Chapter Two
Reasons for Fighting
"Man, that was a close shave, huh Faye?" Tobin said, wiping sweat off the brow of his forehead. His quiver was close to empty, and a squadron of dead cavaliers was on the hill below him. Beside him, the pegasus rider was checking her mount for any injuries, affectionately brushing her hair as she would the horses back in Ram.
"Yeah..." Faye replied before hopping Alm. "I hope Alm is ok…"
"Knowing him, he's fine." The brown haired archer reassured him. "Honestly, if I'm worried about anything, it's Gray and Clair."
The duo groaned, remembering his attempt to converse with Clair during their march to Clive's hideout. To say that the reception she gave their friend was as cold as a winter's blizzard was understating it. It didn't help that they were being assigned to a skirmish group once they spotted several pockets of enemy scouts looking for them.
"Anyways, it's about time we head back to the main force." Tobin said, hopping onto the pegasi with Faye. "Hey, think you can cook that fruit and boar dish like you did back at Ram, if I managed to hunt one down of course. I'm sick of the old bread and cheese routine we've been having."
Faye giggled and gave a simple nod before tightening the reins, the pegasi responding by spreading its majestic wings, taking flight.
Elsewhere, east of where Tobin and Faye took off, Gray was busy dealing with the last Zofian soldier of his particular scouting group. The soldier swung his sword in a vertical arc, but the villager simply ducked and stabbed his blade into his stomach, pulling it out and letting the enemy's body fall into the grassy field.
"Alright! Score another one for Gray." He shouted excitedly, brandishing the lightning-shaped blade up high. Sheathing it, he walked back a few paces to find Clair gracefully landing down on her. Once again, the mere sight of her was enough for his heart to skip a few beats, and to add a slight swagger to his step.
"Heya Clair, I'm all finished on my end. What about you?"
"Ah, salutations Gray." Clair said in her usual tone, though one can make out a bit of edge in her voice. "The lady has finished dispatching the stragglers, which means we must rejoin with the main force."
"I guess." Gray said nonchalantly. He smiled confidently and decided to be bold in his approach. Subtlety was never his style regardless. "Hey, has anyone told you how beautiful you always seem to look?"
The noblewoman simply sighed. Another one of his utterly unsubtle advances. If it weren't for the fact that they were in the same army and had to work together, she'd have much more words to say as opposed to what she actually said. "Yes, yes I have. But those people only see my looks and nothing more, and I detest those kinds of people."
That comment struck through with Gray, who immediately stayed silent and simply hopped on to her pegasus. As with his initial flight with her, he was tempted to wrap his arms around her for the sake of safety, but he felt that it was wise not to. He'd probably be at a higher risk of falling if he did so.
As they took flight, there was no conversation between them. Gray felt like this is probably for the best. Perhaps he really was infatuated with her for her looks. After all, she was noble and he was a commoner, they most likely had nothing in common. It didn't help that the first few times he tried to have a meaningful conversation was met with diplomatic yet obvious rebukes from her.
Still despite that, he found himself staring at her back, her golden hair flowing through the wind. It looked majestic to his eyes, and he wasn't even looking at her face.
Man, I'm getting all worked up at seeing her hair? I must really be losing it.
"We're approaching the rendezvous." Clair said, breaking him out of his reviere to look down. There was Alm, Lukas and the others, and even Tobin and Faye got there before them. There was however, an unfamiliar face. A silver haired man riding an elegant white horse, wearing green armor. His face was in a scowl, and he looked like he was arguing with Lukas.
"Hey, who's that over there?" Gray said, pointing as they descended near them, the pegasi flying just meters above the grass.
"That's..." Clair said before he got a better look at him, particularly his scowling face. "Oh no..."
It wasn't just Clair's worried statement that made Gray uneasy. As they landed on the grass near Alm, the knight looked at her and smiled "Ah Clair, I'm glad to see you safe." The man said before looking behind her, his smile instantly souring upon seeing him. "Who is he? More of the peasant rabble Lukas brought with him, trying to sell them off as a poor substitute for Sir Mycen?"
It wasn't just the statement itself that stung, it was the tone and the smug way he said it, like he thought he was nothing. He wanted to retort, but Lukas managed to speak before he did. "Fernand, listen to reason, we are undermanned as it is, and we need every sword hand we can-"
"What we need are soldiers, not peasants and farmers that will flee at the first charge of battle." The man- Fernand - said. "I do not trust their worth, even if they were supposedly trained by Sir Mycen."
"Hey." Gray said, causing Fernand to turn his head over to him. "We've fought our fair share of battles. We've taken the Southern Fort, saved Clair, and just drove back the skirmish units recently. I think we've proven that we won't just run like chickens upon looking at an enemy like you say."
Fernand's face twisted into a very spiteful frown, as if Gray just punched him instead of defending his point. "If, and I do mean if, you were to stay in the army, I suggest you treat your superiors more respectfully. Or perhaps that is beyond the comprehension of commoners."
Gray really wanted to hit him; every inch of his body was urging him on. He clenched his fists and tried his best to withhold his anger. To strike him now would merely reinforce his point, as well as cause him and the others further trouble. Fernand gave him one last glare before facing towards Clair, extending his hand to her. "My lady, there is no need to stay with them any longer. Come with me and I will escort you to your brother safely."
Clair stood forward and looked at his hand, and simply looked back at his face and frowned a bit. "I refuse, Fernand."
"Excuse me?" The noble said, looking at her like a child who stole from the kitchens.
"I will not." She repeated herself. "I will reach Clive on my own, along with Alm and their group. They have more than proven themselves worthy enough to escort me."
Her response made Fernand grit his teeth. To be refused for such baseborn curs, by Lady Clair no less. "Very well." He said at last, trying to sound formal, yet the tone indicating anything but. He turned to Lukas and gave him a death-like stare "See to it that no harm comes to her. You'll regret it if she does."
With no more words, Fernand hopped across his horse and rode out, not sparing another glance back. If he did, he would have seen Gray kick the dirt in anger, the other Ram Villagers finally approaching him.
"Man, what a jerk." Gray said angrily, kicking the ground again just because he didn't have anything else to lash out at. "Just because he's noble he thinks he can treat us like dirt? I'd like to see him say that to my face again."
"Not to disagree with you, but did you expect anything less?" Tobin said as he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Nobles always treated us as nothing but tools for them to use. We've just been spoiled by Lukas being so nice."
Lukas didn't respond, but simply stayed silent with a sullen look on his face. Clair simply flared up in anger. "You don't know Fernand, or why he acts like this. He wasn't always like this...he's...changed."
"I...think it's best if we camp down for the night." Alm said, futilely trying to defuse the situation, awkwardly looking at the setting sun as to avoid facing Lukas. "It's been a tough day."
The rest of the Deliverance nodded in agreement and began setting up in silence, the earlier confrontation spoiling any cheerful mood they might have had.
As the sun fully set and the stars were out, Gray was poking the campfire with a stick, waiting for the stew propped up above it to finally boil. There was a lot on his mind, and not all of it was because of Fernand or Clair. As he checked the pot once again, he was approached by Tobin, Kliff, and Faye.
"Alm?" He said nonchalantly as the other three took their seats around the campfire, comfortable with the soft grass of the plains.
"Discussing movement plans with Lukas." Faye said with not a small amount of sadness in her voice. "And before you ask, he says he's tired so he'll head back to his tent right afterwards."
Gray simply sighed and looked at the pot again. Absent again. Bubbles were starting to form, so at least something good is happening for a change. "Stew's done. Eat up."
The rest heartily poured some onto their bowls and gobbled it up gratefully. It wasn't fare nobles usually ate, but it warmed one's body to its stomach, and its earthy taste was a luxury all on its own.
"So…." Tobin said after most of the stew has been finished. "Is anyone else going to start? Or do I have to." He was met with silence. More often, the other villagers would eagerly start their nightly discussion, but not tonight. "Alright then, someone has to do it. We're most likely going to meet people like that Fernand guy once we reach the Deliverance hideout."
"I know things like that happen, but it's really sad to experience it for myself." Faye said somberly. "It feels like the time we got caught by Zofian knights as kids." She recalled that unpleasant memory, because of the terrifying thought of what would happen if Sir Mycen wasn't around to save her, and because it caused her friend Celica to move away from Ram. Despite knowing that her affections for Alm, she didn't hold it against her personally and still considered her a good friend.
"Hey, let's focus on some good news." Gray said, cracking a bright, goofy smile. The others looked at him and smiled slightly. Leave it to Gray to make things sillier. "We're still alive, aren't we? We took a fort and defeated three Zofian squadrons in just a couple of weeks. Are we good or what?"
"Heh, well if you really want us to focus on something more cheerful." Kliff said with an evil glint in his eyes. "How's your "wooing" of Clair?"
At the mere mention of that, Gray's face went from cheerful to defeated, making the others laugh, well aware of his many attempts. He couldn't help but smile a little, if his failures at courting gave them a bit of a laugh, why not? Tobin gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "It's alright, buddy, plenty of girls back in Ram waiting for you."
"But I don't want other girls. I want to be with her. There's just…something about her that drives me nuts." Gray said as he sat down and stuck his spoon into his mouth. "I just don't know what it is about her, but…I want to protect her, know how she feels, you know?"
"Not to be rude, but aren't you a getting just a little ahead of yourself?" Faye said gently.
"Oh come on. You of all people should know what it feels like, Faye. To feel for someone so strongly?" Gray responded, which only caused her to look at him incredulously.
"I've known Alm since I was a small child, Gray. You just met Clair a week ago." Faye pointed out. "There's a difference."
"Seriously, do you realize how insane you sound? You sound like Tobin's mother whenever she talks about cooking." Kliff added, drawing a mean glare from the archer. "She hasn't so much as noticed you all day, not to mention she's been glancing at Alm every time she has a change. Sheesh, can't you take a hint?"
Gray merely looked down, defeated. "You guys are mean." He muttered out as they continued to talk about other things.
Late at night, everybody back to their tents. The Ram Villagers slept at their tents on one side, while Clair and Lukas slept on the other. Another indicator on the divide between noble and common.
Gray and Tobin volunteered to keep watch. During war, it was always wise to make sure one wasn't ambushed during the dead of night, and so the two patrolled the outskirts of camp, with only the crickets providing any sort of levity from the silence.
"Think everyone is finally asleep?" Gray asked as he handed Tobin a sword he snuck from the southern fort. It was handy to have a spare weapon, as well as for what there were about to do.
"Most likely, no one goes out this late." Tobin said as he unsheathed the sword and formed a battle stance, feet buried in the grass. He wasn't as well versed in the sword as he was in the bow, but Mycen trained him thoroughly, so he still made for a worthy training partner.
Gray unsheathed his own blade, glinting yellow in the moonlight. They both circled around each other, eyes fixed and ready for the other to make a move. The world around them stopped in each other's eyes. There was nothing but the opponent, the obstacle, and the way forward.
"Hah!"
Gray moved first, quickly and silently stepping on the grass as he swung his sword towards him, it was met by a resolute block from Tobin's blade. Gray whirled around and tried to strike his back, only to hit air as his opponent moved out of the way and countered, aiming for his neck. The mercenary whirled back as the blade nearly scraped it, readying for another set of blows.
All throughout the night they danced their little dance of steel. Slashes met parries as counters met other counters, the two were mirroring yet opposite as they fought, fluid as a river and just as unrelenting. Both sides didn't give in, and both had every intention of winning.
"Heh, glad to know you haven't gotten rusty." Gray said as he brandished his sword, looking for an opening, circling him and he circled back. He was sweaty, and his breath had become intense, but he was enjoying this. The thrill of combat, the risk that came with every move, and the victory or defeat that can come at any moment.
"What's wrong? Don't find me a challenge? Or are you too scared to ask Alm?" He taunted, trying to make him reckless. They were rivals, partners, and most of all, best friends. They know which buttons to push.
Gray leapt forward and swung his blade down, putting all his weight into it. Instead of blocking, Tobin hopped backwards, the blade hitting nothing. A vulnerability! He readied his sword and swung at him...
...Only for Gray to smirk at him as he ducked under the swing and thrust his sword forward, causing Tobin to lose balance and fall to the grassy floor below. He felt something point at his neck, a blade. Defeated.
"Heh, that's another win for me. You're slipping, bud." Gray said happily as he pulled Tobin up, both of them brushing grass off their clothes.
"Whatever. I'll just get you next time." Tobin said bitterly, though he didn't mean any malice behind it. As he sheathed his sword and tossed it to his friend, he looked serious for a moment. "Hey Gray, I gotta ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Why are you training so hard? When we were just kids back in Ram, I've never seen you fight as intensely as you do." Tobin said. "Why the sudden change?"
Gray pondered that question for a moment, before responding. "Tobin, why are you fighting in this war?"
"Huh? Me? I want to get paid, earn some money for my family."
"That's just it." Gray said, sighing as his posture slumped slightly. "You're fighting for your family, Alm is fighting to free Zofia, Faye is fighting for Alm, and Kliff is fighting because...actually, I don't know what he's fighting for."
A voice answered his question for him. "I'm fighting because I had nothing better to do, and because I want to see more of the world."
Both men traded shocked looks before turning to the source of the voice, an annoyed looking Kliff, tome at his side. "Sheesh, you two thought you were being secretive?" He said, his tone just as annoyed as his face. "I'm surprised the whole camp didn't hear you two going at it."
The trio stared at each other and shared a laugh, even Kliff. But then Gray's face grew solemn once more. "But yeah, you guys all have something to fight for. I...feel like I'm just along for the ride. That I'm just tagging along, without anything to fight for. I've always asked myself "Why am I doing this?" and I've never been able to come with a good answer for that."
"Gray..." Tobin started to say, feeling quite concerned for him. How long has this been on his mind? How much has this been weighing down on him?
Gray simply smiled at the two. He was always good at smiling, even when he didn't have to. "Heh, it's alright. Not like I expected an answer so soon. I'm sure I'll stumble onto it eventually." He said cheerfully, the light in his eyes returning.
"Maybe." Kliff added. "Who knew you can think such deep thoughts?"
Gray just grumbled at his white-haired friend before the three exchanged another laugh. Despite the teasing or the occasional fight, they were inseparable as friends. It was what made them such an effective fighting team. Kliff suddenly opened his book.
"Anyways, I know I'm not going to get any sleep, so..." He flipped its pages and fire spread from it to his hand. "Let's make this interesting."
Tobin and Gray eyed each other before nodding and stepping back, Gray tossing a blade back to him as they prepared themselves for another round of dueling, with no one but the moon as their witness.
It nearly dawn when they returned to camp, trying to catch what little sleep they could. It clearly wasn't enough however, when they had to be forcibly woken up by Faye. She could see the wrinkles on their eyes.
"What is with you three? You look tired." Faye asked, concerned. Her answers were two loud groans from Gray and Tobin, and merely an annoyed look from Kliff. Faye simply let out a sigh. "I'm going to check on Alm, try to look decent in front of Lukas at least."
With that the pegasus rider left, leaving the three to wash their faces with water, muttering about last night, about some victory or other before being retorted with a failure. The three then prepared breakfast, a humble meal of stale bread with what was leftover of yesterday's stew.
As they were silently eating their meal, they heard footsteps approaching. Was it Lukas? They turned around and saw that it was actually Clair, her face blank of any expression.
Gray, as always when it comes to her, spoke first. "Heya, Clair. Slept well? It's not often you come to our side of camp."
Her face remained blank, not even annoyed at him. "Salutations, Gray. Lukas and Alm are busy with planning, so they sent me to inform you that we shall me marching in three hours. No dallying."
The three nodded, and she started to turn around, only to be stopped by Gray's voice. "Hey, listen Clair...I'm sorry about that Fernand thing. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Clair looked at him, shocked slightly, before smiling. Not a forced one, but genuine, if a bit subdued. "No, it's alright. Fernand had no right to say those things. I can only hope you forgive him. He wasn't always like this."
The two looked at each other for a long while, an awkward silence forming before Clair simply turned around and left. Kliff smirked at him. "Well, at least she knows you exist."
"Yeah..." Gray said, uncontrollably smiling at the fact that she actually smiled at him. "This is already an amazing day.
The other two couldn't help but groan at him. He's getting way too ahead of himself, they both thought.
And that's it for chapter two. I'll try to make chapters longer and longer as I go. But otherwise, I'll catch you next time where we finally reach the Deliverance Hideout -ArcanaHermit