I just have to say that I won't be uploading for a week or so after this, and even after that uploads will slow down. I often upload daily when I start a story, but it does slow down.
Lucina rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and yawned. The early dawn light was shining through holes in the roof, and she could smell the wet grass outside her shelter.
She got up and walked outside, taking in a few breaths of the morning air. She was then greeted by Robin and the town's blacksmith.
"Hey, Lucina." The tactitain said happily. "The wall is getting started, and us, as a town, agreed that you shouldn't be out here." Robin gestured to the heavily-muscled man behind her. "So you can either move in with me, or build your own shelter again. It has to be within the walls though."
Lucina thought for a second then replied. "I might as well move in with you. You have your own house now so I guess I'll have some company."
Robin nodded. "Good choice! Get your stuff, I'll start making space."
Lucina nodded her thanks and retrieved her Falchion, cloak, and her spare clothes. With all her items in hand, she left for the village.
Lucina walked into Robin's house, taking note of the many maps hung on the walls of the place. She set her stuff down on a small cot and sat down on a small wooden stool.
Her thoughts drifted to Ylisse, and all the people from there that she missed dearly. Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, Sumia, Cordellia, the list went on and on.
"I wonder if they have found a way to get here," She said aloud. "I just wish he was here. My own husband, taken away right before he realised he was going to have a kid…..my life is so messed up."
Lucina put her head in her hands and tried to think of better thoughts. Instantly, a flashback filled her head.
Flashback begins….
Lucina stabbed another bandit, her steel sword shearing through the armour and eventually piercing the heart. The man fell with a small thud to the ground, his sword falling from his hands.
"Of course," Lucina muttered, "On my first solo mission I get ambushed."
Lucina withdrew her sword from her hands and ran toward a nearby village, a pillar of smoke rising above it signifying trouble.
She drew closer to the village, and could now smell smoke and….burning bodies. Drawing a short knife, she ducked behind a building.
"I just saw 'er right 'ere!" A man exclaimed in broken english, his footsteps heavy.
Another pair of footsteps joined the first. "Naw mate. I think my goo' old arrow took 'er down."
Lucina grimaced. They were drunk, most likely from their victory celebration. It was always a surprise to her how fast bandits would celebrate, they had just won.
She put on her disguise mask and stepped out, lowering the tone of her voice.
"Surrender now, or I will have to silence you!"
One of them laughed. "Who 're you?"
Lucina frowned, then regained her composure. "I am the hero-king Marth." She tossed her sword up and caught it with ease, trying to unnerve the two drunk men. Of course, they were drunk, so it didn't work.
"Got any actions to back up 'er words?" The other bandit said.
"Oh, yes I do!" Lucina swung her sword in an uppercut stroke, her blade digging into the man's neck. He cried out in pain then fell to the ground, never to move again.
The other bandit paled with fear. "You'll pay for this!" He yelled, sprinting as fast as his drunk body would allow.
"I'll be waiting!" Lucina replied.
She walked into the village, performing sneak attacks on groups on bandits. She didn't want to kill all of them, because that would draw attention. Even small cries of pain, Lucina reasoned, can alert anybody.
The blue-haired royal walked into a small house, looking for the last of her targets. She heard a cry of pain from behind a desk, then a sniffle.
Lucina removed her mask and put in away, knowing that without it she seemed more friendly. She slowly moved the desk away, grunting with exertion.
"Please don't hurt us!" It was a small boy, holding his even younger sister in his arms.
Lucina nodded slowly. "I won't. I drove the bandits away, so you both are safe."
The young boy smiled and nodded his thanks. "Thank you. We owe you our lives."
"Where are your parents?" Lucina asked as she sheathed her sword.
The girl sobbed and buried her face into her brother's arms. The boy took a deep breath and replied. "The bandit killed them. I think we are only survivors."
Lucina picked them up and carried them in her arms. "I have a friend who can treat your wounds. Just be quiet in the meantime."
"Thank...you." The young girl stated plainly. Her leg was bent at an unnatural angle, and the boy had a few scraps on his face and arms.
"I didn't kill all of them, so some might be waking up now. I cut all their bowstrings, so if we move fast enough…" Lucina put her mask back on, "We won't get caught."
Lucina and her two companions slowly traveled back to the shepherds main base, carrying the children the entire way. She was just over twenty, but yet she had more determination and endurance than most adults.
"Chrom!" Lucina yelled as she walked into the camp. "I have two survivors from a bandit attack and they need meds ASAP!"
Chrom ran out, taking the girl in his arms. "I'll get them to the medical tent. You look like you could use some rest yourself."
Lucina shook her head. "No. I need to talk to you."
Chrom put his hands up in a 'Go-ahead' gesture. Lucina continued. "I saw what those bandits did. You and I both know that this can't continue."
"I know," Chrom stated. "Bandits are just like bugs. When you kill one, ten come to its funeral. Except here, the rival bandit factions will gang together if we oppress them too much. It's just a matter of making the villages so strong that they can't be destroyed."
Lucina nodded. "I understand. I was also wondering something."
"Go ahead."
"I was wondering if I could take a break from this work."
"Why?" Chrom said.
"Robin and I have been thinking of having a kid, any now that the conflict has calmed down a bit I figured it was the best time."
Chrome smiled. "Go ahead. I won't mind having a granddaughter, even if he or she is the descendant of my Daughter from the future."
Lucina smiled. "Thanks dad."
I know that this chapter was about half the length of my other chapters, but I really wanted to get the authors' note out, along with the flashback. Feel free to review your thoughts on the story, and also PM me if you have any questions.