The journey to the Tower of Guidance becomes more difficult, as Ashera's Disciples of Order hound the travellers' every step. Micaiah's ability to sense danger proves invaluable, as it gives her allies advance warning of attacks by the Disciples. Thus prepared for each battle, the group keeps casualties to a minimum.
As they travel south through Begnion, Micaiah and her company clash repeatedly with the Disciples of Order. Eventually, they pass through the central mountains and into the lonely wastelands of the vast Grann Desert. They are sustained only by their faith that they will reunite with their companions at the Tower of Guidance.
"The dark god's tainted minions have defeated us at every turn… Now they have set foot on our holy ground itself! We must lead the army ourselves and destroy them once and for all! We are the chosen ones! Our will is the goddess's will! With us at the head, our army is invincible!" Lekain said.
"Yes, Vice-Minister. As you say, Vice Minister," Hetzel said.
"When I've beaten that Sanaki brat, she will kneel and plead for her life! Heh heh heh!" Lekain said.
"The vice minister… says he hears the goddess's will… yet I've heard nothing of the kind… why would the goddess… choose Lekain and me… we have the things to atone for…" Hetzel murmured.
"Ah! …Hello, Silver-Haired Maiden…" Sanaki said.
"Hello, Sanaki. It's me, Micaiah… can I sit next to you?" Micaiah asked.
"What? Oh… of course," Sanaki said.
"Thank you… this is awkward. I'm sorry. I know you're not overly fond of me, but I wanted to talk to you," Micaiah said.
"It's not whether I like you. I like you quite fine for someone who tried to set me ablaze in oil. No, you make me feel inadequate," Sanaki said.
"It's because I can sing the galdr of release and hear Yune's voice, isn't it?" Micaiah asked.
"How did you know?" Sanaki asked.
"I can sense the flow of people's thoughts. By seeing the movement in a person's mind, I can usually deduce what the person is thinking," Micaiah said.
"You can read minds? Of course… what a boon that would be to running a country! If I could read people's minds, I could tell what all those nobles and senators were really thinking behind their smiles. I wonder why the goddess didn't bless me with such power," Sanaki said.
"Micaiah was born, born, born with her power. We didn't give, give, give it," Yune said.
"Ah! Yune, goddess of chaos? Oh… um… let me ask you one thing, Yune. Why can Micaiah sing the galdr of release, yet I can't?" Sanaki asked.
"I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, empress. I don't have a clue. But I knew Micaiah could sing, sing, sing it. That's why I stayed close," Yune said.
"I don't understand… you're a goddess, and you don't know? I thought the gods were perfect beings who knew everything!" Sanaki said.
"Gods? Perfect, perfect, perfect? Where did you get that idea? You haven't met a lot of gods, gods, gods, have you?" Yune asked.
"Well… admittedly, no. But divinity created life from nothing! Surely that's a task only a perfect being is up to!" Sanaki said.
"We created, created, created life, and can do things creatures of flesh can't, can't, can't. But that doesn't make us perfect. It just means we make mistakes on a grander, grander, grander scale. We're not as you've been taught, taught, taught. We're closer to you skin-wearers than some will admit. We do make mistakes, mistakes, mistakes… terrible mistakes. All it takes is one, one, one emotional outburst, and the entire world is drowning, drowning, drowning…" Yune said. A sandstorm heavy enough to block the sun from view appeared.
"Ow! Where's this sandstorm coming from?" Sanaki asked, trying not to let her mouth get filled.
"I wish we were perfect, perfect, perfect. There wouldn't be war, war, war, and no one would die, die die…" Yune said.
"I understand, Yune! Calm down!" Sanaki said. The sandstorm quelled, and Sanaki and Micaiah found themselves spitting out the desert sands.
"Yune?" Sanaki asked.
"She's gone now. She got upset. That hasn't happened to her for a long time," Micaiah said.
"Micaiah… I'm supposed to hear the voice of goddess Ashera. Yet I've never once heard her speak. What is she like?" Sanaki asked.
"We might find out before all this is over," Micaiah said.
"King Naesala… you're by yourself today?" Micaiah asked, bumping into Naesala.
"Yeah… how about you? Where's that stone-faced sidekick of yours?" Naesala asked.
"He's hesitant to show emotion," Micaiah said.
"Hey, I'm only joking. No need to get so defensive," Naesala said.
"Don't insult my family," Micaiah said.
"Hmph. You say you're brother and sister, but there's as much resemblance between you two as me and… oh… Lekain?" Naesala asked.
"We're not related, but we're close. Try you and Princess Leanne," Micaiah said.
"You didn't…" Naesala said.
"I can sense your emotions… you also closed up to keep me from looking in," Micaiah said.
"It was foolish of me to let my guard down in front of a known heron. What else did you sense?" Naesala asked.
"Pardon me?" Micaiah asked.
"What else do you know about me?" Naesala asked.
"No. My powers as a heron aren't as fully developed as Leanne's, or anything… I could just see your feelings for Princess Leanne were very warm, and to be honest, it doesn't take a genius to see the opposite is true," Micaiah said.
"You sure? Fine… you're like me. I'll let you off the hook today… and take this!" Naesala said, handing Micaiah a book.
"A tome of light," Micaiah said.
"We need you alive, all right? See you later?" Naesala said.
"Yune paid us a visit, hm? Did she say anything interesting?" Sothe asked.
"Sort of… she might have been responsible for the ancient flood that sank all other continents," Micaiah said.
"Sorry to break up your alone time, but a few Disciples of Order are here again," Naesala said. Sothe looked around, and spotted a familiar figure amongst the golden troops.
"Hey!" Sothe cried out.
"I knew this would eventually happen…" Sanaki said. A golden glyph appeared at his feet, and Vice Minister Lekain rewarped to in front of the party.
"Ah, dearest Sanaki, false apostle! What a pleasure it is to see you again… and this time, I have an army of sane people with me, ready to strike you down!" Lekain said.
"Vice Minister… you are the foulest man known to this earth. You are beyond forgiveness," Sanaki said.
"Amusing. You see, forgiveness from a fraud is of no value to anyone," Lekain said.
"Empress, please don't force me to listen to him any longer! I will silence him for you!" Tanith said. Sothe threw a knife at Lekain, which he easily deflected.
"Hold, Tanith, Sothe. I want to understand… why do you claim I am not the true apostle?" Sanaki asked.
"The apostle of Begnion will be the firstborn daughter of each generation in the line of Altina, the first empress. She will give voice to the goddess, pass judgement, give prophecy, and protect her people and lands. Sanaki, you have never once heard the voice of the goddess, have you?" Lekain asked.
"That is because… because… I have not yet come of age!" Sanaki said.
"A hysterical coincidence! That's just what the senate said! 'Apostle Sanaki is too young to hear the goddess. Give her more time.' The lie you've lived is the same one we've told," Lekain said.
"Explanation!" Sanaki said, raising the already high heat of the desert a few degrees.
"Poor apostle… no one told you of your older sister, did they? She's the true apostle," Lekain said.
"I had a sister?" Sanaki asked.
"She died before you were born. Assassinated along with Apostle Misaha by the heron clan. The senate installed you, second daughter, as the apostle instead," Lekain said.
"You lie! You impugn me and the noble herons! And when we mention the great Misaha, bless her soul and all who follow her, we give our prayers, thank you very much!" Sanaki said, performing a sloppy gesture to accompany Misaha's name.
"I'm glad to have exposed the secret. Maybe you'll be able to accept the truth now…" Lekain said.
"The lying tongue of a treacherous senator proves nothing!" Tanith said, drawing her sword.
"You seek proof. We shall settle this the ancient way… a battle to the death! Whomsoever the goddess sees fit to win the day is in the right!" Lekain said.
"Lekain! Sothe… we've gotta get that blood pact!" Micaiah said.
"Right," Sothe said.
"Crush these heretics, champions of the goddess! Give them the reward for rebelling against our goddess!" the saint in charge of the Disciples, Duke Numida of Seliora, said.
"Where are you…?" Lethe asked, looking around.
"Hello! Looking for me?" Stefan asked.
"Yes, Stefan. Could you aid us once more?" Lethe asked.
"…Of course. That girl is of the same fate as I. Attacking my kin in the desert is the same as attacking me. None shall leave this place alive," Stefan said.
"Thank you, Stefan…" Lethe said.
"Now… watch this. I've been practicing… my name… is Stefan!" Stefan said. A burst of sand appeared behind him, blasting three lancers into the air.
"They'll come back down when hades freezes over. Most likely," Stefan said.
"Ugh... are we destined to perish here?" Micaiah asked, as the Disciples marched on the slowed Silver Army. Another glyph appeared, and another fighter joined the fray.
*My Maiden, hold on just a little longer. I am here,* the Black Knight said, immediately taking out a few Disciples. Micaiah was not sure what she was more thankful for, the fact she had strong allies on her side or that the senators were bumbling idiots whose forte was not that of the field of battle. Their initial surprise of seemingly invulnerability gone and new strategic positioning on their flanks, the Disciples of Order proved to be difficult combatants with mighty weapons that were the antithesis of magic and the spirits, but were not the avatars of war they proclaimed themselves to be. That hubris proved to be their downfall and her advantage. Stefan and Edward were working like a duo of veterans of a thousand battles together, the rest of her army were scattered across the desert sands. Holding their rear guard was the Black Knight, taking on at least three dozen soldiers of the Goddess in single combat.
The Empress and her retinue of bodyguards were fighting with Caili and Largo in the centre where the fighting was at its thickest. Sothe was doing his best to eliminate the archers were feints and cruel blade work. Nolan and Leonardo were holding off the other disciples on the left, each one clearly shown signs of adaptability in the face of such over whelming odds. Despite their initial string of bad luck on their previous engagements, the Dawn Brigade always did find a way to adapt for the next battle.
The senator in charge of this sect, a fat oaf called Numida, was well behind his soldiers, a line of gleaming shields prevented any individual soldiers from reaching them. Thankfully, the beast laguz were harrying them, drawing them into the fight. It was not going to do much against the defenders for sure but it opened up their defences to allow the Raven King and the other flying companions in. Haar swooped in low in an attempt to take the head from Numida, but was rebuffed by powerful magic causing the general to slump in his saddle, asleep for sure. The heron princess enacted her own version of magic to counteract Numida, causing the senator to throw a considerable among of power to gain an advantage against the heron. Naelsea saw this opening and swooped down with his talons, clutching both arms of the oaf and pulling him up towards the sky. Being separated from their leader and said leader under a great amount of distress caused the lines of Diciples to waver, making them far easier targets to kill. Micaiah saw their lips moving, so she reached out with her increased hearing. She caught their conversation, and hoped to make use of it.
"Put me down, feathered thief!" Numida screamed at the top of his laboured lungs.
"Duke Numida… I was wondering why someone like yourself was turned from stone, considering your rather… impious crimes." The Raven King said as he began to move as graceful as the night winds clutching his heavy burden.
"Silence! I am a senator in high standing! You will put me down! Your slander will not save you," Numida commanded.
Naelesa chuckled. "Really? I may have a leash around my neck, but just about each of the spies that report to your precious senate report to me as well. They passed on some very damning information. I know of every deed you have done since you annexed Daein. A pity all that talent, coin, and time will go to waste because no one will be able to see you fall from grace and into despair."
"I said put me down!" Numida said.
"Gladly." Relived to remove his burden, the Raven King threw the man down twenty feet into the warm inviting sand. With a bone shattering thud, the senator rolled over and looked into the eyes of the Dawn Brigade members. Edward asked who this fat husk of a man was, to which the raven swooped down and hovered three feet above where Numida laid.
"Nothing too important. Only record of note is that he was the de facto governor for Daein after the Mad King's War," Naesala said. Despite Numida's pleads for mercy and platitudes of apology, the members of the Dawn Brigade descended upon the man like mad beasts released from their cage. Finally, after years of waiting, they finally had their vengeance. Micaiah smiled at the sight, and turned to the Black Knight.
"Sir Knight! You always save me from danger!" Micaiah exclaimed.
*Maiden, I have a favour to ask. Will you… come with me? My master awaits you at the Tower of Guidance,* the Black Knight said.
"The Tower of Guidance… who is your master?" Micaiah asked.
*You will see when we get there. Take my hand. We will be there in the blink of an eye,* the Black Knight said, holding out one hand, and kneeling.
"I… I can't. I can't leave everyone behind. We have to get to the tower together," Micaiah said.
*Your allies will turn to stone with the light of judgement. I do not wish for you to see it…* the Black Knight said.
"The light… it will strike again?" Micaiah asked.
*Maiden… I will come for you again. Make up your mind by then,* the Black Knight said, vanishing into a runic circle.
"He's gone again… I knew we couldn't count on him!" Sothe said.
"Oh… Lekain got away, the bastard!" Edward said.
"Yes… but we'll have another chance," Leonardo said.
"I'm sure of it. He'll attack again. I don't know whether that is good or bad news," Nolan said.
"I know. We'll have to be ready," Micaiah said.
"Sigrun, Tanith…" Sanaki said, looking between her guards.
"Empress. Why so serious? Whatever it is, Sigrun and I can help you," Tanith said.
"Tanith, allow her to speak," Sigrun said.
"When the last apostle Misaha, bless her soul and all who follow her, was assassinated… and I was not yet born… Begnion went a long time without central authority. People were frightened, both by the murder and the power vacuum. Without the goddess's voice, Begnion was lost. Sephiran once said that when the senate confirmed my appointment as the next apostle, it was as if a sigh of relief spread about the country," Sanaki said.
"It's true. I remember you coronation… the day I first saw you. With your tiny hand in Sephiran's, you stumbled as you walked… a little girl, barely visible in the grand hallway of the cathedral. A moving sight," Sigrun said.
"I remember that well… the empress stepped on her cape and tripped five times," Tanith said.
"Tanith…" Sigrun said.
"The country's sigh of relief was unwarranted. I cannot hear the voice of the goddess. I never could. This perplexed me for years… at first, I thought it my youth. But this excuse grows thinner each year. There is no clear age when previous apostles first heard the goddess, but all of them have heard it by now," Sanaki said.
"Empress… if this is about Duke Gaddos…" Sigrun said.
"If I am not the true apostle, would I have betrayed my people? Even if unknowingly? You two are my trusted friends… how would you feel if I were not the apostle?" Sanaki asked.
"It would change nothing. If you thought our allegiance was to the office of apostle, you were wrong. Even from a young age, you worked with Lord Sephiran to fight the senate on behalf of the people," Sigrun said.
"Our loyalty lies with you, Empress Sanaki. You are our empress. Do not forget," Tanith said.
"I am blessed… not with the voice of the goddess, but with your loyalty," Sanaki said.
"Be strong, Empress Sanaki. Even if you are not the apostle, you are still the one and only empress of Begnion," Sigrun said.