Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem
The Ageless Palace, the Millennium Court, or just the Holy Archanean Palace. Navarre have heard numerous names for the legendary halls of the Archanean palace. On the rare occasion the swordsman decided to talk to fellow travelers at an inn, he would hear them would rave about such a place. Of course not many have actually entered, Navarre was sure he would never have the chance so he payed little attention.
But now, standing just inside the main gate of the fabled palace, even he, the stoic wanderer, was captivated by the very threads that embroidered the silk curtains. As much as he detested being distracted, it was an improvement from ten minutes ago.
After the capture of Knorda market, it had started raining. Only it didn't rain in Archanea, it poured. Literally as if some bored goddess decided to tip a huge bucket of water over on her creations. One moment Navarre had been looking at storm clouds, the next second his clothes have been soaked clean through. Now that wasn't even the problem, he hadn't minded the free shower. Except the fact that he was drenched made him consider cutting his hair. Long wet hair is very annoying when it keeps getting into his face, truth was the only fact that the red swordsman had that length of hair was because in his profession, you can't always bother with how you look.
"W-who are you? This is a peaceful village!" a villager demanded, his voice shook a little but he stood tall.
"I am only passing through." Navarre's voice was shallow from disuse.
The villager narrowed his eyes and looked carefully at the swordsman. "You know, this one looks kind of familiar. Yeah, he reminds me of a little boy that use to live here, actually this one look just like him. It's just the hair that isn't right, it's too long." he muttered to himself inaudibly. "Poor boy, no one has seen him for so long, everyone says he's dead."
Navarre stood perfectly still looking at the old villager, he contemplated leaving now. But villagers are strange, they are easily alarmed. Best to make them believe that he truly had nothing to hide.
"Please child, if it wouldn't hurt to ask. What's your name?" the old man asked.
"...Navarre."
The old villager's eyes grew to the size of Altean dates, which were the size of shriveled apples that were left on a counter top all summer, in other words, Altea had over sized fruit.
"You must have me mistaken." Navarre held up a hand in farewell and disappeared like smoke. He would never make the mistake of passing through his home town again...willingly anyway, you can never promise anything.
"Hey, did you hear? There are Archanean knights held prisoner in the palace." Ogma's booming voice jolted Navarre out of his thoughts. "Why? They should have been executed." Navarre replied a tad annoyed.
"Ah, who knows, maybe as bait? But Prince Marth wants to rescue them for the Archanean princess. His plan's pretty good." at this mention Navarre raised an eyebrow his interest sparked. "He plans on using some kind of magic-ever hear of Warp staves?-and sending a couple of mounted units over there. Scouts say there are mages and archers but cavaliers are mobile. Prince Marth figures that we can move fast enough that if the warpees are injured they can come back for aid." Ogma concluded.
Navarre nodded slowly, it was a good plan but he wasn't satisfied with the prisoners. "The forces behind this don't understand, so far, leaving things alive have caused them much misfortune." he explained slowly.
"By the way, you know you're staying here." Ogma said.
"What?"
"Scouts have reported some number of reinforcements, it's a wonder we didn't encounter them on our way here. A small group is suppose to stay behind to deal with them. This is a good place, lots of pillars and corridors, like hide-and-seek." Ogma grinned as if immersed in some childhood memory. "But one thing, I'm going to need to borrow your Wyrmslayer, manakete up ahead y'know?"
Navarre handed the jagged blade over hilt first without hesitation.
"But on the upside the convoy has something for you, go fetch your stuff." with that Ogma gave Navarre a clap on the back that could snap your spine in half and left to take his position.
The armorer was already prepared when the swordsman approached him.
"Take a look at this blade, it's called a Zanbato. Bit of a foreigner, ever seen one before?"
"Horse-Feller."
"Yes, been called that too. It's also been called the Long Sword for some reason or another. Well, make good use of it." the armorer tossed the sword.
Navarre caught it expertly and nodded his thanks. Back at his position he looked at the hilt of the Zanbato. There was a little horse carved on it, along with some pansy flowers. A vine curled around the handle and even sported a tiny jay. It made you wonder why someone would carve something so peaceful on a weapon.
Leaning against a pillar Navarre listened to the talk of the soldiers around him.
"Heh, I can't wait till after the battle, that stuff at breakfast was good, hope we have the same thing for lunch."
"Yeah, I hope we get a break afterwards, I hear that Archanean women are especially beautiful."
"I need a new lance after this, my steel one is starting to wear out."
"D'ya think it's a good idea to warp Pegasus knights over? There are archers."
"Yeah but there are mages too, the cavaliers will take out the archers fast."
Navarre leaned further back against the pillar and shut his eyes. He had often done this before, it was an alternative to sleeping. There was few instances were he could actually sleep as much as he liked. But if it meant staying alive, he wouldn't complain.
"Horsemen! The Grustian Royal Guard!" a soldier yelled, he was stumbling a little, must've been a long run back. Several people drew back a little, they looked at each other in anxiety.
"Scared?" Navarre's even voice echoed into the silence.
Several people turned at the unfamiliar voice. Shaking his head a little Navarre bypassed them and walked to the entrance. Horsemen were indeed coming, a whole pack. They were close enough so that Navarre could see the small Grustian emblem etched on their armor. One of them fired an arrow, Navarre tilted his head a little and the shaft passed an inch over his shoulder.
Even the most organized battallion cannot stay in complete straight lines once they've started riding. As the first horseman neared Navarre ran forward and sliced, the Zanbato cut through horse, reins, leather, flesh.
Foot soldiers were mixed in with the horsemen, the Royal Guard. Navarre found himself surrounded by four soldiers. The first one swung at him and missed, Navarre back slashed swiftly moving with ease. In a flash all four soldiers lay crumpled on the ground.
Without a break in pattern Navarre casually flicked in sword cutting the saddle straps of a horsemen coming from behind. Turning he severed the rider in one fluid motion.
Out of the corner of his eye Navarre saw a flash of robes. He stopped for a half moment, just long enough to see Father Wrys being menaced by spears.
A flash of light and two soldiers crumpled to the ground.
Wrys wasted no time getting behind the lines, that warranted some respect.
"Get back to the main force!" Draug yelled. The armored knights must not be needed in the front anymore.
Shrugging Navarre complied, although the main force probably didn't need them.
Half way down the corridor he passed by a gilded gate that had been unlocked. A yell came from inside along with the clanking of armor. The thief Rickard was hunched over a chest with a General looming over him.
Navarre headed over casually, it wouldn't hurt the kid to have caution scared into him. Just as the General's lance was about to gut Rickard, Navarre pulled him back. Actually he lifted the little thief off the floor by the back of his shirt and set him to the side like a doll. Rickard was either small for his age or severely under weight, he could be lifted with one hand.
Unsheathing his Armorslayer Navarre rushed at the General. He swiftly dodged a thrust and sent for the spaces between armor plates. Two well aimed blows and the bulk of armor settled on the floor.
"Back to what you were doing." he advised Rickard.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. Anyway I've been watching the two episodes that make up the Fire Emblem anime. If anyone has ever seen the second episode can you explain to me what Navarre's nightmare was about? I don't get it, first he was surrounded by soldiers then some woman got killed and he was pretty upset. They didn't show that he was a kid at the time or anything so I don't get it. Any clear up would be welcome.