The journey to Ylisstol lasted into the afternoon. They marched constantly, ever vigilant for the monsters that attacked them earlier. It wasn't until they had made it inside Ylisstol's walls that they finally allowed themselves to relax. Sully excused herself to continue on, and Virion made it rather obvious that he intended to follow her, no matter how many times she kicked him.
"So this is Ylisstol?" Alysia marveled as they walked down the street towards the palace. "I don't think that I've ever seen this many people in my life, amnesia or not!" All along the street, people were involved in their day-to-day lives. Merchants called out to passers-by, peddling their wares. Performers drew crowds, juggling, performing sleight-of-hand tricks, and showcasing unusual talents.
"It appears that the capital was spared the chaos we encountered." The relief in Frederick's voice was obvious. "The great quake seems to have been limited to the forest, and if those monsters made it to the city, there's no sign of them or damage."
A call rang out among the crowd, and it parted itself, moving to either side of the road. Cheers of "Emmeryn!" and "Long live the Exalt!" filled the air. There, walking at the head of a procession of pegasus knights and soldiers, was a regal-looking woman, her long blonde flowing over her shoulders, the same emblem emblazoned on Chrom's right shoulder clear on her forehead.
"Is it safe for your ruler to walk among her subjects like this? Even if she's only a step ahead of her guard..."
"The exalt is a symbol of peace," Frederick explained, "Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, the Fell Dragon tried to destroy the world, but the first Exalt joined forces with the Divine Dragon and put the beast down. Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then, and why we fight for it now."
Chrom nodded. "And with Plegia poking at our borders, the people need her more than ever. She's a calming presence when others would demand war."
Alysia nodded. The procession had passed them now, and the crowd was filtering away, either going back to their daily lives or following the procession. "The Ylissean people are lucky to have her, then."
"She's also the best big sister anyone could ever ask for!" Lissa added.
Alysia smiled. "I guess she would be. You two are extremely lucky to have her."
Chrom raised his eyebrows. "How did you know we were royalty?" He asked.
Alysia smiled. "I didn't until recently. The way Frederick put up with your fun at his expense, the honorifics you received from the townspeople, and the feast they wanted to have for you guys all made me assume that you were pretty high in station, but the fact that the symbol on your right shoulder matches the one on Emmeryn's forehead perfectly was my first clue that you were royalty."
"And yet you still treated us as common folk?" Chrom asked.
Alysia laughed. "You turned down the feast at the village and a nice bed at an inn for roasted bear meat and a tent under the stars. I recognize the fact that you're a prince by blood, but you don't act like it."
Chrom laughed, and smiled. "Well, I'm glad that you've refrained from doting on me. I've never really been one for palace life."
"Which helps explain why you're so involved in the Shepherds." Alysia said. "You'd rather be out helping your people than sitting at home, staying comfortable while their complaints come in."
Chrom nodded. "Come on, the palace isn't too far ahead."
"Chrom! Lissa!" Emmeryn hugged her younger siblings. "Welcome home!" She looked up and saw Frederick and Alysia, but seemed focused on Frederick, though Alysia knew that Emmeryn had recognized her presence. "Oh, Frederick. Good day." She let go of her siblings. "How fared you all?"
Chrom smiled. "Well, I doubt that our border towns will be having any bandit problems in the near future."
Emmeryn smiled, and nodded. "And our people?"
"Safe as they can be, but we'll need to keep watching our borders carefully. They crossed over from Plegia."
"Forgive me, milord." Alysia looked up to see a woman with white hair and golden armor standing at attention, a stern look on her face. "My pegasus knights should have intercepted them."
Chrom shook his head. "No, Phila. It wasn't your fault. Your duty was here, with the Exalt."
"And besides," Lissa said, "we had plenty of help!"
"You speak of your new companion?" Emmeryn asked.
Chrom nodded. "This is Alysia." He explained. "We found her outside Southtown on the last leg of our patrol. She helped us when Southtown came under attack by bandits, and fought very bravely. I've decided to make her a Shepherd."
Emmeryn nodded, and looked kindly at Alysia. "It sounds like Ylisse owes you a debt of gratitude, Alysia."
Alysia shook her head. "Not at all, milady. I'm simply happy that I was able to help."
"Forgive me, Your Grace," Frederick said, "but I must speak. Alysia claims to have lost her memory, but it is only that: a claim. She displays powerful mental faculties, especially in the field of tactics. We cannot rule out that she is a Plegian spy."
"Frederick!" Chrom said, surprised at the accusation.
"And yet here she stands, in my castle." Emmeryn pointed out. "Chrom, does this woman have your trust?"
Chrom nodded. "Of course. She risked her life to save our people. That's good enough for me."
Emmeryn nodded. "Well then, Alysia, it would appear that you've earned Chrom's faith. Now you have mine as well."
Alysia bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, milady."
Emmeryn nodded. "But thank you for your prudence, Frederick. As always, your opinion on the matter is appreciated. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have a guardian as tireless as you are. I hope they remember to mention that from time to time."
Frederick nodded. "They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace." He turned to the knight standing behind Emmeryn. "Phila, I assume that you've heard about the creatures we encountered?"
Phila nodded. "Yes, sir. They've been spotted all across Ylisse."
Emmeryn spoke up. "Chrom, we were about to hold a council. I was hoping that you could join us."
Chrom nodded. "Of course."
"That's our cue, Alysia!" Lissa said. "Come on, there's a place I want to show you!" Lissa grabbed Alysia by the arm, and dragged her along.
From the palace, it didn't take long for Lissa to lead Alyisa through the city, heading north along the streets. Lissa blew past all of the little market stalls and their owners, seemingly possessed by some drive. Alysia found herself struggling to keep up. Finally, a few minutes after they'd passed through the north gate of Ylisstol, Alysia saw their destination. It looked like a mansion. "Home away from home?" Alysia asked.
Lissa slowed down, and turned around, then nodded. "You could say that, I guess." She turned back around, and sped up again. Alysia sighed, and sped up to keep pace. Lissa ran to the front doors of the house, and opened them, slipping inside. Alysia followed.
Lissa was waiting just inside of the doors. Alysia nearly ran right into her, but managed to stop herself in time. "Here we are!" Lissa said, spinning around. "The Shepherds' garrison." She stopped spinning and looked at Alysia. "Go ahead, take a look around.
Alysia looked around the courtyard that they'd stopped in. It wasn't exactly clean. Weapons, dulled for practice or sharpened for battlefield use, lay scattered off to the side. Crates filled with who-knows-what were scattered all around the place. Containers that Alysia recognized as vulneraries were stacked against one of the crates.
Before Alysia had a chance to speak, another voice cried out. "Lissa! I've been on pins and needles worrying about you!" Alysia turned to see a well-dressed blonde running forward.
"Hey, Maribelle!" Lissa said.
"'Hey' yourself!" Maribelle said. "I've sprouted fourteen gray hairs worrying over you!"
Lissa smiled. "You worry too much, Maribelle. I can handle a battle or two, though I could go without the bugs and barbecue."
Maribelle sighed. "Well, it's good to see that you're alright."
Alysia noticed that there were a few other people in the courtyard, and they started walking over. "Hey squirt!" The voice belonged to a musclebound blonde-haired man. Alysia noticed a small scar running across his right cheek, and an impressive axe. His impressive musculature was unrestricted by heavy armor, instead protected by a softer set of leather shoulder-guards and leather greaves. "Where's Chrom? I bet you guys had a rough time without ol' Teach and his trusty axe around!"
"So you're 'Teach' now?" Lissa giggled. "I thought people were born without wits. Leave it to Vaike to figure out how to teach it!"
Vaike beamed. "Ha! Never doubt the Vaike! I-" His smile disappeared. "Wait, that was an insult, wasn't it?"
The brunette at the back of the group finally spoke up. "Er, Lissa? Is the captain coming?"
Maribelle sighed. "Poor Sumia's been beside herself with concern. Her eyes have scanning the horizon during training." Maribelle shook her head. "She probably would've earned fewer bruises figting blindfolded."
Lissa laughed. "Aw, Sumia! It's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom like that."
Sumia blushed a bit. "Worry? Well, I- Of course I'd worry about him. He's our captain, and the prince!"
"So, who's the new girl?" Vaike asked.
"This is Alysia." Lissa said. "Chrom took her on as our new tactician. You should see all the tricks she's got up her sleeves!"
"Oh?" Vaike asked. "Can she do this?" The courtyard echoed with the burp that followed.
"No, I can't do that." Alysia said. "Nor do I think that I'd ever find a practical purpose for it." She sighed. "In any case, it's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Vaike, that was abhorrent!" Maribelle said, recovering. "Do you need to pollute the air I breath as well as the space I inhabit?" She shook her head, then turned on her heel and headed into the mansion proper.
"Is she always like that?" Alysia asked.
Sumia nodded. "Don't worry about it, though. She takes a while to warm up to others."
"Or she burns too quickly!" Lissa said, laughing. "But yeah, just give her a bit of time."
The door to the courtyard opened, and Chrom walked in.
"Captain!" Sumia said. "You're back! I was so- I mean, we were-"
She took a few quick steps forward, and tripped over a lance that had been discarded in the middle of the courtyard. She quickly got up and dusted herself off, muttering something that Alysia couldn't catch.
"Those boots of yours again?" Chrom asked.
"No! I mean yes! I mean..." Sumia sighed in defeat, prompting a laugh from everyone else.
"Alright." Chrom said. "Listen up." All eyes went to him. "In the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox."
"Regna Ferox?" Alysia asked.
"A unified kingdom to the north of Ylisse." Sumia explained. "Supposedly, it's inhabited by barbarians."
"They're strong warriors," Chrom said, "and we're going to need their strength to quell this new menace."
"Err... New menace?" Sumia asked.
Chrom told them about what had happened in the town, and about the monsters that they'd fought in the forest. As he talked, another person, this one a knight in heavy armor, joined the group. "Typically, the Exalt would request such aid in person, but given these recent events, the people are going to start worrying if Emm leaves the capital."
"So you get the task?" Alysia asked.
Chrom nodded. "Now, the mission's strictly voluntary, so don't feel obligated to-"
"I volunteer!" Lissa said.
"You'll be needing ol' Teach along for a mission this delicate!"
"I'll go as well." The knight said, making everyone jump in surprise. Alysia didn't understand how they'd managed to miss him. "I've been here the whole time!" He said.
"Sorry, Kellam." Chrom said.
"I... um..."
"What is it, Sumia?" Chrom asked.
"I'm not really sure that I'm ready for a proper mission." She said. "I mean, I've only been a Shepherd for a few weeks. I'd probably just get in the way."
Chrom shrugged. "You could just stay behind the main group. If we start fighting a battle, just hang back. It's your choice, but there are some lessons that can only be learned on the battlefield."
"If you think it's a good idea, Captain." Sumia said.
Chrom nodded. "Just stay by me. We'll be fine."
"Oh, yes!" Sumia said excitedly, before regaining her composure. "I mean, yes sir."
Chrom nodded. "Alright then. We head out at first light tomorrow."
Alysia looked up. To her surprise, the sky was already beginning to darken. She walked into the manor proper, and wandered until she found a room that didn't appear to have an occupant. She collapsed onto the bed, and sleep overtook her.
Sumia screamed as her lance struck out, her lance managing to cut into Alysia's left upper arm. "Chrom trusted you, you bitch!" She screamed. "He fucking trusted you!" Her next attack nearly punched a hole in Alysia's head, but she ducked underneath it just in time. "How could you do something like that to him?" She was slowing down now, but her rage still managed to fuel her. "He took you in! He gave you a home! And you just killed him like that!" The lance flew in again. This time, though, Alysia got her knives into position. She sent the lance's tip up, then drove one of her weapons into Sumia's gut. Electrical energy flowed freely into the knife, and Sumia screamed as she was hit by the electrical attack.
Sumia collapsed, blood flowing from her new wound, her body spasmodic from the electricity coursing through it. Tears were flowing down her face. "I... I loved him just as much as you did... Why'd he choose you?" Then, Alysia fired lightning into her from point-blank, and Sumia's last scream echoed for nearly a minute, even as her voice fell silent forever.
