Dreary Days

"How's Lissa?"

Hesitantly, Leo looked back to the wagon silently before he sighed, "She's finally come to her senses at least. Can't say she's feeling any better, though."

Kamui nodded, "Sadly, it's to be expected."

"I can't believe this." Hinoka said with a grimace, "It doesn't matter who thought of this plan. In the end, it went through… But, what do we do now?"

"Return to Ylisse." Xander answered bluntly with a stern look over his face.

Camilla nodded, "Xander is right. It's during times like these that we need to think up a new strategy."

"Damn it. Chrom, pull yourself together already." Takumi grumbled in frustration.

Kamui looked to the man being pulled forward by the tacticians as if lost his will to continue the fight, but that was just as the man was feeling. Kamui frowned. This was going to be a big problem…

The militia has been running and marching to and fro for hours since they left the execution grounds. The sky darkened as dark clouds covered the sun and rain began to pour down the formerly dry desert filled with large bone like stone structure. No one muttered a word throughout the whole journey. Lissa was silently following the Shepherds with her bodyguard close by. Lena and Ophelia did their best to console her for her lose, especially Lena who have ended up forming close bonds with the young princess. The Nohrian siblings stayed quiet along the way helping out tired soldiers that needed assistance. As for Walter? Well, he was just as worried as his other fellow tacticians. Albeit, he wasn't the best amongst them, his honest opinions and strong will to move forward help the twins greatly. Then, there was Geroge. The archer was still under Kamui's observation and, with the death of the Exalt, could not be reported to Kamui's siblings either. Now, the archer often goes about to and from the camp returning with bags of rations he could deliver amongst the Shepherds urging them to eat. It was probably the first he's seeing the man done to best help the Shepherds. Where he got the rations was a mystery to him, but he could say that, from the times they've worked together, George might not do anything against the Shepherds regardless of their background. At times, even Kamui and Cindy joined him on his errands.

It wasn't long before the West-khan stopped in his tracks and turned around, "Hurry! There should be carriages waiting just through the ravine!"

The prince hesitated in silence. Robin turned to the prince as she begged, "Chrom, please!"

"Chrom!", Reflet said in a more forceful tone.

"Rrgh... I'm...I'm coming.", the man finally said in defeat.

Basilio quickly turned around as he said, "Quickly! We're almost... Huh? Damn!"

They all looked up to see numerous Plegian soldiers rushing over to them with weapons in their hands.

"Plegian! I knew it couldn't be that easy...", the Khan said with a frown, "They're right in our way! We must fight!"

"Ylisseans! I offer you mercy!", shouted an ax-wielding commander, "Surrender to me now and live!"

The West Khan frowned and responded to the man's words, "Surrender? Sorry, I'm not familiar with the word."

"Emmeryn would not have wished for this to come to bloodshed."

Upon hearing this, Chrom perked up with anger burning in his eyes and scowled, "Don't speak her name!"

Despite what the prince said, the man neither smiled nor frowned in anger. Instead, he nodded and said, "Your rage is justified, Prince Chrom. But the meaning of your sister's final sacrifice was not lost on me. I suspect many Plegians who heard her final words would say the same. If you lay down your weapons, I vow to protect you as best I can."

The wary knight questioned back in disbelief, "How can we trust you after what your barbarous king has done? I think we shall take our chances with weapons in hand!"

The man nodded in acknowledgment, "I suspected you would say as much."

The man frowned as he drew out his ax, "So be it, Prince Chrom. I shall endeavor to grant you a swift and dignified end."

Despite their low morale and fatigue, the shepherds quickly drew out their weapons and followed the twin tacticians impromptu plan that they made on the spot. Kamui turned to George, "You should go to where Lissa and the others are. Now would be the best time for an assassin to come for her."

"I'll be just fine!"

Kamui jumped and spun around to see Lissa and Lon'qu ready for combat. Kamui watched in surprise as Lissa gave them a firm expression, "Everyone will need my help if they don't want to be colored back and blue!"

"Wait, Lissa!"

But, the girl was already running onto the battlefield after her brother. Kamui turned to Lon'qu with a grimace, "Watch over her."

"That's my job." The man huffed before running after the girl in the rain catching Kamui slightly off guard.

He had expected a curt nod from him, but this might be good too.

"Let's go, then." George said.

"Right."

Clashing against the enemy soldiers, Kamui easily batted down a soldier to the side and waited for him to jump back up before noticing struggle to do so. Concerned, Kamui frowned and lowered his blade.

"Kamui?" George called out to him with a frown.

Kamui shook his head, "Let's stop here and move on. We need to get to their general quickly."

"What are you saying?" George raised a brow and looked to him with a rare look of bewilderment.

"This army." Kamui frowned, "They're not motivated to take our lives. What their general was trying to say earlier… We need to tell Chrom."

"Not motivated?" George grew quiet in thought before his eyes widen, "You can't mean… But, could she have so easily influenced the enemy kingdom that much."

"I believe Exalt Emmeryn was finally able to quell most of the people's anger toward Ylisse. It's not that they want to fight for the same reasons as their king." Kamui grimaced, "Anger stemming from revenge can easily corrupt a person's mind. I've seen people who nearly fell to the corruption in the past. Her words must've been what the people needed to hear the most, not her death. That's only what Gangrel and Aversa wanted."

George was in thought before Kamui saw that he was about to shoot down the thief, "Stop!"

Kamui jumped in and grabbed the arrow before it was launched. George frowned, "These are people who are forced to be loyal to their king, correct? The best choice would be-"

"To leave them." Kamui finished.

"If their king finds out that they deserted the militia, there will more who will be punished alongside them." George said.

"No." Kamui replied and turned to the man, "Where does your loyalty lies?"

The thief quietly watched them before he muttered the words, "The general…"

He got up and readied his blade, "If our general can't leave the king's forces, then neither can't we."

"What's hindering him?"

"…His family back home."

Kamui thought for a bit before he replied, "Knowing Gangrel, he wouldn't leave that be…"

Before Kamui could say a word, George sighed, "Fine. Let's go find Chrom before it's too late."

Before Kamui could say anything, he grabbed Kamui by the arm and pulled him away from the scene. As they hurried through the battlefield in search of Chrom, George said with a firm look, "There will be a lot of cases like these in the future. If you continue to think this, you'll be potentially end up putting everyone in danger."

"I know that." Kamui replied firmly, "And deserting a battle and the army is just as serious a crime. However, that doesn't mean that Gangrel would be able to know that unless someone informs him, right?"

Geroge grumbled, "If it was that easy, the man wouldn't have had an army anymore."

"Perhaps it's that way from now, but I believe they will come around and leave his side." Kamui pointed out firmly.

George looked to him with a frown before shaking his head, "Do what you want."

The two didn't hold conversations for a while. Only doing so when it was needed during battle. After a long period of fighting against the Plegian soldiers with reinforcements still coming in, Kamui finally saw his brother and Chrom engaging against Plegian's general. Kamui looked to George but saw that he was gone!

"I am General Mustafa of Plegia.", the general said, "If you wish to keep your lives, then you must win them!"

As he said this, Kamui looked up and saw George rushing up to where Chrom and the other are. Chrom rushed over to the general and attacked the man only for it to be blocked. George used this chance to launch an arrow at him as it hit the general directly on the shoulder. Frederick and Xander than rushed up and dealt the finishing blow.

As the man collapsed on the ground dying, he muttered, "Well done, Ylisseans... Please... spare my men..."

Kamui frowned and looked between Chrom and George. With that, the general was dead along with many of his men, who died before him. Frederick approached the dead man and picked up something shining on the ground next to him, "A beast stone?! Aren't these hard to get? Why would he..."

Having finally reached over to them, Kamui grimaced, "Don't tell me…"

"Maybe he planned this as well?"

They turned around and saw Leo and his friend walking up to them. Takumi held up the Wyrmslayer and said, "When we took out a Plegian ruffian, he handed this to us before he died from the injuries we dealt. He said something about not being able to defy their king."

Frederick narrowed his eyes in suspicions. Reflet sighed and said, "For now, let's just put them with the other weapons. We don't have the time to deal with it now... We'll take a look after we get to safety first."

The two nodded and was about to leave when a young woman with pink hair and dressed in clothing of a dancer with a white headdress rushed over to them, "Khan Basilio!"

"Olivia!", the man said in surprise, "I'm sorry we kept you waiting."

The woman let out a sigh of relief, "When I didn't hear from you, I thought... I assumed the worst."

"Olivia?!", Leo said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

The Khan turned to the group, "Chrom? Robin? Meet Olivia. She'll be smuggling us out of here."

Olivia nodded with a worried look, "Only if you hurry! Doubtless more of the Mad King's men are on their way."

The khan nodded, "Right. Pile in, you lot! And bid farewell to this Plegian hell hole."

Kamui glanced over to George who did not look to him to see his reaction. Then, he helped Ricken onto the wagon. Kamui saw Frederick walk over to him with a raised brow, "What about you?"

"I'll get on the other carriage." He replied firmly, "Someone has to make sure the other wagon is all right too. I'll watch over Lissa. Chrom… He's going to need some time on his own for a bit."

Hearing this, Frederick thought for a bit before he nodded, "I understand… Thank you, Kamui."

Kamui gave the man a curt nod. As many of the Shepherds quickly gathered in the dancer's nomad wagon or around it, Olivia nodded and said, "Ready? Hold on tight!"

The sound of the reins snap rang in the air. As Kamui turned to their wagon, he began rushing over to the carriage. Climbing in, he noticed that his sisters were also present. Giving Stahl the signal, the wagon began to move forward. Finally, Kamui could rest his legs from hours of marching, but he kept a hand on his sword while staring back out of wagon making certain their pursuers no longer came after them. Doing so, Kamui finally noticed it. A large skeletal figure that they had thought was the ravine.

The days ahead was a blur. Because everyone's energy were nearly spent with the constant attack of either Risens or pursuing Plegian squads. Kamui and George often accompanied Gaius and Donnel to nearby towns disguised as travelers or mages. Food and money was starting to become a problem their growing injuries didn't give Lissa and the others time for rest. Finally, they began to rely on Takumi and his son for bears they could hunt, not that there was many or nearby woods often. Kamui also allowed Selkie to go hunting for rabbits letting her feed herself and her friends. When there was nothing caught, he gave her a portion of his ration. Of course, the kitsune was very hesitant by all this, just as her mother would've been. Yet, like her father, she worked hard the next day to find food for them all, which sometimes was a success. Nearly a week had passed going back and forth like this and they continued to travel in solemn silence as the harsh storm continued. It was as if even the heavens were crying tears over the death of their exalt. Although they survived the sudden ambush on them, nobody felt as relieved as some hoped. Their ruler was dead and, no matter what they did, it would not bring their kind exalt back. The Halidom of Ylisse have lost their Exalt and, even more, Chrom and Lissa lost a beloved sibling. Never had Kamui thought he'd seen a day like this.

A close family member of his friend was dead... just like his kind mother had years before.

However, Kamui and George always continue to catch brief glances of overhear evidences of rebellion occurring in the kingdom. Perhaps, their effort may prove to be of some use soon. After a while, they finally stopped in the woods just on the border between Ylisse and Plegia as Gaius had informed them that there would be an abandoned village nearby they could hide in.

As they got off, Chrom looked around with a sigh of relief, "I-it seems everyone has managed to survive."

Frederick frowned and said, "It may be my imagination, but it seems the enemy has become even more aggressive."

Walter shook his head, "It was not. Though the townsfolk won't pursue us, the king's forces are another matter."

Stahl nodded in agreement, "They were all really bloodthirsty and cruel. Like they were bandits or something!"

Leo sighed, "Stahl, some of them are bandits, but I agree with him. Were the rumors of rebellion false? Was it an act?"

Gaius shook his head as he came over with a lollipop in his mouth, "I wonder. I saw a sorcerer in the enemy lines laughing as he attacked his own comrades."

He frowned as he recalled the scene, "The guys he attacked all panicked too. No matter how you look at it, that's not a friendly fire, more like a falling out."

Reflet said in shock, "Unbelievable... That sounds a little like…"

Xander sighed and nodded, "I know for certain that Peri has no connection with a member of the Plegian army."

Takumi shook his head and said, "I don't know any better way to put this, but either that man is rebelling or is a lunatic laughing while killing."

Chrom looked at the thief and asked, "By the way, Gaius, should we go in this direction?"

Olivia nodded in agreement as she nervously said, "I-I want to ask that too! I-I'm not trying to say I don't trust you! I just have never gone through here before..."

The thief nodded nonetheless, "Yeah. There should be a ghost town around here where we can hide."

The wary knight looked around and said, "We must rest soon. Everyone is at their limits after the battle and all these fights."

Virion frowned as he muttered examining the surroundings, "A withered forest and slimy earth. A village located in the heart of the mountains. It's been quite a long while since anyone lived there."

Takumi nodded in agreement, "That's true. From what Mozu taught me, the soil needs to be in a certain condition for any of them to grow and this is not it. There's no way crops would grow in this kind of soil."

Kamui forced a chuckle, "It seems that Mozu really had taught you a lot about these things."

Suddenly, Stahl gasped and pointed in a direction, "Over there!"

Leo nodded as Robin said in surprise, "A small abandoned village! It's really there!"

Virion nodded, "The majority of the old houses are already decaying. It does look to be uninhabited."

Ophelia nodded, "I can let the horses rest here before we head out again..."

Chrom agreed, "It's also enough to keep off the rain. It is no palace, but, right now, I want nothing more than to let Lissa rest."

Hearing her name, Lissa looked up with a small smile, "I-I'm all right now! Ehehe... sorry, everyone. I couldn't stop sobbing, even though we were in the middle of battle... I'm all right now!"

Stahl sighed as Leo looked unconvinced by his pupil's words, "You don't look 'all right' at all, Lissa."

The princess did her best to reason them otherwise when Robin said, "Chrom, you must rest as well. Your wounds still hurt, do they not?"

The prince shook his head, "I'm... fine. We must not... linger here."

The female tactician grimaced a frown, "Chrom... Your anger is not yet spent..."

"Of course not!", the man shouted, "I will not forgive those dastards who killed Em!"

"R-right...", Reflet said.

Suddenly, a surprised look came across Reflet's face as he nearly tripped.

"Brother!" Robin jumped in and caught him before he could hit the ground.

"R-Robin?" Reflet looked up in surprise, "Sorry, I slipped there for a second."

"Slipped?" Robin frowned with deep concern.

"Reflet? ", Lissa asked with concern, "What's wrong, all of a sudden?"

"Ah... um... I-it's nothing. I simply missed a step."

Lissa looked unsure of his response, "Huh? Really?"

The man nodded, "Yes. Pay me no mind. C-come, everyone, we'll catch our breath here. Don't worry, we just need to wait here until everyone has recovered from the fatigue and injuries. We'll surely return to Ylisse after all this."

They nodded as the group headed on over to the village.

Not long after they took refuge from the rain, Walter sent the candy thief to scout their surroundings as Chrom, the tacticians, and some of the soldiers went out to check the area. Hoping to get a breather and satiate his curiosity of their surroundings, Kamui left with them whist bring Lissa and Lena with him. He had hardly spoke much with the red hair healer, but he figured it would be best to let her have a breather as well. As Chrom and Reflet walked through the rain to the abandoned village with Lissa, Lon'qu, Takumi, Xander, and Virion, the female tactician called out from where she stood, "Look. Over here."

They walked over to her as the Ylissean prince said in surprise, "...A graveyard."

Saddened by the sight, Lissa frowned as she looked around, "There's so many of them... what in the world happened here?"

"A cluster of simple graves marked only by stones.", Virion said with a sad look, "Yet would be correct to think that they are the graves of those who fell in battle."

"But that's ridiculous! For there to be a war upon this mountain..." Kamui's voice suddenly faded as his eyes widen with a thought that came to his thoughts.

The paladin looked over to the Ylissean prince, "Chrom? Could this have to do with-"

Hesitantly, Chrom nods his head with a scowl, "Most likely. Ylisse and Plegia have continued to quarrel since times of yore. The number of skirmishes has decreased during Em's reign, but it seems that they occurred frequently in every corner of the continent in Father's time. Disaster may have befallen this village then."

Robin frowned, "The war has continued for so long."

"Very well. Then shall we offer these flowers? ", Virion suggested, "I went through the trouble of gathering them after all."

Lissa nodded, "Yeah. Good idea. Let's place them on the graves. Lena, Robin, can you help me? Please?"

"Of course, Lady Lissa." Lena replied with a bright smile, "This would be a wonderful idea."

Robin hesitated before Reflet petted her shoulder, "You should take a breather and help Lissa with the flowers distribution, Robin. I'll stay here with Chrom."

Robin thought for a bit before she finally nodded her head with a small weak smile, "Thanks, Reflet. Don't overwork yourself too."

As three left with the archer and her bodyguard in toll, Chrom frowned and muttered, "So flowers bloom even in this soil."

Reflet nodded weakly, "Yes. You're right. Even in a place like this."

Realizing the unusual tone in his voice his choice of words, Kamui and the three looked at him with a questioning expression across their faces.

"Reflet?", Chrom said with uncertainty at his unusual words.

The tactician continued, "The two kingdoms have been at war since ages past. Why continue to repeat something so meaningless? Are they trying to destroy each other? Even though war breeds nothing but sadness. This... earth where such beautiful flowers grow... is stained with blood..."

Chrom frowned, "It is because they have behaved aggressively since ancient times. Most likely after the time, Em spoke of. Ylisse has always been threatened by Plegia."

"Even so! Continuing these attempts to destroy each other is sheer folly from both sides!"

"Reflet!", the Ylissean prince shouted in anger, "Are you saying that Ylisse is also at fault? Are you siding with the Plegians? With those dastards who killed Em?!"

"Chrom?" Kamui called out in bewilderment. Are they going to start a fight? Here and now?!

"Reflet." Xander turned to the tactician with a look of concern, "Are you-"

"T-That's not what I... meant...", the tactician argued back ignoring Xander.

"Then, what did you mean?", the captain asked in confusion.

It was then that Lissa and the two came rushing back.

"W-wait, Chrom! Don't fight!", the princess shouted with tears coming out.

"Reflet! Chrom! Stop it!" Robin called out rushing in between the two.

"Milord!" Lena pleaded, "Please, not in front of your own blood and kin…"

Realizing his own voice, Chrom slowly began to regain his composure, "Damn! At a time like this, we should be returning to Ylisse as soon as possible and preparing to defeat Gangrel! And yet, I... what an am I doing here?"

"Chrom...", Reflet said, "It is especially at a time like this... that you must remain calm... and lead... everyone..."

Suddenly, Reflet staggered as he tried to keep himself up only to start falling back much to Kamui's shock, "Reflet!"

"Reflet!", Xander shouted in surprise and barely grabbed the man's shoulder keeping him from meeting the ground in time.

The princess gasped in shock, "Reflet?!"

Chrom rushed over to his tactician in panic, "R-Reflet?"

"Brother!" Robin hurriedly helped him to his feet with Xander's support

"Reflet?" Virion raised a brow and stepped in, "What ever has gotten into you so suddenly? You know if Miss Cordelia-"

Takumi groaned in annoyance at the Shepherd's words, "Virion, now is not the time. Reflet, are you all right?"

The tactician remained silent. His breathing was ragged and his cheeks flushed red. Lena frowned with furrowed brow, "Sir Reflet?"

Virion suddenly frowned as an alertness expression immediately came over him. Seeing his usual demeanor suddenly change, Lissa became nervous, "Virion?"

Lena wasted no time and rushed forward touching the forehead. Her eyes showed a glint of shock as she grimaced, "It's as I feared. He has a high fever."

"W-what?!" Chrom said in bewilderment.

It was night as the tears from the sky finally ceased. A knight in green armor and a blue hair female mercenary stood just outside of the abandoned house. Stahl looked up to the sky as the clouds floated away letting the gentle light of the moon come over them, "The rain's finally let up, but who knows when it'll start falling again?"

He let out a sigh and said, "I'm so hungry..."

"You're always hungry, Stahl.", the girl said, "Even though you ate not too long ago. Shouldn't I be the complaining? I didn't eat a thing since this morning and I'm not saying anything. Also, focus on guarding this area. Otherwise, we're in for another lecture from Frederick. It's already annoying as it is with this bang of mine, so, I'd like to avoid a lecture from him as much as possible."

"Right... By the way, Soliel," the knight said with a curious look, "why do you have your bangs like that when it bothers you so much?"

The girl froze in shock as she tried to smile while thinking of what to say in response. Suddenly, she heard someone approach them from behind and turned around just as the figure tapped on the knight's shoulder, "Hey. Stop spacing out, Mr. Watchman. Also, don't ask things that puts your own comrade on edge."

The knight jumped up in shock but calmed down as he sighed in relief, "Oh. Gaius."

"What? At least, Beruka's daughter is paying more attention than you.", Gaius said with a sigh, "Anyway, the moon's pretty dim tonight. Pay attention to your surroundings."

Soliel nodded in agreement as Stahl grumbled, "Yeah, I am. Anyway..."

"You want to know how Bubble is doing?", Gaius finished.

Stahl nodded, "Yeah."

"Lissa's looking after them constantly along with the other healers. You don't like how they're doing?"

Soliel looked to the knight with a questioning look as he shook his head and explain, "I went to see him a little while ago. My family runs an apothecary. Other than the infected sword wound he has on his shoulder. His illness is like nothing I've ever seen before."

"What?", Gaius said in surprise.

Soliel looked at the knight stunned in disbelief, "You're joking, right? It's just a cold, right?"

It must've been just a cold. In her heart, she begged that this would all it would be for the little girl and the militia's tacticians. Nothing too serious. However, to her disappointment, the man shook his head, "It's not just a common cold or physical exhaustion, but..."

He thought back to what he learned from his family and his experiences as the two looked at him with concern for him.

"Right, I think it's some kind of endemic disease.", Stahl concluded.

The thief nodded with a frown, "Endemic disease... so that's it."

"Huh?" Soliel looked to Gaius in confusion.

Stahl nodded, "All we can do is make him comfortable and continue to redress the wound. But still, they really should get plenty of food and rest well."

"You're right.", said the thief as he concurred before suddenly whipping his head around, "Huh?"

Curious, Stahl asked the thief, "Gaius?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Someone's coming!"

Soliel remained silent as her eyes widen in shock, then stooped down as she crept up with the other two and whispered, "You're right. Someone is coming..."

Stahl's face grew serious as he too heard the footsteps, "Yeah. There shouldn't be anyone here but us. It can't be... the Plegian army?"

The thief shook his head, "There's only one set of footsteps... it looks like they're alone."

"Is it a scout, then?", Soliel guessed to which the thief nodded.

As a dark cloud covered the light of the moon, there was silence once more. However, the silence disturbed the young mercenary rather than reassure her as she readied herself with a hand over the hilt of her blade. One of the things she recalled from those training she had with her parents.

"The footsteps stopped.", Gaius whispered with a raised eyebrow before his eyes widen and gasped upon realization.

"I wonder what's wrong?", Stahl asked curiously before getting ready to get up and see.

"Stahl?!", the mercenary whispered in shock, "What are you doing?!"

"Hey!", the thief whispered in surprise, "Don't just look outside like that!"

Suddenly, a woman with blue hair dashed through the bushes with her blade aiming straight for Soliel. The mercenary gritted her teeth as she parried it with her blade and pushed her back with all her strength before jumping back.

"What?", the woman said in shock, "Then-!"

Not leaving a chance for an attack, the swordswoman dashed thrusts her sword to the green armor knight and it halted just before his neck as the knight screamed in surprise. Gaius grimaced as he saw that the scene before him and shouted, "I told you! Hey! Don't point that sword at his throat! He's worthless as a hostage!"

Soliel said with a bit of confuson, "Isn't that a little harsh, Gaius? Although, it kind of is true..."

"Huuuh?!", Stahl shouted in disbelief "You guys are horrible!"

The woman looked surprised upon taking a closer look at her hostage then back at them, "You guys... what are you doing here?"

Gaius peered through the darkness only to be shocked upon seeing the figure as the cloud floated pass the moon, "Ah. You're..."

Upon hearing the thief's shocked voice, Stahl turned around, "Huh? Oh! You're..."

Light shone on the woman revealing long cerulean blue hair and blue warrior armor. Soliel gasped in shock, "You're that woman back during the assassination attempt!"

"Um... Soliel?", the knight said nervously, "You might want to rephrase that... You're making it sound like she's the bad guy."

"Well, you tell me how to rephrase it." the mercenary shrugged it off, "I'm only stating that I saw her that night helping us out."

As they talked, the woman frowned as she saw her with narrow eyes and muttered, "Who are you? I don't recall you being here at all... And..."

Hearing this, Soliel turned around in surprise, "Huh? What?"

The woman shook her head, "No. It's nothing. Forget I said anything."

"Uh... All right. I'm Soliel. Who are you?"

"The name is Marth." the woman rersponded, "Can you tell me what are you all doing here?"

Gaius nodded, "Yup. You're that woman who helped us out, alright. Reflet have fallen ill with a fever along with Sakura. That little girl who uses card spirits or something like that."

Stahl nods along with the thief's words, "I think he got an endemic disease from this area. Lissa and the other healers are taking care of him right now as we guard the entrance. Anyway, we can't leave this place without them, but we can't put stress on him by continue traveling."

Marth thought for a bit then said, "All right. May I talk with Chrom?"

The two nods their heads and allowed the woman past them. Soliel looks back with an anxious look, "Is this all right?"

"Don't worry.", the knight said, "She's saved Chrom's life before and warned us of the assassination attempt. We can trust her."

"I hope she can help cure them...", Soliel said with a worried look.

"We all do, Soliel.", said Gaius, "But an endemic disease isn't easy to cure. We need someone from this area with the knowledge and will help us out."

"Then, why not ask the village nearby?"

The two adults looked at each other, then back at the girl.

"That won't be possible.", Gaius said with a grimace.

"Huh?"

Inside the abandoned house, Reflet lay on a worn down bed as Lena and Lissa got to work keeping track on the tactician's house. With deep concern, Robin sat across the room while watching the scene powerlessly. With her brother's current condition, Robin recommended Virion to assist with the tactics in her brother's place for the day. While Chrom talked with the Khans of their next plans, Kamui sat next to her with a frown, "Are you all right?"

Robin nodded her head feebly. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she responded, "It's times like these that I wished that I was a healer instead…"

"I noticed that they don't have a lot of healers in Plegia." Kamui said with a frown.

Robin frowned, "With Grimleals leading the faith, there aren't many healers unless they secretly worship another deity. Worshipping another deity is illegal in these lands. If you don't want to worship their dragon, you can choose not to worship anyone. Those who try to be healers attempts to cross into other kingdoms or halidoms. The old couple didn't want to send a child into another kingdom on her own, so they encouraged me to take up magic and tactics as my mother did. Their son taught me swordsmanship too. But, magic, tactics, nor swordsmanship can cure illnesses or heal injuries."

"They don't." Kamui nodded, "But we have the job to keep injuries to the minimum. Isn't that what you and Reflet always try to do when strategizing. Protecting the people and keeping your own soldiers alive. You can't try to do all of it. Even, I have to rely on others for things I can't do under circumstances. Doing things on your own won't always help you achieve your goals. Right now, leave your brother with Lissa and the others. We'll try to find the cure for this. That's our job, right?"

Robin thought for a bit and slowly nodded. Kamui watched as Lissa wiped the sweat of the patient's forehead when a familiar voice spoke up, ""The two at the entrance said it was an endemic disease."

They turned around to see Marth walking in as Virion said with a worried look, "So it seems."

Chrom gritted his teeth in frustration as he said, "Ugh... think there's nothing we can do..."

The wary knight looked at the woman in suspicion, "But Marth... what are you doing so deep in the mountains?"

"Frederick.", Xander said with a frown, "Now is not the time-"

"I followed you here.", the woman said calmly, "I heard you were fleeing from the Plegian army."

Chrom looked up in surprise, "You came to help us again?"

Marth nodded, "More importantly, this place is dangerous. The enemy is swiftly closing in. They'll be here within days. They are searching frantically for the prince of Ylisse and his companions."

"For Lord Chrom?!", the knight shouted in shock.

"Damn it!", Flavia said as she grimaced.

"But Reflet is in poor condition." Virion said anxiously.

Marth frowned as she said with confusion, "If it is an endemic disease, those who live here may know something about it. Are there any people living nearby?"

"There... is a small settlement.", Frederick sighed in frustration, "However..."

Chrom looked to the knight in confusion, "What? Why do you hesitate, Frederick?"

"The people who live near a village destroyed by war are most likely orphans or those who suffered otherwise. That is why, Chrom.", Leo said as he approached them, "They most likely want nothing to do with or have no sympathy for the Ylissean army and its royal family, right, Frederick?"

The knight nodded, "Yes. I doubt they would willingly cooperate with us."

"Whether or not they cooperate," Virion said, "It marks the end for us if they inform the Plegian army of our whereabouts. Though we are near the border, this is still Plegian territory."

"Then I will go alone!", Chrom said determinedly.

"And how will you do that?", Leo asked with a frown.

"I will conceal my lineage and make do somehow!", the Ylissean prince answered.

"Uh...I hate to break it to you," Takumi said as he grimaced at the thought, "but, even if you do that, it isn't going to help once you start talking. Gods, I really wish Mozu was here with us right now..."

"Or Elise.", Leo added with a frown, "She'd be able to get people to warm up and help much easier..."

Basilio gritted his teeth as he muttered, "If only we have more scouts or soldiers that could leave their post."

"Chrom." Kamui spoke up, "How about letting one of us go instead."

"Yes." Robin nodded as she stood up, "Let me go. I might be able to speak with them better."

"No." Leo responded shaking his head, "There's no doubt that Aversa already spotted you during the battle. I doubt she hadn't send out Grimleals to search for you yet."

"Please call Stahl."

"Reflet?!" Robin's eyes widen in surprise before she nodded and thought for a bit.

Then, she turned to Lissa, "Lissa could you come over here?"

"Huh?" the princess looked up, "O-Okay?"

Robin looked to Chrom with a nod.

"Huh?" Chrom raised a brow, "A-All right."

After minutes of calling the knight over, they gave the knight and the princess a few plegian clothing.

"Honestly, even at a time like this...", Chrom said in bewilderment, "You're really something, but why not call Donnel to help?"

Reflet shook his head, "I don't think that would work too well... since he never went undercover before..."

He then looked at his sister, "How is it?"

Smiling, Robin nodded, "This is perfect! The two of them look just like a married couple on a journey."

"R-really?" Stahl stammered in embarrassment in his clothing.

The princess giggled in excitement with her ordinary clothing and hair tied up under her headscarf, "Ehehe! It's fun wearing something different! What do you think, Lon'qu?"

The swordsman muttered something inaudible as he looked away. Frederick nodded his head with a hand on his chin, "I see. Takumi may be right. Even if Lord Chrom hides his lineage, his royal dignity cannot be concealed, and word will spread. And so the one to visit the village must be Stahl, who is completely unremarkable! As expected, Reflet! What a magnificent plan!"

The others nodded their heads in agreement as Lissa smiled in confusion, "Ahaha... is Chrom really that dignified?"

Walter smiled, "Sometimes, it could be hard to tell when you've been with the person longer than others."

"Oh."

Stahl, on the other hand, sighed in disappointment, "Hah... I almost feel insulted..."

Feeling sorry, Kamui patted the knight's back, "Just take it as a compliment. You know what we're trying to get across."

"Thanks…" Stahl sighed nodding his head in understanding, "But putting me aside, Lissa's the princess, you know?"

The princess best friend, Maribelle, nodded with a frown, "I reject this plan as well! What if she gets hurt?! Lissa, please don't go."

"Aw, you worry too much, Maribelle.", the princess said with a smile, "I'll be fine. I'm just going to talk with the villagers, that's all. I can handle it."

"I hope so.", Hinoka said with a frown and turned to the tacticians, "Are you sure about this? Reflet? Robin? Won't she get attacked if they find out?"

"No," Virion said with a confident smile, "even taking into account her station, Stahl would seem much less suspicious with a woman by his side."

He chuckled then turned to the disguised knight, "Either way, you are superbly qualified, Stahl."

The man sighed from the comments, or insults, "Yes, yes, is that so? Well, in any case, we're going."

Lon'qu muttered with a warning tone, "Make sure she gets back in one piece, got it?"

The man jumped before nodding his head vigorously in fear, "Y-yes, sir!"

Lissa giggled and said with a wave, ""Wait for us, Reflet! We'll definitely find a way to cure you!"

"Lissa, take care.", the wary knight said.

"Oh, please return as soon as you're done, Lissa treasure!" her best friend prayed nervously as she watched the princess take her leave with Stahl.

"Stay cautious, too.", Leo warned, "The last thing I need is to face someone and explain what happened."

"Huh?", Stahl said with a questioning look, "What about me?"

"Huh? Oh, you'll be fine.", Takumi said bluntly, "It's not like we need to worry about you with your role."

Stahl's slumped his shoulder as he sighed in disappointment, "Is that a compliment or another insult?..."

"Seriously…?" Stahl sighed.

Kamui shook his head, "Takumi, that's gong a little too far, don't you think? Either way, Lissa, Stahl, be careful."

Robin giggled, "Don't overdo it, you two."

"Okay!", the princess called out.

After watching the two leave, Reflet was already fast asleep on the bed. Frederick looked at the tactician anxiously, "Reflet has fallen asleep again."

Marth nodded, "Well then. I shall also depart."

"Oh?", Xander said with a frown, "Where will you be heading? You know that there are Plegians outside after us."

Hinoka nodded in agreement with a suspicious look as the swordswoman looked to them with her repaired mask in hand, "I will return to the mountain paths and delay the Plegian soldiers."

Chrom turned around in shock, "Alone? That' s impossible! It's too dangerous!"

"However, it is also true that we must buy time by some means.", Virion said with a nod of agreement, "Very well. I shall accompany you."

"You too, Virion?!", Takumi said in surprise.

The nobleman nodded with a smile, "I'm quite skilled at delaying tactics."

"Really?", Leo said in disbelief.

"No.", Marth said bluntly, "I can move more freely alone. Also, I have a comrade with me waiting outside. You stay here. Please protect them."

"H-hey! Marth!" Chrom called out desperately, "Wait! Do you want to die?!"

Kamui shook his head, "There are Plegan forces waiting outside in search of us."

"She could wait until the soldiers are few." Walter suggested.

Marth turned around and answered with a confident look, "It's all right. Rest assured, I will flee if I encounter trouble. And... I am not fated to die here."

She turned around and left the door despite the prince's attempt to stop her. Once gone, Frederick said with curiosity, "She left. Who in the world is she, I wonder? She is, of course, quite skilled, and I know she is a trustworthy warrior, but..."

"But right now, we have no choice but to rely on her.", Chrom finished the knight's sentence with a nod in acknowledgment of the woman's strength.

"I wonder who she is with though.", Leo said with a questioning look, "Also, from her personality, I find it hard to believe that she'd actually let someone join her party."

Xander nodded his head as he thought for a bit, "You don't think... No. The last we need is more of the children coming to this world to be in the middle of a war."

Hinoka nodded in agreement, probably, at the thought of their son, Seigbert, who they left in the castle with the other children. However, Kamui wasn't certain he would hope that wouldn't happen. After all, it's already occurred with Forrest and the other children.