Lissa

The crowd outside of our little tunnel roared, startling butterflies in my stomach. "Oh gods," Stahl whispered behind me, basically summing up what was in my head at the moment.

"You praying or cursing your luck, friend?" Sully asked, her voice a low growl. "Either way, you're being wimpy about it."

"Sorry! I'm just nervous."

"Nerves can be a good thing," Frederick pointed out. "Just don't let them get in the way."

"I never do..." Stahl gave a soft chuckle, the undertone still nervous.

"We can do this," Robin told us over her shoulder, her face half-lit by the firelight coming into the tunnel from the arena. "They're all ground units, and ones we have experience fighting on top of that. We just need to stay alert and remember what we're fighting for."

"Right," we all replied.

"We'll be going in pairs," Chrom continued while Robin nodded. "Sully and Stahl, you're together again."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Sully replied, and I heard the horses shift.

"Lissa, you're with Robin."

"Yay!" I smiled at our tactician nervously, and she gave me a reassuring smile in return.

"Which leaves me and Frederick," Chrom concluded.

"Chrom will match swords with the leader of the West-Khan's forces in greeting, and then we're free to take down the competition." Robin fingered her tome. "Though there are less of them than we're used to fighting, they're bound to be more skilled-"

"The East-Khan's champions may now step into the arena," the announcer's voice rared over Robin's words, and the crowd cheered once again. The rest of the Shepherds were among the noise, though I couldn't hear their individual voices.

"Move out, Shepherds," Chrom ordered, and we walked out of our dark hallway into the well-lit arena. The firelight made the shadows of the knights and fighters scattered about the intricately tiled floor seem longer, made the men seem larger. The once empty seats were shifting with a sea of people, their voices like the rising and falling tide.

"Oh gods." Sully's stunned voice thoroughly distracted me from the crowd. "Him?"

I quickly looked around to see what could have the paladin sounding so shaken, and then my eyes landed on the leader of the West-Khan's forces, who was standing in the shadows directly opposite to our side of the arena. He was far away, but my eyes widened as I recognized the sharp angles of both the mask and tiara. "Chrom, look!"

Chrom was also staring into the shadows. "I see him..." he replied quietly.

"The lead champions shall now exchange blows in greeting!" a man roared from high above us.

"Go, Chrom," Robin told him as Marth emerged from the shadows and strode toward us. "And remember, this exchange is more show than harm."

Chrom nodded and moved forward. Both them paused just outside of the small circle etched into the tiles. I stared at the man we'd only met once and was struck, once again, by how small he was. Perhaps it was just this huge, torch-lit arena that made him seem so short and skinny, but other than that, he was ever bit as grim and mysterious as he had been that night. "Marth!" Chrom called to him. "One question, before we begin?"

The crowd quieted at that, the roar of excitement becoming an interested murmur. Marth looked at Chrom, then silently turned his head away. Chrom waited for a moment, then shook his head. "Fine, then. Our swords can speak for us." He drew Falchion, bringing the blade over his head to point at Marth.

I watched as Marth mirrored his movements, bringing his own sword down to the same position. I gasped, staring at the blade he was pointing at my brother, the golden line through the center from hilt to point, the way that he held the hilt. "What?" Stahl gasped.

"Where did you get that?" Chrom asked in disbelief, his eyes not even dropping to Falchion. He knew that the blades were identical without looking.

"Impossible." Even Frederick sounded stunned. "There is not another blade with the properties of Falchion. It has to be a replica."

"Why would that man carry a replica of such a well-known sword?" Sully asked as Chrom leapt into the air, curling into a ball and spinning down toward Marth, who blocked the blow, only staggering back one step in response to it.

The blades slid off of each other, and they began swinging and blocking in an odd, dangerous sort of dance. "Tell me," Chrom yelled over the sound of clashing steel. "Who taught you how to fight like that?"

Marth leaped backward, and he and Chrom whirled their swords in eerie symmetry and pointed them at each other again. The crowd was roaring now, and the swordsmen lunged forward, swords clashing as they traveled past each other. "Evenly matched," Robin remarked softly.

"What?" I asked, looking to her.

"There's no blood." Robin was still watching the fight, dark eyes focused and calculating. "That clash was a tie."

Marth leapt into the air, and Chrom quickly turned just as the masked man began spinning downward in the exact same attack Chrom had opened with. "My father!" he shouted in response at last, and Chrom dodged out of the attack's way, forcing Marth to land hard on the ground. He stood straight, turned, and pointed his sword at Chrom in an unspoken, but obvious challenge.

"Enough! This tournament begins as soon as both champions are back to their positions!" the announcer called down, and Chrom and Marth stared at each other for another moment, and then turned and ran away from the center.

"Marth is a gifted swordsman, and his men look capable as well," Robin remarked grimly as Chrom came back. The men on the other side of the arena began to move forward. "Mind your distance. Chrom, Frederick needs to land the first blow on Marth."

"What?" He looked at her, startled, and I could see the protest forming on his lips.

Robin shook her head. "We need to play this safe, and your strengths are evenly matched. Ylisse needs victory more than an honorable clash with the man who saved Lissa."

"Tell you later," I heard Sully quickly mutter to Stahl.

Chrom pressed his lips together, but nodded. "Very well."

"Sully, Stahl, take the right side, and we'll go center," Robin told the cavaliers, and they quickly galloped that direction. The crowd's excited roars grew louder, and the four of us hurried toward the center. There was a shout from behind us, and then the sound of weapons clashing, so Sully and Stahl had already been attacked.

I couldn't look, though, because a fighter was barreling toward us. Thunder crackled around Robin, and she flung it at him. He yelped, staggering back, and Chrom quickly leapt forward and swung down with Falchion. The man blocked the attack, but it caused the flat part of his axe to smash into his face. I winced as he crashed to the ground, out cold.

"First blood to Ylisse!" Someone in the crowd roared above the rest of the voices, and it got impossibly louder in the arena.

"Don't get careless!" Frederick warned, and thunder flew past our heads. Chrom ducked under it, and he and Frederick charged toward the offending mage. I heard armor clanking toward us, and turned to see a knight charging our direction. "Here goes, Robin!" I called, hands tightening on my staff.

"Call me armorslayer." Thunder flew past my head again, striking the knight. He gave a strangled cry, falling onto the tiled floor with electricity arcing all over his bulky armor.

"Aughh!" came from behind us.

"Well fought," Chrom remarked.

"On your left, milord," Frederick said a moment later.

"Robin!" Stahl yelled, and I whirled around to see a knight coming toward us from the right, his javelin aimed at Robin's back. Robin was turning, but not fast enough. I stepped between the two of them with my staff raised, and squeaked when the javelin hitting it sent a jarring feeling throughout my body.

He looked down at me in surprise, and then electricity behind me was making my hair stand on end. Scorching heat passed over my head, and Robin's thunder hit the knight square in the face, knocking over. He was either unconscious or dead by the looks of it, and now there was a noticeable crack in my staff. I turned to Robin. "Be careful, yeah?" I told her shakily.

"Right," she replied with a sharp nod, her dark eyes scanning the battlefield. Though she looked frustrated, she obviously wasn't letting it affect her battle. There were other people coming toward us, and Robin raised her tome, magic arcing around her again before there was a sharp whistling sound.

"You low-handed-" I heard Stahl shout from across the arena just before a hand axe whistled over my head from the cavaliers' direction, hitting Robin's tome right out of her hand.

"Arrgh!" Robin doubled over, electricity arcing all over her. The two knights that had been approaching rushed forward now, lances held up.

"Let's end this!" Sully roared. "Lissa, take care of Robin!"

"I got it!" I raised my staff, eyeing the crack in the middle nervously when the blue light shone violently through it even as healing light shone around Robin. I could hear the knights clanking closer, too close. "Robin, they're coming!"

Robin whipped out the battered tome that Vaike had found on the road, roaring words in the ancient tongue as she whirled around and thrust the tome into the air. Lightning screamed into existence between the two knights, filling our world with blue and white sparks. I flinched away from the sparks and heat, and the two knights screamed, both of them falling to the arena floor with a clatter. "That's it..." Robin murmured, snapping the tome shut. "I'm all right, Lissa."

I backed away from the two knights, turning to look for more enemies. I saw Sully slamming a fighter with the butt of her lance, and Chrom approaching a panting, doubled over Marth. There was blood staining the front of the masked man's tunic. Frederick brought Duty to a halt behind my brother, the silver lance in his hand also stained with blood. Chrom had listened to Robin and had let Frederick attack first, then. "Champion against champion!" the crowd's roars crescendoed before petering out to being quieter than they had been this entire time.

Marth was the last man for the West-Khan? I hurried toward the conflict, stopping when I could hear them, still a good distance away. "Who is your father?" Chrom was asking, posture wary.

"I've said enough for one day, sir." Marth shook his head, his voice firm even with how fatigued he looked.

"Hmph. Is that how it is?" Chrom's grip on Falchion tightened. "Lissa owes you her life, and for that, you have my gratitude." The masked man's head twitched toward where I was standing before turning back to focus on Chrom as he continued, "But within these walls, I represent the East-Khan and the interests of Ylisse. I can't promise to stay my blade, but I vow not to shame you."

Marth dipped his head, a small smile creeping across his face for the first time as he said something too quietly for me to hear. Anger flashed in Chrom's eyes, and Marth straightened, smile in place as he blocked my brothers sudden attack. "We shall see who shames who!" he declared, pushing Chrom back and slicing upward.

The crowd screamed as the two exchanged a blinding series of true strikes. Robin ran up next to me, and Sully and Stahl also galloped to positions behind me. Marth was still smiling as he fought, even though I could see pain in the expression and the way he moved, while Chrom continued his assault with furious determination. "Don't get careless..." I heard Frederick murmur, voice strained.

"He'll be fine." Robin's eyes narrowed. "Marth's injury is taking its toll, and they were evenly matched at full strength."

"He's fighting like a madman, though." Stahl's tone was hushed, almost reverent. "Almost as if he's used to fighting injured."

"...You're right." Robin's grip on the old, dangerous tome tightened as she watched, before her eyes widened. "What?"

Chrom sliced downward, and Falchion cut into Marth's thigh before he slammed his body into the masked man's. Marth fell, landing hard on the arena floor. He sat up slightly before falling back, and this time stayed down, his sword held close to the new, bleeding wound. "The East has won!" was the crowd's new favorite, deafening cheer, and trumpets sounded as healers hurried into the arena to tend to the West-Khan's men.

Then the crowd flooded into the arena as well, the rest of the Shepherds heading toward at a breakneck pace. "YEEHAW, we won! That was amazin'!" Donny yelled.

"As expected of ol' Teach's rival!" Vaike roared when he'd reached us, slapping Chrom on the back.

"Captain, that was-" Frederick caught Sumia's arm before she could faceplant on the arena floor.

"This is a truly fascinating, if perilous, tradition of Ferox," Miriel remarked to Robin.

"And there he goes again," Virion murmured, stepping past me, and I turned to see Marth limping toward the exit. He was up and moving already after those hits? I stared after him, and then startled when his blade glowed with blue light.

Marth straightened, sheathing his sword, and then strode out of the arena with no trace of the limp left. Did he... just heal himself with his sword? Falchion can't do that.

"Out of my way, you louts!" Flavia's bark made me turn my attention back to the main group. The crowd parted to let the grinning khan through, and she heartily shook Chrom's hand once she reached him. "Well fought! You have my respect." Her grin grew as she released his hand. "And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance. I will provide Ylisse with the soldiers she needs."

"Truly?" A huge smile broke out on Chrom's face. "Thank you, East-Khan."

"I should thank you.It feels like ages since I've held full power." Flavia turned on her heel, grin growing as she raised her arms. "Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!"

The crowd roared its approval, and they swept after Flavia in a wave, most of the Shepherds following. I noticed Chrom looking around the arena with a frown, and then a dark-skinned mountain of a man approached us- us being me, Chrom, Frederick and Robin. The final two probably weren't in the mood for a celebration. "Bah!" the mountain grumbled. "Any excuse for a party, and Flavia jumps on it..."

Chrom blinked, turning to him before his brow furrowed. "I'm sorry, have we met?"

The man huffed, crossing his massive arms over his broad, bare chest. "I'm the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power!"

Well there was surprising news. Chrom's expression quickly went from confused to apologetic and there was a margin of surprise in Frederick's expression. "Khan Basilio." Robin dipped her head to him before studying him, her quick dark eyes probably taking in the blue cloth that made up his outfit that wasn't golden armor, the fluff around his bald head, and his close-trimmed black beard. She then arched an eyebrow. "And here I thought that my description of a warrior ruler was completely incorrect. I guess we just met the wrong one while I was saying it."

The khan grinned, the smile reaching the dark eye that wasn't covered by a dark blue eyepatch as he gave a low, growling chuckle. "Wit I'd expect from the woman who devised the strategy that dethroned me. That being said..." He shook his head, turning back to Chrom. "You're handy with a sword, boy. I thought for sure I'd picked the stronger man."

Well, he didn't see too upset about being dethroned, did he? Feroxi were weird, but I was growing to like the way that they thought. "What do you know about him?" Chrom asked quickly.

"You mean that Marth? Bah!" Basilio frowned, shaking his head again. "He's just some sellsword with delusions of grandeur. All I know is that he turned up one eve and knocked my old champion flat." His grin came back. "It was love at first sight, and I'm generally too old for such things! Baha! Anyways, he's gone now." He waved his hand dismissively. "Up and fled the moment the moment the tournament ended."

I watched Chrom visibly deflate at the mention of Marth being gone already. Kind of like Vaike whenever I told him that I didn't know where Chrom was. I hid a smile, and then sighed softly. "He's so dark and mysterious..."

Robin arched an eyebrow. "Sounds like Marth's got at least one fan."

I grinned at her. "Well, I mean, c'mon... he is sort of dreamy, isn't he?"

"And you're sort of dreaming!" Chrom snapped, glaring at me.

"Yowch!" I replied teasingly, giggling. "Lighten up, Big Brother. I was just teasing." Mostly, anyways. Could I really be at fault for admiring the man who'd once saved my life? The one I'd seen fall out of the sky along with the Risen, who could heal himself with his sword, that we'd thanked by injuring? He was dark and mysterious, but I was pretty sure that it was for bigger reasons than just wanting to be.

"Milord? Milady?" Frederick's voice drew my attention, and I turned to see him facing both of us. "If this fascinating discussion is over, we'd best return home. The exalt will want news of this new alliance immediately."

I frowned at the thought of not being able to attend Khan Flavia's party, but what Frederick was saying made sense. "Right as always, Frederick." Chrom nodded.

"Hold, boy," Basilio raised a hand, and gestured toward the shadows. "Before you go, I have a little present for you."

I blinked, turning as a man walked toward us. He wasn't dark-skinned, so he couldn't be Feroxi by birth, but he was wearing Basilio's blue and gold in his outfit. There was a long, slightly curved blade sheathed at his hip, and he paused beside Basilio, studying our little group, both his dark eyes and expression guarded. "Oh gods," Robin whispered. "Myrmidon."

"This is Lon'qu, my former champion." Basilio placed a hand on the shorter man's shoulder, flattening some of the white fur around his neck. "Not much for talking, mind you, but he's peerless with a sword. As good as Marth, in my mind. To be honest, I can't figure out how that masked shrimp bested him so quickly."

"Marth beat him?" I asked in surprise. I knew Marth was skilled, but there was a definite size difference between him and Lon'qu, and from what Basilio had said, Marth had bested him relatively quickly. "But he looks so big and strong..."

And kind of fluffy, to be honest, with that slightly spiky brown hair and the fur at his collar. I stepped closer to get a closer look at him, but stopped when the man gave a sudden, full body flinch. "Away, woman!" he snapped.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, stepping back in alarm. "Wh-what did I say?"

Basilio gave a booming laugh, removing his hand from Lon'qu's shoulder. "Let's just say that ladies tend to put Lon'qu on edge. Nonetheless, he is capable. Perhaps he even has the makings of a khan." A slight flush rose on Lon'qu's cheekbones when Basilio said this, but he otherwise said nothing. "Consider him West Ferox's contribution to the Ylissean cause."

"You're certain about this?" Chrom asked.

"Yes, yes." Basilio nodded. "He's your man now."

"And Lon'qu?" Chrom turned to the myrmidon. "You have no objections?"

Lon'qu tilted his head. "He gives orders. I stab people. I think our roles are clear."

Chrom seemed to think this over for a moment, then smiled. "All right, then. Welcome aboard."

"We'd really best gather the other Shepherds," Frederick told him, and Chrom nodded, giving Basilio a slight bow before turning and walking off. Both Frederick and Robin followed him, and I did as well, turning my head to see the newest Shepherd following us at a distance, expression still guarded. "Do you think he could be a spy, milord?" Frederick asked Chrom quietly.

"I don't think so," my brother replied. "Basilio doesn't seem the sort to do that."

"I seriously doubt it," Robin interjected, and both looked back toward her. "Basilio was only our enemy because of the tournament, and that is over now. What East Ferox does, West Ferox will follow. This system of power passing would have failed long ago if that weren't the case."

Both of them seemed to consider this, and Frederick frown deepened. "There's also the question of Marth. Did you notice, Robin?"

"His stagger just before Chrom hit him, right?" Robin asked, her brow furrowing. "Yes, yes I did. I don't think that has anything to do with Basilio."

"What are you two talking about?" Chrom asked, looking rather confused by the line of conversation, as I was.

Robin shook her head. "Marth is wholeheartedly our ally, apparently, no matter the circumstance. He threw the match."