Chapter Twenty One
Ymtar Snowfield
Continuing their travels, Soren, Mia and their comrades find themselves crossing the Ymtar Snowfield, a large range covered in snow that lies close to the Numengate border, an instantaneous introduction to the nature of the Northern Frost Nation.
Regalshin has many snowfields, Ymtar being one of the most known because of a small village home to the most organized group of Froghuls in all of Regalshin. Froghuls are a tribe of wild people and the only known 'savages' that live in Ymarkteg. Following old customs they do what they want and swear allegiance to no one. Most travelers are wary of them because they are so different from any of the other people of Ymarkteg.
The tribe frequently climbs the Ymtar Range, a group of tall mountains in the vast snowfield to hunt and gather all they need to continue their lifestyle.
Following the new and much more reliable map, Soren noticed something "Is this the same river?" he asked, turning to Kay'Shera who marched next to him.
Taking a closer look she nodded "In Anondye it is known as the Viridian River, from the south it gathers at Emerald Falls and then passes through the Grand Grove, out of Anondye and into Numengate where it is renamed, and then it continues through into Regalshin where it is known as the Cerulean River."
Leena glanced over to the map from Soren's opposite side "Wow. That is a really long river."
"Indeed it is. It is vital to all the life it passes by, even the Froghuls use it to fish in the Ymtar Range." Kay'Shera then turned and pointed, beneath the large snow bank they crossed was a branch of the river continuing west towards Sarhara.
"This is one of its offshoots that creates an oasis in Sarhara before flowing back into the ocean from the western end of Regalshin."
As the three continued, Orgoth shook his head and stretched aboard Fistivus cart as the old man rubbed his hands together.
"I appreciate the advice from Rey Oshwa's retainers but…it's just so damn cold!"
Orgoth turned to the old man "What did you expect? It isn't called the Northern Frost Nation for nothing. By the way, I understand you are good friends with Soren and Mia but do you really need to continue?"
Laughing the merchant faced Orgoth "I don't need to, I want to. Either way you slice it, I'm neck deep in this situation just like all of you. I'm safer with you battlefield maniacs then in my old home."
Hearing a grunt, Orgoth turned to face To'Eltz sitting in the same cart "What are the odds that the Dune Guard will be here in the snow?"
The knight from Euto sighed "Pretty bad, not only because we severely cut down the membership back in Sarhara, but also because with The Midnight at the forefront, Meloi, if he is still out there, is on his own."
Near Lune's cart Mia marched alongside Mikel and Lyle with Wyre and Wayu a few feet behind them.
Mikel glanced over the notes Soren handed out about their destination "Cross referencing with some general knowledge and other texts, that guy managed to cut down the nine True Elder Magic users logged in this book to four…that is pretty impressive."
Mia laughed "It's just Soren being Soren. Anyway, according to this, one supposed user lives far north in Regalshin past the Negative Wastes."
Lyle shuddered, partially due to the cold but also to Mia's statement "Negative Wastes…aside from the Umbarra Heights that is the coldest place in all of Ymarkteg…what is it with these guys and living so far away from civilization?"
Mikel hit Lyle in the back "It'll be fine, we've crossed two nations already, only this time our ultimate goal may be at the end of this trek. Definitely going to be worth the trip if the guy we are heading towards is who we think is, we can probably end this here, though I must admit I was kind of looking forward to visiting Pozem."
Mia nodded "I know this wasn't meant to be a trip for relaxation purposes, but everything we've seen has been interesting…maybe we should take a trip to Pozem if we can wrap this up."
"Pozem isn't too special." Lune called out "Mines, caves and lots of rocks makes up about eighty percent of that nation."
"I don't know about that…after all, I've heard there are some things worth it there past the hard working populace exterior." Lyle stated to which Lune scoffed.
Behind them Wayu turned to Wyre "You look exhausted…you sure you don't want to sit in one of the merchant carts?"
Wyre smiled "No…it's not really…well, I'm not tired per say."
At this, Wayu raised an eyebrow before Wyre continued "I've been away from Hitenticul for much longer than I thought…I have to say, I'm surprised I didn't start feeling homesick earlier."
Wayu looked ahead into the vast snow as they continued walking "I have to admit, I'm a little homesick too…everything was much smaller and easier back at Corelis Bay…I just want to go fishing again for fun…"
Wyre put a hand on her shoulder "I'm sure Mia and Soren-"
"No…I want to keep going with everyone, after all I've seen I want to know where it leads to."
The group continued across the snowfield talking amongst each other until one of Fistivus' horses reared back loudly.
Bringing the merchant carts to a stop Orgoth and To'Eltz glanced out as Soren took a few steps ahead of the group.
Before them the dense snow gave way to rock paths surrounding frozen pools, Soren turned to the group as Leena looked at the map "Ymtar Ice Fields…guidebook states…let's see…ah, here we go. Treacherous land, traverse it carefully, the waters below have been isolated for longer than anyone knows and temperatures within them are lower than…Umbarra Heights!?"
The group looked to the Ice Fields in unison; many questions ran through Soren's head, though they were purely questions he wanted answered out of pure interest.
Fistivus called out "I heard that travelers who fell through here froze to death at such a rate that their bodies are still encased within the ice, in perfect and terrible poise."
Mikel took a step back "OK! I've heard enough! Shit, that is NOT something I'd like to see, let's go around, what does it look like on the map?"
Leena motioned Soren over, the rest of the group got close as Soren took the map in his hands "We'll pass close to the Ymtar Range if we round about the eastern side of the ice fields…"
Kay'Shera turned to the peaks in the distance "The Froghuls frequent that place…who knows if they'll decide to attack us or not, no one really understands what drives those people."
"Going around the west side will cost us quite a lot of time, especially since our destination is at the north eastern corner of Regalshin."
Lyle sighed as Soren looked up to the group "Looks like we're cutting through the Ice Fields."
Leena shrugged "The only good news is we'll come out close to the Frosted Trail which takes us to Yinshire."
"You've got to be kidding me! I know time is of the essence but we could all die here!"
Leena couldn't help but laugh at the very upset Mikel, she slapped his arm to get his attention "We'll be fine…besides wimp out now and any interest I have in you-"
She made a small poof with her mouth and used hands to illustrate a small explosion before she smiled "…disappears."
At that Mikel sighed as Soren turned to Fistivus and Lune "We'll walk ahead, follow close behind, we can't afford to lose anyone through here."
The merchants nodded as the group, including Orgoth and To'Eltz who left Fistivus' cart walked closer to the Ice Fields, focusing on the ground and searching for viable rock paths.
Far away a cloaked man spoke with a Froghul; he told some story of travelers far out in the snowfield that bring danger with them.
The cloaked man turned towards the snowfield "Danger?"
"Yes. Danger. If they come close to us, it may end our very existence."
"Why is that?"
The Froghul shook "Master Ghul tells us that these people have brought destruction to every place they've passed through, many have died…too many when compared to our tribe…we ask you to protect us, please."
The cloaked man nodded and walked off into the Ymtar Snowfield "I understand."
Standing high on the Ymtar Range, Murawk looked out over the snow covered nation with a vile smile.
Turning he came face to face with Norad Jyuugo "This area is under my jurisdiction, Murawk…I believe you were told by your men that we don't need you."
"You wouldn't bring me back to life just to distract that lot, I have Helswath, I'm powerful, you can't just throw me aside outsider…"
Jyuugo smiled "You are a brute, but you aren't entirely stupid, Midnight's plan has come together, largely because of me. I can destroy you Murawk…but you may just find your use elsewhere."
The berserker grinned as Norad Jyuugo began walking away.
"The Korgans that are left…that is all you have to plan out whatever it is…we no longer use you or the Dune Guard."
Murawk turned away as Norad Jyuugo vanished and laughed "I don't need the Midnight…they never really needed me anyway. At least now I can put Soren and Mia on their rightful place, second on the list of people that must die…"
Twenty Korgans emerged from the snow around Murawk and bowed behind him "Enjoy this respite Soren, Mia…my desire is now to murder Joltam."
With a massive cold wind passing by the group, they put on their winter cloaks over their faces, keeping their eyes focused before them. Leena turned upon hearing Mikel curse "You alright!?" she called out. The warrior responded with a positive but mentioned he stepped on ice, crack rippling and traveling a few feet across the surface.
Keeping her eyes on Orgoth in front of her, Lune glanced around nervously "If I knew we were going to pass through here when you recruited me old man…"
"You would've come anyway Lune; you wouldn't stand for me besting you in my travels."
Despite everything the old woman smiled, he was right; almost nothing could convince her not to go on a trip if Fistivus was going. They were both well-traveled but she always sought to best or equal him in his pursuits, though she left the storytelling mostly to him.
As they moved ahead Kay'Shera noticed To'Eltz glance around "What are you looking for?"
The trickster turned to her "Well, where is Michalis for one?"
"Keeping watch overhead…it's colder up there, I don't think I could handle it, coming from a desert and all that…did you travel here for your mercenary work?"
To'Eltz nodded as he turned away "Yes, a few times…I'm also looking for…well, I feel something out there, and I thought it may just be your roc but it's on the ground with us."
Kay'Shera glanced around then behind her "Wyre, Wayu, be careful, To'Eltz thinks something is here, better to be safe than sorry."
Wayu sneezed to which Wyre laughed "C'mon now is not the time!"
Wyre shook his head "Sorry…that was just adorable."
Wayu blushed and turned away as Wyre continued to apologize, she saw what looked like a white wall moving amongst the snow.
Tensing, she fastened her grip on her spear; Wyre noticed this and stopped chuckling before taking a tome out of his cloak.
"Soren!" Wyre called out, the tactician came to a stop and turned to Mia, nodding to her the pair began examining the Ice Fields all around with their peerless vision.
Orgoth got in front of them with his lance at the ready as Leena stood on the opposite side. Mikel and Lyle came to a stop in the middle of the groups as the snow continued to fall and the breeze eased back.
Hearing a battle cry, Mikel swung about; a weapon struck his axe knocking it away before a boot found its way into his chin and threw him over. Lyle flipped around quickly, his two blades meeting with another one. The clash reverberated loudly, alerting the rest of the group to close in on Lyle.
Leena leapt at them, the cloaked man broke away from Lyle then spun aside as To'Eltz's short sword cut through the back of his cloak.
Flipping over Wayu and Kay'Shera's attacks he landed near Orgoth, Soren and Mia.
Two blades and a lance crashed with two of the assailant's blades as he spoke "You bring ruin wherever you travel…why do you do this to such a peaceful land! What is your goal?"
Orgoth pushed forward, the man released them and flipped away, dodging several of Wyre's attacks before Wayu clipped his arm. Leaping away Soren called out as the man landed on an ice pool, however the ice didn't break, not even cracking as the man stood on it.
"What do you mean? We are trying to save the entire continent!" Soren called out as the cloaked man spun his two blades "I know that you are the group whose trail has claimed lives through Anondye, Sarhara and even Numengate, I'll not let you advance into Regalshin and destroy the Froghuls."
He charged at them, blades clashing with Mia "We have no desire to harm the Froghuls! The conflicts in the other nations weren't our fault! We tried to defend those people!"
Her blade flared to life, shocking the man causing him to leap away, Lyle took that chance to jump after him, blades clashed but with a quick spin, Lyle's third blade in his knee slashed across the man's chest.
Landing the assailant dashed forward, grappling with Lyle and bringing him crashing to the ground before being knocked aside by the flat of Mikel's axe. "That was for bruising my chin! Bastard!"
To'Eltz and Soren charged forth as Wyre shot four thunderbolts, the man perked up at the attack "Brave Bolt!"
Deflecting the shocks and knocking To'Eltz short sword away, he was left open as Soren's Arcwind threw him away from the group and blew his hood off.
The man flipped in the air and landed on the ground before looking up at the group as they approached, Lyle called out "If we were the ones destroying everything, why would you face us alone!? We've got you way outnumbered right now!"
At that, Soren came to a stop noticing several Froghuls gathered around Fistivus and Lune's merchant carts.
"Shit…he was just a distraction…let them go!"
The man stood and walked towards Soren "I don't…think…so…"
He came to a halt, Soren, Mia and Wyre's eyes widened; Mia charged forward and embraced the man knocking him to the floor.
"Gods! I can't believe it's you!"
She stood up, helping her old friend up as Soren and Wyre walked over, the rest of the group looked confused, as did the Froghuls.
Soren smiled "Leah."
The orange haired trueblade was at a complete loss for words as his friends took their hoods off, revealing their previously obscured faces.
"The purple fire…brave bolt…why didn't I put two and two together…no, Wyre, why in the world are you here? What is going on?"
Soren turned to the rest of the group as Mikel screamed the same thing.
Mia smiled and put an arm around Leah "Long story, we need a place to talk."
Leah called over one of the Froghuls and spoke briefly before turning to his friends and the strangers "Follow us."
Though Fistivus voiced his complaints the group entered the Froghul Village, apparently Leah met the people during his travels through Regalshin, and several small groups that also venture across the nation grew close to him and brought him to see the village. He has been helping them with their trips to the Ymtar Range, dealing with the creatures up there and occasionally some sell swords being paid to kill Froghuls for unknown reasons.
"Peace is good an all but the Froghuls never really know it because of those people, it's gotten to the point where I don't try to understand them or figure out where they come from, I just deal with them."
Soren nodded as he looked about at the people continue about their daily routines. Entering Leah's home the trueblade took his cloak off and put it aside as a warm fire burned in the room. He looked over the group that followed Soren and Mia stopping at Wyre "I can't believe you of all people are standing here right now. What drove you to leave Hitenticul? And what caused you to bring this group together, I haven't heard anything about a war going on that we should be involved in."
Mia scratched her head "Really long story, everything is connected but first, introductions. These two live in our hometown of Corelis, Mikel and Lyle."
The warrior smiled and raised his hand "Hey there!"
Leah: Sorry about that boot to the face.
Mikel: No problem! I've been hit by worse!
Leah: And you, three swords, that's very impressive.
Lyle: I see you fight with two…local style?
Leah: I learned my single edge combat back in Hitenticul; it's a dual mix of my home style with the Tundra Style taught in the Shielded Bunker City.
Soren: Amazing to see how much you've grown Leah.
Leah: I amaze myself on a daily basis.
Mia: Over here is Wayu, a diver from Corelis Bay and these two are from Euto. Orgoth was a guard at the Research Center and Leena is a mercenary.
Orgoth: I've always wanted to meet an old comrade of Soren and Mia's, though I never intended to cross weapons with one. Hearing the stories of your triumphs…I have to admit, I imagined an easy loss.
Leena: Complete opposite here! If we ever get a chance, I'd like to fight you for real!
Leah: I'm alright with that, no offense to the Froghuls; my training comes from the beasts in the Ymtar Range.
Soren: Over there are the merchants we travel with, carry our gear and all that, Fistivus and Lune.
Fistivus: No offense, but I want to get out of here, soon.
Lune: Calm down you old clown!
Fistivus: Don't tell me what to do woman!
Leah: Definitely the liveliest of the group.
Lune: We always are.
Soren: And from Sarhara we have To'Eltz a mercenary like Leena and Kay'Shera, served with the Roc Knights of Sarhara.
Leah: You've brought together quite a group.
To'Eltz: I'm just here for personal reasons…though I was impressed at your skill.
Kay'Shera: Do you think Michalis can come in? He's my mount.
Leah: I suppose…is he a big roc?
Kay'Shera: There are bigger.
The group moved to accommodate Michalis who screeched, causing everyone but Kay'Shera and To'Eltz to cover their ears. Leah sat followed by the rest of the group "So I know who you all are, Soren and Mia have undoubtedly told stories about me, hopefully in a good light."
Soren shook his head "We may have slipped in some of your moments from Hitenticul."
Leah laughed "Of course…so, why are you all together? Why is Wyre here?"
The thunder sage sighed "I was hoping my coming to Ymarkteg wouldn't lead to anything, just a man's superstition but…"
He glanced over to Soren and Mia, the group then decided to tell Leah the whole story.
Out in the colds of Regalshin, Norad Jyuugo walked up to a larger man holding a torn red robe.
"Making your rounds?"
"It's nothing personal…should I be concerned about what you desire now?"
Dropping the robe, the man turned to Jyuugo "The Dune Guard is nonexistent…you may not need me, but I'll have my last shot at Soren and Mia…whether it helps you or not I don't care. With Hashten'Kor dead the only thing I truly desire now, is one last glorious battle."
Norad Jyuugo smiled and turned away from Meloi "Very well, you and Murawk do what you do. The Midnight is in control now…"
"Kanahana…" Leah sat back down, and ruminated on what to say next. A lot of the issues from Soren and Mia's quest have been resolved, the main thing they needed was to reach the Negative Wastes past the capital of Regalshin.
"The treacherous realm past the capital weeds out the travelers from the adventurers…I may be able to get you in touch with a few people who can help you reach this guy."
Leena smiled "Brilliant news!" Mikel and Orgoth nodded in agreement as Leah stood.
"I'll take you guys to Yinshire, we'll find them there and if not, they travel between that city and the capital frequently."
As the group stood Mia thanked Leah again, Fistivus and Lune led the rest out to the carts as Soren pulled the orange haired trueblade aside.
"You kept in contact with anyone else?"
Leah nodded "Other former members of the Greil Mercenaries? Of course, even in my travels I've received or come across a few of them...mainly Zihark who travels a lot around here as well."
Soren turned to Mia then back to the other man "What about Ike? Have you heard from him recently?"
Blinking a few times, Leah continued "I'd assume he kept in contact the most with you…I heard from him about three times after I left the Greil Mercenaries…but that was a few years back, nothing since then."
As the three exited the house Mia spoke up "We could really use his help…as we've told you, Murawk and Meloi were nothing like the foes we've fought before and Kanahana has grown immensely since Hitenticul."
As the group approached the rest who stood around the merchant carts, Leah sighed "We'll see, with any luck he'll come out of the woodwork and help out with this conflict…until then…"
With a few waves, Leah signified to the Froghuls at the gate he was leaving and they bowed and thanked him as he fell into step with the rest of the troop alongside the merchant carts.
Leah, the Trueblade from Fire Emblem New Emissaries' Hitenticul Arc has finally returned! He joined the Greil Mercenaries as they left Hitenticul and fought alongside them in Zatuo.
Now much more skilled and wielding 2 blades Leah commits the crime of TITLE DROPPING!
Seriously I wrote this chapter a month? 2 months ago? and new knew "The Shielded Bunker City" existed so now I must add it to the world map
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
I've started working on some animations that will represent Ymarkteg cutscenes, the first is up on Youtube and features Soren, Mia, Wyre, Lyle, Mikel, Wayu, Lune and Fistivus leaving Corelis
link is youtube dot com slash watch?v=3ZDXj691f9k
Also there is more available for viewing in the deviantArt gallery for Fire Emblem including a new OC Sheet that has the old Leah on it and characters from Wednesday's chapter: Sir Ervill, Master Ghul and Herzoltz!
aaaaaaaaaaand see ya Wednesday!