Age of Destruction: Fire Emblem CYOA

this

"There's no more time to waste...!" Lily thinks to herself.  She whistles and charges towards the side cave.  Most of the others follow suit, right behind her.  Hawke finally finishes off the soldier, but too late to join the others.

Inside the small cave, Lily's group finds a pair of people fending off the heroes.  In the front is an olive-skinned, dark-haired, brown-eyed man dressed almost identically to Isana, though shirtless.  He's holding a pair of crossed knives and struggling to hold back the hero's blade.  A deep gash in his shoulder is definitely not helping.

The other is a woman with long, free-flowing red hair.  Almost her entire body, aside from her pallid arms, is covered in a bright red cloak.  It's pulled up just enough to stop her from tripping, revealing the same simple sandals that seemed to be popular back in the town.  In her hands is a basic fire tome.

"Haha!  See, Nita!?  I told you someone would arrive to save us, if you just believed hard enough!" the male yells in a boisterous voice.  "Right at the last second, as well!  Natural-born performers, I see."

"Mm."  The mage nods, then begins whispering a spell.

"Say, isn't this how your parents met?  Ah, I suppose this is fate's way of telling us we're destined to be together, just as I've always said!"

She answers by firing a fireball at the nearby hero.  The hero holds up his shield and deflects the shot, though it knocks his guard away.

"I'm Tyrus, friends, and I'd truly appreciate your help!  I'll repay your kindness as best I can.  As you can see, I'm a dancer!"  He twirls around, then taps Nita's nose.  "Surely you know the value of having a dancer on the battlefield, yes?"

Nita quickly hurls another fireball at the hero while he's staggered, blasting him in the chest.  The hero is knocked over, and struggles to regain his feet.

"...I don't like him," Isana mutters quietly.

---

New Recruits!

Tyrus

---

Class: Dancer
HP: 14          Str: 7
Magic: 10      Skill: 12
Speed: 11     Def: 8
Res: 10         Luck: 12
Skills: Luck+, Special Dance, Voice of Peace Acrobat, Pavise
Alternate Classes: Mage, Cavalier, Myrmidon, Dark Mage, Outlaw


Nita

---

Class: Mage
HP: 15        Str: 6
Magic: 14    Skill: 10
Speed: 11   Def: 8
Res: 11       Luck: 9
Skills: Magic+, Future Sight, Countermagic Sol, Canto
Alternate Classes: Archer, Mage, Cleric, Dark Mage, Dancer

---

Carin shoves Isana and runs up with her staff.  "Hush, you!"  She pauses and glances at Gale, as well.  "Oh, no.  Which of you is worse?"

Gale points at Isana with her wounded arm.  "Start with her.  I'll live.  Probably."

Carin bites her lip, then nods.  While she's crouched over, tending to Isana's hip, the dancer reaches down and softly strokes her cheek.  "Come, now, Love.  Why not just work extra hard and do us both?  Do it for me, hm?"

"Y-you're making it hard to...  I need to focus...!" Carin protests.

"Oh, I'll make it hard for you to focus..."  Isana brings her face closer to Carin's, dropping to a whisper.  "Or should I make sure I'm the only thing you can focus on?  Maybe, if we all make it through this, tonight..."

Carin shoves her again, her face bright red.  "Y-you're done!  Gale!  Come... Come here!"

She quickly treats Gale, as well.

Gale takes a look at her arm, nods, smiles, and goes bounding off.  She leaps at the injured hero beside Tyrus and Nita.  She stabs him in the back, then pulls her blade free from the corpse with a slashing motion.

Judoc attacks one of the other heroes.  His spear bounces off the hero's shield, and Rakim takes the opportunity to slip around beside him and slice his flank, just below the breastplate.  The hero drops to his knees, gasping as he dies.

Lily stands before the last hero, rapier at the ready.  She lunges in with a feint.  The hero draws back to slice, thinking he has an opening.  Lily shuffles back with sudden speed, a quick slash connecting with his face.  The hero, to Lily's surprise, doesn't recoil from the strike.  Instead, he lowers his shoulder and tries to bowl her over.  Lily is carried back, bashing her hilt into the back of his head over and over.  When she manages to disentangle herself, she lets his charge carry him through, then stabs him hard in the back.

Tyrus laughs.  "Looks like we're safe!  Thanks for that, Lily!"

"You know me!?" she asks.

"Of course!  Don't tell me you've forgotten me?" Tyrus feigns shock.  "Truth be told, I'm not surprised.  We were so young when you visited, after all!"

Lily blinks with surprise, then seems to have a realization.  She looks around at her surroundings like she's just seeing them for the first time.  "I've... been here... before..." she says, shocked.  "I... remember now.  Mother came to... return Armads..."

"Mm-hm.  And of course I remember you.  A beautiful princess!  Visiting our humble little school?  A rare treat, indeed!  How could your lovely visage not be burned into my vision?  Even so many years later, I recognize your raven hair in a heartbeat!"

Lily glances over her shoulder at Nita.

"Mm..." Nita mumbles softly, shifting nervously.

"She doesn't speak much.  I'm afraid you'll have to forgive my beloved."

Nita lets out a sharp gasp, then bites her tongue.

"Enough teasing for now.  We are still in a battle!" Tyrus reminds you.

Meanwhile, the general and cleric begin retreating towards the entrance.  "Let us retreat.  This situation has gone out of our control."

The cleric nods nervously.

"Do not fear.  Stay close at my side.  We're going to break through and escape!" the general says.  He sets his lance and begins charging Hawke.


Hawke:
(A) Intercept the general
(B) Try to pick off the cleric
(C) Step aside and let them go

Everyone else:
(1) Pursue the enemies
(2) Let them escape

Yeah I jusr really hope we don't end up regretting this

Sorina/Carin B
Tyrus/Nita C

"I'd say we did better this time.  Right, Sorina?" Carin asks.  She gives a forced smile.  "No casualties!"

"Ah?  Well, yes..." Sorina agrees.

"A few injuries, but nothing I can't handle," Carin continues.

"Yes..." Sorina agrees again, quietly.

"What's wrong?" Carin asks.  "You seem distracted."

"Hm?  Oh.  I suppose.  I was just reflecting on my role in the last battle.  I felt like I was holding everyone back."

"What?" Carin asks.  "That's not true, I-"

"I let that halberdier slip past that almost killed the princess.  That's pretty inexcusable, even if I was injured."

"Sorina, no one expects that much from you," Carin says.

Sorina stiffens and glances her way.

"Oh, gods.  That came out wrong."  Carin buries her face in her hands for a moment.  "I mean no one expects you to carry the entire army on your shoulders.  We all let the princess get hurt, not just you."

Sorina sighs, then nods.  "Yes, I suppose that's a fair way to think about it.  Sorry.  I'm not trying to ruin the mood when we should be celebrating our victory."

"Actually, before any celebration, can you give us a hand cleaning up these bodies?" Tyrus asks.  "To be honest, I can barely stand at this point.  I've been dancing nearly non-stop for days."

"Of course," Lily says.  "Let us take care of it.  We'll need to dispose of these before they turn into Risen."

Tyrus' eyes widen and he nods violently.  "Yes, yes we do!  Fortunately, the einjerjar don't leave corpses.  Some of the other school members succumbed, as did the enemy forces.  It certainly complicated the battle.  We should hurry."

"Is there anywhere we can burn them safely?" Lily asks.

Tyrus sighs.  "Yes, ah...  Hm.  Further into the school.  Follow me, please."

Lily nods.  "Gale, go bring the others inside.  Everyone else, help me move these bodies."  Lily hefts one of the corpses, and Tyrus grabs the other side.  "Oh, thank you."

"It's my pleasure, your highness.  Ha...  Carrying a dead body with the a gorgeous princess.  This is something I never expected.  Life is certainly strange, hm?"  Tyrus chuckles as he leads the way.  "Sometimes you can't do anything but laugh."

After a brief trip down a narrow passage, he pushes open a large door.  Inside is a sight that makes Lily gasp and drop the body.  "H-how...  What is...?"

"Did I not make it not clear how long we've been fighting?  As I said, this was a last-ditch effort for Nita and I to escape.  Looks like none of the others escaped, huh."  Tyrus looks around, then gives a sad smile.  "Looks like none of the others made it, huh.  Well, that's what we expected.  But two survivors is much, much better than none, right?"

"This...  This must be an entire army!" Lily chokes out.  "How...  How many...?"

"I stopped counting after the third wave... your highness.  I apologize." Tyrus says.  "Oh, but where are my manners?  I nearly forgot.  Please, you're welcome to make use of any of our facilities once we've cleaned up a bit.  Plenty of open beds now, right?  And in private rooms, if you've any need for such a thing.  Though you'd have to walk through the main chamber.  If you'd rather set up a bedroll camp back out in the entrance hall, I understand.  I think I'll probably do so, along with Nita."

"Oh...  Yes, I'll decide later," Lily says.  "We need to focus on the task at hand.  If you'd rather sit out for this, perhaps-"

"Perish the thought, O Beauteous Princess!  I'd much rather keep myself busy, anyway.  I prefer to stay busy in this sort of situation.  Nita, I believe, will take you up on your offer.  She'll need some time to herself, I think, to get her thoughts in order.  It works out perfectly."  Tyrus smiles, a bit more earnestly this time.  "About the time she's ready to speak with someone, we should be finishing up here!"

After a few minutes, the rest of Lily's group has entered the cavern.  Most of them react to the scene of slaughter with a quiet acceptance.  A few seem outraged.  Kurt seems unaffected, like he's used to it - or hiding it well.  Harv is visibly stunned at the sight.

Lily is surprised to find Amy tearing up at the sight of the battle.  With her wrists bound behind her back, she tries to hide it by rubbing her face against her shoulder.  Lily rolls her eyes and groans.  She walks over and wipes the tears from Amy's cheek, seemingly out of annoyance at the sight more than pity.  Amy stares back at Lily, mouth slightly open in surprise.  Suddenly, she starts to sob openly.

For a moment, Lily feels a pang of pity.  She even considers comforting her for a moment.  Then she remembers the scars criss-crossing her back, and the feeling passes.  There's work to do here.  Lily has better things to spend her time on.

"By the way, we killed some general that was trying to escape," Kurt informs Lily.  "There was a cleric with him, as well, but she managed to escape.  The general kept me back, and most of the others couldn't keep up with her.  Storm started to ride after her, but he didn't feel right cutting down a cleric."


(A) Lily will spend some time with Amy.
(B) Ask Isana to check on her.
(C) Stella seems to have built some rapport with her.
(D) Just lock her in a room alone.  It's better than she deserves, really.
(E) Screw it, no mercy.  Gale's getting a present tonight.
(F) Forget it (add an extra support slot).

Lily thinks back to the incident at the town.  Isana might try to free Amy again tonight, to escape in the chaos of the sandstorm...

(1) She's staying with Lily tonight.
(2) Tie her up with Amy and shove them in a private room.
(3) Kurt can watch her.
(4) Keith's spent some time with her, a bit more should be fine.
(5) You never really punished her for before...  She can spend a night with Gale.
(6) No, Lily will trust her.

Choose 7.

Lily/Isana B
Storm/Sorina B
Storm/Rakim B
Gale/Isana B
Sorina/Carin B
Rakim/Quinn B
Harv/Quinn B

Any C

Yes, that was a typo. It's fixed now.

"Well!  That was terrible," Tyrus says.  He leans up against the wall beside Nita, letting him slump to sit beside her.

Nita, for her part, has not moved from that spot since they started moving the bodies outside and burning them.  Even when a few of the bodies animated into Risen, she barely glanced up.  As soon as she was sure that the others had it handled, she went back to sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest.  She glances over at Tyrus, then looks forward again.

"Feeling better?" Tyrus asks.

Nita stares ahead.  She bites her lip lightly, then gives her head a small shake.

"Fair enough," Tyrus says.  "This whole situation is terrible."

Nita nods slowly.

"Have you given any thought about what we're doing next?  We're going to go with the princess and her group, right?"

Nita glances over, eyes wide with surprise.

"I hope that was OK.  I already told her we were joining up.  There's... nothing left for us here, after all."

Nita's mouth slowly closes, then she nods twice in response.  Then buries her face in her knees.

"We'll be OK.  I promise.  Isn't that what I said when we made a break for it?"

"Not... OK..." Nita whispers.

"I...  Yeah.  I know," Tyrus agrees.  "Me neither.  Think you can put on a brave face for me?"

Nita's pokes her eyes out for a second, then hides them again.  Tyrus things he saw a nod.  He pats her shoulder and forces himself up.  "I... need something to eat.  I'll come check on you again in a bit, alright?"

Tyrus uses Nita to help himself up, then rubs her head as he walks off.

Nita shoots him an annoyed glare, then adjusts her hood.

Gale, watching the scene unfold, creeps up beside her on all fours.  At the last second, she leaps.  Nita glances over just in time to see Gale flying at her.  "Ah...!?" she gasps.

"Gotcha!" Gale yells.  "So, you're the new recruit, huh?"

Nita, pinned on her back, stares back with surprise, then nods.

"Nita, right?  We've met a few times before, if you remember."

Nita nods again, less nervous this time.

"Now that I get a better look at you, you turned out pretty cute.  Why are you hiding that cute face under that hood?"

Nita looks away.

"Shy, huh?  Even cuter," Gale teases her.

Nita rolls her eyes, and tries to push Gale up and sit up.

Gale keeps her down.  "Nuh-uh.  You lost.  You lost the minute you dropped your guard.  You can mope all you want, but you have to be prepared to accept the consequences of not paying attention to your surroundings.  And the consequences will be... hugging."  Gale quickly makes good on her threat.  "I'm not letting you up until I get a smile.  Or you tell me to stop.  Your choice."

After a few minutes, Nita forces a weak smile.

"Alright, that's better.  Sorry, Nita.  But you looked like you needed someone to knock you out of your head.  Well.  I'll let you get back to things.  You can get back to thinking, if that's what you want."

Nita nods, standing up.  She turns and walks away without a word.

"Hm.  She headed towards the dining hall.  Good.  Let's see...  Well, who else can I pester?"

Gale hears a small, surprised gasp somewhere in the distance.  No one else seems to have heard it... even Stella.  One of the benefits of being a taguel.  Sounded like it came from the entrance.  It could be a problem.  She decides to go investigate.

"I'm kind of nervous," she hears Carin saying quietly.

"Don't worry, it's going to be fine," Isana answers.

"A-alright.  OK...  Take my hand.  It'll make me feel less nervous."

"Right...  OK, we can do this.  So, I just start by grabbing here..."

"Yes, carefully.  Gentle!  Gentle, please...  Now, take it nice and slow."

"OK...  I'm on.  Wow.  This is... strange," Isana says.  "I've ridden with others before, but never by myself.  I've always kind of wanted to...  Um...  Can I..."

"Oh.  Here, I'll lead him."

Gale pokes her head through the door and sees Isana struggling to stay on the back of Carin's horse.  "This is... actually harder than it looks.  How do you ride do this during a fight?"

"How do you dance in the middle of a fight?  I've seen you prancing and twirling out of the way of arrows as if it the moves were a planned part of your dancing routine.  That's far more impressive."

"Haha...  Maybe next time you can try dancing.  You'll have to wear the outfit, of course."

Carin laughs nervously.  "I-I would n-never wear...  I mean, I c-couldn't..."

"Would you prefer I teach you something else, instead...?  I'm afraid my only other skills are even more... risque.  Would that interest you more?"

"Haha... ha... ha..." Carin laughs nervously.  Isana struggles to stay on the horse as Carin loses focus on guiding it.  "O-of course not.  Why would I be... interested in something like, uh...  D-dancing sounds great."

"Careful, please...!" Isana reminds her. 

Gale waits until their horse riding session is finished and the animals are all secured for the night, hiding against the wall.  Carin walks past without noticing her.  When Isana starts to pass, Gale lunges out and snags her, grabbing her from behind and dragging her back.  She keeps a hand over Isana's mouth to stop her from alerting Carin until she's well past, then lets her go.

"Hello, Gale," Isana says calmly.

"How'd you know it was me?" Gale asks.

"The fur on your wrists makes it pretty obvious.  Also I noticed you when I was walking past.  If I'd known you were planning to grab me, I would have said something... or perhaps not.  Your warm embrace is always a pleasure."

"Yes, yes.  You're very charming, witty, flirty, whatever.  I came to tell you that Lily wants you to sleep with her tonight."

"Wh-what?" Isana asks, visibly surprised.  "I didn't realize she was..."

"Ha!  That got a reaction.  Finally."  Gale smirks as she lets Isana go with a gentle shove.  "Don't worry, she just wants to make sure you aren't going to do anything stupid.  Again."

"Stupid?  Why, I would never-"

"Never poison everyone, nor try to free a dangerous assassin, nor..." Gale rattles off.

Isana frowns.

"Hmph.  So you don't always have that stupid smile on your face.  If you're so upset about the stupid things you're doing, then stop doing stupid things!" Gale chastises her.

Isana looks angry for a moment, leans forward, ready to snap back...  Then backs down.  "...You're right.  I did promise not to do anything else stupid after the sleep powder incident, didn't I?"  Isana sighs heavily.  "I'm sorry.  I got a bit desperate.  And stupid.  You understand, right?"

Gale folds her arms.  "Of course not."

Isana smiles.  "If someone captured Lily, you would do something stupid trying to save her, right?"

"Yeah.  Lily.  Not that psycho trying to kill her," Gale says.

Isana's eyes narrow.

"Oh, you look angry.  How scary.  Maybe you're going to try to quietly get rid of me next!?" Gale demands.

Isana closes her eyes and calms herself for a moment.  "What if Lily did something stupid?  What if Lily... started doing stupid things over and over?  No, what if she did one stupid thing, but it took over her life?  Would you follow her?  Stand against her?  Would you fight to stop her, if you knew it was for her own good?"

Gale is silent.

"...Could you stand to see her captured?  Captured and... tortured?  By your...  By the people you're trying to... help... protect?  To stop her from..."  Isana trails off, then throws her arms up in exasperation.  "Could you look at someone you love and respect tied up and beaten, beaten because you stood against her while trying to do the right thing?  Trying to help her remember what the right thing even is!?  I don't...  I don't have any idea what I'm doing anymore."

"You..."  Gale stops mid-sentence.

Isana shoves her out of the way and walks back towards the entrance.  "I'm going to go see if the sandstorm's dying down.  Tell Lily I'll report to her room shortly."

Isana doesn't stop to see what Gale does, instead heading climbing out to look at what's going on above.  As expected, the sandstorm has already died down.  Isana wraps her cape around her bare stomach to ward off the cold of the desert night, lying in the still-warm sand, spending a few moments looking up at the starry sky.  She's truly glad Gale didn't follow her out.  That rabbit doesn't normally know when to let things go.  Isana stays out until she can't stand the chill anymore, then returns inside.  As instructed, she proceeds to Lily's room.  But she hears Amy's voice, and it causes her to pause.  She remembers she just promised not to do anything else stupid, but she can't stop herself from listening at the door.

"So?  What was that about earlier?" Lily asks.

"...I have no idea what you're talking about... your highness," Amy spits.

"The crying.  Why?"

"...Is there something strange about that?  To be upset, seeing such a senseless massacre?  I'm not the heartless monster you seem to think I am."

"Hmph.  I wonder."

"It reminded me of a battle I was in years ago.  Where I made a stupid decision and lost one of my allies.  That's all I have to say about it.  Are you satisfied with that answer?  Or are you going to torture me some more?"

"I wasn't planning to.  Lucky for you, it's late.  And I'm tired."  Lily frowns at the captive.  "So even a monster has friends, huh?"

"Allies.  Comrades.  Not friends," Amy says.

Isana feels a sudden sharp pain in her chest at those words.

"That's more the answer I expected," Lily answers.  "You're every bit the monster I thought."

"Hmph.  You know, the whole planning to kill you thing wasn't personal.  I didn't hate you.  I kind of hate you now, but that's beside the point.  Trying to kill you was a matter of necessity."

"Yeah, yeah.  This 'cult' that needs the blood of Medeus or whatever."

"...I don't think you understand.  If they finish their ritual, everyone will die.  Killing you, your brother, and your father stops them.  Is that really so much to ask?"  Amy's stare turns cold.  "Are you really not willing to die for everyone?  Maybe you would die for someone in particular?"

Lily snorts.  "Too easy.  I've got a responsibility to live for them.  Why not just wipe out the cult?"

"If I could've, I would've.  If I knew who they were or even how many of them there were, of course I'd rather have done that.  Nothing... would bring me more joy... than wiping them from the face of this world!" Amy yells.  "But I had to settle for killing you.  Maybe they have a way to work around the lack of blood, but at the least we'll have delayed them by a few months.  Long enough we may be able to put together a proper plan to wipe them out."

"Hmph.  It seems like you and Isana both love your stupid plans.  Sorry!  But you're not killing anyone.  All you're going to do is sit in your corner, all tied up.  If you're nice and quiet like a good little girl, I'll even give you a spare blanket tonight."  Lily taunts her.  "If you get on your knees and beg, maybe I'll even toss you a pillow."

Amy struggles against her bonds, forcing herself to a kneeling position while Lily stares down at her.  "...What are you planning to do with me, anyway?  If I get a chance, I'm not going to hesitate to slit your throat.  If you were smart, you'd do the same to me right here and now.  Why bother dragging me along?"


Lily pauses to think.

(A) I have no idea.
(B) Good point.  Kill her.
(C) I think I can get more information out of you.
(D) I don't want to upset Isana.
(E) Because killing someone who looks so much like me is unpleasant.
(F) Torturing you is fun.  Cathartic.
(G) I'm dragging you back to stand trial.
(H) I'm going to recruit you.
(I) I'm going to romance you.
(J) That's none of your business.

"Sir Storm." Sorina salutes as he enters the dining hall.  "I trust you're well?"

"Yes, I suppose," Storm says.  "I'm not a fan of this heat, but I'm handling it.  My mount, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying it quite a bit.  Though it seems she's not a fan of the lack of grass.  And yourself?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"I heard you were injured in the last battle?" Storm asks.

"...Just a scratch.  Lily got hurt a lot worse than I did.  And Gale and Isana, as well."

"You seem upset about this," Storm says.

"A bit," Sorina admits.

"You're wearing much heavier armor.  Of course you weren't hurt as badly.  And of course you can't intercept all the enemies, especially in such an open battlefield.  In a mission where time is of the essence..."

"It's difficult for me to play my role.  Yes, yes.  I noticed."  Sorina glares at him.

"Sorry," Storm says.  "But it's how it is.  A pegasus knight isn't much use in a cave.  Normally, this sort of terrain is perfect for you."

---

"Have you given more thought about what I said?" Rakim asks.

"Figuring out what I can and can't do, huh..." Quinn mutters.  "Yeah.  Some."

"And?"

"And just because I can't do anything about something, that doesn't mean I can just stop worrying about it," Quinn says.  "I've tried."

"You're the type that doesn't know how to stop.  How do you even sleep at night?"

"I don't, sometimes," Quinn admits.

Rakim crosses his arms.  "That's not healthy."

"I'm aware.  But when I get tired enough, I always fall asleep."

"And when the enemy ambushes you while you're too tired to move?"  Rakim asks.  "Learning how to shut out your worries is a part of helping the rest of us, as well.  Helping us, and letting us help you with what you can't do."

"...Right, right.  I'll keep trying..." Quinn mutters.

---

"I just think there's a lot you haven't told me yet, more information I can get out of you."  Lily narrows her eyes.  "And I will get it out of you."

Amyrillis rolls her eyes and flops over onto her side.  "Of course.  And here I thought you might actually might be showing some kindness."

"If you're hoping for me to soften up and let you go or something... or to get sloppy and give you a chance to plant a knife in my back, you...  are sorely mistaken."  Lily smirks down at her.

"...Whatever."  Amy rolls over.

"What was that?" Lily hisses.

"Whatever...  Your Highness."

"Sounds like you-"

"Princess Lily!"  Isana throws open the door.

"Isana.  What... fortunate timing," Lily says.

"I'm sure I've no idea what you mean," she says.  "Gale said I was to report to your room, Princess."

"Yes, you'll be rooming in here for the night," Lily says.  "First, take care of the prisoner for me.  Secure her in another room, then return."

"...You... want me to...?" Isana asks.

"Are you incapable?"  Lily asks.

"I... no, Princess.  But you would trust me to-"

"Do you have any further intentions to betray me?" Lily asks.

"Of course not, Princess," Isana says.  "But... words are simply words.  I could swear my loyalty anew every day, but...  You can trust me after even after everything?"

"I trust you aren't a complete fool," Lily says.  "I'll give you plenty of opportunity to redeem yourself.  I'll even forgive some failure.  But understand that if you betray me again, what I do to you will be...  Ah, do I really need to make any threats?"

"No, Princess, I...  No, I should be honest.  I don't really know where my loyalties should lie anymore.  I've made so mistakes, I don't think I can trust my own judgement anymore.  I don't know that I can even trust a choice to trust you..." Isana closes her eyes and sighs.

"Isana?"

"Princess?"

"Shut up and do as I tell you."

Isana shifts back in surprise.

"Take the prisoner to the dining hall.  Feed her.  Then stuff her in an empty room.  As much as it annoys me, you make make her comfortable, if you wish.  I suppose I could consider it a test of your loyalty, but I won't force you into unnecessary defiance over something so trivial as a pillow and a few minutes to speak.  Five minutes.  No more."

"I'm not going with that traitor!" Amy protests.

"Be si-" Lily starts to snap at her.

"Be... quiet," Isana says to her.  "I wouldn't be stuck doing this sort of thing if you hadn't insisted on your stupid plan to assassinate the princess in the first place."

Lily nods approvingly.  "Once you've returned, prepare the bed.  Include some ropes attached to the frame.  Until you're sure of your loyalties, you'll be bound each night.  I trust you've no complaints?"

"...No, Princess.  Do as you please with me."

---

Next chapter?

(A) Rand 8
(B) Lily 9

Chapter 8R: To the Rescue

---

"Wow..."  Rand stares up at the giant tree in awe.  "Incredible.  How can a tree grow this big!?  It's as large as a mountain!  It's... It's bigger than Grima's corpse!"

"It is impressive, is it not?" Hyun'ji says.

"No matter how many times I see it..." Eun'ji adds.  "I still must pause and stare for a moment."

"I could spend hours here..." Alice whispers.

"We don't have time to stand around and stare!" Snowy insists.  "The enemy's already inside!  Look!"

Rand looks to where the pegasus knight is pointing.  Gnarled roots the size of bridges snake their way up to a wide entrance to the tree's innards.  A dozen corpses litter the doorway, a mix of people wearing that motley armor of the enemy and a white-and-green uniform unfamiliar to Rand.

"Those are Valmese guards..." Hyun'ji says.  "Blast.  We keep a garrison of troops here, but they are mostly ceremonial, and poorly trained.  Only a handful have actual combat experience.  The commander, at least, should be able to hold out for a while, but..."

Snowy starts advancing.  "Enough talk!  If we don't hurry, they're going to silence the voice!"

"Wait!" Rand says.  "We need to think about our plan.  Only a few troops at a time can move through there.  At least it's large enough the cavalry shouldn't have much trouble getting their mounts in."

Snowy nods.  "Yeah, Lilina here shouldn't have any trouble flying in there."

(A) Everyone go in at once
(B) Send a few scouts ahead of the advance (choose up to 4)
(C) Post a rear guard at the entrance, just in case (choose up to 4)
(D) Send the fliers up along the outside