The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 19
Ambush
Ben awoke. And all around him was ice. Not snow like Regna Ferox. But ice. Thick sheets of it. Some of it coarse and some slick. The air was freezing. Easily the coldest he had ever felt in his life. Which was saying a lot. He had been to many frozen climates during his time as a Jedi. But this world he was now on was beyond any cold he had ever experienced before.
It was a mostly flat plain of ice. A few dunes of snow littered the landscape. A pale sun sat high in the grey skies above his head. It's rays cast bright reflections around him. Ben had to squint in order to shield himself from the bright light. In the distance, he could see an ice storm brewing. Dark clouds lumbered near the horizon.
He shivered and gave his arms a vigorous rub. Ben was somewhat surprised by his mostly calm reaction. Then again, he was not surprised he was on another world.
Visions had been coming to him with growing frequency. As a Jedi Knight, even a Jedi Master, he was not very prone to visions. He was attuned to the currents of the living force. A quality that his old Master Qui Gon had often lauded him for. But visions were something foreign to him.
That was until he arrived in Ylisse and the world of Archanea. Now the Force was opening up to him in ways he had never imagined before. It bestowed both horrifying futures and enigmatic possibilities upon his mind. Showed him puzzles that he struggled to understand.
Many times it was nightmares. Memories of raiding the Jedi Temple with Master Yoda. Seeing the bodies of his friends, those he considered family, lying still on the blackened temple floors. Memories of the Clone War. The battles and the carnage he had experienced. Reliving some of the hardest choices he had to make as a military commander and wishing he could change them. How many lives could have been spared if he had made one choice instead of another?
But most of the nightmares were about Mustafar. The duel that had nearly killed him. The duel that had broken the Jedi Master. Not in a physical sense. He was still alive and breathing. But psychologically, it changed him. He could not fully understand how or why yet. But he could feel the sorrow deep in his heart whenever he awoke from those nightmares. That and fear. Fear of what Anakin had become. Fear of the Emperor and how easily the Dark Lord of the Sith had twisted his brother. Fear of his own actions. The realization that he had killed Anakin still haunted him. The face of a lively padawan melted with the hatred of Darth Vader. And that image would send shivers down Ben's spine.
The most consistent factor of all of his recent visions, nightmares really, was that they took place in the past. Reliving minor successes. Watching his many failures repeat over and over again.
But this vision was starkly different. He had never been to a world like this. It was an ice cube hanging in the cosmos. Ben doubted it could support any life. What little it did support must survive by monstrous means.
Ben shivered and squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened his eyes, the ice storm was all around him. He grit his teeth and wrapped his ratty old cloak tighter around his thinning frame. A slight frown graced his lips. He had not noticed it till now, but he had lost some weight since arriving in Ylisse.
The sound of feet crunching on ice caused Ben to spin on his heel. He peered through the screaming ice and snow. There, a few yards away, stood the silhouette of a man. He was tall and lanky. A blaster hung at his hip. He body was covered in thick, winter clothing that offered meager protection from the elements.
Through the howling wind and screaming shards of ice and snow, Ben heard a voice.
"Just hang in there, Princess."
The stench of burning flesh hit Ben's nose. Then there was the glow of a lightsaber. A red lightsaber.
Ben's heart jumped to his throat. On instinct, he reached for his own blade. But felt nothing there. Just his leather belt.
Through the ice, he saw another form. That of a fallen, bipedal mount of some sort. Frozen to death from the cold. The man was cutting it open. Once the animal was sliced open, the man groaned and extinguised the lightsaber.
"Alright listen up, Princess. I know this smells. But it'll keep you warm."
The man pulled another body from the ice. A slender young woman. She wore a uniform of some sort. White in color. Perfect camouflage for this world. Her face was scarred. Bloody gashes crossed her cheeks. The blood frozen to her skin. And she sounded delirious.
"Some guy…" She gasped, "Someone watching…"
Dagobah. Ben heard someone say in his mind. A voice that sounded like Qui Gon.
"Dagobah?" He said aloud.
"Dagobah." The woman moaned.
"Get in the guts, Princess." Ben winced as the man shoved the woman into the beast's still warm body, "You'll thank me later."
The man then fell onto the animal once his task was completed. Ben heard the man utter a disgusted grunt.
"I thought they smelled bad, on the outside. Ugh!"
Ben blinked in confusion. What in the world was he seeing? What was the Force showing him?
The man began to set up a small shelter. Just as he set up a heater in his tent, he looked over at the dead creature that shielded the woman from the cold.
"You better live, Leia."
Ben's heart stopped beating. He could scarcely breath. It was not possible. This had to be some sick coincidence. Dumb luck.
"There's no such thing as luck." Ben muttered to himself as realization sank in him.
"Our luck sucks, your worshipfulness." The man huffed, "Time to set up a beacon."
Ben began to stumble towards the campsite. But as he walked, the vision began to fade.
"No! Not yet! Leia!"
….
Ben jolted awake. His chest heaved up and down. His eyes were as wide as saucers. He jumped upright and stared at the inside of his tent. Outside, he could hear the sounds of the Shepherds as well as a small company of Ylissean soldiers and Pegasus Knights begging to stir.
He felt his body trembling. His gaze turned down to his hands. They were shaking. Of course they were shaking. He had just seen- he had just seen… Ben buried his face in his hands and uttered a loud exhale.
It was now official. He and visions had a complicated relationship. Now he could see why Anakin was so easily distressed by them. What he had just seen was impossible. Leia was a baby. She could not be a fully grown woman. And on an ice planet of all things? Ben swallowed hard and shook his head.
"This makes no sense."
Meditation. Ben rubbed his face and nodded to himself. He'd have to meditate on this at length. There were two possibilites that originated from that vision. One was he saw the present. In which case, time was an even more abstract concept than he believed.
It was far more likely he saw the future. In which case, meditation was a must. One could not rashly act on a vision on the future. There were too many unknowns at work. So many variables that could change. One minuscule change, and the entire future he had just seen could be thrown off.
He rose from his little floor mat and stretched his arms over his head. While the events of the vision replayed in his mind, one word kept springing forth.
"Dagobah." He muttered to himself.
His brow furrowed. It was not just a word. It was a place. But what place? He sighed, walked over to his clothing that was hanging on a small peg, and began to dress.
"Force visions." He grumbled as he tightened his belt, "Damn confusing things."
The flap to his tent opened and a young face peaked inside.
"Master Ben, sir?"
Ben had to force down a small chuckle.
Master Ben? I've been called many things by young people. That's a new one.
"Yes, Ricken?" Ben answered as he buttoned the collar to his plain, brown shirt.
"Captain Chrom wanted to tell you that there was a meeting for all Shepherds. He wanted me to come fetch you."
Ben arched an eyebrow, "He did?"
Ricken shrank a little bit. Ben sighed. He was not an intimidating person. Why was Ricken afraid of him?
"I came to wake you earlier." Ricken started. As if he knew what Ben was wondering, "But you shouted in your sleep. Scared the crap out of me, sir. Almost got kicked by you."
Ben drew back. That was a good reason to be hesitant.
"Well, I apologize. I had… a strange dream." He blinked some more sleep from his eyes while throwing his cloak over his shoulders.
"More like a nightmare?" Ricken continued.
The young mage appeared a little more comfortable after Ben's apology. He inched his way further into the tent. Arms folded over his chest. His magic tome pressed tight into his robes.
Ben pressed his lips into a thin line, "I'm not sure actually."
"How can you not be sure if you had a dream or a nightmare?" Ricken asked.
Ben smoothed out a wrinkle on his cloak then hooked his rapier to his belt, "It's complicated."
"That doesn't sound very complicated to me."
"Well it is." Ben sighed. He turned and knelt down to Ricken's eye level.
The young mage was still so young. And here he was, among a party of soldiers tasked with escorting Exalt Emmeryn to safety at the Eastern Palace. His robes still were loose on his boyish frame. And he had not had his growth spurt yet. Ricken's hat almost looked as big as he was.
Children being sent to war. Ben thought, Why do a feel like I have seen this before?
He could recall the first time Ahsoka Tano had fought beside him and Anakin. Ricken was not much older than the little Togruta was. Times truly are desperate when the youth must lay down there lives.
"Sometimes," Ben began, "A dream is neither good nor bad. It can be something that does both. It can reveal a good and an evil."
Ricken raised an eyebrow, "You seem to think dreams and visions are one and the same?"
Ben pursed his lips, "Well… for us.. mages," he said carefully, "They can be."
"But visions are extremely rare. Only mages that are the most in tune with magic and the mana of the world can have them." Ricken's eyes widened, "Are you that powerful?"
Ben chuckled, "That's for you to find out on your own. But yes, I often view visions and dreams as one and the same. They often reveal hidden truths. Maybe that truth is about yourself. Or about the past, present, even future. But it is a truth nonetheless. It would be unwise to dismiss them as just a dream or a nightmare."
Ricken furrowed his brow, "That sounds pretty complicated."
Ben nodded, "Exactly."
"So what was your vision then, Master Ben."
"Just Ben, Ricken." Ben laughed. His smile faded a little, "The vision was… strange. I think it has something to do with the future."
"So you know what's going to happen in the future?"
Ben just laughed, got to his feet, and led Ricken out of his tent. There was a meeting they both had to get to.
"No. I do not." Ben replied as they walked through the Ylissean camp set up in a mountain pass. Above them, the sun was starting to peak over the mountain tops. Providing much needed warmth to the soldiers, "It is not so easy to see the future. Mostly because the future is never certain. You may see one thing. But that thing is only a possibility. Not a definite reality."
Ricken bobbed his head, "I sorta get it." His eyes widened and he smacked his forehead, "I forgot!"
"Forgot what?"
"Sir Robin is still asleep. I'll meet you at Captain Chrom's tent."
As the young mage rushed off, Ben heard him say something about wishing he could see the future so he wouldn't forget again. A little observation that made Ben chuckle himself.
Ricken was dedicated to his craft. Ben had witnessed the boy practicing diligently in the training yard once he recovered from his own injuries. He often asked Robin and Miriel for advice. Since those two were the only actual mages currently with the Shepherds. Though with Chrom's propensity for attracting followers, Ben did not doubt that more would join them during this war.
Ben let out a wistful sigh as he made his way towards Chrom and Lissa's tent. It had been a very long time since he felt like a teacher. But just now, talking with Ricken, he was taken back to his days as a newly knighted Jedi. Anakin was always hounding him with questions. At the time, he had almost considered it a nuisance. A sad smile crossed his face. He had taken his time with the boy for granted. Force, he wished he had not.
If only Anakin were as studious as Ricken just was. Ben thought to himself with amusement. Oh, the headaches he would have been spared from.
He pushed his way into Chrom's tent. The other shepherds had already gathered inside. Including Sumia, who was resting on a small, plush chair.
Ben gave her a small, reassuring nod. The young Pegasus Knight was still recovering from her injuries. But she had insisted on accompanying the Shepherds. There would be nothing that could stop her from defending both Exalt Emmeryn and Prince Chrom. And while Chrom had offered some protest, he had relented in the end. Ben smirked as he saw Chrom give Sumia a gentle smile. Yes, he could see what Robin had already noticed now.
"I assume you were too busy holding someone's hand in order to get me yourself?" Ben teased as he patted Chrom on the shoulder.
Chrom turned red in the face. Much to Sully and Vaike's amusement.
"Hey! Ben is starting to get our sense of humor." Sully grinned, "I knew our lack of dignity would rub off on him."
"Welcome to the family." Vaike grinned.
Ben chuckled, "Contrary to what you all believed, I do enjoy a funny joke." He leaned up against the table they were all gathered around. A large map of Archanea was spread out on it.
Ben took stock of everyone in the room. Spirits seemed high. But that was almost always the case with this bunch. It really should not have surprised him.
Sully and Vaike were comparing arm muscles. Both insisting that they were stronger than the other. Stahl was off to the side, munching on several biscuits he had managed to snag before arriving. Frederick stood near the tent entry with Lon'qu. Both warriors were hyper vilgilant. Ben did see Lon'qu take a large step away from Lissa once she approached though. Virion was sipping tea from a steaming mug as he studied the map on the table. Miriel was with Maribelle across the table. Both discussing Miriel's latest batch of elixirs that she had been working on for weeks. The young girl from Themis was doing a good job keeping her grief in check. But Ben could sense she was still mourning the loss of her father and her city. He hoped someone had gone to talk to her about it already. Panne sat near a small fire that was burning in the tent. The Taguel was doing her best to warm herself. Her long ears were perked up. Listening for any strange sounds that might be coming near.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ben saw a tall suit of armor shifting back and forth.
"How are you this morning, Kellam?"
Kellam's jaw fell open, "How are you able to see me?"
Ben shrugged, "Is your aim to remain hidden?"
Kellam shook his head.
"Then maybe speak up some more." Ben gestured at the other Shepherds, "Chat with your friends. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you."
"He's right, big guy." Gaius said as he emerged from a shadowy corner of the room. His pockets jingled for some reason.
Ben frowned, "Gaius."
"Hm?"
Ben held out his hand.
Gaius rolled his eyes, "Should have known I couldn't pull a fast one on you." He pulled out a gold bracelet and several stacks of coins.
"You're a member of the Shepherds now." Ben scolded, "That means no stealing."
"Except candy." Gaius pointed out, "I got permission for that."
Ben sighed. The Thief seemed to know just which buttons he needed to push in order to irritate Ben. Whether he did so intentionally was another matter. There was a naive innocence to Gaius that made Ben think that the guy just did not know better.
Kage stepped beside Gaius. The young blonde gave Ben a respectful nod.
"You're Ben, I assume?"
Ben looked over at Kage, "Yes." He held out a hand and the boy shook it.
"I heard about what you did in the palace. It's damn impressive. Taking on all of those assassins by yourself is quite the feat."
"Hey, I was there too ya know." Gaius said.
"Yes," Ben nodded, "And I don't aim for glory in battle. I just did my duty."
Kage nodded, "I'm liking you Ylisseans more and more everyday."
Ben gave the boy a small smile. Strange how some of the staunchest allies could come from the enemy's lines.
The tent flap burst open. Both Robin and Ricken scrambled inside.
Ben laughed at Robin's appreance, "Did you sleep on your head last night?"
Robin reached up and tugged on some tufts of hair that were sticking up all over the place. But his efforts were in vain. They only popped right back to their messy state.
"Might as well have." Robin yawned, "Fell asleep at my desk."
"Again?" Ben chuckled.
"Hey, a tactician has to study."
Chrom tapped the table with his hand. All the chatter around him died.
"Alright." Chrom started, "Now that everyone is here, we can discuss our mission."
Ben raised an eyebrow, "Mission?"
"We are to escort Exalt Emmeryn to the Eastern Palace. From there, we have been ordered to make haste to Regna Ferox and gather more forces for the war. Hopefully when we arrive in Arena Ferox, Khan Flavia will have her armies ready to go."
"Who will stay and protect the Exalt?" Frederick asked.
"The Pegasus Knights will." Chrom said. Though Ben could detect some distaste in his words. He had to remind himself that Chrom was Emmeryn's brother. Of course he would want to protect her personally, "And Ben."
All eyes flocked to the swordsman standing between Robin and Gaius. Vaike's jaw fell open. Sully began to laugh like a madwoman. Stahl looked unsure of what exactly was going on. That was remedied by Miriel muttering something about mating. Which led to Maribelle clasping her hands over Ricken's ears. Frederick looked slightly uncomfortable. Lon'qu was as stone like as ever. And Virion could only give Ben a devilish smirk.
"Ben, you sly dog." Virion teased.
"Uh-um-I-"
"Alright!" Sully cheered, "Ben is human after all. And he's damn ambitious too."
Chrom cleared his throat, "Can we please stop talking about my sister's personal life."
"But it's so much fun Chrom!" Lissa exclaimed.
"Enough!" Chrom barked, "What Ben and Emmeryn do is not the point. The point is, our best swordsman, no offense to anyone here, will not be with us during the second leg of our mission. Robin, I assume you have strategies in mind in case we have any unfortunate encounters."
"Bandits, Raiders, Plegians, or Risen you mean?" Robin replied. The mention of the Risen made Ben shiver a little bit. And he could tell it had a negative effect on the other Shepherd's as well, "Yes, I have some ideas in mind. Hopefully we won't need them. But I'm prepared."
"Good." Chrom nodded, "Now then we to-"
A loud commotion outside caused Chrom to stop speaking. He heard the sound of Pegasus wings hammering against the air. The sound of steel clanking together cast an ominous cacophony of noise to fall onto the Shepherd's ears.
Chrom turned and marched out of the tent. Robin and Ben followed him.
Outside, every Pegasus Knight was taking to they sky. Their steeds snorting and whining as they shot into the cold, mountain air. Chrom managed to catch sight of Commander Phila as she mounted her own Pegasus.
"Phila!" Chrom rushed over to her, "What is going on?"
"Plegians. They're behind us." Phila said, her face lined with both determination and worry.
Chrom's face blanched.
"What?"
"How?" Robin asked.
"I don't know." Phila replied, "they must have slipped past Commander Edward's rear guard in Ylisstol. Our sentries report a small force. But after what happened near Themis, I'm not taking any chances." She nodded in Ben's direction, "You should get to the Exalt. Chrom, lead the rest of the company onward. I will return soon."
Without another word, she dug her spurs into the haunches of her Pegasus. The animal snorted, beat it's powerful, angelic wings, then soared into the air. Chrom gulped as he watched the company of Pegasus Knights fade into the distance.
"Chrom." Robin shook his arm, "Let's get moving."
"Right." Chrom gripped Falchion's pommel and moved back to his Shepherds, who had gathered outside of the ten, "Robin, strategy."
"Ben, Frederick, you both protect the Exalt." Robin said, "Lon'qu, I need you to stay close to Sumia and Lissa. Make sure no harm comes to them. They are not able to fight right now. Ricken, Miriel, and I will hold the center of the column. That'll give me a vantage point on our enemy and allow us to shoot volleys of magic if needed. Virion will be with us as well. Chrom, Kellam, Vaike, Sully, Stahl, hold the rear. If those Plegian's break through the Pegasus Knight's, we will need you to either clear a route for escape or hold them back while we all make a break for the Eastern Palace."
"What about us?" Gaius asked as he pointed at Kage and Panne.
"You three scout ahead." Robin ordered, "Make sure our path is clear."
"On it." Kage nodded before donning his dark hood and sprinting towards the head of the column.
"Wait up, kid! Ah dammit he's quick." Gaius said before taking off after Kage.
"Humans and their impatience." Panne grumbled as she followed them.
Before Ben and Chrom could leave for their positions, Robin stopped them.
"Hey, worst comes to worst, I'll need one of you two to take over strategy." Robin gulped.
Ben frowned, "We won't let it come to that. Phila did say it was a small force. Likely a scouting party. I'm sure the Pegasus knights will be back soon."
"We can only hope." Chrom nodded, "Get to Emm."
….
Commander Phila considered herself an adept in many things. She was an unparalleled warrior with a lance. Especially when it came to warfare in the air. When she was a young trainee, she was top of her class. The best rider, the best fighter, the most intelligent when it came to aerial tactics. It was how she was able to rise so quickly in the ranks of the Pegasus Knights. And she knew how to scout. It was one of her first duties when she first volunteered to join the legendary Ylissean Pegasus Knights.
So why was she not seeing any Plegians? Her scouts reported that there was a small force closing in from the rear. Yet here she was, high in the sky with her company of knights. And there was not a single thing out of place on the mountain road.
A bad feeling hit her gut. Something was very wrong here.
"Commander?"
Phila glanced to her right. Floating over to her was the youngest of her Pegasus Knights. Someone who reminded Phila much of herself in her youth. Minus the red hair of course.
"Yes, Cordelia."
"Where are they?" The young Pegasus Knight asked.
Phila saw her hand was grasping her lance tight. So tight that the leather beneath her gauntlet groaned in protest. Phila's face turned grim. Indeed, where was the enemy?
"Maybe we scared them off?" One of her other knights suggested.
"Plegians aren't scared off that easily." Cordelia mentioned.
Phila had to agree with the red head. The Plegian military had their equals when it came to her force. Those equals were-
"Wyverns." She swallowed hard. She looked over at her two scouts, "Were there any Wyvern's among the enemy?"
"No ma'am. Just foot soldiers."
Phila furrowed her brow. Foot soldiers would be sitting ducks out here. Especially when it came to an aerial attack. What were the Plegians playing at?
"Commander, look!" Cordelia pointed down at the road.
Phila narrowed her eyes. Emerging on the road was a single, figure. A man in black robes and hood. A strange metal cane helped him hobble along the dusty pathway through the mountains. Phila grimaced.
"Anastasia." She nodded at her second in command. Another veteran of the last war.
"Yes, commander."
Her second flew down with Phila. They both landed gracefully in front of the feeble man.
"Hold sir!" Phila barked, "What is your business on this road?"
The old man chuckled, "Just going to go visit an old friend of mine, miss."
Phila frowned. Visiting an old friend? No one lived in these mountains. There was nowhere to live. The only flat space was the road. Everything else was sheer, rocky, cliffs.
"Oh…" The man sighed and shook his head, "I was so hoping you would fall for the ruse. I'd rather not have to unveil myself so soon."
Phila suddenly felt cold. Extremely cold. She saw her breath mist in front of her face. Her Pegasus uttered an alarmed cry before it beat it's wings. She knew her steed. That was a warning. A distress signal to her.
Phila's gaze returned to the old man. Her eyes widened as his hunched posture corrected itself. He rolled his shoulders back and placed his weight on what Phila assumed were crippled legs. But now they were miraculously healed. He raised his cane and broke off the handle. His thumb drifted to a small red knob.
A bar of red light erupted from both ends of the cane. The red light revealed the man's face. Phila's heart lodged itself in her throat.
"I'm afraid you missed the rest of my friends." The man twirled his glowing blades in his hands and shrugged his hood from his head, revealing black and red skin and a head crowned with horns, "But don't worry, I will keep you company."
Phila gripped her lance. Before she could blink, the monster moved. His strange weapon cut a hideous, red arc through the air. In the span of a single breath, Anastasia fell from her Pegasus. Her head separated from her shoulders.
Fury filled Phila. Fury and horror. With a rage filled cry she thrust her lance down at the monster.
The glowing red bar of light sliced through her lance as if it was hot butter. Phila's eyes widened in shock. She grit her teeth. Her hands flew to her hip where a short sword rested.
"Cordelia!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, "Get to the Exalt! Everyone else, kill this fiend!"
The monster saw one Pegasus Knight break off from the others and fly full speed back up the road. But when he focused on her, she stopped and turned.
"I must have one witness to this." The monster laughed, "Before I kill you all. I will tell you my name." He twirled his weapon in his hands, "I am Maul."
Phila's eyes widened. A blood curdling roar erupted from Maul's throat. She watched as the monster made an impossible leap into the air. Her mouth fell open in horror as another of her knights fell headless to the road below.
"CORDELIA!" Phila screamed, "Go now! Warn the Exalt!"
Cordelia watched horrified as the creature known as Maul cut her sisters to ribbons. He moved so fast. She could barely keep up at all. How could such a feeble looking man all of a sudden become the most terrifying warrior she had ever seen.
"CORDELIA!"
The red head was wrenched free from her terror as Phila roared at her again. Her commander gave the young knight a desperate look.
"I-I can't-"
"Go!" Phila barked, "You will not help the Exalt if you are dead! We will buy you time."
Cordelia felt her mount turn away from the battle in fear. Her pegasus's wings beat against the wind, flying her as fast as it could away from the battle.
"No!" Cordelia cried.
Tears streamed down her face as she heard her sisters's death cries. She grit her teeth and buried her face into her loyal mount's mane. They were all going to die. And she could do nothing about it.
...
Ben and Frederick reached the Exalt just as the war horns sounded. Ben's rapier was out of it's sheath in a flash. Emmeryn was puzzled at first. Then the war horn sounded again. Her face blanched. All around her, what little royal guards she had drew their weapons and prepared to defend their Exalt to the last man.
"Ben." She breathed.
"Stay near me." He said firmly before spinning around with Frederick.
Both warriors stared up and down the mountain road. There was only two ways the enemy could come at them. And with Gaius, Panne, and Kage already ahead of the main group, Ben doubted the enemy would come from the front.
The swordsman turned to see Frederick looking up at the sky.
"Keeps your eyes open for Wyverns." He advised Ben.
Ben cursed under his breath. How could he forget about those flying lizards? The Plegians used them like the Ylisseans used Pegasi. And right now, with the Pegasus Knights busy with a skirmish near the rear of the column, the Plegians had aerial superiority.
Ben's instincts kicked in. He drew on his vast battle experience from the Clone War as well as the knowledge that he had of their current enemy. They were dealing with a cunning tactician. One that used their own assumptions against them. Ben furrowed his brow.
"They're not coming from above." He said.
Frederick gave Ben a puzzled look.
A Wyvern roared. Then two, then three. Both Ben and Frederick stared wide eyed as an entire group of Wyverns rocketed up from the canyon below. Lances arced through the air. Emmeryn dropped to the ground.
One lance skipped on the rock just past her. Another impaled itself on one of her guards. Ben stepped in front of her. Then with speed and power that Frederick thought was impossible, he used his blade to deflect the third lance away from the Exalt. He hit the projectile just hard enough to cause it to spin off course and hit the gravel road instead.
Arrows flew through the air. Frederick raised his shield. Several hit against his defenses. Battering his forearm and causing Frederick to grit his teeth with strain.
"How did they get here!?" He shouted at Ben as another royal guard fell dead due to the arrows.
Frederick's jaw dropped. Ben's blade was a blur as he defended the Exalt from the arrows.
"He's deflecting arrows now." Frederick mumbled. The Knight rolled his shoulders, hefted his lance, "I clearly must do my part better."
With a loud cry, he threw his lane. A satisfied grin graced his lips as the tip pierced a Wyvern's thick hide. Both lizard and rider plummeted to the jagged canyon floor.
"We can't stay here!" Ben shouted at Frederick.
Frederick looked back at his fellow Shepherd. Ben's beadwork was magnificent. But the Plegian archers were learning. Now they were not aiming for the Exalt. They were taking aim at Ben. Hoping to cut him down so they could have a clear shot at her.
"We need to make our way back to Chrom and Robin!" Frederick shouted.
"Agreed!"
Frederick held out his hand to Emmeryn. Ben gave the Exalt a firm nod. Emmeryn squeezed Ben's arm before hopping onto Frederick's horse.
"Come!" Frederick shouted before snapping the reins to his horse.
His steed snorted and took off down the road. Ben deflected several more arrows before sprinting after them.
He drew upon the Force's power. Relying on it's energy to provide him more speed, strength, and stamina. Emmeryn's life was in danger. Now was not the time to hold back. He could not. He swallowed hard as he came to a hard realization that he wanted to deny so badly.
He cared about the Exalt. A lot actually. The last thing he wanted was for any harm to come to her. As he sprinted behind Frederick, memories of that bleak night in Sundari flashed in his mind.
Maul, grinning evil down from the Mandalorian throne. Satine at his mercy. Himself held down by members of Maul's Deathwatch. The horror as Satine was gutted by Maul hit Ben like a punch in the gut. The pain had been unbearable. The worst he had felt since he had lost his Master to the very same enemy.
The Jedi grit his teeth. He would not let that happen again. Never again.
Ben slid to a halt. The dark side of the Force pulsed around him. Like an oppressive wave of cold and fury. Untamed and unleashed. He could feel it coming from the rear. The very place he and Frederick were retreating to. But he could also feel it behind him. Back up the road where the Wyverns had attacked. Ben turned. His eyes narrowed.
Standing on the road was the Black Rider. Yellow eyes blazed beneath a black hood. His face still hidden behind a mask that veiled the rest of his face. Frederick skidded to a halt as well.
"Ben?" Frederick asked.
Ben could see the Knight was now nervous. The dark side was thick in the air. Ben reached out and his blood ran cold in his veins. He could feel death everywhere. Lives were being snuffed out rapidly. All of it concentrated at the rear of the column. Where the Pegasus Knights had gone to combat the enemy. And among the death and carnage, the dark side roared with triumph. Relishing in a savage blood lust that made Ben's breath get lodged in his throat.
"Keeping going." Ben said as he stared at the Black Rider, "Get to Chrom."
"We have to protect the Exalt." Frederick reminded him.
"If I do not face this man here he will kill her." Ben said, "I can handle him. You get back to Chrom, now!"
Frederick's face was grim, "I expect you to be behind me soon."
"I'd hope so." Ben said before the Knight spurred his horse down road.
Ben watched as they ran. Emmeryn looked back. A look of fear and worry on her face. Ben swallowed hard and sighed.
I'll protect you. He thought. I won't let you die like Qui Gon and Satine.
His face hardened. Ben turned on his heel. The Black Rider had not moved a muscle.
"Not tackling me this time?" Ben said, "I'm rather grateful actually. That would hurt much more on this gravel than on grass."
The Black Rider inclined his head. Not a word escaped his form.
"Silent type?" Ben set himself in Soresu's transitional pose. Fingers and blade pointed directly at his opponent, "Very well. I will take this seriously then."
"You have already lost." The Black Rider snarled.
Ben stared hard at the man. Those yellow eyes blazed at him with hatred rarely seen in the galaxy. The Jedi could not help but wonder what he had done to infuriate the man so much.
Then again, he was Maul's apprentice. It would make sense if the Apprentice shared the same hatred at the Master.
Ben shrugged his cloak from his shoulders, "I don't think so."
The Black Rider's face must have twisted into a snarl behind his mask. The yellow eyes blazed like bright embers.
"You have failed, Jedi." He taunted, "Your precious Exalt will be taken from you. That is a certainty."
"Nothing is certain." Ben countered, "Only a fool thinks that."
"Or someone who controls fate." The Black Rider shot back before reaching for his belt.
Before the Black Rider could draw whatever weapon he was reaching for, a mass of fur jumped down from a cleft above the road. Panne uttered a furious roar as she landed on the Black Rider. Her animal form's claws dug deep gouges in the road as she furiously swiped at the rider.
But the Black Rider was a nimble enemy. He managed to avoid her razor sharp claws and punishing teeth. A fist shot out and pounded against Panne's head. The Taguel reeled. The Black Rider drew a blade and charged. Ready to drive the weapon into Panne's body.
Ben parried the attack and shoved the Black Rider away.
"I'm your opponent." Ben growled, allowing his powers in the Force to bubble to the surface.
Perhaps he could intimidate his enemy. He needed to end this fight quickly. Frederick could not hold off the Wyvern riders on his own.
The Black Rider laughed. It was a manic sound. Filled with amusement.
"Do you aim to terrify me Jedi?" The man shook his head "Such a foolish gamble. You've only managed to anger me." He paced in front of Ben, "I wish I could kill you right now."
"What's stopping you?" Ben taunted.
"My Master wants you alive… for now." Ben furrowed his brow in confusion, "He forbade me from destroying you myself. He wants to destroy you. Like how you destroyed him."
Ben felt a lump form in his throat. Maul wanted to destroy him as he destroyed Maul? But he never destroyed Maul. Not it the sense that he killed the Zabrak Sith. Ben's eyes widened.
"Emm." He breathed, "Panne, get to Emmeryn!"
"But-"
"GO! NOW!" Ben roared.
The Taguel needed no more convincing. The massive rabbit turned and charged down the road. Ben could only pray that she reached Frederick in time.
"You're a quick, Jedi." The Black Rider said, "Just not quick enough."
"You lured me." Ben realized, "You wanted me to stay behind."
The Black Rider laughed, "Of course. I've already defeated those two thieves and the rabbit. I'm surprised she got up, actually. But you… oh I'm going to savor watching the hope leave your eyes."
The Black Rider took a step forward. Ben readied for a fight. He coudl feel the Dark Side billowing out of the man like an evil cloud. Whoever this Plegain was, he was steeped in the Dark. It powered him. Drove his every thought and action. An apprentice who had given himself fully over to his anger and hatred. Ben knew this was going to be a dangerous opponent.
Just as the pair were about to clash, a Pegasus zoomed past Ben and slammed into a stunned Black Rider. The enemy uttered a startled cry before plummting down the face of the cliff.
Ben was just as surprised. And he was thankful someone on his own side had managed to come and help. But he did not know the red haired Pegasus Rider that had come to his aid.
"Thank you." Ben said, "I'd go through the pleasantries, but we don't have much time."
"I agree." The woman gulped. Ben could see tear stains on her cheeks, "Where is the Exalt?"
"Frederick took her back towards Chrom."
The Woman's eyes widened, "They're walking into a trap!" She reached out and pulled Ben up onto her mount.
"We must stop them!" She snapped the reins and her Pegasus shot into the air once again.
Ben looked back at their small battlefield. All of Emmeryn's guards lay dead on the road. He could see Panne's footprints in the gravel. She was running as fast as she could after Frederick.
Ben scowled. Clinging to the face of the cliff was the Black Rider. The man somehow managed to cheat death. Ben grit his teeth and tightend his grip on his rapier.
"Hurry! Miss... miss... whatever, we must fly fast!"
"It's Cordelia." The Pegasus Knight said with a shaky breath, "And don't worry. No one is faster than me."
Ben nodded. He hoped she was not boasting. The enemy that had followed them into the mountains was much deadlier than he had believed. And even though the Black Rider had been delayed, he could not help but feel dread in his core.
The Dark Side of the Force roared.
It was declaring victory
And chapter! Oooh here we go! Our first use of a lightsaber in this story. And it involves Maul having a little fun. We are nearing the point of this arc where the the pace is going to ratchet up. It is going to be fun to write! Then there is a mysterious vision for Ben. Is it the future? And how does it factor into his story? Hm... so many questions. Anyways, let me know what you all think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day