Chapter Text
I tapped my finger rapidly on the war table glaring at the large map spread a top it as though I could intimidate the secrets from it. The damn barbarians of Regan Faux weren’t tactical geniuses, they relied on their brute strength and numbers to win the day, yet that’s not what they were doing. The way the where acting, it was like they had a tactician of their own…or two.
When Ylisse fell, none of my children had been found. Lucian and the twins had escaped and clearly, they’d escaped to Regan Faux, the only region that had the manpower to even stand a chance against my Risen army. Add the tactical skills of the twins and they would prove a challenge.
I slammed my fist against the table hard enough to break it. Only the piles of books under it kept the table from collapsing. “Damn them!” My own children, using the genius I gave them against me.
“Mighty Grima.” Validar began. He and Aversa stood on the opposite side of the war table from Risen King and myself. “Might I, perhaps, make a suggestion?”
“No.” I growled already knowing what his suggestion would be. “I’m not just sending waves of Risen to wipe Regan Faux out. There are people I want brought back to me alive.”
I’d done just that shortly after awakening. Such actions prevented me from making the Shepherds part of my army. The bodies of my old companions had been too damaged to recreate as Risen. Only Risen King had been salvageable. The one I absolutely had to have. I decided that since I couldn’t have the parents, I’d have the children. However, my three children were my top priority. I must have them.
“But.” Aversa tried.
“No!” I snapped. The room shook from the force.
Risen King wrapped an arm around my waist. “You will not question Robin again.” He made a show of gripping the pommel of his sword.
I patted his hand affectionately. That’s my man. “How many battles did I lose when I was mortal?” It was a rhetorical question. “Did I not help win not only the war against the Mad King but the Conqueror? The Conqueror nobody thought could be defeated? I taught Morgan and Marc everything they know. The students will not surpass the master.” An idea was forming. “We will stage a massive battle with my king and I leading the charge. The twins won’t be able to ignore it.” I started moving pieces across the map at a rapid pace. “While that’s happening, those I’ve chosen will sneak behind the enemy lines and snatch Marc and Morgan.” I scooped up the two pieces. “Without them, Regan Faux will be crippled, like a leg less animal. Then.” I whipped a dagger from my sleeve and stabbed it where their capital was. “We cut the head off.”