Chrom's eyes widened as Marth rushed towards him, before he could draw Falchion 'Marth' dashed passed him "I'm about to save your life." Chrom barely had time to acknowledge 'Marth' before he dashed past him and delivered a swift slash "...From him." A body hit the floor as 'Marth' spoke.
"I trust this proof will suffice?" 'Marth sighed as she spoke.
"...Yeah." Chrom was stunned but before he could process what had happened he noticed movement behind 'Marth' without thinking he moved to draw Falchion.
'Marth' turned in time to see the assassin's blade she attempted to step beck I can't evade! Just as the blade was about to connect 'Marth' lost her footing, the blade of the fallen assassin being the cause, as she fell the assassin's blade narrowly missed slicing her already damage mask clean in half, as it fell away her long blue hair fell free with her silver strands falling to frame the right side of her face, as she hit the floor Chrom struck the second assassin down.
"Wait, you're—you're a woman?" Chrom seemed surprised by this revelation although Corrin simply watched with amusement while checking their surroundings for more potential threats.
"And quite the actress, too. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until just now, Lady Corrin has known for some time." 'Marth' smiled at Chrom as he looked between herself and Corrin.
Before Chrom could respond an explosion rocked the palace grounds without a word the three of them shared a look and began sprinting into the palace.
As they pushed into the palace they came across Robin who had just finished a small group, 'Marth' froze for a second as she looked at the scorch marks they were very reminisce of Grima's destructive flames, Robin turned to the approaching group "They're here for the Exalt, the others went to guard her chambers"
"Alright good work Robin, we should make our way there and meet up with them" Chrom smiled as he spoke before heading towards his sisters' chambers.
As they made their way towards the exalts chambers the group encountered Phila who was more than happy to join them.
Once they arrived at the chambers they could see the few shepherds that had rallied, Lon'qu already had a few fallen assassins around him, Vaike also had his fair share of defeated foes, Ricken and Miriel were finishing off a few retreating foes while Maribelle and Lissa tended to the wounded guards. Phila gathered a few Pegasus knights and made her way to the stables explaining that the quicker they had air support the better.
'Marth' looked to Chrom "I'll hold the central stairway, there's only room enough for them to come one at a time there."
Before Chrom could respond Corrin spoke "Be careful, even if you are fighting with such favourable conditions exhaustion and injuries are greater threats than your foes." 'Marth' nodded and took her position.
Chrom lead Robin and Corrin into the Exalts chambers they were fitting for her station, she had a grand four post bed with silken curtains, a large elegant armoire occupied one corner, whilst an ornate chest and elegant table sat next to her bed.
"Emm are you okay?" Chrom's voice was filled with concern as he looked at the exalt.
"I'm fine Chrom, your shepherds got here just in time" Emmeryn smiled although Corrin could see the fear she hid so well.
"Alright, just lock your doors and wait for us to let you know it's safe" Chrom turned to leave, as he did Robin and Corrin smiled at the exalt if only to reassure her.
"I wasn't planning on marching out there Chrom" Emmeryn smiled slightly before closing her doors.
The Prince, Queen and Tactician stood facing the western corridor as they awaited their foes a lithe looking young man with bright orange hair that he kept partially under control with a strip of cloth tied around his head wearing dark coloured clothes consisting of a cloak, light shirt and trousers with leather arm guards, his grey eyes met the three of them as he rounded the corner and even with the chaos of the attack he seemed unfazed "Oh hey there" his voice was low and had slight gruffness to it however it had a kind and charming undertone.
"'Oh hey there'? You're breaking in with assassins and that's all you can say? Drop your weapon, or die where you stand! " Chrom pointed his blade at the very oblivious thief, the anger in his voice caused Robin to flinch.
"Easy there, blue blood. I'm not here to hurt anyone." The thief held his hands up in an attempt to calm the prince although as he did he locked eyes with Corrin I feel like I know you his gaze told her that.
Corrin was fighting the urge to hug the man It can't be Asugi… No one else can access the links between Valla and the outside… not without the portals anyway and none of those connect to here… "Yet you run with a band of assassins?" Corrin was conflicted as she spoke; she had previously spoken with Asugi about a similar thing, she could feel her heart ache for home.
"Believe it or not, just trying to make a living. I'm a thief, see? Bust open doors; crack into chests...that kind of thing. This lot said they wanted to break into some type of vault. Nobody said anything about murder. I'd just as soon sit this one out." The thief seemed very nonchalant about his intentions and profession clearly knowing that the assassins were a bigger threat.
"Hmm... Then perhaps you'd be willing to prove your good intentions?" Corrin received looks from both Robin and Chrom as she spoke neither of them trusting her.
"Beg pardon?" The thief looked just as confused as the Prince and Tactician.
"We need all the help we can get to save the exalt's life. You appear capable, and we could use any information you have about our foes." Corrin gave a small smile as she spoke; even if she was wrong about this man she couldn't bring herself to kill someone that looked so familiar to her.
"Oh, right—those good intentions. Fine then, I'll prove my sincerity...if you sweeten the deal." He smirked he knew these blue bloods were good for one thing…
"You want gold? ...Fine, you scoundrel." Chrom's frustration faded to annoyance as he began to rummage around for his personal funds.
"Actually I think I can offer you something better" Corrin smiled coyly as she produced a heavy pouch that looked to contain all manner of precious jewels "A gift from a dragons horde" she had a gentle seductive thrum to her voice as she spoke that left Chrom and Robin's heads spinning and their hearts racing.
The thief cautiously opened the pouch, the minute he did his eyes widened and he popped one of its contents into his mouth "Holy- These are amazing where'd you get them?"
"My home country, I can get more if you work with us" Corrin smiled as she did both Robin and Chrom could see the sadness in her eyes He may not be Asugi but he likes the candy that he made for me and I think that's enough.
"IT'S A DEAL!" The thief became more animated as he popped yet another piece of candy into his mouth.
"You'll risk your life for us if we give you...a bag of candy?" Chrom had given up believing this man to be a threat.
"I said "sweeten the deal," didn't I? Don't get me wrong, I'll take the gold, too. Later. Unless you can guarantee more candy?" His eyes moved from Chrom to Corrin as he spoke.
Corrin laughed "Of course, it's a meagre price to pay after all"
As the Ylissians readied their defences once more the assassins began to rally their numbers whilst a grey skinned man simply grinned confident of his victory….
So Apologies for the short Hiatus but I needed to step back and take a break to return with a fresh view on the story, Uploads may be slightly more delayed than they were before but I am back. Again Apologies –R.J
