This is the fourth installment in my ongoing series FE – Flow of Destiny. From this point on I will be releasing new chapters at the beginning and middle of each month unless otherwise noted. As always, I welcome your comments and constructive feedback. Thanks!
Chapter 4 – Looming Hostilities
"The time has arrived," the trespasser uttered as she took another step in his direction. Ike braced himself as his mind focused on the imminent battle.
But before the strange woman could get any closer, a white blur burst out of the wooded obscurity behind her, crashing into her dark form and sending both rolling into the camp like a frenzied tumbleweed. Through the riotous melee of shrieks and crashing equipment Ike could make out the harried form of Elincia as she struggled with the nimble intruder.
The strange woman had managed to straddle Elincia, pinning her to the ground with powerful legs and brandishing that curved weapon over her. Elincia had a firm hold on the trespasser's wrists in a determined but failing attempt to hold back the blade, which was inching ever closer to her chest as everyone hurried frantically toward the entangled duo.
Everyone except Soren, who was watching the entire scene as if it were an amusing play.
Ike, reaching the pair first, seized the back of the assailant's collar. "Get off her!" he roared as he flung the assailant backwards into the arms of Titania, who deftly disarmed the figure and pinned her against the ground.
"What the hell are you doing?! I'm the one that was attacked!" the wriggling figure cried out in a display of genuinely shocked protest.
Ike almost laughed at her audacity as he extended a hand to Elincia. "Are you all right?" Ike asked her as he helped her up off the ground, her verdant hair sprawling loosely down her shoulders like rampant vines down a wall.
"I believe so," she replied, glancing quickly over herself and her torn, dusty outfit. Ike stared at her a moment, as if remembering something.
"No, don't trust her!" the girl screamed in a fit of dismay, "She's going to kill you!" By this point the other Greil mercenaries had formed a loose ring around the scene, and exchanged confused looks upon hearing this unexpected outburst.
Ike spun around, anger wrestling with confusion for dominance of his features. "What are you talking about? Why would you dare say such a thing about Elincia after what you just pulled?"
The girl stopped struggling, eyebrows squished tightly together as she stared at the tousled figure in white. "Wait, what? "That's the Crimean queen?"
Elincia blinked rapidly. "Are you trying to tell me you didn't know? Isn't that the whole reason why you attacked us?"
"I attacked you because I saw you and your friend sneaking toward Ike's camp like you were planning to attack it," she explained as a smug smirk formed on her lips. "Besides, I never would have expected the ruler of Crimea to be wandering around the woods at night. Very unqueenlike behavior if you ask me."
"We were not sneaking!" Elincia exclaimed in a challenging tone as she looked to Ike. "Lucia and I were in our camp when we saw…something huge landed on a branch above us, and then it disappeared somewhere in this direction."
"Molu. His name is Molu," the girl interjected sharply. "I brought him down in the wrong camp," she explained as she came the closest to a shrug that she could in her current position. "By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late."
Anyway," Elincia continued, ignoring the interruption, "Lucia and I came to warn you, but then we were attacked." Suddenly, her face blanched and she spun toward the trees. "Lucia! She pushed me out of the way just before this person jumped down on us and…" Her eyes went wide. "By the mercy of the goddess, Lucia is still out there…."
The interloper laughed. "Don't worry, your friend is out cold, but otherwise fine," she assured her in a mocking tone. "I might have nicked her, though," she added as she glanced toward her weapon, "I wasn't expecting her to push you out of the way like that. Such devotion to such a lost cause."
Elincia started back toward the woods. "I have to go check on her, she's out there alone with that…thing" she muttered, stumbling back towards the jutting, dark sentinels.
"Molu," the girl called out. "And don't worry, he has better taste than that."
Ike grabbed Elincia's arm, shaking his head. "You need to sit down and rest." He directed her over to an overturned log, before gesturing to Boyd and Mia. "Go find Lucia and bring her here," he ordered, "And keep sharp."
"Molu won't attack unless I order him to," their visitor said, a knowing smile creasing over her visage, "or unless he thinks I'm in danger," she added as she looked upward at her captor. "It would be a shame for him to attack the very ones I am trying to deliver an urgent message to." Titania did not budge, but did cast a quick look towards the trees.
"Titania, release her," Ike ordered, at the same time signaling the rest of the troop to lower their weapons before again addressing the new arrival. "This is not a sign of fear, trust, or mercy. It is a chance for you to talk, nothing more. You should still consider yourself a prisoner, and I would strongly advise against doing anything that could be taken as a threat to a band of highly trained and experienced mercenaries, who are still quite irritated about being woken up early."
"No kidding," she muttered as Titania frisked her for other weapons, her slightly slanted eyes confronting the calm yet wary looks of the crowd around her. "Even if there were ten of me, I would still think twice before taking on the Greil Mercenaries."
Ike stepped closer to the girl, studying her. She was tall, almost as tall as he was. Her strong, sturdy form was covered in what he could now see was dark blue material that clung tightly to her body. Plates of close fitting armor were attached to her arms and legs, and over her chest she wore a cuirass that seemed to be made of a material he was unfamiliar with. Proud bangs protruded over a narrow forehead. Her hair, a very familiar shade of blue, was twisted into a smooth ponytail cascading down her back.
"I don't have any weapons on me besides that," she muttered, tilting her head towards the odd metallic form lying in the dirt. Soren kneeled and picked it up gingerly, studying it. It seemed to consist of two pieces of thin, sharpened metal, curved and interposed over one another in opposite directions, the curved section of the outward facing piece wrapped in leather to form a sort of handle.
"What is this?" Soren asked, forehead creased as he examined the object, taking care not to touch the tips.
"That question doesn't concern me so much as why you attacked our comrades," Ike said as he gestured toward Elincia, who said nothing as she absently reworked her hair into a jumbled semblance of its former state as she scanned the borders of the camp for movement.
"Isn't it proper to introduce yourself before beginning the interrogation?" the girl inquired sarcastically.
Ike snorted. "Fine. Hello, I'm Ike. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now who the hell are you and what are you doing in my camp?!"
The stranger flashed him a grin that was full of promise. A promise of what, he didn't know. "Yes, I know who you are, Ike. My name is Navina, and I'm here as a friend."
"You have a strange way of introducing yourself to those you would call friends," Soren interjected.
Ike nodded. "Indeed. Despite what you say, the fact is you attacked two of our friends without provocation. Are we really supposed to listen someone who could do something like that?"
Navina narrowed her eyes. "I told you, that was an accident. And besides, are you sure you would consider the queen and her supposed bodyguard part of your group? Because from where I'm standing, I just don't see it," she said as she glanced at the anxiously rocking form of the Crimean queen.
As if in response to the discussion, Lucia came stumbling out of the woods, supported by Mia and Boyd. She had the appearance of one whose mind was as disheveled as her body, and as she came closer one could see the small stream of red running down her right leg. However, whatever feelings of pain or disorientation Lucia may have been feeling were scorched away when her eyes caught sight of the tall, defiant figure standing near the fire. "You…" she hissed as she stomped toward the target of her fury.
Elincia rushed to Lucia's side, holding her back. "Lucia, wait, you're in no condition to fight."
"I'm not the one who should be worried about my health here," she growled, pushing against Elincia's grasp. "She attacked you, your highness! She shot a look to Ike as she cast an accusing finger at their captive. "Why isn't she bound and gagged?"
"She is sufficiently restrained," he said, indicating the watchful circle around him. "This way, she can answer some questions."
"The only question I have for her is who I should send her remains to," Lucia said, still gripped by rage. "She nearly killed us back there!"
"I'm sorry," Navina replied in a tone that left no doubt that she was anything but regretful about what she had done. "I mistook you for…undesirable characters, who were intent to do harm to Ike and his company." She tilted her head, studying Lucia with a hard smile. "Besides, now that I think about it the whole thing really is your own fault. If you hadn't pushed the queen out of the way like that, you would both be resting comfortably right now, and Ike and I would be having a nice, peaceful chat."
It took the combined efforts of Elincia, Mia, and Boyd to hold Lucia back this time. After an intense but ultimately futile struggle, Lucia finally gave up. "Why are we even listening to her? What could she possibly have to say that could justify what she has done?"
Her gaze was fixed on Lucia like a mongoose on a serpent. "If you have any concern at all for Tellius and its people, you will listen to what I have to say. The entire continent could be in danger."
Lucia stopped struggling, a condescending grin pushing through the anger. "Maybe you're a little late to the news, but we defeated Ashera and her minions already. The danger has passed."
Navina shook her head. "I'm afraid you are mistaken." She paused, as if considering something. "No, afraid is the wrong word. I'm actually a little glad you are mistaken because it proves how ignorant you are." It is not Ashera, but Ashunera, that is the issue here."
Ike straightened. How did she know that name? No one outside of their group had heard of it. Did this mean that what happened in the woods…
Soren harrumphed. "Ashunera is no threat to us."
Ike glanced at him. "How can you be so sure?"
Soren sighed heavily, as if the answer should be obvious. "Basic reasoning. Assuming that Ashera, goddess of order, and Yune, goddess of chaos, rejoined after the battle, they are now in balance again as Ashunera. And even if they weren't, you must remember that both of them expended enormous amounts of energy in the recent struggle, not to mention that Ashera received a great deal of damage during the battle. Even if they, or she wanted to cause problems, which I highly doubt, they couldn't because they would be too exhausted. Even being supposed goddesses, they would still need time to… I guess rest would be the most appropriate word."
Navina nodded. "Very astute reasoning. However, the threat is not from Ashunera herself, but from others who…resent her."
"How can anyone hate her? Outside of us, no one even knows of her existence," Soren pointed out with thinly veiled annoyance.
Navina sighed. "That's where you're wrong. There are those who know of her and her turbulent history."
Ike frowned. "Care to elaborate on exactly who 'they' are and how they found out about Ashunera?"
"I don't have time to get into details. But they didn't find out, they have always known, and they believe that Ashunera has proven herself to be an unstable menace who can no longer be tolerated."
"Can't really blame them for that," Soren muttered.
"Why haven't we ever heard of them?" Elincia asked.
"Because their numbers were small, and they were scattered all over the continent. Too angry to forget, but too weak to act. I understand a few tried to speak out, to tell the truth about Ashera and the 'dark god'. But no one believed them, and they were quickly silenced."
Navina let that dark shred of information sink in before continuing. "So the rest have just been living their lives, trying to get by as best they can, hoping that things would work out. That was the case, at least until a few years ago."
"So what changed?" Ike asked, already suspecting the answer.
Navina trained her unblinking eyes on him. "The Mad King's War, during which Yune came dangerously close to being released. The anger, hate, and fear that had been subsiding was pushed to the surface as they once again faced the very real prospect of again being at the mercy of an unpredictable deity."
"So in a way, I am responsible for this," Ike muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"There are others who bear much more responsibility than you," she replied as she shot a quick glance toward Elincia. "Anyway, that was when he appeared."
"Who?"
"I don't know his name, but when he came along a few years ago he was like the sounding box for all their fears and anxieties, convincing them all to unite under him to overcome the menace of Ashunera once and for all."
"But you said their numbers were small, right? Surely a few disgruntled people cannot be a threat, no matter how charismatic their leader is."
If they were acting alone, that would perhaps be true. But this new leader has enlisted the aid of other, how should I say, dissatisfied groups on Tellius. Using their anger and fear as mortar, he has bound them all together into a cause which he hopes will bear fruit tonight."
"He picked an awfully convenient time to get started," Soren observed, "he wasn't working with Sephiran, was he?"
Navina grunted. "Hardly. He knew of Sephiran's machinations, but their goals were completely opposite. He may have given a little nudge every now and then when he thought it furthered his own goals, but I get the impression that our leader basically just sat back and watched the play unfold. Besides, if they ever had met, they probably would have tried to kill each other."
"Maybe that wouldn't have been such a bad thing," Soren murmured.
"Maybe they can be reasoned with," Elincia cut in. "This is a new era for Tellius, one of tolerance and peace. And their concerns are not entirely without merit. Maybe we can talk to them, reason with them, convince them that they can be a part of the process. There's no need for any more killing."
Navina stared at her blankly for a few seconds, before something like a stifled chuckle escaped her lips. "I thought that incident with Ludveck might have taught you something," she uttered as she shook her head, "but I guess not. Listen, highness, these people are well past the reasoning stage, if they were ever there at all." A menacing sneer spread out across her features. "But if you'd like to try, then be my guest. It'll be one less person to get in the way of the real work that needs to be done."
Before anyone could respond to this, she had moved on with her speech. "Now, with the Goddess and Begnion itself weakened, now is the perfect time for them to strike."
"So what do they intend to do? Hunt the goddess?" Soren asked with trademark sarcasm. Ike scratched the back of his head as he looked uneasily in the direction of the old chapel, but said nothing.
"Worse. Our leader has positioned his forces in Sienne to eliminate the symbol of the Goddess, the one who wields her power on Tellius. After that has been done, they can carry forward with their other plans to take control of Begnion and erase all traces of the Goddess from existence."
"So they're in Sienne and they want to destroy the one who has the authority of the goddess," Elincia muttered. That would mean…." She gasped as her face lit up with realization.
"They're going to kill the empress," Ike finished.
Navina nodded. "I believe that you are right, unfortunately."
"What are their exact numbers?"
"I'm not sure. Enough to overwhelm the measly forces the empress has at her disposal at the moment."
"But Sanaki has renounced the title of Apostle!" Elincia declared, "what good would it do to assassinate her now?"
Navina gave her a look as if all the stupidity of the world had been rolled into that one question. "You think that one simple speech heard by one crowd in one city of a vast Empire can undo years of tradition and belief? The fact is that most people in Begnion, and all Tellius for that matter, still consider her as the voice of the Goddess. It will take time for the news of what you have accomplished to spread, and even longer for them to accept the truth of what you discovered."
"This group of yours must have a lot of faith in us, if they assumed that we would win," Ike noted, his words infused with suspicion.
"They had good reason to be optimistic. Our leader is quite familiar with your exploits, having had you watched for quite some time. Taking your strength and determination into consideration, along with the fact that you had Yune on your side, he was willing to bet that you and your friends would be able to overcome Ashera and made preparations accordingly."
"It sounds like you kept them well informed," Soren commented.
Everyone shot a glance toward the mage. "I'm sorry, what do you mean by that?" Navina asked, her expression as deadpanned as her voice.
It's clear, since you know so much about us and our movements. Plus, when talking about the person in charge of this group of yours, you said "our leader". Taking all that together I think it's safe to assume that you're the one who has been spying on us."
"It's true, Navina replied nonchalantly, as if Soren had just commented that there were trees in the forest.
"So you're just going to admit it, just like that? No excuses or explanations?" Ike demanded, taking a step closer to her.
"Why not? Someone had to find out what they were doing. The fact that I am here now is all the explanation I need. I have done and will continue to do that which I deem necessary to protect what I consider important."
"How long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough to know that you can handle this."
"Why didn't you make contact before now?"
"Because we are not usually allowed to act alone. Especially me, since I only joined relatively recently. The only reason I was able to come alone tonight was because no one else could be spared to come with me."
"If you've been watching us, like some kind of stalker, then you should have known who we were!" Lucia shouted, "there was no need to attack us and put her majesty's life at risk!"
Navina shrugged. "It was dark. Besides, my attention has always been on Ike and his group, and it's hard to keep all the secondary actors straight."
"What did you say?" Lucia exclaimed, her nostrils flaring as the vein in her neck throbbed dangerously. "You know what I think? I think you knew who we were, and attacked us anyway. And now, you're just trying to score points with your boss by herding us into a trap, and all this talk about the Empress and Begnion is just nonsense just to reel us in."
Navina's face reddened as she clenched her fists. "They don't have to take over the country, which by the way is not as impossible as you might imagine. But putting that aside for the moment, all they have to do is complete their first mad step of killing the empress. Think about it, if you are capable. No senate, no Sephiran, and no empress. Begnion would be in complete chaos. Take a minute to imagine what that would mean for the rest of the continent."
A cold chill slithered through the group as they considered the possibility, the silence broken by the sound of Ike clearing his throat. "So what is their plan for tonight, exactly?"
"As I told you, I'm new to the group, so I'm not in on all the details. All I know that Mainal Cathedral is the target because I'm part of the team that's supposed to hold the western gate. I assume their plan is to somehow storm the cathedral, seize the empress, and execute her."
Soren shook his head. "Do I really need to say how dangerous it is to get involved in this without having more information? She doesn't even know the name of their leader!"
Ike shrugged. "We've had to do more with less." He turned his head toward Elincia, who was studying Navina intently. "What do you think of all this?"
"Before I offer an opinion, there is a question that I must ask."
Navina sputtered. "Of course you must."
Elincia ignored the blatantly hostile tone. This group of yours is in Sienne now, right? Ready to strike at the empress?"
"Congratulations! You do know how to listen," she replied without looking at the queen.
"How is it that this group escaped from turning into stone and how did they manage to infiltrate Sienne without being detected? When Tibarn and I arrived, it was crawling with Disciples of Order. How is it that the Disciples, our group, and Ashera herself, in her own city, did not discover any trace of these forces?"
Ike thought he noticed a violent quiver surge through Navina as she forced herself around to address Elincia. "It is a valid question," he interjected quickly, and the trembling stopped.
Navina regarded Elincia, her lips twisted into an ugly and unwelcoming shape. "Forgive me for questioning your supremely abundant wisdom and knowledge, but Sienne is a vast, ancient, and complex city that houses secrets even the Empress doesn't know about. Now I am sure that although you provided exceptionally inspired leadership to your team it was not difficult at all for them to avoid being discovered by your party." She looked away, staring at the solemn emptiness of the night. "As for escaping the judgment of Ashera and avoiding her detection….
She paused, and for a moment Ike thought he saw a shadow of fear slide across her face. "Our leader has abilities that should not be underestimated."
"If he's so great, why didn't he take on Ashera himself?" Ike interjected.
"He would have, had you failed. But he preferred to focus his attention on what he called 'the bigger picture'."
With that, Navina turned back to Elincia, performing a curt, mocking bow. "So will that answer be sufficient, your holy royal graciousness, or should I use smaller words and pretty pictures to make it easier to understand?"
"Enough!" Lucia roared as she pushed away Boyd and Mia and drew her sword. "I don't know why you are being so insulting to her majesty," she called out as she approached Navina and put her sword to her throat, "but I do know that you will apologize to her, or answer to me."
"Lucia…" Elincia uttered, (worry), trying to lower the blade
But the blade remained steady. "No, your majesty, I am sorry, but I cannot sit by and allow this person to insult you so for no reason."
Navina snorted. "I do have reasons, and would be glad to share them with you, if I believed you were willing or capable of listening to someone who you consider to be beneath your exalted standards."
"You have no idea what you are talking about!"
"Enough!" Ike shouted, causing the swordswoman to lower her blade. "Lucia, we can't get bogged in this right now, we have bigger concerns. And Navina, just so that you know, I'm not particularly fond of nobles or titles or any of that, but Elincia has earned and continues to earn her crown more than any queen or empress or whatever that has lived, is living now, or likely ever will live. Do not insult her again."
Navina sighed heavily as slapped her arms against her sides. "Whatever. I don't have the time or energy to quibble over pointless things." She scrutinized the faces of everyone around her before settling back on Ike. "So what's it going to be? Are you going to help me or not? If not, I'm going to be on my way."
"Who said you could go?" Lucia asked, raising her blade slightly.
"Who said you could stop me?" Navina retorted as she raised her hand into the air, waving it in a circular motion.
Against the cloaking darkness of the woods a pair of luminous eyes appeared and moved forward, dragging behind them a dark, rippling bulk of muscular terror. Whatever it was, the face and front quarters had the semblance of something vaguely feline, before the back end tapered into what seemed to be the winding tail of a serpent. Thick wings bulged at its sides as it half-padded, half-slunk towards the group with a lethal grace, provoking shouts of alarm as everyone's idle weapons riveted towards this fearsome creature like pins to a magnet.
"What the hell is that?" Boyd cried out, his axe poised defensively on the surging hulk before him, whose mouth had opened to reveal a mouthful of sharpened white daggers.
"This," Navina said as she strode over to the beast and stroked its head affectionately, "is Molu." Something like a purr emanated from Molu's throat, but the closest thing Ike could compare it to was a lion choking on a beehive.
"So what now?" Ike asked, eyes fixed on the prowling mass.
"Although I am tempted to other courses, of action," she stated as she glared at Lucia with primal fierceness, "I must go back to Sienne and do what I can, even if I must do it alone," she replied as she looked over at Ike with a questioning countenance.
"I think we should help her."
Everyone rotated their head to the source of the last words spoken, and to their amazement, it was Soren.
Navina laughed. "Of all the people here, you were the last one I expected to support me, tactician."
Soren regarded her coolly. "I'm just cutting through more needless conversation. Ike and the queen may suspect you are leading them into a trap, and to be honest I still consider it to be a strong possibility as well. But by their natures they cannot ignore any threat to the empress, or for that matter any innocent in danger, no matter what their better judgment may tell them. In the end, they will help you."
"Soren…" Ike began, his face tight with irritation.
"Let me finish. There are more logical reasons to help as well. Even if it is a trap, then at least we can be reasonably certain that Navina's statements about the size of the enemy force are true. No matter how large or complex Sienne may be, you cannot hide large numbers so far ahead in advance under the nose of Ashera and her followers, regardless of their skill. They would have to be by necessity small, disciplined, and above all, exceptionally committed."
Navina scratched her head as she listened to Soren. "Uh…thank you?"
"If I may finish my point," he said testily, because the numbers will be relatively small compared to what we've fought and defeated before, then the probabilities of victory for us are quite high, barring any unforeseen variables."
"I would've felt a lot better if you'd left off that last part," Ike muttered. "But still you are right, even though I wish you wouldn't be so honest in front of our…guest. His eyes met Elincia's. So what's your opinion?"
"Why are you asking her for? You don't need…"
Before Ike could answer Elincia had moved closer to Navina and her mount, closing the distance with wide steps, her posture taut and erect. "He doesn't need to ask my opinion, but he does so because we are friends. And even if we weren't friends, we would still show each other respect as fellow leaders and companions struggling in the same cause who deem each other worthy of such courtesy, as do all civilized individuals."
Navina was so taken aback by this assertiveness that she forgot to respond, allowing Elincia to continue as she turned back to the crowd. "It is as Soren says. Although I have strong misgivings about her story, I cannot disregard any possible threat to the Empress or her people. We must go to Sienne."
Ike grunted. "Agreed." He turned to a still gaping Navina. "So when is this attack on the apostle going to happen?"
Navina studied the moon. "About an hour from now."
"But won't your group notice your absence? It could affect their attack plans."
"I managed to plant enough doubt among the group that you and your party might decide to double back on Sienne that they convinced our leader to send me out to check on you, because having you in the mix would cause problems."
Ike grinned his approval. "That was a clever ruse."
Navina beamed at the praise. "I must be getting back now. Come through the western gate, I will have it open for you. If you have any competent fliers, she said, making a point not to look at Elincia, "have them land on the roof of the Cathedral and do what they can to protect the empress."
Soren, who had moved closer to the creature, examining it with almost the same probing expression that it had fixed on him. "Where did you get this? They are supposed to be…."
"No time for that now," Navina cut him off as she mounted Molu. "Could I have my weapon back?"
Ike signaled Soren, who tossed it to Navina, who caught it by the handle. "I don't suppose one of you wants to ride with me?" she inquired as she adjusted herself in the saddle and gazed over at Ike, oblivious to Elincia's uneasy shifting.
Ike watched the creature lick its jowls hungrily while it scratched at the dirt with massive, anxious claws. "I think we can manage quite well with the fliers that we have here" he concluded. "Besides, if any of your group saw someone with you, it could cause problems."
She sighed regretfully. "I understand. I know you have no reason to trust me or what I say, and in your position, I would have the same doubts. I know you have many questions, and I will be glad to answer them all once this business is done. Join me as soon as you can."
With a deft flick of her wrists, Molu bounded toward one of the trees as if he intended to tear right through it. However, instead of colliding with it the beast scrambled up the trunk with enormous agility towards the crown without losing any speed, and with a powerful roar he launched himself into the air, and was soon gliding westward towards Sienne.
"Are we really going to trust her?" Titania asked, watching the shadowy form disappear over the trees.
Ike sputtered. "Someone I've known for fifteen minutes? Hardly. But what I am going to trust is my ability, and the ability of everyone in this company. If this is a trap, then it wouldn't be the first time someone underestimated us and left this world regretting it."
He moved to address the crowd around him. "Greil Mercenaries! You all know the situation; we must protect the empress, whoever the enemy may be. Everyone gear up for battle, and be ready for anything! Gatrie, I want you to stay here with Rhys and Rolf to watch the camp and keep an eye on Mist."
"Aw, come on, Ike," the bulky blue knight protested, "you always keep me out of the fun stuff."
"I'm sorry if watching out for my sister isn't "fun stuff" but it's decided. "Elincia?"
"Yes, my lord Ike?"
Both you and Marcia have pegususes, right?"
"Pegasi," Soren corrected.
"Actually, I sent Marcia ahead to check on things in Crimea. So we only have my Pegasus."
Ike swore silently in the wind as he reconsidered their options. "Okay, then you and I are going to fly on ahead to Sienne and check on Sanaki."
"I'm going too," Soren interjected.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Elincia interjected.
Soren's expression could not be more dour than if he had just drunk acid. "And why not?"
"Because she is taking me," Lucia jumped in, stepping forward into the conversation.
"Actually, I am not taking either one of you."
Lucia went rigid. She had the appearance of someone who had volumes to say, yet could only manage to give voice to one word. "What?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think that Dalidion can handle the weight."
But Dalidion was able to carry both me and Ena before!"
"Yes, but Ike is bigger than you and Ena together. Much more weight would slow Dalidion down considerably, assuming he would even be able to get airborne. Besides," she continued, eying the ugly red swelling on Lucia's forehead, "with that bump you have there it's not safe for you be flying. I am sorry, but I think it's best that you and Sir Soren stay with the main party."
"She's right," Ike threw in. "Speed is a critical factor tonight. The faster we can reach Sienne, the better chance we have of protecting the Empress."
Lucia acceded with a slight bow. "As you wish, your highness."
Soren, on the other hand, was not yet ready to surrender. "But Ike…", he protested.
Ike clapped his dark-robed friend on the shoulders. "Soren, I wouldn't be doing this if I saw any other way. I'll be depending on you a lot tonight and our success will depend heavily on your brain. Besides, the trip there will give you time to think through all the possible scenarios we're likely to face in Sienne."
"I've already considered ten."
Ike smiled. "I would feel sorry for our opponents if I thought they deserved it."
Soren nodded. "Just don't get yourself in too big of a mess before I get there."
Ike rotated toward Titania. "Get everybody moving as soon as possible."
Titania saluted. "We'll be right behind you. And Ike, should we send someone to alert the Daein party and the laguz? Maybe they could help."
"I doubt it. The Daeins are so far ahead of us they couldn't get back in time to do any good. And the laguz are probably halfway home by now."
"Understood. Good luck, commander." With that, she moved to carry out her duties.
Ike looked to Elincia. "How long will it take to prepare your Pegasus?
Elincia smiled. "Actually, he's almost ready. We can leave in a matter of minutes."
"Really? Great! Let's go, then." With that, he followed Elincia through the trees toward her camp, Lucia following in a brooding silence.
Soren watched as their forms disappeared into the wilderness. "I don't like this," he muttered to himself.