The Eternal Hymn: Prelude to Silence

Infobump, cause I'm anxious for votes!

General Rei Ayamoto: An eccentric man who loves nothing more than catching Zzs and waves. He was born and raised in Etruia, along with his elder sister, though his parents died when he was very young. He was homeless for a time, and forced to learn the art of stealing. In order to save them both, his sister gave herself to the service of a noble family. With their help, he found work as an apprentice blacksmith and deckhand, before eventually bartering passage to Canaan when he was only 10. His parents had always wanted to visit Canaan, and so he vowed to see it for them. He worked as a sailor for a couple years, to pay off his debts and passage, and developed a fierce love of the sea and an unusual fondness for long naps, especially in the sunlight. At the age of 12, he first set foot in Canaan, at the Port City of Thrisk. There he witnessed a group of thugs harassing a young girl, and foolishly stepped in to help. The thugs almost killed him, but he was saved by the Sword King and then leader of the Grand Three, General Geoffrey. Rei begged him to allow him to enlist in Canaan's military, despite his tender age, and Geoffrey eventually relented, but only allowed him to join on a apprentice level.

Rei never shared his reasons for wanting to enlist, not even to his mentor, but he soon proved himself and earned the nickname 'Little Conquerer', for his prowess in battle, unparalleled intellect, and young age. He went on to become the youngest Field Grade Officer in Canaan's history. However, his love for naps has never waned, and has gotten him in trouble more than once.

Oh man... How many times am I going to have to explain this? I swear I worded the choices carefully, to avoid confusion. Kryian is automatically a part of the main force, SM. So, with B, the main force heads to Port Thrisk. As such, Kryian would be a part of the force heading to the Port. The option you're looking for is C.

Love you for voting, though.

B, and 8

Freaking sweet, I'm in this, as a Lord, and have a weapon forged from a lion!

I'm guessing you based his weapon off King Richard I aka, the Lionheart

I'll view him as a self insert me then. Kiddknf, but ready to se this update

"It seems they were expecting us," Zarvael reports grimly, returning from his brief scouting mission.

Indeed... Someone actually managed to outplay you. You would be impressed, if so much wasn't at stake. The only question now is, who was it? The obvious answer is the very woman you're seeking. If the rumors and tales are to be believed, the Tactician of the North has never lost a battle. Such a woman would definitely prove a formidable opponent. It wouldn't be too unlikely that she would predict the Duchy would attempt to capture her. But this timing... It's far too perfect to be a coincidence. Somehow, you don't think she's to blame. No, there's something else at work here...

"Our plan of attack remains unchanged. Zarvael, take your men and surround the City Hall. Keep the Resistance busy. I will search the town and see if anyone is hiding a giant lizard."

Zarvael nods. "Understood. I will leave the dragon to you, my lord."

Yes... Though only because you have to, old friend.

Knowing him, he'd relish such an opportunity. You smile a bit at the thought, as you calmly glide towards the city. Zarvael is more of a Lion than most Lions you know, including yourself. As for you, you'd rather pass. A dragon is only a overgrown lizard, and this particular lizard will only serve to eat all your food and give you more problems than you already have.

You heave a heavy sigh. One way or another, this dragon is going to end up your problem. You either fail to capture her, purposely let her go, hand her over to the Duke, or take care of her yourself. Not much of a choice, unfortunately.

You effortlessly pass through the city walls, and stride into the city proper, undetected and unopposed. Your shadowy form shimmers and twists, absorbing and extinguishing any nearby light source as you pass. You focus your senses outward, searching for the distinctive scent of a Laguz, and receive two pings; One near the northern side of the city, in front of a large building, and another in a house near your position. The first scent is the unmistakable scent of a Cat, and it's a scent you're quite familiar with. The second scent, however, is much stronger and more potent, and alien to you. It seems almost muffled though... Like you're smelling it through a crack in a wall, or a curtain.

You locate the house just as the first sounds of battle reach your ears. Inside, you sense only one person, which, presumably, is the woman you're here for. Upon closer inspection, the house appears to be a sort of library, though it is very small. You materialize inside the house, not even bothering with the door, and allow your ethereal form to solidify.

In front of you, a young woman with long pink hair, like a cherry blossom, sits upon a mat, with a stack of books in her lap. Her skin is fair and pale, and her hair falls over her shoulder in a long braid. She wears the traditional robes of a Tactician, but her robes are white with gold embroidery and a black stripe across each sleeve, from shoulder to wrist, marking her station as an experienced strategist. She gently lays the books aside and stands without preamble, turning to face you.

She is quite beautiful, you'll admit, and her oddly colored eyes are entrancing. But... You're having a difficult time sensing anything from her, and that immediately sets off major alarm bells. It's also, ironically enough, what keeps you from admiring her beauty for too long. "Ena Godfreid, famed strategist of the north... It is an honor to meet you."

She bows her head slightly, in a very polite and formal manner, which surprises you. Cordial even to her enemies, huh?

"The honor is mine, King of Ghosts. I am flattered the Duchy considers me enough a threat to send their very best, though I fear you may have wasted your time. I have not chosen a side yet, and so, there is no reason for us to fight."

"On the contrary, Miss Godfreid. It is because you have not sided with the Resistance yet, that I am here. But you already know that, don't you? In fact, I'd wager you know exactly why I'm here, and you were expecting me."

Your response seems to surprise her, though she quickly conceals it. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage, Ghost King. I assure you, my surprise at your visit is genuine. I expected the Duchy to make contact with me, at the very least, but I didn't think they would send you. Nor did I expect our encounter to be so soon."

Either she's the greatest liar in history, or her reaction is genuine. And that means you were right after all: there is a third party at play here. All the more reason to hurry up. "Ah, my apologies then. I would love to stay and chat with you, but we're pressed for time. May I ask you to accompany me?"

She nods, and reaches down to pick up a book from her pile. "Of course. But may I bring a couple books, for the road? I hate going long periods without having something to read."

Huh. This girl is really starting to impress you. This may just be the most civil capture in the long and illustrious history of war. "I have no objections. Bring as many as you like."

You almost instantly regret those words, when Ena goes to pick up a brown shoulder bag, though thankfully she only takes a few. You lead her out of the house, where you are immediately greeted by your Guard Captain, who was apparently waiting for you.

Well, that was quick. "Is the city secure?"

Zarvael inclines his head. "Yes, my lord. The Resistance fled without much of a fight. There are no casualties to report."

Then that's a wrap... And that's one step closer to your goal. "Good. I trust the Mayor has changed his tune? A warm bed and food sounds nice, doesn't it?"

Zarvael shows just the faintest hint of a smile. "That it does, my lord. Will you be retiring now?"

For some reason, your eyes wander unbidden to your new friend. "No, not yet. I think I will walk about the town for a bit. Miss Godfreid, would you care to accompany me?"

"I would," she agrees simply, almost absentmindedly, looking up at the sky above. "Though I think it may rain soon."

You can't tell if she's trying to put on a brave face, or if she's just weird. Well, at least it means your walk won't be boring. You have Zarvael set up camp in the City Hall, and guide Ena aimlessly around the city. All in all, it was a good day today. Even if it did rain.

(Continued)

While Zarvael gets everything ready for you to leave, you silently step outside. You don't enjoy lying to someone so loyal to you, but there were two faults with the plan you gave Zarvael. One, it didn't account for the possibility of you not being the target, and two, it didn't account for the possibility of eavesdropping. It's true you didn't sense any other presences at the time, but that doesn't mean a thing. The powers of the third party are a complete unknown. But if you step outside, beyond the city walls, alone, then everything should become clear. Are you the target? Or is Ena? Will this be an assassination attempt, or a rescue mission?

You stride out the city gates, unseen, and walk a ways from the city. You stop on a small hill and wait, just far enough so only the eyes of a Laguz can see you, and you can see the city, in case someone does try to rescue Ena. Minutes pass without event, and you don't notice anything unusual happening in the city either.

Hmm... Maybe I miscalculated. If this continues, I may have to leave. Otherwise, Zarvael will come searching for me.

"So, you anticipated my plan, did you? And you came out here on your own, to lure me out. I'd expect no less, Ghost King."

You resist the instinct to whirl around. No... You need to remain calm. Losing control of your emotions here could prove fatal. But... Who the hell is he? You couldn't even sense his approach, and you still can't sense anything about him. And why does his voice sound so familiar?

"You give me far too much credit, sir. I merely anticipated the presence of a third party. I could not foresee your motives or identity."

"Your voice... I see. I didn't expect to meet you again. I wish to thank you, for saving my daughter, all those years ago."

You do whirl around at that, and your eyes widen. "Impossible... I buried you myself. There's no way you could have survived."

The true King of Ghosts smiles, a kind smile, and it nearly makes you sick to your stomach. "You, above all others, should know death doesn't need to be permanent, Black Lion."

This could get really ugly, really quickly... If he still possesses even one tenth of the power he used to, then a battle between you would reduce this entire area to rubble. And you aren't completely sure you can defeat him... Darian Nightwinter... Could you really have ascended?

"Indeed... So then, why have you come? Surely you didn't come all this way just to reminisce about old times."

The spirit shakes his head sadly. "No, though I wish I had. I have come in search of Vanos, and the right to rule. Tell me, old friend, are you the one I'm searching for?"

Vanos? The right to rule? What in the Goddess's loving name is he talking about? "I have no idea of what you speak. But if you mean to test me, I suppose I have little choice."

You release the seal over your powers, and your form shimmers. You unsheathe your unholy blade, your blade of blackest night, and your body begins to pulsate with waves of darkness. The grass around you withers and dies, and the temperature plummets. The sky darkens, as the rain clouds from earlier hasten their approach. Within moments, the first drops of rain begin to fall.

"I am not the same man I once was, old friend. You will not find me an easy opponent."

Darian only smiles. "Again, I would expect nothing less. Tell me... Have you ever seen a dragon before?"

Fort Ganimede, somewhere in the southern mountains...

Janus casually leans against the wall as he delivers his report to the leader of the resistance, a young woman in striking silver armor, looking out a nearby window. The rest of the higher ups were gathered around the Round Table, with General Geoffrey at the helm. "As much as I hate to admit it, we didn't stand a chance. We were as outmatched as you can get. Sorry boss, but there wasn't anything I could do about it."

The young woman calmly shakes her head, smiling slightly. "You made the right choice, Janus. It takes a wise leader to know when it's time to call it quits. Besides, I'd be much more upset if anything had happened to you or the others."

"She's right," Geoffrey agrees, his face grim. "As I am now, I don't know if even I could stand against the Grand Three. Their power is... Terrifying."

Janus gives a derisive scoff. "Believe me old man, I know. Just standing in the same city as one, even briefly, made my fur stand on end."

Azura turns around, a look of realization in her eye. "Geoffrey, you fought alongside the Ghost King before, did you not? What can you tell us about him?"

He nods, though his expression darkens even further, if that's even possible. "Not much. Even then, he was a complete enigma. To the best of my knowledge, he never once removed his mask or let down his guard. And his ascension through the ranks was unheard of. He just seemingly appeared one day, and turned the Grand Two into the Grand Three."

"And what are our chances, should we have to face him in open combat?"

"Not good," Geoffrey admits. "Our best bet would be to force him into a defensive position, likely in a castle or similar structure, and then set the place ablaze. A risky tactic, true, but I don't think we could defeat him any other way."

Azura turns back towards the window, clearly unhappy with that plan. "I don't like that Geoffrey... It's not who we are. It would send the wrong message. But, regardless, it's something we shouldn't have to worry about for a while. What is the status of the plan to take Fort Sarr?"

Fort Sarr... One of the three largest military forts in all of Canaan, and the bastion of Duchy control in the south... Even Janus knew, that if they could take that, the entire balance of the war would shift.

"We're almost ready," Geoffrey replies. "In a couple more days, the tunnels will be finished and we'll be ready to strike. In the meantime, we should send a small group down into the countryside and see if we can catch any rumors about the Duchy's next move. All we'll need is a few people to visit some of the towns and villages, and ask around taverns and such. Even the smallest amount of info could prove vital."

Azura inclines her head in agreement, and a thoughtful look crosses her face. "Agreed. But, if you were to hazard a guess now, with our current information, what do you think their next move would be? You know their minds better than any of us, Geoffrey."

He hesitates for a moment, which is unlike him. "I would guess they're aware of our plan to attack Fort Sarr. They may not know exactly when, or how, but it's the logical conclusion for any tactician to make. If we hope to march on the capitol, then we'll need to conquer Sarr first. Otherwise, it would be virtually impossible to hold a sustained siege on a city as large and fortified as the capitol."

Again, Azura seems to agree with this. "You have a good point... I'll give it some more thought tonight and decide upon a scouting party tomorrow. If at all possible, I want to scout Fort Sarr from above ground one last time before we attack. But for now, everyone is dismissed. Get some rest. You'll need it."

The leaders of the Scarlet Rebellion all begin to trickle out, each heading to their respective living quarters, save for Geoffrey, Janus, and the General herself. Janus doesn't move from his perch on the wall, as Geoffrey places a concerned hand on her shoulder.

"Azura, you need to get some rest as well. You can't keep neglecting yourself. It won't help anyone, and we need you at your best."

She gives a weary sigh, but nods. "Yes, I know... You're right of course. I'll try to get some sleep tonight. Good night, Geoffrey."

"Good night, Princess."

Janus watches the pair curiously, but he waits for Geoffrey to leave before he speaks. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear there was something going on between those two...

"Hey boss, I don't want to worry you, but there's something you should know. Something I left out of my official report."

All of the exhaustion leaves her face immediately, and Janus realizes once again the girl is General for a reason. "Tell me."

For a moment, he isn't sure how. "There was someone else at Thrisk... I don't know who or what he was, but he certainly wasn't with us or the Duchy, and he was powerful enough to make me nervous. Just before the battle, he warned me not to engage the Ghost King, and said that he would handle him. Honestly boss... This guy scared me. And I don't scare easily. If he and the Ghost King really did throw down... Our problems might already be solved."

She seems taken aback, but she conceals it well. Almost like a politician, Janus notes silently. "I see... Thank you for letting me know, Janus. I'm glad I can count on you."

He dismisses her gratitude with a wave of his hand. "I'm only repaying my debt. Besides, it's what you hired me for. Now, I'm gonna hit the hay. See ya tomorrow, bright and early. Don't let the Ghosts bite."

Azura smiles. "I'll try not to."

-------
Alighieri, the capitol of Canaan, within the Duke's Palace...

A large, overweight man in opulent robes sits reclining on an even grander throne. Two young Laguz lay draped across his lap, their eyes glazed over, and a manservant stands waiting, like a statue, holding up a heavy tray of wine and food. The palace itself was a similar state of decadence, and everywhere the Blood General looked, he wanted to puke."Well, Blood General? Have you dealt with this pesky little insurrection yet?"

"Not yet, Your Grace. Such matters take time, unfortunately. I would crush them myself, but that would leave the palace unguarded for a time, and we can't have that."

The fat Dictator of the East gives a booming laugh. "No, no, we certainly can't. And Albatross is too busy with his precious experiments... Why not send mister brooding, then? Surely he isn't too busy."

The Blood General resists the sudden urge to slaughter the overgrown fool. Too busy... No, surely not. He's just plotting your downfall, that's all. Why not send him right to the enemy? We could even gift wrap him.

If only he had a sliver of proof, he would have the so called 'Ghost King' hanging from the rafters by dusk. But that bastard is craftier than he originally gave him credit... "Not at all, Your Grace. He should be returning from his current mission soon. I'll send him out as soon as he does."

Duke Vaas nods, satisfied. "Very good, very good. Remind me, General, what was his mission again?"

Of all the asinine, idiotic... How this pig got to where he is today mystifies him. "You sent him to investigate rumors of a possible dragon Laguz, and to capture her should the rumors prove true, Your Grace."

The Duke's portly features light up like a child in a candy store. "Ah, yes! Yes, yes! How could I forget. I've always wanted a dragon in my collection. Go now, General, go to. See if he's returned with my dragon."

Your dragon? Don't make me laugh, you disgusting fool. "At once, Your Grace."

The Blood General rises to his feet and gives a curt bow, before turning on his heel and stalking out of the throne room. In the hallway, he's greeted by a very familiar and welcome sight.

"You look tired, love. Did the Duke put you through the ringer again?"

Yes, though it will be his turn before long... "I tire of these games, Anastasia. It's time for Stage Two. I have a job for you."

"Whatever you say, my love."

D.