Disclaimer: I don't own FE…sadly.

Sorry about the lack of update last week. I was busy. It was the holidays.

Colby stayed behind in Port Ferox, in case you find his sudden absence strange.

Well, this chapter was a bitch to write. And not because it was hard to write.

When you think of Jenson, picture Reno from Final Fantasy VII

Gather 'round muffincakes. I have a story to tell you

Part 2

Chapter 6

An Underhanded Gambit

Remy walked through their encampment. They'd be fighting a battle within a few days. His father had intercepted a message saying how Davik was going to get reinforcements. Those reinforcements had retreated at word of Davik's loss. They stood between them and the capitol of Regna Ferox.

They were commanded by Jenson, the Spymaster of Ylisse.

I must speak to father about this

And so Remy made his way to Vincent's tent. He walked right into The General's abode. The Mad Hero saw his father sitting at his desk, his head in his hands.

Is he…crying?

"Father?" Remy said uncertainly.

Vincent bolted up and wiped his eyes clean of tears. "Who's there?" he said wildly.

"It's me…Remy," The Mad Hero walked towards his father. "What's that necklace you're wearing?"

"Hmm?" Vincent looked down at the rock on a string that was around his neck. "A fashion statement. Why did you come to see me?"

"I was wondering what the plan for fighting Jenson was," Remy sat down in the chair across from his father.

"Jenson? …Oh! Yes, plan. It's always good to have one of those. Unless you don't want a plan, then it's better to not have one," Vincent shuffled through the papers on his desk.

"Are you alright, father? You seem a bit…odd," Remy said curiously.

"What? Yes yes…I'm fine," Vincent said distractedly as he pawed through the various maps.

Something's up with him

Why don't you find out?

How am I supposed to find anything out from him? He's Vincent.

…Good point.

Jessie counted her mother's earnings for the day. While she didn't like the idea of helping in her mother's shop, Anna was her mother, so she helped.

"Jessie? Can you go find your father for me? I want to have a word with him," Anna said putting a few steel swords away.

Jessie nodded and grabbed her new trench coat. If her father could wear one, so could she. Though hers was dark red like blood.

She meandered through the various soldiers milling about until she reached her father's tent. She entered after listening if he had visitors inside.

"Father?" she said as she walked in.

"Huh? What?" came her father's voice.

"Mother wants to see you," she said.

Vincent stood up from his desk sleepily, "Can you take me to her?"

Jessie cocked her head to the side, "You know where her shop is."

Vincent grabbed his feathered hat and put it on, "But I'm asking nicely."

Jessie rolled her eyes.

The two of them made their way back to Anna's shop. "You alright father? You seem…drunk."

Vincent laughed, "Ha! No, I don't drink."

"I seem to recollect that you drank at Morgan's wedding," Jessie looked at Vincent curiously.

"Hmm…that was a while ago though," Vincent said thoughtfully.

"Alright here we are. I'm going to look for Lowell," Jessie said. Her father nodded distractedly and stood still as she left.

She was about thirty paces away when she turned around. Her father hadn't moved from his spot outside of Anna's tent. He seemed to take a big breath, and walked in.

We Spymasters are a strange bunch.

"Do you have a battle plan yet Vincent?" Balthazar said while sharpening a knife.

"I have the plan roughly sketched out. Morgan is going to be in charge though. And so will Remy," Vincent said as he too, sharpened a knife.

"Why?" Balthazar said puzzled. "You do fine with all of our plans, why have Morgan make it?"

"She needs practice."

"On a real battlefield?"

"Call it motivation."

Balthazar shook his, "This is an important fight, do you even know who leads the Ylissean-"

"I know who leads it. I know how powerful he is too. I must get going now, I have preparations to attend to," Vincent walked away from his fellow Spymaster.

"General, are you alright? You don't look your usual self," Aremist said.

"Your highness, you should worry more about yourself than me," Vincent rubbed his eyes wearily.

"It is my job as a future king to worry about my subjects. And you look like you are holding back something from the rest of us," Aremist declared knowledgeably

Vincent quirked an eyebrow, "You know Aremist, you're pretty observant. Yes, I am holding something back. But it doesn't concern you."

"General, you need to let us help you-"

"Milord, I must depart. Plans to make."

Aremist was left alone.

I would have thought he'd ask me about how I killed Davik. How peculiar.

"Morgan, you're in charge of strategy for this upcoming battle," Vincent said.

"Why?" Morgan said bewildered. "I mean, you're a lot better than me! Why aren't you?"

"We need to keep your tactics ready. We may need them in the future."

Inigo shook his head, "That doesn't answer the question."

Vincent shrugged, "Come up with your own reason then. Because you just heard mine. If you'll excuse me, I must be off."

Morgan looked at her father as he left, "I'm worried about him."

Inigo nodded, "Something must be going on. I suspect we'll find out soon."

"Hello Anna," Vincent said as he entered their tent.

Anna looked up and smiled. Sure he'd been a bit off lately, but he was the Tactician of Insanity. Probably just worried about Jenson.

"Hello Vin," she said cheerfully.

"Vin, heh. I like that," he smirked.

"I know, that's why I call you it," she raised an eyebrow.

Vincent chuckled. He swooped down and kissed her as she was counting coins.

Coin counting can always be interrupted when the alternative is kissing.

"Tomorrow is the big day. When I smite that bastard," Vincent said in a strange tone.

"I know you can do it!" Anna cheered him on. He laughed. "Remember to say good night to Anna!'

"Huh? I just…Oh! That Anna!" he laughed at his stupidity.

Anna chuckled to herself and went back to counting coins.

The next day…

Lowell looked out at the Ylisseans on the other side of the river. He could see Jenson on a horse at the front of the force.

He cast a glance at Vincent who sat on his horse with a stony expression. It worried him.

"Alright everyone. Whatever happens from here you do not interfere, understood?" Vincent looked around at every member of his posse. When they all nodded, he walked forward.

He waved his hand, "JENSON!" His voice was magnified.

Jenson got off his horse, "You know why I'm here Vincent. To wipe your existence off of this world!"

Vincent took off his feathered hat and tossed it Remy, "Keep that safe for me."

He walked forward but he was cut off by Anna, "Be careful!"

He stopped for a moment. Lowell was the only one to see the conflicting emotions on his face. "I'm always careful. I'm invincible," his perked up into a smile.

"Vincent! I challenge you to a duel!" Jenson yelled, also striding forward. There was a small island in the middle of the river. It would be perfect for no interruptions.

"I accept!" Vincent had a knife instantly in hand.

"I'll take your life with pleasure," Jenson said, brushing his pony tail out of his face. His reddish orange hair blew wildly in the wind.

Vincent walked faster to their battle ground, "If you want my life, COME. AND. GET IT!"

"Indeed I shall," Jenson said setting foot on the small island and drawing a long curved knife.

Vincent drew his stiletto.

Lowell instinctively put his hand on his knife as he watched the two men circle each other.

Vincent jumped at Jenson wildly. The Spymaster's knife met The General's in a flash of sparks. Lowell wished he could hear what they were saying, but they seemed to deactivate their spells that projected their voices.

Jenson tripped Vincent and performed a jump strike. Vincent rolled out of the way and got up in a way only a Spymaster could. He threw his knife at Jenson, who got out of the way. Vincent pulled out another knife.

Jenson drew another as well, now holding two knives in hand. He sliced at Vincent. Vincent blocked one of the knives, but the other gave him a cut on the shoulder.

Vincent stabbed at Jenson, but it was like slicing at smoke. The Ylissean was good, incompetent Spymasters didn't last long. Jenson slid back and leapt at Vincent again. The General dodged, but barely.

The Spymaster of Ylisse hurled one of his long curved knives at Vincent. It caught his trench coat, but not his skin.

Vincent seemingly paused to swear at Jenson, who just laughed.

Jenson rushed Vincent again. And Vincent did the same. Showers of sparks were created as their knives met with force.

Vincent and Jenson jumped back. They both sheathed their knives and pulled out several throwing knives. The two combatants started throwing them at each other. Jenson's missed Vincent, but One of The General's caught Jenson in the shoulder.

With his left shoulder incapacitated, Jenson drew another knife with his right hand. This one's blade was green. Poison.

Vincent drew a knife that was coated in purple liquid. This seemed to be the final move.

Jenson ran at Vincent, his knife poised at a very blockable angle. Vincent threw his knife.

Vincent's knife flew over Jenson's shoulder. Jenson got to Vincent and stabbed him in the chest. Vincent screamed as Jenson pulled the knife out.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Anna yelled and spurred her horse forward. Remy, Jessie and Morgan quickly followed.

Vincent can't be dead!

Lowell screamed, "ATTACK!"

The army roared in approval, seeking to kill the Ylisseans who were responsible for the General's injury.

Jenson signaled his army to attack and walked away from Vincent. He paused for a moment as if to say something, then continued on.

Lowell raced to Vincent too. By the time he got there, Anna was already in the process of healing her husband.

"Vincent, are you alright!?" he shouted over the forces that were clashing behind them. Balthazar and Aremist had their best units create a circle around them.

"I've closed the wound, but I can't stop the poison!" Anna screamed hysterically.

"Don't…be afraid," Vincent murmured.

"Don't talk sweetie, save your strength," Anna implored.

"I have things…that must be said," he muttered urgently. "There is a letter…in the chest under…my bed. Read it."

"Does anyone have a restore staff!?" Jessie shouted over the noise of battle.

"My time…is running out. Don't mourn me," Vincent's eyes began to close.

"NonononononononoNO! Don't close your eyes father!" Remy yelled.

"Stay with us father!" Morgan cried.

"We lost you once Vincent, we don't want to do it again!" Lowell yelled.

Vincent went limp, a smirk still on his face.

Anna couldn't even describe her pain. Her husband, the man she loved lay dead in her arms. And one thing burned in her mind.

Jenson.

She unsheathed her curved sword. No longer did she sit without acting. Now she fought.

With a battle cry, Anna spun her elegant curved sword in her hand. Merchants did get their pick of weaponry from a wide range.

She charged forward through the protective circle guarding her husband's body. Ignoring whatever her children and friends were saying, she began to fight.

A soldier came at her, sword raised. He slashed it in a downwards strike at her. She blocked the blow. The man wasn't expecting this, and he stumbled back. Anna delivered his end with three slices to the stomach.

She looked about for Jenson. She cut her way through three more soldiers in her search. "Anna! Watch out!" a voice from behind called out.

She spun on the spot with agility. Her sword cleaved the enemy's arm off behind her. He screamed, and she cut off his head.

She nodded to Balthazar and ran forward on her search. The Merchant's search took her into the river. The water ran red, whatever beauty it held no longer existed.

She ducked out of the way of a mage's fireball. Anna began to run at him, sword poised to kill. He began casting again. After the mage's next failed attempt, he got nervous.

Then Anna killed him. He wasn't so nervous anymore.

The Merchant then caught sight of her target. Jenson was cutting a Valmese man's heart out. With a feral growl, she ran towards him.

The Spymaster caught sight of her. He flipped a knife in his hand and got ready. She screamed in rage and jumped at him. He blocked her strike with his knife. They exchanged blows until Jenson was disarmed.

"You'll pay for this," Anna growled in an unannaish way.

Jenson looked at her with pity. His face became a canvas of conflicting emotions, "I am truly sorry Anna. But-"

"I don't want to hear your pitiful words, bastard! I'm going to kill you!" she screamed.

Jenson looked down briefly, "My apologies, but that won't be possible. Captain!" A large man charged at Anna with that signal. She swore and swung her blade in an uppercut. The giant of a man blocked it with his spear. He then stabbed at her and missed.

She aimed a kick at his shin. He stumbled back, but recovered quickly. He slashed at her with his spear. Not the wisest move, but it cut her along her chest.

The Merchant attacked him like a woman possessed. He barely managed to stay alive long before her curved sword was sheathed into his heart.

She twisted the blade, finishing him off and withdrew it. Anna saw Jenson fleeing away. She ran after him.

The Merchant, without realizing it, was now deep within enemy lines. Hardly any Valmese were among the Ylisseans now.

"Anna! Come back! You'll get yourself killed!" Balthazar screamed. He must have been following her.

"No! I must get Jenson!" she yelled furiously. Another soldier fell before her anger.

"Vincent wouldn't want you killed!" he yelled urgently.

"My husband is dead, and I will kill his murderer!" she screamed.

"Anna…I'm sorry," The Spymaster said.

Anna turned around and was hit in the face by a fist.

After the battle…

Jessie sat with her family, Lowell, Balthazar and Aremist inside the command tent of the Valmese. It was half a family meeting, and to decide the fate of the army.

Jessie had her father's small chest on the circular table they all sat around. After picking the lock, she had a letter written in her father's writing.

"Here Remy, you read it," Jessie said in a monotone.

Remy nodded and took the envelope. He ripped it open and began to read.

"If you're reading this, then I, Vincent, am dead. Oh, shut up. Quit your crying. If I was killed by some pathetic run of the mill soldier, I hope to the gods you hunted that bastard down and killed him.

"More likely though, Jenson has killed me. Don't you worry, this was part of the plan. You all are safer now that I am dead. He won't be sending men after us now that I am gone. I may be dead, but you better keep on fighting.

"Now, this army is left without a General. I have chosen Remiel to succeed me. Morgan is now in charge of tactics and Jessica is in charge of the spies. You three are the heads of the army now, I wish you luck.

"I trust the Prince will have no objections to this. And if he does, he'll have to deal with it.

"Lowell, you better keep my family safe. Call it fulfilling your debt to me once and for all.

"Anna…I am truly sorry. I know you're probably angry with me. Hell, I know you are. Since chances are I didn't get a chance to say this when I was dying, I'll say it now. I love you. I'll love you forever, even through death and hell. You deserved better than me

"Oh, and burn my body. Call it my last request."

Remy set down the letter. Jessie looked at her mother, who was crying silently. Morgan was trying to comfort her, but not doing a very good job due to the fact that she was crying as well.

Aremist broke the silence, "Well…Remiel, do you accept the position as General of the Valmese Army?"

Remy nodded, "Yes, I do."

The Prince nodded, "Please kneel so we can do this properly."

Remy stood up and walked over to the Prince and knelt. Aremist unsheathed his rapier, "Remiel, by the powers vested in me as the Crown Prince of Valm, you are now Sir Remiel, General of Valm."

Remy stood up. He turned to his family, "Morgan, will you be the tactician?"

Morgan nodded, whipping away her tears. Remy turned to Jessie, "And will you be in charge of intelligence?"

Jessie nodded as well. Remy turned back so he was facing everyone, "Alright, we have-" Remy stopped talking as he noticed something else in the envelope. Curious, he pulled out another sheet of paper and an envelope inside the envelope.

"Remy, I know this is far off, but you don't have the soldiers to fully oppose the main Ylissean army. Since I am not here, I'm leaving this letter in your hands. Take it to Princess Lissa. She lives in northern Ferox. Convince her to stand up against her brother. And give her this letter. DO NOT OPEN IT. It is for her eyes only."

Remy turned the letter over in his hand to see it addressed to Princess Lissa. He tucked it away in his pocket. He'd think about opening it later.

"Alright, we need to burn father's body, just like he wanted us to," Remy said, trying not to shed any tears.

Everyone who was in their right mind at the moment nodded.

Anna laid her husband's body on the pile of sticks they had constructed. It was a funeral pyre, one specifically meant for a hero.

Anna examined him for the last time before she lit the sticks on fire. The Merchant had his hat in her tent, so nothing obscured his face. She examined the strange rock he had around his neck.

Strange…this looks familiar.

But she didn't dwell on that fact. Anna brushed his black hair out of his face. He looked several years younger. A few tears fell onto his black trench coat. She set down the tightly grasped torch onto the pyre.

The Merchant stepped back and watched her husband catch fire. "I'll love you always…" she whispered so softly only she could hear.

Far away…

"Thank you for all your help Henry," the man clothed in black said.

"Nyah ha ha, how's that sword work coming along?" the druid asked.

"Good. I have the best teacher for swordwork," the man said.

"So I suppose we're to go off and play our respective parts?" Henry said.

The man nodded, "Yes. I must be off. I need to take advantage of my opportunity."

Henry held out a pouch, "Here, you'll need this."

The man chuckled, "Warp powder. So thoughtful of you."

"Nyah ha! Just go out there and make things bloody!" Henry cackled.

"Indeed I will. I'll see you around Henry," he grabbed a fistful of the powder.

"Have fun Yurick!" Henry waved goodbye.

Yurick threw the powder towards the ground and vanished into blue smoke.

Author Note: Yep. I did that. Vincent is dead. Plot twist.

I'm going to eat a muffin now. Muffins make me happy. And I am sad.

"Yes, I have broken my vows, Valter. And yes, it may be I who falls when we tilt lances… but a dog like you will never see me crawl."

-Cormag, FE8