Forest of Tombs
"This time, I want answers, not excuses!", Ike shouted at Sanaki.
"Well, then please tell me the cause of this."
"What happened 20 years ago in Serenes Forest?"
"Mylord Ike, what do you mean?", Elincia asked.
Ike quickly told them what had happened that afternoon.
"So a member of the Serenes Royal Family survived... That is – unexpected..."
"Since no-one seems to want to tell the story, I will start with the official version", Nasir, the captain of Ike's ship, said. "Is that acceptable, apostle?"
"Yes..."
"Very well... As mentioned before, Empress Misaha, who had been loved by her people more than any empress before – or after her – liberated the laguz. But shortly after that, a tragedy occurred – a tragedy not known to the citizens of Begnion before. The apostle was murdered. And then a rumour spread – that the Serenes were the murderers. Within hours, it had spread through the entire capital. And the following night it happened. The beorc gathered at the edge of the forest, home to their supposed enemies, and set it on fire. They killed every heron they found, men, women, children."
"But their involvement was just a rumor, wasn't it?", Elincia asked. "It wasn't true, right?"
"False. The accusations were false", Sanaki whispered. "The heron tribe possesses no fighting power, and why should laguz assassinate a ruler who has just granted them equal rights? Someone blamed the herons for a crime they did not commit – a crime they could not commit."
"Didn't the people know that?", Ike asked.
"They should have known", Nasir replied. "But they had lost their leader and were desperate... they probably cared little for the truth."
"This was such needless violence", Sanaki said, closing her eyes. "Even now, 20 years later, Serenes Forest is an ugly scar in the face of Begnion – it reminds us of the sins we have committed."
"Apostle... you are honorable", Nasir said softly. "I heard that most of the senators tried to erase every memory of the Serenes or that night, but you stood against them."
"Even if I was not involved, as the Ruler of Begnion I bear responsibility for my people's deeds. And finally, it seems like I have a chance to atone for those sins... Ike, I must ask one last thing of you: please find the Prince of Serenes for me."
"Alright. But that monster Tanas escaped us – we'll have to deal with him as well."
"I think this is where we ended the search yesterday", Soren said.
"Right. Then let's move on."
"Ike, wait!", Titania called. "I suggest we leave the apostle and Princess Elincia here, there's no need for us to drag them all the way with us."
"Agreed. Sigrun, Tanith, please look after the princess for us."
"Of course", the commander replied.
"We will guard her with our lives", Tanith added.
"Good. Greil Mercenaries, forward!"
After walking for several minutes, Ike turned to Soren.
"How do you do that? Even in this forest, you always know where we are. I'm completely lost by now."
"Really? Well, I think it's easy..."
"Come to think of it, ever since we've arrived in Begnion, you've seemed depressed. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I'm just – worried about something."
"Hm. You know, I'm always there for you. If you should need anything..."
"Thank you, Ike. Maybe... maybe I'll tell you someday."
Mist suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Ike, brother, did you just hear that?"
"No, what?"
"Oh, well, maybe it was just my imagination."
"Was it a sound like the chime of a bell?", Nasir asked.
"Yes! That's it!"
"This sound is produced at a very high frequency, normally only laguz can hear it. I am surprised you could."
"Wow, Ike, did you hear that? My ears are as good as the ones of a laguz!"
"Yeah, but don't let it get to your head. Where did it come from?"
"I think from over there", she replied, pointing into the woods.
"I agree", Nasir said.
"I think we should check this out. Maybe we'll find something."
Reyson looked around. This was the second day he had spent in the forest. He knew the duke was still looking for him and he didn't dare to leave the forest on his own.
Those cursed humans... As if they had not caused enough damage already! Now they have to defile the forest again... I can never forgive them!
The sound of wings startled him. Anxiousness turned to relief when he recognized the three birds gliding down towards him.
"Tibarn!"
"Reyson." The king of hawks landed and folded his enormous wings. "I'm glad to see you're still in one piece."
"How did you find me?"
"Heh, you forget that I got a friend who can hear the grass grow", Tibarn replied. "Besides, Naesala's caretaker, the old crow Nealuchi, visited and begged for our help. He told us what had happened. I've promised him to visit Naesala once this is over. Now, let's go home."
"Please, give me some time. The humans are trespassing on my territory again, I cannot allow this."
"I know, Reyson, but we are seriously outnumbered. We have to get some reinforcements first - "
"Once I stand in front of the altar, I can take them on. Every one of them."
"Wait a minute – you are not planning to use the Forbidden Magic, are you?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, there's a reason why it's been forbidden! If you do that, you'll warp your own self beyond recognition! I won't allow that."
"But - "
"White Prince, we all understand your feelings", Janaff, the king's eye, said.
"But there is no need for you to throw away the honour of your family, of your tribe just because of these humans", Ulki, the king's ear, added.
"Once we have returned to Phoenecis, I'll round up some men and wipe those humans off the face of Tellius!", Tibarn promised.
"Very well..."
"Sire! Look, over there! That's a – a tomb!", Janaff called.
They all gathered around the grave-marker. There was an inscription carved into the stone.
Here lies a member of the Heron Clan
Their names may be forgotten, but their tragedy never will
"Who – who erected this?", Reyson asked, confused.
"There are more of them around!", Ulki said. "It's the same inscription on every tomb – wait, that one's different. It's your mother's"
"Someone – buried her? But who?"
Reyson ran his hand across the stone.
"Reyson, take a look at this, you won't believe it!", Tibarn said.
Reyson followed his friend over to a grave that was different in many ways.
Here lies Sybille
Beloved wife and mother
A bunch of flowers lay in front of the grave, but that was not what surprised Reyson so much. Around the grave, healthy grass was growing, as well as a few flowers. And two bushes had leaves.
"What does that mean?", Tibarn asked sharply.
"Someone was here – bringing the flowers. And this person used a galdr – the Galdr of Rebirth. I can feel it..."
"That means that a member of the family of this Sybille person is still alive."
"I never knew she had family."
"You knew her?"
"Not well. She was one of my mother's servants."
"Well, then it shouldn't be too surprising that you didn't know about her family."
"But something is strange – the magic that was used here is very weak."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the strength of a galdr depends on the user. Members of my family are stronger than commoners, but this magic is even weaker than that... This makes me think that only one member of Sybille's family survived."
"Maybe this person is still around - "
"Shhht! Did you hear that?", Ulki interrupted.
"Reyson, was that you?", Tibarn asked. "No, probably not."
"Let's take a look. It might be another heron", Reyson said.
"Very well, but only as long as you stop thinking about using the Forbidden Magic."
"I swear upon the honour of my family."
