I enjoy my meal as they argue with smiles on their faces, Idali and Uhla showing too many teeth. In the end, I have a good time seeing them close together but it makes me wonder what it is about me that I don't even feel the slightest inclination to join in.
Maybe it's fear to be rejected again, betrayed. After all, humans are so erratic even they've shown that they'll work against me despite their support for some of my goals. I trust Idali but only to a point, same as the rest.
“Who were these assassins?” Idali suddenly asks.
“I'm not sure, I would say Shades whose objective was to prevent Siegfried's death since an Exemplar's death would make ripples in the Empire and very slightly shake the Emperor's power base.” I explain. “Did someone get a look at them?”
“No, they seemed to vanish in thin air.” Nahl replies.
“Not too surprising, almost confirms they were Shades.” I note. “Where is Siegfried?”
“He's in bed back in the ruins, healing.” Uhla replies.
“The rebels are fine with it?” I question.
“Not especially but he is an Exemplar, that by itself commands hospitality.” She explains. “It's good you didn't kill him.”
“I didn't feel much intent to kill me on his part.” I tell her. “I think he felt like Mirus shouldn't win this battle either but couldn't condone the rebellion's methods which he blames the leaders for.”
“I'm certain he didn't want Claywood to obtain victory. He was there when a villager told us what happened to their mayor, a kind of local leader in Mirus, when he tried to negotiate with Mirus when they tried to requisition their winter supplies.” Nahl speaks up. “The general had him tied to a horse and dragged several times around his village to make an example, the mayor died of his injuries a day later.”
“But his opinions are irrelevant if he doesn't act on them.” I comment, sending a cold onto the conversation. “Dreams don't change the world.”
“Alright, what's next?” Rowland cuts in. “Steal a ship, scuttle it, and then ride fish to Kruzser?”
“That's, what?” I blink. “No, we're going to find horses and go north-east to get around Mirus' largest cities and approach Kruzser from the north.” I tell them.
“Good.” Idali says. “Not a big fan of ships.”
“Gather some supplies but don't take too many.” I instruct them as I get up.
“Uh, sure, but where are you going?” Idali questions.
“To check something, don't worry about it.” I reply.
I make my way through the rebel camp which is in pure chaos right now as the victory led to a celebration and then a semi-riot over my departure so very little was accomplished during that time. Many groups clamor as I pass by but it seems their furious drive to meet me has passed.
Bags of grains and crates of supplies are being transferred from the ruins while the region's rebels gather, including the reinforcements that were awaiting an opening in the west.
The leaders are likely in full conversation over the future of the rebellion with Thomas and Elisa and civilians have arrived at some point, all of which adds to the disorganization.
While last night was a perfect opportunity for the Shades to sneak in and do some spying on the feelings of the rebellion to anticipate its next moves, right now the widespread chaos allows them to go anywhere they want and it would very much surprise me if they didn't try to speak to Siegfried.
For all they know, I'm one of the leadership now so they would think there's no risk of running into me yet. The Shade was pretty damn muscular so I should be able to spot him as long as he doesn't hide among the rebel's archers, which he shouldn't be able to do since they would know he's not one of them.
He may be able to fool peasants but archers are a small group who will have often intermingled. My issue is that only Elizabeth Vil would recognize him but I should be able to find a reason to be suspicious.
I inspect every man with prominent arms and shoulders as I cruise through the town's ruins but find none I recognize. It isn't too surprising considering the rebels' cheers are warning anyone potentially on the lookout that I'm approaching. In the end, I decide to go straight for Siegfried and decide later.
Near the hospital where the injured from the siege have been installed, I spot a man leaning against a wall with his arms crossed and his head down covered by the hood of a dirty cloak.
Next to him is a long straight stick as tall as he is and protected by a leather sheath which I suspect to be an unwound bow too large to be drawn by the majority of the population, with or without flow. I notice bulges around his waist meaning the cloth is likely there to conceal weapons as well.
As I near the field hospital made up of canvas tents, a few rebels stationed here salute me so I respond with a brief wave to keep my focus on the man. He appears to be waiting for someone or standing guard, which isn't out of place, but he tenses as I make my way towards the entrance.
I make the choice of ignoring him as I pass by him but he slowly opens his hands and takes down his hood so I stop. His traits are dug from lack of sleep but would be relatively pleasing to look at were it not for the many small white scars covering his face. It looks like he lost several dozen fist fights in his life and never took proper care of them.
“Are you here to meet with the Exemplar, Dame Freepath?” He asks with a respectful tone that almost makes me doubt my conclusion that he's a Shade. “Exemplar Siegfried has asked to be left alone to rest.”
“Did he now?” I question with a thin smile. “Let's go ask him.”
“I'm sorry?” He returns with a quizzical expression.
I activate my perception construct and launch a burst of kinetic force at the man's forehead. A carved wooden ball pops out of his cloak to land in his right hand while he raises his left to block my construct.
Unfortunately for the man, I block his left with my forearm and knee the underside of his right which sends the ball up in the air before he can pour flow into the runes to activate the construct.
My construct activates on the surface of his skin to give him no chance to stop it and the suspected Shade drops unconscious, his body hitting the ground like a sack of potatoes.
“Dame Freepath! Is he a spy?!” A rebel guard calls out.
“Possibly, do you mind dragging him along so we can figure it out?” I ask.
“Of course.” The man signals to a few others.
They remove his cloak to find two quivers holding large arrows on his back and start disarming the man from his many weapons, including an odd dull sword and several runic wooden spheres. I pick up the one he tried to use and put it back on the man's belt.
“Don't try to activate those, it'll almost certainly backfire.” I warn the rebels.
They nod back and carry the gear without trying to test the toys while two of them grab the Shade by the arms to drag him along. I pick up the stick I suspect is the other one's bow.
“Could you lead me to the Exemplar? He should be able to settle this.” I request.
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“Of course, Dame Freepath.” The rebel responds.
“Damn Templars always get unnecessarily involved when they know Nobles don't even listen to our Emperor.” One of them grumbles.
They quickly lead me through the dozen tents to the one the Exemplar is resting in. The mute isn't guarding the entrance so I assume he's inside with Siegfried and signal the others to hold outside.
I push the flap and step in, immediately recognizing the rough but unremarkable face of the Shade I met in the Institute along with a mass of muscles likely built with entire herds of livestock. The man is dressed in simple green clothes that make him look like a woodcutter.
Siegfried is sitting on a bed with a bandage of his left arm and leg with the mute standing firm behind him. The Shade throws me a glance and his spine straightens as he tries to peer outside over my shoulder.
“I know what you look like now.” I cheerfully remark, causing the man to narrow his eyes.
“So you're back and found Brute, you can call me Archer.” He responds.
“How well can you fight without that bow of yours?” I ask with a threatening tone despite my utter inability to fight right now without having my heart just quit on me.
“Jessica Freepath, assassins, if you would take this outside I am resting.” Siegfried intervenes.
“I don't believe it necessary, we were leaving.” Archer responds while trying to pierce the canvas with his eyesight to check on his friend.
“So soon, you won't even hear a message from my sister, Elizabeth?” I ask.
“I'm sure I could make time if you assure me my companion hasn't been harmed.” The Shade utters.
“He might have a headache but he'll pull through.” I reply with a shrug.
“Then what is it?” He questions.
“Next time you see fit to presume to harm others to keep her secrets or interfere in her business, she will do to your hands what you did to Grace's voice.” I tell him with a gentle smile as I lean on his unwound bow.
I would attack but picking a fight with the Shades would be too big a distraction, bring their attention on me, and possibly result in the Emperor declaring me an enemy of the Empire, all of which are consequent detriments to my plans. Besides, I recall this man thought Suxen insane so he may be of use in dealing with her.
“The Lady broke an agreement, such is how we react to these things as we have no laws to rely on.” Archer calmly responds. “Would you please return my bow? It is a master-piece I would have trouble replacing.”
I narrow my eyes at his response. With the Emperor's prestige and power behind the Shades, they shouldn't have any issues in enforcing their will but then again their existence is a secret so it isn't as if Rasaec can send a letter demanding obedience.
I quite suddenly realize that both the Templar Order and the Shades have expansive levels of independence for organizations that are supposedly directly under control of the Emperor.
For a man who has supposedly reigned so long, he has a shallow grip on his subordinates and Nobility. I understand that much of his time must be spent governing the Empire and waging war but... I pause.
His position may well be so stable exactly because he's built fiercely loyal organizations with great levels of independence in managing every problem the Empire faces.
When he falls to slumber, he has no fear of being overthrows because he controls the most powerful army in the Empire, the Phalanxes, and the Order elevates his prestige in daylight while the Shades eliminate his enemies in the shadows.
I'm not sure if my reasoning is accurate but the state of things in the present seems to support my theory. Intuitively, it feels that giving independence to your subjects would fuel their ambitions but repression leads to rebellion so, between the two, the former is best if you have unmatched power to rely on.
“Take it.” I reply, flicking the unwound bow at the man. “But shoot me again and you'll find yourself with one of these arrows up your ass, Archer.”
“I'll take both threats under advisement, Miss Freepath.” The man calmly responds. “Do give my respects to E.Vil if you meet her.”
I noncommittally wave my hand in response and follow the Shade who walks out of the tent to signal the rebels to let go the one nicknamed Brute. If this is how their call-signs go, I assume Aisha is the Spy even though Archer played a similar role in Meiridin.
I don't return to Siegfried or even go speak to the rebel leaders. With the Shades knowing they got played in the end, I have either less or more to fear from them. They'll either be cautious of me because of this or try to kill me.
Either way I know their faces now so they'll have to attack from a distance, which is easier to deal with for me considering I almost literally have eyes in the back of my head.
I would stay to be present in the eminently awkward moment when Thomas and Elisa encounter Siegfried in their camp after he captured them but there is every chance the Exemplar is going to stay to be there when they encounter Edusa's envoy.
He shouldn't know of her plans but, between the Order's almost omnipresence across the Empire and the Shades, I very much doubt he hasn't heard of it by now. It's also possible the rebels will wish to have the Exemplar present. While he's opposed them, he still represents the Emperor so it can only be a boon to have him there to ratify an agreement.
I find it odd how humanity can be so murderous and forgiving of their enemies at the same time. It may be that external pressures don't give us the leisure of holding onto grudges that go against our interests but that reasoning is flawed considering Nobility's harmful actions.
Deep in thought, I barely notice the rebels greeting me. Still, as I approach the large tent holding the leadership, I can't help but spot the flags flying atop a long mast.
One is the piece of oil-cloth from my broken umbrella attached to the blade of my rapier while the other shows a shore with a large transport galley crashed on red reefs.
My silver road with a light blue sky and white clouds along with Liz' black tree planted in blood-soaked soil are finer embroideries than what the rebels use, the shape is hexagonal so it's appears somewhat odd but it was cleaned so the colors stand out.
It feels like they should have asked to use this but can I truly complain after meddling in their affairs as much as I did? I've ended their previous leader and pushed them in a direction that benefits my plans. I decide it best to let it go if it can help them.
It isn't as if they're even able to affect the Empire with their actions to the point where my reputation will take a hit before I stop carring about it. There are simply too few rebels located in too restricted an area.
I finally reach the campfire to find Rowland having his bandages changed by Uhla. He was cut so badly on his left side that I can see ribs half-hidden by his crusts. I scowl as I approach and flick his forehead with my middle finger.
“You idiot, Yvonne is going to blame me for this.” I complain.
“I'll make sure of it.” He replies without a trace of shame.
“Traitor, I always knew you couldn't be trusted.” I bellow to the sky.
“You're next.” The ex-Semplar speaks up.
“I haven't received any noticeable injuries.” I tell her.
“That'd be a first.” She replies while rolling her eyes.
“No, really.” I insist.
“You sure?” Uhla asks, blinking with a baffled expression.
“That look's insulting, I don't get injured that much.” I protest.
“Pff.” Uhla barely represses a mocking laugh.
“You're in a good mood.” Rowland notes.
“Things went better than they could have, Siegfried will be stuck here for a while so I don't have to worry and I've seen the faces of two people I should be wary of in the future.” I explain. And I'm on the way to Kruzser where Leomi will be waiting so we can begin fixing some things. “How did you get so beat up?”
“The usual, can't see so I overextended without realizing.” He says with a sigh.
“Do you have trouble hearing too?” I ask.
“No but you try and...” He pauses as he realizes I have and lets out an embarrassed laugh. “Anyway, we won and they're safe so it's all fine.” He concludes.
I nod in agreement. Nahl and Idali return soon after, he is easily leading four horses by barely hanging onto their reins while she's basically dragging a reluctant mare by the noseband and still falling behind. The animal is letting out low neighs of protest in fear of her symbiont.
I wonder what the history is between Rykz and horses. The former probably hunted the latter but it seems to run deeper than that considering the drones' seeming hatred of the animals to the point they ignored friendly pheromones to hunt down those Templar Jane was guarding.
“We're leaving as soon as Rowland's patched up.” I speak up.
“I'm not in pieces.” He argues.
“Could've fooled us.” Idali cheerfully remarks as she forcefully hangs onto her mount, apparently somewhat over her slump.
We gather what supplies they managed to scrounge together and fix them up on the horses, which unsurprisingly doesn't include salt as that is an authentic luxury so far from the coastline.
I had thought it expensive on Izla Meria, partly because of taxes, but here in the middle of nowhere it is almost unobtainable because every scrap is being used to preserve meats for winter.
We depart towards the end of the afternoon instead of staying for the night, something I chose because my eyes give me advantage to spot pursuers and I'm not going to let down my guard until my body's recovered with Shades in the region likely headed for Kruzser as well.