Hai! New Chapter! One of my readers asked me to 'fix' this chapter, but since you're a guest I can't reply to your review and I don't know exactly what you mean by 'fixing' this chapter? So could you please elaborate it to me? I'd be glad to help!
Enjoy and let me know what you think :)
That morning everyone packed their stuff and the Shepherds travelled directly to Regna Ferox. At least that's what Chrom had in his mind. Unfortunately some people ruined his plan. Later that afternoon the Shepherds travelled through a forest.
"Chrom! A supply cart broke down!" Stahl shouted to his leader who was walking up front next to his horse. He raised his hand to signal everyone to stop. He let Sully take care of his horse and walked back to Stahl.
"How bad is it?" He asked worried.
"This will delay us half a day to get material and fix it.." Stahl replied.
"Hmmm it's too dangerous in this part to travel by night." Chrom sighed. "Well, let's find a camping spot nearby and we'll get to Regna Ferox first thing in the morning. Gaius examined the broken wheel while Yuki and Miriel gathered the fallen supplies and brought them back to the cart. Cordelia and Cherche landed and stepped of their flying partners.
"What's wrong?" Cherche asked.
"One of the supply carts suddenly broke down." Stahl replied. Chrom ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay, Stahl and Sully, you two ride to the last village we passed to get some metal to repair the cart. Vaike and Priam, you two carry the supplies to that tree over there. I suggest Miriel helps with fixing the cart." Everyone nodded at Chrom's orders. Gaius walked over to Yuki.
"Say Bubbles, you don't happen to have gained a lot of weight in the past few months?"
"I didn't." She replied, raising her eyebrows.
"I think someone sabotaged that cart. Be on your guard." He whispered.
"Why are you telling me this? I'm the first one you should suspect."
"Because you were asleep on another cart the whole time and haven't been near this one after it was broken." Gaius explained. Yuki was surprised to hear the insights of the thief, but he was right. But could one of the Shepherds really have sabotaged the cart?
Four hours later, Stahl and Sully returned. Yuki had been meditating with Priam and he nudged her to indicate the two had returned. "I'm surprised you managed to stay quiet all this time." Priam started, looking pleased.
"I have a lot on my mind." Was the only thing Yuki replied. The blue haired swordmaster decided to stay quiet.
"Priam, could you help?" Stahl asked, approaching the two. He nodded. Yuki stayed put. They didn't need her for this kind of things. She leaned back against a tree.
"With what kind of things would they need me…?"
When the cart was finally fixed, the sun was setting and the Shepherds had set up camp for tonight. Chrom and Gaius were a little restless. Chrom was in charge of the patrol and Gaius had to switch with him halfway. "Good night Candyman!" Yuki shouted when she entered her tent and waved at the orange haired man.
"Haha very funny Bubbles." Chrom started his patrol and walked away. "Someone's not in a good mood." Gaius muttered. He walked towards his own tent and decided to make some tea. He wasn't sure if he wanted to sleep or stay awake until he would switch with Chrom.
The blue haired prince walked through the tents resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. It was a quiet night and the stars were visible. But for some reason, Chrom felt agitated. He strolled past Yuki's tent and saw light. She was probably still awake. "Yuki?" He stopped in front of the tent and his curiosity got the best of him.
"Yeah?" She replied.
"Shouldn't you go to sleep?"
"I can't. I'm wide awake. I almost slept the whole day and even if I wouldn't, I still wouldn't be able to sleep." Chrom opened the tent to see what she was doing. Bad decision. "Chrom?! What are you doing you idiot!"
"L-l-language…."He managed to stutter. Yuki was sitting in her undergarments on her bed, reading a book she borrowed from Lon'qu. She never imagined he was the reader-type, but he had some pretty good books. Stories as well as battle tactics and sword practice books. She immediately grabbed her shirt and covered herself with the blankets.
"Why are you still standing here like a slaw-jacked idiot Chrom! Leave you pervert!" She blushed but her anger had the upper hand.
"P-pervert?! N-no I-"
"GO!" And Chrom did as he was told and scurried off.
The prince still felt his heart pump in his chest as he ran towards the end of the camp. "Why?! Why did I open that tent without asking!" He asked himself, feeling stupid. He rested on his knees and steadily regained his breath. "I never thought she looked like that under those baggy clothes…." He mumbled. He blushed at his thoughts. "Stop Chrom! You stupid man! For Naga's sake!" He said to himself.
"Tap…tap…. Tap…" "Hmmm?" Footsteps. Chrom quickly turned around but was met with a hand pushing a cloth against his mouth. "Hmmmph!" Was all Chrom could shout as he felt his knees going weak. "Ngh…." He raised his hand to remove the cloth but his weakened state was no match for the infiltrator. "N…." His eyelids were starting to get heavy and he collapsed, losing consciousness.
Yuki dressed herself and wanted to go after Chrom, to tell him again what kind of idiot he was. But instead, she heard a weird noise. It wasn't loud. If she wasn't awake, she probably wouldn't have heard it. She stepped outside her tent, almost forgetting her sword. She looked around for Chrom, but she couldn't find him. "Chrom? Where are you?" There was no response. The trees rustled and Yuki saw someone escape through them. Someone who was carrying an unconscious Chrom. Yuki immediately ran after them, careful not to be heard by the abductor. "That may be the guy who sabotaged the cart..."
She followed them until they arrived at a little open field where six more men were waiting, some of them carrying torches. Yuki hid behind a tree. What were her options? "Come on out. I know you're there behind that tree." The abductor called out. "Did you actually think I wouldn't notice you? Your sword made enough noise."
"Shit." No point in hiding then. Yuki entered the open field with her sword drawn. "Let him go." She stated, her voice trembling a bit. She then felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Easy there Bubbles. Don't do anything stupid."
"Gaius?!" He probably had followed her. She hadn't noticed at all. The abductor dropped Chrom on the ground. The faint light of the torches showed the faces of the group. All men, probably soldiers. All of them wore red armor except the abductor. "You're Valmese…."
"So, not completely stupid huh." Chrom started to move and Yuki approached the men.
"Ngh…." Chrom groaned, getting on his knees.
"Well hello sunshine, I'm glad you woke up just in time." The man grabbed Chrom by his hair and put his own foot in Chrom's back. With the other hand, he grabbed Chrom's left arm and turned it towards him. "One step closer and I'll break his arm." Yuki and Gaius froze. They looked directly into Chrom's pained eyes. The man still had his hair firmly in his hand. "We outnumber you."
"We're part of the Shepherds." Gaius replied. "I'm sure I can take out all of you by myself." Was he bluffing? "Hmmm at least half of you and my partner here the other half." The man seemed to believe Gaius. A grin bared his teeth.
"Did you just take a step? I think you did."
"No!" Yuki shouted, held back by Gaius. Chrom's arm was slowly turned upwards.
"AAH!" The prince screamed. "I…..I'll never forgive you!" He shouted. The bones in his shoulder cracked. "GGAAAAAHH!" Chrom's eyes got teary as his arm fell limp beside his still held body. Yuki closed her eyes and thought about Lon'qu's book about battle tactics. Clearly, the little chapter 'how to handle hostage situations' came to mind. She had three options. One of them would risk Chrom's life. One of them needed more soldiers on her side. So she chose the last possible option.
"Stop! I propose a trade." The man who held Chrom raised his eyebrow.
"Do you know in what kind of situation you're in? And suppose I would accept your offer, who could be better than the Ylissean prince?" So they knew who they held hostage.
"Well, royalty for royalty is acceptable." Yuki replied, holding up her arm.
"Yuki." Gaius still held her shoulder firmly. She ignored him. Even though the light of the torches was faint, the Valmese brand was see able.
"What?!"
"Yuki! No! Don't!" Chrom shouted. "Rgh." The man pulled his head back.
"It's probably fake." Someone behind the abductor said.
"Go check. If it's real, I'll accept the trade. Then the real heir to the Valmese throne is in our hands ." Two of them walked over to Gaius and Yuki.
"Just one is enough. Don't try to do anything foolish." Gaius interrupted. "I value my own life more than anything so I'm prepared to kill them both." He squeezed her shoulder.
"Fair enough." Above them circled a wyvern in the air.
"Seems our camp is awake." Gaius continued. A soldier checked the brand on Yuki's arm.
"It…. It's real." He stuttered.
"Then it's a deal. Leave your sword with your friend and walk over to us. Then halfway we'll surrender the prince." Yuki nodded. She handed her sword to Gaius.
"Last chance Bubbles. I probably won't ever see you again if you go. And I was starting to like you."
"I'll repay you all for your kindness. This is something I have to do." The determination in her eyes made Gaius sigh. Yuki walked in front of the man who checked her brand. He held a knife against her back. Halfway, they let Chrom go and he slowly walked towards Gaius, his eyes locked on Yuki. They met each other and Yuki touched Chrom's hand briefly. She didn't look at him but he felt something in his hand.
"I'm sorry princess but you'll get the same treatment as your friend over there." A cloth was pressed against her mouth. Yuki didn't resist. She was finally useful.