AN: In Lissa's support conversations with Chrom she decides to sneak out to do some scouting by herself. "What would you have done if they'd caught you?" Chrom asks. I wondered the same thing. After giving it a little thought, I concluded that most of those scenarios would quickly devolve into a damsel in distress situation. The one intriguing possibility involved Yen'fay. Aside from Yen'fay being the most sympathetic enemy in the game, Lissa's plight offered interesting parallels to Say'ri. The idea came together rapidly and would not leave me alone, so I elected to get it out of my system quick and dirty.
This will be a multi chapter story. I do not own Fire Emblem.
Shout outs to Elyvern and Dane Namor for writing stories that brought me back to fan fiction after many years away. I highly recommend How to be a Parent and The Cruel Mother's Gift.
"All right. The coast is clear."
With one last glance back at the camp, Lissa adjusted her skirt and strode off into the tall grass, unnoticed by any of the Shepherds. A smug smile danced across her lips. Everything was going as planned. She had been extra clever about sneaking out this time, lighting a fire near the supply tent to distract the watch, and hiding Falchion under Chrom's bedroll to keep big brother off her case. Lissa had heard that Robin was asking questions about how she knew so much regarding the Valmese formations, and the Ylissean princess wasn't about to give the game away now.
It was a couple weeks after the battle at the Mila Tree, and most of the Ylissean League was still encamped under the shade of its great branches. Rebels across Valm were rallying in response to the Voice's call, and in the meantime Robin had been drawing up a plan to collapse the Imperial Army under its own weight. Lissa had been determined to help however she could, volunteering to join Lucina in a small sortie to protect a hamlet to the south from bandits.
The future Exalt was normally tightlipped about events yet to pass, but it seemed that being alone with her aunt softened Lucina up a bit. During their march she had revealed that Lissa was still alive in her future, even calling Lissa a beacon of hope amid the darkness and desolation. The princess of Ylisse had very nearly keeled over at those words. Although disappointed to learn that she never had children like so many of the other Shepherds, Lissa was enchanted by the idea of the woman she would, could become. At night she lay awake trying to picture it, wondering what that future Lissa would do, thinking of ways she might become that person faster.
It was those musings that inspired her to take it upon herself to scout the enemy forces. Lissa had snuck out twice already without anyone catching on, and she really felt like she was getting better at it each time. The vestments of a cleric were hardly idea for a spy, but by sticking to the tall grass and taking advantage of the contours of the hills she had managed to avoid detection. It had also been raining for the past three days, and while that made crawling around a muddy proposition indeed, Lissa was sure that it helped conceal her presence.
"There they are. An unsuspecting little army, just waiting for some helpful princess to reveal all their secrets," Lissa muttered. "Huh, there're a lot fewer than there were yesterday. Neat."
The Valmese forces to the south had positioned themselves behind a hill, making it difficult to scout them from a distance. Archers had taken shots at any Pegasus Knights that dared to fly close, and the recent bad weather had grounded them completely. From her vantage point on top of the hill, however, Lissa could see everything, right down to their ugly faces.
When Say'ri first mentioned that Walhart commanded a million soldiers, Lissa had been stunned by the very idea. This group of imperials wasn't nearly so intimidating, just a token defensive line intended to slow down the expected Ylissean advance. Lissa knew that Robin was planning to split most of their forces between North and South to buy time for an attack on Fort Steiger, but he had been waiting for the Valmese lines to withdraw further before making the move. The diminished force she saw now was exactly the sign the tactician had been looking for.
"Oh just wait until I tell Robin about this." Lissa grinned. "I bet he'll do that great rubbery thing with his face again. I'll show everyone that I can make a proper princess."
Worming her way through the mud, Lissa tried to inch close enough to get a head count. It never occurred to her that what she was doing was dangerous, and had anyone asked she would have dismissed it as a smaller risk than those her brother took on the battlefield. As she brushed aside a clump of grass that was tickling her nose, the Ylissean princess suddenly found herself staring at a boot.
Lissa yelped and scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering in her chest. Facing her was a man wearing a thick leather jerkin and a black cowl, with blades protruding from his armguards and throwing knives strapped to his thighs. An assassin, and by the look he was giving her, not a friendly one.
"Princess," he repeated her last word thoughtfully.
Instinctively attempting to back away, Lissa bumped into something hard behind her. Spinning around, she discovered that it was another assassin. She was trapped. Her mind racing, Lissa willed herself to keep her composure, to not panic and to try to assess the situation. The assassins had complexions and equipment like Say'ri. Men from Chon'sin. Lissa took a deep breath.
"Excuse you!" She was surprised by how indignant she could sound even while terrified. Some things just came naturally. "It's totally rude to sneak up on a girl like that! Gosh, don't they teach you any manners in Chon'sin?"
The assassins stared unblinkingly. Neither of them bothered to reach for their weapons. She was at their mercy, and everyone involved knew it.
"Who are you?" the first man demanded.
"What are you doing here?" the second added.
Lissa labored to keep her voice steady. "I-I'm from one of the nearby villages and I was just g-going out for a walk, that's all."
"She was surveying the camp."
"She said she was a princess."
"Doesn't look like much of a princess, to be squirming in the mud. Her accent is Ylissean. The enemy must be in dire straits if they send such useless fools as scouts."
That struck a nerve, and without thinking Lissa reacted. "Hey, who are you calling useless?! I am the princess of Ylisse, and I don't see what a little mud has to do with anything!"
Silence. Lissa clapped both hands over her mouth.
The first assassin stepped closer and raised his arm. Lissa flinched, waiting for the blow. Instead the man wiped the mud from her features and leaned in to examine her. His eyes traveled from her hair to her nose, down to her neck. Frozen in place, Lissa just stood there and trembled.
"I once saw a painted likeness of Emmeryn, the late Exalt of Ylisse," the man said slowly. "This girl does bear a resemblance."
Oh Gods this can't be happening, Lissa thought desperately. Please let this not be happening.
"How do we proceed?"
"We do not tell Walhart's men. This is a matter for the King Himself."
Finally snapping out of it, Lissa let out a strangled sob and tried to run. Her shaky legs barely carried her two steps before the first assassin caught her and twisted her arm behind her back, locking her painfully in place. His partner produced a length of rope, and within moments Lissa was bound and gagged.
The rain continued to fall, washing away all traces of what had transpired on the hilltop. By nightfall it was like she had never been there.
Incense permeated the stale air in the royal chambers of the Chon'sin palace. Although the clouds outside had passed and the moon shone bright in the sky, the room was dark, its windows shuttered, a fine layer of dust covering every surface. The only occupant knelt motionless before the family shrine, his eyes firmly shut.
Yen'fay had not permitted the palace servants to enter or clean the room in months. It had become both a refuge and a prison, the one place where he could lock himself away with his thoughts. Shadows danced across his face, courtesy of the lone brazier in the room. Directly before him, a small carved statue of his sister rested on the shrine beside the traditional offerings to their parents.
Meditation was one of the few things that brought Yen'fay any peace these days. It soothed the mind and brought the spirit into balance, reminding him of his purpose, banishing his doubts. He visualized only the next battle, allowing himself a brief respite from his daily trials.
Excellus had made sure to send Yen'fay monthly reports on Say'ri and her movements, detailing how the Chon'sin princess had been running around Valm painting a target on her own back. It was intended as intimidation, a reminder that the loathsome toad still held her life in his hands, and yet Yen'fay had come to look forward to the letters. They told him that Say'ri was still alive and well, that his sacrifices had meaning. They were the only connection he had to his sister now.
Yen'fay released a controlled breath and opened his eyes, returning his thoughts to the waking world. The latest report had said that Say'ri had joined with the Ylissean League at Valm Harbor, and fought beside them at the Mila Tree. He wasn't sure what to think of that development. In his heart of hearts, Yen'fay wanted to hope that the Ylisseans could change things, that they could somehow overthrow Walhart and release him from this nightmare. It was an idle fancy, and Yen'fay treated it as such. In his position he could ill afford the luxury of hope. If anything, Yen'fay feared that more Ylissean victories would lead to him and Say'ri crossing blades. If that came to pass, he knew it would mean his death, and his sister would be left to fend for herself.
The doors to the royal chambers slid open behind him. Yen'fay did not turn around. He knew that only his most trusted assassins, his shadows, would dare to disturb him so. These were men who had given up even their names and clans in absolute service to the Chon'sin royal family, and their business was always of the utmost secrecy and importance.
"The Ylissean League?" Yen'fay inquired.
"At least half of their forces are preparing to move southward. Their soldiers number in the hundreds of thousands. Our front lines are already falling back to the main group so that we may meet the Ylisseans on more favorable terms."
Yen'fay nodded. His men were well trained and equipped, and the battle would be fought on familiar terrain. For all the success the Ylisseans had enjoyed thus far, he had no doubt that they would break upon his formations like waves on the rocks.
"Is that all?"
The assassins did not reply. Instead Yen'fay was surprised to hear the thud of something heavy hitting the floor. Rising to his feet, he finally turned around. His eyes widened. A beautiful young lady with golden hair had been forced to her knees, bound and gagged before him. Even in the dim firelight Yen'fay could see that her eyes were swollen from crying, though at the moment there was only defiance in those emerald wells. It was the trembling that betrayed her fear.
"Fie, but what is this?" Yen'fay demanded, an edge of anger in his voice. Whatever atrocities Walhart and his dogs committed, the King of Chon'sin never stood for the mistreatment of women.
"We caught her spying on our positions. She claimed to be a princess of Ylisse. We thought it best to bring her to you."
Yen'fay frowned and took a closer look at the captive. Before Walhart's conquest Chon'sin, like much of Valm, had worshipped Naga. Although most of the faithful looked to the Voice for their religious guidance, the Exalts of Ylisse were also held in high regard. Yen'fay knew what the late Exalt Emmeryn had looked like. Her sacrifice had made her legendary across both continents.
The woman before him did not bear the Brand of the Exalt, at least not as far as he could see, but the resemblance was undeniable. For her part, the captive continued to glare at him with the fire of a wild barbarian.
"You spoke to no one else of this?" Yen'fay asked his assassins.
They nodded.
"Then you are dismissed."
The men bowed and slipped away as quietly as they had come. Alone with the woman, Yen'fay approached to release her bindings and was startled to see her recoil, shaking like a mouse in a trap. Of course. She would think him a monster. No doubt Say'ri had told the Ylisseans all about his treachery and dishonor. There was no telling what kind of treatment the woman expected from him. The very thought tore at his heart.
Yen'fay silently cursed fate for laying another burden, another terrible dilemma upon his shoulders. This prisoner was barely more than a girl. A large part of him wanted nothing more than to let her run home to her family, away from Walhart, away from the war. But that was easier said than done. She was an enemy, likely a princess no less, and Excellus had eyes everywhere. It would be difficult to arrange for the woman to be returned without the foul tactician learning of it, and the slightest error could cost Say'ri her life.
The King of Chon'sin shook his head. Try as he might, he could find no easy way out of this. The most he could do was offer what protection he could, to see to her wellbeing and ensure that she would not be made a pawn as Say'ri had. Looking at the spirit in her eyes, the way she challenged him despite her fear, he did not expect her to understand. So be it.
"I mean you no harm," Yen'fay said as gently as he could. "I would remove your bindings, should you allow it, and as a guest in my household I ask only that you attempt nothing rash."
The woman looked at him suspiciously, as if trying to detect a ruse. Finding none, she nodded grudgingly and sat still. Yen'fay crouched down and removed her gag first, then her restraints. She promptly rubbed her wrists where the rope had chafed them. Her pigtails, an uncommon hairstyle in Chon'sin, bobbed as she worked her jaw. Yen'fay didn't realize he was staring until she shot him a dirty look and spoke for the first time.
"I won't tell you anything, jerk."
Yen'fay almost smiled at that. Almost. He ignored the insult and stood up again.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked.
She hesitated briefly. "You're Yen'fay. Say'ri's brother. You serve Walhart."
"Aye. That is all true." Yen'fay nodded. "You already know my name, and I would ask for yours in kind. There is nothing to be gained through deceit. We are beyond that now, I fear."
The young lady fidgeted in place, wringing her hands in her lap. Yen'fay waited patiently. He knew this would be difficult for a proud creature like her. Cornered and confused, any concession would seem like surrender. He hoped she would realize the wisdom in picking one's battles.
At last she lowered her eyes. "I'm Lissa. Prince Chrom is my brother."
Her name was unfamiliar. It sounded strange to his ears, but not unpleasant, like the rustling of leaves in autumn. The name of her brother, on the other hand, Yen'fay knew all too well. Prince Chrom was the leader of the Ylissean League, the Exalt in all but title. The King of Chon'sin understood better than anyone how valuable his new captive was. It was as he had feared—too valuable to release without peril, but at the same time too valuable to allow to come to harm. He gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Princess, I take no pleasure in holding you against your will," Yen'fay said. "However, fate has delivered you here and so here you must stay until this war reaches its end." Lissa opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off. "I swear that so long as it is in my power you will be treated in a manner that befits your station. You are an honored guest, but you may not leave. Believe me when I say that you will be safer within these walls than outside of them."
At first Lissa was quiet. Yen'fay braced himself for an angry outburst. Instead her lower lip began to tremble, her fists balled at her sides, the knuckles white. Her face twisted with suppressed emotion as the first tears began to fall. Yen'fay winced. His first instinct was to comfort her, but he knew the gesture would not be welcome and so resisted the urge. Once again he was forced to remain silent while an innocent young woman sobbed before him. Ever since Walhart and Excellus, Yen'fay had become very good at keeping his silence.
Lissa wiped her eyes on her sleeve and sniffled as she looked up at him.
"My brother will be worried about me," she said quietly. "I'd like to write him a letter."
Yen'fay hesitated. It was no small request when secrecy could make all the difference.
"Please," her voice broke. "It's not a trick, I promise. I just want him to know that I'm sorry."
That struck a little too close to home for Yen'fay. He knew that he would have given anything to apologize to Say'ri for what he had put her through, but for her sake he refused to take even the slightest risk, no matter what comfort it might have brought him. This Lissa had stared him down regardless of concern for her own safety, and yet her guilt, her love for her brother, had brought her to tears.
Yen'fay shut his eyes again. This was a bad idea. It would only draw more attention to the situation, expose the facts faster, and it guaranteed that Excellus would find out if he had not already. Yen'fay knew all of this, and still he found himself unable to refuse the foreign princess.
"Write your letter. I will have a messenger ride out first thing in the morning."
