Fire Emblem: The Lion's Blade 29 Chapter 29: The Siege On Castle Caelin

Everything has been going according to the game. Eliwood regrouped with Hector in the Santaruz fief. While there they fended off bandits attacking villages and a few a.s.sa.s.sins from the Black Fang mixed in. Suspicious of the bandits the two lords head to meet the marquess of Santaruz, Lord Helman.

Reaching the castle, they are intercepted by a mercenary group that stops their advance. They defeated him and reach the castle. Inside the castle, Lord Helman is bleeding out due to a morph by the name of Ephidel. He pa.s.ses away, but not before telling them to go to Laus to find out about Darin's, the marquess of Laus, plan. He leaves them one final warning. "Beware the Black Fang."

They reach the Laus domain and try to find the truth of the situation. Preparation for war, the disappearance of Eliwood's father, the death of Marquess Santaruz all linked to Lord Darin of Laus. While there Darin retreats with Ephidel with parts of his army. He leaves his son behind to kill Eliwood and Hector.

Instead of killing them, he ends up defeated. They ask him where Darin is, but receive no sure answer. They learn more of the Black Fang and Ephidel from Erik. They pursue Lord Darin and race to Caelin.

--

'So, that's where we are…' I think to myself looking around the castle. 'I should go ready the defenses.' I get up from my chair and grab my weapons. Heading outside the room I was in I run into a man panicking. 'The b.a.s.t.a.r.ds already here?' I say looking out the closest window. Outside is about 100 men. Each armed to the teeth and I can see a hooded figure near a man on horseback.

'That looks like Ephidel…' I leave the window and go to the castle square. Seeing all our guards gathered, only numbering at 20, I let out a sigh. Kent and Sain upon seeing me motion me over and I approach them.

"Sir Percival we need to prepare the defenses. We only have twenty guards and most of them are recently recruited." Kent says looking at me with respect. I took some time during the year to train him a bit on his technique and he's improved. That led to this look, along with the time we spent together getting Lyn to Caelin.

I hear coughing and look towards the sound. Lord Hausen is standing there looking towards us. I motion Gawain over to me and approach him. He looks at me with care in his eyes. "Percival. I am aware there are 100 men standing outside our castle readying to attack us. We only have twenty men inside the castle." He says with a sigh. He looks to Sain and Kent. "Commander Kent, take Lyndis, Madelyn and Percival with you outside the castle. Take Sain with you as well. As long as they are safe there's nothing to worry about." He looks down.

"I will remain behind with the men. Gawain will go with Lyn to guard them just in case." I say steadfast. The old man looks at me shocked and lets out a small smile. "I will not allow Lyndis to be without her husband. Please go with them." He looks at me and bows. I look at him and hear Lyn shout out "I will not leave this castle without you!" Lyn stomps over with Athena following behind.

The marquess puts on a stern look. "Lyndis this is an order. You will obey it. Go with them and retreat. You can avenge me and take the castle back later. Your life is of the most import and please protect your mother." Florina and Wil approach as well. Kent takes the chance to speak up. "Milady if we fall back now, we can regroup and retake the castle."

Lyn looks at her grandfather before nodding. "Okay. I'll retreat, but I will be back!" Lord Hausen smiles at that and motions us to follow. Lyn and the rest follow behind.

'If I remember correctly, once Ephidel and the forces outside take over Leila enters the castle. She's given the task to kill Lord Hausen, but doesn't do it and informs the group as to where to find Darin… If I stop them from taking the castle we lose that source of information… I'll let them take the castle...'

'System purchase the shadow walker skill.'

[Host has purchased Shadow Walker.]

[Shadow Walker (Level 1): Capable of hiding in someone's shadow. Can be discovered by anyone that looks hard enough at this level.]

The a.s.sault from the enemy forces begin. We rush towards the escape route, but someone needs to remain behind to distract them.

"Kent protect them." Lord Hausen says as he stops walking. "Someone will need to prevent them following. I will distract them since I'm a frail old man."

"Absolutely not! You will be coming with us!" Lyndis shouts out.

"Lyndis! I will not die here today. But I do not know what they will do to you. So please… escape while you can."

Lyndis with tears in her eyes looks at her grandfather. "But-"

"No Lyndis. Go with the knights." I speak up. "I will remain behind with him to protect him."

"Percival… Don't either of you die!" She yells out as she's dragged away by her knights. "Old man you're going to give me a heart attack with your antics." I say seeing them gone. I follow him back to his throne room and wait. I use shadow walker when he isn't paying attention and send out my duplicate.

--

(1 Day Later)

"Blast! Where on earth has that snake Darin gone?" Hector says furious at losing him.

"I doubt he's left Lycia yet, but… Hector… It's been five days. The death of Marquess Santaruz… Our attack on Laus Castle… Word of these things must have reached Lord Uther by now. And yet he shows no sign of action… Why?" Eliwood says looking towards Hector.

Soren speaks up for the first time during this journey to the two lords. "If Lord Uther acts, Bern will invade. At least that is the current speculation Percival and I have."

Marcus, the paladin retainer of Eliwood, rides up to them. "Lord Eliwood! Lord Hector! A messenger from the east! Castle Caelin has fallen to a surprise attack from Marquess Laus!"

"Castle Caelin!?" Eliwood exclaims.

"Are Lord Hausen, Lady Madelyn, Lady Lyndis and Percival unharmed?" Eliwood says.

"We've no word on any of them." Marcus speaks up grimly.

"We ride to their aid! There may still be time!" Eliwood and his group rush towards Castle Caelin.

--

(Castle Caelin)

At the edge of a forest a group of five people could be seen with another horse rider approaching. "We left mother and Athena with a few guards in that village we hid in…" Lyn says looking over her shoulder.

"Milady, I've returned, and I have brought news. Laus soldiers are scattered from the castle to the edge of this forest. There must be at least 50 soldiers." Kent says right up to Lyndis and Gawain.

"Are you sure about this, milady? We barely escape… Going back to the castle would mean almost certain death." Sain says from the sideline.

"My grandfather and Percy are inside the castle. I left the castle on their orders, but… I can't leave him in there alone!" Lyn speaks up.

"The numbers we face… Rescuing Lord Hausen will be no easy task." Wil says before finding a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry kid! That's what I'm here for!" Gawain laughs out.

Kent remembering something Percival told him speaks up. "Lord Eliwood is chasing after Lord Darin if what Sir Percival told me is true. He should be in Laus. We can send someone to go get his aid to retake the castle, Lady Lyndis." Kent speaks up to add.

Lyn nods but looks at the paths they can take. "A horse cannot navigate the woods well enough to go…"

Wil speaks up. "If we are to avoid being caught, I would be our best option through the woods."

Florina also adds in "Lady Lyndis! I'll go! I can fly above the forest. I can be in Laus faster than anyone else."

Lyn looks at Florina surpised. "It will be terribly dangerous… You understand, don't you?"

Florina has a fire burning in her eyes as she looks at Lyn. "Yes. But… I promised myself I would become braver for you and thanks to Percival's training I believe I'm not the same weak little Florina I used to be!"

Lyn nods at Florina. "You've convinced me. The job's yours, Florina. But you must promise me that you won't try anything impossible."

"Yes, my lady. Farewell." Florina flies off.

--

"To reach Laus, I must go ove the forest… and fly north. Then, I'll have to… Wait! Who are those people? They fly no banner and yet… Ah! That man in the lead! It's Lord Eliwood! He's come to Caelin's aid! That's wonderful. I have to tell him where Lady Lyndis is waiting." She starts flying towards them.

"I've spotted the enemy… Why are their archers advancing? They're aiming at something up high." Hector says. "Is that a pegasus knight?" He adds on.

Eliwood upon spotting the girl on the Pegasus recognizes her. "Florina! Fly lower!" He shouts out.

Florina panics dodging the arrow. Her Pegasus descending faster than she expected falls off. Instead of landing on the group she ends up landing in Ike's arms. "I have you Florina." He says to her. Her face blushing. From the side a grunt can be heard. Hector has a Pegasus laying on top of him.

Ike sets her on her feet, and she regains her awareness. "Lord Eliwood, Lady Lyndis is beyond that forest. She's waiting for a chance to a.s.sault the castle."

"What about Sir Percival?" Eliwood notices the lack of his name. "He… He remained inside the castle to protect the marquess." She mumbles out. Eliwood and Hector at that statement grow stern faces.

"I see. Let's go then!"

The forces of the two lord's charge into battle. Hector and Eliwood charge in with determination. Slaying any enemy they come across. No archer can harm them as Oswin moves forward to block their arrows. Before they follow another volley t.i.tania, Marcus and Lowen wreak havoc on their lines. The mages attempt to stop the horses but are greeted by arrows from Rebecca and Wil. Along with spells cast by Erk and Soren. The warriors wielding axes, sword and lances try to rush forward to attack the mages but run into the warriors of Eliwood's forces. Dorcas, Bartre and Guy stop their advances. Serra, Mist and Priscilla quickly moving in and out to heal the injured. Matthew is dashing around the back line taking out any distracted fighters. Ike is with him as well, but instead of taking out distracted fighters, he fights against 3 to 4 enemies at a time, without receiving a scratch on him.

Lyn and her group see this rush in as well. Kent and Sain follow the other hors.e.m.e.n's lead crush the archer line. Wil takes aim at any distracted fighter. Florina dashes in and out of the fight avoiding archers and striking the unaware fighters. Lyn and Gawain crush anyone in front of them.

Gawain and Ike reach the man guarding the gate. A knight famed for his skill throughout Laus, Bauker. The father-son duo look at each other and Gawain allows Ike to take the fight. Bauker feeling disrespected at their actions looks at the two of them and charges forward. Instead of a long fight; the man falls instantly to Ike's sword swing.

The three lords look at the duo with respect in their eyes. Lyn then turns to Eliwood. "Thank you, Eliwood. If not for your help, I don't know where I'd be right now." She looks back to the castle. "I'm coming Percy…"

Eliwood hearing that grimaces. "All of this happened because we routed Lord Darin at Laus. It's only right that we help."

Lyn shakes her head. "you explained your motives to me, Eliwood. This is about your father. I would do the same thing, as would Percival. What happened in Caelin is not your fault."

"Thank you. However, until your castle is yours again, I take responsibility."

"I understand. Thank you." Lyn says with a smile while keeping her eyes on the castle.

"Eliwood! We're moving into the castle!" Hector shouts over to Eliwood. "All right." Eliwood says over to him.

"Who's that?" Lyn says looking at Hector.

"Oh, yes. Let me introduce you. Hector!"

"What?" Hector says walking over.

"This is Lyndis. She's Lord Hausen's granddaughter and Percival's wife. Lyndis, this is Hector. He's Lord Uther's brother." Eliwood says.

"You have a similar fighting style with your axe to Percival…" Lyn says looking at him.

"That's because he taught me the technique and form, I use. Without him I'd be swinging it around wildly like I used to." Hector says with a small smile.

"So, he taught you?" Lyn says a little surprised.

"Hmm? He taught Eliwood as well." Hector adds on.

Lyn nods at that and turns towards the two of them. "Let's hurry!" She says. They both nod and move towards the castle with their forces.

--

(Inside Castle Caelin)

"Ri…Ridiculous…Even Bauker?" Darin says looking out at the battle.

"Lord Darin, it's time to give up this madness. Further resistance is meaningless. For what you've done, you may never be forgiven, but it's not too late to try. Tell Eliwood everything. He'll intervene with Marquess Ostia on your behalf…" Hausen says to Darin. Not noticing a hooded figure approaching.

"I…I've lost…" Darin says with a hand on his face.

"Hurry! Eliwood will be here in no time. Let me speak for you." While talking the hooded figure stabs out with his dagger. He feels it go into flesh and sees Lord Hausen fall over. Blood leaking from his body.

[Host has lost 4 HP.]

'Why did that hurt me? I have Null Physical.'
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[The dagger is sheathed in dark essence. It is considered a dark element attack.]

'It works for me. The blood will make them think he died.'

"None of that now. Marquess Laus needs no troublesome advice." He says cleaning his blade and putting it away.

"L-Lord Ephidel?" Darin says turning to him.

"There is no turning back for you now. You should know that. First, Marquess Santaruz… and now Marquess Caelin. Both deaths are on your head." Ephidel says.

"What? It was by your hand that they both died! I-I never asked for this." Darin says looking on shocked.

"Yes. I killed them… for you."

"To… trap me?"

"Don't be absurd. I follow my master's orders. My only wish is to deliver your dreams to you. The crown of a united Lycia… And once that is done, dominion over the entire continent. Is that not what you desire?" Ephidel says trying to lull him back into obedience.

"… … … Yes… Yes, of course. That dream IS still worth a few sacrifices, isn't it?" Darin says speaking up regaining his bearing but falling for the trap.

"You're exactly right. Our plans may have gone drastically awry, but as long as we have the master's power behind us, we cannot be defeated. We'd do well to leave now before those meddlesome worms arrive. You will leave everyone from Laus behind. We will use them to delay our foe." Ephidel says confidently.

"Everyone… my soldiers? But… who will protect me?" Darin says confused.

"The Black Fang and I will more than suffice for that task. There is nothing else you need, I a.s.sure you." Ephidel says certain he'll obey.

"Yes…I…see that now. Where do we go from here?" Darin says looking for orders.

"To the Dragon's Gate… Our master awaits us there. The master has informed me our hostage may be all we need. If all goes well, we may be able to perform the ceremony with him alone." Ephidel says looking away from Darin. "Go prepare your retreat. I need to provide some orders."

Darin nods and leaves the room. "Pathetic imbecile…" Ephidel says shaking his head. "Leila? Where are you?"

From the shadows a purple haired woman steps out. "I'm here."

"While Eliwood is occupied, finish off Marquess Caelin and hide the body. The enemy will waste precious time searching for him."

"As you command…"