Rigged from the Start

Chapter 60

Heading North

A fresh bag is always a nice thing, especially when that is essentially the only thing I owned anymore. It wasn't anything fancy. Simple leather, boiled and oiled, weatherproof, which I appreciated. Sturdy enough for trekking across Archanea. If only I had something other than clothes to put in it. Although, I guess if I travel far and wide enough I'll eventually pick some stuff up.

I looked into the bag at the changes of clothes in it, expecting to see one more article that I had carried with me for nearly a year. But, I did not see it. No rubies or gold glimmered in the sunlight coming through the bunkroom window, and that made my chest ache.

When Cordelia and her squad captured me, they confiscated everything I had on my person; including Anna's broach. In all likelihood, I will never see it again. It's probably in the hands of one of those Pegasus Knights, maybe even Captain Aletta.

My lips thinned and I let out a long, quiet exhale. With a shake of my head, I tied up the bag and slung it over my shoulder. I didn't have time to ponder what I have lost since arriving in this world, material or not. Lucina wanted to hit the road before noon. She was probably waiting for me and Severa in the barracks' common room.

As I turned to the door, it opened. Robin stepped into the bunkroom, looking a bit disheveled and more than a little tired. He closed the door behind him with a soft click before turning his attention to me.

"Oh, good," He shifted his coat over his shoulders, "I was hoping to catch you before you left."

"What for?"

Robin reached into his right coat pocket and withdrew a small, ruby and gold brooch. My breath caught in my throat when I saw it.

"This was among your personal items when Cordelia and Bridgett brought you in. Cordelia wanted to bring it to you herself but Commander Phila called her away. She worried you would leave before she could reach you," Robin explained as he held it out to me. "I'm sure Marth has already procured your peculiar weapon from the castle guard."

I swallowed hard, gaze fixated on the brooch. Gingerly, I took the brooch from his outstretched hand and ran my thumb over the ruby-encrusted dragon before pocketing it.

"It's a kukri," I muttered.

"That's what it's called?" Robin remarked. "I have never seen anything like it. Did you get it in Valm?"

I snorted. "A friend had it made for me."

"Cordelia said it was exquisite craftsmanship. Castle forged steel, in fact."

I furrowed my brow. "What are you getting at?"

Robin pursed his lips as he stepped further into the room, towards the window. He took a glance out the small, square window before glancing over his shoulder at me.

"Just trying to get a feel for things," He replied. His jaw worked back and forth for a moment. "Did you know I can't remember a thing?"

I quirked an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "What?"

"Well," Robin snorted, "I suppose I worded that poorly. What I meant was I can't remember a thing before oh… four or five months ago. You could almost say that I was born yesterday, although that's not quite true anymore," He rubbed his jaw before continuing. "However, even though I was born yesterday, I like to think I'm not stupid. Severa claimed you were both Ylissean, but you were on the Plegian side of the war until just a few days ago. Why?"

"Why?"

"Why would you change sides?"

I bobbed my head as Robin's question bounced through my brain. "Who's to say I was ever on Plegia's side?"

Robin tilted his head. "You were delivering intelligence to Exalt Emmeryn in Themis."

"I was," I nodded.

Robin began pacing in front of the window, his eyes flitting to and fro as his mind raced. He paused at the end of a couple of laps, razing a finger as he thought of something.

"The Grimleal found out," He assumed.

I shook my head. "If they did, they didn't say."

"But they certainly did not like you. I heard as much from Validar when he tried to kill the Exalt. He also mentioned something about looking forward to speaking with Severa," Robin's eyes narrowed. Not on me. He wasn't upset or suspicious of me from the looks of things. If the brain was capable of emitting smoke I probably would have seen it pouring out of his ears. "Why would he want to kill you but keep Severa alive?"

Robin was entering dangerous territory now. Not dangerous in the sense that he would use Severa's lineage for foul deeds. The man was her father in the future. I doubt he would want to see her harmed in any way if he ever discovered the truth.

However, I could not allow him to learn about it. If he learned about Severa's lineage, then Robin may be able to piece together his own lineage; which would link him right back to his own father, Validar. Given Robin is also Grima, although he is unaware of it now, that discovery could be devastating.

My mission is to defeat Grima, by any means necessary. Right now, that required Robin to remain in the dark. Hopefully, it would not have to stay that way forever.

"Not sure," I lied. Robin's gaze sharpened. "Not like we can find out now though. Validar is dead as dead gets."

"That he is," Robin muttered. He moved past me again, one hand running along his jaw as he walked to the door. He very nearly bumped into it before stopping a couple of inches away. "Any other intelligence you can give us about the Plegians?"

My lips thinned. "Not really. The only thing I can say is that they're going to try again."

Robin turned around to face me. "That's why we're getting the Exalt as far away from the border as we can."

"They got in here," I pointed out, causing Robin to turn grim. "They'll get to wherever she's going. The Grimleal are relentless."

Robin sighed. "That they are."

I could see the cogs turning in his brain, yet I still could not figure out what exactly he was calculating, or why he was asking me so many questions. A part of me wondered if he had already figured out Severa and I were lying about our origins. I could not start to worry about that now, though. Besides, we were leaving with Lucina. Even if Robin had some suspicions, he would not be able to act on them.

"Anything else you need?" I asked him. "Marth's waiting for me."

"Hm?" Robin blinked. "Oh, no, nothing. Thank you for your time." He opened the door and I followed him out into the empty common room. "I wish you luck on your journey, Samwise. Thank you for all your help."

He held out a hand and I shook it. "Not a problem."

"Ready Samwise?" I heard Lucina ask from the barracks door, one hand resting on Falchion's pommel. Severa stood beside her, arms folded and a frown on her face. Her weight shifted from one leg to the other as she kept her gaze from falling on Robin.

Wordlessly, I strode over to them. Once out the door, Robin called to us one more time.

"Remember you three," Robin called, causing all of us to glance back at him. "The barracks door is always open."

Severa's jaw tightened. A small smile twitched on Lucina's lips. I simply nodded.

"We'll keep that in mind," Lucina replied, her voice low, making Severa roll her eyes.

Robin gave us a wave, and we left, heading for the Ylisstol markets. Heading in the opposite direction of the coming war.

"So why the hell are you doing such a ridiculous voice, Luc-"

"Severa," Lucina growled as all three of us strode into Ylisstol's vast market district.

"Sorry. Gawds, I'm not doing it on purpose," Severa huffed. "What's with the dumb disguise, Marth."

I snorted behind the pair, content with listening to them while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the famous Ylisstol markets. In the future, despite the dire circumstances consuming everyday life, the markets were still a lively place. Bakers still managed to bake fresh bread daily, filling the square and streets with a mouth-watering aroma. Spice merchants, what few remained, sold herbs, pepper, and salt. The few farmers around Ylisstol traded their crops for what little they could get. Somehow, it was still a place for the living.

In the past, where I stood now, the market made the one in the future look sparse. The spice merchants' carts and stalls were loaded with more than salt and a few wilted herbs. They had cinnamon, cardamom, thyme leaves, literal piles of salt in sacks ready to be sold. Rolls, biscuits, cookies, and cakes made the air smell sweeter than sugar. Farmers hauled cartloads of fruits and vegetables through the city gates. And, a few more miscellaneous merchants hocked their wares. Including one that I recognized instantly.

"The Secret Seller is here and ready to sell you only the best wares!" My lips parted into a wide grin when I spotted Anna. "I've got everything from canned soup, preserved meats, and," She reached under the table in front of her cart and produced a bronze spear. "Weapons!" The tip of the spear slid off and fell with a hard thunk to the table. "Mildly used!"

"Anna!" Lucina called.

The red-haired merchant's head whipped in our direction. "Ah, Marth, glad to see you're back. I wouldn't want to leave a good-paying customer behind," She then spotted us, blinked, and smirked. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite pair of crazies."

Lucina ground to a halt in front of Anna's table, eyes giving us puzzled looks from behind her mask. I gave her a sheepish look.

"We ran into each other in Plegia."

"I saved his life," Anna said.

"I broke you out of that damn bandit trap and you know it," I retorted.

Anna shrugged. "I would've gotten out eventually," She turned her attention to Lucina. "So they're the friends you told me about last night?"

Lucina nodded.

"Small world, then," Anna remarked. "Tell you three what; you all pack the cart, and I'll take twenty gold off the fee."

"Fee?" Severa echoed.

"I don't transport people for free, sweetheart," Anna said, causing Severa to silently fume. "That arrangement in Plegia only happened because the crown paid me handsomely. Now then, deal or-"

"Take forty gold off and you have a deal," I interjected.

Anna threw her head back. Her loud, mocking laughter rang out through the market square. She paused to take a breath, looked at me, and chuckled again.

"You," She snickered and hung her head as she leaned against the table. Beside me, Lucina and Severa frowned, although I wasn't sure if they were frowning at Anna or me. "You think-" Her laughter came to an abrupt halt when she saw I wasn't joining in. "Wait, you're serious?"

I shrugged. "Seems fair given that not only can we do manual labor for you until we reach whatever destination we're going to, but we can also help defend you on the road. Wars make traveling dangerous, after all."

"Mmmm, that's what my daggers are for, Samwise. I thought you knew that," Anna replied, a dangerous smirk twitching on her lips. She leveled her gaze on me. "Twenty-five gold."

I held out my hand. "Meet in the middle at thirty?"

Anna eyed my hand.

"I'll cook dinner tonight so you don't have to either."

"Done," Anna grabbed my hand and gave it a firm shake. "Alright, Marth, half now, half when our business concludes."

Lucina sighed through her nose, reached into a small pouch on her hip, and withdrew a small sack of gold coins. She tossed the sack onto the counter. A light gasp left my lips when I saw the amount of gold shimmering within it.

How much did Lucina agree to?

Anna swiped the coin sack off the table, undid the ties, and peeked inside. Just as quickly, she tied it tight and held it in her right hand, bouncing the coins up and down as her tongue stuck out the corner of her mouth. After a few seconds of doing that, she nodded.

"About right," She tied the sack to her belt. "Welcome to my crew, temporarily of course." She laced her fingers and stretched her arms over her head. A couple of pops came from her shoulders, which she rolled out with a content sigh. "Time to pack. Get to it you three. I've got a bit more business to conduct at the smithy."

Anna swept around her table and marched towards a street where multiple blacksmiths hammered at anvils in front of their shops. I wanted to ask why she was heading that way when I recalled the spear with the broken tip she was trying to sell.

I pity the smith that sold her that.

"Samwise," Severa barked. I glanced at her and saw her heave a sack of flour onto her shoulder. "Gonna help?"

"Right."

"Also," Severa continued as I marched over to a crate filled with jarred soup. "You cook?"

"No," I snorted. Severa gave me a dumbfounded look. I smirked. "But Anna doesn't know that."

"She's not going to like that," Lucina grumbled.

"Doesn't matter. Saved money, and she'll respect that more than anything else. Now, help me with this crate."

Ylissean roads sucked. Once we got ten miles outside of Ylisstol, the smooth stones turned to gravel and dirt fast. They were riddled with potholes and mud patches that Anna deftly navigated her cart through. As she drove her cart; me, Severa, and Lucina sat in the back with the merchandise.

A sharp bump rattled the cart, causing pain to shoot through my hips and up my back. A sharp hiss left my hips as I winced. Across the cart from me, Severa snorted.

"Hard to believe this is more comfortable than the future, huh?"

I shook my head, a grin forming on my lips. "It's at least warm, and no walking corpses are roaming the land. I'll take the back pain over those any day."

"It won't stay that way for long if we fail in our mission," Lucina mumbled as she sat against a crate to my right. She tucked her knees closer to her chest, resting one arm on top of them as she glanced out the back of the cart towards the rolling, green fields of northern Ylisse.

"Then why are we going in the wrong direction?" I asked.

Severa sucked in a breath. Lucina's head slowly turned back to me. Through the narrow slits in her mask, I saw her blue eyes narrow on me.

"Exalt Emmeryn is alive. That is already a victory for us which could change the course of events going forward. But, in order for us to complete this mission, all of us that came here need to fight as one. That means we must locate the others."

"Still going in the wrong direction then," Severa said, causing Lucina's gaze to whip to her. "Last Sam and I knew, Nah and Owain were in Gra."

Lucina's mouth fell open. "They're what?"

The cart jostled again, causing my head to bounce back against the canvass roof behind me. A much softer landing than the wood rails holding the roof in place. My head and back were grateful for that.

"We stumbled across Nah and Owain while we worked for General Mustafa in Gra," I explained. "From what little I could understand of the situation, they were trying to start some sort of revolt in the city."

"Oh Naga," Lucina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Owain… gods, Owain doesn't surprise me, but Nah?"

"Slavers, Lucy," Severa stated, causing Lucina to stiffen. "You know how that makes Nah feel."

Lucina's brow furrowed by her mask. "Yeah, I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising then," Her lips thinned. "Do you think she believes she'll find her mother?"

Severa shrugged. "Maybe? Gregor was with her."

A long groan left Lucina's lips. "It appears my orders were nothing more than a passing wind," She reached under her mask, fingers massaging her eyes. Then she replaced her mask and sighed. "So, one year for you two?"

I nodded.

"The entire time in Plegia?" She asked.

I nodded again.

"Any sign of him?"

A pit formed in my stomach. Across the cart, Severa shifted in her seat, an uncomfortable look on her face.

"We ran into Risen twice," Severa whispered. "One was raised by the Grimleal in their temple. Later, we encountered a large group in an abandoned village north of Gra."

"When was that?" Lucina pressed.

Severa flicked her gaze to me, silently asking me to answer the question. I cleared my throat.

"About four, maybe five months ago," I said.

Lucina's eyes widened. "That can't be a coincidence."

"What coincidence?" Severa asked.

"I arrived four months ago," Lucina replied. "Upon my arrival, I stumbled on Risen attacking my father, Aunt Lissa, Sir Frederick, and Sir Robin."

"What!?" Severa cried.

"Everything alright back there?" Anna's voice rang through the cart from her spot at the front.

"F-fine," Severa stammered. "This road is just gawds damned bumpy."

"You'll get used to it," Anna shrugged.

"Yeah, Severa," I chuckled as her cheeks reddened. "You'll get used to it."

"Sh-shut up!"

A quiet laugh came from Lucina, causing both me and Severa to give her a puzzled look. The Princess's eyes turned to the rear of the cart again.

"You two…" She mumbled, trailing off for a couple of moments. "At least your spirits have remained high. That is commendable after everything you've been through."

"High?" I remarked with a snort. "I mean, right now they're pretty high. This journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster though."

Neither Severa nor Lucina replied right away, confusing me. Then I noticed their perplexed glances. A quick second later, I smacked my forehead.

"Fucking rollercoasters, forgot those don't exist here. Um, carnival rides?"

I got even more confused looks.

"Like pony rides?" Severa asked.

I snorted, and Severa's cheeks reddened again. "N-no, they're um… why am I so bad at explaining these things?"

"Because you never had to before," Lucina suggested with a shrug.

I opened my mouth to reply, then closed it. "Huh, you're right."

The cart's wheels crunched over gravel and dirt as they slowed down. When the cart came to a full stop, Anna poked her head through the canvass at the front.

"We'll camp here tonight," She said.

"Sounds good," I replied.

It did not take long to set up our camp. Before long, the three small tents Anna had in her cart were set up and a small fire burned between them. A pot hovered over the fire on a makeshift spit. Inside the pot, soup bubbled. Soup that I was busy stirring as I did my damnedest not to burn it.

Severa sat closest to the fire, her hands hovering near the flames as she warmed them. It was a cool night, and it would only get colder as we got closer to Regna Ferox.

Lucina sat silent as she waited for her dinner. Falchion sat across her lap, unsheathed as she ran a rag along the flat and the edge. Her butterfly mask remained on her face despite us not being in Ylisstol anymore. That caused me to purse my lips as I glanced at her.

"You probably don't need that anymore," I commented.

"Need what?" Anna remarked as she joined us around the fire, four wooden bowls and spoons in her arms. Anna then glanced at Lucina and snorted. "Yeah, you don't need that anymore."

Lucina furrowed her brow and cleared her throat. "It will remain on my fa-"

"Drop the voice too," Anna remarked, causing Lucina to choke on her words. "You make for a poor man, Marth."

Harsh coughs wracked Lucina as she reeled. Beside me, Severa laughed as Anna handed her a bowl. I snickered as well, but all of my attention remained on dinner. My snickers died when I saw the broth bubbling. If I calculated things right, the soup would only need a few more minutes, barring any… unexpected… interruptions.

I peered past the fire towards the grass swaying in the breeze around our camp by the Northern Road. Across the dirt road, I spotted movement. A large, dark shadow crept towards our camp. As soon as I spotted it, I stopped stirring the soup.

"Sam, if you don't keep stirring it's going to burn," Severa said. "Gawds, when you said you couldn't cook I didn't think-"

"What do you mean he can't cook!?" Anna exclaimed. "Do you mean to tell me he failed to mention in our deal that he doesn't cook? Did you use any spices to season the soup?"

"Well, technically you never asked, Anna," Severa defended while I remained silent, my gaze following the dark shadow as it did a decent job creeping closer to our camp.

Anna sputtered. "I never technically asked? You- you both- dammit why do I feel proud?"

Severa smirked. "Because you can respect a decent swindle."

"Someone's coming towards our camp," I whispered, silencing both redheads and causing Lucina to pause in cleaning her sword.

Anna frowned. Her fingers drummed against her sheathed dagger as she followed my gaze to the grass swaying in the chilly breeze. Severa and Lucina also peered across the road, but both looked more puzzled than alert.

"I don't see anything," Lucina muttered.

"Yeah, I don't see anything too," Severa agreed.

I shook my head. "All those months of training and you still can't see better than me?" Severa smacked my arm, making me yelp. "I mean, it is dark out, so it would be hard to see?"

"That's better," Severa nodded.

"Looks like a big bastard's heading towards us," Anna said, still not drawing her dagger. "Alone too, which means he's probably not a bandit."

Anna confirming what I saw caused Lucina to finally rise to her feet. She held Falchion low and to the side, her gaze tracing the road as we waited for whoever was approaching to creep across it.

Sure enough, a dark shadow dashed across the dirt road. As soon as he did, Lucina and Severa sprang into action.

They reached the large shadow before the figure could react. Severa barreled into him first, driving her shoulder into his gut, but unable to drive the muscular man to the ground. The man drove an elbow into Severa's back, loosening her grip and causing her to fall to her stomach. Instead of giving the man freedom to move, it gave Lucina space to bring Falchion to his throat.

The tip of the divine blade hovered near the man's neck. Both Anna and I nodded as we watched the two girls subdue the intruder. Once we were sure he surrendered, we approached him.

My eyes widened when I got a good look through the faint firelight.

"Kushi?" I gasped.

Kushi's dark gaze pierced me. A deep scowl sat on his face. Dark stubble and dried blood sat on his jaw. A nasty gash with blood still trickling from it sat on his right eyebrow. His clothes were torn and singed from battle and fire. Despite his disheveled, injured state, he stood tall and proud; shoulders rolled back and muscular chest puffed out. His eyes did dart from me, to Falchion, then back to me, showing that he was more than little concerned about the blade held near his throat.

Kushi's throat bobbed. "Mister Baggins."

"Baggins?" Lucina questioned.

"What kind of name is that?" Anna commented.

"His!" Severa quickly defended as she pushed herself up off of the ground. She rolled her shoulder then glared at Kushi. "I knew I should've aimed for your head."

"You might be able to best me in combat but you're still smaller than me, Miss Daraen." Kushi snarled in reply.

"Daraen?" Lucina questioned again.

"My father's last name," Severa explained, causing even more confusion to flood Lucina's barely visible features. "And that's beside the point. What the hell are you doing out here?"

Kushi scowled at her. "I was about to ask you the same thing. Last I heard, General Mustafa ordered both of you to the border."

"Yeah, well, we ended up disagreeing with those orders," I cut in before Severa could say something snide. "Also, Marth, lower the sword. He's not a threat."

"The elbow he hit Severa with says otherwise," Lucina replied, not bothering to disguise her voice anymore.

Severa rolled her eyes. "As if he could hurt me," She then rolled her shoulder and winced.

"Marth, please?" I asked again.

Lucina's frown remained, but she relented in the end. She slowly lowered Falchion from Kushi's throat. When it fell to Lucina's side, a relieved breath puffed from Kushi. He still said nothing, which caused me to place my hands on my hips.

"You gonna answer my question, Kushi?"

Kushi's gaze flicked between me and Severa. "You both are traitors, aren't you?"

"Kushi-"

"What happened to the others?" Kushi demanded, his voice rising. "Are Mouse and Cutter alright?"

My throat tightened. I was unable to say anything. My mind screeched to a halt as the Twins' deaths replayed in my mind. My hands trembled against my hips. A shaky breath rushed into my lungs as I tried to compose myself. My right hand went up and wiped my mouth as I exhaled.

"No, Kushi," I said, voice solemn. "Cutter and Mouse are dead."

Kushi's eyes widened. His mouth fell open. The sharpness in his eyes turned dull as sorrow washed over him. What little color remained on his face drained. Both of his legs wobbled, and he collapsed to a seat on the ground.

A loud gulp came from him. He ran a hand across his forehead and disbelief mixed with his sadness.

"Grima…" He gasped. "I shouldn't have let that priest take them. I should've gone with those two little shits."

"Hey," I crouched down in front of Kushi, leveling my eyes with his. "It's not your fault. It's… it was Validar's fault." Even I didn't believe those words. I knew who killed Mouse and Cutter. Even if it was ultimately Validar's fault, my knife pierced Mouse's heart. I distracted Cutter, allowing Lucina to cut him down. I was just as culpable. "He's dead too."

"Did you kill him?" Kushi asked me, causing my heart to lodge in my throat.

"Wh-what?" I croaked, thinking he was asking about the twins.

"Did you kill the bastard?" He repeated.

"I killed him," Severa answered. "Had some help from the Ylissean Shepherds' tactician. Validar is dead. Eva and Gaius are both alive. Gar is unaccounted for."

"He's alive too," Kushi breathed. "Me and that fat fuck made a break for it as soon as the Exalt's library exploded. Glad to hear Gaius lived. He decided to help the Ylisseans. Be a hero and all that nonsense. You two must've filled his head with something while you were with us."

That caused a pained laugh to leave my lips. "I think Gaius is a more upstanding guy than we give him credit for."

"He's a thief," Severa pointed out.

"But an honest thief," I replied.

"Never heard of one," Anna pointed out. "Honest and thieves don't mix."

"Like honesty and merchants do?" I jabbed, rising to my feet again and giving Anna a smirk.

Anna's gaze did not waver. "The difference is I'm honest about my dishonesty, therefore making others believe I am honest despite the contrary being true. Also, most of the time, I'm the most honest person you'll ever meet. I'll give you a demonstration: you're burning my soup, and I honestly believe it's going to be disgusting now."

I sniffed the air. Something was burning.

"Shit!" I cried.

I scrambled back to the camp. Sure enough, a film of burnt broth lined the top of the soup. A curse spilled from my lips. Even the soup was burnt into the inedible concoction.

The others moved back to the fire. Kushi said nothing as Lucina marched him towards the cart. Why she was taking him over there, I did not know. In all likelihood, she was going to give him a stern talking to about what we were doing and why he should either cooperate or get lost. Hopefully, she wasn't going to kill him.

Anna joined Lucina in the march to the cart, probably to grab a new pot and a new jar of soup to cook. This time, she'd be the one to make it.

Severa was snickering at my expense. When she reached her spot by the fire, she peered into the pot, then saw my defeated expression.

"Naga, you really can't cook," A few more snickers slipped from Severa's lips. "How did you ever survive on your own?"

I gave her a withering look, but that only made her laugh louder. "A microwave and McDonald's, that's how."

"So, those cheeseburgers you told me about?" Severa asked between chuckles.

For some reason, I couldn't stay mad at her. A grin spread over my lips, and I found myself joining in her laughter.

"Yeah, I survived thanks to cheeseburgers."

We reached the Longfort about a week after we set out from Ylisstol. Like in the future, it was a gargantuan structure, stretching across the land like a massive snake made of stone. It towered over us as we drew closer to the Feroxi border. I couldn't see the tops of the towers that acted as barracks' and small fortresses on top of the immense wall.

Rust-colored Feroxi banners fluttered in a frigid breeze. I could see armored soldiers going on their daily patrols; their dull, iron armor glinting within the fur pelts they also wore. One of the patrolling soldiers near the gate that dominated this section of the North Road spotted us and raised a horn to his lips, signaling our arrival.

Anna brought the cart to a halt in front of the iron gate. At that point, I stopped poking my head out of the cart and took shelter from the chilled wind inside of the canvass roof. A slight shiver shook me, causing me to rub my hands together.

"I forgot how cold this place could get," I muttered.

Kushi gave me a puzzled look as he sat near the rear of the cart, "You've been to Regna Ferox?"

"We all have," Severa said with a roll of her eyes. "Gawds, we're mercenaries, aren't we? Regna Ferox is a literal haven for us."

"Correct," Lucina mumbled, rolling with our mercenary disguise. A part of me was surprised by this, but I also knew that Lucina wished to remain disguised. The best way for her to explain her combat skills and knowledge of the world was by claiming to be a mercenary, same as me and Severa.

"If the Feroxi ask," I said to Kushi, "you're also a mercenary working for Anna."

Iron bars creaked as enormous gears and chains groaned from within the Longfort. As the cart trundled forward, Anna poked her head through the canvass.

"Yeah, you're working for me. And I expect to be paid in full, Marth." Then the merchant returned her attention to the road.

Kushi arched an eyebrow. "If we work for her then shouldn't she be-"

"Don't question it," Lucina grumbled.

A shadow passed over the cart as we moved through the Longfort and across the Feroxi border. As soon as we passed beneath the Longfort, snowflakes twirled from the sky in soft flurries. An annoyed huff came from Severa.

"It's always snowing here, even in summer."

"It's Ferox, what do you expect?" I shrugged as I sat beside her. I folded my arms and shimmied against the wooden rail behind me, trying to find a comfortable spot.

"I expect warm sunshine and palm trees," Severa snarked, causing me to chuckle. She rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the smirk on her lips. Instead of acknowledging my amusement, she turned her attention to Lucina. "So, where are we heading?"

"The ice fields," Lucina answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

Kushi gulped. "Ice fields?"

"Fields made of ice. It's in the name," Severa explained. "Gawds, I knew you were slow in training but I didn't think you were slow in the head."

Kushi grumbled under his breath but did not argue with Severa. He probably wanted to, but he also did not want to get kicked out of the cart while being a fugitive of Ylisse in Regna Ferox. After all, compared to his alternatives, he was in a pretty positive situation.

"Why the hell are we going that far north, L-" Severa caught herself, "Marth?"

"Because there are rumors of strange happenings in some ruins there," Lucina explained. "We're going to investigate."

Kushi frowned and bent forward to look at me. "Been meaning to ask this: but since when do you two take orders from her?"

Severa glanced at me. I shrugged and gestured at Falchion.

"She's got the bigger sword," I explained. "Size, in this case, matters."

Lucina's mouth fell open, Severa snorted, and Kushi nodded his head in understanding. With a small sigh, I smiled and leaned my head back against the canvass, the miles we've traveled so far beginning to wear on me.

"Sev, wake me when we stop."

"Sure."

With that, I closed my eyes, and drifted off, letting the chilly air lull me to sleep.

And chapter! Looks like our heroes might be getting a small reprieve from the tense action and war combat for a little while. Sam and Severa need it too. Meanwhile, what exactly does Lucina think they will find in Regna Ferox? Perhaps one of their friends? We shall see soon, won't we? 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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