Chapter 12-Lark

Lissa released us as we exited the palace, and giggled. "Gee Robin, I thought you were going to faint when meeting Emm."

The tactician sighed, "I-I'm so sorry Lissa. I remember Chrom's face so vividly, yet I failed to recollect that he had a younger and an older sister; one of whom is the ruler of Ylisse. I was desperately trying to remember anything about the Exalt and Knight Philia, yet all I could come up with was a memory of an unbearable and bitter heartache."

I looked at her with concern, "Were you in pain? Were you afraid of them or-"

"No! I mean, yes…I was intimidated by them, but the pain was feeling a strange sort of absence, like when you've lost something irreplaceable."

Lissa sighed in recognition, "Yeah. My mom died just after having me. Father was always off on his endless crusades to crush the Grimleal, even if it meant having to slay every man woman and child in Plegia. Emm once told me that he didn't see me for the first time until I was just over a year old. I was so young when he died; I didn't even shed a tear at his memorial." She looked up at the sky with a contemplative expression. "I never really knew him as a father. He was more of an unreachable legend than a man in my mind." She looked at as both with a melancholy smile, "How do you morn a stranger?"

Both Robin and I were quiet as neither of us had any words of comfort. I was a bit stunned to realize that despite all of Lissa's proud bloodline and lionized status as a Royal; in actually I had at least one advantage over her of actually been quite close to my parents. Though my parents were backstabbing, twisted people who betrayed their Exalt, I had been inconsolable after their murders. Only my bonds with Matillia, and later Vanny, Siff and Aabis had given me comfort. I had mourned my loss as a wee tot, and in a way I still did today. I stretched out my arms as I unwound my tension-filled muscles from the anxiety of meeting Exalt Emmeryn for the second time.

Unexpectedly a brown and black feathered songbird flew out of a nearby treetop and landed on my arm. I gaped as I recognized that this was a Black-hooded Lark, a bird described in a song handed down by my own mother before her untimely death. As deeply conflicting memories echoed in my head, the bird chirped and took off again, and vanished over the barracks roofline.

Lissa smiled, "Aww you really have a way with animals, Mimi."

I shrugged as we crossed the gardens. Soon enough as I attempted to enter the barracks, the door unexpectedly gave me a lot of trouble to push it in. "Gods," I fumed as I strained to shove the door open, and I heard a mechanism whirr as the hiss of water flowed up from underground up over our heads. I blinked in frustration and puzzlement as both Lissa and Robin tried the door to the same effect.

The Princess panted from the effort, "Why…why is that dang door so hard to…open?"

"Apologies, Your Highness, miladies," came a warm voice. We turned to see Daisuke busy plumbing crude wooden water pipes across the ceiling. He was covered with sweat as he was shirtless as he worked on his latest half-cocked scheme. Anyone could see his tan skin had numerous small scars and burns from his multiple failed experiments. His messy hair was sweat stained as he looked at us with an apologetic expression in his green eyes. He helpfully explained, "I'm just rigging a system to tie a water pump to both a washing tub here in the barracks and the horse troughs in the adjacent stables. Every time you open the door, it pumps three gallons onto a roof-mounted cistern."

I groaned softly until I realized that he had an appreciative audience. I shook my head in mild amusement as I saw Siffra, Xolette and Sonya were all watching the oddball mechanist hard at work with mesmerized expressions. I cleared my throat and all of them of them sheepishly came to attention.

I walked over while trying with mixed success to obscure my mirth, "How's it going, ladies?"

Sonya stood her ground boldly. She giggled and winked, "Oh, very well, milady."

Xolette blushed in her tan cheeks, bowed politely and exited into a side room in mortification without a word.

"Sorry Mimi, I'll just go…sharpen something," Siff said with a chuckle as she gently tapped her forehead with a balled fist as a 'silly me' gesture. She quickly skipped off to the stables whistling to herself.

I had to concede that skilled if slightly insane mechanical genius was quite handsome. I hypocritically snuck a glance myself before, as I watched him exit outside. I then passed by the knight in the massive silver suit of armor with brown hair standing around and casually remarked, "Hello, Sir Kellam."

He nearly dropped his lance in shock, and stammered in shock, "Lady Mimika! How did you ever spot me?"

Why was he always so surprised? Wasn't he as obvious as the sun in the sky encased in that reflective steel shell? "Hmm? I just did," I replied with a shrug. "Get some rest while you can. With Plegia's provocations, I'm certain we will be on the move by morning."

"Y-yes ma'am," he replied obediently.

"Mimika if you want to be formal, Sir Kellam. Mimi if you would like to be more casual. Either way I don't like being called ma'am."

He gave a broad smile, "Yes, of course, Lady Mimika. A-and…thanks for noticing me."

I sat down at the broad rough-hewn oaken table and chatted with Lissa and Robin as Dia in her maid outfit came in with a serving tray, teas and snacks. My old friend Sir Aabis sat down and happily regaled us with tales of his mountainous home. My Scouts trickled in for the expected meeting and sat on benches against the stone wall.

…

Not long afterwards, we were joined by four of the Shepards. Two I had met previously. One was the hotheaded tomboy Sully who took bluntness to an entirely new level. The second was the incorrigible flirt Virion who made me deeply uncomfortable; partly because of his banter, and partly because his accent was so similar to my dead mother's.

The third I had seen before, guarding the Exalt during my trial. He was a blond, axe-wielding, muscle-bound Fighter with rugged good looks, a muscular body, wild hair pulled back with a headband, and dark eyes that burned with passionate intensity. His attire, or lack thereof, was and iron collar with broken chains, black pants with armored dirty gold shin guards, a metal plate over his belly secured with a belt, and a steel guard extending from his left wrist to his shoulder. He bellowed to the entire room, "Enter the Vaike!" His eyes lit up at the tray of food and he helped himself with dirty fingers, much to Dia's flustered chagrin. "Mhhhf-good stuff! Hey, Lissa, where's Chrom? Ol' teach will give him some schooling!"

The Princess giggled, "He's meeting with sis. And you'll end up in detention if you go up against him again."

He beamed, "Gee thanks…hey! Was that an insult?"

Lissa winked at the annoyed Fighter with a playful grin. Better that she pick on Vaike than on me, I cravenly reasoned.

The last Shepard to enter was a Pegasus Knight at Vaike's side. She sighed at her ally's antics. "Mister Vaike, please don't speak so disrespectfully about our Captain." I knew from descriptions of her that this was undoubtedly Lady Sumia, a noblewoman who came from a long line of Pegasus Knights going back at least five generations. She was a cute girl, with long brown hair flowing past her shoulders. A clip shaped like a pair of light pink wings secured her ponytail. Her bright brown eyes were anxiously scanning around the room. She wore a brown sleeveless dress, thigh-high boots, and the standard pastel pink steel armor over her arms, shoulders, and chest.

I stood up and gave a respectful wave, and felt a surge of elation as I knew I was in the presence of legends, despite their eccentricities. "Greetings, Shepards. I am very honored and humbled to be working with you all. I swear that the Scouts will give it their all in the field."

Lissa giggled, "You're always so earnest my dear Mimi."

My brown-haired friend Aabis chuckled, "Yeah she's always been way too serious, even when we were playing hide and seek or tag."

I hissed at my old friend, "Shush! I'm sure these wonderful people don't care to hear about my silly childhood."

He looked at me with a twinkle in his violet eyes.

In the meantime, Dia returned with a fresh tray of treats and a refilled pot of tea and tried with limited success to stifle a smile.

A familiar Troubadour nearly bowled over poor Sumia in her haste to reach her best friend. Maribelle spoke with urgency flashing in her brown eyes, "Lissa my darling! Are you alright? I was on pins and needles after hearing about your close call."

Lissa beamed happily as she embraced her friend, "Hey Mari! How's it going?"

"Feh! 'Hey Mari' yourself. How can you be so cavalier about nearly losing your life? I've sprouted at least a dozen grey hairs fretting over you."

Lissa giggled nonchalantly, "You worry too much. I'm not as delicate as I look ya' know. I did okay in battle…except for the gross bugs and bear barbeque." She stuck out her tongue in disgust.

I bowed humbly, "Thank you for your stellar defense of my despised name, Lady Maribelle. I am forever in your debt."

She turned to me and clasped my shoulder, "It was my pleasure and my duty to defend the innocent, Mimi."

"Er…pardon me for interrupting, but when might the Captain join us," Sumia meekly inquired.

Maribelle finally seemed to notice her fellow noblewoman, "Poor dear. Sumia has been too anxious looking for Chrom to pay attention to her training regimen. My healing staff got quite the workout healing her from her extra bruises. I suspect she may have performed better blindfolded."

Virion patted Sumia on the shoulder, "Ahh, mon chérie. Fear not, for if you ever need-" He was interrupted by Sully kicking his shin. He sighed, flicked his hair, and edged away from both ladies.

Lissa smiled broadly as Sumia fidgeted at Maribelle's ribbing. "Aww, that's awfully sweet of you to worry over my brother. I guess you really like him."

"Ahahaha! Of course I worry about Prince Chrom. He is the Captain of the Shepards, and our beloved leader. I worry about Lady Mimika too as she has taken the Scouts into mortal danger."

Don't drag me into this I protested mutely to myself. I heard Siff giggle loudly behind me as she enjoyed my embarrassment.

Vaike blinked as he looked around the room, "Lotta new faces. Are your people Shepards too, Lady Mimikins?"

I sputtered as I blushed intensely. I couldn't honestly tell if he botched my name as a crude attempt at making a pass at me or though sheer stupidity. I indicated my loyal teammates with a wave, "W-we-we're the A-arrowhead Scouts, Mister V-vaike." I took a deep breath to calm myself, "The Scouts include my Cavalier S-siffra, Priest Bhavin, Pegasus Knights Revellia and Sonya, Archers Ronna and Raquelle, Mages Xolette and Iniabi, and Lancer Aabis. The support team includes Finchson, his wife Faeni, their infant daughter Phersolla, and my maidservant Dia."

"That's nice but I'm gonna forget everyone's names anyway. Sorry." He had a big grin on his mug as he took in the sight of the crowded room and then focused on Robin, "So who's that stranger then?"

"Hmm? There's nobody stranger than you Vaike," the Princess effortlessly dinged him again. "Anyway, this is Robin, our supremely talented Tactician that Chrom recruited. She can use swords and tomes, and can command our forces without breaking a sweat. There's nothing she can't do."

"Oh, is that so? Can she do this?" He looked about to belch loudly when Maribelle's parasol whapped over his head. Nearly everyone in the room heard the crack and flinched.

The blond noblelady snapped, "Show some manners for once, you asinine buffoon!" She burned Vaike with a reproachful glare, gave a ladylike huff and exited through the door.

"Oww! That hurt!"

Robin giggled with an amused smile, "I see you have must to show me about annoying ladies, 'Teach'."

The Fighter laughed off the pain, "What can I say? I'm a natural."

With that, Chrom pulled the weighted door open oblivious to the extra pull required and entered the room with large strides. Frederick followed in closely behind.

An agitated Sumia, turned and spoke in a rush, "Captain! You're back. I was-I mean we all we so worried about you."

"I'm fine, just a bit tired. I just had a long, long chat with my sister."

Sumia strode forwards with a relieved smile on her face, when without warning, she tripped headalong forwards. Surprisingly didn't hit the ground, but levitated about a foot up, before gently dropping down to the stone floor.

I was puzzled until I saw Iniabi smirk as a loose page ripped from a tome turned to dust in his palm. He winked to me, and used his index finger over his lip to indicate for me to keep his actions quiet.

Chrom ran over and knelt by her side, "Are you okay? Are those boots of yours still causing trouble for you?"

She shook her head and blushed as he helped her up with her hand, and sighed deeply.

Our Prince looked over the room with an encouraging smile, "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow we'll be taking the Northroad to Regina Ferox."

Robin's eyebrow arched, "Regina Ferox? Is that a person or a place?"

The Pink-armored Pegasus Knight's smile returned, "It's a place, Miss Robin. It's a Kingdom to our North inhabited by barbarians, and many great warriors.

"Correct Sumia. Emmeryn has given us leave to forge an alliance with them to combat the Brigands sent by King Gangrel. Normally she would take this task upon herself, but under the current circumstances, it is better that I go as her emissary. We wouldn't want the populace to fret over her safety now that we have Brigand bands and hordes of the undead Risen to contend with." He gave everyone in the room a stern look, "Needless to say this will be a dangerous mission, and strictly voluntary. There is no shame-"

Lissa raised her hand high, "I'm going!"

"Don't forget to bring ol' Teach along, Chrom," Vaike gleefully added.

Kellam stood at attention, "I'm at your disposal, Chrom." His expression sagged as he realized that nobody seemed to acknowledge him.

I spoke up, "Sir Kellam wants to join the expedition, Chrom."

Chrom looked confused, "Okay."

The knight flashed me a grateful smile. I sheepishly waved him off as I didn't feel like it was a big deal. "The Scouts are ready anytime, Chrom."

"Good to hear Mimi. Oh, Archivist Mitsuji needs to see you right before we leave. Make sure you see him right before breakfast."

"Yes sir."

Sumia sighed and turned away.

Chrom noticed and spoke softly, "What is it?"

Sumia looked despondent, "Oh! Oh, Captain, I'd love to go, but I don't have a mount. Alabaster died last month right after I passed my trials. I d-don't know how much use you can get from a grounded Pegasus Knight."

Revillia looked her comrade in arms sympathetically, "The Shepard's needs are greater than mine. You can use Serendipity until Chief Knight Philia assigns a new mount to you"

"Oh thank you," Sumia gushed as she hugged the green-haired Knight. "Look, thanks so much, Revellia. I am deeply touched. But the Arrowhead Scouts specialize in Recon missions. You need him more than I do."

Revellia looked a bit pink in the cheeks after her ally's enthusiastic hug. "P-prince Chrom…what do you say?"

The Prince smiled warmly, "Thanks for the offer, but Sumia is right." He turned to the Noblewoman, "Trust me, even on foot, I'm certain you'll come in handy on this mission, Sumia."

"O-kay, Captain. I trust your judgment, of course."

"Stick close to me, and it will work out."

She saluted sharply, "O-of course sir! I'll do the Shepards' proud."

"Good. You all have your orders. Dismissed."

…

Later that night in the barracks I stared at the wooden beams on the ceiling, ruminating on our upcoming perilous journey to Regina Ferox. The hard straw mattress on the plank bed wasn't terribly comfortable either, and I kept tossing instead of slumbering. A storm was brewing and I knew we would soon be lost in the blinding rain, and wind. I hoped against hope that it would all work out, but I wasn't even sure if praying to gods would do us any good.

"Milady?"

I turned and saw Dia rubbing her eyes and yawing as she looked up at me with concern from her straw bed on the floor. I felt guilty for waking her up with my self-pitying sighs, "I'm sorry dear. I'm just overthinking things as usual."

"Don't worry." My maid smiled in understanding and spoke soothingly, "If you don't mind, can you sing Alouette? Please?"

I nodded my head bemusedly at her nightly request. At the Sunstone Keep, just before turning in I would always make time to stop by Dia's room to sing her a lullaby or read her a chapter from a story on a nightly basis. The songs and stories would rotate, but she would always request the same lullaby as the finale every time.

It was a frankly gruesome song from the country of Rosanne where my mother had been born. A lifetime ago, my mother had regaled me with it every night, and I had always loved it for its lilting refrain, and cheerfully bouncing verses. It was not until I was eight, four years after her death, that I had worked up the nerve to translate the horrifying lyrics in the library. After that I felt an even more bittersweet attachment to the song, as I felt my mother had ended up a martyr like the poor bird in the lullaby. I finally decided to ask Dia outright, "Why do you always like to hear Alouette of all things? You know it's a song about plucking feathers out of a dead lark, right?"

Her brown eyes looked at me in the dim candlelight with a nostalgic expression, "Because it always makes me think of you, milady. You were the caged bird that hateful people abused, blamed, and used as a scapegoat, despite being innocent of any crime. It makes me feel so sad and yet it warms my heart whenever you sing it to me."

I chuckled in self recognition, "One plucked Lark, coming up."

She beamed and turned to watch my face.

I sang in a soothing voice, "Alouette, gentille Alouette. Alouette, je t'ai plumerai…"