Author's Note: So, in the reviews for last chapter, it was requested that I do a chapter or two to see what was going on in Raven's absence. At first, I was hesitant on that, because I didn't want to overcomplicate this story the way I accidentally did to the other fic, but… then I realized, it's just a POV shift. What's the worst that can happen?
I originally tried to write a scene set "one month later" that depicted Chrom's wedding, but… I had to scrap it. For some reason, the inspiration to write the scene REFUSED to come to me and instead of holding up this chapter any further, I decided to scrap it. Also, as cool as that scene would be, it just seems like it wouldn't really contribute much, so also the reason it got scrapped.
Why is this chapter so late? Mostly just dealing with issues that's going on in my personal life. I'm sure many of us are feeling the effects that is going on in the world around us and even us people that normally spend all our time indoors are affected by it, not as much by the physical aspect or the lifestyle change (which is almost non-existent), but by the perpetual doom and gloom that surrounds us… in our news… in our social media. Also, for some of us, extended contact with people we normally don't have extended contact with.
It's killed my mood a few times, not even going to lie about that. It's dulled my creative spark and the drive to write. Sometimes, while working, I'll turn offline for twenty or thirty minutes, go to a local park, and just walk and take in the fresh air… but I can't do that anymore. So, yeah, I apologize for this late chapter.
Chapter 25
Echoes
Third Person POV:
It was a short trip back to Ylisstol. Everyone in the group travelled as fast as they could, not willing to subject themselves to another bandit attack. Every single Shepherd in the group moved with a sense of panicked urgency and somber reflectiveness. They had lost one of their very own to a bandit ambush only a few days prior. There was no way they would lose another.
The heightened sense of alertness only left the group once they entered the walls of Ylisstol on one rainy afternoon. The caravan made its way to the castle, the group quickly grabbed their equipment from the caravan to put away in the armory, and made their way into the barracks of the Shepherds. Selena, on the other hand, opted to disappear into the city, refusing to go into the barracks with the rest of the Shepherds. As they sat quietly on various pieces of furniture around the crackling fire, Chrom walked into the room.
"I heard you had returned. Is anyone willing to give a report?" Chrom asked. Cordelia stood up, her face one of fatigued frustration and a seemingly endless ocean of dark despair. At that, Chrom took a step back in surprise. "Gods, so, the Aum Staff was found!"
"Yes, milord," Cordelia said before kneeling before him. Chrom could only stare at her for a bit, trying to come to terms with the fact Cordelia was back to life. Eventually, he shook his head to clear his thoughts and sighed to himself.
"Cordelia, rise. You know how much I hate such formalities," Chrom replied with a frown.
"You are no longer just a simple leader of the Shepherds, but now the rightful ruler of this land. How else am I to see you and address you?" she asked.
"As you always have. Titles may change, but titles are mere words. It is our actions that define who we are," Chrom replied. He looked up as he saw Frederick and Robin walk into the room. "I would prefer that my comrades in arms see me as one of their own. Right, Frederick?"
"I am at my liege's service, but I am also his trusted confidant and friend," Frederick replied.
"I, as well, see Chrom both in the light of leader and friend," Robin added with a smile.
There was a silence that rang over the group. Chrom paused. Something wasn't right. He looked over the group and a thought came to him.
"Where's Raven?" Chrom asked. The mood of the room instantly darkened at the mention of the name and Chrom realized at that very moment the mission was not a complete success.
"He… he…" Marth began, but could not finish her sentence. Chrom's eyes widened.
"Where is he?" Chrom asked again. The silence amongst the group was burdening Chrom's soul. He had sent Raven on this mission, gave him the responsibility to see everyone home safe, and sure enough everyone else had returned home safe.
"The Flying Bandits caught up to us," Gaius commented.
"That was the group that attacked us as we returned from Plegia," Chrom mused aloud. "What happened?"
"We were attacked by the bandits. Raven stayed behind to hold them back while we fled," Sophia said in an uncharacteristically dismal tone. Marth slammed her fist on the stone wall behind her in frustrated anger.
"We should never have left him. We should have stayed behind and fought with him. We fled like cowards while he bravely stayed behind to hold them off! What kind of warriors are we that we sacrifice one when we could've saved him if we fought together! I promised him he could trust me and this is what I did with his trust. We betrayed him… I betrayed him…" she said in a frustrated tone. Cordelia nodded in agreement.
"I wanted to stay. I wanted to fight alongside him and the rest of you. But… he ordered us to leave him behind. He commanded us to avoid trouble and return to the capital safely. I… had to choose between my friend and my duty, and I chose my duty. This entire ride back, I have been pondering if that was the correct choice," Cordelia added.
"It was the correct choice," Chrom said quietly. "He knew the enemy force was an unknown. Rather than risk all your lives, he gave his own up."
"They said they were going to capture him," Sophia said. Frederick gave a worried look.
"I have been gathering unsettling rumors amongst the border towns and villages of this group's actions. They have indeed been capturing a plethora of mercenaries and members of the Royal Guard. Almost all of those captured members have been found days later dead on a roadside, executed by what appears to be a Levin Sword," Frederick said. Chrom's face paled slightly.
"Days later… even if we mobilized now, we have no idea where they are or if we're already too late," Chrom said. At that Marth got up out of her chair and started walking to the front door.
"Marth, wait," Gaius began, but his pleas reached nowhere. She stormed out the front door and slammed it shut behind her. Chrom looked at the rest of the group.
"If the rest of you could give Frederick the rest of the debriefing, I… think I might have to have a discussion with her. She might know more than she's letting on," Chrom said.
"She is a woman of many secrets, milord. Are you sure that's wise?" Cordelia asked.
"She is a woman of secrets, but we all have our secrets. If Raven could trust her, then I can as well," he said. "I need to know if she knows more. For… for his sake."
"Very well," Cordelia replied. Chrom nodded and walked out the door, looking around. He couldn't find her, so he started wandering the castle grounds hoping to run into the mysterious swordfighter. He finally walked past the Shepherds' graveyard and found Marth sitting on the ground on an empty spot.
"Marth?" Chrom said tentatively. Marth looked up at Chrom with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Yes… Chrom?" she asked.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Honoring our fallen ally," Marth quietly said as she motioned to the ground beside her. In the space where the next grave would have been, Chrom noticed an assortment of flowers laid side by side on the ground.
"… do you have room for one more?" Chrom asked.
"Possibly," she replied.
"I know the last time we actually talked, things ended awkwardly. I don't want you to think about that, as hard as that may be. I'm here for the same reason you are," he said quietly. She sighed to herself.
"Did things have to end this way for him?" Marth asked aloud.
"Does it seem that unbelievable?" Chrom asked back. "He was a selfless person and he cared about everyone. He even cared about you, the mysterious stranger who refused to talk about much of anything."
"To him, I was no mysterious stranger. I told him things I would never tell anyone else. In return, he offered me a level of trust he did not easily afford someone else," she replied. "Yet, here we are. I ran away in his time of need. He told me to. He told all of us to. But, it still doesn't feel right that we lived while he potentially suffers some terrible fate. It feels almost like we betrayed him."
"He knew the stakes and the situation, Marth. Regardless of how it might feel now, he did what was right and you did what was right. There was nothing more that could have been done in that situation. You seem to know this spot and why it exists, so I have no need to give you a lecture on how there will always be potential for a loss of life in any mission that is undertaken by the Shepherds," Chrom said. Marth opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a shrill shriek. The two looked toward the direction of the sound, back to the Shepherds barracks. Shortly after, the both of them spied a blonde princess running toward them.
"Brother, no! You can't! You can't! You can't!" she frantically yelled as she ran over.
"Lissa?" Chrom asked as he got up. Lissa ran over to the two, collided with Chrom, and began crying into his shoulder.
"He's not dead! He's not dead! We have no body. We don't have one. Why, Chrom? Why did we send him on that mission? Why didn't I go with everyone?" Lissa said.
"He told you not to, remember?" Chrom said.
"I should've went anyway!" Lissa replied.
"Chrom's right. There was nothing more we could've done," Marth said quietly.
"It's your fault! This is all your fault!" Lissa cried out at Marth.
"Lissa, stop it," Chrom said.
"No! He's gone, because they abandoned him! They all abandoned him. For what? What was the cost? For some stupid staff that they weren't even allowed to bring back? That's what this mission was about?"
"But Cordelia's back with us now. They brought her back to life. They succeeded in their mission!" Chrom said firmly in response. At that, Lissa slapped him across the face.
"A life for a life is a terrible thought, Chrom! How could you even SAY that? They are not the same person. This isn't some math problem where you shrug and say we added a person to make up for the one we lost! You, of all people, should know that! Everyone is unique. Everyone is important. Every Shepherd matters! Just because you're falling for Cordelia doesn't mean she suddenly means more than Raven did. How about how I feel, Chrom? How about how I lost one of my closest friends? Someone I had much respect for! Someone I… truly cared for," Lissa ranted, the full force of her uncharacteristic anger bearing down on Chrom. Chrom could not respond. How could he respond to that? Lissa was right… and it took her finally breaking out of her timid shell to make him realize that.
"Lissa, I…" Marth began.
"I don't want to hear another word from you," Lissa snapped. "Just… go. Go away."
"Lissa, stop," Chrom said firmly.
"No, she's… she's right. I don't belong here. I only came to accomplish two goals. One of them I still failed in, but the other one I succeeded in. I ended up picking up a third goal and failing in that as well. I pray that one success will be enough. I was never a Shepherd… and I never will be one. I have no right to be here," Marth replied. She got up off the ground and with a flutter of her cape in the breeze that accompanied the misting rain that gently fell on the warriors there, she disappeared from sight.
"Lissa…"
"Brother, not now. Let's just go back inside. We… have a lot to discuss upcoming," she said.
"Like, how to proceed from here," Chrom replied. Lissa nodded. The two of them went back to the barracks and continued the debriefing.
The streets of Ylisstol were emptier than usual from the rain that gently washed over the city. Marth walked through the streets without direction, frustrated and upset with herself for what had transpired. Why didn't she stay behind? Who were these Flying Bandits? They didn't exist in the history she knew. Were they that insignificant or was her very presence here enough of a wrinkle to alter the flow of history?
She found herself at a door, looking up at the bakery that her and Raven had visited a few times together. Chuckling darkly to herself at allowing old habits to bring her to this place of memory, she quietly walked into the relatively empty establishment.
"Hello there! Oh, it's you!" the lady behind the counter said. "Will you be having the usual?"
"Just a chocolate turnover," Marth replied listlessly. The girl behind the counter gave her a look before grabbing a chocolate turnover and a bear claw.
"Here, have this as well. Both on me," she said as she handed them to Marth.
"Are you sure?" Marth asked. The girl pulled some coins from her pocket and smiled.
"You seem like you could use a good deed today. Besides, you and your... hm, friend I guess… have been coming in here lately. This is the first time I've seen you without him. Also the first time I've seen you look like this. It doesn't take much to add things together," she said. Marth gave her an odd look.
"Nicolette, was it? I'm afraid I do not follow," Marth replied.
"Oh, trying to forget about what happened between you two? I suppose I can respect that," she replied. "But, if you keep believing and keep hoping, I'm know the two of you will meet once again."
"I'm pretty sure I won't be meeting him again."
"Was it really that bad of an argument?"
"What? No, he… he… he fell in combat," Marth said. The look on the waitress' face went from concerned to horrified.
"No, he… he can't be," she said with a frown. Marth nodded solemnly in response as she picked up the chocolate turnover and took a small bite.
"He stayed behind to buy us enough times to escape from some bandits."
"You can't believe he's dead, El," the waitress said. Marth winced at the name.
"… I forget that's the name I have always given you when I order from here," she said with a small smile on her face. "It eventually became his nickname for me."
"What is your name then?" Nicolette asked. Marth sighed as she started at the chocolate turnover in her hand.
"My name? My name is…"
Three Months Later:
Chrom was walking through the royal palace, having been summoned to a meeting. He arrived at the room and took a breath to himself. Although he swore to not take the title of exalt, he was still the leader of the nation. Any and all matters that required the attention of the ruler fell upon him to address. He sighed to himself as he put his hand on the doorknob. With renewed determination, Chrom entered the room and looked around him to see just Frederick was in the room.
"Frederick?" Chrom asked. "Where are the others?"
"It is only I, milord," Frederick replied. Chrom paused for a second. This must mean that there was a report from the countryside.
"I assume there is a report to be given."
"You would assume correctly. Our source has gone to the port town on the south side of the nation to investigate some unsettling rumors that had been going around."
"What has Marth reported to you?"
"Milord…"
"Frederick, I know you and her still correspond and she is still doing things for Ylisse on her own time."
"Very well. Yes, Marth has been investigating the actions of both the local mercenary companies and the Royal Guard members stationed in the town for her own personal reasons. The conditions that have been initially reported have been grim, to say the least."
"It pains me to hear such rampant issues going on within our nation," Chrom said with a sigh before sitting down at the table. "How can we address and resolve these issues?"
"Without enough irrefutable proof, we cannot simply dismiss the Royal Guard members there. A few rumors and one indecent act is not sufficient enough to turn over all the corruption there. Acting prematurely would only force them to scapegoat one person," Frederick explained.
"I assume you have already told her to continue her observation of the town, as well as other local areas?"
"Astute as ever, milord. She has already been doing observations of the area both for research on this topic as well as another trail that she has been investigating."
"Another trail?"
"It has to do with the bandits that captured Raven three months ago. She seems intent on finding them."
"… the loss of Raven hit her harder than anyone else, except maybe Lissa. This is probably the real reason she's keeping tabs on the local mercenaries and Royal Guard. I wonder what was the secret she held to herself that only Raven knew," Chrom mused aloud.
"It is a secret that we will undoubtedly never discover, if I may be blunt," Frederick replied. Chrom nodded in reply.
"Is there anything else?" Chrom asked.
"Only the side report she gave that she is training with a sea captain she met in town to help hone her sword ability and perhaps give her a style of swordplay that is more appropriate to her," Frederick said.
"It still troubles me that she wields a sword like Falchion and has a style similar to House Ylisse's," Chrom said.
"Indeed, it would appear so. However, although the actual techniques appear to resemble yours, it seems unrefined and underdeveloped. In addition, it seems she also has footwork resembling those of speedier fighters, such as Lon'qu and Gaius. Yet, sometimes the way she moves betray the fact that her basics were taught to her by a lance wielder," Frederick said. "With such a hodgepodge of contrasting techniques, it is a small wonder she was able to stand up to you in the arena."
"Her level of strength allows such clumsy technique to merely overpower an opponent," Chrom replied. "She is a woman amongst children against most opponents. I look forward to her honing her technique and sparring with me one day."
"Indeed," Frederick replied.
"You mentioned that she has the abilities of both someone like Gaius and a lance wielder, but you also called it contrasting. Does that not define… hmm… Raven's technique when he fighting with us?" Chrom asked.
"… if my memory serves me well enough, his fighting style indeed was a combination of the two. Her basic techniques in combat and the way she moves, now that you mention it, shockingly resemble his style in combat, only with a different weapon. If I may speculate, it is possible they had the same teacher," Frederick said.
"Which means that perhaps she was connected to the past he forgot," Chrom said.
"If that is the case, then that explains why she trusted him more than anyone else," Frederick finished.
"Speaking of lance techniques and Raven… how is Elise?" Chrom said.
"She is currently in the courtyard with the short spear that was once Raven's. She is still attempting to use all her lance techniques with primarily thrown weapons. We have tried to teach her how to use actual lances, but it appears the weight of the weapon does not pair well with her rather uniquely elegant style," Frederick said. "Her skill with a bow also has become on par with her lance skill. It appears that ever since Raven disappeared, she too has been training intensely."
"It is no surprise. Robin had been unusually quiet after that tragedy for a while as well. I think it… has begun to sink in with the both of them that being in the Shepherds is also a risk. Still, it appears Robin is in good spirits."
"That is because he and Lady Lissa have become exceptionally close," Frederick said.
"They were always friends, even if her pranks sometimes annoy him," Chrom replied.
"I mean, there is an unspoken bond between them… one that had been forged over a mutual respect for their fallen comrade. They have a level of companionship beyond that of mere friends," Frederick said. "A level that she had once yearned to achieve with Raven now lies with him."
"Wait, Lissa and Robin? I… I need to go talk to him soon," Chrom said.
"Please exercise extreme prudence in that conversation," Frederick warned.
"I will try my best."
"That is what I am afraid of, milord."
Chrom frowned at Frederick and opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it.
"Is there anything else to report?" Chrom asked.
"No, milord," Frederick replied.
"Then this meeting is adjourned."
"Milord, may I inquire how milady is doing?"
"Cordelia? She is fine. Why do you ask?"
"She is with your child, milord. Would it not be prudent of me to know that her health and safety are in good condition?"
"That is true, Frederick. Thank you for your concern. She is doing fine. We even decided on the name of the child."
"What will it be?"
"We will name her Severa," Chrom said with a smile. "The doctors have told us she would be a female, so we went with a female name."
"Seems like a good name. Too good of a name, in fact. That name must have been Lady Cordelia's suggestion," Frederick said. Chrom frowned a little again and sighed in response.
"Was it that obvious?" Chrom asked.
"What would you have named the child?" Frederick asked.
"Lucina," Chrom replied. Frederick paused for a second.
"That's a good name as well. I'm proud of you, milord. I was expecting an unimpressively not creative name, like Karen or Henrietta," Frederick said. "Perhaps if you have a second child, you can still name her that."
"What if it's a male child?" Chrom asked.
"Well, what would you name a male child?" Frederick asked. Chrom thought about it for a second.
"How about Leo or Xander?" Chrom asked.
"… those are more in line with my expectations of your creativity," Frederick commented off-handedly.
"Thank you, Frederi—wait a minute!"
"Consistency is a virtue," Frederick quipped.
"I cannot tell whether that was supposed to be some form of commentary or not," Chrom mused.
"I have only respect for you and the progress you have been making in all aspects of your life, milord," Frederick said. "By your leave, I will need to tend to the training of our soldiers in the event we have to send people down to replace the Royal Guard in the southern port town."
"Dismissed," Chrom said. He watched Frederick exit the room before departing to head to the training grounds. Perhaps a conversation with Elise would help him gauge her mental state. He started making his way down to the training grounds when he encountered Sophia.
"Oh! Salutations, Commander! Is today's weather not one of absolute beauty and warmth?"
"Oh, indeed. It is," Chrom replied.
"What brings you down here? By chance, would you happen to be heading to the training grounds?"
"Yes, Sophia, I am."
"What a coincidence! I am heading that direction as well. If you wish, I could accompany you there," she said.
"That… honestly would be appreciated," Chrom replied. The two of them began making their way to the training grounds as the two engaged in idle conversation. As they got to the training ground, they saw Elise standing there with a short spear, going through lance forms similar to Raven's.
"Elise?" Chrom said tentatively. She either did not hear him or chose to ignore him, because she was going through her motions with a fervor and intensity that was not originally known of her. Her movements, while as graceful as ever, had a tinge of aggressive intensity and a swift haste that was lacking months ago.
"Elise! Have you come down to train as well?" Sophia asked. Elise finally stopped and looked at the two.
"My apologies. I did not notice you two there. Yes, I have. Am I in your way?" she asked.
"Not at all," Chrom said. "I merely came down because I wanted to check up and see how you were doing."
"I'm quite fine, Commander. How about you? How are you feeling?" she asked. "You have had so much extra responsibility since becoming a ruler. How are you handling it all?"
"Oh, I'm… fine. It's challenging rising to the new responsibilities, but that's why I have everyone helping me out," Chrom replied. Elise paused and pointed to Chrom's hip.
"Commander, look… I do not believe I ever seen your sword do that before," Elise said. Chrom looked down to see Falchion glowing.
"Huh, you're right. Falchion is… reacting to someone here. Who could it be?" Chrom mused aloud.
"Neither of us use swords," Elise commented. Chrom looked at her.
"Perhaps it is you. Perhaps you're a distant descendant of Marth. Maybe this is why you could use the Aum Staff," Chrom reasoned. Elise thought to herself for a second before holding out her hand.
"Perhaps, Commander, if you will allow me… if that is the truth, it would alleviate my concern about my history," Elise said. Chrom nodded and handed her the sword.
"Try it on that practice log over there. Remember, if you are chosen by Falchion, the blade will be sharp enough to cut the log. If you are not, you will scarce damage the bark," Chrom said to Elise.
"Perhaps Elise is a Chosen One after all," Sophia commented in a dreamy, unfocused tone. Elise nodded to Chrom, held the sword, and got into a stance. Chrom gave her an odd look and cleared his throat.
"Am I doing something wrong? I don't use swords, Chrom. You know this," she said.
"No, it's just odd that you naturally assumed a stance that's generally for those who wield rapiers," Chrom commented.
"Did you know rapiers are weapons traditionally used by royalty and nobility throughout the ages?" Sophia commented.
"Not helping," Chrom said to her. Elise frowned at that.
"How should I be holding this and standing, then?" she asked. Chrom walked over and helped fix her stance before demonstrating how a strike is to be executed.
"Okay, ready? Three… two… one," he counted down. Elise swung Falchion at the log, only for the sword to bounce off the log. Elise let out a gasp as the vibration from the impact caused her to drop the sword on the ground. The glow on it faded slightly.
"Hm, so, you were not chosen by the sword…" Chrom mused aloud.
"Oh, of course not. I'm not part of your royal line. I should have known," Elise said.
"Marth can wield it, and she claims she's a distant descendent of the ancient king's. That puts her as related to Chrom somehow," Sophia pointed out. "Which makes the occasional moments he used to go above and beyond sneaking unnecessary observations at her in combat somewhat awkward, now that I reminisce upon it…"
"Anyway!" Chrom said quickly, trying in vain to change the topic. "It seems Elise here isn't who the sword was reacting to."
"It could not possibly be me. I am a practitioner of the arcane arts. I bring my vast experience and draw upon the well of knowledge and wisdom to bring our success in battle through the careful and precise strikes of magical resources. The sword is something that none in my family have ever wielded as a primary weapon," Sophia said.
"Are you not a Chosen One? How could you back down from this challenge?" Chrom asked. Sophia frowned at him slightly.
"I know you're prodding me… but you're right. Very well, I shall attempt this," she said. She took the sword from Chrom and imitating the corrected stance Elise had.
"Now, slash!" Chrom said. Sophia nodded and slashed the blade as hard as she could. The blow cut the log clean in two as she accidentally threw the sword into the ground from the momentum of the strike.
"Sophia…" Elise said quietly.
"I…" she began, but wasn't sure how to react to what had just transpired.
"That… what…?" Chrom said with an incredulous look on his face.
"You are descended from the first Exalt, in some way or shape or form," Elise mused aloud. "That also means you are related to Chrom and our Marth as well."
"Yet, she doesn't have the Brand of the Exalt," Chrom commented.
"Not everyone has the brand, Chrom. Remember, Lissa doesn't have it," Elise pointed out.
"The Brand of the Exalt?" Sophia asked.
"Oh, like this mark on my arm. It signifies people who are descended from the Hero-King himself and have the blood of the Divine Dragon," Chrom said. Sophia gave a look and gasped.
"Heavens, I never really gave it much of a look before, but that's the mark of the Chosen Ones," Sophia said.
"The… what?" Chrom asked. Sophia took off her gloves and pointed to the mark on her left arm below the wrist. Chrom gasped in surprise.
"That's the Brand!" Chrom said incredulously. Elise looked carefully and pointed to the back of Sophia's right hand.
"What's that?" Elise asked. Sophia looked at her right hand and shrugged. It was of an odd looking emblem with six eyes.
"I do not have the faintest clue. That only appeared recently on my hand," she commented. "Probably something to do with the Chosen One blood I have."
"I feel like I've seen that symbol before, but I can't think where," Chrom mused to himself. Sophia put her gloves back on and sighed to herself.
"These symbols are proof of my Chosen One heritage," Sophia said. "My heritage gives me the ability to cast the Chosen One magic that you have seen for yourselves multiple times."
"This raises so many more questions and mysteries, but… I trust you. It would wrong of me to mistrust you now when you have done nothing to warrant that," Chrom said. "If Falchion has chosen you as well, then you have many qualities it looks for in a user."
"I have no idea how to wield a sword," Sophia replied. "My mother is a cleric. My father is a dark mage. My grandfather on my mother's side used an axe. I know nothing about my grandparents on my father's side, except that my grandmother was a cleric and my grandfather practiced attack magic, but could also fight with a sword. Using a sword does not particularly run strong anywhere in my family."
"Hmm, this becomes even more of a mystery…" Chrom said. "You are positive there is nothing more you can tell me about your family?"
"I fear I might have said too much already. One of the last things my father told me was to keep a lot of things quiet, for fear of those with ill intention who would use and abuse the power of the Chosen Ones for nefarious purposes," Sophia replied.
"I respect those wishes. After all, you have shown no reason for us to mistrust you," Chrom replied. "Still, would you be willing to pick up the sword, should there ever be a need for you to use it?"
"If I divert how and what I am learning, I make myself less proficient in that which I specialize in. I am afraid I must decline," Sophia replied. Chrom nodded.
"The offer is always there."
"It is much appreciated."
"If it is okay by the both of you, I will be departing to head to the mess hall to grab something to eat," Elise said.
"You're fine," Chrom replied. "As for me, I'm going to train."
"Allow me to join you. It might prove to be a benefit to the both of us to learn how to battle against those they are not used to fighting against," Sophia said. Chrom nodded and grabbed a wooden practice sword.
"Ready when you are," he said. Elise smiled slightly before walking off toward the mess hall.
"Ready, Commander," Sophia replied. As she conjured a fireball, Chrom charged forward ready to initiate…
Two Years after the kidnapping:
A Ylissean envoy was making its way through Plegia's capital. Its journey took its occupants toward the castle and to where the new king currently resided. Chrom looked around in his carriage to see a few the Shepherds travelling with him. The rest of the Shepherds were in various other carriages in the group.
"Milord, are you sure you are ready for this?" Frederick asked.
"Whether I am ready or not is irrelevant, Frederick. The continent of Valm is bringing their might across the sea to our shores. We had just one battle with only their vanguard, and a good portion of Ylissean and Feroxi troops fell. The only way to neutralize the massive advantage they have with their cavalry is to take the battle to the sea. Plegia is the only nation that can help with that," Chrom replied.
"We have a duty to uphold, to the people of Ylisse and to our allies in Ferox," Cordelia added. Chrom nodded in agreement.
"How are you feeling, milady?" Frederick asked.
"I feel the same as I did an hour ago and as I did yesterday. Thank you for asking, Frederick, but I'm not feeling any after-effects from giving birth anymore," Cordelia said with a smile.
"Lucina was born almost three months ago, anyway," Chrom added. "That's plenty of time for Cordelia to recover."
"Speak for yourself. There is no such thing as sufficient recovery time," Lissa said sullenly. Robin put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned her head toward him before leaning back on him with a warm, content smile.
"Yet, you still chose to have more than one," Cordelia remarked.
"You did as well," Lissa countered.
"I did, indeed. My children are a blessing to Chrom and I," Cordelia said.
"How was Morgan before we left?" Chrom asked, trying to change the topic.
"Fussing about something, but that's how she always is," Lissa commented. "She's just like her father, always observing and fussing if things aren't appropriate around her."
"Owain's fussy as well," Robin pointed out.
"Owain is just energetic! All he does is laugh and flail. He's just a little bundle of happy energy," Lissa said.
"Just like her mother," Robin replied. Cordelia gave a small smile at the two.
"What about you, Frederick?" Lissa asked.
"What about me?" Frederick asked.
"How is Kjelle? I apologize that we had to separate you and Sully for this journey, but the carriages only fit five and you insisted on watching the four of us," Chrom said apologetically.
"Kjelle is doing well. She's a strong child. She'll do well in life," Frederick said. "Sully also understands my duties and what they entail. She has been around all of us long enough to know what is expected of me."
"Frederick and Sully, who would have expected that?" Cordelia said with a teasing smile.
"You want an odd couple, how about Gaius and Sumia?" Lissa said teasingly. Cordelia frowned slightly at that.
"I think the two of them work pretty well together. I've known Sumia for a while and Gaius seems just right for her. What about Vaike and Maribelle?" Cordelia replied. Lissa laughed a little to herself.
"I never would have expected that in a million years!" Lissa exclaimed with a laugh.
"The end of the last war with Plegia brought about so many great feelings. The nation was flourishing, the crops were plentiful, and the people set with renewed vigor to help rebuild the nation. What more could we ask for?" Chrom said.
"Hear, hear! That positive attitude is definitely infectious to everyone," Lissa added.
"The miracles of life and the lives we live give me hope for our future," Cordelia said with a smile. As she said that, the carriage stopped.
"Milord, we have arrived."
As everyone disembarked from their carriages, a sense of unease swept through the group. The last time they were at this location, they fought a battle as hard as they could only to stop barely short of their goal. Everyone had to watch Exalt Emmeryn plunge from the top of the statue…
Ricken shuddered to himself, thinking about what happened in that time, while Olivia carefully grabbed his hand and pulled him close. Donnel's normally cheerful personality was unnervingly quiet, and even Miriel could not shake the feeling of gloom and failure from this very area as she took a step to be next to Donnel.
"Everyone. To the castle," Chrom said firmly in an attempt to distract his team away from the area before them and the memories attached to them. The group trudged past the location to the entrance hall of the castle, where the guards stopped the group.
"Your name and purpose?" one of the guards asked.
"Prince Chrom of Ylisse here to speak to your current monarch about requesting assistance against an upcoming threat that could threaten all the nations on this continent," Chrom said. The guard nodded and stepped aside.
"We have been informed of your arrival. Please enter."
"Thank you," Chrom replied. The Shepherds made their way to the meeting room, led by the guard at the entrance, where they were greeted by an individual they had almost forgotten.
"Greetings, Prince Chrom. Plegia welcomes you," Aversa said.
"Aversa!" Chrom exclaimed in surprise. Cordelia took an unconscious step back, memories of the battle with Aversa and Gangrel flooding her mind.
"How touching. You remembered my name. What can I say? It seems fate has designs for me yet," she replied.
"You serve this new king, then? This… Validar?" Robin asked.
"I do," she replied simply.
"They say he worships Grima…" Frederick mused aloud.
"Why yes, of course he is Grimleal. We are both believers of our sacred faith. My liege oftentimes has said it was his faith that had gotten him through after Gangrel's passing. Although it was a difficult time, but he managed to keep order where there might have been chaos. We had meant to arrange an official visit to Ylisstol, but—ah, but here is my lord now," she explained.
A tall, lanky man entered the room, surveying the group around him with a quiet, yet disturbing intensity.
"An honor to finally meet you, sire. I am Validar, king of Plegia," he said in a calm, yet firm tone of voice.
"The honor is mine, good king. Is it… is it possible we've met somewhere before? Gods, no… it can't be…" Chrom said, musing to himself.
"Oh ho, I'm quite certain I would remember any encounter with Ylissean royalty," King Validar replied. "Oh, you must be Sir Robin."
"You know of me, sire?" Robin asked.
"The whole world knows of Ylisse's master tactician! Indeed, I can see the sparkle of the depths of your wisdom in your eyes," Validar replied. Chrom was staring at Validar, as if trying to recall something from the depths of his memories.
"My, the negotiations have yet to begin, and already you distrust what I say?" Validar said nonchalantly.
"My apologies, King Validar. If you are not the person from my hazy memory, then you bear a striking resemblance to that individual," Chrom said.
"It is fine. Half-forgotten memories oftentimes are the basis of too many illusory truths that only serve to mislead. It would be better to clear the fog of the memory if we had more time. Shall we get to it?" King Validar asked. "Aversa, if you could?"
"Yes, sire. Plegia can offer no soldiers, but we can and will provide 800 warships and 200 transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fund the war against Valm," Aversa stated.
"That is… surprisingly generous of you, milord. We could not ask for more, quite literally. You offer us most of your assets," Frederick stated.
"It is a small price to pay to stop this threat from sweeping across our continent. Regardless of how our nations currently feel about each other, we all must put aside our differences and unite against a common enemy that threatens to destroy us all. I would give troops as well, but our army still remains in shambles from the last war. I trust the gold and ships are proof enough of our commitment to your cause?" King Validar asked.
"It does quite well. I give my heartfelt thanks, King Validar, for your support," Chrom said.
"The honor is ours, my prince. I look forward to building a strong bond between our two nations one day," King Validar said.
"As do I. Then, if there's nothing else, my men and I must hurry back to Port Ferox," Chrom said.
"Oh, so soon?" Aversa asked. "You have hardly gotten here and already you must depart? Should we not start building the bond between our two nations now?"
"I'm afraid we have little time to spare at this moment due to Valm's movements. You have aid preparations to attend to and we have a long journey ahead. When this war is over, I would be honored to accept your offer of building bonds," Chrom said.
"Understood. Do be careful on your way back to Port Ferox. This time of the year, the highroads of Plegia can be quite treacherous," Aversa said.
"Thank you for that advice. By your leave," Chrom said.
"This meeting is adjourned," King Validar said. With that, the Shepherds departed from the room and started heading back to their carriages.
"Chrom," Panne said in a warning tone.
"Panne, you were there that night. You fought alongside us. Is my memory faulty, or does King Validar look like the assassin who came after Exalt Emmeryn two years ago?" Chrom asked.
"I was about to raise that issue, but it wasn't my place to interrupt the meeting," Panne replied.
"Yes, he looks much like that assassin. I thought we killed him that night," Robin said.
"If he is not the same man, the resemblance is uncanny," Chrom said.
"I remember that night. He looks and sounds like the man who hired me and the other assassins that night," Gaius said in a very hushed, serious tone. The group arrived back at their carriages.
"Gaius, are you positive," Chrom said in a serious tone.
"I remember that night clearly. That was the night Raven convinced me to join you all. Not that he really had to work too hard for that. I had no intention of following those orders I was originally given," Gaius replied.
"We have no choice, right now, Commander. We cannot prove if that is or is not him. All we can do is take what he says at face value and move forward," Elise said.
"Understood. Let us start heading for Ferox as soon as possible," Chrom said. "If we leave now, we should be able to get a few hours of travel in before we have to break for camp."
The group nodded in response and got into their respective carriages for the trip back. As the sun began to dip into the horizon, the caravan stopped and began to set up camp. The overall mood of the camp was relatively somber and quiet. As the sun fully disappeared and stars began littering the night sky, everyone started heading to their tents, when a clashing sound reached the group's ears. Chrom paused and looked in that direction.
"Do you hear that?" Chrom asked.
"It sounds like battle," Frederick replied.
"Do you think someone's in trouble?"
"It is possible, milord."
"Should we help them?"
"That is your decision, milord."
Chrom paused for a second and looked at the group around him.
"Very well. Shepherds! We come to the assistance of those who need help!" Chrom declared. The group went to the caravan, where Cordelia began handing out everyone's weapons.
"Flying units, be prepared for swift engagement if the situation is serious. Nowi, we need you to go into the air and scout," Frederick said.
"Yes, sir!" Nowi enthusiastically replied. She quickly turned into her manakete form and flew into the air. She soon landed back down on the ground.
"What did you see?" Chrom asked.
"Two groups of people are engaging with each other. One appears to be a group of bandits. The other appears to be some kind of organization in cloaks," Nowi replied.
"Flyers, go forward. Attempt to diffuse the situation, and if not… try to minimize casualties while we make our way over!"
"Understood!" the three said. Sumia, Cordelia, and the newly recruited Cherche flew forward on their mounts to follow the orders given. Chrom rallied the rest of the troops.
"Let's go," Chrom said as he rushed forward.
"Milord, should we really be getting involved with these matters of another nation?" Frederick asked.
"A Shepherd should not ignore the plight of those in trouble," Chrom replied firmly. As the group ran forward, Sophia stopped.
"Commander, wait, I sense something," she said.
"Is it a spot to access your magic?" he asked. Sophia shook her head and pointed to a nearby hill.
"I sense magic is being used there," she said. Chrom nodded in reply.
"I will take a few Shepherds in that direction. The rest of you, follow the flyers," Chrom commanded. The group nodded and Chrom picked Robin and Vaike to accompany him and Sophia. As the group made their way to the hill, Chrom noticed three people laying on the ground, observing the battle. He quickly pulled out Falchion and ran up to the three.
"Who are you?" he said firmly once he got close enough. The three jumped, startled, and pulled their weapons.
"We are the Flying Bandits. You are interrupting a critical mission of ours," the person said.
"The… Flying Bandits," Chrom said. He remembered they were group Marth was tracking but refused to say why or if she made any progress with.
"You are a blight to the Ylissean countryside," Robin said firmly.
"Ol' Teach is here to give you a few lessons," Vaike said confidently as he walked forward. The three ran to the side, as if to try to escape from the battlefield.
"Stop them!" Chrom said. Before any of the others could react, Sophia conjured three streams of fire and shot them at the three fleeing bandits. The three spells hit them in their backs, throwing them into the ground. Chrom and the others caught up to the bandits. Although the bandits resisted, they were no match for the seasoned fighters. Chrom looked at the battlefield below them to see the bandits were fighting a group that looked familiar.
"Wait, Chrom, that's the group that was attacking Nowi all those years ago," Robin said.
"It's the Grimleal," Chrom said. "Worshippers of Grima, but also seemingly the religion of King Validar and Lady Aversa."
As if on cue, just as the flow of the battle shifted to the favor of the bandits, all of a sudden, a roaring sound could be heard. The bandits paused for a second just as the other Shepherds arrived on the battlefield.
Chrom's eyes widened as a horrifying sight greeted him. A chill ran down his spine as he watched the catastrophe unfold before him.
"We need to get down there. Now! Help everyone down there. They are going to need all the help they can get," Chrom commanded as he ran down the hill. The other three quickly followed suit as they ran down the hill as well.
"We need to work with those bandits for the time being," Robin said. Chrom nodded.
"Shepherds, move out!"
Author's Notes: … and on that cliffhanger, I end this chapter. We will be back to our regularly scheduled first-person shenanigans of Raven next chapter! I must admit, switching back to third-person is a bit of a struggle sometimes because I so rarely use it anymore, but it's also fun once I get back into the hang of it!