Soleil and Olivia - Swords and Smiles
Day 14, afternoon
News of the Shepherd's invasion spread throughout Valm like wildfire. Soldier, citizen, and captive alike shared thoughts of what changes the Ylissean militia would bring to the mainland.
"Some of the traitor Chon'sin have left their assignments, and their swarming towards the Shepherds by the hundreds. Why is that?"
In a small tavern sitting in a smaller town, one could observe a couple off-duty guards chatting with the barkeep over a few glasses of ale.
"Beats me," one of the guards replied, shaking his head. "Princess Say'ri is still alive, and that means that their way of life has hope yet, even if they're conquered. With so many Chon'sin fleeing their posts, the Valmese Imperial Army may turn the Loyalist Chon'sin to captives or laborers instead..."
"Keep it down," the other guard warned, looking around. "Unlikely as it may be, there could be spies in this building... But he's right. The Chon'sin in particular are very proud of their culture. If there's just a speck of a chance that they may live on, then they might just take it."
"Even against Walhart's legions?" the barkeep asked.
"Especially against them. They won't last long without help, though. With the Grimleal, bandits, and Risen running amok, anyone's best hope is with Walhart and his strength. Any group else isn't gonna last too long in this crazy world."
"Phew! We chased those brigands off! That's right you savages! Run... Run!"
A small band of mercenaries panted against the sunset, cheering in exhaustion as their task seemed to be completed.
"G-good... it's over! I told you guys we could d-do it," a young woman grinned despite her fatigue, bracing the wall. Taking a seat, she stretched out her legs and wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve.
"No kidding," another swordsman laughed, taking a seat next to her. "When you showed up looking for work, we had our doubts. Ill-placed ones, I'll now admit. Where in the world did you learn the blade, miss?" Following their leader's cue, the two other mercenaries sank against the wall, away from the town's interior.
Gulping, the girl laughed nervously as she shook her head. "You... wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Ah c'mon. I've heard stranger stories-"
"No, really, I-"
"That's alright," another mercenary interrupted, "We each have our own tales to share and secrets to keep. Your actions spoke for yourself out there."
"T-thanks."
"Speaking of actions, Dieck, Gerik, go check on Raven. He's probably more upset that he missed out on the fun, but just make sure he's still in the good cleric's care and not running off again."
Nodding, the two men rose to their feet, walking into the town to check on their fellow swordsman. With just the two of them left, the leader faced the girl passively.
"So, Soleil, was it?"
"Y-yeah..." the girl responded, not as confidently as she would've been.
"You're pretty good with the blade, not to mention you got energy and spirit in spades. What do you say about joining up with us, full-time? We could use an extra hand."
"I... Well, Mr. Ogma, I'd love to..."
"But," Ogma anticipated, his face blank.
"But... I've got a mission of my own. I'm looking for my father and mother... To be honest, I just needed a few coins to pay for food and rent, and you seemed like good honest people to work for..."
"..."
"I'm sorry that I can't, I'd really like to but-"
"...I can respect that, kid. That's a pretty noble mission to take," Ogma decided. "Do you have any leads?"
Soleil sighed in relief, wiping her sweaty hair away as she looked at the ring dangling on a chain around her neck.
"Just this. My father kept this before he gave it to me, and he wore it when my grandmother gave it to him before she died... or so the story goes, at least."
"That's a mighty fine piece of work, right there," Ogma appraised, staring intently at the golden ring. "It's got House Ylisse's insignia on it. Were they nobles, by chance?"
"My father and mother both served siblings of a royal house, that's all I can remember," Soleil admitted. "I haven't the faintest idea who, though..." Suddenly she smiled, her face lighting up with hope.
"But one day, I'll find them," she reassured herself. "I'm here and I'm breathing, and that's reason enough to keep searching! After all, I've only been in the area for two weeks, and I've yet to even get to the other continent!"
"Well, if the ring has that insignia on it, you might have better luck crossing the pond to Ylisse."
"With the war going on? I... I found myself here not by chance, Mr. Ogma."
"By chance? What do you mean by that? Where were you born and raised?"
"...A lot of different places. I haven't been to Ylisse in my life."
"..."
"Sorry if I'm coming off as weird, y'know? I just... can't piece together my life that well without answers."
"Well, kid, you're welcome to stick around until you find a more solid lead."
"R-really? Thank you, Mr. Ogma!"
"But," Ogma replied, adding in a caveat, "I'm expecting you to pull your weight around our group. We watch each other's backs out here. I expect no less from you, young lady."
"Y-yes sir! I..." Soleil replied, her smile back to its usual intensity. However, it faded as she squinted off into the distance. Ogma followed her gaze, frowning at the sight. Dozens of men, armed, cresting the horizon. Several were mounted, and a few archers and mages could be seen among their number too.
"...And just when I thought we earned a break," Ogma sighed, getting up slowly and drawing his sword. "We need to regroup in the buildings. Probably might have to call in the town guard too. Damn, just when I thought we'd get a massive payday."
"But Dieck, Raven and Gerik!"
"I did say retreat. We'll find them on the way, or vice versa," Ogma clarified, looking into the town for a chokepoint to hold out in.
"We'll lure them into the alleyways. C'mon, Soleil. Work's not over yet!"
Day 14, nightfall
"So, this is the Great Gate," Chrom noted, walking alongside Olivia and Robin on the trail. They were a quite a few miles north of the Valmese Harbor, as the Shepherds had backtracked to regroup with the main Feroxian force and other Chon'sin turncoats.
"It's certainly Great," Robin announced, earning a sigh for Chrom and his wife.
"The tactician that won the Plegian war... Not even the subtlest detail can hide from him."
Robin ignored the jab, turning as he heard Corrin walk up to him, whispering something in his ear and pointing past the wood line..
"I originally planned for us to head through their by tonight. But..." Robin turned his head, pointing to a small town a few miles left of the gate, the same place Corrin had gestured to, "My sharp-eyed partner suggests we can stop there for the night."
"I'd like that," Olivia admitted. "I'm s-sorry to be a bother, but my legs are killing me!"
"The sentiment is shared," the three others replied simultaneously.
"That settles it. We're gonna try to stop here for the night," Robin ordered. "With luck, we might find an inn with enough rooms for all of us."
"We may have to earn it," Corrin gasped, pointing to the distance. Her sharp eyes could see to a degree that no one else could match, and she pointed out a small fight going down near the town's' gate. "There's people in trouble near the entrance! They need our help!"
"And -HA! And here I thought they were running off," Ogma sighed, holding down the fort alongside Dieck and Gerik.
Raven was limping too severely to swing a sword, but he made the most of his shield as arrows flew towards his sheltered position in an adjacent alley. Behind him, the same cleric that was healing him cowered in fear, all the while trying to get her patient to a more useful state.
"They -HYA! Just wanted to bring friends to the party!" Soleil replied, parrying a blow before kicking the bandit away.
"Where's the damn town guard? They hire us to help them protect the town and then they bolt at the first sign of actual trouble?"
"It's too late to ask for help anyhow," Soleil shot back, a confident smile still on her face. "We beat these clowns once, w-what's stopping us from doing so again?"
"I'm tired, for one," Dieck whispered under his breath.
"The girl's certainly a spry one, boss," Gerik laughed, dodging a swipe and countering with one with his own. "Her smile's contagious. Makes it easier to keep a level head despite the odds."
"Eep!" The cleric jumped back as an arrow skimmed the top of Raven's shield, embedding itself in his shoulder. With a yelp, Raven recoiled backwards, still managing to keep his shield outstretched, only for another arrow to hit the same spot making him hiss in pain as he fell to the ground on instinct.
"H-help!"
Thinking brashly, Soleil, the closest one to the cleric, leaped from alley to alley, dodging arrows as she picked her Raven's shield. Even as arrows pinged off her white shoulderguard, Soleil's smile, as infectious as it was, did little to alleviate the panic from the cleric's face.
"C'mon, miss! I'll handle these archers, you focus on healing Raven!" Panicking even more at Soleil's bright attitude despite getting shot at, the healer hid even further behind the wall, the staff trembling in her hands.
"I... I-I..."
"Shh," Soleil whispered, trying her best to drown out the chaos around the two as she took a risk, turning her head away from the archers for a few seconds. "It's going to be okay. I'l keep you safe, alright? Don't worry. Even if I die, at least I'll be dying to the sight of a lovely face! So promise me that my last moments won't be spent staring at tears and worries, alright? That would be bad..."
"..."
"Er, was that weird?"
"Y-yeah..." But surely enough, the cleric smiled humorously, the staff in her hands steadying as more and more power was able to be channeled. "Be safe!"
"That's what I like to see!"
Smiling widely, Soleil turned her head back, just in the nick of time too: an arrow embedded itself in the ground and nearly through her foot, had she not jumped.
"Okay then," she whispered, so only she could hear. "Let's do this! Maybe if I keep her safe, she'll accept to tea with me later on! Ooh! Maybe even a kiss on the cheek? Nah, that's a little too much to ask for."
"Bandits, quite a few of them too," Chrom scouted, sighing as he quietly drew Falchion from its sheath. "This 'coastal-patrol-route' certainly isn't uneventful."
"Hush, you," Robin hissed, watching the mercenaries and trying to differentiate potential friends from definite foes.
"..."
"It's too dark to tell," he admitted after a few seconds. "We may have to ask them-"
"Six of them," Corrin clarified, her eyes gleaming in the dark. "They're in two groups of three... One's injured, and one's just a healer. We should meet up, and quickly."
"Okay," Chrom affirmed, looking to his side to see Olivia, Lucina, and Laslow ready to go. "Let's move."
"Reinforcements! About time..." Chrom heard one of the mercenaries say, even as he waved towards the Shepherds and beckoned them into their alley.
"W-wait, you're not the town guard," he noted upon taking a good look at the Exalt in front of him. "What kind of weird clothes..."
"Careful there. My friend here takes great pride in his quirky style decisions," Robin defended, laughing as he extended his hand in greeting.
"Dieck, one of five in this small mercenary band. To whom do I owe the pleasure?"
Robin turned to Chrom quickly, and the latter nodded.
"We're... the Ylissean league. Looks like you could use a little help."
"The Ylissean League? Well... whoa, small world we live in. But don't mind me. About the 'help,' it would be appreciated, please," Dieck admitted, turning back to Gerik and Ogma, who were still being suppressed to the extent that they couldn't peek out of the alley lest an arrow come flying into their head.
"Alright then. What's the plan?" Corrin wondered, looking to her cloaked counterpart for guidance. However, her answer came from Chrom, not Robin.
"Robin, try that magical barrier thing you've been working on to protect us from those arrows. Olivia? Stay with Robin, make sure he doesn't tire out. Laslow, Lucina, Corrin? We'll charge the archers in the confusion. Don't overextend ourselves, there's too many for us to take on at once in the open."
Pleased at seeing Chrom field an effective strategy, Robin nodded as he channeled a light purple aura from his hands, the barrier wavering and humming as it spread until it formed an aegis-like projection a little more than ten feet across. Pointing it towards the alley-way's opening, Robin quickly turned the corner and knelt, lowering his own visual profile as he obscured the archer's vision and lines of fire with his own spell.
"It's working! Go! Go!" he shouted, turning his head for a split second to signal Corrin and the rest. Arrows flew into his spell but were quickly deflected, clattering to the ground harmlessly even as Robin's arms began to numb from exertion. "Hurry up!"
Robin ducked his head as Lucina and Laslow ran by either side of him, drawing their blades even as the archers started to back up. Chrom and Corrin followed right behind, Yato and Falchion shining in anticipation. Not more than a second passed before Robin's arms dropped, the tactician nearly blacking out from exhaustion as Olivia dragged him back into the alleyway. By then, the archers had stopped firing, mostly because of the four swordsman running straight at them.
"Huh? They stopped shooting."
Soleil peeked over her shield from her kneeling position, feeling pride in the multitude of scrapes along the metal's surface. What used to be seven or eight archers were now... more mercenaries? Well, whatever they were, they weren't Gerik, Raven, Dieck, or Ogma. Two of the newcomers were women, and three of the four had dark blue hair that seemed really familiar somehow.
"Looks like they've ran off or something," she sighed, relaxing as she staggered back to Raven and the cleric. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yes, thank you."
"Hmph," Raven groaned, closing his eyes and silently stifling his pain.
"H-heh," Soleil giggled, turning away from the cleric and the mercenary to look back at the four newcomers.
Or six.
One of them had a messy head of white hair and the other...
"Whoa... she's... beautiful."
"Neat trick your friend pulled out there," Ogma greeted, shaking Chrom's hand as the two groups sat down in the safety of the alley. "I've never seen a magic spell stop arrows."
"I couldn't even last four seconds," Robin admitted, wincing immediately after at the innuendo-esque phrasing. Chrom and Laslow chuckled a little, promptly turning to each other in embarrassment, forcing Olivia and Lucina to scoff at the men's immaturity. Corrin just stared blankly as the punchline flew over her head.
"Nevertheless, you have our thanks and our humble greetings, friends. Name's Ogma, leader of this fine mercenary band here."
"What was the issue with the bandits?" Ogma scoffed, looking at his crew before answering Chrom's question.
"The town guard needed 'reinforcements' because bandit raids were getting more frequent. Turns out, they were just cowards who happened to have large sums of gold to spare. Naturally, mercenaries that we are, we took the work, not expecting something this severe. As much as the payday could have been worth, I would have pulled out and avoid getting my men turned into pincushions. I don't think we could've handled that group without help, so thanks. Again."
"You downplay your talents," Robin noted. "You four fought valiantly. And you..." he turned to Soleil suddenly, causing the girl to flush at the sudden attention.
"Aha, don't pick on Soleil," Ogma chuckled, patting her back roughly. "She just joined up today, actually. She's as brave as they come. Granted, it's a stupid brave, but brave nonetheless."
Chrom and Robin noticed Laslow flinch at the name drop, but as he returned to his normal composure after a beat, they dismissed the notion without a second thought.
"I'd say. Standing in front of two of your own with nothing but that small shield in the way of eight archers. You must have insane luck to have not been hit."
"That's Raven's job, not mine," Soleil laughed, promptly being met with a scowl from the injured mercenary.
"Still. It's good we showed up when you did. The odds didn't look too great, and it's good to see you all safe."
"I suppose you and yours are visiting the town for..."
"To rest," Chrom dropped quickly, earning a glance from Robin.
"So trusting," the tactician sighed, barely a whisper to anyone else.
"Luckily for all of us, the inn should be more welcoming of our actions than the town guard. I'd say there's enough rooms for all of your men and women to bunk down."
"That sounds wonderful," Corrin sighed in relief.
"Well, I suppose this is where we split paths, Lord Chrom. While I like to stay out of political influence, I'd say what you're doing is right. Hell, as ruler of Ylisse, it's incredible."
"My sister was a far different ruler than I. I only do things in the way I know how. We'll see how my reign treats Ylisse in the end," Chrom admitted solemnly, bowing his head.
"Speaking of... Soleil!"
The girl immediately stood up, looking at Ogma who then pointed to Chrom. Immediately, the six Shepherds' hands flew to their swords, but were quickly stopped when Soleil pulled out the ring from under her doublet.
"Ah, right! I was hoping you could help me identify this, seeing that you're Ylissean and all," she stammered, unaware that she had almost been skewered in six different places.
Silently, she gave the ring to Chrom, who gasped and showed it to Olivia. Both nobles paled in a result, quickly turning to Laslow and Lucina for guidance.
"T-this was... er, is, my wedding ring," Chrom whispered, looking at Soleil and Olivia, noting the similar headbands they shared.
"Soleil," Olivia asked slowly, standing up to look the mercenary in the eye, not seeing any brand of the Exalt like Laslow and Lucina had, "Where did you get this?"
"...My mother gave it to me," she responded, nervously backing away.
"That can't be right..." Lucina wondered, not recognizing the girl despite the familiar ring she carried. "Where are you from?"
"You... wouldn't believe me if I told you," Soleil repeated, feeling nervous under the pressure.
"Try us," Robin gambled. "I bet our story's better."
Soleil sighed, sitting back down and gently picking the ring from Chrom's stunned hand.
"I... I don't remember much. My head's scrambled even now, but I remember living in a cold castle underneath dark skies. The only things that seemed to light up were my mother's and father's smiles. They were always so... happy. But then suddenly, and I don't remember how, I woke up in a nearby village. After scrounging together some gear, I found myself in Valm. I..."
"This... dark castle," Laslow gulped, darting a glance to Chrom nervously. "Do you remember where it was?"
"Some city or such... it was called Nohr."
"I-I see," Laslow whispered nervously, now looking at Corrin.
"And your mother?"
"A... princess by the name of... of- ah! Felicia! There we go. Why do you ask?"
"Were we to have a daughter... Felicia and I decided on the name... Soleil."
Day 15, morning
The mercenary was supposed to get some potions in the town the Shepherds had stopped in, but there was a certain cleric that Soleil had hoped to meet up with before they departed. At this rate, she would just have to abandon her primary objective and settle for taking the potions back to camp! Watching the townspeople blankly pass by her, Soleil's hopes dropped.
Darn! All these lazy people and not one of them are thankful for us protecting them! Don't they know who we are?
Sighing at herself, Soleil took a break from patrolling the Valmese shore-town and made her way to an unused table. Cradling her head in her hands and blowing her lips in boredom, her attention sank into the doldrums, thinking of yesterday.
"I'm a princess? But I like being just Soleil. Strange... why can't I remember anything? All I can recall is the last two weeks in Valm, and hardly anything's happened except for my little adventure yesterday."
Ogma and his mercenaries decided to stay in the town, having been hired by the town's leader in the place of their mediocre town guard. With that being said, Ogma, Dieck, Gerik, Raven and now Priscilla, the cleric from before would stay there for the indefinite future.
I guess my efforts paid off in the end, right? At least she's safe. And who would've guessed that Raven was the brother she was looking for? Now I'm really glad I kept them safe.
Her vision only perked when a dash of pink crossed her otherwise uneventful periphery.
Turning to face the exciting anomaly, the teenager was met with the very attractive, very cute dancer from yesterday night. The pink in her vision belonged to the exotic ponytail the woman sported, sharing the shade with that of Soleil's own head. Now that it was day, she could see that Olivia's light clothing left absolutely nothing to bare, and Soleil found herself staring a lot more than she should've. Not that that was an entirely unpleasant thing.
Recognizing her as one of the Ylisseans, Soleil jumped up to greet her new comrade but stopped, having lost recollection of Olivia's title. As tempting as it was to just come on strong and get right to business, the Nohrian girl instead took a more subtle approach. Soleil merely bumped into her and with a mock face of shock, helped herself in bending over to help pick up anything the pink-haired woman had dropped.
Stuttering over herself and backing away, the woman looked at Soleil before bowing her head, frowning all the while.
"Oh, excuse me! Are you okay?"
"Of course, miss," Soleil giggled, loving the sound of her target's voice. It was so light and gentle and...
Squealing wouldn't be very befitting of her at the moment, so she went back to the conversation at hand.
"Wait, y-you're the mercenary from yesterday, right? What w-was it..."
And... an opening.
"Soleil!"
"So...leil?"
"Uh-huh! It's a pleasure to formally meet one as beautiful as yourself!"
"O-oh..." The dancer blushed almost instantaneously, courtesy turning into embarrassment and mortification in a matter of seconds.
"I-I... Thank you?"
"Gee, I'm sorry," Soleil apologized, getting the very slight impression that the woman she was dealing with here wasn't an extrovert. "I'm coming off a bit strong, huh."
"Oh, no! It's fine, really..."
Easy.
"Can I treat you to some tea? It's been a while since I left that tiny village and even longer since I had a good cup. How much better it could be if I can share it with a woman as lovely as yourself!" The Queen's blush turned into an intense redness, as the pressure and the compliments created an overwhelming offer.
"O-of course you may! I'd b-be honored..." She muttered, smiling and twiddling her thumbs very close to her chin. "Soleil," she added quickly.
"Ha ha, awesome! Here, I'll hold these..." Soleil took the woman's bags and placed them upon her shoulder, "And you can help me find a good tea shop! They do drink tea here, right? Not some weird juice or stuff... anyway, we'll find something, yeah?"
"O-of course."
"So..." Soleil began, choosing her starter carefully. "I'm still new to this whole Shepherd thing. You... you've been in for a while, right? Got any advice, maybe some pointers for a new girl like me?"
"I... perhaps I'm not the right one to ask," Olivia replied graciously, bowing slightly with her title. "I'm just a dancer. I still don't know much of this whole fighting spiel either, having only taken part of their last few battles of the Plegian War."
"That must've been awful," Soleil sighed, "I haven't been in many fights... but I'd rather take someone's breath away, not their life."
"I share your goal, Soleil," Olivia murmured, looking on in reminiscence. "A smile is a beautiful thing, yet so easily swept away. Perhaps one day, we can mend this broken world with words and laughter, not bloodshed."
A visionary and a dancer? Olivia certainly is quite the character!
"It might be a long road, but someone's gotta do it. I'm proud to see that I'm not the only one on this lonely path!"
"I'm glad! You really are quite cheery, just like those mercenaries said," Olivia laughed, finally relaxing and putting a smile on her face.
"Yeah, Laslow seemed to note that too. Is he a Shepherd too?"
"Indeed he is. He's my son, actually."
"Y-your... son?"
Whaaattt
Olivia laughed and walked alongside Soleil.
"I was shocked too! He came from the future, if you'd believe it. He's Ylissean, but yet he came with Prince Xander and the other Nohrians! I remember him standing by his side when we interrupted the Hoshidan and Nohrian stalemate on the plains. But yet he recognized me and my husband! How does one go from being from the future to being a retainer for Nohrian royalty? He hasn't really divulged much to me... He does seem to dance quite well, though," she recalled with an airy sigh.
Strange. That Laslow fellow didn't talk to me much after yesterday. Could he-
Soleil didn't remember much, but she did know that her old man was quite light on his feet. And... he was a Prince's retainer...
"Laslow's your son, huh...?" Soleil asked, curiosity piqued.
"Not the most relaxing of thoughts, but you'll learn to enjoy his company in time," Olivia advised, "Ah, here we are! This looks like a lovely setting for a quick cup of tea."
Soleil neck craned to the left, eyeing the shop with occupied eyes.
"Wait... If Laslow is claiming to be my father, and he's your son?"
"W-well, we're not entirely sure yet, and you don't seem to remember much either, so let's not work ourselves up without getting all the facts..." Olivia giggled. "He seemed really nervous after meeting you though. I've never seen him get so jittery! Even Lucina didn't know how to handle his change!"
"W-wait," Soleil interrupted, recognizing the name and stopping in her tracks. "Aunt Lucina?"
"What do you mean, aunt... oh." Olivia paled visibly and seemed to lose her sense of place.
"Olivia? Olivia!"
The dancer recovered, and looked at the mercenary in defeat.
"Ah, excuse me. I'm not too... thrilled at this development, if you'll accept my apology. I'm not even thirty and I'm already a grandmother."
Now it was Soleil's time to be stunned.
"Grandmother? Wait. Olivia, Olivia, Olivia...QUEEN OLIVIA OF YLISSE! I remember!"
"Yes, well..." Olivia sighed, well into her doldrums. However, Soleil tackled her in a massive hug, forgetting everything else.
"I remember that Daddy always told so many great stories about you when I was younger! You are so much more beautiful than he let on! You're the best dancer in Ylisse, not to mention her Queen! Is Aunt Lucina just a baby in this time? Ahh! My Grandmother is so cuteeeee ahhhhh! PLEASE SING FOR ME!"
Olivia sank to the ground, whimpering at her cruel fate.
"How do I wake up from this nightmare?" Olivia whispered to the gods.
The pink-haired girl hugging her torso was their only answer.
