AN: TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY! Because sleep is for the weak! Enjoy everybody!
The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 44
The Traveler
Say'ri loved the forest. These bamboo woods were her old stomping grounds when she was a young child. She could remember her little bare feet sinking into the cool earth. Her toes curling between dirt, roots, and grass. There was no other feeling like it. Rolling around in the open clearings with her older brother, Yen'Fay. Playing pretend. Having great battles with small bamboo sticks. He was always the brave knight, and she liked to be the evil villain. It is what made her stand apart from any of the other noble children in the city. Especially the other girls. While she did enjoy dress up on occasion, she was not afraid to grab a rod of bamboo and engage in an epic battle.
The Chon'sin princess smiled at the memory. Those were simpler times. Back when her mother and father were still alive. Back when her brother was still at home. Not off fighting the Conqueror's battles.
She remembered the night the Conqueror first entered their lands. He had swept through the farmlands to the west. Burning everything in his path. Her father had been honor bound to ride out and meet the invader in the open battle. Such a provocation could not go without a response. Even though her mother pleaded with him not to go. The Conqueror's armies were too vast. The invincible invader's cavalry far superior to their own. Did he really want their children to grow up fatherless?
Well, Say'ri did not grow up fatherless. She grew up motherless too. When the Conqueror entered her city, he rode in with her father's head on a spike. He had tossed it at her mother's feet then ordered his men to take her. Yen'fay was the lone commander left to defend the city. And he just let them take her. Let that monster butcher their mother. Bent the knee to the man that slaughtered their father.
Her hands shook at her sides. There had to be a reason for doing such a thing. But if there was a reason, her brother never told her.
She mourned for several months before making up her mind. Her brother had betrayed their family. He had betrayed her father, her mother, his own sister in favor of living under the Conqueror's thumb. And as he rose quickly through the Empire's ranks, she began making plans to escape. To flee the land of Chon'sin in order to join whatever resistance group that would take her. And one day, she would be the one to take the Conqueror's head from his shoulders. Place it on a spike, and present it before his own people to stare at in horror.
On the eve of her plan, Yen'fay returned from a campaign in the south west. And with him was something that caused Say'ri to throw away any thoughts of running away. A small baby boy, swaddled in thick blankets was brought to her that night. A baby boy with the most innocent blue eyes and a gurgling smile that brought joy to her grief stricken heart.
Yen'fay brought home their baby brother, Kage. Named because only a shadow could survive the destruction wrought on the battlefield that day. The only living thing left in the killing fields was this little, pale boy. Lost and alone. Wailing to the blue sky above him. Her brother took pity on the baby boy. And that baby boy forced her to remain in Chon'sin. It was no longer her own life at risk if she decided to leave her home.
Yen'fay could not look out for the boy. He was now one of the Conqueror's generals. Always called upon to go to the capital city of Valm in order to engage in war councils. Rebellions were growing more frequent. And her brother was the one to put them down.
So it was up to her to raise their baby brother. And she was proud to admit that so far, she liked to think she was doing alright. He was taken care of. Happy, and blissfully unaware of the troubles of the world.
Kage toddled along at her feet. He was a remarkable little boy. Within a few months he was crawling. A few months after that, he began babbling his first words. By a the start of his second year, he was running through the palace so quickly that the servants had trouble keeping an eye on him. Say'ri was the only one who ever managed to find the boy when he decided to hide somewhere. She laughed as he eagerly hopped over a fallen bundle of bamboo reeds. He looked ever so proud as he landed, put his hands to his hips, and looked back at Say'ri with an enormous grin.
Now look at him, She thought, He's growing up so fast.
Soon he would be old enough to start training with the other boys. Say'ri would try to prevent that for as long as she could. But eventually, Yen'fay would have him brought to the Master at Arms to be trained. Any innocence would be torn to shreds. He would train to be a warrior. Strong with both blade and bow. A protector of Chon'sin.
Like his great brother, General Yen'fay. She thought bitterly.
Kage laughed loud as he leaped over another set of fallen trees. Then he ran off further down the trail.
"Kage!" Say'ri called before letting out a small sigh. She grabbed the excess fabric of her kimono so that she could give chase, "Damnable gods he is just a ball of energy."
"Shall we give chase for you, my lady?" One of her honor guards asked.
Say'ri sighed, "There is no need. The forest is plenty safe. He knows to not go to far."
I hope.
Kage had never displayed a real trouble making streak. He was a good boy. He liked to play hide and seek, which he was extremely good at. But he never did anything overtly dangerous or stupid. His young mind was quite calculating actually. She was actually thinking about having a scholar come and begin instructing the little boy soon. His mind was sharp enough.
But will he sit still?
She continued down the trail, breathing the crisp evening air. Enjoying the quiet the forest offered to her. This was one of the few places free from the Conqueror's grip. Sure, he ruled this forest. He technically laid claim to it. But she did not have to gaze on his disgusting sigil here. She did not have to listen to his military officers grovel at her feet in an attempt to please her, the governor of this territory. A position Yen'fay bequeathed to her when he accepted a General's position in the Conqueror's army.
Out here, on the bamboo forest trails, she could think for herself. Settle into a conversation with her own thoughts and ponder the days events without interruption. Often she found this very trail, with its rocky boulders, wandering cranes, singing songbirds, and towering trees to be lovely company. Among this company, she began to grapple with the fact that she was indeed the governor of a conquered territory. And with that responsibility came a realization that there was much more to the world than resisting a tyrant.
She would love to take up arms against Emperor Walhart. He had earned the trouble. But she could not bring herself to do so. Yen'fay himself would probably lead the army sent to crush her. And there was no fighting spirit in her people anymore. The common folk continued on with life after the Conqueror raised his banner. Rice grew. Cows and pigs were harvested. Art was painted. New houses were built. Babies were born. And old men died. And all of that, every single soul in Chon'sin, was now her responsibility. Had been her responsibility for nearly two years now. While the task set before her had not quelled her own rebellious spirit, it had tempered it. Taught her to bide her time and wait until she was certain of victory over the conqueror.
Hopefully that day comes in my lifetime.
"My lady," One of her honor guard whispered in her ear, "The Prince is still gone. And it is nearly dark."
Say'ri glanced up at the sky. The once crystal clear, blue sky was now painted every shade of violet and indigo in existence. Streaks of orange crossed over the horizon as the sun lazily faded beneath it.
"You are correct." Say'ri muttered. It was time to start going home, "Kage! It is time to return home!"
Normally there would be lots of giggles as a response. Then her little brother would come bursting out of some thicket, a mess of laughter, grass, and mud. But this time, there was no reply. No sound of little feet pattering through the fallen leaves. Just an eerie silence.
At that moment, she noticed that the forest had fallen silent. The songbirds had stopped singing. Even the leaves hushed as the wind died away. She noticed the five members of her honor guard were on edge.
"Captain Kira?" She asked.
"My lady, something moves in the woods." The lead guard, an accomplished warrior in blue armor replied. The man turned to one of the other guards, "Ready yourself."
The other men drew their blades. Say'ri reached into the sleeve of her Kimono where a sharp knife rested against her forearm. As she did so, her heart thumped in her chest. Where was Kage? Was he hurt? Did some wild animal grab him? Was a tiger on the prowl? Or was something more sinister than that afoot?
A whistle zipped through the air. A guard directly to Say'ri's right cried out in pain as a dart buried itself in his neck. He fell to the ground, convulsed in pain, then went still. Foam leaked from the corner of his mouth.
"Assassins!" Captain Kira cried as the rest of her honor guard surrounded her, their eyes scanning the thickets around them.
A hiss shot through the air. Half a dozen shurikens tore into the ranks of her honor guard. Two more of her men collapsed to the ground as they buried themselves in vital areas. Captain Kira muscled through a blow to the shoulder as seven of their assailants revealed themselves.
They were assassins. Chon'sin assassins. Clad head to toe in black. Their faces hidden behind black masks. The only thing Say'ri could see were their eyes.
At least they are honorable enough to look at their opponent in the eye before killing them. She thought as she drew her knife.
"My lady, you need to run." Captain Kira breathed as he began to cautiously back up. Meanwhile, the assassins drew closer. Each one drawing their own blades.
"Kage is out there." Say'ri breathed.
"And I will find him. But your life is more important right now. If you die then Chon'sin is without a governor. Go now!"
Say'ri did not budge. Not even when Captain Kira engaged the first two assassins. His katana made short work of the first two. But then he let out a howl of pain as a third assassin slammed a black egg into his eyes. Red powder and shards of glass shot through the air as Captain Kira dropped to a knee. The other assassin's plunged their blades into the gaps of his armor. The brave man fell to the dirt, dead.
Say'ri started running. She took off back down the trail towards home. But another assassin emerged from the trees. She uttered a terrified scream and lashed out with her knife. The blade bit into the man's hand as he reach out to grab her. Buying the princess enough time to scramble back and start sprinting down a small trail that shot off from the main one. One that ran deeper into the forest.
She could hear them giving chase after her. Their footsteps were as light as a feather, but she knew they were there. Gaining on her. But her life was not her concern anymore. She was desperate to find Kage. If the assassins were sent to kill her, then they were also sent to kill her baby brother. She would never forgive herself, even in the afterlife, if he died.
"Kage!" She screamed out, her eyes desperately searching for the little boy.
Her foot caught on a tree root and she tumbled into a clearing in the forest. She tried to scramble back up to her feet. Pain shot through her ankle. She cried out and collapsed again. With all of the willpower she could muster, Say'ri pushed herself to her feet. She limped a few steps forward then stopped. The assassins had cut her off.
A total of nine surrounded her. All of them had their weapons drawn. All of them had murder written in their eyes. Say'ri took a deep breath and brandished her knife.
"I have killed with this weapon before." She growled, "I swear to all of the gods I shall wet it with your blood before you take the lives of my brother and I!"
"We shall take your life." The one directly in front of her hissed, "Your brother, we shall just take."
Say'ri's eyes widened. Their mission was to kill her. And it was also to just capture little Kage. But why? What did they gain by slaying her and only taking Kage? She did not have much time to think about it. Their blades were pointed at her now. Each one just a lunge away from plunging the steel into her body.
I damn whatever coward ordered this to the most eternal punishment the gods have! I curse and spit upon his name from the afterlife!
She was going to die. But part of her was at least a little at ease. The assassin's had said so themselves, Kage would not die. He was to be taken alive. Perhaps her death, and Kage's capture, would shake Yen'fay awake. She had a feeling this was not some Chon'sin nobleman's plot. This was something far bigger than that.
She grit her teeth. If she was to die here today, she would take at least one with her.
With a loud cry, she lunged at the nearest assassin. The assassin blocked her thrust and raised his blade to kill her.
A figure clad in all black robes flipped over the ring of assassins. As fluid and silent as a shadow, he landed in front of Say'ri and slashed a katana through the belly of the first assassin. The assassin let out a grunt before going limp and collapsing into the dirt.
Her rescuer did not stop there. His attention immediately turned to the next assassin. This assassin at least raised his blade to defend himself. But he lasted no longer than two parries before being cut down as well.
"To me!" Say'ri's rescuer hissed.
She dove to him. Just in time to avoid five swords aimed at her heart. Her rescuers strong right arm grabbed her around the waist and spun her around so that she was hidden behind his back.
Her eyes went wide as an third assassin aimed to take her savior's head from his shoulders. Say'ri uttered a feral cry and plunged her knife into the assassin's neck. Blood spurted from the wound and stained her kimono. But she did not care. She rolled up to her feet, grabbed the assassin's own blade and pressed her back against her rescuer. Who was handling five of the assassin's extremely well. He had to be. After all, they were not dead yet.
One assassin remained standing across from her. Say'ri grit her teeth and lash out. Steel hammered against steel. She gasped as the assassin reached for a black egg to smash against her eyes. He threw it. She ducked. The egg smacked against her rescuer's back and shattered all over his black robes. Her rescuer let out a small cry of pain before ducking beneath several hacks and slashes.
Say'ri did not give her attacker another opportunity. She was upon him in seconds. Hacking and slashing with the speed of a viper and the ferocity of a tiger. The man backpedaled further and further until he tripped on a small stone. Once he hit the ground, Say'ri plunged her blade into his heart. And she let it stay there.
The Princess let out a sharp breath as she turned to see how her rescuer was faring. Her eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
The man was a flawless swordsman. She could not see his identity, for his head was concealed beneath a black hood. But if they both survived this, she would learn his name, and he would be greatly rewarded. Both by her, and Yen'fay.
She could only watch in awe as the man spun and slashed at the assassins. Her heart jumped as one assassin landed a lucky hit on his right calf. But her rescuer was not swayed. He kicked out at that assassin with his wounded leg then drove his blade into the throat of another assassin. Before that dead one hit the ground, he parried a three strike attack then dismembered another one.
Were her eyes deceiving her, or was he getting faster? And his strikes were growing even more vicious as the battle lasted. Normally, a man would be exhausted at this point. This was a fearsome battle. The strain of taking on five opponents at once would be more than enough to cripple even the greatest of swordsmen. But this rescuer of hers only grew stronger as time dragged on.
She flinched as he took a leg from an assassin and left him to writhe in the dirt. Finally, there was only one left. They circled each other for a few moments.
The assassin let out a savage cry and jumped at her savior, blade raised overhead. Her rescuer raised his own blade and parried. Then he blocked a savage stroke against his right flank. Before she could even blink, her rescuer slashed down through the assassin's weak guard. The man uttered a choked cry then slumped to the ground. Their duel over in three moves.
The man took a deep breath and let his shoulders sag a little. Now he looked tired. He quietly sheathed his sword and turned to look at Say'ri as she cautiously approached him.
"You saved me, good sir." She breathed.
The man waved off her thanks and did not say a word in reply. He started to walk by her. But the wound in his leg was deep. He stopped for a moment, hissed in pain, then started hobbling away. Say'ri reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
"You are not leaving with that terrible of a wound." She snapped, "Let me help you."
The man hesitated. But finally, he acquiesced to her demand. He fell to his butt in the dirt. As he did, torchlight lit up the trail nearby. Say'ri heard her brother's voice over the treetops.
"Say'ri!" He roared.
Say'ri swallowed then shouted back in reply.
The torchlight drew closer. Yen'fay sprinted up to her. His sword, their family blade called Amatsu, was drawn and slick with blood. He dropped the treasured weapon into the dirt and enveloped her in a large hug.
"Did they harm you? I swear if they have, I will find whoever has done this to us and drag them through the streets by their entrails!"
"Forget me!" She hissed and pushed him off of her, "They took Kage."
Yen'fay drew back. He grit his teeth and pointed at two of his soldiers. A quick bark and they were taking two whole squadrons into the woods to search for the assassins and the two year old prince. He reached down and plucked Amatsu from the dirt. After doing that, he noticed Say'ri's her black robed rescuer.
"And this man?" He asked, nodding at the exhausted warrior.
"My rescuer." Say'ri replied.
Yen'fay eyed the man with suspicion, "Rescuers don't often wear black."
"Since when does the color of a man's clothes determine his loyalties." The man replied.
Yen'fay furrowed his brow, "Lower your hood please. I would like to look into the eyes of the man who saved my sister's life."
The man hesitated. But with a reluctant sigh, he removed his hood. Say'ri's jaw fell open. It was the Ylissean traveler, Luke.
"A Ylissean?" Yen'fay was just as surprised, "You are far from home."
"Trying to find a new home." Luke replied.
"There is an inn in town." Yen'fay said.
"Too rich for my blood." Luke breathed, "I like the forest better. There is something about the fresh air. It warms the soul."
Yen'fay nodded. He was still very cautious of the man. But now that he had seen his face, his stance had softened considerably. Say'ri fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her brother could be so stuck in his ways sometimes.
"Nothing is too rich for your blood anymore. You shall stay in the palace now." Yen'fay said, "Until you find yourself a suitable house. Please, tell me your name."
"His name is Luke." Say'ri answered for the young man, "I met him earlier this week near the city gate as he was being harassed by one of your men."
Yen'fay frowned, "Is that so?"
"Unfortunately." Luke sighed, "But I am not worried about it."
"I am. And as soon as these assassins are rooted out and put to the sword, I will deal with such unpleasantness among my ranks." Yen'fay offered Luke a hand, "I see you are wounded, may I offer my assistance."
Luke eyed Yen'fay's hand for a moment. He winced as he reached up and grasped it. The General hauled the Traveler to his feet. Luke gingerly placed some weight on his wounded leg, grimacing as more pain shot through his leg.
"We shall get that treated." Yen'fay nodded.
Say'ri's heart went to her throat as the two squads sent to search the forest returned.
"General!" Their leaders cried, "We could not find any sign of the Prince."
Yen'fay's face turned grim, "Very well." he pointed at his lieutenants ,"You two continue the search. Do not rest until my little brother is found. I will take my sister and the traveler back to the palace myself."
Say'ri wanted to protest. But now, as the adrenaline died down in her body, she realized how fruitless her protest would be. Yen'fay would not hear her fiery denial even if she gave one. To him, she was the number one priority. Luke limped along as Yen'fay scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her back towards the city. An entire squad of his soldiers followed them. Every single man vigilant. Their swords still drawn just in case there were more assassins out there.
She slumped into her brother's arms. The impact of what had just happened started to settle in. And it made her shiver.
For the first time in years, she felt safe in her brother's arms.
….
The next morning came with the peaceful chorus of songbirds and a gentle breeze that promised rain later in the day. Luke had been given his own chambers when they arrived at the palace. As soon as he settled into the room, a healer arrived and tended to the wound in his leg. Once the healer was satisfied, he fell into a restless sleep. One that was now over. A fact he was grateful for.
He winced as he sat up from his small pallet and placed a little bit of weight on his wounded leg. A curse escaped his lips. That damn assassin got lucky. None of them should have been able to land a blow on him.
Then again, his fighting had been frantic last night. Say'ri was in danger. He would be damned if any harm came to her. Of course, she could never know the truth as to why he felt that way. The truth being that he was Kage from the future, and she was actually his older sister.
He did not remember much of that night when he grew up after it. But he did remember the fear of it all. It was why he was meditating instead of sleeping around the time of the attack. He knew it was going to happen. But he did not know exactly where. Thankfully, Say'ri always had a surprising set of lungs on her. Her life would have hung in the balance if he had failed to show up in time.
He gingerly placed more weight on his leg. Confident that it would hold him up, he rose from his pallet and stretched his arms. His muscles popped as he rolled his shoulders. His blood stained robes had been taken from him last night while he slept. In their place were simple blue and white robes. Typical daily wear among the people of Chon'sin.
His fingers ran along the fabric with tender care. It had been years since he wore something like this. He felt as if he had been transported to another reality. A reality that could have existed if Maul never arrived in his life. He swallowed hard then proceeded to slip on the robes. They fit loose over his frame. Comfortable and relaxing. Just how he liked them.
His yellow eyes peeked out the window of his room. The sun had just started rising over the land. He nodded to himself, dropped back to the ground, belted out fifty push ups, then stood to his full height once again. If there was one positive thing Maul taught him, it was to keep his body in top physical shape.
Unfortunately, with the way his leg was right now, he could not go for a run. He could meditate. But not here. Not in his room. This space was much too peaceful to corrupt with the dark side of the force. As quiet as a mouse, he slid the door to his room open and closed it shut behind him.
The courtyard of the Chon'sin palace was exactly as he remembered it. There was a large pond at the center where koi fish of all different colors dwelled. He could remember feeding those fish with Say'ri. It was one of his favorite things to do as a child. Several small, squat trees dotted the carefully manicured space. His bare feet brushed along the stone paths across the courtyard until he drew near the palace doors. Before he could exit, Yen'fay's soft voice called to him.
"Luke."
Luke turned to see that his older brother was already fully dressed and wide awake. There were heavy bags under the man's eyes. He had not slept a wink. His silvery hair was not combed. Parts of it were sticking out from a ponytail that barely kept it all put together.
"How are you feeling?" Yen'fay asked him.
"Better than I probably look." Luke replied.
Yen'fay nodded, "I am glad to hear that." He motioned for Luke to start walking with him, "I apologize for my tone last night. I was worried for my siblings and I took that fear and worry out on you. I did not mean to sound as if I distrusted you."
Luke shrugged, "You had every reason to. I am a stranger after all."
"A stranger who risked his life to save my sister's." Yen'fay noted, "Not anyone would do such a noble deed."
Luke followed the General into his study. Yen'fay let out a long sigh as he reached into a cabinet and withdrew a bottle of wine along with two glasses. The General poured Kage a glass, then he poured his own. Luke muttered his thanks and took a sip of the drink.
Yen'fay did not sip his drink. He downed the entire glass in one gulp.
"Damnable assassins." He growled before setting his glass down and pouring another one, "I will find out who sent them, I swear it." He shook his head and this time sipped his wine, "If even a hair on Say'ri's head was harmed, I would have never been able to forgive myself."
He set his glass back down on his desk and strode over to a sword that sat on a shelf. He grabbed the sheathed blade, drew it halfway in order to marvel at the craftsmanship, then sheathed it. He nodded and presented the blade to Kage.
"This is more of a ceremonial weapon. But it is a great weapon nonetheless." Yen'fay explained.
Luke gave Yen'fay a surprised look. He wrapped his hands over the weapon and carefully took it from Yen'fay's grasp.
"Most Ylisseans turn down such gifts." Yen'fay said with a small smile, "But you do not."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Luke asked as he looked at the stunning artwork carved into the polished finish of the sheath.
"It means you have been through my lands before. Not only that, you have studied my people and our customs." Yen'fay sat down at his desk, "You are no normal traveler, Luke of Ylisse."
Luke smiled a little bit, "I try not to be that conspicuous."
"Are you noble born?" Yen'fay asked him as he leaned back in his seat and sipped on his wine glass. He gestured for Luke to sit as he did so.
Luke took a seat and shook his head, "No, my lord. I am not."
"Then you educated yourself?"
Luke again shook his head, "I had a teacher. He-" Luke bit his tongue, "He was not a good man. But he was very intelligent."
"I am glad to see his bad traits did not pass on to his student." Yen'fay replied. The General set his drink down and sighed. He balled up his fist on his desk, "Whoever did this to my family wanted to send a message. Wanted to send me a message. There were assassins here in the palace as well. That is how I knew to go and find Say'ri as quickly as possible." He took a breath, "My lieutenants have not found any trace of my baby brother. I cannot spare the manpower to track down the fiends who did this to my family. The Conqueror wants me to march by dusk towards Rosanne. Some petty rebellion is being stirred up by a foolish group of Wyvern riders there."
Luke set his drink down and stared hard at the General, "Are you asking me to track down the young Prince?"
"No." Yen'fay replied. He leaned over his desk, "I am asking you to track down my little brother as well as the bastard who dared to make a move against my family. And when you find that spineless coward, I want you to bring him before me." He saw some hesitance in Luke's eyes, "If you need gold to convince you-"
"I have no need of gold." Luke replied, "But I do worry about what I might find at the end of this rabbit hole."
Yen'fay raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Ylissean figure of speech." Luke waved his hand, "The point is, whoever did this is both very powerful and very wealthy. I worry that it may not just be a Chon'sin noble seeking to harm your family."
"And I am telling you that I do not care." Yen'fay growled, "No one harms my family. No one! Not while I draw breath. Find Kage. And bring me the fool who took him. And when you do, not only will you be rich, you will forever have a home here in Chon'sin. I can promise you that."
Luke eyed Yen'fay as he held out his hand. He already knew how this was going to go. Hell, he already knew where to start looking. Memories from when he was two years old were very fuzzy, but he had a general idea of where to start.
But if he messed with the timeline like this, what would happen? Would his fate change? Or was he about to make it worse? Would his younger self still be discovered by the Shepherds? Would he still meet Lucina? Would he still taught by Maul? There were so many variables at play. Fate was in his hands now. And he did not know what to do with that kind of power.
"I can give you some time to consider." Yen'fay offered.
Luke shook his head. He made up his mind. Fate will change. And he would be the force causing that change.
He gripped Yen'fay's outstretched hand.
"Consider it done."
And chapter! I little side story for our resident Fire Emblem Sith. And it takes place in such an interesting land too! I was always curious about Chon'sin and was so disappointed when the original game didn't delve deeper into it in the main game (I have never played any of the dlc. Please don't kill me for that). I did some research on the Fire Emblem wiki and did not dig up much other than it is heavily inspired by feudal Japan. So here ya go, feudal Japan in Fire Emblem! And we are going to have a Sith Lord running around it looking for his infant self all the while trying not to tip off to his adopted family that he is in fact their two year old brother. Nothing could possibly go wrong there!
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!
