A/N: In terms of pages, we are already past the halfway point of this story.
The Daein army had fortified the bridge, and refused to let them pass without a fight – much to Sanaki's dismay. Maian struggled with her knowledge, and the desire to tell Sanaki everything – but didn't dare to risk it.
The smell of snow was in the air. Maian had been taught that the winters in Daein were long and harsh, and she certainly wasn't looking forward to this journey.
Sanaki's third messenger returned. Her report was the same as that of the ones who had gone before her – the Daein command had refused to even receive the message.
"We have no choice but to force our way through", Ike said grimly.
"Very well", Sanaki replied reluctantly. "Once we have crossed the bridge, I will petition King Pelleas to let us pass through Daein."
"I suggest that you temper your expectations", Maian warned. "As I said earlier, Daein has sided with the senate."
Just as they were about to move out, Tibarn arrived.
"Sorry it took me so long to get here. Reyson was so determined to go to the battlefield, I had to tie him to his bed."
"Really?", Ike asked.
"Nah, just kidding. He passed out earlier. So, I'm having a different anchor slow me down this time."
Leanne came swooping down.
"I – um, I will fight. Yes?"
"I wish you and Reyson would be more heron-like. Like Rafiel. Calm, graceful, elegant, all that", Tibarn said, sounding resigned.
"Never mind Tibarn, Leanne. We're glad to have you", Ike reassured her.
Leanne beamed at him.
"This is looking seriously bad", Sothe observed.
He and Micaiah were observing the battle on the bridge from a nearby hill, along with a messenger from the senate.
"They're simply wiping our forces out. And it's not just the laguz – Crimea has joined them. See the soldiers with the green uniforms? Goddess help us, even the Crimean Royal Knights have moved out..."
"There are lots of red ones, too", Micaiah observed.
"Yes. More than half of the Imperial Army remained loyal to the Apostle."
"And the black ones are losing more and more ground..."
"See those pegasus knights? That's the Holy Guards. Their deputy commander, Tanith, is a fierce warrior. Her own subordinates fear her, they call her 'Great Demon'. Standing in her way is probably the most stupid thing you could do. The commander, General Sigrun, is supposed to be more gentle, but still determined to protect her lady. However – we're very fortunate that neither King Caineghis nor Queen Elincia aren't here. I've never seen the Lion King fight, but he's supposed to be very strong."
"And the queen?"
"Well, I only saw her fight in the Mad King's War. She wasn't outstanding, but good enough to keep up with Tanith's pegasus knights. And she's a fairly good healer, and since she's riding a pegasus, she can be where she's needed in the blink of an eye."
"I see. And what else can you tell me about Crimea?"
"Well, it appears that the Delbray siblings aren't here, either. They probably stayed with the queen. Lady Lucia is an awesome sword master, almost as strong as Commander Ike. Her brother, General Geoffrey, is the commander of the Crimean Royal Knights. He uses lances and bows, and he's really good. It seems that his deputy, Kieran, is commanding the knights at the moment."
"What – what is that?!" Micaiah gasped in disbelief. "A dragon?!"
"Yeah, it seems they got a Goldoan. Now that's bad."
"Her name is Nala, and she belongs to Senator Maian", the Begnion priest explained with a sneer. "The senator and her men joined forces with the Alliance some time ago. She is quite a strong sage herself, and she has a mixed guard, made up of beorc and sub-humans - "
"It's laguz, man!", Sothe spat at him. "Try to remember that!"
A blinding flash of light enveloped part of the bridge.
"What was that?!", Sothe asked.
"That was a spell, a powerful one. Is the senator a light sage?"
"Yes", the priest replied.
"I see..."
"I have heard that Senator Maian is very different from other senators – and I believe that", Sothe said. "Just look at which side she's chosen."
The end of the bridge was in sight. Ike mustered his remaining strength to sprint past some Daein soldiers to where their commander was. Soren was, as always, right behind him.
Ike's flying units had engaged the enemy draco knights, and lured them away from the bridge, so the others could focus on the enemies on the ground.
"You there, Daein commander! The situation has turned against you! Surrender while you still can, the Apostle promises you to have mercy!"
"Silence! The Maiden of Dawn has ordered us to hold the bridge. And I take no mercy from a fraud!"
"Do you want to die here?", Ike asked in disbelief.
"For the Maiden, I would gladly give my life! She is our priestess!"
"They're fanatics, just as I told you", Soren observed.
The Daein commander lifted his crossbow and aimed it at Ike. Ike threw himself to the side just as the bolt was released, narrowly dodging it. With a roar, Nala came diving down and crashed onto the commander, killing him with her sheer weight.
Ike gave her a nod. "Thanks!"
"Don't mention it."
Letting out a distressed noise, Sothe stepped back from the edge and turned to face Micaiah.
"Micaiah, this is bad. Our commander has already fallen, it's only a matter of time 'till they break through."
"Understood. Order our troops to pull back."
"What? No!", the priest exclaimed. "You can't do that! You have to stop them!"
"We can't hold them off", Micaiah replied calmly.
"Then just destroy the bridge!"
"Are you out of your mind?! Our soldiers are still on the bridge! Besides, half of this army is airborne. We will retreat!"
"I will tell your king about this. And I doubt the senate will be too pleased!"
"We could just leave you behind and see what the Apostle's Army does to you", Sothe said threateningly.
The priest went pale.
Micaiah turned and started to climb down the hill. All of a sudden, she stumbled. Sothe caught her arm.
"Micaiah!"
"Sothe... don't... everyone is watching. Just – act normal..."
"Micaiah, hang in there!"
The world seemed to blur and spin around her, and then – darkness...
"Good work, Ike", Sanaki said once all of their soldiers had crossed the bridge.
"They weren't much stronger than last time, but they sure put up a fight. It seems this is all because of their 'maiden'."
"Have you met her?"
"I saw her when we crossed the Ribahn, but had no chance to speak with her. But Soren did."
"Would you tell me about her?", Sanaki asked Soren.
Soren frowned. "She is strong, though not as strong as I am. And she seems to care very strongly for Sothe – I believe that is her weakness. But she is unlike any general I've seen before. I don't think she is a regular soldier", Soren replied.
"I see. Well, let us set up camp for today. I will send a messenger to King Pelleas immediately."