Wrath of Fate

Chapter the Sixteenth

The Assault on Gariland

Gariland, Magic City

The wyverns were now hovering above the city just above the range of arrows. The fight had taken to the ground as well, tough. Now Biran's ground forces clashed with some of the scattered ambush parties around the city. The ambushers had not hoped to win, just to lend an advantage to their city.

Zephiel observed all this on the back of his own powerful wyvern, high up in the clouds. Vaida and Murdock led the charge near the southern gates, swooping down at the defenders on the walls. Things were going well for Biran's forces, but somehow they didn't feel right.

Near Gariland

"Hurry up, I see smoke rising." Ardrsil said, as he and Gaile rushed on.

"Then shouldn't we turn around?"

"If you have a report to give then give it. The rules are that simple."

"But we'll get massacred…"

"I'll protect you…you'll die over my own dead body. Besides, there are no enemies at the rear gate…yet."

Gaile smiled. "Thank you."

Bethla garrison, the impregnable fortress of yore

Vinya walked into the large fortress of natural stone. That was after all what made Bethla so powerful. Its walls were tied by the earth itself and constructed from stone strengthened by age. Its walls were far thicker than anything humans could ever create. And now it had a small pool for fishes within its walls. Indeed it seemed there was no way to conquer it.

Many of the soldiers were busy going about preparations and roll calls. The officers of the army were of course over seeing all that. At the top of all the operations were the mages of Ivalice. As it was Vinya estimated around ten thousand soldiers and militia had been summoned to the fortress. There were a few refugees as well.

Vinya approached one of the bastions located against the walls. It was in this particular one she had been told the mages kept council.

She walked up the spiral staircase in the large bastion. She approached a room and was about to turn the handle when she heard conversation inside.

"Yes, this fortress is doomed to fall…we simply can't help it."

"But within these walls a bitter stand shall be taken. The southwest has fallen to the talons of dragons and the hooves of horses. Ivalice is doomed to only defeat after defeat. We can only hope that the castle of Igros holds."

"So the lord has returned?"

"Yes…with the stones, no doubt."

"Amazing…perhaps…perhaps this land has a chance…"

Vinya opened the door. "Umm, excuse me. I have a report…"

"Ah yes, the girl we sent to the east…tell us, how did it go?"

Eastern Ivalice

Raven slowly approached a clearing in the woods. His horse was tied a good distance away. In the clearing was a very familiar face.

Fiora struggled out of her breastplate. She kneeled beside a pond and splashed some water on her face. She looked down at her side and grimaced. It was splotched with blood where an arrow had grazed her deeply. She touched it and winced. She slowly removed her dress and got her backpack. She got some bandages. She was about to wrap them around her body when a blade came dangerously close to her neck.

"Hi there Fiora. You always were the modest one…I knew you had something beautiful to hide."

Fiora frowned. She remembered the voice distinctly. "Raven…"

"You remember me? Excellent. I could make lots of cash with your turnover, you know?"

"Raven? You were such a proud force before…have you descended to a craven soldier?"

"Listen, Fiora…I don't want to turn you in…I have two options for you…you can resist and force me to surrender you to Caelin's generals…or I can take you with me. I'm done with this war…for now."

"Done? What do you mean..?"

"Hmm…I'm leaving Caelin. I'm going to learn something new…I want to become the ultimate soldier…"

"You're so shallow…"

"How would you know! You can draw strength from others…but it's different when you have only one person left…and if she thinks you're a wraith from her past…" a tear rolled down Raven's cheek.

"…"

"You have two sisters who love and admire you…that would be enough for me… Now only Lucius is left…none of my true family are here…"

"I…think I see how you feel…I can't imagine losing Farina or Florina."

"Good…come with me then…don't force me to lose anyone else…"

"You might give up to a will to live honorlessly…but not me. I have a cause."

"And you have friends! Or is it…we were all comrades or masters or subordinates…maybe you're as emotionless as Jaffar…" Raven looked down sadly.

"Preposterous!"

"Than think of your friends!"

"They…this is what they would want…is this not…it?"

"Who am I to you?"

"…a friend."

"It's not what I want…"

Eastern Ivalice, Caelin encampment

"Where the hell did that stupid mercenary go now?" Kent asked in frustration.

The camp had been saved and only around twenty men had been lost but lots of their provisions were now charred.

"Sain!" Kent called.

"Yes? How may I be of service my steward?"

"Yes, well go look for Raven. I can't find him anywhere."

"He spoke to me the other day. He has left our cause indefinitely. He says that you should feel free to release the mercenaries but if you wish to keep them you should hold to the contract." Sain said matter-of-factly.

"And you just let him go why!" Kent screamed. He knew Sain was a bit slow but this was idiotic.

"He seemed to have a reason in mind for going."

Suddenly a pair of horses flying the Ositian banner entered the camp.

"Message for Lord Kent, the Crimson Shield and Steward of Caelin!" one of them called as the other blew on a trumpet. "This is from Hector of Ositia. Lord Kent Steward of Caelin and Lady Lyndis, most noble lady of Caelin, I would be honored if you would attend my war council. Take your vassals and let your army camp with mine for a while."

"I see. Where is his current location?" Kent asked.

"He is currently camped north of here near the woods of Yuguo."

"I see…we shall proceed. Sain, Wil ready your units. We march at dawn they can rest when we arrive."

Eastern Ivalice

Raven lowered his sword. "Take time to think. Tell me in the morning…we must treat your wounds first." He took a cloth and wet it then began cleaning Fiora's wound. Fiora sighed and leaned on Raven. She soon fell asleep as he began bandaging her side

Notes:

Hehehehe…that took long…sorry! Anyway…for those questions…no ideas for the stones yet…Eliwood and Hector are still friends… :D anyway…you've read…won't take long to review. Thanks to Kenshkrix again.