Chapter 19: Help Me
A youth of endless trials and challenges had tempered the Duchess Valliere's composure far beyond that of a normal woman's. Yet that composure was sorely tested as she listened to Queen Helene's tear-filled story. When the monarch had first arrived, she had frantically explained Eleanor's situation. That alone had been enough to cause Karin's soul to flare in rage. However, she had forced herself to remain calm and send Alistair to their healer immediately. It would take some time and magic to restore the beast's strength, and in that time Karin would get all the details she could from Queen Helene.
The Queen described what she could of Louise's travels and her situation. She recalled everything Louise had told her, from their escape of Romalia to the battle in Tarbes, all the way up to the time they explained everything over Siesta's stew. For her part, Karin did manage to remain calm, only speaking to prompt the Queen to continue when the woman fell silent. As she listened, Karin turned Eleanor's empty glasses case over and over in her hands. She knew her eldest daughter had a reason for sending it with the Queen; Karin just had to determine what it was.
Despite her calm appearance, Karin was growing more and more frustrated. For all her power, for all her skill, she had utterly failed to protect her daughters. Eleanor was captured by some that traitor Wardes and taken who knows where. Louise and Cattleya were off on the run from the inquisition. All the while here she was, sitting at home waiting to go mad. "That…" Karin spoke her thought aloud as she realized it.
Helene had mostly finished and was just explaining her arrival at the Valliere estate when Karin spoke in realization. Stopping, the queen asked, "I'm sorry?" Helene had expected some sort of outburst earlier, not a mumble at the very end of her story.
Shaking her head in apology, Karin stood and dipped her head towards the Queen. "Forgive me. I just seem to have an idea as to my eldest daughter's intent. Please, treat this as your home in my absence." Bowing to the confused monarch, Karin turned and left the room.
The head maid of the household, one Emma Beal fell in behind Karin like a shadow, instinctively knowing her mistress had orders for her. "Madam?" She prompted with perfect professionalism.
Karin rounded the corner and marched down another hallway, her destination was set. "Treat that woman as you do me. Keep her identity secret from the other servants, spreading that rumor would bear no benefit." Emma nodded in confirmation even though Karin needed no such action; Emma's obedience was without question. The Beal family had long served the Vallieres and been trusted with more sensitive secrets than this. The two entered a room Karin rarely used, her private armory. An aged but pristine suit of armor hung from a stand at the opposite end and several sword wands hung from the walls. The room was stark, ordered, and full of steel. "Emma." Karin commanded, holding out her arms.
Though slight worry entered the handmaiden's heart, she still moved without hesitation. With fluid precision she stripped Karin's dress from her. Each layer flowed from the Valliere matriarch quickly and smoothly. "Is this truly wise, my lady?" Emma overstepped her boundaries out of worry.
With no other servants or guests in the vicinity, Karin did not mind the maid's presumptuousness. Emma's caution was never unfounded. Still, in this situation Karin was not about to remain idle. Reaching a hand forward she lightly tapped Emma on the head. "I am very angry right now, Emma." Karin spoke in a calm, tempered voice. "I just struck you in my rage. One might wonder if I've gone mad, what with one daughter lich, another dead, and the last kidnapped." As long as it was only Emma, Karin allowed herself a faint smile.
Finally understanding her lady's intent, Emma smiled and bowed. "Shall I get your old uniform? I finished tailoring it some time ago."
Karin nearly grimaced at the thought of wearing her old outfit. Turning an eye on Emma to cease her teasing, the elder woman shook her head. "The armor, if you would." Emma knew better than to tease her Lady any further and moved to the wall where Karin's armor hung. Though Karin had long retired from adventuring, she still maintained the armaments needed for war should Tristain ever call for her. Little did she know that she would don this breastplate selfishly rather than out of fealty. Emma's deft hands finished their task when she clipped Karin's mantle over the armor.
The sound of the door behind them opening drew Emma's gaze, though Karin didn't bother to turn, she knew who was behind her. The deep voice of Duke Valliere kindly asked, "Emma, if you would." Needing no further orders, Emma bowed and slipped from the room. "Karin…" The duke sighed when they were alone.
Karin knew his restrained words were not a demand for her to remain or a plea for her to stay. No, he felt pain for her to have to once again return to the life of violence she had forsaken. Strong arms embraced Karin slowly from behind and she laid her hand upon her husband's. "Dear," she began, "If we both go, there may be no home to bring them back to." She knew her husband desired to stay by her side, but in fact, the crown owed the Duke a favor. Something he could use to gain forgiveness should his wife charge off, controlled by her maternal emotions. If he, the head of one of Tristain's most powerful families were to charge off in pursuit there would be no forgiveness for sparking a potential war.
Turning around to face her husband, Karin met his eyes. Closing them, the Duke nodded once in reluctant acceptance, "Bring them back." In reply for his words, the Duke received a tender kiss.
Breaking away from her slightly surprised husband, Karin felt the adventurous spirit she had long since extinguished spark back to life. "Of course, who do you think I am?" Indeed, after all, she was Karin of the Heavy Wind.
Days later, it was that same adventurous spirit that caused Karin to tap her foot impatiently as she waited for Old Osmond to finish his analysis. As experienced as he was, it still took the headmaster a fair amount of time to finish. "It's clever," Osmond stated as his magic circle dimmed. Reclaiming the glasses case, he closed it and handed it back to Karin. "The runes inside convert willpower to a fire based light spell that should point the way to the glasses. Do you have another? I do misplace my spectacles far too often." Karin ignored the light humor and looked at the old headmaster with tempered steel. Under that gaze, all Old Osmond could do was sigh.
Flipping the glasses case open, Karin channeled willpower within and sure enough the runes flared to life, yet nothing more happened. There was no indication of which direction to go. "How far is the range?" She asked with little courtesy.
Rubbing his beard, the old mage pondered aloud, "A few hundred yards at most. I suggest you go to wherever you last had your glasses." The man's subtle probing for information was ignored in favor of the case before Karin. It wasn't the first time she wished that she better understood the more academic applications of magic.
Handing the case back to the man, Karin leveled her gaze and asked plainly, "Can you increase the range?" The faintest of movements drew Karin's eyes to a small mouse skittering about on the floor. Whatever mission the headmaster had for his familiar was promptly forgotten under Karin's ice cold gaze.
Old Osmond sighed again when he realized he wouldn't even be getting a consolation prize for all his work. Taking back the case, he looked at the runes within. "I could remove the limiter, but that would render the runes rather inaccurate. At best the light would only provide a general direction." Osmond was beginning to get the feeling Karin wasn't tracking a mere pair of glasses.
Nodding, Karin commanded, "Do it." There was a beat before Karin calmed herself, "Please." Knowing that was the best he would get, Old Osmond carefully went to work removing the limiter. It was a simple task, but he paced himself all the same. A single mistake could destroy the artifact and he hardly wanted to anger this particular guest.
After a few minutes of minor incantations, Osmond let out a relieved breath and let his magic fade. Lifting the case from his desk, Osmond held the artifact out to Karin. "Here you are." The case was taken from his grasp in but a moment.
Once more Karin's willpower flared and once more light shone from the runes etched into it, yet this time something more happened. A tiny arrow of warm flame flared to life and pointed south. "Thank you Osmond. If anyone asks, I was half mad throughout this." The thanks were polite and curt, but genuine as well. Leaving the man to ponder, Karin turned and leapt from his window and onto her familiar. "Alistiar," she spoke to her mount, "Shall we go mad?" Alistair's roar spilt the dawn, and Karin of the Heavy Wind headed on one final adventure.
Saito took his job as a lookout seriously. He knew it was to keep him out of harm's way should fighting break out, but he also knew it was important for their cover as well. He kept his eyes trained through the crack in the cathedral door and watched the paladins patrol outside for any suspicious movements. He could only just hear what was going on in the main cathedral behind him as the doors leading from the lobby blocked most of the sound. However, he did manage to catch most of the important bits.
For a moment he worried when they started using the Founder's Mirror, but that ended in moments. Perhaps time moved faster in those memories? That sounded magicy enough for this setting. Saito rolled his eyes at said setting once more and kept his watch. His heart skipped a beat when a pair of paladins met up with the guards at the front gate and looked to be discussing something. Tuning out the sounds behind him, Saito focused all his attention forward. Was this a guard shift or something dangerous? "Louise…" He called over the telepathy hesitantly. It would be best to alert her.
When Louise didn't answer, Saito thought to go check on her, but then the sound of horse hooves startled him. Several carriages pulled up to the front gate and more paladins piled out from within. "Louise, we have company. At least twenty paladins just showed up in carriages." No answer. "Louise!" Saito called out in panic, and still received no answer.
Something was wrong. Saito realized it with a fright and turned around. As quietly as he could, he scurried to the interior doors and peeked through. What he saw seemed impossible. Louise and Charlotte lay still on the ground. Montmorency held her hammer ready as her eyes darted between the Pope at the far side of the chapel, where Id sat with its paw on Louise's soul gem, and where Julio stood with a blade to Tiffania's throat. White hot rage and crippling fear erupted in Saito when he spotted Tiffania. His pistol was out in an instant and his free hand pressed in the wheel. Yet despite the enchantment on the pistol, the wheel remained inert. Again he pressed it in and again nothing happened. Why now of all times was it malfunctioning!? Saito's hand found Derflinger and he made to charge, only to stop when Derflinger's magic filled his body and halted his movements. "Partner, don't do it." The sword whispered with tempered caution. Saito's crazed eyes met Derflinger. "You charge in now and you could startle that boy into killing her." Saito's muscles struggled against Derflinger for a moment, but stopped when Saito's mind caught up to his rage.
Derflinger released Saito and though the boy grit his teeth, he did not charge in. He would only get in Montmorency's way, he knew this. He hated that fact with all his being, but he knew it. He needed a plan. Right, he could buy her time! Turning, Saito returned to the outer door to tie its handles together to at least slow down the paladins' entry. However, when he arrived Saito could see them approaching through the grounds. No time! Saito was caught between the paladin squad and charging into the cathedral and endangering Tiffania. "Derflinger, jump." He commanded in both shame and anger.
Saito crouched low, confusing Derflinger. "What?" The sword stuttered, fully expecting a fight with the advancing men.
Readying himself, Saito commanded. "Just do it." Magic from Derflinger flooded Saito's body. Then, feeling each other's movements, Saito jumped at the same instant Derflinger's magic surged inside of him. With superhuman strength, the boy was launched up and into the rafters. At the same time, he felt something tear in his right ankle. Using all of his willpower not to cry out and alert the incoming forces, Saito just barely managed to grab on to the wooden support beam and pull himself onto it. Just as he did, the doors burst open and over a dozen paladins poured into the cathedral.
Saito's mind raced. He couldn't hear anything over the sound of armored boots on stone. He could only watch from the shadows up above as more and more armed paladins charged into the cathedral. Digging into his pouch, he retrieved his wheel key and inserted it to his pistol wheel. Twisting the pistol up manually, Saito berated himself for not prepping his armament sooner. He hadn't wanted Tiffania to see his gun and lose heart so he hadn't been checking it before the mission. He had left it unwound as a safety and now those 'clever' ideas had left him unable to help Tiffania. Stupid! He was so stupid! If only he had been ready!
A faint click signaled that his malfunctioning pistol was ready. Though still angry, Saito held his position and fought to remain level-headed. There was some commotion inside, then nothing. A pit grew in Saito's stomach. Montmorency should be making more noise fighting the guards. As if to answer his fears, a convoy of paladins exited beneath him carrying the prone forms of Louise, Montmorency, and Charlotte. It took everything he had to remain still when Tiffania exited, her hands tied behind her back and held there by Julio. Tiffania looked around as she struggled. Her eyes darted to the shadows and to the outer doors. She was looking for him! Saito bit back his shame when he realized it.
Below, Tiffania spied no trace of Saito. Repressing her relief, she realized he had to be hiding somewhere nearby. Planting her feet, she pushed rebelliously against her captor. "Where are you taking us?!" She fought her fear and did everything she could to help her familiar, wherever he was.
Julio held the half-elf firmly and waved off a paladin that moved to assist. "Calm down." He took a stronger grip and stopped Tiffania's movement. "You will be treated as an honored guest at the Pope's estate. Your friends will also be kept safe as long as you cooperate." With a push he got the girl moving again.
Tiffania's plan was not lost on Saito and he silently thanked the girl for her cunning. As Julio led the elven mage through the lobby, Saito leaned forward to watch, only to twinge in pain when he inadvertently put more weight on his ankle. Biting down the pain, Saito kept his wits about him as Tiffania disappeared through the door. The instant the last paladin exited the cathedral and closed the door behind him, Saito dropped from the rafters. Though he landed knowing his ankle was injured, he grossly underestimated the damage. He barely managed to get a hand under himself when the strength left his damaged ankle. Saito crumpled to the side, his ankle burning in pain as he fought with all his might to not scream. A cross between a whimper and a grunt escaped him as he rolled back and forth clutching his ankle. When he tried to stand, his ankle refused to comply. It took all the strength he could muster to drag himself over to the outer door. Pushing it open just enough to create a crack to see through, Saito peered out and bit back his tears.
Two carriages were being loaded. One, a rough prisoner's cart, was being loaded with the three unconscious magical girls while Tiffania was being ushered by the Pope into a second, far more ornate carriage. "Partner…" Derflinger cautioned. Heeding Derflinger's warning, Saito slumped to the floor and dug into his pouch. After a moment, he pulled out some bandages and a small vial. Glancing out the crack, Saito made sure the carriages hadn't left yet before removing the stopper from the vial and soaking two lengths of bandages. As quickly as he could, Saito bound his injured ankle.
In silence, Saito turned to his uninjured ankle and bound it with the second bandage. The healing magic of Montmorency's salve seeped into his ankle, repairing what damage had been done and more importantly dulling the pain. "Derf, be ready to jump again." Saito's dire conviction suppressed Derflinger's prepared objection.
The carriages began to roll down the street, leaving only a pair of guards to watch the gate. With his ankle healed as much as possible, Saito was able to slide out from the cathedral with ease. Like a shadow, he slipped into the gardens, darting through the grass and keeping the carriages in sight. Staying low, Saito kept brush and darkness between himself and his targets.
However, his cover didn't last long. Saito reached the edge of the Cathedral gardens and looked to the tall fence before him and the buildings beyond. "Derf, to the roof." He crouched low and tried to feel the magic seeping into him once more.
Even as he followed his partner's command, Derflinger protested the idea. "Idiot, if you hurt your legs again you won't be able to keep up!" Magic swelled within Saito's legs and Derflinger waited for the boy to move.
Saito steeled himself. "That's why I bound both." Throwing caution to the wind, Saito leapt with Derflinger. Instantly he felt the pain in his right ankle return, but he shot upward all the same. His left foot impacted the top of the metal fence and once more he jumped in unison with Derflinger. Soaring up and to the roofs above, Saito landed on the clay tiled roofs in a roll, his ankles protesting the damage done to them.
Even as the magic salve soaked into the affected area, Saito was up and hobbling before they were done healing. He had no time. Indeed, the carriages had a strong lead on him. As the pain dulled, his hobble turned into a run and Saito hurried along the rooftops to catch up. He counted himself lucky the carriages were in no hurry; for if the horses were galloping he would have no chance of catching them. Derflinger's attention was on his partner as they caught up. "Kid, what the hell was that?" The way he had moved was superhuman.
Saito kept his reply low as he ran. "I noticed it before. When you move my body I can push back. You aren't controlling my muscles, but using magic to push them. So I thought what if we worked together?" Saito leapt over an alleyway and tumbled into a roll on the other side. Thankfully the buildings in this city were packed relatively closely or he would have had to rely even more on his trick with Derflinger.
Though said trick was certainly clever, Derflinger still worried for him, "Your body can't handle that much pressure, kid." Even assuming Derflinger moved in perfect unison with Saito that still pushed Saito's normal human bones and tendons harder than they were meant to withstand.
Saito slowed and fell into a crouch when the convoy reached an intersection. "I'll be careful but now isn't the time, Derf." Saito's heart fell when the carriages left in opposing directions. The Pope's toward a large mansion in the distance and the prisoner cart toward the edge of the city. "Damnit…" Saito ground out. Tiffania needed him. He looked toward her carriage and the multitude of paladins protecting it. If he had the others here… Saito grimaced. No, they were in the complete opposite direction, there was no time to go and get them in time. There was also no way he could rescue Tiffania alone.
Looking back to the prisoner cart, Saito clenched his fist in frustration. As useless as he was there was only one thing he could do: find out where the magical girls were being taken. Shame, anger, and frustration welled within him as Saito ran in the opposite direction from his master. It was the smart decision, it was what Tiffania would tell him to make, but Saito hated it with everything that he was.
The guard detachment on the prisoner cart was smaller than the Pope's, but still more than Saito could hope to handle alone. Two paladins at the front seat and four mounted in front and behind. Even a single paladin worried Saito. They were all definitely mages, but he had a counter in the form of Derflinger. However, each one had a full set of undoubtedly enchanted armor and their sword-wands alone were enough of a counter for him. Saito didn't know how his skill would measure up in a straight sword fight; especially unarmored as he was. Attacking them was out of the question, but all Saito needed to do was find out where they were going. Then he could meet up with the others and work out a rescue plan.
The clopping of horse hooves on cobblestone obscured any sound Saito made darting along the roofs. Several times the paladins checked their surroundings, but the metal helmets they wore coupled with darkness of the night made it easy for Saito to remain undetected. Compared to the animals back in the forest around Westwod Village, these paladins were no challenge at all.
Within minutes they reached the edge of town. From his position on the closest rooftop to the city's edge, Saito sat in silence. He held the spyglass Eleanor had given him to his eyes and watched the convoy head toward a forest near the coast. At least this artifact still worked as intended. Though he could see the land rise into cliffs beyond, the land from the city to the forest's edge was painfully flat. There was no way he could follow undetected. Instead, Saito steadied his breath and waited in silence, making sure to watch where they entered the forest.
So Saito sat and waited under the dim starlight. He looked to the gathering clouds above with trepidation. The darkness would be appreciated, but he worried it might- Drip. A drop of water hit his brow. "Damn it all." Saito returned his gaze to the prisoner cart, willing it to hurry up and reach the forest's edge. Originally, he planned to find where the carriage entered the forest and then go get the others. It wouldn't be hard to track a cart and horses through the woods, but now that it would probably rain…
Shaking his head free of fear, Saito returned to the task at hand. "There!" He whispered out in hushed excitement once he saw the convoy enter the forest. Saito hopped down onto a balcony before grabbing the railing and lowering himself to the street. If he could get to ground level normally there was no need to risk injuring himself again. As soon as he was safely down, Saito darted off into the night. The field was vast and Saito knew he would have more to cross even after this so he tried to pace himself, but as more water fell from the sky, he couldn't help but hurry his gait. If this rain picked up he could very well lose the trail.
Saito's ankles throbbed while he ran. Even with magical healing, they had still been hurt and hastily repaired without rest. He ignored his pain and pressed on. Rain began to fall in earnest just as he reached the edge of the woods. He spied the tracks immediately. Looking up, Saito studied the canopy. These woods were thick, so it would take some time for the rain to wash away the tracks; but the moonlight obscured by that same canopy meant tracking in extreme darkness as well. Knowing there was no choice, Saito withdrew his travel lantern and lit it. Though it was more of a sheltered candle than a proper lantern, it did the trick.
As Saito's meager light flickered, he followed the tracks through the forest. Carefully, he listened for horses, ready to extinguish his light at the faintest of noises. Rain gradually found its way through the leaves above. Slowly, Saito's cloak grew heavy and soggy. The tracks before him faded from the weather. Still, he pressed on. He couldn't wait for more light, he couldn't slow, and he needed to keep with the trail. Though the rain would wash away the trail for now, as soon as the ground became soggy enough, the wheels of the cart would sink deeper and tracking would become child's play. It was this time between that Saito risked losing his quarry.
The candle flickered out from the wind and Saito once more was forced to light it. When he had a source of light again, Saito let out a pained grunt. He could no longer see the tracks. Panic flared and was immediately quelled. He needed to keep a level head. Even with the tracks gone there should be other signs. With painstaking effort, Saito scrounged forward, picking up the trail again. A broken twig here, disturbed leaves there, he found the signs and continued on even if his progress had slowed to a crawl.
When Saito finally found the mud tracks of the carriage wheels, he had been reduced to a soaked, muddy mess. Even though he looked as sorry as a beggar, the grin of triumph on his face utterly denied that description. He trudged along with far more speed. It was simple now, following the mud tracks, idly he wondered how far their destination was. Hopefully not far.
For once, Saito got his wish as within the hour he heard a voice cry out, "Oy, see that?" Instantly his hand flew to his candle and extinguished it. Fading into the brush, Saito pulled his spyglass free and looked to where the voice came from. Two paladins stood around a great gate built into the side of a steep incline. Mutely, Saito noted that this was one of the cliffs he had seen not too far from the city. A portcullis blocked entry to the unknown building, but Saito could see the carriage tracks leading into it. Finally, he had found where they had taken the girls.
However, the immediate problem was the two approaching paladins. One was peering in Saito's direction, looking around for movement. Had he seen Saito's light? Saito grimaced when three more paladins exited from a small enclave. Most likely a guard house then. The one peering toward Saito spoke, "I swear I saw something. We should take a look." He started to walk forward, leading the others with him.
One hung back, "You guys go ahead, one of us should remain for the next watch." The armored man inched back to the guardhouse and the fire within.
Another stopped and turned back angrily. "Don't be craven. No one gets to hide by the fire while the rest do all the work." Cowed by the angry remark, the supposed coward followed after.
Saito weighed his options. If he ran for it, he would definitely be spotted, but he could possibly outrun the men in full plate armor. Fighting was absolutely not a choice, here. His chances against five heavily armed and well-trained paladin knights were slim even with the element of surprise. Sneaking away would be slow and risky as well, but probably his best bet. Just as Saito took a step back to leave, one of the paladins held his sword aloft, "Brimir's Lantern." He called out and instantly a great bright light emanated from the blade.
Saito cursed his luck. Crouched and muddy as he was, Saito knew he would still be hard to spot, however, if he tried to move, they would instantly notice him. As the men cautiously approached, Saito wracked his mind for a plan. Something to distract them maybe? "Derf, can you absorb that spell?" He whispered to the blade.
In an equally quiet voice, the blade replied, "Not from this distance." Derf readied himself for a fight. They were outnumbered two to five but he and his partner were more than the sum of their parts.
Just as the men were upon them, a paladin looked to the bush Saito had pressed himself to. "You there!" He called and brandished his sword.
Saito sprang into action. "Now, Derf!" With the light spell in range, Derflinger ate it hungrily. A pitch dark descended upon the paladins and their prey. Cries of surprise sounded and Saito darted out into the night. Though the light had taken some of his night vision from him, he had already studied his surroundings and knew the way.
A voice from behind resounded as the paladins once again summoned light. "There he is!" Their target spotted, the soldiers launched a controlled barrage of spells at Saito's fleeing form. Two streams of water raced over Saito's shoulder and sliced clean through a tree, while the remaining gouts of wind and fire struck Saito's back. However, with Derflinger on defense, they were absorbed just before connecting. "After him!" One paladin called out, seeing his prey escape.
Light flickered through the forest as five armored men chased down the elusive shadow that was Saito. Their spells rent trees and earth, but every time they neared the target the magic was extinguished. "Is he a demon? Why does nothing hurt him?!" One called out as his spell proved ineffective once more. They couldn't even get a good look at their quarry in this rain and darkness.
"Do not lose heart! He runs in fear of the Holy Founder, we need only continue and we will catch him!" called out another paladin as they pounded their way through the forest. The man's words held true as Saito began to slow in fatigue. Though he wore no armor, these men were fresh and Saito had worn himself out just getting here.
Saito's heart pounded, he didn't know how much longer he could push himself. He couldn't keep this up, no, he needed to outwit his pursuers. Darting around a tree, Saito commanded, "Derf, jump." Magic flooded his legs and Saito leapt. In that single leap, he reached the branches above just as the paladins rounded the trunk below.
The five armored men halted in surprise at Saito's sudden disappearance. "Where did he go?" One asked as he fell in back to back with the others.
"Watch the shadows." Another warned, waiting for an ambush. "Listen." The five remained still, waiting for their quarry to make a move.
Above, Saito gnashed his teeth in pain. Once again, his ankle was in dire pain and this time, his bandage wasn't helping. Obviously the rain and mud had washed away the salve. With his enemies directly below him, Saito pulled the salve out and began to apply it directly to his muddy ankle. Even as the magic once again worked to ease his ankle's pain, Saito's cold and wet hands shook with numb fingers. He didn't realize it was slipping until just before the salve fell from his grasp. In desperation, Saito reached for the tumbling vial, just barely grazing it with his fingers as it fell beyond his reach. Saito was already in motion when the small glass vial impacted the earth.
Even with the rain to muffle the sound, two of the soldiers heard the glass vial land behind them. Turning, one spied the cause of his surprise and looked up to meet Saito's boot mid fall. As he crumpled to the ground, Derflinger sang from his sheath and pierced directly into the waiting paladin's chest. With the aid of gravity and Saito's full weight behind the strike, the blade pierced through the armor with ease. "AUGH!" The paladin cried out and brought the others' attention around.
Saito was already in motion. His pistol was out instantly, the wheel spun as the trigger was pulled. Smoke billowed out with the gunshot and another paladin clutched his bloody chest when the shot tore through his breastplate at point blank range. Derflinger was wrenched free to deflect an incoming strike even as a fire spell was absorbed from another paladin. The third man left struck out with steel and Saito was only barely able to parry the blade away with the pistol in his offhand.
Throwing himself into a roll, Saito managed to dive through some brush and out from between his opponents. Saito forced himself up in time to see more wind and fire disappear into Derflinger. The three remaining paladins had spread out and were slowly moving to encircle him. A senior-looking one commanded to the others, "Spells aren't working, we strike with swords on my mark." Desperately, Saito tried to catch his breath as he eyed the three.
Derflinger rattled in warning. "Remember that armor is enchanted, boy, it's lighter and thinner than you would think. They'll move fast." Silently, Saito thanked the sword for its experience.
Tucking his pistol into his belt, Saito held Derflinger with two hands. The sword could probably eat some of the enchantment on their armor, so that meant the men's defenses were weaker than they thought. "Derf, get ready." Saito coiled and felt the magic flood his body.
In the instant before the leader called out to attack, Saito darted forward faster than humanly possible. Derflinger's magic aiding him, he crossed the distance in an instant and brought his sword forward. With the magic forcing his arms through, Saito breached through the enchanted armor like so much paper, sending out a spray of blood and a cry of agony. Pain flared in his elbows and wrists from the strain, but Saito held firm, turning to meet the two final opponents now bearing down on him.
Derflinger flicked up to meet the first blade, parrying it aside as Saito pre-emptively stepped into the other strike. Again, Saito met blade upon blade, but this time his weak wrists gave way. Derflinger tumbled from his grasp and Saito's newly damaged legs crumpled beneath him. Damn it, he needed another plan, a trick! Anything!
Saito rolled over to see a paladin standing over him, sword held aloft for the deathstroke. "Die!" The armored man called out in rage.
Saito closed his eyes in panic, but instead of enchanted steel through his heart, he felt warm droplets on his face. He looked up to see his would-be executioner staring at the tip of steel poking through. Behind him, a man clad like a swashbuckler grinned holding a curved sword through the paladin's chest. With his blonde hair peeking out from beneath a feathered cap, the newcomer looked far too well dressed for a battle in the mud. "Now now," he spoke with joviality to the man he just ran through. "That is hardly a proper line. Next time try something like, 'This is for my friends!' or even a bad pun like, 'Do you get my point?!' Anything is better than boring old 'Die!'" When the deceased paladin collapsed to the earth, the newcomer just rolled his eyes.
Broken as he was, Saito stared in awe as the newcomer casually deflected the sword of the last paladin. The final knight called out, "Whoever you are, I'll kill you!" Anger filled the man and his strike was easily predicted as a result.
Batting away another blow with the mild disdain one holds for a temperamental child, the blonde man shook his head and smiled, "A little better, but still you fail. The main character is obviously this kid here. That makes me the mysterious rogue that saves the day." Another flash and the newcomer's saber clipped the man's sword from his grasp. "That makes you a nameless grunt. Guess who's going to win?" With one final strike, the newcomer's saber sliced through the gap between the paladin's helmet and breastplate.
Saito looked on from where he lay as the last paladin fell to the earth. The newcomer approached while wiping his blade off and returning it to his sheath. A gloved hand reached out for Saito, "My name is Bleu. I must say, you really have your sights set high if you plan to plunder El Cárcel." The stranger hesitated when Saito waved his hand off, but softened when he saw Saito withdraw a vial from his pouch to start applying a salve to his wrists.
Even as he worked to apply the last of his healing salves, Saito couldn't help but grin at just being alive. "I wonder if this is how Louise felt…" Noticing the newcomer's confusion, Saito apologized, "Sorry, just this situation is familiar. Thanks for saving my life. The name's Saito Hiraga." With his aches fading under the magic unguent, Saito grabbed the offered hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
Bleu smiled and the offered hand turned into a hand shake. "Nice to meet you. Sounds like I was right, you are a main character." Using his boot, he flicked Derflinger up and deftly caught the sword before handing it back to the younger boy.
Though Derflinger remained silent, Saito knew the sword was annoyed, "Sorry for dropping you, partner." The sword huffed, not willing to talk to an idiot that almost got himself killed. Turning to Bleu, Saito shrugged, "Main character, eh? I wouldn't say that…" Saito took a step forward, eager to be on his way, only to stumble when his ankle gave out.
Catching the muddy boy, Bleu looked him over carefully. "How often do you use that salve?" Wrapping the boy's arm around his shoulder, Bleu supported Saito's weight.
"Not often," Saito groaned as he tested his foot. It didn't hurt, but it felt weak and unresponsive. He definitely couldn't stand on it properly. "I hadn't used it until tonight, and I only healed my ankle few times." Saito paused when he felt Bleu turn to him.
The two mens' eyes met before Bleu snickered. "An idiot hero, then?" Saito soured at the title. "Healing potions like these draw strength from the body, if you keep using it on the same place, eventually you'll wear the tissue out. Don't worry though, a night of rest should fix that." Adjusting Saito's weight, Bleu looked to the woods before him. "As you aren't going anywhere under your own power, shall I lend you my aid for now?"
Saito hesitated. On the one hand, this Bleu was a total unknown. On the other, Saito owed him his life and he wasn't making it to the rendezvous point on his own. "There's a cave…"
In the dark and the rain, Bleu carried Saito through the woods and toward help.
From her locked window, Tiffania watched the sun rise. The gilded cage that was her room was grander than any room she had ever dreamed of. From the feather bed to the grand bookshelf filled to the brim with historical texts to the ornate tea set with the finest morning breakfast she had ever laid eyes on, she had the luxuries any little girl would dream of. Yet, here before her window she stood and wondered. How were her friends? Were they safe? Was Saito alright?
Saito… That was the worst. She could not ask after him. If he had eluded the Pope then she would only be alerting her enemy. So instead, she could only wait as a weak, useless prisoner. "Saito…" Tiffania breathed in hope and worry.
The sound of the door opening spun Tiffania to meet her guest. Just as she had expected, a guard let the Pope enter. The honor guard that flanked the Pope tried to enter only to be waved off by the man. "I'll be fine." Though hesitant, the guards obeyed and remained outside. When the door closed the Pope walked over to the tea table and sat, gesturing for Tiffania to do the same. She hesitated, but he made no move to force her, so Tiffania stayed by the window and simply watched the Romalian leader. "My name is Vittorio Serevare. Please feel free to address me by my first name. I doubt you worship the Founder and as such you needn't revere me." His smile was soft and honest, but Tiffania remained cautious.
Taking a step forward on instinct, Tiffania hesitated at her own aggressive action before finding her resolve and asking earnestly, "What is it you are planning?" She spoke harshly, her wayward emotions sending her rationale tumbling.
Sighing, the Pope poured himself a cup of tea and let the enchanted cup reheat it. Mutely, he noted that Tiffania never drank any of the morning tea delivered. "It's not poisoned, you know." He idly spoke and took a drink of the tea. Then, knowing Tiffania was impatient, answered her question. "I have already told you my plan. I will use the four void mages to unseal the great demon in the elven lands. I was honestly asking for your help last night and even though you refused, I will still honor my word. Once this is all over, I will provide for you and yours in every way and do my utmost to support your spiritkin friends." He took a sip, stewing over that idea. "They will have to be watched, but I should be able to provide enough grief seeds for them to live comfortably."
Tiffania hesitated. Vittorio's words seemed sincere, but the type of man who would damn an entire people was not one to leave loose ends. "What if I refuse?" She held fast when the Pope's dangerous eyes turned on her.
Setting the tea down, Vittorio formed a bridge with his fingers and leaned forward to study Tiffania. For a moment, Tiffania felt like a mouse caught by a curious cat. When the Pope spoke, he had her undivided attention, "Your friends remain safe and I shall entertain the idea of allowing you to visit them once you cooperate." The man stood and his expression became stern, "If you refuse, then I shall have them killed and force you to help some other way. If you believe anything I say, then believe this: I know my actions are evil, but I will not fail to save humankind." Taking a breath, Vittorio turned to leave, "Still, I would like to keep them alive in case we need their power to battle the great demon, so please consider playing nice." With nothing left to say, the Pope left a fearful yet still defiant Tiffania.
As soon as the door closed, what strength Tiffania had mustered quickly left her. Falling to her knees, she held back tears. She wanted to see her friends, her companions; she wanted to know if they were safe. "Saito…" Weak as her heart was, Tiffania still held out hope.
When Montmorency awoke, she found that she was the last one to come to. Both Louise and Charlotte were up and looking around their shared cell. Well, Montmorency noted that she was technically in a cell. There were iron bars along the walls to be sure, but within was not a typical jail cell. No, instead the two sets of bunk beds were far superior to what one would even find in an inn and there were numerous luxuries from a small dining table to a desk and a bookshelf with rows of books. If it weren't for those iron bars, Montmorency would have thought she was in a high class inn. "Louise?" She spoke, drawing her friend's attention. "Where are we?" She gestured to the ridiculous cell.
Louise embraced Montmorency immediately, much to the blonde's delight. After their brief hug, Louise broke away and looked around. "I'm not sure, Charlotte was up first and according to her, we are alone." Louise looked through the bars. To one side was an adjoining cell of similar make and beyond that she could see several more.
Montmorency nodded and walked over to the bars leading out. "Good." Grasping one bar Montmorency braced herself and pulled. Enchanted metal groaned under the force and Montmorency threw her full strength into the task. Every ounce of her strength was expended. Letting out a decidedly brutish grunt, Montmorency braced her leg against another bar and put her whole body to the task. Tiny cracks formed where the bar connected to the floor and ceiling. Then, with a great breath, Montmorency stopped and bent over. Panting in labored breaths, she looked at her work. The bar had bent slightly and from the cracks in the floor and ceiling, she could tell it was starting to come loose.
Charlotte bent down and adjusted her glasses. She was well aware of Montmorency's strength, but this was surprising even accounting for that. "Impressive." She uttered honest praise.
Though happy, Louise worried for Montmorency. That worry only increased when the bar shifted back into place and the cracks in the ground repaired themselves. Montmorency frowned, "Tch. Worth a try at least." Sighing, she finished catching her breath and turned to Louise. Meeting her worried eyes, Montmorency put the girl on task. "Now what?" When the obvious plan failed, it was up to Louise to come up with a solution, after all.
Taking her turn to exhale a breath in thought, Louise pondered aloud. "Obviously we've been taken captive. They have our soul gems but they can't be too far or we wouldn't be awake at all." Charlotte nodded, remembering the hundred meter range. Louise looked around, "Still, we don't know if anyone is listening so we can't be too candid. Understand?" Louise waited for confirming nods from her companions. "If only we still had Id…" Louise trailed off remembering the familiar's betrayal.
Montmorency's fist impacted a metal bar in anger. The ringing of metal echoed only momentarily before Montorency spat out, "I knew that monster was nothing but trouble. I knew it!" Fuming, Montmorency grit her teeth as she sought to pin the blame on Id rather than herself for not doing something about it sooner.
When Louise's hand touched her shoulder, Montmorency almost shook it off on reflex. "Montmorency… Please calm down." Though her voice was soft, Montmorency knew if Louise asked again it would be an order.
A new, familiar voice joined the three, "Indeed, please calm yourself." The door from the cell block opened to reveal Julio. The blonde man stepped in with the white form of Id held comfortably in his arms. When Montmorency's blue eyes met Id's red she nearly let her anger flare again, but that was stopped when Julio's right hand rested on the Incubator's furry head. Runes glowed softly on the back of Julio's hand. "As you see, I am the Wyndalfr, the Right Hand of God." He held his hand out for the three to see. "Though it gives some side benefits concerning wildlife as well, these runes were originally crafted by Brimir to control Incubators." Releasing Id, Julio demonstrated by waving his hand. Shakily Id stood on its hind legs and walked around like a circus animal doing tricks. In any other situation, Louise would have laughed to see Id act like a common trained dog, but this seemed just… wrong. "Your familiar is not to blame, Miss Valliere." Julio bowed politely, despite his transgressions.
Though she should be mad, Louise was honestly relieved at the prospect. It had hurt more than she wanted to admit to believe that Id had betrayed her. "Why tell us this?" She stated with reservation; stalling to get her emotions under control.
Rising from his apologetic bow, Julio explained, "We have your soul gems under constant watch. Should one of you begin to transform, they will be immediately destroyed." He paused when the three grimaced, then continued as tactfully as he could. "As neither I nor you all want that, I feel that it would be best to relieve your concerns. Tell me, is anything else bothering you?"
It was Charlotte who responded, "You," She stated ungracefully while glaring at the man before her, "and your master." Her mouth tinged with distaste.
Sighing, Julio tried to find some common ground, "Please understand, the Pope is doing what is best for humanity and-" He paused mid-sentence, realizing that Charlotte might have been testing to see if the Pope was his master in the first place. Clever girl… Still, he pressed on through the slip of the tongue, making the pause seem natural, "He is a great and kind man. The actions he takes pain him deeply, but he still does what he must to protect every one of his people." They were honest words as far as Louise could tell, but they did little to sway her. She knew the real reason Julio was being so kind. The Pope wished to use them against the great demon should the elves fail to kill it and they needed to not fall into despair until his plan was complete.
The sound of the door opening brought new faces into the cell block; a group of knights, a young man in robes, and a very familiar face. Montmorency recognized the bald man immediately, "Professor Colbert!" She exclaimed in happiness.
Smiling to Montmorency, Professor Colbert turned his attention to Julio, "One can only take so many cruel actions in the pursuit of the greater good before you find cruelty is the only thing you know. Tell me, how long until your master loses sight of his purpose? Or does he even still see the light?" The paladin group with Colbert stiffened, but Julio held up a hand to stop them.
Julio had no good reply for the older man and instead turned to leave, Id trailing behind him. The young robed man with Colbert produced a key and hurriedly opened the cell next to the girls'. "Professor, you really shouldn't speak like that." The young man pleaded and offered an apologetic smile to the paladins beyond.
Colbert entered the cell without fuss and patted the boy on the shoulder, "Dale, someday you'll understand that one must speak out even when it puts you in danger." Dale closed the cell door and locked the professor within, shifting nervously under the advice. "Oh," Colbert continued, "make sure those notes get filed under alphabetic order based on project name, please."
Dale bowed and replied, "Of course, professor." His task given, Dale turned and left with the paladins.
When the door closed, the girls were once again alone save the addition of a new cell neighbor. Louise and Montmorency hurried over with Charlotte casually following. "Professor!" The two girls exclaimed in hushed tones, never expecting to meet their kind teacher here of all places.
A broad, warm smile spread across Colbert's face and even in their current situation, Louise and Montmorency's hearts were buoyed. Reaching an arm though the bars, he grasped the girls' hands and said, "It is good to see you three, even with these less than ideal accommodations." He looked around with a hint of sourness in his smile.
Words escaped Louise for a moment before blurting out, "What. Why- How did you get here?" She flushed in embarrassment at her own flustered behavior.
Still smiling, Colbert withdrew his hands and took a breath, "Well, I'll tell you, but just remember that these walls have ears." Colbert looked around, knowing there were listening enchantments even if he couldn't spot them.
Louise huffed, "I assumed as much from the start." Though she remained silent, Charlotte nodded in agreement.
Eyeing his two best students, Colbert nodded, "Of course. You two were always very clever." At Montmorency's hidden pout Colbert amended, "You as well, Miss Montmorency, I only worried you might be too honest to predict such subterfuge from our captors." With the blonde properly placated, Colbert returned to the original question. "Well, sometime after you left Tarbes, the paladins returned with a research detachment. Sure enough, they ended up taking the Dragon's Raiment. They were going to arrest Siesta and I as well, but I managed to get them to forgive her under the condition I come peacefully. Had to lie to the poor girl as well…" He sighed wistfully. He knew he must have hurt her, but it was the only way the church would leave her alone. "They brought me to this fortress so I might continue my work on the Dragon's Raiment." He gestured around himself, "I would assume it's where they hide their secrets. Both the people they shouldn't be holding prisoner and the items they have me research for them." Rubbing his chin, Colbert started to drift off subject, "However, from what I've seen, it is far larger than necessary for just that. You could house half the city in here. Just what are they protecting? Surely not just some novelties." Realizing he was rambling, the professor took another breath as he lamented his situation, "And how did you three end up here?" The kind professor asked his students.
Montmorency looked to Louise and shrugged. Louise was easily the best one to tell the story, so she deferred to the pinkette. "Well, you might want to take a seat." Louise began, carefully debating just how to paraphrase. Though the task would be difficult, Louise had plenty of time for the moment.
Viscount Wardes leaned against the railing of the airship as he watched Sheffield with mild interest. The woman sported a new toy on her right index finger; some odd ring that looked more like an armored claw than any jewelry suitable for a woman. She trailed it over her manta ray golem and her eyes half glazed over in the process. Intrigued, Wardes called out, "Do you mind sharing with an inquisitive mind?"
Sheffield's eyes refocused and turned to Wardes at his question. Immediately, her expression soured at the sight of the leech. Still, she wasn't about to act like a child in front of this man. Instead, she put on a knowing smile and held the knowledge under his nose like the dog he was. "Oh, I was recently shown a minor oversight of Brimir's. Nothing I wasn't able to fix myself, of course." It wasn't really an answer, but she was able to slight Wardes all the same.
Though Wardes was far from pious, he was still raised within the Brimiric religion and his gut reaction was to stiffen at Sheffield's heretical remark. Knowing that was exactly what she wanted, Wardes calmed himself and smiled in response. Her ploy was clever after all and he couldn't help but be amused by it. "Indeed, then perhaps your master ought to be informed of the inadequacy of his magic's origin?" If it was to be a battle of words, Wardes was hardly defenseless.
For anything other than praise to be in a sentence involving her master was enough for Sheffield to bristle. Her eyes narrowed to a glare but she held her tongue. This man was so full of himself, how she would love to show him his place. Still, her master had given her an order and she would be damned before she let her petty emotions hinder her obedience. "We should be going," she stated sternly, keeping her tongue just barely in check.
Wardes sighed and shrugged before pushing off from the railing and walking over to the woman. "As you wish, my dear." His honeyed words amused only himself. Stepping up onto the floating golem, Wardes ignored the woman's venomous glare until she turned in a huff and bid her artifact fly. From the way the golem jolted into the sky, Wardes knew this ride would be far from pleasant. Perhaps angering the woman had been a bad idea, after all. With resignation, he made to assuage Sheffield's poor mood. "Then you are sure of their location? Can we find them?" He offered, knowing the chance to flaunt her skills would improve Sheffield's temperament.
Though the artifact she rode diverted the brunt of the wind, Sheffield's hair still stirred as they raced through the sky. "Of course," she said snidely, "The real trick will be in the timing." Smiling, Sheffield prepared to explain just what Wardes would be doing. If she had to associate with this man, at least she got to order him around.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I am trying to make this update more on this speed. Though this chapter is just shy of 10k words, I feel that is enough for a chapter.