The Mercenary Trial

As we wake at dawn, the Liberation Army coming off a great victory and rescued the forces that were under the command of Yuriko. There was plenty of happy faces supping on breakfast. 

Prescott was peppy and ready to lead the prince, Loid and the others. "The only to Ese Unarith is through the Wandering Woods, to the south from here."

Yuriko came up and was happy and cheerful that her band of soldiers and the little village, she mentioned "I spent a lot of magic disguising myself as a cat, young Prince. You better take care of me, lad."

The young Knight Keima stood at the ready before we marched. "To the east, to the Walled City of Jeseb."  

Lieutenant Alcide was giving a report to Ranger Jeod, then after finishing. He came up to Prescott and Prince Elias. "It's our duty to defend liberated regions. Worry not-I'm well on top of thing here."

 Yuriko gestured in a direction from where the party was standing, "South from here and you'll end up in the heart of Fae inside the Wandering Woods. You'll will need an elven guide if you want to get through to Ese Unarith."

Prince Elias stood stoic and put his resolve into decision. There is no decision to be made. He needed to fight for his empire and for the priestess.  "This is no time for detours. Our focus must lie on rescuing Lily." 

The Army then began to march east. Continuing head to the path through the woods. Yuriko was perfect guide to lead them to the Fort Colmarre, while gathering the resources from the land. 

As the army reached the end of the woods and approached the fort guarding a valley. As the greetings were shouted out. A woman interrupted the communications, "You there. You are the Liberation? I've got something to talk to you about. Mind stopping by the fort for sec?"

Prince Elias held a council with Ranger Jeod and Prescott. They discussed the dangers, and potential for a new ally. Elias agreed to meet with the leader of the fort. 

The woman was cladded in leather armor and a large greatsword. "Sorry for flagging you down like this. I don't want anyone else hearing what I've got to tell you. Anyway, the name's Mandy. Leader of the mercenary band serving the lord of this region." 

Elias spoke up, "And what is it that you need from us?"

Mandy hestitated, but was still loud and abrasive. "Where do I even start? For one, my client isn't exactly brave. The moment Cornelia invaded, he started fretting about his soldiers and subjects getting put to the sword. So rather than fight back, he surrendered on the condition there'd be no bloodshed. As soon as the deal was made, Cornelia started acting like they owned the place. They've been making worse and worse demand with every passing day, but my employer's finally seen enough. Now, if the rumors are true, you Liberation types are tough as oxen and three time as ruthless. It's enough to get my client ready to flip some banquet tables and rebel against Cornelia. Assuming you're up to scratch."

Elias looked at Jeod and nodded. "And how do you propose to test our strength?"

Mandy made a loud noise "Eehh!! Well, he can't go sending out his knights, Cornelia would smell that rat from a mile away. But that's where us mercs come in. He wants to go toe-to-toe, see what kind of mettle you've got behind that pretty face. I won't lie, though. I'm really just in this for a good ole-fashioned brawl."

With a sneer, Mandy then said, "But hey, deals like this don't come around every day. So what do you say? We doing this?"

Keima walked up, and tried to get Elias and Jeod's attention. "A moment, Your Highness. Word crossed my ear of a challenge issued by a woman named Mandy."

Elias replied, "You know of her?" and Keima said, "I do. In truth..." 

Mandy stepped back toward the semi-circle of the prince's party. She was antagonizing toward the young knight, "Keima, Keima, Keima~! Didn't anyone ever teach you it's not nice to go spilling other people's secrets?"

Keima stepped forward toward Mandy. Still she continued to mock the knight. "Have to say, I should've known you'd wind up a rank-and-file with these high-strung Liberation types."

Keima frowned and put his forehead into his tensed-up fingers. He said, "Do you have any concept of whose you mock? His Highness Elias is the lost son of Emperor Gerard, and rightful heir to the Aether crown. Surely, you've no cause to raise arms against one such as he."

Mandy chuckled, "Funny thing, that. It actually gives me more reason to fight. Need to see if you've got the goods to take on Dessel, or if your heads'll be stuck on a pike like all the rest."

Keima got angry and blurted out, "Stay your tongue!"

Elias shook his head and put a hand on Keima's shoulder. "She's right, Keima. If I can't claim victory here, what hope do I ever have of vanquishing Cornelia?"

Mandy let out a big belly roll of laughter. "Hahhah! Now that's the spirit. Don't disappoint me, Prince."

The agreement was set, and the two armies would have a pretend battle to fight and prove the strength. Liberation Army coming off a massive win in the Wandering Woods, not felt confused as they were fighting a non-lethal battle to prove themselves. 

Jeod gave out a lot of instructions to get the officers to ready the men and take it seriously. Piper made an observation, "That's some sword she's carrying. I'm terrified to think what a hit from it might do to us."

Keima turned and said, she is specialized in sellsword class and wield powerful attacks using that greatsword. 

The rogue Garrett suddenly broke his silence, "Doesn't matter how hard they hit if they can't land a blow. A large sword like that is easy to dodge."

The army marched as the trumpets sounded and the battle began.  It began the pretend war to prove their worth. 

The Liberation army mowed down the soldiers attacking from the fort. However, the Fort Colmarre was defended quite fiercely. With a watch tower covering the battle grounds with archers and cleric healers. The healers were helping the defenders heal from injuries and fatigue. 

Still Elias led his Liberation to stomp out the enemy mercenaries. Yuriko was sent with a small party to takedown the watch tower and the forces in the area. 

She quickly took down the enemies. Which then Jeod pointed out to Elias, "Rika has taken the tower, now she will cover our march on the fort walls. Surge the forces forward."

The men cheer with a hurrah!! The men marched at the command signal of the Prince. The battle was definitely progressing, but Jeod knew fatigue was setting in. The goal was to use other soldiers to allow the strong ones to rest before taking down the enemy command. 

As night fell and battle was closing to an end. The fatigue was real, but Mandy was still swing her greatsword to fierce effect. Even the experience veterans in Jeod and Yuriko's band were struggling with Mandy's defense of the command post. 

As the overwhelming numbers of the Liberation finally breach the enemy command, Mandy was still standing tall swing that sword. Prince Elias charged the Sellsword, and led with his shield. Took the brunt of the sword slash and instead of attacking, he used his shield to bash the greatsword back at Mandy to push her on her heels. Finally, Jeod made a swift move as a ranger and caught her by surprise. 

Mandy admitted, "Heh... Not bad at all." 

The battle was announced to over and the Liberation won. Mandy was leaning on her sword as it was pushed into the ground. She was heaving and catching her breathe. 

Elias walked up to Mandy, and she said, "Heh. Didn't expect that out of you. But I'm not lying down just yet."

She lunged forward and swung her sword again. Elias raised his shield promptly and blocked the blow again. 

Elias was tired but still held firm, "How many times must I prove myself?"

Keima charged up and shouted with a steamed rage. "Your proposal was for an honest challenge, Mandy. One my lord has overcome with ease. Be done with this stubbornness at once."

Mandy took a big breathe and exhaled out loudly, "Sorry, bad habit."

Elias sheaved his sword and Mandy stabbed hers into the ground and leaned on it with one hand at tip of the handle. She said, "Turns out you're full of more than just hot air. The fort and village are yours. And now that I'm a free blade, I have half a mind to enlist in this merry band of yours myself. If I wanna take the emperor's head-and believe me, I do-this'll be by far my quickest option."

Prince Elias did not hesitate and accepted her offer. "A mercenary of your calibre would prove a welcome addition indeed. We'd be pleased to have you."

Mandy replied, "You won't regret it, that's a promise. Looks like there's no escaping me, Keima."

Elias recalled something and asked, "Ah, but before I forget. What was that Keima was so intent on telling me?"

Mandy drooped with a frown, "Nothing gets by you, does it?"

Keima replied, "I can answer that query, Your Highness."

Mandy picked her sword up out of the ground and slammed it back down. "Don't even think about it!" she shouted.

Elias was curious, "Such secrecy only piques my interest further."

Mandy sighed and said rudely, "Ugh, it's not really a story worth telling, but fine. I used to be a knight, too. Just like our friend here. That is, 'til the day I got in one little brawl and wound up tossed out on my tail. Been living the merc life ever since." 

Keima spoke, "The fault lies wholly with a wretched aristocrat by the name of Bailey, Your Highness. Mandy bears no blame."

Mandy smirked, "Doesn't matter much now either way. So, yeah. Hope you're satisfied. Let's never bring it up again."

Jeod and Yuriko spoke together while the young ones frolicked in fun. Jeod asked, "Well Rika, he is quite the strong lad." Yuriko replied, "He has a lot potential. Definitely capable of growing so much more. He is impressive prince. With no sign of vitriol in his heart. Yet determined to get his vengeance." 

Jeod smiled, "I did my best for the boy. His father trusted me to his most precious treasure. I made sure that he would be ready." 
Yuriko nodded, "It is tall task for any ranger to raise a boy, let alone a royal heir that lost everything to a despicable traitor.  The road will not be easy but at least this region is now secure. I am not so certain of my homeland right now..."