Chris: Here's another chapter! Because I like it!

Charlie: Uh…Kessen actually has nothing to do with story. It's a game about Ieyasu Tokugawa and his conquest of Japan. I just like the idea so I made this. Yep.

Dark Pyros: Thanks for the compliments!

Inferno-Hero: Well, here's the next chapter! Glad you like it!

Chapter 3: Preparations for Battle

With the influx of troops provided by Lord Hector and the nomads of Sacae Eliwood once again begins his journey for conquest. Still standing in his way, however, are Zephiel Fareth and the Reed Brothers. With Eliwood having to pull victory out of an ambush where he lacks numbers, location, and loyalty, can his forces continue on their advance? Or will his fragile coalition crumble into dust and be scattered by the Bern forces?

Sulcry Encampment

"Brother? Are you okay?" A young, red-haired girl glanced at her brother worriedly. She clutched an oak staff in her hands that was encrusted with gold and jewels. "You know I don't like it when you act this way…" The girl looked mournfully at the ground.

"I'm sorry, Priscilla. But this whole thing comes at such an inopportune time!" Priscilla's brother, a young swordsman with the same shade of red hair, threw his sword into the soft ground. He continued his pacing, muttering to himself. "Siding with Bern would be the best short-term decision at the moment, but I don't know! There's talk within my ranks! Apparently, some people believe that siding with Eliwood is the smart decision." He stomped on the ground angrily, whirling to face his sister, who looked at the ground.

"B-But Raymond…" Priscilla looked up worriedly. "Y-You know that I will accept any decision that you choose."

Raymond stopped and his face softened. "Yes…I know, sister." He sighed. "But you've got to stop staying with me. One day, there will be a time where our desires will clash. And at that day, you must become your own person, or else you'll just become a slave who follows my every whim."

"U-Uh…Um…O-Okay…" Priscilla clasped her hands worriedly and nodded. "B-But what is your decision?"

"…Let me think…" Raven grimaced and recalled the event from last night.

---

"So, honored lords, as you can see…It would be most beneficial to our and your cause if you join us." Matthew smiled, his blond hair falling over his eyes, shadowing them

The three lords in front of him, Raven Sulcry and his sister, Priscilla, as well as Dorcas Elkath looked at each other. Dorcas spoke up first.

"I do not know what kind of tripe you are pulling, but switching to your side in the midst of battle does not seem like such an intelligent maneuver. For one, I am positioned deep within the Bern borders of this battle. Second, what will become of my friends? Or my wife, who lives faithfully in a small castle near Bern? Zephiel will retaliate for this expression of disloyalty."

Matthew nodded, smoothing his hair back. "Do not worry, Dorcas. A reserve force of mine has already been dispatched to your castle to rescue your wife. We will make sure she is safe."

Dorcas froze. "It seems as if you already expected to bring me to your side a long time ago."

Matthew grinned roguishly. "Well, let's say that I know what can happen before it really does. So how about it, Dorcas? Deal?"

Dorcas scratched his bearded chin. "We will see how the battle fares. If your boasts are true, I will join your side." The warrior turned and left, his figure disappearing as he left to consult his units. Matthew turned to the remaining two people.

"What about you two?"

"…It's up to Lord Raymond…" Priscilla turned to her brother, who frowned.

"Priscilla…" Raven folded his arms. "You've hit us at a very bad time, Matthew. Obviously, Zephiel is probably going to win this."

Matthew grinned mockingly. "Obviously."

"But your pathetic forces might stand a chance." Raven arched an eye towards Matthew, who continued grinning.

"Brother-!"

"I'm just being blunt."

"And you are ever so good at it." Matthew bowed. "But I must return to my 'pathetic forces' and prepare. Perhaps tomorrow, you will see the wisdom of my proposition." The thief scampered off, chuckling to himself.

"Lord Brother?"

"Leave me alone for a while. I need time to think. Choosing a side will not be easy…" Raven tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Go to bed. It's late."

"O-Okay, brother." Priscilla turned and left, her hair highlighted by the flickering remnants of the torch fires.

Raven let out a long sigh. "Priscilla, Priscilla…When will you learn that I can't always be your brother." Raven ran a hand through his head and stalked off, sighing again.

---

"Lord Brother?"

Priscilla's voice broke through Raven's reverie. "I'm sorry, Priscilla. But…We shall wait. Let's see if Matthew was telling the truth. If so, we fight by Eliwood's side. If not, we shall stand by Zephiel."

"…Lord Brother?"

"Yes? What is it?" Raven asked, turning.

"I-I…I will have to go against you, then. I will fight by Eliwood's side…I believe that Zephiel does not have our best interests at heart." Priscilla looked at the ground nervously. "I am sorry, Lord Brother, but I will fight by Eliwood the moment battle begins."

"You do realize that our armies are positioned right next to each other. If I am ordered to attack you, it will not take me long to engage your troops in battle."

"Y-Yes! Yes, I do. And I accept this risk…By myself."

Raven smiled. "Very well. We shall fight by Lord Eliwood's side."

"R-Right. Wait…'We'?" Priscilla turned to her brother, astounded.

"If Eliwood could make you become your own person, then he is the person I will follow. Besides, I can't abandon my own baby sister that easily, now can I?" Raven smiled faintly.

"Oh, thank you Brother!" Priscilla leaped towards him, wrapping him in a hug.

"Uh…Priscilla…Thanks…But we'd better tell our officers…Right? ...Priscilla…Get offa me."

"Oops! Sorry! I was just so happy!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Come on, let's go."

"Right!"


---


Fareth Encampment

Zephiel looked down from his spyglass and turned to the two officers behind him, Lloyd and Linus. "…It appears that they might not fight on our side after all."

"Do not worry, milord!" Linus thumped himself on the chest. "Even if those cowards turn traitor, I, the Mad Dog, will take care of them!"

"What he means to say is that their strength in negligible. Raven is too hot-headed to make rational decisions if he is under stress and his sister is too weak-willed. Granted, Priscilla did join us of her own accord, but most of her life has been spent searching and caring for her brother, who spends most of his time fighting." Lloyd coughed. "It will be no trouble to eliminate them."

"Very well. I will trust your judgment. By the way…" Zephiel turned. "What have the nomads said?"

"Perhaps we should tell you ourselves." Two figures stepped out from behind Zephiel.

Zephiel jumped slightly and spun, his hair whipping across his face. "Don't! Ever! Do that!"

"I'm sorry for their behavior, milord." Hassar walked up, holding twin swords. "Karel. Karla. What have I said about sneaking up on Lord Zephiel?"

"Hee hee…My mistake." Karel grinned wickedly, his long, black hair reaching his back.

"Forgive us, milord." Karla bowed to Zephiel.

"Very well. What do you have to report?"

"Looks like Lyn still believes we are loyal to her. We have been placed to protect the flank. Imagine their surprise when we tear through their forces from the inside." Karel chuckled evilly, swinging his sword wildly in the air.

Karla looked down on the ground uneasily. "Lord Hassar…You realize I do not condone this type of action…."

Hassar looked at the black-haired swordmaster. "I understand, but that is the plan, and remember, you two are loyal to me. You will do what I say, and I follow Lord Zephiel."

"But what about your daughter!" Karla looked up.

"Daughter? Well…Perhaps she shall remain unscathed by the power of the plainsmen. But…If Zephiel commands it…"

"Lady Lyndis is your daughter!" Karla screamed, her eyes wide. She spun to Zephiel. "Tell me that you won't send him against his only daughter!"

Zephiel scratched his chin. "I will think about it."

"That isn't good enough!"

Linus walked up and punched Karla in the stomach roughly. The swordmaster crumpled to the ground, coughing. "Don't insult our lord! Do you remember what he did for you?"

"Karla…Do not forget. He gave money and food to the plainsmen when they were starving. We have pledged our support to them. If my daughter and one of her friends decides to forget this pledge, then we must discipline them, got it?" Hassar walked up to the fallen swordmaster. "I expect to see you fighting the moment the battle begins." He walked away.

"Sister, sister. Don't forget…Blood will be spilled today! And if you betray us, some of that blood might be yours!" Karel cackled and dashed off.

Zephiel, Linus, and Lloyd turned away from her and walked off, leaving the swordmaster to lie on the ground.

"Bastard…Attacking family members…Attacking kin…" Karla coughed again and felt blood stain her lips. She pushed herself up and brushed off the dirt on her clothes. "Perhaps Eliwood does have the right idea." She walked off, brooding.

Chris: Yes, this chapter is shorter. Why? Because it's highlighting the parts right before the battle. The whole, complete battle will be up in the next chapter! So…Keep reading and reviewing, and I'll keep writing!