Alright people, we have a chapter in two parts today! The events herein are occurring concurrently, so while the Shepherds stage their rescue mission, Flavia and Basilio will show off their command chops.
Should be a fun time!
The War Begins
It took three days to organize and march the chosen Alliance forces to the battlefield.
With no storms on the horizon, Flavia and Basilio were able to round everyone up and outline the positions they'd be taking, alongside points of attack and retreat should they be needed. The goal of this battle wasn't to die after all, it was to show that the Valmese could be defeated.
The Shepherds left the organization and marshalling to the Khans, rumors abounding amongst the rank-and-file that the leaders had a secret mission. Flavia stamped that out wherever she could, but there was only so much she could do.
If there was any consolation though, the field of battle they'd chosen was close. Standing in between a long line of sheer cliffs that dropped into the sea and woods thick enough to block sunlight, the stretch of hilly land was the perfect spot to engage in their first real battle.
Basilio knew it too, but that's where their ideas on the matter stopped coming together.
"Why not just shoot them to death, you daft woman?!"
The Khans were arguing once more, the many candle stubs around them exhibiting how long they'd been at it. While the camp and patrols were easy to figure out after they arrived, scouts had reported that the Valmese force was at best a day away from intercepting them.
Which threw the original plans of setting up defensive positions out the window.
"They won't expect us to fall back, oaf!" Flavia shot back at Basilio, wanting to punch him. "Think about it! They rely on cavalry as their best fighters, the dandy and the wyvern lover said as much! They won't suspect a line of pikes waiting for them behind a hill!"
Basilio slammed his fist into the table they'd set up, the commanders in attendance jumping. "They can just go around, damned fool! The only way that would work is if we had lines set up and ready to fall back the moment the Valmese charged, and any decent captain would pull back to avoid the trap! Use the trees, our dandy's rangers and the sugar addict's disciples can wreck the rear lines!"
"And they'll expect that too!" Flavia roared hoarsely. "Naga in heaven, just listen! They're expecting us to fight them in open field, they know we want to prove we can best them on their turf! Traps are expected, yes, but subtle ones! Not brazenly obvious snipers around every corner!"
Basilio looked to break apart that line of thought when a cleared throat pierced the haze of frustration. "Sorry to interrupt, but I've got news."
The tarp moved aside and Captain Eris walked into the command tent, her recently awarded Falcon Knight armor gleaming in the low candlelight. "General Evelyn sent a messenger with orders to dig various pitfalls in front of the hills. High General Robin and Exalt Chrom signed off on it."
Flavia blinked before whooping in victory. "Yes, that's a great idea! Send the men to begin immediately and tell the riders to double patrols! I don't want a single Valmese scout catching wind of this."
Eris saluted and left the tent as quickly as she came. With that decided, Flavia smirked smugly at Basilio. "Looks like even the big brains agree with me this time."
"The pitfalls are a damn sight better than your mad ideas, woman," Basilio grunted. "I'm still going to take the rangers and a band of Shades. Remind me again why they call themselves that?"
Flavia kept her smug smirk. "Because our friend who formed them is called Shade among the Chain. No one ever said the name was creative."
Basilio sighed and ran a hand over his head. "True enough, but there's one more thing we need to do. Are we going to set up stakes for the inevitable charge or do you think them clever enough to try and attack from behind?"
"It'd be a surprise, but I'd prefer safe over sorry." Flavia said with a shrug. "I'm sure Stahl's guy can keep the back safe while we deal with the main force. 'Sides, you and your posse of sneaks should catch any flanks before they reach us."
Basilio rolled his eye. "Sure, if you'll actually look at the sky. And while you're getting use out of that shield, I'll be doing something important."
"Bastard," Flavia snarled as she slugged his arm. "Just take care of yourself in those woods tomorrow. I'll be in the thick of it sure, but there's a lot of metal-heads around to watch my ass. Not you."
Basilio let out a hearty laugh and the whole room relaxed. "I didn't get to this age by not being cautious. Trust me, this big brown arse is nothing more than a tempting target so my posse can drop on their heads."
"Well, two people think it's tempting." Flavia grunted, much to Basilio's confusion. "Oh, don't give me that. Do you really think no one noticed the venerable Lieutenant Dalila of the Pegasus Knight Order coming and going from your tent these last few days?"
Basilio's face was stone. "I don't have a damn clue what you're talking about woman, now can we get to business? You have traps and lines to see to while I have to round up my lot of half-assed spies and assassins."
Flavia crossed her arms and shook her head. "You do what you want, oaf. I plan to add a lot more notches to my belt, that way no one will ever want you as Khan ever again."
"Says the one that always calls in little Lucy and Sev as champions." Basilio grumbled, Flavia had the decency to look sheepish. "But whatever, I've seen enough direct combat to know you'll smash the bastards to pieces. Let's get to work."
Flavia nodded and they started barking orders to the various captains and messengers that had borne witness to their argument. The camp came to life after that, the soldiers rushing to the base of the hills they'd set up camp on to start digging. In total, they had a full fifth of the Alliance with them for this fight, units representing every Order and division with them. After all, despite the importance of this first battle, committing all their resources to this one place was a recipe for disaster.
It would probably be enough. Scouting flocks had spotted the Valmese force, the sight of mostly cavalry with about half that in infantry confirming Virion's report. Most were heavily armored and armed, analogous to the Paladin Order and Steel Riders that the Alliance employed.
All told, the enemy were marching forth with about seven thousand soldiers. The heavy reliance on cavalry granted them greater mobility than the more balanced Alliance forces, but that's why they went with the choke-point in the first place.
With the numbers in mind, Flavia had ordered an entire army's worth of her troops to stay back, only to move up and join the fight should something go disastrously wrong. Making sure they weren't needed was the whole point of these preparations.
"I don't like how quick we're having to make this." Flavia heard one of her captains mutter, the name Gloria matching itself to her face. "The general would have had the entire approach littered with the pitfalls, make sure the first charge is utterly destroyed."
She was referring to Evelyn, whose command Gloria had been under if Flavia remembered correctly. Best to nip that thinking. "Time and the enemy don't give us much to work with. We'll do our damage, but it'll be up to you and your knights to hold that line. Our archers and javelins will cut them down as they come."
"Were the whole of our lines not green as grass." Gloria shot back, knowing Flavia preferred honesty. "Training and Risen can only prepare you for so much. They won't buckle at a charge, but they fight true veterans and it will show."
Flavia snorted and gestured to the bustle around them. "It showed at Port Halzac and it will show here, I don't deny that. All we can do is put up the best fight we can, and I know that's one hell of a fight. Besides, you have me, and I'm worth more than any unit they have."
"Humble," Gloria snorted. "Very well, Great Khan, we will do all we can before the battle on the morrow. If possible, I'd prefer you place my knights in the second line."
Flavia gave her a strange look, which Gloria shrugged off. "The first line's not going to take much of a charge with the pitfalls in place. With us in the second line, the first can move about and react to any surprises, like a flank from the woods."
"I highly doubt that'll happen, but I like the idea." Flavia grunted, waving for Gloria to return to her duties. "Now get on with your jobs, I need to find a shovel."
-Morning-
The sun rose to flags flapping in the wind, a sea breeze blowing gently across the hills and forest as waves crashed against the cliffs. Light glinted off silver armor and weapons, the forces of the Alliance arrayed in their battle lines and ready to meet the Valmese.
On the opposite end of the field stood a spectacle no less grand. The crimson host of Valm marched forth in a cacophony of metal and hooves, its great divisions of cavalry rattling the earth with each step. Before them marched lines and lines of spears, their wielders eyeing the Alliance lines with carefully veiled surprise.
Unknown to both forces, the woods thought too thick to move in had representatives from both sides coming through. The Valmese wished to drive the Alliance into the sea, so almost a thousand cavaliers had split from the main force the previous day and began making their way to the battlefield.
A far smaller contingent numbering barely a hundred left the Alliance camp in the dead of night, Basilio and his cohort using almost invisible animal trails to guide themselves through the thick trees. Torches went unused, as any light in the darkness of the forest would be seen.
The battle unofficially began in those woods, the various units of cavaliers set upon by the far more mobile Alliance force. The rangers weren't able to do much in the thick woods besides take their best shot and duck amongst the roots, the sheer darkness giving them mere outlines as targets.
The assassins had little better luck. For all their skill and ability to move amongst the dark, the forest floor was a tangle of roots that twisted more than one ankle. A particularly unlucky woman fled from killing an isolated cavalier only to get trampled by another unit coming to investigate.
Basilio, at this point, knew he had to do something. The cavaliers would roll right past them at the rate they were going, and any flanking attack would be bad, no matter how they weakened it.
As the sounds of metal clashing and horses screaming filled his mind, Basilio grabbed an arrow and scratched it against his armor, sparks dancing across the ground before catching on an oil-soaked rag. The flame instantly dispelled the darkness, glinting eyes showing the Khan and his small circle of followers hopelessly outnumbered.
"I've faced worse odds." Basilio laughed as he threw the torch down and readied his axe, the sound of hooves falling like thunder over him. "Now let's show them why you don't fight a Feroxi in the forest."
-Flavia-
A glint in the forest caught her eye, a glance showing the glow of a torch in the deep woods. "Is that…"
The meaning behind the light came to her a moment later, Flavia rounding on the closest Paladin. "Ride to the reserves, tell them to enter the forest! The Valmese seek to flank us and Basilio won't hold against them for long!"
The paladin saluted and galloped off, Flavia snarling at the advancing Valmese. Now this fight would be even longer without the oaf and his posse attacking the rear, especially if the reserves didn't get there fast enough.
"They'll charge soon." Gloria noted, Flavia stood just behind the knight. "They're setting up their lines."
Flavia forced her attention back to the field, lines of cavalry slowly advancing towards them. The lighter riders were on the flanks with the heaviest in the center, as expected. It also appeared they'd be attacking in waves, four by the looks of it.
"Clever use of numbers and sheer mass." Flavia muttered as she looked to her lines. They had five lines set up on the hills with several mounds to protect the archers, all mages kept in reserve. The question was if the lines could survive constant cavalry charges until the ranged units could whittle away the enemy enough to force the infantry into the fray.
"This will be a long, hard fight!" Flavia called to her troops. "But know that you will not break before this onslaught! They will seek to break us, but the first two waves will be naught but glory seekers! Send them to Yorick and Karma for judgement, then we'll see to the pansies they call veterans!"
Her troops responded with cheers and the clanging of shields, war-cries rising from them as the first of the Valmese charges began to speed their trot into a canter.
"Hold these lines for the homes you hold dear and the people you love!" Flavia roared again, her great blade scraping out of its sheathe. "And if you must fall, sell your lives dearly! For our homes, for Ferox, for Ylisse!"
Her final roar was met with a wall of sound flying in all directions, her soldiers clamoring for the fight as the Valmese charge broke into a full gallop. The unseen spectators watched this duel of sound from hidden vantages.
One of them watched from the sky.
Magic kept the observer concealed, high enough in the sky to observe the battle at large while close enough to make out individuals. Perhaps not the safest spot, but the spectator was confident they'd be safe.
"Oh… pitfalls." They muttered as the front of the Valmese charge disappeared in plumes of dirt, the second wave breaking off with cries of alarm. "Clever, most of the other challengers were either too dogmatic or honorable to use such tactics."
No counter-charge came, the dust clearing to reveal why. The pitfalls pock-marked the ground but gave little ability for the front ranks of the Alliance to march forth. Instead, the twang of wire filled the air as archers high upon the hills began to rain death.
The second-wave retreated under the black rain, dozens and dozens falling as twisted tapestries of torn flesh and oozing blood. Eventually, the second wave reached the safety of their support infantry, the men-at-arms and other footmen advancing with shields raised.
"Aha, engage and have the cavalry harass." The spectator giggled merrily, unmoved by the dead and wounded below. "Those pitfalls are going to make a straight engagement impossible. What will the Valmese do?"
The answer came when the Valmese line met the first of the dead, the shields going down to push the bodies before them, some even hoisting the still wounded up and in front.
"Oh…" the spectator muttered, lips twisting in revulsion.
-Flavia-
"Meat shields!" The Khan roared in horror, archers pausing their barrage in similar disbelief. "Those dastards would use their own dead as a defense!?"
Gloria remained stoic, rage in her eyes. "Practical it may be, but that's disgusting. Here I heard they claim themselves followers of Naga."
Flavia didn't answer, instead rounding on the archers. "Keep firing! Put as many of those sacrilegious dastards in the dirt as you can! See if they like getting used as shields!"
She was answered by a wall of arrows flying forth to lay waste to swaths of the Valmese infantry, but every body was picked up or pushed forward by the tide of infantry, the cavalry following just behind. Why were they doing that? The arrows were taking down cavalry too and they had more than enough ammo to turn the field into a quiver.
"Spears, brace!" Flavia roared as the Valmese came close, still a sea of bodies despite entire hurricanes of arrows littering their shields and armor. "Swords, axes, halberds, prepare to engage!"
The Alliance braced for the oncoming tide, most expecting the Valmese to engage in the small avenues the pitfalls created. Numbers wouldn't matter at that point, the Alliance could just grind them down until the Valmese general decided to give up.
They were not expecting the meat shields to be thrown into the pitfalls, swiftly filling them. Makeshift-mass graves and earth filling all at once.
The Valmese surged forth with hellish cries, the front-line not entirely braced in the face of the bodies thrown before them. It cost dozens their lives as lances and swords sought vulnerable openings while axes crushed the unprepared.
"Fight you fools!" Flavia roared as the first line was pushed back. "Fight for your lives and country!"
Her rally was met with the remainder digging in their heels and returning the favor, halberds and lances of their own sweeping out to rend and tear any that met their blades. Hundreds of Valmese were pressed into the line and hundreds died, but for every ten they took down, twelve came forth and another Alliance soldier fell.
"Fall back to the second line!" Flavia roared, voice hoarse from shouting orders to hold or fire. "Gloria, with me! We'll smash these dastards and open a hole!"
The knight answered by marching forth with her fellows and planting their great shields into the earth, the remnants of the first line retreating behind them. Flavia held in a growl as she saw them, the poor sods stumbling away from the sheer ferocity they'd just been in. "Get them to the healers. Archers, did I tell you to stop firing?!"
"Supreme Khan, we have no more arrows!" A plumed archer cried from his position, Flavia staring at him in open shock. "While we were shooting into the main mass, a small force of maybe a dozen enemy cavaliers broke the tree line, a dark knight among them! He torched most of our supplies before a ranger killed him!"
Flavia spat a foul curse. "We can't keep holding these lines like this, and the damn oaf had to miss the most important freaking detail. Where's Basilio?!"
The archer pointed to the rear Valmese lines, a dozen of their paladins falling over dead. "He appears to have infiltrated the rear lines, Supreme Khan! I doubt he can do much before they react, but it gives us time!"
"Then attrition it is." Flavia snarled as arrows began to fall amongst them. "Everyone, hold your shields and positions to the death, don't let their fletchers have a smidge of pride!"
She turned to a young page, the girl barely old enough to have joined the military. "You, go and inform Branden to send his cavalry into the forest, have him slam into their flanks. I'll signal our little surprise after we draw them in a bit and he hits."
The page saluted and sprinted away, Flavia taking a place in the line with her sword at her side and shield in front. "So, you ever fought with a Khan?"
"No, but I've heard you're a lioness." Gloria muttered as the Valmese stormed their line. "Let's see you prove it."
Flavia just smiled, the first dastard to charge her getting a throat-full of silver.
"Like you need to encourage me."
-Branden-
"Hurry, all of you! The fight requires us, and we cannot fail!"
The young paladin and former captain of Felds rode his steed hard through the brush of the forest, following the paths blazed by the forces that had gone to aid Khan Basilio. The order to enter the forest had been given by a desperate page, and as he rode, he could hear the roars of combat through the thick vegetation.
Light amongst the silent titans of nature drew his eye, a cavalier riding up beside him in Alliance colors. "Captain Branden! The reserve forces were ordered to withdraw after destroying the Valmese incursion, Khan Basilio's orders!"
"The Great Khan countermanded it herself!" Branden shot back. "My cavalry are to slam into their flanks and relieve the pressure on our lines!"
His words were belted with molten frustration, the smoldering ruins that Dark Knight had made of their arrows and other supplies having to be removed before they could leave. It had taken them far longer than he wanted, and news had reached them that the lines had been pushed back to the fourth of five.
Praise be to Naga Gloria and the Great Khan were still alive alongside most of their troops, but casualties were starting to mount as the archers had used most every arrow they had, even the ones they scavenged from the enemy archers.
It was only a matter of time before the Valmese reached their bastion of stakes and forced the archers into combat.
"Khan Basilio has wreaked havoc sir!" The cavalier informed as Branden neared his destination. "Many of the commanding Valmese have been picked off, but it appears the remainder have blended into the mob to avoid assassination. The Khan has pulled back as well and goes to reinforce the lines."
Branden nodded and sent the cavalier away, his gallop slowing to a trot as he reached the clearing at the end of the cleared trail. Shortly after, hundreds of cavaliers, paladins, and steel riders joined him.
Branden looked to the edge of the forest, the sight of mounted archers firing at his countrymen boiling his blood. Raising his spear high, the heraldry of Ylisse caught the low light and shone as a beacon for his soldiers. "Now we crush those who've stolen the lives of our comrades and dared attack our homes! To war men, and to a valiant day!"
His call was met with roars, the trees muffling the sound as the wave of cavalry turned and galloped forward. A hundred yards from the tree line, weapons were drawn.
At fifty yards, spears were lowered.
At twenty, prayers were whispered.
At five, barding and plate caught the light of a setting sun.
Then the trees burst with light, a tide of shining steel and thunderous hooves breaking free of the dark sentinels that masked them and slamming into the utterly surprised Valmese.
At that moment, a gout of flame shot into the air before bursting into a stylized wyvern. Then, the sun was blocked from the world as great wings unfurled and devils shot over the cliffside. The Valmese never noticed the four hundred wyverns lining the sheer rocks.
The army that had once been pushing inexorably forward upon the bodies of their own dead now found itself thrown into blind panic. Alliance cavalry and wyvern knights slaughtered the flanks while a counter charge sent companies rolling back on themselves.
The rear ranks attempted to flee when a golden figure leapt from the tree line with dozens of hooded allies, arrows and blades tearing apart those that attempted to retreat.
And so, the spectators and observers, just moments ago assured that the Alliance would fall like all the others, watched as the Valmese army was massacred. Only those that obviously surrendered were spared, all others joined the fellows they'd used as shields.
All told, the final act took thirty minutes. In a battle that had ground on for hours from morning into the afternoon, thirty minutes was all it took to end it.
As the Alliance forces stood clad in victory's glow, none felt it. All they could feel was the mud, gore, and wounds of the fighting, their once pristine armor soiled. Many knew, somewhere in their minds, that those stains would never truly leave.
Flavia was one of the few that had expected the mess, her own armor covered in the remains of friend and foe alike. Many a new wound now crisscrossed her skin, armor dented and sword soaked in gore.
Gloria looked no better as she lay on the ground. The earth beneath her had broken before she had, shield little more than twisted metal and spear slick with the guts of the last poor sod she'd run through. Even her helmet had been knocked off, her short dark hair crusted with mud and sweat.
"Think your leg's broken." Flavia informed the knight as the Alliance started the post-battle tally and clean-up. "Last I checked, feet don't point that way."
Gloria glowered at the Khan and put her head down, the broken appendage forcing her to lay on her back. "How many… do you think we lost?"
Flavia grunted and surveyed the aftermath. Branden and his cavalry were rounding up the prisoners while the one and only Basilio started to wade through the carnage. "Can't say until we start counting, but I'd say almost four-hundred dead and thrice that wounded. Wish we could've had Eris and her knights join us, but those damn archers wouldn't let up."
Gloria groaned in agreement. "That many arrows and the supplies we lost made things a lot harder. We'll need to keep a much better eye on the supplies so we don't have to send back two thirds of our soldiers because we can't feed them."
Flavia barked a laugh and nodded to the field of dead, carrion birds long descended. "Well, if nothing else, we proved that we can hold out against the Valmese and win despite the fact we're going to be chronically outnumbered. We were lucky this was just a test. For a first real battle, we did well."
Gloria huffed and didn't speak as a team of healers came to retrieve her and a number of other wounded. The priests and clerics began to deliver rights as well, both to the dead and those too far gone to save.
Flavia had a feeling she'd struck up a new friendship as she watched the knight get carted off, only to growl as a big hand landed on her shoulder. "Oaf, unhand me lest I shove this sword right up the arse you're so proud of."
Basilio didn't laugh, an unsettling action in and of itself. "We managed to capture the Valmese general. I had a talk with him about why they disrespected their comrades like that."
His tone told Flavia he didn't like the answer. "Alright, let's hear it."
"Most of the soldiers are volunteers." Basilio started, Flavia looking at him warily. "Walhart apparently has a policy in place that, live or die, the families of soldiers will be taken care of. Those that die for the sake of a plan or strategy are venerated and their children are allowed access to high-born schools and may have a future in knighthood."
The sheer amount of bureaucracy required to do that boggled the mind. Flavia though, now saw why the infantry and cavalry had faced death so resolutely. "Talk about a motivator. Live or die, your children can become great and live far better lives, and those that live can become heroes. Woo boy, that'll be tough to beat."
Basilio nodded and hefted his axe onto his shoulder, Flavia noting the fresh blood. "He try to run?"
"That he did." Basilio confirmed. "Said something about my eye and tried to run before I put this ol' boy in his back. Don't know what he thought would happen, I had most of my posse with me. Won't be fun to tell the pansy and sugar-addict that I lost some of their own."
Flavia sighed and turned her gaze towards the Mila Tree, hoping the Shepherds had completed their mission. "That, we'll do later. For now, we do what we always do."
"Count the dead and hope."
-Robin, Earlier That Morning-
"Naga in heaven, it's even bigger up close!"
Robin smacked Cynthia, rendering the exuberant girl quiet. They'd flown ahead of the group to get a feel for the challenge before them, Cynthia his escort on account of her raw speed. Didn't mean Robin couldn't wish for Cherche and her ability to at least keep comments to herself.
In any case, the Mila Tree lived up to both its reputation and profile. Stretching high into the sky with a trunk thick enough to house a city, the tree casted shadows miles long and had an entire temple carved into its grand edifice.
A temple that was under appropriately paranoid guard, the lone path ascending the tree blocked by dozens upon dozens of heavily armed soldiers while the base of the tree and stairs to the temple hosted thrice that.
"We'll need a big distraction." Robin muttered as he took careful mental marks of the various patrol routes and command posts. "Preferably on the opposite side of the tree. No flying though, there are enough archers to make a fletcher's guild weep in joy."
Cynthia giggled, this time remembering to stay quiet. "Not to mention a smith and candle maker's guilds at that. I'd bet they're a bunch of real zealots that pray whenever they're not on duty."
"It'd be the easiest way to ensure Lady Tiki stays where she is." Robin agreed. "Especially if the clerics in that temple are under Walhart's thumb as we suspect. Getting them to abandon their posts en-masse is impossible, but I think we can make it so enough leave for us to manage."
Cynthia scanned the air thoughtfully as Robin continued to mutter about different strategies. "You know… I'm seeing some fliers about, but nothing like I expected. I spotted the estuary Lady Say'ri mentioned, but it looks… empty."
Robin glanced at his niece before nodding. "True, I've seen only a few pegasi in the air. We don't have enough fliers of our own to have true air superiority, but we can make it work after those archers are taken care of."
Cynthia shared a look with him, a sardonic grin on her lips. "This is all probably a trap. You know that, right?"
"More than likely." Robin agreed as he put away his spyglass. "But we're here to get Lady Tiki out, not fight the garrison. If nothing else, those roots they use for the paths are going to be hard for us to fight on, but if we make it up, we'll have the momentum."
Cynthia giggled again and they began the trek back to Selene. "Why not just have my mother fly up as high as she can and drop Uncle Kellam? That worked once before didn't it?"
"It was Stahl who did that, and Sully would kill me." Robin shot back, shuddering at the memory of an early and desperate plan. "Besides, we don't have the materials for a siege like that. Instead, I have a better idea."
He flashed a roguish grin at Cynthia, the girl feeling a pall of dread settle over her. "Uncle Rob… I don't like that look in your eye."
"You shouldn't!" Robin agreed as they reached Selene. "I'm going to unleash the demon amongst us!"
Cynthia blinked and hung her head, voice heaving with despair. "You're… letting her loose?"
Robin's grin grew wider and slightly unhinged. "I will not have her boredom cause us suffering any longer! A stage of this magnitude would free us for the whole campaign!"
"She hasn't been that bad." Cynthia muttered, resigned to the coming spectacle. "It's just no one expected her to start making illusions."
Robin snorted as they mounted and took off, his opinion clear.
"The day Lissa figured out how to do that, was the day our peace of mind came to an end."
-Cordelia-
Cordelia stared at the tree in open awe, the rest of the camp concealed amongst the thick woods that they'd spent three days traveling through. At first, it had seemed the tree was closer to them than the battlefield, based on its appearance at the border.
Then they started to realize just how large the tree was, after the thing barely grew after a full day's travel.
Cordelia, though, just knew that something important was going to happen at the tree. Its very stature and presence seemed to speak to all who gazed upon it, and Panne seemed especially drawn to the aura.
"Lost in thought?" Sumia asked as she joined her oldest friend. "It's a wonderous sight, and we've still yet to see its full magnificence. I'm sure Robin's going to find a way for us to get to the top, then we can really enjoy the view."
Cordelia shook her head of wandering thoughts. "Yes, that will be grand. I just… don't know, it feels like something's going to happen up there, I just don't know what."
Sumia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I feel it too. This sense of foreboding and anxiety, subtle as it is, hasn't been with me since Artezza took away my warmth. Perhaps we may find answers to our trials upon the boughs of the ancient tree."
"That be nice." Gregor agreed as he joined the women, sword over his shoulder. "Gregor have many questions for Oracle lady. Good stew to warm body and loosen tongue is plan."
Cordelia socked his arm, a warm grin rising. "You and your silly plans. Anyway, how're we looking? I haven't seen Selene approach yet."
"Good-good." Gregor laughed, rubbing his arm lightly. "Wife create scenario for little Severa and Evelyn to play with, all else in spar or eat fresh pie. Henry boy helping Maribelle with food."
Cordelia and Sumia laughed, the group leaving their spot for the camp. Comfortable silence filled the air between them until they arrived at the center, a wide clearing the Shepherds were using for spars.
"Lady Say'ri is quite the fighter." Sumia noted as she spotted the exiled princess dueling with Donnel. "I've been taking notes of her style, and it'd be very effective against cavalry."
Cordelia hummed in agreement, watching as Donnel slid through several blurred strikes before sweeping Say'ri off her feet and laying his blade at her throat. "It doesn't surprise me considering most of the enemies she's faced. Her strikes are incredibly accurate to deal with thick armor too, but I guess Valm doesn't use swordsmen on foot terribly often."
"You are correct." Say'ri called to them after Donnel helped her up. "Most forces I've seen only have footmen with swords, if they're mercenaries like Sir Gregor. The official forces reserve such training to riders, infantry receive spears or bows."
Sumia agreed with her fellow royal. "As you say, it is a much longer process to make proficient swordsmen compared to a spearman or archer. Though, if I might ask, how are you so sure that Lady Tiki is a prisoner?"
Say'ri sighed, growing sick of hearing that question. "As I told Exalt Chrom, the Oracle is a peaceful woman and hates conflict with a passion. The very idea that she would ever be in favor of Walhart's warmongering is ludicrous."
"There more than that, noble lady." Gregor stated, drawing Say'ri's glare. "Gregor know much of Valm nobility. Tradition for royal daughters to travel for pilgrimage."
Say'ri growled at him, but Donnel stepped in to stop any hot-headed action. "Gregor, we know that already. It's not like Lady Say'ri has met the Voice, she hasn't been awake in decades from what we know."
Say'ri huffed and looked away, preferring to stride off and take care of other matters. Once she was gone, Cordelia looked to the trees. "Panne, did you notice anything?"
The taguel melted from the brush, vines and branches retreating from her flesh. "I did, recognition of the tradition. The good lady's zeal is appropriate, she has met this Oracle."
"Then we have greater reason to save her." Cordelia answered, eyes catching the glint of armor in the air. "Having Lady Say'ri further in our corner will be a boon no doubt. I spot Selene coming in, let's go see what my madman husband came up with."
Sumia giggled as they made for another clearing, Gregor and Donnel walking ahead of them. "Assuming of course my dear girl hasn't driven him batty. She's been a great deal more excitable ever since we set out on this mission."
"And Yarne has grown braver, if just." Panne added, eyes landing on her son as they joined the growing congregation heading for the clearing. "One wonders just how much an impact the Oracle had on them in their time, to act like this."
Cordelia nodded to the small group of time-walkers, all save Cynthia chatting with one another. "Based on how quickly they agreed to come along, I'd say Lady Tiki did a great deal and more for them. You should've seen the meeting they set up after Chrom informed us of our objective."
Sumia didn't get to add her thoughts before Selene's shadow passed over the clearing, the Pegasus circling the open ground several times before diving and alighting upon the ground. Robin hopped off the moment Selene came to a stop, eyes set in determination. "Camp meeting, now!"
His tone was hard and unyielding, making worry sprout amongst the Shepherds like weeds. Muttered speculation flowed amongst them as they closed in on Robin, his face impassive. "There's a small army guarding the tree and its temple in addition to the honor guard Lady Say'ri mentioned. If we're going to get the Oracle off that tree, we'll need to cause a distraction."
"How could any distraction work?" Evelyn asked, a deep well of anxiety digging into her mind. "If they've enough soldiers to form a small army, then anything we do would draw scouts at best."
Robin's continued somber air spread that anxiety around, only intensifying when Cynthia dismounted with a similar expression.
"We have the ability to do what we need." Robin answered, eyes locking on Severa. "I simply hope you can all forgive me for what I'm about to order."
He took a deep breath and sighed before looking a grimacing Chrom in the eye. "I need Sully, Panne, Miriel, Gregor, Kjelle, Noire, Virion, and Severa to run this distraction. In addition… we'll be using Lissa."
Eyes widened and cries of alarm were given, only Lissa herself unmoved. If anything, her face gave rise to a truly insidious grin, cackles of distilled evil dancing under her breath. "So… Rob, my friend… how big can I go?"
All was silent as the people Robin chose looked to him with pleading eyes, silently begging him to not do what they thought he would.
Robin ignored their pleas for mercy and spoke the forbidden words.
"Have fun."
-Mila Tree, Four Hours Later-
While the first true clash of the Valmese War began to the south, a General Cervantes was looking over documents in his office. The general was a large and boisterous man that, while slightly hard of hearing, was considered an able commander and expert defensive fighter. He also boasted a grand mustache that he was quite proud of, to the point his troops praised the lip-slug to get out of menial chores.
Today though, Cervantes was looking over the various requests made by the clerics and troops. The women of the temple, for all their supposed piety, were fond of their wine.
Cervantes sighed and put down the third such request, wondering when he'd become a vintner. While the post was incredibly important due to their divine guest, none of the remaining resistance factions could hope to sneak through. That so-called Alliance was bound to get crushed soon too, so the general found himself victim of a soldier's worst enemy.
Boredom.
"Wish that troupe had stuck around." He muttered after throwing another request into a pile. "It's been a week of nothing but paperwork. Need some spice for myself and the men, though I doubt those drunkard clerics would be up for parties and sport."
He turned over several ideas in his head before the door burst open, a harried messenger panting in the opening. "General Cervantes! We're being assaulted from the north, the army's massive!"
Cervantes flailed and fell out of his chair with an undignified thud. He swiftly righted himself and almost charged the flustered soldier. "We're being assaulted?! What the hell are the lookouts doing, screwing the clerics?!"
The messenger audibly gulped. "I… don't know, sir, but there's easily thousands upon thousands marching towards us. Many of our walls and checkpoints have been destroyed as well, and we've been attacked by both animals and…. Well, strange things."
"Define strange!" Cervantes barked as he marched into the hall, noticing the pandemonium of surprised soldiers trying to organize. "And get me today's patrol captain, I demand an explanation!"
The messenger kept pace with the enraged general, knowing this was bound to make him explode. "Sir, the uh… strange things include large bunnies of incredible cuteness, boulder-sized cheese wheels, flaming horse plop, toads of all kinds, and someone running around on a boulder claiming to be the Trickster God Apophis. There's also gouts of flames going off to music and what appears to be two golems dancing a jig through the front checkpoints."
Cervantes stopped cold, the messenger walking three paces further before stopping. Looking back, he saw the general staring at him in open disbelief. "Soldier, you realize what you just said, correct? I don't need to send you to the healers?"
The messenger shook his head with weary resignation. "I know what I said sir, and I wish it was only heat-exhaustion. No, what's happening is very real, and the men have described witnessing illusions of forces wielding flotsam as weapons along with giant toads made of candies and spheres of light."
Cervantes shook his head and stormed forth with thrice the speed. "Everyone, and I mean everyone, is to make for the north edifice immediately! Only the honor guard is to remain, the rest of us are going to make sense of this damnable farce!"
The messenger nodded and followed, every soldier not part of the honor guard storming from their barracks and halls to meet the strange monstrosities attacking them. All was quiet for a time, the honor guard watching the trees vigilantly.
Then a small unit charged from under the roots, Frederick in the lead. The Shepherds not part of the distraction had used the chaos to sneak into the Mila Tree's roots and wait for the majority to leave.
The honor guard charged to meet them, but the surprise and distraction were so complete that Frederick and Stahl were able to bowl over the majority of the guards in the initial charge. It was a bad habit to bunch up when panicked, but it worked to their advantage this time.
The rest of the Shepherds rendered the other guards unconscious with their various weapons, everyone storming up the path worked into the tree as fast as they could go. Eventually, when they reached half-way up the tree, they had to stop.
"Sweet Naga this thing's tall!" Vaike coughed as the Shepherds tried to catch their breath. Even Frederick and Stahl's steeds were heaving, the speed of the climb draining their stamina like a pierced bottle.
"Panne… should get the others here soon." Olivia panted, falling to her hands and knees. "Good graciousness… how do the clerics climb this thing?"
Say'ri appeared to be the only one not catching her breath. "A lot slower, that's for sure. We must make haste though, who knows how long the distraction will keep them before they notice us."
Everyone gave her flat looks before pointing down the tree where the vague shapes of golems were indeed dancing about the various Valmese buildings.
Say'ri had the dignity to keep her face straight. "Point taken, but the sooner we leave, the better."
"On that, we can agree!" Chrom seconded, already recovered. "Panne will be here with the others before long, get ready to move!"
On command, a hole opened in the tree's bark, parting for those within like water before a rock. After the party was through, the passage closed as if it had never been. Panne wobbled faintly before Virion steadied her. "Love, are you ok?"
"The… tree was less than cooperative." Panne mumbled, clearly unable to make the trek. "It took everything I had to make the passage and keep the animals from harm."
Virion nodded and hoisted her onto his back, the rest of the distraction party staying as far from Lissa as possible.
None could blame them, for Lissa looked extraordinarily satisfied and yet raring for more at the same time.
Severa even ran over and hid behind Theresa, eying Lissa with thinly veiled terror. "Daddy… never let her loose again. I don't even want to think about some of the things she tried to make before Uncle Donnel stopped her."
Robin nodded solemnly and looked down again, committing what he saw to memory. Unless it was a last resort, he would not subject the poor people of this earth to Lissa's expertly suppressed streak of sheer mania.
Chrom bounding up the path again reminded everyone of their objective, the Shepherds hurrying after him. As they climbed, the branches came closer and closer to them, eventually forming into walls. It was like being underground the wood was so thick, with only the light at the top to guide them.
Many an ankle were twisted and shoulders bruised on that leg of the climb.
It was to cries of joy and relief that the Shepherds made the top, a sprawling meadow with a pristine temple stretched before them. Apparently, the topmost branches were so thick and interconnected, they could hold soil. There was even an orchid just outside the temple.
"Lady Tiki!" Say'ri called as she sprinted for the temple, leaving the Shepherds to gaze around and take in the atmosphere. To them, it felt invigorating and gentle, like a cool drink after a long day's work.
Except for Robin and his daughters, who didn't see what was so special about the meadow aside from it being on top of a giant tree!
"Are you sure there's something to this place?" Severa muttered, her question going to Noire. "I mean, it's incredible it exists, but I don't feel a special atmosphere."
Noire shrugged, nerves soothed by the calming aura. "I don't know, it just… feels nice is all. I don't feel like we just ran up the entire tree."
Severa felt a surge of irrational jealousy as her knees quivered at the reminder. Even listening to the others comment on it was making the feeling stronger, though she was able to squash it before anyone noticed. "Whatever you say. Question is, where's our special guest?"
Nowi's head locking onto the temple answered that question, Say'ri exited the stone structure with another woman that appeared similar in age though in a red dress with a short skirt that split at the hips. She had long boots of the same color and a bountiful bosom visible from the low cut of her blouse, a pink cape and ribbon adding to the vibrant display.
Most notable, though, was her emerald green hair tied in a ponytail and her ears. They were long and sharp, just a bit longer than Nowi's own..
As she'd told the others, Tiki was not only a manakete but Naga's blood daughter. They were standing in the presence of a demi-god.
Who proceeded to yawn and lean into Say'ri tiredly.
…A very sleepy demi-god, apparently.
"Lady Tiki, please rouse yourself." Say'ri said gently, holding the manakete reverently. "I've brought friends to take us from this prison, you need only wake and you'll be free."
Tiki muttered something again before her eyes opened blearily, gazing around before spotting Lucina and Nowi's outlines. "Mar-Mar, Mother!"
The two in question rocked back in surprise, looking to their respective families before Lucina tried to answer. "Um… Lady Tiki, I'm not this 'Mar-Mar' you think I am. My name is Lucina, and the one beside me is my Aunt Nowi."
Tiki's face twisted in confusion before the mist in her eyes cleared and she blinked a few times. Realizing her mistake, she righted herself and let go of Say'ri. "Oh… I'm sorry, my slumber brings memories to the fore. You just look so much like my friend Marth, and your aunt resembles my mother when she was younger."
Lucina and the Shepherds at large bowed to her, Chrom taking over as spokesman. "Lady Tiki, it is an honor to meet Naga's own blood. I am Exalt Chrom, current ruler of Ylisse, and I bring to you my friends and family. We were told by your mother to bring those she called 'Chosen'."
Tiki's eyes sharpened considerably, the rest of her mind's haze burned away. "I see. First though, have you brought the Fire Emblem? It was given to your family for safe keeping."
Chrom nodded and held out the Emblem, Tiki striding forth to examine it carefully. She sighed. "Only Argent remains then. The Awakening cannot be performed."
"The Awakening?" Lissa queried, her hobby of mythology identifying the phrase. "You mean the ceremony the first Exalt used to call upon Naga and slay the Fell Dragon? What does the Emblem have to do with that?"
Tiki hummed and nodded to the white gem in the Emblem. "The Emblem is a vessel, meant to hold five gems of power that when used unlocks the true power of Falchion. Only one, Argent, now rests in it, however I have kept another with me for safety."
She reached into a pouch at her side and produced a shining blue jewel, the crystal glowing before flying out of Tiki's hand and slamming into one of the Emblem's open slots. The silver gem seemed to resonate with it before the glow faded and the Emblem became inert.
"There, now we require Vert, Gules, and Sable." Tiki said without pause. "Say'ri has told me that her family has guarded Vert for many years, but Gules and Sable are lost to me. All I know is that they were scattered in a schism long ago."
Robin sighed, not liking this. "The Khans would know more then, Regna Ferox was founded during the Schism. I'd put my money on Plegia having one of the jewels too."
"That's all well and good, but why do we need them?" Sully asked brusquely, having noticed the sounds below coming to an end. "Answer quick, I think our distraction ran its course."
Tiki shook her head, serene despite the danger. "I am more attuned to the land and its flows of power than almost anyone, I can feel the shadows of the Fell Dragon growing long once more. Indeed, his power is far greater than I've felt before, and it is likely due to the presence of 'Chosen'."
She sighed and closed her eyes, feeling the eyes of everyone on her. "That is why we require the Awakening. Walhart seeks the Emblem as most do, but Falchion will not answer to him, so should he succeed in this war then the world is doomed. The gems must be found, and the Awakening performed, if we are to see an end to the coming darkness."
The tale would have been met with open suspicion were the Shepherds not watching Nowi closely. Her face had gone ashen, lips twisted in silent horror.
Every word was true, Nowi could spot any lie with her vision.
"As if we needed any more motivation." Sumia muttered, the first to collect herself. "But we should really get going. I don't fancy our chances if we don't move now."
Her words spurred everyone to action, Maribelle and Ricken taking up position by the edge of the meadow. Maribelle cleared her throat as everyone grabbed designated partners. "Alright everyone, this is an emergency and should be treated as such. Does everyone have their flight partner?"
Nods all around.
"Remember that free-fall will only be temporary." Ricken informed as he pulled out his tome, Forseti starting to glow. "However, once we're settled, we make for the ground as fast as we can while still keeping limbs intact. At worst, we've got thirty seconds of stability, so fliers need to be ready to take off again the moment they land."
The fliers nodded and took to the air with their charges, Tiki and Say'ri rode with Cherche as Minerva could hold all three without issue.
Maribelle looked to the grounded with exasperated eyes. "Good, now then."
"You're all the ones who wanted to experience sky-diving, correct?"
-Robin-
"Oh Naga, they're falling!"
Robin's cry wasn't all that surprising. The remaining Shepherds had charged the edge of the meadow and dove off the edge with what were originally cries of exultation and bravery. That swiftly changed to cries of terror and screams for mothers as they continued to fall, Maribelle and Ricken's wind raft was only able to catch them after several seconds in the air.
Cordelia, who was busy racing for the ground, didn't look back. "They'll keep falling, it's just controlled at this point! Are you ready to jump, I'll need to get up there and lighten the damn load!"
Robin called an affirmative and leapt from Theresa when he was sure there'd be no broken bones. Severa and Lucina joined him shortly thereafter, Say'ri and Tiki already on the ground with Chrom.
"While we wait for the others, care to explain the 'Chosen' bit?" Chrom asked once his daughter, friend, and niece joined them. "Nowi was told she'd get answers about her ability to see despite her injuries, and the reason Frederick was allowed to live. I'd like answers too."
Tiki silenced Say'ri with a look, the princess's mouth opened in attempted rebuke. "Of course, Exalt Chrom. You and your fellows are Chosen of the High Gods, the personal champions of the very rulers of existence. The title comes with cost, as I'm sure you know."
Robin and Chrom shared looks, one rubbing his nose while the other grabbed at his shoulder.
"As for Lady Nowi, she is one of my tribe." Tiki continued, Severa and Lucina leaning forward in interest. "In fact, I had a dream of communion with my mother just yesterday. She spoke of my cousin coming to visit after being lost amongst the world many centuries ago, but I thought little of it. Now I know better, but as to why she can take the shape of one many millennia older than she is now, that is something only heard in rumor and legend."
Everyone was listening to Tiki with undivided attention now, barely noticing the shadows of the others approaching. Tiki herself was unbothered by the attention. "Based on what you said about a Frederick still living, it is my belief that Lady Nowi has bound her eternal soul to him. I've heard tell of this happening only once before, and the member of my tribe to do so found their body march in step with their bound mate."
She looked behind them to see Nowi staring at her agape, eyes welling with tears. "Congratulations, dear cousin. You have escaped the curse of our blood and will not outlive those you love."
Nowi fell to her knees and started to weep, Severa and Lucina running to her and hugging her tightly, Nah joined them as soon as she reached the earth. By that point, most everyone was there with only a few stragglers flying in.
"Now then, to continue." Tiki said after clearing her throat. "The Chosen are granted powers well beyond mortal ken in exchange for each god's stated price. They vary, as you well know, but each is precious to the one they choose. The gods themselves are very fickle but once they have a Chosen in sight, they will do all they can to keep them. It would not surprise me if Hrothgar beseeched Yorick alongside my mother to keep Sir Frederick amongst the living."
Frederick nodded in understanding, his place by his wife's side as she continued to weep.
Tiki closed her eyes and bowed lightly. "At the moment, that is all I can provide. More answers could be given as I hear your stories, but I believe we have somewhere else to be, yes?"
The sounds of horns coming from the tree broke the mood of relief and congratulations, Robin having taken the time to explain why Nowi was crying to everyone as they landed. With their need to flee taking precedence, no one noticed Tiki stride over to Robin and whisper to him:
"You are like me, Sir Robin." She whispered, voice sending shivers down his spine. "The power of another sleeps within you, yearning to be whole. Your daughters hold it too, I can sense it, and the shadows of the Fell shroud your eldest. There are agents at work here who seek the end of this world through you and them, be on your guard."
Tiki didn't wait for a response and joined Say'ri again, the pair mounting up with Cherche while everyone else squeezed onto mounts or into the lone wagon they'd brought for their escape.
Robin went through the motions with little regard for what was happening, mind churning at Tiki's words. While he knew that Severa was further along than Morgan, would Tiki spill the truth if they couldn't find some way to help? Sure, the other Shepherds would just give him a hard time for not sharing, but what of the children?
That still scared him witless.
"Hey, Chrom!" Vaike called, breaking Robin from his stupor. Apparently, they'd gotten far enough away to set camp and get dinner ready, a look to his right showed Cordelia watching him with a frown.
Robin smiled helplessly at her, silently promising to explain later, before Chrom answered. "What is it Vaike? Did that fall get you scared of heights?"
Laughter abounded, but Vaike ignored it. "Ain't that, dingus. You got another crystal on you, right? Could it be one of the gems for the Emblem, or is it something else?"
Chrom gave a wan smile and pulled out the blue gem, everyone able to tell it was far too small to fit in the Emblem. "No… this is something Emmeryn left us. I retrieved it after she fell, and an entry in her journal revealed it as a gift from our mother. It's about the only thing Lissa and I have left of her."
The Shepherds grew quiet, all paying their respects to the late Exalt. Chrom was about to put the crystal away when it started to glow, Argent and Azure blazing to life alongside it.
The clearing was swiftly drowned in a flood of light, everyone howling and yelling as they were blinded. After several moments of burning light, the blaze faded, and everyone took a few minutes to collect themselves.
Once they did, a sight none expected stood before them.
Jennifer Daly stood there, the kind and thoughtful aide Chrom and Sumia had taken on shortly after the queen discovered she was pregnant. Except, while her clothes were the usual maroon and white robes…
She now had blonde hair, blue eyes and the brand of the Exalt printed prominently on her forehead. Oh, and the hair was styled just like Emmeryn's old style.
Jennifer, who was reading a tome, sensed the eyes on her and looked up. "Oh… um, this is awkward."
This didn't make sense if you asked everyone not in the know! Emmeryn was dead and buried, they had the body to prove it!
"Wait a minute…" Sully breathed, making the connection. "That's why Jen knew so damn much about the different nobles and trading houses… oh shit."
Maribelle spoke next, a scowl twisting her face in indignation, though hope warred with it. "This explains why a no-name was so quickly accepted. Yet, the body was buried, and now she stands before us! Chrom, I demand an explanation!"
Oh, she was mad, dropping Chrom's title like that. Everyone was starting to grow upset, either believing they had an imposter before them or Emmeryn had abandoned her duties.
Emmeryn closed her tome and held up her hands. "I assure you all, that I am quite dead. Why I was pulled out of my current home, I do not know, but what you see is naught but a construct."
She beckoned for Chrom to hand her the crystal, which he did. "I died in Plegia, that is true, but this crystal now houses my soul. Only when near the Emblem can I manifest, and even then, I can muster little aside from make illusions and change appearance.."
She turned and retrieved a small knife from a nearby sack, holding the blade to her finger. "I do not bleed, do not feel, and cannot access magic. All I can do is advise and listen, as I have done these last years. Please, do not think ill of those who already knew, I asked them to keep this secret for the good of all."
To prove it, she pressed the blade into her finger, not expecting anything per usual.
Much to her shock, a lance of pain sprouted from her finger and she winced, the knife clattering to the ground as she beheld her now bloody finger.
Staring at it in open shock, she turned to Chrom and Lissa, who shared her ashen face, voice a mouse's squeak.
"Um… oh…"
"That's… new."
Ch. End
Oh boy, I do love my bouts of insanity.
Severa: You revived her?! What the hell man?!
Lucina: What are we going to do now, this throws everything off plan!
7: And that's where you are incorrect, my dear girls. Please refer to the holy outline.
*Outline descends from on high, a halo around it*
7: Read that and you'll know why I did this.
As for the lovely readers who will no doubt be chomping at the bit for answers, all I can promise is that they will come in due time.
Now then, review responses while my co-hosts catch up!
Warrior of six blades: I hope you enjoy the battle in this chapter as well! I had a great deal of fun writing it!
And that's all this time, so I'll see you all in the next chapter.
Ciao!