The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 87
A Hard Lesson
Noire cradled the hilt in her hands. Her fingertips brushed against the smooth metal alloys that comprised the outer shell. A thin carapace that made the hilt easy to grip. Her thumb brushed along several small ridges that allowed her hand to have a sure grip on the weapon. Yes, this was absolutely her father's lightsaber. Practical and hardy. Not flashy in the slightest. Function over flair.
One hand reached up from the lightsaber hilt. Her fingers brushed against the intricately carved talisman around her neck. A burst of confidence shot through her veins. A smile formed on her lips.
That smile wavered a little as the azure blade burst to life. It filled the early morning air. Casting a blue glow over the dimly lit clearing outside of the cave. Washing her pale face with sapphire light that felt strikingly hot in the cool air.
Noire gulped as her eyes focused on the humming weapon in front of her. Both of her hands held the hilt tight. Her knuckles white with nervousness. Her chest rose and fell in heavy breaths as a thought suddenly hit her.
She had no idea what she was doing.
This was stupid. So stupid!
Noire shook her head. With a trembling hand, she reached for her talisman again. Artificial confidence burgeoned inside of her. A confident smile spread over her lips. No, this was not a mistake. This was not stupid. She could do this. The blood of a Jedi Master flowed through her veins.
She took a deep breath and raised the blade over her head.
"Do that and you are going to hurt yourself."
She let out a startled yelp. The lightsaber thundered down and slashed into the ground near her feet. Noire cried out and skipped a few steps back before tripping over a fallen tree limb. She landed in a heap. Her body sank a little a bit in the soggy grass and mud. Somehow she still managed to have her back poked by a large rock.
Luke stooped over her.
"See?" He said with a smug grin.
She scowled at him. The blue blade hummed near his gut.
"Did you forget that I have this thing on?"
Luke smirked at her.
"I'm aware."
Noire gasped as the lightsaber suddenly powered down
"And I can do that with a snap of my fingers." Luke said before taking a step back, allowing Noire to pick herself up from the mud.
"How-you-" Noire's gaze blazed at him, "How did you do that? No!" She clenched her teeth, "I shouldn't be asking you anything." She finished with a mutter.
Luke arched an eyebrow, "Done talking to yourself?" He folded his arms as she gave him a dark glance, "If you can't use the force, you can't use a lightsaber."
Noire scoffed, "I-I can use the force."
Luke gave her a doubtful look. Noire gulped as three large stones floated from near the cave over to the space between them. Luke did not even move a muscle. They just floated. Without him even breaking a sweat.
The stones sank into the soft earth near Noire's feet.
"You need a better grasp of the force in order to properly wield that weapon. That is why I did not want to give it to you." Noire scowled at Luke as he spoke, "The Force gives you the spatial awareness to know where that weapon is at all times. Not only that, it allows you to focus on your enemy and not on your own blade." He gestured to the deactivated hilt, "It can also create a protective shield that'll keep someone like me from shutting it off."
"And?" Noire said dismissively.
Luke raised his brow, "Alright, you think my advice is worthless then?"
"Well advice from a worthless traitor would be rather worthless."
She felt a small flash of triumph as his smug grin ran away. That barb hurt. She could tell. The confidence generated from her talisman continued to reverberate through her body. And it made this conversation rather fun. It was not often that she left Luke speechless.
Her triumph turned to terror as a second blue glow filled the clearing. The other version of her father's old weapon ignited in Luke's right hand. His eyes blazed bright. A wave of cold slammed into her. Any confidence she had evaporated away in an instant.
He lunged. Noire scrambled backwards, tripping over the same tree limb from before. She did not even have time to register she had fallen into the mud before Luke pounced.
Noire yelped and rolled away from a deadly slash at her chest. The mud sizzled and the grass smoked as the plasma blade dug into the ground. Noire rolled to her feet and activated her lightsaber. She gulped and held the blade clumsily out in front of her.
He did not hesitate. Luke swung a devastating chop at her throat. Noire managed to raise her weapon to meet it. She expected the blades to meet and freeze together. Instead, she found herself reeling backwards from the sheer force behind Luke's strike.
"You think just because the blade isn't made of metal it would be different?" Luke snarled as he twirled his own weapon.
Noire suddenly felt the weight of her weapon. The longer she held it, the longer it was activated, the heavier it felt. The hotter it felt. Noire felt sweat beading along her brow as Luke stalked towards her.
"You cannot just let your opponent bash into your blade." He reared back, "Meet their attacks."
Noire screamed and ducked beneath a savage slash. She stumbled as she tried to move around Luke. But he was too quick. Immeadiately, he was on top of her again.
Her scream alerted the others still sleeping in the cave. Cynthia emerged first. Her eyes sleepy at first. Until she noticed the glow of lightsabers in front of her. Then she was wide awake.
"Whoa whoa! Luke!" Cynthia cried.
Say'ri sprinted out of the cave. One hand wrapped around the hilt of her katana. Her eyes widened in shock and anger as she watched Luke stalk towards a clearly terrified Noire.
"Luke! What is the meaning of this!?"
Brady flew out of the cave. Ax brandished.
"Imma kill him!"
Luke flicked his wrist. Brady flew through the air and slammed into the cave wall. The priest slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Cynthia gaped at Brady.
"Luke! What are you-"
"Teaching." He growled.
He raised his blade overhead and brought it thundering down on Noire. Noire raised a weak parry. The blow sent her to a knee. Her arms buzzed from the impact.
A fist smashed into her jaw. Stars danced in her eyes. Her lightsaber flew from her grip and landed harmlessly in the mud nearby. The blade switched off as soon as it left her hand.
Noire's lungs heaved as she stared up at Luke. Terror filled her as she gazed up into the eyes of a Sith Lord.
She heard metal scraping in the background. Say'ri drew her katana.
"Back away!" The Chon'sin Princess barked.
Luke glared at her. Say'ri gulped, but did not back down.
The Sith Lord took a breath. His lightsaber deactivated with a low hiss. The chill in the air faded away. Replaced with the suffocating humidity of Chon'sin's rainy season.
"So," He looked down at Noire. The girl on the verge of tears, "Do you think my advice is worthless now?"
She scrambled to her feet, grabbed her lightsaber, and sprinted away into the forest.
"Noire!" Say'ri called.
The Princess sheathed her weapon and raced to follow her.
"Don't bother. This lesson needs to sink in." Luke grumbled as she moved past him.
Say'ri paused, "Some days, I think you might be a good person." She glared angrily at him, "This is not one of those days."
Say'ri marched after Noire.
"We'll keep an eye on Kage!" Cynthia shouted after her. Brady groaned nearby as he started to wake up, "And Brady."
"My head…" The priest groaned.
Luke shook his head, "Call my advice worthless again." He grumbled before moving towards Cynthia.
Cynthia placed her hands on her hips, stopping Luke in his tracks. Luke let out a heavy sigh and clipped his lightsaber to his belt.
"I was proving a point."
"You were being an ass." Cynthia replied.
Kage grit his teeth, "And if you did not give that weapon back to her, I would not have had to prove that point." He brushed by her.
Cynthia blinked, "So this is my fault!?"
Brady rubbed the back of his head as he sat up from the cave wall. He glared angrily at Luke.
"Going to try and kill me again?" Luke asked the disgruntled priest.
Brady grit his teeth, "One day…"
"Yeah right." Luke marched, "The day you do that will be the day Naga appears to us in person."
"Excuse me, but we're not done yet!" Cynthia snapped as she marched after Luke.
Brady sucked in a sharp breath as the furious Pegasus Knight stepped past him. Brady flicked his gaze over to the now awake Prince Kage. The little prince walked over to him, one hand rubbing a sleepy eye.
"Wanna go for a walk, kid?" Brady asked.
"Are they going to sing?" Kage asked.
Brady's face flushed dark red, "Well uh… you see um…" he took Kage by the hand and guided him out of the cave, "Singing usually happens when two people are actually happy with each other."
As they walked away from the cave, Luke took a seat beside the dying embers of last night's fire. He tossed a fresh log onto the embers and shot a quick bolt of lightning at the dry tinder. They sparked and crackled as the fire burst back to life.
"Want do you want to eat?" He asked Cynthia as she came tearing after him.
"Oh no, you are not dodging this." Cynthia frowned.
Luke hung his head and let out a heavy sigh, "I was not wrong in my assessment."
"Maybe." Cynthia folded her arms, "but you weren't really nice about it."
Luke rolled his eyes, "I'm trying to teach her, not coddle her." He reached for his travel gear and opened his pack. Searching for something simple to cook over their fire, "Beans and bacon sound good?"
"Mmm... bacon." Cynthia hummed. She shook her head, "Wait, stop! You are trying to bribe me!"
"Not at all. I'm trying to cook you breakfast."
Cynthia sat down beside him. Arms still folded. Frown still on her face.
"I'm still mad at you."
"Doing a great job of showing it." Luke drawled as he yanked a skillet out of their supply bags, "Wish I had some rice." He muttered.
"You know Noire does not want to learn from you." Cynthia pointed out.
"She does not have a choice." Luke muttered as he laid slices of bacon on the skillet. He grabbed a stick and poked at the fire before setting the skillet down on top of it, "If she wants to learn how to use that weapon so badly, she will need me to teach her. I don't like this arrangement either. But…" He paused, "But war with Grima is on the horizon. We both know that. And if Noire can achieve her own potential in the force, that will be one more strong piece on our side."
"Noire is plenty strong already." Cynthia pointed out, "Or do I need to remind you how she saved both of our lives?"
"You don't have to remind me." Luke sighed, "But imagine her strength if she would only listen and learn."
Cynthia frowned, "Why do you have to be the one to teach her? I mean… we both know the Shepherds have to arrive here to fight the Valmese."
"With how much the timeline has changed because of us, I would not get my hopes up. Nothing is certain anymore Cynthia. The future is beyond both our sight and control." He used a set of tongs to flip the bacon over. The grease sizzled and popped as he worked, "For all we know, the war does not happen here in Valm, but goes to Archanea instead."
Cynthia paled, "You-you don't think that will happen, do you?"
Luke looked over at the worried girl, "I hope not. The sooner Ben Kenobi can teach his daughter, the better. Force knows he should have done it before all of this." He shook his head, "That man always manages to make my life miserable. One way or another."
"I think you do a pretty good job of doing that to yourself." Cynthia said.
Luke froze mid bacon flip. He gave her a surprised look.
"What?" Cynthia shrugged, "I'm capable of a good insult every now and then."
Luke shook his head and chuckled, "Maybe you are right." He leaned back in his seat, "Hopefully she won't have to learn much from me at all."
"And if you do," Cynthia inched closer to him. One hand ran along his arm, "Promise to be nicer next time."
She gave him a pleading look and puffed her chest out a little bit.
"That's not going to work." Luke gulped.
"Really?" Cynthia asked, voice quiet and low.
"Really." Luke swallowed hard as one buckle on her armor came loose. He tugged at his collar, "So um… Kage thinks when we are alone, we sing?"
Cynthia laughed lightly before taking a seat in his lap. She kissed him deep.
"You do have an impressive high note." She breathed with a light chuckle, "Be nice?"
Luke gulped, "F-fine."
"And apologize?"
Luke frowned, "What do I have to-"
His eyes widened as her hands went low.
"I do owe Noire an apology." He hissed.
"That's what I thought."
It had been years since Noire felt fear like that. Not since Grima's first siege of Ylisstol did she feel that level of fear. But that fear felt different than the one Luke instilled in her. The fear of Grima was much more existential. Grima, the Fell Dragon, practically a god of death and destruction. It seemed almost natural to fear something like that.
Fearing Luke felt much more… terrifying. She knew him growing up. Knew that the cyclone of power and violence she experienced was not the boy she grew up with. Everything about him changed under Maul's tutelage. And the scariest thing for her, was that she felt he was right.
She was weak. Helpless with the force and with a lightsaber. He proved that point rather effectively. She did not even muster single counter attack against him. Could not muster one. How could she? She did not stand a chance against him.
Noire stopped running. Her boots were caked in thick mud from the forest trail. Brow covered in sweat from the humid morning air. She rested her hands on her knees and sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. Her right hand reached up to her talisman. The comforting confidence bestowed upon her by her Mother's magic flooded her veins. Negating any fear she felt for a short while.
She swallowed hard and stood back upright. A quick look around her, and she knew she was lost. This trail seemed unfamiliar. She could not see the cave from here. Noire huffed.
"Great." She muttered, "Just great. Fear made you look like an idiot. And fear got you lost." She smacked the pommel of her lightsaber against the side of her head, "Damn idiot."
Noire slumped against a tree and sank down into the soft earth. Her head hung near her knees as she took several more deep breaths. The confidence given to her by her talisman faded away rapidly. And the fear took over again.
Those eyes. Yellow. Like a blazing fire. Furious and powerful. Unsettling to look at. Even through the glow of a lightsaber, she did not mistake how bright they burned. He relished in her fear. Enjoyed it. Loved making her feel terrified of him.
Maybe it was Luke's own twisted way of getting back at her father? She sighed. Perhaps. But then, why did he not just kill her? That would accomplish much more in that regard
Because he was trying to prove a point. And in the end he was right. Noire grit her teeth and smacked her palm against the tree behind her, "I hate it when he is right!"
"Noire!"
The young archer raised her gaze and saw Say'ri chasing after her. Noire gave the Princess a weak wave of her hand. Say'ri slowed her pace as she neared Noire.
The Princess glanced around, "You are hard to catch up to."
Noire shook her head, "I should not have run so far but I-"
"Was afraid?" Say'ri rested her hand on her katana's hilt, "So was I." She worked her jaw back and forth, "I still have a hard time comprehending that Luke is somehow my little brother."
Noire snorted, "Well… he is. Nothing we can do about that." She massaged the back of her neck, "If he wanted to kill me, he would have."
"True. But he was still an ass." Say'ri remarked as she took a seat beside Noire, "A teacher isn't supposed to make a student fear for their life. Clearly he has learned nothing of substance from Yen'fay. If he had, he would not be acting the way he is."
Noire gave her a small nod of agreement, "If he thinks I will learn anything from him, he is sorely mistaken. Not after everything that has happened. Not after what he and Maul did."
Say'ri pursed her lips.
"What?" Noire asked, somewhat deflated.
Say'ri stared hard at the younger girl, "You know war with Grima is coming. We don't know when or where, but it is coming." Say'ri let out a heavy sigh, "As much as I despise his actions, his point is not wrong. We need all the power we can get on our side. And as long as you are here in Valm, the only person that can possibly teach you the force is Luke."
Noire shook her head, "No. I refuse."
"Noire…"
"No! You don't get it!" Noire jumped to her feet, "Have you ever had someone you trusted betray you like he betrayed us? When Maul and Luke left, my father was the only person standing against Grima. But he could not fight Grima alone." Noire swallowed hard, "Before going through the portal, I saw him close the palace doors behind him. I saw him walk out to face Grima alone. To face his horde alone. That would not have happened if Luke and Maul did not betray us!"
Say'ri furrowed her brow, "Contrary to what you believe, I know exactly how you feel. After all," She took a deep breath. Trying to maintain her own composure, "Yen'fay did nothing when the Conqueror killed our parents and nearly put our land to the sword."
Noire's eyes widened.
"Did you see me throw a fit and refuse to work with him?" Say'ri asked, "Did I want to leave at first? Yes, I did. But then Kage came along. Then responsibilities came along. And at some point, you need to set aside hatred and pride and realize that duty comes first." Say'ri took a deep breath, "You know what your duty is. You came through that portal to fulfill it. You came through that portal to defeat Grima. You cannot do that without learning the force." Say'ri rose to her feet and drew both of her swords. One was shorter than the other. She glanced at the two blades then held the longer one out to Noire, "That should be about the same length."
Noire blinked, "Wh-what?"
"You may have to learn the force from Luke. But you do not need to learn how to fight from him." Say'ri lowered her gaze, "I will teach you to fight with a blade if you promise to at least listen to Luke. And I will also help Cynthia keep that bastard in line. Trust me, he does not want to test my patience."
Noire hesitated as she stared at the katana held out to her.
"It's not just how I feel about Luke though." Noire fidgeted with her hands, "You have to understand, the area of the force he uses is very different than my father's. And… I grew up learning that the dark side of the force was evil and corrupting. I don't want to expose myself to that philosophy."
"Then at least learn the basics. They both seem relatively the same." Say'ri suggested.
Noire gulped, "I don't even think I'd be that good."
Say'ri rolled her eyes, "Now you are searching for an excuse. Take the damn sword. When we both get back to the cave, I will talk with Luke and make sure he understands that he was out of line. But you need to put forth effort as well. Got it?" Say'ri shrugged, "Besides, how can you not be good at that strange magic? Your father is currently the most powerful user of it in the world, right?"
Noire bobbed her head, "Depends on how pissed Luke is at any given moment." Say'ri gave Noire a surprised look, "Luke has far more raw power than my father. That much I felt during our brief little clash."
Say'ri seemed taken aback, "Really?"
Noire nodded, "Yup. That is also the difference between Luke's power and my father's. Luke is very… negative emotions. And my father is-"
"Positive?"
"Emotionless to be more precise." Noire sighed, "Not something I am very keen to emulate."
Say'ri shook her head, "We will figure that out when we get there. For now, I want to take measure of your skills."
Noire gave Say'ri an uncertain look.
"Well?" Say'ri asked, "Are you going to take the sword? Or am I going to have to shove it into your hands?"
Noire gulped and took the longer katana. The weight surprised the archer. She held it low as she tried to adjust to the shape of the blade and the handle.
"It feels very different." Noire muttered.
"But the principle seems the same." Say'ri countered, "I've seen Luke incorporate traditional martial arts into his fighting style. I am sure you can do the same. But, seeing as how you can't use the lightsaber yet, you will have learn the old fashioned way."
Say'ri gripped her weapon with two hands and readied herself.
"Ready?" She asked Noire.
Noire gulped, brushed her fingers against her talisman, then nodded.
"Then strike." Say'ri ordered.
Noire gripped her blade with both hands, raised it over her head, and brought a heavy slash down at Say'ri. Instead of parrying the strike. Say'ri stepped back. Avoiding the attack entirely.
Noire raised her weapon to hack at her again. This time, Say'ri slid forward through the soft earth. Right underneath Noire's raised blade. The tip of Say'ri's weapon hovered beneath Noire's chin.
"No." Say'ri scolded, "You must be fluid. One movement needs to lead into the next. Keep me backpedaling."
Say'ri backed up. Noire reset her feet.
"Again." Say'ri nodded.
Noire took a deep breath and attacked. She slashed down at Say'ri. This time, Say'ri sidestepped the attack. Noire followed up with a sideways slash. Say'ri ducked beneath the slash and surged forward. She slammed the pommel of her blade into Noire's gut.
The wind left Noire's lungs. Noire gasped and fell flat on her back.
Say'ri stood over her as Noire struggled to catch her breath.
"Better. But you were slow."
Noire rolled her eyes, "This is learning the old fashioned way? You beating me up?"
Say'ri smirked, "Every mistake holds a lesson in it."
She stepped away from Noire. Noire picked herself up from the dirt and rolled her shoulders.
"Now," Say'ri breathed, "How will you respond if I do this?"
Say'ri lunged at Noire. Thrusting her blade at the archer's chest. Noire yelped and tried to hop back. As she backpedaled, Say'ri slid closer and smacked the hilt of her weapon against Noire's jaw.
And Noire hit the ground again.
"Don't back up like that. Not unless you have a very good counter in mind. Once you are on your heels, you will stay there." Say'ri frowned as Noire rubbed the growing bruise on her jaw, "Sidestep, hop back, stay on your toes. Counter when you can."
Say'ri twirled her weapon, "Come on, get up."
Noire propped herself up onto her elbows. Just as she was about to get up to her feet, a low whistle sounded from a nearby tree.
Say'ri spun to face that direction. Noire followed her lead.
A tall, heavily armored man with wild, blue hair emerged from the brush. A thick strip of scarlet cloth pulled his massive mane out of his face. An exquisite steel blade rested in one hand. He moved with power and silence. A rare combination that set Say'ri on edge immediately.
"Gotta say, not bad. Not bad at all." The man smirked. He nodded at Noire, "You know, you should really listen to her. She knows what she is talking about."
Say'ri furrowed her brow, "Who are you?"
The mysterious rogue blinked, "Oh me. Well um, my name is Priam. And unfortunately, that is about as friendly as things are going to get between us. For now at least."
Say'ri tightened her grip on her katana, "Care to explain? Or do I have to cut you to ribbons right away?"
Priam threw his head back and laughed, "I'd love to see that challenge through, your majesty." Say'ri's face paled. He knew who she was. Which meant one thing. He had to be one of Excellus's lackeys. "I'm all for a good fight. But unfortunately, me and the boys have been hired to just grab you. So…"
Noire and Say'ri jumped back as a dozen more men emerged from the thick foliage around them. Each one heavily armed and armored. Most of them were swordsmen. Say'ri noticed two archers perched in the branches above Priam. She held her katana close and glanced at Noire.
"Your bow is back at the cave?" Say'ri whispered.
"I didn't exactly have time to grab it before Luke decided to be an asshole." Noire hissed back.
Priam's friendly smirk did not falter as both women readied themselves for a fight. Say'ri held her blade with expert ease. Eyes narrowed and focused on the closest mercenary. Noire gripped her own blade with novice nervousness. She appeared clumsy and uncertain. Eyes flicking back and forth between different approaching targets.
"So," Priam raised his own sword, "it's gonna be a fight then? Fine." He shrugged, "Step back boys. I'll take care of this."
Say'ri blinked in surprise. Priam wanted to fight her and Noire alone? Noire may be a novice with a sword, but she had the Force on her side. Surely that gave her at least a small leg up in this instance. And Say'ri herself was no slouch with a sword. She had been training with the weapon since she could hold one. Yet Priam so casually challenged them both.
He's dangerous. Say'ri observed.
He stood a few paces away. Guard low. A casual, relaxed stance. A small, excited smile on his lips.
"Let's see if the tales of your skill are true, Princess Say'ri."
He dashed forward. Noire gasped and took a step back. Surprised by the armored man's speed. Say'ri stepped in front of her and parried a slash from Priam.
Metal rang. Her arms vibrated. Say'ri's eyes widened in shock as she saw her katana chip where Priam's blade hit her own.
What the hell!?
Noire recovered her wits and lunged forward. Priam grinned and sidestepped her thrust. Noire stumbled forward. Right into Priam's knee. The air rushed out of her lungs as she fell to her knees. Her sword sank into the soil by her side as she doubled over, gasping for air.
Before Priam could finish her, Say'ri attacked. Priam lazily parried one of her slashes then went on the offensive again. Say'ri's arms buckled for a devastating chop towards her right side. She stumbled to the side and just managed to parry another slash.
"Gotta say, Princess, you aren't half bad at all." Priam said as he paused in his assault. He took a deep breath of the mountain air. Then with all of his might, he slashed down at Say'ri. Say'ri ducked to the side and slashed out at him as fast as she could.
But he was faster. Priam yanked his weapon free from the dirt and swung hard to meet Say'ri's katana. When the blades met, a loud crash reverberated through the air.
All of the weight in Say'ri's blade disappeared. She stared dumbstruck as her weapon shattered into hundreds of steel shards.
"Unfortunately, you don't have the best weapon." Priam said.
Noire recovered. The archer pushed herself up to her feet and charged at Priam's back. She raised her sword over her head. Aiming to try and cleave the armored man in two. Priam smirked at Say'ri, and stepped to the side at the last second.
Say'ri cried out as Noire collided into her. The pair ended up tangled in the dirt.
"Is this her first lesson?" Priam asked as Noire winced and Say'ri coughed, "If it is, it would explain the amateurish tendencies." He waved his hand at Noire as she pulled herself off of Say'ri, "Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere, right?"
Noire swallowed hard, "Should I?" She asked Say'ri.
Say'ri's eyes darted to the hilt on Noire's hip. She opened her mouth to speak, then felt panic surge inside of her.
"Watch out!"
She shoved Noire away. Priam's weapon sank into the earth where she had been.
"Here's my first lesson to you." Priam said as Noire scrambled to her feet, "Never take your attention away from your opponent." He flicked his blade so that the tip rested beneath Say'ri's chin, "And never give your opponent the advantage."
Say'ri swallowed hard. The cold steel made goosebumps form on her skin. She did her best to maintain her own steely composure. She did not want to give this scoundrel the satisfaction of seeing her panic.
"I suggest dropping your weapon and coming quietly." Priam told Noire.
"Why?" Noire asked as one hand reached up to her talisman, "You-you, you'll only kill us. Or worse, you'll deliver us to the Conqueror."
Priam arched an eyebrow, "Take you to Walhart? Nah, nope." He shook his head, "Walhart didn't hire me. His… what do you call a particularly repugnant man again?" He glanced down at Say'ri as he spoke.
"Worm." She snarled back.
"Excellus, that's the name." Priam nodded, "The fat one hired me. Said something about needing you alive. But he also wanted someone else other than you, Princess, and your little brother. He wanted a bodyguard of yours." He smiled, "Some guy named Luke." He chuckled a little bit, "And I gotta say, his reputation precedes itself. I am actually excited to meet him."
"What makes you think he is with us?" Say'ri snarled back.
Priam shrugged, "Lucky guess? Besides, I don't think General Yen'fay would send his only family away with just any old guards. He would want the best looking out for you and Prince Kage. And from what I have heard, there is no more fearsome warrior in all of Chon'sin than the black robed swordsman, Luke."
"Aren't you going to ask where he is?" Noire wondered out loud.
Priam shook his head, "No. He'll come to me. After all, I have you two." He sheathed his weapon, "Bind them. Then let's get back to camp."
Rough hands seized Say'ri's arms. The Chon'sin Princess struggled against them as thick cords were tied around her wrists. She heard Noire struggled as well.
"Should we blind them, boss?" One of Priam's men asked.
Priam thought for a moment, "Why not. Let's add a little mystery to this for them."
Say'ri cursed as a heavy burlap sack slipped over her head. The rough hands that held her arms picked her up and flung her over broad shoulders. She heard Noire's voice crack and grow furious.
"BLOOD AND THUNDER! LET ME GO OR I SHALL EVISCERATE EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!"
Say'ri let out a heavy sigh. Oh, they would be eviscerated all right. Once Luke discovered they were gone, the asshole would do everything in his power to find them.
Hopefully, he realized they were gone soon.
Brady whistled a small tune as he and Kage strolled back towards the cave. It belonged to a particularly bawdy song. One not fit for the little Prince's ears. But that was the point of whistling. So the little kid did not hear anything indecent. Not that Brady really cared all that much. Why should he? The kid would grow up into a bastard of a man. But he also did not want Say'ri or Noire getting on his case. And he knew they cared. So, he kept the words to himself and instead let the kid learn the melody.
The priest shivered a little at the thought of Noire getting mad at him. As quiet as Noire could sometimes be, she still had her mother's blood in her. Very few things scared Brady. His own mother, and Noire's mother were near the top of the list. Hell, Noire had her mother's creepy cackle nailed. Every time she uttered that insane laugh Brady felt chills run down his spine.
He paused his whistling.
"I've got some weird friends." He muttered, not for the first time either.
Kage trudged alongside him. Doing his best to keep up with Brady's long strides. The entire walk, the kid had done nothing but barrage him with questions. What is Ylisse like? What is the future like? Is Grima a big lizard or an actual dragon? Where is your mommy and daddy? (that question actually stung a little bit). Are you always this grumpy? (A result of him snapping at the kid for asking about his ma and pa).
He rolled his eyes as he glanced over at Prince Kage's happy face. Seriously, nothing upset this kid. How the hell did he grow up to be one of the angriest people he ever knew again?
A series of unfortunate events that could not have happened to a more deserving person, that's how. He reminded himself.
They reached the mouth of the cave. Brady froze. Prince Kage stopped alongside him, brow arched in confusion.
"Why are they naked?" The four year old asked.
"Aw hell, guys!" Brady cried.
Cynthia woke up first. She blinked, not even bothering to cover herself before rolling over and seeing both Brady and Kage staring wide eyed at her.
"Wuh?" Cynthia said sleepily.
Her eyes shot open. She screamed.
Luke shot upright. His lightsaber flew from his pile of robes into his outstretched hand. The blue blade ignited, startling both Brady and Prince Kage.
"Shit! Look away kid! Look away!" Brady averted his eyes.
"Why?" Kage asked.
"Because I told you too!" Brady snapped back.
"Why?"
"Brady! Why aren't you covering his eyes!?" Cynthia cried as she scrambled for her clothes.
"Why are you two doing that with a kid around!"
"He wasn't around when we started." Cynthia remarked.
"You have ten seconds, Brady." Luke snarled, "Nine… eight.."
"I'm sorry I saw you two in that… position." Brady gulped, stopping Luke's countdown, "Please put the buzzing sword away. It ain't really necessary right now."
"He's still naked." Prince Kage pointed out.
"I told you to cover your eyes!" Brady roared.
"Stop yelling at me." Luke barked.
"Tell yourself to have a little decency!" Brady snapped back.
"Guys, knock it off." Cynthia shouted. Silencing both of them. The Pegasus rider let out a heavy sigh, "We're going to have to explain this to Say'ri now."
Luke paled as Cynthia shoved his robes into his chest.
"Could you do that please?" Luke gulped.
Cynthia frowned.
"Maybe Kage won't say anything?" Luke said with mild optimism.
"A four year old not asking his older sister what sex is." Brady deadpanned, "Considering he just asked me every single question in existence during our walk, I'm going to have to say you're wrong pal."
"What's sex?" Kage asked Brady.
"Well, when a man and a women-"
"Too young, Brady!" Cynthia cried.
The Priest blinked, "Oh right. Uh… sex is uh…," He rubbed the back of his neck as he struggled to find the right words, "grown up wrestling."
"Wrestling?" Kage gave Brady a puzzled look. Cynthia pinched the bridge of her nose as Luke dressed himself.
"Yeah." Brady nodded confidently.
"Will I do a lot of grown up wrestling when I'm older?"
Brady paled, "Uh… that's uh… a difficult one to answer."
"Just shut up already." Luke snarled as he flung his cloak over his shoulders, "I'm very close to changing my mind about not killing you right now."
"Killing me!?" Brady cried, "Why would you-"
"You saw Cynthia naked. That is more than enough reason." Luke growled.
Cynthia rolled her eyes as Luke marched past Brady and out of the cave. Cynthia strolled up to the worried priest and patted him on the shoulder.
"Only look you'll ever get, buddy." Cynthia chuckled, "Worth it?"
Brady gulped, "A little."
Cynthia chuckled, "Purge the memory before Luke does it for you."
Brady blinked and turned to watch her follow Luke out of the cave, "He can do that?"
Cynthia snorted out a small laugh, but did not reply. She sauntered up beside Luke. His eyes were closed. Arms folded. Mouth etched into a deep scowl.
She poked his cheek.
"Stop frowning." Cynthia said as Luke cracked an eye open, "I like it when you smile."
He kept frowning. Cynthia huffed.
"If you're only going to smile when I'm… you know… then we might need to reevaluate a few things."
"Hush, I'm concentrating." Luke hissed, eyes still closed.
Cynthia furrowed her brow, "On what?"
Luke let out a sigh, "Say'ri and Noire have been gone for a while."
Cynthia's cheer faded away, "How long?"
Luke opened his eyes, "Too long. Brady!"
"What?" The priest groaned.
"Pack our things, we need to get moving." Luke threw his hood over his head and turned to Cynthia, "Get on your Pegasus and get airborne. Try to find them from the sky."
Cynthia gulped, "You think something bad happened?"
Luke shook his head. He tried sensing where both Noire and Say'ri may have run off to. Noire had a strong enough presence in the force without training for him to be able to sense her without a lot of effort. He did manage to catch a small trace of her presence, but it was faint. And it was afraid. He knew she had been afraid of him when he decided to teach her a lesson, but that fear should have faded away at least a little bit over time. Yet when he sensed her, none of the fear went away. Which meant one of two things.
Either she was weaker mentally than he thought, or someone else scared her when she ran off into the woods. Say'ri would have caught up to her already as well. So if Noire felt afraid and worried, Say'ri likely felt the same way.
"I sense something bad happened." Luke muttered, "Make sure Kage doesn't find out."
"Okay." Cynthia nodded.
She turned back to the cave. She would have to slip her armor on very fast. Luke suspected something bad happened to Noire and Say'ri. Which meant they were about to walk into a fight of some sort. As she walked past Brady, she told him to keep his ax ready.
The sun started to set behind the mountains. Traveling at night would be risky. And she would only have another hour or two before dark. The darkness will keep her from seeing anything on the ground while she was in the air. Time was short.
She buckled her armor, threw her pack over her Pegasus's saddle, and hopped onto the winged beast.
"Once you see something, let me know." Luke said as she trotted out of the cave.
Cynthia nodded.
"And Cynthia," Luke pressed his lips into a line, "Be careful. I don't like anything about this right now."
"I will be." Cynthia smirked at him, "But only if you promise to be careful too."
Luke let out a quiet laugh, "I promise. Now take off already."
The wings on her pegasus hammered against the air. She soared into the sky. Cynthia glanced back at Luke, Brady, and Kage as they left the cave and moved further west towards the sheer cliffs of the Kiba Mountains.
Storm clouds gathered beyond the peaks. More rain was coming.
Hang on Say'ri, Noire. Cynthia dug her spurs into her Pegasus. The beast snorted and flew fast through the air, We're on our way.
Excellus slammed the heavy tome closed. Faint candlelight flickered in his study. The sounds of the evening crept in from the open window. They mingled with a chill in the night air. A chill his heavy robes protected him from.
But that did not mean he felt comfortable.
The fat worm rose from his chair and moved over to his window. He latched it closed then uttered a heavy sigh.
He had planned plenty of wars before. The conquest of Chon'sin happened thanks to his intellect and strategy. It was his idea to send mages to the front lines against Chon'sin. To bombard the enemy army with a magical assault so fierce that it would shatter them before they could mount an effective resistance. The Conqueror liked to take all of the credit. But without his mind, the Conqueror would be the conquered.
However, planning a war against a nation across an entire ocean was a far greater task. One that taxed his mind. Not only did he have to come up with effective combat strategies, he had to determine troop movements and transport across a volatile ocean. Landing zones needed to be marked, attacked, and held. A supply train needed to established. The most elaborate and complex supply train in the history of the world. He doubted they would find much food to feed the army once they landed in Archanea. Once the armies established a foothold, the Archaneans would scorch the earth in order to deny his men food and water. Starve out the invasion. Make it too costly for the Valmese to endure a prolonged campaign. If he were their tactician, that is what he would do.
Then there was the other task he had been assigned. One not given to him by the Conqueror. One given to him by a being that made the Conqueror seem like nothing more than an ant crawling in the cracked dirt. Lord Grima wished for him to not only make sure this war decimated both sides, he still wanted that brat Kage. Or Luke, as he now went by.
That objective was secondary in his mind. Bringing Luke before Lord Grima would have to wait. He had mercenaries taking care of that little task. Gold and greed could convince any man to hunt down another. Although, there was one mercenary who seemed more interested in Luke's skills as a fighter rather than the value on his head. He could not recall the name. And it did not matter. Execullus would succeed. He always did.
His personal attention needed to stay with breaking both the Valmese and Archanean armies. Softening them so much that all Lord Grima would have to do is utter a roar in order to bring them to their knees. The reward for such a success would be tremendous. Perhaps he would even gain a place by his Lord's side. A similar position as Lord Validar perhaps. Maybe he would even be named ruler of Valm once Grima's dominion had been established.
He chuckled to himself. If that happened, the first thing he would do is make Walhart bow to him. Make him grovel before his power. Know what it felt like to be a worm in the dirt. His fat lips curled into a sinister smile. That day would be glorious.
He shivered as a cold wind swept into his room again.
I thought I closed that window.
A pit formed in his gut. The window was flung open. Standing in front of it. Hunched over, yet still towering over him, was a monster unlike any Excellus had ever seen before.
Yellow, reptilian eyes glowered down at him from behind a bone white, metallic, mouthless mask. A sweeping white cape hid the rest of the creatures skeletal form. One metallic toe tapped impatiently against the stone floor.
Excellus gulped, "Judging by the terror you instill, I assume you come from our master?"
The reptilian eyes narrowed.
"Yes."
Excellus felt a nervous bead of sweat run down his head. This one talked as well. That meant he carried great power among his Lord's more monstrous servants.
"What do I call you then?" He asked.
A low growl emanated from the creature's throat, "Our master calls me Tigris. But I want you to call me something else."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
The creature's toe stopped tapping, "Grievous."
Execullus's mouth felt dry. The creature certainly fit the name. He seemed rather severe in demeanor and appearance.
"Why has our master sent you?" Excellus asked.
A metal finger emerged from behind the closed cape and pointed at Excellus.
"Our master wished for me to tell you that the Shepherds will invade Valm."
Excellus blinked, "Wh-what? But… that goes against every plan I have in place."
"Do you think your plans are greater than our master's?" Grievous snarled.
Fear lanced through Excellus's heart, "N-not at all." Those reptilian eyes narrowed at him, "J-just, I was unaware. I thought the best way to decimate both armies would be for Valm to exhaust themselves in Archanea. I see now that may not be the best way. Our lord knows best, after all."
Another low grow. Grievous did not believe him. Excellus felt more beads of sweat building on his brow.
"If our master did not value you so much, I would have killed you already, scum." Grievous growled, "I am here for one purpose."
Excellus suppressed a shiver as the creature rose to its full height. It dominated the room he stood in. More fear pulsed through Excellus's veins.
"That being?" He managed to squeak out.
A low, amused chuckle emanated from the mouthless mask. Excellus's eyes widened as two lightsabers, one blue and one green, ignited.
"To kill the Shepherds." Grievous growled, "And to kill Kenobi."
And chapter! Sorry for the delay on this one folks, I had a hard time with a few of the characters and their motivations. Took some time to work those out before deciding to finish it up. Anyways, Say'ri and Noire are in danger as a rogue mercenary named Priam has captured them. Luke, Brady, and Cynthia are on their way to rescue them. That should make for an interesting confrontation. And Grievous has arrived in Valme. Ready for the war to begin. I'm excited for this all to really get under way now!
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!