-War Room-
"Three entrance points." Zulas pointed at the map. "Here, at the northern walls, where the stone is lower, and not as thick. We can climb up the walls or blast them through. Here, at the main gate in the east. We can batter through the door. Here, where they built an extension to include parts to the south. It's weaker stone and not as well defended, so we've got the most options there. Those are the weak spots of Castle Bastein. It's quite clear that these are the only spots to storm the walls."
Robin studied the plans carefully. Vermil was looking at the map too, muttering under his breath about wall thickness and necessary firepower. Dant wasn't paying attention at all and was balancing knives on her fingers just to see if she could. Argeni was trying to help, but she was nervous being the new one, which inhibited it somewhat. Also, she had no training in siege warfare. Well, she had training, but not practical training.
"Can't we use sappers?" Argeni asked. "The ground is the right type. We can crack too many holes in the wall for them to defend, can't we?"
"We can, technically. Though tunnels take a long time to dig." Robin said. "That will extend the siege to at least half a year."
"Safe and steady." Dant commented. She flicked her hands to spin the daggers, snatching them out of midair. "I like safe."
"No, we can't do that. I like safe too, but safe isn't an option." Robin shook his head. "Pheros wants this fortress as a staging ground for a campaign she's planning within the next four months and she's willing to lend me ten thousand men to do it. I want to take it by that point. Options which don't succeed by that point aren't good options."
"So, siege equipment. Let's bombard the place with rock and magic until they surrender." Argeni said. "That's what they said back in my academy."
"No." Robin sighed. "I'd do it under normal circumstance, but my hand is stayed."
"There are thousands of refugees seeking shelter inside." Zulas explained. "We'd kill innocents as well. They should have the sense to stay out of once the fighting starts, and we really can't help anything if they choose to attack us, but-"
"I will not attack those who cannot attack back." Robin growled. "That simply won't happen. For those who choose to fight, death awaits. But we're not butchers or bandits. We're an army fighting an army, and as such, have the decency to refrain from directly assaulting them."
"So, we're stuck." Vermil sighed. "I wish they had magic that could just tunnel through walls. Well, this is going to take a lot of time or a lot of men."
"Chin up, Vermil." Robin said. "This represents a priceless opportunity. I'll have the castle within two weeks, mark my words, with minimum casualties."
"What are you planning?" Zulas asked.
"I think I'll set a trap." Robin said. He looked over the map again. "The real question is how we muster our forces. Dant, do you have accurate numbers of their defenses?"
"Yes, of course." Dant said. "They have roughly twelve thousand soldiers stationed there. Luckily, most of the retreating army didn't fortify there."
"Luck had nothing to do with it." Two weeks prior, the main body of the Rosanne army had met the Conqueror's on the fields outside of Rosanne. They had been smashed and routed. Out of nearly 100,000 soldiers, some 60,000 Rosanneans survived in some capacity, but, thanks to targeted strikes at enemy commanders, they had scattered. "Walhart knew what he was doing."
"Yeah, but now the hills swarm with them." Vermil complained. Every inch of Rosanne was filled with guerrilla forces. Since they weren't united, they only posed minor nuisances, but frequent minor nuisances. "We've had three attacks on the supply wagons. I mean, none really successful, but still."
Robin wasn't allowed in the battle to keep his troops fresh for Castle Bastein, so he was at full strength. In addition, he had been requisitioned additional troops for the fight plus the ones Pheros lent him. "We have twenty-two thousand men, right now." Robin studied the plans. "Let's face it – this is just going to be a shell game."
"Shell game?" Argeni asked, puzzled.
"It's a gambling game." Zulas explained. "You put a nut inside of one of three shells. Then you shuffle it, and someone tries to guess which one the nut is in."
"Oh! I get it." Argeni said. "There are three places to attack. If we commit most of our strength to one of those places, and they don't, we win. But if they do, we lose. So the goal will simply be to trick them, won't it?"
"Yes." Robin studied the diagram. "Here's what will do. A strike to the east gate to draw their attention. Then we hit from the north – but it's a feint. There are too few soldiers. It'll look like the real attack is going to come from the south. And that's when he hit from the north – for real."
"A bit simplistic, isn't it?" Zulas asked. "I mean, a double-feint it nice, but you usually like to go overboard on these things. Like, overboard to the point where no one has any rational reason to suspect what you're doing."
"No, I don't think I'll need to do it this time." Robin smiled. "This plan is perfect for what I have in mind. Trust me."
"Well, I'll trust you." Zulas said. "So, I take it you'll lead the fake assault from the south, to give it as much credence as possible."
"Close. Very close." Robin shook his head. "No, I won't do that. I plan to lead the first attack from the east. After all, we want them to pay attention to it."
"So, I'll take the south, then." Zulas said.
"No way!" Vermil shouted. "My turf, Zulas! The south is a distraction – and I'm the best at explosions. I'll shake the castle, light it on fire, and then turn it into lava. They won't know what hit 'em. Until they do. And it'll be me."
"You're right." Zulas nodded and gave a dramatic sigh. "I guess I have to lead the main attack from the north."
"I'll back him up." Argeni quickly piped up. "I mean – we need healers among the main forces, don't we?"
"Good idea." Robin nodded. "Thank you all for your input. Dant, what do you plan on doing?"
Dant shot Robin a look, essentially spelling out You need to ask me? Robin kept the look, so Dant sighed. "Wherever you assign me. You're the brilliant strategist."
"Don't be like that." Robin said. "Dant, I need you to pick something."
"Fine. I'll join Vermil's group." Dant said. "I might be able to get in, anyways, from his distraction."
"So, it's settled." Robin took a quill and ink and started writing notes on the map. "I'll just write it down here. Speaking of which, Dant, did you deliver those messages I asked of you?"
"Yes." Dant said. "Why are you writing your invasion plans on the map, instead of detailing them in one of your notebooks?"
"Convenience. I have this on hand." Robin gestured. "It also lets me find flaws with this plan. For instance, suppose an enemy were to figure out the northern feint wasn't actually a feint at all? What would they do?"
"I know." Argeni said. "They could just post a heavy guard there. That would work."
"Yes, it would." Robin said. "See? Now, if they have a heavy guard at the north, we'd know to change plans, or retreat. Good job, Argeni."
"Thank you."
"Uh, Robin?" Zulas raised a hand. "Wouldn't-"
"Hush." Robin said. "I'm writing. This takes concentration like you wouldn't believe. Speaking of which, Dant, what was the reply from the messages?"
"You want me to say it out loud?"
"I don't see why not." Robin said. "After all, you all are my heavily trusted lieutenants. I can't imagine any information within them that I wouldn't want as public knowledge."
"Reply from the first recipient. 'Thank you, I will be meeting with you later this night'." Dant recited. "The second gave no reply, but he did get the message and will be acting accordingly."
"Do we know how accordingly?" Robin asked.
"No." Dant shrugged. "Sorry."
"Well, no matter." Robin put the quill away. "Now to wait for it to dry. Zulas, Vermil, you have training to do tonight, correct?"
"Don't remind me." Vermil groaned as he and Zulas left.
"Dant." Robin said. "I require two rare texts that my library doesn't have. I need you to get me a Wilderwind, and a Dying Blaze. I need them in pristine condition."
"Those only come in pristine. They fall apart as soon as you cast." Dant shrugged. "I can handle that."
"After that, I need you to get the object we talked about and get it to the location as well."
"Paranoid, much?" Dant snorted. "Sure, I'll get the you-know-what to the you-know-where. You might not see me for a few days."
"Just be ready to march out with the rest of us."
Argeni looked at Robin. "And what job have you for me, now?"
"Two things. The first, I want to talk to you about Zulas."
"I know." Argeni bit her lip. "It's kind of embarrassing, right? I mean, I act all impressive when we met at the Imperial Ball, and then I immediately go and get a 'maiden's first love' act on your coachman. I mean, he's actually your second, but I didn't know that at the time."
"You know, he'd say it wouldn't have mattered what he was at the time."
"Yeah." Argeni sighed. "And he's a commoner, and I'm already engaged to someone else and this is a war, and all the other problems that mean why this could never work out. I'll try to stop, I guess."
"No, don't do that." Robin interrupted. "I'm the greatest military mind this continent has ever seen."
"Ego, much?"
"Yes, yes." Robin waived his hand dismissively. "Fine, maybe not the greatest, but I'm good. And I've completely had it with Zulas's stupid bloodline curse, so we're going to work together to stop it."
"Wait. A bloodline curse? Zulas has a bloodline curse, and that's why we became star-crossed lovers?" Argeni asked. Robin nodded. "Well, now that just makes it more romantic. No sense in stopping now, even if it isn't true. So, what do we do about it?"
"The romance? Well it's not my specialty, so I can't help with that, but you seem capable enough." Robin said. "For now, we need to focus on the upcoming battle. Now, you're a royalty. That means you can notarize documents. Do you know how to?"
"Sure."
"Good. Because we'll need it." Robin said. "Listen carefully. This is what I need you to do…"
-A few hours later-
The forest was dark and, therefore, inviting. Robin walked down one of the paths. He had informed the Resistance contact Say'ri had given him of a desire to meet. Now all that was left was for one of them to show.
Beating wings alerted him to their presence. The forest was somewhat out of the way, and his manor was only mildly close to the capitol. Ideal meeting spot. A wyvern rider dropped down. Robin recognized her from the pink hair. "You were Cherche, correct?'
"That's me." The woman smiled. She patted the wyvern. "And this is Minerva. She's a bit disappointed she didn't get introduced last time, so I decided to do it first thing."
"Well met, Cherche. Well met, Minerva." Robin bowed. "I have something you'd be interested in."
"Oh? What is it?"
"This." Robin withdrew a canvas scroll. "This is a map of Castle Bastein. Are you familiar with it?"
"Yes, of course." Cherche nodded. "The map is nothing new, though I'm curious as to how you got plans to one of our castles."
"Trade secret." Robin said. "And the one whose trade it is isn't telling me it. Anyway, the map isn't so important. It's what is on the map. Have a look, but be careful."
Cherche accepted the canvas, unrolled it, and began studying it. After a few minutes, she looked up. "This is the Valmese invasion plan! Complete with engagement notes, and all the probable attacks, feints, everything! How did you get it?"
"I wrote it." Robin said, smiling.
"Amazing. Say'ri told me who you were, but this is simply incredible." Cherche looked it over. "You'd give this to us?"
"That was my intention." Robin said. "No charge."
"Why?"
"I don't understand." Robin cocked his head, purposefully dodging the question. "Do you not want it?"
"Why betray your countrymen?" Cherche asked. "What is the Resistance giving you to do this?"
"Before I answer – and I will!" Robin held up a hand. "What do you value most, Cherche? The most."
"My lord." Cherche answered with no hesitation. "He may have abandoned me, but he is my lord still. Despite the fact that he is only a viscount of Rosanne, he desires to protect the people, so his desires have become mine."
"I see." Robin nodded. "Loyalty runs deep within you. One of my lieutenants has the same disposition. I do not. My bond is to my ideals. I have been given a rare gift with my tactics. Anyone can be taught to swing a spear, but, for reasons I do not know, I am gifted. It is my duty to use those abilities to the fullest extent that I may."
"And you would fight the Conqueror for those ideals?"
"If such is the case. I give you this scroll because it furthers the cause of us both. Castle Bastein must not fall to Valm hands during the assualt." Robin said. "If we were brought into conflict over ideals, I would stand against him. You would never stand against your lord, so I imagine this may be a foreign concept."
"A little." Cherche admitted, smiling. "But I understand enough to trust you.
"Good. Because, after all, a little trust goes a long way." Robin said. "In any event, I assure you those plans are accurate. Or, at the very least, as accurate as I could possibly hope to achieve. Upon my word as an ally."
"Very well." Cherche slid onto her wyvern. "Let's go, Minerva. We have defenses to attend to."
Robin looked up. "We march in two days' time – the day after the morrow! Remember that!" The wyvern rider nodded in understanding, then flew off, silent in the night. Robin walked away, taking the path back to his manor.
Neither was aware of a set of watching eyes and listening ears, marking everything the pair has said.
-Training Arena-
"Burn marks." Robin noted. He had come back late, well after midnight. The walk back was a few hours. Instead of going to sleep, he decided to have a late night, and sleep in. What's the point of being in charge if I can't take advantage of it? After grabbing a small snack, he had decided to head to his magic arena to make sure he had a solid grasp on B-rank spells.
That was when he discovered it had another occupant earlier the evening, practicing fire magic. Robin examined the test globes set atop pillars. The pillar had flame residue and off center burn marks. "Those are some pretty powerful spells. But I've never seen him miss like that. I wonder what caused it."
"That's for another time." Robin flipped through the books he had on hand, selecting Thoron. He strode purposefully to the end of the room, selecting a target orb at the far end. "Those are only calibrated for C-rank spells. Let's see what I can do with a B-rank tome."
The ozone crackled around him as Robin drew on his inherit power. Arcs of lightning appeared around him, permeating through his clothes and jumping on his skin. A faint glow rose up. Robin placed his hand on the tome, removing a sphere of electricity using it. The sphere flashed, lighting up the room. Robin felt the energy though his body, directing it. He pointed his hand towards the test orb. "Lance of the storm, answer my call! THORON!"
The orb exploded into fragments.
Robin bent over gasping. One use gave me this. And Vermil can rapid-fire Class A. Well, the important thing is that I did it.
"Good job, Colonel."
"Who's there?" Robin spun around. He recognized the soldier in blue. "Zulas?"
"Yup. You were out late, so I figured I'd keep watch."
"Well, thanks for being the manor's matron, I suppose." Robin snorted. "Didn't know you cared."
"Actually, I wanted to give you this." Zulas tossed a black object to Robin.
"Isn't this already mine?" Robin caught it deftly. It was a black mask. "My ball mask?"
"Not quite." Zulas said. "That covers the full upper half of the face. It's made out of some kind of metallic weave with a bit of sorcery built it."
"Like my robes." Robin said. "So it's armored?"
"Not as well as, say, a helm, but yes." Zulas said. "The main point of it is to protect the wearer's identity. It's not going to get cut off in a fight."
"But why are you giving it to me?" Robin asked.
"The world isn't black and white. Even for soldiers like me, who prize loyalty above all, it still dips into gray once or twice. That mask is for those times." Zulas said. "Five years ago, I had a force under my command that all but enslaved a village when they were ordered to conquer them. We had orders to ignore them, because they paid good tribute and we had more pressing concerns. But they were once my men, I passed down that order, and therefore some of the responsibility was my own."
"You did something about it, didn't you?" Robin asked, eyeing the mask in his hands carefully.
"Me? Of course not." Zulas shook his head. "Killing other soldiers is treason, even if they are scum of the earth. And we'd need some form of a court-martial to hold them accountable to their crimes. Sure, if we could pull together something, they'd all hang, but we didn't have the time. Funny thing, though, they were all killed within the week. You ask around, the villagers will tell you about a masked man named Polaris who rescued them."
"Well, legends are everywhere." Robin said. "Who knows how they appeared?"
"I thought you'd get it. You'd seem like the type to." Zulas nodded to the mask. "Anyway, that's a loan. If you need to do something to hide your identity, use that. I can't help but think you might need it with how you've been acting lately.""
"Thank you." Robin waited until Zulas was gone, then spun the mask in his hands. "Though, for my intentions, I think all the major players need to know who was responsible for this. I do not need to conceal my identity. But this may come in use some say."
-Next Day-
"Vermil, your form is off." Robin said.
"No, it's not." Vermil winged another blade of wind around a practice pillar. "I'm doing this deliberately. It's called the Gale Boomerang technique. I read about it and wanted to try it."
"Vermil, two things." Robin sighed. "One, we have a full-scale siege tomorrow. Not the time to start learning new tricks. Two, I was referring to your fire magic."
"I suppose I might be rusty 'cause I spent the last week perfecting that move, but I'll throw in an hour or two of practice later tonight."
"Wait, what?" Robin's mind went click before he put the pieces together. Then he did. "ARGENI!"
"She's outside, riding practice." Vermil supplied. "Oh. Are those blast marks hers?"
"They had better not be." Robin muttered through his teeth. Actually, this could be perfect.
-Outside-
"Argeni!" Robin growled, walking in front of the troubadour's horse. Argeni squeaked and brought her horse to a halt. "We need to talk about last night."
"Um, didn't we already do that last night?"
"No. I'm referring to when you decided practicing fire magic was a good idea." Robin's eyes narrowed. "And don't lie your way out of it – I use thunder and Vermil's spent the week on wind."
"Heehee." Argeni gave a nervous grin. "Can we forget about that?"
"I expressly forbade you from using combat tomes." Robin tapped his foot. "Nope."
"Well, it's not my fault. If you hadn't forbade me, we wouldn't have this problem." Argeni said. "I need to defend myself, you know."
"That's not my problem." Robin snapped. "We're conducting a military scale siege tomorrow. That means you're going without weapons. It's dangerous to you without a weapon, but nothing and I mean nothing is more dangerous to their allies than a fire mage without proper training."
"You didn't have to ban me from training."
"You're right. I didn't." Robin sighed. "But I gave you an order. And I expect you to follow them."
"Yes, but as we agreed, your order was stupid so I really don't see the problem."
"You are now grounded." Robin gestured. "You are staying in the manor, while the rest of us march, tomorrow."
"Well. If you're going to be like that." Argeni frowned. "I think I will."
"Wait." Robin removed an envelope and tossed it to her. "I need this document signed. See if you can do it by tonight. Also, nice spellcasting. When we get back, talk to Vermil about control, but your power is impressive. You might become the most powerful one we have."
-War Room, Evening-
"Sure about this, Robin." Zulas asked. "This is the weirdest mission you've asked us to run, yet."
"Of course." Robin said, smiling. "What, don't you trust me?"
"Of course." Zulas echoed. "It's just – we agreed last night I'd be leading the main forces. But here you have me leading the auxiliary forces."
"Last minute change." Robin said. "I just thought it'd be better to put you in a more flexible role, especially without Argeni supporting you."
"That as weird too." Vermil frowned. "It's not like you to be that strict. You usually reward initiative and questioning bad decisions."
"I guess I just had a long day." Robin sighed. Well, that's not the real reason, but it's not like I can tell them. "Vermil, it happens to all of us. Remember that time you caught a cold, and couldn't cast a fire spell to save your life?"
"That was a bad day." Vermil subconsciously wrapped his cloak around him. "Do you know how hard it is for a fire mage to catch a cold? Really hard."
"Yup." Robin said. "About as hard for me to get the shivers. So, anyway, Vermil. What's your plan for assaulting the south?"
"I thought I'd stick to the classics. You know, throwing meteors and creating great gouts of gargantuan flame." Vermil smiled dreamily. "Unlimited fire power."
"No." Robin said. "Sorry, Vermil. I didn't realize it last night, but that's kind of a flaw. No offense, but you're pretty recognizable. If you lead the south assault, which is supposed to trick them to drawing back the defense, they might realize something is up."
"So, you're saying I'm the weakest."
"No, I'm saying you're the logical choice for a distraction."
"That's fair." Vermil sighed. "So, um, what's the plan?"
"This." Robin withdrew an envelope. "Take this little guy. It contains the orders you'll need. A few, shall we say, helpful suggestions. You get one too, Zulas. Happy birthday."
"Aww, how'd you know?" Zulas accepted the envelope. "I mean, it's not for another four months, but it's nice of you anyways."
"Don't open those until tomorrow." Robin said, standing up and dusting his hands. "Well, I'm heading to take control of my forces. I recommend you two do the same. Don't expect to see me until Bastein."
"Aren't we marching out tomorrow?" Zulas asked.
"I think that staying with the men tonight will boost morale." Robin explained. "That's why I want you two to do it as well."
"Wait." Vermil asked. "Where's Dant?"
"Around." Robin shrugged. "Truthfully, I do not know, but she's never been one to fail me before. Good night."
Robin waved goodbye and left.
-Robin, en route-
"All tasks at hand have been cleared. Every piece I can move is exactly how I want it." The rebels have been delivered the plans. Dant is far away. Argeni was locked down in the manor based on some pretext. Zulas has been reassigned to the auxiliary squad. Vermil's instructions will get him as far away from the battlefield as possible. And I don't plan on being there either.
Robin chuckled. It takes an artist to paint this picture. Now, no matter what, the Valmese army will suffer a crippling defeat tomorrow. There will be no heroes to turn the tide. And no tacticians to pull the upset.
"So proud of yourself, are you?"
"Who's there?" Robin spun around, an orb of lightning in his hands.
"Awfully jumpy, aren't we? Eheheh." The voice continued. "It seems that your … double dealing … didn't go unnoticed."
"Excellus." Robin growled. "Only you would dare."
"Well. More or less." Excellus appeared in front of him. "I just thought I might cut myself in." Robin gestured, sending a lightning bolt forward. Excellus disappeared, reappearing ten feet to the left. "Naughty, naughty. You've been selling secrets to the rebels, Robin. Something that bad must be punished."
"Ooh, you caught me." Robin summoned a pair of lightning orbs around his hands. "I'm so scared. Except I'm not, I can just switch plans. Right now, it's your word against mine, fat man. And you're out of favor. You can't do anything to me."
"True." Excellus mused. "I mean, if I killed you now, that might pose some problems and prove nothing. Fortunately, I happen to be a tactician, and a rather better one than you. I'm not going to kill you."
"Because you can't." Robin said. "You want to fight? I'll beat you."
"I have no interest in fighting you when I could fight Rosanne. I'm going to take over your army." Excellus smirked. "See, Colonel, you might have a high rank, but I'm higher still. I can take command of your operation. Last night, Yen'fay took a peek at your invasion plans. You know, the detailed ones that you used to calculate the perfect Rosanne response and sold that to them? Well, it wasn't too hard to figure out a way to counter that Rosanne response."
"I'm sure you have something brilliant in mind."
"Simple." Excellus smiled. "I'm merely going to make the attack from the south the real one, while they have some clever plan to deal with it from the north. I'm going to smash the rebels, using your own plan against you, and then ride the victory wave to your trial and follow-up execution. You are relieved of command. Your army is now mine. And the icing on the cake? I just paraded this whole plan before you and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
Robin swore violently, using every word he had learned from his men. It took him a few minutes.
"Eloquent." Excellus smiled. "Don't worry. I'm outsmarted people far smarter than you."
"Fine. Let's pretend all that you say is true – and I'm not saying it is. What makes you think I'm going to let you? I could easily destroy you here and now, turn around and blame you for this whole mess." Robin said. Electricity glowed. "You see, Excellus, plans are good, but improvisation is better. What are you going to do now?"
"And that is why you fail. You see, I anticipated you doing this. It's not like you posed a threat to me, of course, I just wanted you to see I anticipated your every move." Excellus snapped his fingers. "Yen'fay? It's past Robin's bedtime. Send him to dreamland, if you would."
Robin spun around to see the Chon'sin samurai. "No…"
"My apologies, Robin." Yen'fay placed his hand on his sword. "I will make this quick."
Robin saw a blur, then felt a blinding pain.
-Unknown Location-
Where am I? Robin wrists chaffed uncomfortably against the cuffs, even through the vellum gloves he was wearing. He opened his eyes and was greeted with a dim light. A solitary window faced him far atop the opposite wall. A dungeon? Robin looked up. His wrists were bound to cuffs, chained to the wall above him. Dungeon.
The events of the previous few hours hit him. Great. Just great. Robin grit his teeth and tugged. The chain held. Of course. Let's see. I'm in Excellus's dungeons, he intends to use my own plans against me, and then reveal my betrayal. I'm stuck, chained to a wall, and without weapons. This day really just could not have gone any better.
It's three days until my army reaches Castle Bastein. Robin thought. And Excellus gave me that window so I could see that. Three days. Then all hell breaks loose.
-Report to REDACTED from REDACTED, XX/X/XX-
Plegia is ready for war. Judging by the shipments they're throwing around, they've mobilized their entire army for an invasion against Ylisse. And Ylisse isn't prepared. I heard they've got the Feroxi marching in to help them, but it's not going to be in time.
