Shout Outs...
tatsu55: Praise! Reviews! Joy to the world! -Shouts out in glee only to have a shoe bounce off his head- Yes Mother...
Maxmagnus20019: Amazing so, ne?
RandomTopic: I try to keep enough detail in to let people know what's going on, but not enough as to clog the story down.
Lemurian-Girl: Most of the ellipses I use were used in the game's text, and yes I am splicing most of the game's text, but changed to fit Tyr in it. As the story continues it will likely deviate further. As for his treatment of Erika, remember that Tyrland came straight from the war with Nergal and has dealt with royalty before. He's stated he will not give her preferential treatment on the battlefield, but said nothing about off of it.
Seth was still suspicious, but he's also military and Erika hired Tyr to command their forces, himself included. And Erika is, not, in fact useless and Tyr not better than she is. Remember, Erika defeated four men by herself (off panel) while Tyr was nearly killed by one and barley engaged Breguet. I was attempting to portray Erika as inexperienced and somewhat ignorant, not snivelling or weak or dumb. She has handled several professional soldiers on her own; Breguet has armour too heavy and strong for her to break through. Why the rapier, which has little weight to it, is effective against armoured foes in the game is beyond me. The master tactician part is more plot related than anything else; it's related to the tactician's ending if you get an A Rank.
...Great, now I sound snippy. I don't mean to be, but everyone get defensive about their own fics. Still all your advice is greatly appreciated.
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Chapter III: The Bandits of Borgo
Bandits are dangerous only when they gain large numbers, and the sad fact is it tends to happen. People who lose jobs or desperately need coin turn to such things, as do the usual assortment of killers, thugs and brutes, all of which are far too common in this world. Thankfully all are either too doubtful of their chosen profession or too stupid to usually cause much threat to an organized force.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
Marcus was an old paladin, which is a tribute to his skill, as he is an old paladin and not a dead one. Sain and Kent were stronger and swifter and perhaps even more skilled but neither could match that old dog's experience, insight and outright luck. I suspect twenty years from now he'll still be leading wars.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
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"For the record, Tyr, this is not what I wanted." Erika sighed as she rode inside the tactician's wagon with Tyr, she sitting on the bed and he at his desk, back to her. "That bracelet is worth much to me, but we should not delay. I cannot understand why Seth is so adamant about this."
"Nor can I." Tyr admitted with a sigh. "It seemed far too important to him than any mere trinket should be, no matter who made it, who gave it, or who owned it. Something is amiss."
"Do you think it a problem then?" Erika replied leaning forwards slightly.
"Honestly, I don't know." Tyr replied with a sigh. "The area we're heading towards is mountainous and dotted with small towns and villages, a bandit's haven. It's dangerous, but possibly an opportunity."
"Opportunity?" Erika parroted.
"We still lack numbers Your Highness." Tyr replied, turning in his seat to face the princess. "And bandits aren't good for anyone. If we beat bandits in this area, even a small party, we can reassure people you are fighting for them and convince some to fight for you in turn."
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Erika and company pursue the thief who stole her bracelet. Their chase leads them into the mountains where Bazba's Bandits pillage at will. Erika cannot ignore her countrymen's pleas for help. She leads her group in search of the bandit's stronghold.
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"The local villagers tell me that Bazba's Bandits keep their lair nearby." Seth explained to Erika and Tyr as the gathered army stretched their limbs. "A few of them saw a lad matching the description of our bracelet thief. It seems a fair guess that the youth is one of these bandits."
"I doubt it." Tyr said shaking his head. "He seems too subtle to align with bandits. It's possible, but don't assume anything for now."
"Still though..." Erika sighed. "Bandits, here in Renais, our homeland. I had no idea... Burning our villages... Stealing from our people with no fear of reprisal?"
"I'm guessing they were always here, but the Renais forces kept them from doing much." Tyr mused. "With Renais in shambles and Grado probably not giving half a wit they're getting braver and bolder."
"The knights used to protect the citizenry..." Seth added with a frown. "But now law and order are hard to come by. If nothing changes, Renais will continue this sad plunge into savagery."
"Reminds me of the Taliver Province in Bern." Tyr replied sadly.
"Your homeland, right?" Erika asked.
"Yes." Tyr nodded. "Taliver always been lousy with bandits, especially the ones that called themselves the Taliver Bandits. Worst of the lot. The king would send an army out to 'cleanse' area on occasion, but all that ever happened is the bandits went into hiding for a few weeks. The local Duke cowered in his keep and kept his men close, allowing crime and chaos to thrive where law and order once did, only killing enough Bandits so they couldn't attack the bigger cities. I visited there only twice, and both visits depressed me."
"How does Bern manage to be so strong if they let this happen?" Seth asked. "Would not the chaos spread?"
"I have asked myself that many times, and never can I answer myself." Tyr sighed. "Call a march, we're moving-"
"Uh... Hello?" They heard, Tyr and Seth reaching for their weapons, all three turning to see a girl with short purple hair approach them, bow in hand. "Pardon me for asking... but are you all some sort of... mercenary troop?"
"Not quite, but close enough." Tyr said, removing his hand from his weapon.
"Why do you ask?" Erika added, tilting her head.
"P-p-please, you have to help Colm. You have to!" She cried out, eyes tearing slightly. "I told him it was too dangerous, but he wouldn't listen to me!"
"Calm yourself down young lady!" Tyr said shouting slightly as the girl winced. "You won't do your friend any good like this."
"Yes, speak slowly and start from the beginning." Erika added.
"All right..." The girl sniffed. "I'm Neimi. I'm from... I used to be from a village named Lark... Except the village is gone."
"Gone? What do you mean?" Erika asked.
"Bazba's Bandits burned it down." Neimi sniffled. "Only Colm and I escaped. The other villagers... The bandits attacked them and..."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Tyr said as Erika looked down into the ground. Gently he set a hand on the girl.
"Neimi, what are you doing here?" Seth asked, crossing his arms.
"Bazba's Bandits... They have a hideout in these mountains." Neimi explained. "That's where Colm... Um, Colm's my... uh... We've known each other since we were kids. He went back to steal back something the bandits took from me..."
"Alone?" Tyr asked as she nodded. "He's either brave, stupid or both."
"It is a very dangerous thing..." Erika admitted.
"Yes, I know." Neimi replied, gulping slightly. "Th-that's what I told him, but he wouldn't listen to me. If I lose Colm, too, I don't know... I... I'll..." She muttered, her body shaking as a tear escaped her cheek.
"Wait, please don't cry." Erika said soothingly, Tyr stepping aside as the princess hugged the girl gently. "Don't worry. We'll find your friend and see that he's not harmed."
"We were planning on giving Bazba a good beating anyway." Tyr added.
"We were?" Seth replied before Tyr elbowed him. "Oh! Yes, of course!"
"Really?" Neimi cried out. "Really and truly?" She added, hugging Erika again before stepping over to Tyr and giving him another. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! I... I don't have much money, but... I'll do anything to help."
"Your Highness? What will it be?" Seth asked.
"You said the thief has gone to the bandit's lair." Erika replied. "It's like Tyr said, we're going after them anyway. We share a common cause with Neimi. She is a citizen of Renais, after all. And isn't it our duty to defend our countrymen? I'm only sad we weren't here to protect her friends and neighbours..."
"We can't help everyone..." Tyr sighed. "Only those we can."
"Perhaps..." Erika added. "But I feel we must help her."
"Very well." Seth said with a nod. "Neimi, I trust you can lead the way?"
"Er, yes..." Neimi replied, pointing over to a road that twisted it's was towards a rocky hill. "It's this way."
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"An old fortress of some form..." Tyr mused, looking at the structure. "I'm guessing it was abandoned a century ago or more. It's in ill repair, but still a defendable location. I must give this devil his due; Bazba has quite the operation here."
"The doors are locked." Seth said bitterly. "With no keys and no thief to pick the locks, we're stuck outside."
"I see." Erika replied. "We're at an impasse then, aren't we?"
"Not yet." Tyr responded. "The place is, as I said, in ill repair. We can break the cracked walls down with some effort."
"Um..." Neimi began, fidgeting slightly. "Is there anything I can do to help? I feel so... When I was little I used to go hunting with my grandfather. What I mean is I can- I'm not bad with a bow."
"A bow?" Erika parroted.
"Uh-huh."
"What do you think, Tyr?" Erika asked.
"We could use an archer." Tyr admitted. "Even a poor one would be an asset, and she seems competent. And we need someone who can attack at range beyond throwing axes."
"Well, Neimi, can you take orders and keep out of danger?" Erika asked.
"I... I'll try, Your Highness." Neimi replied.
"Good." Tyr added. "I'm the group's tactician so do as I say. Ross!" He called out, the youth striding up to him.
"You called Boss?" The axe warrior asked.
"When we break into this place I'm going to have Neimi break off and look for her friend." Tyr began. "Follow her and keep her safe, her bow won't do much inside ten feet."
"Aye, aye Boss!"
"Neimi." Tyr said, looking at the girl. "We are not hunting here. These men will kill you if given half a chance, or do worse first. Stay out of trouble and let Ross tackle anything first. He's not the greatest fighter living today, but I'd wager he could defeat most of the lot in that place. Understand?"
"Y-y-yes Boss!" Neimi said with a sloppy salute.
"Good." Tyr added. "Seth, break a wall down! I want Garcia and Franz leading the way in. Erika, you and Seth stay close to me I may need you to go elsewhere."
The army quickly organized, Seth guiding his steed back before charging a cracked wall, breaking it down. Garcia quickly stomped inside, Franz following as did Neimi, Ross and Tyr. Upon entering they saw the knight and warrior locked in combat with a pair of bandits. Notching an arrow and drawing her bow Neimi let loose an arrow as Garcia stepped back for room, the missile finding it's mark on the brute's neck, dropping him to the ground.
"Not bad for a rookie." Ross admitted.
"And you have room to talk?" Tyr replied. "Both of you move along! Quickly!"
"Y-yes Boss!" Neimi replied, running off with Ross right behind her.
"Seth, Erika!" Tyr called out as Franz ran his opponent's chest threw with his sword. "I want you two to go north with me; I'd wager ill gotten goods are there. I doubt we can find their true owners, but we can at least make better use of it than Bazba."
"Agreed." Seth nodded, marching his horse off, the Princess trailing him.
"Gilliam, Vanessa, Moulder wait here." Tyr continued. "Be ready to guard Moulder and the entry if we've wounded to tend to."
"Aye sir." Gilliam said with a nod.
"Franz, Garcia go south." Tyr added as the pair nodded, walking away, himself truning to follow the paladin and princess.
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"Here it is..." The blue haired boy said as he pulled an object from a chest, Neimi entering the room from behind him.
"C-Colm..." She let out softly as she closed the door, causing the boy to spin about on his heel.
"Neimi? What are you doing here!" Colm shouted out, glaring at the girl. "I told you to wait for me, didn't I?"
"I couldn't... It's too dangerous." Neimi whined, walking over to him. "C'mon, let's go home."
"We don't have a home!" Colm exclaimed. "Don't you get it? Look, just leave everything to me. I can take care of it in a flash, but I don't need a clumsy oaf like you tagging along."
"But... but..." Neimi stuttered.
"Oh, this is ridiculous." Colm sighed. "We'll talk later. Don't leave my side, Neimi."
"I- All right." She sighed just before a body slammed into the door, the rotting wood breaking as the dead bandit landed, Neimi shirking loudly.
"Sorry." Ross said, poking his head in, blood pouring from a scratch on his cheek. "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
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"Seems Neimi found her friend." Tyr mused as he watched a thief opening chests, directing Ross and Neimi to loot the contents.
"That's the lad that bumped into Erika. The thief!" Seth hissed to the tactician and the princess.
"Small world." Tyr muttered. "Neither of you bring it up yet, wait until after the fighting is over." He added as Franz and Garcia marched over. "Garcia, take over for Ross! Ross, fall back to the entrance, have Moulder tend to that gash!" He called out, both axemen nodding before doing as told. "Erika, watch over things here. Seth, Franz, I believe there is a bandit leader here that needs killing. Let's go kill it."
"Yes sir." Seth replied as the two knights followed the Elibian down the hall. They traveled slowly, only pausing to kick the throne door open, revealing a swordsman and a single massive man wearing dull leather armour, a massive double headed axe in his hand.
"You dare enter my fortress!" The man said, standing up from his throne. "I'm the head of this bandit pack, the mighty Bazba!"
"You are scum, unworthy of a name." Tyr replied, signalling Franz to draw his lance.
"Foolish man." Bazba growled out. "Hope you've enjoyed your life, 'cuz it's about to end!"
"Seth. I want him dead." Tyr replied. "The sooner, the better."
"Understood sir." Seth replied, sword drawn as he charged to his foe, Franz taking on the swordsman, a single thrust of his lance jabbing into the man, his sword unable to deflect the attack.
Seth meanwhile swung his sword at the man who blocked with his axe, stepping back before leaping at the paladin who blocked the swing with his shield. Spinning his horse about he caused the beast to kick back with it's legs, catching the man in the chest with two hooves and sending him crashing into the floor.
"Gah! Blast it!" Bazba let out, rising to his feet, his free hand clutching his chest. "You'll pay for- gah!" He cried out, a lance spearing the side of his head.
"Apologies, Sir Seth." Franz said as he withdrew his weapon. "But I did not want to risk-"
"No apologies necessary Franz, you did well." Seth replied, sheathing his sword.
"As he said." Tyr added. "I know Bazba's type, he's skilled enough to be trouble. Your interference insured Seth could not be injured against him, and I'd rather the man not die because of a lucky hit."
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"C-colm..." Neimi began as Franz, Garcia and Ross gathered the bandit's bodies together for burning.
"What now?" Colm said with exasperation. "I told you not to worry. I could've robbed these bandits blind on my own, thank you very much."
"I was... worried..." Neimi said, sobbing slightly.
"H-hold on! I'm sorry!" Colm cried out, waving his hands. "C'mon! Don't start bawling!"
"Aaah..." Neimi let out. "No more dangerous stuff... by yourself..." She added as Seth and Tyr wandered over.
"Fine, fine. I promise." Colm sighed. "But you have to stop crying all the time. All right?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Oh yeah. Take a look at this." Colm added, pulling something from his pocket.
"Hm?"
"I got your mirror back." Colm said with a grin. "Remember how you cried when we left Lark? You thought you'd lost this. I knew it was your mother's and I knew those thugs had taken it. So I went and got it back! See what happens when you give me a job? Guaranteed results!"
"Colm..." Neimi said softly, sniffing a bit before hugging her friend tightly, buring her face to his chest. "Colm..."
"Hey!" Colm cried out. "Wh-why are you crying this time?"
"C'mon! Stop!" Colm called out, waving his arms about. "Knock it off! Please, Neimi..."
"...This is very touching, really..." Tyr sighed.
"But I think you'd best return Princess Erika's bracelet to her now." Seth said as he crossed his arms.
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Colm asked. "Are you trying to say that I-" He began before Seth reached out, grabbing him by the collar. "Whoa! Whoa there! Hold it!" He called out, pulling an object from his pocket. "It's right here! Take it!" He said, Seth taking the bracelet before pushing Colm away. Silently he looked it over.
"Let me ask you there, Colm right?" Tyr began. "Is this the path you want your life to go down? If Neimi means so much to you that you'd travel to a bandit's den to retrieve her keepsake, then shouldn't you quit walking this black path?"
"Uh, yeah..." Colm muttered. "Right."
"Seth, gather everyone up. We're leaving in ten minutes." Tyr said, the man nodding. "We won't be around to bail you out of trouble again. Stay safe." He said, the two men turning about.
"...Hey, wait!" Colm called out, causing them to pause. "Let us go with you. You can't just leave us here."
"Pardon?" Seth asked, turning to face him.
"Neimi and I..." Colm began. "We've got no home to return to." He explained. "No matter where we go, there's just gonna be more fighting. You're mercenaries, right? Well, then take us with you. I'm a handy guy to have around. I know I can help you out."
"I'd prefer not. Tyr, your opinion?" Seth asked.
"I have a saying myself." Tyr replied, turning about. "Never turn down free help. If you want to fight, then we have a cause to fight for. Besides, an archer and a thief are both something we could use on this journey. Colm seems decent and can only benefit from experience and Neimi's bow-arm is steady. We can use them."
"...Very well." Seth sighed. "But be warned; our duty is a grave one. We've no time to waste shepherding you."
"Speak for yourself Seth." Tyr replied. "I'm a tactician; shepherding soldiers is my job."
"That's fine with us, Boss." Colm replied. "You just wait- I promise you won't regret your decision."
"We'll see about that my friend." Tyr said as he and Seth left the thief and the archer following them.
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'Do I really know what I've gotten myself into?' Tyr mused to himself, sitting by a campfire near his wagon. 'Maybe I should have stayed in the Lycian League? Eliwood or Lord Uther would grant me a job on the spot and Bern and Etruria would have backed away... But then... No, I left for a reason and not because of lack of friends or jobs.
'I wonder if she's happy now? No, I'm sure she is. Did she get the letter I sent when I fled? Magvel is so far away, but would Bern try and take me regardless? And then there is this new war I've found. The more I think of it the less I like it. Grado's Emperor hated violence and in the past and Erika's family has strong friendships with his own. Grado and Renais were allies, why attack? Why leave chaos and discord to innocents? Why attack at all? Land? Power? Wealth? Grado did not lack any of these, but could greed push him to it?
'Father Sky and Mother Earth, I do not know what I dislike more, not knowing or that I may later prefer the bliss of ignorance!'
"Coin for a thought?" Erika said softly as she stepped forwards, Tyr jarring from his thoughts as he turned to look at her.
"Beg Your Majesty's pardon?" He asked.
"I'm sorry, you looked deep in thought." Erika said, sitting down next to him. "You looked troubled. What pray tell is the matter?"
"What isn't the matter?" Tyr said frankly. "I've been forced to flee my countrymen, I wind up in a war that seems to have no goal, bandits everywhere, we chase after trinkets and nothing seems to make sense!" He ended with a shout. "Sometimes I wonder how I ended up like this..." He groaned.
"I... I'm sorry..." Erika replied, turning away. "I should... I should not have involved you in my country's problems... They are... Not yours to deal with..."
"I'm not blaming you." Tyr said sharply. "And Mother Earth knows I couldn't turn you down, Father Sky knows I'd be dragged into it sooner or later, Brother Flame knows this is my purpose and Sister Ice knows this war needs to be won!" He said before sighing. "I am the one who should apologize, I should not have... set my anger out on you, you are the last person deserving of it." He added, looking down at the fire.
"...Tell a story." Erika asked, scooting closer to the man. "A story of something good from your time back home in Bern."
"Something good?" Tyr parroted briefly. "I'm horrible with stories, but I do recall a stage show I did, in Jakall, a little border town on Bern's eastern reaches. I had performed a few card tricks, the usual. 'Is this your card' sort of tricks, and then a man approached me. Claimed he was the greatest archer in the land, and that my tricks were worthless compared to his skill. He challenged me one hundred gold coins that none of my tricks could stop his arrow from splitting an apple in two from thirty paces."
"Oh my." Erika said smiling slightly. "What did you say?"
"I told him I would accept his challenge, however since he made it I was entitled to choose the time and place." Tyr explained. "I told him the following day at high noon at the town hall. Word of the challenge had spread, and the following day an hour early I arrived to prepare. Shortly before noon the man and a crowd arrived, a stand by a wall with two boxes clad in black cloth, an apple seemingly resting between them a small fire billowing up smoke in front of it, obscuring his view just so."
"Seemingly?" Erika question as Tyr chuckled.
"He stood thirty paces away and notched his arrow." Tyr continued. "The arrow flew and hit the target... shattering a mirror. He cried foul, saying there was no apple only magic, but I went and reached behind the cloth, pulling the apple out unharmed. I explained to him that with mirrors and the light from a nearby window I could make an illusion of the apple appear before him, and with the smoke in front of it he couldn't see it clearly enough to tell it was but an illusion. My trick kept the apple safely from view and harms way, and the man conceded defeat. I took a few children aside, gave each a few of the coins I had won and told them to buy bread for their mothers."
"Oh wow..." Erika gasped. "That's an amazing trick. Could we use it?"
"No." Tyr said with a shake of his head. "It took an hour of preparation, and three more praying to Father Sky for a cloudless day. It's not practical for warfare." He said, pulling a red cloth from his pocket. "But there is a lesson to be learned from illusion that you can apply to war. If you can fool your opponent into seeing one thing..." He began, flicking his wrist, the cloth turning blue. "And it turns out to be quite different you can control them. That is how to win a war." He said, passing her the cloth, letting her examine it.
"Amazing..." Erika giggled. "Is that why you won so many battles?"
"It's part of the reason." Tyr replied. "Observation, training, timing, planning... even luck is how I won and lived." Tyr chuckled. "Sometimes I managed on a wing and a prayer. People call me this faultless, perfect tactician but I have made errors. I am only lucky to have survived them and learned from them."
"...I think I can understand." Erika sighed. "Ephriam studied the reports of the Black Fang War, and he always spoke as if you could lead a single man against an army and win."
"My reputation far outstrips my abilities, I assure you." Tyr said. "Much like Karel's really. He was good, damned good. Good enough to be called the Sword Demon. I can count on one hand the people who could hope to battle him for longer that three minutes sword to sword, and only Lyn I would say could best him. But if he was called the best, but could be beaten by another even if they never did clash is he still the best?"
"Who's to say...?" Erika sighed. "I suppose when people talk about what they heard they may have heard it from a man who heard from his neighbour who heard from a stranger who heard from a bandit."
"More or less." Tyr sighed in turn. "Some truth rings still, but not always loudly."
"...Tyr..." Erika began, taking his hand. "If you are ever doubtful or worried then please confide in me. I... I want to ease your mind when it is troubled."
"My mind is always troubled over some strange detail." Tyr replied, smiling. "But thank you. And the reverse holds true, come speak with me when you need to relive your stress."
"Thank you." Erika replied, fingering her bracelet. "Seth told me to keep this with me always... He said it was my father's way of entrusting Renais to me."
"Did he explain further?" Tyr asked, Erika shaking her head.
"He said he could not. Not until the time was right."
"I see..." Tyr sighed. "I fear that time may fast approach us... Far too fast..."