My college refuses to give me my refund, to think I needed that money 3 weeks ago, if I didn't pay our of pocket for my fucking textbooks, I'd have failed my classes by now. Thanks for nothing school system, fuck you.
Maybe this will make me feel better...here you all go in return for listening to my problems :)
Chapter Forty
Castle Anondye
"Beorc blood, Laguz blood, Branded blood…and Mia's blood…did you tell her?"
Soren shook his head "You know how she is with training, this little swab should be enough right?"
Orgoth nodded "I've asked to borrow some things here from the scientists. They don't have nearly as much as the Euto Research Center for obvious reasons but it should be enough for this. I'll let you know whatever it is I find out as soon as I have all the information together."
Soren nodded "Thank you, Orgoth, for everything."
As Soren turned to walk away Orgoth cleared his throat.
"When this is all over…the two of you are getting married and starting a family right?"
Soren turned to face the knight who wore a smile. "I don't know why you didn't after you left the Greil Mercenaries and before this whole thing started…I'll be absolutely blunt, it has to happen."
"Is this your soon to be married father and husband side talking?" Soren asked.
"Soren, you and Mia have become some of my closest comrades and friends throughout this quest…I can see that you two belong together more than anyone. This is me as a man and friend talking to you."
Soren nodded "Thank you for your words, Orgoth."
The knight bowed as Soren left before turning his attention to the samples.
Shortly after the battle in Golsaehr's Core Archive, the group was found by the Numengate military and brought to the head commander's fort for security reasons. As the military investigated the site, the group slept as they awaited the commander.
Early the following morning Zihark stood looking out the windows as someone approached from behind.
"Up this early? Guess you couldn't sleep." The trueblade turned as Orkra appeared with a smile "No…I don't think any of us got enough honestly…on top of the battle and the military bringing us here…I'm a little anxious to meet this commander."
"Zihark…"
He turned to Orkra and smiled "You don't need to tell me anything. I'm just glad you're alright."
"Yeah, I can handle myself…"
"I know…" The pair looked out over the horizon; Zihark yawned and noticed Orkra shaking her head.
Zihark: I'll get some rest in a bit…can't stop the old noggin from thinking about things…
Orkra: Times like this…I get lost in thought about my brother. Never really find time or reason to talk about him…
Zihark: Not a good brother?
Orkra: No he's fine…most people don't even believe we're related…we have the same hair color…eye color…but…
Zihark: But?
Orkra: He isn't a Froghul…or maybe I'm not…normal…
Zihark: You're perfect the way you are.
The trueblade realized what he said and glanced at Orkra from the corner of his eyes. She seemed to turn away slightly, if there was a blush against the blue skin of her face he couldn't tell.
"So…uh…what were you thinking about…Zihark."
"Personal stuff…this whole incident has been a return to form. During my travels I was fighting for my life almost every day. The break in Ymarkteg is something I'd never imagined and after this wraps up…however long that takes…I'm not sure what I'll do."
Orkra nodded "I'm not sure either."
Zihark: You aren't returning to Regalshin?
Orkra: After my betrayal…I couldn't bear to set foot in the stronghold again.
Zihark: So where will you go?
Orkra: Still figuring that out…we have some time to think, right?
Zihark smiled before stretching "Alright…well I've got some sleep to catch up on…you should to."
"Yeah…right behind you."
As Orkra opened the door to leave Zihark couldn't help but ask "By the way, what is your brother's name? Where is he, what does he do?"
"Anondye…like me he serves the Royal Class…his name is Vassaan."
"Vassaan." The senator turned as To'Eltz approached "Is the Queen ready to see us?"
Vassaan: Yes…that last meeting she had with the other senators and the medics is just about wrapped up.
To'Eltz: The Hearing Chamber?
Vassaan: Yep…they've got to fix that up, look after the dead and all that…well, maybe not that…
To'Eltz: What happened to Iltar'Elm?
Vassaan: Still under constant watch and care…whatever he did to escape whoever was holding him took nearly everything he had.
To'Eltz: Who did they bring in to replace Ottenz?
Vassaan: I don't know…some sword instructor from Corelis.
"Kino?" The senator and trickster turned as Soren and Mia approached.
"Did you just say a sword instructor from Corelis is filling in for Ottenz?" Mia asked to which Vassaan nodded.
"Yes, it was announced after Ottenz went on leave…or rather to personally serve Jikahn. The Euto Governor appointed Kino as the Anondye Side Commander almost immediately…you know him?"
Soren nodded "Yes, since we've lived in Corelis, he is one of our closest friends, up there with Mikel and…"
The group turned as Lyle approached "…Lyle…" the swordmaster came to a stop near them.
"Ushnae has grown unimaginably…he was always skilled in the ways of martial arts…but we could barely land a single strike on him." The group nodded to Lyle as Soren thought about Ushnae, outmaneuvering their blades almost every time and breaking Soren's with his bare hands. The Froghul was truly a fearsome opponent and he wasn't even armed at the time.
The massive door to the Audience Hall opened; a few guards stepped out and bowed before motioning for Soren, Mia, Vassaan, To'Eltz and Lyle to enter.
Meanwhile, the rest of the troop waited elsewhere for the others to return. "Janie!" The Elder Mage turned from Mikel and Leena as Shaelin approached.
"I heard some crazy stuff happened over here."
Janie nodded "A lot…where were you?"
"In addition to preparing to move I was recounting all my steps trying to recall when was the last time I checked on Helswath and any strange people I may have spoken to."
"Sounds like a lot to go through." Leena commented to which Shaelin nodded.
"Yes…are you all leaving soon?" Mikel nodded to Shaelin's question "As soon as Soren, Mia and the others come back, we'll be leaving for Numengate."
"Why?" Shaelin asked, before anyone could answer Ilan approached and called for Shaelin's attention. "I want to drop by the Opal Ruins…check on Helswath…or at least, where it was…maybe there is a clue as to who took it."
"I'll be going with you I'm guessing." Shaelin stated as Ilan nodded.
"If you guys want to return to us in a timely manner you're going to have to leave now." Janie stated to which Shaelin nodded.
"We all wish you a safe and fast trip." Shaelin bowed to Leena, Mikel and Janie in turn before leaving with Ilan close behind.
"Orgoth? Where have you been?" The knight walked up to Mikel and nodded "Don't worry about it…either way, this time for real I'm leaving Eminse and Dent behind…we're going into Numengate…if Ushnae was any indication, we've got our work cut out for us as it is."
"What about-" Leena was cut off as Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu joined them "I'm not going anywhere." The whisper stated with a smile "I've been a part of the problem the whole time…I've got a lot to try and fix so I'm sticking with you guys all the way."
Janie smiled "Thank you Zey'Yu…and no need to worry Orgoth, Eminse and Dent will be well protected in Amaryllis and we'll make sure-"
The knight held his hand up "No need to go out of your way to protect me for Eminse. Remember that is why I said nothing about her or my child before…we're all fighting for our lives…"
He then looked from Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu to Mikel and Leena "As well as for our loved ones…I can handle myself."
"You say the men who destroyed the Hearing Chamber were members of this terrorist faction known as The Midnight? They've committed these crimes all over Ymarkteg…yet I've never heard of them."
Vassaan bowed to Queen Talia with Soren, Mia, Lyle and To'Eltz close to him. "I trust To'Eltz…he has been working for me for a long time…thanks to him we acquired the Orichalcum and thanks to this troop we avoided much more loss."
"Queen Talia…you've not heard of the Midnight because of The Altar." Soren added to which the Queen nodded.
"In Vassaan's preliminary report he mentioned them quite a bit…you have very extensive knowledge of this apparently well hidden organization."
Mia nodded "One of the troop who fights alongside us…she was a member of The Altar for longer than To'Eltz and knew much of their operations since before we first met them."
"They conceal theirs and the Midnight's operations…why are these two at each other's throats if the Altar…"
"The Midnight wants to be recognized." Vassaan stated "They want Ymarkteg to know their peace is ending…the Altar wants to protect the illusion by waging shadow wars against them and any others with evil intent…and anyone who gets to close."
"Euto." Queen Talia whispered as the group nodded.
"The man in charge of the attack last night is preparing something much worse in Numengate…specifically the Numengate Citadel…" Mia added "The Midnight believes with every fiber of their being that they can bring lasting peace…true peace to Ymarkteg and they are prepared to kill whoever they need to in order to achieve that goal."
The group then fell silent as Queen Talia thought to herself, after a few moments she sighed "It is nearly impossible to believe that a group of crazed soldiers are keeping all the nations in the dark…how could they?"
At that Lyle spoke up "They have help…there are individuals in Regalshin, Pozem and Sarhara's governments that are aiding the Altar…they are known as The Royal Ring…Mistress…Duke…and Hierarch."
The room fell silent again before the Queen spoke "Traitors in the highest positions over half of Ymarkteg? When was all this put in place?"
Vassaan shook his head "That…we do not know…"
"We really didn't know as much about Ymarkteg as we thought." Tyazaer sighed. The paladin sat outside near the royal stables where Alsyia snorted and tapped her side.
"You still know more than most people…not pity…just a fact." Wayu said with a smile. Rhogam and Wyre who stood nearby nodded as well. "Wyre…you all set to see Kanahana again?"
The thunder sage thought about the Citadel, no doubt all of the leaders of The Midnight will be there if Ushnae's little hint was any indication. "I've been ready to see that creature again for a long time…"
"My…all so serious." The group turned as Lune and Fistivus approached them. Lune continued "I know that something big lies ahead…but that is exactly why now is the time you should all use to enjoy yourselves in some way…"
"And if not, you could at least relax." Fistivus added with a smile.
Wayu tilted her head "What's with the new get up?"
Lune and Fistivus looked down at their clothes, "Lune has a place here, she decided to stop by and do a proper refresher." Fistivus said "I just got myself some new stuff from around…no worries, it was cheap."
"We owe you a lot…both of you." Tyazaer spoke "And no waving it off this time!"
The merchants' arms stopped in midair and quickly fell back to their sides. The group shared a quick laugh as Alsyia reared up and whinnied.
Sighing the Queen spoke "I understand that this is a dire situation…I understand that The Midnight and The Altar have an unknown number of men at their disposal…but I cannot commit an army to move into Numengate, especially if its towards the capital of the nation."
"We could convince the Numengatian standing forces that we merely seek to protect the capital…we want to help protect their nation." Vassaan countered.
The Queen nodded "Yes…but will they believe our story? We must prepare here and send a messenger to the King of Numengate. That is our only option…"
"Wouldn't doing it the official way take too long?" Soren asked to which Vassaan turned to face him "Indeed…there are things that have to be done to prepare an army and allow a foreign army into their lands…let alone it may take a while for the king to even receive our message…"
"My hands are tied…it's the best I can do…"
Mia nodded towards the Queen "We understand…but we can't just leave Numengate on its own."
"Are you saying all of you will go?"
"Freen…Ilan…Shaelin…Teyron…" Opening his eyes a man stood and looked over as someone knocked on his door.
"Istequil…is that you?"
"How do you always know who is at your door?" another man asked as he opened the door.
"It's why the duty I have is the duty I have…what can I do for you?"
"Like you predicted I went by the Core Archive and it was in shambles…my men found a group of people in the Archive clearly battle weary…among them were two of my very good friends, one of which I believed was dead."
"What does all of this tell you my student?"
"Whatever happened there was part of what may be happening everywhere…and may also explain your loss of connection to Shaelin and Freen." Istequil watched as his master paced around slowly.
"Istequil, these people will require your help…it seems that the net of darkness is tightening around all of us…something big is on the horizon, be prepared."
"Yes Master Opstun…" With a bow Istequil turned and left as Opstun's hand came up to his chin.
"They're moving…" Duke muttered, turning to his loyal knight "Looks like this silent war is coming to a boil…one we can't hope to contain even with all of our might."
"So what will we do?"
Duke looked down at the letter delivered from Mistress "Our hands will remain clean for a while yet…but we will prepare for all possibilities."
"Darkness…all around us…" Shinon groaned "You've been ominous all day…knock it off!" The marksman threw his bow to the floor and made to step on it but was stopped by Uhnie.
"When has he ever been wrong?"
"Doesn't mean he has to be part of what kept me up most of the night."
"I apologize…but…there is darkness…"
"All around us…yeah, learn a new tune!" Shinon and Uhnie turned as a Numengate soldier came to their door "Excuse me, the commander will see you now."
As Shinon and Uhnie followed the man they were soon joined by Orkra, Leah, and Zihark.
"Where are Teel and Rey?" Leah asked.
Before anyone could answer the commander's door was opened and they entered his chambers. In front of them stood a tall man in Numengatian gray armor with a long blue cape. He had a mess of dark green hair and purple eyes watching them intently on his scarred face.
Despite his imposing appearance he smiled and they realized Teel and Rey were sitting in the room already.
The troop all turned as Soren, Mia, To'Eltz, Vassaan and Lyle entered the room.
"So…what are we doing?" Wyre asked quickly.
"As we originally planned…we're going it alone." Soren stated "Queen Talia has to follow all the right channels but we don't have to…we're going to the Numengate Citadel and facing off against the Midnight…soon…"
"Hey!" Soren turned to Mikel who was waving his arms as Leena shook her head "Not now Mikel…"
"Soren…I have a feeling you're about to ask if any of us are having second thoughts…to leave…"
Soren remained silent and Mikel grinned "I knew it…well, I'm fairly certain I speak for all of us when I say…we started this together…we're going to finish it…together. Gods damn it that was cheesy."
The rest of the troop gave their affirmation as Soren turned to Mia who nodded. "You've all got Anondye's support behind you even if it isn't in the physical form of an army…I'll stay here and search for any lords, governors and senators willing to put up their standing forces…it'll be slow as many of the smaller armies have fallen apart but if it all goes right."
Mia put a hand on Vassaan's shoulder "Thank you for all of your help…we appreciate it."
Vassaan nodded as Mia, To'Eltz and Lyle moved to rejoin the troop and prepare.
"I've been meaning to ask." Vassaan turned to Soren who pointed at the senator's eye "What happened to your eye…if you don't mind."
Vassaan grinned "My sister and I were the result of an experiment done on several individuals years ago at the Euto Research Center…our great-grandparents were given the…how did they put it…ah, yes…" he cleared his throat "Sight, beyond sight!"
Soren couldn't help but smile at the senator's sudden shift in character. He coughed and resumed his normal stance "The intention was for one being to have both eyes but my sister and I inherited one. I have the left and my sister has the right…each gives us a portion of the complete set's power. Mine is how I knew about all the corrupt senators and cleaned house here in Anondye…I knew Jikahn was dirty the moment he stepped in the Hearing Chamber and within my eyesight but I had no proof…the rest is history…"
Soren ran countless faces through his head, Vassaan noticed this and smile "Orkra."
"What? But she's a Froghul?" Vassaan nodded towards Soren "Yes…she is proud to represent the pride of the Froghul in honor of her father, a valiant Froghul knight who fell in love with a maiden of Anondye…I didn't inherit the Froghul gene it seems, though not many cross race marriages happen often so we don't have a set 'odds' of that happening."
"Why does she conceal her eye?" Soren asked to which Vassaan glanced around the now empty room except for Mia who was waiting for Soren.
"I told her to…I knew of the corruption fairly early on…and was worried about her in Regalshin…I didn't want someone to see her eye and start digging…my removal of senators and other corrupt men has made me a target and I did not want my sister in the same crosshairs."
"Very noble of you…if only more men and women like you and your sister held power in Ymarkteg…maybe this would not have happened."
Vassaan smiled as Mia approached "I assume you heard all of that Mia…I noticed the pair of you has extraordinary hearing."
"Do you wonder about your sister?" Mia asked.
"All the time…I try not to let it show…she is alive, right?"
"Last we saw her…but she was with some of our old allies, I'm certain they're alright, wherever they are." Mia added as Vassaan sighed "Well…you two better get going…much to be done…if you see Orkra…tell her I can't wait to see her again."
The pair nodded and walked away as thoughts of his sister filled the senator's head.
As Soren and Mia walked towards the rest of The Troop Soren noticed Orgoth standing aside giving him 'the look'.
Joining him, walking a few feet away from the rest of the Troop, the knight began to speak.
This marks the end of Saga 04: Pozem, Numengate begins next week...I should also have my money next week...and by next week the college means the week after because fuck.
But all in all we are rapidly approaching the spot that I'm at...did not think this would happen! My current self is threatening my past self that thought that my future self would be further along than he currently is as my present self! NO!