The party had finally reached Ylisstol, the Capitol of Ylisse.

"Wow, this place is so... happy." Gage said dumbfounded.

"Yes, and it doesn't seem the quake we witnessed outside a few miles has effected this place. What a relief." Chrom said with a sigh.

"We live under the exalt, Emmeryn as you know." Fred added.

"What do the people think of her?"

"She is the symbol of peace." Fred concluded.

"And a good sister!" Lissa added.

"Wait, so you're..."

"That's right!" Lissa chirped.

"Don't brag about being royalty." Chrom said nudging her.

While Chrom and his sister had a little pushing match, Fred decided to bring everyone back in sync.

"Well Gage, you remember his name and you didn't know he was a prince!"

"Well I thought maybe..."

"Don't worry about it; I'm just messing with you Gage." Fred added with a smile.

-The palace-

Chrom, Frederick, Gage, and Lissa are all visiting Emmeryn. The rest of the Shepherds are at HQ.

Gage looked around him at the golden walls, the beautiful artwork; the luscious carpeting... it was truly a sight to behold.

"Milady." Chrom said firmly, with a salute."

"Peace, brother. I'm glad you're all safe."

"Yes."

"Thanks to our friend here!" Lissa said pointing at Gage.

"Hello, and welcome to Ylisstol. I take it you've earned Chrom's trust?" Emmeryn said warmly.

"Thank you, and yes. I've been invited to join the Shepherds."

"Good."

"Milady, did you receive our reports on the Risen?"

"Yes, Chrom. Other scouts have reported sightings, Phila leading that team. That reminds me, I'd like to have a meeting with you and the council members, Chrom."

And with that, Chrom and the exalt departed.

"Well Gage, time to show you around!" Lissa said pulling his hand out of the palace, Fred following in suit.

-Shepherds HQ-

"Okay Gage, make yourself at home!" Lissa said flinging the gates to the camp open.

"Welcome to The Shepherds Garrison." Frederick added.

"Thank you..."

Ahead, Gage saw three members.

The first, a royal looking woman by the name of Maribelle, who was fast to greet Lissa. She was blond, and very formal, and quite condescending about her social status. She bore the eyes of intelligence.

The next, a fellow named Vaike who was extremely self-confident and efficient. In Vaike's eyes, anything was better with his name on it. Vaike's eyes were like a confident free-rider.

And lastly, a light brown haired woman standing to the side in Pegasus rider's gear, with a soft touch of pink to her armor to match her personality, by the name of Sumia. Sumia was probably the biggest klutz in all of Ylisse. Her eyes were that of a gentle woman.

"Yo squirt! You see Chrom anywhere? That poor guy probably had a tough time without the
Vaike with him!" The man yelled enthusiastically towards Lissa.

Sumia was startled by Chrom's name.

"He was back at a meeting Vaike, he'll be here soon."

"Um, do you know when the captain will be here?" Sumia quietly chirped in.

"Oh Sumia, you poor girl. She's been scanning the horizon looking for Chrom all day."

"How nice of you to be worrying about Chrom, Sumia!" Lissa said tilting her head to the side, smiling.

"Well I... Of course I'm afraid- I mean worried about him. He's our leader!" She threw in quickly.

"Anyway, who's the new guy?" Vaike pondered.

"This is Gage! The new member!" Lissa shouted, even though Gage preferred to introduce himself. He just chuckled to himself.

"It's nice to meet you all." Gage said looking around. He shook hands.

Chrom finally arrived, walking up muching on some bread.

"Captain! I was so worried! I mean, um, we were so worried about you!" She stammered, quickly walking up to him, and falling straight on her face by tripping on her boots.

"Owch!" She said to the ground, slowly getting up.

"Sumia, are you okay?" Chrom said kneeling down.

"Yes Chrom. I mean no, sir, no wait I mean yes, sir. Wait-. Ugh..."

"Slow down there sport." He said giving her a smile, patting her shoulder. This did not go unnoticed by her

"Alright team, We'll be venturing to Regna Ferox tomorrow morning."

"Aren't they run by barbarians?" Lissa added with a pang of curiosity.

"Yes, but they are decent people. Emmeryn passed this mission to us." Chrom concluded.

"Alright, this mission is for volunteers only."

"I'll go!" Lissa chirped.

"The Vaike is in!"

"U-Um, I..."

"Yes, Sumia?" Chrom said drifting his eye to her.

"It's just, I don't know if I'm ready. I don't want to get in the way."

"Stay behind the main group, and remember, I'm not forcing you to go. You might learn a thing or two from the field."

"Alright."

"Stick with me, and you'll be fine." Chrom finished.

"Okay! I-I mean yes sir."

-Next day, towards Regna Ferox-

"Is everyone assembled?" Chrom said looking through his ranks, everyone checked out. Except one.

"Where is Stahl, we'll need his horsemanship mobility on the field. Weren't you supposed to tell him, Vaike?"

"Woah woah! Vaike doesn't forget things Chrom. He just doesn't remember."

Stahl came riding up. He has brown wavy hair, and green armor.

"Sorry I'm Late." He exaggerated a bit giving Vaike a nudge, but still kindly.

"Anyway Vaike, make sure not to forget your weapon again." Lissa sassed.

"Hey now! I barely forget my axe!" Vaike retorted.

"Good to meet you, Stahl." Gage said shaknig hands.

"Ah yes, our tactician. Meriel told me about you, she's our mage. She already checked in with Chrom this morning because she was actually informed and didn't have to lose breakfast, Vaike!" He said snapping his neck playfully towards Vaike.

"Oh come on! Give me a break Stahl."

"They had muffins and cakes and..." Stahl continued to ramble about his lost meal.

The party continued onward, until they were stopped for a quick lunch break.

They ate, Stahl making sure to harass Vaike about getting some of his rations.

"We're heading out in about an hour, be ready then. I'm going to go rest my eyes." Chrom said and went to go find a comfortable spot in the shade of a tree.

Just as he settled down, he was softly poked in the elbow by one of the Shepherds. It was Sumia, and she was blushing like mad.

"U-Um, I need your help."

"Yes, with what?"

"I almost fell a few more times, and I did fall this morning. C-Could you fix my boots? I'm not sure why they keep tripping me."

"Sure. Take a seat." He said patting the ground next to him.

She sat down next to him, not sure what to do.

"Well, give me your leg."

"What?! Oh, um, okay."

She slowly placed her heel onto the ground next to him.

He sighed somewhat impatiently it seemed, and pick up her leg, and rested it on his lap. He fumbled around with the straps to find that the main strap was tight enough to cripple her walking. He felt her heel to find the spot causing the falls, and finally was able to make it fit for her, taking a few minutes.

"There, all better."

"T-Thanks."

"No problem." Chrom said patting her shoulder.

'That's twice in two days!' She thought, happy in her imagination.

-An hour later-

"Alright Shepherds, pack up, and move out!" Chrom announced triumphantly.

There would be a long road ahead.