The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 26
The Palace Dungeons
Marth sat awake in the night. Her eyes fixated on the dying flames of the fireplace in the room the Shepherds stayed in at Grima's Rest. She could not fall asleep. The events of the previous evening were keeping her awake. That and the unrest she could feel in her companions caused her to feel restless.
She could sense that Gaius was the least anxious of the group. He slept rather soundly for a thief. But she reasoned that he could easily slip into the night if their mission went south. The man was sneaky and quiet when he needed to be. Marth had yet to encounter anyone else, besides Kage, who could move as unseen as Gaius. And Kage had a significant advantage compared to the former Plegian thief. The Force allowed those who delved into it's mysterious many abilities some would consider to be unnatural.
She sighed as Gaius murmured in his sleep and rolled over, burying his face into Panne's shoulder. The Taguel was snoring soundly too. But Marth caught a glimpse of her large ears twitching every now and then in the night. A reaction to hearing sounds that the humans in the room were not aware of.
Cordelia was a mess in her little cot. She had tossed and turned for hours before finally settling into a restless sleep. One permeated with nightmares of the battle on the Eastern Road. Every half hour or so, Marth would hear her start mumbling in her sleep. The red head's face would twist into an expression of pure terror before relaxing once again.
Marth took a deep breath. Those nightmares were familiar ones to her. She had experienced something similar when she had first encountered the creature known as Maul. That happened years ago. Before her mission was even a thought in her mind. Before she could even wield Falchion properly. He had not been violent with her. Had not tried to kill everyone she cared about. Not with her Master nearby. But the monster was still a terrifying creature to behold. Even when he was acting docile.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end when she heard Ben cry out in the night. It was a strangled sound. As if he was choking on something. Her head whipped over to the cot closest to the window. The swordsman's sheets were thrown from his body. A thick sheen of sweat was on his brow. His chest rose and fell rapidly. His breathing shallow and sharp. Marth remained paralyzed as Ben uttered another terrified cry before his eyes shot open and he burst upright.
His movements were blindingly fast. In the blink of an eye, he was out of his cot. Bare feet pounding against the wooden floor boards and out of the door. The only other Shepherd to stir was Panne. Her ears flicked in Ben's direction before settling back down onto her head.
Marth finally exhaled. She had not realized she had been holding her breath. She inhaled, held her breath for a moment, then exhaled again. Steadying her own racing heart. Seeing Ben so on edge, even if he was not fully aware of it, made her anxious. She knew the stories of Ylisse's mad swordsman well enough. He was supposed to be one of the most courageous Shepherds. Certainly one of the strongest and most powerful. A man that her- she swallowed hard- that Prince Chrom and Sir Robin relied on heavily in times of strife. Normally his very presence exuded calm and certainty.
To see him mired in desperation and fear rattled the blue haired girl to her core.
Marth closed her eyes and decided to calm her mind another way. She had done this exercise many times with her master. He was always a stickler when it came to meditation. When she was first learning the practice, she hated it. Gods she hated sitting still for so long. Her Master always berated her for being restless, reckless, and impatient. A small smile crossed her pale lips at those memories. She wondered what he would be thinking now? If he saw her willingly meditating in order to organize her thoughts, would he be proud? Or would he give her the sass and sarcasm that she had long ago become accustomed to?
As she fell into the Force's embrace, she began to feel the auras of everyone in the room. Just as she thought, Gaius was calm. Alert, surprisingly so given how loud he was snoring, but calm. Panne was in a light sleep. The Taguel had taken it upon herself to be the group's watchman. And so, she rested her eyes but not her mind. Cordelia was a whirlwind of emotion. Fear, anger, sorrow. They all hung over her like a dark cloud. Plaguing her mind and filling the young pegasus knight with strife. Marth wished she could do something more than sending a small wave of calm across the room. But she and Cordelia were not that well connected. They were comrades, nothing more.
Ben's presence slammed into her mind. Marth reeled. She nearly fell backwards out of her chair. He felt distressed. More so than she had originally thought. Was Emmeryn's imminent execution really disturbing him that much? Or was the thought of Maul in such close proximity wreaking havoc on his mind? She knew the two had a history. But even she was not privy to the details.
The young warrior sighed and shook her head. If Ben's mind was clouded during this mission, they would fail. They all needed to perform at their best. Be completely focused and unwavering in their convictions. She believed Ben wanted to save Emmeryn. But she also started to get the sinking feeling that in his desire to save her, he had given into fear and desperation. And as her Master had pointed out to her so long ago, those two feelings were the greatest killers for a warrior. It was that wisdom that helped her stay strong. And it was wisdom she felt she needed to share.
She rose from her seat and crossed the room to the door. Careful to not open or shut it too loudly. The others needed their rest. She and Ben would be fine. Her feet tiptoed down the steps until she reached the common room in the inn.
Ben sat alone in the dark, near a window. A small amount of moonlight drifted lazily through the glass panes. But that was the only light inside. There were no candles, no roaring fire. The barmaids had all gone to sleep along with the innkeeper hours ago. She and Ben were alone.
Ben hardly noticed when she slid into the seat across from him. Her hands folded onto the tabletop and she sat quiet across from him. Waiting until he noticed or decided to say something. All the while, she kept her connection to the Force open. Allowing the calming sensation of it's power to swell within her. Because both her and Ben needed as much tranquility as possible now.
They remained silent for a few more minutes. Then Ben's eyes turned from gazing out the window, to her. There was a small amount of anxiety in him. Marth could sense that much. But he did not let any more fear rush out of his thoughts. He kept them buried. Well hidden. Only someone with substantial training or a strong connection to the man would have been able to tell that something was amiss.
"It was just a nightmare." Ben explained. His voice a hushed whisper in the night.
Marth nodded, "Those happen. But they don't usually cause a hardened warrior such as yourself to run out of your room in a panic."
Ben grimaced.
"Care to talk about it?"
He glared at her. A look that told her all she needed to know. Marth sighed and nodded. Ben would not speak to her about what plagued his dreams. It was something she was not allowed to know. Something he would not tell to anyone.
Resigned to that fact, Marth rose from her seat.
"It will be dawn in about an hour."
"Do you have a plan of action?" Ben asked as his gaze returned to staring out of the window.
"I always do." Marth replied, "I'll have the others awake soon. Then we make our move."
Ben did not reply as she strode back to the stairs. As Marth moved to ascend the steps, she nearly bumped into Cordelia. The red haired pegasus knight had also awoken from an apparent nightmare. Her face was pale and she appeared distressed.
"Couldn't sleep too?" She asked Marth.
Marth shook her head, "I've never slept well."
Cordelia nodded, "Is… is Ben down here too?"
"Yes." Marth sighed.
If Cordelia was awake, then she may as well wake Gaius and Panne. It would give them more time to go over the plan she had in mind for rescuing the Exalt. Without another word, Marth slipped by Cordelia and up the stairs.
Cordelia rubbed her arms as she stepped out into the common room. Despite the fact that Plegia was a desert, it still grew cold at night. The lack of any vegetation or humidity really allowed the air to rapidly cool in this strange land. She did not doubt she would be praying for this cold once the sun rose and midday came. But until then, she would shiver. But not alone.
She sat down across from Ben. And as she sat in silence, she reflected on the nightmare that had awoken her.
She was back on the Eastern road. Riding alongside Commander Phila. A woman she had regarded not just as a superior officer, but as a friend. She had been a hard, stern woman. But also incredibly caring when the need arose. Trusting to a fault. And above all else, brave. Someone the young Pegasus Knight aspired to become.
In the nightmare, she had seen Maul once again. Only this time, he wasn't the crippled creature that had appeared to them. Instead he appeared younger, stronger, and far more vicious. He ripped apart the Pegasus Knights. Severing limbs, crushing armor, and shattering shields with hardly a hint of effort. And this time, she was not able to escape. She was not ordered to run by Commander Phila. Instead she was cornered. And she fought. Hard. Everytime she would thrust her lance or swing her sword, Maul would bat it to the side and cut her down. And Maul would laugh at her everytime she got up. Mock her. Describe the various ways he had already slain her in the nightmare.
It had finally become too much when she woke up.
"Dreams pass with time." She heard Ben say.
Cordelia's swallowed. No moisture ran down her dry throat, "I don't think this one will."
Ben turned his gaze to her, "Maybe. But that will only happen if you allow it to stay."
Cordelia arched an eyebrow, "Allow it to stay."
Ben shifted in his seat, "It might be better to say, allow it to have power over you." He rested his head in his hand as he leaned against the windowsill, "Maul did not do those things to you."
Cordelia's eyes widened. How did he know? Was Ben really a magnificent magician? Was the act he put on not an act, but an actual display of his abilities? Could he really read minds?
"How did you-" Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him, "Can you read minds?"
That managed to elicit a small laugh from Ben, "Yes and no. It really depends."
Cordelia's face portrayed a guarded expression, "Depends on what?"
"The will of the person."
Ben saw both the confusion and curiosity on Cordelia's face.
"A strong willed person is nearly impossible to read. A weak willed person is very easy to read." Ben explained, "It isn't exactly… ethical to break into someone's mind and see their thoughts. Feel their feelings. But it can be done. Though I rarely do so. Most of the time I-" He trailed off. Unsure if he should continue.
"Most of the times you?"
Ben sighed, "Most of the times I simply nudge a suggestion through someone's thoughts." He admitted reluctantly.
Cordelia's eyes widened, "You can use mind control too!?"
"It's not really mind control as much as it is the power of suggestion."
"It's mind control." Cordelia argued back.
Ben uttered a small chuckle, "Fine. It's mind control."
The red head leaned back in her seat. Grateful for the direction this conversation was going. It was proving to be a great distraction from the terrors that had been plaguing her mind.
"I don't believe you."
"Pardon?"
"There's no way you can read minds or use mind control." Cordelia continued, "No one is capable of doing that. Not unless you use some sort of nasty Grimleal curse. Which I know you don't do."
Ben arched an eyebrow, "Are you asking me to prove it?"
Cordelia motioned to him. Urging him to do just that.
"I don't think that is such a good idea."
"It's only a bad idea if you really can't do it." Cordelia taunted.
Ben snorted and leaned back in his seat.
"Come on, something simple and-"
Ben waved his hand in front of her gaze, "You will stop asking me for proof."
"I will stop asking you for proof." Cordelia parroted.
Her eyes glazed over for a moment. Then she blinked and gasped.
"You just did it!" She exclaimed.
Ben nodded as he chuckled.
"That was a very simple one." He explained.
Cordelia's mirth faded a little, "Wait. Does that mean I'm weak willed?"
Ben shook his head, "Absolutely not. The fact that you were able to realize that your mind had been manipulated like that shows just how strong willed you really are." He leaned back in his seat, "And that is why I believe you will be able to beat the horrors you see at night."
"Because I'm strong?"
Ben nodded.
"But," Cordelia's shoulders sagged, "I'm not strong. I… I ran. I should have stayed and fought Maul. Maybe if I had-"
"You would have died as well." Ben finished for her, "Commander Phila sacrificed her life for yours. Don't wish she hadn't. It would be disrespectful to her sacrifice. The Commander was someone who knew exactly what she was doing. The actions she took were not taken lightly. And the last thing she would want is for you to be filled with guilt over events beyond your control."
Cordelia could feel her chin quivering as Ben's words sank in. She sniffled and wiped at her eye.
"That sounds pretty practiced."
Ben bowed his head, "I… I tell myself something along those lines almost everyday."
"Because of your order?" Cordelia asked, "Because you too are a lone survivor?"
Ben took a deep breath, "I suppose."
Cordelia pressed her lips into a thin line. She sniffled again and kept any tears at bay. Then she spoke. "So, you were able to help me a little bit by reading my mind. If I were to do the same thing, what would I see? And what would I say?"
Ben was silent for a few minutes. His eyes were no longer looking at Cordelia. Instead, the red head saw him staring far away. To another time and another place. A haunted look from a man who had seen far too much in far too short of a time.
"War." Ben finally said, "Brotherhood. Loss and betrayal." He uttered a long exhale, "A duel near a volcano."
Cordelia perked up, "A duel near a volcano?"
Ben swallowed hard, "The- The reason my order was wiped out so easily, wasn't just because it was planned out meticulously by someone far more powerful than I could ever hope to be. It was because we were betrayed. Betrayed by one of our greatest. And a man I called my brother."
Cordelia's eyes widened.
"In the end," Ben continued, the story spilling out of him even though the last thing he wanted to do was speak about it, "When it was just myself and Master Yoda left, we decided to try and end the bloodshed by confronting the the traitor and the architect. I was to weak to kill the mastermind. So I was sent-"
He choked on his words. In a flash, Cordelia was around the table, wrapping her arms over his shoulders.
"I had to kill him." Ben croaked before the tears started to fall.
Cordelia did not reply. She sat silent as Ben quietly cried. In the shadows near the stairs, Marth stood silently. Watching the entire conversation. Her head hung low.
"So that is what happened to you." Marth said under breath, "Master."
….
"Lollipop?" Gaius offered Ben as the pair strode through the sparse markets of Plegia's Capitol.
Ben sighed, "No Gaius. I don't want a lollipop."
Gaius popped his own, dark red lollipop from his lips. Savoring the rare cherry flavor on his lips.
"But do you need a lollipop?"
Ben stopped walking through the dusty street and gave Gaius a confounded look. The thief shrugged.
"Sugar can cure anything."
"Sugar makes my stomach upset." Ben replied.
He folded his arms into the sleeves of his cloak. His gaze turned to the large palace that sat at the base of Grima's skeleton. From afar, the skeleton was massive. But up close, the bones of the monstrous creature were nearly unfathomable. Ben found his head craning all the way back just so he could catch a glimpse of the top of the bones. At the very base of the monster's gaping jaw sat Mad King Gangrel's palace, with its many decorative monuments and pillars.
Both Ben and Gaius strode past the palace, down the road. Drawing almost no attention from the small amount of guards that walked the palace walls and courtyard.
"The Kings of Plegia are rather vain aren't they?" Ben commented as he peeked back at the pillars in the courtyard that depicted the great Kings of Plegia.
Gaius shrugged, "Human beings are vain. Some of us like to look in the mirror. Others construct sixty foot stone pillars dedicated to their greatness."
Ben snorted out a small laugh, "You are not wrong."
The duo stopped near a section of the wall just beyond the main palace gate.
"Do you remember the plan?" Gaius asked Ben.
Ben sighed. Oh, he remembered the plan alright. When Marth had told them all the plan, the reactions were… mixed. Panne was upset that she was mainly going to be a lookout. Cordelia was worried that the plan would fail. That it was far too bold and too risky to possibly work. Gaius was giddy. He loved the plan. In his own words, "Marth, you might actually be a guy. Cause your balls are enormous.". Ben thought the plan was creative. But his role was… rather problematic.
Marth was adamant that it would work. That the Plegians would never expect such an assault. She would serve as backup. Once Gaius and Ben infiltrated the Palace from the ground, she would enter through the roofs of one of the guardhouses on the wall along with Cordelia. The two girls would then cause a massive distraction while Gaius and Ben slipped through the palace, to the dungeons, and rescued Emmeryn. Panne would then move towards the main gate and clear the way for Ben and Gaius to escape into what will surely be a city in chaos.
"So, are you ready to break in?" Gaius asked as he bent low and stretched his legs.
"Yes." Ben nodded, "But how are we going to go about doing it? Are we going to scale these solid, stone walls that don't have a single crack in them? Are we going to magically tunnel in? Perhaps I can don my guise as Obi the Skywalker and levitate both of us right into the palace?
Gaius uttered a loud laugh as he stretched his arms high over his head, "No. No. We're going to play a game. One us thieves liked to use to get out of tight squeezes."
Ben arched an eyebrow, "A game?"
"Yeah."
Ben narrowed his eyes at Gaius, "And what game will we be playing?"
….
"GET HELP!" Gaius cried as he hauled a limp Ben through the open palace gates and into the courtyard that sat in Grima's shadow.
Every guard turned to face them. Their lances leveled at the stumbling thief as he struggled to drag Ben's body forward.
"Hold there!" One guard in black Plegian armor barked.
"Please!" Gaius cried as sweat beaded on his brow, "You must get help. My friend is in trouble!"
A trio of guards marched towards them. Swords drawn. Clearly not in the mood for a conversation. Let alone in the mood to provide any assistance.
"Halt! Or we will attack!" The captain of the guard, a man with an extremely bushy mustache and bald head, barked.
Gaius sighed, "Ok."
Then with all of his strength he heaved Ben forward. Ben's eyes flicked open. He called upon the Force. It's power coursed through his body and he used it to propel his body through the air. As he twirled forward, he drew his rapier. The steel lashed out and cut down the first trio of guards.
He landed in a cloud of dust. The Captain of the uard uttered a startled cry and fell back as Ben's rapier lashed out. Shaving one half of the man's mustache from his face. Before the Captain could gather his bearings, Gaius sprinted forward and buried his elbow into the man's meaty temple. Knocking him out.
"We're on the clock now." Gaius told Ben.
"Then we better hurry." Ben replied as he followed Gaius into the palace. As the thief slipped into the shadows with Ben, both could hear the sounds of swords clashing in a nearby guard tower.
Gaius quietly shut the palace doors behind him and Ben.
"See?" Gaius chirped, "Worked like a charm."
"We will never use that plan of attack ever again." Ben replied as he stormed into the Palace's main hall.
Gaius groaned, "But it was so much fun!" He began to laugh uncontrollably, "You should have seen the looks on their faces. I mean, when you went twirling out of my arms like that! Oh any ballerina would have been proud of that my friend."
Ben sighed, "Aren't we supposed to be sneaking into the dungeons?"
Gaius laughed, "Relax. The dungeons are easy to get into."
"Speaking from experience?" Ben asked as he followed Gaius through a small door and down and descending hallway.
"Absolutely."
"Dare I ask, what circumstances led you to break into the Plegian palace dungeons?" Ben asked.
Gaius looked over at Ben puzzled, "Who said anything about breaking in? I was breaking out."
Ben sighed, "Lovely. So you weren't just a petty thief in your old life then."
"Ah, ah!" Gaius chirped, "Procurer of rare luxury items."
Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. Suppressing the frustration and hoping the headache he was starting to feel did not progress much further.
"How far into the dungeons would Emmeryn be?"
"Lowest level, most likely." Gaius replied, "I doubt Gangrel would allow her to be in any way comfortable."
Ben took a deep breath to prevent any sort of anger from bubbling to the surface. He had been feeling that emotion far to often lately. And that concerned him. A Jedi was not supposed to feel anger. All that emotion led to was hate. Then eventually suffering. A swift and terrible fall to the dark side.
The sloped hall stopped at a reinforced door. Gaius cracked his knuckles and knelt in front of the lock.
"This should only take a minute." Gaius said as he dug into a pouch and grabbed a lockpick.
Ben sighed and flicked his wrist. The door clicked. It creaked loudly as it swung inward.
Gaius' jaw dropped as Ben brushed by him and marched down row after row of prison cells.
"Did you just-" Gaius shook his head, "Wait up!"
The thief caught up to Ben and grabbed his shoulder.
"Did you just unlock the door because you wanted to!?" Gaius cried.
Ben frowned, "I think we have more important things to worry about."
He flinched when Gaius wrapped him up into a tight hug.
"Gaius?"
"I'm so proud of you, Benny!"
Ben groaned and peeled the thief off of him, "We don't have time for that."
The swordsman began to take off in a run down the hall towards stairs that descended deeper into the dungeons. Gaius chased after him.
The duo flew down the stairs. Each not caring if they crossed any guards or soldiers that may occupy the dungeons. As they sprinted through, they could hear the groans and moans of some prisoners. The cries and howls of souls long forgotten in the dark dungeons beneath the bones of the Fell Dragon. At one point, Ben and Gaius faltered. One of the floors was not a dungeon. It was a torture room. The walls painted red not with paint, but with the blood of prisoners.
"She wasn't in here." Gaius reassured Ben before they pressed on.
The end of the stairs was in sight. As they got closer, Ben could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Emmeryn was within reach. She was going to be rescued. He was not going to fail her.
The two Shepherds shoved their way through one more reinforced door.
There was one large cell at the very bottom of the dungeon. There were no windows for light to come in. Hardly any ventilation. Which should have made the air stink with the scent of human waste and filth. Instead, it smelled ancient. Like a tomb that had long ago been sealed. Ben peered into the darkness.
"Emmeryn?" He called.
Gaius grunted and tore a piece of fabric from his cloak. Using that fabric and a few drops of alcohol, he lit a small torch.
Ben's eyes widened.
The cell was empty. But not for long. They could see fresh shackles nailed into the stone walls across from them. The sand on the floor had been disturbed. There were fresh footprints littering the surface.
Gaius' smile faded. His eyes darted from shadow to shadow. Corner to corner. Suddenly, Ben became very aware of a surge of anxiety bursting forth from Gaius.
He looked at Ben with fear filled eyes, "They knew."
Ben's heart jumped to his throat. How could they have known? How could the enemy have known that the Shepherds were mounting a rescue mission right under their very noses? As realization sank in, Ben began to understand just how foolish he was.
The plan had gone off without a hitch. No plan was that fortunate. No plan was that lucky. There was no such thing as luck. The only resistance he and Gaius encountered were the three guards and their captain in the courtyard.
Where were the palace guards? Why were there no guards at the palace doors? Why was there no jailer? Ben felt his throat go dry.
"We need to leave, now." Gaius breathed, his voice deadly serious.
"Oh no." An amused voice penetrated the air behind them, "We can't have that."
The hairs on the back of Ben's neck stood on end. Both he and Gaius slowly turned. Standing in the doorway was a single, black hooded figure, leaning heavily on a metallic cane.
Ben sucked in a sharp breath.
"Maul."
Gaius paled beside Ben.
Maul uttered a sadistic chuckle.
"My old friend." His yellow eyes glowed in the shadows of the dungeon, "It has been so long since we spoke like this. I was beginning to think you were trying to avoid me."
Ben grimaced as he clutched his rapier, "That was the idea, yes."
Maul's amused, manic laughter filled the stale air, "And you brought another friend for me to meet." Maul's yellow eyes turned to Gaius, "You are the one who betrayed loyal Validar, aren't you?"
"Uh…" Gaius swallowed, "Yeah?"
Maul flashed a large smile at Gaius, "Wonderful. You have both my respect and gratitude. That sorcerer was nuisance. And while you may not have been the hand that killed him, you certainly assisted."
Ben narrowed his eyes, "How do you know that Gaius was not the one that killed Emmeryn's assassin?"
Maul's eyes glowed with delight as he stared down Ben.
"Because, Kenobi, you have grown… rather weak in your youth." Maul laughed again, "Such irony. To think that your senses would become duller than they once were not due to age but due to youth. I'm still surprised that I was so easily able to plant my apprentice right under your nose. That boy is much more resourceful than I gave him credit for."
Ben felt his heart stop. Beside him, Gaius's eyes widened.
"The Kid!?"
"Kage." Ben breathed, "He's your apprentice."
"Of course." Maul replied, "A loyal one too. He was the one who informed me of your little rescue attempt." He saw Ben's fist ball up at his side, "Oh, don't be like. Because of this little threat you presented, I was able to convince Gangrel to place Emmeryn in much more comfortable quarters. You should be thanking me." He laughed again, "Besides, this cell was never meant for her. No… it was meant for you, Obi Wan Kenobi."
Gaius glanced over at Ben.
"Obi the Skywalker?" He whispered.
"A half truth." Ben whispered back, "Maul, before I defeat you once again, I must ask. Why?"
Maul's amusement disappeared. His face twisted into a wrath filled expression.
"Why!?" He snarled.
Power radiated from the Zabrak. An oppressive wave of cold slammed into Ben and Gaius, causing both men to shiver. Gaius drew his shortsword as Maul stalked forward. Ben's eyes widened in shock. The dark side was a maelstrom inside of Maul. A storm of fury and wrath that seemed to extend into his being without any end. His yellow eyes blazed hatefully at Ben.
"Why!?" He growled.
The sound of gears whining and joints groaning rang through the cell. Maul's posture corrected. His legs stopped shuffled. The Sith broke off the top of his cane, revealing that it was not a cane at all. Instead, it was a very familiar weapon. One that gave Ben pause as he held his simple rapier.
"I am surprised you of all people would ask that." Maul gnashed his teeth, "After everything you have done to me. After how you managed to destroy me all those years ago on Naboo. You dare ask why I am doing this!? I would think the answer is fairly obvious."
"Revenge?" Gaius squeaked as he took a few steps back.
Maul glowered at the thief, "No. Not just revenge. I want Kenobi to feel as I feel. To understand the pain I have endured. To wallow in the hatred and anger that I have burned in all these years."
His double bladed lightsaber burst life.
"I want to destroy him!"
Maul charged.
And chapter! I was originally going to have one massive chapter here. But seeing as my hours at work are about to get very busy, and I don't want to go more than a week without updating, I'm separating this chapter into two different parts. One the part you just saw. The other, Marth's perspective before they both come together in the end. I will do my best to get the next part up soon. But it will most likely not be up until the end of the week. I do have the chapter outlined and ready to go though. So we're good to go there. Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!