I keep my head down as I walk through the bushes and shrubbery of the forest. I don't think it would really matter if anyone were to see me, but I hate the stares I get on cloudy days like these. Everyone gets so nervous when I leave the village for a short time.

I just hope they will be alright once I leave tomorrow evening.

After a few more meters of walking, I finally make it into the village of Huina with all the things I bought from the market at the town square of Ylisse. Not many people were outside this late at night, but the men that were laughing at the bar all froze to stare at me as I walked through the square.

"You alright, Angel? Here, have one on me."

All I wanted to do was go back into my cottage to sleep until tomorrow night, but I couldn't turn down a beer offered to me for free. So, giving in to it, I trudge over to the bar and grab the mug that the bartender already prepared for me.

"You know," the man, Tyus, said to me as I leaned on the wall, "I wish you would stay here for good instead of you always moving around from one place to another. We love having you here in Huina. All the townsfolk could probably say the same."

I smile, but someone else joins Tyus.

"He's right!" Another villager said towards me. "Ever since you came by and saved us from those bandits one night, we've never felt safer! Couldn't you stay for a little longer?"

I look down at my drink in my mug and consider how to answer. I would love, more than anything, to stay here and create relationships with people for the first time in nine years. Gods, I would do anything for a chance at that. But I know that if I do, I will make the same mistake I made in Tolketa.

I'll let the people down.

Yes, I may be able to save them now, but if I let my guard down and let something slip beyond my control, I will be the one to blame. I will be the cause of many deaths of innocent people, just like Tolketa. And it may be- no, it is- cowardice to run away in order to save myself from being blamed again, but I can't look at myself if I fail to save another person's life when I had the chance to.

"I would love to," I say with a much quieter voice than I would've preferred, "but part of the job means having to move around from one place to another just to make sure that everyone is okay. Don't worry, I'll come back sometime."

"You better," the bartender said, "it takes a while to get comfortable with someone as bodacious as you. Can't let our trust fade away too quickly."

But that's exactly what I want to happen.

I suddenly feel like I'm going to be sick. How strong is this drink? Oh, well, maybe it's just a sign that I should really get to bed. I have a long journey tomorrow if I want to get to the next village by the full moon.

"Thanks for the drink, guys," I say as I set down the mug. "But I really should be getting some rest now."

"In case I don't wake up in time tomorrow, good luck and safe travels!"

I nod at them all and walk out the doors. I probably should go to my cottage and lay on my bed, but why do that when I have to ability to sleep anywhere I want to without feeling uncomfortable?

Making my decision, I go left down the road instead of right, and break into a sprint to my favorite tree. It's tall enough to overlook the entire village, making it a perfect night to sleep on possibly the most comfortable branches in the realm.

After hoisting myself up onto the wide branch and settling into a comfortable position- with my legs out and an arm cushioning my head- I stare at the small cottages of Huina and allow myself to doze off during one last peaceful night in a place I could've called home.

What woke me up was a loud crunch of leaves from underneath my tree, which almost gave me a heart attack. It's early sunrise and morning dew had made my clothes and hair damp, but that left me unfazed. It was still so early, I wished to do nothing but go back to sleep.

Until another crunch of leaves put me on high alert.

I silently adjust myself so I'm on my knees and my hands are grasping the butt of my sword. I listen for any more noises, ready to for any combat.

After what could have been several minutes, I start to believe that it was just an animal minding it's own business. But that thought was immediately smothered when the crunch came once again.

I look over the edge of the branch and instantly am put on guard. A man in a black cloak was scouting the area of the village, like he was looking for any kind of valuable to easily take.

Bandits. Why, out of all times, did bandits choose to cause terror to the village?

Both of our heads turned quickly as we heard a villager's door open and a girl walks out with a basket of clothes resting on her hip. She was humming and looking down at the ground, completely unaware of the bandit in her line of sight.

Why is this person deciding to rob so early in the morning?!

It wasn't until she was only a few feet away when the bandit decided to make his presence known. He stood straighter, making himself possibly more than a foot taller than he was in the shrubbery. He stepped out of his hiding place and looked directly at the girl.

The villager now realized that something was off and she looked up. She wasted no time in screaming her lungs out and running back towards her home, dropping her laundry basket in the process.

My heart clenched as a different bandit cut her off, leaving her trapped between two men.

No- four men.

Wait, how many people are trying to rob this village?

My jaw drops when I catch all the subtle movements around the village. Some bushes rustle quietly, tiny flickers of cloth flashing behind a tall tree trunk- as far as I could see, there could be about twenty people surrounding the village, hiding.

It doesn't make sense. Why would twenty-something bandits try to raid such a small village in the early morning, when everyone is just starting to wake up? Wouldn't it have been better to do it at night?

I lay on my stomach on the branch and wait for any sign of movement from the man who blocked the girl's path. His hood was up, but I could still see an eyepatch on his right eye. That gives him a disadvantage. Perhaps all of them have a disadvantage that could benefit me.

But could I face off with twenty men?

I didn't bother flipping my bangs out of my eyes, scared that I will make myself noticed if I were to make any sudden movements. Oh, why is my clothing such a pale lavender in contrast to the dark green forest?

I concentrated on hearing the man as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Where is she?"

The girl took a moment to reply back. "Where's who?"

"Where's that Angel girl, dammit! She's been making our jobs so much more miserable ever since she showed up."

I could've sworn my heart stopped for a good few seconds. It's understandable that they would start coming after me eventually, but how did they already find me? And why are there so many men after just one girl?

"I-I don't know who you're talking about."

No, no, no, you crazy girl.

"You liar! Our scouts saw her walking into this village last night, so she's got to be here!" He took a moment, as if he was considering his next option. "Well, since you are no use to us, I suppose we'll just have to go through everyone's houses and take her. But after we kill you and everyone else, of course."

The girl's screams shatters through my bones as the bandit reaches out for her. I've had enough. I don't care whether I'm outnumbered or not, I am not going to be the cause of yet another innocent death. I will never be the cause of that for as long as I could help it.

My sword is in my hand and I'm just about to throw myself down on the ground when I hear a different scream- now coming from the bandit who almost grabbed the villager.

My head shoots back up and my jaw drops at the sight of a javelin pierced right through his shoulder.

The villager turned her head to whoever threw that. My head turned too.

Two men stood side by side in front of what looks to be a handful of an army. The first one was mounted on a steed, his armor blue and heavy-looking. He had brown hair and a strange look on his face that I couldn't quite put my finger on… he looked somewhat wary, in a way.

The second man stood tall and confident, making me believe he's the general of this mini-army. He had dark blue hair that matched his blue and silver clothing. One arm was sleeveless and brandished… no, it couldn't be. Is that the brand of the exalt? It's too far away to tell.

But my oh my, isn't he just the most handsome thing I've ever seen.

I sit frozen as the blue haired man raises his voice.

"Whether you are here to rob the village or to enjoy the morning sunrise," he says, "I believe that girl has nothing to do with it."

"Oh, but you are wrong," the bandit replies, "she has the information as to get exactly what we want."

"And what do you want?"

"Someone who has been the villages' hero for a while now," he snarks. "You see, she's someone been at every single village my men have been trying to raid. And she knocks down every last one of them. I believe it's time to take revenge."

"So you are after a different girl," the blue haired man retorts, "yet you still go after one that has is no concern of yours?"

"Precisely."

"I'm afraid I cannot let you hurt her. Or any other villager."

"Is that a challenge, Your Majesty?"

'Your Majesty?' So he must be a royal family member of Ylisse. What is he doing out here in this small village?

"If you do not stand down, I will have to use physical force to arrest you and bring you to the Exalt."

The bandit laughed. "At least I could say I died in honor."

And before my eyes, the girl was grabbed by the hooded scoundrel and was shoved onto the brick wall of a building. The army was too far away to make it to her in time. She shrunk into herself as the man brought his sword into the air and-

"NO!"

I didn't realize I yelled, but I did feel myself launch out of the tree. I felt my legs pumping as fast as I could. And I felt my sword come out of its sheath and above my head as I block the bandit's sword from falling onto the villager.

I push my palm against the flat side of my blade to give me better control over the block. He kept pushing down, but my arms didn't shake as I looked into the eyes of a man without honor.

"I believe the girl you are looking for is me."

I shove the man's blade off my own sword and he stumbles backwards.

"Quick, get insi-"

My directions towards the villager was cut off when I turned and almost did not block the strike that would have cut off my head.

"It's been a while, Angel. How have you been? How many have you killed since the last time?"

I roll my eyes and hold my sword out in front of me. So if this is how it's going to go, so be it.

"Get her!" the bandit calls out to the rest of his men.

"Attack!" the prince calls out to his army.

Oh, what a splendid way to start the day.

"That should be the last time you see any thugs for a while," I tell the village leader as I play with the ends of my ribbon. "I'm sorry about any damaged caused to your home."

"Don't worry about a thing," he says to me, patting my shoulder. "I just wish you didn't have to leave so soon. The exalt's army is staying for a while until the damage on our village is repaired."

More reason that I shouldn't stay- if the army overheard the bandit saying he was looking for me, I will surely get more attention than I am less than comfortable with.

"Yes, well," I look to the horse that I will be riding on to my next destination. "If the men are trying to time it correctly, I should be at the other villages as quickly as possible. This isn't goodbye." At least I hope it isn't.

"Safe travels, Angel."

The leader gave me one last pat on the back and went the other direction. Okay, Angel, time to get out of here before anyone gets the idea to question me. Playing with the ends of my ribbon, I walk to my horse as casually as possible.

But not casual enough, I guess.

"Hey, you! Stop for a second!"

I freeze mid-step and debate on whether to face whoever is speaking or to just book it out of here. I almost went for the latter, but whoever spoke is now right behind me. It's now or never, I guess. I swivel around and hide the look of terror I had on my face.

"Yes?"

My, my, what is up with these new people being so good looking? Instead of the confident look the prince had on his face, this man's was gentle and welcoming. He had a little smile on his face that didn't seem to go away, and his light brown hair flattered his dark green armor. He seems like he would be a cavalier, but I couldn't tell for sure.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who came in to save that villager when the bandits first came in. Right?"

If he wasn't certain, maybe I could just pretend that I'm not that person.

"That's correct."

Oh, why must my own mouth always go against whatever I think?

He continued pushing further. "So… you're the one that the bandits were trying to capture?"

"That's also correct. I've been trying to stop thug raids for a few years now, and I guess they've finally had enough. I should really get going to the next village. Now that the bandits know my whereabouts they're going to try to raid villages before I could get to them."

"Wait, hold on," the man said before I could even turn around. "Won't you join us for a meal? Huina is letting us spend the night here, and you have a long journey if you're on your way to the next village"

They're spending the night? Is it already almost sunset? How did the time fly by so quickly?

I guess he's somewhat right. If I'm going to be traveling through the night with no supplies, I might as well fill myself up ahead of time.

"I suppose a meal couldn't hurt…"

"Great! Come on, there's still so much food left, it's absolutely amazing!"

The way the man seemed to have a hop in his step when he mentioned the food made me think that he has a very hungry apparatus.

"My name is Stahl," he says to me when I catch up with him. "A cavalier of the Shepherds."

Ah, so I was right about him being a cavalier. "I'm Angel," I reply. "Just a mercenary"

Stahl opened the double doors to the cafeteria, where almost all the villagers were dining, along with-

"I'm sorry, but did you say you are a part of the 'Shepherds?'" I ask as I jog to catch up with the all-too-excited Stahl.

"That's correct," he replies. "We don't actually herd sheep, if that's what you're thinking."

"Believe me, I could tell."

"We protect the sheep. And by sheep, we mean the townsfolk of Ylisse."

What a strange analogy.

We're given trays full of food and he leads me to an empty table where we could easily here each other talk.

"That actually leads on to what I wanted to talk to you about."

My heart starts beating faster and I grip onto my tray with my fingerless gloves. All this attention from one of the 'Shepherds' is already frightening enough, I didn't realize it could possibly get any worse.

"You seem like someone who obviously lives to save people," he says, "so I was wondering if you would care to become a Shepherd?"

Oh, look. I guess it did get worse.

Me? A Shepherd? Granted, I hardly know what that is, but all I know is that they seem to be very good fighters and they're being led by a devilishly handsome prince. No matter what reason Stahl is offering me this, no matter what any of them saw as we fought today, I couldn't possibly live up to what these people are doing.

"Thank you for the offer, Stahl, but I must decline. I'm afraid I'm just not going to be able-"

But he wasn't listening to me anymore. Stahl's face was- literally- stuffed in his poulet.

After a few minutes of playing with my food at an empty table (I moved seats when Stahl wasn't looking), I've just about concluded that I should leave while no one is paying attention to me. I already got more than enough attention than I like.

However, it deems on me that I am not the luckiest person in this realm.

Because a very attractive man with dark blue hair sat right in front of me right when I wanted to get up.

"So you're the infamous Angel that the thugs were after."

I nod and look down at my food, suddenly very aware of myself. Am I allowed to make eye contact with royalty? Do I speak only when he permits me to? Should I get on my knees and bow down to him?

"You seem to know what you're doing when it comes to combat. I'm Prince Chrom of Ylisse."

Ah, his name is Chrom. It sounds like a name for a large book that you can search anything on and get information from. Perhaps someday someone will make such a thing. My, wouldn't that be a useful tool.

Chrom doesn't say anything else until I realize that he's expecting me to reply.

"Nice to meet you, Your Majesty," I say, suddenly having the urge to crawl into a trash can.

"Very nice to meet you too, milady."

Did he just say 'milady'? As in the really formal name you call people of high caliber? I don't like where this is going.

"Please, no need for formality. I'm just any other mercenary with no high purpose." Oh by the gods, I'm starting to sound like a character in a book. I hope he didn't notice.

"Alright, Angel," the prince says to me. "Anyway, I don't think you are just some mercenary. At least… you look like you could be a higher class than that. You seem like someone who could be a myrmidon."

What in Naga's name is a myrmidon?

"I believe Stahl has asked you if you would like to join the Shepherds. Yet you decline?"

"How did you know?"

"Because I am the one who wanted you in in the first place."

Oh.

"So, no matter the reason of why you declined," he continued on, "I would really implore you to reconsider. I know that you are one who lives to save people, and that is what the Shepherds do. We protect the people and keep our kingdom at peace. You would be a great part of our team-"

"I'll do it."

Oh my Naga, WHAT HAVE I DONE?!

I keep my face neutral as Prince Chrom's blue eyes widen at my sudden acceptance, but on the inside, I'm bashing my head into an imaginary wall. Why would I say that?! I've made it clear to myself that I have to work alone. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!

Chrom's surprise easily transformed into rejoice, although I could say I feel the opposite.

There's no turning back now.

"Well then, Angel," he says to me. "Welcome to the team."

I watch his bare arm stick out for a handshake over the table, and I do the same. I couldn't help but stare at how his muscles moved and his eyes shined like a clear ocean. My goodness, is he handsome.

I guess I figured out why I accepted his offer.