With Each Passing Day

Chapter Eight

A/N: First off, I'd like to thank all the reviewers I've had for this fic: Chef Colette, FreelancerSealBoy, Aquatic-Idealist, and gigatronthepwn. And now, on to the conclusion of this fic (plus there's an announcement at the end)... Oh, and just a reminder...this is told from Geoffrey's point of view, and occurs after his attack on the prison.

--

The day we held our attack on the prison in which my sister and her family were being kept was one I lived to regret. It pulled me into the saddest of memories and would never release its relentless grip on my mind and body. I couldn't believe it had turned out this way...

--

It had all begun when my troops and I left for Begnion. Every member of the Royal Knights joined us; which included Kieran, Oscar, Astrid, and even Makalov. Count Bastian, too, had declared that he would come along. Despite my protests, Queen Elincia insisted to stay by my side. I allowed this only because her new bodyguard, Marcia, and Count Renning would be there to protect her.

The remainder of the Greil Mercenaries had been informed of the situation and had arrived shortly to help us on our quest. Under the command of Mist, they stood, prepared to die for my sister and her husband. Titania, Rolf, Gatrie, Boyd, Mia, and Rhys would all be there.

Using the former spy network of my sister, we were able to acquire knowledge that Daein's Royal Guards were also on their way to the prison to rescue their royal family.

Through Shinon's directions, we were able to get off in the right direction.

--

Arriving at the prison, we were met by a swarm of soldiers--their garb a deep crimson in color. They charged at us; as one ran toward me with his axe, I held my lance out, piercing him in the chest. I ripped the weapon from his dying body as he fell to the ground.

Kieran, Titania, and Boyd had teamed up to take out several enemy lance wielders. Rolf, Astrid, and Oscar were shooting arrows from afar while Mist dodged spears. Mia worked to protect Rhys, taking out multiple axe-wielders in the process, while the healer used a Physic staff to heal injuries.

My queen viciously attacked anyone in her path, anger clear in her eyes. Marcia urged her Pegasus to keep up with the emerald-haired woman, knocking many enemies out in the process. Renning and Gatrie worked to free Makalov, who had carelessly been surrounded by multiple halberdiers.

Information was later given to me that this was the time when Daein's guards had appeared, though I hadn't noticed it. The thief, Sothe, along with the rest of the Dawn Brigade, fought through lines of soldiers. Jill, Haar, and Ilyana had also come to rescue their queen and king.

Noticing that Kieran was now free, I rode over to him, giving him our new battle plan. He would direct the fighting here while I sought out an entrance to the prison to free its occupants. Nodding in agreement, we both went our separate ways.

As I charged into the formation of enemy soldiers, swinging my lance at the closest ones in the process, I heard steel clashing against steel. Flashes from spells and staves lit up the air. I couldn't let any of this distract me. I had to focus on my one goal: the prisoners must be freed.

--

As I neared the building's entrance, I could make out two lone figures guarding it. One was a dark-haired man clad in a maroon reaver's outfit. The other, a woman with long blonde hair, was dressed in a blood-stained white gown of a priestess. In the man's hands, he held a large axe; the woman clutched a light tome tightly, while a mend staff was strapped to her waist.

I readied my Brave lance as I approached, but as I did so, the man held up his hand. I stopped before him, cautiously watching his every move.

"You're the 'great' General Geoffrey, I presume?"

"Yes. You're Chuck then?"

"Of course. I assume you're here to try to rescue your helpless sister, no?"

"Incorrect. I will not try. I will succeed."

"Oh will you? We'll see about that. How about me make a little deal then... The two of us shall battle and the winner will obtain control of the prisoners. The loser is left to die; however, his troops must be set free. Sound fair enough?"

I agreed and we both called our troops to cease their fighting. He motioned for the woman to return inside and collect the rest of their group before taking a battle stance. I did so as well, readying both my lance and horse.

He swung his axe at me, but I easily avoided it, lunging with my lance. He moved out of the way and countered with his own attack. The metal grazed my shoulder, but did no major damage.

Regaining my composure, I awaited his next move. His weapon came at my throat full force, but was blocked by my own weapon. Slowly, he attempted to force me to the ground. I heard my troops gasp as I neared the dirt floor. I couldn't believe it; was he really to win this battle?

Recalling on my former training with the then-commander Renning, I rolled to the ground and struck his leg with the blunt end of my lance. The force was enough to make him fall backwards. He groaned as his body made contact with the ground and I jumped up, placing my foot upon his chest and my lance mere inches away from his throat.

"You fought well, but I'm afraid what you've done will never be forgiven."

I quickly performed the final blow before I changed my mind--if that was possible. As he laid there, choking on his own blood, he grinned at me.

"You...don't know...the half of it," he gasped before his eyes closed.

It wasn't until later that I found out the meaning behind his words and his reasons for allowing me to win the battle so easily.

--

After ordering his remaining troops to leave the area, we were prepared to step into the building. As I dismounted, the woman from earlier emerged, along with a man and another woman. A man who resembled the girl with his blonde hair and blue eyes handed a key to me.

"This'll unlock all the cells. The prisoners are all on the bottom floor."

"...Thanks..."

Before they left, they were joined by another man. The brunette carried a little girl in his arms. Something about her seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn't place what it was. The blonde gasped at the man and pulled him aside. Their conversation was barely audible to the rest of us.

"Mark...no..."

"Come on, Julianne, it won't do any harm."

"How can you say that, you monster?!"

"Look, be quiet if you don't want to just us all killed."

He turned back around to me and smiled.

"She's just nervous about taking Chuck's daughter with us."

I only nodded. Later Elincia revealed to me that she had seen the woman glare at him. If only they could have been stopped right then, but instead I let them go free, taking the little girl whose identity would only be revealed to me later on.

--

After the four departed, my companions and I rushed through the doors of the prison. Holding the key in my hand, I follower Kieran and Titania to the bottom level; Elincia was not far behind the three of us.

When we made it there, we were surprised to see so many people crammed into those cells. Had they honestly been living this way for all this time? And to think, my sister was somewhere among these Brandeds...

I quickly unlocked the first cell with Elincia by my side, while Kieran and Titania went to find Lucia. I remember the queen apologizing to the cell's occupants as I unlocked the next one. Down the row we went, releasing prisoners, until we heard Kieran's cry.

"General! I've found the Lady Lucia!" I can remember him calling.

Elincia and I rushed over to where he was and peered into the cell. Soren sat on the floor, holding my weeping sister in his arms. I noticed that she had multiple scratches covering her body.

Stefan leaned against the wall and the royal couple of Daein cradled their two children in their arms.

I slipped the key into its slot before pushing open the door and walking inside. I knelt down next to Lucia, putting my hand on her shoulder. She looked so helpless and lost; I couldn't understand her pain at the moment.

Soren and I helped her to stand, but she was forced to lean on her husband for support. It was then that I realized that someone was missing.

"Lucia, Soren...where is your daughter?"

The mage looked up at me, shocked.

"She's not with you then?"

"No, why would she be?"

"That man came in and took her. He said that you had requested to see her before agreeing to let everyone go."

"Soren, I'm sorry, but that never happened. I haven't even seen your daughter. Those four left with a little girl that they said..."

I hadn't realized it until then. How could I be so foolish to let that man take my own niece?

"...Kiana..."

Titania and Elincia both attempted to comfort my sister, but she only cried more. I turned to Soren.

"I'll find her, don't worry."

--

I urged my horse forward through the trees and swamps that filled the area. After only a few minutes of riding, my arms were already successfully scratched up and my horse and I were both soaked.

My mount whinnied and tried to stop, but I forced him to go forward. I couldn't allow him to stop. If I let those monsters get away with my sister's child, I would never be able to forgive myself.

Suddenly, the animal came to a complete halt. I was about to order him forward when I saw why he had done so. I quickly dismounted and rushed over to where the body lie, picking the little girl up in my arms.

I had felt so helpless; there was nothing I could do. Her wound was too large to be healed by my simple vulnerary and there was no chance of getting her back in time to be taken care of by a healer. Her eyes fluttered open and she grabbed my shirt with her tiny hand.

"M-Mister...you'll tell my momma and daddy I love 'em, right?"

"O-of course I will, K-Kiana..." my voice trembled.

Her eyes closed after she spoke and her breathing stopped completely. I picked up a note that was placed next to where her body was earlier positioned, opening it up to reveal the text within.

Did you honestly believe that we would just allow you to murder Chuck without getting our revenge? Be thankful we didn't take your sister's life as well.

I stroked the little girls hair as I allowed tears to roll down my face. Had I not been so foolish, none of this would have happened. Had I accepted Soren as Lucia's husband, they wouldn't have been so uncomfortable around me. They wouldn't have moved without letting me know about their daughter. They wouldn't have kept their life from me. I could have protected them. This little girl wouldn't be dead right now, before she had even turned four-years-old.

I stood up and walked back over to my horse, Kiana still in my arms. I gently placed her on the saddle in front of me. I knew that my sister would never again be happy, but I would never let her daughter's death go unpunished. And that was a promise.

--

A/N: I know what you're probably thinking... "You call that an ending?" It's not technically the end. If enough people are interested, I'll work on a sequel to this where Lucia returns to Crimea to become the Countess of Delbray and Geoffrey attempts to get revenge. If no one's interested, then I guess this is the end. Well, let me know what you thought!