o3o: You are on to something. I won't say much, but you have an idea of the dream.
Anonymous: Eggman got a nice little report about all of Sally's vitals. He definitely knows.
00 (Chapter 5+ 7): No Johan killed and ate Legionnaire echidnas. They wear black cloaks, so they look black and red.
Guest: I make no promises.
/*-*/
Sonic was once again a wispy form, floating over green grass and through brown wooden forests, with strange red leafed trees. He saw large, imposing men who had beards marching through with bright, shining steel scale armor on their bodies. They carried axes, spears and shields. As they marched through the forest.
The largest one was the leader, as everyone followed behind him. They marched through the forest with a fierce and angry look in their eyes. They were heading to war, and they were not happy with their opponent.
Sonic hovered along the army as it moved across the land. He noticed the large black sword on the side of the large warrior. Something about it disturbed Sonic's core, making him unnerved.
The Large commander seemed to stop as the sun finally closed down on the mountainside. They stood in a field of tall grasses. He mumbled something in the language Sonic heard before, but he had a little trouble placing it. One of his soldiers approached and seemed to ask something in response.
The Large one seemed to be easily frustrated, and stomped his foot into the ground. As he did, the grass around them rustled, and a wolf's head rose from the grass lands. As the wolf's head rose a man was revealed underneath, holding a drawn bow.
Sonic saw several wolf heads rising from the grassy fields, all with bows drawn. The wolf heads seemed to be shocked as they rose, and the large warrior grumbled something at the first Wolf head.
The Wolf Head lowered his bow, and Sonic realized that the wolf heads and scaled warriors looked very similar. They had similar faces and bodies.
The two seemed to talk, exchanging words with waving hands and angry sounds. The Wolf head raised a hand and pointed to the direction where the scale warriors had come from. The leader of the scale warriors grew angry very quickly.
Why was Sonic seeing this? He didn't understand it at all. The scale leader pointed up at the mountain side. The Wolf head nodded, and put his bow on his back. The bow was black with several engravings on it.
The two large warriors were passed by a large convoy. It appeared to be composed of Women and children. There were very few men in the mass of people who walked through the field.
The two stopped their debates, and watched as the people walked through, growing angrier. The Scaled warrior stomped angrily, before pointing up at the mountains with a spear, and shouting angrily in the thick language.
The Wolf head leader nodded, and muttered something in response, which seemed to calm down the Scale armored warriors.
Sonic watched as both of them looked to the side, as if expecting another person to show up and talk with them. Their faces turned to disgust once again, and the two walked together. Sonic saw several more groups approaching, each with a banner in tow.
There appeared to be a large gather of these men, but they all looked rather expectantly at an empty place. The banners seemed to form a circle, but three pieces were missing.
Sonic watched as they continued to talk, but something lurked behind him. He turned his head slowly, and saw a strange black mist rising from beyond the mountain range.
His eyes bolted open, and he realized he was still trapped. Sonic tried tugging on the restraints again, and like before, no progress.
Eggman walked through the door with a wide grin across his ugly face, "Oh goodie, you're awake. I just thought I would give you a little update on my glorious conquest of the world. I just got done removing another one of your little cities off the map."
Sonic gulped, and began to feel his heart race, "What? How many did you hurt!"
Eggman grinned, "Oh, I gave the order to wipe out everything there. We'll be having so much fun in the capital any day now. I'll enjoy burning your little monument to the ground." He rubbed his hands together expectantly.
"Uh… Sir, Clove just gave an ETA, she'll be in the enemy capital in about four days." One of the Echidna's mumbled before tapping his foot on the ground.
Eggman snarled, "GET OUT OF HERE!"
The Echidna ran out of the room as Mecha Sally came in. Eggman smiled, "Soon, I'll have your precious "father" in my dungeon. I'm about to destroy everything your family built, and you can't do anything to stop me, can you?" Eggman laughed in Mecha Sally's face.
Her robotic face remained emotionless, "No, I can not."
"Perfect." Eggman whispered excitedly, "Well, Hedgehog, I think I should bring some entertain for you. How about live footage of when we begin our attack!"
Sonic jerked in his restraints, but felt the pain of his torture in his chest, "They'll stop you! I know they will."
"They can try." Eggman grinned, before walking out of the room. Mecha Sally looked at Sonic with those cold, emotionless eyes.
Then she turned around, and left with Eggman.
Sonic shouted in rage, because it was all he could do.
/*-*/
The Morning came as the soldiers eagerly stood in line to try the new rifles. New life emerged from the soldiers as they finally got to try their lovely weapons out for the first time.
Fiona was less eager to go practicing. She had her fill with the rifle, not that she was sick of it. Simply put, Fiona knew these green recruits needed experience with a weapon.
She watched as they began to take shots off at pots, apparently choosing those over the standard targets that were made. It seemed the duel had set a precedent. AS they were taking shots, Fiona's eyes scanned the area. Something was missing from their typical training routine.
She scanned over the banners. They were all accounted for. Some commanders had even started carrying theirs around. The men seemed to follow them somewhat.
Fiona scanned for the commanders, or soldiers. They were all there, some enthusiastic, some nervous, but all there… except.
Johan was missing. He wasn't there with them. Fiona recoiled slightly. It was weird that he wasn't present with them. Fiona's eyes wandered to see that others who weren't on firing duty had looks of caution on their faces.
She casually began to walk around, not looking too suspicious. Johan said he didn't want a spy, but she was doing what needed to be done, and checking out how morale was doing. After all, Fiona could start rumors, and she could nip them in the bud.
Fiona walked through the clusters of soldiers, who were standing around.
"The Wolverine's not here." A goat whispered to a boar.
"He's probably just busy with something else. There's a lot of stuff to do." The Boar proposed, sounding doubtful in his voice.
"He just left? You really think that's the reason?" The goat bleated as more rifle shots ran out from the training.
Fiona got closer, and cleared her throat. The two looked at her with curiosity and concern, "I think you two are being a little paranoid."
The Soldiers around them turned and the two shrunk down. Fiona could see that they were finally calming down, or rather, hiding their insecurities.
Fiona kept walking along, and came across the next group.
An ox grumbled, "I'm telling you, the reason we got guns is because the big battle is about to start."
"You think he'd leave us?" A wolf asked, sounding very concerned with the prospect of being abandoned. Fiona felt herself doubting Johan's reason for leaving. She didn't know much, and his absence was felt.
"If you knew your army was going to fail, and you were going to die, wouldn't you?" The ox grumbled angrily, glaring around, "I think it's time we bail."
Fiona felt herself hesitate to step in. After all, it was a very sound reason for leaving, both from Johan and from the men. She shook in her core, before a strange wind blew behind her, giving her a sense of calming. She couldn't explain it, but her head was clear enough and logical enough to remember how un-logical Johan was. He wouldn't abandon them.
She stepped in, "Do you really think he'd turn tail and run away? Come on, this battle hungry wolverine who would slaughter entire towns?" She kept a confident, sarcastic smirk on her face as their gaze faltered.
Fiona also made a quick observation, "Say, ox, weren't you apart of the noble generals? Before he dismissed you all?" She raised an eyebrow at the foolish ox who's face told her he had been found out.
"So what if I am. It changes nothing that the beast abandoned us!" The ox shouted at the top of his lungs, clearly drawing up a crowd, "He fired all of the experienced officers, and now he knows we can not win! That's why he ran."
Fiona saw the crowd starting to act up, looking at each other and asking the obvious question: "Are we on our own?"
Fiona sighed and ran damage control, "I think you just want to see us fail. I think it's a sore spot that your aren't a leader, and have to climb the ladder like the rest of us." She placed a hand on her hip, and cocked her head in a confident smile.
"What's going on over here?" Fiona's eyes turned to see Gewis walking up to them, looking confused and concerned.
"They think Johan ran away, like a coward." Fiona stated, watching as the fox recoiled, before shaking his head.
"You nobles always sound so sure of yourself." Gewis growled angrily, "He went to go get us some more steel for weapons!"
"And he didn't bother telling us?" The Ox countered with a grin.
"No, because he doesn't have to." Gewis growled, before sighing, "He'll be back in a few days. I'm in charge while he's gone." Gewis raised his banner as if to show his rank.
"You are hardly anyone of note." The ox rolled his eyes. The commanders were coming in, with enough noise being made to warrant a larger look from the parties involved, "What makes you qualified to lead?"
Gewis stopped at that. The soldiers were certainly losing faith in him, as they waited for a response. The wind was noisy in the silence.
Gewis balled a fist and stood up straight, "I can lead because Johan knows I can."
"Hardly a worthy factor. I come from a long line of valiant and impressive warriors! Why should I not lead?" The ox challenged.
Gewis growled, "You know, I hate you noble and hero types. You all act so superior, like the rules don't apply to you. You're entitled, you act like you are owed followers and loyalty. Well that loyalty has to be earned! You want to lead, earn the right!" He challenged, "Until then, I'll put my money on the Wolverine."
The ox fumed, but the crowd was dispersing. They knew who won that. The ox shouted, "Wait! You can't surely be convinced by that!"
Fiona smiled as the wolf shook his head, and left. Fiona turned back to Gewis, "Nice, but do you think Johan is coming back?" She still had a bit of doubt in her mind.
"I know he is. He hasn't lied to me yet. I'll follow him to the end of the line." The white fox muttered, slumping down.
/*-*/
Johan scaled the mountain on all fours. His body moved and yielded to his commands. Indeed, his body was strained by the climbing of the mountain, but he would not fall victim to cowardice or weakness.
So he climbed the mountain, remembering the location well from his last journey there. Indeed, Ceawlin would not be eager to see him, but they were at least on respectable terms. Or rather, Ceawlin would allow Johan to speak in his presence, and Johan would do the same.
The green trees became thinner as he climb upwards, and Johan saw the wooden walls designed to protect the settlement. He also saw a monestary, a sickening sign of civilization within Ceawlin's home.
Johan stood at the gate as the two rodents immediately rose and ran outside, "Hey, stop there!" They shouted. The pale one seemed to follow behind the dark grey one, looking less aggressive, but still on guard.
The Dark Grey one stepped forward and raised his arms as if to appear dangerous, "You know you aren't allowed up here."
"I have come to ask for Ceawlin's aid. I am not here for battle." Johan growled, standing at a fair distance from the gate to ensure they did not believe that he was attacking.
"I don't care, you aren't supposed to be here. Touborn, go tell Da." The dark grey rodent commanded at his brother.
Touborn nodded, and ran inside. He was the larger one, which was rather interesting that the dark grey one had chosen to send him away.
Johan growled, "You know you can not stop me. If I wanted to, I could kill you without trouble." He did not threaten, he pointed out the truth.
"I know, but if you try, I will still fight you tooth and nail to keep my home safe. You won't have your blood without a fight." The Dark grey one growled back, raising his spear to show his strength.
Johan felt a grin work its way to his face, and he felt a tingle of excitement, "Good man." Johan hissed happily. It was nice to see someone who was strong and courageous enough to stand his ground, "Tell me your name."
"You know my name, we've met before. I'm Roht, or Rough, depending on what's easier." Roht stated, angered.
"I see, I did not think your name was worth remembering until now." Johan explained as Touborn returned.
"Da… will let you in." Touborn stated, cocking his head in confusion.
Johan watched as the gates were opened, and he stepped inside. He wandered up to Ceawlin's hall, the longhouse at the center of the settlement. Johan could see the various machine' crush and torn apart, and pilled together. Ceawlin had been protecting this land for a long time.
Johan pushed the door open as the two brothers watched him for threats or danger. Johan entered the building with the large pit, and saw Ceawlin sitting on his rear, the large sword glistening in the firelight as Johan sat down.
Ceawlin and he stared at the other. Johan awaited his greeting. Ceawlin grabbed a barrel and poured a green liquid into two tankard, and handed Johan one, "Welcome, drink."
Johan took the tankard, and poured some liquid down his throat. The drink was bubbly and bitter, but it had alcohol in it.
"I told you to not return here, yet you have come here twice. I would take this as an insult and kill you here, but… you defeated the Dark Guard. For that, I thank you by allowing you to state your reason for coming here." Ceawlin stated firmly, and pressed the tankard to his maw.
Johan felt a tingle in his fist at the threat. The fight would be thrilling and exciting for him. Still, he was not here for a fight, only for materials, "I require aid. I need steel and you have many machine's to be melted into weapons."
Ceawlin set his tankard down, and let out a deep growl, "You only seek my metal, you do not seek me to fight your battles?"
"No, I would not waste time asking for something that I know I will not receive." Johan growled, drinking from his tankard. As he did, Johan caught the smell of the badger nearby. She did not seem to be moving.
Ceawlin sniffed the air, before growling, "I see no reason to give away my spoils to you."
"We are Saxons. We are to aide our brothers when they need us. You know this, as you were a Gedriht." Johan clarified glaring at his brother with the expectation that he would recognize his fault.
"I know our customs. If I can not provide men to join the konigundrr, then I must send food and goods to aide his soldiers. You are not my konigundrr, and I owe you nothing." Ceawlin snarled, ducking his head low and displaying his teeth.
"We are Saxons, it does not matter our rank or your beliefs. We help our brothers." Johan growled firmly, and raised his shoulders to display his strength. He could not fully fight Ceawlin yet, but he would not back down.
As God would will it, he would not have to. Stoix came into the room and sat down around the fire, next to the two of them, "Da." She announced herself.
The two gazed at her and Ceawlin nodded, "Stoix, why are you in here. You know I meet with him, and we are to speak alone."
"I wish to go fight down in the kingdom." Stoix explained, keeping a firm and calm gaze.
Johan blinked at those words. He was not opposed to it. She was trained, and capable of tactics. She knew the land and was quick on her feet. She was also experienced with battle, and understood the way of the world.
Ceawlin did not share his views, "No, I have told you many times now that I will not give my bless to fight for some civilized peoples." Ceawlin growled and began to claw the ground in anger.
Johan remained silent. This was not his place to intervene, and Ceawlin had been a gracious host. Johan would not attempt to overrule him in his own home.
"But Da, I've been to war already. I've fought in the desert, and won glory. I've brought back many machines. You know I can fight." Stoix pleaded, losing her calm nature. She was quick to passion, and Johan could respect it.
"You can fight in raids and battles, but wars like this are long, and exhausting." Ceawlin claimed, a growl of anger in his voice, "They will keep you on march forever, never letting you take what you are justly owed."
Stoix frowned, her face angered by his response, "But I will see battle!"
"You will not be valued. You will be cast aside, with less honor than a slave." Ceawlin snarled down at the badger, before continuing, "You do not have my blessing to go and fight!"
The Badger snarled, and stomped her feet, before marching out of the room.
Ceawlin turned to Johan, his face angry and tired, " You may take the steel that you wish.. You may stay with us, and I will honor you as a host, but I feel no need to aide you anymore."
Johan nodded, "Very well, I will embrace you as a host." He could at least do that. Johan could put his faith in Gewis to keep the men organized while he was gone.
Johan joined the people out around the campfire, where food was being cooked. They wanted stories of how their old land was doing. Johan told them the truth, that it was a land full of weak men, but they were learning to be stronger.
As Johan told them the tales of the great battle for the Battle Station, food was given out. It was strange, that each household did not prepare their own meals, but Ceawlin was in charge of settlement, and had his reasons.
Johan was given a larger serving, a sign of prosperity within a land, or perhaps they saw it fit to give his body more to eat.
Johan ate, and the brothers began to play their music, playing on lutes and simple drums. The Normal Saxon instruments. Stoix was there, serving everyone with more of the rich barely beer and soups.
Johan had the chance to finally speak to Ceawlin about the wolf from below, "I met the wolf from your mountain. She is in exile, by both your orders." Johan remained calm and steady, not wishing to seem angered or perhaps aggressive.
"Yes. She is not welcome back here." Ceawlin stated firmly, eating from his bowl.
"I wish to know why she is in exile, and for how long. She speaks of cowardice." Johan stated calmly, watching Ceawlin for his response.
Ceawlin sighed, "You know the story. She has spoken it to you, has she not? She took our men, and led them into battle. When the battle was lost, she fled, rather than die by those who would do the same." Ceawlin seemed angry, even now.
Johan growled, nodding, "Indeed, exile is a merciful punishment. Still, she seeks redemption. She has joined the armies amassing below. Might she return if she should prove herself in the coming wars."
Ceawlin scowled as Stoix passed by, attempting to seem distant and uncaring. Johan growled at her as she came close, "Come, sit. Be honest about your approach."
Ceawlin saw her, before turning to Johan, "She may not return. It is her punishment. That is why I will not allow Stoix to go and fight. She can not suffer such a fate."
"But Da-" Stoix started.
"No, I have made my choice." Ceawlin growled down at her. She slumped, and returned to her duties.
Johan growled at Ceawlin, "She seeks your blessing, but if she can not get it, she will leave without it." Johan clarified to the Gedriht.
"I am aware." Ceawlin growled, in a weaker voice.
Johan resigned himself to enjoying the food. The people of the mountain's curiosity was enjoyable.
Then the drum and lute turned to a different tune. Johan recognized the notes. A song that he had long since forgotten, but one he could recognize well at the first note. The two brothers who were playing watched their sister carefully.
Stoix stood in front of them and starred down Ceawlin with a fierce challenge. She seemed determined but also pleading to face his decision. Stoix sang out, "Lay me down upon the hill, Stay with me 'til I grow still."
The mountain people around began to clap to the song, as Stoix continued, " Let me feel the winter winds, 'Til I go to meet my kin."
Johan could see Ceawlin grow angry. Yes, the level of defiance was not welcome, and Johan understood it well.
Stoix clearly saw her Da's gaze, as she stumbled, but Stoix caught herself, and continued along to the claps, "Take my body, honor me. Set me out upon the sea, Let the flames dance over the waves, And know we'll meet again someday."
Johan nodded his head to the tune as the moon shined overhead. The fire light glistened off Stoix's form as she sang with her loudest voice, "Chan eil eagal! Chan eil eagal! Chan eil eagal!"
She took a deep breath and sang with her heart, "Chan eil eagal orm!" She let out a breath as she stood there, panting while her brothers played their song along.
Johan could see Ceawlin's enraged face as Stoix continued to sway with her brothers. He walked away from the table and back to his hut.
Stoix's face grew soft and sad at the sight of her Da leaving the table. He returned to his home.
Stoix turned back to the crowd of people around and repeated her last verse, " Take my body, honor me, set me out upon the sea."
Ceawlin came out of his home with his long sword drawn. Stoix noticed, and looked afraid, but she kept her song up, "Let the flames dance over the waves, and know we'll meet again someday!"
The claps and chanting died down as Ceawlin approached.
Stoix took a deep breath and starred down her Da, "Chan eil, eagal! Chan eil eagal! Chan eil eagal!" She repeated the words with more passion each time, "Chan eil eagal orm!"
The brothers were slow to play the next tune. Ceawlin towered over the badger with an burning anger. She looked up at him pleading as the brothers completed their last tune.
Then, Ceawlin sighed and lifted his sword sideways, and lowered it to the badger, "Take my sword, remember me, when you meet your enemy. Let my spirit guide your hands to drive them all back from our lands."
Stoix stretched out her arms, and the sword fell on her hands. She staggered under the weight, before stabilizing, and looking up at her Da with awe.
Ceawlin turned around, and sang as he walked back to his longhouse, "Chan eil eagal orm."
Stoix turned to Johan with an unhappy smile. She staggered about with the sword, and wandered back to Ceawlin's longhouse. Johan followed her and listened outside.
Stoix was silent as she entered the hovel. Johan listened to the two.
"You have my blessing, go, and fight the battle you wish to fight." Ceawlin growled in a low voice
"How can I carry such a big sword into battle?" Stoix asked softly.
"You will grow to carry it." Ceawlin growled, before sighing, "I can not keep you here, and I can not guard you forever. You must grow on your own. If you believe their war is worth fighting, then go."
Stoix slumped, "I will return."
"Do not promise your return, promise your victory." Ceawlin growled, and turned to walk further into his home.
Stoix returned outside, and looked up at Johan with a sad smile, before it turned happy, "I'm ready to go."
As they made their way down, Stoix seemed distracted. She tried to hide her feelings under her hood.
"What troubles you?" Johan growled as they leveled out onto stable ground. The pathway cleared and they walked out onto the dirt road.
Stoix shook her head, "It's nothing."
"Nothing has never troubled anyone. A lack of heart has. What troubles your heart." Johan growled at her, turning his head to face her.
She stopped, and he did the same, "I feel like I'm abandoning my Da." That explained the look of pain on her face. This was "regret".
Johan nodded, "Rest easy. You were always free. Your Da knew this day would come." Johan stated, and continued walking, "Your Da knew you would try to go. He gave you his blessing: "Come back victorious or dead". That is the best blessing we can give."
Stoix frowned, "But he didn't want me to go."
"He did not believe you were ready for war, but it was not his choice to make." Johan growled, "You are free, and he realizes that he must respect that freedom. The greatest shame you must bear is that you did not tell him that you were going to war."
Stoix flinched, but nodded, and then took on a smile, "Then I will do well. I'll be the best warrior the land has ever seen, or die trying!"
Johan smiled back at her. It was nice to see Saxon culture show through her, even if only partially.
Johan nodded, and they headed down the mountain with the steel. Johan enjoyed the feeling of confidence as they walked closer to the base camp.
As Johan entered the camp, however, he noticed two nobles standing there angrily. Johan felt angry already, knowing they were here to complain.
Johan growled, "Speak quickly, don't waste my time."
"Your laziness has led us to the point of ruin! The Raiju clan has started raiding across our border! Now we can't do anything while they plunder what's left of our cities!" One of the noble Sheep shouted angrily.
"Mind your tone." Johan growled, "Does that matter? Wood and stone can be rebuilt. We only have so much blood to use."
"You've done nothing while we continue to lose money and land!" A Wolf snarled at Johan, "You've fired all our commanders, and let this become a circus."
"A…" Johan was brief confused by the word, as his anger began to take over, "I have dismissed fools who I know nothing of. I have appointed good men to lead, men worthy or capable of guiding their men."
Johan approached the nobles, allowing his size to tower over the weak fools. They did not seem to understand power, and Johan's anger was boiling over.
"You don't understand how much you are costing-" The wolf started, but Johan had enough.
He grabbed them both by the throats, and picked them up, carrying them outside his tent, and tossing them into the dirt, "You will not insult me anymore! If you are so powerful, face off the Egg man's army! Rest assured, I will fight until the end, but before I die, I will end your lives miserable!" Johan roared at them.
They seemed so surprised and scared by the fact that he could hurt them. Johan panted in his loss of control. His anger was righteous, but his lack of control was shameful. Johan calmed himself at the thought, "How far is our enemy from the capitol?"
The two quickly rose to run.
Johan's anger festered again, "I SPOKE TO YOU!"
The Sheep fell over, and turned around, "Eggman's army will be in the capitol in soon, I don't know." He rose at that and ran, running into Lanolin as he fled the area. She came in looking disturbed. Gewis followed her, along with the other commanders.
Johan growled softly to himself. He had wanted more time, but he had none, "Get the men training, We leave in two nights!"
/*-*/
Sonic is still in shackles, tighter and more painful this time. Eggman moves on the capital, and Johan is victorious, but strained. Stoix finally has her Da's blessing to go to war. Will this be a mistake?
The Song was Chan eil eagal orm by Syr. It means "I have no fear in me."
Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I love to hear from everyone, it helps keep me inspired to write, even if its something as simple as "You could improve in this way".
Also, Happy Easter. HE IS RISEN!