*Comes out of bunker to see an annoyed Severa and stoic, but blushing, Lucina*
7: Ok considering the area is NOT a smoking ruin that little bit at the end was received better than I hoped?
Severa: *eye twitches* Ya think?!
Lucina: Was there… any PARTICULAR reason you revealed our relationship so… early?
7: I wanted to give the whole idea of side chapters showing what you guys were up to a try as well as give the story a bit of a unique twist.
Anyway, before Severa attacks me with a wrench, let's get to the show!
P.S: Play Morning of the Slag Ravineat "began to strum"
Cold Shoulder (Odd Encounters)
Robin shivered hard as the Shepherds made their way through the snowy terrain. They'd been marching all day, but that wasn't the worst of it.
No, they had arrived in an area that had a light smattering of snow on the ground, but now they were in a full on blizzard.
Why didn't I pack for this better? Sure, Chrom said it would get cold, but I didn't think I'd be close to losing fingers!
Most of the others were shivering right alongside him. Well, except Chrom and Frederick, but he just chocked it up to them being freaks of nature.
Speaking of shivering, Kellam had to be hauled onto Sully's steed. While he was used to wearing his plate on long trips, the cold was making the joints freeze up. He'd be fine after a good oiling, but they wouldn't be able to do that for some time.
Oh, Chrom just gave Sumia his cape. And now Lissa's complaining about the cold, again.
He sighed, breath misting. With how they were now, the cohesive unit of two days ago seemed like a dream.
They were only three days into their march when the first sign of trouble arrived.
Sully had gone ahead of their company to scout out the terrain but had returned far sooner than planned.
"Risen?"
Robin was confused. What in Naga's name did that mean?
Chrom scratched at his head. "Oh, right. Risen are the name the war council gave to those creatures we fought. They thought it was appropriate since they look like corpses."
Robin narrowed his eyes. "Why wasn't I told this? I've been puzzling over the reports with 'Risen' in them for days!"
Chrom blushed, Frederick answering instead. "That responsibility fell on Lord Chrom. As it appears he forgot to tell you, I will deliver you a custard later as recompense."
Robin snorted. "It better be the greatest custard ever devised. Anyway, back to business, Sully?"
Sully shook off her amused smile. "Right. Ok, so the Risen are blockin the main bridge that separates Ylisse into its North and South halves. It also happens to be the fastest route to the Ferox border."
Robin sighed. "Ok, so, do we have numbers, positions, that sort of thing?"
"Well, the area on the south side is almost totally flat. That's also where most of the Risen are. On the other side are some old forts that look over the mountain pass we need to take. That's where the leader is if I had to guess."
Frederick nodded. "Very good, Sully. Call the others together."
Sully cantered off to gather the Shepherds to gather while Robin and Chrom cobbled together a plan.
"Ok, so we leave the South side to Frederick, Stahl, and Sully. With them will be Miriel and Kellam as insurance. In the meantime, you, me, Sumia, Vaike, and Lissa will hunt down the Risen to the north."
Chrom sighed. "We'll need to be careful. Sumia's pretty good with a lance, but she has little training in fighting on such uneven ground."
Robin pinched his nose. If she couldn't fight on the mountains to peak efficiency, then she could do something else.
"We'll have her guard the supplies. She can take notes from the others while we're in battle. I'll put Virion with her for extra insurance."
Chrom almost growled.
"Oh, would you be quiet? He's very well aware that flirting with her is a death sentence, you don't need to worry."
Chrom blushed while Frederick hid an amused grin.
By then, the others had joined them.
Chrom stepped forward, ignoring the chuckles at his pink cheeks. "Alright everyone, here's what's going on."
After everyone's positions were outlined, they continued the trek. Sumia was a tad disappointed at being assigned guard duty, but Robin could tell she was relieved too.
That would need to change. The girl had steel in her, Chrom could attest as much, but she needed to find her role and soon.
But, that wasn't what he needed to think on. They'd arrived at the river crossing and Robin could tell that the Risen had sensed them.
"Alright, cavalry, I want two pincers. Frederick, you're on the left."
Frederick saluted and sped off to the left.
"Sully, Stahl, I want you on the right."
Hooves rumbled to the right,
"Kellam, Miriel, push up the middle. Press them into the bridge and crush them."
Steel and cloth marched to the center.
Robin nodded at what he saw. "Alright, engage!"
He shot a bolt into the sky, the cavalry charging at the familiar signal. They were far faster than the stumbling creatures and made quick work of any they ran across.
Robin almost chuckled. Frederick was efficiency personified and Sully was power on a horse, but Stahl was his own beast.
As he watched, Stahl charged two of the Risen. His horse split them away from each other, Stahl's sword finding the neck of one. It dissolved immediately, but the other took a swing at his leg. Stahl leaned sideways and made his saddle slide on his horse, the attack missing by a hair.
The horse spun around at its master's command, Stahl practically hanging out of his seat. They charged the Risen again, this time kicking it to the floor as they passed. A quick stab as it stumbled to its feet made the Risen dissolve.
Miriel and Kellam were no slouches either. At first, Miriel would simply burn any that got close. But, as a large group charged them, she only had time to cremate two of them.
Then, Kellam went to work.
The first Risen brought its weapon down on Kellam's shoulder, only for the rusted steel to shatter. Kellam then reached forward and crushed its skull in his grip. The other's got wise to this and tried to circle him, but Miriel met them with a snap of her fingers and a pyre.
Soon, only two remained.
They charged Kellam again, aiming for his head this time. He finally braced himself and when they were close enough, thrust.
His lance blurred forward, its tip burying itself in the closest Risen. Its hideous groan was silenced as he continued the motion, turning himself on a pivot until the shaft collided with the other Risen.
Then, he crushed them under his sheer bulk.
It was an interesting strategy, but Kellam wasn't known as a mighty glacier for no reason. He'd trained himself to flip right back onto his feet after the maneuver and he was stomping away a moment later.
With the southern half well in hand, Robin and Chrom guided their group over the bridge to confront their opponents.
Robin was excited to fight them. After finally befriending Miriel, he'd been able to ask her about shaping one's magic into specific shapes.
Her answer had involved a lot of jargon, but the gist of it was that it took many years of practice to reach the point of what he saw in his dream. In fact, many preferred not to pursue it because of the time required to master it.
Robin was not so weak-willed, but now wasn't the time to try.
Thankfully, there were fewer enemies in the north half of the battle, but the rough terrain made fighting them difficult.
It didn't help that all of them, all of them¸went after Lissa on sight. It was like they knew she was their healer and went after her accordingly.
Admittedly, that made fighting them easier. With Lissa as a focal point, the Risen came to them.
All except the leader, designated a chieftain by Chrom.
The thing was still intimidating in broad daylight, but something curious was going on around it.
Whips of rancid smoke were drifting from its ashen flesh, but it was entering the earth rather than drifting into the air like the rest of its aura.
A moment later, Robin had to hold in his revulsion as another Risen, well… rose from the earth.
Vaike actually spoke first. "Hot damn, the big guy's… spawning them! Like a frog with tadpoles!"
Lissa would have laughed had she not been holding down her lunch. "That's… actually a good analogy. Look at Vaike, being clever for once."
Vaike puffed up a bit. "Never doubt the Vaike!"
The Cheiftain's gaze snapped to them and Robin sighed. "And, there goes the cleverness. Charge!"
They did so, Vaike taking on the newly summoned Risen while Robin and Chrom took care of the chief.
Robin was far more worried about the chief than Vaike. Reckless the man may be, but he was fast and had reflexes to spare.
A moment later, after dodging a swing from the chief, Vaike jumped into the fray.
As he later found out, Vaike had started swinging his axe, only for the Risen to duck away. Then, Vaike used the force from his swing to spin around the Risen's attack and bring his axe around into another swing.
It was a testament to Vaike's sheer strength that when the axe met its target, the Risen was split in two.
From there, the chief was rather easy to take down. The first one had surprised them, but now they were prepared for its greater power and it soon dissolving like the others.
But, they'd made an odd discovery after it had disappeared. A shattered glass box lay on the ground where the chief once was, a putrid smell leaking out of it.
Miriel, once they'd regrouped, had wanted to study it. They couldn't of course, but Chrom ordered her to hold onto the remains and examine them when they returned.
But, now they found themselves in the freezing wilderness. That temperate climate was a fond memory that Robin missed dearly.
When I finally get a house, I'm not living anywhere that gets this cold.
As if reading his thoughts, Chrom laughed. "Oh, don't worry, Robin. Ylisse never gets quite this cold, and most people spend the winter inside anyway."
Robin shook his head, his teeth chattering too hard to answer. Lissa was of a similar persuasion, her attempt to ask Frederick to shield her from the wind coming out as a jumble of gibberish.
But, it was with much groans of relief that the great Longfort came into view. It was a truly grand construct that apparently ran the length of Ylisse-Ferox border and the Plegia-Ferox border. It was also constructed several hundred years ago and had never been breached.
Fun.
It was still another hour of walking before they would arrive, but Chrom had called for him.
Robin found Chrom speaking to Frederick, the two hammering out a plan.
"Ok, so diplomacy is paramount here. The Feroxi are rightly suspicious of outsiders and it will take a great deal of subtlety to get on without angering them.
Chrom sighed. "Frederick, you know diplomacy is not my strong suit. I will try to convince them, but I can't shake this bad feeling I have.
Robin snorted. A bad feeling you and I share, my friend. Throwing rocks at them would be more subtle than your attempts at persuasion.
Chrom frowned at him. "You're doubtlessly clever thoughts aside, we need to get to the one in command. Make sure everyone stands back, too many could provoke them."
Robin shook his head. "I just wish Sumia would get back to us. I didn't think the Pegasus was all that injured, but I'm no expert."
Chrom nodded. "True, but we must press on."
Frederick signaled for everyone to move and they started forward again. After another round of snow slithered into their boots they finally left the treeline.
It's much more imposing up close. The main gate's massive, but there look to be side entrances, probably for returning patrols if I had to guess.
Robin shook his thoughts free. He had to focus on the here and now, not space out like he was prone to do.
Chrom split from the others, walking to an open spot about halfway between the Shepherds and the gate.
"Halt, who goes there?
A figure in heavy plate appeared at the top of the gate. Robin didn't have a clear look at them, but the voice placed them as a woman.
"I am Prince Chrom Falke de Ylisse. I come on a mission from Her Grace, Emmeryn Adler de Ylisse."
He took a step forward.
"Not one step further my brave lad, I have javelins at the ready!"
Chrom flinched back. "Wait, we have done nothing to you!"
The woman scoffed. "You think you can fool me! You and your 'mission' have cost me good men! Now be gone lest I lose my patience!"
Frederick would have none of it. "Now see here, milady! You have no right to-"
His horse moved forward.
"Fire!"
Frederick's eyes widened as the other armored figures around the woman reared their arms back. He tried to spur his horse forward, but he was too far.
As the javelins sailed through the air, Chrom put his armored shoulder forward. Just as the steel closed in, Chrom was swept off his feet by a blur of white, one of the blades digging a bloody furrow in his skin.
When he finally had his wits about him, his breath caught in his throat.
"Sumia."
He was in the air, white wings around him and Sumia in front of him. There was no wind up here, or at least, he didn't feel any. All he could do was look at the back of his savior.
"Hang on, Captain." He voice was almost angelic. "This will get bumpy."
He didn't respond so she turned to him, slight mirth in her eyes and a laugh in her voice.
"You'll be fine."
Then and there he realized what he was seeing. It was not an angel in the form of Sumia. It was actually Sumia, armor and all, with him on a Pegasus, the same one that had kicked at him earlier that day.
He was glad Sumia had turned around. It would have been mortifying to have her witness how red his face was.
Her head jerked downwards. "Captain, we need to move!"
Chrom snapped back to reality. They had javelins trained on them and it looked like some archers were about to join them.
"Right. Shepherds, to battle!"
He drew Falchion and he heard a faint roar in reply. "Sumia, set us down next to Robin."
She nodded and angled them down towards Robin's position, alighting next to him a moment later.
Chrom jumped from his position. "Alright Robin, tell us what you have."
Robin rolled his eyes. "I just told the Shepherds to take down the Feroxi non-lethally. May I remind you of the talk Frederick had with you last month? Where he said I can't do everything?"
Chrom chuckled. "Oh, right, sorry."
Sumia spoke up. "Um, where should I be, Robin?"
Robin glanced at her. "I want you to take Chrom and join up with the others over on the right. After that, act as a ferry and scout until we take out the archers. Then, join up with Chrom and watch his back."
Sumia raised her lance in a salute. Chrom had one more question. "How do you plan on Miriel and Virion not killing any of them?"
Robin shook his head. "I told Miriel to tone down the power while Virion is to aim for areas that disable but don't cripple. It'll be tough, but we can do it."
"And how do we get in?"
Robin smirked. "You leave that to our friends Kellam and Stahl."
-Kellam & Stahl—
"So, we both agree that Robin's insane?"
"Yes."
"We both agree that we should pour freezing water on him should we survive this?"
"Yes."
Stahl nodded. "Ok, glad we're on the same page. Shall we?"
Kellam nodded and Stahl spurred his horse onward. They'd mostly defeated the Feroxi on their side, only an archer that Virion was trading fire with remaining, and now they had to complete Robin's insane idea.
Stahl spurred his horse, trying to squeeze all the speed he could out of the loyal beast.
Sorry boy, I'll get you something real good to eat after this.
They were closing in on the small side gate, within less than fifty yards when Stahl yanked hard on the reins. The horse bucked and skid to a stop, whinnying at the sudden loss of weight.
Stahl just watched as Kellam, sweet, lovable Kellam, took flight with all the grace of a turkey. His massive bulk flew through the air, activity stopping as time seemed to slow down.
The idea was for Kellam to be launched over the doors and into the citadel. From there, he could get the door open and let the other Shepherds in. But, it seemed they'd underestimated how much speed it required to do so.
With growing horror, Stahl watched as Kellam's form arced toward the door proper. It seemed almost peaceful, the way Kellam fell, but his landing was far from it.
With a great crash, Kellam met the gate in a battle of steel versus steel. Human ingenuity versus sheer metal and stone.
Miraculously, Kellam won.
The gate groaned as the steel moorings ripped themselves from the stone, a Kellam sized dent in the gate. With a great boom, the gate fell inwards.
Stahl couldn't stop himself from gaping. It had worked! They'd have to face Sully's wrath later, but it worked!
Kellam appeared at the top of the stairs. "What are you waiting for down there? Let's go!"
Stahl shook the stupor from his mind and charged inside. This would be quite the tale to tell.
-Robin—
"It worked! Sweet Naga, it worked!"
He was positively giddy at the sight and sound of the gate falling. This tactic could get them in to all kinds of places now!
Well, only as a last resort. He'd much prefer using large rocks than his friends.
He shocked a knight unconscious when they charged him. "Do not interrupt my good mood!"
Actually, now that the tactic proved useful, how was he going to explain this to Sully?
He shivered. "Ok, note to self, avoid Sully for a few days."
"And why, exactly, should I be avoided?"
Robin jumped. "Oh, hey, Sully, what's up?"
She glared at him. "What did you do?"
He started sliding away. "Oh, nothing. Just, thinking… about…"
He took off running. He could hear Sully call after him, promises of training-read: punishment- carrying over the freezing wind.
Frankly, he preferred the Feroxi. They were just trying to kill him.
Speaking of, a javelin sailed by his face. It missed, but another gash opened along his cheek.
Kellam's grand entrance had distracted the Feroxi enough that the Shepherds had been able to sweep in and render many of them unconscious. That didn't include the commander and her guards.
"Come then, cowards!" The commander screamed, yanking a strange javelin from her back. "Come and face the Khan's chosen!"
Robin sighed. Looks like she wouldn't give up without a fight. "Alright, everyone, surround them!"
It was a sound strategy. There were only a few defenders left and a lot more Shepherds compared to them, so it should have been simple.
It… wasn't.
Oh, sure, the other guards went down without much issue, but not the commander. She decided that their weapons were useless against her armor and that anyone that tried to get close got a new scar for their trouble.
Stop grousing Robin. You have thunder at your beck and call, but you can't use it.
He heard someone grunt. It looked like the commander tricked Vaike into attacking and now he had a hole in his shoulder.
Great, first Stahl gets hit on the leg and now Vaike. We need to end this, now.
An idea popped into his head.
"Sumia, Chrom! Hit her knees!"
He'd made sure to yell that as loud as possible. It was no secret that the commander's armor was weak around the knees, it needed to be, but he wanted the commander to watch the skies.
She bit, just like he wanted, and turned her attention to the duo circling above.
Ok, now let's see how sharp she is
Sumia swept past him, the commander taking a swing at the wing of her Pegasus. Robin took the chance and charged in, tip of his blade trained on the back of the commander's knees.
He got within range and struck.
"Nice try, bastard!"
A heavy gauntlet met his temple and Robin saw double. He dropped like a rock, heaving from the monumental headache, when a boot crashed into his back.
"You fight well, I'll give you that, but none can match me! None!"
Robin wheezed, vision darkening. "You… sure about that?"
His hand clapped around the greave in his back.
"Thunder."
He felt the electricity stream into the armor, electrifying the commander viciously. He didn't have enough strength to render her unconscious, but he heard Chrom's yell and a dull thud as blackness claimed him.
-Chrom—
"Damn it!"
Robin was out cold and so was the commander. The clever bastard had used him and Sumia as a decoy, likely expecting the commander to notice him so he could shock her.
And now you have a concussion and we're short three fighters. Lissa's staff is amazing, but it can't work miracles.
He sighed. "Lissa, when can we expect them to wake up?"
Lissa gave the two unconscious figures one more look. "Well… based on how much power Robin used, the commander will wake up first. That hit Robin took will likely put him out for a couple hours, but there's no damage to his brain from what my handy little staff can tell.
Chrom sighed again, this time in relief. "Good. Everyone, bind the soldiers and bring them here. We'll get our answers when the commander wakes up."
He looked at Robin. "Well, maybe the blow knocked some memories loose."
A sigh caught his attention. "That's… a tad morbid, Captain."
"Oh, Sumia. I must thank you for your assistance. Honestly, I'd probably be skewered like a roast hog right now if you hadn't swooped in."
Sumia blushed. "O-oh. You're too kind, Captain."
Chrom groaned. "Sumia, we've had this talk before. Just call me Chrom, everyone else does."
Sumia clutched at a non-existent necklace. "I-I'm sorry, Ca- Chrom."
He caught that stumble but smiled all the same. "We're friends, Sumia. It comes with all the benefits and pitfalls as your friendships with the others."
Sumia blushed. "You… you're too kind, Chrom. Um, thanks for believing in me until I could find my role."
Chrom smiled. "Hey, I always knew you had it in you. Now, it's finally in the open where everyone can see it."
He turned to her Pegasus. "Actually, what should I call my other savior?"
Sumia winced. "Oh, sorry, this is Selene. I named her after my mother's first horse."
Chrom laughed. "Hey, no need to apologize. Let's just do our best from here on, ok?"
She pumped her fist. "Right!"
Meanwhile, off to the side, the other Shepherds were groaning in mutual pain.
"Whyyyyyyy!" Lissa ground out, chewing on a handkerchief. "They're so obvious and cute it's poisonous!"
Frederick sighed. "I pray this plan of yours comes to fruition soon, Lady Lissa. This is becoming painful to watch."
Vaike laughed. "I hope so! If I can tell, then a blind and deaf man can tell!"
The opening was too good and he was soon buried in friendly teasing. It didn't last long though.
"Ugh, what…"
The commander was waking up. Everyone surrounded her and Chrom put himself in front.
"I see that you're awake."
She groaned agin before jolting awake. To everyone's surprise, she bowed.
"Prince Chrom, a thousand apologies to both you and your men! I honestly took you for brigands, but that is no excuse for harming those that did not wish harm in turn!"
Chrom took a step back. "Uh, ok. Could you… tell us why you decided we were brigands?"
She kept her head bowed. "I was instructed by the Khan to regard all armed passerby with suspicion until proven otherwise. But, it seems I have grown overzealous after several bandit attacks."
Chrom sighed. "I will accept the apology you give to me, but you will have to apologize personally to the men you wounded, along with my good friend who you concussed."
The woman nodded. "Very well. Now, I believe you said that you wished to speak with the Khan?"
Frederick stepped forward. "Indeed that is our mission. Would you happen to know where to find them?"
She nodded. "Of course, I am their right hand. My name is Raimi, and I will personally escort you to the Khan."
Chrom nodded. "Very well, but let us unbind your men. After that, we'll follow you."
Lissa spoke up. "Uh, what about Robin?"
Chrom gestured to the riders. "We'll put him with you and one of our riders. That way, we can move and you can keep an eye on him. Sound good?"
Lissa nodded and they freed the Feroxi soldiers before following after Raimi. Thankfully, there were some wagons waiting for them and their own supply wagon was allowed to join them before they left.
-Khan's Palace-
It was a relatively short ride all things considered. The road was free of frost and snow and the town they entered was very lively despite the cold.
But, the palace they entered was something to behold. It was almost completely square, three walls surrounding the palace proper, and decorated with numerous lions and banners showing two dog heads facing away from each other.
It was the first thing Robin saw after coming back to the land of the living. He was in a wagon with Lissa, Vaike, and Kellam, the soft-spoken knight explaining what had happened since he'd been out.
Now though, it was just him, Chrom, Frederick, and Raimi. She'd apologized to him for the blow, but he'd waved it off as part of the job.
That, and Lissa is absolutely amazing. She said she was just a beginner when we first met, but I'm starting to think that was a lie born of a rare humility.
His thoughts were cut short when a pair of large doors creaked open, Raimi leading them into the large room beyond the doors.
"Sirs, if you would wait here. I will fetch the Khan."
Raimi left the hall, mumbling something about ale casks as she went.
That left them to discuss the Khan.
"So, Frederick, what do you know about the Khan?"
Frederick hummed. "All I know is that they are a powerful warrior. It shames me to admit it, but I overestimated diplomacy's value here. As such, the Khan is not only a leader to their people, but also their greatest defense."
Robin chuckled. "When you put it like that, I can see him now. Broad, hairy chest, biceps the size of barrels, and an axe to shame Vaike… what are you two panicking about?"
Chrom and Frederick were shaking their heads wildly, gesturing for Robin to stop talking. When he'd asked his question though, another voice answered.
"Oh, am I now? Please, continue your fantasies, I'd love to see what else you think."
The voice was distinctly female, a dangerous form of mirth filling it as Robin turned.
She was tall and tanned, heavy armor sitting heavily on her torso. She bared it without effort though, the great shield running the length of her left arm clicking as she moved. In fact, she held a large steel bastard sword in her right to go with all her metal.
But, even in the face of steel encasing her body from legs to arms, her blonde hair and grey eyes projected the aura of a lion.
Robin gulped. "I-I'm sorry… are… you…?"
She laughed. "Why, yes, I am the East-Khan, Flavia. Now, your silly imaginings aside, I heard that a group of warriors had business with me?"
Chrom stepped forward. "I apologize for my friend's insinuations. Now then, Raimi told us you'd been suffering bandit raids, can you explain why you decided stopping travelers would do anything?"
Flavia grunted. "Hmph, Plegian soldiers. They've been disguising themselves as Ylissean travelers and attacking us when we weren't expecting it. How do I know this, you may ask. Well, one of the bastards got sloppy and we found documents proving their mission to cause an incident."
Chrom cursed. "Damn those Plegian dastards!"
He quailed at Frederick's withering glare. "I…apologize, milady. That was… inappropriate."
Flavia laughed. "Hey, damn them and damn delicate speaking! In Ferox, we much prefer plain speech, from the commoners to the Khans!"
Chrom's face turned sour. "Then you should have a word with your damn border guards. I have three injured thanks to them."
Flavia smirked. "The fact you don't have more is a testament to your prowess."
Frederick coughed. "I hate to interrupt, but our true mission is to ask for Feroxi support against Plegia. They continue to prod at Ylisse's borders and an ally of Ferox's caliber would be most welcome."
Flavia sighed. "I'm afraid I cannot do so."
She held up a hand. "Much as I'd wish too, I currently lack the authority to commit any forces."
Robin finally spoke. "But, are you not the Khan, the leader of Regna Ferox?"
Flavia glared at him, the look making him sweat. "As I said, I am the East-Khan, one of two. Currently, the West-Khan holds absolute authority over our combined armies."
Chrom's head drooped. "Then, is our mission for not?"
Emm's going to be soupset.
Flavia smirked. "Not if you give up so easily! You're family name means falcon, a swift and noble bird! There is a way for you to gain that which you seek."
Chrom's head shot back up. "How?"
Flavia's smirk grew. "You see, the Khans hold a selection tournament every two years to see who will hold absolute power. You have arrived just a few days before the tournament is set to begin and I need fighters."
Robin raised the obvious question. "And outsiders are allowed in this? Surely if it's that important you'd prefer more personal and trusted fighters."
Flavia shrugged. "Ha, if we did that, the country would be rife with blood feuds and dead Khans. No, it was decided that outsiders would do the fighting many years ago."
Chrom nodded. "Very well, we'll be your champions in exchange for your support. Tell us what we need to know."
Flavia shrugged. "Are you sure? I hear the West-Khan has a new champion with another two companions joining them. It'll be a tough fight."
Chrom snorted. "They will be defeated by Ylissean necessity and steel. There is no other outcome."
Flavia laughed again. "Oh, I like you, Prince Chrom. Very well then, you shall be my champions. But, only three can go into that arena, and one of them has to be you."
She turned to leave. "Deliberate among yourselves later though, for now, we party! Raimi, break out the kegs!"
She ran from the room, leaving the others dumbfounded.
"She's… quite the character."
Frederick sighed. "Aye, but her strength is obvious. I suppose all good leaders have their quirks, eh?"
Chrom smirked. "You can say that again."
They began discussing what they'd need to do as they walked, minds occupied by the coming days.
-Night, Castle Flavia—
Night had settled on the castle with a crash. Flavia had prepared a grand feast for the weary Shepherds, now her champions, and they'd been almost forced to party along with her. Thankfully, Robin had been able to slip away when Flavia got drunk enough to start leading a chorus.
Now, he was sitting in his assigned room. He'd been behind on his readings and was glad for the respite he'd been afforded.
Hmm, so they used the narrow passage to funnel the wyverns into a killing field. This could be useful should war break out for us.
He closed the book with a sigh. The Jugdral Crusades were an interesting thing to read about, but the volume in his hands was one of the few detailing the strategies used.
Now if I could get my hands on the 'War of the Invisible Kingdom: A Tactician's Eyeview' my collection would be complete!
Turning his thoughts away from the beyond rare book, his mind turned to Cordelia.
I hope she's doing well. Before we separated, she was telling me how the veterans were being incredibly mean spirited towards her. I don't know why that is, but I hope they're professional enough not to do it on patrol.
He sighed again. He hadn't had the chance to play while they'd been marching, so why not now? It'd help him relax.
He reached under his bed and pulled out his case. Thankfully, the cold hadn't done anything to his prized possession and he was tuned and ready to go soon after.
Hmm, what should I play…? Oh, I know!
He pulled in a breath and began.
I hope this reaches her, if only to make her day a bit brighter.
-Cordelia-
It had been another bad day.
She sighed into the cool air, trying to puzzle out why this was happening to her.
Hmph, maybe it's karma. Here I am, getting sohappy with my friend that the universe decides to go and make me miserable.
She sighed again. She'd readily admit to missing Sumia and her thoughts were still with the Shepherds, but she found her mind less and less focused on Chrom.
I wonder how Robin's doing? He promised to keep practicing while he was away, but has he been able to keep it? Is he safe and sound this night?
She didn't know why, but the thought of him in danger hurt her. Not in the form of panic induced hysteria like if Sumia or Chrom were hurt, but in a deeper more sickly way.
If she had to describe it, it was like getting a gash in your arm versus seeing your home birned down. One was quickly resolved if taken care of quick enough while the other was slower and more personal.
Why… why do I feel like this? We only truly met a few weeks ago, but he's already my closest friend. I've told him things I've never told anyone, not even my parents!
She groaned. There was no earthly way she was getting any sleep tonight.
Well, if he promised to keep up the practice, then so will I. No one's come to their cots yet, so I have the barracks to myself for now anyway.
Resolved, she reached under her cot and pulled out a worn lyre. The wood was well cared for though, and the strings hummed as she tuned her old friend.
Hmm, what to play though? Oh, I know. Let's play the one we were working on.
She felt compelled to walk to the window and at an unknown signal, began to strum.
Maybe it'll reach him, and make his day a bit brighter.
Unknown to both, the wind carried the notes far into the night. They twisted and whirled amongst the black silk of the night sky, dancing with snowflakes, stars, and birds alike.
It wasn't until hours later, when the players had long retired, that the notes finally met.
They embraced and danced amongst each other, old friends laughing at their reunion. Wind, dust, and leaves bore witness to the invisible ball, dispersing only when the last notes fell into each other's arms and a new day was borne unto the sleeping earth.
-Castle Flavia, Balcony—
Severa had to hold back her tears as her father retreated back into his room.
Naga, it's that same tune. The one they always played to wake me and Morgy up. Why did I come here? What convinced me to force Selene to take me here?
She would never admit it, but it was because she needed the strength the sight of her father, young and alive, brought. It was the only way she could stay in Lucina's presence.
Geez, I'm such a sap. I need to leave or Cynthia's going to blow a gasket.
She steadied her breathing and disappeared into the halls, her parent's tune humming past her lips the rest of the night.
Ch 8 End
Well I think that one was a lot of fun to write!
I hope I conveyed Flavia well in this chapter since she's a favorite of mine in the series.
In other news I just got through a gauntlet of tests this week so hopefully I'll be able to update in a few more days. Yay!
Also if anyone's disappointed on the lack of development in regards to the Lucina Severa relationship, as I said earlier that will be explored during the side chapters and fully explained when the children reunite with their parents so please be patient.
Also here's the chapter schedule: (Now Obsolete)
Normal
Normal
Normal
Side
And so on.
Since my hosts are currently not here on account of their ownexams (Weird I know) I'll give the outro
Thank you for reading and don't forget to Favorite, Follow, and Review!
Squad 7 dismissed!
Rewrite Progress: 8 of 42