Alrighty! Sorry it took a while for me to get this one up, had a hard time getting writing on this chapter. So now Legault's moving on Castle Pherae, what will happen now? Anyway, hope you're eager to find out, as otherwise I've failed you all as a writer! Hope you enjoy this new chapter.
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Departure: Chapter 3
The Waking Dream
As the moon began its ascent into the heavens, Legault and his Fangs began his approach towards Castle Pherae. The inside of the castle was visible from the torchlight that glowed from inside. Guards lazily marched the parapets, gauging by the position of the moon how long their shifts had left. Completely ignorant of the approach of the assassins, the guards completed their rounds once more. The defenses of the castle were made by the mountain it sat upon, which made approach by foot a difficult and exhausting task in battles.
The assassins carefully slinked up this mountain, forced to use both hands and feet in order to climb whilst remaining low to the ground. Upon reaching the top, the Fangs assessed the castle more closely. A guard stood on either side of the ornately forged iron doors that barred entry to all unwelcome guests. Occasionally, a guard could also be seen patrolling inside the halls of the castle. Overall, defense seemed fairly lax, as expected.
Quickly whispering orders for the Fangs, Legault and his men spread out. The Fangs began their approach to the main door, pressed against the wall as they approached, some on both sides. The conversation of the guards, which had been but a murmur before became clear to Legault's ears.
"-an't believe that old dog Marcus actually cut our training regimen today."
"Hmph, I'll second that. Funny how he even gives us a break with that normal way he snaps out his words."
"Yeah, I almost thought he'd have had put lice in our beds or something. Then tell us it's because we slacked off."
"Heh, that crazy old man."
The guards cautiously glanced back over their shoulders, as though expected their topic to have somehow appeared behind them. The first guard then chuckled, "I'll drink to that."
At this moment the Fangs leapt from their hiding places, and the guards found blades pressed against their throats. Legault hissed in the ear of one.
"Don't raise an alarm; your lord is in no danger." The guards' eyes flicked about in fear and confusion as they attempted to discern their captors' faces through the darkness and the masks. Tentatively, one of the guards spoke with naught but a whisper.
"What do you want then?"
"Thria, where is he?"
"No!" The guard who was under Legault's blade hissed, "We cannot betray him, our duty is not just to Pherae, but to Lycia as a whole."
Legault pressed the blade against his hostage's neck harder, a thin line of blood drawn. "The only thing that you can change is how many of you paltry waged guards live or die tonight. Speak!"
The guard's valor wavering, he looked to his companion for council, which he received in a nod after a moment's hesitation. "He's in the guest rooms, second floor of the west hall. When you enter, turn left, westward. After that, continue through the halls until you reach the outer wall, a staircase will be on your right. Those stairs will lead up into the guest quarters. He should be in…th-the third or forth door on the right, in the hall on your left. That's all I know! Release me!"
Legault removed the blade from the guard's throat and harshly threw him to the ground, like treatment was given to the other. Then Legault spoke once more, pointing at Cahrre, Charles and Ria. "You three come with me. The rest of you make sure we keep a route out of here and watch the prisoners." Legault then strode through the doors kept open as normal.
Legault and his trio began stealing down the decorated halls. The ornate tapestries and paintings hanging on the walls, one of particular interest was a picture of a battle from the Scouring. The Hero Roland stood atop a mountain of human corpses as he raised his sword to strike at a Dragon that stood before him. Legault paid little heed to the painting, as he swiftly grabbed various items of some value from the castle. As the Fangs were not paid assassins, they had to eat by whatever means they could afford. Which usually came in form of the splendor of their target's home, though this time Pherae was paying for the Fang's meal instead of Thria. Yet as Legault and his team had gone mere moments into the castle, a small uninteresting door swung quickly open. The maid that had emerged let out a small yelp of fright as she saw the dark shrouded figures before her, and Ria instinctively reacted and jumped away from the noise. She slammed into a table displaying an elegant tea set, inlayed with gold and silver, which caused the tea set to tumble to the ground and smash. The resulting sound attracted attention from a guard, who rounded the corner quickly.
"Hey! Who did tha-?" The guard cut off as he saw the wraiths in black in front of him, then snapped into the actions taught to him "Halt! This is Castle Pherae of Lycia, who are you to tread inside it?" Legault vaguely heard Marcus' own bark inside that well rehearsed line, but shook the thought from his head as he flew into action himself.
"Make a distraction for me, I'll head towards the target, get out when it becomes too dangerous or if you're wounded. Go!" After hastily slipping these words to his followers, Legault dashed down the hall heading west. A cry of pain from the guard and following clashes of metal told Legault of the Black Fang's "distraction." Legault hurried forward to finish the job he came for.
Legault sprinted down the halls, the plush carpets laid out silencing his footsteps. Legault's eyes darted quickly back and forth, looking for signs of more Pheraen soldiers. The only faces he saw though was a long row of portraits though, showing Eliwood's family line, at some point it is apparent by the sudden drastic difference between two portraits that the ruling family died out at one point, and that is when Eliwood's line took over. Legault returned his gaze to his path, wheeling around the corner of another hallway quickly, yet keeping his overall course west, Legault eventually made it to the stairs.
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Eliwood sat in his room, wearily looking over bills and petitions that required his attention when Marcus abruptly came in. "They're here." Eliwood's fatigue suddenly was pushed aside and the lord sat up and snatched the rapier that stood in the corner of the room.
"Which way?"
"Follow me, Milord."
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Isadora restlessly paced back and forth, periodically looking out one of the windows in the wall, hoping to catch sight of assassins carefully out of sight to all others. Yet no vision ever came to her eyes. Then a young man, younger than Isadora when she became a knight, came dashing, his armor jangling noisily. When the soldier arrived, he briskly saluted Isadora. "Ma'am, inside the castle, there are assassins!" Isadora hastily began questioning the soldier, completely unsurprised of the intruders' presence.
"How many are there? Quickly!"
"We've engaged three, but the soldier who first found them claims he saw four."
"Alright, return to the battle, soldier."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Isadora's heart quivered with excitement. Four assassins originally seen, three currently confronted. Legault was on his way to her, she could feel it in her bones. Drawing her sword, Isadora swiftly knocked on the door of Marquess Thria's room to alert Harken of their guests' arrival.
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Legault heard the clamor of armor return his way, and retreated to the shadows again. The messenger passed him once again, and headed back in the direction of the commotion. Legault removed himself from the wall, and began his way back up the stairs. The messenger had proved to be troublesome, but at least his presence showed Legault he was on the right track. Legault reached the top of the staircase, and he slowly pushed open the large oaken door that stood at the end of the stairs. Suddenly, he heard a voice upon the air.
"Where is Lord Thria?"
"He's taking his bath, Why?"
"They've arrived; three are creating a distraction, one's on his way here."
The conversation suddenly broke off, and a new voice entered. "What the devil is going on?"
"Lord Thria! Please, don't come any closer to the door, it's not safe!"
"Not until you explain what is happening!"
Legault suddenly saw his chance, as the conversation implied his target was near the entry to his room, a chance to strike appeared. Instead of having to fight his way through the bodyguards of the Marquess and then once more when he fled, he'd be able to kill the target and flee before the guards could react. Legault began his approach. As the door came in view, Legault froze. Before him in the doorway he saw a feminine outline wrapped in white, with blue tresses hanging smoothly from her head. Though her view was currently turned elsewhere, and he could not see her face either, Legault knew his dreaded meeting with Isadora had arrived. Then the voices renewed their speech. "Milord, please…"
"Tell me! Now!"
The voice which sounded to be Harken's spoke.
"Lord Thria, there are reports of assassins within the castle. The guards will handle it, I assure you, but for now it is best we wait for news of the assassins' death or retreat."
"What? Where are they?"
"We do not know Lord, but please give us time. Milord, Milord!" The alarmed cry of Harken signaled possibly the most foolish mistake Thria could have made. Marquess Thria boldly marched into hallway, as both Isadora and Harken shoved through the door to impede the Lord's movement. All four figures froze as they saw each other, before everyone sprung into action.
Isadora quickly shoved her emotions aside for her duty, and quickly brought herself into a defensive stance before the Marquess. Harken however dashed forward to engage Legault, quickly drawing his sword and swinging vertically. Legault threw himself backwards, out of the way of the blow by a hair's breath. Harken kept swinging his blade with a well trained skill, leaving little chance of counter attack. Legault managed to stay just ahead of the strokes, feeling the wind brush his face with every one. Harken quickly stepped forward and thrust the sword towards Legault's mid-section. Legault slipped by the blade, and quickly took the opportunity to run past the furious assault.
Isadora then stepped forward to confront the assassin. Starting likewise to Harken she swung with gravity towards Legault's skull. Legault quickly crossed and raised his twin daggers, Isadora's elegant long sword catching between them. Legault's legs buckled slightly under the pressure of the blow, before pushing back and sliding his own blades across Isadora's with a horrible screech as the metal cleaved against each other. Marquess Thria's shock was replaced with fear as the howl of the blades helped him realize his plight. With one hesitant step back, he fled into the curving corridors of Castle Pherae.
Breaking past Isadora, Legault sped after his fleeing prey, The two knights close on his trail. Through the halls the group ran, not finding any signs of any human presence. The majority had either engaged the other assassins or had retreated to the safety of their quarters. Yet slowly but surely, the two knights lost ground on the other two. Legault had trained a high level of speed in his career, and the Marquess seemed rather light on his feet considering his pampered life. Yet while the two knights were of strong builds, their strength was partially due to the armor they wore day after day. This armor also slowed their stride.
After losing the two knights, Marquess Thria led Legault through the halls. Weaving and darting through halls at random.
Isadora came first to the intersection of the passageways before halting. The footsteps had drifted out of hearing; she looked at the two halls before her, trying to decide which way to go. Harken, having caught up, stopped momentarily to give the brisk command, "We split up!" before running down the hall before him. Isadora, following the advice of Harken, turned and went the other way.
Marquess Thria, stumbled down the hall gasping for breath. It was a dead end. Turning to face his aggressor, who stalked forward with his purpose evident, Thria raised a hand to Legault. "Wait!" Almost obligingly, the shadow stopped.
"What for?" A teasing sneer in the question's delivery.
"What do you want? You… you have a motive! We all do!" The Lord babbled, quickly trying to figure out how to stall until his guardians caught up.
"Your point?"
"I-I could use a man like you! You see, Thria needs… cleaning up. You could help."
"Oh, could I? Why would I want to help you, though, my target?" Legault humored the Marquess, stringing him along a while longer, like a cat with a captured mouse.
"Because, I can supply whatever you want! Your motive, whatever it is, it's within my grasp." Marquess Thria drove his point desperately, perhaps enlarging his own affluence to sweeten his bargain.
With a thoughtful stroke of his chin, Legault replied with a question, "Food?"
"The best!"
"Pay?
"How much?"
"For my fellows?"
"Every one of them!"
Legault paused in consideration for a second longer. "Well, it has been a while since I've eaten anything besides that slop." Extending his hand towards the Marquess, he asked one last question, "Do we have an accord?" The Lord took the hand with relief as he firmly shook it.
"Thank you… you've made a wise decision to-" The Lord was suddenly cut off as Legault pulled hard on his hand, sending Thria lurching forward towards the waiting knife's eager edge. Thria gasped once more before his throat was split open upon the dagger, blood gushing from the wound. Legault smiled grimly before pushing the collapsed corpse away from him.
"No deal then?" Legault began to trot back the way he came, thinking of how to reunite with his Fangs then retreat before the guards overwhelmed them. Assassins weren't trained fighters after all; an undermanned distraction could only last so long.
After backtracking some ways, Legault stopped suddenly as he came face to face with Isadora, her blade held before her. Legault stepped away from the sword quickly. While Isadora followed him, her face showing all her fear, her uncertainty, her sorrow, her loneliness, and Legault's mind leapt upon the weaknesses like a starved lion. "Isadora."
"Legault." She returned the greeting, her voice wavering.
"Ten years, it's been ten years." Legault continued with nostalgia in his voice, "I've missed you."
Legault slowly returned his daggers to their prisons, as Isadora's will faded, her sword lowering. "Where have you been? Why did you leave for so long?" Tears began to form on Isadora's eyes as her years of futile waiting began to cease. Legault moved closer, Isadora was within arm's reach now.
"I've passed through Bern, Lycia, wherever I felt I was needed. I meant to say hello eventually, it was just one of those things that never worked out, just like this." Legault quickly drew a dagger with one hand, Isadora instinctively backing up. In a quick motion Legault leapt forward and grabbed Isadora's face with his remaining hand, forcing it into the stone wall behind her. Her head collided with the wall noisily, blood seeped out of the back of her head into her hair, the blow dazing her. With shaking hands, Legault raised the dagger high. Looking into the eyes he had grown to love, a tear falling from his own. And with a dread in his stomach, Legault realized had played out just like his dreams predicted.
Ok! Thanks for reading everyone! Please review and give me your thoughts, they're constructive to my work, more than you can imagine! Our next chapter is on… Aesha, we're gonna focus on one of the back story characters next time!