Chapter 6) Hope's Rising
The announcement, of course, has the camp in chaos. People debate for hours on end and come up with nothing. The children cry because they don't understand why everyone is so upset and panicked. I do my best to comfort them, and strive to keep as much normalcy as possible.
Among our group, despite our agreement to discuss it again, we keep silent. Perhaps it is because we already know what we all decided. Perhaps it is because we are afraid. But no matter the reason, we keep quiet, waiting for the 'official' word. Once things are 'official', then we learn with whom we walk our path.
I am very nervous, truthfully. However, this is something that must be done, and someone needed to do it. It might as well be me.
Despite how hectic the camp could become, lessons, at least, were a time for calm normality. I enforced it, actually, by giving everyone a little extra work to make them think of something other than the ever-present questions. 'Do we fight or hide?' 'Do we help or run?' All options had their merits and their detriments. Most ended up in a spiral, thinking of all possibilities and becoming lost in them. Blaggi's supply of anxiety medicine dwindled rapidly, to the point that Blaggi had to stop giving them out because he simply had too little.
"Miss Gwyneth!" Naga remained after lessons, as she always did, but this time, she didn't ask for more stories. Instead, she looked up at me worriedly, though I couldn't blame her. I had been simply staring at my lesson plans for a while, lost in my own thoughts. "Miss Gwyneth?"
"Ah, I am sorry, Naga," I murmured, smiling at her. At least during lessons, I could remain calm and focused. But as soon as they were done, my own worries plagued me. "I haven't been sleeping well."
"Because of what's going on?" she asked. She tugged my sleeve, frowning. "Everyone's all panicky because of it."
"It is a serious decision, and one that shouldn't be made without equally serious thought." Of course, since I already had my decision, it was mostly tiring for me. Waiting was tiring. But I didn't want anyone to rush this. "That is all."
"Hmm…" Her frown deepened, and for a second, I was struck by how old she suddenly looked. Despite her youthful face, it was almost as if she was centuries old, or even older. But then she blinked and the impression disappeared. "Want a story?"
"I am not-"
"No, no! I want to tell you a story! One from where I'm from!" She giggled, amused, and I muffled my own laugh when I realized what had happened. "Let's go to the lake! Come on!"
"Ah, Naga, wait!" However, I didn't have much of a choice. Despite being so small, she was very strong, and she dragged me out of the tent with ease. So, instead, I focused on not tripping and falling on my face. Before long, we were at the lake, and Naga kicked off her shoes to jump through the water. No one was fishing today, so she had free reign to play. However, she only jumped around for a short bit before turning to face me.
"So, story time means you have to sit down," she teased. I muffled a laugh and played along, sitting in the sand. "Very good!" She giggled, but then became serious. "In a land far, far away, there are these great… let's go with Beings for now. Beings of great strength and power. So great that the word itself eventually dug into their minds to counter them."
"Why would the world do that?" I asked. I didn't feel bad about asking. After all, during 'story time' at lessons, the children always asked questions too.
"The world is filled with balance, but the Beings became too strong. Each generation, they became stronger and stronger, to the point that their power rivaled gods, who do not live in our world to protect it. So, having such power is dangerous, and thus, the world inflicted on them a curse. As the years passed, they began to lose their reason. Their very minds degenerated. It was worse when in their beast shapes, to the point where they would destroy without care, kill without care, like rabid beasts."
"That sounds…" I tried to think of a word, but only came up with one. "That sounds terrifying."
"It was. So, they stayed in their humanoid forms in the hopes of countering it, but all it did was slow it down. Bit by bit, they lost their reason, their ability to distinguish right from wrong. Some would long for more and more war, because at one point, they believed that strength only came from adversity, and their loss of reason corrupted it. Others became lazy and slothful, spoiling others to the point of rottenness, because they believed that people should be taken care of, and it too, had been corrupted. Some others still became so logical and horded their knowledge and killed any who might have known more. It was all really a big mess."
"It sounds like more than a 'big mess'."
"I can't think of better words!" She sulked briefly before clearing her throat to continue. "Realizing the issue, the queen of the Light Beings, there's different kinds, desperately tried to find a way to save her people. Working together with some trusted friends…"
"Forgive me, but are there names?" I smiled sheepishly. "I will have difficulty keeping track without names."
"Uh… yeah, yeah, names…" She paused for a long while, clearly trying to remember them. "Tiki. The Queen's name was Tiki. We'll go with that name, at least. It's a pretty name. Queen Tiki worked with her trusted friends, Bantu, Gotoh, Xane, and Medeus… together, they found a method that they thought would work. Sealing their powers into pretty stones."
"Are they like the one you carry?"
"Yes, though mine is so much prettier!" She giggled and jumped up to splash around the water a bit before continuing. "When they discovered a way, they excitedly told others, but not everyone… some were afraid. Some were angry. They even… some even declared war over it. And Queen Tiki faltered. All she wanted was to protect her people and those around her. She couldn't understand why they hated her so."
"What did she do?"
"She thought about hiding, to protect those immediately around her. She thought about giving up and letting the madness take them all. But it was at that time she met a human and everything changed." Naga smiled softly and turned away a bit, looking at the clouds. "She had known of them, of course. Humans and Beings lived side by side, but separate. Always separate, because humans were small, weak, and lived for so little time. She didn't think much of them before then, viewing them as one would a beautiful wild animal in the woods."
"But she changed her mind?" I moved to a new spot on the sand and tucked my skirt under me a little better. "When she met one, she changed her mind?"
"She did. Because as she talked and learned about them, she realized that perhaps they were smaller and weaker than her, perhaps their life spans were barely longer than the blink of her eye, but they lived so… vibrantly. Aware of their mortality, they crafted the most beautiful things and most beautiful stories. They pushed themselves again and again, and nothing was impossible for them. They were even trying to find ways to protect themselves against the Beings who were going mad. Some had even succeeded, but Queen Tiki knew that it wouldn't be enough. They wouldn't have the time. So, she decided to not hide. Instead, she chose to fight."
"She chose to fight?"
"Yes. To protect her people and to protect the humans, she decided to go to war. And it was a horrible war. Many died and even more were crippled. Every day, she cried and cried over it all, because even if it was to protect people, it was still an unimaginable loss of life. Worse, because of the war, a particularly powerful dra… Being managed to escape before dying, his spirit wreaking utter havoc on innocent people, people just like the ones Queen Tiki wanted to save, though it would be many centuries before she learned this."
"Did she win the war?"
"She did, and the degenerated Beings were sealed away, for everyone's safety. And with the war over, she picked up the pieces and settled into a new life, one where she ruled her people as best as she could, and watched over the humans from afar."
"Why afar?"
"Because she loved the humans. She wanted to see them grow on their own, to see all the wondrous things they create. She would help when things were dire of course. If Beings like her interfered, she would do what she could. That she vowed, a vow that she will carry out from even beyond the grave, through the weapons and blessings she will leave behind."
"That sounds comforting." I had to smile at it. "But, Naga, why tell me this story now?"
"A couple of things, really. One is that I don't think this Loptyr everyone fears and worships is a 'god', merely a powerful Being like those in my story. As such, he is capable of dying and being defeated. The humans proved that." Naga turned to face me with a bright smile. With the sun behind her, she almost looked like one of those angels my father would tell me stories about, with a halo and wings made of nothing but light. "I also believe that the queen is going to do what she can to help you all. She and others who love humans as she does."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes. Because she loves humans, but the humans she loves most are the ones who see hell, yet still remain kind. The humans who see the dark, but still hold onto that light… they're the ones she admires the most. And this camp is filled with people like that. So, I'm sure she's helping, as much as she can."
"…I believe I would like it if that was the case." I smiled back softly, yet sadly. It was a hard thing to hope for. But it was comforting nonetheless. "We should probably head back, though."
"Probably." She giggled, though, and splashed some water at me. "Though, we could play first!"
"Naga, no."
"Fine, fine…"
Naga took my hand as we returned, humming and skipping along. Forseti met us, giving Naga a weird look while they walked away, and I sighed and looked up at the sky as soon as I was alone. I believed Naga had told the story as a means of reassuring me that the path we were walking wasn't one doomed to failure. Still, it did seem a little odd, but perhaps it was only odd because even after all these months, I was still used to the court, where people never 'reassured' anyone, except to prove a threat.
"Gwyneth?" Still, no matter how confused I was, I couldn't help but smile as Hezul walked over. "There you are," he murmured, smiling softly. "You didn't come by the practice area."
"I am sorry. Naga wanted to tell me a story," I replied, clasping my hands in front of me. I felt strangely giddy, knowing he had come looking for me. I wasn't sure why. "Are you done for the day? If you are, I can tell it to you?"
"I just planned on walking around, so I see no issues with that." He smiled back, and I had to muffle a giggle. "Shall we then?"
"Of course."
The walk with Hezul was nice, and he found the story as odd, yet comforting, as I did. Afterwards, he left with Odo for the arena and I headed to Heim's tent to help him. Heim, after all, was losing sleep over everything, so I wanted to give whatever meager help I could.
"I wish I was good at making tea or something to help you relax," I murmured, sorting through his papers. Most were people demanding-begging to speak with him about the coming decision, but a few were things related to ensuring the camp continued to run smoothly. "Sadly, I can't."
"Trust me, even organizing the papers helps me more than I can ever express," Heim reassured, smiling. It was a tired smile, though, and he had bags under his eyes. He was far too pale, and he frequently rubbed at his temples to ward off a headache. Honestly, I was worried I would come in one day to find he had collapsed. "I know what I'm looking at immediately, for instance."
"I don't see how that helps when you are too tired to read the words." I smiled sadly at him when he tried to protest. "You have been reading the same sentence for quite a while."
"…Damn." He sighed and dropped the paper, rubbing his eyes. "Perhaps I should take a nap."
"Perhaps you should." I set the papers down and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I can let people know. Perhaps I could even scold them?"
"You can barely scold the children. Well, except when bullying shows up."
"I might not know typical childhood behavior, but I can recognize abuse." Though, even then, I had needed Dain's help to properly address the issue. I had been terrified when the parents got involved and thought I had been too harsh. "That isn't behavior that should be normalized, even in the young."
"No, I agree, particularly in a camp like ours. We have so much to worry about, and now…" There was a knock on the tent flap and Heim immediately straightened and smiled benevolently. I picked up the papers again to continue sorting. "Come in."
A woman walked in then, one I knew didn't live the camp with us. She was almost painfully beautiful, truly, with long silver hair and purple eyes the same color as the amethyst gems Galle liked making me wear. Her smile was kind and gentle, with a touch of good humor in her eyes making it also warm. I diverted my gaze, and froze when I noticed her arm. She had a strange deep-red mark on her lower arm, intricate lines wrapping it almost like a glove. But that wasn't the only thing 'odd' about it. The other thing was that it reminded me… it looked like a smaller version of the mark Galle had wrapped around his torso.
"I know you expected me to simply ask you to meet me near the forest, but your letter sounded so distressed that I had to come here directly," the woman whispered. She came behind the desk and hugged Heim easily. He closed his eyes and smiled, letting himself relax. "Though, the letter didn't say why?"
"I didn't want to risk it being known," Heim explained. He gestured towards me, but shook his head when I made to leave. "No, Gwyneth, you're more than welcome to stay. Scathach, this is Gwyneth. I wrote to you about her and her group."
"Ah, yes, you did." Scathach pulled away from Heim and curtseyed. "It is nice to meet you, Gwyneth. I am Scathach like he said. I'm also Maera's granddaughter."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Scathach," I replied automatically, mostly to hide how startled I felt. While I had heard about her, I never expected to meet her personally. I also found myself searching for any features that resembled Galle, or his father, and surprisingly found nothing that wasn't superficial.
"Now, now, I am no lady of the court," Lady Scathach protested gently. She even laughed. "I dare say the imperial family disowned us."
"No, Lord Maera is still in the genealogical records and he is called by his title." Of course, all my lessons referred to him as a 'fool' and someone who 'let the opinions of the sheep influence him'. "However, if it makes you uncomfortable, I shall refrain from using it."
"You're quite formal." She laughed again, but it sounded kind. "Ah, but I got distracted. Heim, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?"
"It's simple to say, yet it holds a mountain of troubles," Heim sighed. Still, he was the most relaxed I had ever seen him. "There's talk of the resistances becoming a 'rebellion' and fighting back, much like what Master Maera did."
"You… what?" Scathach attempted to reply. But sound failed her, and she opened and closed her mouth a few times, futilely attempting to continue talking. Finally, she fell silent, all color draining from her face.
Heim wasn't too surprised, or bothered, by the reaction. "I know. That was my reaction."
"You… you can't be serious. Even if you can somehow find enough people willing to fight, able to fight, that tome…" Scathach gestured a moment, trying to find the words she wanted. "I remember how my grandfather described the tome. You do as well, Heim. You were his student. His last."
"Yes, I know." Heim smiled bitterly. "I wish he were still here, but that would be far too much to ask. He already lived so long…"
"He made it past one hundred. I swear to this day he made a bargain with the gods so that he could teach as many as he could." She laughed, but it was sad. "You have people calling him a 'saint' because of how long-lived he was."
"Well, he was quite saintly, but he is not here, and we must do what we can to live up to his teachings."
"That doesn't mean going to fight a rebellion." Her voice flattened. I awkwardly sorted the papers, uncertain of what else to do. "That tome will slaughter everyone."
"There is a rumor that they don't have the tome."
"You can't risk people's lives, your life, on a rumor."
"Perhaps, but Scathach, people are dying!" Heim raised his voice, the first time I had ever heard him yell, and I froze, apologies on my tongue. I bit it before I could say anything. "The rumors you hear from the new arrivals… if they are even half-true, then we have people dying in the thousands!" That time I flinched. No matter what Odo said, I still felt horribly guilty. I had left, and this happened. Though, while I was there, while I tempered the worst, it hadn't been as if I had truly done anything. That was why Hezul and I both decided to fight. "The Great Purge, the Massacre of Edda, the Sorrow of Miletos… their successors are occurring even as we speak."
"That doesn't mean you can just march off to die, Heim, especially over a rumor!"
"Even if it is a rumor, we-!"
"It isn't simply a rumor." The words were out before I could stop them, and I flinched when both looked at me. However, even though Scathach frowned, Heim smiled and waited for me to gather my thoughts and courage. "The tome… unless they made another copy, then he doesn't have it," I whispered. "I know this."
"Though the effects could be duplicated to a degree, namely the protection part, the tome itself cannot be replicated," Scathach replied easily, as if she were reciting a story she knew very well. However, she continued frowning at me. "You sound very certain that they don't have it, though."
"I should. I… I have it." My hands shook and my stomach twisted. I should have waited, but the words were truly out before I could stop them. "That is… that played a part in why I ran. Galle left the tome alone with me. So I stole it, and ran with Hezul. We hoped to find a way to destroy it, but so far, we have not had much luck."
"I… you…" Scathach paused and, after a moment, smiled an incredulous smile. "I think my mind just stopped. You stole it?"
"Yes?" I looked down, now embarrassed. "Well, I wouldn't have made it out of Belhalla without Hezul, nor would I have survived without Noba, Baldur, Dain, and Vala."
"So, it's in the camp. You have it."
"Yes, though sadly, it has proven indestructible thus far."
"Yeah, it'll be difficult. I certainly don't know a way." Scathach looked down before looking to Heim with a sad smile. "I'm still not so certain, but if that tome really isn't with them, then I do agree that you stand a chance."
"Sometimes, you have to seize the smallest of chances to grasp any sort of victory," Heim whispered. He said the words as if he was quoting someone. "Will you…?"
"I can shelter those who choose to stay. But I can't go. You know the edict."
"Those of Maera's descent shall never leave the Spirit Forest, so that evil does not twist the darkness in their blood to harm the world again." Heim smiled sadly now too. "I… will spend one more day thinking on it. I'll make the decision in the morning."
"Write me."
"Of course." Heim looked at me, and his smile warmed. "Do you mind seeing Scathach to the edge of camp?"
"I certainly can, but will she not stay the night?" I asked. I honestly thought she would. "It would be no trouble to feed and shelter one more person."
"Sadly, I really need to return as soon as possible," Scathach refused, shaking her head. She hugged Heim again, clinging a little. "For one thing, I don't want the children to break my boat."
"You sailed?"
"Across the lake, yes." Scathach giggled. "It is far too far to simply walk."
"Ah." I flushed in embarrassment for not even considering that. "Then, please, follow me."
I led her out of the tent, though not before she hugged Heim one more time. We walked through the camp in silence, heading to the lake. A lone boat, barely large enough for a single person, was beached on the shore. There were a few people fishing farther down the beach, but they didn't acknowledge us, so we didn't greet them. Instead, I stood by the water as Scathach checked to make sure her boat was still intact and prepared to sail. As she did, my eyes were drawn again to the mark on her arm. It both baffled and unnerved me, how similar it was.
"It's proof of Loptyr's power." Scathach's voice startled me, and I looked up to see her smiling sadly. "The mark. It's proof of Loptyr's power," she explained. "Grandfather inherited a 'small' portion of it, and that portion was inherited by me. Those who become 'Galle' are those who inherited a 'large' portion. But something small can be grown to something large or… something. I never did quite understand Grandfather's explanation."
"I am sorry for staring," I murmured. My gaze fell to the ground again briefly before returning to her. "Your grandfather… Lord Maera told you many things?"
"He attempted to explain a lot. Sadly, there were just some things I had no context for. Why?"
"I… I do have one question." It felt foolish to ask. It also felt foolish not to. "Once, Hezul and I thought that Galle might… he might go back to how he was, before he ever received the tome. Was…?" 'Was there ever a chance?' The question was there, but I couldn't say them.
"As far as I am aware, no." She shook her head and, after a brief bit of hesitation, drew me into a hug and let me rest my head against her shoulder. "No, sadly, the 'Galle' you knew died as soon as he touched the tome. Loptyr devoured him. Bits of his old self push their way through, I am sure, but ultimately, there is no way. His soul is being eaten, bit by bit." She pulled away and cupped my face. "Perhaps his 'old' self showed through, the day he left the tome with you. I can't say. But, no, you and Hezul were right to leave. Eventually, he would have killed you two as well."
"I… I see…" That hurt. That hurt dearly. I had accepted it, but it still hurt. "Thank you for answering."
"I wish I had a better answer." She pulled away, but her hand got caught in my hair. "Silver hair…" She laughed as she played with one of the strands. "It's paler than mine, but… Did you have a parent from this area?"
"I… actually…" I paused and struggled to remember my geography. Sadly, though, I fell horribly short. "Is there a castle called 'Marpha' near here?"
"Yes, to the south."
"My mother was a noblewoman from there."
"I thought so. I got my hair from my grandmother, and she was originally from that area too." She made a face. "Don't have the silver eyes, though."
"They are common in Chalphy, or they used to be." I hadn't been there in so long that I truly had no idea if they were 'common' there anymore. "Thank you, for answering my question."
"Of course." She smiled gently. "I'm not sure if we will meet again, but I will be praying for all of you. If things get too much, do not fear retreating. You will always have sanctuary with me and mine."
She left then, and I remained where I was, staying until she had sailed out of sight. When she was, I turned and ran for the others, to let them know I accidentally told Heim already. I hoped… I hoped they wouldn't be too mad.
Thankfully, they weren't mad at all, especially when I explained the circumstance. They were more concerned by how uneasy and frightened I had felt and worked on reassuring me. Afterwards, I quietly told Hezul what I had learned, knowing that it was something he needed to hear as well. We both laughed bitterly over it, and might have talked a little more, except by then it had been late, so instead, we both simply went to our respective tents and slept.
The next morning, Heim announced that he would assist in the coming rebellion, and everyone was given a choice. Those who wished to fight would leave with him. Those who wished to remain hidden would head to the Spirit Forest to remain hidden. Children under the age of fourteen were automatically forced into the latter group. Children fourteen and older were allowed to decide, just like the adults. Three days after that, everyone left, leaving the camp behind.
"How many clothes does Vala think she shall need?" I whispered as I tried to find some way to pack in all of the things in her 'essential' pile. "May I wrap some things in the clothes?"
"I think that'll be the thing to do," Dain replied, working on packing Baldur's bags. He and I were packing everyone's bags while they helped with taking down the camp. They'd divided all their things into 'essential' and 'not essential' to help us. "Though, then again, maybe we can steal some space in Hezul's." He gestured to Hezul's 'essential' pile, which was easily the smallest. His 'not essential' pile was also the smallest. "How did he get around not picking things up?"
"I believe he is receiving a few more things now from his students." I looked at my own pack, already done, which held many tiny gifts from my own. They had been crying earlier and no amount of reassurance convinced them that things would be okay. They had seen too many people leave and never return to believe that. "Still, I think Vala has more clothes than any of us, and that is coming from a former princess."
"Hey, you used 'former'." Dain grinned at me, though it softened when I frowned. "Sorry, but it's the first time I've heard you refer to… any of that… in the past tense, really."
"Truly?" I paused, trying to think about it, but I decided to simply trust him on it. It seemed like something he would pay more attention to than me. "Is that a good thing?"
"I think so. It means you're moving forward."
"I see." I smiled finally and decided to simply pack Noba's things before Vala's. Something told me hers needed to be last. "Dain?"
"Yes?"
"Are you… are you truly okay with this?" This morning, our family had met and decided, together, to leave and fight. But I knew how little Dain had wanted that. "Are you truly all right with us…"
"Not really." He said the words bluntly and honestly. "I'm terrified I'm just going to see everyone killed." He smiled wanly and shrugged. "But, hey, that'll be better than waiting for you to come back, only to wait in vain. If I'm near, I might be able to do something."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be. You're not wrong. The decision to fight isn't wrong. I just wish there were better options." Dain frowned over Hezul's pack and sighed. "Wow, so much room, and that's with throwing everything in his piles into it. How much more space does Vala need? I'm done with Baldur's and mine."
"You can take hers, then. I switched to Noba." A knock on the tent made us both look up briefly before we continued working. "Come in."
"Hey, you guys almost ready? Heim wants you in the first group with him, Odo, Blaggi, and me." Sety walked in, and looked comically offended at the piles left. "Why does someone need that many clothes?" he asked. I muffled a laugh, while Dain just shrugged and attempted to pack it all. "Wow, no wonder you're taking longer than expected."
"We are almost done here," I reassured, finishing up with Noba's pack. Once I put it to the side, I helped Dain with Vala's. "So, you are heading with us then, Sety?"
"Of course! I'm a bard! And bards are needed to keep things light and to record the dramatic stories." Sety said the words dramatically and gestured grandly before settling down with a wink. "More seriously, I'm actually not too sure of this. When Master Cedric died, he made me promise to not use my magic for ill intentions. Yet, I worry I will. Still, I can't stay behind." He shrugged, and I tried to not react at the name. It was the first bit of his past I had ever heard. "The wind urges me forward. It thinks we have a chance."
"Then surely we do." It took a little bit of trickery, but Dain and I managed to pack in all of Vala's 'essentials', and threw a few of her not-essentials into the spare space in the other packs. "That is all of our things."
"In that case, let me help you carry them to the meeting place. Others will handle the tent."
"Thank you."
Between the three of us, we got all the packs out easily, though I did have to stop for a moment to marvel at how empty the camp looked. Gone were the rows of tents neatly arranged, and gone were the cheerful laughter and playing of the people. Everyone raced about, slowly taking everything apart, and the people were in tears, sobbing farewells as friends and family took separate paths.
When we made it to the meeting point, I was ambushed by more of my students, who clung to me and cried. I did my best to reassure them, teasing that I would quiz them when I saw them again, so they had best study. They didn't look like they believed me, but they gave me their own gifts, beloved toys and carefully made pieces of art. I hugged them tightly before seeing them off and found free space in the packs for the items. I couldn't bear to part with a single one of them.
Our group gathered together not long afterwards, called for duty. We tried to joke, including Dain scolding Vala for all the clothes and her defended herself, but there was something strained in it. We all knew what was happening, and we all knew the danger ahead. When it was actually time to leave, I seized Hezul's hand on impulse and he squeezed back. I remembered the flight from Belhalla and his smile told me he remembered the same. But this time, we didn't leave alone. This time, we left with our friends, and family.
We left quickly and quietly and made our way to Evans. The other groups would meander in slowly, to not seem suspicious, but our group was heading in first. When we were within Evans, Odo took lead, showing us the way to the tavern. A single mention of 'Thunder's Fist' had us shown up to a private room in the far back, the most defensible area in the building, and that is where Tordo sat, frowning over some sort of paper.
He looked up as we walked in, and he saw our resolve in our eyes. So, he asked no questions. Instead, he smiled, and stood up. "It seems I need to find a few more chairs," he whispered, laughing. "Thank you for this. Let's figure out the best way to go about this then, shall we?"
Our Family:
· Gwyneth
o 20 years old
o Class: Shaman; Weapons: Fire – E, Thunder – E, Wind – E, Light – D, Staves – E
o Despite how she had resolved herself to the fact that Galle would never 'return' to how he was, it still hurt her to learn that for a fact. She did, after all, love him once.
o Is terrified of the coming battles, but refuses to leave her new family behind. She intends on staying with them until the end.
· Hezul
o 22 years old
o Class: Paladin (dismounted); Weapons: Swords – A, Lances – C
o Surprised by how much it hurt to learn that there was no way to save Galle. He spent a long time training in silence, sparring against his own inner thoughts to try and master them, until Baldur dragged him to the tent to sleep.
o Very worried about the coming rebellion, all too aware of what'll happen if they lose. He gave a lecture on the Deadlords the first night after their departure, explaining how to make sure you couldn't be turned into one
· Noba
o 19 years old
o Class: Soldier; Weapons: Lance – B
o Spent a long time debating with Dain over whether or not they'd go, and ultimately went with it because she was tired of running and feels like she wants to actually protect people, instead of simply reacting and blunting bad things
o Spent most of the time prior to departure cheering people up, faking a confidence she doesn't quite feel in order to make them smile. That said, she does try to treat things like a new adventure to keep anxiety from overwhelming her
· Baldur
o 21 years old
o Class: Mercenary; Weapons: Swords – B
o Since he had decided a while ago, he worried greatly that the rest of his family would choose to stay and that he'd have to leave. Despite the risks, he's glad that they're all still together.
o Helps bolster people's spirits about leaving and fighting, emphasizing how they're protecting their homes and saving children. He makes a point to talking to the particularly scared until they're laughing and smiling again
· Dain
o 22 years old
o Class: Soldier; Weapons: Lance – B
o Spent most of the days prior to the decision trying to pretend nothing was going to change. He knew it was stupid, but he had hoped that things could stay as they were anyway
o Rather unhappy about going off looking for trouble, but he hides how annoyed he is for the sake of his family. He's deathly afraid of the coming days, though.
· Fjalar; Vala
o 17 years old
o Class: Fire Mage; Weapons: Fire – A
o Has been teaching more people fire magic. Though she's bad at teaching, so she makes Sety help her.
o Viciously happy about going to battle, but at the same time, is terrified. Not of death, or even really of seeing her family die. She's scared she'll pick vengeance over her family.
Our Friends:
· Odo
o 19 years old
o Class: Myrmidon; Weapons: Sword – A
o Listened to people as they debated whether or not to leave, helping them make their decisions
o Accepts leaving with a grace many find both admirable and baffling. Still, he worries about funds for those that remain, since that had been his primary job.
· Blaggi
o 18 years old
o Class: Priest; Weapons: Staff – A
o Spent most of the time frantically gathering as many herbs as he could and making medicines. He feels woefully underprepared for being a war healer and wishes he'd studied more.
o Sent a message to other followers of Lord Maera, letting them know in code what was happening. He hopes other healers will arrive to lessen the burden and increase the chances of them actually making it.
· Sety
o 21 years old
o Class: Bard; Weapons: Fire – E, Thunder – E, Wind – A, Light – E
o Continues to play his music and tell his stories like it is just another day, despite marching for rebellion. Very few know him well enough to even suspect how worried he is. The biggest hint is that he lets bits of his past slip through, because he is too worried to watch his words
o Continues to use the wind to try and keep everyone safe, paying close attention. One false step, and they're all dead, and he is well aware of it
· Heim
o 28 years old
o Class: Sage; Weapons: Fire – D, Thunder – D, Wind – D, Light – A, Staves – C
o After learning from Gwyneth that the Loptyr tome was actually within their care, and from Scathach that there really was a chance, he decided to seize it, well aware that no change will happen if they don't take a risk
o However, he worries greatly not only in the fact that this choice will lead to people dying, people he wishes to protect, but he also worries about working with the other resistance leaders, far too aware of his faults
Our Allies:
· Naga
o Unknown age; over 14
o Insisted on joining with the group, and is 'officially' coming along as Heim's messenger, thanks to her quickness.
o Isn't worried at all about the coming battles, though she does still badger Gwyneth for stories
· Forseti
o Unknown age; looks 18
o Joined on to assist in the camp, particularly in the infirmary. He jokes that he's coming along just to hear Sety play more, which makes Sety laugh and threaten to teach him
o Despite his 'official' role, he let slip that he's got a good head for tactics, and will likely be dragged into that role instead
· Thrud; Tordo
o 20 years old
o Class: Thunder Mage; Weapons: Thunder – A
o Incredibly happy that Heim agreed to join up, eagerly looking forward to working with him, based on the bits he knows. He's also reassured by the number of skilled people who are coming with him.
o He laughed himself into tears and hiccups when Heim revealed that Gwyneth and Hezul actually had the tome Loptyr, declaring that they were all his most favorite people. After his family and best friend, of course.
· Scathach
o 30 years old
o The granddaughter of Lord Maera, so technically a princess of the Empire, who lives in a village hidden in the Spirit Forest. She's known Heim since childhood.
o She honestly wanted to tell Heim and his group to stay, fearing that she will never see any of them again, whether they win or lose, due to Lord Maera's Edict. However, she held back those selfish wishes, because she truly believes that if anyone has a chance, it's Heim and his group, and the world deserves that chance far more.
Author's notes: Starting to build the rebellion~ The story that Naga tells is probably familiar to those who know the backstory of the Archanea games, as well as some of the names she brings up. (Also a bit of a nod to the eventual fates for Duma and Mila.)
'Scathach' is the name of a powerful warrior woman from the Ulster Cycle and the teacher of Cu Chulainn. (Ulster's Japanese name is actually a corruption of this name.) Since we're more or less out of the 'prologue' portion of the story and going to start battles, I'm adding everyone's 'classes' (what they'd be if this was a game) to their bios, as well as their weapons they can currently use in battle and the weapon ranks.
Shamans debuted in FE4, though Gwyneth uses the 'FE5' iteration for now (her weapon ranks are the base weapon ranks for the class). The class was later the inspiration for Micaiah's Light Priestess class. (The 'dark magic' shamans were only used during the GBA games.)
Next Chapter – Lucky Charm