Chapter 14

It didn't take long for the shepherds to smash through the ranks of Risen in the battle. Nathan, Morgan, and Lissa were a well-oiled machine, and Nathan quickly observed that Morgan fit seamlessly into his strategies.

"Yep, that's my kid, alright…" He muttered to himself, amused. He spotted a Risen flying in, on a griffon. The distinctive headgear it wore denoted it as the chief of the group, in addition to it's powerful aura.

"Must…kill…future…child…" Nathan could hear the chief faintly muttering as it charged towards them.

"Cherche, look out!" Nathan cried frantically, spotting the risen chief heading for her. It took him a few seconds to pick up on it, but Cherche and Minerva were directly in front of the Risen Chief's path to Morgan. All of the risen appeared to be targeting her.

"I have him!" Frederick cried, galloping over on his horse, and throwing his lance like a javelin. The great knight, never one to miss, spiraled his lance straight through the head of the griffon the risen chief was riding on, sending it spiraling down and crashing into a nearby pillar, which crumbled as the risen and griffon sunk into the murky waters of the temple.

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief, looking over at Frederick. "Nice shot, but that was an important lance to throw away…those are expensive, you know!"

Frederick gave Nathan a stern look. "That is true, but it is not more expensive than the life of a shepherd."

Nathan nodded. "Still, that lance is coming out of your pay! I don't keep track of our finances so you can throw two thousand gold worth of a lance into the water!"

The others laughed, as even Frederick and Nathan broke out a smile. Their attention turned as there was a gleam coming from a shrine near the front of the temple. Chrom walked over eagerly, scooping up the small artifact. It was an orange tear-shaped object, attached to a necklace. It's presence nearby, for some reason, made Nathan feel weak. He did his best to mask his pain that was felt from the strange artifact. He looked over at Morgan, who gave him back a confused look. He could tell she was feeling it as well.

The rest of the shepherds, however, walked over to Chrom, mesmerized by the shiny necklace.

"So this is Naga's tear…" Ricken muttered, staring at the gleaming item.

Lissa smiled. "Sweet! This baby should keep us safe in many battles to come!" She declared.

Nathan did his best to smile at her. He locked eyes with Chrom. "We might as well store it somewhere…" The tactician muttered.

Chrom nodded, sliding the necklace into his pocket. "I'll put it in that rare artifacts chest when we get back to Port Ferox. "

The tactician quietly breathed a sigh of relief. As he and the others went to leave the ruins, he turned to Morgan. "So…'daughter'…tell me what you know about yourself?"

Morgan smiled at her father. "Sure thing, old-timer!" She happily replied.

Lissa laughed, walking next to them. "Nice to see you inherited our senses of humour!" She mused.

Morgan giggled, letting out a loud snort.

Nathan grinned at his daughter. "Looks like you inherited something from Lissa, too…" He muttered to her. Lissa then giggled as well, snorting exactly like her daughter.

"Y-yeah…anyways, Morgan, we're getting off track. What do you know about yourself?"

The tactician's daughter scratched her head. "Hm…not much, to be honest…" She confessed. "Oh! There is one thing I remember."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?" He inquired.

"I've always wanted to be a great tactician, just like you!"

Nathan blushed, laughing as he rubbed his head sheepishly. "Haha, well, I'll do my best to help you fulfill that dream, Morgan, I promise you that."

Morgan tucked her arms around each of her parent's waists, pulling them into a group hug. "I'm so glad you guys found me…" She muttered, burrowing her head in their chests.

Nathan looked over at Lissa, smiling as the two wrapped their arms around each other and around Morgan.

"We're glad too."

Upon returning to Port Ferox, Nathan went to grab his things and load them onto the warships, which had arrived from Plegia while the group was gone. The shepherds planned to set sail on the upcoming day, and were loading their things for travel at first light. As Nathan picked up his small crate of things to bring with him from the caravan, and carried it onto the warship. On board, He saw Frederick, staring at the sunset on the open ocean.

The tactician set down his things on board and walked over to the Great Knight.

"Nice view, isn't it?" He muttered. Frederick nodded.

"Yes, it is…" He replied. He then turned to Nathan. "I'm glad you're here. There was something I needed to discuss with you."

Nathan scratched his head. "Oh…well, this can't be good…" He muttered under his breath. He then turned to the great knight, crossing his arms. "Ask away, big guy."

The great knight took a deep breath before getting down on one knee, and presented a ring, which he pulled from his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

Nathan stood in shock for a moment. He then laughed awkwardly, rubbing his head sheepishly.

"Okay, very funny…now where's Chrom, hiding behind some crates nearby? You can come out now, you got your payback for the whole poster fiasco!"

Frederick stood up, putting the ring back in his pocket. "Was that not good? Do you not think she will say yes?"

"What do you mean 'was that not good'? First off, I'm already married, and se-" Nathan cut himself off as he backtracked. "Wait a second…you just said she, didn't you?"

The great knight nodded. "Of course, Sir Nathan. I was practicing for my proposal to Cherche. I believe we are ready to take the next step in our relationship."

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, good." He replied, adding, "And next time, if you do that to someone else, tell them you're practicing, will you?"

"If you believe it will aid me in my quest to win Cherche's affections, I will do it!"

The tactician rolled his eyes, before continuing. "Anyways, changing the subject slightly, since when are you planning on proposing to Cherche?" He asked.

Frederick beamed back at the man. "Since not long ago, Milord," He told the man, "We have become the best of friends and have even discussed such things as marriage. I believe we are ready, but I would cherish any advice you could give."

Nathan smiled warmly at the Knight captain. For as odd of a man Frederick could often be, the tactician knew the great knight was always looking out for the shepherds' best interests.

"…My honest advice would be to propose soon. I think we both know that things are going to change for the worse once we get to Valm, and you don't have much time before that. Don't waste it."

Frederick nodded. "I will keep this on my mind." He told the man.

Nathan raised a hand, patting the great knight on the shoulder.

"Try not to die out there, okay?" The tactician commanded. "I doubt anyone would admit it, but the Shepherds would fall apart without you."

Frederick smiled before turning around to walk off the ship. Before leaving, he called back to the man, waving goodbye. "Thank you, for everything! I will remember what you have told me!"

Nathan waved back before turning back to the sunset, confused. "Did I just have an actual conversation with that man?"