Chapter Twelve: The Mission
(Hershel's POV)
On our way to the training room, I couldn't help but wonder how long we would have to train for before we would be allowed to go on missions.
Eh, probably a couple of years. It takes time and dedication to master a weapon of any kind.
Omofrisit!? What are you doing in my head?!
We made a deal, remember?
Right…What am I getting out of it, again?
Well, mostly wealth, but I'm sure we can find something else for you too.
Oh, okay. I suppose that's fair enough.
Yes, well, you'd best get back to reality; it seems the others are trying to communicate with you.
What do you mean?...You still there?
Suddenly, I was snapped back into reality.
"Hershel! Hello? Are you there?"
"Huh? Wha?"
"You zoned out for a minute there, are you okay?" Frey asked.
"Um, yeah, I think so." I answered.
"Uh huh. Well, whatever. While you were zoned out, we made it to the training room, Lon'qu had to leave and prepare for some kind of tournament, and we were summoned to the throne room, so we're on our way there now." Frey explained.
"Ah, I see…"
We arrived at the throne room and were treated to Basilio's silent stare, once again. Frey and I waited for what seemed like ages before Basilio decided to speak.
"First, I would like you to acknowledge that I didn't crack a smile this time." Basilio said with pride obvious in his voice. "Second, I need you two to go to Ylisse. I've received word from an unreliable source that there will be an attempt on the Exalt's life in twelve days time. That being said, the source was unreliable, so I would prefer to not tell those at the Ylissean palace so as to avoid a panic. But, if the rumor is true, I wouldn't want it to be left unchecked. That's where you two come in; since you don't wear the crest of a particular kingdom, no one will pay you any mind, and with your skill set, you should be able to get into the palace and keep an eye on things. So what do you say?"
Frey looked like he was still trying to absorb all of what Basilio had just said. As for me, I was just trying to figure out what to do without completely panicking. My first option was to play along with Basilio's plan and then get murdered by my 'employers' later. The second option was to play along with Basilio's plan until we get to the night of the assassination and then side with my 'employers' and get murdered by Ylisse and Ferox. The third option was to run clear across the continent, change my name, dye my hair and never come back to this side of the continent.
To be honest, the first two options sounded better, because the third option sounded like too much work.
"We'll do it." Frey said.
Wait…What?
"Excellent, you'll be leaving tomorrow morning at first light, so use the rest of today preparing." Basilio said.
"Uh, Frey, maybe we should think about this a little more carefully, huh?" I said nervously.
"What's there to think about; we won't have to train, we get to go on a real mission, and it's not like we have a choice anyway, we're practically his servants anyway." Frey said matter-of-factly.
*Sigh* "Fine…" I said, defeated.
As I lay in bed that night, I tried to figure a way out of my predicament.
Aahhhhh, I don't know what to do, I have three choices, none of which sound appealing.
If you don't mind my input, I say you should go with choice number two.
Which one was that?
You can't remember your own choices? If I could sigh, I would. Choice number two was the one where you side with your 'employers', because let's face it, you'll get some extra cash that way.
Mmm, that's an extremely good point, but what about my morals?
…What morals?
Another excellent point! You know, Omofrisit? You're a genius.
I know, It's merely one of my many amazing talents.
You can do more? What else can you do?
I can see the future to some degree, I can possess dead bodies, I can possess living bodies and effectively eject the original owner, and I can perform dark magic.
…That's quite a resume you've got there, who did you used to be?
That's still irrelevant. But I will tell you eventually.
Fine, whatever, keep being cryptic, see if I care.
…
….
…
Now can I know?
NO!
Fine, geez, you didn't have to get all huffy.
Just go to sleep, you'll need your energy for tomorrow anyway.
All right, good night.
Oh…good…night…
(Omofrisit's inner thoughts)
Huh, he wished me a good night, I do believe that's the first time anyone has shown me genuine kindness. It makes me feel…strange, but in a good way. I wonder if I would have received more kindness had I not been as harsh towards my subjects, perhaps I could have even been a king that was loved instead of feared and hated…NAH, that's stupid, the only good way to rule is with an iron fist…But it still makes me wonder…
A/N: Well, this is rather awkward, I've had this chapter half written on my computer for over a month now, and only just got around to finishing, and for that, I would like to apologize.
If anybody is still reading this, please give me some feedback through either PM or review.
Thanks for reading! And please don't hate me for updating late.