Shout Outs...
Infinite Freedom: Read on and find out.
AccessBlade: True. One earlier reviewer suggested he has a case of PTSD. After everything, wouldn't you?
X00001: Thanks.
kenegi: Sure. If they could see him.
patattack: You'll see.
chm01: Breathe in... Breathe out...
Chapter XV: Scorched Sand
The safest place to be on a battlefield is on wyvern or pegasus back, in the skies and above arrow range. The second safest place is beside Wallace. I'll tell you what; he is a magnet for enemy aggression. His presence alone screams 'threat' and enemy commanders try and off him first, ignoring anyone else. Since Wallace is capable of blunting all of this and killing such onslaughts its best to just stand back and guide him. Not with tactics, I mean guide him. His sense of direction is downright horrible.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
On the subject of unusual romances, I found it hard to picture Florina being seduced by any man. And of any of the men that could I hardly expected Sain to be one of them. The shyest girl I ever met with one of the most flirtatious of men? But as I watched their love bloom Sain became less attracted to other women and Florina became surer of herself around males. Sain is still Sain and speaks with a silver tongue, and Florina is still Florina with a soft demeanour, but it's as if they temper each other's personalities with their love, slowly coming to a middle ground.
Tyr: The Fall of Nergal
0-0
"Princess Eirika, are you well?" Seth asked, watching the distance with one eye as Grado troops marched towards them. "Princess Eirika!" He called out when she didn't respond.
"...Seth?"
"Yes, it's me." He replied softly. "I know you are worried for Tyr, but you must rest. If we continue like this, you'll..."
"No. We are all suffering here." She replied softly. "And.. If Tyrland was beside me he wouldn't rest either. We're surrounded by Grado's armies... We may die at any moment... He may die of the flames... I will not lose focus now. What is new with our situation?"
"No change." Seth reported. "On every front, our forces meet with problems. Rausten's Knights finished a small group and returned to aid us, but the enemy has countered and is delaying them. They cannot arrive for hours. And this accursed sand... Most of us can't get proper footing and are being slowed down. Those with horses are having the worst of it. Princess Eirika... I ask that you leave for safety. We can use our fliers and mages to hold them here."
"I refuse." She replied simply. "If I gave up now neither Tyrland nor my brother would forgive me. I'm the Princess of Renais." She declared, drawing her sword. "I shall leave here victor with Tyrland safe, or as a corpse." She said, looking about before noticing the water. "The lake! We can place our backs to it. We can have Ross, Colm and Gerik watch the water for swimmers and funnel the enemies to us."
"Excellent idea, Princess. As you command."
0-0
Eirika is in danger. Grado's General Caellach has attacked Jehanna Hall, forcing its surrender.
Though Eirika and her troops have left the Hall, Grado's forces pursue them relentlessly. Trapped in the burning desert, enemy forces close in on them from all sides.
With no time to wait for Frelia's troops, Ephraim leaves for Jehanna immediately.
He must go to his sister's aid.
0-0
"Hmmm, hmmm, mmm... Mmmm, mmm, mmmmmmm..." Valter began, polishing his spear with a cloth, sitting on a stool by his wyvern as his men marched with Caellach's tightened the noose about Eirika's forces.
He had a hunt to ready for. A flash of light appeared before him, Reiv emerging from it, groaning as he watched Valter lounge about, and working the cloth over his lance.
'...If I didn't know better I would think he polishes his spear like... Dear god, no one rubs a shaft like that with their pants on...'
"Valter..." Reiv began. "You should stop playing around. If you don't finish off Eirika's forces swiftly... Her brother's left the capital. He should be arriving here shortly. You don't want to be fighting her still when he arrives. Trust me." Valter looked over at him for a moment before turning back to the lance, continuing his cleaning. "We are equals here in Grado's army. Would you like me to assist?"
"All you need to do is vanish, you disgusting old man." Valter replied, setting his cloth away. "Eirika is mine. I won't let you have her." He said before standing up, as if he was talking about a piece of meat on the table. "She is so strong, so beautiful... She's the prey I've dreamed of. And that tactician of hers... Ah, he will be a perfect appetizer before the main course..."
"Heh heh heh..." Reiv let off, shaking his head. "Your fangs are still sharp, eh? Good. Very good. Ah, Valter... You're a beast. You're bound to no country. You care nothing for friend or foe." Valter shouldered his lance, taking a rose out of a nearby vase he had readied, setting it into the breastplate of his armour. "Kill a man, claim a woman... You live for nothing more, you wretched beast. That's your strength. That's what makes you stronger than any man alive. A beast acts without remorse. Man's morality cannot win. It's nature's way. The stage is all yours, Valter. Do no fail to get the girl's bracelet. Our master demands it..." He bowed once before vanishing in the same light he arrived in.
Valter simply shrugged, climbing onto the back of his wyvern. "The time is nigh, Eirika. Now, let's see if I can find that appetizer." Laughing to himself he guided his beast up into the sky, heading towards the Hall.
0-0
Tyr ran along the wall, looking down, trying to find someway to get down from the wall and onto proper ground. The smoke was drifting out to block his travel to the other side and it was all he could do to avoid panic from overtaking him. Looking over the edge he saw Grado's discarded wagons and weapons, even few horses tied up. "Well, none of those soldiers are around any more. If they don't burn down we can use them." He moved along further, smiling as he saw a patch of hay.
The smile turned to a frown as he heard flapping, turning about a wyvern knight landed on the wall, running a hand through his hair, a number of yards away. "Let me take a wild guess; Valter the Moonstone of Grado?" Tyr asked as he backed away, reaching for a weapon.
"Ah, that would be me." The man said, grinning wildly. "Look at you, trapped like a rat on a burning ship, adrift in a dark ocean. Ah, I was expecting better prey."
"Prey am I?" Tyr muttered, backing into the stone. Rather than stop he slowly eased up onto the wall's edge, pulling his cloak about himself.
0-0
"That building beyond the dunes is Jehanna Hall." Ephraim declared as he arrived, two mounted riders, a shaman, and a knight coming up behind him. "I expect that's where we'll find Eirika and her companions. It's time we rescued Eirika. I'll need all your strength." He said, a pegasus knight landing next to the group.
"Of course, Your Highness." The knight with the heaviest armour replied, nodding once. "I've pledged my service and my axe. You shall have both."
"Princess Eirika..." The hooded man began. "She's a friend of Prince Lyon, isn't she? I'll do what I can to help you. I feel that is what Prince Lyon would want."
"Thank you, Duessel, Knoll." The Prince said, smiling. "As for you three, Tyr travels with my sister. You've come a very long way to the aid of a friend. It is time you are reunited."
"But of course, good prince." The green armoured man said, smiling as he gave a nod, raising his lance. "We are not about to stop now, when the quest is so close to fruition; right beauteous Florina?"
"Yes, Sain." The pegasus knight replied, nodding once. "I will loan my lance to see him safe. Sir Wallace, are you ready?"
"Ha! You know I am ready!" The general said, smacking his chest with his free hand, an axe in the other. "Let Grado beware! A giant comes to slay you!"
"The enemy's numbers are great, but we do not need to face them alone." Ephraim began. "We must move quickly to join forces with Eirika and her company. I'm sure Seth, Innes and Tyr will be there waiting for us. Let's move!"
0-0
They were down a tactician. Everyone knew that. Tyrland had let them since the start, led Lady Lyndis to her grandfather and led Eliwood to victory against Nergal. To lose him made them uneasy.
Eirika stepped into his stead, standing back from the main line but dispatching any foolish enough to come close. Everything that came close was slain by the men and woman at arms, axes, swords, lances, arrows and magic ending lives. As wyverns neared she redirected arrows to the skies and Ross to protect the archers. Each order reassured them.
She wasn't Tyrland. But she was their princess. She would not fail them.
Morale was unbroken.
0-0
"Yes, prey." Valter spoke slowly, his beast murmuring under him. "I do so love the hunt. And your princess will be the best hunt I'll ever had. But I won't kill her, oh no... She's the sort of woman I crave... Strong... Beautiful... Bold... I will claim her... I will tame her... I will make her mine."
"Yes, thank you for telling me you're insane." Tyr replied, disgust in his voice. "But you are mistaken on two things."
"Oh yes?" Valter replied, grinning. "And those are?"
"One. You will not claim her. You could do so only over my dead body."
"Mmm... And how do you know I will not turn you into a dead body?"
"Two. You no longer hunt me. I hunt you." He said, letting Valter see his sword, held in his left hand.
Valter stared at Tyr for a moment as if he grew a second head before leaning back, bellowing in laughter.
Tyr patently waited for his humour to pass. "You... hunt me? Hunt me?" Valter chuckled darkly. "I give you this, Duke of War, you've gall. No men to save you, nothing but a blade and against me? Me! Grado's Moonstone! It's finest general! Well because you amuse me so I promise I will leave your corpse in fine condition! You'll look good for the grand funeral they plan for you I assure." He let off, his beast flapping, lifting up. "But enough talk. I will taste blood!"
Grinning his beast charged past air, hurling itself at Tyr. Before he could be struck Tyr leaned back, falling off the wall. Valter blinked as he cleared the wall.
Then his beast started to bank hard. Looking down he saw that a crossbow bolt had struck under the jaw of his beast, the tip poking just past its thick skull, piercing the brain. "Oh... nuts..."
Tyr for his part felt the breath rush from his chest as he landed upon the hay. Groaning he sat up, the hay not as deep as he had thought but still enough to avoid injury. He saw Valter bank into the nearby lake, slamming into the shallow section of the water. "With my luck, he's alive. No matter, I'll just correct that." He said, standing up and running to the wagons, quickly searching.
Grinning he found what he wanted in the third one, grabbing it before rushing off.
0-0
"Joshua, help Gerik!" Eirika called out, sidestepping a lance as an arrow struck the wyvern rider who fell into the lake, the beast flying off. Her rapier in turn found the heart of an axe wielding fighter who got past Franz. "Joshua?" She called out again.
The Prince of Jehanna could not be seen.
"...I wonder if this is how Tyrland felt back in Boarder Mulan. Marisa, assist Gerik!"
0-0
Caellach snorted as he watched his men slam into the half circle of people that defended Eirika. Okay, he admitted it, slight tactical error on his part. He didn't really figure that they'd put their backs to the lake, making it hard to attack them from all angles. Still, they had numbers. They should break, sooner or later. Then he'd have to salvage the treasury, then his palace, and then get a new throne.
Solid gold, red cushioning made from the finest silk with a few jewels set into it... Oh, diamonds... He had to put in diamonds.
Frowning to himself he lifted his head as he heard someone walk up behind him, pulling his axe out and turning. "Caellach." He heard.
"Hey!" He called out, a friendly tone, smiling wide. "If it isn't Joshua. It's been a long time. Have you been well?"
"I've been all right. Still working as a mercenary." He replied, shrugging. "When did you get all proper and join the Grado army?"
"Didn't I tell you?" Caellach replied, shrugging in turn. "I wasn't about to waste my life as a nameless soldier. Still, I think back on those days a lot lately..." He said with a sigh. "My axe and your sword... The two of us were a deadly pair, eh?" He said, Joshua remaining silent. "By the way... I know all about you, Joshua. Who you really are I mean." He said offhandedly. "The prince of Jehanna, huh? When did you plan on sharing the wealth, you sneaky dog?"
"Listen..." Joshua began, raising a hand and smiling softly. "You can't reduce a nation to loot waiting to be divided. And more importantly, I made a vow to my mother. I'm going to succeed her as ruler of my homeland." He said, bowing deeply in respect before rising up again. "Hey, Caellach... You're the one who killed my mother, aren't you?"
"Yeah..." Caellach admitted, looking embarrassed as he used his shield arm to rub his head. "Sorry 'bout that. Things happen, you know? C'mon, Joshua, don't hate me. This is war. There's nothing you can do about it. Besides, grudges get in the way of work, right?"
"That's true." Joshua said, nodding calmly. "It's as you say." He said before drawing the Sacred Twin, Audhulma, from his side. "Listen, Caellach..." He began in a tone of reassurance. "I've got to kill you now. Don't hold it against me."
Caellach looked as if he'd been struck before glaring. "You arrogant... You haven't changed a bit! I've always wanted to show you who's better, Joshua." He declared, banging his axe to his shield. "And I'm even stronger than I used to be. I'm gonna wipe that smug look off your face for good!"
"You are welcome to try."
"Face it, Joshua... You're a stepping-stone... And I'm moving up."
0-0
Valter shook out his wet hair, using his lance to help him to his feet before he spat out some water. "Oh dear, my wyvern..." He sighed, pouting a bit. "I really liked that one. He was my favourite... I really wanted to fight him when he got old..." Sighing he walked out of the water, climbing onto the bank, looking over himself before a look of anger passed over his face. "The flower... The flower for Eirika... it's lost to the water! Dammit! Tyrland! You will pay for this affront!"
0-0
"Ah. He's mad." Tyr let off as he loaded his crossbow. "Good." He said, using a wagon for cover. Once ready he popped out from his hiding place, firing a bolt before running off behind another wagon.
At that distance even if he had struck Valter's armour he doubted it would do any damage.
The point was moot as Valter just caught the bolt with his free hand.
"Skilled. Figures." Tyr muttered before dashing behind another wagon as Valter dropped the bolt.
"I lost the flower!" Valter bellowed out as he reached the wagons. "You made me lose the flower!"
"Forgive me, in that I don't care." Tyr said, appearing again from another wagon, firing another bolt.
Valter tilted his head, a lock of hair cut from the missile. Tyr ducked behind another wagon and Valter lashed out, lance piercing the side of a wagon. Tyr ran away, between two wagons before tripping, losing his grip, crossbow clattering away.
"And now the hunt ends." Valter said as he walked up to Tyr, lance at his side. "You whet my appetite. But tell me, do you still think yourself the hunter?"
"Yes." Tyr replied grabbing a fist full of sand and pulling.
Valter blinked seeing a length of rope in the tactician's hand, pulled taut, the cord hidden in the sand. A noise came from behind him, a thunderous sound, just before a ballista bolt struck him in the back, piecing armour, flesh, bone, flesh and then armour, sailing past air before stopping, embedded deep in a wagon.
"The moment you threatened My Princess was the same as when you became a corpse."
Lance slipping from his hand, Valter looked down.
There was a big hole in his chest. Oh dear. He was sure that would be an issue.
"I taste... blood..." It was soft. So soft the Tyr could only imagine he heard it before the general fell to the ground, face planting into the sand.
"That's what happens when you hunt the fox. " Tyr began as he picked up his crossbow. "Sometimes it is the fox who hunts you."
0-0
Caellach blocked the divine weapon with his axe, batting it aside before swinging, Joshua stepping back from range. The two circled slowly before Caellach rushed in, swinging his axe twice, the swordmaster dodging one swing, ducking the other and lashing out with a slash of his blade, shield brought up to block. Joshua stepped back before parting his feet, planting them before charging.
Caellach grinning, bringing up his shield and charging likewise, swinging his shield to catch his foe, trying to make him stumble to set up a killing strike.
His guard hit nothing but air, eyes widening before he felt something strike his neck. How Joshua appeared behind him he'd never know. He fell to his knees before falling forwards to the sand.
His last sight was of his own body as his head rolled away from it.
0-0
Eirika didn't know why, but her foe's attention was suddenly divided. Not wasting the chance she ordered a full out attack.
Enemies were quick to stop existing as she rushed to the front, stabbing into a foe, trying to see what had happened.
"Eirika!" She heard, looking up.
"Brother? Is that really you? You're not some phantom, are you?" She asked, rushing over to him. She paid no heed to the last of Grado's men. Her troops and Ephraim's had them flanked, and were finishing them off in record time now.
"No, it's really me." He said simply, looking about as the job was finished. He was impressed. It took awhile for the rear attack to be noticed up front, and by the time it had...
Well, one hundred men were whittled away to nothing in little time.
"Even when we were children, you came to protect me." She giggled, rushing to hug him. "Oh, Ephraim... I've missed you so..."
"And I've missed you." Ephraim replied, hugging back. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you safe. Oh, I almost forgot. I have something to give you."
"What are these?" She asked as Ephraim pulled out an axe and tome.
"There are called Sacred Twins. We took these relics from Grado. The dark tome Gleipnir and the black axe Garm... I doubt either of us can use them, but... We can see if someone else can, hmm?"
"They're from Grado? Does this mean Grado Keep has fallen?" Eirika asked, as Ephraim set the weapons away.
"Yes. I conquered the capital and defeated Emperor Vigarde. But still..." He began in a worried tone.
"I beg pardon of yourself, Good Prince, and your beauteous sister." The green armoured knight began, his horse trotting over. "But I and my friends need a question answered."
"Yes." Eirika heard as a soft, feminine looking knight on pegasus back approached along with a massive bald man in armour. "We've come here from Elibe."
"Elibe?" Eirika parroted, blinking. "Tyrland's home continent?"
"Yup." The armoured man said, grinning. "We old comrades of his in fact. We're charged with ensuring he is in good health."
"As Sir Wallace says." The knight said. "I am Sain. These are my wife, Florina and my teacher, Sir Wallace."
"I met them near Fort Rigwald." Ephraim began. "We crossed paths and they inquired about Tyr. When I learned they were his old comrades I asked them to join me."
"It seemed better than waltzing about chasing rumours." Sain said, smiling. "Since Tyr was with you and Ephraim was planning to rejoin with you after the fall of Grado it seemed best to aid him. So, where is he?"
"I... I do not know." Eirika admitted sadly, looking down. "Grado set fire to the Hall and he was trapped inside. We... I haven't had the chance to go seek him yet... I do not even know if..."
"Beg pardon for my tardiness, My Princess." They heard, turning as a green cloaked figure came closer, his hood lowered to guard his eyes from the sun. "I was accosted by General Valter for a bit... I managed however."
"Ha!" Wallace let out, cutting off any statement from Eirika as Sain and Florina got off their mounts as Tyr looked up. "Bet you outfoxed him but good too, you little runt!"
"...Wallace? Florina? Sain?" Tyr let off, bewildered at first before grinning. "By the Saint, it's good to see you!" He said running up to them, extending his hand to shake Sain's before pulling him close for an embrace. Right after he gave Florina a hug about the waist and Wallace a hand shake. "But what in blazes are you doing here?"
"Seeking you out, what else?" Sain began, smiling. "It's a bit of a story, but..."
"Beg pardon." They heard, L'Arachel trotting closer. "I hate to interrupt a joyous reunion, but may I suggest a quick war council to exchange information."
"Ah, yes." Tyr let off, nodding. "I've a theory I wish to put by Ephraim as well. And I'm sure his adventures in Grado will enlighten us."
"Tyrland, may I speak with you a moment..." Eirika asked softly. Tyr nodded once before turning to the Prince and Sain.
"We will be a moment. Can you go to the outpost over there?" Tyr asked, pointing out to a building nearby. "We shouldn't be long."
"Of course." Ephraim replied, nodding once. "Take what time you need. Let's move out!" Tyr nodded once as he and Eirika moved away a bit from them to speak.
"Florina, you notice what I notice?" Sain whispered and he and his wife went to their steeds, taking hold of them.
"She called him Tyrland." She replied, just as quiet, as they started walking towards the outpost. "He is insistent on people calling him Tyr."
"All people but Lyn." Sain replied nodding once.
"Beg pardon for overhearing." Ephraim said as he walked with them. "But is that notable?"
"Very." Sain replied.
0-0
"Tyrland, are you alright?" Eirika asked as they stopped on the crest of a dune. "I was so scared for you... When I realized you hadn't escaped... I felt my heart stop for but a moment..."
"I had a bit of terror myself at the time, yes." Tyr replied, shaking his head. "I withheld my panic, but only just. Valter accosted me on the wall, but I was able to kill his mount then set a trap. I won't go into details, I'm sure you'll hear it when I'm pestered to boast about it by Wallace, but he is quite dead."
"I'm... I'm just glad you are well." Eirika sighed. "If something had happened I... I would not know what to do..."
"You seem to have a grasp of tactics now." Tyr replied. "I would think quite well."
"No. I do not mean that." Eirika said, shaking her head. "I mean... You are... Tyrland..." She breathed, looking up at him. "I... care. To me you are friend. You are teacher. You are companion. You are guide. You are... I mean I... I would break if you died..."
"Eirika..." Tyr said softly, setting his hands on her shoulders. "I... Thank you. I care as well. I would give my life to save yours. But do not doubt; I would not let it go easily. You would not break at my death though, I know. You are strong willed. You could go on without me. I taught you to go on without me if need be."
"I know." She replied, nodding, hiding the tears in her eyes by lowering her eyes. "But know this. I would give my life for yours."
"Eirika, that is-"
"Do not tell me it is foolish!" She shouted out, surprising him as he back up a step. "Do not tell me I am worth more than you! Do not say that! I... I cannot picture a life now... Not without you..."
"...Eirika..." Tyr said sadly, stepping forward again. "I am sorry. I do not mean to cause you any distress. Valter made very... vivid threats to your person. I am feeling protective of you right now because of that lout. However if you cannot picture a life without me... Eirika, that is close to a proposition."
Eirika paused, mouth falling open as she blushed deeply, red coating her cheeks as she looked into the now interesting sand. "Ah... yes. It is close to being that..." She said, coughing. "Um, maybe it's best to disregard those words..." She said before blinking. "Ah, wait, no, no... I mean that sounds as if I think you'd be a poor husband, but truly I am sure you'd be a doting one... Ah, no wait, that sounds like I could be stating again a-"
"My Princess..." Tyr began, smiling softly. "You need not say more. I was trying to get a smile and laugh from you. To know, though, it gets you flustered... I am... humbled."
"Tyrland..."
"I... We've spoken enough, I would think. The others... will be worried if we don't return soon."
"Yes, true." Eirika said, nodding once as the two started to walk to the outpost. "But Tyrland... Know that..."
"Know what?"
"..Never mind. It would not sound... Proper."
0-0
"I see unfamiliar faces among you here, so allow me to introduce myself." Ephraim began inside a war room with Erika, Innes, L'Arachel, Joshua, Seth, Sain, Wallace, Florina and Tyr. "I am Ephraim, Eirika's brother and crown prince of Renais."
"I'm Princess L'Arachel of Rausten." She said, curtseying. "The pleasure is mine, of course."
"Joshua, Jehanna's Crown Prince."
"I am Sain, freelance knight."
"And I am Florina, Illian Pegasus Knight and Sain's wife."
"Wallace, former General of Caelin, current freelance knight."
"Seth, General of Renais."
"I am Prince Innes, Crown Prince of Frelia."
"I'll begin by telling you of how we've fared in our mission." Ephraim continued. "We seized the Grado capital and defeated her emperor, Vigarde. Grado's capital guard have, to a man, surrendered and laid down their arms. Pockets of resistance remain, but the war itself is over."
"Is that so?" Innes asked, crossing his arms.
"This war ends, but more battles lie ahead." Tyr added. "I would say the worst is yet to come."
"I admit, there is something that still bothers me." Ephraim replied. "A Grado man named Knoll told me about something called a 'Dark Stone.'"
"The shaman with you, right?" Tyr asked as the Prince of Renais nodded.
"Their mages had uncovered lore that led them to craft a powerful magic stone. This Dark Stone may have been the catalyst of Grado's transformation. It seems to be the source of that black wave of energy Myrrh described. Vigarde died some time ago, but the power of the stone played him like a puppet. The war and everything that passed since was planned by the Dark Stone's master."
"Well?" Innes asked. "Who is it?"
"...I still can't believe it, but I'll tell you nonetheless." Ephraim sighed. "According to Knoll, the man behind this is-"
"Prince Lyon." Tyr interrupted, everyone in the room turning to look at him.
"..How did you know?" Ephraim asked blinking.
"What...? That can't be..." Eirika mused.
"Everything you told me... Maybe not confirms, but fits with a theory I've had." Tyr began. "Although based on your information I was wrong on some points. Originally I suspected that the Demon King inside the Stone of Grado, which I've been told is the one that imprisons him, had reached out and tempted or controlled someone to do this. But if this Dark Stone is the cause..."
"Your theory still holds water." Ephraim interrupted. "The Dark Stone is Grado's Stone; or the half of it with the Demon King's energies stored in it. The other half was a Sacred Stone, and shattered."
"...I hate being right sometimes." Tyr groaned. "Regardless, I briefly suspected Lyon but discounted him. Eirika had spoken of him and what she said suggested he was nothing but a kind, well meaning young lad with a self esteem issue. I believed he would not do such an outright idiotic thing as tampering with a container of a demon's soul... But if he was driven to absolute desperation... I did not want to think it, but with Vigarde's death driving him to despair, his lack of confidence would lead him to think he was unfit to sit on the throne... Lyon is now his puppet... The Demon King controls him."
"Tyrland..." Eirika let off, softly, grabbing his shoulder. "I spoke with him. In the Hall. He said he was... He said he couldn't stop the invasion... That he'd always be my friend... He said I was... more beautiful than when he last saw me."
"I am... I am sorry." Tyr sighed, shaking his head. "But I can think of no better reason."
"I also met Lyon." Ephraim said simply. "But, he was like a completely different person. To be honest, he didn't seem to be completely... human."
"Can you... elaborate?" Tyr asked.
"I'll tell you what I saw. I found Lyon inside Grado Keep. This is what he told me: He said he was behind this war. He said he'd befriend us solely so that, one day, he could invade Renais... He told me he killed my father."
"That..." Eirika let off, bringing a hand to her mouth in shock. "That can't..."
"I know." Ephraim replied. "I can't believe it either. I refuse to believe it. How could he have planned all this since he was a child... I simply can't fathom it."
"Why is it that he seems enamoured with Eirika and violent with you?" Tyr mused. "Is the Demon King playing mind games with you, or is it Lyon manifesting himself with his emotions twisted by the King?"
"I've heard Lyon changed when he acquired the Dark Stone." Ephraim continued. "I've no interest in magic, but... There was something uncanny about him. At the time it seemed as if he were being controlled by something not himself. And Tyr's theory... It's plausible. More that that, really."
"Regardless of the theories or the state of Prince Lyon's heart matters little." Innes injected. "He has the Dark Stone. That rock is the cause of all that's happened. The prince must be stopped."
"Agreed, but this Dark Stone is another matter." Tyr replied. "If we just walk up and try and kill Prince Lyon he could just break the stone. I have no idea what that would do but I'm quite sure it would be very, very bad."
"Then let me offer a suggestion." L'Arachel spoke up. "I believe Prince Ephraim has felt it too. The Dark Stone held by Prince Lyon... It exudes a malefic miasma... We might be able to handle Prince Lyon alone, but that stone is beyond our ken."
"I would hear any suggestion." Tyr replied quickly.
"The Sacred Stones."
"The Sacred Stones?" Eirika parroted.
"We've all heard the legend of the five Sacred Stones." L'Arachel replied.
"Have you three heard it yet?" Tyr asked, turning to his fellow Elibe natives.
"Nope." Sain.
"Sorry, no." Florina.
"Can't say I have." Wallace.
"... Almost all of us have heard the legend of the five Sacred Stones."
"Aren't there only two now?" Wallace asked, scratching his head.
"Plus the Dark Stone." Sain pointed out. "So it's two and a half."
"...The two remaining not Dark Stones possessed the power to seal the Demon King away forever." She let out, irritated. "So to dispel demonic magic, we must use the Sacred Stones."
"I see your point, L'Arachel." Tyr mused. "If the Demon King does escape we can just re-trap him. Of course, like most things, easier said than done."
"You expect us to pin the outcome on this war on some fool legend?" Innes replied, scoffing.
"If you've a better plan, please, let us have it." Tyr replied.
""Not just the legend." Ephraim added. "We also have hope."
"Hope and a prayer..." Sain chuckled. "Ah, many an adventure we've had fuelled by little else."
"I'd like a little more this time." Tyr quipped.
"According to Lyon, he has already seen to the destruction of Frelia's and Jehanna's stones." Ephraim continued. "As well as the half of Grado's stone that's not dark."
"Hm. That explains something." Eirika began. "Grado forces attacked me, intent on destroying the Stone of Renais. If that could be the reason they chose to invade Renais... The power of the Sacred Stones may be greater than we'd ever known."
"Yes, exactly!" L'Arachel exclaimed. "If we acquire a Sacred Stone, we'll be able to oppose the Dark Stone's might!"
"It makes sense, but now we have only two options." Tyr injected. "Only Rausten and Renais' stones are intact. Renais' stone is hidden and protected beyond Grado's reach. So long as Eirika and Ephraim have their bracelets the stone is safe."
"We have to confirm this of course." Ephraim replied. "We've defeated Grado, and we must turn our eyes to our homeland. It's time to return to Renais."
"Agreed." Tyr said, nodding. "We should remain here for tomorrow, however. Let the men rest, get new equipment, and take stock."
"Sounds like a plan." Eirika replied before looking at Sain. "Now then, I was hoping you and your comrades would tell me why you're here."
"Yes, we didn't get much of a chance to talk yet..." Tyr replied. "I have to apologize for that."
"None needed." Wallace replied, smiling. "The fact is we were present when Lady Lyndis received your letter from Frelia."
"You sent a letter?" Eirika asked, turning to her tactician.
"Yes." Tyr said, nodding. "After we first met and when we got to the castle. I sent one before coming to Magvel, but I didn't know if it reached her or not."
"Sad to say, but it didn't." Sain replied, sighing.
"I half suspected that might have happened." Tyr groaned. "Regardless I wanted to reassure her I was in good health. Good health and off to battle, but still."
"Lady Lyndis was..." Florina began before thinking of her words. "When she read the letter she was overjoyed that he was okay, but dismayed that he would be off to combat without her. Lady Lyndis is very protective of him. She considered him her closest and most trusted friend. She wanted to rush to Magvel herself, but... duty to husband and Ostia prevented her..."
"The Chains of Duty." Sain said, smiling sadly. "We, however, were not so bound so we offered to go in her stead. We promised to either return him home, or return home with good news."
"Sain, Wallace, Florina. Thank you." Tyr began, smiling at them. "I... Things have been rough here these past months. To have three old friends by my side does me good. I won't ask you to loan us your strength but I know you too well. You would, even if I told you otherwise."
"Then you know us too well, old friend. Far too well." Sain replied, bowing playfully.
0-0
"Lady Myrrh." Saleh called out, finally seeing his charge in the outpost that the two groups had joined in.
"Saleh..." Myrrh replied smiling widely as the sage walked up to her.
"I'm grateful to see you well." Saleh said, hugging her softly. "The people of Caer Pelyn will be overjoyed that you're safe."
"I must apologize to you, Saleh." She replied, hugging back. "You were there to protect me from the very start of my journey. When we were attacked, I was separated from you, and... I'm sorry to have worried you."
"Lady Myrrh." Saleh spoke softly. "As long as you are safe, we have nothing to be worried about. It will be my honour to serve you until your mission is complete."
"Thank you, Saleh. Thank you for-"
"Hey, teacher!" They heard, Ewan rushing up to them with a dark tome in his hand. "I found this after the battle! Look! A Luna Tome!" He said before focusing, a dark mist appearing in his other hand as he held it up.
"...Oh my." Saleh sighed.
0-0
Once word had gotten out that the rest of the day was free a small cheer had gone up. Tyr wasn't able to tell where exactly everyone had run off to, save that most everyone decided to enjoy the time before they had to go back to war.
He did know that Amelia and Ross left for a nearby town and that Dolza and Garcia were chatting about axes. Vanessa was talking softly to Innes while Ephraim told stories to his sister and Tana, the two princesses hanging on his words.
Colm and Neimi were gone, as was Marisa and Gerik. Ewan was showing off his new spells to Myrrh, Saleh and Tethys, and they were Elder spells to Tyr's own chagrin.
He himself had been stuck telling Wallace, Florina and Sain about his encounter with General Valter. Cormag joined into listen as well to hear of the man's demise. Although he apologized to the wyvern rider for denying him vengeance Cormag waved it off before speaking.
"To know he died how he died? By being suckered in? I can laugh at that. I will tell everyone that Valter was not defeated by superior skill, just by his own idiocy."
Once the story was done Wallace had gone off to repeat it, changing the details to be more heroic. Tyr moved to the door, wanting to review the area about Castle Renais in his wagon. Florina spotted him, speaking a few words to her husband before rushing to catch up with him.
"Tyr, do you have a minute to speak?" She asked.
"Of course." Tyr said, stopping to turn to look at the lilac haired knight. "I was just off to my wagon. We can speak there if it pleases you."
"Of course."
It wasn't long until the two stepped out into the afternoon air walking over to his wagon and then inside of it, Tyr shutting the door. "You know I can still remember back when being in a room, alone, with a man would cause you to nearly break out in hives." He said, the woman's cheeks flushing softly. "Let alone that time in the river-"
"Tyr, please do not embarrass me!" She half shrieked, glaring a bit.
Tyr laughed softly, waving a hand. "Sorry, couldn't resist. It's just when we met you were but a shy girl who stammered at the sight of a man. And now here you are, a grown woman, proudly married and skilled at arms."
"Thank you." Florina smiled back, nodding as she sat on the bed. "I... I owe you a lot for that. You were the first man I felt at ease with."
"I'm glad." Tyr replied, smiling back. "Now, tell me, what troubles you?"
"It's not what troubles me. It's what troubles you." Florina said, smoothing her skirt out. "Sain... After the wedding Sain told me how you left..."
"...I see..."
"You loved her, didn't you?" She said softly. "You were in love with Lyndis."
"...I always found it funny." He said, sitting on his desk, pulling his hood down. "I could hide my feeling from her but almost no one else. The master tactician, yet his heart was visible to anyone who didn't own it."
"Was she your first love?"
"Yes, yes she was." Tyr sighed, shaking his head. "It wasn't quite instant but when I awoke and first saw her there was... something. I can't describe it. I just knew this woman would be important to me and that, no matter what, I had to help her. Maybe it was love. I wouldn't know until a lot later."
"When did you know?"
"...I can't say why I'm answering but... when I rushed to Caelin with lord Eliwood." Tyr looked up at the ceiling. "I thought I would die if anything happened to her... That's when I knew... But... I never had the nerve to do it, to confess to her. I couldn't utter three tiny words, could I?" He stopped long enough to regain his composure before speaking again. "I always just... I let myself believe that there was time, that I could woo her in good time. Just... wait for the proper moment. Wait until I had the nerve. But I never found the moment, let alone the nerve. Hector did. I decided to be happy for them. I'm still working on that."
"I know." Florina said softly before standing. "And... I know how that feels. To know someone you love... doesn't feel that way."
"...Who?"
Florina gulped a bit, stepping towards him, looking up at him. "You."
To say Tyr was dumbfounded would be an understatement. His mouth opened and shut a bit before he could let off anything worthy of being called noise. "Me?"
"You were so... gentle and patient with me." She began softly. "So kind. It wasn't until you left us that I learned how much I cared..."
"Florina..."
"You gave me words to help uplift me. Knowledge to empower me. Friendship to comfort me. Never did you ask of me anything, even when I would give you everything. When I saw you, when you came back to help us... I was overjoyed. And then when I... figured out that you loved her... It hurt. It really hurt. But I decided that... That if it all worked out I could be happy. I could be happy for you. Sain figured out my feelings for you and... It was the first time we talked that he didn't lay on the flirtations. He helped me... I can't say that I stopped feeling for you, but it doesn't hurt. Not anymore."
"...I apologise for making you feel that way..." Tyr said, his shoulders slumping. "I... I never even knew... I suppose, however, compared to Serra and Nino..."
"I was unnoticeable, wasn't I?" Florina replied, giggling. "But don't apologise. I... Maybe more could have happened if I could have... spoken up."
"A wise old man once told me 'Love is not a war of attrition. It's first come first serve. And if you never ask, you are never served.' Wish I'd bothered listening."
"It still hurts after so long."
"A little less now, but the wound is tender."
"...I wanted to... I didn't come confessing all of this solely to get it off my chest." Florina admitted. "I also wanted to help you. Eirika calls you Tyrland. You never correct her."
"..."
"You never corrected Lyndis either."
"... I..."
"Don't." Florina interrupted, putting two fingers over his lips. "Don't speak. Listen. Love is not a war of attrition. She is special to you. Even after seeing you two for so short a time, I can see it. I can see how you gazed at her while you spoke with us. How you speak with her. You need to find out if you love her and if you do then you need to tell her, because if she has your heart and you let her fall into another's arms... I would need to watch your heart break again. I don't want to see you be in that pain again. I may not be able to say I love you anymore, but I still care. I want to be happy for you. Make me happy for you." Finally she stepped back, bowing once before leaving the way she came.
Tyr meanwhile fell onto the bed, facing the ceiling.
No maps would be looked at that night.
0-0
Promotions...
Ewan from Pupil to Shaman. (To Tyr's dismay)