AUTHOR'S NOTES: With NaNoWriMo done and over for the time being, I hope to be able to resume my regular update schedule once again. I am not fully back at 100% just yet due to the holiday season and whatnot, but I should be able to update much more regularly. This chapter, for example, was supposed to come out Monday, but then it got pushed back to Wednesday, and finally to today, which is why I'm posting it a couple hours earlier than normal. So to recap, update schedule is not normal yet, but I'll keep people updated (or check my profile; I always have things up to date there). Also, happy (slightly) late birthdays to my two favourite characters in the game, Oboro (28th) and Camilla (30th).
Happy Reading!

CHAPTER 42: The Fort Jinya Approach

Sing with me a song of Traitors and Forts…

Kamui's statement about 'attacking the fort at dawn' had been slightly more figurative, considering that even she with her reckless nature as a berserker knew that planning out the strategy to prevent them from being killed was necessary.

"Besides," she added, "it was more a reference to how differently time flows here and back in the real world… but I'll have to get back to you on that."

As such, Corrin, his sister, and his army began making preparations to attack Fort Jinya immediately. Their army was small and Corrin was well-aware of how vast the defenses of the fortress were. A lot of how well this campaign would go would depend on how well Sakura was faring.

"I think despite our attempts at peaceful negotiations, we're still going to either have to pray that there are dragon veins to smash through the walls, or I'm going to have to go all berserker and hope that my axe can do that for us."

"I wish there was more I could tell you about the situation, Lord Corrin," Oboro sighed, "There's order among the chaos, but it's not the good kind; it's more the kind that seeps in and seems hell-bent on stopping you."

"Me in particular?" Corrin raised an eyebrow.

"You and Azura were the only ones apart from Lady Sakura that were spared from that curse," Oboro explained, "sure you've freed Lady Kamui, but most of Hoshido is still frantic. There's no sign of Lord Ryoma, Lord Takumi's gone missing, Lady Hinoka fled far to the south, and Lady Sakura is either trying to seek refuge from all of this nonsense in the fort."

"We can find out for sure once Anna gets back," Kamui pointed out, "she's good at spying and recon and all that fun jazz. Besides, I'll come clean with you guys—I have no clue how time works here either. Lilith couldn't give me any good intel on that either."

It was a couple of days in the Astral Plane before Anna returned with her report. Before even opening her mouth, she extended her hand, palm-up, in front of Kamui. Kamui groaned, and dropped a pouch of coins into Anna's outstretched hand.

"Anyways," Anna began as if she had just been talking the whole time, "what I've picked up is that they've captured Sakura."

"NO!" Oboro slammed her fist on the table, "who captured her!?"

"The rogue Hoshidans… so basically everyone," Anna indicated, "but the good news is that they're not actually harming her. They simply took her into their fortress. They're probably trying to convert her, which means that either Sakura's going to free them from this influence, or they'll get her. My money's frankly on Sakura, and I generally don't bet unless I know I'll win."

"We need a plan," Kamui turned to Corrin and to Oboro. "You're the mastermind strategist here. Me and mine are in your hands."

"What can you tell us about the defenses?" Corrin turned to Anna, "anything?"

"Hmm…" Anna put a finger to her lips before whipping out a pencil and paper. "Here's what me and my network were able to perceive…" she held her free hand out.

"You're gonna have to pay her," Kamui quipped. Corrin rolled his eyes, but dropped a small pouch of gold into Anna's awaiting hand before the red-haired woman began furiously scribbling. It turned out not to even be scribbling by the time she finished, but it was a fairly accurate depiction of Fort Jinya.

"How accurate is this?" Corrin didn't necessarily distrust Anna, but he wanted to be able to plan accordingly, especially when his army thus far was still considerably small.

"My network of spies is pretty comprehensive," Anna retorted, "and as much as I like money, I try to run an honest business. Customers aren't going to come back if they're lied to."

"Then what we need is an advance force of our fastest or strongest members to get through or around the maze of walls," Corrin began, "and to carve a path for those behind them."

"I volunteer," Kamui raised her hand, "I'm sure I could get Gunter and even my retainers to go with me if needs be. Oboro might also be a good pick, and maybe Anna if my retainers stay behind with the remainder of your force."

Corrin paused and thought a moment as he glanced down at the map on the table. It was only when Kamui looked at it again that she realized the miniatures were intricate carvings of the members of their army: herself, Corrin, Gunter, Jakob, Felicia, Anna, Roku, Zenzi, Oboro, and Azura. He looked up at the others a moment later.

"I think I have it," he explained, "Jakob and Anna will be the spies that scout out the area. We'll have to incapacitate as many of the advance guards as we can. Ideally I want to keep casualties to a minimum, and so if killing can be avoided, do so. If not…"

"...then we understand." Kamui finished his sentence for him. "It's better to take out a few lives to save thousands of others, but let's stick to the subject at hand. So Anna and Jakob make the advance force. Where am I?"

"Actually, you, Gunter, and Oboro will make up the advance force." Corrin clarified, "Jakob and Anna are more of a silencer force to thin out enemies. I don't know if this is safe for me to ask you, sister, but…"

"C'mon," Kamui shrugged, "let's hear it."

"I feel safer asking this of Oboro, to be honest actually," Corrin scratched his head, "Since this is Hoshido and her liege's sister we're going for here."

"That doesn't answer my question," Kamui crossed her arms.

"Basically…" Corrin sighed, "I want your force to be the one that draws the most attention. You will be dealing with the most enemies right up close and personal. Essentially, your lives will be in the most danger during this battle."

"I am willing to do what it takes to free Lady Sakura," Oboro put her fist to her chest.

"Aaaaand?" Kamui gestured towards Corrin, "what's the bad part?"

"You're really willing to do that?" Corrin tilted his head as he stared at his sister, "you're going to put your life and well-being on the line to try and save people from a country you hardly know?"

"What of it?" Kamui shrugged, "if you don't want me to do it, then don't ask me to do it. If you want me to knock heads together and carve a path for you and the others, I will. I'm sure I can get my old man to help out on that too. It's been awhile since he's had a good battle, he says."

"I…" Corrin was at a loss for words for the moment. "I don't know if you realize how much this means to me, Kamui… but thank you."

"Don't sweat it," Kamui chuckled, "you can thank me after we've saved Sakura. Maybe we can gain a little more insight as to what the hell's going on down there."

"Right," Corrin nodded, "Anyways, after you three, we'll have Roku and Zenzi as well as myself move in, with Felicia and Azura taking the rear. If they try to surround us, we'll rearrange as necessary. Are there any objections?"

"None from us," Kamui and Oboro agreed, as Kamui continued to speak, "but I'll go inform my retainers of what's going on. You let yours know the deal, and we'll meet back up after we're armed and ready to have at it."

The small army reunited shortly afterwards, and Lilith helped them return to Hoshido. In front of them stood a massive network of walls and a vast fortress that looked impenetrable.

"This is it…" Azura muttered, "Fort Jinya. This is essentially Hoshido's front line, and it's rumored to be impregnable."

"Just how impregnable are we talking…" Kamui brandished her sword.

"Seizing this is basically tantamount to conquering Hoshido," Oboro gripped her spear as her left eye twitched slightly, "every time Nohrians have tried to break through, this is the way they go."

"Easy there…" Kamui put a surprisingly gentle hand on Oboro's shoulder, "we're not marauders, and we're not trying to conquer Hoshido. We're trying to free it… right, Corrin?"

"Of course," Corrin nodded, "Now… everyone, do as we planned."

Jakob and Anna launched the first movement, disappearing past the maze of walls to scout out what lay ahead. Both of them seemed to be subtly trying to outperform the other.

"I'm impressed that you're able to remain so subtle." Anna quipped. "I wouldn't have thought it from a servant."

"My talents extend far beyond those of the buttling arts, I'll have you know," Jakob corrected her, "Lady Kamui relies on me for more than just service. You on the other hand, seem a lot more like the type of person who would get caught because her bags of gold jingled too loudly."

"I'll have you know I work for a living," Anna corrected him, "and am in more places than you could ever dream of."

"Somehow that does not greatly surprise me." Jakob muttered, "But have you noticed the rather glaring oddity about this place so far?"

"You mean that there aren't any soldiers to hear us banter?" Anna raised her eyebrow.

"Precisely," Jakob frowned. "I will remain here. You alert the others that the path is clear to the primary fortress. Do try not to get lost or captured."

"Not on your life, butler," Anna winked, teasingly blowing him a kiss before scampering off the way they came. Jakob moved closer and closer, and while there were a few soldiers that he had to silence or incapacitate, his report of the fortress being mostly deserted rang true.

As a result, Kamui, Gunter, and Oboro moved in, they were spotted by the Hoshidan commander, mounted atop one of the mechanical beasts that were a staple of Hoshidan military tricks. Oboro recognized him right away.

"Yukimura…" she muttered, before noticing his eyes. While they were not red, there was a certain blankness to them that Oboro did not recognize, but knew that it was not something good. She turned to the others, warning them, although her hunch was soon proved true as Yukimura noticed them a moment later.

"You!" he pointed at Kamui, "you have quite some nerve returning here, Kamui. And Oboro… of all people to turn traitor to Hoshido, you were the last one I would have ever suspected."

"Do you really think I'm fighting for the Nohrians?!" Oboro looked infuriated at the mere accusation, and even drew her spear. "You take that back this INSTANT or I will gut you where you stand; do you hear me!?"

"Never," Yukimura frowned, and Oboro swung. The Yukimura in front of them faded, and called out to them from atop the wall.

"I knew that you were traitors; every single one of you!" Yukimura bellowed, "You will not take Sakura from us! Saizo! Orochi! Soldiers! Prepare for battle!"

Almost as if they were waiting for this as as some sort of cue, dozens of soldiers came out of the woodwork and surrounded the fortress.

"You remember what Corrin said, right?" Kamui turned to Gunter and Oboro, both of whom clutched their lances righter.

"Of course," Gunter grunted, "we're fighting to free Hoshido."

"Of course," Oboro nodded as well, "They shouldn't have done this!"

"Then let's make our move," Kamui drew her sword. "FOR FEREVS!"

The unlikely alliance raced forward, keeping their weapons readied, and waiting for the opportune moment to strike out at their foes. The Battle of Fort Jinya had begun.