Chapter Twelve: Meeting

The next afternoon Gwendal, Yuri and the others rode from camp. The prisoner (whom Yuri'd begun calling Jonathan as soon as Gwendal had given him his name), was seated astride a solid gelding. His hands were still chained, but they'd unbound his legs so he could ride. The gelding's bridle was fastened securely to Gwendal's own mount on a lead line, and Gwendal already knew there was no way the other man's horse could pull away from his. Still, he ordered that Yuri be kept riding behind him, with Conrad and Hube on either side. Yozak rode beside the prisoner, hand on a weapon. On second thought, Gwendal had left the half dozen guards behind. If worse came to worst he'd need to move out fast, and the fewer people the better.

They rode out from the rear of the camp, to avoid Cimarron notice. Gwendal was taking no chances that they'd be seen and attacked. If this wasn't a trap already, he was giving the opposing force no opportunities for ambush. He kept one eye on the man riding beside and slightly behind him, and the other on the surrounding countryside.

They reached the rock clearing specified just as the sun was setting. Gwendal pulled his group to a halt just outside the opening. He wanted to see who showed up. And how many of them there were.

They'd been waiting for perhaps half an hour when Gwendal sensed someone coming from the opposite direction. It didn't seem like a large group, and they were certainly moving quietly. He'd stayed still, and moments later, Kranas and three other men strode into the clearing, torches in hand. The Cimarron general looked around, then gestured his followers to settle themselves. He himself remained standing, scanning the clearing impatiently, tension visible in his face.

It could still be a trap, but Gwendal's instincts were telling him to go ahead and move. He gestured his own people to dismount. He nodded to Yozak to bring the prisoner, then stepped forward with Yuri in the lit clearing.

Kranas stiffened visibly as they emerged, then relaxed as he saw the man Yozak was firmly leading forward. He took two quick steps forward, stopping just beyond arms reach. "Jonathan!"

The assassin stiffened. "Brother….what?" His eyes widened. "What are you doing here?" He whipped his head around to glare at Gwendal, eyes wide with fury. "You…you dared use me to blackmail my brother?! I'll kill you." His body tensed to spring.

"Jonathan, no!" Kranas leapt forward, past Gwendal to seize his brother's shoulders. "Be still. Let me talk with them."

"But…if they threatened me to force you to this…"

"They haven't. Be still." The prisoner stood tense a moment longer, then slowly relaxed. Kranas nodded. "Have they harmed you? Mistreated you in any way?"

Jonathan blinked. For an instant, it looked as if he was going to say something, but then he closed his mouth and shook his head slowly. "No. They've been…very careful with me." He held up his manacles hands. "I've worn these, and I've been forced into every type of menial task they can find but I…haven't been hurt."

"Food? And shelter?"

"Same as most of the camp gets. They gave me spare kit from one of the wagons." His face twisted a bit, but the expression wasn't quite anger, or contempt. "It's threadbare, but if I must be honest….it is better than our prisoners receive. Better than much Lanzil provides to those not in his favor." He glared at his hands again. "But I want these shackles off! I wear them night and day! And for all their treatment of me, I do not know what they plan." He turned to face Gwendal. "I warned you…better to kill me than try to use me against my own people."

"Jonathan." The word was quiet but the prisoner turned back to his brother. "I sought you of my own." Kranas turned. "What will it take, for you to release my brother?"

"Kranas…" The younger man started forward, but the Cimarron general held up his hand.

"Understand this, Demon tribe. I am relieved my brother is in fair condition. But I wish him back. I will pay blood-price if it is demanded. If I must I will pay a ransom. However, this I will not do. I will not give you information to use against my people. I will not betray my countrymen to you. Nor will I betray my king. Lanzil is a fool, perhaps, but I swore my allegiance to him and my country. I will not turn my back on my subordinates, or my fellow officers. If we cannot come to an agreement here, then I will, by my word as a lord of Cimarron, attempt to take my brother by force."

"There's no need for all of that." Yuri took a step forward. Gwendal started to protest, then closed his mouth. He was good at strategy and negotiations, but there was more to this. And if he was truly honest with himself, this was the sort of thing Yuri was better at than he was. The young king was hopeless with paperwork, but he had a genuine knack for talking people around, simply because he was so open and honest.

Kranas blinked and took a closer look at the youth standing beside Gwendal. His eyes widened. "The Maou…" One hand moved almost reflexively to his sword hilt.

"Hey, come on, there's no need for all that." Yuri shrugged. "I'm just here to talk to you. Gwendal told us about what was going on, and I figured I'd come see what I could do. I mean…you were worried about your brother, right? I've got a brother too….and I know how I'd feel if he were taken prisoner by someone I considered an enemy."

"I see." With a visible effort, the Cimarron general relaxed and dropped his hand to his side. "What then, will you demand for my brother's safe return?"

"Well, I don't want him attacking my people again. But other than that, I'd really just like some answers. I know there's been bad blood between Dai Cimarron and Shin Makoku for a while now, but I really don't get why you guys hate us so much. I mean, what did we do to you?"

Kranas snorted. "Don't take me for a fool. You're a threat with your Alliance. And even the farthest corner of the globe knows that Shin Makoku holds the four boxes of destruction."

"The four boxes?" Yuri blinked. "But why would you worry about those? I mean, they can't do anything. The keys are already gone. That whole thing was dealt with almost a year ago." He shrugged. "As for the Alliance…I'll admit, a lot of them really do have a beef with Cimarron. But it was never my intention to pick a fight with you guys. I just wanted everyone to work together. And even though a lot of people would be annoyed with me, if I could…I think I'd even welcome you as a part of my team."

"You would have Cimarron as a subordinate country?" Kranas looked red with rage. "Do you even realize how much you insult us by thinking such a thing?"

"I never said I wanted you to be subordinate." Yuri looked genuinely surprised. Then he laughed sheepishly. "Well, I guess it must look like that. But really, I just want people to work together. I don't really want to lead everyone. I'd rather have them all walk side by side. I think I'd like all the countries to have the same relationship that I have with my friend, Murata. We work really well together, but even though I'm technically the Maou, he still does whatever he thinks is best. He's his own person and follows his own rules. And he gives his own orders. Anybody here can tell you that."

Kranas looked totally disbelieving. "You expect me to believe the Maou, the most fearsome ruler other than our own, let's his subordinates and advisors do as they please?"

Conrad chuckled. "Actually, he's very lenient with us. I wouldn't say that we do as we please…but he's certainly given us a lot of leeway. His Majesty truly is interested in what works for the greater good."

Kranas started. "Lord Conrart Weller. I've heard of you. Servant to the Maou, you once infiltrated our ranks in order to work on securing the forbidden boxes. Though you fought with the Maou several times, in the end you returned to his side." His brow creased thoughtfully. "Rumor has it that you are also acknowledged as a bloodline with an old claim to the throne of Cimarron, a claim that both Lanzil and Belial have acknowledged."

"I have no desire to claim that throne. I wish only to serve by His majesty's side. However, if you're willing to take my word as good, I will further reassure you that His majesty has no desire to conquer your people. He will be content if you simply leave well enough alone."

For a moment, Kranas simply looked bewildered. Then he turned his head slightly. "This is off the topic. I will ask once again: What price do you demand for the return of my brother? Or must I rescue him by force?"

"No. Actually, if you could promise me that he won't try to assassinate me again, I'd be willing to give him back to you." Yuri turned to look at Gwendal. "Hey Gwendal, he's your prisoner. I'd like just to send him home, but is there something you wanted?"

He was tempted. But he'd already heard Kranas say that he was unwilling to part with information, and he knew that the man would not stand down and abandon the army. It was frustrating, but Gwendal could appreciate the opposing generals honor, and his honesty. He almost wished he could have met the other man in different circumstances. They might not have been friends, but they would have understood each other. Finally he shrugged. "No Your Majesty." He turned to look at the Cimarron lord. "We'll release him to your custody. However, I'll warn you now that if we find him in our camp again, we won't hesitate a second time." He reached into a pocket, then pulled out a key and tossed it to Yozak. "Release him."

He could see the faint disbelief in Yozak's eyes, but then the other man nodded. "As you wish, Your Excellency." He reached down and pulled the chain up so he could unlock the cuffs. "I guess you're a lucky guy. But then, His Majesty does have a soft spot. I suppose it can't be helped." One final twist of the key, and the chain fell free. "There you go."

Kranas stared. "You've made no demands."

"You're not willing to give me anything I need." Gwendal's smiled slightly. "Besides, even if I feel differently, this is the will of my king."

"The will of your king….he really is so naïve. You'll yield a prisoner even knowing his value, and ask for nothing. In Cimarron, he'd have died before his stroke even finished falling, and the price to regain him if he lived would be near impossible. Did I capture you or your brother, Lanzil would demand nothing less than total surrender as the price of a safe return."

Gwendal tensed. "I wouldn't try it."

"Nor will I. I know your reputation. But we of Cimarron also have our honor." Kranas gave him a predatory smile. "I'll look forward to meeting you on the battlefield, Lord von Voltaire."

"Indeed." Actually, Gwendal would rather regret meeting this man in a fight. It would be a hell of a tough battle.

Kranas, his brother, and his two companions turned to leave, but at the edge of the clearing, the General stopped again. "Ah yes. I don't want it seen as though I was bribed." He pulled a square of paper out of his jacket. "As payment for my brother." He tossed it to Gwendal. And then the men disappeared into the shadows.

Gwendal looked at the heavy packet in his hand. A note of some kind, but he could also feel a weight, something like a coin in his palm. He could feel his companions staring curiously at his back. He broke the seal on the envelope.

A small disk fell from the envelope. He caught it, studying it in the moonlight, running one finger over the design. It felt like an insignia of some kind. By the feel of the envelope, there was also a note of some kind. Gwendal put the disk back in the envelope and stuck it in an inner jacket pocket. "Let's get back to camp. I'd like to see what our opponent has given us."

Wolfram, Gunter and Murata were all waiting in the command tent. No sooner had they come through the door than Wolfram shot from his seat. "Well? What happened? Is everything all right?"

"It's fine." Gwendal moved to his desk and set the small packet on it. He waited until the others were seated, then re-opened it. He let the disk fall into his hand, then held it out to Conrad. "Can you tell me what this is?"

Conrad glanced over it. "It appears to be a noble's insignia. They're very similar to our own, save that every member of the family generally carries one. Usually, the head of a family might have more than one." He turned it over a few times. "I see. It's not actually a full seal. This is a token of favor. It's meant to show that someone is accepted or patronized by a particular noble house."

"And you think he gave us one of his?"

"I'd suspect so. After all, it would be unwise of him to part with one that has been given to him by another family. Especially given Lanzil's paranoia recently."

"Interesting." Gwendal turned his attention back to the envelope he was holding, and withdrew the note. Conrad's attention immediately turned from the small disk.

"A letter?"

"Indeed." Gwendal unfolded the thin page and read through the contents. He blinked, then read through them again. "Interesting."

"Well what does it say?" Wolfram was nearly dancing with impatience, and everyone else was gazing at him curiously.

Gwendal passed the letter to Yuri. The young Maou read over it slowly, then read it aloud for the rest of the group.

To bear this letter means that you are the man the rumors have suggested. And so I leave you with this information. First, that a show of force will weaken a strong army. We know of your Demon powers, so you might as well fight with them. And second, that a divided army is much easier to conquer, particularly if you separate the leaders. So…make of it what you will.

The token I left is yours for sanctuary.

Kranas.

Yuri set the letter on the table. "That's an odd message."

"Odd? It's positively insulting!" Wolfram slapped a hand on the table top. "Just because we were willing to return one captive as a sign of good faith, he takes us all for cowards. Hmmph!" The young lord turned red. "I'll admit that Yuri might be a bit of a wimp, but still…"

"Hey! Don't call me a wimp!" Yuri glared at his fiancée, then blinked. "Hey Murata, you've got a funny look on your face. What is it?"

Murata gave a low chuckle and pushed his glasses up his nose. "He's a very clever man, that Cimarron general. Don't you think so, General von Voltaire?"

Gwendal folded his hands in front of him. "Indeed. And fairly subtle, too."

Yuri blinked, looking from his best friend to his advisors, who all wore thoughtful expressions. "Hey, I don't get it. What's up?"

Conrad smiled and picked up the note. "It's actually a message telling us exactly how to end the fighting. He's telling us the quickest way to stop Lanzil's army. A strong display of force will probably frighten most of the soldiers into laying down arms. And if we can somehow separate the officers, or at least sections of the army, then my guess is that some of them will surrender."

"Really?" Yuri studied the note again thoughtfully. "Then what does that last line mean? I mean, that whole thing about the token…."

"That, young master, is an old spies trick." Yozak chuckled. "He's letting us know how to identify people who are of opinions similar to his. He wants us to be identifiable to his supporters. Even more importantly, I'd say he wants them to be identifiable to us." Yozak grinned and palmed the disc. "With our Lord General wearing this, they know which way to look, and we'll know where to move for the best results." His smile got wider. "And the best part is, there's no proof of collaboration. The note merely looks like insulting drivel, and by using a plain torque, he can always say we stole it." Yozak shook his head. "If we weren't enemies, I'd like to sit down with this guy for a talk."

"Indeed." Gwendal sighed. "The question is, how do we use this information?"

"I don't know. I mean…I wonder why he did all this." Yuri sighed. "I get that they were brothers, but still….I wonder why that guy would send his brother into a camp like that. And then make such an effort to protect him. I feel like I just don't have all the pieces somehow."

"Well, I think I can supply a few more." Yozak settled down into his seat. "We've picked up some information on the gentlemen in question. I'd meant to report on it, but then everything started moving."

"Well?" Gwendal fixed his subordinate with a steely glare.

"Seems like the younger brother, the one we captured, is actually a half brother, and not a legitimate one."

"Huh?" Yuri stared at the man in confusion.

Conrad stepped in. "It means that his mother was not the wife of the lord whose son she carried."

"Oh." Yuri turned back to Yozak. "So, what happened?"

"Well, rumor has it the brothers were raised together, and have been close ever since. It's also rumored that there's still quite a few people who question the loyalty of an illegitimate son. They've hinted that he's either using his brother to get to power, or waiting for the day he can take his brother out of power. And despite the best efforts of the general, the rumors still persist."

"So…he was just trying to prove himself to the others then." Yuri sat back, a sad smile on his face. "I guess I can understand that kind of thinking. I mean, it's wrong to try and kill somebody to prove a point, but…it's kind of like what Greta did the first time I saw her."

Gwendal nodded thoughtfully. He'd never thought of it in those terms, but it was reasonable. "I think we can safely guess who he was protecting when he refused to speak with us."

"Yeah." Yuri sat up and took another look at the message. "Well, you said we've got what we need, right? So, how do you want to handle this? I'd like there to be as little bloodshed as possible, but if that guy, Kranas, risked giving us this to stop the fighting, we can't let it go to waste."

The wheels were already turning in Gwendal's head. A rough plan clicked into place, and he leaned forward to stare at the map. "I have an idea. We'll need to wait for Anissina's armbands to arrive, but based on what Kranas has told us, I think this may work…." He outlined his plan on the map quickly.

Yuri nodded. "It certainly can't hurt us any. Please just make sure no one does anything unnecessary."

"I intend to."

Yuri looked back at the map. "All right then. I guess, we should get to work."

Authors Note: Sorry about the delay in updates. School and work are really eating my time. But I'll try to keep it coming on a reasonable schedule. I hope you like this chapter. Please read and review!