Nightfall came soon after the battle, and with it the cold took the place of the blazing heat. The fiery gaze of the sun was replaced by the frigid watch of the moon, with the trees swaying too and fro. The carcass of both towers lay dormant, one breaking clearly into the treeline while the other blocked access through the road entirely. The wagon was useless now, the spokes clearly broken in half. One of the horses broke both of its front legs but… a little stave-work fixed that up.

We ended up leaving the carnage behind about as quickly has we had caused it, taking a few of the horses and loading them with some supplies before riding off into the distance. Leaving a trail of destruction like this was going to start haunting us. If they didn't have people trying to capture us before, once that outpost was discovered they would be scouring the entire region. Especially after we… I ended up getting some of the men killed.

It still feels so weird. Growing up, I was always surrounded by violence. Risen everywhere, innocent people getting cut to pieces. Entire towns disappearing overnight. Fight in the day, sleep in the afternoon, fight even more at night. Kill, kill, kill. Kill them before they killed you. But that was Risen, killing them was easy. Killing people…

It was a battle. I didn't hesitate, I knew I did the right thing. But it didn't make me feel any better about it afterwards. During the ride away from the scene, I spent the entire time quiet as a mouse. It was probably best that I didn't bother my family more than I already had to begin with.

Now we've reached a small village a ways down the road. At the town square, there's a small Inn with a light outside. We quickly tie up the horses, find our way inside, and rent a pair of rooms for the night. Caeldori insisted that she be given her own space, being a 'grown lady capable of handling herself.'

It's already deep into the night as I sit myself down in our room and begin to undress myself. Sword off, shield off, armor off. Stripping myself down to my small-clothes. I'm so exhausted I don't even care about how it looks anymore, all I want to do is melt away into this chair and forget the day's events. This always happens every night after a battle. My nerves just disappear, my brave mask slips off to show my actual fear.

This is all going so wrong. We're being hunted down by Gods knows how many soldiers. The first few days we've spent back home have been nothing but constant fighting, fleeing and fatigue. When I asked the Innkeeper what the date was, I found out that it had been five whole years since we had all left on Anakos' mission.

Five years of my life, gone. I hadn't told anyone back home where I was going. Lucina, Cynthia, Noire, they all probably think I'm dead. The rest of the new Shepards probably helped them try to look for me, but I was in a completely other realm.

Mother, oh Gods. First she lost Father, now she thinks she's lost me. What kind of fool am I?

Stupid, selfish, Severa. Never thinking about my actions. Never wondering how what I'll do will affect the others. When I first came back, I ended up making Mother cry. Now I've probably gone and caused her even more pain. Her, all of my friends, everyone I ever cared about. That's not even factoring in the hell I've dragged my new family through as well.

I just sit in my chair, tearing up and silently sobbing. I can feel my entire form just bleed into the chair. I don't want to get up, I just want this all to be over. I just want to be home again, to see everyone safe and sound.

"I thought something was wrong. You were far to quiet on the ride here."

My roommate finally speaks, stepping into the room and making his way over to me. Subaki decided to jump at the chance of using the bath-house once we finally arrived, handing me the key to the room and running off with a rag and brush in hand. Right now he looks just like a wet, poofed up poodle. Towel around his waist, hair down and frizzed up. His clothes were all tossed over his shoulder. If I had it in me, I'd say that he looked absolutely ungentlemanly. But I can't, not now. All I can do is try to wipe my face clean.

That's when I feel something warm wrap around me. It feels safe and familiar to the touch as I'm lifted up and out of my seat. Carried over to the bed and setting me down. As I open my eyes I can sense Subaki sit down next to me, pulling his own small-clothes back on. "I know, I know. I look ungentlemanly and ridiculous. I can't always look perfect in front of you, and I apologize for that."

I laugh. An actual, happy laugh. It's the first time in days I've been able to do that. Sniffling, I bloch my eyes once more, trying to get myself together. "Y-you better." I say, half-heartedly playing along. But even I'm having trouble keeping up my usual persona. "Acting so b-blaze in front of your w-wife. Have you no shame?"

It's his turn to laugh, and once he's done making himself decent, he wraps his hand around mine. Our fingers interlock so easily, it's just reflexive at this point. Sighing, I rest my head on his bare shoulder and close my eyes once more. "I'm so sorry that I did this to both of you."

I can feel him rumble as he chuckles at my words. "What, the wagon? Well, that trick nearly caused me to tear a hole in my pants. But they came out fine. Mostly. I'll need to scrub the dirt out tomorrow. And iron out the wrinkles. Oh, and we should get a sewing kit. You think the market here will have one?"

Sighing, I nod carefully in response to his words. But I can't just let this hang in the air longer than it needs to be. He deserves an apology. For everything. "I made you give up everything for me. Your rank, your country, your world. Uprooted you and my only daughter, and dragged you both to a place neither of you understand. A place I don't even understand anymore."

Again I can feel my words choke up in my throat. It's even worse than when I was speaking about Father. He's gone, but now I might lose what I even have left. "I should've came back alone. You two would've been happy in Hoshido."

"You're being ridiculous." I heard him say curtly. All elements of playfulness had been replaced by a softer tone. Pressure wrapped itself around my hand. "I know you're smarter than think that."

"But it's true!" I protest. Crap, I can feel my eyes start prickling again. Keep yourself under control, Severa. Don't turn into a little girl. "Think about it! If you had stayed, you could've had any job you wanted in the Army! You were a royal retainer, one of the best sky knights in the Army. The best sky-knight in the Army! And Caeldori, she'd be safe with all of her friends. Both of you would've had everything you wanted."

A break of silence between our words. I can feel his shoulders rise and lower with each breath. Then I can feel his hand let go of my own. His shoulder moves, he's getting up from the bed. Gods, I hit the nail right on the head. I knew he had doubts, I knew he regretted this. Saying this just made him realize it. Now he'll just try and find a way to go back. If there even is a way to go back.

Then I can feel it, a new sensation on my ring-finger. I open my eyes to see him on a knee, he's clearly holding onto the ring that was on my hand. "You remember when I gave this to you, right? During one of your crazy contests that you put everyone in Lady Corrin's army through."

I nod silently, listening as best as I can as he continued. "I knew what I was getting into then and there. A relationship with a Nohrian soldier. A Nohrian Royal Retainer, no less! It was… not something expected of me."

"I still haven't broken that competitive streak." I commented out of the blue, blinking my eyes clear again.

"But you're still the same woman I fell for then. You're still the same hard-working, self-improving, good-hearted person I fell in love with. You're the same woman I married, the same woman who I have a child with. And I'm still the same man you married."

He starts to stand to his feet, lifting me up with him as my eyes lock onto his. Red eyes, just like Caeldori's. Tired, bruised, battered. But not beaten, not yet. So much energy and tenacity still hidden between them. And something else… hope.

"You and Caeldori are the only two people I don't have to pretend around. I still do, sometimes. So that I can feel worthy of you both. Because I want to be perfect for you both. In Hoshido, I built myself up for myself. But now, I do it for you both." He says, before coming down to softly press his lips against my own.

It's the first time we've even embraced like this since we came to Valm. The entire kiss just feels so warm and comforting. Like a protective shroud wrapping around my person, whispering into my ear that everything is going to be alright. That it'll all end well. My own personal happy-place, the one I can always escape to whenever I don't think I can go on anymore.

When he breaks off the kiss, the warmth fades away all to quickly. I want it back, to stay with me. But I can't be selfish enough to demand that. Not yet.

"I don't deserve either of you." I admit, resting my forehead against his bare chest and smiling. "But I'm glad I have you both either way."

With that last word, we found ourselves settling down for our first real night's sleep back home.

The next day I found myself wandering through the village market, stopping by the local smith to try and make some repairs to our armament. We barely had any money to spend, but still, I could feel the call of the stalls. Some new clothes would be nice. Or a new shield. Maybe some throwing daggers… No! No, bad Severa! Stop proving Jakob right!

I have to practically sit on my hands to stop them from fidgeting. I really do have a problem. Even when I don't have a proper pay stipend I've just got the urge to buy something. Oooh, like that sundress over there! The reds and the oranges layered together, it looks so light and vibrant. Like you're just wearing a sunset. It can't be that expensive, either. These smaller towns usually sell decent stuff for cheap. And checking the price-tag wouldn't be too b-

Gaaaaah! What is wrong with me!? And what's taking this smith so long! I've been sitting here for the past two hours, maintenance shouldn't take this long! I could do these repairs in my sleep if we had the tools. Ugh...

That's it, I'm finding Caeldori. By the time I come back, they should be ready.

I decide to take the long way around back towards the Inn, if I can't see the market then I can't get the impulse. She should be at the horses' stables, we'll be leaving once the weapons are ready. Subaki's off finding out what he can about the political climate. Running around the continent with no idea about what's going on needs to end sooner or later.

Caeldori was, thankfully, exactly where I expected her to be. Doting on the horses while tying a few packs of gear onto their saddles. Something was different, though.

Her normal Sky-Knight gear had been replaced by a simple brass cuirass, the armor that covered her upper arms was completely missing. It wasn't just that though, her shitagi and hakama were switched out for a new red and blue rider's outfit and a pair of gaiters. She still kept her old sky-knight headband, but…

Before I could even mention it, my daughter already turned around and waved me over. "Hello, Mother." She states nonchalantly, beaming at me with a smile that I hadn't seen since we arrived. "Do you like my new look? It's a bit heavier than what I'm used to, but the armorer said that this was what sky knights wore here."

"Pegasus Knights, dear. We call them Pegasus Knights." I sharply correct, brow furrowing. The resemblance was uncanny, it was honestly freaking me out at this point. She even has the same fashion taste as her, and they haven't even met yet. "How did you even get all of this? Didn't your budget say we only had enough money to get our weapons serviced?"

"Well…" She begun, walking out from it's stall and taking her place at my side. "After you left, I ran into this merchant caravan leaving town. They were having trouble loading their goods, so I offered to help. They decided to give me the chest-piece as a bit of a thank-you gift. The outfit, well… I uh… went into town looking for you and saw this. It looked so nice! So uh… I might've… spent a little bit from our reserve."

I just stand there, rendered speechless for the umpteenth time this week. I had just spent half the day, sitting next to the smithy, near torturing myself trying to not buy anything on impulse, and she went off and did it anyway. I… I'm not even mad. I should be furious, but I can't even be mad. I understand way too much to be mad. It's nice to know we have these little bits in common with each other. It makes me feel… closer to her. Happier.

Still, she can't know that. Not now, at least.

"You know what I'm going to say, right?" I manage out, lifting my hand and pinching the bridge of my nose. Crap, I'm smiling too. Need to cover my mouth.

"I-I'm sorry! I know it was wrong, but I thought it was a good idea!" She begins, stammering out the words as she desperately attempts to explain herself. "When they came after Father and I, it's because they mistook me for someone from Chon'sin, right? So I figured, that if I change my outfit-"

"That they wouldn't be able to tell as easily. Which they wouldn't, if we hadn't left survivors behind to identify us." I said, lifting a hand to cut her off once more. With a deep sigh, I dropped my hand to my hip and turned to look down at the panicking girl. "Next time, ask either your Father or me for permission. Got it?"

She nods quickly, red eyes as wide as saucers. Sure that I've gotten my message across, I go turn around and wave for her to follow me. "Come on, let's go get the weapons. That old moron's got to be done by now."

Another hour passes, and we've gathered in our room in the Inn one last time before we're setting out. The three of us surround a table, a new map and compass resting atop it. We've already begun to deface it, ink-lines running across different paths as each of us debated which route to take to the harbor. In the end we decided to try and make our way to Rosanne. An old friend of my Mother's had settled down there after the War, a blue haired fop who went on about 'returning to his homeland.' Hopefully, Gerome was there. I'd rather deal with him than his annoyance of a father again.

But that wasn't the interesting part of the discussion, what really caught my interest was the news Subaki had discovered.

"Apparently, a new Emperor's taken seat in Valm Castle." Subaki begun to explain, taking a long sip of tea. "He claims he's the descendant of an old dynasty, someone called the 'Saint-King'."

"Never heard of him." I deadpanned, arms folded across my chest and feet up on the table. "History lessons weren't that much of a focus when I was growing up."

The man sighed, his eyes rolling in displeasure to my blaze attitude towards his information. "He was the first unified ruler of Valm, apparently. Now his 'heir' is claiming a crusade to bring back this old Kingdom. Caeldori, what did you hear the Innkeeper call it?"

"The One Kingdom of Valentia, Father." She answered quickly, her back up straight as she tried to maintain a perfect posture. "He's quite popular with the locals here."

"Not just here." Subaki continued, leaning over and drawing a line across the lower portion of the map. "If what I've heard is true, his goals have the sympathies of people across the continent."

I snorted, shaking my head at such a silly idea. "Not possible. The last time a Valmese monarch tried to 'unify' this place, there was a full-blown rebellion."

He lifted his head, eyeing me curiously. "Really? How do you know that."

"I fought in the War." I answered bluntly. "I was in the throne-room of Valm Castle when the Empress of Chon'sin and my Exalt sliced his head off." My voice caught volume near the end, putting emphasis on my final point. "Before that we went from place to place, clearing out his soldiers. The townsfolk were glad they were gone."

"But he had an army, Mother." Caeldori countered. "It seemed to be extremely sizeable. Not the size one can muster and sustain from conscription alone. People must have believed in him to some degree."

Grumbling under my breath, I nod to myself. The idea of another psychopath taking Walhart's place didn't ease my mind at all. But she had a point about his Army. They weren't just loyal, they were fanatics. Even as we stormed the castle, his guard held his ground to their last breath. Gods… if someone else came to power with that kind of strength…

"We need to get out of here before this whole continent catches fire again." I affirm, drumming a few fingers across my forearm. "We get to Roseanne, resupply, and then we ride like hell for the harbor. Board the first ship headed for Ylisse. From here on out, we avoid fighting. That means we need to avoid looking like anyone hostile to this kingdom."

I cast a gaze over to Caeldori. "Once we're done here, take your father to the armorsmith. Get him a set of leather armor. Then I want you to both take your old clothes and burn them. Don't leave any trace that we were here."

Subaki nodded in agreement with my words, finishing his cup of tea and standing to his feet. He was already making his way for the door, stepping outside and moving down the hallway.

As I heard his footsteps drift off into nonexistence, my gaze hardened on Caeldori. When I mentioned burning her clothing, she once again looked at me anxiously. "M-mother. Let's not be hasty now." She begins, stuttering again. This time her tone was different than the stables, however. It reminded me of how she was acting before the fight at the wooden outpost. Tired, fearful, upset at… something. "We can just h-hide our clothes in our bags. There's no need to d-destroy them."

I shake my head. "If we're searched, and they find your old clothes, they'll try to arrest you in a heartbeat. We're not taking that risk. From here on out we need to look like Ylisseans on our way home."

"B-but our weapons will be a dead give-away regardless! They don't appear to have any naginatas in this part of the kingdom! Not native, at the very least!" She continues to protest, voice becoming rather shrill to my eyes. Her hands have started to ball up into small fists in her lap, legs shaking.

I can't deny that she has a point. Even with new clothes, exotic weapons will be a dead giveaway. "Sell them to the local armorsmith, get some spears and a bow for your father. They're good quality weapons, you should be able to get more than enough gold to cover for the replacement purchase."

"That wasn't the po-" She starts, before I rise to my feet and glare down at her.

"Do I sound like I'm leaving this up to debate, Caeldori? Does this sound in any way, shape or form negotiable?" Keeping my voice level, feet planted on the wood below me. I can't afford to have her act disobedient now of all times, not when her life is on the line. "Go do as I told you, and get back here before noontime. We've dawdled enough as it is."

With that, I point towards the door. My eyes continuing to bore down into her as she stares up at me. My daughter, the most important thing to me in the world. She's staring up at me as if I had just run her through with my blade. Mouth agape, eyes wide. Unable to react, unsure how to react.

"I said, go." I repeat once more, raising my voice to a near yell.

This time she doesn't stare. All Caeldori can do is get up to her feet and rush off in retreat. As she moves down the hall, I can hear the beginning of a sob echo down back to me. Could've handled that better, should've handled it better. But what matters is that she's doing it. She can hate me all she wants after we survive this. Just like I hated mine.

She really is turning out to be her mother's daughter.

A/N: I think I'm finally starting to really hit my stride with this series. Haven't quite burned myself out yet though, so expect a few more updates in the coming days before the weekly update template begins.

Also, 14 followers and almost 400 unique readers! Just as the main Arc for this Book's about to begin too, woo!