BloodyCrystal: Hey, all; me back. I hope you didn't have to wait too long, but be thankful it wasn't six/seven months, followed by a note saying that it was the last chapter and the story was being discontinued-yes, I got something like that, and yes, it sucks major. Now, I'm glad that at least four people seem to be enjoying my story, so I'll keep writing it for those four; heck, I'd keep writing it if no one was reading it, I like writing this so much. Please note, ideas are welcome, provided you understand that the idea(s) might or might not be used. You will get credit if I use your idea, unless you don't want the credit (yes, there are people like this).
Disclaimer: I don't own it, so please don't sue. All ideas are either mine or Fire Fanatic's.
Ch. 10: Reminisce
Heath stared morosely at the ground, trying to ignore Renj's voice, filtering through from Lani's cell. He tried to ignore what Renj was recounting about his deeds-and their past-but it wasn't working; his once-friend's voice was still coming through.
"Let me tell you a story, Little Tactician," Renj's voice purred as he sat on a cushion in front of Lani. "It takes place quite a while ago. Not too long ago, but not much before now.
"The kingdom of Bern had just recently gotten a new ruler, King Desmond. Now, his brother, Prince Desman, wanted the throne. So, he did what most would do, and started a revolution against his brother. You learned about it, I believe, by the name of Desman's Revolt. I see by the light in your eyes that you do recognize it. At any rate, Desman's Revolt-and the 'clean-up duty' that followed it-is the reason that two mercenary groups were formed: the Black Fang, and Jekran's Jackals. However, you know that story, so let's focus on what the military was doing at the time.
"The regular infantry was doing the best that it could, but it simply wasn't enough. The cavalry could only be in so many places, and they were being stretched thin. Thusly, it came down to the Wyvern troops to handle it-after all, they had the best mobility and could easily reach far-off packets of resistance to King Desmond's rule. So, the Wyvern troops went on a recruiting spree, and pressed their recruits as hard as was possible. Now, two of those pressed hard were a pair of best friends: Heath Tyien and Renj Urndzt. These two were already done with their training and had completed one year of work before the Revolt started. They had exceptional skills, and their superiors quickly made them co-leaders of a troop of recruits who had just finished training.
"Now, these two-apart from being friends-had very similar views about the duty owed to the crown and about obedience to all orders given out. Because of this, there were few to no quarrels about their troop's missions. This left them more time to focus on coordinating their unit, and soon they were a force to be reckoned with, and one of the better squads."
Renj shifted on his cushion, and casually sipped at the tea he had brought with him. Then, he picked up his story as if he had never left off: "By now, King Desmond was getting desperate, so he ordered his troops to use 'any means necessary.' The army commanders took that to a whole new level: villages that sided-or were suspected of siding-with Prince Desman were razed to the ground, their inhabitants tortured, beaten, raped. Everyone in the army used these methods, angered by Prince Desman's 'kill prisoners, cheat to win, involve non-combatants' method. The army figured to 'fight fire with fire,' so to speak.
"It worked. No village let fly a single rumor of siding with the Renegade Prince-that is, if they could manage that. The worst part-for Heath and Renj, at least-was when they had to attack their hometown-it had sided with Prince Desman, and there was irrefutable proof this time. So, they treated it like they treated the other renegade villages. Luckily for their peace of mind, they didn't have to lead the attack-they were under someone else's command for the duration of this particular battle.
"And, at the end of the war, Renj found that he liked what they had been doing. Heath was furious, and reported it to their superiors. Thusly, Renj was kicked out of the Wyvern troops, and took up with a mercenary company, as you know. And then, after getting kicked out of the Black Fang when he was caught making unreciprocated advances on Lanari Green, the Little Hawk, by Lloyd Reed, the White Wolf, he swore revenge on Heath, Lanari, and Lloyd." Renj had started raising his voice once he got to taking up with a mercenary company, forcing Heath to listen to what had happened to his old partner once the man was forced out of the military. "And Renj disappeared west, determined to find magics and/or weapons that would allow him to accomplish his goal. I hope you enjoyed the story, Little Tactician." With that, Renj got up and sauntered into Heath's cell while a guard removed the pillow and relocked the door to Lani's cell.
"Well, old friend? Did you enjoy the story? I realize that most of it was old news for you, but surely the new parts at the end made up for that?" When Heath didn't answer and continued staring at the ground, Renj's mockingly pleasant smile was replaced by a slight frown of disappointment. Probably at my 'lack of response.' Good; I don't want to humor him any more. Renj sighed, "You're no fun at all, Heath. At least the Tactician was screaming for a while before you showed up to 'rescue' her." With a smirk at Heath's angry growl and attempted lunge for his throat, Renj sauntered out, a guard locking the door behind him.
Heath stared at the floor, anger at his inability to protect Lani creating a burning pit in his stomach. He couldn't even defy Renj or help Lani. What a pathetic Wyvern Lord.
Renj relaxed into the pile of cushions stacked in his room for just such an occasion of languor. He stared into his crystal, bored. It had been a few days since he had told little Lani his and Heath's story, and he hadn't been to "visit" the pair since. And then, he smirked as a particularly delicious plan occurred to him. Now, to put it into play and watch the fun.
The guard came in to drop off Heath's "meal"-a bowl of gruel and a slice of moldy bread-but the man was careless, and accidentally wandered too close to Heath. The Wyvern Lord, seizing this one-time chance, wrapped his chains around the man's neck, choking him to death.
Heath bent down, and picked up the man's keys, which he then used to unlock first his chains, and then the door. He sprinted to Lani's cell, unlocked it, and hurried to the Tactician's side. "Lani," he murmured. "Lani, wake up; we've got to get out of here." He shook her slightly, but the teen merely groaned slightly. Heath, worried put the back of his hand on her forehead, only to yank it back at the heat radiating from the girl's face. "You're sick!" he cried. "If only I hadn't been caught! If only you hadn't been caught! Oh, Lani," he moaned.
"'Oh, Lani!'" a theatrical voice mimicked from behind him. Heath spun around to face Renj, who was smirking at him quite mockingly. "That was such wonderful entertainment, Heath; I mean, really, thinking you could honestly escape me? Ha!" the man exclaimed. "Oh, no, Heath; I won't let either of you two go so easily; not when your pain fuels the revival of long ago men and women." At Heath's blank look, Renj chuckled darkly. "Poor Heath, you understand so very little about my grand schemes. It appears you need a history lesson. Perhaps I'll give it to you later, when I'm bored again. In the meantime, just so that you know, you are the catalyst that fueled little Lani's fever. She was holding on until you arrived out of nowhere; she was convinced you were a mirage, you know. And then, hearing our past...Why, it threw her into delirium." Renj laughed again before continuing, "But no matter; the ceremony can be conducted with the pair of you sane or insane; the soon-to-be revived will not care either way, not when you both are so powerful. Such perfect hosts!" Then, to the guards behind him, "Lock Heath back where he was; and go back to regular duties now that the show's over." With that, Renj swept out of the cell without once looking back.
Eliwood groaned and buried his head in his hands. "This is just great," he moaned. "First Lani gets captured, then Heath recklessly goes after her. And now..." he trailed off, staring at Hyperion's empty saddle. The wyvern had arrived in the middle of the night, slightly confused, but perfectly healthy. However, neither Heath nor Lani had been with him.
Lyn put a soothing hand on his shoulder. "We'll find them, Eliwood; we have to," the Blade Lord said in a fierce whisper. Eliwood nodded, but looked closely at her.
"Are you all right, Lyndis? I know how close of friends you and Lani are."
"I'm fine, Eliwood; I have to stay strong and keep believing that we'll find Lani-and Heath-at our enemy's stronghold, and that they'll both be alive and somewhat well." The Blade Lord continued walking, one hand on her sword in case enemies came out of nowhere again.
Eliwood stared after her, worried. If Lani wasn't alive, he feared for Lyn's sanity-and safety; she would plunge heedlessly into battle if her friend wasn't alive, thinking only of revenge. And they couldn't afford to lose her, if only because Lyn was the only heir to Caelyn. Eliwood caught Hector's eye, and the other Lord nodded slightly and caught up to Lyn. Eliwood sighed in relief; Hector would keep on eye on the half-Sacaen Blade Lord.
BloodyCrystal: Well, what do you think? I personally happen to like it. Anyways, more about the revival and the "history lesson" next chapter. I've decided to just stop making promises about updating since I always break them, so when it's done, it'll be posted. And thanks to Tactician from the Northeast and Fire Fanatic and any other readers for your understanding.