Fire Emblem: Poem of Secrecy

[Dragoncat]

Fivel looked around. Two more humans, both males, only one looked more upper class than the other. When the blue haired one introduced himself, his curiosity got the better of him. "Shadow, huh? Is that a nickname, or did your parents really name you that?" He shrugged. "Well, I did meet a fire manakete named Ember once..."

When Edward and Blodwyn began talking about money, he smiled slightly. "You humans and your gold...it's fascinating. We taguels use it on occasion of course, but we mostly barter. Trading a box of vegetables for vulneraries, stuff like that."

[Snowy_One]

"That's what gold is for. You take it and trade it to one person for gold coin, then you can take it and trade those coins to another person. But it has a lot more reach, is easier to carry, and doesn't spoil. That's why people use it. I mean, can you imagine having to carry a huge crate a veggies across a continent?" she said with a sign before looking down at her feet. "Or for something like military training? Also, Shadow is not that weird a name. I mean, sure, it's a bit strange, but almost all names describe something. Yours means 'Brilliant One' in some ancient tongue as I recall."

[Rapier]

Dougal gladly accepted the food offered for him, a slight smile appearing on his face as he thanked the servant and started eating what was offered on the plate. He seldom had the chance to eat such a fine meal, his earnings being that of an ordinary mage doing part-time work for his university and selling vulneraries that he made when he had free time. He enjoyed the opportunity as much as he could, knowing that no equal would come soon.

When his employer mentioned the path they were going to take, he gulped down the piece of lemon tart and spoke, moving his tableware as he gesticulated. "The roads shouldn't be that dangerous. I thought we were going to cross the desert in order to reach our destination", he stuck his tableware into another piece of lemon tart, then returned his gaze to the regal woman, "That I wouldn't recommend even if we were in a hurry. Travelers fear bandits, and bandits fear the Grimleal, for a good reason". He put the dessert on his mouth once more... and ate it!

He was relieved to see there were more men coming to join the trek. Dougal quickly analyzed the group based on what their appearances told him, his eyes shifting between the integrants. Mercenaries, a pegasus knight, a healer. That was quite enough for a team, he supposed. The healer could treat the injured ones should they battle or should the path prove troublesome for the travel. The mercenaries could stand in the frontlines while he assisted them, casting fireballs at their enemies. The pegasus knight could scout ahead and tell them of weather changes or inform them about the path. Provided the healer would not be injured, their chances of surviving were quite good. "What a versatile little group, this is", he thought.

Dougal studied the group with curious, analytical eyes, one of his hands holding one side of his cheeks to support his head as he ate. The girl with aquamarine hair and the boy with red hair were the ones who picked his attention the most. From what he saw, the girl seemed cheerful and carefree, the kind of person who gets injured on a mission because of their hastiness, or worse. The boy had said he left his manor to live an adventure, usually this silliness and carefree act led them to their deaths. The latter case was particularly worrying, because he was their healer. The others seemed experienced, save for Pleiada, who would be the last to die in the journey, so he felt confident about them.

He finished eating his breakfast, then approached Blodwyn. "Hello, are you also new to this business?", he asked her, trying to sound as polite and friendly as possible - which wasn't much polite and friendly as possible.

[Snowy_One]

"Yes, sort of. When people say 'new' they tend to ask for years of experience. I have taken several jobs but, sadly, not earned much." she said before sighing slightly. "And what little I earn always seems to get gobbled up in pegasus maintenance. But I do know how to work on a team if that's what you're asking. I was learning to work with one before leaving and I don't have much desire to be killed because I couldn't listen to another person either."

She then shook her head slightly. "What of you? Your question makes it sound like you haven't done much mercenary work before either."

[Noahfest]

Edward replied to Emil:

''Huh I see, an ''adventurer'' mercenary, wish I could have chosen being a mercenary, but yeah I couldn't, it was either becoming one or becoming a stray. Anyways thanks for answering.''

Right after that he, looked at the others:

''Shadow heh? What an odd-sounding name... But pay me no mind.''

Right after, he saw Dougal talking to Blodwyn and joined the discussion:

''Excuse me, Dougal isn't it? I'm sorry but I overheard your talk but you are new to mercenary business too? Good two newbies...'' Edward said with a nervous voice. ''Anyways, you two got any questions? Oh, and could you tell me what you were doing before deciding to enter this troubled business?''

Edited April 4, 2015 by Haon

[Rapier]

Dougal was more relieved to hear that the girl knew how to work on team, and that she had experience, mayhaps even more than he did. He nodded to her question in agreement. "Yes, I am new to this business. I admit that mercenary work is not where I excel on", he commented, sighing, "But if we are going to Plegia, then I know most of the ways that we should be taking, and those that we should be avoiding". He smiled as he started speaking about his specialities, some of them being made-up lies that he hoped were enough to cover his past, "I'm more of a pathfinder that does mercenary work, than a mercenary on its strict term. I've read plenty of books detailing locations on Ylisse and Plegia, though I admit I know nothing of Regna Ferox, and Valm's even more of a long way from home".

Wishing to continue his conversation with her, but not finding enough subjects worth of being spoken about, he decided to make a rather odd question. "Speaking of your pegasus, why did you not join the army?". He lifted his indicator finger, emphasing his speech. "Your payment would be better and assured, there would be no need to be accepting low payments or insisting on stingy employers who take months before they honor their deals, and you seem to have the ability to be accepted in the ranks very quickly"

His attention was called by Edward, who asked him whether he was also a newbie. Dougal nodded, embarassingly. "Yes, yes, I am new on this business. I am more of a pathfinder, actually, but I can defend myself should we face trouble in the road. You're an experienced one, on the other hand, am I right?"

Edited April 4, 2015 by Rapier

[Snowy_One]

"For the same reason the army doesn't accept any farmboy riding a mule as a calvary soldier. I may be trained, but until I can officially finish my training, if I joined, they'd either try to find some other rider for Nyx and treat me as a hindrance or send me right back to training, which would put me right back where I started. As was mentioned earlier it's not unusual for Pegasus riders to take mercenary work to train, so may as well while earning the cash to put myself back in proper training."

[Aisuko Lyrical]

"That is interesting..." he looked at Blodwyn and pulled at the hem of his shirt it seems like a nervous habit "If I may ask a question What is it like growing up poor?" a faint blush appears on his cheeks in embarrassment 'what a stupid question to ask...' he thinks but doesn't take it back as he is still curious

[Shaman]

He stood between two buildings, in the shade and away from the commuters. Martin did not talk unless he was getting paidfor it. He sold his information to the ones that wanted it. He did not care who his clients were, and he did not care about what happened to the people he would sell out. His job was simple and he was paid well for it. All he had to do was snoop around.

He scratched his nose with his hairy hand. He was of average build, and nothing special to look at. He covered himself with a gray cloak, and wore breeches with patches on them. He did not spend his money on clothes, or anything fancy. He was a low-life with no sympathy for anyone around him. This was who he became when he stopped dreaming of a better tomorrow.

Two cloaked men approached him. One had a very heavy build, and looked like an ape. He handed over a sack of silver to Martin. Martin looked in the bag, to count the coins, and then quickly tucked it away in his pocket.

"What have we got today?" said the ape-man.

"There are no carriages. But there is a very pretty lady talking to a bunch of mercenaries." he responded.

"How many?" asked the hairy brute.

"About six or seven in the group. Three are squishy, including the lady." Martin replied.

"Where are they going?" said the burly man.

"They are crossing the border by the bridge. The stable boy said that they would be leaving soon." said Martin.

"Good. See you later Martin." he said as he walked away.

Martin breathed a heavy sigh and disappeared into the alleyway that he stood in.

*******************************************************************************************

He took off his dark robe to reveal the armor he wore underneath. The man said that his name was Shadow, which was an interesting name for a man to say the least. He was quiet for a swordsman. Pleiada bowed politely.

"Thank you for joining us. We shall be leaving shortly." she informed.

Pleiada turned her attention to her company. They were conversing about gold. She was not surprised. If she had been a rich warlord, then her employees would be rougher and probably not talking to each other. She rose and walked to the counter, where she paid for her tab. It cost her 264 gold to spend the night and pay for food. She hoped that her escorts had picked up the provisions that they needed, for the journey. She bowed at the innkeep and waved to Gwen.

"Alright everyone, let us make our way to the stables. You will receive your pay once I am delivered to my location safely, as is the custom of escort services. Consider breakfast to be an assurance." she instructed to them.

Pleiada made her way out the front door, and walked a short distance to the stables. There she had her horse ready. The cream-colored stallion had a brown mane, and was equipped with rolled cloth for a tent. She tied her bag of belongings and fastened them to the horse's saddle. She turned to see that the stable-boy was next to her. He appeared to be a tad nevous.

"What is the matter, sir?" Pleiada asked him.

"Oh! N-Nothing! I just wanted to see if you needed any more help..." he said.

"No, however please make sure that you have other horses ready with their horseshoes in case some of my people have need of a steed."

"Y-Yes milady!" said the stable boy as he scurried off.

Pleiada patted her horse.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Shaman

[Snowy_One]

"I did not 'grow up poor'. I grew up like most girls in the world, with enough money to not have to beg yet never enough to have what I really wanted. It wasn't until after I became a pegasus knight that my funds vanished." she said shaking her head. "Honestly, the name-calling was worse than any money problems I might have had. Not that it matters. Looks like it's time to head out."

And with that she headed out to the stables and too her pegasus. Slowly and gently she stroked his muzzle, whispering softly to him an apology for being gone, before guiding him out of the stable. "Come on Nyx. Let's get ready to fly. Once we have the go-ahead to start that is." she said as she quickly mounted up and got ready to fly off.

[Aisuko Lyrical]

"Oh I am sorry for the mistake..." he blushed again embarrassed he wondered about the mention of name calling but he decided against asking following the stables boy asked "Milady told me to ask if you wished for a horse." "Oh yes please I am fairly good at riding a horse." he followed the stables boy to a white horse with a dark brown mane "She's a fine one. Her name's Snow." Emil strokes the horses muzzle The horse nuzzles his hand affectionately "I like her, May I have her?" "Of course Milady told me to supply you a horse if you so wished." 'Lady Plaedia is really nice actually a lot of people here are nice, Mother was wrong to worry I think.' Emil thought.

The stable boy opened the gate and brought her out for Emil to mount the stables boy left and Emil saddled up on the horse

I hope I'm not doing something stupid about the horse here I have no idea about horses at all

[Noahfest]

Edward replied to Dougal: ''If you call experience being for around 12 or so years in this troublesome job yeah, I am the experienced one ha ha.''

He followed the others to the stable, as soons as they were there, he complained:

''Oh come on, there won't be any carriages? We are going to have to ride? All of us? I hate riding, someone could take me on the back?''

Edited April 5, 2015 by Haon

[Dragoncat]

"I will be in no need of a horse." Fivel announced. "If you don't mind..." He dropped to his hands and knees and transformed. "...I can cover as much ground as a horse can this way...I will try not to run too far ahead, but sometimes that happens. Or I can help Blodwyn scout ahead? Some things can't be seen from the air."

[Shaman]

Pleiada stared at Nyx. She watched as Blodwyn caressed him. A horse with wings was quite a magnificent sight to behold. The beast was larger than an average horse. Pleiada imagined herself high in the sky, with her arms wrapped tightly around the Pegasus, for fear of falling. She could picture a new horizon bordered by the clouds, instead of the ground that she stood on. Mountain tops became islands, floating on a sea of silken air. A sailor of the skies, accompanied by the stillness and silence of the surrounding aether. She let out a deep sigh, as if releasing her dream from inside of her. She turned her attention to Edward.

"Oh come on, there won't be any carriages? We are going to have to ride? All of us? I hate riding, someone could take me on their back?" he complained.

Pleiada snickered at him. She thought it was hilarious that an experienced mercenary would request a carriage. A carriage was cumbersome, and rather inefficient. Surely a carriage would draw unwanted attention to her troupe. She was not even sure if she wanted to take the road all the way there, because she was toying with the idea of following the river instead.

"My dear Edward." she teased.

"If I had a boat, then I would send you floating downstream. To your dismay, we will follow the riverside north-east from here." she explained.

"Horseback riding is our best option." she finished stating while seated on her steed.

She analyzed Edward closely, noting the details that made up his appearance. She wondered if she should let him ride with her. She hesitated at the thought of offering such an intimate experience to a stranger. Should he ride with her, who would steer and how would the other stay balanced on the horse? This would be close-quarters regardless of who sat where. Pleiada decided to leave it at that, and say nothing more. Edward would make his own decision. She turned her gaze and looked for Dougal. She would ask him what he knew of the Spectral Woodlands.

[Empoleon77]

"Hello. You must be Pleiada, the girl we were assigned to escort." Shadow said to the noble girl, knowing her name instinctively. Pleiada was definitely her name. He'd overheard the others talking to her. He decided to join in the conversation.

[Empoleon77]

Shadow knew Plegia like the back of his hand. He had been there on stealth missions to sabotage Grimleal rituals, to save people being used as sacrifices. He explained to Pleiada everything she would have to expect on the journey, from the environment to the not-so-welcoming populace.

[Noahfest]

Edward looked at Pleiada with a silly face, and replied:

''Ain't ya a funny lil' girl eh? *Sighs* Well I guess I will have horse ride then, but my request stills up, if someone wants to give me a ride I won't refuse it.''

Edward looked at the stables boy and asked:

''How much for that brown horse with the black mane?''

[Rapier]

Dougal turned to answer Pleiada's question. "I have never been there, most of what I know about it is what I've read of people who actually went there, or near enough". He shrugged, his first impression not being as bright as he hoped to be. Far too much ifs and suppositions to be precise and assertive enough. "There is much superstition about that spot. Some say there are vengeful spirits lurking there, victims of war or brigands or Grimleal, but most never did set foot inside to confirm. Others had the nerve to venture and check it out and never returned to tell the tale. Those who did return say they experienced strange feelings of hopelessness and a despairing loneliness, even when they did so in groups, enough to make a man mad".

He chuckled, trying to break the tension of his narrative. "Of course, this is merely folk's lore. What is known for certain is that the forest is rather foggy because of its umidity. I wouldn't recommend passing through it, for that reason alone". He stepped away from Pleiada and toward the city gates, all the while looking back at her. "I've left my horse on the stables near the city, since they're cheaper. I'll join the group shortly". With that, he left, dodging horses and people on the way, blending in with the crowds.

[Shaman]

As Shadow told her about Plegia, she felt her determination grow. This journey would be dangerous, and she was holding back all of her fear. She adjusted her posture, and sat upright on her horse. Edward was determined to ride with someone, and the blue-eyed myrmidon stood in silence. She then heard the green-haired mercenary call to the stable boy.

"How much for that brown horse with the black mane?" he called.

"62 gold, sir!" the stable boy said.

"He used to be a warhorse. That's why he is bigger than the other horses." he continued.

Pleiada trotted over to the stable boy and handed him the coin to pay for Edward's horse. She smiled, thanked him and then turned her gaze to both Edward and Shadow.

"You two should ride together and stay by my side. We will go now." she said, pointing to the two swordsmen.

After hearing what Dougal had to say, she was a bit skeptical. It was bright out, and the sun was shining. She doubted that there would be any fog by the river today. She snapped the reigns and started her way towards the village gates, and followed where the green-robed shaman had gone. She could heard the clip-clopping of her horse, and felt invigorated. All this talk of danger and bandits made her feel like the situation was inevitable. But there was something that made her feel more confidant on horseback.

********************************************************************************************************************

He stood by the stone wall and paced back and forth. He had been waiting all morning, knowing that a messenger would arrive soon. He adjusted the buckle of his silver gauntlet and stared at the glove. There were smaller plates that covered each of his fingers. Eosha was a knight in service to an Ylissean noble, and had been serving him since he was a page boy. He watched the horizon as the sun began to set. He removed his helm, revealing his shaggy pink hair and indigo eyes. There was a horseman in the distance, that appeared on the horizon. He raced away from the sun and towards the knight, by the stone wall.

"Did you find her?" Eosha asked with impatience.

"Yes, sir. She was located in Galeo, a village near the Plegian border. She was seen riding with a group of mercenaries. It appears that they are going to cross the border." said the messenger.

Eosha despaired, and then quickly regained control of himself.

"Tell Lord Auranost that I have gone to retrieve his daughter." Eosha stated with conviction.

"But, sir!" the messenger objected.

"No! I must go now, for I have no more time to spare. Give me your cloak and your horse. I expect to find her by daybreak." Eosha tore the cloak off of the messenger, climbed up on his steed and rode off into the sunset.

[Snowy_One]

As Blodwyn took flight high up into the air, riding on Nyx, and looking out over the horizon her thoughts were not on the splendor of flight. Having flown for years now, while such a thing still held thrill, to her it was naught but a job now.

"Okay Nyx. We got the job and cash inflow. Now all we need to do is keep an eye out for any dangers and the weather and we've got enough to feed you for several months." she said as she patted Nyx on the side, right as a bug flew right into her face. Quickly she wiped it off, trying to keep her face nice and clean, as she circled overhead to keep an eye on Pleiada.

[Empoleon77]

During the trip, Shadow thought about what to do if he, by chance, encountered any Grimleal along the way. He had to defend his new friends from them, and never let them meet the same fate his parents did. He knew Dougal was born into a Grimleal family, so he did not trust him. "He could turn against us later." Shadow thought. He was careful of who to trust, as any of the escorts, or Pleiada herself, could be spying for the Grimleal on them, mostly him, as the Grimleal would have no interest in any of the group other than him.

[Noahfest]

Riding with a odd heavily armored dude is not what Edward would really expect of an easy escort

''Damn I was going to buy the horse for me, I was not willing to give anyone a ride, I just wanted a ride...'' He thought.

After following Pleiada to the city gates, he looked back and said with a with an silly voice:

''Hey, Shadow, don't get used to this, as soon as I get a chance you are out of my horse... Hehe'' ___

He then looked at Pleiada and said:

''Well I was going to buy the horse anyways, but, thanks for buying it for me...''

While rubbing his head, Edward started thinking of what he got himself into:

''Darn it, I was thinking this was going to be an easy job, now I'm riding with a strange dude in my back, surrounded by newbies, and heck! Heard they saying that name more than once... Grimleal, even them are in this, if any of these guys have anything to do with those guys, this is going to be a HELL of a problem... Coming to think, what if that girl has something to do with them? Oh boy...''

Edward sighed, looked at his two swords: ''Old Dad's sword is probably going to have to work this time...''

Edited April 7, 2015 by Haon

[Empoleon77]

"Don't be suspicious that I'm one of the Grimleal. I would never serve the cult that killed my parents!" Shadow hissed at Edward.

[Noahfest]

(Edward was thinking Empoleon XP)

[Shaman]

The water flowed and splashed. The midday sun made the surface of the river sparkle. There were mountains on the other side and a forest lay at the foothills. It was Spectral Forest, and it did not look very ominous from the other side of the river. The trees were markedly different though. It seemed older and mossier than the woods outside of Galeo. The trees were large and the branches twisted.

Her horse trotted at a steady pace, and she pulled the reigns to turn left. The path winded to the north-east and eventually she would see the bridge. The birds chirped and sang, high up in the treetops. Pleiada took in a deep breath and wallowed at the sweet sounds and the gentle misty breeze. Suddenly she felt a pain in her thigh, and so she dismounted the horse. She kept the reign in her hands, and walked next to it. The brief respite was soon interrupted when she heard a large crack and all of the birds from the trees flew away. She stared in the direction of where the sound had come from, looking past the trees in front of her.

A few locks of her hair swished behind her face, as an arrow flew straight past her neck. Her eyes widened before she could even process that she was nearly struck. Her horse whinnied loudly and threw itself on its hind legs. She pulled on the reigns with all of her might, but the horse would not calm down. She fell to the ground and could see the belly of the horse above her. She quickly unbuckled the saddle, and it slipped off of the horses back along with the her supplies. She leaned up and gave the horse a hard smack on the buttocks. The horse whinnied again and ran away. Pleiada also ran, in the direction of her bodyguards.

"There is someone in the woods." she said trying to catch her breath.

"I could not keep my horse without the risk of being hit by arrows. Find a place to tie your horses down, take cover behind the trees and prepare for battle." she stammered as adrenaline ran through her entire body. She kneeled down next to a tree, closed her eyes and began to whisper words to herself. She regained her focus, and calmed her body within seconds.

"lyos syna hugr, lyos syna hugr, syna ovinr" she muttered. Her spoken words echoed in her mind, and she felt a shock run up her spine. She went into a trance and her spirit spilled forth. She could see the feet that snapped the twigs and trampled tree roots. She saw hairy legs that scurried in the wood, and axes carried by their sides. She saw archers in the trees. She saw one look at another and point towards the sky.

A terrible fear woke Pleiada from her trance. "Blodwyn..!" she gasped. She turned to the rest of the group.

"There are eleven men. There are two that carry bows and hide in the trees, the others wield axes and make their way to the river as we speak." she revealed.

(OOC: Before you go slicing their heads off effortlessly, I just want to let you know that taking a hit or two will be appreciated. It would also be nice if you guys took your time with this battle. Do not write about how your character felled 3 enemies in a single post. Span out your duels in 2 or 3 posts, especially if you are 'pairing up' with another character to take on more than one enemy at a time. Work together, use your imagination, and make the scene last. Remember that you can hide, run, jump, flip, taunt, scream, block, parry, throw objects, slash, stab, capture, tie up, and not just kill. Members will be granted more levels based on how well they write out a battle scene, rather than how many enemies they slay. Remember: quantity, quality, and creativity! Use your imagination and visualize the scene. Good luck!)

Edited April 8, 2015 by Shaman