Apostle Sanaki's army, led by General Ike himself, win a great victory over Daein at Riven Bridge. Apostle Sanaki does not pursue the retreating forces, however, instead petitioning King Pelleas for permission to pass through Daein. After waiting several days, she receives no reply, and Sanaki reluctantly orders a march. Avoiding Daein's heart, the army skirts along the mountains and heads south.


"Micaiah? Are you all right? I heard you took ill on the field…" Pelleas said, looking over Micaiah. Sothe was at her side, Tauroneo and Fiona stood guard at the door, and the Dawn Brigade were trying to distract themselves. Almedha had accompanied Pelleas.

"What do you think she is, genius? Micaiah fainted because you've been pushing her too hard! She's terrified she won't live up to your expectations," Sothe said.

"Oh my… I'm so sorry, Micaiah!" Pelleas said.

"The doctor said she's suffering severe exhaustion and chaos overdose. It's quite common among herons, but Micaiah hasn't been exposed to it before. She'll need a few good days of rest before she can do anything," Fiona said.

"I'm glad she's all right… but a few days? We need to stop the laguz!" Pelleas said.

"OK, that's it, are you out of your mind? Micaiah is facing DEATH (probably)! She's not going to be cooking up any miracles from here! I'm not letting her see another battlefield. When Micaiah's well enough to move, I'm taking her and bolting," Sothe said.

"You can't leave!" Pelleas said.

"I'd like to see you stop me. I held out, thinking you knew what was best for Daein. I was wrong. We're finding Micaiah's heron siblings. To borrow a word from the Gallians…" Sothe said, taking in a breath.

"Sothe, please don't! Micaiah can't leave!" Pelleas said.

"Not changing my mind, buddy!" Sothe yelled.

"King Pelleas, I side with Sothe. Let Lady Micaiah go," Tauroneo said.

"She's been carrying a tremendous burden for so long. It would be unkind to push further," Fiona said.

"I'm begging you! I need Micaiah to stay!" Pelleas said, kneeling and clutching his hands together.

"Pelleas? You can't kneel before these commoners!" Almedha said.

"Our army can't function without Micaiah! I can't let that happen! The army must continue to fight!" Pelleas said.

"Listen… I don't know what deal you struck with those Begnion senators, but we'll have no part in it. If I have to lose Micaiah to support Daein, I don't give two flying pigs about it," Sothe said. Pelleas got to his feet, and drew an unsteady breath.

"If Micaiah leaves the army… she will die," Pelleas said. Sothe pulled out his knife, and levelled it at Pelleas.

"So the king shows his true colours… Pelleas, that crown is not a shield. Threaten Micaiah again, and you will die where you stand. Do I make myself absolutely clear?" Sothe asked, ignoring everyone else.

"Micaiah won't be the only one. You. Me. Everyone in Daein. Every last man, woman or child. And it's all my fault," Pelleas said.

"Your Majesty!" Tauroneo exclaimed.

"…I'm going to not count that as another threat to Micaiah," Sothe said.

"Pelleas… did you sign a blood pact?" Almedha asked. Everyone turned to Almedha in curiosity.

"You signed a blood pact with the senate… that's why you've been so scared, so terrified…" Almedha said.

"What's a blood pact, anyway?" Edward asked.

"I swear… before you hear anything I say, that I had no idea… not one clue," Pelleas said.


"I really don't know why you had to come calling at this hour… but our answer is no. Send my regards and my answer to the apostle, along with my sincerest apologies, but Daein is in no position to accept at this time," Pelleas addressed the messenger.

"King Pelleas… prepare to receive Vice-Minister Lekain," the messenger said.

"Really? I did say-" Pelleas started, before being interrupted by Lekain. He had appeared amidst a runic circle.

"How do you do, King Pelleas?" Lekain asked.

"How did you get here?" Pelleas asked.

"Our empire's magical research has made leaps and bounds… meet the rewarp staff. With it, one can reach any desired destination in a jiff. Once it hits the mass production phase, we'll be the most feared force on the continent! Before this… we used ghastly warp powder. It did the job, but it was exhausting on the user. Why travel when you're too exhausted to do anything? The rewarp staff patches that problem," Lekain said.

"Err-hem," the messenger coughed.

"Ah. Sorry, I can't help myself. I love innovation so," Lekain said.

"About your request for Daein to support your efforts…" Pelleas said.

"Oh, yes. So you've heard that we have a favour to ask. There's that army of sub-humans that are threatening the peace of our lands. We require Daein's help to wipe out this 'Laguz Alliance'. Seriously, what in hades is a 'laguz'? Anyway, would you kindly help us?" Lekain asked.

"I'm afraid we cannot help you at this time. We are busy rebuilding from the recent Daein Revolutionary War. Please understand," Pelleas said.

"Ah, yes, the Daein War of Independence… so, you rejected? Then I have no choice but to watch you and your people slowly perish," Lekain said.

"What? You declare war on Daein?" Pelleas asked, horrified.

"Hardly! Our country's hands are tied with those sub-humans. There's no point foolishly wasting resources starting a war with Daein. No, if want Daein dead… I can just use this pact!" Lekain said, holding up a document.

"That's the loan contract I signed on my coronation…" Pelleas said.

"Yes, the same document. An informal signing on behalf of the senate as a sign of goodwill," Lekain said.

"That document states that the empire would loan a billion gold to Daein, no interest and no specified payback date. You claimed that, although it was technically a loan, we could treat the gold as compensation for the misdoings of the occupation army and did not have to pay it back, am I not correct?" Pelleas asked.

"Yes, that is true," Lekain said.

"If you want to use the loan as a basis for threats, then I will gladly return your gold. A huge sum has been spent on Daein's restoration, but all billion gold pieces will find their way to your coffers, no matter how long it takes!" Pelleas said.

"Naïve king… you signed the contract believing it was a simple loan. Sadly, however… would a loan contract really require a signature in blood? Did you not suspect a thing?" Lekain asked.

"Izuka said it was standard practice for a contract of this type!" Pelleas said.

"You are correct again! And to the victor go the spoils… this is a blood pact," Lekain said.

"Then… Izuka…" Pelleas said.

"Izuka is one of us. To control Daein, we needed the perfect king to execute our will. For you see, once you sign this paper in blood, you can never break the terms and conditions listed!" Lekain said.

"I refuse to believe it! I can't!" Pelleas said.

"You've heard stories of blood pacts, have you not? A marvellous tool used by the wise to control the foolish. A ruler agreeing to such a pact is bound to it… absolutely. Once sworn, transgression will be punished by the complete destruction of his country. …Sit back, and I'll tell you an old wives' tale. Long ago, a foolhardy king signed a blood pact with the empire to win back his lost kingdom. In exchange, he vowed complete obedience. However, he soon broke the terms of the pact, and disobeyed the empire. Presumably he didn't understand what he was getting into. Would you like to hear the story?" Lekain said.

"…No, but tell it anyway…" Pelleas said, not even trying to hide his fear.

"It was quite tragic. One man died on the first day. He was a mere peasant, so no one cared. Two more fell on the second day. Three more perished on the third. I don't think I have to spell out where this is going. These mysterious deaths spread about the kingdom like a contagion. After thirty days, or under five hundred deaths, the king finally realised that this was the curse of the blood pact, the price of infidelity. He apologised to the empire and pleaded with them to lift the curse. His plea was accepted on the one hundredth day. For those of you keeping score at home, that's over five thousand deaths. This figure included about half of his subordinates, his beautiful wife, and his adorable little child. The senate controlled that particular country for quite a long time," Lekain said.

"How…" Pelleas said. "How…"

"I hope I've made myself clear. No matter your motive, defiance against the empire will result in the slow, inevitable, and painful demise of Daein. Never forget. And don't even think about contacting Ike, or the herons, or anybody who you think has a snowball's chance in a dragon's fire of doing a thing about it. Spies and informants are littered all over Tellius. The government sees all. We will know if you tell anyone. Even a little slip," Lekain said, vanishing with his rewarp staff.


"Let me get this straight. Everyone in Daein will die if you disobey the senate?" Sothe asked.

"What a heavy burden…" Tauroneo remarked.

"What a load of cat crap! How do I know neither you nor the senate are lying?" Sothe asked.

"Show Mother the mark of your pact," Almedha said. Pelleas breathed in, and slid his left sleeve up. A curly scar in the shape of a signature marked it.

"The mark of a blood pact… it's all true! My son has been deceived!" Almedha cried out.

"Oh, give it a rest, woman! You expect us to believe that ghost story? It's like 'Lekain' said, it's just an old wives' tale. An old fable to get little kings to eat their greens. Before you go making us shine Begnion's boots, get some proof!" Edward said.

"I'm with him. We're done here, Micaiah. We're outta here!" Sothe said, reaching under Micaiah to lift her.

"It's all true, Sothe…" Micaiah said, not even opening her eyes.

"Micaiah!" everyone in the room exclaimed. Micaiah's eyes opened, and she looked directly at Almedha.

"…King Pelleas and Queen Almedha are telling the truth. It's hard to believe… but I can see it in her heart. I am still a heron. I'm not any weaker from exhaustion… but now it seems that we cannot be free from the senate's leash," Micaiah said.

"Micaiah, we don't have to go to war again. We're leaving Daein!" Sothe said.

"Without me, who would hold our forces together? I am not abandoning the people of Daein to save my own wings," Micaiah said.

"I… I'm sorry, everyone… so, so sorry… I didn't know…" Pelleas said.

"What do you propose we do?" Fiona asked.

"Obey the empire, of course. We have no choice. As long as I follow the senate's orders, no one will die on my hands," Pelleas said.

"No! No, I refuse to accept that! We've got our country back… I'd rather die than bend to the will of the empire! What are we, dogs?" Edward asked.

"And now that Begnion is ordering Daein troops into battle, we are treated as disposable pawns. Many Daeins will die of this pact, whether it is obeyed or not," Leonardo added.

"It would appear that I am the last king of Daein. Follow or fight… we face the gallows as a country," Pelleas said.

"With all due respect, Pelleas, we can't give up!" Micaiah said.

"She's right! The only way to really be doomed is to give up!" Nolan said.

"Micaiah, there's no way out of a blood pact. What do you propose we do?" Pelleas asked.

"Look for one!" Micaiah said.

"Duke Lekain said the pact can't be broken, but of course he'd say that!" Edward said.

"King Pelleas, you have the resources of an entire country to draw upon, and the best of reasons to do so," Leonardo said.

"Check the royal library! Check the archives! Surely, in however many years they have been maintained, some mention of the blood pact would crop up!" Nolan said.

"Ah… Micaiah, forgive me. I was so overwhelmed that I had given myself in to despair. But you're right. We can't give up. We have people to save," Pelleas said.

"Unfortunately, we don't have much time. Begnion will not put off triggering the blood pact until after we've figured out how to break it," Fiona said.

"We can make time. We'll just take on the empress and the laguz forces, and appear to obey the senate," Tauroneo said.

"Of course! I'll use that time to research the pact! Just buy as much time as possible!" Pelleas said.

"Whatever it takes, I swear we'll hold them back!" Micaiah said.


"Hey, Nolan. Say, did you mention something about the libraries back there?" Sothe asked.

"Oh, yes. I'm quite an avid reader… it is in human nature to crave knowledge, you know. So, does Micaiah feel well?" Nolan asked.

"…Well, yeah. She's alert, she seems stronger… she's not as heavy to lift," Sothe said.

"That's good. I was just ensuring," Nolan said.

"Oh… and as a reward for holding the bridge as best you could," Sothe said, holding out a Tomahawk.

"Hey! This is a good axe! Thanks… and listen. You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. The best thing to do is to think it over, and give it time to sit. Remember, I am the captain of the Dawn Brigade. If you feel as if you would like to tell me about your woes, you know where to find me," Nolan said.

"Thank you, Nolan," Sothe said.

"Anytime!" Nolan said.


Once Micaiah was ready to roll, the Daein army gathered at the edge of a deep canyon.

"It appears as if the apostle's forces are using this road to avoid a head-on confrontation. It seems they do not necessarily want to fight. Taking the Great Wall of Ivelt was a wise move to preserve soldiers. …Micaiah, are you set for this?" Sothe asked.

"Are the rocks at the ready?" Micaiah asked.

"They're in position. For all the good it will do," Tauroneo said.

"We're stopping their advance, not necessarily hitting them," Nolan said.

"General Lanvega's forces have encountered General Ike's laguz! The battle has begun! The decoy is a success. The apostle and the Holy Guard head this way," a Daein said.

"All forces, in position! The target is the apostle! Attack her while General Ike is distracted! If we let her past, the army will cross into Begnion, angering the senate and destroying Daein! We must fight so that Daein will live on!" Micaiah said.

"Is this really necessary, Micaiah? Can't we avoid the fighting and pretend to obey the senate?" Leonardo said.

"I wish there was another way, too. But remember: Micaiah hates this plan more than anyone else," Sothe said.

"The apostle has numbers on her side. We don't stand a chance head-on. They'd march right through us like butter. We give Pelleas his time, but we can't hold back," Micaiah said.

"If I could choose one side to be victorious, I would choose Daein!" Edward said.

"Micaiah, this is what you believe? Compared to you, I am an immature kid," Sothe said.

"Don't say that, Sothe!" Micaiah said.

"Your strength moves me. I will not falter," Tauroneo said.

"Let's do this… for our friends. And for our country," Micaiah said. She steeled herself, and watch the apostle's army approach. When they arrived, the Daeins shoved the rocks down the cliff in a haphazard fashion.

"An ambush! I ought to have suspected as much!" Tanith said.

"What's happening?" Sanaki asked.

"We happen to be under attack. We'll engage them now. Stay inside the carriage, Your Majesty," Sigrun said.

"Someone, tell General Ike!" Tanith commanded. A pegasus knight detached from the group. Nolan, Aran and Volug darted forward, attacking soldiers one or two at a time, and left the canyon. Micaiah, Laura and Sothe threw light magic and knives into the pit, while Edward, Zihark and Tauroneo remained in wait. Leonardo had gone to set up the second phase.

"We're in position at the top, and the Holy Guards at the bottom. Nolan, Aran and Volug have been given the order to tactically retreat," Sothe said.

"Just as planned. Thank you," Micaiah said.

"Second phase is go. Micaiah, give the order. There's no turning back now," Leonardo said.

"I know," Micaiah said.

"Micaiah, my efforts are done! General Ike and the Laguz Alliance are on their way!" Fiona said.

"…Next phase, go! Leo, get your archers at the ready!" Micaiah said. Edward and Zihark pushed a barrel, and several Daein trueblades and marshalls followed suit. Oil poured down the cliffs at an alarming rate. A ring of pegasi appeared, and soared high into the sky.

"Leonardo! Bring down that pegasus!" Micaiah commanded. Leonardo raised Lughnasadh, and aimed at the apostle. Micaiah felt a push on her side, and a whoosh on her cheek. She looked up, and noticed Sothe dangling from the talons of a gruff man.

"Don't move! I see one arrow fly, and I teach this chap how to fall!" he said.

"Tibarn!" Sothe cried out.

"Sothe! Leonardo, relax your bow!" Micaiah commanded. She turned around, and saw General Ike, Dame Mia, Mia's Forces, and a hefty amount of laguz.

"Good plan, there. Listen to the general, and don't make any moves I don't like. I can see every twitch… hey, swordmaster! I saw that!" a hawk said.

"I'm a trueblade, hawk!" Edward said.

"General Ike… we have failed," Tauroneo said.

"Micaiah… I want you to listen to me, very carefully," Mia said. "You have two choices. Surrender now, or fight us. And I guarantee that latter one won't end well."

"We can't. We won't retreat or negotiate. …We have one choice. And that… is the latter," Micaiah said.

"Micaiah, are you insane? Look around! Everyone in this army will die! Do you care that little for them?" a cat said.

"Drop your weapons, and we'll talk peacefully. Our enemy is the senate. If Daein pulls out now, we'll turn a blind eye to what you've done," Ike said.

"…I will not repeat myself again. We have no choice… If I am to be reviled for doing what's best for Daein, then so be it. If I am to be as hated as the Mad King for looking out for my people, so be it. I will save my people… and I'd rather the dark god take my soul than face Daein's destruction," Micaiah said.

"Admirable sentiment, heron," Ike said.

"Enough! Stand down!" a voice exclaimed. Micaiah turned about, and saw the apostle on the back of a pegasus.

"I've seen enough bloodshed for one day! That's enough. No more!" Sanaki said.

"We retreat today. Just remember, girl… You do the same. Ike can't keep the laguz back forever," Mia said.

"I keep telling you, that's not a path that's open to us!" Micaiah pleaded.

"Fine. His death is on your hands, then. Sorry, little Sothe, your friend just killed you," the gruff hawk Tibarn said, letting go of Sothe. Micaiah jumped from the cliff, and focused. She lowered her headband, and prayed to the goddess with all her heart. When she opened her eyes, she could see. She spread her wings, and held out her talons. She grabbed Sothe, and began trying to fly. Her flight was highly limited, but two pairs of talons appeared. One grabbed her, and another Sothe. They were both dropped beside the Daein army, and Micaiah reverted to base form.

"Thank the goddess…" Micaiah said, ignoring the Daein army's looks of befuddlement and congratulations.

"…Take this as a lesson, laguz. Next time, it's your job to save him!" Tibarn said, flying away.

"Lady Micaiah… are you all right?" Fiona asked.

"General Tauroneo… I don't want to fight Daein. Talk sense into that heron, all right? She's worse than what I hear Leanne is," Ike said.

"…We will not pursue you. However, Micaiah speaks the truth. That is all I will say on this matter. I'm sorry for this, General Ike," Tauroneo said, turning to Micaiah and Sothe. The two remained on the ground, clutching each other.

"What is with you people?" Mia asked.


"What's our situation?" Ike asked.

"Awful. The Begnion Central Army and Crimean Royal Knights are almost completely obliterated. There are barely any knights who can still move. Many of the Holy Guard are fine and well… but the oil that Daein used injured the Holy Guard's pegasi, all but grounding them. At the very least, they didn't fire the flaming arrows," Soren said.

"…Yeah, awful's a nice word for it. Thoughts?" Mia asked.

"Thoughts? Daein must answer for this! We attack!" Skrimir said.

"We can't. We can't deal with Daein and take on the senate's army. We have to get Daein to listen," Ranulf said.

"Confusion is Lekain's goal. Daein is a pawn in his scheme. But there's one thing I don't get… their tactics. Oil and fire? Daein's almost all finely honed reavers! Trueblades! Lancers! What is Micaiah thinking?" Sanaki asked.

"Micaiah? The Imperial Army has Micaiah?" Rafiel asked.

"Rafiel? When did you get here?" Tibarn asked.

"Just now, with Reyson and Queen Nailah," Rafiel said.

"Reyson went straight to Leanne. He's the only one of us three who tolerates her. They'll be here in a moment," Nailah said.

"Is it all right for all three of you to be here? What of the medallion?" Ike asked.

"It's with us," Rafiel said, holding it out. The chaotic energies emitting from it nearly overtook the room when it was taken out from under Rafiel's shirt.

"We're near the point where galdrar won't be able to contain its power. The dark god is almost sure to awaken," Nailah said.


"Please save him… please save my son! Come save my Pelleas… I beg of you…" Almedha's voice echoed.

"Prince Kurth?" Ena asked. Kurthnaga looked up, hiding his sending stone.

"Hello, Ena!" Kurthnaga said, flushed.

"What are you doing out so late? Looking for something?" Ena asked.

"Oh, I'm just looking at the moon… it's reflection on the lake is quite lovely, isn't it?" Kurthnaga asked.

"Quite…" Ena said.


"You! How did you get in? Help!" Begnions said in scattered unison. The soldier smashed them all to smithereens, and turned. He performed the same on the cell, and let out the prisoner.

*My apologies for the long wait,* the knight said.

"Is the apostle safe?" the prisoner asked.

*She fled to Crimea, and exposed the senate's plot. She now leads the apostle's army through Daein in an effort to storm the empire,* the knight said.

"I see… it is time for us to make our move," the prisoner said.

*As you wish, my master,* the knight said, bowing.