Chapter Three: The Plea
Author's notes:
Alright, Dimitri's point of view.
Dracus6: Yeah, I plan to go male Byleth x Edelgard for the Black Eagles route next time!
"What a way to start our first practice battle," a tall fair haired young man sighed as he avoided thick branches attempting to swat his face. "Alois must be beside himself right now," he added as he swept back blonde bangs from his slender face. The prince could imagine Alois running around the battlefield like a worried mother hen.
"Come on Dimitri," remarked a melodious male voice somewhere near him in the lush thicket. Green mischievous eyes set upon an olive tanned face peered through the branches and gave him a roguish smile, "Something was bound to go wrong knowing your luck." The face quickly retreated at the sight of Dimitri's icy blue eyed scowl.
"Claude, this wasn't happenstance," remarked a silvery voice with strong notes. The sight of young woman with almost ethereal white hair flitted through the gaps of the thicket. "A group of bandits didn't just happen upon us," she added matter of factly before disappearing out of sight as well.
Dimitri contemplated the young woman's words as he entered a clearing bathed in the glow of the moonlight. "Edelgard, you really think their presence was calculated?" He asked as the young woman and Claude emerged from the thicket.
Edelgard look towards him with her soft violet eyes. "It's...too convenient in timing." She remarked before purposely shifting her gaze away. "Look up ahead," Edelgard remarked with relief in her voice as she pointed onwards. "That must be Remire Village."
'Remire Village, that means they were now in Empire territory,' Dimitri contemplated as he appraised the small cozy village that was nestled at the foot of the hills. It was quiet at this early hour with many of the residents still resting in darkness. Yet there was some movement near the outer fenced perimeter.
Once close to the village he realized there were armor clad individuals busying themselves with packing. Their armor bore no coat of arms or allegiance to recognizable noble houses so they were not knights, more likely a band of mercenaries. "You there!" Dimitri called out in his crisp commanding tone. The armored young man jumped quite remarkably high for someone wearing weighted armor. "Please, we are in need of aid," the prince added for a look of bewilderment had masked the mercenary's face at the appearance of the three house leaders.
The young man quickly calmed himself and nodded before replying, "I'll get my boss," and disappeared into a nearby home.
"A band of mercenaries here, how is my luck looking now Claude?" Dimitri questioned the Golden Deer leader.
"Every coin has two sides," Claude answered enigmatically with a knowing smile.
Dimitri was about to respond when two individuals stepped out of the nearby domicile. 'Now this man is a capable warrior,' Dimitri thought as a veteren warrior walked swiftly towards them. He had warm honey brown eyes that currently were set upon a stern looking face.
Behind him was a petite young woman wearing armor as well and a sword sheathed at her hip. At first she had almost a daydreamy gaze that quickly became calculative as she appraised each house leader. Dimitri returned the appraisal and needed only one quick glance at her well worn armor to know that she was an experienced fighter as well. 'Well, the more the merrier, he thought before he recalled his manners at the warrior's awaiting expression.
"Please forgive our intrusion," Dimitri quickly spoke up before bowing respectfully. "We wouldn't bother you were the situation not dire."
"What do a bunch of kids like you want at this hour?" The warrior questioned with a growing frown.
"We're being pursued by a group of bandits," Dimitri explained before adding, "I can only hope that you will be so kind as to lend your support." The prince also hoped that his diplomatic skills weren't lacking at this time of need.
"Bandits, here," The man turned to share a questioning look at his comrade, but she just responded with that same soft day dreamy expression.
"It's true." Edelgard added to Dimitri's relief. No doubt she too felt that their plead was being discounted. "They attacked us while we were at rest in our camp."
Then Claude chirped up, "We've been separated from our companions and we're outnumbered. They're after our lives...not to mention our gold." 'Really Claude...our gold?' Dimitri had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the Golden Deer leader's flippant remark.
The warrior was now appraising the three leaders as he spoke, "I'm impressed you're staying so calm considering the situation. I...wait." The man paused as his honey brown eyes widened as they focused upon the house uniforms. "Your uniforms…" He added, though visibly lost in his own thoughts.
But before the warrior to elaborate, another mercenary ran up to the group, "Bandits spotted just outside the village!" He announced. "And damn, there are alot of them!" The young man cursed.
The warrior shook himself out of his thought and became stern again, "I guess they followed you all the way here."
Dimitri could have kicked himself...no he probably should kick himself for such an oversight. He hadn't even given the safety of Remire Village a second thought. What kind of leader was he becoming?
"We can't abandon this village now," the warrior sighed as he closed his eyes in slight exasperation. His disappointment made the young leaders exchange looks of guilt at their lapse in handling the situation. "Get me my horse, we move out now!" The warrior commanded and strode past them.
The young woman however, still stood still. Dimitri could tell that the young woman's dark blue eyes were still appraising them, but it was no longer upon their looks or attire, rather it was at their weapons; Dimtri's training lance, Edelgard's axe, and Claude's bow. "Good mix," she stated simply as she passed by them and walked towards the edge of the village.
The three house leaders exchanged inquisitive looks between themselves. "I don't have a better idea," Edlegard sighed. While Claude shrugged his shoulders and remarked playfully, "This should be fun."
More rambling notes from the Author:
I hope you enjoyed my take on Dimitri; it will develop as we go on. Claude is also turning out to be fun to write!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise and Ninetendo's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.