The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 38
The Last Parlay
The desert was not hot tonight. It was cold. Ben could smell a hint of moisture in the air. Despite the arid land around him, he had a feeling it would rain later tonight. It would be a welcome thing. Even if it only lasted for a few minutes. The rain would cool everyone off. The soldiers of the Feroxi army would likely gather as much rainwater as they could. He would stand outside and bask in the cool feeling of the raindrops. The march so far had been unbearably warm.
Ben let his hood fall from his head. He had been using it to shield his face and neck from the blazing sun. It helped keep him cool a little bit. But at night, it was not needed. With a small, content sigh, he sat down in the loose sand. His eyes focused on the horizon before him.
The Shepherds that were with his and Robin's army group set up camp directly behind him. He could hear all of them chattering away as Stahl finished cooking food over their large fire.
The Shepherds had split off into three groups, just like the rest of their army. Chrom's army group was accompanied by Frederick, Sumia, Sully, Lon'qu, Gregor, and Libra. Some of the most experienced Shepherds would be fighting in the most ferocious part of the battle. Ben remembered Sumia saying she would fight by Chrom's side. The Prince had flat out refused at first. But Sumia proved to be more stubborn than Chrom. In the end, she got her way.
Ben chuckled to himself as he relaxed in the sand. Sumia appeared delicate, but appearances were deceiving. She was a fine warrior and a wonderful friend. Chrom was a fortunate man.
Besides, the others would make sure both she and Chrom survived the battle. Frederick would die before seeing any harm come to Chrom. Sully would fight hard just because she could. Going down in a blaze of glory would be an honor in her mind. Lon'qu and Gregor were deadly swordsmen. It would not be easy to defeat them. And Libra was there precisely because the fighting would be that intense. He was the best healer among their little band. And he could handle himself in a battle. Cordelia readily attested to that.
There was a small group of Shepherds that remained at the Longfort, both voluntary and involuntary. Marth could not accompany them. Her wounds were too grievous. And while she verbally protested them leaving her behind, she did not attempt to defy Chrom's orders. She remained at the Longfort to rest and recover. Lissa stayed by her side, the one healer Chrom trusted to care for her in Libra's absence. And where Lissa went, Maribelle followed. The noblewoman said her place was at the Longfort, preparing for the wounded soldiers that would definitely be coming to them after the battle.
Ricken and Nowi were the other two that remained behind. Chrom had to convince Ricken to remained behind. The young mage had been adamant about joining the battle. But it would be far too intense, especially for someone as young as he was. Ben had already witnessed child soldiers in the Clone Wars. Padawans, barely older than most younglings, fighting and dying in some of the most ferocious battles of that heinous conflict. He was glad Chrom had been so firm in denying Ricken a place on the battlefield. The boy was gifted, but he was not ready. Not yet.
Nowi volunteered to remain behind. Her reason was one that put a smile on Ben's face. She loved the snow. That and who else was going to play with Ricken? Ben chuckled some more. That little girl was the strangest member of their company. He had no idea what she exactly did? If she was just a random tag-along or a mage like Ricken. But Chrom would not have allowed her to join the Shepherds if she was just a random child.
Then there was the last group of Shepherds. The ones that marched with Ben and Robin. They were all gathered around their lone fire pit.
Stahl was stirring a large pot of soup he had been busy cooking for the past two or three hours. And of all of the Shepherds, his mouth was watering the most.
Miriel sat beside him, adding her own 'ingredients' to the recipe. Ones that would not affect the flavor but enhance the nutritional output of the meal. Whatever she put into the soup did not matter, to Ben it still smelled divine.
Vaike sat close to Miriel. He would have a blank expression on his face whenever Miriel began to speak quickly with terms that he had never heard of before. But he had also begun to pick up on some of the large words Miriel used. Ben swore he heard him call the soup's odor pungent. Miriel quickly corrected him. Pungent was not the correct term. It did not reek. It smelled lovely.
Kellam sat in silence beside Tharja. The large knight kept giving the ex-Grimleal nervous glances. And she noticed too. The dark mage would give him a creepy glance every now and then. And whenever she did, Kellam inched a little further way from her and closer to Virion.
Gaius sat next to Panne (much to the Taguel's mild irritation). He was munching on some candied bacon that he 'found' back at the Longfort. They were the closest things to candy he managed to find at the fort. A fact he lamented almost every hour. Meanwhile, Panne no longer referred to him as man-spawn. That was progress to Ben. Despite her callous nature to the other Shepherds, he could sense a deep feeling of loyalty in Panne. She had named all of them her new Warren. And she would fight to the death to protect it.
Virion sipped on his tea while talking with Robin about the upcoming battle. The pair shared different scenarios that could occur once the armies clashed. Each one played devil's advocate for the other. Doing their best to foil whatever counter strategies they formulated. Ben was tempted to join them. But he knew he would lose that game. His mind was too distracted right now.
The last few days had been an unbelievable whirlwind. He hardly had any time to himself. Whatever time he did have had been lost to deep meditation as he grappled with Emmeryn's sudden death.
He felt a sharp pang in his heart. She had died the same way as Satine. History cruelly repeated itself. He let out a long breath before casting his gaze up at the twinkling stars overhead. He could see some dark clouds beginning to drift in from the west. Within a few hours the stars and the moon would be hidden behind them.
Yes, it was going to rain.
Footsteps drew his attention. Ben glanced over his shoulder and saw Cordelia approaching with two bowls in her hands.
"Hungry?" She asked.
Ben gave her a small smile, "Very."
"Well good." Cordelia said as she handed him the bowl of soup, "Because Stahl made enough to feed the entire army." She sat down beside him and began to sip on the broth.
"Or just himself." Ben chuckled.
Cordelia choked as she started to laugh. She gasped for breath. Once she managed to catch her breath, she laughed hard.
"If he wasn't a knight, he would be a chef. I guarantee it." Cordelia answered, "His training keeps him skinny."
"You mean Frederick's training." Ben noted.
"Hm." Cordelia nodded in between mouthfuls of soup, "True. That man is a hard taskmaster. He will make an excellent Knight Commander one day."
Ben nodded in agreement. Cordelia took another bite of soup before nudging his shoulder.
"Hey." She began, "You shouldn't be sitting here all by yourself."
Ben sighed.
"Come on. Join us, Ben." She smiled, "You're a Shepherd after all."
Ben let his spoon sit idle for a moment.
"You know you want to." Cordelia teased.
Ben felt a small smile cross his lips. Why not? He nodded and got up with Cordelia. The pair walked over to the fire together.
"Uh oh!" Gaius chirped, "Ben's already rebounding."
Panne smacked the thief hard on the chest, knocking the wind out of him. Miriel gasped while Vaike struggled to contain a roar of laughter. Virion, despite the poor taste of the joke, found himself chuckling along with Robin and the others. Cordelia turned as red as her hair while Ben just shook his head and took a seat beside Kellam and Tharja.
"Too soon, Gaius." Robin said. But he could not suppress the wry smirk on his lips as he looked between both Ben and Cordelia.
"I'm telling you, Robin." Virion said as he sipped his tea, "Our good friend Ben, is a true gentleman. The women all swoon for him."
"Keep talking and I may just shove my lance all the way up your ass." Cordelia threatened.
"Bah! Hollow threats!" Virian gasped, feigning fear.
Tharja giggled beside him, "I can make them not hollow."
The archer paled quite a bit. Robin snorted and picked at his soup.
"This is very good soup, Stahl." The tactician said.
"Thank you," Stahl smirked, "A recipe from my mother. One of the first things I learned to cook."
"I'm shocked it was something as healthy as this." Virion noted.
"The healthy comes from Miriel's added ingredients." Robin reminded them, "How much salt did you use again, Stahl?"
"Hey!" Stahl said defensively. He pointed his spoon at the tactician, "I leave the tactics to you. Leave the cooking to me." He swirled his soup, "You could have Sully cooking, you know."
"Hard pass." Gaius cringed.
"I'll eat a carrot before consuming her food again." Panne muttered.
"The stomach cramps from that food would qualify as torture back at the Temple." Tharja said as she trembled.
They all fell into raucous laughter as they recalled Sully's cooking. Naga help anyone who had to eat a meal prepared by her. The woman was a fierce warrior, but a terror as a cook. Ben wiped a tear from his eye as he chuckled.
The laughter began to die away as everyone focused on their food. The warm fire fended off the slight chill in the night air. Ben could feel the humidity beginning to rise around them. They would all have to take shelter in their tents soon.
"Who has first watch with our Feroxi sentries tonight?" Ben asked Robin.
Robin wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Gaius."
"Naga help us." Miriel mumbled.
"Hey! If there is one thing a thief is good at besides stealing, it's being a lookout." Gaius pointed out, "That was my job during the first heist I was a part of."
"What did you steal?" Cordelia asked.
"Oh nothing." Gaius replied, "We got caught. Only time I've ever been caught. The lookout fell asleep."
Panne blinked, "But you just said you were the-"
"Anyways," Gaius continued, "You all can rest easy for the first few hours tonight. I have amazing senses. Nothing escapes my notice. Especially if it is shiny or sweet. Preferably both." He took a bite of soup, chewed, then swallowed, "After me, its Ruffles, right?"
"Myself and Kellam yes." Virion replied.
"Then third watch is Benny and Bubbles, since you two will be the first ones up anyways." Gaius noted.
"And the march will continue." Cordelia said.
"How much further do you think we will have to go before the Plegian's meet us?" Virion asked.
Robin shrugged, "Mustafa has the original plans. Right now, Chrom's battle group is a couple hours ahead of us, as planned. They will send a messenger to alert us and the Khan's battle group once the Plegian army arrives."
"Then all hell will break loose." Vaike said.
Robin nodded grimly, "Yes. It will."
There was a sober silence among the group. This battle was going to be the largest any of them had ever fought in. It would be nothing like the skirmishes that had taken place before. Thousands of soldiers would be colliding in the desert sands. Cavalry charges with hundreds of horses would be charging at each other. Dozens upon dozens of mages, both light and dark, would be casting their most deadly spells at one another.
It was that dreaded anticipation before battle. Ben was familiar with the feeling. Had grown used to it in fact. Even with the Force and the comfort it brought, he still felt some anxiety before every battle. He worried not only for himself, but for all of the men under his command. He was that way when he was a Jedi General, and he was that way now.
Stahl cleared his throat, "What do you think the likelihood is that one of us-"
"Don't start talking like that." Cordelia warned, "It won't happen."
"We have to face the reality that it may very well happen." Virion noted, "Death comes for us all. One way or another, we meet the ultimate fate."
"And we must pray that none of us meet it soon." Robin muttered.
Tharja pursed her lips, "In the Grimleal, we were taught to embrace death." Ben listened quietly as she spoke, "To not fear it. For when we died, we would be joined with Grima. Made one with him and fuel his power. It was the ultimate gift. The greatest change one could undergo. It was to be celebrated." She let her eyes fall to the bowl in her lap, "Is it bad that I'm a little afraid?"
"Not at all." Ben said, "Anyone who says they are not afraid before battle are either a fool or a liar."
"Are you afraid?" Gaius asked Ben.
There was no hint of jest in Gaius's tone. The thief looked deadly serious as he asked the question.
"You are always the most fearless of us out there in battle." Kellam's quiet voice spoke up, "You've jumped off of a soaring pegasus, and at a charging wyvern rider. How do you keep the fear from overcoming you?"
Ben pressed his lips into a thin line. Indeed, how did he keep the fear from overwhelming him? His Jedi training worked wonders to help him with that. But he was also still human.
"It is natural to be afraid." Ben began, "What matters is what you do when that fear comes. There is no such thing as courage without fear."
Robin smiled a little at Ben's advice. Virion raised his glass.
"Well said."
"Very poetic." Miriel agreed.
Cordelia nodded as well. But she remained much more quiet. Ben could tell she was still grappling with fear herself. The scar given to her by Maul burned in her mind. She had to live with the fact that she was the lone surviving Pegasus Knight. Just as Ben had to live with the fact that he may in fact be the last Jedi. Both were terrifying prospects. Enough to make someone curl up into a ball and hide. There was a loneliness that came with such distinctions. And lonely was the last thing someone wanted to feel when battle was joined.
"Stick by each other." Ben advised, "Watch each others backs. And do not hesitate. The enemy certainly will not." He looked over at Cordelia, "You are never alone on a battlefield. There is always an enemy. But there is always a friend as well. Rely on your friends. And you will survive."
He relied on Anakin so many times before. Him and Ahsoka both. And he had somehow come out of the Clone Wars mostly unscathed.
He still wondered what became of little Ahsoka Tano. She had been serving at the Siege of Mandalore when Order 66 occurred. Had she survived since she was technically not a Jedi? Or did her clones turn on her as well?
"Hey guys?" Gaius pointed into the distance, "Someone is running at us."
Robin arched an eyebrow. He followed Gaius's finger into the distance. Ben's gaze snapped over to the horizon. Someone was running full speed towards them.
It was a young woman. Her attire was that of a Feroxi dancer. Light clothing covered her athletic form. Her pink hair was tied into high, thick ponytail above her head.
She was approaching at an incredible pace. Both Ben and Robin jumped to their feet as she waved at the Shepherds.
"Ser Robin! Captain Ben!" The woman called as she came to a stop near their fire.
"Yes?" Both Robin and Ben said at the same time.
The woman took a couple seconds to catch her breath, "Prince Chrom sent me to you with all haste." She gasped again, "The Plegians have spotted them. Gangrel is at their head with Aversa. Battle has not been joined yet. The Prince has asked for one last parlay with Gangrel."
"He has?" Ben said, surprised.
"He's taking Basilio's words to heart and trying to be more like Emmeryn." Robin muttered, "But that is a massive risk." He cursed, "Do the Khan's know?"
The woman nodded, "Another messenger left at the same time as I did. I was also ordered to tell you to begin the strategy. Chrom is doing the Parlay as a gesture of good faith. But he doubts Gangrel and Aversa will speak with him. Battle is certain, as he put it."
"I don't doubt that." Ben said, "Gangrel has gone too far with this war to suddenly abandon it when he believes he is about to claim complete victory."
"Maybe he really is that crazy?" Gaius said with a slight hint of optimism in his voice.
"No one is that crazy." Tharja breathed, "And Lady Aversa will not allow him to end the war."
Robin hummed to himself then nodded, "Stahl, Vaike, rouse the soldiers. We're moving out."
"Yes sir." Both men said as they turned to sound the alarm.
"Miriel, Virion gather the mages in our company. I want them and our archers at the ready once we arrive at the battle. Everyone else, gather up our supplies. We need to move as fast as we can." Robin returned his attention to the woman, "Thank you for telling us this, Miss?"
"Olivia." The woman breathed.
"Olivia." Robin repeated, "There should be an infirmary tent near the center of our encampment. Go there and ask for some water and food. You've earned it."
"Thank you." Olivia bowed her head, "And if you don't mind. I would like to stay among your men as you march. I may not be a warrior, but I am a dancer. Perhaps I can help keep morale high as we move to engage the enemy."
Ben raised his brow. A beautiful woman among the ranks? That alone would help the men's morale. He gave Robin an approving nod.
The tactician smiled.
"Of course, Olivia. But take care of yourself first. And if the battle grows too intense, make sure you get yourself to safety."
"I will." She nodded before striding past the other Shepherds.
While the others gathered up their supplies, Gaius gawked at Olivia as she strode away from them.
"Naga above, I have been blessed with a truly beautiful sight."
Panne tugged on his ear, "You have chores to do."
A flurry of curses erupted from the thief's mouth as he was dragged towards his tent. Ben laughed under his breath. Gaius was naturally drawn to mischief. If he was not involved in it, then he was the one causing it. He just prayed that inclination for attracting trouble went away during the battle.
"You ready, Ben?" Robin asked as the tactician walked with Ben towards their two tents.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Oh no you are not." Cordelia scolded as she grabbed Ben by the wrist, "You are not going into battle without armor."
"Robin isn't wearing armor." Ben complained as Cordelia dragged him towards the quartermaster.
"He is a mage." Cordelia pointed out as the tactician disappeared into his tent.
"So am I!?" Ben cried.
"No, you are a freak of nature." Cordelia replied, "One who has a tendency to put himself in impossibly dangerous situations and come out very wounded. I don't think the healers want to work on you anymore than they will already have to."
She pushed him up in front of the quartermaster.
"Armor?" The enormous, gruff man asked.
"Yes." Cordelia nodded.
"Light armor." Ben commented. He let out a small sigh, "Preferably some reliable gauntlets and pauldrons."
"You need a proper cuirass and-"
"And I'm not going to weigh myself down anymore than I have to." Ben cut off Cordelia, "I fight better when I can move more freely." He saw the quartermaster place a set of leather gauntlets and pauldrons on the table, "You should be happy I've at least agreed to wear something."
"Agreed?" Cordelia frowned, "I had to drag you over here."
"But I still got armor." Ben smirked as he began to strap the leather gauntlets over his hands and forearms.
They were a bit snug. He would get them properly fitted once the battle was over. The quartermaster helped to strap the pauldrons over his shoulders. They were also a tight fit. He could feel them restricting his range of motion as he rolled his shoulders. But it would protect him. Cordelia did have a point. A pitched battle like this required some extra protection. Especially since he would be facing the enemy up close. Without a lightsaber.
The memory of the blade Kage used to kill Maul raced through his mind. Kage had his lightsaber. He recognized the hilt anywhere. The sight of it had rendered him paralyzed. Unless the boy managed an impressive copy, that was Ben's weapon. How the boy came across it was a mystery.
But I will get it back. Ben thought to himself as he stood before Cordelia, Once this war is over. I'm getting back my weapon.
Cordelia furrowed her brow and hummed as she observed Ben's armor. She gave the pauldrons a rough punch then smacked his forearms.
"A touch snug."
"Really?" Ben said with some snark, "I hadn't noticed."
"But it will do." Cordelia continued, "Now you are ready." She went over to weapon's rack and snatched a large, steel lance from it, "See you out there, Ben." She said with a small smile before running off to find her Pegasus.
Ben nodded as he watched her disappear into the organized chaos that had enveloped the Feroxi camp. Tents were being pulled down at a rapid pace. Fires were being doused. Armor clanked. Swords rattled. Horses snorted and stomped in the sand. And thunder began to rumble above Ben's head.
He blinked as the first raindrops his his forehead. He looked up to the sky and saw massive, black storm clouds lumbering over their heads.
A thunderstorm in the desert? He gulped, An omen for sure. But is it a good one or a bad one?
He strapped his rapier to his waste then marched to the front of the growing column of Feroxi soldiers. Once at the front, he met up with Robin. The tactician was still wearing his coat, but Ben could see a small layer of chainmail beneath his thin shirt. The swordsman nodded in approval.
"Ready?" Robin asked.
Ben smiled, "Let's go win this war."
….
There were thousands of them. Dark shadows sat at the crest of the sand dune. Each one of them staring down at Chrom and his small battle group. The Prince of Ylisse grimaced. Every second that passed without any movement was another second that set him on edge. He bounced his weight from one leg to the other. His hand twitched every few seconds. The desire to unsheathe Falchion was enormous. He could not stand the fact that an army of thousands was just a few hundred meters from his own group of several hundred. It bred a sense of dread and doom that he could feel in the air.
Frederick's horse snorted next to him. He glanced over at the Knight.
"What shall we do milord?" The wary man asked him as his palm kneaded the grip on his lance.
Chrom took a deep breath. Indeed, what should he do? The soldiers behind him, all of their lives were in his hands now. They were all counting on him to not only lead them to victory, but make sure that as many of them lived as possible.
Their role in Robin's strategy was the most dangerous one. It involved allowing the enemy to purposefully overrun them. A tactic that could either work to perfection, or wipe out their numbers entirely. No battlemaster ever advised turning your back to an enemy, even when in full retreat. There was no way of defending yourself that way if the enemy caught up to you. And that fact made this even more risky.
Many of the men and women behind Chrom were going to die. They all knew that. He knew that. If battle was joined, and they executed Robin's strategy to perfection, there would still be bodies to bury.
That realization was difficult to stomach for the Ylissean Prince. He had led groups of men into battle before. But those were small skirmishes. At the most, a hundred men were engaged in battle at a time. The risks were always low. The stakes never high. If the situation was particularly dangerous, someone like Commander Phila or Commander Edward would have been there to help him command a larger force.
But they were not there now. Commander Phila was dead. Commander Edward was very likely dead. He was the leader of Ylisse and her military now. He was the commander of the brave Feroxi soldiers behind him.
He cast a glance behind him. His small group of Shepherds appeared ready for the battle. But he could see the apprehension on their faces. The slight twinges of fear that came with the lull before the chaos. Sumia's fingers tapped endlessly against the shaft of her lance. Her pegasus stomped in the sand. Anxious to finally take off. Lon'qu was as stone faced as ever. But he was already on the balls of his feet. Ready to nimbly weave between enemies, even though they had not even begun to fight yet. Sully had her jaw clenched tight. There was no cocky quips coming from her now. She was afraid. But determined. Libra was muttering silent prayers under his breath. The only person who appeared even remotely relaxed was Gregor. The older sellsword stood at ease beside Libra. Weathered gaze staring up at the enemy. The face of man ready to meet death. But also ready to make death work in order to take him.
In that moment, as he looked at his Shepherds with both pride and worry, he finally understood Emmeryn's reluctance for war. Her stubbornness when it came to avoiding conflict with Plegia despite the numerous infractions by Gangrel and his military. Despite her pacifist beliefs, she understood war. She understood the cost.
What a fool he was.
"Milord?" Frederick said again.
"Ride with me, Frederick. I wish to parlay with Gangrel."
Frederick's jaw fell open.
"Come again?"
Chrom snapped the reigns of his own mount. Before Frederick could utter any protest, Chrom began to trot towards the Plegian lines. The Knight cursed and raced to catch up to him.
"Milord are you sure this is-"
"The wisest thing I think I've ever done." Chrom answered Frederick.
"But they are the enemy."
Chrom sighed, "And we are theirs." Frederick's eyes widened, "I understand now, Frederick."
"Understand what, milord?"
"Emmeryn." Chrom breathed.
He swore he could hear his sister's voice again. Gentle tones that whispered on the chilled night wind. She was with him right now. With all of them. He could feel it.
As they got closer to the Plegian lines, the front edge of the army parted in two. Chrom took a deep breath as Gangrel trotted out on a great black war horse. He wore gaudy golden armor. No helm sat over his head. He still wore his crown. A red and black flowed behind him. His lips were curled up in an arrogant, smug grin.
To the King's left stood a mountain of a man. Muscle rippled beneath light, leather armor. A large scar ran over one of his eyes. His skin was weather beaten. It looked like leather. Strong and sturdy. Much like the man himself. Chrom recognized this warrior as none other than General Mustafa. The honorable Plegian General that Ben managed to negotiate with. The large warrior gave a small nod to the Prince as he approached. A nod of respect. One which Chrom readily returned.
The Grimleal Witch Aversa stood to Gangrel's right. Black spellbook in one hand. The other hand rested on her hip. She appeared bored. Tired of the quiet. Ready to end lives and claim victory for her King. Or for herself. At this point, Chrom was not sure who really ruled Plegia.
"Foolish minds think alike it seems." Gangrel sneered as Chrom came to a stop just a few meters away, "You are more like your sister than I thought."
"Good." Chrom replied. His own tone cold and unforgiving, "I'll wear that comment with pride."
Gangrel cackled, "Not for long."
"You have come to parlay with us?" Aversa noted, "How cute."
"I'd hope trying to spare as many lives as I can isn't considered just cute by you." Chrom replied, "This battle does not have to take place."
"You're right." Gangrel replied, "It does not. All you have to do to prevent the annihilation of your paltry army is kneel to me. Surrender. Then hand over the Fire Emblem."
Chrom took a deep breath. His left hand brushed over the shield that was strapped to his right forearm. The Fire Emblem, Ylisse's national treasure. An artifact of incredible power and responsibility. It was the Exalt's duty to safeguard it, should the need to use it ever arise again. And while he had not taken the title yet, Chrom considered it his duty to protect such a thing with his life. Emmeryn gave her life for her people and the Fire Emblem. Chrom was ready to give his.
"You know that is not going to happen." Chrom answered.
"Then what is the point of all of this?" Gangrel snarled with a wave of his hand, "I should have you killed where you stand, boy!"
"That would be in rather poor form. Don't you agree, General Mustafa?" Chrom asked.
The Plegian General cleared his throat, "It is not my place to say."
"You're right, it is not." Aversa said with small, vile smirk.
"So there you have it, Prince." Gangrel said, "I have laid out my terms. Have you rejected them?"
"You haven't given me a chance to give you my terms." Chrom replied.
"Your terms?" Gangrel scoffed, "Look at you. Trying to grow up and be a man right before my own eyes. I'd almost be proud if I didn't want to cut your head off where you stood."
Frederick moved to protect Chrom. But the Prince stopped him with a wave of his hand. He did not need protecting. Not from this wretch.
"My terms are simple, your majesty." Chrom began, "Leave Ylisse. Never attack us again. And this whole mess ends. No more deaths, no more wars. Peace."
"And why would I do that?" Gangrel asked.
"Because you have more pressing threats to your rule than a nation like Ylisse." Chrom answered, "I seem to recall that Plegia once had a King who wished to rebuild his nation. Make it the envy of the world. Then well," His gaze flicked over to Aversa, "He began listening to the wrong people."
"Watch your tongue brat." Aversa growled.
"I have rebuilt, Plegia." Gangrel smirked, "From what I can tell, I just doubled it's area in the span of a few weeks."
"Have you?" Chrom asked, "Or was that the work of the Grimleal?"
There was no reply. Gangrel narrowed his eyes at Chrom. The Prince could see the King's mind working now.
"I was just in your Capitol city." Chrom continued, "I saw the desperation in your people. I saw the squalor they live in. You once wanted to be a good King, Gangrel. I've learned that recently. A good king does not ignore his people like that."
"Don't listen to this child." Aversa hissed, "He is a naive little fool. If the people really cared that much, they would have brought themselves out of their own filth." She glared at Chrom, "You act as if people should care for each other. That philosophy is for the weak. People do not care for each other. People are animals. They exist to devour each other in a relentless pursuit for dominance. The weak fall away. And only the strong live."
Chrom shifted in his saddle as she finished speaking.
"Gangrel," Chrom finally said, ignoring the bile in his throat as he spoke his name, "You and I need not be enemies. The Grimleal are poisoning your land. Poisoning your people. Poisoning your mind. They are your enemy. Not Ylisse." He took a breath, "And not me." He held out a hand to the King, "Let us end this conflict."
Gangrel eyed Chrom's hand. There was a flicker of something in the man's eyes. Regret? Perhaps. Realization. Maybe? But with a small whisper in his ear from Aversa, the madness returned the King's eyes.
He began to laugh. Loud cackles echoed over the sand. And as he laughed, Aversa's lips parted into an insidious smile. On the other side, Mustafa closed his eyes in shame.
"You really are your sister's brother, Prince Chrom." Gangrel laughed, "At one time, I did respect you. At least you were a warrior. I thought you understood what that meant. But clearly you do not." Gangrel's eyes sparkled with madness, "We will end this conflict today. And when it ends, one of us will be dead."
Chrom closed his eyes and shook his head, "Very well then."
Without another word, Chrom and Frederick turned their horses and raced back towards his men. As he raced back, he heard Mustafa's booming voice sound out over the desert.
"Forward, men of Plegia!"
….
Thunder rumbled overhead. The hooded figure glanced up. Raindrops began to plummet down from the black sky and onto the cracked desert landscape. One drop hit his forehead. He faintly felt the cold impact with his pale skin. A memory flashed in his mind.
He remembered this night. Remembered the chaos of it all. The blood soaked the sand. Colored it red for days afterwards. Black scorch marks littered the land like a chess board. The results of spells being fired by hundreds of mages.
His pale lips parted into a small smile. A chess board. He remembered that fun little game. It was one of the things that this body had enjoyed so much before its destiny was achieved.
Footsteps approached him. The man kept his face to the sky, letting the rain fall onto his skin.
"Lord Hierophant?" Validar's voice hit his ears.
He ignored the sorcerer. The man would not interrupt him now. Not when pleasant thoughts were filling his mind. Memories of days long gone by. Of friends long since passed. Simpler times. Better times. When the world did not hinge on the decisions of a god's avatar.
"You are growing sentimental again." A voice sneered in his mind, interrupting his dreams.
"Eat them. A rumbling, demonic voice snarled, "Devour them all again. Revel in their pain and suffering."
"Not yet." The first voice replied, "They all still have their uses."
He scrunched his nose. These two were insufferable sometimes. But without them, he would not be alive. He would not have the power he now possessed.
He would not be a god.
"My Lord?" Validar asked again.
"Maybe you can eat him?"
"Please?" The demonic side chuckled, "His bones would be a tasty morsel."
"Silence." The Hierophant whispered under his breath.
Let me stay here. Let me remember.
"Lord Grima?"
The Hierophant's eyes flashed and he spun on his heel.
"What!?" He snapped.
His yellow eyes blazed at Validar. They were filled with fury. Those precious few memories that remained untouched by the darkness were gone once again. The moments of remembrance were fleeting. He relished in them. Embraced long dead feelings that he longed to have once again. But were now denied by the two powers that controlled his body and mind.
"Who do you believe will win?" Validar asked as he looked out into the distance, "Surely we want Gangrel to emerge victorious."
The Hierophant uttered a small snarl of contempt, "Gangrel."
He looked off to the horizon. Far to the north, the battle was beginning. The first of many that would decide the fate of this world. On one side, the spawn of Naga. The future Exalt of this world. And one of the last Jedi fought beside him. As did a certain tactician whose destiny was all but sealed.
On the other side a mad King and an impulsive witch. Both were tools. One was a servant. One was a slave. And while one still had its uses, the other did not.
"Gangrel will lose." He finally answered.
Validar arched an eyebrow, "How so?" He stood beside his Lord as the rain began to fall harder, "If he is going to lose, shouldn't we provide assistance. He may be a mindless fool now. But he is our mindless fool. A useful one."
"His usefulness has run its course." The Hierophant replied, "Gangrel will only be a liability going forward."
Validar gave the monster beside him a puzzled look. Realization slowly dawned on the Grimleal.
"You want him to lose."
The Hierophant's lips curled into a slight smirk. Validar was slowly catching up. Good, his intelligence was beginning to grow.
"Why?"
"Because there are more potent enemies than just the Naga-spawn." The Hierophant answered, "Enemies that both the Naga-spawn and us share. Enemies that lie beyond the sea."
The Hierophant turned on his heel and gazed west, out at the open ocean. Massive waves crashed into the jagged cliffs that marked the end of Plegia's massive desert. More thunder clapped overhead. Lightning flashed.
In the storm, the Hierophant felt at home. Chaos felt natural. But chaos was a fickle thing. While it could be manipulated, it could not be controlled. Gangrel would only cause more chaos. The King's mind had been shattered. He was nothing more than an empty vessel of the Grimleal now.
In order for the fate that had been written to come about, a more orderly figure needed to win this war. One that could be predicted. And with that predictability, could be controlled. In more subtle ways of course.
"A certain Emperor is turning his eyes to us." The Hierophant said as he stared out at the raging ocean, "We want someone who can actually fight that Emperor taking the day right now."
Validar nodded, "Walhart has been rather… cantankerous, to say the least. I planted a reliable spy at his side. Progress is slow. But the Emperor of Valm with be with us soon. And if he is not, he will be cast to the wayside along with all the others."
The Hierophant's lips parted into a large grin. "Yes… Walhart."
Validar gave his Lord a puzzled look. He said Walhart's name with a sort of wistfulness. A sense of remembrance that betrayed his true feelings on the mighty conqueror. He admired Walhart. Thought of him as a peerless warrior. But he did not see him as a dire threat. Not yet at least.
Validar shivered as the rain came down in massive sheets of water.
"Shall we find shelter?"
The Hierophant took one deep breath.
"Yes. But only for now."
And chapter! The battle has begun! And the Hierophant and Validar watch with amusement and anticipation. Meanwhile, Ben and Robin are beginning the execution of their strategy. I just love writing these little moments that add even more depth to already incredibly well fleshed out characters. It is so much fun! Anyways, let me know what you all think! As always I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!