Uh-oh, this is getting dangerous now... Death threats and everything... I'm a bit scared But here's your THIRD update in 48 hours! CHAPTER 16 ~Taylor's Memories~ The flames rose, the black smoke filling the midday sky, turning the beautiful blue sky an ugly, thick black... "My lady, the city has fallen, you must leave now to treat with the Empire." She turned away from the balcony, dressed in an elegant, yet simple tan dress, which hung loose from her hips down, and looked towards her guard. "Vaan... They will come, have faith." Vaan's eyes narrowed, "With all due respect, Lady Ashe, if we wait for them any longer, they will arroved to protect a smouldering pile of rubble. Your heroes have failed to answer, but I must keep you safe." he looked pleadingly into Ashe's eyes, and she eventually sighed and nodded once. "Very well. Give the order to evacuate the city, I will meet this commander of the Empire." Ashe left the room, stopping to pick up her sword belt and armor, quickly changing. The leather felt stiff, yet pliable at the same time, and the chainmail underneath chilled her skin, rattling with every step. She then left her castle, head held high, followed by Vaan as they headed for the tent where they would meet the victorious commander. As the pair approached, however, a small group of six soldiers ambushed and attacked them. Ashe drew her sword, holding it vertically in front of her, and Vaan took a defensive stance as they faced their attackers. A man clearly in charger spoke, "Well, if it isn't the Lady herself, gracing us with her presence." A couple of the men chuckled sinisterly, but Ashe took no notice of them. "Indeed. I promise you, this grace will be the last thing you see if you bear arms against us." She kept her voice level, knowing they would have to fight through them. "You hear that? This b**** thinks she's something! Guess she needs a lesson in humility..." his voice became lower as he spoke, and the soldiers began readying their own swords. Ashe and Vaan gave them no warning, however, as they both moved simultaniously. On Ashe's side, the men facing her believed her to be weak and inexperienced, and taking advantage of that, Ashe immediately sheathed her sword in the leader's gut, whispering in his ear, "I warned you..." as she then pushed him, he sword sliding out of him with a sickening squelch. Vaan's attackers, however, were prepared, so as he attacked, the soldier he first struck at was able to parry the blow, albeit barely. The soldier stumbled back and fell, but Vaan was forced to defend as the soldier to his right attacked. Ashe turned to the other two men, who had their blades half out, and she quickly rushed them, disarming the closest one with a heavy blow, sending the sword flying. Vaan was able to parry the closest man's slash, bringing his sword to the attacker's hilt, and swiftly chopped off the man's hand. He then saw movement to the left, and a sword came down on him. He had no time to move his sword, and he raised his left hand above his head. The blade struck his bracer, and in the soldiers confusion, Vaan drew a dagger and stabbed the man, piercing his heart. Ashe wiped her blade off and began collecting the swords of the fallen or disarmed men. The man who had stumbled from Vaan's first blow, however, dropped his sword on the ground and fled. "Son of a..." Vaan began, but Ashe's light touch on his shoulder stopped him from chasing the man. "We have more important issues to attend to." she said softly, yet somehow firmly as well. Vaan sighed and nodded, cleaning off the gore on his own weapon and sheathing it. They reached the negotiation tent quickly and without incident, and as they entered, two soldiers blocked their path and told them to remove their weapons. "We were ambushed en route to this tent by six of your men. We'd rather not take the chance." Ashe stated, tossing the six imperial swords on the ground. The commander, a tall, well-built man with a lean stomache and rather bushy beard, stood up, "My men?!" he exclaimed in a thunderous voice, "I ordered them to escort you here unharmed!" "Nevertheless, we would prefer not to be disarmed." Ashe said, Vaan standing impassively next to her. "I understand. I did not wish any injury on your part, Lady." the commander politely said. Ashe pierced him with an ice-cold stare, "You dealt injury to me as soon as you besieged Christiania." she stated bluntly. The commander seemed to be at a loss for words at this. The negotiations were simple; Ashe surrenders Christiania, all peasants and the remainder of Ashe's army would be safely escorted westwards, towards the city of Kareeth. This would be great terms, except for the fact that from Christiania, the Empire had a direct route to almost every other city, and from that vantage point would be able to conquor the land far more easily. Ashe didn't want to allow that, but there was no alternative, and she was forced to agree to the terms, and with Vaan she left, heading back towards the fallen city... "Why did they not come?" Ashe was still wondering out loud as they walked, "Did they not hear my call? Were they unable to answer it?" she took a moment before acknowledging the possibility, "Could they have intentionally ignored it...?" Vaan attempted to comfort her, "You did all you could, Lady Ashe, but now we must move on. The Resistance in Kareeth will follow you, but we have little time before the Empire advances from Christiania..." Ashe stopped him, "I have one last move to make... You lead the Resistance in my stead, I will find the reinforcements..." Before Vaan could reply, she looked him in the eyes, and disappeared... Reappearing in a mall, and she saw many oddly-clothed people around her...
4 more bumps from different people... But I won't update tonight, anyways... My eyes are rather sore...