Chapter 11-Recruitment

"So, milady, how does a beauty such as yourself with flawless porcelain skin, hair the color of the darkest night, and eyes that capture the endless skies above not have a beloved?" Although he apparently was a competent shot with his bow, Virion the Archer came off as more of a foolish dandy, what with his exaggerated accent, and frilly clothes that were more at home in a formal drawing room than a battlefield. He wore a fluted white shirt with impractical lacy ruffles, collared grey vest, dark grey pants that billowed out at the knees, brown leather boots with straps leading up to a matching belt, a steel shoulder protector, and a quiver and finely crafted bow. He had the smug face of someone who possessed inexhaustible confidence, with shoulder-length blue hair hanging loosely over his face.

As we neared the Southern gate to Ylissol, having been violently turned away again by the tomboy redheaded Cavalier Sully, the aggravating flirt had turned his amorous attention to me, much to my cringing mortification. "I-i-it d-doesn't matter Mister Virion. You know what my family crest means, r-right?"

He beamed, "I do indeed. Songs of the three traitorous Ylissian families have even crossed the oceans. But I also have heard about your heroics in Exalt Emmeryn's court, and how she cleared your family name. You will have many suitors who would wish to woo the heroine that single-handedly saved the Exalt, and joined Prince Chrom's valiant Shepards to save the Halidom. They will be knocking down your door soon enough,"

I flushed in deep embarrassment, "Look Mister V-virion…"

He gave an exaggerated bow, "Just Virion, mon chérie."

I sighed deeply, "Virion, then. Look, I have it on good authority that I'm f-fated to die alone; not that I would care to continue my reviled bloodline.."

Much to my surprise, he dropped the overly charming persona and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "A dark prophesy, non?"

I nodded, too flushed to speak without my damn stammer.

"Is it etched in stone, this stygian fate of yours?"

As I looked at the city walls in the near distance, my face paled slightly as realization hit me, "No. It isn't. Some very strange warriors intervened and altered my destined path. I'm not sure what fate has in store for me now, but..."

"Aha! So you may find yourself in the Archest of Archer's arms someday. I knew you would find me irresistible!"

I blushed again, and muttered, "G-good day." I urged Slate forward to escape the teasing. Virion gave a friendly wave and a wink as I temporarily escaped his torments. I didn't appreciate anybody being over the top with flirtatious compliments, but I realized that he did have a point. In the original timeline that I glimpsed in Mika's nightmare, I had seen a version of myself that was shattered, mutilated, and yearning for death. All of that had been swept away by Kasrin's intervention in my estate's forest, and the Exalt's pardon. I had no inkling if happiness was possible, but I reasoned that I shouldn't rule it out. Maybe I could find someone who would care for me as me, without the burdens of my family name weighing me down. I silently resolved to thank Virion later, even as I knew I would have to endure more of his overwrought compliments as penance.

…

As we entered the gates to Ylisstol again, I was surprised to hear a commotion in the direction of the main thoroughfare leading to the Castle on the hill. After some difficulty negotiating the mobs crowding the streets, we reached the facade of my parent's former Mansion and we gawked as the Exalt guarded by footsoldiers and Pegasus Knights calmly processed down the broad avenue, waving to the cheering crowds.

Robin looked amazed, "That is your ruler, Chrom?"

"She is indeed. She is most beloved by the populace."

Just as Robin, Chrom and Lissa were watching the Exalt and chatting amicably, I heard a high-pitched voice behind me, "Lady Mimika?"

I turned around in my saddle and saw a young brown-haired girl of about 8 in pigtails beaming at me with a gap-toothed grin. She curtseyed flawlessly and held out a rolled parchment, "I have a message for you, milady."

Based on her plain slate blue dress I recognized that this was one of the orphans. I took the scroll out of her hand and gave her a hard candy and a silver coin from my saddlebag as thanks, "Here you go, Miss. Thank you for delivering the message."

She giggled and ran back through the arched entrance, as I read the message and groaned softly. I crumpled the message as I tossed in my bag as I muttered in irritation, "Zeno."

Siff rode up behind me with a look of concern on her face, "Mimi?"

I rolled my eyes, "The Troublesome Trio strikes again."

Siffra pulled a face, "Oh Gods, not them again."

"We're like a bad copper coin; we always turn up." The green-haired thief emerged from the doorway within the archway leading into the Manse and looked at us with a broad grin as he casually flipped a coin to amuse himself, "How fare you, milady?"

I sighed deeply as I frowned, "I thought Chrom's decision was explicit in South Town. I don't mind having you or Raven as recruits, but the dealbreaker is that backstabbing Regulus."

The gorgeous black-haired swordsman emerged from around the corner from the back gardens, "Lady Mimika, please reconsider. Reg promised to try to never shoot me in the back again. But we all know the danger that faces Ylisse, and we cannot sit idle."

I raised an eyebrow skeptically, "Trying is insufficient. I need to hear Regulus himself swear never to attack an ally. Also you must know that I cannot override Chrom's hiring decisions. He does outrank me by a considerable margin."

Regulus' voice in the dark shadows made me flinch, "We know about the Risen undead. Tales have reached far and wide. We cannot remain on the sidelines."

"Please." Zeno looked at me with pleading expression, "Let us all three of us help the Arrowheads. We can make a difference."

I gave a hard glare to the Sniper, "What say you Regulus? With the incident at South Town ever be repeated?"

"Foolhardy Noble." His icy vermillion eyes regarded me with silent disdain, "Very well, I swear I will never shoot an ally in the back again. May it never cost you more than you are willing to pay, Lady Paraglaive."

I gave a tight nod, and silently screamed at myself that I should not be doing this. "Fine. I can't recruit you. However the Shepards are constantly on the move, and will undoubtedly leave Ylisstol at a moment's notice. When we do, I will send Revy with a message. See if you can 'accidentally' stumble onto the battlefield as independent Sellswords. Your battle prowess may be the only way to sway the Prince's heart."

Zeno beamed, "Thanks a ton, Mimika-er…I mean milady."

"Mimika will do, Zeno. Good luck, all of you."

Raven bowed deeply, "You have our eternal gratitude, Lady Mimika."

I exchanged a withering glance with Regulus, but soon enough Siff and I rode back out to the festive street, hoping against hope my gambit wouldn't blow up in my face.

…

After that wearying encounter, I was grateful to see the street rapidly clear out once the Exalt and her guards had travelled back to her palace. We rode after Prince Chrom and the Shepards up into the palace grounds proper. When we reached the gardens we were in for a double surprise. A Pegasus Knight swooped over the tall walls and alighted in front of our procession, carrying two passengers. I recognized both instantly.

The Knight was Sonya Fletcher, who along with the spirited red-haired Cordelia Coeurbrave had been the two Pegasus Knight Plebes that Chrom had escorted to the Sunstone Keep for their final Knight trials only days prior.

The young teenaged brunette sitting in front of her was my serving maid Dia. I felt a stab of guilt as I remembered that she had been over at the Cerulia-Agate domain next to mine to receive training in knife throwing from one of the servants there as I was unexpectedly recruited by Prince Chrom. I had left a note behind for her, but we had never had gotten the chance to say goodbye.

"Mistress!" Dia leapt off Sonya's mount and ran over to me with an expression of elation. Suddenly she remembered her place, and tried with limited success to rein in her joy at seeing me again. She gave an elegant curtsy in her plain black dress over a grey blouse and her brown eyes looked deferentially at me with utter devotion. She was wearing knee-high boots and black gloves. The fourteen year old girl had skin nearly as pale peach as mine, a consequence of pursuing indoor hobbies such as reading, training, and cooking. She had bright, inquisitive brown irises that reflected a few hints of blue near her pupils when they were in direct sunlight. Her dark brown hair was slightly wavy with slight spikes at the tips, and was braided back and secured with black hair ribbons. Although she wore the standard maid outfit consisting of a grey dress and white apron while on duty, in her free time, she favored frilly Gothic style lacy black dresses, which I found absolutely adorable.

She had shown up to my Keep in patched clothes two years prior acting as an itinerant cook and seamstress, and after requesting to meet me, she had brazenly stated that I would hire her as I had a bleeding-heart reputation for helping hard luck cases and orphans like her. Although Chief Knight Matillia had not been at all amused, I had actually burst out into uncontrollable laughter at her audacity Both Siff and Vanny had been shocked by my unexpected reaction. Of course I hired her on the spot and assigned her to my head maid Ronna for training.

Dia tried to keep her face composed but I could see the giddiness right below the surface, "I just got back from my trip to Clan Cerulia-Agate and found out Prince Chrom had recruited you! Is that true? Did you petition the Exalt? Did she end your exile? Did-"

I held up my hand, "Peace, Dia. I will answer all your questions in due course." I smiled and got on one knee and spread out my arms wide, "First things, first."

"Y-yes, milady." She dashed into my arms and gave me an unusually strong embrace for a tiny slip of a girl. I held her affectionately and stroked her hair as I took in her ever-present lilac perfume. She sniffled, "I missed you. I was so worried."

I sighed softly, "I missed you too dear. I'm glad you're here." I released her and my heart floated upwards every time she was around me, as she made me feel a little mushy inside. Although I knew I should respect the immutable line between master and retainer (as Aunt Mattie had sternly and repeatedly pointed out to both of us), with Dia I always couldn't help but spoil her a bit like a little sister. Maybe I was being selfish for giving her a taste of the childhood that had been denied to me by my parent's deaths. I returned my attention to the here and now, "Anyway, let's meet your new friend, Dia."

"Yes, milady." She curtsied again and took her customary place by my side.

By this point, Sonya had dismounted, and was broadly beaming at the sight in front of her. She started to clap loudly, and Lissa quickly joined in. Soon enough all of the Scouts and Shepards were applauding and whistling at my heartfelt reunion as I blushed to my ears. Ugh.

The newly minted Pegasus Knight was a sprightly, slender girl, shorter than even my less than imposing stature. Her white hair was cut into a practical chin-length bob. She had bright green eyes with softly rounded features. She was wearing the classic Pegasus Knight Armor of a black and white dress uniform with a hip belt, thigh high black boots, white steel armor with green accents protecting her chest, arms, shoulders, and shins. Her dark green folded traveling cloak was secured to her saddle.

Her mount, Aysel, was a handsome Buckskin Pegasus mare with a pale brown eyes, a golden body, chocolate brown hued wings, lower legs, mane, and tail. Her silver barding with fancy leaf-like green accents covered her head, neck, shoulders, and flank. She tiredly stretched out her wings after her marathon flight and happily took an apple from Sonya's palm.

I sighed and mock bowed to the smiling crowd around us with a red face, "T-thank you, thank you. Anyway, I appreciate you bringing Dia with you all the way is Ylisstol. I assume you passed your Gauntlet trials, Miss Sonya?"

"Yep. I'm pleased to say Cordy did too, although she's to stay at the garrison at the Sunstone Keep. The Plegians across the border are sending in raiding parties more and more often. It's tough for the other Knights to track them all, and Chief Knight Matillia said they needed top notch talent like Cordelia to help out."

"So why did Chief Matillia let you go?"

"Oh, she just said that a certain Lady of hers needed aerial scouts to help out with recon duty as part of her Arrowhead Scouts in service to Chrom's Shepards." She gave me a wink, "I think that retired Pegasus Knight that commands the garrison with an iron fist may have a hidden soft spot for you, milady."

Great, another comedian. Just what I needed. I shook hands with her and attempted a smile, "Welcome to the Arrowhead Scouts Sonya. You and Dia can wait with the other Shepards and Scouts in the barracks. Be sure to touch base with Revellia as she will be your tag team partner in the air.

"Gotcha boss." She bowed and led Aysel on her reins as Dia snuggled into my side and ran off after them.

Lissa gushed, "Wow, your new flunkies are so cute, Mimi!"

"Please Princess Lissa, I am not amassing a doll collection. They are my trusted allies, as you are."

The blond princess giggled in response. "Anyway, let's go meet big sis! C'mon Robin and Mimi!"

"Of course. Scouts dismissed!"

My retainers saluted and rode off to the stables to tend to their mounts, and then take a much needed break after fight Risen in the middle of a raging forest fire.

…

I was frankly pleased to finally get away from the teasing, and I was looking forward to meeting Exalt Emmeryn again, as I owed her my freedom. Surprisingly when we arrived there were only a few guards in the cavernous throne room, although the ever faithful Phila was by her liege's side. I glanced over my shoulder once at the now empty balcony where I had nearly blown up the court thanks to Duke Rachelon's misguided vendetta against me. I felt a brief flare of anxiety but I managed to tamp it down. Although it had only been a few days ago, it had felt like a lifetime ago. I stood next to Robin as the Prince and Princess approached their sibling.

The blond Exalt smiled beneficently at her family, "Greetings Chrom and Lissa…and Frederick too. Welcome home. How fared you all?"

Chrom made an expansive gesture, "Well the bandit problem to the South is resolved, thanks to some quick work by our new allies."

She sighed softly, looking concerned, "And our people?"

The Prince scratched his head, "As safe as they can be. Unfortunately the Shepards can't be everywhere at once."

Philia's dark pink eyes looked distressed, "Forgive me, your Lordship. You only have three Pegasus Knights at your disposal, milord. I should have deployed the rest to deal with the incursions."

Chrom emphatically shook his head, "Your place is by the Exalt's side, Philia. That's what the Pegasus Knights are charged to do, above all other duties."

"And we had plenty of backup," Lissa chimed in cheerfully. "With Mimi and Robin on our side, how could we lose?"

Robin shifted uneasy from one foot to the other as the blue-grey eyes of Ylisse's ruler was fixed on her, She made a deep bow of respect, "Your majesty."

"So you are a new ally to my brother, correct?"

"Indeed." Chrom looked immensely pleased, "Robin has a gift for strategy and helped the Shepards to cut down the Brigands with ease. I'm proud to appoint her as the official Tactician for the Shepards."

The Exalt's firm expression softened and she smiled at the nervous newcomer, "I see. It appears that Ylisse owes you a great debt of gratitude, Miss Robin."

A flustered Robin spoke too fast, "Not at all, milady!"

A scowling Frederick spoke up coldly, "Forgive me, your Highness, but I feel compelled to speak." He looked over at the platinum-blond Tactician and continued, "She claims to have lost her memories; but it just that, a claim without proof. We cannot eliminate the possibility that she is rogue Brigand, or an agent of the Plegian Kingdom."

Chrom looked positively irate, "Frederick!"

Emmeryn looked at the Knight calmly, "Yet you let her into this castle. If your mistrust was so great, why let her come near me?"

"Apologies, your Highness. It is Chrom's wish to afford her the courtesy deserved by any other Shepard."

She turned back to her younger brother, "So she has your trust, Chrom?"

"Absolutely. She put her life on the line for our people, just as Lady Mimi has. That's good enough in my book."

"I see. Miss Robin; as you have earned my brother's faith in you, so have you earned mine as well."

Robin looked a little stunned, and muttered softly, "Your h-highness."

"Thank you for your ever present vigilance and prudence Frederick. I do hope my dear brother and sister remember to thank you for your service from time to time."

Both Chrom and Lissa looked mildly embarrassed to be chided by their elder sibling.

"Both milord and milady have expressed something…akin to gratitude on occasion," Frederick answered diplomatically. He looked at the Chief Pegasus Knight with concern, "Knight Philia, I assume you are up to speed on the Risen situation?"

"Yes, Sir Frederick. Sightings have been reported all over the Halidom."

"Very well, thank you for all your efforts. Go get some rest." Emmeryn placed her hand on Chrom's shoulder, "I would like to hold council with you if you do not mind."

"Not at all, sister."

Lissa took both Robin and my arm in hers and brightly stated, "That's our cue to skedaddle! C'mon Mimi, let's show Robin the barracks."

Robin was still in shock and settled for a simple nod.

I was now deeply worried. Risen sighting all over the place? What was behind this? This was turning into a far more dire situation than a few stray Brigands.