Leslie Westellis led FIDELIUS, setting off into the night with determination, following the Caspper road, which led to a region of the province of Lisithea that is used as a landmark.
"What is the meaning of this, Captain!? Why are we leaving so early?", Edgar questioned his leader due to the group's sudden departure, Leslie briefly responded to the situation that led him to be in that situation.
"I will give a brief explanation of the current occurrence. We received unexpected movements from Balterlutt, which were headed towards our current destination." The news left everyone stunned, and Gael, who was closest to Bart, asked. "So that means that–!"
Leslie resumed speaking, saying, "Exactly. The Galèsian troops are trying to take Lisithea, our current destination."
The knights were quite worried and surprised by Leslie's revelation as they rode through the freezing night under the pale moon of Meclesis, but as they rode, their trained ears picked up more than just the knights' footsteps. He signaled for everyone to halt and turned to Rudra.
"Do you hear, Rudra?" Leslie asked with a pointed look.
Rudra concentrated for a moment, his heightened senses detecting something beyond the silence of the night. He nodded firmly.
"Yes, synchronized footsteps coming from the west."
The battalion immediately went on high alert, being exposed to the imminent danger that the night journey would bring them. Swords were drawn, and guards were standing, ready to face the unknown.
Footsteps approached, and tension hung in the air. Emerging from the shadows, a pack of Lupardos, wolf-like demons, appeared. Their eyes gleamed with ravenous hunger as they surrounded the group.
Bart, one of the soldiers, was so terrified that he dropped his bow and arrow, almost being attacked by one of the Lupardos. However, Caspian, the disciplined one, acted quickly, protecting his comrade and maintaining a cohesive formation.
Rudra and Leslie decimated a good portion of them, while the others had some difficulty dealing with one or two of them.
"...Really… Magnusson didn't make a mistake in putting him on our team…" – Leslie asked in her thoughts.
"Rudra, this was well handled. Your skills will be crucial on this journey."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll do my best."
Equipped with torches, supplies, and horses, they quickly traveled through the Livero region of Caspper, the quickest route to the border of Lisithea and the crossing of the Meclithic Valley. Leslie informed them that their first stopping point would be near the border of Lisithea, where an informant would provide safe guidance for the journey.
"Wow, Magnusson must have quite the influence over his allies," Alyfir asked.
"Yes, my uncle has always been a man respected by his peers and nobles who knew his name."
"That's why many people admire his noble and brave attitudes."
"This is the coat of arms of the Bonnofal & Artas family."
Alyfir questioned the extent of Bonnofal's influence, and Edgar, his nephew, revealed that his uncle had a somewhat dark past to reach his current position, with many wishing for an end to the ongoing war. As they approached the horizon of the first resting point, the soldiers, tired but vigilant, observed Rudra, standing and organizing his equipment.
They questioned his vigor, and he replied that he was accustomed to sudden and strenuous expeditions. The revelation surprised the group, but Rudra remained composed.
"Rudra, you seem exceptionally prepared for this." says Connor.
"I've faced more daunting challenges than this. I'll make sure we all do."
Leslie returned to the group and announced that they would depart at the solar zenith. However, a problem arose: the current clash between Aleonia's infantry and Galèsian soldiers in the Meclithic Valley.
"Alright boys, I have a few things to share." – the leader announced.
"We will have some… setbacks and obstacles to deal with."
"What do you mean by setbacks?" asked Connor, the redhead.
"Apparently, our little informant friend has notified us that there will be problems crossing the Valley."
"Problems crossing? Be more specific, Captain." Caspian asked.
"Right now, there is a war going on in the Valley."
"What!?" – exclaimed Alyfir.
"Exactly what I said. The valley is packed with soldiers, on both sides."
"It can't be…" – Gael sat down, visibly frustrated by the news.
"Yes, Sirs, there is no way."
"What do you mean by that? You're not thinking–" Edmund spoke up, when his question was abruptly cut off.
"Exactly, we will have to cross that chaotic Valley." – replied Rudra.
To get through, the group had to skirt the edges of the chasm, with no chance of avoiding hand-to-hand combat. The high risk in the open field was clear, but Leslie and Rudra did not fail to share their strategies.
"We will use the edges of the valley, where the concentration of soldiers should be lower, but that is not a given." – Rudra led the dialogue, sharing his strategy thought up together with Leslie.
"In the worst case scenario, we will have to fight soldiers from both sides to clear the way. Blood will be spilled, regardless of who the good guys or the bad guys are."
"There is no doubt that we will put our lives at risk, and it may even lead to our succumbing on the field."
"In order for us to avoid this, every move will be crucial to our survival."
The news left the group apprehensive, contemplating the mission. Bart stammered in fear, Alyfir considered returning to the bunker, and the rest discussed a more sensible solution. Rudra and Leslie discussed the group's situation in private, devising strategies for overcoming the formidable battlefield without significant losses.
"We cannot avoid this fight, Rudra. We need a plan to minimize casualties."
"I agree. Let's use the terrain and attack strategically."
As the hours passed, the group remained contemplative. Bart, Alyfir, and others expressed their concerns.
"Damn… why do I feel so restless…?" Edmund grumbled.
"The Valley will probably be full of soldiers, from both sides," Gael replied.
"I confess I am very nervous about this," said Caspian.
"Are you wimps turning yellow yet?" Lloyd asked in a provocative tone.
"I–! I'm not scared!" – Alyfir shouted.
"Ah…. ah…." – Bart sighed in fear, unable to even formulate a single sentence.
"Bart, are you okay?" Edgar asked, clearly worried about Bart'Olimios' condition.
"I… I–!" Bart replied, stuttering constantly.
Suddenly, Bart stood up and left the area where the knights were, without even giving an explanation.
Amidst this uncertainty, Bart wandered around the small village, reflecting on his situation.
"I… don't want to die…"
Sitting on a bench in that area, Bart remained with his head down, unresponsive and quite trembling. Fear and frustration due to anxiety left his senses paralyzed. Soon, a child approached, asking why he seemed sad.
"Excuse me."
"Huh…?" Bart quickly raised his head.
"Are you sad?" asked the child.
"I… don't…" Bart could barely say a word due to the dread he felt on the battlefield.
Bart raised his face to the sky, lightly covered by clouds, and explained the series of misfortunes in his life.
"I don't know…"
"It seems like everything around me is always going wrong… it's hard to explain."
"I'm afraid… afraid of what I'm going to face from now on."
"..." – the child remained silent, and soon got up from his bench.
Soon, the child goes to his garden and picks a flower and gives it to him. Bart questions the flower, the child then offers him a flower, saying:
"When things go wrong, you have to think positive and never be sad, just like this flower! It fought against bugs, rain and super strong wind!"
"And my mother also told me that when everything is not going well, it is good to pray to the Goddess Al'lethia so that she can give us blessings. Oh, and she taught me..."
sharing the wisdom passed down from his mother. The child's innocence and advice revived Bart's spirits, and he decided to take the flower with him. The meeting reminded him of his duty to fight for those who could not, even if it cost him his life.
"You can pick this flower. It will bring you luck!"
"Thank you, little one. I'll keep you with me."
Rising from his seat, Bart leaves the small village and returns to his waiting companions.
"Ah–! He's back!" – announced Edgar.
Edgar had spotted Bart coming from the village and decided to greet him.
"Where have you been? We've been looking for you for a long time." – asked Gael.
"I… I'm sorry I left like that…" Bart replied.
"Ah… good to have you back, let's resume discussing the plan." – said Leslie, who was gathering the group to discuss the plans.
With only a few hours left before departure, Rudra and Leslie declared that they had no choice but to fight for their lives and their mission. Leslie decided to gather all the members of FIDELIUS and gave an inspiring speech, calming the minds of the distressed knights.
"Well… we don't have much of a choice at the moment…" – said Leslie.
"We will have to sneak around the edges of that war."
"Here's the thing, we'll avoid any kind of combat as much as possible."
"But of course we won't avoid them all, so know how to pick your battles."
"We will divide ourselves into six: one half will circle on one side, and the other half will provide assistance from the other bank," said Rudra.
After discussing their plans, they remained thoughtful for another half hour until they retrieved their horses, then drew their blades and swore to fight for the nation. The informant decided to guide them to the location.
"This is our moment. We are together, we fight together and we will win together!"
"Right!" the knights exclaimed, swearing their mission.
"Owl!" Leslie exclaimed to her informant.
"Alright–! Let me guide you to the great passage!"
GLOSSARY:
Meclithic Valley: The border between Livero and the great road that leads to the capital of Lisithea. Several wars were fought in that desert valley, where dust and ash dwell.
Lupards: Demonic creatures, native to forested areas throughout Central Thalassia. They are similar to lupines, but look extremely aggressive and territorial.
Livero: A feudal region located in the east of Lisithea. At a time when war did not exist, Livero was a large commercial and agricultural center due to its vast territorial extension.