25Convergence of Countries
Felicie stared up at Firmin, but she wasn't really looking at him. In her mind, instead, she saw Cy's face, grinning at her in the dim light of his speedship when he woke after their night together. She saw Addie, laughing as they played around through every year of their life. She saw Master Eneas, holding the Holy Record, as he swore her in as a paladin.
She faced death on her knees, but she was filled with pride and satisfaction. Her only regret was that she couldn't save everyone behind her.
And that she wouldn't be able to see Cy smile at her again.
"Firmin!" Emilien shouted, grabbing his hand.
Fury briefly twisted Firmin's features, but it was gone in an instant. He turned, brandishing his sword at Emilien instead.
Emilien backed away, pointing into the sky. "Look."
Firmin and Aloys both turned, staring past Felicie's head. Aloy's snarled but Firmin's face remained perfectly expressionless as he lowered his sword.
"That's not a Vasconian ship." Aloys growled, hands tightening into fists.
"No. It's a Lloegyrian one." Emilien calmly folded his arms, doing his best to keep his features as neutral as Firmin's. "We need to leave."
"Are you kidding me?!" Aloys whipped around on him. "You're just trying to stop their execution."
"If Lloegyr catches us here, it could very well be war from two fronts. We have to leave now. Am I wrong, Firmin?"
"You are not." The general's voice was unaffected as he stared down at Felicie. "However, we have enough time for this at least."
He raised his sword, briefly locking eyes with the soldiers that surrounded their captives. Responding to his look, they similarly lifted their weapons.
"What are you doing?!" Emilien demanded to know, looking around at them.
"We no longer have the time to do this honorably. However, it would be criminal to allow an unnatural to walk around after we had her at our disposal."
"Firmin, wait-"
The general struck downwards.
With a loud clang, a massive ballista bolt struck down his sword. It wasn't a hard hit, but it was just strong enough to knock him off course. His momentum carried him forward and his dented sword hit the ground, clanging against the stone with an ear grating noise.
The blow distracted the soldiers and they hesitated, frowning at their commanding officers.
Felicie brought her head down against Firmin's, her skull clacking against his in a way that left both of them reeling and dizzy. He fell back, grabbing his head as she blinked to steady herself, grateful she was already kneeling.
"We have to go!" Emilien announced, grabbing Firmin by the arm and pulling up on him. "Fall back! To the ship!"
"No!" Aloys cut him off, pulling out his own sword. "We finish her off now."
"The ship is almost on us! The Stargazer isn't designed for combat. That is a warship! If they catch us here, they'll destroy us in an instant. We're already in range. We have to go now!"
"Then stop delaying the unnatural's execution!"
As they argued, Felicie turned, looking to see the ship they were talking about.
The massive, armored vessel heading their way was obviously Lloegyrian in design. A flag was flying but she couldn't see what colors it was displaying.
Even as she watched, another bolt was launched from the deck. It flew upwards in a high arc, coming down and breaking through the stone ground, barely five paces from her.
"General, we have to go." Emilien stressed, pulling on Firmin's arm.
Firmin, recovered from the blow Felicie had dealt to his head, looked up at the ship. Emilien had managed to put no small amount of space between him and Felicie while he gathered himself back together.
Without turning his eyes, he nodded once. However, the effect on his men was instantaneous, they began to run, abandoning their prisoners. It was more important to make it back to their own ship and escape.
As the soldiers began running that way, however, they were brought up short as something began moving around from behind the Stargazer, coming slowly into view.
"General!" One of the soldiers cried out.
Firmin slowly looked back as Aloys glared at Felicie. Emilien's eyes were darting between the two of them, refusing to move until he saw them leaving Felicie and the others alone.
He didn't look back at the second ship that was approaching from the east. Unlike the other ship, this one was Vasconian in origin. It wasn't as close as the Lloegyrian ship, but their superior engine was closing the distance quickly.
Even if they managed to escape to their ship, they wouldn't be able to fly away before both ships were upon them, shooting them down.
"Firmin?" Aloys looked to his commanding officer for direction.
Firmin said nothing, looking off into the distance. Everyone's eyes remained on him. Watching. Waiting for his command.
"Aloys. Your train is nearby?"
"Yes, sir."
"Which way?"
Aloys turned, pointing towards the south. "It should be just a few hour's walk in that direction."
Firmin nodded once.
That was the only permission his soldiers needed. They began running, following the direction Aloys had pointed out to them. They didn't need specifics. It wasn't like a train could be taken from its tracks. They were quick to leave.
The three generals, however, remained.
"What are you doing?" Emilien asked, staring between them. "We have to go. We have to-"
He was cut off when Firmin shoved his sword into his face. Not the blade. The hilt. He pressed it towards him with his completely blank stare still firmly in place.
"We'll go." He said calmly. "As soon as you kill the unnatural."
Emilien started, his eyes darting down to Felicie and back again.
"Sir, with all due respect, I don't-"
"Are you defying me, Emile?'
"We don't have time for this!"
"Then, I suggest you do it quickly."
Felicie frowned, looking between the two men as her belly clenched in despair. Emilien wasn't even holding the sword, but the way it was held in front of him, the point aimed towards her, was already far more disturbing than when Firmin had held it over her head.
"Why do you hesitate, Emile?" Firmin asked, eyes finally focusing on his lieutenant general. Although his voice was soft, almost a whisper, the threat inherent within it was still frightfully obvious.
"I... don't consider it right to kill someone in cold blood." Emilien whispered in return, his lips cold and numb, his mouth dry, making words difficult to form.
"She is an unnatural. She is hardly someone."
"Sir, please."
"Either you kill her, or I kill you." There was nothing dark in the threat. It was spoken without inflection or emotion making it all that much unnerving.
Lifting his hand, trying to disguise how it was shaking, Emilien took hold of the hilt. The weight of the sword in his hand seemed entirely too heavy. Another ballista bolt fell from the sky - this time chasing after the fleeing soldiers - but he didn't flinch.
Instead he turned, looking to Felicie. Her gaze was captivated by the shine of the sword and only slowly did she glance up to stare at him instead.
Emilien looked into the face of a friend and took in a staggered breath.
She smiled gently. Not her fake smile. A real one. Full of compassion, understanding, and just a small hint of permission.
If it was to save her friend's life, she could allow herself to die. At least, she would go secure in the knowledge that the others would be safe.
Emilien took in a breath, hesitated, then let it out again as his shoulders slumped down.
"Stop stalling!" Aloys hissed practically in his ear. "Kill her now."
"She will die after you anyway." Firmin promised him calmly, watching him confidently. "Either two bodies or one will decorate this square."
Aloys pulled out his own sword as he spoke. He seemed almost too eager to drive it through Emilien's back at the slightest permission.
Reaching up, Emilien touched the new laceration cutting down through his cheek. It neatly sliced through the scar left to him by Nina last autumn. It still throbbed slightly though the bleeding had stopped. It had dried to his face, staining his skin a dark maroon.
"It's okay, Emile." Felicie whispered to him softly. "This is war, right?"
"This is not war." He murmured. This was wrong.
"Even if we find ourselves at odds, we will still be friends. That's what you told me, isn't it?"
"This isn't what I meant. I can't..." He started to shake his head, his hand tightening on the hilt. Even if he had her blessing, if he cut her down now, then he would be no better than the unnatural scum his people accused her of being.
Aloys lifted his sword, ready to drive it into his chest, but Firmin shook his head once, stopping him before he could. He continued to hold the sword aloft, practically salivating at the thought of killing his superior.
Another bolt hit the ground, shattering stone.
Emilien's eyes closed, refusing to even look at Felicie now, shaking his head.
Aloy's grin only widened. "Traitor. Die."
"No." Firmin stopped him with a simple command.
Aloys turned to him with an annoyed scowl that Firmin ignored as he walked forward. He put his hand down on Emilien's shoulder, turning his head.
"You do not have to kill her. I've changed my mind."
"What?"
"What?!"
Emilien and Aloys cried at the same time in disbelief. Even Felicie frowned.
He was sparing her?
"We will discuss this later. First, we have to leave."
Relief washed over Emilien's face and he nodded once, his grip finally relaxing on the sword. Aloys, however, looked like he might stab Emilien through on principle.
"We're going." Firmin declared, looking at him in particular.
"This is..." Aloys struggled against his desire to kill Emilien and Felicie against the fear he held of Firmin and the need to obey him.
After a moment, obedience won out and he cursed, walking past them both to follow the others soldiers down the street.
"Thank you." Emilien murmured, staring at Firmin.
"Of course. We can work something out, Emile, I'm sure." It sounded like he was trying to appear warm and comforting, but his dead eyes filled Felicie with chills.
Emilien gave Felicie one last look, nodding towards her, before following after the others. She was left there, on her knees, watching as Firmin brought up the rear. He walked with an almost careless ease even as another ballista bolt fell near him and speared the ground.
"What was that?" Addie asked, rolling over onto her back and sitting up so she could look out after the retreating generals as well.
Felicie shook her head in confusion. "I have no idea. But... I'm scared."
That was entirely too easy. Why would Firmin suddenly grant her clemency? She knew him to be methodical, heartless, and thorough. He, by all rights, should have killed her. It would only take a second if Emilien hadn't kept stalling them.
Why would he suddenly decide that Felicie was better left alive? What would he possibly gain from allowing her to keep her life? Allowing Emilien to outright defy a direct order? It wasn't at all in keeping with the general she knew of to offer such mercy.
"Felicie." Addie called to her, leaning forward to show her wiggling fingers. "Here."
With no one to stop her, Felicie rolled over to where Addie was waiting. It took some scooting from her sister to get them both in position, but eventually she was able to place the knot holding her limbs together into her hands.
Although Addie couldn't see, her deft fingers were still skillful and, after a minute of concentration, the ropes began to loosen. As soon as the knot pulled free, Felicie began yanking her limbs apart. It still took another moment for her to finally stand, the rope falling down around her feet. She immediately turned back, kneeling and untying Addie in turn.
"Now what?" She asked as she rubbed her newly freed wrists.
Felicie, who had already moved on to untie Ferrant and Aurelien - both of whom could help her untie the others - made an uncertain face.
With the two men freed, both working to help the others, she turned to look between the two ships. They were closing in fast. They were saved.
But her enemies, the three top generals of Gascony, were right down the street.
Turning, she bent low and grabbed Firmin's dented sword off the ground. Standing straight, she looked down at the others. They were staring at her in confusion, disbelieving realization coming over a few as they suspected what she was going to do.
"Stay here." She ordered them. "Help is on the way."
"Felicie," Addie started, a warning look in her eye. "This is a bad idea."
"This is a chance to end this war and save our people. I'm still able bodied. I'm going to take it."
"Felicie! Stop!"
Ignoring her sister's calls, she began sprinting down the road after the generals. She had last seen Firmin walking, and so she fully expected to come upon him first and alone. Emilien and Aloys had both been jogging away from the square.
However, after crossing a few blocks, following the train tracks that led behind a few buildings, she saw Firmin and Aloys together. Emilien wasn't in sight.
As soon as she spotted them, she ducked into a near alley. She stuck the flat of the sword to her back and began climbing up along the wall. The dent in the blade was about three quarters of the way towards the tip, warping it so that it would never fit into a sheath again. It might be able to be hammered back into place later but Firmin simply hadn't cared to keep it.
Which, she thought with perverse dislike, probably spoke a great deal to who he was as a person that he would throw away something salvageable for the sake of mild convenience.
Lifting herself up over the roof, she crawled forward, staying low and peeking over first to make sure that neither general was looking back at her. From here, she couldn't hear the whispered words they were sharing, but she also wasn't trying to figure it out.
Gathering information was Addie's job.
Assassinating an open target was hers.
Ducking low, staying out of sight, she jumped to the next building. Without a proper build up, she was only able to grab the edge of the roof.
After pulling herself up, she checked on her targets again.
Firmin was saying something to Aloys whose hands were clenched in tight fists. Neither man was looking her way. However, as she crawled towards the edge, reaching back to grab her sword, Aloys' posture suddenly relaxed and he grinned.
He began nodding. Firmin nodded once in return. They turned together to begin walking back along the tracks, both moving faster than they had before.
It was her only chance.
She pushed herself up into a crouch, readying her sword. While it would be tempting to kill Aloys, Firmin was a far greater target. If she killed him, Emilien would inherit his position, and they would be that much closer to ending this war.
Taking a single step back, she lowered herself down-
-then launched herself with a soft grunt of effort.
Just loud enough to catch Firmin's attention.
He reacted without even looking, grabbing Aloys by the arm, he jerked his subordinate back, directly into the path of the sword that Felicie drove downwards.
Flesh and bone gave way under the full weight of her body crashing down against him. She landed against his back, knocking him to the ground and sending Firmin reeling from the momentum. Aloys screamed in agony, the sword pierced through his shoulder, almost near his neck. The deformity in the blade had widened the hole as it entered causing blood to come spilling out immediately.
Felicie was already reacting. She jerked the sword free, swinging up to hit Firmin.
He backed away, easily avoiding the blow.
Aloys threw his other arm back, unseating Felicie. The movement, however, jostled the bullet wound she had given him yesterday and he cried out, dropping to the ground again.
As Felicie got her feet back under her, Firmin stepped in close to pull Aloy's sword from its sheath. He left the man himself laying there, bleeding into the ground, as he aimed his sword at Felicie's chest. She raised his own dented blade back to him.
"Unnatural bitch..." Aloys spit at her, trying to sit up around the pain of his two injured arms.
Felicie paid him no mind as she faced Firmin.
Her best weapon against him had been her element of surprise. The general could hold his own against Nina and Colette; Felicie was nowhere near as good at melee combat as them. However, she doubted that he would let her escape again.
Her thought was confirmed when he struck first.
Their swords clanged together as Felicie knocked the blow away. And the quick jabs that followed after it as he quickly put her on the defensive.
He walked her backwards, slicing down at her with quick, simple strikes that lacked any sort of flare. His eyes remained blank, almost unfocused, as he aimed to cut her through.
It was all that Felicie could do just to keep him from succeeding. There was something about that lifeless, uncaring stare that put her on edge. It was difficult to even try to predict his moves simply because his lack of expression made him impossible to read.
Like a painting of a man. A sculpture, cold and dead. Maybe that was why it was so unnerving to look at him. The dead weren't supposed to move and those eyes of his certainly lacked a soul. If she cut him, would he even bleed?
When he struck out again, the wide blow came in at an awkward angle she wasn't expecting. She moved the sword just in time to catch it, but doing so left her body open to attack. Which he did by kicking up the gravel from the ground right into her face.
Reflexively, she closed and covered her eyes. He then kicked out, slamming the flat of his boot directly into her chest, knocking her to the ground and driving the breath from her lungs. She hit the metal train tracks, the metal slamming up into her back.
Without air, she couldn't even cry out as the injury from being yanked off of the roof was exacerbated by this second blow. It was all she could do to roll off the metal track, laying out alongside it as she struggled to breathe, her legs tingling and her back throbbing.
Firmin stood over her, staring down. The sun, high in the sky, was at his back, obscuring his features from her. She couldn't even speak, only managing a groan as she tried to put her hand down and push herself up again.
He kicked out, striking her in the belly and sending her rolling away from his sword which he crunched under his boot as he walked after her.
Felicie stopped on her belly, now gagging on top of everything else.
Firmin's hand grabbed her hair and he yanked her up, exposing her throat as she struggled to get her legs under her. She reached up, catching his wrist as she tried to relieve the pain on her scalp. The shine of his sword flashed in her eyes as he lowered the blade to her throat.
She closed her eyes, waiting for death, but he didn't cut through.
After a moment, he dropped her back down. She grunted in pain, landing hard. He put his boot down on her back, making her cry out as he pressed down. Even as the white hot agony of it made her thrash, she knew he wasn't pressing down as hard as he could.
And he had spared her a second time.
"Get up, Aloys." Firmin said, keeping Felicie pinned.
"Sir, I'm-"
He fell silent when Firmin fixed him with a look.
It was a struggle to do so between his two injured arms, but Aloys finally managed to painfully pull himself back to his feet. All the while, Firmin kept Felicie pinned to the ground. When she tried to struggle, he would just press harder until she stilled once more.
Finally, Aloys was up. Firmin nodded to him once and he began to walk away. Both arms cradled protectively against his belly as he tried to keep from jostling either injury. The newest one was still bleeding down his chest and back.
Firmin let him get a few paces ahead before he turned back down to Felicie. She was fixing him with a dark glare over her shoulder.
"Why don't you just kill me already?" She hissed.
Twice he had spared her. Even now, he wasn't cutting her down when he clearly had the chance. No one was around to stop him. Emilien was far gone. He could strike her down and no one would ever need know it was him.
But he calmly slid Aloy's sword into his sheath and removed his boot from her back. She tried to push herself up but he kicked her again, driving his foot into her stomach and throwing her back into the wall causing her head to knock back against the stone.
She fell to the gravel again, gagging and groaning as stars danced in her eyes from the head blow. Her back refused to take anymore abuse and, despite her best attempts to push herself up, she couldn't put the strength in her limbs necessary to do so without causing a jolt of electric pain to shoot down her spine, right down her legs.
When she was finally able to open her eyes again, Firmin had already walked away. He was far down the tracks now.
Felicie groaned, flopping down against the gravel. It hurt too badly to even try to move anymore and, since he was far out of her reach, she just allowed herself to lay there with a rock biting into her cheek and her back spasming near unbearably.
Addie sat in the middle of the square - because it wasn't like she could do much else - as the others moved around her. All of their bindings were off now but they weren't moving anymore. It would be unreasonable to ask them to do anything anyway.
Their capture hadn't exactly been an easy one. Those who could had fought back. They had been forcibly restrained. Even Addie had tried to punch those who came near her. As a result, there were more injured now than there had been.
She knew that it would be wrong to ask them to even walk much less assist Felicie. However, that didn't stop her from having to bite back the urge to do just that. Her sister, the other half of herself, was off putting herself in danger and she couldn't even help her. She just wanted someone to do so. At least one of those that could still stand.
It was selfish and unreasonable, which was the only reason she bit back the urge. However, her fingers tapped restlessly on the stone as she waited.
Minutes passed like hours until she finally heard someone approaching.
Everyone turned, instantly weary, as the thudding of multiple pairs of feet came their way. Addie turned her head to the side, watching the street it was coming from calmly. The others tensed, but she remained unaffected. Not because she was so sure that it wouldn't be more Gasconites, she just knew that it wouldn't matter to her either way.
From around the corner, armed and ready for a fight, a group of Lloegyrian troops rushed into the open square. Those who could were already raising their arms in surrender even before they saw them. No one wanted to try fighting any longer.
Coming up on the rear, a stiff man wearing all gray was walking calmly with his hands clasped behind his back. He wasn't wielding a weapon, but he did have a pair of daggers strapped to his belt. He scanned over the area carefully to make sure there were no enemies as his troops did the same, checking and clearing each street that fed into the square.
While they were looking around, while the other Vasconians were turned away from her, Addie fixed her facial features into the one that made her resemble Andrea's sister, opting not to look like Felicie since she couldn't exactly pretend to be her fully mobile sister with her legs as they were.
The man wearing all gray stopped in front of them, scanning their faces carefully in silence. Only after looking at each one of them did he call out;
"Which of you is in charge here?"
Multiple eyes turned to Andrea who Ferrant had laid down gently once he had been freed. She tried to lift her head at the man's call but couldn't quite manage it.
Clearing her throat, Addie lifted her hand with a small smile. "I'll speak for everyone."
"And you are?" He raised a brow at her, probably noticing her resemblance.
"You can call me Dee." She beamed. "And you, sir?"
"I am Watkin Cy-Ithai, leader of this force."
"You said Cy?" Addie's smile widened as she noticed a certain family resemblance herself. "You wouldn't happen to know a young man by a similar name, would you?"
Watkin's eyes narrowed on her. However, he didn't immediately approach. Instead, he turned to his captains, asking for an update.
Addie attempted to scoot forward as he did so, however, he held out a hand, stopping her. The soldiers assured him that the area was clear and he told them to stand guard to make sure that nothing else happened. Only once that was done did he finally move towards her.
"Can you stand, miss?" He asked, looking at her clearly deformed knees.
"I'm afraid not." She smiled.
In response, he lowered himself down and crouched beside her so that he wasn't constantly talking down to her. "Miss Dee, you said? Can you briefly tell me what happened here?"
"Well, our ship, the Cacher, was knocked out of the sky by a suicidal man in lifeboat who ran into our engine. We're those who survived."
"You said the Cacher?" His eyes narrowed. "Then, you are Lady Felicie's crew?"
"Those that are left."
He frowned, looking around again. "Where is the lady paladin herself?"
"She ran off that way, chasing the Gasconite generals."
He turned and nodded to a group of near soldiers. It was the only permission they needed to run off down the street Addie had indicated to.
"Go on." Watkin encouraged her.
Speaking in simple, direct sentences, like she was giving report herself, Addie relayed to him what had happened since the Cacher had crashed down. It was a rather grim story and simply telling it made those that had lived through it lower their heads and turn their eyes.
Watkin listened without interruption. Once she had finished, he nodded once and stood. "That is a Vasconian ship there."
"I imagine that it's the one Cy promised to fetch."
He nodded. "You are their people. I will leave you to them."
"And what will you do?"
"I am going after the Gasconites. These crimes they have committed on our land will be punished."
Addie nodded, accepting his decision. She didn't really expect him to want to take on all these foreign, injured soldiers. However, he did remain with his own troops to guard them while they waited for the Vasconians to catch up.
Which happened rather quickly. Obviously on the hunt for their comrades, they came running their way, sprinting through the square and past the Lloegyrian guards who made way for them without an order for Watkin.
Colette was leading the charge, her sword already held tight in her fist. However, Cy was only a step behind her and though he wasn't holding his weapon, he had one strapped to his waist and he was holding the hilt, ready to draw it in a moment.
As soon as he saw and recognized his father, he changed course and ran towards him instead. As he approached, he looked around the gathered group. Addie could see his expression tighten when he didn't spot Felicie among them.
"Cy." Watkin nodded to him in greeting.
"Father." Cy returned the greeting, still trying to find Felicie. He already knew she wasn't there, but he wanted to hope that he had simply overlooked her.
"She's not here." Watkin assured him, catching his gaze. "Miss Dee said that she went chasing after the generals."
"Dee?" Cy frowned.
Watkin gestured. Addie smiled, waving at him. He looked obviously confused until his gaze moved down and he caught sight of her knees. The damaged tissue wouldn't change, no matter how she tried, and made identifying her too easy.
His face relaxed only slightly and he nodded to her once. "Good to see you still well, Dee."
"Felicie went that way." She said without preamble, already knowing what he wanted. "You need to go after her. Felicie can't really fight multiple people at once, that's not how she was trained. Especially not against a man like Firmin."
"Firmin?" Cy repeated.
"General Didier is here?" Watkin asked her, his voice sharp. "Why did you not inform me of that when you told me what happened?"
"I figured that you knew."
"The only generals given permission to enter Lloegyr were General Emilien and General Aloys. General Firmin was denied entry. If he is here, that is in flagrant violation of Queen Eleonore's wishes."
"And I suppose conquering a city is okay?" Addie asked sarcastically, earning a look from him that she smiled at, unconcerned. What would he do to her? Cut her ankles? Break her knees? She didn't really care anymore.
"Father." Cy called out, catching his attention. "I'm going to find Felicie."
"No. You will stay here. Leave the Vasconians to the Vasconians."
He gestured to the side where Colette and her troops were already surrounding those there were injured and in obvious need of care. Someone had already lifted Wallis - who was fully delirious from his fever and blood loss - and was carrying him away. Three men were gathering around Andrea, trying to figure out how to lift her while Aurelien fell in with a man that was supporting the sailor with the limp that had helped Felicie fly in.
Colette was overseeing all of it, calling out orders as she decided who needed to go back first and who could wait for a bit longer. She couldn't put Felicie, as a fellow paladin, over these common citizens she was sworn to protect.
Cy, however, could. Even as his father was fixing him with a firm stare, he was walking backwards away from him.
"I'm afraid I can't obey that order, sir."
"Cy-"
"I've decided that I'm going to marry her."
"Over my freed spirit you are." Watkin took a step towards his son. "We are going after the Gasconians before they can escape across the border."
"And I'll catch up to you as soon as I've secured the future mother of my children."
"Cy!"
"We're going to make beautiful grandbabies for you, father." Cy was laughing even as he was turning from his father's wrath to sprint down the road.
Addie was laughing, head falling back at the display. It was exactly the sort of happily defiant thing she would have expected from her sister.
"Those two are a good match." She murmured to herself, a sad smile spreading across her face as she looked towards the sky.
She supposed that meant that her sister wasn't only hers any longer. Cy had claimed a rather large part of her heart that Addie could never touch.
And, even if she was now going to be forced to spend her life in Gwenael, never able to walk again and fully dependent upon her, she still felt like she was losing her sister. And there was nothing that she could do to try to claim her back, even if she wanted to do so.
It hurt, but Addie couldn't bring herself to want to force Felicie away from Cy. He made her happy and he could offer her a future and a real family, not the pitiful farce of one that kept to the shadows that Addie represented.
She was losing her sister, but her sister was going to experience real happiness. When she thought of it that way, Addie didn't really mind if she was going to spend the rest of her life wasting away in the darkness.
They had lived together, but they would no longer die together.
And Addie was happy. Even if tears were streaming down her smiling face while people moved around her, focused on everyone else but her. She wasn't obviously injured so she was at the bottom of the list to be helped, and the Lloegyrians didn't care about her at all. Watkin was already gone, commanding his troops so he could chase after the generals.
And Addie felt a fissure of loneliness deep in her heart crack open.
Despite forbidding Cy to do so, Watkin had already sent troops ahead to search for Felicie. Cy met them on the streets as they were looking for her. Although Addie had gestured down a specific street, that street took several turns and they were doing their best to search everywhere for the missing paladin. Everywhere, expect for up.
Cy grinned and left them to it as he ran to the nearest building, pulling out his grappling hook.
In a flash, he was up the side and clambering over the rooftop. He didn't exactly expect to see her the moment he stood up on the roofs, but he still felt a flash of disappointment when he didn't. The sooner he saw her, the sooner the tight ball of anxiety and fear that had been eating at him since he left would go away.
He ran across the roofs, searching for any signs of her, pausing only to jump between as necessary. All the while, his mind whirred. Where was she?
Chasing after the generals.
Then, where were the generals? They weren't going towards their ship. Cy had already seen the Vasconian force subduing the crew and few soldiers that remained on it. So, if the generals weren't going to their ship, where were they going?
His eyes caught on the now familiar trainyard that he was able to recognize even on the roofs now. The trainyard that the Gasconites had previously taken command of. If they weren't going to their ship, then maybe they were going towards their train.
Cy pulled up short, turning back to where he knew the train tracks leading away from the square were placed. The roofs around that particular road were spaced further apart making it easy to pick it out from the standard alleys.
He changed direction, running that way instead. When he came upon the metal tracks embedded in their gravel bed, he dropped down from the roof and landed in a crouch. As he stood, his head was swiveling, looking for some sign of Felicie or the generals.
Something shined, reflecting the bright sunlight a few blocks closer towards the square. He broke into a jog, chasing it down.
It was only as he was getting close that he finally recognized that the pile of soot and dirt covered rags leaning against the wall wasn't just part of the crumbling city. The auburn hair, even dirty and falling over her face, was recognizable.
"Felicie!" He yelled, sprinting towards her.
The shiny object he had been chasing proved to be a blood covered sword. As soon as he identified it, his entire body went cold in terror.
Was she...?
Slowly, as though it hurt to move, Felicie lifted her head.
"Cy?" She murmured in dazed surprise as he dropped down beside her, his eyes already moving quickly over her body, checking for a sword wound.
However, there was no blood around her. Only a larger puddle of it towards the center of the tracks. She was trembling as she tried to push herself up, but there were no open wounds that he could find. She still moved like she was injured.
"Here..." He started, reaching out a hand to help her.
However, when he tried to pick her up, she cried out in pain, flinching away from him. He jerked his hands back as though they had been burned.
"What is it? What happened?"
Felicie shook her head, laying back down like she had given up trying to stand again. "My back... My stomach... My chest..."
"So, you? Just all of you?"
She gave him a breathy laugh that ended in a whimper. "Don't make me laugh, you ass."
"If one of us doesn't start laughing soon, I'm going to begin panicking. Can you stand?"
She shook her head. "I've been trying. I think he broke my ribs."
"Who?"
"Firmin."
Cy growled, his hands tightening into fists. "That bastard. I'll kill him."
"You'd have to get in line."
"Don't make me laugh!" He snapped at her, struggling to hold back his grin. "I'm serious. No one hurts my woman and gets away with it."
"Aw, darling." She cooed, blowing a strand of hair from her face. "You should probably be thanking him. He showed mercy."
"Mercy? General Firmin Didier showed mercy?"
"He had a chance to kill me. Two, in fact. He stopped both times."
Cy frowned, looking to the pool of dark blood drying on the gravel. "That... actually worries me more than anything."
"Oh, good. It's not just me. I thought it might be the head wound. Hey, there's a rock digging into my hip. Do you think you can help me up?"
Cy turned back to her, worried after he had just tried to do just that. "If I hurt you..."
"We'll go slow."
He nodded and reached for her again.
They had to work together, stopping frequently when Felicie hissed or begged him to wait. Her back was only hurting worse with each movement. She wasn't sure if it was because of her ribs, her muscles, or if she had broken her spine itself.
After a minute, Cy opted to carry her on his back. Doing so would prevent him from putting pressure on her back while carrying her. Although, it took more teamwork and another few minutes to maneuver her into position.
Slipping her hands down his shirt, she stuck them to his skin so that she wouldn't have to tense her muscles to hold onto him. He held her legs himself, taking all of her weight as he got to his feet, checking over his shoulder to make sure she was all right.
"Are you comfortable?"
"Not even slightly. Let's go." She grinned, resting her head down on his back.
He chuckled as he began walking with her down the tracks. He was being careful to keep his steps even and steady, but some jostling was inevitable. He grimaced with each soft groan of pain that he heard and felt from Felicie's beaten body.
Shaking his head, he felt his smile fall. "Why did you go after him?"
"Hm?"
"Firmin. You knew you wouldn't be able to fight him. So, why did you chase after him?"
"If you were in my position, you would've done the same."
Cy couldn't even refute that argument. He grumbled under his breath, making her laugh softly before moaning in the pain that doing so had caused.
"So, did you manage to kill him?"
"I was so close." She bemoaned, letting out a long sigh of disappointment. "But, he grabbed Aloys and used him as a human shield."
"So, you killed Aloys?"
"I wish. However, I did manage to injure his other arm."
"Other arm?" Cy frowned. "What happened to his first one?"
"I shot it."
"You've been busy, I see." He chuckled despite himself. "Why don't you tell me what's happened. How did you even get here?"
Her voice tired and pained, she recounted the story. He would ask her to clarify things occasionally but otherwise just let her talk as she explained how she got everyone here and how she had been attempting to assassinate one of the generals.
Which was a complete failure.
"All three of them are alive still." She complained, looking up at the sky. "Even if I injured Aloys, unless I'm lucky enough for him to get infected and die from it, he's probably going to live. I don't think I've managed to accomplish a single thing on this mission."
"Oh? You can't even think of one?" Cy turned off of the gravel lined tracks and onto a more stable street as soon as he had the opportunity. "I would think that saving your sister was, in and of itself, enough of an accomplishment."
"That's true." She smiled, nuzzling the back of his neck. "I also got to meet you, so that's something else, too, I suppose."
"You suppose." He snickered, his skin tingling from her nuzzling. "Stop that. You're going to put me in an amorous mood and you're in no condition to be receptive of it."
She bit his neck in response. "I'll get better. With some pain medicine. And maybe some rest. It's hard to sleep well inside of a chimney."
Her biting was only making things worse and he shook his head, trying to dislodge her lips. "You slept inside a-... You know what, never mind. I'm just glad that you're okay."
"What happened to you?" She rested her chin down on his shoulder. "Did you leave Manon in Gy-Hamelin?"
"Against her highness' bitter protests, I did. Colette was actually the one who had to order her to wait for the ship that would be coming to take her back to Gwenael. She was cursing at both of us for being forced to remain behind."
"As long as she's safe."
"I said that. It really didn't help much. I feel bad for her."
"Oh?"
Cy shook his head. "I think she's feeling rather useless right now. It really broke her heart to have to leave everyone behind to die. Then, when we reached Gy-Hamelin, no one would listen to her commands as their princess. Even when they found out that she was who she said she was, Colette's orders superseded hers and she was still being ignored."
Felicie hummed thoughtfully. "Manon will find her place soon, I'm sure."
"I hope so. She really did try. You should have seen her, Felicie. When we landed, she was trying to command the dock workers to take her to the mayor. They didn't listen, but she still looked and acted quite regal. Once she comes into her own, she'll definitely be a great princess."
"She still has a bit of growing to do first."
"Probably not as much as you suspect." Cy smiled, thinking back.
When Colette had ordered Manon to stay, she had argued. She had protested, quite fervently. However, she hadn't raised her voice. She hadn't screamed or raged. Instead, she tried reason, she tried pleading and assurances that she wouldn't put herself in danger.
Colette was adamant, however, that the princess return to the safety of Gwenael. Even before they had left with her troops, a small, but fast, ship was being prepared for Manon to travel. She had been angry, but she hadn't yelled.
And, when they left, she had wished them well. She had begged them all to return home safely, including Cy himself.
Manon was trapped somewhere between being an adult and a child. Frustrated and eager to help, she hadn't yet found anything that she could really help with. It was driving her mad. Especially when she could see everyone around her working so hard.
However, that desire to help and work and be useful was a big step towards becoming an adult. One that Cy often didn't see manifest for even years after a person reached legal adulthood. That Manon was experiencing it before she even crossed that threshold - even if it was close - told him that, one day, she was going to be a great woman.
Felicie had fallen silent and he allowed her to rest a bit as he continued on back to the square. He didn't know if she was fully asleep, but he suspected she might be dozing. Either that, or his walking wasn't paining her as much as it had before because the soft whimpers and grunts she had been making before were now quiet.
Upon returning to the square, he found that it had already been cleared out. All of the injured had been carried away and his father's troops, no longer needed to protect them, were moving on. He promptly changed direction and began walking back towards Colette's ship - the Recovery.
The streets were well and truly empty now. All of the buildings dark and quiet. He would be shocked if this town remained in use any longer after they left. Ships from each country, two of them navy warships, surrounded the borders on all sides. After they were gone, he suspected everyone else would evacuate the area and never look back.
Since Colette's Recovery was too big for the docks, it was hovering near the Gasconite Stargazer. The Gasconites that had remained aboard their own airship had already been captured and were currently in chains on the docks themselves, guarded by soldiers that were being commanded by Sir Nicolas Sacha, a high knight of Vasconia.
When Cy approached, it was Nicolas that spotted him first. He looked over his shoulder and saw Felicie and immediately began jogging their way.
"You found her." He said immediately, relief obvious in his voice. "Is she...?"
"She probably needs a physician, but I didn't see any life threatening wounds." Cy smiled at him reassuringly, more for his own benefit than anything. He had to remind himself that Felicie was all right. "Were the others already brought this way?"
"Colette led them in the ship. The physicians we brought are already tending to everyone."
"Er, did you happen to see a young lady with blonde hair, I think, that couldn't bend her legs?"
"Yes. She was brought back just a moment ago."
"Great. Thank you. I'll just take Felicie up. Er, are we going back to Vasconia immediately?"
"Sooner more than later." Nicolas crossed his arms, looking at the prisoners. "There is a problem about our prisoners, though. The injured need the little space we have. I don't know what to do with these men."
"I'm sure my father will be happy to have them."
"Your father?"
"Watkin Cy-Ithai. He's the military leader that brought the Lloegyrian ship. He's probably already gone off to try to track down those that escaped, but he'll likely come back to do a more thorough investigation once he's done. You can pass the prisoners onto him them."
Nicolas nodded. "That's probably what I'll do then. Thank you."
Cy grinned and made to walk around him. However, before he could start up the long gangplank that began at the edge of the docks, Nicolas called out to him, turning him back. The knight was giving him a curious look.
"Just out of personal interest, are you planning on returning with us or staying here with your father?"
Cy shrugged. "I suppose I'll stay with you for now. I am meant to be an ambassador in Vasconia, after all. If that doesn't bother you."
"Do what you like."
He usually did, but he didn't say that. Instead, he only inclined his head to Nicolas in thanks before continuing up towards the Recovery.
The hall in the belly of the ship that the gangplank connected to was wide, telling him that it was probably usually used for supplies and the like. For now, however, some of the storage rooms had been opened, emptied if necessary, then converted into an emergency clinic.
They had brought two physicians with them from Gy-Hamelin and each man had brought three of his assistants or apprentices with him. All eight people were hurrying between rooms, fetching and delivering gauze, bandages, splints, and medicines. The injured from the Cacher had been spread out amongst the rooms, put down wherever there was space.
Cy looked around, trying to figure out where to put Felicie. The assistants were far too busy to notice him and he didn't want to interrupt so he simply walked forward, looking for a room that seemed like it had enough floor left to lay her.
"Everyone's all right..."
Felicie's voice, a delighted whisper of relief in his ear, surprised him. He turned back, looking to see the shine of her eyes as she gazed around at all the people.
It was hardly a happy scene. Men were crying out in agony, despite pain meds given to dull the edge, as broken limbs were set back into place. Wallis could barely be seen around the people surrounding him, babbling now in the throes of fever that one of the apprentices was treating by allowing a liquid medicine to drip slowly into his open mouth with seemingly infinite patience. The smell of fresh blood as old wounds were opened, cleaned, and treated filled the air, mixed with the distinctly bitter scent of medicine. Not to mention that these people hadn't been able to take care of themselves in days. The smell in the halls was unpleasant, the sounds gut churning. Medicine was neither a pretty nor an elegant profession and it showed in these men that desperately needed their care.
And Felicie had never seen anything quite so beautiful.
In the impossibility of it, even if it had involved abandoning them for a time, she had managed to lead them to safety.
One of the apprentices was carrying a bowl filled with an ugly gray paste to a room and stopped as he caught sight of them.
"Do you need treatment, too?" He asked, pushing a stray strand of hair from his eyes. He was obviously harried and stressed from the happenings around him.
"She does." Cy gestured with his head back at Felicie.
"You can set her down in there. I'll see to her in a moment."
"Thank you." Cy tried to say, but the apprentice was already running off to deliver the medicine, unconcerned with his need to be polite.
He shrugged and turned into the room he had been directed towards. There wasn't anyone inside of it yet but there were still a few crates carrying supplies telling him that it had already been half emptied before they realized they didn't need any more rooms.
Once again, they had to work together to get Felicie to lay out on the hard floor. He wished that he had something soft for her to lay upon, but there was nothing around.
It was still better than the gravel he had found her on. She couldn't complain as she laid her cheek against the cold wood floor, belly down.
The ache of the bruises to her chest and abdomen from Firmin's kicks made breathing painful, and her weight pressing down on them like this was certainly not pleasant. However, her back, which had taken most of the damage from her various falls today, hurt worse still and, even without applying pressure to it, she could still feel the spasming muscles and bruised bones.
"Are you all right?" Cy asked, sitting down beside her, leaning against the near wall. The frantic and loud sounds just beyond the empty doorframe seemed somehow quieter in here. Even when people ran past the entrance, he felt disconnected to them.
Felicie took in a deep breath and let it out fully before answering him. "I hurt. A lot."
"You still look beautiful though, so you have that."
"I haven't bathed in days, I'm bruised and dirty, and I stink so bad I hate my own skin right now. I'm a mess."
"A beautiful mess."
She laughed once. "I told you to stop that."
"Not ever, I'm afraid." He reached down, taking her hand. He didn't really pick it up, not wanting to strain her beaten body further, but he also needed to keep touching her. So long as he held her warmth, felt her pulse in her palm, he knew she was still with him.
Her fingers curled around his, happy to have his strength to hold her. She had come so close to death so many times in the last few days that she almost didn't believe she was still alive. Having his larger, steadier hand in her weak grasp made reality feel, well, real.
"So, is it too early to talk about that marriage proposal?"
"Cy!" She started laughing again. It hurt, but she couldn't stop.
"I feel like this is an important conversation."
"It is." Her gaze warmed on him. "But, I also don't want to have it while I'm trapped on my stomach and breathing hurts."
"Then, when would it be most convenient for you, my lady?"
She hummed thoughtfully, a small smile starting. "Well, it would have to be a moment of some importance and beauty. You need to be in your best suit, I should be in my best dress. You'll take me out to have fun and dance and show me just how much you love me. And, then, whenever you feel the moment is right, you can ask me."
Cy grinned. "I'll take that as permission, then."
"Please." She laughed. "But, again, it has to be when I can stand on my own power."
"Noted."
"And, you realize, that my sister is going to be with us always, right?"
"I imagine that she can probably have her own room."
She giggled, just like he knew she would, and the sound made him smile. She was in pain, but she was still laughing. Could there be a more perfect woman?
"I mean it, Cy."
"As did I. I shall be sure when we build a house in Vasconia that she has her own room and servants dedicated to taking care of her at all times."
"We're living in Vasconia?"
"Probably in the warmer months. We'll go to Duhghlas when it's colder. And, Addie can certainly have one of the many rooms in my family's manor. Again, with a dedicated retinue of servants to attend to her at all times."
"You'd do that for her?" Felicie smiled warmly.
"You know full well that I get attached to my sisters." He winked at her.
"Why winters in Duhghlas though?"
"Well, mostly that's in concession to the war. When it lulls in winter, you can leave Vasconia without guilt, right? Besides, Duhghlas in winter is a beautiful wonderland of snow and ice. There are contests for who can build the most impressive snow and ice sculptures. It gets quite competitive."
She was chuckling softly again. "That does sound nice."
"Doesn't it? We'll travel between the kingdoms as we please. I'll be an ambassador in Vasconia and you can be an ambassador in Lloegyr and we shall make both kingdoms jealous with just how fabulous and trendy we are as a pair."
"I don't feel particularly fabulous or trendy at the moment."
"Don't worry. I'll give you a hot bath later once you get some medicine that will remind you just how beautiful and desirable you are."
She hummed in delight at the promise of a bath - it honestly sounded as good as medical treatment at this moment - but she was prevented from asking more when the apprentice that had directed them here came back, this time with one of the physicians in tow.
The older man knelt down beside her and immediately began asking where she was injured and what had caused it. His tone was short and pointed, but his hands were gentle when he began assessing Felicie's various injuries.
After some time and a rather thorough exam, he informed her that she had likely broken a couple ribs in both her front and back as well as caused some damage to her spine, though, to her relief, he assured her that he didn't suspect it to be broken. He did, however, recommend that she not move too much for a couple days and only resuming gentle stretches after the worst of the pain faded.
He then instructed his apprentice on which medicines to give her before leaving her to him and rushing off to see his next patient. There were far more injured than there were doctors and he could only give her so much attention.
The apprentice, for all that he was obviously distressed by how much work being put on him all at once, was still impressively thorough and hard working. He left for a few minutes before returning with a balm for Felicie's bruises and medicine for her pain.
After swallowing the foul concoction - and nearly choking on it - Felicie laid back down so the young man could begin applying the balm. It had a strange, cool yet tingling sensation, but it almost immediately alleviated the aching pain of the bruises coating her torso.
"You're quite good." Cy commented as the young man worked.
He smiled gratefully. "Thank you, sir."
"What's your name?"
"Alaire Cupidon. People call me Cupid."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Cy. How far are you in your apprenticeship?"
"It's only my first year."
"Really?" Cy looked surprised. "And you're already doing all of this?"
Cupid shrugged, beaming. "I'm happy to do it. This has always been my dream. The only reason that I'm here is because Lady Colette put in a good word for me to get me into the medical college in Gwenael. I'm proud to be able to pay back my debt in any small way. Even just as an apprentice physician for her army."
"Well, Cupid, this woman here is Lady Paladin Felicie Medee."
"Really?" Cupid looked surprised. "My lady, why didn't you say so?"
"Slipped my mind." She slurred, quickly falling asleep as the medicine relaxed her body and fatigue had the chance to take over in pain's absence.
"In that case, you should be upstairs. Colette already brought a different lady up there earlier."
"Would that lady happen to be unable to bend her knees?"
"Er, yes, that's her."
"Then, I would appreciate it a great deal if you could arrange to have Felicie moved to be with her."
"Of course, sir." Cupid gathered his empty tools as he got to his feet. "Give me just a moment. I have to clear it with Lady Colette first."
Cy nodded in understanding, watching him leave.
"You didn't have to do that." Felicie murmured, barely able to keep her eyes open any longer. The glassy effect of the medicine only slightly dulled the grateful love shining in her eyes.
Cy squeezed her hand. "You and your sister are both mine to take care of now. Besides, I figured she's probably worrying herself sick about you. The first thing she said to me when I arrived was an order to go find you."
After a short minute, a couple soldiers came into the room with Cupid carrying a stretcher that he and Cy both helped load Felicie onto. They were exceedingly gentle with her as they brought her up from the makeshift clinic to the nicer rooms upstairs for the nobles.
The Recovery was a warship and, as such, it didn't have the same amount of finery and space that the Cacher had possessed. However, though the room here was smaller than the one Felicie had before, it was far superior simply because Addie was laid up on one side of the bed. She was sitting up, leaning back against the headboard, watching the door in obvious anticipation when it finally opened, bringing the sister she knew would be coming.
Addie couldn't bend her legs. Felicie couldn't bend her back. That didn't stop either of them from embracing - Addie rolling flat on her belly and putting her arm around her - when they were finally reunited safely.
The soldiers left and Addie was once again Felicie's twin. The two of them were smiling, even as Felicie fell asleep. Addie just watched her face as though mesmerized.
Cy smiled and turned to leave them alone. There was a lot more to be done. It was enough to know that Felicie and his future sister were both okay. He would join them again later when he brought them food and would then talk to Addie about how she would like living with them. He imagined he already knew the answer, but he ought to offer her the choice anyway.
It really felt like the future was looking up for him.
Aloys let out a long cry as the physician carefully tended to his arms. His loud and angry threats to the old man's health if he kept hurting him fell on deaf ears. Aloys was a notoriously poor patient and the physician already knew he wouldn't follow through with the promises he made.
Emilien could hear his cries even where he stood at the stern of the ship, staring at the fading dusk of the sun. The Stargazer had crossed over the official border line barely an hour ago and the obvious sense of relief from the crew was palpable.
The troops that Watkin had set on their tail hadn't been able to find them before they boarded their train. The half filled storage cars hadn't been comfortable, but they had been serviceable. The town they took them to had a ship that they chartered to take them back north. From there, they transferred to the ship that Firmin had taken to get here. It had then made with all haste to get back across the border before Watkin could catch up.
Emilien stood at the back of that ship, watching Lloegyr fade away as he listened to Aloys curse as his days old wounds were finally tended to.
"Why are you looking back?"
Firmin's calm voice broke into his thoughts and he turned to face his commander.
"I'm not. I'm just watching for pursuers."
Firmin said nothing at all in response. He put his hands on the rail, staring back himself. He was silent for a long, uncomfortable minute. Just as Emilien was wondering if he should leave and allow him vigil at the stern, he finally spoke.
"You've changed my mind, Emile."
"Er, I have, sir?"
"Indeed. Your compassion has struck a chord in me."
"Oh. That's great." A smile began to form on his face.
"Indeed. I have decided that I am going to speak to Queen Sabine regarding extending a hand of truce to the Vasconians."
"Truly?" Emilien gasped in disbelief, his smile only growing. They could finally end this war? He could go home and see his family?
"It will take time." Firmin said, still not looking him in the face. "And, since you are the one with such compassion and understanding, I am going to nominate you to be the ambassador that goes into Vasconia to discuss peace terms."
"Me, sir?"
"Who better? You are the one who has changed my mind. I'm sure that your mercy and tender feelings for the unnaturals will serve you well in their country."
"I don't have tender feelings for the paladins. I made friends with one of them. That hardly means that I'm a proponent of her kind."
Firmin merely hummed noncommittally. "I will entrust you with the duty of discussing terms with their king. You won't betray our country, I'm sure."
"Definitely not, sir."
"There will be rules on what you may or may not accept in regards to the agreement, that will take some time to draw up. You will be in charge of making the offer, following it through, and seeing it signed. I'm sure they won't appreciate me doing it myself."
Since Emilien was sure of the same, he said nothing, only nodding at the command. "And, after I am done, I can return home?"
"Once I have no use for you anymore, you will get the retirement you deserve, Emile."
The promise of a quiet life wherein he no longer had to draw up battle plans or fight in protracted battles made him smile in relief. That thought reminded him of something else though.
"What of Aloy's plan, sir? That will stop now, won't it?"
"He can hardly follow it through now that his arms are injured. The physician states that he might not retain full use of the one the unnatural cut through."
Emilien grimaced in sympathy, but he couldn't deny that he felt relief. He had never been comfortable with Aloy's scheme.
And, if he could have peace instead, he could preserve his friendship with Felicie. To be truthful, he rather hoped he might be able to attend hers and Cy's wedding. It was sure to come, he could tell just from watching them together. A Gasconite attending a wedding between a Lloegyrian and a Vasconian. There was something beautifully poetic and peaceful about the thought.
Firmin, having passed on his orders, left him to stand alone at the stern. He looked back to where he had left Felicie and smiled, thinking that the future was looking brighter already.