Shout Outs...
Aquatic-Idealist: Glad you found it funny.
armedlord: Gotta poke fun somewhere.
X00001: You're welcome.
Rising Hero: Nice to hear.
AccessBlade: A Jeigan is a Fire Emblem archtype, and possibly the best known. It's named after Jeigan, a paladin who served Marth in Fire Emblems one and three. According to the Fire Emblem Wiki a Jeigan is a Jeigan if he meets most of the requirements: He joins in the first chapter, is a paladin or another promoted unit, be a bodyguard to the main lord plot wise, and be inferior to other characters of the same level. Seth meets all of the requirements, save he's considered to be a good character later in the game. An argument can also be made that Orson is a Jeigan as he appears in the same chapter Ephraim does. Another example of a Jeigan is Marcus in both The Sword of Seals and the Blazing Sword and Titania from Path of Radiance.
Kalisona: -Bows- Thank you, thank you.
Maxmagnus20019: Don't it?
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Chapter X: Revolt at Carcino
Morale is a necessity in any army. It helps drive people, makes them believe we can win no matter the odds. I have dealt defeat to my enemies, sometime under the worst circumstances possible, with no loss of life to my allies. They trust me to lead them, in that I can bring victory despite the odds and that trust and belief in me keeps morale high, for them anyways, not for me. It keeps me up at night, thinking one wrong move will not only cost me a friend but the trust and morale I so carefully built. And even then other factors can harm morale, a lack of supplies, if no one has bathed in weeks, if a long march is followed by a gruelling battle, if the people under me are tired or hungry. Morale is a mistress who is difficult to please and doesn't always rewards, but is willing to punish in a moment without notice.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
Rath was quiet. He didn't talk to many people, even Lyn who sought the company of her fellow plainsman. I don't know why, but it didn't matter really. You can't talk a man to death, but Rath could stuff him full of arrows.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
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"Well we are only less than optimal shape to assist Innes." Tyr summed up as the troop continued his quick march. "That's better than yesterday."
"Would you quit it?" Eirika sighed next to him on his wagon. "You are not helping. We must do what we can to help him."
"I am being realistic." Tyr replied. "We don't know what forces we'll find there, we barley know the situation, and worse yet we are not at our usual fighting capacity." Sighing he looked to the girl riding pillion with Franz. "Right now the only person here in good condition is Amelia, and while she might have potential she needs to stop tripping over her own lance first."
Eirika sighed next to him, her eyes downcast. Even she knew the facts. Her knee was sore from a dropped axe, Colm was still recovering from that shoulder strike even after Natasha's magic helped him, Lute's hand was nearly broken from a lance swing, and Garcia still could not move without pain, although he pushed past it still. "So what will we do when we get there?"
"We plan." Tyr replied. "We pray. We fight. And hope for the best..."
0-0
Carcino has betrayed Frelia and joined forces with Grado. Carcino's troops stop Prince Innes, blocking his way to Jehanna. With soldiers occupying the road forward and back, he is trapped in a hopeless situation.
Eirika rushes to the prince's aid.
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"General Glen of the Grado Imperial Army, also known as the Sunstone..." Emperor Vigarde began as he looked down at his general while he sat on his throne.
"Yes..." Glen replied softly.
"Your orders." The emperor began in a commanding tone. "Capture the leader of the rebel army in Carcino. Capture Eirika."
"Eirika..." Glen said, tasting the name. "Do you mean the princess of Renais?"
"Eirika invaded Carcino." The emperor replied flatly. "She massacred the citizens of Port Kiris. Then, she fled south. Glen. Go. Crush the rebels who brought ruin to Carcino."
"...Understood, sire." Glen replied with a salute before turning about and leaving the throne room. Walking away he let off a sigh, his brother Cormag leaning against one of the hall's stone walls.
"What did the emperor say, Brother?" Cormag asked as he pushed off from the wall.
"I've been ordered to kill the princess of Renais." Glen replied. "Cormag, I want you to remain here in the capital. I'll go alone."
"If that's what you want, Brother, so be it." Cormag replied. "But you seem troubled... Don't tell me you're concerned about fighting the princess of a ruined land!"
"...Hm..." Glen let off. "I never was able to slip anything past your, little brother. You're right. This duty falls heavily on my shoulder, more than any other."
"Tell me, Brother, do you know this princess?"
"Yes. When Renais and Grado were still close..." Glen reminisced. "I met the girl- I met Eirika only once. We spoke briefly, but I felt she was a woman of great kindness. I cannot bring myself to believe Princess Eirika is evil. I cannot."
"...Glen." His brother began. "The emperor has ordered-"
"There's the rub, Cormag." Glen sighed. "That's it exactly. His Majesty has never spoken a falsehood in all the time I've served him. And as a servant of the empire, I am duty bound to obey his order. But I can see no reason to think Princess Eirika's heart is any less gentle now."
"What are these cowardly mutterings?" They heard, turning to see Valter stride up to them. "It is because you three generals are weak that we others must work so hard. And yet you get the honour of killing the girl. How I long to your duty for you!" He said with a wild grin as Glen let off a soft growl.
"Valter, you treacherous swine..." He said in a soft but angry tone.
"What's this?" Valter said with false innocence. "Is this how you speak toward your peer knights of the realm? Lest you've forgotten, I, too, am a general- the same rank as you."
"You wretch." Glen spat out. "You were cast out from the army for mistreating civilians. What lies have you told to receive pardon and reinstatement at the same time?"
"Our beloved emperor felt my skills were needed, and his word is law." Valter said, letting off a chuckle as he shrugged. "His Majesty has earned my sincerest and most undying gratitude." Valter said, flipping his hair back as he made a dramatic gesture to the throne room. "And then we have you three. Duessel, Selena, and you..." He let off with a scowl. "The three of you have proven to be unreliable time and time again. We were brought in to plug the holes, don't you see? You ought to thank me, Glen!"
"Valter!" Cormag bellowed, forcing the other men to flinch at his outburst. "If you dare insult my brother further..."
"Come now, Cormag." Valter said, waving a hand as if to dismiss him. "And what would you do to me if I did? Would you fight me? Here? Would you show such disloyalty to the emperor?" He mocked, Cormag stewing in silence.
"Peace, Cormag." Glen said through clenched teeth. "We are His Majesty's men. We will honour his commands. Mark my words, Valter: your crimes are neither forgotten nor forgiven."
"Hmph..." Valter huffed out.
0-0
"Prince Innes." A blonde haired man with a scar across his face said, looking out one of the arrow slits in the old fort there forces had holed up in. "What do you say? Can you continue?
"Yes, of course." Innes said smoothly, as he fingered an arrow. "Do you believe this is enough to make me give up?" He let out, looking at the soldiers surrounding his position. "I am surprised you mercenaries haven't turned and fled, though."
"Naw." The man said, gripping his sword. "You see Gerik's Mercenaries takes its name from me, Gerik. I'm the chief here. If I quit while our employer still fought on, they'd want a new name, you follow me? So... What's the plan?"
"Same as before." Innes replied. "We remain surrounded." 'By about seventy men...' He added in his own mind. "They're not going to allow us simply to walk out of here... I sent a messenger off with news of our plight. However, even on the wings of a pegasus knight, Frelia is days away. We can expect no help from them." Add to the fact everyone else in the fort was either dead or wounded, with only the red-haired dancer still standing with them, it was difficult to hold on. So far only his archery skills kept the closed fort's gate from being charged and battered. And even then that wouldn't last; he was running out of arrows and the metaphorical black eyes he dealt only made them a little cautious, but no less determined.
"So we tighten our belts and survive, is that it?" Gerik sighed. "Or would you rather quit this place and rest in comfort?"
"Surrender?" Innes scoffed. "I'm the prince of Frelia. I don't know the meaning of the word. The fate of the world rides on my shoulders, and I'll make it to Jehanna. Even if I have to crawl there to do it."
"Now, that makes me feel better." Gerik replied with a grin. "If you're so determined, we may all live a little while longer..."
"Hey, Chief, Prince." The red-haired woman began as she walked over.
"What is it, Tethys?" Gerik asked.
"I've got bad news... and then I've got worse news." She began.
"What's the bad news?" Gerik asked.
"We've no more weapons in reserve." Tethys replied. "What you're holding is what we've got. Once those are gone, there won't be much fight left in us." She added as Gerik looked at his sword, nicks and scratches across it while Innes looked at the quiver of arrows at his side, counting the remaining missiles.
"That is bad news..." Gerik groaned. "Well? What's the worse news?"
"They've begun to move." She said. "They're going to attack again. Looks like they're sending up the whole lot of 'em this time." She said as Innes looked out the slit.
"Right." Innes began. "You two, you're done here. Discharged. Fired. Whatever." He said, waving his hand. "You can surrender or flee. The choice is yours."
"What?" Gerik spat out.
"I'm the one they're after." Innes replied. "Throw down your weapons, and you'll walk away alive. I don't need you here. You'll only be in my way. Who knows? You filthy sellswords'll probably sell me out anyway."
"Hold on there!" The woman exclaimed. "That's not true, and you know it!"
"Peace, Tethys." Gerik said. "Hey, Prince. What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to get out of here on my own." The prince replied. "I'll break to the south and escape into the mountains."
"That ain't gonna be easy." Gerik muttered. "How you plan on doing that?"
"I'm not telling you. I've no idea when you'll decide to betray me. Go on. Get out of here. I'd rather do this alone."
"Sounds like you're trying to make sure you're the only one who dies." Gerik chuckled as Innes glared at him.
"Fool. I've no intention of dying. But there can be no false hope of reinforcements riding in to save the day. You and I are not the same. You're a commoner, and I'm Frelia's heir. We of noble birth do not shirk the duties to which we are born." He said as Gerik shouldered his weapon, Tethys crossing her arms. "What are you waiting for? You may go."
"Well played, milord." Gerik admitted with a nod. "I've always loved the melodrama of martyrdom... There's no way I can abandon you after that fine performance. I'm staying with you. To the end."
"To the- What are you saying?" Innes barked out. "You dare ignore the orders of the one who's paying you wages?"
"Tethys, I want you to go and surrender." Gerik said with a grin. "Give my regards to Ewan and Marisa."
"Don't be ridiculous." Tethys scoffed. "I'm not going anywhere. Now would the two of you kindly stop acting like such... men?" 'Thank Sky those Carcino idiots take so long to organize...' "And you!" She cried out pointing at Innes. "You've already fired us. You can't order us to leave now."
"Unbelievable..." Innes groaned. "And you people call yourselves mercenaries? I thought you fought for money, not for duty." He said as Tethys moved to look through an arrow slit
"Yeah, that's one of the rules." Gerik chuckled, rubbing his scar. "Guess we're lousy mercenaries, eh? Now let's get thinking. We still need a plan to get us all out of here alive. You're supposed to be a good tactician, so I figure I won't die easily. Tell us what to do, Prince. We'll follow your orders."
"Hm." Innes let out after a moment. "Very well. I'll see what I can do to avoid getting us filled with arrows." 'And show that Elibian lout Tyrland who the real planner is.' He added mentally.
"Ah... Say, Prince." Tethys began looking through the slit. "If, by some miracle, aid were to come, from what direction would it arrive?"
"...From the north." Innes deadpanned. "But there's little or no hope of that. Even if Frelia were to send us aid, they would not arrive until..."
"This may be good news..." The dancer began. "Then again, it may be more bad news. There. On that northern mountain path... Someone's coming." She said as Innes strode over to another nearby arrow slit, peering out of it.
"What?" Innes let off. "Could that be...?" 'Or, perhaps Tyrland will show me up...'
0-0
"Prince Innes!" Eirika cried out as she and her troop arrived on the field.
"Princess Eirika, the prince is surrounded by the mercenary armies of Carcino." Seth stated.
"And is likely to be greatly outnumbered." Tyr added. "Thank Sky his position is defensible. He won't hold on long though."
"I can see that." Eirika replied. "Let's hurry! Tyr, a plan! Fast!"
"Forming one as we speak." Tyr replied. "Have Merlinus hide the wagons, we can spare no guards. Then gather everyone here."
"Right." Seth barked out, turning his horse about as Tyr looked over the field.
"Now then... If we are to do this... It might work..." Tyr spoke to himself. A moment later he turned about as the troop gather in a line before him.
"Everyone is awaiting commands, sir." Seth said with a salute.
"I won't lie to you." Tyr began as he addressed the gather mix of combatants. "We are tired. Weary. Heading from one brutal battle to another. We are outnumbered greatly. And yet we still fight. Because we must." He said, slowly pacing before them. "We fight for the freedom of your peoples. For justice. For security. For peace. And Innes is a man in need of our help. We all would like to sleep until the next rise of the sun, but we cannot until this battle is won. And win it we shall, because we are battered but proud! Tired but determined! The odds mean nothing because collectively we are the most skilled people on the field! And we will win!" He cried out as the troop cheered slightly. "Tana, Garcia. Forward." He barked out, the mounted princess and the warrior stepping forth.
"I may not look it, but I am ready to fight." Garcia said as he rolled his shoulder.
"To save my brother I shall follow any order." Tana added.
"Good." Tyr replied. "Gather as many quivers of arrows as you can carry. Garcia will ride pillion with you. You two will support the prince in holding the fort. Do nothing more than defend the position until we arrive. Go, swiftly." He said, the two turning to run to the wagons for the ordered supplies. "To take the fort we must sweep past both sides at once clearing the place as we go, otherwise our foe will try and flank us. Calvary the east side, infantry the west. Franz's armour is the heaviest of the calvary, he will take point. Seth, Forde, Kyle and Vanessa will flank him. Lute and Neimi will support you. Moulder shall also ride pillion with Lute to assist with healing."
"Yes sir!" Seth barked out.
"Gilliam will take point with infantry." Tyr continued. "Joshua, Ross, Amelia and Eirika will flank. Colm, you stay in the back and strike where you can, but be wary, you are still the most injured here. Artur, Natasha and I with provide support. Move careful and be mindful and we will make it to see another day." He said as a pegasus flew overhead, flying to the fort. "Move out!"
0-0
"Almost out..." Innes let off as he stood upon the walls, firing his arrows at the foes, the army battering the gate. "I will go to Jehanna! I will!"
"Brother!" He heard, turning his eyes skyward to see a pegasus dive down towards the walls of the fort, landing upon it, a large man with an axe on his back and bow in hand jumping off as the blue-haired rider turned to look at him.
"Tana?" Innes cried out. "What? How did... What are you doing here?"
"I came with Eirika." She said, as she and man dropped quivers of arrows to the ground, tossing one to him. "Wait here, Brother. It's my turn to protect you." She said, holding her lance up high.
"Stop playing the soldier, Tana." Innes replied, taking the quiver and turning back to the foe, firing arrows off as the other man did the same. "You will return to the palace at once."
"I will not!" Tana barked back. "Eirika, Ephraim, Tyrland and you are all risking so much... I can't sit at home and watch! I have to do something to help."
"Tana..." Innes breathed out, turning to look at her for a moment. "...We'll talk about this later. For now, we join forces with Erika."
"Thank you, Brother."
"Now, come inside with me." Innes said as he notched another arrow. "Gerik will need assistance holding the fort if that gate gives." He said, rushing down the fort's stairs, moving to the gate, Tana giving chase. "Reinforcements have arrived, Gerik." He called out, his sister passing him, her steed landing upon the ground.
"Lucky us, eh?" The scarred man said as banging sounded on the gate. "Good thing we held out as long as we did."
"That was your doing." Innes replied. "Thank you."
"Don't let your guard down now, Prince." Gerik chided. "There are still enemies to fight, and it'd be such a shame to die now."
"I agree completely." Innes replied. "Let's go." He said, rushing back up the stairs as the gate began to crack.
"Hope you've got a good lance arm there, lass." Gerik said as he readied himself. "Because we got unwanted company coming."
"Then shall we evict them?" Tana asked as the gate began to crack.
"Let's."
0-0
"Hi-yah!" Amelia let out as she stabbed a man in the arm, Tyr's crossbow bolt sailing overhead and into the foes gathered before them. Artur's had begun to use his new found talent at anima magic, judging the flames of his Fire Tome would do better than holy light.
"Keep the pressure on!" Gilliam cried out, lance on one hand and an axe in the other as he fought his way past the scores of foes.
"We're almost at the gate!" Tyr added, firing another bolt into the crowd of foes. "Let's move it!"
0-0
"Everyone okay?" Tyr asked as he looked over the group, now gathered by the front of the fort along with Tana, Innes and the mercenaries.
"We could be better." Seth sighed. "Vanessa is off to scout for more enemies. Forde took a bad blow to the head and is having trouble staying on his horse. Neimi ran out of arrows, but she got more from the fort. Beyond that we're mostly intact."
"Well then, Prince Innes." Tyr began turning to the man. "It seems you've held out quite well."
"We would have fought our way out anyways." Innes scoffed. "Not that I mind the help, mind you."
"Of course." Tyr replied as Vanessa returned, her steed landing nearby. "Sitrep?"
"There's a manor nearby." She began. "The enemy seems to have occupied it. They outnumber us, but only three to two."
"Odds are in our favour." Tyr replied. "Let's go see if we can't deal them a telling blow. Disposition?"
"Lances and swords. Two bows, both on Ballista."
"Now that seems interesting..." Tyr replied. "They must be thinking they only need a token guard with the siege weaponry there. Innes, Ross." He barked out. "You two will ride pillion with Tana and Vanessa. Fly around back and wait until we begin our attack. Once we've got their attention deal with the siege engines and then separate the leader and do away with him."
"Yes sir!" Vanessa barked out.
"Gilliam and Seth will take point. Melee shall flank, Neimi and I shall give cover along with Artur and Lute. Franz and Colm, hang in the back for now."
"Hmm..." Gerik muttered looking off in the distance. "Sir? Requesting permission to go elsewhere in the field?" He asked as Tyr turned to him.
"For what reason?" He asked.
"Recruitment." Gerik replied simply.
"Granted." Tyr said. "Everyone else, move out!"
0-0
"Why the hell is she being paid more?" A mercenary said as he and a fellow lance man followed the woman with purple hair tied in a ponytail as they went to the enemies flank.
"You've never heard of the Crimson Flash?" The other man replied. "She's supposed to be a mistress of the blade! She ain't gonna be cheap like another sellsword." He said before leering at her backside. "Sides, she's nice to look at. Very nice..."
"Yeah I guess you're- Urk!"
"Urk?" The second man said as the sword that was in his friend's back swung about to decapitate him. Gerik walked past the two bodies and walked over to the woman who stopped walking, drawing her sword but not turning about.
"Is that you, Marisa?" Gerik asked as the woman gasped, turning about.
"Chief." The woman let out, turning to face the, her purple eyes looking him over.
"What a mess..." Gerik sighed, walking over. "Looks like the guild bungled. They're usually diligent about making sure this sort of thing doesn't happen. But here we are, two people of the same troop, working for opposite sides."
"What should we do?" Marisa asked.
"Aye, well, that's a good question..." Gerik said, shouldering his weapon as he rubbed his chin with his free hand. "As a mercenary, your loyalty should always lie with the person paying your wages. You decide. We can cross blades if you want, but I'd rather you retreat. 'Course, if you betray your employer, you'll soil your sterling name."
"C'mon, Chief." The woman sighed. "What would YOU like me to do?"
"Well, that's easy." Gerik replied with a shrug. "I'd like you to come over and join my side."
"Right." The woman said with a nod. "Done."
"Ho-hold on..." Gerik said, blinking away confusion. "Is that is? Just like that? You know what this will do to your reputation, right?"
"Uh-huh." The woman said with another nod, smiling slightly as Gerik chuckled.
"Well, who am I to argue?" Gerik said. "Come on now. "I'll introduce you to my boss."
0-0
"Yahh...!" Pablo cried out as he looked at the man who dropped down from a pegasus' back, the men on his siege engines dead. "You! You're... Prince Innes!"
"...You're one of Carcino's councilmen." Innes spat out as he notched an arrow. "Trying to trap me is a mistake. Failing, an expensive one. I think it's time for you to learn how expensive."
"Fool!" The sage bellowed out as magic filled his hands. "No one can withstand the might of Grado... Logic dictates we join now or be subjugated later. I made the rational decision. The only decision!"
"The wrong one." Innes spat out as he let his arrow loose, his foe sending a cascade of light at him that deflected it forcing him to dodge to the side.
"You challenge me?" Pablo cried out, firing off several spells in sequence at the dodging prince. "You! You think you and your bow can kill me?"
"Yes." Innes said simply. "But I don't have the time."
"Huh?" The spellcaster let off before turning to see something at the edge of his vision right before Ross' throwing axe nearly slammed into his head save he dodged to the left. Glaring at the axe fighter he noted no more of his men about.
"Missed." Ross cursed before the man used his magic to vanish.
"Fool!" Innes cried out, shaking his fist in the air. "Grado will fall! It is inevitable!"
0-0
"...I've found you Eirika." Valter chuckled as he and two of his underlings landed their wyverns on a nearby cliff. "Seems you're as skilled as the reports say. This is going to be fun. Yes, yes, yes. I do so love strong women."
"Shall we attack, General Valter?" One of his men asked.
"No, we'll pass on the dessert for now." Valter sighed longingly. "Allow them to escape. We're leaving. A fine wine requires time you know?" He chuckled as he guided his steed into the air, his men following him. "Of course there is that annoying Tyrland to deal with as well... What kind of prey is he?"
0-0
"Prince Innes, are you well?" Eirika asked the Frelian as their troops either tended to wounded or secured the manor they gathered in.
"Eirika... I'm sorry for troubling you." Innes replied.
"No, it was no trouble." Eirika sighed.
"Oh, Prince Innes!" They heard as a closet nearby opened, the tow turning to see an elderly man walk out. "Thank goodness, you're unharmed!"
"Who are you?" Eirika asked as the man walked to them with a cane assisting him.
"Oh, where are my manners?" The man chuckled. "I am a member of Carcino's Council of Elders. My name is Klimt."
"A council member?" Eirika said, blinking.
"So you're one of the traitors who ordered-" Innes began, taking his bow from his shoulder.
"P-peace, please!" Klimt cried out, waving his free hand. "I have no intention of opposing you or quarrelling with you. I, too, have been marked for death by Pablo..."
"What is this all about?" Eirika asked as Innes gripped his bow but drew no arrow.
"It's a shameful tale." Klimt sighed. "Carcino is a nation divided. As you know, Carcino has no king but is ruled by a council. But now the council has broken apart into factions mired by discord..."
"Factions..." Eirika began. "You're saying that the whole of Carcino has not betrayed Frelia?"
"Correct." Klimt replied with a nod. "The moderate factions prefer to preserve our alliance with Frelia. Pablo's faction wishes to endear us to Grado, to surrender us to their armies. Once Pablo realized he couldn't ply us with bribes, he began to have us assassinated. Those of us who remain have taken refuge underground. We oppose him where we can. If you hadn't shown up, I'm not certain I would still be breathing..."
"I do recall enemy troops combing this area when I arrived..." Innes mused. "They were searching for you, is that it?"
"Pablo has usurped rule of the council." Klimt sighed. "We had no choice but to hide. Not all of Carcino's council has gone over to Grado's side, though... You must believe me- the whole of Carcino does not believe as Pablo does."
"...I see." Innes said softly.
"Lord Klimt... I understand the hardships you've endured." Eirika said. "I am pleased to hear all of Carcino is not our foe."
"I will depart at once for Frelia to explain our circumstances to the king." Klimt said with a smile. "I think it is best if you return to Frelia as well. Pablo has considerable wealth, and he commands a vast mercenary force. I'm sure he'll send more of them this way as soon as he is able."
"The problem lies with our forces then." Eirika sighed. "We cannot turn back, not when we've missions to complete. But this is the second major conflict we've had in such a short time. My troops need rest before they can march..."
"I see..." Klimt sighed. "Well, you're welcome to use this manor as you see fit. But do hurry when you can, please..."
0-0
"Prince Innes." Gerik addressed the royal as he and Eirika walked down the hall, Tethys next to him. "Tethys and I are staying with you. Is that gonna work?"
"Yes, I would appreciate the help." Innes replied. "Starting now, you've got a new contract, though- the pay's double. If the two of you hadn't stayed with me back there, I would not have survived. Gerik, Tethys... Thank you. You have my gratitude."
"Tell me something, Prince." Tethys began. "Did you get... er... hit on the head during that last skirmish?"
"...That's unkind." Innes sniffed. "My neck is not so stiff that I cannot show gratitude. I would ask for your continued support in the days ahead."
"We both ask for your help." Eirika added with a nod and a smile.
"We've got a deal." Gerik said with a grin, extending his hand. "Let's keep each other alive." He added as Innes shook his limb.
0-0
Tethys sighed as she walked in the nearby village, pondering in thought. 'Eirika's troops are in rather rough shape... Hmm... Who do I go to for-'
"Ah!" She heard, snapping her from her thoughts. "There you are, Sister."
"Ewan!" Tethys cried out, turning to face a red-haired boy in a blue cloak. "How is it... What are you doing here?" She asked before walking up him, giving the boy a hug. "I told you to wait in the inn and behave yourself, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but you always run off and disappear." Ewan replied with a grin. "It's not fair. I want to have adventures, too."
"You are such an imp..." Tethys sighed, tapping the child's nose with her finger. "I am not out here running about having fun, you know?"
"I know." Ewan said with a shrug. "That's why I came to see you. I can help." He said, spinning a finger in the air before pulling out a fire tome. "My teacher finally got around to teaching me some magic. Check this out."
"H-hey!" Tethys cried out as Ewan focused, as ball of flame appearing in his hand. "Knock it off. You shouldn't be using magic here!"
"Well, I just thought maybe I could help you work is all." Ewan sighed, closing his hand and putting the fire out. "I can protect you now, Sis. Come on, take me with you. I don't wanna stay in that inn anymore."
"Oh... all right." Tethys sighed. "I'll go speak to the Chief and Princess Eirika. Besides, I need to see about something anyway. Don't wander off while I'm gone."
"Yahoo!" Ewan cried out, shaking a fist in the air.
0-0
"Princess Eirika, Prince Innes." Seth addressed outside the manor, Tyr standing nearby. "I think we should follow the advice we've been given and return to Frelia. Continuing on through Carcino like this is too great a risk to your safety."
"The peril is self-evident." Innes replied. "However, I have to reach Jehanna, and the only way is through Carcino. If I don't hurry, nations will fall, one after another, to Grado's hunger."
"Innes is right." Eirika added. "And the road to Rausten leads me through Carcino and Jehanna."
"And we need to stay and rest regardless." Tyr added. "Otherwise we travel nowhere."
"Even after that, pressing on will only invite more mercenary attacks." Eirika mused.
"Hey, I've got an answer." A red-haired boy said, walking over. "I know a way that leads over the mountains straight to Jehanna! Want me to guide you?"
"And who are you, my good lad?" Tyr asked, looking him over.
"Ewan!" Tethys cried out as she ran over. "Shush! You know better than to interrupt people when they're talking." She said, setting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Please let me take my brother out of the way. Come on, Ewan. Let's go."
"No, no- wait please." Eirika began. "Do you really know a route through the mountains?"
"That's what I said." Ewan replied with a grin. "At the top of that mountain, there's a village named Caer Pelyn. That's where my teacher lives. I'm sure he'll lead you through if you ask him nicely."
"Does this teacher of yours have a name?" Tyr asked.
"My teacher? His name is Saleh."
"Saleh..." Innes mused. "I've heard that name on the lips of Frelia's spy network lately."
"Is he a problem?" Tyr asked.
"Quite the contrary." Innes replied. "He's a powerful wielder of magic who has been fighting bandits and monsters. The spies mentioned something about a Caer Pelyn, if I remember."
"What do you think?" Eirika asked.
"Hm." Innes mused. "If my spies are accurate, this Saleh is someone we can trust."
"That's enough for me." Tyr said with a nod before turning to Ewan. "So then my good young man, would you be kind enough to be our guide?"
"Are you sure you can do this, Ewan?" Tethys asked her brother.
"Not a problem!" Ewan said with a smile. "All right, everyone. See if you can keep up!"
"Not so fast boy." Tyr said. "Our people need rest first before we move. We'll go tomorrow so make whatever preparations you need."
"I noticed your troop was looking a bit down." Tethys began. "I was hoping to help, but I wasn't sure who to addresses the problem with."
"Tyr will." Eirika replied. "He is my tactician, and anything that affects my force is best brought to him."
"Ah, very good." Tethys replied. "I'm Gerik's go-to-girl." She began. "I manage supplies and equipment and their upkeep. But I'm a dancer by trade; Gerik keeps me around to entertain the troops."
"I see..." Tyr replied. "Merlinus handles our things, but I am sure he'd appreciate all the assistance he can get. As for your dancing, can you arrange a performance for tonight? I am sure it would lift everyone's spirits."
"About that." Eirika interrupted clapping her hands together. "What about you, Tyr? You've dabbled in entertainment too. Could you perform?"
"Well, it's been quite some time since my last show..." Tyr chuckled nervously. "And even then it was never anything big."
"What sort of performances did you do?" Tethys asked, looking the man over.
"Just some slight of hand, really." Tyr replied. "Just card tricks and the like; magic that is not actually magic just illusions and tricks that fool the eye."
"That sounds neat!" Ewan cried out. "Come on, can't you? You can open up for my sis!"
"Well..."
"I am... curious as to what you may do." Innes added. "I'd like to see it as well."
"Please, Tyrland..." Eirika said, taking his hand in hers. "I'd love to see it, even a small show."
"...Very well..." Tyr sighed. "I shall see what I can put together on short notice."
0-0
"All right then, ladies and gentlemen, children... well, Ewan anyway..." Tyr began on stage, bowing slightly. "A short stage show before Tethys dances for us. I'm sure Lute will find herself unable to recall any of this from a book..." He began, pulling out a red handkerchief. "So something for her tears... Wait a moment... The wrong colour..." He muttered before flicking his wrist, the cloth turning blue as the small crowd gasped slightly. "Ah, much better." He said before tossing it to Lute who quickly began examining the cloth. "Now to warm us up a card trick." He said, gesturing to the deck of cards on the table before picking them up, shuffling them. "I had Prince Innes himself purchase the cards and place them there. I have not touched this deck until now, something the good prince can vouch for. Now then, may I ask for a volunteer?" He said as hands in the crowd went up into the air. "Marisa, you'll do quite fine." He said, the purple haired woman standing up and stepping over to him.
"What am I to do?" She asked.
"Pick a card." Tyr said, fanning the deck out. "Pick a card, any card, but do not show it to me." He said, averting his eyes. "Show it to the audience, let them see it." He said, Marisa taking a card, and showing it to the crowd, the five of clubs. "All right then." Tyr said, folding the deck back up before cutting it. "Put the card in." He said as Marisa set the card on the lower half of the deck before Tyr joined the two halves together, then shuffling the cards. "You may seat yourself." He said, Marisa moving back to her seat as he set the deck on the table. "Next, Ewan. Be a good lad and come up and cut the deck, would you?" He asked, the boy walking up to the table and picking the top half of the deck up, setting it aside.
"Like that?" Ewan asked.
"Exactly, now be seated as I ask for someone else..." He said, Ewan moving back to his seat as arms rose up. "Hmm... Princess Tana, if you would? Cut the deck once more." He said, the Frelian woman skipping over to the stage and picking up the upper part of the remaining deck, setting it aside. "Than you, Your Highness. Please be seated." He said, Tana curtsying before moving back to her chair. "And lastly, Princess Eirika... Come up..."
"Am I to cut the deck as well?" Eirika asked as she stood up, walking to the table.
"No, in fact I want you to draw the top card of the deck." Tyr said as Eirika looked at the table. Reaching out she set her fingers on the deck, taking the top card, flipping it over to look at it before gasping. With a grin Tyr took the five of clubs from her hand and showed it to the crowd before addressing Marisa. "My good lady... Is this your card?"
"How did you...?" Marisa gasped.
"That deck was handled by three people other than yourself!" Lute exclaimed. "How did you... The chances she drew it at random are astronomical! I've never read anything about these tricks!"
"And the men behind these tricks never tell." Tyr replied with a smile, walking over to her while he pulled his sleeve up. "Hold on, I think something is in your ear..." He said, reaching out for her face with an empty hand, pulling it back to reveal a gold coin. "Ah, there we go."
"I need to learn that trick." Joshua chuckled as the crowd began to clap.
0-0
"That was amazing, Tyr." Eirika said to Tyr in the hall, just after Tethys had finished her dance routine, Forde's whistling still echoing slightly. "You were incredible."
"Oh, it was hardly much." Tyr said with a chuckle. "Although seeing Amelia gush over the rabbit I pulled out was quite the sight."
"It was a wonderful performance." Eirika insisted.
"If you want to see wonderful then you should see Copan's routine back home in Bern." Tyr replied. "His are far grander than what I do. He once escaped from a bed, bound and gagged, before several sharp spikes were slammed into it by a weight."
"WHAT!" Eirika exclaimed. "How did he do it?"
"I've no idea, quite honestly." Tyr shrugged. "A curtain was drawn after he was tied down and pulled away after the spikes slammed into the bed. But that's what keeps people coming back. They don't know and are trying to figure it out. What I do, in comparison, is child's play. To him it is an art, to me a hobby."
"Still..."
"It's all right, My Princess." Tyr chuckled. "My job lies in the art of war, and in that I am an artist." He said, holding a hand up. "My trickery... is but a mere sideshow to my true art." He said, snapping his wrist as a rose appeared in it. "You are amazing."
"T-Tyrland..." She let off as she took the rose, holding it in both hands.
"You care for people so much, My Princess." He began, putting his hands over hers. "You fight for them, bleed for them, cry for them... I... I am not able to show the kind of compassion and kindness you can... I cannot in order to command armies, lead troops, paint my art. I can only guide the battles that may lead to a better tomorrow, and then hope I need never lead again..."
"Don't sell yourself short, Tyrland..." Eirika replied, shaking her head. "You care. You can be callous at times, but not because it is who you are but because it's what your profession demands. If you did not care, if you had no compassion... would you still be here with me, fighting for a fallen kingdom, for her people? Fighting beside the princess of a ruined land?" She said, pulling away as she held the rose to her chest. "You are just as caring as anyone... my friend." She said before turning about. "Sweet dreams... Tyrland..." She said before walking away.
"And to you the same... My Princess..."