The Hawk Army had reached the area around Lake Semper, and had to cross a vast swamp in order to reach their destination. Progress in itself was slow due to the terrain, and Almedha was not done causing them trouble. Elincia had noticed for a while that she'd started showing signs of depression. One afternoon, she became very angry and furious, shouting for someone to give back her son. Pelleas said nothing, just looked on with a sad expression on his face. When Maian failed to calm the princess, she called Reyson for help.
The two of them agreed that Almedha needed rest, and Maian announced that they would set up camp earlier than planned, daring anyone to challenge her on this.
"I hope Lady Almedha will be all right", Elincia said to Tibarn as they sat at a watch-fire. "How is she doing?"
"Reyson's song seems to have calmed her for now", the Hawk King replied.
"I see..."
"At first, I doubted her claim that she was the daughter of that useless old lizard. But even I had trouble holding her down. Me! She's no ordinary beorc woman, that's for sure."
"I agree", Elincia replied, lacing her fingers together. "Lady Almedha and Prince Kurthnaga share a striking resemblance, as well. Not just their faces, but their mannerism, too."
"Is that how you beorc spot blood relations? We laguz use scent, mainly." Tibarn bent a leg at the knee and rested his elbow on it. "Speaking of which, something has been bothering me about Almedha. She has no distinct scent. It's as if she's neither beorc nor laguz."
"She actually told me something I wanted to ask you about. She said that she lost her powers when she became pregnant with King Pelleas."
"Hm. So the ancient songs are true..."
"What songs would those be?", Elincia asked, puzzled.
"It is said that the Goddess forbade laguz and beorc to procreate. If that taboo is broken, the punishment is dealt to the laguz parent. They lose their powers, and become something that does not belong to either species." Without warning, Tibarn turned his head sharply. "Did you hear that? Who goes there?!"
"If the songs are indeed true, then it is my duty to keep the honourable Hawk King from being alone with my bewitching queen!", a man's voice called. "Do you not agree, Your Majesty?" Bastian, Count of Fayre, stepped into the firelight. "My apologies for the lateness of the hour. Proper social graces are most difficult to observe in times of war."
"Bastian!", Elincia exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. "Why are you - "
But she was cut off in mid-sentence as another voice came from the shadows.
"I do not mean to interrupt this scene of reunion, but I have to protest on a few matters."
A globe-light flickered into existence above Maian's head.
"Oh, I must be dreaming! Who is this young lady whose beauty makes the sun and stars blush with embarrassment?", Bastian exclaimed in his usual verbose way.
Maian gaped at him, but quickly overcame her surprise.
"I have heard the stories about you, but I never thought I would be subjected to your – eloquence. I am Senator Maian, Second Duchess of Idras."
Bastian bowed elegantly. "Honoured to meet you."
"So, what is it you have to protest against?", Tibarn asked Maian, drumming a finger on his knee.
"The songs you were referring to are fake. There is next to no truth to them."
"What do you mean?"
"Neither Yune nor Ashera knew that beorc and laguz could procreate before they went to sleep. Yune found out about us through Micaiah and me. Therefore, none of the Goddesses could possibly have forbidden mixed marriages."
"Well, that does make sense", Elincia mused. "But then, why does the laguz parent lose their powers? And who spread that rumour about divine punishment?"
"I cannot answer either of those questions, I am afraid. But one thing is for certain – our existence, and our parents' love, is no crime, and the loss of the laguz powers is no divine retribution. I should know."
"You – you are one of the Branded?", Bastian asked in disbelief.
Maian's eyes narrowed, and tiny sparks burst from the globe-light.
"She doesn't like that word", Elincia interjected, worried that Maian might just decide to kill Bastian on the spot.
"Yeah, you'd better use the word 'hybrid' instead, or she's bound to go on another rampage. You don't want to know what she did to the last fool who angered her", Tibarn added with a grin.
Bastian shifted his weight. "My apologies. I did not know you thought this term to be offensive, senator."
"The thought never crossed your mind, eh?", she replied in a mocking tone. "No-one's mind, actually. People are so easily fooled..."
"But how comes you know about this?", Tibarn inquired, fixing Maian with a curious expression. "This is knowledge even the Apostle doesn't possess, am I right?"
"Correct."
"Well then, who told you? And don't give us that crap about 'not being allowed to tell us' again. How should we believe you, if you have no sources to cite?"
Maian shifted her weight and grasped her left wrist with her right hand.
"I feel like I would betray his trust by telling you…" She took a deep breath and straightened her spine, relaxing her stance. "Very well... the one who told me about Yune, Ashera and my race was Lehran."
"Lehran, the Great Heron?", Tibarn exclaimed, shifting his position in surprise. "You mean to say that Reyson's ancestor is still alive?"
"He was very much alive the last time I saw him", she replied. "And yes, that is the person I am referring to. He was there when the Three Heroes fought Yune on Ashera's behalf, he sealed her away inside the medallion, and watched the twin goddesses go to sleep. He knows everything that happened back then – and what did not happen. He knew the truth from the very beginning."
"Is he the one who taught you how to use galdrar?", Tibarn pressed.
"Yes, indeed. He also helped me with my own galdr – he corrected it so it would work."
"He did? Well, I was always wondering where you learned that... What kind of person is he?"
Maian considered the question.
"Well, he is kind. Caring. And determined. Just like me, he wants to change the world into a better place. And I do not believe he is easily stopped once he has made up his mind about something. He managed to gain my trust, after all. Even though I did not make things easy for him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, when he told me he knew about me – I was terrified. I thought he would expose me, or kill me... it took him several days to persuade me to visit him again, that was when I finally started to trust him. You see, he allowed me to have a peek into his mind. Otherwise, I might have never trusted him."
"That's – unusual, to say the least", Tibarn replied with a frown. "Reyson once told me that herons normally let no-one enter their minds. He must've been rather determined to win your trust."
"True... that was several years after the Serenes Massacre. He thought he had lost all of his children... And there I was, one that strongly reminded him of what he had lost... I believe that one reason why he craved my company was simply because he needed me – I was the one thing that kept him from completely losing his mind. In a way, he used me for his own well-being – but he gave me much in return, so I do not mind. Besides, I did the same thing – I used Sanaki as a substitute for the children I could not have."
"Couldn't you have tried to hide your true nature from your husband?", Elincia asked.
"No, that would have been impossible. Besides, I would have passed that curse on to my children. And I would not want them to live the life I live – fearing detection every single day, and trusting no-one... 'Tis a hard life. That is why I joined forces with Lehran."
"He wants to change that?"
"Yes. It is hard for someone who knows the truth to see people being oppressed because of a lie. However, we decided to emancipate the laguz first. After all, that was a radical enough idea. But we are finally getting results – my soldiers are the proof that you can overcome anything – even racial differences – if you just try", Maian concluded with a smile.
"Sounds like Lehran's a great person. I would like to meet him...", Tibarn mused.
"You might get the chance when we reach Sienne. I do not believe Ashera turned him to stone, so he ought to be there..."
"Has he been living in Sienne all those centuries?"
"No, he only moved there shortly before the Serenes Massacre. Before that, he lived in Goldoa. He and King Deghinsea used to be close friends."
"I get it now, that's what you told that stubborn lizard when we were at his place", the Hawk King exclaimed. "You told him you knew Lehran, right?"
"That, and a few other things I thought might help us to get out of that mess."
"But why did Lehran never anything to contradict those lies, or about the person who spread them?", Elincia interjected. "It doesn't fit what you just told us about him."
"He did not know. He found out through Empress Misaha, a few days before she was murdered."
"Come to think of it, what if it was the same person who told the fake stories about Yune?", Tibarn asked.
"I do not know... I would like to ask that person why they hated us so much, but I would most likely just lose my temper and kill them. Besides, they are probably dead by now."
"That's very likely, it's been over 700 years, after all."
"Indeed." Maian shook her head. "My apologies for interrupting you earlier – I am done now. Please feel free to continue your conversation."
Bastian, who had been observing them silently, bowed again, and turned back to Elincia.
"I have been absent for a very long time, Your Majesty. I apologise again from the deepest part of my heart."
"Never mind that, I am just so glad to see you that you are all right. How I worried for your safety!"
Tibarn rose to his feet and crossed his arms. "Sorry to interrupt this tender reunion scene – again – but where on Tellius have you been, Lord Jester? What have you been doing up 'till now? Come on, I'm listening. Out with it!"
"I suppose one as swift as our King of the Skies is unlikely to count patience as one of his virtues", Bastian replied calmly. "Fear not! I shall tell you everything. But first, I must ask you both to step away from other ears."
He shot a glance in Maian's direction.
"There's no use trying to keep a secret from her, she'd just read your mind", Tibarn pointed out. "Better tell her right away, that would save time."
"Very well. Over here."
They followed Bastian away from the fire. Maian created a Wall of Silence around them. Bastian's eyes went wide.
"Marvellous! I had no idea you could command such powerful magics!"
Maian shrugged. "People tend to underestimate me."
"Would it be possible to rouse the prince with the elegant white wings?", Bastian asked.
"Are you asking me to get Reyson?", Tibarn asked for clarification. "Fine. But do me a favour and talk like a normal person, would you?"
"It is a terrible habit of yours, Bastian", Lucia said, appearing behind Elincia, nearly giving her a heart attack. "I've never known a man who talked so much, but said so little."
"Ah, my dear, beloved Lucia!", Bastian exclaimed theatrically. "It pains me to imagine your piteous tears during those long, cold nights without me! Be of good cheer, little one! Tonight, you may weep tears of joy in my loving embrace."
"Ever the optimist, eh, Bastian?"
Maian made a choked sound, as if she was trying very hard not to laugh.
Two men approached, and stepped into Maian's magic circle. One of them was wearing a long black cloak and a hood.
"Geoffrey? Is that you?", Elincia asked.
"It is."
"Geoffrey! You are safe, too!" Elincia beamed at him, resisting the urge to rush to his side and embrace him.
"Queen Elincia... I swear that I shall never, ever leave your side again!"
"Oh... I'm so glad..."
Another shadow appeared right behind Geoffrey.
"Hello."
The general whirled around.
"I have told you not to sneak up on me, Volke! Your Majesty, this is Volke, a spy and – 'fireman' in Bastian's employ. He worked for Ike during the Mad King's War, perhaps you remem - "
"Our captive has disappeared", Volke interrupted. "He has been gone for approximately half an hour."
"He escaped?", Bastian shouted. "No! We must find him! Here is your next assignment: find the escaped prisoner immediately!"
"Two thousand gold."
"That will be fine. Make it quick."
"Understood."
Volke disappeared into the night. Tibarn returned, bringing Reyson with him.
"This is very rude of me after I was the one who asked you here, but we have an emergency", Bastian explained to Reyson. "Would you all gather here again once we have captured the escapee?"
"That's fine", Reyson replied. "I'm not much fond of the dark, anyway. We'll gather later."
Bastian turned to the hooded man and took one of his arms.
"Geoffrey, lend me a hand, would you? I would like to take him to the carriage."
The three men left.
"Lucia, do you know who that man in the black cape is?", Elincia asked with a frown.
"No. I was curious, too. It's no use asking, though. Neither Bastian nor my brother would say anything."
"Geoffrey, too? I didn't think he ever kept secrets..."
"A mysterious escaped prisoner... a man shrouded in black... It's a big night for secrets, isn't it?"
Maian said nothing, her face a stony mask.
While they waited for Volke to return, everyone gathered around the fires. Suddenly, a small child came running toward Elincia.
"Queen Elincia!"
"Amy! You're safe! Oh, I'm so glad. It's so good to see you! Amy is the daughter of the sage Calill and Largo, who own an inn in Melior", she explained to the others.
"I came here with General Geoffrey."
"With Geoffrey?"
"I was outside the day when the bright light engulfed everything", the general explained. "At first, I thought time had stopped. Then, I realised that time was normal, but everyone else had been petrified. I rode around town to investigate, and found this little girl crying in Calill's bar."
"Did you find anyone else? What about Largo?"
Geoffrey bit his lips.
"No... how tragic. How am I going to tell Calill?"
"Mummy is here?! I want to see my mummy!", Amy exclaimed.
"Yes, she's here, Amy. Lucia?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Amy, do you want to see your mother? Here, take my hand. We'll go together."
"Yay! I can't wait to see her!"
"How unusual", Reyson observed as they watched the two of them leave. "I can't believe a small child like her was saved from petrification. Isn't she the first?"
"I'd assumed that only people with a certain amount of power were safe, but looks like I was wrong", Tibarn replied with a scowl.
"I can solve that riddle for you", Maian said quietly. "Calill and Largo adopted that child, correct?"
"Yes, how did you know?", Elincia replied, baffled.
"She is one of my kind. However, it would appear that her body has not yet been marked. You see, the laguz blood is dormant at first, but one day, it breaks through, marking the child's body with the Brand. In my case, this must have happened shortly after my birth, for I was already marked when my father's servants found me."
"So, Calill and Largo are not yet aware of the fact that their child is a hybrid", Elincia said quietly.
"That is correct. But they will find out – the day the laguz blood surfaces." Maian grimaced. "Even I cannot foresee how they will react... I am worried for Amy's future."
"I will speak to Calill about this matter", Elincia promised. "And even if the worst should happen – I would make sure Amy will be able to live a happy life."
"Thank you... You have no idea how much this means to me", Maian breathed.
"You still owe us an explanation as to why she's still walking about", Tibarn reminded the senator.
"My apologies... You see, Ashera's judgement was designed to harm laguz and beorc only, nothing else. You must have noticed how the animals still roam about as if nothing had happened. Like I said before, Ashera knew nothing of our existence, she is probably still unaware of of us. That is what I think, anyway."
"That would make sense", Reyson agreed.
Volke appeared out of nowhere and told Tibarn that Geoffrey needed him urgently. He followed the masked man out of the camp to find Ranulf waiting for them, as well. Geoffrey wasted no time, and got straight to the point.
"So, we have a bit of a predicament. I know it is none of your affair, but we would greatly benefit from laguz assistance in hunting for last night's escapee."
"No problem", Tibarn replied. "I could use a little exercise before breakfast. Although I won't be of much help until the sun rises, I'm afraid."
"Thank you, King Tibarn! Please, follow me."
However, before they could leave, they were joined by Lucia and Elincia.
"Why are you up so early? What's going on?", Lucia demanded.
"Is it the Disciples of Order?", Elincia asked. "Are we under attack?"
Tibarn decided that this was a good moment for him to make his escape. He did not want to be caught in an argument between the general on one hand, and his queen and his sister on the other. He spotted Bastian and hurried over to him, Ranulf hot on his heels.
"No, Your Majesty, it is not the Disciples", Geoffrey replied. "If you'll excuse me, I must go!"
He hurried toward his horse.
"Wait, Geoffrey!", his sister called after him. "Who does he think he is?"
"Let's follow them", Elincia ordered.
She helped Lucia climb onto her pegasus, and they took off.
The two ladies caught up with the army just as they were preparing for battle.
"Bastian! What in the world is going on? I insist on a straight answer!", Elincia demanded.
"Your Majesty! Sister! Why are you here?", Geoffrey exclaimed.
"That's not important!", Lucia said angrily. "Explain why you would deploy the army without telling us! Oh, and also, why there are Feral Ones here!"
She pointed at the "army" they were facing. Countless laguz who had lost their minds…
"See that odious man among them?", Bastian asked. "He is controlling them. He used Fell Magic to summon the poor laguz souls who were turned into Feral Ones! He is the man who escaped our custody last night. Volke just found him."
Pelleas went pale.
"Izuka!", he gasped.
"Yes. The one who designed the process to create the Feral Ones. Your former councillor."
"What?! He's the butcher who twisted the lives of my fellow kinsmen?!", Tibarn roared. "He won't die quickly. I'll make sure his cries are heard in Gallia, Phoenecis... even Goldoa!"
"We can't let a creature that twisted roam free!", Elincia said. "We must fight!"
No-one had any objections to that, and the Hawk Army moved out.
Maian had heard stories about the twisted laguz, but she had never imagined that she would have to face them in a fight. She had never even fought against "regular" laguz, and warped ones were stronger than her own warriors. They had to team up in order to defeat them; the only ones that could deal with the enemies by themselves were Tibarn, Elincia, Nala, Pelleas, and Maian herself.
Maian could feel the rage and hatred emanating from the young Spirit Charmer. He held a personal grudge against Izuka – after all, that man had used and betrayed him. Pelleas strongly reminded Maian of an angel of death who had come to take revenge.
Izuka had retreated to a small island in the lake, where he continuously summoned more of his warped "pets". All units with heavy armour, like Tauroneo, would be unable to get to him, they had to remain on solid ground. Horses and footsoldiers could cross, but the water would slow them down. Only the flying units, Ilyana, Calill and Pelleas had good chances of reaching Izuka before he could summon more Feral Ones.
Tibarn ordered the horsemen and footsoldiers to stay ashore and deal with the enemies there, while everyone else moved out to strike Izuka down.
Pelleas left most of the fighting to the others and focused on levitating across the water as quickly as possible. Maian covered for him from above, while Elincia stayed close to get rid of any attackers that made it past her barrage.
Pelleas set foot on the island.
"Izuka!"
"Ah, my dear Prince Pelleas! Excuse me, King Pelleas! I'd assumed you'd been turned to stone. How nice to see you again! But I am saddened that you would betray me, and fight alongside those short-sighted fools! I found you and set you on the path to royalty! I served you well, did I not?"
"I know that you have been working for the senate, Izuka", Pelleas replied icily.
"So you found out. Very well. At least I don't have to pretend any more. It isn't like you will spare my life, anyway."
"With most of Daein turned to stone, the Blood Pact can no longer harm anyone. But that doesn't change the fact that you tricked me into risking the life of every citizen of my kingdom! Why would you betray me, Izuka? Were you ever loyal to Daein?"
"Betrayal? What of your betrayal of me? I remember well how you valued the life of one worthless laguz over mine! It was your betrayal that forced me to abandon my work! You were supposed to be my puppet, a weakling boy-king that I could control, giving me free rein!"
Pelleas looked unfazed.
"You – you knew that as well?", Izuka asked in disbelief.
"Senator Maian told us that Lady Almedha and I were not related – she said that the senate was just looking for someone to use as a puppet. Where is the true heir?"
"How would I know? It doesn't matter."
"You bastard! Princess Almedha wants her son back – her real son!"
"So what? Nobody knows where he is, if he's even still alive! I just looked for someone I could pass off as the prince – someone that woman would accept as her son. Conveniently enough, the shape of your Spirit Protection had almost the same shape as the mark of that filthy little Branded."
"I've heard enough! Prepare to die, traitor!"
Maian tried to keep an eye on the fight while she continued to keep the Feral Ones away from Pelleas – not that there were many of them left.
It seemed like Pelleas and Izuka were evenly matched at first, but Pelleas was channelling all his rage and anger into his magic. Maian started chanting a galdr to help him in his struggle. With one powerful, final blast of magic, Pelleas ended the battle.
They returned back to the shore, where the laguz reverted. The magicians and Elincia tended to the wounded, while Tibarn glared out at the lake, where Izuka had fallen.
"Disgusting filth! I could kill him again and again for what he's done!"
"At least he's finally gone", Elincia whispered. "No-one else will suffer by his hands."
"I suppose that is all there is, then", Reyson said.
He turned and walked over to the water's edge. Raising his arms, he began to chant.
Maian had never heard this particular song before, but it touched her heart. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she thought of the countless people who had suffered and died because of that man.
"Laguz brothers and sisters, I hope your souls can finally rest in peace now", Ranulf prayed, bowing his head.
Shortly after Reyson had finished his song, one of the merchants who were travelling with them came hurrying toward them.
"Count Bastian! That man you left with us, in the black cape, he's in bad shape! We can barely hold him down any more!"
"Oh no... Your Majesty, we must return immediately. I shall explain everything."
Almedha and the other merchant were trying to hold the stranger, who was struggling violently, growling and screaming, down.
Bastian hurried to the man's side.
"Shush! Clam down, sir. It's all right. You are a strong man, you will pull through!"
This did little to calm him, though, as he let out another guttural scream.
"Please, you must calm yourself! Duke Renning!"
The man broke free from Almedha's restraint. The hood slipped, and they could see his face, plain as day.
Elincia gasped. "It cannot be! Uncle! Uncle Renning! You are alive! Oh, you are alive!"
Maian had never met late King Ramon's brother, so she tried to deduce a resemblance between him and his niece. Renning's hair and beard were of a darker green, with a hint of blue. And his eyes – Maian froze. His eyes were filled with madness.
He roared again as Elincia approached. The queen shrank back.
"What's wrong, uncle? Please speak to me! It's me, Elincia!"
"It's no use, Your Majesty", Bastian said quietly. "Your noble uncle's mind has been broken – by the drug that creates the Feral Ones."
"No! How did this happen? Uncle! Uncle! You must hold on!"
Sensing that Elincia was about to have a breakdown, Maian ordered Lucia to calm her while directing Geoffrey and Tibarn to carry Renning back to his tent. The queen had just found out that her uncle was alive, and was terrified of losing him again. Maian could feel her pain and sorrow. She gently placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, trying to ease her agony.
The next moment, Renning fainted.
After Tibarn and Geoffrey had returned, Elincia collapsed onto a stool and covered her face in her hands.
"Forgive me. Please give me a moment to collect myself."
"What happened back there? Who is that man?", Tibarn demanded.
"That is Duke Renning, the late king's younger brother and Queen Elincia's uncle", Bastian explained. "He was next in line to become Crimea's king, but... he was believed killed during Daein's first attack, three years ago."
"I see. And what's wrong with him now?"
"Bastian. No more secrets. It's time for you to tell us everything you know", Lucia ordered.
Bastian gave a curt nod and began his tale. "Duke Renning was apparently killed three years ago, but, as you can see, he is still alive. Duke Renning was one of the strongest warriors in Crimea, and while Daein tried to kill him, he survived. When the Mad King heard of his skill, he had him kidnapped and gave him the drug that creates the Feral Ones. King Ashnard collected strong men, you must know. This drug made Duke Renning even stronger, but shattered his mind. He became Bertram, one of Ashnard's infamous Four Riders. After Her Majesty and company had defeated him, I had him taken back to my castle. I hoped to find a cure, but didn't want to raise false hopes, Your Majesty, so I kept the secret. However, his mind continued to deteriorate, and there was no sign of improvement.
"As a last resort, I hired Volke to search for a way to cure him. Volke quickly discovered that Duke Renning's transformation had been engineered by a man named Izuka. This man had made himself an aide to the new King of Daein, and was not difficult to locate. Feeling that Lord Renning was running out of time, we kidnapped Izuka to find out more about the duke's condition. Returning to Fayre Castle, we interrogated Izuka at length, and learned more about his experiments. Perhaps unsurprisingly, beorc are affected differently by the drug than laguz. Izuka then offered to create an antidote in exchange for his freedom."
"Did you agree to it?!", Geoffrey demanded to know.
"We refused without a second thought. Such a monster cannot be allowed to roam free. Besides, we know a more certain way to cure Lord Renning."
"The Galdr of Rebirth!", Lucia exclaimed.
Elincia, who had been listening to Bastian's words with growing horror, surged to her feet and stumbled toward Reyson, hope flaring to life in her eyes.
"Prince Reyson, I beg of you, please save my uncle!"
"I can't guarantee anything, Elincia. But I will try!"
"Oh, thank you, Prince Reyson, thank you!"
"Please give me a moment to myself. I must prepare."
"Are you sure about this?", Tibarn interjected, frowning. "I thought the Galdr of Rebirth was too difficult and complex for a single heron to perform..."
"Usually, that's true. But Ashera's awakening has infused the world with order. I've never felt stronger. What's more, Lord Renning's condition seems less severe than a true Feral One. I think I can do this."
"I still don't like it..."
"In that case, Prince Reyson, allow me to help you", Maian offered, placing a hand over her heart. "I have been taught how to perform this galdr. My magic may be almost insignificant compared to yours, but I can still carry part of the burden."
"Thanks for the offer, I gladly accept", the prince replied with a smile.
The men carried Renning out into the open, and Maian and Reyson stood on either side of him, facing each other. Maian spread her wings and called upon the magic of her mother – the magic of the heron tribe.
As they started to sing, light engulfed Renning's body. Again, he started to scream.
"Uncle! Hold on!", Elincia called.
There was a flash of light, and Renning lay still. Reyson bent down to examine him.
"It worked. He's sleeping now. When he wakes, he should be his old self again."
Elincia let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you, both of you!"
Maian smiled, then, her knees buckled. She felt Nala catch her before the world was swallowed once again by darkness.
Renning blinked open bleary eyes. He was lying in a tent, but he had no idea how he had gotten there. Slowly, he turned his head. Immediately, a man hurried to his side.
"Duke Renning! You are awake! Do you remember who I am, milord?"
"Count Bastian?"
"Yes. Thank goodness, it worked."
"Where are we?"
"Near Lake Semper, on the road from Daein to Begnion."
"My. We are quite a way from home, are we not?"
"Do you remember what happened?"
"Mostly. Ashnard told me he had killed Ramon and his wife – and that it was only a matter of time until he would kill Elincia as well... then, they gave me that drug. But Elincia survived... she returned to Crimea... I remember fighting her army at Fort Pinell... I was defeated by that blue-haired boy."
"Sir Ike. He is a mercenary who acted as the army's general at the time."
"I see. And then, you took me into your care and tried to cure me... I am so grateful."
"No need to thank me, milord. Which reminds me - ", he turned to glance behind him. "You there! Would you be as kind as to fetch the Delbray siblings and our Queen?"
"You talking to me?", an irritated voice replied.
"I am."
"Then you'd best start by trying to remember my name, it's Tlia. Captain, you'll manage without me for a sec?"
"Of course. Run along, kitten."
Renning noticed for the first time that there were other people in the tent. A young woman was just leaving.
"A Gallian?", Renning asked, confused.
"Yes, although she is from Begnion, actually. We are travelling with quite a lot of laguz."
Bastian helped Renning to sit up when the cat returned, bringing three more people with her. Renning immediately recognised them. He had seen those three together so often...
"Uncle Renning!"
Elincia rushed forward and threw herself into his waiting arms.
"Elincia…"
"I'm so glad you made it! When I heard what had happened to you..."
"Duke Renning!"
Geoffrey saluted while Lucia bowed. She often did that while wearing her uniform because she felt it looked silly to curtsey while not wearing a dress.
"Lucia, Geoffrey. I see you have been taking good care of my niece. Thank you."
"It was an honour, Sir."
"So, how exactly did you manage to cure me?" Renning asked. "I felt like I was being purged by some kind of holy light..."
"Yes, that would be one way to describe what happened. You were healed by the Galdr of Rebirth – the ones who performed it are sleeping over there", Bastian explained.
Renning looked over to where the cat girl was standing. There were two more cots occupied by the two most beautiful creatures Renning had ever seen. They were laying face-down, as not to damage their wings. It was hard to tell, but Renning guessed the white-winged one to be male, while the grey-winged one was most certainly a woman.
"Heron laguz?", Renning asked, surprised.
"Well, Prince Reyson is a heron, yes", Geoffrey confirmed. "But the Senator is not – I mean, she looks like a heron, but she's not – what I mean is - "
"What my brother is trying to say is that she is a heron-blooded hybrid", Lucia cut across his ramblings.
"A – hybrid?"
"Yes. You should better not call her anything else – that upsets her. We owe it to Senator Maian's special powers that we survived our last battle against the Disciples of Order... She killed almost an entire army all by herself, including their commander, Senator Valtome."
"Is she truly that powerful?"
"She used a special kind of galdr, but yes, she is a very strong magician. An arch sage."
"I see. Are those two her guards?"
"Indeed. Captain Nala and Tlia."
As Renning watched the sleeping girl, she opened her eyes and yawned while starting to roll onto her back.
"Hey, senator, stop it, your wings!", Nala said.
"Again? How troublesome... Let me guess. I fainted – again." The eye-roll was evident in the way she spoke. "It has been happening rather often recently..."
The wings vanished, and Maian sat up.
"You are simply not used to that much travelling, fighting, or stress. You've never been farther away from Sienne than Serenes Forest before, after all. Besides, people as frail as you shouldn't be on the battlefield to begin with", Nala retorted.
"Like you could stop me. Besides, I have to help everyone... we need to reach Sienne at all costs."
She spotted Reyson, who was still asleep.
"He's fine", Nala reassured her. "Just resting."
Maian ignored her and bent over the heron.
"You don't believe me, eh?"
"Not at all, but you are not a healer." She checked his pulse. "Yes, he will be fine."
"By the way, your patient's woken up a few minutes ago. He seems to be his normal self again, from what I've gathered."
Maian turned to look at Renning.
"Good. I was worried that our combined powers might not have been enough..."
Elincia rose and crossed over to the senator, where she crouched down so she could take her hands. Renning could see how careful his niece was, as if she was afraid to injure her fragile hands.
"Senator Maian, thank you so much for helping my uncle."
"Not at all, Queen Elincia. I am glad I could be of help. Besides, I know what it is like to lose family... But I hardly did anything, it was Prince Reyson who did most of the work."
"Stop being so modest! It doesn't matter who did how much. The important thing is that you did it. Together."
"You are right, of course. For someone so young, you are very wise." Maian gently placed one hand on Elincia's head.
"Now that is weird", Geoffrey observed quietly. "She acts like she's Elincia's mother."
"Well, she could be", his sister replied. "The laguz blood keeps her from ageing, but she is almost forty years old."
"Interesting", Renning mused. "You live and learn."
"Duke Renning, we brought your steed, sword and armour", Geoffrey said.
"Thank you. Now, I will ride to battle once again."
A/N:
I ran into a curious issue when editing this chapter: I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out who was supposed to be the narrator of the first couple of scenes. It became clear later on that Maian was supposed to be one of the narrators, but earlier, PoVs seemed to be changing within a scene. It is also possible that I had intended for Maian to narrate the entire thing (with the exception of Renning's PoV), but that would have required her to be within earshot of every single conversation. To solve this issue, I split the early scenes between Elincia, Tibarn and Maian.