-'So how are things?'
-'All is well, most have been caught between our armies and those that managed to slip through are pursued.'
-'Or drowned in the marshes.'
Robin nodded as the twins made their reports. His horse shook his head making him glance down and pat it's neck. A nearby serjant glanced up but seeing the movement was not directed at him continued what he was doing, which was looting the dead.
All around them serjants and squires were stalking amongst the fallen, theoretically to check for wounded though they were primarily interested in taking all that was valuable before others arrived to claim it. As he watched a squire gripped a finger tight and with a few sawing movements cut it off and began his struggle to drag the ring off before deciding to grip the metal in his teeth and pulling the finger free. Spitting the ring out he glanced it over with a critical eye before sliding it into his pouch as he tossed aside the finger and rolled over another corpse to pat it down.
-'What of prisoners? Have we taken any of the important ones?'
-'There are a lot of knights...'
-'I meant their commanders, the prince and Sayri's brother... whatever his name is.'
-'We haven't found Yenfay's body…'
Morgan started, glancing to her brother who shrugged.
-'The prince is dead, I took his head off.'
Robin shifted his attention to Marc who held his fathers gaze with what seemed like defiance before glancing away quickly. Robin sighed.
-'Pity. If we had taken him alive we could have forced him to renounce his claim thus convincing his supporters to throw in their lot with us.'
He paused and glanced back to Marc before reaching out and resting a hand on his shoulder.
-'Still, better he die than rally support against his uncle and I doubt his supporters will stand against the rightful prince once we show them the boys head.'
Marc nodded while Morgan puffed her cheeks.
-'You know it wasn't easy getting that banner all the way round to the mountain and through the woods there.'
Robin turned his attention to the girl and leaned over to tap her on the forehead, drawing a brief yelp from her.
-'Yes, you did good as well.'
Rubbing her head she seemed pleased enough and Robin sat straight in the saddle.
-'I need to check in with Chrom, if you two could make a quick run of the field and get the men back into formations.'
-'Yes father.'
The two confirmed and he nodded before kicking back his heels, spurring his mount to walk and his retinue followed. They passed many men looting the dead, others escorting prisoners away as well as bellowing corporals bullied their men back into formations.
Above the recognizable din of the after battle he heard something odd, arguing? He glanced round and saw what seemed to be the source amidst a clump of trees, several men making an effort to avoid the area. He paused, arguing about loot? A particularly valuable prisoner? He wondered whether to leave the matter to a corporal but when he saw one approach only to about turn he decided to investigate himself.
Once he was close enough to see who it was making the noise he also decided it might be better to leave as well, unfortunately a horse chose that moment to snort drawing attention to his retinue.
Kjelle, Brady, Noire and Severa all glanced up and with a sigh he rode closer.
-'Having a disagreement.'
He ventured and was met with hostile glares from all but Noire and Brady.
-'No we're not.'
Severa stated with a roll of her eyes that Robin took to mean she was being sarcastic, Brady was much more helpful as he explained.
-'Kjelles injured but refuses to let me look.'
-'I'm not!'
The girl shot back. Robin looked to sky, sighed and dismounted. Walking up to the girl he looked at her, Kjelle holding the gaze for a good moment before glancing away. Turning to Brady Robin asked.
-'Where is she injured?'
-'I'm guessing it's…'
The youth started only to fall silent as Robin's hand shot out and softly gripped Kjelles side. Despite the coat of plates and padding she hissed and tried to retreat only for her back to hit the tree. With a look of serious thought Robin prodded the area with his fingers before nodding.
-'Fractured ribs, maybe even broken. Strip and let Brady look at you.'
Silence met his statement and he looked around, somewhat surprised to see the time travelers red faced he glanced back to Kjelle and decided he should probably remove his hand from the girls chest.
-'Of course if you are uncomfortable with Brady you can always find someone else.'
She muttered something that sounded like consent so he nodded and glanced around.
-'The rest of you are alright?'
At their confirmation he nodded again.
-'Good. Carry on than.'
He said as he retreated.
-'Open up!'
-'In the name of the emperor open the door!'
The door remained shut. The man at arms cursed and slammed the pommel of his sword into the door.
-'Open the bloody door or I'll burn your shit hovel down!'
-'Yenfay! Stay with us.'
He turned from the door at those words, the lord of Chonshin jerked his head up. His eyes were unfocused, face pale and pink bubbles were forming both at his mouth and the wound betraying a punctured lung.
-'We don't need the peasants, just a few horses. Look around the back.'
With a nod he was gone, Yenfay coughed.
-'Help... me...'
-'We are majesty. The moment we get some horses we can get you to a garrison, they'll have an apothecary there.'
Yenfay shook his head.
-'My armour... help me... take off...'
-'Majesty...'
-'Now.'
There was a moments hesitation before the squire nodded and began unbuckling the straps holds the lamellar cuirass in place. As he pulled the laminated leather off another retainer unsheathed the lords short sword and held it to Yenfay hilt first.
The lord breathed deeply and reached for the hilt, the moment his shaky fingers brushed the hilt it was as if new life entered him, he gripped the weapon tightly and knelt upright. He breathed deeply before turning to his retainers, all that had survived the battle and the following pursuit.
-'Be prepared to assist me.'
-'Yes majesty.'
The squire answered, blinking back tears even as he drew his own weapon. The other glanced round, though they had seemed to have lost the pursuit his nerves were still on edge.
With a deep breath Yenfay calmed himself before, in one clean movement, he thrust the sword into his gut. He did not gasp, nor made any other noise. As he breathed out and prepared for the next step of his death he heard it. The thud of horse hooves hitting the ground, the rattle of metal and war cries.
He heard his men cry out and saw one of them run past, soon after a rider thundered by and almost passing the fleeing retainer before bringing his sword down from the front, shattering the runners face in a spray of blood and bone.
Yenfay could not move not unless he wanted to dishonor himself. The newcomers reined in their horses round him as they barked in their barbarian tongue.
-'That's all of them.'
-'You sure?'
-'Of course I'm sure.'
-'Look at this!'
At the cry the others turned as one of the serjants presented a length of cloth to the others.
-'A banner?'
The serjant nodded excitedly.
-'Aye, Yenfay's.'
The statement was met with a whistle.
-'Noice! That means the bastards here somewhere, hopefully we didn't cut him down.'
-'Judging by the amount of silk on 'im it's probably this git.'
They turned to the speaker who emphasized his point by kicking Yenfay's kneeling form. The others nodded their agreement.
-'That's likely, though why is the twat squatting here…'
Even as he spoke he walked up and squatted in front of the chonshin to have a look before standing abruptly.
-'Bloody hell! The sick twats slit his own gut open.'
The men recoiled at the notion, looking at the man with disgust.
-'Why'd he do that? If he wanted to off himself he could have chosen a nicer way.'
-'It doesn't matter.'
The eldest of the serjants sighed as he scratched the scar where his nose used to be.
-'He'll die long before we drag him to the magpie, so we might as well take his head and be done with it.'
-'Fair enough.'
The closest serjant said as he drew his messer and stepping up to the chonshin.
-'Reckon he'd thank us with that wound he's got.'
-'Hold!'
The serjants stopped and turned, Yenfay could not but he lifted his head, could it be? Or was the pain making him hear things.
He had not been mistaken as Sayri reined in front of the serjants, drawing curses from the men even as he retainers reined in around her. She nearly jumped out of the saddle before nearly running to Yenfay's form.
-'Yenfay!'
There was a moments pause as he fought the pain before managing to speak without betraying his agony.
-'Sayri... you look well.'
His sister looked down on him with hatred but it was true, she did look well, perhaps a bit older than she should though given what had happened over the last few years that was to be expected.
-'Oy! Bi... milady.'
Sayri turned to the serjant who, along with his comrades had their hands on their weapons. Her retainers seeing this reached for their own.
-'We've got 'im first so you'd best not have no notion of taking his head and the bounty on it.'
Is voice trailed off near the end as there was something in the gaze that the Chonshin princess delivered that made him reconsider his words. As he hesitated with his demand Sayri pulled a pouch out and tossed it at the Ylissians.
-'Take it and leave.'
One of the serjants picked up the pouch and looked inside, his eyes opened wide at the wealth and he turned to his comrades.
-'Let's go. Don't forget the banner.'
They parted throwing a hostile glare at the Chonshin thought she had already turned back to her brother.
-'Why? Why serve the man who killed our parents? Burned our homeland?'
Sweat had appeared on Yenfay's face as he struggled to hold back his pain but he focused on Sayri and spoke.
-'I am... glad you are well and with... such strength... perhaps you might beat him... after all...'
-'Answer me Yenfay!'
-'I see... no need... protection... safe.'
He swallowed and swayed on his knees.
-'Sister... please…'
He leant forward, exposing the back of his neck. Sayri paled and shook her head.
-'No Yenfay, not until you answer me! Why!?'
His words came in a whisper so she had to lean in to hear, her eyes opening wide as she recoiled as if struck before, with a scream of impotent rage she brought her blade over head and down onto his neck.
Yenfays head rolled away as she fell to her knees.
-'Damn you brother.'
She swore even as tears fell.
-'Victory! Complete and utter victory!'
Prince Seweryn exclaimed as he pulled the flap aside so he could enter the tent.
-'We've counted some seven thousand dead with another six prisoner!'
-'Aye, there's nearly as many prisoners as our entire force.'
Robin scowled from his place, still staring at the wax tablets covering the camp table. Seweryn nodded, still smiling broadly as he accepted a cup of watery wine.
-'True but with the bastard dead most of them will join me now that they can't claim him to be the legitimate heir. And I am certain most of the others will gladly switch sides if it means they won't lose their throats.'
He said before taking a long drink.
-'And your majesty means to accept these men after their betrayal?'
Themis' words gave the Valmese lord pause, his smile disappearing. He set the cup down before speaking.
-'Aye, though it pains me. Most are honest men who followed Michal as they believed him to be the true born heir but some knew him to be false and promoted him anyway. Many good men died as a result but I need them and their men if we are to beat Walhart.'
He paused and glared at the map.
-'But I do not mean to forget what they have done.'
The silence was broken as the tent flap was pulled aside and Sayri entered. She looked round the table before stating.
-'Yenfay is dead.'
Even as she moved to her spot. Robin glanced up.
-'Did you bring his head?'
-'He is dead. That is all.'
The constable frowned at that though Chrom nodded.
-'Very well. With that out of the way we need to decide what now.'
-'If we're to clear the bodies.'
Nestor said.
-'We will need to remain a day or so longer, plus the men could do with a rest.'
-'No reason not the move the men a mile or so further, get away from the marshland.'
Chrom nodded.
-'Good point we shall do so. As for Walhart?'
-'I say we should wait for the reinforcements from Ylisse to arrive.'
Everybody nodded at that, though victorious in every major engagement so far the price in blood had been high. Chrom frowned however.
-'We left the Feroxi north.'
-'They should hold.'
Robin stated.
-'They hold good ground and are led by competent officers.'
Themis nodded.
-'The men need a rest after such a campaign as they've endured so far. And if Walhart is as dangerous as they say those thousands still aboat will be a serious boon to our cause.'
-'I would also request your majesty wait. Walhart is a dangerous foe and should not be approached lightly, rushing north may do more harm to your cause than good.'
Seweryn stated.
-'Besides once word spreads that the usurper is dead many of those here that have not joined our cause may do so having realized we are the only power in the south further strengthening this army.'
Chrom looked at the map as he listened before sighing heavily.
-'Very well, we will wait for the reinforcements from Ylisse to reach us, after which we march north.'
He looked up at the assembled lords.
-'Thank you majesties, lords. You shall receive the march order shortly.'
Nodding they gathered to leave the tent.
-'Virion, stay a moment.'
The exile stepped aside and waited for the others to leave before asking.
-'Majesty?'
-'Among the prisoners are several hundred from Rosanne, you knew this correct?'
There was a moments silence as Virion glanced from Chrom to Robin and back.
-'Yes majesty.'
-'We've a mind to offer them a chance to switch sides and serve their rightful duke once more.'
Robin stated, Chrom nodding. Virion shook his head.
-'I've abandoned them, I've no claim to their service.'
-'I see.'
Robin said.
-'In that case we shall have to hang the lot.'
-'What?'
Virion took a step forward at that, Robin looking back to the noble.
-'Not the nobles of course, the ones that can pay a ransom we'll keep but we cannot allow ourselves to have such a mass of hostiles so we will need to eliminate them less they become a threat.'
-'You cannot...'
-'Virion.'
Chrom interrupted.
-'We can and we will if we must.'
He closed in on the Valmese and gripped him by the arm.
-'If you feel responsible for these men than be responsible. Talk to them, get them loyal. Be their duke.'
At the touch Virion stiffened, pulling himself to his full height but with each word he seemed to shrink as his head and shoulders slumped.
-'Give me some time.'
He sighed. Chrom nodded and clapped him on the shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
-'I'm sorry but it most be done.'
-'Of course majesty. May I leave?'
-'Yes.'
With a tilt of his head he left leaving Chrom and Robin alone.
-'I was not lying? It has to be done?'
Robin had lifted a cup but paused.
-'Yes. We cannot leave so many hostiles behind us and we do not have the men to watch them.'
-'Still such cold blooded killing sits ill with me.'
-'Nobody claims it should.'
Robin said before draining the cup. Setting it down he sighed and looked over the tablets littering the table.
-'Shall we start organizing the march?'
-'There's somethin' burnin' out there.'
-'No, the be a, whatsit, vulkan.'
-'Volcano.'
Sam corrected, Paul continuing after the briefest of nods.
-'A mountain that's got an eternal fire inside it.'
-'Volcano.'
Donnel rolled the unknown word off his tongue before coughing and spitting out the dust that had covered his tongue. In truth since he enlisted he had largely gotten used to having dust clogging his mouth and nose most of the time but he still occasionally found himself coughing.
-'Locals say there be a daemon under the mountain, that's why it's burnin' all the time.'
-'Daemons?'
Donnel glanced back to the smoking mountain with apprehension, Paul glanced over with a snort.
-'Don't you mind daemons, we need to worry bout men.'
-'Locals had a lot to say bout them imperials, all of it nasty.'
Donnel thought back to the first night ashore where, despite it's officers efforts, the camp was immediately accosted by locals selling everything from food and booze through good luck charms all the way up to female company. Most spoke a heavily accented Ylissian and they were more than happy to share stories of the war, it did not paint a good picture.
-'Judging by the direction we're marchin' and those birds ahead I'd say we've already bloodied the bastards.'
The youth glanced ahead and eventually saw he was right, there were a lot of shapes flying around, a few hours later and he could see and smell the evidence himself.
Birds took to the sky, squawking in indignation and the air was heavy with the sound of buzzing while the stench of sulfur, feces and rotting flesh was enough to make Donnel, not a stranger to the latter two, gag.
- 'Breath through your nose boy, you'll get used to it soon enough.'
He did and he looked as he marched. The road and causeway was clear, while the large mounds of freshly moved earth signaled were the dead had been moved to. In the stinking water numerous bodies floated.
-'Why ain't they buried?'
He asked no one in particular.
-'You offerin' to get em?'
Before he could answer that Paul interrupted.
-'Hard to get, especially when fresh as bodies sink. Once they start rotting they float up though, makes it look like they were ignored.'
Donnel nodded but did not reply... there were more bodies there than he had seen ever and it wasn't even all the dead, he couldn't help but what sort of monster could calmly plan and oversee such slaughter. As his banner left the causeway and started on the road north he looked away into the direction, he was marching to join the monster.
He had to hurry.
He had to, they were already leaving him behind. Despite picking up the pace, despite moving his feet twice every time they moved once the distance only grew as the sight of their backs, the sound of their voices slowly faded and was gone leaving him alone, the nothing around him seemed to close in, slow but unstoppable crushing him under it's weight.
Voices.
He managed to push his head up and looked behind. Slowly shapes emerged from the emptiness as if following the voices and he was again amongst something.
Their faces were as if blurred but he enjoyed it all the same and walked with them only to find he was once again being moved past and nothing he did let him stay with them as slowly their sight and voices disappeared replaced by an all consuming void that threatened to crush him.
-'And so it goes. Again and again and again. How many times have we witnessed this?'
The new voice seemed to come from everywhere, his own bones rattling at the sound yet at the same time he could not say that he actually heard them.
-'Yet you linger on. Set aside. Left behind. Dismissed and forgotten.'
There was nothing and yet something seemed to be there, a nothing that threatened to consume him and it only grew with every word.
-'Tell me why accept it? Why be little more than a passage in someone else book when you can be so much more?'
The nothing grew till it became something, a form he knew yet did not that seemed to unravel him with its gaze.
-'Why? When you can be everything?'
He woke and looked around in a daze. Sweat covered him, his shirt cold and unpleasant to his skin but he was in his tent, on the opposite side from his field bed.
With a curse he poured himself a drink and emptied it in a single draught. It was no doubt still early yet the gray light was sufficient to see by, meaning it would soon be time to start the day.
-'Squire!'
Robin barked and, after a short delay a yawning man in his colours stumbled in.
-'My lord?'
-'Hot water, breakfast and my clothes.'
-'My lord.'
The squire confirmed before ducking out to carry out his tasks. Alone Robin sighed running a hand over his scalp, why had he woken so far from his cot? What had he been dreaming about? He knew neither and it frustrated him.
He moved to pick up the blanket with the thought to cover himself till his gaze fell on something else. A black robe with purple and gold designs. A memory from a past battle, he picked it up and pulled it on wondering again at why he had kept it.
No matter he moved to his campaign desk and looked through the notes he had collected in his journal till his squires returned, or he had meant to.
-'Pardon milord but your doom is here and...'
The retainer who pulled aside the tent flap got no further as a dark shape moved past him.
-'Hi father! I heard you were up!
Morgans voice, far more energetic than any had right to be so early in the day filled the tent with ease, her beaming face followed by Marcs more neutral one.
Robin sighed and with a movement of his hand mad it clear to the interrupted sentry all was right, the man nodded as he withdrew with a look all to pitying for Robins taste.
Not that he had much time to think of it as Morgan was almost literally in his face, much to close for his liking. Gripping her firmly he put some distance between them.
-'You're up early.'
He commented, Marc nodded.
-'Morgan never lets me sleep.'
The discussed girl, whose face had taken a disappointed expression on being moved, lit up as she chirped.
-Because there is so much to be done in the time you'd spend sleeping! Besides it's not like you complain when I wake you.'
Marc shrugged but failed to conceal a smile and did not argue.
-'You wanted something from me?'
Robin more stated than asked, true to his abrupt manner and quickly regretted it as he saw the twins faces fall. Silently cursing his social ineptitude but before he found any words to soften his statement Morgan spoke in an uncharacteristically subdued tone.
- 'Well we… that is Marc and I that maybe, perhaps you'd break your fast with us?'
- 'I suppose I might.'
He discovered that the sight of the twins face brightening at his simple words did cause him some happiness.
- 'Sara, are you sure you are doing your job?'
-'Of course.'
The words came out quickly, too quickly for her liking though she resisted the urge to glare at the other.
After the Plegian war the Pegasus order of Ylisse had been forced to replenish their ranks and quickly, too quickly it seemed as Knights with little experience suddenly found themselves in command of former squires and those that would have been deemed unsuitable just a few years prior.
The current campaign had, admittedly, already weeded out a number of those unsuitable and hardened the rest but some problems could not be removed so quickly.
-'Flight commander! There!'
Her dark thoughts were interrupted as another knight at something below them, she soon saw it too, a mounted force making it's way down the road that would eventually lead them to the main army.
-'They've noticed us.'
That was true enough and instead of making for cover the shapes of the column appeared to be waving.
Biting her lip the flight commnader glanced back to where the Ylissian camp would be, preparing for the days march and considered her options.
-'Let's get in closer, see who it is.'
A few moments later she would thank whatever made her make that decision.
-'Not a word of this from you or your sisters to anyone, understood!'
-'Yes lord!'
-'Dismissed.'
The pegasus knight saluted and left the tent leaving Robin to bellow for his squire, breakfast forgotten.
-'Get my men up, armed and await further orders… wait!'
The squire, already moving to leave stopped.
-'Get word to the Exalt, it is urgent he see me, understood?'
-'Yes lord.'
-'Good, now go.'
No sooner had the tent flap fallen than Robin turned at being asked.
-'What about us?'
The twins were looking at him expectantly, Marc still chewing a bread crust.
-'Get armed and report back here, I might have need of you but no action unless told and not a word of what you heard.'
-'Yes father!'
And with that they were gone leaving Robin alone. He stood for a moment before with a heavy sigh he shoved a piece of bread into his mouth and picked up his arming jacket.
Faces were grim in Chroms tent as the Ylissian lords sat in silence, Chrom resting his head on his hands only looking up when the tent flap was pulled aside.
- 'Why the sudden summon? Did something happen?'
Sayri asked, the other Valmese lords standing in silence, probably having agreed to have the Princess speak for them.
Robin glared at them, looking as their eyes swept the tent and the grim faced Ylissians and noted their reactions as their gaze fell on the dusty and bloodstained figure amongst them.
A pair of eyes widened, a hand went to the hilt of a blade and he was on his feet with a roar.
-'Bind them!'
The men of Chroms household stepped forward to bind them in iron grips. Most seemed too surprised to react though one lashed out and sent a squire back with a bloodied nose, another Valmese drew his dagger however the struggle was short and soon they were all bound save the one who had drawn steel and was being dragged from the tent.
- 'What is the meaning of this!?'
Seweryn demanded, glaring directly at Chrom. The Exalt looked up and waved his hand at the dusty man.
-'The Feroxi have been defeated.'
Robin watched closely at the reactions and admitted that most seemed surprised, Sayri going pale, Chrom continued.
-We were informed that that battle was going well enough till Botoganer decided to switch sides.'
The dusty Feroxi now spoke.
-'The turned and struck our flank, even than we held though with the Walhart striking us from the ford we held and the ford the bastards were meant to guard we were soon overwhelmed. Khan Flavia managed to organize a withdrawal and sent me to warn his majesty.'
-'And Basilio?'
Sayri asked, the Feroxi glanced at her.
-'I saw his banner fall.'
The men holding Sayri found her go limp in their grip and were forced to support her more than restrain. Seweryn shook his head and growled.
-'So some northern prick turns and you choose to turn on us?'
-'Judging by the reaction of some of your number it was the appropriate step.'
Robins stated coldly followed by Themis' more diplomatic tone.
-'We must be certain you had not been planning a similar action.'
- 'Our men won't stand for this!'
As if on cue the tent flap was pulled aside and a man in Robins colours entered.
-'My lord!'
-'Report.'
-'The Valmese have been disarmed.' -'Casualties?'
-'Almost none.'
-'Theirs?'
The squire shrugged.
-'A few, maybe a dozen or so. Most were too surprised to react and surrendered meekly enough.'
Robin nodded.
-'Well done. Keep them bound and watched but avoid unnecessary brutality.'
The squire saluted and made to leave before being stopped.
-'Oh, and escort their lordships to their tents, we will converse with them later.'
Once the tent closed Lord Nestor sighed and leaned back in his chair.
-'Well that could have gone worse.'
-'Better as well.'
Themis added, scratching his chin.
-'Are we sure antagonizing our allies like this is wise? I mean surely we could have gone about it more diplomatically.'
-'I'd sooner have less men but more trustworthy than have to constantly worry of betrayal.'
Robin stated as he paced back to the table and looked at the map. Chrom sighed and sat up straighter.
-'I'm glad you were inclined to minimize the brutality, most of them did not strike me the traitorous sort.'
Several heads nodded at this.
-'I do not think we'll find much treason among the lowborn.'
Themis stated as he looked to the tent flap.
-'I doubt they would now of any treason till the order was given.'
Nestor nodded his agreement but added his own thoughts.
-'True though I doubt any would have thought twice about following their lords in treason.'
None disagreed with the statement and the short silence was interrupted by Chrom.
-'So do we interrogate them now or do we let them sweat a little?'
-'Let them be for a moment. We need to get our facts straight so as to better catch them out if necessary.'
Robin said as he glided a hand over the map.
-'For now we should figure out what to do with the current strategic situation.'
Chrom nodded and turned to the Feroxi and indicated the map.
-'If you could.'
The man nodded and leaned over the map before placing his finger on it.
-'The khan is pulling back to Steigar, sending out patrols to delay Walhart, gather any scattered men and figure out what the enemy might be planning.'
He paused and tapped on the map.
-'She had no intention of locking up in the fortress, she means to march south after ensuring that the garrison will hold till relieved.'
-'Which route south does the Khan mean to take?'
Nestor asked, the Feroxi traced a line as he answered.
-'Last I heard she meant to go to Alver.'
-'Good enough.'
Themis commented.
-'As we've many fliers to scout we might as well sit here for a while. It will give us time to figure out which of the Valmese had been planning betrayal as well as time for reinforcements to reach us.'
-'Who knows, we might also get some more insight on what Walhart plans.'
Nestor added. Chrom nodded in agreement and glanced to Robin. The man stood in silence, staring intently at the map and it was only after a moment he looked up as he noticed the silence.
-'I agree.'
Chrom nodded.
-'Very well, we shall do so.'
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. His face twisted as he thought of what needed to be done.
-'I suppose we should start our traitor hunt now.'
-'Do I have to say „I told you so"?'
Lucina scowled and turned to answer but before she could Severa did.
-'Again with that you ass? We get it, you don't like the plan but you agreed to go with it so spare us your snark.'
Seemingly Gerome did not react at all, but those who knew what to look for would notice the small signs of his growing anger and Lucina stepped between the two.
-'Peace, both of you. Gerome has the right to voice his opinion Severa.'
Before Severa or anyone else could say anything she turned to the youth.
That said such jabs are of no value so be more constructive.'
For a moment the wyvern rider simply stood in silence before slowly nodding.
-'Very well, in that case I'll say a bit more. I previously questioned whether getting involved in a military campaign is wise, especially as we all can agree that this enemy matters little compared to… compared to him.'
His voice faltered yet no one thought any less of him, after all he was speaking of Him. The enemy, the only enemy that mattered. A heavy silence fell as if merely mentioning him could bring his gaze to bear.
Shaking her head as if the action could shake off the feeling that had settled Lucina spoke.
-'My father has informed me that he has sent word to my mother, requesting she have men look into the matter. I think we can agree that the information gathering of a kingdom will be superior to our own.'
None objected though Laurent chose to bring up his own complaint.
-'Perhaps though I doubt they will have the same urgency as we do. Hence a shame that the army is camped here and not a days march further where we'd be within walking distance of a city. Granted I am less that certain they would be in possession of tomes that would be of use to us but the chance is there.'
Inigo chuckled.
-'I doubt that though I'll agree with the shame of not camping near a city as without a doubt there would be something to look at.'
-'Pervert.'
Eyes instinctively shifted to Severa who was, however looking wide eyed at Noire who reddened under the joint scrutiny. The brief silence was ended by Kjelle.
-'It doesn't matter whether there would or not be anything useful, were stuck in the middle of nowhere for gods know what reason.'
-'We're waiting for a better picture of the strategic situation.'
Eyes shifted instinctively to Lucina only to shift to Severa who, surprisingly, seemed bothered by the attention for once. Kjelle snorted.
-'I take you're repeating what that ass told you.'
Severa reddened at the face before growling back.
-'And? Perhaps if you stopped being sore about him knocking you flat on your arse you might listen as he explains things.'
It was Kjelle's turn to redden, straightening she took a step closer to the other girl as everyone else took a half step back, eyes warily going from one to the other.
-'Enough!'
Lucina's voice made all eyes focus on her.
-'The situation is as it is and there is to be no more fighting over the matter. Am I clear!?'
She glared at her companions till she heard a murmur sounding like agreement. Nodding she continued.
-'Our issues can be brought up and I will do so however as long as we are here we shall tolerate it, treat it as a chance to rest.'
Again there was a murmur of agreement and the time traveling princess held gaze with them for a while longer before nodding.
-'Good. We'll stop at that so go and rest a bit.'
Severa fumed as she made her way through the camp, battle hardened mercenaries making way aware of both her temper and the special status she enjoyed within the army.
Severa was angry. With Kjelle for bringing up the Lord Constable as if it were wrong of her to share with them what little information he was willing to share with her. This meant it was naturally his fault as well for being an insufferable ass all the time, only to be surprisingly patient for her and her questions.
She had planned to follow the river till she reached the picket line but changed directions on realizing she was marching towards the latrines when the smell hit her. Veering away she found herself in a thicket, much thinner now that the camp retainers had been at it in their search for the vast quantities of firewood an army consumed.
Her pace slowed as Severa admitted to herself that part of the fault was her own, after all how many girls tended to get so aggressive so quickly as she?
At that she came to a halt, resting her head on a tree and sighed in frustration.
She should try to not be such, she decided before chiding herself to the frequency of such decisions she had made in the past. With another sigh she pushed herself off the tree and began to make her way back to the camp, engaged in a mix of self pity and chastisement.
Adsorbed in such a manner it was only when she heard a loud yelp that she looked up as she nearly jumped out of her skin.
-'Severa! Geez you scared us.'
-'You shouldn't be lurking around then.'
So much for self improvement, Severa chided herself. Morgan laughed an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her head. Now Severa noticed Marc as well, appearing from behind his twin.
-'So what are you two even doing here?'
She found herself asking, more to fill the awkward silence than a desire to know. Morgan laughed again.
-'Oh you know, nothing much...'
-'We're plotting.'
Marc interrupted. Severa raised an eyebrow, „weirdos" she thought, pleased with herself for not saying it aloud.
-'Weirdo.'
Morgan had no such qualms, swatting her brother on the head as she said it.
-'I see. I'm going then.'
-'Bye!'
With that exchange Severa left the twins to whatever they were up to, shaking her head as she did.
-'My lord?'
Sayri failed to keep the surprise from her voice as the lord Constable of Ylisse entered her tent, alone. Her surprise shifted to confusion as after a brief „princess" he said nothing instead slowly glaring from one thing to another.
-'My lord?'
She repeated. Robins eyes shifted to her.
-'I wished to clarify a few things said by you during our last conversation.'
Sayri stiffened slightly at the reminder of her interrogation.
-'I still find the mere thought of me joining Walhart...'
Robin raised his hand in a gesture demanding silence.
-'Yes, we believe you on that count Sayri.'
The usage of her name gave her pause, accustomed as she was to being addressed by title. Robin sighed.
-'Something did cause me wonder. Your attitude towards Basilio.'
Sayri felt her face go red even as Robin continued.
-'Specifically the fact that you did not seem surprised with his disappearance.'
She attempted to keep a straight face and cursed inwardly. Of course she had been relieved to discover Basilio had not been confirmed killed or captured, and no doubt Walhart would have made sure to declare such a fact far and wide had either been the case and the man had informed her himself he might disappear.
Robins eyes narrowed.
-'Did the west Khan speak to you of the matter, perhaps while the armies went their separate ways?'
„He knows!" She thought „My men must have talked or his spies heard but he knows!" She did not say anything however and the Constable leaned in close.
-'What did he tell you.'
The man hissed. Lowering her head Sayri answered.
-'He said I might hear he is dead, that it might be true...'
Robin straightened sharply cursing.
-'Damn him! Damn him and his bloody infatuations!'
He turned sharply, and accusing finger pointed at her.
-'What else? What else was said!?'
It was now that Sayri realized just how deep in trouble she was, the mans agitation final evidence to her being privy to something she should not have. She looked for an answer and found nothing, Robin stood straight, arms folding behind his back as he spoke again, his tone going cold.
-'This is of the utmost import Sayri. What else did he say?'
-'Basilio said nothing more… but to wait.'
Robins jaw clenched so tight she thought she heard his teeth crack. The man stalked from one end of the tent to the other before turning to her again.
-'Anything else?'
-'Nothing, I swear it.'
He glared at her till she found herself shifted her eyes away so she did not see the face he made when he said words that made her blood go cold.
-'You are aware I can bring my torturer in to break you bone by bone till you tell me anything and everything?'
-'Yes.'
-'And you still claim he said nothing else?'
She looked up, locking eyes with the man and answered.
-'I swear on all that is holy, my ancestors spirits, my families honour and my life that I speak the truth.'
The silence dragged on, so long that Sayri thought the Constable meant to call for his men when he sighed heavily and it was as if all the tension in the tent vanished.
-'I see, that is good.'
He sighed again and looked to the tents entrance.
-'Did you tell anyone of what he had said?'
-'No.'
He nodded again.
-'I would ask you not mention it, nor of our current conversation.'
-'Of course.'
She agreed immediately and paused, wondering whether saying anything more would be wise before deciding.
-'I've learned something I should not have, haven't I?'
-'Yes.'
-'Are you going to kill me?'
There was a silence as the man turned to her again, his eyes seeming as warm as an ice locked stream.
-'If I'm given any reason to doubt your honesty here.'
The first surprise came near sundown when the men expected the order to camp and instead the column continued marching. The murmur of surprise was quickly silence by the nco's pacing along the column with bellowed orders and the occasional usage of the lash.
Donnel fell silent with the rest and slogged on as the sun sank and the shadows lengthened. Lanters were lite and passed to the corporals who paused long enough to collect them before resuming the march.
The moon rose, casting it's cold light on the land and Donnel marched seeing nothing but his shuffling feet and the back of the men in front. Time passed with nothing to mark it but the moon traveling across the sky and the movement of feet, left, right, left, right, left…
His gambeson weighed down on his shoulders, his spear and pack dug into his shoulders and his helmet weighed his head down but still they marched.
Donnel stumbled only stopping himself from falling by his neighbor grabbing him by the arm and catching onto the man in front drawing a curse.
-'Steady in the ranks!'
A corporal barked but seeing the situation resolve itself he dis not moved in to sort it and the column continued it's march.
-'Column left!'
Donnels head snapped up and he looked around in a daze, the fields on both sides of the road were littered by dark shapes that on closer look proved to be men, sleeping men. The field became gradually free of the sleeping till the corporal barked.
-'Column! Halt!'
Donel staggered to a halt. Now he was no longer moving he realized how tired he was.
-'Fall out! Get some sleep lads.'
There was a collective sigh of relief as the men moved only as much as was necessary to find a clear patch of ground before collapsing on the ground. Donnel did as well though he wondered how anyone was to get any sleep with aching legs a grumbling belly and the constant sounds of other columns arriving, there officers and noc's giving loud orders.
No sooner had he finished the thought and he was asleep.
Sunlight glinted off of polished armour, silk banners rippled and the only sound louder than the boom of the drums and the blast of the trumpets was the roar of the crowds as they cheered their conquering hero.
Hero. Singular.
As far as the masses were concerned everyone else was just another decoration, speaking as if everything had been achieved by that one person, as if the blood, sweat and tears of all those who fought, suffered, had been maimed or killed fighting alongside the champion did not exist.
-'History does not remember the second in command, nor those whose suffering makes triumph possible. The vanquished are better remembered.'
The voice dominated, not cutting through the noise so much as crushing it. The noises disappeared and those marching slowed as if everything had suddenly been thrust underwater.
-'Why do you accept it? Why allow yourself to be set aside while they take the glory? Why? Especially when you still are and they...'
The parade still marched around them but their armour no longer glistened but went red from rust, clothes and banners faded before turning to tatters even as the people themselves faded. Flesh darkened and fell away exposing bones that bleached before turning to dust.
-'Even the dust from their bones have long faded to nothing yet you still remain.'
The darkness swallowed everything without warning consuming all but the speaker, a shape of a hooded man darker even than the darkness around them.
-'Yet still you let yourself be pushed into the shadow as other, lesser minds take the light. Why? Why do you choose to be nothing?'
His hand shot out, grabbing the hood, tearing it back.
-'When you could be everything.'
He saw himself hiss even as the darkness consumed him.
-'Up you whoresons! There's marching to be done!'
Donnel was on his feet before he fully woke and looked around in blurry eyed confusion. The sun was just begging to look over the horizon and all around him men were rising, many looking around confused.
-'Form ranks!'
As he gripped his spear and shuffled into his position in the ranks there were two thoughts in his head.
The first was how could anyone seriously think of waking them so early after the previous days march, the second was that he really had to pee.
-'Weapons down!'
As they stacked their polearms the corporal continued speaking in a slightly lower tone than parade ground bellow.
-'Consider yourselves fortunate as his majesty, the Exalt, has decided you get to eat before the days march. Get yourselves prepared.'
Murmured curses and conversation sounded amongst the men even as they moved to do as told. For his part Donnel was finding it hard to believe that they were expected to march again so soon after the previous day and said so though he was careful to do in a tone loud enough so as the corporal could pretend he didn't hear it. His tent mates did and the statement drew a laugh.
-'Get used to it. There'll be forced marches a plenty before this war is over.'
-'Aye. I reckon his majesty wants to push hard now we've arrived before they enemy realizes we're all the stronger.'
Conversation was killed by the arrival of food and the soldiers took to the important business of wolfing it down and voiding their bladders before the corporals were back to bully them into formation.
-'We should attempt to reach Koluna. A fair distance but the roads are good so it will be less taxing on our new arrivals, especially the artillery park.'
Nobody disagreed with the assessment. The Ylissian and Feroxi aristocracy as well as a number of mercenary officers were on a small rise overlooking the road on which the army marched.
-'Any word from the scouts?'
Chrom asked without looking away from the marching columns. Sumia cleared her throat.
-'Nothing, there is no sign of the enemy or of Flavia's force.'
Chrom nodded.
-'Very well. In that case the orders stand. Back to your men gentlemen, we've a long road yet. Robin, stay here.'
Robin looked after the leaving before turning to the Exalt. Chrom looked tired, leaning forward and resting his arms on his saddle but said nothing.
So Robin waited, observing the marching columns, occasionally glancing to the other man and yanking at his reins whenever his horse started grazing. Both mens retainers stood a respectful distance away, holding hushed conversations as they waited for the lords to finish.
Just as Robin decided to break the silence Chrom sighed heavily, sat straight in the saddle and turned to Robin.
-'What do you honestly think of the situation.'
-'Things could be better.'
Chrom snorted but said nothing, Robin took it as a sign to continue.
-'They could be worse. We stronger now the reinforcements have arrived and it seems that we've weeded out those of the Valmese that were plotting to join Walhart.'
He paused and looked up as a flight of pegasus knights flew off.
-'We are outnumbered. A third of our force is made up of men of doubtful loyalty and we are marching on an enemy that has apparently won every battle he has fought commanding an army fresh from victory over our Feroxi allies.
- 'Moral might be an issue.'
Chrom stated. Robin sighed before nodding.
- 'Likely. Less so among the mercenaries, especially those that have been with us from the start of the campaign but the Valmese and the newest reinforcements…'
The two sat in silence, observing the army march past till Chrom sighed and sat straight in the saddle.
-'So be it. We shall see what fate will bring us.'
Kicking back his heels the exalt spurred his mount into action and went to join the army, Robin and their retainers following swiftly.
- 'We have confirmation, Yenfay is dead, his army scattered and the south is in revolt against the Empire.'
Faces were grim as the noble reported the latest information received. Battle hardened men, many of whom had been leading soldiers long before Walharts ascension to the throne and his war that turned Valm from the weakest of the continents principalities to the strongest but nobody said anything, merely glanced to the head of the table where the Emperor himself sat.
None could ever doubt him to be anything other than the Emperor, not even due to his powerful frame or his noble face, it was the strength of his presence that truly said as much. Everything he did carried authority to it.
- 'It would seem we have suffered another setback.'
His voice was deep and easily carried to everyone present despite him not raising his tone at all.
- 'What do we know of the enemies movements? Excellus?'
Faces turned to the eunuch who put on a smile as he spoke.
- 'Alas the foe has learned of the Feroxi defeat and the role those they had thought as allies in their downfall and have largely purged their ranks of our loyalists. Fortunately some of my men still can do their duty and have informed me that the enemy march north, possibly on Alver.'
- 'Perhaps they are gathering what is left of their forces there? Unfortunately more of the enemy escaped the battle than previously thought.'
One of the nobles offered, another nodding.
- 'It is likely.'
- 'True, the question is, what do we do with the situation?'
Cervantes, Imperial Marshal, waved a hand over the map on the camp table.
- 'What is there to do? With Yenfay gone we have no force in the south to challenge the invaders nor relieve our garrisons neither is there anything to keep the locals loyal, loyalty I might add that we had only just gained and even than not fully. We must march south and defeat the invaders before they reignite the flames of war there.'
-'We have hostages.'
Scoffed Excellus with a dismissive wave of his hand.
- 'They wouldn't dare...'
- 'No more than any of the many other traitors we face who still resist despite all the guarantees you make.'
Cervantes interrupted, stroking his beard. The smile disappeared from Excellus' face but before he could answer another noble raised his hands.
- 'Peace friends, peace. The situation is as is and we must resolve it, bicker some other time.'
Both scowled but said nothing, the noble nodded.
- 'I agree with Cervantes, we must march south to deal with the enemies main force, though we have many means to ensure the loyalty of our more recent vassals there is always a chance that it will not be sufficient. Nevertheless we must not forget the north either.'
He paused and tapped a point on the map.
- 'Steigar is in enemy hands and both makes it impossible for us to act in that region as well as presenting a threat to our rear and if we are to leave it unresolved they may very well strike our rear, perhaps even Valm proper.'
-'Splitting our forces before what could be a crucial battle does not sit well with me.'
- 'Nor me.'
Cervantes agreed stroking his beard as he continued.
- 'However we can't leave an enemy force on our rear.'
- 'Domil.'
All fell silent and turned to the Emperor.
-'You will take five thousand men and march on Steigar. Besiege it, make sure none can pass south.'
- 'Majesty.'
- 'The rest of us will march south. Send the scouts out in a wide arc, I want to know where the enemy is before he knows of us and we will bring these foreigners to the field and crush them.'
There was a chorus of confirmation from the lords though in the gloom none seemed to notice Excellus' smile grow a little larger at the decision.
Hellova writers block (I blame work and life in general) but with some muse reappearing and some crazy people still fav and following this story I figured I should upload the chapter I had been working on and hopefully get to writing the rest of it.
Hope you liked it.