Fire Emblem: Breaking Point

Chapter 1.4: The Foggy Past

Callisto was looking down, and he sighed.

"I suppose I should start," he stated. He looked up at Erinn, who nodded and folded her hands.

"Well, as a child I was taken from my home. I don't know why. Erinn was only five, so she doesn't remember any details about my capture. She said our parents were good people. I won't ever know. They died when she was just thirteen. But I was raised under the tutelage of the Champion. He taught me everything he knew, and said it was nice to have 'one of them' on his side, frequently. I haven't an idea of what he meant by that. But I wasn't happy. Sure, I was getting the best education and combat training in Cayara, but I knew this wasn't my home. Don't ask me how, but it was innate knowledge."

Washingberg was leaned forward, head resting on his hands. Roman was sitting back, hand still on his rapier. Callisto continued.

"So when the Champion was defeated on his very own throne, I took my chance. I was very stealthy, and snuck by the guards. Of course, it helped that they were in disarray. I grabbed food, a horse, a silver lance, a healing staff, and departed from my home of fifteen years. There were no nostalgic feelings at all. Just freedom."

Roman had taken his hand off of his rapier, and was now listening with rapt attention. Washingberg's eyes were wide.

"I traveled for a fortnight on my own. On the seventeenth day I was ambushed by brigands. I was hopelessly outnumbered, but managed to put about eight out of commision. Then they beat me senseless, took everything I had (save for the lance that had felled their comrades, they snapped that and threw it down a cliff), and left me on the side of the road. I woke up in a soft bed with my wounds stitched and bones mended, but no idea how. Noticing I was awake, my savior turned around and introduced himself. He had black hair streaked with grey and a clean shaven face. There was a kind look in his eyes. He introduced himself as Joshua, a family friend."

"You should not have been so quick to trust," Roman said, sounding reasonably calm for the first time in ages.

"I had no choice. I had nothing. He said that he was my mother and father's friend, and proved it by calling me by my proper moniker. I wondered how he could have known my name, as the Champion should have changed my name from what he had known upon capture. I will admit, at this point I thought he was in league with the remnants of the Champion's empire. But Joshua said that 'with me being what I was' my name could not be changed. He said 'the four of my kind' could not have our name switched, as it carried a power unlike any other. Per usual, I asked for more details. He said that he could not explain it now, but that I needed to contact a lord named Roman. He told me Roman was expecting a contact in a nearby village, and I was to be the one to meet him."

"Wait," Washingberg said, "we were waiting to be contacted about the location of one of the, uh, 'Luminaries'. From what it sounds, you might be one of them. That is why Joshua would have sent you!"

"No," Roman said, "he can't be. There are only three Luminaries. Whatever Callisto is, there are four of. But it sounds as though your Joshua is the same as our 'nameless contact'."

"But it sounds risky. I don't--I mean, it could be a trap," Washingberg said, eyebrows raised.

"Either way, it's our only lead. So we take this or we go home unsuccessful. But it might behoove us to hear the rest of Callisto's story," Roman suggested.

"Okay. So, he brought me to a neighboring village (a very shady place), and told me to meet him in the Barbarian's Tavern on my way back, once I had you guys with me. He opened up a rock using the same spell that opened this one, taught me it, and lead me into a dark tunnel. He told me that I would find a safe place in the village that I was to meet you in, following the tunnel. So I've been here for three days, checking the village every hour."

"Okay, so that answers one of my questions. But how did you know I was going to be attacked? And where does Erinn come into this?" Roman asked.

"Joshua had told me there would people trying to stop our mission, and I had seen the snipers. As for Erinn, I'll let her explain," Callisto finished. Everyone looked at Erinn expectantly, who had not spoken the entire time. She turned a little red at being put on the spot, but stammered:

"Uh, since the age of thirteen I had been living with a traveling band of thieves, and, uh, I was taken aside by a guy who said he was Joshua's brother. He said they had been in contact, and that I could meet up with my brother by being at this village at this time. So I went and traveled to the village, meeting him on my second day there. He told me about the room he had, and I checked out of my inn and we've been waiting for you ever since. That's it."

"And how did you know you were siblings?" Roman questioned.

"Our eyes are the only ones this color in the land. Also, I remember having a brother with a birthmark on his arm," Erinn said. Callisto pulled back his sleeve, and he had a silver diamond on his arm.

"I was born with it. I don't know why it is so strange, but I've heard about people having birthmarks signifying power, so I can only assume it is a special mark like that. Probably has to do with me being 'one of four', or whatever. After I've helped you and Joshua out, I plan on finding out as much as I can about it and if I can locate the other three, whoever and wherever they are. So, shall we go? We can just take the tunnel to the shady village, and meet with Joshua there," Callisto said.

"The tunnel seems like our best bet, milord," Washingberg said.

"I agree. Let's go," Roman said. "Callisto, you have a weapon?"

"No, although I am an expert with a lances and staves, my only ones were stolen by the brigands," Callisto said.

"You have any idea how to use a sword?" Roman asked.

"I can learn."

"Great," Roman tossed Callisto an extra bronze sword, and he deftly caught it, waving it around.

"Milord, what about our horses?" Washingberg said.

"There are likely archers waiting to turn us into pincushions outside. The horses have already been taken, likely. You have weapons with you, of course?" Roman answered.

"Of course, milord. I am prepared for every contingency."

"Then let's go," Erinn said, getting down from the table and turning towards the tunnel.

Washingberg, seeing the tunnel for the first time, whimpered just audibly enough to be heard.

"What is it?" Callisto asked, turned towards Washingberg with a look of bemusement.

"I...didn't know the tunnel would be that dark," he said weakly.

"Prepared for every possible contingency, huh?" Roman teased. "Isn't that was you said?"

"Y-yes, milord. I am. A dark tunnel never rattled the Great Washingberg."

"That's good. Are you afraid of spiders?"

"Please, milord. Don't push it."