Taking back the Harbor

Loid moved to spot out in the distance of the remote town. Then said, "What's next?" and continued to scan the area. 

Off in the distance, there were enemy soldiers marching toward the town. He saw the few soldiers and said, "Just what I was hoping for. It's time to show these guys what I'm made of."

Loid looking to be as impactful as the prince decided that he could take on the small patrol. Engaged in a fierce fight. He was wielding a wood shield and broad sword. Took on 3 soldiers and defeated them but was worn out and injured in the battle. 

However, there were still more patrolling soldiers. Which they notice Loid slaying their allies. Moved in to finish off the redhead. Loid seeing the predicament he was in said, "Damn... Might've gotten too eager there."

Elias had moved to the edge of town, saw the skirmish in the outskirts. Saw that his friend Loid was injured and facing down many more enemies. He called out, "Loid!! No... We'll never make it in time!"

Jeod with a calm and commanding presence said, "Allow me. Your Highness." As he took to horseback as he was a mighty warrior that many feared.

He took Piper to ride with him and rode out and quickly arrived to defend Loid. 

The enemies saw that Ranger riding horseback and started to waver but press the attack. Jeod pulled out his sword and shouted. "I am your foe this day! Prepare to be struck down!"

Jeod and Piper worked promptly and swept through the enemies, leaving a few of the patrol alive. The remaining soldiers panicked and fled back to the harbor. 

Coming to the battle late as he was only on foot. Elias said "Loid! Are you all right?"

Loid replied, "Somehow, yeah. Sorry for making you worry."

Piper arrived to help Loid. She was relieved as well to see the young man survive. She said, "You know, it's a miracle you can eve put your armor on straight. Here. This medicine should perk you up again."

Piper took out of her bag an item and passed him a healing tonic. Which Loid said, "Phew! I needed that."

Jeod addressed his aide, "Piper. Perhaps you'll be better served watching after Loid directly. I fear he's a bit of a liability on his own.

Piper replied, "Very much agreed." then she moved to partner up with Loid. She said to the redhead, "No more messing around, Loid. I'll be keeping a close eye on you."

Loid replied with a big exhale, "Ugh.."

Elias who was partnered up with the priestess said, "Now then, this area appears to be safe for the time being. Let us hurry on to the harbor." 

The five of them head out down the road, following the path to the harbor.  There they spotted the forces defending the harbor preventing people from escaping. 

Jeod saw someone he knew at the harbor. As he said, "My word. But that's Prescott! He and I used to stand as the stalwart pillars of Aether's defense. What might possibly have change his allegiance?"

Prescott saw the small party scouting his defensive position. He called out, "Prepare yourself, rebels. Any foolish enough to defy the Emperor Dessel must be put to the sword."

Elias commented, "It seems combat is our only path forward." 

Jeod said, "Indeed. Ridding this land of the enemy must be our first and only priority. No matter who that enemy may be.

The warriors led by Ranger Jeod and Prince Elias cut through the enemy soldiers. With the Ranger leading the way, the soldiers looked like paper compared to his strength and skills. 

Till there was only one party left led by the giant man named Prescott. 

When approached Jeod had approached the giant man, Prescott challenged "The struggle will only prolong the pain. Accept the mercy of a swift demise."

Jeod replied, "I fail to understand, Prescott. What has motivated this shift n allegiance?"

Prescott was astonished to see the Ranger. He said, "jeod... The human's most decorated Ranger. I shall close the book on your tale myself."

The enemy soldiers went out and attacked the Ranger. and Jeod used some of his holy magic to create a barrier for defense. He shouted, "Not today!"

A sword or spear that did inflict damage to the Ranger's physical body, the damage was minimal that it did not slow down Jeod. And in return he took down a few enemy soldiers. 

While Prescott remain unharmed. Yet due to the Jeod's success at cutting down more enemies while on horseback, he repositioned after shouting, "Glory to the Liberation!!"

Elias made note of the fierce heavy shield that Prescott wielded. As he was went toe to toe with Jeod and was still unscathed. Elias said, "Such firm defenses. Our weapons barely leave a scratch."

Lily replied, "Perhaps my magic will work. Leave this to me, Elias." She was a priestess known for healing magic but also had special holy magic for attacking heavy armored soldiers. 

Switching into combat mode. Elias and Lily moved into the gap left by Jeod to attack Prescott head on. 

Elias charged the giant man, made a swing with his sword and hit only the giant shield. 

Elias said "Why are you doing this? You, who once stood as my father's royal guard?"

Prescott replied, "Enough of your questions, whelp. Interfere, and I shall see you suffer for it." 

Elias moved away from the giant man and raised his own shield. That is when Lily used her Holy Light magic attack. Which ripped through the armor of Prescott as if he were naked. He was left stunned. 

Able to regain his footing, Prescott moved forward and sung his spear and hit Elias. Which the prince parried the attack as best he could. Kept up his battle stance. Lily used her quick heal to restore the prince. 

Elias stepped up and bashed the giant shield of the giant man and Lily struck again with her magic and then Prescott fell promptly. Elias stood over the fallen Prescott and said, "I must never yield." 

They have successfully taken the harbor, and all the enemies were defeated. Prescott struggled to get back to one knee. 

He was shocked at the outcome and said, "What foolishness is this? One such as I brought low by the Aether vermin that gnaw at our ankles. 

Jeod had returned and jumped off his horse and approached Prescott. Jeod said, "You've fallen far indeed, Prescott. How many times did you stare Death in the face at His Majesty's side? Now look what you've become."

Jeod paused to gather himself, pulled out his sword and said, "I may stand as your sword master no longer, but I can yet offer you a merciful end to your descent."

Elias suddenly interrupted, "Wait"

Jeod asked, "Your Highness?" 

Elias walked over and took a knee next to the still wounded Prescott. He asked, "Tell me Prescott. Do you remember the times you and I played together? When I was still just a boy. You're was a bond of loyalty few knights could hop to equal. Why cast that aside and bend the knee to Dessel?"

Elias stood up and continued to say, "I refuse to cut down a friend without first knowing how we've reached this grim conclusion. A simple reason is all I ask. Please."

Then suddenly the amulet started to glow, prompting the Priestess Lily to call out, "Elias!"

Elias looked at the glowing green light coming from his family's inheritance. As Elias spoke "The amulet. What sorcery is this?"

The Amulet of Terra had green glow that soon expanded and illuminated all the shadows to hide the darkness for a moment. Then the light faded away quickly as it arrived. 

Then Prescott started to moan and spoke, "Ngh. My head. What am I doing here?"

Prescott suddenly remembered his traitorous thoughts and started to apologies to the prince and Jeod. He then said, "It as if my mind was clouded with anger and darkness. I did not think about my deeds. I just obey to fight for the lycan that usurped the throne." 

Elias thought on it and said it aloud to elaborate. "A spell to shackle the hearts of men."

Prescott heard the words and confirmed, " 'Tis the only way I can think to describe it, my prince. That ill-fated day, all the lords closest to your father turned upon him without so much as a moment's notice. Unfortunately, my memories end there, as well"

Jeod spoke up, "A frightful power, if what you say is true. This spell of control. it could be called. Such magic would go far in explaining how Dessel so swiftly brought Terra to its knees."

Prescott replied, "I shudder to think what unspeakable evil I've wrought upon our world. these last ten years. Though there is no greater misdeed than turning my spear upon you, Prince Elias."

Elias said, "That's enough. You mustn't blame yourself any further. But I do wonder. How is this amulet capable of unmaking the spell?"

Jeod said, "In truth, I had believed it to be mere regalia. A symbol of your birthright and nothing more. To think the power of cleansing truly exists..."

Then Jeod elaborated, "Your Highness. That is the Amulet of Terra, ancestral treasure of Aether's royal lineage. Legend speaks that the High Council gifted your ancestors wielding to purify evil, but I had believed such tales to be mere fiction."

Lily spoke, "The orthodoxy has a similar story about the holy Dragon. How it was a sacred beast able to purge darkness from our lands. It's entirely possible that the amulet that bears image of a tree is somehow capable of that's same power."

Elias thought on this and said, "Hm. Should Dessel's rule be built upon a foul sorcery that fetters our people. Then this amulet is the ray of light that will pierce its wicked heart."

Prescott said, "Your words ring true, my prince."

Then Jeod spoke, "Indeed. Were we able to free those bound by his cruel magicks..."

Lily interrupted, "It might bring down the iron wall of Cornelia crashing down."

Elias calmed himself, "All told, I've often told myself plagued with doubt. Is it justice that guides our march, or paltry vendetta? Yet the answer is clear as day now. The path before us is laid bare, and all that remains now is to walk it..." 

Unsheathing his sword to make and oath, Elias said, "Walk it I will, Father."

Then Elias said, "Today marks our first foray into the mists of despair which hang heavy over our home. Mists that will soon be dispelled. It may take days, months, or ever years, but I shall see the duties of my bloodline fulfilled. And slay Dessel like the beast that he is."

That is when the Liberation gained a new ally in Prescott. That and the connections and networks that Ranger Jeod established in the past ten years, the Liberation Army was ready to assemble. 

This small band of warriors would leave the small remote town and return to the land of Cornelia by boat. With a new cause for freeing, it by the lies laid down by traitor Dessel.