Interlude - Road

So, after encountering Risen and gaining more to our little party, one of whom I avoid like the plague because she is far too nosy, our group makes its slow way north. Though winter is still a couple months away, snow starts to fall, coating the road in ice and mud. Snow is rather rare this time of year for Ylisse, especially for Ylisstol, far to the south, so the Ylisseans gaze upon the snow in enchanted wonder.

I, however, spend too much time reminding people that there was this thing called 'frostbite' and was utterly convinced Blondie was going to freeze to death because he refused to wear a damn shirt. Something about it being a crime to hide his 'amazing abs'. Whatever.

There was laughter and shrieking and I glanced up from my book briefly to make sure no one was dying before returning to reading. Sumia had eagerly lent me her copy of Ribald Tales of the Faith War, with sparkling eyes that promised she'd ask me loads of questions, so I wanted to go ahead and read through it, especially since I had the great luxury of time to read. It used to be that I would take over a year to read even one chapter, because I could only read a few sentences in between jobs or when hiding from the Grimleal. Now, I could spend an entire afternoon just… reading. It was so weird, yet I couldn't help but love it.

"...Hey, Kestrel?" Robin's voice drew me from the riveting scene of Sigurd and Deidre's wedding, and I glanced up to see him looking a little thoughtful as he glanced up from his own book, the same tactics book Ruffles lent him. "Did we ever… do this in the past?" he asked softly. "Just sit in quiet, reading?"

"Not… recently?" I answered slowly. I frowned a bit and pushed myself up on the pile of pillows I was reclining against. We were in the tent Robin shared with Bl… Chrom, but Robin had raided the nearby tents for extra pillows, just for me, so there was a veritable ocean of pillows in the tent now. "We would curl up under blankets and read while Mom cooked, but we never really had the time, or luxury, to do so after she died."

"I see."

"Why?"

"I just… had a feeling of familiarity?" He sighed, running a hand through his very messy hair. "Like we had done this, but it was… you know… just the two of us." He smiled wryly. "Maybe it was a dream I had. Something I had wanted to do. Just sit, and read in the quiet, with friends laughing at something in the distance."

"Maybe." I smiled a little. "Sounds like something you would've wanted."

"Well, I get it now." He grinned and I laughed. "Kestrel, do you mind if I ask about…" He trailed off as I tensed automatically. "It won't be much. Promise. I was just curious which of our parents had white hair. You've a lovely auburn, and there's some part of me that associates it with 'mother', so did I get it from our… very mean father?"

"...No." I set the book down and gathered all of my courage to say… even a little bit. "You were born with black hair, like our father. But he…" My hands shook, but I tried to disguise it by fussing with the book. "Our father… tried to use us… use you… in a magic ritual. As a sacrifice."

"What kind?"

"I…" I tried, but shook my head. "Sorry. I can't…" I was too much of a coward. "I'm sorry."

"No, no." Robin moved to my side and hugged me. "No, don't be sorry. I just wanted to see if I could look it up. Don't worry. So, did my hair turn white afterwards?"

"Yes… as a side effect of so much magic channelling through you." Hesitantly, I leaned into him. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry that I don't remember. I'm sorry you have to bear that knowledge alone." His hug tightened on me. "I'm sorry."

"How about we're both sorry?"

"Fine. I clearly can't win an argument against my twin." He pulled back and grinned, and I managed a little smile. "So… oh." He turned to the tent flap. "Who would be running-?"

"ROBIN!" Lissa burst through the tent flap, snow dotting her pigtails and dress. "Come on!" she cheered, snagged him by the arm and pulling him out of the tent. "Come play!"

I could only stare, and laugh, as Robin flailed about, unable to break out of Lissa's grip despite being over a head taller and at least twice as broad. I was still laughing as Bl… Chrom walked up, snow dusting his hair and armor, dripping from his cape. "If you came to get Robin, Lissa beat you to it," I joked, hiding my smile behind my hand. "Sorry?"

"No, there's nothing to be sorry about," he replied, looking distinctly amused. However, it fell when he looked at me. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"What do you think of, when you see the snow?" He gestured to the snow outside for emphasis. "I'm curious."

"The snow?" I hesitated before looking out over the laughing camp, watching Lissa teach Robin how to make and throw a snowball and the others laughing as they bombarded each other. "I think of cold. I think of frostbitten hands and desperately trying to get warm. I think of threadbare blankets and curling into others in a desperate attempt to not freeze to death. I think of ice and sliding on my face as I tried to run from scary people and scarier guards. I think of frozen rivers cracking and almost drowning. I think of hunger, of how there is less to forage. I think of having a steady supply of fresh water at last." I shook my head and tightened my cloak around me. "I… think a lot of things, when the snow falls. Winters aren't easy for those without shelter."

"I… see…" He gave me an almost mournful, almost pitiful look. But then it disappeared for bright eyes and brighter grin. "Well, then, you are very overdue for a snowball fight." He took my hand and dragged me out of the tent. "Come on! Virion, Kestrel's going to be on our team!"

"Oh, is she now?" Ruffles cried. It took me a second to find him, as he'd apparently built a snow wall to hide behind, but I found him quickly when he stood up to dramatically gesture. "Ah, what a fortuitous encounter! Surely, we shall find glory with such a goddess of victory on our side!" He promptly fell, though, hit in the face by a snowball that seemed to have been thrown from nowhere. "AUGH!"

"Well, there he goes," Bl-Chrom deadpanned. I couldn't help but giggle. "Come on. I'm sure he'll-"

"Hold on one moment, my lord." Shiny appeared out of freaking nowhere and wrapped a scarf around B-Chrom's neck. "There we are," he continued, even as B-Chrom made a face. "We can't have you catching a cold, my lord."

"Yes, yes." Chrom rolled his eyes, and left to help Ruffles up.

I went to follow, but Shiny wrapped a blue and silver scarf around my neck, carefully making sure it was tucked in and wouldn't get caught on anything. "What's this?" I asked, a little confused. I reached up to touch it, and found it soft.

"Oh, I made you a scarf as well, since I figured you didn't have one," Shiny answered easily. He frowned a bit as he fussed over the placement. "I made sure the primary color was blue, since you told Sir Robin that it was your favorite color, while the silver goes with your cloak and clothes."

"You… knitted this?"

"Yes?" He gave me a curious look. "Is that a problem?"

"N-no, it's not! I..." I hesitated before whispering. "Sorry, just… the last time anyone made anything for me was… gods, Mom was still alive. It's been over ten years. So, I was just…" I shook my head. "Besides, I know you're still wary and all."

"Of course. But being wary does not mean I wish for you to freeze." He looked more confused as I continued to stare. "Now what is it?"

"...It's…" I hesitated again before just going for it. "Okay, this sounds weird, but you sound, voice wise, a lot like my father. Except you don't say any of the same things. Which is a very good thing! A very, very good thing!" I was definitely babbling. "Sorry, I'll get used to it. Just a little weirded out, because-"

"My voice is similar to someone you expect only pain from." He smiled sadly. "Prince Chrom deals with that with some of the older citizens. Sadly, he looks, and sounds, much like his father. He does what he can, but…"

"Yeah, I can relate. I can see my father in my face, even knowing I look more like Mom." I shook my head. "Regardless! Thank you very much for the scarf. I greatly appreciate it and I'm sorry for not being more immediate in my manners."

"You are quite welcome." He bowed and walked off, likely to pass out more handmade scarves to the Shepherds.

As he left, I wrapped the scarf around my neck, and used it to hide my smile. Having someone make things for me… it really made me feel like I could find a home again. But my smile faded as I remembered all the things I was hiding from them. If they knew the truth, they'd likely chase me away, or kill me themselves.

I was scared. I was terrified, really, far more terrified than I had been when it was just Robin and me alone, running away from the Grimleal. Now, I had something to lose, and gods, I didn't want to lose this. This warmth, this… everything still didn't feel real, but gods, I wished it was. It was wrong, yet I wanted it, because this was the sort of life I could've had if I'd been human, and not a Vessel.

I wished I had run. Living to die was all the easier when you thought no one could ever be kind.

Existential crisis aside, the eventual snowball 'fight' was fun, though I had no idea who 'won'. Maybe that wasn't the point, since no one talked about wins or losses, but boasted instead of throws and hilarious falls. Virion had some of the most impressive shots, but the most falls went to Sumia, easily.

But after everyone was thoroughly soaked, and changed into dry clothes, I started making dinner alongside Green, and passed the food out. As I did, though, I noticed Robin, Lissa, Sumia, and Chrom were missing. So, after posting word to Shi… Frederick, I hunted for any sort of tracks to try and find them. Luckily, though, the four of them were together, and not far off.

I frowned, though, when I saw they were clustered around a pegasus, with Sumia calming it down. I had… no idea why a pegasus would be all the way out here. There weren't many wild pegasi anymore, thanks to the war forcing many to be captured, broken, and used. Logically, it would mean this pegasus once had a rider, and that the rider was… no longer here. Dead, but likely not long, as otherwise, the pegasus would've gone back to Ylisstol, or turned feral.

"Oh, Kestrel!" Robin called, waving when he saw me. He grinned broadly, eyes dancing. "Look! We found a pegasus! Sumia's amazing with animals, it seems, and she calmed it right down!"

"I see," I replied, keeping my tone light and making certain I smiled. "But don't you four know that you're missing dinner? Blondie's probably eating your shares right now."

"Wait, it's dinner?" Lissa asked. Her stomach grumbled right on cue, making her blush, while the rest of the group laughed. "...Food time, now!"

"You go on ahead," Sumia called. She settled next to the pegasus and gently began prodding its side for any signs of injuries and discomfort. "I'll eat a bit later. I don't eat much anyway. Got to keep my figure and all."

"Sumia, your figure is perfect already." Lissa stuck her tongue out as Sumia blushed prettily. "Chrom, don't you agree?"

"Uh… sure?" Chrom answered, looking a little startled. He glanced at Robin, who started snickering. "I have no idea, actually? But I'll take your word for is, Lissa."

"Ugh, you're the worst," Lissa retorted, sulking. Sumia, meanwhile, just turned redder and redder, shooting hesitant looks at the increasingly confused Chrom. "Whatever. Come on, Robin. Let's leave him and his obliviousness behind."

"What did I do?" Chrom groaned as Lissa refused to answer, hooking her arm around Robin's to drag him off. "Seriously, what did I do?" He glanced down at Sumia, whose face was as red as an apple, and frowned. "Wait, Sumia, are you okay?"

"Y-yes!" Sumia instantly squeaked. She ducked her head shyly. "You're fine! I mean; I'm fine! I mean… oh…"

"I think we should leave to go eat," I suggested. I smiled at her, and she gave me a grateful look back. "Are you certain you wish to wait? I wasn't kidding about Blondie."

"I'll be fine. I really want to check on this poor dear."

"If you're certain. I'll do my best to save you a bowl."

"Thanks!" She beamed before turning back to the pegasus, crouching down and stroking her nose, gently cooing.

Chrom and I exchanged a look and a shrug, and started to walk off, leaving Sumia behind. However, as we walked away, the implications of the pegasus weighed heavy on my mind, and so, I stopped and called, "Chrom?" I waited as he turned to face me. "Did Emmeryn send a messenger to Ferox to let them know we were coming?"

"...Yes," he whispered. His dark eyes told me he had already come to a similar conclusion. "She sent two, actually. One to ask them if they were in trouble, immediately after the Risen started showing up. That one never returned. The other was sent shortly before we left."

"I see." I glanced back at Sumia and the pegasus, noticing how easily the pegasus took to her. While some of it could be how good she was with animals, wild animals did not take so easily to anyone, good or not, in my experience. "So, the question becomes… accident or murder?"

"And, if murder, was it Plegia, or Ferox?" He sighed, tensing. "Tell Robin. I'll tell Frederick. But no one else for now. I do not want a panic among the ranks, especially right now."

"I'm not sure I fully agree…" I thought of Mom, and how she'd done her best to hide the worst from us. It only made things scarier when the worst came for us anyway. "Why don't we use that I travel a lot to make a mention that there had been some trouble? Nothing about the pegasus, but still, everyone knows to be guarded." I stepped a little closer to him and rested a hand on his arm as he remained silent. "Trust me. The worst thing we can do for them is protect them to the point that they are not ready or capable of protecting themselves. You can't…"

"I can't smother them. I can't lock them up. That's not protection. That's imprisonment with good intentions." He sighed and slowly relaxed. "All right. But only the four of us will know about the messengers."

"Yes, I can agree to that." I thought of the others, and sighed a bit. "Now, others might suspect, but they can choose to come with us or keep things quiet. I think this way, we'll keep everyone truly safe."

"Yes, I think so as well." He finally smiled. "Thanks. I was trying to think of how to bring the topic up."

"That's me. I'm an expert at bringing up awkward things." I smiled as he laughed and slid my hand so that I could tug his arm. "Come on. Let's go find them, and then, you can get a good meal."

"Now that sounds like a plan." His smile became a grin, and he easily fell in step beside me. "What's on the menu tonight?"

"It's a vegetable and rabbit stew. No bears this time."

"Darn, I should've hunted."

"Yes, you should've!"

As the two of us joked and walked back towards the main part of the camp, I thought I felt eyes boring into my back, but when I turned to look, there was only Sumia, who seemed very intent on tending to the pegasus, glancing up only once or twice before purposely returning to her pegasus. I wondered about why she'd be so tentative, but decided she must not want to 'bother us further'. So, I let it go, though I couldn't help but feel as if I was missing something, something very important.

Well, it would come back to bite me later. Life had a tendency to do that, after all.

The night rang with the sound of wood crashing on wood as Chrom and I sparred. What had simply been a way to help distract him had become routine. Once first watch took their posts for the night, Chrom and I would take to the fields near the camp and spar. Most of the time, it was just us two, but sometimes, others watched.

Both of us swung and we locked blades, both staring each other down as we tried to overpower each other. Then we both stilled and started laughing, unable to really help it. This, too, became increasingly common as we sparred. For one reason or another, we'd just burst into laughter, and would step apart to take a break while we caught our breath.

"You know; I never do quite get why 'blade locks' are mentioned so much in stories," Chrom explained. He walked to the side and picked up the towels resting by additional practice swords, tossing me one before wiping the sweat off his face. "There's so many ways to break free."

"It's a suitably dramatic time to spout off talking, like taunts or confrontations," I replied, wiping the sweat off my neck. I'd twisted my hair up into a bun instead of my normal ponytail, but I still had the stray hair stick awkwardly. "I'd try a kick, personally, or to twist and flip you on your back."

"Like you did last time? I'm still seeing stars."

"Serves you right for throwing me two nights ago."

"You were much lighter than I expected!" He brought his hands up defensively as I playfully glared. "I apologized!"

"Frantically, yes." I might've teased him more, but then I noticed Shi… Frederick walking up. "Well, it looks like someone ate a thundercloud."

"Oh, gods, what did I do this time, Frederick?" Chrom groaned, not even turning around. I laughed, unable to help it. "One moment." Sighing heavily, he went to go meet Shi-Frederick. I lingered back, stretching slowly as I let the wind slowly cool me down. A bit of clapping caught my attention, though, and I turned to see Ruffles was nearby. Sitting on a pillow he must've brought from his tent. With a mug of tea that looked completely out of place.

"Isn't it a bit late for tea?" I asked dryly, walking over. "Actually, shouldn't you be sleeping now or something? Beauty rest, and all?"

"Ah, I am flattered you are worried for the maintainment of my good looks, dear lady, but all hours are terrific for tea," Ruffles replied easily. I chose to not comment on how I was pretty damn sure 'maintainment' was not a word. "I am drinking a fine chamomile and lavender tea, to facilitate with peaceful slumbers. Might I interest you in a cup? Perhaps a rousing game of chess?"

"Why would you want something 'rousing' when you're trying to sleep?" I shook my head. "No to both. I'm not really fond of the taste of lavender, and I'm not really a chess person. I know the rules and all, but I never had the patience for it. I fight dirty anyway."

"But you fought so gallantly with our dashing prince!"

"We're just sparring, trying out new tricks without breaking things, in theory." I… tried to not remember that we'd broken five practice swords since we started these sparring sessions. "This is more stamina than actually winning."

"Ah, yes, stamina is so very important for many, many things." He smirked and winked, and I rolled my eyes. "Regardless, dear lady, might I ask a question of your vast travels?"

"You may…" I eyed him warily and tapped the practice sword against my thigh, waiting. As I had suggested, Chrom had told the others that I had remembered some 'trouble' in the area, and to be careful as we moved forward. Ruffles had been the only one of the group to have narrowed his eyes at the warning, and now, I was worried I'd have to speak around things. If I lied directly, I was dead certain he'd known. "What is it?"

"Have you ever traveled to Valm, by chance?

"Valm?" That was… not what I had expected. "I have, actually. I've been to Otrela, for instance, since that's the place with the biggest harbor. The Demon's Ingle. Chon'sin." I smiled slightly. "I was actually there for a flower viewing."

"Ah, yes, the cherry blossoms are simply breathtaking." He took a sip of tea. "Have you ever been to Rosanne?"

"Robin and I lived there for about a month, actually. Some mercenary work. It's a lovely little country." I smiled slightly. "It was the first time we could ever afford cherries, actually. They were so cheap there."

"You must've visited the south, then. Cherry groves are abundant there." His eyes were nostalgic. "That's my home, you see. Rosanne. I ruled it."

"Really?" I shrugged. "Sorry. I never learned much about the politics there."

"It's fine. Clearly, I no longer rule it." He set his mug down next to him. "Like here, there is a country that shares a name with the continent, Valm. A pitifully small country, truly, barely notable for anything, the last vestige of the old Valmese Empire that fell and shattered to civil war. Except it became the rallying point for another conquest, another attempt at unification. Through force." He sighed, tilting his head back up to the clouding skies. "Rosanne was one of the first to fall to Walhart."

"Is that why you're here?" I thought of what I remembered of Rosanne. "Rosanne never seemed very military minded."

"We weren't. There's knights, but no real standing army. Not even my fair Cherche could stand against his forces for long. But my people would've fought tooth and nail, and perished. So, I fled, knowing that without a leader, they would be disheartened and surrender."

"You'd be named craven, or worse." A commonality I'd noticed on Valm was a deep hatred for those who fled battles. "They would hate you."

"But at least they are alive to hate me, which they would not have been, had we faced Walhart the Conqueror."

"I see…" A troubling thought occurred to me. "This Walhart… what's going to stop him from coming across the sea to continue his conquest?"

"As far as I know? Nothing." He gave me a very somber look. "I have informed Exalt Emmeryn. If you, perhaps, could inform Prince Chrom? I hope that Walhart will not come while this trouble with Plegia bites at Ylisse's borders, but there is no telling what goes through the mind of a madman."

"I will." I frowned, though. "Why not tell him yourself?"

"What? And deny you the chance to spend more time with our dashing prince~?" He laughed throatily, but he got some weird look of understanding on his face as I continued to frown and stare. "Ah, I see. You do not yet notice the blossoms. That is fine; I shall enjoy watching them sprout and bloom. Just now, my dear lady, that I am forever in your corner."

"Oh… kay… then?" I gave him another confused look before shaking my head. "I… think I shall simply take that as you trying to say you're a friend, and you are trying to distract yourself."

"I think I shall count myself a very lucky man to have such a wonderful, and insightful, woman as a friend." He smiled and held up his mug of tea as if in toast. "Ah, but it seems Prince Chrom has returned for your sparring. Go on! I shall watch this match of legends!"

"Some days, I think you hit your head." Still, I gave him a worried look. "Are you all right?"

"Such concern touches my heart. Perhaps we might talk a bit longer, after-"

"I'm assuming that you're at least pretending very hard to be fine." I rolled my eyes, but looked at the mug, noticing something. There was no steam from the mug. It could've just have cooled, but I wondered if, instead, he was drinking something a little… stronger. There was wine among the supplies, after all. "Try not to drink too much 'tea'. We do march in the morning." I walked off, choosing to not listen to whatever reply he might have had, casually swinging my practice sword as I returned to the field where Chrom waited. He gave me a giant grin and waved as I approached and I couldn't help but smile as I waved back.

I would think of everything Virion said later. For now, though, it was time to beat a prince into the ground.

Info on Frederick:

Class - Great Knight/Cavalier; Reclass - Knight, Wyvern Rider

Sometimes called 'Shiny' by Kestrel

A knight of Ylisse, personal bodyguard of the royal family, Chrom's Deputy among the Shepherds. Despite his attempts to keep a professional distance, he has clearly been a father-brother-protector figure for both Chrom and Lissa.

Extremely devoted to the royal family, perhaps overly so, with a strong focus on training, discipline, and cleanliness. Some part of me wonders if it's because it's only recently that the royal family could walk through the streets without having rocks and mud thrown at them.

Strong and steady, but even he admits that he is a bit out of practice, since most of his time is spent taking care of Chrom and Lissa. Still, his experience is valuable, and he's always eager to learn.

Author's Note: In game, the scene where Sumia tames the pegasus doesn't have snow, but the idea of the Shepherds playing the snow was too cute to pass up. There is no mention, in game, for where the pegasus came from, but even if Sumia is good with animals, it seemed strange for a wild animal to calm down so quickly, or prove so useful in battle so quickly, so I'm going with the idea that the pegasus is actually trained, but its rider died. Frederick does knit, though! It's mentioned in a few of his event tile and barracks conversations.

Some foreshadowing for Walhart and the Valm conflict, and Virion teasing, because Virion would. Otrela is not an in-game location; I added that as an additional country name, since there's no real statement for how many countries are on Valm, iirc.

Next Chapter - The Warrior Realm