Adventure of Shadows
Chapter Four
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the game Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and I'm not making any money from this fic
Summary: Calista is a witch and a fan of Fire Emblem. She finds a spell to send herself into the game and save her favourite character. However, she accidentally sends her best friend into the game instead; and Lindley is completely unprepared
Warning(s): Strong violence; original characters; spoilers for Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon; minor spoilers for the sequel (book two) to the game; possibly some slight inconsistencies; actual spanking
Timeline: Set after the events of book two of the game. Wolf has fought Marth and company, and has been left for dead. Marth is Emperor of Archanea and is married to Shiida
As Wolf guided the horse towards the castle gates, he had to check over his shoulder to make sure that Lindley was still there; she was being so quiet. And he was looking for something else to focus on rather than what might happen when he went into the castle.
"Are we there now?" Lindley asked in a voice that sounded dazed, as if she'd just woken up.
Wolf inclined his head slightly, and then got down from the horse. "Make sure you let me speak to the Emperor. I doubt that he'll be happy to see me, and it may be that I'll have to leave you at the castle and then go away."
"But you're hurt," Lindley protested, getting down from the horse as well. "They can't just make you leave."
Wolf didn't say anything as he turned to watch the people entering through the castle gates, but he couldn't help thinking that Lindley was clearly naive. She didn't seem to understand how the world worked, and that was an innocence which could cost her greatly.
"Are we going inside?" Lindley asked, pulling Wolf away from his thoughts. "I know I bandaged that wound, but the ride can't have helped it."
Wolf could feel that the wound had started bleeding through. He didn't say anything, but put his hand over his side to hide the stain. He was beginning to feel quite weak and sick; and despite his words to Lindley, he really hoped that he could at least get some healing before he left again. "Let's go, then," he said out loud.
When Wolf reached for the horse's reins, Lindley shook her head and kept hold of them. "You can't strain yourself more. As long as the horse doesn't panic or bolt, I should be fine."
Wolf eyed Lindley for several long moments, wondering at the panic she had clearly felt before... and why she seemed so calm now. But it wasn't something he could really focus on right now. He didn't really want to just collapse outside the castle gates. He was going to have to keep on his feet; at least until he could get some help for Lindley. When what had happened finally sank in, he was sure she would lose control.
Without a word, Wolf started walking towards the gates, aware of Lindley following him. He wasn't surprised to notice that the guards were stopping people and asking what their business was. It hadn't been that long since Marth had become Emperor, and it was more than likely that he would get assassination attempts.
At least none of the guards were those who Wolf had fought alongside or against. If they had been, things could have gone wrong before they'd even got inside the castle.
However, the guard was clearly suffering from boredom or tiredness. He waved Wolf and Lindley through without even bothering to hear Wolf's answers to his questions.
"The security of the guards here is terrible," Wolf muttered as soon as they were safely through the gates. "Whoever's in charge should be whipped."
"Maybe that's something you could offer to do," Lindley – who had been quiet during the exchange with the guard – suggested. "Being in charge of security, I mean."
"Maybe." Wolf wasn't convinced, though. After having just escaped death, the thought of walking straight to someone he'd tried to kill was abhorrent to him. But Lindley had saved his life – and he had to at least try to help her get back to her country. "Let's just get you into the castle and to the Emperor, all right?"
"All right," Lindley agreed.
Once again, Wolf found himself unhappy with the security surrounding the castle. It was apparently a day for anyone to come in and have their problems sorted out; and though that made things easier for Wolf and Lindley, it wasn't going to be enough to protect Marth. Wolf had to bite his tongue so as not to voice his criticisms.
A stable boy took the horse from Lindley just before they entered the castle building itself, and Wolf led the way through the crowd of people heading towards the hall. He didn't look behind him to check that Lindley was following; but he knew that she was still there. He could normally tell when someone was behind him.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to find my way around this place," Lindley said quietly, coming up to walk next to Wolf. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her glance towards his side, which he was still holding onto. "You're bleeding again. I can see it through your fingers."
Wolf opened his mouth to reply – to tell Lindley that he was fine – but his vision started to blacken. His legs simply folded under him, and the last thing he was aware of was falling against Lindley and feeling her arms go around him in an attempt to break his fall.
When Wolf finally regained consciousness, the first thing he realised was that he was in a bed and covered with a blanket. He could hear two people talking, and opened his eyes to narrow slits, seeing that Lindley was in the room and talking to someone he recognised as a healer. He closed his eyes again and sighed. It looked like his hopes of not drawing attention to himself were in vain.
"Hey... are you awake?" Lindley asked.
Wolf opened his eyes again and pushed himself into a sitting position. He put a hand to his side, and realised that there was no pain. Obviously, while he was unconscious, he'd been healed. "What happened?"
"Well, after you fainted, I asked where the nearest healer was – and had help getting you here." Lindley frowned. "Umm... But I couldn't stop the – er – Emperor from finding out that you were here. The healer has to let him know now that you've woken up." She shrugged. "Sorry."
"I guess you couldn't do anything else." Wolf glanced at the door, noticing that the healer had already left. He wasn't sure he had the energy to deal with Marth right now, but he didn't blame Lindley for not refusing to do as asked. If he was going to die, though, he hoped that it would be relatively quick. Though if they were going to execute him anyway, why would he get healed?
"Do you really think the people here will be able to help me get back to my home?" Lindley asked hesitantly.
Wolf shrugged. "If the Emperor doesn't already know someone able to warp you that distance, he'll be able to find one." The panic was back on Lindley's face – he noticed – but she seemed to be struggling to keep it under control. Why was it coming to the front now? But before Wolf could ask her about it, the door opened to admit Marth. Automatically, Wolf got to his feet – mainly out of respect. He bowed his head to Marth, ready for the order for his execution.
Instead, the Emperor asked a question. "How did you survive?"
"I came across a woman who was being attacked, Sire," Wolf answered, still not looking directly at Marth. "I was able to kill the man with an arrow, and the lady came to my aid. When I learned that she was not of Altea, I decided to bring her here with the hope that you might find someone who could help her get back to her own country." He paused, and then continued, "I don't ask for my own life. I raised my sword against you; and for that, I deserve the death of a traitor."
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have had you healed."
"Sire?" Wolf found that he had to use more energy to keep his feet. He'd been so sure that he was going to die at the castle... now he didn't know what to do.
"But even though you're not going to be executed, you are going to be punished," Marth added. He glanced over his shoulder at the still-open door and, though he didn't say anything, Cain came through.
"But... you can't punish him!" Lindley protested. "He wouldn't be here at all if it wasn't for me!"
"Forty lashes," Marth said to Cain, indicating Wolf. "Take him to the cells for the punishment, and then bring him back here to recover once it's done."
"Yes, Sire." Cain bowed to Marth, and then took hold of Wolf's arm to lead him out of the room.
The cells were dimly lit with torches placed in the wall. Not saying anything, Cain led Wolf to a birching block at the far end of the wall. "Lower your trousers and place yourself on the block," he directed, selecting a strap from the wall.
Wolf hesitated briefly, but then slowly pushed his trousers down and knelt on the block. A part of him had been convinced that the punishment would be delivered in public, and he was rather glad that he would be spared that humiliation, at least. Still, forty lashes would be painful enough; and he was acutely aware of just how exposed he was.
"Forty," Cain said, resting the cold leather against Wolf's bottom. He took it away and – a moment later – brought the strap down incredibly hard.
Wolf gasped as he felt the line of fire across the very top of his bottom. He was barely given a chance to catch his breath as the second lash landed directly below the first. He grunted, and clenched his hands into fists; determined to take the punishment without making a further sound.
For several moments, all Wolf was aware of was blazing pain. He lost count of the seemingly never-ending lashes after about fifteen, and it didn't take long for the tears to start falling. And yet... even as the tears fell, he began to feel better.
And then it was over.