Chapter 67 – Whatever is Needed

The following morning was hot with a late summer wind from out of the south. Flik blinked sweat out of his eyes as he waited, along with nine other men from his unit, on the road south from Dunan Castle. The Highland envoy was expected at any moment, and Flik with his men were to be his honor guard, but there was no sign of him yet.

Flik felt several conflicting emotions about the possibility of peace. Many of the soldiers were already making plans – some to return to their farms, others to get married. Kiba's Highlanders spoke wistfully of being able to get an amnesty and return to their homes. Gilbert said he thought of returning to Zexen and retiring from the mercenary business.

Several of Flik's own men had asked him questions in that direction. He didn't blame them, after all, his decisions would affect their livelihood. The problem was that he had no idea what he would do in peacetime. He nearly laughed, thinking about it. Hadn't he wondered about that many months ago, before he met Riou? He knew what the answer was. He'd follow Viktor, and together they'd find some adventure or cause that needed them. That was just the way of things.

"Commander, someone approaches from the Highland side." Rossgard pointed down the road, where Flik could make out several riders nearing. At their head was a man in a long black coat with white trim, a man that Flik had met several times before, both on the field of battle and off.

Culgan bowed slightly in his saddle. "It is an honor to greet you once again, Flik of the Blue Lightning."

"You are the envoy?"

Culgan shrugged, smiling in a friendly manner. "They seem to believe that I am best suited for it, so here I am." Breaking off from Flik, he turned to address one of the soldiers following him. "You all may return to camp. I have no further need of your services."

The guard captain gave him a concerned look. "Are you sure, Lord Culgan? I wouldn't want you to go into the enemy's stronghold unprotected."

Culgan gave a short laugh. "I do not think they have any such reception planed for me. Furthermore, I don't want to impose on them any more than I have to. I will be fine on my own."

"As you say." The captain wheeled his horse around and, with the rest of the Highland soldiers, rode towards their camp.

Flik led his men back up the road, he and Culgan at the head of the column. For a while, nothing was said, and Flik took the chance to study his opposite. Culgan did not have the look of a defeated adversary. The fact that he'd sent back his escort said something about his level of confidence. He rode tall in the saddle, casually scanning the countryside, completely at ease. Nothing in his bearing suggested that the Highlanders were going to capitulate quickly at the peace table.

As the city and Dunan Castle came into view, Flik said, "You fought well. You pushed us to the brink several times."

Culgan suddenly blinked, as if coming out of a reverie, but his tone was diplomatic when he replied, "I suspect that we didn't push hard enough, in my opinion. We underestimated your resolve and suffered for it."

Flik kept smiling, though he didn't feel it. "You shouldn't underestimate our resolve now."

"I assure you, we won't."

They rode on in silence for a few more paces before Flik grimaced and turned to face Culgan more fully. Trying to restrain his temper, he said, "I don't understand all of this posturing. If you want peace so badly, why don't you just continue to pull back to the border and be done with it?"

If anything, Culgan's smile became more friendly. "If it were that simple, I suppose we would do so, but things are more complicated than that. An outsider like you might not understand, but there are border issues to settle and the potential for indemnities cannot be overlooked." He glanced away, out over the lake, and added, "The biggest factor might be prestige. The citizens of Highland would never accept that we retreat and concede defeat. Hence, a negotiated settlement is needed."

"But you did lose!" Flik shouted. He could feel the blood rising in his face.

Culgan was imperturbable. "Funny, I don't think we did. Our army is still intact." He gestured over the lake. "It's still out there, beyond the horizon. It still outnumbers yours."

Flik nearly shouted again, but managed to recover his bearing. "If that's your attitude, why are you even here? What hope does Riou have of negotiating anything?"

Now Culgan met Flik's gaze. "I assure you, if negotiations go as planned, you will have peace in Jowston before the trees begin to turn."

Flik chewed the inside of his lip, but didn't respond. How could Culgan be so cocky after losing his king in battle? That attitude didn't make any sense. He tried thinking about the situation from Culgan's point of view. If Highland didn't feel defeated, then why retreat and offer to negotiate? Maybe they expected Riou to concede territory in exchange for peace. He shook his head and pressed on, leading them through the south gate and into the city. There was little point in worrying about terms before Highland made an offer.

Inside the walls, people began to notice Culgan immediately. Rumors that Highland would send an envoy had been spreading through the city, and now a crowd gathered to gawk. They weren't particularly hostile, but it wasn't friendly either. A couple of Winger youths swooped in low, buzzing over Culgan's head. To his credit, he didn't flinch, though his horse turned skittish. He coughed once and got his mount under control.

Once Culgan's horse was stabled, Flik led him to one of the side doors of the castle, away from prying eyes. There was no avoiding the entrance hall, however. When the two men entered, it was bustling, as always. In one corner of the room, a cluster of people had gathered around Viki. There was a bright flash of light, and in an instant they had all disappeared, teleported somewhere. Over by the Tablet of Stars, one of the maids was asking Luc if he could help with the cleaning. With a sigh, he lifted both hands and a gust of wind shook the dust off of every surface. It swirled around in the middle of the room before finally herding all of the collected grime into the bin the maid was carrying.

"Lively place you've got," Culgan remarked.

"Thanks," Flik replied, trying to hurry along before Culgan saw anything else that Highland didn't know about.

Luckily no one else intercepted Flik, wanting to tell him all about the New State Army's newest secret weapon right where Culgan could hear. They climbed the stairs, and Oulan ushered them into the great hall. Culgan only blinked twice upon seeing her, then recovered his composure.

They entered the room. Shu, Riou, and Nanami were up the dais. The others –Apple, Teresa, Viktor, Kiba, Klaus, Ridley, Freed, and Fitcher – were arranged in a half-circle below the steps.

"Welcome to Dunan Castle, Lord Culgan of Redcliff," Shu said. Flik was brought back to another negotiation, in South Window. He hoped that his one would turn out better.

Culgan did not immediately respond, but stared intently at Riou. The moment stretched, and Riou, looking uncomfortable, asked, "Is something wrong?"

"I have seen you from across the battlefield, Lord Riou, but never face to face. I think that I begin to understand your power a little better, now that I see it up close. You and my lord Jowy Blight are very much alike."

"Jowy Blight?" Nanami murmured. "Could that be our Jowy?"

Culgan addressed Nanami's question almost as if he were speaking to an old friend. "Indeed. He has officially wed Lady Jillia Blight, now the sole surviving heir of the royal family. You two are his friends, and he personally entreated me to convey to you how much he had hoped that you would've been able to attend the ceremony. Unfortunately, circumstances rendered that impossible."

Nanami thought about this for a moment. "Does that mean he wants some sort of wedding gift from us?"

Shu coughed discretely, signaling his displeasure in the turn of the conversation. Culgan nodded, but continued as if he were answering Nanami's question. "No. The reason that I am here today is to extend a formal offer of armistice between Highland and the Jowston Alliance. With the death of Luca Blight, the new king of Highland, Jowy Blight, desires to explore options for ending this terrible war."

"Did you say Jowy's the king of Highland?"

It took Flik a moment to realize that the voice had been his, but the question could've come from almost anyone in the room. Only Shu didn't seem genuinely surprised, but then he rarely betrayed any of his inner thoughts.

"Is the war over?" Nanami asked.

"There is the matter of negotiations," Culgan answered. "However, if both you and he truly desire peace, I think an accommodation can be made."

"Wait!" Kiba interrupted, striding towards Culgan. "What of Lady Jillia Blight? How is it that this upstart rules in her place?" His tone was distressed, his face agitated. Klaus came up behind him to put a restraining hand on his shoulder, but Kiba pressed forward to confront Culgan.

"I was not present at the coronation, but I can assure you that the transfer of power was handled through the normal legal procedures. There is precedent for a Blight queen to cede ruling authority to her husband, even if he hasn't a drop of royal blood. Furthermore, Jowy Blight has no children yet, so the issue of protecting the royal bloodline is moot." Culgan's calm face was in stark contrast to Kiba, who was bristling. "Does that answer your concern, Lord Windamier?"

It clearly did not, but Kiba allowed himself to be pulled back by Klaus. Shu took a few steps down the dais to speak with Culgan, before anyone else took control of the conversation. "So you do not have the authority to negotiate directly with us. Very well, where does Jowy Blight suggest that we hold the peace conference? Surely he doesn't expect Riou to come to L'Renouille like a supplicant?"

"Lord Blight has instructed me to suggest the Conference Hall in Muse City. It would be more proper to be negotiating with the mayor of that city, but that is no longer possible. Therefore, he requests that Lord Riou come, representing Muse, South Window, and Two Rivers. Lady Teresa Wisemail can represent Greenhill, of course."

Shu put his hands behind his back. "We will need to discuss this. However, there is one thing that I can assure you of – the New State Army no longer recognizes the old alliance structure. If we negotiate with Jowy Blight, it will be for one peace, as one nation."

Culgan's eyebrows twitched, but nothing more. "You may claim as you like. Whether you have the wherewithal to spin those claims into truth remains to be seen."

Shu climbed back up the dais before speaking again. "Is there anything else that needs to be covered, Lord of Redcliff? Otherwise, I must ask you to depart to the guest quarters while we discuss your offer."

"There is one other matter that I would like to raise," Culgan said. He paused momentarily, but when Shu gave no sign, continued, "As you are aware, the Kingdom of Highland generously released all of the Alliance prisoners in its possession. We were hoping for reciprocity on your part."

Before Shu could answer, Kiba spoke up, his manner harsh. "All Highland soldiers in the New State Army are under my jurisdiction. I shall release them to their homes only when I am satisfied that their future interests are safeguarded."

"Worried about your actions, Lord Windamier?" Culgan's face remained polite, but his tone suggested a smirk. "You have no reason for anxiety. Lord Blight is prepared to offer a full amnesty for all Highland soldiers and officers who, because of Luca Blight's incompetent leadership, were forced to fight against their homeland. I can assure you that your own wife, the Lady Eliza, is unharmed."

"And that is only because she is Harmonian nobility," Kiba barked back. "It wouldn't have gone well with you to upset your only ally in this war."

Culgan didn't reply to this, but spoke again to Shu. "I can see that we will find no satisfaction in this regard. So be it." He produced a sealed envelope from a pocket on the inside of his coat. "Lord Riou, this is a letter from Lord Jowy Blight, from one friend to another. It may be hard to believe, but I know that he earnestly desires peace in this land. That is one of the reasons why I have pledged my loyalty to him, and the reason I can walk alone into the stronghold of my enemy to speak with you. I only hope that you will prove as noble in spirit as Lord Jowy described you."

Nanami practically jumped down the steps to grab the envelope. "What's it say?"

Culgan smiled. To Flik, it appeared to be his first completely sincere display of emotion since entering the room. "I do not know. Things that would only have meaning between friends, I suspect." He took a step back from the dais. "I shall leave you to your deliberations."

There was silence after Culgan departed. Nanami looked at the letter feverishly and clutched it to her chest. Riou glanced at his sister once, then closed his eyes. Shu turned completely away, gazing at the wall behind the dais.

Viktor started tapping one foot and, when it was obvious to Flik that he couldn't stand the waiting anymore, spoke up. "Well, so he wants us to go to Muse, right? What do you think, Riou?"

Riou didn't answer. He almost didn't appear to be awake, with his eyes closed. Hesitantly, Klaus said, "My first instinct is to suspect a trap."

"No!" Nanami interrupted, surprising Flik, and apparently herself, with the strength of her voice. She squeezed the letter and added, "Jowy's not like that. He's not going to betray his best friend."

Klaus looked to Riou. "Jowy Blight has Leon Silverberg as his strategist. This is the man who orchestrated the burning of Kalekka, in his own country, to aid his king in prosecuting a war. We mustn't underestimate what he's capable of."

"But this is Jowy who's in charge, not some stupid strategist," Nanami argued. "He didn't try to stop us in Greenhill when he had the chance. Why would he try a trap now?"

"The circumstances are different now," Fitcher replied. "Before he was simply a general under Luca Blight. Now he's got a whole nation to worry about, with many competing factors weighing on his mind."

"It's still a great chance," Apple said. "Highland's armies are depleted from the constant campaigning. Right now, I think we could sign a peace treaty with very favorable terms. If we hesitate, they will only use this chance to get stronger."

Ridley's muzzle was scrunched up into a snarl. "What if this is a trap, and we lose Lord Riou? I've said this before, but we can't trust the Highlanders to keep any promises. If they are weak, we ought to go over onto the offensive before they get any stronger."

Kiba frowned deeply, shaking his head. "If it were Lady Jillia Blight who was ruling, I would've pushed for peace, but now I am inclined to agree with Lord Ridley. This new ruler is an unknown factor to me, possibly a puppet of the major nobles and the officers of the army. How else could the son of such a minor house be permitted to rule?"

"That brings up a good point," Freed declared. "We know so little of Jowy. What about you, Flik? You and Viktor had dealings with Jowy for some time. Your opinion might help us reach a conclusion."

Riou's eyes opened. Both he and Nanami stared intently at Flik. Under their combined stares, and the sweat pouring down his back, he tried to put his thoughts in order. Focusing, he met Riou's gaze and said, "I'd like very much to believe in Jowy. I can see that you two have a very strong friendship. And Nanami is right; he did let us go in Greenhill. However, I must advise you to be wary, Riou. Whatever his reasons were, he was the one who murdered Lady Anabelle. That alone shows that he can be duplicitous. Besides, he seems to have willingly worked with Luca Blight and profited greatly from that relationship. His goals may be admirable, but the path that he took to achieve them isn't."

He looked around the room. Viktor was nodding slowly in agreement. Most of the others were digesting his arguments. Nanami had a frown on her face. Riou's was unreadable. Shu still had his back to the entire debate. That struck Flik as very odd. Here they were, making an incredibly important decision, and he was ignoring it.

"I think it's time for everyone to calm down," Lady Teresa said, stepping into the middle of the discussion, arms to either side. She looked up at Riou. "Ultimately, it is your decision. We must support you, no matter what that is. If you decide to go to Muse, then I will accompany you. If you decide to march out in battle, then I will lead my men alongside you. I'm sure that we all will."

Riou nodded. "I'm going to Muse. I must take the chance for peace. I have to believe in Jowy, or else I have to sever my friendship with him." Nanami flinched at those words. "How can I do that without at least seeing him one more time, face to face?"

No one raised an objection. Flik knew that Riou's reasoning was based almost purely on emotion, but he couldn't fault him for that. He'd risked his own life many times in the name of friendship, and Riou was obviously willing to do the same. Only a strategist like Leon Silverberg would ever willingly choose to cut himself off so completely from human feelings.

Shu turned around. His expression was hard to read. Flik might've said that he even looked slightly pained. "We must all work hard to make Lord Riou's vision a reality. I shall help you iron out the negotiating points, and then we must set the itinerary for travelling. Fitcher, if you would summon Lord Culgan back. We must inform him of our assent."

The afternoon passed in a bustle of activity, most of which Flik worked hard to avoid. For dinner, he and Viktor went down to Leona's bar. Though she didn't run it as a restaurant anymore, she was willing to cook up food for old friends. The bar was actually quite full tonight. The two of them were sharing their table with Humphrey and Futch. Rina was at another table, ignoring Sheena's rather obvious pick-up lines. Anita and Valeria were up by the bar. The two women were apparently rivals, though Flik had never seen any evidence of that. Instead, they appeared to be chatting like old friends.

After serving Viktor and Flik their food, Leona and Barbara pulled up chairs and joined the men at the table. Leona took a drag on her long-necked pipe and looked thoughtfully at the two of them. "So, is this peace deal for real, or what? I don't like fighting, but Highland had better pay for what they did to Toto and Ryube, and all the other places they've hurt."

Viktor shrugged. "Riou was in East Muse. I'm sure he remembers what they did."

"Jowy was there, too," Flik added. He paused then, unsure of the argument. Viktor was frowning. Jowy had been there, but in the end, he chose to go over to the Highland side, chose to murder Anabelle. Flik was sure Viktor still held that against him. The two boys had shared that tragedy, but had ended up on differing paths. "Hopefully the common ground will help them reach a deal," Flik ended.

Barbara shook her head. "He seemed so devoted to Pilika, both at the fort and in Muse. I don't understand what changed to make him abandon her and join the Highlanders."

"People…always hide things," Humphrey said. He took a swig from his mug and didn't add anything further. He didn't have to. Flik was one of the few people who knew about Humphrey's past, about how the former soldier had turned on his commander after Kalekka and killed him.

The table fell into silence. Flik watched Futch feeding pieces of meat to Bright. The white dragon hatchling was growing larger and more active with each passing day. Futch often had to use both hands to restrain him when he got too exuberant. Now was not one of those times, however. The young dragon seemed to sense the mood and simply ate the proffered food.

Some time later, after a meal and more than a few mugs of beer, Viktor and Flik were making their way back through the halls of the castle to their rooms. Though there was always some activity going on at all hours of the day, the second story living quarters were quiet and dark as they made their way, somewhat unsteadily, down the hall.

"Gentlemen," a deep voice said.

Flik's body twitched in surprise and he nearly cried out. He fumbled for his sword, slowed by both drink and darkness. He could hear Viktor struggling likewise over to his right. "Who's there?" Flik asked the shadows.

"Not so loud," the shadow answered back, tone dropping slightly. "A messenger, nothing more. Follow me."

"How can we follow you if we can't see you?" Viktor answered, getting angrier by the word.

"You have let your senses become clouded," the voice continued. Flik thought he could detect soft footsteps. "Clear your mind and focus." Something moved by the nearest window, and Flik turned that way. He could see the shadow of a man standing there, outlined against the faint light of the night sky. It was the shadow of a tall and well-built man.

"I see you," Flik affirmed. "At least, I think I see you."

"Where is he?" Viktor shouted. "Let me at him!"

"Then follow," the voice commanded. "I have wasted much time with you two." He slipped away from the window.

Flik squinted into the darkness and thought he could make the shadow out. "This way," he said to Viktor. "Follow me."

Viktor blundered along behind them. "Why are we following him when we don't know who he is?"

"Names are unimportant in my line of work, only completing my duties. Now, be silent." Viktor didn't speak any words, but he did grumble under his breath. The shadow appeared to let that slide and the procession through the night continued. They climbed up several flights of stairs, heading towards one of the few areas in Dunan Castle where the repairs weren't complete. Flik was curious, but also apprehensive. If someone wished to commit a murder, this would be the place.

He slowed his steps until Viktor was alongside him, then leaned in and whispered, "Be ready for anything. I don't know what this fellow is planning."

"I am taking you to a meeting," the shadow replied, startling Flik. "If I'd wished to end your lives, I would've done so without the preamble."

"I thought we were supposed to be silent," Viktor groused.

The shadow sighed. "I was told you were likely to be insolent. Never mind, we have arrived. He's waiting for you out there."

Out there was through an arch and out into the night air. For a moment, Flik struggled with the sensation of vertigo, not being able to see anything. Then he realized that he'd stepped out onto a fairly substantial balcony. He'd seen it before, from the ground level, but had never visited it. Viktor stepped up beside Flik. Neither moon was visible, but by the light of the stars and the few remaining city lights, Flik could just barely see a table, and a man sitting by it.

"Good evening, Viktor and Flik," Shu's voice said. "I'm sorry to divert you so far from your rest."

"Is that you, Shu?" Viktor asked. Flik could almost hear him squinting, trying to make out the figure in the darkness.

Shu's voice turned deadly serious. "Sit down. We have things to discuss and I, too, would like to get to bed eventually."

There was no refusing the command. Flik edged forward and found one of the two empty chairs. Sitting down, he detected a faint warmth on the seat. Had Shu been speaking to other people earlier?

"Okay, we're here," Viktor replied. "You obviously didn't call us out here for a pleasant chat, so get on with it."

But Shu didn't, not immediately. He spent minutes studying them. If they'd been in daylight, Flik would've concluded that he was reading their faces. Finally, the strategist shook his head slowly and let out a sigh. "You two are my most headstrong generals, but also the most innovative. I suppose it wouldn't be any other way."

The admission, along with the hesitation, shocked Flik. He stood up and leaned over the table, trying to see Shu's face. "You don't trust us? What's this about, Shu?"

There was something close to desperation in Shu's voice. "I trust you, but I need you two to trust me, now more than ever. What I tell you here cannot be told to anyone else, not even to Lord Riou. Especially not to Lord Riou."

Feeling numb despite the warm air, Flik staggered back into his chair, sitting down hard. Viktor thumped his hand on the table. "You're telling us to betray Riou? You can count me out!"

"No!" Shu responded, voice full of emotion. "I would never betray Lord Riou, but…you must trust me on this. For the sake of the peace, for the sake of everything, you must trust me."

Flik could hear frustration in Viktor's breathing, anxiety in Shu's. Whatever this was that Shu was playing at, it was very dangerous indeed. Vertigo threatened to take Flik's senses again, and he squeezed his eyes shut to rid himself of the sensation.

Viktor sighed harshly. "All right, strategist, I trust you."

"And you, Flik?"

Flik took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "You have my silence. Tell us what this is about."

Surprisingly, Viktor had already deduced the answer. "It's the negotiations with Highland, right? You think they're going to spring a trap?"

"I know they're going to spring a trap."

"Why would they do that?" Flik asked, again leaning towards Shu.

"The reasoning is simple. Highland can no longer overcome the New State Army by sheer force, but if they capture Lord Riou through subterfuge, then the war is practically won." Shu's voice was deceptively calm, talking about schemes and betrayals. "Do you really think that Leon Silverberg's plot to have Jowy overthrow Luca Blight was done so that Highland could declare defeat and march home?"

"No, I suppose not," Flik reluctantly agreed. "Okay, then why all of this sneaking around? Let's just tell Riou that there's a trap and that he shouldn't go."

"Lord Riou wants to go. Do you think that I could convince him otherwise? I have only the power of logic to muster against all of the force of his friendship with Jowy. Even I know when I can't win." Flik thought he detected a faint laugh at the end of Shu's last statement.

"What if we restrained him?" Viktor suggested. "Physically kept him from going somehow?"

"It wouldn't work," Shu responded. "It would only make him resent us. No, tomorrow Lord Riou will sail for Muse City, and he will accept any risk to try and talk to Jowy once more."

"You're not going to let him go unprepared?" Viktor pleaded. "You've got a plan, right? That's why you called us here."

Shu hesitated again, long enough for Flik to add, "You do have a plan, don't you?"

"I do. And it is that plan that you must not tell anyone about, especially Lord Riou." He leaned forward and explained the details.

By the time he was finished, Flik's mouth was dry and he was shaking with anger and horror. "You can't ask us to do this!" he shouted. "There's no way-"

"Then Lord Riou sails off for captivity, or death, and all of our hopes are dashed," Shu concluded softly.

Flik looked through the darkness, trying to see Viktor. He was sure Viktor was doing the same. "Riou's going to hate us," Viktor muttered.

"If he does, then I will take the blame," Shu answered. Again, the ferocity in his voice surprised Flik. "I said that I would do whatever is needed in order to win this war. If that means that I must earn Lord Riou's unending hatred, I will do so." He stood up, and Flik could clearly see his hands shaking, gripping the tabletop. "Can I trust you two to carry out this plan? Can I trust you two to help me save Lord Riou?"

Flik's heart was pounding louder than the surf below. Carefully he stood up, and was aware of Viktor doing likewise.

"Let's do this," Viktor whispered.

"Yes," Flik murmured.

"For Lord Riou's sake," Shu said under his breath, "I will do whatever is needed."