Author Notes:
-Italic is used for flashbacks and dreams.
-I do not own Fire Emblem and do not make any profit from this story.


Chapter 7: A Cause Worth Fighting For
An unusual gloomyatmosphere was shrouding the Shepherds' camp as the sun was setting. While the Valmese invaders had been temporarily stopped, the toll of the Ylissean victory had been heavy for the defenders. Exhausted, the Shepherds were surprisingly quiet, haggardly wandering the camp's alleys while the injured were tended to in the infirmary. The Feroxi army was in shambles, and the Ylissean forces didn't fare much better. Port Ferox had been ravaged, with parts of city having been plundered or burnt down, when it wasn't both. Cherche took solace in knowing most of the city's inhabitants had been saved, evacuated from the town before the battle. Most importantly, they kept their lives: their home, while destroyed, could be rebuilt later.

Cherche had left Minerva in the stables after making sure she was unharmed. She and the wyvern had fought the rest of the battle with Vaike and Kellam once they made sure Lon'qu was safe, effectively preventing any remaining Valmese grunts from invading the section of the city they were defending. The four of them had been fortunate enough to avoid any injuries more severe than benign scrapes and scratches. Meanwhile, Robin and Chrom, assisted by the stalwart knight Frederick and the two pegasus riders had engaged the docked Valmese admiral ship, felling the invasion force's commander. The Valmese morale quickly dropped as word of the demise of their commander reached them, eventually leading to the eventual retreat of the whole army. The Ylissean forces enjoyed the respite they earned, for now: while the Valmese fell back to the sea, the next wave of soldiers would eventually reach the coast once again.

Cherche had planned to visit Lon'qu, stuck in the infirmary with other Shepherds, but that would have to wait. Bothered by the way her group handed the recent battle, she had decided to report what happened and share her worries to Chrom.

Despite being at the other side of the encampment, the stables weren't far from the command tent with the Shepherd's camp being so modest in size. A couple of minutes were enough for her to walk through it to her destination, she was only stopped by the two guards on duty as she reached the tent.

"Halt! What's your business here?" one of them asked crudely, blocking the entrance to the tent with his spear. Such caution was to be expected, with the enemy being so near. Chrom was the bind that united both the Ylissean and Feroxi armies together, losing him would be a great blow to their spirit. Worried about his safety, Robin had made sure the Exalt remained guarded at all times, despite the protestations of the young prince.

"I wish to report an incident from the last battle. Would now be an appropriate time to do so?"

"Afraid 'tis not, miss. The Exalt is having a meeting with the Feroxi leaders and his most trusted companions."

Cherche was about to answer the man, stating she would come back a later, but was stopped in her tracks by Robin pushing aside both the tent's flaps and the spear blocking the entrance. "On the contrary, I would like to hear what she has to say. We were about done anyway."

"Yes Sir!" Both guards saluted and moved aside, leaving the way inside open. Robin, motioning for the Rosannian knight to come, walked back in, soon followed by her.

Inside were the leaders of the army gathered around a simple wooden table, on which was laying a map of the Ylissean and Valmese continents, lit up by a single candle on its corner. On one side was Chrom, a somber look on his face as he stared as the map, lost in thoughts. Behind him was standing Frederick, as placid as ever, his hands behind his back. The Feroxi representatives were here too, sitting on crude stools on the other side of the table. It was the two Khans that she met with Virion after they landed on Ylisse. Basilio, the West Khan, was truly a beast of a man: almost one foot taller than her, he had ruled on Regna Ferox for several years before being dethroned by the East Khan. Nevertheless, he remained close to the new ruler, acting as something akin to the role of an advisor. Indeed Flavia, the East Khan, was a close friend of the ruler of old, and some brave souls even went as far as speculating they had been tied by rather intimate bonds. It was only baseless rumors, of course, that both Khans took great care to shut down. While the nature of their relationship remained undiscernible, there was no denying they shared a genuinely cordial friendship.

As everyone turned their attention to her as she entered the tent, she couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated. To her, her report would only be relevant to Robin and Chrom, the Khans likely had other matters of their own to deal with.

"Do you want a seat? It's been quite the draining day," Robin asked as they reached the table, then gesturing to one of the free stools.

"No Sir- I mean Robin. I would rather stay up, if that is alright. I believe it would be more convenient to deliver my report this way."

"Suit yourself, I'm just going to use it myself then" the man replied as he sat on the free stool. He then tilted his head and observed the redheaded knight. "So, what it is you wanted to say?"

Cherche was listened to closely as she delivered her repot, only stopping whenever she was asked a question. From the way Lon'qu and Vaike split up to how she brought the swordsman back to the infirmary, she didn't leave any details unsaid. To her relief, it seemed the leaders shared her concerns as they all stared intensely at her as she talked until she was done.

Chrom was the first to speak as she stopped. "You have my thanks, Cherche. We will keep this information in mind for the upcoming battles. As for the time being, I will have a personal talk with the both of them."

Robin still sported that intense stare he gave her during the report as he joined in the conversation. "Interesting. I've heard Lon'qu had less issues being with women on the battlefield, but to go as far as making him climb on your wyvern… You're a most persuasive person, Cherche."

Basilio, the dark-skinned Khan, loudly joined in as he pursed his mouth in an entertained smirk. "Bwa ha ha! The man might have his issues, but he's not a bad apple. Tell you what, you should fight with him. You already tamed that huge wyvern, what's a mere man to you?'

While the Khan's reaction and way of speaking was unexpected, Cherche had no issues being paired with any of the soldiers. Lon'qu in particular was a man she appreciated, despite being so distant to him. In a way, she could relate to the swordsman's personal struggles, both of them being subject to the burdens of their past. Besides, it could just be the perfect occasion to get closer to the man and bring up Ke'ri's diary, if she felt it was the right time to. "The taming part aside, I would see no objection to fighting with Lon'qu. I am but a mere soldier, order me and I shall obey."

The Exalt shook his head, his arms folded, visibly unsatisfied with her answer. "You're wrong, the Shepherds aren't mere soldiers. I have the utmost trust in every single one of you and as such value your judgement in this matter."

His fingers stroking his chin, Robin chimed in. "Hm, yes… I can see quite the potential in this. Lon'qu would cover for Minerva's lack on speed on the ground and in turn she'd add formidable firepower to his attacks. Not to mention Cherche could always ferry him from one place of the battlefield to another just like earlier." he remarked just as much for himself than for the others, lost in his thoughts.

"As I said, I see no issues with working with Lon'qu, and so will Minerva. I am willing to be paired up with him, if he doesn't protest against this," Cherche declared, remembering about his gynophobia.

Robin placed his hands on his knees as he looked to the woman, quitting his tactical considerations. "It should be fine, Lon'qu already fought alongside women before. Oh, while you are still here, is there anything else you wanted to report?"

"Only that I plan to visit Lon'qu at the infirmary, which seems like the perfect opportunity to suggest this new assignment to him."

Chrom glanced back between her and Robin before speaking. "Just one more thing: we plan to meet with the new Plegian king as soon as we are able. I know it's getting late, but I would still appreciate it if you could tell any Shepherds you come across to get ready to depart."

While surprised they'd meet former enemies, Cherche didn't ask for any explanation. The leaders had their reasons and she had plans of her own for the night she wished to be done with rather sooner than later. She simply nodded in answer, acknowledging the order before answering, "I will, Sir."

The Exalt returned a weary smile. "Thank you, Cherche. Take care of yourself, we will need strong warriors such as you to win this war."

She saluted out of habit, the Exalt never having been one for formalities, then turning her heels and heading for the exit. She politely replied to one of the guards wishing her a good evening as she stepped outside, before walking hurriedly to the infirmary. The short travel was uneventful, with most Shepherds having already retired to their quarters as the night fell upon the camp. Only when she reached the infirmary did she meet a man, busy washing a bloodied rag in a bucket of water: with white robes, long blonde hair and silky pale skin, he could have easily been mistaken as a woman. Cherche recognized him as Libra, the highest-ranking cleric of the army. He was tasked with tending to the wounded, a duty he carried out diligently whenever he wasn't off fighting on the battlefield.

The man stood up as she came closer, twisting the rag to dry it as much as he could while peering at her. "Greetings, milady. Is there any way I could be of help at this late hour?" he finally asked as she stopped in front of him.

For some reason, perhaps because of her knight position, the cleric had taken upon him to call her 'milady' ever since they met. Far from minding however he saw fit to call her, Cherche had already decided to let him do as he pleased and went straight to the object of her visit.

"Good evening, Libra. I was hoping I could see Lon'qu, if he's still in the infirmary."

Libra raised an eyebrow, pausing for a moment before answering. "Er- I did offer him to rest here for the night, but surely you are aware of his issues with women?"

"I am familiar with his gynophobia. I did already speak with him before and will make sure to stay far enough as to not make him uneasy," Cherche replied with an assured voice.

The cleric threw the rag he was holding on a nearby table before stepping on the side, leaving the way to the infirmary open. "Very well then. He's the only one left here, so you don't have to worry about being a bother to anyone."

"I see. Thank you, Libra." She walked forward to enter the tent, only to stop after a couple of steps. "Oh, I almost forgot: I spoke with Chrom earlier and he told me we'll leave very soon. Could you relay that information to people you come across?"

Libra graciously nodded, his hair covering his face as he lowered his head. "Naturally, milady. It would be my pleasure."

Cherche returned a pleased smile. "You are too kind," she said before entering the tent.

Much like the command tent, the infirmary's interior was dimly lit by a few candles but otherwise plunged into darkness. A few bunks laid on its sides, separated from each other by white sheets hung from the roof. On the center, two wooden tables had been set up to hold various medical supplies and tools, along with several healing staves.

A wary masculine voice suddenly emerged from the shadows, stopping Cherche from exanimating the room further. "Who's there?"

She turned her head to find the origin of the voice, in one of the corners of the room hidden by one of the sheets. She was almost sure the voice belonged to the black-haired swordsman, alone in the room as Libra told her. "Cherche. I couldn't find the time to see you earlier," she answered loudly enough for him to hear, moving forward a few steps further in the tent.

"Hmph. I didn't expect you of all people to come visit me."

Cherche didn't answer immediately, instead grabbing one of the chairs near the tables and making her way to the bed of the injured man. Lon'qu was laying on it, staring at the roof while casually resting his head on his bandaged arm. He shifted his position as she came closer, turning his head to scrutinize her with frowned brows. Cherche felt a small blush creeping up on her cheeks at how intensely he was staring but kept enough composure to understand his discomfort: she had come close enough to the man. She cleared her throat to regain her composure and placed the chair about ten feet away from Lon'qu, then sitting on it cross-legged.

Cherche tilted her head on the side, trying to examine the extent of the injury from a distance. "It's healed already," the man abruptly declared, answering her unsaid question.

"I see, that's a relief. I was worried you were faring poorly, considering you're the only one staying in the infirmary tonight."

Lon'qu straightened to sit on the bed, moving his previously injured arm around effortlessly. "I was treated last is all. It was getting late so Libra offered me to stay for a while. I suppose I owe you and Minerva my thanks for not getting injured any further, actually."

Cherche smiled sincerely, relieved the man didn't seem to hold a grudge against her for making him ride the wyvern. "Don't mention it, we are partner-in-arms after all. I'm just glad you were able to make it out alive."

"Still, it is good knowing there are such stalwart soldiers among the Shepherds. Perhaps we will find ourselves fighting together again in the future," the man stated, shifting his legs on the bed to face her.

Cherche bit her lower lip, lowering her head ever so slightly as she remembered her passage in the command tent. "About that… I told Chrom and Robin about what happened during the battle and your… argument with Vaike. They suggested that we pair-up together during the next battles."

The man raised an eyebrow, surprise replacing his usual sober mask. "Are you so reluctant to fight alongside me?"

She shook her head vehemently and looked back into his eyes. "No. Actually, I thought you'd be the one bothered by such a proposal. I have heard of your… issues with women."

"I can overcome my inclinations in the heat of battle, if this is what you are worried about."

Cherche lowered her head apologetically. "I see. Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you. In fact, I look forward to working with you."

Lon'qu laid back on the bed again, gazing at the roof above. "Do you now? Tell me, what is it you are fighting for?"

She trailed a finger on the arm of her chair, contemplative . "The war has scattered my family and friends. I want to see this through, so that I can be reunited with them. Besides, someone has to stop Walhart, right? Many of my comrades fell soldiers, and I will not rest until they are avenged."

"Fighting for the sake of others, then. This a noble goal, for which I'll be glad to lend my blade."

"Considering your skill with it, I have no doubt it will be a valuable asset to us. But what about you? What is it you fight for?" Cherche asked, bringing her attention back to the man from her chair.

"I fight because Basilio told me to. He ordered me to join Chrom, so I now stab people for the Exalt's sake," he stated in a matter-of-fact way, almost casually.

"Is that it? Don't you have a goal of your own?" she asked, almost disappointed.

"My only aim is to grow stronger," Lon'qu finally answered after a pause.

Cherche could feel the man was hiding something, his hesitation to answer hidden behind his usual detached mask. She remembered how he couldn't protect Ke'ri back in Chon'sin, wondering if it had any links with his reasons to fights. While she wished to ask him about her, or even tell him about the diary, she couldn't bring herself to dredge such a painful past just yet. Instead, she looked away, hiding her own hesitations behind a composed silence.

"Did your nightmares return?" Lon'qu asked out of the blue, still staring at the roof.

She tilted her head in surprise. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm concerned is all. From a partner-in-arms to another."

"They come and go, but I'm stronger than them. Rest assured they won't bring me down."

It was the truth. While the nightmares still semi-regularly plagued her nights, she did her best to forget about them and find something to keep her busy, or simply looking after Minerva when she felt distressed.

"You are a strong woman." Lon'qu observed, before turning his eyes back to her. "You should go rest now. It was… kind of you to come."

Cherche smiled broadly: getting compliments from Lon'qu was a rare treat that she knew held more significance than the idle flattery of her former lord. "I shall leave you to recover then."

"Hmph. It was barely a scratch. I shall intensify my training so that such a failure doesn't occur again."

She couldn't help but let out a small chuckle from the man involuntary antics as she stood up. "Don't be too hard on yourself. We depart for Plegia soon and I want you to be in your best form if we are to fight together," she declared as she turned her heels to walk toward the exit, leaving the man to his own.


Hey again. It seems like I managed to not go past my deadline, this time. I had to restructure the whole chapter, which was originally two times longer and has now been split up in several expanded parts. I will see you again in two weeks, as usual (when I don't run late that is).

As for the story itself, you may have noticed I took some slight liberties and other personal interpretations up until now. Feel free to ask me about it if something is bothering and I shall explain my reasoning as to why I headed the story this way. For the canon timeline, this chapter ends just before the party leaves for an audience with the Plegian king on Carrion Isle.

Until next time!