The Dragonsong War pt.1

Togie Dalogie

When I was old enough, my fathers encouraged me to join the Twin Adder. I was tougher than most—due in-part to my traumatic youth, but also owing to my penchant for being a pain in the ass—and smart enough with tactics. They told me life in Gridania was never going to be enough for me, and I knew they were right. I joined the Adder and rose through the ranks… at my own pace, we’ll say. A lieutenant I won’t name once said in a report “Sergeant Nemo seems bound and determined to prove she’s the best, while being the most conniving and malcontent Spriggan in the unit.” I had just made Captain when the the Crystal Braves came recruiting. Naturally, I signed up immediately. That’s when I met Togie Dalogie.

He was the kind of Lalafel that just had that innate charm and charisma about him. Ladies loved him, and men wanted to be him, small stature and all. He knew no shame in his relentless pursuit of a woman, but never pushed too hard. Even when he was trying to get us to come to his bunk for the night, we knew that if we said no, he’d lay down his life for us the next day.

He was an idealist too, loved being a Crystal Brave. Fighting monsters, and saving people. He hung on Alphinaud Leveilleur’s every word, and he made us all believe we could be the star’s salvation. He was the best of us, truly.

…And sometimes I still see his face when I close my eyes.

Then…

The arrow skiffs off the box behind her and clatters against the wall with the others. Her eye wide, she feels the panic overtaking her. She barely understood what was happening. If the one who was trying to assassinate her hadn’t got his sword stuck in his scabbard, she’d be wondering all this while choking on her own blood. That moment of blessing from the mother crystal gave her enough time to get herself, clear, and behind some crates of food. Brushing her plum colored hair from her face as her heart pounds in her chest, she starts to hyperventilate. That’s when Togie Dalogie grabs her hand.

“Don’t you quit on me yet, Nemo.” He says with his characteristic sly bravado. “I’m still angling to have you warm my bed in the morning.” He winks, drawing up his rapier and sending a jolt spell towards one of the Braves moving to flank the pair.

Rosetta lets out a sharp breath in an attempt to steel her nerves, and draws up her spear, crouching beside Togie, who continues to lay down a barrage of spells. “What in the seven hells is going on?”

“No idea.” He says popping back behind the crate to address the highlander directly. “I was in the little lala’s room when the linkshell started chirping like I’ve never heard.” He shakes his head, a grim look over his eyes. “I think they were trying to take most of us out at the same time.”

“What? They? They who? Why!?” Rosetta peaking over the box. Only a couple dozen left, a score of dead or dying bodies scattered throughout the room, but everyone in the same uniform. They scream as they attack one another, the crisp smell of magic crackling through the air as the hard twang of steel sings out.

“Question for tomorrow darling. For now?” He pokes his head out from behind the crate to have assess the situation. He nods as he mentally settles on a plan, then turns to look at Rosetta. “You’re an archer too, right?”

She cocks her brow and nods, blinking her lance into her armory chest, and her bow into her hand. “Yeah?”

“Good, on three we’re going to lay down fire, and make for the door!” He gestures to the ajar tavern door across the hall from them.

Rosetta shakes her head, putting a hand on Togie’s arm. “Wait, what about everyone else?”

He scowls at her. “Who everyone else, Rosie? Look around!” She does as he tells her. The carnage sinking in as she sees men and women in blue uniforms mercilessly attack other men and women in blue uniforms. “I’ll bet you a stack of gil that a few of these guys are on the same side and don’t even realize it.” His words sink in, and Rosetta shudders at the realization. When your friends look like your enemies, you don’t know who to trust.

Just then she watches Bronhuld Brassboots, a dark skinned Roe, thrust his massive two handed sword through the torso of Thomas K’entorburry. She’d seen them not a moment before fighting back to back against a trio who had set upon them. A month ago, Bronhuld stood for Thomas at an Eternal Bonding ceremony as his groomsman and honor guard… And now Thomas looks into his best friend’s eyes, and gurgles out one last breath before falling limp. “No! No godsdamnit!” She draws up her bow, notching an arrow, and puts it right through Bronhuld’s shoulder.

He howls in pain, turning to look at her with a burning rage in his eyes. “You’re with—”

“He was your best friend!” She screams back, her voice ringing through both levels of the tavern. Everyone stops to look at her, the whole building falling silent. “You were all brothers in arms! Every one of you, and now you’re killing each other? What in the seven hells could have possibly—”

“Now!” A blonde and brutish highlander shouts out, seizing the opportunity. A trio of arrows loosed from the same bow, fly straight and true for Rosetta’s chest. In a fraction of a fraction of a bell, she knows she’s done-in. She can’t roll away in time… But Togie knows that too. The red mage quickly weaves a spell and appears in front of the arrows, taking all three throughout his tiny body. Thuck, thuck, thuck. The fighting erupts with renewed fervor as Rosetta grabs Togie and lowers him gently to the ground, cradling his head.

“Togie!”

He laughs, his breathing coming raspy and shallow. “Don’t—worry. I—I—I never tell pretty girsls I told you so—caghk!” Blood pools at the corner of his mouth and he coughs it up.

Tears stream from Rosetta’s eyes, leaking from underneath her eyepatch. “I’ll find a healer, I’ll get—” She doesn’t see it coming, Togie either, but that’s because his aether is fading along with his vision, and he can barely make out the face of the woman he saved. The flat of the sword strikes her on the back of the head, and she crumples down beside her friend. She loses consciousness before the light fades from his eyes.

For a mercy, Togie thinks as he draws his last breath. Hate to see a girl cry while I make my exit.