Chapter 21-Connections

The journey to Plegia had taken three days hard riding. Two hours after traversing the border of my domain we approached the town of Vicateria. I was a little discombobulated at the sight of the familiar trading town in the distance as only weeks earlier I had been holed up in the Sunstone Keep; loathing myself and feeling that I deserved to rot in that lonely outpost forever. I was not a woman of great faith, but I honestly wondered if Naga had taken pity on me; maybe everything that had led to the formation of the Arrowhead Scouts was by fate.

I looked over to Lily in her human guise as she rode on Iniabi's former mount. Understandably, the talented mage had opted to ride with Calithea on her Pegasus; thus he had graciously offered the use of his pony Onyx to the irrepressible lamia. She had informed me before we had set out that although her understanding of the politics twenty years in her past were muddied at best, she had remarked that war had broken out between Ylisse and Plegia, and it had led to Chrom becoming Exalt. As the Prince would never willingly usurp his beloved sister, it could only mean that the Exalt had died some years prior to Lily's birth.

"A copper for your thoughts, Mimi," the young lady in the guard outfit inquired with a saucy smirk.

I sighed softly as I looked up at the bright blue sky dotted with clouds. "Honestly, Lily…why did you choose a gloomy mope like me, of all people? Surely you could have looked for a partner that was bright and cheerful, and didn't possess all my flaws, toxic bloodline and ill fortune."

Much to my shock, her expression became somber, "Until Master Kasrin rescued sis and me, my luck was no better than yours. Her brick red eyes regarded me intently, as her mouth drew into a small smile, "I lost my folks young too; so I know your despair well. All the Irregulars described how kind, gentle and giving ya were no matter how much plop was thrown at'cha." She stoked her mount's black mane affectionately, and handed over a cameo picture in a locket that contained a miniature painting of my pallid face with streaks of grey hair and horrid scars covering half of my face. I looked more a scary ghost than a person.

I winced at the sight, as I remembered my horrifying, haunted face from Mika's telepathically leaked memories. I spoke in a slightly miffed tone, "I look like a shipwreck in this portrait. This awful image and the stories Kasrin spun convinced you that I was your destined partner? Seriously?"

She took the locket back, "Ya! Of course, cutie."

Lilith could never resist the banter, I wearily realized. "Look, I know being my stalker must be endlessly diverting, but I am not worth obsessing over."

"Ya know I was going to be a breeding machine for the Grimleal, right? I can bear anyone's child. It is in my blood to have many loves." She giggled as she saw my soft blush, "However, after I was freed, I decided that I only wanted one soul to tie myself to the way my mama had. I pledged to Naga that if I ever met ya, then I would be yours alone. I wanted a girl like my mama; one who was fair, kind and gracious to all no matter who they were." She pointed her finger at me with an amused twinkle in her eyes, "So…I…choose…ya."

I reached over and pushed away her hand as I turned away with red cheeks, "Please stop mooning over me, Lily. Siff, Raq and Revy are far kinder than I am. Why not spend time with any of them, and see if your feelings about me fade?"

"They're all babes, true. But I don't go after someone just because I can. Yah're the only one for me." She clasped my gloved hand, kissed it, and then released it.

Naga preserve me.

Luckily for my sanity, Revy flew overhead, circled and gracefully landed next to us, with her elder sister seated behind her. Her brown Pegasus Serendipity shook his black mane and neighed. The green-haired knight waved to us urgently, "Milady! Cali spotted a marauding band of Risen a league to our north heading for this road! We must stop them."

"Great! Arrowhead Scouts, Let's go," I shouted with uncharacteristic glee as I waved Lydia who was walking a few paces behind me to hop aboard. I then urged Slate off the road and into the soft earth of the meadow.

The blond soothsayer Moon ran to catch up with Lilith and mounted the saddle behind her. The Scouts were on the move.

As Lily and I led the charge the baffled Pegasus Knight flew directly overhead and wondered with a confused expression, "M-milady, how is a bunch of bloodthirsty, undead monsters a great thing?" Raquelle clung to her sister's back while stifling a giggle. The agile Archer was obviously was more clued into my predicament than her innocent sibling. Soon enough we saw the force of shambling grey-skinned monsters shambling towards the main Eastern trade route into Vicateria. I drew out my enchanted blade Schlangenfang and growled with righteous fury at these creatures that would dare to harm my people or the Exalt.

"Back to Grima with you," Siffra whooped joyfully as she charged headalong straight at the large group of cursed warriors with her lance glinting in the sunlight as the Archer Ronna sat astride her charger. Fluttering to her side, Revellia teamed up with my loyal Cavalier despite the tension between them.

Cali sailed in low with her brown eyes burning and her raven pigtails fluttering in the breeze. She readied her lance while shouting at the top of her lungs, "Beware evildoers everywhere! The Arrowhead Scouts are the arm of Naga's true justice!" Seated behind her, with his lightning tome out Iniabi beamed with delight at partnering up with a parallel version of his late wife.

Sonya was paired with the Dark Mage Xolette astride her roan Pegasus Carmine. Both Plegian girls looked at the Risen with resentful eyes as the Risen had originated in their dark desert lands.

Riding tandem on a newly purchased splotched grey mare with black spots named Patches, Raven's long black hair billowed in the breeze as he brandished his sword. Astride his mount as well, his brother Regulus had his black bow out and notched.

My dear friend Vanny urged Whitesmoke forwards accompanied by Zeno the green-haired thief. The manically grinning rogue got ready to hop off and inflict backstabbing damage to the foul creatures.

Having insisted in no uncertain terms that he would not be left behind again, the Archivist Mitsuji in his black leather armor, rode an unusual stallion named Kurotoshiro with a black coat, white mane and tail and fearsome orange eyes. His katana was out as he clearly relished finally getting out in the field and making the emissaries of the Fell Dragon Grima pay.

A proud Sir Aabis dashed forward with his enchanted spear at the ready on his brown stallion with a white forehead and spirited blue eyes. I had liked his endearingly goofy mount Lazui ever since he was a foal.

Finally aboard his chocolate brown pony Mizuyokan with a messy blond mane partly obscuring his eyes, the Myrmidon Therion grumbled as his gorgeous half-Chon'sin stalker Cynthia snuggled into his back.

With one of her delicate arms wrapped around my waist, Dia, readied several throwing knives and spoke with a slightly hitched voice, "I l-love you, mama."

"I love you too, my daughter," I replied as I wiped at my watering eyes. I couldn't believe how my ranks had swelled so dramatically in a few short weeks. It was like being in a dream where I had magically transformed from a mousy nobody into the badass leader of a crack team of elite soldiers. Still I knew that their ultimate loyalty was to Exalt Emmeryn far more than a derided Paraglaive. I shook my head defiantly as a fierce grin spread across my face; this was no time to bemoan my fate as I had been given a priceless second chance to make something of myself by my Exalt. It was time to kick some monster tail!

Much to my shock, just as Regulus, Raquelle and Ronna loosed the first volleys of arrows at the scores of Risen, a pair of combatants appeared in the middle of the battlefield in a bright flash. One was a shockingly pale, thin, young, golden blond haired woman dressed in battered and dusty leather armor, a tattered steel grey cape, scuffed boots and a crudely repaired sword with a blade featuring wave-like undulations. She spat into the ground with a scowl as she saw her monstrous opponents and braced herself for combat.

Hovering in the air next to her was a heavily scarred Wyvern with a massive, mud spattered dark grey frame and light glowing eyes; riding atop his back, its master was a muscular tan-skinned man with wild black hair, outfitted with lightweight black armor and a badly scored battle axe with a massive crack in one of its matching blades

"Shite," The Myrmidon yelled. "Just our blighted luck! Garud and wyvern, let's go out with some style!"

The annoyed wyvern tried to bite his ally's head with its razor sharp teeth at the insult, but Garud whapped the back of its skull with the haft of its axe and groused in a dull tone, "Stupid beast! Our foes are that way!" He whipped on the reins and urged his obstinate mount forwards, "Jacey, let's take as many as we can!"

"Shut up and fight, you arse!"

Both warriors looked blindsided as the Arrowhead Scouts split up and hurtled past them on both sides at full gallop.

I gave a salute as I caught their surprised eyes as I nodded politely and called out, "Welcome to the past, retainers of Hero King Marth!"

The blue-eyed swordswoman gasped, "L-lady Mimika!"

The Wyvern Rider glared at me with suspicious green eyes, and then snarked at his fellow child from the future, "Way to blow our cover, Jace."

"What? How is this my fault," Jacey snapped as we left the stunned duo behind.

Far overhead Calithea roared out to her comrades as she sailed past, "Heya Jace, and Rudy. We all fight for justice!"

Lily giggled as she called out to the scruffy pair, "Can you two stop squabblin' for a second? Get a room, why doncha'?"

My archers sent out a second volley, striking a Mage, an opposing archer, and a Malig mount. The undead enemy wyvern pinwheeled as its wing snapped in half and flattened all the nearby Risen: its rider, a myrmidon, a lance wielder, and a thief.

Revellia laughed at the sight, and she dropped off her sister and teamed up under my direction with Siff. "Hey, big sis. Great shot!"

Ronna had visible frustration in her orange eyes as she dismounted and shook her head at Raq's insanely lucky shot, as she notched a new arrow and sent it flying.

Regulus wore his perpetual frown as he jumped off gracefully from Raven's mount, and shot volley after volley at specific enemy targets. I honestly hoped he wouldn't shoot any of the Scouts in the back.

Xolette was now with Mitsuji as she roared and sent a black hissing cloud of vapor at the group of undead with glowing red eyes charging at her and her protector. The beserker roared as his body was shredded apart by Grima's foul power, followed by the Archer and swordswoman monsters. A nearby tree that had been rotted out by the spell toppled over and crushed another hapless foe.

"Weak," Mitsuji spat as his sword flashed, decapitating two Risen in a single swipe.

The three Pegasus Knights swooped in as one and tossed their lances at the lead Risen, a dark Mage. Both Sonya's and Calithea's spears found their mark, but poor Revy's lance sailed over his head.

"Pig plop," the green-haired maiden cursed bitterly, as she urged Serendipity to bank sharply upwards.

Raven, Siffra, Aabis, Therion and I reached the main line of the small army and our weapons glinted in the sunlight as we tore into the foe with seemingly effortless agility.

Cynthia laughed as she froze a small cluster of foot soldiers attacking Therion. He grunted as thanks as a nearby Archer had his eyes gouged out by his hawk Silvertail. With a quick sword thrust, the foul creature dissolved into mist.

Moon shot a lance of flame at the Dark Mage chief, but a Myrmidon Risen got in the way and was incinerated.

Sitting astride Carmine along with Cali, Iniabi shouted down as he unleashed a lightning bolt, "Take out the leader! He's controlling the rest!"

I took out one of my crystal shard bombs and activated it, "I chucked it to my lovesick follower and yelled out, "Lily!"

"Ya got it!" After catching the crimson gemstone she gleefully activated her beaststone and reverted back to her crimson-scaled lamia form. She ripped into the Risen invaders like they were wet tissue sending disarticulated arms, legs, and heads flying as she alternated with her acid breath, and super sharp claws. She then hurled the incendiary device into the stomach of the Head Risen.

"Disperse, now!" I used my Tactician magic to relay the retreat order.

Much to my chagrin, Master Proculvis was too caught up in using his flame spell to notice the command.

"Raq called out in dismay as Revy swooped in and plucked her sister up and out of the danger zone. The panicked Archer yelled, "Moon no!"

A grey wyvern spun in from overhead and tackled the hapless mage behind a rock outcropping just as a titanic explosion tore through the mob, converting the boss and most of his followers into tiny grey chunks.

After the hissing fragments and the patter of excavated earth and rocks finished pelting the area 100 paces in each direction, my eyesight returned from the glare of the blast and I saw a massive smoldering crater where the enemy had once stood.

I sheathed my sword and called out to my victorious followers, "Well done Scouts! We'll have quite the tale to tell at the Sunstone Keep later tonight!"

The Arrowhead Scouts cheered as they had made quick work of our undead opponents. However, my immediate concern was my pinned Mage. I rode out over to the seared rocks where a bloodied Soothsayer gaped up at the hissing Wyvern with an expression of terror mixed with awe.

Jacey dismounted and motioned for Garud to urge his draconic mount to hop off the stunned spellcaster and fortune teller. She gave a curt nod as she handed over a healing vulnerary, "Are you okay?"

He swigged the potion and his cuts sealed over rapidly, "I…I am thanks to your quick wits. I heartily and sincerely wish to convey my utmost appreciation for your timely aid, Miss."

I heaved a sigh of relief as he seemed to be in one piece. Thank Naga.

Jacey flashed a tight smile, "Good to hear you dastard." She then proceeded to flatten Moon with a well placed slug to his face. "Serves you right," she roared as her eyes welled up with tears. She raised up her sword as if to strike him, but an arrow ricocheted off the blade right where the weld was causing her Levin sword to split in half.

"Step away from my buddy, bitch," Raq intoned in a low growl. "The next shot kills you."

Garud snapped his mounts reins to attack, but a smirking Jacey waved him off. The sword tip had nicked her cheek and blood was now trickling down her dusty cheek. She turned to the furious Raquelle and sighed, "I've been waiting more than a decade to punish this drunken sot. You have no idea how much pain he caused me…and you."

Revellia dismounted and foolishly spoiled her sister's aim with her body, "S-sis, please stop! No more f-fighting!"

"Gah! Revy, you dope," Raq muttered as she lowered her bow.

Moon sat up and rubbed his now swelling jaw, "Miss Revellia and Miss Raquelle, thank you for your timely aid."

Revy took out her healing staff and erased the damage off both Moon and Jacey with a look of humble gratitude.

Jacey looked at the demure Pegasus Knight with a look of dumbfounded shock, as she squealed, "Auntie Revy!" She gave the flabbergasted maiden a fierce bearhug.

"Ack! W-why are you hugging me?"

Jacey exhaled sharply and gently set down the flustered maiden.

Siffra winked as she noted, "Most of us want to hug our cinnamon roll Pegasus Knight like that. That's our team mom after all."

Jacey gave a genuine smile as she looked at her long-lost relative, "Mother adored you, auntie! She missed you more than words could possibly say."

She gasped as her hands flew to her mouth, "W-what? I'm your aunt in the future…and I died?"

Raquelle looked pale as she took in Jacey's words, "Wait, Revy has only one sibling…me. Am I your mother?"

Lily slithered up and gave the Archer a backslap that made her wince, "Yep! Jace loved ya both! She's always badmouthing her ne'er-do-well drunk of a pops, tho'."

Jacey eyed Moon with a venomous glare and snarled, "Fop! Stay away from Raquelle if you value her life. You're a wanna-be noble bastard, but you'll never have a tenth of the worth as my peasant mother or aunt had!"

The soothsayer gaped in horror and pain as he gasped, "I'm your father? I married Miss Raquelle? I ended up as a worthless drunk?"

"Yes to all the above. Now do us all a favor and jump off a cliff."

Raquelle's brown eyes narrowed as she gave the swordswoman a sharp slap.

Jacey recoiled in shock, "Mother, he's the one that deserves the strike, not me! After you lost your sister, you got married to this loser. After you died when I was six, he turned to the bottle. I will never forgive him for crumbling when I needed him the most!"

The Archer helped the still emotionally battered Mage to his feet and sighed, "I'm sorry about that Moon."

He shook his head in disbelief, "No apology is necessary, Miss Raquelle."

I crossed my arms and watched silently, as I knew this family drama had to play itself out.

He started to sob, "So in the ruined future, poor Miss Revellia died prematurely as did my future spouse?"

Jacey glared at her father with burning blue eyes, full of a decade's worth of built up pain. She finally looked away and muttered, "Yeah."

Raq sighed deeply, as she gave her pale sister a tight hug. "Jacey, maybe your past is written in stone; but our future is unwritten." Her eyes narrowed, "I will not let my sister die. In also have no intention of ruining my friendship with Moon by marrying him."

Moon dried off his tears and rubbed his blond locks in embarrassment, "No offense taken."

The ponytailed Archer finally cracked a smile again, "None intended."

Lily beamed, "C'mon Jace. Hug it out. After all, Miss Mimika was mauled by a Risen in your past, even tho' it happened before we were hatched. Our future is our destiny."

I gave Lilith's shoulder a tight squeeze, "Well spoken Lily. We are all friends, comrades and allies."

Jacey kicked at a rock dejectedly and looked over to her partner, "I let my temper get the better of me, Rudy."

The messy-haired Wyvern Knight sighed in exasperation, "Like you always do. Better follow Lily's advice and clean up your mess."

Calithea giggled merrily, "Great to see you guys made it to the past safely! Group hug!" She embraced both warriors from the future too tightly.

"Cindy, you dumbass," Jacey chuckled as she hugged her friend back. She looked reluctantly as the Illunis sisters and Master Proculvis with trepidation before muttering and giving Revy, and then Raq and Moon tight hugs. "I'm so sorry, mother and father. I'm sorry."

Raq's face softened as she hugged the miserable blond back, "I'm happy to meet you Jacey. You really are your father's daughter."

The Myrmidon snickered, "What, a blond, blue eyed crybaby?"

Moon rolled his eyes and gave his future daughter an emotional hug, "I resemble that remark."

I watched the heartwarming reunion for a few moments before turning to Garud, "So are you going to fess up as to who your parents are?"

He eyed me with serious green eyes before giving a respectful nod, "Nope, milady."

"Fair enough. I suppose we'll have to decide what to do with you two." To my slight surprise, I felt the silken scales of Lily's hand as she took my left hand. What truly shocked me was that I squeezed back and held her hand in return as if was the most natural gesture in the world. Lily sighed in absolute bliss as she rested her head on my shoulder. If we were to alter our sad fates, we had to depend on our connections to our allies, friends…and loves?