As they argue, I shake my head and wipe my broadsword on the dead soldier's pants before sheathing it. I then place one knee atop the wound of the one I cut through the chest while setting my hand on the one whose neck is spilling out blood like a fountain.

It takes a lot of focus but I manage to use the principles of Liz' blood construct with unstructured energy to stop the bleeding. The former solder passes out while the latter doesn't but is barely able to breathe with a gash through his throat.

“You're making it very hard for me not to end this with the point of my blade.” I speak up.

“Thank you, Dame, we don't have the reserves to save their lives.” The unshaven officer says with a deep bow.

“Don't you see she's manipulating you?” The woman, holding her light blue dress up, questions.

“This offer for parley is another of Mirus' tricks.” Sykus declares, still without sparing a glance to his dead bodyguard.

“Sykus!” The young woman snaps at the man. “It's sponsored by an Exemplar and it's ludicrous to think Izla Meria would work with Mirus!”

“Is it? They are isolated and presumably in dire need of alliances.” He presses.

The officer and young woman fall silent with uneasy expressions, clearly disbelieving the man and somewhat suspicious but definitely not so much they would consider turning on their leader. Since it's like this, then all I can do is delay.

“Who're they?” I cut in, running my gaze to the bodyguards who all take a step back.

“Ex-slaves who escaped with us and Sir Sykus.” The officer responds.

“Next time you attack me, understand there will be no holding back or pity on my part.” I coldly tell them. “I've allowed this one time because I've barged in and took your leader hostage.”

I check the bleeding on both injured soldiers and notice that clotting has begun so I retrieve my energy and signal with my chin to have two spearmen take over pressing on the wounds.

As I rise back up, I check my energy reserve to find I've only a little more than seventy portions left. I resolve not to squander any more of it because there is no guarantee Siegfried and I will successfully put an end to this.

“Let's go, we only have a small window of opportunity.” Sykus snaps to the bodyguards who carefully retreat at the order. “Thomas, you know what to do.” He addresses the unshaven officer.

“I do.” The man utters as he moves to block Sykus' retreat. “Dame Freepath, can you guarantee that the Exemplar's offer for parley is honest?”

“As much as can be, Siegfried never did anything to make me doubt his word.” I reply.

“Then we're all going, together.” Beard-man utters.

“You're not our leader, Thomas.” The middle-aged woman gripes.

“No, but that doesn't mean we don't get a say.” The young one steps next to the officer with a dark expression.

Sykus scowls at his two subordinates, he clearly didn't expect them to stop him from retreating. The more I witness of this man, the more I believe that his status as an enemy of the Empire is justified. Although, I've met plenty of Nobles who would qualify more than he likely ever will with his limited lifespan.

“If we don't leave now, there will be no peaceful end to this siege, Thomas, Elisa.” Sykus declares with a heavy tone that causes the officer to waver. “We will have to break out of the town and face harassment during our retreat, dozens will die.”

“But this is also our one chance to perhaps obtain some concessions with an Exemplar here to bear witness. If we can reach a deal, the Order will enforce it.” Elisa counters. The young woman takes a moment to compose herself and her traits harden. “It might be our last opportunity and I'm willing to surrender myself to make it happen.” She declares with a courageous expression.

“Well said.” I cheerfully intervene. “I had hoped to hear these words from Sykus.” I might've ensured his freedom if he did.

“No one cares about your opinion, deviant.” The middle-aged woman barks.

“You should, I'm very deadly and my patience has now run out.” I return with a cheerful smile as I throw her a murderous gaze that makes her flinch back once more. “I'm in a bit of a hurry so let's go.” I add as I pick up my umbrella from my shoulder.

Sykus puts up a facade of ignoring me as he gazes at the two subordinates blocking his way. In the end, he nods at them in acknowledgment to put up the pretense that he has a choice in the matter. He may not understand how powerful I am but a schemer like him knows I'm dangerous enough to end his life if it's my goal.

“Then, let us see what Mirus has to offer and if the peace we so desire can be offered with acceptable terms.” Sykus utters with a husky voice.

I turn and start walking towards the south-east. The two squads of low born split to allow me to pass, those without mud or dirt concealing their expressions look a little afraid and a lot amazed.

Despite acting as if I don't care and not checking over my shoulder, I listen closely to my surroundings to deduce Sykus and the others are following a couple of dozen meters behind thanks to the noise made by the bodyguards.

I emerge from the town in ruins to find Siegfried and the mute already waiting in the large ring of mud that is the area surrounding the town, a result of soldiers stomping on grass for days.

There is a man with large shoulders in a green uniform with elaborate markings, I assume those of a General, next to him is a lieutenant with an ample pair of breasts and the redheaded groveling officer.

They stand on one side of a table without chairs but with refreshments, hopefully including some beer. Siegfried thankfully took my request to be quick seriously and organized this in record time without even waiting for a response from the rebels.

It's a show of trust towards me considering he would have lost a lot of persuasive power if I didn't show up with the rebel leaders, after all he's an Exemplar and can't give orders unless he's acting on the Emperor's behalf.

I pause to wait for the other three before engaging towards the negotiation table. There is a company of infantry waiting fifty meters behind the army's leaders, among them are my four minions.

Sykus leads the other three directly through the muddy valley, leaving behind the bodyguards. I follow parallel to them and at a distance, involved but not with them. They stop a couple dozen meters away from the table.

“I've heard our safety would be guaranteed, regardless of how the negotiations end, and that we could return.” Sykus calls out.

“I swear on my honor, as one of our Emperor's Exemplars, that neither the Order nor any of the forces fighting under Mirus' flag will lay a hand on you.” Siegfried proclaims.

Prudent considering I told him my plan was reactive upon Sykus' decisions, the Exemplar knows me well enough not to presume to stop me or take revenge for Sykus if I act against him during the parley. Hrmfl. Liz' half-snore, half-yawn brings a smile to my lips.

Sykus nods, apparently satisfied by the fact his voice carried enough to be heard by the rebels. He takes off the sword at his waist and so do the others. I sigh and imitate them.

I notice that he glances to my umbrella as he moves to take his place on the other side of the table but doesn't make a comment, likely because of my earlier words against Nobility and a mistaken belief I won't act crazily during a parley.

I walk up to one end of the table and reach for one of the pitchers. I belatedly notice that my hand is covered in blood and my armor is decorated by a few red splashes. I sigh and wipe what I can on my stubbed leather skirt before grabbing the pitcher to take a sip, finding a fruity wine.

The General doesn't bother glancing to me but his second throws me a reproving glare while the redheaded officer makes a thin ingratiating smile that makes me want to smack him.

“I am General Claywood, Commander of the present forces under the authority and auspices of great Queen Mulvine.” The large man speaks up.

“Sykus, leader of the Redreef rebellion.” Sykus replies with a flat voice. “Why is it you've called for parley?” He asks aggressively, clearly unwilling to be here and without any intent of facilitating the negotiations.

“To accept your surrender.” Claywood replies with a predatory smile. “Your Rebellion is to disperse and every man or woman commanding fifty or more rebels must be surrendered to our forces. Do this before dawn or be crushed as the bugs you are under Mirus' boot.”

“Preposterous, you've not the forces to defeat us.” Sykus dismisses with a mocking smile. “I've about heard enough of this.”

“Nah, you haven't.” I casually cut in. “And you, General Mudtwig, you're going to make a better offer.”

“Demands? Who're you to even speak at this table?” The lieutenant erupts, causing her chest to bounce in a fascinating manner. “I could have your tongue cut out for the disrespect you've shown!”

“I'm Jessica Freepath, and I hold the cards to this battle.” I calmly respond. “Both your sides will strive to reach an agreement during these negotiations or I will decapitate the leadership of either side until it happens.” I threaten.

“Ludicrous.” The woman exclaims as she stomps towards me.

Neither Sykus nor the other leaders intervene, clearly having learned not to mess with the madwoman. I start spinning my umbrella with a grin but Siegfried places a palm on the lieutenant's shoulder to stop her.

“Do forgive Jessica Freepath, she is no diplomat by vocation or temperament but she is the reason we are assembled here.” Siegfried quietly speaks up while his hand firmly holds her in place. He turns to me. “Jessica.” He says with heavy meaning contained in his tone.

“Very well, Exemplar.” I clasp my fingers to stop my swirling umbrella. “I'll make my offer and allow them to decide by themselves.” I tell them, mostly because I know the two idiots leading the opposing forces are unlikely to reach an agreement. “I'm proposing a cease-fire, each side goes along their own way and agrees not to fight for at least a couple of months.”

“That's it? That's what you came here to do? For this you've killed my men?” Sykus rages.

“It is the one offer both sides are most likely to agree on.” I calmly note. “And do not forget you sent them after me rather than the other way around, Sykus.”

“Ridiculous, we have no reason to agree.” Mudtwig cuts in.

“If you don't agree to make peace by the time this parley ends, I'll carve you up like a pig.” I somberly return.

“You're welcome to try, Mirus refuses.” The large general declares while showing his teeth.

“How about you?” I turn to Sykus.

“Two months? What good will it do for us?” He dismisses. “Besides, the General isn't going to agree.”

I take the last sentence as an attempt to skirt responsibility because, as he spoke, his eyes turning to the Exemplar. Sykus is clearly worried about the proof I've spoken of which makes it difficult for him to agree to a cease-fire where I can present the documents to the rebel leadership.

“The question is whether you agree or not, Sykus, answer it and I'll make them agree one way or the other.” I harshly utter.

“Sir.” Elisa calls out, ushering him to take it. After all, there is no reason to refuse even if my promise is empty.

“No, Nobles owe us all reparations and if we give them two months to gather their forces as well as reorganize their supply lines, where will we be?” He counters, offering a good enough argument the young woman nods in acknowledgment.

“Ah, peace is so complicated.” I lament. “Pray tell, Sykus, what is it you would settle for?”

“General Claywood must retreat all his forces from the region if we are to take any offer at a cease-fire seriously, and that is the bare minimum.” Sykus responds.

“Reasonable.” I note as I turn to the General.

“No.” He coldly establishes before I can ask.

“It is a reasonable compromise.” Siegfried intervenes. The Exemplar leans down to whisper in the large Noble's ear, triggering an ugly smile.

“We'll agree to retreat back to the camp you treacherously had burned down last week. As for the duration of the cease-fire, Mirus can agree to a week at the most.” Mudtwig speaks up, changing his position so as to the duration of the peace.

“That camp is barely twenty kilometers west of here, it's no retreat at all!” Sykus says while slamming his palm on the table.

“Count yourself lucky we agreed to take a step back at all!” The General snaps back. “And count your days as they seem numbered.” He adds with his predatory smile.

“I've received threats as these for years, yet here I stand!” Sykus barks back.

He throws me a quick glimpse as if to say he's somehow caught on to my plans, which would be quite a feat considering I'm very much winging it right now. I was set on resolving the Sykus issue in private with the Exemplar since he isn't being difficult enough to justify killing him on the spot in the eyes of the other leaders.

“Ah, Siegfried, you're too trustworthy you dear old man.” I gently berate the man, causing the mute Templar to glare at me with fire in his eyes.

“That could well be true.” The old Exemplar says with a thin smile.

“We may as well present the proof we've gathered and settle this now.” I say with a sigh. I incline my umbrella towards Siegfried to tell him to proceed, causing Sykus to scowl.

“I thought this was an offer to parley, not a tribunal. Since these are false pretenses, then I shall take my leave.” He intervenes as he shifts to leave.

“Go and I'll launch an assault within the hour.” Mudtwig threatens. The rebel ignores him to walk off.

“Give us this proof and we'll examine it ourselves.” Thomas speaks up, causing Sykus to freeze mid-step.

“We don't have copies so that is no option.” I calmly tell the unshaven man. “Since he's taken this as a pretext to leave this parley, you may as well stay to speak for your forces.”

“Only I have the trust of our people to lead the Redreef rebellion, none have the qualifications or the right to take my place!” Sykus erupts in anger at the officer's potential insubordination.

“These papers show that Noble houses have conspired to allow caravans transporting weapons to enter the region to sell them to low born, a crime which is punished by Kingdom law. The number of weapons and the purpose of the sale also break the Empire's laws.” Siegfried calmly exposes, taking out the relevant papers seized from the merchants. The General pales at the sight while Sykus only seems angrier. “This particular parchment with the Redreef crest has the apparent purpose of informing rebel patrols that the merchants bearing it are free to pass without inspection.”

Thomas and Elisa bend over the document, almost knocking heads, to read it with wide eyes. It is clearly their first time reading it while the middle-aged woman in her light blue dress purses her lips without a hint of surprise.

“It's safe to assume he treated with the same Houses to do this than those he dealt with to cause turmoil before being caught and condemned to become a galley-slave.” I interject.

“This is your handwriting, Sykus.” Thomas utters with a cold voice.

“Are these accusations true?” Elisa asks with a shivering voice while turning around to face the leader.

“I've made some deals with merchants, yes, how do you think we could afford the firebombs to burn their supplies? The chain-mails that won us many a battle on Grayhill and the horses we then used to flee?” Sykus rapidly questions to get ahead of the problem. “But I've not dealt with Noble houses!”

“We've all heard the story!” Thomas growls. “None cared because we thought this was behind you, that you took up the cause with honor!”

“You can't fight a war on an empty stomach with kitchen knives as weapons!” Sykus erupts.

“True, but...” I start.

“A war? What war? A war has a purpose!” Elisa snaps. “You've drawn us in to fight their persecution but all we've been doing is exchanging the coin they stole from us for weapons to wield and die!”

“Listen to yourself, she got into your head!” The rebel yells back at her.

“We've been fighting for years with no end in sight, Sykus! I didn't need her to tell me our situation wasn't improving or notice that the people got poorer and poorer, my cousin sold three heads of livestock to buy a sword and almost starved because of it last winter!” She screams. “No sword is worth three fucking heads of livestock you fucking...” Her voice garbles as her frustration and anger rise to such levels she loses her ability to articulate.

Eliza, her face red with a touch of white around her eyes, throws her fist at Sykus. The rebel catches it without trouble and propels her away from him. Thomas steps in to catch her, saving her from falling down in the mud. She tries to fight him but he placates her with a hard gaze.

“I did not do this but tempers are running too high to have a discussion on the matter. We cannot be as Nobles and condemn each other arbitrarily.” Sykus tells the leaders while struggling to keep calm.

“I've known of this, the truth isn't as dark as they are making it out to be. Do not forget they are enemies.” The woman says in support. She turns to the Exemplar. “We officially request the parley to be put on hold.”

“Of course, we can adjourn for a few hours.” Siegfried allows.

“It saddens me I will not witness the rabble tear itself apart, but we will wait.” Mudtwig agrees.

I exchange a glance with the unshaven officer who sustains it. He makes an almost imperceptible nod. I slide forth the tip of my right foot and put some weight on it. I bend my left knee just slightly and let my hand, still holding the umbrella, fall to my right.

My movements are so slow they don't catch the attention of anyone at the table apart from the officer who was already watching me and Siegfried whose eyes snapped to me as soon as I moved my right leg but his expression is a miff confused despite his alertness.

When the rapier concealed inside the umbrella reaches horizontal level, I activate my perception construct and lion's leap towards Sykus by pushing out with my left leg while stomping down with my right foot.

As I cruise through the air, I shape a sundering construct that I apply to my rapier and activate it. I use a lion's strike and slash upward at Sykus' neck. His irises, bearing a hint of golden flow, are trained on me and he is raising his arms while shifting to face me.

The umbrella's ribs hit his left shoulder, chest, and forearms, causing the wood to bend and then crack. Then the handle, which functions as a scabbard, impacts his throat. It is stopped right there but the blade within isn't.

The sharp steel cuts through the sheath and neck as they would glass. Small droplets of blood spill out and splash on my broken umbrella's oil-cloth. My umbrella! It became tiresome to carry around, sister. Rhm. She grunts.

I smile and let go of the rapier, using a second lion strike to snatch the Redreef rebel's head by the hair before it falls out of my reach. Well, it's a good end for it. I smile internally as I deactivate my perception construct and raise Sykus' still conscious head to a collective gasp from the audience.