Fate, Chapter 6
“Hello, Prince and his guests. How do you do?” asked the brunette girl.
“Hey, Rui. Shouldn’t you explain yourself?” Ehlen smirked. But the little girl named Rui shook her head and refused to say anything. The young prince sighed and looked at his confused friends. “Guys, this is the tactician of Silverberg family that I mentioned, Rui Silverberg.”
“WHAT!? This brat!?” Rudger shouted and blinked, couldn’t believe what he heard just now. Rui only giggled and approached Rudger. At the next seconds, Rudger cried out as Rui kicked his knee.
“That’s your punishment. Treat you elder properly, you spoiled punk,” grunted Rui, still with the smile of her.
“Elder?” Buff frowned. Of course, Rui’s face seemed too old for her age, but she was chubby and short, like the rest of little girl should be.
“She’s twenty, one year older than me and William,” explained Ehlen, held his laughs as best as he could.
“Oh, looks can be very deceiving, right?” Rui chuckled. She turned to Ehlen again. “Well, that’s and why you searching for me, Prince? You said that you mentioned me to them. Is something the matter, hm? Is it about the suspicious moves of Harmonia, perhaps?”
Everyone looked at her in awe. Rui giggled again. “Well, why don’t we talk in the tavern? That punk and the other man seemed tired. Let’s talk while we eat. And if you ask why I don’t invite you to my house, it’s because I have no foods to serve you. So, is there any objection?” The groups shook their heads as Rui finished her speeches. “Then let’s go,” she said, walked ahead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Iris and companions appeared in the tavern again, their tables had filled with some meals that they ordered some while ago. Raijin, Buff, and Rui took other empty chairs nearby so they could sit together with the four teens since Ehlen ordered some more meals for the three.
While enjoying their meals, Ehlen explained the situation with William too. Rui seemed she didn’t care though. But Iris kept staring at her, having another Sight of Stars with Rui’s star shined over her head.
“Hum, well, if I can help, why not? I wanted to try joining an army and prevent a country from a war too, you know,” said Rui, took another bite of her Meat Pizza. “Well, I’ll be glad to be your tactician from now on, Lady Iris. Just promise me one thing…”
“Oh...what was that? Oh yes, if I can fulfill it…” Iris nodded doubtly.
“Teach me how to have these fair skins, and your height, and those melons!”
At that comment, the group surprised to hear about it that they did something ridiculous. Both Ehlen and William coughed while they drank their coffees. Rudger accidentally hit his head with the tip of the table. Raijin cut the meat until the plates broke. Buff held his glass too tight that it cracked. Iris herself blushed and blinked.
“T-teach you to have melons?” she covered her chests with her arms.
“Now, stop there, Lady Rui! Don’t call it melons!” interrupted Rudger. “It’s coconuts.”
Iris glared at her ‘bodyguard’. There was a loud bump under the table and Rudger moaned, made everyone looked at him. He wanted to explain, but Iris’ threatening aura stopped him.
“Now, let’s be serious,” Rui threw away her casual smiles. “Even we gathered people and soldiers, we might be still over-powered.”
Ehlen looked at the young tactician. “Nonsense. When Father forced to run away from the capital at the civil war 24 years ago, he managed to chase away the army who tried to capture him after he seeks shelter with the Barows, even they was outnumbered back then.”
“It’s a different matter. Back then, it was the Godwin forces. We can’t compare the Godwin with Harmonia.”
“Do you want us to stay calm and gather more members before we could participate in the war?” asked Buff.
“No, of course not,” Rui smirked, leaned her back against the chair. “We need some regiments. One was for Lady Iris to command, another one for Prince Ehlen, and the last one for Raijin and Buff. You said that Sir Kaylee and Lady Latina are our allies too, so they can lend their army to us. The problem is…”
“The problem…?” Raijin finished his meals.
“We don’t know from where they will attack us! I can’t prepare any war tactics if I don’t know the layout!” the brunette girl grumbled, crudely sliced the meats with the knife into small pieces.
“If you wish to know more information, I have it.”
They all looked at the tavern’s doorway. Elise Barows stood there. She smiled and approached the group. The grey-eyed girl stood between Ehlen and Rui, swung a small note in front of them.
“I get it from Sir Kaylee and Lady Latina,” she put it on the table, let Rui took it and read it. Elise then looked at her brother. “Mother has let us join the alliance force, and she brought me to the two. They had finished their meeting and now preparing for the upcoming war. Oh, don’t worry, Your Highness. Your Father also prepared some soldiers so you could join the war too.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Ehlen couldn’t help to feel grateful towards his father.
Rui finished read the note. She curved her lips, signaling the same thing she would say about now. “I had a plan. Listen well and I should reduce the casualties as best as I could.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five days afterwards.
The atmosphere in Sol-Falena has grown stiffer and stiffer as the day of the war began. The citizen didn’t worry too much, though. They thought it was only a small rebellion from people of the western. They didn’t know that some regiments have sent to be guarding far from the capital so the citizens wouldn’t know about this war.
Prince Freyjadour wore his former Queen’s Knight Uniform. For this war, he would be a vice-commander of the Queen’s Knight, though it was originally Lyon’s position, even after she born their son Ehlen. He will lead a unit of infantry with Lyon. Every Queen’s Knight should lead a unit, so there were total seven units in this war.
Those eight generals gathered in the Queen’s Knight Headquarter. Zane and Toma looked at the map of war layout, discussed about their tactics once more. Clovis polished his sword at the corner of the room. Alexis tighten her headband. Kaylee braided his long violet hair into a ponytail. Latina tightened the long amber ribbon in her waist. Frey and Lyon talked near the meeting table.
“I wonder where is Ehlen,” said the silver haired man. “After he took those soldiers I arranged for him, he gone and there was no any news from him. I wonder what he was planning to do…”
“I heard he has recruited a tactician. So, I guess he’ll be okay,” replied Lyon.
The door was opened. Everyone looked at the doorway and saw Richard with his wife Luserina Barows approached them. Frey frowned as he saw that thin man wore armors on his body, just like what he saw when Richard fought alongside the Lindwurm Mercenary at the civil war.
“Richard, what are you doing here?” Frey asked. He then gasped and looked at Luserina. “Don’t tell me, you…”
“Yes. I’ll participate in the war as well,” the blonde man nodded. “My kids participate in war. I just can’t let them have all the fun…I mean; I want to ensure their safety myself.”
“Luserina…you allowed him to?” Lyon also looked at the blonde administrator. That lady also was their ally in the civil war and titled as ‘the only good Barows’ after her family has treated Prince Freyjadour for nothing but their own benefits. That was also the reason why Elise and William Barows had a good relationship with the rest of royalists’ youths.
Luserina nodded and gave everyone a reassuring smile. “I know they won’t listen to me, so the only thing that I can do is to support them, now and then,” she said. “Though, after they brought their belongings from the manor, they didn’t report anything to me…”
“I guess we should trust the youths,” Zane smiled from his seat. “They were helped by Rui Silverberg.”
Soon after Zane finished his sentences, a soldier rushed in to the room. “The enemies were seen and heading to the West Palace!”
Everyone turned into serious mood again. Zane and Toma stood up from their seat. Clovis sheathed his sword. Alexis and Latina approached Kaylee and the three walked to Frey, Lyon and Richard. Those brave knights turned to see the black haired Commander. He nodded quickly and gave his command.
“Everyone, move out to victory!”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seven units of the Royal Army had arrived in the wide plains where the West Palace lies just a little further to the north. Richard was positioned as a commander of cavalry unit, replacing Clovis, and let the black haired young man be the vice-commander of the unit. The army consisted three Infantries that led by Frey, Kaylee and Toma; two Cavalries with Zane and Richard as the leaders; Alexis and Latina led two Rune archer units.
They could saw at least six units headed toward them from the forest near Stormfist. Part of them bore a Harmonia flag while the other part bore a Reinhold Mercenary flag, one of three famous mercenary groups from Zelant. Richard gritted his teeth, remembered that his brigade once confronted that group just because a trivia matter that began by those barbarians.
Those mixed army stopped after they all passed the bridge at the western of the plains. After awhile, a voice of the army’s leader resounded by the help of a Thunder Rune.
“Behold, you royal families!” the leader shouted. “Hand over the Sun Rune and the Fate Rune, and we won’t harm your country!”
Zane moved his horse to the front line. “We prefer die than hand our treasure without resistance to the likes of you!” he replied, pointed his unsheathed sword to the army at far distance.
“Fine, you have declared war against Harmonia. I’ll make sure you experience suffer to your death!”
After the leader let out a sharp cry, the army began to move. Zane, however, decided to watch their moves before he commanded his army. The Reinhold Cavalry charged forward. The Commander of Queen’s Knight quickly signaled for his two archer units to go ahead.
Alexis and Latina took their place forward. They stopped at the middle of the plains and quickly their units chanted some magic. Zane saw the Harmonian infantries began to move as well, so he and Richard moved as well to prevent their archer units from being attacked.
“Follow the path to destruction!” Latina cried out. She and her soldiers pointed their hands to the nearest units. At the next second, some thunder struck the cavalry, shocked and killed at least more than half of that one unit. The cavalry retreated to take some time to healing their wounds but, unfortunately, Alexis finished her chants too.
“I will teach you not to take me so lightly,” the ebony haired girl hissed. She did the same pose as Latina, and her units called out a strong earthquake that affected three units at once. It didn’t injure them too much, but at least it was wide range and hurt more than one unit.
“Retreat guys! The infantry heading your way!” commanded Toma, as he and his unit moved to the plains just like the two other units.
Alexis and Latina quickly led their units to get away from the battlefield. The cavalries who injured by Alexis’ magic seemed like they wanted to take their revenge, but Richard’s unit blocked them. Zane charged the infantry who tried to penetrate their defenses and followed the archer units. Frey got his army helped Zane’s unit, while Kaylee ensured the girls to the safe place.
Zane’s unit confronted the leader of the Harmonian army. He was a very young man with sandy hair that styled like feather. He was a Temple Guards, judging from his blue silvery garb, though his face not supported it. Zane had a talent to know runes of anybody that close with him, and he noticed as soon as he saw the leader that he bore three runes.
The sandy haired man swung his sword toward Zane, and their swords met at each other and made a loud clanging voice. The black haired Commander glared at the leader’s playful eyes. They didn’t seem to care about their men fought each other around them by now.
“You’re pretty good,” said the leader. “I always heard that the Commander of the Queen’s Knight was so talented at swordsmanship and magic, but never expecting to be this good. I’m Troy. What’s your name?” The named Troy still tried to push his sword so it could penetrate the other man’s block.
“Zane Rescales,” the man smirked. They kept attacking on their horse still. After some awhile, Zane managed to hurt Troy’s upper left arm. But the wound was too minor that he could swear that Troy wouldn’t realize he was just get an injury.
“Well, well, I see your other unit has come,” Troy looked past over Zane’s shoulder. Kaylee finished escorted Alexis and Latina’s units to other plains so they could regain their strength to help the other in next round. Strangely, Troy not seemed worried about the Queen’s Knight. He smiled wickedly.
Troy pulled out his sword away from Zane’s. He and his unit retreated to get his people recovered. Now another infantry tried to charge at Zane. Unfortunately, Richard and Toma has finished defeating the cavalries and let the leaders ran away. It’s no use to kill him now anyway, so they better helped the other units.
“Ha! You think you could win?” shouted Richard with his usual smile.
“No, but I’ll make sure your girls killed!” replied Troy while he raced his horse away. He stopped with his unit and they burned a white flag with their fire rune user. “Now! Ambush those witches!”
At that, and an ambush army appeared from the forest near where Alexis and Latina’s units took a brief rest. The two Queen’s Knight Ladies gasped, as they not expected the army to come. When they prepared their arrows and shot the sudden unit, they didn’t manage to stop them or slowed them down, since they unprepared. Those soldiers slain the archers, and finally a soldiers reached Alexis.
“Now, let us go!” Alexis unsheathed her rapier and killed the soldier who tried to attack her. Now she busy trying to get away from the soldiers, not realized that her comrade Latina now has been targeted, since she was too shocked to swing her sword.
“Die!” a soldier aiming his sword toward Latina.
Alexis gasped as she looked at her. “Latina! Watch out!”
“Blazing Wall!”
Suddenly, a row of blaze fire struck the soldiers, saved Latina, and returned her composure back. Alexis blinked and tried to look around. Who used the magic? She finally found the spell caster as some people came out of the forest.
“Prince Ehlen! Lady Iris!” cheered Alexis and Latina, recognizing the two people that led some soldiers behind them.
“Now, Prince Ehlen, Sir Raijin, charge!” Rui Silverberg pointed at the unit that surrounded the two Queen’s Knight. After Ehlen and Raijin led their units out of the forest to help the ladies, Rui turned to Iris and Rudger who stood next to her. “Now, let’s help the royal army.”
“Understood. Let’s go, guys!” commanded Iris. The blonde ran to the battlefield with her unit. Kaylee, who was finished defeating yet another infantry unit of the Zelantian mercenary, approached Iris’ unit.
“H-hey, stay back! It’s not a mere war, alright?” he hissed, afraid if Commander Zane would be mad if these kids entered the battlefield.
“Who will try to fight them?” Rudger smirked. “Get out of our way and you’ll find out we’re quite helpful.”
Kaylee sighed and let them past. The unit arrived behind Richard’s unit, who heavily wounded and decided to retreat by now. Iris looked around and saw some of Frey’s unit has lost and now only left less than a quarter from the normal regiment should have their soldiers. She also spotted that Troy has decided to fight back, made sure to chop Zane’s head now. However, the Royal Army has suffered too much casualties.
“You know what to do, Lady Iris,” Rui patted Iris at the back.
Iris nodded and smiled. She raised her hand and closed her eyes, tried to concentrate and gather all her magic power. A soldier that managed to penetrate the block of Toma’s army tried to attack Iris, but Rudger effectively killed him. Just some seconds afterwards, Iris opened her eyes.
“The deepest part of a pure heart that shines and gives the eternal blessing now freed and spread. Rebirth!”
At once, all soldiers who injured fully healed and joined the battle again. Now all units have their full soldiers, they can blast the remained army. Troy realized that and quickly turned his soldiers to run away as fast as they could. Frey stopped Kaylee and Toma who tried to follow and killed them, rather returned to Iris’ unit as Ehlen and Raijin’s unit approached them, followed by Alexis and Latina’s units.
Zane and Richard hopped off from their horses, approached Frey, Lyon and Toma who were confronted the youths. There was a long silence, where only the horses breathe that could be heard and the sound of wind blown their hairs, until Frey spoke up.
“I hope you all can be more cooperative,” he said. “Why are you hiding from us? Why didn’t you tell us that an ambush army has waiting at the forest?”
Rui stepped forward and bowed, apologizing. “It’s my order. After Prince Ehlen received a band of soldiers from you, we tried to train them and made plans. That’s when we found an ambush army was hiding at the forest. We decided to be quiet and not telling you elders, because I thought it’ll be more benefit if we give them a counterattack ambush too,” she explained, still bowed. “I won’t say any formal apology, since it was a benefit until the end. We suffer small casualties, didn’t we?”
The Queen’s Knights and the other generals blinked at Rui’s full confident speeches. Iris, Ehlen, and Rudger also stared at that teens-look like lady, amazed by her confidence. But then, a chuckle appeared. Everyone looked at the voice’s direction and found Ariel walked to their way, followed by Feaux and Fennes.
“Lady Rui, you're as confident as ever, aren’t you?” Ariel chuckled, approached Rui and looked at his older cousin. “Just like what she said, I guess they weren’t that guilty. If they weren’t here to help you today, hundreds life will be sacrificed. So, you need to say your gratitude rather than scolding them, Frey, Zane.”
Frey and Zane looked at each other, and then smiled to the youths. “Well…I guess so…Thank you, Lady Iris, everyone,” those men nodded and gave them their best smiles.
“Oh, you’re welcome, for allowing us to help you,” replied Iris kindly.
“Now, why don’t we throw a banquet?” offered Ariel happily. He turned to Ehlen and smirked. “Actually, I want you to have the banquet at Lunas, but considering the rule…we can’t. So, can be our good and kind prince borrowing his manor for the banquet?”
Everyone looked at Ehlen. The silver haired prince sighed and shook his head a little. “Like you willing to stop if I say ‘no’. Well, let’s go to the West Palace. It’s bigger than the one at the East Palace.” The youth’s army cheered after Ehlen finished his sentence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so on, they marched to the West Palace. The soldiers placed outside the manor, but the cooks still brought them their foods. For the sake of equal treatment, Iris asked everyone to have the banquet outside of the manor, just like the soldiers.
The banquet was full with laughter and cheers. The soldiers have wines, while Iris and the other member who still underage have soda juice. The youth army has recruited three new members. They were Hayate, Ceas, and Kiros. The three made the banquet even more cheerful as Kiros opened a beer-challenge competition with the soldiers and Buff helped too.
Ariel and Ehlen were talking with Rui, while Feaux and Fennes were discussed how spear works with Hayate and Ceas. Raijin sat at the corner quietly, but eventually found by William and they began to talk.
Suddenly, their laughter stopped as the soldiers saw five horsemen approached the West Palace. Those horsemen hopped off from their horses and they finally recognized them. It was the Queen’s Knights, minus their Commander and their Vice-Commander. The soldiers opened a straight way to Iris who sat at the top of the crowd. She and Rudger bowed a little as those five approached them.
“Well, we actually wanted to join the party as well,” said Kaylee, looking at the wine glasses that were held by some soldiers. “But, Sir Toma, Clovis, and Alexis have something to say for you, Lady Iris.”
Toma stepped forward. He kneeled before Iris, followed by Alexis and Clovis too. Iris gasped, but before she could say that it’s not necessary, Toma explained their reason. “I heard that you were seeking for the destined ones,” he said. “My Star was shined at the time you awoke your Rune, Lady Iris. So…I guess I’m part of you.”
“We here as well,” continued Clovis. “Actually…I want to join only because I wanted to train you and your army how to fight better at a true battle. I’m sure I can be quite a helpful in this army.”
“Me as well,” added Alexis. “I’m a good magician. I was used to train some soldiers to use their runes. I’m able to be the tutor for the magic unit.”
“Um…I know. I can saw those stars of yours, but please, don’t kneeling before me! I’m not something very supreme like that…” Iris felt very nervous. “Of course I’ll accept you. We need all help we can do for now. And I’m still from a low rank even I bear the rune, so please, don’t kneeling! I feel…embarrassed.”
The three knights got up. Toma smiled and nodded. “Thank you. From now on, we’ll be at your services.”
“Yes, thank you,” Iris replied with a smile too. “Well…let’s continue the banquet everyone! Oh, the wine’s over there, if you want to, sire.”
Kaylee and Latina quickly came to the wine table and brought a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for their comrades. Iris sat down again, seeing her allies gaining more and more numbers. Elise brought out more foods for everyone from the manor as she helped them cooking.
“Oh, guys. Didn’t we not cheering for Lady Iris just yet?” asked Ehlen suddenly.
“Oh, right. Well, Lady Iris…” Rui looked at Iris and gasped.
Iris was slept on her chair. It seemed that she really tired that she fell asleep. Rudger placed his point finger on his lips, signaling for everyone to be quiet a little. He then brought Iris in his arms, made the girls gasped and cried without voice, as they wouldn’t awake Iris.
“I’ll bring her to her room,” explained Rudger, could felt his cheeks was blushed a little as people kept staring at him. “Where should she stay?” he looked at Ehlen. They’ll use his manor anyway.
“Oh…yes, the room at the end of the right hall at the first floor is fine,” answered Ehlen.
“Don’t do anything to her, will you?” Kaylee smirked, waved his hands as Rudger walked to the manor.
Rudger found the room that Ehlen mentioned. He could hear everyone outside still cheering for Iris, because the soldiers were cried, “Long live, Lady Iris!” But Iris not awoke. She really fell asleep. The brunette placed her on the bed and covered her with the blanket. Before Rudger could return to the banquet, he turned to the sleeping beauty and smiled.
“Good night, Iris.”
“Hey, Rui. Shouldn’t you explain yourself?” Ehlen smirked. But the little girl named Rui shook her head and refused to say anything. The young prince sighed and looked at his confused friends. “Guys, this is the tactician of Silverberg family that I mentioned, Rui Silverberg.”
“WHAT!? This brat!?” Rudger shouted and blinked, couldn’t believe what he heard just now. Rui only giggled and approached Rudger. At the next seconds, Rudger cried out as Rui kicked his knee.
“That’s your punishment. Treat you elder properly, you spoiled punk,” grunted Rui, still with the smile of her.
“Elder?” Buff frowned. Of course, Rui’s face seemed too old for her age, but she was chubby and short, like the rest of little girl should be.
“She’s twenty, one year older than me and William,” explained Ehlen, held his laughs as best as he could.
“Oh, looks can be very deceiving, right?” Rui chuckled. She turned to Ehlen again. “Well, that’s and why you searching for me, Prince? You said that you mentioned me to them. Is something the matter, hm? Is it about the suspicious moves of Harmonia, perhaps?”
Everyone looked at her in awe. Rui giggled again. “Well, why don’t we talk in the tavern? That punk and the other man seemed tired. Let’s talk while we eat. And if you ask why I don’t invite you to my house, it’s because I have no foods to serve you. So, is there any objection?” The groups shook their heads as Rui finished her speeches. “Then let’s go,” she said, walked ahead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Iris and companions appeared in the tavern again, their tables had filled with some meals that they ordered some while ago. Raijin, Buff, and Rui took other empty chairs nearby so they could sit together with the four teens since Ehlen ordered some more meals for the three.
While enjoying their meals, Ehlen explained the situation with William too. Rui seemed she didn’t care though. But Iris kept staring at her, having another Sight of Stars with Rui’s star shined over her head.
“Hum, well, if I can help, why not? I wanted to try joining an army and prevent a country from a war too, you know,” said Rui, took another bite of her Meat Pizza. “Well, I’ll be glad to be your tactician from now on, Lady Iris. Just promise me one thing…”
“Oh...what was that? Oh yes, if I can fulfill it…” Iris nodded doubtly.
“Teach me how to have these fair skins, and your height, and those melons!”
At that comment, the group surprised to hear about it that they did something ridiculous. Both Ehlen and William coughed while they drank their coffees. Rudger accidentally hit his head with the tip of the table. Raijin cut the meat until the plates broke. Buff held his glass too tight that it cracked. Iris herself blushed and blinked.
“T-teach you to have melons?” she covered her chests with her arms.
“Now, stop there, Lady Rui! Don’t call it melons!” interrupted Rudger. “It’s coconuts.”
Iris glared at her ‘bodyguard’. There was a loud bump under the table and Rudger moaned, made everyone looked at him. He wanted to explain, but Iris’ threatening aura stopped him.
“Now, let’s be serious,” Rui threw away her casual smiles. “Even we gathered people and soldiers, we might be still over-powered.”
Ehlen looked at the young tactician. “Nonsense. When Father forced to run away from the capital at the civil war 24 years ago, he managed to chase away the army who tried to capture him after he seeks shelter with the Barows, even they was outnumbered back then.”
“It’s a different matter. Back then, it was the Godwin forces. We can’t compare the Godwin with Harmonia.”
“Do you want us to stay calm and gather more members before we could participate in the war?” asked Buff.
“No, of course not,” Rui smirked, leaned her back against the chair. “We need some regiments. One was for Lady Iris to command, another one for Prince Ehlen, and the last one for Raijin and Buff. You said that Sir Kaylee and Lady Latina are our allies too, so they can lend their army to us. The problem is…”
“The problem…?” Raijin finished his meals.
“We don’t know from where they will attack us! I can’t prepare any war tactics if I don’t know the layout!” the brunette girl grumbled, crudely sliced the meats with the knife into small pieces.
“If you wish to know more information, I have it.”
They all looked at the tavern’s doorway. Elise Barows stood there. She smiled and approached the group. The grey-eyed girl stood between Ehlen and Rui, swung a small note in front of them.
“I get it from Sir Kaylee and Lady Latina,” she put it on the table, let Rui took it and read it. Elise then looked at her brother. “Mother has let us join the alliance force, and she brought me to the two. They had finished their meeting and now preparing for the upcoming war. Oh, don’t worry, Your Highness. Your Father also prepared some soldiers so you could join the war too.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Ehlen couldn’t help to feel grateful towards his father.
Rui finished read the note. She curved her lips, signaling the same thing she would say about now. “I had a plan. Listen well and I should reduce the casualties as best as I could.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five days afterwards.
The atmosphere in Sol-Falena has grown stiffer and stiffer as the day of the war began. The citizen didn’t worry too much, though. They thought it was only a small rebellion from people of the western. They didn’t know that some regiments have sent to be guarding far from the capital so the citizens wouldn’t know about this war.
Prince Freyjadour wore his former Queen’s Knight Uniform. For this war, he would be a vice-commander of the Queen’s Knight, though it was originally Lyon’s position, even after she born their son Ehlen. He will lead a unit of infantry with Lyon. Every Queen’s Knight should lead a unit, so there were total seven units in this war.
Those eight generals gathered in the Queen’s Knight Headquarter. Zane and Toma looked at the map of war layout, discussed about their tactics once more. Clovis polished his sword at the corner of the room. Alexis tighten her headband. Kaylee braided his long violet hair into a ponytail. Latina tightened the long amber ribbon in her waist. Frey and Lyon talked near the meeting table.
“I wonder where is Ehlen,” said the silver haired man. “After he took those soldiers I arranged for him, he gone and there was no any news from him. I wonder what he was planning to do…”
“I heard he has recruited a tactician. So, I guess he’ll be okay,” replied Lyon.
The door was opened. Everyone looked at the doorway and saw Richard with his wife Luserina Barows approached them. Frey frowned as he saw that thin man wore armors on his body, just like what he saw when Richard fought alongside the Lindwurm Mercenary at the civil war.
“Richard, what are you doing here?” Frey asked. He then gasped and looked at Luserina. “Don’t tell me, you…”
“Yes. I’ll participate in the war as well,” the blonde man nodded. “My kids participate in war. I just can’t let them have all the fun…I mean; I want to ensure their safety myself.”
“Luserina…you allowed him to?” Lyon also looked at the blonde administrator. That lady also was their ally in the civil war and titled as ‘the only good Barows’ after her family has treated Prince Freyjadour for nothing but their own benefits. That was also the reason why Elise and William Barows had a good relationship with the rest of royalists’ youths.
Luserina nodded and gave everyone a reassuring smile. “I know they won’t listen to me, so the only thing that I can do is to support them, now and then,” she said. “Though, after they brought their belongings from the manor, they didn’t report anything to me…”
“I guess we should trust the youths,” Zane smiled from his seat. “They were helped by Rui Silverberg.”
Soon after Zane finished his sentences, a soldier rushed in to the room. “The enemies were seen and heading to the West Palace!”
Everyone turned into serious mood again. Zane and Toma stood up from their seat. Clovis sheathed his sword. Alexis and Latina approached Kaylee and the three walked to Frey, Lyon and Richard. Those brave knights turned to see the black haired Commander. He nodded quickly and gave his command.
“Everyone, move out to victory!”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seven units of the Royal Army had arrived in the wide plains where the West Palace lies just a little further to the north. Richard was positioned as a commander of cavalry unit, replacing Clovis, and let the black haired young man be the vice-commander of the unit. The army consisted three Infantries that led by Frey, Kaylee and Toma; two Cavalries with Zane and Richard as the leaders; Alexis and Latina led two Rune archer units.
They could saw at least six units headed toward them from the forest near Stormfist. Part of them bore a Harmonia flag while the other part bore a Reinhold Mercenary flag, one of three famous mercenary groups from Zelant. Richard gritted his teeth, remembered that his brigade once confronted that group just because a trivia matter that began by those barbarians.
Those mixed army stopped after they all passed the bridge at the western of the plains. After awhile, a voice of the army’s leader resounded by the help of a Thunder Rune.
“Behold, you royal families!” the leader shouted. “Hand over the Sun Rune and the Fate Rune, and we won’t harm your country!”
Zane moved his horse to the front line. “We prefer die than hand our treasure without resistance to the likes of you!” he replied, pointed his unsheathed sword to the army at far distance.
“Fine, you have declared war against Harmonia. I’ll make sure you experience suffer to your death!”
After the leader let out a sharp cry, the army began to move. Zane, however, decided to watch their moves before he commanded his army. The Reinhold Cavalry charged forward. The Commander of Queen’s Knight quickly signaled for his two archer units to go ahead.
Alexis and Latina took their place forward. They stopped at the middle of the plains and quickly their units chanted some magic. Zane saw the Harmonian infantries began to move as well, so he and Richard moved as well to prevent their archer units from being attacked.
“Follow the path to destruction!” Latina cried out. She and her soldiers pointed their hands to the nearest units. At the next second, some thunder struck the cavalry, shocked and killed at least more than half of that one unit. The cavalry retreated to take some time to healing their wounds but, unfortunately, Alexis finished her chants too.
“I will teach you not to take me so lightly,” the ebony haired girl hissed. She did the same pose as Latina, and her units called out a strong earthquake that affected three units at once. It didn’t injure them too much, but at least it was wide range and hurt more than one unit.
“Retreat guys! The infantry heading your way!” commanded Toma, as he and his unit moved to the plains just like the two other units.
Alexis and Latina quickly led their units to get away from the battlefield. The cavalries who injured by Alexis’ magic seemed like they wanted to take their revenge, but Richard’s unit blocked them. Zane charged the infantry who tried to penetrate their defenses and followed the archer units. Frey got his army helped Zane’s unit, while Kaylee ensured the girls to the safe place.
Zane’s unit confronted the leader of the Harmonian army. He was a very young man with sandy hair that styled like feather. He was a Temple Guards, judging from his blue silvery garb, though his face not supported it. Zane had a talent to know runes of anybody that close with him, and he noticed as soon as he saw the leader that he bore three runes.
The sandy haired man swung his sword toward Zane, and their swords met at each other and made a loud clanging voice. The black haired Commander glared at the leader’s playful eyes. They didn’t seem to care about their men fought each other around them by now.
“You’re pretty good,” said the leader. “I always heard that the Commander of the Queen’s Knight was so talented at swordsmanship and magic, but never expecting to be this good. I’m Troy. What’s your name?” The named Troy still tried to push his sword so it could penetrate the other man’s block.
“Zane Rescales,” the man smirked. They kept attacking on their horse still. After some awhile, Zane managed to hurt Troy’s upper left arm. But the wound was too minor that he could swear that Troy wouldn’t realize he was just get an injury.
“Well, well, I see your other unit has come,” Troy looked past over Zane’s shoulder. Kaylee finished escorted Alexis and Latina’s units to other plains so they could regain their strength to help the other in next round. Strangely, Troy not seemed worried about the Queen’s Knight. He smiled wickedly.
Troy pulled out his sword away from Zane’s. He and his unit retreated to get his people recovered. Now another infantry tried to charge at Zane. Unfortunately, Richard and Toma has finished defeating the cavalries and let the leaders ran away. It’s no use to kill him now anyway, so they better helped the other units.
“Ha! You think you could win?” shouted Richard with his usual smile.
“No, but I’ll make sure your girls killed!” replied Troy while he raced his horse away. He stopped with his unit and they burned a white flag with their fire rune user. “Now! Ambush those witches!”
At that, and an ambush army appeared from the forest near where Alexis and Latina’s units took a brief rest. The two Queen’s Knight Ladies gasped, as they not expected the army to come. When they prepared their arrows and shot the sudden unit, they didn’t manage to stop them or slowed them down, since they unprepared. Those soldiers slain the archers, and finally a soldiers reached Alexis.
“Now, let us go!” Alexis unsheathed her rapier and killed the soldier who tried to attack her. Now she busy trying to get away from the soldiers, not realized that her comrade Latina now has been targeted, since she was too shocked to swing her sword.
“Die!” a soldier aiming his sword toward Latina.
Alexis gasped as she looked at her. “Latina! Watch out!”
“Blazing Wall!”
Suddenly, a row of blaze fire struck the soldiers, saved Latina, and returned her composure back. Alexis blinked and tried to look around. Who used the magic? She finally found the spell caster as some people came out of the forest.
“Prince Ehlen! Lady Iris!” cheered Alexis and Latina, recognizing the two people that led some soldiers behind them.
“Now, Prince Ehlen, Sir Raijin, charge!” Rui Silverberg pointed at the unit that surrounded the two Queen’s Knight. After Ehlen and Raijin led their units out of the forest to help the ladies, Rui turned to Iris and Rudger who stood next to her. “Now, let’s help the royal army.”
“Understood. Let’s go, guys!” commanded Iris. The blonde ran to the battlefield with her unit. Kaylee, who was finished defeating yet another infantry unit of the Zelantian mercenary, approached Iris’ unit.
“H-hey, stay back! It’s not a mere war, alright?” he hissed, afraid if Commander Zane would be mad if these kids entered the battlefield.
“Who will try to fight them?” Rudger smirked. “Get out of our way and you’ll find out we’re quite helpful.”
Kaylee sighed and let them past. The unit arrived behind Richard’s unit, who heavily wounded and decided to retreat by now. Iris looked around and saw some of Frey’s unit has lost and now only left less than a quarter from the normal regiment should have their soldiers. She also spotted that Troy has decided to fight back, made sure to chop Zane’s head now. However, the Royal Army has suffered too much casualties.
“You know what to do, Lady Iris,” Rui patted Iris at the back.
Iris nodded and smiled. She raised her hand and closed her eyes, tried to concentrate and gather all her magic power. A soldier that managed to penetrate the block of Toma’s army tried to attack Iris, but Rudger effectively killed him. Just some seconds afterwards, Iris opened her eyes.
“The deepest part of a pure heart that shines and gives the eternal blessing now freed and spread. Rebirth!”
At once, all soldiers who injured fully healed and joined the battle again. Now all units have their full soldiers, they can blast the remained army. Troy realized that and quickly turned his soldiers to run away as fast as they could. Frey stopped Kaylee and Toma who tried to follow and killed them, rather returned to Iris’ unit as Ehlen and Raijin’s unit approached them, followed by Alexis and Latina’s units.
Zane and Richard hopped off from their horses, approached Frey, Lyon and Toma who were confronted the youths. There was a long silence, where only the horses breathe that could be heard and the sound of wind blown their hairs, until Frey spoke up.
“I hope you all can be more cooperative,” he said. “Why are you hiding from us? Why didn’t you tell us that an ambush army has waiting at the forest?”
Rui stepped forward and bowed, apologizing. “It’s my order. After Prince Ehlen received a band of soldiers from you, we tried to train them and made plans. That’s when we found an ambush army was hiding at the forest. We decided to be quiet and not telling you elders, because I thought it’ll be more benefit if we give them a counterattack ambush too,” she explained, still bowed. “I won’t say any formal apology, since it was a benefit until the end. We suffer small casualties, didn’t we?”
The Queen’s Knights and the other generals blinked at Rui’s full confident speeches. Iris, Ehlen, and Rudger also stared at that teens-look like lady, amazed by her confidence. But then, a chuckle appeared. Everyone looked at the voice’s direction and found Ariel walked to their way, followed by Feaux and Fennes.
“Lady Rui, you're as confident as ever, aren’t you?” Ariel chuckled, approached Rui and looked at his older cousin. “Just like what she said, I guess they weren’t that guilty. If they weren’t here to help you today, hundreds life will be sacrificed. So, you need to say your gratitude rather than scolding them, Frey, Zane.”
Frey and Zane looked at each other, and then smiled to the youths. “Well…I guess so…Thank you, Lady Iris, everyone,” those men nodded and gave them their best smiles.
“Oh, you’re welcome, for allowing us to help you,” replied Iris kindly.
“Now, why don’t we throw a banquet?” offered Ariel happily. He turned to Ehlen and smirked. “Actually, I want you to have the banquet at Lunas, but considering the rule…we can’t. So, can be our good and kind prince borrowing his manor for the banquet?”
Everyone looked at Ehlen. The silver haired prince sighed and shook his head a little. “Like you willing to stop if I say ‘no’. Well, let’s go to the West Palace. It’s bigger than the one at the East Palace.” The youth’s army cheered after Ehlen finished his sentence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so on, they marched to the West Palace. The soldiers placed outside the manor, but the cooks still brought them their foods. For the sake of equal treatment, Iris asked everyone to have the banquet outside of the manor, just like the soldiers.
The banquet was full with laughter and cheers. The soldiers have wines, while Iris and the other member who still underage have soda juice. The youth army has recruited three new members. They were Hayate, Ceas, and Kiros. The three made the banquet even more cheerful as Kiros opened a beer-challenge competition with the soldiers and Buff helped too.
Ariel and Ehlen were talking with Rui, while Feaux and Fennes were discussed how spear works with Hayate and Ceas. Raijin sat at the corner quietly, but eventually found by William and they began to talk.
Suddenly, their laughter stopped as the soldiers saw five horsemen approached the West Palace. Those horsemen hopped off from their horses and they finally recognized them. It was the Queen’s Knights, minus their Commander and their Vice-Commander. The soldiers opened a straight way to Iris who sat at the top of the crowd. She and Rudger bowed a little as those five approached them.
“Well, we actually wanted to join the party as well,” said Kaylee, looking at the wine glasses that were held by some soldiers. “But, Sir Toma, Clovis, and Alexis have something to say for you, Lady Iris.”
Toma stepped forward. He kneeled before Iris, followed by Alexis and Clovis too. Iris gasped, but before she could say that it’s not necessary, Toma explained their reason. “I heard that you were seeking for the destined ones,” he said. “My Star was shined at the time you awoke your Rune, Lady Iris. So…I guess I’m part of you.”
“We here as well,” continued Clovis. “Actually…I want to join only because I wanted to train you and your army how to fight better at a true battle. I’m sure I can be quite a helpful in this army.”
“Me as well,” added Alexis. “I’m a good magician. I was used to train some soldiers to use their runes. I’m able to be the tutor for the magic unit.”
“Um…I know. I can saw those stars of yours, but please, don’t kneeling before me! I’m not something very supreme like that…” Iris felt very nervous. “Of course I’ll accept you. We need all help we can do for now. And I’m still from a low rank even I bear the rune, so please, don’t kneeling! I feel…embarrassed.”
The three knights got up. Toma smiled and nodded. “Thank you. From now on, we’ll be at your services.”
“Yes, thank you,” Iris replied with a smile too. “Well…let’s continue the banquet everyone! Oh, the wine’s over there, if you want to, sire.”
Kaylee and Latina quickly came to the wine table and brought a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for their comrades. Iris sat down again, seeing her allies gaining more and more numbers. Elise brought out more foods for everyone from the manor as she helped them cooking.
“Oh, guys. Didn’t we not cheering for Lady Iris just yet?” asked Ehlen suddenly.
“Oh, right. Well, Lady Iris…” Rui looked at Iris and gasped.
Iris was slept on her chair. It seemed that she really tired that she fell asleep. Rudger placed his point finger on his lips, signaling for everyone to be quiet a little. He then brought Iris in his arms, made the girls gasped and cried without voice, as they wouldn’t awake Iris.
“I’ll bring her to her room,” explained Rudger, could felt his cheeks was blushed a little as people kept staring at him. “Where should she stay?” he looked at Ehlen. They’ll use his manor anyway.
“Oh…yes, the room at the end of the right hall at the first floor is fine,” answered Ehlen.
“Don’t do anything to her, will you?” Kaylee smirked, waved his hands as Rudger walked to the manor.
Rudger found the room that Ehlen mentioned. He could hear everyone outside still cheering for Iris, because the soldiers were cried, “Long live, Lady Iris!” But Iris not awoke. She really fell asleep. The brunette placed her on the bed and covered her with the blanket. Before Rudger could return to the banquet, he turned to the sleeping beauty and smiled.
“Good night, Iris.”
Comments
Post a Comment