Chapter 30: The First Stage Complete

I turned toward Nemris.

And, unsurprisingly, she had already finished her problem.

Gia was kneeling in the torn grass several meters away, shoulders rising and falling with controlled breaths. Both daggers lay on the ground in front of her, far enough from her hands that reaching for them would require optimism, poor judgment, and possibly a written apology.

Nemris stood over her.

The Lord Commander’s white greatsword still glowed.

Soft golden-white light flowed along the blade, illuminating the scratches across her armor and the dust clinging to the plates. She did not look exhausted.

Annoyed, maybe.

Slightly dirty.

But not exhausted.

Of course.

I had just spent several minutes getting introduced to Remgar’s preferred method of landscaping, which mostly involved hitting the ground hard enough to create new geological features.

Nemris had fought an assassin whose entire personality seemed based around appearing where knives should not be.

And somehow she still looked ready for a formal portrait.

Unfair.

I walked closer.

“So.”

Nemris glanced toward me.

“You won.”

She looked at the kneeling assassin.

“Yes.”

“Efficient.”

Gia raised her eyes toward me.

There was frustration there.

But also calculation.

Definitely not defeated in spirit.

Just temporarily defeated in every way that mattered.

One of the Inizio knights hurried toward her carrying something black.

At first, I thought it was a pair of oversized restraints.

Then I noticed the small red orb embedded between the cuffs.

The metal was completely matte, swallowing most of the sunlight. Runes were carved along both sides, almost invisible until the knight opened them.

The symbols briefly glowed crimson.

Interesting.

Gia saw them.

Her expression tightened.

Oh.

Very interesting.

The knight took her wrists.

Gia did not resist.

Probably because Nemris was still standing within sword range, which had an excellent calming effect on unreasonable decisions.

The cuffs snapped shut.

CLICK.

The red orb immediately flared.

A pulse of crimson light spread across the black metal.

Gia’s entire body stiffened.

For one instant, faint shadows moved around her shoulders like her disappearing technique was trying to activate on instinct.

Then the shadows collapsed.

Gone.

Gia looked down at the restraints with obvious disgust.

I nodded toward them.

“Fancy.”

Nemris lowered her greatsword.

“Suppression restraints.”

“That sounds expensive.”

“They are.”

“Of course.”

I stepped closer.

“What exactly are they suppressing?”

“Her skills.”

Nemris looked at Gia.

“Especially the troublesome ones.”

Gia’s eyes narrowed.

I smiled.

“Meaning no more appearing behind people and introducing daggers to their necks.”

Nemris gave me a flat look.

“That would be one example.”

“Good. I personally prefer conversations where everyone remains visible.”

Gia muttered something under her breath.

I leaned slightly toward her.

“What was that?”

She looked away.

“Nothing.”

“Excellent diplomatic response.”

Nemris sighed.

I looked back toward Remgar.

Several knights were cautiously approaching the giant Tigerkin.

Cautiously being the important word.

He was unconscious.

Mostly burned.

Armor destroyed.

Weapons gone.

And still everyone walked toward him like he might suddenly wake up and decide consciousness was optional for murder.

Reasonable.

One knight carried a set of restraints that made Gia’s cuffs look adorable.

The black metal was enormous.

Thick enough to restrain something that considered doors a minor inconvenience.

Another red orb had been set into the center.

Two knights rolled Remgar partially onto his side.

Even unconscious, the man was heavy enough that both visibly struggled.

I watched.

“You know, this is making me feel better about being thrown around by him.”

Nemris glanced toward me.

“Why?”

“Because apparently moving him requires a construction team.”

The restraints locked around Remgar’s wrists.

The orb flashed.

Red light crawled over his arms before fading.

Nothing dramatic happened.

Probably because he was already busy being unconscious.

Still, I felt better.

Across Dahera Plane, the battle was ending.

Actually ending this time.

Which was an important distinction because the previous time we thought it had ended, an invisible army had materialized from the scenery.

I kept looking at trees suspiciously.

Trees had lost my trust.

The remaining Agranian soldiers were being gathered.

Some limped.

Some were carried.

Others walked with their hands bound and weapons confiscated.

The Inizio knights moved among them carefully, separating officers from ordinary soldiers and checking injuries.

Treez was brought over next.

The Legion Magus had regained consciousness enough to walk.

Barely.

Two knights supported her by the arms.

Her red hair was disheveled.

Leaves were tangled through it.

Dirt stained one side of her face.

Her elegant mage robes had several tears.

The large-scale invisibility expert looked considerably less mysterious after meeting a tree at high speed.

She was also wearing suppression cuffs.

Good.

One invisible army per day was enough.

Treez looked at me.

I smiled politely.

“How was the nap?”

Her black eyes narrowed.

“I dislike you.”

“Wonderful. I was worried we had chemistry.”

She looked away.

Nemris rubbed the bridge of her nose.

Then shouting came from the forest.

“I demand you release me!”

I turned.

Oh.

There he was.

A knight emerged from between the trees dragging Balder by one arm.

Lord Balder’s robes were covered in leaves, mud, and several small branches.

One twig was caught near his collar.

His bald head had apparently survived the trip through the forest with no additional damage.

Shame.

His wrists were bound in suppression cuffs too.

The red orb glowed brightly.

Balder was struggling.

Not effectively.

But emotionally.

“Remove these restraints immediately!”

The knight pulling him did not even look impressed.

“Walk.”

“I am a member of the royal council!”

“Walk.”

“I outrank you!”

“Keep walking.”

I liked that knight.

Balder stepped into the open field.

Then stopped.

His eyes moved toward Gia.

Bound.

Treez.

Bound.

Then Remgar.

Bound.

Unconscious.

Something beautiful happened to Balder’s face.

Hope died.

Not dramatically.

More like a candle realizing someone had opened a window.

His mouth slowly opened.

He looked toward Nemris.

Then me.

Then back to the captured generals.

And before anybody could speak, Balder dropped to his knees.

I blinked.

Oh no.

This was going to be good.

“Lord Commander!”

His voice changed completely.

Gone was the arrogant noble who had announced his future kingship.

Gone was the man who had insulted Viar.

Gone was the proud mastermind.

What remained was a frightened bald man attempting to crawl backward through history.

“I am relieved you defeated them!”

Nemris stared.

Balder lifted his bound hands dramatically.

“These savage Agranians abducted me!”

Treez’s head snapped toward him.

I slowly covered my mouth.

Balder continued.

“They threatened me! They forced me to cooperate!”

Gia actually looked offended.

Balder leaned forward.

“They told me they would gut me alive if I refused!”

Silence.

Beautiful silence.

I looked at him.

“Lord Balder.”

He glanced at me.

“Please.”

I gestured vaguely at him.

“Have some dignity.”

His expression hardened for half a second.

Then immediately became pathetic again.

“I am telling the truth!”

Treez suddenly stepped forward.

The knights holding her tightened their grip.

“You miserable coward!”

Balder flinched.

Treez’s soft features had transformed into pure fury.

“You approached us!”

Balder shook his head rapidly.

“No.”

“You proposed the entire operation!”

“Lies!”

“You told us the Sage's whole plan!”

“Deception!”

“You told us where the Inizio scouts would search!”

“Fabrication!”

Treez stared at him.

Then looked toward me.

“Is he always this pathetic?”

I considered.

“I’ve only known him a few days.”

Balder pointed at Treez.

“Do not listen to her!”

His bound hands rattled.

“She is Agranian!”

Treez looked ready to bite him.

Balder turned desperately toward Nemris.

“I remain loyal to Inizio.”

Nemris’s expression did not move.

Balder swallowed.

“More importantly, I remain loyal to His Majesty.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Sure?”

Balder ignored me.

Probably wise.

Nemris turned toward the knights.

“Gather every prisoner.”

Her voice cut through the nonsense immediately.

“Separate their weapons and equipment. Anyone requiring treatment receives it before transport.”

Several knights saluted.

“Yes, Lord Commander.”

Balder blinked.

Then pointed toward himself.

“What about me?”

Nemris looked at him.

The temperature somehow dropped.

“You will answer for what you have done.”

Balder’s face went pale.

“What?”

Two knights approached.

Balder stepped backward.

“You cannot seriously believe them over me.”

One knight grabbed his arm.

Balder resisted.

Poorly.

“I am Lord Balder!”

The second knight took the other arm.

“You are making a grave mistake!”

They lifted him.

His boots briefly left the ground.

I watched him get carried away like an angry sack of potatoes with political influence.

“This isn’t finished!”

His voice echoed over the grassland.

“You hear me?”

Nobody answered.

“This is not finished!”

The knights kept walking.

Balder twisted around.

“You are making a mistake!”

A leaf fell from his robe.

“A mistake you will regret!”

Then he disappeared into the cluster of prisoners.

I looked at Nemris.

“Well.”

She looked back.

“That was embarrassing.”

“For him.”

“For the kingdom.”

“Also fair.”

The prisoners were eventually gathered into one large area.

Hundreds of weapons had been stacked separately.

Swords.

Spears.

Bows.

Daggers.

Several magical implements.

The white tigers were secured farther away and being tended by soldiers who clearly preferred not to stand near their teeth.

Inizio’s losses had been strangely fortunate.

No dead knights.

Several injured.

Some badly bruised.

A few wounds requiring immediate treatment.

But alive.

Our horses had not been as lucky.

I looked toward the bodies of the white mounts scattered near the forest.

That hurt more than I expected.

They had been targeted first.

No hesitation.

No warning.

Beautiful creatures had gone down before most of us even understood we were under attack.

I sighed.

“Poor horses.”

Nemris heard me but said nothing.

She opened Dimensional Storage.

Darkness rippled beside her hand.

Then she pulled out the scroll.

The town portal.

I had seen it earlier.

Rolled parchment.

Dense magical symbols.

One use.

Now it suddenly looked much more important.

Nemris stepped away from the prisoners.

Everyone cleared space.

She unrolled it.

The parchment stretched farther than I expected.

Golden symbols covered the inside from edge to edge, arranged in rings around a large circular seal.

Nemris pressed her palm against the center.

Magic surged.

The scroll ignited.

Not burned.

Lit.

Every symbol glowed white.

The parchment lifted from her hands and floated horizontally.

Then the air above it split open.

A vertical line of light appeared.

Thin at first.

Then widening.

Brighter.

Brighter.

Until I had to narrow my eyes.

The line expanded into an enormous oval.

White light poured across the grassland.

The air hummed.

The ground trembled.

Beyond the opening, another place became visible.

Stone.

Walls.

Royal guards.

The capital.

“Oh.”

I stared.

“That is useful.”

Nemris glanced toward me.

“Yes.”

“Expensive?”

“Very.”

“Of course.”

The prisoners were moved through first.

Rows of Agranian soldiers disappeared into the light.

Then Gia.

Treez.

Remgar was carried through on a makeshift stretcher.

Balder went next.

Still shouting.

“I demand an audience with the king!”

He vanished.

Peace returned instantly.

Magical transportation had many advantages.

Eventually the last prisoner passed through.

Nemris raised one hand.

The portal contracted.

The enormous oval narrowed into a line.

Then snapped shut.

The light vanished.

The scroll crumbled into sparkling dust.

Gone.

One use.

Very literal.

Nemris exhaled slowly.

“The first stage is complete.”

I looked across the scorched battlefield.

“Technically.”

She glanced at me.

“It is.”

“This was supposed to be the easy part.”

Nemris said nothing.

I counted on my fingers.

“Hidden army.”

One finger.

“Three generals.”

Second.

“Council traitor.”

Third.

“Dead horses.”

Fourth.

I looked at her.

“I would like to file a complaint about the definition of easy.”

Nemris almost smiled.

“At least none of our soldiers died.”

I nodded.

“That part I’ll take.”

Then I looked toward the fallen horses again.

“Still.”

I sighed.

“Poor flying murder-ponies.”

Nemris stared at me.

“Please never call them that in front of the cavalry.”

“No promises.”

She walked toward one of the officers.

The knight immediately straightened.

“Lord Commander.”

“Prepare an envoy.”

The knight nodded.

Nemris continued.

“They leave for Agran immediately.”

I moved closer.

“Tell them the first force has been defeated.”

Her tone remained steady.

“Tell them all captured soldiers are alive.”

The officer listened carefully.

“And tell them we hold three Agranian generals as prisoners.”

That sentence carried weight.

Remgar.

Gia.

Treez.

Not ordinary officers.

Three of Queen Firsa’s most powerful servants.

Nemris continued.

“Make it clear that Inizio requests peaceful parley.”

The knight nodded.

“Who should the message be addressed to?”

Nemris answered without hesitation.

“Supreme General Rel.”

Interesting.

The officer bowed.

“At once.”

He turned and began giving orders.

I watched him leave.

Then looked toward Nemris.

“Supreme General.”

“Yes.”

“Sounds important.”

“She is.”

“How important?”

Nemris looked toward the distant east.

“Second only to Queen Firsa in Agran’s military command.”

I whistled quietly.

“So we’re skipping several floors and going straight to management.”

Nemris ignored the wording.

“Speaking with Rel directly benefits us.”

“Because?”

“She has authority.”

Nemris folded her arms.

“If the parley succeeds with her, our position becomes much stronger before the royal negotiations.”

“And eventually I get Queen Firsa.”

“Yes.”

I nodded slowly.

“So charm the Supreme General before attempting the final boss.”

Nemris looked at me.

“Do not call Queen Firsa a final boss during negotiations.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

“Caled.”

“I said I wasn’t planning to.”

That distinction apparently did not comfort her.

Nemris continued.

“Rel is also easier to speak with than the queen.”

“Good.”

“But.”

There it was.

Every useful sentence in politics apparently came with one.

“Do not underestimate her.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Wasn’t planning to.”

“She behaves casually.”

“How casual?”

“Enough that people often forget how carefully she observes them.”

Ah.

I liked her already.

Nemris’s expression became slightly more serious.

“Her mind games differ from the nobles you met in the council.”

“Different how?”

“Less obvious.”

I nodded.

“Friendly exterior. Dangerous brain.”

“Yes.”

“Noted.”

Nemris watched me.

“Do not assume being relaxed means she is not testing you.”

“Outward personality.”

I tapped the side of my head.

“Filed away.”

“Good.”

She glanced toward the camp.

“Rest.”

I looked around the ruined grassland.

“We’re staying here?”

“For now.”

“Until Agran responds.”

“Yes.”

Nemris turned away.

“We wait.”

Waiting.

My favorite battlefield activity.

We spent the remaining daylight on Dahera Plane.

The dead horses were respectfully moved.

The wounded received treatment.

Weapons were cleaned.

Temporary defensive positions were established in case Agran decided diplomacy was overrated and sent another surprise collection of generals.

I stayed relatively useful.

Relatively.

Mostly, I helped where people allowed me.

Which was surprisingly little.

Apparently saving everyone did not cancel the standing order to keep the diplomat away from unnecessary danger.

Night approached.

Still no response.

The sky darkened gradually, orange fading into violet and eventually deep blue.

The plain became quiet.

Campfires appeared.

Tents went up.

Food started cooking.

The smell alone improved morale.

I ended up beside several knights helping prepare dinner.

Nothing elegant.

Meat.

Vegetables.

A large pot.

Bread.

Battlefield cuisine.

I preferred it.

One knight handed me a knife.

I started cutting ingredients.

He watched.

Then blinked.

“You’ve done this before.”

“Several times.”

“You cut quickly.”

“I’m emotionally connected to food.”

He accepted that.

Smart man.

We were almost finished when another knight approached.

“Sir Caled.”

I looked up.

“Yes?”

“Lord Commander requests you in the strategy tent.”

I glanced toward the pot.

Then toward him.

“Did I commit a crime?”

“No, sir.”

“Recently?”

“No.”

“Good.”

I handed the knife back.

“Guard this with your life.”

The cook stared.

“The knife?”

“The food.”

I followed the knight.

The strategy tent stood slightly apart from the others.

Warm lantern light glowed through the canvas.

The knight pulled the entrance aside.

I stepped in.

Nemris was alone.

Maps still covered the central table.

Several markers had been repositioned.

She stood with both hands resting lightly against the table’s edge.

The knight behind me bowed.

Then left.

Canvas fell closed.

Just us.

I looked at Nemris.

“You needed me?”

She said nothing immediately.

That was suspicious.

I waited.

Nemris looked at the map.

Then at me.

Then somewhere slightly to my left.

Interesting.

For a woman who could stare down enemy generals without blinking, this conversation was apparently dangerous.

Finally she spoke.

“I wanted to thank you.”

I tilted my head.

“For?”

Her eyes returned to me.

“Earlier.”

Oh.

“The battle.”

“Yes.”

Nemris stood straighter.

“If you had followed my orders and remained behind, the result could have been catastrophic.”

I smiled.

“So officially, disobeying you saved the mission.”

“Do not become proud of that.”

“Too late.”

Her eyes narrowed.

I raised both hands.

“Continue.”

Nemris exhaled.

“Remgar and Gia together were already difficult.”

That admission meant something.

Nemris did not exaggerate her own strength.

“Balder’s interference made it worse.”

I nodded.

“Professional annoyance.”

“Treez would have joined them if you had not stopped her.”

“And then?”

Nemris’s jaw tightened.

“I do not know.”

Honest.

I liked that.

She looked directly at me.

“So thank you.”

I smiled.

“No problem.”

Her expression remained formal.

Very formal.

Too formal.

I glanced around.

“You know you could’ve just said that outside.”

“I know.”

“You summoned me into a strategy tent.”

“Yes.”

“Alone.”

“Yes.”

I smiled.

“This feels like a very official thank-you.”

“That was intentional.”

“Why?”

Nemris hesitated.

“I wanted to make it proper.”

Of course she did.

She was Nemris.

Even gratitude had regulations.

Then she added, “And I want to repay you.”

I blinked.

“Repay me?”

“Ask for something.”

I stared.

Nemris looked completely serious.

“Anything reasonable.”

Important qualifier.

Zeria would have forgotten that qualifier.

Nemris absolutely would not.

“I don’t need anything.”

“I insist.”

“Dangerous word.”

“Caled.”

I smiled.

“Fine.”

She waited.

I rubbed my chin.

“If you’re really determined, I do have one request.”

Nemris straightened slightly.

“Say it.”

I took one step closer.

“When we return to the capital.”

She watched me.

“Assuming the parley succeeds.”

“Yes.”

“And assuming diplomacy doesn’t somehow explode.”

“Caled.”

“Fine.”

I smiled.

“How about...”

Nemris waited.

I deliberately paused.

Her eyebrows furrowed.

“What?”

I leaned slightly forward.

“How about a date?”

Silence.

Nemris’s face changed.

Not dramatically.

Her eyes softened first.

Then the tension around her mouth eased.

She looked almost caught off guard.

Not offended.

Not uncomfortable.

Just genuinely surprised.

“A date.”

“Yes.”

“With you.”

“That’s usually how invitations work.”

Nemris looked away.

Just briefly.

“I have never been on one.”

That surprised me more than it probably should have.

“Never?”

“No.”

I thought about what Zeria had told me.

Books.

Military training.

Duty.

Expectations.

Lord Commander.

More knight than princess.

Yeah.

Made sense.

Nemris looked back.

“But.”

My smile widened.

“There’s a but.”

“There is always a first time.”

I stared at her.

Then grinned.

“Was that a yes?”

Nemris held my gaze.

“Yes.”

Oh.

Nice.

Very nice.

Before I could say anything appropriately irresponsible, someone shouted outside.

“Lord Commander!”

Footsteps approached rapidly.

The tent flap opened.

A knight hurried inside.

He was breathing hard.

Dust covered his boots and lower armor.

Nemris’s entire posture changed immediately.

Personal conversation gone.

Commander returned.

“You’re back.”

The knight bowed.

“Yes, Lord Commander.”

“Report.”

He straightened.

“I reached Agranian territory and delivered the message.”

I moved closer to the table.

Nemris waited.

The knight took one breath.

“Supreme General Rel has accepted the request for parley.”

Nemris’s shoulders relaxed.

Barely.

But I saw it.

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

He placed one finger against the map.

“In Yuneska.”

I leaned closer.

A town inside Agran.

Wonderful.

The knight continued.

“The Supreme General will meet our representatives there personally.”

Nemris nodded.

Relief passed through her expression.

Not celebration.

Just one obstacle successfully removed.

“Good.”

She looked toward the knight.

“We’ll depart at first light.”

“Yes, Lord Commander.”

“We meet them in Yuneska.”

The knight bowed.

Then waited.

Nemris dismissed him with a nod.

He left.

The tent became quiet again.

Nemris looked down at the map.

Then toward me.

And this time, the weight behind her eyes was different.

Professional.

Trusting.

“The next part depends on you.”

There it was.

My job.

Talking.

Finally.

I smiled.

“Then count on me.”

Nemris paused.

Her expression softened again.

“You’ve already proven that I can.”