Fire Emblem: Last of the Manakete

Seems like a pretty clear win for kidnapping rescuing Sypha for Agrithe

As for the scrolls; all I'll say is that, if you all had chosen to stay another day, there would have been some very interesting conversations.

TaliesinSkye said:

That reminds me, I was wondering if the Duke has any pegasus knights. They'd be the only forces that could really keep up with Ryza. Heck, Ryza riding a pegasus might actually be a good deal more convenient for long distance travel than trying to keep using half-transformations, which are supposed to be an emergency measure, and faster than her flying in heart form.

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From what Ryza remembers about what Artemis said, pretty much all pegasus knights are part of the Whitewing Alliance, and they pay their ultimate loyalty to that organization. They hire themselves out as mercenaries, but it's very rare for a pegasus knight to swear themselves to anyone else permanently, and their fees are expensive enough that most people only hire them when they're really needed.

EDIT: That being said, they're usually a few flights (three knights) flying around looking for jobs at any given time, so you don't have to go to them to hire them.

When there was discussion of going and trying to hire some to carry the group to Agrithe, it was know that there was no way the group would have enough money on hand to pay them; you all would have had to hope that Artemis's name would be enough to get them to accept payment after the fact.

So short answer: he wouldn't have any pegasi on hand, but he could probably get a flight or two without too much trouble.

x0Nothing0x said:

speaking of flying units how common are wyverns and griffins in the land?

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Griffons don't exist on this continent. IIRC they were only ever in Awakening, and their role as creatures connected to Green magic are taken by Pegasi.

Wyverns, creatures connected to Red magic, are pretty rare, especially tamed ones. They're fiercely territorial, can breath fire, and extremely difficult to train unless hatched by humans. They're individually much stronger than pegasi, but one of the reasons the Whitewings have kept their independence is because for every wyvern knight, there's an estimated twenty pegasus knights.

There are creatures connected to White, Yellow and Black magic as well, but none of them are flying mounts. Unicorns, creatures of White magic, are most commonly found in the Northern Kingdoms and the Divine Realm, and can be used as mounts by Valkyries. However, they're not the kind of unicorn that will only let virgins or women approach: they'll let anyone they like and trust come close.

Thunderbirds, creatures of Yellow magic, are too small to be mounted, being the size of a large eagle. They are generally considered the smartest of the magical creatures, though they can't speak.

Not much is known about the Shades, the creatures of Black magic. Taking the form of living shadow, many mistake them for monsters. However, they're not the same thing. They tend to avoid contact with humans the same as they avoided contact with manakete.

"We must all hang together; or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
-Archduke Benjamin Cartese, Year 776 after the Fall of the Fell Dragon


Archduke Letoro picks up a scroll from beside him, tapping it lightly on the table. "Ultimately, as angry as I am with Mantrae's actions, I cannot help but understand them," he says. "Though that does not excuse them." You nod slowly. "More importantly, however, solidarity among the Southern Kingdoms is not to be ceded lightly. It is the shield that protects us from the Empire. To cast it aside without a fight is madness."

You have to ask. "I'm sorry, but why are you so worried about this Empire?" you question. "I mean, I met Baron Rickman from there, and he was kind of rude, but he didn't seem like an evil person."

Artemis's eyes widen. "An Imperial Baron was at Legerius?!" she asks.

"Yes?" you say.

Your friend looks at her father. "Could it be connected?" she asks.

"Almost assuredly," Archduke Letoro says grimly. "To answer your question, Ryza, the Empire still claims dominion over all humans. They never truly accepted the various secessions and independence movements that have resulted in the Whitewing Alliance, the Divine Realm, the Coastal Republics, and the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. While they are diminished, they are still the single most powerful force on the continent. If they sense weakness among us, it is possible they will attempt to take one or two of the Kingdoms back by force; as they have done in the past."

"Oh," you say. "That… that sounds bad."

Archduke Letoro smiles dryly. "Indeed. Back to the matter at hand: it is possible that with a quick-moving force, young Sypha can be recovered. This will be an exceptionally difficult task, and without your wings I do not think it would be possible. However, you may be able to catch up with whoever took her."

"Father…" Artemis says. "Is there no…"

"Sadly, there is not," Archduke Letoro says. "There is at least one flight of pegasi in Rignali, but it could be some time before they come this way. If Sypha was taken before you even got to Legerius, then it may already be too late. It is only by flight that anyone will even have the chance to reach her in time, and even then it is not guaranteed. Mantrae will certainly still attempt to get her daughter back, but without you I do not think she will succeed. Once that attempt has been exhausted, the people who took her will likely retreat into the Empire."

You cock your head. "Why there?" you ask.

"These are no simple bandits. Even a small nation like Legerius could deal with them with little effort. The only place I can think of that would produce a force able to force Mantrae into this position is the Empire. Combine that with the fact that they are targeting noble families, I find it likely that someone in the Empire has a more sinister plan." He studies you. "Are you still willing to help?"

You consider. On the one hand, you don't really like where this conversation has gone, and you're worried about how low he seems to think your odds are. However, if you're the only one who has a chance, then you have to try. Besides, Axton and Lancel and Kelton need you.

"Okay," you say. "So what do I do?"

Archduke Letoro unrolls the scroll on the table. Scooting forward, you see what looks like a more detailed map of the surrounding area.


"You will need to fly back into Legerius and find the trail of the ones who took Sypha," he says, pointing. "While it will be too dangerous to return to the castle itself, there are small villages in the surrounding area that might hold clues. Alternatively, you could seek the trail itself in the wilderness; it is likely there are enough of the kidnappers to leave one."

"Okay," you say. "I can do that." At least, you hope you can. Or at least you hope Artemis can, since you don't think you could convince people to tell you anything or follow a trail.

The Archduke nods. "Good. Then, once you have found the trail, you will need to follow it to find the ones responsible. Recover Sypha from them by any means required, though I would prefer they be eliminated as a threat to Agrithe. Once that is done, you will bring Sypha back here."

You frown. "Why wouldn't I just take her home?" you ask. "It'd be closer."

"As understandable as Mantrae's actions were," the Archduke says coolly, "there must still be consequences for her betrayal. Bring Sypha to me. She will see her mother again, but only after some terms are agreed to between Mantrae and I."

You squirm uncomfortably in your seat. "But wouldn't that mean I'm just kidnapping her again?" you ask. "She's probably really scared. Wouldn't it be wrong to make that worse?"

Dione reaches over and rubs your shoulder. "I know it seems cruel," she says gently. "And I understand your hesitation. But we would never hurt Sypha. She's not to blame for any of this. We just want to make sure that nothing like this happens again. That no other children are snatched away from their families, and to do that Letoro and Lindila need to have a serious talk. One that she'll really listen to."

"I guess…" you say, fidgeting with a cup. Dione smiles sadly, patting your shoulder again.

"I do not know what the world was like when you were last awake," Archduke Letoro says. "But the world of today can sometimes be harsh. However, Dione is right. I give my word that no harm will come to the child, and that she will be returned to her family safely. The most important thing is to get her away from the people who have taken her."

You suppose that makes sense. "So Artemis and I just need to go find her?" you ask.

Artemis grimaces. "I wish I could go with you, Ryza," she says. "Truly, I do, but..."

"Artemis, we had this conversation when you woke up," Dione says, wrapping an arm around her daughter's shoulder. "It's just too dangerous. You are a clearly their main target. If something were to go wrong, you'd be delivering yourself right back into their hands if you went."

Your eyes widen as Artemis slumps back in her chair, folding her arms moodily. "Wait, you want me to go alone?!" you squeak. You want to help, but you're not ready for that-

"Not unless you want to, which by your tone I am guessing you do not," Archduke Letoro says dryly. "Thankfully, I have others I can send with you. There are several I considered." He frowns. "Were it my choice I would send both of them, but Artemis insisted that you would only be able to carry one, so I will leave it to you to decide who you think will best help you on your quest."

"Okay…" you say, glancing at Artemis. You haven't really met anyone here, so you'll have to trust her to let you know if she thinks they're a good fit. She gives you a nod and a smile.

Glancing between the two of you, Archduke Letoro pauses for a moment before continuing his thought. "The first choice is a man named Kopoi. He is one of my most trusted agents, tasked with ensuring that no spies are active in Agrithe."

Artemis grimaces. "Which is to say he's a spy himself," she says.

"Do not let your personal sense of honor distract you from what Agrithe requires, Artemis," Archduke Letoro says firmly. "While you may not like his methods, the man is efficient and effective, and he would be of great help to Ryza." He looks back to you. "That being said, I will understand if you choose to look to someone else. Kopoi is an… acquired taste."

A dry laugh fills the courtyard. "That's a very kind way of putting it, Your Highness."

You topple out of your chair with a cry as a dark shape drops from the tree to land right next to you without a sound. "What! How! Where!" you cry, scrambling back as you look at the black-cloaked man standing over you.


"Huh, would have thought dragons would have better senses," the man says, cocking his head as he looks down at you. He has no particular expression on his face, but for some reason you get the feeling that he's not impressed.

"Kopoi! Leave her alone!" Artemis says, standing. You're pretty sure you see her forcing surprise off of her face. Hopefully she'd missed him too, so you didn't have to feel as bad. Really, where had he come from?! All that was up there was the branches of the tree, and you'd looked up and you hadn't seen or heard anything!

The man's cool grey eyes turn to Artemis. "If she's going to go on this little adventure, I'm worried that she's so easily startled, My Lady," he says.

"Kopoi," Archduke Letoro says.

The man immediately bows. "My apologies, Your Highness," he says before offering you a hand. Gingerly taking it, you let him pull you to your feet, wincing slightly at the ache in your shoulder as he does. Without another word, the man takes a few steps away, still studying you with a blank expression.

"Well, you've met Kopoi," Dione says in a deliberately cheerful voice after a moment of awkward silence. "He has given Agrithe and House Cartese many years of loyal service, and you will find few men more capable of finding information."

"Alternatively," Artemis says, glaring at Kopoi. "I believe Father's other option would be Robin, am I correct?"

Archduke Letoro nods. "Indeed, Artemis. Robin is another of my most trusted retainers. An expert archer and woodsman, his training regimen is perhaps the most important reason Agrithian yeomen are the envy of the world. If you should need to track these people through the wilderness, you will find no greater ally."

You look around nervously, expecting this Robin character to leap from the shadows to surprise you as well. Artemis laughs. "Don't worry, Ryza, that's not his nature. He's a good man: he taught me almost everything I know about hunting. You'll like him."

How are you supposed to choose? You don't know either of these people. You suppose it'll depend on how you want to go about finding Sypha: Artemis mentioned that Robin was good at tracking people through woods. Artemis had done it herself outside of Miau, and if he was her teacher, surely he was better at it than her. Alternatively, Kopoi was supposed to know a lot about getting information from people, so if you wanted to poke around the villages he could probably tell you how to do it-

"Your Highness, may I ask something?" You look back at Phoebe, who had been sitting silently for the entire conversation.

Archduke Letoro studies her for a moment before nodding. "Speak," he says.

Taking a deep breath, Phoebe continues. "Your Highness, I would like to volunteer to accompany Ryza. I know I am not as strong or as experienced as Sirs Kopoi or Robin, but trust is an important part of any successful quest. I do not claim to know why she trusted me, but she allowed me to be here. I believe we can work well together to successfully achieve the mission."

You glance around. You're not opposed to the idea; you like Phoebe well enough, and Artemis seems to like her as well so she can't be bad, but you're curious what the others think. Dione's chewing on her lip, seemingly trying to decide what to say. Artemis is glancing between the two of you thoughtfully. Kopoi's face still looks like it's carved from rock.

Archduke Letoro, however, simply raises an eyebrow. "Be honest with the real reason you want to go, girl, and I'll allow Ryza to consider it," he says simply.

Phoebe looks down. "I… I should have been there, when Lady Artemis and Selena were attacked. I just want a chance to make things right."

"Phoebe… there wasn't anything you could have done," Artemis says softly. "You would have died too."

"Probably," Phoebe says. "But she was my mentor. I promised to follow her wherever she went, and I wasn't there. I… I'd just like a chance to redeem myself."

The archduke glances at you. "I suppose it is your choice, Ryza. The journey will be long and hard, and you can only bring one. Dione has already said she won't let you try to carry two." His wife nods firmly, and for some reason you find yourself compelled not to argue. It must be a mother thing.

Who do you bring with you on this mission?


[] Ask for Kopoi the Spy to accompany you.

[] Ask for Robin the Hunter to accompany you.

[] Ask for Phoebe the Squire to accompany you.

AN: It lives! And even a little earlier than expected. Making the map wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be.