Chapter 12: Creeping Darkness     Chapter 14: Hamill Canyon

 

Chapter 13: Village of Silence

    The others climbed to the top of another low ridge. I lagged behind, forcing my legs to move onward.

    “My lady?” Seth asked as I tottered up next to Altha and him, breathing heavily. “You must rest.”

    Innes, too, was panting in the thin air. “Whew… I didn’t think we’d be climbing so high.”

    I took another step forward and almost slipped on a patch of loose gravel. Innes caught my arm. “Whoops!” I laughed a little self-consciously.

    “As I warned you before, the footing may be a little treacherous around here,” Saleh informed us again. He was not panting. Of course, he was used to it.

    “How much further is Caer Pelyn, Master Saleh?” Seth asked. I drew my narrow brows together and frowned at his back. I wished he would stop fussing over me when I couldn’t fuss over him.

    “Less than half a day,” Saleh replied.

    “In that case, then I think we should take a few moments’ rest,” Seth said.

    Saleh glanced at me and the other people on foot, and nodded.

    “Why do you people live so high in the mountains, anyway?” Innes asked, rather crossly.

    “We have no need of material wealth, like those who live in the lowlands. In this, we are of one mind with the Great Dragon,” Saleh half-explained.

    “The Great Dragon?” I asked.

    L’Arachel cut us off. “I think we have a disturbance.” She pointed to several ominous winged shapes, some round, scuttling ones, and some slow-moving humanoid ones.

    “I think we have a battle,” Innes corrected her, reaching for his bow. I drew my sword, adrenaline beginning to surge through my veins, restoring my energy.

    “I’m concerned for Ewan, as well. If you would allow me…” Saleh looked up the path. I nodded. The sage hurried off, thunderclouds forming over him as he zapped all the monsters in his way.

    We fought our way slowly, tiredly, and determinedly up the path towards a gate that became visible as we turned a corner in the canyon. In a small hut, we found Ewan, hiding from a revenant. He said all sorts of childish things to it, and eventually flamed it with a little fire spell.

    On the plain in front of the gate, we were fighting fast and hard. I was battling a Tarvos, and had just stabbed it in the stomach, when I felt a heavy, sudden push which hurled me to the ground. I scrambled up again and turned…

    And screamed as my heart stopped for a moment. Seth had pushed me out of the way of a diving gargoyle, taking the blow himself. The crude lance had stabbed clear through his left shoulder.

    Innes shot the gargoyle out of the air. It collapsed a few feet away, a pile of tangled wings and thrashing limbs. I jerked forward and tried to catch Seth, but he was too heavy. I nearly collapsed under his dead weight; then Franz was there, helping me ease him to the ground.

    “Our closest staff user, hurry,” I asked him, sending the young man running off. I cradled Seth’s head in my arms.

    Natasha hurried to me. She raised her staff, which slowed the bleeding, and then she sent me away so that I didn’t have to watch the removal of the lance.

    The next I saw of my faithful paladin was after the rest of us had set up camp, myself included. Innes tried to talk me out of it, as usual. Saleh had agreed to stop here and take us the rest of the way tomorrow; we were still two hours away from the village. I think he saw more of my fear than I wanted him to, but at the moment I was too distraught to care.

    I saw the three Renais caveliers and Gilliam carrying a stretcher in. Natasha followed them, directing them to his tent. In a moment, they had all left again but the healer. I went in.

    “May I stay here?” I asked softly. “I want to be here when he wakes up.”

    “Certainly, Princess,” she answered. “His wound has completely healed, but he’s lost a lot of blood. He’ll sleep for several hours yet.” She curtseyed to me and left, leaving me alone with my fears, my revelations, and my tears.

    Tana came to try to drag me to bed, but I sent her away. It was long past dark, long past midnight, and still I carried my sleepless vigil. Would he die? Had Natasha’s power been enough to save him? Or would my waiting end in grief as he slipped away before my eyes?

    I was lost in thought, staring at the little lantern flame, when…

    “Princess?” Seth whispered weakly from his bed. I looked sharply at him, startled, as he sat up carefully.

    “Seth, I must talk to you.”

    “Yes, Princess?”

    I stared at the flame for a moment. I lowered my head and swallowed, then began. “Oh, Seth, you were right. You are always right… I could not stop. I tried to stop, but I love you too deeply… It is too late. I’m sorry. It’s too late. When I thought I might lose you today…” I wept freely.

    “Princess… it was no more than I should have done,” he answered softly. “I am now also healed. Would you have yourself die, and I live and do nothing?”

    After only a moment, I raised my tear-stained face. “Yes. I don’t want you to die, Seth. You mustn’t die. I know I am not thinking correctly as a princess, but I don’t really care anymore…” I crawled on my hands and knees toward him, reaching out to him with my right hand. “Please… hold me…”

    Unhesitatingly, he gathered me into his arms and held me close. I sobbed into his shoulder and he stroked my hair, trying to calm me.

    “Princess- Eirika. I do not think you know the whole of my heart. I will tell you.” He paused. “I saw you five years ago for the very first time, and you were laughing with your brother… so beautiful… And with the years, your beauty and wisdom, your kindness and gentleness and generosity grew.” He tilted my head so that he was looking into my face. “I fell in love with you very quickly. I have loved you for a long time. I don’t know when I started… I think the blame for the problem we now face is mostly mine. I love you, and I wanted to spend much time with you… I did not anticipate that you would actually fall in love with me.”

    “Oh, Seth, how could you bear it?” I whispered.

    “I- I love you…”

    “I love you, Seth…” Our lips met, and then we were kissing passionately. Tears still ran down my face, but they were slowed. My heart throbbed in my ears in embarrassment, floating in this pure, overwhelming love, this joy forbidden to our positions.

    We parted, and I laid my head on his shoulder again. “You were… are my light, my sun, my stars…” he murmured, his voice deeper than usual. “As long as you smiled, I was happy. When you were near, I was happy. When I could not see you, I could only pray for your happiness… so I did that. It was hard, but I comforted myself with the thought that you would never feel the same way for me… that you would never have to undergo the same trial…”

    “I’m sorry, Seth.” I looked up, hope in my eyes. “I will speak to my brother. He will make it right. And… I’m not a queen. My brother is older than I am, so he will be king. So…”

    He somehow looked happy without smiling. “Eirika… We must be circumspect. No one must know. And when you must marry…”

    “I will marry no one if I cannot marry you,” I declared, looking him directly in the face. “But, yes, we must not let anyone know. I won’t even tell Tana.” Seth did smile, flooding me with delight, catching at my breath. I kissed him. We stood, still holding each other.

    “You don’t look very happy, yet,” Seth said anxiously. I laughed and pressed my cheek to his.

    “I’m very happy. I’m so blissful I can’t believe it… I truly am happy, Seth.”

    “I… Tomorrow, it will be like this never happened.”

    “No.”

    “Until we are alone.”

    “Yes. Goodnight, Seth.”

    “Goodnight, Eirika…”

    We came to the village early next morning. Seth was quite refreshed, and Tana told me I looked much less tired, stressed, worried, sad, and frightened. I laughed at her and she laughed at me, taking me flying above our company for the first time since the day we rescued Prince Innes.

    The elder of the village, an ancient, wise woman, greeted us courteously after ascertaining our views on their philosophy: that princes and paupers, in their country at least, were equal. Even Innes made no complaint.

    The elder seemed to think I still looked weary from the day before, so we all came to her dwelling and drank herb tea brewed by Saleh, the elder’s grandson. We discussed dragons, the fall of the Demon King, Myrrh, Saleh’s missions to the lowlands. As the elder heard that Myrrh – the Great Dragon – was travelling to Grado with my brother Ephraim, she seemed seized by panic and ordered Saleh to find and guard her at all costs. L’Arachel persuaded him to travel with us at least to Jehanna, since his route would lead that way before turning south to the Empire. He accepted gravely.

    As we were leaving, a couple of hours later, the elder called to me and Innes and Tana. “Please take care of Saleh. He’s not very personable, but he’s the only grandson I have.”

    “We understand, Elder. And thank you very much for your kindness,” responded Innes, of all people.

    “I don’t think he’ll need our help much,” said Tana, cheerfully.

    I smiled reassuringly at the Elder. “Master Saleh is a good, kind person and a formidable sage. We are honoured to have him travel with us. And thank you for everything you have done for us, Grandmother.”

 

Chapter 12: Creeping Darkness     Chapter 14: Hamill Canyon

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.

    We drew to a halt as we came closer. Ewan dismounted from Forde’s horse and was beckoning us on. “Come on, my teacher’s not too much further. We’ll get there in less than an hour.”

    “It’s getting late, boy,” Innes retorted. “We should stop here. Does anyone live in this fortress?”

    “Nope. No one’s lived there for many years. I’ve even been inside. Hey, mister, we don’t have to stop here. We could stop at my teacher’s house.”

    “What insolence,” muttered Innes. “Do not speak to me again in that way.”

    “He’s only a child, Innes,” I said to him. “Please, forgive him.”

    Innes frowned, but nodded.

    “Anyway…” began Ewan.

    “Stop. Do not take another step,” Innes ordered him.

    “That’ll make it awfully hard to get where we’re going,” Ewan protested cheerfully.

    “Do you not hear it?” demanded the grey haired prince. “There is a strange noise coming from the fortress.”

    “Huh?” Ewan stopped talking for a few merciful moments. “Oh! Wow, you have really good hearing to pick that up. I don’t know what it is. What should we do?”

    Innes took hold of my arm. “Eirika, please alert your army. Monsters have spotted us. They’re coming this way.” I nodded and hurried to find Seth and the others. Ewan ran past me, frowning, and got into Danny’s cart. His sister had told him to stay out of the way.

    Quickly, we made ready. Some of us – Innes, Seth, Franz, Amelia, Forde and Kyle – went in through the front gate. The others went around a narrow path to the back, with Artur, Lute, and Colm in the lead.

    Innes paused to speak to me for a moment. “Eirika, this may seem sudden, but I must ask to protect you for a while.”

    “Prince Innes? But… why?”

    “I… was indeed in a difficult situation in the last battle. I do not wish to remain indebted to anyone.”

    “Oh, you and your fool pride…” I muttered to myself, trying not to look amused.

    “No arrow can reach all enemies, but I guarantee your safety. Will you accept my oath?”

    “Um… sure… I accept.”

    “Very well. Stay behind me -”

    “Wait, Innes,” I said as he started to stride off. “You’re an archer. Wouldn’t it make more sense if you stayed behind me?” He never had a chance to answer, only a quick glare; I gasped as a large flapping shape materialized out of the gloom and flew at me with a spear. I ducked, and Franz skewered it with a javelin. Innes shot another out of the air.

    I heard a squeaky noise ahead, a human sounding noise. A back door smashed down and revealed a flood of gargoyles and bonewalkers. We took care of those in a skilled fashion. Then a red-armoured berserker hit a deathgoyle in the side, cleaving it in two. He shouted back over his shoulder: “Hey, Lady L’Arachel! Some real visitors!” There was a slight clopping on stone, then L’Arachel rode through the fog. Her blonde hair sparkled with dew, and her staff shone with a bright light.

    “Oh! How lovely to see you again! They say good things come in threes, and it is certainly true this time! We have become hopelessly lost by blessed chance, and we found these abhominations, which surely we were intended to destroy! Now we have met you! Ah, surely the divine is shining down upon us!”

    “Ah, how nice to see you as well, L’Arachel,” I replied. “We’re heading to Rausten still.”

    “Ah, but how fortunate! Why should we not journey together? You must help us rid the world of monstrosities!”

    “Um, that would be very nice.”

    L’Arachel tapped her huge knight on the shoulder. “Dozla, we’re going with these good people.”

    “Gwahahaha! Sounds fun! And what do you want me to do, Lady L’Arachel?”

    “Oh, just carry on in your normal manner: Destroy, destroy, destroy.” I managed a weak smile upon hearing this. “But do be sure to enjoy yourself.”

    When the last entombed fell, we gathered in the main room. L’Arachel began first. “How marvellous to meet you again. Might I have the honour of your name?”

    “My name is Eirika,” I answered immediately. “I’m so sorry; we’ve met so often, I assumed you knew. Please forgive me.”

    “My lady…” murmured Seth.

    “It’s all right,” I replied. “She’s clearly not an enemy.”

    “Princess Eirika of Renais, hmm? It is simply an honour to meet you. How strange that we should meet again in this place. You must be lost as well. This continent is so confusing.”

    “Actually, we’re not lost at all,” I said. I told her our story, beginning with the fall of Renais castle.

    L’Arachel considered this information for a few minutes. “Is that so! Well, clearly, I must be allowed to accompany you.”

    “But… our quest is far too perilous. I do not wish to pull you into this madness,” I protested.

    “No, no, no,” L’Arachel interrupted me. She paused. “It was heaven’s dictate that I came here to cleanse this charming place of monsters. There can be no doubt that we were sent here to aid you. It is all part of the grand design. I, L’Arachel, shall play my role and fulfill my divine duties. This I swear!”

    Dozla, when consulted, also made a ridiculous vow of loyalty: “I would run to the ends of this world and dive into a sea of evil, Lady L’Arachel!”

    “How very like you, my dear, dedicated Dozla! So noble!”

    “Teeeaaaacher!” Ewan called into the little hut. “Helloooooo… he’s not here. He must be out wandering again.”

    “Do you know when he will return?” I asked him.

    “Nope. He just goes about, looking for people in need.” We had decided to take Ewan’s advice and continue to his teacher’s house instead of staying at the crumbling fortress. Already, the red and grey mountains loomed around us.

    A young man’s voice interrupted us. “I believe I told you it would be best to stay away.” A grey haired youth with a grave, wise handsome face, swathed in a greenish cloak, entered the hut. “I’ve been charged with a mission and must depart again soon.”

    Ewan greeted him with a cry of ‘Teacher!’

    I stammered in recognition. “We’ve met before, haven’t we? You were looking for someone…”

    The man nodded. “Ah, yes. And now we meet again.” We bowed in greeting.

    “These people want to go through Caer Pelyn,” said Ewan solemnly. “I could guide them myself, but I thought it would be better if you went, too. That’s why I brought them. Will you guide them?”

    “Please?” I added when Saleh hesitated.

    After another moment, he nodded. “Very well. I’m heading there now. However, your group looks weary, and the road is not easy. I should say it best if you all rested here and we set out in the morning.”

    Innes nodded, ducking his head to enter the doorway. “We need rest, it’s true. We are all exhausted from our encounter with those creatures. We must give them time to heal, or else they’ll be useless in an emergency.”

    Ewan bobbed his head excitedly. “It’s settled, then. I’ll go on ahead and let the elder know we’re coming. See? Even when there’s no fighting, I’m still useful!” With out further words, he darted between Innes and myself and ran pell-mell into the mountains.

    “I wonder if he’ll be all right…” I murmured concernedly.

    “Idiotic boy,” Innes grumbled untruthfully. “I understand his need to be helpful, but…”

    “You needn’t worry,” Saleh said, a slight smile parting his lips for the first time. “Ewan knows the mountain paths well. He’ll be all right.” He began preparing a generous pot of stew for us.

    The next morning, I threw back the flap of my tent and stepped out into a mountain sunrise. Tana still slept in her sleeping bag, but I was enthralled by the play of pink light over the crimson rocks, bringing out every dimpled shadow in the face of the peaks. In the valleys, pine trees stood silent, with no wind to stir them.

    I saw a tall figure standing at the edge of a small precipice descending into a river valley and felt my insides freeze.

    Seth.

    I turned to go back into my tent, but he turned his head and saw me. I stopped, motionless, the two of us the only ones awake, waiting for the other to move.

    At last, he began walking towards me. “Princess Eirika, how fare you?” he asked softly. I wanted to run irrationally, to keep the man I loved from coming any closer, but I knew he meant well.

    “I am fine,” I whispered. He locked eyes with me.

    “I am sorry, Princess… I share your pain, believe me. But believe me also in this: …” he trailed off. “No, you know that already. I am truly sorry.” He came one step closer, looking down at me. “Be strong. One day, you will find a better man than me.”

    Abruptly, he turned and strode off. I watched him go, my stomach churning. There might be other good men in the world, but there were none, none better than Seth. And I was not free to say so.

    We set out less than an hour later, but we did not travel far before a shadow fell over us and a Wyvern General in red armour landed gracefully in front of us, looking at me. “Princess Eirika of Renais. Hold.” He had a handsome, slightly sun-darkened face that contrasted greatly with his bleached golden hair.

    “Who?” I gasped. “You – you’re General Glen of Grado. We met once in the capital, didn’t we? You were very kind to me. However, if you’re here now, I have to assume this means…”

    Glen nodded slowly. “Yes, it does. I wish our reunion could come under different circumstances.” He dismounted his wyvern, frowning uncomfortably. “Eirika, I must tell you, I come here on the direct orders of the emperor. I’m to bring to justice the rebel army leader who’s been terrorizing Carcino. It’s you, Eirika. They say you’ve been murdering innocents.”

    “What?” I cried. “Wait! What do you mean? I…”

    “…If you have something to say, I would hear it. I know all too well that Grado has robbed you of your homeland, but even so… I do not believe revenge could drive a woman like you to such depths. And yet…” his gaze swept my friends, “here you are in Carcino with a small army under your command. And the emperor tells us that you massacred everyone in Port Kiris.”

    “That… That’s a lie!” I gasped. “I could never…”

    “Go on.”

    “This is ridiculous,” snapped Innes suddenly, shouldering his way in front of me. “Believe what you want. Could one of the legendary Imperial Three honestly be as stupid as this?”

    “What do you mean?” Glen did not look angry, only slightly surprised and curious.

    “Carcino betrayed Frelia and set a pack of mercenary dogs to kill me,” Innes growled bitterly. “It’s an absurd farce. Your emperor commits horrors, and you paint Eirika as a criminal?”

    “… What are you saying?”

    “You truly are blind, aren’t you? You’re one of the Imperial Three, and yet you can’t see your emperor’s plan?” The prince of Frelia taunted the Wyvern General.

    “That’s enough, Prince Innes,” I said gently. “There’s no need to provoke him. General Glen, we’ve told you what we know to be true, what we’ve seen firsthand. We don’t want to fight you… But if you push us, we will drive you back to Grado.” Innes shifted irritably, clearly wanting to add something rude, but Glen had been kind to me so long ago… I stopped him.

    “I… see.” Glen looked at his feet, then back up at me, giving me a keen, apologetic glance. “You… are more observant than you know. I am ignorant of the emperor’s designs. General Duessel and I both questioned the wisdom of this war. And if you really are innocent of the crimes attributed to you… Why would His Majesty lie to us?” Distress crossed his face as he pushed his hair out of his eyes. “I must know the answer.”

    “So, you… believe us?” I queried.

    Glen fixed his eyes on me once again. “The Princess Eirika I met long ago was kind and merciful in spirit. You’ve faced relentless hardship, and yet that selfsame spirit remains true.” His tone was grave, but a respectful smile hovered around his mouth. “Let’s put our fight aside for now. I will learn the truth. Then I will once again perform the duties of my office. If you have lied to me today, I will hound you to the very grave itself.”

    “Very well…” I watched him remount his wyvern, then turned away and began climbing the mountain path.

    A few minutes later, I heard a man’s dying scream. I looked back, but could see nothing.

 

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

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.”

    “Eirika, one moment…”

    “Yes?”

    “I’d like to thank you for coming to my aid.”

    I blushed a bit. How was I suppose to respond? “You’re welcome,” I managed. Innes went to speak to his group, a small band of mercenaries from Jehanna: Gerik’s Mercenaries, led by Gerik, a strong man with a sword and a scar across his nose, and containing Tethys, a charming red-haired dancer whose spare clothing did not seem quite suitable for Carcino’s cooler climate, and Marisa, a pink-haired swordswoman whose concentration in battle was rather unnerving. Later, I found that Tethys’ younger red-haired brother Ewan travelled with them also.

    Then, as we were moving through the nearby city to attack the leader of the enemy, my heart broke.

    “Seth, do you have a moment?” I said, intending to ask him to set up a time to practice swordplay. He looked up from adjusting a piece of his armour, and instead of nodding in greeting the way I expected, his face grew longer.

    “Princess… there is something I would like to say to you first.”

    “What is it?”

    “Forgive me for being rude… Your Highness, you should not be fraternizing so closely with your knights, not even me…” He looked down at the ground.

    “But… I… But… It’s just…”

    “It is not suitable for your rank. How can you maintain order in your subjects if you treat one differently?”

    I did not answer but stared at him with wide eyes. I knew exactly what he meant, and my actions struck me in the face and I knew I had been careless.

    “I am deeply ashamed that I have lied to you… my wound has not healed as it should, and you have known this all along. Even so, you should not worry about me.”

    “Seth, I trust your strength… But I know what you are telling me. I have been careless. I ask your forgiveness.” My voice shook and I tried to make it firm. “When we fled together to Frelia, I felt something, affection for you that I should not have.” There was a painful silence. “I am the Princess of Renais. I will be fair and equal in all ways, and be strong enough to help my brother rebuild our country. Thank you, Seth.”

    He bowed and turned away, and then looked back. My heart quickened, even though I knew he was not likely to say much else.

    “Princess… on that night, I felt what you felt. That was the first time I, too, forgot my duty… I wished only to take you somewhere safe. I was wrong, and from now on, I will not betray my duty again… and I will lay down my life for my princess,” Seth finished, his compassionate brown eyes looking deep into my own. There was hiding pain there, but firm resolution. I trembled. Seth bowed and mounted Altha again. I watched him ride away, out of my life…

    I shook my head firmly. He was right, as usual. And he was not leaving me, only forcing us to face reality. I glanced at Innes ahead. Since I must marry royalty, would he be my future husband? Or perhaps Lyon?

    I blinked my tear-filled eyes angrily. Reality that thinking may be, but it seemed so disloyal to dismiss faithful Seth so quickly from my heart… when he wasn’t even gone yet.

    Oh, my heart was breaking then…

    “I apologize for your trouble, Eirika.”

    “It was no trouble,” I assured him. “We’re happy to help.”

    “Prince Innes!” said a new voice, an old man’s voice. “Thank goodness you’re safe.”

    “Who are you?” asked Innes.

    “I am Klimt, one of the councilmen of Carcino.”

    “So you’re one of those traitors-” began Innes, his hand on his dagger.

    “Hold! Please! No, I’m not. I was hiding here from Pablo. Let me explain in full.” We nodded.

    “It’s a shameful tale… As you know,” said Klimt, “Carcino has no monarchy, only a council. Usually this system works fine. However, with the war, the council is divided into warring factions. Pablo’s faction wishes for us to surrender to Grado’s armies, but not all of Carcino is with him. A lot of us are still loyal to Frelia.”

    “I see.” Innes nodded again.

    “When Pablo realized he couldn’t persuade us with bribes, he began to have us assassinated. We took refuge underground. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I don’t think I myself would be breathing now.”

    “I do recall seeing enemy troops scouring the area when I showed up,” Innes commented. “I suppose now they were looking for you.”

    “You must believe me – the whole of Carcino has not betrayed Frelia,” Klimt insisted.

    “I see.”

    “Lord Klimt,” I said, “I understand the hardships you’ve faced. I’m thankful to hear all of Carcino is not our foe.”

    “I will go to Frelia to explain our circumstance to the king,” proposed Klimt. “I think you should as well. Pablo has vast wealth, and he commands a large mercenary force. Travelling further on this path will be too dangerous.”

    We thanked him and left him preparing to depart for his journey.

    In the front hall, Innes spoke to his mercenaries. “Gerik, Tethys, I’d like to thank you. If the two of you hadn’t stayed with me back there, I would not have survived.”

    “We’re staying with you some more, Prince. Is that gonna work?” Gerik asked.

    Innes shrugged. “Starting today, you’ve got a new contract. Pay’s double.”

    “Uh, Prince? Can I ask you something?” Tethys spoke up, fidgeting with her filmy shawl. “Did you get… er… knocked on the head in that last battle or something?”

    Innes looked at her for a moment before answering. “That’s unkind. My neck is not so stiff I cannot show gratitude.”

    “What are you talking about?” I asked curiously.

    “Hmph. Gerik, tell Eirika what you said after I fired you.”

    “What? Oh, right. I said, I’ve always loved the melodrama of martyrdom… and after his fine performance, I just couldn’t leave. I was sticking to the end, however bitter that might have been. I told Tethys to surrender so she would live, but she wouldn’t. She just told the two of us to stop acting like ‘men’ and gave the prince a dressing down for firing us and then ‘ordering’ us to surrender.” Gerik laughed. Innes glared at him.

    “Mercenaries are supposed to work for money, not duty. They agreed,” he grumbled. “I asked what kind of mercenaries they thought they were. ‘Lousy ones,’ they replied, as cheerfully as you please. Then you showed up and cut short the arguement.”

    We went outside, and Seth, who had been with us unobtrusively the whole time, spoke. “Princess Eirika, Prince Innes. I feel it would be best to return to Frelia. Continuing along this road is too great a risk to your safety.”

    “I must get to Jehanna and Rausten. If I don’t hurry, nations will fall, one after another,” Innes said grimly, some ego showing through that statement.

    A little red-haired boy, hanging around Tethys the dancer, piped up. “I can show you a way through the mountains to Jehanna!”

    Tethys shushed him sternly, flushing slightly with embarrassment. “Ewan, don’t interrupt. I’m so sorry for disturbing you. Let me take my brother out of your way.”

    “Wait, please,” I begged her. “Do you really know a route through the mountains?”

    “I live in Jehanna. I journey a long way every month to learn magic. My teacher lives up in Caer Pelyn,” chirped Ewan. “He’ll show you if you ask nicely, I’m sure.”

    “What’s your teacher’s name?” demanded Innes.

    “He’s called Saleh.”

    Innes thought for a while, bending his head to murmur in my ear: “I’ve heard of him through our spy network. Powerful wielder of magic who goes about fighting bandits and monsters. They mentioned a Caer Pelyn, too.”

    “What do you think?” I asked him.

    The Frelian prince paused carefully. “I think this Saleh is someone we can trust.”

    “Let’s go then,” I said aloud.

    “See if you can keep up!” cried Ewan, running down the road ahead of us.

 

Chapter 10: Distant Blade     Chapter 12: Creeping Darkness

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.

    We entered Kiris and headed for an inn. We stopped for a while to rest ourselves. In the yard, I practiced my swordfighting with Seth.

    The sun was hot. After I scored my last point – four to five, my favour – with a flickering flurry of blows, I brushed hair and sweat out of my face, looking to him for his approval.

    He nodded. “Very good, Your Highness. You have improved yet again. Your sword arm is magnificent.”

    I smiled. “Thank you. But I still need to practise every day, else my brother will scold me when he returns. I am still nowhere near your level of skill, Seth.”

    He shook his head, trying to deny my words incoherently.

    “Perhaps tomorrow you could spar with me again, and help me learn some new technique. What my brother has taught me, you see, are more skills that apply to the spear, not exactly fencing,” I explained. “If I could learn the sword technique of the Knights of Renais, that would help me a lot, I think. I would be better able to aid you.”

    “Yes, but… Princess Eirika, you are of the Royal House of Renais. You should stay away from the front lines. Please, leave the fighting to me…”

    “Still- How can I just watch while others risk their lives for me? I cannot rely on you always. I must learn to at least protect myself.” I clasped my hands together. “So please, continue to observe as I practice. Please help me to become stronger.”

    “Princess Eirika…” I wondered if he had really whispered it – I could barely hear the syllables.

    “By the way, Princess… may I ask you a question?”

    “Yes?”

    “Don’t you think that… your armour… mmm….. what you’re wearing… is a bit… revealing?”

    “My skirt, you mean? You’re afraid that in battle it’ll flip up like this?” I gestured with the hem, startling Seth and making him fling an arm over his eyes. I laughed at him.

    “Please, Princess, don’t scare me like that!”

    “I’m sorry, Seth. I actually like this skirt, this armour. I can move easily… I think that’s important.”

    “I see. Forgive me.”

    We gathered the group and went to the docks. It was bright and sunny, and busy. Merchants and sailors hurried on their own business everywhere. The smell of seaweed was rank and strong, but I liked it. I commented on it to Seth.

    “Yes, but you must not become so enthralled with the sights and sounds that you forget your true mission, Your Highness,” he warned me. I nodded. It was fascinating in the port, but I could not stray.

    “I won’t. I’m a mercenary by name of Erina. I’m heading to Rausten to receive a commission. If we can find a ship, we will reach Rausten in ten days.” I recapped our story and our plan.

    Seth nodded. “Let us look for a ship, then, Erina.” I smiled at his use of my new name. I wondered at something – his smile had been said to be rare, but in the beginning of our journey, he had not been very guarded with it. Now it was almost non-existant. I wondered if I worried him, or if he was stressed about something else.

    Then I caught sight of honey-golden hair and I stepped past him. “Seth, isn’t that…”

    L’Arachel and her two amusing companions strolled down the street, the lady daintily munching on sugar pastries. She was praising them in a loud but delicate voice. Her knight Dozla guffawed, as usual.

    She caught sight of me, and we began – “Aren’t you-” at the same time.

    “You arrived with your companions when we were fighting those monsters. Is your name not L’Arachel?”

    “A wonder and pleasure that we should meet again so soon! It is Providence!” L’Arachel gushed.

    “Bad luck is all the divine has ever provided me…” Rennac grumbled, grinning mournfully.

    L’Arachel only caught one word in that entire sentance. “Speaking of which, if you have not yet tried one, these pastries are divine, too! Would you care for one?”

    “Ah, no thank you,” I said quickly. I had not journeyed to Kiris to eat pastries. “We’re actually travelling to the Theocracy of Rausten. We’re rather hurried, and we need to find passage on a ship.”

    “Oh, dear,” L’Arachel said sympathetically. “I’m afraid you’ll find none to assist you. No ships are leaving port.” I stared at her. “You see, I find myself heading home once more to my beloved Rausten as well! And actually, I’m quite well known with the powers-that-be here in Port Kiris. So I ordered them to ready the finest passenger vessel for me. But both merchants and passsenger ships alike are too frightened to set sail.”

    “Of what?” I asked. “Surely there are no pirates, even in this confused time…”

    “No,” L’Arachel replied cheerfully. “It seems a giant ghost ship has been sinking every ship it finds… Would that I could confront it, I could stop its foul villany in a moment. That is, if it is a ghost ship – for if it sinks every vessel it finds, how can any return to tell the tale and inform us of it? Alas, though, it’s such a shame.”

    “Yes, yes…” I agreed distractedly. “That is troubling.”

    “And troublesome,” put in Rennac.

    “Still, I must get to Rausten somehow. I think… if we cannot go by sea, then I’ll have to go by land. Only I’ve heard the overland route is quite roundabout…”

    “It is,” agreed L’Arachel. “But don’t you see? The hardships of the road – they are truly blessings! They will strengthen you for when you need to face great evil.”

    “That sounds good,” I said, smiling politely.

    “I too, follow the same fate as well as destination, but I shall overcome the obstacles with aid of the divine. It is my mission. I understand my path, O unknowable forces of Providence!” she cried dramatically, sugar pastries forgotten. Rennac was eating them. “I, your faithful servant L’Arachel, shall overcome! With faith and divine strength!”

    Rennac choked. “Now, listen, L’Arachel! You might be thrilled about going the long way, but this is a bit much! A bit much of the diviney-ness, too,” he muttured.

    “Come now, we’re leaving!” L’Arachel cried. “Good day to you, and I do hope we meet again sometime soon,” she said to me.

    “C’mon, Rennac! We run til we drop! The first one to collapse from exhaustion is the winner!” yelled Dozla excitedly.

    “Help…” wailed Rennac softly. L’Arachel mounted her horse and led her party away from the sun. It was early afternoon.

    “Mm, Seth? Isn’t Rausten to the east, the other direction? Aren’t they heading toward Frelia?” Seth looked at me, brown eyes twinkling, and we both burst out laughing. Finally! He looked so much happier when he laughed, at ease, the sadness almost gone from his eyes, but his laugh was even rarer than his smile. I wanted to change that. I was so happy that he had laughed. I hoped he would consent to smile more often.

    “We should only concern ourselves with deciding our next course of action.”

    “I have it planned. Here it is-” my discussion was broken off by my diverted attention. People in the streets were quickly fading away into houses and shops. Now there were hardly any left.

    A large ruffianly-looking fellow with a big axe ran toward us. Seth stepped in front of me, ready to mount Altha at any moment if need be.

    “You’re Princess Eirika of Renais, ain’t ya?” The bandit had a surprisingly mild voice. “There’s a pretty price on your pretty head. Sorry ’bout this, but I need that gold.” He hurried back, gesturing to unseen followers.

    Seth mounted as we were cut off from the rest of the town by more armed men. Happily, the rest of our company were merely waiting a little further down and ran to join us quickly. I gave orders quickly, with my general’s help, before the first of the bandits charged us.

    I sent Tana to warn houses, since I had sent Vanessa with Ephraim. I cautioned her to watch for bowmen, and then my rapier was dancing among the enemy axes.

    Tana came back giggling, and I found out she had met Rennac again, pacing around a shop waiting for L’Arachel to leave without him so he could ‘escape’ her.

    At the end of the street, we were met by many mages and swordsmen. It took us several minutes to neutralize them. In that time, Natasha was kept busy with all of us. A sniper stepped up, aiming.

    “Seth!” I cried, warning him, throwing myself bodily against the archer, knocking his bow out of line. The arrow whizzed past the paladin’s ear. I stabbed the archer.

    “My lady…” Seth gasped. “Thank you.”

    We turned into a north-south street, and three lance wielders attacked us. Franz, Forde, and Kyle parried them. Then a little girl lugging a slim lance that was still too big for her appeared.

    “You should go hide,” Franz told her, riding over to her. “Leave the fighting to us. We’ll take care of it.”

    The girl blushed furiously. “Uh… um… well, you see… I’m a soldier of Grado, and I’m supposed to be attacking you.”

    “Why?” I asked. She held her lance very ineffectively, so it was no trouble to dodge when she swung it around in my direction.

    “Are you Princess Eirika?”

    “Yes, I’m Princess Eirika.”

    “What? But… but… but the commander said you’re a cruel and merciless fiend…” the girl said, cocking her head to one side and pulling her spear upright.

    “Cruel? The princess?” Franz sucked in his breath in surprise. “Never! I’ve never heard her say a bad word about anyone.”

    “Um… I surrender. I won’t fight you. I became a soldier because I admire General Duessel’s sense of honour, but the general’s been opposed to this war from the very beginning. And now I see you, and you look so sad, Princess… I don’t know what’s right anymore.” She looked so disappointed, poor girl. I didn’t blame her. I nodded and smiled kindly at her. I hadn’t known I looked permenantly sad; that was something to know, also.

    “Hey! Why don’t you come with us?” Franz said. “What’s your name?”

    “Amelia. Amelia of Silva.” The girl thought for a moment. “Yes. I will come with you.”

    The rest of the enemy troops were no trouble for us. I wondered why we were so much better than they were. I expected mercenaries to be well trained. Seth spoke to the one remaining alive, although he needed some convincing. The cowering ruffian gave us to know that it was Pablo of the Carcino Council who had hired them. This was grave news. We released him and let him go.

    “I thought Carcino had pledged support to Frelia,” I said, a little indignantly.

    Seth sighed. “It seems they have betrayed us.”

    Oh, and then we ran into Rennac for the third time. “Has that woman and her man, Sir Stubblechin, gone yet?”

    I gave him a funny look and a shrug. Tana nodded. She had seen L’Arachel exit the gate due to her vantage point on her pegasus.

    “Yes!” Rennac hissed triumphantly. “I’m free! Ha ha! Free as the air! See you, folks, and thanks again.” He passed me something white and soft, and ran down the street to the nearest bar. I was left holding an angelic robe.

    “What an odd relationship they have,” I commented, my eyebrows up and and a smile on my lips. Seth smiled. I was happy.

 

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

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.

    “Never mind,” Ephraim assured her. “Innes has hated me from time immemorial. It’s nice to see that he, at least, hasn’t changed.”

    “You know it’s because of his rivalry with you,” said the blue haired pegasus princess. “He wants to be the best warrior, the best general, the best king, the best man…”

    “I hope he doesn’t take it into his head to be the best woman,” I whispered privately to Tana. She giggled hysterically.

    “I still think that our favourite weapons, lance and bow, are different enough that he doesn’t have to do that,” Ephraim argued.

    Tana kept laughing. “Yes, but we’ve all heard of your exploits against Grado. I think he’s a bit jealous.”

    “You talk too much, Tana,” his baritone called to us. Innes returned around the corner. “My father would like you to attend a war council now. Would you like to join us?”

    “We’d be honoured,” I said.

    King Hayden was smiling. I was glad to see him again. We – Tana, Innes, Seth, the girl Myrrh, my brother, and I – all bowed. “It does my heart good to see you all safely assembled here.”

    “Father, if I may give my report first?” Innes asked, sitting and leaning against the polished table. “I have taken the army south to deal with the Grado forces directly. We have driven them back, and in many places they are fleeing.”

    “Well done, my son. However, this still leaves us with the riddle. Why does Grado attack?”

    “I cannot answer that question, but I think I have something that will help us,” Ephraim said suddenly, making me jump beside him. “Myrrh, would you tell us your story?”

    Myrrh came away from the wall, and suddenly, we all saw that she had leathery wings, shocking everyone but my brother. Apparently, she thought better of it and murmured: “Um… Ephraim, you tell them.” She shrank back again.

    “Very well. Myrrh lives in Darkling Woods. She is one of the Dragonkin, of the tribe of Manakete.”

    “The legend of the Sacred Stones mentions them several times,” King Hayden assented

    “One day, they felt a dark power flowing from the south. From Grado…”

    Myrrh came and leaned against my brother. “Saleh and I… we went to investigate. But we became embroiled in a battle, and we were separated… I wandered… Some bandits found me and took away my dragonstone. I was helpless. Then Ephraim saved me.”

    “Her story sounded incredible, but seeing her wings, what could I do but believe?” Ephraim gestured with his hands. “I think Myrrh can help us more than we know at this time.”

    “We do know that Grado seems to be trying to destroy the Sacred Stones,” I announced quietly. “They have attacked my brother and myself several times, trying to obtain the key to Renais’s Stone.”

    “Why would they be doing that?” Innes asked curiously.

    “The stories say that the Stones are all that protect us from evil!” Tana cried. “Just because it’s a story doesn’t mean it’s not true!” she hissed to Innes.

    “The Stone of Frelia is well defended,” said King Hayden reassured us all.

    Before anyone could say anything else, someone banged on the door. The king gestured to Seth, who opened it. “Yes? What is so important that you must interrupt a private council?” Hayden demanded.

    “The Sacred Stone… It’s been destroyed!” gasped the soldier. “Caellach Tiger Eye and Selena Fluorspar attacked the Tower of Valni. We were wiped out.”

    “The Sacred Stone… How could this happen… How could I have done this?” The king let his head fall into his hands. “We are in dark times once again.” The soldier bowed deeply and left.

    “Father…” began Innes gently. “Selena Fluorspar… One of the Imperial Three… They’re really serious about this.”

    “But even so, we cannot sit here in grief. We must warn the remaining nations that house the Sacred Stones,” rumbled the king, raising his head and his voice until it resonated through the chamber. “If Vigarde seeks to destroy the Stones, they too are in grave danger. We must contact Jehanna and Rausten. We must unite against our common foe.”

    “It’s rather unbelievable, Father,” Tana chipped in.

    Innes raised his head higher. “I will go.”

    “Innes?”

    “I will go to Jehanna,” he insisted. “A visit from the Prince of Frelia is not something they can easily ignore. I will forge an alliance with the queen. You must stay here and guide the country, Father. I cannot let you leave in such a time of crisis. I must be the one to go.”

    “And I will go to Rausten,” I seconded him.

    “What? Eirika, you know I can’t let you go into such danger!” Ephraim exclaimed.

    I took his hand. “Rest easy, dear brother. I will go by ship across the North Sea. There will be no danger.”

    He looked down “…I understand. …I will head southwest.”

    “What?” asked everyone excepting Seth and Myrrh.

    The king elaborated. “Attack Grado? From here?”

    Ephraim nodded. “We must stop Grado. If we can take her capital, the war will be over.” He grinned a little. “And you’ve already divided up the countries to warn between you, so what’s left for me?”

    “You could go with me, Brother,” I volunteered, giving his hand a squeeze. He returned it and shook his head slightly.

    “And once you reach the capital,” said King Hayden, “Vigarde’s generals will be waiting for you.”

    “If they oppose us, we will fight,” cried my brother determinedly.

    King Hayden smiled faintly. “You have your father’s foolhardy courage, don’t you? If you are determined to go, Ephraim… I will place you in charge of the army.” Innes glared at my brother, who ignored him. “Very well. I entrust all of our hope to you three. If any of you fall, Grado will gain the upper hand.”

    “Where I command, there are no mistakes,” affirmed Innes.

    “I will not fail, I know it!” I exclaimed. “And I have made a vow: to fight as my brother does until our land is free. Until the continent is at peace.”

    “I too will not fail,” stated Ephraim.

    “So be it,” said King Hayden.

    Outside the council chamber, I met Ephraim. “Farewell, Brother,” I said to him.

    “To be perfectly honest, I still do not want you to go,” he told my quietly, taking my hands. “I would much rather you wait here for me.”

     I smiled reassuringly. “There will be no danger. Mine is the easiest task. I’m far more worried about you. Attacking Grado directly?” I asked disbelievingly. “I am afraid for you, Ephraim.”

    “What’s this now? Have you lost your faith in me?” he demanded.

    My smile grew. “No, of course not. I know your true strength, Ephraim. No one can defeat you,” I avowed.

    Ephraim laughed, smiling down on me, although I was only a few centimetres shorter than he was. “Hearing you say that fills me with confidence. I think I know my own limitations. I won’t overextend myself. I can’t die and leave you all on your own, can I? Let us both survive to be reunited. Give me your word, Eirika.” He extended his hand.

    I shook it firmly. “You have it, Brother.”

    A few minutes after I left Ephraim, Kyle and Forde came up to me in a hurry. “Princess Eirika!” panted Kyle.

    “Is your departure time near?” seconded Forde.

    I turned to look at them. “Yes. I’m travelling to Rausten.”

    “We haven’t forgotten,” Forde said cheerfully.

    “I ask that you serve my brother well,” I said, smiling at his little joke.

    “Actually, there’s been a slight change in plans,” Forde told me sheepishly.

    “We’re going with you, Your Highness,” Kyle explained.

    “What?” I stammered. “But…”

    “Prince Ephraim rides with Frelia’s finest at his back.”

    “And this was a personal order from the prince himself. He said, ‘I don’t need you loafing around here. Go keep Eirika safe.’ Since when is battling all of Grado loafing about? Honestly!” Forde complained.

    “You’re right!” I cried. “My brother’s mission is far more dangerous than mine. I will go and speak with him…” Again, I added silently.

    “Princess Eirika,” Kyle interrupted me. “Prince Ephraim says he’s not concerned for his own safety. These are the words our prince gave us, and we believe he means them.”

    “That’s the truth of it. There’s no cause for worry, Princess Eirika. We can all attest to the prince’s tenacity,” Forde said, grinning reminiscently. “No matter how close death comes, it won’t catch him, that’s for sure.”

    “Kyle, Forde…” I began. “I understand. Thank you for your service and your bravery. You are my brother’s most trusted and valiant companions. I would be honoured to have you ride at my side.”

    “The honour is ours,” said Kyle, bowing. “We ride for Renais and Princess Eirika!”

    “Let’s not work ourselves into a tizzy right now,” Forde grinned aimiably at his friend. He followed suit with the bow. “When the time comes, we’ll be there to handle things.”

    “I’m depending on you,” I told them, smiling. Then I went to make a fair trade with my brother – I sent him some of my party.

 

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