Chapter 9: A Grim Reunion
"I've received word from Caelin's neighbors, Laus, Tuscana, Kathelet, Tania, and Santaruz. They will not interfere in Caelin's affairs. This they have promised." Eliwood explained. Lyn and the others sighed with relief.
"Eliwood, I don't know how to thank you…" Lyn responded with a grateful expression.
Now there was less chance of intervention from the Lycian Alliance. Pherae and Ostia however...
Eliwood continued with his announcement, "All I've done is convince them to remain neutral in this dispute. However, this means I cannot aid you in any way either. Will you be all right?"
Lyn nodded, "I will win. I have to. It's the only way that I can help my grandfather." With her expression unwavering.
Ike added onto her statement, "You've done plenty for us. Thank you, Eliwood. I hope we can get in contact soon." Looking over to Wil, whose family and friends were in Pherae. The man in question nodded back.
He nodded and replied: "Although I cannot help you directly, as a friend, I pray for your success. Farewell." Upon saying those words, he exited the village on his horse and headed towards East.
"We can't waste the opportunity he's given us, Ike." Lyn spoke. Ike nodded with her.
They had to strike while Pherae and perhaps Ostia held off the other Lycian houses.
As they exited the village, the skies that were once cleared became overcast. They could see fog coming off from a distance South over the mountains. Seeing the forts situated, this could become an ambush. Those who were not accustomed to being on horses while battling had to dismount.
"All right, everyone! Let's get going! This weather is turning foul. It looks like a fog is rolling in." Lyn announced.
Kent shook his head, "This is no good. If the fog thickens, we'll be blind in battle. It will be difficult to fight what we cannot see. We have to use the torches sparingly."
Kent was right. It would be difficult to navigate and fight during a fog. It would be dangerous to do so without a proper light source to illuminate their surroundings. However, they only had five torches.
"We have Ninian and Nils to sense threats from a distance, can we rely on you two?" Ike looked to the siblings who nodded.
Matthew interjected, "Ike, Lyn, put me in the lead, please. Surely you know that we…er…thieves, if you must, can see through fog."
So the spy for house Ostia has a good eye for navigating through the perilous fog. Lyn found herself chuckling at Matthew's enthusiasm.
"We're counting on all of you" Lyn replied. "We can't let the fog delay us, though. We have to press on. We must get closer to the castle. But... we have to pass through Eagler, Southeast from here, right?" Lyn asked looking at Sain and Kent. Kent stood silent for a moment before nodding.
Sain spoke, with a rare sad expression, "Indeed, milady. If the worst comes to pass, we must face him."
As they began the trek South, they were stopped by a bald knight in silver armor. His expression ready to block their path. The man spoke: "So you've come..."
Sain let out a noise of surprise while Kent had a similar look and spoke: "You! You're… Lord Wallace!"
"Are you a general of Caelin? Are planning to block our path?" Ike questioned, putting his hand on his sword hilt.
"I am, and I was retired, was happily sowing the fields. Then I received orders from Lord Lundgren. I was told to capture an imposter and a pair of rogue knights." Wallace explained.
So Eagler may be in the same boat as Wallace. This could become a painful battle.
"Lord Wallace! Surely, you don't believe us to be oathbreakers, do you?" Kent pleaded.
Wallace only shook his head. "Bring me the girl that claims to be Lady Madelyn's child."
"What are your intentions?" With Sain readying his lance as he spoke.
" If I don't like what I see, I will take her." Wallace declared.
Kent and Sain stood in his path, with their weapons already brandished. Ike and the others followed suit.
"You won't take Lyn. As a fellow mercenary, moreover, as a friend, I promised I would help her reunite with her remaining family." Ike declared with his sword and stance at the ready. "If you stand in our path, we'll prevent you from blocking further."
Wallace stared into Ike's eyes and laughed out, "You're that determined? I like your eyes, boy. But you, prevent me? You must be–"
Soon, Lyn came out from behind her knights and stood before Wallace. With a resolute expression, she stared straight into the general.
"Enough! I'm right here! I am Lyndis." She declared.
Wallace let out a small noise upon seeing her eyes. Did he recognize her? Ike pondered and awaited Wallace's judgment.
" I'll understand if you don't believe me. But I've had enough of you and your foolish posturing!" Lyn pointed out.
"Hmm… Your clear eyes... there's no mistaking it..." Wallace replied quietly.
So he recognized her a Madelyn's daughter? What happens next will change the tides of battle. Will he still fall in with Lundgren or will he stand aside for Lyn?
Wallace remained silent, until he opened his mouth, "I've been a knight for 30 years, and here is one thing I learned. A person with eyes as bright and true as yours is no deceiver." And he turned to Ike. "And you! Are you the leader they call Ike of the Greil Mercenaries?"
"...I am." Ike affirmed.
"Just as they sent the news of two traitor knights and an imposter, they also just today declared that a blue haired boy mercenary who hasn't even gone past the young age of a recruit, leading them. How Lundgren must have choked announcing a lad like you besting Caelin's regiment with a small band of mercenaries..." He mused.
Indeed. Even Ike found it incredible he's managed this far without his father or the official company at his side. It goes to show how competent and strong everyone else is.
Closing his eyes and responding, "I'm surrounded by exceptional comrades. That's all there is to it. Without them, I would not come this far alongside Lyn, who is also one of the best swordsmen I've seen." Opening his eyes, he continued. "All the more reason with their hopes and guidance entrusted to me, I won't let them die and struggle alone under my command."
Everyone looked towards Ike with a grateful expression. They all trusted him with their lives as their leader to lead them to safety and victory.
Wallace was silent before he began to laugh. With the vicinity filled with bellowing laughter. It took a good moment before he breathed and recomposed himself.
"Ah, yes! I like the both of you! Why, I believe I'll even join your little band of mercenaries!" He declared in a jovial tone.
Everyone's eyes widened at this man's insistence to join. Kent and Sain's eyes widening.
"Are... Are you serious?" Ike questioned. Wallace nodded in response.
"This old bull's pledged his loyalty to Caelin. I would never allow an usurper on the throne. Let's march!" He declared.
"Lord Wallace! He… He hasn't changed at all." Kent spoke in a relieved tone.
"I like him. He's…honest." Lyn stated.
"That he is. He deserves our respect." Kent nodded and affirmed.
Ike stood for a moment and held out his hand.
"Welcome to the Greil Mercenaries, Wallace."
Wallace nodded and shook Ike's hand.
"Glad to be here." He responded. "Now then... take this."
Bringing out what appeared to be a...Knight's crest. Items of this caliber are rare and inconspicuous, but they hold mystical properties to readily promote a person beyond their current limits. Even give them a new pathway to use a new weapon or alike. Ike once heard from Titania about receiving a crest during her tenure as a Crimean knight.
"I'm already a general, but you could give this to Sain or Kent. They'll be fine Paladins. Also," Wallace put his hands on the shoulders of Ike. "Thank you for helping burying those men when no one from the Castle could. I knew at the very least, no traitor would be this willing to give a grave for their former comrades like this."
"Lord Wallace..." Kent spoke out.
"Then let Ike give it to Kent... he's the most dutiful knight." Sain spoke. Turning to Kent, he smiled at his friend. He nodded back to Sain, his best friend.
Ike nodded and handed the crest over to Kent. It soon glowed as he held it in his hands. His horse became more armored along with Kent who now carried a shield.
"I feel stronger... and all the more determined to assist in Lady Lyndis... I remain at your command, Ike!" Kent declared.
"Good... let's head to the Castle Caelin!" Ike commanded.
"""Yes Sir!""" With even Wallace shouting with everyone.
General Eagler stood in his own castle at the ready. With slicked-back green hair and facial hair along with his silver armor and steed waiting for his opponents. His friend Wallace should already have approached them. But if they are who they declare they are, he wouldn't doubt to turn on Lundgren. As for him, he doesn't have that option...
Lundgren used his friends and family as leverage. He can't resist to save his true lord from the clutches of that fiend. The regiment they sent to ambush the "usurpers" were crushed. By a boy no less. It made him almost grin upon seeing the face of Lundgren as he cursed at his supposed grandniece and the mercenary band that she travels with. The Greil Mercenaries. The humiliation Lundgren felt upon declaring them a threat today after having declared just Lady Lyndis along with Kent and Sain as enemies.
The fog already rolled in. His forces could ambush the group with forts in many directions. They'll be flanked while struggling to navigate through the fog and spot enemies. He honed his hearing Northwest from where they were located.
And the sounds of defeat... they were not of the group... they were his own men... One-by-one, spells that seemed to be light and thunder magic, as well as arrows that likely did not come from their single archer resounded in the forest.
"I see... they're using the forest to their advantage to launch long-ranged attacks. But their vision should be impaired by the fog... How are they able to sense our forces?" Eagler pondered.
No matter. He will not let them pass nor move from his position. He will play the part of the man stamping out the imposter and traitorous knights until the end...
Soon, the sounds of battle and struggles of his forces stopped. So, the battle was won... For the "Usurpers". Out of the 22, only he remained. Hearing the galloping of a horse, he saw... Kent.
With newly plated red armor, he also held an axe and shield in hand. Eagler held a handaxe and javelin. Kent knew he preferred an axe or lance. Smiling at his former pupil, he spoke: "Kent."
"General Eagler! We found Lady Lyndis on the orders of the marquess. We've worked so very hard to return her safely to Caelin." Kent explained in a formal manner.
Eagler shook his head. "And yet you have no proof of the girl's identity. Is that not true?"
Eagler knew Kent and Sain were no traitors, nor did he believe Madelyn's supposed daughter was lying. But he cannot falter. Not when Lundgren still lives.
"Yes, but…" Kent faltered in attempting to explain.
Eagler shook his head: "Then our talk is finished! Draw your weapon and come!" Readying his axe, he threw it at Sain, who dodged it along with his horse. Coming forward with his javelin, he blocked the thrust.
"I see... I understand..." Kent spoke as he blocked the javelin with his shield and raised his axe towards Eagler. Eagler blocked the oncoming axe with his shield and pushed Kent away, putting away his javelin aside while the hand axe once again came back to him.
It would be difficult for Sain to defeat his former mentor. Both in battle and emotionally.
Eagler roared out, "Bring forth the imposter who calls herself "Lyndis"! She shall not pass beyond this place!"
Soon, she appeared. Her green eyes and hair brightly shown beyond the fog. Her countenance reminding Eagler of Madelyn when he first saw her. It doesn't matter. Not anymore for Eagler. Kent tried to come forward to his liege but he halted upon a look of assurance from her. Soon, even Ike followed in tow with her.
"I am Lyndis. I'm no pretender. I'd ask you to believe me, but your heart and mind seem set." Lyn announced with slight sadness in her expression.
Eagler turned to Ike, "And you. You must be the Mercenary Ike, of the Greil Mercenaries. You buried our regiment that defended our borders from you. Tell me... why do you lead? For someone as young as you, why struggle this far to fight?"
"To tell you the truth, I didn't think I'd command this troop in a far off land." Eagler raised his eyebrows at Ike's statement. "But so long as I draw breath and these men rely on me to lead them, I will accept it. I fight with my men, and I bleed with my men. I lead these men under the name of the Greil Mercenaries. If I can't fight, I've no right to lead." Ike declared.
Eagler only grinned, "Well spoken... Now, enough talk… Draw your swords!"
Ike and Lyn flanked Eagler from both sides, with Ike going for his shield side and Lyn going to his side wielding the axe. Eagler quickly threw his axe at her which soon found itself stuck in the wall, and readied his javelin to hold both sword users at bay.
Ike quickly tried to slash at Eagler, but no avail. With the shield protecting him. He was pushed back with the shield and a javelin soon thrown at Ike, slightly grazing his side, while quickly bringing back the javelin with a rope attached to it.
Lyn, upon seeing Ike wounded, held her Mani Katti at the hilt within her scabbard. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, she advanced forward, unsheathing her blade diagonally upward from her left side. Her strike broke through the javelin, but it didn't end there, as from the position she slashed towards did she quickly slashed downwards diagonally from a slight angle at the same blinding speed, creating a cruciform cut that slashed at Eagler and his horse, with the blade cutting through the armor with ease. With him and his horse staggered, Ike twirled his blade and launched it up in the air, grabbing it by the hilt and once again, and placed the blade behind him standing upright, winding the blade back and lowering himself, and launched himself forward with the blade pointed towards to thrust.
LUNA
The thrust broke through Eagler's shield and pierced through his armor, straight into his left lung. Ike quickly back away after performing his technique. Eagler fell on his back off of his horse. Coughing blood after being fatally wounded.
Struggling to say his final words, he pushed through, "Nnng… Go… Go quickly. The marquess… He knows nothing of this… His life is… There's no illness. Only…poison… Please…for the marquess…for all of Caelin…"
For a moment, he saw the approaching figure of his old friend Wallace, who was expressionless and closed his eyes. Eagler smiled and was laid to rest upon seeing his old companion. He fought to the end and the group proved their mettle. That's all that matters. He could only pray for the safety of his lord along with his friends and family that Lundgren doesn't turn back on his word.
May Lady Lyndis claim her birthright and ease Lord Hausen's sorrows and grief.
"What kind of man was General Eagler?" Lyn asked. "I know he was your mentor, but I think he must have known we were telling the truth. Why did he force the fight?"
"He forced his hand as far I see." Wallace came from behind to speak. "I don't see his wife, family or friends at his estate here. He was completely alone..."
Kent and Sain stood silent, with their eyes closed. Ike without a word, likely planning to prepare a burial for those whose lives were slain.
Lyn gritted her teeth, and shouted, "May Lundgren never know the peaceful embrace of Mother Earth! I care not what others do. I WILL stop that man!" Turning towards Ike who was ready to leave, "Ike! The final battle is approaching!"
Ike turned back to Lyn, looking straight into her green eyes with his cerulean ones, and nodded with her.
"How are you feeling today, my dear brother?" Lundgren sarcastically spoke at the bedside of his brother.
"Lundgren… You… You fiend…" Hausen voiced out while barely able to speak.
"Your granddaughter is dead by now. And soon, you will join her." He lied.
Hausen felt slightly panicked and anguished over his brother's lies. His tears dripping from his face.
"Lyndis… Why did this happen? I… I only wanted to see her once." He whispered.
Lundgren snarled and spat out at his brother: "Have you lost all hope? Has your life lost all meaning? Then hurry up and die, you miserable old dotard! You and your precious granddaughter are in my way! I curse your name! I despise you! My worthless wretch of a brother!" and he angrily left the room while a grieving grandfather sobbed alone.
