Chapter 11: Revolt at Carcino     Chapter 13: Village of Silence

Chapter 12: Creeping Darkness

It took several hours to actually leave the city. Innes sent another messenger to his father. Ewan was skipping with impatience, but finally we moved off.

We didn’t move far that night, stopping barely five kilometres later. Forde had taken a weary Ewan onto his horse.

The next day, we travelled through quiet country. Wide, flat grain fields gradually narrowed around the road. After the fields, we passed into hilly country where horses and ranches and mines were common. Ahead, the green and grey mountains loomed. The road wound through what valleys it could find, and forests closed in around us.

Seth stayed near me all that day, but we did not speak often. My heart ached, but I carried myself as I should, and I knew he approved, whatever it would cost him personally.

We stopped on a low hill beside the road for that night.

The next day was the same, but my heartache was worse. Tana was pestering me to tell her, dear friend, but I really couldn’t. Eventually, this would fade, and, if I kept it secret to myself, be as though it never happened. To make matters worse – I mean, better – Innes was acting the gentleman towards me now.

The road was long, but the mountains were much closer that day. Suddenly, the trees parted on the right and a crumbling mansion of dark stone and large windows loomed beside the path. Innes decided we should camp there. Though it was lacking a roof and the clouds were thick – and it looked to be growing foggier by the minute – if we pitched tents inside, we would have much more protection than in the open. Continue reading →

Chapter 10: Distant Blade     Chapter 12: Creeping Darkness

Chapter 11: Revolt at Carcino

We marched quickly along the mountain path, heading south to where Innes was supposed to be waiting. We finally crested the top and saw the next valley, filled with enemy soldiers. They were surrounding a sturdy fortification. That must be where he was.

“He looks vastly outnumbered,” Seth stated, his sharp eyes somehow managing to pick out the three figures on top of the fort. “I doubt he can hold out much longer.”

I nodded and turned to Tana. “Can you take me there? We should both talk to him.”

“Hop on!” Tana cried. I jumped up behind her, and Dancla leaped into the air, soaring high above the battlefield. I had forgotten how much I loved flying with Tana.

“I’ll have to fly a bit lower so my brother doesn’t see me as a target.”

“I think you should approach him from the front, so he sees you and recognizes you. If we swoop onto the battlements from behind, I think there’s a larger chance of us getting killed.”

“I understand.” She ordered Dancla down. I saw Innes back away from the edge of his parapet, an annoyed look on his face.

“Tana, what are you doing here? Go home, now!”

“I won’t! I’m only here to help, Brother. Eirika said I could help. I’m helping!”

I smiled as I dismounted to confront a very irritated looking Prince Innes. “You must be exhausted. Please, fall back and rest for a while.”

“I can’t do that. Falling back while a woman protected me would be rather distasteful… But I would be pleased to have you join me.”

“As you like,” I shrugged. “Let’s go.” Continue reading →

Chapter 9: A New Journey     Chapter 11: Revolt at Carcino

Chapter 10: Distant Blade

We made our way to the Port of Kiris in Carcino, first cleansing the Tower of Valni of the monsters that had moved in. We were in sight of the walls of Kiris when I was stopped by a shout behind me.

“Eirika! Wait for me!”

A golden-maned pegasus whizzed over my head and landed gracefully in front of me. The lady rider dismounted.

“Tana!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

“I want to help!” Tana said indignantly. “You left so abruptly that I couldn’t ask you in the palace. And besides, you forgot to say farewell. You and Ephraim only just arrived, and then you set off again! You’re not leaving me out of it! I’m your friend, Eirika!”

“Does King Hayden know?”

Tana tossed her dark-blue haired head. “Oh, Father will just say ‘I forbid you to go on this foolish errand’ or something like that. But he and my brother and your brother and you are all fighting the enemy! I don’t want to just sit home and learn music and dancing and poetry like normal – I want to help!”

I sighed, looking at the still distant waves. “All right.” I gave her a rueful smile. “I could never refuse you anything, Tana. Lucky you went with me and not my stubborn brother – he would never let you come. We’re going to Kiris, and then to Rausten.”

“I know! I was at the council, remember? Thank you so much, Eirika!” She mounted Dancla, her pegasus, and hovered over us as we continued on our journey. Continue reading →

Chapter 8: It’s a Trap!     Chapter 9: Distant Blade

Chapter 9: A New Journey

At Castle Frelia, Tana was waiting and ready. “I’m so glad to see you both safe – it’s like a dream come true! My own brother is returning from the field soon…”

“You talk too much, Tana,” Innes’s voice came from behind us. Tana squealed and ran to hug him, but the grey-haired, grey eyed Prince of Frelia evaded her.

“I’m so happy to see you home well, too!” Tana chirped. Innes straightened his light blue silk tunic and adjusted his shoulder quiver sling.

“What, you think those Grado slugs could touch me? With my bow, I’ll clean out every last one from here to the capital itself. Welcome, Ephraim, Eirika.”

“Well met, Innes,” returned my brother.

“I heard Renais has fallen,” Innes said Ephraim. “I told you this would happen. Grado attacked because you showed them weakness.”

“Innes!” Tana scolded him. “You know they’ve lost their father. How can you speak that way to them?”

“My apologies.” Innes strode away. He turned back long enough to say: “Hear me, Ephraim. Our greatest goal is to defeat Grado.” My brother nodded.

“I’m so sorry,” Tana said to us. Continue reading →