Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of it's characters. I only own those whom I have created for the purpose of furthering this story.
Authors Note: I will not be following the chronology of Fire Emblem: Awakening or the plot cue to cue, chapter for chapter. As soon as the background is set, the story will diverge unto a path that tells the story of Avatar and Lon'qu. However, that's not to say that the overall plot will not be followed; while important for purposes such as travels and rising action, it won't be the main focus of the story. Let me know if you have any questions, and please enjoy~!
Just in case you were curious, Ninael's name is sindarian. c;
Ninael groaned as she burrowed further into the thick pelt of her billowing fur coat. If there was any sort of weather she utterly despised and, if given the power, would callously toss out of the weather spectrum, the cold would easily take the cake. Not only had the Shepherds been traveling for hours on end, suffering debilitating cases of the sniffles and flushed noses, but they had had to occupy a small, blockheaded militia in order to prove their identities, all while facing what she considered to be a horrible blizzard. How exactly barreling at one another with axes and swords proved integrity or lineage, she had no idea, but such was the logic of blustering barbarians. Ninael, being the strategist she was, knew that questioning it would only result in further headache and body heat lost to the biting frost of Feroxi winters.
"Master Chrom, Master Ninael, our distance from the West Khan grows short. We should arrive in Regna Ferox in due time," Raimi called back to the caravan, carefully avoiding the scalding eyes of one very bristled tactiation.
"General, I kindly request the you drop the formalities. However, I digress. If such... courtesies are so necessary, perhaps you should consider a more fitting title," Ninael shot back with a bitten, vindictive smile, earning a disdainful look from Chrom. She briefly wondered if he saw it as his responsibility to keep the two woman from biting each others heads off.
Their encounter at the Feroxi borders had not gone particularly well for the recovering amnesiac, whom had suffered a blow to the shoulder, and while Raimi had been most cordial with the Royal family, she had been less than pleasant with the women of their entourage. Her misogynistic attitude had left Ninael with a rather bitter taste in her mouth, and thus a cold war of backhanded compliments and passive aggressive rhetoric between the two had ensued.
"The two of ya would do well to grasp the phrase 'bite your tongue 'til you bleed through your teeth," a strong voice boomed from ahead, "Flavia, East Khan of Regna Ferox."
Ninael turned her attention away from Raimi to see a head of dirty blonde hair saunter out of the ranks of soldiers summoned to greet the Shepherds, sword resting against her shoulder and bear fur cape billowing in the wind. The tactician had no doubt in her mind that the broad shouldered woman was exactly whom they were here to see.
"The captain of my border guard informs me that your shepherds are quite capable," she said as she extended her hand to Chrom, whom deftly nodded his head in gratitude and grasped her wrist in a firm warrior's handshake.
"They are the finest warriors of the Ylissean guard, though not without hard fought skills and wisdom," he acknowledge, "I am Chrom, leader of the Shepherds and brother to the exalt of Ylisse. We have come to request your guidance and forces in this time of shadow."
"I had a nag that that's what you were here for. However, I'm sorry to say that I can't help ya there. Control of our military and foreign policy has yet to fall into my grasp,"
"I thought that the Khan's held jurisdiction over such matters?"
"They do. However, at the present moment, that god forsaken West Khan reigns over the Feroxi, and I'm left without a damned champion," Flavia complained, obviously disgruntled by something more personal than competition for the throne.
"I beg your pardon, Flavia, but for what reason exactly do you need a champion?" Ninael questioned, stepping forward to join Chrom and the East Khan.
"Every year or so, the Khan of Regna Ferox hold a little competition of sorts. Except it's not little by any means. We chose a champion to fight in the name of East or West, and the Khan with the winning champion rises to rule the region. However, that damned Basilio currently hogs that title," Flavia spat begrudging, but not without a hint of mischief in her eyes, "I tell ya what, Chrom, if you fight as my champion and earn me the title of reigning Khan, I'll support Ylisse however you need me to. The brawl is tonight,"
"I'll do it."
Chrom's words earned a look of surprise from both the Shepherds and Flavia. It was unlike him to make such a brash decision. However, the Shepherds were not one to question their leader, and quickly brushed it aside.
"Are you sure about this, Chrom?" Ninael muttered, unbeknownst to Flavia.
"It's the only option they have. Besides, I'm confident in the skills of both you and the Shepherds, Ninael," he reassured her with a smile.
And so our story unfolds...
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