Chapter 2: Preparations

Littlevili sat on the beach that was about a mile from her home town of Muscadet. She sat on a giant stone about twenty feet high and had one knee brought up so her arm could rest on it. She was twirling a dagger with her other hand. An assassin with a well weighted dagger such as this usually meant several dead bodies, but this time she was just watching. Watching the incoming ships that could very well hold near a thousand soldiers, of what kind she could not say, but she knew this: she wouldn't let them win without a fight.

She heard footsteps coming up from behind her. The dagger fell from her hand and she snatched it from the air and sheathed it in one fell swoop. She leaped down from her perch and turned to the approaching visitor. It was her big sister. "Hey Vili."

"What're you up to?" She asked. She was dressed in the casual wear that most people from Muscadet were accustomed to. The usual woven sandals, a green drape that went from her shoulders to below her knees, a belt, and her bow and quiver.

"Watching them," She said without moving. "I figure they'll be here in less than a day and a half. We should probably get ready whether they're friend or foe."

"I suppose," She put her hands on her hips and lowered her head. She took a deep breath and said, "Well we better get back they're waiting for us."

"I know," She turned to the ships and then started walking back with her sister leaving the sandy beaches and warm sun behind her.

Marche walked up to his room. He lived in the East wing of the Judges 'base' near Bervenia Palace. He opened a chest near the end of his bed that had all of his equipment in it. He pulled out his sword, Nagrarock. This sword was made by a very accomplished blacksmith that lived in Sprohm. His name was Gill. He pulled out his pair of boots that were laced with golden linen. He put on his Bracers and flexed his fingers, a perfect fit. He pulled his armor that had stones and rubies lining the edges. He swung his judge cloak over his shoulders and snapped them shut, making what looked like a white cape. He belted his sword on his left side and a knife on the right. He picked up his iron helm and let it rest on his side with his arm. He turned the knob and walked out of his room.

His friend Cheney was waiting outside his room, resting on the opposite side of the wall. "Ready?" He asked

"Yes, let's go," Marche replied. They walked down the long hall and turned right. They reached the door and walked out. "We have to travel to Cadoan Academy before we leave for Muscadet, but first let's meet up with Pallanza at the Tower."

They walked towards the Tower. It was an incredibly tall structure for its time. A full twenty stories tall and fifty meters wide, built with Archer holes all the way around and it always had patrols guarding its base while Snipers rested at the top.

Pallanza was resting on the west side of the structure. He leaned off his back when he saw Marche and Cheney coming. He had an iron helm on his head that had an opening near his eyes that slanted down to his nostrils were it curved and did the same on the other side. He was wearing metal gauntlets that covered his fingers and went all the way up to his elbows. He was wearing a pair of combat boots with metal shin guards. His torso was covered by a thick layer of bronze armor. His shoulders were covered with a ring that had three spikes on each that was attached to his torso armor. He had a small knife belted at his side along with a sword. In his right hand he was holing a gigantic spear with a small piece of red cloth just below its blade. He also had a pouch that was filled with potions on his left hip.

"Took long enough," he said.

"Well, let's go," Cheney said. He threw his bow over his shoulder along with his quiver. They walked over to the Chocobo stable that was on the east side of the Tower and unlatched three of them. Pallanza had to have the biggest one because of all his armor. They made sure that their saddles were on correctly and then they departed.

They rode for about an hour before they came to the academy in the countryside. It was four stories tall with a full fifty acres for training grounds.. As they reached the entrance to the academy they latched their Chocobos to a wooden pole and patted them on the head. Pallanza scratched his Chocobos ears and it let out a small squeal of delight. They entered the front doors and saw students walking around talking about upcoming exams, tests, and simple competitions between classmates. They walked down long corridors fro about five minutes before their destination. Cheney was looking around in wonderment the whole way. When he was younger he went here for two years, and they renovated it since then.

Pallanza entered a room and a High Mage was sitting at the desk in the middle of the room. Cheney was ecstatic. He immediately recognized the man sitting at the desk but he still managed to maintain his composure.

The man looked up and little yellow eyes peeked out from behind his large pointy hat and his jacket that covered most of his face. "Can I help you?" He leaned back in his chair wondering who his visitors were.

"Yes," Marche said as a reply. "I'm Judgemaster Marche; these are my counterparts Pallanza and Cheney."

The man nodded to Cheney, "Nice to see you again."

"You too, Zeke," Cheney said to his old principal.

"Is there something that I can help you with Judgemaster?" Zeke asked.

"Yes," he said. "An unknown force could possibly be invading Muscadet in a few days. The only thing we ask for are some of your older students to assist us in this."

"And how many are you asking?"

"We require four hundred warriors for the frontlines and perhaps three hundred mages to heal and attack from a safe distance."

"Hmmm," Zeke put his hand on his chin and started rubbing it with his finger. "I think I can arrange that. There are sure to be plenty of upperclassman that will be willing to test out their skills that they have acquired while they have been enrolled here. Who knows, maybe you'll get more than you asked for. Feel free to rest in one of our spare barracks while I make an announcement."

"Alright," Marche said. He stood up and shook Zeke's hand, "thank you for your assistance."

"My pleasure," He said. "Please, follow me."

They all walked down the corridors and up a flight of stairs. Marche heard Pallanza grunt in dismay. It was no wonder too. He undoubtedly felt extremely out of place. He stood at least a full foot and a half taller than anyone he'd seen yet and took up a rather large amount of space.

"Pallanza," Zeke said as he looked up at him. "You are free to go outside with the other Bangaa and help them train if you like. There session should be over in about half an hour."

"Thanksss anywayssss," He said, "but I'll just ssstay here."

"Very well," He said. "Please feel free to have a look around while I go gather some of participants." He walked down the staircase and disappeared from site.

"I don't know about you too, but I'm gonna take a quick nap," Marche said as he looked at his two companions.

"I'll take that advissse," Pallanza said as he entered his room. Marche heard the loud thud that came when he fell on his bed. Marche and Cheney both did the same. Marche closed his eyes and quickly fell into a deep slumber

Littlevili and her sister entered the gates of Muscadet. People were frantically getting their stuff ready to leave the city. Countless others had already left with some caravans and merchants. Others however were preparing themselves for the battle that would possibly ensue. They were gathering as many weapons as possible, putting them in crates, stashing them in bags, anything they could find. Some merchants were donating everything they had ranging from potions to armor and weapons.

Littlevili and Vili walked through the crowd of people and came to their house. They started to undress and get on their battle outfits. Littlevili had a katana lying on her bed in its sheath. She put on a black pair of combat boots and a black pair of pants. She strapped a belt around her waist and sheathed two knives, one on each hip. She put on a tight black long sleeve shirt. Then she pulled on a black shirt over it She strapped some vials that contained poison along with some potions to her belt. She had a black scarf with purple string lining the edges. She wrapped it around her neck and pulled it over and under and moved it to her back. She took her katana and tied it to her back. Littlevili pulled on a pair of tight brown gloves. She truly was a fearsome site to behold.

Vili stretched out and then put on a pair of brown boots. She draped a long green cloth with white around its edges over her whole body. It made what appeared to be a dress. She wrapped a big brown belt around her waist and tied a vial of poison and two potions to it. She tied a knife to her side and brought her quiver filled with thirty arrows up to her shoulder. She grabbed her greatbow and wrapped it around her torso.

"Shall we?" Vili asked.

"Let's go," Littlevili responded. They walked out of the house and went to their units that they would be training in the short amount of time.

"Wake up!"

Marche rose from his slumber and saw Pallanza standing over him.

"Zeke sssaid to meet uss at the training grounds," he said.

"Alright," Marche got off his bed and grabbed his helmet. He followed Pallanza down the stairs and out onto the training grounds. Massive amounts of people were standing in formation out there. Several hundred paladins and defenders, groups of dragoons, as well as black and white mages, along with a small amount of ninjas and assassins. They would be a great help. Zeke and Cheney walked up to Marche.

"We're all ready and accounted for. A full eight hundred troops, when do we leave?" Zeke asked.

"You're coming?" Marche replied.

"Of course," he said. He made a small ball of fire in his palm "You can't expect me to sit out of a good fight do you?"