Maian was glad to notice that she had regained most of her strength during the night. The flight from Sienne had been gruelling – luckily, none of her guards had realised she had, occasionally, been using galdrar to keep the birds and wyverns in the air. Nala had been the only one strong enough to make the entire journey on her own.
From the minds of Soren and Ike, she learned that Soren had told his friend about her. Maian was relieved to find that Ike didn't care about what she truly was.
They had a quick breakfast, after that, they decamped, and left. They all knew the Central Army was still in pursuit, and now that the senators were in charge, they couldn't expect any mercy.
Maian, her birds and draco knights had joined Tibarn and his men, while Nala and the beasts preferred walking. Maian had managed to heal Skrimir's wounds, but had forbidden him to participate in all coming battles.
It was about midday when they approached Serenes Forest. As always, Maian felt a strange mixture of sadness and happiness. Sadness, because so many people had died a meaningless death here, and happiness because the forest had been restored.
Reyson came drifting over and transformed into his human form.
"I wanted to thank you", he said without preamble.
"Thank me? Whatever for?"
"For burying my people."
"But that was none of my doing."
"I know, but I can't thank your father – Sigrun told me he died. So, I'm thanking you instead – besides, you are paying stonemasons to keep the grave-markers, right?"
"Yes. I felt like this was the least I could do."
"You know, you really have me confused. I just don't know what to think of you..."
Maian chuckled. "I always confused people – men especially – so, I got used to that."
"Three guesses why that's the case. But – I can sense something is bothering you very much, but since I can't read your mind - "
"So, you already tried. Well, I expected this to happen. As to answer your question, I am worried about the ones I left behind – Sephiran in particular."
"Why?"
"Well, as long as Sanaki could still be of any use to them, they will not harm her. But since they accused Sephiran of treason and fomenting rebellion, they could not possibly use him. I fear that they will dispose of him before long..."
"You love him, don't you."
Maian let out a sigh. "I suppose denying it would not do me any good."
"Why would you want to deny it? Wait, is this not common knowledge?"
"No. We cannot make our feelings known to the public, at least not the way things are right now."
"So, he does feel the same way about you, then?"
"Yes."
"I still don't understand. Why can't you be together? You love each other, for crying out loud!"
Maian grimaced. She could understand where Reyson was coming from, and it wasn't like this didn't frustrate her, either.
"Begnion society is extremely complicated, especially the one in Sienne. There are countless unspoken rules and customs... You have to be very careful not to do anything wrong. Sephiran started favouring me the day I first came to a meeting of the senate. And it was also because of him that I was the first woman ever to be promoted onto the Council of Seven, the ruling part of the senate. From the very beginning, there were rumours about us having an affair... And if there had ever been proof that those rumours were actually true, we would have never heard the end of it. For Sephiran, this would not have been that bad, but my reputation would have suffered terribly..."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, as the younger one coming from the lower position, it would have looked as if I was just using him... I would have been marked as the beautiful young lady who seduced men in order to get what she wants. Of course, if I had done that, I could have easily wrapped all the male senators around my little finger – including Lekain. But I would never do something that dishonourable."
"I see. It must be hard to live in a society like this."
"Believe me, it is."
"Would you tell me something about how the political system works? I mean, I know that the throne is passed on in the female line, everyone knows that. But what about the senators? Are they chosen or something?"
Maian laughed. "No. The senators make the people believe that they have been chosen by Ashera, but that is simply a lie. A senator's seat is passed on just like a throne would be. The most powerful families in Begnion can send one family member to the senate. We have quite a lot of members, actually."
"You know, I came to realise how blind I was – blinded by prejudice. Only three years ago, I thought all beorc to be cruel murderers, and then some of them saved my sister... then, I thought that all senators were corrupt, power-hungry bigots. But you have proven me wrong."
"Well, I can assure you that some of us try to be decent people – though I have to admit that many are just what you assumed – they are a disgrace."
"So, that means that you, the Prime Minister and the Apostle have been working against the corrupt senators."
"That is correct."
"I heard that your father was involved in the Emancipation Act. Why? Why was your family advocating so strongly for laguz rights?"
"My family has not kept slaves for generations. My ancestors considered it a matter of honour and pride, to show they were wealthy enough to pay their servants. My father, on the other hand, was always very fond of the laguz, and thought that they should have the same rights the beorc had. And so, I was raised to respect all the beings on Tellius."
"I see. One more question - "
Maian laughed again. "Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. I might not answer some of them, but you never know before you try."
Reyson smiled. "Who taught you to hide your thoughts, and why?"
"Sephiran taught me everything I know about magic. As a confidante to the Apostle, I know quite a few secrets that should better not get out. And you should not believe that herons are the only ones who are able to read minds."
"Now I'm surprised – hang on – can you do it?"
"Yes."
Reyson laughed. „Incredible. Life's full of surprises."
As they had halfway crossed Serenes Forest, Maian steered her pegasus toward the ground.
"I will take over healing duty now", she said to Reyson. "Mist and Rhys have been working all morning, they should take a break."
Maian indicated for her healer to follow her.
"I can help as well", Reyson offered.
"No, there is no need for that. You should save your strength."
"You have absolutely no right to say that. I heard you almost passed out last night after helping your men. If I'd known how this would end, I would have sent you to bed straight away..."
"Oh, very well, I give in... Thank you. Ikarus!"
One of her hawks came drifting over.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Be as kind as to fetch me Soren of the Greil Mercenaries."
"At once!"
Maian and Reyson alighted. She handed the reins to Nala and made her way to the part of the army were the wounded were walking. A few seconds later, Soren appeared.
"You needed something of me?"
"I was wondering... would you like to learn how to heal?"
"Why would I?"
"Well, imagine the following: Ike is badly injured, and neither Mist nor Rhys are nearby..."
"You are playing at my weaknesses, woman."
"Of course", she replied, smiling. "I am quite determined to teach this skill to you, and I usually get what I want. To resist would be futile. Besides, having another ability could only be an advantage, no?"
"You've got a point. But can I even learn how to do this?"
"Yes. Healing powers are the magical ability that is most common. Take Mist, for example. Or Queen Elincia. Both of them can heal, but possess no other magical abilities. Healing is not much different from the kind of magic you use, the only difference is that you do not want to use your powers to harm others, but to help them. Of course, you also have to want to help them."
"So, you want me to try and heal some laguz?"
"Yes. None of the beorc are injured. If you are very averse to healing a beast, you could try a bird instead."
Soren glared at her. "How did you figure that out? Did you read my mind again?"
"No. But I sensed that your dislike for the beast tribe is stronger than that for the other tribes. I understand, though, that you have improved a lot during the last three years."
Soren didn't reply.
Maian spent the next hour teaching him the basics. She realised quickly that Soren – despite his attitude – was eager to learn. She could also feel that he was enjoying her company – because he didn't have to pretend.
Without warning, Janaff, who had been circling over the forest to keep watch, came diving toward the ground with a shrill cry before reverting.
Maian picked up her skirts and hurried over to where the army's leaders were already gathering around him, Soren hot on her heels.
"Dammit! The Central Army has already reached the edge of the forest!", Janaff exclaimed.
"This is bad", Ranulf replied with a frown. "At this rate, if we use the hidden path leading from the forest into Gallia, we risk that Begnion finds out about it."
"And that would be like an invitation to invade the country", Ike added.
"Exactly."
"But we cannot fight here", Maian said quietly. "The damage we would inflict on the forest would be too severe..."
"Damn! What do we do now?!", Skrimir asked, frustrated.
"Kauku Caves."
Everyone turned to stare at Soren.
"What?!"
"Let's enter the Kauku Caves. They would be mad to follow us in there."
"We would be mad to go in there in the first place!", Skrimir growled.
"If we take that path, we might make it. I prefer that to the prospect of certain death at the hands of the Begnion soldiers. Don't you agree?"
Maian closed her eyes to listen for the voice that had always guided her. "If we enter the caves, the Begnion army will not pursue us. Does the cave not have another exit?"
"Two, actually", Skrimir replied. "One leading to Gallia, the other to Goldoa."
"Did you just have a vision?", Ike asked.
"Indeed."
"And you are certain it's reliable?", Tibarn asked doubtfully.
Maian suppressed a grimace. "Yes. Things always play out as foreseen."
"What's wrong with that?", Reyson asked, sensing her distress.
"I foretold the Serenes Massacre."
The others gasped.
"I told my father, and he tried to intervene, but... well, you know how well that went. Despite our best efforts, everything happened exactly as I had described it."
"But – didn't you foretell your own death?", Skrimir asked, confused. "How come you're still alive?"
"Well, the thing is, every decision we make has the potential to change the future. In order for a vision to come true, certain conditions must be met. One of those conditions was me going to Mainal Cathedral, where I would be killed. But I never went there, so, the senators could not kill me. By the time they realised I would not come, I had already left town. You can only change the future if it depends on your own actions. Since I have no means of influencing the Central Army, I cannot make them enter the caves, or stop pursuing us. That is completely out of my hands. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"
"Kind of."
"So, you were unable to prevent the Serenes Massacre because you had no intention of participating in the first place?", Reyson asked.
"As for that, I believe I was just too slow. If my father had made it in time to warn the herons, or to fight off the mob, it might have worked..."
"If we keep standing here talking all day, Begnion will catch up with us", Janaff interrupted, agitated. "Hurry up and make a decision already."
"I say we try the caves", Ike decided.
"Agreed", Tibarn said. "It seems to be our only chance... we just need to be careful to take the right exit."
"General Zelgius, the enemy is fleeing into the Kauku Caves!"
"They must be really desperate", Levail said. "Those caves are a death trap."
"Well, this is it, then. Our pursuit ends here. We will return to Sienne - "
"Uweee-heee-heee! I fear I cannot let you do that, Zelgius."
Oh, no. Not him.
Slowly, Zelgius turned to face the speaker.
"Senator Valtome."
Zelgius hated everything about this man, from his long, frizzy hair down to his ugly shoes. However, what he hated about him most was his laugh. It made the hairs on his arms stand on end.
"Why, you don't even look surprised to see me. I have news for you. The senate has, in its wisdom, appointed me the position of the Central Army's commander. I am in charge now."
"What are your orders, Commander?"
Valtome sighed theatrically. "You are ever so serious, Zelgius! I wonder, is that impassive face of yours your only facial expression? I would really love it to see you surprised, just once..."
"Your orders, Commander."
"Oh, very well. We will head for Gallia via Crimea. Prepare everything for a quick departure. Oh, and send the unit that had been stationed at Mugill into the caves."
"What? My lord, I must ask you to reconsider! Sending them into the caves is the same as sending them to the gallows!"
"You dare talk back to me?", Valtome asked, a dangerous edge in his voice. "Question my orders again, and I will have you killed."
Zelgius clenched his fist. He knew Valtome well enough to understand that he meant it. Yet another reason to hate this man.
Lord Sephiran... Is he all right? And the Apostle... At least Senator Maian managed to escape...
Zelgius had been quite surprised when Maian and her guards had rushed over the heads of his soldiers shortly after Sigrun had delivered the senate's order. Sigrun had been unable to hide her relief when she had seen that Maian was safe.
But now that Valtome is here, there is nothing I can do to stop the army... he will wipe out the Laguz Alliance, and everyone else standing in his way.
Maian immediately understood why Skrimir had been against taking the road through the caves. Lakes of molten rock, ash in the air and an intense heat made it an ordeal. Maian could hardly breathe, and the heat was getting to her.
As they climbed a steep cliff, Skrimir stopped and looked back to the entrance.
"Didn't you say the army wouldn't come this way?", he asked Maian.
"You call that an army?", she replied. "This is just one regiment, most likely they were sent in here to see if we have been roasted by now."
"Just one regiment, eh?", Ike asked. "We'll handle them, you go on and look for the exit."
"Allow me to assist you", Maian offered.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
"But how do we fight in here?", Soren asked.
"I suggest you leave your horses, it would be too dangerous for the riders. My men and I will attack from above, and we will drop our beasts as we approach. You try to get as close as possible without being detected, for if we strike at the same time from several directions, they will have no time to react."
"In that case, you'll have to carry me, as well", Nala pointed out. "They might not notice a couple of wyverns, but even beorc are not unobservant enough to miss a dragon."
Maian nodded. "Agreed."
"Hey, come on, Skrimir! We're supposed to look for the exit", Tibarn said.
"Wait. I want to see how they fight. This could be interesting."
The Greil Mercenaries were in position, and the wyverns and birds now moved in. Maian was still in the middle of the cave, watching them. As the draco knights were right above the Begnion soldiers, they dropped their companions. During the fall, Nala and the beasts transformed. The mercenaries leapt out from their hiding places, and the battle began.
Maian moved in, speaking in the Ancient Tongue.
"Holy light that purges the darkness, come forth at my command and strike down mine enemies!"
Multiple rays of light shot from her outstretched hands, each of them killing one Begnion soldier.
"Wow, she really is strong."
The beasts formed little groups to fight more efficiently. One of the birds seized a Begnion soldier and lifted him into the air. A draco knight changed her course to stab the man. The raven dropped the body.
Ten or so of the Begnion soldiers had ganged up on Nala and tried to get past her claws, tail and flames. Nala seemed to be rather enjoying herself.
"They really work well together", Reyson said. "Amazing!"
The Begnion soldiers didn't last long against the combined forces of the mercenaries and Maian's guards. Maian turned her pegasus around and came heading back. Suddenly, she buckled over and slipped off the back of her steed.
Reyson gasped, and several of Maian's guards started yelling. One of the hawks dived after her and managed to catch her. One of the draco knights caught her pegasus.
"General Skrimir! We found the exit!"
"Excellent. I want to get out of here as soon as possible."
Maian's guards used their cloaks and lances to make a stretcher for the senator, while the healer checked on her.
"She just passed out, nothing serious."
"Let's go, then", Tibarn ordered.