Chapter 90

Captain of the Guard

"There he is." Levi pointed to the small red figure approaching the fort. They had crawled to the edge of a tall ridge adjacent to the opposite hill upon which the imperials had built their fort. It was a simple drum shaped stone building encased with high electronic fences. Though it appeared like a medieval fortress, there were signs of more advanced technology. Sleek black turrets adorned the parapets and several helipads had been added to the roof.

The fort had two gates facing north and south. Their target led a line of imperial troops marching inside. A second squadron passed beside them heading down the road towards Castel Town. Sonic watched the second group go with a feeling of regret. He had wanted to go into town to check on Simon, but Levi had insisted they stick to the outskirts.

Howl was stopped momentarily at the front gate before being ushered inside the fort. When he passed inside, Levi moved away from the edge. "Now we wait for nightfall."

Sonic followed Levi down the ridge and into a cluster of tightly woven trees. Weeds crunched beneath their feet and Sonic's fur was quickly caught in stickers. They made themselves as comfortable as they could in the center of the thicket. Sonic sat down and attempted to pry the thorns out of his fur while Levi paced anxiously.

"How do you know Howl?" Sonic asked.

"We were in the legion together."

"You were in the legion?"

Levi stopped and sat down across from Sonic. "The empire was different back then. Anyone could make a name for themselves in the legion, it didn't matter where you were from."

"I thought the empire used to be worse?"

Levi chuckled. "In many ways. It was certainly less stable than it is now, and its power was more restricted. For many in the provinces, the only way to move up the ladder was to serve in the legion. There were always wars to fight so troops were in high demand. I served ten years in the legion before returning home. Howl and I were in the same squadron for the last four. He used to be a noble warrior."

"He didn't seem that way when I met him."

"Occupation will do that. Some find their courage in war, others find their cruelty, but occupation and domination makes monsters of us all. I have heard of the torments Howl has subjected my people to. I can only hope that there is a shred of his old honor still inside him."

Sonic leaned back on his hands. "Honor is very important here."

"Is that not so where you are from?"

"For some people I guess, but it isn't for most."

"Are there many wars on your planet?"

"There used to be, not so much anymore."

Levi considered that. "I hope peace can come to Arvana. Many believe that the emperor has given it to us, and that we Thirteens are simply mongrels who prefer war. But the peace of the emperor will be our doom. Is it not a strange reversal?"

Sonic shrugged. "I don't know, I don't really think about things like that. I know I can't let Eggman destroy your world, that's enough for me."

Levi marveled at him. "I'm not sure I've ever met someone like you. Certainly not someone with as much power as you have. Power is said to corrupt, but you have kept your innocence." Levi rose and stretched his arms over his head. "We have a few hours until dusk. We should spend that time training."

Sonic looked around the thicket. "We don't have any room."

"This is perfect," Levi corrected. "Your speed will be neutralized somewhat. The dance of blades is more than just a contest of strength and quickness." Levi drew his twin blades and Sonic reluctantly unsheathed Caliburn. There was only about ten feet of space in the thicket making it impossible to try and circle around. Once they were ready, Levi initiated the bout. His blades were blurs of motion, but not fast enough to confuse Sonic. He slipped the blows easily but when he tried to counter, his blade was quickly knocked aside. Sonic tried to leap away from Levi's follow up, but he got caught by a thorny branch. He cringed from the contact, and that was all Levi needed to tap his blade against Sonic's leg, ending the contest.

"Your sword moves slower than your body. If you want to fight at your full potential your sword must move independent of your mind. You already have incredible instincts when it comes to battle, but you must join the sword to that operation. Make the blade a part of yourself, allow it to move freely as you do when you run."

"I'm not sure how to do that," Sonic admitted.

"It will come in time. The more you practice, the more trust you will put in the sword, and the more the sword will trust you."

"Make the sword trust me? How does that work?"

"A blade is no common tool. You can not use it as you would a hammer. When a warrior respects his blade and puts his trust in it, the sword will do the same to you. A bond is created that is far more powerful than the individual parts."

Sonic examined Caliburn closely for signs of activity. "It's just steel."

"As long as you believe that, you will never access its true power. In this next bout, listen to the clamor of the steel. You will hear the song the swords make. Our clash is not just a contest between us, but between the blades. It is a test between the bond I have with my swords and the one you have with yours."

Sonic didn't understand. Levi was gushing over his blade as if it were his girlfriend. For a split second, Sonic imagined Caliburn speaking to him in Amy's voice. The thought brought a smile to his face. "Are you ready to begin?" Levi asked.

They sparred for the rest of the afternoon. Sonic did his best to listen to the clangs the swords made whenever they made contact. However, he did not gain any insight. The bouts were lasting longer as Sonic learned to adapt to Levi's movements, but he wasn't getting any closer to scoring a hit. Sonic couldn't deny that Caliburn felt more like a hindrance than a weapon. That thought must have been obvious because Levi read him like a book.

"Caliburn is wondering the same thing about you. You two are not in sync, so Caliburn feels unwieldy and foreign in your hand. Give it time, and be willing to learn."

Sonic was determined to try so he was slow and meticulous when it came time to clean the sword after the sparring. Beside him, Levi sang softly to his swords. Sonic stifled the temptation to laugh. He gazed down at Caliburn and whispered softly to it. "We'll figure this out, but I'm not going to sing to you."

At nightfall, Levi and Sook retook their positions on the ridge adjacent from the fort. Grim clouds covered the light of the stars. The fort was illuminated with torches and floodlights making it appear like a lonely island in a sea of darkness. Sonic didn't think it looked any less impregnable at night as it had during the day. "What's the plan?"

Levi studied the fort intently. At last he sighed and put a hand on Sonic's shoulder.

"I'm not sure you're gonna like this."

Sonic did not like the plan. His hands were chained behind his back and Levi walked him straight towards the front gate. They had ambushed a lone imperial on the road and Levi had taken his uniform. He concealed both his swords and Caliburn beneath a long tattered cloak. Sonic, meanwhile, had to play the part of the prisoner.

They were spotted before they got within a hundred feet of the gate. A dozen imperial soldiers swarmed them and demanded they present themselves. Levi stepped up to the leader. His cloak concealed most of his face giving him an air of mystery and menace. "I have a prisoner here, he is to be brought straight to the captain," Levi whispered.

"What unit are you with? We haven't heard anything about a prisoner transport."

"Lord Mesto trusts this matter only with the captain."

At the mention of Lord Mesto, the imperial guard quailed. He sent them on their way without any further questions. Levi dragged Sonic up to the front gate and gave the same report. To Sonic's surprise, they were allowed into the fort and were soon escorted by a team of heavily armored soldiers up to the highest floor. "I will need to speak to the captain alone." Levi said when they reached the door. The imperials exchanged glances but then stepped away.

Levi opened the door and they stepped into a comfortably furnished solar. A fire blazed in the hearth while the outside wind rattled the adjacent window. Howl sat behind an ornate desk decorated with oddly shaped daggers. He looked up from a computer console and his eyes narrowed with annoyance. "What is the meaning of this? I asked to be left alone." He rose halfway out of his chair before freezing.

"You..." Howl snarled.

"Well met." Levi threw back his cloak and cut Sonic's hands free.

Howl turned his attention onto Sonic. "You're that stranger I saw with Simon." Howl licked his lips. "I always knew they were filthy traitors."

"No, they-"

"You'd be better served worrying about the present," Levi interrupted.

Howl sneered. "Why? Have you come to assassinate me?"

"We need information. How we get it is up to you."

"You think you can frighten me? I'll never talk."

"Never?" Levi drew his sword. It sang as it came free of its sheath. Howl's eyes roved around the room. His sword belt was hanging on a peg on the wall. Sonic stepped in front of it.

"You shouldn't have come here Levi. You'll never escape, and you know I won't talk."

"Desperate times."

Howl moved slightly to his left. His gaze dropped to the poker that was sticking out of the fire. The movement was caught by Levi who smiled slightly. Howl raised his hands to show they were still empty. "I'm curious. What could have made you so in need of intel? The last I heard you had only narrowly escaped Masada."

"You heard more than that," Levi said easily. "Lord Mesto took a captive, a valuable one. I need to know where he is holding him."

Howl snapped his jaws together. "Fool, what does it matter? Once Lord Mesto has them, there is no bringing them back." Howl shifted closer to the fireplace. "You may as well kill me now. You know I won't talk."

"Killing you means nothing. Even if you grabbed that poker it wouldn't mean anything." Levi jerked his head in Sonic's direction. "You'd never get it before he does." Sonic took that as his cue. He burst forward in a rush of speed, snatching the poker out of the fire and returning to the other side of the room. Howl's eyes expanded in fear and rage.

"What the-"

"You were not always the pathetic creature you are now," Levi said sternly. "You used to understand what honor meant. Tell me, does that part of you still exist or are you simply Mesto's lapdog now?"

Howl's eyes expanded in wild fury. "How dare you…You think you are superior to me? What does honor matter? Honor will not save you."

"Is that all it meant to you? Is honor worth nothing if it cannot kill your enemies?"

Bang! Howl sunk his claws into the wood of his desk. "Don't lecture me. The old way got us nowhere. The empire is ten times as strong as it once was."

"Perhaps, but the legions are no longer its backbone. You are nothing but tools for the emperor to wield at his leisure."

"Have you not been paying attention? The rest of Arvana is flourishing while you stagnate. Honor is nothing but a tarnished cloak, it is results that matter."

"Prove it then. You and me, one on one. If I win, you tell me where Lord Mesto has taken Silver."

Howl's expression of shock slowly morphed into one of grim pleasure. He licked his snout. "And if I win?"

"State your terms."

"If I win then I offer you to Lord Mesto." Howl cackled maliciously. "There is no secret you can keep from him. He will unzip you and then you will wish you had your honor to hide behind."

Levi grimaced and looked suddenly doubtful. Sonic came up beside him. "Let me fight. I can take him."

"You're not ready. This is a duel, not a brawl. I must be the one." Levi composed himself and faced Howl. "I accept these terms. Let us both swear, on our honor as legionaries, to uphold the terms." Levi extended his empty hand. Sonic watched carefully as Howl considered the offer. Sonic was ready to attack should Howl attempt to sucker punch Levi, but to his surprise, the wolf reached out and shook Levi's hand.

"We will not fight here." Howl said. "Come I will take us somewhere we can settle this." Howl walked out from behind his desk and took his sword from the peg. He looked at Sonic. "You'd better put the cuffs back on."

Levi placed the cuffs around Sonic, but didn't lock them. Together, the trio walked through the fort towards the lowest level. Howl brought them to what appeared to be a training area. It was a wide circle set with loose sand. Levi and Howl took up positions on opposite sides of the arena.

Levi drew his twin blades and twirled them in opposite spirals. This display of grace, annoyed Howl who stomped his feet into the sand. Sonic stood back and watched. He knew that Levi was extremely skilled, but he also knew that Howl was dangerous. He had badly injured Rayne during the battle in the forest.

The two foes circled each other in preparation for the first strike. Levi was calm and composed whereas Howl snarled with building aggression. It was easy to predict who would take the initiative. Howl bounded forward in a flurry of steel and claws. Levi countered them all with ease and pressed Howl back to the center of the ring.

For a moment, Sonic thought Levi would win easily, but Levi's signature counter attacks were blocked by Howl. The wolf was far more skilled than Sonic anticipated. Their blades clashed and cracked in a blinding wave. Even Sonic was impressed by their speed. The more he watched, the more his fingers itched to join in. Watching a fight from the sidelines was almost unbearable to him.

Levi scored the first point. With one hand he stabbed forward in a repeated series of lunges and then suddenly slashed with his other sword. Howl leapt back but not before receiving a long gash across his snout. Blood streaked into the sand and Howl had to run to the other side of the arena to compose himself. "Lucky…" Howl groaned. His eyes were bulging with rage and hurt.

Levi didn't seem tired at all. He stood erect and ready for the fight to continue as if it were merely a training exercise. "You have not used your time in Mesto's employ wisely. I remember you being better than this."

"Awoooooooo!" Howl bounded on all fours straight at Levi. At the last moment, he dashed to his left, narrowly slipping under Levi's attack. Howl followed up by lunging at Levi's arm. Levi managed to counter the sword, but he could not stop Howl from locking his huge jaws around his arm. Sonic cringed as Levi cried out in pain. Howl tried to crunch down, but Levi spun out his grasp and this time, he was forced to retreat to the far end of the arena.

Levi nursed his injured arm by holding it close to his chest. Blood smeared his cloak and Levi panted heavily from the effort of the retreat. "Nice one, that was new, I didn't expect that."

Howl sneered and lapped the blood from his jaws. "Tricks don't win battles. Spin your little swords all you want, it won't mean anything."

"Alright then. No more tricks." Levi sprang forward. His sudden shift in strategy threw Howl off guard. Sonic saw the change in Levi's expression, for the first time he was fighting all out. Howl held up against the assault for as long as he could, but Levi was simply too fast. He seemed to turn into a whirlwind of slashing steel. Howl was cut across the arm, the chest, the shoulder, and both legs. Blood gushed from the wounds and Howl was brought to his knees. As he fell, Sonic saw him seize a fist full of dirt.

"Hey!" It was too late. Levi stopped to call for Howl's surrender just as the wolf threw the dirt. It sprayed into Levi's face and Howl attacked. Levi raised his hand to defend himself and Howl's sword struck him just above the wrist. Blood erupted as Levi's hand was torn off completely. Levi staggered backward and fell into the sand.

Sonic dashed forward to stop Howl from advancing. "No!" He turned back to see Levi, cradling his stump. "Get back Sonic, don't interfere."

"What? He cheated, let me help you."

Levi shook his head more vigorously. "I must defeat him myself, that was the terms of the fight."

"And already your friend has robbed me of my early victory!" Howl protested. "Is this the extent of your honor Levi?"

"You cheated! He had you beat, he only stopped so he wouldn't kill you."

"O, do you not like how I play?" Howl mocked. "This is our game, not yours. Get out of the way, or I won't tell you anything."

Sonic turned back to Levi. He nodded for Sonic to obey. Sonic stepped aside, unsure of what he was even doing. Levi rose unsteadily to his feet. His right hand was gone and blood was slowly seeping out of the stump. Levi turned himself to stand sideways with his left hand extended outward. Howl cackled maliciously. "No one can doubt your honor. You will die as so many of your people have done."

"At least I won't die a monster."

"You will die as a bug beneath the feet of the empire!" Howl rushed, attempting to press his advantage. Levi reacted far slower than before. He was still skilled with his left hand, but his energy had decreased dramatically. Howl pushed Levi to the other end of the arena, pressing him closer to the far wall. Howls' laughter echoed off the ceiling. The wolf could taste his victory. With every swing, Levi's parry came later and weaker with every blow. Then suddenly it was over. Levi's move was so fast, even Sonic barely saw it. One moment Howl was rushing in for victory and the next, Levi had slid past him, leaving a huge red gash across the wolf's chest.

Howl sank to his knees. A red current drenched his fur and soaked into the sand. His smile faded into a look of horror. Levi walked over to him and knelt beside him. Howl's head slumped onto Levi's shoulder. Sonic couldn't hear what they were saying, but they were clearly having a whispered conversation. At last, Levi moved aside and Howl fell face first into the dirt.

Levi rose to his feet and then staggered. Sonic rushed forward and caught him before he could fall. Blood had completely soaked through his cloak. "We have to get you back to the Sanctuary!"

Levi shook his head. "No, there is too great a risk of leaving a trail."

"You'll bleed out!"

"There is a way. Please, first just get me out of here and into the forest. I know where Silver is, we cannot afford to waste time."

Sonic reached down and heaved Levi over his shoulder. At that exact moment an alarm blared. Red lights flashed and Sonic heard the thundering of descending footsteps. BANG! A door on the other end of the arena burst open. Dozens of imperial guards came storming forward. They took one glance at Howl then let out cries of rage. "KILL THEM!"

Sonic moved faster than their weapons. He darted between the red bolts of plasma and rushed into the sand. His speed lifted the dirt and created a cyclone. The imperial's were caught up inside it and Sonic used the confusion to boost through their ranks and up the stairs. Alarms continued to wail inside the fort. Imperials and Sentinels were rushing in every direction when Sonic reached the ground floor. Sonic did not give them a chance to target him. He sprinted through the open lobby and kicked open the door. Turrets clicked to life outside and started turning towards him. Sonic reached behind him and took hold of Caliburn. He lunged forward while slicing and cut the turrets into pieces. Gunfire trailed after him as Sonic leapt from turret to turret. Smoke concealed him and when Sonic saw his chance he used it to run as fast as he could away from the fort and towards the cover of the distant trees.

The sound of pursuit faded as Sonic plunged deeper into the forest. Levi slumped limply across his back. He had passed out due to blood loss. Sonic stopped in a small clearing between some tightly woven trees and lowered Levi onto the stump. His face was pale and his clothes were covered in dark splotches. Sonic crouched beside him, his hands shaking. "Levi? Levi!" He jostled him and Levi's eyes drifted open.

"Did we get away?"

"Yes!"

Levi nodded. "There are flowers that grow in the underbrush. They are pink with three pedals, collect a dozen of these and come back here." Levi groaned and closed his eyes. "Hurry."

Sonic didn't need to be told that. He zoomed out of the grove and sped around the forest. It took him five agonizing minutes to find the first flower. The pink fronds were hidden beneath the moss that grew along the forest floor. Sonic pulled it free of its stem and searched hopelessly for a second cluster nearby. He doubled his area as he continued to search. He found two more pedals close to each other, but his search was taking far too long. Panic spread over him, seizing into his muscles and slowing him down.

Suddenly, Sonic noticed a strange light peeking between the trees. Darkness was making his search nearly impossible, so he naturally followed the light. The light peered through a window created between two trees whose separate trunks had melded together near the top forming a natural arch. Sonic squeezed between the tight gap and emerged into a clearing beside a slow moving stream. A Nord lay dead on the bank. Its slanted eyes were bulged and open with its last gasp of pain. Huge chunks of its flesh had been torn open by the claws of some ferocious beast. The crystalline horns had been pulled from the skull and were missing.

Sonic felt all his hope leave him. He collapsed onto his knees beside the creature. Sonic felt as if he was witnessing a tremendous crime against nature, akin to the burning of an entire countryside. He reached out to place his hand on the Nord's hide when he noticed something beneath the animal. A faint pink flower was pressed down by the Nord's body. Sonic jumped up in amazement. He pressed his shoulder against the animal and pushed it forward. Three pink flowers were exposed, but even more were still trapped beneath the body. Sonic drew back to consider what he was seeing. Had the Nord been protecting these flowers when it was attacked? Had it used its body as a last defense to guard them? What would it mean for Sonic to take them now? Or was he meant to take them?

There was no time to decipher the riddle. He could not say why, but he had a feeling he was meant to find the creature. That is why it had come to him the other day. Sonic pushed the Nord further along the bank until it slid down the incline and fell into the stream. Sonic jumped back with a cry. As soon as the Nord entered the water a great steam issued out of it. Sonic watched in mounting wonder as the steam faded into a white sparkling mist. The body of the Nord had disappeared entirely. He looked down and saw that twelve pink flowers were swaying in the dent left by the Nord. Sonic collected them and raced back to Levi.

Levi had not been idle since Sonic left. Somehow he had roused himself to the starting of a fire. A black pot sat upon the flames with the rest of Levi's waterskin poured inside it. Levi urged Sonic to place the flowers in the kettle. Levi placed himself against the trunk and trembled. "I will teach you how to make a substance called Armana."

"I've had that before, are you sure it will heal you?"

Levi smiled faintly. "It won't heal my hand, but it should help stem the bleeding and prevent infection. Now listen closely. When the water has turned a faint pink you must increase the heat and bring it to a quick boil. Boil it until the water is red and thick then decrease the temperature and let it cool."

Levi curled himself into a ball while cradling his hand. "I will do my best to stay conscious, if I drift off again, I don't know if I'll ever wake up."

Sonic sat by the fire with his face facing Levi. His eyes continuously darted from the heating mixture and the injured fox. When the mixture turned a faint pink Sonic added some more dry wood to help the fire. It seemed to take ages for the water to boil and even longer for the mixture to turn red and thicken. In the time between, Levi would groan faintly or Sonic would have to go over and shake him to make sure the fox stayed awake.

At last the Armana was ready. Sonic brough the pot over to Levi and gently helped him sip a few mouthfuls. Levi drank as much as he could before leaning back against a tree. "Thank you Sonic…" He moaned. "Now there is just one more thing." He raised up his bloody stump. "Pour some on my arm and rewrap it please." Sonic moved the soiled cloak and did his best not to gag. The stump was covered in puss and blood. He poured the still hot Armana over it and Levi hissed in restrained agony. Sonic took one of the spare cloaks Levi had brought and tore it into shreds. He tied a few around Levi's wrist and helped make a sling for him to put over his shoulder. When it was all done, Levi leaned back and drifted quickly off to sleep.

Sleep was the last thing on Sonic's mind. His nerves were frayed and a deep hunger had settled into his stomach. He sat up as the lookout and watched the darkness inside the forest deepen. The riddle of the dead Nord still perplexed him as he was still unsure if it was an omen of doom or if it were simply a stroke of good luck.

Dawn found Sonic lying on his back. He had succumbed to exhaustion at some point without really intending to. Levi woke him with a polite jostle of the shoulder. Sonic was amazed to see that the fox was walking around and already ready to continue their journey.

"But where are we going? Did you find out where Silver is?"

Levi nodded. "Lord Mesto has taken Silver to one of his private prisons. The time has come for you to finally visit the capital of our fair district."