Author's Notes:
Ethan Kironus- I've sent you a PM regarding your question, but this is a good place to say thank you again!
Wolfgirl40032- Looks like you might still be a bit behind, but if you ever make this far, I want to say thanks for leaving a review!
Chapter 49
Day 8 of Lone Moon, Imperial Year 1180
Despite his ambivalent feelings towards the divine, Claude found it stimulating to occasionally listen to choir practice in the cathedral while studying. It was particularly useful on that day to block out countless distracting thoughts and questions threatening his focus while he read a book on Adrestian military history. Edelgard had just declared war on the Church of Seiros, and Claude wanted to consume any insight into the kinds of strategies she might be familiar with.
The cathedral was unusually busy that day as believers came to pray for protection from the impending nightmare. Dimitri briefly sat not far away, muttering to himself while tensely squeezing the pew in front of him. He did not look interested in conversation.
The visitors were respectful, but the steadily flow of students, knights, and monks eventually offset the typical benefits of the environment. Claude closed his book and stood to leave once he finished his current passage. When he turned around, he noticed Dorothea quietly sitting alone several pews back. He only ever saw her in the cathedral when she came to outshine the rest of the choir, but she appeared to be praying on this occasion. He walked to her and observed, "I didn't expect to see you here, Dorothea. I never really took you as the religious type."
Dorothea opened her eyes and looked up. "Oh… well, you would be correct. I'm not. I just wanted a place to think in peace."
"In that case, I'm sorry to interrupt."
She waved to an open spot next to her. "No, it's fine. Maybe it's better to talk about it."
Claude sat down and guessed, "You're thinking about Edelgard, right?"
Dorothea nodded. "Hubert, too. It all feels like a bad dream. I still can't believe they'd do something like this."
Claude hid a forming smile as he replied, "Wait… you mean to tell me you didn't find Hubert at least a little suspicious? I mean… not to judge based on appearances, but come on."
Thankfully, Dorothea also produced a small knowing smile. "Well… I know how he looks, but he's not a bad person, really." Her smile evaporated. "… Or at least that's what I thought. I really believed I had a genuine connection with Edie, you know? I didn't have a high reputation of nobles when I came here, but she was different. She was a strong leader, and she never looked down upon my background. I would have been happy to follow her. But then…"
Claude nodded. "Yeah… I know. I never trusted her to that extent, but I didn't see this coming, either. It's a complicated world we live in, with players constantly moving on and off the stage like one of your operas. I had my ideas of who the villains were, and I was so confident in myself that I didn't recognize the threat right next to me."
"Tell me, Claude… are we headed towards open war? Or will she stop if she topples the monastery?" Dorothea asked vulnerably.
Claude sighed. "She'll have to violate the Kingdom's sovereignty to march here, and she's already labelled Leicester and Faerghus as illegitimate products of the Church. I haven't heard of an official declaration of war against the other lands yet, but it's pretty clear that she wants to reunify Fódlan under her rule. I don't think she's looking too hard for a peaceful way to do that."
Dorothea shook her head. "I never thought Edie was capable of such a thing, but I guess I never really knew her. It was silly to think a commoner like me could ever truly connect with someone like her."
"For what it's worth, Dorothea… I wouldn't assume that all of your good memories of Hubert or the princess were a lie. They're probably not relaxing in the palace right now laughing about how thoroughly they fooled you. Sometimes, the paths we take just don't run in tandem with the people important to us. I won't justify what they're doing, but I think you'd find out they still care about you if you ever spoke again. I mean, do you hate them now after everything that has happened?"
Dorothea frowned. "No… I don't. I just wish she'd see how much harm this is going to inflict. I worry that you're right… the fighting won't stop here. The people I met on the streets, everyone from the opera company… they're the kinds of people that will pay the highest price. We have to stop this before it's too late."
"I agree. I'm not sure if we can hold them off, but we can try, right?"
"Right," Dorothea agreed as she wiped away a forming tear.
Claude's motivations were not as altruistic as Dorothea's, since he was also concerned about his own ambitions that would be stymied if Edelgard consolidated too much power. He could certainly understand Dorothea's concerns with bloodshed, though.
He stood and told his companion, "Well, I'll let you get back to your privacy."
Dorothea proposed instead, "Let me join you. I'm feeling a bit better now."
"Oh! Well, in that case…" Claude held out an arm. Dorothea smiled as she accepted the offer, and the pair walked arm-in-arm back across the bridge towards the monastery.
"You know…" Dorothea said in a voice recalling her usual disposition, "There's a lot to like about you, Claude. I'm sorry if I haven't taken you seriously enough in the past. You seem a lot more reliable than people make you out to be."
"Oh yeah? And who's been saying such horribly unfair and unkind things like that?" Claude asked in mock offense.
"Are you sure you want to know? I might need a minute to think of them all…"
Claude sighed. "If the list is that long, I won't make you waste your breath. But despite whatever they say and whatever impression I give, I'll find a way to come through in the end. You can count on it."
"Ha! Don't tempt me, Claude. I just might test that claim someday," Dorothea said an alluring wink.
Roar of the Princes - Day 21 of the Blue Sea Moon, Year 1187 (Fódlan Calendar)
Khalid's sword struck the mud several inches from Darius's head. The padishah was splattered in mire, but he was otherwise unharmed. Darius craned his head up to his cousin in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, but I had to be sure," Khalid said as he handed the sword back to its confused owner.
It had become clear that Darius was telling the truth- he knew nothing. Khalid did not want to accept another sequence of events that his mind was quickly organizing, so he tried to prove one of the few remaining alternatives. He asked Darius, "Would your father have ever planned an assassination on His Majesty without telling you?"
The padishah grimaced. "Why are you-."
"Just answer the damn question, Darius. It's for your own sake."
Darius frowned. "My father didn't hesitate to tell me about Shahid. He didn't keep secrets. I was his future, his legacy. As far as he was concerned, I was an extension of him. So while I can't prove it, no, I don't think he would ever do that."
"Did your father plan to conspire against His Majesty eventually?"
"I don't know the specifics. I don't know if there were any specifics yet. He was reaching out to possible allies like Lord Philemon ever since you returned from Fódlan, and he hoped to use that celebration here to elevate our claim. I think my father was surprised by just how successful those two days were, though. We didn't actually expect His Majesty to outright call him the ideal heir."
Khalid nodded sadly. He had heard enough. He was the self-proclaimed embodiment of distrust, and yet he had let it happen again. As awful as it was to admit, the pieces were fitting together too well. He had blinded himself for so long, but the facts had finally slapped him in the face.
The prince slowly pulled off his eyepatch in frustration and looked to Demetrius. He ordered, "Ensure that Darius is treated well."
Demetrius did not follow what was happening, but he answered, "Of course, Your Highness."
Khalid faced Theodora and asked, "Would you like to speak with me in private?"
Theodora did not immediately answer, but when Khalid's gaze held, she hesitantly agreed, "If that's what you want, Your Highness."
"Keep order around here," Khalid instructed Senusret and Nousha without more explanation as he and Theodora walked by. He led James's retainer into the keep and into the same hall where Ghalib once hosted the celebration of Khalid's return to Almyra. It was full of stored food- reserves for a possible siege rather than preparation for a feast.
"We watched a very nice show in this room. Don't you remember?" Khalid mused. "… But it wasn't nearly the performance my brother put on for us."
Theodora squinted. "I'm not sure I follow, Your Highness."
Khalid sighed impatiently. "I know what James has done, and you know that I know. So, let's drop the pretenses and get to the point. What does James want?"
He wished he still had the option to feign ignorance and work against James behind the scenes. However, he knew Theodora would report the confrontation with Darius, and James would realize that Khalid's behavior was suspicious.
Theodora frowned regretfully and finally explained, "His Highness gave me instructions to pass on to you in the event something like this happened. He wants you to act normal today while the army rests and buries the dead. And then after dark, you and your retainers abscond to Fódlan's Locket and defect. Say nothing about what you think you know, and Prince James promises he won't send anyone after you. There's no reason why any more blood needs to be spilled. The war is over."
Khalid leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, and let his head sink to his chin while he thought. Uncomfortable with the silence, Theodora added, "I know you don't trust his word right now, but I promise that he would much rather not kill you, Prince Khalid. It's frankly generous of him to risk the possibility of you raising in army in Fódlan and marching back."
Khalid nodded slightly. "No… I believe you. That doesn't make the choice that much simpler, though." He tapped his foot rapidly and asked, "You're not the only person James gave this message to. He wouldn't stake so much on the assumption that you'd survive the battle."
"If you're hoping I'll give you any information on other collaborators, you're sadly mistaken, Your Highness. But yes… even if you arrest or kill me, Prince James will quickly know if you make a move against him. He has avenues."
"And what if I tell the others about what you've said here?"
"I plan to hold my tongue about our conversation. But if you force my hand, I'll just tell them the truth- James suspected that you were plotting against him and mercifully offered you an out."
Khalid snorted before falling silent again. Theodora waited patiently until Khalid finally replied, "I need some time to think. Could you send in Dimitri?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Theodora said before she left.
Khalid would have requested Ariella and Marianne as well, but they were not in any condition for such an intense discussion. Dimitri walked into the hall a few minutes later, by which time Khalid had slumped to the floor as his options plagued his mind.
"Khalid… what is going on?" Dimitri asked.
Khalid doublechecked that they were alone before telling him, "It's James. … He called that strike in the Mikdash a year ago. Not Ghalib, not anyone else. It was my brother. He's carefully arranged everything from the very beginning to ensure that he was named heir."
Dimitri's mouth opened with disbelief. "You… can't be serious. How? Why?"
Khalid shook his head. "It's best that I explain that to everyone at once… if doing so is the right move. James is giving us the alternative to instead stay quiet and flee to Fódlan tonight. And that would be that… the war will be over, and everything else will carry on just as we expected an hour ago."
Dimitri was obviously still confused, but he played along. "And are you considering that?"
Khalid shrugged. "I have no actual evidence of anything. If all I do is declare what I believe happened, it will just look a desperate, senseless coup. My parents won't want a war, but Meteora and most of Elam will side with James. The Shomali council will strongarm Lydia into doing the same. Dizhwar and Maysun won't resist against those odds, and it's not like Brigid will intervene. So, how am I supposed to stop him? At best I'm scrapping together a few loyal people from this army and maybe what remains of the Tabarzin if I can convince Darius of the truth." He sighed. "… What are your thoughts, Dimitri?"
Dimitri frowned and sat down beside his friend. "Do you believe the conflict is over if we leave? Or does James have something more in mind?"
"I think he has almost everything he wants, other than maybe dealing with minor players like Kamran. James can probably keep things pretty stable for at least a couple decades."
"If that's the case… is it right to expend more innocent lives to stay here? The dead deserve justice to be carried out, and yet… gah… is it justifiable to go to war for truth alone when it changes nothing at the end of the day?"
"I don't know… does the truth still mean anything anymore? I feel like it has to, but..." Khalid shook his head. "Despite what I said, though, it does change things at the end of the day. James has bought a period of peace by eliminating some of Almyra's worst leaders, but he's so far shown no intent to address the fundamental issues. He's scared of letting Almyra evolve, and because of that, this land will continue to cultivate more people like Ghalib and Justinian. The same tired rationales of prejudice and revanchism persist for generations if unaddressed, while the memory of the actual suffering war brings lasts not much longer than a summer dew."
"And you think you can prevent that cycle of war by winning?"
"Is it possible? I don't know… but we'll never find out until someone tries. It's become obvious that will only happen if I take the crown. I wouldn't have betrayed my brother or my father's wishes, but knowing what I know now… there's not a doubt in my mind that it's worth it." Khalid clenched his fists and grimaced. "But I just don't see how it's possible. Maybe the best choice is to get to safety for now and devise a plan from Fódlan."
Dimitri shifted to sit directly in front of his friend. He said gently, "Khalid… we both know you're only saying that to make yourself feel better. If you leave Almyra now, you're never coming back. You'll have lost all initiative, and Queen Byleth isn't going to authorize an invasion on the scale you need. This is your one opportunity."
"But the odds are entirely stacked against us. It's a suicide mission."
"If you truly believe this is something worth fighting for, then I'll tell you that it's also something worth dying for. It's difficult for me to accept willingly inflicting more violence, but I trust you to understand the bigger picture in a way I don't."
Khalid dismissed, "I can't ask any of you to do that for me."
"Of course you can ask. The decision is ours. We've chosen to walk with you this far. I'm ready to go all the way, and I don't think I'm alone."
Khalid smiled weakly. "Look at the two of us… talking each other into terrible ideas."
"Well… even if the idea is terrible, I say we pursue it ardently. If nothing else, we'll at least have resolve on our side."
"Maybe so. James has obviously been overplaying his cowardice, but he's also shown restraint against his best interest at times. He'd be in an even more powerful position if our father was dead rather than simply-."
Khalid's sentence trailed off as his imagination took over. He jolted to his feet and took several steps as the truth came into even greater clarity. Not just the truth, but also the solution.
He chuckled as he walked back to Dimitri and extended a hand to help him up. "Well, there just might be hope for us after all. Come on, Dimitri. We've got work to do."
Dimitri did not fully understand, but he looked relieved to see Khalid's confidence restored. The two returned to where the army's leaders were gathered in a circle, apparently trying to get information from Theodora regarding her discussion with Khalid. She was visibly unnerved when she noticed the prince approaching rather intensely.
Nousha asked, "Are you ready to explain what this is all about, Khalid?"
"Soon. But first…" Khalid turned to Demetrius and requested, "General… please detain Theodora."
"Wha-… Are you being serious?" Demetrius uttered.
"She's a traitor. Now… please detain Theodora. I promise to explain."
Demetrius sighed and shook his head, but he answered, "Very well, Your Highness. I'll find another pair of shackles."
"There's no need for that. Free Darius and use his."
Demetrius was too numb to even argue this time. Darius was about to say something, however, so Khalid told him preemptively, "Whatever your feelings are towards me, Darius, Almyra needs the two of us to work together. I hope I can help you see that."
"This is a mistake, Your Highness," Theodora warned woefully as Demetrius freed Darius and secured her arms instead.
"Yeah, maybe. But I'm not going to let that stop me."
As Theodora was taken away to join the other prisoners, Darius rubbed his freed hands together and stood. He told Khalid, "If you're trying to win my favor, you shouldn't have killed Abbas the way you did."
Khalid's eyebrows rose. "Did I? Appearances can be deceiving, Darius."
In a stroke of fortune that portrayed Khalid as far more brilliant than he actually was, Abbas happened to walk through the citadel gates accompanied by a pair of guards that very minute. Khalid played it off as if he had expected this to transpire while his very confused brother was being led over.
"What the hell is going on?" a dazed Abbas asked everyone.
Abbas and Darius were both thoroughly embarrassed when Khalid explained how he had misled them with his scheme to save Abbas's life. Matters would only get worse for them when it was finally the cousin's turn to speak.
"Abbas… I have to tell you something," Darius muttered with eyes averted.
Rather than listen to the confession of Shahid's demise, Khalid whispered to the other generals instructing them to head to the citadel's war chambers for an important meeting. This included Dimitri, Nousha, Demetrius, Senusret and Ridwan. Alongside Darius and Abbas, these were the people he simply had to convince of the truth. He considered letting his other two retainers join, but Ariella was now napping while Marianne had regained enough strength to return to healing the wounded. Everyone would learn the story soon enough, anyways.
By the time Khalid returned to Abbas and Darius, his brother had fallen to his knees with despair. Abbas was still muttering, "I trusted you… I trusted you…"
Darius was hanging his head in shame, but he looked up to Khalid and said weakly, "I explained what needed to be explained. I'll listen to whatever you have to say, Khalid."
Khalid nodded and asked his brother, "I'd like you to come as well, Abbas. Are you up for it?"
Abbas snickered. "And what use would you have for an idiot like me, betrayed by everyone he ever respected?"
"You're a prince of Almyra, Abbas. That still means something. I really need your help here." Khalid knelt beside him. "But it's not just about that. Father was desperate to ensure that you came home alive. There are still people who care about you."
Abbas calmed some as he replied, "Whatever. Let's see what horrible new reveal is you've got in store for us. Can't hide from it forever."
And thus, Khalid walked alongside this odd company to the council chambers where the rest of the attendees were already waiting. Understandably, Abbas and Darius selected spots far from anyone else, and no one offered them to come closer. The mood in the air was dreadful, but Khalid had no choice but to carry on.
"I'm sorry for all the confusion I've caused in the last hour or so. I know it spoiled what was supposed to be a moment of celebration for many of you. But… there are certain things that you all need to hear." Khalid shifted uncomfortably before embarking, "I spoke with my brother James in private shortly before he was named heir of Almyra. We discussed a lot of things, but one rememberable detail was him cautioning me to not press Darius too hard for answers… that it would be embarrassing, and that people might start to believe that he was telling the truth. That's exactly how it played out. The issue is, of course, that I ended up being one of those people that believed him. Darius and Ghalib never tried to kill my father."
"Is this an apology?" Darius grunted.
"Yes, it is. Though, to be fair to myself, you owe me one just as much."
"If neither of you, then who?" Senusret asked.
Khalid bit his lip in preparation of the difficult part. "There's no easy way of saying this, but everyone in this room has been played for fools… me included. This war was predicated on the question of whether I or my uncle Ghalib attempted regicide. Every assumption was wrong. That attack was called by James himself, and it was never attempted regicide at all."
Khalid hoped Theodora's arrest had prepared the crowd, but he still had to pause upon being blitzed by a series of questions and exclamations of disbelief. Too much was said to address, so Khalid ignored them all as he continued, "We all asked ourselves back then, 'who had the most to gain?' Well, it's become obvious, hasn't it? James is the one about to be handed the crown."
"That was a fluke of circumstances, not a plot. If His Majesty dies or Abbas doesn't go rogue, that never happens," Nousha contended.
"Like I said, James never intended for our father to come that close to dying, and he knew Abbas well enough to predict his reaction." Abbas squirmed and moaned at the mention, but he said nothing as Khalid continued, "He knew our uncle would make a play for the crown during that celebration and that any apparent assassination attempt would brand me and Ghalib as the primary suspects. If no one ever discovered the truth, James would be the only contender with an untarnished name."
"Theodora almost got Darius killed today before Farjad stopped her. That might not have been an accident," Dimitri shared.
This was news to Khalid, but he appreciated scoring another point in his favor. He said, "It was probably one of the reasons James 'graciously' offered Theodora to join us- to kill Darius and report back if I started acting out of line."
Khalid seemed to finally be making an impression on the crowd until Abbas snorted, "Come on, Khalid. I grew up with both of you. You were always the liar, not James."
"Actually, James has barely outright lied to me during this war. Now… deceiving by omission of explanation or context? That's a different story. James staged everything perfectly to play all factions of Almyra off each other while he quietly picked up the pieces. It's not the only time he's done something like this. Consider how he manipulated Justinian and the Sentinels into destroying each other with those forged letters."
"James wrote the letters, but Kamran came up with that plan," Demetrius pointed out.
"Did he? It's the oldest trick in the book- convincing someone to 'come up' with the idea you already had. I'm willing to bet James pushed Kamran in the right direction. It was a good deal for both of them. Kamran gets the publicity he wanted, while James shielded himself from any of the pushback."
"But you said right from the beginning that none of the princes had the resources to pull off an attack on that scale," Dimitri noted.
"James said that, actually," Khalid reminded. "And he wasn't exactly lying, because he didn't. I'm pretty certain it was funded by Qadir al-Hakimi."
"That doesn't make sense. Why would Qadir order a fake assassination attempt? He was never going to profit meaningfully from the war," Darius said.
Khalid nodded. "I don't think he funded it as that. Qadir likely believed he was paying for a legitimate assassination on me in collaboration with James. Remember that the attack happened in the vicinity of the Attali estate, right? We chose to treat that as a coincidence or maybe a diversion back then, but I don't think so now. Qadir passed the funds off to the Attali family for distribution to distance himself from the plot. Little did he know that his handlers were giving out much different orders than he intended. I shouldn't need to explain why James's maternal family would go along with my brother's plan."
"If so, it's no accident that Qadir was the only high-profile figure killed in the attack. He had to die to cover James's tracks," Senusret observed.
"Exactly," Khalid agreed. "Qadir looked so confused when I found him dying. His throat had been slit, as if someone wanted to be extra certain he never got the chance to expose the truth."
"Qadir would definitely have traded a lot of his wealth in exchange for Khalid's death," Abbas mumbled in concurrence.
Dimitri added, "Now that you mention it… I remember Qadir asking for additional security right before we departed that day. Perhaps he knew what to expect…"
"Not only that, but he made a vague threat to me right afterwards. He probably thought that would be our last conversation. He wasn't wrong, I guess," Khalid said.
Ridwan scratched at his neck as he tried to follow along. "So… you mean it was an assassination of Qadir, staged as an assassination of the king, funded as an assassination of you? What a mess."
"Funding your own execution… that's one of the more ironic endings I've heard lately," Nousha mused.
Darius interjected, "Why would James let the king come that close to dying?"
"James didn't move from his seat when the attack started. I thought he was just terrified, but the assailants must have known which carriage to avoid. He only jumped out when he heard my mother scream," Khalid informed. "I think that's the one development James didn't expect. The attack had to look believable to get the reaction he wanted, so I get why some of them approached our father. Did the guy intend for his attack to miss? Did he just get caught up in the moment? We'll never know. It's a risk of a plan like this."
There was some discussion as everyone who was present at the ambush confirmed that the details were presented correctly. At the end of this, a visibly exhausted Darius asked, "It all makes sense, but do you have any hard evidence?"
Khalid frowned. "Unfortunately, no. We could in theory try digging into al-Hakimi finances and hope we find something. It would be very difficult to link it all the way back to James, though, and it would require us to somehow sneak into Istakhr in a miniscule window of time. If James catches wind of what we're doing, he'd just strike first."
"And are your parents going to just let that happen? Just tell them what you told us," Nousha suggested.
Khalid shook his head. "Abbas and Darius… I'm sure you know that His Majesty is sick, but you might not realize that it got particularly bad right before we left. The king is pretty much bedridden at the Dunya, and my mother is right at his side all the time. James planned on reducing activity at the palace and moving all operations to Istakhr so the remaining staff can focus solely on His Majesty's health. James said he would make regular visits, but the palace will otherwise be mostly cut off from society."
"Meaning…" Nousha prompted.
"Meaning James isn't stupid enough to let them find out. He's the one running Elam right now, and his loyalists can control any information getting in and out of the Dunya. He'll rationalize to anyone that cares that my father should be kept in the dark about my 'revolt' so the news won't outright kill him from grief. My mother isn't too popular to begin with, and James will warn that she'd intervene irrationally in my favor if she knew. James will just intercept us if we march our army straight for the Dunya. And even if they do find out, I'm not sure they could stop all the moving pieces in time. People are anxious about the future right now, and they see James as that future, not my father."
"So… are you saying it's hopeless?" Demetrius asked.
"Not exactly. There's another crime that James has committed, and this one I believe we can find evidence of. It's a gamble, though, and this could all end in a battle if it doesn't work. So before I say any more, I need to know that you're all behind me one hundred percent."
Senusret held up a hand to stop the prince. He said, "In that case, Your Highness, it's probably best that I leave now."
"What are you talking about?" Ridwan asked him. Khalid, however, already had a good idea.
Senusret explained apologetically, "Sardar Soraya declared her support for Prince James. I don't have the authority to aid his downfall without authorization of Sardar Lydia and the council, and we all know that her advisors will shove her towards their preferred heir." He stood up resolutely as he added, "However, Sardar Soraya gave me command of the Shomali forces. That doesn't mean I can launch an unsanctioned war that would incite a mutiny against me, but it does mean that I can address discipline within the army. And I can tell you that there will be no punishment for any of my subordinates who decide to desert. Whatever they do afterwards, even if that be joining your cause, is not my business."
Khalid nodded thankfully. "I understand. I do have one request, though. We will likely confront James at Istakhr in one manner or another. When that happens, I want Sardar Lydia to be there."
Senusret was taken aback. "You want her in the middle of a potential battlefield?"
"I'm trusting you to not let that happen. Keep her somewhere safe, and we won't put her at risk. I know it's a big ask, but the only way we avoid fighting is if Lydia's there to order your army to stand down herself."
Senusret sighed as he closed his eyes. "The council won't be happy, but the sardar will already want to be there to see you and try understanding what's going on. All I'll have to do is encourage her. … I hope you know what you're doing, Prince Khalid."
A few others said their goodbyes, and Senusret was soon gone. It was a frustrating loss. James had played his hand well, but he was more lucky than skilled in this instance. The outcome would have been different had Soraya survived.
Khalid scratched at his neck as he asked, "How about the rest of you?"
"You know I'm with you," Dimitri said.
"If I'm to be grand agha someday, I'll be expected to serve as Prince James's personal retainer. So maybe I owe him some amount of allegiance," Nousha mused. She then shook her head. "But to hell with it. I'm going to stick with the people I trust, and that's right here. You have my support, Khalid."
Ridwan smiled. "The emir and emira said that my army's allegiance is to Nousha, not whatever the king said weeks ago. I'll go where she goes, and my army trusts Nousha and I's judgment. I understand why Senusret feels like he must answer to Shomal's new leadership, but I'm quite certain that my superiors would prefer that I not drag them into it. It gives them an out if this all goes wrong. They have no special attachment to Prince James."
Demetrius quietly observed everyone's answers until eyes fell on him. He finally responded, "My choices are between following Prince James and Soraya's council or following the people in this room. I'll support the people in this room every time."
That left only Darius and Abbas. Nousha said what everyone else was already thinking.
"Do we even want either of them involved in this? Why should we trust these two?" she asked.
Khalid answered, "Because if we have to fight, we'll be outmatched without the aid of the Tabarzin. I understand your distrust, but consider things from the perspective of the average Tabarzin soldier- we accused them of a crime they didn't commit, invaded their land, and killed their friends. They'll never help us without Darius's support, and having Abbas on board sends the message that this is about more than me grasping for a crown."
The reaction was not enthusiastic, but they all resigned themselves to this logic as they waited for their former enemies to make their choice.
Darius answered, "With the rest of my life falling apart, waging what I thought was a just war was the only thing that gave me a sense of purpose. But… your version of events makes more sense than anything else I've heard this past year." He put a hand on his forehead. "How did it come to this? We could have avoided it all if we just communicated."
Khalid firmly disagreed, "That wasn't an accident. We didn't communicate because we didn't want to communicate in good faith. We picked our stories, antagonized the people we didn't like, ignored any opposing evidence, and never turned back. Knowing the truth was a lot less important to us than being right. I'm not sure if your father was ever convinced I was guilty or if he just didn't care enough to investigate. He had the justification for war he wanted. We at least debated it over on our end, but in hindsight, we only dug deep enough to confirm our own biases."
Darius frowned and admitted, "You're right… though you shouldn't blame yourselves so hard when my father marched us out to war rather than cooperate with your requests." He needed another few seconds to reflect before telling everyone, "Fine. I can't sit by and do nothing, and I'm sure as hell not going to help James after hearing all of that. The Tabarzin will fight for you. Most of my officers that would have resisted are dead. Sharjeel is about the only influential one left, and I don't see him giving any trouble."
A day earlier, securing Darius's support likely would have assured Abbas's help as well. The truth of Shahid's death left relations in a precarious state, however. Abbas was silent for a minute as he stared downwards. When he looked up, he only made eye contact with his brother.
Abbas muttered, "I don't know what to believe or who to follow anymore. But… you've put me in your debt after what happened today. If it's true that James will keep our father in the dark, then I think that tells me all I need to know. I'll march with you this time… Khalid."
His answer felt honest enough to lower everyone's guards, Khalid included.
"That's everyone, then," Khalid announced. "There's only one way to end this without a battle. It might not be that simple even if we do get the evidence we need. I think we can all agree, though, that we bear an obligation to try."
The youngest prince spent the next half hour explaining every detail of his plan to defeat James. The council seemed satisfied with his explanation of James's other crimes, but their reaction was more mixed regarding how Khalid planned to collect the evidence.
"Not that I care, but I don't understand why we're marching on Istakhr. If you're trying to avoid a fight, shouldn't we keep as far from there as possible?" Abbas griped.
"There's a long list of reasons why we need to," Khalid assured. "For one, James is eventually going to find out about Marianne. If it's obvious that's our main move, he'll do everything he can to stop it. We'll need to serve as a distraction. Secondly, we need Lydia and Juliana available to see the evidence. If we're halfway across Almyra when we get it, James will make sure the news never reaches them. It will also be hard to justify not letting us search the citadel for additional proof if we're all there. And lastly, it lets us control the pace. The farther away all the players are, the longer it takes for everything to develop. If Narses has time to fully assemble the Meteoran army, we're as good as finished. On that note… Demetrius, do you have a timeframe yet?"
Demetrius and Nousha had been working together to estimate how long it would take for their army to reach Istakhr compared against when the Meteorans might arrive. After a quick exchange with his partner, Demetrius told Khalid, "I'd wager we've got about a week or so advantage before the Meteorans reach Istakhr in decent numbers. It's a safe margin, but only if we use our time wisely."
"We might buy ourselves a day if we don't send your proclamation against James to all of Almyra. The Meteorans wouldn't start preparing until James reaches out to them," Ridwan suggested.
Khalid shook his head. "Maybe, but that extra day is less important than us setting the narrative. We need to erode their trust in James. A lot of people will still buy into whatever he says, but no one will take us seriously if all they hear is that I'm just another traitor for several days."
"You only plan to accuse James of his role in that first attack, correct? Nothing else?" Dimitri inquired.
"That's right. It's enough for people to chew on without compromising any of our evidence. If I even slightly allude to anything more, James will catch wind of our plans."
The proclamations would be immediately carried by wyvern to Astane, Metanoiapolis, Al-Amal, and Khoy, with Khoy acting as a safe substitute for Istakhr since James would halt any messages taken there. The news would quickly bleed into the rest of Elam if the other targets were reached.
"I'm not convinced that this plan of yours is going to work, but at least you seem cognizant of that possibility. I agree that we should at least try it to save lives and improve our odds," Darius decided.
"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Why should we be so scared of battling James, anyways? I could have snapped him like a twig whenever I wanted, and he knew it," Abbas scoffed.
Everyone else in the room immediately recognized the idiocy of this statement, which spared Khalid from having to call out his brother. Nousha exclaimed, "You think he's not a threat, do you? Are we talking about a different James? The rest of us are referring to the one that provoked a civil war, helped topple two governments, erased the Sentinels, got himself named heir, and probably would have gotten away with all of it if Darius had died. Our James is going to be supported by most remaining garrisons in Elam, Shomal, and Meteora. So tell me, Your Highness… are we talking about a different James, or do you think this war is going to finish with a simple Mubarizun duel?"
Abbas capitulated in shame at this dressing down, muttering something along the lines of, "And this is why you never had any friends," under his breath.
Khalid seemed to have secured everything he needed to proceed with his campaign against James.
But…
He wanted one more thing, and he would never get a better opportunity to try.
Khalid cleared his throat and prepared them by saying, "Before we go out there, there is one other idea I think we should consider."
They were all eager to hear this suggestion, but everyone other than Dimitri was quickly disappointed when it was actually vocalized.
"Is this a bad attempt at a joke? How is that a priority right now?" Nousha argued.
Demetrius said, "If you want to destabilize your support base, this is the best way to do it."
"They'll never agree," Darius insisted.
Ridwan added, "And if even if they did, it's not like we can trust them."
"If we're willing to recognize the dangers we face, we should accept all of the help we can get, right?" Dimitri defended.
"Well of course you would say that!" Abbas shot back.
Khalid's gamble lengthened the meeting by another half hour. By the end of it, though, the others reluctantly agreed to support him on the condition that he first persuaded the army. Without their consent, the plan would go nowhere.
Senusret's early departure from the council had the benefit of allowing everyone outside to hear the public details without Khalid having to provide a full explanation again. That did not prevent befuddled soldiers from hounding the generals for clarifications once the meeting was adjourned, but it at least saved some time.
"I'll speak to my soldiers. I'll need your permission to free them," Darius told Khalid.
The prince nodded. "Permission granted. Demetrius, go make sure the sentries comply. Nousha… could you handle the questions here for a minute?"
By this time, Marianne was finished looking after the wounded, and Ariella had been awoken by all the commotion. Everything from the camp outside had been moved into the citadel, and the pair of women were now sitting together comfortably in a tent. Khalid and Dimitri rejoined them after Nousha wrestled the crowd's attention and they were able to escape. Ariella was looking better than before, though anyone would probably feel stimulated after the recent developments.
"Marianne and I are both with you, but this has been a lot to take in. I used to sleep in the same tent as Theodora… she even helped my spellcasting form," Ariella said sadly. "So… when did you realize it was James? Don't tell me you've been keeping this secret for a while now."
"No secrets. I had never seriously considered the possibility until I saw how desperate Darius was to maintain his innocence. It reminded me of the desperation the Sentinels must have felt. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner."
"You can't be blamed for that. He's your own brother… no one would want to believe that such a thing is possible," Marianne told her lord.
Khalid frowned. "It's true. I really did want to believe in James. To connect with my brothers… well, it was one of those childhood dreams that I had almost given up on. I wonder to what extent he knew and used that against me… or if maybe he dreamed of it, too."
Ariella shook her head. "Who knows? So much has been said, yet I still haven't heard why James did all of this. Has he been this ambitious all along?"
"I have my theories… but I think I'll have the chance to ask him outright soon enough," Khalid answered.
Most of the Shomali soldiers were packing up to leave with Senusret, but somewhere around a fifth of them were prepared to stay. Satiah and Farjad approached the tent as their companions started to march out.
"Are you both deserting?" Dimitri asked them.
"They're technically the ones running off while we stay put, so can you really call us the deserters?" Farjad pointed out.
Khalid was not in a jocular mood for once. He said seriously, "Are you sure this is what you want? There's a real chance you don't make it out alive if you join us. If you go with them, you could probably net a safer role as a bodyguard for Lydia. And both of you… you'll be opposing your families. Even if we do win, that could cause permanent rifts."
"I've come with you this far, Prince Khalid. I'm not going to let fear make decisions for me now," Farjad assured.
Satiah added, "Khabash trusted you. And now… I do, too. If the rest of the family can't accept me following my conscience, then it's family that will have to be forfeited first."
Khalid smiled gratefully. "It means a lot to me, so thanks. In that case… Farjad, I'm naming you as commander of the newly minted Shomali Volunteer Regiment."
"Ha! Me? A commander?" Farjad chuckled until he realized that Khalid was being serious. "… You really can't find anyone better? Why not Satiah?"
"It looks like most of your officers are on their way out. You're intelligent and trustworthy, and you've got a family name that the remaining Shomali will respect. Dimitri said you served well in the battle here. As for Satiah, I have another mission in mind for her." He turned to Satiah and asked, "Are you as good on horseback as you are on a wyvern?"
"I haven't gotten many chances to show it, but I'd like to believe so," she said.
"I thought as much. I'll give you the details later, then. You'll be partnered with Marianne, so you two might want to be discussing your favorite foods for a long journey. The mission won't start until dark, after everyone else planning to leave us is long gone."
Khalid soon left his friends to get an update from his generals. Nousha, Ridwan, and Demetrius had reconvened.
Nousha explained, "The Elamite soldiers are already dividing themselves into two camps- those loyal to us, and those loyal to Prince James. We might have a slight advantage, but it's a pretty even split. James's loyalists are putting together a list of demands so we can negotiate a severance without the need for violence."
"That's fine… Demetrius, how are things with the Tabarzin soldiers?" Khalid asked.
Demetrius answered, "It looks like almost all of them will fight for us. I don't think they like you very much, but Darius's backing was persuasive. They've been consistently adamant that Ghalib and Darius are innocent, and they're fine redirecting their anger towards another prince."
Ridwan confirmed, "The Sabaean army is united behind you, Prince Khalid."
Khalid exhaled in relief. Things were playing out as well as could be reasonably hoped. Despite all the setbacks he had experienced in his lifetime, he was not despised by all the lives he had touched.
The Elamite soldiers devoted to James spent another twenty minutes arguing amongst themselves before finally organizing a list of proposals. The highest-ranking officer among them, Nousha's lieutenant Sarina, approached Khalid, bowed awkwardly, and said, "Your Highness… I hope we can come to an amicable agreement that avoids any crisis. Could we speak in private?"
Khalid agreed and led her inside to the mirza's council chambers. After sitting across from the prince, Sarina neatly set out two copies of the demands so they could read them together.
"I'd first like to say that I don't mean any offense with this, Your Highness. Some of my companions are calling you a usurper or a blood traitor, but I've known you long enough to believe you're not a monster. Besides that, I don't know what's true or not. My king ordered us to follow Prince James, though, so that's what I must do," Sarina began. She tapped the parchment in front of her. "These are the fairest terms I was able to negotiate. Please don't make any amendments or it will reignite another debate out there."
Khalid certainly saw the wisdom in this. Another dispute would delay his plans that much more at a time when speed was critical.
Most of Sarina's requests were guarantees that they would not be pursued after leaving the citadel and that every soldier was entitled to their personal belongings. They had also estimated the number of soldiers that planned to stay or leave so food and general supplies could be divided on a percentage basis. Their final demand was the most consequential.
"You think you're entitled to eighty percent of the Elamite and captured Tabarzin horses?" Khalid uttered.
Sarina explained, "We've requested that you not chase us down, but this would provide us with more practical guarantees. Besides, you'll still have the entirety of Saba's camel division, which should help balance your losses. I hope you aren't planning on an open-field battle where you would need so much cavalry."
Khalid sighed. He certainly did not desire such a battle, and he did not want to waste time. However, he also did not want the story in Istakhr to be that he let Sarina completely trample him in the negotiations.
The prince slid the parchment back to Sarina and said, "Make it seventy percent and we'll call it even. Surely that small correction is not worth a debate, right? If the others don't like it, I can offer the alternative that we settle our differences in battle. Wouldn't be my first choice, but hey, I don't speak for everyone."
"… I think I can convince the others to go along with seventy percent," she permitted as she reached out a hand.
Khalid accepted the offered handshake and told her, "I respect your loyalty to my father, Sarina. I don't think any of you are monsters, either. Try to stay alive, alright?"
The two negotiators soon stepped back outside, and the terms of the separation were confirmed. James's loyalists departed the Mirza's Citadel just after sunset. The people remaining all looked to Khalid in expectation of some kind of speech. He walked halfway up a staircase to the wall walk so he could see the whole host.
Khalid began, "I'd like to begin by thanking all of you. There was a moment earlier when I almost despaired that everyone would leave- that I was an outcast, and that all the things I heard said about me growing up were true. But… you're all still here, ready to accept that we're sometimes wrong but always willing to learn and fight for the truth. It's with spirit that we will march together upon Istakhr."
He took a deep breath before continuing. This was the part that prompted so much dissatisfaction from his generals. He was counting on humanity's stubbornness to help him this time. His soldiers had already made the dramatic decision to stay, so they would hopefully not renege upon learning of this new wrinkle.
Khalid continued, "As grateful as I am, though, the odds remain against us. While I hope to settle matters with my brother peacefully, we must be prepared for other outcomes. Accounting for those who have left us, I'm afraid we're just short of the strength we'd need for a conclusive victory. I can't feel comfortable putting any of you in such a scenario."
Upset murmurs began to proliferate, but Khalid raised a finger as he added, "However, there is a way to rectify the deficient. There's one last place where we can reach out for allies, and as it so happens, it's less than a day's march away."
Khalid stayed silent and did not interrupt the outbursts that followed. His generals kept matters from spiraling out of control until people began to calm. At that point, Khalid asserted, "Are you really going to let old grudges stand in the way of our future? The Tempest of Fódlan and the Ashen Angel have been indispensable allies, both of whom are guests from our western neighbor. Soldiers of Elam and Shomal… do you not remember how our fleet sailed to battle alongside Brigid, allies of Fódlan's new queen? Do you recall the husband of Brigid's future ruler? Also of Fódlan. Warriors of the Tabarzin… can you mock Fódlan as our inferiors when their bows crumpled your defenses? Each victory in this war has been decided by the side willing to break the mold and try something new. Do you really think banging our heads against the walls of Istakhr will produce results? No. I beseech all of you… don't let history remember us as an army that was too proud to seize the moment. You've all worked too hard and sacrificed too much for that."
The soldiers were slowly being swayed over the course of this speech. At the end, they turned to their other commanders for guidance. Demetrius, Ridwan, Nousha, Farjad, and Darius all demonstrating their blessing for Prince Khalid sealed the deal.
"What makes you so certain that they'd be willing to help?" someone asked.
"Good question. As you may know, they once looked to me as their leader. There are still hearts there amenable to my voice, and I can coax them onto the right path."
Silence prevailed as the crowd considered this. Eventually, someone from the back declared, "If that's what we need to win, then so be it." This was joined with several shouts of agreement.
Khalid grinned. Even if no one was necessarily excited at the prospect of an alliance, it was still by far the best response he had ever received. Before anyone could inject a dissenting opinion or change their minds, he declared, "In that case, it's settled! I will lead a team to Fódlan's Locket to open negotiations. The rest of you will remain here until I return with new orders. May heaven bless all of you in the way you've blessed me."
The crowd seemed pleased with this outcome as Khalid descended the stairs and reconvened his commanders, which now included Farjad.
"Do you need me or Sharjeel to guide you to Fódlan's Locket?" Darius asked.
Khalid shook his head. "It's best if the Leicester soldiers aren't greeted by any generals famous for dispatching raids to kill them. Some guides would be appreciated, but find me some people that look remarkably commonplace." He turned to the others. "We also don't want a large presence. It might come across as too threatening. Demetrius, Ridwan, Farjad… stay here with your main forces and bury the dead. You might be able to use the exisiting trenches."
"So does anyone get to go?" Nousha scoffed.
"Yeah… you. We might encounter a few people interested in meeting Nardel's daughter. Might be handy. And if you don't mind, Ridwan, we could also bring Engy. Nobody dislikes Engy." He reflected a moment before also suggesting, "And Abbas, too. Are you fine with that, Darius?"
"I'm… not sure Abbas answers to me. Not anymore," Darius admitted ruefully. "I'll make sure he finds out, though."
With those matters settled, Khalid moved on to where Marianne, Satiah, Ariella, and Dimitri stood in a group.
"Am I correct in assuming that 'the math' was always going to tell you we needed just a little more help no matter the actual numbers?" Ella teased.
Khalid winked. "Don't go spoiling all my techniques, would you? You could have just said it was a good speech."
After everyone did just that, Khalid redirected the discussion to more important matters. He explained exactly what he needed from Marianne and Satiah on their mission, even handing them written instructions so there would be no confusion.
"Speed is important, but not as important as going unnoticed. I realize that will be difficult during daylight once you hit the Great Steppe," Khalid told them at the end of the spiel.
Satiah nodded as she saddled the horse she was designated. "We'll make up ground at dark, I promise. I know the area well enough now."
"I believe you," Khalid said. "Now, Marianne… You're the only person I can trust with this assignment, but I know it's asking a lot of you. If you need until morning to recover, I'd understand."
"No… I can do this. I refuse to hold us back," Marianne said as she steadfastly mounted Dorte and pivoted her horse towards the gates.
Dimitri held up a hand as a goodbye and said, "We'll all see each other again soon. I'm sure of it."
"Me, too," Ariella agreed. "You still remember where to find it, right, Marianne?"
"Center wall, third shelf… left end?" Marianne recited.
"You've got it!" Ariella confirmed. "Good luck, both of you!"
"May the goddess watch over us all!" Marianne replied.
Satiah led the way as the pair hurried out of the gates and into the dark.
"So… you don't think I'm capable of doing Marianne's job?" Ariella asked Khalid.
"I'm sure you could, but it would be devastating if you had a seizure out on this mission. There's plenty you can do here with us," Khalid answered. After pondering more on what Ella's role might look like, he asked, "Has anyone else learned how to use Warp, or is it just you?"
"Just me. There's a few who've made some progress, but they haven't been reliable enough yet to use it in battle. Why?"
"Well, it would be helpful to have multiple options available if we had to assault Istakhr Citadel, but we'll make do without it."
Ariella shook her head. "No… I'll get it done. I'll stay here and help teach them while you're up at the Locket. They'll be ready before we get to Istakhr."
"Are you sure? You should focus on your health for now."
"No one else still possessing two arms and two legs is resting. I've been told that I'm a born teacher. If this is what we need to win, then it's what I'm going to do."
Khalid sighed. He was equally proud of and exhausted by his retainers. He told her, "Alright. Dimitri can keep you company if you get bored while I'm gone."
Dimitri imposed, "Actually… I'd like to come with you, Khalid."
Khalid squinted warily. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Someone might recognize you."
"I'll keep a low profile. And besides… these are Leicester soldiers, not knights of Faerghus. Anyone who joins our cause might find it odd that I share a name with… someone of interest… but that risk is unavoidable whether I come to the Locket or not."
Dimitri was not exactly wrong. Khalid knew opening relations with Fódlan risked exposing Dimitri's identity in the long run, but the upcoming expedition offered particularly dangerous conditions before they had time to think of some answers. Ariella seemed to have taken Dimitri's side despite not knowing the full context.
"This still seems like an unnecessary gamble," the prince said with a frown.
"I want to do this, Khalid. I want to see my home… at least one more time," Dimitri implored calmly.
Khalid sighed again and put a hand on his head. "Well, how could I say no to that? Alright… just wear a hood or something, I guess."
Khalid went to consult with Nousha and Engy as they organized a team for the expedition to Fódlan's Locket. They were nearly finished when Abbas approached.
"I heard you want me to go with you for some reason?" Abbas asked.
Khalid replied, "That's right. I thought a change of scenery might be good for you. Remember those hikes Father always took us on?"
"I remember us always trying to outrace each other."
"Heh! Well, a competition to reach the top first wouldn't be such a bad idea if gets people moving faster."
Abbas snorted dismissively yet agreed to accompany his brother without resistance. The march began in total darkness, but their Tabarzin guides thankfully knew the trail by memory. It was a long, strenuous journey, and the temperature dropped the higher they climbed. It was preferable to the battle they finished or the conflict still ahead, though, so no one was complaining.
Khalid made conversation with various soldiers on the way up besides Dimitri and Nousha. Engy, for example, had interesting insights into Sabaean life during the past year before they entered the war. Khalid tried speaking with Abbas a couple times, though his brother had little to say in return. Abbas was at least not insulting Khalid for once, but he was not ready to open himself up any further.
The expedition unfortunately did not reach the summits of Fódlan's Throat before sunrise for the best views, but the purple and orange hues of the Almyran landscape were still stunning... even if Khalid's half-distorted vision hampered the experience some. This briefly slowed the advance, but Khalid kept everyone moving.
Khalid readied for another delay when they reached the first peak. It was the introductory view of Fódlan for many of his companions. At the very least, they did not seem to hate the land as much as its people. Soldiers began to point out mountains, forests, and lakes that caught their interest. Some asked Khalid to help identify their names and significance. Even Abbas seemed mildly curious. The locales were too familiar for Khalid to share their excitement, but Leicester already inspired a sense of nostalgia. His friends were gone, but nature itself proved enduring.
Khalid was somewhat concerned about how Dimitri would react upon seeing his home again. Would he turn back, the memories being too painful? Or would he be so overwhelmed with longing that he'd set out on a quest to find Dedue instead of staying with the mission?
Dimitri thankfully did not approach either extreme. He took a minute to absorb the scene before smiling contently. Noticing that Khalid was watching him, he looked over and told his friend tranquilly, "Don't worry about me. Let's keep going, shall we?"
"Right," Khalid agreed. "Let's keep moving, everyone! Unscheduled breaks only serve to help James."
The remainder of the journey felt much faster. Both their speed and the tension increased with each step towards Almyra's mortal enemies. When the walls of Fódlan's Locket finally came into view, Khalid readied his companions to leave their weapons in a grove of trees.
"Wait… you expect us to show up empty-handed?" Nousha asked doubtfully.
"We'll still be bringing the white flag. You're welcome to hold it if you'd like. Maybe you can use it to fend them off if things go badly." When Nousha stared at him in annoyance, he suggested, "Flag or no flag, they won't trust us unless we're unarmed. If even that's not enough… well, just make sure you run faster than they do. We'll have the head start."
It took another minute of discussion to convince everyone else. They eventually agreed to go along with the plan rather than climb back down, though Nousha did in fact carry the white flag as they approached the fort.
Fódlan's Locket… the obstacle high in the clouds that stood between Khalid and his dreams no matter which side he looked from. But no matter how high its perch or how thick its walls, it too was insignificant against the backdrop of the stars.
A loud bell was rung when the Almyran forces were spotted, and archers quickly scrambled onto the wall in the ensuing chaos. They seemed to calm some when they saw the flag and nonconfrontational behavior of the visitors, but they still aimed and drew their bows. Khalid's team continued to advance despite the threat.
"That's close enough," one of the Leicester archers finally said.
Khalid motioned for everyone to stop and held up his arms defensively. "Hey, so long as we're near enough to talk without straining my voice, I'm not too picky. We're not even armed!"
This awkward standoff lasted until the fort's commander scaled the bulwarks and stood before the foreign army. She was a woman with shoulder-length pink hair that was probably in her thirties.
"I am Frederica Goneril, commander of Fódlan's Locket. Who can I blame for this disturbance?" she began.
"That would be me," Khalid admitted. "I am Khalid ibn Faruq Al Hafeez, Prince of Almyra. Or… as surely someone there knows me by… Claude von Riegan."
This claim earned the expected response. The sentries all spun between each other to debate its veracity, while one of them ran down the wall and returned with a newcomer. After having Khalid pointed out, this man nodded and whispered something to Frederica. He had probably either served under Khalid's command in a previous battle or was once employed in Derdriu.
Frederica looked a bit shaken, but she did not argue with the man's confirmation. She faced the Almyran army again and observed, "Claude von Riegan… there were countless arguments about whether you fell in battle or fled at Gronder, but not even your worst detractor would have imagined something as awful as you being a twofaced Almyran spy."
"I'm an Almyran prince, yes, but I'm also the son of Tiana, the long-missing daughter of Oswald von Riegan. That made me the biological grandson of the late Duke Riegan as opposed to an adopted one, so the truth actually makes my claim to the title stronger, not weaker."
"Even if that's accurate, it doesn't make your actions any less reprehensible," Frederica retorted.
"I did what I thought was best for the Leicester Alliance, but I understand if anyone feels differently. I didn't come here to justify myself. I came here to offer an opportunity."
Frederica asked begrudgingly, "And what would that be?"
Khalid smiled. "A chance to overthrow the Almyran government. Help us, and the raids you worry about every day and night will be at an end. You'll all get to enjoy the early retirements you deserve."
Frederica paused as she considered the bargain. "… Overthrow the government? The government run by your own family?"
"Run by my brother nowadays. We've… had a bit of a falling out."
Frederica pondered this again before shaking her head. "This is just a trap to get us to leave the fort so you can ambush us on your own territory. And even if it wasn't, the plan sounds utterly absurd."
"Don't pretend like you aren't a little interested. I promise that I'll make it worth your while, so why not at least hear me out? Preferably in a friendlier setting without all the bows pointed at me."
"There's nothing to talk about."
Khalid frowned. "If you aren't interested in talking, maybe you can pass on a message to Queen Byleth or Holst. I'm guessing he got elected as Leader of the Alliance, right?"
Frederica laughed spitefully. "That's right. But what makes you think Holst would treat you any kinder? The last time I saw my cousin, he was angry enough to kill you on sight after what happened to Hilda. You and your people haven't earned the right to talk to anyone higher up." Khalid winced, which Frederica took as an acknowledgement of her victory. She told him, "Leave now before I give my archers permission to loose."
The Almyran soldiers began to back away uneasily as the situation deteriorated. Khalid had hoped the Leicester archers would hesitate to assault their former leader, but most of them looked either at peace or outright eager for a chance to eliminate some Almyrans and their craven prince. He had to devise a solution quickly.
Before he could think of anything, though, someone stepped forward from behind him.
"Then perhaps you'll hear me instead," the man said in a solemn voice. "My name is Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, Prince of Faerghus."
