Chapter 3-Depature

After a restless night tossing, I groggily got up the next morning, knowing that Chrom and his retinue had departed at dawn. He had instructed us to take the southern route back to Ylisstol as he would be patrolling the high mountain pass to the North. I still didn't see how he could have so much faith in a despised daughter of traitorous dastards, but it was not my place to dispute his blind trust in my loyalties. Siff and Ronna styled my hair and helped me put on my finest vestments, and I kept pinching myself that this was all a dream. Newly sewn onto my collar was an amber arrowhead symbol outlined in black. Siff had hers painted on her shoulder pauldrons, and both Ronna, and Bhavin proudly bore the patches as well. With a slight wince from my newly healed leg, I walked down the spiral staircase with into my throne room only to be confronted by a surprise. A burly peasant waited patiently for my arrival. At his side was his wife, holding a cooing infant,

Matilla was dressed in her silver and black Pegasus knight armor and cleared her throat as I entered. "Mimika, these three have come to return your steed, and make a request.

Attired in his white priest robes trimmed in violet Bhavin was also in attendance , although he remained attentively silent.

I quickly acknowledged three of my subjects with a brief nod, "Greetings, sir and ma'am. How may I be of service?"

The stocky man in a brown tunic with black pants looked up and I had seen he had shaved off his beard and slicked back his raven hair to look more presentable. His matronly spouse with auburn hair and kind light brown eyes was in a pale green, slightly tattered dress. I belatedly realized with a shock this was the woodcutter family I had run into in the magically afire Evonrue forest. His dark eyes blazed with passion, "Milady Paragaive, er…well…please allow us to thank ye for saving our hides yesterday. We are etern'ly grateful for saving us. Bless ye."

I started to flush a bit from embarrassment. Both Vanny and Ronna beamed; Siff giggled in amusement. Matilla kept a rigid poker face, as expected.

I spoke tentatively, "Well…you are welcome. You are my faithful people, and your welfare matters to me. What are your names?"

"Finchson, milady. The missus' is Faeni, and my lil' girl is Phersolla. I was hopin' you'd allow us the honor of accompanyin' ye on your journey."

I blinked in disbelief, "Umm…but why if I may ask? I am certain to run in bands of roving brigands at the very least. It will be a dangerous journey."

He grinned fiercely, "Because we have a cart and sassy mule that can haul any gear ye need for your Arrowhead Scouts, no? Someone's got to carry the support stuff! Food, spare armor, provisions n' the like."

I exchanged glances with my retainers and sighed. I really did not want to endanger my loyal serfs, but he had an undeniable point. We couldn't carry an elite squads miscellanea on our backs now could we? I tried to speak with confidence, "Fair enough, Mister Finchson. You are officially called to serve as the Arrowhead Scouts Supply train. Ronna, if you would?"

"With pleasure, milady." She handed out two rhombus-shaped patches to the support team, and we soon we on our way.

I wished Matilla well as she would serve as the Regent for my domain in my absence but she insisted that we not say goodbye, as she was sure I would return unharmed. Maybe she secretly didn't want to become misty eyed in front of me. It took every ounce of effort on my part not to cry myself.

We soon rode out of the shadow of the square, squat Sunstone keep and I had a prickly feeling down my back that I would never see its sturdy walls again. I wiped at my eyes, and then resolutely looked at the road ahead, determined not to look back.

…

After hours of march ahead of the Shepards, my allies and I reached Vicateria, a medium sized town at the edge of my domain. It lay at the confluence of several trading roads. One lead back to my Keep and Plegia beyond, one passed over through the mountains and towards Regina Ferox, and the final route went towards Ylisstol that traced a meandering path over rolling hills. I was soaking in the new sights and smells of the market that we rode through as the busy townfolk rushed about, buying, wheedling, dealing, and arguing. Little children played games in the streets with loud peals of laughter. I felt like my head would spin off my neck at being confronted with the cacophony of life assaulting my eyes and ears.

With her armor clanking slightly at each bounce, Siffra looked at me and smirked, "Getting saddlesore yet, Mimi?"

I didn't smile back, as my rear was numb from the tedious hours of the road. "Indeed. I think we should seek lodging for the night. We could camp, but if there is an inn in town, why not use it?"

"Yahoo! A soft bed for the night! I'm so pumped!"

Vanny chuckled softly, "That building has a sign that says, 'The Lady's Favor'. I think that may do nicely."

"Sure." As we rode over to the low slung stone building, my face paled as I saw the symbol next to the inn name featured a stylized halberd symbol. I was embarrassed to realize the Lady in the name was referring to me! We had our horse and mule sheltered in the stables, and Finchson was insistent that he sleep in the stables to guard the cart and mounts. I was reluctant, but eventually agreed providing his wife and daughter had a space indoors. I walked into the Inn, hoping to look more confident than I felt.

I glanced around the half empty room and spied a striking slip of a girl calmly busing tables and bringing steins of mead to thirsty travelers and locals. She had a slender build with unruly silver hair, intense amber eyes and light tan skin that pegged as likely originating from Plegia. She was dressed in a white tunic, grey slacks over brown boots, and wore a dark blue serving apron for her duties. She turned and looked astonished to see my family crest followed by my face. She instantly gave a deep curtsy, "Lady Mimika! What an honor! Welcome to 'The Lady's Favor'!" How may I be of service?"

"Hello Miss. I would like to rent out two rooms for the night if you please." I felt uncomfortable as I saw all the patrons stand up and give me bows of respect. The portly, balding tavern master walked from behind the bar and beamed at me with a smile on his ruddy cheeks. I had honestly never expected my subjects to have any warm feelings for me at all considering my lineage. Soon every eye in the room was on me. I noticed in the furthest corner of the bar a strongly built man with black hair looking at me with a faint air of amusement in his emerald green eyes. He was dressed in slate grey mage's robes, and he took off his black conical hat and gave a courteous bow.

The barmaid turned my attention back to her as she flashed a warm smile, but I thought I glimpsed a hint of pain in her eerie eyes. Maybe I was imagining things, but I sensed a very dark, but not evil aura about her "Milady, please don't insult the owner. This town lies within your lands and your subjects would never take advantage of their liege."

"B-but, I can pay. I am inconveniencing you. You should be recompensed Miss…?"

"Xolette, milady." She turned to the owner, "Master Stotte, should our Lady of the Sunstone keep pay for her lodgings?'

Stotte shook his head, still wearing a jolly grin, "Please, Lady Mimika, make yourself at home. It is an honor to have you as our guest."

"But, we will pay for the food and drinks at least."

"With all due respect, I can't do that. Please, let us indulge our fair Lady."

Siffra impishly whispered in my ear, "See I told you that your subjects love you. You should trust your faithful retainers a bit more."

I finally gave up, "Yes, thank you. We will be in your care."

"Wonderful! Xolette, be a dear and give them their first round of mead on the house!"

"Certainly, sir." Just as we were about to gracefully rest our aching bodies, the door behind us opened up again, and the man in the doorway seemed to lower the temperature in the room to nearly freezing. He was an arrogant and muscular blond man with a sharp-edged face. His perceptive crimson eyes burned with icy malice. He was dressed in inconspicuous brown leather armor, black pants, gauntlets and boots; however his arrogant swagger indicated he was far from an itinerant sellsword. His lips curled up slightly, but a genuine smile on this warrior did not suit his demeanor.

Instantly I turned to the tavern guests, who looked on in shock, "Go out the back…now!"

The panicked customers and the woodcutter's spouse fled out the back door and into the kitchen as my retainers wordlessly unsheathed their weapons. Much to my surprise the mage at the bar casually dusted off his jacket and leaned against the bar with a tiny smile on his face and a thick tone clutched in his hands. The enemy warrior sneered and noted, "Let's do this the easy way, Xolette. None of your precious customers, townfolk, or Little Lady here need to be hurt. Just come with me."

Little Lady? I seethed with fury inside at his taunt, but refused to take the bait by responding.

As screams of the peasants outside got closer, the barmaid took off her apron and carefully folded it before laying it on the countertop. She then whirled on her tormentor with her hands curled up into quivering fists, "Casval, don't you ever tire of this? Hunting? Hurting? Killing? You know his Highness, King Gangrel only lives to torment other's lives!"

"He could claim to be the Fell Dragon incarnate and I would not care, provided my coin purse is filled." The door was kicked into kindling as a dozen burly men armed to the teeth spilled into the empty tavern. All were brigands dressed in stained furs and cloth, doubtless sent by King Gangrel himself to sow chaos against his despised foes in Ylisse.

I snorted indignantly, "You are at least an honorable reprobate. Your men have no blood on their axes and swords. I appreciate you not slaughtering hapless peasants along the way for sick thrills."

He rolled his narrow eyes in slight annoyance, "They do not pay me a single iron coin extra to put down mutts. Only the prize matters. Killing you and your retainers should net me a nice bonus along for my troubles." He glanced at his fingernails with a bored glance and spoke as if he was casually ordering a glass of wine, "Disable Xolette, but she must be brought back alive. Slay the others."

Dastard! Three of the barbarians charged with hammers and axes as Casval whipped out his war axe and tried to sink it into my skull. I barely parried, but his next blow shattered my shield. Horse plop, that hurt!

Siff dashed in and took on the elite mercenary with her sword, freeing me to switch to my wind tome as I sent tables and chairs flying into the faces of two of the brigands, knocking them sensdeless.

Much to my surprise Xolette screamed and shot a black cloud of energy that blasted three of the Plegian grunts all the way through the stone front wall and window. Obviously, the force of the impacts must have been fatal.

I slashed another brigand in the chest as I saw another thug kicked the Dark mage in the stomach causing her to crumple to her knees in pain. Just as he hefted his hammer, an arrow loosed by Ronna caught him in the throat. He gurgled in surprise before going down. A quick scan revealed several of our enemies were preforated by arrows.

A scream from Siff made me turn the other way as my loyal retainer fell against the wall with blood seeping from a side wound. She looked at me with a pained, apologetic expression, "Run Mimi!"

The mercenary sliced at me nicking my shoulder, and driving me back against the bar. "Nothing personal Little Lady!"

I thunderclap deafened the room as the mysterious grey-robed mage strike Casval with a lightning blast. He staggered from the blow as I slashed his right arm. He roared in annoyance, as he saw another arrow fell the last grunt. He realized he was outmatched as he growled and backed out the door before vanishing into a dark alleyway.

I slumped onto a bar stool and exhaled sharply. That had been way too close.

…

A few minutes later, Bhavin finished using his healing staff to bind our wounds, and distributing vulneraries to the more seriously injured Xolette and Siffra. Luckily the town guards had determined that no more brigands remained, although their leader had escaped. I knew with a sinking feeling that this would not be the only time I would have to endure the sight of his coldly sneering face.

"Mimi! I'm so sorry! He got the better of me!" Siff gave me a tight hug as she apologized with tears in her eyes.

"It's okay Siff, he got the best of me too. If it hadn't been for the timely intervention of Miss Xollete and Mister…"

The mage gave a sweeping bow with a secretive expression on his handsome face, "Iniabi, Milady Mimika."

I could swear there was something eerily familiar about his face, but I could not place the resemblance. "Well, Mister Iniabi, name your price for your service."

"Certainly. All that I ask is that I accompany you on your grand quest."

What? "Umm…I can't allow that. I was given leave to bring my retainers with me, but not recruit any more members into the Arrowhead Scouts. I am only allowed to travel because of a kind noble's dispensation. I do not wish to strain his generosity further."

His spoke with calm assurance, "Oh, I have no doubt His Highness, Prince Chrom wouldn't care if you recruited half the countryside on your journey, milady."

The very nerve of the man! Ronna's eyes narrowed, and Siffra started to raise her fists, but a look from me stopped her cold. Bhavin looked merely looked mildly irked.

I was thoroughly flustered by how easily he was outmaneuvering me. "Look, Mister Iniabi, I don't care how you heard that rumor, but I will pay you for your timely help and you can go on your own way."

He calmly shook his head, "If you don't recruit me, I'll just find my way to your side again. Trust me, I think you will find me most helpful to your cause. My beloved told me often that a hero's cause against injustice is the highest form of service. In her memory, please let me aid you."

I crossed my arms, feeling deeply conflicted, and felt stabs of guilt at his invocation of his lost love. "Fair enough. I'm sure my retainers will keep a close eye on you, but you can accompany us. However, if they tell you in Ylisstol to walk away, you must respect their wishes."

"Wonderful! You will not regret it."

Xolette walked up to the group and curtsied. "My kind Lady, I know I am a hunted woman, but I feel that I owe you a debt a must repay. I would like to serve by your side as well."

I gently rubbed my throbbing temples. What was with all these overeager heroes crawling out of the woodwork? "No! Just no." I sighed in frustration, "I'm not trying to turn you away because of your dark magic, but I can have you looked after in my keep. I would say my guards and Pegasus knights should keep that dastard Casval far at bay."

"Apologies, milady. I am a creature of darkness and despair." She sweetly shook her head, "I'm certain The Sunstone Keep has good people, but was you that stood up for me, not them. I am better suited to guard your back than impose on your retainers' hospitality. I know that war with Plegia will come sooner or later. Too many Grimleal and an insane king want to bring this world to rack and ruin on behalf of their tainted god. I know you and Prince Chrom will be caught in a firestorm; still the least I can do is to increase your chances of bringing those monsters down!"

My servants looked as exasperated as I did, but no one could think of a counterargument. If she was an escaped servant of the Plegians than I would far prefer to deploy her against her former masters than allow her to be used against my own Prince and Exalt. "Fine, fine. I am happy to welcome you. Welcome to the Arrowhead Scouts, Miss Xolette and Mister Iniabi."

The tavern owner gave his former employee a tearful hug, and after leaving some coins behind to repair the damaged barroom, my newly expanded team hastily left town to make camp. If we were attacked again, no one else needed to be hurt. Just before we left, I used a paintbrush to sign my name to the tavern sign as a gesture of deep gratitude. I was starting to get really excited. Within a few days travel I would actually see the fabled royal gardens of Ylisstol of my dreams.