Chapter 12: Wrath of Empires

On the ground, countless Gallian and Crimean troops exchanged blows while Confederate and Imperial troops slaughtered each other. Sanaki found it hard to believe that Crimea had finally turned its back on Gallia, but she knew that she had chosen her side in this conflict… She could not let Begnion fall into these corrupt Confederate hands, so she would die fighting alongside her Gallian and Phoenicis friends.

In the air, Ludveck's pegasus knights hounded the warriors of Phoenicis. In mobs of six or seven they'd assault a single hawk, and no matter how strong they were the hawks of Phoenicis could not take down three or more at a time. The Holy Guard found itself attacked by Crimean Pegasus Knights on one side and Begnion Pegasus and Wyvern Knights on the other.

Tibarn, Skimir, Sanaki, they all found the chaos on the battlefield to be far out of hand… Even with the pillar of strength known as Zelgius, the Begnion Imperial Army felt demoralized at the sheer number of their foes and the sheer lack of troops their friends had. Ranulf and Zelgius, even with their strength combined, found that the battlefield was truly not in their favor.

With great passion, the warriors of Gallia cursed these Crimean traitors… For so long they believed that Crimea represented the hope of peace between beorc and laguz, but now it had come to this… With Begnion beorc at their sides, there simply because they were refuges who were driven out of their homes by a truly vile tyrant and his heartless army, and with their trusted friends the Phoenicis hawks, the Gallians were ready to fight till the end… Ramon was finally dead. Ramon's dream was finally dead. And now they'd have to pay for it.

"Your Majesty, we've noticed some disturbing activity in the province of Ardor. It looks as though Gallian soldiers have entered the province, and have suddenly been attacked by Ludveck's forces along with Confederate troops from the southeast. If I may, madam, this may flare up into an extremely deadly political situation. If we do not stop Ludveck from killing Gallian soldiers on the field, the Gallian army might believe that Crimea has betrayed them… If that happens our alliances will crumble. Ludveck must have something to do with the Begnion Confederacy, otherwise as a Crimean governor he should not attempt to assault allied soldiers moving through Crimean territory. This situation must be taken care of immediately." Elincia's messenger bowed.

The Queen of Crimea gasped in shock. Her nightmares seemed to have come true. Lekain truly knew how to force everything to come crashing down upon the young ruler.

"My Queen, allow me to lead the rescue team. We will do what we can to assure the Gallian and Phoenicis armies that we are their allies and that they have not been betrayed, as well as drive out those Confederate scum and correct Ludveck's men for their critical errors." Geoffrey saluted.

Elincia gulped. "Geoffrey… I don't want to risk losing you…"

"I swear that, as a knight of Crimea, I will ensure my survival. You need not worry for me, my Queen." Geoffrey nodded.

"Then I shall go as well." Lucia spoke from among the nobles who overheard the report and Geoffrey's response.

"Lucia… How can I sacrifice you, too?"

Lucia smiled. "I am not one who would let the enemy claim my life so easily. We must restore Gallia and Phoenicis's faith in us at all costs. If I must die for Crimea's future, I will gladly do so… But rest assured that I don't intend to die on this mission."

"'Tis a horrible day for Crimea indeed, but as long as I breathe, let me go in your stead…" Bastian danced before Elincia.

"Inappropriate, but your heart is clear." Lucia rolled her eyes.

"Bastian… So all three of you are willing to go… Since Skimir and Tibarn are there, it is my duty as the Queen of Crimea to aid my peers and clear such horrible crises myself. I will lead the army, with Geoffrey as Van Leader. He will be my frontline voice. He will dictate my orders over the heat of battle while I punish those Confederate warmongers with the Amiti. If blades are what will lead us to peace, then I shall draw my own." Elincia raised Crimea's royal sword and called for her armor. The Queen of Crimea herself was ready to mobilize against the Confederate horde.

As the Royal Knights began to leave Castle Crimea, Ike quickly ran towards them. "Elincia, do you need my help?"

"My lord Ike… This is a political matter… The Royal Knights should suffice…" Elincia spoke, but was suddenly cut off by Soren.

"You know that is a foolish move, your majesty. No matter how powerful the Royal Knights are, your safety has already been jeopardized. The Confederate troops know of the man named Ike, and fear him. They know of the Greil Mercenary's track record, and fear them. Though General Geoffrey will more than suffice as a commanding officer for an expedition as crucial as this, you should let Ike and the rest of our veterans care for your personal safety… You are Crimea's Queen and the more men sent to protect you, the better. Don't be so quick to refuse the help of tried veterans whom you know you can trust."

"What audacity!" A Crimean nobleman scoffed. "This man should be executed. How dare he speak in such a matter?!"

Lucia glanced uneasily from Elincia to Soren. Soren made a stupid move, speaking so frankly before royalty. He, of all people, should know his "place" in society. To step outside social boundaries so nonchalantly was suicide in these times. If Elincia didn't act according to societal rules, the Crimean nobles would question her competence as a ruler… This was one tense moment that would definitely bode ill for someone, and since she cared for both parties Lucia couldn't bear to watch the outcome.

Elincia blinked, and nodded. "Thank you, Master Soren. As ever, your judgment is quite sound. Geoffrey, Ike shall serve as your second in command. With advisors like Lucia and Soren, this expedition will clearly be a success. Have General Taigo watch over Melior's safety, for we must get going." The Queen commanded. Eagerly, the men of Crimea obeyed her.

Lucia's jaw almost hit the ground. Elincia would just brush off the noble's disdain and accept Soren regardless of his tactlessness? Though that was the wiser thing to do, she might lose favor with the nobles because of this move…

Swiftly the Royal Knights and the Greil Mercenaries rushed to Ardor…

While back in Sienne, Lekain unfolded the final part of his plan.

"Tell Izuka to hurry and strike Tauroneo's fortifications, Numida. You will be the Confederacy's voice in Daein, since I fear that Izuka has failed to realize what a Confederacy truly is… Rather, he's made Daein his personal Empire, and though the Confederacy accepts self-rule it also must have each state within the Confederacy accept the superiority of the Confederate Central Government. As Confederate Governor and King of Gaddos province, I understand some of his sentiments. But, as Chairman of the Central Government of the Begnion Confederacy, I have to ensure that he accepts my authority over him." Lekain ordered.

Once that Senator left the premises, Lekain spoke to Valtome. "Tell our forces to strike into the heart of Crimea through Frangere pass. Tell our air troops to move from Telgam and drop reinforcements into Crimea's borders. Tell everyone to move into Crimea from every angle possible. With Ludveck causing havoc within Crimea itself, and with our combined strength striking every Crimean fortification, the Crimean slaves will be defeated, Ludveck will join us as Governor of Crimean province, and Elincia will be finished. Gallia and Phoenicis will be forced to submit to us soon enough, and we will have wealth and power beyond our wildest dreams."

"Tee hee, you truly have thought everything through. Our Dragon allies will be among the invasion force, yes? I wonder how Elincia can fend them off this time when her own nation is split in two. We will win and prove to them that we are superior… Elincia will have to give herself to Ludveck to let there be any hope of peace for her supporters… We have won this war, haven't we?" Valtome laughed.

Lekain chuckled. "Not exactly yet, but, yes, we have practically won. We just need to watch our plan work in action… I just might have to send you additional troops, but I doubt it. Now go and show those slaves why they should never have turned their backs on their Begnion masters!" Lekain ordered and Valtome gladly complied.

Lethe couldn't believe that she was crushing Crimean skulls with her paws.

What was the meaning of this? She trusted these people! She trusted these beorc whom she believed were honorable people who wouldn't try to kill her! And now it came to this...

Lyre thought of Muarim as she slammed her own claws into the face of a Crimean lance general. The enemy warrior's muffled scream wasn't loud enough to break her thoughts. Was Muarim ok? Did he survive the onslaught of Confederate troops who would undoubtedly try to destroy the Laguz Emancipation army? On that note, Stefan was probably an enemy of the Confederacy... Did Stefan join forces with Muarim? Were they fighting side by side?

The more she thought of Muarim, the worser Lyre felt. Lethe was right. Lyre could do nothing for Muarim. Only Tormod, and hopefully Stefan, could help him. Even if she loved him, there was nothing she could do...

Well, there was something...

She had to stay alive.

Geoffrey rode to the top of the hill, with Astrid and Oscar close behind. With his hands wrapped around Astrid's waist (though being careful not to press too closely to her for fear of pissing off both Astrid and Lucia), Soren peaked his head over her shoulder to watch the turn of events.

"Master Soren... It looks like the Gallian and Phoenician forces are truly at odds with Ludveck. I even recognize the banner of the troops that were stationed at Fort Pinell. If Makalov actually assisted Ludveck in this attack, then we must come to our laguz comrade's aid, or this will be an act of betrayal." Geoffrey gulped. He could feel his knight's honor melting away with every moment of inaction.

"This is worse than I feared. Oscar, order Kieran's divisions to move out, now. I stationed them at the foot of this hill for a reason. They will arrive within firing range of Ludveck's troops in moments. Once they attack Ludveck's men, and once Ranulf or Lethe or someone who knows us in the Gallian ranks recognizes Kieran, they will be able to tell which among us Crimeans are friends or foes." Soren ordered. Oscar, glaring at the way Soren was "holding" Astrid, grudgingly obliged and left.

"Ulki!" Soren yelled at the clouds. "This is Soren, of the Greil Mercenaries. We fought once under the same banner. I would like to parlay with you." (1.)

Turning towards Geoffrey, he spoke. "Please stay here, Sir Geoffrey. Astrid... Bear with me for a few moments, ok?" He spoke to her.

Astrid nodded. Soren was no pervert, and she trusted him. He wasn't anything like Gatrie. That, and Geoffrey was here to protect her honor in case Soren did try to do anything, since that was something Geoffrey, as a knight, would definitely do.

Sure enough, the King's ears flew towards Soren. He spotted Astrid, but Ulki knew who she was. Astrid was not the type of person who would shoot before talking, and Geoffrey was there too. Ulki knew these people, thank Ashera, and knew that they were of the reasonable sort at worst. Staying transformed in case of an attack, he swooped down and hovered in front of the trio.

"You called, Master Soren? What do you want to tell me? And, by all rights, in the name of Phoenicis I will strike you down if you prove that you are a traitor... Sir Geoffrey, what Crimea has done here today can hardly be forgi..." Ulki was cut off mid speech by Soren.

"That's why I wanted to speak to you. Crimea is not your enemy; Ludveck is. Her Majesty Elincia is here to prove that Ludveck is defying her wishes by attacking your positions. We are here to reinforce you and to force Ludveck to stand down by any means necessary..."

Before Soren could continue, however, they heard a yell among the roars of battle.

"Sir Janaff! As an Honorable Knight of Crimea, I, Sir Kieran, shall assist you in the trouncing of these rebellious troops! They are an insult to Crimea and, by all rights, Crimean forces never betray their allies! Lady Lethe, I am honored to see you once again. Rest assured that, as an honorable knight of Crimea, Gallian lives will be saved from that rebel's vile doings!" Kieran yelled at the first few faces he recognized among the laguz forces.

Ulki looked genuinely surprised, and soon his face turned to that of amusement. "I knew there was a catch. Elincia's not the type to use such dishonorable tactics, even during war. Very well. Sir Geoffrey, you should hurry down to help turn the tide of battle. You too, Lady Astrid... Master Soren... I, myself shall help my hawk brothers fend off the enemy's air support. Hurry! Time is of the essence!" And with that, Ulki flew off high into the clouds.

As he stared at Kieran, Janaff looked honestly surprised. "Well, I guess we underestimated the scope of Crimean politics. But if Elincia and her crew are on our side, then we should be careful in our attack on those beorc troops. All units! Pay attention to who you are attacking! There are those among the white-armored beorc who are our allies and those who are foes! Make sure you note those who strike you rather than those who are armed but are pointing their spears elsewhere!" Janaff ordered.

From a distance, Tibarn could make out the sounds of frantic orders. He spotted Gallian tigers suddenly running alongside Crimean cavalry, with joint strikes upon other Crimean forces. "There's a civil war among Crimean troops?" He thought to himself. Suddenly, a pegasus knight came flying towards him.

"Lord Tibarn!" As expected, it was a woman's voice...

But wait, why would she refer to him as a mere 'Lord?'

He looked towards the voice, and saw Elincia flying towards him. That would explain it. They were practically equals when it came to social status.

"I do hope you have a good explanation for this." Tibarn glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

Elincia smiled apologetically. "Ludveck has gone against my wishes, and so the Royal Knights are engaging him as we speak..."

"Then why did Makalov, one of your men, attack Ranulf's forces?" Tibarn's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Elincia might not be the same person he thought she was, after all.

Elincia gasped. "He did? I... I never gave Makalov any orders... Ludveck must have recalled him here under the pretext of an attack by so-called 'hostile' forces. I swear that I would never order one of my own men to attack my allies."

Tibarn stared into Elincia's eyes. They were pure, sorely lacking in malice. They were honest eyes.

He laughed.

"Alright, then! I'm glad that we're clear on this. Very well, let's force this traitor Ludveck to see the error in his ways, and clear out these Confederate scum while we're at it!" Tibarn chortled as he prepared himself to swoop down upon their foes.

Elincia smiled. "I'm glad... That this animosity's been settled. Yes, I will make sure that judgment is due for that insurgent! Let us strike!" She raised the Amiti and prepared herself for an assault.

1. Forgive me, readers, but I had to do it... Having our heroes kill each other so stupidly when the bulk of Ludveck's army is coming is something I couldn't let stand... Talk about anticlimatic, eh? But rest assured that there are fight scenes galore before the character studies (and the rest of the cast that hasn't shown up yet: Tormod, Stefan, Volke, etc) show up.