Shout Outs...
Infinite Freedom: Does seem like it, hmm?
Chef Colette: maybe not quite a goddess, but not far below it.
Aquatic-Idealist: Thanks man.
Legendary Double-edged sword: Thanks.
Phoenix Vanguard: Tyr is supposed to be the brains of the outfit, and it's his job to stay one step ahead of the enemy. That includes figuring out what the enemy is planning and even why they are doing what they are doing. He isn't positive about his theory; he just doesn't have a better one.
Gunlord500: Thanks for reading.
To Everyone: Sorry for the (overly) long hiatus. Real life, other interests, blah, blah. I have to see if I can finish this off... In addition I'm adding an additional quote to the beginning of each chapter, to flesh out Tyr some more.
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Chapter XIII: Hamill Canyon
If talk is so cheap, then why is it so valuable? It can keep your mouth fed and your grave empty.
Dorcas
Vadia scares me. And I've talked Lyn down at her worst. That says something, and not about me.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
"The path is smoothing out, isn't it?" Eirika said as they rode towards the Canyon ahead of them.
"My maps list it as Hamill Canyon." Tyr replied. "Part of Jehanna. I'm assuming Grado's forces are already en route to there, if not already engaging Jehanna's army. Our first order of business is to ally with them and deflect their assault. With some luck we might even be able to push them back a bit before continuing to Rausten."
"Let's hope." She replied, sighing. "Tyr, do you honestly think the Demon King is manipulating Grado from behind a puppet? It seems so... implausible..."
"Nergal's story was quite implausible as well." Tyr replied. "It was also very, very much true. Eirika, there is a possibility my theory is wrong, however it makes the most sense of all the theories I have. And even if it isn't I need to prepare for the worst case scenario; fighting a revived Demon King."
"The return of the Demon King." Eirika said with a shiver. "The thought alone gives me nightmares..."
"We will be stopping for lunch soon, My Princess..." Tyr replied. "Besides, even if I am preparing to fight the Demon King I am preparing a plan to avoid him shattering his prison. As well as entertaining the possibility of strengthening his binds and how to better guard the stones after the war."
"Sometimes I worry you work too hard."
"Welcome to the life of a tactician. You have to prepare for almost everything."
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Jehanna, home of the dancing white sands. This largely barren desert nation is infamous for its mercenary forces.
In accordance with her husband's dying wish, the beautiful Ismaire rules Jehanna. The Queen of the White Dunes governs Jehanna with grace and honour. When he was young, her son left Jehanna.
His whereabouts are unknown.
After passing through Caer Pelyn, Eirika arrives in Jehanna. There, she finds the nation embroiled in combat with Grado's forces.
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"My brother is... dead?" Cormag breathed out as Valter lowered a cloth wrapped body to the floor of the castle's stable. "That can't be! That's impossible!"
"There's no mistake." Valter said as he unwrapped the head of the body from the cloth. "Look for yourself. I've brought his corpse with me." He said before stepping back, the blonde's still open eyes gazing lifelessly at the ceiling. "That's him over there, isn't it?" Valter asked, gesturing to the body.
"No... Brother..."
"Not a pretty sight, eh?" Valter spoke softly. "You'll be hard pressed to ready that for a proper burial." This was true mostly due to the paleness of Glen's dead skin, Valter having drained him of his blood before returning.
Some of his men lost their lunch at the sight.
"But listen, Cormag." Valter continued as the younger man shook with rage. "There's no reason for you to grieve. After all, who better than you to replace your brother in His Majesty's service?" He asked smoothly. "Picture it: General Cormag, the new and improved Sunstone, eh?"
"Who did this...?" Cormag let out. "Who is responsible? Who!" Cormag demanded.
"Glen's last orders were to find and subdue Eirika." Valter answered with a shrug. "'Tis a pity I was delayed. I arrived to witness the final blow myself. I watched Eirika run her blade right through his chest and then flee." Of course Valter wouldn't tell Cormag the truth, which was that it was his lance that halted Glen's life, but it seemed ideal to send Cormag after the girl. He could challenge her. Strengthen her in the fires of combat. The thought made him shiver in delight.
"Eirika!" Cormag spat out. "Where is she now?"
"Hm? What would you do if I told you?" Valter asked, smiling a little. "Without orders from his Majesty..."
Whatever words he was leading into became irrelevant as Cormag grabbed the general by the collar of his armour, bodily lifting him and his plate armour off the floor and slamming him into a nearby pillar. "ANSWER ME!" Cormag bellowed as Valter's smile faltered, surprised by how strong Cormag was.
'He might be even STRONGER than Glen...' He thought to himself. 'Hmm... What a delightful thought...' "..In the eastern mountains of Carcino." He replied after a moment. "The forests are thick in that region. It won't be easy finding her, but..." Any further words became, once again, irrelevant as Valter was thrown to the floor, Cormag rushing off to his wyvern and mounting it.
By the time Valter returned to his feet Cormag had already flown off, the bellow of his beast sounding in the distance. "Gone already?" He let off, amused. "I've sent a gift your way, Eirika, but I trust you can handle it." He said, kissing the palm of his hand then blowing on it, as if to send the touch towards the woman he named. "You're my girl after all. I need you to be strong for me... Heh heh... Ha ha ha ha ha!"
"I wish I could get transferred to another command..." One of his men muttered, palming his face as the general continued to bellow out in laughter. "Even if it's... guard duty..."
"Messenger! Messenger!" A cry let out. Eirika's forces were packing up after lunch, preparing to move again as the brown-haired pegasus rider came down towards them, landing before Eirika. Tyr and Innes emerged from the former's wagon, hearing the commotion. "I bring word from Frelia!"
"Go on." Innes said as he and Tyr joined Eirika. "What news do you bring?"
"Prince Innes!" She gasped. "You're alive and well! When the reinforcements rode into Carcino, you were nowhere to be seen... We thought perhaps the enemy forces had reached you and... It's good to see you well, milord."
"I'm sorry to have troubled you." Innes replied. "But remember, the duty I bear is a harsh master. It will not let me die easily."
"Of course. Princes Innes..." She let off before Tyr coughed politely.
"Rather than talk about the Prince's tactical prowess in how he managed to fend off a superiorly numerical force with a handful of mercenaries and sheer will... your report, please?"
"Yes, what news have you from Frelia?" Innes added. "Speak!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The woman replied. "Frelia has invaded Carcino and engaged the traitor Pablo's mercenary army. With aid from Elder Klimt, we are crushing the foe where we find them. Pablo's faction is retreating ever southward, towards Jehanna..."
"Towards Jehanna?" Innes let off.
"This is bad..." Tyr replied. "This is very bad. They must be searching for the Grado forces in order to join them. Frelia will be slowed down by mopping up resistance and keeping the peace."
"And we'll likely be stuck fighting the lot of them." Innes finished for him.
"Pardon me, but I must know..." Eirika began. "Do you have word of my brother?"
"Yes." The woman nodded. "Prince Ephraim has forced the surrender of Grado's fortress at Rigwald. He is now marching onward toward the imperial capital."
"Toward the capital..." Eirika spoke softly.
"That fool... Emperor Vigarde himself and his imperial guard are in the capital." Innes let out. "It's too strong a force... Even for Ephraim."
"No..." Eirika replied, shaking her head. "I believe in my brother. I know he fights still. This bracelet tells me so." She said, fingering the jewellery in question.
"The odds are, admittedly, against him." Tyr added. "But he's a smart man, and his actions could stop what's going on. As the old Bernese saying goes 'Lady Luck kisses the boldest of men'. Seth!" He called out to the knight. "Let's get ready to move!" He added, walking over to him.
"Ah, Eirika." L'Arachel let off as she rode over to the princess. "Is it time to go already?"
"L'Arachel." Eirika addressed with a nod. "We're going to break through the Grado lines and join the army of Jehanna. You should keep to the rear where it's safe..."
"No, I will stay with you." The blonde insisted. "Confronting evil boldly is the sworn duty of any ally of justice. And it may be that Grado's goal is the Stone of Jehanna... I cannot stand by and let it be destroyed."
"L'Arachel?" Eirika began. "Where did you come by such information?" Grado's goals of destroying the Stones were a secret only a few in the troop knew of; Tyr requested this to ensure a panic wouldn't rise in the ranks. L'Arachel was not, to the best of her knowledge, in the know of this.
"Hm?" L'Arachel let off before twisting her head about nervously, sensing she gave away too much. "That... uh, well... the... wind whispered to me in the night."
"The wind? Whispered to you?" Eirika deadpanned.
"Yes, that's right." L'Arachel replied with a nod. "...And according to that gentle breeze, there are knights riding this way from Rausten even as we speak. If we can but hold out until they arrive, the battle will surely be ours. Come, Eirika. Let us be on our way." She let off before turning her mount around and moving to the main group.
"...Tyr's right. She is a little... well..."
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"They should be arriving anytime now." Caellach said, grinning smugly as he looked out the battlements of the old fort. "Are you ready, Aias?"
"Mm." The armoured man said, nodding once. "Everything's in place. This Princess Eirika supposedly defeated General Glen. I wonder..." Aias added as he walked to stand next to the general. "If it's true, then she's a foe to be reckoned with, and no doubt, doubly so with Tyrland the tactician guiding her blade. Still, there's no reason to worry. I can best her. I know it."
"You'll take her, I've no fear." Caellach replied, smirking. "We fought as mercenaries together, and I know what you're capable of. I could search the continent over and not find a man to match your skills."
"I'm honoured to hear you say that." Aias said, looking at the general. "But I've no interest in the titles and trapping of Grado's Imperial Army."
"Don't say that. You're glad you came with me, right?" Caellach said, patting the great knight's shoulder. "You know we were both sick to death of living like desert rats." He grinned again before gesturing out with both arms to the sky. "I'm going to be king one day. This war is just the beginning."
"Ah... It starts again."
"Word has it that the Knights of Rausten are riding from the north." The general continued. "They're mine. I can trust this mess to your capable hands, can't I, Aias?"
"You remember what they called me when we were mercenaries, don't you?" Aias began. "I was never once wounded on the field of battle. Not once... My skill is not garnish and loud like yours, but I've never known defeat."
"Yes, that is true. I'm depending on you, Aias." Caellach grinned before turning to leave. Aias nodded once as he stepped forward to call out at the men gathered below.
"All units prepare for battle."
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"Seems they've gathered just past the mountains." Tyr mused as he looked though his telescope, Seth, Eirika and L'Arachel with him. "And it looks like they're readying a charge. This is not going to be a joyful day for me."
"And I've gotten word that Pablo's mercenary army is closing from the rear." Seth added, his horse pawing the ground. "We must be cautious."
"Aye, we're between the hammer and the anvil here." Tyr sighed. "We might be able to wage a battle on two fronts, but I really would rather not."
"All we have to do is hold them off until the Knights of Rausten arrive." L'Arachel assured him as Tyr put his spyglass away. "If we can do that, victory is as good as ours. Let's get started, shall we, Eirika?"
"Indeed!" Eirika let off, drawing her blade.
"Setting aside these knights that I have only learned off..." Tyr began as he turned about. "I think it's best we put our backs to the mountain. Heaviest armour up front, lightest in the sides. Archers and mages behind them, wagons behind them. Have Merlinus ready Vulneries. Innes, Neimi, pick off anything looking ready to fire at us. Tana, Vanessa, fly over the mountain, wait a bit and circle about, flank when able and watch for reinforcements. Eirika, Marisa, Arthur, Moulder, Ross, Garcia you're with me! We'll go south west, circle about and flank them. Seth, take command in my absence! Let's go!"
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All things considered the plan was going well. Gilliam and Franz were leading the defensive effort and doing a superior job from what Tyr could see. Seth was barking orders between attacks. Dolza and Gerik were slaying foes by the scores. A few hidden Ballista were brought into play by the foe, but Innes had found an unmanned one and sniped the men manning them before demolishing them the weapons at range. "I'd say if all goes well the battle will be smooth. Eirika, take point and lead, I'll bring up the rear."
"Alright. Stay well my friend." Eirika began as Tyr moved to the foot of the mountain, sneaking along and letting the princess but some distance before following.
"I can't afford surprises." Tyr mused to himself. "But I doubt they'll be other revelations... Aside from maybe just a sentry or patrol or two."
"Where is she? Where is she! I will avenge my brother!"
"...Why must I speak so soon?" Tyr sighed as he turned about.
His cloak billowed out just as a massive wyvern landed before him. No strangers to that breed of beast, snarling as it was, he looked up to the face of the rider, snarling as much as the beast that bore him. The blonde haired rider glared at him as Tyr gazed back. He would never be swift enough to unleash his sword and even if he was he doubt it'd do him any good.
"You! Your are Tyrland, are you not? Tactician of Eirika?" The man said, pointing his lance at Tyr.
"I am he. And you would be...?"
"You and your lady do not know me, but you know my brother well enough. I'm Cormag." He sneered. "I'm the brother of Glen, general of the Grado army, whom your mistress killed."
"...I beg your pardon?"
"This is no longer war, and this not a battlefield. I command you to take me to Princess Eirika so I may avenge Glen in a duel."
Tyr held his tongue for a moment, biting back a jib that could get him killed at the best, tortured at the worst. 'Then again... Not the first time I'd have turned foe to friend... If I can use the right wording...'
"He died in combat, and I'll foul his name by murdering you or her unarmed. But I will have vengeance." Cormag sneered out, his mount snorting in turn.
"While I have no issues about duels of honour, there seems to be a bit of confusion here." Tyr began, raising his hands up in a showing of peace. "Did you say Glen is dead?"
"Do not play me for a fool!" Cormag bellowed. "You will not... Your lies do nothing but stain your honour. Nothing more."
"Peace, Cormag." Tyr began. "I make no lies. There was no battle between my liege and your brother. He came and left under parley. When he left us it was to speak with your lordship, the Grado Emperor, and confront him about this war."
"...My brother? You lie! Where is your proof?"
"I've no proof I can show, I admit, however I can give you the words he spoke to Her Highness. He told her that she possessed a gentle heart when they met before, and that she had not lost that quality." Cormag looked back at him as if struck, lowering his lance in thought.
"I see... Those are indeed my brother's words." Cormag mused, brow furrowed in thought. "But then who? Who benefits from- Ah! Valter!"
"Valter? The so called Moonstone?" Tyr asked. "Are you sure?"
"I am. Tyrland, Duke of War. I would be your ally."
"I never turn one down."
"Good. I care not your reason to fight with Renais or your goals. I want nothing but revenge, and I will have it. If I can kill Valter with these two hands, what care I if Grado brands me traitor?"
"Prove yourself able to follow commands and you may have it. But a wise man told be once; revenge is a suckers bet." Cormag let off a growl in his throat at this as Tyr raised a hand. "I do not mean that to suggest Valter go unpunished. But seek justice, not vengeance. Do honour to your brother and let not your anger overtake you."
"...You know wisdom. I make no promises but one. Valter dies."
"Good. Let me ride pillion with you, Eirika is further ahead of me than I intended, but that should matter little soon."
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"Elder Pablo, there's fighting ahead." A solider said as he turned to the elder man who growled slightly.
"I've misread the situation." He let off. "I can't believe I've been forced out of Carcino. It's those accursed Frelian knights riding down on us from the north. If things don't change quickly, I'll be forced to appeal to Grado for aid. We must prove ourselves worthy allies of Grado. We must have them in our debt! First I'll use my magic to bury those enemies in the distance. Send the call to advance!"
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"Vanessa, down there!" Tana called out to the veteran knight as the circled overhead. The pair was moments away from banking to the east to assail their foes as instructed when the mercenary army began marching from the west. "Pablo leads them!"
"Arrived sooner then we thought." Vanessa replied. "But this is opportunity. We can strike the cur down now, demoralize his forces and route his army before they reach Seth and Prince Innes. I'll attack by the north, you by the west."
"Aye. Let us be done with him!" Tana said as she banked away. With Pablo in the rear of the formation, readying a spell of some sort and not paying attention it seemed like the best opportunity to lob off the snake's head. Once Tana was far enough along she began her dive, lance held firm.
Pablo caught the shadow on the ground, however and turned to his head to see her, readjusting his blast up towards her, a luminous force of radiance. She turned her pegasus to the side, dodging the spell before levelling off and coming at him with a lance thrust, the blade glancing off his arm as he rolled aside, preparing to cast again. As if on cue Tana had finished her own dive, javelin in hand and throwing it with all the momentum she had. The missile sailed past air and into Pablo's back, exploding from his chest with a spray of gore.
"Argh! It can't be... I..." He gasped out, falling to his knees, the two knights flying overhead causing his men to look back. "You can't have my gold... It's all... mine..." He muttered before the last drops of life bled from him, his body toppling over with missile stuck in his body, his men pausing before fleeing to the south west.
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"They've flanked us?" Aias let off as he turned back to see foes hacking and stabbing into his men's backs. "Impressive. But not enough to stop me!" He turned his horse about bearing down the biggest foe, Garcia, with his lance. "Have at you!"
"Gladly." Garcia let off, planting his feet at the heavily armoured knight charged. Garcia reared his axe back, holding it hold to disguise his real intentions. Once the knight thrust his weapon Garcia rolled to one side, pulling out a throwing axe at hurling it with his might at the steed's un-armoured legs. It connected solidly with a foreleg, causing the horse to crumple and dislodge it's rider. Garcia stalked forwards as Aias righted himself on his feet. Banging his lance once against his shield the man stomped forwards. "Come now. Let war be made." Garcia said calmly.
"And let victory be mine." Aias replied nodding once. At some unknown mark the two men charged, Aias thrusting his lance forward, expecting the axeman to dodge to the side of his lance arm or duck. Surprisingly Garcia turned spinning to his shield arm, the lance glancing of his shoulder as his back slammed into the wall of metal, maintaining the roll before swinging into his back, the axe cleaving past armour and into the man. "Gah!" Aias let off, collapsing to his knees. "Very... Impressive. You've pierced the battle formations I'd perfected. No one's ever done that." His lance slipped from his grasp as he fell to his side. Looking upwards he saw his men begin to retreat to a rally point, the princess approaching him with a bloody blade. "Tell Tyrland that he has earned my highest regard."
With those few last words his head slumped, his life over.
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"Alright, regroup! Regroup!" The sergeant of the Grado forces bellowed out, rallying his men. "This isn't over! We can take them yet! Aias will be avenged! We will... Oh no..." The officer stopped his speech as he looked to the horizon.
The banner of Rausten flew high among a charge of knights.
"Rausten knight! No..." The man cried out. Snarling he gripped his weapon. He wanted to charge. He wanted revenge. He wanted them to pay. But with the foe gaining reinforcements there was no way a battle that had gone so awry could be salvaged. "All troops! Retreat at once! We will fight another day, this I swear!"
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"Forward the lances! Show them the might of Rausten!" The commander called out as the charged, Grado's and Pablo's forces in full retreat.
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"The Knights of Rausten!" Eirika shouted out, smiling. "Just as L'Arachel said... Reinforcements have arrived in Jehanna!"
"What I'd like to know is what took them so long!" L'Arachel herself replied as she walked up next to the princess, Tyr and Cormag walking up towards them.
"Cormag, if you'd please hold a moment." Tyr began, looking up at the rider as he dismounted. "I need to speak with the princess before I introduce you."
"Understood." Cormag said curtly and Tyr walked up next to Eirika.
"However, it seems that all has worked out in the end." L'Arachel finished, Dolza running up next to her as one of the knight commanders broke from his ranks, approaching them. He stopped his horse and dismounted before bowing to L'Arachel.
"Princess! Knights of Rausten, second battalion, reporting for duty!"
"Well done. You may lift your eyes." L'Arachel replied as Tyr and Eirika shared a look of confusion.
"Wait, beg pardon?" Tyr began as the knight nodded once. "Princess?"
"What?" L'Arachel let off, blinking. "Oh, you mean... Don't be silly. This is nothing. Please don't concern yourself."
"I do believe, milady, that your disguise has been penetrated." Dolza mused, grinning a bit.
"Oh..." She sighed. "I suppose there's naught to be done about it now. Very well Tyrland. You've found me out."
'Or rather had it pointed out.' Tyrland mused to himself.
"The beauteous wander who's been Eirika's boon companion is none other than... the jewel of the theocracy of Rausten, Princess L'Arachel herself!" L'Arachel declared, curtsied on her horse. "I was acting under divine order to strike down evil in this land."
"That maybe so, but then why..." Tyr began before the Rausten knight coughed into his hand.
"The truth is..." He began. "The princess was enflamed be the words of the court troubadour, Saaga... She forced us to allow her to journey forth on a quest for justice."
"I see..." Tyr drawled out. "A... noble cause, to say the least."
"Princess." The knight continued, turning to his horse. "This is from King Mansel." He said, procuring a sack, heavy with gold.
"What's this? War funds?" L'Arachel said, delighted as she took the bag. "Oh, what a grand uncle. He's just so thoughtful."
"More so that the last person I knew that was a grand uncle." Tyr sighed.
"Princess Eirika of Renais." L'Arachel addressed her peer. "Rausten will not yield to Grado. Together, let us defeat the empire in the name of righteousness!"
"Princess Eirika." Seth began as he trotted over to the group on his horse. "Sir Tyrland. I've received word from the front. The palace of Jehanna was attacked by Grado forces and has surrendered."
"Already?" Tyr exclaimed, groaning in frustration. "How in Elimine's name..."
"And the queen?" Eirika interrupted. "Is she safe?"
"That remains unknown." Seth replied, bowing his head.
"Maybe she lives, maybe not." Tyr let off. "But if she still has life in her then we must ride."
"The palace has already been occupied by imperial troops." Seth began before pausing. "The Grado army is being led by Lyon, the imperial prince."
"Lyon!" Eirika shouted out, a hand moving to clutch her chest.
"What is it, Eirika?" L'Arachel asked softly.
"It's nothing..." The princess replied, shaking her head sadly. Tyr clicked his tongue, but held it otherwise. "...Lyon..."
"Seth, get everyone ready for march." Tyr began, the knight nodding before heading off. "L'Arachel, have your knights sweep to the south west. If Grado does not lay a trap then I anticipate reinforcements that will need to be cut off."
"And if it is a trap?" L'Arachel replied calmly.
"We can handle that, no worries. Go."
"You heard the good tactician, off with you." L'Arachel said as the knight saluted. "Divine speed and luck be with you."
"And you Princess." He said before mounting, the princess guiding her horse away, Dolza following her.
"Eirika, a moment if you will. I have someone you need to meet. Cormag! Here." Tyrland called out as the wyvern rider strode forwards, nodding once as he stopped before him. "Cormag, this is Princess Eirika of Renais. My Princess, Cormag, brother of General Glen."
"Well met." Eirika began, nodding once. "But may I ask why you have come? Do you speak in your brother's stead?"
"..My brother was murdered." Cormag said after a moment, Eirika's eyes widening.
"Murdered? By who's hand?"
"I was told by yours, but Tyrland offered me... proper reason to think otherwise." Cormag replied. "Your surprise further proves your innocence. I now know it to be the man who brought Glen's body back, Valter."
"Valter?" Eirika began, frowning. "The name sounds... familiar but I cannot place it now."
"He is a madman." Cormag began. "He is consumed by a bloodlust of battle and need to hunt. A wyvern knight, and deadly."
"...I know of who you speak now." Eirika spoke slowly. "He tried to accost me at Renais Castle. Seth saved me from him."
"He has been assigned to kill you and your brother." Cormag began. "I will strike him down to avenge my brother. I would ally with you to this end."
"Very well." Eirika replied, stepping forwards and setting a hand on Cormag's shoulder. "I am sorry about Glen. I knew him but briefly, but he was noble and kind. Do him honour."
"I will."
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"Lyon..." Eirika sighed, looking up at Tyr as they travelled along on his wagon. "Tyrland... Why would he lead an attack? He is nothing but a gentle soul. Full of love. He's... he's never been in battle before, or trained for it. His health is even frail... Why is he...?"
"I... I cannot say." Tyr answered after a moment, sighing. "I apologize. But I suspect that, if my theory is correct, Lyon is... he maybe as much a puppet as the emperor..."
"...He is a kind soul..." Eirika whispered before she began to shed tears. "He does not deserve to be condemned to such a fate..."
"...Tell me, My Princess, what talents did he have?" Tyr asked, as he wrapped an arm about her shoulders, pulling her closer. "I assume from what you've said that he'd devote his time to study as a scholar or as a diplomat."
"Yes, to both." Eirika said, sighing a bit, biting her lip. "He is able with a healing staff too. He also wanted to be an able spellcaster. I think to impress upon Ephraim that he would be an able asset in battle, I would assume. Only elder magic though. He has no talent for anima or light."
"Not everyone does." Tyr said, shrugging. "Elder is dark magic, but not evil. Only the user chooses the alignment of the spell."
"Well said."
"I will be blunt, My Princess, if it comes to it we may have no option but to fight him." Eirika stiffened under him and he spoke again before she could reply. "If it comes to it I will try and have him taken alive. However... as Tactician I need to put the needs of our people before those who fight us."
"...I... ...I understand and yet... I can't..." Eirika said, biting back a sob. "I can't fight him... I can't fight a friend..."
"I was afraid of this..." Tyr thought to himself, pulling the princess closer, offering comfort. "But I don't want to lay on her my real suspicions... Lyon, able spellcaster, as close to the emperor as you can be and, I'd bet my lock picks, has access to the Sacred Stone. It could be his actions that set things in motion... But it doesn't make sense. Why would he seek a demon's power? A good man wouldn't do that, not unless he was desperate. I doubt he could have been forced to by someone else. Or maybe he thought he has something to prove?" Tyr groaned to himself, shaking his head. "Bah, I'm far too paranoid. I'm making guesses and theories without facts. No, it's probably some power hungry duke or baron that started this mess and Lyon is nothing but an unfortunate victim. Eirika is right, I am working too hard."