Chapter 1: The Escape



    I awoke to find Altha grazing in a meadow. Seth was asleep with his head sunk on his chest, and my head was on his shoulder. Our arms were still tightly wrapped around each other. For a moment, half asleep still, I studied his face. His thick, dark, red hair brushed my face, but I saw his striking profile; sadness filled his mouth and closed brown eyes. I closed my own eyes for a moment, and then opened them hurriedly.

    Rather alarmed by our... intimate position, I wriggled. Seth started and woke, grunting. When he realized where he was, he gasped and blushed.

    "Please, forgive me," he said quickly, also alarmed.

    "There's nothing to forgive," I said, sliding to the ground to allow him to dismount and begin setting up breakfast. "You were tired. It was all completely unintentional."

    "As you like, Princess," was his only answer, and I knew he was not going to forgive himself. I sighed inwardly. Stubborn man.

    Seth found some firewood, and I made toast and tea - simple, and good for a journey. That was my opinion, anyway. Then, we continued riding, going more slowly so that Altha did not get tired out. I was forever pointing out different beautiful sights in the bright day. The sun shone brilliantly in the cheerful, cloudless blue sky. Around every bend was something new.

    "I've been here often, but the times I came were mostly flying with Tana. One has a completely different perspective on the ground, and as I recall, yet another view while walking. Oh! There's the waterfall of Clover Village!"

    Near to lunchtime, we came to the castle of Border Mulan. I was happy to be in Frelia - I was friends with most of the young royal families on Magvel, and Princess Tana of Frelia was not an exception. My dear brother often had tension with her brother, Prince Innes, for Innes had high goals and viewed Ephraim as more of a rival than a friend.

    Anyway, we drew over the hill above Castle Mulan and stopped. Grado soldiers were crawling over the landscape.

    "Oh, Seth, look... " I pointed as my voice trailed off in shock.

    "I see it," he replied. "It seems Grado's army has already reached Frelia. Princess, this place is perilous. We should bypass Mulan altogether and head straight to the castle..."

    His words sounded good, but I disagreed with leaving the people here helpless. "We must help," I said. "We can get through. You were there when Renais was invaded... you saw what I saw. I saw pain and suffering. I can't allow the same crimes to happen here." I saw that I had guilt-tripped Seth, which made me feel guilty, but...

    Seth nodded his dark-red-haired head. "I understand. I think we can retake Mulan. If you will, Princess, I will advise you and you will command me."

    "That sounds nice," I agreed. "Very well, what should our first move be?"

    "Trees provide cover and defense. Some other terrain types, like hills and mountains, and man made defenses like fortresses provide benefits as well." I nodded, absorbing this new information as Seth gave me a crash course in tactics. "Villages and houses should be warned of any fighting, and places of power, like thrones and the gate of Castle Mulan over there give one much strength."

    "I see," I replied. "Let us warn those houses. I will attack that soldier on the right, and you should attack the one on the left."

    "Yes, Lady Eirika." Seth thundered off to do my bidding. I attacked the soldier, a bit worried, because I knew that I was at a disadvantage. My brother wielded a lance. I knew the weapon triangle.

    So it came as something of a surprise to find my enemy dead at my feet seconds into combat.

    Together, Seth and I fought back the soldiers of Grado. They seemed surprisingly weak, but Seth claimed I was an outstanding warrior. He himself gave me the best advice, even gently objecting to my plans when they were not sound. For example, in one place he pointed out an ideal place to trap me. There was a soldier standing with his back to me, with a forest nearby. This, said Seth, was a perfect place for an ambush. The better thing to do, he said, would be to attract the soldier's attention and let him charge me, lest there be more enemies hiding in the forest.

    Obediently, I yelled wordlessly. The soldier turned and came running. I braced myself, ready to sidestep his charge.

    I never had to. Like a flash of light green fire, Franz skewered him on his lance. Behind him, a blue armoured knight with spikey black hair stabbed another one.

    To tell you my feelings, I was sad these people had to die. They did try to kill me, but they were probably only following orders. I wondered how Grado could order the destruction of Renais.

    "Well met, Franz," Seth greeted his apprentice. "I'm relieved to see you still in one piece!" This humourous statement brought a smile to my lips.

    "Yes, and you as well, sir. General, Castle Frelia knows of our need. All that is left to us now is to kill that knight, free the castle, and head to Frelia."

    "Good work, Franz. Ride with us."

    "With honour, sir!" Franz was so innocent and earnest.

    The other knight, whose name was Gilliam, spoke with Seth while Franz and I ran ahead of them to attack the castle gate. A lone armour knight stood there.

    I looked at my rapier. I had been told it was good against armour knights, but...

    The armour knight charged us. Franz wheeled aside, and I leapt sideways, but the knight's shoulder hit Franz's horse, knocking them over. The grey eyed cavalier's left leg was pinned under his thrashing horse. The knight circled Franz, who jabbed at him with his lance. Seth was not close enough to help us in time...

    "Leave him alone!" I cried shrilly, and jumped forward with my rapier. I dealt the knight the strongest blow I had yet, and he fell headless.

    "Well done, Princess," Seth said calmly, and yet with great relief, from behind me. I leaned against the wall of the castle, panting.

    A dark-blue haired girl came to the gate with a pegasus and cheered. "Eirika! You saved me!"

    "Tana?" I gasped. "How are you here?"

    "I heard that Renais had fallen, and I was so worried, silly, except I sent my last escort away to bring help and I was captured by Mr. Headless over there." Tana was a giggly girl, but a good friend, and funny. She was training as a pegasus knight, as I was to be a swordfighter.

    "I'm going to see your father, Tana. I don't know where my brother is."

    Tana's forehead wrinkled. "You're in a lot of trouble. I do hope we can help. I'm glad to see you're safe. I hope your brother's not been harmed..."

    "Princesses," Seth called us, "here come those reinforcements."

    "The ones I sent for?" asked Tana.

    "Yes, Lady Tana. They are Frelian knights, certainly."

    Tana clapped her hands. "Now, let's go see my father. He may know something."


Prologue: The Fall of Renais     Contents    Chapter 2: The Protected