Rigged from the Start

Chapter 56

It Could Be Worse

I've never been tied up to a wooden pole before, surprisingly enough. During my time spent in this world, fighting otherworldly monsters both human and monstrous, I've been suspended from chains, choked, held at knifepoint both at the throat and the testicles. But, I've never been tied up to a poll. I've never had to deal with splinters digging through my loose linen shirt and pricking my back, until now. Until now, I didn't have to deal with my lower back throbbing with spasms since I haven't been able to lie down or stand up for who knows how many hours now.

The worst part might have to be the chaffing on my wrists from the rope tied tight around them. Every single twitch of my hands, fingers, and arms made them rub against my bonds, turning the skin raw beneath the rough material. It created a constant burning that made me suck in breaths through gritted teeth as I sat alone in a tent.

Actually, that was the worst part of this whole experience. Being alone. As soon as I was captured, the Pegasus Knights separated me from Severa. Then they stripped me of my weapons, my leather jerkin, my hooded cloak, and what little gear I had for journeying through the land. Now I had nothing other than my boots, my pants, my shirt, splinters in my back, a sore ass, and chafed wrists. I didn't even have Severa's company to help get me through this insanity.

A small ache filled my chest. All I could do now was wonder if she was okay. That was one of the major reasons why I took this risk, after all. The mission to defeat Grima was paramount, and Severa was key to that mission's success. I gambled that the Ylisseans would keep us alive long enough for us to prove useful to them, or to at least warn them of what is coming. Perhaps even long enough for Lucina to figure out where we are and rescue us.

One part of that gamble has paid off. I'm alive. If I'm alive, then Severa is alive. After all, she's far more useful than I am when it comes to wars, fighting, and surviving this insane world. I was grateful the Ylisseans didn't execute us on sight.

Still, the silence following my capture was maddening. Not a soul entered the tent I was held in.

Talk about some serious silent treatment.

I drew in a deep breath and shifted. My teeth clenched together as my wrists burned. For what felt like the millionth time, I glanced around the empty tent, looking for a way to entertain myself. In the end, I drifted into my mind again.

This gamble was risky. Lucina ordered us to stay away from the parents, and I placed Severa right next to her mother. I also managed to make us enemies of Ylisse in the process, and therefore, prisoners of war. From what I remembered about medieval times when I studied in school, prisoners of war were not treated kindly.

What would our fates be if this gamble failed? What would happen if we were deemed evil actors loyal to Plegia? Would we be locked up in some dungeon somewhere; left to rot in a cell? Would we have an appointment with the headsman and his ax? I hoped not. But that's the direction things would be going if someone didn't walk in and interrogate me.

Come on, I puffed out an anxious breath, my eyes glued to the tent's closed exit. Would someone walk in here already?

Someone was listening to my prayers because I heard voices drawing closer to my prison. They spoke fervently, not caring that anyone could overhear them. I recognized two of the voices: Cordelia and her squad's captain.

A couple of seconds later, the flap to the tent fluttered open, and both of them stepped in. I grimaced as I sat up in my seat, splinters stabbing my back like small needles as I shifted against the pole. Despite the fear and worry sitting in my chest, threatening to suffocate me, I put on a brave face.

"Hello there," I said with a relaxed smile. "I was wondering when the greeting committee would show up. I can assure you, Ylissean hospitality was not exaggerated."

A metal gauntlet collided with my jaw. Pain flooded my face. A hoarse sound croaked from my lungs as a metallic taste entered my mouth. Blood dribbled from my lips, welling up on my tongue like a small fountain. I spat into the dirt, winced, and raised my eyes to the two pegasus knights again.

The Pegasus Knights' captain was flexing her fingers as she glared at me. Cordelia, meanwhile, appeared surprised by her captain's actions. She hid it well enough behind a stern look and folded arms, but her stance was uneven. She was uncomfortable in here, even though she followed her captain in.

I spat into the dirt again, then flashed a red smile at the two knights.

"Such a friendly welcome."

"Only the best for a Plegian dastard such as yourself," The Captain commented.

I chuckled. "Plegian? That's what you… do I look Plegian to you?"

"Does it matter?" Cordelia piped up, drawing a glance from her captain. "You were coming down a path that leads to the Plegian side of the border. You're armed. And, you were spying on us."

"I'm an adventurer moving from one land to the other," I countered. "Can you blame me for wanting to check you all out before walking by? Wanted to make sure you weren't hostile, ironically enough."

Cordelia remained near the door as the Captain approached me again, stalking around the pole like a lioness moving around a wounded animal, waiting for an opportunity to go in for the kill. As for me, the prey, it was quite an unnerving situation. But, I could not afford to look afraid. Fear would make them think I was lying. Fear would make them think I was hiding something important, which would lead to more questions and more problems to solve. If I could talk my way out of this, then I could get Severa out too. At that point, we had several decisions to make, but I could not think about that right now.

One step at a time, Sam. I thought. One baby step at a time.

The Captain stopped circling me. She knelt to my left and her face leaned in close to my ear.

"Your friend spun a different tale," She breathed, causing a pit to form in my gut. The Captain leaned back, rose to her full height again, and moved around to face me. "She said that you were both mercenaries under the employ of General Mustafa of Plegia. You were acting as scouts for the Plegian army in this area, only to have a sudden change of heart about whatever deal you cut," The Captain folded her arms, looking down on me with an unimpressed expression. "Did you really think you would find shelter among us?"

Goddammit!

They interrogated Severa first, and Severa told them our role in Mustafa's army. Not a good start to negotiations. The Pegasus Knights having that knowledge immediately put me at a disadvantage.

My breath hitched. They got Severa to talk. What did they do to her?

"You better not have harmed her," I said, a surprising snarl filling my voice as I glared at the Captain.

The Captain's thin lips twitched, amused. She did not answer. Instead, she moved over to the entrance, reached out of the tent, then pulled in a small, wood stool for her to sit on. Cordelia remained stationed by the exit, hands folded behind her back as she eyed me with suspicion.

As the Captain sat down, a small breath exhaled from her lips. She glared at me, then removed her helmet, allowing her short, blonde hair to breathe. Piercing, sea-green eyes glared at me, attempting to stare straight into my thoughts. It was the first time I got a good look at the Knight Captain.

She was older than Cordelia; that much was obvious from the faint lines on her brow and wrinkles on the corners of her mouth. A thin scar, barely visible in the dim sunlight that managed to creep into my tent, ran along the right side of her square jaw. There was a rugged beauty to her. Then again, the longer I stayed in this world, the more I realized everyone looked pretty in some form or fashion.

A stern edge lingered in the Captain's gaze, something Cordelia lacked. Perhaps all gold armored knights had it due to experience? After all, Cordelia wore silver armor, and she looked a little green as they interrogated me.

"How many Plegians are on the other side of the mountains?" The Captain asked, her voice hushed but carrying a sharpness that warned me another punch would be on its way if I did not give a satisfactory answer.

I sniffed. "Aren't we supposed to introduce each other first?"

"No, and I frankly don't give a damn who you are, Plegian," The Captain snarled.

"Well, I'm Lucky and-"

A gasp sounded from Cordelia, drawing both my attention and the Captain's. The Captain's eyes flicked to the junior Pegasus Knight.

"What?" She asked.

Cordelia swallowed hard. "In my latest correspondence with Sumia, she mentioned Exalt Emmeryn was briefly taken hostage by someone calling themselves 'Lucky' during the Themis incident."

I closed my eyes. So much for my nickname's sterling reputation. It seems to only work in life or death situations anymore.

"Is that so?" A fire burned in the Captain's eyes as her gaze returned to me. "Tell me, Lucky, do you happen to be the same individual responsible for that?"

I met the Captain's gaze, then shrugged.

"I let her go, so I don't see the-"

My vision flashed. Stars shot through my eyes. Throbbing pain exploded across the right side of my head. A choking cry left my lips as the pain reverberated through my entire skull, even making my eyeballs ache.

I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to stave off the stars. When they opened again, my vision was blurry.

"That's for the Exalt, and the knights who died during that incident," The Captain snarled. "Now, Lucky, tell me how many Plegians are on the other side of the border."

I looked woozily at the Captain. "You don't know the first thing about interrogations do you?"

"Oh? Care to educate me?"

I uttered a dry chuckle. "First of all, never start with the head. The victim gets all fuzzy."

A fist burrowed into my gut, sucking all the wind out of my lungs with one sharp exhale. Hoarse coughs rattled from my chest. Sharp wheezes whistled through me as I struggled to catch my breath.

"Sound advice, Plegian." The Captain growled.

Briefly, I glanced at Cordelia through watery eyes. Her hands remained behind her, but I could tell from the tension in her arms that they were clasped tight. She was wringing them behind her back. Torture must be new for her. Thankfully, it wasn't for me.

I sucked in a deep breath.

"Not a good idea there, either," I wheezed, cracking a desperate smirk. "Can't talk if I can't talk, yeah?"

The Captain grabbed a fistful of my hair and jerked back on my head, exposing my neck to her. Her other hand patted a knife sheathed against her hip. At that point, a concerned look entered Cordelia's eyes.

"What do you prefer, Plegian?" The Captain growled. "My fist or my knife."

"Threatening to kill me already?" I snickered. "God, you are bad at this. Even the Grimleal know not to do that."

The knife flew from its sheath. Cold steel kissed my neck. My entire body clenched, making the chaffing on my wrists flare to life. A shuddering breath exhaled through my nose as I eyed the furious Captain with an unblinking stare.

"I have another Plegian I can easily interrogate further." She growled.

"Captain Aletta."

Cordelia moved to the Captain's side, leaned towards her, and whispered something in her ear. Captain Aletta's brow furrowed, then a slight smirk twitched on her lips. When Cordelia stepped back, the Captain looked at her with pride.

"Alright, Kindall," Captain Aletta sheathed her knife, rose from the stool, and gestured for Cordelia to take a seat. "Have your way with the scum."

She patted Cordelia's left pauldron then marched out of the tent. Once she was gone, a deep sigh left Cordelia's lips, and she silently took a seat on the stool across from me. As soon as she sat down, her fist snapped out and tagged my nose. A loud pop echoed through my skull.

"Fuck!" I cried.

"S-sorry about that," Cordelia hissed. "I needed to make the others think I'm being hard on you."

I squeezed my eyes shut. Hot blood ran in thin rivers from my nostrils. When I opened my eyes again, I uttered a dry laugh.

"Fucking hell, that's a mean straight right."

"And I'll give you another if you don't start talking!" Cordelia barked, her volume exaggerated as she folded her hands in her lap. She gave the door a hesitant glance then returned her attention to me. "How many Plegians are on the other side of the border?"

I spat some blood out again. At this rate, I was starting to form a nice crimson splash on the rocky floor. It almost looked like a twisted Rorschach print.

A heavy breath left Cordelia's lips. "I'm Cordelia. Lady Cordelia Kindall," I furrowed my brow as she spoke. "My family is from Nixtas. Well, just outside of Nixtas. My parents are minor nobles with a decent estate there. You have to be one in order to get into the Pegasus Knights, after all." She tilted her head a little as she looked at my bloody face. "What about you?"

I struggled to sit up again. "What about me?"

"What is your actual name? If you are not Plegian, then where are you from?"

My mouth thinned and I winced as my split lip stung. "Sam," I answered. "From nowhere in particular."

Cordelia nodded. "Your friend said her name was Severa. She said she was Ylissean," A look of regret passed over her face. "That only made Captain Aletta harder on her, unfortunately."

Worry flooded me, and it must've been evident on my face because Cordelia immediately focused on it.

"What's she to you?"

I said nothing.

"Is she just a comrade? A friend?" Cordelia pursed her lips a moment. "Lover?"

"Ha!" I uttered, "That's a good one. Me and Severa, lovers. Oh, Gaius will stop thieving the day that happens."

"But she is important to you," Cordelia surmised.

Cordelia was a far better interrogator than her squad's captain, that much I could already tell. Physical torture never worked. The Captain did not understand that. While it could get you answers quickly, you could never be certain they were honest answers or desperate ones. The most effective way to get honest intelligence was to coax it out of the target. Let them slip up. Drop a small tidbit here and there. The mind is rarely a steel trap and lips love to flap when a person is comfortable, whether that be in the form of complaining, venting, or just casual conversation. I should know. I did plenty of pleading the last time I was interrogated like this.

That also involved me answering questions in Jeopardy format though.

Regardless, I felt much more comfortable talking to Cordelia than her captain. I knew Cordelia was one of the good guys. I knew she was important to our cause. Eventually, she would be Severa's mother. She would become Wing Commander of the Pegasus Knights. She would be a powerful combatant against Grima and his dark forces.

"Yeah," I finally answered. "Severa's important to me."

Cordelia shifted in her seat and lowered her eyes to my level. "Then, you will answer for her sake. Captain Aletta is… a harsh woman. She won't be friendly for long."

"I wouldn't exactly call getting a knife pressed to my throat friendly."

"That knife may go against Severa's throat next," I stared stunned at Cordelia as she spoke. "I can make sure that doesn't happen, but you need to talk, Sam."

I inhaled through my nose. Everything was beyond my control now. All I could do was hope that Cordelia could keep Severa and me safe and alive.

"When you captured us, there was a platoon of scouts and one dark mage," I began. "However, the crown would not have sent us to scout this area if they did not intend to strike hard here soon. You have maybe a day or two before a section of the Plegian army shows up here."

There wasn't an immediate reaction from Cordelia. Instead, she studied my face, looking for any hint of deception. I kept my gaze level with her. An unblinking stare that told her I was not lying. When she realized that, her face paled.

"Naga above…"

She rushed out of the tent. As fast as she left, she returned with Captain Aletta and a second Pegasus Knight in silver armor. This one looked a year or two older than Cordelia, with brown hair and large, chestnut eyes. I had to roll my eyes a little.

I must look like the ugliest person on the planet.

Captain Aletta marched up to me, hands on her hips, jaw working back and forth. She glowered at me, muscles tense.

"Is what Cordelia told me true?"

I grimaced then nodded.

Captain Aletta ran a hand over her mouth. She glanced back at Cordelia and the other pegasus knight.

"Bridgett, tell the other girls we're breaking camp now," She ordered. "This position is no longer tenable. Once you're done with that, come back here. You and Cordelia will fly with the prisoners back to Ylisstol. Deliver this intelligence and the scum to the Exalt."

"What about you?" Cordelia asked as her comrade, Bridgett, rushed out.

Aletta gave Cordelia a smirk. "We're falling back to Fort Pike, two days east of here. If the garrison is still there, then we can hold out against a few hundred Plegians."

"And if it's more than a few hundred?" Cordelia pressed, worry evident on her face.

Aletta placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a firm shake. "You have a job to do, Knight. Get it done. We'll be fine." She turned her gaze to me. "It's your lucky day, Lucky. I don't have time to interrogate you anymore."

"Yipee," I dryly cheered.

With a sniff, Aletta exited. As she left, I turned my attention to Cordelia.

"She seems nice."

"Once you get to know her, yeah," Cordelia pursed her lips and glanced out of the tent. The sounds of a camp rapidly being broken down filled my ears, along with the snorts and whinnies of Pegasi. "I've got to get my stuff together. Then I'll come back for you. Stay here."

"I can't exactly go anywhere," I called after her as she left.

Once Cordelia was gone, I leaned my head back against the pole. For the first time since I was captured, relief flooded me. Severa and I were going to Ylisstol. Exalt Emmeryn will want to speak with us regarding the intelligence we found. So long as things went according to plan there, we would be safe soon.

Pain throbbed through my head. I squeezed my eyes shut as the pain localized around my still bleeding nose.

"Ouch."

Flying is actually something I'm somewhat familiar with. After all, back home, flying was the safest form of transportation. Or so the experts said. Those sayings never made me less anxious when boarding an airplane. Every jostle, bump, toss, and turn in a jet always made my stomach flip and my hands clench my seat's armrest.

Flying on Pegasus-back is a million times worse. I wasn't even situated properly on the back of Cordelia's faithful steed, Aurora. Instead of straddling the beast like her, I was flung over the back of her saddle like a sack of potatoes, tied up, and strapped down like a piece of medieval luggage. On top of that, I had a sack over my head, which only made every buffer of wind, batter of wings, and banking turn feel exaggerated.

To make matters worse, the air was cold. I thought the temperature was bitter on the ground, but God it was cold in the sky. I'm pretty sure I haven't stopped shaking since this ridiculous burlap sack was thrown over my head and we took flight. When I wasn't panicking over possibly sliding off of Aurora, I was wondering how the hell Cordelia and her comrades didn't freeze while flying. For that matter, how did the Pegasi stay warm?

Fur, Sam. Animals have fur, even the magical ones.

I groaned as the world lurch beneath me. I wasn't sure if we were ascending or descending. To my brain, and gut, it didn't matter. We were moving, and it made me feel ill.

Wind rushed past me, whistling a shrieking tune that made me clench my teeth. Seconds after the lurch, hooves beat against solid ground. Cordelia did the softest landing I have ever felt in my life.

I could not contain my relief. A shuddering gasp left my lips and I muttered a silent thanks to whatever deity was in charge of this world.

"Need help with her, Bridgett?" I heard Cordelia ask as her fellow knight landed nearby.

"If she kicks and flails like last time, probably." A tired woman's voice replied.

I snorted as I stayed slung over the back of Aurora. Of course, Severa was bound kicking and screaming. I expected nothing less.

A pair of firm hands grabbed me by my shoulders and yanked me off of Aurora. I stumbled when my feet touched the ground, nearly pitching forward before one of those hands smacked my chest, steadying me. Before I could say thanks, I was pushed roughly forward then forced to sit down against something that felt like a tree. That was when the sack was finally removed from my head.

I didn't have to worry about blinking sunlight from my eyes, because the sun had set. Stars innumerable twinkled above, barely visible through the boughs of a pine forest. A chill lingered in the air, but it felt much warmer than it did in the mountains.

Off to the side, Cordelia scratched some flint and steel over a small pile of tinder and firewood. Sparks spat from the flint and steel. Soon an orange glow emerged from a small campfire.

At that point, my heart jumped as I spotted Severa sitting against a tree on the other side of the camp while her handler, Bridgett, set up a pair of tents for herself and Cordelia. Our eyes locked, and I saw a relieved expression wash over Severa's face, surprising me.

Was she that worried?

Cordelia rubbed her hands and hovered them over the flickering campfire for a moment. Her red eyes glanced at me as Bridgett reached into one of her saddlebags for some food.

"Do we have rations for the prisoners?" Cordelia asked.

Bridgett arched an eyebrow. "Do they look hungry?"

"Bridgett…"

"Does Little Lady Genius know how to handle prisoners all of a sudden?"

Cordelia's lips thinned and she ducked her gaze back to the fire. A huff left her lips as she rocked on her heels for a moment. Her eyes turned to me next.

"Well, if there's no food then could I at least get some good conversation with my friend?" I asked.

Bridgett marched to the fire with two sets of rations for her and Cordelia, a frown on her lips. "You prisoners are going to stay-"

"I don't see the harm," Cordelia interrupted, rising to her feet and marching over to me, much to Bridgett's stunned fury.

She grabbed my arm, yanked me to my feet, and marched me to Severa. Not so gently, Cordelia shoved me to a seat beside Severa. I did see a flash of sympathy on Cordelia's face before she turned away from us, but that was all.

As soon as Cordelia joined Bridgett by the fire, I exhaled.

"All according to plan," I breathed to Severa. Severa gave me a dumbfounded look, making me puzzled. "What?"

"You look terrible," She replied.

I smiled. "It's the patchy goatee, isn't it?"

Severa snorted. "More like the black eye and bruised nose." She shook her head and glared at our captors. "I'm simply grateful I don't have to ride on Aurora."

"Yeah," I nodded along. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Severa grimaced. "A few punches here and there. Nothing that won't heal."

"No knives to the throat or anything like that?" She flashed me another stupefied look. I shrugged. "What?"

"What the hell did you say to them? You know what; no, I don't want to know."

"Afraid you'll laugh?" I teased.

Severa snorted. "Afraid I'll tear someone's head off and get us into deeper shit."

"Ah," I replied, my lips smacking together as I spoke. "Well, I've got your back."

"Thanks," Severa puffed out a long breath. "Did that absolute bitch of a Captain give you those bruises?"

"Most of them."

"Most?"

I gave her a toothy grin. "I know where you get your nasty straight right from now."

Severa's eyes bulged from her skull. A pink tint washed over her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze from me and chose to glare at Cordelia and Bridgett instead.

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Oh if she wasn't so important I would-"

"Do nothing because we're at their mercy," I reminded her. "And we're going to continue to be cooperative even when we get to Ylisstol. Helping them out is in our best interest now."

"Quiet!" Bridgett barked as she cooked rations in a small, cast-iron pot over their campfire.

My mouth snapped closed, but it did not stay that way for long. My stomach growled. I knew in order to fend off the hunger pangs I would have to occupy my mind somehow. I could think of no better way than conversation. As I opened my mouth to talk to Severa again, Cordelia rose to her feet, two small bowls in hand. She marched over and placed the bowls in front of us. After that, she drew a knife and cut our binds.

"Bad idea," Bridgett grumbled from the campfire.

"Captain Aletta ordered us to deliver the prisoners to Ylisstol. Do you think she or Exalt Emmeryn would appreciate emaciated prisoners?" Cordelia countered.

"I don't think they'd particularly care for a pair of Plegian dastards."

Severa rolled her eyes. "For Naga's sake, we're not Plegian," Severa folded her arms. "We're mercenaries."

"That's worse," Bridgett said between mouthfuls.

Cordelia grimaced. Meanwhile, I shrugged.

"What's worse? Zealous hatred of someone because of where they come from, or someone who works for gold?"

Cordelia closed her eyes, exasperated. Bridgett set her spoon down then glared at me.

"They're one and the same to me. You mercenaries have no loyalty. Saying you're not Plegian proves that enough," She grabbed her spoon and took one last bite of dinner. "Genius," She called to Cordelia, making the redhead's jaw tighten, "I'm about done eating, so I'm going to sleep. You get the first watch."

Cordelia puffed out a breath and nodded. "Whatever you say," She gestured at our bowls. "Eat quickly. I'll have to put those away soon."

She returned to her spot by the fire as her comrade moved into her tent. Once by the fire, Cordelia quickly ate her food, stacked her and Bridgett's bowls, then went to her saddlebags and withdrew a sack of feed for the Pegasi.

While she fed the Pegasi, I leaned towards Severa.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Severa flicked her eyes to me. "Do I look okay?"

I pursed my lips and leaned back against the tree behind us. "Better than I would be."

Severa tilted her head to the side. "And how would you be?"

"A nervous wreck and probably on the verge of shitting myself because of it," I replied. "In other words, how I normally am around my dad." My mood fell as I mentioned my family from my old life. "How I was, actually."

Severa shifted in her seat, setting her empty bowl to the side. "My turn to ask if you're okay."

"I'll be fine," I said, waving off her concern.

Severa frowned. "Fine."

I drew back. "Fine?"

"If you're not going to talk then neither am I."

My mouth fell open. "Th-that's-" I bit my lip and tucked my chin, a heavy breath leaving my lips. "What do you want to know?"

"Do you ever… I don't know, miss your home?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. A year ago, back when I was fighting for my life in the future, the answer would have been a resounding yes. Even now, there was a small pang in my chest when I thought about home.

If time lined up between worlds, then it was summertime in Wisconsin. The days would be a balmy eighty degrees Fahrenheit; warm by Appleton's standards. It would definitely make my old job easier considering I wouldn't be freezing to death while walking my sales route. Instead, I would probably be sweating.

The Farmer's Market downtown would have begun to open up once a week. Meade Pool would be open now. Oshkosh, just south of Appleton, would be getting ready for the big air show and several music festivals, all of which I looked forward to every year.

What would I be doing beyond working or going to a concert? I would be in my apartment, on a computer, doing nothing. I would occasionally visit my mother and stepfather. Maybe I'd fret over an email my actual father sent me. But beyond that, what would I do?

It hit me like a punch in the gut, stealing my breath away as I came to a stark realization.

Do I really miss it?

"Sometimes," I replied, not sure if I was being honest. "Life was a lot less dangerous there, that's for sure. Or… I guess it was dangerous in different ways."

Severa nodded. "What exactly do you miss about it?"

My lips thinned as I thought for a moment. "I miss the food," I admitted honestly. "You can't quite beat a good cheeseburger or pizza." Severa gave me a perplexed look, making me chuckle. "I'll make them for you someday; if I can figure out how."

"Thought you said you couldn't cook."

"Necessity is the mother of invention. If I'm desperate enough for a cheeseburger I will make one." I retorted. "It might have the texture of a hockey puck but it'll still be a cheeseburger." A wistful sigh left my lips, then a burning question hit my brain. "Severa, do they have ketchup here?"

"The hell is ketchup?"

"Damn it," I sighed, hanging my head and making Severa snicker.

"Sounds like your home has some strange stuff," Severa muttered, her hands folding her lap as she looked down. "I look forward to trying them at some point when you can figure out how to make them."

"Your world will be changed," I said with a quiet laugh.

A Pegasi snorted, drawing my attention away from Severa over to Cordelia. Cordelia's pegasus, Aurora, was impatiently nudging Cordelia's arm in an attempt to get more food from the sack of feed in the knight's arms. I could hear amused laughter coming from her as she gently pushed Aurora's muzzle away from the feed bag.

As I watched the scene unfold, I spotted Severa shift out of the corner of my eyes. She wasn't smiling anymore. Her face burned with anger, but her eyes said something else. There was a haunted glaze in her gaze. An aura of regret permeated the air around her. She was still furious with her mother, but there was a melancholy that came with that anger as she saw Cordelia again.

Severa noticed me giving her a concerned look. She exhaled then laid her head back against the tree, closing her eyes.

"The sooner we get to Ylisstol, the better," She whispered.

On that, I had to agree. Once in Ylisstol, we would be brought before Exalt Emmeryn. From there, since the Exalt knew I wasn't an agent of evil, we might be freed. Or, at the very least, given comfortable accommodations while put under guard. It also meant all the intelligence I had could be delivered to Ylisse unimpeded and without fears of any fallout from Plegia. After all, I did not plan on Severa and I ever going back to that dustbin.

However, while I agreed with Severa's words, I did wonder: was she thinking the same thing, or was she anxious to get away from Cordelia? Perhaps both?

Regardless, we needed to get there soon, because another event jumped to mind as I sat against the tree and listened to Severa drift off to sleep.

The Themis incident was done. The Plegian war has begun. My eyes widened as I recalled what came next in the game's timeline.

The assassination. A pit formed in my gut. Hopefully, we reach Ylisstol in time.

And chapter! We're on our way to Ylisstol folks, and it's not a fun ride so far for either Severa or Sam. Thankfully, Cordelia is there to be the good person she is. Other than that, not much else for me to say about this chapter.

Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter. As always, I hope you all enjoyed it! Have a nice day!

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