Abraham felt as if he was being selfish.
The Mad King of Plegia had kidnapped one of the Shepherds, a noble of Ylisse no less, and was making absurd claims that she had invaded Plegia. Gangrel was agitating for a war of vengeance for Ylisse's past aggression. A war that, thanks to the years of hatred and religious differences, would destroy tens of thousands of lives.
'As if war with Plegia wasn't a terrifying enough possibility, the dead walk the mortal world,' Abraham thought darkly. The amnesiac tactician suddenly found his mind wandering over a myriad of possibilities. Was someone or something controlling the Risen? Did connections exist between the Risen threat and the tensions on the border? There were so many questions and unknowns about the current dark situation.
Despite all those questions and dark portents, his mind wasn't focused on the wider world. Instead, Abraham was thinking about why he had a Plegian accent.
"I can't believe Emm is going to willingly walk into that dastard Gangrel's trap! His plans are obvious even to me! If it's obvious to me, you've probably figured out his plans for the next twenty years!" Abraham's companion in the palace halls raged.
The outburst had drawn Abraham out of his thoughts. The tactician returned his focus to Prince Chrom, his patron and friend. Chrom was a powerful individual: politically, physically, and in his convictions. The Prince of Ylisse radiated his strengths and a natural charisma that only increased his almost idealized good-looks. Abraham was endlessly amused by Chrom's complete obliviousness to the dozens of fawning courtesans. The women of Emmeryn's court practically threw themselves at the prince, but he barely acknowledged their attentions.
"Abraham! I need your counsel. I don't see any options," Chrom pleaded.
"There are always options," Abraham said with a reassuring smile. "Gangrel's goal is simply to create his casus belli."
"…His what?" Chrom crossed his arms in confusion.
"Justification for war," Abraham explained. "It's an obscure term from the ancient language of Altea. He also knows the Exalt will wish to find a peaceful solution to the situation."
Chrom practically growled. "That madman is trying to use my sister's ideals against her."
Abraham nodded. "It's worse than that."
"How can it possibly be worse?" The Prince of Ylisse asked hotly.
"Gangrel will use you against Ylisse as well," Abraham replied as his mind began to mull over the many possibilities. 'There are no good options. If Emmeryn's parley happens, Gangrel will have his war. What's worse…Chrom will be the spark that lights the kindling,' Abraham thought.
"I'd sooner fall on my sword than betray the people of Ylisse!" Chrom shouted and gestured violently with his sword hand.
Abraham held up his hands in a placating gesture. "The entire world knows of your loyalty to Ylisse and your sisters. At this parley, would you expect Gangrel not to threaten your sisters?"
"No," Chrom said softly after taking a moment to think. "Gangrel would have his men move against my sisters and I would kill the soldiers to protect Lissa and Emm."
"And Gangrel would have his war," Abraham finished. Chrom ran a hand through his hair and began to pace. The prince was furious that any human being could be so low as to exploit another's honor and loyalty in such a manner. Abraham was thinking of a strategy to safeguard the royal family. The tactician didn't have the heart to mention the second part of Gangrel's plan. The Mad King likely planned to use Chrom's 'aggression' as an excuse to launch an overwhelming attack immediately and wipe out the entire Ylissean royal family.
"There has to be a way to rescue Maribelle and keep Gangrel from getting his war," Chrom was practically begging Abraham to come up with a strategy.
Abraham rubbed at his face as he rapidly thought of a plan. "Do you know where Plegia is holding Maribelle?"
"The village of Qusair," Chrom answered.
"Near the region of Laus," Abraham mumbled to himself. "Good, good. I can use that."
Ylisse's prince cleared his throat. "How can you use that den of separatists and thieves?"
"They will be meeting with Plegia to discuss a potential alliance between Plegia and Laus," Abraham said with a smirk.
"What," Chrom responded flatly.
Abraham chuckled. "I will need a few of the Shepherds…" The tactician paused. "Kellam, Ricken, Lon'qu, and Sumia will do…and coin."
"No," Chrom barked. "I will not allow Ricken to go on a dangerous mission. I refuse to send Sumia into Plegia without support!"
It took all of Abraham's willpower not to smirk. Chrom had grown very fond of Sumia over the past months. 'Sumia's affections for Chrom were obvious from the beginning. I wonder if it was the rescue or the pies that won Chrom over.' "If it is any consolation, Sumia will not being going to Plegia. I'll need her to contact our border outposts to inform them of the pass phrase."
"But," Chrom started.
"Ricken will be part of the ruse, my apprentice of sorts. If all goes according to plan, none of us will have to fight. Our patsies will do that." Abraham was so engrossed in his plans that he didn't realize Chrom was still trying to get his attention.
"Abraham!" Chrom shouted. The tactician looked up at the noise. "As I was trying to say, if you're going to reveal the plan, then the Palace War Room would be a better location."
Abraham chuckled with forced humor. "I guess I was getting carried away."
"I'll send word for the Shepherds to assemble," Chrom said with a nod.
"Actually, I'd like to keep this meeting to only those who will be participating in the mission," Abraham almost whispered.
"Why? I can't believe you wouldn't trust the Shepherds after the battles we have fought together," the prince retorted with disappointment clear in his voice.
"It isn't a matter of trust. We simply must act immediately and the Shepherds will all want to deploy. I know that you want to take part in this mission too," Abraham said with a genuine smile.
"I'm still hoping you'll change your mind and let me go with you," Chrom laughed.
Abraham shook his head as the pair headed into the palace. Chrom spoke briefly to an attendant to have the servant pass along the orders to Lon'qu, Kellam, and Ricken. Abraham's laughter halted Chrom's attempted departure.
"And what, pray tell, is so amusing?" Chrom asked without turning around.
'The fierce warrior-prince of Ylisse…blushing. I can't pass this up,' the tactician thought before continuing to laugh. "Oh, just that your dedication to Ylisse knows no bounds."
"J-Just what are you getting at?"
"The people will celebrate for days when the wedding is announced." Abraham finally managed to control his laughter enough to speak again.
"I haven't even asked her yet!" Chrom protested.
"Ha! I knew it was going to happen eventually!" the tactician shouted in triumph.
"You're doing this on purpose, Abraham!" Chrom shouted as he stormed off to find Sumia.
"Chrom, my friend, everything I do is on purpose!" Abraham called out to Chrom's retreating form.
Abraham looked up from his conversation with Ricken about the potential union of magic and engineering when Chrom and Sumia entered the War Room. Chrom shot his friend a 'don't you dare' look before any words were exchanged. Abraham simply bowed his head, mostly out of respect but also to hide his smirk.
The tactician was about to speak, but Sumia's gasp of surprise interrupted him. The naturally clumsy young woman couldn't be fully blamed for her latest tripping episode. The Palace War Room hadn't been used since the death of Emmeryn's warmongering father. Thus, even a careful and poised Shepherd like Miriel, Virion, or Sully would have been at risk for tripping. Chrom managed to catch Sumia before she truly fell.
"Are you alright?" The gentle concern in Chrom's question was obvious to everyone.
Sumia nodded slowly and was unsure if she trusted her voice to speak. Everyone in the room noticed two things. First, Sumia's blush was visible even in the ill-lit room. Emmeryn had truly rejected her father's legacy of war and it had been a mad scramble to find any torches to light the unused room. Ricken and Abraham had attempted to repair the magical lighting alcoves, but there had not been time. The second thing everyone noticed was that Chrom was in no hurry to separate from Sumia. The prince and the Pegasus Knight were whispering quietly with each other. Abraham heard Chrom apologizing about 'boots', 'torn rugs', and 'bad lighting'.
"Just send her family the dowry and cease delaying," Lon'qu grumbled from behind Abraham. There was an unmistakable mix of annoyance and admiration in the swordsman's voice. Lon'qu's gynophobia was well-known even though he had only been serving with the Shepherds for a short time. The Feroxi warrior already held Chrom in esteem for his skills with the blade. Abraham could see the envy Lon'qu had for Chrom's ease in dealing with women.
'Perhaps I can ease Lon'qu into being comfortable with women by having him fight alongside Miriel or Lissa in upcoming battles,' Abraham thought quickly.
The tactician allowed Sumia to get a word in with Chrom before rapping his knuckles on the desk. "Now that Chrom has finished giving us a lesson in chivalry, we only have to wait on Kellam before we can begin."
Someone cleared their throat and caused Ricken and Sumia to jump at the noise. "Actually, I was the first one here. I heard you and Chrom talking in the South Wing and rushed straight here."
"Well, uh, thank you for being so prompt," Chrom answered diplomatically.
"You…finally noticed a positive trait I have…"Kellam said in a low voice. For a moment, Abraham was worried Kellam might explode into a rant. Instead, he bowed. "Thank you, milord."
Chrom smiled weakly and nodded. "You are a stalwart companion, Kellam."
Kellam stood straighter and everyone noticed, several for the first time at all, the pride in the knight's stance. Abraham smiled, but not for the reasons of the others. He was glad someone like Chrom existed. Chrom saw the people that made up an army. Abraham desperately tried to detach himself from the people. He came up with the strategies that could send the people to their deaths. It was easier to view them as resources rather than people. Chrom was a warrior and leader. He had to see them as people, because he had to lead them into the teeth of the enemy. Abraham would tell the soldiers where to fight. Chrom would convince them why they fought.
'And the whys are so much more important,' Abraham admitted to himself. Abraham's strategies won battles. Chrom's leadership won victories.
"It is one of the reasons you were chosen for this mission," Abraham spoke up. The assembled Shepherds turned their attention to the strategist. "You are all aware of the Mad King of Plegia's ploy to plunge the world into a senseless war."
Abraham took a moment to look each Shepherd in the eyes. "We are not going to allow that. Chrom and I have selected each of you because you all possess skills, knowledge, and traits that are vital for rescuing Maribelle and preventing a war."
Kellam and Ricken exchanged a glance before looking back to Abraham. Sumia inched a bit closer to Chrom, but kept her attention on Abraham. Lon'qu had not diverted his attention from Abraham. The Feroxi was one of the most disciplined Shepherds outside of Sully, Frederick, and Stahl.
"Everyone has specific roles and, as I mentioned, you guys are the only ones who possess the necessary qualities to accomplish this mission. Anonymity and discretion will crucial to the success of our rescue. If we fail, the Exalt will have parley with Gangrel. I can see it in your eyes, 'Isn't that a good thing?' No, no it is not," Abraham spoke and couldn't control his harshness as well as he wanted to.
Chrom decided to join the briefing. Emmeryn's ideals were very popular among the people of Ylisse and any perceived challenge the Exalt's philosophies would be very unpopular. "The dastard king of Plegia will use the parley as an opportunity to provoke me into killing Plegian soldiers to protect Emm. Abraham and I don't see any way to prevent a war if Emmeryn parlays with Gangrel. That madman will manipulate our Exalt's ideals and my desire to safeguard all I care about."
"E-Excuse me, but I'm not sure a Pegasus is very anonymous," Sumia spoke up.
"You have an important role, Sumia. That being said, you won't be part of the rescue team," Abraham revealed.
Sumia looked at Chrom in shock and for reassurance. Chrom did his part to reassure Sumia with a warm smile.
"You have a role. You're not being left behind," Chrom reassured the young knight.
"It's an important role despite the fact that, hopefully, there will be no combat. We need you to contact several of the border outposts. Chrom needs information to advise his sister and Ricken, Lon'qu, Kellam, and myself need you to deliver a pass phrase so the Pegasus Knights guarding the border do not skewer us on their lances upon our return to Ylisse," Abraham added.
"Yes, I like my chest lance-free," Ricken agreed.
"I'd actually be kind of glad if they noticed me enough to attack," Kellam admitted. Everyone blinked at the statement, and Chrom and Abraham wisely continued the briefing without acknowledging the point.
"I, I feel better about my role now. I wish I could directly help Maribelle, though," Sumia said.
Chrom nodded. "At least you'll be doing something. Abraham has limited my role in this mission to the briefing tonight."
"My reasoning is simple. Plegia has spies in Ylissetol. If Chrom leaves, the Shepherds are never far behind. The only military organizations the Exalt allows to exist in Ylisse are the Pegasus Knights and the Shepherds. The Pegasus Knights have taken on a more defensive and administrative role under Emmeryn's rule of the Halidom. Gangrel knows that only the Shepherds can quickly execute any offensive military action without having the Halidom's bureaucracy collapse," Abraham explained.
"So, Ylisse not only lacks the ideological will, but the practical ability to launch a preemptive strike against Plegia," Lon'qu spoke up. Abraham and Chrom nodded to confirm the Feroxi swordsman's theory. "No wonder you needed the might of the Khans."
"All of you can see where we stand," Chrom began. "Ylisse is ill-prepared for war and the Exalt's ideals are the ideals of Ylisse. They are not to be abandoned."
"Well, Abraham, what is the plan?" Ricken asked eagerly. The young mage couldn't believe the opportunity he had been presented.
"First, Sumia will head to each of these," Abraham began as he unfurled a map of the continent, "border outposts."
Sumia stood straighter. "You mentioned a pass phrase and that Chrom needs information. I assume the information you need me to get is Plegian troop movements?"
"Correct," Abraham responded. "The Exalt and Chrom will also need information on the bandit situation and the condition of our defenses."
"Emm will need every shred of information you can collect," Chrom added supportively.
Sumia smiled softly at Chrom, and for a moment, completely forgot there were other people in the room.
"So…what's that pass phrase Sumia will be delivering so we don't get skewered?" Ricken asked enthusiastically.
Abraham nodded. "I want everyone to memorize this. We are as loyal to Ylisse as Shiida was to Marth. You must memorize it. No one can write it down. If we fail and Plegia captures us, they cannot know the pass phrase."
"That is a wise choice. How long before the pass phrase is invalid? If we are captured, none of us will be able to resist torture forever," Lon'qu spoke up.
Ricken and Kellam gulped. Kellam also pounded his lance on the ground to draw further attention to him, but everyone ignored the action.
"Six weeks. If we do not return in six weeks, all border guards are to eliminate anyone who uses that pass phrase," Abraham revealed.
"Six weeks! Is that enough time?" Kellam asked in shock.
"It will have to be," Abraham responded coldly. "If we don't meet our deadline, we will have to sneak into Ylissetol without alerting any of our border units. That being said, I am confident in all of you. We will succeed."
"You mentioned that you'll need coin," Chrom interjected to give the meeting focus.
"Oh yes," Abraham cleared his throat. "I suppose I should tell you the specifics."
The assembled Shepherds nodded. Abraham took a single breath. "We are going to hire a group of bandits out of the Laus region. Our cover will be agents of the various separatist houses of Laus. The prospect of allying with Ylissian separatists should cause a delay in Plegia as they work out just how to approach our offer. At the first opportunity, we will start a battle between the bandits we hired and Plegia. In the melee, we will secure Maribelle and escape across the border. The bandits and Plegians will do considerable damage to each other. We will also be able to disavow any connection between the Exalt and the battle."
"Isn't that a bit underhanded?" Chrom asked.
"I prefer the term 'covert'," Abraham countered.
Ricken raised his hand for permission to speak. Chrom smiled and nodded at the young mage. "That can't be all the details."
"Well, I do have a few contingencies…" Abraham admitted and explained a few of the simplest plans. He fielded questions from everyone present. Chrom repeatedly asked about the risk to Lon'qu, Kellam, Ricken, Abraham, and Sumia. Ricken nearly begged for a large role and a chance to prove himself. Kellam wanted assurances that he wouldn't be forgotten. Lon'qu maintained his stoicism and the Feroxi asked no further questions.
"Time conspires against us," Chrom said once the meeting died down. "I will accompany Sumia to her mount. I'll inform Emm that we have a plan, but will make sure she has no direct knowledge of our plot."
The prince escorted Sumia from the room and the 'not-officially-a-couple' couple managed to gracefully ignore Ricken and Kellam's snickers.
"I-I should go collect my gear!" Ricken shouted excitedly. He quickly bowed to Abraham. "Thank you for this opportunity."
"We couldn't carry out this mission without you," Abraham said politely. Ricken beamed before dashing out of the room. Kellam and Lon'qu turned to the door to take their own leave. "If you two could stay a moment…"
The knight and the Feroxi swordsman stopped. Abraham walked around the table. "There is a part of the plan I did not mention to Prince Chrom, Ricken, and Sumia."
"I figured as much," Lon'qu said in his usual firm tone.
Kellam was paying close, and excited, attention at being noticed for an assignment. He nodded once at the tactician to continue his secret briefing. Abraham took a deep breath. "During the mission, we will take a few of the bandits with us across the border. The Pegasus Knight Aeries are well within the borders of Ylisse. As you know, Pegasus Knights Tactics are based on hit-and-run tactics and ambushes. Their defensive strategies are to allow invading forces to overextend themselves."
"I-I think I know what your plan is," Kellam said uneasily. "We're going to kill the bandits on our side of the border."
"Exactly," Abraham said with a hint of praise in his voice.
Lon'qu rested a hand on the hilt of his Killing Edge. "Devious. The dead bandits will give us further deniability if Plegia presses the Exalt. We can point to the location of our 'rescue' of the…woman as proof. Gangrel would be hard pressed to provide a remotely legitimate reason for war. After all, the bandits were very close to an Aerie."
"But murdering our allies, even if they were bandit mercenaries, doesn't seem like something a Shepherd would do…" Kellam countered.
Abraham was silent for a moment. "Most of the time, a Shepherd can protect his flock by simply driving the wolves away."
Kellam nodded in agreement and Lon'qu continued to stand impassively. Abraham looked each man in the eyes. "Other times, the Shepherd has to hunt down and kill the wolves."
Author's note:Here's another fic you can blame on Dreaded Rasengan. For a long time, Fire Emblem: Awakening was my Game of the Year. The Last of Us has narrowly beaten it out, but I still love the game enough to log over 100 hours in it. I hope this peaks your interest and the second chapter holds it!