Author's Corner:

This battle will probably inaugurate serious combat in this fiction, at least in my opinion. I stated earlier that I held Lyn's Tale to be more or less of an introduction, and I had wished to write about large-scale combat. Well, here it is, and I hope I don't bore you too much.

And just as a forewarning, a destrier is stallion bred purely for carrying armored knights into battle. Throughout this fiction, I will be replacing 'hours' with 'candle marks,' since in the setting of Fire Emblem, they don't really have clocks to count hours do they? (Correct me if I'm wrong on this…)

Chapter was done two days ago, but for some strange reason I couldn't log in...

Lao Who Mai – Thank you!

Paladin2007 – Humor is, I believe, a good way to keep away the nasty little reminder that says, "OMG, this thing is long!" Oh, you can give Matthew a mine, just make sure Guy isn't with him.

Hammer of Terrascars – Chapter 9

Battle of Laus

April 4th, few hours march from Laus territory,

Ah, Laus, the home of more political conspirators than perhaps the rest of Lycia combined. Only a scant four years have passed since a certain Laus commander had foolishly attempted the coup d'etat of the neighboring city Worde. Said attempt ended in a fiasco, but given that some busybody from Laus is always attempting something of the sort every decade or so, it was not a very big surprise. Enough of the past, the present is more important!

Drake snapped his journal shut before tossing the age-worn item back into his knapsack. It had been slightly over a week since the group left Santaruz and a deceased Marquis Helman behind. As they progressed steadily into Laus, the surreptitious hand of war could readily be seen upon the faces of the small folk. War was a matter between nobles and nations, but the common people always suffered from invading armies, increased taxes, and forced conscription. Young boys could dream about glory in a marquis' army, but needy families always needed strong hands for the harvest.

The draft, however, was something few families could avoid. While passing by several of Laus' villages, Drake could clearly see soldiers prying young men away from their families. One man from every family is called upon to serve the glory of Laus, Drake recalled from a campaign announcement he had read a few days ago, and how many of these glory-seekers will return to their families?

Cecilia and Matthew also came back with a grave report. They mentioned that several food storages along the frontier have been raided, their contents depleted by rogue bands or bandits.

"That's ridiculous," Matthew snorted, "The break-in and getaway were simply too well organized to be done by simple bandits. No, this is the military's work."

"They'd steal from their own people?" Cecilia said, aghast.

"This isn't Pherae, Ostia, or Etruria," Matthew replied, "Laus' troops are infamous for being undisciplined and wont to pillage any passing town. I'd suspect that Marquis Darin ordered his men to find their own supplies, and gave them free reign to get it."

"Then what will the villagers live on when winter comes?" Eliwood asked.

Matthew shrugged, "Starve, I suppose."

Hector put a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Eliwood…"

Eliwood bit his lip, "When we find Marquis Darin, we'll get to the bottom of this," he vowed.

"Then we best be on our guard," Drake supplied, "From what I can see, Laus soldiers are not moving out into a foreign territory yet. So that means the majority of Laus' forces are congregated somewhere near, probably around Castle Laus itself."

"And will give any intruder a warm welcome tempered with steel," Cecilia said grimly, "We'd be outnumbered quite badly in a head-to-head confrontation."

"I'd hope to settle things peacefully," Eliwood sighed, "But after the Santaruz skirmish…"

"…That'd be highly unlikely," Hector growled.

The vanguard stopped beside a small brook that emptied into the sea a few miles south. The River Tunly, as it was called, was all that separated Eliwood and Hector from Castle Laus and whatever answers they may find there.

"We best make camp here," Drake said, "This is a feasibly defendable location, with only three bridges over the River Tunly."

"Why not move onto the plains on the other side?" Hector asked.

"The flat plains are ideal for a cavalry charge," Cecilia explained, "If we were to encamp on the other side and Laus proves to be hostile, we would be easily trampled down by Laus cavalry, since we do not possess the proper numbers to withstand such a charge."

"Then we'll encamp here," Eliwood affirmed, "Maybe we should dispatch a messenger to the castle? A villager perhaps?"

"That'd be wise, but I think unnecessary," Drake said, "Rebecca just marked out someone headed in our direction from Castle Laus. Cavalier of some sort, she said."

Matthew ran up from his position at the middle bridge, "Decorated Laus seal, must be someone from the ruling family."

"Must be Erik then," Eliwood said, looking at Hector.

Hector grimaced, recalling the innumerable arguments they had gotten into in their youth, "I'd better avoid that snake then. Whatever good you might do, Eliwood, I'd shatter it if I ever talk to Erik. I'll see about camp for now."

Eliwood nodded, "Take me to him, I'll speak with him at the middle pass," he ordered with Drake and Cecilia in tow.

Though it had been several years since Eliwood had last seen the son of Marquis Darin, Erik's arrogance and pride had changed little. Reining in on his brown stallion, Erik cast a contemptuous eye over the soldiers around the camp. The smirk that was snaking across his mouth quickly disappeared when his eyes fell upon Eliwood.

"Eliwood!" Erik greeted, "Long time no see!"

Eliwood was wary at the warm greeting, "Greetings, Erik, what are you doing here?"

Erik looked surprised, "Why, I've come here to greet my old friend of course!"

Drake and Cecilia exchanged a look, but Eliwood remained silent. Erik never considered me to be a friend or even a companion, he thought, so why the change in attitude?

"So…" Erik continued, "What brings you over to Laus? On your way to Ostia, perhaps?"

"What makes you say that?" Eliwood wondered.

"Well, you've always been good friends with Hector," Erik said smoothly, "Brash, uncivil Hector, one could almost mistake him for a commoner at first glance."

"I have not come to hear you insult my friend," Eliwood warned.

"Then what is your purpose?" Erik persisted.

Drake laid a hand on Eliwood's shoulder, "Milord Eliwood, perhaps it is high time that we press on to Ostia. The rumors we have heard are quite disquieting…"

Whatever composure Erik possessed was swiftly dashed at that comment. "W-what rumors?" Erik blurted out.

Playing along, Cecilia ignored Erik completely, "Indeed, if what Marquis Helman said was true, Ostia should be warned immediately."

Drake continued to bait the lordling, "A pity we haven't sent word ahead. Now that Marquis Helman is no more, we are the only holders of this confidentiality," he lowered his voice slightly, but just loud enough for Erik to hear, "We can't alert Laus yet that we are on to them."

Eliwood, catching Drake's eye, agreed, "I concur, especially after seeing the level of mobilization in Laus."

Erik looked relieved, "So you haven't sent a runner ahead, haven't you? Excellent…"

"What do you mean?" Drake asked innocently, though a victorious smirk was playing across his lips.

Cecilia mirrored his expression; Patient fishing yields a large catch, or a large confession in this case.

"Eliwood," Erik sneered, "I always loathed your self-righteousness and idealism, and vowed one day to smash your wretched faith into pieces. That day has now come, and without alerting Ostia, your cause is now doomed!"

"Tsk, tsk," Cecilia chided, "Just because we haven't sent a messenger doesn't mean Ostia doesn't know of your dealings."

Erik paled, "What?"

"Since House Ostia travels with this group," Hector declared as he appeared behind Erik.

"Hector!" Erik screeched and whirled back to Eliwood, "Y-you, you contacted Ostia!"

"Maybe," Hector said gruffly before turning to Eliwood, "Forget this braggart, Eliwood. Several Laus regiments are marshalling into battle order and moving against us. They'll reach the Tunly River before a candle mark is up."

"Fools," Erik spat out, "Laus' finest knights will run you down like the dogs you are!"

"Why, you…" Hector started, drawing his ax.

"Hold!" Eliwood shouted, "By the orders of chivalry, we should not strike him down under the flag of parley. Let him go and look to the battle at hand."

Erik laughed madly before wheeling his horse and galloped across the river.

Laus' military, though not as well known as Ostia's legendary armored knights or Pherae's prowess in mounted cavaliers, still fielded a stout army capable of holding its own in a pitched battle. Deviating from Ostia and Pherae's style of army organization, Laus typically deployed an overwhelming amount of cavaliers, intending on passing over their enemies with a powerful charge of mounted horse.

Ostia's knights, well known for their perpetual, steady pushing and not yielding a single inch to the enemy, only needed to deploy a moderate amount of soldiers, given their miniscule losses. Pherae, on the other hand, had produced cavaliers and paladins whose feats were sung of across Lycia, and thus preferred to utilize a small mobile force to its maximum potential. Although it was said that Ostia and Pherae would never bow to Laus is a heated battle, the sheer difference in numbers may swing the bloody day over Tunly River.

Erik was smug, already playing the most probable outcome in his mind, "We outnumber them over five to one! I will mount their heads atop two pikes and show all of Lycia that Laus is invincible!"

"Sir…" a soldier tried to get his attention, but couldn't shake Erik from his daydream.

"Hmph, that girl is wasted upon my father," Erik said to himself, "Such a lovely maiden, with hair as bright as flame, and such a tender age too! After I finish off Eliwood, I will take a small detour and make her mine! A princess befitting a lord like myself, she'll make a handsome bride!"

"Sir!"

"What is it? Who dares to presume to interrupt me?" Erik thundered.

The soldier flinched, but continued nonetheless, "Our forces are in position. Do you want the pirates to attack as well?

"What? Pirates?" Erik roared, "I will not have the sea scum take my glory away from me! Have them bring that girl, Priscilla, to me from the village she's hiding in. That should give them enough work!"

"Yes, milord."

After Erik's departing threat, Eliwood and Hector scrambled to alert their comrades. Hearing the report, Marcus, Lowen, and Oswin were buckling into their heavy armor while Rebecca began waxing her bowstring. Dorcas, Bartre, and Guy employed themselves into the busy task of sharpening any dulled weapons. Matthew, with the sharpest eye among them all, was scanning the riverbank in search of foes under Cecilia's orders. Drake himself was watching the ocean tides, deep in thought when Cecilia found him.

"We're almost ready," she reported, standing beside him, "Is anything wrong?"

"Not yet," Drake replied, "Just brooding about the upcoming battle."

"Sir Marcus mentioned earlier that Laus may have bribed several nearby pirate bands to do its bidding," Cecilia recalled as she gazed into the sea, "Do you think they'll move out?"

"The pirates?" Drake laughed, "I doubt it, or if they move, it won't be against us. Pirates are sea bandits, more interested in plunder than actual battle. They'd be more eager to raid any of the outlying villages unaware of this battle. Furthermore, a smug noble like Erik probably wouldn't use them, thinking that such lowly savages are unworthy of being a part of a major battle."

"That's true," Cecilia admitted, "Do we have a rough estimate on our number of foes?"

"That I have," Hector said as he joined the two tacticians, "Laus has churned out nearly two score cavaliers and nearly twice that number of infantry."

"Well over a hundred enemies," Cecilia said with dismay.

Drake barely reacted, merely continuing his vigil over the peaceful oceans, "Do you have the rough organization of the infantry?"

Hector replied, "Matthew managed to sneak across and give us a rough estimate of their foot soldiers. He claimed that it was a devil of a time to count them, since their rank and files were constantly shifting when one group moved faster than the others. The cavaliers are advancing in two waves, a score each. I fail to see how this helps us though."

Cecilia noticed that Drake was smirking, "You have a plan," she said hopefully.

"That I do," Drake said calmly.

Hector looked uncertain for a moment, and then grinned, "Hell with it, why should I worry so? My forte is the joy of combat, I'll leave the thinking to others." At that moment, Oswin tapped Hector on the shoulder, and the two of them left the tacticians to their planning.

"I wonder if one day I'll be a tactician worthy of being accepted by my peers as well," Cecilia murmured.

"You will," Drake said, "But that level of trust between those who lead and those who are led is typically bought after countless blood-soaked fields. If you are set upon this path, do not avert your eyes from the battlefield."

"I won't, but I have much to learn."

"Well, that's what I'm here for, right?"

Matthew chose this moment to interrupt, "Drake, Cecilia! Laus has begun its advance!"

"They don't leave us a moment of peace do they?" Cecilia said.

"That they don't," Drake replied sagely, "Matthew, have you finished the preparations on the southern shore?"

"They're ready," Matthew reported, "Oh, and by the way, Serra needs to speak with you."

Drake frowned. Serra and Merlinus were dispatched to nearby villages to warn the unsuspecting town peoples of the upcoming battle and any potential bandit raids. As per Lord Eliwood's orders, those innocent in this conflict should be spared the majority of the bloodshed.

"Over here!" Serra called out, leading a disgruntled, purple-haired mage who looked oddly familiar.

"Erk?" Drake said, incredulous, "What the devil are you doing here?"

"Need I explain?" Erk merely pointed at Serra, "Listen, I need your help…"

Cecilia and Drake listened as Erk whispered to them in hushed tones. Drake thought for a moment, "I'm afraid we can't help you at the moment, as we have nearly forty Laus cavaliers to deal with. However, about that bridge to the north…"

Two long lines of Laus cavaliers stampeded towards the Tunly River, separated by approximately two miles. This time-honored formation called for the first line to make contact with the foe, disrupt their ranks, and leave an opening for the secondaries to break through. Two cavalry forces acting like a one-two punch had yet to taste defeat across Elibe with the exception of an equally sized enemy cavalry or a thick phalanx of spears. Since Eliwood and Hector possessed neither, Erik was confident of the outcome and had ordered his heavy horse in a direct attack on their position.

The first line, seeing three wooden bridges before them, repositioned themselves accordingly a dozen yards before the bridges. Across the northern bridge, a fighter, an archer, and a mage were standing guard. The middle pass had two horsemen, a knight, and two axe men armed to the teeth. To the right, the southern crossing only had a pair of swordsmen defending the bridge.

Grinning wolfishly, Commander Velmont distributed his forces. Five lances he would send charging across both the northern and southern bridges, while he would lead the remaining ten soldiers up the middle. With a shout, the first wave of Laus cavaliers stormed forward like a pack of wild hounds.

Those responsible for attacking the southern bridge were wildly optimistic about their chances. Surely their five lances would pincushion the hapless myrmidons before them! When the first destrier set hoof on the bridge, its rider felt nothing more than a small shake of protest. When the last destrier moved onto the bridge, the bridge gave much more than a small shake more like a groan of agony.

With a cry of dismay, four of the cavaliers tumbled into the raging river below as the weakened bridge gave way with a thundering crash. Already weakened by the salt spray and the tides, the southern bridge was barely holding together after Dorcas and Bartre had placed several choice swings with an ax at the foundations. The only surviving knight soon found himself beset by two vengeful swordsmen from both sides. The myrmidon, wielding a curved blade, ducked under his lance thrust and slashed. Puzzled at the lack of pain, the knight was thrown heavily to the ground as his horse collapsed underneath him. He finally comprehended that the myrmidon had only meant to hamstring his steed when the other swordsman stabbed him in the chest.

Those assaulting the northern area fared little better, as could readily be seen from the way five horsemen were writhing in flames atop their burning bridge. Taking yesterday evening's cooking oil from Lowen, Drake and Rebecca had smeared a thin layer of the slippery liquid across the wood. A casually thrown fire spell from Erk had set the entire wooden platform ablaze, along with the doomed enemy standing on it. Driven mad from the hungry flames and harassed by Rebecca's arrows, the terrified horses plunged into the river below, taking their masters with them into the river below.

Ignorant of their comrades' failure, Velmont led his soldiers in a furious charge into the Hector and his group. Given that he had personally led the charge, Velmont was also the beneficiary recipient of Oswin's lance. Unable to check the speed of his horse and buoyed by the momentum of his troops behind him, Velmont watched helplessly as his lance glanced harmlessly off the Oswin's shield while the knight's counterattack pierced his abdomen. As he fell, his last gaze was that of his remaining soldiers being attacked from all sides by all manners of weapons. Another of his knight's fell atop him with two arrows in his chest, and Velmont knew no more.

Clenching a bloody ax in his hand, Hector waded through the fallen enemies around him. To his right, Oswin finished putting a poor soul out of his misery while Serra was tending to Lowen's wounds. Although many of them suffered from various injuries, it was a positive miracle that the entire group survived the encounter against a numerically superior foe. Mental note to self, Hector thought, never doubt Eliwood's word when it comes to skill. Santaruz may have been pure luck, but what Drake had just accomplished definitely vindicated his ability to command.

As Hector walked towards the tactician, he could see Cecilia and Eliwood congratulating the man for this feat, "Nicely done!" Hector called out.

The trio turned to face him, "This battle isn't over yet," Drake remarked, "We still have the second half to deal with."

"That's true," Cecilia agreed, "And in our current state of exhaustion, we won't be able to hold them off."

"Our location is no longer defensible," Eliwood said as he looked around him, "With only one bridge remaining to us, the enemy will throw its entire force here. Most of us are injured, and even if Serra patches us up, I doubt we can hold them."

"By the way, where is the second wave?" Hector asked, "They should've been here by now."

"It'd appear that Erik made a slight mistake in his calculations," Drake mused aloud, "I wager he supposed we would flee rather than give battle. The other cavaliers must have moved northwards to the Jorgen Pass, then sweep east to our position. The Jorgen Pass is the only path that would enable us to bypass Laus and escape towards Ostia."

"Did he believe that we are all cowards like him?" Hector scoffed.

"Evidently," Drake grinned, "Anyways, the remainder of our preparations must be complete before the second wave comes knocking. For that, I believe we captured some of the surviving Laus destriers?"

"We did, but what do you intend to do with them?" Cecilia asked.

"You'll soon see," came the enigmatic reply, "Tell Merlinus to set up half a dozen extra tents over here, and tell Matthew, Guy, and Erk to begin their part of the operation as well."

A candle mark later, another detachment of Laus cavaliers arrived and halted before the last remaining bridge over the Tunly River. Captain Creimor, of the Laus 2nd Mounted Division, peered curiously at the scene that lay before him. Two of the three bridges had collapsed, several dead men and horses lay strewn about the opposite side of river near a handful of erect tents, and interestingly enough, not a single foe could be seen.

"Captain!" One of his subordinates reported, "No sight of the two lords on our side of the river."

"Have you combed the riverbanks and forests?"

"Yes sir, but we only came upon two men chopping firewood," the soldier replied, "Would you like to question them, sir?"

"Wait, do you hear something?" Creimor said suddenly.

The soldier frowned, "I believe I do. Something like steel clattering against one another… Wait, but that means!"

"Our comrades are still fighting over there!" Creimor drew his sword, "Laus! To the aid!"

Striking spurs to their mounts, the captain led his men over the bridge towards the assembled tents, where a frightful din of steel could be heard, growing steadily louder as they approached the tents. Surrounding the area, Creimor burst through the tents and gaped in shock.

Four destriers could be seen, tied by their tails in a cross-like fashion. Hung at the intersection of the two pieces of rope were half a dozen swords, which created the clamor of steel when the horses strained to move. Gazing towards the ground, Creimor saw that the horses were after some sort of food. Marcus had always remarked that Lowen was quite possibly the most dangerous man in the outfit: his cooking could either stuff you to the point that you couldn't fight or could entice you to the point that your enemy would gladly surrender for a fabulous last meal. Evidently, Lowen could perform a similar feat with horses, since a pile of scented carrots and candied apples lay just beyond the reach of each destrier. Whenever the destriers strained to eat what lay just beyond them, the struggle traveled along the rope that connected them to shake the steel weapons.

Creimor threw his sword to the ground in anger, "What the hell is this?"

"Why did the bastards do this?"

"Cowards, every last one of them," another soldier avowed.

"Or is it just to get our attention?"

A chill ran down Creimor's spine when the soldier suggested that, and a blinding revelation hit him square in the face. Stumbling outside, he darted a look at the bridge and screamed in rage.

The two ax men that his men had detained earlier had just finished chopping the bridge into itty-bitty little fine pieces. One of them raised his ax and roared, "Good day, my fine lads, I am Bartre the Brave. My old grandmother has more brains than the pack of you combined, and she's dead and buried for three years!"

As the fighters left, Creimor shook with fury. The devilish diversion had worked, and he was stuck on the wrong side of the river with all his men while the next closest crossing was a half days ride away!

In a village several miles south of Castle Laus, a damsel in distress was still waiting for a knight in shining armor to rescue her. The village has always chaffed under the iron hand of Marquis Darin, and now it has become almost unbearable with the marquis' recently acquired lust for the red-haired princess that dwells amongst them. Fortunately for Priscilla, the villagers' hatred of Marquis Darin managed to grant her asylum. Unfortunately for the village, several pirates were outside demanding entrance. All the villagers could do was close the gates and pray for deliverance. Priscilla was standing with the village elder listening to the rising cacophony outside the walls.

"This is all my fault," she said bitterly, "If I had gone along with the marquis, all of you wouldn't need to suffer like this."

"Calm yourself, little one," the elder replied, "Even if you had gone to Castle Laus, the marquis wouldn't have lifted a finger to help us. Our village has long since despised Marquis Darin, and his son Erik isn't much of an improvement."

"But still…" Priscilla started, and then tilted her head to listen, "What is that?"

As the two peered over the walls, they beheld four pirates lay dead or dying on the ground with two swordsmen and a mage standing victoriously over them. The pirates, foolishly thinking that no would-be rescuers would save the doomed village, were caught completely unprepared by the backstabbing Matthew and Guy. Two of them had fallen before the other pair even knew what was going on. Erk fried another one before Matthew and Guy pounced upon the last hapless pirate.

"Who are you?" The elder called out, "We have no business with Laus!"

Matthew chuckled, "I thought you said they know you, Erk?"

Erk turned red with embarrassment, "Err, I…"

"Erk?" Priscilla said, "Is that you?"

Erk glared at Matthew, "I told you so."

"Alright, I stand corrected."

A moment later, the village gates opened and Priscilla came riding on her mare. Dismounting with some help from Erk, she thanked all three of them for lending their aid. Erk tried to play the gentlemen while Matthew didn't seem to care, but Guy could only stare at the goddess before him.

Matthew grinned evilly before clapping Guy on the back, "So, Guy is a man after all!"

Guy colored and glared at Matthew, "Why must you always make my life hell?"

Matthew seemed to consider this for a moment, "Because it is fun?"

Erk and Priscilla watched Guy chase after Matthew with a drawn saber for a few seconds, "I think we better head back to the main army," said Erk, "Before one of those idiots cuts themselves on that shiny needle."

When Erk, Priscilla, Guy and Matthew arrived at the rendezvous, the other members of the outfit were already waiting. Bartre was raucously sharing his successful ambush with Lowen and Serra over a mug of well-deserved ale that Merlinus doled out. His laughter quickly turned sour when Serra reminded him of their little gambling debt. All things considered, morale was quite high amongst the little war party, considering their recent victory. Excusing himself from Matthew and Guy, Erk led Priscilla to the two lords and their advisors.

"Success," Erk reported with a grin, "It was as you predicted, Drake. The pirates only had few in numbers and were completely oblivious to our approach. I'd like to present the person I was escorting, Priscilla."

Priscilla curtseyed politely, "I thank you for your assistance, my lords, otherwise I may be held in Castle Laus now."

Eliwood bowed, "It is nothing, please do not think much of it."

After Erk and Priscilla left, Eliwood turned to Drake, "What should be our next move?"

"We have carried the day and can now retreat with full honor," Oswin noted.

"That is true," Cecilia agreed, "We have won a sound victory today and the enemy is reeling, but we lack the sufficient force to combat Laus' infantry forces. The enemy is simply too numerous for us to deal with."

"I have sent a runner to Ostia, however," Hector interrupted, "A contingent of Ostian knights will arrive at Laus to quell this uprising. We could leave this to them, but I am loath to allow Erik such an easy end."

"That goes for me too," Eliwood said crossly, which was quite a contrast to his normally calm composure, "But what choice do we have?"

"Simple," Drake said calmly, "We attack, full frontal assault."

Those gathered around him stared at him as if he had grown horns, "Have you lost your mind?"

"I believe I have full control of my senses," Drake replied dryly, "But I do not deviate from my suggestion."

"Please, Sir Drake," Marcus said, "Explain this mystery to us. We stand outnumbered nearly ten to one, and you are telling us to attack them head on?"

"A true master never reveals his secrets before the anointed time," Drake said, "Now listen carefully…"

His ring of listeners listened incredulously to his plan of battle, "That has to be the most audacious thing I've ever heard of," Oswin said.

"That's why it'll work," Drake replied.

After the group dispersed, Cecilia caught up with Drake, "Sometimes, your ideas are terrifying," she began, "I doubt anyone in the history of Elibe could've matched your daring or cunning save perhaps the infamous Hammer… Oh…" Cecilia clapped a hand over her mouth when Drake leveled a piercing stare at her, "My apologies…"

"Do not ever associate that cursed name with me again," he warned, "Now come, we have a battle to win."

To say that a certain Erik of the Laus variety was furious would be a sad understatement. In the brief span of five candle marks, the entire Laus cavalry force under his command had vanished into thin air without even a hint of success or defeat. Furthermore, the pirates that he had dispatched to bring in the lovely Priscilla had some how wound up dead outside the gates of a defenseless village!

"Why am I surrounded by bungling idiots?" Erik ranted and frothed, "How can you miserable curs turn such an easy battle into an utter catastrophe?"

The soldiers around him flinched, "My apologies, milord," one of them began, "But most of us were only recently recruited into the army, and…"

Erik silenced him with an angry slap, "No excuses!" Erik barked, "Now someone get me word on where the hell Eliwood is!"

A messenger stumbled before Erik, "Milord, you're not going to believe this…"
"What is it?"

"The Pherae and Ostia lords are… Are…"

"What about it?" Erik asked gleefully, "Have you found their wretchedly maimed carcasses?"

The messenger gulped, "No, sir, they are in fact charging at us this instant."

"What?" Erik smashed his iron gauntlet into the messenger's face while his guards blanched, "What about my cavalry? Where are Creimor and Velmont? How the hell did they pass through them alive? We outnumbered them four to one, damn it!"

The messenger spat out a bloody tooth and glowered at Erik, "I don't know sir, I'm just the runner!"

"Curses, rally the troops and prepare for battle!" Erik screamed, "At least we still have an overwhelming tide of soldiers!" He left cackling with joy of personally slaying Eliwood and Hector.

Behind him, the soldiers were looking at one another with doubt mounting on their faces, "W-what are we going to do? Those lords just stomped Laus' best knights outnumbered by such a wide margin. What can we do after only a week's worth of training?"

"Hell with this," one of the soldiers grumbled, "I didn't ask for this, I'd much rather be minding my farm in peace."

"Aye, me too," another one replied, "Listen, if only that Erik wasn't here…"

"Bastard that he is," the messenger said darkly, "I hope the foreign lords give him the hiding he deserves."

A quarter of a candle mark later, Erik had his men assembled in ragged lines behind him. Nearly a hundred yards ahead of him, Eliwood and his companions were closing in on their position, weapons drawn and prepared for combat. Seeing the pitiful numbers arrayed against him, Erik laughed at the sight.

"What could he possibly accomplish with only a dozen men?" Erik scoffed, "All units, follow me! Whoever slays Eliwood I will knight on the spot!"

Erik urged his fiery steed forward with his lance at rest and charged directly towards Hector. Blinded by glory and pride, his arrogance carried him straight into his enemies, unaware that barely even a quarter of his army had followed him. A brief moment before his lance would've split Hector in two, his aim was jarred out of line when his destrier stumbled and collapsed. The two stout axe men beside Hector had slashed off the front legs of his stallion, throwing Erik heavily from the saddle. Hauled upright with brutal force, Erik opened his mouth to shout his indignation when a blow from behind knocked him unconscious.

As the light faded from his eyes, Erik could dimly hear someone speaking, "Drake, as surely as the gods live, you have no peer in all of Elibe."

When Erik recovered consciousness, he found in a humiliating kneeling position with a dirty rag stuck in his mouth. And the infernal Eliwood and Hector were standing right before his eyes chatting away as if nothing had happened!

Someone evidently noticed that he was awake and got Hector's attention. With a dismissive wave, Hector gave an order, "Remove the gag."

As soon as the filthy cloth was wrenched from his lips, Erik bellowed, "You treacherous fiends, my father will have your heads for this!"

"Your father," Hector commented, "Appears to have abandoned the castle and you as well. I seriously doubt he will come back and save your miserable hide."

"T-that can't be!" Erik screamed hoarsely, "Father would never abandon me!"

"Take a look around," a new voice belonging to a young man commanded.

With a derisive glance around him, Erik was about to launch into another tirade of insults when he suddenly noticed the throne in front of him. Above the throne, the Laus crest could easily be seen on the banner that hung overhead.

"T-this…" Erik stammered, "What trickery is this? This can't be…"

"Yes," a young woman beside him answered him, "This is Castle Laus, which Marquis Darin abandoned."

Fumbling for words, Erik choked out, "Then, where are my men? Where are those cowards hiding? I had you within my iron grip and they left me on the field of battle!"

"Iron grip? Paper-thin, more like," Hector scoffed.

"I am Drake, Laus lordling," the young man said, "And I shall explain why you lost the battle to a besieged and undermanned army. You lost the heart of your people and the inheritance of your forefathers. No marquis or lord, no matter how powerful, endures with the scorn of his people weighing upon them. Besides for your seasoned cavaliers, the remnants of your army were peasants who scarcely had any training and were press-ganged into military service. You expect to find loyalty amongst those you threatened?"

"I must admit," the young woman added, "I was not able to make the connection between your infantry's pathetic organization and their lack of training, but once Drake pointed it out, it became quite clear."

Erik struggled to respond, but was interrupted by a knight barging in, "Lord Hector and Lord Eliwood, there are three groups of soldiers headed towards Castle Laus!"

Erik threw his head back and laughed, "Fools, Laus soldiers have come to liberate the castle!"

Eliwood looked worried for a second, "Drake, Cecilia! We can't hold the castle against a siege without supplies!"

"Stay your swords," Drake said calmly, "Ostia will take care of this matter for us."

"Ostia?" Erik asked.

Scarcely a second had passed when Matthew came in with fresh news, "No worries, milord, the Laus cavaliers and mercenaries have fled at the sight of Ostia troops moving towards the castle. Not even they dare challenge the might of Ostia's impregnable armored knights!"

Hector turned back to Erik, "Now that that matter has been dealt with…"

Erik's shoulders slumped in defeat, "Damn…"

Eliwood hauled Erik upright by his collar, "Tell me, where is my father?"

Erik smirked slightly, "Marquis Pherae is no longer here. He was several weeks ago, in conference with my father regarding rebellion against Ostia. Your father approved of the idea, but did not approve of Ephidel and the Black Fang assassins."

"He what?" Eliwood cried out in dismay.

"Ephidel?" Hector asked in the same moment, "Black Fang?"

Drake and Cecilia remained silently absorbing the new information gleaned from Erik, though Cecilia noticed that Drake became slightly pale at the mention of the Black Fang.

"Ephidel," Erik said with distaste, "There is something dark about that man. Ever since he came, my father was a changed man. In the past, he would only dream of rebellion, but after Ephidel, he actually started putting plans in action. Marquis Pherae left shortly after a sharp disagreement with my father."

"Where is Marquis Darin now?" Hector demanded.

"Hell if I know," Erik spat back.

"Heading west or north would be foolish, as it would run straight into the teeth of Ostia's defenses. We just came from the east, so little chance of that…" Cecilia stopped, "Lord Eliwood, why are you so pale?"

"Caelin…" Eliwood said horrified, "Caelin lies right between Laus and Badon, and is relatively undermanned since the inheritance dispute last year."

A perfect target for a marquis on the run, Drake thought grimly.

Well, I believe this has been the longest chapter up to this point. Lyn will be reintroduced next chapter, and soon they'll move on to Valor! (With a bunch of twists I throw in, of course.) Thank you for reading and review if you have the time!