- Chapter 26: Checkmate by Castling -

Adorn fluttered down for a landing on the hill, where the others were waiting for her. She nodded. "They're coming."

"What are their numbers?" Hindel asked. "Is it the main Emild army?"

Adorn stood silent for a moment. "General Hindel, may I say something?"

"Call me just Hindel. We're the Shining Force; there shouldn't be any formalities among us."

"General Hindel, I am not one of your friends. I don't worship Iom. I'm not even sure that people should worship Iom, especially not to the extent that you're leading the country towards."

Hindel shook his head. "I intend to change your mind about that, but it's not important for now. You've fought alongside us for what is right, and that's all it takes to make you one of the Shining Force. Maybe you aren't my friend, but you are definitely my comrade."

"He'ssss right," Redgar spoke up. "We all came into thisss for our own reasonssss, but we are in it together."

Adorn looked uncertain. "The problem here isn't camaraderie. I don't know how I feel about going along with all this."

"'All this'?" Hindel queried.

"Arresting Iom's national heroes, who also happen to be your parents, and invading Emild. I joined this company because I wanted to see justice visited on the evil men responsible for what happened in Rebora. How do these things help us get them?"

"I understand." He looked over the entire group that was with him: the six other members of the Shining Force (counting Bradford, a dwarf who had joined their ranks shortly before they left the castle), and King Amelo. "You're all wondering about where this is going, aren't you?"

There were a couple nods, but Amelo spoke up, "I think I have a reasonable idea of why we must conquer Emild, based on our earlier discussions. My only concern is whether it's absolutely safe for me to be along on this expedition of war."

"How touching that you're sssso consssserned for the livesss of your troopssss," Redgar snarled. Amelo squirmed under his gaze.

"All your concerns matter," Hindel said, looking on them all with affection. "Iom doesn't ask that anyone follow him blindly. King Amelo, there is absolutely no risk of you being harmed. Your being killed would only incite the righteous fury of Iom's people, which is the last thing our enemies would want. If anything unforeseen threatens your life, I promise I will do everything necessary to get you out of Emild safe.

"As for Adorn's question... The truth is, for the time being we're on the defensive against the people who caused the bloodshed in Rebora. Iom started making preparations for my conception as soon as he became aware of their intentions for our nation, but even so, their plans are already dangerously close to fruition. For all we know, they may have the political strings in place to set all of Iom's neighbors at war with us. It's unlikely, but we can't take that chance. We need to unify the continent under Iom's rule so that we can fend off their attack. Divided, the nations stand no chance against them. I promise, Adorn, I'll do everything I can to see these people brought to justice. But I can't do that if they take over the entire continent."

"The threat... is that large?" Kellen said.

"It is. Iom doesn't know everything about our enemies, but they're far better equipped than us, and until we unite the continent, they greatly outnumber us as well."

There was a grim silence. Adorn put forth, "But why are we starting with Emild?"

"Three reasons. First, it should be a relatively easy victory, and we need a few victories quickly if we're to turn the tide. Second, Iom and I have already planted some seeds in Cypress and Guardiana, and we need to give them a chance to sprout. Third, Emild is the one country which we know is already under their thumb. We may even be able to find out more about their operations by wresting control of Emild from them."

"How do we know Emild is under their control?"

"Iom has a servant who was installed in the court of Emild until recently. She noticed what was going on there."

"I see." Adorn folded her arms. "Can you show us proof that any of this is true?"

"I... no, I can't." Hindel had to restrain his frustration. Everything had been delivered to him by Iom so clearly, that to have it questioned like this... "Iom has shown me all of it, so I know it's true. But none of you can communicate with Iom the way I can, so there's no way I can give you my same knowledge. All I can do is ask that you all trust Iom. He's guided us rightly thus far, and so long as we keep faith in him, he will give us the strength to get through this. Trust him to deliver us from the evil that is coming."

Alric, Nancie, Redgar, and Bradford all nodded reverently at Hindel's words. But Adorn shook her head. "I don't trust Iom."

Hindel didn't know what else to say. "If that's how you feel, then you're free to -"

"I don't trust Iom," she repeated. "I trust you... Hindel."

Now he really didn't know what to say. Iom was of course more deserving of trust than himself, but so long as Adorn was fighting on the right side, should he object? "...And you, Kellen?"

"Me? ...I feel more or less the same as Adorn, I guess. I'm not a disciple of Iom. But you've shown that you want to do right by our nation, and that you can do it. I was afraid that the Rebora scandal would lead to bloodshed, even... regicide and civil war. Instead, you settled it peacefully. You've given me the freedom to serve both my king and our people faithfully. That's more than enough for me."

Hindel nodded. "All right. Then, if we're all in this together... Adorn, could you please tell me how many Emild troops are on their way?"

"Enough to be sure that it's the main Emild army," she answered. "It would take a miracle for us to defeat a force this size."

"Good."

Anri arranged for the announcement of her heir to be held in a public square. This of course had the advantage of keeping Ellen from controlling the audience reaction; she couldn't bribe every commoner on the street the way she'd very nearly bribed every noble and official in her court. But it also suited her general inclinations; she wanted to be remembered as a ruler of the people, not of a small clique of gentry.

However, she had to admit that her past appearances may not have conveyed the intended impression. Looking over the crowd of dirty faces and work-worn hands before her, she felt strangely disoriented; these were not the same people she'd been seeing at her audiences. For some years now, she'd been neglecting to do tours of the kingdom, assuming that by simply making herself available to the common people, she was remaining in touch with them. Plainly she had been deluding herself on that count.

No matter. Whether or not they'd been seeing her face of late, she'd been devoting her every waking hour to their benefit, as she had been ever since her father died. And once the announcement was done, she'd begin arrangements for a tour of the kingdom. She hoped she'd be able to do it before her deteriorating health entered its final decline.

The people, both common and noble-born, were watching her with anticipation. "My people," she said, raising an arm. "You know I called you here for the long-awaited naming of my heir. I have given the matter long and careful consideration – long enough, I fear, to make my people anxious. But the thought I have put into this has brought me to an ideal choice, to a man who is without peer in integrity, courage, intelligence, and most important, devotion to Guardiana and her people. He is a man who shares not my blood or family, but -" At this point a growl of dismayed gasps and protests pulsed through the crowd, but Anri kept going after only a slight pause, "- but my commitment to ensuring that Guardiana remains a land of peace, justice, and plenty. My people, behold my heir, and your future king: Sir Ruce!"

Ruce stood up and came forward at Anri's prompting, but her words were met with a roar of dismay and outrage.

The queen stood there, astonished, as the crowd vented angry cries and even the occasional hurled object, all directed not at Ruce, but at her. Out of the roar, she caught snatches like "Guardiana's inheritance, not yours" and "A hero is not a ruler." But it wasn't the anger that caught the queen most off-guard. The tone of the crowd was like they felt... betrayed.

Ruce turned and gave the queen a look. "I warned you, Your Majesty."

She tried to think of something to say to her people, something that might be heard over the angry roar. She was still trying when spots began dancing in front of her eyes and her vision began to sway and blur. Her heart sloshed about in her chest, and she lost track of which way was up and which way was down. She distantly knew that she was having another one of her dizzy spells, but it felt as though the world really was moving out of her control, twisting and turning away from her, becoming so distorted as to be unrecognizable to her aging eyes.

A hand caught her by the arm, keeping her from falling. "Your Majesty?"

Anri wanted to answer, but the roar of the crowd below her threatened to drown out anything that she might say. As the dizziness further overwhelmed her, she thought she could hear whispers in the crowd's roar, saying, "Ice Queen, Ice Queen, Ice Queen, stop her, stop her, stop her."

"Let me," Anri managed to say. "Let me speak. I am your queen. Let me explain why Sir Ruce must be..."

But she could no longer even stand properly. Her guards escorted her away from the scene. Acknowledging her present weakness, she allowed it.

"Soldiers of Iom!" a centaur standing near the center of the army called out. "I am General Leduc! Please explain why you have come to Emild bearing hostile arms!"

General Hindel stared back down at the army at the bottom of the hill in silence for a moment. Then he said, "All right, I'm not going to hold a shouting conversation with him. Adorn, would you mind...?"

"Of course not."

The birdwoman snatched Hindel up in her arms and flew him towards the Emild general. A few archers took aim in their direction, but the sight of a human head mounted on the form of Iom apparently was enough to make them hesitate to initiate hostilities. Adorn dropped him off about ten meters short of General Leduc.

"It's pretty simple, general," Hindel said. "We want King Kay to surrender control of Emild to His Royal Highness, King Amelo."

"You arrogant fool!" Leduc returned. "Do you think we are intimidated by your tiny force?"

"It's not a matter of intimidation. Though I should tell you, we have the god Iom on our side."

"Phah! King Kay's father would not cower before your god, and neither will we!"

Hindel nodded. "That's good. You're not just blustering; you really are a brave man. You have my respect. But that's all the more reason why I need you with me, not against me."

"If your combat prowess is as pathetic as your persuasion abilities -"

"I wish I had the time to really persuade you to our side. But Emild's time has already run out." He shouted, "Kellen!"

The mage responded, "Egress!"

Hindel and the rest of his force disappeared.

They reappeared directly outside Emild's royal castle. Kellen and Redgar had covertly visited the place while Hindel and Alric were overseeing the capture of Hindel's family, thus allowing him to return there using Egress. Once they'd lured General Leduc's army away from the castle, this gave them the opportunity to strike at the heart of Emild with little resistance.

The only problem was that they of course could not safely Egress to the castle's inside. But Hindel was prepared to deal with that issue.

"Alright, the main gate's open, just as we'd hoped. Alric and Adorn, you take out the guard on the left, and I'll handle the one on the right. Move!"

They charged the gate, ever aware that if it closed before they got through, it would mean a much longer battle. The guard on the right swung his sword at Hindel, but with Iom's power infusing his body, he simply caught it by the blade, ripped it from the guard's hands, and tossed it aside. While the guard gaped at him, Hindel lifted him up by his chain mail vest and threw him into some nearby bushes.

Within seconds, the force had made it past the gate. Bradford cut the rope holding up the gate, and it slammed shut behind them.

"Follow me," Hindel said, striding through the halls, listening to Iom's voice for directions. Iom had had servants who lived in this castle, so he knew very well how to get to the king and queen's chambers.

As they'd suspected, there were few guards about the castle. Emild had long been a relatively nonagressive nation, and nearly 20 years of peace had further dulled their wartime readiness, so they had carelessly sent nearly all their troops to confront General Hindel and his force, leaving the castle practically defenseless. The few guards they did encounter were taken out swiftly and almost silently. In just a few minutes, they had reached the doors to the royal chambers.

Hindel flung the doors open. Per King Kay's usual habit, as told to Hindel by Iom, he had risen from bed but was still in his nightgown. "Good morning, Your Majesty," Hindel said.

"What's going on here?" King Kay's eyes widened when he recognized one of the group. "King Amelo?"

"Iom's invasion has succeeded, Your Majesty," Hindel explained. "King Amelo is here to personally accept your surrender."

"I don't believe it. Any moment, my guards will be here to slay you."

"Even if that is so, what are you going to do until they arrive?" Hindel stepped forward and gravely laid a clawed hand upon Kay's shoulder. "My god would be immensely pleased to have another royal sacrifice. The only reason you're still alive is because we need someone to sign the articles of surrender."

Kay swallowed. "Why are you doing this?" he managed.

"As hard as -"

"I'm asking King Amelo, not you."

The king's boldness caught Hindel off-guard, especially laced as it was with a hint of deep-set anger. But it did not worry him; Iom had assured him that King Kay was not a threat to his plans. He gave King Amelo a brief nod.

"This was not my idea, Your Majesty," King Amelo answered. "This conquest is our god's will, as conveyed through his servant, General Hindel."

"But you must have approved it!"

"Yes. But Your Majesty, if what Hindel tells me is true, this conquest is for your own good."

"My own good!" Kay looked ready to seize the nearest piece of furniture and swing it at someone. "And once you've taken control, what assurance have I that your demon general won't sacrifice me to Iom anyway, and all my family as well?"

Hindel studied Kay for a moment. It was so strange, seeing someone react in this way to Iom. Strange, and unpleasant. But they needed to take Emild one way or another. "Your Majesty, no one in Emild will be made into an unwilling sacrifice, unless they are our enemies. You have my word on that."

"You threatened me just a minute ago!"

"Only because I thought it would be the easiest way to get you to surrender. Clearly, that was a mistake." He sighed. "I can't expect you to trust me, either; you don't know me. But you have had one of Iom's servants in your court, haven't you?"

"One of his former servants," Kay corrected sharply. "I wouldn't have kept her on if she still served Iom."

"That's not the point. This noblewoman... She's told Iom that you are in danger from some of the younger members of your own court. She says that unless we take control of Iom, you will likely be thrown off your throne."

Kay's eyes widened. "Lady May... told you that? Then she does still serve Iom after all?"

"She serves you, Your Majesty." He felt a strange lump in his throat as he talked of the woman who had helped make him Iom's chosen servant. "She collaborates with Iom only to the extent that it will help you. We can't force her to do anything more, even if we wanted to. But she is convinced that we will keep you and your family safe."

King Kay fell into a chair. "I... What am I supposed to do? For months now, I've been looking for a way out for my wife, my children, and my siblings. But I just don't know what they... I'm not even certain who they are, really, and it's so hard to know who to trust... I don't know what they intend to do with me and my family. If I make a move to escape, will they kill us all? And how can I abandon Emild? I need help... and I trust May. That sounds so strange, after what she did while she was under Iom's control, but she's the most trustworthy person I know." He looked up at Hindel. "But Iom took my father away. He's almost as good as taken my brother Ian, as well. How can I put our lives in his hands?"

"Your Majesty." This time it was King Amelo who spoke. "You are not putting your lives into Iom's hands, and it was not Iom who took your father. So long as Iom is sealed away, he is little more than a concept. It was my father who killed your father."

"I don't blame you for that."

"Then trust me. And trust General Hindel. If it were royal sacrifices he were after, I wouldn't be alive right now. Frankly, I don't like entrusting myself to Hindel's hands, either, but I'm coming to see that the alternatives are much worse. If either of us is to survive," - he pulled forth a piece of paper and set it on Kay's lap - "...then you must sign this."

Kay spent a minute reading over the articles, then smiled sadly. "I suppose my decision isn't really important anyway, is it? You've clearly won the war. Whether that's for Emild's good or ill, I can't change it. I had my chance to keep this country together as king, and I've failed."

He signed the paper.

Then he handed it to King Amelo. "It's over to you now."