Fire Emblem Tropera

Osroes frowns, confused. He blinks a few times. “I mentioned no new…”

The frown deepens, his eyes narrowing. His mouth half-opens and closes as he tries and fails to say something. Finally, he stutters: “You don’t – you don’t mean Rsama, do you?” Osroes looks up at Rsama, then looks back; even the pegaz seems a little put out. “The one who you rode across the desert with me for about a month? Who I would have spoken – and still do speak – to and of a multiplicity of times?” He looks back up at Rsama again, tilting his head. “Granted, I do not name you so often when I talk to you directly, but… Ah…”

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 3rd 2018 at 10:08:43 AM

The rest of the trek passed uneventfully, and after two days hiking through deep snow and wooded hills, the company came upon the Regish capitol just after daybreak. Jormandur sat atop a hill, sprawling beyond stone walls carved with reliefs of great battles against foes both mortal and mythical, which must once have contained the entirety of the original settlement. From a distance the city seemed almost cozy, snuggled under a blanket of freshly fallen snow from the night before, but as the company drew closer and the morning sun weakened its icy grip, snow began to slip from sloped roofs. Where it fell, it revealed scars of battle on some of the more outlying structures.

"What happened here?" Addelus asked, staring at the damage with saddened eyes.

"Reginbor's king died last year," Ailes explained dispassionately. "There was a brief... dispute over the succession, which was won by a Lady Sigalfa. She now sits in the throne here as queen, and it is she who we must petition for the Emblem fragment."

The snowy streets began to muddy as Jormandur's residents emerged from their homes and began about their days. The company drew looks as they made their way through town, but for a refreshing change of pace, they were not underscored by fright or malevolence for once.

"I guess they're used to heavily armed weirdos around here," Malia said with a little laugh. "Careful, Grendan, your mustache might not be enough to make you stand out here!"

“Heavily armed weirdos you say? Yeah, that’s definitely us.”

Brendan scratches his back with his axe, grumbling to himself and chuckling.

The phrases “Archer feels fear” and “One fell swoop” could be heard.

“Armoured, too.” Azadokht grins, rapping her knuckles against the gleaming iron of Rsama’s scale mail coat. “You doing okay, hmm?”

The proud pegaz certainly seems to be; unburdened for the first day’s travel over the worry for his injured leg, the vulneraries and magical healing have done their work well – well enough for him to be able to carry the weighty barding without a trace of discomfort in his stride, even if he can still only accommodate one rider. Osroes and Aza are glad at the former; they had not particularly enjoyed bearing that weight themselves.

Osroes himself glances over one of the shattered murals from his elevated position. “At least they learn the ways of war,” he intones quietly. Then he joins the conversation: “I am sure that we will stand out at least a little here; they have their own warrior garb and customs, we ours.” He gives a single laugh, leaning down to stroke Rsama’s neck. “I doubt that many will have seen a pegaz! Pegasi, maybe, but none of your kind, my friend.”

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 4th 2018 at 10:09:41 AM

Talbot and Damien wave at the townsfolk. Some of them stare at Damien's unusual attire while some of them swoon over Talbot's pretty-boy looks. Eighty-Six just glares at the girls doing this heinous act.

"....I think Eighty-Six senses that I'm getting too much attention."

"Wait a second, a succession dispute?" Grendan cut in, his face completely serious. "Ailes, can you tell us what kind of livery the new queen's forces wear?"

"...That's a good point..." Astra conceded reluctantly, thinking back to the soldiers the group had fought so soon after entering the country. They then shook their head, though, before turning to scold Grendan for getting worked up and potentially aggravating his still-healing wounds.

"See for yourself," Ailes said, geaturing ahead of the company. Soldiers in chain mail and violet coats stood at attention along a staircase climbing to a great hall that loomed over the city.

A little relieved in spite of himself, Osroes directs Rsama forward as if to introduce the group – and then turns back, wearing a somewhat bemused expression. “May I ask, is there a name established for our band? I don't believe I ever found out.”

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 5th 2018 at 8:49:05 PM

"Don't ask me."

Brendan shrugged his shoulders and threw his hands up half-heartedly, axe barely hanging off the index and middle fingers of his right hand.

The company ascended the stairs to the great hall with Ailes at the front, speaking in hushed tones with any guards that approached them, and the massive double doors of the hall were opened for them as they reached the top. Beyond the doors, carved with scenes of a warrior on pegasusback battling a massive dragon, the company found themselves in a spacious central hall, not too dissimilar from that which they had defended from rebels in Chamur, but certainly much, much older. The timbers were a dark, rich burgundy with age and polish, and the stones worn smooth as ice. Heroic tapestries hung between crackling braziers and above roaring fires, filling the hall with warmth, while stained glass windows let in the morning light in dazzling rainbow patterns.

An attendant approached as the door was closed behind them. "The queen has been informed of your arrival," he said without preamble, and led them deeper into the hall, through another pair of double doors, then another, and finally into another hall. Sturdy pillars, not so much beams as entire tree trunks shorn of their bark and carved with swirling patterns of runes reaching up to the ceiling, lined the hall. A broad carpet ran the length of the room between them, wrapping around a huge firepit before reaching a raised platform, where a middle aged woman of regal bearing sat on a wooden throne.

"Approach," the woman commanded, her voice radiating authority like the heat of the great fire before her.

Kiri walked along with the others, actually slightly in front like she usually did. Surely the palace was nice but her mind was still on the man who had fled from the battlefield earlier. There was only a few left in the company that truly appreciated the danger he posed. So they had to act quick.

When the queen finally spoke she looked up and noticed the Tapestry. It almost made her want to walk out but, she had a job to do. She drew closer and got on one knee, knowing that humans loved this little gesture. "Your Majesty, we are Tigerlily. Though we are mercenaries we carry the will of those opposed to Vissan's March on the world. We have a simple request. Your peice of the Fire Emblem. However we know you wouldn't hand it over for free, we are here to negotiate a deal. The Emblem in exchange for our services. We are quite adept at dealing with things an army cannot."

Azadokht notes something and speaks up quietly as the group enters: “How much must it cost to deck out an entire royal guard in purple? You ever want a display of ostentatiousness, then that’s it right there…”

Osroes glances back, a little self-conscious of his own cape, before his mind returns to the doors and their carvings. They play upon it as ill-practiced fingers do upon a tanbur, the tune discordant and unsteady. His face darkens, guilt-ridden. Understanding… Why should it be so hard to come by?

He rubs at Rsama’s neck for comfort; the pegaz tilts one ear towards his companion, then looks back towards him. Osroes smiles and gives a simple, quiet, “Thank you,” in response. He dismounts, patting him on the shoulder, before gazing upon the Queen of Reginbor and listening as Kiri speaks to her.

And speak she does.

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 7th 2018 at 9:21:49 AM

"So I have been informed," the queen said, eyeing Kiri over. The queen was middle aged, but looked to be in good health for it. Her straight posture and sharp eyes suggested a fit body and mind, and her voice carried clear and firm through the hall. A crown of braided gold and silver rested on the arm of her throne. "I have also been informed that I have you to thank for driving the Hodeskalls out of Festning Pass."

"Who, your majesty?" Malia said, frowning. "They looked to be wearing Vissan colors."

The queen breathed deeply, letting it out slowly as she leaned forward. "The Hodeskalls are the army of Lord Fulric. He was my rival in our recent succession dispute, and has turned out to be quite a sore loser. He ordered his troops to seize the pass shortly after my coronation.

"To be blunt, the man is a piece of ambulatory garbage. He is a loathsome toad, a lecherous boor, and malicious incompetent. By all rights he should never have even been able to challenge me, but he is possessed of some manner of charm that appeals to the worst among my people, including many warriors. He dresses his soldiers in Vissan colors and copies the design of their uniforms because he idolizes the Empire. He thinks himself the peer of Emperor Richtavia herself.

"Since the coronation, Fulric has been massing his followers. I expect him to reignite our battle for the crown any week now. The best case is that I strike first and win a decisive victory quickly, and the damage to the kingdom will be minimal. If I let Fulric assemble his full forces, then the worst case is that the bastard wins, and whether through his toadyism or incompetence, Reginbor becomes a vassal state to the Empire within a year.

"I am confidant that my armies will defeat him in battle again, but one thing still gives me pause: Vissan. Fulric does have friends among the Imperial court, and I worry that striking against him preemptively might be taken as an act of aggression against he Empire. "

"But if he were to be eliminated by forces with no connection to you..." Ailes said.

"Something like that," the queen said. She turned to an attendant. "Send them in."

The attendant bowed and hustled out the door. A moment later, it opened again, and six familiar faces entered the chamber.

"You called, majesty?" said Corban Greham.

Edited by Wryte on Nov 8th 2018 at 12:58:03 PM

"Oh, I see. Swing some axes, bash some heads, prevent political con- huh?"

Brendan turned around to see Greham...

And once again, felt absolutely no negative emotion.

"Hello!"

Azadokht takes one look at the situation and realises that it might just result in disaster. She taps at Osroes’ shoulder, giving him a meaningful look, and hisses: “That’s the one we encountered in the pa-”

Osroes’ eyes widen; he very deliberately and clearly lays his spear on the floor before approaching the throne, bowing deeply and desperately searching his mind for his few lessons on Regish politics. Please, Exalted One, let my memory hold true… “Your Majesty Queen Seigalfa, Sea-Mistress, Might of the North, She Under the Aurora… I am Osroes, son of the sa-” He stops for the slightest of moments, then continues: “leader of Tasmag, of the Parni of Kambacha. If I may speak,” he asks, his speech turning hushed, hurried, “in the event that Your Majesty is unaware, some members of our group have met and fought this man before, during which they lost their leader. I am unsure of how deeply their dislike is held. Please forgive my imposition should Your Majesty already have knowledge of these things.”

He bows again and retreats.

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 8th 2018 at 3:56:41 PM

Grendan, for his part, just eyed Greham warily, his posture the peculiar sort of deliberate relaxation that marked a soldier who was ready for a fight but didn't want to be obvious about it. Heath, fortunately, was not present (because who in his right mind would let a giant carnivorous death-lizard into the throne room?), since he would be nowhere near as subtle.

Astra... well, Astra nearly hid behind Osroes (since Grendan had yet to fully heal from his last battle), but, in an uncharacteristic display of confidence, instead interposed themself between Grendan and the potentially-enemy leader.

Kiri immediately jumped back towards her companions, spreading her wings in a defensive posture and having a hand on her sword. She didn't care, one iota about what kind of reaction this would provoke in the gaurds or the queen. She was fully prepared now to fight her way out of here. "Greham...!" She growled, a small plume of flame spilling between her teeth as she talked.

Greham's hand instinctively reached for his sword, but he hesitated before grasping its hilt, and looked from the manakete's threatening display toward the queen.

The queen waved dismissively. "At ease, Captain. And the rest of you. I don't care what grievances you may have with each other, I'll not have blood spilled in my court."

"What is the meaning of this?" Ailes sputtered angrily, turning his head between the queen and the Ranger as if he were watching a tennis championship.

"Captain Greham and his troops are here at my request," the Queen said. "More than that is unnecessary for you to know."

"I don't understand, what earthly reason could you have for... Vissan soldiers?" Ailes demanded.

"I do!" Addelus said exictedly, then seemed to remember himself. "I mean, I guess I think I do..."

"Please, your Highness," the Queen said bemusedly, leaning forward in her seat. "Enlighten us."

"Well," the prince stammered. "If the Queen's greatest concern in dealing with this renegade lord is appearing aggressive toward Vissan, then involving Vissan in the fight on her side should avoid any possibility of the Empire taking the fight as an act of aggression toward them. She'll just be requesting their aid in eliminating a dangerous rebel."

"Very good," the Queen said, her smile becoming a little more genuine. "You've certainly the makings of a proper statesman about you, young prince."

"I was under the impression that our presence here was meant to remain a secret, your Majesty," Greham grumbled, relaxing enough to lower his sword hand to his side, though still standing at the ready and keeping a close eye on Kiri.

"So it is, Captain," the Queen said. "However, if these mercenaries didn't know who you are and why you're here, it would be much more difficult for your groups to cooperate on the next task I have for you both."

"No need to soften the blow," Vera stated.

"It's obvious to even the greatest fool that the time for formalities and five-copper words is long behind us."

She sighed and glanced the other group, then focused on the Queen.

"Just get on with it. Tell us the task you're going to demand of us if we have any hope of getting your shard of the Fire Emblem anytime soon," she said. "You want this Fulric dead, any particular preferences for the location, the timing, and the means?"

Bette sidled up next to Kiri.

"Sometimes you just have to learn how to smile," Bette explained to the manakete, giving her a full-faced grin. She leaned in and whispered something only she could hear into her ear. "That way they don't suspect a thing."

“And so Reginbor is drawn under Vissan’s influence regardless.” Osroes sidles up to Ailes, speaking quietly to him as Vera addresses the Queen. “This was calculated on the Empire's part. Should it go on… Well, even putting aside the idea of Reginbor’s sailors manning imperial ships, I would not want it controlling two thirds of the continent.” He grimaces. “Still, I see no choice; it isn’t as if we can have their company sent back, nor does Queen Seigalfa really have another option. With luck, we will have the Emblem complete and be in a position to enact a far more significant reverse against Richtavia –” he practically spits the name – “before anything further happens.” He glances towards the Calderian, a concerned, barely hopeful expression on his face. “Unless your analysis has insight that mine does not?”

Azadokht looks over the Vissan captain, then towards Brendan, then back to Greham again. She cocks her head, considering something, before giving a decisive, determined nod.

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 11th 2018 at 2:03:43 PM

Damien and Talbot awkwardly stare at each other as Kiri and Grendan had a grudge with the leader of the mercenaries who helped the group out during the last battle. Apparently, his name was Graham or Greham. Whatever the mercenary leader's name was, it reminded Damien of those godawful crackers he was forced to eat during his training. It's not the succulent wild boar he craves so much.

And to make matters worse, Tigerlily were forced to cooperate with the other mercenaries. In fact, Talbot had a hunch that Kiri and the mercenary leader were probably gonna yell at each other during their next mission. Or worse.

To Talbot, Damien whispers, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Talbot sighs and whispers, "I know what you mean. Just smile and nod, man. We've made it through worse."

"Your highness, I assure you, my Rangers are more than adequate to deal with this," Greham said, giving Kiri a respectable berth as he approached the throne. "I do not require these peoples' assistance."

"Three weeks sitting on your thumbs in the pass would suggest otherwise, Captain," the queen said cooly. She turned to Vera. "Very well, let's cut straight to the chase. Yes, Fulric must die, but he is a coward, and never leaves his fortress himself. Fortuneately, you've already assisted us with that problem. Captain?"

Greham sighed resignedly. "Fulric's a believer in old magic. His fortress gates are locked by runes, not keys, and only his highest-ranking flunkies carry the runestones that grant access. Flunkies, such as..." he reached into his coat, and a moment later, pulled out a small, grey stone with a blue rune softly glowing on its surface. "...a general he would entrust with capturing the border pass."

The queen spoke up again. "Your two groups will coordinate an assault on Fulric's stronghold together. I don't care what it takes, but his threat must be neutralized once and for all. Accomplish this for me, and you will have what you seek."

Aside, Ailes seemed lost in thought for a moment before he lowered his voice to answer Osroes. "Yes, Vissan truly knows no deceitful low that it will not sink to. The others may be too naive to see it, but you are a man of strong and pute vision. I'll be counting on you to remain vigilant. Believe nothing the Vissan dogs try to charm you with. If they seem compassionate, it is a ruse. If they seem honorable, it is only to stab your back when it is turned. Do not trust them. They are the enemy of all who seek peace."

"You may use my study to plan your attack," Sigalfa said. "You know the way, Captain."

"Yes, ma'am," Greham grumbled. "Come with me," he said to the company, and headed back to the door.

Kiri seemed to calm down a little considering a fight wasn't breaking out. The queen had demanded that they work together. Either her intelligence was rather incomplete or she was just that dead set on this foolhardy plan. Still, she relaxed her stance but still kept a hand resting on her sword hilt. When Greham turned to walk away she walked up to stop him. "Allow me to make, one thing clear Corban Greham, and I will be expecting the same of you. Though we are being forced to do this, if you make one false moves towards any of us, I will personally roast you alive."

As the two less-than-friendly groups walked, Grendan frowned at Greham before asking, "I've been wondering what you, specifically, are doing here. Did your commander steal credit for your work one too many times, or were you just a scapegoat for the fact that we managed to slip through the border guards' fingers?"

"P-please calm down," Astra pleaded.

"I am calm. If I wasn't, our blades would be locked right now," Grendan interrupted.

Osroes genuinely smiles at the compliment as he takes up his spear again, clasping it in both hands for effect as much as stability, and begins to walk forward as the group moves off. “I will keep that advice enlightened. And thank you.”

Then, after a moment, his face contorts into a sorrowful frown. And then he inclines his head and presses on.

“I agree with Astra,” Azadokht proclaims, her usual light-footed walk towards the front of the party replaced by a determined stride. She falls in alongside the Vissan captain just after Kiri has finished talking and extends her hand. “Hi! Greham, right? I’m Azadokht. Glad that we’re going to have your help; you and your company did some real damage back when we were last fighting together.”

Edited by Existential_Tempest on Nov 12th 2018 at 2:46:06 PM