8
Various types of magic were clashing trough the battle field, accompanied with agonizing screams. Bodies of wounded and dead were littering the field with healers trying to retrieve their comrades from the chaos, which had been created by the forces of Pegrande and Desierto. It really was a well laid plan to sneak on them and attack while the fresh troops weren't properly prepared and new arrivals got confused about their position in the field, resulting in random mages grouping up and creating formations similar to those on missions in their countries. A horrid discovery had been that the two abusing countries had taken over Bellum and forced their mages to use the Kingdoms special magic, which every citizen knew, to hide their troops and simply walk up to them. Marco had told them that they had been aware about this possibility and White Seas's Master had contacted the young prince of Bellum, who assured that everything was fine. It was unclear now if it was treachery or he been forced to lie, whatever the reason, the troops on Minstrels border were now facing the results of Bellum's "protection" magic, which allowed a person to hide himself and people around themselves, erase their presence, smell even footprints.
-Barion formation!- Bickslow called for the countless time. He and the rest of the Thunder God tribe had formed a group the moment, they realized that the troops and formation were a mess. Freed had instantly jumped to the forbidden side of his magic and was now blasting enemies in his demonic form, Evergreen had shot her Leprechaun, eliminating a group of mages too close to them. The most impressive, however, had been Laxus, who entered the battle with a Dragon roar, spilling the battlefield and shocking even Marco, who had teamed up with Amelia and Teb.
-So his an Air mage. Interesting.- Freed said, when he noticed several mages scattered around the Knight on their knees gasping for air. Everyone was pretty amused about Teb's magic, since it would have been perfect to properly piss someone off. Teb was able to walk through objects and people, so most enemies around him ended up cutting down their own. Of course, he helped those, who missed by demonstrating his first class hand to hand skills.
Laxus was sending his attacks in all directions, occasionally throwing in a fist or two. He felt someone behind his back and swung only to be nearly hit Amelia in the face.
-Whoa, careful, purple make-up doesn't suit me.- she said and the Lightning Slayer shook his head.
-I thought your covering our backs?-
-I already did.- came her reply and Laxus looked behind her to see, three dozens of mages on the ground, dark smoke coming from them.
-What did you do?-
-Purified them.-
-Looks more like you fried them.- Bickslow called as he leaped over them in a neat flip and landed gracefully on one of his babies.
-Showoff.- evergreen muttered as she leaned on of the several statues.
-Creep.- the Seith mage replied. Suddenly all of them froze as a strange, warm breeze passed the battle field.
-What is that magic?-Freed asked, landing now next to them. They all looked at Amelia, as she groaned and magic danced in her eyes. A flaming arrow was shot towards the sky and they watched in amazement as it reached the clouds and colored them a dark orange color.
-Praetego! Nobody move or you'll die!- Amelia called as all their comrades were covered under rune shields, Freed, realizing her intentions, creating several safe boxes around the closest mages and themselves. Everyone was frozen in shock and amazement, as droplets of fire started raining from the orange clouds. The enemies were banging on the rune shields as they caught fire and the field was soon filled with the smell of burned flesh. Within a few minutes the field was littered with burned and still burning bodies, as the remaining enemy forces run back across the border, realizing that this was a loosing battle.
-What was that?- Bickslow asked curling his lip in disgust as they stepped over the corpses. Evergreen had already left her dinner near a dune and was now guided away by a battered soldier.
-That was Nicole.- Marco said grimly.
-Man, I didn't think it's gonna cause such a disgusting scene. Sorry, didn't think 'bout it.- a chirp females voice rand and they turned to see a female with dark red hair, sitting on top of some rock, rolling a lollipop in her mouth. She took the candy out with an audible pop and grimaced at the mess around her. A kick to her head, send the woman sprawling on the ground, clutching her head and moaning. Laxus grinned at Amelia's courtesy, he'd wanted to do that himself.
-Are you an idiot? What were you thinking, you reckless dolt?- the Soul mage shouted animatedly, a bunch of thick marks pulsing on her head.
-I tried to help!- the red head jumped to her feet and got right in Amelia's face.
-Help? By scorching down the entire area? What would have happened if I and Freed wouldn't set up the runes around everyone? Huh?-
-Relax, I knew that you are here and saw the green haired dude using runes, so I figured that you both would manage things here. I even gave the attack a slow burner, so that you have time.- Nicole replied, as if it wouldn't have been such a big deal.
-Relax?-Amelia was now clad in dark aura, cracking her knuckles and in seconds a set of screams and begs was filling the air, startling several soldiers and mages. Marco and Teb were working overtime to calm them down and explain that it's only a sibling reunion.
The Thunder God tribe, Teb, Marco and the two sisters were now sitting in Marco's tent, with the red head sporting several bumps and bruises, yet another courtesy of Amelia, although the static running through her hair was a welcome present from Laxus, after the fire mage had tried to jump Amelia from behind. They had been sent to the tent by the General, who was not pleased by the lack of discipline in the battle field. He had sent those uninjured to tents and would be dealing with them one by one, first he had to create a new troop plan, based on his observations on the field.
-So, what exactly brings ya here, bug?- Marco asked the fuming female.
-Kaleb. I was in Bosco and had planned to join them on the border of Joya but that pompous ass sent me here. Said that he doesn't want to explain to the Queen why Joya's landscape has changed, whatever that means.- she explained, earning a snicker from Bickslow.
-That probably is connected to the mountain in Stella, which you erased. The King is still giving me the eye, every time I'm sent on a mission there.- Amelia said.
-Still? That was seven years ago! I was fourteen only and reckless!- Nicole defended and the group nearly blanched. If she now was mature than what had she been in her teens.
-You don't want to know.- Marco replied, shuddering at the memories.
-By the way, Ama, you owe me a lollipop!- the Fire mage pointed an accusing finger towards her sister, making the older mage heave a heavy sigh.
-Are you sure you two related?- Laxus asked completely dumbfounded by the wast difference in characters.
-Yap! Both born in Tana village!-Nicole replied giving him a large smile.
-Where's that even?- Bickslow asked, playing with the feathers of his visor. He had taken it off, when the battle started and hadn't bothered to place it back.
-I believe it's a village near Minstrels border with Midi.-Freed answered rather surprised. They hadn't known that their new guild mate was born in Minstrel.
-How did you end up in Fiore?- Evergreen asked.
-That's a long story.- Amelia replied.
-And we have the time. Looks like General's gonna join us in a few hours only.- Marco replied, eyes observing the main tent, where the General and his strategists were still working.
-Right. Well, I'll start from the beginning than.- Amelia said.
-Yeah, the middle might not be the right place to start.- Laxus grinned as the woman cast him a dirty look. He had to bite his tongue to keep him from replying her with a comment just as dirty as her glance.
-As said before, we were born in the village of Tana, just like Marco here, although he was already part Minstrels army at that time. He was good friends with our father, since they grew up together and he was the one, who took to the Clearing of Mages, when our magic appeared. I was eight at that time and Nicole was five. For those, who don't know what it is, the Clearing of Mages is a set of training grounds for young mages, created by the Citadel of Teachings. It's protected by lacrima based power fields and has boarding homes available for those, who cannot return home. We were of that group, since our magic power was too strong and wild. Marco trained us and taught us how to control it's flow and when we were ready, the Citadel took us to find appropriate magic and help us master it. I went first at the age of ten and Nicole came, when she was eight. By the law, we had to stay there until we turned fifteen, however none of us did.- amelia explained glancing at her sister, who was biting her lip, playing with a strand of her red hair.
-I run away when I was eleven. I wanted to see the world and I thought that I've learned everything and can protect myself, but, boy, was i wrong. A group of dark mages caught me only a few days after my escape and took me to Iceberg, where their Dark guild was hiding. I was cuffed in anti-magic cuffs and kept that way as a slave, cleaning and doing whatever I was asked. Amelia left the Citadel as soon as she found out. She actually tracked us down but knew that she couldn't do much about them the way she was than.-
-You created the Soul weapon than.- Bickslow stated quietly and the Soul mage nodded.
-And slaughtered all of them.- she added just as quietly.
-We run to Stella because the magic concealing shackles were created there and only they could remove them. We found an old craftsman in the countryside, who agreed to remove them without reporting it to the Stellan Council. It was than, when we were caught by some left overs of the Dark guild and Nicole blasted a part of Mount Staras. After we returned to Minstrel, we were taken in custody by the army and, after explaining things, the Council pardoned Nicole, writing it off as childish behavior. Since I was older, I was punished by being exiled to Fiore for two years, so, all in all, it wasn't that bad.- the Soul mage finished and the tent was filled with stunned silence.
-So that's your story. Well, you pretty much know ours, so I think we should pull out those remaining bottle of ale to settle down.-Bickslow said and everyone nodded. They all needed a drink and some good sleep. Marco watched in silence as Freed leaned against one of the beams, holding up the tent, and closed his eyes, Evergreen soon placing her head in his lap, covering them both with her coat. Bickslow was passing a bottle of ale to Laxus, both man drinking in silence. Amelia and Nicole were whispering something in the corner, probably catching up. Marco looked at Tab, who looked rather concerned. The Mintrellan Knight slapped the young man on the shoulder, making him jump.
-Relax, have a drink and get some rest. It's gonna be a few hours till we need to be ready for the Boss man.- Marco said and passed Teb his bottle of rum. The tent was filled with gruff laughter as the young man started coughing and choking.
-What is this stuff?- he wheezed looking at the bottle of rum.
-It's home made stuff. Best rum ya can find in Minstrel!-
-Is that Dad's brew?- Nicole asked licking her lips. Her father had allowed to try his home made rum when she turned sixteen and the Fire mage took a liking to it. Amelia raised an eyebrow at her sister. She had never tried one of the Fathers creations too scared from dying. Marco laughed again and passed the bottle to the red head, who took a large swing and moaned. Nicole passed the bottle to her sister, who eyed the red content suspiciously.
-Isn't rum supposed to be brown?- Amelia asked taking the bottle and examining it closely.
-It's cherry flavored. My favorite.- Marco said and the Soul mage gave the bottle one last glance before taking a large swing herself.
-This is good!- Amelia said surprised and passed the bottle to Laxus, when Marco nodded towards the large man. The Lightning Slayer took a large gulp and shuddered from the perfect combination of bitter, sweet and sour, graced with a cherry aftertaste. The liquor was strong, spreading a nice, hot feeling straight away.
-I think I might want to meet the person, who made this and get a few bottles.- Laxus said passing the bottle to Bickslow, who took a large swing without thinking and ended up coughing and choking the moment it his throat.
-Jeez, you can kill someone with this!- the Seith said and everyone laughed.
-Don't know about killing but you sure can get them under the table!- Nicole answered. From there on the group started cracking jokes, waking up Freed and ever in the process and were shocked to see that Freed was taking the strong drink quite well.
When the General entered the tent a few hours later, he was met with a group of snoring, mumbling mages, all too drunk to care. He glanced at the only survivor of the drunken party and sighed, when Marco grinned. After all the General was one of the Knights first victims of Tana village's finest cherry rum.