Meetings and Premonitions

Emm put down her cutlery and looked at them with a gleam. He knew that look it meant she as their Exalt had a mission for them. He put his down and Chrom followed and gave her his attention,

"Chrom, Rufure I have gotten reports of some unruly behaviour in the south near South town. I want both of you to check it out and quell it there," She said, "Philia has already given all the details to Frederick."

"Understood." Both echoed and Lissa chuckled at their eagerness and then put her hand up.

"I want to go too." She excitedly told and just as quickly Chrom rejected it. She pouted,

"Why!? Why can't I come too? I am full-fledged shepherd now right!? And it's just a patrol mission I can accompany." She flapped her hands around as she glared at her brothers. Emmeryn wisely remained silent leaving it to her brothers to make the decision as they were the leaders now. Rufure sighed and silently thought, one side he didn't want to take Lissa with him but on another side it didn't sound dangerous at all and if a fight were to break out there were four of them so they shall be able to quell it with not much difficulty, unless something unexpected happened but it should be still mostly fine. And, well Lissa does need the field experience. She is the only other healer they have it would be quite helpful to have her on the field.

"I think we can take her." He voiced his opinion. Lissa smiled wide at him while Chrom glared at him in betrayal. He smiled wryly as he could understand where Chrom was coming from but well Lissa was no longer a kid who needs their protection always. He felt slightly sad thinking about that, but he knew to teach her about the field would help her in the future. He turned to Emm to get her opinion,

"I have trust in your decision and abilities." Was her answer meaning she was neutral and letting Chrom decide. They all stared at him now and he stared back while Lissa tried to give all kinds of puppy dog looks she could muster to convince her brother. He sighed,

"Fine she can come but," He sternly looked at her. "You will closely follow all of us, never go off on your own and will follow all the orders we will give you got it?" He ordered her and she nodded eagerly,

"Yes! Yes, I will be good, promise." She was bouncing in her seat in happiness and all of them chuckled seeing her excitement.

"Come on off you go Lissa prepare for the journey." Emm dismissed her and the girl ran happily screaming about how she was going to tell everyone else. They all smiled and then slowly their faces grew serious. Emm spoke first,

"I guess you both have understood already but the unruly behaviour seems to be from some bandits the pegasus knights have reported to have a pelgian accent."

"Now they are attacking us like this that Mad king he will stoop to any level to start a war," Chrom grumbled his fingers curling tightly in his knuckles, feeling anger flush in him. Emm sighed and Rufure looked away,

"Chrom we can't afford a war." He informed him the same truth they all kept repeating again and again like a broken record. As Chrom scoffed Rufure could feel the same irritation, they knew it, they knew it very well, but the man was persistent and it was getting on their nerves, just not their everyone was getting restless but trying hard to not let it show. Emmeryn smiled sadly as she silently thanked them for their patience for keeping their growing anger in check.

"I wish you both luck and look after each other." They both nodded and took their cue to leave. She herself called in Philia and started her duties for the day all while silently praying to Naga to keep her siblings safe on their travels.

Rufure and Chrom then met up with their diligent Knight Fredrick and got all the details for the march for him from where they went to his tactics room to discuss their route, formation and scenarios for any possible situation. After completing their plan Rufure stayed behind to make all records and write up a different plan for all his duties he will be leaving in the hands of Philia to do for a few days. Chrom and Frederick went to the Shepherds barrack and called up on all the shepherds to inform them of their march plan and give them their training regime and duties for the next few days.

"We shall be heading towards the border through South town for inspection and patrol. It will be me, Rufure, Frederick and Lissa. Everyone else will remain here and follow the orders Frederick is going to give everyone now." He informed them and everyone save Maribelle nodded.

"What!? Lissa dear you shall be deployed on a march." She looked horrified at that prospect and everyone in the room sighed as they knew exactly what was going to come, the princess though smiled widely and proudly as she nodded her head at her best friend whose grimace just increased,

"But you are still so young and just started working as a clerk. It's too much for you." She stressed out as she looked at her in a mix of worry and hurt. Lissa pouted though slight getting irritated she expected more support from her best friend. But apparently, even she thought she was still incompetent. That didn't sit right with her at all she was already turning 16 this year and yet she had no achievements whatsoever compared to Chrom, Rufure and Emmeryn, she was doing nothing. She was the second princess and she was not living up to her position, it was not like she hated being spoiled but there was a limit between it being endearing and downright smothering. She was not going to be some dainty flower who stayed safely in the castle while some prince saved her. No, she was Lissa princess of Ylisse, daughter of Naga, she was going to be just a great royalty as her predecessors and her siblings were. As her frown deepened, she sighed trying to not get angry with her she knew Maribelle was just worried for her safety and was saying such things.

"I will be just fine. I may not be a full-fledged clerk, but I can handle basic healing just fine. And as for my safety Chrom, Rufure and Frederick will be there, can there be any better bodyguards than them?" She smiled wide trying to look confident. Even she was quite nervous, but she was going to start taking her own steps from now. Maribelle's frown didn't cease but as she stared right at her she could see her determination to go on this mission, so she sighed and let her go.

"Understood but my dear please understand field is nothing like training you need to be prepared for everything, even running away." She gravely told her and Lissa understood her meaning quite clearly and nodded she knew the risks in the field even though it sounded quite easy no one can predict if nothing unexpected will happen. She nodded back her eyes lighting with a fire and all Maribelle could do was pray to Naga that nothing shall happen.

Frederick then proceeded to explain all their duties and orders for the next few days while adding individually what he wanted to them work on for their practice. Chrom made his rounds to make sure all his men perfectly understood their assignments and take their good- wishes while giving few choices of words to each when he stopped at Maribelle, he promised her he will take care of Lissa and keep her out of harm's way.

"It's just not her my Lord I am also worried about all of you. I know you can handle yourselves, but I still worry." She smiled slightly and he nodded at her letting her know they all will be careful and look after each other. Then he went to Sumia who was fidgeting, he smiled carefully at her usual nervousness he still could not understand why the girl was so cautious of him. He asked her if she understood her duties and she confidently told she did and then apologised like usual. He half smiled and then said,

"Sumia I know you are working hard but don't push yourself hard and like always I will look out and ask around if there is any Pegasi, we can borrow for you." She blushed and ducked her head as she flushed,

"Thank you, Lord Chrom I will work hard on my skills and try to not fall on my face."

"Don't worry much about being clumsy we all find it endearing, it's a part of you." Her blush just increased.

"Thank you!" She bends but her knew wobbled and she feels, again. She blushed fervently as she berated herself for not being able to bend down to show her gratitude properly. Chrom didn't get angry like he said it was just a part of her. He chuckled slightly as he helped her up and she thanked him again while apologising again. He just shook his head and left wishing her goodbye.

Sumia sighed as she looked at his back. When will she be able to stand beside him and be able to do something for him instead of just falling on her face and have him pity her? She turned around being filled with determination pumping herself to complete all the tasks Frederick had given her before he left and double her practices. She was not going to let down her commander.

Lissa was heading to the healer's room to pick up their healing supplies when she bumped into Ricken. He with his ever-present Elwind tome looked surprised as they bumped shoulders and then immediately apologised to her. She chuckled and shrugged it off saying it was both of their faults. As an awkward silence fell, she didn't know what to say to him now. It had become like this recently even though they were good friends before nowadays they have been talking less and less and she didn't like that, but she didn't want to push him away by being imposing so she kept her distance.

"Hey, I heard about it, good luck on the expedition." He said smiling slightly. It seemed his usual self but something about it felt wrong she wondered why.

"Yup thanks."

An awkward silence formed, and they shuffled their feet wondering what to say next.

"Be careful ok?" He said a beat later and she smiled, slightly happy.

"Hehe, I know I will."

"Always be on your guard," He said and she enthusiastically nodded.

"And don't pull Chrom down." He said finally and she felt a frown coming. It slightly stung hearing him say it like that, she knew he didn't mean it in a bad way, but she hated whenever people made it seem like she was a dead weight to her siblings.

"I am going to be the one patch him up when he does something stupid again." She pouted as she retorted back trying to not the let his words get too much to her.

"I didn't mean it like that Lissa," he frowned "I just don't want you getting in the heat of the battle." He said finally and sighed. She felt a bit bad now for snapping at him. He was just worried about her.

"Don't worry I will be on the back lines and leave the fighting to them. I will just heal them up."

He smiled and she felt a bit better now. Ricken was still the same may be the school and all had just put a distance between them well now that she had completed her studies and officially become a shepherd, she can spend more time with him and be best friends just like they were before.

"Well, I got to go now. Best of luck Lissa and stay safe ok?" He said finally and stepped around her and she waved goodbye as he left. She went her way to complete all her packing and be ready for her first task. She took her bags and headed to their meeting spot. Just in time to see Rufure saying his last goodbyes to everyone and loading his bags in the saddle of Frederick's horse, she was the only horse they were taking this time since it was a normal inspection trip and it was not that far. She went and put her bags too and started telling her goodbyes to everyone. Frederick was already there stoic and ready. Chrom came at last with Emmeryn and she smiled wide as her sister and nodded as she reminded her again to be careful. They said their last goodbyes to Emmeryn and headed out.

They had been talking about the most mundane topics while they walked to the border, just to keep some noise going as they walked on the long-winded path. The walk to the pass was not much for them since they all were now used to long marches but Lissa had started lagging as they neared south town, Rufure knew she was going to tire herself out at this pace, so he motioned to Frederick as he nodded and then called out to her,

"Milady you seem tired you can get on her for a bit she will carry you." The girl seemed a little reluctant, but he glared at her silently saying her to stop being stubborn. They were only halfway there, and she doesn't need to exert herself like this. She pouts and accepts as Frederick helps her get on the horse. They started again and this time he and Chrom walked a bit front as Lissa and Frederick stayed in the back talking amongst each other.

"Lissa is coming out quite nicely for her first march." He commented off handily and Chrom just nodded and he scoffed gods this stupid brother of his.

"You don't need to be this tense. no one is going to suddenly spring upon us."

Chrom sighed, "I know but I can't help worry. The brigands have been getting bolder and this border is quite close to the Pelgian slums. We don't know what might happen and," He let it go but Rufure understood perfectly well what he wanted to say. Though the inspections were not that hard sometimes they did get ambushed and well they had handled it well until now and got out with minor injuries, but it was still not good. The bandits had good formation, good idea where to attack from and how to attack. As a taction, he could feel it in his nerves that whoever was giving them deployment orders was not a fool but a quite skilled taction just like him. They could still handle them but right now they had Lissa with them and well they knew she was trained to but as her brothers, they couldn't help worrying for her safety.

Right now, her safety was everything to them. But he can't let Chrom be all on alert the whole time he will exhaust himself even before they reach the border.

"Chrom it will be fine. I and Frederick have both been keeping a good eye and the ambushes have been increasing but it's not something we can't handle and Lissa is good at handling herself, you know that."

Sighing again Chrom felt defeated and smiled tiredly at him and finally relaxing a bit, "yes you are right. I should give her more credit and believe in all of us."

Rufure nodded smiling at him and they let the silence fall as they continued walking. When they neared south town, Frederick stopped them and asked if they wanted to visit or continue. Chrom turned to him and he put a hand on his chin thinking a bit. Well resting a bit did sound good but if they continued and ended the problem today, they could go back home tomorrow and thus return on far earlier time than expected. Since the start of the mission, he had been feeling a bit impatient. His instincts have been loud since the start and he couldn't determine why maybe it was because of Lissa but still, he felt impatient. Even though as a taction he should remain calm and rational he knew well the importance of listening to your instincts so without thinking twice he decided to make haste.

"We should continue. It's not too far and we can make on good time." He said and they all agreed, resuming their walk.

As the evening came around, they reached the border in time. They made way to the guards and immediately set out to work. Checking all their records talking around the guards and get a thorough report. It seems a few Brigands did attack them a few days back, but they had come from Ylisse's side, so they didn't kill them and captured them. The interrogation only revealed they were sent a letter containing all the information and how to attack them and what to do. They had no idea who sent it or why. The money also was sent anonymously. The letter the captain had been able to secure and when he got a look at it, he was shocked. The details on the plan of attack were too good and too detailed as if they could see exactly how the battle was going to go out. His suspicions held true now, Pelgia had a very skilled taction who was making all the plans and helping them do so much damage with just some handful of Brigands. He frowned and hated himself for feeling excited at the thought of this tactician, he was such a brat at times. He couldn't act like it was a competition this time, this was serious business, this man could easily annihilate them on the battlefield. He will need to prepare for him and use all his wits to make sure he does good on his title as the tactician. He won't let anyone die on his watch.

He read the instructions again to analyse on how the tactician worked and thought, that's when his eyes widened slightly as he noticed this person had not explicitly stated it but the orders made it this way that they were would be no causalities and only injured, that made him silently wonder if this man was not fond of bloodshed or was this ruse so that the mad king could pretend that he had no relation to this? He didn't know and that frustrated him,

He frowned as he handed Frederick the letter to take back and then swallowed his frustrations and fears to deal with the current problems. He stayed the rest day and made new battle plans for their troops changed around their whole duty list and guard list changed their training timings and worked around their roster. He also instructed the captain on how to deal with future threats and stayed almost the whole night to imagine up all kinds of battle simulations and made plans for them. The next morning Chrom frowned slightly worried as he stared at his tired eyes and haggard look. He ignored him and gave his last instructions to the captain. Chrom then stepped and informed them on how to deliver the prisoners to the city and gave them their motivation speech and in the end, Lissa was trying hard to hide her smirk. They saluted them as they left and Rufure hoped his preparations were enough.

She was panting as she ran in the dimly lighted hallways. She turned the page as she panted and silently chanted the spell, turning back she threw a thunder spell on the right pillar effectively destroying it and throwing the rubble down to cut off her pursuers. She took a sharp right and then hid behind a big pillar kneeling she tried to control her breathing. 'Aversa! She finally showed her true colours she immediately turned Gangrel against me as soon as they got the war they wanted. That bitch! I am going to kill her and that thief!' She dug her nails in her palm to control her raging anger. Now was not the time, now she needs to stay calm and find a way to get out of the palace, to get out of Pelgia. If she stays, she will be killed by Aversa's minions. Till she can get some allies she needs to stay low and stay away. She can't die here, not by the hands of these fools. She still has things to do, to fulfil a wish, to fulfil his wish. Until then she can't die. With renewed determination, she got up and ran knowing exactly what she needs to do.

She ran all the way right, straight to her room while keeping an eye on them. Five secs, she had five secs before they catch up to her. She hurriedly pulled out the secret hole in her bath and put in the small piece of paper, he will find it and then ran back to her room and pulled out an ancient tome from her study table and opened it, just in time for them to enter. As they came to a stop they smirked, thinking confidently they had cornered her, fools. She smirked silently as she started chanting as they slowed made way to her obviously trying to have some fun before they must do their job. Arrogant, disgusting cretins thinking they could do anything to her. Very sick but advantageous as she could gain more time to chant her spell.

She felt the energy burst in her veins as a man neared ready to push her down. She closed her eyes, saying the final word and imagined a place far away from Pelgia. And then she felt the sensation of falling, the smell of ozone filled her nose and bland taste of pure air lodged in her mouth. She felt a thud and the hard ground beneath her as she landed. She panted as she felt her heart race and her body sagging with drainage of her energy. She put a hand down on the soft grass to stabilize herself and gain a bearing of where she was, where she had been teleported. Slowly looking around, she was in a lush open area filled with green looking grass, and tress a bit far away. The air tasted pure and smelled sweet with fresh grass smell and she felt herself relax. It felt so peaceful as the windblown, she was not in Pelgia she had no idea where she was but defiantly not in Pelgia and that made all her nerves relax. As her heartbeat slowed, she felt her body falling backwards, she could no longer hold herself up. She looked up to see the stars shining bright, beautiful and she remembered something very warm and yet painful.

'Look! Look Rufure the stars! The stars look so beautiful' 7 years old her jumped excitedly as she hurriedly laid down while pointing out the vast clear sky to her precious brother. He chuckled lightly,

'Robin, they look same as yesterday' He commented back as he lay down beside her and giggled as she pouted irritated at him. A warm hand came and patted their hair as she pulled them to her warm lamp,

'Rufure do no tease your sister.' Their beloved mother lightly scolded the older sibling and he amused, apologised to his young sister. She let her pout fall and went back to looking at her favourite stars as her mother started pointing out all the constellations and she listened eagerly and actively searched for them in the infinite sky.

She had been very happy.

But now it was all but just a memory. She let a tear fell as she huffed out, "Am I going to die here, somewhere unknown yet so beautiful?" She chuckled slightly, "That doesn't sound that bad actually, I can finally be with mother and Rufure." With that last thought, her eyes slowly closed, and darkness took her.

They left the border fortress and walked in the direction of south town, he was still quite tired, so he lagged with Frederick while his siblings stayed in the front chatting amicably and he silently chuckled as he saw Lissa pout at something rude Chrom had said. They had so much energy today, he couldn't muster that much at all. He still was a bit glad the trip so far had been uneventful, and his instincts though still acting up didn't come true so far. Maybe he spoke too fast as Lissa suddenly gasped and then ran pointing something to Chrom who ran behind her, he gasped and then followed them knowing well Frederick was just behind him, He came near, and his eyes widen as he noticed a person fallen on the ground. Chrom stopped Lissa from kneeling down a hand on Falchion and stared at the person assessing her.

From the skirt, she was wearing it was a girl her hood was pulled up so he couldn't see her face but the coat around her was well covered in blood and eerily reminded him of the coat he saw his brother always wear. The blood was worrying him, but he couldn't take any chances with this strange person, as it was clear they were from Pelgia. Lissa getting his message stepped back and sighed, she was still worried for this person and wanted to treat her but until Chrom and Rufure mad sure she was not a danger they won't let her near her.

"Chrom do you think she will be fine?"

"I am not sure if she will make it,"

"It can' be!" She gasped shocked, "We have to do something" She pleaded with him as he sighed,

"What do you propose we do?"

She groaned and they both turned to her, eyes fluttered open as she stared at the two of them. Lissa gasped happily glad the girl had not died.

"Ah, you are awake," Chrom said as he smiled slightly, he was wary, but he reasoned she might just be a person who fainted after being attacked or something, he doesn't want to scare her anymore then.

"Are you ok?" Lissa asked her to smile warmly too and the girl just blinked staring at them, looking very confused.

"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground you know. If you sleep here, you will catch a cold." He joked as he put his hand forward, "Take my hand." He prompted her as he noticed her just staring at it. She gave her gloved hand to him, and he pulled her up slightly hard, and she got up her hood falling and standing quite close to him. He noticed her small blank brown eyes first which were looking at him in surprise. Then she flushed and immediately backed up.

"Thank you um," She said her voice sounding raspy and low and Chrom felt more pity for her, it sounded like she didn't have a glass of water in days.

"Chrom." He answered automatically and she smiled as she bowed down a bit,

"Thank you, Chrom." She said and then straightened up and started taking their appearances in. He almost felt like she was assessing them like Rufure does when they are training. Speaking of Rufure he could feel his and Frederick stare at the back of his head, they were going to make him handle all the talking and he felt a sigh coming. He never understood why all of them thought he was good at diplomatics. He was thinking of how to word it better that he didn't notice her stifling as she took his appearance in.

"Can I ask miss, what you are doing here?" He asked politely and trying to keep his voice friendly and not scare her away. She tried hard to not flinch at that question.

"I-I um I am Robin." She said finally her voice slightly cracking and sounding sacred. And he felt a sweat drop she must have seen their sword and felt they might drag her somewhere depending on her answer.

"Robin why were you laying there?" He asked again ad she felt her throat constrict as she forced her mind to think something, anything to answer that and not have them kill her. She couldn't think of any excuses that would make them pardon her, and even if they do as soon as they take her to the capital, they will know her identity, she can't bluff her way out of this. She could tell the truth and they might not kill her, after all, Emmeryn was a kind and understanding ruler, they might take her as a prisoner and then when she meets with the exalt, she can play her cards right and get them on her side so that she can end this war. Yes, this way she still has a chance of fulfilling his wish.

"I was being pursued and while trying to escape I ended up here," She explained, "And please you may not believe me, but I am not here on any ambush or plot. I know who you are Lord Chrom, first prince of Ylisse." She dropped her eyes and putting a leg behind her, she bent to her waist level, just like she was thought to curtsy to the fellow people of her standing. They didn't appreciate the gesture so well though, as Chrom pushed Lissa behind him and his hand went to his sword, not yet drawn but ready, she knew him and just by his face no commoner or foot soldier would be able to and yet she had so the only explanation was she was in the army and that too a high ranking,

"Who are you?" He asked carefully,

She doesn't look up as she answered, "You might not have heard about me, but I am the first princess of Pelgia."

"I call that load of dung, my lord. Pelgia has no princess." Frederick snapped back, his hold on his lance tightening and she sweated as her hands went cold, she didn't lift her head up. She wondered if she was going to die here after all, if Chrom was anything like his father than he will execute her right at this point and then use her body as a war aggressor but, her hands tightened at her coat she won't let him do that. If she is going to die, she is going to make sure her body won't become another tool of this senseless war. Rufure tightened his hand on his tome as Chrom turned to him and he gave him a meaningful look and he nodded understanding.

"If what you say is true then why were you being pursued?"

She sighed, then straightened slightly as she looked down at the ground to answer, "It is quite a long story if I go in the details, but the summary is that the King Gangrel and his royal advisor wanted me out of their way since they got the war they wanted." He sucked in a deep breath in, that can't be but if what she is saying is true then they need this girl. She sensed what he was thinking as she bent slightly again,

"I will make my stance clear Lord Chrom I didn't come here to attack anyone or start any fight. I do not want to fight if it is not required and honestly, I am in no shape to fight all three of you right now. I am ready to submit myself peacefully and be your prisoner if you will take my word." She looked up, their eyes meeting and he could see the sincerity in them as they burned, though blank, "I swear on myself I am not lying. It is not known I will agree but I am indeed the princess of Pelgia." He sighed, he had a feeling she was saying the truth and she was ready to settle this peacefully and he was ready for that, even he didn't want to hurt someone who already seemed injured. He turned to his brother who had his eyes wide, in caution as he frowned slightly. Rufure felt conflicted, if she was saying true, she was useful, but she had assessed them on one glance, she knew they were a threat even when she had not even once seen his side, she had also immediately eliminated Lissa from potential fighters without even assessing her deeply, she had a good eye. It worried him but his brother stared at him and he sighed if she was going to keep their word then there is no need for needless fighting and Emm wouldn't like if they fought with someone who was already injured. He nodded at him. He could feel Frederick glaring silently at them, but he kept quiet wisely and he sighed at that. This trip had just become more annoying than before.

"Understood Robin we will believe you for now." She straightened, smiling slightly as she looked relieved and he felt glad that she was after all not a threat.

"Thank you." He nodded and then gestured to Frederick who sighed and then went to his mare, pulling out a rope he went to her as she pulled her tome out and threw it to the ground and put her hands up, he tied them and then nudged her as they all got information. Lissa and Chrom stayed in front while Rufure and Frederick walked behind her, in case she did try something. They started walking again and he kept an eye on her assessing her and he felt a lump form as he noticed that coat, he knew others had too and he also noticed the white hair from behind her, he had not seen her face, but he felt a nagging at him. He glanced at the others to see them glancing at her periodically, in worry and shock. Lissa especially seemed worried as she kept glancing between them looking like she had seen a ghost. He did not like that look one bit. He shook his head and assessed her when he frowned slightly, that boot, the way she was walking he had an in liking. But something told him he can trust her for now, so he decided to keep an eye out and yet he felt irritated for an unknown reason. Lissa then halted as she turned to her and frowned worriedly.

"Hey, are you alright?" The girl asked her, and she nodded, her wounds were mostly shallow, it was the exhaustion of casting the spell that caused her to faint.

The girl smiled wide happy, "I am glad." And she felt a bit weird at that statement, she was their enemy, yet she was worried for her. She didn't like that.

"Then how did you faint?" The man in the back asked her, the one she had yet to see. His voice was deep and commanding, not holding the same kindness at the girl and yet was curious and may be wary. She found no harm to answer that.

"I was cornered in my own castle and the only way to escape was by casting this spell."

"What kind of spell?"

"A transportation spell, it's of a high order and can be performed by only skilled users. I learned it when I was quite young and have used it for short distances, but this was the first time using for such a large distance, which drained me and caused me to collapse as soon as I landed here."

"If that is the case why did you come in Ylisse if it was not us but the Brigands you would be dead you know." He said sounding like he considered her a fool and she gritted her teeth,

"I didn't choose to come here I was desperate and just tried to get out of Pelgia as far I can." She answered back a bit of bite in her tone which she was not apologetic for. Sure, it was risky but at that time she had no other choice.

"Now, now that will be enough. Sorry, he is being just on the edge. We never expected this." She just nodded saying nothing, well even she had no idea she was going to meet the prince today. The only time she had thought she will see him was on the battlefield.

"And you might be lying as we never heard Pelgia having a princess." The knight said and she sighed, she had known they were not going to let that go easily,

"Yes, I am not surprised after all not even the citizens of Pelgia know that after all."

"Why?" The fourth man asked again.

"It's quite a long story maybe I can tell it once I am in front of the exalt and council. I do not wish to keep repeating myself." She bargained and Chrom sighed again,

"That quite alright. Any information you will give us is better to do in the castle rather than here where anyone can listen to us." He directed that more to the ones in the back and she felt her heart constricting. Since they meet the girl was worried for her wounds, Chrom had twice scolded his own men for talking rudely to her, and they all have been walking in pace with her to not make her push herself. And then, the knight sighed and then handed Chrom something as he smiled and walked up to her holding a water skin up and she reluctantly drank the water.

They smiled at her and she felt her throat constricting as an unusual silent plea resounded in her mind, 'Don't be kind to me I was going to kill all you because I had to.' She didn't let the plea leave her though, she knew it was going to come one day, her sins will be put out in front of them to judge her but that doesn't have to be today. She didn't want it to be today. She wondered where this reluctance was coming for when she all she is going to do is use them to get her throne back.

"Where are we heading?" She asked herself this time, to distance herself from the swirling thoughts.

"To the Southdown and from there we will head to the capital."

"I see." She nodded if she remembered the map correctly south town was a border town in Ylisse. So, she had landed near the border.

"I think introductions are in order," Chrom then said, "Well I am Chrom as you already know and this delicate one is Lissa, my sister." He said pointing to the girl and she felt her eyes wide, even the second princess was here. The girl frowned at him

"I am not delicate!" She screamed and he just laughed like he was used to that outburst.

"The wary knight is Frederick." He grinned and the Knight just gave him a dry look.

"A title I shall wear with pride."

"And lastly he is our brother and infamous taction, Rufure." She felt her heart stop for two reasons, one the infamous second prince who no one knew even existed was just there and he had the same name as her own brother. She felt a bad feeling well up in her hear and tried to squish it down. 'It is not him! Rufure is dead! It might just be a coincidence he has the same name. Yes! He is a prince of Ylisse it can't be him.' She just nodded feeling her mouth not work as all kinds of memories started showing up in her, she didn't dare to turn around.

"I have every wish to trust you, miss but I, as their knight should maintain a level of caution." The knight said and she nodded,

"I understand sir, if I was in your position, I would have done the same." She said and then Rufure sighed, he was irritated, but he cannot be rude to her she still was someone who ended up in enemy territory while being chased out of her own home but her own men, she has enough as anguish.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, princess. I would love to be hospitable with you, but my station mandates otherwise." He, the prince said – but he was still their taction - and she felt her throat burn,

"It's ok." Was all she said she didn't want to deal with this person who had the same name as her beloved brother. She couldn't be calm in front of anything that reminded her of him. Just then Lissa turned around and then gasped, they all turned to her,

"Chrom look the town." They looked up to see smoke rising from the area and their faces darkened, except hers, remaining blank.

"Those brigands!" Chrom growled out, pulling his sword from the sheath, "Come on you guys we got to stop them."

"Wait, milord, what should we do of her?" Frederick asked,

"Frederick you come with her to the town we three will head over there first and assess the situation." The prince ordered him.

"Understood milord."

They all started running and she saw the back of the man called Rufure, he wore the same coat as her. The coat she always saw in her nightmares running away from her, just like now and she felt her mind-numbing. Frederick pulled his mare and was going to move but she stayed frozen trying hard to make sense of what she saw and her own raging feelings. He touched her shoulder and she flinched looking at him startled. He didn't let his surprise show,

"Let us go miss." He commanded her, more politely than he would since she was still supposedly a princess. She understood his command and decided to shut those thoughts down, she needs to survive right now. She numbly nodded and started running behind him. They reached just in time to see Chrom cutting one of the assailants down and then turning to Rufure saying something. They stopped back of them and she felt growing desperation to turn him around and check what she was already dreading. But she made no move to do so and just stood there, trying hard to catch their words.

"Frederick, I need you up front," Rufure commanded, "They are not like any brigands we encountered so far." He explained and she took his words in and immediately took a step forward and got a clear view of the body on the ground and immediately recognized it feeling a shock run in her system waking her up from her haze.

"They were the ones who were chasing me," She told immediately out as her mind ran on how that was exactly possible. They could have followed her all the way her, she had randomly chosen this place and yet here they were before her and possibly trying to find her in the town thinking she must have taken shelter in there. Which was likely possible if they had not found her, she would have done that. How did they predict she was here?

"What? But you said you randomly came here how did they find you?" Rufure asked her and she bit her lip trying hard to not turn and look at him. She needs to keep her mind clear.

"A tracking spells. Aversa is a well-versed dark mage. She must have used my possessions and done a tracking spell and then using the mages in Covent she transported them here." She said her theory as she dug her nails in her palms, "Those bastards, all of them were in on this." She growled out as she glared hard at one of the men who was breaking the stands and shouting something.

"How good are they?"

"They are experienced fighters but very stupid who only know how to think through their muscles. If you use divert tactics, they won't ever guess what hit them."

"Frederick, I want you in front with Chrom you are covering his blind spots. I will be taking the rear and snip them." He turned to Lissa, "Lissa you and she stay behind and take these," He handed her a tome and a small knife, "If someone slips and comes to attack you cut her binds and hand her the tome until then stay here and hide, got it?"

The girl nodded and she let her blood freeze. Did he want to trust her with the princess? Was he a fool?

"Rather than that, you can use me as bait. They came here to kill me if they see me, they will – " He cut her off,

"We don't use that kind of cheap tactics." He snapped at her and she finally looked at him. It was him, his eyes, his hair everything was him. But it was still not him there was no recognition in his eyes when they meet. He had a slight glare and a frown pulled, the kind of expression he had never given her no matter what she did. She felt her heart stop and her mind shut off. He then took out his tome and started moving but,

"If anything happens to Lissa we will hunt you down." He gave her a final warning as he left, and her heart was breaking. That look he had always given that look to the people who dared to hurt her. Their brother, the second prince of Ylisse. He was no longer the Rufure she knew, she loved. She stared at his silhouette as he threw a spell at one of the men who was coming on Chrom's right side. And then slightly told the man something as he sheepishly laughed in turn. She then looked down at the princess who stared at the ongoing fight with scared and worried eyes.

They now his family. She was now his small sister.

She felt hollow laughter bubbling in her as she felt her heart-numbing.

"Lissa, could you pull my hood up, please?" The girl did as ask and didn't ask anything back. As her face finally covered up, she let a small tear fall.

'What had I been fighting for till now?'

A/N - Hey, guys here is my next chapter, I hope with this chapter you understand better where this story is heading to and also how exactly the whole dynamics are going to work. I also want to inform you guys the updates for this story will be mostly roughly monthly if you wanna know better you can follow me on my twitter. I wanna give myself enough time to draft the chapters and edit them so I am posting one chapter after I have completed drafting one, so please be patient.

Important announcement- I have started a ko-fi account, I was hoping anyone who loves my stories would be kind enough to buy me a coffee. It would be really helpful to me and I would be really grateful for it. It is just 3£. Please consider doing it and soon I will also maybe start taking commissions, I am still setting it up. Thank you.

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