Genres/Ratings: Action/Adventure, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, War. (T)
Characters: Raine, Lorenz, Marianne.

Summary: Their reasons for fighting were similar even if their homelands differed greatly, but it was those similarities that proved they would clash relentlessly on the battlefield. The bonds between house and comrade, friends and lovers, and soldiers and students would all be tested on the Great Bride of Myrddin, with the single, lonely hope that some of the bloodshed could be quelled through words rather than the ringing of blades or the screech of magic.

Lone Moon

The Great Bridge of Myrddin

Noontime

Whatever they had expected of House Gloucester, Raine had to admit that this had not been it. To have been halfway through the passage, easily crippling every soldier that came their way, only to be met head-on by the eldest son himself, dismounted and alone... It had given all pause in both wonder and suspicion. They all were well aware that despite his pomp and desperate attempt at charm that he was deceptively intelligent in both the way of the knight as well as the politician, and it had been with that in mind that Raine had quickly motioned for her students to stand behind her as she took the lead. Lorenz had approached them alone, with no sign of his men following, and his weapons were sheathed... for the moment. It was not an ideal time for a parley, not with the roar of the bridge in the throes of battle surrounding them, but even Raine knew the significance of Lorenz' motions deserved pause.

So she gave in to decorum as she stood between him and her students, eyes alight with both suspicion and wariness as she gripped her blade down tightly until her knuckles whitened. He stood between them and their goal at the end of the passage, but to shove him aside was out of the question. He was one of the two targets she had planned to intercept on this path, and to have him come to her was both a boon and an unfortunate turn of luck. Still, it was obvious in his demeanour he wished to speak and was waiting to see if she would do him the courtesy, or would engage him on sight. She did not sheathe her weapon, but she did motion for her four waiting soldiers to stand down before she spoke curtly, firmly in greeting, "Lorenz."

"Professor. It is quite unfortunate that all these years later, that we are to meet in such circumstances again. I am truly regretful." Lorenz answered her with a deep nod, and as Raine watched him closely, she could tell he meant every word he spoke. He was not a man prone to falsehoods, even if he did prefer to flower his language and his mannerisms until he looked like a fool. Still, now was not the time to underestimate him based on memory from five years prior, and his stance and choice to meet them unmounted was proof of it. He had confidence in himself as a soldier, confidence born of experience and not youthful arrogance, and she was well aware he could see her sizing him up as well as he was doing the same to her and her men. "I am, however, glad to know that your sense of courtesy has not waned. I am grateful that you would give me this moment to speak to you frankly. I am here alone to ask for one last courtesy, if you would be so kind."

"And that would be?"

"A duel. Between you and I. No others. Not your students, nor my men. They are under my command, and not that of my father's, you understand... This business between the Empire and Alliance is not of my choosing." Lorenz explained with a deceptive sort of calm despite the quiet wrath simmering in his eyes, and Raine cocked her head to the side as she watched him even more closely. His anger was well-hidden, proof that he did not agree again with the methodology of the head of his house, and it was again forcing him to deviate from all social norms he had perfected with both hard work and natural grace. He was behaving as a nobleman, or at least his ideal of a nobleman, even as he rejected his father's side in the war, and it showed as he continued on, "I stand before you now as myself, with only the wish of seeing the men under my command spared should you fell me. I am a man of the Alliance, and this civil war the Empire has begun, using my house as a figurehead, is not at all what I wish to see befall my homeland. Duty, however, compels me to remain at my father's side. Duty, and the risk of my life and all I love. My choices are limited. Should I fight you, and lose, I will have fulfilled my duty."

"A clever way of abandoning the war and saving your men at the same time... I can respect that about you, at the very least." Raine admitted with a nod, and she wondered errantly when Lorenz had chosen to put his words into action, or if he had simply always been this way, and now was having a chance to demonstrate that he was not all talk now that the war was raging. It saddened her, knowing that such an honest young man was willing to put his life on the line for his ideals, his men, and his homeland even in what could be seen as supposed treachery. Yet, that, too, was noble in its own way. Still, she had to be pragmatic, especially as she heard the quiet, unhappy muttering of her students behind her, "Still, what you offer, I can't give you the same. You're a wise man. You know this bridge must fall for the sake of the rebellion. Your offer means little, regardless of the outcome of the duel. Or have you already admitted defeat, and are hoping just to spare your men the same fate as the rest of the Imperial troops?"

"You are a wise woman yourself... Yes, indeed. I am aware that the forces here cannot withstand the might of your army... Defeating you in single combat, while hefty, will not change the outcome of this battle. Even if I were to kill you, I would not last the day. Your men would execute me summarily for my victory. You are right in saying my offer means little." Lorenz admitted it without the bat of an eye, both surprising, and impressing Raine at his blunt honesty, and his full understanding of the situation at hand. He was not dreaming of the best outcome. There was no point in it. An honourable duel did not guarantee an honourable outcome. That was simply the horrors of war that he had been forced to come to terms with, both in his days at the academy, and on the battlefield for the last five years. Still... He needed her, needed to know she would listen and understand, and it forced him to press with an urgency he did not wish to display, "I have told my men of my plan, and though they are unhappy with me to say the least, they will not disobey my orders. Still. Patience will only last so long, especially for those who are duty-bound to their lord. So I ask you again, Professor... Will you grant me the privilege of a duel, and the promise of the lives of my men?"

"No. I won't grant you that. If you wish for a duel, and wish for an outcome in your favour even when you lose, then I have the right to ask the same of you." Raine's answer was quiet but not cruel, and she almost winced as she watched Lorenz flinch and stiffen at her rejection, and her following words. Disgust flickered across his face, and she knew she had earned his reaction, but she kept her face smooth and devoid of emotion in answer. She couldn't permit him to see her empathy, or her wounds... He would not fight wholly if she allowed him to know how much this simple exchange was hurting her. She continued placidly, aware of the time pressing down on her shoulders and the chance quickly trying to slide through her grasping fingers, "I'll only grant you a duel if you'll concede to my demands should I win, just as you demand I should if you lose. Fair is only fair, Lorenz. I cannot waste my time without the promise of something I sorely need."

"What is it you demand, then?"

"There's no point in telling you now. Draw, and fight me. If I win, give me your word you'll give me what I ask, and I promise you the lives of your men." Raine ignored his question, and she lifted her sword to further emphasize the fact that she was done talking. She didn't let her eyes stray from him for a moment, gauging his reaction closely, and she was satisfied when she heard him let out a quiet breath, along with the softest whispers of a curse. He reached over his shoulder, sliding his lance free of his belt, and at the sight of his arming himself, she spoke curtly over her shoulder without letting him out of her sight, "Ingrid, Sylvain, Annette, Dorothea... Not a move, and not a word. You stay where you are until this ends. There will be no interference, regardless of the outcome. That is an order. Understood?"

"Understood. But that order only lasts as long as you live." Sylvain answered for them all, his voice cold and his eyes harsh and unyielding at his professor's back as she steadied herself into that familiar stance she always had when she was preparing herself for battle. He did not doubt her prowess, nor did he doubt that she was more than capable of felling Lorenz where he stood, but he also was not foolish enough to not prepare for the worst outcome. He knew Annette at the very least would never doubt her professor for an instant, but he was far more jaded... and for more pragmatic. His voice was icy as he continued, his hand gripping his lance so tightly that his hand begun to tremble, "The instant you fall, Professor, don't expect us to continue to obey you. We'll honour your promise... but that's as far as it will go. Anyone who hurts you will pay. Duel or no duel."

Raine bit the inside of her cheek to force herself not to smile, and she looked at Lorenz almost apologetically as he glanced from Sylvain and then back to her with a look of honest surprise. She could only manage a slight shrug, trying not to look pleased with the answer she had been given, especially considering how utterly morbid it was. She wondered why she felt such a way. Perhaps it was the unwavering support and belief, the loyalty and honesty, when that morning she had spat at Dimitri, who she had always considered her best student. Now the Blue Lions as a whole were rallying behind her, all providing what Dimitri no longer had the capacity to give, and it reminded her of just how good it felt to be loved. She offered Lorenz a small, sad smile before explaining weakly as her sword spun as easily in her hands as a quill in preparation, "Forgive my students, Lorenz. It seems old habits die hard."

"There's no need. You have always been a woman who inspires loyalty. It was only poor luck that you did not lead our house. I would have dearly enjoyed a chance to learn at your desk... but those days are long gone." Lorenz answered with a forced sort of cheer, and he was aware that his regret truly did run deep. He had full and honest respect for Professor Hanneman, who he knew had joined with the rebellion when it had first begun in Garreg Mach, but there was just something different about her. She was not a noble, nor was she pious, yet she commanded attention and love and obedience all the same from anyone who crossed her path. He was not sure if it was her honesty, her compassion, or her talents that had managed to charm so many, but it did not matter now. He hefted his lance easily, narrowing his eyes as he steadied himself and gave the last words he could speak before they would lock weapons, "I thank you for the opportunity to cross blades with you now... and forgive me for what I do."

No more words were needed, nor could they be given as the two sprang for one another. Raine was faster and closed the distance between them first, and it was only pure instinct that saved Lorenz from her opening slash as his lance lifted sideways to catch her blade across the middle. As quickly as she had closed she was gone, leaping away and out of his range, and with quiet anger Lorenz was reminded that she had spent the better part of her lifetime duelling with lance-wielders. She knew exactly how to fight someone with better range, and it wasn't as if her sword was incapable of tripling the reach of an average lance.

Yet... Not once did she attempt to extend her Relic as they crossed blades again. She fought him as if she was using a simple steel blade rather than the fabled Sword of the Creator, and Lorenz wondered if it was out of honour as a mercenary, or simply because she had not yet had an opening to use it. She kept out of his range, testing him time and time again with stabs and slashes that he was forced to parry or knock aside, but still she kept her sword as it was. It both angered and surprised him, that she was not fighting to her fullest capability, but he knew better than to allow either emotion to impact his work. She was a mercenary still, even after all these years, and though he would have been loathe to say it five years ago... He understood now that mercenaries had codes of conduct just as those in nobility had. They were not as different as they seemed to be, blue blood or no.

They circled warily, one probing her defences, and the other pushing aside and probing in return with expert eyes and calm. She had more years of warfare on her than he ever could imagine, and her experience showed in her emotionless face and the blunt strength of the Relic she wielded as easily as if it was a part of her own body. Again, Lorenz wondered as she swatted his lance aside yet again, refusing to allow him to close despite his best efforts. Her footwork was immaculate as he continued to push forward, and she never permitted her back to face anything other than open air. She knew his intent to corner her, it was the best way to gain an advantage, and so every push forward was met with a sidestep rather than a retreat in a never-ending dance until one of them lost patience.

At least, that had been Lorenz' thought until her blade whipped out as his lance moved forward in yet another experimental stabbing movement at her midsection. Her blade screeched as it pushed alongside his weapon, shoving it wide and exposing him, and Lorenz only barely managed to jerk backwards before the tip of her sword met the front of his chest. Instinctively his hand lurched for his belt, reaching for the tome he carried at his waist, and unbidden he felt the magic responding to his gesture. The fire spell raced from his palm without consent or thought, eager for its target, and Lorenz felt a bolt of fear as the magic exploded on contact with the sword Raine lifted at once to shield herself from it.

It happened in an instant, the smoke and cinders obscuring his opponent, and for a heart-stopping moment, Lorenz knew he had erred. He hadn't intended to bring his magic into the battle, and yet on nothing but instinct alone he had reached for it at the sight of that blade coming for his chest. A true duel did not involve anything but the weapons the two involved had chosen, and he been holding his lance when he had called for it. Using his magic was a gross breach of etiquette, and from the alarmed shouts of the students Raine had been meticulously keeping at her back... He wondered when he would feel their wrath collapsing on his head.

"Keep your head, lest you lose it, Lorenz."

Her voice came calm and almost lazily from within the smoke, and from the veil came her blade, plunging out like a lance as it extended and came deathly close to carving a hole into his shoulder. He backed away at once, watching as Raine emerged from the screen of dark smoke and falling cinders unscathed, and looking almost amused at his error. Her eyes were flinty as the blade retracted and returned to her hand, and she swung it once to clear away the remainders of his spell before she tilted her head and glanced at the still-faintly glowing book that was strapped to his waist. An accidental cast on instinct was impressive, especially considering the weight of the spell, and she mused idly as she continued forward with a slow, careful step, "I see your studies have branched out further than simple knighthood. You've gained a good grasp of arcane arts... You're holding back. I'd advise you not to."

Lorenz twitched, uncertain of her words and watching closely as Raine continued to move forward. Now he felt himself wishing to retreat, and he wondered if it was fear, or respect for just how easily she had been able to counter a move even he had not anticipated making. He was outclassed, and outclassed in a way that defied words. She had already won the moment she had drawn her blade, and while that knowledge chilled the blood in his veins... He did not permit it to show. He was a nobleman. A knight. He could not give her fear, not while the lives of his men hung in the balance. Yet, he could not also permit her words to go unchallenged, and he replied tightly as he stood his ground, lance at the ready to repel her should she choose to use her sword once more, "A duel is not held by hiding away secret weapons."

"A war isn't won by playing fairly, either." Raine replied with an errant shrug of her shoulders, and yet her eyes remained focussed on him like a cat before its unsuspecting prey. He was the mouse between her claws, awaiting the inevitable, yet he still stood tall and ready to fight to the last. She respected him for that, especially as she saw the revelation of the gaps between them dawning in his eyes. He wasn't going to win, but he was not yet ready to yield. His honour, his loyalty to his men, would not permit such an act of disgrace or cowardice. For that, she allowed him a moment as she stopped her advance, and she nodded down to his belt as she told him flatly, "Duel me with all you have. Magic and lance. You're deprived of your mount, so you may as well make use of your remaining tools. Don't concern yourself with such paltry things like rules of engagement. You demanded this fight for the lives of your men. Use everything at your disposal if you meant a word of that."

"You shall regret saying those words, Professor..." Lorenz gritted his teeth at the stab to both his pride and his honour, and he hefted his lance in his right hand as his left pulled his tome free for use. He trusted his skills, both in magic and in fencing, and she only had her blade to count on. Here, she was at a disadvantage, even if it was slight, but her challenge could not go unanswered. She had proven she would end this battle quickly if he proved that he was holding back even a tiny bit, and he did not want such an undignified last note to be his final page in history. "Very well, then! Know the full might of the House of Gloucester!"

A barrage followed, forcing Raine onto the defensive as magic rained on her like hellfire from above at Lorenz' command. Immediately she hit the ground and rolled, dodging one fireball after another as the young nobleman forced her back and away from him with his mastery. She could do little more than dodge about, trying to keep a wary eye on his movements and failing as he sent spell after spell chasing after her like a bow shot from an arrow. He was quicker with his magic than most, having both the focus and the strength to keep up the sustained fire from all of his physical training, but even that stamina would find an end eventually. She only needed to survive the onslaught and find an opening if she wanted to end this quickly.

The fire stopped as Raine found her feet again, only to find herself momentarily blinded as a pulse of magic burst out from somewhere on her left with a reverberating thrumming noise. There was no dodging this, and Raine raised her blade as she saw the arrow of light speeding towards her as if it shot from a giant, magical crossbow. Gritting down her teeth, Raine planted her feet, and a snarl of exertion escaped her lips as she thrust forward, focussing her energy and feeling the sudden bloom of heat in her palms as the Sword of the Creator responded to her wordless command.

The blade punctured through the centre of the spell, dispersing it into flecks of light and sound with one, sharp movement, and Lorenz' resounding shout of pain told her that her sword had found its mark. As the light slowly filtered away, Raine blinked away the dots obscuring her vision to see that the Alliance noble had taken her blade in his shoulder, and his lance now lay far from his reach as he lay slumped on the ground. Blood flowed freely from the large dent in his armour, more proof that her aim had been true, and his hand twitched as he tried in vain to find his lance, or his tome despite his wounds.

Raine said nothing as she approached him slowly, her sword retracting once more to its hilt and awaiting its master's command. Lorenz, for his credit, did not say anything either as he placed a hand over his wound, trying to stem the bloodflow from his dominant arm as he looked up at her in silent defiance. She appreciated his expression and all that it meant, as well as his acceptance of his coming fate as he refused to move from where he had fell. He could not rise without stumbling, and so he stayed where he had fallen, awaiting her, and she had to remind herself she could not smile as she came closer and spoke with dangerous calm, "You've lost. I'll spare your men, as promised... As for you-"

Raine had no chance to finish her sentence as a burst of cold wind signalled the arrival of new magic, and instinct alone saved her as she leapt back just in time to escape the great upheaval of ice crystals and burst from the ground where she had been standing only seconds before. The ice magic bloomed like a deadly flower, covering the surrounding bridge in ice for a good ten metres from where it had originated, and bringing with it a freezing, screeching wind. The giant crystals pierced upwards and in all directions, as sharp as a swordpoint and as many as a small battalion, and from a distance, the caster spoke, her voice as frozen and deadly as the spell she had let loose when she had seen Raine approaching the fallen Lorenz, "That is enough, Professor... You will not come any closer."

"Marianne! What are you doing on the field?!" Lorenz pushed against the ground at the sound of the young maiden's voice, but his bloody hands allowed him no purchase as he struggled to stand. He had no need to as the woman in question hurried forward, but rather than stoop to help him up, she instead took a defensive stance in front of him as her spell began to fade away. Her hands still glistened with those pale, icy flakes of magical energy, and her back was all he could see as he realized she fully intended to defend him from the group in front of him. He hastened to continue, pushing his back against the wall to steady his feet as he continued sharply, "Wait! Don't provoke them! Professor, wait, she does not understand! Marianne, you swore you would not take to the battlefield regardless of the consequence! You said you did not wish to fight!"

"And I still do not wish to do battle, Lorenz... but I cannot sit idly by and allow this to happen. Not after all you've done for me these past five years." Marianne did not look at him, but instead kept her gaze trained on Raine as she kept one hand lifted in warning. For her part, the professor had not made a move since her arrival, and Marianne admitted to feeling relief... It would be too easy for a woman of her calibre to cut her down, but she hadn't cared about such a thing when she had seen Lorenz on the ground, and the professor approaching him with her sword in hand. Her body had leapt into action before better thought could reign, and even though she felt her body pulse with fear... She did not waver as she spoke quietly, firmly, "I will not move."

"Hold, Marianne. I don't intend to kill him, nor do I intend to do you any harm." Raine hastened to sheathe her blade as she saw the glint of magic still stirring around the woman's wrists, and she held up her hands in a gesture of peace. As surprised as she was to see the young woman, and in such a healthy-looking state, no less, she forced herself to keep her calm and her head. Marianne had always proven a deadly mage despite her lack of a desire to fight, and that spell was enough proof that five years wherever she had been had not dulled her skills an ounce. She took a few healthy steps backwards, well aware that her words had to sound rather weak when the entire bridge was under siege, but she continued nonetheless as she held Marianne's surprisingly steely glance, "He was the one who proposed the duel, but I never intended to take his life, even if I was to win. I don't wish to kill anyone here, if I can help it."

"What is it that you intend, then, Professor?"

"To have him return to the Alliance's fold, alongside his men, and abandon the bridge." Raine's answer came swift and clear, and from the looks of surprise on both Marianne and Lorenz's faces, she knew she now had the advantage. She reached for her belt, finding an elixir tucked away safely in her pack, and she held it forward as a peace offering as she continued on tersely, "Our fight is with the Empire, not the Alliance. And I understand full well that Lorenz is only here because his father is spearheading the civil war inside of the Alliance territory. But if you'd return to the Alliance with a message of peace to Claude from our forces, we may be able to end this war before more damage is done to both the Kingdom and Alliance territories. Those are my intentions. I want to end this war with the least amount of casualties possible. The only way I see that happening is by establishing a truce. Lorenz is the perfect man to deliver our terms to the only one capable of giving us aid."

"You'd have me return to House Reigan?" Lorenz struggled with the words as he forced himself to his feet, and Marianne was quick in whirling about to help him stand as she realized he was not about to sit quietly and be dictated to. Yet, the look on his face was not entirely one of anger, but rather of surprise and confusion. She wrapped a protective arm about his waist, lending him her shoulder, and though she knew it pained him, he leaned on her willingly as he looked over her head and to Raine in astonishment. "Your goals are lofty, Professor, but you underestimate Claude. He would sooner shoot me on sight before he would listen to a word I would have to say."

"Not if I was the one delivering the terms." Marianne spoke up quietly, and Lorenz looked to her sharply with reproach in his eyes. She shook her head to quiet him, her one arm squeezing gently about his waist before she turned to look at Raine who was regarding them closely, but not coldly. She had heard of the fighting from the men inside of the bridge, and she had dodged her guards to come outside just in time to see what she had assumed to be the end, but she understood everything now without more needing to be said. Lorenz had kept her well guarded from the war, but she knew now that time was over. The rebellion was making its move. The Empire and the Alliance would have no choice but to follow. She lifted her chin, voice calm but steady when she spoke, "I have spent the last five years being sheltered by House Gloucester after the fall of Garreg Mach. I could not return home... and I did not wish to. Lorenz has kept me safe, shielding me from the war, and offering me a safe haven when I had the most need of it. My debt to him is great. I am sorry for my actions, Professor... but I couldn't allow him to be killed here, like this, when I owe him so much."

"I understand, Marianne." Raine looked over her shoulder, to where Dorothea was standing quietly, but listening intently with narrowed, curious eyes... The story was not exactly new, even if the details were different, but it made her take pause all the same. She did not know Marianne well, a fact she had always regretted, but to see her now, standing tall and proud beside Lorenz, clearly caring deeply for him and feeling both indebted and protective... That much, she could understand and respect. It was obvious she was not making a suggestion, either, but Raine hesitated all the same, tilting her head to the side as she continued slowly, "But to ask you to go in his stead, when you've taken a passive stance in the war thus far, isn't fair to you."

"No, perhaps it isn't... but remaining passive has done more harm than any good, I think. The Goddess would be disappointed in me. It is time I acted." Marianne shook her head and stood firmly, and she felt that stab of guilt once more deep in her chest. She had chosen out of fear to hide from her adoptive family when the monastery had fallen, and it had been Lorenz who had found her and sheltered her when she had been at a loss. She had been glad to rely on him and his charity, finding work in a chapel inside of his territory under his protection... But she had lingered too long, and did too little while Lorenz had been called to fight. She couldn't remain in sloth for any longer. Not when he had been so willing and eager to protect her with his life. She continued quietly, her voice silk and steel all at once as she explained, "If you would have Lorenz attempt to broker a truce between you and Claude... I would offer my aid to you, Professor. Lorenz is right. Claude will not trust him. But he may trust me enough to listen to your offer. I do have a little bit of sway left to me, even as neutral party."

"How much sway is a little?"

"My house has supported Claude since the insurrection, so I will be seen as an ally should I return to Derdriu, and approach Claude's forces... The only problem is Claude himself." Marianne admitted, and she hated to say it aloud, but she knew there was little point in hiding the real facts. Lorenz looked away from her, grinding his teeth in audible annoyance, but she felt for him. It had been only under threat of the Empire that he had parted ways from the true Alliance he loved so dearly, but that did not mean he had any pure feelings for Claude, and how the leader of the Alliance had been dealing with the civil war raging across his territory. She continued quickly, knowing that time was of the essence for Raine and her soldiers, "He will not give you aid if you do not have anything to give him in return... As easily as it may be for me to get his ear, I will not be able to promise he will be willing to give you aid, even if he will hear me out. And I cannot even promise that much, as good my odds are, in comparison to Lorenz."

"None of that matters, so don't worry overmuch of it. Go with Lorenz and return to the safety of the allied territories... and when you get the chance, deliver one message to Claude, or whoever you can find that does have his ear." Raine instructed her just as quickly as she, too, realized that the clock was beginning to run down on them all. They needed to continue forward to the base of the bridge while Warin and the rest of their troops continued on with capturing the rest of the territory. It was imperative they arrived at Ferdinand's location before the rest of the army did, and she hated knowing she was fighting time. She looked to the soldiers behind her, and jerked her head in the direction of the hall that lay ahead before instructing them firmly, "Go on ahead for me, and draw out as many of the enemy troops as you can. Anyone flying the Gloucester flag is to be sent on ahead, off of the bridge, to meet with their lord. You know what to do."

Though Ingrid and Sylvain turned as one at their new orders, Annette could not help but pause instead. Even Dorothea seemed hesitant at being sent on ahead, but she was unwilling to speak as proof of the fact that she believed she had no right to. Annette however did not worry about such things, and voiced her concern aloud without any real hesitation as she clasped the edge of her tome tightly, worriedly, "Are you certain we should go ahead without you, Professor? Will you be all right here?"

"I won't be long behind you, Annette." Raine reassured her kindly, and she well understood Annette's hesitation. It was not as if the mage was worried about the safety of herself or her classmates. All three of them were well capable of taking care of themselves in any situation that would arise, which was exactly why Raine had hand-picked them for this particular mission. Ingrid was a brilliant lancer, and had begun to flex her muscles in the art of white magic, to complement Sylvain's growing skills in the darker arts. His strong axe would make up for anything Ingrid could not conquer herself, and Annette, with her mastery of both trees of magic, as well as her family's Relic in hand, would be more than enough to handle the rest. They did not need her as much as they believed they did. They were no longer students. "You'll find me as your shadow just when you begin to miss me. Please. Press on, and use your best judgement. Dorothea knows the flag of House Aiger. She'll guide you better than I."

Dorothea nodded encouragingly when Annette looked to her, and with one last frown, the mage agreed silently with her orders and hurried off after Ingrid and Sylvain without complaint. She knew better than to argue, especially when they were so pressed for time, and so she simply obeyed despite her misgivings. Raine waited until all four had turned the corner and disappeared before turning back to Lorenz and Marianne, and she watched quietly for a moment in respectful silence as Marianne pressed a softly glowing hand to Lorenz' shoulder in order to seal his wound to stop the bleeding. Only when she pulled away did she finally speak up, and her voice was calm and quiet as she began, "I'm sorry to wrap the two of you into my scheming, especially considering the way your homeland is now... but I hope you believe me when I say I would never do this if the circumstances weren't dire."

"I believe you, Professor... You have taken on a monumental task, turning the tattered forces of the Kingdom towards the Empire, and it is only natural that you would need every ounce of aid you could find." Lorenz dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand, and he winced immediately at the reminder that even Marianne's healing could not completely refresh him. The scolding look she gave him as she noticed his flinch only cowed him further, and he hastily turned his head away from her glare, unsure if Raine had noticed, and not wanting to know if she had as he continued on in a hopefully more serous vein, "The Empire is the enemy of us both... and surely Claude will see that, and wish to make use of the rebellion's movements. I imagine that is your intention, with this message of yours?"

"Partially. I'm aware that Claude is motivated more by personal interest than he is the greater good... but even he knows a good opportunity when he sees one, and he's never failed to leap on it when it presents itself." Raine answered with a slight shake of her head, but she felt a pulse of misgiving despite her words all the same. Even with Warin's warnings, the truth remained that five years had passed since she had last had a chance to speak to the young leader of the Alliance. Could he have changed just as much as her students had in those five years? Could she predict him with any accuracy now, as she had back when it had only been tests of strength, wit, and academia at stake? Still... It was a risk she had no choice but to take. Their route was assured. The response of the Empire and Alliance were not in question. This was the only move she could make if she wished to change the tides. "Tell him one thing and one thing only. The Battle of the Eagle and Lion... It will take place again, unless the Deer wish to change the course of history. It's in their hands, his hands, if he wants that to happen. He'll understand without more needing to be said."

Lorenz and Marianne traded a look, both having furrowed brows as they wondered exactly at the meaning of Raine's words. They all were aware of what had taken place five years ago, but they were not privy to the knowledge that Raine clearly possessed. Whatever her plans were were clearly beyond their scope, and neither were entirely sure they wanted to know the true details of what she was hoping for. Yet, Lorenz had to take pause, despite knowing that his time to flee with Marianne and his men was growing shorter by the moment as his former students pressed onwards... He looked to Raine seriously, one hand clenching at his side as the other worked to restrain itself from reaching for Marianne to pull her protectively closer to him, "And if he chooses to not respond to your message as you hope...? Do you have plans for that outcome as well, Professor?"

"I do. I am only hoping that those plans don't need to be used." Raine answered honestly, and she felt that tiredness, that wariness, returning to try and weigh down her shoulders. She was not a politician, and every moment she spent trying to spearhead this damned rebellion, she was realizing that she wasn't much of a leader, either. It was one thing to teach, to shepherd and protect, but to plan out battle after battle, to delicately balance the power of commanding as well as the repercussions of any action she chose to make when she was being scrutinized so ferociously... She shook her head and tried to shake off the weight, too. It didn't matter here and now. She needed to act as a soldier. A mercenary. Battle was what mattered most here on the bridge, and she forced that forward as she explained, "I've tried to prepare for every possible outcome, but I'm not omniscient. I can only play with the cards I have in my hand... and with the cards I know my opponents have. Claude is an ally we all sorely need. I understand that may not be how he feels of us. Still... My hand will remain extended until he forces it to take up a weapon, or a shield. Until then... I must keep pressing forward, as everyone else will. So, with that all said... Go, and be safe, the both of you. Don't endanger yourselves for our sakes, most of all, if you can avoid it. My plans mean nothing if it means costing you your lives."

Marianne looked to her sharply, not entirely sure what to make of such a comment, especially considering where they had been standing only moments ago. Yet... She also heard the truth in her voice, and had seen it already in her actions. She had spared Lorenz, and from Dorothea's appearance on the battlefield, as well as the orders she had given the former Blue Lions... She was hoping to spare Ferdinand, as well. She was playing a risky game for the sake of a handful of lives, but she was playing it all the same. Those few lives did mean everything to her, even if to the whole of things, they were rather inconsequential. Still... Marianne wanted to hear her say it aloud, to say the words, and so she asked quietly, but not unkindly, "You'd weigh our lives against the whole of the rebellion, Professor?"

"I'd weigh your lives against the whole of my schemes, yes. The rebellion will live on without my ideas. It's important that you two also live to see the end of the war, too. At least, that's my wish." Raine replied with an idle shrug, and the smallest hint of a wry smile. She was well aware of how it had to sound, and how it had to look, especially to the two before her, but she was already finished with the violence the war was causing. "I'm aware it's naive, but it's how I've chosen to go about things. You are not less important to me than my ideas of alliances and truces. If you'll be endangered helping me... I'd prefer you choose to save yourselves. That's all there is to it."

"Professor..."

"I'm sorry, but as much as I'd enjoy trading words with you, there's a battle that needs fighting, Lorenz. For now, do your duty, and perhaps someday in the future, we can speak again as friends." Raine hastened to interrupt him as she sensed his passion for eloquent speech surging through him, and as much as she did wish to be able to sit quietly and listen to him... She simply did not have the time. She shared a nod with Marianne before turning about, sword in hand and expression hardening the moment her back turned. There was still more fighting to come, and she had to steel herself for it. One phase had gone relatively smoothly, but the next would be more difficult... and she had to prepare for the worst possible outcomes, regardless of how sorely she wished she didn't.

The farewells echoed in her ears as she set off at a dead sprint after her students, her sword gripped in a white-knuckled hand as she heard the sound of fighting roaring on from all sides. She couldn't tell whose roars were whose, which side was winning and how, but she had no time to dwell on such things. She had chosen to leave the majority of the fighting in the hands of her brother and Rodrigue, and she had no choice but to trust to their skills and their decisions. Now there was only her mission, and the lives of the students still under her protection. Nothing else mattered but them.

Ahead she saw the flashes of magic, interspersed with the gleam of a lance and an axe further on ahead of the mages, and Raine smiled grimly as she put on speed as her sword pulsed with energy in her palm. They were entangled with Imperial troops, using the fortifications of the bridge exactly as she had hoped they would, and the mounted enemy units were having too much difficulty trying to force their horses into the bottleneck Ingrid and Sylvain had created. Annette and Dorothea backed them up with their spells, raining a cataclysm of wind and lightning on their opponents in equal measure, and Raine felt her blade warm as she lifted it to her shoulder. They'd done well without her so far... but no longer. She had returned for them, and their final push would be made together.

With one huge leap, Raine all but flew over the heads of her spellcasters, joining Sylvain and Ingrid in the fray, and the Sword of the Creator split both the wind and armour alike as it whipped about to scatter the men who had foolishly bunched themselves into easy targets. They fell back in alarm and confusion, unsure of themselves with this added lightning-flash joining their initial foursome of enemies, and wordlessly both professor and students used this to their advantage to push themselves further forward. Just behind their foes they could make out the end of the bridge and that last entry point where the last of the reinforcements would be pouring through, and through gritted teeth, Raine snarled out as she felt Ingrid and Sylvain taking up point on her sides, "Just a bit more...! This ends today! Push!"

It was chaos, a whirlwind of magic, weaponry, and blood, and yet Raine felt herself at complete ease in the midst of the melee. She could see the thinning of the troops ahead, could make out the flags of House Aiger still behind, and she heard Dorothea's sharp intake of breath as she, too, saw beyond the soldiers in front of her. Yet, that was all noise in the background, lost in the roar of the fighting, but in mere minutes that passed by like flashes of lightning, the fighting ebbed away as soldiers dropped, or turned to flee. The way was open now, and without hesitation or need for orders, all five pushed ahead through what had meant to be a blockade to find themselves in the wide open space of the end of the Great Bride of Myrddin.

In an instant, Raine realized that Ferdinand had played a much more conservative hand with his men, and he had proven himself wiser than his fellow soldiers, as well as the advancing force ahead of him. Flanking him stood a dozen paladins, and behind each were a battalion of archers as he sat astride his own mount, waiting and watching with wary, smouldering eyes as his fellow countrymen fell like wheat to the advancing forces from the east. Yet, despite it all as she stood at the entrance of the bottleneck she had devised, she felt no fear as she saw what the faced. The numbers were slanted against them... but that was nothing new. And Raine strode carelessly to the fore, breathing hard and flecked with dust, smoke, and blood as she greeted him in a calm, neutral voice, "Ferdinand."

"Professor. I had suspected it was you behind this... It's a pity that after so long, we must meet this way." Ferdinand returned her words almost neutrally, but the hand on his blade proved that he was not at all as calm as he wished to appear. He swept a careful eye over her men, both surprised and silently impressed that she had managed to push through both the Gloucester and Imperial forces with so few people alongside her, but it no longer mattered. He had prepared for this. His sword-arm raised, and behind him every man and woman with a bow in hand nocked their arrows, and took aim. It would be quick for them, at the very least... His voice was a roar as every archer raised their bows, releasing when he spoke as any well-oiled machine would when the trigger was pressed, and seconds later the sky itself turned dark as arrows fell like iron rain, "Archers... FIRE!"

AN:

Only one more chapter to go for the bridge, which amuses me slightly, as I've somehow made a relatively inconsequential chapter in the AM campaign (from a storytelling perspective, anyway) turn into a trio of chapters... I still hate fighting chapters, though. This was a hell of a slog to get through... and the next one, as well as the entirety of Grondor will likely be the same. Still, I've gotta do it, and I am very determined to do it, too. I need to improve on all of my skills to become a better author, after all. I'll still enjoy the relatively "easier" scenes of peace-time and romance and plot advancement not based on combat, though. Can't help it. It's both my forte, and what I enjoy writing most, after all!

So this is kinda my first cliffhanger... and it's been awhile since I got to write a good old-fashioned cliffie. I used to love these things, even though they got me a lot of rage back in my Gundam days. Still, it got a good chuckle out of me to finally get a chance to end a chapter on a big, "Oh shit!" moment. Especially on a fighting chapter. I guess it's my payback? You put me through writing out fight scenes, and I make you guys wonder what the hell I have planned for the next chapter? Iunno. Feel free to throw tomatoes, I guess. I'm tired. XD

I don't have much of a long AN to write, though I did drop a lot of plot here, but I'll allow you guys to discuss it rather than go through it myself. I always planned on "fixing" Grondor ever since I committed to writing a novella of Azure Moon, but how I was going to go about it fluctuated as I continued on... Here's hoping (and wondering) that I've made it both interesting, and perhaps a bit more believable than most "fix-it" fics could have.

As always, thank you for reading thus far, and please drop me a review should you feel the need. I'm grateful for your support, and I hope that you've enjoyed what I've written, and will continue to enjoy what I have planned out in the future. I hope you guys all have a good one, and I'll see you all again soon!

Mood: Sore.

Listening To: "The Racing Rats" - The Editors

~ Sky