So it's been a little bit. I had some more ideas for a story and wanted to try them out. This is a Fire Emblem: Awakening story with an OC that isn't a self insert or Robin replacement. This character is more of an idea I had that I wanted to try out and thought might be fun.
In the Halidom of Ylisse many different areas were ruled by many different noble houses. The nobles came in a wide variety from tyrants with brutal taxes to caring compassionate rulers who acted only on the interest of their people. After Emmeryn took power as the Exalt many houses felt unsatisfied as the relaxed laws the Exalt previous had declared were revoked by the new pacifist ruler as such they resisted.
It's in one such territory just East of the land of Themis that a force of soldiers led by the Prince and his retainer Fredrick had been sent to in hopes they could negotiate a surrender or arrest the rebelling Lord Margover a lord who made massive profit during the last Exalts crusade against Plegia by selling weapons to both sides secretly. In the early morning rising before the sun the two leaders have met in the command tent to discuss their plan for breaking into the little fort they've chased the lord to.
"We have the soldiers to take the fort what I'm worried about is the chance they have something stored away in the fort that could be dangerous" A young prince stands worried looking over the papers in front of him.
"If that is the case milord stand behind me and we'll make our retreat" A stern faced Frederick responds.
"Cowering behind my friend and running away is not the impression I want to give the people" Chrom gives his body guard a look and then goes back to his thinking. "Were losing time. We need to stop this rebellion quickly or were just going to find ourselves in another war".
"I agree milord. I wouldn't want to undo the lady Exalt's hard work" Fredrick turns from the table and faces the flap of the tent. "We best make a decision soon we'll be losing the night soon".
"Your right. I'm just gonna have to trust in the plan and our troops" The young prince sighs and turns to face his friend "I suppose we ought to get this started then".
The 'fort' if one could even call it that was a campground with tents for the troops and their supplies surrounded by a large wooden wall makes of think tree trunks from the nearby woods. The plan for the troops was to use the ladders that had been constructed to climb the walls and find the lord while he slept. The soldiers were from the Halidom's professional army and were given strict orders not to kill anyone unless absolutely necessary.
The first stages of the plan went off without a hitch every troop made over the walls silently then began to search for the lords tent while avoiding any guards that might be awake. Chrom and Fredrick had been looking around when they came to a large opening towards the middle of the fort with a fire burning but no one around.
"This must be the center of the fort. I imagine the lord must not be too far from here." Fredrick whispered to the prince.
"Yeah, lets start looking in some of the ten-" as Chrom was speaking a bell began to ring rapidly before the camp broke out into yells and screams. "Someone must have been seen. We won't have much time now we have to catch Margover". Across the fire from the two a tent flap opened and a soldier wearing medium reddish armor stepped out and began to look around frantically before his eyes landed on the pair and he raised his sword up to them as he crouched into a battle stance. The two got into position for a fight opposite the fire from the man as they began circling each other.
"You must be the Prince right. I heard you were the one chasing the lord" The soldier called out to them across the fire. His blue eyes were dark in the early morning light. The man was on the younger side but still older than the prince.
"Why do you fight for Margover he's a heartless tyrant putting his people in danger to make some profit" Chrom questioned the man.
"It wasn't a choice there wasn't an exit for us. It was join or get killed by his guards" The man spoke calmly but had begun to sweat.
"You don't have to keep this up now If you take us to him you can be free to go" The princes words had an effect of the man he froze and took his eyes off the two slowly lowering is sword and standing straight.
The soldier faces the prince with resolution and speaks, "Follow me if were quick he won't get away" then man turns and begins to rush through tents.
The prince and the retainer hurry to follow after him and quickly catch up to him as he slows down in front of a tent almost identical to the others. The turns and nods at them then darts in sword at the ready. Once inside the other two see the lord in the midst of changing into day clothes surround by chests overflowing with gold. The lord himself is a portly man in his mid fifties who's graying blonde hair has begun balding leaving him with a shining spot on his head.
Lord Margover is the first to speak. "So the prince has corrupted even my own men to attack me" the lord gives a rough grunt to his company and continues to button his silk shirt. After he's done preparing himself he addresses them again "It seems choosing the filthy lower class wasn't the best choice to make. Shake a bag of gold in front of them and they'll crawl over each other to do your bidding" he turns to the soldier "Tell me biy how much did the prince promise you for this betrayal. I'll triple it if you kill him" this statement causes Fredrick to get in a stance for a fight but, the man never takes his eye from the lord with a burning look deep in his eyes.
"He's given me more than you ever have or ever could offer" a sincere and fierce tone resounds from the man.
Margover guffaws "I hardly believe the prince has enough in his coin purse to match me. Don't play with me boy I won't offer again; how much were you offered?" the lord crosses his arm and looks down his nose at his soldier.
"He's offered me a chance for something honest a chance to free the world of you" the man doubles down and lunges toward the lord.
Chrom reaches out to stop him but is to slow and Fredrick couldn't reach him from across the Prince. They watch in shock as the soldier rushes Lord Margover who stands stunned by the action.
Much to the surprise of the on lookers the tent isn't filled with the sounds of tearing flesh and the screams of a dying man but instead by the sound of flesh smacking hard as the soldiers slams a fist into his lords face. The lord tumbles back collapsing over one of the many lavish chests in the room passed out cold.
The soldier faces back to his newest companions as Chrom speaks up "We we're supposed to try and negotiate peacefully but, I suppose this will work" he sighs and rubs his neck turning to face the other man.
"I've been in his service ever since your father was Exalt that man is delusional and deranged there is no negotiating with men like that" solemnly the soldier replies.
Fredrick stands straight "None the matter we need to handle the rest of the camp and wrap up here" the men collect the lord and hurry to open the gates while rallying the troops of both sides to end the fight. With the lord secured in chains and on his way back to the capital bound for the courts the Prince and the Soldier from before stand before the gathered troops of both sides.
The soldier steps forward and begins to speak "Lord Margover has been detained and will be punished for crimes" he faces the other soldiers dressed in red light armor that almost every other soldier was wearing from the lord's forces "You can all return home to your families and sleep sound knowing they are safe" cheers erupt from that half of the crowd "the prince has pardoned everyone considering you were civilian conscripts forced to fight and that no one was hurt today" the man steps back and stares at the ground.
Chrom steps up and addresses the soldiers giving them directions for leading the civilians home and to return to the capital for the rest of directions and payment. The prince faces the other man next to him. "I'll assume you must be the leader of these forces" the man gives a nod of his head but, doesn't look away from the ground "I have to ask why you never turned against Margover before if it was this simple a matter to settle you could have saved a lot of time and effort from me and the Exalt" Chrom gives and honest and sincere look the other man just can't return.
"It wasn't that simple we could have turned on the lord but, all of these men's families are under control of other troops being payed by the lord that would have been killed. The only reason we could do it now is cause you were here with the lord in chains his gold has been seized the other soldiers aren't under any reason to follow his orders" he looks up at Chrom "I couldn't have given an order that made these men abandon their families" the soldier looks back to the ground and shakes his head "What happens to me prince these men were forced into this service but, I choose to be here" a sigh and shake of the head was the prince's response.
"That depends why did you fight" Chrom asked.
"I'm still not quite certain. I knew those men needed a leader and one that could keep them all from dying at the behest of that bastards orders and I thought I could do it. I barely kept everyone alive."
"You did keep everyone alive though, didn't you?"
"It was still too close"
"Then you just need more experience"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you need another chance to serve this time maybe for something meaningful. The Exalt is putting together a team to help keep the peace in the Halidom and I think it could be a good fit for you" the young prince gives a smile to the soldier.
"Then I'd be glad to accept" the man turns back towards the prince's camp as soldiers are beginning to pack for the trip back.
"I just realized I haven't asked you name.
"Leo. My name is Leopold" Leopold turns back to Chrom and nods to him. The two walk into camp and help packing up before saddling up some horses and riding back to the capital.
A few weeks later the lord had been found guilty in his trial and the soldiers had all returned home except for Leopold who found his new home in the capital serving the Exalt in the shepherds by helping to keep down any minor rebellions from any remaining lords who are causing unrest.
Sitting on a box in the shepherd's barracks Leopold was cleaning a sword. He'd been one of the first shepherd recruited so he had been leading troops of soldiers on the missions. There was three other members Chrom and Fredrick but, those two were a given the other new member was Miriel a mage with a strong desire to learn and study the world. To be honest she spoke on a level higher than Leo could really understand with the basic education his village gave. He could read and write and do all the basic functions of math but, anything beyond that was lost on him sometimes her ramblings made sense but, for the most part he was smiling and pretending to understand. He didn't know if she bought his act but, she seemed happy enough to keep talking to him so something was working right.
There was still of course Chrom who he'd started to get a long with quite well there were nearly the same age Leo was only about two years older. The two hit it off well they were both leaders who had led plenty of troops and weren't slouches in combat themselves both preferring the sword but, Leo would sometimes pick up a lance to allow a little variety. Their sparring sessions were something to behold. Chrom had an acrobatic style that was quick and deadly while Leo relied on a style that was defensive and through parrying any strike and sidestepping others waiting for a moment to strike that would allow for a quick kill. They both had experience and skill but, the prince had more years of experience versus Leo who had in comparison only begun recently. Though he wasn't a match for Chrom they still sparred together though and were getting closer in both skill and friendship.
As for Fredrick the two weren't friends but, he'd earned some silent respect from the knight. Leo practiced his swordsmanship to a fault. He also stepped in to train recruits in the knights when Fredrick was preoccupied helping Chrom with the Shepherds.
Life continued like this for awhile practice, train, and lead. Life was going quite well for Leo with this new job. Before long others were starting to join. There was Vaike who was always a good time to be around. Sully who could definitely keep him on his toes in a spar. Stahl and honest and stalwart friend. Sumia caring and clumsy but, endearing more than any other. There was also Kellam he was a sincere man and reliable comrade but, he's sneaking around always caught Leo of guard.
Finally the last member was Lissa the princess and resident healer. She didn't start off as a member but always hung around the barracks so when she accompanied the group once and was pivotal in the battle she was completely accepted as the cleric. Beyond the saintly healing she would deliver she was a devil sent to torture the shepherds. Unlike a story book princess, Lissa wasn't afraid to get dirty namely she would put frogs everywhere. Anywhere you could imagine in boots, in armor, and even in the pantry. The croaks she be a dead give away but hers never croaked for some reason: she must have been training them as spies there is no other explanation.
After some months of operation as the shepherds a small team of Chrom, Leo, Fredrick, Sully, and Lissa were sent on a mission near South Town to handle some bandit trouble the area was having.
Chrom was leading the group down the main road when they came across a fork in the road. They had gone through a few just a short while back and heard of two different places the bandits could be hiding in. "Alright our paths split here for the time being. Everyone knows what they have to do stay safe" Chrom had decided to split the group Lissa, Fredrick, and himself would check one potential hideout while Leo and Sully where going to scout out the other.
Leo had been put in charge of the second group since he had seniority in the Shepherds and experience leading troops. Sully was leading her horse by the reigns silently as they walked. The silence was a bit awkward usually Lissa would be pestering someone as they walked so the lack of any noise to distract them left the two in an odd air but, neither had any idea what to talk about.
After about an hour of walking on the road they came into a lightly wooded area. They were nearing there destination the cave the bandits had made home was supposedly just up ahead they stopped to prepare a little more. Sully saddled up and held her lance at the ready while Leo tightened the straps of his armor a little tighter and drew his sword keeping it down as he walked.
The silence now was an advantage anything that came by them would be heard by their trained ears. After a bit of walking they did hear a noise of to their right. Stopping and facing that direction the two watched with bated breath for any sign of movement weapons at the ready. They hadn't seen anything but, weren't prepared to move on just yet when a man dressed in some fluffy silken clothes carrying a bow stepped out from behind a tree. Leo and Sully didn't move to attack since the man fit no profile they had for the bandits but, didn't relax as the man was out in the woods alone carrying a weapons and clearly not dressed for hunting.
"I did not mean to alarm you. For I am no ruffian. I am Virion archest of archers" the man stood straight chest puffed out then gave a curt bow his light blue hair waving all the way.
Sully looked to Leo with a look of pure bewilderment. "Well archest of archers Virion might I ask what you are doing in these woods" Leo asked of the newly introduced archer.
"I was walking the countryside when I heard tale of hooligans make trouble for the local populace and found it my duty to dismantle them. Imagine my surprise however when walking these woods I find not the disgusting of society but, a beauty with no parallel" Virion's gaze lands squarely on Sully who gasps a bit at his statement then proceeds to scowl at the man.
Leo saw a situation that could deteriorate quite fast and decided it might be time to move on. "Well Virion I must thank you for your complement not many can appreciate my stunning looks" Virion gives a curious look to the man and Sully gives a light chuckle "but, if you intend to get rid of these bandits you should join us we were on our way there. We would gladly appreciate some support" Leo genuinely states.
"I love to accompany as beautiful as this" he gestures to Sully again "what is your name dear?" Virion is standing next Sully's horse next and she's looking down at him a look of disgust on her face.
"In your dreams ruffles" Sully turns from him and continues along the path.
The group continued to walk for the next few minutes before coming a long a cave opening in the cliff side that was an edge to the path.
"Either these bandits have no idea how to run themselves or their out for groceries no sentry or lookout and I can't hear anyone" Sully gave her impressions.
Leo spoke up "I think you might be right" he turned to face his companions "I'm going to look in a little further and see if anyone is still here I'll come running out if there is anyone so prepare for an ambush. Don't kill each other while I'm gone".
"I would never do harm to such a lady" Virion looked genuinely hurt.
"Alright then. Sully try not to pull him limb from limb while I'm gone" Leo only got a chuckle and a wicked grin as a response.
Sword drawn and in a semi crouch the soldier descended down in to the cave a bit passing a few paths that were either collapsed or empty. Finally the cave opened into a large round chamber filled with mats and blankets on the ground but lacking any inhabitants. This must have been the bandit hideout but, with no bandits here it meant they were out attacking.
They had to hurry back to South Town.
He rushed back out startling the others. He caught them up on the situation and with stern resolves the group began their trek back to the city.