Here's a fast update, mainly because I feel like it.
Chapter 13: Red Surge
Crimea was overrun.
From every angle of the compass rose, men began to mobilize. From the South and East, Confederate troops began to pour into sweet Crimea. At The Great Bridge and Flaguerre, hundreds of thousands of red and black armored soldiers charged through the gates, hungrily searching for any unarmed, foolish peasant or white armored warrior.
Ludveck and Elincia shared a torn Crimea. As more rebel soldiers began to appear from every angle imaginable, Elincia realized how greatly she neglected many of her countrymen. Otherwise, why would they betray her? Why would they aid Ludveck, who cared little for their individual lives? Because she focused on Delbray, and on Melior, she was unable to care for several of the more 'invisible' folk. She had ordered her respective Dukes to care for their territories, but Ludveck insisted on bribing them in order to bring about this revolution. Ludveck deceit was finally paying off, and once Elincia surrendered herself to him, his dreams would finally be reality.
Nepheene blinked as she heard the shouts.
Ain't the countryside supposed to be calm and proppa?
Dis wasn't right… Why were dem boyz yellin' and shoutin'?
Lifting her old, almost forgotten silver lance from her toolshed, and donning her old green armor, she sprinted towards the noise.
Damn… If only it wasn't so tight…
Brom snapped awake as a rock slammed through his window.
His daughters screamed as they hid behind the thickest concrete wall of their house.
He raised the nearest weapon he could find: an old machete his daughter Meg used for chores, and decided to set out.
Those who would dare threaten his family would have a can of whoopass opened on 'em! There was no questionin' dat logic! (1.)
Calill and Largo had a new frequent customer to their pub.
This woman liked to carry knives with her, and constantly tried to have small talk with Calill. It wasn't too discomforting to the sage, as she enjoyed blabbering on about whatever, but Largo found it creepy.
They learned that her name was Heather, and she seemed to dislike Largo… For no apparent reason at all.
"I think that oaf's holding ya back…" Heather murmured to Calill that day. "He's just a bag of muscles an' bones. Say, why don'tcha come tag along with me? You won't haveta sit in this boring old shack any more."
"Um… No. A first class mage needs a first class bodyguard, and Largo's been very good to me… I like being around him." Calill spoke a bit coldly, and Heather was quite taken aback. Calill had always been warm… Why was she using such a tone? (2.)
But as Heather prodded and Calill shrugged her off, they began to hear the smashing of glass and the screams of women and kids.
This was Crimea! How the hell could such things be happening?
Largo lifted a killer axe. "What's happening out there? If someone's hurting those people, then I'll smash him to bits!"
"Don't be too rash… You'll need my powers to fry them, after all." Calill sneered as she jumped up and grabbed an Arcfire tome.
Heather twirled the Stilleto in her hand. "Mind if I tag along?"
It was the judgment day for those warriors who would die for Elincia.
Ludveck's men began to riot in the streets of every city, town, or village they could convene in.
Nepheene, Brom, Calill, Largo, Heather, they were not enough to stem the tide…
Yet they were not alone…
As Ludveck's propaganda spread throughout the countryside, the people of Crimea claimed split loyalities. With their growing economy, people like Largo decided to build shops in that nation. Within those kinds of shops, insurgents and loyalists could gather to discuss whatever was going on.
Because he and Calill thought well of Elincia, Ike's Inn was, naturally, a loyalist stronghold. In Crimea, political gatherings were illegal thanks to the meddling of Crimea's noble bureaucracy, yet 'loyalists' respected Elincia's tireless attempt to improve the people's lives, and so they remained loyal to the government despite despising the snotty bluebloods who crowded around their Queen.
So the moment Largo, Calill, and Heather emerged from the pub, about twenty customers and tenants emerged too, each carrying a pitchfork, machete, or axe of some sort.
Not surprisingly, Begnion troops were sacking every building on sight, with some rebel groups actually helping them. After all, the Confederacy and Ludveck, which were far more powerful than their pathetic Queen, would have to do whatever it took to root out those who would support Elincia, and if a few innocent Crimean homes had to be sacrificed to burn out that witch's influence, then so be it.
When he saw what those thugs were doing to his neighbor's house, Largo could not control himself.
With his face contorted in rage, he roared and charged at those bandits with his axe swinging about.
A few vile heads were cleaved off vile shoulders as Largo took out several of those ruffians. From behind him Calill began to rain flames upon those Begnion butchers. As their foes burned the village loyalists started to root out occupied areas. This town was peaceful until these bastards came, and once they were driven out it would stay that way.
Lucia gulped.
These odds weren't pretty indeed. Just when they'd cleared out the area of enemy troops, and when Tanith started trying to talk to Ike while Sigrun greeted Elincia, another wave of enemy troops started to show up.
But that was an understatement.
Tens of thousands of red armored troops came at them from the south. Thousands of white armored warriors came at them from the north and west. But they knew that, if they headed East, they'd only be luring the enemy deeper, towards their precious Melior.
Elincia did not want Melior to face the wrath of the enemy… Yet she was in Ardor, which should be the headquarters for Ludveck's revolution, but Ludveck had escaped them, and he'd gotten his allies to take them out.
Lucia's eyes darted among their comrades. Where was Soren? She wanted to stand by him in this dark hour… They'd keep each other safe…
But then she saw him speaking frantically to Ike.
It was strange, really… She knew that Ike was the person who saved Soren long ago, and that Soren still felt that he owed Ike despite having risked his neck for the blue-haired warrior countless times over the years.
But she felt as though Soren was setting her aside for Ike, somehow…
It was selfish of her, and the more she thought about it, she felt ashamed. Yet, somehow, she couldn't stop holding this shameless point of view.
Soren… Had to move on…
He had already spent so much of his life for Ike, but now was the time for him to find that kind of deep connection with other people…
Though she wanted to hit herself for it, she hoped, no, she dared to expect that one of those people would be her…
Why was she so jealous? This wasn't like her… She was the Lady Lucia, not some common Noble Brat! She was proud of the way people respected her, but even more proud of the fact that she'd respect them in turn. Why, then, was she like this?
It would be better, then, if she backed off…
If this was what Soren chose, then she should respect his choice. If he trusted Ike more than her in this crisis, then she had to fall back and let Soren stay where he felt comfortable.
Wouldn't that be the right thing to do?
Lucia turned her head and sprinted towards her brother and Elincia. She was sure that Queen Crimea needed someone to confide in. Though Lucia was showing a façade of stability and calm, she could at least try to help her sister in a time like this.
"Ike… You got all that, right? Remember, keep the left flank in that formation, for I think that you and Geoffrey are the best people for the task. With Oscar and Astrid leading our rearguard, Tibarn and Kieran leading the frontline, Elincia and Sanaki holding our central positions, and Lucia and I in charge of the right flank, our position should remain secure no matter how fiercely Ludveck hurls his men at us. Now I'll go tell Lucia and the others about this." And with that Soren finally turned and walked off.
Ike merely smiled at the fact that he had the foresight to trust Soren with all their tactical plans. Even without Titania to give him pointers, Soren was more than capable of coming up with strategies to keep them all alive.
Soren walked around. He wanted to tell Lucia to help him contact Tibarn, Oscar, and Kieran for him while he informed Elincia and Sanaki of their plan. Astrid would definitely be with Oscar, after all, so they'd get everyone organized quickly.
But, no matter how hard he searched, she seemed to evade him.
Soren shook his head. He knew that girl was clever, but he would hope that she'd stop playing games and start staying serious.
Finally, he found Elincia talking to Sigrun. Walking up to her, he tried to get her attention. Sigrun noticed his frantic arm waving and decided to call him on it.
"Master Soren, are you well?"
"Lady Sigrun, please tell the Apostle to fall back into the center of our formation. We have to keep her safe at all costs… Tanith should also be with you, right?"
Sigrun nodded.
"And, your majesty, I wish that you'd be with the Apostle as well." Soren turned to Elincia.
"But, Master Soren, I wish to help my countrymen…"
"And get yourself killed in combat? Out of the question. You are far more crucial for this nation than anyone else here, besides Tibarn or Sanaki, is… No offense to you, Dame Sigrun…"
"None taken." Sigrun nodded. She knew that her duties to the Apostle included the willingness to get killed while defending her, and if that was one of her duties it was clear that she was less "important" compared to the Apostle. The same could easily be said of any non-royal compared to Elincia, which is why she took no offense at Soren's comment.
Elincia gulped.
"Lord Bastian will be with Geoffrey on our left flank… Lucia will be in the right flank with me. Know that we will all hold our positions to keep you and the Apostle safe. Besides, since you are in the center of our formation, you will be able to rush to the aid of any warriors in trouble… If that is what you desire." Soren sighed. Elincia was far too stubborn to have herself stay in one place.
Sigrun nodded. "If the Apostle is secure, Tanith and I, along with the finest of the Holy Guard, will come to the aid of anyone who needs us, Soren. Just tell the commanders of our respective flanks to call for us, and we will come."
Soren smiled and gave his head a slight nod. "Thank you, Sigrun… The more hands we have to face the enemy's flood, the better off we'll all be."
Noyce, Sothe, Enjorlas, and Micaiah counted what rations they had left…
The remainder, or lack thereof, was not pretty.
"We're going to have to make a raid on a fortification pretty soon. I'd hate to ask villagers for supplies when they can barely feed themselves." Enjorlas mumbled as he began to prepare his quiver and bow.
Noyce narrowed his eyes. "We'll need to keep our eyes peeled, then."
Micaiah began to mutter something with her eyes closed, and Sothe started to listen intently.
"I see a young woman… Her staff has been stolen from her… I hear her screaming a name: 'Aran…' I see two young men, one wearing thick blue chest armor and carrying a large sword, while another dons the armor of the average Daein soldier and is carrying a lance… They are both sneaking into a fortress… The girl is locked in a cage, there… But the rest of the vision is cloudy." Micaiah opened her eyes.
Noyce gulped. Blue armor, huge sword… That must be Gant! Black armor, lance, staff, 'Aran.' She must have been referring to Aran and Laura! He gave a quick glance to Enjorlas, and the young revolutionary nodded. Their old friends were in a fort nearby, trying to save Laura from Confederate scum who dared to kidnap her.
"We know those people, and we should hurry to rescue them." Enjorlas clenched his fist.
"Micaiah, do you know where that fort might be?" Sothe asked her.
She lifted her hand, and, while shaking viciously, pointed to the west.
Enjorlas nodded. "Then to the west we'll go!"
Gant cursed under his breath as he felt Aran's armor clink against his own.
"Who would've thought they'd find us!?" He growled as he raised his steel blade.
Aran shook his head. "I can't let Laura be at their mercy… We'll have to cut our way through." Aran hissed as he raised his own short spear.
As if on cue, about seventy men began to close in on the pair…
With a quick slash to the throat, the enemy watchman went down, and Sothe was able to sneak into the back entrance.
Slicing the lock open, he let the door swing just enough to have Enjorlas, Noyce, and Micaiah slip through.
The four of them had their eyes dart about; these were not friendly waters, after all.
Micaiah's ears were more sensitive than a beorc's, so she could hear some faint shouting. Judging by the noise, it wasn't far enough for comfort. "Noyce, Enjorlas." She spoke their names and both men turned to her.
"I think the guards are occupied elsewhere… Down that corridor…" Micaiah pointed down one of the hallways in the vast warehouse-like room before them. "Either we avoid that area entirely, or you two can go there and help whoever's distracting those guards. I can hear the sobs of the girl we seek, and Sothe and I will rescue her."
"It's smarter if we stay together… After all, the enemy could simply be relaxing in a lounge of some sort, getting merry with beer. If we rescue this girl, and you still hear that commotion, we could then check it out…" Enjorlas replied.
Noyce gave him a glance.
"What? It's not like the girl's really Laura and the distraction the enemy's facing isn't Gant or Aran, is it?"
"It's better if we investigate, just to be sure. We'll split into two groups, as you advised, Micaiah." Noyce crossed his arms.
Enjorlas sighed. This was a risky move that might not even be a good idea.
Micaiah nodded. "Then we'll go with that plan. Be careful, both of you."
Lucia stood with her sword stabbed into the ground. She sighed as she stared at a series of trees. Granted, enemy troops could leap out of those trees and kill her at any moment, but she really didn't care…
Soren… Why couldn't she just let go? He was his own man. He should do what he wanted. Why, then, was she being so damn clingy?!
The more she thought about it, the sicker she felt.
She grit her teeth as she tried to think about something else. Was Geoffrey fine? Of course he was… And she could start talking to him in moments if she wanted to. Elincia? Of course she was ok. Their forces would definitely make sure of that.
Bastian?
Ok, why did she just think about Bastian?
Lucia tried to burn the image of that insane sage from her brain. She couldn't let him infest her thoughts… The more she thought of that 'poet,' the more she wanted to puke.
But, honestly, she really didn't have any particular interest in the others. Yes, Astrid was friendly. Yes, Oscar and Kieran were decent knights, even if Kieran would object to the notion that Oscar was decent.
Lucia smiled. Kieran was quite hilarious at times, unlike Bastian, who was just plain annoying.
But, in the end, she didn't feel any particular interest in anyone besides Geoffrey, Elincia, Ilyana, Janaff, Soren, and perhaps Titania. But neither Ilyana nor Titania were here… And she didn't feel like talking to Janaff at the moment.
And she had just thought of Soren again, didn't she?
She sighed. Shouldn't she at least try to give him some space?
"Lucia?" She heard a voice behind him, and her soul nearly flew out of her body.
"S-Soren?" She gasped. Her entire body was tense as she forced herself to turn around and look at him.
He stared at her with concerned eyes.
"You've been avoiding me since the last battle… Did something happen? Are you well?"
"I'm… I'm fine."
Soren crossed his arms. "Don't give me that! You clearly aren't fine if you've been avoiding me."
She winced at the word he emphasized.
"If you aren't well, then you can tell me, or Rhys, if that's how bad you feel. And here I thought you were more open than me." Soren chuckled a little. "You don't have to stand so lonely like that…" He put his hand on her shoulder and stared into her eyes.
"Soren…" She couldn't help it. The fact that he came running to her helped lessen her resolve to keep away from him. Maybe he did want her around.
She turned a little red.
"Do you have a fever?" He put his hand on her forehead. Shaking her head, she grabbed his wrist and stared intently at him.
"Lu-Lucia? What is it…?" Now it was Soren's turn to be startled.
"Soren… What do you feel about Ike?" She spoke slowly and clearly.
Soren gulped. Of all people, the only person capable of ambushing him and forcing him into a corner was this girl. Not even Shinon could trap Soren in a corner, but Lucia just had that talent… He could swear that she was far smarter than him.
"Ike… Is my brother. He stood by me when no one else would. I'd do anything for him… Can we not talk about this?" His eyes started to dart to the side, away from her. He'd do anything to avoid her piercing gaze right now.
"Soren…" Her gaze started to pierce through his brain.
"Y-Yes?" He stammered. With sweat pouring down his back, he wouldn't be surprised if someone like Shinon or Boyd spotted him and started laughing hysterically.
"What do you think…" She paused for a second to let the words sink in. "About me…?"
The moment she said it, she turned her head. How could she? How could she force him to choose between her or Ike? What kind of bitch had she become?
The look on his face was like a noose, crushing her neck as she saw his face contort. She wanted to cry. What had she become?
She immediately let go of his wrist.
"I'm sorry… I had no idea what came over me." She muttered as she turned away.
He stared at her. She looked so ashamed. And he sighed. He stepped forward and put both hands on her shoulders.
"No, no, this is bothering you. I'll tell you everything." He spoke while staring right into her eyes.
"Soren?"
"Ike's my brother, and that will never change. I still owe so much to him. That will never change. Ike is one of the most important people to me… If he died, I don't know what I'd do…
"But he's not the only person who determines my life…" Soren stopped for a moment, letting the words sink in for her.
Lucia stared at him with her mouth open. Instead of giving her the slap she deserved, he was willing to be honest and tell her… Did she really deserve someone like him?
"You… Are just as important as he… I know that you might feel ignored in favor of him, and I'm sorry, but Ike is so important to me…"
She didn't know what to say.
"But so are you, and if you were to fall I'd probably shatter. Whatever façade of confidence I might show, it's due to your support that's gotten me this far. Ike only helped keep my body alive… You've kept my soul intact… Your death would shatter me just like Ike's death would kill me. I would no longer be a person if either of you were to fall… That's why I always try to get you behind me during combat… I despise myself whenever you are hurt."
"S-Soren…"
"I… Love you… And that will never change…" Soren spoke seriously this time.
"So-" Before she could finish calling his name, he sealed her lips with a kiss. (3.)
1. Firstly, this 'country accent' is based on Ork speak (at least the orks in Warhammer 40K), and, secondly, Radiant Dawn made a lot of weird changes, the first of which making Brom and Tauroneo, who always knew how to wield swords upon promotion in Path of Radiance, scrap swords in favor of axes.
Axes are for Generals who are far more vigorous in the front lines, making them more suitable for Gatrie. Tauroneo is tactical, and not so furious, thus making axes an unwieldy weapon for his fighting style. Brom, as a farmer, would probably have a use for all three weapons, so he should be able to use lances, swords, and axes rather than scrapping swords entirely… And Gatrie would probably find a sword the least appealing of weapons when compared to his personal fighting style (aka, running into the thick of the fight and hacking at everything around him.)
Yes, Ike (or Gant, who has his screentime later in this chapter) would tell you that a sword is perfect for cutting away at limbs, but sword-wielders (or the people who start with swords and no other weapons) in general tend to have trouble carrying swords that would actually be capable of immediately splicing a man in half. Lucia is not one to run around with a silver blade, after all. Thus, to me, based on their fighting styles Brom should be able to use any non-magical weapon that isn't a bow or crossbow or knife, Tauroneo should use lances and swords, and Gatrie should use lances and axes. And that's how I'll write this story. :P
2. Largo is not wounded, for in these circumstances I think he's definitely needed in Crimea's service.
3. And this, readers, is from a guy who's never been in love. I pretty much just scared myself right now. XD