Interlude Three: The Commander


    One week after Jade sees the army of wolves, her village is in panic. Unfortunately, the news spread quickly that a massive army of monsters is at their doorstep, figuratively.


    She and the rest of the guard have had a hard time controlling everyone. It has been difficult, especially because they must keep an eye on the wolves. So far, they haven’t really moved from where they are.


    Of course, that doesn’t stop Jade from being nervous. The wolves are there for a reason. They just don’t know what it is yet.


    They stay in shifts now, the Erenfeld guard. They watch the wolves, making sure they aren’t preparing themselves. Sometimes, an Arcadian guard will help them too. It’s a boring job, yet stressful. If she missed something, she would be the reason why their village got destroyed.


    She is in her bed now, resting. Torr is watching the army now with Jin. Jade is glad she can sleep during the night instead of staying up to see if the monsters moved.


    Suddenly, a blinding flash disrupts her. She stands up.


    What the hell?


    Zade is standing in front of her. He just appears.


    “Zade?” She asks. There’s something wrong with him. He looks translucent, maybe a little blue.


    “Jade, it’s me, Zade,” His voice is uncertain, nervous almost. She notices immediately that he can’t see her.


    This must be some sort of pre-recorded message.


    “I just wanted to reach out to you,” Zade continues. Tearing up, Jade smiles softly, reaching out to him. Unsurprisingly, her hands go right through his see-through body.


    “Hope you’re doing great. I’m fine, been learning a lot of magic.” Her best friend says. “It’s been fun. I’ve met a lot of great people, including some actual warriors! Isn’t that crazy? I wonder what you’d do if you could see me right now. Probably throw a potato or something.” Jade laughs, tears flowing freely now.


    “Anyway, I just hope you get this message soon. Don’t worry. I promise to visit you soon. As soon as I can, I’ll be there. Bye, Jay.” Zade disappears and Jade stands there, staring at where he had just been.


    Sniffling softly, she starts to whisper. “Thank you so much, Zade. I’ll see you soon. I promise.” She stands up.


    Torr and Jin should be back soon. I need to be ready for them. I’m next.


    It was going to be a boring day.


    At least it started well.


    — — —


    “I miss Chrome,” Guilia says as soon as Jade enters the Headquarters.


    “We all do,” Jade responds. She dresses herself in her Guard armor, and sits down next to Guilia. “But you know what she used to say…”


    “‘I hope you all forget me when I’m gone. Better to be forgotten than to cause my friends pain in the afterlife.’” Guilia laughs slightly. “Do you think she’s happy?”


    “Hmmm?” Jade grunts.


    “In the afterlife, I mean? Do you think she’s having fun? Remembering us maybe?”


    Jade shrugs. “Do you believe in heaven?”


    “I want to.” Guilia responds. “For Chrome.”


    “Then I’m sure she is,” Jade says, rubbing Guilia’s shoulder. She’s probably watching us right now. She’s probably mad at you for thinking about her. Better be careful, or she’ll curse you.”


    Chuckling, Guilia nods. “Sounds like Chrome. I can’t sleep anymore, you know.” Jade has noticed that. Guilia had never been late for anything. Not since Chrom died.


    “I’m sorry.”


    “It’s not your fault.” Guilia responds. “Just my way of dealing with things, I guess.”


    Jade smiles. “We do what we can. Do you know when Torr will be back. He seems to be late.”


    “He is,” The other girl nods. “He should be here any moment now, though. I wonder what’s taking them. You think something happened?”


    “To Torr and Jin?” Jade wonders incredulously. “No. They’ll be fine. They’ve been on the Guard longer than us,” She points out.


    “You’re right,” Guilia responds. “I’d just hate it if they died like Chrome.”


    Jade nods. “I understand. They’ll be back soon. You’ll see.”


    At that moment, the door swings open.


    “I’ve got bad news,” Torr says as soon as he enters. “This just got a whole lot more complicated.”


    — — —


    “Ugh!” Demien exclaims. “Why can’t you tell us now?”


    “Because,” Jin replies, “I don’t want to repeat myself. So we’re going to Arcadia. The king needs to hear about this news.”


    Demien grumbles but a quick glare from Torr shuts him up.


    Jade struggles onto her horse, broken leg still paining her.


    “My brother just came into town,” Jin whispered, coming up to her.


    “You have a brother?” Jade asks.


    “Sure,” The middle-aged woman responds. “Been a while since I’ve seen him. He’s a Healing Mage. Point is, I was thinking he could do me a favor. Usually, he requires payment, but…”


    “What are you saying?” Jade says excitedly.


    “I’m saying I could get him to fix your leg—” Jin stops as Jade hugs her.


    “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”


    “Any time,” Jin chuckles. “Any time.”


    As they take off towards Arcadia, they fall silent, the only noises Jade can hear now coming from Demien’s mouth. He’s still complaining, albeit not loudly.


    The path to Arcadia feels tense now. All of Arcadia seems to be feeling the weight of a foreign army inside of it.


    “Has the Royal Family made any decision about the wolf army?” Guilia asks.


    Jin shakes her head. “Not yet. Although I’m sure they will with what I found today.” Demien shoots her a glare, but she ignores him.


    “Yes, it’s very important.” Torr teases. “It really cannot wait. It’s a life-or-death scenario.”


    “Yup,” Jin says, catching on. “I really wish the Royal Family lived in Erenfeld. That way, we wouldn’t have to wait. The longer it takes, the more time the wolves have to… Oh wait, I can’t say anything.”


    Demien screams. “I get it, okay? I’m not supposed to know. Just stop tormenting me!” Torr and Jin share a glance, laughing. Guilia rolls her eyes, and whistles at Jade.


    “They’re crazy,” She says. “I guess we have to keep the sanity here.”


    Jade shrugs. “I thought it was funny.” Guilia shakes her head softly.


    “I guess I’m the only normal one then.”


    “You’re looking at it wrong. You can’t be normal if more people think it’s funny than not. Me, Torr, and Jin think it’s funny.”


    “Demien didn’t,” Guilia protests indignantly.


    “Do you really want to be associated with him?”


    “Good point,” Guilia scowls. “You’re right. Gods preserve us on the day Demien is normal.”


    “I heard that!” Demien frowns.


    “You were supposed to,” Guilia shouts back.


    Demien starts to retort then pauses, speechless. Guilia winks at Jade, who smiles softly.


    “Thank you for shutting him up,” Torr tells Guilia. “I’d always wondered how to do that.”


    “I’m going to kill you all. One day, you’ll all wake up and…” Demien pauses. “No, you won’t wake up, because I’ll have murdered you all.”


    “You couldn’t even murder your little sister if you wanted to,” Jade responds. Demien looks hurt.


    “You too, Jade?” He scowls again. “And yes, I could beat up my sister. It wouldn’t be too hard.”


    “Ah, yes! The greatest retort of all time,” Torr says. “When someone insults you, just contradict the insult. Works every time.”


    “I feel like that was sarcastic,” Demien ventures.


    “It was, dumbass!” Guilia groans.


    “Takes one to know one,” Demien retorts.


    “Ah, yes! The second greatest retort of all time,” Torr laughs.


    “That was sarcastic,” Guilia whispers.


    “SHUT UP!” Demien yells.


    “And… that was the third greatest retort.” Torr says. “I think he wins.”


    “I’m going to kill you all,” Demien grumbles.


    “Yes, you’ve said,” Jade replies.


    “Are y’all always like this?” Jin asks. “I’d never noticed.”


    “Yeah, pretty much,” Guilia responds. “And before you say anything, we aren’t being mean to Demien. We’re just trying to lighten his mood.”


    “Well, consider yourself a failure,” Demien retorted. “My mood is very much NOT lightened.”


    Guilia shrugged. “It’s the toughest job in the world. Plus, I get no pay.”


    “Yup, it’s always like this,” Jade laughs. “You get used to it.”


    Jin smiles. “I hope so. Seems like we’ll be spending a lot of time together now.”


    Once again, silence reigns.


    Jade wonders what the news is. Torr believes it is important enough to have to tell the Royal Family now. That scares Jade a little. Could it really be that bad?


    She does know that it can’t be too urgent, or else they would’ve kept some of the Guard in Erenfeld. Originally, Demien was going to stay in Erenfeld, but he was stubborn.


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    Hopefully, nothing happened while they were gone.


    — — —


    Back in Arcadia, Jin leads Jade away from the rest of the group.


    “They’ll be getting a hearing with the Royal Family,” She tells Jade. “We’ll catch up with them. First, we can heal your foot.”


    Jade smiles. “Thank you so much, Jin.”


    “You’ve already said that,” Jin responds. “Ah, here we are.”


    She knocks on the door to a homey cottage, and immediately a man opens the door. He’s the spitting image of Jin.


    “Jin! You’re back! Any news?”


    “I have a favor to ask,” Jin replies. “This girl broke her foot. She’s part of the guard, and…”


    “Say no more,” He winks. “This way. I’m Xin.” He leads her to a sofa, where he takes a look at her cast.


    “I’m Jade.”


    “Nice to meet you. This shouldn’t take long.” He frowns. “It might hurt, though. I would advise you to prepare yourself.”


    Jade nods. “I’m ready.”


    Smiling, Xin removes her cast. Then he closes his eyes. Mentally, Jade prepares herself for the pain she knows is coming. Although she’s nervous about magic, she trusts Jin.


    Suddenly, a spike of pain crashes through her. She groans. Her foot feels like it''s on fire. A cracking sound resonates from her leg, and she tries not to yell.


    Now her entire body feels like it has erupted into flames. Jade strains to not make a noise.


    It has only been a minute, but it feels like an hour.


    A calming sensation spreads through her. Her leg grows warm, a tingling sensation that makes her shudder. She begins to feel better. And even more, she can’t feel any pain from the broken bone.


    “That was quick,” She says.


    Xin smiles, but now his eyes look tired. “It is, but it is also taxing. That is why I usually require expensive payment. I cannot do many of these a day. But for any friend of my sister’s, it is free.” He bows. “I have food, if you’re hungry. Drink?”


    “No, thank you,” Jade replied.


    “We must be leaving,” Jin says. “I’ll be back, but I’ve got a hearing with the Royal Family to get too.”


    Xin frowns. “Well, visit when you can. That goes for you too, Jade.”


    “Thanks for everything, Xin,” Jade stands up, taking a few tentative steps. Her leg feels fine now.


    “Of course,” The joyful man says.


    — — —


    “Well, what’s this news you’re dying to tell me?” The Queen asks. Queen Maeve looks stunning as usual in her silk dress. The crown on her head is the only thing separating her from any other rich woman, though.


    Jade is sitting with her friends—and acquaintances—in the Sitting Room of the Royal Family’s home. The King is in Magefell for the tournament, so they had to make do with the Queen, who Jade thinks is better.


    “Queen Maeve, we bring tidings that cannot mean anything good,” Jin takes the initiative. “Today, while me and Torr were on duty, we noticed there was someone walking with the wolves. Closer inspection proved it to be a man. The more we saw, the better we confirmed it.”


    “This man leads the wolves,” Torr continues. “And clearly, he is preparing them for battle. This cannot be good. We thought they were savages, uncontrollable. Knowing they have a commander sobers me.”


    “Aye,” Queen Maeve replies. “It is a sobering thought. And you are sure this man leads the army?”


    “Yes,” Jin says. “As sure as we can be.”


    “We must figure out what they want,” Queen Maeve tells them pensively. “And I have an idea. One that will undoubtedly put one or more of you in danger. But I think it must be done.”


    “Anything, your majesty,” Demien bows.


    “Oh, let’s not start with that,” Queen Maeve waves at him like she would at a distraction. Demien blushes. “I am looking for one of you in the Guard to be an ambassador. One—or more, I might add—must go to them with a white flag, and try to reason with them. Ask what they are doing. This mission will be dangerous, though. There is a good chance they will not want to let whoever goes out. Will you take on this mission for me?”


    “I’ll go,” Jade says quickly. “Seems interesting enough.” She doesn’t know why she volunteered immediately, but now it’s too late to turn back. “One of you should come with me.”


    “Hey! We haven’t decided anything yet,” Torr replies.


    “If she wants to go, you should let her,” Queen Maeve tells him. “I’ll tell Robin to go with you. She’s been itching for something.”


    “Robin?” Jade asks.


    “Another of the guards here,” Jin whispers. “She moved here a couple years ago and complains about the inactivity here. No one knows where she moved from.”


    “I’ll do it,” Jade tells the queen. “I’ll leave as soon as possible.”


    “Great,” Queen Meave replies. “Please come back. I do not want to have another of my citizens die to those monsters. Good luck.”


    “Thank you,” Jade says. “Your majesty.”


    Queen Maeve rolls her eyes. “You know what I think of that term. Now, get out. I have a lot to do.” She winks to show she’s teasing a little, but Jade can take a hint.


    “We have a lot to talk about,” Torr tells her angrily as they leave.


    “What do you have to say? I volunteered,”


    “You shouldn’t go,” Torr growls. “You’ll die!”


    “Let me guess. You want to go instead,” Jade retorts.


    “Yes, actually! To protect you.”


    Jade softens. “I understand, Torr. But I’m part of the guard just as much as you. I have a right to make my own decisions, you know. I’ll be fine. I promise.”


    Torr huffs but doesn’t reply.


    Jade is just as nervous as he is, but she doesn’t want to think about it. Right now, she just wants to meet Robin. Hopefully, they get along well. If not, this mission could end before it even started.


    — — —


    “Hi,” The red-headed girl tells Jade. She looks to be about Jade’s age, but there is a certain steeliness to her eyes that tells Jade she’s seen blood, and a lot of it. “I’m Robin.”


    “Jade. So, you’ll be going as ambassador with me?” Jade asks.


    Robin nods. “Yes. They said you would explain the details. We’re supposed to ride back together, so you have a lot of time to explain it.” The others had left already. Jade had just been waiting for Robin.


    They get on their horses and start the trek back to Erenfeld.


    “A week ago, we found out a massive army of wolves was endangering Arcadia,” Jade tells Robin. “Not normal wolves, either. These are about eight feet tall. They crushed the head of one of my friend’s like it was a rubber ball. They all have armor and weapons.”


    “I knew most of that already,” Robin says, thinking hard. “That sounds like fun. What’s the news?”


    “They have a human captain,” Jade responds. “We need to go there to find out what they are doing.”


    “Hmmm,” Robin stares at Jade for a second. “So we waltz right in, yelling for peace, and assume they won’t arrest us or kill us. Aren’t the wolves savage?”


    “Yes, but the human commands them,” Jade says. “He should stop them. We’ll attempt to make peace if we can, or hear their demands. But this mission is to find out theirs.”


    “You ever seen a battle?” Jade shakes her head. Robin grunts. “It ain’t pretty. Blood everywhere, men screaming. You better pray it doesn’t happen. ‘I’ve had a dozen friends die from war. For that reason alone, I want to stop the wolves from attacking.”


    “Where are you from?” Jade asks. “Not trying to prod, but I haven’t heard of war happening anywhere recently, so I’m curious.”


    “Eilífur Snjór,” Robin tells her. “There is a lot of war with wild animals or with other tribes up there.”


    The land of eternal snow. Jade had never been there, but she’s heard a lot about it. Robin is the first Snjornan she’s seen, and she bets it’s the first Snjornan any Arcadian has seen.


    “Why did you leave?”


    Robin shrugs. “My tribe got overrun. I didn’t have a life there anymore. The Blóe?ttkvísl took over Eilífur. I can’t go back, not unless I want to be a slave.” She spits on the ground. “May they rot in the maggots and be buried in dirt.”


    “Buried in dirt?” Jade wonders. “Isn’t everyone?”


    “Not in Eilífur,” Robin chuckles. “You may live in a furnace, but Eilífur has snow every day.”


    “It isn’t that warm here in Arcadia,” Jade replies.


    “Speak for yourself,” Robin says in her coarse accent. “I would take this all off if I could,” She continues, pointing at her clothes.


    “No one minds,” Jade shrugs.


    “Really? Okay,” Robin exclaims, and immediately starts to strip. Jade looks away.


    “I was kidding,” She says. Robin frowns, rolls her eyes, and proceeds to put her shirt back on her bare chest.


    “You have weird customs here in Arcadia,” She says.


    “Us?” Jade laughs. “To us, you are the weird one.”


    “Fair enough,” Robin roars happily. “Well, I will be happy to share a beer with you when we are done with our mission.”


    “Same here,” Jade responds reluctantly. She doesn’t know what custom she was brought into now, but she rolls along with it.


    She’s starting to really like Robin.


    — — —


    It’s time to leave. Jade has a good view of the army’s encampment, and her friends are with her, ready to see her off.


    “Stay safe,” Torr tells her. “I won’t forgive you if you get yourself killed.”


    “I’ll be okay,” Jade resplies, hugging him. “Don’t worry about me.”


    As she leaves, Guilia waves at her. Jade breathes in and out, trying to calm down her nerves. As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, she is scared. This mission can go wrong in so many ways, and if it does, Jade can die.


    It’s a sobering thought.


    “Don’t be nervous,” Robin says, walking with her. “Today is not the day we die.” Looking at her, Jade nods.


    They begin to walk down the hill, and virtually immediately the wolves notice them. Legs shaking, Jade raises her white flag, waving it up and down. The wolves begin to growl, drawing weapons, and Jade hears Robin unsheathe her sword. A glare in her direction stops her.


    “Not yet,” Jade warns. Nodding, Robin sheathes her sword.


    One hundred paces from the encampment. The wolves start to organize themselves, ready to tear them apart. Jade shudders.


    Eighty paces from the encampment. They are waving their swords around now.


    Fifty paces. The Wolves yell a battle cry, howling at the moon. Stamping the ground, they begin to take an attack stance.


    Thirty paces. Jade can smell their breaths now. She tries not to vomit as the stench hits her.


    Ten paces. The wolves charge. Jade closes her eyes. The end is near.


    “Stop!” A voice commands. Opening her eyes, Jade looks around tentatively. The wolves stopped. In front of them is a man, weathered by age yet sturdy as a tree. His muscles bulge, and he’s clearly seen a lot of battle, his scars a proof of that. He’s clean-shaven with hair clearly well taken care of. This must be the leader. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?” He asks.


    Jade takes a minute to understand it, but Robin jumps right in.


    “We’re ambassadors,” She says. “We come in peace. As you can see, we pose no threat. We are here to talk.”


    “We can talk in my tent,” The man responds gruffly. “You must leave all your weapons here.”


    “Of course not!” Jade exclaims. “This is…” Robin kicks her softly.


    “Do what he says,” She whispers, winking. Narrowing her eyes, Jade does as she asks. She removes her sword. “I want a guarantee we’ll get these back when we’re done.”


    “Of course,” The man bows. “Now, let us go. We must speak.”


    Walking away, he waved at them to follow. Jade and Robin share a look, and Robin shrugs, walking forward.


    Conscious of the many eyes on her, she walks with Robin. Many of the wolves growl as they pass, some brandishing weapons. Even others reach for them, Jade just barely moving out of the way.


    There are a couple of smaller wolves looking at them, clearly terrified. Jade assumes they are babies, even standing at four feet.


    “Don’t slow down,” The man warns, grinning. “The wolves are hungry.”


    Shuddering, Jade picks up her pace. She doesn’t think anything will happen, at least before they talk, but she still errs on the side of caution.


    Finally, a tent comes into view. Simple, utility prioritized over quality. The man enters and waits for them. As soon as she enters, Jade breathes a sigh of relief. For now, they are safe from the wolves.


    “So,” the man wonders. “Why are you here?”


    “That’s what we wanted to ask you,” Jade responds. “We want to know why you are here, and if you are willing to parley.”


    The man laughs. “No, I don’t think I want to parley. I think victory is mine. Why would I want peace? If there is war, I will win.”


    “What do you want?” Robin growls.


    “That is simple,” The man tells her, standing up. “Wine, anyone?”


    Shaking her head, Jade responds, “Just get to the point.”


    “Fine, fine,” The man responds. He pours himself a cup. “Arcadia is not our objective. Of course, if anyone is in our way, we will destroy them, but if you leave us alone, we will leave you alone.


    “Our objective is Magefell. We are here to destroy it. We will pass by Arcadia and go straight to Magefell.”


    Jade sucks in a breath, and her world heaves. Magefell! That’s where Zade lives. She can’t let this happen.


    “Keep a level head,” Robin hisses to her.


    “Now that I have answered your question, I have one of my own.” The man folds his hands in front of them, sitting down again. “Did you kill the wolf that my troops found dead a fortnight ago?”


    Jade’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t answer. Don’t betray your senses.


    “It was you,” The man breathes angrily.


    “Excuse me, can we leave now?” Robin asks. “We need to discuss things with our people.”


    “Of course not,” He replies. “She killed one of mine. She must be punished. You may leave, of course. But you…” He screams and falls to the ground, dagger stuck in his knee.


    “We should leave,” Robin responds, already brandishing another dagger. “He won’t stay down for long.”


    “I thought you’d given them your weapons,” Jade smiles, already leaving the tent.


    “Of course not,” Robin says, running ahead of her. “Hurry, they’ll be after us.”


    The wolves notice as they start to run, and some begin to run after them. One of them positions himself in front of them, but Robin flings her second dagger, embedding it in his chest. He falls, groaning, but not dying. Jumping above it, Robin yells at Jade.


    “Come on, hurry! We must run!”


    They dodge the string of bodies and weapons as the wolves target them. One axe lands a grazing blow on Jade’s shoulder, but she ignores it and keeps running.


    A wolf, this one female, growls at her, swinging her axe for her face. She doesn’t have time to respond, but thankfully the dagger in the wolf’s eye stops her right in her tracks. Jade looks gratefully at Robin, who grins.


    “That was my last one,” Robin says. “Final stretch.”


    Jade sprints for the hill. She can see it clearly now. It’s so close.


    Her friends are waving her over. Then the first arrow hits the grass next to her.


    The wolves are shooting now.


    Dammit!


    Robin tackles her as another arrow lands where her head just was.


    “That’s twice you’ve saved my life,” Jade stands up. “I’m in your debt.”


    “No, sister,” Robin responds. “All friends must protect each other.”


    They’re ten paces away from the top of the hill. Demien waves them over.


    “You’re so close,” He yells. “Come on.”


    They’ve done it! Jade reaches the top of the hill and looks down, in time to watch the arrow’s flight. It’s heading for Robin.


    Jade uses the split second she has and tackles Robin, the arrow whizzing just by them. Breathing a sigh of relief, Jade stands up.


    Her heart drops when she hears the gurgle.


    Demien is bleeding out on the ground.


    “I…Hope,” He says, “I hope…You….Miss me,” His voice turns shallow. “But…don’t miss me…T-too much. That…would..would be w-w-weird.” Chuckling, his eyes fade, and with one final breath, he stops moving.


    Jade crawls over to him.


    “I’m sorry, Demien,” She cries. “I’m so sorry.”


    But there’s nothing she can do.


    Demien is dead.