Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.
William Shakespeare
His battle started with an ordinary soldier, Luso attempting to block a well aimed lance thrust with his shield. The Ferox impaled the iron and leather buckler easily with his steel lance, and twisted it, tearing at Luso's armor. While the man was pulling on the weapon, Luso grabbed onto the shaft of the spear and yanked at it trying to take it from the soldier.
The two engaged in a brief struggle, grappling over the weapon until the soldier decided enough was enough and punched Luso in the face, forcing him to let go.
The mercenary retaliated by bashing the poor man's face in with the ruined pieces of his buckler. Even the greatest barbarians would be in pain after three blows with a hunk of twisted metal.
"Vaike! How's it going!"
"Good! These guys can't stop the teach!" After the soldiers had been softened up by Virion, Vaike chopped the second soldier's lance in half and was chasing him around like a headless chicken. An arrow was embedded in his left shoulder and the red gouge from a lance was in his side.
Vaike slammed the soldier against the wall of the fort and threw him against the ground, before tearing the arrow out of his arm and pouring a vulnerary onto his shoulder.
Speaking of arrows, the archers that had fired the arrows towards them were having a moment with Stahl and Sully. It did not involve a fancy restaurant and fine wine.
Wincing slightly at the archer's predicament, Luso glanced behind him, two archers as well as a knight were giving chase to the group.
"Everyone retreat! We need to fall back into a more open area so we can flank them!" Robin threw another bolt of lightning towards a fallen knight, scorching and mutilating his arms and legs so he couldn't move or swing a lance.
"Bit brutal don't you think!" Luso murmured as he ran backwards.
"It is necessary." Robin clenched his fist and a ball of electrical energy gathered into his palm.
"You know Robin, have you ever considered just smashing your fist into someone with that magic activated and screaming Chidori?" Luso brandished his sword as an arrow landed by his feet. The boy bit his tongue as he continued to run back into a snow covered plain.
"Why would I ever do that!"
"Nothing, Just thought it would look cool."
Robin scowled and drew his bronze sword. "Enough!" He turned and faced the Feroxian guard just as the last soldier passed the walls. "All Shepherds! Strike them!"
Chrom was the first one on the battlefield, his rapier wedged between two armor plates on a knight.
He tackled the soldier and knocked him over while Vaike broke his lance with his axe.
Frederick was riding forward, his Silver lance brutally hacking off an archer's leg as he passed, while Sully and Stahl backing away from the battle to nurse their wounds.
The second Feroxian archer drew back his bow and fired an arrow into Vaike's leg, the bolt sheering through his thigh. The fighter's leg trembled from strain, and Vaike fell to his knees.
"Vaike!" Robin shouted as he threw another bolt of lightning. "How are you holding up!"
"Don't worry! Teach could take another three arrows before healing!"
The second archer aimed his bow again and drew back a second shot.
"Not this time!" Luso dove in the way and blocked the arrow with his shield. The mercenary rushed forward and slammed his sword down on the archer's bow, causing the oiled wood to snap. "Sorry about this!" He rammed the archer into the wall, knocking him down.
"Was that fine Robin?" Luso shouted as he looked back.
Robin nodded and said something but that was inconsequential.
Because Vaike's strange mark reappeared on his chest, and this time the clock's hands pointed to the 12:00.
The archer Frederick had wounded was lying on the snow covered field with bow in hand. He deftly fired an arrow into Vaike's side, the bolt slamming into the fighter's chest.
"Die Brigand!" The archer cried as he nocked a second arrow.
"No!"
The second arrow pierced through Vaike's neck, tearing a gash straight through his spinal cord. The fighter fell to the ground, dead. "C-Chrom...take up the torch..." he gurgled just before falling.
Just like that he was gone.
Vaike seemed like such a cool guy. A little overbearing, but a nice person. People had died, he had killed bandits himself, but now someone he knew, one of the good guys had fallen.
Luso took a few steps forward, his shoes stained by bloody snow.
"Damn you! Damn you to hell!" Luso screamed as he ran towards the legless archer, his sword overhead. The sheer terror in the Feroxi archer's eyes were only matched by his scream.
As Luso swung his sword to kill, just one strike to avenge him. Blood for blood motivated him, an eye for an eye and a life for a life never seemed to be more true than this moment.
The archer closed his eyes as the weapon hurtled towards him.
"Stop it." Chrom said as he blocked Luso's strike. "Killing that soldier has no purpose. We came here to negotiate with the Khan and ask her for assistance."
"He killed Vaike! How can you defend his murderer like that? Wasn't he your friend?" Luso shouted as he struck again only to have Chrom block the strike again. The clash of swords created a great klanging sound which caused several of the soldiers to look to see what was going on. They winced as Chrom slapped Luso across the face.
"You're right. He was a very close friend of mine. I want vengeance more than anyone else! But to do so would be wrong! Repaying blood for blood cannot be condoned." His cheek still burning Luso was knocked backwards into the snow. The Ylissian prince looked down sadly as Luso sputtered and shouted. "His last words were to you! He asked to take up the torch! And you would do this?"
"Do you know Vaike?" Chrom said. "Where he came from? Why he even joined the Shepherds?"
"No!"
"Vaike grew up in the slums before joining the Shepherds, and fought to be a great hero for those who stayed behind! He wanted his life and death to mean something." Chrom turned away. "That is why we must do what is right. The thirst for vengeance should not be quenched with bloodshed, but rather by actions that Vaike would have wanted. Killing that archer would only cause trouble between us and the Feroxi and only make it harder to protect Ylisse and his hometown."
"Fine." Luso sheathed his sword. "I won't."
"While this is all touching, I believe that the time to talk is over and the time to fight is now." A lady in heavy armor stated. "I am Raimi, the knight in charge of this fortress. From what I've heard, even if you are brigands, you have some sense of honor. I will grant you an honorable fight, and if you truly are Prince Chrom, then no doubt you will be strong without measure. You in the leather armor, unsheathe your sword, you cannot fight without it."
"Just when I put it away too." Luso said angrily. "First of all, this system of strength makes no sense. If bandits could beat you, then would you randomly accept them as Lords? How is combat skill relevant in identification, when nobility or lordship is determined by birth! Second in these needless struggles, people die. How can you even partake in these things? It's because of you that he's dead! Why!"
With a single spear thrust, Luso was thrown back several feet, the lance tearing through his shoulder plate. "A silver tongue won't strike down your enemies. If you aren't going to fight, then stay back- Weakling." Raimi spat as she raised her lance again.
"Stay back!" Robin muttered grimly. "Luso, she's baiting you, you can't possibly hurt her. That armor she's wearing will deflect any blow you can do! Leave this to Chrom and I. Pair up with Frederick, Luso, and fight her reinforcements. That's the best thing you can do."
The tactician closed his eyes and let magic gather in his palm, as Chrom sheathed Falchion and drew his rapier. His eyes burned with righteous fury and his arm trembled in anger.
As Chrom, Robin, and Raimi played the deadly game of swords and sorcery, Luso and Frederick rode out towards the edge of the fortress. Two fighters ran down the stairs to greet them.
"Scorned twice in one day. I'm in no mood to do this. Let's make this quick." Luso muttered as he drew his sword.
"Milord is in danger. I too wish to resolve this conflict swiftly and return to his side." Frederick nodded in agreement as he switched his lance for a bronze sword.
"Don't get careless." Frederick said as Luso ducked underneath a wild swing. The mercenary smashed his sword against the fighter's temple. Frederick slammed the fighter in the chest with his weapon, knocking him out cold. "Alas for you." The knight said sharply when he struck the defeated fighter in the arm.
The second axe man rushed forward, this time in his arm was a hammer. Frederick stared at the heavy weapon in astonishment. His brow knit together as he watched the man approach.
"I've got you." Luso said as the soldier rushed forward. Frederick smiled grimly and waited for the fighter to get within range. With a single flick of the reins his horse leaped backwards avoiding the armor piercing weapon. "Pick a god and pray!" Ylisse's finest knight promptly slashed the poor man's weapon in half with a single blow, and proceeded to glare at him.
"Or maybe you don't need it." The mercenary said as the Feroxi soldier rolled onto his belly and played dead.
"I surrender." Raimi said lowering her head when she saw her reinforcements fall. The knight had two deep wounds by her side and the scorch marks from a lightning spell on her shoulder, yet she did not even stutter once when she said politely. "Truly you fight well, Prince Chrom. I will take you to the East Khan."
"It's over." Robin sighed as he clutched his arm. Blood was seeping out of various places on his body.
"Finally." Chrom muttered. "Every last one of you go get healed. The last thing we need is for another person to die of blood loss."
The prince knelt by the snow and picked up Vaike's body and heaved it over his shoulder.
"Send him back to Ylisse. It's what he would have wanted." Chrom said sadly as he placed the corpse into the convoy wagon.
"Milord..." Frederick stuttered. "I know this is a bad time but Raimi is leaving."
"Fine. It looks like we're meeting with the khan a little bit ahead of schedule. You doing okay Robin?"
"Fine.". The tactician mumbled. "Lissa patched me up. No holes in me so far."
"Alright then, let's get out of the cold and meet the Khan."
The shepherds were led into a throne room. Lissa and Stahl immediately plopped down next to the fireplace, in the corner and started to talk. The rest of the Shepherds on the other hand remained standing at attention expecting the ruler of such a fierce people to arrive.
Raimi noted the tension in the room and said formally. "Please wait here while I fetch the Khan. It will be just a minute."
"The Khan isn't home?" Robin asked quietly. The tactician gave up on standing and slumped onto the fur carpet and took upon feeling every single tear in his beloved coat.
"Probably out training." Chrom said. "The khans of Ferox prefer battle to politics. Or rather, battle IS their politics."
Robin smiled slightly. "A warrior ruler, eh? I can picture him now… A giant of a man of unparalleled thew, his broad chest covered in hair, heheh..."
"And in order to avoid having his hair pulled in battle, his head is shaven smoother then a baby's bottom. Wherever he goes, a magnificent battle-axe is always by his side, and his physical strength is only surpassed by the sheer number of jokes he makes in and out of battle- more so if they aren't always funny." Luso said while tapping on his fingers.
Robin laughed, before adding. "And in order to state his seniority, he calls everyone younger than him son, or something like that. And despite seeming to be more of a warrior than anyone else, this Khan is actually quite intelligent, capable of out-smarting his wife or colleges who insult him."
"Wait, Robin. Did the Shepherds have a dark skinned, blonde lady in the army?" Luso asked.
Chrom raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Because there is someone who matches that description standing behind Robin." Luso shivered slightly, and it wasn't from the cold.
"My name is Flavia, I'm the East Khan." The lady cracked her knuckles in anticipation. "Would you two mind repeating what you just said?"
Robin and Luso exchanged a look. Robin bit his lip and slowly dragged his finger across his throat. The meaning was clear. He was in greater peril then he was then he was with Anna, Maribelle, or even Frederick. Hell, he was in greater peril then when he was fighting against the Risen or the brigands. Luso paled as Flavia slowly approached him.
Fuck his life.
"Now that that's dealt with, let's move onto the main subject. I cannot grant you the alliance you seek Chrom." Flavia said, dusting her hands off as Luso was crying in a twisted heap that previously could be called his limbs.
"Why not!" The prince protested. "Aren't you the Khan?"
"One of the Khans." Flavia said. "Not the Khan Regent, the ruler of the Khans."
"Damn it. Vaike's death was for nothing then." Chrom looked away, on the verge of tears. "Absolutely nothing."
"Not so! The next tournament is nigh, my border guards tell me that your Shepherds are very capable. I'm sure that you can fight for me. If you win this tournament, then I will grant your alliance. This I promise you."
"We'll do it." Chrom nodded. "Whomever we fight, we will defeat for Ylisse's necessity."
"Ha!" Flavia barked out a heavy laugh. "I like you already, prince. We will meet again later. Raimi will fetch you for the tournament in three days and take you to the arena. Consider up until then, Prep time."
With that, the Khan left the room. Lissa walked over and used her heal staff on Luso, and the mercenary crumpled into a heap.
"Violent woman." Luso muttered. "So all we have to do is win and she grants us an alliance? What's stopping her from blowing us off?"
"She wouldn't." Robin said. "She may be rough, but she seems to be an honorable person. Besides this is a give and take offer, they'll be no reason to do such a thing."
"I guess you're right." Luso muttered as he stretched his legs. "So, bedtime for Bonzos?"
Chrom nodded somberly. "Sure, why not. Let's try to wake up early so we can train a bit though."
With that the Shepherds left to go to their respective guest rooms.
Robin stayed behind and grabbed onto Luso's shoulder.
"Luso, I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
"I need you to find out as much as possible about the rules of this arena match and our opponents. Especially data about the opposing champion. Tell me all you know during the strategy meeting." Robin said grimly.
"Alright I get it." Luso looked down. "I'll see what I can do, but I'm no spy. Don't expect much."
"It's alright." Robin slapped the mercenary on the back. "Go get some sleep."
