Sanaki had received another report from Tormod, who was currently on his way to Crimea.

"So, the war's finally over", Sanaki said, relieved. "I am glad to hear Daein is going to be a sovereign nation again. And it looks like they will have a good government. But – that Silver-Haired Maiden has really made me curious. I would like to find out what kind of person she is..."

"The Maiden is of no concern to us presently", Maian replied. "I have just received news from one of our spies in Crimea. Queen Elincia sent Count Bastian to Daein, and only a few days later, a rebellion broke out - "

"What?!", Sanaki exclaimed in disbelief. "Why would they turn against Elincia? She is as good as a queen could be, lowering taxes and looking after her people! So, why?!"

"Ludveck, Duke of Felirae, wanted the crown for himself. His men had been sowing the seeds of discontent among the people for some time. As soon as Count Bastian left the country, he announced his intentions against the queen. She had already acquired proof that he was conspiring against her before that, and sent the Royal Knights to Felirae. The queen herself moved to Fort Alpea, which was attacked by Ludveck and his men, who had anticipated the knight's movements. Queen Elincia was supported by Princess Leanne and her bodyguard, a raven, as well as Sir Haar of Daein. They managed to fend off the attack and capture Ludveck. But Ludveck's men had managed to kidnap Lady Lucia the night before, and his men were now threatening to kill her if Ludveck wasn't released."

"Isn't that beneath a duke, to resort to blackmailing?"

"Apparently not. Queen Elincia could do nothing to help Lady Lucia, the Royal Knights would have never got to her before the rebels hanged her. In the end, she did something neither the rebels nor Ludveck had anticipated: she refused to negotiate with the rebels, telling them that Ludveck would stand trial. Lady Lucia was delighted to hear that – her last words were: 'Behold a true queen! Your queen! Long live Queen Elincia!'"

Sanaki gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth. "They actually hanged her?!"

Maian smiled. "No. They tried, though. But Sir Ike would not let them."

"The Greil Mercenaries?"

"Yes. They appeared out of nowhere, and saved the day. As soon as Ike had moved Lady Lucia out of harm's way, the Royal Knights joined the battle. Elincia remains queen, and the lady will live."

"I see... I am glad to hear that", Sanaki replied with a gusty exhalation.

"You seem to have grown quite fond of Queen Elincia", Lehran observed.

"Yes, I do quite like her. And I wouldn't want a scoundrel like that Ludveck rule Crimea."

"And yet again, young Ike is the hero. I wonder what we can expect from him in the future..."

Elincia was sitting on her throne, her face still pale, as Ike and the others escorted Lucia into the throne room. Rhys and Mist had tended to her wounds, and she was able to walk on her own by now.

"Sister!" General Geoffrey rushed forward to embrace her. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I have already been healed. No need to worry, it's over."

"They cut your hair", Geoffrey complained with a frown.

"Yes, they apparently thought they could humiliate me that way – however, I have decided to like my new haircut."

"Sir Ike, thank you so much for helping us", Elincia said, still feeling awfully faint.

"No problem, we'd never let you down. And Bastian pays well for mercenary work."

"So, it was him... I should have known."

"Well, what else could you expect from the country's best strategist? Or Crimea's most deceptive dog. I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long, but for a ruse like that to work, you have to deceive enemies as well as allies."

"You don't have to apologise, thanks to you, I have Lucia back in one piece."

"Well, I'm glad we made it in time."

"Sir Ike, I've been trying to track you down for weeks, I need to tell you a few things. First, Princess Leanne has been looking for you for days, she said it was urgent. Oh, and she is learning to speak the Modern Tongue!"

"That's great, I always needed an interpreter when she talked to me. Got it, I'll look for her."

"As for the other thing – Bastian reported that Daein's liberation played out very much like Crimea's: the rightful heir to the throne rising the standard, and a charismatic young hero carrying it into battle. He compared King Pelleas to me, and a Silver-Haired Maiden to you."

"So?"

"Bastian fears that someone might be meddling, trying to manipulate Daein. That is why he has stayed in Nevassa longer than planned. But there is another thing about Daein's reconstruction that we cannot overlook: the Black Knight."

"What?!"

"He was seen at the capital, he sided with the Maiden. And I am certain he is the same man you defeated two years ago. After that battle, Bastian had his men search the remains of Nados Castle. They found no trace of a body, armour, or sword. Somehow, he managed to get out of the collapsing building."

"I see", Ike replied grimly, balling his right hand into a fist. "Titania, make sure everyone takes a good rest. I'll go look for Leanne. Soren!"

As always, the sage followed Ike.

"Your Majesty, there are some messengers here to see you."

A soldier led a couple of ravens and hawks into Sanaki's drawing room. Sanaki, Maian and Lehran exchanged surprised glances.

"We have been sent by the Laguz Alliance, which was formed by the countries Gallia, Phoenecis, Kilvas and Serenes. Prince Rafiel of Serenes has claimed that the one responsible for the Serenes Massacre was not – as many believed – Mad King Ashnard, but the Begnion Senators. We demand answers and an explanation from the senate."

Maian gasped.

"We have suspected that all along", Lehran replied quietly. "However, we have not been able to prove anything. As head of the senate, I can assure you, however, that not all of us were involved."

"This is a most serious matter", Sanaki said gravely. "We will start investigations at once. Senator Maian, please take our guests to a room where they can rest, they must be tired."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Maian rose from her chair and beckoned to the messengers. She could sense their surprise, they clearly hadn't expected Sanaki to react the way she had.

Maian led them to a couple of guest rooms that were linked to each other.

"Please, make yourselves at home. Should you need anything, do not hesitate to ask the servants. Should anything happen – anything at all – contact me, the Prime Minister, or the Empress herself, but no-one else!"

"What do you think might happen?", one of the ravens asked.

"Some people might not be too happy to have you here. Let us pray nothing bad will happen, but just in case – you can count on the three of us to help you. But I would not rely on the other senators, nor the Vize-Minister."

"Well, thanks for the warning, Senator. So – you believe our story?"

"I have known for ten years that some of the senators are guilty of causing the Serenes Massacre. So far, we have been unable to find substantial evidence, but maybe, we will be able to punish them now. I am – I am looking forward to that, to be honest. I want them to be punished."

This will be revenge for my mother, and everyone else!

"Now, please excuse me. I have to help with the investigation."