The chant echoed off the walls making it sound as if their were more than a dozen voices making the sound, one syllable fading to the next with a practiced ease that belied the difficulty with which the dozen had learned the necessary words of a long dead language, and the insanity that claimed those for whom the task proved too difficult. Within the dozen a circle of runes, each a word of power surrounded the dozen shrouds beneath which it did not take much imagination to guess what lay. Outside the circle made by those chanting another circle of runes was being made, the two women doing so chanting a different chant from that of the dozen.

'Aversa!'

Accompanying the bellow was the sound of heavy doors being pushed open and the clatter of armoured feet sounded. Two shadows detached themselves from the rooms gloom and barred the newcomer's way, blades out and faces invisible beneath the visors forged to resemble the face of those wearing it.

'Damn you Aversa! Call off your dogs!'

One of the women sighed in frustration, put a stopper in the vial containing the liquid she had been writing the runes with before straightening and looking towards the others.

'Continue the chant, I shall be back shortly.'

So said she turned and walked towards the interruption, beckoning to the armed men to stand down as she did.

'Yes your grace? What is it?'

Though the words were spoken in a smooth tone there was no mistaking the anger underneath the surface. Mad king Gangrel seemed not to notice.

'Where is your clairvoyance? You said the prince would march to us yet the given date of the pup's sisters execution draws nigh and nothing has been seen or even heard of his march! I only agreed to make her death such a spectacle on your assurance that it would draw the rest of the Exalted bloodline into the open!'

'You have spies for that, your grace, scouts amongst your soldiers even. Surely that should be enough to enable your grace to report their march?'

Gangrels mouth formed a sneer.

'Oh they report to me no end. Of how Ferox burns and pillages the north and how warbands raid deep into Plegia leaving behind ruin and death all while our army in Ylisse find the noose tighten round them as the lords gather their armies and march on them. You promised me the exalt and her family would be dead, you promised me a quick war!'

'And is the Exalt not in your hands? Are your armies not deep within Ylisse? There is no shadow of doubt the Prince will arrive in some gallant attempt to save his sister and once that is achieved you will have all that was promised and more.'

The sneer remained in place though Gangrels voice took a calmer tone.

'So you say yet how many times have you failed to deliver?'

'Everything that was promised was delivered! Do not blame the faith for your lack of success in exploiting the knowledge given to you.'

Aversa hissed, eyes narrowing as she looked down on the king. In a moment this was gone as she adopted her more usual voice and face.

'The opportunity is coming, it depends on you whether you will catch it. So I advise you to go and ready your soldiers for the coming trail and you will have all you wish.'

She made to turn but stopped, as if remembering something.

'Oh and this is a delicate ritual that does not take well to interruptions so do not do so again.'

With that she left, the grimleal soldiers making it clear that Gangrel was to leave, which he did with a sneer and rude gesture. Aversa walked back to where she had stood before the interruption and looked down on the runes.

'Now where was I? Ah yes.'

So said she resumed the task and chant from the exact sound she had before being interrupted.


He was in a void. There was no up no down no left no right nor a forward or back, there was nothing and in this nothingness he felt peace. It was a void of purpose, fear, love hate, duty or even meaning and it meant he could finally rest. The temptation, the urge to do just that was overwhelming but something made him stop.

It was a dull throbbing at the back of his mind, like the beating of a drum it resounded through his entire being and he soon found himself looking round, bringing existence to the void, marring its perfection and the thudding grew ever louder.

A dread took him, compelling him to flee, up or down, forward or back it mattered not so long as he moved away yet the thudding continued to grow louder with each moment till his every bone rattled with each thud. At the edges of his vision something moved up, cutting his vision to only the faintest of strips. The urge to scream grew yet he found he had no voice for it. Just as he lost his vision he heard something else.

How long can you deny it?


He woke and found himself on his feet, breath coming to him as hard as if he had just run a mile in full kit, his skin clammy with cold sweat.

'You alright there Robin?'

The voice nearly made him jump. Instead he turned to look at the source, Kellam looking at him with some concern. Robin tried to answer but found his throat too dry. Swallowing he managed to get some moisture back and managed to wheeze an answer.

'I'm fine.'

The knight nodded.

'You're not the only one with a restless night, lots of people got the jitters.'

Could that be it? Yes why not, that was a good enough reason for his nighttime visions… what was it again? As Kellam stretched out the kinks in his back, commenting about how uncomfortable sleeping in armour was Robin thought, what was it that frightened him so? In the end he shook his head slowly, enjoying the popping sensation in his neck, it was common for nighttime fears to vanish as soon as one opened their eyes and dismissed his unfortunate wakening to such a matter.

'I swear to gods these two can sleep through anything.'

Kellam remarked idly as he looked down on Stahl and Vaikes sleeping forms. Virion, Robin noted, was missing, his pack already organized.

'Give me a hand will you? Oy! Stahl! Wake up or you'll miss breakfast!'

The young knight shot upright at that looking around somewhat dazed. Vaike happily snored on till Robin woke him in the much more direct method of kicking the saddle the blonde was using as a pillow from under his head, Vaike waking from the sudden jolt and sitting upright.

'What the hell?'

'It's morning, you don't want to miss your hardtack and sour wine now do you?'

Vaike groaned at that. With Stahl sighing as he rolled his shoulders.

'Can't we have something warm?'

'No fires.'

Came Robins simple response. Any further complaints were cut silent as the tent flap was pulled aside and Lissa stuck her head in.

'Hey Robin, Chrom wants to see you.'

'Damnit squirt! What if we weren't decent?'

The princess stuck her tongue out.

'You're never decent Vaike. But I know everyone was told to sleep in armour so there.'

Before Vaike could get an answer out Robin had already slid his helmet on and moved to leave the tent, Lissa ducking away to make room. The camp was bustling with waking soldiers but set in a deep ravine it was hoped the concentration of men and animals would go unnoticed, but to assist in the matter it was decided to light no fires so soldiers were left to mutter darkly about the night chill still in their bones as the waited for to break their fast on hardtack, jerky and sour wine.

'Is something wrong with Frederick? He's usually the one that fetches me.'

Robin idly asked as they walked. Rather than a cheeky reply that would have, no doubt, mentioned how insulting it was he would rather having a grim knight fetch him than a cute princess, instead he got silence making him glance down. Lissa walked silently, a serious expression on her face.

'Robin, today we're going to save Emm, right?'

'That is the plan.'

He answered, not sure what to make of the situation. Lissa looked up to the man.

'I mean we are going to save her, right?'

Now he understood and reflected how poor a person the girl had chosen to ask for such confirmation, as it seemed he had little skill with comforting words. With a sigh he did his best.

'That is why we are here and that is our intention. We will do everything possible to do so.'

Lissa nodded and they went the rest of the short way in silence. Chrom was in his tent along with his officers as well as Gaius and Panne. As the prince looked in his direction Robin noted the mans pale face and the shadows under his eyes.

'Gaius and Panne have just returned from scouting.'

He said by way of greeting before turning to the reformed, somewhat, thief and gesturing him to speak. The Ginger nodded and approached the campaign table before placing a finger on the map.

'The temple complex is centred on the giant skeleton. The building itself is small but the courtyard's massive to accommodate the bones. A wall circles the entire area, 'bout twenty feet high but I found no walks on it.'

Robin nodded, a bit of good news than as that meant the Plegians would not be able to use it.

'The gate?'

Robin asked.

'Massive. Six arches each wide enough for about six men to walk under without problem. The entrance is pretty much ground level but you need to go down stairs about five feet before you reach the courtyard. The entire area is circled by a small city of tents, several hundred pilgrims at the least.'

Robin clicked his tongue in annoyance; the pilgrims might cause trouble either by active resistance or by simply getting in the way.

'Soldiers?'

'Several hundred though mostly scattered around the area. Once alarmed the Wyvern riders would be the first to arrive, probably less than an hour to do so.'

Panne answered. Robin frowned as he took in the information. Chrom did not look up from the map but moved his hand over it before resting his finger on a part.

'What of the area around the complex?'

'There is a riverbed that could conceal movement, at least partially down here. You'd still be exposed for the last hundred yards.'

'It will still be the best approach.'

Frederick pointed out. Robin looked over the map before sighing.

'Those on foot should use the riverbed to get as close as possible before breaking cover. The mounted might as well move from here. If we try to shove too many into the riverbed someone is bound to notice.'

'The Plegians will still have plenty of time to notice.'

Frown in place Robin nodded.

'I'd be happiest if we could somehow smuggle some people into the complex.'

He looked to Gaius who understood in a moment.

'Shouldn't be a problem. Just let me get some of those rags we picked off of the slavers and I can make my way in.'

'Anyone else you would take?'

The convict thought for a moment before nodding.

'Kellam is a sneaky git, I bet he could dance in full armour and no one would notice. Gregor as well, he knows the land and speaks the language. Ruffles, that is to say Virion might be handy as he can be a surprisingly crafty arse when he chooses. Also I heard Feroxi can be pretty sneaky when they want to.'

Eyes turned to Lon'qu who shrugged.

'I have a few men talented in that regard, I could delegate them to the task.'

Robin nodded.

'In that case I'd say we get Gaius' group in first, no later than an hour. The rest of the force should be ready no later than two hours from now.'

'My knights would be able to simply fly in, extract her Grace and fly out in a matter of moments.'

Robin nodded.

'Aye but I would expect them to expect that kind of manoeuvre. I think it would be safer to keep the Pegasi in reserve until we can ascertain what is waiting for us.'

Phila looked as if she wished to argue the point but stopped herself.

'Very well.'

She agreed. Eyes turned to Chrom who, as Prince, was the highest rank and therefore had the ultimate say in the planning. He looked over the plans for a few minutes before sighing.

'Very well. We shall go with Robins proposal though Phila, I would prefer if you keep a close eye on what is happening, should you see an opportunity to save Emmeryn or if the main thrust is stalled I expect you to move.'

'Very well my lord.'

Phila tilted her head before remembering something.

'I shall leave Cordelia and Sumia with you to continue as a liaison if necessary.'

'Very well.'

Chrom agreed before looking over the faces in his tent for a moment before speaking again.

'Today we rescue our Exalt. You know your duty, you know your assignments now go and get ready.'

Fists slammed into chests and heads tilted before the officer's left the tent. Robin made ready to head back to his tent in the hopes that his sections rations had been delivered but found his way barred.

'If I may have a moment, sir.'

'Yes commander?'

Phila looked around before shaking her head.

'Please accompany me for a moment.'

The two walked in silence through the camp, soldiers quietly preparing for the day ahead and soon reached the outskirts. In passing Robin noted the Pegasus riders readying, amidst the number of strangers he quickly picked out the familiar faces of Sumia and Cordelia busy grooming their mounts. The two seemed to be having a conversation on a pleasant subject and the man found the sight somewhat nostalgic, making him wonder what sort of memory he had hidden away.

'Sir Robin.'

He looked back to Phila whose expression had gone serious, more serious than usual even.

'What do you think of our chances?'

For a moment he briefly considered giving a generic answer but squashed the thought and answered honestly.

'We have a good chance of succeeding but a greater chance of failure. Even if we succeed here we still have to escape a hostile country.'

Phila nodded.

'Exactly as I see it. I and my sister in arms are sworn to the defence of the Exalt onto death as well as her family. I say I want Cordelia and Sumia to stay with the prince as liaisons but in truth it is in case…'

She paused and looked around before leaning in and continuing in a hushed voice.

'In case we fail. They need to protect Chrom and Lissa, you will need to get them to safety but should that seem impossible those two girls will be able to get the royals to safety regardless. Do you understand what I am saying?'

'Yes.'

The commander nodded.

'I am sorry for troubling you with this. I know you have little reason for loyalty to Ylisse yet of all those the prince chooses to surround himself with I feel as if you would be the most likely to disregard what the royal siblings might want and do what must be done.'

A heavy silence fell between the two as they stood observing the small force preparing for battle. It was Phila who broke the silence.

'But that won't be necessary. We will triumph here and triumph later.'

'Aye. We'll toast the victory and laugh at the worries we had.'

Robin echoed the sentiment before turning fully to the knight, extending a hand. The tips of Phila's mouth moved upward as she gripped the extended wrist.

'Fortune be with you sir Robin.'

'And with you lady Phila.'


For all extent and purposes it was a festival. The area surrounding the temple walls were filled with tents creating a temporary city of those who had come to witness the Exalts execution and/or to make money off the crowds. The smells were intoxicating, fresh bread, spiced meats, sugared fruits and cakes were in abundance with stall owners calling out to the milling crowd encouraging them to purchase their products rather than their rivals. For drink one needed to look no further than those stalls with a wreath hanging from them signalising one who had the right to sell alcohol or for some of the wandering tea sellers with their highly polished samovars. As adults ate their breakfast and swapped stories while children ran in between tents, screeching like goblins and waving sticks as they battled others most often about who would have the misfortune of being the Ylissian.

Travelling performers, well aware that the main event would overshadow them, wasted no time in starting their own shows. Fire eaters, jugglers, dancing bears jostled for attention as did mummers putting on their plays, mostly concerning the conflict with Ylisse and the Exalt being taken prisoner, the bumbling antics of the "Ylissians" drawing howls of laughter from the crowd with cheers following the inevitable triumph of the "Plegians".

There were others of course, dozens upon dozens of beggars that filtered in to set up their own shop, most having to undergo rather extensive make up procedures to conceal their health and wholeness before taking up the spot allocated to them by the guild. Others came with sticky fingers, lifting purses from their safe places and disappearing into the crowds before the victim realized what had happened.

All in all it was a study of human behaviour Libra mused, observing the crowd as he waited alongside his brothers in faith, those that had survived the journey.

The had set off almost as soon as they had heard of the Exalts kidnapping, swearing an oath to save her or perish in the attempt, many had already paid the price and less than a dozen remained. Huddled around a small fire, their armour concealed under Plegian rags they ate what most assumed would be their last meal before going over their plan one more time.


Emmeryn looked up and was surprised to see that the day had already dawned. It seemed only a moment ago that she had knelt in prayer and yet the night had already passed. Looking back down she thought to pray again but was interrupted by the sound locks begin pushed back before the heavy door swung inward and two gaolers entered the cell.

'Get up and follow me.'

She did as told, the other gaoler following behind. She expected to be led directly to the place of execution and was therefore surprised to find herself led to a small room with several basins, one of which contained steaming water.

'Get out of those rags and get washed.'

One of the gaolers ordered though Emmeryn found herself standing still in surprise at the unexpected turn of events. An impatient sigh sounded behind her and a rough hand pushed her forward.

'Now!'

The voice ordered and she did as told. The chance to wash was pleasant and would have been more so had she not been forced to do so under the gaoler's watchful eyes. Drying herself off she noted several girls walk in with a fresh linen dress and her ceremonial robes and crown both washed and repaired. It would seem the Plegians wished to make a proper spectacle of her death. With help she dressed and found herself pushed through another door and moved along a corridor that ended in a blinding light. When her eyes adjusted she found herself outside under the brilliant Plegian sun. She did not get much time to take in her surroundings before someone pushed her forward and she resumed her march. Soon the path went up and became increasingly narrow and it was when she was some distance up did Emmeryn realize she was walking on a rib, the rib of the giant skeleton her tutors had informed her the Grimleal believed to be the mortal remains of Grima.

All around she saw the complex filled with a throng of people who, on her sighting, started a noise that became a roar. She could not hear individual words but the tone was well known to her.

Hatred.


'Just bloody well get on with it.'

Gangrel growled under his breath as the priests continued their chant.

'Your grace will allow himself to be reminded that there is a measure of ceremony that must be upheld.'

Aversa purred at his side. The king turned with a snarl.

'I know woman! But god damned bloody hell I just want to see the bitch fly!'

'As does every man, woman and child in Plegia, your grace. We could have, of course, simply kicked her off but afterwards we would feel a sense of waste at the spectacle that could have been. Savour her fear and the wait will become much more tolerable.'

Gangrel muttered something under his breath before turning his attention back to the ceremony taking place. Aversa stepped back to stand alongside Reflet.

'Why so serious sister? It is a joyous occasion one ill suited for your frowns.'

Reflet turned to the woman, frown firmly in place.

'You know very well why. They will attack today, there is no doubt about it.'

Aversa's lips spread into a faint smile as she answered.

'Excited are we? Can't blame you truly as I suppose you are so excited to seeing your baby brother after all these years.'

Reflet's frown deepened before fading as she shrugged.

'I suppose so, in a matter of speaking.'

The mocking smile vanished from Aversa's mouth as she glanced down to the girl.

'Just don't forget your orders regarding the matter girl.'

'Don't worry about me hag, I'll follow my orders. You should be more worried about being able to do your part in the plan.'

Aversa was saved the trouble of answering the challenge as the ritual entered a new phase and she joined hundreds of others looking up to the ribs of the felled dragon following the Exalt to her last walk.


'Is stuffed like fish in the barrel.'

Gregor stated the matter with his usual eloquence as the group observed the crowd from their vantage point. Virion humming softly as he looked over the area before, after a few minutes, he nodded to himself and turned to the others.

'Skirt along the side here over to that point, you should be close enough to be able to push to the Exalts place of execution. I shall take up position there with two men to cover me. From hence you shall best benefit from me expertise in archery.'

The others looked over the area, finding nothing to complain about they nodded and moved to do so. Virion went round the edge of the courtyard till he reached the base of the wall he saw as his position. Hoisted up by the two Feroxi from the top he help pull the others up, there were others elsewhere who likewsie climbed up walls to escape the crowd as well as get a better view, he hoped that they would look similarly. Finding a perch he lowered himself down before pulling the bow string from its hiding place and pulled the bow shaft back to restring it turning it from what resembled a staff back into his weapon of choice. Pulling the wrapped up bundle of arrows from its hiding place he shoved them behind his belt and crouched, partially out of sight as he waited for his time to act.


She sighed heavily, partially in boredom and partially in annoyance. Part of the force assigned to guard the temple during the execution Tharja could not but feel annoyed with it all. Being mobilized was bad enough but being assigned to a field unit and now stuck as a glorified sentry rankled her deeply, the crowds around her did not help her mood either.

Had she at least been sent into Ylisse than at least she could have killing Ylissians take her mind off of her annoyance but as it stood she was denied even the pleasure of cursing people making her duty all the more intolerable. So she sat on a rooftop, observing the ceremony with head resting in her hands and a look of boredom on her face.

With another sigh she looked away from the priests leading the ceremony and scanned the mob below her, the sight of the uniform mass of humanity annoyed her, everyone doing the exact same thing… no, no they weren't.

The Plegian witch lifted her head from her hands as she noticed something out of place, three men clambering on a wall not too far away from her. Though that in itself was not of particular note it was the way the acted that drew her attention, almost as if they had something to hide. As she watched one of the men dropped out of view so she could only see a part of him and yet she noted he was clearly doing something. With an eyebrow raised she observed the man further, curious as to what he was doing, at the back of her mind a voice was whispering she should go and report this yet she found she did not care enough to do so and was more interested to see whether something might occur here.


It was perhaps inevitable, he would later reflect, that something like this would happen. The crowds pressed in tight from all sides and as they tried to push closer to the exalt the harder the crowd pushed back until someone lost their patience and struck out at one of the offenders.

The cleric cursed loudly at the blow, cursed in Ylissian. Most of the Plegian crowd did not understand the words but recognised the language and the reaction was both instantaneous and dynamic. Several voices called out "Ylissians!" And the crowd surged, some pushing to escape others pushing closer in bloodlust. The unfortunate cleric struggled against the crowd, trying to draw his weapon free as a dozen hands gripped and pulled at him as the mob closed in.

The cries of panic and confusion only increased when another of the clerics pulled his weapon free and struck out at the mob attacking his comrade, a Plegian staggering back with a scream as he clutched the ruin that used to be his hand. The blood made the crowd scatter even quicker and in their place, pushing aside the crowd came Plegian soldiers.

With a sigh Libra cast off the plegian clothes he had been wearing as a disguise and stood proudly in the armour of Naga's faith as he stood alongside his brothers, ready to meet them.

'Sons of Ylisse! For Naga!'

'For Naga!'

Libra echoed the war cry alongside the others as they moved into battle.

'What the bloody hell is going on?'

Gangrel leaned on the balustrade as if the additional foot might give him a better view of what was happening.

'I would say that the Ylissians have started their attempt to save their exalt, your grace.'

Aversa purred. The king shot her a dirty look before turning to his officers.

'Get the men to encircle them, slaughter them all!'

'Yes master!'

Before the man could leave Aversa stepped in.

'May I suggest you summon those forces that are in the vicinity to move in as well?'

The officer looked from the woman to his king who scowled and waved a hand.

'Yes, yes. Do so.'

The officer bowed again before turning and running to issue the orders. With that done Gangrel turned his attention back to the unfolding drama. With their kings attention occupied Aversa turned to Reflet, smile gone.

'So sister, what do you make of this situation?'

The girl visibly bristled at the other woman's tone but folded her arms across her chest and looked over the area for a moment before answering.

'Not even the Ylissians would be foolish enough to attempt this with so little men. There are more coming and those beggars.' - She tilted her head towards the soldiers moving to encircle those fighting. - 'Are going to be caught in the middle.'

She paused again for a moment before nodding.

'Let them. We'll see how many and of what quality the Ylissian prince has brought with him and let them tire themselves out fighting fodder, we'll keep the temple guard to finish them off once their impetuous is gone. We should probably keep "those" as a last resort.'

'I agree.'

Aversa nodded her head looking towards the unfolding drama. Gangrel meanwhile had been pacing across the platform before stopping abruptly and barking to his remaining retainers.

'Get word to the executioner. Kill the whore immediately!'

Aversa pursed her lips at that and glanced down to her sister who returned the look with a shrug of her shoulders. So they agreed on that as well, Aversa mused, the exalt had served her purpose and was of no great use alive but dead? That would either break the Ylissians morale and make it easer to destroy them or spur them to reckless valour in a drive to avenge the death. Either way it would be to the benefit of the grimleal.


Tharja had rested her hands on her knees and observed what was going on with interest. A scuffle turned into a melee with a small group of men, and what seemed to be a woman cut their way closer to the execution sight before running into stiffer opposition in the form of her comrades in arms which slowed their advance substantially. Movement elsewhere made her look away towards the trio that had drawn her attention earlier and she now saw one of their number produce a bow and nock an arrow. She quickly looked to see what he was aiming at.

The executioner had moved up to kick the exalt to her death but ended up being the one to plummet to his death as an arrow found its mark. Tharja couldn't help but wonder whether the shot was skill or luck, after seeing several more Plegians in the open knocked to the ground she started wondering whether some sort of hex might be involved but it did not take long for her to dismiss the thought, she would have sensed it where that the case. Looking back to the archer she soon lost all interest in him as something else came to her attention.

A large force of armed men had pushed in through the gate and was now heading to the fight while part of the force moved elsewhere but she concentrated on the smaller group holding near the gate and on one individual in particular. Such power! Such darkness! It clung to the man like a shadow, or more precisely it seemed to emanate from him, like candlelight through the cracks of a door, an ironic comparison considering the powers nature. Most no doubt would not notice but she had been born and bred to be an expert in the dark arts and she could practically taste the power surrounding the man.

A chuckle escaped her lips as she followed the mans movements, things were looking more interesting by the minute.


Standing at the top of the stairs Robin looked over the temple ground. A group of what looked like armoured clerics was fighting their way towards the exalt but were hammered in by Plegians who were in the process of flanking them. Chrom had not waited a moment and led the shepherds into battle, smashing into the flank of the flanking Plegians, the amnesiac smirking at the irony.

Looking away he was in time to see a Feroxi approach him. The man saluted as he reported.

'Sir! Fighting broke out early because of the, as yet, unknown force initiating combat with the guards. We've managed to keep the Plegians from the exalt and are pushing towards her location but the darkies are putting up stiff resistance.'

Robin nodded and looked to those still with him.

'Lon'qu, take your lot and move to assist those pushing towards the exalt.'

The man nodded and the force ran after the messenger to join the fighting. Robin turned to remainder.

'Phila, you have your orders from the prince. As for the rest of you…' – He paused as he looked over the remaining men at arms before pointing to an officer. – 'You keep your men here, stop everyone who tries to break through no matter what direction, the rest come with me.'

'What are you planning?'

Phila asked, the man responded, pointing out his route as he did.

'I'll take them along that end, make sure they have nothing left to surprise us with and perhaps…'

He looked over the field toward the raised platform, its rich awning and the figures under it.

'Perhaps I'll end this.'


It was almost surprising how long it took the Plegians to realise that the force approaching them was hostile, the dawning realization and mounting panic in their eyes causing an almost embarrassing amount of pleasure. One of their number turned fully to face the onslaught and stabbed low with his spear, Chrom pushing his shield, the fire emblem, forward to force the point aside before continuing into his opponent, the bronze edge into the Plegians face, nose shattering under the blow, making him stagger back before falchion punched through his brass plated leather jerkin and into the soft flesh beneath, the weight of the dying mans body dragging it clean off the blade.

The prince knew his decision to use the fire emblem as a glorified shield shocked most but as he saw it the artefact was an enchanted item, one that no known weapon could damage and as he was to keep it safe where better than attached to his arm?

Maintaining the attacks momentum he swept aside another attack to drive his shield forward sending the Plegian back into the press of bodies. All around him shepherds and men at arms kept pace with the assault driving through the confused plegians in a frenzy of violence and bloodshed and Chrom did his best to ensure he was at the forefront. Stab, punch, push, and shove, headbut, kick, slash and hack and maim and kill and forward, always forward.

Pushing aside an incoming attack the prince slammed his shield into his opponents head, making him stagger and allowing Chrom to pull his sword hand back and stab, driving the point through his opponent's neck. The Plegian coughed, both hands instinctively reaching to his throat, he was pulled forward as Chrom tried to pull falchion free and slid to his knees. With an annoyed sigh the prince pushed the emblem into the dying mans head and managed to push him off the blade. Looking around he found himself free of the press, the remaining plegians having broken and fled in the face of the onslaught.


It seemed that naga favoured them this day. When they had been discovered Libra had thought that death had come to claim them as armed men moved, quickly stopping their assault before slowly pushing them back. Several of his brothers fell and though they claimed a good price for each of theirs the heathens numbers were beginning to tell and it was only a matter of time before they were all of them overwhelmed and the appearance of more armed men to their rear was seen as the signal of their doom and yet the heathen had stopped and shattered under another group, one wearing the blue and silver of Ylisse. The man that seemed to be the leader was near at hand so Libra placed a bloodied hand to his chest as he greeted him.

'Well-met lord! Your appearance is a godsend…'

He paused as he took in details of the man, the shield, the sword in his hand and the realization of who exactly the lord was dawned on the cleric.

'Prince Chrom! I beg pardon for my previous outburst….'

'Don't fret friend I should beg pardon for not arriving sooner. If I had you brothers might have lived.'

The prince interrupted him. Libra couldn't help his shoulders sag a little at the reminder.

'They volunteered to rescue her grace and died in the hope that we may yet achieve that. Pray let their sacrifice not be in vain and allow me to accompany you into the battle.'

'I'll be glad to have such a brave woman of the cloth alongside me!'

Libra couldn't help a twitch before sighing in annoyance and found himself speaking before he was conscious of the act.

'Man.'

'Pardon?'

'I am a man of the cloth, your lordship.'

For a moment the ongoing struggle around them seemed to cease to exist as the prince of Ylisse opened and shut his mouth before clearing his throat.

'I apologise sir.'

'Tis all right. You at least realized your mistake soon enough. Many make the mistake and it could have easily gone worse.'

The cleric paused as certain half buried memories briefly resurfaced and he suppressed a shudder.

'Much worse.'


'They hit hard.'

'True but the will have used up much of their momentum. They'll get bogged down in the next and we'll be able to bring in the reserves to grind them down.'

Reflet's and Aversa's musings were brought to a sudden halt as suddenly, amidst the fighting, a large figure appeared, a shining green-gold winged lizard that seemed to cough up a mist that sent the ordered ranks of Plegians running, some of their number freezing solid. Using the confusion the Ylissians charged into the fray, their organised formation scything through the disorganised plegians. After a moment of stunned silence where only Gangrels cursing was heard Reflet coughed.

'I suppose that was the Manakete our missing force was meant to bring in.'

'I believe it would be safe to assume so, yes.'

Both frowned at the spectacle for a moment before Reflet turned to a runner.

'Get another fifty to reinforce the centre.'

The man nodded and ran to deliver the order as Reflet turned back to the melee with a frown, Aversa turned to her soon after.

'The previous force was enough to stop the Feroxi pushing towards the exalt but it seems that their archers have found a good place and can kill any of ours that try to reach her.'

Reflet rested a hand on her chin.

'And our archers?'

'Dead, wounded or embroiled in the melee.'

The girl clicked her tongue in annoyance. Aversa glanced upward to where, almost miraculously, the exalt still stood.

'We could use the ballistae on her…'

'We could but I sincerely doubt they did not bring some Pegasi, I'd rather keep those as a surprise unless we absolutely have to use them.'

So speaking Reflet glanced towards were the artillery was located and felt her jaw drop. The machines still stood where they had been put but the men manning them had been pushed back under pressure from a force of Ylissians. Even as they watched a runner approached and between heavy breaths managed to report.

'Infidel struck our artillery…'

'I can see that fool!'

Reflet snapped at the man before turning to the waiting retainers.

'Take back the ballistae!'

As they moved to carry out their order Reflet reflected on matters, she had no reserves bar the temple guard, and "them". Her only consolation was that with every passing moment the nearby units would be fast approaching, time was on her side and all she had to do was hold off the enemy long enough.


'Clever bastards.' Robin mused as he looked over the captured war machines. They had been so positioned that they could not be seen from the gateway but could easily fire on the execution sight, whether to kill the exalt or, more likely, anybody that would attempt to reach her.

In the distance the sound of fighting could be heard but when he had last seen it all was well so he allowed himself the privilege and responsibility of a commander, pulling back to assess the overall situation. More of the enemy had joined the fighting stalling the offensive in most places, in truth it seemed only his force was still pushing forward. Had he reserves he would have sent them in to maintain the momentum but with his only reserves being the Pegasus knights he preferred to keep them back until he was certain he had to use them, unhappy as he was it seemed that time was now. More Plegians moved to bolster those fighting his men and though the men at arms were still pushing forward the attack had slowed.

With an annoyed sigh he turned and quickly picked out who he was looking for.

'Cordelia! To me.'

'Sir?'

'Head back to Phila and have her get the Exalt.'

'Yes sir!'

The knight slammed a fist into her chest plate in salute before running for her mount. The dealt with the man put his helm back on, drew his sword and signalled those around him to follow. Upon reaching the fight he let the sword loose by the wrist strap and fumbled for his whistle, blowing a shrill note to which the soldiers fighting took a step back, letting those behind them forward. Following another whistled command these men pushed into the Plegians in front, hammering in too close for sword strike, their purpose not being stabbing and hacking their foe but pushing apart their formation. Shields pushed into shields as the opposing ranks clashed while those behind thrust their shields into the back of the man in front of them and for a moment the balance was held before gradually the larger size and heavier equipment of the Ylissians told and the Plegians found themselves pushed back slowly before, in the briefest of moments, the Plegians broke.

Men tripped or stumbled under the pressure and the Ylissians surged forward with a roar, swords, axe and mace now going into motion cutting down their opponents who, without their formation, were easy prey.

'Keep pushing forward.'

Robin bellowed. True his primary goal was the exalt but now he felt the desire to achieve something else, something grand. Ever closer lay the platform where under a rich awning stood the king of Gangrel and his retinue. If he could cover this distance than the king would be at his mercy, the temptation was sweet, oh so sweet the term "kings ransom" coming to mind. A more practical part of his mind urged to look to the rest of the battlefield, to see whether his formation wasn't needed elsewhere.

Everywhere he looked men were fighting in what had become a stalemate, a brutal melee that seemed to cover most of the temple grounds. Should he be able to break those Plegians in front of him than the logical thing would be to swing round and strike the rear of those Plegians fighting elsewhere, after all what good was holding a king if the rest of your army had broken?

With a snarl he pushed forward, sweeping aside the spear thrust aimed for his gut and ramming his shield into his opponent before stepping in closer and swinging his arm round to deliver an overhand blow that hacked the plegians arm off. Pushing the screaming man to the ground he moved on, stabbing another in the back, the ylissian the plegian had been fighting stabbing him from the front more or less at the same time. Pushing the body off of his blade he caught sight of movement and looked up, the Pegasus knights were flying towards the exalt.

Glancing around he tried to work out whether to continue the attack or pull back as soon as the exalt had been rescued when he saw something that completely changed the situation.


'And there they are.'

Aversa stated as she saw the characteristic silhouettes of Pegasus riders take to the sky. Reflet glanced towards the ballistae; though the Ylissians had been stalled the machines themselves were still in their hands, there was no other option. Aversa must have reached the same conclusion as she rolled her shoulders and turned to her sister.

'Shall we commence?'

Nodding the two joined a small circle of mages and began chanting the ancient words of power, almost immediately she could feel the power invading her body, as if threatening to turn her inside out and with each word the sensation grew stronger and seemed to collect in her head, as if something inside was trying to push its way out and Reflet felt the sensation of blood pouring from her nose, a visible sign of her body rebelling at the strain. The others had also grown pale; one of the mages having blood flowing not only from his nose but his eyes as well as the words became more difficult and the tempo faster and suddenly there was nothing. The voices stopped and the building sensation vanished and Reflet staggered as did the others, the one mage she noticed to have been bleeding simply collapsed as if a puppet that the puppeteer had grown bored with.

With a deep breath Reflet stood straight and looked down to the battle and allowed herself a brief smile before she concentrated at the task at hand.

'Mount up!'

The small force of Pegasus knights, the majority of what was left following the hostilities that had cost them so many members of their order, did as told with practised ease. Phila nodded her approval and turned round to find Cordelia still nearby.

'Commander…'

'You have your task, return to your duties.'

The commander interrupted her. The young knight looked ready to argue further for a brief moment before closing her mouth and saluting before doing as told. Phila sighed, so much potential in that one, all the more reason to give her such tasks that kept her out of trouble. Double-checking her helmet was secure the commander gave the order and the force took to the sky. Within moments they covered the wall and made a straight line for the exalt, Phila briefly taking in the life and death drama below, the officer in here making here check for danger to her troops. Seeing none she concentrated on reaching the exalt.

She could see the whites of Emmeryns eyes when a sudden scream of pure animal terror made her look back, a bloody mist surrounded one of the knights, a thick black missile protruding from the Pegasus' neck. For a split second the animal tried desperately to stay airborne before its strength abandoned it and it fell, the rider crying out at the sudden descent. The air became thick with such missiles, striking animal and rider with great force that shattered bone and armour. Phila looked down in search of the source and she quickly found it, a small knot of archers in what a few seconds earlier had been empty ground.

She had two options, immediately go to ground or continue her mission and though it would make so much more sense to go to ground she was so close to the exalt she chose to press on, swooping down before weaving to where hopefully she could escape the missiles. It seemed to work and she once more closed the distance before she felt it.

At first it was as if someone had punched her in the side before almost immediately afterwards she seemed unable to gather any strength in her limbs and slid out of the saddle. As the ground rushed up to meet her a single thought went through her head.

I'm sorry.


It was if she had lost control of her legs, she thought surprising herself with how calm she felt. Emmeryn observed without emotion as the executioner moved to kill her and at how instead he had fallen, a blue fletched arrow in his back. She continued to watch as men in the colours of Ylisse, her colours, drove into the Plegians below and how the temple grounds turned red wit the blood that flowed freely as dozens of lives were ended and dozens more crippled. That is when the thought struck her, there were people dying out there and she was the reason.

She was the reason.

She was responsible.

It was her fault.

All those lives ended in her name. The thought made all the strength leave her and she sunk to her knees, hands moving up in silent prayer while all the while the sound of the fighting carried on, each scream of pain tearing at her soul a little bit more, the urge to cover her ears growing stronger with every minute. She didn't. It was her fault and she would not escape the fact.

She was not sure how long it was but a new sound joined the cacophony, a sound reminiscent of freshly washed sheets on the close line, flapping in the wind. Looking to the source she saw the Pegasus knights, her knights rushing to her and she felt nothing. There was no elation at the imminent rescue only a strange melancholy, here were the pitiful survivors of those sworn to protect her, risking their lives for her sake yet again.

When they began to die she only watched, tears slowly building up in the corners of her eyes but she watched as each was cut down till only Phila was left. Emmeryn felt herself shaking her head.

I'm not worth it Phila. Just go and live.

Phila did not hear, she did not listen and soon she too was dead and Emmeryn couldn't help the thought, it would have been better had it been she who was killed.

From somewhere the characteristic voice of the Plegian king was heard.

'And so the mighty fall! Ylissians! Lest you wish to see your exalt share the fate of her knights you will lay down your arms! Give me the emblem and you may yet keep your lives.'

We won't. She thought, you won't be happy until we are all dead and the emblem, the fire emblem cannot be surrendered to anyone. Finally tearing her eyes away from the dead she looked over the living. Despite the mass of humanity she managed to find Lissa easily enough, and located Chrom as well. He was obviously thinking, no doubt thinking whether he might yet have some way of saving her or whether to surrender the emblem. Suddenly she felt strength return to her limbs and Emmeryn now knew what must be done. Standing she walked to the edge, unconcerned about the drop and looked to Gangrel.

'You're grace! Is there no way for you to listen to reason?'

At first she thought she had not been heard but Gangrels voice finally sounded.

'I am, your exaltedness! Reason says I win this day!'

It was as if the fighting died down to observe the two speakers and gradually another sound was heard, the rhythmic thudding of weapons begin beaten on shields as the Plegians saluted their kings words. Emmeryn looked from the crowd back to their king.

'Plegians! Hear me! War will gain you nought but doom!'

'War is your doom! Not ours!'

Someone shouted followed by a roar of cheers. With the words spoken Emmeryn found there was nothing else to be done or said if there was anything her father and she agreed on was that the fire emblem could not be surrendered to anyone. Closing her eyes she steeled herself and stepped into the abyss.

As she fell she found a long forgotten image forcing itself to her head. Her mother; extremely pale after the labour of childbirth was holding tiny Lissa in her arms and her father was nearby fussing over them and questioning whether she shouldn't stay in bed. Emmeryn had been tasked with watching Chrom; she remembered how she had rankled at it, her father had appeared in the castle for the first time in nearly a year and he was spending all his time with mother and the baby!

It was an odd memory to end on she thought, but a good one all the same.


When he saw Emmeryn fall Frederick quickly looked to Lissa. The princess had lifted her hands to her mouth, barely muffling her scream, a long, wordless heart rendering scream. Maribelle quickly stepped to her, pulling Lissa to her as if to shield her from the sight, the princess resisting at first before seemingly going limp in the other girls arms, deep racking sobs being heard. Turning away he looked for the prince, he stood nearby, looking upwards in silence before falling to his knees.

'My lord!'

'Chrom!'

Even as Frederick reached to him from one side Vaike reached from the other and the steadied him, the prince still looking blankly upwards.

'My lord!'

Chrom did not react to the words nor the shaking, he stayed on his knees, eyes upwards. Everywhere it seemed a silence had descended on the area and than it was broken.

'The whore was so terrified of justice she took her own life!'

Frederick did not see who amongst the Plegians had spoke but the words were followed by a roar of laughter that spread till every Plegian in the courtyard seemed the be laughing or cheering. Before the knight could think to do something he felt Chrom move and turned to see the prince rise to his feet before moving forward.

'My lord?'

Chrom did not show any sign of hearing him as he continued to walk before picking up speed and rushing the Plegians, only just realizing what was happening. The prince barrelled in, kicking one, smashing his shield into another and bringing falchion down in an overhand blow that left a third split nearly in half.

'Forward! Forward!'

Frederick bellowed; following his lord into the enemy's ranks who, encouraged by their enemies loss met the tide of flesh and steel with renewed resolve and the slaughter started in earnest without quarter given nor asked for.


When Robin had seen the human shapes rising from the sand his gut clenched and turned to the man at arms around him with a cry.

'Shields on me!'

Before pushing through the Plegian ranks before him in a desperate attempt to reach the threat before it was too late. He found himself looking on helplessly as the risen notched arrows on bows too large for any mortal man to draw and butcher the Pegasus knights. Before he got within sword range the last of the knights had been downed and the Risen stood there dumbly as if not caring for anything else. As he cut the first one to ribbons he barely registered the talk going on as he concentrated on eliminating the threat. They could still triumph. Remove the risen archers and the exalt would be out of immediate danger again and they could grind down the opposition and drag her to safety in a more conventional method.

However when the fighting stalled and all eyes looked up to the exalt and he saw her fall there was only one thought that went through his mind.

"One problem less."

Looking round he kicked the closest man at arms and bellowed.

'Shields on me and at the enemy! Or do you want your exalts murder go unpunished?'

The men at arms bellowed the answer and charged. The Plegians, cheering noticed and encouraged by the exalts death faced the Ylissians with renewed determination. Shield slammed into shield as the battle started anew.


Emmeryns body was no more than a hundred feet away and yet it could equally well be on the other side of the world. No matter how hard Chrom pushed, shoved and hacked the Plegians held their ground stubbornly, pushing, shoving and hacking back, the death of the exalt renewing their bloodlust as they sought the eliminate the remaining Ylissians, denying the prince the chance to reach his sisters remains and take them to safety. This only fanned his anger and he renewed his assault with savage bloodlust.

'My lord!'

He ignored the voice as he continued hacking away at a particularly stubborn opponent, hammering the man to his knees before finding an opening and shattering his skull.

'My lord!'

The call was accompanied by someone gripping his arm and pulling him back. With a snarl the prince turned, raising falchion but stopped, Frederick did not flinch at this.

'My lord we have to pull back!'

For a moment Chrm loked at the knight before speaking.

'Pull back?'

'The forces left to guard our rear report a large enemy force approaching! If we don't pull back now we'll be surrounded!'

'We cannot leave Emm's body here!'

The prince snarled as he turned to rejoin the fight. Frederick gripped him harder, stopping him in his tracks.

'We can't let you die here! You can't let Lissa die here!'

That made Chrom stop, Lissa. He looked back and breathed with relief Lissa still safe though not at all looking well. The prince looked back to where Emmeryn had fallen, it was so close, the frustration making him throw back his head and scream. When he was finished it was as if all his strength left him.

'Sound the retreat.'


He was so close he could smell the garlic on the other mans breath, too close to use his blade so instead he punched him and punched him again until the plegian collapsed to the ground and he could push forward again. Instead Robin held back, letting others push forward as he assessed the situation, the awning was so close now he could make out details of those under it and the plegian king was visible among them. If they kept up pressure here and the others did elsewhere than he would be theirs.

'Sir! Sir Robin!'

He looked back, Cordelia was moving through the men at arms towards him. To her credit despite everything that had happened she still looked composed, deathly pale but composed. Robin moved towards her, the knight reporting as soon as she was within reach.

'We have to retreat! The prince has ordered the retreat!'

'What?'

That was all that came from the mans mouth as he felt the strength leave his arms. Retreat? Now? When they were so close to victory? Cordelia nodded.

'Those at the gate report a large enemy force moving in, soon they'll have us trapped here!'

As the news filtered through he looked back to where the plegian king stood, so close! So bloody close.

'Damn it all! Bloody damn gods damn it all!'

He snarled before letting the sword hand from its strap as he put the whistle to his mouth and blowing a signal.

'Reform on me!'

As this was going on he turned back to Cordelia.

'We'll have to make a fighting withdrawal so it will be a while. If we're slow tell them to…'

He found he couldn't say more as if something grabbed his throat. He coughed to clear it but before he finished Cordelia nodded.

'I understand.'

She turned to leave before stopping and turning back to the man.

'I understand but you lot had better well make it back.'

That said she went to deliver the message. With a sigh Robin turned rejoined the men at arms just as the Plegians slammed into them, the force of their charge pushing the Ylissians back a few staggered steps before they regained their balance and the fight turned to shoving, hacking and stabbing. As soon as some space was made between the two Robin bellowed.

'Step back and hold!'

The men stepped back and dug in their heels as the plegians threw themselves at their shields again, here and there an Ylissian dropping to injuries before they retaliated and some of the Plegians joined the dead and dying.

'Leave the wounded! Back and hold!'

There was no way that they could successfully retreat and take the wounded with them, he knew this, most of the men at arms knew this yet it still pained him to give the order, the pleas of the wounded not helping, some of them accepting their fate and exposing their necks in a mute plea for a last mercy, the mercy of not being taken alive.

And again the Plegians threw themselves at their shields and again they held and again men fell to the ground as weaknesses were found before they managed another step back.

A fighting withdrawal could very easily turn to panicked route that would end with all of them dying, holding formation was the only way to survive but as the strain built up, as the knot of men grew smaller and the flesh grew more exhausted it would only be increasingly more difficult to maintain order.

The Plegians did not suffer any of this as they repeatedly threw themselves at their enemy in short furious bouts of violence before pulling back, reorganizing and throwing themselves at their enemy again. Somewhere along the way Robin noted a difference in the Plegians attacking them, these were more uniform in purple tunics dark mail and black leather armour reinforced with bronze while the visors of their dark helmets were of white metal, shaped to resemble a face. For a brief moment Robin thought they were more risen, but these bled, and cried out in pain and fought with some degree of self preservation, some sort of elite than? Was there a connection with the risen?

Such musings would have to wait, especially as these combatants were fresh to the fight, better armed and armoured than previous Plegians and more Ylissians joined the dead and dying, Robin crying out as one managed to land a blow on his arm before he withdrew it back behind the shield. The mail held though the pain was so great that the sword slipped from his fingers, saved from being lost by virtue of the strap around his wrist. Gritting his teeth at the pain he repeated the order.

'Back! Hold!'

And so it went, back, hold fight. Back, hold fight. Back and hold and fight. They slowly inched their way to the gate, the path marked with fresh casualties. Now, with escape in sight the men were reaching the limits of their mental strength. The gate seemed some finishing line, some magic point behind which the enemy would not pursue and increasingly Robin caught men looking back, as if judging whether they'd be able to run the distance and so there was more determination in his voice as he bellowed.

'Back! Hold! Stay together if you want to live! Hold! Back! Hold!

Each time they slowed the enemy threw themselves at them, punching with their shields, hacking at their defences or stabbing in gaps between the shields and with frightening frequency Robin saw men simply ward off blows, no longer trying to strike back. They were at breaking point. Anything might trigger a panicked retreat and they would all die here. There was nothing to be done except repeat the same order. "Back! Hold!" Yet somewhere a different order was given and Robin risked a look back.

A column of Feroxi rushed past the knot of Ylissians and slammed into the Plegians, forcing them back a spear length, the Ylissians looking on in stupefied silence.

'What are you waiting for? Back to the gate! Go!'

Lon'qu shouted as he held back behind his men. Robin found himself unable to say anything merely nodded and gave a signal to run, the Ylissains needing no further encouragement. The Plegians reeled back under the Feroxi onslaught but soon recovered, the Feroxi however were not interested in a fight and with surprising discipline stopped their assault as soon as the Plegians gave ground before turning around and followed the Ylissians in retreat, the Plegians in pursuit. Another order sounded as the front rank of Plegians seemed to stumble and fall, arrows protruding from their bodies. The sudden attack made the remainder hesitate, shields going high just in time for the majority of the second volley to hit armour more often than flesh. The pause in the pursuit enabled the allies to pull back safely.

Throat soar, legs shaking from the effort of the run and arm hurting Robin wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest but that could not be done. Instead he ordered the men at arms back into formation and joined the remainder of the force in continuing the retreat.

'Steady! They might still come at us! Keep wits and hold together!'

For a brief second his instructions were ignored before discipline reasserted itself and exhausted men fell in, presenting their shields to the temple. Spitting Robin glanced in that direction to find no sign of pursuit.

'Right than! Stay in formation but double time to the others, move!'

With a final glance back at the temple Robin shook his head, spat and jogged after the rest.


'The heathen have been badly bloodied but are withdrawing north, our outriders are shadowing them and soon will have assembled a force strong enough to destroy them.'

Gangrel did not seem to be paying much attention to the report, instead he seemed to be focusing entirely on the exalts head in his hands. As the silence dragged on he eventually nodded and handed the trophy to one of his men.

'I want the head stored in honey or spirits, something that will keep it looking like this for a long time. Have the rest of the carcass cut up and delivered to different cities, I want the body on display till the flesh slides off the bones.'

'Yes master'

That done Gangrel stood and regarded his officers.

'Yes shadow them and than destroy them, kill every single last one of them and bring me the corpses of the remainder of the exalts bloodline and the fire emblem! Have we any other forces than can be mobilized?'

'Yes master, we have alerted the armies in the vicinity though we must first be certain as to where they are retreating before we can have any concrete plan in place.'

'Very well. Inform me of any changes.'

Gangrel muttered before leaving the scene, his retinue falling in behind him as the remaining officers bowed. Once he was gone Aversa stood straight with a sigh.

'Well than, shall you pursue them or shall I?'

'I'll do it.'

Reflet answered almost immediately, causing the older woman to raise an eyebrow at the enthusiasm.

'Eager are we?'

Reflet shrugged as she replied.

'Father did give me an assignment and besides.'

She paused, a predatory grin spreading across her face.

'I suppose it is as you said, I am looking forward to meeting our dearest brother.'