Chapter 11: To The End
Tharja woke to the intense desert sun peeking through her makeshift tent, and Gaius snoozing beside her bed. Today was the day she would meet all of the Shepherds and form a form a strategy to help end the war. Chrom's plea echoed in her ears.
"Eh…why not?" Tharja sat up while Gaius yawned himself awake.
"…You say somethin'?" Gaius said in the midst of another yawn. Tharja sighed and gestured the swordsman out of the room, as she needed to get prepared. She wore her trademark dark clothing with a simple head crown to greet the others. Gaius waited patiently outside. The two walked silently towards the meeting area, anxious of what was to come.
"Good morning. I'm glad you have joined us. I hope you considered my offer." Chrom stood at attention for Tharja, a sign of respect. The mage nodded and took a seat at the round table. Frederick, Cordelia, Lon'qu, Virion, and Chrom formed the leadership of the group, along with Tharja and Gaius.
"Now that all of you are here…we need to form a plan of action. Robin could be in danger as we speak…and people are dying all over the land because of this war." Chrom stated grimly to the others, triggering grumbling.
"We have to end this war today! Our forces are so close to the Plegian army…to Gangrel! By gods we must end it now!" Frederick lost his cool and slammed his hand on the table. Cordelia sighed at the heated outburst.
"I agree…but…we do not have the forces to face him." Cordelia added to the conversation. Tharja contemplated silently among the chatter.
"What are you thinking Dark Knight?" Lon'qu noticed the woman thinking to herself as he fiddled with his daggers.
"A battle can be won with a force of one to a thousand. It's just a matter of how you use the specific parts of the whole. We can win…today. Gangrel is visiting a large military compound very near this location." The others, including Gaius, stopped talking and gazed at Tharja.
"I'm listening…but how?" Chrom desperately wanted to fight, to win today. He wanted the violence to end. Tharja began to speak to the group.
"I know Gangrel…he is an arrogant king, and WILL underestimate us. We will send a straight line to the forefront of the battlefield…and sneak a group around the back to flank him. Forming a straight line will make Gangrel believe there is more at the front than in reality. All we need to do is divide the troops, and prepare." Chrom sat back in his chair, anxious about the plan.
"So…a guerrilla tactic? The front line will be exposed…what is to assure us that you are not just leading us into a trap?" Tharja grinned at Chrom's concern.
"The front line will not engage the enemy directly…only draw them away from Gangrel…understand? We will need the stealthiest fighters to face Gangrel." A smile crossed Lon'qu's face.
"Then that leaves Gaius and me. You have witnessed the King's strength, what can we expect?" Lon'qu clasped his hands together. Tharja grew concerned.
"Well…I suppose the two of you are the best assassins…but Gangrel is not a normal opponent. I'm afraid…his speed surpasses Gaius's for sure…" Gaius and Lon'qu sighed at the thought, and then smirked at the same time.
"Well…that's cool and all…cuz Lon'qu completely outclasses me in agility." Tharja audibly gasped at Gaius's proclamation.
"What?! Why the hell didn't you say that to begin with?! I've been sitting here thinking you were the strongest fighter among the group…" Gaius chuckled once more at Tharja's ignorance.
"No way, I'd say Cordelia, Frederick, and Lon'qu COMPLETELY outclass me…and Chrom is almost equal to my skill level. We have nothing to worry about." Gaius gave the commanding officer two thumbs up, drawing smiles from everyone at the table. The two Plegians were strange, but very necessary.
"Alright…we shall prepare immediately! Frederick, Cordelia, and myself will lead the diversion group while Lon'qu, Gaius, and Chrom flank the king. Any thoughts before we march to the encampment?" Chrom looked as if he had something to say, suspicion clouding his mind.
"What made you so willing to help us? Especially this quickly…" The lord eyed Tharja, who started to rise from the table.
"I guess you could say I'm a rebel. I'll be damned before I let Gaius and Henry best me at that…and…I'd rather fight with familiar faces anyways." Tharja finished while glancing over at a smiling Gaius, chewing on a piece of taffy. Where in the hell did he get that?!
"Very well…I'm sorry for my suspicions. The Shepherds truly appreciate your help, on behalf of Ylisse, I thank you." Chrom stood up at the round table, as did everyone else. Frederick reached for his gloves as Cordelia sighed. Tharja cracked her fingers, and Lon'qu his neck. The forces assembled very quickly, as one would expect from a well-trained mercenary force. Gangrel was mere miles away.
The troops marched on, Nowi and Gregor annoying Cordelia, Donnel bravely marching alongside Frederick, as heroes do. Miriel chatted magic and intellect with Tharja as Maribelle attempted to keep pace. Ricken and Gaius shared snacks, while Lon'qu looked on amusement at the pair of so-called adults. A small complex could be seen with the naked eye, only a couple hundred yards away. Chrom held up his right hand to signal the others to cease. They gathered around the lord.
"Today…we fight for everyone who Gangrel has hurt in this foolish war…we fight for your villages…we fight for your family…and we fight for Robin. Most of all…we fight for freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, it has been an honor leading you to this point, but now it is up to all of us…now is the time to fight. This is the last battle, I swear to you…but a battle we must win. God speed…Ylisse freedom fighters. Today…this war ends." Chrom gestured to Gaius and Lon'qu to follow him the long way around the camp. Tharja, Frederick, and Cordelia readied for the upcoming struggle.