A Forbidden Bond
Chapter III: Escape to Arcadia
Yosera looked at Evann sadly, he then suddenly turned eyes towards a tapestry nodded and then looked at Evann again.
"Evann, though I see the truth in your words, nothing you have said has proven yourself innocent of the charges against you, because of this I will be disbanding the guardian force. The Arcadians in the force will sent back to Arcadia, and the two Nortis soldiers Brandol and Carmyne will be discharged from our forces and you Evann.are to be executed for treason at dawn,"
Rynos and Rinehart smiled cruelly with joy, but Lutina shook with fear and anger. Then something shaped as the guards began taking Evann away.
"NO!" she yelled and a white glowing light radiated from her body and blew the tapestry clear off the wall, Carmyne just stood back as Lutina fire a wave of Diamond Dusts at the guards! The spears of Ice pierced their bodies and froze their heart from the inside. They fell to the ground as the High Generals shielded themselves with a barrier. Lutina ran over to Evann and removed the ropes that tied him.
"Lutina!" Evann said surprisingly, "What are you doing here?"
"We couldn't let you be executed so we came to rescue you," Lutina said.
"What do you mean we?" Evann asked.
"Hey," Carmyne said walking towards them.
"Carmyne! Where are the others?" Evann asked.
"Outside waiting for us, but we can talk more later we have to get out of here before this place is overwhelmed by guards!" Carmyne suggested.
They ran out of the courtroom and into the hall just as the alarm was sounded! They fought their way through the guards using the power of the Holy and Chaos Mana eggs. They arrived outside where they found their friends holding off the guards with magic! They climbed into the truck and Carmyne gave a single to Krotiz in the driver's seat, who singled everyone to get back into the truck. They hopped in and drove off! They mowed their way through the guards as they reached the gate. It was closed with a line of guards in front of it!
"They cut us off!" Krotiz said.
"Keeping driving!" Evann said.
"What!" Krotiz's ordered
"Just do it!" Evann yelled he stuck his head out the window and aim his hand forward at the gate. "Astraea Bolts!" He cried and. Waves of lightning flew from his hand towards the gate! The gate was destroyed anyone who was near it killed. Krotiz drove over the fallen bodies into the woods! They were pursued by the Nortis army soldiers who fired their tanks off at the truck! Krotiz move left and right dodging the cannonballs as they were fired. The moment they were out of the woods Evann called to Lutina in the back of the truck! Lutina nodded and aimed her hand at the wood's entrance!
"Absolute Zero!" she yelled. A road of ice covered the ground all they way to the woods' entrance. The tanks slide and tipped over on the ice on they explored as they were hit by the others that ran into them. Evann and his friend continued on their way as they took their last look at the lands behind them.
They began their trip to Arcadia, but they could not take the Locca path so they would have to find another way. They drove all day towards the Nortis- Arcadian boarder, but there were no looks of joy upon their faces, especially, not on the faces of Brandol, Diene and Carmyne. They had rescued their friend yes, but it was at a great price, they could no longer remain in their homelands and had no choice but to leave with their friends. Evann and Krotiz have had no problems with leaving Nortis; they had lost their families to the power hungry Generals of the army long before this. Evann's mother and both of Krotiz's parents died in a village fire started by the military and Evann's father died in an ambushed set up by the military. Evann after looking at his fellow Nortis spoke.
"Brandol Carmyne, sorry you guys had to get involved in this," Evann said sadly.
"It's alright, Evann, you don't to apologize, we chose to be here even though we knew the price of it would be high. Not like we have anything left here for us anyway. I lost my family to the war a long time ago," Carmyne said.
"Same here," Brandol said, "Besides, even if we didn't help they would have come for us sooner or later,"
"Brandol's right, we wouldn't have had to leave with you guys or live on the run," Diene said, "Besides, it want be long, before Rynos and his collages kill Yosera and Tovu and take control of the government for themselves. After all that's the trouble with Militaristic governments without war they slowly lose power and the people soon demand change and when the people don't get what they ask for it awakens rebellion."
"I see, so what are the chances of a rebellion breaking out you're lands now?" Ulk asked.
"Close to none, like Diene said, Rynos and the other High Generals will have Yosera and Tovu assassinated and blame the assassinations on Arcadia and start up the war all over again, but by that time we'll be long gone from here," Krotiz said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They continued to drive along the road avoiding military outpost as best they could. They soon stopped in a forest and got out of the truck. They took out all of their supplies equipment and left it sitting their in the forest path. They began to continue on their journey on foot. It would be a long and hard journey, but they were willing to take the trip. They stopped in a village and bought cloaks for the cold nights that drew so near. Evann bought a new sword sense he had to leave his behind at the military base when they escaped. They stuck together in close formation with the largest of them in the back and smallest of them in the middle. The winter came and hindered their progress, but they continued and with each passing night of their journey they drew closer and become better friends. Among them the two who drew closer the most was Evann and Lutina; the two would speak on some nights after their friends had gone off to bed. There were of course times when they wished they could stop and rest, but they knew that the military would have sent out a reward for their capture and many eager bounty hunters would seek them out in hopes of collecting that bounty. They fought bandits that attacked them for their supplies and killed military soldiers who found them. They took turns at night keeping watch during the night.
Then finally after a half a mouth of travel, they arrived at a village. Their leader knew Evann's father and seeing how tired they were he insisted they stay at the inn without pay. Evann and his friends accepted this and they were happy to have a place to stay after traveling for so long. They had a lovely dinner and then went to bed, but Evann got up later that night and went outside in the snow. He was followed by Lutina who heard him leave his room. She followed him to the outside and found him standing in the snow with his cloak wrapped around him looking at the sky.
"Evann," she said.
"Lutina, what are doing out here?" he asked her worryingly.
"I could ask you that same thing," she replied with concern. She stood beside him as they gazed upward at the stars.
"Everything is my fault if I hadn't created those Mana Eggs then none of this would have happened," Evann said sadly
"Evann..." Lutina said.
"Everything's happening again just like it did when I was a kid," he said as he blinked slowly, "The Nortis Military came to my home village searching for the Ether Mana Egg my mother created. They demanded it be turned over to them. My parents were willing to do it to protect the villagers, but the rest of the village who knew of my parents secret refused to let them, they denied having any knowledge of the egg and the military seeing through their lie, burned the village to the ground searching for it. My mother at that time linked the Ether egg to her self and made it so that if she died the Ether Egg would destroy it self. She sacrificed herself to save me and my father. My dad, Krotiz, Krotiz's aunt and I were the only ones who survived that massacre. The Nortis government blamed the burning of the village on the Arcadians since it was built directly next to the boarder. My father and I moved into a house out in the forest, we lived there alone and in peace until he was ambushed and killed by the Nortis military's elite soldiers. I was able to get away, but not without seeing my dad stabbed to death a millions over and his body thrown into the river. The raised myself from that dad on for six years I've been pretty much living on my own training to be a ranger, but there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think about getting revenge for my father's death,"
"Evann, you've had such a hard life haven't you. It must painful for you to remember such things," Lutina said sadly.
Evann breathed deeply, "It is, but during the events of the elemental disorder I learned that not everyone in the military is completely heartless like most of the generals. Yosera and Tovu are greatly loved by the people and they had plans to change the government to one similar to that of Arcadian's. That was one of the reasons the treaty was made, or so I heard,"
"But because of men Like Rynos and that Rinehart that may never happen and the war may go on forever. The beast people in the south lands have chosen to remain neutral in it all since their defeat by you're father when they tried to attack while the Nortis were too busy fighting Arcadia to really do anything to defend themselves, but you're father he took a small army of Rangers too those boarders and defeated them after two long weeks of battle, but he did more then just that. When the beast people tried to attack Arcadia he defended Arcadia as while with his army. I was only about three back then, but I heard about from my parents. They never expected a Nortis to do such a thing. You're father Evrai defended both Nortis and Arcadia from the beast people until they grew tied and gave up. They returned to the land and announced their neutrality for the war and to prove it, they sent ten-thousand gold to both sides, as while ten-thousand supplies to each side. If it weren't for you're father Both Nortis and Arcadia would have fallen years ago. That's one of the biggest things you're father is famous for in Arcadia,"
"Arcadia, do you really think they'll accept Nortis?"
"I know they will, you're a hero to our people as while. I know they'll grant us protection and then perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?"
"Oh nothing," she replied blushing a little, "We should head back in, we have to leave at dawn tomorrow,"
"Yeah,"
They went back into the inn and then went to their separate rooms and went to sleep. The next day they all got up and found a nice breakfast waiting for them at the table downstairs. They ate quickly and then left on their way. They continued to head for the boarder when Titto looked back and saw smoke coming from the village they left! They all turned around and started running back, but their path was hindered by soldiers of the Nortis army!
"Ranger Evann, you are under arrest in the name of the Nortis Army, you will come along quietly are by force if necessary!" the soldier said.
"You burnt down that village just to find us!" Evann said.
"An example had to be made out of those who consult with traitors of the military!"
"You...you monsters!" Myam said angrily.
"You're going to pay for what you did!" Brandol said.
They all drew their weapons and the battle began! They fought the Nortis soldiers with skill and magic until they were crushed! They then rushed to the village to find Nortis soldiers in Red and Black armor pillaging and killing the innocent people in the village. Rangers who were staying in the village were being beat to the ground for trying to protect them. The blood of innocence was spread along the ground! Evann grew in raged by this and attacked a group of soldiers with his Sky Dragon Slash!
The soldiers were killed without mercy as Evann and his friends ran throughout the village saving as many people as they could and escorting them into the forest. Carmyne used her Fenrir egg and Myam her blizzard egg to put out some of the flames. Evann and Krotiz focused on defeating the soldiers attacking the villages and the rest focused on evacuating the burning village. Finally after long tiring battle the flames were dosed and every Nortis soldier was killed and slain for their crimes in the village that sorrowful day. The once beautiful small town was now nothing but a wasteland of death and sorrow. The people who Evann and his friends saved looked at the ruins in tears especially children who found their parents' bodies and shook telling them to wake up as tear after tear escaped their eyes. Evann walked towards the village chief and with his head lowered.
"We're sorry, if we hadn't come here then none of this would have happened," Evann said.
"No, it's not your fault, even if you had avoided our village the military would have come here looking for you anyway and there's a chance they would have burned it down just to make sure we were telling the truth. They'll most likely blame it on bandits or you, just to stay in power. If you're father Evrai were still alive and if he had never been forced to leave the military then things would be different. With Lord Tovu ill and Assent Supreme General Yosera out matched by his follow High Generals Nortis is looking to be a grim, grim place." The chief explained.
"How did you know who my father was?" Evann asked.
"I'm a former Ranger, I knew your father well every Ranger did. He was an honorable men and a magnificent leader. When all the Rangers gathered in taverns your father would brag about you and say my son is a natural born swordsman. He always told us to watch out for when became a Ranger. When I first saw you enter the village I knew it was you. You looked a lot like your father did when he was your age and I can tell from your actions here today that you have his heart as while. Wherever he is I'm he very proud of his son," the Chief said. Evann smiled a little at hearing that then the chief spoke again, "You go quickly and get far from here before it is two late. Don't worry about the bodies of the soldiers you killed we'll take care of them. I'll send a massage to Lord Yosera explaining what happened; he should be able to use some of his authority to protect us from any further attacks,"
Evann was silent for a while then he nodded and he and his left quickly with out looking back. They ran as fast as they could to get as far away as they could Evann tightened his fist with anger as he and his friends continued on their way.
They're journey began again and they continued on their way to the Arcadian boarder. The winter snow hindered their journey only slightly as they worked their way to their destination. Seven days pass and after a long struggle they arrived at the boarder between Nortis and Arcadia. They pulled their hoods over their heads as they started by the Nortis guards over the boarder. The guards strangely didn't stop them, but whispered to them good luck as if they knew who they were. Evann and his friends didn't bother as they walked through the plains between the boarders. The sight of many battles and the skeletal corpuses of fallen Nortis and Arcadian warriors lay covered in the growing grass of the plains. They continued on their way until they saw the flag of the Arcadia forces in a distance and soon an Arcadian outpost came into view. A feeling of relief came over they and they ran for it with joy. They were stopped by the guards of course and Lutina removed her hood...
"Halt whose goes there?"
"I am Lutina, and this Sir Jaid, we have returned with urgent news for the council,"
"Sir Jaid, Lady Lutina, we have been expecting for sometime. Lord Farta wishes to meet with you as soon as possible we will prepare a carriage for you and you're companions without a moment's delay," the guard said and he ran off.
They passed over the boarder into Arcadian territory. Evann, Krotiz, Carmyne, Diene and Brandol were a little nervous, at first but when Lutina told her people who they were as if they were welcomed as if they too were Arcadians. A few moments later two carriages came and they all got in which ever one they desired. During the journey they all fell asleep and didn't awaken until they arrived at their goal a large forest like city with a castle in the center. They were taken to the castle and shown to a large room with three couches placed neatly around a table, a cushioned chair in front of a fireplace, and three large windows on the east wall of the room. Later on a man with the same kind of hair as Jaid, pointy ears, noble robes with gold outlining, the look of a person in their early fifties, a wooden cane, and green eyes fill with wisdom entered the room.
"Lord Farta," Lutina and the other Arcadians said happily.
"Lutina, thank goodness you're safe, when the Nortis Lord, Yosera sent me a massage explaining what happened I was worried we had lost you and the others,"
"Lord Yosera sent you a massage!" Diene said.
"That would explain why the Nortis guards didn't stop us from crossing the boarder," Krotiz said.
"Yes, Yosera, in his latter to me, wrote with great concern. He said his power is limited by the other High Generals. He can rule, but he cannot completely stop them from conducting acts of tyranny," Farta explained. He walked over to a cushioned chair and sat down, "You have nothing to fear, you will be placed under the protection of the Arcadian council. You're Nortis companions will find safety here awhile though there are some who will resent them they will not go as far as to do harm to you. I am a well aware of the events that took place in Nortis lands. I fear it want be long before the war starts again. The council has already sent out a call to arms,"
"That's good, you'll need you're forces to be at top condition for the up coming battle. Krotiz said, "And if you need any help we'll be more then happy to fight with you,"
"You Krotiz correct we have heard of your evil deeds, but you played an important role in rescuing Evann according to Yosera's latter, but I feel they're something you all have to tell me. What else happened during journey here?"
"Yes, you see," Lutina began and she explained to Farta about the village the Nortis Army burned down and the people they killed! Farta grew in raged by this slammed his hand on the side of his chair.
"Curse those generals! If Tovu wasn't ill peace would have already come to pass!" Farta said.
"Supreme General Tovu is a kind heart and strong leader. Even after he started growing ill he still tried to carry out his plans to change the Nortis government, but he soon too ill to do anything. He has the prayers of all the Nortis people wishing for him to be well soon," Diene said kindly.
"I bet he does, he has my prayer as while and those some of our people," Farta replied kindly. He looked towards the window and nodded, "Dusk draws near and you all must be tired," he rang a loud ball on a table next to him and a servant entered.
"Yes my lord," the servant said.
"Take our guest to their rooms, now, I want to them freshen up before dinner later on tonight," Farta said.
"Yes my lord, please follow me," the servant said kindly. Everyone got and left the room but Farta asked Evann to stay, for he wanted to speak with him alone. Evann agreed and when he and Farta were the only ones left in the room he and the old Nortis spoke.
"Evann, you're father was Evrai correct?" Farta asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" Evann asked.
"It's plain to see for anyone who knew Evrai as a close friend. I imagine you have gone through great hardships since you're father's death,"
"Yes I have, but I have endured all and I am more then will to endure ones three times a hard if it will help bring peace to this war,"
"You've inherited you're father's soul and I can see you have you're mother's heart," Farta said, "Evann, a great destiny surrounds you and you must be prepare to face it when the time comes. The ultimate Mana egg that lays within shares you're with another power that hungers to leave you're body,"
"What kind of power," Evann asked,
"I will tell you that when the time comes, but for now you should go and freshen up for dinner," He called another servant to show Evann to his room. He put his fingers together and blinked slowly, "Evann, you more like you're father then you know. I only hope you can control the power the sleeps deep within you,"
Chapter III: Escape to Arcadia
Yosera looked at Evann sadly, he then suddenly turned eyes towards a tapestry nodded and then looked at Evann again.
"Evann, though I see the truth in your words, nothing you have said has proven yourself innocent of the charges against you, because of this I will be disbanding the guardian force. The Arcadians in the force will sent back to Arcadia, and the two Nortis soldiers Brandol and Carmyne will be discharged from our forces and you Evann.are to be executed for treason at dawn,"
Rynos and Rinehart smiled cruelly with joy, but Lutina shook with fear and anger. Then something shaped as the guards began taking Evann away.
"NO!" she yelled and a white glowing light radiated from her body and blew the tapestry clear off the wall, Carmyne just stood back as Lutina fire a wave of Diamond Dusts at the guards! The spears of Ice pierced their bodies and froze their heart from the inside. They fell to the ground as the High Generals shielded themselves with a barrier. Lutina ran over to Evann and removed the ropes that tied him.
"Lutina!" Evann said surprisingly, "What are you doing here?"
"We couldn't let you be executed so we came to rescue you," Lutina said.
"What do you mean we?" Evann asked.
"Hey," Carmyne said walking towards them.
"Carmyne! Where are the others?" Evann asked.
"Outside waiting for us, but we can talk more later we have to get out of here before this place is overwhelmed by guards!" Carmyne suggested.
They ran out of the courtroom and into the hall just as the alarm was sounded! They fought their way through the guards using the power of the Holy and Chaos Mana eggs. They arrived outside where they found their friends holding off the guards with magic! They climbed into the truck and Carmyne gave a single to Krotiz in the driver's seat, who singled everyone to get back into the truck. They hopped in and drove off! They mowed their way through the guards as they reached the gate. It was closed with a line of guards in front of it!
"They cut us off!" Krotiz said.
"Keeping driving!" Evann said.
"What!" Krotiz's ordered
"Just do it!" Evann yelled he stuck his head out the window and aim his hand forward at the gate. "Astraea Bolts!" He cried and. Waves of lightning flew from his hand towards the gate! The gate was destroyed anyone who was near it killed. Krotiz drove over the fallen bodies into the woods! They were pursued by the Nortis army soldiers who fired their tanks off at the truck! Krotiz move left and right dodging the cannonballs as they were fired. The moment they were out of the woods Evann called to Lutina in the back of the truck! Lutina nodded and aimed her hand at the wood's entrance!
"Absolute Zero!" she yelled. A road of ice covered the ground all they way to the woods' entrance. The tanks slide and tipped over on the ice on they explored as they were hit by the others that ran into them. Evann and his friend continued on their way as they took their last look at the lands behind them.
They began their trip to Arcadia, but they could not take the Locca path so they would have to find another way. They drove all day towards the Nortis- Arcadian boarder, but there were no looks of joy upon their faces, especially, not on the faces of Brandol, Diene and Carmyne. They had rescued their friend yes, but it was at a great price, they could no longer remain in their homelands and had no choice but to leave with their friends. Evann and Krotiz have had no problems with leaving Nortis; they had lost their families to the power hungry Generals of the army long before this. Evann's mother and both of Krotiz's parents died in a village fire started by the military and Evann's father died in an ambushed set up by the military. Evann after looking at his fellow Nortis spoke.
"Brandol Carmyne, sorry you guys had to get involved in this," Evann said sadly.
"It's alright, Evann, you don't to apologize, we chose to be here even though we knew the price of it would be high. Not like we have anything left here for us anyway. I lost my family to the war a long time ago," Carmyne said.
"Same here," Brandol said, "Besides, even if we didn't help they would have come for us sooner or later,"
"Brandol's right, we wouldn't have had to leave with you guys or live on the run," Diene said, "Besides, it want be long, before Rynos and his collages kill Yosera and Tovu and take control of the government for themselves. After all that's the trouble with Militaristic governments without war they slowly lose power and the people soon demand change and when the people don't get what they ask for it awakens rebellion."
"I see, so what are the chances of a rebellion breaking out you're lands now?" Ulk asked.
"Close to none, like Diene said, Rynos and the other High Generals will have Yosera and Tovu assassinated and blame the assassinations on Arcadia and start up the war all over again, but by that time we'll be long gone from here," Krotiz said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They continued to drive along the road avoiding military outpost as best they could. They soon stopped in a forest and got out of the truck. They took out all of their supplies equipment and left it sitting their in the forest path. They began to continue on their journey on foot. It would be a long and hard journey, but they were willing to take the trip. They stopped in a village and bought cloaks for the cold nights that drew so near. Evann bought a new sword sense he had to leave his behind at the military base when they escaped. They stuck together in close formation with the largest of them in the back and smallest of them in the middle. The winter came and hindered their progress, but they continued and with each passing night of their journey they drew closer and become better friends. Among them the two who drew closer the most was Evann and Lutina; the two would speak on some nights after their friends had gone off to bed. There were of course times when they wished they could stop and rest, but they knew that the military would have sent out a reward for their capture and many eager bounty hunters would seek them out in hopes of collecting that bounty. They fought bandits that attacked them for their supplies and killed military soldiers who found them. They took turns at night keeping watch during the night.
Then finally after a half a mouth of travel, they arrived at a village. Their leader knew Evann's father and seeing how tired they were he insisted they stay at the inn without pay. Evann and his friends accepted this and they were happy to have a place to stay after traveling for so long. They had a lovely dinner and then went to bed, but Evann got up later that night and went outside in the snow. He was followed by Lutina who heard him leave his room. She followed him to the outside and found him standing in the snow with his cloak wrapped around him looking at the sky.
"Evann," she said.
"Lutina, what are doing out here?" he asked her worryingly.
"I could ask you that same thing," she replied with concern. She stood beside him as they gazed upward at the stars.
"Everything is my fault if I hadn't created those Mana Eggs then none of this would have happened," Evann said sadly
"Evann..." Lutina said.
"Everything's happening again just like it did when I was a kid," he said as he blinked slowly, "The Nortis Military came to my home village searching for the Ether Mana Egg my mother created. They demanded it be turned over to them. My parents were willing to do it to protect the villagers, but the rest of the village who knew of my parents secret refused to let them, they denied having any knowledge of the egg and the military seeing through their lie, burned the village to the ground searching for it. My mother at that time linked the Ether egg to her self and made it so that if she died the Ether Egg would destroy it self. She sacrificed herself to save me and my father. My dad, Krotiz, Krotiz's aunt and I were the only ones who survived that massacre. The Nortis government blamed the burning of the village on the Arcadians since it was built directly next to the boarder. My father and I moved into a house out in the forest, we lived there alone and in peace until he was ambushed and killed by the Nortis military's elite soldiers. I was able to get away, but not without seeing my dad stabbed to death a millions over and his body thrown into the river. The raised myself from that dad on for six years I've been pretty much living on my own training to be a ranger, but there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think about getting revenge for my father's death,"
"Evann, you've had such a hard life haven't you. It must painful for you to remember such things," Lutina said sadly.
Evann breathed deeply, "It is, but during the events of the elemental disorder I learned that not everyone in the military is completely heartless like most of the generals. Yosera and Tovu are greatly loved by the people and they had plans to change the government to one similar to that of Arcadian's. That was one of the reasons the treaty was made, or so I heard,"
"But because of men Like Rynos and that Rinehart that may never happen and the war may go on forever. The beast people in the south lands have chosen to remain neutral in it all since their defeat by you're father when they tried to attack while the Nortis were too busy fighting Arcadia to really do anything to defend themselves, but you're father he took a small army of Rangers too those boarders and defeated them after two long weeks of battle, but he did more then just that. When the beast people tried to attack Arcadia he defended Arcadia as while with his army. I was only about three back then, but I heard about from my parents. They never expected a Nortis to do such a thing. You're father Evrai defended both Nortis and Arcadia from the beast people until they grew tied and gave up. They returned to the land and announced their neutrality for the war and to prove it, they sent ten-thousand gold to both sides, as while ten-thousand supplies to each side. If it weren't for you're father Both Nortis and Arcadia would have fallen years ago. That's one of the biggest things you're father is famous for in Arcadia,"
"Arcadia, do you really think they'll accept Nortis?"
"I know they will, you're a hero to our people as while. I know they'll grant us protection and then perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?"
"Oh nothing," she replied blushing a little, "We should head back in, we have to leave at dawn tomorrow,"
"Yeah,"
They went back into the inn and then went to their separate rooms and went to sleep. The next day they all got up and found a nice breakfast waiting for them at the table downstairs. They ate quickly and then left on their way. They continued to head for the boarder when Titto looked back and saw smoke coming from the village they left! They all turned around and started running back, but their path was hindered by soldiers of the Nortis army!
"Ranger Evann, you are under arrest in the name of the Nortis Army, you will come along quietly are by force if necessary!" the soldier said.
"You burnt down that village just to find us!" Evann said.
"An example had to be made out of those who consult with traitors of the military!"
"You...you monsters!" Myam said angrily.
"You're going to pay for what you did!" Brandol said.
They all drew their weapons and the battle began! They fought the Nortis soldiers with skill and magic until they were crushed! They then rushed to the village to find Nortis soldiers in Red and Black armor pillaging and killing the innocent people in the village. Rangers who were staying in the village were being beat to the ground for trying to protect them. The blood of innocence was spread along the ground! Evann grew in raged by this and attacked a group of soldiers with his Sky Dragon Slash!
The soldiers were killed without mercy as Evann and his friends ran throughout the village saving as many people as they could and escorting them into the forest. Carmyne used her Fenrir egg and Myam her blizzard egg to put out some of the flames. Evann and Krotiz focused on defeating the soldiers attacking the villages and the rest focused on evacuating the burning village. Finally after long tiring battle the flames were dosed and every Nortis soldier was killed and slain for their crimes in the village that sorrowful day. The once beautiful small town was now nothing but a wasteland of death and sorrow. The people who Evann and his friends saved looked at the ruins in tears especially children who found their parents' bodies and shook telling them to wake up as tear after tear escaped their eyes. Evann walked towards the village chief and with his head lowered.
"We're sorry, if we hadn't come here then none of this would have happened," Evann said.
"No, it's not your fault, even if you had avoided our village the military would have come here looking for you anyway and there's a chance they would have burned it down just to make sure we were telling the truth. They'll most likely blame it on bandits or you, just to stay in power. If you're father Evrai were still alive and if he had never been forced to leave the military then things would be different. With Lord Tovu ill and Assent Supreme General Yosera out matched by his follow High Generals Nortis is looking to be a grim, grim place." The chief explained.
"How did you know who my father was?" Evann asked.
"I'm a former Ranger, I knew your father well every Ranger did. He was an honorable men and a magnificent leader. When all the Rangers gathered in taverns your father would brag about you and say my son is a natural born swordsman. He always told us to watch out for when became a Ranger. When I first saw you enter the village I knew it was you. You looked a lot like your father did when he was your age and I can tell from your actions here today that you have his heart as while. Wherever he is I'm he very proud of his son," the Chief said. Evann smiled a little at hearing that then the chief spoke again, "You go quickly and get far from here before it is two late. Don't worry about the bodies of the soldiers you killed we'll take care of them. I'll send a massage to Lord Yosera explaining what happened; he should be able to use some of his authority to protect us from any further attacks,"
Evann was silent for a while then he nodded and he and his left quickly with out looking back. They ran as fast as they could to get as far away as they could Evann tightened his fist with anger as he and his friends continued on their way.
They're journey began again and they continued on their way to the Arcadian boarder. The winter snow hindered their journey only slightly as they worked their way to their destination. Seven days pass and after a long struggle they arrived at the boarder between Nortis and Arcadia. They pulled their hoods over their heads as they started by the Nortis guards over the boarder. The guards strangely didn't stop them, but whispered to them good luck as if they knew who they were. Evann and his friends didn't bother as they walked through the plains between the boarders. The sight of many battles and the skeletal corpuses of fallen Nortis and Arcadian warriors lay covered in the growing grass of the plains. They continued on their way until they saw the flag of the Arcadia forces in a distance and soon an Arcadian outpost came into view. A feeling of relief came over they and they ran for it with joy. They were stopped by the guards of course and Lutina removed her hood...
"Halt whose goes there?"
"I am Lutina, and this Sir Jaid, we have returned with urgent news for the council,"
"Sir Jaid, Lady Lutina, we have been expecting for sometime. Lord Farta wishes to meet with you as soon as possible we will prepare a carriage for you and you're companions without a moment's delay," the guard said and he ran off.
They passed over the boarder into Arcadian territory. Evann, Krotiz, Carmyne, Diene and Brandol were a little nervous, at first but when Lutina told her people who they were as if they were welcomed as if they too were Arcadians. A few moments later two carriages came and they all got in which ever one they desired. During the journey they all fell asleep and didn't awaken until they arrived at their goal a large forest like city with a castle in the center. They were taken to the castle and shown to a large room with three couches placed neatly around a table, a cushioned chair in front of a fireplace, and three large windows on the east wall of the room. Later on a man with the same kind of hair as Jaid, pointy ears, noble robes with gold outlining, the look of a person in their early fifties, a wooden cane, and green eyes fill with wisdom entered the room.
"Lord Farta," Lutina and the other Arcadians said happily.
"Lutina, thank goodness you're safe, when the Nortis Lord, Yosera sent me a massage explaining what happened I was worried we had lost you and the others,"
"Lord Yosera sent you a massage!" Diene said.
"That would explain why the Nortis guards didn't stop us from crossing the boarder," Krotiz said.
"Yes, Yosera, in his latter to me, wrote with great concern. He said his power is limited by the other High Generals. He can rule, but he cannot completely stop them from conducting acts of tyranny," Farta explained. He walked over to a cushioned chair and sat down, "You have nothing to fear, you will be placed under the protection of the Arcadian council. You're Nortis companions will find safety here awhile though there are some who will resent them they will not go as far as to do harm to you. I am a well aware of the events that took place in Nortis lands. I fear it want be long before the war starts again. The council has already sent out a call to arms,"
"That's good, you'll need you're forces to be at top condition for the up coming battle. Krotiz said, "And if you need any help we'll be more then happy to fight with you,"
"You Krotiz correct we have heard of your evil deeds, but you played an important role in rescuing Evann according to Yosera's latter, but I feel they're something you all have to tell me. What else happened during journey here?"
"Yes, you see," Lutina began and she explained to Farta about the village the Nortis Army burned down and the people they killed! Farta grew in raged by this slammed his hand on the side of his chair.
"Curse those generals! If Tovu wasn't ill peace would have already come to pass!" Farta said.
"Supreme General Tovu is a kind heart and strong leader. Even after he started growing ill he still tried to carry out his plans to change the Nortis government, but he soon too ill to do anything. He has the prayers of all the Nortis people wishing for him to be well soon," Diene said kindly.
"I bet he does, he has my prayer as while and those some of our people," Farta replied kindly. He looked towards the window and nodded, "Dusk draws near and you all must be tired," he rang a loud ball on a table next to him and a servant entered.
"Yes my lord," the servant said.
"Take our guest to their rooms, now, I want to them freshen up before dinner later on tonight," Farta said.
"Yes my lord, please follow me," the servant said kindly. Everyone got and left the room but Farta asked Evann to stay, for he wanted to speak with him alone. Evann agreed and when he and Farta were the only ones left in the room he and the old Nortis spoke.
"Evann, you're father was Evrai correct?" Farta asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" Evann asked.
"It's plain to see for anyone who knew Evrai as a close friend. I imagine you have gone through great hardships since you're father's death,"
"Yes I have, but I have endured all and I am more then will to endure ones three times a hard if it will help bring peace to this war,"
"You've inherited you're father's soul and I can see you have you're mother's heart," Farta said, "Evann, a great destiny surrounds you and you must be prepare to face it when the time comes. The ultimate Mana egg that lays within shares you're with another power that hungers to leave you're body,"
"What kind of power," Evann asked,
"I will tell you that when the time comes, but for now you should go and freshen up for dinner," He called another servant to show Evann to his room. He put his fingers together and blinked slowly, "Evann, you more like you're father then you know. I only hope you can control the power the sleeps deep within you,"