It isn't Saturday...but today...IS MAH BIRTHDAY!

So I'm giving all of you, my readers, a present! Wait...that's not how it works...

Oh well, I'm 21 now, I do what I want!

Chapter Thirty

Escape From Regalshin: Part One

The Dune Guard completed their dig and Meloi descended, examining the cave as he continued down. One of his troops quickly ran to his side and bowed "What next sir?"

"We explore…"

Far from the dig site, a woman maintained watch over the Dune Guard. She turned as an assassin appeared and kneeled before her "Report to Peltzm'Jakq these exact coordinates…Meloi is preparing something and it will be our only chance to finish this conflict."

The assassin nodded and vanished as the woman turned again watching the last few members of the Dune Guard enter the tunnel.

"Pyrnaz…we made much better time coming back, I really appreciate it! Future journeys into the Negative Wastes will be cake!" Rhogam grinned, his fellow Quester shook her head "I'd rather not go back any time soon…"

Janie smiled "How does it compare to all the other quests you've been on?"

Rhogam laughed "You are awfully interested in our adventures."

The Elder Mage nodded "I've lived in the Negative Wastes almost my entire life; I can't imagine what real adventure is like."

"We're headed to Pozem soon, looks like you'll be getting firsthand experience." Tyazaer stated with a smile.

"Hopefully it won't be as hectic as our trip has been since we left Anondye." Mikel called back to which Janie sighed "I could do without the crazy people trying to kill us but otherwise…"

As they continued chatting in the back, Soren turned to Zihark "I still find it amazing that you were going to scale the highest peak in Ymarkteg."

The other man smiled "My ultimate goal, once I reach the top I'll know I've trained as hard as I can and reached my pinnacle."

Hearing this Janie turned to them and chuckled "Yeah right Z, even with that you'll never stop."

Zihark nodded "You know me too well Janie, I suppose it's something I picked up from training with Mia as much as I have."

Leena stretched and called to Zihark "If you weren't at your best when we fought the Midnight I can't imagine how terrifying you'll be when you accomplish your goal."

The Daein looked up at the sky "It does depress me I'll have no one I can go all out on…killing is becoming less necessary here on Ymarkteg…well aside from The Midnight and The Altar…but once they're gone…"

Mia turned "Do you guys hear that?" Upon looking ahead, the troop came to a stop as a large regiment of Regalshin soldiers stormed over the hill in front of them, bearing flags and halted leaving a large space between them and the troop.

"What is going on?" Kay'Shera asked to which Wyre narrowed his eyes "This may not be Hitenticul but this kind of dispatch…it isn't friendly…they don't want us back in Pyrnaz."

Janie clicked her tongue causing a few members of the troop to turn around; Regalshin soldiers appeared behind as well. Soren narrowed his eyes "Impossible…"

Wayu turned "Wyre, you can't be serious! Why would they-"

"Attention!" The troop turned as Orkra emerged, her soldiers standing aside. Her eye found Soren and Mia, the two noticed that she was uncomfortable and that was all they needed to confirm Wyre' suspicions.

"Soren…Mia…and all your friends…the Regalshin Crown has determined your troop as a threat to the security of Regalshin and Ymarkteg's peace. The attacks you told us about have been confirmed as complete falsehoods, only a few returned results, both of which identified your troop as the aggressors. In addition to the soldiers killed you are tried for harm brought to the Sarharan King and Queen and the deaths of the Sarharan Military Heads, Hashten'Kor and Lo'Tem as well as the destruction of the Western Archive."

Soren shook his head "Orkra! That is insane! We told you the truth! How is it none of the hands you extended to the other nations returned positive! We did not commit those crimes! We saved the Sarharan King and Queen!"

Orkra continued "The incident in Myillheim was confirmed as falsehood the Archduchess was affirmed by her loyal vassals as nearly being killed by your troop."

To'Eltz spat "More lies! Enough of this! Move aside!"

"You can either surrender your weapons or the full force of Regalshin's military will be brought down on you." Soren noticed despite Orkra's claims she didn't believe any of it, with a sad expression she looked directly at him.

"Soren…please…surrender yourselves."

The Archsage shook his head "We can't do that Orkra…I'm sorry."

Turning Soren called for a retreat, with all his might, Wyre called down a powerful Rexbolt, crashing in front of Orkra's forces and causing a massive explosion.

The soldiers behind the troop moved in to attack, Soren called out to avoid killing them no matter what. Rhogam, Mikel and Orgoth charged forward and with their combined mass, knocked several of the troops aside. Lyle followed, leaping over and smashing his hilts into the heads of the Regalshin soldiers.

The rest of the troop took off after the other four, away from Pyrnaz, Tyazaer on her horse pulled up next to Mia as they began their escape.

"If we are going to leave Regalshin we have to get to the Frikell Border Fort between Regalshin and the Eastern Stone Nation of Pozem! The Regal Kingdom path connects to it, which is our only way out!"

Mia nodded "You all heard that?" The rest of the troop gave Mia their confirmations as Zihark turned, seeing the cavalry beginning to catch up.

"Between here and the fort is a famous rest on the path called Ukla Cave. A hollowed mountain for travelers of the Regal Kingdom Path, that is our first destination, from there we can join the other travelers in reaching Frikell! With any luck we can lose them in the mass of people, they wouldn't dare endanger their citizens!"

As the troop agreed again, To'Eltz leapt by and kicked a soldier off his horse before returning to the rest of the group and keeping his eyes on the approaching cavalry.

Orkra watched as her soldiers took off after Soren and Mia's troop. She shook her head "This isn't right…" Closing her eye she sighed in relief "At least Gorm and Yushez won't be able to reach them…they didn't try to break through me to return to Pyrnaz…they'll escape…"

As Orkra turned to walk away one of her soldiers ran over "Ma'am! Yushez and Gorm ask that you join their forces! They've cleared out Ukla Cave and are preparing an ambush once the troop traps themselves within!"

The hero turned to the man "What? Why are Yushez and Gorm out there?"

"After reviewing what they were told during the questioning, they determined the troop had no need to re-enter Pyrnaz aside from resting before they continued their terrorism. It was only natural they'd try to cross the border!"

Orkra cursed and mounted one of the horses the guard brought over and took off.

Back at the Euto Research Center, Krayvon walked past a troop of five guards and a convoy "You are responsible for ensuring Eminse's safe escape and hopefully her reunion with Orgoth and the troop he joined."

The five bowed "Yes sir!"

"It seems they are delaying, trying to put us at ease…hopefully they will buy that the man they are searching for did not come to the Research Center, regardless Eminse still needs to be seen to safety."

The researcher approached Krayvon "Why don't you come with me, why don't we all try to escape!"

"If we all pile into the carts and escape it will guarantee all of our deaths…you are the primary focus Eminse."

"Sir! Someone approaches!" Krayvon departed towards the gates, opened by four guards and he came face to face with the Euto Commander Wilt.

"Krayvon."

The general bowed "Yes Commander Wilt, what can I help you with?"

"I understand the guards haven't left in several days…you aren't working them too hard are you?"

"No sir, I feel it makes more sense to keep as many guards in the Center to protect it at all times as opposed to leaving very few at night…after the attack months ago, a larger night time assault would spell the end for all our research."

Wilt nodded "I see…effective as always Krayvon. It has come to my understanding that another attack took place in town a few days ago and while the aggressors were killed, one was unaccounted for."

"That is unfortunate sir…"

Wilt sighed "Indeed…the thing is…he vanished one night and the next day you enact these new rules to keep guards in at all times. Why didn't you enact that rule after the Korgan attack months ago?"

Krayvon remained silent as Wilt scratched his chin "Listen Krayvon, we're both on the same side…if there was a man that came here that night and he is still in the building, we'd like to know. All we need is to capture him and find out who sent him here so we can deal with the problem much more effectively, no harm is to come to anyone here, that is not how I do things, I trust you understand."

"Why didn't you spare a few during the attack in town? With how easily you dispatched them, it shouldn't have been too difficult to capture one."

Wilt and Krayvon continued to stare at each other, the former laughed "Indeed…but Krayvon…this man…the group that attacked the town was trying to spread some sort of lie, and while it was a lie it could easily come to life on its own and cause mass hysteria. This is an age of peace but the smallest evidence against it can spark a fire in any city on this continent."

"I understand…but no one came that night…our only desire is to protect the Research Center."

Wilt turned away and nodded again "Very well…good day, Krayvon."

The general re-entered the Center and Eminse walked up to him "Are you certain we can't just come to an understanding? Maybe both sides are assuming too much!"

Krayvon sighed "Maybe…but if what the man told us is true, the second we seek an understanding and meet with them, we'll all be killed or imprisoned."

As the tension between the Research Center and Euto grew, Governor Jikahn sat in his office with a smile.

"Remember! Try NOT to kill them! I know we don't have much practice on that but there is no better time than now!" Rhogam called out as Mikel leapt past him and knocked a rider off his horse with the flat of his axe.

"Z!" Zihark leapt aside as a spear stuck into the ground near him. He nodded to Janie "I saw it!"

Soren rolled across the ground and stood before unleashing a low gale that tripped several horses and sent their riders into the snow.

Leena and To'Eltz struggled to disarm all of the attacking knights, leaving them to retreat and retrieve their weapons. Using her dives, Kay'Shera came up behind them and brought the pole of the lance into their heads, knocking them out and to the floor.

Fistivus held onto Kay'Shera in the sky for dear life, not even cracking any jokes as Kay'Shera proceeded to continue smashing skulls.

Lune held onto Tyazaer just as desperately "In all my years! This is absolute insanity!"

Lyle turned abruptly and leapt high alongside To'Eltz, the two kicked another soldier off his horse before landing and knocking aside arrows headed for them.

Zihark took another glance back and saw the cavalry still on the move, looking back to the young mage he called out.

"Janie, think you can give us a little more cover?"

The Elder Mage nodded and turned "You got it Z!"

She closed her eyes and clenched her fists before throwing her hands up releasing a thick black cloud that covered the surrounding area. Wyre grinned "I got this." He called down several thunder strikes all around the soldiers, missing them but distracting them and causing them to fall into panic allowing the troop to escape the smoke.

Zihark and Janie gave each other a quick high five and continued running with the rest of the troop.

Orkra dismounted from her horse and using all her strength, broke through a door into a house "Hello!?"

A man appeared at a doorway with an angry and annoyed face "Hey! This is private property…damn it you broke my door didn't you?"

"I need your help; you are friends of Soren and Mia correct?"

The man's eyes widened "Yes…well…sure…who wants to know?"

"The Regalshin Military is after them, they need to escape to Pozem…I need your help."

"Shinon." The man turned to a red haired woman "Uhnie…we're not going to-"

She smiled "Of course we are…this is Soren and Mia we're talking about, fellow Greil Mercenaries."

Shinon sighed and walked over to his fireplace, grabbing Gore Eye "Fine then…"

"There it is! Ukla Cave!" Janie called out as the stone tower appeared in the distance. Lyle groaned "Finally! I don't think they've stopped coming after us yet…"

Orgoth looked up "See anything approaching Kay'Shera?"

The Roc Knight turned around and narrowed her eyes "Nope, nothing coming at us…we put enough space between them and us, we'll be fine until we reach the cave…wait."

Rhogam looked up at Kay'Shera "Wait? Wait for what?"

Roars echoed across the sky as a detachment of wyvern riders shot straight towards the troop.

Leena turned "Shit! What do we do now?"

Wyre prepared his tome but Soren stopped him "We can't kill them; let's try our best to get them off their mounts.

As they got closer, four of the wyvern riders pulled out spears and hurled them towards the troop, Soren and Wyre easily deflected the weapons as Janie called upon another black cloud to flood the immediate area.

The four wyverns broke apart, the riders ordered their mounts to wave their wings fiercely and the smoke began to dissolve as three more wyvern riders charged into it.

With the aid of Arcwind, Leena, To'Eltz and Lyle were shot into the sky and landed on three of the four wyverns which began thrashing around trying to get them off. The last one stopped beating its wings and dashed over to knock the troop members off.

To'Eltz grabbed one man, cut him from his harness and leapt off the wyvern, tossing the man to the ground as he got closer before rolling aside and standing up safely.

Lyle stopped his rider's axe with his blade and moved aside as the other free man dove aside trying to strike him. As the wyvern began shooting high into the sky, Lyle kicked the Regalshin soldier in the face several times before sinking a small knife into the wyvern causing it to scream and fall from the sky.

Leena caught her man in a chokehold and once he fell unconscious, she jumped off the wyvern, bringing the man with her and tossing him into the snow. As she landed, Lyle and his foe crashed nearby, the swordmaster standing and breathing heavily "Are you alright?"

Lyle turned to Leena and nodded "Yes! Let's go!"

The black smoke faded away revealing three more fallen riders and wyverns, the last one in the sky took off as the cavalry was once again in sight.

Mia sighed "I wish we had an earth mage to put up a wall between them and us."

Zihark smiled "Oh…do you? Janie."

"Prepare to be amazed!" Pulling her arms back she cried out as she moved them forward, the earth below them began to shift and it continued in a straight path towards the cavalry throwing all the horses and riders into the snow.

Breathing out slowly, Janie smiled "Tremor." She and Zihark high fived again as the troop began moving towards Ukla Cave which continued to grow larger as they neared it.

Tyazaer laughed "Would've helped to have known that you could do that earlier."

Wayu turned to Janie "You know Elder and Earth magic?"

The mage nodded "We Elder Sages train in all forms of magic, Freen my master can use Elder, Earth, Water and Fire magic, I'm not sure how he does it, just two is a lot of reading and late nights."

"He…did…WHAT!?" Iltar'Elm yelled as his right hand Re'Zin scratched the back of his head.

"Sorry sir, he told us that he told you he'd be in Euto helping them with a problem for a few days…"

The sniper sighed and turned from Re'Zin "He didn't…"

Re'Zin remained silent as Iltar'Elm's left hand came to his chin "Ottenz…why would he not let me know of this? Sure it's an internal Anondye problem but it's a problem overall…" The man couldn't even remember the last time he or Ottenz or even their predecessors were called away from the border for any reason other than personal or vacation.

Re'Zin continued watching as his superior shook his head and cursed "We're going."

"Where?" The nomad received no answer as the other Sarharan grabbed his bow and quiver and exited the building.

"Sir…I don't think this is necessary…we can bring in Krayvon for further questioning but-"

Jikahn shook his head "Ottenz…I didn't want to show you this. However, seeing as you still aren't on board I'll show you what those travelers have done and what Krayvon is helping to conceal!"

The war monk looked at the table as Jikahn threw several files and images of what looked like very violent attacks in Sarhara and Regalshin's capital cities as well as Myillheim.

"I didn't hear anything about this…"

"No one has…no one needs to know that there is such a huge threat in Ymarkteg right now…we would never be able to contain the people…"

"I can't believe that Soren and Mia are responsible…they fought off the Korgans when they attacked, Iltar'Elm and I were there!"

"Obviously staged to gain our trust, last I checked the man they tried to kill…what was his name…Roltz? He escaped…or rather, they let him escape. After that he was seen in Sarhara though they were lucky enough to kill him there."

Ottenz closed his eyes as Jikahn turned to face him "You are either with us in our movement…or against us…"

As the war monk opened his mouth, Jikahn handed him one last image and apologized for it.

Ottenz looked down and his eyes widened.

Rhogam slowed his pace as they continued to draw closer to Ukla Cave "We need to be ready at all times, this is only a short rest then we'll be on our way to Frikell."

As the troop rounded the last steep hill, they looked out over the Regal Kingdom Path and the two bridges leading into Ukla Cave. Fistivus and Lune continued to look around with the latter shaking her head "There are very few travelers…at least from what I've heard."

Fistivus shrugged "Compared to the Cross Kingdom Path in Anondye, anything would look like less…but I see what you mean."

Zihark waved to them "Come on! Once we get lost in Ukla Cave, they'll come find us and in the confusion, we'll slip out."

Wayu and Wyre turned to look at the empty horizon, not only were the troops nowhere in sight but the sun had set and it was beginning to grow dark.

Covering the remaining ground, the troop arrived in Ukla Cave, on the outside it looked like a lone mountain in the middle of a snowfield but inside there were several levels built and connected by staircases and walkways along the border that led to many rooms, either rest stops or shops.

However, the whole troop was not so much amazed as they were worried that it was empty. Rhogam turned following Orgoth's curse "Don't tell me."

"I think we're trapped…" The knight said, Rhogam cursed loudly as the few travelers on the road pulled out weapons, one raised a flag and countless wyverns began to fill the sky, led by a large and heavily armored man on one.

The massive wyvern roared before crashing into the ground near the advance forces, a sage near the man began whirling wind magic, amplifying the Wyvern Lord's voice as he called out to the Troop "I am Gorm, the current Lord of Regalshin's Wyvern forces…exit Ukla Cave and drop all of your weapons or we will be forced to kill all of you in the name of Regalshin's Crown!"

The group looked to Soren and Mia, the latter tightened her grip on Ein'Tosen's hilt as Soren watched the army form up outside.

As he struggled with a response, Lyle called out and threw Soren to the ground, Zihark turned and saw several Snipers slipping in from the ceiling firing shots at them.

"Janie! Wyre!" The two sages nodded and fired their magic at them as Kay'Shera mounted her roc and struck down the last one. Rhogam spat "Looks like they made our decision for us!" The troop moved into the cave as Soren helped Lyle up; the man took an arrow to the shoulder but looked otherwise alright and extremely pissed off.

"Thank you, Lyle."

Ignoring the pain, the swordmaster looked at Soren and nodded "No problem."

Outside, Yushez appeared next to Gorm, the Wyvern Lord shook his head "He is still alive…"

"They noticed the snipers and killed them…I apologize for that terrible performance."

Gorm grabbed his two axes on his sides and brought them up with a smile "I prefer it this way…soldiers of Regalshin! Begin the attack, for the protection of our Regalshin!"

With Wilt and Ottenz in the lead, Euto and Treige's forces approached the Euto Research Center as the night grew darker.

Commander Wilt brought his horse to a stop and called a mage over and began speaking.

"General Krayvon, Head Researcher Eminse…we know that the last fugitive was in the Research Center! We have a witness who has gladly come to our side with this information!"

Krayvon emerged from the center with two guards at his side "What do you mean?"

Wilt nodded and the medic who attempted to treat the fallen man appeared.

"You!"

The medic shook his head "We…we needed to…to bring this information…to…I…I did it for everyone!"

Waving his hand, the medic was grabbed and dragged away by a pair of Wilt's soldiers before the Great Knight continued speaking.

"Anondye does not need what that dying man said to be repeated in a royal court, we can't let the peace die…unfortunately, in order to keep it alive all of you who know of this must be taken care of…do not worry, we will notify families of the tragic return of the Korgans and Dune Guard…"

Krayvon shook his head "There are far too many holes in that story to make it believable!"

Wilt nodded "We'll make it believable…it won't matter to you though…surrender now…"

Ottenz turned away as Krayvon fell silent and noticed the two men that departed return. Ottenz noticed one of the men had his hand on his hilt as he finished sheathing his blade. A very troubled expression came to the War Monk's face as he looked back at the Research Center.

Krayvon looked to his men, before he could speak the man to his left put his hand on Krayvon's shoulder "We will stand by you, General…for Anondye…"

Krayvon then looked to the other man on his right who also nodded before returning to the first "What's your name?"

An arrow from Wilt's right hand man silenced the Euto guard, Krayvon turned with fierce anger on his face as the forces of Euto and Treige charged at Wilt's command.

With the remaining guard at his side, he re-entered the Research Center "Lock the doors, prepare the catapults and tell Retuu that he and his sages on the roof may begin their attack!"

Several soldiers took off, relaying these orders as Eminse appeared again and ran to Krayvon "Eminse…"

"Krayvon, this is crazy! We can't-"

Krayvon shook his head "We have no choice…not anymore…when the Center begins to fall…you make your escape, they'll be too intent on breaking in here to notice anyone trying to flee."

"When the Center begins to fall?"

Krayvon smiled "This is for both of you…and Orgoth…"

The general gestured for two guards to approach as Eminse, stunned, kept her eyes on Krayvon.

"Why?"

The two guards came to Eminse's sides and began moving her away; Krayvon's smile remained on his face "A real human being would do anything…for his blood…"

Next chapter is going to be...explosive...

OC Sheet 13 is going up on dA, it has the corrupt Governor Jikahn, his loyal and unaware servant Wilt, Iltar'Elm's 2nd in command: Re'Zin, the Sage Commander of the Euto Research Center: Retuu, and Uhnie wearing her new assassin get-up which is my favorite look of hers!