NOTE: This chapter was uploaded last week but had to be re-uploaded multiple times because of technical issues and Fanfiction having a long-ass stroke. Apologies for the inconvenience.
The group slowly limped their way past the edge of Ylisse and to the great hills. They had normally seemed peaceful and lucid, an area where one would like nothing better but to keel over on their back and take a nice long nap. Today, to the ragged trio climbing it, they seemed like mountains of no end.
To Daniel, the trips between Yssitol in the previous days prior to the attack seemed to go by so fast. But now they seemed to drag on. Maybe it was because he had talkative company back them to keep him distracted. Maybe it was because they were all wounded. Or maybe, perhaps most prominently, it was because now there was the looming threat of danger now that there was a war.
He shivered. He had come into this land a stranger, only intending to get out as soon as possible. But now, here he was, suddenly embroiled in a war that he had no true part or past in. He had decided to stay in this world. But he didn't realize he would have to stay with it's burdens as well. Including war.
War. A land that had initially seemed so peaceful when compared to his was now slowly shaping into his world itself, it seemed.
Gaius spoke up from Daniel's far right, jolting him out of his thoughts. "Hey, I just thought of something. If we need medical attention so bad, why didn't we just get some back at the capitol?"
Daniel shook his head. "It's too risky. We have no idea if they are more soldiers from Plegia there, and they wouldn't hesitate to kill us right there and then. Besides, we need to get to Chrom as soon as possible anyways. He needs all the help he can get right now."
"So... what exactly are we planning to do here?"
Daniel sighed. "Well, we have to catch up to the others. Then we'll figure out the second part."
"Yeah, but who ARE these 'other' people?"
Daniel mentally slapped himself for not remembering that Gaius still didn't have a clue of who the Shepherds even were. "Well... They're called the Shepherds. They're a military group from Ylisse hired to defend it from Plegia attacks. They're lead by Prince Chrom, the heir to the exalt.
Gaius nodded slowly. "Oh...When did you join?"
"Not too long after we first met, actually, now that I think about it." It struck Daniel how long it seemed since he had met Chrom and Robin for the first time, even though in reality it was only about a week ago.
"Where are they now?"
"I don't really know, but last time, we were camped near the great wood eastwards." Daniel gestured towards the setting sun. "So that's our best bet for now. If not, well..." His voice trailed off.
"Ok..." Gaius looked up at him. "But what do I do once we get there? I ain't technically one of your Shepherd friends, right?"
Daniel froze. He had completely forgotten that Gaius wasn't technically part of the Shepherds in the first place. He cursed himself inwardly for being so inconsiderate. Gaius had never intended to be dragged into this adventure. He had his own life, and here Daniel was, hauling him on a long road for no reason whatsoever.
Worse, hadn't Gaius been part of the Plegians? How would Chrom react when he got back? Well, one thing was certain. If Gaius got injured or landed in a worse situation because of HIM, Daniel would never forgive himself.
Daniel gulped. "Gaius... I-I'm sorry, I never thought..."
"What? No! No, it's fine, In fact, I was actually wondering. Well..." Gaius took a deep breath. "I just wanna know if...y'know...if there was a free slot in this group you talk of... maybe...It's fine if there isn't! But-"
Daniel held up his hand. "Gaius. Slow down. Are you saying you want to join the Shepherds?"
"I ain't making any promises!" Gaius interjected quickly. "But if the pay is good and the people are nice for a change then...yeah, I guess I want to join them." He deflated.
"Why?"
"W-well, I mean I know what I did was wrong, joining those guys...but I wanna be different. I wanna make it right. And if your Shepherd fellows are what you say they are, then...well that seems like a god place to start. I...I know I'm not very likable at times and I can get distracted easily but...If you have room, then..." Gaius trailed off.
"Well." Daniel smiled slightly. "I don't think that I'm the one who can completely just give you permission. But know this: if this is what you want, I'd be more then happy to have you."
Gaius looked up, stunned. "For real?"
Daniel nodded. "For real for real."
Gaius paused "T-thanks, Shady." He sniffed loudly.
"Um, are you-?"
"I don't wanna talk about it!" Gaius balked, rubbing his eyes. Daniel smirked.
Panne, who had been mainly silent the bulk of the trip, suddenly perked up. "What about me manspawn? Do you intend to drag me into your race's difficulties as well?"
Daniel shrugged. "That wasn't my intention, but first thing is that we gotta get you back and let your foot heal. We can't do it here. But then, well, I guess that's up to you." He shot her a sideways glance. "Although, the Exalt is with the Shepherds at the moment, so if you wanted to see her..."
Panne stiffened. "Is that so? Well, perhaps..." Her voice trailed off before raising it again sharply. "If you start crying on MY shoulder, manspawn, you will regret it." She snapped at Gaius.
Gaius hastily withdrew his head to the opposite direction.
There was silence as the group continued to trek onwards. Soon the hills leveled out into the long lush plains that Daniel had crossed with Chrom and co. so many days ago. Or rather a couple of days. Only a couple? It seemed like an eternity.
Panne's leg soon was strong enough for her to limp alongside them at a decent pace, and idea she pursued strongly when she wrenched both her arms from their grasp when it was made known. The group now continued determinedly onwards, but the sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains far away.
Daniel would have stopped to admire the sunset as he usually did, had he not been so worried about the great distance ahead of them. He only had two leads: their former camp at the Forrest or the Plegian border. And if both were wrong, what then?
"So...how much further?" Gaius piped up finally.
Daniel squinted towards the distance. "Can't be long now...yeah there's the woods, right in the distance." He gestured towards the east, where the tips of the tall trees could be seen beginning to peek over the hills in the distance.
"Thanks the gods." Gaius sighed. "I haven't been this plumb tuckered since that infamous snow heist of the marcher's stronghold..."
Daniel stared. "The what now?"
"Nothing." Gaius snapped instantly.
As the group drew over the last set of hills, what they saw confirmed Daniel's guess: the great expanse of woods was right in front of them.
The group eagerly sped up towards the edge of a forest, only to stop, discouraged to find it completely abandoned and devoid of anyone else.
Panne looked around. "Is it possible that we could be on the wrong area of the forest?"
Daniel sighed. "Nope." He pointed to the ground, where the ashes of campfires and outlines of tents could be seen in the dim light. "They were here. They must have just moved on without us."
"Great." Gaius groaned. "Now where do we go?"
Daniel sighed and started walking forward. "Well, the guard said something about the Plegian border. So I guess that we just keep going till we reach the border, and then we keep walking around the border till we find them. I know it sounds like a long journey, but-" He broke off, looking around him to see no one following. "Guys?"
He turned around to find Panne and Gaius on a little stretch of land behind him. Gaius was bent over, looking at something in the ground. "Uh...Shady?" He called. "You might wanna take a look at this..."
Daniel jogged over. "What's-" but he broke off when he saw what they were looking at.
In front of them, on the grass, was a small pile of stones about two feet high. A crudely carved wooden cross adorned the top. His Sitar, the one he had gotten in Little Horse, was lying on top as well. In front of the pile lay a wooden slab. The cut letters on it were difficult to read in the dark, but stood out to him all the same:
DANIEL ARBERTHERRY.
A long silence followed, broken only by the sound of the night wind whistling through the nearby treetops. For a while the only thing the group could do was stare at the spectacle.
Gaius finally broke the silence. "I...I guess that they...they uh..."
"That they think I'm dead, yeah." Daniel finished for him grimly. He gazed at the Sitar, battered and bruised on the rock pile, but still standing. Like me on top of those ruins after the explosion.
"T-that's, um..." Gaius struggled for words. "A...thing." He finished lamely.
Daniel could only nod. He was surprised to suddenly find a warm hand laid on his shoulder. He looked up to see Panne standing over him, her eyes filled with uncharacteristic pity. "I'm sorry." She said softly. "Truly, I am."
Daniel sighed. "Well, don't be. Really, its only natural that they would think I would be dead after that cave-in. Rather, they probably think we're ALL dead, now that I think about it."
"But what can we do now?" Gaius asked.
Daniel sighed and stood up. "Well," he began, forcing his eyes to look around him, "I don't know if there's much we CAN do, at least for now." He glanced up at the night sky. "There's no point in trying to continue in the dark." He ran a hand through his hair. "I guess we just have to get some rest for now. Make camp here. Tomorrow will be all about making up as much ground as we can."
"Correct me if I am mistaken, but did you say earlier that we must travel all the way to the border?" Panne inquired.
"We may have to." Was Daniel's grim response. "It's our best bet if they're not here."
Gaius stared at him incredulously. "All the way?"
"The problem isn't getting to the border." Daniel sighed. "It's that we don't know where they are on the border."
"We'll have to walk the entire length of the border?!"
"We don't really have a choice." Daniel snapped. "C'mon - let's not think about it anymore, at least for now. We gotta set up a camp."
The other two stared at him for a moment longer before slowly moving away. In all honesty, though, Daniel didn't blame them. They were tired, hungry, wounded, and now he had just dropped the bomb that they had to go even further. He didn't know how much longer they could keep it up. And even if they reached the border, would that be any guarantee that Chrom and the others would be there? Or would they have moved on yet again?
Perhaps it was destined to be like this, like an endless game of tag. Would he ever find them?
Daniel turned to follow his comrades, but paused to gaze at the memorial one last time. So that's it. They really think I'm dead. I honestly should be, though, considering the circumstances.
His face darkened as he turned and walked away. If only things were that simple.
A few hours later, Daniel was lying on his back, watching the ashes and smoke of the campfire spiral up into the night sky above him. So spacious and empty...
"Shouldn't we go look for Panne?" Gaius's voice next to him snapped him out of his thoughts. "It's been nearly an hour."
Panne had left them as soon as they had finished with their makeshift setup, insisting on foraging for food. Daniel had suggested hunting for live meat, but Panne had paled and adamantly refused. So Tanguels, Daniel discovered, were also vegetarian. Great.
Daniel sighed. "I guess we should if she's not back here soon. I know she can take care of herself and all, but with that wounded foot... well, I wouldn't put it past a starving wolf or bear to try to make a meal out of her..."
Gaius sniggered. "Well... put the emphasis on starving for anyone to mess with her..."
Daniel felt his stomach growl loudly. While he was generally used to being without food, the meals that he had been receiving from the Shepherds the past week had - in a sense - spoiled him. He now had nowhere the endurance that he used to have, and he felt it heavily now.
"Hungry, Shady?" Gaius piped up from across the fire.
"I haven't had anything to eat these past two days. I'm fine. How about you?" Daniel griped.
Gaius snorted. "Well, geez. I was gonna offer you one of these...
From within his coat, Gaius withdrew a couple of musty-looking cakes.
"But with that kinda attitude, well..."
Daniel had sat up instantly. "Wait, you had these in your coat? This whole time?"
"A-yup. Kinda forgot in all the recent... excitement." He grinned. "Like I said, I was gonna share, but if you're that grumpy, then..."
"No, wait." Daniel hated how desperate he sounded, like a puppy whining for treats. "I'm sorry. I am very hungry." His stomach gave an enormous growl.
Gaius pulled a look of fake concentration. "Yeah, but if you said you were full, then there's no point in wasting-"
"Goddamnit, Gaius." Daniel finally snapped. "I'm sorry ok? Now may I please have one?"
Gaius shook with laughter as he tossed one to him. "I guess I know one of your weaknesses now."
"Whatever." Daniel caught the parcel and drew back to examine it. Although any prospect of something to eat had been appealing before, now that he had a closer look at the cake, he felt his appetite fade a little. "Erm...Gaius?"
"Hm?" Gaius looked up from devouring his own cake.
"What uh... How long exactly have these been inside your coat?" Daniel eyed the musty, moist, and mushy cake with caution.
Gaius shrugged. "I dunno, a couple days at most? I only made them a couple of days ago. They're fine!"
"Alright, whatever you say..." Daniel sighed deeply. "Here goes..." He took a tentative bite.
"OH MY- AGH, ICKPT!" Daniel instantly gagged and spat the cake out before scratching his tongue desperately to rid himself of the taste. "The hell is in that thing?!"
Gaius looked up in surprise. "What, you don't like it?"
"It's-" Daniel coughed profusely. "It's so sweet! Like, TOO sweet! What is IN there?"
Gaius set down his cake thought fully. "Let's see... what did I use to make these?" He paused. "Well there's flour, sugar, some powdered sugar, syrup... oh, and I snuck in some honey too... and probably a little brown sugar, molasses..."
Daniel grimaced and pushed his cake away. "I... think that's enough sweetness for me..." Or any rational living being that walks this planet.
"What, you don't want it?" Gaius exclaimed incredulously.
"No thanks, I'll pass. As tempting as it is-" He tossed it back towards Gaius. "I'd rather stick to things I can actually consume, thank you very much." Daniel grumbled.
Gaius shrugged. "Welp, your loss." He grabbed the cake and began devouring that one too. Daniel gagged and turned away.
As soon as Gaius scarfed down both cakes, he stretched and let out a long yawn. "Boy, I'm beat. Can't remember the last time I had a decent night of sleep."
"Yeah me neither." Daniel hesitated. "Can I... ask you a question before you turn in though?"
Gaius sat up. "Sure."
Daniel paused. "What... what made you join Plegia in the first place?"
Gaius paused. "Well... that's a long story..."
"I got time."
Gaius looked into Daniel's determined gaze and faltered. "Oh, all right, if you really wanna hear..." He sighed resignedly and rolled onto his back. "Well let's see... Before you guess anything., know that I WASN'T born in Plegia. I was born in Ylisse." He looked at him.
Daniel nodded.
Gaius rubbed his head. "I was just tryin' to scrape my way through a living. I never knew my family, so I didn't have much there." He paused for a moment before continuing. "People like me...just seem ton fall into this life. They don't choose it. They have no choice. When you're born stealing, it becomes the only thing you know and..." His voice trailed off.
Gaius gazed into the crackling fire. "I do enjoy what I do. Really, I do. It kinda grows on ya. I have to give it credit for making me what I am. But sometimes..." He hesitated before speaking again. "Sometimes I would give anything to have lived a more honest life."
Daniel didn't think of anything to say to that, so he remained silent.
Gaius spoke again. "Well, I made my way. I took part in small jobs, big jobs, and the in-between. But then..." His brow furrowed. "Then this shady guy came up to me and offered me a chance to gain more riches than ever. By robbing the palace treasury." He looked down guiltily.
"Did you believe him?" Daniel probed gently.
Gaius shook his head slowly. "No - well, at least not at first. But then I looked into it, and realized it was true. I mean, with a job like this, I could start living an honest life for once! No more stealing, ever! I thought that this my shot at a new life."
He looked down. "Course, I had no way of knowing that this really was an assassination attempt. Look - before you say anything, I know this job seemed suspicious, but when he told me about the riches I just..." His voice trailed off.
Daniel shook his head. "You're not wrong for wanting a different life, Gaius." Gaius looked up in surprise.
Daniel continued: "Most people - like me - would do anything to change their past life." His voice faltered for a moment before he continued. "And the worst thing is - we already did those things. Horrible things. You should be thankful that you realized it was wrong, and didn't take things that far. Besides, looking at how simple it seemed for you to obtain your 'freedom', I don't blame you at all for wanting to do it." He let out a deep sigh.
"How you choose to spend your life - NOT what you choose to live for - is the most important thing, Gaius. So don't do what I did, and don't be ashamed about your past. I lived my life for the right goals, but in all the wrong ways. Be thankful that you aren't like me, and you made a right decision that day. Me?" Daniel snorted. "Well... you'd be hard-pressed to find a time that I made a right decision. Never forget that."
"R-right..." Gaius seemed quite taken aback by the sudden long speech. "I'll definitely remember... but why are you telling all of this to me?"
Daniel looked away. "It's just... when I look at you, I just see a... younger version of myself. I would give anything for someone like me not to follow down my own path." He picked up a small twig and fiddled with it in his fingers.
"...Alright." Gaius said slowly. "Thanks. I guess. But hey, do you mind answering me a question now? What were those decisions?"
Daniel looked up. "Excuse me?"
"Well, you said that you made some bad decisions in life, or something like that." Gaius said as he sat up. "But what were they?"
Daniel didn't say anything, but snapped the twig he was holding in two with his fingers.
"Hey." Gaius leaned forwards. "I was open to you. The least you could do is be open to me."
Daniel chuckled as he threw the twig fragments into the fire. "Well, you're not wrong." He leaned back against the rock behind him. "Well... long story short, when I was young, I joined an army. I did well, of course, but... well, I never knew my parents cause they abandoned me when I was young."
Daniel paused before continuing. "I almost felt like I needed to prove something to myself. That I could be stronger than I was originally perceived to be. To create a legacy that redeemed my past. So my physical performance improved greatly in the army. My personality-" He broke off with a chuckle. "-Did not."
"Whaddya mean by that?"
"Well, I was already strong, but I disagreed with the way that the kingdom handled their people. Only the highest and strongest in my kingdom were premitted to use magic. The poor were shunned upon. Slavery abounded. The rich exploited those below them." Daniel could feel his voice rising passionately. "I was the only one to see: our society was corrupt."
Daniel let out a deep sigh. "I was right and wrong. I know that the only way for this world - or any world - to succeed is this: power is progress. It must be given to everyone, anyone to better their lives. But I handled it wrong. I led a rebellion. Against my own country-" His voice broke off.
There was a long silence before Gaius finally spoke. "And then...?"
"Well, it failed. And I was imprisoned, of course." Daniel furiously wiped his eyes. "Ten long years... Imprisoned beneath the ground." His fists clenched. "And by the time I got out, it was too late. Everyone had turned on me. So I had built a legacy... but for all the wrong reasons."
Gaius nodded. "I...see."
Daniel leaned forward. "Although, the good thing is, we both have something in common too."
"What's that."
Daniel took a deep breath. "We have a chance to redeem ourselves. And we're both willing to take that chance. We both have now joined a group that can help us, both mentally and physically." He smiled. "And we don't have to be alone, either."
Gaius hesitated. "Do you... still believe what you did back then? About power and all?"
Daniel turned his gaze towards the night sky. "I do. I've never wavered from that belief. If I did, I would... just be lost." He looked back at him. "But know this: I want to change the way I act, not the way I think."
Gaius nodded slowly. "Yeah. I know. I do wanna start changing things. But..." His smile faded. "The question still remains whether we can get to these Shepherds in time."
"We will." Daniel said with a lot more confidence than he felt. "We'll get to them soon. Try to get some sleep now." The last part of that sentence he hoped would help stifle any more doubts.
"I will." Gaius rolled over. "Oh, and Shady?" He muttered drowsily. "Thank you. For everything."
Daniel laughed nervously. "I don't-" But he was interrupted by a soft snore.
He smiled. "Just like that." Now left alone to his thoughts, Daniel's worries returned. How soon would it be until they reached the Shepherds? And even if they did, would they be willing to accept Gaius, who had most recently worked for the enemy?
If they don't... well, it'll be my fault for bringing him all this way just to let him down.
He was startled from his train of thought by the sudden appearance of Panne next to him. "Oh, there you are." Daniel sighed in relief. "I was just going to go look for you. You ok?"
Panne nodded. "I am fine. My leg is... stronger. Unfortunately I could not find much food of sustenance." She held out her hand, containing a small amount of soft inner pine bark. "This you and the other manspawn can split."
"Thanks." Daniel accepted the offering. "Though just for me, I guess - he already ate." He gestured to the sleeping Gaius.
Panne's brows raised in surprise. "Really? Of what?"
Daniel let out a bark of laughter. "Trust me. You really don't wanna know." He forced himself to swallow the pine bark. Surprisingly enough, it went down fairly easily. After his taste buds had been overwhelmed by the sweetness of the cake earlier, it was almost a welcome relief.
"You should get some sleep to, Panne." Daniel said softly when he had finished. "We got a long journey tomorrow."
Panne hesitated. "Are you sure, Daniel? I could keep watch; I am perfectly capable, and you look tired."
Daniel said nothing but gazed at her surprisingly.
"What?" She added defensively.
Daniel shook his head. "Sorry - nothing. It's just that this is the first time you've called me by my name rather than 'manspawn'"
Panne looked away. "I owe you a debt." She muttered. "You saved my life, and I was not thankful back."
"You don't have to feel indebted, Panne." Daniel chuckled. "But in all seriousness, you should get some rest. It won't be easy tomorrow."
"If you're sure..."
"I'm sure. Besides, me and sleep never are one to get along." He winked.
Panne nodded slowly, before settling down further away. Daniel chuckled when he noticed she was careful to put a considerably distance between herself and Gaius.
Finally alone to himself, Daniel looked up to the stars. They glittered above him like tiny jewels.
Are you alone up there? Is it because of me that you are?
Daniel looked down, blinking hard against the unwanted tears that sprang up once again.
I know I'm not deserving of anything, much less your forgiveness.
But for what it's worth. I'm sorry. For all the things I did. More than you'll ever, EVER know.
The morning came, bright and early, and as expected, Daniel did not sleep well. Although this, for once, was not to blame for bad dreams. Rather it was for the thoughts in his head that kept him awake, staring at the night, then early morning, to morning sky.
Daniel was careful to make sure that any signs of their camp were covered before they set out. He couldn't shake the feeling of paranoia, that someone was still hunting them from the attack on the castle after learning they were not dead.
The journey started well enough, but it only took a few hours for Daniel to realize that everyone's spirits were flagging. Panne, although mantianing a brave face throughout, was starting to sweat profusely form the pain. Gaius was lagging behind. The landscape slowly changed to become more barren and rocky, only adding to the gloomy mood.
Daniel was not a very good motivator or spirit raiser, but even if he was, his heart was not in it either. The border seemed so much farther than he had initially anticipated.
Soon, well over half the day, Giaus finally collapsed. "I just need... a quick break." He puffed. "How much further?"
"I just don't know." Daniel groaned, his face in his hands. "Hell, I don't even know if we're going the right way."
"So... what does that mean?"
Daniel snorted and shrugged. "I don't know. Stay here and live in the wilderness maybe." He chuckled grimly. "Hopefully grow old."
"If I may..." Panne suddenly interrupted, bending over the ground. "I believe we are actually at the border."
Daniel's head shot up. "Wait, really? How?"
Panne remained bent over. "I can smell it. The scents here are definitely Plegian, along with some Ylissean." She looked up. "It's fresh, too. Not even a few days old."
Gaius sat up. "Then... are we here?"
"At the very least we're close." Daniel's heart was beating rapidly. "Very close. They must have been just here. How many other Ylisseans wuld go this far?"
"So where are they now?" Gaius struggled to his feet.
"The scents appear to lead that direction." Panne pointed west.
Daniel nodded swiftly, suddenly filled with new energy. "Ok. Let's go- GET DOWN!"
Without warning, Daniel barreled into Gaius and Panne, knocking them to the ground just in time to avoid the white blur that passed suddenly over their heads with the beat of wings, before stopping in front of them.
Daniel pushed himself up and unsheathed Kjelto to find himself facing a young woman mounted on a white Pegasus drenched in sweat. The woman herself had bright red hair that was disheveled and dirty. Her eyes were lined with both exhaustion and terror, but presently were narrowed at him.
She thrust her lance forward. "Stay down Plegians. I shall kill you to revenge my fallen sisters!"
Daniel reared back, parrying the blow before putting both hands in the air "Hey! Easy! We're with the Shepherds, not Plegia!"
The woman dropped her lance. "You are with the Shepherds? Then where is Prince Chrom?"
"What do you want with him!"
"Please!" The woman begged. "If you are as you say and not an enemy! You must tell me where the Prince is! Yissitol was just attacked!"
"Attacked?! We just came from there!"
The woman nodded frantically. "So please! If you know where he is, you must share!"
Daniel shook his head. "We don't know! In fact, we were just searching for him."
The woman groaned and put her head and her hands, shaking. "What am I to do! They told me that they would be-"
"Hey! HEY! Easy!" Daniel reached forwards and grabbed he shoulders. "Deep breaths."
The woman was startled, but took a few, shallow gasps.
Daniel leaned forwards. "Listen. We may have an idea of where he is. Can you take a few more on this steed?"
The woman looked surprised. "Y-yes, I suppose so..."
Daniel nodded, a plan quickly forming in his head. "Ok, good. Then take these two with you." He gestured to Panne and Gaius behind him. "They can't go much further, and they can lead you to him."
The woman nodded shakily.
Daniel turned back to his companions. "It's ok - she's with us. Panne, are you sure that the trail was leading west?"
"Positive." Panne nodded.
"Good. Go with her and keep following that trail until you find them."
"Wait! Daniel, what about you?" Gaius jogged up next to him.
Daniel shook his head. "Don't worry about me; I'll be fine. I can catch up, but if what she says is true, and Yissitol was attacked, we need to get to him faster than ever." He helped both of them clamber onto the Pegasus - Panne somewhat reluctantly - before the woman turned her Pegasus around.
"Daniel... are you sure?" Gaius questioned from the back. "We shouldn't abandon-"
"I'll be FINE, Gaius. Trust me." Daniel turned towards the woman. "Well? Didn't you say this was important? Then GO!"
The woman jumped and nodded. With a flick of the reigns, the Pegasus lifted and shot off, creating a draft so powerful behind it that it bowled Daniel over.
Daniel sat up in time to see his comrade's concerned and worried faces before the Pegasus and it's passengers disappeared into a white blur before vanishing completely in the distance. He hoped desperately that Panne's senses wouldn't lead them wrong.
Ok... step one is done.
Daniel turned and picked up Kjelto, closing his eyes as he channeled all the energy he could muster into the weapon. The blade began to glow.
Now for step two... Let's see if this still works.
And there we go. A little more personal chapter. If you're confused about what Daniel tells Gaius here and how it connects to what he said to Robin, don't worry. All will make sense... in time..
Unknown: Unfortunately, I can't say much more without spoiling anything. Just wait and see, my friend :)
I apologize for this being later than usual, especially cause this time I don't have a legitimate excuse. I just struggled with a lack of motivation. But I hope next chapter won't take too long.
Once again, consider joining the Fanfiction Treehouse discord! See the previous chapter's A/N for the code.
See you all next time!