Shout Outs...
Maxmagnus20019: Yeah, James might have won, but he used his biggest ace to pull it off. And you know when they run into each other down the line Albel won't be so surprised.
Dragon Chyld: I've had a break from work, so I was able to do a lot more writing. It MIGHT slow down in a bit though. And yeah, you can bet Albel won't be taken off guard next time.
I got up sometime before midnight. I quietly got up and began to make my preparations. I felt a little bad for not letting Fayt and Cliff in on the big secret, but I'd hold myself to what Nel said about keeping it a secret. Once I was sure I had my supplies ready I walked out of my room and the mansion as quietly as I could manage before walking over to thesouth gate.
Then I leaned against the wall... And waited.
James' foot began to tap as he looked around, watching for any signs of the crimson haired woman. He began to lower his head as he heard soft footsteps approach. He tilted his head up and turned to look at the source, Nel, walking towards him. "There you are. So, what's the plan?" He asked.
She stopped in front of him, crossing her arms. "We're going over the Aire Hills back to Kirlsa. From there we'll go across the Granah Hills then the Kirlsa Training Facility. We don't have much time, so we'll have to hurry. So you'd best keep up." She added that last part with a sly glance, to which James shook his head.
"Long as we don't exhaust ourselves getting there. If we do that we won't be able to put up much of a fight." Nel nodded once before going through the gate, James following close behind.
We moved at a very brisk jog, even running whenever we had to go downhill, stopping only to avoid the Storm Brigade Patrols. We got to Kirlsa early in the morning, maybe around four. We went through it and across the Granah Hills, jogging along until the sun began to some up and the Training Facility was in sight.
Nel slowed to a walk as she stopped behind a large stone, James moving right behind her, close enough that she could feel his breath on her neck. "This it?" He asked.
"Yes, this is it." She said, turning as her companion stepped back to allow her some personal space. "Originally it was just an ancient abandoned fort before being turned into a training complex. Now it's been converted into the Black Brigade Headquarters. It's also been used as a prison for those who opposed the war... Many here were... executed as examples."
"Man..." James muttered, as he looked the place over. "Black Brigade huh? Figure Albel's about?"
"Why are you worried? You DID beat him, right?"
"Yeah, but I used my ace in the hole to do it. I don't think it'll be so easy next time." Nel nodded slightly in response. "So, how'd we get in?"
"The only way we can-- The front door."
"Joy."
"Ah... Lady Clair." The female solider said as Fayt and Cliff entered the backroom of the mansion.
"Fayt, Cliff." Clair began, turning to see the two men. She strode up to them before bowing respectfully. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you kindly." Cliff replied nodding.
"I'm glad to hear it. Right, let us begin the negotiations."
"All right." Fayt said nodded.
"Please, sit anywhere you like." Clair said before moving off to a seat. Fayt looked around a moment before speaking up.
"Umm... Where's Nel? And James? I haven't seen him around either."
"Well..." Clair began slowly. "I have asked a favour of James, just an errand really. And Nel... She's uh..." She paused briefly looking away before turning back to the two men. "She had other duties to attend to."
"What?"
"Don't worry, I'm taking over her duties as far as you two are concerned."
"Well... All right..." Fayt said as Clair walked to the head of the table.
"Let's begin." A moment later all three were seated, Fayt and Cliff across each other and to either side of Clair, the solider standing nearby. "I don't know what you discussed with Nel and the others, but you are now in Aquaria territory. Even if you refuse to assist us I can guarantee your safety. We will have to retain custody of you until we reach the royal city of Aquios, but you may provide us with your answer at that point."
"Wow, you're really bending backwards to meet us halfway." Cliff began. "You should've heard Nel!"
"Nel is very frank. Although she is very skilled, as I am sure you have noticed, she tends to be rather inflexible at times. It can be... problematic."
"Yeah, I know the type: mission, mission, always the mission." After a brief pause Clair continued.
"To be honest, I, too, would like you to work for us, but I realize this is not your war. Our deaths, and the life of our country, are not in your hands-- you need feel no obligation, and we have no right to force your help."
"Now you're making me feel guilty."
"It is only the truth. At least we thank our blessing you did not fall into Airyglyph's hands."
"So what do you wanna do?" Cliff said turning to face Fayt. "It looks like they'll let us go, after we reach Aquios, anyway."
Clair also turned to face Fayt, looking on as he thought with his eyes closed. "Is something wrong?"
Fayt opened his eyes to look at Clair. "No, it's nothing..."
"If you have any questions, I will answer to the best of my ability."
"All right, then I'll ask. What is Nel's new mission?"
"Why would you ask that? She is no longer your concern."
"She said her mission was to take both of us safely to the royal city!" Fayt said, his voice staring to rise. "How could she just leave us here--"
"To you, it appears she has abandoned her mission?" Clair said, cutting Fayt off.
"Well... yes." Fayt replied, much calmer. "I didn't know her long, but I got the impression she would never leave a mission incomplete."
There was another, longer, pause before Clair answered. "Well, she..." She began only to be cut off by Cliff.
"She went to rescue Tynave and Farleen, didn't she?"
"What?" Fayt exclaimed.
"Lady Clair, is this true?" The solider asked from her post.
"Why would you think that?" Clair asked turning to Cliff.
"Last night... She came to our room."
"Huh? When?" Fayt asked across the table from the Klausian.
"While you were snoring like a babe. I was wondering what she wanted but all she did was bow and leave without saying a word. I was pretending to be asleep, so I don't think she realized I was watching her. It makes sense though, considering the situation. That's probably what you overheard them talking about in Kirlsa."
"Is that true, Clair? I can't believe it!"
"Yes." She said, nodding. "It is... She left to rescue Tynave and Farleen."
"If you knew what she was doing, why didn't you stop her?"
"We all got our missions: mines to bring you back to our leader." Cliff said, speaking up. "And I stick to my missions."
"But...!
"All right." Clair said, cutting in. "I will explain. Around the time you arrived in Kirlsa we received a message from Airyglyph. They told us that the two women are hostages and they demanded you two in exchange. This is not possible... So she went to rescue them. They had planned to simply take James by force, sending one of their best swordsmen to capture him. Thankfully, James had fought him off, and even defeated him."
"But... All by herself?"
"That's Nel for you."
"Why didn't she tell us?" The solider exclaimed. "We'd have gone with her!"
"Because the odds of her success were essentially zero. They'll likely walk into an Airyglyph trap. I tried to stop her, but there was no way. Nel would never abandon those who work for her."
"She pretends to be all business, but she's the type that can't let go."
"At any rate, that is our situation. Please do not worry about Nel. We must hurry on to Aquios. Although this is a relatively safe area, nowhere is completely safe."
"Wait... They'll?" Fayt asked confused.
"Pardon?" Clair asked, tilting her head.
"You said... 'They'll walk into a trap', not 'She'll walk into a trap."
"Hey..." Cliff added, rubbing his chin. "Kid's gotta point. She's not alone, is she?"
Clair sunk a little deeper into her seat before replying. "I knew the odds of her rescuing them were all but zero... So I did the only thing I could do at the time... I asked James to go with her."
"James?" Fayt exclaimed, leaning forward in his chair.
"Yes. He helped us fend off an attack, I thought... I thought if he went with her there was a chance, however slim, that they could pull it off. Perhaps I am wrong but... I just couldn't let Nel go alone. That... is why I asked him to stay behind a bit longer the other day, to ask this favour. He accepted, despite Nel's resistance. That is the errand I have sent him on." She looked over to Fayt with saddened eyes. "Do not fault him... If there is anyone to blame for him accompanying Nel it is me."
"James..." Fayt said, balling his hands into fists. "Where'd they demand it take place?"
"Why do you want to know that?" Clair asked, getting a sinking feeling in her gut.
"I can't let her do this. Her life is more valuable than that. Do people think the only way to end this war is to throw away their own lives? I'm going after Nel!" Fayt announced standing up and pushing his seat back. "I have a few things to say to her, and James for that matter!"
"All right Fayt!" Cliff added rising from his seat. "I was waiting for you to say that." He punctuated the remark with a fist into his palm.
"I cannot allow this!" Clair declared standing up as well, trying to control the situation. "Nel told us of your skills, but this enemy is too strong, even for you!"
"Hmph, don't worry about us." Cliff said smirking. "If James can take that strength than so can we. I don't know what she told you, but we can fend for ourselves! And besides, when he gets riled up like this, Fayt can get even nastier than Nel. He's the most stubborn, hardcore kid around." The last part of that statement added with a bit of pride.
"In that case I'll send some soldiers with you."
"No need. We'll just be asking for them to spot us if we march in with an army. We'll be more manoeuvrable in smaller numbers. And... I doubt you can spare the guards, given your situation."
"That's true, but..."
"Nel trusted us." Cliff said, crossing his arms. "You should too."
Fayt nodded before turning to the commander. "Clair, where are they bringing the hostages to trade?"
After a moment Clair spoke. "A building on the south-eastern side of Kirlsa. It was originally constructed as a training facility, but now they execute people there. It's also the base of the heavy cavalry Black Brigade-- one of Airyglyph's three military units."
"How do we get there?" Cliff asked, dropping his hands to his hips.
"Return to Kirlsa, then follow the road from the south gate of the city and you will find it. I think you'll get there faster if you avoid the mountain road you took before, and take the south gate from Arias, head across the wilderness, and enter Kirlsa from that direction."
"Got it."
"We in this together?" Fayt asked, turning to his larger companion.
"Of course."
Both turned, striding to leave the room before Clair spoke up. "Please, wait a moment." She swiftly walked up to Fayt turning to look at Cliff briefly. "Be very careful. Their lives..." She began bowing to Fayt. "Are in your hands."
"Leave it to us." Cliff said.
"Don't worry, we'll bring them home." Fayt said, one hand moving to his hip. "Forgive me if I give Nel a good smack for this. I know James has one coming."
Clair nodded to both of them once. Then the two men were off.
"Lord Shelby!" A knight said, running up to a huge man in full, black, plate mail, and a chain mail headdress on his head.
"Yes, what is it?" Shelby asked.
"We've gotten a report in sir. It seems a Crimson Blade spy has infiltrated our complex."
"What? Alone?"
"No sir. There is a man with her. The description matches the one who defeated Albel."
"Really now?" Shelby replied grinning. "I see. I don't much care whether or not you kill this Crimson Blade, but I will pay a handsome bonus to the man who brings me the head of the one who beat our dear Captain." He leaned forwards looking at the knight. "After all, should I defeat one who could beat our 'Lord' Albel, surely it will earn me a promotion."
"Yes, Lord Shelby!"
Getting in wasn't so hard. The two guards that were there were half asleep, and they were against Nel and me. You do the math.
Footsteps echoed off of the walls, both James and Nel looking about as they walked down the hall. "Is it just me..." James began, looking about the empty, torch lit halls. "Or is it too quiet in here?" Nel simply nodded. Both of them walked down the hall until four armoured men entered from the other end, aiming their weapons at the pair of intruders. The four stopped twenty feet away, aiming their pikes at them. "So, this the red carpet treatment?" James asked as he drew his sword, Nel's long daggers already unsheathed and in her hands.
"Surrender, and we'll let you live." The man in the lead said.
"Gee... Let me think about that..." James thought tapping his chin with his free hand. "How about... You surrender... and we let you live?"
"Attack!" The man said as all four knights charged James and Nel.
"Very diplomatic." Nel quipped dryly as she leapt to the first knight, ducking under his weapon to slash at his stomach with one of her short blades, cutting through the armour but doing little to the man inside, before darting to her next opponent.
"According to Cliff you ain't much better." James replied as he blocked a pike with his sword, pushing it aside to stab at the man's breastplate, piercing it and his chest. The man fell backwards as James sidestepped a swing from the next knight's pike.
"And what does that mean?" Nel asked as she leapt over the next knight's pike and slammed both weapons into her opponent's shoulders past the armour and into flesh, pushing off him back into the air, only to land, rolling under her first opponent's thrust, then jamming a long dagger into the slice she had made previously.
"Oh I dunno, 'you can live or you can die', something like that." James said, dodging the next strike of his opponent and counterattacking with a vicious overhead slice the slammed into the last knight's shoulder, cutting down to his heart.
Nel shook her head before turning down the hall. "Come on!" She called out before darting off, James following behind her after pushing the armoured body off his blade.
"Yes dear!"
And thus began the battle of Nel and myself against the entire garrison of Black Brigade soldiers in the Kirlsa Training facility.
Don't put any money on the Brigade.
As always R&R. Next chapter: James and Nel inside Kirlsa Training Facility. Poor soldiers.
Also I'll be making a correction on the previous chapter, in it Nel said the west gate led to the hills, but in the game Clair said it was the south gate. It will be corrected shortly.