Rigged from the Start
Chapter 57
Firewine Friendships
I lay slumped over Aurora's rump, again. Tied up, strapped down, left to deal with the motion sickness that comes with banking and rolling on every passing wind. This time, I didn't have a sack over my head. Not sure if that was a good thing though. It meant that I was looking down at the ground, thousands of feet below me. Seeing large pine forests and rolling plains rush by within moments was a stomach-turning sight.
Pegasi are fast flyers when pushed, and I had a feeling Cordelia was pushing her mount hard. While in the air Aurora snorted and huffed with strain. The wind always seemed to be at our backs, speeding us along with every beat of the Pegasus's wings. We did not break for lunch after we took off, and we only stopped once to allow the Pegasi a chance to recuperate and their riders to relieve themselves.
Cordelia was not much for conversation. I would not have blamed her for not talking to me. After all, I'm still the enemy to her and her fellow knights. However, she hardly spoke a word to her comrade, Bridgett. Then again, judging from Bridgett's callous, cold demeanor, it might be better to not interact with her at all. I wouldn't want to be in a protracted conversation with the Pegasus Knight.
As a result, the flight was silent except for the howling wind and the noises coming from the airborne steeds. Other than the heart-pounding fear I felt staring down at the ground, it was a boring affair.
Naga was merciful when the ride finally ended. The ground loomed larger as Cordelia brought Aurora into a steady, smooth descent. I jostled in my spot when Aurora's hooves touched the ground. A relieved breath puffed from my lips, and for the first time since we set out, Cordelia spoke to me.
"Afraid of heights?"
"Afraid of falling," I replied, trying to crane my neck so I could glance at her. Instead, all I managed to see was her long, red hair swaying to the rhythm of Aurora's trot.
I craned my head behind me and saw Bridgett come to landing as well. I caught a glimpse of Severa's head bobbing as she lay strapped down to the back of Bridgett's pegasus, but I couldn't see much beyond her long twin-tails.
Aurora's hooves clopped atop cobblestones that looked worn and weathered by time and use. Despite their age, they looked nice, clean, and well maintained. I raised my eyes and saw us pass through a white archway guarded by a pair of Pegasus Knights in full armored regalia. Right after we made it through the archway, I saw a sight that took my breath away.
The Exalt's Palace loomed over Ylisstol, towering above me like a white-quartz spire that shimmered in the summer sun. I spotted a pair of Pegasi flying with unarmored riders around the mighty structure; zipping, soaring, and swooping through the air with all the joyous thrill they could muster.
Eventually, I lost sight of the two riders flying through the air as we entered a vast stable. The cobblestone floor was covered in layers of straw which softened the Pegasi's hoof-beats. A pair of stablehands- young girls no older than ten or eleven- rushed up to Cordelia and Bridgett's mounts, taking the reins from their outstretched hands. At that point, the two knights hopped off their pegasi and yanked me and Severa from them.
"Make sure they're fed and watered," Cordelia told one of the stablehands. "I'll be by to check on Aurora soon."
"Yes, milady," The one who took Aurora chirped before guiding the angelic beast towards a clean stall.
"And give Aurora a good brushing. The winds were rough on the way here," Cordelia added in as she urged me towards the stable's exit.
"Will do, milady!"
Bridgett snorted as she strode beside Cordelia, shoving Severa out into a large training yard with me. "Can't brush her yourself, genius?"
"There are more important things to worry about right now. Who knows how long Commander Phila and the Exalt will keep us." Cordelia replied, tone stiff.
The Pegasi stables were not far from the Exalt's Palace or the main Ylisstol barracks. A short, five-minute walk took us past very familiar landmarks that caused a wellspring of nostalgia to burst inside of me. Out of the corner of my eye, as we passed through the gates leading the Exalt's palace, I spotted a squat building against the walls that made my heart skip a beat.
The Shepherd's Barracks.
Cordelia did not give me much time to look. She gave me a sharp shove forward, causing me to stumble a couple of steps.
"I'm walking," I grunted.
"Walk faster," Cordelia replied.
I resisted the urge to hesitate at the Palace's marble steps. It wasn't so long ago when I climbed these stairs one last time to speak with Exalt Lissa, Sir Frederick, and the remaining Shepherds about fleeing to Mount Prism. Part of me wanted to stand still for a moment and soak it all in. However, Cordelia was not going to let me do that, so I scaled the steps.
At the top stair, the door to the Palace opened, and a tall man wearing blue and white armor stepped out. A man that made Severa's breath hitch.
"C-Cordelia?" Frederick said, taken aback. "I thought your squad was to the north?"
"They are," Cordelia answered. She nodded at me and Severa. "We captured these two spying on us in the mountains. Captain Aletta ordered me and Bridgett to take them here to Commander Phila and the Exalt."
Frederick's brow furrowed. His brown eyes scrutinized me, making me feel small.
"Why would she order you to bring a pair of Plegian scouts before them?"
Cordelia's red eyes darted to me. "This one calls himself Lucky."
Frederick's eyes widened, before narrowing to sharp slits as he glared at me. I shrank beneath his stare, offering a sheepish smile in response. Beside me, Severa hung then shook her head.
The Knight took one firm step towards me. He towered over me, crowding me so much that I took a step back right into Cordelia's breastplate.
"S-Sorry," I stammered, cheeks flushing.
"Save it for the Exalt," Frederick growled. He took a step back, glanced at Severa, who refused to meet his gaze, then motioned for Cordelia and Bridgett to follow him inside.
The Palace's main hall held a far different feel to it than in the future. In the future, large braziers always burned along the columns, giving the space an orange glow that did its best to provide a sense of warmth. That felt artificial compared to the brilliant rays of sunshine that filtered in through the massive windows, making the entire hall feel ten times larger.
Green and gold banners with the Exalt's brand stitched into them hung from the pillars lining the hall. An emerald rug ran the length of the marble floor up to a set of steps. At the top of the polished steps sat a regal throne made of silver with gold cushions. Somehow, it was a far more understated seat than the one that King Gangrel used. There were no ornate carvings in the silver, no sculptures attached to the armrests. By all accounts, it was just a chair that looked pretty.
It was the person who occupied the chair that gave it reverence. Exalt Emmeryn looked royal upon the throne; sitting tall with one hand resting on a silver armrest and the other grasping a large, golden staff with a large crescent moon surrounding a blue orb on the top. She wore modest, cream and white robes that gave her the appearance of a saint rather than a queen. When she saw us entire, her sapphire eyes narrowed.
Beside the Exalt stood another man who looked surprised to see Cordelia and Bridgett. Prince Chrom wore royal blue and gray attire that appeared befitting of royalty, although he still sported a bare right arm. Falchion rested against his hip. As we approached, his hand grasped the hilt.
Frederick gave the Exalt and her brother a stiff bow before stepping to the side, allowing Cordelia and Bridgett to push us forward to the bottom step. Neither of them bowed. Instead, they were more focused on keeping Severa and me restrained.
"Your majesty," Cordelia began. "I apologize for the interruption but this was a matter of immediate importance."
"It appears so," Emmeryn said, her voice quiet as she stared down at me and Severa. "I did not expect us to meet again so soon, Lucky."
Chrom looked at me, startled. "This is the one who broke into your quarters in Themis, Emm!? I guess Lucky's luck ran out."
I cracked a nervous smile. "Um… it's Samwise, actually. Figured we might as well start on the right foot this time," I nodded at Prince Chrom. "A pleasure to meet you too."
"You held my sister hostage."
"We all do stupid things we regret later in life," I replied.
"He only did so because he feared for his life," Emmeryn said. "I'll admit, Phila does not have the most diplomatic demeanor."
Frederick frowned. "Your grace, do you mean to say this man broke into your quarters not to harm you but to do something else?"
"He came to warn me," Emmeryn said, a melancholic look forming on her face. "Perhaps it is a warning I should have heeded. He told me that Gangrel had no intentions of an honorable parley and that I should strike first before Gangrel could harm me or my family."
"Thankfully, Phila and Robin thought of that," Chrom rubbed his chin. "Although, I wonder where they got the idea."
Emmeryn's face resembled stone as Chrom spoke. I could tell she was still fuming over Phila and Robin circumventing her authority by striking the Plegian forces at the border. Still, she kept her regal appearance, not even allowing a frown to crack her visage.
"Those binds are not necessary, Cordelia, Bridgett."
Bridgett blinked. "B-but they are Plegian scouts and-"
"I have already met one and he provided accurate intelligence," Emmeryn's gaze turned to Severa. "I'm sure if he trusts her then we can as well."
"Who's to say they are trustworthy at all," Frederick grumbled. "If you're suggesting that they have turned coat your majesty then they are the furthest thing from trustworthy."
Emmeryn gave Frederick a look that spoke volumes. It was a sad, exhausted glance. The kind of withering gaze that begged the Knight to let her handle this matter without any further input.
"We'll take this somewhere else, for now," She continued. "I'm sure Chrom and Cordelia are more than capable of watching over these two. Frederick, please make sure Bridgett finds Commander Phila."
Frederick did not open his mouth to protest. Instead, he dutifully bowed his head, strode down the steps past Bridgett, hands folded behind his back as he walked. Bridgett cast a wary glare at me and Severa, shot a more disgruntled one at Cordelia, before spinning on her heels and marching after Frederick.
Emmeryn rose from her throne and waved for the rest of us to follow her.
She led us through a small door that sat behind the Exalt's throne. Beyond the door was a short, windowless corridor that led to a set of stairs. We ascended a couple of flights before reaching the floor Emmeryn wanted. Once we exited the stairwell, we entered a room on the left.
It was a simple meeting room with a bare, short table sitting in the middle of it. Two large windows with thin curtains dominated the wall opposite the door. A few decorative vases filled with flowers sat on smaller tables in the corners of the room, and a soft, green rug lay over the floor. Swanky by medieval standards, but simple to me.
Emmeryn moved around to the head of the table and took a seat. Chrom flanked her still while Cordelia remained near the door. Severa and I stayed standing on the other side of the table. Severa kept her eyes down while I rocked back and forth on my feet, trying to stave off any awkward tension.
"Um," I grimaced. "About taking you hostage-"
"There was no harm done in the end," Emmeryn dismissed my words with a wave of her hand. "Well, no harm to anything other than your sparkling reputation."
I snorted. "I stopped caring about that a while ago."
Cordelia cleared her throat. "Your majesty, Samwise claims that the Plegian army is moving to the border, with a large force preparing to invade from the spot my squad was scouting a few days ago. Captain Aletta ordered us to fall back to Fort Pike and help shore up defenses there."
Before Emmeryn could respond, a knock sounded on the door. When the door opened, Commander Phila stepped in. Her eyes widened when she saw me and Severa. I gave her a friendly grin.
"Good to see you again, Commander."
Phila opened her mouth, but Emmeryn spoke first.
"Phila, I trust Bridgett found her place in the Knight's barracks?"
Phila snapped her attention to Emmeryn. "She did, your grace. May I ask what they are doing here."
"They have decided working with Plegia is not in their best interest," Emmeryn replied. "At least, I hope that is why they are here?"
I nodded. "Oh, definitely. Gold is not worth my head on a pike. With how loony Gangrel has become, you never know when he'll decide to make that happen. I'm grateful the Exalt is willing to hear us because we do possess valuable insight."
"What sort of insight?" Prince Chrom asked, his gaze lighting up a little. Emmeryn frowned in her seat.
"What insight could a mercenary have?" Phila sniffed.
"Tactics, potential troop movements, preferred strategies, scouting formations, supply route information within Plegia, general morale knowledge," I said. "The latter of which is pretty abysmal outside of Doluna by the way."
"Our spies report that Plegia is all in on this war," Phila countered.
"Were your spies in Gra when the entire city revolted against the Crown and the Grimleal?" I asked. When Phila said nothing, I nodded. "Your spies are either incompetent or they're already dead and the Grimleal is feeding you false intelligence. In fact, the Grimleal doing that would not surprise me in the slightest. Sneaky bastards." I coughed into my hand. "Regardless, I think Severa and I could be of some assistance. We have expertise in scouting and training other scouts as well."
"Damnable mercenaries trying to sell your loyalty to the highest bidder," Phila grumbled, much to Cordelia's surprise.
"If I was trying to sell myself to the highest bidder it wouldn't be to Ylisse," I countered. "Plegian gold mines are quite productive."
Emmeryn's brow furrowed as she pondered my words. I could see Phila wanted to object. The Wing-Commander glared at me with a level of disdain and distrust I never thought I would be on the receiving end of. I took no offense from it. In the end, her feelings towards me were not my problem. What mattered was Exalt Emmeryn's opinion. I hoped I offered enough to sway her thoughts about me and Severa.
Emmeryn glanced at Chrom, who met her gaze. Chrom leaned over and Emmeryn whispered something in his ear. His eyes widened for a split second, then his throat bobbed. A heavy breath left his lips when Emmeryn pulled back from his ear.
"I will consider your offer," Emmeryn replied. "For now, you will reside under the watchful eye of my brother and his Shepherds. You are restricted to the Shepherd's barracks and the immediate training yard outside of it."
"So we're prisoners?" Severa asked, the first words she had uttered this entire time.
"Guests," I amended. "With some restrictions. Royals don't want anyone wandering their homes willy-nilly, after all. Where are the barracks? We'd like to freshen up a little bit."
Emmeryn offered a soft smile, "Chrom and Cordelia will show you the way. Phila, stay a moment longer. I'm sure you wish to talk."
Chrom marched around the table and waved for me, Severa, and Cordelia to follow him. We moved in silence back down to the main hall, then out to the courtyard. Once in the courtyard, Chrom guided us along the familiar path to the Shepherd's barracks.
Stepping inside of the barracks was like being wrapped in a warm embrace again. It was the first time any place in the past made me feel at home again. No one sat in the common room and no fire burned in the modest hearth. The furniture inside looked newer and less worn. Sunlight filtered in through four windows, bathing the space in light.
It almost made my heart flutter with happiness.
"Men's bunks are the first door on the left. Ladies is the first door on the right," Chrom said, gesturing to the corridor. "There should be a couple of bunks available. Cordelia, are you staying here?"
Cordelia shook her head. "N-no, um, the Pegasus Knights barracks would be where, um, yeah. Bridgett's probably- uh-," She wrung her hands together, cheeks flush as she tore her eyes from Chrom to me and Severa. "Don't cause trouble."
She shot out of the barracks, the door slamming shut behind her. Severa's gaze followed her, brow furrowed and a scowl on her lips. I simply hummed to myself.
"She's interesting," I commented, drawing an ire-filled glare from Severa.
"Yeah, wonder what got into her all of a sudden," Chrom mumbled. "But, listen to her. Don't cause trouble. My sister is trusting both of you. Do not make her regret it. If you do…"
He didn't have to say anymore. The threat was clear. I doubted Chrom would do anything unless provoked, and I did not plan on doing that. He did not trust us and had no reason to other than his sister's word.
"Gotcha," I nodded.
"Good," Chrom replied. "Baths and privy are in the very back. Servants do a good job of keeping the water warm. Beyond that, the others should be here by dark. I'll make sure to be here when they do return otherwise things might get a bit messy."
"Messy?" I asked.
Severa gulped. I glanced at her, and she shrugged.
"Might've gashed one of them at the border," she admitted.
"Ah, right… that," I grimaced. "We'll stay out of the way."
Chrom nodded, turned, and left without another word. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Severa relaxed. A wave of tension ebbed out of her and she slumped into a nearby chair. Her head fell into her hands and a shuddering breath left her lips.
"Oh gawds, we're actually here," She muttered. She glanced up at me, eyes filled with worry and fear. "This better work out, Sam."
I gave her shoulder a small rub. "It will," I reassured her. "I'm going to clean up. Are you okay to-"
"I lived here almost my entire life. I'll be fine," Severa said.
"Alright."
I gave her another pat on her shoulder, which she did not respond to, then marched down the hall to the baths.
After bathing, I decided to take a nap. It had been several weeks since I slept in an actual bed, and for the past few days I either slept tied up to a tree or I did not sleep at all. Needless to say, I needed the rest. As soon as my head hit the pillow, the lights went out.
However, since I arrived in this world, I have become an extremely light sleeper. Healthy paranoia like that comes from fearing death is lurking around every corner. In many cases, that was true. Plegia, despite Mustafa being in our corner, was hardly safe. And, the ruined future could have killed me a million different ways.
So, when I heard a loud bang and shouting, I bolted upright in the cot I claimed in the guys' bunk room. The first voice I registered ringing through the closed door, coming from down the hall, was Severa's. She was distressed, screaming and yelling as another bang shot through the building.
In an instant, I was out of bed. I threw the door open and sprinted down the hall to the common room. Right as I was about to exit the hall, a muscled arm extended out in front of me, clotheslining me.
I hit the floor hard, head snapping back with a harsh crack. Stars shot through my eyes and a long groan left my lips. Any dizziness I had ran away when a pair of hands grabbed me by my shirt and hoisted me off of my feet.
"It is both of 'em!" A loud voice bellowed. I blinked and saw a large, shirtless, muscular man with blonde, spiky hair holding me up. A snarl rested on his lips as his brown eyes glared at me. "The hell are you two doing here?"
I did not answer right away, mostly because I was still a little dazed and I was frantically looking around for Severa. I spotted her pinned to the bar by a woman with short, red hair, and an amused smirk on her pale lips. A haughty laugh came from the woman as Severa struggled against her.
"Ain't no use doing that, sweetheart," The woman said as Severa fought against her iron grip. "Vaike, can you get him to talk?"
"Teach can get anyone to talk, Sully," Vaike replied.
My gaze flicked to the common room windows. The sun was setting. Hopefully, someone else would come in soon.
"Alright!" Vaike shook me hard. "Talk!"
I shook some cobwebs from my head, glanced at Severa again, then flashed a smirk down at Vaike.
"About what?"
Vaike scowled. "You know what about!"
"Please elaborate," I said.
"I'll elaborate you if you don't start talking."
Sully sighed. "That's not what that means, Vaike." Severa tried squirming again, which earned her a sharp knee to her backside. "Knock it off."
"Make me," Severa hissed.
Sully pressed a knee into the back of her right leg, knocking it off balance and forcing Severa's face against the bar counter. An infuriated sound thundered from Severa, but she could not break free. Vaike, meanwhile, glared up at me.
"I don't care what elabo… ela… whatever that word means. You need to tell us why you're here!"
"Would you believe me if I said Prince Chrom let us stay here?"
"Ha! That's a good one," Sully uttered. Her smile raced away when she saw that I wasn't joking. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Why the hell would Chrom let you two Plegians in here!?" Vaike cried.
I grimaced as Vaike's grip tightened on my shirt. "Put me down and I'll tell you."
Vaike scoffed. "Teach ain't stupid enough to fall for that."
I lost my smirk. Sully used her elbow to press Severa further into the bar counter, eliciting a pain-filled hiss from her. I could hear seams tearing in my shirt from how Vaike was holding me. My patience hung by a thread as my feet kicked in the air.
I blinked. A smile formed on my lips.
"Vaike, right? This is your last chance to put me down. We can talk like civilized people when that happens."
"Now he sounds like Ruffles," Sully frowned.
"You calling us not civilized?" Vaike asked, his eyes narrowing.
I rolled my eyes, swung back with one leg, and slammed my boot right into Vaike's crotch. Vaike's eyes squeezed shut. A sharp wheeze rushed from his lips. His hands went slack, and I dropped to the floor as Vaike collapsed into a ball on the ground. As I got back to my feet, Sully gawked at me.
I looked down at Vaike, sighed, and nudged him with my boot as he shook.
"No muscle to protect ya there, huh?"
Sully barked out a laugh. "Good one."
"Dirty… shot," Vaike whimpered.
"That's how I was taught," I shrugged.
I stepped over Vaike as he writhed on the floor, turning my attention to Sully in the process. There was no point in trying to fight her. For one, she had Severa pinned and I didn't want Sully to harm her. For two, I'd lose. Sully may not be built like a brick house like Vaike, but she was lean and strong. She had to be to subdue Severa. More importantly, she wouldn't fall for any of my tricks, and there wasn't exactly a weak spot for me to kick.
Fighting was out of the question. So, what other ways were there to get a meathead to calm down and let my friend go?
I swept around the bar counter. A smile formed on my lips when I spotted a familiar, rust-colored bottle sitting on a shelf behind it. I grabbed the bottle and a pair of glasses. When I turned around and placed the glasses on the counter, Sully gave me a puzzled look.
"Ya ain't gonna fight me for her?" Sully asked.
I snorted. "Does it look like I could fight you? Please," I poured two glasses of Firewine. "I'm not stupid."
Sully sniffed. "Ya got that over Vaike, at least."
"Fuck you," Vaike groaned from where he lay on the floor.
"Get in line with Ruffles," Sully replied.
I chuckled, plucked one glass from the counter for myself then slid the second glass towards her. Severa glared at the glass, then at me. I didn't say anything as I waited for Sully to make up her mind. Did she want to join me for a drink, or keep holding Severa?
Sully flicked her eyes at the glass of firewine. Her hands shifted their grip on Severa as she returned her gaze to me. Her lips thinned, and a deep breath went in her nose.
"Fuck it," Sully muttered.
Sully released Severa and stepped to the side, grabbing the glass of firewine in the process. Severa roared away from the bar, her face red with rage. She glared daggers at Sully. Her hands balled up at her sides, ready to strike. As fast as I could, I grabbed two more glasses and poured two more drinks.
I slammed one glass down and flicked my eyes at Severa. She frowned at me, looked at Sully, then huffed and took a seat at the bar. As she sat, Sully raised her glass.
"To firewine friendships," Sully remarked before downing her entire glass in one gulp.
I snorted out a laugh. "Only the best kind," And I took a sip from my glass.
"Fuck friendship," Vaike groaned as he got to his hands and knees.
"But," I raised a finger, making him pause in his movements. "Fuck firewine?"
Vaike furrowed his brow for a moment. Then, a laugh bubbled from his lips.
"Hell no!"
I grinned and gestured to the glass waiting for him. "Then join us."
There was no hesitation from him. Vaike lumbered to his feet, winced, then shuffled to a seat beside Sully. The stool groaned as he dragged it away from the bar counter before sitting down. Once he sat, his large hand took his glass and put it to his lips. The firewine disappeared down his thick neck in seconds.
"Hit me again," Vaike ordered.
I nodded and poured him a fresh glass. Once I did that, I corked the bottle and started nursing my drink. On the other side of Sully, Severa sipped her firewine as she stared down at the countertop.
"So," Sully began, taking another sip before continuing. "The hell are you two doing in here?"
I shrugged. "Got captured by some Pegasus Knights, they brought us here, and I'm currently working on a deal with Exalt Emmeryn. She and Chrom agreed we could stay here in the meantime."
"And not a dungeon?" Vaike frowned.
"Try putting me in a dungeon and…" Severa's next few words faded under her breath, her grumbling ending when she took a large gulp from her glass.
I put on a smile when I replied to Vaike's question. "That's not for me to decide. And, I'm not going to complain."
Sully nodded. "Emmeryn's damn generous, that's for sure."
"Too generous maybe," Vaike remarked, his eyes looking down at a fresh ribbon of lumpy, pink flesh on his left forearm. He turned his head to Severa. "You and Teach are gonna go a round or two at some point."
Severa kept her gaze focused on the back of the bar. "And if I say no?"
The door to the barracks swung open. A pair of boots clopped against the floor, followed by two voices speaking in quiet, happy tones. Those voices screeched to a stop when the door closed behind them.
Severa glanced at the door first. When her eyes bugged from her skull and the color drained from her features, I knew who had walked in. The question became: who was with Cordelia?
"How's it going, Sumia?" Sully greeted, a lazy grin on her lips as she raised her drink.
My eyes widened.
Sumia, the woman who would become both Lucina and Cynthia's mother. That's a name I knew, and it is one that gave me pause. If Lucina ever found out we were interacting this closely with the parents, she'd rip my head off.
While Cordelia walked to the bar with a confident strut, shoulders back, and a smile on her lips as she said hello; Sumia approached the bar with a meek smile and timid steps. Large, brown eyes filled with naive innocence stared at me and Severa, afraid and curious at the same time. She wore simple riding leathers and a sleeveless shirt. Sweat stained the shirt's collar. Sumia appeared a little out of breath as she trailed after Cordelia. Her long, brown hair looked windswept, and despite her apparent fear of me and Severa, her meek smile showed a certain thrill lingering inside of her.
"How was flying?" Sully asked Sumia.
Sumia let out a breathless exhale, and her meek grin quivered into an exhilarated smile.
"Figured," Sully chuckled.
"You would feel the same way, Sully," Cordelia muttered as she took a seat near the fireplace, her head resting back against the chair's back as her eyes closed.
"Didn't say I wouldn't," Sully replied with a sniff. Sumia sat down beside her, and Sully nudged the slimmer girl with her elbow. "But judging by that grin on her face I'd say she got a good look at Chrom in his chambers."
Both Vaike and Severa choked on their drinks while Sumia's cheeks turned scarlet.
"Um, I, well…"
I snickered into my glass while Sully threw her head back, howling with laughter. As she laughed, the barracks door opened again. The voice that came from the open doorway cut off my snickers.
"Do I hear the wondrous tones of the beautiful rose that is Sully?" Virion, the same gray-haired man I interrupted in Themis, strode into the barracks.
Behind him was a woman with straight red hair covered by a large, pointy black hat. Heavy, mage robes covered the rest of her thin frame and a set of thin spectacles sat on the bridge of her narrow nose. Her eyes sparkled when she saw me and Severa, but before she could say anything to us, Virion jabbed a finger at me.
"You bastard of a man!"
Sully choked on her drink. "Oh wow," She coughed hard then looked at me. "What the hell did you do to make Ruffles abandon all manners, and how do I do it too?"
I shrugged. "Interrupt him in the middle of intercourse."
Vaike snorted hard, his forehead touching the counter as laughter bubbled out of him. Sully blinked at me, unsure if I was serious or not. All the while, Sumia's cheeks burned hot.
Virion marched to the counter, slammed his hands down beside Severa, then jabbed an accusatory finger at me.
"I demand recompense for what you did," He snarled. Severa flashed him a glare as she did her best to keep her head down.
"You still got laid, didn't you?" I shrugged.
Virion bowed his head, seething. "In fact, I did not 'get laid', as you so crudely put it. The lovely vixen that I coaxed into my chambers that night was spooked by your interruption and left before I could return to pleasure her."
"Naga…" Sumia croaked as she buried her face in her hands.
"Had to get yourself off then?" Sully asked, snickering as she finished off her second drink.
Virion gaped at her like a fish. "I-I-"
"There's nothing wrong with that, buddy," Vaike said, reaching around Sully and clapping Virion's shoulder. "Teach knows that feeling all too well. In fact-"
"Gawds would you get to the fucking point," Severa grumbled into her drink.
"The point is Teach wants to fight you," Vaike shot back. "And the other point is… um… Virion, what is your point, bud?"
"My point is I demand we do the gentlemanly thing," Virion huffed, straightening his shirt and smoothing out a wrinkle on his shoulder. He nodded at me. "We duel."
Nervousness filled me. Now that's two Shepherds that want a piece of me and Severa. We were not off to a good start in forming good relations with the most important people on the continent. The question now: how do we turn that around?
I glanced at Severa, then at Vaike.
"Alright," I nodded to Virion. "We're the main event, and those two are the warm-up for the crowd."
"Crowd?" Sumia gulped.
"Har!" Sully pounded her hand on the table, making a pair of glasses jump and startling Sumia. "A good, old fashion fight? Count me in on that shit! Cordelia, make yourself useful and help me clear some space."
A long groan came from the chair near the fire. Cordelia rose and started moving furniture. Sully joined her. The woman that walked in with Virion, took a seat on the bar, opened a large tome, and started scribbling in it. Sumia stayed rooted in her seat, her feet tapping against the footrest on the stool. Virion would not stop glaring at me. Meanwhile, Vaike stood off to the side, flexing his muscles as he "warmed" himself up.
I gave Virion a small wave, one he did not return. Then I sighed, downed the rest of my glass, and nodded at Severa.
"Ready?"
Severa glared at me, and I grimaced.
"Yup, you're more than ready," I gulped then reached for a second bottle of firewine.
Sorry, Vaike.
Severa slumped onto the stool right as I sat it upright inside of the makeshift ring in the common room. The ropes? Made of bits of furniture arrayed in a rough box by Sully and Cordelia. Corners? Pick one and hope a stool was waiting between rounds. Canvass? The floor, and so far Severa has not kissed it.
Judging by the harsh, ragged breaths, the swelling on her right cheekbone, and the gash over her right eye dripping blood; that may not last long.
As soon as she sat down, I knelt beside her stool, wet rag in my hand. I pressed it against the cut over her eyes.
Severa hissed and squeezed her eyes shut. When her eyes opened again, she glared murder across the ring towards an equally bruised, bloodied, and winded Vaike.
"Fucker's got stones for hands," Severa gasped.
I glanced over my shoulder at Vaike, who flashed me a toothy grin. "Yeah," I grimaced. "I could've told you that."
Severa's right eye remained closed as I kept the damp cloth pressed against it. Her other eye, though, glared at me with fury.
"Then why the hell did you agree to this?"
"I'm not the one who decided to pick a fight with Vaike," I countered.
"He tried to kill both of us."
"And if we picked a fight against everyone that's tried to do that, we'd have half the damn continent waiting ringside," I hissed over the hoots, hollers, and jeers coming from Sully and the few other Shepherds watching the brawl. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Miriel, the woman in robes that walked in with Virion earlier, reach for a spoon as she stopped scribbling notes in her notebook. Once she grasped the spoon, I tore the rag from Severa's eye and nodded to her. "Can't go many more rounds like this."
"I'm about to knock him out," She said through gritted teeth.
I gave Severa a lopsided grin. "You better. I'll lose some respect for you if you don't."
Severa rolled her eyes. Before she could reply, Miriel tapped the spoon against the empty glass. The light, fluttering ding rang out through all the shouting. I hopped over an overturned table and out of the ring. Severa marched up to Vaike.
The fact that Severa lasted this long against Vaike should not have surprised me. But, considering Vaike stood almost a head and a half taller than her and his arms were as wide as her entire body, I did not have high hopes for this fight. Still, Severa held her own.
Through two vicious rounds, she had bloodied and bruised the musclebound behemoth. But, it didn't matter how much damage they dealt to each other. Whoever yielded first, or was unable to keep fighting, lost; and these two had too much pride to admit defeat.
A harsh crack rang out as Vaike landed a solid hook against Severa's already injured right cheek. The blow nearly sent her spinning to the floor but, like a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette, Severa twirled around and backhanded Vaike across his ear.
Vaike stumbled to the side, right into Severa's follow-through. A devastating uppercut crashed against his jaw, smacking his mouth closed with a loud clop. Vaike's eyes rolled. I held my breath as I watched him sway to and fro.
He shook his head. Severa took a step back. Her head followed when Vaike hammered her with a sharp jab right to her face. One step back became two, then three. Severa fell on her ass, eyes screwed shut and red ribbons running from her nose.
Vaike threw his hands in the air and the Shepherds cheered. I hung my head, puffed out a breath, then raised my gaze. My eyes widened as I saw Severa shakily rise to her feet.
"Hey," Severa raised her hands as she swayed back and forth. "Meathead. I'm still standing."
Sully let out a loud hoot. "She ain't going down yet, Vaike. Looks like class is still in session."
Vaike snorted, but he exuded less bravado now than at the start of the fight. He stared at Severa with disbelief as she stood in front of him, ready to continue. Instead of raising his hands to keep fighting, he gestured at her.
"Ya proved your point, kid," Vaike grunted. "No need to keep being tough on Teach's account."
Severa spat some blood onto the floor. "What? Not man enough to finish the job?"
Severa, what are you doing?
My fists clenched tight at my sides. Why did I agree to this ridiculousness again? Probably yet another thing I failed to think through, along with holding the Exalt hostage a few weeks ago.
I need to take a lesson from my old self on how to shut up again.
A sharp, alarmed cry arose from the other Shepherds, tearing me from my thoughts and back to the fight. What I saw made my jaw drop.
Severa was on top of Vaike, fists wailing at his head as she straddled him. Vaike had his arms up, deflecting most of her blows. So, Severa switched tactics. She shifted on top of him, grasped his right arm, and flopped to the side, wedging his arm between her legs as she pulled. Her teeth clenched as she struggled with all her might to keep Vaike in the armbar.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Miriel stop writing as she leaned forward in her seat, watching Vaike's arm with rapt attention. Sully was drunkenly laughing her ass off near the "ropes". Sumia cringed next to Cordelia while the Pegasus Knight watched with folded arms. Virion nodded his head in approval before giving me a murderous look. As for me, I swallowed hard.
I'm about to be up.
A roar arose from the Shepherds, and Severa let Vaike's arm go. He tapped.
Severa staggered to her feet while Vaike sat up, disbelief along with a wide smile etched on his sweaty features. He grinned at Severa then shook his head.
"Teach ain't had that good of a brawl since Sully and I fought er… how long-"
"Two days ago, rocks for brains," Sully chortled. "Did she ring your bell that bad?"
Vaike waved off her jabs as a very tall man I hadn't noticed before entered the ring and helped him to his feet. For some reason though, this man seemed familiar, but I couldn't place him. It was as if he was inconspicuousness incarnate.
Did he try to kill us too?
Severa staggered back to my side of the makeshift ring. She slumped against the table I sat behind, groaned, then threw one leg over it. At that point, I was on my feet, ready to help her out. She stopped me with a sharp glare from her one eye that was not swollen shut.
Severa wobbled as she swung her other leg over the table. She managed to take one step away from the ring before her knees buckled. Thankfully, I was on my feet to catch her.
"Whoa there," I chuckled as she almost knocked me over. "Let's get you to a chair."
I helped Severa over to the chair I rose from. As I set her down, the door to the barracks opened, bringing all the excited, drunken chatter to a halt. Sharp steps clacked against the floor, and I could smell rose-scented perfume barrage the air around me. Snootiness washed over me, and a shiver ran up my spine.
"Oh, Christ," I gulped.
Pink flashed. I ducked out of the way, dodging a pink parasol. Instead of hitting me, the parasol smacked Severa's forehead with a sharp whack.
Severa howled as she fell back out of the chair. A shrill, enraged voice rose over her howling, all of its venom directed at me. I spun around and spotted the source right as the first volley of upper-class insults hit me.
"You dare show your face here, you disdainful, skulking cretin!" Maribelle Themis raged. I backed up into the overturned legs of the chair as Severa lay on the floor, groaning. Maribelle aimed the tip of her parasol at my heart. "Why, if this were Themis, then a dastard such as yourself would already be locked behind a cell and left to rot. Such is the fate a Plegian as yourself deserves!"
"Maribelle," A remarkably average-looking man wearing a green shirt and brown pants said. "C'mon, you know Frederick told you Chrom-"
"I do not care at the moment!" Maribelle cried, making me blink. "I-" She paused in her tirade when she saw the state of the common room. "What on earth are all of you doing?"
"Fightin'," Sully shrugged. "Stripling and Ruffles were up next."
The Lady opened her mouth to retort, only for her words to get caught in her throat. A frustrated huff puffed from her lips. She retracted her parasol from my chest, waved her hand, and sighed.
"Do we really need to resort to this kind of barbarism while in our home?" Maribelle sighed. "Could you please take this outside instead?"
"Oh, butt out, Maribelle," Sully groaned.
"We already got this place all set up!" Vaike exclaimed.
"We?" Cordelia said, arching an eyebrow.
Virion mulled over her words a moment. Then he shook his head, causing Maribelle to give him a disappointed look.
"We agreed to be gentlemen, and gentlemen we shall be," He replied. He stripped off his shirt, revealing a physique that would have made a featherweight boxer green with envy.
I was afraid. My hands trembled at my sides. Virion looked like a man on a mission and I was the target. If this duel occurred a year ago, I would've shook in my boots. My knees would have knocked together, my mouth would have gone dry, and I would've been stammering as I sought a way out.
So much had changed in such a short amount of time. Now, instead of quivering like a fallen leaf; I drew in a deep breath, resigned to what needed to be done.
Before stepping into the ring, I picked Severa up from the floor. Pain twisted her face as her eyes rolled in her skull. Her entire body slumped forward, and I caught it with my arm. She blinked her one good eye, shook her head, and winced.
"If she wasn't so gawds damned important," She whispered.
"I know," I replied. I squeezed her right arm. "My turn now. Care to watch?"
Severa weakly raised her head. "Watch you get your shit kicked in? It's about time."
I gave her a strained smile, nodded, then turned and entered the ring. Sully whooped, Vaike whistled, and the other Shepherds cheered while Maribelle smirked off to the side. As I drew in a deep breath, I waited for the glass to ring. When no sound came, I gave Miriel a puzzled look.
"What?"
Miriel nodded to Virion. Virion gestured at my torso.
"How do I know you do not have a hidden weapon, Plegian?"
I closed my eyes. "Do I look Plegian…" I drew in a deep breath. "What do you want?"
"Shirt off."
"Strip, stripling!" Sully cheered. "Let's see the goods."
"Sully!" Sumia squeaked.
"You want to see 'em too, don't- oh no, wait, you wanna see Captain Chrom's goods." Cordelia turned as red as her hair, joining Sumia in her flushed state. Sully howled with laughter. "The both of ya do."
"Shirt off, my good man," Virion said. "Bare knuckles, bare skin. Fair is fair, yes?"
I tucked my chin, lips pursing. With great reluctance, I unbuttoned my jerkin. Once it was undone, I tossed it to the side then peeled off my shirt. I threw my shirt on top of my jerkin and returned my attention to Virion.
He wasn't waiting eagerly anymore. Instead, he stared at me, brow furrowed. I tilted my head, puzzled by his sudden change of attitude, only to notice the sudden silence in the room.
Sumia's hands were over her mouth, eyes wide with fright. Cordelia's face resembled stone, jaw tight as she glared at me. Sully ran a hand over her mouth while Vaike slowly nodded. Maribelle's mouth was open with shock. The man accompanying her looked worried. Miriel paused in her note-taking. And Severa... she gave me a look I couldn't identify.
That's when I glanced down at myself and saw the patches of scars marring my torso. I saw the deep splotch of purple tissue where Severa stabbed me so many months ago. Below that, I saw the mound of lumpy flesh where a spell impacted against my hip, some of it hidden by my pants. I gulped when I noticed the long ribbon of pale skin over my right side, where a Risen's ax nearly claimed my life. A few smaller scars dotted my thin body. Scars I never realized I had.
I swallowed hard and looked up. A shaky breath left my lips. I nodded at Virion.
"So, are we doing this or not?"
Virion looked me up and down one more time. He stepped back, one hand running over his mouth. Then, he shook his head.
"I suppose there was no harm done in the end," Virion muttered. "I'll probably never see that lovely vixen again anyway. But, if you interrupt me while I'm entertaining a lady again-"
"I'll keep this in mind," I said, not realizing how quiet my voice became.
Virion nodded again, then he stepped out of the ring. Once he was out, I moved to my shirt, threw it on, and threw my jerkin over top of it. I didn't bother buttoning it. Instead, I exited the ring and walked towards the hall. I paused at the hall's entrance, turning slightly to look at a still stunned Maribelle.
"Sorry about not getting you a bucket," I muttered. "I was too busy figuring out how to deliver the intelligence needed to save your life to the Exalt."
Maribelle gave me a dumbfounded look, one I did not revel in. I retreated down the hall to the guys' bunkroom, where I would hopefully have some peace for a couple of hours.
It didn't hit me until I sat down on my bunk and took a moment to breathe. Or, at least try to breathe. I found it difficult to inhale as I sat on the bunk. So difficult, that I hunched over and let my head fall into my hands.
My fingers raked through my unruly hair as a long gasp shuddered from my lips. My right leg bounced. Phantom pain burned through a couple of scars on my torso. I always did my best to not pay attention to them, but to see everyone look at them with such shock brought reality crashing down onto me.
How am I alive?
It was a valid question. What the hell was going on that allowed me to survive all this? I'm not special. I've never possessed the sheer physical prowess people like Lucina, Donnel, Gaius, and Severa had. I did not have the magical powers Miriel, Henry, or Laurent wielded. I didn't even have the same mindset as them.
I always contended that I wasn't a soldier; that I was never meant for fighting anyone, let alone being involved in wars. While my mind still felt that way, my body told a different story. I had become the thing I wanted to avoid in my old life. Out there, somewhere in the universe, my father was laughing.
My right hand wiped at my eyes. When my fingers came away wet, I blinked. My lips quivered as another gasp shuddered from my lips.
What am I doing anymore? What the hell have I been doing before? Did I seriously think I could handle this stuff? I may have fooled everyone, including myself, into believing that. But, seeing a green group of Shepherds stare at me the way they did made me realize how out of my depth I was.
Another war had begun, and I was caught in the middle of it. Did I want to fight? A better question: do I even have a choice but to fight?
A knock sounded on the bunkroom door. I raised my eyes enough to see Maribelle, of all people, open the door. Severa leaned against Maribelle, wincing as the noblewoman helped her into the room.
"I must insist that we turn around and get you into your bunk," Maribelle said as Severa shuffled alongside her.
"This comes first," Severa removed her arm from Maribelle's shoulders, "And, you don't have to help anymore. The world isn't spinning as bad."
Maribelle frowned, but she didn't protest. She must've learned that Severa could not be talked out of something easily.
"Well," Maribelle grasped her parasol with both hands, her eyes darting to me before landing on Severa again, "don't dally. I will be in the ladies bunk room with my staff when you're ready," She spun on her heel but paused at the door. "And, Samwise, was it?"
"Yeah?" I croaked.
A sympathetic look crossed Maribelle's stern features. "The bucket would have been appreciated at the time. But, what you did to save my life is appreciated now. You have my thanks."
Without another word, Maribelle left, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. Once she was gone, Severa squeezed her eyes shut, groaned, then staggered to my bunk.
I reached out and caught her before she could fall face-first onto the mattress.
"Still spinning?" I asked.
Severa snorted as I helped her sit down. "She doesn't need to know that."
"If your feeling this bad then she probably does."
Severa rolled her eyes, wincing from the action. "Fucking don't irritate me, please. It hurts."
"Not trying to."
I drew in a deep breath and folded my hands in my lap. An awkward silence filled the space between us. When it broke, Severa said something that made my eyes close and a long breath slip from my lips.
"I saw it," She gulped. "Henry didn't do a very good job."
"He's not exactly a healer," I shrugged.
"I know it's just…" She tucked her chin as she struggled with her words. "I saw that, and the ax wound, and the spells," Her hands folded and formed into a tight ball in her lap. "You know there are healers here in Ylisse that can help with those, right?"
"We don't have time for that."
Severa furrowed her brow. "What do you mean? I know this isn't ideal, but we are safe now, right?"
I shook my head. "Validar was planning something when we left, and I fear it involves trying to kill Exalt Emmeryn sooner rather than later."
Realization dawned on Severa's face. She sank a little in her seat, red eyes looking down at the wood floorboards as she contemplated what I said.
"Assassination?" She whispered.
I nodded.
"Any idea when?"
"Not really," I replied with a small shake of my head. "But, it looks like we got here in time. We can help stop it now. Even afterward, there won't be time to focus on making scars fade. There's a war to fight, and we'll be involved."
Severa nodded grimly. A shaky breath left her lips.
"No more, okay?"
"Hm?"
"No more scars. Deal?" She repeated, making me raise my brow, confused.
"I don't think I can control that."
Severa frowned. "Of course you can. Gawds, it's easy! Don't throw yourself into situations where you're likely to die, idiot. Ever heard of picking your battles?"
"I have," I grimaced.
"Well you haven't been doing that lately," Severa snapped. She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Just… don't go looking for fights you can't win. Not without some help, at least. Virion is an example of that."
I raised an eyebrow and gave her a shit-eating grin.
"What? Didn't think I'd win?"
"The Virion I knew was almost twenty years older and he could have handed you your ass on a platter," Severa snorted. "Imagine what today's Virion could have done."
I bobbed my head. "Fair enough. I'll keep what you said in mind."
"You better," Severa winced as she tried to stand up, only to fall back to her seat as her body swayed. "Vaike really did a number on me."
"I can tell," I chuckled, taking her left arm and slinging it over my shoulders. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Then I have to deal with Maribelle." She complained.
"You'd have to deal with her anyway."
"Don't remind me."
I helped Severa out of the guys bunk room and into the girls bunk room, where Maribelle waited with her staff. When Maribelle saw us enter, she rose from her seat, took Severa from me, and shooed me out. As soon as I exited, she shut the door behind me, leaving me in the hallway's shadows.
My head fell back and bumped against the door. My eyes closed and my mind raced again. This time, instead of thinking about how out of my depth I was, I focused on Severa's words. On her concerns and her advice.
Pick my battles, I pulled away from the wall and marched back into the guys bunk room, exhausted and ready for a good night's rest. If only it were that easy.
And chapter! Severa and Sam have finally met the Shepherds (only took over 500k words XD), and things have gone surprisingly well for them so far. That being said, they do need to be careful still from the looks of things. The consequences of not being careful could be quite bad. It's also interesting writing the Shepherds who are not war torn or super experienced yet. That'll change going forward of course, but I just found it neat to write. Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it! Have a nice day!
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