Gwyneth stood on the wall her hair tied into a short pony tail. The horizon was clear, not a single threat peeking out. Her cape flapped in the wind. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. It had been over a month since Yamada had written. Letters had arrived from the Silver City, with only updates about them. That they were living their lives. Yamada was choosing to stay and train his abilities further. She let out a restrained sigh. Her cape suddenly flew into her face. "Stop thinking about him, and eat." Lyn said, holding a plate of scarce silver platter of fruit, containing half an apple and one peach. She looked down and cocked an eyebrow. Lyn sighed. "We're really running low on food. Aerith won't let Encara help the butchers, make more meat." "She's saving him for a better use." She said taking an apple slice. "I can't see what for. Seems like Thanatos is respecting our temporary cease fire."
"Thanatos will have lost his standing amongst his generals and the others. One of them will do something reckless, and we need to be ready." Lyn scoffed. "We can handle, whatever they throw at us." "Granted you have some meat in your stomach?" "I've lived a comfortable twenty years. I don't like when it's taken from me." She said, shoving the plate into Gwyneth. "Now eat, and stop thinking about him. It won't bring him back." "I wasn't thinking about anyone..." Lyn shot daggers at Gwyneth with her stare. "I know that face." "I wasn't thinking about Hendrik." "Who do you think I was talking about?" "Uhh well..." "Yamada is safe and away from this. Just like you wanted. Although, I would very much like him here fighting by our side. A volatile fighter like him, might only be detrimental to us." Gwyneth smiled glumly. "I'll try."
Lyn turned around ready to walk off. "Lyn." She stopped turning around. "What part of my face was giving that away?" "You have the same face I wore for a while." "Which is?" "The, I really need to have sex face." Gwyneth went beet red. "I!-" Lyn snickered. "It's all over your face. He must be amazing down there." "I don't really feel comfortable-" "I mean, if he didn't fuck Skora that well. We would have died quite some time ago." She said nudging Gwyneth in the ribs. "I'm sure she did that out of the kindness in her heart." "Doubt it. From what that blacksmith girl has said. It was nothing short of godly." "Lyn, I really don't want to talk about my ward's sexual prowess." Gwyneth bowed trying to hide her red face, taking an apple slice to nibble on. "I mean at least give me some details. Perhaps it could help Axilas down there." Gwyneth choked spitting and coughing out the apple slice. "You and Axilas!? When?" "Don't act so surprised. Vexgar hasn't been discrete about it at all." "I thought you two were just...dating..." She said bashfully. "Which led to other things that couples do."
"So spill it. What does Yamada do that seems to make women fall for him. Even you. The great Gwyneth Lockhart." "Well he's very loving and caring for you-" Lyn shook her head. "No, not that lovey dovey crap. I meant the part that apparently makes you unable to walk afterwards." "Oh. Um well, he does this thing with his tongue that he learned on Yamata. He can core any fruit with his tongue alone." Lyn looked at her filled with doubt. "Are you lying to me?" She shook her head. "He overheard some men, saying it was the best way to beat a woman, and he just never put it together." Lyn looked down to the ragged Islanders still trying to do Gwyneth's training. All of them drenched in sweat, still trying to adapt to wearing armour. The only one enduring was Kale, gritting his teeth and leading the pack. "You mean all of them might be able to do that?" "Maybe, but I'm not gonna find out." Lyn went into thought before nodding. Gwyneth reached for the peach, when Lyn snatched it off the plate. "I'm borrowing this." She said walking off. Gwyneth chuckled, watching her float away.
"You two getting along to me is just weird." Soel said appearing from the wall, under Skora's arm. "You two hiding in the Ring is worse." "No, she's right. You two getting along way weirder." Aerith said floating down from the sky. "Are you all just spying on me?" "No, we're here because, we're worried about you." "About what? Yamada is safe in the Silver City." "You've got that face." Soel said. "What face?" "The, you haven't had sex in a while face." Skora said with a smirk. Gwyneth dumped the content of the plate into her mouth, and stared at her reflection on the platter. "What is this face!?" She snapped, her face bright red. "Why does everyone know what it looks like?" The three of them let out a collective groan. "What?" Miranda climbed up the steps with an evil and sinister snicker. "Told you all. Now pay up." Gwyneth glared at her. The three of them gave her a small pouch of gold. "What did you tell them!?" "The truth." she said inspecting her nails.
"Why are you making bets on this? Why are you handing each other gold? Why?" Miranda shrugged. "Passes the time." They all nodded agreeing with her. "Pick another target for your bets. Like Axilas and Lyn are sleeping together." The three rolled their eyes groaning and handing Miranda more gold coins. "Told you, she be the last to know." "How many bets do you have on me!?" The four of them shared a glance, before looking at Gwyneth. "That was the last one." They said in perfect sync. She growled at them. "What else are you betting on me? Tell me now, or I'll shave you all bald." "Well...out of curiosity and not related to any bets. How many times have you thought of Yamada. Let's say...since you got the letter?" Miranda asked. "If I answer this, will you all stop making bets on me?" They all nodded. She let out a sigh. "Every day." "HA! I win!" Skora snorted throwing her hands into the air.
"Hang on. You weren't specific." Aerith said. "Yeah, not so fast. How many times have you thought of Yamada...in other ways?" Soel asked. Gwyneth went red turning around. "Since...since he left." The three groaned, with Miranda giving a smug nod. "You can pay me later ladies. You can't beat the best friend!" She let out a whoop walking off the ledge. "Can you all stop making bets about me now!?" She exclaimed. Soel and Skora left through the ground. Aerith stayed and snickered, playfully nudging Gwyneth. "It's nice to finally see you like this again." "What? Have my friends make bets about my sex life?" "Well there's that, but I meant you being human again. You've been smiling, blushing, and you're even letting your hair grow out. Before all of this, and before Yamada arrived. I had almost given up seeing Gwyneth again."
"I was always me, before Yamada, and before this." Aerith scoffed, reeling back in disbelief at her statement. "You're joking right?" Gwyneth gave her a deadpan expression. "Oh wow. You're serious." "I'm not any different." "Alright we'll play a game. Before you met Yamada, name one thing you did other than; sleeping, eating, drinking, training, and paying us a visit." Gwyneth raised a finger ready to answer, but quickly stopped. "I...We...Did we ever go dancing?" Aerith lurched forward staring at her confused. Gwyneth sighed. "He really did change me." "He changed a lot of things. I mean, you're brother is actually being helpful. Cin is sleeping better than ever since he came. I almost forgot to mention the giant wall we're standing on." "Well that was Skora-" "Who was convinced to come here, by his amazing-" "You don't need to finish it." "You're regretting not putting a leash on that thing aren't you?"
She shied away. "No. We weren't meant to be doing that anyway. It's taboo." She pouted. "You know, if you did put a leash on him. He'd probably the only man in this world, willing to keep it, regardless of what temptation came his way." "Aerith. I. Am. Okay. With Yamada being with other women." She said through her teeth. "In that case, you're okay with knowing, he slept with that Elf girl travelling with him." "Mmhmm. Completely fine." Gwyneth said, slowly clenching her fist. "With Saira and Skora. He's up to a good four women. Three beautiful women, in just over a month, and I mean. He wasn't even trying. They just came to him. Can you imagine, what's it's like for him right now?" Gwyneth took a deep breath repressing the rage. "Women, clawing all over him, all wanting a turn at him." "I get it." "And, with his body and that stamina, he could have so many women in one day." "I get the idea Aerith, you can stop now." "And you know with his affinity and magic, he could probably." "Alright! I regret telling him, that we should be together. Can you stop now?" "There, that wasn't so hard to admit now was it?"
"It just feels wrong." She squatted down holding her knees. "To love another man than Hendrik." "Oh, he's a man now? I remember you calling him, a muscle bound idiot boy." Gwyneth glared at Aerith. She snickered sitting down next to her. "I'm joking, and it's normal. You loved Hendrik, but he would want you to be happy." "I mean have you and Cin, ever had that talk?" "He's okay with me moving on. Granted I wait the appropriate time, and the next man doesn't look as good as him." "And what about Cin? Are you okay with him-" "I would haunt him to death, if he touched another woman. He knows that." Gwyneth nodded impressed. "Who, would even be your replacement?" "Could I borrow Yama-" Gwyneth shoved her away. The two laughing.
Lyn walked through the streets, side by side with Axilas rubbing his jaw. "I don't think it's possible." He said. "Also, I think it was a waste of a perfectly good peach." "Just keep practicing." She said, eyeing the glaring citizens. Their faces gaunt and exhausted. "Have your men reported from Pest Peaks?" "Do you really want to talk about reports, while we're together?" "In case you haven't noticed Axi, everyone is hungry. We need to get them more food." "I'm sure my men have caught us enough fish to last. Now we shouldn't think about this, while we have some peace." He said grabbing her in close. She spotted a little boy crying and clinging to his mother, clutching his stomach. She broke away from Axilas's grip, walking over to the mother, and handing her some gold coins. "The tavern's still have some food. Make sure his belly is full. We will fix this soon." Before the woman could thank her, Lyn marched off. Axilas jogged after her.
"Lyn, what are you going to do?" "Get us more food and allies." "Where? There's no one outside these walls that can help us. The Silver City already sent their best, and anything travelling on that Fork, is getting attacked by the Tuskdrans. Unless you think those worthless Islanders can do anything." "Not them. I'm calling my people. Kumo has capable warriors, and Blesseds to help us." "You haven't spoken to your people, in decades. Also we have any Enk mages capable of sending a message to them." "The Silver City does." "Lyn, listen to yourself. It would take months for the letter to reach the Silver City itself, then even more to reach Kumo. They might not even help us." "We have to do something!" She snapped, her voice startling everyone nearby. Axilas pulled her in close, holding her tight. "We will. Write the letter, we will do things on our front as well." "Thank you." She whispered.
The two made their way into the Keep, finding Kekoa with Encara, visibly sweating and trembling. "Is he still torturing that Islander?" Axilas whispered. "Well earned." Axilas looked at her concerned. She shrugged at him. "What? If you're job is to make guardians and teach them how to be strong. And out of the fifty you personally trained. The one who was actually strong, was the you didn't train. What does that say about him?" Axilas paused before nodding. "My king, may I ask why you have summoned me?" He asked with a nervous smile. "I've been told by others, that you've been slacking on your training." "I am the chieftain, I am-" "Kekoa, I have no patience for this. Do your training. Stop stealing food from your people, and before Vasha breaks free from her prison. Lose some damn weight." Encara said walking out. "Could you perhaps use your magic on me?" "That's a good idea. I'll go wake Cin from his nap, to render your fat, and make you a nice snack for the Drakens." Kekoa sprinted out of the room.
Lyn opened Axilas's door, jumping back into his arm. Cecil was in his room, without his wrappings on. He caught her by the shoulders snickering. "Cecil." He ordered. "Ah Axilas, you've returned, and-" He stopped turning and seeing Lyn uncomfortable. He quickly covered himself. "Apologies, Lady Sepharae." "No, I am sorry Cecil. I should be use to your appearance by now." "No need, my lady. I am aware my presence is unsettling." "Cecil, we could use your help." "I am at your service." He said bowing. "I want to send a letter to Kumo." "That will be a...long endeavour." "I am aware, but we need to ask for any allies, possible." He took his seat excitedly, taking out his quill. "Who, should I write to Lady Sepharae?" "Foreaux of Kumo. He was always good to my mother. He could convince the others to help us in our fight." He nodded. "I will send the letter as soon as I am done."
Axilas guided Lyn out the room, walking her to the roof. "He works better alone." "Does his appearance not...bother you?" "It did at first, but he's still Cecil. Our scribe that never left." "Hmm...I'll try and get use to him." He chuckled. "What?" "It's sweet of you to try and hide it, but you can say it." "Say what? I have nothing else to say about him." "Lyn." "Okay! He makes my skin crawl and itch. Like does he see out of all of those eyes? Or just the two? What happens when one of the eyes gets itchy? Does he have to scratch all of them? It just augh." She shuddered. Axilas chuckled, holding her from behind. "From what he's told us. The eyes itch independently." Lyn shook her head. The two sat on the ledge of the roof. Watching the horizon together, their hands locked. She rested her head onto his pauldron. The two sat together taking in their moment of peace.
"Do you miss your parents Axi?" "Haven't really thought about them." She playfully tapped his cheek. "Don't lie." He smiled. "I haven't thought of the right thing to say to them. How would you explain, that you let your brother die, and the true heir of Artaraxus die?" Lyn sat straight up puffing her chest out, tucking her chin down. "Father, Mother. I have returned. This is partner. We will take over now." She said in a deep voice. Axilas chuckled shaking his head. She quickly stood up, taking a wide stance and holding her arms out. "I have also returned. Please give me all the food. I am Vexgar, and I am discrete." She bellowed. Axilas snorted covering his smile. She sat back down. "That's how I would do it, if I were you." He kissed on her on the cheek. "You dork."
"I think you also forgot the fact, that their army is literally at our doorstep." She puffed her chest out. "Mother. Father. What the fuck? Sincerely, your best son." He looked at her dumbfounded. He was the best son? What about Hendrik. "Don't you mean-" She shut his mouth. "I know what I said." He smiled, resting his head atop hers. "Queen Lyn Xenarith, does have a certain ring to it." "It would still be Queen Sepharae. I won't lose my family name." "What would you say, if you saw your mother again?" "If she was somehow alive. I'd tell her, that I'm sorry, I slacked on my training." She clenched her fists. "And that I have loved and missed her every day." He consoled her in his arms, holding her tight. A war horn echoed to them. "Shit, what now?" Axilas growled. The two rushed down, meeting Gwyneth and the others at the Fourth Ring. The only one unaccounted for was Cin. Still dead asleep.
"What's happening?" Lyn asked. "Grey banner." Miranda pointed. "A parlay? What's their game?" "No idea, but it's looking like, going to get bloody." Vexgar said excitedly. "No it's not." Aerith snapped. "Encara, come with me." He readied himself to clap his hands. "You clap your hands, and waste your energy. No amount of Blessing magic, will fix, what I do to you." She growled. Everyone shuffled back a single step. "Soel, get ready to wake Cin up." She nodded with Skora about to join her. She snatched Skora by the ear. "Ah! Ah! You're gonna rip it off." "I need you here on this wall, not trying to see how many licks it takes, to make a peach scream." The two blushed, with everyone staring at them. "Grand Knights, and Miranda." "Oi, I'm a knight as well." "Key word, 'Grand'." Gwyneth added. Miranda pouted. "Load of bullshit. Just as strong." She grumbled.
"Xenariths, Lyn, Miranda stay on the ground. Fervias, Yssac, and my breath of new Wyn." "Hey! Don't call me that!" Gwyneth snapped. "You stay up here, and watch if they want to make any flying Drakens." Encara and Aerith leapt off the wall, to meet the grey banner caravan. All of them looked at Gwyneth, bright red. "So..." Miranda said. "Don't say it." "I guess you could say." Soel added. "Please don't say it." "It's really Wyndy, up here." Fervias added. Gwyneth let out a long groan. Everyone took their places, with Gwyneth covering her red ears. "It's a cute name, I might add." Yssac said. She let out a whimper, burying her face down. "I did not take that boy for a poet, but from the stories I've heard, his tongue-" "You don't need to add anymore Yssac." "If I ever see him again. I must apologise for how I behaved." "It's quite alright. Yamada isn't one to hold a grudge...." She trailed off hearing her words. "He won't hold it against you personally." "I should probably apologize, to him to. I did a real number on him." Fervias said, stroking his clean face.
"Don't think he would recognise you, without your scars and beard." Gwyneth said. "Is it because you didn't?" Yssac added. "It caught me by surprise!" She exclaimed. The two of them chuckled, standing side by side. Vexgar stood behind Lyn and Axilas, like a watchful guardian. Bored of the silence, Miranda did what she did best, and stirred the pot. She waited for the best moment, letting Lyn take a sip from her flask. "So, Lyn. What would you and Axilas, name your first child?" Her eyes bulged, water shot out her nose, and she spat her drink out violently. Axilas went beet red. She looked to Vexgar brimming with joy. 'Come on you lumbering idiot, stir the pot with me. I gave you the spoon.' He bear hugged Lyn, still coughing. "You're pregnant!? I'm gonna be an Uncle!?" A sinister grin stretched across her face. 'Perfect.'
"She's not pregnant!" Axilas shouted. "Now put her down!" Lyn coughed holding her throat. "Why would you ask that!?" She exclaimed. "A simple question from one woman to another." "I don't want any of you spreading lies!" Axilas shouted at the knights standing around. "She is not pregnant!...Right?" "Yes!" She barked frowning at him. "Not a word of this!" Miranda chuckled taking a seat. Axilas stood over her fist shaking. She looked up at him with a incredulous look. "I should kill you for that?" He growled. "Really? Go ahead. I'd like to see how you and others fair against them, without Gwyneth on your side." "We are at war, and you have been nothing, short of antagonistic." "If you have a problem Miranda. Tell us. We can't be at each other's throats like this." Lyn said. "Yeah! We are allies in this fight." Vexgar bellowed. "That's absolutely fucking adorable, coming from you three."
She stood up, grabbing Axilas by his breastplate, and staring him down. "Listen closely. I hate you five with a passion. So we are not 'Allies.' We are people, who live in the same kingdom. Yssac and Fervias, at least had the human decency to apologise, over a decade late. But you three?" "She killed our brother!" Vexgar snapped. Miranda shoved Axilas back, drawing her sword in a flash. He felt the tip of it placed on his throat. "She chose to kill the man, she loved, to save you all. Because he would not have wanted to hurt you. And how did you fucking assholes repay her sacrifice? You threw every insult, slur and violent act her way." Lyn bowed her head. "I'll tell you this right now. If it were me in that situation. I would have let you all die without hesitation, for the slim miracle it brought back my love." She sheathed her blade. "But unlike me. Gwyneth is much stronger and kinder than me." She growled turning around.
She stopped in front of Axilas. "Do me a favour Axilas." Her tone filled with malice and venom. "Keep your empty threats to yourself. Because unlike you. I've been ready to die from the moment I lost my love. You?" She eyed Lyn, and Vexgar. "Well, you haven't seen true despair yet, but push me a little more. And I'll gladly show you." Miranda stretched her neck, walking away in a huff. Axilas sucked on his teeth, keeping his head down. "Forget about her brother." Lyn and Axilas glumly nodded, taking their position. Miranda stomped her boots into the ground, pacing back and forth, at the base of the Fourth Ring. "You know, it's a pretty basic lesson, but you don't lower the morale of your troops before a fight." Gwayn said. "Oh, shut up. The only reason, you're still alive, is because your Gwyneth's only living family." He grabbed the hilt of his Ram-Dao. "That a threat Sword Dancer?" He asked with an excited smile.
She did the same, scowling at him. "Don't test me you winged snake." The two lowered themselves ready to attack. Kapuna spotted the two great warriors, ready to exchange blows. Her mind raced with terrifying flashbacks of Yamada doing the same. She sprinted in between. "Stop, stop, stop!" She yelled. The two looked at her confused. "Do you know, who I am?" Gwayn asked scowling at her. "Yeah, my boy fucked your sister, into becoming his woman." Miranda snorted, covering her mouth. Gwayn took a step forward. "Cut me down great knight. Nothing says powerful and amazing, like cutting down an old Islander woman, working the fields." Gwayn stopped snarling at her. "I have better things to do." He grunted, walking away. "Well that was amazing. I can see where Yamada gets-" Kapuna grabbed Miranda by the ear, yanking her down to her knees. "Ah! Ah!"
"You! Stop throwing your anger at everyone. It doesn't help you heal." Miranda reached for her sword. Kapuna twisted her ear more. She squealed. "I tamed Yamada with this, you think it won't work on you?" Miranda forced herself back up, straining against Kapuna. She cocked both eyebrows, her entire right arm tensed, and veins bulged across her arm. Miranda broke into tears. "AH! AH! AH!" "I'm at half strength. Don't make me use my other hand." "Okay! Okay! Let go! Let go!" Kapuna released Miranda, and she pouted rubbing her ear. "You are freakishly strong!" "Just in that one aspect. Now, you need to stop throwing your anger at everyone. It won't help you heal." "What do you know?" She reached for her again. Miranda scuttled back. "You think Yamada, was always directing that rage to that Elf? He lashed out at everything and everyone. Boy even took to fighting the Maelstrom." "How do you fight an ocean?" "In his case. He anchored himself on a rock, and punched a bunch of the waves." "He did that? You let him do that?"
Kapuna nodded glumly. "I would have stopped it, but it was the only thing that tuckered him out, for bed time." She knelt down by her side. "Now, what or who are you actually angry at?" "Listen lady, this parenting crap may have worked on Yamada, but it won't work on me." She said dusting herself off. "Because, now I know, you can't do anything unless, you grab my ear. Miranda gave her a smug smile, covering both ears. Kapuna gave her a warm smile, cocking her head to the side, and pinched her cheek. A searing pain shot through her body, as she was hoisted into the air. Kapunda dragged Miranda close to her face. "You think, I disciplined Yamada with only that?" She growled, dropping Miranda. She rubbed her cheek furiously.
"Now, answer my question. I've got all day." Miranda sat up wiping her ears. "Is everyone related to Yamada this crazy?" "I'm not his real Kapuna. Now talk." "I'm angry a lot of things." "Then list them." "We'll be here all day, if I-" Kapuna reached out again. "Elves, Vexgar, Axilas, Yssac, Fervias." She shot off. Kapuna drew her arm back. "There's barely any food. My brother is an immortal. I'm angry that I can't just work at my shop. I'm angry at...." Kapuna started reaching again. "Why are you reaching? I'm just thinking. OI! Stop." "I'm angry at myself!" Kapuna stopped. "Why?" "Why? Why!? Because when, my Sarang needed me I left him to die! I chose duty over him! I-"
Kapuna pulled Miranda in for a tight hug. "What are you doing?" She shook her head, shushing her. "All this time. I thought we were the only ones hurting from Kal'Nar. But everyone has been suffering." "I'm not like Yamada." She whimpered. "I wasn't a child, when it happened. I was in my prime. I..." She buried her head into Kapuna's soft embrace. "It's alright." Kahu said softly, patting her head. "We are all weak, and we eventually break, but what's important. Is that we keep moving forward." "How did an Islander like you get so wise?" "I trained against an entire island of dumbasses for nearly twenty years." Miranda chuckled, embracing Kahu. The two parted. "You did a good job raising Yamada. He's a sweet caring boy, who knows to do the right thing." Kahu scoffed. "I did a terrible job. I never found a way to help him with that rage. I just hope he's okay at the Silver City." "I'm sure he's perfectly safe."
Encara and Aerith approached the caravan on foot. Compromised of twenty banner-men in front. Lagging behind them was a large war tent being dragged along by several chariots. "You know this is a trap right?" Encara said. "Most likely, but you're finally at full strength, so be your normal self again." The tent was placed down and the banner-men threw their flags down, scrambling away terrified. "Hmm, they weren't Elven banner-men." Encara said. "Or Tuskdran. Which means the person asking for this truce is from-" A hand in a golden robe waved them into the tent. The two looked at each other cocking and eyebrow, before shrugging. Inside the tent was one table and several seats, with nothing else but one man inside, and a bag by his side. A gaunt and frail man, in a golden robe. His hair thinning into frail wisps. "Please...sit..." He said weakly. Encara and Aerith took a seat. He kicked his feet up onto the table. "What does Artaraxus want to negotiate?" Encara asked. The man unfurled a scroll, laying it out in front of them, handing over a single quill. "Your complete and unconditional surrender of the Citadel." Encara and Aerith shared a glance before breaking out in a loud cackle together.