The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 45
From Sickle to Sword
Chrom's brow furrowed as he stared down at the missive in his hand. A messenger had brought it into his study. That messenger was in a fervor as he delivered the message. Huffing and puffing about how he had raced all the way from Plegia on behalf of General Mustafa in order to deliver this dire message. And now that Chrom read the message, he could understand why the man was so frantic.
King Gangrel was dead.
That did not surprise Chrom. In fact, a part of him was happy. The now late Plegian King was a mad dog that needed to be put down, regardless of how much of his mind was poisoned or not. After the pain and suffering that man caused, his opinion of his death was; 'Good. About damn time.'
However, the nature of his death both surprised and concerned Chrom. The Mad King was assassinated at his own trial. And the nature of the wound was unknown. Some sort of fire spell was shot at him. But no one at the trial saw any flames. The spell that killed the man burned through Gangrel's chest. Killing him within minutes.
Chrom set the missive down on his desk and leaned back in his chair. The sun's rays warmed his back as they streamed through his study's large window. He ran a hand over his mouth as he pondered the significance of this event.
King Gangrel was dead. In his mind, this was a good thing. But he had not been executed by Mustafa or the ruling military council. He had been assassinated by an unknown killer with an unknown spell. An assassin that somehow managed to infiltrate the royal palace and kill the late King. And he killed no one else.
That rules out the Grimleal.
If the Grimleal executed such a move, then Mustafa and the rest of the Generals would have been killed as well. It would have been the perfect opportunity for the sinister group to grip power by force. Take back their status and continue their reign of terror over the desert land. But that did not happen. The military council still lived.
His eyes scanned down to the last few paragraphs of the missive. A frustrated expression crossed his face.
"And the generals are fighting among each other." Chrom muttered before standing up from his desk and shaking his head.
He strode out of his study. With a snap of his fingers, a guard rushed up to him once he was outside of the door.
"I want an emergency war council. Inform the commanders and Lord Edward."
"War council?" The guard asked, uncertain.
"Yes, war council. Plegia is in upheaval. I need advice. Go gather the commanders, now." Chrom ordered.
The guard gave him a stiff salute then sprinted away. Chrom shook his head as he marched towards the council room. He was still not used to the power he now had. Being the ruler of Ylisse was tiresome business. But it was a responsibility he took with great pride. He had an enormous legacy to live up to. His sister had become a beloved Exalt. The wound of her passing was still raw among the common folk. And he, a soldier, was the one that had to bring about healing.
The Halidom had finally begun to recover in the weeks following the war. Food was still scarce. But the Khans of Regna Ferox helped tremendously. They generously offered stores upon stores of meat and fish from their abundant lands in order to feed the hungry and weary Ylissean people. It would be a debt Chrom would never be able to repay. He even told Flavia as much. The ruling Khan just laughed in his face and waved him off.
"Our coffers are already full thanks to Plegian reparations." Flavia had laughed, "Don't worry about paying us back. Just don't get any ideas on crusading on us heathens to the north."
Chrom snorted to himself. Flavia and her sense of humor. He never knew if she was joking or actually serious.
Slowly the people of the Halidom were rebuilding. Ylisstol's walls were under constant construction as they were undergoing massive repairs. The siege had blasted the outer ring to smithereens. Chrom could only imagine the horror of seeing the first line of defense blasted away.
Houses were constructed where the husks of burnt down buildings once sat. Farms were being planted in the cold weather so that an early harvest could occur in the springtime. They could not rely on Feroxi generosity forever. At some point, Ylisse would have to stand on her own two feet once again. Chrom aimed to make that day happen sooner rather than later.
Cordelia and Frederick were busy rebuilding the Ylissean military. Cordelia had begun to select candidates for the Pegasus Knights. Sumia assisted her. And Frederick had already installed a rigorous training regimen for new knights. They would be the finest soldiers the land had ever seen. Never again would Ylisse be caught so flat footed by a foreign power. If war ever came to their lands again, Naga forbid, they would be ready. And Chrom approved of that line of thinking.
He took his seat in the War Council room and waited. He did not have to sit for very long on his own. The door to the small room burst open. Frederick strode inside with Cordelia hot on his heels. Sumia then followed along with Lissa. Finally, Lord Edward hobbled in with the help of his cane.
The once great knight looked twenty years older than he actually was. Everyday, Chrom asked the man for forgiveness. Forgiveness for failing so miserably in protecting Emmeryn. For not being able to rally an army to relieve Ylisstol sooner. He had even granted the man a lordship and lands to the north as a way of apologizing even further. But with every apology, Edward would just shake his head and tell him: "An Exalt bows to no one except Naga herself. Do I look like a beautiful goddess to you?"
Everyone took their seats.
"What is the situation, mil-" Frederick caught himself, "Your grace."
"Frederick." Chrom breathed, "How many times must I tell you to just call me Chrom."
"You are technically my commanding officer, your grace." Frederick replied, "It is both proper etiquette and tradition to refer to you with such deference and respect."
"Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people." Lissa snorted to Frederick's horror, "So Chrom, what is going on? Why a war council?"
"I am wondering the same thing." Sumia said.
Concern filled her voice. Rightfully so. One war had already ended. Were they about to enter another one? That depended on what Chrom heard during this council.
"Just a few moments ago, a Plegian messenger came to me with a missive from General Mustafa." Chrom took a breath, "King Gangrel is dead. Not by execution, but by assassination. He was killed at his own trial."
"Gods above." Edward breathed, understanding the implications of such a move, "Do we know who wielded the knife?"
"We do not know who did it or why." Chrom answered, "And it was not a knife that ended Gangrel's life. It was a fire spell of some sort. One that Mustafa had never seen before."
"Well there's our answer as to who and why." Frederick noted, "The Grimleal are attempting to grab power again."
"If that were the case then why kill a doomed king and not the entire military council?" Cordelia pointed out, "Did anyone else die?"
Chrom shook his head, "No one else."
"Then this can't be the work of the Grimleal." Sumia said.
"It may very well be." Lord Edward countered, "What is the state of the Plegian military council in the aftermath of this unfortunate occurrence?"
Chrom's face became grim, "Not good. The finger pointing has already begun." He heard Frederick mutter a curse, "Each General is beginning to build up supplies and manpower."
"Civil war." Cordelia breathed, "Mustafa should have claimed the throne immediately. This whole mess could have been avoided that way."
"Perhaps, but we will never know." Lord Edward replied, "And what is more distressing is that the assassin is unknown and used an unknown spell."
"What was the nature of the wound?" Lissa asked, her eyes narrowed in concentration.
"A perfect circle." Chrom answered, "The fire burned through Gangrel's heart. His last words were: 'He is ready.'"
"Ravings of a mad man." Edward dismissed.
"A perfect circle?" Lissa echoed, "Are you certain?"
"That is what the missive said." Chrom replied. He noticed his little sister's brow furrow. She was thinking hard. That sharp mind of hers raced through answers as to what could have caused such a deadly blow, "What do you think-"
"It was not a fire spell. Fire spells don't burn perfect circles through flesh. They just burn. Melt away everything. Flesh and bone. They don't burrow." Lissa pointed out, "And lightning can have that kind of result. But it would have to be an extremely powerful lightning spell. And it would not feel or look like fire. It would have left static around the wound."
Lissa pressed her lips into a thin line. Meanwhile, Chrom resisted the urge to smile with pride. His sister was really coming into her own as a healer. She had taken her studies under Libra seriously and now she was starting to master her craft.
"So what do you think killed the Mad King?" Frederick asked Lissa.
Lissa's fingers drummed against the table top, "Do you recall the nature of Marth's wounds?" She asked the others.
Sumia paled a little then nodded. Cordelia swallowed hard, but also nodded. She remembered how Marth looked vividly. Chrom gave his sister a firm nod.
"The wound in her gut, the one that should have killed her instantly, that was a perfect circle." Lissa pointed out.
"Are you saying a weapon similar to Maul's did this?" Frederick asked, fear now etched on his face, "Or worse, are you saying that monster-"
"No!" Chrom's fist slammed into the table, "That fiend is dead! End of discussion."
"No, this is not Maul's work." Cordelia said, "Remember Ben's report? Maul may have been cunning, but he was still an animal. He enjoyed watching the life leave his enemy's eyes. All of his kills, according to Ben, were up close and personal." Cordelia shivered, "I pray to Naga that Maul is actually dead. Even if he wasn't and he somehow survived, which I doubt, he did not do this."
"But someone with a similar weapon did. The type of trauma matches!" Lissa exclaimed.
Lord Robert raised his hand. Everyone fell silent.
"We are talking about a dead man." His no nonsense voice rumbled, "What we should be talking about, are the people that are actually capable of this. Regardless of what the Grimleal's motives may be; they are the only ones capable of this kind of strange magic." He jabbed a scarred finger into the table top and stared hard at Chrom, "Look at the bigger picture, your grace. We are getting so caught up in the finer details that we are failing to notice the most unnerving revelation of this missive. Plegia is on the verge of tearing itself apart. The army is fracturing. Notice who is not involved in that instability?"
Sumia's eyes widened, "The Grimleal are silent."
"Precisely. They are silent. They are letting this happen. They may not have been the ones to kill Gangrel, but they are certainly reaping the benefits. They are being patient. And that is a terrifying thought. Because you know what that means?" He leaned over the table, "It means the Grimleal are following a new High Priest."
"Do you think the new leader is Aversa?" Sumia wondered.
"No." Chrom shook his head, "Mustafa has kept very close tabs on the Grimleal and their temple. There has been no sign or word of Aversa. And there has been no mention within the Temple of a new high priest. His sources-"
"Are flawed." Robert interrupted, "That or already have turned their coats. I guarantee a new High Priest now leads the Grimleal. One with a scary amount of cunning and intellect. He is going to let the military destroy itself. Then he will step into the to fill the power vacuum. And a war weary people will allow it. Anything to finally have some peace. That is what they will think."
"So what should we do about this?" Frederick wondered, "Are we to send our own forces to secure the area? Prevent violence?"
"That would be the single worst thing we could do." Cordelia countered, "It would be like throwing dry tinder on an already raging fire. It would only worsen the problem and then come back to burn us in the end."
"Cordelia is right." Chrom nodded, "My father tried to secure Plegia once before. We know how well that went." Chrom blinked, "My father tried… Lord Robert, what was the situation in Plegia like when my father's war began?"
Robert furrowed his brow, "It was… a lot like this actually. The king of Plegia was a weak leader at the time. The Grimleal had just selected a new High Priest. Political assassinations were commonplace. And the military leaders were at each other's throats. Your father invaded with the goal of installing some stability into the region after multiple bandit attacks against our western border."
Chrom snapped his fingers, "Exactly the same as what we are seeing now, minus the bandits. We are seeing history repeat itself." He folded his hands together, "What information can you provide me on my father's war, Lord Robert?"
Robert sighed, "Not much. I was just a field commander at the start. I did not attain the rank of Knight Commander until your sister was crowned Exalt. Commander Phila would have known more. She was Wing-Commander during the later days of the war."
"I will gather up any materials she may have left on the war." Cordelia said, "Your grace- er- Chrom, what is our goal? What are you planning?"
Chrom took a deep breath, "I plan on learning from my father's mistakes. Just as Emmeryn learned." He looked at Sumia, "Let Miriel know that I want her researching everything about my father's war. I want every detail, every secret, every single strategy and tactic brought to light for me to see. I would have Robin do it, but he is traveling with Ben and we have no way of contacting them."
"Of course." Sumia nodded
"Frederick." Chrom continued
"Your grace?"
"Send a letter to Khan Basilio. Inform him of this investigation and the nature of it. I want his testimony regarding the war."
"The Feroxi did not even fight in that war. Why go to them?" Lord Robert asked perplexed.
"They did not fight, but my father approached them for an alliance. In that meeting, he revealed his intentions for the war. I want to confirm everything first. Once you are done with that Frederick, gather up any information about the war from the logs of my father's Knight-Commanders."
"I shall." Frederick nodded.
"Do so with haste everyone." Chrom said firmly, "There is something sinister at work. The Grimleal may be the cause. Or someone even worse could be orchestrating all of this. But we cannot sit idly by as an enemy attempts to goad us into another disaster. I will not have another war of that kind under my rule. Am I clear?"
"Yes, your grace!" Everyone except Sumia and Lissa replied.
"This war council is dismissed."
Frederick started speaking in earnest with Lord Robert about obtaining the records needed as the pair exited. Cordelia lingered a moment to speak with Sumia before running off to the Wing-Commanders' quarters. Phila's journals were somewhere in there. Perhaps something would be brought to light from them. Lissa excused herself. She seemed a little upset. But Chrom could not figure out why. Sumia remained with her husband. A look of worry on her face.
"Chrom." She placed a soft hand on his cheek, "You don't think another war is going to happen, do you?"
Chrom took a deep breath, "I really hope not. We cannot afford it. The Halidom is still weak. A war would be the end of us. Hopefully by discovering what led to my father's war, we can learn how to avoid one of our own."
"Do you worry about what you will find?" Sumia breathed, "Robin and Basilio were adamant that your father did some terrible things."
Chrom swallowed hard, "Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't. We won't know until the truth is found." He grabbed Sumia's hands and gently held them in his own, "Do not worry dearest. I will not allow war to come into our land. Not without exhausting every other option we have."
Sumia gave him a small, nervous smile, "That's… that's good. Because-" She bit her lip. Chrom noticed her hands were shaking.
"Is something the matter?" He asked her, worry on his face, "Are you struggling with anything? Do I need to get Libra?"
Sumia uttered a small laugh, "Maybe. But not for the reason you think."
Chrom raised an eyebrow in confusion. Sumia leaned into his ear.
"I'm pregnant silly."
PREGNANT!
All focus left his vision. It suddenly felt very hard to breathe. He uttered a loud, sputtering cough. All strength left his legs as the muscles in them turned to mush beneath him. Chrom did not even feel his body impact with the floor as he fainted.
"Chrom? Chrom!?" Sumia let out a long sigh, "You don't have to be so melodramatic!"
….
"C'mon! Sing it with me Benny!" Gaius chirped, "We're on the road again! Oh~"
"My singing voice sounds like a mix between a screeching cat and fingernails on a chalkboard." Ben cut off the cheerful thief, "I will not subject any of you to that kind of torture."
Robin snorted out a laugh as they marched down the trail, "Oh come on, Ben. You can't be as bad as Gaius."
"Yeah you can't be as bad as-" Gaius blinked, "Bubbles, what the hell?"
Robin clutched his stomach as he erupted in laughter. Ben could not help but laugh as well. Today was a different day than the previous ones. The rain had finally passed. The days following the massive storm had seen crystal clear skies. Skies as blue as the most brilliant of sapphires. The sun warmed up considerably as they moved further south. To the point where Ben had decided to roll up his cloak and stuff it in his travel pack. And the trails they traveled down were finally dry. The mud was starting to peel free from Ben's boots as they walked onward into the wilderness.
The pleasant weather had a profound effect on Ben's state of mind. Or perhaps, the weather was not the cause for Ben's suddenly relaxed state. In reality, he knew that he felt better because his mind was not as cluttered. Whatever scrying Tharja had done to him a few nights ago had worked wonders. He had awoken from the spell in some emotional pain, but it had subsided as he meditated on the event. He had confronted something that hurt him.
That conversation in the engine room of Queen Amidala's ship had been one of the last pleasant conversations he had with his old Master. Every other conversation with him after that revolved around Anakin and Obi Wan's own distaste for the boy. At the time, he agreed with the Jedi Council. The boy was too old to train. And he was frustrated and puzzled by Qui Gon's decision to defy them yet again on such a sensitive matter.
He also had to admit, he was a little hurt that his master wanted to move on from him as a padawan when he clearly was not ready to be a Jedi Knight. Qui Gon may have had confidence in his abilities, which helped keep the blow from stinging too much. But Obi Wan was not ready for the trials then. If he actually underwent them, he would have failed.
No wonder that memory had caused him pain. It was the last time he had truly been Qui Gon's apprentice. The last time he called him Master and did not feel any underlying anger, betrayal, or worry. He had struggled with Qui Gon's death for some time afterwards. Anakin did not know that of course. But in the end, he grew to accept that his relationship with Qui Gon did not end badly. There were no ill feelings between Obi Wan and his Master when he died. They were Master and Apprentice. And Ben was forever grateful that crazy old Jedi Master took him as his student.
A rumble in his stomach tore Ben's mind away from that memory.
"I heard that." Panne said.
"Heard what?" Gaius asked as he stopped whistling.
"Ben is hungry." Panne nodded over at the swordsman.
Gaius chuckled then felt his own stomach growl, "Now that you mention it, so am I."
"I could go for some food." Robin said, "Anyone up for hunting some game?"
Tharja gave a visibly disgusted look behind Ben. Hunting was not something she was interested in at the moment. Her nose had been buried in her tome all day. She had been studying the scrying spell in greater detail so that she could perfect it. Ben knew she wanted to enter his mind again. Tharja was a curious person by nature. Creepy, but curious. She had a voracious appetite for forbidden knowledge. And she viewed the Force as the most forbidden form of knowledge. Entering Ben's memories was the perfect opportunity for her to learn more about the Force. Since Marth left, he was her only source of knowledge on the subject.
Gaius grunted as he set his pack down off to the side of the road.
"I'll get a fire going. I'm looking forward to a nice hot meal." Gaius smiled.
"That does not sound entirely awful." Tharja grumbled as she took a seat beside Gaius's pack.
"What do you say Panne?" Robin looked over at the Taguel, "Shall we hunt a bear?"
"Bleh! Bear!?" Gaius cried, "What are you a savage? Get some deer or a…" Panne narrowed his eyes at him, "Rab… bit." He gulped as Panne's fur bristled, "I'm sorry."
"You have him well trained." Ben chuckled as he remained standing. The Force was tingling for some reason. He could not pinpoint exactly why. But it was trying to tell him something.
Gaius stuck his tongue out at Ben then recoiled as Panne smacked his shoulder.
"So abusive today." He muttered as Panne made her way towards a nearby wood with Robin.
"You irritate her." Tharja breathed, "Be grateful that you do not irritate me."
"Aw! You are sweet to say that, Sunshine."
"One more word and I shall be irritated." She growled.
Ben narrowed his eyes down the road. He saw someone now. A boy, a teenager actually, was sprinting as fast as he could down the road. His appearance was disheveled and poor. A dented copper pot sat over his head. In his hand was a pitchfork with one prong almost completely rusted away. The boy raised his tired gaze up and saw Ben.
"HEY!" He waved at Ben, "HEY!"
Ben furrowed his brow. Gaius got to his feet.
"Who's the idiot?" Gaius asked as he pointed his lollipop stick at the kid, "He does know that bandits like to prowl this road, right?"
"Nature is about to take its course. Let it happen." Tharja sighed as she flipped a page in her book.
Ben took a closer look as the boy drew nearer. There was blood stained on his blue, rough-spun tunic. Fear was all over his face. Sweat caked his brow. But he did not slow down as he sprinted at them.
The boy's sandal covered feet skidded to a stop. At that point, Panne and Robin both turned around and noticed the newcomer. The pair slowly returned towards their campsite as the young boy tried to catch his breath.
"Thank Naga y'all are friendly!" The boy wheezed as he dropped his pitchfork and struggled to catch his breath.
"Who said we were friendly?" Gaius replied.
"Gaius…" Ben warned as he saw fear rush over the boy's face.
"Oh let me have some fun!" Gaius whined, "Besides, both Sunshine and Whiskers are not in friendly moods today. So I'm not really lying."
"You just have to be difficult all the time don't you?" Ben asked before raising a hand to silence the thief, "Rhetorical question."
"Shall I give you a rhetorical answer?"
Ben pressed his lips together and clenched his jaw. He was few more sentences away from finally losing his temper when it came to the thief.
"Catch your breath." Robin said as he grabbed his skin of water and offered it to the boy, "What is your name?"
The boy drank deep from Robin's water skin, "Thank you, milord. The name is Donny -er- Donnel, good sirs." He gasped for breath than took another long drink, "I came from the village over yonder."
"Over yonder?" Panne parroted, confused.
"That way." Gaius pointed at the hill in front of them.
"I knew that." Panne snipped.
"Please sirs, y'all have to help." Young Donnel picked up his pitchfork, "My village is under attack. Some bandits are trying to steal everything we own. Which ain't much, but it's all us hardworking folks got."
"Bandits?" Robin said.
"I told you." Gaius muttered to Ben.
"How many?" Robin asked.
Donnel shrugged, "Dunno, milord. But enough to put the whole place to the sword. My ma is still there too! I was out tending the cattle when they attacked. Barely managed to save my own skin." He uttered a trembling breath, "I cannot just let those murderers hurt her. But I cannot take them on alone."
"You won't." Robin nodded.
"Bubbles, that's not a good idea." Gaius groaned.
"Yes, this is a good idea." Robin looked into Donnel's eyes, "How far is your village?"
"Just over yonder hill." Donnel pointed ahead of them, "I'll take ya the back way so that they won't see ya coming."
"Oh no!" Gaius waved his hands, "Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going to be the voice of reason right now. We know this road is bandit heaven. How do we know this kid isn't a lure?"
"Lure?" Panne asked.
"For a trap, Whiskers. Keep up with me now."
"Really Gaius?" Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, "Donnel, a bandit?"
"I beg your pardon!" Donnel cried, offended.
"I've seen skinnier." Gaius countered.
"I could break him over my knee." Tharja uttered a dark giggle, "And it would be fun too. He's not a bandit."
"Um… I don't take kindly to those words." Donnel sweated nervously.
Robin sighed, "If it satisfies your own paranoia, we will take him with us. Besides, this is his village. He should be part of the effort to take it back."
"I'd be more than happy to, milord!" Donnel stood taller, "I-I ain't never fought before. But I know how to use my pitchfork and a sickle. And-and well," Donnel swallowed hard, "wheat may not be as tough, but the principle sounds the same."
Gaius eyed the kid. He shook his head and walked past Robin.
"He's going to get himself killed." The thief grumbled, "Or worse, all of us killed."
"No he won't." Ben said, "He will stay by me the entire time."
Gaius glanced over at Donnel. Then he looked over at Ben.
"Gotta give yourself a handicap in order to make it fun, eh Benny?" He smirked at Ben.
"One more word and I will knock you out, Gaius." Ben snapped.
"Please, say another word. I could use some entertainment today." Tharja snickered.
"No more!" Robin exclaimed, "Donnel lead the way!"
"Yes sir!" Donnel nodded, he turned towards the woods to their south, "Follow me. We will circle around the backside of the village."
Robin and Ben both nodded and took off after Donnel. Panne scurried after them as well. Tharja let out a long, irritated sigh before closing her book with a loud bam.
"I guess I have the time to test some new spells." She muttered before chasing after the others.
"Guys! Guys! This is a bad plan! I-" Gaius's shoulders sagged in defeat, "Is this how Bubbles and Benny feel when I come up with a plan?"
….
Robin focused the lens of the telescope as he stared through it at Donnel's village. By the time they managed to circle around the village, night had fallen. A full moon sat high in the sky. Showering the little village with cold, pale light. Without the moonlight, it would have been impossible for Robin to see anything other than the bandit's torches moving through the village.
It was a tiny little place indeed. Donnel's village was constructed mostly among the ruins of an old, abandoned fort. There were several stones houses with thatched roofs scattered among the shattered stone walls. And among those stone walls milled an entire gang of bandits. Worse of all, gathered at the center of the town were the residents. All of them held hostage. Helpless as the bandits ransacked their homes.
Ben crawled over to Robin as they laid low behind some thick brush.
"How many?" Ben whispered.
Robin frowned, "I count a dozen. Maybe more. The walls make it difficult to see them all." He scanned the town again, "At least three archers."
"Great…" Gaius groaned, "A dozen bloodthirsty bandits, armed to the teeth with bows and axes, versus five shepherds."
All of the Shepherds, including Donnel, glanced over at Gaius.
"What?" Gaius asked.
Robin nodded in Donnel's direction.
"Oh, my bad." Gaius corrected himself, "We have five and a half shepherds."
Panne smacked the thief upside the head. Gaius bit down on his sleeve in order to keep himself from crying out in pain. He screwed his eyes shut.
"That hurt, Whiskers!" Gaius hissed.
"Then maybe you should learn to hold your tongue." Panne snapped back.
"Both of you hush up." Robin whispered as he continued taking stock of the situation.
Gaius's pessimistic interpretation was not with reason. In fact, his caution had quickly spread to Robin as well. There were a lot of bandits in the village. And all of them were heavily armed. There was no way of entering the village without being noticed. The leader of the bandits wisely placed a sentry at all points of entry into the crowded space. Then there was the fact that the villagers were being held hostage. If anyone tried to rescue them, they would be slaughtered.
"Do you have a plan?" Ben asked as he eyed the situation.
Robin pursed his lips. He closed his telescope and stuffed it back into his coat pocket, next to his spell book.
"Gaius, you've traveled with these type of gangs before right?"
"Uh… I'm not sure I want to incriminate myself." Gaius swallowed hard, "I may or may not have had some companionship with unsavory folk such as these gentlemen."
"Gentlemen!?" Donnel hissed, "Those monsters are thieves and murderers. Not gentlemen. They deserve a headsman's ax."
"Let's not get too hasty with the death sentences." Gaius whispered, "Not all thieves are that bad."
"Focus Gaius." Robin snapped his fingers in front of the thief's face, "What is the likelihood that these guys have run into a mage before?"
"Likely." Gaius replied, "There are rogue mages in the Halidom. The best bandit crews have at least one in their ranks. Nothing makes the common folk surrender faster than a good fire spell."
Robin cursed. That ruled out using magic to take them by surprise. These bandits appeared to be an experienced group. They were combing through each house with efficiency not typical of a random gang of bandits. Whoever led these brigands was very smart and very effective at getting his motley group of men to do as he commanded.
"What about a dark mage?" Ben wondered.
"I think a rogue mage counts as a dark mage, Benny." Gaius deadpanned.
"And a Grimleal?" Ben said with a knowing smirk.
Gaius puckered his lips. Then he began to chuckle quietly, "You know what, I'm glad I tagged along now."
"Why's that?" Donnel asked, "What is a Grimleal?"
All eyes turned to look at Tharja, who lay prone at the other end of the line.
"Oh!" Donnel gulped, "She's a Grimleal?"
Tharja waved her fingers at Donnel. All the while, a sinister smirk was on her face. Robin noticed how pale Donnel became as he caught a good look at her black spell book. A plan formed in his mind. One that was so crazy, it might just work.
"Tharja."
"Yes, Robin?" The dark mage asked as her cheeks turned red.
She scooted closer to Robin. Robin scooted closer to Ben. He uttered an uncomfortable grunt as he bumped into the swordsman's body.
"How scary can you get?" Robin whispered, hoping to make her back off a little bit while at the same time conveying his idea to her.
Tharja blinked. Realization ran over her face. She began to snicker uncontrollably.
"Has Miss Tharja lost her marbles?" Donnel asked.
"On the contrary." Ben whispered over to Donnel, "She is getting excited."
"Why?"
"We're are about to let a Grimleal off of the chain." Gaius shook his head, "I pity the fools that dared to attack this village."
"Pity is reserved for the living." Tharja said with a glee filled grin, "They will all be dead soon." She looked over at Gaius, Panne, and Ben, "Start some fires. I am going to need a lot of smoke in the air."
The trio nodded and ran off to gather some firewood.
"Ben!" Robin grabbed the swordsman's arm, "When you are done with that, circle around the other side of town and ready an ambush. These guys will be running in your direction if all of this goes as planned."
Ben nodded in understanding. He glanced over at Donnel and sighed.
"Stay close to Robin."
He took off after Gaius and Panne. Leaving Tharja alone with Robin and Donnel.
"Robin, I will need a well timed el-thunder spell." Tharja breathed.
"What will the signal be?"
Tharja continued to utter dark snickers, "Oh… you will know. Hehe. You will know."
"I don't wanna ask this," Donnel gulped, "But what do you need me doing, miss?"
"You?" Tharja narrowed her eyes at Donnel, "I will need some of your blood."
Donnel's face went as white as a ghost.
"What?"
Tharja's knife flashed in her hand. The blade bit into the back of Donnel's palm. A long, jagged, red gash formed over his hand. Donnel had to bite down on his tongue in order to keep himself from screaming in pain.
"Once I am done causing fear, you two must join Ben." She said as she pulled her blade away from Donnel.
The dark mage's eyes gleamed with delight as she looked at the crimson liquid that coated her blade. She dabbed her finger along the edge of the knife until it was covered in blood. She used the scarlet substance to paint long, terrifying lines over her pale face. Once she was satisfied, she hid her bloodstained knife in cloak. Her face turned to both Robin and Donnel.
"How do I look?"
Both Robin and Donnel paled.
"Perfect." They trembled in unison.
Tharja snickered again. She crawled away from the tactician and the farm boy. As she crawled away into the darkness, Robin heard her snickering starting to fade. Her voice came out of the shadows. It was a tone that sounded so pleased that it made Robin's stomach flip.
"I am going to have so… much… fun."
….
Roddick scowled as he stalked around the cowering townsfolk. He thought this village was a prime target for sacking. Too far away for any of the Halidom's soldiers to properly guard. Remote enough that none of these peasants could easily get away should they try and run for it. And large enough that there should have been plenty of valuables to take. It should have been a good night of thieving and sacking.
How quickly that excitement faded to disappointment. They entered the village without a fight. Each member of his crew dragged the townsfolk out to the center of their little village. His archers kept their arrows trained on them as his men tore apart their homes in search of anything worthwhile. And every house they ransacked came up empty. Nothing valuable. Not even a single copper coin. He was starting to realize that this village was so remote because it was just that poor. And he was getting very frustrated with that fact.
It had been a few months since his crew had a successful raid. The return of Prince Chrom to the Halidom signaled the end of the lawlessness that the Plegian invaders brought with them. Those few weeks not under Ylissean rule were glorious. His men ate like kings. Took riches beyond their wildest imaginations. And spent those riches on drink, food, and women.
But the good times did not last. Damnable Prince Chrom made sure of that. Now his men were scrounging for scraps. And just when he thought he found a proper, prime target; there was nothing.
No! There can't be nothing here!
His frustration only mounted when he realized that a villager was missing. One of his men told him that a farm boy managed to escape their initial assault. That really made his blood boil. Who knows how long they had until that boy brought back help. He had to be found!
The brutish man growled and wheeled around on one of the quivering peasants. An older maiden. Wrinkles were starting to grow on her plain looking face. She was nothing more than a farming wench. Not even pretty to look at. Too old to have fun with. He pressed his ax blade close to her chin.
"Where's that little shit of a boy at?" He snarled.
Tears began to flow from the woman's eyes, "Please milords. We ain't got nothing left to take. Leave the children be!
"Quit yer bleating" Roddick bellowed. He backhanded the woman. The other peasants cowed in fear while his men grinned, "I know you know where he be at. Last I saw the boy, he wasn't much of a boy anymore. He be almost a man now, eh? I'd say that makes 'im more than killable."
"Hey Roddick!" One of his archers interrupted. He pointed at black smoke rising from the woods to the west. "A fire."
"Oh wonderful observation there ya shit." Roddick snarled, "Are ya lot just gonna stand there or are ya going to figure out what be causing it!?" He glared down at that cow of a woman, "Perhaps it be yer little boy coming to save the day." He laughed, "Too bad he'll die tryin'."
The archer swallowed then motioned for four other bandits to follow out of the town center. Wind blast of wind whipped up from the west. Blowing all of the black smoke towards the town. It hung low in the air and billowed out in front of the stone walls and buildings like a black fortress.
A moan echoed over the wind. Roddick's hair stood on end. The villagers fell silent as they quivered on the ground.
He gripped his ax tight in his calloused hands and stepped forwards with the rest of him men. His entire crew now stood at the western entry to the village. Smoke continued billowing out from the woods. But they could not see any flames.
"This ain't natural." One of his men whispered nervously.
"Shut yer damn trap. It just be a forest fire."
"Roddick, someone's coming."
He followed the finger of one of his boys and peered into the smoke. Sure as the shit he took this morning, someone was stepping out of the smoke. A hooded and cloaked woman in fact. Her head was bowed so that they could not see her face. But Roddick could see that voluptuous body of hers. If it wasn't for the black smoke billowing out around her and uneasy feeling he had in his gut, he would have liked what he saw.
"Just what in Naga's name be that?" One of his men whispered.
"FOOLS!" The woman's shrieked. Her voice snapped against Roddick's ears like a whip, "FOOLS AND TREACHEROUS BEASTS! They stomp on my soil. Wet it with the blood of innocents. Woe are they that do these fell deeds. For now my wrath is kindled!"
Roddick furrowed his brow. Just what was this woman screaming about. His men began to back up uneasily.
"What are ye lot a bunch of whelps? Go take her already!"
His men hesitated. Just as they started to make for her, the woman clapped her hands over her head.
A great branch of lighting shot through the smoke. Thunder clapped over their heads. And the moaning on the wind grew louder.
"WOE TO THOSE WHO DARE HARM THOSE UNDER MY WATCH!" The woman in black shrieked, "FOR I AM THE WITCH THAT CALLS THESE WOODS MY HOME! AND THOU HAST DISTURBED MY SLUMBER!"
The woman's voice distorted near the end. And it made a chill crawl up Rodrick's spine.
"Roddick, what the hell is this?" One of his archers asked as he nocked an arrow.
"Does it matter? Shoot her!"
His three archers drew their bows and fired. The arrows hissed through the air. The woman did not move a muscle. A victorious smirk crossed Roddick's face. She was just another wench about to die by his command.
She raised a hand. Three shadowy blasts shot from her pale palm. The arrows exploded as the blasts slammed into them. Roddick's smirk ran away from his face. The woman raised her gaze to meet his own.
His blood ran cold. Long, crimson streaks of blood dripped down the witch's face. There was an evil gleam in her eyes. A look that only a predator gave when they were toying with prey. He knew that look well. Normally he was the one giving it.
She shrieked again. The scream reverberated through the air. The stones around his men trembled. Every face in the town center went pale.
One of his men screamed in terror. Then two. Then three. Roddick's voice joined the terrified chorus. All of them started running away as fast as their legs could carry them. Some of his men even cast their weapons to the side so they could run faster.
They reached the edge of town. Just as they were about to make their escape from the witch, a blast of fire slammed into one of Roddick's archers. A mass of fur shot past him and tackled two of his men to the ground. Terrified screams erupted from those men as claws sank into their flesh. Once they were dead, the monster spun around and attacked two more of his bandits.
Roddick brandished his ax and spun around as a two hooded figures emerged from the darkness, blades in hand. They started making quick work of his gang. Another man with red hair shot through the darkness and buried a shortsword into Roddick's last remaining archer.
Finally, Roddick caught sight of a young boy wearing a copper pot on his head charging directly at him. There was no fear in the boy's eyes. Only pure courage and determination as he leveled his pitchfork at Roddick.
Another shriek soared through the wind. Roddick wet himself. He dropped his ax blade and sank to his knees. He felt the pitchfork pierced his chest. He took a couple more breaths. Then he fell dead to the earth. Thankful that the nightmare was over.
….
Donnel heard a wet crunch as his pitchfork buried itself in the bandit's torso. It was a sound he was not fully prepared for. As his arms vibrated due to the impact he could feel his stomach churning. He watched as the bandit fell backwards, causing Donnel to lose his grip on his weapon. As soon as the body hit the earth, blood spurted up from the place where Donnel's pitchfork pierced the bandit.
And that was what made him vomit for the first time that night.
Donnel doubled over and struggled to catch his breath. He looked up at the body again then proceed to vomit some more.
"Naga above." He said between ragged breaths.
A rough hand clapped him on the back. Forcing sharp coughs out of his lungs.
"I did not think you had it in you kid." Gaius grinned as he patted the boy hard on the back, "But look there," He pointed at the body, "Look! Look!" The blood spurted again and Donnel's face turned white as a sheet, "HAHA! You did good!"
"I don't feel so good."
"Quit torturing him, Gaius." Panne sighed as she reverted back to her human form, "You saved your Warren, young Donny. And you were brave in doing so. You have earned my respect."
Gaius whistled, "I haven't even earned that yet."
"You've only managed to lose it." Panne pointed out.
"Donny!?" A woman's voice pierced the night.
Color returned to Donnel's face. His gaze snapped over ot the town center where his old ma was sitting.
"Ma! Ma!" All feeling of sickness vanished as he rushed up to the old, squat woman. He wrapped his arms around the lady and uttered a relieved breath.
"Oh thank goodness you're safe, Donny!" His Ma cried as she embraced him, "I thought I had lost you like I lost your father! I was worried to near death, boy!"
"It's okay, Ma." Donnel sniffled, "I'm alright. And I came back to save you." He broke away from her embrace and gestured over to Gaius, Panne, Ben, and Robin, "With the help of my friends." He shivered, "And- and-" He pointed a shivering finger over at Tharja as she sauntered into town. The other villagers gasped and shrank away from her, "She's a friend too."
Tharja glanced around at the increasingly terrified villagers. She placed her hands on her hips and smirked as Ben approached her.
"I could get used to this feeling." She said.
"The feeling of people being terrified of you." Ben breathed, "Most already are."
"But it's not always this obvious." Tharja smirked deviously, "Perhaps I should paint my face with blood more often?"
"That won't be necessary anymore." Robin gulped, "You did a great job, Tharja. But I think," He drew a handkerchief from his coat, "you can take off the costume now."
"I don't believe me own two eyes!" A man from the village declared, "That be Sir Robin, tactician of Prince Chrom's army!"
Donnel's eyes widened in petrified shock.
"Which makes our heroes, Shepherds!" Another villager exclaimed.
Donnel's mouth opened then snapped closed.
"Y'all are Shepherds?"
"I see we are folk heroes around here." Ben chuckled as he stood beside Tharja and Robin.
"More than folk heroes now good sirs." Donnel's Ma said with a large grin on her face, "You be just heroes now. And we are beyond grateful for it." She smacked Donnel's shoulder, "Show some manners son."
"Th-thank you milords and miladies." Donnel stammered.
Gaius began to laugh uncontrollably.
"I get what you're feeling now, Sunshine." He elbowed her arm, "I could get used to this."
"See what doing the right thing does?" Ben smirked over at the thief.
Tharja uttered a dark mutter. Gaius sniffled then sneezed hard.
"Oh… that was-" He sneezed again. Sniffled. Then sneezed hard again, "What the hell?"
"A hex for your original cowardice. And I amplified it because you elbowed me." Tharja glowered at Gaius, "Enjoy the runny nose, thief."
"WHY!?" Gaius cried before sneezing again.
"Milords, miladies, please allow us to repay you. We don't have much. But we do have soft beds and warm food to offer ya." Donnel's Ma said.
"We could not possibly impose. Besides, we have a quest to continue." Robin said.
"What quest be that?" Donnel's Ma asked.
Robin gestured at Ben, "We're looking for his son. He was kidnapped a few months ago."
Donnel's Ma gasped, "Oh dear. I am so sorry to hear that."
Ben nodded, "He is an infant boy. Blue eyes. A few wisps of blond hair."
"Ain't no infants around here, milord." Donnel said, "Not one in a few years actually. But…" The farm boy bit his lip, "I'd like to come with ya. Assist ya in finding your son. As repayment for saving my village."
"Donny!" Ma cried, "You need to know your place. A farm boy has no place alongside knights and lords!"
"Actually," Robin glanced over at Ben, "He is more than welcome to join us. We could use all of the help we can get. And when we finish our quest, he can come with us to Ylisstol. I'm sure Knight-Commander Frederick would love to have a man as brave and selfless as your son among his knights."
"Me!? A knight!?" Donnel cried in shock.
"But Donny is not a fighter he… he…" Ma sniffled, "Aw, I can't fight it anymore, can I? You're almost a man grown now, son. It is time you followed your own path. The life they are offering ya is far better than the one here."
"Ma?" Donnel stared at his mother in shock.
"Go, my boy." Ma placed hand on Donnel's cheek, "Go be a knight and make me proud."
Donnel's face burst into a massive grin.
"I will ma! And I promise I will become on the greatest knights to ever grace the Halidom! And I shall do it for you. And one day, I will come back and make sure this village is never harmed again!"
He wrapped his mother in a large hug. As the two embraced one more time, Ben drew up beside Robin.
"That's an incredibly generous thing you just did."
Robin shrugged, "The kid deserved it."
"So who will be teaching him to fight while we're on the road?" Ben asked, his eyebrow arched as he looked at Robin.
"Well um," Robin scratched the back of his head, "You see, since I'm technically a novice too, I was hoping-"
Ben began to laugh. He clapped Robin on the shoulder.
"I'd be happy to teach both of you, Robin."
And chapter! Introducing Fire Emblem's lovable farm boy, Donnel! I added a little bit of my own twist to this paralogue. ONe that gives Tharja a moment to shine and really show how scary she can actually be. I had a lot of fun writing it! And still no sign or word of Luke for Ben. Will he find him? I wonder?
Meanwhile, Chrom has gotten word of the trouble in Plegia. And he is starting to investigate his father's war more closely. Lissa does not seem to pleased about that. They will be having a very interesting conversation soon. And Sumia is pregnant! We all know what that means. Yes it is technically a little early compared to the actual game's timeline, but in this story Lucina is not much younger than Kage. So I had to keep that together somehow.
Next chapter we will be getting another Ben and Tharja memory scrying scene. Because I have been outlining those and they are very fun to brainstorm. Also, we may be seeing Marth again next chapter. I'm so excited! Anyways, let me know what you all think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!
