I own nothing here.
"Julian? You awake?"
I blinked my eyes open, trying to focus. "Jowy? It's morning already?"
He grinned. "Sure is. You don't want to miss whatever bad news Shu has, do you?"
"Point." We headed downstairs to the meeting room, pausing to collect Nanami. With Two River having joined our alliance, Dragon Castle was a much livelier place, with humans, Kobolds, and Wingers bustling everywhere. Now that Dart and friends had joined up, there were also Gigantos and Winglies, both highly capable fighters.
The meeting room was more crowded than ever. Viktor, Flik, Shu, Apple, Fitcher, and Freed stood in the center, with Ridley, Han, Chaco, Dart, Zieg, Albert, and Rose near the wall. If we get many more generals, we're going to have to rebuild the war room.
"Okay, Mr. Strategist, what's the bad news?" I asked, resigned to the inevitable.
"Greenhill has fallen to Highland," Shu said grimly. "A force of five thousand men took it without a fight."
"Hold on," Viktor objected. "Greenhill has at least seven thousand troops. And they didn't even try to beat a smaller force?"
Shu shook his head. "Apparently, the strike was masterminded by Solon Jhee's replacement as Fourth Army commander. This is not a man to be taken lightly."
"So what do we do?" Flik wanted to know.
"Even with the Two River Army and Dart's friends, we don't have enough manpower to retake Greenhill." Shu sighed. "What we should do instead is extract Lady Teresa. As acting mayor of Greenhill, she could be a great morale booster. Conversely, if Highland keeps her under it's thumb, its domination of Greenhill is assured."
Jowy frowned. "You said she's the acting mayor. Who's the real one?"
Shu said, "The mayor, Alec Wisemail, has been ill for several years. Teresa has been doing exceptionally well in his place, and is deeply loved by her people. If we can get her out, our fight will be that much easier."
"How do we do that?" I asked.
Fitcher spoke up. "I have a lot of friends in Greenhill. I can get you enrollment papers for the Greenhill Academy, so you can pose as students. Also only youngsters should go, since it's a school town."
"Not quite." Shu turned to Flik. "Flik, I want you to go along. You will be posing as their bodyguard and escort."
"Alright." Flik nodded.
"Lord Julian, please choose your party for this mission," Shu said. "Remember, only those of school age should go. Choose carefully."
Seeing Pilika obviously intending to come along, the choice was easy. "Nanami, Jowy, Gabocha, and Luc. They should be enough to handle any nastiness."
"Very well. Good luck."
We traveled to Greenhill by way of Two River. Highland patrols were sparse at best, which struck me as odd. They have to know that we'll respond to the attack on Greenhill. Why haven't we seen any troops? What is going on here?
Fitcher met us at the city gate. "Here are your papers. They're three years out of date, so you'll say you were delayed by the war. You'll need new names, too." He scurried away.
Flik winced. "Julian, you handle that. I'm no good with names."
"Alright. I'll be Zack, Nanami, say, Beth, Jowy…Ryan, Gabocha, Killian, and Luc, Terry. Flik's probably okay as is. Got it?" They all nodded. "Let's go enroll."
Before we could reach the campus, Flik paused to save a female student from a Highland soldier. The fact that students were being harassed gave me pause; the Highlanders seemed to be begging for a riot. What will that gain them?
The Greenhill Academy was a pleasant change from the tense atmosphere of the rest of the town. For reasons unknown, the local Highland commander had declared the Academy clear, so we had relative freedom of movement. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I didn't intend to complain.
The receptionist, a woman named Emilia, gave us a brief tour of the campus. There were classes for several trades that could be useful back at the castle: appraising, blacksmithing, rune work, even translating. Despite the urgency of my mission, I have to admit I was fascinated.
Emilia's lecture was interrupted when a tall, blond-haired man came in. "Oh, Lord Shin. May I help you?" Shin left without answering.
"Who was that guy?" Jowy asked, curiosity piqued.
"That was Shin, Lady Teresa's personal bodyguard," Emilia responded.
"Not very friendly," I commented.
The receptionist shook her head. "He's just frustrated because of the occupation. He thinks he's failed Teresa, and that notion doesn't sit well with him."
Should I tell her? I wondered. Flik's left, and we could use an ally here. Making my decision, I tapped Emilia on the shoulder. "Excuse me. About Shin…"
She looked at me. "What about him?"
"Do you think he knows where Teresa is?"
Emilia looked surprised. "Maybe, but why would you ask?"
I pealed off my right glove. "I'm Julian Genkaku, leader of the Dragon Army. We're here to rescue Lady Teresa."
"Oh. So that's why Flik has been nosing around. Is he one of yours?"
I nodded. "One of the founding members, in fact."
She smiled. "I see. I'll help you in any way I can. Why don't you go to the dorms now? You must be tired."
"We'll do that. And thanks."
"Well, that was interesting," Jowy said as we went upstairs.
Luc snorted. "No kidding. I just hope Flik can stay away from that girl."
Just after leaving the main building, the young student Flik had saved earlier had run into us. "There he is! May I have your name, lord?"
I'd never seen Flik actually look flustered. "Hey, wait a minute!" he objected.
Nanami had stepped up. "Flik, what is it?"
Before he could answer, the girl exclaimed, "My lord is called Flik? What a wonderful name. I am Nina. Pleased to meet you." She'd dragged him off despite his protests, intent on some sort of tour."
"You've got to admit it's funny," I told Luc. "I don't think I've ever seen Flik unsure of himself before. Anyway, let's get some rest, then check out the town."
The next morning, we had a look around Greenhill proper, minus Flik, who was trying valiantly to avoid Nina. Despite the size of Greenhill's army, the Highland occupation force was unusually small. The populace, aside from the occasional fistfight, didn't act like they were under a foreign force.
"Something's not right here," Jowy muttered. "You'd think there'd be riots every hour on the hour. Yet there's nothing. Why?"
"I'll bet it's because Teresa's still in hiding," Gabocha put in. "They think that as long as she's safe, they're safe."
"Then they're delusional," I growled. "As long as Luca Blight's in charge, nobody's safe."
Luc pointed ahead. "Look, something's happening at the inn."
He was right. A company of Highland soldiers, led by my old "friend" Captain Rowd, had blocked off the area. Aside from a pair from inside, there were no locals in sight. "Let's hide, people. We can't be found out."
"What do you want?" the innkeeper asked fearfully.
Rowd smirked. "We're here to search the place. We have information that Teresa is holed up here."
"That…that's a lie," the man stuttered. "Where would you hear that?"
"A Muse soldier told us," Rowd said coldly. "It's amazing how easily they betray their allies."
Before he could say anything more, Shin arrived. "What is the meaning of this?"
Rowd snorted. "You're not telling us where Teresa is, that's what!" he shot back.
Shin ignored this. "When we surrendered, the Lord Commander of Highland promised no more violence."
"That's right. If it wasn't for that promise, we'd be torturing and burning until we got what we wanted," Rowd sneered. "You should be grateful. The Commander is a very peaceable man." He and his thugs departed, leaving Shin to apologize.
"Whoever this commander is, he's not your usual Highlander," I mused. "We need to find out who he is, and soon."
"We'd better get back to school," Nanami said. "We can't be out too long."
The only thing of interest that happened in the next two days was Nanami getting into a couple of verbal knock-down-drag-outs with Nina, who was apparently jealous. Aside from that, we spent our time exploring the Academy, watching Shin, and searching for clues to Teresa's whereabouts.
We got a breakthrough on the third night. Nina had told us of a rumor about a ghost. While Jowy and I scoffed at that, Nanami was a little on the impressionable side, so when we heard creaking noises, she insisted we investigate. We concluded that it wasn't a ghost when we found a network of secret passages leading to the main building.
I caught sight of our target near the appraisal classroom. "There he is. Let's rush him…now!"
We charged, boxing him in…and got the surprise of our lives.
"Flik!?" we gasped.
"So you're the one pretending to be a ghost and scaring everyone!" Nanami said sharply.
Flik glared at her. "Ghost? What are you talking about? I was watching Shin. I'd almost caught up with him when you caught me. Now what!?"
I spotted a statue near a dead end. A wall panel opened when I moved it. "This is it."
The door led to a series of paths in the Greenhill forest. To my annoyance, said forest had a healthy monster population, so the trip took at least twice as long as it should have. Jowy finally got fed up and cast his Twinkling Blade spell, clearing us a path. Shortly afterwards, we found a shack, with Shin standing guard.
He glared at us. "I knew we'd be found eventually, but my lady needs a little more time."
"We're your allies!" I protested.
Shin shook his head. "I do not know you, so I cannot consider you allies. I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to leave here alive."
"Are you looking for a fight!?" Flik snapped. "If so, let me warn you. We're very different from those Highland soldiers."
The bodyguard was unimpressed. "With my blade, Tarantula, in hand, I have nothing to fear…from anyone."
"Shin…please stop."
He looked up. "My lady."
Teresa had come out of her shack, attracted by the commotion. "Who are you?"
I stepped forward. "I am Julian Genkaku, leader of the Dragon Army and holder of the Bright Shield Rune. We're here to save you, Lady Teresa. We need your strength."
Teresa looked away. "My strength? No, what you ask for is Greenhill's strength. I am sorry, but I cannot help you."
"Why is that?"
She closed her eyes. "Several days ago, Highland released the soldiers they had captured at Muse. They were sent here, with there weapons and armor returned. Some of us thought that some Highland officer wanted a fair fight, but when the Royal Army did come, they just sat there. Then the food began to run short."
I nodded in understanding. "They starved you out. I was wondering why the Greenhill Army didn't even try to fight a smaller force."
She nodded. "That is why…I cannot help you. Please leave."
We stood for a moment outside the shack. "Well, so much for that," Jowy said bitterly. "Now what?"
"We leave for Dragon Castle tomorrow morning," I replied. "We have no reason to stay."
Unfortunately, leaving wasn't so easy. We left the Academy and almost collided with a huge crowd, listening to a dark-haired man I assumed to be the new Fourth Army commander. Flik went deathly pale when he saw him.
"What's wrong, Flik?" Gabocha asked. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Flik shook himself. "That…that's Leon Silverburg! He was a strategist in the Toran Army under General Mathiu!"
"Then what's he doing with Highland?" I asked.
Flik drew his blade, Odessa. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." He waded into the crowd, ignoring their stunned looks. "Leon! What do you think you're doing!?"
Silverburg looked up, a sardonic smile on his face. "Ah, Flik. And Luc, too. So good to see you again."
"Answer the question!" Flik snarled. "Why are you with the Highland Army!?"
The strategist shrugged. "In times of peace, people like us are forgotten. It is only during time of war that we are recognized."
I couldn't keep silent any longer. "So recognition means more to you than innocent lives?" I bit out. "How many people have died to salve your ego?"
Leon glanced at me. "You would be Lord Julian, leader of the Dragon Army?" I nodded. "Well, then, you should understand. Without this war, you would not be a leader. You would not have the adulation that comes from being the one who defeated Solon Jhee."
"I don't care about adulation, and I never asked for this job," I snapped. "I wouldn't be involved in the war at all if this idiot," I shot a glare at Rowd, "hadn't helped Luca murder almost the entire Unicorn Brigade, and then almost hanged Jowy and me as spies! I've read about the Toran Army's fight with the Scarlet Moon Empire, Silverburg. You have betrayed everything you fought for." I turned away. "Come on, guys. We have to save Teresa."
We dashed through the Academy, past the empty reception desk (Emilia had left for Dragon Castle the night before), and made it to Teresa's shack within minutes. To my surprise, Nina was there. She'd been getting supplies, as Shin would have been too conspicuous.
Flik did most of the talking. "Lady Teresa, the situation has changed. This time, if we have to, we will use force."
Teresa shook her head. "I will not run anymore. If I give myself up, the oppression of Greenhill will end." She started to leave, but Flik barred her way.
"Do you think we'll let you do that?"
She stood her ground. "If you interfere, I will take my own life." Teresa looked at Shin while Flik fumed. "Shin, please bear witness to the end of my life." They departed.
Flik slammed one hand against the wall. "Why do you rush headlong to death!? Isn't it better to live!?"
"No," Nina whispered. "Lady Teresa, I can't let you do this. You mean so much to Greenhill." She left, chasing Teresa and Shin.
"We'd better follow, or this will get ugly," Jowy said.
"Right," I agreed, "let's go!"
We were just in time; Rowd was just about to take Teresa into custody when we showed up, ready for battle. Rowd's smug look of triumph changed to something ugly I an instant. "Them again, huh!? Kill them!"
"I don't think so," Jowy snarled. "Piercing One!"
"Thunder Runner!" Flik, showing why he was called Blue Lightning Flik.
"Dancing Flames!" Nanami and her Fire rune.
The onslaught of magic, plus a riot, kindly instigated by Fitcher, gave us plenty of time to escape, though Shin and Nina stayed behind to cover us. Maybe we can win this thing after all. Or, maybe not. Two Highland officers had appeared ahead of us. I recognized them instantly: Culgan and Seed, two of the best.
We drew our weapons, but the pair made no move to attack. Instead, Culgan spoke. "Does the Dragon Army accept defectors?"
That brought me up short. "Yes," I said cautiously. "Why? Are you offering to join us?"
Culgan nodded.
"Why would you do that?" Jowy asked.
Seed shrugged. "Why? We love Highland. It's a wonderful country. But if Luca gets his way, there will be nothing left of the City-State, and Highland but scorched earth. That wouldn't be very pleasant."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. To be honest, I love Highland, too. It's where I was born, and where I grew up. It's because of Luca Blight that I fight."
Culgan stepped forward. "Julian Genkaku, leader of the Dragon Army, we pledge our loyalty to you. Our skills are at your disposal."
"Thank you. Now let's get out of here, before Leon or that idiot Rowd catches up with us."
The trip home was blessedly uneventful. The only fighting we had to do was against the usual assortment of monsters. Here Culgan and Seed proved truly lethal; I was particularly impressed by Seed's ability to completely neutralize any and all magic. That could come in handy if we ever have to take on Neclord again.
Shu was waiting for us in the meeting room, with Viktor, Ridley, and Dart. "Welcome back, Lord Julian." He glanced at the Mayor of Greenhill. "You must be Lady Teresa. Welcome to Dragon Castle."
"Thank you. I am glad to be here, but I wish to be alone for a while." She started to leave, and almost collided with Fitcher and Shin. "Shin! You're safe!"
Viktor grinned. "That was good work, Fitcher, getting Shin out of Greenhill."
Fitcher smiled. "Oh, he isn't the only one."
"Sir Flik!"
Flik blanched; Nina came bounding, and insisted on making him lunch. Jowy and I doubled over laughing; even the seemingly emotionless Shin looked amused.
I finally got myself under control. "Shu, in addition to those three, I brought a couple of defectors. These are Culgan and Seed, late of Highland's Fourth Army."
Shu nodded to them. "Welcome to the Dragon Army." He glanced at me. "Who is the new commander?"
I sighed. "A former comrade of Viktor and Flik. Leon Silverburg."
Shu almost had a stroke. "That is very bad. If his skills even approach Mathiu's, we are in grave danger." He shook himself. "But that is for the future. For now, you should get some rest."
"Alright." I knew I hadn't seen the last of Leon Silverburg, but there was no point in worrying. He knows about the True Runes, but I highly doubt he knows about the Dragoons. Those thoughts went through my mind even in my dreams.
Author's note: Sorry that there's not much action in this chapter, but then, there's not much action in Greenhill anyway. Besides, that section is boring. The next chapter should be more interesting. Thanks for giving me the Rune spells; the reason I still didn't remember despite renting the game is that the early parts can be a pain in the neck, so I kept a save file from just before Solon Jhee's final defeat. Thanks for the reviews. D.S.
