Two-Sided Awakening
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem nor anything belonging to them, that right belongs to Nintendo Systems. The only thing I own are my own original character/s and ideas I create for the story.
Author's Note: Please read and review so I know what I should work on, if you're going to say things such as how it shouldn't be following canon, then just don't bother, I'm going to be ignoring those reviews from now on. Well here we are with the tenth chapter of 'Two-Sided Awakening'.
For those wanting to know how Blanc's name is pronounced it not pronounced like "Blank" but like "Bl-ahn".
(Blanc's POV)
I looked around the barracks as Robin showed us around, Lon'qu and Donnel trailing behind Robin and I quietly.
"Is it really okay to have you showing us around?" I wondered curiously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Robin frowned.
"Well, I mean… it's just that aside from Lon'qu, Donnel and I, you're the newest recruit and I heard you've only stayed here for one night before you had to go to Ferox." I explained placatingly, "I just figured that someone more experienced would be leading us."
Somewhere behind me, Lon'qu and Donnel were quietly chatting about swords and fighting styles, Donnel seeing Lon'qu something as an equal considering they both joined at almost the same time.
"What type 'o sword do you use?"
"A killing edge."
"But don't all swords have a killing edge?"
"'Killing Edge' is the proper name of the sword I use."
"Oh…"
"…"
"Can you teach me how to use a sword properly? I hear you're mean' to be a really good swordsman an' all that."
"…"
"Uh… if ya-"
"…Very well. You'll be joining me this evening for training."
Donnel stopped for a second as he processed what Lon'qu was saying before a grin broke on his face, albeit with slight hesitation.
"This evenin'?! But it's already almost dark!"
"You either join me or you don't… it's your choice.
"Darn… I guess I gotta join you then ain' I?"
"Whatever suits you."
"They seem to be getting along swimmingly…" Robin commented as she watched the two almost craning her neck like a swan much to my amusement as she watched the two converse.
"First I've seen Lon'qu talk so much since he joined," I noted as my eyes drifted over the Chon'sinian man. For such an intrepid swordsman, he was quite the quiet individual, disconcertingly quiet if I was to be honest. "He usually talks in either grunts or a few short words."
"Yeah…" Robin agreed, "Back on topic, however. Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick are currently informing Lady Emmeryn about the alliance between Ferox and Ylisse. Sully and Stahl are busy training, Miriel is somewhere, Sumia is out flower-picking, Virion is out chasing skirts, and Vaike is Vaike." She finished with a huff, "As such I'm probably the best one to lead you all around."
I looked at her in confusion. "I don't understand what you mean by 'Vaike is Vaike'?"
"Vaike's tolerable in short bursts otherwise you feel either like a genius or your brain is slowly killing itself."
"So don't go near Vaike… noted. Also shouldn't Lon'qu and I be meeting the Exalt with Prince since we're he the representatives of our khans?"
Robin shrugged helplessly, "Don't ask me I'm just the tactician, I'm not in the know with the whole royal family and whatnot and how they work. If I had to hazard a guess though, you'd probably be meeting with the Exalt later in the day or even tomorrow."
I conceded at that, slightly puzzled considering that Chrom seemed to hold Robin in high enough regard to tell her such things. "That does seem most likely."
She gave a nod as we ascended the stairs and came to a stop in front of a door.
"Right, so this one's your room," she announced as she opened the door.
Looking around I couldn't help but notice how spacious it was for a soldier's barracks, and surprisingly well-furnished as well to be honest.
"This is a garrison correct?" I asked, "I'm surprised that everyone gets their own room and board. Actually, I'm surprised that you Shepherds can afford a building such as this considering how luxurious it is."
"Yeah, I was told Maribelle donated the building for the Shepherds use. Everything in here is from her family I think, at least that's what Miriel mentioned," Robin threw out in the air.
"Maribelle?" I asked the name not all that familiar to me.
"Ah! I forgot you haven't met her, she a Shepherd. I think she the daughter of a duke?" Robin amended hastily.
"I see…"
"Well… I'm going to show Donnel and Lon'qu to their rooms. Let me know if you'll be needing anything!" Robin piped up.
I should probably check and see where I can work on all my stuff I decided as my first thought of order.
"Would you happen to know where I can set up my workshop? Along with the directions for the Library?" I asked casually before one more popped up. "…And possibly the directions for your room in the case I need to find you for anything in the next few hours?"
"The library is down the hallway to the left, my room on the other hand… well, let's just say it's close by," she smiled coyly.
I gave her a deadpan look. "I'll make sure to scream out to the heavens your name in the case I get lost or heavens forbid decide to blow something up."
"You're kidding with that last one, right?"
"…Whatever I work with has a large tendency to explode spectacularly. Do what you will with that information." I said blandly.
"You're a killjoy you know, can't even play along," she complained cutely, "Anyways my room is literally one room to the right. For your workshop though? No clue, you're probably better off asking Miriel."
I gave her another look. "Where exactly would I be finding her then?"
She shrugged. "I dunno, I'm still getting used to everything like you. Remember, I've only been in this place for like a day."
"Very well," I gave a weary sigh. I shall go search for her. Now shoo, I need to go and unpack my stuff," I made shooing motions, ushering her out from the doorway.
"Yeah, yeah I'll see you later," she rolled her eyes and moved onwards, Donnel and Lon'qu following behind her.
I could hear through the open door that they were placed to the right of my own room meaning her room was to my left.
With a shrug I began unpacking my clothes, the few that I'd bothered to bring with me along with my tent, blanket and pillow, stashing them away in the bottom of the wardrobe.
"Huh…" I let out as I looked over my tent.
Something to know about my tent was that it was specially made for Feroxi weather meaning that it was made of thick hides to keep out the cold at night. Something that most likely wouldn't work too well in Ylisse's warmer weather.
"I'll need to go buy a tent while I'm here in case we end up setting off," I muttered as I made a mental note. Closing the wardrobe quietly I began folding the clothes into drawers leaving my etching equipment, bundles of weapons, stationery, journal, and around twenty jars of spirit dust on my desk.
I dusted my hands as I looked over everything, ensuring everything that wasn't in their proper place now had a home. "I should go find Miriel and see if I can acquire a workshop."
(3rd Person POV – Castle Ylisse)
"Welcome back once more Chrom, Lissa," Emmeryn smiled gently embracing the two in her arms as they arrived with Frederick at their side.
"It's nice to be back," Chrom smiled in return.
"Yeah, it's so cold up in Ferox!" Lissa complained causing Frederick to roll his eyes at his ward.
Emmeryn merely smiled once more, the aura of peace and comfort coming out. "I'm sure it was Lissa, I'm amazed you held out for so long," she tousled Lissa's hair causing the girl to pout, "Especially since you're so… *ahem* delicate," she teased.
"I am not delicate!" Lissa sulked, her hands shaking at her side in faux anger.
"Of course, Lissandra," Emmeryn sang. Soon she turned back to Chrom, a certain type of seriousness showing, the type that only showed in important situations or events, "And how were the negotiations with Ferox?"
Chrom grimaced, the remembrance of their initial meeting leaving a bad memory, being almost impaled would do that to you.
Emmeryn wasn't one that would fail to notice something wrong with her brother.
"Chrom," Emmeryn asked calmly, "What happened in Ferox?" her tone brokered no arguing.
"N-Nothing too bad! I swear! There was just a small altercation initially but it's all well and good now! We've got their support for the alliance!" Chrom frantically waved his hands.
Let it be said the Emmeryn while kind, was also the leader of Ylisse. That being said, Emmeryn is scary when she's angry. She turned her attention to Fredrick, "What does my brother mean by altercation, Sir Frederick?"
"We had a fight with the border guard, my lady. They did not believe us when we said we were sent by you, as such they fought with the intent to kill. Milord would've been killed had it not been for the timely intervention of Lady Sumia," came Frederick's brisk and succinct reply.
"And pray tell, why exactly was their first response to attack my brother?" Emmeryn asked, a steel forming underneath her soft exterior.
"They've been constantly attacked by bandits and brigands imposing as Ylissean soldiers."
Chrom was the one that replied.
Emmeryn's eyes widened in shock. The fact scaring her considering that Ylisse may have very well been embroiled in the midst of a three-sided war with themselves in the middle.
"It also hadn't been the first time that someone had tried to impersonate our family either. Suffice to say they weren't exactly liable to trust us at the time."
The Exalt closed her eyes and deep breathe to calm herself, she opened her eyes and addressed her brother.
"Tell me everything."
Chrom told her everything while Lissa and Frederick either confirmed or corrected him.
(A couple days later)
"Hey, Robin!"
Robin looked up in confusion from her studies with Miriel, the woman teaching her the different types of magics along with Ricken, the younger Shepherd who'd been left behind while they travelled to Ferox. She found Chrom calling out to her from a nearby window showing the training yard, Sully and Stahl training together as they usually would behind him. "Yes Chrom?" she asked.
Chrom poked his head through the open window, "Have you happened to see Blanc and Lon'qu today? I need to bring them to Emm. I can't seem to find them."
"Lon'qu should be upstairs in his room or training somewhere, as for Blanc I'm not too sure- give me a moment," Robin paused and turned to Miriel.
"Hey, Miriel have you seen Blanc today? Chrom's looking for him."
Miriel barely looked up from her tome as she answered, Ricken beside her writing something or the other in his own personalized tome. "I can hear Chrom just fine Robin, we're but three feet away. Alas, I've yet to see the inventor today, perhaps he is to be in his workshop or in his room? If not, you may find him somewhere near the river, I believe he was talking about finding a water source."
"A water sour-? You know what, nevermind. I feel like it'd give me a headache." Robin shook her head. "Chrom!" she shouted back out the window, "Blanc's either in his room, his workshop or somewhere by the river!"
"Thanks!" Chrom shouted back into the garrison and walked off.
"Now where exactly is his workshop?" Chrom scratched his head.
It would be another half hour before Chrom found their wayward creator with Lissa and Lon'qu in tow, Lon'qu being the easier of the two forgieners to find but also being the more quiet of the two. Lissa was having quite the time trying to break through Lon'qu's gruff shell.
Chrom ignored them in favor of addressing the dirt-stained man beneath him.
"What in Naga's name are you doing?"
Blanc looked up at him with a shovel in his hand and a miles-long trench following from behind him. The same trench Chrom decided to follow when he saw it coming from the garrison and leading off into the distance.
The same trench that Blanc was waist-deep in with dirt caking his face and staining his presumably priorly white shirt a dusty brown.
Blanc looked at Chrom.
Chrom looked at Blanc.
Chrom looked at the shovel.
Blanc looked at the shovel
Blanc looked back up to Chrom.
Chrom looked back down at Blanc.
"Prince," Blanc greeted. "This is exactly what it looks like."
Chrom opted to stare at him before responding as Lon'qu studiously caught up with him with Lissa badgering the brown-haired man with a multitude of nonsensical questions. "I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to be looking at. I don't know what I've been looking at for the last mile or so we've been following this damned trench of yours." Chrom stated as he looked at the snowy-haired man.
"Oh…"
Blanc's face broke into a dirt-covered grin.
"Well then, I suppose there's no need for you to be notified about it then," he said with a smile as he hopped out and dusted off his pants.
"Nononono," Chrom shook his head with a wry grin, "I think this is right about where I'm going to need to know what the hell you're doing. Considering it's you I think it'd be best we know."
"Eh, just inlaying a pipeline to the garrison so I can create a shower, not exactly much of a fan of baths." Blanc shrugged.
Chrom gave him a long look. "I understood most of the words you said."
"Easy way to clean yourself without having to draw up a bath," Blanc simplified.
Chrom stood there for a second before slowly nodding. "Suuure… and you managed to get this much done in how long?"
"About an hour."
Chrom rose an eyebrow at that. Digging a mile-long trench within an hour sounded almost impossible. Something which he voiced skeptically.
"Well digging through fertile soil is hell of a lot easier than digging through frozen packed dirt, something of which I'm more used to," Blanc explained while wiping the grime off his face. "That aside, what's up? I'm assuming there's something you need considering you got Princess and Surly behind you."
It took Chrom a second to realize he was talking about Lissa and Lon'qu, and another second for him to respond. "My sister wanted to talk to you about the alliance between Ferox and Ylisse."
"Go ahead then Princess."
…
Lissa looked at him strangely while Lon'qu rubbed his face and muttered quietly about white-haired idiots.
"Blanc," Chrom let out gently, "I meant my other sister, Emmeryn. …You know, the Exalt?"
"Ooooh," Blanc's visage became one of slow realization, "Sorry… my head's a bit cooked to be honest from working out in the sun now that I think about it," Blanc apologized. "When did you want me to meet her?"
"Well, we were meant to have told you around twenty minutes ago, so in about forty minutes."
"Right, well I'll draw up a quick bath and change my clothes then," Blanc gave a wave and walked off to the garrison.
Chrom, Lissa, and Lon'qu stared at him as he walked away from the trio.
"Did you really need me to walk this whole way just for that?" Lissa asked her brother curiously. Lon'qu's silent stare asked the same
Chrom sighed, he felt stupid for bringing the two for literally no purpose. They hadn't even talked to the man for Naga's sake!
"…Not really now that I think about it."
(Blanc's POV)
I am a man of many things.
A man of great intelligence (debatable).
A man of great courage (once more, debatable; also depends on the circumstance)
I am NOT, however, a man that regularly talks to lords or ladies. Nor am I regularly accustomed to dealing with Royal families nor leaders of entire countries, Flavia withstanding considering, well it's Flavia we'r talking about here.
'Dammit Flavia… I'm really starting regret agreeing to your stupid decision,' I mentally griped as Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick led both Lon'qu and myself through Castle Ylisse.
Let me fucking tell you, walking through a hallway lined with heavy armors and antique paintings along with being gilded in gold sure as hell wasn't calming my nerves. It doesn't matter if my face felt like solid stone, my heart rate was escalating to the point I felt like I could pass out any moment.
Did I mention I have stage fright? I didn't? Well, I definitely do, and meeting with the Exalt isn't doing me any favors.
"I'm surprised you're not nervous," Chrom said absentmindedly as we approached a large pair of double doors.
"My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my ribcage Prince," I responded, my heartbeat quickening as we stopped in front of the door.
"You have a remarkably calm disposition for someone in your place," Frederick remarked.
I didn't deign to bother with a reply.
"You ready?" Chrom asked Lon'qu and I.
"*grunt*"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Guess which one of us said what.
Chrom opened the door.
I came face-to-face with the most breath-taking throne room I'd ever seen.
'Holy fucking shit…' I looked around the chamber. If I thought the hallway was lined with everything that screamed 'royalty', I was very wrong. Royal blue banners with the Ylissean coat of arms lined the pillars leading to the throne with polished marble making up the floors, pillars, and ceiling of the throne-room coated and etched with golden accents.
An elbow to the ribs broke me out of my reverie. "You'd better pay attention, we're almost there," Lon'qu growled quietly.
I nodded and looked straight.
I could certainly understand why the Exalt was revered as she was I thought as I looked at her. For such a regal woman, she exuded an aura of peace, calm, and contentment. It was like an angel had come down from heaven in the form of a mortal, like she'd forgive you no matter what you did. The Exalt was a woman unlike any other. In the good type of way, she was akin to an angel someone wouldn't want to taint lest she falls. A pure soul none would want to touch lest she disappears from the world.
She was something… otherworldly.
"Want me to do the talking?" I asked Lon'qu quietly.
"…Please."
I bobbed at Lon'qu's confirmation as we completed approaching and knelt at the bottom of the throne. The Exalt watched us along with her most likely her personal guard, a woman with silvery-blue hair, red-eyes and a beauty mark under her eye.
Chrom, Lissa and Frederick walked forward, Frederick kneeling a bit ahead of us while the two walked up the steps.
"Chrom, Lissa it's lovely to see the both of you as always," the Exalt smiled.
"You too Emm," Chrom replied while Lissa gave her sister a small hug before stepping back.
"Would I be correct to assume that these two men before me are the representatives for Ferox like you said?" the Exalt asked her brother.
"Indeed."
"Please stand. It wouldn't be right for the representatives of a nation we asked for an alliance from to bow their heads," the Exalt spoke causing the both of us to look up and stand.
"That's better…" she smiled. "What are your names?"
'Showtime…'
"My name is Blanc… I'm the main representative for the Head-Khan Regnant Flavia."
"Lon'qu, the representative for West-Khan Basilio."
"It's wonderful to have the both of you. Would the both of you be willing to discuss the terms of the alliance?" she asked calmly.
"Of course, your Exaltedne-"
"Please," she held out a hand stopping me. "Call me Emmeryn… I believe trust would go a long way between out nations.
That's… a surprise…
"Uh- I mean, very well Lady Emmeryn," I said causing her to sigh. "What terms exactly would you like to discuss?"
She looked at me intently, her blue eyes looking into my own. "What terms are being offered?"
That threw me off guard admittedly for the sole fact there was really only one term for the alliance.
If Chrom or I won in Arena Ferox, Flavia would agree to ally with and protect Ylisse.
That was it.
"Um, milady? The only term was for Chrom to win in the tournament for the current Head-khan. This term has been satisfied, as such, there aren't any terms for the alliance as the sole term has been fulfilled in full," I explained to her eliciting an expression of surprise.
"That's… it?" she probed curiously, "Nothing else?"
"Yes, Lady Emmeryn."
Silence resounded through the throne-room.
"….snkrt!"
I think I could say for many that they were surprised to watch Emmeryn cover her mouth and giggle.
As I watched her struggle to control her laughter, I could truly say I've seen an angel laugh.
"M-My apologies for my lack of decorum," Emmeryn apologized as she smothered her giggles. "I've merely forgotten how novel it is to talk about politics without the need to search for honeyed words."
I'll admit I was pretty confused with what she meant by that.
Then it clicked.
Just as Ylisse and Feroxi are as different as morning and noon, our politics are most likely the same. Whereas Feroxi politics involve fights and conditional promises, Ylissean politics most likely involve honeyed lies and buried truths.
Two stark differences.
Of course, I wasn't entirely sure about the Ylissean politics and honeyed lies and whatnot, merely an educated guess on my part that may not be entirely true.
"Not to worry Lady Emmeryn, decorum isn't that highly regarded with us. Merely speak your honest truth and things will run much more smoothly. Dancing around the subject won't help either of our nations."
She smiled but shook her head. "Perhaps it'd be best if I don't speak my mind. It may not end well…"
Well that just completely backfired.
"Um…" I began.
"However, I will speak honestly," she finished.
"Oh…" I had to step back a bit in surprise before gathering my wits about me, "That's wonderful to hear then."
"Many thanks, may we now put underway the specific conditions of our alliance?" Emmeryn questioned, "What Ferox are willing and aren't willing to assist us with."
I nodded.
"Also does your companion not have anything to say in these regards? He is also a fellow representative."
I could almost feel Lon'qu stiffen minutely to my side. I looked over at him to see him shake his head swiftly in return.
"I'm afraid not, milady." I apologized, "Lon'qu while a magnificent fighter and stalwart companion and representative, he is not the most suited to discuss our alliance."
The exalt leaned forward.
"Does he happen to have a personal issue with Ylisse?"
'Oh shit, evasive maneuverers people!'
"No no no!" I waved my hand assuring, "Lon'qu merely is… he's… um…"
I didn't know how to phrase it.
Thankfully someone else did.
Chrom spoke up in our defense, "Sister, Lon'qu had problems with women, sometimes even issues with talking to them."
'Chrom, you magnificent dastard! I could kiss you! Not literally though,' I inwardly cheered for the blue-haired prince's intervention.
"Ahhh my apologies then," Emmeryn's eyes lit up with understanding before bowing her head slightly. "However, back to the matter at hand?"
"Indeed." I nodded.
"Ferox is willing and able to assist with the initial terms provided by Prince Chrom; the condition that during the upcoming war with Ylisse and Plegia, Ferox will do all in its power to protect the citizens of Ylisse from the war."
"Upcoming war?" the silvery blue-haired woman next to Emmeryn questioned. "You're so sure that it will happen?
"Phila."
The woman, Pila tensed before bowing her head, stepping back and muttered apologies.
"Thank you, however, yes. We do foresee a war and as such Ferox is more than willing to join the war as complete allies." I replied.
"That's wonderful! Emmeryn this is just what we need," Chrom smiled wide as he stepped forward.
Emmeryn grimaced at her brother's eagerness, her face tightening as she did so. "Chrom I will say this now as I have before and I shall do so in the days to come. I will not wage war against Plegia."
"Why not? Sis, they're slaughtering our people!" Chrom's voice rose as he asked.
"Because I will not have the blood of both countries on my hands when I have the power to prevent a war from occurring," Emmeryn replied serenely but a hidden steel laced her words.
Chrom stood there, his shoulders shaking slightly before they sagged. "I understand Emm…"
A relieved smile spread across her face, "Thank you Chrom."
"Please tell me I'm not the only one the feels really awkward for witnessing that?" I whispered to Lon'qu who nodded. "Wonderful."
"Now, where were we?" Emmeryn looked at me and smiled but shook her head, her curls bouncing. "I think we'll be fine with Ferox just protecting our citizens."
"No worries then, however, we'll still be keeping that offer open in any case," I replied. "In addition, Lon'qu and I shall be continuing to stay with the Shepherds for the duration that Ferox's forces are needed. Once Ferox is no longer need, we shall return back to our country. Is that acceptable?"
"I don't think I'm the one that you should be asking that with," Emmeryn turned to her brother. "What say you, Chrom? Will you allow them to stay with you?"
"Of course, they've both proven to be invaluable people, no matter how quirky Blanc may be." Chrom jibed.
I nodded at him. "Many thanks."
"However," Emmeryn spoke back up, "Once you return will that mean the end between the alliance between Ylisse and Ferox?"
"I don't believe so. I'll merely be returning but the alliance should still be remaining in full effect." I replied to the best of my knowledge.
"That truly is wonderful news. Thank you for representing Ferox. The both of you have my thanks," the Exalt smiled.
Lon'qu and I both bowed before being escorted out of the throne room.
"Holy shit, please never again…." I groaned as we exited the throne room.
"Huh?" Chrom looked at me.
"Never… ever… will I ever do something like that again! It was so stressful just talking to her!"
"What? Why? Emm's like the nicest person ever," Lissa was confused.
"It doesn't matter if she was the nicest person ever, I feel like if I said even the closest thing wrong I would've been killed by the collective conscience of all of Ylisse," I mumbled. "Did you know I almost shat myself when she started laughing!? I thought I said something wrong!"
"How vulgar…" Frederick muttered off to the side.
"I'm surprised," Chrom said, "You looked like you were doing quite well in there, to be honest."
I gave him a look. "Ask me to fight, no worries. Ask me to make something, no worries. Ask me to hold a diplomatic conversation where the alliance between two nations hang in the balance? I'm going to have a bit of a time trying not to cry and screw things up."
"Welll~" Lissa hopped up to me, "All's well that ends well. You did great Blanc."
"I certainly don't feel like it, my heart still feels like it's going a mile a minute," I muttered. "What's the time anyway? I'm starving."
"Uh…" Chrom looked around and noticed a nearby maid, grabbing her and asking her, the woman making a few motions and sounds before Chrom let her go. "It's almost dinner, so we should probably head back to the garrison."
Huh?
"Uh, Chrom?"
"Hmm?"
"Aren't you like a prince and Lissa's a princess? Shouldn't the both of you be eating here in the castle?" I asked.
Chrom shrugged. "I like eating with the Shepherds at times, it's calming" he replied before heading off with Frederick.
"He means all the time," Lissa whispered inconspicuously, "At least mostly when Sumia is there."
Thanks for the update Lissa, it's not like I can't tell how they both give each other googly-eyes or anything. "Is there a thing between the two? I mean I'm one of the new guys and all but even I can see there seems to be something there." I asked casually so as to not draw Chrom's attention
I'm being serious, for some reason, they both seemed to be giving each other googly-eyes whenever the other isn't looking or looking off into space. Especially Sumia. She'll stop whatever she's doing and start sighing at random intervals for a couple of seconds before continuing. It becomes really disconcerting whenever we're cooking. And considering me and her are the main chefs for some reason, it becomes quite noticeable.
"They both have a thing for each other but they're both dense as rocks so they don't notice," Lissa explained. "Chrom's too stubborn to really notice while Sumia's too stuck in her romance books to realize. The only way one of them will notice is if they get proposed to."
I held up my hand, stopping her. "Look Princess, I'm gonna stop you right there because I get the feeling if I let you continue we're going to be at this for the next hour."
"You're no fun you know that?" she pouted slightly.
"Hey, I'm lots of fun if you like to see things explode fabulously and me being sent flying in a blackened heap every time I fail with an experiment." I retorted
"…that sounds oddly specific," Lissa paused to give me a strange look.
"That because it's very specific to me. It's happened more times than I can count." I shrugged.
"So... ten?"
I gave her a scathing look to which she giggled innocently.
"I'm learning much too quickly that you have a sharp mouth on you… and that you don't conform to any previous princess-like notion I had of you."
Her boisterous laughter followed me long after I'd reached our quarters and entered the barracks.
(Later that night)
BANG BANG BANG
"Whuzzat?" My eyes open blearily from the series of knocks rattling my bedroom door.
"Blanc! It's Robin! We've got a meeting down in the dining room, all Shepherds are being briefed. Something's happened," Robin shouted from the other side of the door.
And assuming the other knocks from beside my room were also her, she was probably waking up everyone else as well.
With a few quick movements, putting on a pair of boots and changing my pants to something not resembling sleepwear, the shirt was fine since it was just a normal shirt, and I exited my room and found Donnel and Lon'qu doing the same.
"Wha's goin' on sir?" Donnel asked with a yawn.
My head shook, shaking away the dregs of sleep still there and answered his question. "No idea kid, but we'd better get down to the dining hall. Briefing is gonna happen soon."
The two nodded as we began heading down, reaching the room in but a couple of minutes. As we passed the entryway I hesitated for a second before sitting down next to Robin.
There was a small amount of noise as the rest of the Shepherds continued to enter in various states of disarray. Once everyone was seated and Chrom, Lissa, and Fredrick were the only one standing, Chrom took a deep breath.
Chrom looked each of the shepherds in the eye slowly, "My apologies for calling you all here for a briefing so late at night, I'm afraid something's happened."
"Captain?" Sumia called out.
"Sorry… it's just-" Chrom gave a quick intake of air as Frederick laid a hand on his shoulders.
I looked at Robin the same time she looked at me.
That wasn't a good sign.
"As I was saying something's happened," Chrom started once more. "Maribelle's been taken by Plegian forces."
A multitude of reactions occurred.
"What!?"
"How?"
On the other side of the table, Sumia quietly gasped while Lissa hiccupped with red teary eyes beside her brother.
Twice now this 'Maribelle' had been mentioned.
Chrom grimaced at their reactions. "Phila told me just a scant couple of hours ago after dinner that Plegian soldiers were sighted within the southwest Ylissean border. They attacked a village in Themis and abducted Maribelle."
That didn't make sense.
"What was their reasoning?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" Chrom looked at me.
"I mean they can't just have attacked for any other reason. You said Plegian soldiers, not bandits." I explained. "There can't have been an unreasonable attack by them, so far from both of our accounts, we've had plegian bandits and brigands attack and raid, there's been no exception of this. Neither of us have had soldiers attack, though."
Chrom gave a small pained but angry smile. "Phila reported that Gangrel says that the soldiers of Themis attacked first, that taking Maribelle is merely recompense till he has the chance to talk 'peace' with Emm," Chrom scowled.
"That sounds like a load of horse shit if you ask me," Sully spoke.
Chrom grimaced. "Indeed, but still Emmeryn chooses to stand by her own principles. Tomorrow she'll be heading off to the border pass where Gangrel mentioned he'll be lying in wait."
"That sounds much too like a trap to me," Robin stated while crossing her arms over her chest.
"That's what I said but once more she still chooses to go. Not that I blame her, Maribelle's life is in danger after all…" Chrom's eyes drifted off.
"What are we going to do?" Robin asked.
Chrom took another deep breath.
"Tomorrow at sunrise we march out with Emmeryn and the Pegasus knights to parley with Gangrel," Chrom spat out the name like acid. "We'll be acting as guards in the case things turn out the worst."
I didn't like the sound of this.
"Tonight, everyone packs their equipment, tomorrow we head out."
A resounding cheer echoed through he wooden barracks but I couldn't find it in me to cheer along. Even when Lon'qu smiled I felt like something was off.
Spreading my pack across the length of my bed I began listing off all the things I'd need in my head, 'Clothes, new tent, etching equipment, boots, jars of spirit dust… I'll need to get some weapons from the armoury… I should also probably get-'
Knock knock
My mental thought process was derailed as someone knocked on my open door and a familiar voice made itself known.
"You okay? You seemed pretty put out during the briefing."
I let out a sigh.
"Something just doesn't seem right about this…" I replied as Robin entered.
"Something doesn't seem right to you?"
I nodded.
"Before I fought in the Arena with Chrom I-I—" I stopped for a second, "I had a chat with Flavia."
"And?"
"I told her that something felt off with Plegia, with everything they've done so far." I explained.
"What do you mean?" Robin cocked her head cutely.
I turned around and sat on my bed, all my stuff pooling around me as I dipped into the mattress. "Do you know what Gangrel's moniker is? Why he's called it?" I asked her curiously.
"Of course," she gave me a confused look. "He's called the Mad King, he was called that because of his well-known bloodlust and thirst for war. They say it's the type only an insane man would have."
I shook my head at her description. "If that was true then why is Ylisse still standing?"
"Huh?" Robin looked at me in wonder.
"Why is Ylisse; the pacifistic country with next to no military might still standing when Plegia has the capability, manpower, and military might to crush this country to dust?" I questioned. "Why is the so-called 'Mad King' not just killing the same nation which only a generation prior shattered Plegia?" I continued to list off the many reasons that everything felt so off.
"Why is he willing to hold Maribelle hostage instead of just killing her? He has a viable reason to start a war after all." I reasoned.
I could see the gears in her head turning. "You think there's something more to Gangrel than what everyone's been lead to believe?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at how similar here thought process was to Flavia's just a month ago. "It's purely speculation on my part… but I believe there's something we don't know about. I don't know what it could be but there's something."
Robin nodded absentmindedly, her fingers curled around her chin in thought.
"…I'll take this into consideration when we march tomorrow. My apologies, but that's all I can do I'm afraid." Robin apologised.
I shook my head, "No need to apologize Miss, that's all I could ask for. These speculations of mine are merely that; speculations. Until the reasons are truly discovered it'd be best if we left it at that."
Robin smiled. It was a thing of beauty seeing her smile. Not a quirk of the lips because someone said something amusing, but just a plain and normal smile.
"It doesn't matter if they were speculations of yours or not, you still looked worried during the briefing. At least now you don't seem all grouchy-like," Robin cheered.
My head tilted almost automatically at her words. "Was I really grouchy?"
"Well probably not to the others but considering we were next to each other it was fairly easy for me to tell," Robin said.
"I see…" I couldn't help but notice how it felt as if a slight burden I hadn't known I was carrying in the back of my mind was eased. "I do suppose talking helped me quite a bit."
"Well that's all that matters then!" Robin leaned back with a hand on her hip and smiled.
Her bubbliness was almost infectious. "Thank you miss," I smiled.
"Well, I'll leave you to it," Robin waved. "Goodnight!"
"Goodnight… Robin…"
AN: Yay chapter…. what is it ten now? Man, I'm actually surprised I've gotten this far with my story. There's actually a considerable amount of support being shown for this, and for that I'm glad.
My apologies for the hastily written chapter, at least that's what I feel like it is. Similar to the "Things happen" chapter, I really needed to create some backstory to this already lengthy story.
But next chapter is the Maribelle rescue and after that is the assassination!
But beware of changes…
Also, to the people still reading, have you noticed something off with Blanc? Like something that doesn't feel like he should be doing? Because there's definitely something that's not right with him but I'm wondering if anyone's actually noticed. It links back into something I wrote back in Chapter 1.
Please read and review.
Next chapter somewhere in two to three weeks.