Thirteen Years in One Hundred Steps: Theme 25 – Trouble Lurking

Things became increasingly tense around all of Altea, and most of the adults of the kingdom knew why. The children of the kingdom, or more specifically, those under the age of sixteen, were not usually told of the tensions blossoming throughout Altea, as well as the entire Akanean continent.

Marth, Aliana, and Mark were part of the population of “children” who wanted to know what in the world was going on. The adults of Castle Altea dare would not disclose such information to them, however.

“A trip to the local bar should bring us information,” Marth told Aliana and Mark. “It’s a gathering place for such information. Besides, the tender knows you two pretty well, right?”

Mark nodded. “We usually go there for some of the fizzes. At least, I’m a pretty common face around there…”

So it was decided that a walk to the bar was needed.

~~+++===+++===+++~~

“If I do know one thing,” Marth was saying to his friends as they walked along, “it’s that word of war has been spreading through Akanea like a wildfire.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Mark grumbled. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to our doorsteps.”

“I hope so too,” Marth agreed. “I…I’m not sure if I can –“

“There’s the bar!” Aliana suddenly exclaimed, taking Marth’s hand. “We’ll find our information there!”

He silently thanked her.

~~+++===+++===+++~~

All three teenagers sat at the counter, silently enjoying their lemon fizzes for a little while. Something was definitely wrong with all this talk of war…

Mark finally spoke up. “Lady Ellis wants to make me Archsage before the summer ends,” he murmured. “But apparently the work will be so rigorous that I could possibly die.”

Aliana and Marth stared at their friend in pure disbelief.

“She wouldn’t tell me why,” Mark continued on. “She’s been speaking to Maric and me about beings called ‘sylphs.’ And extensively. They’re the final obstacle to becoming an Archsage, she said. I have to bind a contract with them –“

“Wait,” Marth broke in. “I remember studying about the sylphs…”

“That’s something I do remember despite my refusal to study anything,” Aliana agreed. “I thought you could only summon the sylphs to learn the Lost Spells. Aura and…”

“Excalibur,” Marth finished. “The Lost Spell of Light and the Lost Spell of Wind respectively.”

“Not just Lost Spells,” Mark explained. “The sylphs are spirits of magic. Binding a contract with them releases a magic user’s full potential. But if one can’t bind a contract with them, the results can be painful.”

“Why is my sister telling you about something so dangerous now?”

Mark shook his head. “I don’t know,” he declared. “But I know that…well…something terrible is about to happen. I…I guess it’s just a hypothesis, but I can almost say for sure that something beyond our worst nightmares is about to happen…”

“I have been hearing,” Aliana started, “Master Jeigan talking about places called ‘Dolua’ and ‘Khadein,’ along with people known as ‘Medeus’ and ‘Garnef.’ I almost have the feeling I’ve heard about that ‘Medeus’ thing before…”

Marth was too familiar with the name. Almost painfully familiar. He decided not to say anything.

The bartender, however, had different ideas. “You lads and lass live in Altea and don’t know of its legend?” he asked incredulously. “Failing the history classes, you know!”

“I actually do know,” Marth sighed. “’Medeus’ is the name of the dark dragon my great-grandsire slew a hundred years ago.”

“Right you are, my prince,” the bartender agreed. “It’s an old story, you know. It’s said that the hero Anri took on all of the Doluan forces by himself with nothing but the divine sword Falchion, slaying the dark dragon Medeus to win the war against them. Anri settled for peace after that war, founding Altea as a monument to peace.” The tender looked to Marth. “And you, young prince, have the very blood of Anri flowing through your veins. What an honor it must be for you.”

Marth gave a weak smile and tried to avoid attention.

“If Medeus is dead then,” Aliana cut in, trying to save Marth the humiliation, “what is all the news talking about him?”

“It turns out Medeus was resurrected by Garnef, a dark priest from Khadein,” the bartender explained as he refilled the three’s drinks. “The two have conspired and are now cooperating with one another, conquering nations around Dolua and Khadein. They’re expanding their sphere of influence to build an empire under the name of Dolua.”

“Garnef…” Mark echoed. “Isn’t that…?”

“Father got rid of him when he found out about Garnef’s conspiring with Medeus,” Marth explained. “He used to be an advisor to my father. But I guess Father was too late with that…”

The tender nodded. “One of the things Dolua seeks is revenge upon Anri and his descendants. Our very own Altean monarchy is in danger if the rumors are true.”

“Cornelius won’t wait for truths,” Aliana bitterly grumbled. “Jeigan’s been mapping up positions of our units, the enemy units, and our allies. I’m pretty sure they’re just about final.”

“Preparation is key on our part,” Mark humbly nodded. “Marth, Aliana…Are you two part of the efforts as well?”

Both addressed teenagers nodded. “We’ll be separated, though,” Marth stated. “We won’t be fighting together.”

The tender was concerned. “You two ever killed someone?” he asked. “Have you ever forcefully yanked a life out of another person’s body?”

“No,” Aliana simply replied, neither intimidated nor worried. “We haven’t. But we’ll do what it takes to keep Altea safe. This is our home. We grew up together here in Altea. If Altea falls under their control…We’ll just strengthen ourselves to take it back.”

Silence was how Marth and Mark acknowledged and agreed with this statement.

The three sipped on their lemon fizzes for a while longer, pensively thinking about this lurking trouble. They hoped the rumors were not true.

Mark spoke up before long. “I still have this feeling…” he murmured. “This…I don’t know…terrible feeling…”

“Are you sure it’s not just too much lemon fizz?” Marth asked hopefully.

The sage shook his head. “It would be nice if was only the fizz, but…not this time.”

Aliana finished up her drink, placed two bronze coins on the counter, and jumped off of her seat and merely walked out.

Marth and Mark followed suit.

The bartender was only amazed at the three’s unwavering calmness.

~~+++===+++===+++~~

“It’s definitely happening,” Marth told his two friends. “Father keeps that information away from civilians, but it’s true.”

“At least he isn’t drafting in the civilians,” Mark sighed. “But that still evokes concern about our numbers against Dolua.”

“Cornelius is probably going to bluff it,” Aliana hypothesized. “We have the Knights.”

“There is some sense to that,” Marth agreed. “The Knights of Altea are our elite units, highly esteemed throughout the Akanean continent. Numbers won’t be too much of a problem as long as we have them.” He stopped, looking urgently to Aliana. “Then wouldn’t that mean…?

“He’s only going to take a fraction of the Imperial Guard,” Aliana finished, “and leave the rest here to defend Altea. It’s a pretty good strategy, but that really depends on the balance of reliance Cornelius can establish among the units.”

“If he can’t balance out their reliability…” Mark questioned uncertainly, “then that means…”

“Altea as a whole would be at a major disadvantage,” Marth answered. “Given, of course, that our allies won’t bolster our defenses.”

“I don’t trust them,” Aliana suddenly cut in. “Alliances between nations are always fragile. We’re allied with Gra, right? Who knows if Dolua’s sphere of influence has already reached them or not?”

Mark silently stopped in his tracks, watching as Aliana and Marth continued on a few paces ahead.

“We can do naught but hope,” Marth replied to Aliana’s question. “Gra has been making consistent contact with Altea for a while now. I think we’ll be fine.”

“But as long as we’re not there in Gra, we don’t know if they have secretly allied with Dolua or not. I can’t trust them given the circumstances.”

The two stopped, waiting for Mark to catch up as they continued their discussion about the coming war. Marth noticed the sage refused to come any closer, however, and so after beckoning Aliana, walked over to Mark. “Mark, what’s on your mind?” Marth asked. “Is it about what Aliana and I were talking about?”

Mark shook his head in worried denial. “My concern is not with Altea. It’s not with Gra. Not even Dolua.”

Marth and Aliana looked to each other in confusion.

“My concern is not about any of the nations,” Mark went on. He sighed. “It’s about us…I’m worried for us.”

“The three of us, you mean?” Marth questioned. “Why is that?”

Mark shrugged. “I don’t know. But the senses I’ve been having…They were for the three of us. If Dolua gets here to City Altea, then…I don’t know if we’re going to be okay. Will we be able to stay together?”

“Why wouldn’t we?” Aliana asked.

“For a number of reasons. If Dolua attacks and successfully get their targets…that means Marth will die! And even if they can’t kill off the Altean monarchy, he’s just as good as exiled! And…and…Aliana, they could…They could…”

“Calm yourself, Mark. You’re working yourself into a panic again.”

“Who wouldn’t, though? They control the military officials of a kingdom to establish their influence! Your freedom or your life is in danger, Aliana!” He fell to his knees. “I don’t want to think of what could possibly happen to all three of us…My head hurts.”

“Well then, don’t think. Just do what you think is right.”

Marth nodded in agreement. “They won’t kill me, Mark, and if they do exile me, I’ll come back and crush them. That I promise.”

“And reclaim the throne,” Aliana added. “Cornelius will probably pass his reign to you, Marth, if you take back Altea.”

“And then he’ll become King…” Mark trailed off. “King Marth Lowell of Altea…What a nice ring.”

“That’s assuming if any of this occurs…” Marth laughed uneasily, blushing as he did so. He gained his composure. “But I think we’ll be fine…Well…I hope we’ll be fine.” He continued along.

Mark followed him closely.

Aliana stayed behind a moment, thinking on the dilemma before making her decision and running off after her two friends.

She found that the two had stopped a ways ahead. The reasoning? Jeigan had stopped the boys, and seemed to be speaking with them. Aliana caught up just in time to hear Jeigan sending Mark away.

She was definitely perplexed, but soon caught on upon seeing Jeigan’s serious look. Marth seemed a bit pale and stressed.

Jeigan only turned and headed for the castle. Aliana tried to follow, but seeing Marth not moving, she stopped and waited for him. He did not dare to move, however.

She sighed, approached him, and tried to shake him out of his stupor.

He only tried to deny. “I know it was supposed to happen…but…not already…”

“But at least you’re not alone,” Aliana reassured, holding his hand. “Come on. We’re in this together.”

His heart raced, a seemingly nostalgic feeling now. Mark was right. There was no telling if they could stick together. Would she be there with him?

Marth could only hold her hand tighter as he dashed in the direction Jeigan had walked off to. As long as she was there by his side, there was no lurking trouble he could not face. She just gave him that much confidence.