Chapter 23: Uncertainty
It was shortly after midwinter when the cart of the "Azure Players" approached the gates of Ylisstol.
The pegasus knight patrols had been tracking their return for some time, of course—even though the weather made flying unpleasant, they were still duty-bound to keep a close watch on the surrounding countryside. Nonetheless, it still came as a surprise to Severa to actually see them there. I thought they'd remain in Plegia until after the snows melted. What reason could they have for coming back now?
She watched from above the gate as the cart drew closer. When Renee returned to report in, I didn't get the sense that anything had gone wrong. I don't think she's the type of person who could keep that to herself, either—back in training, it was pretty clear when she was worried about something, even if she rarely ever spoke up.
If that's the case, though, why are they here?
She heard footsteps approaching from further down the wall and turned. Teresa, lance in hand, snapped off a salute as she came to attention. "Sub-commander. I have sent word to the Exalt. She will be on her way to the courtyard momentarily."
"Good, good," said Severa. She tried to keep her tone light. "I suppose I'd better get down there, too. Otherwise I might miss out on the latest juicy gossip."
"As you say, sub-commander." Teresa looked out over the battlements, her expression softening somewhat as she looked at the cart. "I am glad they were all able to return safely. Perhaps the war is over, but I cannot help but worry anyway."
"You and me, both." Severa nodded to Teresa. "Sorry you're standing watch—that means you'll have to wait a bit longer to welcome everyone back."
Teresa shrugged. "Someone has to do it. I do not begrudge others the opportunity to greet our friends before I do—there will be time enough to speak with them in the days and weeks ahead."
"Suppose you're right about that. I'm off, then." With a casual wave, Severa headed for the stairs down from the wall.
It's really incredible how much we've come to take the little things for granted, she mused. Teresa had spoken of 'days and weeks ahead' without the slightest hesitation—a marked departure from not so long ago, when they had wondered if they even had hours left.
She caught herself in the midst of that morbid thought and sighed. Even after it's over, it never really leaves, does it? Damn it.
"Hey, Sevvy!" As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Severa heard a voice call out to her. Lucina was emerging from the main building, but the one calling out was Cynthia, jogging a few paces ahead and waving.
"Hey yourself, Cynthia." Severa briefly raised a hand to greet her. "You've certainly got no shortage of energy today." Or ever, for that matter.
Cynthia cut right to the chase. "So, what d'you think Inigo and Brady found out over there? Probably something important, right?"
"I… I mean, I think so?" Severa bit her lip. "I have absolutely no idea what it would be, though."
"Maybe they found out something about the Grimleal?" Cynthia seemed to stumble over her words as she tried to clarify. "I mean, not the… I know that technically a lot of Plegians are Grimleal, but I'm talking about, like, the ones who fought in the war…"
Severa thought back to the robed and hooded figures they had often seen directing columns of Risen and shuddered. If some of their higher echelons remain unaccounted for, they could pose a considerable threat.
"Let's try not to assume the worst before we even know what's going on," she said aloud.
Cynthia laughed nervously. "Yeah, I guess I was being a little paranoid."
Severa turned to Lucina. The Exalt had not spoken yet, but Severa could see her forehead furrowed in deep thought. She must be thinking about her brother. After all, he's one of them too. Could it be possible that he was one of the priests who fought?
She racked her brain, trying to remember, but all she got for her troubles was a headache. Those memories that were no longer there—the dark mages' curse had seen to that. To her, it was as if Morgan had never existed.
"What do you think, Lucina?"
"Hm?" The Exalt blinked, jarred out of her thoughts. "I… well, that is, I do not wish to spend time in idle speculation. We will hear their full report momentarily, and then I will give you a proper answer."
"As you say." Severa sketched out a bow, an acknowledgment of a superior's orders.
From ahead of them came the noise of Ylisstol's gates grinding open. The trio quickened their steps, wanting to be present when their comrades entered the city.
The small crowd that had gathered around the gates cheered as the cart rolled through. Inigo waved cheerily to them; Brady, seated alongside him, drove on without much reaction.
Severa took the lead in clearing a path for Lucina to get to the front of the crowd. "Excuse us—coming through, make some room for the Exalt."
"Ah, Your Grace!"
"Please, go on ahead…"
Bit by bit, the crowd parted, allowing Lucina and her two knights to reach the cart as Brady drew the draft horse to a stop. Inigo jumped down the moment the wheels stopped turning, using his momentum to make a flourishing bow. "We have returned, Your Grace," he said to the ground, still bent double.
"Yeah, we noticed," Severa said. "The question is why?"
Inigo raised his head and smiled. "Is it not enough to say that we missed the sights and sounds of home?"
When Severa met his eyes, though, they told a different story. This close, she could see the artificial fragility of his smile. It was the same smile he'd had during the war—a false front of reassurance, put up to stave off worry. She felt a pang of dread.
Something happened. Something serious enough to make them head back over the mountains, even in the middle of winter.
"Was your journey a safe one?" asked Lucina as Brady unfolded himself from the cart seat and clambered down.
"Yeah, it was pretty quiet," he replied, shrugging. "'Course, there was the usual few wanderin' Risen to deal with, but nothin' we couldn't handle."
"That is good to hear." Lucina looked between Brady and Inigo. A brief flicker of recognition in her eyes showed Severa that Lucina had picked up on the same feeling as she had. "Would you care to join me in my office? It would likely be more comfortable than standing out here in the cold."
"Don't mind if we do," said Brady. "If ya don't mind, I've been missin' Ylissean tea—Plegian's good and all, but it ain't the same."
"I'll have a pot brewed," said Severa. "Which of the Shepherds' commanders is in town today?" Since the beginning of winter, either Kjelle or Owain had been in residence at one of Ylisstol's inns, to ensure that any important information the Exalt obtained would be passed on to Laurent as well.
"I think it's Kjelle," said Cynthia. "Want me to go get her?"
"If you don't mind."
"Leave it to me!" Cynthia grinned and saluted, much to Severa's chagrin.
"Hey, aren't you forgetting that you outrank me?"
"Oh, right…"
Approximately half an hour later, the six of them convened in Lucina's office. Severa felt slight satisfaction in noting that there were far fewer stacks of paper around than there had been when she'd taken over as assistant secretary.
"So, what's this about?" Kjelle had declined a seat, instead leaning against the wall near the window with her arms crossed. "It must be pretty important, if you're cutting short the visit to Plegia to pass it on in person."
"Very important, yes." The sugar had dissolved into Inigo's tea some time ago, but he continued to stir restlessly, as if the motion could bring him some measure of control. "It isn't at all what we were expecting, either."
"That's great. Maybe you could actually tell us what it is instead of talking about how you didn't think it was going to happen?" Severa's voice was a bit more tart than she'd meant it to be.
Brady grimaced. "Uh, right. We've got a message for you, Lucina, from the head honcho over in Plegia. Some kid named Morgan, says he's Validar's grandson?"
Lucina's face went rigid at the name, but she quickly recomposed herself. Severa wasn't sure any of the others had even noticed the lapse. "And what was the message?"
"He requested—"
"Not requested," Inigo interrupted. "Announced, more like. He says he's going to meet with you, in two months' time."
"He… what?" Kjelle straightened up, a dark look on her face. "Like hell he is!"
Looking surprised, Lucina turned in her seat. "Kjelle—"
"This will not end well." The knight spoke bluntly. "Nothing good has ever come of meeting with those scum. Exalt Emmeryn was killed by them before we were even born. Your father's attempt at making peace was repaid by the theft of the Fire Emblem and his own death."
"We cannot jump to conclusions," said Lucina. Kjelle scoffed.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, Your Grace, but this is for the sake of your safety. No ruler of Ylisse in the past two decades has successfully negotiated with the Grimleal."
"That does not mean we should stop trying!"
"And walk straight into the trap that Validar's grandson is laying as we speak?"
"Ah, begging your pardon…" Inigo raised a hand meekly, putting himself in the middle of Kjelle and Lucina's argument. "I think you might have misunderstood. He's not expecting Lucina to come to Plegia—he's coming here."
Cynthia's eyes widened. "Whaaaaaaat?"
"Unacceptable—" Kjelle began. This time it was Severa who interrupted.
"Look, Kjelle, I get that you're suspicious, but can you entertain the possibility that maybe this Morgan guy is coming to us in good faith here? He can't exactly set up a trap if he's coming to our turf." She had to remind herself not to refer to the hierophant as Lucina's brother. That was something held in confidence between the two of them.
Kjelle scowled. "And if he is not?"
"If he isn't, then this is still the best opportunity we have to… deal with him," said Severa, trying not to look guiltily at Lucina. "As long as we keep on our guard, we can be prepared for any eventuality."
"Hmph." Kjelle glanced over at Brady. "You met Morgan yourself. Does he strike you as the trustworthy sort?"
"I mean, he was pleasant enough," said Brady. "I did kinda feel like there was somethin' off about him, though… a sorta itch at the back of my skull, like. Mighta just been nerves, though."
I'll bet that has something to do with the curse. Maybe it didn't work as thoroughly on Brady because of his latent magical potential?
"You didn't trust him, then."
"Hey, I wouldn't go that far. I mean, me havin' a funny feeling ain't exactly grounds for cancelling a meeting."
"Can you think of anything else odd that happened?" said Kjelle.
Inigo ran a hand through his hair. "Uh, maybe."
"What do you mean by 'maybe?'" Cynthia frowned.
"You know how Brady mentioned we'd run into a few groups of Risen, yeah? But come to think of it, I don't think we saw so much as a single rotten one of them after we left the capital to return here."
"That might merely be a coincidence," said Lucina.
"Or it might not be," said Kjelle. "We know that some of the Grimleal priests were able to control Risen during the war. If Morgan was trying to ensure his message was delivered, then—"
"You are out of line!" The sudden shout made all of them jump in surprise. It was rare indeed for Lucina to raise her voice, much less lose her temper. Kjelle took a step back, ashen-faced.
She doesn't want to believe it could be true—not of her own brother, thought Severa.
After a moment of silence, Kjelle swallowed and spoke up again. "Forgive me. I spoke in haste."
Lucina let out a long breath, her rigid posture relaxing. "You are forgiven. In truth, I too should apologize for allowing my emotions to master me."
Kjelle sighed in evident relief. "If you think it is for the best that you meet with Morgan, then I will lend you my full support, regardless of what my suspicions may be."
"Me too," said Cynthia. "I'll do whatever I can to help!"
"We'll have your back, too," said Inigo. Brady nodded his assent.
Lucina's eyes turned to Severa. "And you?"
"You already know that I'll stand with you, no matter what you decide," said Severa.
The Exalt smiled faintly. "True, but it is good to hear it reaffirmed from time to time."
"Hmph." Severa looked away, a slight blush tinging her cheeks.
"It is decided, then," said Lucina. "In two months, Morgan and I will meet, and discuss the future of our lands. In the meantime, we will do all that we can to prepare for that meeting. Am I understood?"
The expected response from the other five did not take long to come. "Understood, Your Grace!"
Looking around, though, Severa could still sense the others' misgivings—Kjelle's suspicion, Inigo and Brady's unease, Cynthia's confusion. Beyond that, though, was the guilt of knowing she shared them.
No matter how far we've come, the past is still looming over us.
Have we learned from our mistakes, or are we about to make another?