Author's Note: I recently got into Fire Emblem, and I really must say, I regret that I've never played this series when I was younger. But ah, better late than never, yes? The only thing that made me sad was that the Tactician couldn't get shipped with any of the characters, so I decided to give her a little love by making her an active member of the party. With that being said, enjoy!

Prologue

The bar in the inn was empty that day, save for a couple of patrons and herself. A half-filled tankard before her, she looked over a small notebook, occasionally making small notes with her quill.

"I know it ain't my business," a voice said from across the bar, "but I'm wondering what's in that notebook that's got ye so focused, miss."

She looked up and smiled at the barkeep. "Oh, just reviewing some tactics. Strategies."

"Tactics? Fer war?" The barkeep peered at her. "A little thing like ye is a tactician?"

"I'm only a student, I'm afraid," she said as she took a sip from her tankard. "I still have much to learn."

"Ye should probably talk to them nobles at the castle. I don't know much about tactics, but ye know how nobles are. Always fighting over thing and that. I heard that there was some trouble in Caelin last year."

His remark made her chuckle. "Yes…I heard of it as well."

"You're leaving, aren't you?"

Sunset. It was sunset then. Her cloak wrapped around her, she nodded. But, her companion must have seen the pain in her eyes, her hesitation to say goodbye.

"No, I'm not asking you to stay." The new heir of Caelin put a hand on her shoulder, her gaze warm. "It's just that…I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," she said softly. "All of you."

"You know, when I found you unconscious on the plains, I had no idea we would be together for so long."

She nodded. "Our months traveling together are so full of memories. It was a grand adventure."

"You've helped us so much, and I'm sure you've learned all you can from us."

"Oh, Lyn, you have no idea the things I've learned. This entire journey had its scary moments, but I'm glad that we all came through it all right."

She was surprised when Lyndis pulled her in, hugging her tight. She slowly hugged her back, realizing just how much it was hurting to say goodbye.

"If this is your plan on making me stay," she choked, trying to keep her voice steady, "it's somewhat working."

"I won't hold you back. You said so yourself, you still have much to learn. You'll do just fine on your own."

She chuckled. "How can you be so sure?"

"I have the utmost faith that you'll be a master tactician." Lyn beamed. "That's from someone who's seen you at work!"

She slowly stepped back and squeezed her shoulder.

"Well then, take care…"

"I will, Lyn. Don't worry about me overmuch."

"I…I hope I see you again, my friend. I'm sure I will someday."

"Don't be daft, of course we will. I promise."

Noises outside the inn snapped her out of her reverie. The barkeep frowned and strode towards the window.

"What the hell is going on?!" he grumbled.

Stowing away her quill and notebook, she quietly exited the inn. She was no stranger to a ruckus like this. A burly man with bright green hair was shouting to the villagers, accompanied by a small band of men with their weapons drawn and pointed at the villagers.

"Groznyi is your new liege!" the man shouted. "Now, bring every last piece of gold, down to the smallest fleck!"

The bandits began their assault. Women screamed as they clutched their children, trying to run to safety, homes were being pillaged and burned afterwards. Amongst the chaos, some of the men began to fight back, but they were no soldiers. Even she knew that numbers couldn't make up for lack of experience. She cursed herself and drew her daggers. Where were the knights? Shouldn't they be protecting the village?!

"And what do we have here?"

Three shadows loomed over her. She clutched her daggers tighter and slowly shifted into a stance. Her right legged throbbed slightly, but now was not the time to rely on luck and run.

"I bet a little thing like you is hiding some gold and valuables under that cloak," one bandit sneered as he ran his thumb over the blade of his axe. "Just give it up and no one needs to get hurt."

"I'm sorry," she said coldly. "I'm afraid I don't have anything you want."

"Those blades look pretty enough. Take 'em!"

Two of them jumped at her, and she prepared to step back, her arms tensing to counterattack…

The first bandit fell before her, an arrow embedded in his back. A moment later, another shadow loomed over the two other bandits – a horse, its rider bearing a lance. The rider thrust the lance forward into the second bandit, right into his chest. Pulling it out quickly, he thrust it into the chest of the third.

"Are you all right?"

She looked up at her savior. A knight with dark green hair was seated on the horse and behind him rode a young girl with hair a brighter shade of green. She was clutching a bow and was looking around worriedly.

"Yes, thank you," she managed to say.

"You best flee right now," the green-haired knight said. "All the best knights have left with Marquess Pherae and there are no reinforcements!"

"But what of the villagers?!" she said. "They need help!"

"We're about to go and seek help from Lord Eliwood and Commander Marcus. For now, those who can get to safety should get to safety!"

Eliwood? Wait...

"Lord Eliwood?" she echoed. "Wait, wait, take me with you! I can help!"

"I understand that you want to help but I don't think –"

"No, please, trust me," she said as she sheathed her daggers. "Take me to Lord Eliwood. I can help."

The green-haired knight seemed to hesitate, but an arrow whizzed past them, missing the horse by inches.

"If she can help us, then let's take her with us!" the girl behind the knight said.

The knight nodded and held out his hand. Taking it, she swung herself up and sat behind the green-haired girl, keeping her cloak wrapped tight around her. The knight urged his horse to break into a run and they clung tight as they left the village.

"Who are you?" the archer asked.

She smiled. "Just a traveling tactician."

"A tactician? Perhaps that is just what we need if Lord Eliwood and Commander Marcus will aid us." The archer smiled back. "I'm Rebecca. And this one's Lowen."

"Pleased to meet you," she said. "My name is Senna."