Long Way Home

Valmyra City

"News from Rayne, your highness."

Calli slowly opened up the letter that the man handed to her. 

No further news. I believe Aeneas is a man to be trusted. Requesting another month at the Cordelia estate to root out possible spies. When is next push onto Cartethene? Will rejoin you then.

Calli sighed.

"Well, I'm glad that Rayne is settled in. A shame, I would have liked to have him for the talks with Vistoria." Calli said. "Is there anything else newsworthy on the front lines?"

The two guards exchanged looks with one another.

"No, your highness. Nothing to report."

Calli twitched her eyes.

"Uh, actually..." The other guard spoke up. "General Aristaios received a small letter yesterday. A calling card, delivered via arrow. From the Black Ghost."

"The...Black Ghost?"

"The Black Ghost, the Black Reaper, the Ghost, or simply Jason Baseli - or at least, someone claiming to be him. Calls himself Jason the Innocent. He's starting to become a legend amongst the common populace."

The other guard nodded.

"They say he targets Blue Iris and Red Rose alike, killing only the guilty and leaving the virtuous. A noble of the former royal dynasty, framed for the wrongful murder of the old King. He's becoming a folk hero amongst the people. I even heard our own men talking about him."

Calli sat down on the chair, a hand on her chin.

"This is...news to me."

"We didn't think it was significant enough to report to you until now. He only went after low ranking commanders until recently. But he always shows up during the fiercest phase of the fighting, or right after a battle is won, then disappears right after. Like a ghost."

Calli bit her lip, a look of suppressed anger spreading across her face.

"Wonderful to know my own army won't bother reporting accurate news to me. Oh Rayne, dear friend, when will you return?" Calli shook her head, and sighed. "I was told that Jason had been killed by Rayne two months ago. I...well, I must admit, privately, I am glad he survived." Calli looked down at her feet.

"With all due respect your highness, you don't actually believe that man's claims, do you? Even assuming he is Jason Thame, he is the man who murdered the rightful king of Galeria, your uncle."

"Hmm...well, I suppose you're right." Calli said, a finger on her chin. "Nevermind. I admit, General Aristaios may want to...tone down his brutality, if the Black Ghost isn't to kill him." Calli said, with an unusually deadpan tone.

"We've tightened all perimeters and closed off any access to General Aristaios. We will keep the general safe. Oh, that reminds me, one more thing, your highness, we managed to capture a beastkin girl the day before. She was snooping around the base camp of the Ghost's previous victim, Commander Dominazo. She claims to be a follower of the Ghost. Shall we bring her in?"

Calli looked up in surprise, but nodded.

"Bring her in, folks!" The guard stood up and shouted back to the tent flap, and in came a bruised and battered, but nevertheless fierce looking beastkin girl. A defiant light glowed in her eyes, as she stared straight up at Calli, despite the multitude of soldiers around her.

"Bow your head, spy. Knowing there are animalfolk that don't support Princess Calli Aureol makes me sick." A gruff beastkin soldier prodded her with a spear. "Show some respect girl, this is the rightful queen of Galeria!"

Calli stood up, and raised her arm, signalling the soldier to stand down.

"You may leave us, guards. I apologize for their behavior, my dear. What may your name be?"

"...Anya." The girl said. "You're one of Jason's old friends, aren't you?"

***

April 18th, Imperial Year 880
Drosomira Castle 

Three paces. Man, they've really upped the security in this place, huh?

The beams creaked as I tried my best to silently walk across the rafters. Maybe sneaking around in full armor isn't the best idea, Jason. Not to mention these rafters aren't really built for being walked across.

The bustling banquet down below was awash with activity, as large platters of meat and desserts were continuously hauled around by the numerous servants that populated the castle. Several of the revelers down below spoke a strange language, which I could only identify as Vistorian. In other words, these people are likely not Galerians.

No matter. I've neutralized the guards already, but it's only a matter of time until they notice the dungeon break.

There was a scream, a shout, and then finally, a call from outside.

"It's the ghost, the ghost!" Someone yelled. "He's in the courtyard! The prisoners are breaking free!"

Bingo, that's what I was waiting for.

Several guards formed a defensive circle around the general, who immediately stood up and slammed his fist down onto the table.

"Deploy the garrison!" He roared. "I want that man's head brought to me on a pike!"

There you are, Aristaios. Did my calling card rile you up that much?

A small smile of satisfaction spread across my face, which only grew larger as dozens of military officers immediately stood up and, heeding the man's orders, began to rush outside. Now, only the elite soldiers remained with Aristaios, tightening the shield wall around him ever so slightly.

Afraid, are we? You haven't even seen me yet.

I leapt from one rafter onto another, rapidly positioning myself closer to the area above Aristaios. To kill him here, right now would be too easy. But, pardon my selfishness, but merely killing Aristaios isn't quite my goal here. 

"On the rafters! The ghost! He's here!"

Several nobles yelled out, shaking in fear, some pointing in my vague direction, others pointing at completely random locations on the ceiling. 

Oh, this is too much fun.

Aristaios now turned and ran, to the door on the rearward left, taking the elite troops with him, leaving the bewildered civil servants muttering amongst themselves. 

I leapt down from the ceiling, slamming onto the table with a great force.

"The Ghost is here! After him!" The few remaining soldiers held up spears, halberds, axes, and whatever weaponry they had, and charged at me. 

Second raters. Nothing I can't handle. After rapidly dispatching a couple of them, the remaining troops now backed off, a terrified look on their faces.

"Thank you, gentlemen." I gave them a small bow. "Now, I would suggest staying out of my way if you want to live."

They gave me a small nod, before scampering off. Before I had time to celebrate however, several soldiers burst in from the door behind me. Better ones, with better armor and some kind of...weird stick in their hands, with a blunt mace like object on it. Each of them held a small flaming stick. A few others had crossbows, which they now aimed in my direction.

I overturned a table to form a barrier between me and the new soldiers, before I heard a series of large bangs from the other side. My ears rang, and for a second, I couldn't hear. When I opened my eyes, to my horror, I saw a series of large holes on the thick wooden table I had overturned. I didn't seem to be hurt, but each weapon shot had punched a clean hole through the table.

What was that? Vistorian technology? I peered through a hole, watching the men reload their things. Mana check, no magecraft involved. 

No matter, it's like I'm fighting a castle full of mages then. My mission changes not, though surely more annoying.

Seizing the moment, I took off, bolting through the leftmost door. A few gave chase, but I lost them in the twisting hallways.

***

Aristaios panted, and slumped down onto the ground.

"Good...grief. You think we lost them?" The general panted, and wiped his forehead, as a look of anger spread across his face. "Soldier? Respond when I talk to you, you utter buff-"

I pressed the bronze blade to his throat, as the general quickly went silent.

"Hello, general."

"Wha-what? Where are the others? Where...?" He looked around, trying to search for an escape, but found none.

I smirked.

"General Sarapion Aristaios. Pleasured to make your acquaintance. I'd introduce myself, but it seems my reputation precedes me."

"Let me go, you vile traitor!" Aristaios sputtered. "Child of tyranny, enemy of the queen!"

I frowned.

"Still believing in that old narrative, are we? How many times do I have to say I didn't do it? Well, no matter. You're going to tell me exactly what is going on with Aeneas. Where is he, and what is he doing next?"

"I don't know! And even if I did, I'd never tell a bastard such as yourself where-"

I smacked him in the head, silencing him.

"I have other avenues of information, general. If you won't cooperate, I will have no choice but to kill you." I glared into his eyes. "You've murdered a lot of people, young or old. Why should I spare an old man who takes the lives of children?"

"...fine. What do you want?"

"If you can't tell me where Aeneas is, then you'll tell me where Calli Aureol's forces are moving next, and the activities of Rayne Fiorenzo. Don't worry, you should know I'm not a Blue Iris spy." I gave him a reassuring smile.

"C-Cartethene." Aristaios whimpered. "They're headed to Cartethene by next month. Rayne Fiorenzo is still staying with the Count Cordelia."

"Still staying?"

"He has requested to stay, from what I hear. There to root out Blue Iris partisans."

That's nonsense. There wouldn't be any Blue Iris Partisans in Bergun. Ekuna is divided, yes, but...

"Thank you general. I think I got what I needed. And, in the future, try not to burn innocent villages not affiliated with the Red Rose, lest I come for you a second time." And with that, I smacked him on the head, knocking the man out cold.

So, in the end, a month of nothing. Nothing to do but another month of waiting. It seems, no matter what, all roads lead back to Cartethene as well as Aeneas. 

Aeneas is probably headed to Cartethene. There's no way he'll be able to do whatever he's doing with that wrecked castle of his. It's only a hunch, but...

"General? General!" Several soldiers ran up the spiral staircase leading to the tower I was in, trying to retrieve the general.

I guess that cues my time to leave. I flooded my crest with mana, and formed a hook.

...bronze on a wrought iron scale, I bet that will go well.

I jumped down the hole in the stairwell, bypassing several shocked enemy soldiers, and immediately leapt back onto the stairs, and bolted into the first door I saw that seemed even vaguely connected to a hallway, as a whole army descended upon me. Down the hallway, down the hallway...shit.

I had arrived at a junction, and found myself boxed in from all three directions. A young knight ran up, waving his sword around as if it was some kind of holy artifact.

"Shields raised, firelances raised!" The man yelled out. As he did, the men locked their shields into place, and pointed their 'fire lances' at me. "It's over, Ghost! Surrender now!"

I looked behind me. There was a sheer drop behind me, leading onto the castle's main hall entrance. A fall from this height would surely kill anyone. Behind that was a great marble wall, surrounded by glass decorations and finally, a great circular window that led to the outside.

Well, I suppose there is but one way out.

I flooded my crest with mana one final time and formed a bronze chain, which I flung across a chandelier. I leapt off the ledge, and jumped towards the great window. A few soldiers shot their booming weapons at me, cracking the glass, but no hits. 

The window shattered into a thousand pieces as I barreled through it, and for a moment, I could see them glisten in the moonlight as more soldiers standing around in the courtyard now pointed and yelled at me.

It's over, for now.

Hold tight, Phoebe. I'll come find you. No matter what.