Chapter 5) The Empire's Reach
Monsters… they're supposed to be things of old. Things that once, long ago, had threatened the world, but no longer. Well, no, not really, since the Darkling Woods in Rausten was still filled with them and all. But still, they're supposed to be contained up there. Not be far to the south… and yet, they were. Monsters roamed the Za'ha woods, attacking civilians… killing children…
I still see them whenever I close my eyes, those children I had to re-kill. I still feel their blood on my hands, their mutated claws in my flesh. I still hear their dying screams and their un-living screeches… gods, what is wrong with the world?
Serafew… I had visited a few times over the past couple of years. Whenever I accompanied Eirika to Grado, we had passed through here. In fact, it was in Serafew that Emperor Vigarde and Lyon always met the Renaisi royal family whenever one family traveled to the other's country, and here where both families said farewell before returning home. It had always been a peaceful, lively town where Renaisi and Gradoans lived together with pride and laughter.
Now, though… on the surface it looked the same. The buildings were still the same white, brown, and golden-yellow, for instance. There were people still in the market. And the flags of Renais and Grado still flapped on the flagpole in the center of the square. Except… the Renaisi one was noticeably… tattered compared to the Grado one. Not as bad as the one we found at that massacre-turned-revenants, but it was still noticeable. In contrast, the Gradoan flag has crisp colors, like it was brand new, with the black wyvern-rampant practically gleaming against the crimson flag…
"Look there…" Eirika whispered, pointing to the ramparts. Our group had taken a break on the outskirts of Serafew to gather information, and Eirika and I had snuck off to a nearby cliff that overlooked the city. See what was different. "There weren't soldiers on the ramparts, last time we were here."
"No, there wasn't," I agreed, speaking just as softly, barely loud enough to hear. The wind blew fiercely; I had to hold my hood against my head to keep it from blowing off. And maybe taking my cloak entirely with it. "It was just a token force, a year and a half ago." Daniel had actually been working the gates that day, so I had teased him while Eirika, Ephraim, and Lyon had said their goodbyes. Where was he now? I was scared to learn the answer… "They were mostly here for the occasional bandit attack and for when earthquakes reached this far north."
"Of course, because this city was always a symbol of the peace between our countries. Of the strong ties of friendship between our people…" Eirika closed her eyes, forcing back tears. I just continued studying the city, noticing now that there were some districts blocked off. Some rubble, some burnt remains… and the graveyard was easily twice the size it had been a year and a half ago. Even from here, I could see how fresh the soil was. "It feels like it was a lifetime ago, that happy time."
"Yeah, it does." Of course, for me, it felt like everything in the world went wrong when Monica died. Like her death had taken the last bit of beauty and goodness… and now, nothing felt real. Felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, except my nightmares never used to be so horrible…
"Princess Eirika? Emma?" Franz's quiet voice caught both of our attentions, and we turned to see him bowing. "Colm just returned," he reported. Which meant we all needed to get together and figure out just how we were going to safely gather supplies. "If you need a minute, then I can-"
"No, Franz, it's better we discuss this sooner rather than later," Eirika gently refused. She glanced at Serafew one more time before heading down the path, to where we had camped. Franz, of course, followed her. "Were there any difficulties?"
"Nothing immediately obvious, but Colm was waiting for everyone."
The two continued on, but I stayed where I was for a moment longer. Lingering to stare at the city, and at all the little differences. However, a 'ripping' sound that was simultaneously quiet and loud made me jump, and I jerked my head up to see... to see the sound had been the Renaisi flag tearing from the flagpole. Now it was twisting about on the wind, battered this way and that. Until a wyvern launched itself from wherever Grado kept its wyverns, and snatched it right out of the sky. I supposed there was something terribly fitting about that… a wyvern with grey scales so pale that they were almost as white as the wings on the Renaisi flag, laying claim to the flag like it was just another toy to play with and discard…
I turned away and dashed down the path to catch up with Franz and Eirika. Luckily, neither had noticed my brief absence. Instead, we all simply returned to the others and sat down wherever in the camp. There wasn't any order to it or anything, unless you counted how the Frelians grouped together and how Artur was forced to sit on an uncomfortable looking root because Lute had sprawled out across his lap to read and not pay attention to anything. And how Colm sat somewhere in the approximate center of us. Nothing more.
"Well, there's soldiers, big surprise," Colm began once everyone was settled and seated. Because of course he'd start a report with sarcasm. "It seems like General Glen was around here as well, doing some exercises with some of his newer soldiers. And training some unpartnered wyverns, since based on the rumors, Prince Innes is shredding their prized fliers."
"Frelia's archers are unmatched," Gilliam murmured with just a touch of pride. The warm smile, though, spoke far louder. "I am not surprised his highness is utilizing them. I do not suppose you have heard other rumors?"
"Mostly that Frelia's forces have them at a stalemate on the border for now." Stalemate was good. But that stalemate was… "They're being very careful about information in military matters."
"Mostly likely to minimize what the spies learn." Gilliam nodded, apparently expecting something like that. "My thanks."
"It was just listening to gossip, so it wasn't a big deal. Once you're inside Serafew, so long as you don't catch the guards' attention, you're fine. No one makes a big deal about new people or anything, particularly since there's quite a few newbie soldiers making stops here in Serafew."
"Speaking of which, did you hear anything about what propaganda they were spreading to justify the invasion?" Moulder asked, barely looking up from his list. In fact, I think he only did to do a little bit of math. "It would be good so that we can look into counter-rumors."
"Sadly, nothing in Serafew that people were willing to gossip about in the market," Colm replied, shaking his head. That caused a few sighs. "It's almost eerie how little people are talking about the war, actually." Was Grado enforcing silence, then? "There's also nothing more on Prince Ephraim. Just that he's somewhere south, possibly fighting. Maybe."
"I imagine Grado would be quick to nip those rumors in the bud, if only to minimize the chances of people rallying to him." Moulder finished his list and set it to the side. "Anything on the Renaisi troops stationed here?"
"Last anyone seems to have seen or heard, they did their best to lead the fighting out of the city and…" Colm shrugged, which was all the answer anyone needed. Particularly me. I didn't know if the others knew if the corpses we'd walked in on prior to the revenants were some of the ones stationed here or not, but… "Anyway, for the present. There's soldiers. They're not heavily patrolling or anything, but they're in up in arms about something. No, I don't know what." There definitely had to be a gag order or something. "They're twitchy because of it. However, the west gate is undermanned. Shouldn't be hard to have a couple of folks sneak in there to gather supplies."
"So, taking turns and grouping things as we can to avoid making large purchases at a single vendor." Moulder was apparently very good at the whole 'minimize attention' thing? At the least, he seemed to know what he was doing. "Let me see the lists again?"
Never knew I'd experience a shopping trip that had all the planning of a battle. But I supposed life thought it was funny like that.
Colm, Neimi, Ross, Moulder, and I took turns sneaking into Serafew. Why us? Colm was naturally sneaky, Neimi was an excellent haggler apparently, Ross looked like the normal village boy he was, Moulder was a priest and no one expected them to be crafty, and I had the Jehannan coloring to fall back on if anyone got suspicious. There was a worry about Ross bragging about his dad, but his 'normalness' was considered enough of a boon to risk that. Even if Garcia sat him down to give him a lecture about being loud.
Why none of the others? Artur couldn't lie even if his life was on the line, Lute's… 'Lute-ness' made her very memorable, and the knights were too 'knightly' in their posture and speech to blend in with the crowd. Not to mention that Seth was very recognizable. And, if General Glen was still around, Eirika would be as well, since she had frequently asked him questions about wyverns and their place in Grado's culture during visits. There… honestly was a worry that he'd recognize me as her lady in waiting, but just like Ross's normalness, the 'shield' my coloring gave was considered enough to risk it.
"I think this is the last on this list…" I whispered, checking over Moulder's meticulously neat notes and what I had in my basket. Though, the last one on the list really amused me: 'whatever spices Neimi and Emma want to continue with their delicious meals'. And, even better, the merchants were selling spices at a discount in anticipation for how the prices were going to rise. War disrupted trade, after all. Though, it could've also have been to make room for inventory that was more 'in-demand', or to lessen their loads to make it easier to travel quickly. Victor had told me all about that. I wondered… "Victor, you'd better be okay…" He and his group had been returning to Carcino, which was on the other side of Magvel… in theory, he should be furthest away from the fighting…
"Miss?" ...Oh, gods, please tell me whoever was talking wasn't talking to me. "Hey, miss!" If I kept walking, would they get the hint? "Miss!" Nope. No such luck. The speaker was the persistent and grabby sort. As in they actually grabbed my arm. "Hello, there!" they greeted with a smile. I did my best to regard them cooly, wondering just… why. Why me? Why now? The last thing I needed to deal with was a person who thought they could flirt their way into a stranger's bed. "Has anyone ever told you that you're really pretty?"
"No, of course not. This is the first time I've stepped outside all of my life and been around people." I made sure to be as sarcastic as possible. Their smile faltered. "I could've never imagined that walking up to a stranger and snatching their arm was considered polite behavior."
"No need to be so testy!" They frowned now, still holding onto my arm. Now that I looked, I noticed they were wearing some light armor. Crimson… they were a Gradoan soldier. Because of could that would happen to me. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to go get a drink or something. My treat!"
"I'm busy." Ugh… this was the worst. I would've thought keeping my hood up would help sell the impression that I was in a hurry, and also keep idiots like this from approaching. It wasn't like you could see much of me thanks to the hood, or so I'd think. "So, no."
"Aw, come on, don't be that way…" They leaned forward, like they thought their presence was just so captivating that it would force me to agree. "It's just a drink!"
"No. I'm busy." I spoke slowly, to give him a little extra time to comprehend the words. It must be very hard to understand things when one lacked a brain, after all. "Let go."
"You should be-"
"If your next words are 'honored' or 'happy' about a complete stranger accosting me in the middle of the market and refusing to accept that I do not wish to date or have sex with them…"
"I'm just being nice!"
"There is nothing 'nice' about this situation."
"Indeed, there isn't," someone else agreed. I had no idea what was more bell-like. Her voice, her little laugh, or the actual bells she wore around her wrists. Either way, everything about her chimed as she appeared out of nowhere to hug me and gently force the soldier to let go of me. Well, 'gently'. It was gentle for me. Their wince and the way they rubbed their hand hinted it wasn't quite so 'gentle' for them. "I was worried when you didn't make it in time to see my show, dear." The woman all but cuddled me, humming softly. "I told you that the errands could wait."
"But I didn't want to be worrying about them while watching," I protested, thinking of a lie on the spot. After all, the woman was a shield and the best thing to do would be to go along with that for now. "I wanted to relax for once."
"Well, I suppose that is just like you." The woman laughed brightly and 'subtly' led me away. Thankfully, the soldier didn't follow and when they were out of sight, the woman let go of me and smiled ruefully. "Sorry for intervening, but…"
"No, no, I should be thanking you." Because if that had kept on going, I probably would've broken something. Or at least attempted to. "Been a while since I dealt with someone so…"
"Male?" She grinned and I had to smile at that. "Sadly, it seems the occupation has bloated quite a few young egos. I deal with many after every show."
"Show?" Realizing that hadn't been as random of an excuse as I'd thought, I looked at the bells again, as well as the scarf and her outfit. Most didn't wear a shirt that revealed so much of their midriff, but I had seen… "Are you a dancer?"
"I am, indeed." She smiled, pleased that I had guessed. "My name is Tethys." Tethys… I had actually heard of a dancer by that name. Just in passing, mainly. Mostly from Forde after he snuck to some taverns to watch a couple of shows. "What's yours?"
"Emma." Thankfully, my name wasn't so unusual that most could recognize it just by that. I could get away with not having to use a fake name.
"Well then, Emma, how about you hide out in the townhouse I'm using? Just to make sure that idiot doesn't try to follow you."
It sounded more than good to me, since the idea of accidentally leading a Grado soldier to Eirika was… well, it made my stomach twist into a knot. So, instead, I stayed with Tethys for a bit, sitting at the kitchen table with drinks while listening to her gossip about some of her patrons and things she'd seen on her travels. She'd been all over Magvel, and it was amazing how different some things were and yet, how much people were simply people. Even if some of those things were nearly impossible to believe.
"You had to have made that up!" I protested in between laughs. And desperately trying to not choke on my water or start hiccupping. Tethys had offered actual food, but I'd just gone for water. Safer. Even if I was… actually, I was having fun. I was reminded of those warm days that felt an eternity ago, when Monica was alive and the two of us would be gossiping while catching up. Of course, back then, I was the one telling crazy stories of what all I had heard and seen in Ivroria. But… "Please, surely no one is that stupid!"
"You'd be surprised," Tethys teased, laughing warmly. Unlike me, she drank mint tea, a specialty of Jehanna and one that I was tempted to have. Ill-advised as it might be to have something a stranger prepared, I hadn't had mint tea since Monica died, and we used to always have it. Iced mint tea and fruit omelets… such things always meant 'comfort' to me. That things would be okay. "Particularly when stubborn sorts get an idea in their heads and refuse to back down."
"Still, though!" When was the last time I laughed this much, actually? I… couldn't remember. But it was hard not to laugh. Not just because I was having fun, but because she… it wasn't like she looked anything like Monica. Monica, after all, had inherited Dad's coloring, just as I'd inherited Mom's. And she didn't really act like Monica either… except she also did. That 'big sister' air, that mix of gentle caretaker and mischievous imp… I couldn't help but relax, even though my heart ached and keened. And guilt gnawed at what remained, because I shouldn't be relaxing like this. I didn't deserve it…
"Never underestimate a stubborn person's complete and total willingness to destroy themselves. Or, in this case, find themselves surrounded by a gaggle of grouchy geese." She grinned and I had to be as red as my hair with how much I was laughing. She might've even commented on it if not for the front door opening. "Oh, Saleh, you've returned?"
"I have." The new person who walked in… he didn't seem like he belonged. Which sounded far harsher than I meant, but even with the stoic expression, there was a feeling on unease about him. Like he was very far from his comfort zone. "I am afraid…" he began, before his sharp gaze fell on me. His cloak seemed Jehannan in design, but the clothes underneath… I wasn't quite sure 'where' they fit. Perhaps someone used to the mountains? They were closest to that, based on what I remembered from Victor's stock. "A guest?"
"You're afraid of our guest?" Tethys teased, getting up from the table. She walked over and absently adjusted his headband, which was definitely a pattern I'd never seen before. Must be unique to wherever he was from. "Come now! Isn't she adorable? Like a kitten! Or a little bird?"
"Tethys, you look even more harmless and when we met, you nearly stabbed me with a hairpin because you thought I had kidnapped Ewan." ...What kind of hairpin? I wanted one for Eirika. "Who is this, though?"
"Just a sweet girl whose gathering supplies before traveling again and got harassed by someone whose ego far outpaces their charm." That was certainly one way to describe that soldier. "Nothing more."
"I see… so, miss, you've been traveling?" The man regarded me with an expressionless gaze, and it was hard to guess what he was thinking. "Did you happen upon a girl with indigo hair?"
"Indigo?" I repeated, surprised. That was a very specific color. "No, not yet, at least."
"I see…" he whispered. After a moment, he closed his eyes and sighed. "Lady Myrrh, where are you…?" 'Lady', huh? A daughter from an influential merchant family in Carcino or something?
"Easy, Saleh, I'm sure she's fine," Tethys reassured, slipping around to hug him. She even stroked his hair, like he was her younger sibling or something. "Call it a dancer's intuition."
"I can only pray you are correct," 'Saleh' murmured. He leaned on Tethys briefly. "I have been away from Caer Pelyn too long. The darkness spreads and I must make sure the wards will hold firm."
"I'm sure Grandmother has it under control, if you'd like to linger a little longer."
"You need to return to Gerik and report as well, and you cannot travel alone. There are too many dangers. The darkness to the south grows larger with each passing day." Darkness? South? South was Grado, but… "So, it's best for both of us."
"I suppose." Tethys tapped her cheek, frowning slightly. "I wish you'd be a little less vague about 'darkness', though."
"That's what Lady Myrrh was investigating, but…" Saleh shook his head. "No, I must simply believe her to be well for now. She would be vexed if I neglected Caer Pelyn out of worry."
"Hard to imagine that cutie being anything but melancholic, truthfully." Tethys sighed, but nodded. "We'd better not take a direct path back, so we can slip into the woods to the east first and swing-"
"Don't," I interrupted harshly. I shouldn't have. I should've just continued to sit there with my water and let them have their conversation. But… "There's monsters in the Za'ha woods." I couldn't let them just wander into what we'd dealt with. "Revenants and the like. The villages within are evacuating."
"Revenants, this far south?" Saleh murmured. Though Tethys seemed skeptical, Saleh… well, it was hard to tell, but I thought he took my words seriously. "The miasma seeps into the earth and spreads… yes, that would make sense." Glad it did to someone. "Was it just revenants?"
"Revenants, skeletons, mogalls…" I tried to remember, but the only memory that clawed into my head was the revenant-children. The revenant-children and their blood splattering me, coating my hands and lance… "A mage that I know called them the 'vanguard'."
"...I really must return to Caer Pelyn, then." Saleh looked at Tethys, who was just frowning now. "Gerik should also know this. It will increase the dangers the mercenaries face." Since I'd heard from Mom how 'expendable' many saw mercenaries, I figured they'd be the ones getting ambushed during scouts and the like. But I wouldn't say that, because it wasn't like I knew anything.
"It sounds a little too much like a tale, but Emma speaks as if she saw it first hand, and I know you aren't one to humor anyone," Tethys murmured. After a second, she nodded. "Very well, but if we're to leave quickly, we'll have to figure out which gifts I leave behind." She hummed a moment before smiling at me. "Emma, might you help with that? I don't want to simply discard them, but I can't give them away here. They're from patrons, you see."
"Uh… sure?" I answered, not quite… well, my head was still filled with dead children, so I wasn't sure I even understood her. "I think I can, at least?"
"Marvelous! Especially since there's a dress or two among the pile that would look so pretty on you!" She clapped her hands in delight, the bells of her bracelets chiming to add to the noise. Saleh simply shook his head with a very slight smile. "This way, then!"
...What did I agree to this time?
While Tethys looked through her gifts, Saleh helpfully explained to me that she often received gifts from people in the audience, particularly very high ranked people, after her dances. Things to express appreciation, or to try and entice her into their beds. Which was why Tethys couldn't just leave the things behind because they were high ranked enough to be violent if they thought they'd been insulted, or at least bar her performing without extra 'favors' to make it up to them. Which… I supposed meant that both Tethys and I had our 'Jehannan Luck' kick in due to me getting harassed at the market. She had someone who could sneak the excess supplies away without anyone knowing, and I got lots of extra supplies to bring back to the others. Not all of it was particularly useful or anything, but enough was. I considered it a 'win' and no one had second thoughts about me sneaking in for another supply run. Just a couple extra things that we didn't truly need, but that we had the budget for and would make the trip more comfortable.
"And that's the last of that, with coin to spare," I whispered, smiling slightly. I debated using some of that leftover coin to buy the group something nice, like a bundle of sweets, but decided against it. I knew from Orson that maintaining weapons and armor was expensive and who knew when we'd have to head to an armory to fix them. I already had two lances break on me, after all, and I wasn't even doing the majority of the fighting. "Maybe I should see about any cheap knives?" I had my fan as a back-up, but most of the group didn't actually have back-up weapons. More of a detriment for those of us who didn't have war-trained mounts, or heavy armor to compensate if a weapon suddenly broke or was lost. And while we did technically have knives for cooking, I wasn't exactly in a mood to stab someone with the same knife I intended to stab vegetables with. "Let's see…"
It didn't take me long to find where the armory had set up a stall in the market, but I had to fight off a grimace when I noticed there was nothing 'cheap' around. I wouldn't call any of them the 'absolute best' or anything, but they were still of good quality with the price to match. I wondered why, before remembering that Serafew was actually home to an arena. One where true weapons were allowed, and even encouraged. So, of course the armory would have their good stuff on sale…
Sighing, I snuck away, a little disappointed, but it wasn't anything to worry over. It would've been nice to have, certainly, but not so nice that I should waste time trying to hunt down where the cheaper things were sold. I didn't want the others to worry, especially if I just went about on my own without first letting them know. I'd just sneak out of the town, return to the group, and maybe bring it up then. I think they'd at least see the logic to it, even if they ultimately decided against it.
Plan set, I headed to the northernmost exit of Serafew, where I'd duck into some alleys and slip back to the western gate. It would be easy to lose anyone who might be trailing me because the northernmost part was easily the most crowded. Thanks, in part, to the arena, actually. Arenas always drew lots of people, and merchants set up their stalls near to take advantage of that. Which, of course, enticed even more people to risk being squished. It took most of your attention to just make sure you could actually make your way through, and not lose anything. As such, it didn't surprise me that most people didn't notice the flustered, uneasy cleric being harassed. Harassed by an actual Jehannan mercenary, or so I guessed from the hair, garb, and jewelry. I should've just kept on walking, to avoid drawing attention to myself, but I was saved earlier, and it was only right to help now that I'd noticed. So…
"There you are, sis!" I gasped out, once I reached the two. Taking advantage of their surprise, I hooked my arm around the cleric's arm and did my best to look both worried and annoyed. "I told you that I'd pick you up from the temple! You're always getting lost!"
"Ah, so that's why she's all flustered," the mercenary laughed. He had a bright smile, and brighter laugh. Still, I didn't let the act go for even a second, because I saw how sharp his eyes were, even if he tried to hide them with his hat. "I was wondering! And, well, hoping I might have a convenient excuse to spend time with such a beautiful lady." Well, at least he was honest about it. "However, it seems like I crossed some boundaries, so…" He bowed with a flourish, and I was surprised that he pulled it off without coming off as mocking. "I'm sorry for making you uneasy, miss. Take care to keep close to your sister. The soldiers are uneasy, and makes them even less inclined to listen than usual." With that, he left, whistling a tune as he meandered towards the arena. I recognized the melody as something Mom would hum a lot, and I couldn't help but soften. And feel a little bad because hey, maybe he hadn't actually been harassing her.
"Um…" But that didn't matter for now. Right now, I had a very confused cleric blinking at me. "I am afraid you have me confused for someone?" she whispered, tilting her head. She really was pretty. ...And she kind of looked familiar for some reason. "I don't have a sister?"
"That was a lie to give you a convenient shield, since you looked uncomfortable and like you needed some help," I admitted easily. I shrugged and reached up to adjust the hood of my cloak. "First thing I thought of."
"Ah." She smiled, but it was tired. Now that I looked at her, she seemed a little wan. Definitely a gray complexion, and the beginnings of bags under her eyes. Had she not been sleeping? Well, if she was a cleric, then she probably knew healing… had she been treating the soldiers injured during the invasion? "I see. Thank you, then."
"It's no problem." Absently, I led her towards the market, mostly to get moving. Just in case someone else wanted to try their flirting on either of us. "So, where are you trying to go?" I figured she had to be going somewhere. Even if it was just a walk around for fresh air.
"I must…" She hesitated before talking in a hushed whisper. I barely heard her despite being right next to her. "I must make it to Frelia…" ...That was quite a ways, as I knew very well. "I must, or the purpose of everything will be lost…" What in the world was she talking about? I had no idea, and had even less of a clue when she smiled sadly at me. "I'm sorry, and I thank you for your help, but I shouldn't drag you into this. You should head home." Well, my home was kind of a wrecked ruin filled with blood and ash and corpses, so… "I need to-"
"Traitor Natasha!" The cleric stiffened at the sudden shout. Confused, I just turned to see a heavily armored guard glaring dramatically at us. "Surrender peacefully, blackguard!" they shouted. The cleric shook her head and took a step away from the guard. "Come quietly, and you may have a chance to explain yourself to the emperor!"
"Wait, please!" the cleric pleaded. I tried to figure out just what I'd fallen into. "Please! You must listen! The emperor isn't himself! Surely, you've seen that!"
"Impugn the emperor at your own peril!" Oh, lovely. Zealotry. "We have been ordered to execute you if you resist, and your words condemn you!"
"Given that Emperor Vigarde betrayed a decades-long personal friendship, violated a centuries-long alliance, and is now letting Renais rot from festering wounds, I really don't see where this loyalty comes from," I drawled, unable to bite my tongue in time. I just… Seriously, I couldn't understand this sort of blind loyalty. Or at least, this self-righteousness that sprang from it. Regardless of all that, royals were just people. People did stupid things. Like me, running my mouth while unarmed and facing down angry soldiers. And for not just slipping away and instead… "Come on!" I seized the cleric's hand and yanked her into the confused crowd. "This way!" And instead, taking her with me. Straight through the market crowd.
The guards shouted, of course. The stereotypical 'halt!' and the like. And, just like all good chase scenes in a book or play, neither the cleric nor I stopped. Just kept on running, pushing past people and ignoring their yelps of protest and shock. Well, I ignored them. I think I heard the cleric apologize. I, however, had other things on my mind besides politeness: escaping. So, after changing directions as many times as we could in the crowd, I dragged the cleric out of the market entirely and bolted down one of the alleys. Then, knowing we'd need to hide, I picked a house at random to duck into. One that looked like empty. So, following the laws of 'of course this would happen to me', the house wasn't actually empty at all. Though, to be fair, the cleric and I did nearly run over the girl staying here, since she'd clearly been on her way out the door.
"Ack!" The poor girl flailed backwards and fell on her ass while trying to avoid the cleric and me. Meanwhile, the cleric slipped and sprawled on the ground, while I had to jump, fall, and roll to avoid stepping on either of them, and avoid dropping my basket. "Ow…" the girl whimpered, making a face. She then sulked at us. "I know I'm from a rural village and all, but I don't think that's a polite greeting here in the city."
"Sorry, thought the house was empty," I blurted, trying to think quickly. I should focus more on apologizing, of course, but guards kind of took priority. As did trying to make sure this girl a) didn't turn us in and b) didn't get dragged into this. "Really persistent fellows, not taking 'no' for an answer, and-"
"Oh, yikes! Diane warned me about that sort of thing! It's why I cut my hair and wear loose clothes." She had a point, there. She was young enough that she could hide herself as a boy well enough to not catch unwanted attention of that kind. Now, of course, if one of the persistent ones was into pretty boys… "I hope I can change into my normal clothes soon, though. I miss my skirts, and I keep thinking my pants are going to fall off."
"Speaking of which…" While it wasn't her pants, her shirt definitely had a large and low collar, especially for someone of her build. Meaning she had part of her shoulder and chest exposed because it had slipped. "Here." Without thinking about it, I helped her adjust it.
"Thanks!" She smiled warmly at me, more warmly than I'd have figured given the forceful introduction there. "Anyway, if you two need to hide, you can hide here for a couple of hours. I was just on my way out the door, and the owners won't be by to clean things up until the evening."
"Thank you…" Okay, I felt a little bad now… "Why not stay at the inn?"
"The inn is filled with refugees from nearby villages. Bandits destroyed their homes…" She had a sad look in her eyes, and I wondered if she, too, had lost her home. Then I wondered if it had been bandits, or Grado soldiers, who had destroyed so much… "Stay safe, okay? Times are weird, and who knows what the twin fiends are plotting." ...Twin fiends? "The gossip has been talking all about them, and how cruel and merciless they are. To think they were friends with our Prince Lyon…" Hang on, what the…?! "Ah, enough of that! I'm off!"
"Hey, wait!" I tried to catch her, but shock had deadened my limbs into useless weights, so she was out of sight long before I could even move. So, I could only stare, trying to think but being unable to do so.
What she had said… twin fiends? Cruel and merciless? That was what Grado was saying about them? Such blatant lies? I might not think much of Ephraim, in fact I thought as much of him as he thought at all, but I would never call him that… inconsiderate and an idiot, yes, but not cruel. Not merciless. And freaking hell, Eirika was almost too nice sometimes! Sure, there was the concept of cruel mercy, but that wasn't… she wasn't…
"The easiest way to make someone your enemy is to change the people's perception of them," the cleric whispered. She pushed herself up from the floor slowly, and scooted back to lean on the wall. "Turn a person into a monster, into something other, and people question far less. You see it time and again."
"Yeah, I know that…" I mumbled, carefully shutting the door now. And I did know that. Eirika and I had even talked about it. But to actually hear it, and to see ot be believed… it was more than I could take right now. So, instead, I shoved it all to the side and focused on the current predicament I was in. "Enough of that, though. How does a cleric end up a traitor, anyway?"
"I'm sorry…" She smiled sadly at me. "I should've left you sooner… it's my fault you're mired in this mess."
"I'm involved anyway, believe it or not." I made sure to smile. I had to, because I was too tired to do anything else. "My name is Emma. I travel with Princess Eirika, searching for her wayward brother." Her eyes widened at that realization. Yes, of all the people who interfered, it was someone who could actually help her. Maybe she had some of the desert in her blood, with luck like that. Or, was it my own 'Jehannan Luck' dragging her into the mess? "It's Natasha, right?"
"Yes, Natasha, a cleric of the Fire's Sanctum." That was the largest temple in Lekikya, the resting place of the Fire Emblem. I knew it because the head priest there, Father McGregor, tutorted Lyon, and Eirika and Ephraim when they visited. Kind man, if strict. I particularly liked him because he always seemed like the only one who'd scold Ephraim. "Might I speak with her? Princess Eirika, I mean? If we escape?"
"When we escape, and certainly." It wasn't like I could just leave her now. Earlier, sure, maybe, but not now. "Best wait for things to calm a bit, though."
I was going to have to hide so much of this from Orson. Apoplexy and heart attack just waiting to happen.
It was hard to say how long we waited in that darkened house. Long enough for our breath to even out, and then some. Certainly long enough for the noise to calm down. I half thought about just staying until nightfall, but that honestly might've made the two of us more suspicious. So, instead, we simply did something not quite as suspicious: sneak out the back door and dart through the alleys. Natasha's white gown and habit were horribly stained within seconds, but that was easily the least of our worries. For now. If we ran into people, I was certainly going to have to come up with some sort of lie to explain it. And I… uh… wasn't sure of a good lie besides the one I'd been using? Unless I could make up something like how she'd been in a rush to tend to a patient or something? Maybe?
Didn't matter, really. After all, the first person we ran into didn't care about all that. Nope, not one bit. After all, Colm was so incredibly annoyed with me that he didn't even notice Natasha at first.
"How… the hell did this even happen?" Colm groaned once I finished explaining everything. I just shrugged, and kept a grip on Natasha's hand. For her part, she smiled apologetically, like this was her fault instead of the world going mad. Madder, rather. "Ugh… is this going to be a thing? Because when it started getting late, Garcia just sighed and said something about 'Jehannan Luck' and Seth actually grumbled about it."
"I maintain that there has to be some sort of confirmatory bias," I deadpanned, since I really had no other answer. It wasn't as if I had gone looking for trouble, just supplies. But it certainly found me. "So, I'll be out with Natasha in a bit." I handed Colm my basket of supplies. He eyed them incredulously. "What? I had a death grip on the thing. Take it so that I have one less thing to worry about."
"You're running for your life, and you're worrying about items?"
"You snuck into a bandit hideout for a mirror." I smirked and he rolled his eyes. "Also, tell the others to move away from the city, please."
"Already done. Only way we could get a certain someone to agree to it was me promising to sneak in and find you." He glanced at Natasha, and I just shrugged. I wasn't leaving her, and… well, she knew I was with Eirika anyway. "You'll follow?"
"As soon as we escape."
"Good. And make it quick, will you?" He scowled. "I'm the only one allowed to make Neimi cry, and she'll bawl if you take too long."
With those sweetly barbed words, Colm ducked into the shadows and all but disappeared to my sight. Rolling my eyes, I tugged Natasha a different way and we were right back to our sneaking. While trying to somehow not look totally out of place. I doubted we succeeded, but no one stopped us, at least. That is, until we were close to the western gate, the one I'd hoped would still be undermanned. And I supposed it was, but there was a problem. Namely, there was someone leaning against the outer wall of one of the buildings. The Jehannan mercenary from earlier, to be specific, and since he pushed off from the wall as soon as Natasha and I were in sight… I knew he'd been waiting for us.
"You… you're that man from before…" Natasha whispered shakily. She smiled very bitterly when he drew his sword. I stiffened, longing for a weapon. Sure, I had the fan in my belt, but I doubted that would be much help here! "You're here to silence me, aren't you?"
"Yeah, Grado's paying the bill on this one," the man admitted easily. He held himself almost lazily, but I knew better than to trust that. Mom always looked laziest right before she struck, because she'd already found all the weaknesses she could exploit to kill you quickly. "Nothing personal."
"Wait, please…" Natasha took a step forward, and she might've taken another one if I hadn't been holding her hand. Just as well, since walking towards an armed person who had just admitted he was here to kill you typically wasn't the smartest of ideas, after all. "Please, I don't care what happens to me, but I must tell someone… about the emperor and what he plans and…"
"Miss, I'm a mercenary. I can't afford to care." Because that was just what life was like for mercenaries. Mercenaries who didn't fight starved to death. Jehanna's resources were just too few. I remembered Mom telling Monica and me about how despite being friends with the Jehannan royals, she stayed in Renais after Dad's death specifically so that neither of us had to worry about that. "Everything you say may be the truth or a lie to buy your life. Either way, I've a contract to Grado."
"That's…" Natasha grimaced. "But…"
"Mmm… still, killing such an unarmed civilian would leave a poor taste in my mouth, especially one as beautiful as you are, miss." Surprisingly, the man… the man became thoughtful. What the hell was…? "And my contract does end today. Caellach wanted me to renew it, and I was considering it since he's an old friend, but…" He pondered for a second longer before grinning at us. "Tell me, do you like to gamble?"
"...What?!" Yeah, Natasha, that… that was my reaction too. Just more silent because shock closed my throat. "You can't be serious!"
"I'm always serious. Gambling's such great fun! Even when I lose, I can't stop!" He was mad. He had to be. "So, let's have a little wager. Simple coin toss. You win, I believe you."
"This isn't the time for games!"
"Would you rather I just skip to the part where I get on with my job?" This was completely insane. Completely and utterly insane. And I wished I could unfreeze because I should've thrown something at him, but the sheer insanity had me completely locked in place. "So?"
"I…" Natasha hesitated before… "Um… heads?" Wait, she was… ack! Hold on, there were many ways to cheat at this sort of thing! "No, tails!" He hadn't even shown the coin yet!
"All right." He pulled a coin from his pocket and tossed it up into the air. I yanked Natasha closer to me, desperately trying to figure out where we could run. But I found nothing as the coin spun in the air, glinting like a knife in the sunlight, and fell into the man's hand. He closed his hand into a fist to force the coin to pick a side. Then he opened it to take a look. "Huh."
"...Um…" Natasha shakily clasped her hands to her chest in a prayer. "Which… is it?" It was obviously-
"Tails." What. "See?" He held out his palm and I saw… I saw he wasn't kidding. It really was tails. "Figures. I haven't won anything all day." He sighed, but shrugged and smiled at us. "I see Lady Luck has spoken! I'm on your side now."
"Are… are you serious?" This couldn't be happening. I must've taken a blow to the head at some point and be having one weird as hell dream.
"I told you. I'm always serious. I may cheat, sure, but I never worm out of a bet." His eyes darted to the side. I looked as well and barely caught a shadow of movement. "It's a rule of mine."
"Oh…" Natasha smiled in relief… and though I knew it wasn't the time, it wasn't fair just how much it lit up her face. Reminded me of how Monica's smile always… "Thank heaven… thank you, blessed light, for your protection…"
"I got nothing against heaven, but if you want someone to thank…" Though he teased, the man looked serious. "No? Well, better get down for now. I've got to deal with some fools."
It felt like I'd barely blinked before he cut down the two soldiers that had wandered too close. It was probably just my shock because what the hell was my life right now. But still, he killed them easily and he should have killed Natasha and me before we knew what had happened. So, I was dazed. So dazed that I didn't even twitch until something hit my shoe. A quick look down showed it was a coin, probably the same coin the mercenary had used for the toss. So, absently, I picked it up, so that I could return it to him. And froze for a completely different reason when I actually looked at it.
It was double-sided. Tails on both sides. He had cheated. But to make sure she won.
"Damn, you saw." The mercenary plucked the coin from my hand and smiled ruefully at my shocked stare. "Not a word," he requested. "Some things are more important than pride." That was a rarity to hear. Pride was one of the few things Jehannans didn't sell, or so Mom had once said. As such, they… tended to hold onto it longer than they should. "The name is Joshua, by the way."
"Like the wayward prince?" I asked, a little amused. Particularly when he made a face. "I take it you hear that a lot."
"If I had a copper for every time I'd heard it, I'd be a very rich man." He sighed and shrugged, stretching slowly. Natasha, meanwhile, was… she was kneeling by the bodies, praying for them. Which, while I understood, didn't seem very… "Miss, you might want to get away from them. I didn't confirm the kills, so-"
One of the soldiers swung up. Not sure how, since they have blood spewing everywhere from the wound on their chest. Maybe it was because of their armor. Even I could see that what they wore was of better quality than their very still comrade. But it didn't matter, really. Their neck was still exposed, and that made it easy for me to push past Joshua, pull my fan from my belt, and stab the soldier in the neck. Blood burst from the wound when I jerked the fan out, splattering everywhere. By the time the body hit the ground, definitely dead, the blood was nothing but a trickle oozing out of the hole.
"Oh, yay, I didn't break my wrist this time," I observed, mostly because I was too nauseous to do much of anything. I was splattered with sticky blood, which clung to stickier sweat, and I just couldn't get used to the smell. I almost dry-heaved, standing over the fresh corpse as I was, and I absently unfurled my fan to fan myself. Get some nice cool air on me and hopefully not faint. I really didn't want to faint right now. "That's… good."
"You've definitely got the desert in your blood, if you fan yourself with a bloodstained fan," Joshua laughed. Me? I didn't even realize the morbidity of the action until he pointed it out. Didn't know if that was better or worse. "Let's get you two out of here before more show up, yeah?"
"Yes. Please." I held my hand out to Natasha, and she took it shakily. I think the long day was getting to her too. "Before I get injured because I'm clearly overdue for that."
Seriously, Seth and I were going to have to figure out some sort of abridged version to tell Orson. He was going to be so mad when he learned...
Thankfully, Joshua got Natasha and me out without anymore dramatics. Even better, Colm and Neimi had waited for us and didn't ask questions about the newest addition to the group. Weird looks, sure, but no questions. And, even better, no one asked anything about anything when we reunited with the others. Not until after baths and food and general relaxing. Only then did everyone ask the question everyone wanted to know.
"Natasha, please, forgive me…" Eirika began softly. We were all crowded around the fire, because nothing said 'serious meeting' like that. I felt like we should've been roasting something over the fire instead, but whatever. "But Colm did relay to us what Emma told him."
"Of course," Natasha whispered in turn. She sat between Moulder and Joshua in our little crowd, though Joshua sat a little outside the circle, so maybe it would be more accurate to say she sat by Arthur. Either way, she was across the campfire from Eirika, with Seth and Garcia on either side of her. I sat behind her, having just finished braiding her hair for the night. "I am surprised it did not come up sooner."
"You were exhausted." And probably still was. But I had a feeling Natasha wouldn't sleep until she had relayed her story. "So, I ask now. How would a cleric be called a 'traitor'?"
"It's because I know too much." Natasha sat up straight and looked Eirika right in the eye. "I know why the emperor attacked Renais." She… what?
"You do?" Eirika's eyes widened. So did… half of the others: Franz, Neimi, Ross, Artur, and Vanessa. Garcia, Gilliam, Colm, and Seth frowned skeptically, though they kept silent. Lute… probably wasn't even paying attention, engrossed in her tome as she was. Moulder stayed impassive, as calm as he would be when studying a person's wound. Joshua showed no reaction, just watching everyone. "I… pray, forgive me, but…"
"I know how it sounds. I am, after all, a simple cleric. But I learned this from my mentor, Father McGregor… in his last words to me."
"...Last words?"
"He… he was executed a few days ago, your highness." Natasha closed her eyes, to ward off tears and pain. But the news… that certainly sent a few of us reeling. Ignoring the personal acquaintance, Father McGregor had been the High Priest of the Fire's Sanctum, charged with the 'sacred duty' of guarding the Fire Emblem, and the religious leader of Grado. Offing him would've been like… okay, not quite as dramatic as assassinating King Mansel, but… "He had learned, and tired to escape to warn the other countries. But they captured them, so he… he tasked it to me instead…"
"Father McGregor is… dead?" Eirika said the words slowly, blinked slowly. Trying to process this new information. "I… but he and Emperor Vigarde always got along, and he and Lyon adored each other, even if they argued over Lyon's research…"
"Yes, he was worrying about His Highness and it was while trying to reach him that he learned." Reach him? "Prince Lyon has been confined to the palace ever since the invasion began, so it was difficult, but Father McGregor refused to give up. Until he learned…" Natasha opened her eyes again, to add weight to her words. "Until he learned that the emperor is using the invasion as a mask to hide his true purpose: the destruction of the Sacred Stones."
"He… what?" Well, that was… uh… "But the Stones are treasures… protection from the Demon King…"
"All know this, and yet the emperor wishes to destroy them. I know not why." She sighed and, slowly, slumped. Like the weight of her message had been the only thing keeping her up and now… "He simply… it's like he changed overnight. No one can guess his reasons now. It's like he went mad." Or had decided to stop pretending to be nice. Either-or, really. The 'stop pretending' was probably more likely, though. 'Madness' was more often than not just a convenient excuse that people tried to use to rationalize how someone they knew could do something so horrible. "So, I must…"
"There are some Frelian spies here in Serafew, who can carry the message to King Hayden for us," Gilliam murmured. I had no idea how much or little he believed her. His expression was as impassive as always, and I didn't know his little 'tells'. Not like I did Seth's. And I could tell Seth was skeptical. Still, if this was true… well, it would explain the monsters in the woods... "He can deliver it to Rausten and Jehanna from there, if circumstances permit it."
"Gilliam, let me handle that," Moulder suggested. Not quite something I'd expect him to say, but you know what? Stranger things have happened. "Vanessa can ferry me close. We might need to stay here a day, but we should be fine." Maybe. In theory. "It depends on how quickly they can get to me."
"Of course."
"A day of rest will probably be good," Garcia noted. He ruffled Ross's hair, who made a face at the gesture. "These old bones of mine don't travel as well as they used to. The arthritis is getting to me." It was nice of him to put the 'blame' on him. If anyone was having troubles with the pace, it would be the less military-minded folk. Like me. "Besides, once we're more firmly in Grado territory, taking a day's rest will be much more dangerous."
Talk slowly descended into debating the pros and cons of staying, and I let my attention drift because I didn't care. If I had to march, I would. It was as simple was that for me. So, I just watched them all talk and gesture without listening, sparing a moment of amusement when Ross almost knocked Lute's book into the fire somehow. Franz managed to save it, almost to fall into the fire himself. Meaning Vanessa had to save him. And nearly fell on Neimi, though Colm pulled her out of the way in time. It was… a mess, but led to a lot of laughing (save for a sulking Lute) and it was on that note that most went to bed. Eirika stopped briefly to chat with Joshua, and I followed her into our tent when she was done.
"Did he really join us because of a bet?" she asked me dryly. She changed quickly into her nightgown, and frowned at me. "Really?"
"He cheated," I revealed, also changing quickly. He might've said to not tell anyone, but Eirika took priority. "Made sure she won. So, just let him have his excuse."
"That confuses me even more." She frowned more, this time looking very put out. "I know why everyone is here. Why is he? If it was simply to leave Grado, why stay with us?"
"I can't answer that." I glanced at her and sighed when she looked pleading. "You really think he'll just outright tell me?"
"Maybe not, but he got me all turned around when I asked. And then he called me 'dove' and told me to get some rest." Welp, that sure fit him. "So?"
"Fine, fine, just don't expect anything, okay?"
I pretended to protest a little longer, particularly since I was tired and the blankets looked all nice and warm. But Eirika continued frowning, so I sighed and left the tent to go investigate for her. I'd expected it would take a second or two to actually find him, since I had no idea how sleeping arrangements were going to go with the newest additions to the group. But, surprisingly, Joshua was sitting at the campfire, absently tending to it as he thought about something. Or thought about nothing. Either-or, really. It wasn't like I could read minds.
"Hmm? Ah, hello, there," Joshua greeted when he saw me approach. He seemed amused, for some reason. "Let me guess. The darling princess was fretting and sent her loyal lady to try and get more information, yes?" Joshua grinned at me and I shrugged. After all, it was a little obvious. "So, what's your tactic going to be?"
"Nothing, really," I answered. Might as well be honest. I never really had a 'tactic' for this sort of thing. "I think I'd have better luck getting Seth to get some proper rest." I sat down next to him, and looked up at the stars. Mom always said they were the souls of the dead, shining through the darkness to bring hope. Wasn't really sure if I found that comforting or not, personally, especially now. "So, instead, I'll simply address what truly concerns her. If you know the purpose of this journey, and if you're really okay with traveling with us crazies."
"I traveled with a mercenary group once. You all don't quite qualify as 'crazy'." His grin softened to a smile and he gently stroked my hair. "Regardless, yes, I know you're chasing after a wayward prince and his missing knights, and yes, I'm just fine with coming along."
"Not sure if you'll be paid, you know."
"This isn't a contract. This is my choice." He continued stroking my hair before suddenly starting braiding it. "As I said, some things are more important than pride. Like conviction. I saw it in Natasha, and wondered what drove her. I see it in all of you, and it makes me curious. So, I'll tag along and see what I find at the end of the road here."
"...Very well." I'd have to leave it at that. I had a feeling he'd said all that he was willing to say. So, instead, I just… let him braid my hair and watched the stars. Once or twice, I thought I saw the shadow of a wyvern fly pass, but I wasn't sure. I was tired, after all. "Do you have any questions for us?"
"Plenty, but it's more fun to try and learn it on my own, petal." ...Petal? Seemed I gained a nickname too, then. "So, for now, what songs do you know? That meeting lacked singing. So dour, really."
"Well, we're mostly a group of knights?"
Joshua laughed and started singing a couple of different songs, likely to see which ones I knew. Though I kept silent, I found myself relaxing before long. I did know most of the songs, after all. Quiet, lighthearted songs… things that Monica and I would sing while doing chores… things I'd hum while tending to Eirika… things Mom would sing… Jehanna was a country filled with music, so I'd grown up with songs just like this.
It was strange, hearing them after Monica died. But it was soothing, too… and gods, did I ever need that comfort.
Moulder
A long serving retainer of King Hayden, he has served as the king's personal healer since they were both children. As such, he is privy to many details normally kept to family, or that King Hayden refuses to tell anyone else.
He is not the most magically powerful by any means, but his wealth of knowledge and near encyclopedic memory for medicines and herbs more than makes up for it, as does his stamina and sheer determination. The castle servants adore speaking of the time he performed a seventy-two hour surgery without breaks.
He can be a little absentminded, so focused on his work that he'll forget important dates (like his own birthday) or meals. Luckily, his friends are quite used to this and while they tease him relentlessly, they also do their best to take care of him, so that he may take care of others. A good thing, since the stories of the legendary seventy-two hour surgery always leave out how he fell flat on his face afterwards and had to be carried to bed.
Author's notes: And Chapter 5, where you get your arena intro, as well as your traditional second healer and your recruitable-enemy-myrmidon! And where we finally start getting… a couple of answers. Not all, of course. But some. Yay?
During the chapter itself, Tethys, Saleh, and Amelia all get cameos. Saleh hints to Myrrh, while Tethys gives you an item (want to say Dracoshield) and Amelia accidentally leaves behind a torch. I… uh… added to said cameos? Particularly Amelia's since I wanted to highlight the rumors Grado was spreading about the Renaisi twins.
It's never explicitly mentioned that Joshua cheated during his bet with Natasha, but it's a fairly popular theory considering he does actively cheat. So, I went with it.