Shout Outs...
Infinite Freedom: Actually I was planning on dropping a rock on him. Joking.
X00001: Guess it was high time.
Chef Colette: Thanks man.
Aquatic-Idealist: Not so much given up as set aside.
Syous D'raven: Thanks man.
AccessBlade: Dolza is... unique.
Fallen Vanguard: Yeah, he does.
Legendary Double-edged sword: Meh, can't be perfect.
Enilas: More details about Lyn will crop up sooner or later. As for Valter... He scares me...
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Chapter XII: Village of Silence
Guy is an oddity for a Saracen; he's not as prideful and far less collected but is still among the best sword handlers I've worked with. Now if he would just hurry up and court Pricilla I could breathe easier knowing he wouldn't be still fumbling about worrying over whether or not she liked him. On second thought, it's not like I have room to talk...
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
During our campaign, the Bern phase of it, my constitution surprised many in the troop, Lyn among them. On the plains and in the woods her endurance during the march was far superior to mine while in the Bernese mountain ranges she was slower than I. I pointed out that I was born here, in the thin airs and high peaks. It was my homeland; I was acclimated to it better than anywhere else. She accepted my point, but dubbed me 'the mountain goat' until we left Bern.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
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"This... is a tough... march..." Amelia panted as the troop marched up the mountain path, wiping at her face.
"Just think... of these hardships... as a blessing." L'Arachel panted back, guiding her horse along the path, walking along to ensure her horse didn't tire on the path. "It will toughen... us up... Building our reserves for the... trials ahead..."
"Gwah ha ha!" Dolza laughed out, axe on his shoulder. "That's right Lady L'Arachel! This mountain path is but an obstacle to be overcome!"
"It is good for the conditioning, one would admit." Tyr replied, walking over to them. "We'll call a break for a few minutes soon, there's a flat area ahead."
"So why aren't... you huffing..." Amelia asked at their seemingly unaffected tactician.
"I was born in Bern." Tyr replied. "Mountains as far as the eye could see. Villages were on mountains, paths were on mountains, forts were on mountains, and my father's keep was built INTO a mountain. You get adjusted to such things after awhile."
"Figures..." She sighed.
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"...Hh...hh..." Eirika panted out, wishing they could have a break as she trekked up the mountain.
"Perhaps we should rest, milady." Seth suggested, turning to the sage as he led his horse along. "Master Saleh, is it much farther?"
"We're close. It's only half a day ahead." He replied as Tyr jogged up to them.
"I would-"
"Tana says there is a flat spot just ahead to rest the wagons on." Tyr began, cutting Seth off. "Once we reach it I want to call a rest for the troop. Some of them are looking ready to topple over."
"I was about to suggest the same thing." Seth replied. "For the rest of the day, as a matter of fact. Master Saleh says we are half a day away, and Eirika is exhausted."
"No, Seth, Tyr." Eirika insisted. "I'll be fine. We must not be delayed by my weakness."
"Whew... Hah..." Innes let off as he walked over.
"If Innes is tiring then you must be ready to collapse." Tyr countered. "Even if we continue today a rest will be good for us all."
"I didn't realize we'd be climbing so high." Innes admitted. "And yet you are not tired yourself?"
"Bern was full of mountains. You got used to it." Tyr replied simply as Eirika turned to face him, a statement on her condition on her lips.
"Whoops!" She cried out, a rock slipping under her feet, her body stumbling forwards and into her tactician, Innes wincing as the pair toppled over to the ground, Tyr letting off a pained groan.
"...As I warned you before we set out, the footing here can be treacherous." Saleh sighed, as Eirika shook her head, looking down at Tyr's flushed face, and mere inches from her own flushed cheeks.
"Cute..." Innes huffed as Eirika stood up, Tyr soon after her.
"Are you okay?" Eirika asked as Tyr brushed off his cloak.
"Nothing broken or battered, My Princess. Nothing to worry about." He assured.
"Do you people truly live in this place?" Innes asked, turning to Saleh. "These barren crags seem unfit for human habitation..."
"Material wealth brings strife." Saleh replied. "We've no need of such things. In this, we are of one mind with the Great Dragon."
"Great Dragon?" Tyr parroted, shivering. "Oh, I'm gonna love this..." He sighed as an odd flapping sound tickled his ear. Turning he saw a number of gargoyles approach, landing on the cliffs about them. "Oh, not again..."
"Ah!" Seth cried out, drawing his sword. "Princess Eirika, watch out!" He bellowed out, revenants and skeletons filtering onto the path, as well as mauthe dogs.
"More monsters..." Eirika breathed out. "Master Saleh, do these creatures normally inhabit this region?"
"No..." He said simply. "Those things come from Darkling Woods. It's been a long time since they've wandered this far afield. It's as the elder says... Evil omens take many shapes."
"It looks like those fiends have noticed us as well." L'Arachel added as she joined them, staff in hand. "We should move, Eirika."
"I'm concerned for Ewan as well." Saleh added. "I'll go with you. I hope he is safe."
"With all of these monsters about, probably not." Tyr deadpanned. "So best we find him fast."
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"Hey!" Ewan cried out, a lumbering reverent chasing him. "Wa-wait a moment. We can work this out..." He panted out as he ran. "You, uh, aren't interested in talking, are you?" He asked, the creature's moan his only reply. "Aaaaa..." He cried out, throwing a fireball behind him as he leapt over a fence, the explosion sending up a cloud of dust as he darted into a house, the monster looking about before lumbering off. "Where'd all those freaks come from? I've got to get back and warn everyone... But... I do wonder if Grandmother is all right."
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"Gillam, Gerik, Franz! Choke point the path!" Tyr bellowed out. "Saleh, Garcia, Neimi, Innes, Lute, Artur! Support at range! Tana, Vanessa! Target anything crawling on the peaks! Everyone else be on guard for flanking attempts and airborne foes! L'Arachel, Natasha, Moulder! Use your staffs to distract them!"
Sure enough the monsters began to filter down towards them, mostly mauthe dogs and revenants, although he saw the odd tarvos ride to them. All were attacked by the spell casters before they could even come with in range, and those that did were blunted by Gilliam, Franz and Gerik. The airborne gargoyles charged them, lances in hand, but were being picked off by Innes, Neimi and Garcia. As the tide began to stem he ordered the troop forwards, slowly as to ensure no one got around the wall his three warriors made.
Tana and Vanessa, meanwhile, had struck down mogalls and baels crawling about the mountains and more than a few gargoyles. Things were, in Tyr's opinion, going well but he was still worried about those gargoyles flanking them.
"Attack from the south!" Seth bellowed out, Tyr turning about to see the airborne monsters flying at them.
"Figures." Tyr sighed, aiming his crossbow and firing off a bolt, striking and killing one. "This always happens when things get too easy. Ross! Dolza! The gargoyles!" He bellowed out, the two rushing over.
"Tyr, to your left!" Eirika shouted out while he began to reload his weapon, turning to see a monstrous, lance wielding form dive at him, fangs gleaming in the sun.
"Bloody hell!" He shouted out, cocking the weapon, bolt in hand as he hurried to turn on the beast before it struck.
Whether he could have made it or not then became irrelevant when a lance slammed into the thing's neck, forcing it to gurgle on its own blood before it turned to Tyr's left, slamming into the ground as he finished his reload. He turned to see Amelia getting to her feet after falling while throwing her lance.
"Nice throw." He said, as Amelia beamed just before he aimed at her.
"S-sir?" She stammered off as his bolt flew past her right side, the gurgle and collapse of another gargoyle sounding as it slammed to the ground next to her, lance rolling from its hands.
"We're even." Tyr said simply, smiling softly before turning back to the battle.
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It took almost an hour, but the troop had worked their way up the mountain, slaying beasts as they went. L'Arachel had, briefly, broken off only to find Ewan hiding in one of the houses. Upon coming out he had asked what if he could fight with them to which Tyr replied that he could fry any monster within range so long as he stayed with him. Thus far he had struck at two gargoyles, but required assistance to finish them off.
Soon they neared a gate, a rushing tarvos struck down my Innes, Neimi and Garcia in near unison. Two bonewalkers guarded it with a massive nine foot tall minotaur of a man-beast, a mealduin.
"All right, let's be quick about this." Tyr began. "Innes, Neimi, Garcia, hold fire. Seth, Franz, Dolza, step forwards."
"You want us to handle them?" Seth asked as the three came over to him.
"Yes." Tyr replied. "Seth, draw your lance and deal with the sword wielder. Dolza, you've the one with the lance. Franz, your sword. You have the big one."
"Sir, are you sure?" Franz began, even as he drew his weapon. "I mean-"
"If I doubted you could do it I would ask for someone else." Tyr replied. "Now, go."
Spurred on the three rushed to their foes; Seth reaching his foe first, riding up to it and plunging his lance into the beast before it could react, slaying it. Dolza reached his second, batting aside its lance thrust before he raised up his axe. The bonewalker used its lance to block, but the weapon snapped in half from the blow before it too was cleaved in half.
Crying out, Franz reached his own opponent, clashing his sword to its axe. Horse and rider circled about man-beast as the weapons clanged against each other, Franz leaning to avoid an axe swing while the mealduin batted aside swings and thrusts of his sword before raising its axe up. Eyes flashing, Franz's sword rose up in turn; not to block but to stab into the axe arm, the beast bellowing out as the sword pierced its elbow, weapon slipping out of its grasp before Franz dropped his shield to draw his axe with his spare hand, slamming it into the neck of the monster. Withdrawing the weapons the beast slumped to the ground, dead.
"Hmm, he still a good deal wet behind the ears, I would say." Tyr mused. "But a fine showing, none the less."
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"Saleh?" As elderly woman asked as the sage led them into the village, past the gate, the sun on its way down past the horizon. "Is that you, Saleh? Tell me, is the Great Dragon well?"
"I'm sorry, elder." He sighed. "I searched to the west, but I found nothing."
"Is that so..." She sighed. "Hm? Who's that with you?" She asked, noticing the troop, a few of its members walking to her.
"I am Innes, prince of Frelia." Innes began as he nodded to the woman. "The circumstances of our journey have led us here. We would like to pass through."
"Please." Eirika added, with a slight bow as Tyr stood next to her.
"Hmm..." The elder let off, rubbing her chin. "We of Caer Pelyn have turned away from the world outside. The Great Dragon alone holds all our honour and esteem. In this place, princes and paupers are equals. Do you have a problem with that?"
"...No. I understand." Innes said after a moment.
"Hm... Well then, be welcomed as guests in our homes." The elder replied. "I see some of you are injured. You should use this rock moss." She said, pointing to some light green moss growing on a large rock down the path.
"Something similar grows in the mountains of Bern." Tyr mused. "They can be made into good vulneraries actually."
"We have little beyond what we need, but we will prepare food and bedding." The elder continued. "You can rest as long as you like."
"We've no wish to trouble you." Innes replied. We'd just-"
"We will stay." Tyr interrupted firmly. "These past few days have been harsh on us, and that was before monsters appeared. Our group needs the rest." Innes sighed for a moment before nodding in understanding. "We thank you for your kindness and generosity elder. If there is a way to repay you we do not mind."
"You are a wise one, young man." The elder replied. "The girl looks ready to collapse and seems ill from the height of the mountain." She said before turning to the sage. "Saleh, prepare some tea for the lass."
"Thank you, Elder..." Eirika replied, sighing softly.
"Call me Grandmother, child." The elder replied firmly. "That is what the villagers call me." She said before taking Eirika's arm, leading her to a hut. "Now come along, let us get you that tea."
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"Uh, Grandmother, may I ask you a question?" Eirika asked, setting her teacup down, herself, Tyr, L'Arachel and Saleh joining the elder around a table. "This Great Dragon..." She began, Tyr shivering slightly in his seat.
"Ah, the inquisitiveness of youth." Grandmother chuckled.
"If we do not ask, we do not learn." Tyr replied with a shrug.
"True." Grandmother said with a nod. "Come, lass, listen to my words. The Great Dragon is... a blessing, one that watches over all mankind. Why, in days long past, when the Demon King appeared..."
"The same Demon King from this legend of the Sacred Stones?" Tyr asked. "I'm still new to Magvel, but my understanding is the hero Grado used the talismans to defeat and seal the blasted abomination. Correct me if I'm wrong."
"Then correct you I shall." Grandmother replied. "Ah, how quickly did mankind forget its debt to the Great Dragon. To hear the story now, one would think humans alone brought about victory. That is a gross mis-telling of the tale."
"It still wouldn't surprise me, honestly." Tyr replied. "No offence intended, but in Elibe man waged war against dragon-kind one thousand years ago. And won."
"Perhaps against dragons, but only through the strength of the Great Dragon could the Demon King be sealed away!" Grandmother replied.
"The Great Dragon and the Demon King..." Eirika mused.
"Mankind may have forgotten its debt, but the Great Dragon never forgets." Grandmother continued. "It watches over the bones of the Demon King in Darkling Woods. It keeps the Demon King's dark brood from swarming the world of men. The Great Dragon's vigilance alone has kept us safe from their blind rage."
"Is that so?" Eirika sighed. "I'm... I'm sorry, I never knew..."
"Hmph. You don't need to know everything, but you should remember that."
"No one's fault for this lack of knowledge, save the ones who forgot to write it down or changed the wording." Tyr injected. "You cannot blame people for ignorance when the truth is hidden from them, or forgotten before their time. More worrisome for me is the fact that we encountered these beasts on route to here, and even back as far as Renais. Either the Great Dragon is neglecting its watch or, more likely, something has befallen it."
"Ah... These are the effects of the omen that has appeared in the south." Grandmother replied with a nod. "There is an energy there that has fouled the air and darkened the sky. The Great Dragon left Darkling Woods and went south to investigate."
'Hmm...' Tyr mused to himself. 'Saleh was travelling with an indigo haired girl. Ephraim FOUND a girl with indigo hair who happens to have dragon wings and was investigating ill omens to the south in Grado... Which would, if my logic is correct, mean... Myrrh, that shy creature... is the Great Dragon?'
"We of the village wished to protect the Great Dragon, and so I sent my grandson, Saleh, along as well. But they became embroiled in battle, and the Great Dragon disappeared. Since that time, there's been no sign of the Great Dragon either here or abroad. We grew worried and directed Saleh to look for any trace of the Great Dragon. I am worried that the source of that foul energy may be responsible."
"A foul energy..." Eirika mused. "From the south? Myrrh said something similar to this, too. Is the Great Dragon you speak of... one of the Manakete?"
"Manakete!" Grandmother exclaimed in shock. "How dare you speak so of the Great Dragon!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"But if you've seen the noble Myrrh, perhaps I can proceed more quickly." Grandmother sighed. "You see-"
"Myrrh is the Great Dragon." Tyr injected, Grandmother giving him a shocked look. "Both were separated from a companion while investigating strange energies from the south. A girl with indigo hair, whom Saleh was seeking earlier. Not to mention the wings."
"...You are a perceptive one, aren't you?" The elder sighed. "Regardless, you've seen the Great Dragon yourself, lad?"
"Myrrh, last I saw of her, was with Eirika's brother, prince Ephraim." He replied. "She's likely still by his side."
"What!" Grandmother exclaimed. "Where is this brother of hers!"
"Leading an army into the heart of Grado, the likely source of the omens."
"Saleh, this is urgent! You must leave for Grado at once and rescue the Great Dragon!"
"Understood." Saleh replied, standing up. "I will..."
"Oh, where are you off to?" L'Arachel asked. "If you're going to Grado, the swiftest route takes you through Jehanna. It would be to your advantage to join us in our journey for a time. It's far safer than being on your own."
"You have a point..." Saleh admitted.
"And your situation is not as urgent as you fear." Tyr added. "Ephraim is as capable a warrior and tactician as anyone. He will keep her safe."
"Perhaps, Master Tyr, but protecting the Great Dragon is my duty." He said, sitting back down. "Please allow me to travel with you on the road ahead."
"Of course."
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"We are in your debt, Matron." Innes began, the troop preparing for the march ahead while Eirika and Tyr stood with him, addressing Grandmother and Saleh.
"Not at all." She replied, smiling. "All of our guidance comes from the Great Dragon. Saleh."
"Yes, I know." Saleh said with a nod. "The road to Jehanna lies here." He said, pointing to one of the paths before walking off to find Seth, informing him of the route.
"Grandmother, thank you so much for everything." Eirika replied.
"I do hope I can return someday." Tyr added. "I want to compare more of Magvel's history to Elibe's. It would be enlightening to note the differences."
"I know you'll help the Great Dragon, but please look after Saleh as well." The elder asked. "He's not very personable, but he's the only grandchild I have."
"Don't fret over it." Tyr replied, shaking his head. "Not one person under my command has died yet, and I am not about to start."
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"Tyrland, is it true what you said?" Eirika asked as the army marched onwards, Saleh guiding the way while riding pillion with Seth, the path beginning to slope down. She herself sat next to Tyr on his wagon. "That in your homeland man and dragon fought?"
"The Scouring." Tyr replied with a sigh. "Before then man and dragon lived in peace. But man then launched an onslaught upon dragon-kind. Historians cannot agree on the reason. Some say man feared the power of dragons, others say it was greed, and others say it was a pre-emptive strike and that the dragons were planning an attack as well. Regardless of the reason mankind was led by eight great heroes who led the war and defeated the dragons. The remaining dragons then fled the realm, defeated and humbled. There is more to the tale, but I'm in no mood to recall history, My Princess. Instead I worry about Grado."
"What troubles you then?" Eirika asked, pulling her knees to her chest.
"Myrrh, as the Great Dragon, is apparently supposed to be some higher form of power." Tyr began. "The evil energies in Grado were enough to cause her to investigate. In addition, the Demon King's brood is running about loose and free, and if I'm right, are becoming more numerous as time passes. In addition, the Sacred Stones, the very things that seal the Demon away, are being shattered by Grado. I'm beginning to pool a theory together... I've been pondering it since our last stop at Frelia, but..."
"Please..." Eirika replied, setting a hand on his arm. "Tyrland... Tell me..."
"...I fear the one behind this... Is the Demon King himself..."
"That... can't be. He is still sealed."
"In what maybe a weaker seal than before. But think of the facts. Grado attacks its closest allies with no warning or provocation. Its leader, Emperor Vigarde, has ordered a war when he is proclaimed to be a man of peace. His son, Prince Lyon, is never mentioned. He is not known to support or refute his father's will.
"My theory, and bear in mind it is still but a theory, is in some way or manner the Demon King has influenced a person, or someone attempted to tap into its mind or soul for power. Which one it is does not matter. Regardless this person either brokered a deal, or submitted to its will, or may have even been enslaved.
"Whoever it was, however, had to be close enough to the emperor to lay an enchantment on him or even replace him with a doppelganger. Then, using this person as a puppet, the Demon King raises his brood or summons them, which and in what manner I do not know.
"With their master still chained and bound by the remaining stones, assuming Grado's stone was shattered by this person, the Demon King in manipulating Grado into accomplishing it's two main goals: weakening resistance against him by bringing war to the continent by letting people kill each other while at the same time shattering the last chains upon it."
"...If you are right..." Eirika began, hugging her knees tighter to her. "...And I pray to all that is holy you are not... Will we be forced to... fight the Demon King himself?"
"It's a possibility..." Tyr admitted with a nod. "I'm going to ask Lute, Artur and Saleh into my wagon tonight to discuss strategy if it does happen. I was ill prepared to face a dragon, and I was forced to direct a battle against one. I refuse to be caught unawares again."
"The Demon King..." Eirika mused before nodding. "Then we rush to Jehanna. We must prevent the Demon King from freeing himself. Magvel... The world depends on us..."