ShadowedTactician: You try writing a chapter when you're having a bout of influenza, you!
Imppala: Hey, relax... I'll help you with your review replies this time, how about that...
Grim: I suppose we can't complain...
FadE
Imppala: When did Oswin save the day the first time?
ShadowedTactician: Beats me... and speaking of devil, Sneasel's upcoming evolution certainly looks the part...
Elven-girl10
Imppala: In case you were wondering, Elven-girl10, ShadowedTactician gave every character in his cards six Pokémon each, but for this fanfiction he's not included all of them... for obvious reasons.
Chaos Knight Malik
Imppala: See? I told you the Mewtwo wouldn't be a bad idea...
ShadowedTactician: I'm still thinking about it. Thanks for the review, Malik!
Generic Reviewer
Imppala: Hear, hear! Merlinus gets even worse in Fire Emblem VI! He can't even...
ShadowedTactician: Hey, don't spoil it for the non-Japanese readers...
A droll merchant named Merlinus now joins Eliwood's group. With Merlinus in tow, they set out for Laus for the following day. Laus is located in the heart of Lycia, a territory ruled by the power-hungry marquess, Lord Darin. Preparations for the war of which the Pheraen magistrate spoke, the disappearance of Eliwood's father, Lord Elbert, and the death of Marquess Santaruz... Do these all revolve around Lord Darin? In Eliwood's heart, the need for truth is drowned in fear... a fear of what that truth may hold. Hector, however, believes firmly in the news reported by Ostia's spy network that Darin was definitely involved in Lord Elbert's disappearance, and determined to uncover the truth, in spite of strong opposition by his brother, Lord Uther...
In the throne room of Laus Castle, the purple-haired marquess of Laus himself was having a conversation with his son, Erik...
"Are you certain? Pherae's heir is here?" asked Darin anxiously.
"Yes, Father. We've just received word from our lookouts," reported his brown-haired son. "He's still beyond that hill, but he'll be here before long."
"Lord Ephidel, what is the meaning of this?" Darin turned to the mysterious man.
"Perhaps when they reached Santaruz Castle, Lord Helman was still clinging to life," suggested Ephidel.
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed the marquess.
"He couldn't have lasted too long, but..." Ephidel went on, "Maybe he told them something."
"That's terrible! Our plan! It's all for naught, isn't it?" groaned Darin.
"No need to be so alarmed, my lord," said Ephidel calmly. "Even if he told young Eliwood of our schemes, Pherae no longer has any power. All Eliwood could do is perhaps inform Marquess Ostia."
"Ostia? That would be ruinous!" The very mention of Lycia's leading territory had the blood draining from Darin's face. "Lord Uther may be young and new to the throne, but he's dangerous! Grrr... That addlepated Helman!" he grumbled. "He was a coward to the end! To betray us now, when we're so close... we only need a little more time to complete our plans for rebellion!"
"Then before Marquess Ostia becomes aware of any of this, you would do well to stop them here," advised Ephidel.
"Yes, you're right, of course." Dain nodded, "We do have a chance! They have to pass through Laus to get to Ostia. We can still silence them!"
"They must not pass," Ephidel emphasised. "No matter the cost."
"Let us make haste. Call up our finest troops," ordered Darin.
"Father!" Erik stepped forward, "Please, let me take the command."
"Erik!" Darin was surprised at Erik's volunteering. "Tell me, son, can you succeed?"
"That clod Eliwood and I studied together in Ostia," Erik replied smugly. "He's a trusting fool. If he sees me, he'll lower his guard. And when he does, we strike!"
"I see..." nodded Darin.
"I beg your pardon... is this not too much for him?" asked Ephidel. "If, by strange chance, he fell, things could turn for the worse."
"No. I know I'm the lad's father, but Erik's quite clever, I tell you. Snuffing Pherae's whelp will be no trouble at all," Darin answered confidently. Turning to his son, the marquess said, "It's settled! It's up to you now, Erik. Bring me the head of Pherae's darling son!"
"Yes, Father!" bowed Erik. "I will not fail you!"
Meanwhile, Eliwood's group continued to move on. By now, Laus Castle was already in sight. Hector noted that there a lot of soldiers walking around... strange for a land in time of peace. "Look around," he remarked. "They truly are preparing for battle. Bah!" Hector spat, "Marquess Laus! What is he scheming?" During all this time, Eliwood remained quiet.
"You don't much look like you want to go to the castle," Hector noted.
"If we go and learn the truth," Eliwood replied worriedly, "we may have to go to war."
"That's fine with me!" shrugged Hector.
"I... I've no love for war," sighed Eliwood. "If I concentrate on the foe before me, I'm fine. If I imagine families, innocents caught up in our foolish politics? If I imagine them... all I can do is pray for a way to solve things peacefully."
"Eliwood..." Hector wanted to say something, but Marcus' voice interrupted him. "Lord Eliwood! A knight has ridden forth from the castle," he reported.
"A lone knight?" Eliwood was ripped from his thoughts.
"Yes, my lord," bowed Marcus. "Our scouts say it's Marquess Laus' son, Erik. He is asking to see you."
"Erik?" frowned Eliwood.
"Gah. Why did it have to be that buffoon?" cringed Hector.
"I will see him. Bring him here," Eliwood ordered.
"I'm leaving," Hector muttered. "I never could abide him. I'll go for a ride and survey our surroundings." Grumbling to himself, the Ostian lord departed from the group.
"Good day, Lord Hector," greeted Oswin. The knight had been guarding the rear of the group. "Is Lord Eliwood with you?"
"No. He's treating with Marquess Laus' son, Erik," grumbled Hector.
"Is it wise for you to be away at this time?" Oswin frowned.
"Erik's a contemptous peacock. He's intolerable," Hector complained. "And he made a show of riding from the castle alone. Something feels odd..."
"That is unusual," agreed Oswin. "I've been thinking, my lord... Laus is blessed with clear water and fertile ground. See the shade its tall trees and grasses cast? Ideal for hiding soldiers, don't you think?" he whispered.
"You're right, Oswin... I'm going to take a look around," Hector whispered back. He had already guessed Oswin's motive behind his last comment.
"Very good. Let's split up and double our ground," nodded the knight. As his liege turned to leave, he called, "One more thing, my lord!"
"What is it?" Hector turned back with an exasperated look on his face. He knew what was to come next...
"Do not let yourself be distracted. Keep your guard up," reminded Oswin.
"Ha ha ha," laughed Hector sarcastically. "Yes, Mother. I will."
"Hello! It's been a long time, Eliwood!" greeted Erik.
"Erik..." Eliwood's face showed no friendliness which usually would have been there. "What is your business?"
"My business? What do you mean?" Erik asked innocently. "I heard my old friend was here in Laus. I merely thought I'd ride out to greet you! So tell me friend, what brings you to Laus? Are you... on your way to Ostia?" asked Erik.
"Hm? Why would you think that?" Eliwood did not expect such a question.
"Well, you were always such good friends with Hector," Erik said quickly. "He and I never... got along very well. For a noble, his behaviour was crude, and his manner of speech... you would have thought him a peasant on first glance. You're still friends with Hector, aren't you?" he asked. "When did you see him last? How do you communicate?"
"Erik..." frowned Eliwood. "You're after something. What is it?"
"Pardon?" Still Erik continued to smile.
"Everywhere I look, Laus prepares for battle. What are you and your father planning?" Eliwood's mouth was set in a determined line. "I will know the truth!"
"Hm... I'd hoped to wait until you'd told me of Ostia," mumbled Erik. "Of whether you've spoken to the marquess or not."
"What are you talking about?" Eliwood realised that Erik was definitely hiding something.
"Hm heh heh..." Erik grinned at Eliwood, and it wasn't out of friendliness. "Eliwood, I have always despised you. How I've longed to smash your pathetic morality into pieces! I've dreamed of this day, and here it is at last!"
"Too bad you'll not live to see the end of it." Hector suddenly stepped up.
"Hector!" exclaimed Eliwood.
"Y-You! Hector!" gasped Erik. "You couldn't... have you spoken with Ostia already?"
"Maybe we have, maybe we haven't." Turning to his Pheraen friend, Hector continued, "Eliwood, this mongrel has troops lying in ambush all around us. Laus regulars, every one. We're in for a rough time."
"Heh heh..." Erik sniggered. "There's little point in fighting. You're trapped! My forces will overwhelm you, an unending torrent of soldiers! Laus' elite knights are at the ready as well. Heh heh..." The Laus lordling continued to laugh as he started to ride away. "How long do you think you can survive?"
"Craven cur!" Eliwood cursed at the disappearing cavalier. At once, the landscape was filled with soldiers of Laus as they emerged from their hiding places. As Eliwood, Hector and Shadow rallied the others to prepare for battle, an old woman came out from a nearby house and approached them.
"Hee hee hee..." she cackled. "A world of trouble you've landed yourself in, yes?"
"Who...? You startled me, old woman!" exclaimed Hector. "You should get yourself out of here. This is going to be a bad place to stay if you plan on living."
"I want to see the one searching for his father," said the woman. "Marquess Pherae's son."
"Listen up, old woman!" Hector yelled, thinking that she was deaf and possibly a few knights short of a castle guard. "You're close to death as it is! Quit your yammering and move on!"
"Hector! You should mind your manners," Eliwood cut in. "I am Eliwood. May I ask your name, milady?"
"Ho ho ho. What a polite young man," the old woman smiled. "I'm Hannah, a fortune-teller. I came here to help you."
"Can you tell me where my father's gone?" asked Eliwood anxiously.
"No..." Hannah answered. "But I can see other things... useful things. I can tell you what weapons to take into battle, as well as who should wield them. Things of that nature."
"I see..." Eliwood nodded.
"Don't tell me you believe any of this," groaned Hector.
"I have no reason to believe or disbelieve in Hannah's powers," said Eliwood. "But I'll not rule out anything if it helps me find my father."
"All right, then." Hector sighed. "Hannah comes with us, then."
"You!" exclaimed Shadow. "You're that witch from Santaruz! Why are you here?"
"Ah, you would be Shadow, yes? I believe you've already met with my sister, Anna: mind-reader and witch." Hannah smiled at the tactician. "After you left Santaruz, my sister gave me a telepathic message that you might need my help, so here I am. Would you like to buy my services?"
"Buy?" Shadow stared at the old woman, confused.
"You didn't think my services were free, did you?" Hannah continued to cackle. "You'll have to pay a little gold for each augury I give you, but they might save you from paying a greater price!"
"Alright..." Shadow reached into his pocket. "How much?"
"50 gold!" After Shadow handed her the money, Hannah produced a Pokéball from her own pocket and opened it, releasing a green bird Pokémon. Two red feathers protruded from its head as did a sharp yellow beak that pointed downwards. Its white wings had red and black stripes at the tips, as well as a yellow stripe in a red stripe near the part where the wings connected with the body. A set of black feathers decorated its neck, and its green body had the pattern of a cat-like face formed by its feathers, adding to the Pokémon's mystical appearance.
"This Xatu has been with me for a long time," smiled Hannah.
"Xatu xa!" The Mystic Pokémon landed in front of Hannah as she sat down. Hannah joined her hands with Xatu's wings, and both of them closed their eyes as a strange blue aura surrounded them. "Hmmm..." mumbled Hannah. "Many of your foe will be carrying spears. You should take axes... yes, many axes."
"That's us!" cheered Bartre.
"And if that shrewish cleric girl is with you, take her as well... she might well meet an old friend," Hannah continued.
"Oooh!" Serra gushed. "Who is it? Who is it? Who... hey, she called me shrewish!"
"The weather, though... it doesn't look very good. Be prepared for sudden rainfall," warned Hannah. "You should also take a rapier... it will serve you will against many a foe." Just then, both Hannah and Xatu woke up from their trance and the aura instantly disappeared. "That is all I see," she smiled. "But maybe you want to hear it again, yes?"
"No. That will be fine, Hannah." Looking out into the distance, Shadow spotted two villages: one to the north, and one near the southern coast. "Alright. We'll divide ourselves into three groups. Lord Hector and Serra will head north. Bartre and Lord Eliwood will lead Oswin, Lowen, Rebecca and Dorcas straight towards the castle. Matthew, Marcus and Guy will follow the coast..."
"Lord Eliwood! Shall I join you?" Merlinus piped up. "If you deploy my tent, I can help with equipment. I can switch items for you and hold them if your packs are full. However, my tent cannot be moved about, so if you deploy it, it will require a guard. I beg your understanding."
"Hm! That certainly would be useful..." Shadow pondered. "But who shall I..."
"Shadow." Marcus said as he rode forward, "I volunteer to guard Merlinus."
"General Marcus?" asked Shadow.
"As much as I would like to lead the attack, guarding the army's supplies is just as, if not more, important," continued Marcus. "I am confident that Lord Eliwood and the others can handle the Laus troops by themselves."
"But..." Shadow protested. "There must be at least 30 of those elite soldiers out there! The others may not make it without your..."
"Let me take the point, Shadow. There may be many of those Laus soldiers, but numbers are meaningless!" said Marcus firmly. "We are knights of Pherae. These mice of Laus will never defeat us!"
"Alright, General. If you insist..." Shadow checked that everyone was ready, then gave the signal. "Let's go!"
"Oh, by the way, Shadow..." called Hannah. "How did that mine work?"
"It worked brilliantly!" answered Shadow with a grin. "Could you tell your sister for me?"
"Yes, I will. I'm sure she would be pleased to hear it worked so well," Hannah smiled.
Meanwhile, at the northern village...
"Hm." A red-robed mage seemed to be discussing some matter with the magistrate. "We certainly could stand some assistance..."
"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible," apologised the leader. "If we disobey Marquess Laus, who knows what might happen to us?"
"I understand," nodded the mage. "We'll seek our aid elsewhere."
"You'll find the same answer everywhere you go," the magistrate sighed. "Eventually, you'll have to do as the marquess orders. You would do well to tell your employer the same thing."
"Hm. Good day to you," said the mage huffily as he took his leave.
As Eliwood's group began to advance, the mage's employer herself was waiting worriedly at the other village. She had hair the colour of fire, clothes the colour of purest snow and eyes the colour of emeralds.
"Priscilla... has your escort returned yet?" asked a man standing behind the red-haired girl.
"No," sighed Priscilla. "He left yesterday in search of a way out of here... I just hope the soldiers of Laus haven't captured him."
"His search for help must have been fruitless. Marquess Laus has ordered that no aid be given to you," the man shook his head. "There's really nothing that any of us can do. I apologise, but..."
"No, no," Priscilla said hurriedly. "You could turn me over to the marquess, and yet you continue to grant me asylum. I'm grateful for that. Of course, if I simply went to the castle, this would all be over..."
"Don't fret over that," assured the man. "None of us are overly fond of the marquess. He's always threatening us. He treats us like slaves. All of these war preparations? We want nothing to do with them. We may be divided into territories, but we're Lycians one and all. We may be invaded by another country one day, but why does he want to start a war here at home? None of us understand what he is doing..." The man sighed as he threw his hands up in frustration, and went back into the village.
"Sigh... What am I going to tell Lady Priscilla?" groaned the mage as he paced the outside of the village. Just then, a series of shouts shattered his thoughts.
"Hey!" yelled a cavalier. "It's the mage!"
"You know your orders!" commanded another. "Nab him alive!"
"Oh no..." The mage stepped back as the horsemen advanced, and produced two Pokéballs from his sleeve. "Slugma! Pikachu! Go!" he cried. A flaming gastropod came out from the first Pokéball, and a yellow mouse came out from the other. Its ears were black at the tips and it had red circles on its cheeks. Its back had a couple of brown stripes and its tail was shaped like a lightning bolt. "Pikachu!" it said.
"Ember and Thundershock!" shouted the young practitioner of magic as he ran his fingers through a yellow book. "Thunder!" he yelled, conjuring a storm of electricity that merged with the raining fire and lightning from his Pokémon.
"Ha!" Hector ran his axe through a soldier, killing him instantly. Serra followed him closely, sticking out her tongue at the grisly scene. Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar purple-haired figure...
"Ohmigosh! It's Erk!" she whooped happily, hugging the mage from behind. "It's been so long! What are you doing here?"
"ACK!" When Erk had managed to wrench himself free, he immediately saw who it was. "Oh... Serra." He said faintly, "You're the last person I wanted to see..."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" smiled Serra. "You wanted to see me again!" The comment immediately caused Erk to slap himself on the forehead. "Hey, I know! This is perfect!" Serra exclaimed. "Come with us and lend us a hand, Erk."
"I beg your pardon?" asked Erk.
"Come on!" insisted Serra as she pulled on his sleeve. "I'll even introduce you to Lords Hector and Eliwood! I know you, you're probably just wandering around without work!"
"No, Serra. I'm afraid I am gainfully employed. However..." Erk scratched his chin thoughtfully. "If you're fighting Laus... this might work out after all..."
"What are you babbling about? Make up your mind, will you?" Serra asked annoyedly.
"My employer is hiding in a village south of here," explained Erk. "If you'll help me protect her, I'll join up with you."
"Deal!" Serra then shook Erk's hand so hard he felt it would drop off. Watching the bouncy cleric run off, Erk began to have doubts. "St. Elimine..." he prayed fervently. "Please protect me from this crazy woman..."
At the same time, Eliwood visited the village to warn the locals.
"Oh! So you've come to warn us of danger? You're battling Erik and his men, right?" asked the old man who had come out to greet him.
"Well, yes, but..." Eliwood began.
"Let me tell you, I'm on your side!" The old man patted Eliwood's shoulder. "My granddaughter... Marquess Laus took her away. He found her pretty, and forced her to the castle..." Wiping his eyes, the old man brought out an iron blade. "It's not much, but please take this," he said as he passed the blade to Eliwood. "It's a large sword, so you have to be strong to use it. It's a bit unwieldy, but it is a mighty weapon nontheless. I hope you can defeat the marquess' son, Erik... it would make our lives more pleasant.
"But..." Eliwood wanted to protest, but the old man had already gone back into the village. There was nothing the Pheraen youth could do as he gazed sadly at his new sword. Erik was an enemy like all the others he'd faced, but was he willing to strike down a classmate?
Meanwhile, several pirates across the sea were eyeing the mainland greedily.
"Eh? What's this? Looks like a war's broken out," mused the leader. "Aha ha ha! Perfect! Time for a raid!" Rallying his friends, he shouted, "Up and at 'em, mates! That village is ripe for plunder!"
"Matthew! Look!" shouted Guy. "There are pirates coming from the south!"
"We'll just have to deal with them, won't we?" smirked Matthew. "Shadow is counting on us to get this right." Nodding to his Pokémon partner, Matthew shouted, "Aipom!"
"Nincada!" followed up Guy as he sent out the Trainee Pokémon.
"Fury Swipes!" they yelled together as their Pokémon flung themselves at the incoming corsairs. "Wah!" The pirates were taken by surprise and quickly defeated before they could even reach the coast. At the same time, Eliwood, Hector and the others did not seem to have any problems with the Laus troops, and Erik frowned as his troops were taken down one by one.
"Blast!" cursed Erik. "They're stronger than I had supposed!" Beckoning to a nearby soldier, he ordered, "To the castle! I want all the reinforcements available, and I want them now!" Quickly, the soldier rushed into the main hall and gave his report. "Lord Erik is struggling!" cried the soldier. "He requests reinforcements!"
"What?" Darin was apparently shocked. "Ready the men."
"Unbelieveable..." mused Ephidel from a corner. "These numbers cannot stop them." So saying, the cloaked figure turned to leave.
"Ephidel? W-Where are you going?" asked Darin.
"It seems that conquering Lycia might have been too much to ask of you after all," Ephidel replied. "I must inform my master. The Black Fang will be leaving at once."
"No!" Darin gasped. "You... you can't abandon us! Not at this stage!"
"Who was it that said Ostia mustn't learn of our plans?" asked Ephidel coldly. "Wasn't it you, Lord Darin? The marquess of Laus himself?"
"Y-Yes, it was," answered Darin shakily. "There's no turning back for me. Not now! P-P-Please! One more... Give me one more chance..." he begged. "I assure you, I will not disappoint Lord Nergal!"
"Very well..." Ephidel considered Darin's request, then ordered, "Assemble your men. We will regroup elsewhere."
"Eh? You can't mean..." Darin stared at Ephidel as he slowly realised what the cloaked figure implied. "My son... my home... am I to abandon them?"
"Would you fall in disgrace along with your son?" Ephidel replied. "Our master, Lord Nergal, is offering you the throne of all Lycia... surely a few sacrifices are not too much to ask?"
"Yes... you're right," mumbled Darin. "My destiny is greater than this. I was born to be king of Lycia."
"And as for an heir? You're still young, my lord. You will have time," continued Ephidel. "You must not let a moment's sentimentality cloud your judgement." Gazing dejectedly at the floor, Darin began to give orders for the castle guards to reassemble and leave Laus at once. Outside, Erik was waiting impatiently...
"Where are my reinforcements? Why haven't they come?" thundered Erik. Realising that there was no point in waiting, he decided, "I've no choice. I must attack! You!" The cavalier lord pointed to another soldier. "To the castle! Find more men!"
"Yes, my lord!" bowed the soldier.
Meanwhile, back at Merlinus' tent, the cheery merchant was catching a quick snooze. "...Snoooore."
"Merlinus, stay on your guard," urged Marcus as he roused Merlinus awake. "A moment of laxity can bring death from behind."
"Ah... how embarrassing..." yawned Merlinus. "But, Sir Marcus, do you really think the enemy will come this far...? I mean, we never do anything, we just sit here and wait..."
"No, no. This too is a very important duty. Protecting the line of supply is of vital importance," lectured Marcus. "Without weapons and potions, the battle cannot go on."
"Well... I suppose not..." Merlinus mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "But, you know... what can I do... EEEEEEEK!" He suddenly screamed. "Pirates!"
"What did I tell you?" Marcus growled, readying his sword. "Time for battle!"
By this time, Erk managed to get to the village where Priscilla had sought asylum. "Lady Priscilla!" he called. "Are you well?"
"I should be asking you that, Erk," Priscilla said concernedly as she examined the mage. "Have you been wounded?"
"I'm fine," assured Erk. "Listen, my lady, I've found some friends who will help us."
"Truly?" Priscilla's eyes glistened with hope.
"We'll be joining up with Marquess Pherae's son," the mage continued. "Travelling with them seems to be the safest way for us to continue your search for your family."
"Erk!" scolded Priscilla.
"Oh, my apologies." Erk blushed sheepishly, "This isn't the place to discuss such things."
"I'm sorry, but..." Priscilla started to apologise.
"Lady Priscilla, my teacher entrusted you to my care," stated Erk. "Until you have reached your goal, I will not leave your side."
"Thank you, Erk." The troubadour smiled, then motioned to a Fire Horse Pokémon nearby. "It's time to go, Ponyta," she said as the equestrian creature neighed.
"Erik! Stop this nonsense!" shouted Eliwood as the cavalier drew near. "I've no wish to strike down a fellow classmate."
"You sentimental fool! You think we're still in school?" Erik mocked. "Well, let me give you an education! First you will fall, and then Hector. Pherae and Ostia will be crushed beneath my foot! Soon, all of Lycia will be under our control!" The lordling threw out a Pokéball, summoning a red canine creature with black stripes and white fur decorating its head and tail. Leaping in front of Erik, it growled menacingly at Eliwood.
"Growlithe!" commanded Erik. "Flamethrower, now!"
"Growl!" The Puppy Pokémon spewed out a stream of fire. "Charmander!" Eliwood countered. "You use Flamethrower, too!"
"Chaaar!" Charmander breathed out a stream of fire as well. The two flame attacks collided as the Pokémon kept up the heat, and for a moment both the fighters were equally matched. However, Charmander's tail began to glow brighter as it increased its own firepower and sent a huge fireball bowling towards Growlithe, hitting the canine squarely.
"Is that the best you can do!" Erik laughed. Growlithe got back up on its feet, completely unscathed. "Growlithe's Flash Fire absorbs all Fire-type attacks and turns it into attack power!" Pointing to Charmander, Erik ordered, "Take Down!"
"Growlithe!" The Fire-type dog charged into Charmander and knocked it straight into Eliwood. "Now, taste my lance!" Erik yelled as he raised his silver lance, ready to finish Eliwood off...
"Squirtle!" Just then, Hector's Squirtle came rapidly spinning from behind, and knocked Erik to the side so that he missed Eliwood completely.
"What!" Erik growled, then spotted the Ostian lord. "You!" he shouted.
"Stop this right now, Erik!" threatened Hector. "Or I'll have to run my axe through you!"
"We'll just see about that!" retorted Erik.
"Squirtle!" Hector ordered. "Water Gun!"
"Squir..." Funnily enough, Squirtle wasn't attacking Growlithe; instead it cowered besides Hector. Growlithe was leering at it as if there was a fire burning in its eyes. "What's that!" exclaimed Hector.
"It's Growlithe's Intimidate!" laughed Erik. "Growlithe makes use of its fierce appearance to demoralise its opponents! It's an attack against your Pokémon's will to battle!"
"Argh! Squirtle, get up!" Hector urged, but to no avail.
"Growlithe, Flame Wheel!" From its mouth, Growlithe shout out a burning wheel of fire that seared towards Hector and Squirtle. "Squir!" yelped the Tinyturtle as it was struck by the flames. Although it was a Water-type, it was still burned by the powerful fire attack, and it stood facing Growlithe, glaring.
"Squirtle! Water Gun!" shouted Hector.
"Flamethrower!" Like the twin Flamethrowers before, the attacks met each other in mid-air, and were on par in terms of intensity. Even though Hector had the type advantage, the attack power of Flamethrower was still stronger than that of Water Gun, and Squirtle found itself struggling as its assault was rapidly turning into steam.
"It can't go on like this!" Hector thought worriedly. "Growlithe's been boosted by its own Flash Fire and it's showing no signs of tiring! We need a miracle here!" Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed across the sky as water droplets started to fall down from above. "What?" Erik exclaimed. "A shower? Now!"
"Of course! The rainfall that Hannah predicted!" Hector grinned to himself. "Squirtle! Fire your strongest Water Gun now!"
"Squirrrrrr!" Squirtle reared its head, then blasted a super-strong jet of water at Growlithe and Erik, its strength increased by the rain. "ARGH!" Erik screamed as Growlithe tumbled into him, throwing the cavalier off his horse. His silver lance dropped a few metres away.
"Grab him!" ordered Hector. Matthew, Oswin and Guy, who had reached the scene, quickly complied and pinned Erik to the ground. Aipom and Nincada restrained Growlithe as Lairon raised its foot over the puppy, threatening to bring it down if Growlithe made any sudden moves. "Unhand me!" yelled Erik. "I am no one's prisoner!" He tried to struggle free, but the people holding him were firm in their grip.
"Now that's settled," Hector nodded, "let's move to the castle. Darin has a lot of explaining to do..."
"Come on, Erik! Get up!" barked Hector. He and Eliwood had returned to the main hall once the entire team had scoured the whole castle to find no sign of Darin.
"Ungh..." The lordling struggled into a seating position, an amazing feat for someone bound with a few layers of rope. "You... you peasants... you can't treat a proper noble like this!"
"It's too late for niceties! Be thankful you're still breathing!" Hector snarled.
"Erik, you must tell me," Eliwood said. "Where is your father? We've searched the entire castle, and there's no one here..."
"D-Don't be ridiculous!" scoffed Erik. "My father would not abandon..." He stopped short once he had realised Eliwood was telling the truth. "No!" howled the lordling. "He'd never... Ephidel..."
"Ephidel? Who's that?" asked Eliwood. Erik remained silent.
"Speak, cur! Do you want to die here?" Hector placed his axe near Erik's neck.
"Ah!" Erik jumped backwards and squirmed against the wall.
"Hector!" Eliwood reprimanded. Hector withdrew, allowing Eliwood to continue. "Erik... please. You must tell us everything you know," he pleaded. "I... I just want to know where my father is."
"...Ephidel... he appeared at the castle one year ago," Erik began. "He came... and my father changed. Ostia's position had always bothered my father... He felt Laus deserved to rule all of Lycia. But he'd never gone so far as to speak of rebellion..."
"Did you say... rebellion?" Hector asked, astonished. Erik then continued, "Ephidel had something... with it, he convinced my father to set this plan in motion. My father then sent envoys to several other marquesses. Marquess Pherae, he had approved of the idea."
"What?" Hector exclaimed.
"Never!" shouted Eliwood. "My father would never agree to such a thing!"
"Believe or disbelieve. That is your choice," Erik said simply. "First was Marquess Santaruz. Then Marquess Pherae's reply arrived. Marquess Pherae visited here six months ago to seal his approval."
"That's not... possible..." Eliwood murmured as he stared into empty space.
"My father and yours argued vehemently that day. Marquess Pherae always distrusted Ephidel. He tried to convince my father to send Ephidel and the Black Fang assassins out of Lycia. My father would not be persuaded, and Marquess Pherae left the castle. As you know, he then disappeared," ended Erik. Then, as a nasty little afterthought, he added, "I doubt he's still alive."
"No!" Eliwood shouted.
"Shut your mouth!" snarled Hector.
"Eliwood said he wanted to hear everything." Erik smirked evilly. "My father... he is but Ephidel's puppet. He'll listen anything to that villain says. Even watch his own son... die... Those are the sort of people you're dealing with. Marquess Pherae betrayed them. They would not let him live! Ha ha... ha ha ha ha ha ha..."
"Ah..." Unable to take in what he had heard, Eliwood dashed out of the room.
"Wait! Eliwood!" Hector chased after his friend, leaving Erik to cackle madly as he lay on the floor, accepting that his own father had abandoned him...
"Lord Hector." Oswin met Hector in the hallway.
"Oswin!" shouted Hector. "Did Eliwood pass this way?"
"Lord Eliwood?" glanced Oswin. "He ran through that gate and ran outside."
"I see." Hector nodded, ready to continue the chase.
"Lord Hector! A moment, please," Oswin called.
"What is it, Oswin," Hector ran back impatiently.
"Let us return to Ostia," Oswin said simply. "The rumours... I've heard that... Lord Hector, I cannot approve of helping Eliwood... or Pherae... any longer."
"What are you saying?" Hector stared.
"We must think of Ostia's well-being," advised Oswin. "If Marquess Pherae was involved in a rebellion..."
"Oswin." Hector clenched his fists and squeezed out his words through gritted teeth. "You will take back those words."
"Lord Hector, I appreciate your feelings..." Oswin began, but was cut off.
"I know Eliwood's father very well," continued Hector, trying to keep his cool. "I'm telling you that he is a man worthy of our trust. You are in my service! Do you not feel you should follow my orders?" Oswin remained silent at his liege's reminder.
"Heed my words, Oswin. You are my brother's vassal. Your duties to guard me come second to this." Turning around, Hector dismissed the knight with a careless wave of his hand. "Return to Ostia, Oswin. You've done your duty... thank you."
"...My remarks about Marquess Pherae were improper," said the orange knight in shame. "I apologise completely."
"Oswin?" Hector exclaimed as Oswin proceeded to kneel before him. "Stop! That's enough! You need not bend your knee to me!"
"My lord, I would swear my service to you," Oswin said solemnly.
"Service... to me?" Hector was confused.
"Please accept my lance as your own." The knight said humbly as he brought out his spear in front of Hector. "Then return it with your blessings."
"Oswin, you..." The Ostian lordling was taken aback by Oswin's action.
"I am a knight in service to Castle Ostia," declared Oswin. "Until now, I have only offered my lance to Lord Uther. Yet... I now wish to offer you the same service. Please grant me that honour."
"Oswin..." Hector stared at the knight, then smiled and performed the necessary procedures.
When Hector found Eliwood, the redhead lordling was standing outside the castle, gazing forlornly at the ground. "Eliwood..."
"My father is alive..." Eliwood mumbled. "And yet... I cannot believe he supports... rebellion. There must be... there has to be a reason..."
"I know," Hector nodded. "I don't believe any of this for an instant. My brother trusted Marquess Pherae more than anyone." Gently, he shifted Eliwood so they were speaking face to face. "First, we'll find your father and discover the truth," suggested Hector. "We'll talk to my brother after that."
"Hector, I'm sorry..." said Eliwood softly.
"Don't look like that," Hector consoled. "Your father is surely alive. Right?"
"Yes, of course..." Eliwood looked to the setting sun, a determined fire blazing in his eyes. "Marquess Laus... Black Fang assassins... Now this mysterious Ephidel... I'll find them all and prove my father's innocence!"
To be continued...
ShadowedTactician: Now... we go on to Sealen's bit. But what with school nowadays, don't count on it coming any sooner.
Imppala: Bah... who cares about Sealen? I WANT MY DEBUT! RAWR!
Grim: ...Review.
