Well, I got a couple of nice reviews, and so I've decided to abandon my English essay and my media homework in order to update. And you want some REALLY good news? I know exactly where I'm going from this chapter. So there's an 85 percent chance of me updating again tomorrow.
But as ever...please review. D= I even gave you a really nice, long chapter. This is 1,500 words, y'know! That's more than twice my usual length. Heh. Review!
The first thing that Soren felt upon entering the room were several pairs of eyes staring at him. He met the eyes of the Goldoan prince, who seemed no older than himself - chinlength hair, wide eyes and a mark on his forehead similar to Soren's own. It was that to which the prince's attention was clearly drawn, his mouth ever so slightly open.
"Glad you could join us, Ike." Ranulf flicked his tail idly, standing between King Caeneghis and another lion laguz. "I guess it's time for introductions, then. King Caeneghis, Prince Kurthnaga, allow me to introduce Commander Ike of the Greil Mercenaries, his tactician, and the beautiful Princess Crimea."
The princess was already seated opposite. Soren watched her cheeks tinge pink. "P-please. Call me Elincia," she stammered, her hands clasped anxiously together.
"To disregard your station in such a manner would be frightfully rude, would it not?" It took a moment for Soren to realise that it was the Goldoan prince who had spoken, and only a split second more to notice that the prince's eyes were still lingering upon him.
"It might be considered equally rude not to face the person whom you are addressing," Soren pointed out in his usual blunt manner.
The prince smiled. "My question applies also to you, sir tactician. Or perhaps I ought to address you as Senerio?" He raised his voice questioningly.
"It's Soren. And I believe my station has already been acknowledged as tactician of the Greil Mercenaries." Soren's reply was quick, and he bothered to hide neither the edge from his words nor the scowl from his face.
Ike looked between them in concern and bemusement, but it was Ranulf who interrupted. "Could we get on with the meeting?"
"Of course." The prince smiled as he glanced at Ranulf briefly. "Let us press on." His gaze soon returned to Soren.
"Very well," King Caeneghis began. "The matter stands thus - Daein has invaded Crimea with neither reason nor apology. Her ruler, King Ramon, fell along with the capital, leaving us with a claimant who I believe to be Crimea's true heir." Soren heard Ike sigh in relief. "However, we have yet to decide if the laguz are willing to participate in a beorc war."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, Daein is already turning its eyes towards Gallia. We are their enemy whether we stand and fight or no. In sheltering Princess Elincia, we have already made our choice clear to them." Soren looked up in surprise. He had not expected such supportive words from Ranulf.
Princess Elincia raised herself from her seat. "I believe my stance on this matter is already clear. I cannot allow Daein to commit such crimes unpunished. Your aid in restoring my beloved country of Crimea will be neither forgotten nor unrewarded, Your Majesty. With the capital fell Crimea's own army. I am...unable to secure the throne without further aid."
"And where does Goldoa stand in all this, Prince Kurthnaga? Will you support Princess Elincia's claim to the throne?"
The prince closed his eyes. "As you know, Your Majesty, Goldoa has previously chosen to remain neutral in wars. We choose this stance once again. However, we beg Princess Elincia to understand that this is not an acceptance of Daein's atrocities. They do not deserve to go unpunished, and we would be glad if she were one day restored to the throne that we also believe is rightfully hers. However...While we support the justifications, we simply cannot condone war. To fight by Gallia's side would create chaos across the continent, with all seven nations embroiled in war. Goldoa desires to prevent this above all else. We also fear that breaching our neutrality may risk civil war. As Goldoa holds no formal alliance with either Crimea or Gallia, we shall not aid you until Daein marches upon our own borders." He opened his eyes and looked directly at the king. "However, we will accept that you wish to aid Crimea. You have my word that Goldoa shall not hold this against you."
"Your neutrality is understood, Prince Kurthnaga," King Caeneghis assured him. "I believe we have come to a decision, then. Gallis shall form an alliance with Crimea and fight in order to restore Princess Elincia and her country. Ranulf."
"Hm?" Ranulf looked up with a start. "Your Majesty?"
"You are to accompany the Greil Mercenaries and offer aid to Princess Elincia. Take a small unit with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ranulf lowered his head - and his tail, Soren noticed. Clearly, while Ranulf would obey the king's orders, he would be none too enthusiastic about it.
But the king had not yet finished speaking. "Skrimir, you are also to accompany Ranulf." The other lion laguz nodded in acknowledgement, but otherwise remained silent. "I believe heading for Begnion will be the best course of action. You may find aid there while Gallia rallies its own troops. I wish you good luck on your journey, all of you."
Princess Elincia smiled at him, though her eyes shone with tears. "I have no words to describe how indebted Crimea is to you, King Caeneghis. I can only hope to slowly rebuild relations between laguz and beorc so that our countries may one day be brethren." She curtsied low before exiting the room, trying to save what little of her composure still remained. Ike followed her down the corridor, and so, in turn, did Soren.
"Blasted dragons," he heard a low voice mutter behind them. "Cowards! They always refuse to fight, even alongside their fellow laguz!"
Soren turned to see the other lion laguz, Skrimir, complaining loudly to Ranulf, who did not look best pleased. "Keep your voice down, Skrimir! Honestly! This is why I told you to stay silent in the meeting - you're so hot-headed." He shook his head irritably. "Please, can't you think before you speak, just for once? We cannot risk angering Goldoa."
"Bah! They would not dare turn against us! They are too yellow-bellied to fight against beorc nations, let alone the might of Gallia!"
Ranulf whacked him around the head. "I've changed my mind. Go back to being silent until you can find something intelligent to say." Soren was sure he heard the cat laguz growl. "Even King Caeneghis could not stand against one of the dragon tribe. We do NOT want them as enemies."
"Are they really that strong?" Soren looked round and saw that Ike had dropped back to level with Ranulf. He was looking at the laguz with an expression nothing short of awe plastered across his face.
Ranulf sighed. "What the Goldoan dragons lack in numbers, they more than make up for in strength. They would be powerful allies...if they ever decided to choose a wretched side."
Ike grimaced. "Better to remain neutral than side with Daein, though."
"You can say that again." Ranulf sighed. "I'd hoped that your tactician might have persuaded them into allying with us, if I'm perfectly honest."
"You honestly thought that his curiosity about the Branded would sway the decision?" Soren asked. "That seems a rather pitiable fallback."
Ranulf shot him a withering look. "I meant because of your dragon blood, but if you're going to feign idiocy about it, then never mind."
Soren was silent for a moment before giving a wry smile. "Well, that confirms that, then. I had my suspicions, mind you. Though it's still rather ridiculous to think that Goldoa would ally with you over an outcast. I highly doubt that they view me as one of their own."
Ranulf shrugged. "It was worth a shot. Besides, there are very few black dragons left. They might even count halfbreeds these days." He shot Soren a sly smirk. "The prince certainly seemed rather interested in you. Still, I suppose his personal opinions don't enter into it. It's not as though he's anything but a mouthpiece for King Dheginsea."
"Mm." Soren gave a noncommital shrug, trying his best to conceal his shallow hope that he had misheard the prince earlier. Senerio. He hadn't heard that name in the longest time. At the very least...he'd tried not to.