Chapter 10

We continued our march in the morning and met up with Hierarch around midday. Well honestly, even if I didn't know he was a traitorous bastard, he kinda screamed sketchy. He was pretty shifty and nervous for a guy who was just meeting us on our way to the Eastern Palace.

How do people trust a guy like that? Unless of course he's always like that. How mad would they be if I just accidentally hit him with something heavy or sharp? I don't think upset would cover it. Well it's not like this ambush is going to work anyways. I should keep an eye on him anyways. Wait, what the hell is on his neck? No it can't be. I buried that last night! No way in hell is it mine... I was alone. He just happens to have two rings on a chain that's it...

"Fonzie? You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Sorry, I'm fine I just thought I saw something familiar."

"Those rings on his neck? They look exactly like the one's you normally wear. Which you happen to not be wearing today?"

"Perceptive as always. I buried them last night, figuring I shouldn't worry too much about those memories. I should make some instead. Not to mention they're coming back. Slowly but surely I'm starting to remember."

"Making some memories huh..."

"Well yeah, the past isn't going to change. I don't see the point on dwelling on what is done or what I can't change. Speaking of memories, I heard you and a certain prince had a bit of run in at the bathing tent last night..."

"H-H-How did you know about that?"

"Lissa was outside that tent the whole time. So? Did he really just happen to go in their or was something a little more intentional? I would imagine he's rather pleasing to the female palate. Not to mention, you were complaining about how Chrom didn't think of you as a woman. Maybe you're trying to change his mind? Pretty bold if you ask me."

"I-It was an accident! I would never do something like that! I mean I wish he would think of me as a …"

"As a what?"

"Nothing! Anyways, I suppose we could keep an eye on the Hierarch. There is a town before the canyon we are stopping at for the night. We can do some snooping to see how he got those. Oh, and don't tell anyone else we don't want them to get all riled up over what could be nothing."

Well it was fun while it lasted.

"Got it."

With that, she walked over to discuss something with Chrom. Looking over, I noticed the Hierarch giving me some sort of look. As soon as our eyes met, he turned and began a lively discussion with Emm.

Bastard...

-o-o-

The town was a busy one. Turns out it's a major trade hub between Eastern Ylisse and the rest of the country. We had some time to kill so the Shepherd's were given leave to explore the town while the Pegasus Knights would stay with the Exalt and do knightly things I suppose. It was lively, It reminded me do a street market I had been to during a foray into Mexico some time ago. It was pleasant, minus being accosted by some ladies of ill repute. Eventually, I found the bar and purchased some booze for a small experiment. Tucking the bottles into my bag I headed out to peruse once again. As soon as I went out the door I saw the Hierarch heading off towards the center of town. Without much thought, I followed him. It was a boring pursuit in every sense. He would stop at merchants stalls, chitchat, and rarely buy something.

Gods this is dreadful.

Eventually, we made our way back to the inn and he went inside, leaving me standing there chiding myself for wasting my time with him. I turned around and immediately bumped into someone.

"Sorry."

"It's alright."

With that the cloaked figure was gone, lost among the crowd.

That was weird. Must be in a hurry. Seemed kinda familiar though... Meh.

I walked into the inn and sat down at a nearby table. The only other occupants appeared to be some Pegasus Knights, eating and chatting. I ordered a bit of food and began to wait.

Well following the Hierarch didn't get me anywhere. Maybe it's just a coincidence he has some rings on a chain. He could have had a wife who passed or something. That look he was giving me earlier thought...

"Shepherd!"

"Captain Phila. What can I do for you today? Don't tell me Her Grace snuck away again?"

Fonzie why don't you think before you open your trap?

"No, I just wanted to thank you for your assistance last night, and for your discretion in this matter. I would not want Lord Chrom to think us incapable of caring for her."

"It was my pleasure to help out Captain. If you ever need help again, don't hesitate to look me up. Oh, and I might even do it for free." I said with a wink.

"I'll consider your offer. Have a nice day Shepherd."

I feel like she purposely avoids using my name...

With that she went over to her knights and sat down to eat. Not long after, my food came and I began to eat. I was almost too busy to notice the Hierarch going out the door.

It should be fine, I'm sure the ambush is already planned out...

-o-o-

That moron is late. Doddering old fool can't even be bothered to show up on time. Here he comes.

"You're late."

"It was crowded. Had to make sure I wasn't being followed."

Like how you didn't notice him following you for half the afternoon.

"Anyways, good job on getting him to notice the rings."

"Yes, of course. Why is this important?"

"It doesn't matter. Now you need to give them back to him."

"How? Just walk up to him? I doubt that would work."

I haven't been able to let loose in quite a while.

"Don't worry I've got an idea or two."

-o-o-

Finishing my dinner, I went up into the room I was sharing with Ricken. He wasn't in there, probably off with Donny exploring the town some more. Figuring that I had nothing better to do I headed to bed and promptly fell asleep.

"Wak... ..p!"

"Five more minutes..."

"Get up!"

"Fine."

I sat up and looked around. Pyrrha was standing in front of me with a strange look on her face.

"Whats up?"

"The Hierarch's been murdered."

"What?!"

"He was found disemboweled with a sword in his chest among other things. It wasn't pleasant by any means. The most interesting find was this letter attached to the sword."

She handed the note. It had my full name on it and even had a wax seal on it. The seal was an eye with what seemed like a drop of something falling off the middle of it.

Creepy.

I opened up the letter and the rings fell into my lap. Giving them a once over, I began to read the contents of the letter.

Heya Fonzie,

I hope you enjoyed my little surprise. I might have gotten a bit carried away though. Hope you don't mind. I was a little angry that you were with that strumpet and then you buried those rings and seeing them on him just drove me right over the edge. I did give them to him though... Hmm... I guess it's too late to apologize. Any who, I just wanted to say hi. Also, IF YOU EVER GET RID OF THOSE RINGS AGAIN, I WON'T LEAVE THEM WITH SOME DODDERING OLD FOOL. I might just leave them on that little tactician friend of yours or maybe that Exalt you seem so fond of.

Hugs and Kisses,

Your friend in the cloak

P.s. I love what you did with your hair.

I sat there for a few seconds trying to process what the hell I just read. I handed the letter to Pyrrha and she read it over and had the same look on her face that I'm sure I had.

"It might go without saying, but this person isn't my friend."

"I don't doubt that, but how does this person know you?"

"Beats the hell out of me."

"Well Chrom and the others know about the Hierarch, but I didn't tell them about the letter. I figured you should read it first."

"If this person is after me, maybe I should go."

"I don't think that would be wise. There is safety in numbers, not to mention this person seemed to want you to keep those rings on your person. It's probably safe to guess that they will leave everyone alone if you keep them with you."

"Fine, just show that to Chrom and the others. They can decide what to do with me. I may as well tag along and get the verdict in person."

"If that's what you want."

A few minutes later we were downstairs at a corner table. This group consisted of Pyrrha, Chrom, Frederick, Phila, and Emm. They each took turns reading the letter. As soon as it was read by the last, Frederick immediately kicked it off.

"I think Alfonso should leave. He is clearly a danger to us."

"I would be inclined to agree with Frederick. This Shepherd should not be near the Exalt."

"The letter clearly gives the author's desire, strange as it may be. I believe that as long as he complies, we should be fine."

"What makes you so sure Pyrrha?"

"The fact that this person instead of going after one of the others mentioned in this letter, they did this to the Hierarch. While horrid, I think the point was to get Fonzie to wear the rings. Judging by the contents of the letter it's probably safe to assume that this person is watching us. We can assume that based on previous activity, as long as we behave normally, that this stranger will simply continue to observe. This leaves us the chance to tighten up the watch and possibly catch them. If we send Fonzie away we give up our only chance of catching the murderer."

"Pyrrha has a point. Fonzie is the only lead we have on this killer. If we let him go we lose any chance at justice. I agree that he should stay."

"But Milord!"

"That is my choice Frederick. That makes us two in favor and two against. Emm, the tie will be broken by you."

Everyone looked at her expectantly. I sat there pondering if I should leave anyway, regardless of the verdict.

Pyrrha's logic is sound, but that letter didn't exactly give off the impression that this person was stable in any sense of the word. Will they really stay and observe? Wait! Friend in the cloak? Could they be the same person I ran into near Themis? Probably, I hope I don't have more than one stalker...

"He has so done much for us. I do not wish to cast him out based on the actions of others. I cannot in good conscious tell him to leave. He may remain with us as long as he chooses to."

"Well that settles it, nice to still have you on board Fonzie."

"Yeah, while you guys were discussing, I remembered something, I ran into a cloaked person in Themis. It was while they were kidnapping Maribelle. He saved me from getting butchered by some Plegians, then he proceeded to give me a nice stab in the shoulder and boot in the arse. If this person is stalking me, it might be one and the same."

"So you just happen to remember that now?"

"Sorry Freddy Bear, it's not like I had bigger things to worry about. Like I don't know, the Duke of Themis' daughter being kidnapped by Plegians. It probably didn't help that I got floored by the blacksmith either. So forgive me for not remembering something so inconsequential in comparison at the time."

"I think it sounds like a load of pegasu-"

"That's enough out of both of you. I would hope that you could show some restraint in such a public place."

"Forgive me Milord."

"Sorry Boss. If you folks don't mind, I'm gonna go clear my head. If you would all excuse me."

With that, I left the table and headed out into the town. With no particular destination in mind, I simply walked.

Dammit Frederick! What the hell did I ever do to you? Even before this crap you've had it out for me. I just don't know how get you to trus... Well frankly, he doesn't have any real reason to, and he shouldn't. I can't imagine what they would say if they knew that I have been sitting on the fact that Emm won't survive this war. I never should have talked to you in the first place Emm. Your not just a name and face anymore. I just don't know if I can sacrifice..."

"Alfonso?"

"What? Hello E- Your Grace. If I might be so bold and judging by your lack of escort, I would assume you snuck away again."

"Guilty I'm afraid."

Jesus that smile.

"Listen, I'm sorry for what happened to the Heirarch."

"Why? You did not do anything wrong."

"No, I might not have done something directly, but this person is after me. He killed the Heirarch because he wanted to get to me. It's quite frankly my fa-"

"You should not take responsibility for what you cannot control. Blaming yourself will not get you anywhere."

He helped her rule when she was younger. They must have been pretty close. She's probably pretty sad about all this. Yet, she's here comforting me. How can she be so strong? Okay, let's not add anymore to her burden.

"Alright, and thanks Emm. I really needed that."

"Your very welcome."

"Since your already out and about, how about we take a look around the town? I hear it's pretty lively around here at night."

"I would enjoy that."

With that we off to peruse the town. Some of the vendors were still out, so we perused and I haggled with a few of them. Much to my detriment, Emm was quite willing to pay the original price. In short, I never did win against them. It was fun though, she didn't seem to get out much or at least out without a full contingent of knights around her. Eventually, we ended up at the square. A group of folks were playing some music and the others seemed to be having a grand old time. Almost immediately, Emm started to drag me towards the group.

"Hold on, I don't know how to dance!"

At least not how these guys are doing it.

"I hope you can learn fast."

For once, I didn't have a retort. It might have been how happy she seemed. It was disarming. The people seemed to know who she was but, they acted no differently as they would to another.

They must really love her and she really loves them. These people are pretty darn lucky to have her for a ruler.

And so the night progressed. Despite my two left feet, I found myself having more fun that I could remember. For a little while, it all seemed so far away. My missing memories, the cloaked person, the war, and everything else was gone, replaced by all of this joy and reverie. Unfortunately, it had to come to end, as the musicians played their last and gave a fond goodnight. We departed as well, figuring that hopefully we could get back before anyone noticed.

I doubt it though.

We made it back to the inn without incident.

"Here we are Emm."

"Thank You Alfonso. I had a nice time."

"I should be thanking you. I really needed that. To just let loose and have fun. You should probably head up Emm. Phila is probably beside herself right now."

"Of course. Your right. I should go."

Stop her... Let her go...This could go south. To hell with it.

"Emm wait."

Throwing all caution to the wind, I leaned forward as she turned around, and I planted one right on her lips. She seemed surprised, but almost immediately she went with it. After a bit, I pulled away, blushing like a fool.

"Sorry."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a mercenary, and you're... well... ruler of a country. I should know my place."

"Look at me."

As I looked up, she kissed me, more fervently than I had kissed her. Afterwords, I just stood their dumbfounded, my brain was off, capable of nothing more that staring at her like a slack jawed fool.

"A person's worth is not determined by birth. It is their deeds that give them worth. I wish you would stop being so hard on yourself Alfonso. You're a wonderful person. I wish you would see that, because I do. Have a good night Alfonso."

With that she went inside the inn. I stood there thinking about what she had said to me. I honestly didn't think I was that transparent, but she hit the nail on the head. I had always second guessed myself. I always was super critical of everything I did or thought. No matter what, I was never good enough for me. I always found something to bring myself down. It probably wasn't healthy, but that was who I was.

"Shepherd!"

"Captain? What can I do for you on this fine evening."

Ignoring my question, she pinned me against the wall and leaned in until we were about nose to nose.

"You might be little forward for my tastes Captain."

"You will stay away from the Exalt Shepherd. Is that understood? She may have allowed you to stay, but that does not change the fact that you are a danger. If you continue with this, you may force my hand."

Well let me tell you something sweetheart.

"Let me cut you in on something, I could give a damn about what you think. If she's in any danger, I will protect her from it. You can either deal with it, or shove it. I'm not going anywhere Phila."

She let go of me and walked into the inn saying:

"You've been warned Shepherd."

A/N: Well folks that's it for today. I managed to squeeze this in between studying for two tests and working on project that's all happening this week. I think I also have two more tests next week along with another project due. It's been a pretty busy semester so far and I'm only taking about 15 hours this semester figuring I would take an chill semester before the inevitable hell that will be junior year. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and leave a review.

-DF