--Legend of the Twin Swords--

By: Kratos the Judgment

Chapter 16: Plains of War

It took our mounted troops a mere three days to reach the border between Lycia and Sacae. I
spent most of the ride conversing with Hector about the strengths and weaknesses of his various
soldiers. The rest of my time was spent swapping tales with my old companions and acting as
guardian for Ernst, Ralts, and Rayne.

Occasionally, we changed our course at the advice of one of the Pegasus-riding spies. It seemed,
though I could not tell for sure without Matthew's guidance, that they had narrowed down our
quarry's location to a series of caves in the mountains that acted as a natural border between the
two countries. Naturally, our for was on the Sacaen side of the mountain range, so there was
another three-day ride ahead of us.

While in Lycia, our forces had stayed in the castles of the local Marquesses each night, but now,
in the plains of Sacae, we made our beds under the vast blanket of stars which hung overhead.
Ordinarily, I found peace from the night sky, but now, with each passing hour, the dread within me
rose, welling higher and higher within me. Each day brought me closer to whatever truth this
mystery held and this evil sword that threatened the life of my dearest friend. Even if our enemy
was not destined to kill Lyn, it seemed that someone out there was. Whatever happened next, I
knew that I could not let this sword fall into the wrong hands. And so I passed several sleepless
nights until at last, our destination was in sight.

Low in the mountains, a series of cave entrances was clearly visible. Whether they were
separate caves or part of a whole was impossible to tell, for the spies had not managed to gain
access to it, but they believed that it was for sure where our enemy was hiding.

Knowing where we had to go was one thing. As it turned out, getting there was a different matter
all together. A number of squads of archers, pike men, and mounted warriors stood between our
forces and the evil beyond. I called everyone to a stop just outside the range of their arrows.

Quickly, I formed two cavalry units, Marcus and Isadora lead one while Kent and Sain led the
other. All swordsmen, along with Eliwood, Hector, and I, formed ranks between the mounted
knights, followed by the archers, and the Pegasus Knights we had brought along took up the rear
with my secret weapons.

I knew that one type of force alone wouldn't stand a chance against the combined types of troops
assembled before us, but if my plan worked, my forces should be able to breach their lines.
In a move that many others might call foolhardy, I sent the Pegasei out first, but I had a plan. On
feathered wings, the flying horses rose and headed straight for the entrenched archers. However,
before the enemies could loose their arrows, the Pegasei swept down close to the ground and
broke off. The arrows fell too late to do any damage to the flyers. Instead, they merely bounced
harmlessly off of the thick armor of the knights led by Wallace and Oswin who had been dropped
off by the retreating Pegasus riders.

As the knight's charge met the enemy archers head on, the cavalry split to either side for a pincer
attack and the ranks of swordsmen and I dashed straight at the pikes. Before we reached them
though, The Pegasus Knights who had circled after dropping off their passengers dove upon the
soldiers before us, taking out at least half their number before the first sword stroke fell.

Unfortunately, the enemy was catching on to my game.

Their cavalry came rushing down the center line to support their straggling soldiers. One of my
cavalry units intercepted the tail end of the charge, but at least half of the units got through and
were taking out anyone on foot with relative ease. My swordsmen were being scattered and
taken down by the riders. However, before we were completely overwhelmed, the armored
knights who had just finished with the archers came in and fought off the remainder of the enemy
cavalry.

A mounted swordsman charged at me, lance in hand. I braced myself for his attack, but before
he reached me, Hector swept him from his mount with a single stroke. Eliwood then jumped op
on the horse and extended his hand to me. "Come," he said, "I will take you to the caves." I took
his hand and swung myself onto the horse as well. Eliwood sped off after Kent and Sain's unit
which I had sent to deal with any reinforcements.

What I saw next was rather perplexing. I had expected entrenched fighters to bar entrance to the
caves; instead however, they were flowing out of them, throwing themselves on my knights. They
were throwing their lives away, but why? Did this leader of theirs mean so much to them that
they would do such a thing for him, or was there some other motive at work here? It was almost
as if they were trying to buy time for something.

Suddenly it hit me, and a strange fear started growing in the seat of my being. No matter what, I
had to get in there, and fast. "Eliwood, hurry!" I said to my friend.

Without a word, Eliwood pushed the horse to a full gallop and made for the nearest entrance.
Swords at the ready, we dashed through the tunnel, killing or brushing aside any who stood in our
way; that is, until a soldier drove his spear into the horse's chest.

Both Eliwood and I were thrown bodily from the back of the dying beast. As I slowly regained my
feet, I saw two warriors, armed with axes rapidly approaching me. I reached for my sword, but it
had flown out of my hand when I fell and had landed farther down the tunnel. Fortunately,
Eliwood still held Durandal. He intercepted the two before they could reach us. Looking to me,
he seemed to see my problem. "Run," he told me. "Go now! I can hold them."

In an instant, I was past them and had reached my sword. I thought to turn back, but the clanging
of swords ahead of me changed my mind. Without hesitation, I ran deeper into the cave. I had to
deal with a few axmen but they did not deter me from my goal. I had to get to the end of this cave.
I knew something terrible might happen if I did not.

Tired from running, I skidded to a halt as I entered a massive chamber. It appeared mostly
natural, though the smoothness of the floor showed that it had been worked by human hands. All
around me, gold and jewels collected from untold villages that these bandits must have razed lay
in piles stacked up over my head. However, I didn't have time to take in the sights as sounds
from the far end of the chamber drew my attention.

In that moment all my fears were realized. A woman, clothed in the blue of her tribe dashed at a
man wearing black armor. I saw her swing her blade with all her might, but her opponent thrust
his strength and weight into one powerful blow, sending his deep red blade crashing into the
woman's.

For a moment, time stood still. I saw the two swords meet; the energy between them seemed to
cause sparks to jump from the point where they touched and sent tremors through the air. Then
the woman was thrown backwards, propelled through the air by the force of her adversary. She
collided with a wall and fell to the ground; her sword lying uselessly beside her limp body.

For the first time since entering that chamber I took a breath and screamed.

"Lyn!"

8/21/05
Thank you, to everyone who gave my storya review in these past few days. I know it's not exactly fair for me to demand reviews from you all, but ,in all honesty, I simply got frustrated because it seemed like nobody was reading this anymore. Anyway, thanks again, it really means a lot to me to know that people are still intrested in my story. New stuff will be up soon and will keep coming until I run out of chapters to post.
Reviewers will be welcomed – Flamers will be spammed.

Kratos