The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 34
The Negotiator
The desert sands of Plegia's southern coast shifted beneath the gentle, warm wind. Stars twinkled high in the night sky. Despite the darkness, it was still very warm. Few creatures could live in the harsh conditions of this land. And even fewer people could survive the terrible heat and unbearable sun that rose with each new day.
But one did suffer these conditions. Validar looked up to the crest of the sand dune he was busy scaling. His light attire allowed his body to breathe easily in the stifling heat. But he could still feel the desert's blazing breath on his reborn skin. In his old body, he would have succumbed to the heat and exhaustion days ago. But with Grima's power now coursing through his veins, he lasted longer. He could go longer without water. Weeks without food. Days without sleep. He was no longer human. In his own mind, he had ascended into a higher being. All thanks to the great Fell Dragon's power.
He reached the crest and stood beside the one other figure that resided in the hot sands. This other figure was not dressed like Validar. While Validar wore thin, loose robes that allowed air to flow freely around him, his companion wore a heavy coat over his body. A deep hood shadowed out his face. But Validar could see faint wisps of long white hair peeking out from beneath the gold encrusted hood.
"Have you received word?" His companion asked him.
Validar's thin lips drew back into a sinister smile, "I have."
The hooded figure turned to him. Yellow eyes blazed beneath the hood. Like hot coals in the shadows.
"And?"
Validar chuckled, "Exalt Emmeryn is no more. Everything is once again back on course, my lord."
The hooded man's pale lips curved into a small smirk. He nodded.
"Good. Very good." He took a deep breath, "What is written cannot be unwritten, my loyal servant. Exalt Emmeryn's fate was certain long before she was born. Her death serves a far greater purpose. One she was painfully unaware of."
"I'm sure the spawn of Naga knows now, in the afterlife." Validar sneered.
The hooded man clicked his tongue, "Careful with your disrespect, Validar. Naga and her followers may be our enemies, but the moment we lose respect for them is the moment we will be defeated."
Validar bristled at the man's chastisement. But he did not reply. How could he? One wrong word, and he would be no more. The Hierophant was the mouth of Grima. He bore the Fell Dragon's words. Spoke what the Fell Dragon wished to be spoken. Communed directly with the spirit that had spoken to Validar just one time, when he became trapped between life and death. Any person that had the Fell Dragon's ear was someone to be feared.
He was not stupid. If he was, Validar would have never risen that far in the ranks of the Grimleal. Let alone become the high priest. The first high priest to wield more power in the land of Plegia than the King himself. He had to laugh a little at that thought.
King Gangrel, what a young fool. He failed to realize it, but he was just as stupid and naive as Exalt Emmeryn. Both were the same. One was a fool who believed that people were good by nature. The other, a fool that believed people were vile by nature. Two sides of the same coin. Both believed they knew exactly what people were truly like. They let those beliefs cloud the truth about how the world really worked. People did not matter. Not when it came to the will of gods. Not when it came to the will of Grima.
Yes, such a foolish boy King. It was no wonder he succumbed to Validar's poisonous words so fast. When the day came for Lord Grima's return, King Gangrel would fall by the wayside. Validar was certain of that. He was a tool, nothing more.
When Validar had been returned to life by the Fell Dragon's will, his first task had been to find the Hierophant. In reality, he did not have to look hard. The Hierophant found him instead. Once that was done, Validar went about the meticulous work of reestablishing his connections. The first of which being with lovely little Aversa.
She had been alarmed, naturally so. She had assumed him dead. A sword through the heart tended to keep anyone from living. And she had received the full report on the failed assassination before killing the one lone survivor in rage. Again, Validar chuckled.
Aversa was a powerful mage. But she was so swift to give in to her primal emotions. It was a weakness. One that he had exploited in order to craft her into the being she was today. A person of enormous magical power and some political cunning. But someone who would never overpower him. She knew her place. Which was why when he called, she answered. She knelt to him. And in turn, she wisely knelt to the Hierophant.
"Validar, tell me how the Exalt died." The Hierophant asked as he stood still atop the sand dune.
Validar arched an eyebrow. A strangely specific questions. What did it matter how the spawn of Naga died?
"Slain by Maul." Validar replied.
The Heirophant lowered his gaze on the horizon, "Maul? That fell creature you welcomed with open arms?"
Validar sensed the bite in the Heirophant's tone. He paled a little.
"The same." Validar answered.
"And what of his fate?"
Validar raised an eyebrow. Wanting to know how the Exalt died was one thing. An exercise in sadism most likely. Relishing in a long awaited death. But wanting to know about Maul's fate was another. Maul was also just a tool. When a tool became useless, the craftsman did not wonder what became of it. It was cast aside and replaced with a more useful tool.
"Slain by his own apprentice." Validar answered.
The Heirophant glanced back at Validar, "And this apprentice?"
Validar frowned, "An insignificant. He is not-"
A well of power rose from the Hierophant. A fury that made Validar's knees shake. The high priest of the Grimleal felt all the color rush from his face as yellow eyes blazed brighter in the darkness.
"Insignificant, is he?" The Hierophant mused, "This insignificant, as you call him, managed to kill one of the most powerful beings on this world. I doubt that makes him insignificant. I'd say that makes him a glaring loose end. One that needs to be tied into our knot, or cut." He lowered his gaze at Validar, "Find him."
Validar swallowed hard, "It will be difficult. The brat disappeared after the battle and-" He stopped as the Hierophant's eyes narrowed, "It will be done, my lord."
"Good. See to this task at once. I do not want the Naga-spawn to get to him before us."
Validar frowned, "He couldn't possibly join the Naga-spawn."
"He can and will given the opportunity." The Hierophant snapped, "It was only Maul's will that kept him from doing so before."
"But he hates Kenobi." Validar countered, "Just as much as Maul did. That alone will keep him from joining our enemy."
"Hatred is never enough to keep that boy away from the Shepherds." The Hierophant replied, "He loves one of them. And that love will be the very thing we exploit."
Validar arched an eyebrow, "The Princess? But… Aversa told me she fell as well."
"And the body?"
Validar frowned, "Taken by the Ylisseans."
"Then she is not dead. Their retreat was hasty. They did not even bother to recover the Exalt's body. Yet they take hers? To me that signals life, not death. Until her death is confirmed, she is alive." The Hierophant's gaze returned to the horizon. As he looked out over the desert sands, the sun began to rise. Casting shadows over dark storm clouds gathering far to the north, "She is the most dangerous piece on the board right now. The Queen of this chess match. Her knowledge of what is to come gives her all of the power. It is only her reluctance and timing that keeps her from giving the enemy a proper warning. If she does that, Lord Grima's plans will be in jeopardy. That can not be allowed."
"So we find the Princess and kill her. An assassin's blade can do such an easy job." Validar suggested.
The Hierophant shook his head, "If it was that easy she would have died long ago. You seem to forget how strong she actually is. Who her mentor was and could still be. This is why I am instructing to find Maul's brat. Find him, and we then have a pawn that can destroy the queen."
Validar's eyes widened in understanding.
"I will begin the search at once."
The Hierophant nodded. His eyes never left the sunrise as Validar made his way back down the sand dune towards the small hut they were hiding out in. As the priest walked away, the Hierophant sighed.
"Soon we will awaken." The Hierophant whispered as a black tome began to glow inside of his coat, "But first, the way must be cleared."
He turned on his heel and followed Validar down the sand dune. Maul's Apprentice must be found. A loose end like him could unravel everything he had planned. And Grima would not suffer such a failure.
….
Frederick shifted in his saddle. The ride so far had been rather uncomfortable. Not because he was positioned wrong in his seat. He sat as he always sat in the well worn saddle. No, the ride was uncomfortable because another man sat behind him. Arms locked tight around his waist as Frederick led his horse at a canter towards where the Plegian army's position.
"If you just relax, the ride will be easier." Frederick frowned.
Ben tensed behind him, "Every bump feels like I'm going to fall face first into the dirt. So excuse me if I decide to take necessary precautions."
Frederick rolled his eyes but said nothing in reply. For such a fearless warrior, Ben really disliked swift transportation. It was rather amusing actually. Under any other circumstance, Frederick would be laughing at Ben's expense. If for no other reason than to get back at the swordsman for beating him in their little duel.
But Frederick was just as tense as Ben. But his stress was due to the far more pressing concern. One that was, in his opinion, a far more mortal danger than falling from the saddle.
During the war council with Khan Flavia, the Shepherds had received a note from a General Mustafa. A commander of an entire Plegian army. In the letter, the General stated that the Shepherds and their Feroxi allies were cut off and there was no way around them. They had two choices. Surrender or die. And surrender was never an option.
Both Flavia and Frederick initially wanted to send a scout in order to gather information on the enemy for Robin. Information that was critical for formulating an effective strategy to counter the enemy. Troop numbers, movements, formations, armaments, locations, etc. Gaius's was a name that popped into Frederick's mind. But before he could suggest the stealthy thief, Ben barged in an made another insane suggestion.
Don't send a scout, send a negotiator.
And then the argument ensued. Robin was adamant that Ben risking his life like that was not necessary. Flavia called it an insane idiot's plan. The Plegian's had every advantage. Possessed every card. Why should they negotiate? Frederick was silent throughout the affair. Mostly due to his training as a knight. He was not a commander, yet. It was not his place to question the orders of those above him.
But when Ben stood firm on his stance, Frederick did feel some admiration. The Exalt had just died. And there was no denying that the two had been very close. If she had lived and the Shepherd's mission had initially been successful, then Frederick firmly believed the relationship between Exalt Emmeryn and Ben would have become romantic. So it shocked the knight that Ben did not appear the least bit grief stricken. Exhausted yes. Wounded, absolutely. But in mourning, no. He was placing the needs of the many ahead of his own. Whether out of good will or madness sparked by grief, Frederick was not sure.
He somehow still managed to get his way. In the end, Flavia and Robin reluctantly agreed to allow Ben to enter the Plegian encampment in order to negotiate in good faith with General Mustafa. Immediately, they set off. Frederick volunteered to be Ben's bodyguard. Given the fact that Ben was in no condition to do battle with anyone, let alone walk all the way to the Plegian position.
He slowed his horse as the ground dipped into a series of canyons. Frederick frowned. Inside of the canyon, holding the high ground at the very end, was a small contingent of soldiers bearing the Plegian flag. And at the head of that company of enemy infantry was one of the biggest men Frederick had ever seen. The man noticed the pair of Ylisseans and began to stride out to meet them with two guards in tow.
He was a mountain of bronzed muscle. His head was bald save for the long, dark beard that covered his chin. One eye was milky in color. A long, pale scar ran down over that same eye. He wore no body armor except for two shoulder pauldrons made of what looked like Wyvern bone. Truly an intimidating sight. Frederick did his best to put on a firm, unwavering face. But he could not help but cast Ben an uncertain glance.
"You can drop me off here." Ben said as he started to dismount.
Frederick nodded and stopped his horse. Ben's feet hit the ground so softly that hardly any dust came up from his footfalls. He adjusted his brown cloak on his shoulders and hobbled towards the General. Leaning most of his weight on his makeshift walking stick.
General Mustafa and Ben stopped a few paces from each other. Ben observed his opponent. If he were healthy, the swordsman would not have worried about a potential fight. After all, he had fought much bigger before. But Maul had rendered one of his legs useless. And quite honestly, his body was too exhausted for a fight. No, a battle was not an option in this situation. He had to hold out hope that what he inferred from the General's letter was correct. That the burly behemoth in front him was not just a warrior but an honorable commander of men as well.
"You have balls, Ylissean." General Mustafa commented.
Ben internally cringed. Not off to the best start.
"I got your letter not twenty minutes ago." The large man grunted, "Needless to say, I was very surprised. So surprised in fact, that I decided to entertain this little negotiation. If, for no other reason, than to see the face of the man who dared ask for a third option in this affair."
"Third option?" Ben replied, "I dare say there are much more than three options available at the moment. Isn't that the point of negotiations? To discover how many options there really are before settling on the best one for both parties involved?"
The General narrowed his dark eyes.
"I suppose." He rumbled.
Ben smiled. Alright, there was more to this General than met the eye. The muscle and intimidating appearance hid true intelligence. He could see that much in the General's eyes. The man had, before Ben had even opened his mouth, observed and sized up his opponent. Determined how much of a threat Ben and Frederick were, then proceeded to try and intimidate both of them. When that did not work, he had noticeably softened. Ben made it clear he could not be cowed by appearance alone. And he was certain the General could see that now.
"Come, we are civilized folk, yes?" Ben raised his hand. Frederick and the Plegian guards jaws fell open as three boulders floated over and fell in between Ben and Mustafa. Creating a makeshift negotiating table and chair, "Have a seat, good general."
To his credit, the General did not show any surprise. He silently took his seat across the table from Ben. Ben let out a long sigh as he rest his aching body on the rocky stool he had created.
"So… where to begin." Ben tapped his fingers against the table.
"We begin with your unconditional surrender." Mustafa started.
Ben chuckled good naturedly, "I suppose that is one place to start."
"And it will be where this ends." Mustafa replied.
"I would not be so sure of that. There must be some give and take during these proceedings." Ben replied.
"The give is you and your men live." Mustafa grunted, "The take is your surrender. Seems simple to me."
"Live? For now, yes." Ben crossed his unharmed leg over the other wounded one, "But you and I both know that none of us would return home if we simply surrendered. King Gangrel is mad. We both know this to be true. To him, a simple Feroxi soldier is nothing. They will die, same as Khan Flavia and Prince Chrom. So really, there is no give yet."
Mustafa narrowed his eyes at Ben, "Once you surrender your fate is out of my hands. But you at the least will not die immediately. I can try to fight for the release of your men."
"Ah!" Ben raised a finger, "The key word in all of this, 'try'. Where I come from General, there is a saying. Do or do not, there is no try. What I ask you is this, can you guarantee the survival of our men?"
General Mustafa was silent.
"Right. You cannot. Perhaps you can convince the Mad King to let my soldiers go. But could you convince the true rulers of Plegia. I doubt it."
"True rulers of Plegia?"
Ben's eyes sparkled. Now he was getting somewhere. He saw the subtle change in posture. The slight shift in weight. The narrowing of the eyes. He hit a nerve. The General was loyal to King and Country. Good, he could work with that.
"Yes, the true rulers of Plegia." Ben continued, "Aversa and the Grimleal."
Mustafa snorted, "You think that Witch rules this land?"
"Who has the King's ear?"
Mustafa frowned.
"And who does not?"
His frown deepened.
"Precisely," Ben pointed out, "That is why you cannot guarantee the survival of the regular Feroxi soldier. Because even if Gangrel says they can live, the Grimleal will not allow that. Or perhaps they do. But then their definition of live is actually torture. Enough so that the soldier does not die but lives to fulfill their experiments. A much more cruel fate than death, wouldn't you agree?"
Mustafa pursed his lips, "I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I've seen what the Grimleal do to their enemies."
"For you were once one of their enemies, weren't you?" Ben saw the General's eyes flash, "Yes, you were. You resisted their ascent to power after the last war. And they made you fall in line somehow." Ben clapped his hands together, "I'm going to take a guess and say, they threatened someone close to you."
"How do you know they didn't just threaten me?"
Ben smirked, "Because if they just threatened you, you would've fought harder. You are a warrior. Warriors don't take personal threats lying down. But any warrior can be brought to heel if someone they care about is threatened." Ben pursed his lips, "I know that all to well." He cleared his throat, "So who was it? A wife? A Son?" He saw the General flinch ever so slightly, "Both then."
"You are getting very close to crossing a line, Ylissean." The man warned.
"There is no need for hostility, General." Ben replied, his voice warm and reassuring, "I'm simply trying to understand your position. This will help in our negotiations."
"How so?"
Ben repressed the urge to grin. He felt like he was giving a lesson of sorts.
"Well, I've now established two things. One, you do not like the Grimleal. Two, you do not resist them because they hold your family hostage."
"And all I have to do to keep them safe is apprehend or kill you and your men." The General replied, folding his beefy arms, "So you are back at square one."
Ben chuckled, "No, I'd say I'm already at square two or three. There is another way to ensure their safety. A long term solution to this conundrum."
"That being?"
"Help us."
General Mustafa blinked. Then his voice rumbled out a deep, booming laugh that echoed off of the canyon walls. The two Plegian guards cast nervous glances over at each other. Behind Ben, Frederick gulped.
Mustafa took a couple deep breaths as he tried to stop laughing.
"You would make a wonderful entertainer." Mustafa said as he wiped his eye.
"So I've been told." Ben smirked, "Perhaps after this nasty war finally ends. I do already have a stage name."
"That reminds me," Mustafa remarked with a small grin as he relaxed in his seat, "You have yet to tell me your name."
"Oh yes." Ben extended a hand, "Ben Kenobi."
Mustafa looked at Ben's hand with a slight sense of trepidation, "Ben Kenobi? The mad Ylissean swordsman?"
Ben cringed a little, "So that is what the enemy calls me."
"It fits for a man who jumps from flying Pegasi and takes on a beast like Maul with reckless abandon."
"Well I wouldn't say I take on anyone with reckless abandon." That was more Anakin's thing, "I will admit, I haven't been the most cautious person as of late."
"We all make mistakes." The General shrugged, "I've heard of you, that much I've made clear. And I will say, one warrior to another, you have earned my respect. You fight valiantly on the battlefield. And your skill is almost unmatched from what I hear."
"I thank you for the kind words." Ben replied, "And I've heard much of the Plegian general who led the sacking of Ylisstol."
Mustafa frowned, "I did not sack the city. But I did force it's surrender."
"You are most impressive then. Not only did you defeat a very competent enemy in Commander Edward; you also managed to get your army to turn around and cut off an enemy force before they could retreat to the Longfort."
"Not my whole army." Mustafa let slip before realizing it.
Ben smirked as Mustafa scowled.
"Not the whole army? Have you been fudging numbers on me, General?"
Mustafa closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, "It would have been impossible to conduct a swift retreat with my full army. I had to use a much smaller force in order to traverse the distant as quickly as was needed."
"So then, you don't hold an overwhelming numbers advantage." Ben leaned forward in his seat, "Now I know three things, General. All of them are to my advantage. Shall I keep stealing cards from you hand, or shall we get down to business?"
He could see the General's jaw tighten in frustration. But he did not get up from the negotiating table. Which told Ben a fourth thing. His numbers advantage may actually be non existent. If he had a large numbers advantage, the General could have just gotten up. Confident in a numbers victory. But he did not get up. He remained seated. Which meant that his advantage in numbers was perhaps negligible. Thinking about it further, in order to cover as much ground as the General had in the amount of time he did, his force would have to be roughly the same size as the Feroxi's. At the most, a hundred soldiers more. Certainly not a guaranteed victory.
"What do you want?" Mustafa asked.
"Straight to the point now." Ben chuckled, "Very well. Perhaps we can have a more friendly conversation once the war is over, yes? Anyways, what I want is safe passage for all of my soldiers."
"Not going to happen."
"You have a deep respect for the life of your men, don't you General?"
Mustafa's eyes darkened.
Five things.
"Tell me," Ben shifted in his seat, "You do not hold a numbers advantage. You may hold a territory advantage, but then again, I don't think you have Wyvern riders among your company. And well… I have a tactician that managed to get a force of two hundred all the way to the Palace before the Grimleal decided to intervene. I also have at least two hundred Feroxi soldiers. Soldiers who are, by the words of Ylissean generals by the way, the best warriors on the entire continent. How well will your men fare against mine?"
"Yours are exhausted."
"So are yours." Ben noted, "You did just travel swiftly across the continent." Six Things, "And lets not forget another factor in all of this, you stand between us and the Longfort. And at the Longfort is the other Khan of Regna Ferox as well as the entire Feroxi army. And he had his own orders too. If we are gone to long, scorch the desert." Ben saw the General's eyes widen, "That happens then you are at war with Regna Ferox too. You will be fighting a war on two fronts General. What does history tell you about that?"
The General's fists tightened.
"You would be sacrificing the lives of your men for no reason General. All because a Witch you hate told you to do so." Ben said, "It does not have to be that way."
"If I let you pass, I'm a dead man. And so is my family." General Mustafa growled.
"If they know you let us pass, then you and your family are dead. Judging by your hatred of the Grimleal I assume you have one of them spying on you. But you probably make sure to keep things very close to the chest. Away from that one's prying eyes and ears. However, if you just so happen to receive new intelligence of an encroaching Feroxi Army and re-position your men thereby unfortunately allowing us by in order to set up a proper defense of the capitol and therefore Aversa's life…." Ben shrugged, "I dare say, she'd be thanking you."
"You clearly don't know Aversa."
"And you clearly underestimate a person's selfish desire for life." Ben countered, "There is my give, you now know of the incoming Feroxi army. Valuable intelligence that you will not receive otherwise. Location of our march. How many men. Weaponry. All of it. You, your King, and the Grimleal can now prepare for the attack. My take, is we walk by you. Unharmed. No pursuit. No more deaths today. No more soldiers to bury."
Mustafa frowned, "And what if I say no. I still know that army is coming. I could say no and prepare anyways."
Ben smirked. He called on the Force. It was time for a slightly more aggressive approach. Though he was loathe to do so, he needed to be successful in this instance. Two more boulders rose above him and began to circle over the General and his guards.
"That only happens if you leave the negotiating table intact." Ben replied.
The General narrowed his eyes at Ben. He then glanced up at the floating rocks. His fists clenched tight for a moment. Then relaxed. A slow chuckle left his lips.
"You are one hell of a negotiator, Kenobi." Mustafa admitted, "Perhaps that is what you should be known as."
"I try my best." Ben replied.
Mustafa sighed, "Then I believe we have ourselves an agreement. I'll… re-position… my men to face the incoming attack. You walk by and accidentally drop your plans on the canyon floor. I recover them, report them back to King Gangrel."
"And we both wash our hands of this impasse." Ben said.
Mustafa nodded, "Indeed. No more bloodshed today."
Both men stood from their seats. Mustafa rolled his shoulders as Ben leaned on his walking stick. The two warriors gave each other respect filled nods before turning. As they walked away, Ben paused.
"General."
Mustafa turned.
"The Grimleal hold the power in Plegia. And it has become quite clear to me that the people of Plegia are not happy with that arrangement."
"Your point?"
"Why are you allowing it?" Ben asked before turning and walking away.
Mustafa furrowed his brow. Kenobi was correct. The Grimleal, not King Gangrel, held all of the power in Plegia. And since their rise to power, the promising rebuild of their nation had fallen apart. And once again, they were at war with Ylisse. And on the cusp of war with an even greater opponent in Regna Ferox.
Ylisse was not totally defeated yet. The Eastern portion of the Halidom still stood. A mountainous region that would be difficult to conquer. Add in a war to the north with Regna Ferox and their peerless foot soldiers, and Plegia had a recipe for disaster. A far greater tragedy than the last war with Ylisse was at hand. Orchestrated solely by the Grimleal's blood lust.
At least the Ylisseans under Exalt Emmeryn were merciful. Mustafa knew of the West Khan's reputation as a warrior. Would such a warrior be more merciful than someone who was practically a priestess of Naga? He doubted that very much.
"An excellent question, Kenobi." Mustafa muttered.
"General?" One of his guards asked as they walked back to their camp of roughly three hundred soldiers.
"What is it boy?"
"Is it true? Do the Grimleal really rule us?" He asked, "I joined the army to be like King Gangrel was. During the end of the last war at least. When he led our armies to victory and retook our lost land. Does he really not rule us? Is he just a puppet for the Grimleal?"
Mustafa sighed and looked at the ground for a moment. Then he looked up, face hardened.
"Not for long, boy." He answered as they entered camp, "Get that worm of a mage to my tent. I need to have a… discussion with him."
"Shall I bring your ax as well?" His guard asked with a slight smile.
Mustafa nodded, "The sharp one."
The guard nodded and ran off to execute his General's orders. Mustafa sighed and looked out at his men. Each one either saluted or smiled at him as he walked by. They were his men. Good, loyal soldiers of Plegia. Each one now a hardened warrior after the campaign in Ylisse. And he was proud of each and every one of them.
What he was about to do would be considered treason if Aversa discovered it. But it needed to be done. For the good of King Gangrel, and all of Plegia. And if King Gangrel would not hear reason, then Mustafa's men would not follow. The bloodshed had to end, one way or another. If the Feroxi entered the war en masse, Plegia would lose. And thousands would die as a result. He would not lead his men to pointless deaths.
He heard startled shouting as a man in black and purple Grimleal robes was dragged through the camp. As two soldiers hauled him through the sand, Mustafa heard his men shouting curses and jeering at the poor sod.
He smiled. His men made him damn proud.
….
Robin stared into the flickering flames of the campfire. He welcomed the light and warmth with open arms. Flavia allowed campfires to burn once Ben had returned a few hours ago and delivered them all the news. Needless to say, Robin and Flavia were speechless. Ben had successfully talked a way out of the trap. They had free passage to the Longfort through the canyon up ahead. In exchange, Robin had to leave his notes for the invasion of Plegia on the ground as they passed by. Notes that he had already committed to memory anyways.
He was hesitant to give up intelligence to the enemy. But he was much more hesitant about getting into a battle with an enemy that outnumbered them. Even though Ben reported they did not completely outnumber their own forces, Robin still did not like the odds. The Feroxi were tired. Days of marching through the desert and one disastrous battle had taken their toll. Then there was the amount of wounded they had. There was no way the Feroxi could fight a battle while at the same time trying to protect wounded men at their backs.
That was what made this deal all the more miraculous to Robin. The Plegian General had to know all of this. So why did he accept Ben's deal? Robin hummed to himself as he lost himself in thought. As he stared into the flames, someone else fell down beside him.
Robin glanced over. To his surprise, he saw Maribelle sitting there. Her pink outfit was covered in dirt and dried blood. Her hands were grimy. And her face had smudged dirt and grime all over it. If she saw herself in the mirror, Robin had no doubt the noblewoman would have been quite upset.
But he got the feeling that at this moment she did not care. She looked exhausted. Heavy bags sat beneath drooping eyes. She let out a loud yawn.
"Pardon me." She muttered.
Robin rolled his eyes. Despite the dirt, grime, and exhaustion, the manners remained.
"You're pardoned." Robin remarked.
Maribelle glanced over at him. But there was no snarky response. Which Robin was thankful for. He too was very tired. And if were honest, he felt very on edge. He did not entirely trust the Plegian General's word. Even now, his mind was coming up with strategies to deal with a possible ambush in the canyon. Any snark or sass, and he felt he might explode. A reaction he did not want to have.
"Can you believe Ben was able to pull it off?" Maribelle asked suddenly.
Robin blinked, "Yeah uh… it surprised me too."
Maribelle nodded, "It makes me think what may have been."
Robin raised his brow, "What do you mean?"
"What if he parlayed with Gangrel instead of Exalt Emmeryn?" Maribelle said, "Maybe if he did, Exalt Emmeryn would still be alive. We would not be in this mess. Themis would not be ashes. And-" She choked a little bit, "And my father would still be alive."
Robin closed his eyes.
"The battle it-" Maribelle swallowed hard, "I thought I moved past what happened in Themis. But seeing the death all around me, so close to my face like that, it terrified me. It only reopened those horrible memories of Themis. Seeing the smoke rising behind us as we ran for Ylisstol." She trembled, "I can only imagine what my people went through. And my thoughts sicken me."
Robin pressed his lips into a thin line.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened, Maribelle."
"But I can." Maribelle countered, "I was the fool who charged after those bandits who just so happened to Plegian. I was the idiot that fell for the bait placed by Gangrel. My actions helped spark this war."
"War was coming either way." Robin countered, "You cannot know what would have happened had you not done what you did."
Maribelle sniffled, "If it is not my fault, then why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel like such a failure? My actions led to the fall of Themis and my own father's death. How is that not my fault?"
"It is one person's fault." Robin replied, "And that person is Gangrel. He is the one who attacked. He is the one who burned Themis. Not you. You were doing the just thing by pursuing brigands who dared to harm your people." Robin sighed, "I did not get the chance to really get to know Duke Rodrick. But I feel like he was the kind of man who would see how strong you have been and beam with pride."
Maribelle gave Robin a surprised look.
"I don't think he'd blame you for what happened in Themis. Or what happened afterwards, would he?" She shook her head before sniffling, "I think he'd say something along the lines of, 'Go and avenge us, daughter! Kick their arses for me!'"
Maribelle uttered a choked laugh, "He never was as elegant with his words as me and mother." She sighed, "And… you are right, he wouldn't blame me for what happened. If he were here now, he would blame Gangrel and only Gangrel." Maribelle fidgeted with her staff, "Still, what happened out there haunts me."
Robin nodded, "Me too." He muttered, "I don't think any of us are going to forget what has happened anytime soon. But what we can do is remember it, and use it as fuel to drive us to do what is right."
Maribelle gave him a weak smile.
"Victory for Themis?"
Robin nodded.
"Victory for Themis." He let out loud yawn then scratched at his ear, causing Maribelle to cringe.
"Do you have to be so disgusting?" She frowned.
"I don't know." Robin remarked looking her up and down with a slight smirk, "Do you?"
Maribelle opened her mouth for a snappish reply. As she did so, Vaike strode by the pair. He paused and sniffed the air. Once he did that, his nose wrinkled in disgust.
"Geez!" He looked at both Maribelle and Robin, "Maribelle you need to go soak in a river for a day or so. You reek!"
Maribelle's face turned ashen. Robin began to snicker uncontrollably as the shameless warrior strutted towards his tent.
"Can we move out soon?" Maribelle asked, "I desperately need a bath."
Robin laughed some more.
"Yeah, sure."
Maribelle nodded then rushed back to her tent. All the while, she was muttering about how filthy she was under her breath. Robin just chuckled some more as he sat in front of the fire.
I guess it is about time to get moving. Better to move now than give the enemy a chance to change their mind.
The Tactician got to his feet and made his way towards Khan Flavia's tent. He passed Chrom's tent along the way.
He paused a minute. The Shepherd's Captain still had not emerged from his self imposed solitude. Robin sighed and shook his head. He was the one who needed to hear what he told Maribelle. The question was, would Chrom listen to his advice? Robin was not sure on that one. His friend was mired in grief and refused to talk to anyone. Not even Lissa could get him to open up right now. Robin frowned but decided to keep walking. Chrom would have to come out once they got moving. And when he did, Robin would talk to him then, when he had no place to go back and hide. The Shepherds needed their leader now more than ever. There was a time to mourn. And now was not that time.
Robin sighed once again. Hopefully they would have time to mourn. He was still worried this all was one elaborate trap. He shook his head.
I really need to have more trust in Ben.
He felt something stir in his mind. A small, dark voice whispered to him. One he did not recognize. But it still sounded so distinct and familiar. He brushed it aside. It was probably just a figment of his imagination. A creation from an exhausted mind. But the question it asked him lingered for a moment.
But does he trust us?
And chapter! Nothing like writing while I'm sick. Somehow this chapter came together rather nicely. I enjoyed writing Ben as he became the Negotiator for a little bit. There will be a couple mellow chapters before we get to the epic battle between Gangrel and Chrom. I'm excited to get there! Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter. As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!