I don't own Fire Emblem.

This is where Will Bianchi becomes known as the Lord Tactician or the Famed Genius. In this story he carries two journals, one will become his War Journal which is in Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones. The one in this story is his personal journal, (spoiler: which is lost at some point), reflecting his opinion on people, events, etc, during his travels during Lundgren's uprising and the War with Nergal. In this story he is not the confident tactician in knowing he can do the impossible than in FE 8: Sacred Stones but a tactician who's confident in his abilities in tactics.

A/N: I apologize for the lack of updates but I was working on revising Fire Emblem 8: Sacred Stones, my other stories and busy with life. For now Fire Emblem 8 is on hiatus because it's hard to switch back and forth in writing both stories. So I'll try to be focused on this story and have decided to redo the plot for the entire series because some things were not going the way I had originally planned. So this is a repost.

I dislike corrupt leaders, especially King Desmond. It is King Desmond who's responsible for my father's death and my mother and sisters' banishment. Now he has committed another atrocity, he's banished all foreign tacticians' from Bern….including me even though I'm
Bernese by birth.

-Will's Journal (Elibe vol. 1)

A tactician has a duty to lead his forces reasonably. By doing so you gain an excellent reputation and will have many job offers, but you must choose reasonably which offers you take.

Lecture at Etruria's School of Tactics

Prologue: A Girl from the Plains

Will Bianchi sat on his bed staring at the map of Elibe which hung on the wall of his room, showing the five different nations and the three regions of Elibe. The largest of the five nations was Bern whose armies he had led for two years since he'd turned fifteen, fighting against bandits and revolts. While there he learned what had happened to his parents, and why he was raised in Etruria, by a letter which his adopted parents sent to him when he turned fifteen.

His father, Lord Jarred Bianchi had ruled the Taliver Province, until Desmond, fearing that Jarred would never support any of his actions, bribed his father's retainers to revolt, for House Bianchi stood on morals since its creation. The reason Will had been hidden in Etruria before the revolt worsened, was because his mother believed her son had a destiny to fulfill.

Later on during the revolt his father's guards joined the barons forcing Jarred to surrender, afterwards he was executed on false charges, and Will's mother and two sisters banished from Bern. The letter's contents caused Will to dislike corrupt rulers, mostly directed at King Desmond whom he held responsible for breaking his family apart. While living in Etruria, the next largest country, he was raised by a family who loved him like he was their own child. They taught him much like how to be a good man and not to judge others because they were different. When his abilities as a tactician began to show the husband, a retired tactician helped Will to understand that as a tactician you need to care about your troops.

They were happy when he was accepted into Etruria's school of Tactics at age thirteen, the youngest ever admitted. Only because he use common sense and surprised the examiners by creating tactics they never considered. His teachers were amazed at his ability in creating new tactics. He learned many skills in leading armies on and off the battlefield, and about the cultures of Lycia, and Sacae. The course working included the Nabata Desert, the Western Isles, a colony of Etruria, and the Isle of Valor. During his breaks from school and outside of the classroom he created tactics, graduating at age fourteen, and traveled to Bern, with a few other tacticians, who accepted their services as tacticians.

Now Desmond had banished all foreign tacticians' from Bern including him despite him being Bernese by birth. He sighed running a hand through his silvery-blond hair, it wasn't fair, but he didn't consider Bern home. Rising he began to pack, his spare set of clothing, two journals, one a personal journal the other he was still deciding on what to write, some food and water. He was dressed in a blue-green shirt, blue pants, with brown boots and a matching belt, and a green cloak. He glanced one last time around the room, slinging the pack over his shoulder, making sure he had gathered his personal belongings.

Without looking back he exited the room walking silently towards the entrance to the fortress, ignoring the looks of disgust sent his way by the Bernese soldiers and officers, only a few showing him respect. Exiting the fortress Will turned northward towards the plains of Sacae, which he planned to travel through before returning to Etruria. Several hours later he was on the border of what was his father's providence, night was approaching and he knew anyone outside at night would be robbed so entering the nearest village he sought out the inn. The inn was reasonably in providing a meal and a room for the night at a low price, since his funds were low at the moment. After finishing his meal he readied for bed and fell into the bed, hoping for a good night's rest.

As he tried to sleep that night his dreams caused him to toss and turn but everything was unclear just two pair of gold colored eyes staring at him from a wall of darkness. He bolted up awake covered in a cold sweat his heart beating rapidly, slowly he breathed in deeply calming down. It was the fourth time within the week the same dream had occurred, sinking back down he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

(Scene Change)

Will arose the next day, a bit tired, changing into his spare set of clothing and after a quick breakfast exited the inn walking briskly towards the plains. Bern's outlook to the nomads' of Sacae was poor which was why the Bern-Sacae border wasn't heavily guarded unlike the border Bern shared with Lycia, if fact the only guard for the border was a monthly patrol. After a few hours of walking he reached the plains, passing the monthly patrol earlier on their way home.

"Well, guess this it," he whispered.

Slowly he walked forward entering the plains, welcoming the calm feeling and silence of the plains. He felt that Sacae and Etruria felt more like home than Bern, maybe it was because of the rule Desmond had passed making it impossible for Will to rebuild House Bianchi. He was heir by name and by birth, but couldn't do anything unless there was one other surviving male to pass the title, plus he didn't like that Bern's other houses were corrupt.

He stopped once night fell and made camp north of Bulgar which he had passed earlier in the day, eating a cold dinner of dried meat and bread. He had enough supplies to reach Etruria but he wanted to spend time crossing the plains.

The next day came and after a quick breakfast Will continued walking northwards before he would turn west toward Etruria. Soon he hearing shouts from a nearby river, running quickly he stopped, a family of nomads were shouting at a young child caught in the current and drowning. Quickly Will dropped his pack and after unclasping his cloak, diving into the river swimming quickly towards the child. After what seemed like forever he reached the child and quickly pulled the child to safety. Once the child was safe the family thanked him and invited him for lunch, which Will politely accepted, his action and politeness would earn him the respect from the Sacaen nomads, and cause several surprise for him in the future.

Once lunch was over the family thanked him again, and blessing him with a safe journey. He continued walking for three more hours when suddenly three bandits appeared surrounding him.

"Well Well Well," said the obvious leader, "What do we have here boys?"

"An unsuspecting traveler Boss," replied a bandit grinning.

"Exactly," replied the leader, turning to Will, "Now hand over any gold that you have, white haired one."

Will sighed, "First of all, it's not white it's silvery-blond, second I don't have that much gold."

The leader shrugged unsheathing his sword, "Doesn't matter."

Will slowly backed away, "Please let me go."

The leader didn't speak but yelled and charged towards Will who dodged the attack. Spinning behind the bandit Will turned to run when the bandit turned around slamming the axe's shaft onto Will's head, stunning him before the bandit knocked him unconscious. Seeing Will unconscious the bandit leader tore a hole into the pack, picking up a bag filled with gold which toppled out, after stealing the gold the leader kicked Will leaving his ribs bruised.

Once the bandits left a girl appeared, hunting for food, she spotted Will and ran towards him quickly. Will was drifting in and out of conscious, as she knelt down beside him checking him over and wincing upon seeing the bruises and feeling the cracked ribs.

"Are you awake?"

When he did respond the girl slung her bow and lifted him up as he fell into a deep sleep.

(Scene Change)

Slowly his eyes opened, and he groaned as pain shot through him from his still sore ribs. He struggled to sit up but his muscles gave out and he fell back onto the bed. He glanced around the tent-like home figuring that a nomad had found him.

"Good you're awake," a soft voice said over the sound of water being poured.

Will turned his head towards the voice, before him beside a table poured a jug of water into a bowel, was a young girl, 18 years of age. She wore a bluish-green tunic skirt, with long slits in the sides on the skirt allowing her more mobility, and brown boots. His sea-green eyes noticed that her green eyes were full of concern.

"My name is Lyn of the Lorca," said the girl, walking over and helped him to sit up, still dressed in his traveling clothes, his cloak on a chair beside him, but with bandages wrapped around his ribs, her long green hair was tied into a single braid which stopped at the middle of her back, she handed him the bowel, "Who are you?"

"Will, Will Bianchi," said Will after taking a drink, grateful for the water.

"Will Bianchi? What an odd sounding name," said Lyn musing, "sorry, pay my comment no mind. Your name is interesting, and does suit you. I can see by your attire that you are a traveler."

Will nodded, "Where am I exactly," he glanced around the tent once more, "What happened after I was attacked?"

"You are where I happen to be living at the moment a few days from Bulgar," Lyn replied answering his first question, "As for your second question, I happened to be hunting and came across you, you were somewhat semiconscious, After I made sure you were alive I carried you back here and have been caring for you since."

Will nodded, "How many days have passed?"

"Two," replied Lyn.

"I see," said Will nodding, "Thank you for helping me. I don't know what would of happened if you hadn't found me."

Lyn nodded smiling softly, "Your welcome, does this belong to you," she asked holding up a torn pack, "I didn't mean to pry, but it seems the bandits who attacked you stole your gold."

"Yes, the pack does belong to me," replied Will, "May I see it please."

Lyn nodded handing over the torn pack to Will, who extracted the contents sighing with relief that nothing else had been damaged or stolen. Lyn thought he had emptied everything but was surprised when he reached in and undid a hidden clasp and extracted a small bag which clinked together.

"I thought the bandits had robbed you of all your gold, how is it possibly you have more," asked Lyn.

Will grinned as he closed the hidden pocket, "I've learned to never keep all your gold in one place. What the bandits stole was just a part of the 6,000 gold I was carrying on me."

"You are an odd one," Lyn mused, watching Will tuck the bag into a pocket on his cloak, "Would you share your story with me?"

Will sighed slowly running a hand through his silvery-blond hair; he didn't know how to respond to Lyn's question, they were strangers after all. An awkward silence filled the tent with Lyn and Will staring at each other. The silence was broken by a sound which caused both of them to glance towards the tent's entrance.

"Hm, what was that noise," said Lyn, "I'll go see what's happening. Will, you'll be safe here."

Will watched as Lyn ran out of the tent before he could raise any objections or concerns that she was unarmed. Throwing the blankets back swinging his legs over the side, gritting his teeth Will gently rose ignoring the pain managing to stand up. Lyn ran back into the tent worried, as he finished clasping the cloak around his neck.

"Oh no, bandits," she exclaimed, "They must've come down from the Bern Mountains! Their plan is probably raiding the local villages. I have to stop them!"

She walked over to a wooden chest extracting a sword, "If that's all of them I think I can handle them."

Will shook his head, admiring her courage, "You're not going alone."

"What? I just managed to get you well," said Lyn, seeing he wasn't going to back down she sighed, "can you fight?'

Will shook his head apologetically, "I'm not much of a fighter; my main area of work is tactics."

"Ah, you're a strategist," said Lyn in surprise, "an odd profession but it does seem to suit you."

"Yes." Will agreeing with Lyn, "but I may require your protection."

"Ok then, we'll go together. I'll protect you so stay close to me."

"Thank you."

Exiting the tent both Lyn and Will ran to the small grove of trees which hid Lyn's tent from view. Standing on the plains were three huge and muscular bandits, each carrying an axe, their appearance was worn and dirty looking clothing. The apparent leader, a blonde man was heading northwards while his two companions held back.

"Will," whispered Lyn, "I could use your advice about right now."

"Right," Will whispered back, "I believe we need to move closer, we'll possibly spotted by the bandits once we're on the plains, but we can win because they have axes," he continued remembering the weapons triangle, " Axes are weak against swords, which have the advantage."

Lyn nodded and both the swordfighter and tactician exited the woods running briskly towards the two bandits. They stopped a short distance away from the two bandits, one turned and pointed towards them, "Oh no that bandit spotted us, their heading this way," cried Lyn as both bandits stalked towards them.

"No worries Lyn," said Will watching the bandits draw closer, "Bandits relay more on strength than skill, so they will probably miss."

Lyn nodded her gaze returning to watch the approaching bandits, her posture showed she was relaxed but ready to strike. Will grinned to himself, anyone who thought Lyn was going to be easy to defeat was going to be proved wrong once she attacked. While both were of comparable size the lead bandit had greying hair a contrast from his purple haired companion.

"Time for you to come with me girl," said one of the brigands as they drew closer.

Will sighed, "Strike now Lyn."

Lyn struck quickly surprising the lead bandit who failed in blocking her attack and yelled as Lyn's sword cut into him. His companion roared and raised his axe and swung towards Lyn who brought her sword up and blocked the attack as the first bandit re-joined the attack. Lyn soon was fighting desperately against her opponents, and although he wasn't much good with a weapon Will knew that Lyn need help otherwise both of them would be dead before nightfall. Charging into the fight Will slammed into the second bandit as Lyn blocked an attack and then pierced his heart, the bandit toppled over dead. She spun around cutting down the other bandit just as quick.

"Thanks for distracting him so I could block his companions attack," said Lyn.

"Didn't seem fair that you had to fight two off at the same time," Will replied, continuing when she glared at him, "I believe you'll be able to defend against two sometime but not right now."

"It's ok Will," said Lyn placing a hand on his shoulder, "You were looking out for me. Now let's go fight that last bandit over by that Ger!"

As they walked towards the last bandit Lyn explained what a Ger was, and Will took time to glance over the last brigand. The leader had his hair tied back with a headband and a scar next to his left eye, who glanced between Will and Lyn and laughed when they stopped.

"Who do you think you are," asked the bandit, "Do you two think you can stand up to Batta the Beast?"

"Did you come up with that your name yourself," asked Will, "I thought bandits didn't think."

"Will, what are you doing," asked Lyn.

Will turned to her replying, "Just having a conversation before we defeat him. I have a low opinion on bandits."

"Oh."

Batta glared at Will, "You'll pay for that white haired one! No one insults Batta and gets away with it!"

Will sighed, "Why can anyone understand that my hair isn't white, it's silvery-blond. Lyn lets finish this battle."

Lyn nodded and charge forcing Batta to block her attack. Will watched as both Lyn and Batta ducked and weaved about blocking each other's attacks, but Lyn managing to inflict small wounds which enraged Batta into striking quickly wounding Lyn on her shoulder, the cut was deep and looked like Lyn would bleed to death.

"Whew, he's tough," whispered Lyn, "There isn't enough time to apply a vulnerary," she turned to Will, "Will, I want you to flee if I fall, please make use of any supplies you can find in my home, you must escape."

Will was about to protest when Lyn turned back towards Batta who struck missing Lyn. She grinned and began moving fast till she was a blur, suddenly a heavy slash struck Batta wounding him critical and causing him to drop his ax.

"What," he asked staring at Lyn, "How…how did…," he fell over dead.

"Whew that was too close," said Lyn, handing Will her pack, "Could you hand me a vulnerary please, my hands are a bit shaky right now."

"Sure Lyn," replied Will, reaching into the pack and extracting a bottle, unstopping it and handing it to Lyn.

"He was stronger than I figured," said Lyn drinking the contents, her wound healing instantly, "Sorry if I worried you."

"I'm fine Lyn," Will replied as the swordswoman cleaned off her sword, "I was more worried about you especially when he wounded you."

"Thanks," Lyn replied sheathing her sword and taking the pack, she sighed, "I'll need to be stronger if I'm to survive," she paused, "Strong enough so that no one can beat me," she glanced back at Will smiling, "Good work Will! Let's go home!"

Will nodded, "Ok, but first lets burry the bodies, I don't want to attract any wild animals."

"You have a point Will," replied Lyn, "As much as I don't like bandits, the scent of blood will bring wild animals here, and I don't think I could fight them off right now."

They buried the bandits in a single grave after gathering the weapons, which Will explained that they could be sold for gold, and checking for any ill-gotten gold which there was none. After returning to the tent Lyn insisted that Will staying inside the tent, he being a guest, and took some blankets and her bedroll outside, as Will pulled his bedroll out, saying goodnight to Lyn, after writing in both journals, one he decided would be some sort of war journal he slowly drifted off to sleep.

(Scene Change)

"Good morning Will, are you awake yet," asked Lyn, as she cooked breakfast.

"I am now," groaned Will, slightly wincing as he stood up, "I don't know why I'm not a morning person."

Exiting the tent he walked over to the camp fire sitting down sighing, "Ribs are still a little sore," he continued when Lyn looked up worried, "but I did manage to sleep well."

"Breakfast should be ready in a few minutes," said Lyn returning to watch the food cook, "Will, where are you from originally?"

"I was raised in Etruria," replied Will, "but I'm actually Bernese by birth."

"I didn't know Bernese people had silvery-blond hair."

"My mother had silvery-blond hair, she was from Etruria," he paused remembering a part in the letter, explaining his family, "Seems silvery-blond was the dominate trait for my family except my father."

He fell quiet the pain was still fresh and he didn't know how to explain to anyone, thankfully Lyn noticed and didn't pursue her questioning. The only sounds in the camp were the food cooking and the crackling of the fire, soon after a while had passed Lyn served the food, some eggs with meat and milk, she handed one of the plates to Will who thanked her and began eating.

"Will," said Lyn after breakfast had been cleaned up, "I want to talk to you about something."

"Sure Lyn," replied Will, who was stitching the pack together, "What do you want to talk about?"

"I see you have some experience in the ways of war, and, "she paused gathering her thoughts before continuing, "Would you allow me to travel with you," she continued when he didn't speak up, , "I realized something yesterday that if I want to become stronger I need to take action. Sitting here telling myself that I need to be stronger won't accomplish that goal, I know you may have doubts but I promise to listen to you, and I can protect you as I grow stronger."

"Um, Lyn what about your parents," asked Will, as he finished repairing the pack, "Wouldn't they want to know where you are going and who you are traveling with?"

"What? You want me to ask permission from my parents," said Lyn, tears filled her eyes, "my father and mother died six months ago," the tears flowed freely, "My people the Lorca, they….don't exist …I'm the last of my tribe," she continued almost a whisper, "Bandits attacked during the night, and killed so many people. When the sun rose the next day there were only six of us left alive, including me," she paused, "My father was chieftain of our tribe and I desperately wanted to protect my people, but I'm so young and the people were old fashioned. They wouldn't follow a woman, they wouldn't follow me."

"I'm sorry Lyn," replied Will, "I didn't know."

"It's not your fault," she sniffed, "You didn't know," she wiped away her tears, "I've been alone for so long….I will shed no more tears," she calmed herself down before speaking again, "Thank you Will, I'm better now. I want…no, I must become stronger so that I may avenge my father's death. Will please tell me you'll train me, and that you'll let me travel with you!"

Will sat there silently thinking before slowly nodding, "Alright Lyn, I'll let you travel with me."

"You will," she asked surprised, "Thank you," she exclaimed hugging Will, "We'll be better off working together I just know it," she said releasing Will from her embrace, "You'll be my master strategist and I'll be your peerless warrior!"

"Ok," replied Will grinning, "but my plans were to return to Etruria, but I don't have a clue where to go now."

Lyn thought for a moment before replying, "We'll first go to Bulgar to buy supplies after that we can decide where to go."

Ok so the first chapter has been rewritten. Please read and review. Comments on where to improve are welcome. Enjoy.