Shout Outs...
RandomTopic: I'll try to keep them going.
Maxmagnus20019: Thanks man.
Tatsu55: I try.
To Everyone: Am I the only guy getting sick and tired of the smiley in the ad that shouts out 'Hel-LOOOO!'? God I wanna kill that thing...
Chapter V: The Empire's Reach
Serra was, to me anyway, both a boon and a burden. I can count on one hand the list of healers with her level of talent, power and skill and on two fingers those who surpassed her. And both of those two had more experience, and she is likely to overtake them after she's gained some, and perhaps if she'd tone down that snobbish attitude of hers.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
Pray to Her and pray for those who would do you harm unjustly. Take life if you must, but feel remorse always. War will never leave the hearts of men, but neither should compassion.
The Book of Elmine
0-0
The clash of wood against wood awoke Erika from her slumber, the girl looking to the flaps of her tent as she shook the sleep from her mind. Yawning aloud she moved to the tent's opening, crawling out and getting to her feet, walking to the commotion.
Seth and Franz gathered near it, each one watching and the older paladin occasionally pointing out one thing or another to the younger caviller. Colm and Neimi watched on, the first with some excitement and the second nervousness as she kept an eye on the cooking stew. Gilliam and Garcia chuckled to each other as Vanessa and Moulder watched quietly. Artur eyed the spectacle with some respect, but Lute paid no heed, preferring to read her book.
And in the center of all this was Ross and Tyr, wooden axe locked with wooden sword. The tactician stepped away, no longer allowing his opponent to bring his greater strength to bear before stabbing at him twice, Ross deflecting the strikes with the flat of his axe. Pressing the attack Tyr swung his sword, slashing at Ross, but the young axe-fighter only stepped back with each swipe, before jerking his axe down on the last one, catching the blade between the head and the shaft.
Tyr had recognized the manoeuvre. Hector had used it against an unsuspecting swordsman. After seeing it he demanded it thought to every axe user they had. Cursing slightly he tried to pull the sword away, but Ross had already twisted his weapon, putting pressure on the wooden blade before swinging it aside with one hand, the other grabbing Tyr's collar. Before he could react Ross had stepped forward, planting his leg behind his own and pushing with the hand that held him, shoving him to the ground, sword flying from his grip as the impact jarred him, the wooden axe coming to hover over his neck. "I suppose I've lost that one..." Tyr mused as Ross chuckled, moving the weapon away and offering a hand.
"You're not so bad." Ross said as Tyr took his hand, helping him to his feet. "You just got no talent for this!"
"Don't remind me." Tyr muttered with a chuckle as Ross walked off over to the stew pot, the tactician left to brush off his pants.
"Are you all right?" Erika asked as she walked over to him, brushing out her hair.
"The only harm was done to my pride, Your Highness." Tyr replied with a sigh. "You'd think all the training I did back in Elibe during the war would have made me a better fighter."
"Don't worry about slaying our foes yourself." Erika said, shaking her head. "We're here for that."
"Maybe." Tyr sighed. "But I am spending time on a battlefield; I should always come ready to fight. Grado won't be picky about who they kill if they are in your service."
"Then we'll be there to protect you." Erika replied, patting the sword at her side.
"Thank you, but I must learn to better protect myself." Tyr added, shaking his head. "Every time someone comes at me on the field I nearly get killed, and someone always needs to rescue me. One of these days I'll have no one to rely on but myself, and I intend to be ready."
"Very well." Erika replied. "But don't overwork yourself. Now come, it seems the food is ready."
0-0
An ominous wave of dark creatures washes over the continent... Erika's journey to find her brother, Ephraim, grows even more perilous. Still, she presses on despite the danger. Her will is strong.
The town of Serafew, located on the border of Renais and Grado. The people of both countries have long used the town as a meeting place. It stands as testimony to the friendship the two nations have shared these many years.
Now, however, Serafew is teeming with Grado troops.
0-0
"Seth, I worry about Tyr." Erika said as she walked along side the paladin, the group walking along in it's usual column, Artur walking with Moulder and Colm riding with Merlinus as Lute and Tyr discussed some odd fact or another. "Every now and again he seems to... Withdraw into himself. He is a fabulous teacher in tactics, and pays attention only to my learning when he teaches me, but beyond that he seems to get lost in his own mind."
"Remember my princess..." Seth began, eyeing the forest about him. "He has led battles against great evils before, and may yet do so again. It may just be that past experiences trouble him, or he has some idea of what may lie ahead that we do not. I would not confront him about this; he will talk when he is ready. I am surprised you two formed such a fast friendship however."
"He is easy to talk to." Erika replied. "If there is something I do not understand he takes the time to explain it to me. I only wish I knew more of tactics before now."
"I am more worried about Lute myself." Seth mentioned. "She seems... unapologetically arrogant."
"Tyr said the same thing, but I agree with a point he made." She replied. "She's free help. We can use her."
"That we can."
0-0
"Well, well." A red haired man mused, patting the sword at his hip, dressed smartly in black clothing. "There's an arena in this town. Perfect. My pocket's feeling a bit light." He chuckled, his head turning to see a blonde woman in the clothes of a holy woman running briskly. "Say is that a cleric? It is! And a gorgeous one at that." He added as he moved to bar the woman's progress. "Something amiss, Sister? You look flustered."
"Ahh!" The woman let out, coming to a stop before him. "P-pardon me." She let out in a voice that was soft, yet firm.
"No, pardon me!" The man said, bowing slightly. "I never meant to startle you. May I offer my apologies..."
"No, it's not necessary..." The woman replied. "It was my fault. Excuse me, I must be going... Good day to you."
"...And there she goes..." The man sighed as the cleric ran past him, running down the street. "Not my lucky day... She was quite the beauty too. Ah, such is life. I think I've time still to visit the arena, though."
0-0
"Captain Sarr, of the Serafew Border Guard." Glen addressed, dismounting from his wyvern steed, the knight saluting him. "How fare you?" He asked with his own salute. "I bring orders from His Majesty. Rumour has it that Princess Erika of Renais is making her way to Grado. You are to find her and to place her in custody immediately."
"Yes, sir!" The man replied, his maroon armour shining with a dull sheen, his grey beard trimmed neatly.
"One more thing..." The general mused. "A traitor to the empire has fled Castle Grado. We've received reports she is hiding somewhere here in Serafew. I don't care if you have to tear this town apart. Find the turncoat."
"Yes, sir, General Glen!" The man barked out. "If she resists, do we have permission to execute her?"
"...Yes. Permission granted." Glen replied, somewhat reluctantly.
"Understood! Grado's will be done." The man chuckled. "The Grado Empire will repay the debt of betrayal with blood!"
"...His Majesty relies upon you, Captain." Glen said coldly. "Be sure his trust is not misplaced. That is all."
"Yes, sir!" The knight barked with a salute before turning about and walking away, another wyvern rider approaching Glen, his steed walking with lumbering steps.
"Such loyalty to the crown." Glen muttered. "If only I could hold such conviction in the righteousness of our emperor."
"Something troubling you, Brother?" The other knight asked, his blonde hair an equal shade to his sibling's, his armour holding a slightly blue tint to it.
"No... Pay no mind to me." Glen replied as he moved to his steed, mounting himself on it's back. "Come, Cormag. Let's go. From here, we ride northeast, back to the fort."
"Very well." His brother replied, the two men guiding their beasts into the sky.
0-0
"It's been so long since I last visited Serafew." Erika mused as Tyr stepped up beside her, looking over at her. "My brother and I used to pass through here en route to Grado. I remember the harmony in which the people of both countries lived. No walls divided our borders. No soldiers stood in high towers. This border town..." She sighed, waving her hand at the town gate. "It was to me a symbol of the trust between Grado and Renais."
"And now here we are." Tyr mused. "Soldiers running about, this way and that, all in the name of Grado and it's emperor."
"The peace I remember in this city..." Erika sighed. "It seems like something from another time. It seems lost now... Forever."
"We can restore what was lost." Tyr replied quickly. "For now I'm more concerned about the lack of patrols about. It's possible they've only left a token force, feeling that with the fall of Castle Renais there will be little trouble. We could fight our way past; the west gate is undermanned... But if we can sneak past it would be all the better..."
"Pardon me, may I ask you a question?" The heard, a man approaching them as Tyr set a hand on his blade.
"What is it?" Erika asked that grey haired man, dressed in the manner of a sage.
"I'm looking for someone." He replied, Tyr slowly moving his hand back to his side. "Have you seen a young girl with indigo hair?"
"Indigo hair?" Erika parroted. "No... Sorry."
"Purple yes, but not indigo." Tyr added.
"Hmmm..." The man mused. "Thank you. Sorry to intrude." He replied before walking away.
"There was something very odd about that man, wouldn't you say?" Erika asked, watching the man leave.
"Humans are very odd creatures Your Highness." Tyr replied. "I should know. I am one. Regardless, he doesn't seem like spy or agent of Grado."
"Catch her!" They heard someone cry out. "Don't let her escape!"
"Them on the other hand..." Tyr sighed.
"That way! She went that way!" They heard as Tyr drew his sword, Erika doing the same. Taking a quick glance he saw the rest of the troop follow his lead.
"What's that?" Erika asked, gripping her rapier.
"Trouble. Over there..." Tyr muttered, pointing to just past the gate. "I suppose we should see what the commotion is about, because I think our chances of sneaking by are shot."
0-0
"Traitor Natasha! Surrender peacefully." A soldier said, lance in hand as he and two axemen approached the cleric who panted slightly. "Come quietly, and you may have the chance to explain yourself before His Majesty."
"Wait, please." The woman spoke. "You must listen to me!"
"Take her." The trooper said simply.
"No, you must believe me!" The woman cried out. "The emperor is not himself. You MUST be able to see that!"
"Impugn the emperor at your peril!" The man growled out. "We've been ordered to execute you if you offer any resistance. But your words condemn you!"
0-0
"That cleric is a traitor to Grado?" Erika asked, herself Tyr and Seth peering over a higher level of street to watch the proceedings. "What madness is this?"
"Don't ask." Tyr replied. "We could use more help if she's willing." He added, the woman running about the corner and nearly running into them.
"Ah..." She gasped out.
"Are you all right?" Erika asked softly
"Who are you?" The woman asked. Tyr meanwhile watched as a few soldiers began filling the town, one of the higher ranked officers glaring at him.
"I'm from Renais." Erika replied. "Why are these Grado men after you?" She asked, Tyr noting more foes filling the streets.
"You're from Renais... Oh!" The woman exclaimed. "I have something I must tell you. It's about Grado-"
"We've got incoming! To arms!" Tyr cried out. "Gilliam and Vanessa, stay with the wagons!"
0-0
"So much for my dreams of making my fortune here..." The crimson haired man said, with a sigh as he walked from the arena. "First the girl, now the gold. It really isn't my lucky day."
"You there! Mercenary!" The lance-wielding solider cried out. "What are you doing here at the arena?" He demanded. "Get back to the staging area now!"
"C'mon, why don't we both hit the arena?" The man asked with a smile and a shrug. "It'll be good training. If you're going to risk your life anyway, you may as well try to earn some gold."
"I'm reporting you to the captain!" The man shouted out. "You'll be lucky if he just docks your pay! Don't forget- you can be replaced in an eyeblink, you filthy sellsword!"
"Don't worry, little man." The swordsman chuckled, as the soldier walked off. "I won't forget. Work's work, but I don't like fighting women... Now then, what's the rest of the day got in store for me?" He mused, pulling a coin in the air and flipping it, catching it in his hand and looking down upon it. "...Tails, huh? That's nothing but bad luck and more bad luck..."
0-0
"They may not want to hear what I have to say, but..." The woman sighed. "I must speak with one of the Grado soldiers. Oh, if only one of them will listen to my words... Please, Grant me strength."
"I hope you're talking to someone else..." Tyr muttered, watching as Seth and Garcia fended off five men, Neimi shooting arrows between them in a manner he could only dream of matching. "Because that's not my area..." He added, seeing fire balls and flashes of light scream past the air. He heard Erika scream out as an arrow whizzed by her head, Ross pulling a throwing axe out and tossing it at the offending archer, burying the weapon into his skull. His warriors fought soldiers; spellcasters would cast magical death, the foe seemed numerous, the town barring witness to chaos and combat.
Tyr felt right at home. "Just stay next to me Sister Natasha; I might need to send you out to heal someone."
"Of course, good sir." Natasha replied with a quick nod. She did not know who this man was, but she was amazed at how he barked orders out, keeping everything in his vision in mind at the same time. Even with a small group of bandits attacked during the disorder he only took them into account neatly, dispatching Artur and Franz to dispatch them before having them reinforce the Ross.
"Excuse me there..." Tyr heard before a man jumped at him. Letting out a startled cry he brought his sword up, only for the man to disarm in a swift motion, smirking as the sword spun through the air and landing in his own hand.
"You... You're that man I met..." Natasha let out as the swordsman held his sword before the tactician's neck. "Let him be you're here to capture me, silence me, haven't you..."
"Yeah, Grado's paying the bill." The man shrugged. "They want you dead, you know? But don't feel bad, either of you. It's not personal."
"Having a sword pointed at your neck feels quite personal on my end." Tyr said with his hands raised level with his head, noting that everyone else was too busy fighting to note his plight.
"Wait, please..." The woman implored. "It doesn't matter what happens to me, but you must hear my words." The woman began with shaking hands. "The emperor of Grado is changed. He is not the man he once was. The other nations must be warned, these people must help, before he extinguishes all light from our lands."
"Hey, no offence, but I'm just a mercenary." The man said with a shrug. "I don't care about Grado or it's emperor. Everything you say may be true, or it may be lies. I don't care either way."
"Charming..." Tyr muttered.
"But that's..." The woman said, gasping slightly.
"Even so..." The man said sheathing his sword and tossing Tyr's into his right hand. "Killing a beautiful lady like you would leave a bad taste in my mouth." He added, holding the tactician's sword by his side. "Tell me; do either of you like to gamble?"
"What!" Natasha cried out.
"I do it on every battlefield." Tyr replied.
"Then we have a common spirit." The man chuckled. "Gambling's what I live for. Even when I lose, I never want to stop. Let's have us a little wager, me and the lady. If she wins, I'll believe her. Heads or tails, she calls it." He said, pulling a gold coin out.
"You can't... This is no time for games..." Natasha said, clutching her hands into fists.
"Sister, this man could kill me before I could blink." Tyr replied. "And he could do it to you in half that. Please, indulge the man." He added, Natasha gulping slightly.
"Um, heads..." She muttered. "No! Tails!"
"All right. So I'm heads, and you're tails." He said, flipping the coin into the air. "Here we go." He said catching the coin and holding it up to his face.
"Which... Which is it?" Natasha asked, her frame shaking.
"What do you know?" The man laughed out, closing his hand. "It's tails. You win. Figures. I haven't won anything all day. Well Lady Luck has spoken." He chuckled, flipping the sword over and holding the hilt out for Tyr. "Guess I'm on your side now."
"Are you serious?" The cleric asked as the tactician retook his sword.
"Yeah." The man said with a shrug. "Sure, I might cheat, but I never worm out of a bet. It's a rule of mine."
"Oh, thank heaven!" The cleric cried out. "Thank you, blessed light, for your protection!"
"I got nothing against heaven, but I'm right here if you want someone to thank..." The man muttered.
"Crap..." Tyr muttered as watched an arrow slam into Ross' leg. "Natasha, go help Ross!"
"Of course!" The woman said with a bow, running off.
"Okay then, Mister Tactician." The man began. "What can I do to- huh?" He let out as Tyr grabbed his hand, the fist opening to reveal a coin with the heads side up. Tyr raised an eyebrow as the man shrugged. "Hey, I figure it's someone telling me I can get lucky with her."
"Not part of my business." Tyr replied, letting him go. "Follow me and give me your name." He said, leading him over to the battle.
"Joshua, good sir." The man replied, drawing his own sword. "Ready to play."
0-0
"Sir Tyrland." Seth cried out, holding a large, sheathed sword in his hand as he came from a nearby house. "A local Renais citizen has granted us an Armour Slayer."
"Armour Slayer?" Erika parroted.
"A heavy sword designed to break through armour." Tyr replied, as the army gathered near the north of town. "And Joshua, my new friend here, says the leader of this group wears quite the heavy suit. Seth, see if you can't use that and pry him from his steel shell. Joshua, Franz, Garcia, deal with the other soldiers! Neimi, Lute, support! Everyone else, hang back and be ready to move!"
0-0
"Enemy of the empire!" Sarr cried out, lowering the visor of his armour as Seth led the charge against him. "Death's too good for you!" He called out, his men moving to battle Seth's, axe and sword and lance dancing with each other in a deadly dance. Seth himself wielded the large Armour Slayer in his hand, swinging it about before slashing at his foe, Sarr stepping back before thrusting his lance out. Seth grunted as he blocked with his new blade, it's weight deflecting the lance's strike as he swung again, the blade cutting into the man's helm, knocking the visor away. Glaring at his foe Sarr spun his weapon around before swiping at the paladin.
Expertly Seth leaned back before throwing his legs up, rolling over the back of his horse and landing on his feet. With a battle cry formed from no words, he thrust the sword out, leaning downwards as Sarr's lance skimmed his shoulder, the armour deflecting the blow as his own sword slammed into the man's stomach. "Emperor Vigarde..." The knight called out as Seth withdrew his sword. "Glory to His... Majesty..." He let out before finally slumping down to his knees, his body toppling forwards and slamming him face first into the ground.
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"That was a tight spot." Erika muttered as Merlinus began instructing people on were to go and what to buy at the local stores.
"Yes, yes it was..." Natasha said with a smile. "Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay-"
"You're from Grado, aren't you?" Seth asked bluntly, cutting her off.
"Yes... My name is Natasha, as I told your tactician." She replied. "I was a servant of the people at Grado's Imperial Temple."
"Then why the trouble with the soldiers?" Erika asked.
"And you mentioned something about the emperor not being himself." Tyr added, crossing his arms. "Can you elaborate?"
"Of course..." Natasha replied, clasping her hands before her. "A few days past, my mentor was arrested without warning. They executed him. They said he was a traitor... But those were false accusations. The emperor had him killed- a holy man!- to keep him silent."
"Silent of what?" Tyr asked.
"My mentor told me with his final breath." Natasha sighed, looking away with sad eyes. "The emperor plans to destroy the Sacred Stones."
"The Sacred Stones? Destroy them?" Erika exclaimed.
"What... What possible reason could he want THAT!" Tyr cried out.
"As you must know, the Sacred Stones drove back the power of evil long ago." The cleric explained. "Even now, each of our nations is home to one of these legendary treasures. There's one in my homeland, Grado, and one in your Renais..."
"Yes, the Sacred Stone of Renais is still housed in our royal temple." Erika mused.
"The emperor plans to destroy the five stones, one by one..." Natasha added.
"That explains the invasion, but it brings more questions." Tyr replied.
"Like why the man would do such a thing." Seth nodded. "Legend says the Sacred Stones are even now all that keeps evil at bay!"
"I cannot begin to guess his motives..." Natasha sighed. "You must know, our emperor was a gentle man. But one day, he changed. Utterly. Before my mentor died, he said the keepers of the Sacred Stones must be warned. I tried to slip across the border, but the soldiers spotted me..."
"Is that what happened..." Erika mused quietly. "What do you think, Seth, Tyr?"
"I think we can trust no one from Grado." Seth frowned. "Not in these times. Not without proof."
"I'd say the amount of men sent to kill one cleric is the proof we need." Tyr replied.
"Agreed, however there is more." Seth added. "If what she says is true, we cannot ignore the danger we face. Destroying the Sacred Stones... We cannot allow that to happen."
"I agree." Erika responded. "If only we knew if there were some reason for the emperor's actions. I must tell you, her story chills me to the bone. I pray it is false..."
"You hope for the best then." Tyr replied as he turned about. "But for me to do my job I must prepare for the worst."
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"A moment please." Garcia said to Tyr as the wagons were loaded with new supplies.
"Something on your mind, Garcia?" Tyr replied, overseeing the operation. With Grado troops due in the town within hours they had little time to prepare.
"Aye." The axe fighter said. "Something troubles me. Perhaps it is only my age, but I can't help but think something bigger is coming, a threat even greater than Grado. I must sound senile, but-"
"No Garcia." Tyr sighed. "I fear the same. Natasha has provided us with Grado's goals, even if we still have no idea what the reason for it is. And all signs I see tell the same tale..." He added, looking at the man with a bone chilling gaze. "Things are going to get worse long before they get better."