Alright ladies and gents, we're heading off on the journey. As no one really mentioned a preference for who we started with first, we'll be going with Chrom and Sumia first. They are accompanied by Frederick, Nowi, Gaius, and two guard regiments.

Also, I've since done some research and have a better idea of what my various rankings in this will be, and they'll be important in terms of battle and politics. They're based on Commonwealth ranks, so I'll give a short listing before we jump on!

Grandmaster=Field Marshal

General=General

Head of the Order=Brigadier

Colonel on down are the same as their Commonwealth designations.

This makes Frederica and Orlan colonels in actuality while Morgan is a sergeant. I'll fix those designations in past chapters at some point, but now everyone knows!

Off we go!

The Royal Caravan

All told, the royals of Ylisse set out with just under two-hundred guards under their banner. Half rode before them in all their regalia with another half behind, Frederick rode beside the Exalt and Queen. Frederica, Orlan, and Orlan's men followed close behind them.

None save the color-guard wore their regalia once they passed through the border gates of their conquered land. Even Chrom wasn't stubborn enough to convince those zealots to drop the banners and plumage that marked the royal guards. Or their burnished bronze pauldrons.

Needless to say, they led the procession.

"Alright, let's go over the route one more time." Chrom sighed as he pulled out a map. Sumia leaned in close to to see it. Frederick eased his horse closer, Nowi was seated behind him; a cloak covered her more distinctive manakete features.

Chrom pointed to a series of marks he'd made earlier. "First, we have to pass close to the Mila Tree. Considering the raid we pulled off, security's going to be through the roof. Assuming we get through that, we'll have to pass close to Fort Steiger before cutting through this pass. Finally, there's several leagues of flat ground to cross."

"The flat ground is our goal." Sumia noted as she read the route. "But, if we're lucky, maybe we can ferry ourselves down the river after Steiger, avoiding the mountains altogether."

Frederica trotted up to them, bare of her colonel's helm and plume. "Worry not, for we shall see you all to the Lord's halls no matter the route! Simply give me an order and we'll see it done."

Chrom smiled at her, hoping she wouldn't yell every time they talked. That'd be bad once they weren't so close to home. "I have every faith in you, Frederica. We'll be counting on your regiment to defeat any patrols we run across. Just… try to keep the newcomers on a leash, ok? Don't need them charging a bunch of scouts that bring an army down on our heads."

Frederica cleared her throat, embarrassed by the reminder. "Yes, of course milord. Anyway, I checked in with the wagons, they have everything we need for the journey. My best will keep them safe."

"Good." Sumia answered, her gaze cast to the wagons following them. "Remember, so long as we're in the wild, we're allowed to forage any supplies. But the moment we enter private land it will be a crime."

Nowi opened her mouth to add her thoughts when something whizzed by her ear, knocking her hood away. Frederick grabbed her and dove out of the saddle, voice roaring, "Ambush!"

The procession burst to life as arrows flew from the trees, shields catching murderous volleys while armor saved both rider and mount. The Royal Guard sallied into the trees surrounding them, closing ranks with the speed they were famed for as the Shades vanished into thin air.

Chrom had tackled Sumia to the ground as arrows sought them, Selene and his mount somehow escaping harm while their riders thudded against the dirt. The pandemonium was done as soon as it began, Frederica placing herself between the royals and the assailants.

A moment later her soldiers returned, corpses in neutral colors slung over saddles and shoulders. Orlan blurred into existence with a prisoner, the woman bound and gagged, armour decorated in Valm's distinct scarlet. "This was their leader. My regiment have seen the others dead alongside the guard."

Frederica dismounted and regarded the struggling woman. "Ambush meant to take us out and she reports back, attackers are Valmese but dressed like mercenaries. Deniability."

She unsheathed her blade and cut the woman's throat in the same movement. Once she stilled, Frederica turned to the royals. "Forgive the barbaric sight, but they can't know who you are. I can only guess there's many such traps around us and even Orlan can't catch them all."

Orlan nodded, face hidden in ever-present shadow. "Milord, Milady, it would be best if you remain with the wagons during this journey. Your mounts can be disguised as draft horses until we arrive."

Sumia bit her lip, not sure about that. "They aimed for Nowi first though, clearly our disguises have not been found out yet. Besides, my husband and I are well defended against any attacks, as you well know."

"So long as we can react." Chrom sighed, internally annoyed. "And Nowi never saw the attack coming either. Was anyone injured?"

Frederica looked to her soldiers and shook her head. "Not that I can see, no. I'll run down the lines and see if anyone's trying to be patriotic. Orlan, I leave the bodies to you."

"We'll see them buried in accordance with Valmese tradition." Orlan muttered before his Shades melted from the trees to retrieve the ambushers' corpses. "Lord Frederick, is your wife unharmed?"

Frederick finished his thorough inspection of Nowi's welfare before answering. "She is unharmed, thankfully. Though I took a few arrows, my armor was able to deflect them."

Orlan nodded and disappeared, Frederica saluting before mounting and riding down the caravan. Once they were gone, Sumia took a deep breath and looked to Nowi. "You saw nothing?"

Nowi was pensive as she nodded. "Yeah… My gaze was forward, sure, but the attack should've been clear to me. I don't think anyone was expecting a trap so close to home, but… I should've seen that."

Chrom didn't like that answer. "Your sight's been clear for years now, why is it clouded?"

"I don't know." Nowi bit out, frustration joining pensive fear. "I can still see your outlines just fine, same with the road and soldiers, but everything beyond the first few trees is dark. Whatever it is, it's not good."

Frederick sighed and pulled her close. "It… likely has to do with what Lady Tiki mentioned."

"You mean Grima's shadow?" Gaius asked as he rose out of Chrom's shadow. "First, sorry for not arriving on time. I was another league ahead taking care of a trap, didn't think they had an ambush here."

Sumia waved him off. "Doesn't matter, your best pupils are here with us. Status of the road ahead?"

Gaius mussed his hair, not happy. "It's pockmarked with pitfalls. I tripped all of them, so they're obvious, but it'll be a delay of about an hour."

Chrom cursed under his breath. "Any paths around them that can fit the wagons?"

"Not if you want anything resembling progress today." Gaius said with a shrug. "Best guess is Walhart and friends predicted we'd be seeking allies and started doing all they could to make our lives hard. Considering our local seer's out of commission for ambush detection, my guys are gonna have to take on scouting duties."

Chrom nodded and pointed to the front of the caravan. "Do so with all haste, I want any ambushes known ahead of time. If you can take them out, do so, but let us know of anything greater than a squad. So help me, I'm getting you back to Maribelle lest she tan my hide."

Gaius couldn't help a smile before vanishing.

Frederick's face hardened a moment later, coming to a decision. "Nowi… it pains me to ask you this, but… can you turn back to a child?"

Nowi looked to him, shocked and a little wounded by the suggestion. "…Why? I can still protect myself; I'll just be careful. My ears are still sharp even if I can't see auras as well."

Frederick gave her an unyielding stare. "Because… I cannot protect you from ambush as you are. You may hear it a thousand times, but even one slow reaction is all it will take. Please… we cannot lose you."

Nowi bit her tongue, desperately wanting to retort, but finding no relief in his gaze. "…Fine, as you will. I know you care, Freddy, but… I still want to help."

"And you will." Sumia soothed as the caravan got back in order. "But for now, we need you safe. Chrom and I will be in the wagons from here on but know that we'll need you the moment we arrive."

Nowi sighed and cupped her hands around the stone in her pocket, light blooming. Once it faded, Nowi stood a foot shorter and in clothes that hung off her like rags, scars still in place and eyes unseeing. "…Can I just have some clothes please?"

Frederick almost ran to the wagons to find some, Chrom rubbing his nose in frustration. "What a start. All I can hope at this point is that the journey to the Mila Tree is the worst of it."

Sumia gave him a half-lidded glare. "We both know it won't be. This ambush proves they have eyes all along the wall, it wouldn't surprise me if the other envoys got attacked too. This is only the beginning of the troubles we're about to face."

Chrom scowled at the sky as Frederica rode up with her report. "Only scratches, milord, milady. Not one of the blackhearts got a strike in, they were too surprised by our counter-charge."

"Switch everyone to a javelin brace." Sumia ordered. "And keep your heads up. We'll all be earning our beds tonight."

Frederica nodded and ordered the column forward, the royals taking shelter in the wagons while Frederick lifted Nowi into his saddle before mounting. They could tell, despite the now alert guards, that things weren't going to get any easier.

-Three Days Later, Night-

And it sure didn't.

It felt like every other league held an ambush or a trap. Nothing large enough to attack the caravan all at once, but it was a constant annoyance. Crossroads had to be foregone for forest paths as large patrols were spotted nearby, their movement consistent with search and destroy tactics.

More than once though, they had to meet the Valmese in force. The column would get a report from Gaius marking a platoon of cavaliers or footmen marching their way with no alternate road, forcing the guard to meet them in combat.

The footmen were easily run over, lances low and barded steeds too much for the simple mass of men to handle. The cavaliers were more difficult, requiring the guard to call on their hard-earned skill to duel the Valmese riders down. After the third round, the Valmese goal became clear.

They were aiming for the wagons.

There was little that could be done except defend them and put out any fires before they could catch the supplies. Attacks at night were common too, growing in strength and ferocity the closer they got to the Mila Tree.

"Your men earn their title." Frederick noted as they set camp that night. It was the clearing the Shepherds had set up in on their mission to rescue Tiki, the great tree well in sight. He was speaking with Frederica after slaughtering yet another scouting party.

His former protégé sighed and pulled off her helm. "It's our pride and duty to defend the rulers of Ylisse. Even if every soldier stationed at the tree were to seek us out, we'd gladly die to see them escape."

Frederick nodded proudly. "They're lucky to have you, as are your men. Deciding to send the patrols out another hundred yards saved our campsite."

Frederica smiled broadly at the praise. "And I have you to thank for training me, even if it was only for a short time. I can only hope the Valmese thought we'd never make it this far, the men are getting tired from all the attacks."

Frederick looked through the camp and silently agreed. Even with only minor injuries, the constant attacks and marching were wearing them down. The guard was far too professional to let it show, but the way they sat around their cooking fires said it all.

"I'm glad Orlan's targeting patrols in a few different areas, personally." Frederica muttered under her breath. "At least they won't be able to find out where we are any time soon."

Frederick regarded her with a raised brow. "While true, surely your own efforts have safeguarded us as well. That's still a bad habit of yours."

Frederica messed with her braid. "Must you always bring up my trainee days?"

Frederick's brow fell and a smile rose. "Of course, how else do I keep anyone in the Cavalier Order humble? You, particularly, I hold up as my greatest success story."

He kept going even though Frederica flushed, too mortified to stop him. "A girl of fifteen, thin as a stick, yet boasting of becoming a cavalier. All of Sully's bluster but none of the skill. How many times did I trip you in our first spar?"

"Fifteen." Frederica whispered, desperately hoping none of the men could hear this. "Could you stop please? I have to report to the royals."

Then who but Sumia should walk by, curiosity clear. "Oh, are we sharing stories over here?"

Frederick and Frederica bowed to the queen, the latter beyond mortified. "Y-Y-Your Majesty, i-i-it's but simple reminiscence! I will return to my duties shortly!"

"No please, continue." Sumia laughed. "I've heard little of your time under Frederick's tender mercies and I'm quite curious. But before that, have either of you eaten yet? It's been a long day for everyone."

Just that morning they'd barely woken in time to fend off another ambush. The Valmese had stumbled upon their camp and were trying to set up a snare, but they weren't prepared for the on-duty guards to be so… ferocious.

Or for Sumia to storm out of her tent with her tome in hand. She froze many of them into twisted statues in seconds.

No one interrupted her Chrom-time, no one.

"Frederica, you can give the report shortly." Frederick told his protégé. "However, at our queen's request, I shall continue the tale."

Frederica sighed as Sumia waved for them to follow her, wanting this to end. "…Just be quick and put me out of my misery."

"As you wish." Frederick quipped, getting a tired giggle out of Sumia. "Where was I? Oh yes, all that hot air and couldn't keep her feet straight. Turns out friends of hers had been throwing fights before she enlisted."

Frederica kept her head high, pride in her current state outweighing the embarrassment. "I recall giving my mother complete hell for that after I got my first week of leave."

Frederick kept his pleasant smile. "You almost didn't make it to that first week. I remember hearing your sergeant at the time mention you'd go to your bunk after drills and cry your eyes out."

"I was still quite young." Frederica reminded. "And you were in the middle of that big purge too. I've sat in on drills since my time there and they're nowhere as bad."

Frederick conceded the point. "As you say, but you stuck it out after the sergeant called you a crème puff. Why that is, you still won't tell me, but we shared many fun weeks after that."

Frederica grimaced and Sumia gave her a sympathetic smile. "I assume he means beating you black and blue so you could learn quicker. Trust me, I was on the receiving end of his idea of training before I married my husband."

"They're… effective." Frederica hedged, glancing nervously at Frederick. "If nothing else, his techniques helped forge me into what I am now, and for that I'm grateful."

Sumia laughed as they arrived at an open cooking fire. "No need to dance around the issue, even Frederick knows he's a mean bastard in training. Sounds like you made quite an impression on him if he still recalls your first few days fighting together."

"She was quite indignant that things weren't that easy, but I thought it was stubborn will at the time." Frederick sighed, a tad wistful. "Thankfully her youth turned to an iron will by the time I passed the torch."

Frederica stared at him, but a tired voice answered instead. "Freddy, you gave her the torch after she'd been in the order for little under two years. Remember the uproar that caused?"

Nowi ducked out of a nearby tent, dressed in a cloak far too large for her child-form. She'd been forced to transform during the two melees that they'd run into after the morning's ambush, her dragon-form routing the Valmese outright. Only problem was her child-form was not what she was used to after many years as an adult.

Thus, she found herself incredibly tired despite the brief skirmishes.

Frederick was beside her immediately. "Nowi, please, you must rest. There's little doubt in my mind we'll be meeting our greatest obstacle yet come morning."

"I'm still hungry." She muttered petulantly. "Besides, I like talking to the colonel too."

Frederica smiled at the manakete. "And it's always a pleasure speaking to you, Lady Nowi. I feel I never thank you enough for assisting in promotions."

Nowi returned the smile. "Oh, just helping my friends is all. It wouldn't do to have a snake in the guard, though I'm quite fond of hunting them."

She gestured to the fire. "Now sit, all of you. Chrom's off getting some kind of dried meat for a stew."

It was strange to see the much smaller manakete talk with such authority, but all knew what she was and the weight her presence carried. It made Chrom and Sumia's reign all the more impressive with someone like Nowi pledging personal allegiance to them.

"So, when can I turn back again?" Nowi asked after everyone sat down. "I'm already sick of my clothes not fitting."

Frederick patted her head, making Nowi growl at him. "The moment we're within sight of Lord Sigmus's land. Until then, please remain as you are or fight as a dragon."

"I. Have. Needs. Frederick." Nowi bit out, punctuating every word. "And it's really annoying when whoever's on kitchen duty forgets that I don't get the kid's meal."

Frederica leaned close to Sumia, voice a whisper. "It's kind of… creepy to hear her talk about that while in her younger form. Can't she just turn back in their tent?"

"Not in enemy territory." Sumia whispered back, the topic endlessly amusing to her. "Frederick wants her to be as small a target as possible and considering what happened on the outset of our journey, I can't blame him."

Frederica hummed and blinked, startling when she realised Gaius was sitting next to her. "Lord Gaius!"

Gaius waved and Orlan appeared next to him. "Hey all, Gloomy and I just got back from our run. Looks like the Mila Tree's garrison has shrunk a lot with the Voice on our side, but the bridge leading to the mountains is, shall we say, occupied."

Sumia groaned and glared at him. "What is it? Barricades? Destroyed the bridge? Coated the whole thing in sauce?"

"If only." Gaius sighed, doing his best to imagine that. "No, the guy who commanded the Mila Tree got demoted by the looks of things. Soldiers at our side of the bridge were gossiping about it. Sounds like they plan to have most of our caravan on the bridge and knock out the supports."

Chrom arrived at last with a bundle of food. "Then they mean to drown us, how quaint. I'd even applaud it if the soldiers could keep their mouths shut."

"Possible misinformation." Orlan noted, speaking for the first time in hours. "Soldiers like that shouldn't be privy to anything beyond their postings. Unless this commander is really that incompetent, there could easily be no trap."

Frederica barely held in a snort, need for decorum still in place. "Much as I'd love us to prance across the bridge in all our finery, we can't chance it with our very leaders at stake. If we're to impress their majesty onto Lord Sigmus, we must reach him."

"Are you sure you're not trying to worm a three-way out of this?" Gaius had to ask, making the rest of the group choke and sputter. "I mean, Rica, the only thing you haven't done in your time here is hike up Sumia's skirt while Chrom watches."

Frederica leapt at him. "Dammit you! I've told you time and again that's not the truth, yet you insist on it! I merely admire them!"

Gaius chuckled and dodged away, Frederica giving chase. Chrom was the first to recover and set his bundle down, Frederick swiftly putting a pot on the fire. "Gaius's need to tease our favorite colonel aside, tomorrow's very important. That bridge is the only crossing within leagues that doesn't involve abandoning our wagons. We have to go over it."

"My regiment can inspect the bridge supports tonight, but the river's high." Orlan offered, already standing. "It'll take hours to do it. Or we can investigate the surrounding woods to search for ambush. I can't split up my men for both and be efficient, it's one or the other."

Sumia gave him a considering stare. "And why can't you? Surely only a squad is needed for the bridge inspection, both can be done."

Orlan shook his head, knowing that wasn't the case. "The bridge is not only long, but wide. There are a great many supports to inspect for traps, and any we find must be disabled. Sabotage of the supports would need to be repaired as well."

Sumia sighed and withdrew the idea. "I see, your point is well made. River's too wide for me to freeze for a workaround too, and if it's as high as you say, there's no way."

Chrom chuckled at her little rhyme. "We're in for a hard fight either way. Frederick, Nowi, are you both ready for anything?"

"I'll blow 'em up!" Nowi cheered, some energy returning to her body. "No one's touching my friends while I'm still here! And if I have to pull the wagons out of the river, I will!"

Frederick patted her head again. "And I will strike down all who seek to do us harm, such is my oath."

"As will I!" Frederica declared as she returned from chasing Gaius, the spymaster wore a smug grin. "I will see to it that no Valmese will so much as sniff you!"

Sumia shared a look with Chrom and laughed.

"Good thing I didn't bring strong perfume."

-Morning-

"It is a good thing you didn't bring strong perfume."

Sumia scowled at Frederick, the caravan arrayed in battle formation with Valmese knights opposite them. In the end, it was decided that Orlan and his regiment would investigate the bridge. Whilst another ambush was less than welcome, the possibility of the bridge going down was far too great a threat.

That morning the caravan had gathered up and made for the bridge, the lack of action a constant source of anxiety. They'd been attacked semi-constantly almost from the outset and the soldiers were tense, only hard training keeping them from jumping at shadows.

It was still quiet when they sighted the bridge.

It was still quiet when the first platoon of royal guards cantered onto the stone path.

It was still quiet when the last of the caravan rolled onto the bridge, the royals and their wagon reaching the middle of the great crossing at the same time. It was lovely at first, the sky full of fluffy clouds and the river flowing beneath them in a crystal blue ribbon. It was almost a league wide.

Roars and cries echoed shortly thereafter, crimson metal rolling out of the trees on either bank. The knights now barred their way, a quick thinking Orlan turned the latter two wagons into makeshift blockades.

"We'll need to rush through them." Frederica muttered to Chrom, who stood in front of his guard. "Orlan's bought us maybe ten minutes before they're through."

Chrom nodded as he observed the line of steel marching towards them, ten deep and five wide. "And another ten before they crash into our rear. We just need to get through these knights and we're scot-free."

"Not so fast." Nowi warned as she hopped out of Frederick's saddle, gaze on the skies. "We've got flocks over us, big ones. Not quite murders, but it's bad either way!"

Sumia's eyes turned to the sky, nothing sticking out. "…They're hiding in the clouds. Waiting for us to engage before their attack runs. They'll be aiming for the wagons."

"Orlan!" Chrom roared, the colonel appearing before him. "Put your regiment on the wagons and watch the skies! We've got murders inbound, Frederica and the guard can deal with these knights!"

Orlan nodded and blurred away again, Sumia pulling out her tome. "I'll make a few more barriers and thin the rear attack's numbers. Nowi, you and I are going to distract the murders while everyone pushes through."

"Frederick, form the lance!" Chrom barked as the sound of breaking wood reached him. "Everyone, follow Frederick and fear no simple blade! You've trained and bled too much for this batch to see you dead!"

The guard roared and trotted into position, the knights pressing forward with wickedly hooked spears in hand.

"Beast-killers." Frederica hissed, behind and to the left of Frederick. "Men, watch your charge! If your horse gets caught on that, it'll be the end of you!"

Chrom sat opposite her on his own steed, its white fur and silver-gold armour making him stand out. "They'll be aiming for me, Frederica. Now, let's move before we're torn to pieces!"

He held his lance aloft, Gradivus gleaming as if reveling in the blood to come. A burst of light made both guard and knights stumble, then the front row of knights was blown to pieces by dragonfire.

Chrom saluted Nowi before she took to the air, Selene unfurling her wings to follow. Cold bloomed behind the guard and wagons as Sumia summoned walls of ice to block the rear Valmese, the teeming mass of cavaliers baying for blood as they pushed against the ice.

Frederick pulled on the reins and his horse reared, hammer raised high, "Charge!"

The guard roared in tandem and their hooves roared against stone as they charged the knights. Shields slammed into stone as the knights gathered themselves and closed the gaps, braced and ready for the charge.

Frederick met the wall of steel with abandon, spears glancing off his armor and horse's barding while his hammer pulped the first helm he could find. Frederica and Chrom slammed in behind him, Gradivus and forged silver seeking vulnerable joints in enemy armour.

The Valmese knights were not pushovers, even as the weight of the guard ran down three lines. The fourth stopped Frederick, shields holding him in place as spears from behind sought to impale his mount. Frederick batted aside the lance-heads with his boots, hammer crashing into shields with regular bangs.

Chrom and Frederica added their push to Frederick, the back ranks of knights digging in their heels to keep from sliding back. Several of the guard paid the price for the stalled charge, the knights taking advantage of the tight fit on the bridge to send stinging blades into whatever openings they could find.

Hellish screeches fell on them, followed by rending talons as several of the guard were cut down or thrown to the unforgiving river. The twang of wire soon followed and the attackers fell to the river with great splashes, Chrom caught glimpse of a feathery mass in the water.

"Keep pushing!" Frederica roared as she swept her lance into a knight, his helm lifted as he tried to stab her. The silver blade found the crease and buried into his throat, blood gushing as he fell back. "Use them as a ram, don't worry about the skies!"

She kicked her victim and the corpse toppled into another knight, a strike from Frederick sending the enemy to the stone. Five minutes of pandemonium passed, another three strikes from the air claiming a dozen lives before Chrom's steed reared up and kicked his target.

The knight fell and none took his place.

"Breach!" Frederick roared as he struck down another knight, the scent of blood heavy in his nose. "Quickly, to the trees!"

The guard roared through the opening, not giving the remaining knights a chance to close ranks. The tide was enough to send a few of the remainder tumbling into the river to sink, the rest forced to the stone or killed as horses and wagons thundered down the remainder of the bridge.

"Orlan, where's Sumia and Nowi?!" Chrom shouted as the colonel rumbled up to them on a wagon, "And how long do we have?!"

Orlan took aim with his bow and sent an arrow flying, a screech his reward. "The queen and Lady Nowi are doing all they can to fight off the murders. The ones that attacked us were the ones to make it through."

Chrom growled and looked to the sky. Sumia was dancing through the air atop Selene, dueling a great feathered beast with the hind legs of a mountain-lion and the front of an eagle. Selene was faster, but the beast was incredibly adaptive and was always able to dodge a fatal blow whenever Sumia outran it.

"Where the hell is Gaius?!" Frederick roared from the treeline, most of the guard with him alongside their wagons. "We need that bridge down!"

Chrom paid little attention, sick anxiety sitting in his gut as Sumia sent bolts of frost at her opponent and kept missing. She needed to disengage, but anytime she dipped for the ground, the beast would dive with all possible speed after her and force the queen further into the sky.

Chrom bit his lip as Selene and the beast collided, a flash of light from the backs of both showing the riders dueling. Much to Chrom's horror and relief, the beast tore a gash into Selene's side in the same moment Sumia sent Gae Bolg straight into the beast's breast.

As it plummeted, Sumia turned Selene's bucking form toward the ground, a flock of similar beasts turning from Nowi to give chase. Nowi would have none of it, sending balls of flame to break off the attack while she pursued Sumia.

Sumia nearly crashed as Selene reached the ground, the poor steed panting and screaming as blood ran from the jagged wound in her flank. Chrom ran up alongside several of Orlan's regiment, bandages and ointments in hand.

"Take out the bridge!" Sumia yelled hoarsely to Nowi, the dragon taking off again despite her own bleeding wounds. "Where's Gaius?!"

A splash from the river revealed the missing spymaster, his clothes heavy with water and much of his weaponry gone save yewfelle and the matti katti. "Hi… everyone… one of those… eagle bastards… knocked me into… the river…"

Nowi chose then to dive, more wounds littering her scales as a flock gave chase. Right as she dived, the last of Sumia's barriers was broken and the Valmese cavaliers sallied after the caravan with renewed energy, blood-curdling roars their rallying cry.

Nowi silenced them with two blasts of fire, one bowling through a set of support pillars under the bridge while the second blasted through the back of the advance. The cavaliers wheeled about in confusion, only for Nowi to dive under the bridge as the flock pursuing her closed in.

The eagle-beasts screeched as they crashed into the bridge and cavaliers, horses and riders screaming in terror and pain. Nowi rolled under the bridge as she passed, tail smashing aside another set of pillars while one more blast destroyed even more.

The bridge held firm for a moment before the lack of support and the weight of the Valmese broke it, the entire section collapsing with a great crack. The Valmese roared in surprise as the stone broke beneath their feet, the tangled forces unable to pull apart and retreat.

The royals and Ylissean caravan watched as the majority of the ambush fell into the river, some of the Valmese and their mounts able to swim for the far bank while others were forced under the current to drown by their panicking fellows or stone.

With the immediate threat ended, Nowi returned and crashed, shifting to her adult form in a flash of light. Her sides and legs were covered in wounds, some deep enough to worry even the most flippant cleric.

"Nowi!" Frederick roared, galloping to his wife's side. "Love, talk to me, what happened?!"

Nowi grimaced as she pressed her hands against the worst gash, pain pulsing as she forced a film of crystal to grow over it. She hated calling on that power after it had taken her eyes, but for now it was useful. "Those… bird-things… their claws… got through… my scales. Axes… much stronger…"

Frederick produced a roll of bandages and leapt out of the saddle, swiftly binding her injuries. "We need to get you into the wagons before anything else comes for us. Sumia can heal you alongside the medics."

Nowi staggered to her feet and shook her head. "How… many did we lose?"

Frederick took on her weight, arm over his shoulder. "Best estimate is about twenty of the guard and ten of the shades. Of that, another thirty are wounded and we lost all of our gifts for Sigmus."

Nowi groaned as her leg gave out, Frederick catching her. "That's… just great. What were… those flying things?"

"Griffons." Gaius answered as Frederick lifted Nowi into his arms. "Real nasty customers that can fight wyverns claw for claw. Ylisse hasn't seen them in centuries, but I thought they had their populations across the southern sea."

Frederick glanced at the spymaster. "Apparently not. The Valmese have made units of them, and we've never trained for such an encounter."

"How could we?" Gaius asked as he escorted the pair back to the caravan, guiding Frederick's steed. "Griffons are ornery by nature from what I hear, and solitary. Getting a flock of them together sounds like far too much trouble."

They reached the rear of the caravan, where Chrom was wrapping Sumia's side. "What got her?"

"Hand-axe." Sumia grit out as Chrom tightened the binding. "I was so… focused on the battle… I never noticed it. Selene'll be fine, at least, but she can't fly for a week."

Chrom kissed her cheek, a comforting smile on his face. "You'll be fine too, don't worry. We know about this now and can prepare for it, and the mountains will be a good place to hide from the Valmese cavalry."

Sumia returned the smile, only for a cleared throat to break the moment. A somber Frederica stood nearby, head low in sorrow. "Milady, Lord Frederick… I'm so sorry for failing to protect you or Lady Nowi."

"That was something you couldn't prevent." Gaius told her, a gesture summoning Orlan. "If anyone's to blame, it's me and Gloomy here. We didn't do our research on any new additions the Valmese were working on, and now they have something that can meet our air force on even terms."

Orlan pointed to the river, where the remaining Valmese were already working on repairs to the bridge. "We achieve nothing here, let us flee before reinforcements arrive. The mountains call."

Chrom helped Sumia to her feet and nodded. "Agreed. Frederica, it's as Gaius says, you bare no blame in this. You threw yourself into the knights alongside Frederick and I, your bravery and skill are beyond reproach. Now buck up, we'll need that pride of yours in the days to come."

Frederica nodded sullenly and saluted. The caravan was soon after on its way, the wounded bearing their injuries as best they could. There were staves for such use, but the guard insisted that only the most debilitating injuries be taken care of beyond wraps and compresses.

Much like their colonel, they were a proud lot. Nothing more than a simple salute given to the river and bridge before they moved on, the lone sign of respect given to the fallen. Truthfully, it was all that was needed, even if Chrom and Sumia silently wished they could've given the lost proper funerals.

Regardless, Nowi had to ride in the back of a wagon in order to heal. No one had the skill with staves to completely close the gashes, but they'd shrunk to the point Nowi would be right as rain in a few days. Selene trotted next to that wagon, her side covered in bandages but otherwise ok once she had a chance to rest.

There was no pursuit after the caravan entered the forest, the trees slowly growing so thick that light was barely able to pierce the canopy. It was a welcome respite as they journeyed further into the forest and started to climb, the mountains of Valm rising into the sky before them.

Their progress was slowed by the time they rounded the first mountain, forest giving way to valleys and gorges. For days they trundled through rough terrain, loose rocks and unpaved paths threatening to lame every horse they had. The paths could crumble as well, a sad lesson to learn when one such collapse made several of the guard fall to their death.

By the time they'd made the last pass, everyone was sick of the mountains. A massive storm had raged the previous three days, triggering massive mudslides that had swept away entire mountainsides. The caravan was lucky to be sheltered under a large overhang that deflected the mudslide, but one of their supply wagons had been swept away.

Chrom and Sumia were just finishing a service for those lost on the journey when Orlan appeared. "Your Majesties, we have an issue."

"When do we not?" Chrom sighed, gesturing to those praying before him. "What is it? We still have incense to burn before the rites are complete."

Orlan kneeled, oddly somber even for him. "There's reason for the lack of attacks by the Valmese. They know where we're going."

"I'm starting to think Sigmus doesn't wish to meet us." Sumia mused as she placed the first incense before the fire lit for the ceremony. "It sure seems like his word means little."

Frederick sighed from beside her, his own prayers at an end. "We were never given an official aegis, only a message that desired we meet. Perhaps in our haste to secure allies, we failed to consider they wanted to be allies."

"We've come this far; we have to try." Nowi whispered, kneeling in prayers of her own. "Where's Gaius?"

The man in question rose from Orlan's shadow. "A little scouting and assassination. No big wigs unfortunately, but a few of their units are going to be in a real pickle come morning."

"How many?" Chrom sighed again after placing his incense in the flame. "And what are our odds?"

Gaius paused, in of itself an ill omen, before his tone became grim. "There's easily a couple thousand down there. Most are levies by the looks of it, glory or death seekers. Problem is, their professionals still outnumber us by four to one. All they have to do is swamp us in the mob before picking us off."

He shook his head. "In other words, damn grim odds."

Chrom pinched his nose, trying to ward off a headache. "…Do you think Sigmus will be watching?"

"Chrom, no." Sumia immediately protested. "We swore, all of us, to never do what I know you're considering. Let's just turn back, we can still escape through the mountains."

Frederick too knew what Chrom was considering, and he begrudgingly agreed with the Exalt. "It's quite likely Lord Sigmus will be watching to see if we come to face the host. It's a chance to… make an impression."

Nowi stood and took a deep breath. "…Sumia, I know how you feel, but with the bridge to our back and Steiger to the east, there's no other way but forward. We have to meet them tomorrow, and… Chrom's idea is the only sure thing we have."

Sumia's hands balled into fists, tears gathering and freezing at the corners of her eyes. "…Dammit, I know. I just… I hate seeing us like this."

Chrom reached up to clear her eyes, voice soft. "I know… but there's no other way at this juncture. They clearly know we're here, and want us dead as can be. If I must become a monster to return us to the girls, I will do so. If it means those who remain with us can return, I will do so."

Frederica chose then to approach, helm under her arm. "Your Majesty… thank you for hosting the service, the men appreciate it."

Chrom held out his hand. "My pleasure, Frederica. The guard have been good to us ever since our coronation, it's only right we give those we lost a proper send off. Just… have the guard ready for the morning, we'll need someone to help clean up the stragglers."

Frederica shook his hand, a bit confused. "Milord? Do we… have a plan to rout the blackhearts at the base?"

Chrom shared a forlorn look with his wife and nodded. "We do…"

"I just hope I'll still have your respect come morning."

-Morning, Base of Mountain-

"Gaius, there are days I wish your reports weren't so accurate."

The spymaster smiled sardonically as the caravan formed up at the base of the mountain. Their armor of blue and silver looked woefully inadequate before the crimson host that awaited them. A host that, practically speaking, the Valmese could replace in a week.

"Sorry, colonel, but them's the breaks." Gaius shot back to Frederica, the colonel stoic but tense with nerves. "I'm pretty sure yours and mine could take down the rabble no issue, it's the archers they got in the back we have to worry about."

Frederica moved her gaze to the back of the Valmese host, the mounted archers she'd read about lined up with the other cavalry. There were too many in the mob to reach the archers in one charge, but a pincer with this number's disparity was suicide.

What was the Exalt's plan to get through this?

Chrom dismounted and walked towards the host, Falchion bared. "Who leads this force?"

Frederica and the guard gaped as their liege put himself just outside the archers' range. Was he mad!

The Valmese host parted and a woman atop a regal steed cantered forward to greet him. "I do, Exalt of Ylisse. The skill of your forces is no mere rumor, but even you must see any battle here is futile. Turn back and I will guarantee your safe return so that we may face each other in honest battle."

"And who are you to make that guarantee?" Chrom shouted, eyeing the woman wearily. No features could be seen beneath her helm, but she spoke with the authority of a leader. "Surely you would prefer the glory of taking my head?"

The Valmese rabble rumbled with mutters, dozens shuffling forward with crude weapons raised. The commander looked back and roared: "Stay where you are! So help me, break formation without command and I will end you personally!"

The rabble shuffled back.

The woman returned her attention to Chrom. "I am Anisette, daughter of Lord Sigmus. My father and I, for all our differences, share a preference for honorable combat. I give the word and he will see you safely home, no matter what Lord Excellus or Lady Pheros wish."

"I can respect that, but his word seems less than honest from what I've experienced." Chrom answered, a slight tensing of Anisette's shoulders his opening. "After all, we've been hounded all this way by the Valmese you serve despite marching under his aegis. I highly doubt anyone in power would listen to your word with my head at stake."

He could almost hear Sumia groan at his self-aggrandizing. "We are trapped, that I know all too well, but I wanted to know one thing, Lady Anisette."

He leveled Falchion at her. "There is only one Chrom Falk de Ylisse in all the world. Who wants to be remembered as the one to kill him?"

His challenge roared across the field and the rabble broke their lines, rushing forward to claim Chrom's head and the glory for themselves. The Exalt's smirk told Anisette all she needed to know, voice roaring as she tried to hold back the tide. "Back all of you, it's a trap!"

The rabble didn't heed her, delusions of glory filling the heads of the front ranks while the back pounded hard against the ground to outrace their competitors. All wanted the Exalt's head and eternal glory.

None would have it.

"Stál Garður!" Chrom shouted as he drove Falchion into the dirt, the first wave closing in on him with blood-crazed cries. Roars choked and sputtered as blades bloomed from the earth, great spikes of metal impaling the leapers and sundering the chargers.

The shock of metal appearing from nowhere had barely a moment to register before Chrom charged, skin glistening in the sun as steel replaced flesh. The last sight many saw amongst the twisted steel was a faceless visage, reflecting their own horror, before their blood fed the soil.

Frederica and her guard stared in open horror as Chrom rampaged. The steel he summoned bent in strange ways, as if obeying silent commands, shattering and splintering into smaller pieces before reforming into large blades.

Rabble fell by the dozens as the steel tore into them, Chrom a raging golem as he pulled weapons of all stripes from his very skin and turned any armor he found into a crumpled mass. Spears and lances tore through bodies and pinned soldiers to the ground, axes split helms asunder, and swords bit into all the flesh it could find.

All the while Falchion glowed, the hand holding it the lone spot of remaining flesh.

For ten horrifying minutes, Chrom slaughtered his way through the Valmese force. Every weapon he summoned could fly on its own and every bit of armor was turned against its owner, killing them in make-shift iron maidens. Blood ran in rivers when the earth could drink no more.

Arrows, few though they were, attempted to puncture Chrom's steel skin only to bounce off. The archers met their end at the hands of sentient blades, the faceless mask where Chrom's face had been was the last thing they saw.

It was a testament to their training that the actual Valmese soldiers didn't break after Chrom reached them. They tried their hearts out to kill him, but their blades seemed to refuse any action that would harm Chrom. Even after they went for his hand at every juncture, Falchion turned the strikes aside or into the impenetrable armor that was his skin.

Eventually, the Valmese finally shattered, Chrom standing alone amongst a field of corpses, their bodies savaged by blades and broken by his shield. The Fire Emblem seemed to weep upon his arm, as if lamenting the gross loss of life.

Only Anisette remained, bucked from her horse in the panic. Fear hang stark in the air around her, even as Chrom noticed and advanced on her. She'd doubtlessly soiled herself, but her sword was firm and eyes unyielding. "Come demon! I will take your hand before you take my life!"

Chrom tilted his head, unresponsive. He raised Falchion and every weapon on the field flew to him, a swarm of steel ready to end her.

"Chrom, enough!"

The swarm stilled and Chrom turned to face Sumia, his queen cantering through the bodies with stoic strength. "They are broken, do not end her life. Lord Sigmus will doubtlessly appreciate it."

Chrom could say nothing, he only regarded Sumia for a moment.

He turned back to Anisette, Falchion flashing forward.

But he froze solid, Sumia's breath turning to frost and veins pulsing with ice as she encased him in an icy prison. "I knew that would happen."

She regarded Anisette with a critical eye as the woman began to tremble. "You're safe for now, but a prisoner. We will release you to your father's custody once we arrive at his manor."

The woman fainted and Sumia regarded the slaughter around her with clear distaste. "To think, there will be far worse than this yet to come."

Gaius rose from her shadow and went over to tap on Chrom's prison. "How long you think he'll be like this?"

"Until Falchion and the Emblem purge it of him." Sumia sighed, noting the steel slowly retreating from Chrom's skin. "He went full-tilt, it'll be a whole day and night before he's normal. Even then, he almost hit his limit."

Frederick rode up with the guard, Orlan's regiment running from their hiding spots in the forest to stare at the carnage. "In other words, he nearly died, yes?"

Sumia sighed and nodded before looking to Frederica, the colonel in shock. "I hate that you all have to see this, but Chrom has… special powers beyond that steel skin of his. Around the time our Lucina was born, he discovered the form you see now. However, should he try and maintain it for longer than about twelve minutes, the metal will disappear and he'll go into a coma."

Frederica shook her head, stupefied. "I'd… heard he'd gotten incredibly ill a few months after Princess Lucina was born. What happened?"

"A tale for another time." Nowi muttered as she tried to keep the stench of blood and refuse from her nose to no avail. "Can we… just get going?"

Sumia agreed. "It's as she says. Frederick, Gaius, load him up in one of the wagons. Orlan, see to the prisoner, she'll be useful."

The colonel bowed and went to grab the woman, his regiment picking their way through the carnage to meet up with everyone. They'd thought Chrom would draw the charge in and run, only to catch the Valmese in a crossfire.

Not this.

Sumia kept giving orders as the caravan got over its stupor, the cold well of logic she'd long avoided rising again. It was why she hated using her powers to such an extent, but only her strongest prison could hope to keep Chrom contained until he was back to normal.

The caravan was on the road before long, leaving the red fields long behind while carrion birds began their grisly work.

All the while Sumia repeated a mantra under her breath, ever beside Chrom as he slowly returned to normal.

"For peace."

Ch. End

Alright, first chapter of three done! Hope y'all enjoyed Chrom's version of a mook horror show and the intro of the griffons. Next time we'll be meeting this Lord Sigmus, and hopefully get in some more time with Gaius and Orlan's group.

Subterfuge is the name of the game when it comes to things like this.

For the one review I got in regards to the last chapter: It sure does doesn't it? It'll be a fun punishment, I assure you, they're just too important right now to take them out of action.

Otherwise, that's all I have folks! See y'all next time!