Disclaimer: Any names or things you do not recognize, are mine.

Don't Ever Underestimate a Yamani

Division 4: Masterminding and Samus of Deltaroin

Cleon's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to yell something. Neal jumped to Cleon's side and clamped his hand over the big redhead's mouth before he could bellow a word.

Neal tightened his hand over the other knight's mouth and gasped to Kel, "Kill him? But Kel, do you realize how well, different that is from you?" When Kel didn't answer, he continued, "Whatever happened our Kel who stood up for those who couldn't protect themselves and no matter how pissed she was, she would always follow orders? What happened to her? Is she lost to us?"

Kel stared, speechless at Neal, not knowing how to reply. She shook her head, keeping any potential emotions out of her facial features, and contradicted his statements, "Neal, I have been thinking this idea over for the past few weeks, and this is my decision." Katei nodded along, completely content with her resolution, even if the other two weren't.
"But to kill him just because he is annoying?" questioned Cleon, who had pried Neal's hand from his mouth. "How could you be so, well, inimical?"

And that's all it took, because of those few words, Kel resigned to her thoughts for a moment. Cleon and Neal hated Ferdinad just as much as me, yet they were still refusing to kill the coward? But wait-- a stronger voice dissented-- I still don't want to have to be with Ferdinad for the rest of my life! If only there was a way...

A thought sprung into Kel's mind, and it fitted in perfectly with everything. Suddenly smiling, she spoke.

"I think I have an idea. See, I don't want to kill Ferdinad, but still want to get rid of him." turning to look Neal in the eye, she asked abruptly, "Neal, is there any spells that could erase someone's life memories?"

~

Far away in the Yamani Islands/ at the Emperial palace:

"The Tortallans won't suspect a thing, Captain." Ridley of Zeracrus said firmly, tipping back on his chair. Ridley was a newly Yamani lieutenant, and was your basic lackey; afraid of their superiors, but cocky and bold to peers.

Captain Samus of Deltaroin paced the room in a stately manner, muttering to himself and occasionally pointing to soldier figures on the one large table in the room. Samus was to command any and all attacks on Tortall, and was now waiting for the Emperor's current orders. Samus was a tall, muscular man, with practical clothing and shoes. His hair was cut so short that there was barely an inch of it, and his face scarred and marked. Besides his appearance, Samus could've been twin to Napoleon, or maybe even Hitler; he was very ambitious, and determined to dominate his enemies.

On the table was a large map of the Yamani Islands, Emerald Ocean, and Tortall. Little men that represented the cavalry were stationed all over the board; Samus was working on the armies' strategy. He had the elite warriors stationed at the back, only to come in if necessary. Ridley thought that Samus was overestimating the Tortallans' capabilities, and was stupid enough to profess his thoughts to the Captain.

"Ridley, you fool! This is not just about gaining measly land from Tortall-- but grasping the further respect from the rest of the world." Samus paused deliberately, letting the lieutenant think that over before adding, "Not only respect, but fear, fear that the Yamanis will sweep across countries and continents, conquering great armies with our superior artilleries." Samus slammed his clenched fist down on the table, causing the figures to shake, "But first! We must beat Tortall, that fool of a king and his council are no match for Samus of Deltaroin and his army." he spoke so confidently, so proudly, that Ridley had to believe the man.

"Yes, Cap, I see that now." the lieutenant said, and took his leave. Samus shook his head and continued to work on his strategy; you never should underestimate your enemy, afterall.

~

Back to Kel and company, after she has explained her plan:

"So you want to knock him out, capture him, and then erase his memory. So in the end we can drop him off somewhere in Scanra." Katei summarized her plan to the group. He didn't like it, not one bit; there were too many possibilities that Ferdinad would come back.

Kel nodded and Neal said, "Yeah, I like that plan a whole lot better. But one thing: how are we going to do this without getting caught?"

Kel smiled, "We have to create a plan. See this event of our's must be flawless. The Perfect Crime."

"The Perfect Crime?" Katei grinned, "Sounds fun." He winked a Kel and was rewarded from Neal and Cleon with glares. But something else was troubling him, but thanks to his emotionless mask, no one knew.

"So." Kel braced herself, "Who's with me? I've already talked to Nacean, he's willing to help, I'll just have to tell him about the change of plan." She knew Katei would help, so she directed her inquisitive gaze more at Neal and Cleon.

Not hesitating a second, Cleon nodded his head, all for the idea. But Neal paused for just a second before nodding and shaking Kel's hand in a business-like manner.

"All right, it's getting late you guys. See you tomorrow-- oh and no fighting." The three knights got up and walked out of the library, and Katei snuck out the window.

Jumping to a tree branch, he thought grimly to himself. He knew that there were possibilities that once in Scanra without memory, Ferdinad could wander back into Tortall. And of what Kel had told him of Ferdinad's appearance, anyone would be able to recognize a relative to the Lioness.

So that left him with only one option. One option to ensure that Kel would never have to see Ferdinad ever again. In Katei's way of thinking, you must take the most direct, obvious solution; murder, none of that other inanity. Kel may not be used to such a thing like cold-blooded murder, but he was.

And yes, yes, Kel didn't want to have to actually kill him, but Katei was a little different concerning that matter. There is no way to separate from your spouse honorably in Tortall, unless he or she dies. And Katei wanted to be positive that Ferdinad was gone, forever. He would just have to make sure Kel and her friends thought the death of Ferdinad was an accident.

~

The next day, in the palace, Kel:

"Roald! Wait up!" Kel called to her friend and prince as she jogged down the corridor of the outer palace. It was a sunny, spring day and so all windows and doors were left open to the outside air, it was as if the servants were trying to lighten everyone's bad moods.

Roald halted and turned to face Kel, smiling. "Roald, I have some information that needs to be passed on." When Roald didn't say anything, Kel continued, "And I can't say anything because then people would inquire about the source of the data."

Roald nodded and asked, "What kind of information?"

Kel dropped her voice down to a whisper, "About the Yamani Islands situation."

Suddenly serious, Roald asked suspiciously, "What or who is the source?" Kel winced and said, "Look Roald, you can't blame me for this-- I did tell him not to come back--"

Roald started to groan, "Oh Mithros! You're telling me that Katei?!"

Kel nodded grimly, "Corus, in fact. But he passed information onto me that is very, very important."

Kel led Roald to a garden bench, outside, and started telling him the news about the Yamanis. With each sentence said, the Prince's eyes became wider, taking in the grave report.

"Oh my gods, this is bad. We have to get troops and stations set up there right away! I'll go give the info to my father," seeing the warning look on Kel's face, he said hurriedly, "And I won't tell him the source." With a quick farewell, Roald left the garden at a run.

Kel closed her eyes and leant back on the bench, trying to organize her thoughts. Everything was so mixed up! They would have to abduct Ferdinad at a time to coincide with the first Yamani attack, that way, everyone would think the Yamanis did it. But Kel would also be commanding troops, so the whole operation would be rushed anyway.

A sudden wind came up, blowing her hair annoyingly against her face so she had to constantly brush it off her face. And she was starting to get the feeling that she was being watched.

"Tut, tut, pondering over important matters, I presume?" a voice said beside her. Opening her eyes, Kel spotted Katei lounging against a nearby tree. Shaking her head in a scolding manner, she said, "You really shouldn't be here you know." the words didn't have much affect, considering the fact that she was grinning while she said it.

"Kel." Katei murmured, suddenly solemn, "Do you even know what kind of army you're up against? What kind of people?" something about the way he spoke told her that these 'people' she was up against were not a good thing.

Kel shook her head; when she had lived in the Yamani Islands, she had not had the privilege of meeting any generals, captains, or commanders. "Anyone I should worry about?"

Katei nodded, "Captain Samus of Deltaroin."

"Who's he?"

Katei sighed, "Samus was in the same year when I went through training. We both were one of the few who entered the Emperial Elite at such a young age-- younger than 95% of the people in the Elite." Katei paused, as if trying to find the words to what he meant, "He was ruthless and a mean hand with the glaive. He is known throughout the Yamani Islands for his genius way of commanding and the strategy he uses."

"And I'm guessing that he is who will be commanding our opposing force?"

"Yes. So, just watch out for him, okay?" Katei's dark olive eyes were serious and determined as he searched her face for an answer.

Kel felt that he was being overprotective but replied anyway, "I will, promise."

~

In the Yamani Islands, Cap. Samus:

YOU HAVE YOUR ORDERS, RIDLEY!" Samus yelled at the infelicitous lieutenant and slammed the door shut. Ridely had been attempting to actually repudiate him in terms of the tactics that had been chosen for the up-coming war!

Samus turned away from the door and crossed the room to the balcony. It was a windless, hot day down at the Yamani Islands, and yet still, people were bustling about, busy. He looked out over the capitol city and inwardly sneered at Tortall; there was no way that they could compare to the Yamanis! His spies in Tortall told him everything that was going on at the palace and Corus.

And from the data that he received, the Tortallans felt no fear for what they were up against. Samus wanted to scoff in their faces, but of course would and could not; a good Yamani never shows such emotions that could get in the way.

And the Yamani Captain was startled to find himself doing what he felt he had taught himself never to do; making light of his enemy. He had seen to many battles go wrong because the commanders had felt themselves superior to the other side when in fact it was quite the opposite. Samus was a methodical man, and he was known for commanding immaculate battles, and he wanted to keep such a reputation.

~

Back at the Palace, council room:

"And where did you get this information, Roald?" King Jonathon asked, stroking his neat beard thoughtfully. The entire council was gathered in a meeting concerning the news that Prince Roald had just uncovered.

Kel refused to look at Roald as he glanced in her direction; he had to figure this one out himself!

"Uh..." Roald began to stammer, and Kel inwardly cursed; Roald was not a good liar, he was too honest.

"I did, sire." Kel announced, "I told him about it." Judging from the murmurs she heard around the table, the councilmen were wondering how she acquired the news.

To explain herself, she continued, "Nacean Metroide, the Shang Eagle, he found out as he traveled abroad. He gave me the news, isn't that right Nacean?"
Kel turned to look at the man sitting across from her. She knew that Nacean became easily bored in such meetings and most likely didn't know what they were talking about.

"Yes, yes. I uh, did." he replied with an ease that came only out of lack of interest. His usually icy azure eyes were now almost completely shut, and she knew he was about to fall asleep.

Turning her attention away from her Shang comrade, she addressed the King again, "The information is accurate. The Yamanis are planning an attack on Northwestern area of Tortall. They may even be trying to take over the Grimhold Mountains. Coastal hill area? Mindelan? You name it."

"We must prepare for this attack then. We will take up soldiers and head out towards the Northern Coast tomorrow. Gather your things and train hard until then, this is serious." The King looked at all the weary faces around the table and sighed, "You are dismissed."

The people filed out of the room and went their own ways. Kel dragged the half asleep Nacean out of the room and towards the training yards; fighting would wake him up.

The cold wind of the outdoors tousled Nacean's 'dirty' blond hair and he slowly awoke, rubbing his eyes, becoming almost instantly awake and alert.

Moving into their stances, they began to fight as they had all the days before. As the two trained, Kel filled him in on the new plan. Nacean seemed all for it, though a little disappointed that they would not be killing Ferdinad, he really hated the guy.

Kel shook her head. "Do you know what?" she panted through kicks and blows, "Sometimes you are too ruthless." The two finished fighting, yet another attempt to best the other.

"I will take that as a compliment; being sympathetic will not win you a battle-- it is a weakness." Nacean told her firmly as they started doing their post-fight stretching.

"You would've made a good Yamani." Kel stated, clapping him on the back, she walked off to her rooms to wash up for dinner. Nacean watched her go and shook his head; someday her kindness would get in the way of her work, and what would she do then?

~

Author's Note: All I'm going to say about the next chapter is that it is the first half of their crime (abduction of Ferdinad), they will be at Mindelan with their entire legion.