Chapter 16-Reunion

That afternoon, Feroxi troops had escorted the Irregulars, Revellia and myself through one of the Longfort's open gates. The suspicious lead knight of the castle, Raimi, was a short-haired blond clad in silver armor. She gruffly allowed us passage into the Western keep tower where the West-Khan's forces gathered. I guessed by her slight limp that she had crossed swords with the Shepards while I was imprisoned.

The three sellswords that had survived the battle were chained together in an open-topped wagon driven by a rather odd looking redhead with pointed orange-red canine ears and an almost irresistibly fluffy vulpine tail. Obviously she hailed from some sort of beastkin tribe I had never read about. Despite the Mage Moon's endless carping about the unfairness of his situation, she hadn't turned to rebuke him a single time. That had been left to the Beserker Heart, who unceremoniously whapped him upside the head. That single gesture had been more than sufficient to silence the Astrologer. The Myrmidon Therion looked morosely at his feet the entire ride, looking up only once at me to silently mouth some sort of apology. As soon as we passed by the gatehouse, the prisoners were transported to the dungeons.

During the short journey, Kasrin had explained the terms of my debt. Apparently Marth had negotiated some sort of accord with the current Khan, Basilio; thus the Irregulars were to fight as his champions against his arch-rival, the East-Khan Flavia. I was to fight at their side to defeat the East-Khan's champions, which I desperately prayed to Naga were not the Shepards and Scouts. I also somehow knew that I was trying to fool myself, as I knew my rotten luck would guarantee that I would be squaring off against Chrom and my own dear friends.

The lamia sisters escorted Revy and I to our Spartan quarters in the third floor of the Keep tower. Inside was a cold room with a single arrow slit window, floor mounted braziers, bearskin rugs as bedding, and the Terrible trio.

"Gods," I spat out in frustration. Raven, Regulus, and Zeno had signed up as Sellwords to the wrong side.

Raven stopped playing his bone flute and beamed at me, "Milady, it is a true honor to meet you again! Are the rest of the Scouts and the Prince with you?"

I slowly turned and pressed my head into the doorsill in extreme exasperation.

Revy's eyes registered surprise as she turned to Jezebel, "Aren't His Highness allied with the West-Khan?"

Jezzy shook her head with regret showing in her green luminescent eyes, "Chrom is with Flavia. Marth is with Basilio."

"Oh…oh no! We're fighting with the wrong Khan?" She panicked and I had to grab her by the shoulders as she started to sob, "Raq, I can't fight you! I'm so sorry milady, but I can't fight our friends."

I drew her into a warm hug and softly stroked her hair, "No Revy. You're sitting this one out. I'm in charge and I order you to stay out of the fight. I won't have you risk your life to raise your lance against our allies and family. Leave that debt to me." I was used to heavy burdens of guilt and self-loathing all my life after all; how was one more sin going to matter?

"N-no milady. I will still use my healing stave. I won't let you put this entirely on your own. You need my support."

I flashed a brief smile at my selfless Pegasus knight as I wiped the wetness from her cheeks, "Revy, stand down. That is an order."

Her muddled hazel eyes looked at the floor in resignation, "But, mila…I u-understand."

I exhaled in relief, and bowed to Jezebel and gave Lily a brief hug. Jezzy remained aloof, but of course the impish Lily gave both Revelia and I lovingly crushing embraces before shutting the door and granting us privacy with the sellswords. I somehow knew the red-scaled lamia would be guarding our door all night as her obsession with me wouldn't allow her to willingly leave my side.

I sighed and flopped on the beast hide blankets as my healed over wounds still ached incessantly. "So let me guess, your brilliant plan was to cross the border and ally yourself with one of the Khans before you found out which one would pick Chrom as their champion?"

Regulus stood by the window and stared impassively out at the snowy expanse with his broad back to us, "So says the Paraglaive that blindly repeated our mistake."

I waved off an indignant Revillia before she had a chance to chide the Sniper. I knew he wasn't truly capable of remorse, so why bother admonishing him? "I did not agree to side with Khan Basilio; Kasrin did. However, because the Irregulars rescued the two of us, I had a debt to repay in kind." I shook my head as I stared at the ceiling, "I can only hope Marth wants aid for Ylisse as well, or I may as well go back into exile."

Raven smiled brightly and attempted to be tactful, "Baslio is…um…boisterous. But I think if his Champion wins, he will have a self interest to help Ylisse lest he face Plegia's raids on two borders."

"Khan Basilio is a cussing, conniving son of a dastard…while is why I liked him on sight," Zeno added with a cheeky grin. "He'll help out our Exalt come what may."

"For all our necks, I hope you're right Zeno." I gave a stern nod, "For what it's worth, I am very happy to fight at your side again."

"Likewise milady," Raven replied with a sweet smile.

Zeno gave a thumbs up before sitting on his own mattress.

Regulus crossed his arms and predictably ignored our touching moment.

Revy lay out on the next bearskin over and stretched out unhappily, "Goodnight everyone. Sleep well."

…

Starlight was faintly visible out the window as I awoke some hours later and shivered in the chilled room. I turned to see Revellia had fallen into an exhausted slumber. I noted that both Raven and Zeno were quietly conversing in the near darkness as the fire was down to softly glowing coals. Of course Regulus was slumbering soundly. Why is it that those with no conscience always seemed to get the best sleep?

Rave noted my gaze and smiled gently. He softly whispered, "Care to take a walk, milady?"

I nodded and sat up. Soon enough we were seated in a barrack's mess hall. To my utter lack of surprise both Jezzy and Lily were stationed outside of the room. The elder twin remained to look after Reg and Revy while Lily unsurprisingly tailed us.

We had chatted amicably about our less than idyllic childhoods as we snacked on wine, cheese and bread, and I was grateful that despite my family's disgrace, at least one positive legacy was the use of the Paraglaive manse as an orphanage.

I had just finished singing Alouette to my appreciative audience. Both Raven and Lilith applauded softly so as not to wake anyone else up. I stood up and gave an exaggerated bow, "Thank you kindly. Now it's your turn."

Zeno chuckled sheepishly, "I didn't bring my Zither with me. My singing voice ain't too grand either."

"Nonsense, your voice is fine," Raven retorted. "Hmm. This is an old Chon'sin folksong that one of nanny's taught us years ago. Still remember the lyrics, brother?"

"For Sakura? Yep."

Raven started to play an eerie melody using a music scale I had never heard of before that sent shivers down my spine with its winsome longing. Apparently their elderly nanny Nori'kan had dreamed of returning to her far off homeland but used this simple melody to express her heartache over the being unable to see the annual spring Cheery tree blooms of her homeland. Sadly, when the boys had been young teenagers, she had passed away due to infirmity and age and had been buried in the back gardens with a Cherry tree planted over her grave in her memory by the appreciative orphans.

Zeno, to his credit, nearly was on key as he softly sung, "Sakura, Sakura, noyamamo satomo, miwatasu kagiri…"

Much to my surprise, a soft feminine voice piped up faintly around the corner, "…kasumika kumoka asahini niou. Sakura, saku…Oh plop."

Zeno burst out laughing, "Come and join us, Irregulars. We could use the company."

A very sheepish girl in her Pegasus Knight attire with straight bangs obscuring her eyes and long hair reaching her waist rounded the corner. I noticed she had dyed her normally light hair black to obscure her identity to her parents. Sakuya mumbled bashfully, "H-how long did you know I was here?"

Lily giggled, "I knew all along. Ya smell nice, sweetie."

"Try not to sneak up on a thief. You'll live longer," Zeno added nonchalantly.

Raven calmly flipped his flute into his little leather pouch again, "It is a beautiful song, no?"

I noticed that both Mika and Nobuya came around the corner as well. The female Myrmidon smirked at the scene and snarked, "Told you to keep your pretty mouth shut, Kuya."

"But Buna, it's such a sentimental song. I'm s-so sorry, but I was so charmed I had to sing along."

Mika stifled a huge yawn and eagerly eyed me with large puppy-dog eyes. I wearily waved her over so she could use my lap again. I sighed in bemusement and felt a twinge of guilt for abandoning the poor dear, "Go ahead, Mika. Hello again Sakuya and Nobuna."

Rave chuckled as he saw the green-haired Manakete girl make herself at home. He inquired curiously, "Who taught it to you?"

Oh Gods, I thought to myself as I belatedly noted the similar delicate features and rarified beauty in both father and daughter. I tried my best to keep my face neutral as Rave had a casual chat with his sire from the future borne by a woman he had yet to meet. Mika was already blissfully content lying on the bench seat staring up at me with an adoring gaze.

Sakuya took a tentative step forwards and bowed formally, "My dearly departed father taught me that folk song. His singing voice was truly the match of my late mother's."

Raven gave a reassuring smile, but I could read the obvious sorrow in his expression. "You have my deepest condolences, Miss Sakuya."

Oh, if only you knew, I thought.

Zeno gave a sympathetic glance, "Miss, the Terrible trio and Lady Mimi here were all orphaned as toddlers. We can relate…trust us on that."

"Many thanks Mister Zeno, Mister Raven, and Lady Mimika."

Nobuya shook her head as she speared a slice of cheese, "Always too polite for your own good, Kuya."

Mika replied and sighed happily, "They're nice people. There's no harm in being friendly."

"So are you really a Manakete, Miss Mika," Zeno asked with too obvious interest.

The girl nodded from my lap and smiled at the green-haired thief. "I am, Mister Zeno. My mother was too."

So this was undoubtedly the second reunion between the Terrible trio and their spirited daughters. I could tell that Zeno was fascinated with Manaketes, especially considering his side storage pouch had a dragon embossed into its side, and his belt buckle was shaped like a Manakete face. Connecting the dots meant that Nobuna was related to Regulus, Sakuya to Raven, and Mika to Zeno. It was downright unsettling and a little sad to consider that everyone in the room knew this was a family reunion except the oblivious fathers themselves.

"I'd love to team up with you in battle tomorrow, Mika," the thief enthused.

"Sure, Mister Zeno."

I shook my head and got an idea that made me nearly break out in laughter. "Well, if no one objects, I am a tactician by training. How about if Sakuya and Raven pair up in tomorrow's battle?"

Sakuya bit her lower lip in a bid to restrain her glee. She nodded a bit too eagerly, "Y-yes, of course f-I mean Mister Raven."

"It would be an honor to protect you, Miss Sakuya."

The poor Pegasus knight looked beside herself as her face flushed.

"Nobuna, do you object to teaming up with Regulus?"

The Myrmidon looked at me sharply, but then slowly shook her head.

"Mika, how about you watch Zeno's back?"

"Okaaaaay," a drowsy girl agreed.

Zeno chuckled, "Sounds like a plan. I'm in."

Lily giggled as she draped an arm around my shoulder, "How'bout you pair up with me, milady?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded in assent, "F-fine. You win Lily."

"Yay!"

"Shh, quiet," I hissed sharply.

"Oops. Heehee."

Soon afterwards we returned to our quarters, and I knew I would be able to sleep soundly. I had renewed hope that maybe Marth would actually stoop to joining forces against King Gangrel.

…

The next morning, it took about twenty seconds to have my reality check drop kick me in the back of my skull.

I stood in a vast twelve-sided cylindrical combat arena with a spiral shaped mosaic adorning the floor, and a vast dome above with a round hole in the roof. I stood next to the Hero King, and our voices echoed off the unforgiving stone, "I have no interest in joining the Shepards, Lady Paraglaive."

I winced at the door being slammed in my face. "B-but, Your Highness…isn't your goal to win the tournament so that the Khan will aid Ylisse, and the Exalt Emmeryn?"

The handsome lad looked at me with his eyes hidden behind his butterfly mask, giving him an inscrutable air. "You misunderstand. I must ensure Prince Chrom can withstand the burdens to come. You cannot test a weapon's true potential except in battle."

I bowed politely, "Yes your h-highness. I will fight by your side as I owe Mister Kasrin a great debt, but f-frankly I hope we lose."

Marth shot me a withering look, which made me avert my eyes immediately. "Tell me something, Lady Paraglaive."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"What do you actually know of what is to come?" He frowned deeply, "Although it would be more expedient, it is not in my nature to end your life even though you possess forbidden knowledge."

I shivered involuntarily at his implied threat. "I…er…I have seen visions from Mika's memories twice. I know that I blow myself up about ten years into the future to save the next generation of warriors from a Risen attack. I know sometime after that my old domain was completely destroyed by Plegian fanatics and the undead. I know that many warriors of the present have children that fight against a threat to our entire world. I already know who the fathers or mothers are of many of your followers. I also…know that you are a linchpin to saving the past from our mistakes."

Marth sighed deeply, and softened for the first time that I had known him. "Do not blame yourself too harshly Lady Paraglaive. You could not have possibly known what was to be." He idly caressed the handle of his replica Falchion, "After this fight, you are free to return to Prince Chom's side. Do not speak of what you know if you value his life and your Exalt's."

I bowed deeply, "I will. Thank you, Your Highness."

"It is time."

The doors opened behind us, and Kasrin's Irregulars and my four Arrowhead Scouts calmly took their positions in the field. I saw Kasrin, Jezebel, Lilith, Mika, Nobuya, Sakuya and a Kitsune beastkin named Kayda file in single file and silently take their positions. Right behind them, Zeno, Raven and Regulus joined the squad. Then to my utter shock, I blinked in disbelief as I saw Moon, Therion and Heart joined our side. Marth had obviously released them to atone for their actions in my kidnapping.

In the balcony levels hugging four of the walls over the arena floor, I saw numerous Feroxi nobles from both the East and the West region of Regina Ferox. Over the balcony tier over our door I instantly recognized the burly, dark-skinned bald axe-wielder with an eyepatch as Khan Basilio. Meekly standing at the far end of the overhanging rail was a forlorn-looking Revellia.

That meant the strong tan-skinned blond on the other end of the room was undoubtedly Khan Flavia.

The opposite door opened and the Shepards and Arrowhead Scouts entered at several hundred paces distance. The Prince was followed by Princess Lissa, Sir Frederick, Sir Kellam, Sir Sully, Sir Stahl, Virion, Sumia, and Robin. The Scouts included Siffra, Bhavin, Ronna, Raquelle, Sonya, Iniabi, and Xolette.

Chrom's eyes widened as he spotted not only his frienemy Marth, but also his Arrowhead Scout leader coordinating the tactics of his opponent!

Gods, I was going to be sent to Grima's side for this wasn't I?