RedMageCole

Stella looked at Mim and Shin, blinked a few times and thought for a second. "Hm... there are baths downstairs... I think they might be close to the infirmary, just on the right and straight down for a little while... spare clothes, you might have to ask Albert..." If Stella noticed anything weird about two girls wanting to bathe with a man, she didn't speak up. To be honest, she probably didn't see anything weird about it.

Kane stayed quiet for a little while, though he kept walking with Ferdiad despite the attempts to shove him off. "...I can't ask you to tell me anything you don't want to tell me... but at least let me walk with you. Just at least until we reach wherever you want to be... and then I'll explain everything to Queen Stella."

Kane took a pretty quick notice of this, and while Albert continued to panic and try to get a hold of himself, Kane darted past him to get to Ferdiad. He gently put a hand on his shoulder while he walked with him. "...Knight... Knight. Please... tell me what's wrong. This man... this incident... it's not something unfamiliar to you, is it?... Tell me what you can, but don't force anything out. But please... I want to know what's wrong."

...In the downstairs hallway... Albert doesn't even try to stop Ferdiad as he approaches, having a hard time keeping himself composed. All he can do is blurt out words to him in panic. "I-I was so careless...! I... I shouldn't have let this happen... I-I couldn't have let this happen...! I-I was told to have the guards off duty so that you all could come, b-but I should have had lookouts! I was a fool... I-...." As Albert's normally steady composure devolves into panicking, and even a small amount of tears forming in the loyal guard's eyes, Ferdiad confirmed his worst fears. He wasn't even out of bed; as if he were taking an afternoon nap, it had happened while he was still asleep. Judging by the trajectory of the arrow that pierced his throat, it was instantaneous, not even time to scream. There he was, draped in blankets and fanciful robes, his crown off to the side and his hair stuck in a bedhead that would never be untangled... ...King Tobias was dead. As Kane passed by, he heard Albert's yelling, and quickly stopped, still holding the thief. "...Oh my god... so this is what those voices must have..." The thief weakly spoke. "...Hulbert hired... these four goons... I don't remember any of them, minus that green haired asshole... it was for a mission while we..." Kane quietly shushed the thief. "...We'll talk later. Right now, you need rest. Knight, Albert, give me a moment, I just need to put this man in the infirmary." Albert didn't seem to notice the Gul soldier, and if he did, he didn't care. He was horrified... ...Kane arrived rather quickly, thankfully; the infirmary wasn't too far off. He looked at the king's corpse, solemnly closing his eyes. "...I don't know what kind of man King Tobias was... but Queen Stella has done nothing but offer us hospitality and a reason to fight. This man was her husband... and we will find the four people who killed King Tobias right under our noses. I'm not one to be so easily outwitted... and I will stop at nothing to make sure the people behind this crime was put to justice." Kane inspects the arrow without pulling it out. "...Four people, a green haired man, and an arrow so precise, it had to have been shot by someone who has been trained in the bow and nothing but the bow... and to make matters worse... this arrow was laced with poison. There was no way King Tobias could have survived with such a precise shot and an extra mile... we're dealing with someone who knows their stuff, but I absolutely refuse to let such ruthless criminals stand in Virtuous' way. We'll find them... and they will have their judge, jury and executioner."

In the main hall... "You don't gotta tell me twice..." The thief groaned, still on the floor looking tired but still much better. Very gently, Kane scooped him up into his arms. Kane doesn't seem to have much trouble carrying him with two hands, but the thief looks somewhat embarrassed to be carried bridal style. In response to Lenore, Arthur didn't do much but give a simple nod to Lenore as he made his way into the throne room with Kane shortly following afterward. In the throne room... "Oh..." Stella gives a rather faint blush and bashfully looks away, putting a hand on her cheek. As she whispers the word beauty through her lips, Arthur walks in. "Stella, we've got an injured man from the Gul army. He apparently tried to retreat but was intercepted. Where's the infirmary, again?" Stella pauses and mulls over it for a second as Kane enters the room with the thief in hands. "Should be down the stairs on the right... just straight down... it should say on the door, I think..." Arthur whispered a thanks as he proceeded to almost walk with Kane, but Kane stopped Arthur. "Thank you, Crimson, but I'll find it on my own. Stay with the others." As Kane went downstairs, Arthur rolled his eyes.

Kane seems mildly astonished at Mim calling him 'sir', but manages to keep a calm face quite quickly. "Very well; Orchid, you'll help Snowbird heal the man up. Good to see that you are mostly unharmed yourself, Snowbird. Regardless of his arrogance, the man looked as if he was a seasoned fighter, but you beat him without so much as a scratch, well done. Crimson, you go let Queen Stella of his situation. We'd still best get this man some rest on a cozier surface once you and Orchid are done, he's probably had a long day." Arthur briefly looks like he doesn't want to leave, but obliges and makes his way to the throne room. The thief groans. "You don't know half of it..." He turns over slightly to look at Mim with tired eyes. "I suppose... though my choice was just more me bein' kind of a bitch... but I didn't wanna go the way Joshua did... not that I would have been as nonchalant as he was before he died, guy was a bit of a prick at times... but nothing compared to Hulbert... and that green piece of shit..." Kane raised an eyebrow, which the thief caught. "I'll spill the beans once these wounds close up a bit and I get in that bed you're talking about... no sense goin' back to Gul so quickly since they all probably will think I'm dead like the rest of 'em..." ... As Ferdiad headed down the stairs, he listened... he listened, but he could not hear any more of the four voices. What he did hear, however, was Albert's faint voice, down the corridor. Though Albert was normally an extremely well mannered individual, the tone in his voice was anything but, as he sounded as if he gave into sheer panic. "No...! No! How could I have let this happen...!? I-... I'm a failure as a knight... a-a failure... h-how am I going to tell my lady... h-how...!?"

“Useless pieces of shit! I could have had that done all by my goddamned self! Bunch of amateurs, I swear on the-" “It doesn't matter, we're done here. Just keep moving before you burst another blood vessel." “How many times do I have to tell you, you're not my fucking mom....." ...The voices in the floor are gone as quickly as they came. As Mim tends to the thief's wounds, he groans as his consciousness seems to return. "Nrgh... why're you helpin' me, anyway...? Woulda served me right, letting myself indulge in my sticky fingers..." Now secured of the looming threat, Kane rushes out to the main hall alongside Arthur, seeing Mim standing there with naught but the pained thief. He passes Hulbert's corpse as he approaches... "Snowbird, is... hm, you did that on your own? Good work... it's an honor to have you. Status report; anything else you've seen besides Hulber-... hm?" Kane clearly seemed to be thinking of the voices, but has turned his attention to the thief on the ground. Without another word, he speaks to Mim. "Make sure he takes as much medicine as you think he'll need. I'll find and carry him to a bed once you've done so, and we can continue further treatment." Arthur looks down at the thief, as if almost wanting to question why they were helping the enemy... but then looks at Mim, and stays silent. In the throne room, Stella wakes with a yawn. "Mmm...? Oh, I think that was... um... Albert's troops... I think we're safe now." She looked at everyone crowded around her throne. "...If it weren't for you all protecting me... I'd be dead..." Stella gave a little yawn, but at the same time, her eyes look very gentle, happy, and a little bit teary-eyed. "Thank you..." Simeon ascends one of the stairs, making his way into the throne room with a groan. "Sheesh, ye all sounded like ye were havin' a blast up there... I assure ye, I ain't even that shabby with an axe, but swingin' it is a right pain in the... well, ye know." At the same time, Albert rides into the throne room, his horse whinnying. "My lady! The troops are dispatched to take care of the leftovers right now. I'm off to notify the king of the invasion... while keeping our little secret a secret." Stella simply nods as Albert rides past Simeon, dismounts his horse and heads downstairs.

Hulbert, sputtering as weakly as he could, still struggling to stay on his horse while covered in blood... "Ha... These wounds are nothing...! I'll still win! Just watch... me...!" With a well-shot arrow between the eyes, Hulbert doesn't even get a chance to say anything as he falls off of his horse with a loud clanging noise that reverbs throughout the castle. Some of the enemy soldiers notice this, and panic as all of them head for the gates, only for the sounds of thundering hoofbeats to be heard arriving into the foyer. Albert, atop a horse and holding a lance, while commandeering a squad of soldiers, look down at the group. The group of enemies panic and attempt to run outside. "Oh, no you don't! After them, men!" Before the army can properly take in the surroundings of Virtuous aiding them, they storm out of the castle to give chase. Albert turns back and salutes everyone. "Don't worry, we may have a fair share of lazy soldiers, but we'll take care of them!" FINAL STATS EXP: (61/100) Kane (HP: 21/22) - Iron Knife (E) (38/40) | Glue Pack (31/35) | Vulnerary x3 | Lockpick x4 | Silencer (30/30) Ferdiad (HP: 28/28) - Slim Lance (E) (39/40) | Iron Blade (39/40) | Steel Javelin (30/35) | Vulnerary x3 Shin (HP: 22/23) - Iron Longbow (E) (35/40) | Training Bow (37/40) | Vulnerary x3 Baldur (HP: 11/19) - Tenderizer (E) (32/40) | Heal (29/30) | Shove (27/30) | Vulnerary x1 Lizaveta (HP: 23/23) - Worm (E) (32/40) | Wind (39/40) | Vulnerary x3 Justine (HP: 22/22) - Joyeuse (E) (40/40) | Artemis' Song (30/30) | Vulnerary x3 Cecily (HP: 25/26) - Hatchet (E) (37/40) | Vulnerary x3 Lenore (HP: 19/21) - Iron Knife (E) (32/40) | Vulnerary x3 | Lockpick x4 | Vulnerary x3 Tabitha (HP: 18/18) - Heal (24/30) | Vulnerary x3 Mim (HP: 17/21) - Steel Greatbow (E) (21/35) | Training Bow (40/40) | Vulnerary x3 | Lockpick x3 | Heavy Lance (35/35) Fey (HP: 26/26) - Hatchet (E) (32/40) | Vulnerary x3 Reiko (HP: 27/27) - Steel Sword (E) (31/35) | Vulnerary x3 | Hand Axe (40/40) Lysander (HP: 21/23) - Wind (E) (31/40) | Vulnerary x3 Arthur (HP: 23/24) - Wind (E) (37/40) | Fire (36/40) | Vulnerary x3

Lenore puts a couple of knives in the Cavalier. Fey recovers 17 HP! Fey is at full HP! Shin to H18 Enemy Phase Soldier G to T5 Shaman D to U5 Soldier F to F5 Shaman C to E5 Cavalier E to X18 Thief C to V17 Archer D to L25 Archer E to N24 Hulbert to M23 Frustrated, the Thief tries to break through the defenses by aiming for the healer. The Cavalier joins him on the attack against Tabitha, but misses. Closer to home, the Archer takes a potshot at Mim as Hulbert rides up to meet her challenge. He's unsuccessful. Hulbert rides up, the beast of a man riding atop a tall beast looking down at the tinier Mim, wielding a javelin. "Feel the power of Gul! We will take back what is rightfully ours!" Ally Phase A gentle snore can be heard from Stella. Seems she feels safe despite the oncoming enemies... however, her aura has slightly changed, somehow... Heroic Advance shifted to +3 RES! Player Phase Tabitha recovers 4 HP! EXP: (31/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

"Well, at least I'm improving somewhat..." Mercia promotes to Emissary (Nun)! Preferred Stats: Resistance, Skill Weapon Proficiencies: Light (D), Staff (D) Personal Skill: Gentle Words (If Mercia is within three spaces of three allies, +10 Hit/Evasion.) Skill: Levitation Faith (Instead of attacking, the Nun can reduce their number of counterattacks by 1 for one Enemy Phase (this can mean 0 counter attacks). During this time, all enemy attack and critical rolls made against them must be rolled a second time, and the higher (less favorable) result is used.) Bonuses: +2 HP, +1 MAG, +2 SKL, +1 LUK, +3 RES, +1 SPD, +1 CON, 5 MOV, +5% HP

Fey bashes one of the two Cavaliers with her axe, ending him. EXP: (22/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

Mercia had been... quite upset since the mission. Not only was Rosanne upset, but that mission was just... a complete and utter waste of time. They spend that time looking for Lancelot, she isn't able to do a damn thing to help out minus provide moral support, and it turns out that while Lancelot may have good intentions, he's nothing more than a huge bully. Mercia wished she could have shown him who was boss, but her magic wasn't good enough at all to beat him. She mostly just sat by herself in her room, barely coming out and just being annoyed at that colossal waste of time. Once more, she was thrown back into the realms of uncertainty. She hated herself for being so uncertain; she sounds like she's certain, and then suddenly it feels like she's just chasing a dream that won't come to fruition... maybe this was all a big mistake. Maybe... Still somewhat depressed by the time Rosanne summoned her into the chamber, she felt slightly roused by her determined speech, but... only slightly. Mercia hoped that this next mission was going to actually mean something, because if another mission ended in failure... she'd honestly feel like screaming. She had a few words to say to Rosanne, just nothing but regret... but seeing Rosanne feeling a lot better just made her stay silent. Rosanne may have had more confidence... but Mercia wasn't going to feel any better until they saw some results. Though she was still somewhat upset and it wasn't difficult to tell she was, she tried not to remain too silent. "...While I get that he wants to protect the people... I personally feel like something's not right with him... he's supposed to be some kind of hero, right? But he didn't strike me as any more than just a bully on a power trip, with all of those insults and especially with the way he threw Gwyn's friend like that... I know that he's our enemy, but... he wasn't even doing anything to Lancelot but tugging on his armor... how can someone who claims to protect the people recklessly harm someone like that for no reason?" Mercia's voice began to trail off, before she simply sighed, starting to speak more quietly. "...never mind. Maybe I'm just... still upset about the mission." She quieted down afterwards.

While Anne was definitely wondering what the heck kind of maid his sister hired, he certainly wasn't opposed to talking with her. It provided something interesting in his life, and it was certainly a more interesting flirt than a couple of the lady customers he'd get. He had mostly overcome most of his initial embarrassment, so he merely continued to smile and nod throughout the rest of her somewhat strange comments, though enjoying the description of a 'rugged mountain man' she put on him. He particularly enjoyed being called one of the best Annas. "Haha, yeah I had a bit of a tendency to hide! But hey, it'll be a nice experience. And it's nice to be able to meet you too, Chance! I'm sure we're gonna get along juuust fine, especially if my sister trusts you!" He didn't really mind the strange, large smile that Chance gave to him, thinking it was somewhat cute if anything. Even if there was some sort of trap to be held within it somehow, buttering him up with compliments than having the handshake go elsewhere, he totally fell for it and happily shook her hand quite firmly.

Mercia felt a sense of triumph over the chilling air when she watched Rosanne skillfully put a hole through Nicolos, surely he was finished for good... ...And then before she knew it, they were told to leave. Who did this asshole think he was?... Well, apparently, this was Lancelot... this was Lancelot? Someone who decides to hide when the chosen wielder of the Fire Emblem was looking for him, then pops out when he felt like it just to aid a bunch of losers? Mercia wanted to shout, but knew that it was pretty much suicide to do so, and she only prayed that Blodeuyn would be okay. As much as she wanted to give Lancelot the evil eye, it was more important to tend to Rosanne's wounds; she wasn't the most skilled with healing magic, but she knew she had to try to heal her. As she quietly healed her, not wanting to interrupt her talking with Lancelot or even give any indication that she was healing her minus her wounds potentially closing up, she stared with a lot of annoyance at Infernus. As if to say, you've lost and you all know that, you just got lucky.

Hulbert merely laughs at Mim's rant. "Idiot girl, don't you know that the weak must be weeded out? If you're not prepared to die for your cause, then you ought to suffer before your inevitable death! But if you truly insist, I'll let you join him in death!" Meanwhile, Lizaveta blasts the cavalier with a hit of dark magic. EXP: (19/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

Stella seemed to be nodding off again, but Justine brought her back to reality quite quickly. "Oh... how respectful, addressing me that way..." Stella quietly comments on Justine's form of addressing her. "I trust you all... I just hope Albert gets back soon, I..." Stella looks like she's trying not to show it, but there is a hint of anxiety in her face as she gently clutches Sloth.

Fey moves to U16 Tabitha moves to V15 Lenore moves to U13, opens chest, footpads to V17 Lizaveta moves to W16 Cecily drops Reiko at M4 and holds Justine moves to M5 Lysander moves to L6 Inside of the chest, Lenore finds 1000 Gold! Enemy Phase Thief C moves to T16 Thief D moves to S16 Axe Cavalier E moves to W18 Cavalier E moves to W19 The thieves grow increasingly annoyed with Fey in the way and proceed to try to make a dent in her. The thief who already attacked her regrets this. Ally Phase Stella wakes up from a short nap again. "Oh... you're all so close to me... it makes me feel a little warm... oh, and you're hurt again... let me help you..." Reiko recovers 23 HP! Reiko is at full HP! TURN 8/12 Player Phase Reinforcements arrive at W3, X4, C3, and B4! The thief continued his retreat as Mim could plainly see, but was quickly intercepted by Hulbert. "Hold, you fool; where do you think you're going?" The thief practically snarled at Hulbert when he blocked his path, trying to get around him a few times before Hulbert continued to block his path. "I don't know if you could see past all that goddamn blubber you probably have under your armor, but I just watched this tiny girl nearly blow Joshua's goddamn head off, and I'm not sticking around to see if mine does for the sake for the goddamn meager crap you give us while you hog most of the gain! Now get the fuck out of-" The thief's rant was cut short by a choking noise and a loud splatter of blood as Hulbert pierced the man with his lance, his face cold and unflinching as he did so. The thief shook. "Y-.... you... bastard... at least pierce my damn heart, would ya...? Make it quick..." Without another word, Hulbert tore his lance out of the thief's gut, him falling to the ground with a gasp and into his own blood. It seems he's still breathing but... barely. Hulbert doesn't seem to take notice. "I fear none of you, Virtuous! If my troops cower in fear of you, then so be it! I will meet you with my lance head on, right now! Archers, ready yourselves to move up!" Hulbert prepares to charge, as the thief lay there, still barely breathing... "Asshole... F-fall off your horse..." EXP: (17/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

The thief looks less than amused at Mim telling him off, and he just gets annoyed when Baldur shows up. "Oi, why don't ya piss off!? This doesn't concern you, prick!" ...It takes him about two seconds after his rant to groan. "Fuck it!" He yells, ripping off his hood with one fell swoop and throwing it on the floor. "I'm not puttin' up with this crap anymore! I watch Joshua's head get nearly blown off, and for what?! A quarter of my goddamn findings! You hear that!? A quarter! You know what!? Fuck Hulbert, fuck that green guy and fuck Jasper! I'd rather go scrape horse shit off the roads than do this crap anymore! I'm out of here!" Without another word or giving Mim or Baldur a chance to interrogate further, he flees the castle. ...Mim sees something sparkling. Looks like he dropped something with his hood. Finders keepers, right? Mim obtains Lockpick x3! Meanwhile, Kane goes toe to toe with the remaining Cavalier. Arthur then finishes what Kane started, obliterating the Cavalier. Kane moves again! EXP: (12/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

"Wh-What are you talking about!?" The thief protests. "We were going that way now! The rest of the team looked like they needed backup!" Meanwhile, Shin opens fire on a Cavalier and swiftly takes him down. EXP: (6/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

One of the thieves, specifically the one Mim targets, snickers and looks to his friend. "Hey, look at this little girl, tryin' to tell us what to do! Isn't she just adorable?" "OH MY GOD, JOSHUA!" EXP: (3/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

First Class Level 3

Lizaveta recovers 17 HP! Lizaveta is at full HP! Enemy Phase Thief A moves to J20. Thief B moves to K20. Thief C moves to R18. Thief D moves to Q18. The thieves both look agitated, hurling knives at Fey and Tabitha. "Get outta da way, you're blockin' it!" The impatient thief attacking Fey swiftly regrets this attack, and Tabitha takes damage, but not for long. TURN 7/12 Player Phase Tabitha recovers 6 HP! Reinforcements arrive at B24, E24, U24, and X24! The voices from before continue, a little closer to the throne room. Among the previous irritated voice and the continued background of a tired girl desperately sounding like she wants t slow down their running pace, a stern woman's voice can be faintly heard among them. “We’re almost there, keep moving……-ere shouldn’t be much left to go.” “You, dumbasses! What are you waiting for!? You’re right near the queen; go up the fucking stairs and attack them while we're busy!” EXP: (0/100) *LEVEL UP!* Stats (Enemy Stats)

"..." "..." Please don't stare at me.

As Stella gives a little nod before she nods off once more, Reiko rushes in after the Mage and swiftly dispatches him, taking damage in the process. EXP: (95/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)

Ferdiad and Lysander move again! Lysander sets an example while blasting the Knight with a gust of wind, blowing him off his feet and ending his life. Inspired by Lysander's courage, Ferdiad rides up and swiftly guts the Monk. EXP: (90/100) Stats (Enemy Stats)