Invisible Ties Chapter 32: More Outrealm Shenanigans

With the shock death of Chloey's mother things in the Shepherds had taken a surprising turn. Most of them were unsure how to react and given the lack of grief that either Chloey or Henry displayed it was hard to know what to do. Chrom was sat up with his wife in their bedroll uncertain as to what he should do. Chloey seemed unaffected by the death of her mother right before her eyes. However Chrom noticed that Chloey seemed to be reading that tome again. The one that her mother had carried right before she'd died. Chrom frowned and spoke, "Chloey," He heard her sigh,

"I just don't know what to make of it,"

"Hm?" Chrom frowned and Chloey spoke,

"This tome...it's almost exactly the same as our ones but...it seems different in a way,"

"What do you mean Chloey?" Chrom asked,

"There is a subtle difference from the ones we have...almost as if it were wielded differently to our tomes," Chloey replied, "The part I don't understand is how my mother came across this tome? Was she an outrealmer or was she travelling through the outrealms? Also why didn't the dark magic get rejected so fast yet she never seemed to handle a dark magic tome? I just..."

Chrom held his wife surprised to see that Chloey was starting to get upset; perhaps this was her grief, Chrom decided, "You know that you're not alone Chloey," Chrom decided that he would do what he could to support the woman that was always by his side. Chloey half smiled and Chrom saw that she would need time to deal with it.

The sun rose over the Shepherds' camp. As far as the Shepherds were concerned it was clear that there was more going on in two of the mages than first appeared. Tharja was noticing that there was something strange going on. Henry had been quiet. Too quiet. She wondered what was going through his head and for the first time since Tharja had known Henry it was clear that he wasn't his usual self.

So it was that yet again they were travelling through the outrealms again. Chloey seemed to have a rough idea of where to start looking for the tome's home world and Chrom travelled with her. They had travelled to each of the worlds with Anna as their guide. She came to stop before a specific gate and Chloey noticed that the tome was resonating with the gate, "This is it," Chloey said calmly,

"You're sure?" Chrom asked his wife,

"Yes, through here is the place."

Anna frowned and spoke, "Alright then, I'll see if one of my sisters mans the gate and help you head on in..." Just as she said this another Anna approached. This Anna was dressed in what had to be a strange outfit. She wore a large mages hat that was resting on her head, red hair hidden underneath it. She wore a low cut top with long sleeves that had an armoured corset. The skirt of her outfit was long and Chloey got the sense that she was likely wearing some boots but she couldn't tell clearly. There was a lantern floating in front of her and this Anna seemed very serious,

"It's not often that I get a visitor you know," She slightly raised her hand and the lantern rose to light the group, "Ah, an Anna? What brings you here? I haven't seen another Anna in a very long time I'll have you know!"

"Oh hey," The Shepherd's Anna said, "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Not at all, there was an Anna a while back who was doing a witches trial. Are you bring in some visitors to do that?"

"Excuse me Anna," Chloey decided that she had to speak, "Do you recognise this tome? My...my mother had it and she...well she didn't tell me where she got it from..."

The Anna that was guarding the gate frowned, "Oh? Hmm, you'd best come with me then."

They followed the Anna through the gate and Chloey wondered why the Anna was frowning. She looked at Chrom and he was just as confused as she was. However it seemed that they were going to get some answers. As it was the lantern was all that lit their way as Anna spoke, "There are some witches here that know a bit more than I do. Although I haven't heard of a tome being found in another world entirely from the one that it was created you know,"

The Annas talked about making gold and other Anna like things and Chloey had shut it out. Until they came to a building, and Chloey felt the hairs on her neck raise slightly. A voice spoke from the building, "Come, children, we have much to discuss it seems,"

Chloey looked at Chrom and he nodded. They were about to find out what it was that Chloey's mother had done.

There was a strange witch that was calm and seemed to know what was happening before her. Hard to believe that the daughter she'd birthed in another world had a child of her own, or that said child would come looking for answers, yet that was what the runes were telling her. It was amazing to think then that the child was before her. A young witch that had yet to even focus on her powers. And a young warlock that had yet to do the same. However it wasn't as easy as that. She would have to teach the child what her own mother had not. And that was important.

Chloey sat in a chair listening to the "Elder" witch as she was known talk about the tome which Chloey had bought them. The woman confirmed that it was indeed one of their own. Then proceeded to explain how it got into their world, seemingly guilt-ridden about it. However she did ask the Shepherds to do battle with her and her comrades. Chloey was surprised but supposed that there was a reason behind it. She agreed and they headed out to a place that had enough space to fight without doing much damage to the place. Chloey noticed that the skills that they had were unusual to say the least but Chloey would make sure that she did her best to work out how to make a victory. If not, then she would go down trying.

The fight wasn't easy. The Elder witch had been surprised by how quickly Chloey had worked out how to defeat them but then it was as she'd thought. The child was a tactician. And that counted for something. With a sigh of relief she knew she could give them the seals. They would need those seals to help them along and the Elder witch knew that it was for the best.

Chrom was surprised when they were given the seals. The Anna that was clearly a witch had asked the Elder witch what they were and they were told rather calmly, "Witches seals." And the Anna spoke up,

"But shouldn't you give them Witch's Mark?"

"It won't be potent enough for them. They have an enemy that will need all the power they can get to stop. The Witch Seal will provide it for them."

And Chloey was surprised that they gave her that. However there were more pressing matters as she was certain that they had to make tracks. She thanked the Elder witch and left with Chrom and the Shepherds.

"Do you think it wise to give them the Witches' Seal," Asked a figure cloaked in darkness, "What if Grima gets its grubby little paws on it,"

"It won't," Said the Elder witch, "Her mark is black, which means that Grima is dead. The spell we taught Samantha was successful. The young one has began to sever the link between herself and Grima. She will fully sever the link, and soon. The Witch Seal will hold the final key. Once she reaches the strength required she will be able to use the seal. On that day the bond will be broken. She will regain what Grima tried to take from her." The Elder witch sighed, "However we must not interfere as she will doubtless notice it. Tell the others that we have to make more Witch's Marks. The other children will be arriving for our trial."

Upon returning to the Mila Tree Chloey discovered that the outrealm tome was still with them. She heaved a sigh and realised that she was going to be late to the war council being held on the roots as Tiki had requested so that she could get in some rest. For the time being they would stay until they needed to make their next move, which would be soon. Chloey heard Say'ri talking and came in just as she mentioned that Walhart's army was split, "Divisions are they?" Chloey spoke up and pushed her glasses up her nose,

"Oh my," Flavia said, "I see a plan in those eyes of yours Chloey,"

"It would be best to divide their divisions, disrupt communications, supplies and the likes. Then add some misinformation to add to the confusion. Perhaps a whisper here and there to let the panic spread on its own. It would be far quicker with such a great number...collapsing the force under its own weight,"

Chrom spoke up, "Say'ri, where is the garrison that controls the lands in between Walhart and Yen'fey?"

"The main garrison is Fort Steiger, just up the high-road. Not to far from where we are now. We could stand a chance against them," Say'ri took a breath, "Of course doubtless Walhart and Yen'fey will have heard of our exploits soon. Of course if they haven't already. I would suggest sending the bulk of our forces north and south to mask our plan with an elite force led by Sir Chrom-"

"You mean Prince Chrom do you not?" Chloey spoke up suddenly, "Also drop the formality please it's annoying."

"She is right about the formality thing," Henry said speaking up rather suddenly, "So we're going to Stieger then?"

"It seems we have our plan then," Flavia said,

"Agreed," Chrom added

"Fie! We could all be dead and yet not one of you hesitate. Your courage is an inspiration..." Say'ri wrung part of her garment in her hands, "Aye, we will win this war yet by gods!"

Chloey however was busy thinking about what she would have to do. She had decided that she would keep the outrealm tome close for now. Perhaps she would visit the outrealm again at some point but for now she would do what it took to get this war won. Without losing men...she hoped.