The journey towards the Ylissean border was a slow and exhausting event for Morgan. The convoy moved with a snail's pace, burdened not only with important dignitaries, but also lavish gifts and valuables as one would expect from such an important diplomatic undertaking. It did not help that Validar insisted that they be hosted at nearly every Lord's (small and great) castle, rarely making camp in the wilderness.
In her half-brother words: An opportunity to cultivate some connections.
If so, then he only did it for himself, as he saw to it that she rarely was invited to dine at the table of the various hosting lords. Often, she was sent to eat with the common soldiers and servants outside the castles. This bothered the young mage little as she preferred to spend her time with her common-born sisters instead of some pompous highborn noble. Yet Morgan made a note to remember this insult. Her time would come when she got back to the capitol.
Other then starring at the landscape as they travelled and talking to her sisters. Morgan would from time to time try to convince the guards to allow her to see to their royal prisoner. She was again denied at every turn, each guard gave her the same stiff response. There were times where Morgan wondered if members of the royal guard had any personality at all. Each member moved in a near parallel precise and coordinated manner. They spoke in a similar way, a silent voice yet one that was loaded with authority.
Morgan shuttered at the thought of a training regime that could instil such discipline and monotone conduct on their recruits.
The day finally came where they arrived at the border. The chosen location was a plain field, devoid of any hills or any elevations of any kind for miles. This ensured that no side could stage an ambush or easily hide any force of significance. A camp was set up, as the Ylisseans had not yet arrived. At the eastern end of the Plegian camp, a grand pavilion was built, and was to function as the site of negotiations.
The Ylisseans arrived a few days later and after a few exchanges of words, set their own camp so that the pavilion was located at their western side. When this was done, negotiations could finally begin the next day.
As instructed Morgan wore her blue Ylissean dress on the day of meeting. Validar in contrast wore a fine dark Plegian robe as befitting the Hierophant of Plegia. Morgan felt out of place as she stood by her brother, awaiting the Ylissean delegation to arrive at the pavilion.
For their protection four of the royal guard was present at the pavilion as well as a few other regular soldiers. To Morgan's surprise, her sisters had also been ordered to be present at the meeting as well.
And like her and Validar, they stood out like a sour thumb. Clad in simple leather armour, they looked pitiful compared to the extravagant steel-plated royal guard.
The Plegians didn't have to wait long for their counterparts to arrive. The Ylisseans was escorted by about a dozen knights clad in heavy armour. Like the Plegians, they too had only sent two dignitaries to represent the interest of the Halidom of Ylisse.
As they approached, Validar steeped forward, bowed, and greeted them.
''My lords, it is an honour to meet you for this momentous occasion. My name is Validar of the Royal House of Plegia. Second son of his excellency. And this is my second for these negotiations, my sister Morgan of the Royal House''
Morgan almost made a frown at Validar's last statement. It was awfully charitable of Validar to acknowledge her as a member of ''the Royal House''. He almost sounded sincere for a moment, but then again it would be diplomatically idiotic to introduce her as a bastard in front of foreign dignitaries, as it could easily be interpreted as an insult to other parties at the best of times. Morgan played along and bowed in a similar manner as her brother.
In contrast to Plegia. The Ylissean dignitaries consisted of two older men.
One was a tall man at least 7 feet high, strongly built, clean shaved and had a serious glint in his eyes. He had a brown hair, but there was clear evidence that it was going grey.
His companion was smaller of built, around 6 feet high, had a grey beard and greyish blue hair. The blue hair was in a much similar hue as Morgans own hair color.
Both men were clad in armour and despite their age, Morgan had a feeling that they could take on any warrior in the pavilion.
The tallest man responded to Validar's greetings.
''My lord and I greet you as well. May I present to you Exalt Chrom of the Halidom of Ylisse, and I'm his second, his captain of the guard Lord Frederick''
At his introduction, Exalt Chrom stepped forward and cast a glance at Validar first then moved his gaze to Morgan. The young dignitary suddenly felt very uncomfortable as she noticed the Exalt's gaze lingered few seconds longer on her then Validar. There was a certain glint in his eyes. Unlike her father's, the Exalt eyes had a spark of life in them. They did not make her feel as if someone had poured ice over her body, but instead made her feel an uncomfortable warmth down in her stomach. Nevertheless, it was an unpleasant feeling.
Did he suspect their kindship? Her father's words came back to her.
If the Exalt ever laid eyes on you, he would know you to be kin.
Morgan wished she had disobeyed her father and simple gone to the meeting clad in her usual clothes.
She needed a way to break away from this awkward situation. She bowed again to the man who by blood was her own grandfather and spoke.
''It's an honour to meet you, your highness''
At this the Exalt gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable and responded.
''The honour is all mine. Now with the pleasantries out of the way, shall we continue with the negotiations?''
Validar bowed again and spoke with a sickening sweet voice.
''My my, why the haste my good Exalt? I was hoping that we could partake in a light meal as well as some entertainment before moving on to more diplomatic matters, surely, you're tired from the long journey?''
At this Frederick spoke up, having little patience for such pointless activities.
''Do not mistake the situation Plegian! The only reason we're talking and the only reason my Lord would even come here himself, is because you promised the return of princess Lucina! If you fail to deliver on this, the war will continue at earliest opportunity''
Validar was unfazed at this, he simply smiled and continued.
''Of course, my Lords, if you would be so kindly to at least go with us into the pavilion so that we may discuss the details of this armistice in more comfortable surroundings.''
The pavilion was sparsely furnished despite being extravagantly built. There was only a simple large wood table in the middle with six chairs – three on each side of the table. Both participants had their own scribe, who would sit at the table and write every agreement down on parchment.
The respective guards took position behind their respective charges. Severa and Noire stood behind Morgan, while two Royal guards stood behind Validar. Behind them was further four soldiers and another guard stood at the entrance. The Ylisseans arranged their guards in a similar manner.
As the dignitaries sat down, Validar spoke first.
''I shall keep this short, Plegia shall pledge to cease all hostile acts against the Halidom of Ylisse. Ylisse will naturally do the same. And as a sign of good will, my father the King has agreed to release any remaining Ylissean prisoner held in our captivity starting with the Princess of Ylisse Lucina.''
Any remaining prisoner? Morgan thought that Validar most likely meant any noble prisoner (if they had any). As if anyone would miss a few hundred commoners. Her thoughts drifted towards Severa's mother for a moment and wondered if she was still around.
The talks went on for some time, revolving on how future trade would be conducted as well as how the borders would be arranged after decades of war.
As the negotiations was about to conclude, the Exalt spoke.
''So, we have come to an agreement, but before I sign on anything. Bring me my daughter, I want to see if she is well''
At this Validar smiled.
''Of course, your highness, it has after alle been years since you last saw her. I shall give word to the guards to bring her here''
While Validar seemed to be at ease at the Exalt request, Morgan was silently terrified. See if she was well? She was a mess! Morgan remembered the princess sorry state and doubted that it had improved since she last saw her. This was not going to be pretty.
And she was right.
At the sight of his daughter's crippled appearance. The Exalt immediately rose from his chair and rushed to the princess side. All concern of maintaining a kingly appearance gone. His guard captain quickly joined his liege. The Ylissean guards in turn all began to reach for the hilts of their respective swords. Validar rose from his seat as these events unfolded and turned to the Exalt, his expression unreadable.
As the Exalt kneeled beside his daughter and held her almost skeletal hand, the princess spoke with a weak voice.
''Father?''
The air in the pavilion seemed to grow heavy, even a blind and deaf man would have been able to feel the fury of the Exalt. Before the Exalt could do anything, his guard captain drew his sword and spoke on his liege behalf.
''IS THIS HOW YOU TREAT YOUR PRISONERS PLEGIAN?! YOU BETTER CHOOSE A GOD AND PREY BEFORE MY LIEGE DECLARE THIS PEACE NULL AND VOID AND SEND YOU ALL TO THE AFTERLIFE!''
Validar made a surprised expression and lifted his hands as if defending himself. Morgan could tell that it was an act. Their guards remained still despite the tense situation, only Severa and Noire made any move to prepare themselves for a fight.
''My Lords, please understand that we were at war. Food and many common amenities were scant and hard to come by. And there were times where the princess simply refused to eat.''
The excuse didn't seem to placate the Ylisseans, so Validar continued to talk.
''But I understand your anger, we should have been better wardens for your princess. In Plegia, we have a saying: An eye for an eye.''
Morgan got a bad feeling about this.
''So, to further show you our sincerity, allow me to offer you my own dear sister and her companions as hostages and guarantee that we'll honour this agreement. I would consider it a fair trade, yes?''
Morgan was shocked. For a split second the events of the past few weeks came flashing before her. Validar's insistence on her choosing relatives for her ''guard'', his insistence on dinning with every lord at the roads, his indifference to the state of their highborn prisoner and then his parting words in the war-room.
Know your place bastard.
She has been a fool. While she spent her days dreaming about her future position and wasting it away, Validar had been cultivating favour among the various lords of Plegia and preparing himself for this day.
Dear sister? As if he ever considered her as a sister. She was a rival and with her father's promise of giving her command of an army, she was becoming a dangerous rival. And Validar would suffer no threat to his ascension to the throne, better to kill this threat at the crib before it had the chance to grow. The fact that she would drag a few more siblings down with her was just a bonus.
A thousand thoughts ran around the young girl's head. Should she reveal her heritage? To make it clear how valuable she was to their father? No, it would only create more confusion, not to mention how the Ylisseans would react at the revelation.
This was not right; she was meant to finally be someone. A worthy scion of her father's Royal line. Now she would be shipped off to an enemy as a hostage and becoming nothing more than a passive pawn in the political game.
''WHAT ARE YOU IMPLYING SCUM?! THAT WE SHOULD TAKE YOUR SISTER AND TREAT HER THE SAME WAY AS YOU BARBARIANS DID TO OUR PRINCESS?! HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE HONOR OF MY LORD!''
For a moment Morgan felt hope at the guard captain's outburst. Yes, if the Ylisseans would refuse her brother's offer then she could still return to Plegia and then it would be hell to pay.
However, as the Exalt finally spoke up, her hopes were quickly dashed.
''I accept.''
Frederick seemed surprised at this and turned to his lord.
''My lord?''
''Enough Frederick, this war has dragged on long enough. Our people are suffering, and I grow weary of all this conflict and misery. We only stand to lose if this goes on. I repeat; I accept these terms. It's time we bury the war axe and go home to rebuild. We'll be taking this…child with us as an assurance.''
Her fate seemingly sealed. Morgan felt as if a noose was tightening around her neck, but she would be damned if she did not try to at least protest. She rose from her seat and prepared to defend herself. Grima knows what these Ylisseans would do to her and her sisters.
''YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU CAN'T JUST SELL ME OFF AS A COW ON A MARKET!''
Validar for his part clearly seemed to enjoy her struggle and desperation. Yet he put on an apologetic expression and replied.
''But dear sister surely you would do this for the people of Plegia? Did you not hear? The good Exalt just agreed on these terms, or are we to re-negotiate for your selfishness? Please don't make a scene. It's unbecoming of one of our father's noble line. I'm sure you'll understand.''
Validar made a mocking bow towards her. Morgan looked behind her, Severa and Noire was already surrounded by four men with more encroaching. Severa had her hand on her sword hilt and looked ready to fight her way out, yet it was clear even for her that she was hopelessly outmatched. Meanwhile Noire stood frozen on the spot with a terrified and confused expression.
''GUARDS! My sister and her companions have long journey ahead of them. Please escort them to their carriage''
Morgan felt an armoured hand on her left shoulder that proceeded to not so gently push her towards the exit. As she neared the exit, she turned around and shouted at her hated brother.
''Father would have your head for this!''
At this Validar merely smirked at her and coyly replied.
''Oh, worry not dear sister, I'm confident that father would see the necessity of this sacrifice, and if not I'm sure that a few Lords would support this trade on my behalf. Rest assured, Plegia will be in good hands in your absence''
As she was led out of the pavilion, the young mage felt utter defeat and despair. She was done, her life was over before it really began, and she would be dragging her sisters with her.
This is the end.
Another chapter I hope that you found it enjoyable ^^ Made this one within a day, so please excuse me for any grammar mistakes.