Author's Note: Well, I am sorry about the late update, but that doesn't excuse that I should have had this up yesterday. I don't know when I'll have the next update up, I haven't even started on the next chapter. Anyways, if you see anything wrong with the story, just let me know, I don't have anyone read this over before I submit these besides myself. If you have any suggestions, let me know by either Private Messaging me, or by leaving a review. Anyways, enjoy.
I am happy to be back in Ylisstol, the weather was nice enough to sleep outside, which I found to be more comfortable than sleeping inside on a cot. The air smelled nicer, where the flowers grew, compared to the snow ridden land of Regna Ferox. I'll miss the snow though, the contrast between object and snow had made it easier to see plausible threats, such as Risen or Plegian bandits. The prior was the more common of the two, but they both were issues fought. We only stay in Ylisstol for about two days before we head down past Southtown to another village. Chrom informs me that they heard of a group of bandits down there, so we head down to take care of them. We meet a young man who has a pot on his head. I chuckle a few times watching him, but he is fairly good with a lance. Chrom wrote me that his name was Donny, and the newest member of the Shepherds. I watch as he talks to a crying elderly woman, she pats him on the shoulder, and hugs him. I come to the conclusion that this woman was either his mother or another significant family member. "Was that your mother Donny?" I hand the Book of Communication to him. Donny scrunches his face, and says something handing my book back to me. He continues talking when Chrom walks up to him. Donny frowns, and begins talking again. Chrom rubs his own face, taking the book from my, writing down something. He hands the book to me.
"Hello ma'am, my name is Donnel. I can't read or write good, but I'd be willing ta learn. I'm sorry ta hear about your problem with ya ears, I can't say I've heard a thing about somethin' like that. I can try ta help with the stuff that ya need." I read over the message several times, figuring out how to reply. "Chrom, tell him thanks, and that I'll keep that offer in mind. Also, see if Miriel can try to teach him how to read and write. Having a third person involved is a hassle. And next time, try not to copy his accent, it makes it hard to read."
I hand the book back to Chrom, and he smiles sheepishly. He conveys my message to Donnel, and I take my book back. I begin trekking back to Ylisstol, slightly lagging behind Sully and Stahl, well ahead of Chrom, Frederick and Donnel. We set up camp, and I roll my bedroll on the ground, under the stars. I still find more comfort sleeping outside, tents get too stuffy and humid, while my room at the barracks is dusty from lack of use. I fall asleep staring at the stars. I wake up, feeling something that was all too familiar. I open my eyes, seeing Lissa's staff poking me in my shoulder. I roll over, and push myself off of the ground, and clean up my sleeping area. Lissa hands me a bowl of something. 'The less you know what that is the better.' the voice in my head says. I recognize the cooking to be Sully's. It is slightly more bearable compared to what it used to be, but it is still the worst in the Shepherds. I eat the voice in my head telling me to not look to it, eat every disgusting drop, because I would need it. I finish the bowl of the brownish goo, and hand the bowl back to Lissa. I don't think that I would've been able to finish whatever it was without that voice. Lissa looks at me shocked, and smiles a little, and runs off with it. I roll up my bedroll, and toss it in the convoy. I decide to sit on the back of the convoy and begin reading from my book on tactics.
"There are three easy ways to kill Wyvern Riders, Wind Magic, which is explained earlier in this book, Arrows, which again are explained earlier and Wyrmslayers. Wyrmslayers, Dragnpikes and Dragon Axes. These three weapons are made from Manakete Fangs, specially crafted to be resilient to wear. They are extremely rare, and have stopped being made, as the Manaketes used have been killed for this purpose. The only known weapons made have been made in times of old, the mass producers being the Kingdom of Dolhr. They were a country consisting of the Earth Dragon Medeus and several other Manaketes that created the country. Common belief that the Hero-King's mythical sword was too, made from the Fang of the Divine Dragon Naga. These weapons are able to easily cut through the scales of the Wyverns, and they act like heat to oil, burning the creature from the inside out, there is also speculation that..." My book is closed where I sit.
I look up glaring, my eyes meet those of Virion. I, having lost my place, place my book back in my pocket, and grab the Book of Communication, and open it. "What do you want Virion? I was reading, and I don't like being interrupted when reading."
"I, being the most gentlemanly of men, wonder why you worry yourself with these tiny scripts of mere speculation, when you could be doing things that a woman of your caliber should fret about. Things such as planning when you want a family, and other such things."
I look up again, and point the other way. I glare, enraged at his accusation that I was the stereotype that he believed I should be. He stands there, unwavering. I continue my unblinking stare. Fear growing in his eyes, slowly, steadily. He backs away slowly, and runs off, faster than he has probably ever moved in his life. I slide off of my makeshift seat, and we all disembark back to Ylisstol. I walk in solitude, Virion probably has warned the other Shepherds of my actions of earlier. We make it back to the capitol, Sully leading the Shepherds back to the Barracks, Frederick, Chrom and Lissa head off to the palace, Lissa dragging me with her. We walk in the main palace doors, gaining similar looks like my first day. We walk right to the first room that we had gone to, and meet Emmeryn. She smiles and waves at us as we walk in, immediately striking up conversation with Chrom. Only a few moments pass before another woman runs into the room, a worried and scared look on her face. She talks with Emmeryn and Chrom, who look shocked. Chrom motions us out, practically running out of the palace, the rest of us in tow. I look over to Lissa, who looks like she is almost crying. I open the Book of Communication, writing, "What happened, where are we going?"
Lissa takes the book and pen, wiping her eyes, "Maribelle has been kidnapped, the Duke of Themis' property has been attacked."
I frown, and give her a determined nod. She gives me a small smile, and I start repacking the convoy, while Chrom, Frederick and Lissa run inside, probably to help with getting the other Shepherds to come. I look around, and see Kellam unpacking the items I had just packed. I open the Book of Communication, and write Kellam that we need to start packing it, not unpacking. He nods, helping with the packing. We finish, packing an extra few tents for the off hand that we pick up more people in our adventures. I see Chrom talking with a little kid wearing a blue uniform, very similar to Miriel's own outfit. Chrom finishes talking with him, and the kid sulks off, Chrom walking the other way. I walk with Kellam out of the city.
A day later, Emmeryn stands at the Ylisse-Plegia border, The Shepherds standing behind her. I watch from where I stand, noticing a large amount of Wyvern Riders, Dark Mages and Brigands. Emmeryn stands talking, when Chrom rushes out, Falchion drawn, ready to attack. Another moment passes, and I see Maribelle and that brown haired kid at the top of the closest ledge. The kid casts a spell at a woman. Maribelle takes the kid on her horse, and rides to the edge of the cliff. Lissa grabs a staff from the convoy, lifts it up, a spell being cast, and the two appear next to her. I run to Chrom, Book of Communication open, being written in as I run. "Chrom, tell Frederick and Miriel to head to the to the west. Sumia and Virion need to attack the enemies from above. Just say these words, 'Kellam block that path on this first cliff, don't let anyone pass.' While you, Ricken, Maribelle and I head where we are needed. Tell Donnel to protect Emmeryn. Stahl and Sully need to climb up the cliffs, and drive forward with Lon'qu."
Chrom nods, and begins barking out orders. I simply draw Fellblade, and stand. Frederick and Miriel ride to the west when I see several dark mages opening their tomes. I motion over to Chrom, who sees them, and sprints alongside me. Fellblade shines in the sunlight, and I bring it down, cutting through the dark mages before they cast their spells. Crimson blood drips from Fellblade onto the sand and grass. I smile darkly, the voice in my head seems happy, chuckling, laughing at the demise of the fallen. 'They certainly Fell to your Blade.' I laugh myself, and get a weird look from Chrom. I shrug it off. We make our way up the cliffs. I see the bodies of dead wyverns and their riders. We fight our way up the cliffs, more Plegians fall. Soon, the Plegians are dead, blood staining the ground for a while to come.
We scale down the cliffs, and meet up with Emmeryn. Chrom talks with her while Lissa talks to Maribelle. I stand waiting, Moments later, Chrom is rallying everyone to march back to Ylisstol. 'Everyday it's walking, trekking and marching. I think walking will be the end of me.' I groan, but continue walking.
Night has nearly fallen on the second day, the orange glow of the sun resting on the horizon, the sun had disappeared, when we make it back to Ylisstol. 'How can it take nearly three days to travel to Plegia, and only take less than two to get back? It makes no sense.' We leave the convoy packed as we start heading off to bed.
I lay on my cot, unable to sleep. Well, I had about an hour, but woke up and I can't fall asleep again. I roll out of bed, and begin to wander. I walk, and eventually find that I had made my way inside of the castle walls. I begin to had back when I see Chrom. I pull out the Book of Communication, and write, "What are you doing up so late? Shouldn't you be asleep?"
Chrom takes the book, having a hard time reading the book in this light. I can't say I blame him, but seeing that it was the only way of communication, I think we both have to live with it. He nods and shrugs, and takes my pen from me. "Just dueling with some unpleasant thoughts. Tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first. .Not everything Gangrel said was a lie, I know that you don't know what he said but you deserve to know. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. It was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times. I know how they affected Emmeryn. When our father died before her 10th year, he left her quite the legacy, Plegia's desire for vengeance, our own people's unbridled rage. My sister became a target for blame from all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults, and stones. She still bears the scar from one. She never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood. I cannot claim to know how she does it. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people supposedly forgave her? She never resented them for it. She represents the best of the halidom, the part most worth protecting. She is peace, but some men would take advantage of that. Men like Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him. So perhaps I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to." I nod, not able to find the words to reply, I stand there, book in hand, pen in the other. I close the Book of Communication, my arm falling to my side. I look around, and see a familiar blue figure. I wave, and they wave back. Chrom looks over and looks shocked. Marth points over the way they came, and Chrom looks nervous, anxious even.
The two talk for less than a moment before Marth draws their sword, Chrom does the same. I see someone run out towards Chrom, sword in hand. Marth jumps up unto the air after throwing their sword, and backflips in the air, bringing their sword down on the attempted assassin's back. Marth stands there for a moment before another person charges out of the bushes. Marth slips on the first one's sword, falling with the least amount of grace I've ever seen them use. The second assassin makes a stab at Chrom through Marth. Marth's fall probably saves their life, if they were standing, the assassin's blade would have gotten through their body, killing them before anything could happen. Instead, Marth's mask is cut, oddly a perfect cut, as it falls of Marth's face. Chrom stabs Falchion through the second assassin. Marth stands up, revealing a feminine face, and long blue hair. I open the Book of Communication, and write to Marth, "Is it just me, or did it seem like you knew that was going to happen? Second of all, who are you? Your sword looks an awful lot like Falchion, and I don't don't think it's a coincidence."
She looks up at me, a look of shock in her face. She hold up a finger, and I turn around, seeing Chrom, who is looking back at the palace, running after it, motioning Marth and me over. I run with Marth, waiting an answer to my accusation. I get the Book of Communication back, my accusation completely crossed out, looking like an ink spill and a single word, "Later."
I catch up to Chrom and hand him the book, "Chrom what happened?" Chrom looks at the book, taking my pen, writing, "Explosion." I nod, not happy about the short answers I've been getting, but I understand why. We make our way into the palace, and near a large room, all doors closed. Several of the other Shepherds have made it there. Chrom takes the Book of Communication, "Robin, we need a plan of defense, assassins have filled the palace." I nod, making a mental note of all who was here. Sully, Frederick, Chrom, Me, Stahl, Miriel, Lissa, Sumia and Kellam. I notice that Sumia, Stahl, Sully and Frederick all look fairly awkward without their mounts. I figure that they need to adapt anyway, so I ignore it. "Chrom, you, me, Frederick and Lissa all head to the west hallway, and block it off from there, Marth needs to stay by that door, she should prove to be efficient. Kellam needs to go to the other door of Emmeryn's, and Miriel, Sumia, Sully, Stahl, need to divide themselves into two efficient forces and block the two southern hallways."
Chrom nods, giving out the orders. I walk over to where I had ordered myself to go. I draw Fellblade, and see some of the assassins. Chrom, Frederick and Lissa. We charge out, Cutting down the enemies seemed easy, until Chrom slipped on the rug. Falling over causes a small bag tumble out of his possession. An orange haired man runs out, picks up the bag, and looks inside. He reaches his hand in, grabs something and pops it in his mouth. Chrom stands up, talking with him, and the orange haired man talks back. Chrom motions him over, and he walks over. I reach my hand out, making it look like a handshake. He reaches out as well, and as our hands near, I take the bag that he recently picked up, and look inside. Candy. I grab one, and get slapped in the hand by him. I grab one again, glaring at him. Taking the candy, and being slapped again. I hold fast to the candy, and put it in my mouth. I savor the candy as the orange haired person glares at me. I shrug it off, turn around and start cutting down the assassins.
The voice in my head seems to laugh, chuckle, at the blood stained carpets, the blood drained bodies, and the blood dripping off my blade. When I next notice my surroundings, I see Chrom and the orange haired person stared shocked, while Lissa had her eyes covered by a very concerned Frederick. Frederick pushes Lissa out of the hallway, and follow me down. I look to the sides, and see the openings to the other sections of the palace. I see the other Shepherds gawking at me. Marth stares, seemingly admiring my handiwork. I sheathe my bloody blade, and I see Chrom sprinting down the hallway, motioning me to the side. I turn around, and see a sorcerer, holding a tome, channeling the spell. I roll over the dead bodies, to the wall. I turn to see Chrom toss Falchion into the air, and bring it down over the guy's head.
Moments later, guards fill the room, CHrom talks to them as they begin cleaning up the bodies of the fallen. I walk outside, the smell of blood adding a sickening feeling in my stomach. I see Marth walking away. I run up to her. I open the Book of Communication and write a few words, "You owe me an explanation."
Marth looks at the book, takes my pen and asks, "Do you promise not to tell Chrom?" I nod. She continues writing. "My name is Lucina, I came from the future. I know that you are the Deaf Tactician. You have to make sure that you don't go on one of your killing sprees like you did in there on your next journey. It is a habit that you end up relying on too heavily, and it will cause the death of the other Shepherds. After you read this, scribble it out like done before, no one needs to read this." I look up, and see that Lucina is gone. I scribble out the message, and walk back into the palace.
Well, this chapter had the first of a few AU-ish parts, I hope it doesn't take too much from the story from you guys. I still don't know who I would like Robin to marry yet, suggestions are still open, I just ask that they are not children characters, talk about awkward conversations with the parents. The only ships that are set in stone are Chrom and the previously hinted mystery woman, and Sumia x Henry because that conversation is one of the best. Anyways, I apologize again for the late update, I rewrote this chapter several times, having a hard time starting the chapter. That is not a good excuse, but it's what happened. Anyways, have a good morning, day, afternoon, evening or good night, or whatever time it happens to be where you live.
Bye,
Karii Lynne
