LUCINA'S POV
The battle had been won. However, the most difficult part of my quest was yet to come. As soon as Orton was struck down, I dashed for Ylisstol as fast as my legs could carry me. The next day, I reached the capitol. I knew Chrom would be moving swiftly, so that night, I snuck into the castle walls through a cleft Chrom bashed in the outer wall during training. To my surprise, he was already in the garden I had emerged in. To my greater surprise, the Robin character I knew so little about was there as well, in discussion. So, with one hand on Falchion's hilt, I walked up to the two. Needless to say, Chrom was pretty shocked at my arrival. "How did you…?" he shook his head. "You know what, I don't even care anymore." I noticed Robin was biting his lip to keep from laughing, and I felt my own smile playing across my lips. Hurriedly, I replaced it with my regular slight frown. Odd. "Once again, I'm not here to talk about me." I said simply. Chrom sighed. "Of course you aren't. I'm sure you didn't pop in to say hello, either." He said, glaring at me. For the first time since donning the mask, I felt self-conscious. "What if I told you…"? I let a dramatic pause hang in the air, although I realized how incredibly stupid it felt. "…I could predict the future? A future where Emmeryn is killed? Tonight?" Robin stopped laughing, and Chrom tensed ever so slightly. "Am I expected to believe that you can predict the future?" All right, time to prove it to him. I shut my eyes for a second, not that Chrom would tell, and let my senses range across the garden. Then, I heard a slight rustle in the bushes. Perfect, I had found the assassin. I drew Falchion, silently. Chrom tensed more and did likewise. "I'm about to save your life." I said, as there was another rustle. "From HIM!" on the last word, the assassin broke out of the bushes and dashed at Chrom. Hurriedly, I turned and slashed him in the chest with Falchion. The assassin dropped to the ground, dead. "I trust… this proof will suffice?" I said, lowering my guard. Chrom nodded dumbly. I gasped as there was another rustle, and another assassin broke cover. I turned, intending to meet him, when I slipped on the fallen assassin's sword. Damn it! I fell backwards, and the mistake saved my life as the living assassin's blade flashed right where my face would have been. Chrom dashed up and dispatched the fiend quickly, sheathed Falchion and stared. I glanced over and noticed Robin was doing likewise. I looked down, and saw the mask, lying in two pieces at my feet.
Robin's POV
Well, when this all goes down in history, I'm sure we'll all see this as the biggest plot twist ever. Who knew that 'Marth' was a woman? Well, besides me. I didn't completely know, but I guessed due to her… "I KNEW IT!" I yelled triumphantly. Chrom looked at me quizzically. "How did you know she was a woman?" he said, looking at her with the same expression. "It was her fig- Um, I mean intuition?" Marth was glaring at me with an expression I was sure was unbridled rage. Or was it… no, it couldn't be. I realized I was shaking my head. "Anyways, are there more assassins?" Marth's head snapped up. "Gods, you're right!" she said, and bolted into the castle. I looked at Chrom, gave a slight shrug, and charged in after her, with Chrom tailing closely behind. I don't know why, or how, but all of the Shepherds were suited for battle in the castle halls. "I had them stay the night, because I don't want them travelling alone with the Risen about." Chrom explained. "So, are we gonna kick some assassin arse or what?" Sully said, gripping her spear. Stahl gave a nod, while trying to fasten his armor straps with a piece of bread in his mouth. I gave a slight eye roll, but let it pass nonetheless. Chrom handed me a rough sketch of the castle, which I studied. There were three halls leading up to the main hall we were in, which broke off to the room where Emmeryn was, which Marth was guarding. "Anyways, the Exalt's life is in danger, and currently we're the only people here ready to defend her. So, here's the plan. Sully and Kellam, take the entrance on the far left. Virion, stay behind them and pick the oncoming enemies off." The trio nodded and immediately blocked the hallway off. "Stahl and Sumia, take the entrance on the far right. Miriel, go with them. Remember to stick close." This was mainly due to the fact that, despite her enhanced capabilities as a mage, she couldn't take attacks that well. The trio nodded, Miriel mumbling some random things about our probabilities of winning, and blocked that entrance. "Alright, Chrom, Vaike, and Ricken, take the entrance between the two." I said, gesturing. The entrances were all blocked, and I allowed a small smile to pass my lips. "Alright, Lissa and Maribelle, stay here with Marth and I to help heal the wounded. We'll protect you." The two nodded and each walked/galloped off to a separate half of the hall. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity, studying the layout of the castle, when I heard it. The castle ground started trembling, ever so slightly. "LOCK SHIELDS!" I yelled, and the first wave of assassins leapt into battle.
Jack's Corner
Apple pie goes out to whoever gets the last sentence reference :3 Anyways, sorry to leave it on a cliffhanger, but I didn't want to pause mid-battle, or have an uber-long chapter. Anyways, So proud that i'll be reaching 2000 views soon. -wipes tear-. I would like to add that a certain merchant will be coming into play, thanks to a great series of drabble i've been reading. It's called 'All That Glitters' and I really recommend you check it out! For future notice, none of the other spot pass/Einherjars will make an appearance, sorry to say.