill has returned with Apostle Sanaki's answer," Soren looked over his shoulder as Jill entered, holding Sanaki's reply in her hand.
Ike promptly tore it open and read it aloud.
Commander Ike,
I am pleased to hear that you have succeeded in your task, as is Princess Elincia. Bring me the bandit leader as soon as you return. Afterwards, you will receive your payment.
Apostle Sanaki
Ike looked up at Soren and handed the letter to him. "Show the letter to Tormod and Muarim and tell them to prepare to go to the capital."
"Yes, sir," Soren took the letter and exited.
Three days later, Sienne…
Soren stood along with Elincia as Ike and Tormod exited the throne room. "What did she say?" Soren asked.
Tormod promptly ran off with an ear-to-ear grin upon his face. Ike simply stared after the child for a moment before answering. "Apostle Sanaki admitted that all of these missions were given to us in order to expose a secret slave trade to the public." Soren nodded. He, Ike, and Titania had briefly discussed the strange decisions Sanaki had made in sending them to fulfill these, seemingly random, missions. "She also said that Duke Tanas is up to something suspicious and she wants us to investigate him at his villa. If we succeed," Ike paused and smiled toward Elincia, "she will help us save Crimea with all the power at her disposal."
(1) Akasha (pronounced 'uh-kay-sha') I added this in at the requested of my best friend and co-author, Whyndam. She explained to me what it was and I thought it would make a fun little plot element to play with.
Adriannu255: I know I skipped the entire battle and meeting with Tormod and Muarim, but I just don't feel well enough to write a battle, and I wanted to add a bit more original material to this (I'm doing my best to NOT make a carbon copy of the game). I'm really sorry, everyone. But now I go get some much needed sleep before focusing on my other stories… Please review and vote!
Until next me meet, farewell!
Wow! There's a lot of pairings in the poll now!
! Soren/Elincia: 39
Soren/Lethe: 25
Ike/Elincia: 18
! Leanne/Shinon: 13
! Jill/Janaff: 11
! Zihark/Lyre: 10
! Nephenee/Geoffrey: 9
! Ike/Mia: 6
! Sothe/Astrid: 5
! Nasir/Nailah: 5
Ike/Micaiah: 5
Soren/Ilyana: 5
Makalov/Astrid: 4
! Pelleas/Lucia: 3
! Mist/Boyd: 3
Soren/Micaiah: 3
Ike/Lethe: 3
! Rolf/Marcia: 2
Soren/Mia: 2
Jill/Haar: 2
Gatrie/Astrid: 2
Naesala/Leanne: 2
Rhys/Mia: 2
! Oscar/Tanith: 1
Pelleas/Lyre: 1
Titania/Shinon: 1
Ranulf/Lyre: 1