Prince of Fire Emblem: Conquest

[senselessness]

This time, they're traveling in a coach with doors and everything, and Lissa is grateful that the sound of the horses' hooves and the wheel rolling across the roads muffles her and Jackal's voices.

"He couldn't possibly--" she began, hands over her mouth in horror, but Jackal wasn't much of a joker.

"It would have been a better bargain for him in every conceivable way," Jackal said, relentlessly honest. "You'd be easier to control than Bunta or I, and it would completely paralyze Yukimura-sama to have you in his power."

"'Cause I couldn't get myself out of it," Lissa said quietly. Her axe was under the coach seat.

"Of course you could," Jackal said. "The uncertainty comes from whether you would. No one thinks you needed to do more, Princess."

"Everything was under control. None of you made this decision with your eyes closed."

"No, we worked hard to give the king exactly what he needed to know to make the choice, and we don't question it. He did what he had to do for everyone who depends on him."

In spite of his seriousness, Jackal smiled.

"What you did was endearing and I'm grateful, but all the--"

The coach lurched to a stop, and Jackal leaned out the door. A few hurried words with the driver, and he quickly stepped out to hold the door for Lissa.


Lissa quickly made sure she could reach both axe and staff in a hurry, before following him out. The Rikkai vanguard was mostly who she expected, Seiichi's most trusted friends and Seiichi himself, looking at Mizuki's entourage like he could read into their souls.

She wanted to throw her arms around him for real, just like she had when she saw the magical projection of him, but something stopped her. He wasn't exactly paying attention to her-- he was entirely focused on Mizuki.

There was no doubt she could command his attention, but perhaps... perhaps she shouldn't interfere with his decisions again.

Yukimura stepped forward.

"Have you received the word of your king, Mizuki-san?"

Comments

[miscmuses]

As Mizuki emerges from his private carriage, it becomes quickly apparent that something is not well. They're a bit shy of the town, for one. More concerning, there are far more high-ranking officers with Yukimura than is necessary for a simple pick-up. He's outnumbered and outclassed if it were to come down to a battle, and such an ambush certainly seems to be Yukimura's intent. This spells trouble. Fortunately, he's prepared some insurance for just such a possibility. He only had one card to play now, after all. It was critical to make sure it counted.

Even with that preparation, the question takes him off-guard. King Akazawa? Setting aside the somewhat offputting lack of any opening pleasantries, St Rudolph's king should have nothing to do with this affair. He'd appointed Mizuki to manage things like this for a reason.

"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest what you're talking about, King Yukimura. Please do enlighten me what sort of word you're anticipating, and why you've blockaded the road into town?"

[senselessness]

Yukimura looks back at the road, as if he isn't quite sure what Mizuki means, but he smiles slowly.

"Why do you suspect I'm blockading you...?" he asked. "Would your ally do that? Or would your ally sympathize with you having to make an already long trek and, seeing that he's arrived early, attempt to lessen your burden?"

He approaches Mizuki directly.

"I only told your king about your dealings with me. I assume his opinions are similar to mine."

[miscmuses]

This is far from a desirable position. In fact, it's exactly the opposite of what Mizuki had hoped to achieve, and it's somewhat vexing that it hasn't worked out that way. Clearly it was a mistake to empower Yukimura's restoration. But it is what it is, and he'll handle it accordingly.

"Certainly, an ally would never do such a thing. I suppose this means the dinner is off; that's a pity. As I said, I have no message for you from King Akazawa. If he's written me on the subject, the message is probably on my desk."

[senselessness]

"It is a mighty subject indeed who doesn't wait for his king's word before taking action," said his king, and Jackal would have shuddered at the chill in his voice if they'd been alone.

Warily, he looked between them. No indication that his interruption would be welcome. No indication, either, of the reason they'd supposedly come-- Yukimura taking custody of the princess.

For now, Yukimura seemed only to see the man who'd demanded from him a king's ransom.

[miscmuses]

"St. Rudolph and Rikkai are run rather differently. Most administrative work goes through me." Mizuki breezily explained. "In any case, I'll be sure to look for it when I return. Why don't you greet your sister?" He cast a look over his shoulder at her. "She's been waiting quite patiently. Let's go, Kuwahara-kun."

He's barely turned heel when the sound of a rapidly approaching horse fills the air. A St Rudolph mercenary riding, from the looks of it.

Not just any mercenary. Yuuta. The back-up is welcomed, but his arrival most unexpected. What is he racing in for?

More puzzling, on his dismount, he spares only a cursory bow and greeting to him and proceeds straight to Yukimura, kneeling as he offers a parchment with the king's seal.

[senselessness]

"Now that we're allies, I'll be sure to teach you better," Yukimura said pleasantly, skimming the contents of the letter.

Off-script, Yanagi motions to Jackal, who quickly steers Lissa in his direction. Lissa can see Maribelle, already mounted and ready to convey her back home to a hefty scolding and a lavish tea party, but she shakes her head at Yanagi.

It was unexpected to him -- and unsettled him greatly for that reason alone -- but he was forced to obey.

[miscmuses]

Now that we're allies is not in keeping with every signal Yukimura has been sending. And Mizuki certainly isn't prepared for any indication he'll be taking lessons from Yukimura.

"I beg your pardon?"

[senselessness]

"Not yet you aren't," Yukimura said. "But you will be."

He handed Mizuki the letter from Akazawa.

"You've interfered in the government of a sovereign nation, blackmailed a king, and deliberately weakened my military. I have every right to declare war on St. Rudolph, and every reason to believe I'll win. But I don't want to punish an entire nation for the hubris of one insignificant man, so I made a bargain with Akazawa: he'll submit his sovereignty to me as his overlord, and as a gesture of goodwill, he'll surrender your person."

[miscmuses]

There was not much color to Mizuki's face to begin with, but what existed is gone by the time Yukimura finishes his speech. Yuuta seems speechless as well, and resists a desire to protest.

Surrendered his person? Yukimura will be taking him prisoner? None of this is correct! It's absolute slander coming from the king's mouth. Well. Seems there's no need to hide his own teeth, is there?

"I see. That's very unfortunate... For Marui-kun."

[senselessness]

Lissa gasped, hands over her mouth, while Jackal's hand went instinctively to his lance, because No, absolutely not.

"I believe you said you were going to beg for my pardon, not threaten," Yukimura said, voice sweet as poison.

[miscmuses]

Well, he has Yukimura's attention at least. And everyone else's, it seems. Certainly, this is regrettable, but he should be able to use this to some advantage. Make his getaway if he's lucky (thanks for the horse, Yuuta), but at minimum, enjoy the karma of this double-cross.

"Threaten? I wouldn't dream of it. I'm simply lamenting the fate of an asset of St. Rudolph. Marui-kun won't last long without me, you see. He was a special inmate, so naturally, I made special accommodations for him. He's somewhere much nicer than our standard jail facility. However, it's more isolated as well. He can't be found in the castle dungeons. He had four days' worth of food and drink when I left. Plenty to last until my return. Assuming he can ration effectively, of course."

"Not a chance," Niou remarked dryly among his fellow officers. That poor sod.

[volleygenius]

Hm, the wagon's stopped. Abruptly. He's definitely hearing voices, too. Bandits? Marui shifts and inches out from behind the now-considerably-lighter food crates under the wagon's cover. He doesn't hear the hustle and bustle of the town, so something is wrong. He collects a few knives and a bow and quiver from the wagon's supplies, checks the back of the wagon, and, seeing no one, climbs up top where he'll be harder to notice and harder to attack. Quietly, he crawls across the top of the wagon towards the front, listening to the exchange as he does.

Huh. Interesting.

[miscmuses]

Mizuki doesn't appear to have heard Niou, and dons a wide, smug smile as he twirls a piece of his bangs, oblivious to the slight shuffling in the wagon behind him as Marui pokes his head over the top, then crawls further forward to rest his chin on his folded arms, perfectly visible to anyone facing his direction, and watches Mizuki monologue over a gum bubble.

"Only I know where he is, and only I have the keys.... As you see, it's quite the dilemma for him, if I don't have my freedom. And, seeing as the king has relieved me of all duties, his care is no longer under my purview. Of course, I would be happy to make a deal to ensure his well being. But I'm not sure how I can trust any agreement put forth now, seeing what a backpedal you've done on our original one. What do you propose?"

[senselessness]

Yukimura smirked, lifting a hand into the air.

A shot of energy hit Mizuki and Lissa, recognizing it, reached for her staff purely on instinct.

The magic pulsed around Mizuki, before returning to Seiichi's body, carefully leeching just enough of his strength to buckle his knees and bestowing it on her brother, brightening the angry glow in his eyes.

Where did he get a Nosferatu tome, she wondered. Nosferatu was a fairly basic spell, as dark magic went-- it stole health from the opponent and gave it to the caster. But Seiichi... and dark magic...

"I think Marui will find his way to my side," was all the king said.

[volleygenius]

Marui's eyes widened behind his gum bubble, though he remained ever silent in the backdrop. Mizuki took back, but he couldn't really go anywhere fast enough, and crumpled to his knees after the energy pulse.

Yukimura was really angry, huh? Understandably, of course. Marui wouldn't have guessed he'd actually inflict some harm here, though, having the visual proof that all of his people are fine. Not even a simple sapping of strength (when'd he learn to do that, anyway? Yukimura sure brushed up on his magic quickly). It feels just a tiny bit... darker than normal.

Not really something Marui can respond to, though. He swore loyalty to St. Rudolph as part of the trade, not Mizuki personally. If St. Rudolph has just been rolled up under Yukimura, well. Far be it from him to challenge the top of his hierarchy. Good luck, Mizuki!

From his position on the ground, Mizuki takes in a few deep breaths, mostly recovering from the simple shock of having been attacked when he should have the upper hand here.

"An awful lot of confidence you have in that prediction... You'd best hope for his sake that you're right."

"Fool," Sanada uttered. "If you're going to throw threats at King Yukimura, at least make sure they aren't empty first!"

Yagyuu silently pushed his glasses up his nose, hiding his face behind his hand. Niou, with an expression positively alive with dark amusement, then subtly pointed up to Marui's perch atop the wagon.

[senselessness]

Lissa and Jackal both followed Niou's direction, turning to see Marui just as safe and sound as he ever was.

Which forces them back into contemplation of Yukimura's actions.

Jackal tried to track his sightlines. He must, absolutely must have seen him. So he hadn't endangered Bunta. But if he knew Bunta wasn't endangered, then the only reason to attack Mizuki so personally...

Another flash of magical energy and the same thing occurred. Yukimura gained another dose of Mizuki's strength.

"Didn't this all begin because you wanted to heal me, Mizuki-san?" he asked, voice soft, as the self-healing spell weakened Mizuki and empowered him.

[volleygenius]

What would be comfortable right now is a break in the tension. But Yukimura wouldn't appreciate that, and this is his show. He's sending an important message right now about the risks and consequences of threatening his power and his loved ones. He has to maintain that image of zero tolerance, lest he invite more of it. He's the king, after all.

Still, this is a sobering moment. He gets his feet under him and hops down to join Jackal and Lissa, setting a hand on her shoulder in quiet support as he watches.

[miscmuses]

This is horrifying to watch. Mizuki's fear, confusion, and frustration is palpable. No one else is saying anything, and Yuuta can only hope it's out of stronger self-preservation instincts than he has, because the idea of anyone watching this and not being bothered is...

His feet move, and he dashes in between Yukimura and Mizuki, standing in front of St. Rudolph's chief advisor with his arms spread protectively. It's purely symbolic. Of course it's meaningless in the face of magic, but enough is enough.

"Yukimura-sama...!" He urges, his voice torn between conviction and desperation. A breath while his brain catches up to what his body just did (shit what did he just do?), and he sinks down into a kneel, bowing his head and channeling all of his righteous anger into focus. Into determination.

"Please, no more. If you're in need of more strength, you're welcome to mine. I have more than enough."

1/2

[didntaxyou]

The St. Rudolph messenger gives her an opening.

Lissa shrugs off Marui's hand, dashes past Mizuki and throws her arms around Seiichi's waist. His clothes are so thin and filmy she can feel the feverish heat of power straight from his skin.

"Y-your Grace..."

"Um, milord...?"

Maribelle spoke first, but Felicia was closer by. Seiichi was frozen still; either Yuuta or Lissa shocked him so badly he couldn't react as quickly as he needed to, and Lissa gulped.

The whole time Seiichi was sick, the whole time he couldn't act as he needed to act, his council of friends did what they thought he would want them to do. But right now, he doesn't know what he needs to do, and they won't do anything he doesn't expressly approve of. They certainly won't do the opposite of what he just did... not without his own word of contrition.

And contrition... isn't something he's likely to feel. Even if he did feel it, a sudden about-face in front of his enemies... an admission that he was wrong added to the cruelty he'd already inflicted...

"Felicia, would you please... I have..." She fumbled one hand with the Heal staff on her belt, and the maid managed to get her hands on it with only a quick stumble against a rock.

2/2

[senselessness]

Felicia lifted the staff over Mizuki's head, reversing the damage Yukimura caused.

He couldn't quite look at Lissa, so he looked at Yuuta instead. He knew him by reputation, and by his brother's description. He had the sudden thought of Yuuta relating this entire scene to Fuji, someone he esteemed and felt a kinship with, and wasn't sure if Fuji would approve or not.

He was certainly not going to ask him of his own volition, and that ought to say it all.

It'd felt good, though. To finally have some measure of revenge... some share of power... to have the last word.

Odd not to want to tell one's friends about an act he'd thoroughly enjoyed.

"Let's wind this down," he commanded, finally.

[volleygenius]

Marui exchanges a look with Jackal, then takes the initiative of stepping forward to one side of Mizuki for escorting him into Yukimura's custody, knowing Jackal will follow suit to the other side.

With the benefit of Felicia's healing, Mizuki becomes properly aware of Marui's presence on scene as he assumes a place beside him. It still takes him a moment of mental sputtering to catch up to that fact.

"H...How are you here?!" He asks incredulously.

"Huh? I let myself out." Did you forget he was a thief, Mizuki? "Should I not've?"

Mizuki looks like it's taking a tremendous amount of effort to reclaim his composure and force out, "No... I'm relieved you're not stuck depending on my return."

Marui grins at that answer, his eyes alive with a genuine enjoyment that's at odds with the prevailing air as he gently claims Mizuki's left arm. "You know, that wasn't near enough food for 4 days! I'll show you what a real dinner looks like. Look forward to it."