The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 48

The Hunt Begins

It was over. Finally! If Marth had her way, she would never sail on another ship again unless absolutely necessary. Her legs wobbled as she reached the top of the stairs that led to the ship's deck. The sun was high over head. The heat was enormous. She could feel her skin baking in the sun's rays already. Marth took a deep breath and marched from the stairs towards the gangplank that had just now been put in place. The ship shuddered as the last of the ropes were tied off to the massive dock. She took another deep breath. The salt air rushed through her lungs and back out again. Much more refreshing than sea spray and raging waves.

After paying the captain of the ship (a small gesture that surprised the man given how she managed to coax him into the crossing), Marth descended from the ship and entered the chaotic port city of Charlet. Ships were departing and docking all along the massive harbor docks. Crates were lifted from the ships using massive cranes and pulleys before being unceremoniously dropped in front of a swarm of dockworkers. A few dozen yards away from the docks, Marth could see some trade shops and small residences. Even a tavern or two. Which was perfect. Those were places dock workers would gather once they were finished with work. And dockworkers would no doubt notice someone as distinct as Kage.

She made her way along the dock before being stopped by a man wearing noble clothing and a rather official looking gold pin on his left breast. Boredom was written on his face. Beside him, was a young boy, about thirteen years old if Marth was to take a guess. Perhaps an apprentice of some sort.

"Hold there." The older man said. He withdrew a ledger from beneath his arm and opened it, "Name?"

Marth quirked an eyebrow, "Pardon?"

"You are a foreigner arriving in Rosanne. And you are not on this ship's manifest." The man said in a bored tone, "You need to be accounted for. So, name?"

Marth flicked her eyes back and forth, "Er… Lucy."

The man gave her a suspicious look. He took a piece of charcoal and scrawled her name onto his already full, but neatly organized, notepad.

"Lucy of?"

Marth frowned, "Ylisse. Southtown to be more precise."

The man nodded, "And your reason for being in Rosanne today?"

Marth pursed her lips, "I-"

"If you say you are immigrating here then I know you are lying." The man sniffed, "You have no possessions other than that ratty old scabbard and sword at your hip."

Marth bristled at his description of Falchion. But she kept her mouth shut.

"I'm hunting someone down." She replied.

The man sighed, "Not a very good reason."

Marth reached into her small pouch and placed several gold coins on his notepad. The kid by the man's side raised his eyebrows. Surprised by the amount of coins Marth just placed in front of him.

"Is that a better reason?" Marth asked, her hand on her hip.

The man pocketed the charcoal and slipped the coins over to his apprentice, "Enjoy your stay, Miss Lucy."

She placed a couple more coins on his ledger.

"Information." Marth answered before he could ask why regarding the extra coins.

"Regarding your quarry I presume?" The man replied, "Well… I could give that to you or-" She placed two more coins on his ledger, "Ask away."

"A man. A couple years older than me. Blonde hair. Black robes and hood." Marth said.

"You just described many travelers to this area miss." The man replied with a small sigh.

"Blue-" Marth caught herself, "Yellow eyes."

The little apprentice's eyes widened. He tugged on the man's sleeve and whispered in his ear. The man nodded in understanding then flipped through several pages in his ledger.

"I recount such a person." The man hummed, "Yellow eyes are rather defining and odd features, after all. Yes, here he is. A Luke of Ylisse arrived into port over a month ago."

"Do you know where he was going?" Marth asked.

"I am a dockmaster." The man frowned as he closed his ledger, "I know who comes onto my dock and goes with the ships. I don't know anything about traveler destinations. If you are searching for that, check with the taverns. You might overhear something. Now if you will excuse me miss, I have to double check the ship's manifest."

Marth was disappointed but still gave the man her thanks. She waved goodbye to the young apprentice at his side then made her away across the shipyard over to one of the taverns. Some proper food would do her some good. She could feel her stomach growling. The entire journey to Valm consisted of hardtack, dried beef, and throwing it all up due to seasickness. That storm had done her body no favors.

She pushed her way into the tavern. The air was filled with smoke as people puffed on pipes. She swiped at the air briefly before making her way over to the bar. A slim man with a thin black mustache manned the bar. His long hands scrubbed several mugs as she took her seat.

"Drink of choice?" He asked her while several other bar patrons eyed her suspiciously.

"Just some water for now." Marth replied, "What is on the menu?"

The bartender snorted, "With the army in town, not much. Beef stew?"

Marth let out a relieved sigh, "That would be lovely."

As the bartender filled her a glass of water then retreated to get her a bowl of stew, Marth quieted her mind and stretched out with her senses. It was an old exercise her Master had taught her. One that she struggled to grasp even today. She let out a shuddering breath as she struggled to sense the intentions of the people around her. Strained to sense their feelings. Through the haze, she hoped to hear or sense something. Anything. A clue of some sort that could lead her to Kage's location.

Her eyes shot open as the door to the tavern slammed open. The muttering she heard throughout the tavern ended abruptly. Marth glanced behind her and saw a half dozen soldiers enter the tavern. Each one took a seat beside her. Three on her right and three on her left. As they sat, the bartender set her bowl of stew in front of her. Marth quietly said her thanks and placed a gold coin on the counter.

She carefully ate her stew. Her wary eyes occasionally flicked to the soldiers beside her. They were making menial conversation. Apparently they were on break from their posts for a few hours. A gift from their commanding officer for bravely facing brutal Rosanne rebels in the area.

The conversation drifted from troop movements, to general complaining about basic military tasks. Nothing interesting. And nothing that could help her. Just as Marth made up her mind to get up and leave, she heard something that caught her attention.

"You seen General Yen'fay lately?" One of the soldiers asked another.

"I did. He looks like shit."

"Can you blame him. Assassination attempts on him and his family. Not to mention his little brother was kidnapped."

Marth froze in her seat. General Yen'fay was a name she knew. She could remember Kage talking about him in the future. How he barely knew his older brother, but was brought up to regard him with both respect and honor. A brilliant general and a good man.

She also remembered Kage saying he did not know his brother well because he had been kidnapped as a toddler. Taken by someone and transported to Plegia as a hostage. He managed to find a way to escape after a couple years. But beyond that, he did not talk about the harrowing ordeal much.

Her eyes widened. This was that point in the past. Kage, his baby self that is, has been kidnapped.

I should have pressed for more details when I could! She cursed to herself. If Kage had opened up more about the kidnapping, then maybe she would have known where to look.

"I don't get it." One soldier continued, "Why would the rebels try such a thing? They should have known the General would seek vengeance."

His comrade nodded, "The General may be stoic, but you don't want to get on his bad side eh?"

They all shared a small chuckle as the door to the tavern opened and closed again. Marth saw a young, small, red haired women slip in and take a seat at the bar. Her face was hidden beneath a grey hood. But from first glance, Marth could see she was tense. Her hands flexed open then closed. Eyes shifted to and fro around the room. Occasionally they would stop on the soldiers. And much more to Marth's concern, they would stop on her.

Marth finished the last spoonful of stew. As she pushed the bowl away, the bartender returned and placed a glass of rum in front of her. Beneath the glass, hidden by the amber liquid, was a small note. Marth frowned and glanced over at the bartender. But he was no longer paying attention to her. The skinny man had slipped back into the tavern kitchen.

She could feel something stir. The Force rumbled around her. There was danger coming. Marth opened the note. One word was written on it.

Help!

Another squad of soldiers burst into the tavern. The woman at the end of the bar jumped to her feet and scrambled past Marth. Knocking over several of the other soldier's drinks in the process.

"The hell!?" One bellowed.

"After her! That damn rebel will not escape!" The soldier's captain barked.

Marth ducked her head and tried to hide the note, but not before one of the soldiers to her right noticed.

"Hey you!"

Marth was on her feet in seconds. She kicked the chair out from beneath the man and sprinted away as he hit the ground. She raced after the other woman. Rushing out of a side entrance and into a narrow alleyway. Behind her, the other soldiers burst out of the tavern and gave chase.

She skidded around the corner of the alley and entered a crowded, narrow street. Above her, people worked on their balconies. Some hung laundry. Others prepared meat for dinner. A few children played both on the streets and on the balconies. All around her, people were moving. The flow of traffic moved her like a the current in a river. Marth pushed her way past throngs of people and weaved around wagons and carts as she chased after the fugitive. Behind her, people uttered startled cries and got out of the way of the soldiers, who now brandished their weapons in fury.

Marth glanced back briefly at her pursuers. An action she regretted when she returned her attention to the road and ran into a cart loaded with cabbages. The cart toppled over and she fell into a heap alongside it. Quickly shaking the cobwebs from her mind, she got to her feet and tried to keep running. But the soldiers caught up to her.

"Hold there, rebel!" The captain snapped as he leveled his sword at her, "Come quietly."

Marth clenched her jaw. This trip was not going well. She reached for Falchion then paused.

Falchion would not help her. Not anymore. Maul made certain of that. The divine blade rested in pieces in the worn scabbard she managed to fit it into. If she drew the blade, she would only draw a shard of the once legendary weapon. A broken blade would do her no good in a fight.

That left her with one option. An option she would rather not use. But given the circumstances, she was left with no choice. Marth sucked in a sharp breath and blasted the nearest three soldiers with a force push.

The opening that created allowed her to rush past the others. The soldiers uttered alarmed cries then took off after her. But it was too late. Marth sprinted into the crowds of people then disappeared down a side alley.

Once she was certain she had lost the soldiers, Marth rested. She put her hand on her knee and took several deep breaths. Her body still was not ready for such strain. She felt like her lungs were on fire as she struggled to catch her breath. Marth took another deep breath and let the air out in a long, slow exhale.

The Force smacked her with a warning. Marth spun on her heal and drew the shard of Falchion from its sheath. She pointed it directly at the hooded woman that emerged from behind some bins in the alley.

"You are more resourceful than you look." The woman said with a small smile.

"And you are as meddling as you look." Marth frowned.

The woman gave her a good natured laugh, "Relax, Ylissean. I think you and I can be friends."

"Having soldiers chase after me is not the best way to kindle a friendship."

The woman nodded, "Perhaps not. But I needed someone to draw their attention away from me for a little bit. I owe you a debt in that regard." The woman drew back her hood, revealing a pale face and bright brown eyes. There was a small smile on her lips as she held a hand out to Marth, "Cherche."

Marth gave the woman a hesitant look. Still, she lowered her shattered sword and took her hand.

"Marth."

Cherche nodded, "So, Marth, what are you doing in town?"

"Other than running from soldiers?" Marth replied, "I'm looking for someone. A young man."

"Aren't we all?"

Marth felt her cheeks heat up for a split second. Cherche giggled a little.

"I jest, Marth." Cherche said, "Who are you looking for? Perhaps I can point you in the right direction. As payment for helping me escape those soldiers."

Marth regarded Cherche with mild suspicion. Nevertheless, she was in the dark as to Kage's whereabouts. Her initial plan was to travel to Chon'sin at some point. But that plan went up in flames when she heard about the Prince's kidnapping. An event like that would draw Kage like a moth to a flame. He would want to deal with his own kidnapping personally. So he would likely not be in Chon'sin anymore. His trail was now cold.

But she knew what his goal would be. Her mission was no longer to find the Kage she knew. Rather, it was to find the toddler that had been kidnapped.

"I think he is involved in the Chon'sin Prince's kidnapping." Marth said.

Cherche grew silent, "Are you a bounty hunter of some sort?"

Marth shook her head, "Just-" Marth hesitated, "Someone trying to help an old friend."

Cherche nodded carefully, "Well, I can tell you this, the Rosanne rebels do not have him. But you won't be able to convince the army otherwise. They just wiped out our last hideout. I don't know how many of us actually survived it. Perhaps I am the only one. Anyways, I heard rumors the General in charge of the army, Yen'fay, has been out of sorts. Likely due to his little brother's kidnapping. Maybe if you can get close to him, you can ask him who he thinks took the Prince."

Marth arched an eyebrow, "Those soldiers called me a rebel."

Cherche waved off her concern, "They won't remember your face. Just play stupid and claim Ylissean heritage. They might just leave you be then." She drew her hood once again, "Now, I've got to go find my friend, Minerva, and leave this place."

"Where will you go?" Marth asked.

Cherche shrugged, "I don't know yet. Maybe I'll pay your homeland a visit."

Without another word, Cherche slipped out of the alley and vanished into the crowds of people on the main road.

Marth sheathed the shard of Falchion and let out a long breath.

Get close to General Yen'fay? She pressed her lips into a thin line, How on earth am I going to manage to do that?

….

Kage let out a long groan as sunlight filtered into his tent. He blinked some of the rays from his bleary eyes. For some reason, he felt some pressure on his chest. And his legs were pinned down against the ground. What exactly was on top of him?

"Wake up, sleepy head." A sing song voice rang in his ears.

He blinked again and stared directly into Cynthia's large, brown eyes.

"GAH!"

A force push erupted from Kage's hands. Cynthia let out a startled cry as she flew out of his tent and landed in a heap beside the remains of last night's campfire.

He froze where he lay for a moment. Then he let his head fall back into the thin mat he used to sleep on. An even longer groan escaped his lungs. She was still here. The bane of his entire existence was still nearby.

I thought if I ignored her during the night she would just go away. Sadly, she is like the rest of my problems. Incessantly annoying.

Kage sat upright and stretched his arms over his head. He uttered a loud yawn as Cynthia poked her head into his tent.

"That wasn't very nice." She frowned.

Kage scowled at her as he brushed past her and marched over to the nearest tree.

"Where are you going?" Cynthia asked.

Kage glanced back at her as he faced the tree, "To use the restroom." He shook his head and let out a long, aggravated sigh.

What did he do to deserve such a pest by his side? Already, in the span of literal minutes, she had irritated him. And this was after only one night!

I will be driven insane at this rate.

"You know something." Cynthia said as she took a seat beside the smoldering campfire, "You are a lot grumpier than I remember."

Kage snorted as he stepped away from the tree and walked over to his horse. He reached into his travel pack and pulled out some food for himself and his other two companions. As he made his way back to the fire, he nudged Say'ri with his foot. The princess was still unconscious from kick she took to the jaw last night.

"Wake up already." Kage grunted as he sat down beside her.

Say'ri let out a pain filled grunt before pushing herself up from the mud. She spat some dirt from her mouth and winced. Her hand flew to her jaw. A loud hiss left her lips as her fingers brushed against the large welt that had formed during the night. Her weary eyes transformed into a furious look. She surged to her feet and drew her sword, placing the tip against Kage's throat.

Cynthia let out a panicked cry as she got to her feet and grabbed her lance. In the process, she tripped and fell backwards. Within a few seconds, she was back on her feet. Her cheeks tinted red with embarrassment.

Kage did not move a muscle. He stared forward at the campfire. His fingers twitched. Tempted to force the blade away from his neck. But he did not act. The last thing he wanted to do was infuriate the princess anymore than she already was. That would make traveling with her nigh impossible.

"You!" Say'ri seethed, "How dare you!"

"Hm?"

"You kicked me!" Say'ri raged.

Kage glanced over at her, "A happy accident."

The cold steel pressed harder against his throat. But the action still did elicit a reaction. Cynthia furrowed her brow as she leveled her lance at Say'ri.

"You are going to explain your actions to me, Ylissean." Say'ri hissed, "Starting with your damn impossible abilities."

"Ever heard of magic?" Kage snipped back.

"That was not magic." Say'ri snarled, "What you used, was some unholy power that I cannot explain or understand."

"Then perhaps you should not ask about it."

The still pressed a little harder. This time, Kage flinched as he felt a warm bead of blood dribble down his throat then pool up near his collarbone.

"Hey! Stop hurting Kage!" Cynthia bellowed as she prepared to charge at Say'ri.

Say'ri blinked, "What did she call you?"

Kage closed his eyes and let out a frustrated breath, "Damn that girl to hell." He muttered.

He was out of patience. With a flick of his wrist, Say'ri's sword was ripped from her grasp. The blade soared across the campsite and landed loudly beside her tent. Just as he thought he was safe from anymore sharp objects, Say'ri swept around him and held a knife to his throat.

Kage rolled his eyes. Of course she had a secondary weapon. She may be a princess, but she was not stupid. He kicked himself for not being prepared for that. The lack of sleep was likely the reason for his lack of mental sharpness this morning. He did have to sleep beside a Pegasus Knight that enjoyed kicking in her sleep. He could feel the bruises on his legs from where her boot covered feet slammed against him in the night.

He felt Say'ri's breath in his ear as she leaned in close.

"You have five seconds to tell me who you really are, Luke. If you do not, I will cut your throat."

Cynthia gave Kage a puzzled look, "Why is she calling you Luke?"

"And explain her!" Say'ri snapped in Kage's ear as she kept him between herself and Cynthia's lance, "Why is that bandit still here."

"That bandit is an old pain in my ass." Kage hissed, "And unfortunately an old friend as well."

"Aw, I'm a friend still!"

"You are a single breath away from losing that distinction." Kage snapped.

He recoiled as he felt the cold kiss of steel on his neck.

"So she doesn't know you as Luke." Say'ri snarled, "Why did you lie to me about your name?"

Kage sighed, "You know, I technically wasn't lying."

"Yes you were." Cynthia pointed out.

"Not helping!"

"Alright, Kage," Say'ri continued, "If that is even your real name. Who are you? And how did you come to have that name. And don't just say your parents gave it to you. Kage is a Chon'sin word. And it certainly is not a common name."

Cynthia gasped, "Wait a second!" She lowered her lance, "You haven't told her Kage."

"Shut up." Kage hissed.

"Have not told me what?" Say'ri hissed, "Are you a spy? Are you in league with the assassins? Perhaps you intend to kidnap me as well? Maybe you are a warlock taking me to your secret lair."

"Oooh, I read a story like that once!"

"ENOUGH!" Kage roared.

A massive pulse erupted from his body, sending both Say'ri and Cynthia flying. Say'ri flew to her feet and swung her knife at Kage's stomach. Kage easily sidestepped the swipe and gripped her wrist. He applied some pressure and the dagger fell from her grip. Say'ri launched a punch at his head. But he ducked under that and pulled her arm behind her back. The princess let out a small, pain filled cry as Kage yanked back on her arm.

"Are we going to settle down now?" Kage asked her, his voice trembling with rage.

"You bastard." Say'ri hissed.

She cried out again as he pulled even more. Her shoulder was on the verge of dislocating.

"Yes or no?" Kage growled.

The Princess scowled. Reluctantly, she nodded. Kage let her arm go and pushed her away from him. He reached down to the mud and plucked her knife up from the ground. He tossed the blade back over to her. Say'ri deftly caught it out of the air, hesitated, then placed it back in it's hiding spot inside her boot.

"To you, I'm Luke." Kage explained. Cynthia opened her mouth to say something but Kage snapped his fingers, silencing the girl, "You!" He snarled, "You and I need to have a little chat."

He surged across the campsite and grabbed Cynthia by the wrist. As Say'ri watched, Kage dragged the Pegasus Knight away to a cluster of trees just out of earshot.

"Kage, how does she not know?" Cynthia asked, her voice innocent and puzzled, "She's your sis-"

"Zip it!" Kage hissed. She opened her mouth, "Nah! No! Not a word! You will stay silent as I explain some things to you. Okay?"

Cynthia gave him a slow nod.

"Good. She does not know about me." Kage explained in a slow, deliberate voice, "We are in the process of finding myself. Who has been kidnapped."

Cynthia gasped, "I arrived that far back in time!?"

"What did I say?"

"That you are trying to find-"

"Before that!" Kage snapped.

"To stay silent."

"And are you?"

Cynthia snapped her mouth closed. Kage sighed and shook his head.

"Now, with your little slip of the tongue, you have made this entire ordeal even more complicated. Because instead of just answering simple questions about my abilities, I have to answer questions regarding who I am."

"You could just tell her the truth."

Kage snorted, "Yes, brilliant idea Cynthia. Why not risk the entire future while we're at it? Let's make sure your parents don't go to bed together and have you." Kage blinked, "Now that I say that-"

"Hey that's mean!"

"You deserve it at this point given your endless stupidity!" Kage hissed, "Now, you are going to listen very carefully to this next part or so help me I will break into your mind and bend it to my will. And before you ask, yes I can do that. Maul taught me how." He saw her face pale considerably at the mention of his former master, "Forgot about him, didn't you?"

She swallowed hard then nodded. Kage gave her an evil smirk.

"Then you recall how powerful he was right?"

She nodded again.

"I killed him." Kage lowered his gaze at her, "So piss me off, and you will see how powerful I really am."

She gulped and gave Kage a terrified nod of understanding.

"I am Luke. Everywhere we go, at any time, you will refer to me as such unless I say otherwise. You are to not bother me with idiotic questions. If you do choose to stick around, you will do as I say when I say it. This is not the wasteland you know. And this is not the Ylisse you grew up in. This is Valm. And this is enemy territory. Make a wrong move, and you will die. And then-" Kage swallowed hard. For the briefest of moments, Cynthia saw sorrow and pain in his eyes. He shook his head and continued, "And then my headache will be gone. But I'd rather not deal with burying your corpse. Got it?"

"Got it." Cynthia breathed.

"Good."

He drew back from her and let out a long sigh. His eyes flicked up at the sky overhead. It was nearly noon already. They had all overslept. Kage cursed under his breath.

"Yup, you're really grumpy." Cynthia breathed.

"Gee, I wonder why." Kage grumbled as they both moved back towards Say'ri.

Cynthia put her hand to her chin. Trying her best to figure out why her old friend was in such a foul mood.

"Did you break up with Luci-"

A wave of cold slammed into the Pegasus knight. A shiver ran down her spine as fear rushed through her entire body. Kage's yellow eyes blazed hot as he stared at her. But behind the raw fury, Cynthia could see some tears building up in his eyes.

"Don't you dare speak her name." Kage warned before turning his back and returning to Say'ri. He stomped past the Princess and made his way over to their tents.

"I assume you will not share your secrets with me?" Say'ri frowned, her arms folded over her chest.

Kage shook his head as he began to tear down the two tents, "It is nearly noon. We are wasting time."

He threw the tents back into their travel packs and slung the heavy leather packs over their horses. Say'ri and Kage mounted their horses while Cynthia jumped up onto her pegasus. She gave Kage a worried looked.

"So er- Luke- um," Cynthia cleared her throat, "We are trying to find the Prince of Chon'sin?"

Say'ri eyed Kage suspiciously.

"Yes." Kage breathed.

"Where shall we go from here?" Say'ri asked him, her voice terse and unforgiving.

She still wanted to gut him. If for no other reason than for lying to her. Though Kage had a feeling she was also rather angry over how brutally he killed their enemies. Several of their corpses still lay in grotesque heaps around the campsite. Personally, he did not care. Let her think of what she wanted of him. In the end, he would find his younger self. Once he managed to do that, he would make sure Maul never came near him. That monster had yet to arrive on this world in this time. And when he did, Kage would be there to greet him. Lightsaber and lightning in hand.

"Where is the closest military fort?" Kage asked.

Say'ri gave him a puzzled look, "Fort Stieger. That is due north. At least a week of hard riding. Why do you ask?"

Kage frowned, "Because the worm that took the prince is there."

Say'ri looked confused, "How could you possibly know that?"

Kage gave her a wry smirk, "Call it intuition. And if the cretin that took the Prince is not there, we will find a lead instead. But we are running out of time."

"Yes! We must ride! Justice must be dealt to the criminal that stole away the prince!" Cynthia cried.

Kage bowed his head and let out a long, weary sigh. Say'ri gave the girl a bewildered glance. Cynthia let out a loud cheer. Her pegasus flapped its wings and took to the skies. As she soared above their heads, Say'ri looked over at Kage.

"Does she know that she is-"

"Nope." Kage shook his head, "She has no idea she is actually flying south." He snapped the reins to his horse, spurring the beast into a lazy walk down the water logged road.

"Should we tell her?" Say'ri asked as she watched Cynthia soar higher and farther.

"She will figure it out eventually."

….

The candlelight at his desk flickered as he finished penning the letter. His pudgy hand set the quill down while his dark, beady eyes marveled at his handiwork. With this letter, Excellus would make certain that Emperor Walhart had no challengers in Valm. The fat man snickered to himself as he folded the letter then sealed it with his own personal seal.

With a snap of his fingers, one of his servants in Fort Stieger rushed over and took the letter.

"Make sure that reaches our oh so loyal Chon'sin general." Excellus said with a small giggle, "I'm sure he is beside himself with worry."

The servant bowed and retreated away. Excellus snickered some more in the candlelight as he pushed himself away from the desk and rose to his feet. Years upon years of planning had finally paid off. Chon'sin had always been a troublesome territory. After his master, the great Conqueror, defeated their armies in battle, Excellus had expected some rebellions from the region. Maybe even open rebellion from what remained of the royal family. That foolish king did have a rather smart son and a very willful daughter.

To his displeasure the son, Yen'fay, remained docile on the surface. He did not lead any open rebellion against the Conquerer, unlike the people of Rosanne. But in back allies and secret meetings, Yen'fay had been making plans. Devious plans. Secretive, treasonous plans that were just so delicious to learn about. Excellus actually felt some admiration for the General from Chon'sin. He did not think the young man had it in him. To plan conspiracies such as funding rebellions with hidden caches of gold was so clever. It showed Excellus a side of the stoic man he did not think actually existed.

Chon'sin was not loyal to the Conqueror. And they likely never would be. They were a prideful people who did not understand their place in the world. They were the conquered. Sheep that should obey their shepherd. Yen'fay did not understand that. But now… now he would.

Excellus's fat lips parted into an evil grin as he heard a toddler crying from a room nearby. His plan did not go perfectly. He intended to assassinate the Princess as well as take the little Prince. The assassination was meant to put fear in Yen'fay's heart while the kidnapping was used to keep him in line.

Sadly, someone had to intervene. A mysterious Ylissean of whom Excellus had never heard of. Perhaps he was some random sellsword. If that was the case, then Princess Say'ri was most fortunate. But that good fortune would run out. He had already sent another band of assassins to kill her. Once she was dead, Yen'fay's only remaining family would be in Excellus's hands. Then the General would have no choice but to obey him and him alone. He would be a slave to his will. A powerful slave at that. No more rebellions would be funded by him. No more conspiracies would occur. The conqueror will be most pleased.

Still, worry crept into his mind. What if his plans did not work out? Excellus snorted to himself. Even if this plan did not work out and the General was able to rescue Kage, he had a contingency in place. Courtesy of his allies in the Grimleal.

He chuckled evilly as he stepped over to a bookshelf in his quarters. The large shelf was laden with tomes of all kinds. Books about poisons and potions. Spells and curses. The most vile of hexes and the most sinister of incantations. And among them all was an artifact that gave him both great pleasure and fear to possess. A little gift that had been given to him. A black box trimmed with pure gold. Lady Aversa had called it a reeking box. An artifact so powerful that it had to have been created by the Fell Dragon himself.

His hands brushed over the fine wooden finish. The temptation to open it and see the power held inside was enormous. But he kept himself from giving in. Who knows what terrible power was stored inside. Such a fun weapon should only be used under the most dire of circumstances. And his situation was not dire. In fact, it was going quite well.

But if the people of Chon'sin fell out of line- Excellus snickered evilly.

That would be a wonderful time to open the box.

And chapter! I'm back folks! Sorry for the longer than expected wait. I stayed at my great grandmother's a bit longer than I thought. Enjoyed every second of it. But now I'm back home and ready to start writing again.

This chapter was not the one I originally intended to write, but it was the one that came to mind when I sat down and got to work. I just really enjoy the dynamic between Kage, Say'ri, and Cynthia right now. It is too much fun to write. And now Marth is getting involved. And we got a cameo from Cherche too! Things are going to get very fun very quick.

We also found out who exactly has Kage. That could pose a challenge for our heroes. We shall see how the rescue goes eventually.

Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!