Chapter 29 – Animus Festering

“Urgh…” Arian let out a yawn and wiped sleep from his eye. Another early morning, and yet the Riolu still hadn’t fully adjusted to the new routine of waking before the sun rose. Elvira was in a similar state, bleary-eyed at having to get up before dawn.

But the knocking at the door reminded them that they had a task before them. Elvira walked to the door and opened it.

“Good morning, Team Elpis,” Yuliya greeted.

“Morning, Yuliya,” Elvira said. “So…we head to Dálriada and Annwyn today?”

“We do, indeed. His Highness and Carwyn are waiting in the foyer as we speak.” The Furret looked in that direction. “I’d advise we move as soon as possible. His Highness does not like to be kept waiting.”

“Right.” Arian stifled another yawn as he moved toward the door with Elvira.

It was another quiet morning, strolling through the Guild’s hallways. Arian’s ears could hear muffled noises from some of the dorms, as other mercs were getting ready to start their day. Was this what the old Irian Guild was like? he thought. This whole getting up at the crack of dawn schtick? It’s kinda what our life was like underground…but I kinda want to experience it officially. Maybe we’ll get that when we beat Mitrofan…

“You’re late.” A stern voice cut through the Riolu’s thoughts. They had arrived in the main foyer, and there stood Leonid and Carwyn. All six of the Falinks circled him, ready to defend him from an attack. As well as that, Scáthach was present, standing on a nearby perch.

“We’re not that late,” Arian defended.

“Hmph! The latecomer’s stock response,” scoffed Leonid. “Tardiness is inexcusable. One minute can mean all the difference between seizing an opportunity and missing it. Perhaps even the difference between life and death.”

“Just what’s thatsupposed to mean?” The Riolu sounded almost indignant at what the Bisharp might be implying.

“Arian!” Elvira whispered sharply, nudging his side.

“Oh. I-I mean, sorry we’re late!” Arian quickly changed tack. “It won’t happen again.”

“As it should be,” the Bisharp huffed. “Now then.” He turned to Scáthach. “You said there were some matters that needed briefing before our departure, Tánaiste?”

“Yep!” Scáthach nodded, before she took out a map. “You’ll be headed to a village called Tairbeart, around here.” She gestured to a location in the middle of the Alban desert, in the western half of the country. “You’ll meet with the chief of Dálriada there. Her name’s Eilidh Tunlaire Mhic Riada, and she’s an Excadrill.”

“I have heard the name,” Leonid murmured. “Ever warring with her opposite number, Chief Uther Brynmor ap Eigyr of Annwyn.”

“But why are we meeting with one of the rebel leaders?” Arian pointed out. “Aren’t they…you know. Suspicious?”

“For once, I agree with him,” Leonid said. “I have long since tired of being stabbed in the back by people who swear they were my ally. Who’s to say this will be any different?”

“We’ve been in talks with her for a while now,” Scáthach explained. “She was more willing than Uther, who hasn’t shown a bit of compromise. And we got assurances from her that there would be no backstabbing.”

“I’ll trust an assurance from a filthy rebel when this land freezes over,” growled Leonid.

“Don’t get your cape in a twist, Prince Leonid,” the Archeops said. “We’ve got it worked out! Don’t worry if things go south out there. We’ve organised a little back-up plan.”

“Hmph. And just what is this ‘back-up plan’, exactly?”

“…That’s a secret.” Scáthach winked at him.

“I beg your pardon?” Leonid was displeased. “Do not leave me in the dark!”

“Trust me, Leonid, it’ll all work out,” the Archeops assured. “I’d love to tell you, but…I think it’s better we keep that a secret for now. Gotta be off, though. That paperwork won’t write itself. Hee hee!”

Before the Bisharp could protest, Alba’s tánaiste was off to tackle that day’s duties.

“That was weird,” Arian said.

“Tch! What a farce this all is.” Leonid shook his head in annoyance. “It can never be simple with these tribespeople and their quarrels. How vexing…”

“There is no use complaining, Your Highness,” Yuliya said. “If we are to free our land, then we must help Alba first.”

“…Very well. If we must…” With a flick of his tattered cape, Leonid turned to head for the entrance. “The taxi awaits us at the dock. Come,” he called out to Team Elpis, who followed after him. The prince’s armoured feet clinked against the stone floor, while Carwyn moved in tandem with him. Yuliya followed close by, with Team Elpis trailing behind them all.

As they walked into the still morning air, Elvira began to whisper to Arian, now that they were out of earshot from the rest of the group.

“Arian,” she whispered. “You really shouldn’t be criticising Leonid like this.”

“But Elvira, he’s being completely unreasonable!” Arian whispered back.

“Not completely. He’s a prince with high standards, and it goes without saying that you don’t backtalk to people like him,” the Treecko went on. “Besides…he’s our prince. It would be an incredible morale boost if we could get him home. So please, Arian. No more.”

“…Fine,” murmured Arian. But his thoughts still remained on Leonid, and as he watched the Bisharp’s advancing figure, his lips curled in annoyance.

If only we didn’t have to rely on him of all people…

The group walked across the Istwyth bridge to the taxi dock. A number of taxis were lined up, with a number of mercs awaiting the call for clearance for takeoff. A Granbull saw the group approach.

“Ah, Prince Leonid,” she said. “Your taxi to Annwyn is waiting over there.” She pointed to where an Aerodactyl trio sat atop a carriage noticeably bigger than the rest.

“I see. Thank you.” With that, Leonid strode forward towards the carriage, with his allies quick to follow.

The three Aerodactyl were inspecting the carriage as the group approached. Immediately, they turned to face them.

“Well, if it isn’t Himself!” one of the Aerodactyl called out to them. “And cúpla cairde of his as well!”

“Goin’ over to Annwyn to put some smacht on those two chiefs.” The second one chuckled. “How much you all bettin’ that we’ll be bringin’ skeletons back to Breffy?”

“I’d bet my flying licence on it!” the third one shouted, to roaring laughter from the other two.

“Excuse me!” Leonid cried out indignantly. “Do you know no shame? Is this how Alba’s taxis operate, badmouthing their passengers behind their back?”

“Hey! We’re not doing that,” the third Aerodactyl defended. “We’re telling it right to your face instead! Big difference right there!” More belly laughs from the three fliers.

“Ye really wanna go over to those two tíortha and tell ’em to can it?” the second Aerodactyl questioned, once the laughing had died down. “Even fightin’s not shuttin’ them up these days.”

“Eh.” The first Aerodactyl shrugged. “It’s his funeral, not ours. We’re just here to ferry folks around. What he does is his problem; all that matters is we get paid at the end of the day, right?”

“Would you quit jabbering and allow us to enter?” Leonid cut off, irritated. “We have a mission to carry out! One sanctioned by the rí, no less!”

“Alright, alright, don’t get your princely britches in a twist, now.” The first Aerodactyl went to the side and opened the door. “There ye are. Now get in. We’ll be ready for takeoff soon.”

Carwyn was the first to enter, three of them entering the carriage. They gave the all clear, and after that, Leonid, the other three of Carwyn, and Yuliya boarded. Arian and Elvira were about to board, but before they could, a voice called out to them.

“Wait, wait, waaaaaiiiiiit!“

“Hm?” Arian looked over to see a familiar sight. A familiar Dragonair was slithering towards them. “Sabrina?”

“Oh…thank the rí you hadn’t left yet,” Sabrina panted. “I’ve got a prezzie for you, Arian!”

“For me?” Arian tilted his head. “What is it?”

“It’s from Yannie, actually. He thought this might help you out. But he’s not around to give it, so here I am instead!” Sabrina fished into her satchel, before pulling out a small package. “There you go!”

“…Thanks.” The Riolu took it from her.

“Don’t thank me, thank Yannie! He got it for you, after all,” Sabrina said. “Now you really will be strong and cute! The two best things when put together!”

“Oh, er…th-thanks, heh heh…” Arian muttered sheepishly, still unsure how to take the Dragonair’s words. He could feel his cheeks beginning to heat up.

“Hurry up!” Leonid’s voice called angrily from the carriage. “Get inside! We cannot dawdle any longer!”

“Oop, gotta go,” Arian said. “Thanks for coming, Sabrina!”

“No problem! And good luck with your mission today! Hopefully Prince Grumpyblades can get that steel pole out of his arse,” Sabrina chuckled. “Anyway, bye!” With that, she turned, and slithered away, while Team Elpis boarded the carriage.

“Tch. More holdups,” Leonid muttered in annoyance.

“It would not have mattered,” Yuliya told him. “The Aerodactyl aren’t finished with their pre-flight checks. We still have to wait.”

“I wish they would hurry up. The sooner they finish, the sooner we can leave and sort this mess out. Messes that I have to clean up instead of Albans who created their own problems in the first place…”

The group sat and waited. A few minutes later, the Aerodactyl were ready, and with the flaps of three sets of wings, the carriage was soon airborne in the Alban sky.

 

 

---

 

 

“Thunder Punch and Ice Punch?”

Arian stared in mild shock at what was inside the package Sabrina gave to him. There were a few seeds – blast and stun seeds, mainly, which Elvira filed away in their bag – but the main attractions of Yannick’s gift were the two TM discs, one coloured yellow and the other light blue.

“That’s quite generous of him,” Elvira commented. “He must really think you have potential.”

“We can’t really test them out until we land,” Arian said. “But there’s no harm in learning them now.” He took the Thunder Punch TM and pressed it to his head, before doing the same with the Ice Punch one. Now, he had two new moves at his disposal.

Immediately, he started strategising how best to use them. Hmm, maybe I could combine the two of them to make an elemental combo attack! Ooh, that’d be cool! he suddenly thought, mentally filing away the idea to test out upon landing.

That wouldn’t be for another while, though. So Arian stretched out his arms and put his feet up on the table to relax.

“Get your feet off the table,” Leonid ordered, glancing up from behind the papers he was reading and glaring at the Riolu.

“Fine.” Arian replied, reluctantly obliging.

“Hmph. Peasant.” With that, Leonid went back to reading.

Arian lightly growled, half tempted to put his feet back up on the table in defiance. But Elvira’s request from earlier came back to him, and he kept his feet on the ground.

If yesterday was anything to go by, the flight would take a few hours at least. Already, the Riolu had become bored. I should’ve brought a book with me or something. That would keep me occupied.

His gaze fell on Prince Leonid, who was gazing at pieces of parchment. Intriguingly, Yuliya, as well as C and A, were looking at them too.

“What are you looking at, Your Highness?” Elvira asked.

“…Reports from the tíortha of Dálriada and Annwyn of raids and attacks on each other.” Leonid did not look up from the papers. “Rí Trahaern gave them to me last night.”

“What about them?” Arian wondered.

Leonid sighed, before laying them out on the table. There were reports among them, of scribbly writings detailing attacks, but catching Team Elpis’s attention was the detailed map of western Alba. A number of Xs, of both red and black colours, were dotted on it, along with arrows connecting place to place on the map. Chief among the details were the names ‘Dálriada‘ and ‘Annwyn‘ in large letters.

“What you see here are attacks on various villages around where Dálriada and Annwyn meet,” Leonid informed. “The red marks Dálriada attacks, and black marks Annwyn attacks. These raids are carried out for purposes of gathering food and resources for the other, and have infrequently occurred between both tíortha. There has rarely been agreement between them except in times of strife. However, these attacks have seen a noticeable increase in recent months.”

“Because of the drought?” Elvira guessed.

“Correct. Sometimes raids arrive home empty-handed with nothing to show for their efforts. Other times, reprisal attacks are carried out. Safe to say, this has resulted in considerable unrest in these regions, and if we do not quell this matter at the heart, then strife will engulf more of Alba. That is what Rí Trahaern and Tánaiste Scáthach fear the most.”

“So we have to stop all of this? Just the five of us?” Arian gestured to all of them. “But we can’t do this all on our own!”

“I am well aware of that. Calm yourself, you fool,” Leonid scowled. “Defeatist attitudes will get us nowhere.”

“Forgive me for saying this, Your Highness,” Elvira cut in. “But I’m not confident in this plan. There’s a very real possibility we could be betrayed, and little to no backing going into this doesn’t bode well.”

“Well, do you have another plan?” Leonid looked irked. “By all means, tell me. I would be quite interested to hear it.”

“I…” Elvira faltered. “I don’t have one.”

“Do not protest if you cannot find an alternative plan, then,” the Bisharp scorned. “The last thing I need is interference from Guildlings who think they know better!”

“Hey!” Arian growled. “Elvira has a point! Don’t you think talking to a potential rebel against the rí goes against what we’re trying to do?”

“…Oh Creator, why must I have been allied with such imbeciles?” Leonid muttered in annoyance. “Do you reject every solution that comes your way? I have no time for such attitudes! Shelve such defeatism, for we will never accomplish anything with that stance!”

“Oh, excuse me, am I wrong for wanting to-“

“Your Highness! Arian!” Yuliya interrupted. “Enough, the both of you! Let’s not fracture relations before we’ve even begun this mission!”

“Tell him to cease his empty criticisms,” Leonid demanded. “If he cannot offer new plans, then he has no ground on which to stand!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Arian growled.

“In fairness to Arian…he has a right to be concerned,” Yuliya admitted. “But Carwyn and I will shield you from any harm should we fall into any traps. I don’t know of a better way to go about this. The reports seem to suggest that Chief Uther is the primary instigator of these raids, so it would be best to go against him, I think. Nonetheless, we should try and resolve this matter as peacefully as we can.”

“I doubt we will get far with that line of thinking, given the bloodthirst of some Albans,” Leonid said doubtfully. “But we shall try anyway. Diplomacy comes first.”

With that decision made, the five continued to deliberate the plan as the taxi made its way to the two rebellious tíortha.

As they travelled, Arian felt a knot forming in his stomach. The plan Leonid was going with, along with the possibility of negotiating with threats to the Alban state, gave rise to doubts within him – of the plan, of the prince and of the rebellious tíortha.

Here’s hoping nothing bad happens…

 

 

---

 

 

The sun had passed its mid-afternoon peak by the time the taxi landed in a small village in Dálriada. The settlement stood at the foot of knife-like mountains that formed jagged contours on the Alban landscape. Mountain passes bore through the hills like cavities in teeth, and a rocky path stretched from the village towards them.

The three Aerodactyl prepared to land their taxi at the side of the path, just outside the village. . There was no standalone dock there like in Teamhair or Breifne; this place appeared too small and rural for that.

“The village of Tairbeart,” Leonid said, as the taxi touched down. “Rural even by the tír’s standards. The chief’s main residence is in Steòrnabhagh, to the north of here. Truly a backwater, this place. No wonder they despise the rí, with how far removed it is from Breifne.”

“Yeah…” Arian replied. He certainly got that feel; even Teamhair looked much more elegant than this. Stone houses along a dusty strip of road was all it was. This looked to be as rural as it got in Alba.

Upon looking at the village, however, the group found themselves surprised by its population; there were more people here than the group would have expected of an isolated village like this. Many of them turned toward the new arrivals, and made their way over.

Arian tensed. Please don’t attack us, please don’t attack us…

“Well, now. Who do we have here?” a Bombirdier cooed, flying up to them. “A Bisharp and his motley band…Are you Prince Leonid of Selenia, by any chance?”

“Indeed,” Leonid proclaimed. “I am he.”

“Formal, aren’t we?” the bird chuckled. “I’m Labhra Mhèirlithe Mhic Riada, aide to our chief. She’s in this crowd somewhere. Over there.” She gestured to an Excadrill wearing a similar chieftain’s garb to what Team Elpis had seen on Féilim. They were the most eminent among the group of villagers, and everyone looked to her for leadership.

Inferring from this, the group were able to determine just who this Pokémon was.

“You would be Chief Eilidh of Dálriada, I presume?” Leonid asked.

“Aye, that’s me.” Eilidh’s voice was deep and commanding. She stepped forward to meet the Selenians. “…So ye lot are the brammers the rí sent to me tír.” She gave a mirthful chuckle. “Mus’ got his own problems if he’s takin’ Sels tae cull his enemies.”

“Hey!” Arian growled. “Don’t look down on us Selenians! We’re made of stronger stuff than you think!”

“Ha! Look at yon feisty wean!” chuckled the Excadrill, leading to laughter amongst her fellow clansmon.

“Hm.” Leonid’s gaze narrowed. “As fun as this repartee may be for you, Chief Eilidh, we have business to attend to.”

“Aw, canna we have a bit o’ banter?” Eilidh requested. “Some wee words hurt no one!”

“No,” Leonid denied. “Those ‘wee words’ can wait until after this business has been settled.”

“Yer no fun.” The Excadrill pouted. “…But ye’re help. So please. Lend us a hand, will ye?” She then took another glance at the Bisharp. “Or a blade tae ye. D’ye bide as a berry chopper in aul’ Breff at all? Take it here,” she said, holding up one of her drill hands. “Cookers crave sharp hauns like ours! Ahahaha!”

More laughter from her fellow clansmon. Leonid’s stolid expression remained unchanged.

“Are you finished?” he said, once the laughter died down.

“C’moan, have a laugh!” Eilidh tried to encourage. “Bein’ a sourpuss’ll put years on ye! Cannae be healthy bein’ like that!” She pointed to Leonid’s frown.

“…I was under the impression you wished for aid, Chief Eilidh.” Leonid folded his arms, his eyes full of scorn. “This was an arrangement organised by Tánaiste Scáthach herself, that I would meet you here and we would discuss the current circumstances of your feud against Annwyn. But if ridiculing me and wasting my time is your opening salvo, then perhaps I should pay Annwyn a visit instead.”

“Oi! Come off it, prionnsa! I was playin’ with ya!” Eilidh protested. “Dinnae go to those Annie bastarts!” Her lips pursed in anger. “Nae after they killed a lotta folks in these parts, all tae steal th’ wee scraps we have!”

An angry snarl had begun to form on Eilidh’s face, a sudden change from her playful attitude seconds before. A shift in demeanour took place among her clansmon, and mixed looks of anger, jadedness, and sorrow came across their faces.

“So I have been told.” Leonid crossed his arms. “And you claim the clansmon of Annwyn were the one to begin it all?”

“Och aye!” proclaimed the Excadrill. “Annie’s been at us like fuckin’ Ninjask, beatin’ our folks, pillagin’ us and makin’ off with wur food! Then our lot cannae eat, and that isnae anythin’ good!”

Murmurs of agreement were muttered by Eilidh’s fellow clansmon. Now that their attention was focused on them, Arian and Elvira noticed a fair amount of them looked scrawny. Even Eilidh herself didn’t look as healthy as chieftains normally were – certainly not when compared with Féilim. A pit formed in their stomachs as they realised the reality of what they were looking at.

“Ye’d know it, widnae ye?” Eilidh said. “Sellie had quite a hunger in its old days, when those East wallapers sucked ye dry like a Leech Life. Surely ye can lend a hand or two?”

“…You are sincerely lucky the fate of my country rests on this, otherwise I would’ve turned you away in light of that earlier snub,” Leonid huffed. “But no matter. Merely point to where these perpetrators are, and we’ll snuff them out.”

“The Cnoc Dearg Caves in yon hills.” Eilidh pointed to the hills in the background. “Annie bastarts hole their arses in there, and use it tae attack th’ folks in th’ glens below! Tairbeart here was raided just a day ago!”

“Aye, we did!” a Dunsparce raged. “They tanned yon windows and stole wur food! An’ they killed Maighstir Teàrlach!”

“Dinnae forget they got wur water!” A Vigoroth shook their fist. “There’s uisge fuarain in yon caves an’ we cannae get tae it ’cause those Annie bastarts are in there!”

“We cannae let this stand!” a black-furred Tauros proclaimed. “Can we, Maw?”

“No, we cannae, Fionnlagh!” Eilidh said. “That’s why I’m here, to get ’em Annie shites oan their feet an’ outta me tír!”

“Very well. We’ll set forth on this matter without delay,” Leonid said. “Annwyn will not know what hit them.”

“Belter!” A grin spread across Eilidh’s face. “Well, oan ye go. We winnae keep ye frae tearin’ those Annie fucks’ throats out!”

“We do not operate with such barbarism, Chief Eilidh,” Yuliya politely chided. “But rest assured that we will help you in your plight.”

“Good lassie. Now go ye oan!” The Excadrill pointed to the mines. “Th’ Annies are sleekit bastarts. Get ’em intae a corner and sock it to ’em!”

“I presume you have our back in this matter?” Leonid pressed.

“‘Course, aye!” Eilidh assured. “Ye’ll be th’ vanguard. Quick strikes tae ’em, an’ then us lot’ll follow.”

“Hmm.” Leonid’s gaze narrowed, but he said no more on the matter. “Very well. As you wish.” He turned in the other direction. “Carwyn! Yuliya! Arian! Elvira! You heard Chief Eilidh. So hop to it! Especially you two!” He directed this at Arian and Elvira.

“Y-Yes, of course, Your Highness!” Elvira stuttered.

“Sure thing, Your Highness.” Arian’s lips curled into a mild pout.

“Let us away, then.” Without another word, Leonid began to walk towards the mountains, with his motley brigade of Selenians in tow.

Once they were gone, Eilidh let out a sigh.

“What a wee dafty,” she muttered, before turning to one of the houses off to the left. “Ye can come out now, lassie.”

There was the thump of a creaky wooden door opening, and out stepped a familiar Nidoqueen.

“Hmph,” Ludmila huffed. “You could’ve pulled that off more convincingly.”

“Och, I didnae ask,” Eilidh fired back. “For Lando’s sake, I asked ye fer help. Do ye wan’ that when I’m banríon or what?”

“…I didn’t say I wouldn’t help,” Ludmila replied. “But I’d be careful if I were you. You saw the Riolu and Treecko, didn’t you?”

“Aye. Got een, all of us.”

“They’re tenacious. There’s a reason Master Mitrofan has them among his most wanted,” the marshal explained. “They may be small, but that’s no reason to underestimate them. Mark my words – they’re going to be a handful.”

“Psh. They won’ be sayin’ that once we got ’em in a corner!” Eilidh punched her fists together, before turning to her clansmon. “When I give th’ signal, we’ll go after ’em intae yon caves.”

“Of course, Chief!” Labhra obliged.

“Aye, Maw!” Fionnlagh said.

“Aye, Chief!” the other clansmon yelled.

Ludmila observed them all, inwardly shaking her head.

This is Metody’s job. If only he didn’t have his stupid prejudices…

 

 

---

 

 

“Ouch!” Arian winced as a sharp stone wedged itself between his paw pads. “Ow ow ow ow…”

“Arian!” Elvira quickly examined her partner’s foot and removed the offending rock.

“Thanks, Elvira.” Arian then looked with distaste at the especially rocky road that lay ahead of them into the Cnoc Dearg Hills. “Some road this is. Why haven’t they maintained it?”

“Perhaps they do not have the resources,” Yuliya suggested. “And with the supposed hunger in this region, maybe the clansmon simply do not have the energy to keep maintaining this rural mountainous road.”

“That’s normally the case,” A pointed out. “What, were you expecting something like the Príomhshráid in Breifne?”

“Some expectations you have,” snarked W.

“Aren’t you meant to resist this kind of thing?” R asked.

“H-Hey!” Arian protested. “I don’t like walking barefoot on ground like this! That’s all!”

This response drew blank looks from the rest of the group.

“…I beg your pardon?” Yuliya cocked her head, not sure if she’d heard correctly.

“Arian…everyone here is barefoot,” Elvira pointed out.

“I-I know.” The Riolu looked down, to hide his growing embarrassment. “Doesn’t mean this ground is good.”

“Of course not! But you don’t see us complaining, private!” C said. “Have some backbone and march!”

“Whatever, General,” Arian huffed in annoyance.

“That dissension I hear, private?!”

“Why do you care about me?! Stick to your own damn troop!”

“Silence!” Leonid bellowed, immediately shutting up C and Arian. “Do not speak to Carwyn in such a manner, you lowly mercenary! Fall in line and respect those above you!”

“The hell do you mean by ‘above me’?” These words struck a nerve in Arian, and a low growl came from behind gritted teeth.

“Now you realise it,” Leonid said. “How have you not already, you fool?”

“Grrrr…!” Arian had half a mind to dash forward and sock the Selenian prince right across his face. However, a pleading look from Elvira held him back, and he curled his fists instead.

“Let’s just keep going,” he said.

“Exactly. Now move!” ordered Leonid.

Arian obeyed him. But the anger from the previous argument continued to cloud his conscience, and he gritted his teeth some more.

As he stewed in his irritation, not helped by the blazing hot temperatures, he recalled recent words from a certain Gabite.

“Honestly, I sometimes wonder if you even need the guy.”

“Big question over whether this Leonid has what it takes. By what our Chief was saying, he sounds like he doesn’t have it at all.”

“Would you not just look for someone else at that point?”

As they began to climb into the hills, Arian looked at the prince in question, Enfys’ words rolling around in his head.

…Should he really be the one to lead us? I’m beginning to wonder about that myself.

 

 

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The group travelled through more rocky and unstable ground. It was a tough trek, not helped at all by the blazing hot sun above them. The heat was especially oppressive today, and there wasn’t any breeze to be had.

“There is a saying in Alba for days such as this,” Leonid remarked. “Scoilteadh na gcloch – meaning ‘splitting the rocks’ – which formulates how peaks like these hills are formed.” He gestured to the rocky landscape around them. “Between the hot sun of the day and the stark cold of the night here in Alba, the rocks are faced with two forces of nature, and buckle under that duress, creating the landscape before us.”

“You certainly know much, Your Highness,” praised Yuliya.

“Hmm. Never did I think that geography knowledge from my tutors would be of use like they are now.” Leonid gazed around at him. “Then again, I would hardly have anticipated I would be doing this.”

“So we’re looking for a set of caves, right?” Arian said.

“Precisely,” Leonid said. “There are trails throughout the Cnoc Dearg Hills for clansmon in surrounding areas to collect springwater in the caves below this. Little water exists on the surface apart from oases, but there exists plenty of it underground. A godsend for parched areas like this away from the Istwyth.”

They travelled a bit more, before C suddenly cried out.

“There! An entrance!”

Indeed, it was. Sighted far off was a gaping hole, like a cavity in the teeth-like mountains. The trail they were on led to it, weaving its way downwards down a rocky mountain path. There were signs of quarrying in the area around them, with straight cut ridges and piles of rock gathered in pits to their right.

As they got closer to the entrance, both Yuliya and Carwyn looked around them, eyes out for intruders. Arian found himself doing so as well, and when he looked back at the cave entrance, he tilted his head in confusion.

“That’s weird,” he said. “Shouldn’t there be Annwyn clansmon there?”

“I would imagine so too. Perhaps they lay deeper in the cave,” Yuliya suggested.

“Not a good sign if it is,” C muttered. “On guard, privates!”

They soon reached the cave entrance. Its entrance was surprisingly large, and given the crumbly ground beneath them, it was evident that it had been dug out so larger Pokémon could travel into the cave’s depths.

“Well, here we are.” Leonid stared up at the cave mouth before them. “According to Eilidh, those Annwyn raiders have holed themselves up in here.”

“I suppose they would launch raids from here into villages on the plains below,” Elvira considered. “And if there’s water in here, that would make sense as to why they’re occupying these caves.”

“Lives lay in the balance with these troglodytes in here,” the Bisharp said, stepping into the cave. “Extricating such rebellious leeches from our conscience, that is our-“

“Your Highness, look out!”

Suddenly, two Klawf fell from the ceiling with a thud. They stood up quickly, claws clicking aggressively.

“Damnation!” Leonid hissed. “Barely a step in and already we’ve been ambushed.”

“Yer not gettin’ through here!” the first Klawf said. “This is our turf!”

“The people of Dálriada would beg to differ.” Leonid stood his ground.

“Lying scum Dollies!” the other Klawf clicked. “You with them? Then you’re our enemy!”

Without another word, he fired a barrage of rocks from his claws. Carwyn quickly moved to block the incoming Rock Blast.

“Everyone, engage!” Yuliya called, and she, along with Arian, Elvira and Leonid, got into battle stances.

Arian, closest to the right Klawf, went after him, a Force Palm ready.

“Hi-yah!” He dived under a swipe of the crab’s claw and socked him with an uppercut.

“Oof!” the second Klawf cried. “Little runt! Take this!” Metallic claws met Arian’s face as the Riolu was shoved away.

But right after, a ball of green energy was slammed into the Klawf’s face. Some of that returned to Elvira, who prepared another Giga Drain in her hands.

“Bah! Two little ‘uns!” he growled, before conjuring a rock and throwing it at Elvira. The Treecko dodged out of the way in time, and fired her Giga Drain at the crab.

The Klawf reeled back, and before he could even process that attack, he suddenly found himself on the receiving end of a Shadow Claw, courtesy of Yuliya.

The Furret, with the help of some of Carwyn, had run rings around the other Klawf, who lay heavily beaten up and looking fearfully over at his partner.

“Crap, they’re tough!” he said. “We gotta warn the others!” The two of them scurried away, deeper into the caves.

“Should I chase them, Your Highness?” Yuliya asked, ready to dash after the Klawf pair.

“No,” Leonid said. “We need to stick together. Going off on your own would only be of greater risk to yourself.”

“Understood.” The Furret nodded.

“Now then. The Annwynites are in here.” Leonid looked up at the cave mouth. “One wrong move could spell the end for all of us. Keep vigilant, for we could be ambushed at any moment. Especially you two!” He pointed to Team Elpis. “We don’t need you giving us away.”

“Oh, for the love of-” Arian began, but Elvira spoke before he could follow up.

“Of course, Your Highness,” the Treecko obliged.

“At least one of you knows to be obedient,” Leonid snarked. “Now come. We must resolve this matter posthaste.”

The group took their first steps into the cave, Arian being the last one to do so.

As they made their way in, a figure from afar watched them through its lone eye. The quarried area held leftover piles of rock, which made for a good place to hide.

The eye belonged to a Sigilyph, who dipped his head behind the pile of rock.

“They have entered the caves,” the Sigilyph said. “Would it be wise to make our move now, Your Grace?”

There was silence, before another voice spoke.

“No, Cichol. We bide our time here for now.”

“…As you wish, Your Grace.”

 

 

---

 

 

Arian and Elvira fully expected the Cnoc Dearg Caves to be a Mystery Dungeon. But to their surprise, it was merely a normal cave – nothing odd about it at all.

“Huh.” Arian looked around them. “I was totally expecting this place to be a Dungeon with all of its wayward glory.”

“Same,” Elvira said.

“Thank heavens it isn’t,” Yuliya replied. “That would only complicate matters all the greater if it was. Insurgents of this nature would use such an environment to their advantage.”

“That they would,” Leonid scoffed. “Gamaliel is to blame for that. Back in the days of the Famine, he used Mystery Dungeons to his advantage. They worked well for his guerrilla-style combat, and open warfare between his mercenaries and the East wasn’t that common. Such skulduggery was his forte, and it was thanks to him we freed ourselves from the ghastly shackles of the East.

“But now every blasted insurgent copies the name of our noble hero, and dives into Mystery Dungeons like the rats they are. I have heard such stories from word of mouth here in Alba, and I despise that our hero’s tactics are being used and twisted for such inevitable failures.”

“Hm.” Arian’s ears pricked in surprise. “Didn’t think he’d be praising Gamaliel of all people,” he whispered to Elvira.

“Gamaliel is a national hero,” Elvira whispered back. “Even nobles respect him for what he did, even if he was a poor ‘mon with a streak of immoral tactics.”

“Enough whispering, mercenaries!” Leonid’s sharp words brought the duo out of their conversation. “This cave is dark. I need a light!”

“Can you not see in the dark?” Arian asked. That had been one new ability he had gained as a Riolu, and it was one he was thankful for.

“No, I cannot,” the Bisharp snapped. “Why else would I be asking? Do you have a luminous orb on you?”

“We do,” Elvira mentioned, bringing the round orb out of the bag. She stepped forward, and smashed it. Bright light emerged from the orb that made everyone cover their eyes. When they let down their arms, they found the cave had been lit up, and the darkness from before had mostly vanished.

With this, they could see the cave around them. It was a far cry from the caves of darker stones back in Selenia, or even the calcite-ridden limestone caves in the Karstlands. It was comprised of rust-coloured rock, and small stalactites hung from the ceiling. Stalagmites protruded from the ground, and a number of stone pillars formed where the two met.

“Huh. Kinda pretty,” Arian remarked.

“We are not here to sightsee, Arian,” Leonid huffed. “This is the time to keep your wits about you. Don’t you dare lose your attention over some rocks!”

“I won’t!” the Riolu hissed.

“Both of you, enough!” Yuliya shushed. “The Annwynites could hear us if we argue too loudly. They could well be waiting to ambush us. You are right, Your Highness; we must be observant, and not lose focus for even one second.”

She took the initiative and scampered forward, scouting ahead for any Annwyn clansmon hiding out in the caves.

“Get to the back,” ordered Leonid. “Y, N, keep an eye on them.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” the two Falinks obliged.

No conversation was had for the next while as the group trudged their way through the caves. The group’s footsteps echoing off the cave walls being the only accompaniment to fill the gap in conversation.

Arian, however, could feel the gazes of the two Falinks on him, and couldn’t help but grit his teeth. For fuck’s sake, he thought. We’re not going to stab him in the back! We already told him this! And yet still he insists on having his men watch us. He curled his fists.

It’s for Selenia. It’s for Selenia. The Riolu reminded himself of this, and let out a sigh. Thoughts like that wouldn’t help him any, not when they needed to cooperate right this moment. Focus on the mission at hand, and save bickering for after this is over.

The path through the caves was well-worn, and had the prints of many Pokémon of all different shapes and sizes, along with their respective scents. The tunnels carved through the caves were low-hanging, and Leonid had to stoop to get through some passages. For once, Arian found himself thankful for his short height.

Still kinda wish I wasn’t a half-pint, he thought. Maybe I should try and see if I can evolve. How did Riolu evolve? Something about bonds? I’ll need to check up on that again.

He broke off from those thoughts as the group happened across an intriguing sight. It was at a point where the path, previously a narrow one that hugged the cave wall, suddenly widened out towards the cave’s centre. It looked almost like…

“A riverbed?” Elvira said. “It looks like one. Perhaps a dried-up river?”

“Quite likely,” Yuliya surmised. “It shows all of the signs of it. The ground appears dry though, so…perhaps this was an ancient river that flowed through these caves.”

“Those clansmon mentioned there was a spring here, didn’t they?” Arian said, recalling the conversation back in Tairbeart. “I can’t imagine there’d be much water to go about around these parts.”

“No, indeed.” For once, Leonid was in agreement with him. “Desperation is what makes the distinction of morality blur, and for some, they would do anything if it meant saving their own skin. Even if it means depriving whole villages of their one source of water.”

His face was grim. “We must rectify this.”

They continued walking along the dried riverbed. The amount of footprints were no less than they were earlier in the cave, and the scents from before still remained. Except Arian and Yuliya noticed that they seemed fresher.

“We’re getting closer to our target,” the Furret said, as the group walked to an open part of the cave. “It shouldn’t be long before—”

“Fire!”

Without warning, a blast of fire suddenly erupted from where Elvira’s luminous orb did not shine. It was far enough away that Yuliya and Carwyn saw it coming, and the former moved to take the hit.

“Urgh!” she cried, feeling the flames lick her fur.

“Yuliya!” Leonid cried. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Yuliya felt the now bare patch of fur on her midsection.

“We’re under attack!” C declared. “Action stations, soldiers! Protect His Highness!”

“Sir, yes, sir!” the rest of the Falinks yelled in unison, moving into formation, around the Bisharp.

“Damn!” cursed Arian. “They got the drop on us!” He scanned the cave around them, finding it to be full of small knolls and burrows. There lying in wait were many Pokémon, eyes piercing through, locked onto their foe. “They must’ve been waiting to ambush us!”

“Go at them!” called a gruff voice. “Those Dollie bastards won’t take this spot!”

“We’re not Dálriada!” Arian yelled back.

“Lies!” the same voice shouted. “C’mon, men! Show ’em Dollies what we’re made of!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Selenians suddenly found themselves faced with a variety of projectiles: rocks, sand and fire being the most prevalent among them. Carwyn moved quickly to block any Rock Blasts that came Leonid’s way. Unfortunately, they couldn’t defend everyone.

“Ow!” Elvira cried as a Flame Burst struck her.

“Elvira!” Arian’s face morphed to worry, and then anger. He reached into the team’s bag, taking out a blast seed.

“Take this!” he yelled in fury, throwing it at one area where the flames had come from. The blast lit up the cave more, and several cries of pain sounded from the enemy clansmon.

Fuckers! Arian ran forward, teeth bared in anger, as he brandished his fists. He felt a tingling feeling, and he looked down, seeing sparks dance at his paws. Now’s as good a time as any to give these moves a test run, he thought, running forward and slamming his electrified fist into his nearest opponent – a Minior, which was thrown into a wall. The starry Rock-type hovered in place, dazed from the Thunder Punch.

“Arian!” Elvira’s voice called from behind him, and the familiar light of a Giga Drain struck a stone Yamask nearby.

“Gah! Who the bloody hell are you?” the ghost cried, startled. “You’re not Dollies!”

“No, we’re not,” Elvira said. “But we can’t let you continue to occupy these and deprive the villages of Dálriada their water!”

“They started it!” the Yamask hissed. “They raided us first! They-“

They were then interrupted by a punch from Arian. The bone-chilling Ice Punch knocked them into the wall, and they slid to the ground, unconscious.

“We’re not done yet!” Arian ran towards the Minior, and leapt up into the air. Sparks danced around his fist as he slammed it into the ground from above. The fist attack did them in, and the Minior fell unconscious, just like their Yamask partner.

“Right, that’s them done. Come on, Elvira!” Arian punched his paws together. “Let’s help the rest of them out!” He then immediately ran off.

“Arian, wait!” Elvira called, chasing after him.

The Riolu didn’t pay attention to his partner, instead focusing on the enemies in front of him. The cave had become awash with sand, almost like a mini sandstorm, and the sounds of combat filled the air. There was also fire, and in its light, a familiar Furret and six Falinks clashed with Annwynite clansmon. However, there was a sight Arian wasn’t expecting.

“Fools!” Leonid’s commanding voice echoed through the cave. “Underestimate me and perish!” He dashed forward, slashing at his Heatmor opponent.

“Yaaagh!” To Arian’s shock, it actually did a number on the anteater. “Who the ‘ell is this brute?! This is that twywysog brat?!”

“The very same!” Leonid’s blades lit up, and he unleashed a duo of diagonal slashes on his opponent. The Heatmor cried out in pain, before falling to the ground in defeat.

“Wow…” Arian couldn’t help but be impressed. So he won’t sit back and force us to do all the work. That’s pretty ni-

“Arian, look out!”

Unfortunately, Elvira’s cry couldn’t save the distracted Riolu from an incoming gout of fire, which struck him square in the side.

“Argh!” Arian hissed, feeling the fire burn at his hip. “Ow ow ow ow ow!”

“Serves ya right!” A Magmar came forward, his beak aglow with flame. “This is our turf! Bloody Dollies tryin’ ta take what’s ours!”

He spat another Flame Burst at Arian, the Riolu quickly dodging out of the way. However, he couldn’t escape the small embers that stung him in the aftermath.

“Don’t hurt my partner!” Elvira yelled, running at the Magmar and lunging at him, colliding with him in an attempt to topple him. Alas, it was no good; the Annwynite simply batted her away with his fist, coated with fire.

“Nrgh!” Elvira winced as she fell to the ground. “It burns…”

“Elvira, stay back!” Arian looked at his partner, realising she was at a disadvantage in this scenario. “I’ll handle him!”

“Stupid mutt,” growled the Magmar. “They don’t call me Firebird Culhwch for nothing! Take this!” He coated his fist in fire and prepared to strike. Arian readied his own Thunder Punch, and their two fists collided in a combination of fire and lightning

Arian quickly found Culhwch to be physically stronger than him. But then he remembered the fight with Yannick back in Mumhain, and recalled one thing the dragon did to him. Quickly, he swung and delivered a kick to the Magmar’s stomach.

“Urgh!” Culhwch had no time to react before Arian slammed an uppercut into his jaw, knocking him back. The Riolu didn’t let up, taking advantage of his opponent’s daze to slam another Force Palm into his chest.

“Argh! You little shit!” Culhwch was livid. “Men! Kill that Riolu now!“

“Sure thing!” a nearby Boldore said, and they readied their own attack. In fact, not just them; at least five other clansmon had attacks readied, and Arian could sense the heat and sand from behind him as they prepared to strike.

Crap! In his haste to chase after Culhwch, Arian hadn’t realised he was directly in the line of fire of every mon in the ambush. He prepared to find a way to dodge, but as it turned out…

“Argh!”

“Yeow!”

“The fuck?!”

“Little blighters!”

“Damn you!”

He didn’t need to dodge. Six Falinks struck six Annwynite clansmon, right before they fired their respective attacks. Several of the attacks missed their mark, while others were forced to swallow their fire, coughing heavily in the process.

That was all the rest of them needed. Leonid leapt in, a flurry of Night Slashes cutting into his opponent. Yuliya was similar in slashing surrounding clansmon with Fury Swipes. Elvira jumped in, firing a Giga Drain at the Boldore and regaining some of her energy. Carwyn regained formation, before splitting into two legions of three and rushing two other clansmon.

I gotta help them! Arian ran into the fray, a Force Palm readied, before slamming it into a nearby Houndour. The dog yelped in pain, and had no time to react before the Riolu struck him with a Thunder Punch, causing him to lay on his side in pain.

Culhwch looked upon this scene with alarm. Gone was the determined bravado he confronted Arian with; now fear took its place.

“Shit, this is bad!” he cursed. “Alert the Chief! We got some tough folks in here, and they’re not your average Dollie!”

“Yes, sir!” A Wattrel quickly flew off deeper into the cave, before the Magmar ran after them.

“Wow. So much for Firebird Whoever.” Arian smirked at the sight.

“The Chief?” Elvira was more interested in what the runaway Magmar had said. “The Chief of Annwyn?”

“Plainly,” Leonid scoffed. “Who else could it be? Annwyn has no allies to call upon at this juncture.”

“I wouldn’t have thought the Chief of Annwyn would be here of all places,” Elvira said, slightly hurt at Leonid’s scoffing remark.

“Well, good thing he is! Now we can uproot this matter at the heart!” the Bisharp declared. “After them!” He pointed in the direction Culhwch and the Wattrel had gone.

“Yes, Master Dubhrua!” Carwyn quickly assembled back and began to sprint on their stubby legs. Leonid made more elegant strides, his tattered cape flapping as he went. Yuliya ran forward as the vanguard, while Arian and Elvira brought up the rear guard.

A thought suddenly occurred to Elvira as they ran.

“Wait!” she cried. “Shouldn’t we be more careful? We could be ambushed again!”

“And miss out on the chance to dispose of this rebellious filth?” Leonid was in disbelief. “Absolutely not! This is the time to strike! I will not tolerate any baulking from either of you! If you wish to die as fools, then be my guest!”

Elvira didn’t argue back. But Arian heard the prince’s words, and an angry snarl crossed his face as the group headed deeper in.

There he goes again! What an ass. Making our enemies look like saints. If only I could punch his stupid face in…!

“Stop!” the Riolu growled to himself. I can’t keep thinking this. He’s an ally, he’s an ally, he’s an ally, he’s an—

“It would appear we have arrived at the spring.”

Yuliya said this, as the group came to an area where the cave opened up into a big ceiling. Stalactites of varying different sizes hung from the ceiling, including a massive stalactite that dwarfed the rest and made the Selenians gaze at it in wonder. The cave’s colouration had also changed to a darker bluish hue, a difference from the rusty red they had seen thus far.

But Leonid looked below, and his expression turned grim.

“Look at that.” He pointed his right blade downwards, and the rest of his allies looked down to see that the floor below them was swarmed with various Annwyn clansmon. One of them from earlier, Culhwch the Magmar, was talking to a Cradily.

The group had thought they were hidden from sight, and thus did not expect what would happen next.

“Come on, Sels! Come down and fight like proper ‘mons do!” the Cradily suddenly yelled, making most of the group jump out of their skin.

“Eep!” cried N. “Wh-What do we do, Your Highness?”

“Quite simple,” the prince said. “He wants a fight? Then that’s exactly what he’ll get.” Before anyone could argue otherwise, he got up and made his way down the path towards the chief of Annwyn. Carwyn and Yuliya quickly followed after him

“The fuck’s he doing? He’ll get us killed!” Arian muttered in annoyance, before running after the prince.

“Arian…” Elvira followed her partner, her face dotted with concern.

His compatriots followed him, Carwyn surrounding him as before and Yuliya leading the vanguard.

They reached the bottom, where a spring of water lay. Harrowingly, it looked to be running dry, and the riverbed they had been walking on earlier had led to it. Not much water remained behind it.

In front of the spring lay Pokémon of various different shapes and sizes, including Culhwch from before. Eminent among them was that same Cradily, draped in a similar fancy clothing to Eilidh’s. It didn’t take much deduction from the Selenians to figure out who this was.

“Well now…ain’t this a sight? I’d never imagine you of all folks would show up here of all places. Prince Leonid of Selenia, eh?”

“Indeed, it is I,” Leonid said. “I would say it would be a pleasure to meet you. But Uther Brynmor ap Eigyr, chieftain of Annwyn…today, my comrades and I have come to put you down.”