Chapter 2: Hyarmentir

Six months before Lucina's arrival.

Severa trudged through the hot sands of the arid desert. The relentless sun beat harshly down her back, making her clothes drenched in her own sweat.

'Sweating, I'm SWEATING, UGHH.'

She came to the top of a sand dune and stopped for a moment to wipe her forehead from moisture. Looking out on the seemingly endless desert that stretched beyond to horizon, she sighed heavily. She wondered to herself why, out of all the places she could have emerged in, it just had to be Plegia. And to make things worse…

"You know Severa, walking in this Plegian heat isn't the only thing that takes my breath away," came Inigo's voice

'I'm paired with this fool.'

Inigo chuckled, "What, no reply?" he said while panting, "I thought that one was quite charming, wouldn't you say?"

"You're an idiot," Severa said, she pulled up the straps of her traveling sack and continued to walk down the sand dune, Inigo followed close behind.

"Ah! Her melodious voice rings out at last!" He cheered, "Now if I can just get a smile, I can die happy."

Severa stopped and turned to face her aggravating companion. "You can die quickly if you don't shut up! Now stop wasting your breath!" she spat. Severa's ears were met with Inigo's gaudy laughter.

"My darling Severa, being so cold isn't going to help with the heat you know," he said. Severa clenched her teeth tightly, fists bound at her side. She had a stray desire of bashing him over the head right then and there, but she chose to ignore him.

The two continued their journey across the scorching desert for a while in relative silence, much to the pleasure of Severa. She figured that Inigo had simply become too tired to try and flirt with her, she herself felt her strength waning with each step. The sun was too hot, the land was too dry, and the wind was starting to pick up, blowing sand in her face and eyes.

They reached the top of what seemed like their hundredth sand dune they had climbed that day, and Severa felt it was time for a quick break. She looked to see Inigo already doubled over, taking long deep breaths. Severa reached for her waterskin, she tilted it upwards expecting to be graced by the flow of water to quench her ever present thirst, but nothing came.

'Oh...no!'

She tossed her waterskin to the ground and fell to her knees, head hung low. Severa didn't know how long she could keep going. Her throat was as dry as the lands she walked, and with no water in sight it was looking like they were going to die of thirst out here in the Plegian border wastes.

"H-here, I've still got a few drops left," came Inigo's hoarse voice as he handed her his water skin. Severa snatched it with eager hands and quickly guzzled down the small bit of warm water. She looked back at Inigo as he stared longingly at the now empty water-skin and she felt a pang of guilt.

"You should have kept that for yourself," she said

Inigo gave her a tired smile. "It's all right, you looked like you could have used it more,"

She scoffed at that. It was hard seeing anything Inigo did as genuine, it could just be another poor attempt at wooing her, she thought.

They continued to sit in silence on the top of that sand dune, neither had the strength to continue walking. Inigo lay on his stomach taking slow, long breaths, while Severa stared blankly into the distance. Severa supposed that this was the end for them. Ironic though it was, they had just escaped certain death only to face it immediately after. Perhaps there was no changing fate.

Severa was ready to fall forward onto her face and await death, but then something caught her eye. A small glistening in the distance. Her eyes widened once she realized what it was.

Water! She was sure of it! Even if it was a mirage, Severa wasn't going to pass it up. She mustered all the strength she could to rise to her feet, albeit a bit wobbly. She took one hard step forward, her footsteps slow, beating . Her legs felt they weighed as much as Grima himself, but she kept on, step after step.

"W-where are you going?" said Inigo, panting and out of breath.

"Water!" her voice was hoarse and barely audible, but Inigo seemed to understand, she could hear him scuffling in the sand behind her.

Closer and closer she came to the glistening in the distance. With every step taken, her hope for survival was growing. She could even see some vegetation! A sudden rush of adrenaline overcame her and her legs started to pick up speed until she found herself running towards the pool of hope, her last chance of survival. She felt nothing, not the wind in her face, not the sand blowing against her exposed skin, she could only see water.

At last! Her feet reached the edge of the oasis. She stood for some time, admiring the sight. Crisp, blue water filled a deep pool before her, great palm trees surrounded the water bed. In that moment, a sense of euphoria washed over her. A smile broke out onto her face as she took a sigh of relief. She was content, she was happy, she was tired, so very, very tired. So tired in fact that her legs buckled beneath her and she found herself falling face first into the pond.

Severa let herself sink, for even if she knew how to swim, she didn't have the strength left to save herself.

Something then tugged unto her collar and she felt herself being forcefully pulled upwards and out of the water. Severa lay flat on her stomach, violently coughing up water from her lungs. She pushed herself onto her knees, moving wet hair strung across her face to see...

"Inigo?"

He smiled and gave out a weak laugh, "It's not wise to swim while dehydrated."

She shrugged him off, "W-whatever."

She slumped down beside the water and cupped the cool liquid into her hands and guzzled down as much water as she could. She felt the fog slowly rolling back from her mind with each sip she took. Severa sat back, feeling refreshed from the much-needed hydration. She looked towards Ingio, who was slowly sipping water from the pool.

'That dastard,' she thought, 'why'd he have to go and do something like that? now I have to thank him! UGH!' She sighed, as much as it displeased her, she guessed she owed it to Inigo to show her gratitude..

"Thanks," she said in a small voice.

"Hmm? For what?" he asked

"For, you know, saving me or whatever," she mumbled.

Inigo laughed, "Could it be? Severa showing manners!? This desert heat must be affecting you more than I thought!"

She shoved him aside, her cheeks a tinge of pink. "Don't get used to it," she said. She stood up and dusted herself off from the sand that stuck to her wet clothes. She certainly felt a lot more refreshed, but there was still an issue of the lands they were in. It was going to be extremely difficult to escape now without mounts or much food, she also didn't know which direction to head in.

"Inigo," she said, "we need to get moving, now."

He scoffed. "On foot? We'd be dead before the day's end. Let's just wait here, I'm sure this is a popular stop for travellers."

"Or soldiers," she retorted. "And what good will that do for us?"

"To purchase some steeds of course! Or ask for directions at least."

"Right, and I suppose a traveller would just happen to have two spare horses to sell us."

"Maybe we can ask him," Inigo said pointing behind her. She turned and saw a swarthy-looking old man on the far side of the oasis, who tended to a multitude of camels along with a few horses. He wore long red and black robes. His age was clear on his face but his body seemed strong. Inigo stood up and wiped sand from his clothes.

"Come Severa. Let's see if this man can spare us a horse or two."

"He's not going to sell his stock to complete strangers. Don't be so daft."

Inigo chuckled at that. "Fear not Severa, with a bit of tact, and a great deal of charm, I'm sure we can persuade him. Which is why I'll do the talking."

Severa huffed, "and just what exactly are you going to do? Try and woo him?"

"Do you forget? I have a way with words unrivalled by any man or manakete," he replied. Severa sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Just... don't say anything stupid, alright?"

Inigo nodded in understanding, face still showing a smug smile. As he walked towards the man Severa grabbed his shoulder to stop him. "Wait," she said, "don't use our real names."

Lucina had warned them before entering the out-realm gate about the dangers of interfering with the timeline too much. She had advised everyone to use false names, especially when in the company of their parents. She had said that if they were to reveal themselves as their future children, then they might not be born in this timeline. In truth, Severa didn't care. However, while she stood in foreign and hostile lands, it was best that the name she gives couldn't be traced back to her.

"I see, just as Lucina had advised. I didn't think you'd actually listen to her instructions. After all, you're known to be quite...difficult," he chuckled.

"I never asked for your pitiful judgment, just do what I say!"

Inigo frowned and continued walking, mumbling something about her attitude not matching her pretty face. She truly cursed her misfortune to be paired with such a man as aggravating as Inigo.

Severa followed him as Inigo approached the man, putting on the friendliest smile he could muster.

"Excuse me, sir! My name is... Laslow, and this is my traveling companion… Selena."

Severa huffed. 'Selena? Really?'

"You've got quite the amount of horses in your possession, do you breed them yourself?" he asked.

The man didn't answer. There was an awkward pause as Inigo expected him to respond, but he only stared blankly at the two. Severa started to become anxious. Was this man suspicious of them?

"Er, all right. Well, you see, we've lost our horses, and we were wondering if you'd be so kind as to sell us one of yours? I assure you we'd pay any price you set."

No response.

"What, are you daft? We asked you a question!" Severa said. She felt inigo's hand clasp her shoulder.

"Now Selena, there is no need to be rude to this kind man. Who I assume is very much willing to sell us a horse."

"Two horses, I don't feel like walking anymore, and I don't want to take turns."

"Selena my dear! This is hardly the time to argue. And besides, these horses seem large enough that we could both ride it at the same time."

She turned towards Inigo, poking him in the chest, "don't think I don't know what you're up to!"

Then the shepherd interrupted them, speaking in a harsh tongue. Inigo and Severa looked at each other, then back at the man.

"What?" said Inigo.

The man began shouting at them once more in this strange and harsh language that Severa knew for a fact was not Plegian. She heard the shepherd snarl and he began whacking Inigo with his walking stick.

"Ow! Hey, what was tha- OW! HEY!"

Inigo fled and hid behind Severa, who had her hand on the hilt of her sword ready to draw. The man had stopped attacking and opted to instead shake his stick about erratically whilst shouting in his language. Severa narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on her sword.

"Back!" she cried, "don't come any closer!" But the man did not heed her warning and started to approach again while swinging his stick at her. Severa then drew to blade. She intercepted his swing with her sword, completely cutting the wood in two. She watched with satisfaction as the old man's demeanor completely changed, he now looked at her wide eyed, his other half of his walking stick plunged to the sand.

Inigo grabbed her sword arm and pulled her back. "No Severa, stop!" he pleaded.

She glared back at him. "I'm defending us! This man is clearly insane, let's just take two horses and leave him some gold."

"That would still be stealing, Severa. What if he tells someone with authority that two armed Ylisseans forced the sale of his horses? We'd start a war!"

Severa 'tsk'd' and sheathed her sword. "So then what do we do?" she asked, her annoyance clear in her voice.

Inigo reached into his traveling sack and pulled out a small bag of various coins. "I think I can get him to understand us," he said.

Ingio took out a few from the sack and presented them to the man. The shepherd snatched the coins and closely inspected them. Inigo shook the bag of coins, pointed at the horses, then held up two fingers. The shepherd looked at the horses, and then towards them. He nodded in understanding. The shepherd hurried back to his flock and pulled forth two steeds. He waved at Inigo to come to him.

Inigo shrugged his shoulders while giving Severa a smug look as he walked over to the man. Severa crossed her arms and followed behind.

The shepherd outstretched his hand, and Inigo placed his a good number of his coin in his palm. The man then handed over the reigns to two horses to Inigo, though he looked somewhat unnerved.

"Quite generous, aren't you?" said Severa sarcastically.

"He's giving us two of his own horses. Also, you did ruin his walking stick." Severa rolled her eyes at that. "Besides, you still have coin, right?" he asked

"Not for you."

Inigo grinned. "Well, one of these horses is for you, so you may pay me for it or you shall walk. Your choice."

She groaned and pulled out some gold and silver coins to give to him. He looked down at the amount and frowned, "I think I deserve more."

"I'll pay you more when I need to, let's just get out of here," she said. They both mounted their steeds and rode away. Inigo turned waved back at the man.

"I thank you, good sir!" He called out. The man continued to stare blankly at them once more. "I don't think he understood me."

They rode for a long while, following tracks made by the old shepherd's flock, She'd figured he had to have come from some settlement. Severa would stop occasionally to survey the area for anyone that might see them. She hoped they didn't come across any soldiers, their presence no doubt raise unwanted suspicion. Severa remembered her mother telling her of the rule of King Gangrel, and the uneasy tensions that existed between the two nations, any small incident would have caused a conflict in those times. So it was of utmost importance that they made it across the border soon.

It was some time later, while the sun was setting, that they stopped before some palm trees and dismounted. They tied their horses to the trees and settled down under them. A small fire brimmed between them, fueled by twigs from shrubs, and dead weeds. Severa shivered and huddled closer to the flames, It wasn't much, but any warmth was welcome for the desert night.

"It would be best if we huddle together for warmth, this fire isn't going to do much," Inigo suggested with a smile.

"Don't even think about coming any closer, you swine!" She sneered. Inigo laughed as he laid himself beside the fire, staring at the stars above. Severa quietly stared into the flames, watching them flicker and dance.

"You know Severa, I was thinking-"

"If this is another one of your poor attempts at flirting then I don't want to hear it."

He chuckled, "No, no, don't worry, nothing like that."

"Then?"

Inigo turned his head back upwards, "I was just thinking about how different the past is. It's...more peaceful."

"It's not peaceful at all, don't you remember how many wars happened during these times?" Severa interrupted.

Inigo frowned, "Yes yes I knew that. But I meant that there's no sign of Grima anywhere to be seen! No Risen have attacked us all day, his giant form isn't looming around the sky. No dark clouds covering the sun for months, I'd say this is quite peaceful."

Severa sighed, she supposed he had a point. The past was definitely different. Severa sat staring into the flames as she twirled her locks with her fingers. She mused over the future, the darkness that had assailed her world continued to linger on in her heart. She remembered all the death and bloodshed. She remembered the fear and hopelessness of everyone around her. She remembered her parents leaving one day and never coming back. Severa pulled her knees to her chin and balled her hands into fists. Such evil days they were, and they were the days she would never forget.

"Severa?" came Inigo's concerned voice. Severa was then broken from her trance. "Are you all right, you seemed troubled."

"It's nothing, just sit there and stare at the sky."

Inigo smiled at her as he rose to a sitting position.

"You're thinking of the future, aren't you?" he said. Severa made no response. "Well, I guess I'll take your silence as a yes. Try not to think about it too much. After all, things are going to be different now that we are here." He gave her an earnest smile. For some reason it made her feel just a tiny bit better.

"Just lay back and watch the stars twinkle above us, it's quite calming I'd say. Especially these stars. They are different tonight," he told her.

Severa gave him a puzzled look, "the stars are the same every night, what are you talking about?"

Her eyes widened as she looked up to see a foreign sky. A full moon shone bright and high, but the moon itself looked different. Many stars were arrayed in patterns that Severa did not recognize. And she knew greatly of the worlds constellations. It was after all a favourite activity of hers to gaze at the night sky with her father, back when he still lived. She remembered how they used to stay up late into the night while her father pointed out the various constellations to her; of which none appeared now.

"Th-this is impossible, stars don't change!" she stuttered.

"Hmm? Perhaps it's because we are in Plegia that it might seem different." Inigo said indifferently.

"I've been to Plegia and the stars were the same, Inigo."

He waved his hand dismissively, "we're probably tired, we did have quite the arduous journey today. Perhaps we just need some rest, that's all," he told her. He was probably right, the day's events were quite exhaustive and she was starting to feel like she could pass out at any moment.

Severa laid down on her side, using her traveling bag as a pillow, and tried to drift off to sleep. It was a quiet night, no wind added any chill. No insects or animals called out. In truth, it made her anxious, it reminded her of the future. She half expected blood curdling screams from a risen ambush to rouse her from rest. But she knew that wasn't likely, she knew that this was not her future. Things were going to be different now, they were going to be better. This timeline would never have to know the terror that Grima would unleash.

She hoped.

That night, Inigo dreamt he lounged upon a large field of short and soft green grass. The sun peeked out occasionally from the white clouds that were scattered in the afternoon sky. A light and cool breeze swept past him on a warm summer day. A small but gratifying spread of foodstuffs were laid out before him. To his right, a fair maiden laid beside, feeding him small fruits. "This is a dream," Inigo said, "But a welcome one."

He looked upon the face of the fair maiden beside him, who smiled at him.

"My love, might I ask you a question?" she asked sweetly.

Inigo smiled back, "Certainly my darling, what ever would you ask of me?"

"What is it you desire?"

"I desire many things," he said, "peace, a good home, and someone fair to share it with."

"Do I not bring you all of those things?" she asked.

He nodded, "you do."

"Am I not then what you desire?"

Inigo didn't answer. There were voices to his left. He looked to see a camp. Many fires were lit where cold and miserable-looking villagers huddled closely around. They looked tired and hungry, situated in that barren land. Mud and grass surrounded them, with trees stripped of all signs of life save for straggly branches.

He also saw his friends amongst them. They were standing and ready for battle, but Inigo could see their faces were tired, and they sagged their shoulders as if barely holding on to any hope.

"That was the life you lived," came the maiden's voice, "but there may yet be one that you shall make for yourself."

She stood up and reached out her hand to Inigo. He took it, and was pulled to his feet. More sorrowful voices from the villagers in the dreary camp drew his attention once more. Then a hand gently cupped his face and turned his gaze away.

"Look, and behold a fair sight for wearied minds," said the maiden. Inigo's gaze was now fixed upon fields of green, with the sun shining high above white clouds. Flowers bright and beautiful covered all the lands, and streams of crisp water flowed between.

"No," said Inigo at last, turning abruptly away from the fair fields. "I-I have a mission I must see to. I cannot abandon them, my friends."

"And what more could you do for them that they cannot already do for themselves?" the maiden asked. "Look, and see your leader now."

He looked again and saw Lucina standing tall upon a rock, eyes set with determination as she gazed far into the horizon.

"With her lies the strength for the task ahead. But for you the troubles of the world need not be upon your shoulders. Let greater folk deal with these heroic deeds. What evil is there to a quiet life? Are you not weary of war?"

"I am," he said at length. The tone of his own voice surprised him. He sounded to himself so tired, so defeated.

"So what good will be your sword if your heart is not behind its blade?" she asked.

Inigo could argue no longer, for his strength was fading. "You're right," he finally said in a small voice.

"Then come with me, sweet Inigo, follow what you desire."

A black fog had now formed around them, blotting out the bright sun. The maiden backed away into the mist while gesturing for Inigo to follow her. There was a shout from behind him, and Inigo looked back to see his friends, surrounded by Risen and being cut down one by one. "Help us Inigo!" they called, and for a moment he thought to turn himself back, to rush to the aid of his companions. But then had two slim hands cupped his face and turned him away.

"Follow what you desire!"

And so he did. Inigo forgot all about his friends, and his mission, and followed the maiden into the mist. But the maiden soon faded away into nothingness and Inigo was left standing alone. He looked up to see dark clouds blocked the sun. He looked down and saw the grass beneath his feet had been burned. He looked east and saw tall black mountains, but there was something that rose above them. The mountains started moving closer and closer to him until Inigo stood right before their slopes. A great tower rose then beyond the peaks, and at the very top a great eye, lidless, wreathed in flame. It peered into his soul and he felt his body being burned by its horrible gaze.

He turned away and looked south. From the black fog were six glowing red lights. They grew brighter and larger. Inigo realized that the lights were actually eyes. They stared at him and a great and terrible laugh echoed from the darkness. A familiar fear coursed through him.

He felt a sharp pain in his ribs and dropped down to his knees. The ground beneath him started to quake and break asunder. Inigo let out a terrible cry as he fell and was consumed by the darkness of the world.

But that was not the end it seemed. From the darkness, a familiar voice called out to him, "Inigo," it had said, but he couldn't remember whose it was. "Inigo wake up."

He felt a sharp pain in his ribs once more.

"Inigo, you slug! Wake up!"

Inigo's eyes fluttered open. He squinted from the bright morning sun that filled his vision. Finally after blinking to adjust his eyes, he looked to see Severa standing over him. She seemed panicked.

"Hrngh, Severa?" he questioned in a sleepy voice. "I was… having the most interesting dream." She then kicked him in the ribs.

"Get up, you idiot, there are people coming!"

Inigo looked to where Severa pointed back in the direction of the oasis. There he saw seven men on horseback riding towards them. Inigo immediately jumped to his feet, forgetting all about his dream.

The riders came to a halt some yards from where Severa and Inigo stood, staring at them both with great scrutiny.

Inigo closely examined them; six were wearing red and black robes with red cloth wrapped around their helms and under their chins, which flowed down to cover their shoulders. They wore a simple leather cuirass. Though not in the style of any Plegian soldier Inigo had seen.

Another seventh rider was positioned in the center. He wore an extravagant long-sleeved yellow tunic that appeared to be made from silk. A white cloak hung off his shoulders and on his head sat a golden nasal-helm with a serpent engraved on the front.

The men all carried curved swords and round shields. Inigo knew these were not just some armed travelers or brigands. They were soldiers, and they rode with purpose. A banner waved upon one one soldier's long spear depicting a black serpent upon a red field. Inigo narrowed his eyes, he didn't know much about Plegia, but he was almost certain those weren't any standards that Gangrel flew for his armies.

"Those aren't Plegian banners, there's no mark of the Grimleal," Inigo noted.

"Thank you for you're incredibly obvious observation, Inigo." Severa said sarcastically. She shoved Inigo's sword into his arms. "I hope you're ready for a fight."

"Nonsense Severa, there will be no fight as long as we use diplomacy. Allow me to talk these men away."

"These aren't some bumbling damsels that you can swoon with your cowpile of trite flattery! Use your head for once Inigo and remember how we look to them. Two Ylisseans that are armed just so happen to be riding through their lands, especially when tensions are so high? There'll be no diplomacy."

Inigo looked down at his sword with hardened eyes. He began to feel a deep pit forming within his stomach.

'For the first time in my life, my blade will be used to slay living men...' he thought grimly, and it made him all the more sick. Severa must have noticed his worrying look as she grabbed his shoulder and pulled him in aggressively.

"Focus, Inigo! It's our lives or theirs! We have a mission to do, remember?"

She was right. He did not come all this way just to die from Gangrel's men. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, but that did little to ease his anxiety.

The rider in the center, the one who wore the extravagant clothing, rode a bit forward until he was within earshot. A bitter scowl was upon his bearded face. He then opened his mouth to speak, shouting in the same harsh tongue as the man yesterday. Inigo pondered for a moment; it seemed the old shepherd did not speak in the meaningless tongue of a crazed man but was instead a real language.

This was all very odd to him, their banners, their speaking, their clothes. There was nothing to suggest that these men were Plegians.

"I'm sorry, we don't understand," Inigo said. In response the soldiers all sneered and shouted in their language. Inigo grimaced at the clear tone of hatred behind their words. One of the soldiers then rode forward.

"I shall speak in your horrid tongue on behalf of my master," the soldier called out in a heavily accented voice. "He says those are his horses!" The translator then pointed towards the steeds the two had with them. Inigo looked back, a bit confused.

"Then he is mistaken, we bought these from a shepherd yesterday," Inigo replied.

"You stole them from my master's reserve!" the translator accused.

"We promise you that these horses were bought fairly, and that the man we bought them from was paid handsomely," Inigo said.

The translator turned towards his master and spoke. Inigo could only hope he was translating exactly as he says. Though judging by how the soldiers regarded them, he had no reason to believe he would. The master then growled and spat out more harsh words.

"He says you are a great liar, and for that he should fight you!"

Inigo sighed, it was now clear to him just what kind of men they were dealing with. Inigo doubted that they actually cared about the horses, they simply see two foreigners and wished to cause trouble. "I see that they are not open for diplomacy," Inigo whispered to Severa.

Severa huffed from beside him, "told you so."

Inigo shouted out to the translator. "Please sir, we wish not to fight."

"Then you must give him the horses," the translator said.

Inigo's brows furrowed. 'They can't be serious.'

"Why should we?" came Severa's voice. "If we weren't supposed to have these, then take your quarrel to the shepherd that sold us them!"

"No!" Inigo burst out. "It was not his fault."

The translator laughed. "Ah! So you admit then that you have forced these horses from him! Snake! That is enough to have your heads, but I shall give you one last chance. Give us your horses. And because you have lied, your coin, your food, and weapons too!"

Severa's head turned sharply to him. "Why did you say that?" She half-whispered.

"I won't have us be saved while another suffers," Inigo replied.

"Who's to say that shepherd won't suffer anyways? Do these seem like honourable men to you?"

No, Inigo knew, they didn't. And there would be no just rulings here. It was indeed ill luck, he thought, to be met with some of the more contemptible Plegian soldiers. He wondered if these men were some of Gangrel's personal guard, seeing as they were as unjust as he. But Inigo would not falter, he spent his very own coin to buy these horses fairly. Surely they must have met with that old man on the way here. Had he lied to them?

"What say you?" the translator called out.

"You'll take everything from us, and leave us to die in this desert?" Inigo said.

The translator huffed and spat on the ground, "that is the price to pay for thievery!"

"For the last time, we didn't steal them!" Severa yelled back.

"Then defend your honour and your lives!"

The man shouted a few words back to his companions and at once the men all drew their scimitars. Inigo squinted at the bright glare of the sun on the steel. A pit formed in his stomach.

He swallowed dry. His throat was parched. His quivering hand reached for the hilt of his sword and he slowly slid the steel from its sheath. The sword felt heavy in his arms. His breaths were slow and long as he tried to calm himself.

'And so, I shall slay living men...'

It was the only option now, the only thing that would see them through this. He took one last breath and tightened his grip around his blade.

Seven on horseback against two on foot. Even if Severa and his skills with the blade were far above the average, the odds were still clearly stacked against them.

"Inigo!" came Severa's angry voice. He turned to see her seated in the saddle of her horse, sword in hand. "Get on your horse, you dunce!"

'Oh, right!' He rushed to his steed and quickly climbed it. He gave Severa a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Idiot," he heard Severa mutter under her breath. The two of them turned to face their adversaries, swords ready in their hands. Inigo was feeling a bit more confident now. His skills in horsemanship was nothing to be taken lightly. He after all, was trained by his father, the greatest knight in all of Ylisse. He ran a hand through his brown hair as he observed the soldiers, who had arrayed themselves in a line. Their horses neighed and stirred, eager to charge.

"Any plans Severa? You are the daughter of a great tactician," Inigo said. She quickly swiveled her head to glare daggers at Inigo.

"Just because my father was some special strategy genius doesn't mean I am! Don't assume things about me!" she almost hissed.

Inigo was a little taken aback by this. 'Seems I've struck a chord.' He opened his mouth to respond to her but stopped once he heard the battle cries of their adversaries. They now had begun to move forward into a swift gallop.

Severa spoke suddenly. "Listen, ride left towards the outside of their line when I say, I will be going right. After you pass, come back around and ride towards their rear. We will catch them off guard this way."

Inigo smiled, "At once, Miss Grand Tactician!" Inigo chuckled a bit when he saw her give him a sidelong glare.

The two sat still watching the riders gallop forward. The approaching hooves thundered in their ears. Closer and closer the horsemen came until they were about a stone's throw away.

"Now!" shouted Severa and they both spurred their horses into action. Inigo's horse sprinted left and he readied his sword to strike. He came towards the outermost rider and he was now well within reach of his sword. The rider swung at him, but Inigo ducked low and swiped across the riders side. He heard him cry in pain as Inigo blew past him.

Without stopping Inigo had arced his steed around and now drove forward towards their flanks. Severa had done the same. Just as she said, they were too distracted by turning their horses around to counter them, catching them off guard. The two then rode through gaps in their line, Inigo swung at the neck of a rider, over his shield. Red blood sprayed out and the rider slumped off his horse. Inigo grimaced as he rode away. It truly sickened him to be fighting living men, but as Severa said it was their lives or his.

"Again!" cried Severa and without delay the two were once again charging the soldiers, who sat in a confused state trying to coordinate another line. The two rode through their line again, and two more soldiers had fallen. Five now remained, and one was badly wounded. They seemed to realise coordination was futile as they then split up to chase the two.

Inigo peeked over his shoulder and saw three pursuers, one being the leader in yellow. He looked to see Severa being chased by two others. He quickly arced and rode for the leader, his sword pointed out front, but the master was able to parry. Again Inigo arced his steed for another charge; he gasped. A soldier was already on him. He narrowly parried the soldier's strike; his scimitar flying from his hands. But in quick succession came the master.

Inigo's eyes widened and he forcibly leaned away from the master's scimitar as he blew past. Inigo gasped as he felt himself slipping from the saddle. He tried to pull in his horse's reins, but it kept moving forward. Finally, Inigo lost his grip and tumbled into the sand. He quickly rose to his feet, sword in hand. Two soldiers and the leader now circled him, laughing and taunting him.

'This isn't good,' he thought. Even three mounted men he doubted he could triumph against three mounted soldiers. There was no way he could win against three mounted soldiers by himself. His eyes fell upon one of the soldiers and he noticed that he was the translator from before. Inigo smiled, an idea forming quickly in his mind. He could parlay and try to get the odds back into his favour.

"Wait," he called out, "will you not dismount and fight me fairly?"

The translator laughed in response, "And why should we fight you fairly? We are great warriors and you are but a mere snake. Are the men of the west truly so spent that they would send the likes of you to spy in our lands?"

Inigo paused, west? But west would be Valm. Did he think he was one of Walhart's men? From what Inigo remembered from history, Walhart had never been at war with Plegia.

"I am not from the west, but I assure you where I'm from we fight with honour, and we do not fear our enemies. If you will not fight me fairly that means you are scared. You rely on strength of numbers rather than your own abilities. Frankly, I'd say you are not befitting of being called great warriors."

The translator seemed to surge with anger, "How dare you! A liar and a thief you are!" He roared. He turned towards his master and translated his words to him, and the master appeared to be visibly insulted. The three halted themselves and seemed to argue with another. Inigo grinned, this was all going according to plan.

"I challenge your master to single combat, should he be as great of a warrior as he claims he will take this offer and end me swiftly. What say you?"

The translator said Inigo's words back to his master. The master snarled at him and then dismounted, staring at Inigo with hateful eyes. He unpinned his white cloak and let it drop to the ground. Inigo grinned, this was exactly what he wanted. He was certain he could take him on, if the two others stayed out.

In any case, all he needed to do was stall, just until Severa could rush in and take the others by surprise. He quickly glanced around, but he saw no sight of her, nor the soldiers that pursued her. 'Severa, I hope you're near.'

They circled each other, looking for any opening to strike. Inigo kept his sword pointed high, while the leader held his scimitar above his head, his other hand behind his back. Inigo's breathing was heavy, and he stumbled a bit as he moved. Suddenly, the leader attacked and slashed his sword downwards, Inigo parried effortlessly. The man then drew back his blade and cut from high again, then from low, and back high, but no strikes were able to land as Inigo parried each, but he could tell the master was only testing him.

The master eased back a bit and then suddenly thrust his scimitar in, Inigo sidestepped, his scimitar then slashed sideways, Inigo leapt back just in time. The master swung again, miss, he slashed downwards, parried, cut upwards, missed again. The master roared with anger, but Inigo was almost laughing as he danced around his blade.

'Is this it? Is this the great warrior?' he thought.

Though Inigo would be lying if he said the master wasn't skilled, he certainly was, but Inigo was far better. Too many times did the master foolishly leave himself open to be countered, but Inigo would not take advantage of it. He wanted to stall as long as he could.

Suddenly the master stepped away and halted his attack, looking at Inigo with a smug face. It was then that he heard the huffing of a horse and the fast stamping of hooves from behind him and Inigo whipped his body around just in time to duck under the scimitar of a horseman. But he had no time to collect himself as another horseman had charged him also, his spear just narrowly missing Inigo by the hairs of his head.

"You cowards! We agreed to single combat!"

"We had not agreed to anything, cur!" said the translator. They reared their horses and readied themselves for another charge; the master stayed beside them, chuckling to himself.

'Damn it Severa, where are you?'

Suddenly, he saw a flash of red rush behind one of the horsemen. Severa had come at last! Without her horse, however. She raised her sword and slashed at the unsuspecting soldier. He let out a great cry of pain as he was pulled from his saddle by her. She then plunged her blade into his chest.

Inigo, now seeing the master distracted, lunged forward and slammed his shoulder into him. The master was thrown back into the sand. Inigo slashed at him wildly as he tried to rise again. His blade seemed to have found its mark, and red blood sprayed from the master's neck. At last he fell back onto the sand as blood pooled from him, and Inigo stood silently above him, panting hard from exertion.

And so at last the battlefield grew quiet, and victory was had. But as Inigo watched the life leave the masters eyes, he felt neither satisfaction nor triumph; only a hollow and sickening feeling rising up from within. He turned his gaze toward the other fallen soldiers, with an aching heart he could only dwell on the fact that these men had died from his own blade, which still dripped with their blood.

There was a small part of his mind that told him that it had been the right decision in the end. But a much larger part of him knew that he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for slaying living men.

As his battle lust finally left him, Inigo remained only with deep regret, and promptly upheaved the contents of his stomach.

Footsteps behind him came to his ears. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Severa approach him, her face cast downwards. Inigo looked past her and saw one soldier yet lived. It was the translator, hands bound and sat upon his knees.

"He surrendered," Severa said, "I... I spared him."

Inigo nodded, not bothering to utter a word. As the two of them looked out upon the sands, seeing the corpses sprawled about, Inigo felt bile rise up again from his stomach.

"Severa," he spoke, his voice hoarse, "what have we done?"

He heard her take in a deep and shaking breath, and her hands were tightened into balls at her sides. "Never mind that," she said at length, "what do we do with... him?"

Inigo looked back at the last remaining soldier, seeing him glare at the sand. Inigo stood up and approached. Severa followed.

"You," he said to the translator, who wouldn't even look up at him, "can you take us across the border?" he asked firmly. The translator wouldn't respond.

"Answer him!" Severa commanded, kicking the man in his side. Inigo placed a firm grasp on her shoulder.

"There is no need for that," he told her. He then knelt down to level himself with the translator.

"You surrendered to us and we promise you no harm. And more, we will release you, you have my word. But first you must take us to where we need to go."

"You have murdered my master and his men," the translator finally said, "for this crime, death shall find you one day, and it will not be swift nor kind. You reap what you sow."

"You left us no choice," Inigo replied, his voice showing hints of restrained anger. "We were not the ones who started the fight, it was you and your master. If you had just left us be, none would've had to die today."

"So you say, but it was you who brought yourselves to our lands." The translator spit into the sand, "kill me or be silent, I will not treat with snakes!"

Inigo sighed and let his head droop down. He could tell he wasn't going to get anywhere with simple kindness. Suddenly, an idea appeared in his mind and he grinned.

Inigo looked up at him again. "We have plenty of coin you know..." Inigo said.

The translator looked up at him.

"Gold and silver and copper," Inigo went on, "you should ask that shepherd from whom we bought these horses, he received at least double their worth in gold!"

"...Show me," the translator said after a brief moment of silence.

Inigo chuckled as he stood and made for his travelling sack. For any corrupt man, ideals and loyalty were strong, but Inigo knew, for the right price, their thirst for coin was even stronger.

Severa could only glare at him as he passed.

"You can't be serious," she said in a low voice.

Inigo winked, "very serious, my dear Selena."

Severa rolled her eyes as Inigo chuckled to himself. He went and retrieved a coin purse, Severa's to be precise, and brought it back to the man.

The translator looked inside the bag and for a moment Inigo could say he saw gold shimmering in his eyes.

"My price is high," the translator said.

"And we shall pay it!" Inigo said with a smile. "So, can you take us across the border now?" he asked again as he helped the man to his feet.

The man gave a puzzled look, "that is much too far from here."

Inigo heard Severa huff beside him, "then what are you even good for?"

"Wait," he said, "I cannot take you back to your lands, but I can take you to the nearest town so you may rest, and from there you may continue north as you please."

"North?" Severa questioned, "Why would we go nor-"

"That will do just fine, my good sir!" Inigo interrupted. "Please, lead the way!"