Chapter 3: Preparations and Betrayal
Trees in flame, burning houses, and smoking hides. The road outside of the Begnion theocracy was in total ruin, and there was nothing the Empire could do about it. Sanaki was trying her best to get everyone ready for war, but the chaos was intense. Women were sent into shelters to make food, young children taken away to build weapons, and men getting situated into regiments and legions.
After the fall of Daein's king, the Begnion Empire believed that peace had been fully established and burned all weapons of warfare. The Apostle initiated the idea, believing that, once and for all, the laguz and beorc would be able to live prosperously. Now that war was upon them once again, they were unprepared.
Tanith, Kieran, and Brom tried their hardest to get everyone situated the best they possibly could, under the circumstances, while Nephenee, Marcia, Makalov, and Astrid helped forge lances, swords and axes. The process took a day, longer than the Apostle felt was necessary to achieve.
Her concern for the country lengthened considerably after further news from a scout in the high tower reported there were more soldiers than expected. Instead of 15,000 men, there were 20,000 men. Another soldier from Begnion reported that about 7,500 men and women were situated and ready for combat. Their odds were against them, and there was nothing they could do.
Lord Ike had rejoined the company at Melior, instructing everyone to meet Oscar's group outside the capital. He informed Elincia of the death of Jill and his course of action.
"We have been caught in a dismal position, seeing the outcome of Tor Garen first hand. I believe that it would be in our best interest that we arm ourselves outside the capital, in case an army was to invade here. Titania and Sothe have returned to Daein with the same information."
Elincia looked saddened by this information, but she couldn't let go of one question. "What about Begnion? Are they in any such danger?"
"My understanding is that they are in no such danger. Sanaki will have an army ready to go immediately if such an attack were to come against them."
"Well, at least we have one ally who is prepared," sighed Elincia.
"What are your orders?" asked Ike.
"I concur with your plan of action, though I fear that everyone else is unprepared. Are you positive everyone else is going to be alright?"
"I certainly hope so. They are strong, as you have experienced first hand."
Elincia seemed slightly satisfied. "They will do well. You are dismissed."
Lord Ike bowed and left the room. He opened the stone doors and saw Mist outside, tears falling from her face. He looked sympathetically at her and took her hand. "Everything will be alright, sis. You'll see."
Mist lay on his chest, now crying frantically. "How can you be so certain? We just lost Jill!"
Sighing, he embraced her in a hug. "I am not. I have been caught blind-sighted by these turn of events. But what is done is done. I will miss Jill greatly, as I would for anyone who was in the Griel Mercenaries. We must move forward and overcome this. Mist, I need you by my side in order to do this. Will you help me?"
Mist stopped crying for a moment, replying, "Yes, brother. I will be by your side to the very end, just like Mom would have done for Father." She lay on Ike's shoulder for a long while, while Ike took care of his depressed sister.
Mia had overheard the conversation between the two siblings through a corridor, her eyes tearing. Things are going to be rough for the both of them, she thought. I certainly hope we will be able to overcome this like Ike believes. She left the corridor, running to Soren to tell the information of what she overheard between the two of them.
"LET'S GO! WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" yelled Kieran. "They are almost here! We don't have time to stall so that you can use the restroom."
"But…but…"
"No buts, soldier. The invaders will be here in two hours time, and we don't have time to waste, especially since you still don't know how to use a lance yet. Get on your horse and ready yourself."
"Yes, sir," sighed the soldier.
The two of the spent fifteen minutes working of combat situations and strategies. Kieran was satisfied with his work. The soldier worked efficiently and quickly learned each situation. He smiled after the end of the training session, asking, "What is your name, soldier?"
The timid man looked at him briefly, as if to be scolded. "Hughes…Red Hughes."
"You did exceptionally well, Hughes. I see to it that you will do well in combat. In fact, I want you by my side when combat begins."
Hughes sighed in relief, finally facing him without any trepidation. "Yes sir. I would be an honor to be beside you when this army arrives."
"Good. You are dismissed. NEXT!" Kieran called. Oh, if I were still under the command of Princess Elincia, I would be praised for years to come; maybe even Ike would give me gratitude. I hope they are alright.
Just as the next trainee was to arrive, Nephenee entered the training field. She pointed to Kieran to her direction, and he followed. They stopped at the corner of the field, and Kieran saw that her face was grim. He knew that something was not good, knowing that she was normally expressionless.
"Kieran," she stated in her normal calm and silent voice. "The Apostle has demanded that everyone report to the front gate immediately. The invaders are here."
"Nephenee, you know that these people aren't ready. I've gotten through half of them, and the others still don't know how to hold or use a lance. How does she expect her own people to naturally take up these weapons?"
Nephenee shrugged. "I don't know. I have no idea what she is planning, but we need these people now, no matter what the circumstances are. A scout informed me that they are a mile from the gates. That means they will be here in two hours time."
"Fuck. Are you kidding me? I thought they were five miles off."
"Apparently not, Kieran. They are quick on their feet, as if they were assassins, like Volke and Sothe."
"Fine, but I don't like that we have to send untrained riders and knights into battle. Have you informed Brom of this outbreak?"
"Brom has already completed the preparations for the generals and knights, but seeing that there aren't many of those, we have to rely on you and Tanith's Pegasus riders."
Kieran looked at the men across the pitch. They were talking passively, as if nothing were to happen. Things are going to get really ugly. We need Ike now. And dammit, if I don't see Oscar again because of this war, then he will definitely become the better fighter, and I can't allow that to happen! He turned to face Nephenee, looking somber. "Inform the Apostle that I will have these men in an hour's time."
"I will." She turned and headed to castle.
Though Kieran was courageous in battle, he had no idea how to make a company of men rowdy enough to feel they can go out and win war against the enemy. He certainly wasn't Ike, but he had to do his very best. He walked up to the horsemen and proclaimed, "The invasion upon the holy nation of Begnion has begun. Though many of you aren't capable to fight, we are to be sent out to the front gate to await those bastards. We need to band together at this moment and believe that we can defeat this army who wants to destroy this nation. Please, with all of your might and will, defend this capital, or it shall fall to the invaders of the east. WE MUST FIGHT AND STAND AS ONE!"
Many of the horsemen were terrified, shocked by this news. Hughes looked as timid as before, and others were looking sorrowful. The paladin rider did nothing but to promote fear in them, nothing more. He went to the exit, saying one last time. "Fine, you fucking cowards. If you feel that you are incapable of defending this city, then you will fall. I am going to the frontline myself." He turned and left the training pitch.
The mercenaries from Port Toha, Marth, and Roy met up with Ike and the others at Melior a few hours later, extremely exhausted. Ike was impressed by the news that Oscar had recruited many new members to help strengthen the defenses. There was Sasha and Cypress, Rolf's most advanced archers; Xi, Boyd's strongest fighter; and Vermilion, who was considered to be at the same level as Titania at her age, trained by Oscar. Zihark was introduced Ike to Marth and Roy briefly, but Ike had more pressing matters to attend to and didn't have to time to speak with them personally.
They spent the night organizing a strategy to protect the capital of Crimea, and were up early to place everyone in their certain positions. That was until Volke returned. He found Boyd at the eastern end of the capital.
"Boyd, where the hell is Ike? I have news from Begnion, and it isn't good at all," he demanded.
"He is at the tent on the other side of the fortress. Why?"
"No time to explain, but it is of most urgency!"
Volke ran to the other side, and found Ike instructing Largo where to hold their position.
"Lord Ike. I bring news from Begnion."
"Proceed."
Volke caught his breath for a second before proceeding. "The Apostle understands the circumstances that you are facing at the moment. However, she regrets that she cannot assist you in this time of need."
"Why not?"
"The Begnion Empire is currently being overrun by the invaders from the East."
Ike looked shocked, as did Largo. "Begnion? Why would they attack Begnion? What is their situation if there really is an attack against them?"
"Not good. They weren't expecting war to come upon them so soon after Ashnard was defeated. But, I can say that Kieran, Nephenee, and the others are hard at work to train men on horseback, air, and foot."
Ike looked at his map of the country. "This isn't what I had expected. Is this the same group that attacked Jill's group?"
Volke nodded.
"Great. We are in such a bad position. If Begnion is destroyed, we will not be able to prevent them from attack the other nations west from there. And what of Reyson? This isn't good at all. Volke, inform Titania of these events."
"Pay me."
Sighing, Ike gave him 2500 in gold. "That will be a down payment for now."
Volke surveyed his earnings with great care, then nodded, satisfied. "Done."
Volke left immediately. Ike looked at Largo. "Inform everyone that there is a change of plans. We are going toward Begnion, than splitting up afterward. Then, tell Elincia of these events you just heard from Volke."
"Yes sir."
Everyone assembled in Ike's tent fifteen minutes later, everyone looking distressed. Ike stepped forward, looking slightly flustered. He spoke in a tone that was not normal.
"Griel Mercenaries, I have been informed by Volke that the Begnion Empire is under siege by the same attackers that murdered Jill. I cannot stay here and watch our allies fall to an unidentifiable enemy. Although we should protect the Melior capital, my original course of action stands no longer." He sighed before continuing. "I am leaving Melior to go to Begnion. I would like a few of you along with me, but it isn't demanding that you come with me."
Boyd grinned enthusiastically. "Are you kidding? I am definitely by your side. I have waited for so long to fight beside you once more."
Oscar nodded. "I agree with Boyd. I already asked Shinon and Giffca for help to protect Melior in Gallia. As long as some of them protect Crimea, we can use as much force to drive away our enemies."
The new recruits were with them, but all of them remained silent. Xi and Sasha were conversing in whispers in the back animatedly; Rolf was glaring at them in complete distaste.
Ike looked around, than looked at the list of people who were here. He went down the list and saw many people who he wanted to go with; however, that was Soren's job. He gave the list to Soren, who quickly analyzed the list of Griel Mercenaries available.
"Based on intelligence reports, this army from the mountains are strong in every category expect for paladins and swordsmasters. Therefore, Ike, Zihark, Mia, Stefan, Vermilion and Oscar are best suited for this run. We also need long distance archers and sages, so that will include Calill, Bastain, Rolf, Sasha and I. I think it would be best to take one other person, to be safe."
"What about Lucia?" Boyd suggested. "Couldn't see help us in anyway.
"She certainly can," replied the leader of the mercenaries. "In that case, I think we have our group. Calill, Bastain, Lucia, Mia, Stefan, Zihark, Rolf, Sasha, Soren, Vermilion, Boyd, Oscar, and I will go to the Begnion capital. The rest of you will wait for reinforcements from Gallia. I expect that everyone get some rest immediately. I will go off to the throne room and inform Elincia of this change. Everyone is dismissed!"
Everyone filed out of the tent except for Mist and Ike. Ike sat in a chair, thoroughly exhausted. Mist wasn't in the best mood either, and sat on the grassy ground, with her knees up to her torso. The said nothing for a few moments until not a voice was heard outside the tent.
"Ike…" Mist finally said. "Please be careful."
Ike looked at her sympathetically. "I will. I need you to keep the rest of these people in check while I am away, and keep Elincia some company."
"It will get done, brother."
With that, Ike left Mist to seek an audience with Princess Elincia of Crimea once more.
The Black Knight surveyed the forest leading toward the Begnion capital. The smell of freshly burnt wood soothed him, giving him great pride. He surveyed the dying plants, smoldering ashes on the ground, and the barking of the army preparing to enter the city grounds. Darkness seemed to overwhelm the forest, suffocating the creatures that lived there. He sighed, in a voice that sounded more like a hiss.
A slow crunching could be heard from the distance. The Black Knight turned around to find a green haired teenager, a white sash around his neck, and a dagger on his side: Sothe.
"Ah. You must be the thief I hired. You've done well, mercenary," he hissed.
Sothe bowed to his superior. "I hope you are pleased. Both Daein and Crimea of your attack, and they have probably informed the rest of the other nations west of here."
The Black Knight laughed menacingly. "Perfect. They have no idea. What of Greil's most valuable paladin, Titania? Is she well?"
Sothe grinned. "Indeed she is. I knocked her unconscious after the events leading to the discovery of the wyvern lord, Jill. She never saw my face when I paralyzed her."
"So, she is in our custody or back in Daein?"
At this question, Sothe, once the ally of the Greil Mercenaries, looked puzzled. "I was to bring her here? I…I don't know…Commander…"
"Don't fret, child. I didn't expect you to do all that. You have done plenty for me." He placed his black armored hand of Sothe's shoulder. "Either way, Ike's army of mercenaries will fall. I will need your services in the near future, child. In the meantime, go to General Ulysses and serve under him. I am sure he will have tasks for you."
"It will be an honor to serve your general and this army, Black Knight." Sothe left with a grin on his face. The Black Knight turned to face the entrance of Begnion, its concrete gate facing them. He hissed, saying, "The war has begun!"
Thanks again for reading along with the story. Please R&R, giving me suggestions to help inprove the storyline. Another story should be up in the upcoming month, so stay tuned.