Making Landfall in the Cornelia Empire

The Liberation Army was founded, with a small band of soldiers. Prescott had joined the Liberation and gave his loyal oath to the prince. Elias was most welcoming to have another talented soldier join his cause. 

They band set forth on the same ship that brought Prescott and the Cornelian enemies. It took a week to sail the seas to reach the nearest port of the former Aether and now Cornelia Empire. 

Loid called out, "We are here!" 

As the ship slows down to make dock and, on the ship, Prince Elias asks Jeod, "How does Prescott fare?"

Ranger Jeod replied, "Well, all things considered. Any fog that lingered in his mind seems to have cleared, and he stands ready to fight once more."

Then Jeod said, "By the way, Your Highness. Allow me to brief you on our plans for when we arrive. Among the Liberation members I've mustered in my past excursions is young, yet skilled knight by the name of Keima. I'll ride to bring him to you the moment we've reached solid ground."

Elias confirmed, "You have my thanks. Also, the rumors of Beastmen are all bad. The monarchy is in shambles with supposed death of the King and heir as well."

 Jeod confirmed, "Certainly it sounds bad, their people already isolated by the mountains and frozen terrain. It already hard enough to get good information. However, if the need be. I think your solution that we talked about will be required."

After that, Jeod walked away. Which led to some of the others to approach Elias. First was the priestess.  Lily said, "A word, Elias?"

Elias replied, "Is something wrong?"

Lily said with hesitation, "Well ... No, it's nothing."

Elias replied. "Are you sure? Anxiety will be the death of you if you keep it bottled up like that."

Lily said, "It ... really isn't important. I assure you. It's just, our lives have changed so drastically from the peace we had only yesterday. It barely seems real." 

Elias replied, "I can't say that I feel any different." Elias turns on the ship to face the setting sun in the harbor. He then said, "But I've always known this day would come. It's why I've spent al these years training under Jeod's careful instruction."

Turning back to face the priestess and said, "A shame you never had the chance to meet my mother or father.  Mother was always one to blaze a path forward, royal blade in arm. But as the heir, I intend to follow my father's path and lead with pride and courage and yet with assertiveness as well."

Lily asked, "Is that why you and Loid spent all your days banging swords down at the shore?"

Elias got embarrassed and replied, "You've ... seen that, have you?" 

Then Elias spoke with confidence, "You know, Prescott was likely one of many. And assuming the others who surrendered to Cornelia are being controlled as he was, we may just stand a chance in this. Yet our Liberation is still in its infancy. Promising, yes, but gravely fragile as well. Which is precisely why I'll need your help, Lily. TO reclaim peace for all who have suffered. 

Lily heart fluttered a moment, "Elias, I..." then she calmed down and with certainty said, "Of course. I'll do everything I can. As is my role as a priestess of the Arcadia Church."

Then footsteps were heard as Loid and Piper walked up to Elias. Loid shouted, "Hey, don't forget about me!"

Piper sighed, "Loid!" and Lily giggled. Loid was confused and asked, "What?"

Piper then apologized, "I'm sorry, my prince. Decorum doesn't come naturally to this fool." as she gestured toward Loid."

Elias chuckled and replied. "It is alright. When you've known each other as long as we have, there's no reason to let formality bind us."

Piper started to worry, "But there are protocols to observe. Rule we must follow as vassals in service to the crown! Still ... I'm of the same mind. What mind he has, that is. I'll give my all in the name of the royal name, Your Majesty."

Elias was proud, "Thank you all. I couldn't ask for a finer group of friends." as the ship finishes docking, and the group prepares for landfall. 

~

The band of warriors of the Liberation are walking on the streets of the port at night. They are making way into the town of the harbor city inside Cornelia Empire.

Then Elias and Prescott stopped walking, and Elias then unsheathed us sword. As the others stopped walking behind them. 

Lily asked, "Elias, why have you stopped?"

With regret, Elias replied, "We are surrounded."

That is when soldiers on horseback came out from behind the buildings and blocked every path that one might escape. They all were wearing the colors of the Cornelian Empire.

Loid snarked, "Not the welcome party I was hoping for."

The soldiers to the front, back and sides slowly encroached. None of them were saying anything, just moved with an intimating presence. 

The front horseman soldiers wielding spears stabbed at Elias.  Which Prescott moved to position in front and blocked it with his heavy shield. Elias then switched positions with Prescott and swung his sword and slayed the enemy soldier. 

Loid moved up to the front from his position in the rear. Swung his sword and hit another soldier but it was deflected. 

Then Lily shouted, "Get your vile claws off me!" and Piper ordered the enemies, "Let her go!"

Elias turned around to see a man with long black hair on horseback swung his spear and knocked down Piper and incapacitated her. Lily was seen knocked down already. 

Elias called out, "Piper!" and Prescott saw the long-haired soldier and said, "I should have known you'd be behind this treachery, Liam"

Elias asked the long-haired man, "What is the meaning of this?"

That man named Liam replied, "Apologies for the icy reception, but we've business with the girl."

Elias retorted, "What business could you have with Lily? Unhand her this instant."

Liam replied with a humorous smirk, "No, I don't think that will be happening. I act under orders from Emperor Dessel himself.  As for what he has plans to do with her, that's not for one of my station to know."

The other soldiers move to grab the priestess and tie her to back of a horseman saddle. Which still in control, Liam said, "I shall see it done, all the same." and kicked his horse and made it rear back and start charging at the party of Liberation warriors. 

Liam led his soldiers and charges and speared Elias and the others forcing them to deflect with their shields. Leaving them stunned momentary or on their back heels defending. 

The enemy soldiers ran off on horseback with Lily the Priestess and did not look back. Elias attempted to chase on foot and watched the enemies disappear quickly. He shouted, "No... Lily!"

~

The enemy horsemen are seen outside the harbor city and greeted some of their mercenaries already in position to defend. Liam said to the lead mercenary "My work here is concluded. I leave the rest to you, and your capable band.

The leader of the mercenary band is demi human and a seasoned warrior, his name is Loewe. He replied to Liam, "Don't worry, boss. I'll earn my keep n' plenty more."

Liam and his men galloped away on horseback, leaving the mercenary band to slow down any pursuit. 

The band of warriors from the Liberation band then appeared outside of the town. The party saw the mercenaries blocking their chances of pursuit. Loid seeing new enemies and said "Straight into the hornet's nest, huh? You've got to do something, Elias!

The mercenary band blocked of the three roads that led out the town. Suddenly the Liberation could not pursuit the kidnappers. They were surrounded at all sides from the mercenary band. 

Elias called out, "Hear me, soldiers of Aether! I ask that you stand aside for your returned prince!"

Loewe replied with a chuckle, "Sorry kid. Can't do that. It's nothin' personal. Just following orders from the guy payin' the coin."

Elias was taken aback, "Damn... We've no hope of overcoming such enemy numbers." 

That is when horsemen from the north came into the battlefield in one of the roads. slaying the enemies in that area. Jeod called out to the Liberation soldiers and Prince Elias. "Your Highness!"

Another soldier with Ranger Jeod called out. He was presumed Keima, saying "With us, everyone! I beg of you!."

Prescott got the attention of Elias and pointed to Jeod. "Come, my prince!"

Then the Liberation army move off to the north to safety that Jeod had opened up.