Chapter Thirteen
Drowning

When Vaike had come to Chrom looking for another one of their friendly little competitions they somehow ended up in a cooking contest. Chrom, admittedly, had very little experience with cooking, but surely it couldn't have been that different from roasting bear on an open fire.

However, with one bite alone from Chrom's goulash Vaike's head slammed onto the surface of the table. Chrom inspected Vaike to find his eyes had rolled back as far as they could go, and he was drooling out of the corner of his mouth. Perhaps Chrom should have gone easy on the seasoning… and maybe he should have made sure the tomato's and beef were still good. But it looked like Chrom had won, regardless. No one said the winner had to make the best dish, with Vaike down for the count, Chrom won by default.

"There you are!"

Chrom whipped around to find Maribelle walking to him in long strides. "Some of us, I'm sure you can guess who, were just about ready to tear this castle apart looking for you," Maribelle ranted. "You would think someone of your class would be easier to find, even in a foreign castle. I'm not sure why no one thought to look in the-"

Chrom tried to suppress a smile. At first glance Lissa and Mairbelle's friendship was a particularly odd one. But Chrom knew the clicked together through moments like this. "Maribelle. Was someone looking for me?"

Maribelle sucked in a breath. She bit her lower lip and cast her eyes downwards. "Y-Yes, I'm afraid," she said while wringing her hands together. "You're… You're being summoned to the castle infirmary."

Instantly, Chrom's brow furrowed. "Why? What's wrong."

Maribelle's hands shot up, fingers outspread, as thought trying to defend herself from a dangerous blast. "Now, I'm afraid I don't know the whole story," she said quickly. "Do keep in mind I only know the barest of minimals."

"Which is…?"

Slowly, Maribelle inhaled, then blurted out quickly, "Anali collapsed in the library."

Chrom went cold. "What?"

"Khan Flavia and Khan Basilio are waiting for you at the infirmary. They would know more about it than I."

"Show me, please."

"Of course."

He followed Mairbelle though the hall, which suddenly felt longer than they were less than an hour ago.

Anali collapsed?

But she looked perfectly fine the last time Chrom saw her. She looked rather tied, yes, but so wasn't everyone else. Actually, now that Chrom thought about it, Anali did look pale. And she was trembling, something Chrom chalked up to the rain. But was that really enough to make a person collapse?

Why was he worrying? Anali just overworked herself. The past couple of days were no easier on her than they were Chrom himself. Yes. That's it, she just overworked herself. And Chrom was going to be told that Anali needed to take it easy.

The Khan's waited in the hallway with an older woman in white clerical clothing. Flavia stood, impatiently tapping her foot as she stood with her arms over her chest. Basilio was a little more held together, but was clearly distressed. His good eye wandered to find Chrom approaching them, he exhaled, "There you are."

"What happened?" Chrom asked immediately.

"A Plegian yellow-back happened, boy. It would appear Anali was on the receiving end of one."

A Plegian… what? That black lizard that bit her the other day? But Anali was just fine after that. "I've heard of them," said Flavia, "the victim dies a slow, painful death."

A slow, painful death? "So, Anali is dying?" demanded Chrom.

The Cleric cleared her throat, stealing the attention of all three of them. "With the medicine we have here at our disposal, the best we can do is make her as comfortable as possible. The venom from a Plegian yellow-back makes the body overheat, which is what ultimately kills the victim. Now, there is a chance we could reduce the fever and Anali could fight it herself… If she was treated as soon as she received the bite. From my understanding, that was two days ago. I'm honestly not that optimistic her body can fight it-"

"Shut up!" Chrom snapped before he could stop himself. Why was this woman talking as though it were over and done with? They just said Anali collapsed, she wasn't dead, they could still cure her. "Just… Just shut up! Why the hell are you wasting time telling us all of this when you should be giving Anali your full attention?! She's the one who needs it! Shouldn't you be doing everything you can to keep her alive?!"

Basilio's lips pulled back, he understood where Chrom was coming from. But a man does not talk to a woman of the cloth like this! So, he ground his fist into Chrom's head. "Calm down, boy! Don't go shooting the messenger, got it?"

Chrom grit his teeth while he rubbed his head. Yes, he was being childish, getting angry at the cleric was not going to help anyone. She was just doing her job, everything she could. If anything, Chrom was angry with the situation. "Olga," Flavia began, addressing the cleric. "Isn't there anything that can be done?"

Olga nodded. "As I said before, we don't have the proper medicine for her. But it does exist in Regna Ferox. The best remedy for a yellow-back bite is the yvaine blossom. And I just happen to know a woman who grows them."

Thanks goodness, there was a chance. "Where is it?" asked Chrom. "I'll get it myself if I have to."

"In the village Thranduil, look for a woman named Tatiana. She is used to people asking for her flowers just for this sort of occasion. If you ask I'm sure she will give you as many as we need."

"Thranduil…" Basilio said thoughtfully. "To get there and back is a three-day journey, provided you leave early enough and don't run into trouble."

Turning on his heel Chrom walked down the hall. "I'll get it in half the time," he said firmly.

When Frederick heard about the situation he had some reservations. For starters Chrom was insistent about getting the blossoms in a day and a-half, maybe in even less time. And then when the Prince declared that he would go alone Frederick sat him down and calmly suggested they gather the Shepherds then explain that Anali is sick and possibly dying. He would ask for volunteers to go and to stay, then they would leave for the village in the morning.

Chrom was insistent that they leave as soon as possible, but ultimately agreed. During dinner Frederick relayed the news to the others. He asked for volunteers, but also encouraged several to stay behind to watch Anali, and help the Khan should Ferox be under siege. Tharja just about shot onto her feet with a hand in the air. "I volunteer to stay!"

There was a bit of an awkward silence after that before volunteers for either side flooded out. Chrom was somewhat happy with the outcome. At least Donnel, Elaine, Libra, and Nowi would be staying at the castle as well. At least it wouldn't just be Anali and Tharja.

Because time was not exactly something they could afford they were going to travel lightly and make haste. The goal was to be quick but be reasonable. But there was a very minor problem; they lacked a tactician now. "I think Virion might due as a substitute," Stahl pointed out. "He is usually Anali's opponent for her strategy game."

"Quite true," said the blue haired archer. "However I will admit that you will have my head on a pike after but one conflict."

"We're aiming to avoid conflict," Chrom assured him. "But if it is unavoidable I will turn to you for assistance at minimal."

"We're gonna die…" he heard Gaius mumble.

Chrom tried to ignore his jape. The Shepherds fought plenty of battles before they found Anali, one possible battle without her guidance was not going to kill them. However it would be comforting…

Everyone was encouraged to turn in early, but Chrom, instead, found himself in the infirmary. This time around, he actually saw Anali. She was a sleep, curled up and shivering in one of the cots. Olga explained the victim often suffered from severe chills. The evidence of a fever was written all over her face, from the flush that traveled from ear to ear, to the sweat on her brow.

There was a basin of water and a cloth by her bedside table. Chrom contemplated for a moment on whether or not he should do something. He ultimately decided against it, given how 'gentle' he could be, all he would do is succeed in waking her when she needed as much rest as she could get.

Tendrils of hair fanned out around her, no longer in their usual pigtails. She must have had three blankets over her, but she was still shivering, and the red in her face suggested she would be warm to the touch. Anali looked so… fragile now. She was suffering, and there wasn't a damn thing Chrom could do about it.

It was almost four months to the day since they first met, and from Chrom's perspective, their relationship suddenly became a complicated one. He was beginning to realize how light he usually felt when Anali was near him. Even if they were having a serious discussion, it was like he could share anything with her and she would listen without judging. He wished she could do the same with him.

This sudden complication could ruin their friendship, however. That was something Chrom was not willing to risk. This would be the one thing Chrom would keep to himself, it was better that way. But seeing Anali like this, sugaring and vulnerable, just made him feel so powerless again. If she died… if she died…

"Just…" Chrom uttered under his breath. He pushed his bangs back, struggling to find the words. Carefully, he brought his lips to Anali's ear and whispered, "Don't let go… I can't lose you, too."

The plain I stand on is dark; the moon does not shine, and the stars don't twinkle. The land is somewhat flooded after a heavy rain, I vaguely notice how clean the air smells. I walk idly forward, completely aimless; my steps echo with each splash. Am I here for some reason?

A sudden scream startles me. I whip around to see a little girl running in my direction. She stumbles slightly, but quickly catches herself and continues. I can't see her face, her bangs cover her eyes, but her pigtails trail behind her. I can hear the girl's pitiful whimpers, and I am positive she's crying. Decency says I should go help her, but I find I cannot move.

The girl stops as the water ripples around her. Three hands shoot out from the water, the girl screams. I feel two of the hands hold my arms to the side, the third hand wraps itself firmly around my neck, then it squeezes. I try to shake my arms free, to pry them out so I can remove the third hand from my neck, but all three of them prove too strong for me.

It's like the ground beneath my feet has vanished, I'm dragged down underwater. Like choking to death wasn't enough. To some relief, I feel the hands on my arms leave me. Then hand around my neck begins to form an arm, then a body. I cannot make out any defining features, just long hair floating around the person. When the figure opens their eyes, I am met with three sets of glowing red eyes.

'Why do you still resist?'

Anali woke up, coughing and hacking. She sat up, still heaving with one hand around her neck. She felt something rub against her back, a hand perhaps. "Easy," Flavia said over her coughing fit. "Easy there."

Anali cleared her throat a few times before she allowed herself to breathe. She had a vague recollection of where she was, Castle Ferox's infirmary. Likewise, she had a vague recollection of her situation. Anali got the basic idea, she was ill and could potentially die. "So, you finally decided to join the living," Flavia joked from her bedside. She had pulled up a chair to sit at beside Anali's cot.

"Where's… where's Chrom?" Anali asked, shivering. "We should… discuss strategy…"

"He's not here. Chrom and the others have got in search of a flower to make into an antidote for you."

"What?! No!" Those idiots! What were they thinking?!

Anali tossed her blankets off and swung her legs over. Immediately, Flavia stood up and placed both hands on Anali's shoulders, forcing her back down. "Let me go!" demanded Anali. "I have to-"

"Anali, I swear if you don't lie down on your own I'll have the oaf sit on you!" Flavia said firmly. "They're still in Feroxi territory, so the most trouble they'll run into is Risen."

Laying back, Anali pressed her palms to her eyes and fought back a few sobs. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid," she choked out. This was her own fault. She had to go and get sick, now the pending Exalt and his army were putting himself in needless danger. "They should have just made a break for Ylisstol and left me behind."

Flavia unsubtly scoffed. "Okay, don't even think of pulling that 'wo, is me crap.' It doesn't look good on you. Or anyone else for that matter."

"Don't you get it?!" Anali snapped, she dropped her fist onto the mattress, feeling dizzy as she did so. "I'm supposed to be helping them win this war! But instead, I just put the new Exalt into potential danger because I wasn't watching where I stepped! I. Am not. Worth. The trouble!" Warm tears started to cascade down Anali's cheeks, all they did was chill her. "I'm just some nobody with no attachments like the others… They all have responsibilities and families to return to… I don't, no one will miss me, no one will care if I die here, and they all stupidly go out and… and…"

Couldn't those fools see she wasn't worth the effort? What were they even getting themselves into?

To Anali's surprise, Flavia reached out and whipped Anali's tears with the bed of her thumb. "Well, first of all," she began gently, "Chrom's not exactly the Exalt yet. Not officially anyway. And as for not being worth the trouble… I can think of a handful of people who would clearly disagree with that. Don't think for a second that Chrom ordered everyone to go on this mission. It was a volunteer mission. Even those who stayed behind stayed because they thought they could do something here while we wait. There's your attachments.

Sniffling, Anali allowed Flavia to dry her other eye, nor did she protest when Flavia eased her back down and pull the blankets over her. She supposed Flavia had a point, the Shepherds were her attachments. Anali really did love those moments when they were all in the same room. But what was one life when weighed against the masses? Wasn't that reason enough for them to just leave her behind when push comes to shove?

Elsewhere in the castle Nowi creaked the door open to find Libra on his knees in prayer. He had turned a small, unused room into a makeshift chapel. It gave him a quiet area to offer his prayers for the safe journey of his new comrades, and the full recovery of Anali.

A mischievous grin played upon Nowi's face. She tore the door open, and launched herself inside. "Libra! Give me a piggyback ride!" the Manakete exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around the priests' neck, followed by hooking her legs around his center.

Libra nearly fell over with the unexpected weight to his backside. "Careful there, Nowi! I didn't hear you coming."

"Hm? Hey, what's this?" asked Nowi. She moved Libra's long hair to the side, revealing the neck behind it. "There's some kind of scar on the back of you-"

"Don't touch it!"

Immediately Nowi scampered back, keeping her hands to herself. "S-Sorry," she said quickly. "Does it hurt?"

"N-No, it does not," Libra replied hesitantly. Perhaps he had over reacted. "The wound has long healed…"

"So why don't you want me to touch it?"

"Because it might reopen a deeper wound that yet causes me pain."

Confused, Nowi tilted her head to the side. "You mean inside your neck?"

The priest shook his head. "I'm speaking of a wound of the heart."

Her brow rose and her mouth formed a perfect 'oh.' "But… why does your heart hurt?"

"When I was a child, I was not raised by my parents," Libra explained. He paused for a moment to take a calming breath in. "In truth, I was abandoned by them."

Nowi gasped. "That's terrible! Why would your mother and father do that?!"

"Perhaps they hated me. Perhaps they had a better reason. I have know way of knowing. When they left me, I began to howl most piteously. I had clung to my mother so desperately I had to be forced off. Which is when I sustained the scar."

He was surprised to see large tears pool up in the corners of Nowi's eyes. Her purple eyes were usually quite large and expressive, but the look she gave him made her eyes much larger. Had she not been crying it would have been somewhat comical. "I'm sorry," Libra said with a kind smile. "I never meant to upset you. It is long in the past now."

"I don't care!" Nowi declared as she wiped her eyes. "I'm going to make you feel better!"

"And how will you do that?" Libra asked, somewhat intrigued.

"Just like a cramp," Nowi said with her pointer finger erect. "I'll just rub your heart until the pain goes away!"

The Manakete beamed, immensely proud of herself. But, slowly, her smile died as realization hit her; Nowi really did not know much about the human body. Oh she knew that humans were much weaker than Manakete, or even taguel, and that they needed food and sleep as much as she did. But Nowi did not quite understand where their organs were. For all she knew she had a different anatomy than Libra. "Soooo… Where do humans keep their hearts, anyway?"

"I've spend many years trying to avoid what lies within mine," Libra confessed solemnly. "I admit, I am not sure I could find it if I tried."

"I can help with that, too! First we need to find where your heart is hiding, then we can get rid of the pain together!"

On the one hand they made some really good time for what was supposed to be a day and a half journey. Having left early in the morning they were just a mile or so away from Thranduil by early to mid afternoon. On the other hand, what they found in that mile outside the village was a bit unexpected. There were caravan's full of goods lined up on the side of the road. At the rear of the line a merchant was patching himself up after what looked like a bloody fight.

Chrom lead his horse up to the merchant before he pulled on the stallion's reigns to stop him. "Excuse me, sir," Chrom spoke up. "Apologies for intruding, but has something happened?"

"I'll say," the merchant said with a heavy sigh. He placed his tunic back on, wincing all the while. At length he added, "A group of bandits have blocked the road to Thranduil. They're demanding a king's ransom in illicit tolls for those who wish to pass. A few of us have tried to band together and fight back, but they have clearly gotten the better of us. It's been more than a week since and none of us have been able to make our rounds in the village."

"Well, this is certainly not good," Chrom heard from behind him. He did not need to turn around to know it was Frederick. "Without the flow of goods the people are likely to starve."

"Which we will not allow to happen," said Chrom. He dismounted his horse and looked up at the merchant. "Can you spread the word and ask them to stay where it's safe."

"Aye I can. If you think you are up for it, stranger. Last I heard, there was a maiden who already went in to fight."

At the halfway point between the caravan settlers and the village a campfire was set ablaze. A group of four sat by the fire with a crate in the middle. There were various items littering the crate as the four played their game. One of the men, a tall fellow dressed in the armor of a Griffin Rider had on a smug smirk as he slapped his cards onto the table. "Royal flush!"

The other three groaned as they threw their cards onto the crate. The Griffin Rider happily slid his winnings into his lap. "I wanna rematch!" snapped one of the players.

"And what are you gonna bet genius?" asked the games winner. "I'd happily take the deed to your house if you had either."

"Daniil!" shouted one the Griffin Rider's mooks.

"What?" the Rider, Daniil asked dully.

"One of our scouts spotted an approaching army."

"Those weak merchants again? Let them try."

"We've recognized them as the Ylissean army, Daniil."

Daniil's brow rose when he heard this. "You don't say." Standing up, Daniil rubbed his gloved hands together. "Well, let's see how much their worth, eh? I'm getting tired of Thranduil anyway. What do you say boys? We take everything these Ylissean's have and pillage Thranduil while we're at it? I hear Valm's nice around this time of year?"

A roar of cheers erupted from the group of thieves until one of them was cut off. The two close to him exclaimed in shock as blood gurgled out of his mouth. The man fell over, staining the snow beneath him red. The red haired woman held her sword at her side, holding it in a reverse grip. She was dressed in red and yellow with a festive collar to match. "Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid this village is closed," the woman said with a flirty wink.

Daniil's brow rose with a keen interest as he looked the woman over. "Well now, aren't you a fetching lady?" he asked pulling his axe out. "And fetching ladies such as yourself tend to fetch good coin."

The woman smiled, but there was a clear sense of mockery behind it. "Careful, love," said the woman. "Us traders are known to make some very deep cuts."

In a flash the woman's blade sliced through the nearest bandit. Damiil's band suddenly broke into two. A small percentage surrounded the woman in red, who did no more than smirk. A tawny griffin landed beside Damiil. "You lot do what you must to her, but don't you dare harm that pretty face of hers," Damiil said mounding the beast. "The rest of you are with me. And try not to damage the merchandise."

It was a risky strategy that Anali would never have put on the table. In all fairness, Virion had warned them. He quickly deduced that the Griffin Rider was their leader, so he had Cordelia and Sumia go for him. The non-mounted units would tackle the heart of the attack, while those on horseback would come to the aid of the red haired maiden protecting the village.

The risk came from the fact that there would be no one on the ground to watch Sumia and Cordelia's backs. And all of the mounted units (not counting Maribelle) to come to the maiden's aid was a bit excessive. While it made sense in that they were faster than everyone else on foot, but only one would have sufficed. The advantage of having a unit on horseback was lost to the group.

The woman, however had done exceptionally well on her own. Her fighting style was vaguely similar to Gaius' but she still made it her own. What may have helped her was that she never stood still.

Cordelia adjusted her grip on her lance. It really seemed like the past few days consisted of one disaster after another. Her squad, Lady Emmeryn, Captain Phila, the failed rescue mission. That was not to say she blamed Anali's plan, it was quite good, it was just Gangrel had a wild card on him. And now they were off trying to find a cure for the tactician's infection when they should have been working on ending this war.

She really did not have a clear opinion on Anali, she seemed nice enough, but Cordelia simply did not know her that well. But Sumia liked her, apparently she had become fast friends with Anali, so she couldn't have been that bad. Even when Cordelia carried a bit of jealousy towards Anali, the one who got to dance with Prince Chrom himself during his birthday, she wasn't bad. Anali did allow Cordelia her privacy when Phila ordered her to go with the Shepherds. Cordelia had mixed feelings towards the tactician, but, in the end she decided that Anali did not deserve to die like this.

But if Anali was ever going to come out of this alive, she needed those flowers in the village. The villagers needed the goods the merchants had and the merchants needed to trade or sell.

She took a chance and approached Daniil. A grin happened upon his face. "And the beauties keep pilling on today," he said. "You'll have to forgive me when I bring you to market. Between you and the other one I'll have enough to live the rest of my life peacefully."

Pig.

"In that case, you'll have to forgive me," Cordelia said aiming her lance. "For this!"

Her Pegasus knew what to do, and when Cordelia wanted him to take off. Just before she finished her sentence he had already sped forward. Cordelia forced her lance into Daniil's chest as far as it could go. Pulling it out, Cordelia rounded herself around in mid-air, and forced the lance through the griffin's wing. "You… bitch!" Daniil choked out.

"Don't forget me!" Sumia shouted, almost cheerfully. Her own lance sliced across the griffins wing, right where the joint was.

The griffin cried out in pain, and he fell unable to keep himself up. Daniil, still hanging on by a thread, reached out as they both fell. His eyes lost focus halfway down; both griffin and rider landed in a heap. As soon as the bodies hit the ground Daniil's either fled with their tails between their legs or fought back until they, too, were struck down.

The battle had finished within minutes. Murmurs came from the caravans before the merchants each got excited. They prepared their wagons to head into the village, at long last. Exhaling, Chrom placed Falchion back into its sheath. Virion's plan was not awful, there was logic behind it, but it was not exactly the safest for them. However he could not help but notice that Virion kept himself as far away from the frontline as possible… where they really could have used him. "Milord," Frederick spoke up. He guided Hermia beside him as he approached Chrom. At their side was the brave woman who attacked first. "This young lady wished to have a word with you."

"Just wanted to thank you for your help," said the woman. "The name's Anna. Some folks here and there like to call me the Secret Seller."

Chrom's brow furrowed. He was sure he had seen this woman before in the marketplace in Ylisstol. "Have we met before?" he asked dumbly.

Anna's eyes rolled up as she thought for a moment. Shaking her head, she replied, "Nope, can't say we have. I rarely forget a face."

"You're sure? I swear I've seen you selling goods in Ylisstol."

Her face lit up in realization. "Oh! You must have met one of my sisters."

Sisters? But they looked so identical. Even the way they styled their hair was down to pat. "Yes, I know," Anna said as though she were reading his thoughts. "There's a strong family resemblance. I should also mention that we're all traveling merchants."

"With the same name?" asked Chrom.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," said Anna. She added with a wink, "That's part of the secret!"

"Family gatherings must be chaotic."

"True, but aren't everyone's? Still, without your help I can't imagine what would have happened. So I will offer my services and aid you in return."

"Well, you do seem quite capable."

The village was bursting with life. People went from vendor to vendor with a large smile on their face. The oil lights seemed to brighten up the rapidly darkening streets. "If I didn't know any better," Gaius began. "I woulda thought there was a festival going on."

"Considering how long the villagers must have gone without their essential goods it might as well be," said Chrom.

They walked along side each other as they searched for Tatiana. While one of the villagers gave Chrom directions there was a high possibility she was trying to buy what she needed as well. "One question, Blue," said Gaius. "Any reason why Frederickson isn't the one doing the escorting instead of me?"

Did Gaius just call him Blue? "Frederick said he wanted to check something in the market. And I'd hardly call this 'escorting.'"

Gaius couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. That sounded a bit out of character for Frederick. Even though Gaius was still relatively new to the Shepherds he was well aware of the extremes Frederick was rather infamous for taking in order to do his job. "Maybe he just needed time to clear his head," Gaius thought out loud. He tilted his head in Chrom's direction. "And from where I'm standing, you need to do the same thing."

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "My head has never been clearer."

Stopping in his tracks, Gaius crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Need I go over the last twenty-four to forty-eight hours, Blue?" he asked. His voice was controlled but there was a clear weight behind it. "Anali and the others might be willing to ignore it, but I find nothing honorable in the mutilation of a dead soldier."

Chrom visibly flinched at Gaius' words. In hindsight was far from his proudest moment. It was a struggle for Chrom to even remember his actions. The general never fought back, he simply accepted his fate. He went down easily, but Chrom decapitated him. And he tried to sever his limbs from his body. It all disappeared into a black haze, the most Chrom remembered was standing over the general then Anali trying to stop him. He did not remember it, but it was clear that Chrom had attacked her. Even if he wasn't in his right mind, he attacked her and it could have been much worse.

"I cannot justify my actions back there," Chrom said after a pregnant pause. "So, I won't."

"I'm not saying that being angry isn't understandable," said Gaius. "What happened in Plegia was pretty fucked up."

"What do you want me to say? I can't make it up to the generals family, if he has one, I don't know him. Do I make it up to Anali? Aren't I doing that now?"

"I think that's something you need to decide."

"Right now I've decided to save Anali."

"Because she's your tactician?"

"Because she's my friend!" Chrom snapped.

Where was Gaius getting off even implying that Chrom only valued Anali for her tactical genius? Did he really not believe he could have wanted Anali to live simply because she was Anali? Because she earned a right to live?

Since they first met Anali had nothing, no memories to revisit at night, no family she could think of. But instead of just hiding in a hole she went on day by day, creating new memories. In that respect, she was stronger than Chrom was, as he doubted he could have just forged ahead like that.

Most would joke about Chrom thinking Anali was some goddess of victory to him, but that was far from the truth. Anali was not without her flaws. She had a shy side to her and she preferred to keep her problems to herself and not bother anyone with her. And she actually did care about outward appearances. She was careful that she did not step over the boundaries of what was appropriate for her position. And Anali tried to give as much as she took, she couldn't just look a gift horse in the mouth and accept it, she had to 'repay' the person.

But Anali was also strong, there were many, perhaps Chrom included, who would have hid in a hole were they in her position. Instead she forged ahead and tried to make new memories. Of course Anali had her moment's when it became too much, but that was only human. And she made human blunders as walking in on Chrom the other day proved.

Human was the right word to describe Anali, not 'goddess.' Anali was strong, and shy, and brave, and vain, but caring, and clever, and funny, even a bit silly. And Chrom, he…

He loved her.

Of course Chrom fell in love with her, he would have been a truly thick man not to.

She had the worlds problems on her back, but she still fought alongside Chrom and his Shepherds and carried them all to safety. Anali was perhaps the only other person in this army who carried a similar torch has he did. Perhaps Chrom had actually done a disservice to Anali when he asked her to join the Shepherds. She had her own problems to sort through, yet he ended up dragging her into a war.

But, Chrom could practically heard Anali's response if he talked to her about it. "You've already done so much, it's the least I could do."

From the beginning, Chrom always thought he had a certain bond with Anali. But without Chrom even realizing it, that bond blossomed into something else. And now he found himself loving Anali as though it were as natural as breathing. Now he found himself desperate to get the flowers before her illness could claim her.

Chrom was sure he was blushing something fierce, going by the sly grin that formed in the corner of Gaius' mouth. "So that's how it is."

"How what is?" Chrom asked on the off chance he could save face.

"So, where's this flower lady again?"

Liam looked at the display of rings one of the merchants were selling. The were excellently made, and carried a radiant shine to them. One, however, caught Liam's attention. A silver ring with a white gemstone in the center, embedded into the metal on either side of the stone was polished lapis lazuli. "Just like her namesake," murmured Liam.

"Like whose namesake?"

Liam whipped around to find Sumia standing behind him with her hands balled together under her chin. Her eyes seemed to shine in excitement as the pieces formed together in her mind. "You're buying a gift for someone?" she asked, the excitement in her voice was exceedingly hard to miss. "Oh! Are you planning on-?"

"I don't know!" Liam said all too quickly. He rubbed the back of his head, avoiding eye contact with her. "I-I mean I've been thinking… That doesn't mean she'll say yes, or… Why am I even telling you this?"

He tried to walk off, not quite ready to explain his personal life, especially now when Liam really did not know what people would think. In light of recent events would it really be acceptable to take her as his wife? Assuming she was still alive after Ylisstol fell. However, Sumia was not about to let the matter drop. "Soooo, what's her name? How did you meet? Are you going to ask her?"

"Why should I tell you?" Liam responded coldly.

"Because we're working on the same team!" Sumia argued crossing her arms. "I'm supposed to trust you with my life if push comes to shove, and right now I don't. And I'm sure most of us wouldn't trust you with there's. We really ought to fix that, and you can start by telling me a little about yourself."

The Bard took a long, deep breath. Liam was no fool, he knew that, and he really did not trust the Shepherds either. He did not trust the Shepherds or Ylisse would accept any possible union between them. And what was messed up, truly messed up, was that all this worrying was not for her and her well being. It was for Liam.

He stayed away from the others because he felt like the fact that he loved a Plegian woman was written all over his face. Because he didn't want them to think him a traitor. It wasn't fair to her. "Her name is Lazuli," Liam explained at length. "She's a maid in the palace."

"Lazuli?" Sumia repeated. "Oh! Like the stone found in Plegia! Of course it is, you were just talking about the stone of her namesake."

"I confess, I have been saving up what I can to propose, but…"

"Buuuuut…?"

"She's a Plegian refugee," Liam explained tilting his head back. "Her family was amongst the Grimleal fanatics who tried to get her to marry one of the higher-ups. One of those class climbers."

"And she didn't want to be forced into marriage?"

"Lazuli was actually pretty okay with it," Liam shrugged. "The issue she had was her would-be betrothed was a few years older than her father."

"Oh…"

Liam went onto explain that he met her when she was organizing the books in the library. Well, that was what she was supposed to be doing, but Liam caught her reading a book of poetry by his favorite poet. That was how they bonded, discussing poets and playwrights. Over time they started talking about other things, they would steal glances while they were in the palace, and Liam would tell Lazuli about the Shepherds missions. And then they started stealing kisses and loving words in the shadows. Sumia ate up it like, from her perspective, it was amongst the cutest things ever. "So why don't you ask her?" Sumia asked, grabbing Liam by the arm without thinking. "I'm sure she'll say yes."

Sighing, Liam asked, "Is that a good idea in light of recent events?"

"I don't see why not. Lazuli did not attack the palace, betray Ylisse, capture the Exalt, or shove her off the cliff. It sounded like she was pretty content with her life in the palace."

His faced twisted as he looked back at the display of rings. It was tempting… so, so tempting. True, he had only known Lazuli for about six to nine months but he was certain that he wanted to marry her. To have children and grow old with her.

Chrom tapped the back of his knuckles against the door. "Hello?" he called loud enough to be heard from the other side. "Tatiana?"

"That depends," said a voice from the other side, "who's asking?"

"Chrom of Ylisse," he said. "I've been told Tatiana grows yvaine blossoms. My friend is in great need of them, she's been bitten by a-"

The door immediately opened to reveal a little old lady. She carried a walking stick in her hand' she was dressed in old Sage robes. Her grey hair hung around her shoulders, her skin was very wrinkled and her eyes were so small and beady it was a wonder they did not get lost in her wrinkles. "Tatiana?" asked Chrom.

"The very one, Prince Chrom," the lady said, sinking down in to a brief curtsy. "You'll have to forgive me, my hearing hasn't been quite what it used to, but you were saying you need the yvaine blossom?"

"Yup," nodded Gaius. "A friend of ours was bitten by a Plegian something-or-other."

"And Olga, in castle Ferox informed us that you grow them," finished Chrom.

The old woman nodded. "That I do. Surprisingly enough they just thrive in this kind of weather. It's a bit ironic given the heat yellow-backs just love." Stepping to the side, Tatiana gestured into home. "Would you like to see them."

"Thank you," Chrom said giving Tatiana a brief bow of the head.

When Chrom walked in he stopped in his tracks upon feeling something slap against his rump. He froze, a rosy blush once more forming upon his face while Gaius bit back a laugh from behind him. Tatiana strolled pass Chrom looking quite pleased with herself. How old was she again?

Tatiana's outdoor garden was cluttered with bushes bearing beautiful flowers. The larges blooms were almost as large as Chrom's fist, some of them were probably even bigger than that. The petals were a light blue that faded into white then finally a pale yellow like a star in the night sky. "Now, you have two options," Tatiana spoke up. "You can either take the blossoms now and have them when you leave, or you can wait to get them tomorrow morning before you leave."

"We'll take them now," Chrom said immediately. "My friend needs them-"

"I think we can wait until morning," Gaius cut him off.

Chrom glared at Gaius. "Anali needs these-"

"I think she can hang on until tomorrow," said Gaius. "We're loosing daylight, fast. Leaving now will do no one any good."

He was right, Chrom didn't like it, but Gaius was right. They made good time today, they could probably make good time tomorrow. As much as Chrom hated it, he was going to have to trust that Anali was strong enough to hold on for as long as she could.

And she was. Anali was strong. She may have had her concerns about her situation, but Anali never sat around and moped about it, or even brought it up to strangers for sympathy; she went on with life. She made friends and fought alongside them. She recognized her own shortcomings in swordplay when they first met and took it upon herself to remedy that. She took charge of the Shepherds when she needed to without hesitation. Anali was going to hold on for as long as she could.

"He's right," Chrom finally agreed with a sigh. "We'll pick them up tomorrow before we return. Is there any way we can pay you for this?"

"No payment," Tatiana insisted. "I grow yvaine for occasions such as this."

Heading back to the front door Chrom realized he might have trouble sleeping tonight. He had no way of knowing what Anali's current state was, or whether or not the castle was attacked. Not knowing was going to drive him crazy. And then another thought entered his head. What was he going to say to Anali when he saw her again?

"HELLO!" Gaius shouted after a thump was heard.

Tatiana quickly passed Chrom, extremely pleased with herself once more.

Anali was completely unaware of the two Clerics scurrying around her as she sobbed, loudly. She had rolled onto her side, her hands on either side of her head, her face was wet with tears and sweat. "She won't wake up…" Anali blubbered. "She won't wake up…"

She finished her blubbering with a hysteric scream. "It's the fever talking," said Olga. "We have to get it lowered, quick."

Elaine, volunteering to help, nodded in response. She carried a fresh nightdress and bed sheets in her arms. Olga hurried to a cupboard at the end of the room she pulled out a bottle with a tall neck and an empty glass. The older Cleric rushed to the counter and poured the contents of the bottle into the glass. She studied the glass briefly, measuring it out before she walked across the room. "Elaine, help her to sit up," ordered Olga.

Quickly, Elaine placed the clean fabrics down and hurried to Anali's side. She was still crying with a few screams escaping every so often. Elaine sat her up with one arm wrapped around Anali's shoulders. The young Cleric was stunned to find how hot to the touch Anali was, even with her body drenched in sweat. Elaine whispered soothing words to Anali as Olga placed the glass to her lips. She tilted it forward so the contents slid down Anali's throat.

In Anali's mind she was outside in the back allies of a village. She was utterly broken as she cradled the body of a dead woman in her arms. Chrom, Frederick, and Lissa stood in front of her. Chrom had knelt down in front of them, gently coaxing Anali to let the woman go, that they could help her. Fresh tears formed in Anali's eyes as she sobbed into Chrom's chest in spite of Frederick's protest.

In reality Anali had calmed down a bit within the minutes that passed. Elaine still did what she could to sooth her as she and Olga stripped Anali of her sheets, blankets, and nightdress to clean her sweat drenched body as best as they could. She hardly reacted to the sponge bath; she hardly cared when she was dressed into a clean nightgown or the fact that she was carefully moved so the bed sheets could be replaced. Anali sat with Elaine who rocked her from left to right as Anali drifted off to sleep.

"Lissa!" I shout, hurrying up to her side.

I am in Ylisstol palace, surrounded by Risen. It seems like the attacks are getting more and more frequent as of late. It worries me so much. The Risen have never made it into the palace, until now. It is a surefire sign that things are getting worse. Much, much worse.

"I'm fine," says Lissa. She almost looks like Emmeryn with her hair down and the long robes she long since traded in exchange for her crinoline. "Never mind me, we have to keep the castle safe."

I nod in agreement. While she says 'keep the castle safe,' I know Lissa really means 'keep them safe.' The castle could always be rebuilt if this ever ends, but you can't rebuild a life. But they are safe right now. I have to constantly remind myself of that. They're save, they won't see any of these monsters so long as they stay in the safe house.

My blade collides with the Risen's axe several times. I turn inwards towards my back and dig the sword into its side. I pull my sword out, and the Risen falls to the floor. I nearly jump out of my skin when Lissa lets out a blood-curtailing scream. A little boy has wandered onto the battle field and a Risen Archer, with several arrows knocked onto his bow, had taken aim. My heart sinks into my chest. No…

A man hurls himself in front of the arrows as they're released, he holds the boy close to him. The arrows strike into his back, one after another. The little boy holds onto the man's shirt, his eyes widened, tears spill out of his eyes. I hear the man mutter something to the boy, then they both fall to the side. Lissa hurries to them as Chrom strikes down the Archer.

I take the little boy into my arms as Lissa holds the fallen man into her own. She sobs into his neck. I cannot to anything for the boy as he reaches out for the man, asking him why he won't get up, to stop playing around.

Why…?

That morning Tatiana already had the yvaine blossoms picked and secured in two baskets. She explained that she had picked as many as they would need, and that Olga would know what to do with them. They returned to castle Ferox by mid-day. Basilio greeted them, then explained that Anali's fever spiked the previous night to the point of delirium.

Chrom and Lissa immediately hurried to find Olga to deliver the flowers and to get the full story. Chrom was the first one to ask what happened, he swore his blood ran cold and his heart would have stopped if Olga had not spoken so reassuringly.

"Relax, Prince Chrom," sighed Olga. She was busy grinding the blossoms, they were divied into two. Half to be ground, half to be crushed. "We were able to get it to lower. Remember what I told you? With out the blossoms the most I could do was make her comfortable. The medicine I have can help with the infection, but it's not strong enough to completely fight it. Now, since I only had to give it to her once without the fever rising so high again I am optimistic."

"Just…" his voice trailed off. "Just do what you need to."

"Why don't you stick around, Prince Chrom if you're that concerned?"

Chrom wanted to. He really wanted to. He wanted to be there when Anali woke up, he wanted to hear from her that she was feeling better. But he was afraid of what he might do when she did, and what would happen after. Despite what Chrom felt he was not willing to risk their friendship. Especially now when Anali must have been mentally exhausted.

"I'll have to decline," said Chrom. "My men and I ought to rest up."

Rolling her eyes, Lissa blew a raspberry. "If you say so," she said in a sing-song tone. "Do you need any more help, ma'am?"

I am on the floor, dazed and aching. I see Chrom hurry to my side, he drops to one knee and helps me to sit up. "You all right?" he asks as he prompts me up. I manage a nod, unable to find my voice. I look up to see the enemy we were previously fighting. His body disintegrates into a black haze. "That's the end of him… thanks to you, we carry the day."

Chrom grips my shoulders as he helps me to my feet. There is a splitting pain at the very center of my head. It hurts to think, it's like something is eating away at my mind; my vision goes red. "We can rest easy now," Chrom's voice sounds so far away it is hard to believe that he's actually right here in front of me. "At long last."

My mind goes blank followed by another shot of pain.

And then another.

And another.

"What's wrong?" I barely make out Chrom's voice. I can't even bring myself to answer. I feel like I'm loosing myself. "Hang on! Hang on-!"

Blank.

I blink, I do not understand what's happened. Chrom's hands have left me, he steps away from me unsteadily. His hand holds a large volt of electricity that had penetrated into him. Blood seeps through his clothes.

My heart stops.

I look down at my dominate hand to find small sparks of electricity across my fingers. I feel the tears beginning to swell. "No…" I choke out, shaking my head. "No… No… No!"

Chrom takes an uneasy step towards me. His hand caresses my cheek and wipes the tears away. Oh, gods please don't… "This is not your-your fault…" he chokes out. "Promise me… you'll escape from this place… Please… go…"

He drops to his knees and collapses onto the floor. Blood pools onto the floor around him. My hands clasp over my mouth the sobs that finally escapes.

I hear the cackling of laughter echo around the chamber. I feel my lips twitch and my shoulders shake. Lowering my hands the chuckle escapes. It builds up until I am howling with laughter.

What was the point?

There was none.

I can't breathe… I can't breathe…

I feel like I'm sinking. Sinking into the deepest abyss of the ocean. I just want to disappear, to just sleep and ignore the world outside.

… resist? Why… you…

I feel like crying. Screaming. Like I'm drowning. Just put an end to me…

Why do you resist?

I hear something… something pleasant… and… familiar?

I suddenly find myself resting my head on the knee of a featureless woman. She sings softly as she runs her fingers through my hair, which is notably shorter than it is now. I fight to stay awake because I love this song in particular. And I love it when the woman sings it to me. So tired…

Anali's eyes fluttered open to find Olivia seated beside her softly singing, what sounds like, a lullaby. The lyrics make it obvious that it is meant to be sung by a parent to their child. It was a sweet tune, but it strangely made Anali feel like crying.

Olivia finally noticed that Anali was awake and her face flushed. "Oh!" she gasped, forcing herself to look away. "I-I'm sorry… you looked like you were having a nightmare, so I thought…"

Olivia was not about to add that she had caught Tharja trying to steal a lock of Anali's hair while she slept, it was probably better that way. She would rather not know if it was her. "I think I heard that song from somewhere," said Anali. Her voice was hoarse and it hurt a little to speak. "But I can't remember where."

"It's one of my favorites," Olivia explained. "I was taught it as a child."

"If… If I survive this… Can you teach me? Or at least write down the lyrics for me?"

"Of course. But why 'if?' I heard from Elaine that Olga's pretty confident that you'll recover. She gave you some of the antidote and rubbed salve into the bite wound while you were asleep. From what I heard putting on the salve was a bit painful, so it was probably a good thing you were sleeping."

Anali forced a smile understanding that Olivia was trying to lighten the mood. But really, Anali wanted to cry. At that moment there was only one person she wanted to see more than anything. But she knew visiting her was not amongst his priorities right now. After all, he had an army to lead.

Authors Note: Editing this chapter I kinda realized Anali's first nightmare was suspiciously like that one scene in the trailer for the new Fire Emblem game… I had this chapter planed months before if was even announced, so I guess it was a happy accident?

Reminder about my tumblr blog sammiewritesstuff, where I'll be happy to answer any question, and eventually post tidbits, updates, and other goodies.