Chapter 15: Queen of White Dunes     Chapter 17: Ruled by Madness

 

Chapter 16: Scorched Sand

I stood at the edge of the ring of palm trees, watching the closer group of enemy soldiers as they watched us. Seth stood behind me. I was grateful the the red-haired paladin for his silent assistance and moral support, not to mention his…

“Princess Eirika?” I groggily heard him say, as if at a distance. I stared through him.

“Princess Eirika!” he cried sharply, shaking my shoulder almost roughly.

I came out of my reverie, shaking my head to focus my thoughts. “Oh… Seth?”

“Yes, it’s me,” he continued, still hurried and anxious. “Please, you must rest. If you continue like this, you’ll collapse in the heat…”

“No… it’s all right. We’re all suffering…” Even with the water of the oasis, Neimi had already fainted three times and was now resting in Danny’s cart. I told her not to fight in this battle. “We’re still completely surrounded by Grado’s armies… We may all die at any moment…” Finished reciting the army’s tale of woes, I turned to Seth. “I can’t lose focus now. Has anything changed?”

“Unfortunately, no. Our allies elsewhere meet defeat after defeat. Rausten’s knights, in particular, are scattered and worn. The enemy is closing in on them.” He prodded a booted toe at the desert floor. “And this accursed sand…” I guessed that if Seth hated anything, it was sand. “It’s slowing down all of our units; they can’t get good footing. Mounted units, especially. Princess Eirika… I must ask once again that you retreat to safety. We’ll hold the foe here with flying units and magic users.”

“No,” I said adamantly. “I will not retreat. If I give up now, my brother would never forgive me. I’m the princess of Renais.” I straightened to my full height, looking out at the Grado army. “I will fight, to victory, or to death.”

“This is why I love you,” Seth whispered almost silently. I pressed his hand gratefully, but my mind was on a different track already. Death. I nearly blanched. If the Grado army was here, if two of Grado’s generals were here, what could that mean but that my dear brother – Ephraim…

I collected myself. My brother was too clever for them. He was alive. He had to be.

Innes began ordering our forces towards the closer enemy group, the one led by the hero. Prince Joshua let out a wild war-cry and charged through the myrmidons and axe fighters and mages to the leader, assisted by Innes, Cormag, Tana, Seth, Artur, Lute and I – Saleh, Colm, and Gerik’s Mercenaries were on the other side of the palace, dealing with a few stray scouts. Natasha followed the swordmaster as fast as she could run, hindered as she was by her shining white robe, over the sandy dunes.

When all the enemies were dead, Joshua sauntered up to the hero, who was relaxing in the shade of a large monument. “Caellach.”

The hero spread his arms in friendly fashion. “Well, if it isn’t Joshua. How are you?”

“I’ve been all right,” replied the red-head, leaning on Audhulma. “Still working as a mercenary. Hey, when did you get all respectable and join the Grado army?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I didn’t want to waste away as a nameless soldier. Still, I think about the days we worked together a lot, lately. Your sword and my axe… we were a deadly pair, eh?”

Joshua nodded slowly.

“By the way,” continued Caellach accusingly, “I know all about you. Who you really are, I mean. Prince of Jehanna, huh? When did you plan on sharing the wealth, you lucky dog?”

Joshua straightened abruptly. “Listen, buddy, you can’t just reduce a nation to loot waiting to be divided. More importantly, I made a vow to my mother. I’m going to continue like she did, succeed her as ruler of my homeland. Oh, by the way, Caellach… you’re the one who killed my mother, aren’t you?” A strange glint had appeared in his eye.

Caellach stretched out his hands. “Yeah, sorry ’bout that. These things happen, you know? It’s war!” Joshua pulled the tip of his sword from the sand. “Besides, grudges get in the way of work, huh?”

“Yeah…” Joshua agreed in a low voice, advancing slowly on the Tiger Eye general. “That’s true. Listen, Caellach, I’ve got to kill you now. Don’t hold it against me.” His tone was still amiable, but there was nothing amiable about the way his sword flashed in the sun as he darted forward.

“You arrogant-” Caellach choked. “You haven’t changed at bit! I’ve always wanted to show you who’s stronger, Joshua. I’ll wipe that smug look of your face for good!” His huge axe swung through the air, thudding into the ground almost on Joshua’s toes. Natasha screamed.

“Oh, got yourself a girl, too, I see.” Caellach smirked, dropping the axe and ducking away, grabbing another axe from his back. “A real cute one at that! Hey, that’s the priestess girl who ran away from Grado!”

Joshua made no answer, leaping lightly over the axehead, Audhulma glowing with a strange light. He grabbed Caellach’s collar with his left hand.

I could see nothing more, for a large cloud of dust obscured both combatants for a few moments. When it settled, the red-haired prince stood above the prostrate form of the dead General Tiger Eye, holding some small talisman that seemingly, had belonged to Caellach but protected Joshua instead..

Natasha ran to him and flung herself into his arms.

I began to trek south towards a distant, intact village. We had to defeat Valter here too, I knew, and when we reached the village he would be directly to the east, but there was a plain of brown grass that would be much better for our cavalry to ride over. There were only two ways down off of the plateau the palace and oasis were perched on.

As I plodded towards the top of a hill, someone with jade green hair and a dark cloak ran up the other side, knocking me over. “Eirika!” he exclaimed.

I gasped and tried to untangle myself from under my brother. “Ephraim? Oh, Ephraim, is it really you?” My efforts were unsuccessful, as he sat up and hugged me to him gladly, stroking my face, then giving me a kiss on the cheek. He was quite carried away. “You’re not just some mirage, are you?” Of course, the way he was squeezing me ought to have told me he was not.

“No, it’s really me,” he said, grinning at my astonishment. “Hold.” He stood abruptly. “Enemies approach.” He ran back down the gentle side of the dune, twirling his lance Reginleif, to where several cavaliers were closing around a Great Knight and a shaman.

“Ephraim… even when we were little, you were always near to protect me…”

On the back of the great knight’s horse…

“Lady Myrrh!” Saleh’s clear voice rang out. The dragon-girl hopped off the horse and flew to him quickly, apologizing softly all the way. The young man smiled – for once – and restated his determination to serve her as long as her mission should last.

An enemy paladin and his cohort challenged our passage to the firm ground south of the village, but strengthened as we were by Ephraim and his two allies – General Duessel the Obsidian, no less, and a man named Knoll – we put them down rather easily.

We had fought our way over to another, destroyed and burning mud-brick village, and there were no Gradonians left, but there was no sign of Valter. I was suspicious. Saying nothing even to Ephraim or Seth, I set out to find him. I must have been mad with heat-stroke.

I walked quickly and silently through the ruined village, checking each doorway for hidden, left-over enemies. I heard a whoosh, and whirled.

A wyvern wing knocked me to the ground. I scrambled up in a flash, my rapier pointed at Valter. He dismounted, his lance directed at my heart.

“Ah, the beautiful Princess of Renais. We meet again. How strong you are, to overcome all the hardships you’ve faced! Yes, very, very strong. I like you.” I didn’t like the way he said that. I backed away slightly, and then lunged fast. We settled into a more formal duel.

I pricked him in the shoulder, and he seized my hand, twisting the wrist so I had to drop my rapier. I cried out and tried to wrench myself free. I kicked him in the shin and he flung me to the ground. His lance tip rested on my stomach.

“You are strong and beautiful – the prey I’ve always dreamt of,” hissed Valter gleefully. I twisted aside, his lance slicing through the flesh on my thigh, and stood, glancing at my sword. He saw my look, picked it up, and bent the flexible metal out of shape with brute strength.

I was afraid. I was terrified. I was alone, and Valter and his wyvern blocked my only escape route. He began to walk toward me, and as he came closer, I could feel an evil desire radiating off of him. I tried to run, but he anticipated me.

“You are mine,” he whispered, backing me into a wall.

I began to shriek. “NO! I WON’T! NO! N-” My last word was broken off as he kissed me. I tried to push him away, but terror made me weak.

“EIRIKA!” screamed my brother. Oh, dear Ephraim, dear Seth, they had come. Valter hurled me down again, cursing, and vaulted onto his wyvern. Ephraim had a terrible look of rage on his face, and poor Seth looked almost as frightened as I did.

Valter began to laugh. His laugh was insane, demented, nasal. “Three of my worst enemies in one place! Excellent! I can finish what I started! Yes, you, paladin of Renais, whom I failed to slay the day your pitiful castle fell, and the weak fool who refused to surrender!”

“VALTER!” howled another voice. Wyvern wings covered the sun, and Valter looked up, uncertainty passing over his face.

Cormag swooped in. “You killed my brother! Admit it!”

“I do,” sneered the Wyvern Master snidely.

“DIE!”

A flicker of fear crossed Valter’s face, and he flew up. Cormag dropped in on his tail, chasing him relentlessly across the desert. Ephraim put his arms around me and held me close, comforting me. I leaned into him, quivering. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Ephraim… I’m so sorry…”

High above, Valter faced Cormag, but he didn’t stand a chance. Cormag’s Dragonlance plunged through the Wyvern Master’s chest and into his wyvern. The whole dead mass crashed down into a building beside us.

I happened to lock eyes with Seth and we traded mutual looks of relief, comfort, and love.

“Brother…” I began again as we walked out of the village.

He gave me a glowing smile. “I’m just glad I came in time.”

I returned the smile tearfully. I was overwrought, I guessed. “Oh, Ephraim, I’ve missed you so.”

“And I’ve missed you. I can’t tell you how happy I am, really, Eirika.” He signalled General Duessel. “Hey, I have something to add to your huge supply of weapons.”

“How do you know how full our supply cart is?” I asked, regaining control of myself.

“Oh, I had a look when I accidentally stumbled across a Swiftsole that I had no place to carry. Anyway, here’s Gleipnir, the Dark Tome of the Sacred Twins of Grado, and Garm, the Black Axe of same. I gave them to Duessel to carry because he could and I couldn’t.”

“Does that mean that Grado Keep has fallen?” I asked.

“Yes,” replied my brother. “I conquered the capital and defeated Emperor Vigarde…”

“Eirika,” called L’Arachel, “may I make a suggestion? Why don’t we get into one of those out-fortresses and trade information? And then, we can stay the night there. I don’t think Prince Joshua would mind, would you?”

Joshua shrugged carelessly, tossing his coin listlessly.

We, princes and princesses and high-ranking knights and Myrrh and Saleh, all gathered in a small room in the fortress. Ephraim introduced himself quite well, considering his boredom with all things formal, and L’Arachel introduced herself to him in return. My brother gave us a short summary of his mission, finishing with: “Pockets of resistance still remain in the country of Grado in general, but the war itself is over.”

“Is that so!” commented Innes wryly from his seat, tilted back thoughtfully against the wall.

“However, something remains that is bothering me. A Grado man named Knoll – the one that Lute person is chasing up and down all the corridors – told me about something called a ‘Dark Stone’. Apparently, Grado researchers and magic users uncovered lore that led them to construct a powerful magic stone. This Dark Stone may have been the catalyst of Grado’s transformation. Also, it seems to be the source of the dark wave Myrrh felt, that led her to leave her home to look into it. Vigarde is now dead, but the power played him like a puppet. He had no control of his own will. The war and everything was planned by the Dark Stone’s master.”

“Well?” Innes asked impatiently. “Who is it?”

Ephraim gave me a glance. “I still can’t believe it myself, but I’ll tell you. It’s supposed to be Lyon. They said Lyon’s got the Dark Stone.”

“Figures it’s Prince Lyon,” Innes muttered.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” I objected in a small voice. “We know Lyon better than that. We’ve been friends for years. Lyon is not the sort of person who could start a war.”

Once again, Innes spoke. “But Eirika…” He trailed off as I said something to back up my claim.

“I saw Lyon recently – just today. You might know this already, Ephraim, but the sea route didn’t work out so I travelled overland with Prince Innes to here. I chanced upon Lyon. He didn’t share the details of his situation with me, but he said he was on our side. That he was still our friend.”

Ephraim sighed heavily. “Eirika, I too saw Lyon. In the Imperial capital. He was like a completely different person.”

“What?” I exclaimed.

“My whole impression… well, he didn’t even seem to be completely human.”

“What!?” exclaimed more people than one.

“Ephraim… What are you saying?” I whispered.

“He said he was behind this war, directly to me,” Ephraim plowed on relentlessly, almost, I thought, hysterically. “He said he befriended us solely so that one day he could invade Renais. He told me he killed… he killed our father…”

“That… That can’t…” I tried to say something, anything, to deny it. “Lyon is our friend!” I grabbed his hands and let go again, distraught and hysteric myself. This was the closest we’d gotten to a fight in a long time.

My brother nodded glumly, his most drastic news imparted. “I know. I can’t believe it either. I refuse to believe it.” He hammered his fist on a table. “How could he have planned all this since he was a child – it just doesn’t make sense. I can’t fathom it.”

After a pause, he began again. This twin of mine was full of words today. “I’ve heard that Lyon changed when he acquired the Dark Stone. I’ve no interest in magic, but there was definitely something uncanny about him. It seemed… it seemed almost as if he was being controlled himself.”

“You might find this hard to accept, but – really – the state of Prince Lyon’s heart matters little.” Innes spoke gravely. “That rock is the source of all these troubles. We need to stop him, and it.”

“Not exactly,” said L’Arachel, a look on her face that suggested she had a complete plan all ready to go in her head. I asked her to explain. “Well, Prince Ephraim, you must have felt it… The Dark Stone exudes a malefic miasma. We might be able to handle Prince Lyon by ourselves, but that stone,” shaking her head wisely, “is beyond our ken.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“The Sacred Stones.”

“The Sacred Stones?” asked several people.

“Oh, come on!” L’Arachel exclaimed, exasperated with our obtuseness. “We’ve all heard the legend. They alone possessed the power to seal away the Demon King. So, of course, to counter this dark magic, we must use the Sacred Stones!”

Innes snorted. “You want us to pin the hopes, the outcome of this entire war on some fool legend?”

Tana opened her mouth.

“Not just the legend,” Ephraim was quick to counter. “We also have hope. Three of the stones have been destroyed, so our choices are few. But we can still do it.”

“That explains something even more clearly,” I added. “The Grado army has chased me solely, I see now, for the purpose of destroying the Stone of Renais. If they chose to invade Renais because of that… The power of the Sacred Stones may be greater than we’d ever known.”

“Yes, exactly!” agreed L’Arachel excitedly.

“But we’re down three out of five,” Innes objected. “And do you think that during the invasion of Renais…”

“No. The stone is hidden, and only Eirika’s and my bracelets can unlock it. I doubt the enemy will have been able to get to it, where ever it is,” Ephraim stated. “We need to verify that, of course… We’ve defeated Grado. Eirika, it’s time to go home for a bit.”

It was still only early evening – the sun had not yet set – and we removed into Jehanna Hall, which had stopped smoking. The rest of Ephraim’s Frelian army had finally arrived and was reporting to Prince Innes. I wandered, as I had a knack to, into the palace garden. The library and the garden: those were my two favorite places to be in castles.

There Seth found me, and we rushed to each other. Wearing no armour, we had rather a more comfortable embrace than in the morning.

“I was so foolish, entering the village alone…”

“That is all past. Please, Eirika, don’t pain yourself thinking about what might have been.”

“I was terrified. I was so happy to see you and Ephraim.”

“Your brother was the first to notice, and Neimi showed us the way. I was terribly afraid, also…” With a start, I realized that he was young. Five years older than I, yes, but twenty-two was extremely young for the Commander of Renais, and though mature and wise beyond his years, he was still entitled to a young man’s heart and feelings.

Locking eyes with me, he tightened his arms until I protested, then dropped his beautiful brown gaze. Before I could react, he knelt at my feet, his fingers stroking my arms as he took my hands in his. “I must make this certain. Princess Eirika, if the world does not protest, will you marry me?” The deepest blush appeared on both our faces.

My heart was flip-flopping again. “Dear Seth, it would be an honour and my greatest pleasure.” My voice trembled. He carefully slipped on a ring, then stood again and kissed me tenderly.

“The ring is from my mother – I though you might like it.”

“I do, oh, I do.” It was a simple thin circlet of gold with a single white pearl set in it.

“I love you with all my heart, dearest Eirika… my princess… I will die for you. You know that.”

“What I don’t like is that I am not allowed to show you that I would die for you. I love you so much… Did I tell you yet that Prince Innes proposed to me earlier today?”

Seth’s eyebrow twitched. “Did he really?”

“Yes. I felt bad for him, but…” I buried my face in his shoulder, inhaling the scents that were infused in his shirt – horses, sweat, metal. We sat on a bench.

“Today was grueling. I hope we don’t have too many more days with multiple battles.”

“I do too. When should I tell my brother?”

Seth smiled. I loved his smile – it was so warm, so rare to see. “Well, he’s just behind that bush, trying not to see us…” I jumped up in consternation.

Ephraim came striding out from behind a large rosebush, smiling himself. “Well, Seth, you’re a very lucky man.”

“I know, sir. Thank you, sir.”

“Um… Ephraim…”

“Hey, sister, it’s perfectly fine! Seth is the best man in Renais. You deserve each other,” my brother insisted. Seth and I looked at each other – I hadn’t expected my twin to be so overwhelmingly approving.

“So, I’ll just leave you again… I’ve been chatting with Kyle and Forde. Thanks so much for the loan of the soldiers you sent me, by the way.”

“Please, Ephraim, don’t tell anyone just yet…”

“I understand.” He touched my face fondly. “I think you’ll be happy together.”

 

Chapter 15: Queen of White Dunes     Chapter 17: Ruled by Madness