CHAPTER 31

"The Northern and Central armies have merged their forces." Ranulf proclaimed to Ike. "I think this is the end of the war."

Should Tibarn and Naesala not assist the Laguz Alliance, Ranulf would be forced to go back to Gallia to regroup the army. He knew convincing Skrimir wouldn't be easy, but losing people wasn't an option in battle for the alliance. Ike knew it was Ranulf's war, and he was expected to obey all laws and orders of Ranulf himself. But retreating wouldn't be an easy one.

The Central Army, according to tactician Soren, was marching on the Laguz Alliance for the past few days. Ranulf, after finding out that they had brought in a seasoned commander, knew the path was blocked by two ways.

Tibarn later arrived on scene catching up with Ike and Ranulf. Ranulf was happy to see the Hawk King safe and sound. But he was questioning if the bird tribes hit the supply unit as the Begnion Central Army was marching for the Laguz Alliance.

"Talk later; I have to eat now. Can't go out there on the battlefield with an empty stomach." Tibarn said as he pulled out meat.

Ranulf did nothing but sigh and walk with Ike.

Sunset came, and Ike was asking how Tibarn was. Ranulf noted that he was resting in a tent to the west of them. Ike saw his wings, all covered in blood. He was wondering if he was hurt.

"No, not exactly. Must have been someone else's." said Ranulf. "But I have an awful feeling that something has happened." he noted. "Something terribly wrong."

A voice called out for Ike and Ranulf. It was Reyson, prince of the heron laguz.

"Reyson!" yelled Ike and Ranulf.

"How've you been? How'd you get here?" asked Ike.

"No time to explain." Reyson said.

Janaff and Ulki later arrived too. All three of them went to check on the Hawk King.

"Is everything alright?" asked Ike.

Ranulf went over to see what was going on.

"Hey, what happened to His Majesty, King of Hawks?" asked Kamaria.

Ike did nothing but shrug his shoulders.

"Damn it!" yelled Ranulf.

Kamaria and Ike later ran over to Ranulf.
"What happened?" asked Kamaria.

"The ravens and Naesala betrayed us again!" yelled Ranulf. "Those damned ravens!"

"Those ravens don't even have the brains anymore." said Janaff. "They ended up telling Begnion our battle strategy!" he hollered.

"Oh, goddamn it!" yelled Ranulf.

"What're you going to do?" asked Ike to Ranulf.

Ranulf remained silent and paced back and forth.

"What happened?" asked Titania who was accompanied with Soren.

"The ravens." said Ike. "Ranulf said that they betrayed us by telling Begnion their battle strategy."

"Oh, gods…" said Titania.

"It was a trap, Titania." said Ulki. "That supply raid was the Central Army themselves." he mentioned. "Those troops were under command of a man named Zelgius, and he's known to be one of Begnion's most famous generals."

"Now this is getting worse." said Ike. "I know him back from the Mad King's War." Ike recalled. "He was one of the best generals of our time. Intelligent, clever, powerful, experienced…I could go on." Ike said.

"Yeah." said Janaff. "He's powerful…for a beorc."

"Not to mention, Phoenicis was wiped out." said Ulki.

Everyone gasped.

"No, Phoenicis isn't wiped out." said Tibarn as he walked into the tent.

"Tibarn!" yelled everyone in the tent.

"Phoenicis is still a country. And the hawks are my people. My tribe. I must protect my own people and my country as king of the hawks and Phoenicis." Tibarn said.

"And we know what we must do." said Janaff.

"Of course." said Ulki. "Begnion and Kilvas will burn."

"I'll go get Skrimir." said Ranulf.

The plan to raid the Central Army was underway.

Time had passed.

Begnion's Central Army was crossing the river. There, Zelgius was giving orders to the Central Army troops with Sentinel Levail and a few deputies. Then, the laguz they were watching were crossing the river towards them.

Ranulf and Skrimir were watching everything. After the hawk tribe heard everything, Tibarn called on, and all his men shifted into their hawk forms.

Zelgius was still giving orders to his army. Then, he was needed elsewhere. When he arrived at the sight of Ranulf, who was still in his humanoid form, Zelgius was asked to draw his blade.

"I trust you know who you are facing. You are facing Zelgius, commander of this army." said Zelgius. "You're only wasting my time if you're not worthy of fighting me."

"Well, I am right hand to Gallia's future king." said Ranulf. He later shifted into his cat form.

"I see." said Zelgius. "I accept your challenge."

Ranulf later jumped at Zelgius.