The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 30
Out of Time
Robin soldiered onward. His forehead caked in layers of sweat. Mouth dry and throat parched. In front of him, Chrom and Khan Flavia both surged through the hot desert sands. The need to appear strong and battle ready outweighing their own weariness. Robin was grateful he did not have to keep up any appearances. He could look tired and no one would bat an eye.
The heat was somehow still unbearable, even during the dawn hours, before the sun rose. During the previous few nights it had always cooled off considerably. The army would awaken early, sometimes well before dawn, and begin marching in order to take advantage of the favorable temperatures.
But this night was different. The heat remained. And it was stifling. Robin could overhear many of the Feroxi soldiers uttering breathless curses as they struggled through the heat and terrain. The horses they had were not any better. They had long ago stopped trotting and were now slogging through the sand.
Robin wiped some sweat from his brow using his now soaked sleeve. He reached to his hip, grabbed his small water skin, and drank deep from it. The water was warm, but it was still satisfying. He let out a loud sigh before strapping the skin of water back to his hip.
"Maybe if you took coat off, heat would not bother you as much."
Robin glanced to his right. The mercenary they had picked up a few nights ago, Gregor, was marching alongside him. The older man looked like he had barely broken a sweat. But that was likely due to years of hard travel. The man was used to the heat. And used to the cold. His muscles were not large, but strong and firm. Powerful enough to easily propel him through the drifting sands.
"This coat stays on my shoulders at all times." Robin replied firmly.
"Why?" A smaller voice asked him.
Robin raised an eyebrow and looked to his left. Skipping in the sand beside him was the the army's second tag along, Nowi.
"Why?" Robin parroted before pursing his lips.
It was an excellent question. It would benefit him to remove his coat in order to combat the heat. But whenever he felt the temptation to do so, he found himself unable to shrug the heavy garment from his shoulders. He gave his opposite sleeve a small tug with his right hand.
"I guess…" Robin hummed to himself, "This and my spellbook are the only two things I have from my old life. And I don't remember my old life. So I guess you could chalk it up to a strange case of unknown nostalgia."
"Sentimental to you. Gregor gets it." The mercenary replied before patting the old sword that dangled from his hip, "This blade been with Gregor long time. Heh, longer than you been alive maybe. Gregor wouldn't know what to do if lose it."
"I don't get it." Nowi chirped.
Her bright smile was full of innocence. It was hard to believe that the small child could turn into a massive, glowing, green dragon almost at will. Robin still had to remind himself that he in fact was not hallucinating when she first went through that transformation.
"Well, you haven't exactly had a whole lot of years to get attached to stuff." Robin replied.
"HA!" Gregor bellowed, "Not lot of years eh? Hear that little girl?"
Nowi giggled beside Robin, "You're funny. But I'm older than you think."
Robin arched an eyebrow in confusion, "How so? Wait… do you age slower because of your dragon thingy?"
Nowi cocked her head to the side then shrugged, "I don't know how it works exactly."
"So, if you aren't a little girl then, hmm." Robin rubbed his chin, "Shot in the dark. And I'm being generous with this guess too. Fifty?"
"HAHAHAHA!" Gregor chortled, "He think you same age as Gregor. Hahaha!"
Robin frowned, "I'm wrong? Younger?"
"No. No." Gregor patted Robin's shoulder, "Nowi is older."
"Older!?"
"Yup! I'm…" Nowi began to count on her fingers, "Um… Hm… I've lost track actually."
"A hundred then." Robin guessed.
"Wrong again." Gregor replied.
"Grandpa's right!" Nowi smiled, "You're wrong."
"Grandpa!" Gregor balked, "Little girl bold to be calling Gregor grandpa. Little girl old enough to be Gregor's great-great-great-great," Robin's eyes slowly began to widen, "great-great- er- how many greats?"
"Last time I counted, I'm about a thousand years old." Nowi grinned, "Give or take a few years."
"A th-th-th-" Robin stammered.
Gregor roared with laughter, "Gregor react same way when he first learn too. Nowi young for Manakete though."
Robin violently shook his head, "Mana-what?"
"That's what I am. A Manakete." Nowi smiled before jumping up and down, "Oh oh! I thought of a game we can play!"
"Go find other little boy." Gregor suggested, "Robin looks tired."
"I'm not tired." Robin replied doing his best to suppress a yawn.
Nowi looked disappointed for a moment. But in the end, she shrugged and gave the two a cheerful smile before dashing off to find Ricken. Gregor uttered a small sigh as she rushed away.
"Having playmate, good for little girl." Gregor said, "Especially one like her."
"Er, Ricken is a human." Robin replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Heh! Gregor knows. But Ricken's mind developed same as Nowi." Gregor replied as he tapped the side of his head, "They think same because both technically young for species."
"I think you'll be surprised by how mature Ricken actually is." Robin countered.
"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" Nowi shouted behind them.
"Get back here with my hat!" Ricken shouted, his voice filled with laughter.
Gregor gave Robin an amused smirk. The tactician sighed and hung his head.
"I'm better at reading tactics than people." Robin muttered.
"Heh! Much to learn, Robin has." Gregor replied reassuringly, "No worries, you still young. Much time to learn. To do good." A long sigh left Gregor's lips, "Gregor getting old. Not much time till can no longer fight. Gregor has done many things. Not proud of all of them. What time Gregor has left, will use to do some good."
"Is that why you freed Nowi?" Robin asked.
Above the company, the sky slowly began to turn a lighter shade of purple.
Gregor nodded, "Yes. Grimleal try to capture her. Sacrifice her to Grima." Robin scowled, "Yes, Gregor thought same. So Gregor acted."
Robin nodded to himself, "I'm still surprised you were associated with them in the first place. I mean, you are a genuinely nice guy."
Gregor shrugged, "Eh, Gregor has many former employers. Some good, some not so good. Grimleal employed many times. But…" Gregor shook his head, "Agh, Gregor not good with words sometimes. Gregor do many stupid things as young boy. Bad things. But now, he try to be good. Do right. Lesson for you, young Robin. Never too late for a bad guy to do some good. Gregor is proof."
Robin gave the old man next to him a small smile.
"A bad guy wouldn't know to do that."
Gregor chuckled but said nothing in return. The pair continued marching for a few more minutes in silence. Then Gregor spoke again.
"So, we save Exalt?"
Robin nodded, "That's the plan."
"Grimleal have her?"
Robin frowned, "Technically yes. But it's more likely she is being held in the palace dungeons."
Gregor frowned, "Worse then."
Robin raised his brow, "How so?"
A worried expression came over Gregor's face.
"When Gregor last contracted by Grimleal, taken by Grimleal to palace. Expected to meet King and adviser. Instead just adviser and adviser's helper." The mercenary shuddered, "Adviser name Maul." Robin's eyes widened, "Looked right at Gregor. Never felt so afraid in all of life. Like a wolf staring at sheep. Maul is evil. No good in that one."
Robin did not doubt a word he said. He had witnessed Maul's destructive capabilities first hand. His thoughts drifted back to the battle on the East Road. Maul fought with a power and ferocity that had overwhelmed both Chrom and Marth at the same time. Two of the best swordsmen Robin had ever seen were no match for the Plegian monster.
"I thought you said it was never too late for someone to do good." Robin said with a small hint of jest in his voice. Jest Gregor did not pick up on.
"Too late was yesterday for Maul." Gregor replied, "His helper though, hope for him, maybe."
"Helper?" Robin asked, "Do you mean the Black Rider?"
"Hm?"
Robin shook his head. Right, Gregor was not at the battles where the Black Rider made his appearance.
"You know um, black robes and hood." Robin explained, "Overpowering aura. Kinda… no, very aggressive."
"Gregor doesn't know black rider." The Mercenary replied, "But Maul's helper did have black robe and hood. But hood down."
Robin's eyes bugged out of his skull. The Black Rider was not disguised around Gregor. That meant the mercenary knew what the man looked like beneath the hood and mask. Any information about that enemy was good information at the moment. Robin disliked enigmas when it came to battlefield strategy. And while he had a small understanding of what Maul was capable of, he had no idea what the Black Rider was capable of.
"What did he look like?" Robin asked.
"Young." Gregor said quickly, "Then again, everyone look young to Gregor. But this guy was barely man. Not tall, not short. Thin. Blonde," Robin felt his heart stop thumping in his chest, "Blazing yellow eyes. But Gregor swears he saw them change to blue once." A cold sweat began to build on Robin's brow, "Strangely charming."
Robin gripped Gregor's collar. Surprising the mercenary.
"Name!?"
Gregor quirked an eyebrow, "Don't know. Maul refer to him as apprentice."
A bad feeling hit Robin's gut. And his gut did not lead him astray often. The Black Rider was a blonde haired kid with both yellow and blue eyes. Strangely charming and average build. Completely unassuming in every way.
Just like Kage.
He recalled when he first met the kid. How there was a strange set of yellow eyes in the shadows behind Validar before Kage moved in for the kill. How the boy had moved so fluidly through the darkness. No peasant boy meant to be a carriage driver could do those things.
"Oh no." Robin breathed.
Before Gregor could ask was was wrong, Robin was flying up the column towards Chrom and Flavia. His coat flapped behind him as he sprinted through the sand.
When motivated, Robin could move fast. It took him no time at all to pass up the first few groups of Feroxi soldiers and Ylissean Shepherds. Several of them waved at him as he sprinted by, but he did not wave back. If his hunch was correct, then all of them, every soldier, every Shepherd, was in grave danger.
He caught sight of Flavia and Chrom at the front of the column.
"Chrom!" Robin cried.
The Prince came to a halt and turned to see his tactician sprinting full speed to him. Flavia also stopped. Her brow arched in confusion.
Robin slid to a stop in front of both of them. He gasped for air before giving Chrom a frantic look.
"Robin?" Chrom said, "What is wrong?"
"We cannot attack now." Robin breathed.
"What do you mean, we cannot attack now?" Flavia asked, "We are a few hours march from the Capitol."
"Flavia is right Robin, there is no stopping now." Chrom replied, his voice exuding both command and self assurance, "If you're worried about our strategy then you're going to have to adjust on the fly."
Robin took a deep breath, "I'm not worried about that. I've just- I've just learned something. From Gregor."
"Is it intelligence regarding the enemy?" Chrom asked.
"I think so."
"Well spill it already." Flavia barked.
Heavy bags sat under the Khan's eyes. Sleep was not a luxury commanders had during a war.
"I think Kage's a spy!" Robin blurted out.
Flavia narrowed her eyes at him. Chrom's face turned to stone.
"A spy?" Chrom repeated.
Robin nodded.
"How?"
"Gregor, when he was still working for the Grimleal, met Maul and his apprentice. We know the apprentice is the Black Rider. Well, the Black Rider was not disguised when he met Gregor. And Gregor just described him as a young, blonde haired guy with yellow and blue eyes. Same height and build as Kage too."
"You just described a lot of people, Robin." Flavia noted, "Besides, who has both yellow and blue eyes?"
Robin frowned, "I-I don't know. But damn it I just know on this one. When Kage first appeared in the palace back in Ylisstol there was a strange… thing, with yellow eyes behind Validar. Then Kage appeared and stabbed the assassin in the back. That can't be a coincidence."
"Or maybe the stress of battle made you see things?" Flavia suggested, "It happens to the best of us. Especially when we aren't very combat experienced."
"Or perhaps it's a ruse." Chrom commented, "We know Maul is a mage like Ben. Maybe he knows a spell of some sort that can disguise his apprentice in an attempt to make us lose sleep over nothing."
"But it would explain a lot!" Robin countered, "How did Kage survive the battle in the palace. No peasant boy, sans Gaius, could sneak around a battlefield without being seen. Even Gaius got caught during that battle, and he's Gaius! Then there is his miraculous survival on the Eastern road. Panne and Gaius both said a Wyvern rider got him. Threw him over a cliff. And somehow he comes back from that? It makes no sense."
Chrom frowned, "You're right. That doesn't make any sense." Chrom folded his arms, "Do you think he turned mid battle then reverted back to our side before we could notice."
"That's what I was thinking." Robin agreed.
Flavia looked at both Ylisseans with apprehension.
"If you're right about this Robin, then we are walking into a trap." Chorm continued.
"It's just a hunch right now." Robin cautioned, "But… I have a gut feeling on this one Chrom. And it's not a good one."
Chrom cursed under his breath, "We have to assume the mission is compromised. Regardless if the hunch is right or not."
"What do we do then?" Flavia asked as she rested a hand on her hip, "We've come too far to turn around now. Besides, Exalt Emmeryn could be set for execution at any moment. The more time we stand here debating, the less time she has."
"I'm well aware of that." Chrom replied, his voice much harsher than normal. Harsh enough to make Flavia take a small step back.
The Prince rubbed his jaw and let out a long sigh. He took a few steps away in order to gather his thoughts.
"Chrom," Robin said, "We may have to figure out another way."
The tactician felt the pit in stomach grow when he saw his friend's head slowly shake.
"We don't have time." Chrom muttered before turning on his heel, "Emmeryn is about to die. We cannot stop or turn back now."
Robin stared incredulously at Chrom, "Chrom, I get wanting to save her. I do. I want to save her too. But it's not just her life at risk anymore." He gestured at the approaching group of soldiers and shepherds, "Is one life worth two hundred?"
"Emm's is." Chrom snarled.
Robin took a step back. He cursed to himself before sighing and shaking his head.
"If there's any consolation to all of this," Flavia butted in, "Last I heard from the old Oaf, the main Plegian army is still several days away from the Capitol. We are only a few hours. We still hold the advantage."
"Numbers don't mean anything if the enemy can outsmart you." Robin mumbled.
"Then it's a good thing I've got the smartest tactician on my side." Chrom replied.
Robin stared stunned at Chrom. The Prince marched up to him and placed hand on Robin's shoulder.
"I know it sounds impossible, but you will make it possible. I know it." Chrom let his hand fall to his side, "We will save Emmeryn. And we will survive this fight."
He shifted Falchion on his hip and turned to face the last few sand dunes before the Plegian Capitol. The Prince let out a small sigh. One Robin could tell was filled with uncertainty. Nevertheless, his friend pushed on. Flavia gave Robin a reassuring smirk.
"Maybe you're wrong?" She said before marching after Chrom.
Robin gulped as the rest of the company began to drift by him. His hand drifted to the tome in his coat pocket. His fingers gently brushed against the cracked leather spine. He shook his head.
"I really hope so."
….
It was the same nightmare all over again. Ben stood on the banks of a river of lava. His boots sank into the ash and rock beneath him. The heat nearly making the exposed skin on his hands, neck, and face blister. Only the Force kept him from collapsing due to exhaustion.
Below him, standing on a familiar platform floating in the river of lava was a young, fallen Jedi Knight. A look of pure hatred on the young man's face.
He jumped. Ben reacted. There was a howl of absolute pain. A body hit the ash. Ben looked down at his old friend, now burning alive on the lava bank. Fire engulfed the boy's entire body. Screams of agony rang through his ears. Ben turned away.
He jumped back, startled. Behind Ben was not the rocky surface of Mustafar. Instead, there was a long hallway. Bright lights pierced Ben's vision. The floor was a smooth duristeel surface. The walls a dull gray color. Militaristic in it's design.
Puzzled he took a few steps forward. He could still feel the heat of Mustafar as he delved deeper into the strange installation. He could not feel any other lives near him. The entire area felt empty. Void.
He paused. No, there was something here. A subtle chill to the air that made Ben proceed with much more caution. He darted over to a small cleft in the wall and pressed himself into the shadows.
"Obi Wan."
A myriad of voices hit his mind. Each one saying his name. Each one sounding like a figment of his imagination. Voices he had not heard in decades. Voices long dead. Mace Windu, Yoda, Qui Gon, Satine, they were all speaking at the same time. Their final words hammering in his mind. Bludgeoning him with sorrow and guilt.
"I HATE YOU!"
"Obi Wan…"
"I always loved you."
"Fear is the path to the dark side."
"Obi Wan…"
"I don't trust him."
He crumpled to the floor. It was too much. He felt hopelessly overwhelmed. A trembling hand ran through his hair as he shivered on the floor.
"KENOBI!"
Maul's savage roar hit his mind.
"From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!"
Anakin's words of pure hatred slammed into him.
"Train him."
Qui Gon's last request.
"Obi Wan…"
Ben squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his hands over his ears. There was too much going on. Too many voices. Too many memories. If this was a vision from the Force, then it was the cruelest one it could ever deliver him.
"Just as I am not alone in this war. You are not alone in this life."
Ben's eyes shot open. Warmth rushed over his shivering form for the briefest of moments. Then that small chill he felt before burst forth. It felt like his body froze as cold blasted him. Not cold like Regna Ferox. But cold like a void. Black and empty. Filled with hatred and pain.
"I HATE YOU!"
The floor started to crumble beneath his feet. Ben looked around in a panic. Then he saw something. A shadowy form stepping towards him from the other end of the crumbling hall. A figure out of a nightmare. Clad in black armor and robes.
A deep voice thrummed in his head. It's rumbling cadence rattled his rib cage. His breath left his lungs. It was joined by another voice. One that Ben vaguely recognized. A young woman's voice. Stern and strong, but lacking in confidence.
"Master."
….
Ben jolted awake. The sudden movement caused pain to rush over his body. Harsh coughs wracked his lungs as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Ben!"
He blinked the fog from his eyes. Emmeryn was beside him. His head was cradled in her lap. All fears and frustrations ran away as relief flooded him. She was alive. That was a step in the right direction.
Ben took a deep breath. His heart finally started to settle down. He let out a long groan before forcing himself to sit upright. He rolled his shoulders. Felt the muscles stretch and pop. Then he glanced over at Emmeryn.
"Even in captivity, you look lovely." Ben said with a small smirk on his face.
Emmeryn let out a small laugh, "And you look awful." Her laugher died away, "You were… are so injured, Ben. I was scared that you-"
"I'm awake now." Ben replied before taking in his surroundings.
The good news was, they were not in a prison cell. They were in a small guest room of sorts. There was a small, double bed pressed up against a plain, sandstone wall. A little window allowed some sunlight from the harsh Plegian desert to come inside. There was a desk with nothing in or on it. An empty wardrobe. In terms of prison cells, it was the most comfortable he had ever had the pleasure of staying in.
"Well… this doesn't look so bad." Ben said.
"Don't look in the mirror then." Emmeryn replied before striding over to a small end table beside the bed.
There was a little bucket with water in it. The Exalt plucked a wet rag from the bucket and walked back over to Ben. Before he could protest, she knelt down beside him and began to dab the rag against the gash on his forehead.
"It will take a skilled healer in order for that not to scar over." Emmeryn muttered as she cleaned the wound.
"It is a good thing there are plenty of them back home." Ben replied.
Emmeryn let out a long sigh, "If we get home."
Ben gave her a questioning look.
"Ben, I-" Emmeryn let the rag fall to her side as she took a deep breath, "If Maul was not the one in charge around here, then I would have hope of escape. But seeing what he did to you-" Her voice choked up a little bit, "What hope do we have?"
"Enough." Ben answered, "He caught me off guard. It won't happen again. I can beat him."
Emmeryn gave him a hard stare, "You've bested that monster before, right?"
"Yes." Ben replied, "And he was not so crippled before. If he did not have the element of surprise, I could have beaten him. But…" Ben frowned, "I also had to make sure the others escaped."
Emmeryn's eyes widened, "Others?"
"Marth, Gaius, Panne, and Cordelia came with. Gaius was with me when Maul cornered us. As far as I know, he got away. I don't know about the others."
Emmeryn swallowed hard. But under her breath, she said a silent thank you to Naga. Chrom did not do something foolhardy. She had fully expected her little brother to charge after her captors, Falchion in hand, without any regard for the dangers such a move posed. Instead, he sent a small rescue force then obeyed her orders to continue on to Regna Ferox.
She probably had Robin to thank for that. If she saw the tactician again, he would have earned her utmost gratitude.
"Ben," She began, "When Maul dragged you in here, I- I asked him why he was doing this? I thought it was because he was doing what King Gangrel commanded. That or because he was some twisted creature that served the Grimleal. But it was neither of those." She gulped, "He told me, he was doing all of this because he hates you. He wants to destroy you. And then, before I could ask another question, he told me to ask you for an explanation."
Ben's silence spoke a million words. The young swordsman ran a hand over his mouth. Emmeryn could see the wheels in his mind turning. Spinning so fast that she would not have been able to keep up with his thought process. He was trying to figure out how to answer her. Taking his time in order to give her an answer that did not reveal to much.
She sighed and placed a hand on his bruised cheek. Ben grew still for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Tell me the truth." Emmeryn said, "What happened between you and Maul?"
Ben closed his eyes and pressed his lips together.
"In order to understand that, you have to understand who I am."
Emmeryn raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Emmeryn I-" Ben leaned back in his seat, "This planet is not the only one with life on it. There are billions of other worlds in the galaxy, with trillions of other lifeforms on them."
Emmeryn's eyes slowly widened, "Are-are you saying that you came from the stars?"
Ben gave her a small nod, "I don't exactly know how I ended up on this world. And I have no idea how Maul got here. But yes, I am not from this planet." Ben let out a strained sigh before continuing, "I come from a planet called Coruscant. It's not my home world, but it is the place I called home. I was a member of a group of Force Sensitive individuals called the Jedi."
Jedi. Emmeryn recalled Maul referring to Ben as that. She was unfamiliar with the term. But if what Ben was saying is true, then Jedi referred to the group of people he belonged to.
"Force sensitive?" Emmeryn asked.
"Beings who can use the Force." Ben saw the confusion on her face, "You see-um- how do I explain this as simply as I can? Hm…" He rubbed his chin, "It… it is, in essence, an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together. This world's magic is very similar to it. They may even be one and the same."
He took a breath as he continued.
"And my real name is not Ben. My name is Obi Wan Kenobi. And I was considered a Master in the Jedi Order."
Emmeryn's eyes widened, "So… why Ben?"
She saw a deep pain cross his face. Something had happened. Something so horrific that it was enough to keep him awake at night. Realization dawned on the Exalt. Were his nightmares caused by this horrific ordeal that he struggled to talk about.
"There was a war in the Galactic Republic. The Jedi were tasked to be generals in the Grand Army of the Republic." Ben took a shaky breath, "The army was made of clones. Soldiers replicated from a single genetic code. Those clones were trained to obey any order from the leader of the republic without question. During the war, the chancellor was a man named Palpatine. Our opponent was a group of people known as the Sith."
"And the Sith are?"
Ben pressed his lips together, "The ancient enemy of the Jedi Order. Maul is a Sith. I first fought him when I was just a padawan learner, along with my Master. During that fight, he killed my master, and I cut him down." He made a chopping motion with his hand, "Cut him in half at the waist and watched as he plummeted down a reactor shaft. I thought he was dead but…" He shook his head, "I was wrong. His hatred for me began there. And it has only grown in strength."
"The leader of the Separatist, the ones who started the war, Count Dooku, was also a Sith." Ben continued, "But neither of them were the Sith Master. We thought the Sith Master was using the Separatist to destroy the republic and therefore the Jedi Order. In a way, we were partially right but… also very wrong."
Emmeryn waited patiently as Ben gathered his thoughts.
"The Sith Lord didn't just use the Separatist. He used the Republic as well. He orchestrated the entire war. Set every event in motion that he needed in order to destroy the Jedi Order. Then, when we were most vulnerable, he initiated a Clone command known as Order 66."
Emmeryn looked puzzled, "I thought only the… chancellor… could…" She swallowed hard, "Oh."
Ben gave her a weary nod, "The enemy was hiding in plain sight. The Clones followed their programming. In an instant, over a thousand Jedi were killed." Ben let out a long breath, "I was on the planet Utapau, battling against the last Separatist General, when the order was sent. I was fortunate enough that the Clones I commanded thought they got the job done. In reality, I narrowly escaped. When I got off the planet, I called for help. I got one answer. A loyal Republic senator named Bail Organa answered my distress signal. Grandmaster Yoda was with him."
"The Grandmaster and I regrouped and together we returned to the Jedi Temple." Ben's voice shook a little, "It was in ruins. The place I called home, burned and blasted away. Not-" He choked a little, "Not even the younglings survived."
Emmeryn could see some tears beginning to mist in Ben's eyes.
"We found out who led the massacre and-" Ben choked again, "It was my former apprentice. A man I considered a brother. Anakin."
Emmeryn's eyes grew wide.
"The Sith Lord twisted his mind against the very people who loved and cared for him. I tracked him down to the planet Mustafar. There, we dueled. And-" Ben sucked in a sharp breath as he tried to keep his composure, "I killed him."
"From there, I returned to Master Yoda and Senator Organa. As we were going to the Senator's home world, we were ambushed by the enemy. I managed to ge into an escape pod. And as I was jettisoned from the ship, I was shot down." Ben stared far away from Emmeryn, "I should have died then. But instead… instead I woke up outside of Southtown. And a few hours later, I ran into Chrom, Robin, Frederick, and Lissa. The rest you know. I chose the name Ben as a way to hide from the Sith. If no one knew my real name then they would never find me. And so, anyone who came into contact with me would not be in danger." He gulped, "But here we are, imprisoned by Maul and Gangrel. Shows how smart I am."
He ran a hand over his forehead and let out a long, shuddering sigh. Emmeryn felt a pang in her heart as the swordsman swallowed back tears. She wrapped her arms around him. Embracing the grieving Jedi.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Ben blinked in surprise, "You-you believe me?"
Emmeryn pulled away, "I don't have any reason not to." Emmeryn smiled, "Besides, you are strange enough to be from another planet."
A stunned noise left Ben's lips. Then, before either of them could think twice, their lips met.
The kiss lasted just a few seconds before Ben pulled away.
"We are going to share more of those," Ben smiled, "I promise."
Emmeryn gave him a small smile, "I believe you." She got to her feet, "So, Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, what is our escape plan?"
Ben gave her a crooked smile, "I'm working on that."
He stretched out in the force. Searching for a lone signature among the thousands of residents in the Plegian Capitol. Immediately, he felt Maul. His raging presence churned like choppy waves in a room beneath the palace. But it also felt tired? Was his brief skirmish in the dungeons enough to exhaust the Zabrak? That did not sound like the Maul he knew. The Maul Ben knew was a physical specimen, even without his natural legs. How could he be winded by a few force pushes?
There is something more to this. Ben thought. But he could not investigate it now. He needed to find Marth.
After several more moments, he found her presence. A small speck of bright light in the endless black surrounding the bones of Grima. She felt wounded. But energetic? Ben shook his head in confusion. The important thing was she was alive and still free. Which meant she would be able to try and rescue him and Emmeryn. He got the feeling that Marth was not someone who gave up on a mission. Even if her first attempt resulted in defeat.
There was a third presence that caught Ben off guard. It felt powerful. Dwarfing Maul's in depth and scope. And it felt enraged. Furious and… sad? It took a moment for Ben to place who it belonged to. But when he did, his heart stopped in his chest.
"That's bad." He breathed.
"What is it?" Emmeryn asked, worry on her face.
"I know how the Plegians knew where to try and ambush us on the Eastern road." Ben explained, 'It's because there was a traitor in the Shepherds."
Emmeryn's eyes widened.
"Kage is here. And he has the same presence as the Black Wyvern Rider I fought near Themis."
Emmeryn's face paled.
"Robin was planning on using him to gather intelligence."
"Which is likely why he is here." Ben continued, "Robin, knowing about Marth's plan to rescue you, likely sent Kage to make contact before Chrom and the Feroxi army attacked the city."
"Which means not only does Robin not know Kage is a traitor, but he doesn't know that Kage has told King Gangrel about the coming attack." Emmeryn looked terrified, "Chrom and Lissa are walking into a trap."
Ben nodded.
"What do we do?"
Ben took a deep breath. The answer he was about to give always infuriated Anakin. And it infuriated him whenever Qui Gon told him this solution.
"We will be patient." Ben saw a frown cross Emmeryn's features, "There is no way of escaping now. Not with Kage and Maul both waiting for us to try. I have a feeling an opportunity will present itself during our execution."
Emmeryn stared hard at Ben.
"So our plan is to just wing it?"
Ben snorted, "The no plan plan has never failed me before."
Emmeryn shook her head. A mixture of both disbelief and complete confidence in Ben. The swordsman had a penchant for the miraculous. She had heard as much in reports from the Longfort and Southtown. Seen as much during the battles near Themis, in the palace in Ylisstol, and on the road to the Eastern Palace. If there was anyone that could make sure they both survived this horrible affair, it would be Ben.
"So what is step one of the no plan plan?" Emmeryn asked.
Before Ben could answer, the door to their room opened. Both froze as the heard the quiet tapping of Maul's cane against the stone floor. Behind the tapping of his cane, was the clip clop of King Gangrel's shoes and clank of his guard's armor.
Both turned to the door. Ben's face hardened. Emmeryn swallowed hard. Then fear filled her as she saw a third person standing beside Maul and the King. Someone she recognized from the Shepherds.
It was Kage. The boy was not wearing the ratty looking tunic or black cloak like before. Now he was clad in thick, black robes. A hood was pulled over his head. Shadowing out most of his face. But beneath the hood, Emmeryn could see… tear stains on his cheeks?
"Time's up, your highness." King Gangrel said, his voice filled with amused malice.
Maul regarded them both in silence. His hate filled eyes bore holes into Ben. There was a strange amount of satisfaction on his face as the guards moved to Ben and bound his hands. Emmeryn did not resist as they bound her hands in front of her.
As they were marched out of the room, Ben paused just long enough to stare at Kage. The boy gave Ben a hesitant look in return. But he did not meet Ben's eyes. Something had happened. Something that made Kage fearful of Ben. But what that was, neither Emmeryn nor Ben knew.
The guards pushed Emmeryn roughly so that she caught up to Ben. They marched side by side, up a series of rocky passages. If Emmeryn were to guess, they were being taken to the top of the palace. Near the peak of Grima's bones. She had to laugh to herself a little bit. Gangrel planned to execute her on top of the skeleton of the greatest evil the world had ever seen. He certainly had a flair for the dramatic.
She felt Ben's hand wrap around her own as they saw daylight at the end of a tunnel. The sound of a large crowd cheering outside filled the air around them. Ben's hand gave hers a small squeeze. Emmeryn took a deep breath and marched forward. Ready to stare death in the face.
And chapter! One last tension builder before we explode! I wanted to throw some development in there for Gregor and Nowi. Even if it was only a little bit. And Ben FINALLY opens up to Emmeryn. No more teasing you all on that one. Now they just have to survive what comes next. This chapter was a bit of surprise. Wrote it during my downtime from work. I have a full day off coming up in the next few days. So get ready for action. It is coming soon! Anyways, let me know what you all think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!