Shorter chapter this time. Sorry, but I think I'm running into some writer's block.
Chapter 89 – Movements in the Dark (Great Tree Moon)
"Let me make myself as clear as possible, Annabelle Sharene Ernest," Dimitri said as he glared at Anna. The merchant was flanked on both sides by two of Dimitri's men to ensure she didn't try anything. "I will never again ally myself with Claude von Riegan. That snake is fortunate that I am choosing to prioritize defeating the Empire over crushing him and his army."
"Dimitri…" Marianne said silently as she watched the discussion.
"Dimitri, would you think about this whole thing for a damn second?!" Anna nearly shouted. "What possible reason could Claude have for killing your men?"
"That's simple: he wants to rule over Fódlan."
"What makes you think that?"
"He has spent nearly the whole war stalling for time and mustering his forces instead of taking the fight to the Empire. He's hoping that Edelgard and I will destroy each other, then he'll swoop in and pick up the pieces afterwards."
"That's bullshit. He's been helping us out ever since By came back. And what have you been doing all this time? Focusing on your personal vendetta with Edelgard instead of–"
"I'd watch your tongue, Anna, before I tear it from your mouth."
Ignoring this threat, Anna continued, "Do you really think she was the one responsible for what happened in Duscur? She had to have been, what, thirteen at the time? How would she be able to orchestrate all that?"
"She was able to deceive us all during our academy days. I know she was responsible for the death of my father and friends, and I will stop at nothing to destroy her and put their souls at rest."
"Look, we can talk about Edelgard all night, but I'm telling you, it wasn't us or the Alliance who murdered your messengers. Think about it: who else but the Empire would gain anything from that? They're trying to pit us against one another, and you're falling for it. If we end up fighting each other, the Empire will win. You know I'm right, Dimitri."
Dimitri was silent for several seconds as everyone watched the one-eyed king. After contemplating Anna's words, Dimitri said, "Return to Lady Eisner, Annabelle Sharene Ernest, and tell her to stay out of my way. If she or Claude impede me from reaching Edelgard, I will carve through them to reach the Emperor."
Anna briefly thought to protest, but she realized she wasn't going to get any further with him. Even for her silver tongue, it seemed no amount of talk would dissuade the King of Lions. At the very least, she thought, he wouldn't attack them if they didn't provoke him any further. But all it could take was one more slight against him and they'd have to fight the Loyalists.
"Sylvain, escort her out of our camp so that she can deliver my reply to the Church."
Sylvain nodded wordlessly as Anna turned and followed him out of Dimitri's tent.
As the two moved through the Loyalist camp, Sylvain said, "Sorry about all this, Anna. For what it's worth, I agree with what you said to Dimitri."
"So why didn't you say anything?" asked Anna.
"Hey, do you think he'd listen to me? He'll barely listen to Rodrigue on the subject."
"Then why are you still fighting for him, Sylvain?"
"He's been my friend for years, Anna. I'm not just gonna ditch him, even if he's wrong."
Sardonically, Anna said, "Yeah, that's real noble of you, Sylvain." Then, more seriously, she said, "If you're his friend, you should be trying to convince him he's got it all wrong."
"But that's just it, Anna. What if he's right? What if Edelgard really did set Lambert up? She tricked us all year when we were cadets. Not even Dorothea or Professor Byleth caught on until she was unmasked in the Holy Tomb."
"I know, Sylvain, but she would've been barely a teenager back then. And why would she do it in the first place?"
"How the hell should I know? As far as Dimitri's concerned, she's the one he's holding responsible for the Tragedy of Duscur. And even if he's wrong, she's still tearing Fódlan apart. Edelgard's gotta be stopped either way."
Anna sighed, knowing she couldn't argue Sylvain's point. Whether Edelgard was guilty of what happened in Duscur or not, she still plunged Fódlan into war.
"What about Claude, then?" asked Anna. "Do you really think he'd want to kill his chances of beating Edelgard by stabbing Dimitri in the back? That'd be like shooting himself in the foot."
"I agree on that one," said Sylvain, "but Claude hasn't been playing a straight game with us. It's not just this incident with the messengers. We've asked for his help more than once, and each time Claude would just keep his forces out of our fight with the Imperials and the Dukedom. I hate to say it, but Claude's ruined whatever trust Dimitri had in him."
"What about the Church, then?"
"Well, he's letting you walk away in one piece, isn't he?"
Anna glared at Sylvain, showing she was unamused at his comment.
Sylvain sighed and said, "Look, I don't think Dimitri's gonna attack you guys, but if I were you, I'd keep my distance from him."
"By's not gonna like this."
"I'm really sorry things have come to this, Anna."
"It's not your fault, Sylvain. Dimitri's jumping at shadows." Sighing, Anna added, "I've gotta get back to the others and give them Dimitri's reply."
"Good luck out there, Anna."
Within the next minute, Anna mounted her horse and rode away from the Loyalist camp while Sylvain watched.
…
Odesse hid himself from sight as he fished his communicator out of his satchel. The Agastya was due for a report on his progress. Within seconds, a hologram of Thales appeared before the Thaumaturge.
"Report, Odesse," said Thales.
"I have found a suitable candidate for the next Chimeric Stone's test, Agastya," said Odesse. "A former Imperial noble who has turned to banditry."
"I don't care for the history of those beasts, Odesse. Just ensure that the data is sent to Pittacus and that the Chimeric Stones are recovered afterward. That imbecile Myson already let one of them fall into the hands of the Imperials."
"Who is to recover it in Myson's stead?"
"Bias is already meeting with Entei. I have instructed her to retrieve the stone and Myson's Darkheart."
"Bias…"
After a short pause, Thales said, "You have something to say, Odesse?"
"I do not think the Magistra can be trusted anymore, Agastya. She has been meeting with Entei more than usual, and she has been withholding details on missions she assigns to her sect."
Thales smirked and said, "And you think she could pose a threat? Even if she is descended from the royal bloodline, it would be all too easy for me to end her life. She's feared me for five centuries, Odesse. If she had any real spine, I'd have killed her long ago in ritual combat."
"Yet the Emperor could prove a powerful ally to her. Her Black Eagles managed to kill the Sanguine Reaver. It would be best if we disposed of them now rather than later."
"Are you questioning my decision, Thaumaturge?"
"No, of course not, Agastya. I merely express my concern regarding Entei."
"Do not fret, Odesse. Myson's death will not go unpunished. Dolofonos will eliminate Edelgard after the battle in Gronder Field if she survives. As for Bias, I will deal with her soon enough. For now, you are to ensure that our plans in Derdriu are carried out."
"As you command, Agastya."
The transmission ended as Odesse stashed the communicator back into his belt pouch. The dark mage then emerged from his hiding place and slinked through the alleys of Derdriu. There was much to do in preparation for their attack on the port city.
As he moved through the shadows, he stopped as a group of six of thugs emerged from hiding and surrounded him.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" said one of the thieves.
"Streets like these are dangerous in these times, don't you know?" said another one.
"Don't worry – we'll get you to a safe place… as long as you hand over everything you're carrying," said a third one.
The others chuckled as they brandished their weapons, including daggers and wooden planks.
"Hmph," Odesse said smugly. "You beasts don't realize how hopelessly outmatched you are."
"What'd you just call us?!" said the first thief, who grabbed Odesse by the collar.
"Looks like he needs to learn some manners," said the fourth thief.
"Maybe feeding you your tongue will teach you to watch your mouth."
The thief holding Odesse raised his dagger toward the Thaumaturge's crow mask.
"You foolish beasts… Let me teach you your place!" said Odesse.
A red light began to shine from the eyes of the crow mask. The thieves were startled as Odesse's Dark Gift swept over them. Their vision began to blur as overwhelming noise filled their minds. Symbols, sounds and senses, all incomprehensible, overran their thoughts.
The thugs began holding their heads and either screamed or whimpered in panic.
"Make it stop! MAKE IT STOP!" shouted one of the thieves as he fell to his knees and clutched his head so hard that he began bleeding.
"I don't want to! I DON'T WANT TO!" screamed another as he began bashing his head against the alley wall.
One of the other thieves blabbered incomprehensively as he looked at one of the others in an expression of absolute horror. The one he was looking at stared at him in terror as he raised his knife and plunged it into his neck.
Odesse snickered as the thieves, in their dementia, turned on each other. The Thaumaturge walked away from the scene as the alley filled with blood.
Nasty little Dark Gift Odesse has, isn't it?
I had trouble getting into the right mindset this time around, so I could only get out a shorter chapter this time. Then again, maybe I've set my average chapter length too high lately.
We're soon gonna start the Battle of Gronder Field, though, so the action should heat up.