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Deals done in the Dark-
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That night, Oswin and several knights of Ostia spoke to Eliwood and his gathered knights. The Marquis of Ostia had sent them a message that needed more than their actions to solve it.
After reading the letter Eliwood was grief-stricken as the choice he had to make would not be easy. In the neighboring tent, Ninian had cried herself to sleep as she could see her mother for a few hours when Hector permitted it. For some reason, Eliwood was drawn to helping the former dragoness despite common sense saying otherwise.
The girl's mother had not awakened still for long periods of time. On medical attention provided to her was by Hector's people and a quick look over by Athos who couldn't tell what was wrong with her at first glance. He needed to seek the aid of the more experienced in that department and despite the age's reputation, Hector would not just hand over his captive.
"This cannot be the right way to do this." Eliwood balled the letter up and threw it to the side. The seal of House Ostia is visible in the flickering campfire light. "Surely he won't do this to his brother?"
"I wish it was not so, Lord Eliwood, but Hector has amassed a lot of contacts over the years." Oswin spoke gravely as the information he obtained from the spy network was still not enough. He even thought a few of the spies had been flipped. "If he is not made to see the reason the Sacean tribes act as they do, and the Ilia mercenaries may go to war if he keeps employing so many of them. That doesn't compare to what is going on in Bern."
Eliwood looked the knight over and didn't say a single thing as more needed to be heard.
"Not only his life will be in danger but also several others. Hector has become cruel in ways that cannot be explained and it is all linked back to the assassination attempt a few years ago. We have not found the culprits yet but the fight has not been given up on taking care of the problem." Oswin couldn't help but wonder how different things would have turned out if Hector had been killed instead or made docile from the attempt. "I only need some help."
"Tell me what I need to do?" Eliwood's eyes shined with a strong resolve looking at the knight. To bring peace to the Lycia league would help with getting his father back or at least have others help him. "I won't let this madness continue."
Thinking of the actions against Nils and Ninian gave Eliwood the excuse he needed to act. The mother's mistreatment could be considered the same and more than enough witnesses to speak out if honour comes into question.
As the two groups made plans Lady Madelyn spoke with her people closely.
Both Wallace and Hassar had given her their piece on how to move forward. Wallace mostly told her to be wary of Hector and his plans while saying he was also the best bet in getting to her father alive and in time. Hassar suggested they take what they had gained already and use it to gain assistance from one of the tribes to help her take back her land. It would also help the tribes reputation as they tried to rebuild.
Ever since the attack Hassar has broken more away from his quiet disposition. His view and outlook on life had grown the last few months. One thing he knew is that he was not strong enough to protect his tribe or family as he was. It had shown ever since his first defeat by Hector in the competition.
The Lorca tribe was already showing disharmony as some wanted to go back to Bulagar to rebuild with the other tribes there. Others wanted to continue helping Madelyn with her noble task. The last group wanted to follow Hector as he proved to be a powerful leader and kept his people safe for one thing. Despite his methods nowhere near the same as their own traditions.
"I understand, but for now the only thing I care about is ending the civil war and getting the situation handled. Hector has been paid, and unlike some, I have found out lately he will adhere to the agreement." Madelyn looked at the war table and couldn't help but ponder why Hector allowed the meeting to be done in here. "Worry about what to do after we finish. Considering how this civil war took place even with the Lycian League having laws of succession, they can not be fully trusted since no one intervened. The young lord of Pherae is the same as the worst of his ilk and won't pick a side until it is to late. Laus has always been greedy and won't do anything unless they gain something out of it. The other territories don't have the forces to do anything without assurances."
"Even more reason we should leave." Hassar voiced.
"No, I will see this through. I have a duty to the people of Caelin." Madelyn shook her head while looking at the war table. The different number of forces and listing of unknown armies bothered her. "In just over 18 years so much has changed. I should have kept in touch with my friends all this time. We barely escape death by poisoning, and now such acts of cowardice leads the way in the land. What could my uncle be thinking?"
The more she travelled the lands the more guilt she felt. She was not a young woman anymore who fled due to pressure and pursuing her own love interest.
"By right and blood Lyndis has a say in the land. The same as the little privileges she has in the Lorca tribe were given to her at birth." Slight anger at the fact her daughter was marginalized just because she was female. It was not overly so like the courts of Calein and the Lycian league without earning it but there all the same in the way she was not expected to be better than others of the male gender. "The Saceans forget that it was a woman that help set an example for their people."
"Times change Madelyn." Hassar's voiced out with a guarded tongue. "The number of female warriors is just not as many or prevalent as back then. Everyone cared more about stopping the dragons than anything else."
"If what Hector has hinted at, we will face that problem once more." Madelyn looked outside the tent where she could Lyndis moving about. "If only their were more able-bodied people to help guide her. I should have pushed her education in non-Sacean matters more."
"Haa, if you have time do it." Hassar moved to the entrance of the tent. "I will go speak with the others to keep them united. Do not stay up to late."
"There is still time." Madelyn looked at the burning candles. "I will make time." Sitting down in the chair she ran a hand over her belly. 'If I can not teach Lyndis well enough I must make sure I teach the next in line. If not for Hector I might not have gotten the chance to know about you."
An eerie wind blew through the campsite briskly. So fast most didn't notice it.
Hector stirred the fire in his opened tent. Pushing the smoke about with the use of Anima magic to help understand it better. To move things fast he just had to force it but to move it about carefully he had to guide it more than push it. Serra read over some scriptures provided by Tiamat to the side. Karel read over sword preservation techniques with Guy and Raven.
Dart trained a few of the mercenaries who were off tomorrow in how to use axes. For the Pegasus Riders, it more than helped them in how to get out of the way of such deadly weapons.
*Flap!* The sound of another rider caught Hector's attention for some reason. Florina, the sister of Fiora and Farina arrived. The still timid at times mercenary came with news from another rider out scouting.
"Take a rest sister, we will take care of this." Fiora consoled her tired sister. Passing the message onto Farina to give to Hector. "It can not be that bad."
"It is sister!" Florina fretted still. "Ilia.. they.. haa!" Getting red in the face the young mercenary froze up seeing Hector come out. "Eeep!" Terrified more than she ever did before she couldn't help it as the presence of Hector had changed greatly. 'he is no man, that is a monster!'
"It is okay." Hector offered small words of comfort. "I will not bite you child." Reading the letter handed by Farina he gave it a second look over to make sure he read right. "Well, did not expect Ilia to be such a place, a shame really."
Ilia had requested the spear be returned as soon as possible in the nicest of words. They would have to cancel all contracts with Hector if the Legendary Weapon was not returned. The mercenaries would have to report back to the nation as soon as possible as well.
After sharing the contents with his mercenaries, Hector shared it via magic with the rest of his forces which contained the various mercenaries scattered all over. Giving them all a choice on what they would do with no hard feelings if they leave.
He would not be turning over the Legendary Weapon. In fact, his approach to every nation that requested them back after he obtained them was absolute madness. They did not get it, he did. They did not go through any of the process he did to get it, so they did not deserve it.
Hearing his words via magic that travelled on the wind the various Ilia mercenaries were conflicted but they were also not stupid. Their nation was barely better than a desert. Though they faced more danger with Hector their families were doing better in his lands. They had more rights and better pay than before. Not to mention the food options!
"You have heard my answer, what will you do?" Hector asked.
One by one the Ilia mercenaries bowed to him. Swearing they were with him until the end. The oaths turned into cheers that broke the silence of the night. As the cheers died down, Tiamat appeared to them all and graced the mortals with a small smile while waving her hands.
*Woosh!* A magical wind touched on the gathered forces. Blessing them in a way but mostly giving a small direct favor from Tiamat. This power came mostly from the Legendary Weapons and Primordial Sea.
The religion of Tiamat was growing by the day and since she barely asked much of them they were more inclined to follow. For Tiamat gained power from the chaos of it all, so small methods and rules allowed for the most chaotic development among people. especially that of traditionalists.
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Those of Ilia-
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After everyone settled down Hector stood in front of a door made of magic. It was formed from his spell use both under the instructions of Tiamat and Richard. He gave the order for the Illia mercenaries and those gathered from the mountain to meet him as soon as they could gather after eating.
The door led to a pocket dimension. But not just a normal one, with using the help of the other two, Hector was able to make an entrance to his Internal Space to allow his people to train and rest. Richard during his time as Kakarot had learned and absorbed a lot of methods. He would take the forces and train them in an accelerated bubble of time. A hyperbolic time chamber that allowed one day outside in this Dimension to pass but 2 years inside to pass thanks to the energy fed into it.
With the few temples of Tiamat erected they could teleport between the large swats of land but the fuel source mostly came from Hector. It wouldn't get easier until he was much stronger and his people were much smarter. It would be hard enough to explain to them what would happen when walking through the doorway.
*Babump!* The Aspect of Chaos coursed through Hector's being once more. Its power growing and taking shape further inside him. Introducing his people to this created all sorts of chaotic energy.