Chapter 1) Dawn of Destiny


The trip to Pherae was a little lonely. I had never been on my own for a prolonged period of time. Mom and Dad both made sure we had our space when Sue and I needed it, but also made sure we didn't feel alone-alone. Mom was always supportive of us, and Dad was always certain he was there, to teach us or be the shoulder to cry on. Grandpa said its because they knew what it meant to 'be alone'. I just kind of assumed it was part of their awesomeness. Seriously, I have the best parents.

Rambling again. The trip was lonely, and the rumors I heard from other tribesmen and merchants as I passed by the border between Sacae, Bern, and Lycia were… unnerving. Bern was launching a war? Why? While I had never met Zephiel in person, he and Mother wrote a lot, and I used to peek at the letters. Everything about his words seemed kind, reasonable, if lonely. It was like Mom was one of the few people who understood him, and his respect for her practically bled from the ink. Even when his words became angrier, more frustrated at everything, as they had in recent years, I could see it.

So, why would he launch a war? Didn't he know Mom would oppose him with everything she had?


Why was Pherae so far away? I suppose it didn't help that when I'd left, the Kutolah had been on its way to Bulgar for the Sky Festival. …Aw, I was going to miss that this year. I loved the Sky festival. The city was always packed and you could feel the energy pulsing through the air. It was amazing!

Sighing to myself, I rode through the woods not far from Pherae, glad to be out of the mountains at last. I always felt wrong, climbing and riding on mountains. It was like I was riding on Mother Earth's spine or something, and then there was how Mom was just always uncomfortable. I've been told she fell down a mountainside once and that's why she was uneasy. Though she maintains it was one of the best things that happened to her, since it was because of that she met Aunt Lyn and, eventually, everyone. Still, mountains made me nervous. One wrong move, or one spooked horse, meant you were tumbling down and down. I was glad to just be in the woods. You could hear a tree falling more easily than you could hear something that would spook a horse!

…Wait, why was I hearing clanging?

Clicking my tongue to catch my horse's attention, I changed my path slightly so I could exit out of the woods already, instead of taking the path down and around like I had originally planned. When I got out of the trees, my eyes narrowed at what I saw. Fighting. There was fighting, a large group of bandits and a small group of not-bandits. This was… weird. Why hadn't the Pheraean knights obliterated them already?

Something was definitely wrong. I should try to find a way to contact Roy or Uncle Eliwood and figure out how to proceed from there. It was dangerous to just charge into the middle of a battle…

The sound of hooves beating the ground caught my ear, and I turned to see a person in red armor coming right for me. I opened my mouth to greet them, only to yelp as I had to quickly dodge. He hadn't stopped!

He also wasn't stopping to apologize for nearly running me over. Instead, he turned to come for me again, sword flashing in the sunlight as he swung it up to try and decapitate me.

"Look, can we talk for a second?" I asked, ducking under the sword. This was a little nuts. "Seriously, why are you attacking me?" I would have just attacked back by this point, but the armor was Pheraean. Was there a rebellion? …No, that was ridiculous. No one would rebel against Uncle Eliwood. It was as preposterous as the idea of a rebellion in Ostia.

"Die, bandit!" …Bandit? Bandit? What sort of bandit rode a horse?! A good horse at that!

"Hey, can we stop with the attempted stabbing and start with some listening?!" The sword flashed, gouging my cheek. Okay, I was done. I was done, and I was mad, and if he wasn't going to listen, then I was going to make him!

I reached down into my pack, and started hunting for a good, strong book that didn't hold a lot of sentimental value. I relied on my lovely horse to dodge the knight's strikes until I got the perfect book, one on Etrurian strategies. Then, as the knight's guard opened up, I threw it as hard as I could at his face.

He yelped when it struck him perfectly, blood trickling down from a busted nose. "Now are you going to listen?" I growled, annoyed. He blinked slowly at me. "The attempted murder got old real quick."

"You threw a book at me!" he yelped. My, what wonderful observation skills he had. "You threw a book at me!"

"I applied physics on your face so that you could stop attempting to murder me."

"What sort of bandit has a book?"

"What sort of bandit has a good horse?!"

"…That's a good horse?" I could feel what remained of my temper fraying. I really could. "It looks so weak, though." OKAY, MISTER, PHERAN KNIGHT OR NOT, I WAS GOING TO-

"Allen, what are you doing?" I just went ahead and glared at the approaching cavalier. Green armor to the other's red, he blinked slowly before sighing. "Allen, what did you do?" he sighed. "Miss, I apologize for whatever my hotheaded, reckless partner did. He gets rather zealous in defense of Lord Roy, and-"

"Roy is here?" I demanded, just not in the mood. Green Knight nodded slowly. "Good. Either lead me to him or bring him to me. Before I apply physics with something sharp."

"…Allen, get Lord Roy." Red Knight hesitated but eventually nodded and rode off. "Might I ask your name, miss?"

"You may ask, but I'm not answering." This was just aggravating! Weak horse?! How dare he?! "I just want to find out what's going on, and I'm going to find out from Roy."

"Lord Roy."

"I don't call him by title." Green Knight's eyes narrowed, and I could see him tensing. "If you attack, I'm attacking back, Pheraen armor or not. And I guarantee you. You will miss and I won't."

"Irene?" Slowly, I glanced down to see Roy walking up, Red Knight behind him. "Irene, what are you doing here?" he asked, eyes wide and voice very confused. "Aren't the Kutolah normally near Bulgar at this time of year?"

"Yes, and I'm here trying not to get stabbed by your knights." I dismounted, raking a hand through my hair in irritation. It pulled some strands out of my ponytail, but I didn't care. "…I need a hug."

Roy laughed a little and hopped over, giving me a warm one that I returned. "It is good to see you, though I remain confused." He smiled kindly at me, and I slowly felt myself relaxing. "So, what happened?"

"Your red knight over there ambushed me, complained about me throwing a book at him, insulted my horse…" I glared at Red Knight over Roy's head. "Give me my book back, by the way."

"No way!" he immediately yelped. My temper was fraying again. "You threw it at me!"

"And you tried to stab me! So give me back my book, you little-!"

"Peace, peace!" Roy pleaded. He sighed. "I'm already in a nightmare scenario with the castle under attack."

"Speaking of which, what is going on?" I asked, letting the subject turn. Roy looked so frazzled. "Red Knight-"

"Allen."

"Allen called me a bandit, so I'm assuming that there's a bandit attack. Somehow. Where's Harken? Isn't the normal strategy just throw him at them for some light exercise?"

"Harken, Isadora, Lowen, and Rebecca are inside the castle from what Lance told me." He gestured to Green Knight, who bowed in the saddle. Allen and Lance, red and green knights. I was reminded of Uncle Sain and Uncle Kent, though the armor colors were switched. "The province is undermanned due to war preparations, so it's really only them, and some bandits did manage to make it inside."

"…So there's some truth to those rumors." I sighed, reaching back to undo and redo my ponytail. "Well, Roy, would you like me to assist? This isn't really a battle that needs a lot of tactical, but I do have my bow."

"I would gladly take a mounted archer, Irene. Wolt tries, but he just can't run fast." Roy smiled warmly before his expression blanked. "Ah, yes." He turned to the two knights. "Lance, Allen, this is Irene of the Kutolah Tribe and Hanover House. She's Aunt Katri's eldest daughter, and is like my big sister."

"I'm here to help my cute little brother lead an army, and really do not appreciate a reckless idiot insulting my horse and trying to stab me."

"You can give Allen lessons on what constitutes a good horse after we've dealt with the bandits? Lilina went ahead to the castle-"

"What do you mean Lilina's in there?!" I quickly mounted up, unhooking my bow and quiver. "Lend me your two knights and head to the castle with the rest of whoever is here with you, Roy."

"Thanks, Irene." He smiled warmly before turning his attention to the two knights. "Allen, Lance, listen to Irene as you would me." Allen looked sheepishly annoyed, while Lance simply nodded. "I'll see you inside the castle, you three."

"Don't hold back, Roy. This isn't training, and that bandit really will kill you."

"I know." He gave me a look, and I shrugged. It was practically my job to worry. "Stay safe."

"You too."


Since I came into the battle about halfway through, routing the bandits didn't take much time at all, especially when Harken, Isadora, Lowen, and Rebecca came out to reinforce. They were going with Marcus to ensure the villages were safe, leaving the rest of us to head inside and wipe off the blood and sweat. Of course, as soon as Roy and I had cleaned ourselves up a little, we went to a little study where Uncle Eliwood and Lilina had been hiding.

It took me a second to recognize Uncle Eliwood and, even then, it was mostly because of his bright red hair. I knew the stress of losing Aunt Ninian, ruling a province, and his own illness had hit him hard, but… but Uncle Eliwood was only thirty-seven. He looked like he was approaching his fifties. I could also see how he was having trouble standing, even when using a desk. Uncle Eliwood, who would race horses with Dad when we visited, who used to play tag with me… he could barely stand.

I… had never really thought of him as 'mortal' before. Yes, he was human, and yes, like all humans, he was mortal and he would die eventually. I got that, logically. But it was always 'eventually'. It was always something that would happen 'one day'. He, like my parents, had always been larger than life, a goal that I chased after and could never reach. He, like them, was part of my ideal. They were my heroes, my role models, the stars I guided my actions by. They shouldn't be able to die. They were supposed to always be there.

"My, what's this I see?" Uncle Eliwood noted gently, smile warm and kind as always. Roy darted over to Lilina to check on her, allowing us two to talk. "I think I see an Irene."

"Yeah, I came to visit," I replied. I could not force myself to smile, not in the wake of realizing he was very close to death, so I stepped forward to give him a hug. He felt so thin. "Mom sent me to help Roy."

"I figured she would when I sent the message." He pulled away, cupping my face. "Here, let me look at you."

"Uncle Eliwood, I haven't changed so much in the year it's been. I still have the same green hair, the same amber eyes, and I'm still wearing blue-colored Kutolah clothes."

"Yes, but it seems like every year, you take more after your mother. Though, it's easy to see Rath in your looks as well."

"That makes sense. Children look like both their parents. Even Roy, who looks like a younger you, has physical traits from Aunt Ninian." He also had some 'not quite physical' things, like being incredibly tolerant to cold. "…Are you going to be okay, Uncle Eliwood?"

"My health is still holding, and it is not consumption. So long as I rest, and take the medicines given to me, I should eventually recover." Strangely, that was not as reassuring as it should have been. "Now, Roy, are you well?"

"I'm fine, Father," Roy answered easily. His smile was warm as both he and Lilina came over. "The others took good care of me." The smile fell for a serious look. "Your message said I had to return urgently. Is it what I think it is?"

"Yes, Bern has started to invade Lycia," Uncle Eliwood confirmed. I must have looked really startled because he immediately grimaced. "Forgive me, Irene. When I sent that message to Katri, there was only some troubling news from some spies that Bern was prepping for war somewhere. I had assumed they were going for Etruria."

"Etruria is weakened due to Mildain's death, so it does make a better target than Lycia," I murmured. I crossed my arms to hide my clenched fists. What was going to happen to the Sacae? What was going to happen to Etruria? What was going to happen to Lycia? This was all madness! "I assume you thought Lycia would only have to deal with strays?"

"Yes, but it seems King Zephiel is determined to wage war against the entire continent, instead of having everyone dragged in little by little." This was nuts. "Who would have thought twenty years would make a sweet child like him do something like this?" Uncle Eliwood shook his head. "Regardless, though, we have our duties."

"We have to honor the ancient pact and sworn oaths," Roy confirmed. His eyes were certain, but I saw his hands shaking. "Pherae must join the rest of the alliance."

"Yes, and we're already a bit late since I had to call you from your studies," Uncle Eliwood sighed. "I'm sorry, Roy."

"Don't be, Father. I'm glad to be able to help you." Roy smiled warmly. It did not hide his fear very well. "Besides, I have Marcus to help me keep the army organized, and if Irene is here, then I won't have to fret about tactics."

"Merlinus will be going with you to help with inventory and finances."

"See then, Father? I will be fine. I have everyone working to help me."

"I can go too!" Lilina volunteered suddenly. Roy all but jumped, startled, and I knew I was frowning. They were too young… "My magic could be helpful, right?"

"Yes, but you can be more helpful at Ostia," Uncle Eliwood gently refused. I could see Lilina's jaw lock stubbornly. "Hector is not in Ostia, and there is war on the horizon. For the people's sake, it is best that you return to Ostia and help Lyn govern."

"…Fine…" Lilina didn't look happy at all about that. "I'll go home." But when Uncle Eliwood reached out to ruffle her hair, she darted behind me to hide. Yeah, she wasn't happy about this at all. She understood, but…

"So, we're heading to Araphan or something?" I asked, mostly to direct the subject away from Lilina. "I remember hearing something about that while traveling."

"Ah, yes," Uncle Eliwood confirmed. He looked a little hurt, but there wasn't really anything I could do. He was doing what he thought best, and Lilina didn't agree it was the best, even if she could see the logic. "But first, you will need to head to the border. I hired some mercenaries to help bolster the forces some. Harken, Isadora, Rebecca, and Lowen will remain with me here in Pherae to take care of bandit threats."

"And Imalia is staying because she broke her leg, right?" Roy asked. When Uncle Eliwood nodded, I wondered if Harken and Isadora were a little relieved that their daughter wouldn't be going off to war like the rest of us. "Thank you, Father."

"You'll be fine." Uncle Eliwood reached out to Roy, and Roy hugged his father tightly. "You head out and show everyone just who the next Marquess of Pherae will be."

"I will. I promise. I'll make you proud."

"You already do, Roy." Well, this looked like adorable father-son bonding that I really shouldn't be eavesdropping on, so instead, I nudged Lilina out of the study with me, shutting the door behind us. She immediately walked away, shoulders tense with hidden frustration. I would let her be for now, but that did mean I needed to figure out something to do…

…Allen never did give return my book. I was going to cheer myself up by getting it back. Now.


The Huntress was unarmed. The Pack was facing us. The Lady was unchained. The Eagle was resting. The Horse wasn't rearing. The Dragon was… the Dragon was awake, but it was not baring fiery fang. It was warning that something old was walking, that the past was returning to the present, for good or ill.

…I should really read through Mom's notes. If the past was returning, and war was on the horizon, then things were just going to get very messy, very quickly.

"Are you reading the stars?" I turned and smiled as Lilina walked up. "You do that a lot," she murmured. "Mother says Aunt Katri used to do it a lot."

"Yeah, she always says it reassures her," I murmured. I shifted over so she could lean against the railing too. "After all, the stars are Father Sky telling us that there is light in the darkness, no matter how bad things seem." Father Sky used the stars to give warnings and advice to the people of the Plains. Diviners read them, but Mom taught me what she had learned. "So, what's up? Were you looking for me?"

"Yes. I wanted to tell you that I am sending Bors with you. Lowen and Rebecca will escort me to Ostia and then return." She sighed, slumping. "I wish I could fight with you all."

"It's going to be the real thing. It's not like Cecilia training you and Roy."

"I know. That's why I want to be with everyone. I'm going to be fretting and worrying the whole time, wondering if you're getting injured or if I could've helped at all." She glanced down at her hands. "I know why Uncle Eliwood is sending me home. I do not have my parents' gifts. I am frailer in body than both of them. I am only decently fast. I have none of my mother's skill, or my father's strength. I only have my magic."

"Your very powerful magic."

"Yes, I can blow up a wall with a fire tome. That's not very useful outside of anything but a war." She looked at me, eyes sad. "This is my home too. I can't be as strong as my parents, but I can learn to be strong enough, right? All I'm good for is smiling like a pretty doll to reassure people, but can't I learn? Why can't I protect my home like everyone else?"

"I would use age, but you're actually a few months older than Roy." I sighed, drooping. I knew the feelings she had. I was not as smart or clever as Mom. I was not as strong or skilled as Dad. I just had to hope I would be enough, and I was desperately afraid I would never be. They were the impossible goal that I strove for anyway because I loved and admired them so much. "Okay, Lilina, I'll make you a deal." I held out my pinky for a pinky swear. "You return to Ostia, and do what you can to help Aunt Lyn keep things running smoothly, and I will plead your case to Uncle Hector."

"You will?" Her eyes widened, but she finally smiled. "Oh, thank you!" She hooked her pinky around mine for the pinky swear before tackling me with a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! I knew you would understand!"

"Yes, I do." I hugged her back. "But you can understand why I will insist on you being stationed near me, right?"

"Yes, it's so you can protect us, like you always have." She pulled back, smiling warmly. "You're the best, Irene!"

"Hey, keep in mind that it'll be me going up against stubborn Uncle Hector." She simply laughed and I smiled. "Now, I've an idea. Why don't you room with me tonight? I'll share you some gossip from the Kutolah, and you can vent to me about things."

"Like my feelings for Roy? I know you will trick them out of me!" I grinned in reply and she sighed with a little smile. "It does sound like fun, though. Yes, let's do that!"

I knew she was also agreeing because I could reassure her, repeatedly, that things would eventually be fine, and she knew I would do so no matter how many times she asked. I didn't mind.

The nomads of the plains do not abandon their fellows. The sorrow of my dear friends was my sorrow, their anger was my anger, their fear was my fear. That was simply the way of the Sacae. I would not leave them to fight this alone. Even though I was certain I would not be enough help.

She ran off, likely to go fetch a change of clothes, and I returned my gaze back to the stars. I wondered if Mom and Dad were also watching the stars. Did they see the Dragon was awake too? Why was it awake? What was going on? There was a war, started by someone Mom adored, and the past was haunting the present.

What sort of mess were we being dragged into?


Notes on Roy

· Since he's trained in Pheraen arts more than anything, he's a rather balanced fighter, which could be good or bad depending.

· Favors a thrusting style, but learned Etrurian dueling from Cecilia (who learned from Perceval in case she was ever without a tome) in his studies, which does give him a measure of unpredictability.

· He's also learned some tactics from Mom, and has a cunning streak that many don't expect from someone his age. It'll be fun working together on tactics!

· He's kind, noble, and idealistic, but I know he worries about succeeding his much loved father, and I know one reason he refuses to fight on horseback, despite being a good rider, is to try and avoid being caught in his father's shadow.

· His affinity is fire. For some reason, everyone looked rather uncomfortably amused about it whenever it comes up.

Notes on Allen

· Reminds me of Uncle Sain, except for the whole red armor thing and being slightly less dramatic. Despite attacking me with a sword, he is best with lances, meaning he does take into account weapon advantage unlike Uncle Sain.

· Hot headed and charges without thinking. Also has no eye for horses. (Yes, I'm still mad about that!) Despite his zealousness, he is capable of being sheepish. Though he refuses to give me back my damn book.

· His horse is of Hanover stock, one of the more balanced ones. If he can be trained properly, he will actually be a rather powerful soldier, with both speed and strength to trample enemies.

· That said, he's horribly slow right now, as he doesn't seem to know you can use a horse's speed for more than just charging forward or something. The poor horse… he better at least be taking proper care of the poor thing!

· Like Roy, his affinity seems to be fire.

Notes on Lance

· Reminds me of Uncle Kent, just with green armor instead of red. They're both rather calm and stoic. Though, unlike Uncle Kent, he seems to specialize in lances just like Allen. Shouldn't one of them have gone with swords to balance things out?

· Seems to have a complex about something, though he's tightlipped about it. I'm sure it'll come out in time. Until then, it's best to not ask. Outsiders and lies go hand in hand, especially when they are being defensive.

· Like Allen, his horse is Hanover stock, one of the faster breeds. Unlike Allen, he actually knows how to take advantage of said speed, earning twice as many attacks in as Allen.

· Despite this, though, he seems to be lacking in strength, so while he is capable of doing a lot of damage, his weapons might not last as long, and he is at risk of counterattacks.

· His affinity seems to be anima, like Grandpa.

Notes on Wolt

· One of Roy's oldest friends, though he and I have never been close. He's Rebecca and Lowen's son. I think they're milk-brothers, since I'm pretty sure Rebecca was Roy's nursemaid. Aunt Ninian wasn't strong enough after the birth to take care of such things herself.

· Perhaps due to being raised by a knight and a retainer, he has an overly dutiful, deferential personality. He shares his father's love of chivalry, and his mother's smile and talent for archery.

· That said, he had actually been studying to be a cook until recently, so his natural talent is a little stunted. …I should give him some drills to try.

· Speaking about cooking, he's a REALLY GOOD COOK! I still prefer Mom's cooking, but it's a close second. He's the designated cook of the army from now on.

· Surprisingly for such a cheerful person, his affinity is ice.

Notes on Marcus

· He's sixty years old. He's sixty years old, and has been fighting since he was twenty or twenty-one. Marcus, seriously, retire already! (Why is he coming with us instead of Harken?) …It's probably just mean of me, but I do stand by it. He's old and his joints pain him. He should be relaxing and enjoying what life he has left. Mother Earth, Mom's note about him serving until he was old and grey in the saddle was correct. Well, of course it was, Mom's never wrong, but still.

· That said, he still remains skilled in lances, creaky joints aside, but it's clear he is not the powerful knight of twenty-years ago. He can guard people with the best of them, though, and help set up kills. I'm already making medicine to help relieve his arthritis.

· He's also a bit grumpy about the younger knights and their lack of 'respect' or whatever grumpy old men complain about. But he has some of the best gossip about the army, since people go to him for advice. He also seems to really enjoy the idea of Roy and Lilina getting together.

· While he'll fight in the early battles, I've a feeling he'll step down to ensure everyone's training goes well. Oh, right, I can work with him to create training regiments and schedules. That will be good.

· Suiting his stoic calm, his affinity is ice.

Notes on Bors

· Easy going knight of Ostia who has the weirdest hair. How does he get it to stay down like that? …That's not important. He is one of Lilina's knights, trained by Oswin personally. She sent him with us, though, because she's desperately worried.

· I think he has a little sister, actually. Lilina made a mention of her during our gossip talk. …I miss Sue…

· Despite being an armor knight, it's rather obvious he was trained for defense in close quarters. I'm actually rather worried about him in open terrain.

· That said, he's rather fast with all that armor. Apparently he was drilled to run in heavier armor than what he actually wears.

· His affinity is wind, like Sue.


Author's note: While this is technically the first chapter, Irene coming in half way results in a lot of the dialogue being missed. So… ah… have some of Irene's temper? And her insecurities, and some of Lilina's insecurities, and really, when you're the children of heroes, I imagine there's a lot of issues with 'how good' you really are.

I added in mentions of Harken, Isadora, Lowen, and Rebecca, as the benefit of going from FE7 to FE6 is being able to decide what happens to the Fe7 chars who do not have their fates spelled out in the game or epilogue. The last lines here, about the sorrow and anger, is based off of Lyn's boss dialogue with Nergal.

Next Chapter – The Princess of Bern