Hello everyone!

Severa: So, we're going to war?

7: You bet! We'll finally move along with the story, I hope everyone will enjoy it.

Lucina: Um, if I may ask… what's our relationship like?

7: Pardon?

Severa: You know, she's right. I remember you saying that our relationship was a big draw, so why didn't we see much of it?

7: Oh…

*Author smacks head into a wall*

Lucina: Why'd you do that?

7: I feel bad for neglecting your relationship, so I promise to do better from here on. Same with some of the other relationships that fell off for a while.

Severa: That's all we can ask, I guess.

7: I'll make you proud, right Kiwi?

Kiwi: Always making us proud, 7.

Alright, here we go!

Battle of the Harbor

The call to war was met with a resounding roar of forges and the thunder of boots, every willing Ylissean traveling to the cities to join the military. The foresight of Robin and Chrom saw that every large town held a military barracks, stables, offices, and smiths galore.

Thus, when new recruits were taken into the barracks, they were swiftly organized, equipped, and trained under the careful eye of old soldiers chosen for their ability to teach war.

The regular forces were also martialed and began the march to Ferox, further intelligence marking the great Port Halzac as the invasion force's landing point. A grand parade was even held in Ylisstol to bid the royals farewell.

Robin was just glad everything had gone smoothly. While it was quite a sight to see men and women dressed in resplendent silver plate and chainmail, trimmed with the regalia of knight orders, it was a relief to know all their finances were in order to support this army.

"Yo, Rob, you thinkin' on something?"

Robin glanced up from the ground, Lissa was staring at him. "Nothing much, just glad the parade went well. Real morale boost."

Lissa chuckled and shrugged, a halo joining her usual robes. "Well, we all got new gear, it'd be wrong not to show it off. How else are the people going to know how great we are?"

Robin smiled and fiddled with his cloak. The old thing was still in good condition, but he'd gotten some leather padding added to the interior just in case, "Well, I guess that's true. I just wonder if what we have is enough, you heard that last report."

Lissa hummed. "So what if they have, like, 200,000 soldiers in the whole fleet? We have almost 50,000 and I bet they're all worth ten Valmese!"

"I can only hope so," Robin sighed as he looked to the line of soldiers stretching into the distance. "It'll be six months before the next round of recruits are ready and another six before the ones after that. We only have ten armies to their forty, as it stands."

The flap of wings interrupted them, Minerva settling to the earth right as Cherche hopped off and joined the conversation. "They can't land all those forces at once. I remember telling the war council that the Valmese require time to unload their mounts before they become effective."

"Yes, you did." Robin groaned as Lissa greeted her friend. "And so did Virion. We're aware of their abilities and it is why we have Flavia and Basilio seeing to the port. The question isn't so much if they'll send a vanguard, as you've mentioned in our meetings, but how big it'll be."

Cherche nodded, giggling at Lissa's grimace. "We'll do what we can, that's all you should be worrying about. Besides, every soldier here is far better equipped than the Valmese footmen, so we will simply overcome quantity with quality."

Robin stared at the pair before laughing. "You two are pretty simple minded when it comes to stuff like this. Makes me wonder how Gerome and Owain will turn out when they're older."

"Owain's my boy, that's for sure!" Lissa crowed, ever willing to talk about her son. "And he has the best dad a boy could ask for, why wouldn't he be the best when he grows up?"

Cherche shushed her. "That's enough, Lissa. I love Gerome just as much as you love Owain but let them choose. I believe they could be quite the gentlemen or scholars should they will it."

"Not with how much Gerome loves Minerva." Lissa grumbled. "Takes to swinging an axe like a fish to water, too."

Robin cleared his throat before the argument could start up again. The pair were normally the picture of friendship, as were most of the Shepherds, but they'd started having disagreements on what they should do as the children got older. "Regardless, we still have stuff to do. Cherche, let me say that I'm beyond glad your idea worked out, it's made mobilization much easier."

Cherche bowed her head. At first, no one had thought about creating a formal wyvern knight order, on account of their use by Plegia, but Cherche had other ideas. After much arguing, threatening, negotiating, and lots of stress relief with Vaike, it happened.

The first Ylissean Wyvern Knight Regiment was established with Cherche as the inaugural commander.

Considering the many wyverns and pegasi that now shared the skies above them, Cherche's work had paid off brilliantly.

"I should probably get going." Lissa sighed. "Heaven knows I'll get in trouble if Frederick doesn't see my mug helping."

Robin had one more thing to add. "Cherche, go ahead to the port and join the others, we should be good here."

Cherche nodded and hugged Lissa before they left. Robin watched them depart before glancing wistfully to the air, flutily searching for a familiar plume of red.

Curse having to watch over the bulk of our forces. I wanted to go with the vanguard like most of the Shepherds, but no, I am required to be here and smooth over every hiccup and ruffled feather. Thank the heavens for Severa, I'd fear more for the others were she not there.

Robin scratched at the scar on his neck before strolling into the mass of humanity below, already knowing he'd have far too much to do in far too little time.

-Severa-

"Auntie, I really need to go over these plans, is this really the best time?"

Severa's question made Nowi laugh, the manakete tapping the ground with her cane. "You've been at those maps since you woke up. Even skipped breakfast from what Morgan told me, so I'm here to have a talk with you."

"What, exactly, do we need to talk about?" Severa sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I've already told you all the stories I had these last few years and everyone's agreed on the plans."

Nowi grinned, milky eyes staring at Severa. "Well, I wanted to ask you about something I've been curious about. See, I've been able to use my partial-sight while away from Frederick, as you know, but I noticed something while I was practicing."

Severa didn't like that grin, "What are you up to?"

Nowi looked far too smug. "Nothing, just sharing. So, I noticed that the couples I run across have a kind of string tying them together. I knew it was couples because I saw one with me and Freddy and the others, but you know how everything's metaphor for me."

Severa really didn't like where this was going.

"The thing is, the strings weren't always the same thickness. New couples and those close to a break-up were thin, but those that were either in love or happily married had thick lines. Trust me, I've been around enough people to know, so, as to what I wanted to ask…"

Nowi leaned forward and crossed her arms, grin widening. "Why is it that I see a string between you and Lucina?"

Severa's eyes widened and she flailed in surprise. "W-what?! What does that have to do with anything? And how do you know you didn't see, like, a spider web or something?"

Nowi's face went blank. "Honey, you know I can't see anything like that. Besides, your string with her is the brightest shade of red I've seen. Even your parents, the happiest pair I've met, only have a gold thread."

"How's that a ranking?" Severa groused, looking away. "Look, that's something we've kept quiet on for years now, we agreed to leave it for time to sort out. There's nothing to talk about."

Nowi frowned and scooted closer to Severa. "Sev, take this from someone who's lived a long time and almost let something wonderful slip from her grasp. We are going to war and there's no guarantee that we'll come out of it whole. You need to get this off your chest or you'll live with regret all your life."

"I know that!" Severa snapped, hand gripping her cloak. "I was in a war before I came here, remember? I know what I'm doing."

Nowi's frown deepened, but Severa turned back to her maps. "Well, if you say so. I just want you to know that I'm here, willing to talk like always. I wouldn't be an aunt if I couldn't do that much, right?"

Severa didn't answer so Nowi excused herself and left the tent. Outside was the usual cacophony of noise, thus their ability to talk privately, but Nowi was long used to the crowds and weaved through easily with the aid of her cane.

Truly, she'd never seen this many well-armed and armored soldiers in one place. Sure, the elites would always show up decked in steel, but even the common spearman had no less than a full chain suit with leather underneath. Truly, Chrom had chosen well when he'd made Robin Grandmaster of Ylisse, and Sumia was better at logistics than anyone gave her credit for.

That, and Nowi had systematically removed every spy and snake from the bureaucracy over the last four years. Now only competent people ran things, no matter their birth station, and the kingdom flourished.

The wonders of what she dubbed 'true sight'… and Gaius's connections.

Regardless, Nowi had a feeling the Valmese would be in for a surprise, especially with the Shepherd's first-hand accounts of their tactics and strategies. Should the fleet commander be dogmatic, this would be easy no matter the difference in number.

The problem was what they'd do after that. Surprise only worked once, after all.

"Nowi! Chrom needs you, said he had an argument that needs your advice!"

Nowi sighed and turned to find a figure of earth marching towards her, his steps loud. "Got ya, Kellam. What's going on, if I may ask?"

"The usual junk." Kellam answered, casually lifting several large crates in one arm and slinging a barrel under the other. "We got a volunteer in that's proven to be pretty skilled, but she's demanding to take over as her regiment's commander."

Nowi groaned and pinched her nose. "I'm guessing she came out of Ferox?"

Kellam's smile said it all. "Thing is, she got assigned to Sully's regiment. I've already talked Sully out of beating the girl black and blue, but Chrom wants to know if she's trustworthy to take on a lesser role. Ask me, it's like looking at a younger Sully in heavier plate."

Nowi tilted her head, intrigued. "Alright, lead the way. If we've got someone that passionate, maybe something good will come down the road."

"Or abject disaster." Gaius sighed as he materialized from Kellam's shadow. "Hot heads aren't good commanders outside squads, and this girl seems to think physical strength is everything."

Nowi ignored the startled shouts of the soldiers, long used to Gaius's entrances. "Remind Maribelle to make you stop doing that. I remember more than one time you'd show up to get Brady from his play-dates and scare him to tears."

Gaius scratched his head. "Force of habit darling, can't help it. But yeah, I need you to lead me to the big cheese too, I can't find him in this mess."

Kellam shrugged and put down his load. "I guess we still haven't gotten everything quite organized yet. First mobilization in more than twenty years… yeah, this shouldn't surprise anyone."

He turned and started through the crowd again, his companions following in the wake of his bulk. Everyone recognized them, they were Shepherds after all, but they only returned greetings to their friends.

It was rather hilarious seeing Tharja forced to hold up an idol while Libra did his preaching to some of the soldiers, but she'd bear with it to please her husband. How else did that pair run an orphanage and take care of little Noire?

Regardless, after a lot of walking, they arrived at the largest tent in camp, officers of every shape and size coming and going. They could already hear shouting, and Nowi knew a pissed-off Sully when she heard it.

"You haven't led shit girly! Don't think you can come in here and demand my position if all you've done is beat off a pack of Risen!"

Kellam pushed the tent flap aside and Nowi beheld the gathering. There was Sully, her form raging magma, along with Chrom who resembled a statue of steel. Oh, it looked like Maribelle and Stahl were in too if the mass of saplings and raging storm cloud meant anything.

"Nowi, thank you for coming." Chrom sighed when he saw her. "These two have been arguing for a while, would you mind giving your thoughts?"

Nowi glanced to the other girl in the tent, glowering at Sully based on what she could see. Her body was reminiscent of fertile earth with crags of magma flowing over it.

Ah dang, it's another one. Kjelle, why are you arguing with your mother?

A fun note was that Nowi now knew what the strange combinations she saw meant. When the royals had first shown her Lucina, Nowi had seen the infant as a delicate piece of ice, but with bones and a heart of steel. Then, when she'd seen Severa, the girl was a bright font of lightning with a gentle flame burning within her chest. And… something dark that she dare not mention.

In other words, the children of those with the auras of unique individuals would have a combination thereof. It was how she'd confirmed the presence of the future children when the older Lucina and Severa matched their smaller selves.

For the curious, Morgan burned like coal with arcs of lightning racing along her skin. Cynthia shone with steel skin and a heart of clear ice that turned the steel to a rainbow.

How poetic.

A cleared throat snapped Nowi back to reality. "Oh, uh, sorry, just thinking."

She looked to the gathering before guiding herself to Chrom and leaning next to him. "Chrom… um, that's one of Lucy's friends. I think it's Kjelle, based on what I'm seeing."

Chrom's eyes widened. The children hadn't wanted to reveal their true natures until their friends were found, but searches had come up empty. Until now, it seemed. "I see, what should we do?"

"Probably ask Lucy." Nowi whispered. "In the meantime, keep her distracted. Don't want her running if she suspects something."

Chrom smirked. "Sounds like a plan. Sully, take this volunteer to the training yards, have Ricken sort her out. If she can't beat him, there's no place for her here."

Sully had a downright wicked smile on her face, but Kjelle only growled. If Nowi had to guess, Ricken wasn't much of a threat back in the future, so this was bound to be fun. "I'll follow them, I need to speak with Marth anyway. She should be there as well."

Chrom raised a brow and Nowi heard a near-silent grunt from Kjelle.

Recognition, that seals it. Oh, I can't wait to see this, she needs to get taken down a peg from what I can tell.

Chrom gave his permission for everyone to leave, Nowi following Sully and Kellam out of the tent while the others started talking with Chrom. It looked like Kjelle had barged in and interrupted them.

"You are blind."

Nowi blinked before looking over, Kjelle's outline facing her. "Oh, it may look like that, but I can get around just fine. My sight isn't normal, but I'm no liability. My husband saw to that, trust me."

She proved it by gracefully dodging a hurried pair of swordsmen, their armor clanking loudly.

Kjelle grunted at the sight but was otherwise silent until they reached the yards. Nowi could see Lucina's icy form in the center.

"Marth!" Nowi called, making Lucina look up. "I gotta talk to you! Also, do you know where Ricken is?"

Lucina blinked at the request before gesturing to another field. "He's working with the other mages. Is it important?"

"You'll see." Nowi giggled, mischief in her voice. "Also, I wanted to ask if you recognized that girl after I tell them where to go."

She turned and yelled at Sully, who was still glowering at Kjelle. "Ricken's in the next field over! I'll join you guys in a minute!"

Sully grinned and ran off, Kellam far more courteous in guiding Kjelle away. Once they were gone, Nowi turned to find Lucina had paled. "Lucy? Is that one of your friends?"

Lucina gulped and shook her head. "It… it is. I guess she didn't recognize me without my hair dye, but that's Kjelle."

"Does that mean we can finally spill?" Nowi whispered, leaning in close. "It's been torture having all of you so close but not getting to visit with everyone else!"

Lucina pursed her lips. "I… don't know. I need to speak with Severa and our sisters first."

Nowi wasn't happy about that, but she heard people cheering so the fight must've been starting. "Well, let me and your father know later. Cordelia and Sumia are the only ones beside us who know right now, but I'd feel better if we expanded that circle soon."

Lucina nodded absently and wandered from the yards. Nowi watched her go before turning and jogging to the circle of onlookers. After working her way through the throngs, Nowi found an amusing sight.

Ricken, now a grown man after the years of peace, was toying with Kjelle. Not even atop his horse and in normal robes, his every move countered Kjelle's with an almost insulting degree of ease. Worst part was, he was using a sword and always dodging her charges.

"Hold still you coward!" Kjelle shouted after another failed lunge. "How can you call yourself a Shepherd and run from a fight?!"

Ricken shrugged, baiting another charge. When she did, Ricken sidestepped and tripped her, the weight of Kjelle's armor carrying her to the ground. Less than a second later, Ricken was atop her and his blade under her throat. "That's my win."

Kjelle was pinned but didn't speak. Ricken decided to dispense some wisdom. "I don't deny you have more strength than me, and far better defenses, but you charge in recklessly. That armor may protect you from a lot of damage, but all it takes is a quick dodge and you're done. Your footwork is obvious, and your moves could be seen a mile off, any experienced soldier would have taken you down.

"There's talent in you, clear as day, but you'll need a lot more work before you even sniff leadership."

With that, his blade moved away, and he left Kjelle stewing on the ground. The crowd was hooting and hollering, but Nowi was more interested in Sully. If the rolling magma on her form meant anything to Nowi, she'd call the knight worried.

Nowi approached her slowly, "You look concerned? Something up?"

"I don't know." Sully sighed, scratching her head in thought. "I just felt kinda… bad, I guess. It's like I started feelin' concerned for that loudmouth and wanted to punch Ricken."

Nowi suppressed a grin. Sully always did have unusually strong maternal instincts, even among the Shepherds, and it looked like she already recognized her daughter. "Well, knowing you, you'll want to turn that loudmouth into someone to be proud of. Have at it!"

Sully grinned and marched towards Kjelle, Kellam taking over. "You know, I feel like there's something familiar about that volunteer. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I swear I know that shield, same with the eyes."

Nowi gulped as he looked to her, his eyes visible as green lights. "I won't ask if you know something, though I can tell you do, but please try and make sure that the truth comes out soon. I doubt the others will take the secret well if you wait much longer."

Nowi shuddered as Kellam went back to work. The man was silent, nearly blending in to the background despite every Shepherd knowing how to spot him. Honestly, he probably knew or suspected more than anyone, even Gaius.

No matter, we'll see what the girls say. If everything's in order, we can finally bring the family together.

With that thought, Nowi disappeared into the mass of soldiers, eager to find something else to do. So eager in fact, she missed a small figure with a brown bob of hair and twin braids slip by, a familiar crystal in hand.

"Was that… mother?"

-Morgan-

"Heave you sons of bitches' heave!"

Morgan cringed as Flavia's voice boomed through the air, the soldiers below pulling a great contraption into place. It was a scaled-up version of something Miriel had made many years ago, its production rushed after she'd demonstrated the small model's ability to hit ships with greater accuracy than traditional catapults.

There was a lot of technical jargon that made Morgan's head hurt, so that's about all she knew about this thing other than it was heavy.

Speaking of the sage, Miriel was observing the harbor from a ledge in front of Morgan, marking notes while Gregor looked around with a spyglass. "There is many spots to land, yes? Why harbor important to ships?"

"I believe you were in Valm at one point, dear." Miriel stated, making another mark in her book. "Surely you've seen the ships at some point. There's no practical way to deposit so much material and so many troops without this harbor's facilities, thus they will attack here."

Gregor shrugged. "Gregor only see fishing boats and merchant ships, no warships. Divided Valm was good for pay, easy to go fight bandits from lord to lord, but Gregor not know what they do for warships."

Morgan groaned as the couple continued to talk, bored out of her mind. Yes, it was important to get a better view of where the defenses were being placed, but did she have to escort Miriel and Gregor? Gregor was still his jolly self, but Miriel hadn't quite mellowed to the point of being approachable.

It would take a couple more years with Laurent before that happened.

"Tethys, would you come here?"

Morgan looked over to see Miriel waving for her. "What's up?"

"Would you tell the Khan that they need to move the trebuchet another twenty yards?" Miriel asked, pointing to a small out-cropping below. "That position will have ideal coverage and visibility."

Morgan nodded and grabbed Theresa's reins. Once she was out of sight, Miriel hummed. "I wonder when they'll finally let everyone know?"

"You mean Tethys and others are time-walkers?" Gregor laughed. "Gregor knew having brainy wife was good, but never think up that."

Miriel sighed and flipped through her notebook. Several pages were filled with a variety of descriptions, each given by the various captains tasked by Miriel to watch for specific individuals. One page described a male taguel, another a manakete with brown hair, and two detailed a studious mage and a blonde archer.

The physical details were a note for note match of the children from four Shepherd couples, and the girls that had joined the halidom four years ago matched with the young royals and heiresses of Felds. It was too much of a coincidence to think all these children and young adults would be so similar, especially when Miriel had spied the brand on 'Katarina's' lower back.

Then she'd read about the Right of Time and everything made sense.

"Eh, they will tell in time." Gregor said, glancing to his wife. "Right used only if need great, and they here to help. Best not distract others with thoughts of wandering children."

Miriel closed her book and nodded. "That is for the best… though I do wish to speak with Laurent should we get the chance."

"It is only right we apologize for leaving him to such terror, though I doubt he'd forgive us."

-Sumia-

"Have there been any sightings?"

Cordelia shook her head and Sumia sighed. They'd had squads circling the air for almost a week, but the fleet still wasn't in sight. What was keeping them?

"If I may speak?" Cordelia asked.

She continued at Sumia's nod. "One of the wyvern squads noted storm currents brewing about twenty leagues off-shore. It's blowing out to sea, so it wouldn't surprise me if the fleet was delayed a few days because of it."

Sumia hummed and tapped her chin. "That would do it. Gaius may get top notch information, but even he can't account for nature. Small wonder we're here two days before they're supposed to land with no fleet in sight."

Cordelia nodded and handed Sumia a leaf of parchment. "I received this via messenger yesterday. All of the soldiers and supplies will be here by tomorrow, so we'll be able to get everyone briefed in time."

Sumia scanned over the page and let a small smile through. "It'll be good to have everyone together one last time before this starts. We can finally let everyone in."

Cordelia blinked, not understanding what Sumia meant. "There's plenty of shelter, I don't see who we'd need to let in."

"Oh, sorry." Sumia giggled. "I meant that we can go ahead and tell the others about the children. Lucina and Cynthia came to tell me about it a few minutes before you landed."

Cordelia took a moment to process that before smiling widely. "I'm… so glad to hear that. It's been so hard not telling everyone."

"And hard on the girls too." Sumia agreed, standing and stretching with a groan. "We've heard all those stories about the adventures and fun times they've had with the Shepherds. I just wish it was a better time."

Cordelia strode to her friend and clapped her shoulder. "We were all putting it off, better now than never. Let's get everyone in and we'll tell, hopefully they'll take it well. Though… how did the girls come to this decision?"

Sumia let an amused smile cross her face. "Well…"

-Lucina, Three Hours Ago-

"Are you mad?!"

Lucina cringed as Severa seethed at her, Cynthia stood off to the side watching. "Sev, the others are starting to show up. I saw Kjelle earlier and I swear I've seen Noire and Laurent too. Why not now? The truth has given our parents great determination and I don't want anyone else robbed of their parents."

Severa pinched her nose, trying to ward off a headache. "Lucy, we're in a war-camp, not the best place for family reunions. Besides, Morgan isn't here, and if the others are here we'd need their input about being revealed or not."

"That cat's out of the bag already, Sev." Cynthia said, making the pair look at her. "I mean, do you really think most of the Shepherds haven't put together who we really are? Uncle V aside, everyone else is pretty smart."

Severa smirked. "Ouch, I wonder if he'll need salve later. Anyway, if that's the case, then why haven't they said anything? I don't know about you, but it sure feels like most of them don't trust us, even after four years."

"We did join unannounced and with full confidence from the most skeptical man in the Shepherds." Lucina reminded them. "Perhaps they simply saw no reason to confront us with that vote of confidence, and as for no trust, do you really think they would have thrown all those maps at you if they didn't believe you could handle it?"

Severa leaned her head back and groaned. "Damn it Lucy, why are you so empathetic? Fine, if you want to tell them, that's up to you. At this point, I don't care either way."

"That's not true Sev." Cynthia laughed, standing and patting her friend on the back. "We've all missed Aunt Cherche's famous roast pork, same with having story time whenever Olivia was in town. And I remember you convincing Uncle Kellam to help you pick apples."

Severa only scowled, but the blush on her cheeks blunted the look. "Just… go. I have things to do before Morgan gets back and Mother made us promise to get dinner together."

Lucina and Cynthia traded grins before they hugged Severa goodbye and went off to inform Sumia or Chrom, whoever they ran into first.

-Sumia-

"And that's how they decided."

Cordelia giggled and adjusted her armor. "I swear, Severa tries so hard to put on a cold front, but she melts under even the slightest kindness. That, her friends, and a good nap. Heaven knows she got something from Robin besides the mind and features."

"She got everything else from you!" Sumia laughed, waving for Cordelia to follow her. "I swear, I saw her with her hair down a couple times, and I thought she was you! Only thing that stopped me was the purple color."

Cordelia laughed too, waving to some of the troops as they left the tent behind. "Yes, well, I remember when we had that big ball two years ago. I was trying to find you in the crowd, but I mistook Lucina for you. When she curls that hair, you two are very similar."

Sumia ran a hand through her hair, smile dreamy. "It's strange, but wonderful if you ask me. Both of them look so much like us, with a few features from their fathers, while their sisters are a more… pleasant mix I guess. They're just so… beautiful, and so strong."

"We've been saying it for years and it doesn't make it any less true." Cordelia said wistfully. "Though, I've been meaning to ask you something."

Sumia glanced at Cordelia curiously. "Do you have the time? I'm sure you'll be needed in the command tent before long and I have to sortie soon."

"It's nothing much," Cordelia hedged. "It's just…"

"Do you think Lucina and Severa fancy each other?"

That question stopped Sumia cold, Cordelia taking a few more steps before realizing the queen had stopped. Sumia in turn slapped a hand to her head and dragged it down her face. "That explains so much."

Cordelia looked very confused, so Sumia elaborated. "Lucina's been very particular about looking her best whenever you and the girls come to visit. She'd stress for hours if that shirt or that dress would get a compliment out of Severa, same with make-up and jewelry. Geez, I can only imagine what living together must be like."

Cordelia tilted her head. "That sounds like what happens with Severa. I don't remember ever giving so much fashion advice, and Morgan's come calling just to complain about her at times. Good heaven, they have it bad."

"Makes you wonder where it sprang from," Sumia sighed. "But we can worry about them later, we have work to do. Don't play matchmaker while I'm gone, ok? We do that together."

Cordelia glowered at Sumia, making the queen laugh. With that, they split to go about their duties, silently hoping that they could make their daughter's slow-dance speed up a bit. Maybe they'd even get to be in-laws!

-Severa-

"Why the heck do I keep shivering? It's spring for heaven's sake!"

Severa mumbled a few curses before flipping to the next page in her book. She'd been ordered by Morgan at spearpoint to take a break when the redhead got back, so here she was reading an old set of stories while Morgan napped loudly behind her. Why did her sister snore so loudly again?

Oh, right, allergies. Damn oak pollen.

Severa tried to block out the snores as best she could. Morgan deserved the rest, especially since she'd be on the night shift soon. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the day, evening was far more relaxed as the mess tents got ready to serve ravenous soldiers.

Unfortunately, Severa didn't get more than a few paragraphs in before someone knocked on the tent post. "Sev, are you in?"

That was Lucina, what could she need? "Yeah, I'm in. What, is it time to tell the big secret?"

Lucina pulled the tarp back and entered, voice quiet when she saw Morgan asleep. "Not quite, we need Cynthia to come back from her patrol before that happens. I wanted to talk to you about something else before we got dragged into battle."

Severa tilted her head before patting the spot beside her. "Well then I'm glad I decided to read on my cot. What's up?"

Lucina took the spot with uncharacteristic hesitation. In fact, she was fidgeting and shaking so much Severa could feel it. "Well… it's something important to me, very personal. It's just… it's been six years and I haven't gotten an answer."

Answer? What… oh… that's what this was about.

Damn.

"Lucy," Severa sighed, her back starting to ache. "This really isn't the time-"

Lucina's head whipped around, her glare silencing Severa. "How is now not the time? We are soon to go to war and we may end up separated, even dead. I don't want any regrets going into this Sev, and this question, this need I've put on hold for six years is one of the last. Please, tell me…"

"Do you love me? Because I can say for certain that I love you more than anything… even my family."

That last confession was whispered, the words making Severa's heart jump into her throat. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think…

But the answer was clear, she'd known for years. All it had taken was to finally be put before the one thing she felt Lucina would never be without.

Lucina's eyes widened as Severa leaned forward and kissed her, unable to respond. Severa held the kiss for a moment before leaning back, eyes shining. "Lucy… you're such a dunce at times. Of course, I love you, I've loved you since we were girls. I just… always thought you wouldn't care for me, since your family's so important…"

Lucina's arms shot out and she buried her nose in Severa's shoulder, hiccups of relief filling the air. "Severa, you're the most important person to me. Yes, I care for my family, deeply, but they're not you. You've been my best friend for years, through every ugly phase and trial the gods could throw at us. All the time you've shown me nothing but support, how could I not love such a beautiful person?"

Severa wrapped her arms around Lucina, leaning on her shoulder too. "Well, same goes for me. You led us all through that nightmare before we came back in time, and you led us even when the others weren't there. If anyone's beautiful, it's you… the looks are just a bonus."

"Gee, thanks." Lucina hiccupped. "I uh, fell in love with you eyes first, if we're being honest here. I love how they shine when you laugh and… damn it, this is too much."

Severa chuckled and snuggled tighter. "You're telling me. Do you have any idea how hard it is not to stare when we're training? Or how hard it was not to break down when we were in the cabin? To think, we could've solved this a while ago."

"We're both stubborn," Lucina sighed, hiccups done for now as she leaned back. "But… I don't think that's always a bad thing. We were stubborn enough to keep loving each other, even in our fear."

Severa pulled back too, but soon touched their foreheads together. "Yeah… even if I feared a broken heart, at least I can still love the Little Ram."

"And I can still love the Purple Pup." Lucina whispered, Severa groaning at her long-dead nickname. "That sets my heart at ease, knowing I have something so close to fight for."

Their lips drifted closer together as they talked, warm breath tickling them. Severa spoke again after a long silence. "I guess… this is what it feels like for our parents. Having something to love… I'm so happy… I just don't know if I deserve it…"

Lucina silenced her as their lips met, the kiss long, deep, and passionate. They'd finally moved passed their own worries and anxieties after years of waiting, so why let even a vestige of doubt exist now? They loved each other, deeply, and there was nothing that could separate them, not after the trials they'd endured to reach this moment.

They didn't expect the heat building in their chests, the kiss growing even deeper as they pulled close together, instinct beginning to guide them.

Then a particularly loud snore from Morgan made them pause, they separated, panting.

Severa caught her breath first. "Lucy, uh… let's try and keep that under control, ok? At least take me to dinner first."

Lucina did her best seductive look, but to Severa it just looked like she was pouting. "Are you sure? I don't mind dinner, but we both know Morgan can sleep through a thunderstorm."

"Trust me, she'll know." Severa muttered, recalling a few times when Morgan had woken up because of Severa's… private time. "Besides, we both know we'll have to head for Valm. That's two months on a boat with our own room."

Lucina gained a hungry glint in her eyes, a chaste kiss holding a smoldering burn. "I look forward to it. But, we still have some things to do. Work before pleasure, as I always say."

Lucina stood and made for the flap, a sinful gaze thrown over her shoulder and a roll in her hips as she left. Severa watched it all appreciatively before groaning and hiding her face in her hands. "Thank Naga Morgy didn't hear any of that, I'd die if she did."

"Geez, I knew you guys had some tension the last few years, but I thought you'd start fornicating right there! Glad I didn't decide to sneak off, you may have!"

Severa's face drooped in horror, she turned slowly to find a grinning Morgan sitting up in her cot. "You… heard all that…?"

Morgan smirked. "Yep, and I never thought I'd hear either of you be so emotional… or talk dirty at that. Lucina being seductive is… weird."

Severa could do only one thing as her face turned an interesting shade of puce.

She fainted.

"Damn it, Sev, it's not that bad! You've heard me have those dreams too, it's not like we're ten!"

-Night, Sea-

"They're waiting for us."

The ship's commander sighed as he gave the spyglass to his subordinate. The vanguard had made better time than expected, but they'd run into a squall and were delayed back to their original timetable. It shouldn't have mattered, but it looked like General Yen'fay's suspicions were true.

The Alteans had spies in Valm, good spies. Their landing dock on the west coast was lit with torches, it was obvious the enemy had catapults ready to fire.

"Landing in the day is suicide, Commander Dalton." The man's subordinate noted. "Even if we made the docks intact, they'll have archers and mages ready to rain hell on our heads, not to mention barricades and spears."

Dalton grunted and turned from the sight. "Then we land at night. We've faced similar odds when we invaded the south coast back home, I doubt they'll be expecting a night attack. Even still, send a messenger to the main fleet and request more ships. We'll need more men if we're going to establish bases further inland after removing this rabble."

The soldier saluted and ran off to do just that. Dalton in turn took one more look at the coast, then to the sky. "Their patrols stopped for the night. I'm glad I had all the boats extinguish their torches before we spotted land, we'd have been sitting ducks otherwise."

In either case, Dalton barked orders for the vanguard to make for the docks. His ship would take the lead while the others would follow once they'd created a suitable distraction. The Alteans would pay for not using night patrols, but the success of this mission came down to how many the enemy had gathered to oppose them.

Without the port, the invasion could not commence, and Dalton would be damned if he let the first attack of the glorious Valm Empire upon Altean soil end in failure.

Not when he'd been given command of this vanguard by Emperor Walhart himself.

-Gaius-

"Twinkles, they're here."

Gaius's voice made Maribelle jolt awake, the noblewoman blinking rapidly. She'd gone off to get a few minutes shut-eye in between rotations, choosing a chair in the small inn they'd commandeered as a watch-post. It felt like she'd barely closed her eyes before her husband showed up. "Who… showed up?"

"Valm's here." Gaius said, energizing Maribelle instantly. "We can't stop the first two boats, but I've already got the big guys firing on the others. I need you to help organize everyone, the signal fires are lit, but no one else here is fast enough to give the details."

Maribelle shot to her feet and marched from the room, Gaius barely a step behind. "What are the estimates for those boats, and have any of the trailing boats been hit yet? Also, how did our patrols not see them? They've been running day and night!"

"The ships are low, flat, and narrow." Gaius answered as they entered the frantic lobby. "They had no fires on deck, so their torches were extinguished. From the air, they'd blend with the waves. Best estimates place about three hundred to three hundred and fifty men per boat."

Maribelle's very presence made soldiers part, the woman steel-eyed. "That's seven hundred at most, but that's enough to take hold of the harbor and surrounding districts. We need to get the soldiers there quickly or this will be far harder than it needs to be."

Gaius nodded and peeled off, but not before pecking Maribelle's cheek. "I'll find you afterwards, just be careful."

"I'm always careful, dear." Maribelle whispered, gaze softening. "I should be telling you that."

Gaius gave her a roguish grin, but she was gone before he could say anything else. With that done, he began to march down the street, feet taking him to the harbor as cloaked figures began to appear around him. "I want all of you watching every nook and cranny. Not one of those bastards gets away. Kill them if they resist, but cowards are useful."

His arm flew out and the figures dispersed, the Mani Katti appearing in his hand. "Now then…"

He melted into the shadows.

"Time to hunt."

-Tharja-

They just had to show up on her shift, didn't they?

Tharja scowled as she watched two boats pull into the harbor, planks and ropes flying to the dock followed by soldiers of varying quality. Most were standard spearmen, though not as well equipped as the Ylissean and Feroxi forces. Cavalry and knights followed; Tharja spotted horse archers, a novel idea, paladins, dark knights, and great knights.

"They certainly don't lack for cavalry."

Tharja grunted, keeping her eyes on the enemy. "Loathe as I am to say it, Virion was spot on. You think your axe can get through those knights?"

Vaike guffawed and bounced Armads on his shoulder. "Please, this ol' boy can cleave through stone. Put these muscles behind it and nothing can stop us!"

"What Cherche sees in you, I'll never know." Tharja muttered before looking behind Vaike to the unit of mages under her command. "Keep the spells simple and direct, too much damage to the harbor won't help. Wait until they've sent search parties, hit, then retreat."

The mages saluted and scrambled to their spots, Vaike taking Tharja's spot behind the corner. "Let me know when, I'll get their attention."

"Don't let your bloodlust get ahold of you." Tharja muttered, patting his shoulder. "Cherche won't be happy if I have to bind you again."

Vaike grew solemn, a nod his only answer. Tharja sighed and hid, the darkness welcoming and slithering along her limbs. Goetia pulsed in her hands as a wicked grin spread across her face.

No one separates me from my loves… and lives.

-Stahl-

"Form up, make a line! They'll be here before long!"

Stahl's voice called out ever-more instructions as soldiers scrambled to their positions. No one was expecting an attack during dinner, especially two days before the Valmese were supposed to arrive, but the signal fires had given them some warning.

Hopefully it would be enough.

"Spears in front, behind the barricades!" Stahl shouted, voice hoarse. "Shields and swords behind them, archers behind that! Watch your marks and hold steady!"

He was one of many forming the defenses through every street, forced to part from his wife in the confusion, and while he knew the defenses could hold, all of those with him were green. Not one had fought actual human opponents, only Risen. That was bound to show in the battle.

"Remember your training!" Stahl called as the sound of hooves and boots came from around the corner. "Remember the homes and people you fight for! Their memory shall give you strength this day!"

The soldiers roared their approval, the first line of Valmese cavalry showing themselves.

Crimson and silver, just like Cherche and Virion said. They don't look all that intimidated by us.

"You are soldiers of Ylisse!" Stahl roared, his troops cheering as the Valmese advanced. "These invaders think themselves conquerors, but we shall never harbor their fantasies! Show them the might of Ylissean steel and your stalwart will! Show them the courage of our people!"

The cavalry began to charge, lances and swords glinting in the firelight as bolts began to fly from the horsemen in the back.

"Archers, fire!"

The archers strung their bows as one and loosed, arrows breaking on the armor of the riders, but piercing the horses and joints when the aim was true. Those struck howled and screeched in pain, but the charge continued unabated.

Right into the shadows hiding the stakes.

The first wave was skewered on the stakes, the Ylissean spearmen finishing the riders as they were thrown from their steeds. Some ended impaled on the stakes, the soldiers putting them out of their misery. The remainder pulled back, clearly reconsidering their options.

Stahl wouldn't let them think, a sword wrapped in healing wood drawn forth. "Charge!"

He spurred his steed forward, the soldiers roaring their challenge as they charged. The spears led the wave, even as several were picked off by the horse archers, but the narrow confines of the street let only the rearmost cavalry pull-back before the Ylisseans slammed into them.

The momentum of the charge crushed the first line of cavalry and most of the second, but the close-quarters were ill-suited to both armies. The remaining Valmese began to hack away at Stahl's footmen.

Stahl slew a paladin in two strokes before taking his lance and skewering a distracted archer, the man thudding on the ground while his horse panicked and bolted. As he watched, almost a dozen men took brutal slashes, dropping to the ground as the spearmen retreated for swordsmen to take their place.

Thank Naga for the armor. These Valmese are no joke, that line could've destroyed half the unit before they retreated.

A blow came for his head, but Stahl caught it with his shield and bashed his attacker with the edge, stunning the great knight and allowing Stahl to stab the horse. As the knight fell, swordsmen fell upon and slew him, but not before the knight broke a few bones.

The screech of arrows made Stahl look further down the road, a line of foot-archers and horse-archers peppering the exposed soldiers. As before, the armor blunted most of the attacks, but a few were lucky and found vulnerable joints.

"Shields in front!"

Knights marched forward and planted their shields into the earth, the swordsmen adding their kite shields on top at an angle, stopping the archers cold. The roar of steel boots hitting cobble-stones and calls of panic showed that another unit had flanked the Valmese archers, cheers of victory soon following.

Stahl ordered the shields to break and surveyed the damage. They'd taken down many Valmese by the looks of it, but they'd done so at a cost as well. The invaders were skilled, that was clear, and it was only preparation, surprise, and superior armor that kept casualties so light.

Stahl sighed and ordered his men to make for the next district. They didn't have time to mourn the dead, but they could take solace in the knowledge that the wounded would be tended to swiftly.

Future battles would likely be less fortunate.

-Cherche-

"Dive on those ships, don't let them reach the harbor!"

A squad of wyverns dove for one of the rear ships, flipping and swerving around the arrows that sought to shoot them down. Bags filled with explosive stones fell and several balls of fire ignited them, turning the deck of the ship into burning scraps.

"They don't seem to have as many archers as usual." Cherche muttered. "When did that change? There were plenty of archers when they invaded Roseanne."

She felt Minerva roll as a boulder flew by, the stone slamming into another ship. Ignoring the sinking vessel, Cherche surveyed the sea below. Now that they had some light from the burning vessels, she was able to make out most of the vanguard's fleet.

The two ships at the front were the largest of them all, which explained why they went first as they held the most troops. Those behind them were smaller and of varying shapes, about ten or twelve in total. Of those, six had been sunk, and the rest were being harassed by pegasi, wyverns, and boulders.

The success wasn't without cost though. Several wyverns and pegasi had been shot out of the sky, their riders either perishing with the mounts or drowning under the weight of their armor. Sad, but no one had factored in sea water during training, so it wasn't surprising they would fail to remove their armor and swim to safety.

We need to address that. Cold water too

Cherche's thoughts were put on hold as another wyvern knight flew up to her. "Commander! The main bulk of the enemy in the port has taken over two districts! In addition to the docks, our soldiers are spread thin while our main body hasn't arrived yet!"

"Tell Tharja to focus on the districts!" Cherche ordered, turning Minerva towards the port. "I'll meet up with whoever's leading the assault on the docks. Keep harassing those boats in the meantime, don't let anything on those docks!"

The knight yelled his recognition and dove into the fray, Minerva already gliding for the docks. From what Cherche could see, the Valmese were leveraging their more experienced troops for all they were worth, even as the superior armor and weaponry of the Ylisseans helped make up the difference.

There were more bodies on their side though, Cherche watched most of them get pulled from the fighting and replaced. She could only hope they were merely wounded, but there'd be time to mourn later.

Spotting a familiar blonde head breaking three men in half with a mighty swing, Cherche went into a steep dive that ended with an archer getting shredded by Minerva and a knight getting Helswath planted in his head.

"Vaike!" Cherche shouted as Vaike punched a paladin hard enough to snap his neck. "Where's Tharja? She was supposed to keep the districts around the docks safe!"

Vaike turned his shoulder into an arrow, the metal plate deflecting it. "She went off to blow up an incursion on the south side, we weren't expecting the big charge they sent to the east and north! Stahl's cleaning up the east, but we're stuck here!"

Cherche growled and used Minerva's armor to block a cavalier's charge, the attacker swiftly liberated of their arm. "How many went to the south?"

"At least two dozen!" Vaike shouted as the Valmese fell back into a defensive line. "I don't think Gaius has enough agents to deal with all that. I've been seeing them pop up here and there to the north and east, but nothing south."

Cherche bit her lip as the Valmese formed a shield wall, cavalry behind with lances placed over shields. Then, as one, they began to advance.

"It's time."

Cherche nearly screeched at the low mumble, Tharja appearing out of thin air.

"Where'd you come from?" Cherche panted, adrenaline fading.

"I came from the back," Tharja answered as if it was obvious. "The healers have most of the wounded, but if this is going to be a shoving contest, the troops need a better leader than I."

Vaike panted, a wave from Cherche's emergency staff staunching rivulets of blood. "I ain't good with keeping folks disciplined, but I can rile them up for sure."

"A shield wall's all about who breaks first." Cherche mumbled, proud to see the Ylisseans already set in a barricade of their own. "And if the mages aren't here to break it, then we'll have to see whose will is greater."

Tharja licked her lips before sighing. "I'll have to leave it to you two. I must get back to my unit, see if they've finished cleaning out the stragglers. We'll join as soon as we can, hold out."

Cherche couldn't respond before Tharja was gone. "Damn it. At least we can say for certain their archers are gone, I haven't seen an arrow in a while. Vaike, are you up for an inspirational speech?"

Vaike grinned and hauled himself onto Minerva's back. "Am I ever!"

"If you give a good one," Cherche whispered as she guided Minerva into the air and behind the front line, the soldiers solid as rocks. "I'll give you something… nice."

Vaike's grin widened. Cherche almost never wore lace, so here was his chance!

"Alright guys, this is it!" Vaike roared, his voice making the Valmese pause. "Before you stand a bunch of lily-livered Valmese that can't handle the namby pambies back home, so they ran to us looking for a fight! Well, they bit off more than they could chew against this wall of steel and courage! Any one of you is worth ten of them, and I see no worthy challenge in the whole toss pot! Let's drive them back into the sea like the dogs they are, and I'll see you at the tables for the victory feast!"

The soldiers roared their approval, the shield wall advancing in a steady cadence. The battle cry did little to move the Valmese, though they advanced just a little slower.

Vaike hopped from Minerva and grinned at Cherche. "How was that?"

"It was… ok." Cherche quipped, giggling at Vaike's crestfallen face. "But good enough. Keep an eye out, I'll be surprising you soon."

Vaike whooped and joined the soldiers, Cherche taking to the air once more. With her vantage, she could see a paladin with golden armor directing the Valmese, marking him as the commander. While she could go in and take him out, no one in Valm got promoted without some skill, and she didn't fancy throwing Helswath at him.

While she deliberated, the shield walls crashed into each other, shouts and clashing steel filling the air. Unfortunately for the Valmese, barricades like this depended on two things: weight, and how well trained individual units were.

The Ylisseans had both.

While the initial split up gave the Valmese some control of the port, that advantage soon turned against them as soldiers in the street were cut off by Ylissean resistance. Gaius's assassins intercepted stragglers while Gaius himself took on whole squads, softening Stahl and Tharja's exertion.

When the first crack was formed in the Valmese wall, their formation quickly broke, and their soldiers scattered. The Ylisseans took advantage and surrounded the scattered Valmese, most fighting to the death, but others dropped their arms and surrendered.

Only one pocket remained after the hours of fighting, though it felt like thirty minutes at most. A ring of Valmese soldiers surrounded three horsemen. The captain was among them, shouting orders to hold steady and fight to the last breath.

The Ylisseans formed ranks and prepared to crush them. Cherche was more than willing to watch from the air, but she spotted something very important marching down the main street. She landed in front of the Ylissean line, Minerva growling at the last invaders.

"I speak for Exalt Chrom Falke de Ylisse and his wife Queen Sumia Falk de Ylisse!" Cherche bellowed, authority ironclad in her words. "I bid thee soldiers of Valm to step forth and surrender to our leaders, for your lives shall be spared and comfort assured! No more need die this day, but should you continue to fight, your lives shall be forfeit!"

The commander spat: "I am Dalton, I speak for these men. We shall not surrender to your pitiful forces, no matter the defenses or preparations you make! The glory of Valm shall be made clear upon this land, and you are but specks upon its boot!"

Cherche sighed, letting the soldiers part in perfect unison to allow Chrom and Sumia forward. The royal pair were outfitted for war and the host of Ylisse's army railed behind them, shining silver in the night air.

"Who are you to make so bold a claim?" Chrom demanded, steel hardening his voice. "I believe these specks have quite soundly defeated you, even after your early arrival. Are your lives truly worth such useless words?"

The commander straightened in his saddle, pride radiating from him. "I am Dalton, leader of every vanguard since the Unification began! I have brought entire kingdoms to their knees in the name of Emperor Walhart, and yours will be no different!"

Chrom shook his head. "Then face me in combat. I win, your men surrender. You win, then we surrender. Are these terms fair?"

Sumia gave Chrom one hell of a stink-eye, but Chrom was cool and collected, even as Dalton rushed to take advantage of this chivalry. "Gladly! I shall enjoy seeing your blood stain the ground!"

Chrom rolled his eyes and drew Falchion, Dalton riding forward to face him. All was silent for a moment before Dalton charged with a roar, intent on rending Chrom's head from his shoulder.

Chrom sidestepped the charge and grabbed hold of Dalton's leg, somehow remaining in place as Dalton was torn from his saddle. Dalton had barely a moment to process what happened before Chrom stomped on his shoulder and Falchion bit into the other.

"I win," Chrom said simply leaning down to look Dalton in the eye. "I'll say this much. No matter the reason you came here, be it land, glory, or the Fire Emblem, Ylisse shall not fall. We have made ourselves ready for this war for four years. Can you say the same?"

Dalton spat blood, eyes widening as steel coated the left side of Chrom's face. "What… are you?"

"I am someone who's paid the price for power." Chrom whispered, eyes narrowing. "And I will use it in defense of my home."

"D-demon…" Dalton stuttered before going limp, the Valmese soldiers immediately surrendering.

Chrom sighed and cleaned Falchion. It would take a few days to get this mess sorted out, let alone get Flavia up to date. Things tended to happen when she wasn't around for some reason, Chrom was considering keeping her close to ward off any further surprises.

Regardless, their soldiers had faced real combat for the first time and come out well. Most were merely wounded, Robin's reforms paying dividends, but there were still many dead.

If this vanguard was but a small taste of Valm, they could not hope to face its full might upon the land.

Looked like Robin's crazy idea would have to happen after all… Which meant a journey to Plegia.

Wonders never cease, do they?

Ch. End

I'm going to call it there. I hope you all enjoyed the battle, I went looking for a variety of different tactics and strategies to fill in the gaps. Also, I hope you liked some of the Shepherds getting the spotlight, and we'll see more of the kids soon, that I can say.

Now, reviews!

Warrior of six blades: I quite enjoyed writing those scenes and I was proud of the prose towards the end. Hopefully, this is equally entertaining!

Suzaku Mizutani: You reviewed twice, so I'll address the main points. We do have a conqueror to defeat, that's what gets the story moving. I hope to expand upon Valm as well, so I do hope you enjoy. Also, yes, Mark is the name of Stahl and Evelyn's son. I'm not terribly creative and Evelyn's essentially the female avatar given a different role.

That's all I have folks, anything from you girls?

…

Oh right, we finally got them together in-story. They're off celebrating.

See you next time!