Chapter 4: War and Depression
The roar of thousands men were heard outside the gates of the Begnion capital. Their generals were provoking them to victory, and it frightened the soldiers inside. Kieran waited at the gates alongside Nephenee, Brom, and the rest of the volunteer knights. Tanith, Makalov, and Marcia were on the opposite flank, situating the Pegasus riders to combat, but they had time for extra preparation. The Apostle was watching over the banister, surveying the field along with her protector, Sigrun.
Brom looked at Kieran. "You seem upset, my friend. What has caused you so much grief?"
"They are coward. God damned cowards. These people have completely lost faith in the Begnion army, fearing they won't live to see another day. And there is nothing I can do. I am not Ike, you know," bellowed Kieran.
"No, you aren't, but no one will listen to you at all?" asked Nephenee.
Kieran shook his head. Nephenee looked away. Brom shivered in his armor, as if ready to wet himself.
The marching of footsteps grew closer to the gates, and there were still no signs of reinforcements for Begnion, no support from the cowardly horsemen. Their doom was almost sealed.
Kieran looked up, into the darkening sky, the colors of murky black and purple. He sighed once again, knowing that nobody will come. He stroked his horse's mane, considering what Oscar would have done in such as similar situation, but nothing came into his mind.
Then, a clattering of hooves was heard from the eastern gate and everyone turned. There, leading armored men on horses was Hughes, the only one who showed promise among the men he surveyed. Every single person who volunteered to ride was there, carrying their swords, lances, axes, and bows. Kieran's expression changed in an instant as Hughes moved his horse to his rank.
"Lieutenant Hughes, ready for combat, General Kieran." He saluted Kieran.
"Did you do this?"
"I tried my best, and it succeeded, sir."
"You've made me proud Hughes. Very proud indeed." Hughes gave a huge smile and looked toward the gates. Kieran nodded at Nephenee, who was smiling back at him. Brom appeared to be less nervous than before and rallied his knights to victory.
Just as suddenly, all expression changed. The marble gates, the barrier between the Begnion capital and the outside world, was under siege. Wind, Fire, and Thunder Tomes were being used to open the strong doors, slowly cracking chunks from the door.
Brom and the knights stood ready, Nephenee and the soldiers were situated behind them, and Kieran's flank was in the back. "It is time," sighed Kieran. "War has begun at last."
A dragon roared outside, intimidating the troops. The cracking marble gates were almost opened. Thunder from the sky sounded. Everyone stood tense, ready for the invaders to make their attempt into the stronghold of the capital.
"READY YOUR WEAPONS!" someone shouted, and everyone followed the order.
The marble gates burst open in a flash of ruby and sapphire sparks, and the invasion started. The first wave of rebels made their run, a group of swordsmen, which the knights were more than happy to take on. Brom, holding a silver lance, struck the first of the swordsmen in the abdomen, and the lunged for the next closest rebel with a longsword. Nephenee order her battalion to ready their javelin's throwing round after round at the rebel swordsmen, which proved to be more than effective. The first wave of rebels was eliminated in an onslaught by the armies of Begnion, which ended in chants and remarks and the survivors fled the battle.
Nephenee looked through the piles of deceased bodies, noticing mages on their attack run. "Kieran, prepare your men for combat. Mages come to claim the capital."
Kieran drove his horse to the front time, along with the rest of the horseback riders. Hughes took out many of the fire mages on his own, his pride growing strong with little damage done to his armor or horse. Kieran evaded many of the thunder mage's attacks, and slicing them with stellar quickness with his favored weapon, the steel axe. The others were just as effective with the rest of the mages they faced, but in the end, there were more casualties to the horsemen than the soldiers or knights.
"If this keeps up," shouted Kieran, who had just slaughtered a wind mage several hours later, "We could survive his conquest…" but he was caught short. Giant bellows, menacing growls, and the ear-splitting screeches filled the dense air. "Or, we could be totally annihilated! Feral Ones approach!"
Brom's knights took the frontline again, struggling to get over the dead bodies of allies and rebels. They positioned themselves just in time, as a horde of feral beasts made their attack. There were hundreds, no thousands, of these beasts on land and sky, charging at the Begnion protectors.
Sanaki looked over the balcony, looking very grim. She had overseen the battle thus far, fearing for her life and her people. She hadn't moved since the battle started, and was beginning to feel exhausted. She sighed, a tear falling from her face. We shall not survive this, she thought to herself. We need the Griel Mercenaries.
Giffca and Shinon arrived at Castle Gallia in two days time, a great accomplishment after running through the damp forest. Ranulf awaited them outside the castle gates shortly afterward.
"It is great to see you to! It seems life forever since we last saw you, Master Giffca and Shinon. Our leader knows of your travels to the castle and asks that I supply you with hospitality and food immediately," he said.
Giffca growled in acknowledgement. Shinon ears perked up. "You got any Daein beverages?"
"We do, courtesy of Haar. The best mead ever brewed, according to him," he replied.
Shinon laughed. "We'll see. Give it to me tonight, if you don't mind. Ike will be unhappy with me, but I don't give a shit for him anyway."
Ranulf laughed timidly, than responded, "Sure. What will you do now?"
"I will speak with your king." Giffca growled in acknowledgement again.
"Well, so be it." Ranulf opened the oak gates and led them inside to the throne room.
When they arrived, King Caineghis was conversing with Lethe and Muarim. He stopped abruptly when they entered, but a warm smile came across his face. "Welcome back Giffca, and to you Shinon, sniper of the Griel Mercenaries. I had been expecting to see one of you sometime soon. What brings you here to Gallia?"
Shinon stepped up as Giffca left to stand beside Muarim. "I have been told by Oscar to meet you on urgent business. They request assistance at the Crimean capital, Melior. There has been an incident."
King Caineghis looked curious. "Assistance, did you say? What kind of incident has asked for our aid? Is Princess Elincia in distress?"
"No, my lord, much worse. An invasion army from the eastern mountains has launched an attack against us. Tor Garen has fallen, and there have been rumors of other invasions near Daein and Crimea. We need assistance in these two areas."
The Gallian king frowned. This was something he did not expect, let alone from further east than Daein. "I will offer any assistance necessary. Should I inform the other laguz tribes south of here?"
"Yes."
"Very well, we shall proceed with this request. In the meantime, rest and have a drink. Your travels here are most welcome in Gallia."
"Thank you again, your highness." Shinon left immediately afterward to his room, accompanied by Ranulf.
King Caineghis faced Giffca. "Is this all true? Do you believe in this story?"
"I do."
"Then you will accompany me at the meeting ground. Lethe, Muarim." They approached him. "I want you to go with Shinon back to Melior. We must not let these invaders enter Crimea. See to it that Tormod and Mordecai are informed as well."
They both nodded and left the room.
"Hopefully," sighed Caineghis, "we can convince Goldea to help us with this crisis." Giffca and the king left the throne room, talking animatedly.
Marth and Roy were left out of most of the detail dealing with the invasion of Begnion, and were left with the rest. They never had a chance to speak properly with Ike before he was gone, but were not disappointed by the prospect of Ike dying anytime soon.
In the meantime, they agreed to help protect the capital under the command of Princess Elincia. They also had friendly conversations with many of the Griel Mercenaries, asking questions about Lord Ike and the existence of the mercenaries. They replied with anxious looks, but answered them nevertheless.
They soon were acquainted with Mist after speaking with Mia. They talked briefly before Mist invited them to her room on the southern tower. Roy and Mist talked animatedly about their past experiences in combat, healing, childhood memories, but mostly about Ike when they arrived; on the other hand, Marth remained silent while the two talked.
"You seem very fond of your brother, Mist," stated Roy. "I am certain you two are very close."
"We are, but he hasn't been recently. Ever since these rebels have invaded Tor Garen, he has been concentrated on this war. He doesn't speak to me anymore about anything. He gives me commands to protect and heal people with minor sicknesses and such, but he is more focused about the other members. Did you see Ike talking to Boyd before they left?"
"I did."
"They were going over battle strategy. It is so annoying!" Mist stifled her tears, but looked to be in pain. "How can he be so concentrated about war and not to his only sister? He said he would protect me, not let others protect me. And how am I supposed to protect him if I am not there with him?" Mist started to cry.
Roy patted her shoulder. "Mist, your brother has a duty he must fulfill. It pains him to leave you, but I am assuming that he wishes that one of his members didn't die. He seemed extremely upset to find out that the wyvern lord was beheaded, and desires that is doesn't occur again. He feels that he is responsible for her death and believes it is in your best interest to stay away from war, from suffering. He remembers you as the girl of five years ago." Roy stood up from his chair and looked outside. He looked at the darkening sky above, the green grass and trees blowing in the wind. The mercenary looked back at Mist, who had stopped crying. Smiling, he said, "Ike cares for you very much, and for your safety and to keep to his word, he wants you to stay here and do your very best, even if there isn't much to be done."
Mist averted her eyes from Roy, looking at the concrete ground. "But how am I supposed to protect him? I care for him too much to lose him. He is like…my father."
"That will come in due time," replied Marth, speaking for the first time. "He has many friends with him who are also willing to give their lives to serve under his command and to protect his allies. He has assumed many titles when he took over the Griel Mercenaries, and that was only because he had friends who were willing to protect him to the very end." Marth went to the door, frowning. "When the time comes, you will play an important role to the mercenaries and to your brother." Marth closed the door behind him, leaving a stunned Mist in her room with Roy.
Mist took in every word Marth had said, feeling a bit more relieved that someone was able to explain this. She smiled, silent tears going down her fragile face. "I will never doubt again."
Roy turned and smiled. "That is always a good thing, Mist. I should take my leave. Adieu."
"Goodnight," responded Mist. The door closed behind her a second time and Mist went to the window, looking over the castle grounds. A canary flutter pasted the window, heading south. Mist sighed. "I just hope he has enough people to save Begnion."