Chapter 21) Hunters

We could only wander, after leaving the forest. The villages we vaguely knew were nearby were gone. Overrun. Rotting bodies, broken weapons, and shattered armor littered the roads. We curled up on the side of the road when we slept.

I remember the first time I killed a person. They were trying to do something to Ely, and I don't want to think about 'what' even now. I remember grabbing some knives on the road, and using a trick Father had taught me. I think I was the first of us to kill.

But I wasn't the last. Blood and damnation, I wish I was.

"So, this is Valor," I murmured. We were standing in a dense, dark wood, with a cloying fog engulfing us. "It feels like the whole place is saying 'enter and be lost'." Was this why we had encountered no guards? Were the currents and fog enough protection for dragon kids trying to escape?

"You're going to curse us, Hilda," Hartmut chided. He smiled a bit, to lessen the words, but there was a seriousness too his eyes. "So, we have to hunt through this island for the Dragon's Gate, and then confirm that the dragons are just leaving." Yes. Somehow. …This was going to be a lot more difficult than I think Delrin intended.

"If we're going to do that, then we had best split into two groups to better cover ground," Bramimond noted. I noticed, to my shock, there was a decidedly wicked gleam in his eyes. "Let's see… Hilda and Hartmut can go one way…" Oh, damn you, Bramimond!

"No, no! Let me go with Hilda!" Roland jumped to my side, slinging an arm around my shoulders. I gave him my most incredulous look, and he winked. "It's been ages since I've gone on an adventure with her! It's my turn!" Um… "So, with that, we'll be going now!" He took my hand and dragged me off behind him, me yelping all the while as I tried to get my feet under me.

Still, it was almost worth seeing Bramimond pout, and hearing Hanon laugh. Strangely, Hartmut's reaction was… to have no reaction. Well, if that didn't just make it all the clearer that there was no way he would return these feelings…

"Roland, you're going to get us lost," I eventually snapped, digging my heels in to make him stop. "Ugh… I don't even have an idea of how far we've gone."

"Not far." He turned to face me, shrugging. "Sorry to be all manhandly." That was not a word. "But I knew Bramimond was doing his whole 'I am going to subtly tease' thing, and you don't seem so comfy in your feelings that you will accept a teasing." …Ah. That's why. "Was I wrong?"

"No, you weren't." I sighed, brushing my hair behind my ear. "I think I was happier not realizing it."

"Oh?" He started walking again, and I fell in step beside him. "Why is that?"

"Well, they're unrequited. Obviously."

"Oh, I don't know. I think you stand a good chance."

"He had no reaction back there, not even a laugh."

"Yes, that is odd. Normally, he'd be laughing at my antics." He smiled at me. "Makes me wonder if he was mad."

"That makes no sense." I shook my head. "Besides, he is a former prince. I'm just a thief." He'd probably fall in love with a 'princess' type. Ely reminded me of a princess sometimes. One of the nice ones in the stories. Maybe those two… that wouldn't be so bad. My two favorite people being happy together… a bittersweet happiness…

"…I don't know if you're trying to mock me, or trying to point out a logical fallacy I might have." I… really wasn't trying to do either? "Regardless, isn't this a creepy-ass forest?"

"It's very quiet." If not for the fog, though, I think I would call it rather pretty. It reminded me of the woods by…

"Reminds me of the woods I met you." I couldn't help but laugh at his words. "What's so amusing?"

"I was just thinking the same thing." I flashed him a smile. "These woods remind me of them too."

"Well, great minds think alike!" Roland started laughing too, but it soon morphed into coughing. Again. But, for some reason, his eyes widened when he pulled his hand away from his mouth, and any humor he had was gone in an instant.

"Roland?" I was instantly suspicious when he hid his hand from me. "Roland, is something wrong?"

"Well…" he began, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. Was he about to lie to me? "…Um… Hilda?"

"Yes?"

"I think that thunderbolt is heading for you."

"You don't honestly think I'm going to fall for-" Not a second later, something cracked into me, through me, and I felt my hair practically stand on end as it dissipated. "That was…" I glanced up and around, trying to find the source. I found a mage staring at me like I was a monster. "…Well then."

"Another day, another battle!"

"I'll try to fake some enthusiasm for you." I drew my wyrmslayer, a new one Martin made for me, and turned towards the mage. "We're not here for a fight, for once, so-" The next bolt of thunder, I just batted away. "Ugh… my hand stings…" I felt staticky too. Buzzing. My teeth were definitely buzzing.

"I am so glad you're on my side, because otherwise, that would be… dreaded." He grinned when I just gave him a look. "Oh, more of them." Great…

I turned and struck down the first one coming to attack, and that… was when I noticed something strange. Very strange. The wyrmslayer didn't react. It just felt like a normal sword, cutting through them. Now, maybe it was because wyrmslayers didn't have the same reaction to half-dragons who couldn't transform as it did on dragons? It wasn't like I had fought a lot of them with this sort of weapon.

But I had a horribly bad feeling… that wasn't the case at all. And no matter how many I fought, I just got the same feeling. These were humans. These were full-blooded humans, in a place that should really only be for dragons.

Just what was going on?

After the battle, Roland and I continued on. We found a giant tree, swaying gently in the breeze, and decided to head west from it. We passed by some old abandoned structures, and wandered a bit off the 'path' from there. It wasn't long at all before we came upon this strange house, built nice and strong. What was this?

"Oh, you found this place too." Roland and I turned and saw Hartmut walk up. "We lost Bramimond to the library inside," Hartmut sighed. He was smiling, though. "It's probably the most extensive one I've ever seen, though, and there's this really beautiful painting and a man and a ice dragon hanging on the wall."

"That does sound pretty," I murmured. I looked around slowly. What a beautiful garden… someone had tended to it well. "What is this place?"

"Near as Hanon and I can decipher from the letters, this is the 'second home' of some shaman or druid, who comes here during the winter with his wife and kids. Based off some pictures, it seems like they're from Ilia, so when the weather is really bad, they all stay here." I see. "Hanon and I have been wandering about trying to figure out if we can find out anything."

"Did you all fight a strange group too?" Roland asked. He crossed his arms, looking up at the sky. "Half-dragons or humans? Because we did."

"No, but thanks to Hanon, we found a well-used camp," Hartmut replied. He crossed his arms as well, eyes narrowed. "What baubles we could find implied human."

"Okay, then why are humans here? Those who want to help the dragons?"

"Maybe, but somehow, I'm not sure. We found way too many ropes for that."

"Hey, maybe they're the kinky sort."

Rolling my eyes, I left the two to their banter and wandered about myself. It wasn't long at all before I noticed something. There was a very convenient little 'hideaway' right along the edge between the garden and the wall. Most might have overlooked it, but I was used to looking for places like this. They were good places to wait before or after a heist… and they were really good places to look for scared kids.

So, carefully, I crept along that 'line', moving slowly and quietly so as to not scare any potential hiders. I caught a spot where the ground was freshly pressed, some grass buried in it. A little bit beyond that I found the reason for it. Two kids. Two young kids. If I had to guess, the girl was ten and the boy was five. Both had beautiful ruby eyes, and bluish hair, but the girl's was paler, more like ice, and the boy's was much more 'teal'.

"Hey there," I called. I knelt down to get on their level, holding up my hands to tell them I meant no harm. "My name is Hilda, little ones. What are your names?"

"…Ninian," the girl answered. She hesitantly leaned a little closer, one hand firmly gripping the boy's. "This is Nils, my little brother." Ninian and Nils. What beautiful names. "Why are you here? Are you dragons heading to the Gate too?"

"No, we're humans." She threw herself back, clearly frightened. "But we're not here to fight, I promise." Though, me wearing weapons probably didn't help. "The weapons are just here in case I get attacked. But I won't hurt you."

"Th-then why are you here?" I felt the air grow colder. "Humans…"

"We were asked to ensure that the dragons here were not bringing an army to catch us from behind. That's all." The two still looked so scared. "Would you feel better if I took off my weapons?"

"I-if you can remove the sword and axe? They're… they're scary." …Right, I had a wyrmslayer and a dragon axe, and if they were here, there was a good chance…

"Okay." I stood briefly to unhook them from my belt, and slid them to the side, clearly out of reach. "Is that better?"

"Yes…" She breathed a sigh of relief, and crawled a little closer. "Um… dragons can't come back once they leave." Ah? "You need a powerful dragon like Mommy to open the gate in the first place, and it's closed on the other side. Nils and I will be able to do it, when we get bigger."

"Has no one like your mommy crossed yet?"

"I don't think so. Most of the powerful ones are staying here. Mommy, Uncle Wuotan, Jahn, Hydra, Uncle Helios…" I… didn't know some of these names. "Oh, Uncle Helios is the king of the Divine Dragons!" So, Fiona's father? "Hydra used to be an 'uncle', but now he leads the dragons in the war, so Mommy says we're not allowed to call him that anymore." Hydra. I had a name for the leader of the dragons. Now, was there any point of me learning that? Was there something that could be done, knowing that? "I don't know where Uncle Wuotan is, though. I haven't seen him since Nils was born." Ah, I see… wait, hold on.

"How old are you two?"

"I'm ten!" So, I'd been right. "Nils just turned five. We had a party!" Five… then he had survived that battle with Jahn? Where was he? "Mommy told Uncle Wuotan to stay, because he was really hurt, but he said he couldn't. Said he had to find someone, that he knew she was alive." Who was he looking for?

"Did he say a name?"

"No, but he called her his 'little dragon knight'." I froze at that. 'Little dragon knight'…? But that was me. I was the one he had called that. Because, growing up, I had… I had really wanted to join the Dragon Knights. I had loved dragons, and loved humans, so I had wanted to protect them both. Wuotan always encouraged me with it. "Said that she survived, and was probably with her best friend, Ely… something." Yes, this was definitely me. Wuotan had tried to find me. He had been looking for me, five years ago. Where was he? And… and how was he so certain I was alive, anyway? Practically everyone died that day. "Mommy didn't press, and then he was gone."

"I… see." This just made no sense to me. "Did he… say anything about his little dragon knight?" I hadn't thought about that in years. It had always been so painful. It still was, truthfully.

"Just that he was worried about her, and he asked Mommy to keep her safe if he couldn't find her and she said she would if she found her." I see… "Um… are the other people your friends?" Hmm? "The ones in Daddy's library and wandering around?" Ah!

"Yes, the ones here are." I pushed myself up, and held out my hands to them. "Come on. They're very nice. I promise." I briefly thought about snagging my sword and axe, but decided against it for now. "Oh, but they do have scary weapons too, especially Hartmut, but we can deal with that."

"Okay." Ninian smiled warmly as she took my hand. "Thank you!" …She should smile more. She had a pretty smile. "Come on, Nils. Let's go make some friends!"

"Do you feel better now?" Hartmut asked. Unfortunately, he had been the first one I had run into, and hellfires did the Sword of Seals ever scare the two of them. "I'm really sorry I gave you such a fright." He had moved it behind him, mostly out of sight, while still keeping it away from accidental grabbings. "Would you like more candy?"

"Yes!" Nils laughed, reaching for Hartmut without fear. Hartmut smiled softly as he passed him another piece. "Thank you~! I was hungry!" That much was clear. The two had gobbled up all the food Hanon cooked. "Oh, right, thank you for the meal, Hanon!"

"You're very welcome," Hanon laughed, smiling warmly. She clearly loved being praised for her cooking, and these two were adorable. "But what are you two doing here?" Yes, that was the question. "I held off asking as you ate, but…"

"But it does concern us," Bramimond murmured. It had taken Roland physically carrying him out of the library to get him to cooperate. "Children left here alone…"

"Daddy put up some wards before he left," Ninian explained. She was sitting in front of me, holding still as I brushed her hair. I felt so… nostalgic. Like I was brushing Sheryl's hair again, back at the farmhouse. "He was going to find Mommy, because she disappeared. He left us some food, though I think we lost the bag and everything in the bushes over there." Ah. "Daddy said to wait ten days, and then if he wasn't back, I should take my brother to the other side of the Gate."

"Do you not know the way?"

"No, I do, but I don't know how to get past the Hunters." The… Hunters…? "Hunters are here." Those humans we fought before… they were…?!

"I don't know the term, but judging by how damn pale you, Hartmut, and Hilda went, Bramimond, I'd say you three do," Roland deadpanned. He looked some cross of amused and exasperated. "So, someone… wait, no, Hilda, you explain, because I highly doubt Hartmut and Bramimond will get to the point of it."

"Not sure how 'widespread' the term is, but I'm willing to bet Hanon knows them too, just by a different name," I replied. Not even Hartmut and Bramimond giving Roland dirty looks was enough to make everything warm again. I felt so damn cold. "Hunters, or Dragon Hunters, are monsters who wear the faces of humans." I had to focus on keeping my hands gentle. I didn't want to hurt her. "They hunt down dragons, innocent dragons who are not rampaging, and mine their corpses for scales and blood."

"…I'm sorry I asked."

"The worst part is that they rarely go after full grown dragons. The records always said they targeted children." But… "But, that's all they are. Records. History. Something that was… basically, when the Dragon Knights were founded a few centuries ago, the practice became beyond illegal." Father mentioned you had the 'occasional' idiot who did not mind the laws, and morality, but… this definitely wasn't 'occasional'. There were too many for that. Had they resurfaced after the war started? Or had this been a hidden problem for a long while?

…Was this related to what Fiona said? The 'something that happened' prior to Aquelia being destroyed? Had there been a Hunter problem that went unnoticed?

"We called them the Oathbreakers," Hanon murmured. Her hands were shaking, but she clasped them to hide it. "Since we use the term 'hunters' as a status symbol, almost. It is an honor to be a hunter of the tribes." I had a feeling that caused some misunderstandings. "There are some here? How did they get here?"

"They came with some half-dragons a few days ago," Ninian answered. She shook a little, so I set down my brush and hugged her gently, resting my chin on her head. "…Warm…" She snuggled closer to me. "A-anyway, they made the half-dragons bring them here, and then they… did something. There was a lot of fire, and a strange burning smell." They killed them. That's what happened. They used the half-dragons as a shield.

"…Guys, we should deal with those… creatures." Hanon's eyes were hard. "Violently."

"Can't say I disagree," Hartmut sighed. He stood up slowly, careful that his sword didn't fall off his belt. "Anyone protesting?" I think all of us, save Ninian and Nils, gave him 'really?' looks. "Just checking." He smiled warmly. "So, Ninian, Nils? If you want, we'll help you get to the Gate."

"Really?" Nils asked. He hopped to his feet, bouncing on his toes. "Yay! Ninian, we can do what Daddy says now!" …I just realized that this meant they were going to be separated from… well, I suppose they were alone anyway. "Let's go, let's go!"

"Then… up we go!" Hartmut easily picked up Nils and settled him on his shoulders. "Wow, you're a light one."

"I'm going to fall!"

"You will if you keep squirming like that." The two were so adorable. I just had to laugh. "Hilda, help me calm him down so that he really doesn't fall." I could still only laugh. "Hilda!"

"Don't just yell for me," I teased. This was fun. "There's three others who can help you!"

"Like they'll do anything!" Haha! "Nils, seriously, stop squirming. I promise; things will be much better if you're still!" This was adorable. If only something like this could last. But it couldn't. It never could.

Ah, I should go retrieve my sword and axe before we left. Just in case. Plus, Martin had made them just for me. I didn't want to lose them.

With Ninian and Nils, we found the path to the Gate easily, and it was not long at all before we stood among the giant pillars of what looked to be a freaking fortress. Why was there a fort here? Did the dragons just pick something easily defensible to house their Gate? Did they build this for the Gate? I had no idea. I doubted I would ever learn either.

"What an… eerie place…" Hanon murmured. Curiously, I glanced back at her, and noticed she wasn't the only one shaken. Roland and Bramimond were too. "I feel like we're tainting the place, being here."

"Really?" I asked. "I feel just fine." It just reminded me of Aquelia, but much more intact. "Ninian, are you okay?" I glanced down at her, and Ninian smiled shyly, holding my hand a little tighter. "That's a 'yes' then."

"Are you serious?" She looked so startled, and I could only shrug. I really did feel fine. "Please tell me others are feeling the same. Last time I was the only one feeling off, we got ambushed." I think Athos had also thought something was wrong that time, but I got her point.

"No, I'm feeling it too," Bramimond confirmed. He curled his cloak around him, hugging himself. "So is Roland. It's like there's a chill that seeps into your bones." Roland helpfully shivered to emphasize the words. "Hartmut?"

"The only thing I think is 'cold' is Nils," Hartmut answered easily. He glanced up to the giggling Nils. "You okay?" Nils's reply was to simply laugh. "That's a 'yes'."

"…That's… strange. Why only some of us?" That was rather peculiar. "Regardless, there's the enemy." Yes, they were actively patrolling this courtyard in front of the entrance. "Ideas?"

"Someone sneaks Ninian and Nils around," I answered immediately. I would not tolerate children being so close to a battlefield when it could be avoided. "Someone plays bait, and you use whatever that tome Martin handed you before we left was."

"Gespenst," Bramimond answered easily. He looked reluctant, though. "He wanted me to read over it, though, not use it. He had no idea how viable it was, taking the tome's writings from an old story from Aquelia."

"Well, read over it and, if it's not super-duper dangerous, drop it on their heads. If it is, then we'll go with the old-fashion, hide in the shadows and stab them while you use a proven tome to kill them in a single shot."

"It is illogical to think I can hit all of them."

"Why? We just need to corral them." Though Bramimond looked skeptically, Hanon giggled and laughed. "See? Hanon gets what I'm talking about. She and I will work out details. Hartmut is bait. Roland, you're in charge of the kids, and Bramimond, you do what I already told you. Simple."

"This is nowhere as simple as you're making it."

"Then stop making it complicated." I nudged Ninian over to Roland. "He'll get you inside, I promise." Hartmut handed Nils over to Roland, who held him easily. "So, be good kids, and go with him."

"…Will you come back soon?" Ninian asked softly. She clung to my hand, and I wondered if she worried about her daddy. Her daddy who went away, and still wasn't back after ten long days…

"Yes," I whispered, kneeling down to look her in the eye. "We'll be done soon, and we'll see you off through the Gate."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, I promise." I ruffled her hair. "Promises are very important. I won't break one." Well, a 'promise-promise', but using that might confuse her. So, this one time, I would make a 'promise' and mean it like a 'promise-promise'. "Okay?"

"…Okay." She smiled sweetly, and went to Roland's side, holding his hand. "We'll be waiting!" She waved goodbye, even as Roland took the two and left, edging around the courtyard.

The rest of us looked at each other and nodded. Bramimond still looked like he wanted to strangle me in frustration, but Hanon and Hartmut were smiling, ready to go. So, we spun into action, Hanon and I harrying the lines while Hartmut just charged straight forward, crashing into the Hunters. Bramimond grumbled the whole time as he climbed up to a nearby roof to safely read through the tome.

Hanon set up on a roof not far away, relying on her bow for the first time in a long while, or so it felt. I focused on staying on the ground, relying on my daggers this time to keep them in the courtyard. Hanon would handle the ones who strayed too far.

Clanging caught my ear and I turned to see Hartmut dueling one of the Hunters, possibly the leader. That was when I… realized something that had never been a 'problem' before. Hartmut was used to fighting dragons. He might have been trained to fight humans, but he had spent the past… who knows how long fighting dragons primarily.

He was rusty when it came to fighting humans. It really showed, in this duel. Mostly because the lead Hunter managed to get a damn good hit on Hartmut's arm. Blood and sword flew as Hartmut stumbled back with a grimace. The Hunter laughed as he reached up to snag the Sword of Seals from the air, likely intending on killing Hartmut with it. Some arrogant thing. Arrogance really did make people dumb.

The Sword of Seals promptly set the Hunter on fire, clearly unpleased at being stolen. It suffered no one but Hartmut, and the resigned look on Hartmut's face told me this was not the first time someone had pulled this trick.

He reached into the flames without fear, easily plucking the sword from the charred corpse, their hand crumbling into dust even from the slight pressure. The other Hunters stared in horror, and stumbled back into a tight, protective grouping as he settled into a stance. A silent threat, and they were shaking. It felt right to see them so afraid.

I actually laughed when Bramimond's spell finally fell. A storm of purple fog, lightning crackling between the clouds, enveloped them instantly, ripping them into pieces. Just what they deserved!

"So, Hilda." I looked up and saw Bramimond leaning over the edge of the roof, frowning at the tome. "You mind explaining what story he took this tome's power from?" he asked slowly. Story? Um… oh, maybe it was…

"The story of the demon dragon fits the best," I answered. I slowly stood and stretched. "A demon dragon who, in fury, called down a storm of ghosts to annihilate foes."

"…This is a story you all knew as children?"

"Oh, yes, we were told it every year, during the Shadow Festival."

"Sounds like the stories Sacae and I were told in the temple," Hanon laughed, sitting on the edge and kicking out her feet. Bramimond looked at us like we were insane. "Hartmut, you good? I saw the injury."

"Yeah, I'm fine?" Hartmut replied, joining us as he tied a quick bandage around his arm. "I need to practice fighting humans again. Let Barigan hand me my ass a few times." He looked so adorably confused as he looked up at Bramimond. "What's going on, though?"

"Bramimond is just questioning everyone's sanity again, it's nothing." Haha! "We should head inside. Find Roland, Ninian, and Nils." Yes, we had a promise to keep.

We checked the bodies of the Hunters first, though, making sure they really dead before heading inside the great fortress. From there, it actually didn't take all that long to find Roland, Ninian, and Nils. They left little drawings along the walls to mark the path.

"See, you two?" Roland laughed as we found them in a large room that reminded me a lot of a temple, if not for the strange… set of cells in the hallway leading up to it. "I told you they wouldn't be long." He smiled warmly, nudging the two as they smiled shyly at us. "This is it, though." He gestured to the glowing, pulsing archway behind him. "The Dragon's Gate." Yeah… what a beautiful… "Creepy as all hell." …Ahaha… ha…

"Yay! Everyone's all right!" Nils laughed. He skipped up and hugged us. "You beat up the bad guys!" We… killed them, actually, but I wasn't going to correct a kid. "Yay!"

"Nils, over here!" Ninian called. She held out her hand to him, and he took it instantly. "We… have to leave now…" Her voice shook, and it was clear her smile was forced. She was very sad, and very scared. She was probably… confused as to why she had to go through the Gate. "Um… thank you! Thank you for everything!"

"Thank you, thank you!" Nils, though, was young enough that it all just seemed like a big adventure. "Bye-bye!"

"We'll never forget you! I hope…" Her voice cracked a little, and now she was crying even as she smiled. "I really hope we can meet humans like you in the future! I'd love to talk with them, be friends with them!" The Gate shimmered behind them, and I could see the light parting to let them through. "S-so, thank you! Thank you, for everything!"

"Stay safe!" "Remember to eat!" "Goodbye!" It was a strange mush of chorused words we shouted after them, waving goodbye and doing our best to appear… cheerful? Calm? Reassuring? Just something to make things a little less scary for the two.

I think it worked. They were both smiling as they stepped through the Gate, and disappeared into the light.

"I think our recommendation is going to be that no, no dragons are coming from here," Hartmut murmured. I smiled when I saw his eyes were a little misty. Someone had gotten attached~ "And that there is no reason to come anywhere here. That way, kids like them can escape safely." Yes… "So…"

Coughing caught my ear, and I turned to see it was Roland. Again. What a shock. "Coughing again?" I asked dryly. He smiled sheepishly, and tried to hide his hand. Again.. "Not this time." I grabbed his wrist and twisted his hand so I could see his palm. Everything went cold when I saw the blood. "You… ah…" I looked at him, noticing he was careful not to look at anything. "You want to try and explain this as 'fine'?"

"…No…" His voice was so quiet. "I hoped…. I was wrong. I was scared of being right, so I told myself it was just… well, everything I've said. Those weren't lies. I do have a fragile constitution, I did get sick a lot, etc, etc."

"And you never got checked because you were scared."

"Exactly." He finally looked up, smiling warmly. But his eyes were filled with tears, and I knew he was afraid. "But, well, I can't deny this. I have consumption, and I'm going to die in a few months, likely."

"Th-there are some medicines we use on the plains!" Hanon surged to Roland's side, taking his hand from me to carefully wipe off the blood with a scarf. "Sacae knows how to make them," she continued, focusing on cleaning and not on anyone else. "Maybe those can help. Sacaeans have a lower death rate with consumption thanks to them."

"There is also Elimine," Bramimond added. I gave him an incredulous look, and he shrugged. "Martin might have made the healing staves, but the one who figured out how they worked is her. Athos and I know how to use them, but she is probably the only one we can call an 'expert' at them."

"Dragons used healing magic in the past, and could find nothing," I pointed out. The words felt heavy, and made me sick. Roland was dying. Roland was dying, and there was nothing I could do. "The healing staves…"

"Well, she's got that belief and prayer idiocy. Maybe it will actually pay off for once." Bramimond shook his head. "Or maybe a combination will work. Has anyone tried combining the medicines of the plains with healing magic?" I had no idea. "There are options."

"How… illogical."

"It is perfectly logical to try everything before declaring something impossible." Ha! "R-regardless, we need to get going. I doubt the oppressiveness of this place is helping." I still felt fine.

"Then let's head to the ship," Hartmut sighed. He looked… pained. "Up we go, Roland." He easily picked up Roland and settled him on his back. "No walking for today."

"Um… Hartmut?" Roland began. Hartmut just started walking, the rest of us following. "Consumption is kind of contagious."

"And?"

"And it will be bad if you die, not just on a personal level, but an army level."

"And?"

"And you obviously don't care, so I'm going to shut up now." Roland groaned, and just drooped, accepting it all. "…Thanks, everyone." Hmm? "Maybe it's okay to hope a bit more, if you guys are with me." Roland… "Let's get back. I want to see everyone else too."

Yeah, so did I. What all happened while I was away this time?

People I know

· **I'm Hilda, real name Hildegard, but I hate it. Thief and Dread Fighter. Decent with swords, apparently not bad with axes, best with daggers. The first wielder of the wyrmslayer. After eight years, I'm finally able to talk about my family again, but it's brought back things I had long since forgotten. Such as how, when I was little, my greatest dream had been to be a Dragon Knight. Now, I'm just a thief, go figure. Bet my parents would be real proud of me becoming a damn criminal. I gave up my pendant to protect Hartmut. I am also in love with him, but there is no way someone like him would fall in love with someone like me. Brown hair, blue eyed, 19 years old.

· **Ely/Elimine, my best friend. Kind and gently, but prejudiced against shamans. User of light magic and a skilled healer. Like me, is recovering from the revelations Fiona gave, but also like me, she's willing to trust Fiona. At her scariest when invoking 'healer's orders'. Gave me a traveler's charm before I left, likely worried that I was leaving them so soon after returning. Bramimond believes that she might be able to figure out a way to cure consumption, due to experimenting with healing staves to actually learn how they work. Blonde hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.

· **Martin, basically my big brother, though I'll never tell him that. Too embarrassing, really, but also because I know he knows. Best smith ever, due to talent and hard work. Married to Alice, and has twin daughters: Emma and Lori. Fights with axes and swords. Inventor of 'normal' dragon slaying weapons, with a sword, lance, axe, and tome version. Creator of light magic. Creator of the healing staves. Most of these were created via trial and error, mostly error, though few ever see the latter part, only the results. It makes people set him up on a pedestal, and I am honestly scared he's going to die trying to live up to the expectations. And this fear is only heightened by how damn powerful Gespenst is. Red hair and green eyed, 20 years old.

· Alice, basically the mom of my group of friends. Fights with lances and tomes, but she's staying with the orphans in some fortress Delrin gave them away from the fighting, so we only hear from her via letters. Mother of Emma and Lori, and there's a third on the way. Skilled painter. Black hair and red eyed, 19 years old.

· Mika, my 'big little brother'. He might be older, but I treat him like his my kid brother. Learned swordsmanship from his mom. Like many of the plains, he doesn't lie and hates traitors. His brother's kid, Vash, managed to survive too thanks to Maron. Worries over Maron, and promises to help figure out what's going on. Like me, he has a wyrmslayer. His injury has healed enough to walk. Green haired, brown eyed, 19 years old

· Maron, my 'little sister'. Talented seamstress who loves the work. Wields bows, with daggers as a backup. Firmly stands by everyone no matter what decisions they make, mostly because she trusts us to know what we're doing most days. Likes the color purple a lot, and apples even more so. Crushing on Athos. Has been strangely distant and it makes me worried. Still, she made sure to see me off with a hug, and a promise to return, so I at least know she doesn't hate me. Blonde hair, grey eyed, 17 years old.

· Sheryl, my 'baby sister'. Bright and cheerful, always ready with a laugh and dearly wanted all of us to be happy. Mage, specializing in thunder magic. Her niece, Kim, stays with Alice. Best cook ever. Forgot everything but birthdays. Always had a smile ready for us. Blonde-hair, gold eyed, 16 years old. Deceased.

· **Roland, friend. My sword teacher. From the south. Good-natured and kind. Wields swords mainly, but Durban is teaching him axes. Sometimes has coughing fits, and had a bad one recently. He insists he's fine, but the fits are coming more frequently. Anyway, he is old friends with Elijah. Martin gave him a wyrmslayer. In love with Josephine, and utterly convinced that the feelings are unrequited. The best liar of the group. Has consumption, and it has progressed to the point that he is coughing up blood. Blue hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.

· **Hartmut, friend. From the east, near the mountains. Serious, childish, and far too loyal. Has two sisters, Genevieve and Josephine, and had two brothers, Al and Rainard. Childhood friends with Bramimond. Wields the Sword of Seals. Gave me his necklace, despite its importance to him. Was the hidden bastard prince of the old country to the east, hidden and kept alone. Seems to enjoy taking care of people, and I wonder if it's because he spent so much time alone. He also seemed to be good with kids? At the least, he was good with Nils. Blond hair, amber eyes, 19 years old.

· **Hanon, friend. Plainswoman of the Kutolah tribe with a kind smile and kinder laugh. Sister to Sacae. Wields bows primarily, but does know how to wield a sword, so she got one of Martin's wrymslayers. She and I tend to fall into trouble together. Amazing cook. I need to talk to her more about her childhood, as I think it's far more similar than I expected. Green hair, green eyed, 17 years old.

· **Sacae, friend. Plainsman. Serious about his duties, to the point that he doesn't care if he dies, but generally lighthearted. Wields the Sol Katti, which is slowly killing him, and the Rienfleche, a bow Martin made just for him. Herbalist, and made bunches of herbal remedies for our trip. We're hoping the medicines he knows will help Roland. Green hair, green eyed, 17 years old.

· Barigan, friend. From Edessa in the snowy north. A calm man who holds firm to his word. Married to Jasmine. Knows swords, specializes in lances, and learning axes. Helps me train. Tested out the Martin's 'dragon pike', a dragonslaying lance, and is the sole wielder of one for the time being. The one least effected by the knowledge that Fiona is a half-dragon. His home was overrun by dragons three years ago. Purple hair, green eyed. 19 years old

· Durban, friend. From the isles to the West. My axe teacher. Yells a lot during a fight, and clearly has fun with his brutal fighting style, but is a very kind and gentle person off the battlefield. Strong enough to damage a dragon even with an ordinary axe, meaning he is TERRIFYING with that dragon axe. Brown hair, brown eyed, 20 years old.

·Jasmine, new friend. From the snowy north. Somehow tamed a pegasus and rides it into combat. Fights with magic, specializing with wind, but apparently knows how to fight with a lance too. A sarcastic and cynical woman, but very loyal. And very happy in her marriage with Barigan. I think her greatest fear is being separated from Barigan, based on how she clung to him. Leads the pegasus knights. Brown hair, purple eyed, 18 years old.

· Josephine, new friend. From the east, near the mountains. Hartmut and Genevieve's older sister. Surprisingly frail looking, especially considering she tamed and rides a freaking wyvern, and is surprisingly tiny, considering how tall Hartmut and Genevieve are. I wonder if she took more after her mother, while Hartmut and Genevieve took more after their father. Wields powerful thunder magic, but apparently knows her way around an axe. Leads the wyvern knights, possibly because she is the former princess, but I like to think its because she's that badass. Might be sweet on Roland. Is super terrifying when aggravated. Blonde hair, purple eyed, 21 years old.

·Delrin, general in the army. Haven't seen him fight, yet, mostly just deal with a lot of paperwork and try to keep things running smoothly. Responsible for keeping track of all the scouting reports and takes the job seriously. That said, he always ends up knocking the papers off his desk. Green hair, blue eyed, 27 years old.

· Marius, commander of the army. He's a jerk at first glance, and even the second and third, but he might just have a soft heart under it all. Takes the mental health of his soldiers seriously. Lost his wife and eldest daughter in Aquelia. Working on plans to move us into dragon lands to attack directly. Brown hair, brown eyed, 31 years old.

· Genevieve, new friend. From the east, near the mountains. Hartmut and Josephine's younger sister. Bright and chipper, with almost endless amounts of energy. Specializes in long-range magic, and relies on fire magic when enemies are too close. She is in love with Bramimond, and has a promise to talk to him about their shared feelings when the war is over. Her leg is crippled. Wielder of the 'Dragon Spirit' Tome that Martin created. Blonde hair, amber eyes, 16 years old.

· Athos, friend. From an oasis city in the desert, and was abandoned. A gentle mage who tells no one of his past for very understandable reasons, and often serves as peacekeeper when Ely and Bramimond get into arguments. Specializes in fire magic. Learned staves from Ely. Took care of Maron while they were all in the fortress. Silver hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.

· **Bramimond, friend. From the east, near the mountains. Childhood friend of Hartmut. Wields elder magic. Logical and inquisitive, and a huge worrier, using his 'logic' to hide it. Frets over Martin, worried by all the pressure put on him. In love with Genevieve, but has not directly confessed, implying it with a promise. Since Gespenst works, he now wields it. Despite growing up in a temple, it seems he didn't hear some of the 'darker' stories I heard at festivals. Blond hair, green eyed, 19 years old.

· Fiona, friend. A half-dragon, princess of the divine dragons in fact, who travels as a dancer to find her friendsHas the Dancer's Gift. Has a half-sister named Fae, who is a full-blooded dragon. Is very worried about how 'easy' things have been recently, and now she's got me fretting too. Pink hair, green eyes. Her equivalent age is '18', but she's really somewhere around 1500 years old.

· Elijah, new friend. From the south. A kind disposition, but willing to play along with things even as he complains. Serves in Barrigan's unit, recommended me as a tactician. Childhood friend of Roland. Wears a headband to keep his hair out of his face. Red hair, blue eyed, 17 years old.

Author's Note: So, here are Ninian and Nils, in a scene Nils talked about towards the end of Tactician's Testimony. Also, Roland has consumption. The susceptibility of House Ostia to it is his fault! (Okay, not really, too much time in between, but still) Lots of little references to FE7 here. Gespenst is the S rank Dark Magic Tome of FE7. As implied earlier, Martin forges all of the S rank weapons of FE7. Also, some little tidbits about Wuotan, and some of Hilda's childhood.

Next Chapter – Queen of Ice