Hey guys! So first thing is first… THERE'S A HUGE FRICKIN PLOT HOLE! I have Orton with Henry in the Ylissean camp and then he just MAGICALLY shows up with Robin and his group? What the hell was I doing? Why has no one brought this to my attention? O.o Anyways I think I fixed it. I updated the last chapter, with minimal changes. But to shortly say junk, Orton is with Henry, Campari (The general you fight on the mission where Emmeryn sacrifices herself) is with Robin. Just go with it. ONWARD TO THE STORY!
Chapter 10: A Contract
As Robin continued down the stone stairway, he couldn't calm his fast beating heart. He was entering the true temple of Grima, the Fell Dragon. Countless tales of cruelty and evil pervaded the lore of their country's dragon god. Yet Grima was easy to understand. He respected power. Any who wished for his favor must earn it. This of course led to many feuds and brutal fights but Robin couldn't deny that after a winner was decided the new ruler quelled any resistance or dissent among his people with the newfound power.
When he exited the stairwell the prince was met with a long hallway. As he set foot in the room torches flared to life, giving him a clear view of everything. The ceilings were high and the corridor itself was wide with columns lining the sides. Whatever black stone that the walls and roof were made of was amazingly smooth and glossy. Other than a few tapestries depicting various Grimleal symbols and events, the stone hallway was barren.
In addition to the already eerie feel, a mist was sunken low to the floor so that it covered Robin's ankles. Farther down the corridor was steps up to a massive gold altar. As the Plegian prince approached it, a voice boomed in his head.
SO… ANOTHER ENTERS SEEKING MY FAVOR. WHY DO YOU SEEK MY POWER, YOUNG ONE?
The sudden voice jarred Robin and nearly made him lose his balance, but he managed to keep himself upright. Only pausing for a moment, he answered, "My name is Prince Robin of Plegia! I come seeking the power you bestowed upon my father, so that I may dethrone him and restore my country to peace and prosperity."
My voice barely quivered… that's good.
SO YOU WISH TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR PLEGIA, MORTAL? HOW WOULD YOU BEING KING BE ANY BETTER THAN YOUR FATHER? HE BELIEVES HE IS DOING WILL LEAD THE NATION TO PROSPERITY AS WELL BY EXPANDING TERRITORY AND ELIMANATING POTENTIAL THREATS. WHAT'S MORE, HE HAS PROMISED TO ELIMINATE THE NAGA-SPAWN.
Well… shit.
Robin struggled to find his words. Was he supposed to have a damn debate with a godlike being?
"Because he will lead our country to ruin!" He practically yelled. "We can't possibly win this without decimating our own troops! Even if we win at what cost of lives will it be!?"
AND WHY SHOULD THE LOSS OF LIVES BE OF ANY CONSEQUENCE TO ME IF IT BENEFITS PLEGIA IN THE END? MORTALS CAN BE REPLACED.
"Because there are other threats than just Ylisse or Ferox!" Robin retorted. "If we spend all our resources and manpower who is to say that some upstart from the continent of Valm won't decide to pick us clean while we are still licking our wounds? Or how would we even maintain control in the years following if we manage to conquer the continent? Does Plegia really have so much manpower that we can afford to maintain order?"
The great voice in his head sighed.
YOU SPEAK MORE TRUTH THAN YOU KNOW…
The mist swirled around Robin and started to move towards the front of the altar. It gathered until all of the mist was condensed into a human-like form. Soon the mist turned to a black solid, and slowly features emerged.
Soon a tall man stood at the altar, with dark skin, black hair, and flowing purple robes. He reminded Robin of Validar, only slightly beefier and without the goatee. By far the new figure's most startling feature were his six eyes that covered his forehead.
The figure sighed. "There we are. Now perhaps we can have a conversation without you quaking in your boots, Prince Robin. "
Robin fell to his knees.
This is impossible… If he can manifest a body, then how come he's still here?! What happened to the end of the world if he's resurrected?
"This is not a true body," Grima's representation said. "It's merely an illusion from the water in the mist that reflects light to form an appearance. If you were to touch me you'd find I'm not solid. Besides, I gave up my desire of world conquest long ago. What's the point on doing it if you're practically invincible? It's no fun. So instead I've taken to letting Plegia do it for me. Watching it play out is quite entertaining. Anyways you came here seeking my mark. I'm afraid I can't give it to you."
Robin rose shakily, still unsure how to act around the dragon god.
"You can't, or you won't?" The prince asked.
"Surprisingly can't." Grima replied. "You see, I can only bestow my mark upon one mortal at a time. You're either going to have to kill him or wait for him to die of natural causes."
"Well can't you take it away?" Robin implored.
The fell dragon shook his head. "Though I could, I won't. My mark is not flippant or a birthright like that of Naga's. It must be earned through conquest or power. In order to receive the mark, I must find them worthy. Your father came to me seeking it, but he was weak at the time. However, seeing as how there were no other candidates, I was inclined to give it to him. So we made a contract: I would give him the partial mark, and if he managed to conquer Ylisse as he claimed he would do, Validar would receive the full benefits of my power."
"Wait, you mean he doesn't even have the full power of the mark behind him!?" Robin exclaimed. "But he's so powerful! He could wipe out an entire platoon with a wave of his hand!"
Grima nodded his head. "You are correct, but that's all my mark has bestowed upon him for the moment. Only his dark magic has been augmented. His common magic is still the same, and his flesh is just as easy to pierce as any other man."
The shade of Grima looked down as if remembering something. "He promised to lead Plegia into prosperity, but after twenty years of no progress I grow impatient. He's squandered the gift I have given him."
He looked down to the young prince of Plegia. "I've been watching you. You've shown yourself to be quite adept at magic and a brilliant strategist. You could prepare Plegia for the coming storm… Loathe as I am to admit it your friendship with that Naga spawn may prove useful in the coming years. So I'll make you a contract like I did with your father."
"And what would this contract entail?" Robin asked. "I'm not going to betray the Shepherds or Chrom."
The shade sighed. "Yes, yes, I'm aware. It matters not. There are more important things in the near future. The extermination of the Naga spawn can wait a few more centuries if need be. No, you just have to do one thing. Kill King Validar and his mark will transfer to you."
Grima laughed as if he just told a child to climb a mountain as a cruel joke.
"If I were you I'd enlist the help of that boy, Donnell. With the proper training he could best even the so called Hero King Marth in combat! He'd make a fine dread vanguard captain."
The shade of Grima dissipated into mist again, laughter echoing off the walls leaving Robin alone again.
Well this accomplished absolutely nothing.
"Nya ha ha! You've got plenty of magic to fuel the thunder spell but your aim is terrible!" Henry cackled at Lissa.
After staying away from the fighting and only tending to the wounded in the recent battles, Lissa longed to fight alongside the shepherds. So she asked for Henry's help.
"The only reason you've hit any of these targets is through sheer luck!"
The Ylissean princess huffed. "I KNOW, Henry! I'm trying my best here!"
"Might I make an observation?" Muriel spoke up.
She and Ricken had come by to "supervise" considering Henry's knack for causing strange things to happen. Luckily he managed to fix Stahl's…. ahem… condition.
"The princess has a very high affinity for magic, and may be overcharging the spell. When it releases it causes it to be quite hard to control. Perhaps she should practice with a wind tome for the time being? Its wider dispersion might allow her to hit the targets more accurately."
Henry laughed and nodded, racing off to find a wind tome.
Ricken approached the center of the practice area. "He's certainly… enthusiastic, isn't he?" the short mage noted.
"I know!" Lissa beamed. "Isn't he fun!"
Muriel straightened her glasses. "That's not quite the adjective I would use to describe him."
Emmeryn Pov
He sure is quiet, isn't he? Exalt Emmeryn Thought.
It had been three days since Prince Robin and his group left for the Temple, and in that time the assassin Thomas stuck to her like Maribelle to Lissa.
Currently she was having her usual mid-morning tea that General Mustafa so graciously provided. Thomas leaned against the tent pole, occasionally casting a glance her way, more often than not inspecting the rest of the tent.
The other two men, Laslow and Odin, were taking shifts guarding the outside of the tent.
Emmeryn cleared her throat. "So, Sir Thomas, where do you hail from?"
"… Valm." He eventually answered.
"I see." Emmeryn said. The Exalt was patient, knowing many people that were quiet and shut off like Sir Thomas.
"What part of Valm?"
"Northwest." Thomas replied evenly.
Emmeryn Continued. "Have you always been a soldier?"
"Yes."
"Why are you in Plegia?"
"Reasons."
"How long have you served General Mustafa?"
"A year."
"What do you intend to do when the war is over?"
"I don't know."
"Oh come now," Emmeryn laughed, "Surely you must have something in mind."
Thomas thought for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to answer.
"Probably travel around Regna Ferox." He finally said. "I hate this godawful heat."
Emmeryn nodded. "I'm not very fond of it either."
She decided to prod a bit further. "So why exactly is a Valmese fighting in a war in Ylisse?"
"I told you, reasons." The assassin said coldly.
The exalt sighed. "Yes, but if you're going to be around me so often I might as well get to know you."
There was a long pause. Emmeryn wasn't sure if she had pushed him too far or not.
"… I don't like rulers who would conquer other lands just for the sake of conquering." Thomas finally said.
"Fair enough." Emmeryn nodded and went back to quietly sipping her tea. She had made enough progress on him for today.
Chrom Pov
"Har har! Ol' Teach's gotcha now!" Vaike yelled as he swung his wooden-axe down on Chrom's practice sword.
The two had been sparring for over an hour now, but Vaike seemed to be getting the upper hand as his powerful blows wore down the lord. What's more, is in the searing Plegian heat Chrom's clothes were beginning to stick uncomfortably to his skin and his damp cape got in the way.
Vaike, on the other hand, didn't seem to perturbed by the climate as his usual attire of no attire didn't hamper him at all. At least they both had equal footing in the sand which limited both of their movements.
Alright, he's cocky. If I can just get him to take one good overhead swing at me I can duck under it and get him in the gut…
The two broke off and circled each other, Chrom with a fierce look of determination and with Vaike's signature grin.
"That felt a bit weak. You sure you're not tiring? Maybe I should call you, 'The Student?'" Chrom taunted.
"Why you little-! I'll show you what Teach can do!" Vaike roared as he charged.
Perfect… just a little closer and…
"Captain Chrom!" a voice called.
Chrom hesitated and the wooden weapon hit his temple with a dull "thwack."
The Ylissean prince crumpled to the ground, and tried to get up, only to fall down again.
"HAHA!" Vaike triumphantly yelled as he held his fake-axe up in the air. "Ol' Teach taught you what for!"
Chrom groaned, sprawled out on the ground holding his aching head. He felt warm liquid on his hands.
Great… I've probably got a concussion.
Vaike, dense as he was, seemed to notice this. "Oh crap… I'd better go find a healer. Preferably not Lissa or else she'll have her hides! Watch over him until then, Cordelia!" Vaike yelled to the woman who had called for the prince in the first place.
Chrom's eyes shot open.
Oh gods no… no no no! Not now!
"Here, Prince Chrom, let's get you off the ground." The Pegasus knight said as she bent down to pick him up.
"Uh… right." He managed to mumble out.
With a heave Cordelia managed to get the prince to his feet, and the two shuffled over to a set of chairs towards the edge of the sparring area.
As they sat down, one of the soldiers handed Chrom a damp rag to wipe off the blood. The two sat in silence, never meeting each other's eyes.
"So-" Both started simultaneously.
"You first." Cordelia insisted.
"Ahem…. Um. I'm sorry." He said. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going that night. My mind wandered and I didn't realize there was anyone else inside."
"Yes, well, perhaps I shouldn't have avoided you these past few days." Cordelia said. "It was an honest mistake."
Chrom nodded, still holding the rag to his temple.
Gods, what should I say?
"Chrom! Why do you and Vaike have to be so rough!" A loudmouthed princess scolded as she came running towards the two. Henry and Vaike followed close behind.
Healing staff in hand, Lissa went to work quickly.
"Oooo, blood!" Henry shouted excitedly after seeing the injury.
Cordelia stood up, and bowed to the two royals. "Well I'd better continue my rounds." She said as she walked away from the grounds.
"Wait! Was there something you needed me for seeing as you sought me out?" Chrom asked as he stood up, irritating a concentrating Lissa.
"It… ah… it can wait till later, milord." She replied.
Lissa pushed her brother back into the chair. "You heard her! Now hold still for a minute! Honestly, you're so careless."
Chrom grunted but complied, watching Cordelia leave.
Why does she make me so anxious?
Robin Pov
"I'm baaaack!" Robin yelled as he walked into General Mustafa's tent.
The general noticed that the boy had a different look about him, but didn't seem any worse for wear.
"Hmph. Find anything?" The older man asked.
"Eeehhh… Yes and no." The Plegian Prince answered hesitantly. "I spoke with Grima but he can't give us any aid."
Mustafa sighed, but motioned for the boy to continue.
"However, my father apparently doesn't have the full power of the mark so if I can kill him then it will transfer to me. Easier said than done, I know."
Mustafa stroked his beard. "I suppose then that our plans don't change. We'll join forces with the Ylissean league when they reach us and mount an assault on the capital."
Robin nodded. "When should they reach us?"
"Within the week, if the scouting reports are accurate." The man said.
The two sat in silence as the general sipped his tea. Robin always found it humorous to see the bear of a man drink tea from a tiny porcelain cup that looked like a child's compared to his hands.
"So… how's your son?" Robin inquired. Last time he spoke with the general he was in a rush and the two didn't have time to catch up.
"He's here, at the camp." Mustafa said. "After the war officially began I sent him a letter asking him to come inland. We won't have any use for the navy during this war anyway, so no one will notice if a ship captain is gone."
Robin snickered. "I never understood why we have such a large navy anyway…"
The general shrugged. "Who knows? Validar ordered the construction of numerous ships several years ago. Perhaps he was planning on attacking Ferox from the sea?"
"No that can't be it." The prince waved his hand dismissively. "Otherwise he wouldn't have left all the ships idle during this war. It would have been an utter waste of resources."
The two sat for a while, Robin in deep contemplation and Mustafa contently sipping his tea.
"WELP!" The prince shot up out of his seat, "No sense in mulling over it now. There's more important things that need to be done." He bowed to the general and exited the tent.
I'd better check on the Exalt. I hope Laslow and Odin didn't drive her TOO nuts.
As he walked through the encampment, he couldn't help but analyze the soldiers he passed.
They all seem nervous… whether it's because they're about to fight our own people or because we're allying with Ylisse I'm not sure. Possibly both. Regardless their loyalty to General Mustafa no doubt keeps them here.
His eyes turned to a few training soldiers.
They're all well-built, hearty soldiers. Perhaps not the brightest but their tenacity and loyalty to Plegia will make them some of the best soldiers.
Finally, he made it to Emmeryn's tent. It was a humble tent by her standards, Robin was sure, but it was the best Mustafa could accommodate. It was big enough to house at least 15 soldiers after all.
Laslow and Odin stood at the tent entrance. Well, Robin wished he could say that. The two were wrestling in the dirt, rolling around and shouting profanities at one another.
"Give it back!" The dark mage yelled.
"Oh come on! It's just a bit of fun! I want to see how it ends!" The mercenary yelled as Odin's fingers hooked his nostrils.
Laslow seemed to be trying to keep an old leather book away from his friend.
"Ahem." Robin coughed loudly.
The two abruptly stood up and looked at Robin sheepishly, still trading a few harsh nudges at each other's sides.
"Either talk it out or settle it in the sparring ring. I'm sure the Exalt can't be bothered with the sounds of squabbling children." The prince stated matter-of-factly. "Is her highness available to speak?"
"Prince Robin? Is that you? Please, do come in." Emmeryn's voice called from inside.
As he entered the tent, Robin's words caught in his throat. The tent was… magnificent. Beautiful tapestries hung from the sides and an ornate antique table sat in the center, with a silver tea set. Her bed was huge with satin sheets and the fluffiest pillows he had ever seen. Why, even the floor was pristine, with not a single grain of sand marring it.
There's no way Mustafa arranged all this…
"I'm sorry for the mess." The exalt said hastily as she ran to a bookshelf on the other side of the tent, feather duster in hand. "If I had known I'd be having company I would have prepared better."
Robin just stood there in shock, not sure what to say. "Wait… did you do all this?"
"Hmmm? Oh you mean the extra decorations?" she asked absentmindedly. "Yes I added those finishing touches. Laslow and Odin were a big help. They rooted around in the trash pile and found these gems." She picked up the tea set, proud of how brightly it shone. "Can you believe people would throw out something so precious just because it was rusted?"
"Uhhhhh…" Robin muttered. In fact, he could remember several people who would throw out something like that in the royal court, not bothering to try and restore it.
"Oh, but pardon me." Emmeryn blushed and bowed. "Listen to me, going on about nonsense. I'm sure there's a reason you're here?"
Wait, why DID I come here?
"Um, I just wanted to check up on you. You know, make sure you're doing fine, getting fed, and making sure your accommodations are… satisfactory. That sort of thing." He managed to get out.
"Well how sweet of you, Prince Robin!" Emmeryn's face lit up in a genuine smile.
Gods she looks beautiful when she smiles… Wait, what?
"Everything is just fine. I'm sure this tent could have been put to more practical use for your soldiers but I am honored all the same." She continued. "Please, why don't you have a seat? I can make us some tea."
"That sounds wonderful." Robin said as a grin plastered his face. He needed some rest.
"Oh and take your shoes off please!" She called as she started preparing the tea.
Robin looked behind him and noticed he'd tracked in dirt, sand, and all kinds of mess.
…Whoops.
AAAAAAnnd that's that. A bit short chapter, but at least it's a chapter XD. Thanks to all of you guys who reviewed. Like, seriously. Your reviews give me reason to keep writing this story. Hope ya'll enjoyed it :3