After intervening the assassination of Queen Meve from Xavier (Now known to the party as Gwalter aep Llwyong), Gascon has thoughts over that incident. (Word Count: 1118 words)

Darkest Before Dawn

Amidst the dimness of the tents, Gascon heaved a sigh of relief as he picked up one of his playing cards of a queen in stately gaze similar to her leader. He was lucky that she held his trust despite the rising tensions of the party and its weary soldiers. Meve, despite being exhausted from the travels, did not spare anyone of her real self to those who prey on her. Maybe that is how she survived through the cruel hands of the court.

Perhaps it was much for her until Gascon saw Reynard shuffling by at the distance. He too felt the pang of the queen's anger for reuniting her with her son. "Come, General Odo, take a seat…". reaching his hand out of goodwill. Reynard nodded pensively as flipped his cape quietly and sat by, gazing at another card, a knight lost in the forest and Angren, of course, is no feat unless for a lone witcher. "True that we are no saints like Lebodia's followers, I am glad that she trusted us despite our questionable motives. She does have a heart…"

Gascon rolled his eyes slightly on Reynard's lamenting. What Gascon clung on, at that silent moment is Meve taking back her homeland. After all, she would bleed, for the country to be resurrected from the black-clads.

He chuffed slightly "Relax, the queen has our back, there is something else I wanted to tell you…" His ears perked up on those ominous words. For that moment the often witty Gascon become solemn. "I have a feeling that the queen has bitten more than she could chew…" Reynard swallowed slightly, as he watched the flame of the candle flicker hastily amidst the torrid conditions. He too felt his stomach churn a little at that moment, she has faced loss. "True, Angren is not a stroll by the courts, it is just hostile land…"

"Not just that…" Gascon took off his hat and hood to reveal his matted copper hair. "Do you notice that the queen summon Xavier alone, without guards to watch him…" He looked over at the bubbling of the swamps, it will take a while for them to build the bridge to cross those horrid lands. "And him shuffling his feet back and forth when we cross paths... That is something stank about him." Reynard bit his lip slightly, for that moment despite their squabbles- they have something to agree on. He too has suspected on Xavier's twitchy nature since they left Makaham but overall seems poised at Meve's side. "Yes, I notice that he will be gone for long periods of time, which he mentioned that he is looking over the repairs of our trebuchets and cannons…alone."

Gascon watched the mere gap from his tent to the outside world, Xavier clutching some papers and a line in his pockets. However that thought of that line made him shuddered slightly, something is amiss with Xavier. "With his toolbox of course…" He whispered quietly to Reynard. "He always carried it all the time, seems unusual that he left it all behind…"

"Mhmm you have a point, I will inspect his tent quickly for anything suspicious…" Reynard mumbled slightly, as he watched him going closer to her royal tent "You, watch over Xavier-make sure that he did not do anything rash…" Gascon smirked quietly as he slipped on his hood over his face.

"On it…"

They knew that Angren is a cursed land, and they take no chances to play by the gods' fate. "I will bring my boys to back me up…" At that moment Gascon's ears perked up to a gurgling noise. He shouted to Reynard "Move now, the queen is in danger…"

During the night, Reynard and Gascon both agree to took turns to watch over Move along with a few guards. Reynard took himself and a few men to dispose of the body of that traitor to God knows where. Gascon watch her chest heave a little back and forth despite being curled up to a ball. His clothes soaked with Gwalter aep Llwyong's blood stank the lands, moved the queen's locks away from her face. His fingers traced a red line, it could be her queen's last moments if it was not for their instincts.

Xavier. No. Gwalter. That honourless bastard

He hated that name with his heart, aside from King Reginald. He clenched his fist tightly on that thought on how Meve could be vulnerable at that point. He cannot forget his grunted cry to the emperor as he held her life into his hands. His eyes nearly teared from that horrid moment, at her glory she was, in fact, mortal and alone.

Damnit. Damnit.

Gascon wiped the tears from his eyes, as he seen Reynard perching outside the tent. His body slouched to the pole "Well I asked Isbel to make something to lift the queen's spirits… You can put it on her bedside…" Gascon nodded slightly as he lifted up from the bedside. His muscles grew weary from that assault as he watched Meve heave quietly amidst the cool evening. "Thanks, Odo, I assume you have dealt with the spy's letters I suppose…" as he quietly placed the fizzing suspension on the table."With the Grey Rider…We will show it if the queen is well in mind."

Reynard placed his hand on his shoulder "Get some rest, Gascon… there is no use brooding over the queen. She is strong" His face betrayed his stoic voice. He too grew lost over the demise of a queen since Reginald's passing. What if they come an inch too late, Lyria's hope will varnish. That thought made him shudder. "I will watch her over tonight…" Gascon smiled weakly at Reynard. "I will round up my men to watch your back. I do not want any black-clads to pounce on Mevie…."

"I swear, by my ancestors past and present, her majesty will be in safe hands…"

Gascon heaved a little, and the only comfort he could give to the ailing queen is a kiss to her hands. He whispered a prayer to Meleite (Despite his scepticism) that he will watch her. Gascon walked outside from the queen's tent to see the crowd of soldiers, anxious about the queen's fate, stretching any sore muscle from watching her. His heart seems heavier than before. he wondered what moved the queen to forgive him. One of the strays came to him pensively "What are we going to do next, boss…"

"Hope and pray…" Gascon spoke quietly as he reached to his tent. He hopes that she will wake up, to lead Lyria's flame to burn those foes. For now, he could only do is to wait.