Blue Lightning and the Bear

by Blue Paladin

Two shadows from the past rise up to confront the New State Army. First they must dispatch the vampire who seeks to make life dance to his whims. But who will aid them against the Dark Knight of Chaos?

53. Chapter 53 Unexpected Surprises

Chapter 53 – Unexpected Surprises

They departed from South Window the following morning, riding horses that Freed had requisitioned from the palace stables. Flik found himself riding a fat yellow-dun mare with the unfortunate name of Butterball. He soon found himself missing Nightstar's sleek grace. Butterball was serviceable enough, but the trip north and east from South Window towards Radat was wearying. By late afternoon, when they arrived at the riverside town, his ribs were bothering him again, a sign that the injury was not yet fully recovered.

Riou led them through the town towards Shu's house, where they were planning to spend the night. The streets were quiet, but as they approached the mansion and the river, Flik could hear a disturbance in the distance. He stood in the stirrups, trying to get a better view, but could see little. A number of riverboats were docked near the sluice gates, and there was a crowd of people listlessly lining the shore on the South Window side of the river. Up by the sluice, the dock workers were manning barricades to keep the mob in check.

Shu's dwelling stood apart from the rest of the town, secluded behind an orchard of mulberry trees. This was the first time that Flik had ever seen it. The main residence was a single-story wooden house that, while expansive, was not ostentatious. By the time they reached the doors, someone had noted their arrival and a butler was waiting to greet them.

Shu had given Riou a letter to present to the butler. The butler read it over for a moment before bowing. "Welcome to the abode of Master Shu, Lord Riou. I shall have dinner and guest rooms prepared. I shall also dispatch a man to see about the river transport."

As they walked through the doors, Flik asked the butler, "Will there be any problems? It looks pretty unsettled down by the riverside."

"It's been that way for a while," the butler replied. "They are refugees, trying to flee the war." He shook his head. "Most don't have the money to pay for a trip down the river. Even if they did, there's nothing for them in Banner Village. It's said that Toran is refusing to accept the refugees that get as far as the border."

"That's ridiculous," Sheena interjected. "Once we get to Gregminster, I'll make my father open the borders."

Flik had his doubts as to Sheena's ability to set policy but held his tongue. Instead, he looked around the inside of Shu's house. Shu had been a successful speculator in goods, and the furnishings reflected that. On the walls were long scrolls depicting scenes from nature- tall mountains and raging rivers. There were also porcelain vases in niches. However, what really caught Flik's attention were the boxes that he saw piled in one of the side rooms.

He spoke to the butler again, pointing into the side room. "You planning on moving your master's assets soon?"

The butler nodded. "The master's instructions were very specific on that point. We had to wait until the Highlanders had taken the town once before we could begin moving stuff out. Now his commands are to move the important things out with all the speed we can muster. I don't understand him sometimes."

The guest rooms were along the west corridor of the house. Flik rested in his room until dinner, letting his ribs continue to recover. Dinner was served in the largest room in the house, at a low table that required the participants to sit on the floor to eat. The meal was a fish chowder that was spicier than Flik cared for, served alongside salad and bread. The wine that went with the meal was the same wine that Shu had offered to Viktor and Flik during the Festival of Candles. Flik liked it no better this time.

During the meal, Riou asked, "Sheena, what's the Toran Republic like? How much help will they be able to provide?"

"I'd think we'll be able to provide lots," Sheena answered. "All the generals are veterans of the Liberation War, as are the soldiers. Why, with twenty thousand soldiers helping your army, you'll be able to crush Luca Blight when he takes the field. I bet you the Dragon Knights alone will rout his army."

Freed looked incredulous. "Are the armies of Toran really that strong?"

"No," Viktor replied, cutting Sheena off sharply. "At least, the amount of help that we're likely to get won't be that strong."

"So, the little man's talk is simply bluster," Oulan commented.

"How can you say that, Viktor?" Sheena objected. "I know the Liberation Army had at least that many men by the end of the war."

Flik continued the rebuke that Viktor had begun. "Sheena, you need to understand that simply because the army has twenty thousand men doesn't mean your father will be able to call on all of them. Part of the army will be garrisoned in the south at Pannu Yakuta. Other units are likely stationed in the Dana and Senan provinces. Likewise, the Dragon Knights reside in Goya, to the far west. None of those forces will be available in the limited time we have."

"Can we get any help from them?" Nanami asked.

"There may be units the capital region of Arlus that can help us in time," Flik conceded. "The garrison at Kwaba Fortress, for instance, but I don't know how many men it has currently."

"I see," Riou said quietly. "Shu wouldn't have sent me on this mission if he didn't think some good would come of it. I don't see any choice but to press on and find out what aid the Toran Republic might give us."

The following morning the butler informed them that a boat had been hired to take them down the river to Banner. Collecting their belongings and extra food from Shu's larder, they set off for the docks minus the horses, which would be of less use down river. Once again, the winds were out of the southwest, making the morning hot and dry. The refugees from yesterday were visible along the banks of Dunan River. Upon closer inspection, Flik saw that a veritable tent town had sprung up.

"We need to do something about this," Nanami declared.

Flik had seen many refugees during the four months of this war. Images sprang to his mind- the long lines of people marching through the cold away from the mercenary fort, the brother and sister caught between the steel of Highland and his own Fire Spears south of Muse, and the shadowy forms that he had hid amongst while fleeing South Window. His heart suddenly ached, filled with the pain and suffering he'd experienced during the struggle. Before he could tear up, he shook his head. "To help them, we must win. We must defeat Luca Blight and liberate the occupied parts of Jowston."

"But isn't there more that we could do?" Nanami protested. "These people are in a part of Jowston that we control. We need to do more to help them."

"It shames me to see the people like this," Freed said. "I've been so caught up in the war that I've neglected to see those who're suffering the most."

"We could send a message to Shu," Riou suggested. "If there's anyone who can organize aid to these people, he's the one."

"Order it," Nanami commanded tersely. "Order it and he'll listen."

Flik was struck by the vehemence in Nanami's tone. He could see that the others were as well. Riou nodded somberly. "When we get to the boat, I'll send a messenger back to Shu's mansion. That's all we can do now."

Someone had cleared a path through the tents towards the docks. As they walked down the path, Flik couldn't help but notice the weary, sweat-lined faces all around him. Some of those faces were dull, but others burned sullenly. He slipped his sword slightly out of its sheath, ready to draw it if the need arose.

It didn't. Though a few dirty children were curious enough to approach Viktor, Flik, and Riou, none of the adults spoke to them. In fact, the first noise that Flik heard distinctly above the muffled babbling of the refugees was someone crying. He glanced around, trying to locate the source, but he didn't see any wailing kids.

Viktor located the lachrymose man first. Pointing towards the docks, Viktor asked, "What's he got to be upset about?"

Flik regarded the man and found himself agreeing with Viktor's assessment. The man in front of them, now quietly sobbing, appeared to be the antithesis of a refugee. His curly brown hair was well groomed. He was wearing a long, rose coat with gold and white edging, a lavender scarf tied, a spotless white pants. He even had a feather pinned to his collar.

Sheena started laughing. "What a loser!"

"Such is often the case among the nobility," Oulan commented. Flik saw her smirk.

Nanami, anger evident on her face, ran straight for the noble and shouted, "Why are you crying? Look all around you; there are hundreds of people who are worse off. Can't you help them?"

The noble started out the sound of Nanami's voice, but apparently only heard her first question. "Ah, what is this, but an angel of mercy? It is too late for moi. I have fallen too far from grace to be saved." Taking one of her hands, he sighed dramatically.

As the rest of them arranged themselves in a half-circle around Nanami and the noble, Flik saw that she was blushing, her anger completely forgotten. "What? I'm not an angel."

"I have betrayed the bonds of friendship," the noble lamented. "I deserve not the sweet embrace of paradise, but only the flames of eternal torment."

He was still holding Nanami's hand. Her mood was starting to sour again. "Let go…please."

"The precious symbol of our friendship, lost because of my errant fingers, slipped from my grasp into the traitorous water, forever beyond my reach. How shall I explain this sin to him? How can I ever repent? Nay, no action of mine may expiate the gulf of this offense." He stared directly at Nanami. "That, fair angel, is why I cry."

Nanami finally managed to wrench her hand away. "I'm sorry I asked."

"Why don't you take a boat down the river and look?" Riou asked. "That's got to be better than waiting here."

The noble gasped and slapped his forehead. "Such brilliance!" He focused his attention on Riou. "My lord, forgive me, as I misjudged you. Your words have spoken to my heart. Let us undertake this quest together, for the sake of all that is just, true, and righteous in this world. For the sake of friendship!"

Flik leaned in close to Riou and whispered, "You do realize that we have absolutely no chance of finding his lost trinket. I don't think he's even told us what it is yet."

"It's somewhere down this river," Riou answered, in a similar whisper. "As long as we're going in the right direction, we might as well put up with him."

"If it gets too bad, we can always ditch him," Viktor added.

The noble went right on ignoring the conversation around him. "What is more gallant than to quest for friendship? I, Simone Verdricci, pledge my undying loyalty to you. Together, let us scour the earth for my lost rose brooch!"

Freed adjusted his glasses. "All of this…is over a rose brooch?"

"Verdricci," Sheena mused. "Oh great, he's one of ours. Lord Riou, you mustn't take this man as an example of what you'll find in the republic. Since the end of the Liberation War, we've got far too many nobles like him with time and money on their hands."

"Such a cruel thing for the son of the president to say," Simone retorted. "We, who fought so gallantly during the Liberation War, are now cast aside during the peace."

"Yeah, yeah, enough with the theatrics," Sheena gripped. "Let's get on the boat and get me back to the republic."

The boat that Shu's men had hired turned out to be a fat tub of a galley. The captain, who was also fat, smiled broadly as his passengers embarked. "We don't usually do more than carry goods up and down the river, but seeing as you have the potch, I'll gladly take you to Banner. I'll even set aside my cabin, humble as it is, for your use."

"I thank you for your gracious patronage, my good man," Simone answered, bowing artfully. "I shall remember your sacrifice, even as I partake of your quarters."

Sheena restrained his countryman. "Hold on a moment. Since I'm the son of the president, I think I should get the room."

Simone's answering glare was icy. "What about the prerogatives of the nobility? You don't expect me to sleep out here like some commoner, do you?"

"If you must, I suppose you can have the floor," Sheena relented. "You don't snore, do you?"

Nanami shoved them both aside. "The room's mine, thank you very much. Riou, get my bags and carry them to the room." She walked between the two men, heading for the cabin. Riou, carrying several bags in his arms, followed after his sister. Both Sheena and Simone opened their mouths to protest, but Oulan moved to block their path, scowling fiercely at them. Neither aristocrat continued the argument after that.

Even before Nanami had opened the door, the ship was casting off, oars propelling it out into the sluggish flow of the Dunan River. While Sheena and Simone slunk off to commiserate, Oulan set herself in the center of the deck and started scanning the ship for threats. Viktor, Flik, and Freed walked over to talk with the captain.

"Do you make this trip often?" Freed asked.

"A couple of times a year, my lord, usually during the summer, when the south wind helps us on the return journey. There's not so much business during the winter, when the mountain passes are all snowed over."

"There can't be a lot of potch on a route like this," Viktor commented. "Not unless you've got some smuggling friends who want to avoid various taxes." He winked knowingly. Freed's eyes widened.

Manfully, the captain managed not to blush. "I wouldn't have the faintest idea of what you're talking about. We run finished goods down to Banner and pick up fish from the village and ore from the Banner Mines. There's nothing illegal about that, especially since we're at peace with the Republic."

It didn't take Flik long to figure out that the trade probably didn't stop simply because of a war. Instead of focusing on that, he asked, "Have you had any troubles with Highland or bandits?"

The captain's happy demeanor slipped away at the mention of attacks. "There's been a few incidents. Sometimes the Highlanders will sneak down and try to burn ships that anchor for the night. As for bandits, well, they're always out there, though I suppose they might be worse now that there's a war again. I've got guards." He gestured towards a pair of men at the stern of the ship. "And I've got you guys. Bandits usually attack the weak or the inattentive. I don't intend my ship to be either of those things."

Flik nodded his agreement with the attitude. Viktor was moving on to the next question. "So, what have you got to eat on this tub? I hope your cook is good."

The captain started laughing, but was cut off by a shriek from the direction of the cabin. Oulan was instantly sprinting towards the door. Flik didn't wait a moment before taking off after her, with Viktor and Freed right beside him. Long before they got there, the door to the cabin burst open, and an intruder rushed out. He was running quickly, ducking behind the edge of the cabin. All Flik could note was the long blue hair done up in a ponytail.

"Damn stowaway!" the captain shouted. "All hands, seize the intruder."

Seizing the intruder was harder than Flik would've thought. He was extremely agile, and faster than anyone else on the ship. He led them on a merry chase around the cabin, then down into the hold. Viktor and Flik waited at the top of the stairs while the captain sent his hired guards in.

Nanami and Riou appeared, unscathed, from the cabin. Nanami marched over to the captain and turned her wrath on him. "He was under the bed! Who knows what would've happened had I been in there alone with him?"

"I'm terribly sorry about this, miss," the captain answered, bowing slightly. He looked angry rather than sorry. "My men will catch him and toss him into the river."

The stowaway suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs, pausing long enough for Flik to register the pointed elven ears -with hoop earrings- that poked out amidst the intruder's blue hair. Both Viktor and Flik lunged for the elf, but their hands caught nothing but air as he ran past them. In the next moment, Flik had to bring up his hands to shield himself as he collided into Viktor, who collapsed on top of him.

"Nobody in the world could be that fast," Viktor muttered.

Flik's nose was being jammed into a hole in the planking. "Off of me," Flik mumbled into the board.

"Oh, right." Viktor got up, letting Flik back to his feet. Flik shook his head and tried to catch sight of the chase. The elf was now making a mockery of Sheena and Simone's efforts to capture him. Oulan entered the fray, swinging one of her powerful punches at the elf. She missed, hitting Simone squarely on the side of the head instead. The noble crumpled to the deck, unconscious. Flik cringed.

Even so, the elf was running out of places to hide. The captain began organizing efforts up on the deck such that people stopped chasing him and took up assigned positions to wait for him. Slowly, they herded him towards the bow of the ship. Now that the elf was no longer dashing around, Flik could get a better look at him. There was something in his angular face -the sharp beak of his nose in particular- that struck Flik as familiar.

The elf put up his hands in a gesture of peace, though he did have an unstrung bow and a quiver on his back. "I didn't mean any harm," he pleaded quickly. "I wasn't going to hurt the girl. All I was trying to do was get away from the Highland army."

"You can try your luck in the water," the captain growled. "The river will take you as far as you need to go." His men began to advance on the elf.

The elf's head swiveled, looking from person to person, stopping when he spotted Flik. "Wait, I know some of you. We've worked together before, during the last war…uh, Flik…and Viktor too! We're old pals."

Viktor scratched his head. "Do you remember him, Flik?"

Flik dredged his memories, trying to sort through the elves. "Is that Rubi?"

"Nah, Rubi's the antisocial elf," Sheena explained, walking forward from where Simone was busy rubbing the side of his head. "That's Stallion. He's the cool elf."

The captain glanced at Flik. "Is he with you? If so, he pays the fee like the rest of you. Otherwise, he's in the drink."

Stallion gulped. "Of course I'm with them. Anything to get me further away from the fighting."

Out of the corner of his eye, Flik saw Riou coming up to join them. "It's not my decision. You'll have to talk to Riou, here, and see if he'll let you join us."

Getting down on his knees, Stallion implored, "Lord Riou, I beg you to take me into your service as long as you have need of me. Unlike humans, who sway back and forth like the wind, an elf's word is never broken. I swear on my hometree of Lukiae Ende Towayo to aid you faithfully until you release me from your service."

Riou was studying the elf closely. Even Nanami had overcome her initial surprise and had walked over to examine the stowaway. "Look at those ears," she exclaimed. "What is he?"

"He's an elf," Viktor answered. "Never heard of them?" Nanami shook her head. Viktor continued, "They live longer than humans, seclude themselves in forest strongholds, and generally have an arrogant attitude when it comes to dealing with other races."

"I can't help it if we're superior," Stallion quipped. "But I can explain the long and glorious history of elves much better than a mere human could ever hope." He turned back to Riou. "If you'll let me join you."

"Agreed," Riou declared. "I'll pay for his travel fee. He'd probably make a good runner, seeing as he's so fast."

Flik thought about it for a moment. "Yeah. Over distance, he's even better than a man on horseback, but you'll want to keep him away from the front lines."

Stallion's features paled, the blood draining from his pointy ears first. "Um…what have I gotten myself into?"

Viktor hauled the elf to his feet. "Congratulations, you've just volunteered to join the New State Army, the heroic defenders of Jowston against the hordes of Highland!"

Stallion fainted, falling into Viktor's arms.

The current, plus the rowers, slowly pushed the galley south along the Dunan River. Close to the lake, the river was almost half a mile wide, and its current was sluggish. With little respite from the heat, the group sat out of the way on the deck and talked. Riou asked questions about the Liberation War, and those who'd served in the conflict took turns recalling the events. Viktor spoke of meeting Tir McDohl in Gregminster and helping him escape. Flik, not wanting to stir up memories of Odessa, spoke mostly of the battles, including his own disastrous charge at Scarleticia. Stallion, having recovered from his swoon, recounted the destruction of Lukiae Ende Towayo by the Burning Mirror.

Nanami shook her head. "How did you put up with it all? How could you stand to keep fighting?"

"Who would've stopped Barbarossa and Windy if we hadn't?" Viktor replied, shrugging his shoulders. "It's not like any of us likes watching people die or things being destroyed. Would it have been better to submit in the name of peace?"

"But weren't there any negotiations?" Nanami asked.

"No," Flik stated. "I think we always understood that we had to topple the emperor, or he, no, Windy through him, would've ended up enslaving the country to the Sovereign Rune. There wasn't any going back for either side."

"It feels the same way this time," Nanami said sadly. "The only way to end this war will be for one side to crush the other."

"That's not true," Viktor argued. "It's Luca Blight who wants to keep the war going. All we have to do is get rid of him and I'm sure someone more reasonable will come forward to negotiate."

Flik laughed. "It's not as though we want to conquer Highland, after all."

Nanami looked to her brother. "What does your Rune say? How much more do we have to break before we'll have peace?"

"As little as possible," Riou declared. Nanami's expression went sour at her brother's dodge. "If Luca were dead, maybe Jowy and I could work together to make peace," Riou mused.

"We should focus on stopping Luca first," Flik chided.

Riou settled his gaze on Viktor and Flik. "What did Tir McDohl's Rune show him?"

Flik hesitated at the question, allowing Viktor to jump in with a quick answer. "He didn't talk about it much. It must've worn on him, though. He always tried to put up a brave face, but there were times, a few anyway, where the pain showed through. I don't think I'd ever want to bear a True Rune on my body."

"I see," Riou murmured. "I think I'd like to meet him one day. I'd ask him how he managed his Rune, how he tried to make sense of the things it showed him."

"I'm not sure you could just meet him," Flik warned. "He refused the position of president after the end of the war. I don't think anyone's seen him since that time."

Looking at the distant shore, Riou whispered, "He'll never age, not unless he refuses the Rune. The world marches on, while he's stuck outside of time. I understand why he hides himself."

The conversation slowed after the discussion of Tir McDohl. As the galley moved further south, the distant hills grew closer, and the mountains beyond them came into view. The west bank of the river grew up into bluffs more than a hundred feet high. Flik scanned the cliffs nervously, afraid that bandits might use them to drop rocks on unsuspecting boats. The captain charted a course away from the cliffs too, bringing the galley closer to the East Muse shore. The plains to the east remained quiet.

As the shadows began to extend off the western cliffs, Flik spotted one of the burned wrecks on the east shore. It was lying in the shallow water, only the charred remains of its upper deck and masts visible. The captain gave the gutted hulk a wide berth, and they sailed on. Despite that, when night finally came, they anchored on the East Muse side of the river, rather than under the cliffs.

Viktor and Flik took the first watch of the night, pacing up and down the deck, careful not to step on the sleeping forms of the crew or their fellow travelers. The Scarlet Moon was nearly new and had quickly followed the sun behind the cliffs. The Blue Moon was nearly full, its rising giving enough light for Flik to see reasonably well. Still, every creak of the galley made him twitch a little. He kept his eyes on the plains, trying not to imagine that the shifting shadows might be Highlanders creeping up on the ship.

Flik was grateful when Freed relieved him for the second watch. He walked over to a likely spot by the cabin and lay down. He continued to fret about the ship being torched, but managed to sleep regardless. Dawn woke him soon enough, to find that the ship was unburned. The captain was shouting the crew into action, and the galley was rowed out into the current for a second day of journeying.

The eastern bank of the Dunan became wooded to the south, rising away into forested hills and mountains. The channel narrowed to about half its earlier width, its current turned more turbulent. Smaller streams tumbled out of the heights, adding their strength to the flow as it rushed south.

As the hours pasted, Flik got bored watching the scenery. To divert his attention, he sparred with Viktor. This quickly drew a crowd, and soon everyone who didn't have a task was out watching the two of them at practice. Flik picked up the pace, not wanting to look bad in front of an audience. Viktor smiled, responding with equal vigor. He didn't want to be shown up either.

Soon their thrusts and parries were approaching full speed, the two swords clashing together above the roar of the current. Flik employed all that he had learned in the Warrior's Village, patiently waiting for Viktor to give an opening. But Viktor had long experience with the sword, if less formal training, and he had raw strength that Flik didn't. Flik's arms began to hurt, punished by blocking his friend's strikes.

They began to circle on the deck. Flik feinted once, and twice, dipping his right shoulder, then snapping it back up and lunging. Viktor parried the strike aside, turning the motion into an elbow charge. Flik managed to sidestep so that Viktor only grazed him.

Flik kept his feet and turned to face Viktor once again, blinking sweat out of his eyes. Viktor was flagging too. The next mistake would probably decide the winner. Abandoning his patience, Flik lunged again, driving Viktor back with a flurry of blows. Finally, Viktor let his blade stray a bit too high during one of his parries, and Flik thrust low.

The galley suddenly lurched, its bottom scraping along something unyielding. Flik's attack went wide as he struggled for his balance. Viktor stepped back, then toppled over backwards. Flik fell on his right knee, banging it hard against the wooden planking. By this time, winning the match was the last thing on Flik's mind. The galley shuddered as a bone-chilling screech came from the hold, followed by a sharp snapping sound.

For one long moment, the galley remained held in place, but it jerked forward in the current once again, quickly regaining its speed. The captain was on his feet in an instant.

"Get down to the hold!" he shouted at the first mate. "I want a damage report on the double."

"What did we hit?" Sheena asked shakily.

One of the hired guards had sprinted to the aft of the galley. Now he shouted the answer. "Submerged wreck, captain! We snapped her main mast, it looks like."

The captain stamped his feet on the deck. "Damn if that isn't all we did. We're taking water, I can feel it. Man the bilge pumps!"

The first mate was back in a few minutes to confirm the damage. "We've popped some planks. I've got some men pounding them back in place, but that's only a jury-rig. We may need to beach her to see the full extent of what needs to be done."

"Can we get to Banner?" Riou asked.

"We'll get you there," the captain replied. "She'll hold together at least that far. I know my ship, she's not going to go down this time."

The captain was true to his word. Late in the afternoon, Flik spotted the piers of Banner village. The settlement wasn't terribly large, maybe a couple hundred houses built along the east bank of the Dunan River. The local fishing boats were coming in as the galley maneuvered to come alongside the dock.

Their disembarkation was swift. Riou thanked the captain for seeing them safely down the river. The captain merely inclined his head in acknowledgement and went back to seeing to his ship. Simone rushed ahead, declaring that he was off to search for his rose brooch. He immediately began questioning each person he came across.

Riou chuckled at the noble's antics. When Flik raised a quizzical eyebrow, Riou explained, "It's refreshing to see someone who's so single-minded in pursuit of what he wants, even if it is trivial. Would that I could end the war with such determination." He sighed. "Never mind. Let's find an inn. I'd prefer not to have any more unexpected surprises for a while."

Now that was something Flik could agree with. Testing his sore right knee, he started down the street after Riou, the setting sun at his back.