A Fateful Encounter with Three Powers

"P-please, I beg of you! We weren't going to hurt those kids I swear!"

With a swift slash of his iron sword Bereto spares himself from hearing the empty pleas of a sinful bandit. He wiped the bit of blood that got onto his face. He knew it was better to clean it quickly as to help prevent unwanted infections and to also wipe the blood off his sword else it will grow dull. Or so his father says. Turning to his sister he saw that she had just finished off another bandit and was crowded by a group of strangers that they were saving.

"That was marvelous swordsmanship, or should I say swordswomanship." A blond boy garbed in blue commented on Beresu as she wiped her sword, much like Bereto, abiding to their father's one and every advice.

"I must say, you and your brother are quite the warriors for standing up to those bunch of ruffians. You've even managed to route their leader! I just wished some people were skillful enough to do so." The white-haired girl said whilst making snark comments at her peers.

"Whoa there your majesty, I had the perfect plan to deal with those bandits though it was ruined by the two of you," shrugs the other boy with the earring.

Bereto stared at the quarreling youths then stared at his sister before announcing his presence, "Are you okay?"

The three youths yelped at his sudden appearance. Beresu on the other hand already felt his presence from miles away, though they weren't that too far away.

Beresu nodded to his brother, "We should report to dad," turning to the rugged orange man on his horse.

Jeralt was ordering some of his troops to secure the perimeter and check up on the injured. As he issued his last orders to his remaining troops he saw his set of twins approaching, followed by what looks to him were trouble in the making.

"Listen you three, I've set up a perimeter so it would be better that you stay with my company to the next town over. You two, good job, though the leader managed to escape but it seems that we haven't suffered any casualties and that's enough for a skirmish that we didn't prepare for," he smiled at his children and got down from his horse.

"Thanks dad."

"Thanks father."

They both said in unison. The yellow-caped boy was making some sort of playful remark regarding the twin's curious unity before he was brushed off by the girl in red. The three were making idle chitchat amongst one another with the occasional inquiry to the twins before a knight who looked like he ate one too many cupcakes came rushing with a worried look.

Jeralt was the first to see the man with the horseshoe moustache. The man had struck a long-forgotten memory inside Jeralt, "Oh no, not this again," he said under his breath.

"Oh my! Is that you Captain Jeralt? By the Goddess it is you! My word you haven't changed a bit, we must catch up for old time's sake ha!" the sleek-haired knight beamed with a smile at their reunion, almost forgetting about the actual matter at hand.

"Ah yes Alois it has been a while. These children are yours I hope, they were ambushed by some bandits but my men and I have taken care of them," Jeralt pointed at the three with his thumb.

Alois attended to the three nobles as Jeralt grabbed Bereto and Beresu aside.

"Listen you two, this knight is an old co-worker of mine. I bet he has some business that he wants to discuss," Jeralt embraced the two by the shoulders and huddling them closer as if they were having some pep talk before a big skirmish. The two nodded, never questioning his father's words.

"Captain Jeralt, I can't thank you enough for taking care of the students. I must say I have something I would like to discuss with you," Alois approached the three-man family with a wide smile.

"Speak of the devil," Jeralt grumbled under his breath.

"What was that Captain?"

"Oh nothing, it's nice to see you're doing well after all these years," The old mercenary lied, trying to hide his annoyance.

"Ha! As to you Captain, as to you!" they both walked away discussing what seemed to be important matters for one and a complete chore for the other.

"Y'know, the Alliance could use people like you two. I may not act like it but I have some connections in the Alliance that would need your set of skills," The boy with braided hair proposed.

"Must you be so rude Claude, we haven't even introduced ourselves. I'm sorry for my friend, I am Dimitri von Blaiddyd, Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and as do the Alliance, the kingdom can benefit from your allegiance." The blond prince introduced himself not forgetting to have a piece of the twins.

"Right right sorry your highness. The name's Claude, Claude von Riegan, heir to the house Riegan which I've been told was the preeminent house of the Leicester Alliance, and of course, my offer still stands." Claude sported a cheeky smile in hopes of giving off the friendly image and would win some brownie points from the two.

"I guess that leaves me. My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. Princess and heir to the Adrestian Empire. It seems that recruiting you two have been a trend amongst them and so I would not lose out. With you two, the empire can achieve greater heights that even man can't imagine." The red-caped girl announces without an ounce of doubt and a face full of vigor.

"May we know your names?" Edelgard asked, extending a gesture to the twins.

"Bereto."

"Beresu."

As usual they say. Again, amused, Claude let out a not so subtle chuckle. Dimitri only shook his head to Claude in disappointment. He could not fathom how a heir of a strong house can act so brazenly.

Edelgard then asks the important question again, "So then, which will it be? The Empire or, well, these fools?"

Bereto and Beresu looked at each other with confusion as to how to answer such questions. It was not because that they weren't able to chose which side to work for. They were just confused on how silly and irrelevant these questions were for them who have lived on the road for as long as they can remember. But still, to appease the people in front of them they answered with their own judgement.

"I'm going with-"

"I'm going with-"

They were about to finish their sentence before they were abruptly cut off by Jeralt who now looked more tired than has ever looked.

"Kids, pack your things I guess we'll be going to the monastery."