Chapter 6: Turning Traitor         Chapter 8: Landing at Taizel

   Chapter 7: Phantom Ship

   A few hours, we were in the middle of the great Western Bay of Grado, also known as the Falisean Sea. It was getting close to sunset; we would dock in the port of Taizel close to noon on the next morning.

   I was looking for Myrrh; she had been hard to find the last few days. I wondered if she’d been avoiding me, or if I was not paying enough attention to her. I resolved that I would hang out with her for the rest of this voyage, assuming Syrene had nothing important to say.

   At last, I caught up with the small indigo-haired girl near the bow, gazing far across the waves as if she would never grow tired of the ceaseless swells. There were clouds and fog ahead, shrouding the far-distant shore which would have just been visible otherwise, making it look like the ocean went on forever.

   “First time on the ocean, Myrrh?” I asked quietly, leaning on the rail beside her.

   She looked at me quickly, surprised, I think. “Yes… It’s so blue, so vast.”

   “It certainly is,” I replied cheerfully. “It’s my first time on a ship, too. It’s hard to appreciate just how big the sea is from land.”

   “I would never have guessed,” she answered, shyly. “You seem so calm…”

   I shrugged. “If I’m to properly lead us, I have to be somewhat stoic. You know?”

   She slumped over the rail and I wondered if it was something I said. “Ephraim…”

   I leaned towards her, wondering what she was going to say next. She had definitely been reclusive since we had set out with the army. ‘She must be lonely,’ I thought. We had been pretty close back when it was just me and my knights; I had chatted with her and encouraged her, and she had been hopeful and sweet as the child she appeared to be, even though I knew she was much older. Continue reading →

Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald     Chapter 7: Phantom Ship

    Chapter 6: Turning Traitor

    We rode south the next two days, passing through the hills of the Grado Highlands. On the third day we approached the port town of Bethroen, which, if we could charter a ship, would take the army directly to the main highway out of Tai’zel on the southern coast to Grado Keep. On the second day, the earthquakes started. Grado was usually rocked by earthquakes every once in a while.

    Vanessa, scouting the third morning, brought us the layout of the terrain and confirmed that it was the same as our maps.

    “Bethroen Port is a pair of small islands connected by bridges to the mainland,” she reported. “The main road we’re on runs straight there. On the western island are the town and the docks. On the eastern island is a fortress, I think to protect against pirates.”

    “And probably us, too,” I commented a little drily.

    “To the north of the town is another village only a mile away.”

    “That probably won’t figure into our plans,” Syrene said contemplatively. “Did you see any enemy units?”

    “No, ma’am! There either are no opposing forces, or they’re still in the fortress.”

    “Better suppose they’re in the fortress,” I said. “It’s highly unlikely they’ve not figured out where we’re going; Rigwald pointed our direction clearly enough. We’ll move in quickly, but cautiously.”

    “Right away, sir,” Syrene said, saluting, and went off to make preparations to move out.

    I rubbed a hand over my face and clapped my hands together, stretching as I got up. “Good work, Vanessa.”

    “Thank you, milord!” Continue reading →

Chapter 4: A New Journey     Chapter 6: Turning Traitor

    Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald

    It was dawn over the hill country just south of Frelia. Commander Syrene and I were standing on a small cliff overlooking the back of a small and interestingly-looking castle.

    “Fort Rigwald, huh?” I mused. “Who built it, do you know?”

    “I am afraid not, Lord Ephraim. I can see why you asked, though. The gate on the south leads directly into a long covered passage filled with arrow-slits. Any enemy who breaches the gates is instantly in a killing ground. The back walls are impervious, and there is no back gate, so the front gate is pretty much the only way to get in and capture the place. It has stood unconquered for generations.”

    “And to capture the place, we’ll need to take out its commander, who will probably be in the throne room of the keep. If we don’t, then they’ll fall on our rear as we try to assault the capital.” I looked lopsidedly at her. “Do you think we can do it?”

    “It’s a daunting task,” she admitted. “The enemy not only has those formidable defences, but the advantage of numbers as well.”

    “But what about morale?” I asked.

    “You think they may not want to fight?”

    “This is the emperor’s war. Renais and Grado have always been close allies and friends. The hearts of the people cannot be so swift to change. I know that General Duessel, my old lance teacher, is loyal as an old dog can be to the crown… but he also opposes this war. I’m sure he opposes it with every fibre of his being. I wonder if he’s in there. I could ask him what’s going on with the emperor.”

    “Optimism here may be deadly,” Syrene said sternly. Then her face lightened. “Still, it’s a much better idea than attacking Grado’s main army face to face.”

    I smiled at her and thought. “I think it would be a really bad idea to ask our pegasus knights to create a diversion… they’re sure to have thought of that. Let me see… here’s what we’ll do.”

    I marshalled my troops. “All right, listen up! We’re going to bust down those gates and head inside, as quick as we can! Rush the throne room and kill their commander. That may force the other side to surrender. I’ll give more specific orders as we get into battle. Understood?”

    “Yes, sir!” responded my army. Continue reading →

Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!     Chapter 5: Fort Rigwald

Chapter 4: A New Journey

   After we left the castle of Renvall, I went ahead slightly with Seth. “Please, tell me all that has happened, Seth. All I know is that Renais Castle has fallen. Tell me, has my father escaped?”

   Seth bowed his head and I knew the news before he spoke it. “He has not. My deepest sympathies, Prince Ephraim. Princess Eirika and I heard the news when we arrived at Castle Frelia. But I am beginning my tale in the middle.”

   “Go ahead, Seth.”

   It was a long story. I shook my head when he had finished. “That’s… near incredible. But Forde and Kyle and I – and Orson, until four or five days ago – we’ve been fighting Grado soldiers every day for weeks, until Valter came to capture us and Orson showed his true colours. And it fits exactly with what you say. Each battle they were a bit more interested in my wrist, in my bracelet. And for what? To destroy the Sacred Stone of Renais? To release abominable monsters across the lands… How could they seriously plot such a thing?”

   “We… do not know. The cleric Natasha has told us all she knows, but I feel there is much more that she does not, could not know. If we could only speak to your friend Prince Lyon, it might solve much, but that is not possible with current standings and strengths.”

   I thought for a minute, and then nodded, agreeing with him. “Do you know how these bracelets unlock our Sacred Stone?”

   Seth met my gaze for a moment, then looked away at the horizon. “I… cannot tell you how yet. King Fado instructed me to keep it secret, even from you, until it was needed. Please believe me, I shall tell you everything when it is time.”

   “I understand, Seth. But don’t you go dying on us! I need the answer to this riddle sooner or later, and we might find it in the Sacred Stone.”

   The older man smiled slightly. “Die? And fail in my duty? Never, my lord.” Continue reading →

Chapter 2: Prisoners     Chapter 4: A New Journey

Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!

    I finally got the door open. Kyle and Forde were sound asleep, which was no surprise since I could see stars through their window – I had none. They looked rather uncomfortable. I pulled the door slightly, trying to see if I could slip out without making a noise. My luck was good. The door were pretty quiet, and I managed to get out.

    “Ephraim?” came a very small voice, from high up somewhere.

    “Myrrh?” I whispered, looking around frantically. She hadn’t been captured too, had she? I’d never forgive myself if she-

    “I’m up here,” her voice came again. I looked back at the window. There were dark fluffy pigtails silhouetted against the stars.

    “Myrrh! You’re all right!”

   “I’m sorry, Ephraim. I can’t help.”

    “Don’t worry about that,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re all right. You just sit tight and we’ll get out. No one has seen you?” I sat down on a wooden stool and began the laborious effort of opening the knights’ door. It was a little easier than mine, since I was facing it this time.

    “No. I stayed hidden, even when the Wyvern Master came and battled you, and your knight knocked you out… I was so worried when they carried you back inside. Ever since night came I’ve been trying to find you, if I could.”

    “Well, you did, and I’m grateful.” Continue reading →

Chapter 1: Unbroken Heart     Chapter 3: It’s a Trap!

Chapter 2: Prisoners

    I awoke in a cold stone cell. I stared up at the ceiling blankly until feeling returned to my body.

Then it became imperative that I sit up.

“Ow… my head…” I moaned, rubbing the spot on the back of it where I had been hit by Orson’s lance haft.

“Prince Ephraim, are you all right?” called Kyle’s voice.

“Mm? Yes. I’m fine. My head just still hurts where that – ” I broke off. “Kyle, how are you? Is Forde with you?”

“Yeah, I’m here, Prince. We’re all stuck in this room together. You’ve got a cell to yourself, though.”

“I can see that,” I said, standing unsteadily and leaning against the bars. Across from me were my two cavaliers, crouching in their cell.

“You’ve been out for a couple of hours longer than we have,” Kyle told me.

“Any way to get out of here?” I asked, pushing each separate bar in turn.

“Nope, not from what I can see,” Forde commented cheerfully. “Anyhow, it would be kinda foolish to try and escape just yet – they’re bound to have extra guards with you and all.”

“I see.” I turned my head to hear better. “Someone’s coming.”

Orson clattered down the stairs into the room.

“Orson!” I snarled. If there hadn’t been bars I believe I would have thrown myself on him and proceeded to beat the daylights out of him, but as it was, I couldn’t. Continue reading →

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones: Ephraim’s Story

Chapter 2: Prisoners

    Chapter 1: Unbroken Heart

    I am Ephraim. I am the Prince of Renais, son of King Fado and brother to my twin sister Eirika. I have jade green hair and eyes. The lance I wield is called the Reginleif. I like the lance.

If you want a description of the way I dress, too, I wear a light blue tunic, white pants, black boots, brown gloves, over which I wear a bracelet my father gave to me – not a girly bracelet, thank goodness – leather armour to protect my hips while fighting on horseback, a dark blue cloak with red lining, and dark blue chest, shoulder, and leg armour. On the chest plate is the Crest of Renais.

Now, I may be the Prince of Renais, but I’m far more interested in being a warrior than a king when my father passes away.

Which was why, on a certain day in the year 803, I was with the last three of my knights – Kyle, Forde, and Orson – and a small girl named Myrrh, who had joined us recently after we rescued her from bandits, and we were camping in a deep thicket somewhere in the north of Grado, which had always been Renais’ friend, but had now attacked us. I was horribly confused, but I had to protect Renais, so I did what I could. I led suprise attacks and ambushes against Grado’s armies for as long as I could, but now we were four, and I couldn’t quite do that anymore. We’d been fighting useless mercenaries, anyway. We’d always been vastly outnumbered, but I used my wits and education in tactics to come out victor every time.

“Forde, how are we on supplies and equipment?” I asked one of my two ‘social knights’, the one with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.

“It’s not looking good,” he replied glumly. “Our weapons are in bad shape, and we’re running low on food. We can probably restock at a nearby village, but-”

“No, that’s not an option. We’re in enemy territory. I will not involve innocents if I can avoid it.” Continue reading →