"My Lord! General Mustafa and Tactician Voul have reported to the Tactica tent for debriefing."
"Thank you, you may take your leave."
"At once." And with that, the messenger left the command tent to Robyn and Chrom. Gathering his quills and parchments, Robyn stowed them unceremoniously into his labrynthine like clothing. Chrom had always wondered how Robyn's items, always stowed in such a rough manner, emerged from his cloak as if they had been stored with care. Both men stood, and left, Robyn leading the way.
"Tactician Voul huh?" he tossed back to Chrom, as they made their way through the camp, "It's funny what soldiers come up with when they're bored. He was assigned to Mustafa purely as an advisor, he's hardly qualified to become a Tactician yet."
"While his skills may be questionable, his defence of that town was rather remarkable, and who knows, this title may spur him to achieve the status that has been placed upon him." Robyn nodded to Chrom's words.
"You know, you may just be right, he does have promise, after all."
They lapsed into relative silence as camp life roared around them, each individual noise joining others to create the cacophony that would intimidate all those who were foreign to its sounds. Brushing through the Tactica's tent flaps, Robyn held them open for the Great Lord. Nodding his thanks, he turned his attentions to the two men awaiting debriefing. With just a nod from the blue haired leader, the imposing general bowed and begun to speak.
"The Town we were called to assist had fallen by the time we arrived. Townsfolk and villagers alike were found scattered throughout the surrounding areas, huddling in survival groups. The Risen, after occupying said town, seemed to fortify their position, as if they expected us. I myself have never seen Risen act like this, and as such, I was caught a little off guard. The situation was entirely unsuited to Lon Qu's forces, resulting in him recalling his forces into reserves. His absence right now is due to the fact his forces were not active when the assault did take place. Voul here, came up with a brilliant strategy; however, to counteract our dilemma." Gesturing to the young man, Mustafa stood back and allowed the nervous young man to continue the briefing.
"Greetings my Highness, and to you as well Master Robyn," These words were met with a chuckle from Robyn as he spoke up.
"No need for those formalities Voul, My Lord and Robyn respectively are all that is required here."
Nodding his understanding, Voul continued. "As General Mustafa mentioned, the town was occupied, and defended rather well by these Risen. The recapture of the town, as it was when we arrived would have been successful, but casualties on our side would have been large and inevitable. After surveying the town, I saw that the towns water supply was stored much like my village had, and I suggested that with their current fortifications, we could flood them in, allowing us to cover ground whilst they milled in confusion. Water is stored in a large tower, normally a stone basin supported by large wooden pillars. We had our fire mages try their best to burn one of these pillars, which succeeded. The Tower became unbalanced and the basin flooded their entrenched positions. We easily covered the ground whilst they were bogged down, and the recapture was a breeze. We were also able to help the townsfolk that accompanied us after the battle to erect their tower again and assisted with the cleanup. We do regret that their main source of water was all but obliterated. 27 of our men fell in the conflict, they have been brought back for burial. Only four men joined us from the town, however, the town is still very much intact, and the repercussions, aside from the water, are minimal. End Report Sire." Stepping back gratefully, Voul's expression was both of relief and excitement, obviously pleased with his own performance. Chrom turned to Robyn, as the tactician addressed Voul.
"A water attack? What a clever way to outwit your foes, and I must say, a rather effective one at that. Well done to the both of you, stand your men down and let them retire, we will mourn the loss of good men at supper tonight. You may take your leave."
The two weary men left the tent, eager to seek a well-deserved rest, whilst also leaving the two men in another vacant tent, not even a quarter of an hour after they had vacated one beforehand. Robyn made a quip about it. Turning to Chrom with a stupid grin on his face, Chrom just knew that the next few words were going to be cringe worthy.
"I must say Chrom, Voul's A Tent shion to detail certainly emptied the tent in awe!" Sighing, the prince tried to side step Robyn in a desperate bid for escape, it was not to be. "Or how about this, Lord Chrom and Tactician Robyn, Masterful lord and strategist, tent clearers second to none…"
0o0
The ability to manipulate magic without the use of tomes, was, to him, one of the greatest things his father ever taught him. It allowed oneself to go further beyond the limits that the pre-defined tomes confined their users too. Guiding the air around him, feeling it propel him through the air, this was what true power felt like. Below him, his small host of risen plodded onwards, as of now, they had no destination, only the goal to remain unforeseen. Fortunately, his own hands, dappled in the arts of undeath, were able to cause risen incursions that kept those who might hinder him busy for the time being.
Laughing at how powerful he had become, at how truly insignificant his father's, and indeed his sister's power had become, he glided himself closer to the ground. No use in revelling in his power, if a simple farm hand were to see him gliding around, illuminated by the glaring white moon behind him. Facing west, the dark shadow lead his unholy procession, seeking to make their presence known over the site of this world's greatest feat.
0o0
"What is it NOW!" Gangrel hissed in frustration, turning in his saddle to glare down the rider of the horse behind him.
"Well, you see, as I've told you many times, these bones are old…"
"All times too many," Gangrel grumbled.
"Yes, yes. As I was saying, these bones are rather weary at my age, and this blistering pace isn't going to keep me looking as good as I do for much longer." The man who spoke, contrary to his words, sat well within the saddle, looking around him with keen interest. What also rang false was the weathered visage his body displayed, time most definitely showed its presence.
"Why yes of course, let us just canter over to the side of this road and ogle the women who come by for the next hour or so and completely forget about the main reason we are in such a hurry, yes?" The sarcasm, dripping from his words went completely unnoticed judging by the old man's next response.
"Ohh yes! That sounds like a most splendid idea!"
Sighing, and realising the gods had a most cruel way to serve their punishment, he let the second riders horse level with him before he gave its rump a good wallop, sending the beast careening ahead, splitting the crowd with quite a fright.
The journey from the Outrealm Gate had been a grim one. With the conveyor stone's hectic images securely in his robes, Gangrel had made his way back to his horse, his mind already tumultuous over the decision to notify the Shephards or not. With his mind completely preoccupied, it had taken him a few seconds longer than he would have liked to notice an old man trying to climb onto the back of his horse and ride off. A quick shout from himself had dealt with the situation, rendering the man a blubbering mess, spouting nonsensical words, which later tuned out to be this man's apology and story.
The withered man, named Hubba, claimed to be a traveller from the outer realms, also claiming he had personally met most of the Shephard's from this world during his travels. Gangrel had been suspicious at first, after all, anyone could claim that after seeing such horrific carnage and seek refuge with someone gullible enough to believe that, but it soon became apparent that he was indeed truthful. Hubba had told him that he knew of this worlds threat, but would only tell either Chrom or Robyn, no others. Begrudgingly accepting his words, Gangrel let him be and instead listened to the old man's tale's night after night. The wild stories that the man told of other realms were both ridiculous and entertaining, and Gangrel found the company pleasant, that is until his company decided to grump, perve, complain or just in general get on his nerves. Like telling the future, he hated it when Hubba pretended to, it was such a waste of time. Or his tendency to prey on anyone of the opposite gender. Which brought Gangrel back to the present.
They had since left the small crowded town road and were travelling along the trade route between Ylisse and Plegia. They had been travelling for some weeks now, the time taken to traverse the distance a multitude slower with the presence of Hubba. The town they had just past had been one of the few border towns established along the territorial "line," and had told them that a town south west had only just been liberated from the risen by the Shepherds.
"You don't suppose now that we are closer to the Shepherds, that you might be able to tell me just what we are facing?"
"I do suppose you will find out all in due time, for now though, let us talk about the time where I showed Aversa my…"
Gangrel cut in quickly, "I'd rather we didn't talk about Aversa, whether it be the story you've already told me concerning your family heirlooms, or whether you showed her something else, let's just not discuss that."
After that, they rode in peace
0o0
It was so nice to see those she had cared for and watched grow, strive around her. She could see Vaike and Frederick training with the soldiers, Chrom doing a weapons inspection with one of his quartermasters, Lissa was bustling around in the medical tent with Maribelle. Just so many people she knew, and could remember. Sure, she realised that this was a time of unrest, that something wasn't quite right with the lay of the land, but it felt nice to see these people she had known, and remember them.
While it wasn't a new feeling, somewhat six weeks had passed since her memory had returned, but with nothing for her to do, or allowed to do she corrected herself glumly, Emmeryn found herself with only her thoughts as company most days. Not that she minded, gifted with the necessary items to practice the arts, she would alternate between thinking and sketching. At the moment she was practicing the former.
She regretted the way she had reacted when her memories had returned. Oh, so much would she give to retake the way she had regarded him, with fear, the way she had ran. Not two days after the incident, when he had packed and left, did she wish she could have taken it back. In the moment, she may have felt fear, that was understandable, but when she had approached him the day after, to talk to him, to figure out what was roiling through her mind, he had seemingly merged within the crowd, and he never did sleep within his tent that night. Sighing wistfully, she knew full well the reason of her sorrows. As a leader first and foremost, she had never had a real friend, all relationships had been court based, or purely professional or positional, even Phila had been more towards a friendship befitting ranking more than a personal level. But with Gangrel, well she hadn't had her memories to hold her back, it had been genuine, and with his absence, it left a void she could not fill.
There was more to it than just that, she knew, but she didn't want to delve that far into her own thoughts, lest she cause herself harm. Standing and dusting herself down, she wandered from her tent, centrally located within the camp, and made her way to the mess test. Though it was too late to be served lunch, and far too early to be given tea, she felt like helping with the cleaning efforts. Say'ri was on kitchen duty, and Emmeryn loved talking to the woman about her homeland.
If the sentry men on the northern pickets of the camp had been focusing their trained eyes within the depths of the forest, they may have seen the figure that sat silently within the foliage, observing, watching. Clutched within its hands was the large red seer's optic the risen snipers were known for, but being a mission of observation and stealth, it had removed the red and glaring piece, making it that much harder for anyone to spot it.
0o0
They had been riding since dawn, eager to make it to the supposed location of the Shepherds camp. And though he was wracked with nerves, the weight of the conveyor stone got heavier with each day. Gangrel knew not the evil that had torn its way into this world, but he knew that if anyone could stand against it, it would be Chrom and his army. With the sun dipping below the horizon, he made his way to the camp from the south east, having misjudged the distances given to him by the nearest town. Strangely, even Hubba had not complained of the hard pressed day trip, perhaps he too could feel the urgency within the air.
He could clearly see the massive fires of the camp ahead, with the western parts of the camp hugging a bend in a river, and the northern parts sitting on the outskirts of dense woodland. It was a tactically sound position for a camp, and also meant that his approach would be spotted easily with the open plains of the east and south. With their journey only minutes from finishing, they slowed their horses to a slower pace. He contemplated leaving their arrival till morning, giving himself more time to steel himself for his arrival. He discarded the thought in favour of the urgency of the situation however, he also wouldn't mind having warm food for the first time in weeks, instead of dried rations, which had become alarmingly depleted the last few days.
Hubba halted his horsed and turned in the saddle. "Are you ready to go in tonight? You never did tell me why you left the Shepherds, but a man is entitled to his secrets."
Gangrel winced, "All that matters is this stone, and giving it to Gangrel. My own misgivings are second place and unimportant, but I fear you will see them all the same in due time. What of yourself, are you ready to go into camp?"
Contrary to Gangrel's serious and grim mood, Hubba's face cracked into a crooked smile, "Why of course I'm ready for some hot food, a safe place to rest, and all those toned ladies!"
Shaking his head, Gangrel lead his horse forward. He would deliver the stone, and let the Shepherds do what they would with the old man. He did not want anything to do with the inevitable trouble the perve was sure to cause.
0o0
Somehow, Robyn had found himself stuck with the short straw. Apparently being Grandmaster Tactician did not net you the benefits of being removed from the active duty roster guard roll. After settling into his tent for the night, with his wife snoozing on his arm whilst he read a tome on advanced naval tactics, he was unceremoniously taken from his desk by a grinning Frederick and sent to the southern pickets. But like most things, Robyn took his duties seriously, and after grumbling to the bemused guards he would share this shift with, he began his patrols, scanning the horizon.
They hadn't heard any more reports of Risen attacks in the area for a few days now, so he was surprised when he spotted two horsemen coming from the south east. Notifying the guards around him, they headed to the south gate, ready to receive the travellers. The closer they got however, the more an uneasy pit begun to grow within his stomach. The darkness obscured most of their defining features, and it took Robyn aback when the torch light revealed the faces of possibly the two most unlikely people he expected to see.
"Hail Gangrel, Hubba! What a most unexpected circumstance we have here." The guards, who had also recognized Gangrel had lowered their weapons, curiosity written on their faces.
"Most unexpected indeed Robyn, I must say, I never saw myself returning either, though I bare tragic and concerning news. If you would, may we talk privately with Chrom and Yourself? Oh and it would be wise to bring Anna along as well." His tone, much like his demeanour, alerted Robyn to the gravity of the situation.
"At once Gangrel, and am I right in assuming Hubba will be joining us?
"That I will be young tactician, I wouldn't mind some food either?"
Turning to the guards on duty, Robyn asked them to return to their duties, "I must escort and talk with these two here, and will not be returning to finish my shift. I ask of you to return to your duties, and apologize that you will be one man short, though you should manage fine."
With that, Robyn lead the two men deeper into the camp, receiving curious glances from those they passed, thinking that the trickster had left, never to be seen from again. Once the Tactica tent had Chrom and Anna present, Gangrel stepped forward, his hand withdrawing the stone, only for Hubba to cut him off.
"My apologies Gangrel, but I thought I would say my piece first. It came to my attention that the Shepherds of this world were sent to another realm, with the sole purpose of liberating that would from the clutches of Grima, am I correct?"
Chrom nodded, "Yes, you would be, though how would you know, this business was strictly between us and Naga?"
With the mention of the goddess, Old Hubba's eyes widened, before he shook his head. "It remains unimportant for now as to how I came to know, however, let it be known that all of your issues with that world were not ended when you slew Grima, slew Robyn." Everyone in the room became queasy, "Grima had two children, Morgan and Morgen, twins of separate gender. Your daughter here in this realm, Morgan, bares a striking resemblance to her otherworldy twin counterpart Morgen. I know this, because with my own two eyes, I saw the devastation that young man brought to his realm.
The silence in the room was palpable, Chrom, Anna and Robyn had not expected this, nor could they understand why this had been brought up.
"This is certainly alarming news Hubba, but how does it tie in with this world?" Chrom asked.
"After the death of his Father at your hands, Morgen vowed revenge. Grima's death however, released the hold it had held over Morgan, and she came seeking help from the Otherworld I resided on. I went with her to see the trouble for myself, though we arrived just in time to watch Morgen crush his own Outrealm under the might of his new risen army. In the panic, Morgan was lost, and I barely escaped to this world through a lesser known portal."
Gangrel, linking Hubba's story to the stone he now held continued, "Three weeks ago, I made it to the Outrealm gates, only to find them shattered, and the remains of the Anna guarding the gate strewn beside them. During the journey, I had noticed ransacked villages and small towns, showing destruction and sorrow, though I knew not their cause. "Turning to a teary eyed Anna, he held out the conveyor stone, which she took, "Upon this device were her last words, and her battle against Morgen." Swallowing, Gangrel finished, "Morgen's here, he's here to take his revenge."
0o0
Morgen sat within the warped boughs of the tree he had decided to claim as his "camp." He had manipulated his magic's to bend the branches into a comfortable hollow, whilst his small host of risen sat below. He had early received the report his scout had given, notifying him to the arrival of two figures. He doubted they were anyone important, but all the same, he had to make precautions to not be seen until the time was right. He smiled, that time was dawning, ever closer.
I have not given up. You will see the end to this. And it won't be such a long wait as I have made you endure, I apologise. FT.