Begnion doesn't know the meaning of 'give up.' If you're tired of fight scenes, well, that's the gist of what'll go on during this story arc. :P

Chapter 6: A Second Try

He smiled as he watched the bulk of the Begnion army march pass him.

Most of them did not notice him, despite the cold that emanated from his body. Yes, the Begnion mages and priests began to move warily, telling their comrades that something strange was afoot, but he saw fellow shamans and they seemed to care little about his presence.

He glanced at the Luna tome in his hand. It was amazing how powerful elder magic was, how beautifully it surrounded its prey. It was not a boring white or red, no, but a dark violet, sometimes even shifting to black. Dark magic was beautiful...

But so many things were not. War helped color the landscape, but the stench that arose after a battle was horrid. It was strange, really, the way that warriors seemed to appreciate visual art, since they made so much of it from their battle stances and formations along with the colors they left behind, yet they did not seem to appreciate the value of odors. Foul odors were common among troops. They left sweat that could stink for yards, and left the smell of rotting flesh that could stench for miles. Warriors fought so often, creating so much art, yet also creating so much ugliness. It was fascinating, yet he knew that it was horrible.

Then again, too many people would call his profession horrible. He merely wanted to study art... To study how the thing people seemed to fear most, death, could be made beautiful. Why did we have to fear death? It was inevitable. If one would fear it one might as well fear wild lions or tigers. The chance of you dying was much greater than the chance that you'd meet a wild tiger, after all.

And because he was curious about this form of art, people hated him. They chased him away when he tried to experiment with corpses. But why? Those who have perished are already dead. They have no use for their bodies anyway. To 'disrespect' the dead would be to forget about them, to ignore history. He was simply using the bodies that they left behind to study his art. He would never forget the souls that once inhabited those bodies, of course, but those souls had left already, and they probably wouldn't care about what he'd do to their discarded remains.

Bob scratched his bony chin as he thought about this. Through his mastery of elder magic, he knew how to postpone death. How old was he now? Two hundred and fifty? Yet he was still very curious about his art, unlike other old men whom he knew would simply relax in their homes complaining about the changes from the old days.

He fingered his Luna tome. This war would only cause a continental stench that would be an insult to art. As an artist, and as a powerful Druid he had to do something... These were times to take action, not to sit back in the distance and ponder. (1.)

As Ike and Soren stood outside the war tent, waiting for the others, Soren suddenly spoke up.

"We may have saved the fort, but I feel like a failure."

"Why is that?" Ike turned to him.

"40 percent of our men were lost in that last battle... Those kinds of losses are not something to be proud of."

"Considering the fact that the majority of those losses consisted of the troops originally at the fort before we arrived, I think you did quite well, Soren. Lucia did what she could to secure the fort with no reinforcements (before us, at least), and during a constant bombardment of enemy troops and aerial support, but she succeeded, and we helped crush the enemy. Both of you played your part as strategists, and because of that most of our men remain standing, ready to defend their country. There have been far too many defeats and ridiculously bloody battles throughout Tellius's history. Be proud that you were able to spare the majority of our soldier's lives." Ike replied.

Soren's eyes widened. "Titania helped you memorize that, didn't she?"

"You think I can't make great speeches?"

"Hmn... I guess I have rubbed off on you." Soren smirked.

Ike sighed. "Anyways, why are the others taking so long?"

"No idea... Sloth leads to the doom of armies, and I hope ours is an exception, otherwise we'll be Confederate fodder."

"You complain far too often for your own good, Soren." Lucia spoke up as she approached.

"I'm surprised. You took longer than usual to get ready." Soren smirked at her.

"That's because I was gathering the others." Lucia pointed behind her as Titania, Geoffrey, Bastian, and Shinon appeared.

"Why Shinon?" Soren mouthed at her.

"Why not?" She mouthed back.

Soren shrugged his shoulders. Shinon did have the potential to be a strategist... If only he'd lower his peacock feathers...

"So, Ike, did you want to discuss something?" Geoffrey spoke abruptly, with a hint of irritation in his voice. Though he always tried to be cordial to Ike, there were times when the facade finally slipped. Elincia had showed romantic interest in Ike, after all, and Geoffrey was not one to appreciate that.

Before Ike could reply, Soren pointed at the tent. "Into the war tent, now."

"So, anyways, why are we meeting in this war tent? And why were we sleeping in a campground instead of the castle?" Shinon groaned. He did not like sleeping on a mattress with gravel stabbing into his back, no indeed.

"An army follows it's commander's example. If that commander is thrifty and humble, the army will be so. If the commander is greedy, the troops will be as well and raids and sacking of civilian areas will be common. We do this in order to keep our army humble and thrifty, Shinon, and quite frankly your greed is a bad influence for this army." Soren spoke, with no intention to stay tactful.

Lucia and Titania both glared at the strategist, but both knew that it was pointless to try to correct him.

"Whatever, runt. If you ask me we should spend so much time healing those idiots back in the fort. If they're too weak to take care of themselves on the battlefield, what makes you think they'll be dependable allies when we really need 'em?" Shinon scoffed.

"Shinon! That's cruel of you! Those warriors are our brothers and sisters!" Lucia snarled.

"No, they're dead weights, all of 'em. Only those who can pull their own weight can truly call themselves 'warriors.' The rest just get in their way."

"Either way, I'm sure we did not come here to debate about such things. Tell me, Ike, why are we gathered here today?" Titania turned to Ike.

"Soren believes that the enemy will strike again, and because of that we have to make precautions. Am I right?" Ike turned to Soren.

"Precisely. If you watched the enemy formation's closely, you'll notice that they are fond of the 'meatshield,' and 'ocean' formations. Those formations are almost guaranteed to require large amounts of troops, and the users of said formations can expect to have countless casualties. However, it will eventually get the job done: overwhelming the enemy and allowing one's army to achieve victory.

"If the Confederacy is so keen on using these tactics, it proves that they will do whatever it takes to conquer Crimea. They spent so many soldiers on Delbray because they want to get rid of the main threat that will block them from taking Crimea. I doubt we need to check on The Great Bridge; for it is without a doubt in Begnion hands at the moment. It would be wiser for us to hold our position instead and have them waste another vast army on us, and once they are thus weakened we can make our strike, retake the bridge, and crush whatever army might remain in Crimea's borders." Soren held his hand into a fist. (2.)

"The question is, what is the fastest way to break the Ocean formation?" Lucia inquired.

"When I was in the academy, we rarely had to deal with this formation, but if memory serves me right then the best way to break that formation is to 'fill the skies with arrows raining upon the foe.' The 'Ocean' formation would require troops to have high morale, otherwise few people would be willing to charge as a herd against the enemy, knowing full well that they'd die without even reaching the center of their foe's formation. We need to break that morale, and arrows hitting their faces and blinding their vision is more than enough to cause enemy soldiers to panic and start trying to flee." Titania answered. (3.)

"Meh, leave that to me. I'll feather their eyes out." Shinon shrugged his shoulders.

"Very well. I can only hope that your ego won't cause you to get careless." Soren smirked smugly.

Shinon scoffed. "Tsk. You just stand far behind everyone else and watch me. I'll break them all and send 'em running. They might be able to handle Astrid and the others fair enough, but a genuine pro's more than enough to kick their arses."

"Again, we shall see if your words match your deeds."

Lucia and Titania remained silent and just rolled their eyes. There was no point in trying to talk to two growling wolves.

But Ike wasn't so prudent. "Both of you! I know that you aren't really on good terms with one another, but we're on the same side! You're acting as though you're debating with an enemy envoy or something. Honestly, grow up and start acting like comrades!"

The glare Ike received from Shinon was enough to make him realize how silly his decision was.

Soren, though, gave him an embarrassed glance. "True... It is counterproductive to argue with a fellow officer."

"Thank you." Lucia mouthed at Ike.

Shinon just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll gather the actual warriors in my sniper squad. We'll be feathering plenty of idiots when we're needed. So long." With that he quickly sprinted out of the tent.

"He who is queer tends to sneer." Bastian suddenly spoke, and Soren couldn't help but chuckle.

"Not so." Titania groaned. "Bastian, could you focus on the situation at hand?"

"But of course. You want me to train our sages to spread the wonder of magic, yes? 'Tis not a difficult task. For I am Bastian, downer of wyverns and overseer of Felirae. I am death, the destroyer of worlds, and those who face me do so at their peril!"

"I'm sure." Titania smiled. "Now it would be best if you reached your position."

"Of course, milady." Bastian bowed and exited the tent.

Titania immediately turned on the younger dame. "Lucia! What were you thinking? Inviting Shinon and Bastian to a tactical war meeting?"

"The more minds the better. Shinon did make a point about the fact that our officer's quarters are a bit uncomfortable to our liking... Though I do agree that Bastian was completely useless."

"Shinon could have easily expressed his sentiments at our encampment gathering when we were deciding where to pitch our particular tents. Instead he chooses a spot and starts complaining about it. His so-called contribution did little for the issue at hand."

"True..."

"Be more prudent when selecting advisors, Lucia... "

"Whom would you have chosen? Our comrades with better judgment, such as Ranulf, Muarim, Tauroneo, Stefan, Ulki, and Zihark, are not here. Oscar might be responsible, but he's not exactly strategist material. Rhys would merely be appalled at many of our tactical methods despite the fact that he follows his orders quite willingly and efficiently. I don't think I need to mention Boyd or Gatrie... Therefore I selected the brightest among us to help... I knew they wouldn't be so keen on providing ideas like you or Soren, but they had a high chance of offering something decent for us to consider."

"Hmn... You may have a point... I pity the fact that your efforts weren't very fruitful."

"As do I, General. As do I..." Lucia groaned.

As Soren read and scribbled about on his battle report and on his war plan, only one other person was allowed in his tent to watch him.

Lucia bent her head over the opposite side of the desk, staring down at his meticulous work. "Nope." She spoke as he drew a line representing a Begnion advance. "They actually came through here." She pointed to another passageway left of where he was drawing.

"They tried to flank Gatrie's unit from the west? Hmn... Perhaps they were realizing that sheer numbers can't be depended on to win battles." Soren smirked.

"Unfortunately a basic tactic like that couldn't help them much." Lucia shared his smirk. It sure felt good insulting the enemy's intelligence, despite the fact that both knew that the Confederate army was a force to be feared.

After a short point Soren stopped. "I fell unconscious then... So would you mind showing me what went on afterwards?"

"Not at all." Lucia smiled as he shuffled to the side of his seat. Sharing the same seat, Soren and Lucia looked over the battle map together, with Lucia explaining how the Begnion troops panicked as they saw Crimean reinforcements coming from several angles at once, and how, slowly but surely, General Rolan was able to finally escape the battlefield, with Ike and Geoffrey chasing him far into the distance.

"Lucia..." Soren spoke when she was finished, staring into her eyes.

She was startled by the look he was giving her. "Y... Yes?"

"Based on what you've told me, it's clear that you charged through two squads of enemy halberdiers just to reach my position... That's along the lines of eight to ten people, all with long spears that could have easily struck you before you'd be in range to attack... You shouldn't play such games with your life."

Lucia sighed. "I know you're worried, Soren, but..."

"It was foolish of me to have used that attack at that particular moment, I know... But my sacrifice would have been sufficient to save the five of you... Your reckless attack just for me would likely have ended with your death... And... And I do not think that was a prudent move..." Soren shook his head.

And she gave him a slap to the face.

"Wha-?"

"It's because I'm a woman, isn't it?"

Soren was too shocked to answer.

"You may have planned out many skirmishes, Soren, but I have also fought many battles in my lifetime, and I daresay that I probably have spent my life on the battlefield longer than you have. Because of that, I've learned quite a few things about holding my own in battle.

"I know you're worried, and that's sweet of you, but to assume that I did not know what I was doing when I rushed through enemy troops who clearly had the advantage over me in order to protect you is unfair and arrogant of you, Soren. You are the backbone of the Crimean army, therefore your sacrifice would make our efforts extremely difficult. To lose you would cripple this army, therefore it would be incredibly stupid of me not to come to your aid.

"As for me, I am no novice with the sword. Many times I've faced a skilled lance wielder, only to cut him down and move forward. What makes you think that ten spearmen who aren't even veteran troops blocking my way would be a problem for me? I was able to take out both those squads and reach you before the enemy did. Because of me, you're lucky to be alive." She hissed.

Soren could only stare at her. "I'm sorry, Lucia... I just don't think that you have to risk your life for me... You are so critical to this army..." He stammered.

"So are you." She retorted calmly, but sternly.

"I... I just don't want you to get hurt." He nodded, staring at her.

"We're in agreement, then. Neither do I. I can't bear seeing you wounded."

Soren took this moment of reprieve to chuckle. "... I feel as though we've had a debate like this before..."

"Well, you're the kind of person who doesn't learn some things on the first lesson." She sighed.

"..." Soren couldn't really counter that.

"Ike... Ike, are you in there?" Titania called from outside the tent flap.

"Come in." Ike spoke, and that she did.

"Ike... I know that you might be surprised to hear this, but..." She turned away, not wanting him to see the worrisome look in her eyes.

"Hmn? What's with that face, Titania?"

"I... I am uncertain if we will win this next battle..."

"Why?"

"I have a feeling, a premonition, if you will. I believe that the Confederacy would not have pulled all of their troops out of the area so readily... It's like they're trying to get us to leave the castle's vicinity... It's a good thing we aren't falling for their ploy... But our camp is still a distance from the castle wall, and something doesn't seem right..."

"Hmn..." Worry started to fill Ike's eyes too. Titania was a veteran of several battles, and had plenty of experience. Her words did sound a little paranoid, but she did have a point... It was so quiet outside, just like the time when the Daein army had surrounded the Mercenary Fort.

"'Tis a bad omen indeed..." Bastian mumbled as he stared out into the distance.

"What?" Boyd blinked. Both men were put on watch, but it was clearly a foolish move on Oscar's part, for Boyd couldn't possibly understand Bastian.

Bastian pulled out his Bolting tome. "Boyd, thou must flee to the others and alert General Geoffrey or the Lady Lucia or Master Soren or what have you... We shall soon engage the enemy, and everyone must be alerted."

"What do you mean?" Boyd looked confused.

Bastian sighed. "Watch me." With that he raised his arm, and a stream of thunderbolts came crashing down on a distant point.

And our heroes heard the dying scream of a dragon...

"What was that?!" Lucia gasped as she lifted a cut in the tent that served as a window.

"I'll ask our troops on watch." Soren stammered as he ran out of his tent.

And from the castle, Rhys heard the scream, and shivered.

"Those of you who have recovered, stand guard at the gate and at the parapets... The enemy will begin to besiege us very soon..." He spoke frantically, rousing all the recovered troops into a frenzy.

They scampered over to each battle position, and sure enough, though it was still nightfall, the Crimean snipers could spot the black shadows of ravens in the sky, along with the giant forms of Dragons closing in on Ike's encampment. Surely, it was a fools move to split their forces. Soren had thought that it would keep them from getting hemmed in and being unable to communicate with the outside, yet now the whole camp would probably be razed to the ground by these dragons.

"They've decided on a night raid... And they're using Dragons..." Ike spoke as his veterans gathered around the central campfire.

"Geoffrey, Oscar, Boyd, Rolf, Mia, and Kieran are up in the castle with the majority of our troops... The rest of us veterans, and twenty percent of our army, are stationed in this campsite... Should we make a run for the castle?" He added, glancing around at the various faces staring back at him, some of them in shock.

"It would be a good idea. I thought we'd be able to establish communications easier if we had an external base, but these circumstances have proved me wrong..." Soren muttered, cursing himself for not anticipating such desperate measures.

Shinon scoffed. "And you were the one who say we should take precautions, yet you decided that it would be a good idea to camp out here in this shitty field. Well, look how wrong you were!"

"Shinon!" Lucia snarled, sick of his damming complaints.

"Quiet, all of you! We need a pegasus knight to go to Melior and alert Her Majesty, otherwise we will be overwhelmed by the enemy." Titania spoke sternly, hoping that she'd calm everyone down.

"Alright, then. Once that knight has taken off, we'll prepare ourselves. Everyone, we'll have to retreat from this campsite back to the castle, and if there are enemy troops who are in our way, we must cut them down! Only in the castle can we hope to withstand this siege." Ike ordered as the Crimean army moved out.

1. You've probably figured it out by now, so I won't hide it. Would this make Bob the only Druid affiliated with Crimea / The Greil Mercenaries? (Well, he's technically Crimea's ally, but still.) I honestly don't think any Druid would normally affiliate themselves with Crimea, as idealists tend not to like people who draw their magical powers from things associated with death. That, and Daein has fewer mages in comparison to Crimea or Begnion to begin with, so I'm pretty sure there are no Druids there either...

2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance refers to that large bridge that links the nations of Crimea and Daein as 'The Great Bridge.' I shall continue to use that name.

3. Obviously, life sucks as a participant of the Ocean formation, which is why nations such as Crimea and Daein, who actually care about their people (in Daein's case most of the time), are loath to use it. Of course, the Begnion Confederacy, with its huge population and the fact that it wants to absorb all lesser states, couldn't care less.