"Lord Eliwood, I've searched the whole bloody area three times, the damned
assassin is simply not here!" Reported an exasperated General Wallace.
"I was afraid of that, I fear he might have been pinned between the retreating Black Fang forces and their camp. I did not foresee this," admitted the tactician.
Of course you didn't thought Wallace. The tactician was a boon to the army, no doubt, but sometimes he wondered what she was thinking.
"Well that is simply not acceptable, we must retrieve him immediately!" Eliwood insisted urgently. The trio had gathered in Eliwood's tent to hear Wallace's report and discuss a plan of action.
"Indeed, but I will need additional information about the enemy camp, and Jaffar was the best for reconnaissance," the tactician paused to clear her throat, then continued, "I will need someone to send."
"I'll do it," came a male voice from the shadows. Then Matthew stepped forth, his face grim.
Wallace and Eliwood stood there looking shocked for a moment, before the tactician finally spoke, "Very well, report to Pent and Canass' tent and see if they have a magical means of concealing you." She ordered
"Indeed," Matthew acknowledged before fading into the shadows.
Thinking fast, Jaffar darted up into the top of the nearest tree, darting through the canopy from tree to tree back towards Black Fang camp, careful to avoid the eyes of Wyverns and Pegasi as he made his retreat. Silently, he dropped to the ground, slipping into the nearest tent, and then curling into a shadowy corner.
Jaffar counted thirteen minutes until a Hero and his Mercenary underling strode into the tent, the Hero rambling on about how he had grievously wounded a general of Eliwoods' army, but Jaffar was sure that was a lie, neither Wallace or Oswin would let this moron away uninjured. Jaffar drew both of his daggers, coiling his muscles like a cat, prepared to spring. Quite suddenly, Jaffar pounced raising both daggers overhead then bringing them both down in a lightning quick double strike aimed for his head and heart. Much to Jaffars' surprise, however, (and Jaffar was not surprised often) the Hero maneuvered his sword up to block the double dagger stroke. Not missing a beat, Jaffar recoiled into a tight backflip, one foot kicking his sword from his hand, the other catching Jaffar's opponent in the jaw. Landing in a crouch, Jaffar launched himself, daggers flashing, upon the Hero. This time, both daggers struck home. Leaving one Killing edge buried in the dying Hero's face, Jaffar sprung upon the stunned mercenary, driving his dagger pommel into the Mercenary's temple, sending the man reeling backwards. With the speed of a flying arrow, Jaffar dropped his dagger and reached out, gripping the man's head and snapping his neck with a satisfying crunch. Jaffar retrieved both of his weapons and set them beside the Mercenary's body. Jaffar then replaced his own clothes with those of his victim. A new disguise. He then concealed both of his daggers within his stolen clothing and strode from the tent.
Magically concealed, Matthew returned from the Black Fang's perimeter, his heart heavy. He rendered himself visible, then entered Eliwood's tent to find the young lord consoling a sad-looking Nino. Eliwood looked up at Matthew, but the thief shook his head solemnly. Eliwood gestured for the Matthew to leave, for he was obviously busy, but a quiet, shaky voice stopped him, "Did you find him?" asked the sobbing mage.
Matthew was at her side instantly, "No... I'm sorry."
"There is no need to grieve for him yet, besides, knowing Jaffar, there would be more commotion if he had been found than if he hadn't. He is always stealthy and is probably trying to hide." Pointed out Eliwood.
"Indeed, if Jaffar was there, there would still be no sign of it." Agreed Matthew.
This seemed to lighten Nino a little, she gave a sad little nod then rose, "I'm going to return to my tent for now." She announced, leaving.
"Do you really believe his is alive?" asked Matthew, himself not so sure.
"I do not believe St. Elmine would let him die." Replied Eliwood sincerely
"I agree, now I too will retire, I assume the tactician will have a plan by morning?" Matthew asked.
"Of course she will," answered Eliwood.
Matthew said not another word as he turned and strode out of the tent.
"I was afraid of that, I fear he might have been pinned between the retreating Black Fang forces and their camp. I did not foresee this," admitted the tactician.
Of course you didn't thought Wallace. The tactician was a boon to the army, no doubt, but sometimes he wondered what she was thinking.
"Well that is simply not acceptable, we must retrieve him immediately!" Eliwood insisted urgently. The trio had gathered in Eliwood's tent to hear Wallace's report and discuss a plan of action.
"Indeed, but I will need additional information about the enemy camp, and Jaffar was the best for reconnaissance," the tactician paused to clear her throat, then continued, "I will need someone to send."
"I'll do it," came a male voice from the shadows. Then Matthew stepped forth, his face grim.
Wallace and Eliwood stood there looking shocked for a moment, before the tactician finally spoke, "Very well, report to Pent and Canass' tent and see if they have a magical means of concealing you." She ordered
"Indeed," Matthew acknowledged before fading into the shadows.
Thinking fast, Jaffar darted up into the top of the nearest tree, darting through the canopy from tree to tree back towards Black Fang camp, careful to avoid the eyes of Wyverns and Pegasi as he made his retreat. Silently, he dropped to the ground, slipping into the nearest tent, and then curling into a shadowy corner.
Jaffar counted thirteen minutes until a Hero and his Mercenary underling strode into the tent, the Hero rambling on about how he had grievously wounded a general of Eliwoods' army, but Jaffar was sure that was a lie, neither Wallace or Oswin would let this moron away uninjured. Jaffar drew both of his daggers, coiling his muscles like a cat, prepared to spring. Quite suddenly, Jaffar pounced raising both daggers overhead then bringing them both down in a lightning quick double strike aimed for his head and heart. Much to Jaffars' surprise, however, (and Jaffar was not surprised often) the Hero maneuvered his sword up to block the double dagger stroke. Not missing a beat, Jaffar recoiled into a tight backflip, one foot kicking his sword from his hand, the other catching Jaffar's opponent in the jaw. Landing in a crouch, Jaffar launched himself, daggers flashing, upon the Hero. This time, both daggers struck home. Leaving one Killing edge buried in the dying Hero's face, Jaffar sprung upon the stunned mercenary, driving his dagger pommel into the Mercenary's temple, sending the man reeling backwards. With the speed of a flying arrow, Jaffar dropped his dagger and reached out, gripping the man's head and snapping his neck with a satisfying crunch. Jaffar retrieved both of his weapons and set them beside the Mercenary's body. Jaffar then replaced his own clothes with those of his victim. A new disguise. He then concealed both of his daggers within his stolen clothing and strode from the tent.
Magically concealed, Matthew returned from the Black Fang's perimeter, his heart heavy. He rendered himself visible, then entered Eliwood's tent to find the young lord consoling a sad-looking Nino. Eliwood looked up at Matthew, but the thief shook his head solemnly. Eliwood gestured for the Matthew to leave, for he was obviously busy, but a quiet, shaky voice stopped him, "Did you find him?" asked the sobbing mage.
Matthew was at her side instantly, "No... I'm sorry."
"There is no need to grieve for him yet, besides, knowing Jaffar, there would be more commotion if he had been found than if he hadn't. He is always stealthy and is probably trying to hide." Pointed out Eliwood.
"Indeed, if Jaffar was there, there would still be no sign of it." Agreed Matthew.
This seemed to lighten Nino a little, she gave a sad little nod then rose, "I'm going to return to my tent for now." She announced, leaving.
"Do you really believe his is alive?" asked Matthew, himself not so sure.
"I do not believe St. Elmine would let him die." Replied Eliwood sincerely
"I agree, now I too will retire, I assume the tactician will have a plan by morning?" Matthew asked.
"Of course she will," answered Eliwood.
Matthew said not another word as he turned and strode out of the tent.