Chương 4: Pursuit

Back in Thera's home, her parents never forgot about her and how she ran away from home. They initially thought that Dale kidnapped her, but after their scouts finally tracked them down.

From what the scouts said, the parents heard that Thera seemed like she was living a good life and was even pregnant. Although some would reconsider their actions after hearing that, her parents thought that Dale had manipulated her in some way and that he had impregnated her against her will. They wanted to march their entire force over there to take her back, but couldn't because of Dale's existence.

They have long heard of tales of the dragon Laguz and their strength. When the father was younger he met the commander of the Holy Dracoknights of Begnion, and asked him how would a wyvern compare to a transformed dragon beastman. He was greatly surprised to hear that would even send a squad of their most their most elite wyvern knights would struggle when facing even one. Thera's family did not have enough men nor the firepower to take on a dragon.

They also could not do much since the Laguz Emancipation Act declared him a free person. With nothing else to do, all they did was order some of their soldiers to keep a close watch on the couple.

What they did not know was that Dale lost his ability to transform when Thera was pregnant. If the parents actually did try to take her back by force, he would not be able to do anything.

When a Laguz and a Beorc have a baby, the Laguz parent loses their ability to transform, along with any other skills that he possessed. This kind of knowledge was not widely known to the public since not many Branded people exist.

Thera's parents felt like they had lost any option of ever bringing her back but something happened that gave them some hope the following year.

In the year 625 of the Begnion calendar, Apostle Misaha was assassinated. The Senate stated that the people of the Serenes forest were the ones who orchestrated this, saying that they did not believe in the Apostle's existence. The forest was the home of the heron Laguz, a tribe which only sought tranquility and did not care for any worldly affairs, however, the people were blinded by rage and were not able to see this. In the span of a few days, the forest was ravaged and burned to the ground with the heron tribe believed to be extinct.

The people's hate didn't stop there. Every Laguz left in Begnion after they had been freed were either persecuted or killed. Thera's parents saw this as a golden opportunity to get their daughter back.

They explained their side of the situation to the Senate and pleaded to them to send in their troops to assist them. The Senate agreed to their plea and decided to send a platoon of various types of soldiers to assist them in subduing Dale.

All of this was entirely unknown to the family who kept trying to live their lives as quietly as possible. They did not know that they were about to be visited by the two people they never wanted to meet.

At their small little farm, their day was moving forward just like any other. Dale was relaxing on a chair after the hard work of harvesting the vegetables and seeding the fields. Thera came, gave him a glass of water, and joined him. They were watching Ryan playing on the floor, occasionally making a tiny ball of light. Although they were weak, he had gotten strong enough to conjure up some as bright as a firefly.

Thera: "They grow up so fast don't they?"

Dale scratched his head and had a weird smile.

Dale: "I don't think that babies are supposed to grow up that fast. I mean, he doesn't even know how to speak yet."

Thera glared at him.

Thera: "Why are you comparing my baby to those others? Of course he would stand out from the rest, he's my child."

Dale started mumbling.

Dale: "He's my child too."

Thera: "What did you say!?"

Dale: "Nothing my love."

This joyful mood continued until Thera noticed something outside.

Thera: "Darling, what's that?"

In the distance, they saw a black dot and it expanded and grew bigger. It took them a while before they noticed that what they were looking at was Begnion soldiers.

There were a couple of Knights, Cavaliers, Soldiers, and even a few Wyvern Riders. Leading them were two mages on horses, Thera's parents.

It took a while before saw her parents in front of the crowd and Dale and Thera realized what was happening. Seein the whole force sent to deal with them, Dale started panicking.

Dale: "What!? How did they find us!? And what's with that group of soldiers out there, I know they couldn't afford to bring that much of their own troops!? What's with the Wyvern Riders!?"

Dale was panicking some much that it actually caused Thera to calm down a bit. She slapped hard that it hurt her more than it hurt him.

Thera: "Get a grip and quit it with your questions! I don't know how they found us, but we have to figure out a way through this. We must protect Ryan with our lives!"

Dale was still a bit panicked, but he understood her words. He grabbed the hatchet he used to chop trees, while Thera went to their room to grab a staff. Although they did not know that the situation was and had never actually fought before, they had to prepare for the worst.

They were seconds away when Thera spoke up.

Thera: "If there is no chance of us settling this peacefully, I want you to leave me and take our boy away."

She smacked him when he tried to interrupt.

Thera: "Listen to me! Chances are that they won't kill me because I'm their daughter, but they won't stop at anything to try and kill you two. I don't want to hear any objections unless you got any other options."

Dale tried to say something, but no words left his mouth. He knew that this was the best choice of action, but he was actually hurting inside for being so powerless.

He was not the only one powerless, Ryan was actually feeling the same right now. At first, he was confused at why his parents were yelling at each other, but he understood that enemies were coming by their words. He wanted to help out, but he still was only a couple-month-old child and his magic could at most hurt a fly.

When he heard that the problem was because of his mother's parents, it didn't surprise him that much. He sort of knew that she was some big-wig's daughter. She always carried herself in a graceful manner and was proficient in magic. Most people could not afford to learn magic or was not any good at it.

A few seconds later, they hear a yell outside of their house.

Father: "Thera! I know you're in there. Your mother and I are here to bring you home and kill that filthy sub-human. Don't try to fight us. Even if that monster can transform, can't hope to defeat all of us."

Sub-human was the derogatory way of saying Laguz used by Beorcs. Similarly, the Laguz do the same when they call Beorcs humans.

Seeing as there was no choice, Thera walked out, her staff at the ready. She made a preemptive strike, sending her light balls towards the red-haired Wyvern Rider to which he easily dodged.

Thera: "Father. Mother. Please leave."

Father: "There you are my sweet. Come over here so we can kill that beast and that child he impregnated you with."

Hearing her father talking about her son that way, she grew furious.

Thera: "Father. Mother. I won't ask you again. Leave us in peace, now!"

Mother: "Please dear, stop fighting us and come back peacefully."

Father: "I don't think that's possible my dear. I fear that her mind has been corrupted by that filthy sub-human. We have no choice. Archers! Aim for the house."

Seeing that their aim was to threaten her with the lives of Ryan and Dale, Thera started panicking.

Thera: "Stop it father! He's your grandson toon!"

Father: "I will never recognize that filthy half-breed as my grandson! Now get over here before I burn the entire building down."

Thera: ".....Only if you spare them."

Father: ".....Fine. Now drop your staff and get over here."

Seeing as he agreed, she hesitantly let go of her staff and reluctantly walked over to her parents. However once she got into range, two soldiers came and restrained her. The father spoke to the soldiers following her.

Father: "Now that we got her out of the way, rush in men and cleanse our holy country from all of these disgusting beasts."

Thera: "Wait! You said that you would let them go!"

Father: "My sweet. They have corrupted you. Your mind is tainted. Everything will be fine when we get back home."

Despite her yelling and begging. The soldiers dragged her into a carriage and locked the door. Her mother touched the window and cried while looking at her daughter.

Mother: "I know it's hard sweetheart, but everything will go back to normal so stop resisting. This is for your own good."

Since Thera was taken care of, the soldiers' next target was the Laguz and the child. However, when the soldiers and knights busted, they found the house empty.

Soldier: "Sir! They're not here."

Thera's father was infuriated in response.

Father: "They must've ran away while she distracted us. I don't care about what you need to do, but they must not live to see tomorrow!"

Troops: "As you command!"