The Missing Stone

Nader the Undefeated

"Oh my god- NO!" Maris screeches, squirming and twisting in the guard's grip dragging him to the center of the ring. "THERE IS NO WAY I'M FIGHTING HIM! I'M A MAGE YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG PERSON-!" He's cut off as he's shoved towards the Almryan general with nothing but a sword and shield. I mean, they are pretty decent considering they're made of silver.

"What's your name, kiddo?" The man asks politely, as if he isn't about to beat Maris to death. He panics. What IS my name? I can't give my real name, but it wouldn't be right because apparently people already know my other name.

"Second," he blurts out anyway, staring at the ground with a pale face. What the hell, this is terrible! What if they hear-

As soon as the word leaves his dry mouth a certain former knight's voice shouts, "Maris!" Maris whips his head to the left, seeing a frightened and confused Glenn bound and on his knees just outside the ring, his voice slightly drowned out by the roaring crowd of spectators. Maris manages a weak smile. At least he didn't hear that part.

"Second..." the man drawls, feeling the name in his mouth. "Strange for a Fodlan name, but these are strange times." He draws his sword, the blade shining steel, before raising it high. "I am Nader the Undefeated! And it's been a while since I've had a one-on-one. Hope you're ready." Maris internally screams, hands shaking as he raises his borrowed sword.

They were supposed to find him, not the other way around! Great Maris, you already screwed things up with your real name. Now you have to not die, somehow convey that Claude needs his help, and make sure Glenn gets the hell out of here.

Now that he thinks about it, with Nader's taller stature and greater strength, this isn't so different from sparring with Glenn. Except there are a few different things that distinguish the situation. One, Maris doesn't know Nader's fighting style, so everything right now is unexpected. Two, Glenn is usually on the defensive, and Nader is most definitely offensive. Three, it's Nader the Undefeated, which means he's won more battles than he's ever lost in a row!

I'm so dead.

Nader charges, his war cry piercing the air. Maris shakes, holds his ground. Don't run don't run don't run- NEVERMIND! RUN! RUN FOR YOUR DAMN LIFE!

Why won't his feet move!? Maris lifts his blade anyway, just in time to deflect Nader's stab to his side, slicing his skin. Maris doesn't scream, only allowing his face to twist into a pained wince. Nader moves to strike again, and Glenn practically explodes.

"MOVE YOU IDIOT!"

Maris screams then, his body finally listening to him. He ducks, rolls to the right, leaps up, and runs, the pounding of his feet unheard beneath the roaring of blood in Maris' ears and the crowd. The ring is quite big, almost as big as a battlefield, letting him flee to his heart's content.

They must look ridiculous, a warlord chasing a short mage running for his life all while screaming at a volume that is way out of proportion for his size.

After a short while of dodging Nader's attempts on his life, Maris can't run anymore, the cut in his side burning like fire. He drops to his knees, leaning against his sword like a crutch. How is this guy not tired?

Nader stops in front of him. "Done already?" Maris doesn't answer, staring at the droplets of sweat dripping from his fringe to the cracked dirt. Nader steps in front of him, curling a fist into Maris' collar. Maris yelps as he's lifted up off his feet, eye to eye with Nader, the silver sword thumping in the dirt. "I said, are you done?"

"Done...what?" Maris gasps out. His face pales at the sharp tip of Nader's sword digging into his stomach through the thin leather tunic Maris has on.

I'm going to die. I don't want to die-!

"W-wait!" Maris chokes out desperately, clutching Nader's hand on his collar to lessen the strain on his neck. "Khalid...I'm a friend..." Nader's eyes widen in surprise.

"Well, why didn't you just say so!" Nader laughs, lowering Maris to the ground after sheathing his sword. The crowd hushes, waiting for Nader to say something.

"He's a friend! Everything's alright." With Nader's announcement the guards untie Glenn's restraints, allowing him to run over to Maris.

"Maris," he gasps, the name falling clumsily from his tongue. "You okay?"

Other than wanting to fall over and sleep, yeah I'm fine.

Instead Maris sighs, letting Glenn take his weight. He blinks the sweat from his eyes, the sun's merciless heat having taken a toll on him. For a moment he locks eyes with someone by the gates, gold eyes boring into his own. Maris swallows with cold dread and looks away. Now look what you've done...

"Come! Let's get you to a healer so we can discuss." Nader leads them out of the ring, Glenn supporting most of Maris' weight. As they shuffle along the pair gets increasingly farther behind.

"It would be faster if I carried you," Glenn offers sheepishly. Maris looks at him, blinks slowly. He releases a long-suffering sigh and nods. Glenn hooks a hand under Maris' knees and one around his back, easily lifting him up. He adjusts his hold, his hand brushing against the cut in Maris' side, making him hiss in pain. "Sorry," Glenn whispers, moving his hand to Maris' waist. "Is that better?"

More than better, Maris thinks, then flushes at his train of thought. He hides his face from Glenn, burying it into his shoulder. "Let's just go," he mumbles.

Nader waits for them at the infirmary, raising a questioning brow at the pair. Glenn shrugs, setting Maris down on one of the beds. One of the healers is waved over and set to work.

"How much time?" Nader asks, cheery demeanor dampened by the seriousness of the situation.

"Less than a week," Maris replies, obliging to the healer's instructions.

"It will take a few days to march," Glenn adds. "We only got here so fast because we were forewarned." Nader nods, expression thoughtful. "While Claude has the Kingdom Army on their way, they still don't have enough resources to march all the way to Enbarr. But before that there's Merceus..."

"So we don't actually have to get there in a week," Nader says. While it was a question it sounded more like a statement. "Heh, I have faith in the boy. It won't hurt for you two to stay a night while we prepare." The pair nods hesitantly, unanimously agreeing that Claude can and will take care of things.

"Oh," Nader stops his journey to the door to turn around. "Sorry about that." Maris frowns, but nods. Glenn looks more worried than he does angry.