Fire Emblem: Last of the Manakete

"It's not because my mind is made up that I don't want you to confuse me with any more facts. It's because my mind isn't made up. I already have more facts than I can cope with."


As you slip back into the house, you look immediately for Artemis. Surely she'd understand whatever that weird mage was saying.

When you spot her, however, you see that she's hunched over the table, her face resting on her arms. For a moment, you think she's crying, but there's not shaking of her shoulders or sounds of sobs, just a picture of weariness. 'You did just upend a lot of what she thought she knew about her people's history before sobbing into her chest,' a voice that sounds like Mother says dryly in the back of your head.

Maybe you should give her a break. You're a smart girl, you can figure it out. Besides, hadn't Trinicus said that the words weren't supposed to make sense right away? Either way, best not to bother Artemis. Instead, you carefully make your way over and lay the package in front of her before trying to creep away.

"What's this, Ryza?"

Turning, you see Artemis had shifted her head enough that one tired eye was visible. Darn, you'd thought you were quieter than that.

"Nothing really important," you say. "The cloaked guy from the village stopped by and gave me that. He said it was for you."

Artemis raises her visible eyebrow. "The cloaked guy?" she asks wearily.

"Yeah. The town's mage. Trinicus Dream-something. He said he wanted to thank you for saving Ardan; apparently he and her mother were friends."

Your friend relaxes. "Oh, the town shaman," she says, lifting her head fully. "Thank you, Ryza. Did he say what it was?"

You shrug. "He just said he couldn't give us as much as the other villagers, but that he wanted to contribute," you say.

Artemis flips the package open and pulls out a pair of small bottles, raising her eyebrow even higher. "'Not much,' he says," she quips. "Purely by objective value, I'm guessing either of these elixirs will be more expensive than the rest put together, even if they're smaller than standard." She points to the light blue one. "This is a healing elixir, I'd recognize it anywhere, but I don't know what he did with that one."

Axton, who'd been quietly watching, cocks his head. "I think it's a Shadow Elixir," he says. "I remember a noble coming through my village to hunt when I was young: he apparently would use them to let him sneak up on prey."

Artemis snorts. "What a waste," she mutters. "Better to actually train and gain the skill you need than to cheat with magic potions." She shakes her head. "Well, these will prove useful if we get cornered; without a healer, the Light Elixir is the best healing we'll have, and I can think of a few ways a Shadow Elixir could be useful." She leans back in the chair, putting her arm over her face again. "Now to try and figure out what to do with the rest of the mess…"

You pat her gently on the leg before slinking away: since some of the "mess" she's referring to is probably you. Instead, you find a mostly clean corner to tuck yourself into, away from the others, and dig out The Dragon Within to do some more reading.

However, every time you try to sink into the words, something pulls you out. First, Axton and Lancel start muttering something to each other that even your sharp hearing can't quite pick out. Next, the distant sound of a horse sends you scrambling to see if it's any of the bandits. Then Artemis stands and walks outside without a word, and when you peek out you see her shooting arrow after arrow into nearby tree with a frown on her face.

You, Lancel and Axton glance at each other. "Someone should be out there with her," Axton finally says. "There could be bandits about, and we're near enough to the edge of the village." He glances at you, as if expecting you to immediately volunteer.

However, after a moment of silence, it's Lancel who raises his hand. "I'll go," he says, glancing between the two of you for a moment before stepping outside.

You and Axton stare at each other for a few seconds. You've noticed him glancing at you several times when you were trying to read. He didn't seem as… hostile, as he was before. He didn't even seem as wary. Just… looking.

Finally, the silence is too much. "Why don't you like me?"

Axton blinks. "Excuse me?"

"Why don't you like me?" you ask again, taking a step forwards. Unlike Lancel, Axton does not retreat, and you're reminded just how much bigger he is than you in your heart-form. "I want to help. That's all I've ever wanted. I know I'm different, and I know I was a bit scary when we met, but I'm on your side. I… I just don't understand."

The man continues to stare at you for a few seconds before letting out a tired sigh. "I know," he says. "Believe me, I know. Lady Artemis would not be free without you. Lancel and I wouldn't be alive without you. By all logic, you are nothing but a blessing." He tiredly rubs his eyes. "But I don't know you, and the unknown is always a risk. You are friend now, but what about later? What reasons might you have to change your allegiance? What even are your allegiances? What might you ask for in repayment for your services, once you've proven your use?"

You flinch. "You think I'm just doing this to get something from Artemis?"

"I don't know," Axton says. "And that's the core of the issue, I don't know." He slumps against the wall. "I don't know, and Lady Artemis has made it clear that I won't know until you're good and ready to tell me. Which means if there is a problem, if you are a threat, I probably won't know about it until it's too late. All I can do is look at what I can see and worry." He jerks his head towards where Artemis is still shooting the tree. "This is what Lady Artemis does when she's feeling frustrated and powerless. Whatever you two talked about, it's something she wants to do something about but feels unable to. Being betrayed, having almost her entire retinue killed, hunted and stranded in dangerous lands with just two yeomen and a magical child? That didn't cause this reaction, something you said did."

"I…" you say. "I didn't want to hurt her, I just wanted to understand why everyone was so worried about me. I'm not really that special, but everyone was acting like… I don't know, like I was something I wasn't. Lancel said I was like some sort of otherworldly entity when he first saw me, and I'm not. I'm just me."

"Not really special, she says," Axton says dryly. "The reason we were in those mountains was because Lady Artemis was visiting her brother who is attending the Marble Hall, the premiere school of magic in the world. I got to see things there I'd never seen before, magical wonders more impressive than any in Agrithe. And for all that, the oldest person I saw casting any sort of serious spell was nearly twice your age. Children like you? They were considered exceptional if they were making little sparks with a practice tome."

"But why does that mean I'm dangerous?" you ask. "Magic isn't good or bad, it just is. It's what people do with it that makes it good or bad. What is your logical leap from magic to danger?"

Axton laughs bitterly. "My lady, you are far too generous in assuming I'm working off logic," he says. "I'm fully aware that I'm being paranoid; but if I'd been more paranoid, none of this would have happened!" He looks away. "You've heard about Robert, right? The knight who betrayed us to the bandits? Looking back, there were many clues that he was planning something. He was asking me some questions that I should have realize were meant to sound out if I'd go along with his scheme, but I though he was just finding his feet as a new cavalier, so I didn't say anything. If I'd just spoken up…"

Carefully, you take another step forward. When Axton doesn't retreat, you reach out and take his hand in yours. "I'm not Robert," you say. "I don't know why he did what he did, but I'm not going to hurt Artemis. She's nice; I like her."

Axton sighs. "I guess… I guess you were also hurt. Ignorance and naiveté can be faked, but what I saw outside… That level of grief, I'm not sure it can be pretend. And yet, here you still are." He continues to let you hold his hand, though he doesn't grip back like Artemis would. "I'm sorry that I'm hurting you, Lady Ryza. I can't promise that I won't watch you; until Lady Artemis can find a new retainer to replace Dame Selena there needs to be someone who's first duty is to ensure her safety, but I can promise that I won't be as aggressive as I was before, and that I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Is that acceptable to you?"

You'd hoped for a little more, but at least getting him to admit that your feelings mattered was an improvement. "Okay," you say. "And you can just call me Ryza. I still don't really get this whole nobility thing."

The man's lip curls into a small smile. "Well, someone should probably explain that to you before we get to Agrithe," he says. "And since Lady Artemis is busy and Lancel probably doesn't want to, I suppose that should be me."

When Artemis and Lancel reentered the room as night fully fell, they found you and Axton hunched over the table, using various bits and bobs to create a visual model of the strange web of competing pyramid schemes that humans apparently used to run everything. You weren't sure if you should be horrified that this was the best they could come up with or impressed that they somehow made it work, but it was their system, and apparently it had been functioning for a thousand years, so you couldn't complain too much.

Artemis didn't comment, but you could tell from her gentle smile as she watched you that you'd made the right choice to make peace with Axton.

---

The next day found you uncurling from where you'd rolled up in a ball under the covers of the smaller bed. You'd offered to share, since you didn't need very much space, but everyone had shot that idea down at the same time, so you'd shrugged and pulled the covers over your head to get some real rest.

As always, Artemis, Axton and Lancel were already up and about when you finally surfaced. At some point, the supplies Miau had promised had been delivered; it looked like there was some more food, enough that Artemis wouldn't have to try and hunt to keep you all going. There were also a few more bags of herbal medicines that Artemis had called vulneraries, as well as a few bundles of arrows. All in all, the four of you seemed pretty set to go.

As the four of you step out of the house, you find Kelton and the mayor waiting outside. "My lady," Kelton says. "A few of the militia that were up on watch last night reported noises on the outskirts, and there are signs that some people were around. I think your bandit friends might have been poking around."

Artemis grimaces. "I was afraid of that," she says. "We'll have to be even more careful on the road; they'll have left pickets."

"On that note…" Kelton asks leadingly.

Artemis sighs, but glances at each of you questioningly. You immediately nod, and to your surprise Axton does as well. Lancel looks conflicted, but eventually he nods as well.

"Very well, Kelton," Artemis says. "You may accompany us if you wish, and I give my word that I will compensated you for your services and see you escorted home once we reach Agrithe."

The soldier grins. "Great!" he says. "You won't regret this!"

"I hope I don't," Artemis says.

"I wouldn't worry, my lady," Mayor Preston says. "He may occasionally irritate me, but Kelton is an exceptional soldier; he'll get you back to Agrithe safely."

"I knew you liked me, mayor," Kelton says, throwing an arm around the mayor's shoulder.

"Don't push it, boy."

Artemis rolls her eyes, but smiles slightly. "Well, if the bandits are around, we shouldn't linger; eventually they'll get bold enough to try something rash. Thank you once more for your hospitality: I pray no trouble finds you because of it."

"As do I, my lady, but it was still the right thing to do," says Mayor Preston. "If you're worried about watchers on the road, the path you took yesterday to the bandit camp should still be somewhat clear, at least of the newcomers. That should at least get you away from the village without being spotted. Sentinel watch over you, and may we meet again in better times."

"Spirits willing, we will," Artemis says, inclining her head. "Agrithe will not forget our friends in Miau."

"Nor will we forget your rescue of Ardan, Lady Artemis," Mayor Preston says. "Safe travels, don't worry about us."

Soon, you're following Artemis through the woods from yesterday, feeling more cheerful than you would have thought possible yesterday. It still hurt, to think that everything you'd ever known had been ripped away while you slept, but Kelton's calm, easygoing curiosity gives you something else to focus on. He asks a lot of questions about how you and Artemis met, and while you remember to leave out any mention of your manakete nature, he seems satisfied with an edited version of what you'd told Artemis before.

"Wicked," he says when you tell him about how Father had been teaching you magic. "Old man Dreamseer tried to teach Ardan a bit of shadow magic when she was growing up, but he figured she had more aptitude towards light magic like Mom, and he couldn't really help her with that." He grins wryly. "He gave up on me far earlier than that. I had too much of my father in me, as he said."

Personally, you still found the fact that humans could use magic at all to be amazing, but you don't mention that. "If he was like you, that doesn't sound like a bad thing, you're pretty cool," you say.

Kelton laughs. "That's what I said," he says. "The old man didn't appreciate that too much. Neither did Ardan. For a healer, she's pretty quick to whack people's shins. I think she should have been like the northern healers, swearing an oath to do no harm."

Artemis shushes him before you can ask about why healers from the north would be different from the ones down here. "We're almost to the edge of the forest," she whispers. "Keep your eyes peeled, there are probably bandits ahead of us." Kelton nodded, and while you were a bit disappointed you couldn't learn more about your new world, Artemis was wright that it was important you stay safe.

"I could fly up, see if I can see anything," you say. After all, everyone here had seen your wings.

Artemis shakes her head. "Thank you for offering, Ryza, but that would just draw their attention," she says. "Our best hope is still to avoid contact; so long as we avoid the main road and stick to the outskirts, we still have a chance." You're pretty sure you could fly high enough to avoid notice, especially with the cloud cover you could see coming in from the north, but you decide not to argue and just follow along.

Even though there are five of you now, your journey continues much as it had when there were only four. Artemis is in the lead, her sharp eyes scanning the path ahead. Axton and Lancel each take a side, and Kelton follows behind. That leaves you in the center, Thuder's Cry hugged against your chest in case something happens.

However, for the next few hours, nothing happens. No bandits leap from the surroundings to ambush you, no monsters or hungry animals make a move. In fact, a part of you starts to wonder if there was some other explanation for the signs Kelton's friends found; maybe the bandits had moved on after all.

However, just as you were about to ask if you might stop for a brief break, Artemis ducks down. "Someone's up there, rider," she says, pointing towards a nearby hill.

Peering forward, you spot what Artemis had: a man astride a horse. Thankfully, you had been approaching from a divot, so you don't think he's seen you yet, but there's no way you'd get past without him spotting you. "What do we do?" you whisper.

Artemis frowns, looking around as the winds blows her hair into her face. "He chose his position well," she mutters. "I might be able to sneak up on him from the left, but it'd be risky, and if he has backup that would spoil the whole thing. He's well out of bow range, even a longbow would-"

"Wait, look," Axton says, pointing. "Something's up."

Everyone turns to look, but it took you a moment to realize what Axton had noticed. The horse seemed ill at ease, trotting and twitching under its rider. The man seemed to be struggling to keep the creature under control, striking it over and over with the stick in his hand and causing Artemis to let out an outraged hiss.

Then, suddenly, the horse reared back, throwing the man off before bolting in your direction. "What the…" Kelton mutters, shifting his spear as he steps forward. "Everyone, stay back, that thing-"

"Wait!" Artemis cries, her mouth open. "That horse… I recognize that horse…" Standing, she cries out

"Actaeon!"

The horse lets out a happy neigh as it thunders forwards, causing the ground to shake beneath you. However, Artemis shows no fear, breaking cover and opening her arms. "Here, boy! Come on, Actaeon!"

"They know each other?" you whisper to Lancel, who's nearest.

"Her horse," the yeoman says. "From what I heard, she raised him from foal-hood. He was at the fight when the bandits overtook us, but she was forced to run on foot. Looks like the bandits tried to force him to serve them."

As the horse comes closer and Artemis moves out to meet him, you're worried that he's about to run her down, he's just so big, but somehow he checks his charge in front of her just as she throws her arms around his neck.

"Oh Actaeon…" she whisperes into his mane. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" The horse presses his muzzle to her back, nickering gently, and you're sure if he could talk, he'd be forgiving her.

Axton, meanwhile, points back the way Actaeon came. "Bandit's running," he says grimly. "Ryza, go see if you see any others: we can still stop him if he's alone!"

"On it!" you say, scrambling up the ridge, allowing your wings to briefly pop out to get up faster. At the top, you peer around, looking… "I don't see any others!" you say.

"My lady! Ryza doesn't see any backup, you and Actaeon can run down his rider!"

Artemis's head jerks up. "Right!" she says. "You ready, boy?" Actaeon neighs, and a moment later Artemis has swung herself onto his back, drawing her bow. "Let's get him! Hyah!"

You watch as Artemis and Actaeon hurry by, resisting the urge to spread your wings and follow. "Are you sure that's safe?" you ask.

"No," Axton says as he joins you, looking around himself, "but if you don't see any others, then the bandits must be spread thin. Some of them probably went towards the forest to try and head us off. If we can silence this one, we might just make it through, or at least retain the lead we lost in Miau."

A moment later, Artemis reaches the hill the bandit had been on, draws back an arrow, and launches it. She pauses to watch before drawing a second arrow and shooting again. After another pause, she nods before turning and riding back. "Got him," she says grimly as she returns. "But there was another rider; looked like one of Robert's yeomen. He was too far ahead, so we're not out of this yet."

"Maybe not," Lancel says. "But you and Ryza could ride on: Actaeon's one of the fastest horse in Agrithe. The rest of us could make it back to Miau…"

Swinging from Actaeon's back, Artemis shakes her head. "No; Actaeon's injured," she says, kneeling down to study his side and legs. "Whatever idiot was riding him didn't know the first thing about caring for horses; he's not up for a long, hard ride, not for a while at least." She looks up fiercely. "Besides, I'm not abandoning you. Not again."

You, meanwhile, find yourself backing away a bit. You'd never seen a horse up close before, just in books, and wow he was big! His large, expressive eyes follow you, almost seeming to judge you, and you take another step back as he neighs.

"Ryza, what's wrong?" Artemis asks, looking up.

"He's big…" you say.

For some reason, Artemis laughs at this. "Don't worry, Ryza, he's a sweetheart," she says, standing and beckoning you forwards. "Come on, don't be shy." Slowly, you creep forward. Actaeon, with a bit of prompting from Artemis, lowers his head to be nearly level with you. "There you go, Ryza. Just gently pet him on the nose, he loves that."

Carefully, you reach out and lay a hand on Actaeon's muzzle. It's cool and wet, and he pushes against your hand hard enough to force your arm back, causing you to instinctively skitter away. Artemis has the audacity to laugh at you, causing you to puff your cheeks up.

"As cute as this is," Lancel says. "We should get going; if a rider escaped, that means there must be others on the way."

Artemis's smile fades. "That's true," she says, stepping up to grip the horse's reins. "Come on, Actaeon, let's go."

Now six strong, you continue on your way. Unfortunately, it seemed that Artemis was right about Actaeon being somewhat hurt, as he couldn't go over some of the rougher terrain. This forced you closer to the road, making everyone tense. Again, your offer to fly was denied.

"The longer we can keep the bandits thinking that you're no threat, the better," Artemis says grimly when you push. "None of the ones who saw you survived, so if it comes to a fight you'll be able to get some time before their archers focus on you. You don't have any armor: you're far too vulnerable for my tastes."

You resist the urge to mention that, as a dragon, your scales would be way harder to pierce than her silly leather. It wouldn't be nice to brag.

However, as an hour passes, you start to think that you'd gotten away with it. Maybe the other rider had decided that he was done with this whole thing and was heading as far away as he could. Maybe there were enough-

"Riders."

Or not.

Artemis turns and glares back. "Robert," she snarls, pointing back towards another small hillock that you passed a few minutes ago. "And some goons."

Shifting to peer around Kelton, you see there are three horses and riders. The center one, mounted on a horse that somehow looks even bigger than Actaeon and wearing heavy, metallic armor that glints in the sun, has his hand raised to keep the others still.


One of the other riders, another of the rough-looking men from before, seems to be pointing viciously at you all, but the third rider, another wearing clothes like Axton and Lancel, makes a sharp chopping gesture. The rough rider shouts something that drifts on the wind, getting another response.

Robert, however, ignores his minions. Instead, he seems to study you all thoughtfully. "What's he waiting for?" you whisper.

"Hell if I know, kid," Kelton says, unslinging his shield and shifting his spear into position. "Stay behind me, this one looks nasty." He grins. "Might actually be a challenge."

"Don't even think about it, Kelton," Artemis snaps. "If he comes at us, Ryza, don't hold back. Fry him in his armor." You flinch at the cold hate in Artemis's tone; she really doesn't like this guy.

Finally, Robert seems to come to some sort of decision. Waving a hand, he silences his arguing followers and gestures the yeoman over. Then, he pulls something from his belt and offers it to the man.

"Why's he giving that guy his sword?" Axton mutters, half drawing his bow as he scans the surroundings.

"And what's he getting now?" Lancel says as Robert starts digging in one of the bags hanging off his horse. Then, as Robert seems to find what he's looking for and pulls it out, Lancel gasps. "Is that…"

"No," Artemis snarls as Robert starts tying some sort of white cloth to the butt of his spear. "No, not even he would have the sheer gall to try and parley after what he did!"

"I think he does," Lancel says, almost sounding impressed as Robert starts waving his makeshift flag slowly but deliberately in the air.

"Fuc-orget that!" Artemis hisses, drawing an arrow from her quiver and raise her bow. "I don't want to hear anything he has to say for himself!"

[] Interrupt: "Maybe we should hear him out. Maybe he's sorry for what he did."

[] Stay silent. You don't want to risk getting Artemis mad at you, and from what you've heard this Robert really hurt her.

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