The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 78
The Silent Siege
Robin grimaced as he looked through his spyglass. Behind him, using the hilltop he knelt on as a hiding spot, were one thousand Feroxi soldiers. Braced for battle. Each soldier filled with anticipation. Kneeling beside him in the tall, frost tipped grass atop the hill were the leaders of the Feroxi counter attack: Khan Basilio, Khan Flavia, Chrom, Ben, Frederick, and Cordelia.
Khan Basilio narrowed his one good eye as he stared out at the Port City. Great plumes of smoke swirled up into the gray skies above the city. He frowned at the sight. But his reaction was nowhere near as visceral as Flavia's. The ruling Khan was clearly enraged. Doing everything in her power not to start charging down at the enemy occupying in her nation's biggest city. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down. She then leaned close to Robin.
"What do you see?" Flavia asked the tactician as he carefully observed the besieged city.
A grim sight. That is what Robin saw. But not necessarily a hopeless one.
The Valm Empire really did invade Regna Ferox. But with nowhere near the numbers Robin feared. So far, he saw five large Valm ships floating in the Port Ferox harbor. The Empire's standard flew high over each ship. Robin could see a few hundred Valmese soldiers taking up positions along the harbor and in the western half of the city.
The eastern half of the city drew most of Robin's attention. He could see multiple fires and barricades blocking the streets that cut east through Port Ferox. The biggest barricades blocked three bridges that crossed over a small river. The river bisected the city between east and west. Which was a godsend it Robin's mind. The natural barrier provided by the river allowed any defenders to hold on for as long as they have so far. He could not see any Feroxi soldiers. But he had a feeling they were there. And they were still fighting.
"Is it as bad as it looks?" Chrom asked Robin as the Prince stood beside Flavia, one hand resting on Falchion's pommel.
Ben observed the city as well. His face just as grim as Robin's.
Robin closed his spyglass. He pointed to the city.
"The Valm army controls the harbor and the surrounding area up until the series of bridges that cut over the river." Robin reported, "There are large, unmanned barricades blocking the bridges. Some are on fire. That is what is causing the smoke we are seeing." Robin lowered his spyglass, "There are more barricades behind those. I don't see any friendly soldiers, which is a touch concerning."
"Perhaps they are holed up in the buildings?" Ben suggested, "Disguising their numbers from the Valmese forces?"
"That's a possibility." Robin muttered, "If that is the case that is a huge advantage to us. It will make the enemy very cautious in their advance since they do not know our real numbers."
"Do we have a numbers advantage right now?" Flavia asked.
Robin nodded, "We do. And our numbers advantage will grow come tomorrow when the next few thousand of our soldiers arrive." He pursed his lips, "The problem is the city is so cramped that I doubt numbers will help us in this situation. It'll bog us down instead. We want to take out the Valmese before they can get back on their ships. That way, whatever forces are following them have no idea what they might be dealing with. Large numbers will slow us down in tight quarters."
"You think more are following?" Chrom asked.
"Definitely." Robin said, "This is a vanguard force." He handed his spyglass to Chrom so he could take a look, "Mostly infantry," Robin explained as Chrom took a peak, "Not a lot of supplies. A few horses. But not an overwhelming cavalry force. They have plenty of archers though. That'll make any counter offensive interesting."
"Why send such a small force?" Chorm muttered, perplexed.
"They think we're that weak." Flavia sneered, "We will show them."
"Slow down, Flavia." Robin breathed, "I do worry about a possible trap in this instance. I don't like how secure they feel down there. And I really don't like the lack of our own soldiers at defensive positions. Those barricades in place could very easily be there to prevent us from retaking the city instead of preventing them from advancing into the countryside."
"What do you suggest we do?" Chrom asked as he passed the spyglass over to Flavia.
Robin furrowed his brow, "We should send a small scouting party into the city first. Assess the situation. Figure out if there are still any pockets of resistance along the river's eastern bank. A scouting party will be less likely to be detected by enemy sentries."
Chrom nodded, "Sounds like a job for the Shepherds."
"And me." Flavia said, "I'm ruling Khan. I'm the one who lost this city. I'm going to be the one to take it back." Flavia jabbed Ben's shoulder, "You're coming with. You are like Robin. You've got all the experience dealing with the Valmese army."
"I suggest the others tag along as well." Ben nodded in reply, "If there is one thing Gaius knows how to do, it is sneak around a city. Tharja and Ricken's magic will prove invaluable as well."
Dooku cleared his throat, "I shall accompany this mission as well. I have some expertise that I can share."
"That would be appreciated." Robin smiled.
Chrom did not smile back. He did not doubt Ben and Dooku's abilities in battle. He had witnessed Dooku's skill with a blade firsthand. It still amazed the Prince that such an elderly man could be that agile in combat.
What Chrom doubted was the ability for both Ben and Dooku to listen to him and Robin in this dangerous situation. It sounded like Robin wished to take the lead on this mission. Robin had Chrom's complete trust. Ben and his friends did not. Not after everything that had happened over the past year.
Flavia coming with was a good thing in Chrom's mind. Technically, Ben worked for the Khan now. He was General Kenobi of the Feroxi army now. Flavia and Chrom worked well together. Hopefully, if Ben did not listen to him, he would listen to Khan Flavia and Robin. Flavia held Robin in high regard for his military tactics. The likelihood of her disregarding Robin's advice on a battlefield was slim. Which meant if Robin gave her a suggestion, she would listen. And she would order Ben to do the same.
"Oaf!" Flavia barked over at Basilio, "I trust you to keep an eye on everything here."
Basilio nodded. His one eye remained fixed on the city. Port Ferox rested in the Wesetern Khan's domain. The city was the hub for nearly all trade in the entire country. Basilio took great pride in it. It wounded that same pride to see a different standard fluttering in the wind over the city.
"Good." Flavia said, without a hint of teasing in her voice. She knew how much Basilio cared about retaking Port Ferox. If Arena Ferox did not exist, then the port city would have been the nation's crown jewel. And likely the seat of power for the ruling Khan.
Chrom glanced over at Frederick, "You and Kellam remain here with Lissa, Lon'qu, Marth, and Nowi. I'll take Gregor, Sully, and Cordelia on this one."
Frederick wanted to protest. But he remained silent. Chrom made up his mind. There would be no deterring the Prince from this course of action. The Knight-Commander eyed Ben. His suspicion grew as Ben relayed the plan to Tharja, Gaius, Virion, Dooku, and Ricken.
Ricken he could trust. The boy had been a loyal shepherd and a good friend to many in the palace. His education under Tharja led him to remain close to Ben. Ricken held no animosity towards Chrom or the other Shepherds over the schism. The Knight-Commander wanted to believe that, if disaster were to strike, Ricken would defend the ruler of the Halidom over a recently named Feroxi General. It was the other three Frederick had difficulty trusting near Chrom. Especially the dark mage, Tharja. By all accounts, she was still dedicated to the Grimleal religion. A fact that did not sit well with Frederick.
"When are we moving out?" Chrom asked Robin.
"Nightfall." Robin breathed, "It will be easier to approach the city that way."
"Should I tell Gaius to go ahead of us?" Ben asked Robin.
Chrom glared over at Ben. Robin did not notice as he mulled Ben's suggestion.
"No, it's better if we stick together in this instance. We don't know what we could be walking into down there. And I don't want anyone going alone."
Ben nodded. The Jedi Master glanced up at the clouds above him, "We have about an hour till nightfall."
"Then prepare yourselves." Chrom grunted as he rose from his kneeling position and moved back towards the rest of the army, "We won't wait up for you."
Robin felt uneasy. Each cautious step he took along Port Ferox's cobblestone roads caused his nerves to spike. Silence hung in the air. The faint crackling of flames from nearby barricades created an ominous din over the quiet city. There were no civilians peeking out of their windows. No shops open. The city stood still and somber. Waiting for the tide of Valmese soldiers to sweep over the barricades and engulf what little remained.
His eyes flicked from alley to alley. Street corner to street corner. The city had been so lively when he first passed through here all of those months ago. For such a vast space to be so deathly still rattled Robin's nerves.
"Calm yourself." He heard Ben breath nearby.
Robin gulped. Ben must be sensing out the area with the force. He could probably sense Robin's own uneasiness as well. Both Ben and Dooku appeared calm. The opposite of how Robin, Chrom, and Flavia felt.
Flavia had a tight grip on her sword as she walked with Chrom at the front of the pack. Beads of sweat formed on her brow despite the chill in the night air. Her own uneasiness compounded by the sharp shadows cast by fires further into the city. Chrom did a better job of hiding his anxiety. His face showed grim determination as he marched forward. One of his hands rested on Falchion's pommel while others swung freely at his side. But Robin could see the Prince's eyes flicking back and forth. Constantly alert.
Robin swallowed, Where is everyone?
This felt more and more like a trap to him. Robin thought that as soon as Khan Flavia entered the city, any Feroxi defenders would reveal themselves. Or, any Valmese sentries would have raised an alarm and attacked. He did not expect the silence. Did not expect the lack of any reaction.
The group exited a narrow street and entered a small square near the river. Although their position was still hidden from view by a row of houses lining the riverbank. Flavia arched an eyebrow and she glanced around them.
"Still nothing." She muttered, "I've never seen a silent siege before."
Chrom grit his teeth as he looked around the square, "I don't like this. This spot is perfect for an ambush."
"I have to agree." Robin flicked his eyes to the rooftops. He did not see any movement up there either, "It is also a good spot for an overwatch." He glanced over at Virion, "Virion."
Virion looked over at Ben. Ben nodded at him then over at Tharja and Ricken.
"Take up an overwatch with Virion." He told the two mages.
Tharja frowned. But she did not protest. Ben trusted her to hold this position and keep a lookout for the others. She would not fail such a task. Ricken gulped and rushed after Virion and Tharja as the duo disappeared into a nearby alleyway.
"No defenders. No attackers." Robin rubbed his chin, "So far, no trap."
"I still sense one." Dooku muttered. The older man looked over at Ben, "You and Skywalker were always fond of springing traps."
"I don't sense a trap now though." Ben said as he countered Dooku's own instincts, "I do sense tension. Not just from our own group. But from other people nearby."
"You sense other people?" Chrom asked, "Where?"
"I'm not sure if they are the enemy or not." Ben noted. Caution filled his voice, "But they are not here. I think there are two groups near the other two bridges."
"The north and south bridges then." Flavia pursed her lips, "That does not sound like an attacking force to me. An attacking force would have just taken all the area it could. Starting right here with this center square."
"So Ben senses either defenders or a very cunning Valm strategy." Robin furrowed his brow, "I side with Dooku. But the only way we will be able to counter the trap is to spring it."
"How do you propose we do that?" Chrom asked Robin.
Robin flicked his eyes to the north. Then over to the south.
"You said two groups, right Ben?"
Ben nodded.
"Then we split into two as well. Each group moves towards one position while Virion, Tharja, and Ricken keep watch in the center. If anything happens, we signal to them and they will bring reinforcements."
Chrom frowned, "I don't like the idea of both splitting up and springing a possible trap. We are stronger together."
"We're an easier target together." Ben replied, "And if the people I sense are defenders then they likely need our help. We will be able to mark their locations and send word to the rest of the army that it is clear to advance into the city. From there, we can strike back against the Valmese across the river."
Robin could still see hesitation in Chrom. To the tactician, Ben's plan sounded fine. He knew Chrom's trust in Ben was fragile. But Robin also felt that Chrom needed to put his own mistrust aside. They were comrades still. Allies in this new war. Neither one could afford to fight with the other against an enemy as vast and dangerous as the Valm Empire.
"Ben," Robin began. He pointed over at Flavia, "You, Flavia, Dooku, Gaius, and Panne go south. Myself, Chrom, Sully, Gregor, and Cordelia will go north. Signal to the center if anything is amiss."
Ben nodded. The Jedi turned on his heel and raced south with the others in tow. As they left the square, Robin glanced over at a nearby rooftop. He noticed a small part of Ricken's pointy hat sticking up from one of the rooftops.
Good, those three are in position. Robin nodded.
"Are you sure about this, Robin?" Chrom asked before the rest of the group turned north.
Robin sighed, "Not entirely, no. But I can't think of any better options at the moment. We will just have to be careful."
Chrom frowned, but nodded. If there was one person he did trust, it was Robin. The tactician had earned that much. Chrom waved his hand. Sully nodded and dashed ahead with Gregor. Cordelia stayed near Chrom and Robin as they moved up a cobblestone street. Lance at the ready in case any enemies decided to jump out at them.
Robin's muscles tenses as they moved deeper into the city. A bad feeling sat in his gut. He could not shake the sensation that they were being watched. Robin took a deep breath and shook his head briefly. His nerves were still getting the better of him.
When this is over, I'm going to need a drink.
Tharja pressed her lips into a thin line as she watched Ben and Robin's groups separate. Her eyes flicked over to Robin as she watched the brown haired tactician move north with Prince Chrom and the Shepherds. Her dark eyes then fell back towards Ben. She saw him for only a few moments before he too disappeared into the dark shadows that engulfed Port Ferox's narrow streets.
She did not want to be here. She wanted to remain by Ben's side through this battle. Wanted to watch his back and make sure no harm came to him. Yet here she was now, kneeling atop a flat rooftop.
The building had to be a shop of some sort with a small residence above the first floor. She did not know what rested inside of the shop. She, Virion, and Ricken scaled the side of the building thanks to a few stacked crates and a rickety step stool.
Tharja kept her eyes trained on the bridges that crossed the river. The fires on the barricades still burned. But they would only burn for so long. Sooner or later, the cold winds of Regna Ferox would put those fires out. And the barricades would be easier to break through.
Her fingers clenched the spine of her spell book. For a city under siege, it was much too quiet. Silence did not scare Tharja. Silence had been normal back at the Grimleal Temple. Silence had been a welcome luxury. But there was a difference between relaxing quiet, and eerie anticipation.
She heard Virion pluck his bow string as he lay back against a small wall that ran the perimeter of the roof. Thin, almost musical, sounds left the string as his finger flicked against it. Virion hummed and flicked his eyes over to Tharja.
"Don't worry so much." Virion muttered, "Ben is more than capable of taking care of himself."
Tharja snorted, "You don't have to remind me." Her mind wandered to that day in Plegia. The day Ben saved her life from a vicious sandstorm. He pushed himself past his own limits that day in order to save her life. She could still see how exhausted he was. How beaten his body had been. "But even Ben has his limits."
Virion arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Have you found those limits by engaging in rather arduous tasks, Miss Tharja?"
Tharja's face reddened ever so slightly. Off to the side, Ricken glanced over at Virion. The young mage shook his head and returned his gaze to the bridges. Virion had a world of pain coming to him if he kept prodding Tharja like that.
"Well that is surprising." Virion smirked, "No threats. Perhaps Ben's more friendly nature has rubbed off on you."
"She's taken to just hexing people outright instead of threatening." Ricken warned, causing Virion's smirk to run away from his face, "Just ask some of my classmates about that."
The dark snicker that left Tharja's lips confirmed what Ricken said. The archer swallowed quietly and plucked his taut bowstring once again. His jaw worked side to side as he rested against the stone wall.
"See anything?" He asked Tharja and Ricken.
The two mages shook their heads.
"That's rather disconcerting for some reason." Virion adjusted in his seat so that the roof was not so uncomfortable beneath him, "You'd think an invading force would be more proactive in their invasion."
Ricken nodded in agreement.
"Oh well, nothing us three can do about that." Virion shrugged, "It has been a few months since we last spoke, Ricken. How goes your academics?"
Ricken smiled a bit. The tension in his body eased as Virion opened up a conversation that had nothing to do with war or the Valm.
"Really well." Ricken grinned, "Tharja is an excellent teacher."
"That's right!" Virion replied, "I had forgotten about that. Tharja is now an instructor at the Mage Academy." He flashed a slight grin at Tharja, "How goes that endeavor?"
"The urchins are fine." Tharja muttered.
"Urchins?" Virion chuckled, "I hope she does not call you that, Ricken."
RIcken sighed, "Sadly she does." He noticed Tharja's dark eyes flick over to him. Ricken gulped, "Out of love, of course."
Virion chuckled some more, "You have that one well trained I see. Do you have Ben trained as well?
Tharja glared over at Virion. The archer smirked as he allowed his bow to rest in his lap.
"Don't take that as an offensive comment, Tharja." Virion said, "I am genuinely curious about you and Ben. I still consider Ben a good friend of mind after all. I sided with him in this little spat he is having with Chrom."
"It's a bit more than a spat." Ricken sighed.
Virion shook his head, "Nothing more than a small spat." Virion sighed, "This war will make Chrom change his mind. Ben is too much of a force on the battlefield for him to remain away from the Shepherds."
"That is if Ben even decides to come back." Tharja replied, her voice still very quiet, "He is a General in the Feroxi army now."
Virion bobbed his head, "General Kenobi does have a nice ring to it. Much better than Captain Kenobi. I would not begrudge him if he rejected an offer from Chrom to rejoin the Shepherds. Chrom poked his nose where it did not belong, in my opinion. And, while I'm not against poking noses places, there are much more courteous ways of going about it."
Ricken snorted, "You sound like Maribelle now."
"I have been counseling her for the past year and a half." Virion pointed out, "It is only natural that I picked up some of her thought patterns." Virion glanced over at Tharja, "And I notice you have taken on some of Ben's."
Tharja sighed as she leaned up against the stone wall.
But she could not form a rebuttal against him. In her heart, Tharja knew Virion was right. Her relationship with Ben had left its mark on her. Before she would have never agreed to teach students in the art of dark magic. She did not have the patience for such a thing. But Ben's enormous patience rubbed off on her. As did his enjoyment for the simpler things in life. Such as planting a garden, or cooking.
If someone would have told her two years ago that she would have fallen in love with someone like Ben Kenobi, she would have laughed. Then after laughing, she would have hexed that person into oblivion. A Dark Mage did not fall in love. Love was an emotion dark mages manipulated, not felt.
Yet she loved Ben. Cherished him. The one Shepherd that saw her good side before anyone else. The one that risked his own life to save her from a deadly sandstorm. He had earned her trust. In turn, she had earned his. Their memory walks sealed a bond between the two that would never be broken. They stared down Ben's past together. And she had a feeling they would face the future together as well.
"You have quite the stupid grin on your face right now." Virion chuckled.
Tharja felt a twinge of anger snap inside of her. Just as she began muttering a silencing hex, she paused. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she caught shadows dancing against the buildings on the other side of the river. Tharja's fingers quietly pried open the pages of her spell book. Ricken heard the paper crinkle in her hands.
His own gaze snapped over to where Tharja stared. His face paled as he noticed shadows moving through the darkness. Ricken swallowed hard.
"The enemy?" He asked.
"Definitely." Tharja scowled.
Virion sat upright and glanced over the stone wall he rested against. His own eyes narrowed as he saw the shadows moving in the firelight. His right hand reached for an arrow in his quiver.
"Do you see them yet?" He asked Tharja.
Tharja did not reply. She kept her attention solely focused on the movements across the river. After several more silent seconds, she saw them.
Her eyes widened. There had to be at least a hundred of them. Foot soldiers and archers. The front lines armed with massive shields and heavy lances. Just behind them, regular infantry marched. They wielded swords and lighter shields. The third row boasted archers. The pattern repeated endlessly into the western portion of the city.
"Tharja." Ricken whispered.
Tharja saw Ricken point over at the southern bridge. The Dark Mage's heart pounded in her chest. Even more Valm soldiers moved towards that bridge. The same pattern in their march.
"They are on North bridge as well." Virion muttered, "Naga above, how many did they land?"
"Enough." Tharja breathed, "Ricken, how comfortable are you with hexes?"
Ricken gulped, "He-hexes? Um… we've only studied the theory on those."
"The theory will have to do." Tharja said, "We need to use a hex that will put fear in the enemy."
Ricken paled, "You mean we aren't going to regroup with the others?"
"We don't have the time." Tharja said, "By the time we move, those soldiers will have crossed the bridges. And we cannot afford to give up the center."
"Tharja is correct." Virion nodded, "Surrender the center in this situation, and we surrender any maneuverability we currently possess."
"But it's just three of us against how many of them?" Ricken hissed nervously as he watched the enemy move closer to the center bridge.
Tharja inhaled, "We have to hold out." She opened her spell book and nodded at Ricken, "We need every advantage we can get. A terrified enemy is an easier enemy to fight." She stopped on a page with a large, black skull drawn on it. Runes littered the rest of the page, "Repeat after me. Follow my movements exactly."
"What are we doing exactly?" Ricken gulped as he opened his own spellbook and started channeling magic through it.
Tharja snickered, "We're going to put a shrieking death skull in the sky."
Ben's fingers tapped along the handle of his rapier as he and Flavia led the way through port Ferox's narrow, winding streets. The loud crackling of nearby fires echoed through the shadow filled alleys and silent streets. They were nearing the southern bridge now. They had not encountered anyone. No defenders, no Valm soldiers. Just fire and shadows.
Flavia grunted as she hefted her large blade onto her armored shoulder.
"I don't like this." She grumbled.
"Neither do I." Ben breathed.
Ben was tempted to send Gaius ahead of them. The thief knew how to sneak around a city. Even if his actual thieving days were mostly over, Ben still noticed how light his footfalls really were. If anyone could root out where the enemy hid, it was Gaius.
But Ben held back on that order. They had already split up once. They could not afford to split up again. Their numbers were too few. It would be better if Gaius stayed close. Ben could rely on Panne's heightened senses in this instance. He glanced back and saw her ears twitch a little bit as she detected sounds the rest of them could not.
Ben's gaze fell on Dooku. The elderly man had his eyes closed as they stopped walking. Already attempting to sense any life on the eastern side of the river. Ben furrowed his brow. Did his senses betray him? Was there really no one left in the eastern half of Port Ferox? If so, why were the Valmese not advancing?
Dooku's eyes snapped open, "Above, Kenobi!" He barked.
Ben's rapier rushed into hands as he sensed danger from above. Ben looked up and saw a blond haired, young man jump down from atop a building. Long, slender blade pointed down at Ben's head. Ben grit his teeth and sidestepped.
"Ha ha!" The young boy cried as he landed. Confidence burst forth from him even as his first strike missed Ben. The boy brushed a hand in front of his pale face, "My opponent appears much more artful than he ought to be. Hark, my allies! I shall fell this Valmese invader with my Sword of Justice. For my sword hand hungers with need. It desires the taste of battle!"
Ben quirked an eyebrow. The boy's speech seemed rather odd for his age. Before he could tell the boy he was not a Valmese soldier, the boy lunged at him. Ben sidestepped the point of his blade. With a deft flick of his wrist, Ben swatted the boy's blade away.
Before Ben could address the lad, Flavia's fist collided with the boy's jaw. As the boy spun, Dooku opened a palm and sent him flying into the side of a building with the force. The boy uttered an alarmed, pain filled cry as he slammed into the wooden frame of a house.
"Odin, you damn idiot!" A second voice cried out.
This time, a young woman appeared. She seemed to be about the same age as the blond boy. A few inches shorter than he was. And while his outfit seemed rather garish with it's bright yellow colors, the girl's outfit seemed very practical. A swordsman's outfit. Leather armor strapped over her torso. Leather bracers on her forearms. A large, iron pauldron on one shoulder that acted as a shield. The only striking thing about her appearance was her bright red hair that seemed remarkably similar in color to Cordelia's. Her youth filled face held an expression that was a mixture of anger, disgust, and annoyance all at once.
Flavia leveled her blade at the young woman as she emerged from the same building the boy, Odin, jumped from. The red haired girl stopped moving and folded her arms.
"Gawds, look what you've done now." She harrumphed as Odin shakily got to his feet, "Didn't you hear me when I said they don't look like Valmese soldiers?"
"But who else would trod upon these roads beyond our own hidden allies?" Odi asked the girl.
The girl rolled her eyes, "Would you please talk normal for once." She pinched the bridge of her nose as she seemingly forgot she had weapons pointed at her, "And the Valmese aren't on this side of the bridges, idiot. We would have known if they crossed. Their armor tends to make a lot of noise."
Flavia cleared her throat. Drawing both of the stranger's attention.
"What do you want?" The red haired girl asked grumpily.
Flavia grit her teeth, "Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"
"Do I look like I care." The girl shrugged, "All I know is that you are definitely not with Valm. So-"
"It's Khan Flavia!"
The girl's eyes widened as her pupils shrank to the size of pin pricks. Several rough looking men emerged from the same building the two strangers came from. These men did not look like soldiers. They wore no armor. Most wore loose clothing covered with rough, sewn on patches. A few held cutlasses. One shouldered an ax. But most wielded crude wooden clubs.
One of the rough men stepped forward. A large man with a portly belly and a thick, black beard over his dark face. His massive arms were easily as wide as Ben's head. An intimidating figure that gave even Flavia some pause.
"My Khan! We are glad to see you here." He bowed at the waist, "The name is Bo, I be the captain of a schooner called the Barbarian Maiden. Er- well, I was the captain. Then those damn Valmese ships arrived and torched everything."
Flavia glanced over at Captain Bo. Her sword slowly lowered to her side.
"A Feroxi Sea Captain eh? You've been helping defend the city?" Flavia asked.
"Aye!" The Captain nodded, "Me and me lads here. There was more of us. But… three days of dealing with those Valmese bastards have taken their toll." He nodded over at Odin and his red haired companion, "Those two whelps be helping us. Hell, the girl has quite the head on her shoulders for combat. As for the lad… he's alright I guess."
"Egads! I'd say I'm more than alright!" Odin cried before rubbing a growing welt on the side of his head.
"You won't be alright much longer if you don't shut up." The girl hissed.
"What about the garrison?" Flavia asked as Ben sheathed his weapon.
"Wiped out." Captain Bo replied, "All that be left is a few of us sailors that were in port. And we'd be damned if those Valmese took our city and torched our ships without a fight."
A few hoots and hollers rang out from the two dozen sailors behind him. As they hollered, the Captain's eyes moved past Flavia and landed on Ben, Dooku, Gaius, and Panne.
"I'll be damned! It's you lot again!"
Ben smirked. He had a feeling he recognized this captain.
"Not only are you a reliable sailor you are a loyal fighter." Ben chuckled as Captain Bo gripped his hand, "I am glad to see you in one piece."
"You and me both." Captain Bo chuckled heartily, "And now that Khan Flavia is here, we stand a chance. I assume you brought your army with you?"
Flavia nodded, "We did. They are waiting just outside the city. Khan Basilio is with them as well."
"Ha! The damn Valmese won't know what hit 'em!" He waved for the group to follow him inside, "Come, take shelter for now. We do not want any Valmese sentries to see you."
Flavia and Ben nodded then followed Captain Bo into what was once a magic shop. Gaius let out a low whistle as he took in the ransacked space. Shattered vials and bottles lay scattered across a few shelves. Various liquids soaked into the wooden floor beneath their feet. A few wounded men lay still on the ground. Small, pain filled groans escaped their lips every few moments as they lay curled over their injuries.
Ben could see Flavia's eyes blaze with anger when she saw the wounded sailors.
"How many did you start with?" She asked Captain Bo.
"Three dozen." Bo replied, "Lost ten already. Got several wounded. Any of you happen to be a healer?"
Ben shook his head. While he could use the Force to sooth the wounded sailor's pain, it would only be a temporary measure. He had never been very proficient in healing with the force. During his days as a padawan, he focused more on the combative aspects of the force. Much to his own mild regret. There was a great benefit to the more mystical aspects of the force. Benefits he only started to discover during the Clone Wars.
He watched as Flavia stepped to the side in order to continue speaking with Captain Bo. Meanwhile, Ben stooped over one of the wounded men. He inspected the poor sailor's wound. A nasty slash to his gut. Blood still poured from the wound. The bandages covering it were soaked red. Ben closed his eyes and sent a small pulse of the force into the man. His groaning stopped and his breathing evened out.
"I don't know why you did that." Dooku muttered as he watched Ben, "He is going to die. You and I both know that."
"There is no reason for him to die in agony." Ben whispered back. He turned his attention over to Panne and Gaius, "You two keep watch up above. Let us know if anything strange occurs."
Gaius nodded, "You got it, Benny." He waved for Panne to follow him up a flight of stairs that led to the building's second floor, "C'mon Whiskers."
The thief and taguel both marched up the stairs along with a pair of sailors. As they exited, Ben sighed and ran a hand over his face.
"Three dozen sailors have held out for three days against an entire Valmese invasion force."
Dooku nodded beside him, "Most impressive."
"Most improbable you mean." Ben looked around at the exhausted group of sailors, "The Valmese must not deem them worth the energy at the moment."
Dooku arched an eyebrow, "A rather bleak interpretation of events coming from you."
"A realistic interpretation of events." Ben replied.
Dooku smirked, "The Jedi Master is now dealing in realism. It is about time."
"Oh shut up already." Ben groaned.
As they spoke, the two youngest warriors in the shop walked towards Ben and Dooku. Odin continued rubbing a large welt on the side of his head. The result of his impact with a wall after Dooku launched him through the air. An embarrassed expression formed on his face as the red haired girl marched him over to Ben and Dooku.
"Tell them, Odin." The girl commanded, her own annoyance heavy in her voice.
Odin took a deep breath, "Forgive me good sirs. I had no idea you were potentially comrades when I dared to strike at you." He bowed low, "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am the mighty warrior, Odin."
The red haired girl opened her mouth to introduce herself as well, but Odin cut her off.
"This is my companion and fellow blade of justice, Venator."
Ben blinked. Dooku sighed and pinched his hand on the bridge of his nose. The girl, Venator, glared daggers at Odin.
"Yes." The red haired girl hissed through gritted teeth and a clenched jaw, "Venator. That… is my name."
"She is far mightier on the battlefield than I am."
Venator rolled her eyes, "Gawds…" She moved away, grumbling under her breath as she marched over to a corner to be alone.
Odin blinked as she marched away, "Excuse me, my good sirs. It appears my dearest comrade is upset with something."
Odin moved to follow Venator. As the two young adults moved away, Dooku glanced at Ben.
"Venator?" Dooku asked.
"I-" Ben sighed, his shoulders sagged, "I have no idea, Dooku."
"You haven't told anyone about that have you?"
"I've told Tharja." Ben muttered, "And Marth knows a little bit. But not enough to know what a Venator is."
Dooku folded his arms, "So, her name is simply a coincidence?"
"You and I both know there is no such thing as coincidences." Ben breathed.
"True. So that begs the question. Who talked?"
Ben glanced over at Dooku, "I trust both Tharja and Marth. They did not say a word." He narrowed his eyes at the older man, "Did you?"
"Donnel would have been the first to hear something if I did." Dooku pointed out, "So that leaves one other option."
Ben pursed his lips, "Someone else is here."
Dooku nodded, "I think caution is the prudent course of action in this instance. You are determined to keep these people in the dark, after all."
"And you are not?" Ben asked.
"I am determined to do what is best to prepare for you-know-who's arrival." Dooku snapped back. His voice low enough that only Ben could hear him, "You would be wise to do the same."
"Benny!" Gaius charged down the stairs. Face white with fear, "We've got a major problem."
Ben charged after Gaius as the thief shot back up the stairs. Dooku, Flavia, and Bo followed him up the stairs as well. When they reached the shop's roof, Ben's blood froze in his veins.
A loud shriek wailed through the night sky. Above the center square, ghostly jaw wide in a never ending scream, was a spectral skull. A haunting image that illuminated the night air. Ben gulped when he saw where the skull came from.
"Tharja." He breathed as panic seized him.
"Ah crap!" Bo exclaimed, "The enemy is crossing the bridges."
Ben did not wait a second longer. He dashed back down the stairs and sprinted out into the shadow filled streets. Tharja, Ricken, and Virion were alone. Facing off against a horde of Valmese soldiers crossing the center bridge.
He heard Dooku calling out to him as he rushed away. But he ignored the old man. Dooku and Flavia were more than capable of figuring out a way out of this mess. Right now, his only goal was to get to Tharja. Ben knew she was powerful. Her and Ricken combined could deal serious damage to the Valmese. But there was no way they could hold off a tide of enemy soldiers this massive. Not on their own.
His hand brushed against the lightsaber hilt clipped to his belt. There would be no time to call for help. No time to send for a messenger. Hopefully, Basilio saw Tharja's signal and started moving the rest of the army into the city. If he did not, then they would be on their own while someone rushed to alert the army.
Ben drew the hilt from his belt. If they were on their own, then he could not afford to hold back.
The blue blade thundered to life in his right hand. He could hear the Valmeses soldiers moving over the bridges now. Their marching feet hammered against the stone roads like drums. Their armor crashed like great cymbals. Hundreds of them would converge on Tharja.
Please let me get there in time!
Damp air hung thick in the cell. It mixed with the intense cold from outside. Creating a frozen wall of slick ice over the normal stone walls. Aversa curled her knees closer to her chest as she fought off the cold. Her body shivered as another shot of cold penetrated her skin. She could feel her skin crawling all over her as the ice clawed at her.
It had been months since she arrived at this cursed place. Months since she found her target. Months since she failed to kill her.
And the heretic refused to show her face. The only human contact Aversa had occurred when a lone, dark mage came bearing a small plate of food. Usually cold food. Very little meat. Some bread. If Aversa was lucky and her captors were in a pleasant mood, she received some slices of cheese. While not used to this kind of treatment, Aversa knew that her captors treated her far kinder than most. After all, she had visited the dungeons beneath the Grimleal Temple. She had seen the horrors that lay beneath the sandy streets. The fact that these former Grimleal mages even fed her showed that they wanted her alive.
But for what purpose? Why not just kill her now? She was an enemy. A powerful one too. Was the Heretic that confident in her own powers?
Aversa grit her teeth as she recalled her brief duel with the dark haired heretic. She only managed to land one blow on the woman. One! The Heretic toyed with her like a lion toyed with a mouse. Never worried. Smug grin and pure confidence in her own abilities. The Heretic remained that way until she learned Aversa's name.
That puzzled Aversa even more. The heretic's demeanor shifted drastically when Aversa said her name. The heretic went from wanting to kill Aversa, to simply knocking her unconscious and locking her up in this cursed cell. She did not even place chains on Aversa. She did take Aversa's spell book. The lone precaution beyond the iron bars and frozen walls that now surrounded Aversa. That had been her home for months now.
King Validar likely assumed her to be dead. The Hierophant as well. They fully intended for her to die on this mission. Aversa did not delude herself. They viewed her failure during the Ylisse-Plegia war to be catastrophic. Worthy of death. They just wanted to use her one last time before dealing the killing stroke. As she languished in this cell, Aversa realized there was no redeeming herself in the eyes of Validar and the Hierophant. No matter how well her mission went, she would die.
Perhaps I should consider myself lucky that I am even alive right now. Aversa thought with no small amount of disgust.
She heard the creak of the iron door outside her cell open. Footsteps clacked against the icy floor. The captured sorceress expected to see the same dark mage coming to deliver her food for the day.
She did not expect the Heretic to finally show her cowardly face.
Aversa grit her teeth behind her lips as the woman stooped beneath the small doorway to her cell.
By Grima, she despised this heretic. Even just looking at her made Aversa's blood boil. First she decided not to end her life. Then the Heretic decided she was not even worth the time to visit. And only now, after Aversa's own resolve felt shaken, did she finally dare to come face her.
The Heretic's green eyes saddened.
"That is quite the look you are giving me." She said, voice quiet. A far cry from the powerful fury she held during her duel with Aversa.
Aversa glared hatefully back at her. She said nothing in reply.
The Heretic let out a heavy breath.
"I am sorry I did not come sooner." Aversa eyed the woman as she spoke. She was apologizing? Why? "There were some rather… important matters that I had to attend to. That and I could not be sure if Validar was watching you or not. I needed to wait until I felt he gave up on any sort of scrying he might try."
Aversa scoffed, "Validar scrying me. That is funny."
The woman narrowed her eyes in confusion, "Is that so? I thought a father would always want to keep tabs on his daughter?"
Aversa grit her teeth. Validar, the closest thing she had to a father, sent her to her death. Why would he want to keep an eye on her?
The Heretic moved towards the wall and pressed a hand against the frozen surface. Steam hissed from the place her hand pressed against. The ice melted from her touch. Aversa blinked. Awe filled her as the ice all around Aversa melted away. The room warmed to a much more comfortable temperature. The Heretic uttered a satisfied sigh.
"Much better." She let her hand fall to her side, "I've lived in this place for years, but I will never get used to the damn cold. I still don't know how the Feroxi manage to survive this insanity." She took a deep breath, "Then again, they probably think the same about us Plegians and our love for the desert."
Aversa watched the heretic carefully.
"I'm surprised Validar never taught you that simple trick." The Heretic muttered as she noticed the stunned look on Aversa's face, "Then again, he has allowed the Grimleal to become nothing more than a cult under his leadership. Cattle waiting to be slaughtered."
"Of course the heretic would say that." Aversa hissed, "It was Grima's will that Vlaidar lead us. Your very words deny his will."
"Grima's will…" The heretic uttered a light chuckle, "Grima is nothing more than an overgrown abomination. What divine authority does he hold? We scoff at the followers of Naga for doing the same thing we are guilty of ourselves." The Heretic smirked as Aversa's face twisted in fury, "He made you rather devout didn't he? So, why would he send such a devout follower to face me?"
"He trusted me to end your life." Aversa argued back. But she lacked conviction. Her argument designed to convince herself rather than to convince the Heretic. She still believed Validar wanted her alive. Wanted her to succeed. Why else would he trust her with such an important mission?
Except Validar was not the one to give her this mission. The Hierophant assigned her this task. The Hierophant held no feelings for her. Saw her as nothing more than a worm for him to torment. A tool to be used. Then once her usefulness had been spent, discarded.
The Heretic's emerald eyes focused on Aversa.
"Validar did not send you on this mission, did he?" She snorted, "He knows better than to send just one mage after me. Especially one of your middling abilities." Aversa could feel her pride sting at being called mediocre. But compared to this witch, she was nothing more than an ant trying to stand before a giant, "If he really wanted me dead, he would have come himself. So, he has either gotten lazy, stupid, or he still doesn't think I'm really alive. Validar is many things, but lazy and stupid are not among his qualities." The Heretic knelt in front of Aversa, "So who sent you?"
Aversa averted her gaze. She would not give the Heretic an answer.
"Aversa." The Heretic's voice softened significantly as her name rolled from her lips, "Please, tell me what your father is planning?"
"Why should I say a damn thing to you?" Aversa spat back, "Heretic!"
The woman appeared rather hurt by her furious tone. She drew back a little bit and shook her head.
"You have no idea who I am do you?"
"Why should I care who you are? You are going to die. By my hand or by another's, your life will end. And I will smile when it does."
"Is that any way to speak to your own mother, Aversa?"
Aversa blinked.
Memories flashed through her mind. Memories of a young woman. One with dark brown hair and a bright smile. Memories that had been locked away for many years. Aversa felt something snap in her mind. Rage filled her.
"You dare to name yourself my mother!" Aversa growled, "My mother is dead. She-"
"Died of a fever in her sleep?" The Heretic breathed, "Buried in an elaborate ceremony where the entire Temple mourned the passing of their High Priestess? I'm sure Validar made an elaborate show of it all." She sighed, "To be fair though, he did come rather close to killing me. But he never managed to. I was always one step ahead of him."
Aversa glared hatefully at the woman.
"Yes," The Heretic nodded, "My name is Morgana. Former High Priestess of the Grimleal. Once loving wife to a prominent warlock by the name of Validar." She smirked, "Mother to two children. An adopted daughter. And a son that was my own flesh and blood. But both I cherished more than life itself."
She reached out and brushed her fingers along Aversa's cheeks.
"I am so sorry I could not get you free from him as well."
Aversa swatted Morgana's hand away.
"I don't believe you." Aversa sneered.
Morgana drew her hand back. Pain washed over her face for a brief moment.
"You-" Morgan took a shaky breath, "You can believe what you wish. But, that does not change what is true." She gave Aversa a pleading look, "Aversa, I am trying to help you. Let me do that. Let me try to make up for the years I was not with you."
Aversa eyes blazed.
"Tell me who wanted you to die so badly that they sent you to kill me."
She guessed the motive behind Aversa's mission. A motive that Aversa wanted to deny, but knew to be true. She was sent to die by the Heretic's hands. The Hierophant knew how powerful the Heretic was. Knew that Aversa could never match her in magical skill and power. This was the punishment he designed for her.
Why should she remain loyal to him?
Morgana rose to her feet as she expected Aversa not to answer.
"I will come back and speak to you tomorrow. Perhaps we shall share a meal. Feroxi tea is lovely. I'll bring you a cup."
Morgana turned her back.
"A Hierophant." Aversa finally said.
Morgana froze.
"What?"
"A Hierophant sent me. Validar no longer leads the Grimleal. He is now King of Plegia. A Hierophant commands the Grimleal." Aversa saw a fear filled look wash over Morgana's face as the older woman looked back at her, "And it appears father answers to him."
Morgana's face paled.
"Are you certain of this?"
"I gave you an answer." Aversa grumbled as she rested back against the now warm walls of her cell, "Now leave me."
I need time to think.
Morgana stayed rooted in the door to Aversa's cell for a moment. Without another word, she marched out. The cell door clanked shut behind her.
Morgana caught her breath as she exited the dungeon. One of the dark mages guarding the entry to the dungeon gave her a concerned look.
"Lady Morgana?"
"I am fine." Morgana straightened upright, "Make sure she is given a proper meal within the next hour or so. If her cell grows cold again, inform me."
"Yes, milady."
Morgan nodded and marched away from the dungeons. She quickly ascended a flight of stairs until she reached the main room where the machine was being built. Her eyes followed small bolts of lightning as her dark mages tested the minor power systems. Normally, she would have assisted in the testing. But her mind was distracted.
A Hierophant ruled the Order. Commanded Validar. Only one being in existence could hold that much power over her husband.
Grima is here. Morgana's heart thumped in her chest, We are running out of time.
And chapter! I apologize for the wait everyone! The past week has been exhausting for life reasons, so I needed to take a few days to just rest. But now I'm good to go and this chapter is finally done!
The Battle for Port Ferox is about to begin. And our heroes face some daunting odds. We also meet two new characters, Odin and Venator (Are those their names or are they hiding their real identities? Hm… I wonder…).
And to the far north of Regna Ferox, Aversa confronts Lady Morgana once again. And Morgana now knows about the Hierophant. It will be interesting to see what she plans to do next.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!