Here we have it - another chapter. I'm happy to share this one with you. It came out even better than I thought it would. Are there any Flora fans in here? Well, this one might be good for you. Let's get started, shall we? I hope you enjoy. And for those of you that want regular updates you can find me on Deviantart and Twitter.

Faith

For hours upon hours you've been marching through the snow - with twenty soldiers under your watch. The weather is beyond chilling; it gnaws at your bones, burrowing beneath added protection of a fur-lined; earthy brown winter coat. You can scarcely imagine how in the world Flora and Felicia survived in this climate as children. Your hometown was warm and agreeable in comparison - never too hot - but far from a frozen tundra like this ungodly place.

You stop, if only for a moment, rubbing your hands together, "H-How are you not freezing to death out here, Flora?"

The maid turns on her heels, arms behind her back; she gives you a prideful smile. "When you're born in a place like this you adjust quickly. It's in my blood. Felicia's too. The two of us once jumped into an ice lake near our home. We didn't feel a thing."

"Noted," you breathe a frozen sigh. Your very breath mists before your eyes. "How much further to the Village? I've never ventured this far into Nohrian lands before. And with good reason, too."

Flora rubs her hands together. For a good long while she gazes headlong into the inhuman blizzard, before pointing off into the distance. It's astounds you that she knows where she is, especially when you can barely see more than a few feet in front of your face.

"Nearly there," answers Flora, "About ten more minutes. Stay close - keep up as best you can. Once we arrive, we'll cut through the village square to reach the bridge Camilla's soldiers use. Don't worry. My fellow tribesman are friendly to the Hoshidan cause. They'll offer help where they can."

At last - a silver lining to the frozen clouds.

"That's something we can work with," you answer, glancing to the gloomy-faced garrison of lads and lassies under your command. Most of them look as miserable in this weather as you feel. One of them, a young shrine maiden, is helping a samurai almost twice her height walk, no doubt because of the cold. "Alright! Listen! I know it's desolate out here," you speak up - an attempt to sympathize, "but just a bit further and we'll be in the clear."

No sooner than you say those words, does the ground rumble beneath your feet. Howls whistle across the icy wind. Your heart thumps in alarm; you draw your newly gifted blade of Nohrian silver from its sheathe. The howls descend into violent, blood-lusting screams. You prepare for battle. Terror stakes its claim over you as the ice beneath Flora's feet cracks. "Get back," you shout in warning. "Hurry!

The maid leaps out of harm's way with but a second to spare, pulling a dagger from the polished scabbard at her hip. From beneath the frozen waters there crawls a hulking humanoid monster. It's truly massive in size and musculature, with veiny black skin, the likes of which pulsates unnaturally. The true face of the creature is obscured by a gruesome rectangular mask, with three vertical pinprick eyeholes at either side.

"FACELESS!" Screams Flora. You fall in at her side. Your comrades draw their weapons, too. You prepare to advance; however, two more of the loathsome creatures emerge from beneath the ground before you're able to engage. One of them bounds behind your soldiers - while the other circles to the left of Flora and yourself.

"Shit," you give your sword an artful turn, flipping back your long, wavy black hair. "We're surrounded. Okay everyone! Focus!"

Fearsome roars from the Faceless send dull pain splitting through your skull. The beasts out swinging with their massive arms. Your soldiers move to engage, while you stand in defence of your Ice Tribe guide. "Flora... What's the plan? "I've never fought one of these things out in the cold before."

The blue-haired girl gives a sharp huff of breath and tosses one of her daggers into the air. "Stay with me," she instructs you. "Faceless are a common threat out here. I can deal with this one so long as I'm quick"

A ray of dark aquamarine energy resonates from between Flora's palms. She clutches her knife tightly, tossing it with deft, almost unnatural reflexes. The projectile moves so quickly that you see it as little more than a crack of gloomy purple lightning. A dizzying yell escapes the Faceless upon impact; a torrent of black smoke gushes from its neck. The creature, bested, crashes though the ice; its body dissolves into cloudy smog, evaporating into nothingness.

You stand still, awe-struck. "Impressive..."

Flora draws another knife, turning to face you. "Alright," she sighs, "That's one. Now, let's help deal with the others."

You rush to the aid your soldiers; they're struggling under a sustained, feral attack from two sides. A handful of them have already been struck down by hulking; brutish fists.

Working as a team, you and your comrades manage to cleave the arms from one of the Faceless while a pair of shrine maidens cast soothing healing enchantments. Flora makes quick work of the third and final Faceless with a well-placed dagger. In the aftermath, you take a deep breath and slide your sword away. Adrenaline courses through your veins, and a twinge of regret kicks you in the chest.

Despite everyone trying hard, eight of your Samurai comrades lay face-down in the snow; two of them are violently ripped apart. Lifeblood taints the ice a deep shade of crimson. You hold your hands together in a silent prayer. Rage bubbles up from the pit of your stomach. Again, you're visited by the image of Felicia in your mind, wounded and bloody.

"Keiji," but thankfully, Flora places her hand upon your shoulder. Her comfort drags you from your emotions. You smile weakly in thanks, if only to bury your misery as far down as you can. "We must go," Felicia's sister tells you in a gentle tone. "The village is just up ahead. Once there, we can rest for a time."

"I don't think that's a good idea." You shake your head sternly. "The mission comes first. Our task will be for nought if we don't cut the Nohrian supply line. The element of surprise is all we have on your side."

"Please reconsider." Flora frowns. Her eyes have a cold, serious shine to them. "You're the one leading these men," she whispers in your ear. "They will follow you to the death. And I don't know if you realize it, Keiji," Flora edges back an inch or two, staring into you intensely. "But you have quite a way with words. Don't be reckless without cause... or others will suffer the consequences."

"Listen - There's no need to worry," she assures you further. Her expression softens. "I'd like you to trust me... and I'll help you through this. I gave Felicia my word, did I not?" Flora holds out her pale, dainty hand. "Together we'll make it. Have faith in me."

For some reason, though you can't place it, the furious flames driving you rescind to fleeting embers. You open your eyes wide (for what must be the first time today) to the situation before you. "Okay," you take Flora's hand into your own. "We'll work as a team. I've spent too long taking the world's problems upon my shoulders. And besides," you continue, finding it in your heart to share the burden of leadership. "Your sister would give me quite the earful if I kept being so stubborn."

"I don't know about that," replies Flora, retracting her hand and bringing it to her side. "You mean an awful lot to her, especially for a man so hard-headed. Now, let's be off. This is neither the time nor place to stay put."

"Agreed."

Together with Flora, you rally what remains of the men and push onward. What she promised would be ten minutes of walking turns out to be almost triple that - but finally, beyond the endless snow, you make out the faint outline of a settlement on the horizon. Though most of it is obscured from this distance, you see outline a single tall building with a pointed roof.

"Is this it?" You continue moving onward - keeping a hand held over your eyes to shield them from the winds. "Are we here?"

"Yes, we are," answers Flora. "Let's hurry along now. We'll take refuge for a while and get everyone warmed up. There are plenty of abandoned homes that we can use to hide from the Nohrians."

"We did it," says Flora, exhaling. "We're here."

Your small number made it easy to slip past the countless Nohrian patrols. The dozen of you arrive in the Ice Tribe Village without much in the way of issue, and you quietly walk the streets, following Flora's lead to what she promises is somewhere safe and warm. As you walk, you take in the sights around you.

This tribal village is very... quaint. A few dozen wooden cottages with snowy roofs line the edges of the cobblestone streets. A handful of abandoned wooden crates, most of them filled with frozen foodstuffs; vegetables and fruits, sit outside the doors of homes. You make out the calming orange glow of candlelight emanating from a few open windows of the residences you pass; a sure sign of life.

"Here we are." Flora guides you past the ruins of a snowed-under ring of market stalls. Mangy dogs with dirty fur roam the area. They thankfully don't bare fangs or threaten the safety of the group as you walk by them. They seem far too busy scavenging.

"This is the place," Flora pauses, bringing your exhausted band of soldiers to a stop. You're standing outside of a much larger cottage with a wide doorstep and a hulking metal door, complete with a knocker. The structure stands tall on two floors. Its large rectangular glass windows are held closed by creaky oak shutters. The steps outside the property are iced over. How long it has been since anybody last used this place is beyond your imagination.

"This one is big enough for most of you to stay in," comments Flora, opening front door.

A shiver rolls down the base of your spine. You turn around, almost expecting somebody to be waiting behind you. "What the-" There's nobody there. All you see is a snowed-under fruit stand sitting beside a half-collapsed pile of rocks and rubble. "How strange..."

You could've sworn you felt something, a presence.

"Keiji?" Flora calls out. You turn around to find that all of your soldiers have piled inside the house. You hear the metal clunk of Samurai boots heading up the staircase from out here.

"It must have been my imagination." You shake your head, feeling somewhat foolish. Sighing, you proceed to join the others.

"No. Hold fast," but Flora stops you, holding out her hand across the door and barring your way. "This one's full. A-And besides, there's a reason I joined you and the vanguard." A gentle red glow overtakes Flora's cheeks. "Forgive me... but I volunteered your help to our village elder. I sent a message ahead of our arrival. H-He's expecting you."

Flora sounds shaky all of the sudden. She sighs with relief as you fall into step with her. How odd. Nobody mentioned that you'd be helping the Ice Tribe's rulership beforehand. Surely Felicia would've known. After all, you spent time with her at your home before leaving the Astral Plane.

"This way," you're pulled along by the hand. Flora takes several doors down the street to another cottage. This one appears around the same size. There is but a single, subtle difference. The insignia of a snowflake rests upon the sturdy front door. There's a light inside, too. The crackle of a fireplace, maybe.

"Here. Right this way, before any patrols come by." You're led inside by the maid before you can refuse. You find yourself stood inside a narrow entrance hall with old, grey wooden flooring and simple white decor. Flora releases your hand and shuts the door. More than that, she takes a large black steel keyring from her pocket and sits it upon the bottom rung of the staircase.

It isn't until you're both safely inside that she relaxes. "Good. This way. Sorry for hurrying you."

You stall for a second, watching as Flora eagerly leads down the hall. Her footsteps are quick, hurried. Not only that - Her hands are shaking.

You advance, slowly and carefully. Your warriors' instinct kicks in.

Flora rounds the corner, taking a sharp inhale. "Alright." She stops you outside of a small, open kitchen area. Upon entering through the archway, a rush of relief washes over you.

Sat at a small Nohrian-styled table, varnished to perfection and adorned in a frilly tablecloth, sits a large, wide gentleman. He wears a simple white undershirt and black cotton trousers. His face is rounded, his head, domed and bald. He sets aside the piece of pie he was so happily munching upon your arrival, and greets you with a welcoming chuckle.

"Aye... I'll bet that's him. One of the Hoshidan lads, is he?"

"Shush now, Elder," answers Flora, placing a finger upon her lips for a short second. "Walls are thin and Nohr's ears are everywhere. Now, let's start again, shall we?" The maid looks to you and nods. "This is Keiji of Izami. He's the bodyguard of Princess Corrin."

The Elder laughs heartily. "Oh I'll bet he is! Tall, wavy hair - sharp face. The sort any self-respectin' noble lass would keep around." The chubby gentleman offers you a plate with a large chunk of steaming hot buttery pastry. "Pie, Keiji?

"No, Sir," you politely refuse with a wave of the hand. "Though I'd like to ask why you need my help, if I may?"

"Ah, yes, help. Well, ya see, lad... I want you to help us, help you, as it were. These Nohrians? In recent years we've been gettin' mighty tired of their rule. 'N if you really are here to liberate us, as wee Flora here says, then we'll join the cause."

You fold arms. "You will? Call me curious, but how?"

"That's easy." The elder returns to his pie, cutting and stabbing with his knife and fork. He points at the neatly cut chunks of pastry scattered at either side of the plate. "Flora tells me you're here to capture the bridge. Well, soon as ya do that... light a fire beside the eastern corner of our frozen river. A big, roarin' fire. We'll arm up and come help. Small in number, we are... but that don't mean we haven't men 'n women willin' to fight for us."

"Now then." The Elder pats his stomach and slowly rises from his chair, brushing crumbs from his nearly bursting shirt buttons. "We'll talk specifics later. I'll hop across the road 'n distract the guards some. Why don't you 'n young Flora go sit by the fire in the lounge? Kept it nice 'n warm these past couple days, I have."

"While I'm grateful," you begin, looking over your shoulder to Flora, "I'll feel better if I'm on guard - alert. I'll stay in the hall and keep watch."

"You should rest," says Flora. "You may not see it, but you look awfully tired, Keiji. If I'm to watch after you in Sister's stead... I can't let you run yourself into the ground." Her words come across as gentle; maternal even. "Would you kindly sit down?"

"If you insist," you concede. "Lead on."

You're spirited away by the maid. She ushers you back in the direction you came - into a comfy living space with some simple wooden chairs, a wolf skin rug, and a large, crackling fire. In the corner nearest the back wall is a simple red fabric armchair. You take a seat, waiting patiently while Flora walks with the Elder to the front door. Though muffled from where you're sitting, you hear the maid wish the portly gent farewell before quietly closing the door.

When she returns to you, she sighs with relief. "Now, was that so hard?"

"No," you relent, restlessly tapping your fingers against your knee. "It wasn't."

Flora nods and moves beside you. "Now I see what my sister was saying." She perches herself upon the arm of your chair. You catch a faint whiff of her sweet, flowery perfume on account of her being so close. "You're a good soldier, but you can never relax, can you?"

"I can," you protest, "sometimes - when I feel safe."

"And now is one of those times where you should," says Flora, tippy-tapping her feet together. "You're perfectly safe. Nobody knows you're here. And it's not like the Nohrian's are on alert. Lord Ryoma's army is still a half-day's march away." Flora bends down to untie the drawstrings of her boots - You cast your eyes away from her tight, frilly undergarments as she does so.

"Hear me out," Flora continues, kicking her boots aside. "We've marched all day. We've taken losses, and most everyone is beset by a need for sleep. Would it be so bad to rest your eyes for a couple of hours, at least until sunset?"

"We're in enemy territory, Flora."

"Then I'll protect you," says Flora kindly, warmly. She takes ahold of your shoulder, gazing into you. "My sister cherishes you. Do you really think I would let anything bad happen? Besides... I wouldn't survive Lady Corrin's grief if things turned sour while you're a guest in my hometown."

Flora's eyes, as cool and tranquil as her sisters, disarm you. Though your heart is committed to two very important people, you (as a red-blooded man of Hoshido) won't deny beauty when you see it. Felicia and Flora are most definitely twins - in the finest ways possible. "Okay... We'll take turns. I'll sleep first, since you are insisting."

"Good," says Flora, getting up from the chair. "I'll stay right here, by the fire."

"Alright." You close your eyes. It takes but a few moments for you begin feeling heavy. As though a wave of the sea, the desire for sleep crashes against your inner shoreline. Weightier and weightier your body feels. You inhale and exhale softly. The gentle snaps and crackles of the fire bring you nearer and nearer to the embrace of sleep.

"Keiji," Flora's voice ensnares your senses, sounding enchanting in your tired state. "Thank you, for believing in me."

"You're welcome. It feels good, knowing I'm not facing the burden of leadership alone..."

Slowly but surely, you drift off to sleep.

To be continued...

There you have it. Another chapter comes to a close. Did you enjoy it? Is there anything in particular you'd like to see in future? As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you in the next chapter. Thanks again!