Goldoa, land of dragons, lies secluded in the south-western corner of Tellius. No foreigner, laguz or beorc, is permitted to enter. The Alliance emerges from the Kauku Caves into Goldoa by accident. Dragon King Deghinsea is displeased with this trespass. However, Ike's former companions Nasir and Ena appeal to Deghinsea to allow passage of the Laguz Alliance. Reyson's actions during the last war earn them the grudging respect of King Deghinsea, who allows them safe passage.
Meanwhile, Begnion calls off its pursuit of the Alliance and finds its passage to Gallia locked by great mountains and deep forests. The Central Army's momentum breaks upon these obstacles like an ocean wave on solid rock.
Senator Valtome arrives to take command of the Central Army. He orders Zelgius to march on Gallia by way of Crimea. Observing diplomatic protocol, Valtome petitions the queen for passage, supplies and additional troops. Queen Elincia, however, goes against the wishes of the Crimean nobles and resolutely denies each of Valtome's requests. Her reply confuses and infuriates Valtome, who sees Crimea as a vassal for the empire. Ignoring Zelgius's counsel, he throws a temper tantrum and orders his army to take what they need from Crimea by force.
"Your Majesty, the Begnion army has crossed the border. They have seized food and supplies in the name of tribute to the empire. No casualties have arisen, but they're acting like bandits!" a Crimean reported to Elinica.
"I see… they ignored me," Elincia said.
"What do I tell the troops, Ellie?" Lucia asked.
"…Order the Royal Knights to mobilise. Ride out and advise a withdrawal. If they don't comply, I approve of the use of force to make them," Elincia said.
"But, Your Majesty, this is the Begnion army! It would be unwise to provoke them!" Saron said.
"I had hoped to avoid this, but the empire's attempts to strong-arm the people will not go unanswered. Deploying the Royal Knights is the only way to protect our border from incursion. I am open to suggestions, Lord Saron, so now would be a good time to suggest them," Elincia said.
"…No. Forgive my impertinence. Your Majesty is in the right," Saron said.
"I'm glad we agree," Elincia said.
"This whole situation disturbs me… what is happening to the empire?" Lucia asked.
"I doubt the apostle would allow this to happen. We should prepare for the worst. I fear something horrible has happened in Begnion," Elincia said.
"If it's not one thing, it's another. First, civil unrest, and now an imperial invasion. I'm so sick of hearing about this!" Calill said, tending the bar of Ike's in an angry fashion.
"You and me both, girl. I figured I'd get some me time now that Crimea's peaceful. Invent a card game that means I always win or something," Makalov said.
"You're a Royal Knight. If the queen decides you should sweep away a bunch of imperial soldiers, you should probably go do it," Largo said.
"Yeah… we've been ordered to mobilise, but I can't figure out how to get out of it. I could fake death… any ideas, Amy?" Makalov asked.
"Don't make General Geoffrey mad! You're a Royal Knight! You'd better follow his orders!" Amy said.
"Amy! You're supposed to help me! She's been spending way too much time with you, Calill," Makalov said.
"Well, a) she's my adoptive daughter, and b) It's time for you to pay up and GO," Calill said.
"What… but my stomach's acting funny…" Makalov said.
"That's enough, layabout!" Marcia said, standing behind Makalov. Makalov jumped up and stood at attention.
"Hi, Marcia! Don't surprise me like that!" Makalov said.
"Makalov! I knew I'd find you here, slacker! You're making the whole squad wait! Hurry up and get in line!" Marcia said.
"I don't know… fighting the Imperial Army means fighting my old comrades. I don't wanna fight them…" Makalov said.
"I see… you once owed them money! Is that why you don't want to see them?" Marcia asked.
"When did you learn to read minds like the herons?" Makalov asked.
"I can't, spineless sea cucumber. It's so typical that I just guessed!" Marcia said.
"Marcia, please, that's enough," Astrid said.
"But Astrid! It's despicable!" Marcia said.
"Look at how calm Sir Makalov is. He's never irritated or upset. The mark of a true knight. 'A good dame must keep her cool on the battlefield'," Astrid said, quoting Mia.
"We're in a bar," Marcia said.
"Oh, I hope I can be as good a knight as Sir Makalov one day… I dream of that day," Astrid said.
"Heh," Makalov said sheepishly.
"I don't believe this!" Marcia said.
"You don't want to take advice from me, baby," Makalov said.
"Yeah, I completely agree! You're one of Dame Mia's, not some of yesterday's garbage!" Marcia said.
"Oh, the love you two have for each other is so wonderful… I wish I were that close with my siblings," Astrid said.
"…Sure, let's go with that," Makalov said.
"I'll sell him to you. Cheap," Marcia said.
"Are you layabouts done collecting supplies? We haven't got all day!" Roark asked of his subordinate.
"No, sir. Progress is slow. These people don't have much. Something about an uprising earlier…" a Begnion said.
"Don't give me excuses! Give me results! Take anything not nailed down, and if there's a single complaint, cut 'em down! Because you can bet your sweet north Begnion bippies that Senator Culbert will do far worse to us if we're not done!" Roark yelled.
"Reporting, sir! A Crimean Army is approaching from the northeast! It appears to be the Royal Knights!" a different Begnion said.
"Crimea is moving against us? Backwater fools! All right, keep working. I'll take several men to slow their approach… I'll teach them what it means to defy the empire!" Roark said.
"Crimean soldiers! How dare you turn your weapons on us! You will pay for your betrayal! Men, burn the shanties to the ground! Show these fools what we do to traitors!" Roark said, pointing at the approaching forms of the Royal Knights. Two soldiers struck flint on steel, and set fire to a pair of houses. The other houses weren't long to catch alight either. All around the village burned, the smoke and ash choked the very air itself. The Begnion army torched without a care, though now they were more focused on the Crimean Knights that were fighting the fires as well as them. Geoffrey was running from point to point where either fighting was at the worse.
In the centre of the town, however, Marcia fought this commander. He was a skilled halberdier; she was forced to admit that. She was almost bucked from her pegasus on more than one occasion due to his talent with the weapon. He was adapted to fighting against flying opponents from the look of it. But he seemed out of place without his men around him for protection. All he could do was defend and deliver a possibly painful attack to Marcia and her mount, he couldn't press the advantage when he did gain one. Marcia was in a similar position, though she was not truly armoured and armed well enough to stand toe to toe with this brigand on the ground. She swooped in low, her spear slammed into the metal shield of the commander, who took a step back with an audible grunt. Marcia whirled around and attacked again and again, though it seemed to do little in the way of finishing her enemy off. She tried again, this time over extending her reach in an attempt to move around the shield and strike his face.
However, she opened up her own guard and this man hooked his spear under her own armour and with a tug, he pulled her from the Pegasus and she landed hard on her back, the wind seemingly knocked out of her. He pulled the spear out and stood over her, muttering something about the fate of traitors, but she didn't hear him.
She closed her eyes and awaited oblivion.
But he heard the man scream above everything, and her eyes jerked open to see two arrows lodged in his back, with a defiant Astrid not far behind him with another arrow ready to fly. Marcia saw the opening in the armour and drove her spear under his chest plate with what meagre strength she had left. His armoured form fell into the ground and Marcia tugged her spear free as Astrid road up to her, offering a hand. With a tired smile, she took it and was hauled to her feet. The Begnion forces were being routed or making a quiet retreat. The village, while burned, was still standing. The only place that looked consumed was at the top of a hill, where three homes were nothing but ashen husks. She saw Geoffrey, head bowed in slight shame, riding down that slope to discourage any second-thinkers.
"Good, the enemy's retreating… Knights! Stay and help us fix the damage that has befallen this village!" Geoffrey said.
"Good work, Geoffrey. You sent them running," Lucia said.
"Lucy! What are you doing here?" Geoffrey asked.
"I'm here to protect Ellie," Lucia said.
"And what are you doing here?" Geoffrey asked.
"I'm here to congratulate you on your work, Geoffrey. I know this confrontation, and the signs of it that remain in this village, were not your fault. But our situation continues to deteriorate. Lucy, I appoint you as an envoy to negotiate a treaty with the Imperial Army commander. Let's see if they listen now," Elincia said.
"I leave immediately, Ellie," Lucia said.
Days later, Elincia met with Senator Valtome of Culbert in Melior.
"Senator… I sincerely regret having to meet under these circumstances," Elincia said.
"Oh, I completely agree! I never dreamed we'd suffer such mistreatment from our allies. So, you've decided Crimea will side with Gallia, and honour their alliance with those filthy sub-humans over ours?" Valtome asked.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Crimea is neutral. Crimea sides with neither Begnion nor the Laguz Alliance. That is my final answer," Elincia said.
"Then please enlighten me… why prevent us from taking what we need? Begnion is your suzerain. You should be delighted to comply with our request for supplies. But instead, you launch an ambush and inflict horrible pain on us, your loving guardians. Begnion is a patient parent, but I do hope you realise that your actions have amounted to treason and sedition…" Valtome started, before howling in pain.
"You have violated our borders, stolen from my people, and inflicted harm on every Crimean you come within fifty metres of! I will not condone of such actions, regardless of aggressor!" Elincia said, stepping back from Valtome. Every eye was turned to her, as she had demonstrated personality traits borne from the 'Greil Mercenary' chapter of her life.
"Owowow… quaint. Uwee hee heeow… Your Majesty, do you know the penalties for the crimes you've committed? I can only assume you don't, or you would not rashly endanger your life. But don't worry, Queen Elincia. Once Begnion has your crown- AND your head- removed for treason, we will take very good care of your people. After the dust has settled, I'll place my portrait over your throne… It was a pleasure chatting with Your Majesty. I am now leaving! She's all yours, General Zelgius," Valtome said, leaving the room. Lucia, Geoffrey, and a few aristocrats retched.
"Your Majesty… please forgive his insolence," Zelgius said, kneeling.
"I recognise you… you came to our aid during the Mad King's War. General Zelgius, right?" Elincia asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This is the second time I've had the honour of seeing you. I sincerely apologise for my army's actions during their attempts to resupply," Zelgius said.
"The Begnion Empire and the apostle gave much to support our reconstruction. Crimea will always appreciate their generosity. However, Crimea and Gallia are allies. We cannot take a side in this quarrel," Elincia said.
"I understand, Your Majesty. Our forces will refrain from levying supplies while in Crimea. However, I must ask that you agree on two points. One, the Imperial Army will be given leave to pass through Crimea to Gallia. Second, we shall be allowed to engage the Gallians near the Crimea-Gallia border," Zelgius said.
"Excuse me? This talk is meaningless! You still wish to do battle and spill blood in our borders!" Elincia said.
"This is the best I can offer, considering my… superior. Feel free to speak in Gallian about him. Anyway, it is sometimes necessary to cut your losses for the greater good. Tomorrow, my army marches toward Gallia. If Crimea does not interfere, I will take it as a sign of agreement. Fare well," Zelgius said, turning to leave.
"Please wait, Zelgius… Does the apostle know of this war with the laguz? It's hard to believe… is this what the apostle wants?" Elincia asked.
"That is not something I can answer, Your Majesty," Zelgius said.
"Is the apostle safe?" Elincia asked.
"…And now I must go," Zelgius said.