Shout Outs...
Maxmagnus20019: I try to please.
RandomTopic: My grammar checker clears it, and besides it's saying the grandfather of his grandfather, hence grandfather's grandfather. I mean if you were talking about his sword you wouldn't say my grandfather's sword's.
X00001: Glad you like it.
To Everyone: Reviews are always welcome. Drop a review and I'll give a shout out.
Chapter VI: Victims of War
Although I found Canas to be useful I have a dislike of shamans and druids in general. I have faced far too many of them in the war, most were deformed and all corrupt. Canas seemed to have reached a balance however, maximizing his power without becoming corrupt. I even heard Athos, that wise old sage, say he used the dark elder magics as they were meant to be used.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
One of the jokes we had at camp is how I am always in need of saving. This is over exaggerated, but not untrue. Lyndis, Sain, Serra, Dorcas, Eliwood, Hector and more, I owe my life at least once. But on the field of battle do we not save each other from harm everyday by stopping a man who would hurt a comrade?
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
0-0
"Why is he not up yet?" Seth muttered as Eirika knocked on the door to Tyr's wagon. "He's among the first to rise here." He muttered, noting that the other members of the troop were nearly done packing up.
"Perhaps he is just under the weather this day." Eirika replied. "Forgive me Tyr!" She called out. "But I am coming in!" She said opening the door. Stepping inside she looked about, the bed unmade but no sign of its user. "He's not here?"
"He's not?" Seth asked, looking inside. Turning about he looked out to members of the troop. "Tyr is missing, Gilliam, Colm, Ross, Garcia, Vanessa! Fan out and find him!" He called out, the named people nodding. "And be quick, a fog rolls in!"
0-0
Eirika suppresses her feelings of unease and continues to search for her brother. They have passed through Serafew, the group has crossed into the Grado Empire. From here forward, there is no doubt that they are walking through hostile territory. In hopes of avoiding unnecessary trouble, Eirika and company rested in a sparsely populated region of Grado.
However, it is too late. Their movements have already been tracked.
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"So, tell me..." Reiv began as he addressed a shaman in the field, the morning light peeking over the horizon. "You have ascertained Eirika's whereabouts, have you not?"
"I have." The shaman replied. "I sent some of our men to follow the princess as she fled Serafew. They've set up camp a short distance away. Our ambush is ready and waiting. There's no way they escape. Like rats in a sack, as they say. Heh heh heh..."
"Very good..." Reiv chuckled. "Won't that wretched Valter be delighted. Now about this Princess Eirika... I hear she's quite a handful." He mused. 'Or two, really...' He added mentally. "They say her paladin withstood Valter's lance... Tell me, Novala, are you certain you can handle this assignment?"
"Don't worry." Novala replied. "Not only is everything under control, it's gone better than expected. I brought along a certain something from Renais, but my men caught their tactician while he cleaned himself in a creek. He alone will negate whatever futile resistance they offer. Ha ha ha..."
"Heh heh heh..." Reiv wheezed out, rubbing his hands together. "Pray it goes as you say. Very well. Do what you must. I must return to the capital."
"Will you not stay and see how Eirika looks in captivity?" Novala asked with a grin.
"Unlike two other layabouts I know, I do not have such time to waste." Reiv said with a shrug. "I have much to do for our master. A mountain of tasks awaits me. My time is far too precious to waste on the likes of that royal whelp. Trifles such as these are best left in the hands of servants... such as you."
"Y-yes, of course..." The shaman replied with a slight bow. "Then... travel well." He said as the old bishop nodded, moving to a wagon and climbing aboard, the driver taking the reins and guiding the horses to take them away. "Hmph... Freakish old man." Novala muttered as the wagon began to disappear into the fog. "You should have watched. You might have learned something. I will capture the princess, and I will replace you at our master's side." He said to himself, lifting his hand, green cloth clutched in it. "You will stew in regret, and I will enjoy every moment."
0-0
"Ugh..." Tyr muttered as his senses returned. "What... I was ambushed..." He muttered to himself.
"Quite right." He heard, looking up.
His mind quickly shook off any drowsiness and pain and took in the situation at a speed that tacticians were forced to. He was standing upright, back to a post and his arms tied behind him and the post. He was in a clearing, mountains and forests about the area. Looking about a small family, a father, mother and young girl, were tied in a likewise manner, a few torches about providing light. As if all that weren't bad enough his green cloak, the one Lyn had given him to replace his original blood stained and ruined cloth was missing. Two Grado soldiers stood nearby with lances in hand. Then he looked to the man who spoke.
A shaman. He disliked shamans. "Sir Tyrland. Elibe's master tactician." The shaman began. "Raised as the son of a Bernese Duke. Won the war against the Black Fang." The man chuckled. "My, how you have fallen, reducing yourself to working for a princess of a fallen country. Your end will be sweet to behold..." He added, moving to a table that sat in the clearing, no chairs about, a large barrel of liquid resting on it with a mug. With a grin the man held the mug under the tap, turning the tap and filling the wooden cup with liquid. "Merlot?" The man asked, turning the tap off and holding the mug up, as if offering it. "Your last drink."
Tyr opted for silence, glaring at the man as he stood upright. "You've nothing to say?" The shaman asked. "Fine. I can hold a dialogue myself. A man such as you should know how you'll die. You see this isn't for you." He added, setting the mug down on the table. "But for the bael that shall be released in but a moment's time, a drink to go with dinner." Tyr's eyebrows shot up causing the man to grin. "Know what it is then, hm? Saves an explanation from me. A trail of blood will lead it here, and it will see you and these citizens of Renais." He chuckled, gesturing to the family who looked away. "No man should kill you, they'd only boast. Best you be used for food.
"As for your fair princess, she will be captured shortly, and Grado will march across this land, taking what we wish, pillaging as we please... raping the odd piece of tail..." He chuckled stepping closer to Tyr until they were but a foot apart. "You sure you've no last words to speak."
"I'll tell you one thing." Tyr said coldly. "And one thing only."
"And what wisdom do you share?" The shaman chuckled mockingly.
"I am going to kill you."
"But to do that you'd need to be free." The man said laughing. "And as you'll be a corpse soon it shall not matter!" He said as runes appeared around him, teleporting him away as the two guards turned about, fleeing the clearing.
0-0
"No signs at all?" Eirika asked as Vanessa shook her head, Joshua and Moulder watching on.
"No, Your Highness." Vanessa said. "I could not see him, and with the fog rolling in my visibility is limited."
"We're back." Garcia said with Ross following him as the two walked over to Eirika. "No signs of him westward."
"What could have happened?" Eirika muttered, trying to swallow the fear in her throat. 'My friend, were are you? Please be all right...'
"Your Highness!" She heard, breaking her from her thoughts, Colm and Gilliam running over to them, a sword held in Colm's hand, but his personal blade sheathed at his hip. "W-we found this by the creek!"
"Aye!" Gilliam added as Joshua took the sword from Colm. "Colm's got sharp eyes; he saw it in the fog as it came in."
"The man's sword all right." Joshua said, remembering when he had disarmed Tyr, noting the feel of the weapon in his hand. "I'm guess he had gone to the creek for a drink and something assaulted him. He drew his sword and whatever or whoever was out there stole him away."
"No..." Eirika breathed. "I will not allow him to be taken. Not my friend, not any of my friends!" She said firmly. "Pack up, we are going to-"
"Princess!" Seth called out, drawing his sword as runes appeared a few paces away, a man in olive robes appearing within them.
"Ha ha ha..." He let off as the runes dissipated. "Princess Eirika of Renais! Accept your fate. You have nowhere to flee!"
"What?" Eirika cried out, drawing her own sword. "Who are you? And where... where did you come from?" 'As if we needed our troubles to be compounded.'
"You're as beautiful as I'd heard..." The man chuckled. "And you're even wearing your bracelet. I suppose we should begin there. Would you surrender your lovely little trinket?"
"Ah!" Seth gasped slightly, his sword grip tightening.
"My bracelet..." Eirika said, blinking in confusion. "Why do you want it?"
"His Majesty desires it." The man grinned. "That's reason enough. Once I present it to him, he will make me a general, and I will be famous. Come, hand it over. Do it quickly, and I'll leave you alive."
"Princess Eirika, you will do no such thing." Seth said through gritted teeth.
"Of course not." Eirika sniffed.
"Obedience will save you pain." The man chuckled. "You came all this way to aid Prince Ephraim, have you not? A fool's errand. Ephraim fell before the empire's might. As we speak he wastes away in a cell in Renvall, meekly awaiting his execution."
"My brother?" Eirika exclaimed. "You lie! A pitiful worm like you could never defeat my brother!"
"Bah, protest all you like." The shaman said with a wave of his hand. "It does not change the truth. Ephraim has lost, and it was Grado that defeated him!" He called out, Eirika gripping her rapier as she tried to hold back her fury. "You're not going to acquiesce, are you? Very well." He chuckled, reaching behind him before tossing a green cloth towards her, the object landing at her feet. Gasping she bent over to pick it up in her free hand, unfurling into a cloak. "Look familiar? Oh yes, we have him..." The man said, let off a short bark of laughter. "We have Tyrland! Now give me the bracelet! Do it, or I will have him killed!" He called out, the princess' hands shaking.
"No, please..." She said softly. "You win. But I must have your word that he will suffer no harm."
"Princess, wait." Seth seethed. "That bracelet-"
"It's not worth a friend's life." Eirika said, planting her rapier's point into the ground, using her hand to take her bracelet off, tossing it across to the man who deftly caught it.
"Yes... there can be no mistaking it!" The man chuckled, looking over the bracelet, a blue stone set in the golden jewellery. "Next, your weapons. Take them off and hand them over."
"No." Seth said flatly. "Surrendering our weapons would be tantamount to suicide. You demand too much of us."
"I see years of peace and idleness have not dulled the wits of all Renais' knights." The man frowned. "Well then, my hostage has no more use to me, does he? Ah, such a mind is a terrible thing to waste. But fear not, I've an idea. Have you heard of the giant spiders prowling about this region? They'd appreciate such a nice, hot, meal, wouldn't you agree?"
"You can't-"
"Ha ha! This will be a delight to watch!" The man laughed aloud, cutting the princess off. "He will curse the day he swore fealty to Renais!"
"Why..." Eirika let out, hot tears filling her eyes as she pulled her rapier from the ground. "Why would you... How can you do such a thing?"
"This is WAR!" The man cried out. "There are no rules here! In war, you can do anything! Anything!"
'In war there are no rules except those you chose to abide by.' Tyrland's voice echoed in Eirika's head, recalling her first lesson in tactics. 'But disregarding rules may win battles, but not hearts and minds, a battle that can be far more important.'
"You curs of Renais have lost!" The man declared. "Your idiotic ravings mean nothing..."
'A battle is not lost until every option is exhausted. Even the darkest tides can be turned, although it is never easy.'
"Enough." Eirika barked out. "Hold your tongue."
"Wha... what?" The man said as Eirika planted her rapier once more, spinning the cloak about before swiftly donning it.
"I..." She began, pulling her weapon from the earth. "We, the people of Renais, have long honoured our allegiance with the Grado Empire. And you invaded without warning. You ravaged our land. You killed my father..." She spoke, fire burning hotter in her eyes. "Even then, I told myself I must not hate Grado or her people. If I gave in to my hate, the bond between our lands would be lost forever. I refused to hate. Instead, I lived for the day our nations would know peace again.
"But..." She added, gritting her teeth. "If this is Grado's true face... If you could extinguish Renais without pity, without remorse... If this is the case, then there is no room in my heart for forgiveness."
"Impudent girl!" The man bellowed. "Do you expect your words to save your countrymen, your tactician? They will not. Your beloved people will all die, as will you." He called out, runes appearing around him as he vanished.
0-0
"Are we gonna get eaten?" The cute girl sniffed her brown hair in two pig tails.
"We're going to be fine. Someone will rescue us." Her mother said, sighing softly, her own hair braided and resting on her chest.
"Oh please..." Tyr muttered as he squirmed. "I'm not in the mood to wait."
"But sir, we cannot move!" The father of the family said his brown hair short and cropped. "We cannot-" He began before Tyr let off a bark of victory, his hands moving in front of him, the rope used to bind him in his hand. "How?"
"I learned a few escape tricks." Tyr replied, moving to untie the man. "We must hurry, that bael will be upon us soon! I've read a text on it."
"Aye, let us be going." The woman said as the man was freed.
"No, it travels too well over this terrain, we'd never outrun it." Tyr replied as he worked on her bonds, the man working on the child's. Spotting the barrel of merlot an idea struck him. "I've a plan. Go into the woods and get as much dry wood and tinder as you can! If this fails we are as good as dead!"
0-0
'One of these days you may need to command without me.' Eirika recalled Tyrland telling her. 'I may be across the field or have fallen, but the time will come. You will take command. When you do remember what you fight for, it will keep you going when times get dark.'
"Let's move, Seth!" Eirika called out as she pulled her rapier from the ground. "We have to save Tyrland!"
"Peace, Your Highness." Seth began. "This is a trap. The whole area is covered in a thick fog. We're virtually blind. There are certain to be enemy soldiers poised to attack."
"I know." Eirika said, wiping what few tears remained on her face. "But we must hurry nevertheless. We cannot abandon him while any rope remains. And if that fails he will be avenged."
"Hey." Colm said, waving his hand slightly, Seth and the princess turning to face him. "It's times like these you need someone like me around to give a hand... People in my... profession... need to have sharp eyes. Far-off enemies? I'll spot 'em. Don't worry."
"Is that so?" Eirika replied. "Well then, Colm, please... Lead the way! Let's get moving! Vanessa!" She called out.
"Your Highness!" Vanessa replied with a salute.
"Take Joshua and fly to Tyr's aid." Eirika began. "If you can find this spider you'll find him. Use the fog to mask your flight."
"Yes, Your Highness." Vanessa said, offering Joshua a hand up, the man climbing on to the pegasus behind her.
"With luck we'll catch it long before dinner!" Joshua called out as the winged beast took to the air.
"Gilliam, Garcia, stay with the wagons. Seth, take Franz and Neimi, clear out any Grado men you see." Eirika continued. "Colm, Artur, Lute, Ross, you are all with me! We're getting my bracelet back!"
0-0
"Quickly, I doubt much time remains!" Tyr called out as he poured the merlot over the dried tinder and branches the couple had found. "We've only a single shot at this!"
"Mister!" The girl cried out, running out of the forest, a blade in hand. "I found this!" She said, holding it out to him. Noting that he had run out of merlot he dropped the barrel on the pile and took the sword. It had patches of rust on it and a chip was missing half way down the edge.
"Not top-of-the-line, but a lame sword is better than no sword." He said, lifting it up and bringing it down on the barrel, using it to smash it apart before kicking the wood over the pile. "Fetch me a torch, quickly!" He called out, the girl nodding as a hiss sounded from the fog. Screaming the girl ran, picking up one of the torches and ran back to Tyr who took it. "All of you behind me!" He bellowed as the spider's head began to creep out of the fog.
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'The dragon's head poked from the gate, it's mouth letting loose a loud hiss, the beast rising to it's full height, glaring down at his troops and himself.
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"Come on then!" Tyr cried out, waving the torch about. "Come on! Over here!" He cried out, backing up as the eight-legged monster walked towards him. "This way!"
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Spells slammed into the face of the dragon, it's cry sounding as it tried to cover it's blinded eyes. Archers let arrows fly, barley affecting the hardy scales of the monster before them.
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"Come on you over-grown bug!" Tyrland added as the creature's mandibles salivated as it strode forwards. "I fear you not!"
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Athos cast a massive spell, a powerful light streaking into the dragon's knee, the beast screaming as it fell forwards, slamming into the ground. Fire filling it's maw it moved to return to it's feet.
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"I fear you NOT!" Tyr declared, throwing the torch at the pile of tinder and lumber that the bael had wandered over, the flames igniting leaf, wood and merlot alike, the monster screeching in pain as flames coated it's body, the fire burning at it's flesh.
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Eliwood let off a war cry as he pointed the mighty sword, Durandal, at the dragon's neck, slamming it to the hilt in the beast before it could rise. Armads, the axe, likewise was slammed into the neck on the opposite side by Hector as Lyndis, Sol Katti in hand, leapt up onto the dragon's nose, inverting her grip on the sword so she could jam it into the skull of the dragon right between two hate filled eyes.
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With a final, long hiss, the bael collapsed to the ground, flames licking at it and eating it's flesh like a hungry animal.
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With a final, drawn out groan, the mighty dragon fell to the ground, eyes rolling in it's head as the army looked on, the shock of the event being broken by Hector's cry of victory.
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"We... We did it!" The man said, happily clutching at his wife.
"We did." Tyr said. "Stay here, someone is likely to come."
"And what of you?" The woman asked as Tyr began to run to the woods.
"I have a promise to keep!" Tyr called back.
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"Man, and I thought Dad was tough!" Ross let out, hacking a man's shoulder as he watched Eirika from the corner of his eye.
The young woman was focused on her fight, stabbing one man through the chest, withdrawing the weapon as a fireball flew past, Lute sending her own back at the mage, burning his face away. Eirika swung her hips to one side, the lance the next soldier thrust at her passing by harmlessly as she thrust her weapon forth through his eye, twisting as she pulled it out, swinging to deflect a sword with her own blade before slamming her weapon into the next foe, all the while a look of fury burned on her face.
Eirika was angry. And Ross did not like the sight of it.
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"There, a fire burns!" Joshua called out as Vanessa lowered her steed down to where the smoke billowed from.
"Look Mommy!" A girl cried out as the knight landed, her passenger hopping off. "A pegasus!"
"That she is." Vanessa said softly, looking about, recoiling slightly at what appeared to be a giant smouldering corpse, flames licking at the top of it, a pile of wood under it burning. "What happened here?"
"Grado men abducted us." The man said. "Said we would be bait. But last night he brought along another man, Tyrland, said he was better bait."
"He managed to free us." The woman continued. "And concocted a plan to kill that... thing!" The woman said, pointing at the spider's corpse.
"And where is he now?" Joshua asked.
"He told that Grado man he was going to kill him." The man said. "I think he went to make good on his threat."
"Great..." Joshua muttered. "Vanessa, why don't you see if you can find him, or failing that Princess Eirika. I'll lead these people to safety."
"Right!" Vanessa replied, taking off into the air once more.
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"Do I have to do everything myself?" Novala cried out, sending a dark shadow out to consume the princess, only to have the enraged woman dodge to the side. Her and her troops had collected on his position, even through the thick fog. The thief, fighter and mages fought his men, his quickly dieing men, but he would have his glory. All he need to was kill that girl! "Die!" He cried out, sending another wave of darkness after her.
"Surrender!" Eirika called out. "Or it is you will die!"
"Oh really!" Novala chuckled, even as Ross dismembered one of his men. "And who, pray tell, will kill me!" He said, charging another attack
"I will." A voice said softly as rusted steel punctured his flesh, the point of a poorly-kept sword sticking out of his chest, shocking the dark spellcaster as he dropped his enchantment, life seeping from him. "I told you I would kill you." The voice said as Novalla slumped to the ground, his heart no longer beating his men quickly joining him in death, the rusted sword left in his frame.
"Tyr... Tyrland?" Eirika let out, the man stepping over the new corpse.
"Sorry about any problems I've caused." Tyr said with a soft smile as he approached her. "But you seem to have had things quite in hand." He added as the princess giggled, running to him and wrapping her arms about him in a hug. "Whoa!"
"Sorry." Eirika said softly as she stepped back. "But when the man... When he threw me your cloak..." She began, removing the garment. "I feared the worst had happened."
"I've been through worse, I assure you." Tyr said, taking the garment back and donning it once more. "I try not to die easily. It would ruin my reputation."
0-0
"Well, there they go." Tyr said as the family of three began to walk away. "Hope they have a safe trip home."
"As do I." Eirika added as she fingered her recovered bracelet. "I hate to see my countrymen in peril. And my friends."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Tyr said, smiling softly.
"Your Highness, a moment please." Seth said as he approached. "Alone, if possible."
"I need to have my duties squared away." Tyr said with a shrug. "I'll get to it." He said with a slight bow. "Your Highness." He added before turning about and walking off.
"Your late father, King Fado..." Seth began after Tyr was far enough away. "He ordered me to keep silent until the proper time arrived. However, with all that has happened with Emperor Vigarde's actions... I feel it imperative that I tell you everything, Princess Eirika. Are you ready to hear the secret of the bracelet you wear?"
"I am..." Eirika let out softly.
"As you know, Princess..." Seth began. "Renais houses one of the legendary Scared Stones."
"Of course." Eirika replied. "It's in the temple. It's supposed to be a ward against evil."
"Yes, the true stone is." Seth explained. "But the stone in the temple is nothing but a forgery. The real Sacred Stone of Renais lies beneath the royal castle. Guarding it is a powerful seal, an infinitely complex lock of sorts."
"What?" Eirika exclaimed. "Is this true?"
"Yes." Seth nodded. "King Fado confided in me himself. The Sacred Stones banished evil long ago and possess powers beyond our ken. The ancient kings of Renais felt it prudent to seal ours away. They feared it's power could be misused. They thought to remove the temptation. The keys to break the seal were hidden, too... Forged into bracelets... ...The very ones that you and your brother, Prince Ephraim, wear."
"Our bracelets?" Eirika breathed. "How could Father keep this a secret from me for so long?"
"'They must know nothing of the bracelets. Tell them only if some great peril strikes.'" Seth quoted. "These were King Fado's exact orders. Prince Ephraim knows nothing of the bracelet's secret, either. The king told me this out of fear that something might happen to him. So that, when the time came, the two of you would learn the truth."
"The bracelets have such meaning..." Eirika sighed, fingering her own.
"Yes." Seth added. "And we are the only living souls who know the secret of the Stone of Renais. At least, that's what I was given to believe. And yet..."
"Yet the Grado army has made it clear they want me only for my bracelet." Eirika replied, frowning.
"Yes, quite clear at that..." Seth agreed. "I don't know how, but Emperor Vigarde must have learned the secret somehow. And now, his troops pursue the bracelet, and we are no closer to knowing his motives."
"He would use the bracelets to unlock the Sacred Stone and destroy it in secret..."
"Perhaps."
"Which means my brother... and his bracelet..."
"If he's been captured, they may have the bracelet already, and he may be-"
"Ephriam..." Eirika breathed in heartache.
"Princess, we must take the man's words to be true." Seth declared. "We must hurry to Prince Ephriam. The enemy soldiers who fled the battle will have reported our location by now. If the prince is being held prisoner at Renvall... I fear they might execute him once they learn of our approach."
"You're right. "We've no time to waste." Eirika said her voice becoming firm. "We must hurry to Renvall! Let's go rescue my brother!"
0-0
He stared over the forest on the slight hill near the camp as it broke up, a stiff wind billowed his cloak about him as he watched on, a smile on his face. For some reason he had been put at peace.
The Dragon's Gate had always haunted him. His fear overwhelmed him to such a degree that he could not command, or strategize until he had been shaken back into action. No one knew how close they were to losing, or how afraid he had truly been. They had not seen his first words after the dragon emerged as a fearful plea but as just another tactic.
He could accept defeat or failure if he had done all he could, but never from his own inaction and never because he was too afraid. And yet he had not feared the spider, a giant spider that any man would be right to fear. His tactics were not born from incoherent fear but confidence in his own planning. He had slain the monster with a family of non-combatants, some wood, tinder, alcohol and a torch.
In a way he felt as if he redeemed himself.
"There you are." He heard, still watching over the forest and Eirika strode up to him. "I'd think you wouldn't go off on your own, given this morning's events."
"I did not mean to worry you." Tyr replied, shaking his head. "Just reflecting."
"Oh?" Eirika replied looking over the man, feeling his soft smile was seen far less than it should have been. "You seemed quite pleased with yourself."
"Let us just say I may have lifted an old trouble from my shoulders." Tyr replied. "And it feels quite wonderful."
"...Seth has told me a few things, about the bracelet." Eirika said, setting her hand on his shoulder. "I will explain later, but I fear things are turning worse. The man claims my brother is held hostage and may be executed. I wish we move, quickly, to his rescue. So come, we must go to Renvall."
"As you wish Your Highness." Tyr said, gazing a moment more before turning about, the two heading back to camp. "As you wish."