After Quint's revelation to the rest of the company, the troop continues it's pace now with a new course in mind. South. Towards the Segaul Desert and hopefully to the next tablet. As they continue south, they approach the fluid line of Fraiden and Rifen. Where many battles have taken place for a mere matter of land, and where one now looms.
Fire Emblem
The Casting Shadow
Chapter 19
Traitors and Patriots
As the company marched south, Quint grunted as he stretched his right arm over his head, and flinched at a small stream of pain came from the point were the arrow had struck him from a few days ago. But after the pain had vanished, he continued the stretch and the feeling of loose tension felt better then the lingering pain of the old wound.
"A-Hem!" Came a polite grunt behind the young man. Quint turned to see the cleric, Clare behind him with a half frown on her face, seeing Quint's injured arm out of it's sling.
Quint realized what caused her to be angry and grinned guiltily as he lowered his arm back into the sling the company's cleric sling. "Must I keep my arm in this?" Asked Quint, "My arm is fine and I can move it around with little pain."
"But if you want that pain to go away permanently, you will rest that arm in that sling. If not you will have a friendly reminder of that arrow every time you move that arm for the rest of your life." Said Clare walking up to the company's injured leader.
"Alright," sighed Quint adjusting his arm in the sling. "But if we get into a fight—"
"I hope you are imply that you are not going to fight while injured," said Clare with a cross look on her face.
Seeing the look of disapproval on her face, Quint smiled meekly, "Wouldn't dream of it, but I can't guarantee that my arm will stay in the sling if I need to fight."
"I guess that will have to do…" sighed Clare giving in to Quint's compromise. As the two walked with the rest of the company, the dark mage, Nevet, walked ahead of the two of them alone. That seemed to be his pattern since he joined the company. "He is a strange on," said Clare out loud in thought. "He is more reserved then a hermit."
"Yes he is," agree Quint watching Nevet walking ahead of them. Quint had never really talked to the dark mage before, there was never any reason to, until now. He had kept quiet about it but in his nightmares, Nevet had saved Quint from whatever magic was probing his mind. Quint wanted to thank the man but he held off on the "thank you" because he was suspicious of Nevet's motives. It seemed too convenient that the dark mage happen to know his dreams were being attacked by dark magic. He had never mentioned it to him and yet he seemed to know about it. But what really bothered him was the fact that Nevet was able to get into his mind as well.
While Nevet protected him from the intruder, it was possible that Nevet also saw most of Quint's past before he told the rest of his troop. Often Quint had looked around for the dark mage but could not see him anywhere, which made Quint wonder How much does he know? Did he know about the fire emblem? It worried Quint. He would need to confront Nevet about it. But not now Quint decided. He would have to wait for a time when there were no additional listening ears.
By now the troop was heading south, back towards Fraiden, Cid's homeland. Quint had spoken to the former knight about his feeling of returned. The Knight replied, "I understand our mission, Quint. And I am willing to but past grievances behind me. Besides, we are just passing through." He response but Quint at ease knowing that he would not have any issue with heading back to Fraiden. Quint shrugged it of and continued to walk along the path.
Meanwhile about several miles to the south, there was a field of grass directly on the boarder of Rifen and Fraiden. Normally it would be a peaceful and calm place to visit. But today there was an uncertain tension in the air that could be felt by anyone in the plains. And all it would take a mere look from one side to the other to see the source of this tension. On either end of the field, two different armies laid in their camp preparing for the inevitable battle.
In the southern camp facing the northern one, the camp wore light red banners and flags of Fraiden. The soldiers of the camp were up and restless, doing anything to ease the tense boredom that came before the battle.
In the center of the camp, the commander of the army stood in his tent over a map of the local area that his scouts produced for him. He was tall, hansom and had a bright look on his face that made is short black hair almost brighten. But there seemed to a sad look on his face, as if he resented being here; like he was constantly over looked his entire life.
The commander himself was very young for his rank, but he had the knowledge of many battles and tactics under his belt despite is age. Tactics had been his entire life it seemed compared to his brother, Marques Fery of Fraiden. Being his younger brother, he was often over looked with his education and expected to be no more as a general to his elder brother.
Straightening his back to stand straight, the commander let out a sigh of exhaustion. It had been a long campaign that was obviously not over yet for him or his men. He then rubbed the back of his neck with cold metal gauntlet and let the small massage of his neck fall under his shoulder guards to his sore shoulders.
"The pains of command, Commander Wrint?" Came a voice from the opening of the tent.
The commander swung around hearing the voice, to find a rather large man Sothis standing at the flap with a devil's smile. The commander said nothing, but stared angrily at the large man. Without asking, Sothis walked right in and looked around the commander and saw the map on the table. "Preparing for the battle, eh?" He then laughed, "Never been one for these tactics, I prefer to cheat someone out of a coin rather then there lives. I leave that to the men I hire."
"What are you doing here Sothis," asked the commander angry to see the man again.
"I have a job for you of sorts, Wrint. After all you do owe me."
"I have fulfilled my end of our deal, Sothis. We agreed never to meet again."
"Well, times have changed," said Sothis then added mockingly, "Commander…"
Wrint growled at the man, "I owe you nothing. Now leave before I have my guards drag you out of camp."
Sothis just smiled evilly, not intimidated by the Commander's threat. "That would be a good idea, not with what I know."
"What are you talking about?" Asked Wrint.
Sothis turned his back to the commander, and looked at the man casually. "It would be a shame if everyone found out what you did for us." He then turned and looked at the commander, "You do remember what you did for us?"
The commander looked bitterly at Sothis, "Yes. I do."
"Well, I would hate for your brother to hear about it… it could ruin your chance to take his place on the throne of Fraiden."
"You wouldn't—"
"You know I can and I will." Sothis said clenching his teeth, threatening Wrint. Slowly the man smiled, remembering he was the one with the power over the commander. "All I am asking you to do is a simple task for me, and know one needs to find out of our past agreements."
The commander tightened his hand into a fist and stared at the fat merchant who had returned to looking at the map of the area. Realizing he had no other alternative but to help him, he let his rage go and numbed his mind of the task at hand. He knew he was not going to like what Sothis was to ask of them.
"What do you need of me?" Wrint sighed reluctantly.
"Hehe, see? There's a good boy…" The Sothis begun placing his fat index finger on the map as a reference, "To the north about a few miles from here, a troop of mercenaries are heading south on the road that runs in between these to army camps. They have been a thorn in our side for the longest time, and we have been able to beat them in battle." He then turned from the map and smiled, "At least by mercenaries."
Wrint knew what Sothis was implying. "So you want me use my men in the upcoming battle to take care of them?"
""Take care of them" is too nicely put, I want you to destroy them."
"And how am I to justify to my men to attack them?" Asked Wrint forcing the words from his mouth.
"Well, if you hold off attacking until the troop is directly in between the two armies, you can claim they are apart of the Rifen army. That should take care of any suspicious your men would have. And at the end you can say they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Especially since with the recent passing of their leader." Sothis said the last part with a small hint of joy, as if a pestering thorn just had been pulled from his finger, and would never bother him again.
Wrint frowned; he still hated the plan with all of his heart. And Sothis knew it. "Oh, come now commander,…" teased Sothis. "It was easy for you to steal Fraiden's fire emblem for us? Why should this prove to be anymore difficult?"
"I was promised the throne in exchange for the Fire Emblem, and I have yet to receive—"
"Yes, yes, you still want your kingdom," said Sothis expecting that argument, "And you have to be patient, you will get your kingdom. But you have to work a little more to get it. That is if you still want it."
Wrint said nothing but continued to stare at the merchant in his tent. "Besides," smiled Sothis turning on the Wrint, "You are in no position to be making demands, after all you are the one to lose the most if someone finds out what you did?" Wrint stomached begun to churn, making him what to shake with anger and fear, but he did not move. Now he felt threatened. "What is the penalty for stealing the emblem? Treason?" Asked Sothis faking forgetting the punishment, "I understand that treason is punishable by banishment… in light and rare cases. But most of them wind up with death if memory serves me correctly." Sothis looked at the commander, and saw the panic in his eyes knowing that he had him.
"So," begun the merchant heading for the entrance of the tent, "You will do it?" Wrint stood still. "I will take that as a yes." As Sothis took the final step to leave the tent, he looked back to poke fun at the commander, "Who knows, maybe with time you will be able to break your little nickname, "Overlooked Wrint." And with a cruel chuckle, Sothis left the tent and the commander with is insult lingering in the commander's ears.
A moment passed in the tent with the commander not moving an inch. The a storm of rage passed over the commander's mind as he went to the table in the tent and slammed his fists on the map, the taunt still in his mind. "Overlooked Wrint." It was a bad joke to him, but it seemed to sum up his entire life as a noble.
As the second son to the past Marquis and the younger brother of Marquis Fery, he was not expected more then what he had now. Unless the first-born lost his life in some why, he could not expect the throne of his father anytime soon. Because of that all of his life, he was given the more trivial tasks and trained to be a commander in the field, while his brother learned politics and considered the more important one.
He hated it, he hated the attention that he was shunned from the attention that his brother had received. And now that Frey was Marquis, he was slowly becoming more and more irrelevant in the Fraiden's court. Most of the court officials started calling him "Overlooked Wrint" as a bad joke, and the name seemed to have stuck to him.
Disrupting him from his silence, the flap of the tent, opened again and a soft voice asked, "Commander?"
"What do you want?" Snapped Wrint spinning around to confront the intruder of his silence. He saw it was one of his veteran knights, the indigo haired Annora. Realizing he was showing his anger, he calmed himself, "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap."
"Are you alright, Commander?"
"Yes, just… tired from this campaign." Lied Wrint.
Annora nodded in agreement, "I came to ask: when should we prepare to attack? Dow we attack at noon like we first planed for?"
"No," said Wrint. "We will wait."
"Until when?"
"Until I give the word!" Snapped Wrint slamming his hands onto the table.
Annora looked over her commander's shoulder and saw the stain on his face, "I understand commander. I will leave you be." And slowly she left the tent, leaving the Commander alone in his mood.
Outside, Annora walked back to her men with her head looking at the ground below thinking of her commander. He had been under severe strain in this campaign, but the stress seemed to get to him after the death of his father. She shook her head, she was worried what he was doing to himself, and how it might affect his decisions as a commander. It made her worry, as if there was not enough to worry about.
"Hey, why so glum?" Came a voice ahead of her. She looked up and found a young man with short white hair except for his long bangs that stopped just before his eyebrows. He had a teasing grin that would be contagious to anyone. Behind him was a much older man with grey hair that was long and gathered behind his head. He had a calm but serious look on his face. They were the knight's two men she was in command of.
Annora sighed, as she addressed her men, "The commander has pushed back the attack until he sees fit."
The older man asked, "So we are to wait on our toes then?"
"Yes, we are to stand ready to attack the Rifen camp on the commander's orders…" She wanted to add, "When ever that is…"
The white haired man grunted, "So we have to stand ready until Overlooked Wrint feels like it… joy."
"Do not call him that, Mafta! He has been through a lot, and doesn't need that insult of a nickname to bog his mind any further!"
The young man held his hand up in a apologetic fashion, "Geez, sorry… I didn't mean—" he looked at Annora and she had an angry look in her eyes, and Mafta realized the best course of action to leave the knight alone. "I better… check on Nerg… make sure he hasn't scared the horses…"
Annora glared at Mafta until he left the two of them to see to his beast. The other man observed the blue haired knight. She seemed worried to him. "What is on your mind, Annora. Are you worried?"
Annora turned her head slowly to face the other man, "I am fine, Jyce. Just tired and exhausted."
"We all are tired and exhausted, you on the other hand seem a bit more then that…" Annora looked at Jyce with a doubting look, but Jyce was not swayed, "I know you Annora, don't give the look that says I am wrong… because I know I am not…"
Annora sighed heavily, "It was the commander… he was angry and is not himself as of late. I fear the war is getting to him."
"It seems like it is getting to you as well." Noticed Jyce.
Annora didn't even resist the man's claims knowing he was right in the end. "I have lost too many friends in this damned war… and nothing seems to help the end this damned conflict." Jyce nooded, as Annora continued, "Everyday it seems there is on less of us… the knight of Fraiden are slowly becoming more and more rare."
"Can't say I know the feeling, not being a knight making it difficult to know about that." Jyce and Mafta were not knights of Fraiden, they joined the army when the conflict begun, and through the conflict, they were placed under Annora's command. Mafta had come from Totacl for his own reasons, on his wyvern Nerg. Jyce on the other hand was a complete mystery to the two of them, he said he was a clerk before the conflict, but how he came to learn enough magic to become a mage was a mystery. But the others did not pry, he was very helpful and calm in battle. He was one that the other two learned to trust despite the lack of a history to him. One of the things Jyce could do was that he could know person after a week of working with them, everything about them: where they were born, what kind of a childhood they had and what sort of secrets they had. That made him the wise one of the group, whiling to give advice on problems in live and death. It seemed more of death during these times. And it was affecting Annora.
She had lost the most in is conflict, not only she lose several of her friends, but she lost her fiancé. Sir Chanbee Verite. He was one of the first knight casualties in this conflict.
"It has become scary to wake up in the morning and know that another on of your friends are dead," comment Annora. "Or you know nothing about."
"Are you talking about that knight again, that," Jyce pause recalling the name of the knight, "Cid?"
"It has been mouths since his departure from Fraiden, and not so much as a word from him. I worry he had fallen dead in some ditch… or worst."
"You were close?" Asked Jyce.
Annora nodded, "Before I met Chanbee. He…" she paused, lost in memory, "He took it hard when I agreed to married Chanbee, although he passed it off as nothing."
"Not trying to be the jealous type?"
"No he was too good to be the jealous type," replied the knight.
"I see," said the Mage. "Well in these times, no news, is good news."
"I hope so, Jyce." Said Annora looking at the sky. "I can only hope…"
"Hope you are right Cid," said Brath looking up at the sky with the knight.
"I am sure of it," said the knight at the lead of the company. "We are nearing Fraiden lands. We should be there by noon, if there are no delays."
The axman nodded, "Good to hear. It'll be nice to rest at a town again."
"I doubt we will be resting at the city Brath." "Why not?" "Because we were forced out of the city. We are now unwelcomed guests." "Really?" Asked Brath confused, "Then how do you explain them?" Gestured Brath towards Gerald and Armina. The knight looked back, and considered the squires. They were no longer green, now after several battles under their chest, Gerald had learned to master riding a horse, and Quint had made a stop into town to by a steed; While Armina on the other hand was learned more from Veriden and requested a heavier suit of armor instead of a horse. "Or that," added Brath pointing to Cid's sword sticking out of his saddlebag. The Sword of Fraiden, one of the relics of Orica Legion. The Marquis had given it to Cid before he left the town, perhaps it was a way to rebuild the bridge the knight and the Marquis had burned, maybe.
"I still believe Quint will not want to waste anymore time then he has being ill for the past few days, so I doubt he will want to stop in any town more then he has to." Said Cid.
"Guess that makes sense…" said Brath returning his gaze back up the to the sky and watching the clouds slowly sail across the sky, until a shadow caught his attention from the bottom of his eye, looking ahead he saw it was the Pegasus knight Skye with her steed cloud flying above the company. Then a second shadow flew by Brath's eyes and the second Pegasus knight, Cece took up toward the sky again. The two knight where grateful for this movement, it allowed them to take to the air and see new scenery around them rather then the same old land they had been circling.
Brath had to smile after seeing the two knights; it was odd for him: several weeks ago he would never have imaged a large group of people as they have now would have seemed impossible back in Noy.
Looking back at all of the new faces, Brath noticed the odd on of the group, the one they had picked up from the fog. The stranger with no memory (like so many games…). With his very name a mystery to the group, they had bestowed the name of Mann on him. He had seemed to take to the name well, but there were those suspicious of him. Brath was one of those people in the company.
"What do you make of Mann?" Asked Brath to his long travel buddy Cid.
Cid shrugged, he never thought much of Mann, how could he? He was vague for reasons beyond his control, so he could not distrust the young man.
Brath shook his head, "Can't say I trust him… I mean a man is brought into our tent and he forgets his past like that? I cannot say I believe in that."
"It is not unheard of…" augured Cid.
"Well I have never heard of anything like that in my life…" retorted Brath.
"Well, believe what you want," said Cid ending the discussion, "I can't say he has given us a reason to distrust him."
"Not yet," added Brath.
As the day progressed the company slowly made its way on the road that lead south through Fraiden toward the Segaul Desert. Within two hours the company were in eyesight of the two armies on either side of the rode preparing for battle. As they continue forward the company began to feel uneasy heading towards a soon battlefield.
Quint reasoned that the two armies would wait until tomorrow before beginning the battle due to the time of the day it was now. Usually it was common courtesy to attack before noon when two large armies met for battle, and it was presently well past noon. Being rushed with the urgency of their mission, Quint decided to go ahead past the two armies.
As the company began to squeeze it's way in-between the two armies, Quint's focus darted back and forth from the Rifen army and the Fraiden army, looking for any sign that the armies might move to battle.
After about another fifteen minutes, Quint turned from the Rifen camp towards the Fraiden camp and saw the army move like ants, a sign that they were preparing for battle. Quint's heart sank as he swung his head to the other camp and realized they had noticed the movement as well and prepared for battle.
"Gods," swore Quint realizing the two armies were about to fight, and they were on the edge of the armies would be battlefield. The company could not run ahead of the battle and hope to avoid any of the battle. They also couldn't try to fall back to a safe distance that would expose their back and leave them more vulnerable to an attack, and there might not be enough time to have the company turn around and fall back before the two armies would engage. That left one hope: make stand and hope the armies go around them. Quint knew it was hard for any army to tell whether or not they were friendly or foe; either side for that matter, so it was possible that both Rifen and Fraiden could attack Quint's company.
Forced to hold their position, Quint the company stopped and started taking their positions. Quint decided to play it as safe as he could, and had the company's heavy fighters form a wedge in-between the two armies, to hopefully tell that they were not on either said by preparing for an attack on both sides.
In the preparing for the attack, Skye and Cece flew down to the camp. "Quint!" Shouted Skye dismounting quickly, and running towards him, "The Fraidens seem to be mobilizing against us! They seem to think that we are working with the Rifen Army."
Quint nodded quickly, "Ok, good to know." He then pointed up to the sky, get back to the air and keep a look out. If they try to get around us I need to know."
"Got it," said Skye taking back to the air.
When Skye was gone, Quint begun to rub his chin with his free hand, trying to think of possible ways to defend there location He had thrown out the order for a wedge formation just to have the company do something, but he knew he needed something better if it were to work.
"Excuse me, Quint is it?" Came an unsure voice from behind him.
Quint turned to find Mann looking at the company's leader plainly. He was surprisingly calm for what seemed to be his first experience in battle. This was the first time Quint had actually seen Mann, looking at the man for the first time. Seeing Mann it pulled something at the back of Quint's mind, as if he had seen him before. "Yes?" Asked Quint.
"I was wondering if you would let me help you fight," he asked.
"Can you fight?" Asked Quint."
Mann nodded, "I think so, I feel…" he said forcefully probing his mind. "I feel that that I can hold a sword quite well…"
Quint regarded the almost bald man, his eyes were cloudy and always seemed confused, but that was probably due to the amnesia, and might clear up when his memories return… if they do.
Quint nodded giving in to Mann's request, "Alright, we have an extra iron sword around here somewhere you can use, will that do?"
Mann nodded slowly, "I think so… yes. Thank you."
As the three armies prepared for the up coming battle, Commander Wrint sat nervously on his horse looking down on the two opposite armies. He was not mentally prepared for the fight, nor did he want to fight. But he had to, it was his duty.
"Commander, what are your orders?" Asked Lady Annora riding up to her commander fully suited in her white and light blue armor.
The Commander remained silent for a moment, not even looking to acknowledge the knight that rode up to him. Then he exhaled saying, "Divide our forces into two groups, have a large force follow me as we deal with the Rifen army."
"And the second group, sir?"
"Yiver will be in command of that troop, with you as second in command, he and you will lead your group to deal with that troops of mercenaries that has appeared to our flank."
"But sir," said the knight looking for a reason for is attack, "they do not appear to be working against us. They have set up a wedge formation between the Rifen army and us. They seem to be on neither side, sir."
"If they are not with us, then they are against us!" Retorted Wrint angry that he was being questioned by one of his knight. "And must be attacked without prejustice." He then turned to look at the knight, "There are two kinds of soldiers, traitors and patriots, remember that." He turned his head and added, "Join your men and prepare to attack."
"Understood, sir," Annora said spurring her horse forward and towards Yiver, his men and her squad. There was something off with her commander. He seemed angry, not at anyone but just in general. This could spell trouble in the future if not dealt with as soon as possible. But it would have to wait, she had her orders to attend to.
Approaching the knight Yiver, Annora shivered a little, she disliked talking with the knight. He had dark and cold eyes that seemed to rob anyone of warmth, with a outlook an life that was even colder then his glance. His dark red hair slit directly in the middle of his head making two long waves of hair that covered the sides of his face. At least it would, if his helm didn't cover most of his face. For as long as Annora could remember, she had seen him with that helmet on his head, as if it was attached to his scalp.
"Sir Yiver," begun Annora, "Commander Wrint wants—"
Before she could explain the plan, Yiver cut her off, "Us to attack the group of mercenaries with a second group of troops while he deals with the main Riften army." He slowly turned his head and looked at the other knight, "The commander and I have already discussed this."
"When?" She asked hurt that the commander would not share his plans with her, and because Yiver was young in age as a knight to her. "Why would he share his plans with you and not me?"
"Because he did not think you could handle this mission. I believe he thought you were… too soft…" That was another thing about Yiver Annora did not like, he was honest to the point of insulting anyone and everyone. "That was why he placed you in second command, to make sure you could go through with this mission." Yiver then turned to his men and ended their talk by saying, "prepare your men, we leave soon."
Annora spurred her horse and had the beast rush to her men positioned in one of the forward lines. Jyce was there along with Mafta and his wreath Nerg, waiting anxiously for their orders.
"So what are we doing?" Asked Mafta excited. "Rumor is we're attacking a group of mercs."
Annora said nothing, but stared angrily at Mafta. "I take it, that was more then a rumor then…" said Jyce aloud.
"We have our orders," Annora said reluctantly, "And we are expected to full them as the commander's will, and Yiver's orders… since he is leading us."
"I would have thought you would lead the attack, I mean you are the senior knight," said Jyce.
"The commander saw fit to put someone else in command, and I will not question his desires," said Annora firmly.
"It is not wise to follow anyone blindly…" said Jyce thoughtfully, "Fore if they fall, they often drag everyone behind them with them…"
"I don't need your damn opinion, Jyce. I need your magic!" Yelled Annora.
"Understood, ma'am…" replied Jyce quietly. Annora shook her head as the mage turned to face their enemy, he was right, she knew that; but there was nothing she could do here. Wrint was commander and she was to follow his orders.
"Cid, What do you think?" Asked Quint walking up to the front line facing the Fraiden Army's camp.
"Hard to say at this point, Quint…" said Cid looking at the two armies. "I believe the Rifen army will ignore us completely…" said Cid looking at the green camp, then he looked at the bright reddish orange camp and said, "while the Fraiden army…" Cid paused and forced himself to say, "seems to be preparing to attack us with a secondary group. But for what reason I do not know why…"
"Agreed, we are preparing for an attack from both sides, showing we are neutral. Perhaps they are paranoid."
"No," replied Cid in disbelief. "I can't see anyone of are armies doing this… for what ever reason." Cid sighed, "It is not honorable…"
"Honor may have nothing to do with it, Cid. For all we know the same people who are after us may be apart of that camp."
Cid glanced an angry looked at Quint, upset at the very idea. Quint turned his eyes to the knight and stared back, holding his ground. "It is a likely chance, Cid. Even you must see it." And that was the problem, the knight could see it; now more then ever, and it twisted his gut to know that what such things could happen to his fellow men. Men he thought as incorruptible.
He turned back towards the Fraiden army an saw a group of men begin their march towards them. "Here they come…" said Cid aloud.
"If you are not up to it, Cid I can have you guard our rear," said Quint noticing the look in Cid's eyes.
"No," Cid said firmly, "I will stay."
"Alright," shrugged Quint, and pulled his sword out of his scabbard with his good hand.
"You intend to fight?" Asked Cid raising an eyebrow,
"I'm hurt, Cid. I am hardly dead," smiled Quint, "I can fight." From behind their was a light cough, and Quint looked to see a cross Clare looking at him. "Although I might be limited…"
Cid looked back and smiled, "Smart man." He then turned to the incoming army. "I pray Annora you are not in that company."
Quint didn't hear Cid, but was too busy barking orders, like usual he placed the ranged units behind a think line of direct units. The direct units were technically two lines, Quint placed Veriden at the point at the wedge with the other knight, Armina taking the far end of the point of the line facing the Fraiden army. Quint then placed all three knights that he had, Cid, Miland, and Gerald in the front line, with Brath, Lily, Anatak and Shadow providing support. On the other edge, Quint and Mann would guard their flank with Fang as support. The rest of the direct fighters would move wherever they were needed.
Taking his position, Quint turned to look at the other side of the wedge, watching the Fraiden army make its way to the other army. There was nothing he could do over where he was standing, but he knew it was for the best. He just hoped Cid could keep his head.
The two groups met each other and the battle begun. The ranged units stuck first launching their projectiles into the enemy ranks. It did little to thin the ranks, but one less person to fight, the greater the chance to win. After the volley, the two lines clashed together with force. Cid had managed to place his spear in between himself and an incoming foot soldier. With an quick thrust, Cid lunged the spear forward into the man, the poor soldier was too slow to realize the incoming weapon and was giving the spear right into the heart. Causing him to die instantly.
Pulling the spear back, Cid noticed that the spear was lighter for some reason. Looking at the weapon, he noticed the tip of spear had broken off and remained into the soldier. He was not completely surprised, he had carried that spear since he joined with Quint in the free west, and the condition was questionable. Throwing the spear to the ground, Cid grabbed the nearest weapon on his beast. It was the Sword of Fraiden, and it was just then when the irony hit him, he was using the sword to harm its former soldiers.
As he pulled the blade from the scabbard, he felt the weight of the sword make him sluggishly pivot his hand underneath the metal to ready the blade, but it was the only other weapon he had on him, he had forgotten to restock from Micas's wagon. Looking around, Cid saw an incoming knight donned in a white suit of armor and helm charging forward towards him with his or her spear ready to trust into Cid's chest.
Reacting quickly, Cid swung the blade to parry the spear. As he swung the blade, a strange feeling came over him, the blade seemed significantly lighter, as if it did not weigh a single ounce, after the spear was moved away from threatening Cid, he looked at the blade. No longer swinging, the weight returned. It was strange.
"Where did you get that blade?" Came a voice. Cid turned away from the blade and to the knight whom he had parried their spear from. Revealing his full face, the knight was taken aback, "Cid?"
Cid's memory was tickled, he had heard that voice somewhere before, but where? He thought. "Do I know you?" Asked Cid.
The knight looked at Cid for a moment, and then pulled her helm off of her helmet, to reveal her face. "Annora!" Exclaimed the knight recognizing the person. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same thing about you," she replied with look of confusion on her face. "I never thought you would join a band of mercenaries."
"Nor I, " said Cid shaking his head, "But this group is a good gathering of people," he explained, "And our purpose is very important."
"How can a group of mercenaries have a mission?" She asked not understanding the knight.
"It is… complicated," sighed Cid. He looked around at the battle around them, "and not something we should be discussing in the middle of a battlefield."
"Agreed, but I have my orders from commander Wrint… we are to destroy our company."
Cid swung his head around, "What?"
Annora nodded, "I heard it from the Commander himself."
"But why?" Asked Cid.
"Wrint believes you and your company are working for Rifen."
"Does it look like we are?" Asked Cid gesturing to the company prepared for an attack from both sides.
Annora looked at Cid, then to the company, and back to the knight. For a brief second she did not say anything until she sighed, closing her eyes, "I do not feel that the Commander will believe that…"
"Annora…" said Cid almost pleading.
"But," she interjected and looked at Cid, "It will for me."
Cid looked at her, revielaved that an old friend still trusted him. "So what now?"
"I will withdraw from the battle, and hopefully get my men to do the same. I may not believe in what Wrint wants us to do… but I will not slaughter my own men! Or you."
"I understand…" smiled Cid. "And thank you."
Annora said nothing, but turned her horse and spurred it forward towards the back of the attacking company. Cid watched her leave until she was loss ing the masses of solders heading towards them. "It is good to see you are alright," he whispered.
Annora found Jyce and Mafta towards the edge of the company, waitng for a order to advance. As they saw Annora riding up to the tow of them, their anxiety grew. Hopefully she was ordering them to ride forward and attack. But her next order changed that. "Jyce! Mafta! Gear up! We are disengaging from this fight!"
"What?" Asked Mafta surprised and disappointed.
"Getting cold feet?" Asked Jyce curiously.
Annora shook her head, "I have found out that the company of mercs we were ordered to attack had nothing to do with the Rifen army at all. And I will not be apart of that."
"So where are we going?" Asked Jyce.
"To inform commander Wrint of his mistake. And hopefully stop that fight before it is too late."
"So we're just messengers?" Asked Mafta disappointed. Annora nodded. Mafta then leaned his chin on the head of his wrath. "Ah man." He begun to pet the top of his wyvern saying, "Sorry girl it looks like we are not fighting today."
"When you are done with your wyvern, Mafta. We need to tell the commander! Now!" Said Annora riding towards the Commander. Mafta spurred Nerg and with a bound, the creature was in the air, chasing after the knight and her horse.
Jyce was still standing still and said, "Well this is getting interesting…" and took of after the two of them.
Quint looked over his shoulder at the battle on the other side of the wedge. It was going well for this company. Most of the men in the front lines where holding with very little need of the back line of support troops, but they still remained there as backup. As they fight continued, Quint noticed that the two former squires, Armina and Gerald were excelling in the fight. There opponents seemed unable to lay a hit on either the boy caviler or the girl knight, (like most recruits from the game).
Turning around, Quint saw the other battle raging. To his relief the Rifen army did not send a force to attack them like the Fraiden army did. Making the battle that much more easier, but the fight was not yet over.
"Commander Wrint!" Shouted Annora racing towards the man remaining behind his force watching the two battles.
"Lady Annora," he said annoyed and surprised, but only the annoyance showed in his voice. "What are you doing here?"
"You are making a mistake! Call off the attack! The company of mercenaries are not working for Rifen!" Annora looked at the commander, while holding the reigns of her horse tightly, hoping for a reaction from her commander. But the commander did not move, and just stared ahead at the battle before them. "Commander!" She interjected.
"I heard you," replied Wrint evenly. "And I already know that."
Annora froze, "You… you knew?! But why?"
"I have my reasons," he replied.
"But to kill off and entire company! For what?"
"I have my reasons!" He repeated, much louder this time. "And I expect you to follow my orders!"
Annora shifted in her saddle, "I cannot follow them," she replied. Wrint turned to looked at the knight, "I will not follow them."
"You are a knight of Fraiden—" retorted Wrint.
"And a knight would never massacre a company of people or mercenaries!"
"We all have to do things we are not proud of!"
Annora stared into the Commander's eyes, there was something off about them. They were no longer confident… but desperate. "But I will not do this…" she added. Before Wrint could counter, she spurred her horse and rode away as quick as she came. As she rode, she passed Mafta and Jyce trying to catch up with her, but chanced directions to chase after her.
Even about six hundred yards away, Quint could tell how the main battle between the Rifen and Fraiden army was faring. With the division of Fraiden's army to engage Quint's group, it gave the Rifen army an advantage in numbers, and the commander of the Rifen army made sure his men had to travel very little distance and retain their position on the high ground. On the opposite side, Fraiden's army seemed rushed, as if their commander wanted this battle to end and didn't care about the outcome at all. It did not look good for Fraiden in that fight, or against Quint's group either.
"Do-do you think we will win?" Asked Mann meekly.
Quint turned to him and smiled, "Don't worry. Fraiden's army seemed to be disorganized and planning poorly. I think we will be alright."
Mann tried to smiled relieved, but it faded back into a worried look. Quint looked at Mann, he was nervous; as if this was the first battle he had seen. Or maybe it was, after all he had no memory of his former life. But it was odd, he seemed able to hold a sword, but had never been in a fight? Very odd, thought Quint.
"I smell riders," said Fang aloud, breaking Quint's thoughts. Quint looked up, and saw he was correct. A trio of riders were heading straight for them, but they came at an angle to imply that they went around the tip of the wedge and hoped to attack the far edge of the wedge.
"They must have flanked us," said Quint picked up his blade from the ground. "Get ready." Together, Fang and Mann took their positions and waited for the riders. As the three approached Quint and the others, Fang took his beast form, and after waiting for a second he charged ahead towards the three riders. "Fang!" called Quint after the laguz, "Get back here!" Seeing his voice not reach the wolf, he cursed, "Gods damn him." And took off after Fang. Mann stood alone in a moment of confusion, but soon joined the two of them in a slow sprint.
As Fang and the three riders collided, Fang scored first blood against the riders. Leaping forward at one of the riders, he managed to tackle the rider before the knight could draw his weapon. Knocking him off of his horse, the man went falling to the ground, and blacked out. Now in the middle of the fight, Fang turned to face the other riders. The other two now had their weapons ready, and had begun to circle the laguz. Leaping towards one of them would not work this time.
Now trapped around the two riders, Fang growled angrily hoping to scare one or both of them. Yiver was one of the two riders and was not so easily scared, the other one seemed more afraid of his captain then the wolf. It now seemed like Fang was in trouble. Exchanging the glances between the two other riders, Fang waited anxiously for an attack.
Suddenly Fang's ears perked up, he heard two pairs of footsteps rushing up from behind him. Turning he saw it was Quint and Mann, rushing into the circle and joined Fang in the middle of the trap, with their swords pointing out towards the riders. Fang looked at the two of them, a little angry that they came to rescue him, but also grateful; although he did not show it.
"Dammit, Fang," said Quint out of breath, "think before you rush off."
Fang turned to answer, but his glanced stopped on of the riders, as he turned his horse to charge at the three of them. As he rode into the group, all three jumped out of the way.
As Quint jumped to the side, his foot slipped on a wet spot part of the grass and he tumbled to the ground, landing on his bad shoulder. Blinded by the pain, Quint remained on his back as his arm tingled, forgetting all about the fight. From his side, Yiver came riding up to finish the young man.
As Yiver trotted closer to Quint, with his spear pointed down at him, the young man's eyes flashed open and met Yiver's. The knight seemed to be smiling at the excitement of killing, a very scary trait for a knight. Then out of nowhere Yiver's glace shifted up and to a point over Quint's body, and a dark figure crossed above his body. It was Fang, leaping at the leader knight like before. Yiver was completely taken by surprise, and Fang tackled him to the ground.
On the ground, Fang and Yiver exchanged blows and scratches with each other. Kicking him away, Yiver quickly got to his feet and drew his secondary weapon, a sword, and readied to defend himself. As Fang jumped to his paws, and readied to attack again. This time the knight was ready for him, and jumped back to dodge Fang attack, and this time he was able to counter. Yiver struck the man hard in the side cutting a small cut to Fang's side.
Feeling the pain, Fang jumped back to recover, but as the muscles moved around the wound, Fang almost fainted, and fell to the side. Now he was helpless to the knight. Again the same look came over the knight, excitement at the prospect of death. It seemed like an hour for Yiver to walk over to him, but it took less then ten seconds from any other perspective.
Standing less then a foot away from the laguz, Yiver pulled his sword back to finish the wolf. Fang just remained still, as if the knight was controlling his mind with that icy stare. Then Yiver's gaze changed, from icy cold to one of immense pain. Fang's eyes lowered and he saw the reason: a tip of a blade was peeking through the knight's body just below the knights armor.
With a jerk, the tip disappeared and the knight gave a small grunt, and fell to the ground dead. Behind him, Fang saw Quint panting heavily, with the tip of his sword covered in the knight's blood. "Are you alright?"
Fang gave a small nod, and slowly worked himself up. Quint then tossed a vulnerary at Fang's feet and added, "Use this on your wound, it should heal them." Quint then turned to see the other rider spur his horse in fear and take of towards the Fraiden main army. One less person to fight, thought Quint, then his head darted around, but were is Mann? Just then a hand claspsed his shoulder and Mann appeared behind him with a meek smile, several cuts on his body, and out of breath, "That was close."
He must have distracted the other knight, realized Quint gratefully. He nodded, "Yes, it was." He then turned to see the small force attacking Cid and the others where pulling away from the company, and said "It seems they have noticed their leader is dead."
"I-is it over?" Asked Mann.
"Maybe," said Quint, "But we better head back just in case they try to flank us."
"Commander Wrint!" Shouted the remaining rider from Yiver's flanking group. "Sir Yiver is dead!"
"What are you taking about?" Asked Commander Wrint impassively.
"Yiver is dead, and the forces you sent to attack the mercenary group is retreating!"
Wrint turned quickly to see what the rider said to be too true, and the group in full retreat, with the company of mercenaries standing firm. "Blast and damnation!" he exclaimed. He could see his fight with Rifen was a clear defeat, he had paid too much attention to the fight with the mercenaries, and gave very little care to the bigger fight. And now with the task force in retreat it will not be long before he lost the battle.
What will happen now? Wrint thought, a clear loss like this might mean the end of his military career, and the chances of the throne. I must do something now.
For a moment, Wrint closed his eyes to think about what he was to next. The other rider stared at his commander with concern. "Sir…" he finally asked, "What are your order."
At that moment, Wrint made his mind up. He would be Marquis, one way or another. "Order a retreat! We will march to Fraiden!" "S-sir?" "You heard me! Have the men head for Fraiden, we have lost this fight, but I will be damned if I will let our true enemy get away!" "Our true enemy, sir?" "The Marquis! My brother has sent us to fight a battle already loss! And for what? To get rid of us! Well we will not let that happen! Order the men to advance on our castle!"
The rider was at a loss of words, he had never seen his commander act like this, "Yes-yes sir!" replied the rider complying with the Commander's order. He then rode off to sound a retreat, and have the men start heading home.
Wrint remained where he was, cursing any god that would stand is his way now, and praying to any god that would help him in this path. He would be Marquis he had an army to do it with. And no man, his brother or Sothis would stand in his way.
"They're retreating!" shouted Brath pointed to the large mass that was the Fraiden army breaking away from the other mass that was the Rifen army.
"Thank the gods…" sighed Gerald, exhausted from fighting. "At least we do not have to harm any more of our countrymen…"
"Yeah," said Armina falling to the ground and relaxing, "isn't that right, Sir Cid?"
Cid remained on his horse, and watched the army leave. Something was wrong. He had trained with Wrint, and his style was never to fully retreat, even with the odds against them like this. He would stay and fight, What is he doing? He asked himself.
"How are things here?" came a voice from behind them. Cid glanced over his shoulder, it was Quint with Mann and Fang behind him.
"There'll fine, Quint!" smiled Brath, he then pointed to the retreating army. "With Fraiden on the run we don't have to worry about anything!"
"I doubt that," said Quint walking up past them, and watched the army leaving in the fading sunlight. The afternoon seemed to have vanished completely and the bright orange of even was filling the sky. "It's clear we have to avoid the Fraiden army, now. It seems like they have in for us…" he turned and caught Cid staring at him. "Isn't that right Cid?"
The knight nodded, glad he did not have to say it. It was too painful to say, even to himself: His own army was out to destroy him. But why?
"We can go any further today," observed Quint. "We will make camp off the road."
"Hopefully the Rifen army will leave us alone," said Armina get up.
"I think they know we are not apart of the Fraiden army by know," reasoned Quint, "And I think we have helped them win today."
After the group set up camp, and treated their wounds, the party begun to settle down for the night. Most of them were a bit nervous sharing a campsite so close to the Rifen army, but they seemed content to leave them alone.
As the time pasted deeper into the night, most of the camp feel into a well deserved sleep, apart from Quint who was up getting his wound checked up by Clare beside the campfire. As she was finishing up redressing the wound, Cid had walked up to Quint and asked, "Can I have a moment of your time?" Quint and Clare exchanged glances, Quint then looked back and said, "Sure."
The two walked away from the campfire, and found a nearby tree. "Now, what's on your mind?" Asked Quint.
Cid looked to the ground, "I need your opinion on something… your unbiased opinion…"
"Ok," said Quint unsure of what the knight wanted. "What did you think of today's battle?" "What do you mean?" "Did we do anything to provoke an attack like we received today?" Quint shook his head, "No not that I could see… why?"
"It was something that I heard during the battle," said Cid. Quint raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I was talking to a knight I knew during the battle… she said that she was told that we where working with the Rifen army." "And that is bothering you?"
Cid nodded, "I know Commander Wrint, Quint. He would never attack a company of people unless he knew they where an enemy. He is very methodical and cautious. This attack… it seems unlike him…"
Quint shrugged, "I don't know Cid… It's hard to say what the commander was thinking." He then looked grave at Cid, "All that I can saw for certain… is that this Commander Wrint did not attack us accidentally… he wanted to attack us."
"I thought as much," said Cid quietly. "I just needed someone else to tell me that…" He then looked away and asked, "What is your plan for getting through Fraiden?"
Quint leaned back, "We will want to avoid the Fraiden main army entirely. To do that, we will have to go through the city of Fraiden."
"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Said Cid completely taken aback.
"We have been through Fraiden before, and you recall the little patrols they have in country, most of the patrols are at the boarders, which makes the boarders the least desirable place to be. And if we stray too close to Ankris… well, we are not very popular there."
Cid chuckled lightly, "Point taken." He then stopped, "I hope we will avoid staying in the town as long as possible."
Quint smiled, remembering the last time the company had stopped in Fraiden. Cid had thrown his crest at the Marquis, and ended his career as a knight of Fraiden. Staying in the city too long might bring pain to the knight, both mentally and physically.
"I promise, we will not be there any longer then necessary…" Quint noticed the knight smiled wearily, as if he thought it was a lie. Not having any energy left to console the knight he said: "You better get some rest, it has been a long day." The knight nodded and disappeared into the black of the night.
For a moment, the young man remained under the tree, but looked out at the stars in the distance. He had kept one of his suspicions hidden from the knight, the fact that Wrint could be working with whoever was against them. He could not prove that, but it was a feeling he could not shake. But he hoped his was wrong, not just for the knight's sake, but all of Fraidens'. Pushing the thoughts away, Quint joined the knight and headed back to the camp to head to bed.
-End Notes-
I'm Back!
Haha, sorry for the delay. It was my fault mostly (also the new Fire Emblem's as well, haha). Anyway, it is a great game and I would recommend everyone to play it.
Cheers!
Indogma