Note : In chapter 1, risen are(were) called ... well, risen. This is obviously a continuity error since the term "risen" was created and adopted in Chrom time, in that timeline, Grima should know them as "death mask". Oops ! I should also have updated this fic description, I hope it improved.

Chapter 4 : No more snowman

As they wait for the party to assemble, some bandit made their way toward the temple. Why they choosed to establish their base there and never spend their spoil, who knows ? (it was certainly because of gravity or stuff like that.)

-???

Skies were cloudy today, it seems that it would snow today too. But she was getting tired of snow.

Sure it was very pretty when it falled and recovered everything of a pure white mantle but there really wasn't anything more to it after the 100th snowman and weeks of waiting.

She had found herself a gift for alchemy, and studying the question behind Bantu's back, it appeared that snow had no interesting alchemistic properties allowing her to build an over powered golem bodyguard -she did manage to create golem, but at best, they were weirdly shaped snowmen that could only throw snowballs (but what kind of creature is weak against snow ?)- she had expected more of a giant snow titan with ice for teeth, able to punch his way through anything she'll order him.

Beside that, they also had a much bigger issue, they just were awful because the snow refused to keep the form she gave it, sometimes they had weird proportions because when she really got into details she forgot to scale the whole thing, and worst of all, their quality never seemed to improve, as she was unable to tell which was made the first just by looking at the snowmen -or maybe she didn't wanted to aknowledge they may were becoming worse with every one-. She had tried to compact snow to make it more solid and give it a proper shape, but then it became too heavy and the sculpture broke. It was more infuriating to see the first snowman Bantu had built -Mr Niceman as he liked to call it- two weeks ago, it hadn't suffer any degradation despite being so round and big. Someone could think the element had a sick sense of esthetism.

In time, she began to build snowman farther each days to escape the amused gaze of Bantu and Mr Niceman, until she started making them in a ravine where they would at least be protected from the elements -and their sight-.

And that didn't worked, they were still pretty awful. In the mean time, she began to blow them without any remorse to train her fire spell. If dragonstone usage was limited, she would better start develloping alternatives for when she would no longer be able to transform and it would help her to not carelessly use it. After all, she wanted a long and happy life and the dragonstone was bound to run out one day. And she was far enough from Mr Niceman, so he would never witness her merciless act of cruelty against his kind.

(Two birds one stone, I destroy evidences and train. Well, it's more a favor than anything given the sorry state they are in, I don't think any of them would have liked to be seen, and it's also very embarrassing for me to be their creator...)

Suddently, she heard panting noise and peoples running in the snow behind her while she was building new snowmen and likely soon to be practice targets. Turning around she saw a handful of bulky muscular men, somehow bare torso despite the climate that made her wear four layer of clothing, carrying axes. She quickely hide behind the unfinished snowman and listen to them.

"*pant* *pant* ... We got hem ?"

"Yeshhh *pant* they're *pant* right behind ..."

"Damn *pant* who would have see *pant* the prince venture so far *pant* here ?"

"Ha *pant* Ha *pant* Ha ... They ... fell right into our trap ..."

One of them, the bulkier of them all, and arguably the ugliest took a deep breath and suddently, yelled :

"BOOOYS ! GET YAR ARSES OVER HEEERE !"

And right then, just like that, a small army of brigants appeared in the field. There must have been caves hidden under the snow or maybe humans could swim in the snow.

(Wait, that's stupid. There is no reason for that to be possible.)

She counted them and found them to be 24. They were probably all their clan regrouped here, and to her, they all lacked common sense and were bare torso. Even she, who had been walking in a human skin for only a few weeks felt she had more common sense than those men.

"So, boss, what's tha deal ?"

"Listen boys, this mornin', while we were raidin' village south to there, we were stopped by the prince !"

"I don't get it, did ya just came brag about bein' defeated, boss ?"

The boss punched the one who talked right on the nose to make him shut up.

"showwy, boss"

"So, the princelin' followed us right here ! He gonna arrive anytime now ! So get in position boys ! He mustn't escape and his friends are nobles for sure ! We're gonna touch a juicy ransom thanks to them !"

"Wow boss, you so smart !"

"I know boys, now SET THE AMBUSH ! ARE YOU DEAF !? And what are all those snowmen ?"

"hu?"

They suddently seemed to notice all her attempt at making snowmen that filled the ravine.

"Wow, I'm actually impressed boys, i didn't knew you were so good at makin' snowmen !"

"Thanks boss !"

The bandit boss walked straight to a snowman and in a swift strike of his axe, destroyed it.

"Sorry boys, but this is an ambush ! They musn't know we set this up and those screem : WE'RE HERE ! So hurry and destroy those !"

She was boiling. How dare they destroy her snowmen ? They might not be good and she might was going to destroy them anyway but only her could do that ! Taking a scolding pose while she left her hiding place behind the snowman. She was slightly excited though, they were the first humans she met in this form, so she was eager to see their reaction. Was her disguise perfect ? Will they be amazed ? Or will they perceive and respect her rightful place as a god ?

The barbarians, suddenly noticing her, were dumbfound at the apparition of the likeness of a snow white haired snow fairy dressed in black. Were she dressed in white they could have missed her. Without changing from her postion -that she had secretly practice to be able to look cool in the moments where the logic would seems to disappear inside a plot hole- she began to scold them.

"Hey, you goons ! Who allowed you to destroy my snowmen !"

"Hu ?"

"I KNEW IT ! I KNEW THEY WEREN'T TALENTED ENOUGH TO MAKE THOSE BOSS !"

"SHUT UP ! YOU NEVER BUILD BETTER THAN MINE ANYWAY ! MY SNOWMAN ARE TALLER THAN YOURS !"

Their boss punched them both. Well that was surrealist, she thought that she would have a much more impact on their simple minds. But since they didn't seems to question something else than topics related to themselves, her curiosity got the better of her and she asked a very important question :

"Hey ! How do you strip almost naked by the cold ? Tell me !"

The amazed expression some had got dumb and the dumb face the other had got even dumber. What kind of child greet barbarian with a question of logic ? Most of the time, they just ran screaming calling for the father they slaughtered or the mother they just raped and/or killed. Oh wait ! That was the logical answer ! They skipped a step, they hadn't killed her parent. Noticing the quality of her clothing, the chief asked to the young manakete :

"Say, girl, where are ya parents and where do ya live ?"

"Hey ! You should always answer before asking an other question ! And I asked first so answer now !"

They went into deep thinking. There were no barbarian school to teach them how to handle normal social interaction, and they weren't sure this was even normal anyway, so they just decided to follow the usual protocole. She seemed a bit young but she would do, they didn't had a girl for months now, and the last they met wasn't very cooperative.

"Listen, girl, I'm holdin' the axe, and ya don't hold nothin', so I'm the one who should be listened if ya don't want us to chop a few body parts. Now come with us and maybe we'll spare your life !"

At those words, remaining snowmen in the ravine suddently turned their head toward the barbarians threatening their mistress, even the half built one and the remains of those that were smashed -or they would if they still had head, it was hard to tell, but she knew they tried because they had a little remaining magic animating them-. They might have been suffering at her hand -mainly from the building part, not much from the blowing part if you could ask them-, but unquestionable loyalty still bound them to her.

Across the ravine, bandit suddently were under a barrage of snowballs. It wasn't very effective, but seeing the snowmen animate and throw snowballs was still surprising.

"How !? Did ya do that ?"

A small hint of interest shone in his eyes. One crafty man could always makes use of an army of snowmen.

"Hmm ... yes, maybe ?"

(A good question actually, I don't remember making them golem, but who else than me could have make them so ?)

"Haha ! Then ya'll be more useful than I though ! You're comin' with us, I'm sure my guys will make you accept anythin' we ask very fast."

"What ? You think that I will simply comply with everything you want !? Hmph ! You sorely underestimate me, you will taste my wrath !"

A dubious look replaced the smart light inside those eyes. She took her dragon stone and -

A big shadow flung quickly above them, for barbarian, he only had the time to look up and saw a white flash rob him of his victime.

The said victime was blinking and when she openned her eyes, she found herself in the embrace of a blond girl flying on a pegasi.

"Looks like I arrived just in time didn't I ? Are you alright ? One more second and that scum would have cut you in pieces."

The dragon was speechless. She never asked for help !

"How dare you carry me ! I had everything under control !"

The knight was baffled, why was this little girl so angry at her even though she've just saved her ! She saw her beginning to search through all of her pockets, a cold drop a sweat starting to ran down her back. The knight worried.

"Hey, are you alright ?"

"N-no ! I've lost it ! Hmph, it's your fault ! You'd better help me retrieve it !"

"Huh !? What are you talking about ? Hey ! Stop moving so much, you'll fall !"

"Who even are you in the first place !? And what are you doing here !?"

"The name's Elisabeth and I'm the knight in shiny armor riding the white steed that just saved you, ungrateful child ! So you should better thank me ! Me and my group were following those raiders since the morning, and now we finally caught up to them, we will end their activities once and for all."

When she heard that, she suddently remembered what the bandits were talking about earlier. One look at the ground below confirmed her fears ; she saw three cavaliers already engaged in the ravine, proceeding quickly toward a handful of brigants, not knowing it was a trap. They began to descend toward the group.

"WAIT ! IT'S A TRAP AHEAD !"

"Huh ? How is it a trap ?"

One cavalier clad in white approach them, the two other, one red and the other blue followed, oddly, while all were equiped with cavalier longsword, only the red and blue one had a lance, the white was equiped with a rapier. They were visibly confused by the presence of a little girl so far from any known village, but she didn't had time for that. The little girl explained :

"I saw them before you came ! They were about 24, and they are currently hidden under the snow, waiting for the right moment to ambush you !"

The white cavalier frowned.

"What do you mean ? We've dealt with most of their group, they were at most 4 bandits to escape our grasp. Beside, hiding under the snow seems to be a really dumb idea, they'll die of hypothermia eventually."

"But I tell you they have set an ambush ! I think there might be a cave network under the ravine or something where they live !"

"That's just not possible. There is no way they could live in a cave network under the ravine, they'd have to use fire to see and they would eventually die of suffocation, or we would see the smoke. Moreover, this place is far too remoted to be an interesting place where they could install an operation base."

"But I tell you !"

"Anyway, we still have to fend them off. Unlike us, they did not have horses to flee, they must be tired of running all day. Now is the time to finish the job !"

Soon after, the three cavaliers charged toward the four bandits at the end of the ravine while Elisabeth still holding her took her flight to assist them from above, despite her vehement protestation.

(Hngh ! Why won't they listen to me ? I don't even have my dragon stone right now, I'll have to make use of fire spell instead, good thing I've trained.)

When they got at throwing distance from the bandits howerver, the snow just before them blew and a dozen of bandits appeared under their eyes. When they try to retreat to gain more space, an other dozen of bandit also appeared behind them. The chief approached them and laugh satisfied with the execution of his plan.

"Ha ha ha ! Ya ain't so cocky now ! I tell ya : surrender and ya'll return to were ya belong without too much hurt !"

They faced toward the chief and prepared to fight for their lifes. After a bit more reflexion though, they turned to the part of the circle whence they came. They had more odds of survivals fighting the weaker mobs first and retreating rather than taking on the boss and all his minion head on. Seeing that, the pegasus knight prepared to dive on them as well.

"Looks like you were right, sorry. I'll have to dive to help them, can you handle it ?"

She took a satisfied face.

"Of course it's fine by me ! I can even help and throw some fire spells !"

"You're a mage ? Aren't you too young to train for battle magic though ?"

"Hmph, I'm more competent than I look ! Now watch them burn !"

"Ok, but you shouldn't target those they are attacking, risk are too high. Try to impede the movement of those on the other side."

The sky knight smiled and changing her focus to her target. She saw a fire ball throwed toward the boss and dove toward a bandit, lance ready.

"Do you seriously think we'll agree to that ?"

"Haha, good, I like the mind. Go on guys, chop as many part you want, teach them fear !"

The bandit charged as well, but suddently, a fireball hit the snow before them and instantly vaporised some snow, effectively making a smoke screen. Using that diversion, the cavaliers charged sword ready and broke the line of enemy behind them. After the initial charge, four bandit were shot down and they safely met up with the pegasus knight while the rest was regrouping.

"Arh, don't worry boys, they can't escape us !"

The first line of bandits charged at them. They were able to repell it but a second wave managed to push them back and the white cavalier fell of his horse. Their chief then approached him with a shiny purple stone in hand. Seeing it, the manakete jumped of the pegasus and landed on the bandit head, successfully retrieving her precious dragon stone.

"Hey wait ! What are you doing ! It's dangerous to throw oneself in the middle of the battle !"

The sky knight dove quickly to bring her back to safety. However the little girl was shaken when the bandit stood up and she took his fist right in the forehead, knocking her cold.

"Stupid brat !"

The bandit spit on her, and then readied his axe to finish her but he took a lash at his face. The prince had gotten up and was in combat stance, rapier in hand.

The duel started, and despite being effectively side blinded by the blood flowing from his cut into his eyes, he was being very precise and fast. The prince had to use all his skill and speed to not being cut in pieces. He had to recognize that the bandit had more experienced against sword users than him against axe users, but eventually, if he kept dodging, his enemy would tired up. He also was carefull to get as far as possible from the girl.

"Tch ! I've ran kilometers today, i'm tired to swing my axe at ya, i want an EASY victory ! Stop flyin' away, you blue-blooded chicken, or else !..."

His fear was confirmed when he saw the bandit turn and ran toward the girl. He quickly throw himself after the bandit and stab him through the stomach. Screaming in agony, the chief bandit turned around and throw a kick in his own stomach sending him fly away while Elisabeth secured the girl's body and rised again in the sky.

The pain was intense, he vomited. The chief bandit walked up to the prince, lifted his axe, he thought about all good moment he had with his friend and saw them, fighting for their life, Isaac was madly charging and swinging his sword, Eugen was attempting to fight while retreating to fight only one bandit at the time, Elisabath was trying to help thel as much as she could while holding the incounsious girl, He thought of his father he still hadn't pleased and of -

A silver lance ran through the bandit's mouth as a heavy armored cavalier rushed into battle. The prince felt his bruises disappear and his fatigue vanishes, certainly the effect of healing magic. He heard a voice.

"Daaw, there goes the last use of my fortify. I hope it was worth it."

An angry and snappy familiar voice answered back.

"Of course it was ! You've saved the life of the only heir to the archaneian throne !"

Shillt. His retainer. That woman somehow found her way to him again. She had that talent, to always being able to locate his position, more or less precisely depending on the concentration of the coffee she get in the morning seemingly, not that he was complaining much about it right now. She've most likely just saved his life. He was clueless about the identity of the second person however, he never met them before.

His retainer assisted him back to his feets, and proceeded to a careful checking.

"Are you all right, my liege ? Seems like you are. Rest here for now, I shall deal with the trash."

"W-wait ! I still can fight !"

"Of course my lord, but please, do not leave my side if you come in battle."

She smiled while she got back on her horse. Ylisse only got time to reach his own he saw his retainer charge on the group that had cornered Eugen. She then joined on Isaac ride and easily dispatched them. Quickly enough, she turned the tide of the battle by her mere presence. The bandits were pretty much isolated by her constant charging and Ylisse and his friend had a very easy time picking and finishing brigants one by one. The priest had almost no work to do for the rest of the battle.

Finally, when the last bandit fell, they piled up their corpses and while Shillt prepared the stake, he noticed Elisabeth yelling at the priest. He joined Isaac and Eugen and asked them why they were arguing. They answered by showing the scene.

"Sigh, do i really have to check her state ? She look pretty fine to me, I even used fortify at the start of the battle, so you should all be fine !"

"Yes, please, check her state. If you don't understand how grave head injuries can be, maybe you will understand after suffering one yourself."

Answered back Elisabeth who didn't looked pleased at all.

"Ok ok, just don't kill me, she-demon !"

While Isaac and Eugen barely managed to stop her from chocking the priest, he checked her head. From touching, there didn't seemed to have something else than a contusion, but he used a heal staff to heal eventual internal injuries.

"All clean ! Well, it seems that it was just a concussion, nothing was broke and I don't think any brain damage was issued, but I used a heal staff to be double sure."

"Thank you."

Muttered Eugen while he struggled to keep Elisabeth in check.

Shillt came to them. Behind her, the corpses were burning and soon the stench of burning flesh would fill the ravine.

"We should get to move. Night's soon going to fall and it's pretty cold at night. Or else we could spend the night near that great camp fire if the smell don't bother you."

"Hmm no thank you, we'll get moving, ma'am."

Shillt and the priest rode on her horse, but when they prepared to ride down the ravine, Ylisse stoped them.

"Hmm, Shillt ?"

"Is there any way I could serve you, my liege ?"

"Hmm yes, where are you returning back ?"

"Didn't you went here to do something about thosd rainding bandit ?"

"Actually, no, before we left, sage Gotoh asked us if we could come over here and take a friend of his and a child on our trip."

"Oh, that's pretty considerate of you. Where would they be residing ?"

"In an old ice temple, that is located further up, according to the village we saved earlier."

"Ok, I'll open the way then."

Shillt turned her steed and they began to climb their way up. Not much happened during this time so, while Isaac and Eugen were comparing their battle performance, Ylisse striked up an conversation with Elisabeth.

"Hey, Lizzie, is the girl all right ?"

"She seemed to be fine. I think she's sleeping now."

"I saw a fireball during battle. Was it her doing ?"

Elizabeth looked uneasy for a moment. What in the world could be so bad that a child had to learn the art of destruction magic ?

"Oooh is that a headless snowman ?"

It was the priest, he rode on the back of Shillt's horse. Did he even considered himself a holy man though ? They were supposed to be kind and considerate, not jerks more concerned about their belonging than life.

"Hey, are you angry at me perhaps ?"

"Shillt, were did you find that priest ?"

"Ooh, refusing to talk to me now ?"

"Somewhere between the last village and here. Since the villagers told me you were planning to engage on a camp full of bandit, I figured he could be useful."

"He refused to heal that girl."

"Hey I used a fortify, you all were healed and that should have include this girl ! There was no need to double check."

Because of Elizabeth silence, it was Ylisse that answered him.

"She's just a child, any responsible adult would take double care of a child."

"Oh talking to me now ? I'll have you know she's not any child. Look."

He took out a shiny purple stone out of his robe. It had an ominous aura that sent shivers down their spines.

"That girl is a manakete judging from this dragon stone, meaning she could be hundred years older than you or me and you wouldn't even know."

"What ? I though manakete had pointy ears and other defining traits that helped identify them as such ! Also, if this is her dragon stone, why are you in possession of it ?"

Ylisse puzzled face didn't took long to shift to suspicious.

"I took it while i was examinating her. Hey, don't give that look, I wasn't intending to steal it, just making sure she wouldn't lost it, I swear !"

Something made Elizabeth tick.

"Wait, so you find out she was a manakete after I dragged you to check on her ?"

"Huu, yes ?"

She suddently fasten her ride's pace and came to punch him.

"Then you didn't knew she was before and you still have no excuse to not help a child you idiot !"

She then add while Shillt help him to get back on her horse :

"And 'They're actually a manakete' still isn't a reason to not help someone."

He looked down for the rest of the travel.

"Ok, not the greatest start here. Right, I don't know them yet, I should get closer and be more careful if i want to stick with them."

End note : I scrapped 2 version of this. I don't know if this is actually relevant, but hey, recently, Zeppy hopped into azur lane and I'm quite fond of her. She's pretty similar to how I want my Grima to be. She might have been pretty annoying here. Well until I can figure it, it's gonna stay that way. No, I don't think I'll use snow golem again.