CHAPTER 25

Elincia, after retrieving Lucia back from the Crimean Royal Knights, went to thank Ike for his service, saying that if he had not come to the rescue, Lucia would have been executed by Crimea's Rebel forces. Ike said that the mercenaries were happy to assist the Queen, even saying that Count Bastian pays well for the work of the mercenaries. Elincia then asked about Bastian.

"Bastian, Count of Fayre, knew about Ludveck's deceitful plotting before he took an exit for Daein." said Ike to Queen Elincia. "The Count basically guessed something: If he left Crimean grounds, the rebels would be confident enough to make a smart move. What else could anyone expect from Crimea's top tactician?" asked Ike. "Well…Crimea's 'old dog' at this rate, here…"

"That just explains Bastian…" said Queen Elincia to Ike.

"I apologize that we had to stay hidden until the last minute." Ike said. "I know you were attempting to participate in Crimea's best interests, but allow me to express my sincere condolences that you had to let something that atrocious happen to Lady Lucia." Ike said as he took a bow to the queen.

"Ike…it worked out fine. All in the end, too." said Lucia. "Please put it off your mind."

As Lucia left, Elincia closed her eyes, and prayed that Geoffrey and Lucia would have value to her life more then ever.

"Your Majesty, it's your duty to protect Crimea, even if it means losing us in the process." said Geoffrey. "We're all gonna die one day. We are not gods. We are mortal beorc beings."

"I've learned a lot from all of this, it looks like." said Elincia. "From now on, I'm keeping them out of harm's way, and I won't make the same mistakes again." proclaimed the queen.

"That's the spirit, Elincia." said Lucia.

"I have to agree with Lucia." said Ike. "So, now what do we do with the escaped rebel soldiers? Shall we spare their lives? Imprison them?" asked Ike to Queen Elincia.

"We will have the remaining rebel soldiers eradicated." Elincia answered. "I can't allow more disrespect for our country."

"That sounds like a good idea." said Ike. "May my mercenaries and I do the job for you?" asked Ike to the queen.

"No, Ike." said Queen Elincia. "I'll leave this job to the Royal Knights. I'm also quite certain that anger will grow in Crimea's people, and the knights might be begrudged for the role they take part in. As my duty as Crimea's Queen, it has to be done."

"I respect that, Your Majesty." said Ike. "So…you don't need me then?"

Elincia nodded her head side to side, saying that Ike was not needed along with his mercenaries. But as Ike was about to leave, Elincia thought of something she wanted to talk to him about. Ike turned back around to the queen, asking her what needed to be discussed.

"When you heard from Bastian…what exactly did he say about Daein?" asked Elincia.

"To be quite honest with you, he did not say anything about Daein." said Ike.

"Really?" asked Elincia. "I was hearing that Daein's reconstruction is playing out like Crimea's." she said. "A new king raised a banner, and a young hero is carrying that banner into the heart of battle." she proclaimed. "He was also comparing Daein's new King Pelleas to me, and a girl known as the 'Silver-Haired Maiden' to you… To me…..it's unnatural. And worse, Bastian's growing suspicious of every act taking place."

"What?" asked Ike. "Bastian went to Daein and confirmed that on his strange suspicions?"

"Yes. And there's something else, too." said Elincia.

"What is it?" asked Ike.

"...the Black Knight." answered Elincia.

"My father's killer is still out there?!" asked Ike. "I thought I killed him in Castle Nados three years ago!"

"He's someone I would never trust. Ashnard certainly trusted him." said Elincia. "He was one of the deadliest and strongest warriors in Tellius. And I heard he sided with the Silver-Haired Maiden in the capital of Daein." she said.

"The man who took the life out of my father…he's still out there…" Ike said. "And I thought by my heart I murdered him three years ago…how did he manage to survive everything…From the crushing of Castle Nados to my sword of Ragnell…"

"The day after you fought off the Black Knight, though…Bastian ordered crew members to search Nados Castle for any remains." said Elincia. "From what we know, there was not a single trace of the Black Knight to be found."

"So what does this mean?" asked Ike.

"It means this: If the Black Knight that was in Daein was the same Black Knight…he could be a threat to Crimea." answered Elincia. "You are going to stop him, right?"

"...I swear by my sword I am going to take him down if he's still out there. He murdered my father." Ike proclaimed. "Elincia, thank you for providing this information to me."

"You are most welcome, Ike." said Elincia.

Ike took his leave from Elincia. Queen Elincia's words hung heavy over Ike as he quietly led his mercenaries back to their original headquarters they fled nearly three years ago. Ike knew he was in for something that was growing inside of him.