Hey everyone I'm back. Sorry for the wait but like I said I can't really promise when this gets updated. But man, one chapter and I'm already getting a bunch of followers. I hope I can make this live up to all your expectations. On another note, I will be editing the last chapter since a few of you mentioned some errors. Also, my format has somewhat changed thanks to some advice from a review. I'd thank them personally but they were labeled Guest and I couldn't reply to them. But hey, they know who they are and if you're reading this right now thanks. I appreciate the advice. Also for those wondering why I changed the name of the story it's because after posting it I found out there is already a Fanfiction called Prince of Plegia and I didn't want to cause any confusion.
Robin was looking outside from the balcony. It was another hard day for him. He was yelled at by Validar for being too soft. And he discouraged him from thinking of helping others. Mustafa came to cheer him up afterwards though. Suddenly he noticed a wagon approach the castle. He wondered who would be paying them a visit. They rarely have company at the castle. He then saw Aversa walk out of the wagon.
"Aversa? Why was she out?" Robin never even noticed that she was gone in the first place. He then saw two guards enter the wagon. Escorts perhaps? But why weren't they escorting Aversa? They then came out with someone. Robin went downstairs to see if he could get a better look.
As Robin reached the main floor he decided to hide behind a pillar near the entrance. Aversa would always be the first to make fun of Robin so he figured he should avoid her whenever possible. Soon enough he saw her with her guards. He then saw who they were escorting.
Robin nearly gasped as his cheeks turned red upon seeing the most beautiful woman he laid eyes on. She had long blue hair and eyes. Her skin was fair and white as snow. However she didn't look happy. But that was expected since judging by the fact that she was gagged and her wrists were bound by chains that one of the guards held to drag her she was likely a prisoner. She had shackles on her ankles as well, connected to a short chain, so she could take small steps but made running impossible.
Aversa smirked at the woman. "Ready to meet you're host?" Her prisoner only glared.
Robin watched sadly as the woman was taken down the halls. The sound of her chains clanking filling his ears and making his heart sink. More people were suffering because of the tyrant and he knew he had to change things. For now, he silently thanked the woman for strengthening his resolve. And prayed she would be alright.
Aversa brought Lucina to a large room. "Lord Validar, I have returned."
"The intruder?" Validar came to her with an unhappy look on his face.
"She's right here."
Validar's angry look immediately vanished when he saw Lucina in chains. "Excellent! Nothing can stop the course of events now!"
Lucina only glared at the man responsible for her ruined future.
"What shall we do with her?" Aversa asked.
"Place her in the dungeon and have her interrogated. We need to find out who she is."
"As you wish. What should I say if our king finds out?"
"Bah! You know he won't even care. He's too busy fussing over my soft-hearted brat and- That's when it hit Validar. This could be the solution to their problem.
"Lord Validar?"
The sorcerer smirked. "On second thought, leave her in the dungeon but don't do anything yet. I have something better in mind."
Aversa couldn't help but feel disappointed. "As you wish…"
"Did you call?"
Robin put down the book he was reading. "Yes Mustafa. I noticed Aversa bring in a prisoner."
"Is that so?" the general asked. "Odd. Usually the king would rather kill the captured rather than take them prisoner."
"I can't help but worry. I want you to find out what you can about her and what they plan to do with her."
"Understood."
"General."
The men turned to see a guard salute. Mustafa returned the gestor. "Did you need something solider?"
"I was ordered by the king to find Robin. He wants to speak with him."
"Alright." Robin sighed. "I'm on my way."
"I'll go with you." Mustafa said.
Lucina sat alone in the dark dungeon. The chains were still on her wrists and ankles. She tried hard not to think about what was in store for her. Even compared to her dark future she came from the fear she felt being a prisoner was immense.
Suddenly Aversa came in with a bottle in her hands. "Good news dear. We will be starting your interrogation right away." Lucina was to distracted by what the bottle could be for. "But first it accrued to me that since you're our "guest" we could at the very least offer you something to drink."
Aversa kneeled in front of her and removed Lucina's gag, but she didn't attempt to speak, and instead pressed her lips shut. Aversa laughed. "How cute. You think you can decide what happens to you now?" Without warning she pinched Lucina's nose. "Let's play a game. How long can you go without air?"
Lucina tried to shake her head to remove Aversa's fingers who laughed at her futile struggle. Soon Lucina ran out of breath and gasped for air. Aversa took this chance to grab her by the neck causing her to choke. She placed the bottle in Lucina's mouth and released her neck as she poured in the liquid. After the bottle was emptied and removed Lucina gagged and tried to spit out the remainder of the bottle's bitter contents.
"There. That drug should keep you asleep while we get you ready."
"What are you…talking…a…bout…?" Lucina's vision became blurry as she felt her body weaken. As she collapsed she heard Aversa laugh. And then everything went black.
"Lord Gangrel." Both Mustafa and Robin bowed as they approached the king.
"I heard you wanted to see me."
"Yes I did. I'll get straight to the point with you Robin. I'm starting to get tired with you constantly disappointing me with these ridicules strategies of yours! I'm seriously considering giving up on you…but…"
"But?"
"It accrued to me that maybe your soft-heartedness is due to you never being on the battlefield. One can learn so much from shoving steel into another's flesh! Or burning them to ash! True you received magic training from Henry who seems pleased with your growth but you never actually hurt someone."
"No, sir."
"And believe me I did recommend you on the battlefield but your father insisted that you stay out of harm's way. So, I won't deny that we are partly to blame for how soft you are. Which is why we arranged a test for you!"
"A test?"
"Hail king Gangrel."
Robin and Mustafa saw Validar approach.
The king smirked. "About time. Is she ready?"
"Of course."
"She?" Robin asked.
"Aversa has captured a Ylissian woman. Validar had her put in the dungeon."
Robin's eyes widened remembering the girl Aversa brought in.
"She refuses to tell us anything. She won't even give us her name." Validar said.
"That's where you come in." Gangrel grinned.
"You want me to interrogate her?"
"Not just "Interrogate." Torture her! I want you to choke as much as you can out of the wench!"
Robin turned pale.
"Now it's going to be the first time you do something like this and I hear this girl in ridiculously stubborn so I'm not expecting you to get much info. I just need you to hurt her bad! Make her scream! Hell, kill her if it pleases you! Even if you do it before you can get anything, well…as I said it's you're first time and let's just say accidents happen." Robin said nothing. "Only when you do that will I accept you as a tactician. We'll set you to work right away!"
"Milord if I may." Mustafa said.
"What?
"Would you perhaps consider giving him a day before he starts?"
"Are you questioning me general?"
"Not at all. But as you said Robin has never done anything like this before. Would it not only be fair if he had time for preparations?"
"*Sigh* Fine, fine. You have one day. We start tomorrow at noon."
"…Yes sire." Robin said.
"Validar, tell Aversa that she will be interrogating the girl tonight."
"As you wish."
"Why? Why this?"
"I'm sorry Robin." Mustafa sighed as they walked down the halls.
"If I don't do this then I can never be a tactician…But to torture someone…an innocent defenseless person…My mother would never want that! How can I chose between my dream and my judgment?!"
"Robin look at me." Mustafa took him by the shoulders. "There's a reason why I objected into giving you more time. We'll find a way out of this."
"How?"
"I'll do what I can but I'm positive that you can find a way if I don't." the general said giving a comforting smile. "You are her son after all."
Robin walked throughout the cemetery with a flower in his hand. He easily found the grave he was looking for. He was there many times.
"Hello mother." He said placing the flower down. "I'm back…"
Robin sat down for a minute before he spoke again.
"Mother…I need help…You see today…"
Lucina shivered as she woke up. The first thing she noticed was that she could not move or see. From what she could tell a cloth was tied over her eyes. Her arms here stretched out and placed in metal shackles. Her legs were bound together in the same kind of restraints. Her waist was also trapped in a metal ring. She suddenly heard footsteps approach and tilted her head up.
"You don't sleep much do you? Oh, well it saves me from the boredom of waiting."
Suddenly the blindfold was removed and Lucina saw Aversa smirk. Looking down Lucina learned two things. One was her cape and any armor she wore with her uniform were gone. She still had the rest of it but that would do little good to defend herself with. The second was that her bindings were part of a metal contraption she was locked into. Her body was forced into a T shape. Her limbs and waist here locked into metal shackles and against a very thin metal cross. She pressed against her bindings but they were too strong. Breaking free was impossible.
"Now then. I thought I would let you get a good look at where you will be spending most of your time in Plegia." As Aversa pulled a leaver next to the device Lucina was in it slowly started to rotate her, startling the princess. Lucina felt the pit in her stomach grow as she saw all sorts of whips and weapons on the walls most likely meant for torture. Soon the device stopped back in front of Aversa who smirked at the terrified expression on her face.
"Now then." She then tied Lucina's blindfold back on. "I will be your interrogator for tonight. A new one will be here for every day after that. There's quite a bit we want to learn from you. Let's start with your name."
"You will get nothing from me!"
"Is that so?" Aversa rotated the device so Lucina's back was against her. She then lifted her shirt up revealing her back. She shuddered as she felt the cold metal of the device's base against her back. But said base was as thin as a pole and would not protect her from what was about to come. Lucina braced herself as she heard the snap of a whip.
"I have no idea what to do!" Robin said as his eyes watered. "If I don't do this I won't ever become a tactician like you! And I can never save Plegia! But I don't want to hurt someone who doesn't deserve this! Do I hurt her or let the country suffer?!...What would you do mother?" Robin thought for another minute and then smiled faintly.
"The key to victory lies within. You always said that. Never give up. Always believe there is a way." Robin stood up. "Mother. I think I know what I must do."
Lucina let out one more scream of pain as Aversa gave her one last lash in the back with the whip making a loud crack. "Still won't talk?"
"N-never…"
"*Sigh* You're annoyingly stubborn. Well I think that's enough for one evening. You're new interrogator will be here tomorrow. In the meantime, we'll see how well you sleep with those cuts. Don't worry a healer will patch you up tomorrow morning. We want you in top form after all. It's not as fun to torture a weakened prisoner."
Aversa pulled Lucina's tunic back down and pulled the leaver until the machine spun halfway so Lucina was facing her again. With that Aversa put the whip away and walked out of the room. She called to the first guard she saw. "Put the prisoner back in her cell and have a healer tend to her in the morning."
"Yes milady."
Aversa waited at the door as the guard came in and unlocked the metal clamps holding Lucina into the device and caught her as she collapsed. He took some rope to tie her wrists together and hulled her over his shoulder. Aversa admired her work as she saw the guard carry Lucina like a sack. "Let's see you top that Robin."
And there's chapter 2. Again, no idea when the next one will be. First, I want to edit the last one as promised. Until then people! Happy new years!
