And so BB's Legion formed a, uh, tactical retreat and we ran back to Kathalet with our tails between our legs, hoping desperately that NotJim would still be there, and still be willing to help us too. Thankfully, we found him, and BB, TGK, and I explained the political situation to him.
<NotJim> Hmm, well, I'm not allowed to take part in combat until we get to Green's part of the story...
<BB> :<
<NotJim> ... but I think I can still help out in an indirect way by making sure the other realms of Lycia remain neutral. You'll still have to handle Lundgren's forces on your own, but at least you can know that he won't be able to call for any outside reinforcements on you.
<Athena> Yeah, that'll be a big help. The last thing we need is all of Lycia on our tails instead of just Lundgren and his lackeys.
While NotJim sent messengers out to Caelin's neighbors, we rested and recuperated in Kathalet, eventually, NotJim got his answers.
<NotJim> Alright. Laus, Tuscana, Kathelet, Tania, and Santaruz have all pledged neutrality. You should be safe there. Hopefully, that'll be enough.
<BB> It's a big help, NotJim, thank you. <3
<NotJim> You're welcome! I'll be praying for your success. :3
<Athena> Come on, we should get going.
We said our goodbyes to NotJim and he departed to go back to Pherae. Then, we gathered up everyone up and prepared to take our leave and head back to Caelin, though by the time we had left the city, the weather was turning foul...
<Luis> Ugh, a fog is rolling in.
<Robin> Oh dear, I hope it won't be too hard to see!
<PP> Yes, I would hate to have to battle in this.
<Athena> Oh dear, now you guys have gone and jinxed us. We're certainly going to get a fog of war map now. >_<
<BB> Well, we need to keep heading out regardless, we can't waste anymore time. TGK, what's the best way to get to Caelin Castle from here?
<TGK> Well, we could cut through General Eagler's estate by heading due south. It would cut off some time, but...
<Vom> But what? >_>
<TGK> Eagler is a noble of Caelin. *shrugs* I once would have thought him a staunch friend of your grandfather's, but he's probably under Lundgren's thumb. We'll likely have to fight our way through, though it'll still save us some time.
<BB> Alright, let's do it.
<Athena> *sigh* I knew this would end up as a fog of war map...
Before we charged blindly (literally, thanks to the fog) into enemy territory, we stopped to ready our weapons and otherwise prepare for battle. Before we could charge forward, however, a strange clunking sound could be heard approaching us from the opposite direction. Eventually the sound came closer and was accompanied by a blob in the fog, which eventually resolved itself into the shape of a knight.
<Robin> Eep! A ghost! *hides behind BB*
<Celever> That's no ghost, it's a space station!
<TGK> That's no space station, it's Lord Wallace!
<Wallace> Hey guys, 'sup?
<BB> Who is this guy, TGK? Can we trust him? >_>
<TGK> Lord Wallace used to be the commander of the Caelin knights... but I thought he retired?
<Wallace> I did... or at least I thought I did. Then I got a formal summons from Lord Lundgren telling me to hunt down and kill an imposter girl and 2 traitorous knights.
<TGK> Surely you don't think that I'm a traitor...
<Wallace> Well, let's just say I'm open-minded. Let's see the girl who claims to be Madelyn's daughter.
<TGK> If you harm one hair on her head, I swear I'll--
<BB> Peace, TGK. Lord Wallace, I am Madelyn's daughter, bbninjas.
<Wallace> Hmmm. Yep, you're legit.
<Luis> What? Just like that, you believe us? o_o;
<Wallace> Wahahahaha, I'm an old fighter, kid. I can spot a liar at one hundred yards, even in fog like this! Your bbninjas is no imposter.
<Athena> *phew*
<Wallace> In fact, I think I'll join up and fight with you, what do you say?
<TGK> Wait, are you for reals?
<Wallace> What, you think I'd just sit back and let an usurper like Lundgren lie his way to the throne? Not a chance!
<BB> We'd be very grateful for your help. This is Athena, our tactician.
<Athena> Nice to meet you, Wallace. :3 Now, everyone listen, let's start off with--
<Wallace> Hey Athena, let me go first!
<Athena> Okay, you can go over there and--
<Wallace> Nope, I'm going to stay right here and use this Knight Crest to promote myself.
<Athena> But... you're only Lv. 12!
<Wallace> Doesn't matter! I'm doing in!
While I was busy facepalming, Wallace reached into his back, pulled out a Knight Crest, and instantly promoted himself into a General.
<Athena> There, are you happy? Can we move on now?
<Wallace> Oh, yeah, sure.
<Athena> *mutters* If I didn't know better I'd think the only reason he waited to promote until joining up with us was specifically to troll me... *sigh*
And so, we moved forward and progressed steadily toward Lord Eagler's estate. TGK took the lead while Robin flew up to handle some Brigands on a nearby mountain peak. We'd crossed a bridge and were beginning to move further forward when the fog decided to thicken up considerably, hindering our view.
<PP> Oh dear, I can't hardly see far in front of my face like this.
<Athena> Well, we'll just have to hope it hinders our enemies, too. Everyone, be careful!
The main force of our group stuck together and carefully eased their way forward. Robin was stuck up on the mountains and happened to get ambushed, but she pulled through admirably, killing the bandits and soldiers that came after her with a combination of luck and skill. Vom and BB stuck together to take out some additional bandits pouring in from the south, with TGK led the rest of the group.
It was slow moving, but eventually we made our way through the fog to Eagler's castle in the south. Celever kept everyone happy and quick with his flute playing while Luis, Vom, and BB teamed up to take him down.
<Eagler> Go quickly... the Marquess... no illness, only poison... please... for the Marquess... x_x;
<PP> He's dead, Jim.
<BB> What a shame... what kind of a man was this Eagler, TGK?
<TGK> A good man, when I knew him. He was a teacher of knights at the academy for both Kent and me...
<Athena> Then why would he do this?
<Vom> I'd guess this Lundgren had some kind of hold on him, a family member he wanted to protect, perhaps...
<BB> Man, why does Lundgren have to be suck a JERK?! >:|
Meanwhile, with the jerk...
<Lundgren> How are you feeling today, my sweet brother? :3 :3
<MarquessCaelin> Lundgren.... you fiend....
<Lundgren> Mwahahaha, your granddaughter is dead and soon you will be joining her and everything will be mine! >:3
<MC> I only wanted... to see her... one time...
<Lundgren> Welp, since you're not going to get your wish you may as well just give up and die already. >:3
<MC> Man... you really are... a jerk....