Fire Emblem Fates: True Revelations

Chapter 2: Gift of Ganglari

"Here we are. Windmire."

Caitlyn looked down from the hill they were on to the vast city below her. The first thing she saw were the walls. They encircled the city and segmented it within, a series of concentric rings cut through by straight walls from the centre. Thousands of lights lit up the city in the dark night, casting an eerie glow. "I had no idea it was so large."

Leo pulled up alongside her. "It's one of the pinnacles of Nohrian architecture. It functions as a city, but at a moment's notice could be used as a fortress. The people who designed it were the greatest minds Nohr had to offer. I can only dream of being as genius as they were."

Caitlyn's attention was quickly drawn to the most obvious feature of Windmire: The large crater that sunk deep into the Earth, just off the centre of the city. Leo noticed her gaze.

"And that's the crowning achievement. Castle Krakenburg. It took huge effort to build such a large castle in the crater, but Nohr did it. That's where father rules from. It's the seat of power for all of Nohr."

Caitlyn took in the fine tuned architecture, the bizarre location. She could see the point of building it in such an insane location: It was a stubborn refusal to be halted by anything, not even the landscape. Castle Krakenburg was Nohrian spirit in physical form, and she couldn't help but be impressed. "I saw paintings of it, but… It's so large! How does it stay up on those supports?"

Leo laughed. "I wonder that myself sometimes. Every time I look at it the structure seems impossible, but the more I study it the more I appreciate the founders that built it. Perfectly balanced, structurally sound. The Hoshidans may like to think they are the leaders in architectural beauty, but this far surpasses anything they ever built."

Camilla caught up to her brother and sister. "Yes, mostly because it serves a purpose as well. Come, little sister. I'm sure King Garon is waiting to meet you. Let's not linger on these narrow roads any longer. You might get hurt, and I can't have that."

Leo nodded and spurred his horse forward. "Indeed. Trust me, Caitlyn, if you think it looks good from a distance, just wait until you see it up close…"

The journey through Windmire was much quicker than Caitlyn was expecting. Swift, straight roads led them to the city centre in a matter of minutes, and all the people on the streets immediately parted in front of them. Some even bowed, which made her slightly uncomfortable. Once they reached the lip of the crater, they had to dismount their horses, which Lilith took away to a nearby stable. Then came the steps, hundreds upon hundreds, which led them deeper down into the crater. Torches lit the way, and walkways linked across the crater from one side to another. Finally, they descended until they were level with the great castle Krakenburg. Caitlyn had to agree with Leo: Up close, it was much more impressive. And intimidating. What kind of man would live in an impossible castle built at the bottom of a crater?

"Xander?"

"Yes, Caitlyn?"

"... What kind of man is father?"

Xander slowed his pace and turned to Caitlyn. "You've met him before, haven't you?"

King Garon had visited Caitlyn rarely, no more than once a year, and most of the time to converse with Roger about new strategies. The two barely exchanged words at that point, and he seemed more interested in watching her duel against Xander, and occasionally Roger if Xander wasn't there. Caitlyn had no clue what the King was truly like. "Yes, but I'd like to hear what you think."

Xander was silent for a few moments. "... King Garon is a great man. He has led our people ever since he came of age, and has kept Nohr at the forefront of power in the west. He has endured many food shortages, and always found a way to keep Nohr alive. Yes, he had to make sacrifices. But above all else, he is a great ruler. I am honoured to have him as my father."

"That… doesn't really answer my question."

"Heh, I suppose so. Caitlyn, what you need to understand is that father is the King of Nohr first, and our father second. I have no doubt that he loves us all. So please understand, if he is hard on you, it is because he wants you to grow stronger. The same as I did during our training sessions."

"What do you think he will ask of me?"

"He will most likely ask you to demonstrate your abilities to him. Depending on how you perform, he will assign your first task accordingly."

"Task?"

"Father often sends us to be his envoys around the kingdom. Enforcing peace, maintaining the border, quelling rebellion. He is not normally unreasonable in his tasks to us. Do not worry, he did not raise you so carefully to throw you aside into an impossible challenge. What he asks will be difficult, but possible."

"He sounds like an honourable man."

"War does not always permit honour, Caitlyn. And make no mistake, we are at war with Hoshido. Sometimes, that means he must make undesirable decisions. Fear not, though. He always has Nohr's best interests- and ours- in his heart. Just remember to watch how you speak with him. He does not have tolerance for any insolence."

The group of royals reached the large entrance to castle Krakenburg. Several servants dressed in hooded robes gripped the doors tightly and pulled them open, slowly. Caitlyn gaped at the sheer scale of such a place. How had such colossal doors even been brought down here? He had no time to ponder the question, as Xander gently nudged him forward and into the castle.

"Father, we have arrived with our sister Caitlyn," Xander announced.

Caitlyn found herself in a great hall that stretched out before her. Cold stone bricks lines the wall, only lit by the torches on the wall. None of the sparse natural light above reached down here. And there, standing at the far end, stood King Garon.

He had changed little since Caitlyn saw him last. Dressed in the huge, ornate armour that was equal parts ceremonial and combat ready. A large fur cloak was draped over his shoulders, and Caitlyn found herself wishing she had brought her own cloak with her. It was cold down in the castle. A simple metal crown adorned his head, which although slightly more balanced than last time still had thick white hair over most of it. His face had remained totally unchanged, greyed and weathered skin with dark eyes gazing out from under a heavy brow. His stance demanded respect, and Caitlyn felt herself stooping a little lower on instinct. The group walked across the hall towards him as he stood in silence. Even when the group stopped in front of him, he stayed silent, staring directly at Caitlyn and Roger. Finally, he spoke.

"I see you made it here safely, Caitlyn." His gaze shifted momentarily to Roger. "And I am pleased to have you back within Krakenburg's walls, Lord Marren."

"Y-yes father. Long have I waited to visit you in Castle Krakenburg. Thank you for permitting me to leave the fortress."

Roger bowed and smiled. "I am always glad to return to the capital, my liege. I feel like I've returned to a realm that I can truly understand."

Garon's eyes shifted back to Caitlyn, "It is thanks to your own diligence that you are here. I am told you are now a warrior on par with Xander. You now posses the strength to be an instrument of Nohr's power in the world." A tiny smile flickered on his face. "This is… good, Caitlyn. Well done."

"Th-thank you father! I'll do my best for you."

Garon's face resumed its stony neutral expression. "I expect nothing less. Caitlyn, as you know, Nohr is at war with the eastern kingdom of Hoshido."

Xander and Leo had given her a rundown of world politics on the way to Windmire. "Yes, Father. I have heard as much."

Garon continued. "We are the descendents of the ancient gods, the First Dragons. As inheritors of that divine strength, we conquer those who oppose us with ease. One who learns to wield that power can destroy an entire army of common troops. Xander, Camilla, Elise, Leo and even Lord Marren have already shown that they posses this power. I expect nothing less from you."

Caitlyn nodded. A test of manipulating Dragon Veins. She could do this. For the first time since entering the room, she felt some confidence return to her. "I am well aware of your expectations, Father. And I have trained every day to become more like my siblings."

Garon turned around to face a large cabinet behind him. "Hmmm… you show great promise. But you will need a suitable weapon in order to serve Nohr."

Garon flung open the cabinet and reached inside. He withdrew from it a long, curvy sword. The blade was a dull onyx, tinted red, and it glowed with dark energy, much like Xander's sword. Garon threw the blade into the air, but instead of falling to the ground it hovered, floating over to Caitlyn like it had a mind of it's own. Caitlyn reached out and took ahold of the double guarded hilt, feeling the raw power running through it.

"Wow…" She breathed.

"This is Ganglari, a sword infused with power beyond this world. With it at your side, you will crush the Hoshidan army at your feet."

Caitlyn gave it a practice swing. It felt lighter than she expected for its size, and was perfectly balanced in her hand. "Thank you for this generous gift, father."

Xander looked at the blade with narrowed eye. "Yes… generous indeed." Roger nodded glared at the blade himself, his gaze wandering from Garon, to Caitlyn, and then ending at the sword and then repeating the same pattern.

Garon grinned as he saw Caitlyn holding the blade perfectly. "Now, let me see if you can put that sword to its proper use." He gestured to one of the hooded servants. "Bring out the prisoners!"

The man bowed. "Yes, sire."

Caitlyn was caught off guard. "Prisoners?"

"This is new…" Roger whispered.

A door to the side of the hall was opened, and a string of strange looking men and women were brought out in chains. They were Hoshidans, Caitlyn realised. The guard dragged them out and pulled out a key, handing it to the man who seemed to be their leader. He quickly unlocked his own cuffs and then began on his comrade's. The guard then dumped a sack on the ground with a clang. It was full of their confiscated weapons. Caitlyn turned to face Garon, confused.

"Father, if these are prisoners, then why are you setting them free?"

Garon pointed to Ganglari. "I wish to see you in real combat, not merely in training. These are prisoners from our most recent skirmish in Hoshido. Use that sword to strike them down."

Caitlyn gasped. "All of them?"

Garon looked back up at the prisoners. "I suppose there is a rather large number of them. Very well, Gunter and your servant man may assist you."

Roger cleared his throat to catch Garon's attention. "My liege?" He asked, a look of anticipation on his face.

"Yes, Lord Marren?"

"It has been quite a while since I've been on the battlefield," Roger drew his own sword. The blade was a deep grey, and ended with a leaf-like point, finished with a dark-brown hilt and decorated with a blood-red garnet, Roger's birth gem. This was Alondite, a blade made eons ago with the power of fire and shadow imbued into the weapon itself. Caitlyn rarely saw Roger using it, due to the destructive power hidden behind the simple looking sword, but she knew of its power. As he walked by her, she could feel the heat radiating through the sheath.

"And I would like to assist my lady in this battle. Unless that would give her an unfair advantage."

"I will allow it, you are her bodyguard for a reason."

"Thank you, my liege." Roger went on ahead and exited through a side-door to a small area set aside for the trial.

The prisoners at the far end of the hall were now fully freed, and arming themselves. Caitlyn had never fought in real combat in her life, yet the murderous look in the prisoner's eyes confirmed that she would have no choice. Gunter entered from another side door, followed by Jakob. She saw Roger standing confidently, Alondite's blade gleaming in the faint torchlight.

"Keep calm, Lady Caitlyn. They are tired from their captivity, and have poor quality weapons. We can easily win this battle." He advised.

Caitlyn lowered her voice to a whisper. "That's what I'm afraid of! Must we kill them?"

Gunter stared at her, shocked. "If we do not fight them, they will cut us down, and then try to kill our king. Did you not wish to be a warrior of Nohr?"

"Yes…"

"This is what is means to be a soldier. I know it is not pleasant. It never is. But you had best get used to the idea of killing now, lest it catch up with you on a real battlefield."

Caitlyn grimaced and held Ganglari out. The opponents were already advancing menacingly, weapons at the ready. She counted six in total- one bearing throwing stars, four with katanas and the final brandishing a club. They were outnumbered, even with Roger's assistance. Add that with Jakob and Gunter, Caitlyn wasn't sure how she planned to win. She took a tentative step forward, and felt a faint twinge of power under her foot.

"Is that…? "

"Something wrong, my Lady?"

Caitlyn took another step, and the feeling became stronger. "I feel… something, emanating from the ground. Could it be…" Caitlyn held out her hand, which promptly became entangled in white light. With a burst of white, Caitlyn tapped into the Dragon Vein beneath the ground. The large, ornate statue that was in the middle of the hall was promptly torn apart, throwing rock around the room. When the dust cleared, a glowing half of light was left behind, just like with Xander. Different to that one, however, this one was much larger, covering half the width of the hall. Jakob gasped.

"Extraordinary! No statue can stand up to your mighty lineage."

Garon grinned wide. "Heh. Well done."

Gunter aimed his lance forward and set his horse at a trot. "Excellent plan, Milady. Now we can wait in there for them to come to us."

"Then let's get ready, we may have a healing spring below us, but that alone won't be enough to heal our major wounds," Roger tossed Jakob a vulnerary, due to his lack of self-healing. "Jakob, I'll need you to watch Caitlyn like a hawk. Make sure not a single weapon so much as touches the air around her."

"Right away."

"Gunter, you and I are going to play barricade. Cover the left side and I'll cover the right." He eyed Caitlyn and nodded. "And watch out for that Ninja, I've heard that Hoshidan shurikens are coated in a poison similar to the venom that Jakob and the other Dagger-wielders use."

"I will keep that in mind," He urged his mount to the left side of the grated area. "Just make sure you do your part, the less harm to Lady Caitlyn, the better." Roger nodded and made his way to the other side, Alondite's gem glowing a faint violet as he tightened his grip on the hilt.

The prisoners at the far end of the room had recovered from their shock. Their leaders, a green haired man dressed in traditional ninja gear and a dark skinned woman in a tribal head dress, advanced ahead of their group.

The woman spoke first. "I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe's honourable chieftain. I would know your name before I end your life, Nohrian scum!"

Caitlyn fell into step alongside Roger, Ganglari pulsing with energy in her hand. "I am Caitlyn, princess of Nohr."

The ninja faltered in his step. "Caitlyn?"

"Have you heard of me?"

He did not respond, instead falling into a combat stance."... I am Kaze, a Ninja of Hoshido. Show me what you can do."

Kaze and Rinkah broke into a sprint, charging at the small party, their own troops right behind them. King Garon sharply waved his hand.

"Caitlyn! Serve as my will and execute them!"

Caitlyn stepped into the silver light, and immediately felt the aches of her long journey fade away. In fact, she felt better than healed. She felt invigorated. Jakob approached behind them, bearing several daggers on his person.

"Milady, I've trained well in the dagger- effective both up close and at range. They are coated with a numbing poison as Roger noted, which should greatly decrease their fighting power."

Caitlyn watched as the group of Hoshidans grew closer. Mere seconds to combat now. She needed a combat plan. Countless lessons from Leo in the art of strategy flooded back into her head. "Roger! Engage Rinkah in combat, keep her busy! I will take the swordsman with red hair. Gunter, take the two swordsmen in green armor! Jakob, hit the Swordsman in blue with a dagger!"

Jakob swiftly obeyed his liege's instruction, hurling a dagger with a swift yet potent swing. It streaked towards its target like a blur, and embedded itself in the swordsman's neck. The man fell, gurgling on his own blood. Caitlyn had no time to reflect on the death, however, as now the prisoners were upon them.

"Time to have a little fun!" Roger shouted. With a malicious grin, he charged forward like an arrow, Alondite's edge coated in a faint purple flame. Rinkah found herself caught off guard by such an attack, but she managed to move to the left just enough for the sword to skim past her eye. Swinging her club in counterattack which also missed, and Roger spun himself around and slowly began to approach, the flames on his blade growing brighter with every passing moment.

Caitlyn had no time to issue any other orders. The swordsman she chose to engage had deft skills with a blade, blocking every strike from Caitlyn with ease. Kaze suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision, distracting her. The swordsman saw an opening and dashed in, the blade stabbing into her shoulder. With a cry of pain, Caitlyn brought Ganglari down in an executioner's stroke, stabbing deep into her opponent's back. The swordsman spluttered, coughing blood onto Caitlyn's chest. Then he slumped down, well and truly dead. Jakob was at her side immediately, hurling a dagger at Kaze. The ninja moved in a blur, snatching the dagger out of the air and dropping it onto the floor.

"Milady, are you hurt? Oh, yes. Not to worry, Butlers can use staves to heal wounds. Allow me…" Jakob drew the short staff from his waist and held it over Caitlyn's shoulder. With a soft pulse of green energy, the wound closed itself up. The silver aura around them quickly caused the lingering pain to fade. Jakob stood back up and immediately found himself fighting the third swordsman. The butler stepped back from every swing, not seeing any openings and keenly aware that Kaze was lining up a throw with a shuriken. "Milady! Some help would be greatly appreciated!"

Caitlyn stared down at the body she had created. He looked barely older than herself, blood seeping out over the grey stone from his mortal wound. Ganglari had seemed to move of its own accord, stabbing at the most lethal point. This… this was war? Caitlyn wanted no part in it.

"MILADY! I REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE!" Jakob shouted. The swordsman had gained the upper hand by forcing him out of the silver aura, making him tire as he ducked away from the blows.

Caitlyn looked away from the body and saw her butler, one of the closest friends she had, get hit in the leg by a shuriken from Kaze. The man fell backwards onto his behind, ironically causing him to duck under the latest swipe from his opponent. The swordsman drew his blade back, prepared to drive it into Jakob's chest.

"NO! STOP!"

Caitlyn threw himself forward, bearing her blade forward. The swordsman turned to face the shout, catching a glimpse of Caitlyn just before the blade sunk into his stomach. The swordsman gasped, blood spurting out like a fountain, coating the dark blade in more blood. In his shocked mind, Caitlyn wondered if the reason the blade was so red from all the blood it had been soaked in. The swordsman slid off his blade, dropping his katana down with a clang. Jakob got back up onto his knees, hurling a dagger at Kaze. The ninja easily dodged, but it forced him back.

"Thank you, milady. Are you hurt at all?"

Caitlyn tore her gaze away from the dead man beneath her. "No… no I'm fine. Yourself?"

Jakob reached down and pulled the shuriken from his leg. "Nothing a stave can't heal, milady. I will keep this Hosidan trickster engaged, for now, I think you should assist Roger in his duel while I tend to Gunter."

Turning around, Caitlyn saw that Roger was locked in a fierce duel with the fiery savage. He was visibly panting, but still had a smile on his face as he shook off the fatigue and pushed on. Rinkah looked much worse for wear as well, bearing a gash on her bare stomach and holding her club much more loosely. Nevertheless, she roared a battle cry and charged forward, club aloft.

"I'll burn you to ash!"

To Caitlyn's amazement, as the club swung towards Roger it began to glow with fire, slamming into his blade with a burst of orange flame. Her jaw practically dropped when she saw violet flames begin to crackle and hiss at the point where she hit it, creating a small spectacle of dancing fire and light. Even though Rinkah was weakened from her wounds, she was still managing to push Roger down and she could see his arms shaking.

"We've got this!"

Before Rinkah could react to the new presence, Caitlyn was upon her, slicing the Ganglari horizontally. She had no way to avoid the blow. It cut across her midriff and right arm, forcing her to drop her stance and clutch her abdomen, keeping a grip on her club with her free hand. Roger wasted no time, he shoved Rinkah away and swung his blade upwards. Rinkah tried to deflect it only for her club to be cut in two on contact. Roger aimed a second, downward slash and Rinkah tried to step aside, but still managed to take another nasty gash to her abdomen. She fell to one knee and quickly clasped both hands over her stomach to keep as much pressure as possible on her wounds.

Caitlyn didn't waste time to check on her condition. How was Jakob doing? Turning around, she saw her butler was staying inside the Aura of light, exchanging knives with Kaze. The butler was doing significantly better, aided by the healing Aura, while Kaze was tiring from all the poison in his body. Before she could ask if the butler needed help, Jakob hurled another dagger which embedded itself firmly in Kaze's chest. The ninja let out a gasp, before the poison finally overwhelmed him and he fell down unconscious. Caitlyn breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Guess I did alright. They were tough, weren't they? I hope all Hoshidans aren't this strong."

Garon clapped his hands. "Very good, my daughter. But you have not yet finished your task. The Ninja and Savage yet live. Finish them."

Caitlyn looked around them at the bodies she had cut down, and then at the comatose bodies of Kaze and the bleeding, barely conscious body of Rinkah, both barely clinging to life. "But father… they're beaten. Surely there has been enough killing this day?"

Garon drew himself up to his full, fearsome height. "You dare to question me, your king? These are enemies of Nohr, and I am ordering you to kill them!"

Caitlyn could feel the blood on her armor. Not her own, but blood that had been part of a living being mere moments before. She had no desire to see another living being killed, not now or ever. "No! It's wrong!"

Garron snarled. "Very well. If you have not the stomach for this work, I shall do it myself." The king of Nohr held out his hand, with became wreathed in flame. With a wave of his hand, a colossal fireball shot forward towards the dying form of Rinkah. Caitlyn acted on complete instinct. Throwing herself towards Rinkah, she held Ganglari in front of her, shielding her face with her other hand. With a roar of fire, the flames washed over her.

Or rather, didn't.

She opened her eyes and brought her hand down to see Roger, of all people, standing in front of her. She saw the amber & crimson sphere of fire clashing against the bright violet and blue flames of Alondite. Roger looked back to her for a second and then to Ganglari, catching onto the silent plea, she stabbed the blade into the fireball from behind Roger and watched it fizzle out as the flames were absorbed into the blade. Once the ball was gone, Caitlyn watched as Roger flicked a small patch of violet fire from the edge. He sheathed his blade and turned around, an emotionless glare on his face.

"I will never let anyone kill an innocent life," He turned to the royals and Garon. "These two are beaten, disarmed and dying. Killing them isn't mercy, it's murder!"

The royal party watching next to Garon all gasped.

"Roger! What are you-" Elise began.

"Unbelievable," Xander breathed.

Garon took a step towards Roger, his face an unreadable mask. "You defy me directly, Lord Marren? What would you have me do with these prisoners, set them free? They travelled into Nohr seeking to scout it for an assault. You think I- no, Nohr- can afford to allow them to keep living?"

Roger spat in Garon's face, causing another gasp to be uttered from every soul in the room. "You are not the Garon I knew." He growled. "The Garon I knew would've kept them in the prisons, not execute them on the spot!"

"You insolent traitor!" Garon shoved Roger away and drew his own weapon, the axe of Nohrian Kings, Bolverk. "I shall not stand for this! Stand aside or face death!"

In response, Roger quickly drew Alondite and gripped the handle with both hands and locked eyes with Garon, a look of pure determination causing his hazel eyes to gleam with a faint amber tint. Garon noticed this and roared, rushing forward with Bolverk raised high. He chopped downwards and was stopped cold by Alondite's flame-wreathed blade, the violet fire licking the gold-plated teeth of Bolverk. Garon started to push downwards, attempting to overpower Roger and end his life. The next thing shocked everyone, Roger retaliated and pushed upwards, forcing Bolverk off of his own blade and knocking Garon back a few feet and then he stabbed the blade into the ground, causing a massive eruption of violet-blue flame to sear the ground around him and char the front of Garon's armor. He pulled the sword from the ground and sheathed it, his eyes still locked with Garon's.

"Listen to me, Si- no, Garon," He began, his voice oozing venom upon using Garon's name. "I will not stand for any of this. And as such, I resign from my position and I renounce this hell you call a kingdom. And I'm taking the prisoners with me."

"Wh-What?" Caitlyn gasped. Was this real? Did Roger just say that? No, no it can't be, Roger's one of the most loyal people she knew, he wouldn't just-

*CRUNCH!*

Caitlyn gasped and watched in shock as Roger crushed his Nohrian Army insignia under his boot, the black and silver shards gleamed dimly in the torchlight as Roger kicked them aside. She couldn't believe it, he was really abandoning the army. He was abandoning Garon. He was abandoning… her.

Xander stepped in front of Garon. "Father, please forgive him! He doesn't understand the situation here!"

"No," Garon kept his gaze locked on Roger. "Xander, Leo, Gunter. Escort Lord Marren and the prisoners to the Nestran border." He turned around and heaved Bolverk onto his shoulder. "From this day forward, Lord Roger Marren is hereby banished from Nohr and its surrounding territories, until the day he dies."

"... Very well." Xander turned to face Roger, still standing strong and waiting. "We will gather your items and lead the prisoners to the border. For now, you may leave for the-"

Caitlyn rushed forward and shoved Roger towards Xander. "No! You can't leave!"

Roger sighed and grabbed Caitlyn's shoulders and pushed her aside. "Mil- no, Lady Caitlyn, my choice is final. I am sorry, but I have seen what Garon has become after years of war, and I will not stand and watch two innocent lives be taken by his rage and bloodlust."

"I know, but-"

Camilla sighed, clenching her fists tightly. "Please, Caitlyn, don't fight him…" She locked eyes with Roger and pouted. "He… has made up his mind."

Leo glared at Roger before sighing. "Roger. Follow me, I'll unlock your quarters."

Roger nodded and pulled a vial from his tunic. The bottle was crystal, sealed with a silver-leafed cork and tied off with twine. He walked over to Rinkah and poured it down her throat, the strange potion started to seal her wounds, stopping the bleeding and leaving her much paler than before. Caitlyn realized what he used, an Elixir, one of the most potent medicines that can be made. Caitlyn remembered Roger saying that a single Elixir is worth about fifty gold pieces, which was quite the large amount of coin in her mind. He helped her up and muttered something to Gunter, then quickly returning to Leo's side. The elder knight nodded and picked up the now comatose bodies of Kaze and Rinkah and placed them onto his horse. He muttered something back and rode towards the exit, leaving Elise, Xander, Camilla, Garon, Caitlyn and Jakob as the only remaining souls left in the room.

Caitlyn turned towards her siblings and looked at all of them in disbelief. They've known Roger longer than she had, they even considered him as a part of their family! She took in all of their different emotions and faces: Xander's look of stoic sorrow, Camilla's look of strain as she held back tears, Elise's wails as she cried into Xander's cape, and then there was Garon, his face unmoved, his eyes locked on Roger as Leo lead him out of the area. Once they left, he turned back to Caitlyn, his face still emotionless.

"Father, you cannot-"

"Silence," Garon growled. Caitlyn caught her words and stayed quiet. "...While I am quite livid at Lord Marren's betrayal, I am pleased with your actions and your combat prowess."

"R-Really?"

Garon nodded and began to walk towards the door. "I believe you have truly earned your right, as the Princess of Nohr, to assist your siblings in the battle against Hoshido." He turned back for one moment and smiled. "I am proud of you, my daughter. And now I expect nothing except perfection from you now."

With his final statement echoing through the battleground, King Garon left the royal party with the corpses.

As soon as the doors clanged shut behind the king, Caitlyn turned to face Xander. "Xander… please tell me-"

"I'm sorry Caitlyn, but father's word is final." He looked to the door as Roger and Leo returned. Leo with a small bag of weapons, and Roger with a bag and a small sack on his back. "And it seems like Roger is ready to leave."

"Lord Xander," Roger began, his normally cheerful and jovial voice now replaced with a colder, more serious tone. "I am ready. I expect someone has already notified Lilith about Jalousie?"

"Your steed is waiting along with the prisoners," Xander looked him dead in the eye. "Roger? Do you know what will happen once you exit into Nestra?"

"I do."

"And you would be willing to fight me if the need arises?"

"I will."

"Very well," He grabbed Roger by the wrist. "Then let us take our leave."

He pulled Roger away from Caitlyn and walked over to Camilla, who he muttered a few things to. Nodding in agreement, Camilla called one of the hooded servants over to her. "Lord Xander requests that these warriors should be buried like soldiers, not savages. Bury them in the northern district cemetery, and take care as you do so."

The servant bowed. "As you wish, Milady."

Xander sighed and turned to Roger. "Roger, I do hope that you will rethink your decision. One day, you will see that Nohr is the best place for you."

"I have to disagree with you, neither Nohr or Hoshido is my home," Roger admitted. "Nestra is my home, and if I can't stay in my home, then I'll say goodbye to my friends and make my way to the other half of my heritage."

"Wait, "other" half?" Xander's eyes widened. "So you truly are-"

"Yes, half Nohrian and half Hoshidan." He turned and left, leaving everyone in silence.

Beginning to realize the events that had just transpired, Caitlyn started to sob. "This can't be happening…"

Camilla enveloped her sister in a hug as she finally lost it. She started wailing into Camilla's shoulder, her hot tears leaving a large damp area on her undershirt as she cried. Her muffled wails taking the place of Elise's as she finally accepted all of the events that had just transpired. After a solid ten minutes, Caitlyn let go of Camilla and followed the rest of her siblings out.

As the group walked out of the bloodied hall, Caitlyn fell into step alongside Leo. "Brother, do you-"

"No. I am sorry sister, but even this is out of my reach. Yes, I could give him a magical item, or place a rune on him that could allow me to track him, but I do think this is for the best."

"I… I see," She wiped a few tears from her eyes and sighed. "And Roger and I apologize for the whole collar bit."

Leo sighed, but kept smiling. "Apology accepted, now please NEVER bring it up ever again."

Elise, finally tired from crying, sniffled and sighed. "Does father know about Roger's "secret"?"

Camilla shook her head. "No, we were able to hide his past, but I doubt this is fully under the rug. Father has a knack for discovering things we prefer to keep buried."

Elise laughed weakly. "Like your first boyfriend, sis?"

Camilla buried her face in her hands. "Please, Elise. You can stop bringing that up any day now."

Leo smiled along with Elise. "You tried so hard to keep him a secret, always sneaking off in the middle of the night. Father found out though, didn't he? Insisted that he had to 'test the boy's honor." Why, whatever did happen to him?"

"I grew up from such flights of fancy. He may have endured father's scrutiny, but he did not survive mine for long. There is a high standard I keep for those in my personal life." Camilla smiled at Caitlyn. "You pass, of course."

Caitlyn sniffled and grinned slightly, still far to unnerved by the blood on her hands to feel in any jovial mood.

Once they completed the long journey up and out of castle Krakenburg, Leo revealed where he and Xander had brought Roger and the two Hoshidan warriors to. A derelict house in the southern district, seemingly abandoned, but securely sealed for anyone trying to get in or out. Thankfully, when Leo had opened the doors they had not been immediately attacked but instead they were lead in by Roger so they could ensure Kaze did not swiftly die of blood loss. A series of heals from Jakob and Elise quickly saw both Rinkah and Kaze brought back to full health, although Elise did use a sleeping stave on them to ensure they didn't try anything while they were all still in Windmire. Covering them up with canvas and slinging them over Xander and Roger's horses, the royals quickly smuggled the Hoshidan soldiers out of the capital.

"They were caught fairly early into their expedition. Hopefully, they don't have any important information to gather back."

Camilla and Elise had returned to the capital, leaving Caitlyn, Leo, Roger and Xander to wait for Kaze and Rinkah to wake up. They were far outside of the city limits, cloaks around their shoulders to keep out the cold.

"Ideally, we wouldn't release them at all. Here we are, a princess and the princes of Nohr, going to all this trouble just to smuggle out some Hoshidan spies. It's outrageous." Leo muttered.

"... Please try to understand. Seeing them lying there, helpless... I couldn't let myself stand by and let them die. Not after so much death had already occurred."

Xander shuffled in place to keep warm. "Caitlyn. I ask you this question seriously. Do you still wish to serve Nohr as a soldier? I am sure father could find other ways to put you to use off the battlefield."

Caitlyn thought over the answer long and hard. Could she truly be a soldier if she didn't want to kill people? More importantly, would her father even let her leave the battlefield after she had gone through so much trouble to raise her as a warrior? Ever since she could remember Xander had filled her head with stories about the glory of fighting for Nohr. She had just been in her first battle. She didn't feel glorious.

"... I don't know. This isn't how I expected war to be like. The Hoshidans... they were people."

Leo nodded. "Yes, they are. And so are the countless hundreds of people who live in Nohr right now, on the brink of starvation. Hoshido has vast wealth and resources that they chose not to share with us. Look at Cheve: They voluntarily surrendered themselves to Nohrian rule, and now they have become a booming economic capital. Hoshido has vast wealth, but they choose to squander it on themselves with extravagant feasts and festivals. We have to act in the best interests of our people, and when we conquer Hoshido, they will be our people to. Redistribute wealth and food across the whole Nohrian empire, ensuring all have enough. We are no monsters, Caitlyn. The world could be a better place under Nohrian rule."

"Hah! I've never heard such garbage in my life." Rinkah sat up from where she had been laid against a boulder. "Nohrian logic at its finest. You attack our borders, raid our villages, slaughter our soldiers and have the nerve to call us the wrongdoers?"

Xander got to his feet and drew his blade. "Be silent, and listen well. It is by my sister's kind heart and my dear friend's intervention that has brought your freedom. Disappear now, lest you be spotted by less merciful servants of our king."

Without saying a word, Roger motioned for Kaze and the two of them stalked off into the night. The sound of Roger's horse fading slowly as he rode into the darkness. Rinkah was much more vocal. "Tch. I am not a hostage to be freed. You said your name is Caitlyn? Next time we meet, you will pay for this humiliation!"

Caitlyn stood as well. "I hope that the next time we meet, it will be as friends."

Rinkah scoffed. "Softhearted and soft-headed as well! I am a Hoshidan warrior. You do not understand what you suggest."

"Yes, we may be at war right now. But the day will come when we will be at peace, one way or another. I'm thinking ahead to that day."

Rinkah began to walk away after Kaze and Roger. "I've heard rumors of a sheltered Nohrian princess who knows nothing of the world. I see those rumors are true. If we do meet again, the world will no doubt have taught you the error of your ways." Rinkah disappeared around another boulder and into the wintry night. The two princes and princess of Nohr stood silent for a moment, before Leo spoke.

"I never thought I would see the day when a Hoshidan savage spoke wiser words than a prince of Nohr. Listen well to her, Caitlyn. It is a fool's errand to try and end this war by making friends."

Caitlyn felt Ganglari pulse from where she had it sheathed on her hip. The blade, she decided, was a lot like her. It could be used to destroy, like with the swordsman, but also to defend, like with Rinkah. It all depended on who wielded it, and who they fought for. It was a profound insight. The gift of Ganglari.

"... You may be right, Leo. You may be right."

End of Chapter 2...