Invisible Ties Chapter 33: Growing Shadows

Aversa frowned as she looked through the scrying orb that was before the figure to who she was speaking. The figure seemed unconcerned that there was little talking going on and instead seemed more interested in examining their own nails. Given the darkness of the room it was difficult to tell who it was. At least until the figure spoke, "So then Excellus' news is correct," The feminine voice had a slight edge to it if Aversa was to be honest. The feminine voice continued, "Too bad he's so weak don't you think, Aversa?"

The Dark Flier didn't speak. The last thing she needed right now was for her master to fly into a rage and she was certain that Grima was asking a rhetorical question, however she noticed the faint glow of crimson and said hastily, "O-of course Master Grima,"

She saw the slight blue glow of the eyes Grima's favourite risen move. Really Aversa couldn't stand seeing it as it hit a strange nerve that she didn't know she had. Perhaps it was because it reminded her so much of the enemy that she was currently fighting or because Grima wanted everyone to be made uncomfortable around her for what ever reason. It was made all the more awkward when Grima had admitted that part of the host was responsible for it. So Grima had turned the risen into some sort of sick puppet. Unable to speak yet able to function somewhat in the ways that seemed to matter to the Fell Dragon. It was almost as if Grima was using her magic to preserve the "dead" man although Aversa had never heard of Grima doing that before with any of the Grimleal. Who knew that dark magic could make living puppets like that? However for Aversa it took everything she had not to say a word as the last person that had done that was ripped apart by Grima so that they would never rise again. After that not even Validar was game to challenge Grima over the puppet after that.

Meanwhile the Shepherds were surrounded. How that had happened was pretty obvious. The Valmese tactician had appeared as they had begun to get the upper hand against the commander of Fort Steiger, a general that had been arrogant about the assured victory of her forces. If not for the meddling Chloey would have considered the battle a success. Of course there was frantic words about how they were surrounded but she was having none of it, "Chrom?" Chloey called to her husband and he looked at her, "We need to leave now!"

Flavia yelled out "Have you lost your wits, we're surrounded,"

"No, if Walhart and Yen'fey arrive we will be for certain. We have to escape now,"

"Aye," Say'ri said, "The dynasts only acted out of fear for the empire. There will only be token resistance without their masters to watch,"

"We can't keep running forever," Chrom growled in frustration, "How are we going to turn the tide?"

"By striking either Yen'fey or Walhart before they can join their armies," Chloey said, "With that in mind I know that it would be hard. Highly possible even that one would be upon us before we finished the other...so we should attack both,"

"The army is in tatters and you would divided it by half?!" Flavia cried unable to comprehend what Chloey was suggesting,

"Not half. Small enough to distract Walhart while we have our stronger force take down Yen'fey," Chloey pushed her glasses up her nose again,

"Spending some lives to bide time huh?" Basilio said watching as Chloey winced,

"It would be one of the most dangerous missions yet...the leader would have to have great skill and reckless bravery..."

"Alright stop it please, you're embarrassing me," Basilio grinned widely, "I'll do it without the need for compliments,"

"This is no time for japes Basilio," Chloey said looking the man in the eye with a very serious expression on her face, "The stakes couldn't be higher,"

Basilio chuckled and replied, "I am being serious," He looked back at the small tactician, "I'll lead the squad, though I do prefer my steaks well done,"

Flavia saw the frown on Chloey's face so she spoke up, "It's his way Chloey," She saw Chloey heave a sigh, "Besides bad jokes come with the bravado. Besides the oaf trusts your thinking as I do. Actually I'm sure as we all do I'd wager,"

"Right then that's that." Basilio said, "I'll make preparations and be off,"

Chloey looked decidedly unhappy, "Godspeed Basilio,"

Basilio turned to leave when a figure in sorcerer mage robes stepped up blocking the way for the Khan. It took a while to recognise the young woman as she looked even more grown up since the last time that he'd seen her, "Please stop!" Lucina cried taking everyone by surprise,

"Lucina?! What...?" Chrom looked at his daughter and for the first time saw on her face an expression that didn't make much sense.

"Please...don't go. You die in this battle," Lucina looked slightly pained, "I know it to be the truth,"

Chrom looked at Lucina confused but Basilio seemed little affected,

"You have a strange way of saying goodbye lass. Alright then, who kills me? Is it Walhart himself? It would make for a poor song to die at the end of some farmer's pitchfork,"

Lucina winced and replied carefully, "It was...at least that is what I was told that happened. Mum please we have to change the plan..."

"All I need to know, thank you lass," Basilio hummed to himself and then he spoke, "I'll be careful"

"Wh-what? Why? Why are you still going?! I just..."

"Lucina," Chloey walked towards her daughter, "As much as it pains me to see Basilio go, I have faith in him. We need to stop Walhart so that we can save more lives, I know that it is hard and nothing is ever simple but we have to trust those who are more experienced on the battle field," Flavia spoke,

"Don't worry love, he'll be fine," She looked at Basilio with a serious expression, "He'll have me to keep an eye on him,"

"You aren't coming you the reigning khan!"

Flavia raised an eyebrow and spoke, "I thought that you intended to survive this oaf. Regna Ferox has two khans of which you are now responsible. I dare you to die now!" Flavia exclaimed loudly.

The room was still for a moment until Basilio broke into laughter, "All right, you can come. Hope that's alright Chrom," The khan smirked,

"Just look after each other, please," Chrom spoke mildly uncertain as to what should be said. Flavia nodded, "Of course I'll bring the oaf back on a leash if it comes to it,"

"We'll meet again soon," Basilio said having calmed down, Lucina however wasn't content, she was worried. Frightened even,

"B-but your future,"

"Not another word lass. I fully intend to out live you sprogs," He spoke with the kind of firmness that was a warrior that was confident in his ability, "As for your future it can kiss my big brown Feroxi arse!"

Lucina bit her lip and watched as Basilio left them. Her right arm tingled and she did her best to ignore it. Looking at her mother she could see that Chloey was equally unhappy. Lucina wondered for not the first time if she was doing the right thing to change fate.

"So they managed to escape did they," The figure laughed as she pet the head of her favourite risen that was sat at her side, "I can be quite clever sometimes it seems," She lifted her hand and shifted the scrying orb. Basilio would fall, and that would be fun to watch but she wanted to bask in her own cleverness for just a while longer. The risen shifted and she heaved a sigh. Perhaps she could watch another time. After all Validar was coming, hopefully with some decent entertainment this time.

With their escape secured Chloey was certain that they were going to have to travel as quickly as possible. Pegasus knights scouts had reported that Yen'fey's army was making swift progress. It as according to Say'ri unsurprising that the turncoats would make such little effort to oppose the Shepherds and Chloey heaved a sigh. "We need to hasten to them and get as far away as we can from Walhart." Chloey said and Chrom was looking at the layout of the land before them, "This battle will be hard enough without Walhart at our backs,"

"Another thing that we have to worry about is the dynasts that betrayed us," Say'ri spoke up, "If they were to attack us while we were fighting Yen'fey it would be an easy victory..."

"Say'ri could you be quiet for just a minute please," Chloey spoke a little sharply, "I am well aware of what you are trying to say. In fact that is the most obvious thing that they would do!"

Say'ri jolted and realised that the tactician was clearly thinking on another level, Chrom heaved a sigh, "Say, what's up with the mountain over there," Chrom half expected Chloey to snap at him, but she didn't, "There seems to be a lot of fire but no trees anywhere,"

"Pardon? Oh" Say'ri looked at the mountain that was in the distance and shuddered, "It's Demon's Ingle, a fearsome volcano that is known though Valm. No one dares to get close lest they anger the wicked fire god,"

"Hey Chloey are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Chrom asked his wife and she let out a smirk,

"Only if you're thinking about how quickly we can reach the volcano love,"

"F-FIE! Go to Demon's Ingle?! Are you insane?!" Say'ri cried out in fear,

"Really?" Chloey said annoyed, "Don't you think that it would be the best thing we could do given the circumstances? We won't be followed by opportunists and we can use the flames to limit how Yen'fey's army approaches,"

Say'ri wrung her hands again and sighed, "Yen'fey will still come...his stubborn pride will force his hand,"

"Then we have our plan," Chrom spoke calmly, relieved that Chloey had pulled through again

"...'Tis a risky plan but I can devise none better," Say'ri said, "Gods I pray for a miracle,"

Yen'fey sat in his tent heart pained. His thoughts were on Say'ri and he feared the worst when he heard that Stegier had been surrounded. Although now the Ylissean army had broken through his scouts had asked what they should do. One of them had mentioned that the army was making haste to Demon's Ingle. Yen'fey thought he knew why that was. He told the scouts to make certain that was where they would be there. It seemed that there was more to the tactician than he first thought. However he needed to know that they were strong and that Say'ri would be safe. He gripped the hilt of his katana. He was angry that Excellus could even think to use Say'ri like this but there was nothing Yen'fey could do about it. It made him feel sick that he had to play a ruse in order to protect his sister, but Walhart had almost killed him. His strength alone was reason enough that Yen'fey had agreed to join him. The other was to keep Say'ri as safe as he could. It didn't mean that the Swordmaster had to like it.