Chapter 2: Mercenaries

Selena continued towards the capital, riding as swiftly as she could. The remainders of the army could be chasing after her, bent on revenge, so, she had to return the dragon stone to Prince Lyon as soon as possible. She was surprised, still, at the fact that Ephraim had managed to survive her flame. "I told myself I would rather die than fail His Majesty…"

She had finally reached it, hopping off of her horse and walking inside, ignoring the guards. Heading to the throne room, she opened the door, entering to see no one inside. "Guess the Prince isn't here…" She was just about to turn around before she stopped at a voice. "Selena, did you get the dragon stone?" She turned around, to see Prince Lyon.

"Yes, Prince Lyon." She walked over to him, taking the dragon stone from her jacket pocket and handing it to him. He took it and was ignoring her, studying it curiously. "Selena, I have another task for you. My father's approved of it." She nodded. "If His Majesty allows it, I will serve." She bowed. She didn't think Lyon would lie.

"I want you to lead another attack on Ephraim's group. If he was so defeated easily, then they'll be easy prey. Their morale should be down, as well." She nodded and bowed again. "I am your vassal if His Majesty wishes so." He smiled, walking towards her, and handing her an especially heavy tome. "Use this tome to defeat the ones that simply won't die." She nodded, inspecting inside of it.

"This is…powerful magic…" She seemed to be in awe of it, but he only smiled. "Go, Selena. I wish for them to be defeated as soon as possible." She nodded, turning around, opening the door, and left. Once she got to her horse, she tucked the tome in her bag, gathering up whatever forces she could to ready an attack.

Kyle sighed as they made camp, Castle Renais easily in view. "Prince Ephraim…are you sure about this? We have no idea how guarded it could be." Ephraim shrugged. "I have someone investigating it." He seemed curious. "Who, if I may ask, Prince?" He smiled coyly. "I just hired a few mercenaries to help us out." Kyle gave him his blankest stare.

"How much did you pay them?" He said nothing. "Prince Ephraim, how much did you pay them?" He sighed. "Twenty-five thousand gold." Kyle stared. "That only leaves us with five-thousand gold for weapons!" He sighed. "They better be good." Ephraim smiled. "Oh, you have no idea."

They had been waiting for hours, Ephraim beginning to get a bit impatient. "They should be done by now…" Finally, a young man walked towards the camp, dressed in a cloak, the hood on. "Ephraim?" Kyle grunted. "Call him by his title, he's PRINCE---" "Kyle." Ephraim said. "It's fine." He nodded. "Yes, I am." The man nodded. "The castle is pretty heavily guarded…are you sure you want to go through with it?

Ephraim only nodded. "Where's Oujay and Seraphim?" The thief took off his hood, to reveal purple hair, along with gray eyes. "They're getting some equipment." He nodded again. "Thanks, Taeran." He nodded, pointing behind Ephraim. "There they are."

One man and a woman were coming towards them. The woman's most noticeable features were her snow-white hair and blood red eyes, while the man wore plate-armor, carrying a blade behind his back. As for him, his hair was blue, along with his eyes. Taeran rushed over to them, muttering something to them and pointing. Seraphim approached, staring at Ephraim.

"We're ready to work." This was obviously the leader of the group. Oujay said nothing, but he hanged behind her, while Taeran was keeping watch. "We will follow your orders, unless they are tactically ineffective. Then, we will go on our own accord." She seemed a bit cold, but he didn't care. "That's fine."

"Are you sure you can take a castle with only five troops?" He smiled coyly. "I'm confident in my knight's abilities…" He motioned to Kyle. "And my own." She shrugged. "Suit yourself. If you die, our contract is over."

The march to Castle Renais was at an end, now the battle for it was beginning.

A/N: Just if you want to know, Taeran's obviously a thief. Seraphim's a druid, while Oujay is a mercenary. (Classes)