>>5895666>“I’m happy to meet with the Count.” You declare, addressing Wedge. “Him and I have much to discuss. But if you won’t give me any assurance of safety other than your alleged honor, then I want at least one of my men accompanying me inside the castle.”“Hmph.” Wedge snorts. “Even if this was a trap, do you really believe one soldier would be enough to keep you safe?”
>“Of course. Don’t underestimate the Blackwings, Wedge. Rex did, and he and his company were vanquished by our hand. You may be as merciless as he was, but you aren’t nearly as skilled. Consider yourself lucky that all I ask for is one man. Whether I see the Count now or after I defeat you makes no difference to me.” Wedge broods over your words for a moment. For the first time today, he offers you a genuine smirk. “There really is no trace of the young Blair I once knew, is there? How saddening. At least I know now that I can fight you without holding anything back. Fine, you may bring one of your soldiers with you. Is he amongst you now?”
>“No. Ashe, please return to the camp and bring Alena here.”“Blair.” Ashe protests. “Do you truly intend to walk in there? At least let me-“
>“Ashe.” You say coldly to your lover. “Alena. Now.”He gives you a sympathetic look before dashing off. You knew he meant well, but you were walking into what could very well be a nest of Agarthans, which included a potential Sage or even something worse. Anemone’s ability to identify her own kind would be a great help. She was also one of the strongest fighters you had available to you. There were very few other candidates in your mind that you felt safe having at your side in this moment. You wait for several minutes, with neither you nor Wedge saying a word to each other. If he was not lying to you, perhaps there actually was a small chance you could avoid battle today. You’d like that very much. You had no reason to kill Wedge or any of these soldiers. Your only business was with your adoptive father.
“Blair.” Anemone says, joining the parley. “I’m ready.”
“This is the soldier you choose?” Wedge asks, eyes narrowing as he studies Anemone closely.
>“It is.”“…Have I not seen you somewhere before?” Wedge asks Anemone. That wasn’t good. Did he recognize her from her assassination attempt on the Count? It was due to his interference that Anemone failed in her mission to identify whether the Count was an Agarthan or not. She had been unable to defeat Wedge before the rest of the castle guards arrived on the scene, forcing her to make an escape.
“You must have me mistaken, sir knight.” Anemone says calmly. “We’ve never met before.”
Wedge clenches his jaw, as if wishing to protest the matter further. Before he can have further time to do so though, you intervene.
>“Enough chatter, let’s go.” 