The Laguz Alliance, bolstered by the hawk tribe and Soren's tactical genius, thunders across the Begnion-held river. Emboldened by success, they move east with amazing speed and capture the northern stronghold, Castle Seliora. The Laguz Alliance has made a vital step in its march toward the Begnion capital of Sienne.
Begnion has now lost a valuable defensive line in the Ribahn River, and the Central Army has been forced to retreat east, taking refuge in Castle Gaddos. The morale of the Begnion soldiers is kept high only by their faith in General Zelgius, while the Begnion nobles smoulder with resentment at their defeat.
"General Zelgius? Why did you retreat so quickly? Order an all-out attack!" Duke McDiarmid exclaimed.
"The Laguz Alliance inches closer after you lost us the river as a defensive line. It'd be unwise to attack head-on at this time," Zelgius said.
"At this time? The correct time is my goddessdamn decision! You're a fool, Zelgius! The senate wants all sub-humans roaming our lands exterminated! I forbid you from making any more retreats! Am I understood, Zelgius?" McDiarmid asked.
"Pardon my Gallian, but what the f-" Levail started.
"I understand, my lord. I will do my best to end this fighting as soon as possible," Zelgius said, interrupting Levail.
"General Zelgius? Why didn't you object? The senator's orders are insane!" Levail said.
"We're in no position to question the orders of our superiors…" Zelgius said.
"But I thought… no, I was certain that you'd steer the military in the right direction!" Levail said.
"Sorry I'm late," Soren said.
"Ah, the great strategist! Don't be shy! Come sit next to me," Skrimir said, gesturing to the seat he had saved.
"Not if you begged me, Skrimir," Soren said, plonking down next to Ike.
"Soren! I'm sorry… he's rude to everyone, especially laguz," Titania said.
"You don't trust me? Then I take the first step. I admit that our last battle was won thanks to your cleverness. I underestimated the wisdom of beorc. As the general of Gallia, you have my thanks," Skrimir said.
"…You're welcome?" Soren asked.
"So, what next? We hit Begnion hard… so this is our chance to wipe out the enemy entirely?" Skrimir asked.
"Actually, it would be unwise to launch a new offensive now. I recommend that we negotiate a peace treaty with Begnion," Soren said. Everyone turned to him in shock.
"WHAT? You'd give up our best opportunity to crush Begnion for some peace treaty?" Skrimir asked.
"For once, just listen a moment, Skrimir. Yes, we crossed the river, but we haven't even touched the Central Army! Not a scratch! Consequently, Begnion has a great advantage. It'd be foolish to press on," Soren said.
"Think harder, Soren! A peace treaty? Now? My soldiers won't accept this… we need another way!" Skrimir said.
"Ranulf, do you feel the same?" Ike asked.
"I agree, Ike… but the laguz, as a species, have problems with this. Once the fighting begins, laguz can't see anything except the enemy in front of them. In a long fight like this, it's harder to keep ourselves in check," Ranulf said.
"Same for the hawks. If we stopped fighting now, I'd have to knock all of the men unconscious!" Gavina said.
"But rushing headlong into the enemy and getting killed isn't an option. Soren, can you think of something?" Tibarn asked. Soren analysed the map thoughtfully, while Mia pulled out a few laguz figurines. She fiddled with them, and Soren's plan began forming as the figurines moved.
"Oh, you have no idea how happy you've made me! Do you have any idea how long I've waited for this?" Aimee asked.
"Hey, I've been busy… but I'm glad to hear it," Rolf said.
"Don't be so cold! You could do this for me anytime, if you want. I'll pay good money," Aimee said.
"No thanks… I'm more comfortable doing it for another girl," Rolf said.
"But I can make it worth your time, baby. You could leave your mercenary lifestyle behind, and…" Aimee started.
"What the heck are you on about?" Mist asked. Rolf's legs started shaking.
"Ah, Mist!" Aimee cried out.
"I'm… I'm outta here…" Rolf said, running.
"What about what I owe you?" Aimee asked.
"Give it to her! And don't tell her anything that'll make her draw her Runesword!" Rolf said.
"And… he's gone," Aimee said, turning to Mist. She had a hand on the Runesword.
"Care to tell me what's going on?" Mist asked.
"Mist… are you feeling jealous? Don't worry, dear. There's only room for you in his heart… you and Lucita," Aimee said.
"Aimee…" Mist said warily.
"Our talk was purely business… this is for you," Aimee said. She handed Mist a blue gem.
"You heard Rolfie. I'm supposed to pay you," Aimee said.
"You're paying us? Now I'm confused… what happened?" Mist asked.
"I owe him for… oops, I shouldn't say," Aimee said.
"Aimee?" Mist asked.
"It's payment for a bow. I paid a lot for a bow he made me. I'll offer it as a one-of-a-kind bow at the shop. I've seen a bow of this calibre once before… Shinon used to make 'em like that," Aimee said.
"So Rolf learned from Shinon, huh?" Mist asked.
"Possibly. He's dead, and Rolf still hasn't said a thing," Aimee said.
"To be honest, Shinon wouldn't have told anyone he smelled smoke if they were on fire… well, maybe Gatrie," Mist said.
"Yeah… From what I heard, Shinon didn't like people much," Aimee said. "Anyway, enough talking about dead people. I assume you'll want to go after Rolf?"
"Yeah…" Mist said, running after Rolf.
"I wonder if I should pity Rolf or envy Mist?" Aimee asked.
"Hey, Captain Ranulf! The hawk king's decoy attack has got the Begnion forces on the move!" Lyre, one of Ranulf's cats, said.
"Good. Our unit hits from the north, Ike from the south, and Skrimir from the west. If all goes according to plan, Soren will have delivered an easy victory," Ranulf said.
"Captain! We have a situation! General Skrimir's forces have broken formation!" Kysha said.
"What? I told him to keep his men under control!" Ranulf exclaimed.
"An enemy commander challenged General Skrimir to a duel. He accepted," Kysha said. "The challenged was a large, dark-haired beorc clad in stunning crimson armour."
"Zelgius… Skrimir can't win! He'll be slaughtered! Send a message to Tibarn and Ike! Tell them I'm going to save Skrimir!" Ranulf said.
"Ike! Enemy troops have appeared to the south of Skrimir's forces!" Titania exclaimed.
"General Zelgius is in command," Mia said.
"Not good…" Ike said.
"If Skrimir's force collapses, we'll be penned in by Begnion. We must alter our strategy… let's help with the rescue. Assemble a strike force," Soren said.
"Got it. Titania, let Tibarn know what's going on. Mia, grab your girls and let's get going!" Ike said.
"Where's Skrimir?" Ike asked.
"He charged up the cliff, chasing Zelgius," Ranulf said.
"We have to get up there… the two of us might be able to save him," Ike said.
"Kysha, carve us a path to the top," Ranulf said. Kysha saluted, and Lethe, Mordecai, Lyre, and he all transformed. As true members of the Donaregin Mercenaries, their charge led to a massive drop in Begnion forces.
"…All right. We've got this started… Time is a factor, so let's make things quick!" Ike said. He brought his sword crashing down unto the shield of an approaching Begnion. With the archers supporting his army from behind, Ike could focus with Ranulf to climbing this mountain. The Begnions were many, and their experience showed in the discipline they attacked the laguz.
Experience that did not save many of them from the ferocity of the Donaregin Mercenaries. Ranulf himself had finished one soldier and tore apart the one that Ike himself was just about to finish himself. Having just a moment to nod his appreciation, more came down the mountain. Pazu dove between them and Ike, every feature of his face laced with the urgency that Ike and Ranulf needed to get to the Skrimir before this went from bad to worse, and a ferocity on par, if not superior, to that of the cats and tigers ahead.
His riders could handle the skirmishers, and the others would buy him enough time. Mia was right behind him, finishing off a swords master herself. She looked over and saw the unspoken command from Ike to accompany him to the summit of the mountain. Dao in hand, she followed her commander to whatever awaited them at the top.
"None shall pass! General Zelgius forbids it!" the general Callum said, blocking the path forward. Ike swung his sword from a low left to right strike, hoping to take advantage of the slow movement Callum presented. His sword hit hard against the armoured shield, sending a deafening clang through the air. Mia followed up with a quick back to forehand slash in an attempt to sever the general's sword arm at the wrist. However, the experienced fighter held both of their attacks off with ease.
He countered by thrusting his own sword forward, attempting to impale the mercenary commander on its tip. Ike stepped back and battered the sword away. Mia saw her opportunity and brought her sword down in a decapitating manoeuvre. In doing so, she opened herself up and the general slammed his full might against her with his shield. The blow collided against her head, and almost snapped her neck if she was a moment later or sooner in her attack. While not lethal, that attack bruised her skull and sent a concussion through her entire body, sending her body in to a limp state. She was flung from her feet, the Dao leaving her fingerless gloved hands. A growl of rage left Ike as he scooped up the blade and threw himself between the knight and his lover.
Swords sparked against each other the two men fought with fury unparalleled. Each one defending something they held in high regard, their skills were near equal. Though where Callum had experience, Ike had the necessary energy to continue the fight free of heavy armour. It was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. Callum brought his sword down to take Ike's head in one fell swoop. Ike crossed both the swords and held the blade in place, he slowly moved down the arm and before the general could realize his mistake, removed the arm at the wrist. Ike then silenced the screaming man with one final thrust of both of his swords through the chest.
Callum muttered a few words as he fell to the ground, but Ike paid him no heed. He spun around and uncapped a vulnerary from his waist for her. She staggered to her feet as she drank the foul smelling concoction, worse for looks but none of the less ready to fight. Ike held the Wo Dao before her, an appreciative smile laced on his lips. She took the sword and noticed that Ranulf had finished those who were defending their general. Now nothing stood between them and this duel.
They only hoped they had not arrived too late.
"NO!" Ranulf cried out in horror. Skrimir and Ranulf were locked in combat. Skrimir attacked Zelgius, to no avail. Zelgius shone a bright orange, and blasted Skrimir back three times his length.
"Skrimir!" Ranulf cried out, reverting. Ike had dismounted.
"Ranulf, don't get too close," Ike stated.
"Heed my words, Laguz Alliance! I am Zelgius, general of the Begnion Central Army! Your general has fallen to my blade in single combat! My army does not wish to continue this senseless bloodshed. Leave this place immediately. Soldiers of Begnion! I forbid you from attacking the fleeing laguz! This fight is finished!" Zelgius said.
"General Zelgius is amazing! He kept the damage on both sides to a minimum!" a Begnion said.
"Yeah… but I wanted to fight! How am I going to get my kid a stuffed laguz now?" another asked.
"NO! General Skrimir was defeated… by a beorc?" a Gallian asked.
"If General Skrimir is defeated, we must fight on in his name… and get our revenge! Don't be fooled by the human! Fight on, brothers!" another said.
"Stop! Fall back! Brothers, heed my words! I swear on my life I'll take Skrimir with us! Fall back!" Ranulf said.
"A wise choice. Levail, go back to base camp. I have business to take care of," Zelgius said.
"What are you plotting? You could've crushed us!" Ranulf said.
"That's exactly what the heads of the senate want. But the apostle feels differently. She wishes to resolve this conflict peacefully. Begnion is not united on the idea… so how about this? Arrange a peace proposal from your people. The apostle would accept it," Zelgius said.
"But to begin a peace talk under the current circumstances…" Ike said.
"The most favourable opportunity for a peace talk would have been when you crossed the river. You missed your chance, and now look!" Zelgius said.
"We should've listened to Soren…" Ranulf said.
"Think it over… you have three days. If you do not request a peace talk in that time, negotiations are over. I hope that won't be the case. As for King Caineghis's heir, he'll be fine. Treat his wounds, and he'll live," Zelgius said.
"You didn't finish him off?" Ike asked.
"It doesn't matter who the enemy is. If I can avoid taking a life, I will. Leave. I swear on my name that my men will not attack as you retreat," Zelgius said.
"Three days. What will the beast tribe do, Ranulf? What will become of Gallia?" Tibarn asked, when Ranulf reported back.
"I'm sorry, Tibarn… but with Skrimir out of the picture, Gallia can make no progress," Ranulf said.
"Right… too bad. I guess the Laguz Alliance has to take a break," Tibarn said.
"What about you? Will Phoenicis agree to a peace talk?" Ike asked.
"Haven't decided. Our force lacks the numbers and supplies to take them on… but I imagine that a peace talk would be far from pleasant," Tibarn said.
"General Zelgius seems trustworthy… but… nah, he's definitely a nice bloke. And I know from the Mad King's War that the apostle's not a bad person. But right now, the senate is in control of Begnion. And they killed our messenger!" Ranulf said.
"Zelgius can't disobey the senate… but what about the apostle? She's Begnion's supreme leader? Can't we contact her directly?" Ike asked.
"We tried. All our efforts were in vain. It's not just the laguz. Apparently, Tanith said that the apostle won't even meet the Holy Guards," Reyson said.
"Wait, she won't even meet Tanith? But Tanith's been at her side forever… there's something up," Ranulf said.
"What is happening in Begnion?" Ike asked.
"Well, we'll stick around for a bit. But the Laguz Alliance will make a temporary disbandment. But Gallia's retreat… You've got a lot of ground to cover before Begnion's attack," Tibarn commented.
"Yep," Ranulf said.