Risks Taken
Chapter One
A/N: This idea just hit me one day. The pairing may seem weird, but I kind of like it. My take of the attack on Castle Crimea in PoR…probably not a very accurate one. There probably won't be many chapters…I really need to finish the stories I already have and quit writing new ones.
Minor Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn Spoilers included.
--
He loved her more than Tellius itself. He could not live without her; without seeing her face, her smile.
He was always thinking about her, always wanting to be with her.
I want to be with her more than anything, but I know that could never happen.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
When he went to see who it was, he discovered a soldier standing there, blood dripping from his face and arm.
"My lord! We're under attack!"
"What? How? Who?"
"Daein. They…they…"
That was all the soldier was able to say before he fell to the floor, unable to breathe.
The site disturbed Renning greatly, but for now all he could do was rush to see how the battle was fairing.
--
Elincia was terrified. She had no idea what was going on outside, or so everyone thought.
But she'd heard the whispers. How could you not?
She knew what was happening. They were under attack. King Daein had lead his troops here to kill the Crimean Royal family. All of her retainers, her friends, were risking their lives to try to protect them. Her father and mother, too, had joined the battle. Her father hacked the heads off many Daeins with his sword, while her mother used her Physic staff to heal soldiers from afar.
Three of Daeins greatest generals were there engaging the army also. Petrine, wielder of the Flame Lance; Bryce, carrier of Wishblade; and the Black Knight, owner of the blessed swords Alondite and Ragnell, were all present.
Elincia was hiding in her room, as ordered, with her servant, Ashley, hoping that all would fair well for the people she loved. That was all she could do. Hope.
--
As Duke Renning neared Count Bastian, he could tell by the look on the man's face that they were not fairing well.
"Bastian…"
"Oh, Milord, there you are."
The Count was blasting enemies with his Tornado tome, a gift from the king.
"How are we fairing?"
The Duke pulled out his silver lance and began stabbing any enemy that would get close to him.
"Not well, I'm afraid. King Ramon and Queen Alicia have taken to the field."
"What are they thinking?! I must go talk some sense into my brother. Will you be all right by yourself?"
"Naturally, Milord."
So the Duke set off in search of King Ramon.
--
Lucia had been given the task of protecting the eastern gate. Alone. No, not alone. With the help of the Crown Prince, Renning, but he was nowhere in sight.
Which was bad. Very bad. Her silver sword was on the brink of breaking. If it did break, all she had for back up was an iron sword. It would last for a long time, but it was not very powerful. If Renning did not show up soon, she could very well die.
She did not want to think about that, though.
As four mages got closer, she wiped her blood-stained blade off in the grass and put it away. She grabbed for her iron sword and sliced at the nearest mage. She would save the more powerful sword for thick-armored generals. Right now, it was not what she needed.
--
As Renning found Ramon, he was breathing his last dying breath.
King Ashnard had stolen the life of his brother with his mighty sword, Gurgurant. The King ordered his wyvern mount to retreat as he saw Renning. Even he was bright enough to know that he was no match for the Commander of the Royal Knights.
"Brother…please…take…care…of…Elincia…" gasped the dying King.
The Knight picked up the body of his deceased brother and set out for the castle he had departed from so eagerly earlier.
--
Bastian was now joined by Geoffrey to fend off attacks near the castle.
The Sage now had out his knife and Geoffrey his bow. Daein and Daein fell by their hands.
As they saw a mounted unit nearing their position, they were instantly worried.
They knew that it was Renning, yet they figured he would have King Ramon with him.
As he got closer though, they could tell that he had. Their king was dead.
--
"Geoffrey, Bastian, please go get Queen Alicia, Lady Lucia, Sir Kieran, and Princess Elincia, and meet me in the castle."
"Yes, Sir!" they both exclaimed in unison.
--
Kieran and his small platoon of knights had been trying to hold the western gate.
The grass surrounding the paladin and his horse was soaked with blood. Blood from him, his companions, and their attackers. By now, the whole platoon was exhausted, but kept fighting to protect the country they loved.
When Kieran heard a horse approaching from behind, he turned his own horse around, axe ready. But when he saw who was there, he was actually a bit relieved.
"Geoffrey, come to help, eh?"
"Actually…Prince Renning has requested your presence inside the castle. There are…pressing matters…to attend to.
"Right away, Sir!"
The two rode out for the castle entrance.
--
Her worst fear had come true. Her sword had broken, she was surrounded by enemy paladins, and Renning had not shown up.
"Stupid paladins…if only I had a longsword…" Lucia muttered to herself.
Still, she had to protect those she cared about, so she charged at one of the paladins, doing little damage to him, but dodging all of his attacks. Finally, she was able to take the man down. However, there were still more.
But as she turned to attack the next one, she noticed that the last two men were on fire.
She looked around for the cause of this, and found Count Bastian standing there, Elfire tome in hand.
"Let's go, my love! Lord Renning wishes to see your beauteous face in the castle to discuss battle plans!" the Sage called.
She sighed and shook her head.
"Count Bastian…honestly you are a pain sometimes."
Yet, she took off running with him following behind her like a love-sick puppy.
--
"Elincia…" came a soft voice, as her door opened slightly.
She instantly recognized the voice as her uncle's.
"Yes, Uncle?"
"Could you come with me please?"
"Of course. But tell me, how are Mother and Father?"
Renning sighed.
"We'll discuss that when we get everyone together."
"Okay, Uncle Renning."
--
"There's Queen Alicia."
"You're right, Kieran. We should get her inside too."
"Right."
"Queen Alicia! Could you come with us, please?"
The Queen looked to see just exactly who was speaking to her. Noticing her daughter's friend and foster brother, she walked over to him.
"Oh, Geoffrey! I'm glad to see you and Kieran safe! Is your sister well?"
"I believe so, though I haven't seen her since the attack started. Bastian went to get her. Prince Renning requested to see all of us in the castle."
"Oh, then I suppose I shouldn't hold us up."
Geoffrey helped the Queen mount his horse and the three proceeded towards the castle.
--
They were all there, inside the castle, seated around the table. All waiting to hear what Renning had to say.
Renning was seated at the head of the table, opposite from Queen Alicia. Next to him on one side was Lady Lucia, next to Alicia was Elincia, and in between them Count Bastian. On the other side was Lord Geoffrey and Sir Kieran.
Lucia looked at her brother worriedly. She, unlike the others, had noticed that King Ramon was not present.
Her gaze shifted to Renning, who she saw had a tear streaming down his face.
"My lord…" she said in a hushed voice, so no one else cold hear.
She placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
"Please, tell us what's wrong."
Getting no reply, she told him her guess, her worry.
"It's King Ramon, isn't it?"
She was always so observant, so clever. Seeing her sympathetic eyes nearly killed him. He wanted her to live through this so badly, even if he didn't. He wanted his love to be okay.
"You deserve to know, Lucia. Yes, it is. He…he's gone."
"Lord Renning, I'm so sorry. Poor Alicia…Elincia too."
She was just so sweet and innocent. He had to make sure she survived.
By now, everyone had noticed Lucia and Renning talking, though the only ones who could make out what they were saying were Bastian and Geoffrey, who already knew.
"Lucia? Uncle? What's going on? Where's Father?"
"Elincia…Alicia…" the man sobbed.
Lucia took his hand and looked up at him encouragingly. Right now, he decided, she would have to be his strength.
"I-I'm really sorry to inform you, but King Ramon has passed away."
That was when his whole world fell. Alicia and Elincia were both sobbing. Kieran hit his fist against the table. Renning got up and left the table, turned away, facing the wall. Geoffrey looked nervous and Bastian looked like he was about to be sick.
Renning could feel her blue eyes staring at his back, piercing his skin. There was the sound of someone getting up and pushing in a chair. He knew it was her.
He felt her moving towards him. She spoke to him.
"My lord, I'm sorry to interrupt, but don't you think you, Alicia, and Elincia should get out of here? There's not a doubt in my mind that King Ashnard will be after the three of you, too."
Of course! Why hadn't he thought of that?!
"Yes, you're right."
He turned around facing everyone.
"Geoffrey, Kieran, I want you to take your platoon of knights and get Alicia and Elincia out of here."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Renning, I do not want to go."
"Alicia? What is this nonsense?"
"I can't leave. I want to help."
"No…you have to go. He'll be after you."
"What makes you think he won't be after you too? I'm not leaving unless you do."
"Fine. But you'll have to stay in your bedroom. Bastian and I will guard the door."
"Okay. It's settled."
"Oh, Lucia, I want you to go with your brother and protect Elincia."
"Yes, Sir…"
At least she'd have a chance to live now.
"Renning, please be careful."
"I will. You'd better be too."
So as they settled up and rode out, Renning, Bastian, and Alicia waved good-bye to them. Then Renning caught Lucia's gaze, which was full of worry.
He mouthed 'I'll be fine,' to her. She only nodded and they finally rode off.
--
Renning was sure he was going to die. In fact, he was positive. But he wasn't going to let everyone he cared about die with him.
I can't let that happen.
He, Bastian, and Alicia were walking up the flights of stairs to the third floor of the castle, which was where Alicia's chambers were.
As they neared the room, Renning heard someone running up from behind them. He was about to turn and stab them with his lance when he heard the click-clack of high-heels. He knew exactly who it was.
"My lord…"
"Bastian, go ahead and wait with Alicia in her room."
"Yes, Sir."
"Lucia, what are you doing back here?"
"I-I couldn't go. I couldn't leave you."
"And why is that?"
"I just don't want to lose you. I couldn't stand it."
"I couldn't stand losing you either."
"Renning…I…"
"Hm?"
"I…love you."
"I love you, too."
He quickly kissed her then added, "We should probably go now, we could be attacked any minute by this foolishness."
"You're right…I'm sorry…"
She rushed off before he could say anything else. He hadn't meant it that way. Now she probably thought he was a complete jerk.
Does she really love me?
He'd just have to wait to get and answer.
--
Lucia could hear fighting outside. Lots of it. She estimated there to be about fifty soldiers attacking Bastian and Renning. And she could do nothing to help. Renning had told her to stay in the room no matter what. She had been worried.
"Don't worry. No one's going to get in there. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."
But really, she didn't care what happened to her. Right now, she had to protect Alicia. She couldn't let her down.
--
"Bastian, go check to make sure Elincia got out of here safely."
"Yes, Sir! But keep your wits about you. Do not get yourself killed. Crimea needs you!"
The attack began shortly after the Sage had left. So many enemy soldiers…what could he do? But he had to protect the Queen of Crimea and the woman he loved.
--
Suddenly, the door swung open and twenty enemy soldiers poured in.
The only way enemies could get in here was if something happened to Renning and Bastian…oh no.
Alicia hid behind Lucia, her Mend staff ready, as Lucia drew her blade.
This was going to be a long fight.
--
"It seems to me that the Princess and her escort have made it out safely," the blonde sage stated as he checked around. "Better get back to help Renning watch for enemies."
--
Lucia had successfully taken down eighteen of the soldiers when a thief jumped through the window and hit her on the back of the head. Hard. The girl fell to the floor, unconscious.
"Lucia…"
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here!"
"Ashnard…"
"Queen Alicia. I'm so glad that I finally get to kill you, just like I did your husband and will soon your daughter."
Ashnard raised his Gurgurant to Alicia. It was over in an instant. Crimea had lost its Queen and King, and many many brave knights to Daein.
--
As Bastian stepped into the throne room, he saw Ashnard take a seat on what was once the King's throne.
It was a sad day for Crimea indeed.
--
A/N: Well, there it is. The next chapter should be up within a week.
Review if you'd like, if not, no big deal.