Chapter 3) The Warrior Realm

We continue northward, and the dusting of snow grows heavier. Twice we had to stop due to unexpected ice on the road causing bruises and even broken bones. We stopped in a village along the way to replenish healing staves, and make our way to the Longfort, the Feroxi fort that marks the end of Ylisse, and the start of Ferox.

The air is heavy as we get closer. I don't like this at all. But everyone keeps moving forward, unflinching, and I wonder just why I'm traveling with so many insane people.

I clutched my cloak around me as the wind bit and howled. We were on the edge of a blizzard, it seemed, and I couldn't help but marvel at how cold it was. Unless I misremembered, it was very unusual for there to be such a cold spell at this time of year. It was not yet winter. It made me wonder if this was just a natural cycle, or if this was supposed to be some sort of omen. Or maybe it was a consequence of whatever magic summoned those Risen, or the magic that was involved with that strange eye-like portal. Mom always said that big magics led to big upheavals in the natural world as it tried to adapt.

"I hope Stahl and Miriel are all right," Chrom murmured. He and I were walking together as we approached the grand stone fortress that loomed over us. "Things are dangerous…"

"That is why you sent both of them," I reminded. He had discussed this extensively with Robin and Frederick and all three of them had agreed to send the two as messengers to let the Feroxi know they were coming. Just in case. "Between her sharp mind and his easy-going nature, if something goes wrong, it's because they're looking for a fight."

"My head knows that. Everything else frets."

"Leave the fretting to Robin. There's no need for both of you making yourself sick, especially in this cold."

"Oh, right, he's riding with Sully because he felt nauseous." He looked at me worriedly. "Is that normal?"

"He's always been prone to fretting himself sick, and he no longer remembers what tricks he used to keep that at bay, so he has to relearn." The last part of the words was a mumble, and I had to resist the urge to growl. I didn't know his coping methods, so I couldn't even help him through this. "You just focus on what you'll need to do."

"Ugh, don't remind me." He groaned. "Frederick says that we'll need diplomacy." He sighed heavily. "Negotiation isn't my strong suit, but I have to do what I can. For Ylisse, I..."

"Feroxi negotiation often involves drinking contests and arm wrestling." I grinned up at him. "Relax." I playfully nudged his side, but then noticed something. "Your hands are freezing." I took them and tugged him to a stop so that I could massage his hands. "You should've worn gloves. Didn't Frederick knit some for you?"

"He was, but I asked him to take care of the others first." He held still, watching me work. "You aren't wearing gloves either."

"I'm still fine." That was a lie. I was freezing. I hated the cold. "So let's-"

"You think of frostbitten hands and desperately trying to keep warm when you see snow." His words were soft, and I was… absolutely startled that he not only remembered it, but that he'd brought it up. "Besides, you might be 'fine', but that doesn't mean you're comfortable." He twisted his hands so that he was holding mine and, carefully, began to massage them, just as I had been warming his. "Is it too much pressure?"

"...No, you're rather good at this. I'm surprised."

"Emm's hands cramp a lot. She has to write a lot of letters and… well, being the Exalt involves a lot of paperwork. I didn't like seeing her in pain, so I started massaging her hands to help." He smiled slightly. "I was bad at it at first, but I kept at it."

"I see." I felt a little shy suddenly and ducked my head. "Um… thank you."

"Well, you helped me first. It's only fair." He sounded like he was laughing a little. "I wish I'd known it was going to be this cold. We could've brought hand warmers to help counter the lack of gloves."

"Or we could've just brought gloves?"

"That too." Now he was definitely laughing. "Oh, Vaike is waving." He let go of my hands slowly. "Be right back. It shouldn't take long."

"Please don't try to have another contest. I don't think anyone wants to deal with the effects of you two cooking again."

"We only did that because Lissa forbade us from sparring." He sulked a little. "Besides, I won by knockout."

"That's not how cooking contests go, typically." I shoved him forward as he started laughing. "Oh, go on." I waved a bit as he walked off, before turning, planning on going to check up on Robin. However, someone instead decided to grab my arm and, when I looked down, messy pigtails and a button hat told me exactly who it was.

"Kestrel…" Lissa immediately whimpered. She gave me a rather pathetic look, helping by how red her nose and cheeks were. "I-I'm f-f-freebing!"

"That is because you insisted on no cloak, scarf, or gloves, Lissa." I tugged her into my side and wrapped my cloak around her. "Holy hell, you're like a walking ice statue."

"This is why you listen to your elders, Princess Lissa." Frederick walked up with a bit of a droll expression, leading his horse by us as he fell in step. He'd opted to dismount and walk to ease the burden on his horse while we walked over the icy ground. "We do know what we're talking about," he continued. "Of course, stopping to fetch them right now would-"

"K-Kestrel, Freddie's being mean!" Lissa whined, curling more into my side. "Ooo, warm~"

"He's trying to take care of you," I chided. Still, I tucked my cloak a little more tightly around her. "Weren't you with Sumia?"

"Sumia's gone to tend to the pegasus again." She looked up at me. "What were you doing with Chrom?"

"Talking?" I thought a bit before smiling slightly. "Or are you talking about massaging his hands?" I took one of hers and started to do the same. "It helps with circulation. The blood warms your hands."

"Ooohhh." She giggled a bit. "That's cool. I normally just wear mittens and have hand warmers. How did you learn that this works?"

"I… never really had enough to buy gloves or hand warmers." I suppose I could've tried stealing some, but I'd never really been good at that. Finding discarded things had been infinitely easier on both Robin and me. "So…" I trailed off as I caught a very strange sound: metal clanging on metal. I normally associated that sound with… "Why would there be fighting near?" I looked up at Frederick and saw him pale. "Please tell me I'm imagining it."

"I wish you were!" Frederick snapped and I pulled Lissa closer to me as his eyes went wide with panic. "Prince Chrom!" He lunged forward, slipping in the snow, but catching himself with his lance. "Prince Chrom, get back!"

But there was no time for really anyone to react, much less Chrom. Way ahead of us, Chrom was a sitting target for the lancers that suddenly appeared on the ramparts and threw their javelins, especially since he took precious seconds to shove Blondie out of the way.

Time seemed to slow for a brief moment as the lances flew right for Chrom with scary precision. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see him die, and clutched Lissa as she screamed and hid her face in my side. But then there was the sound of wings, and the sound of something 'whooshing' over my head, and my eyes flew open to see Sumia… Sumia had gotten on the pegasus, and done a fly-by rescue, saving Chrom in the process.

That pegasus was definitely trained. There was no other explanation for how Sumia pulled that off so perfectly, unless she was a literal goddess.

Most of the army surged forward as the pegasus landed and Sumia and Chrom dismounted, both to praise Sumia and to reassure themselves that Chrom was alive. I didn't, though. Instead, I stayed with Lissa, and helped her actually stay up as sheer relief made her legs buckle. She leaned heavily into me, shaking, and I used my sleeve to wipe the tears off her face.

"I thought the world was going to end," she whispered, clinging to me. She couldn't stop trembling. "I seriously, seriously thought…"

"It's fine," I whispered. I hugged her and rubbed her back comfortingly. "It's fine. I understand."

"Oh, gods, I never even thought Chrom could die. I mean… he's reckless, but strong! No matter how many times he left to deal with bandits or… or landslides or anything, he came back, safe and sound! Wounded, sure, but he always… always…!"

"It's okay."

"He could've died. He could've died."

"But he didn't. It's okay. He's okay." I didn't ask why she was freaking out more over Chrom's potential death than she had over her own. I could understand. Losing a sibling was painful, especially when they were your only family left. "He's okay."

"B-but…"

"Shush. Just cry, Lissa. It's okay."

"He's supposed to always be okay! Never dead or… badly injured or… or anything! Like Emm! Nothing can happen to her, right? They're both amazing, and she's always guarded and-"

"Lissa. Just cry. It's okay."

Finally, she took my advice and just cried, clinging to me tightly. I murmured comforting nonsense and looked about the area, gauging everyone's reactions. Frederick was snapping orders to everyone to get into positions, and the rest were slowly listened. I saw Robin and Chrom arguing about something, and, when Lissa stopped trembling and stepped away to rub at her eyes, I gave her a small smile and went to Chrom and Robin. I hesitated at getting closer when I realized they were arguing-arguing, but I glanced back at Lissa and set my jaw stubbornly. Whatever they were doing could wait two seconds for Chrom to give her a hug.

"You cannot simply go ahead when we have no idea what's going on!" Robin growled. I automatically flinched, frightened by how much like our father he looked and sounded when angry. "What would you have done if-?"

"We don't have time for this," Chrom snapped. He then sighed, though, relaxing. "Sorry, but Stahl and Miriel…"

"...Right, we'll shelve this for later." Robin sighed as well and closed his eyes. "I hope we're not too late, or that this… attack isn't because of something they did."

"Gods, please…" Chrom shook his head. "Go on. I'll be with you in a second."

"Don't be long." Robin walked off quickly, eyes blazing with determination as he muttered and gestured, as if he were writing his ideas in the air.

I waited briefly to see what Chrom would do but, upon seeing him just slump, I walked over to him. "So, do you have any more information?" I asked softly. "We just heard battle and then…"

"Not much," he answered, smiling bitterly. "Something about being a false prince, or an imposter, and then… well, some Feroxi trying to turn me into a pincushion."

"She seriously thinks you're an imposter?" I poked his arm, right next to his Mark of the Exalt. "Does she think this is paint or something?" I shook my head. "Whatever, go to Lissa. I managed to calm her down, but she broke down."

"I…" He winced. "Damn, I owe her. Maybe some sweets or perfume?"

"Or how about a hug, idiot?" I shoved him towards her. "Go on. Just give her a nice big hug. Think about the sweets and bribes later. She needs it."

"Right…" He sighed, grimaced, and walked over to Lissa.

I almost went with him, just to make sure, but I happened to turn and see Sumia nearby, and was instantly alarmed at how pale she looked, so I went to her instead, resting a hand on her back to catch her attention. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, peering at her. She was even paler up close. "You sick?"

Sumia shook her head almost violently. "She didn't balk," she whispered. She looked at me worriedly. "I thought she would've, but she didn't, and she knew… what to do. That all wouldn't happen for a..."

"...Keep the thought, but don't spread it just yet." I reached over and hugged her. "You were amazing, by the way."

"...Thank you." She hugged me back briefly before stepping away, beaming. "W-well, I can contribute now!"

"Are you armed?" I laughed a little as her expression blanked. "Go to Frederick. I'm sure he has a lance you can use." I would be very, very surprised if he didn't. "I'll tell Robin you're up for battle."

"I will! Thank you!" Her smile warmed and she raced off, falling on her face only once. I watched to make sure she didn't hurt herself before turning to head to Robin.

To my surprise, Chrom was already with him, and he smiled slightly when I gave him a skeptical look. "I hugged her, and got yelled at," he informed me with great dignity. "She says she'll come up with a list of demands to be delivered after the battle. Then she went to get her staff."

"Well, so long as she is the one who stepped away first," I replied slowly. I crossed my arms, and sighed. "How's Blondie, by the way?"

"Vaike? He's fine. I think. No injuries, at least, and he hasn't broken down in tears or anything." He paused. "Not that… Vaike would really do that. But no extraneous bravado, or unusual quiet that I noticed. I'll talk with him later to be certain."

"Chrom, I understand that my twin is fascinating, but you can't off in the middle of a sentence to smile at her, and then ignore me," Robin suddenly deadpanned, waving his hand a little as we looked at him. "Yes, hi, still here, still trying to tell you my proposed tactic given what little we know." He gave us both the drollest look. "So. Focus. Now."

"Oh, now you focus," I teased, mostly to buy Chrom time to go from chagrin to 'work'. "I seem to recall-"

"I also recall getting scolded. So."

"So, I was pretty sure you were just about done," Chrom interrupted. He smiled slightly as Robin scowled. "You were telling me what you wanted me to do, and then likely Kestrel's marching orders, and we were among the last, right?"

"Oh, you two have the same orders," Robin replied. He let his scowl fall for a serious, yet thoughtful, look. "You two are paired up."

"Again?"

"Yes."

"I am a little curious as to why you keep pairing us up?" I asked slowly. I made sure to smile so that he knew I wasn't complaining. "I'd think you'd want to switch it up to try new things."

"Well, I'd prefer to actually keep you two with me, but that'll be a detriment as a tactician, friend, and brother," Robin answered easily. "So instead, I'm going with the next best thing of having my favorite people protect each other." He grinned, far too pleased with himself. "Besides, you two fight well together, and you spar often, meaning you're more in-sync. I'd be an idiot to pass up that sort of advantage, especially right now."

"Well, I can see the logic in that." I glanced at Chrom. "Guess you're going to be stuck with me for a while."

"You say that like I should be complaining," Chrom teased. His cheer fell quickly, though. "Robin, I want you to have a guard this time, though. This battle will be very… strange."

"We don't really have many to spare," Robin pointed out. "I promise to be careful, but I've given the orders and-"

"You didn't give Kellam his orders." He looked a little confused as both Robin and I stared at him. "Kellam. He's right over here." He pointed and, for a brief second, I just saw a suit of armor, set up in the middle of the snow for some reason. Then the armor moved and both Robin and I yelped. "He's very quiet, so sometimes I miss him as well, but he's been waving for a bit."

"H-how long has this… Kellam been with us?"

"I believe since we left? I didn't see him during the battle on the Northroad, but he was there shortly after." Chrom beckoned the suit of armor over, and only now did I actually see, and sense, a person actually in the armor. "Kellam, did you get a proper introduction to both of them?"

"I introduced myself at the Barracks, but I think Lady Kestrel came in after that," 'Kellam' answered. He had a very… forgettable face, with nondescript hair and eyes, and his voice was very easy to just… tune out, thanks to how monotone it was. "But it's all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss."

"I always feel bad about it, though," Chrom sighed. He smiled, though, as Robin and I just looked at each other in complete confusion. "But at least the Feroxi didn't see you either!"

"I've been calling your name and waving my arms for quite a while, and they didn't even so much as glance at me."

"You sound almost disappointed at that."

"Well… I'm glad to be seen finally."

"Is… is there a magic for this?" Robin whispered to me as Chrom and Kellam kept on talking. "Like my Insight?"

"Uh… actually, yes, I think so," I replied. It took a bit of thinking, but I did remember Mom saying something about a 'gift' that made it easy for someone to pass unnoticed without training. "I don't know the name. But, aside from the armor, he's rather unremarkable. Because of how average he looks, you couldn't pick him out in a crowd if you tried."

"That sounds mean." He made a face and I smiled slightly. "Well, I guess I'll just have to… give him orders and try not to miss him myself!"

This was just going to be a bizarre battle.

The snow was red. The stones were red. I'd always avoided fighting in the snow, and I had to say, I didn't think I was missing much.

"Quickly, break into the fort!" Robin shouted. While the mounted quad went to play bait on one side, the unmounted scaled the wall on the other side, both to catch the enemy in a pincer, and to try to find our two wayward messenger-Shepherds. While it worked very well at first, some archers caught sight of us and… well… Kellam's inability to be seen proved very useful for being a shield. "Damn, why do they have to be clever?"

"You don't survive living in a nation of warriors without knowing how to be brainy about your brawn," I snapped. I didn't really mean too; my nerves were just being rubbed raw by how many times an ambush nearly got one of us. "Stick close to me. I got separated from Chrom."

"How did that happen again?" Robin shifted so that he and I were back to back, glaring down some axe-users as they others rushed for the staircase up. "It was something about the door."

"Door is locked, and no one knows how to pick a lock, so we're brute forcing, which means the master of breaking things is up front."

"Ah, yes, that does make sense." Thunder magic crackled around him. "I'm getting low on pages. Ah well." He leaned back slightly, to nudge me. "If I strike twice, can you take the third trying to block us?"

"For you, dear brother, I'd even get the fourth." I flashed a grin over my shoulder and he laughed. "On the count of three?"

"Yeah." Both of us stilled. "One…"

Both of us moved on the 'silent' two, and no small part of me felt a little… happy about it. I'd just moved automatically, because that was how we used to do things . 'Count of three' was a little trick we used to throw off attackers, who wouldn't have their guards fully up. We always moved on 'two'. And he'd done so, even though he didn't have memories. Either he unconsciously remembered, or he had quickly adapted when he realized I'd been moving. Both thoughts made me happy.

I cut down the two blocking the path to the staircase easily, just as Robin finished electrocuting the two archers who'd been trying to shoot us. We shared a grin over our successful kills, and then bolted up the stairs as we heard a loud 'crash'; Chrom and whoever had been helping him had broken through.

The door led onto the top of the ramparts and it was already a mess of fighting, with the Feroxi trying to shove us off the damn wall. I almost jumped into the fray, but I caught a bit of movement just beyond the enemy, and thought saw a little bit of bloody green armor peeking out from behind a corner in the back right of this area. I hesitated for one brief moment before deciding to just screw everything and go investigate now. So, I raced forward, not paying attention to dropped guards or any sort of fighting and jumped at an approaching knight, using their head as a pivot point to flip over, and landed with a stumble behind them. Someone managed to get a cut across my back, but it wasn't enough to make me falter as I raced for where I saw the armor. Behind me, I thought I heard Blondie say something about 'teach just got tenure', so I assumed he dealt with the knight.

I almost looked, but I managed to find the alcove and swing around the corner. And then I froze, because the armor was Gre… was Stahl's, like I'd thought, but he was… really messed up. His armor was cracked, and blood was smeared across even the wall, to the point where I could actually see where he'd taken a bad hit, and then slowly crawled away from that spot.

"Is Lady Lissa nearby?" Miriel's voice made me realize she was here too, pressing her hands against the worst of Green's… of Stahl's… injuries. "The ignoramus has a skull of higher impermeability than even Vaike's," she continued, glowering slightly. Her glasses were cracked. "Her spear-"

"She's on her way," I whispered, interrupting. I hunted through my pack and pulled out a vulnerary and some bandages to pass to her. "Here. It'll… buy him a bit more time."

"You have my gratitude. My own stock deteriorated." She took them from me quickly, and that was when I noticed her hands were shaking. "He lost consciousness a few minutes ago. He said to-"

"If it's a last words thing, we're not letting him." I turned and held my sword in front of me, glaring as some Feroxi turned to face me. Sword users and axe users. I had this. "I'll guard you two. Promise."

"Can you handle so many?"

"It's not a lot." I narrowed my eyes and moved my feet slightly to firm up my stance. "And I'm rather skilled at countering, if I do say so myself. Just watch him."

She murmured some form of agreement, but I tuned her out to focus back on the fighting. I held perfectly still as one of the sword users burst ahead of their fellows, grinning sickly. Their eyes glinted with unabashed triumph as they saw me waiting, and not moving to attack. Then, just as they swung to attack, I brought my arm up and grit my teeth as I blocked the sword strike on my armored gloves. Their eyes widened briefly, but I retaliated quickly, catching them through the stomach thanks to the opening in their guard. They buckled and I kicked them to the side before ducking under an axe swing of another fighter and ramming my shoulder into their chest before decapitating them. Then I twisted so that an arrow hit my armored gloves instead of my chest, wincing a little as I felt the bruise.

Another arrow flew for that archer and landed a perfect eyeshot. I blinked slowly, and glanced over to see Virion proving he was the 'Archest of Archers' with how skillfully he landed crippling hits. "Die, with magnificence!" he cried, counter-sniping another archer. He then bowed dramatically and turned to me. "Dame Kestrel, do you know where our wayward companions are? Princess Lissa is close, but we fear sending her out in this madness with no direction!"

"Right behind me," I yelled back. I blocked another swordsman's attack and kicked them in the groin to knock them down before stabbing them through the back. "Tell her to hurry! Stahl's really messed up!"

"So I shall! Virion, away!" He raced off and I nearly lost my arm because I was too busy trying to figure out why the hell he'd say something like that.

I repaid the axe user by dis-arming them instead, grimacing as the injury to my shoulder protested. But I had no time to tend to it. Another axe user was running up, but his target was not me or the two behind me. Instead, it was Lissa, who was doing her best to duck and dodge as she ran over to me. So, I moved quickly and intercepted the axe user, catching his axe with both of my armored gloves. I grit my teeth as the impact rattled my teeth, and knew I'd have to repair the gloves after all these attacks. But they still held, and that was all that mattered to me, especially right now.

I threw them off of me, and smirked as their eyes widened. "You want to try praying?" I whispered before twisting and slicing them in two. My arms ached and my wrists twinged in pain, hinting I might've sprained something, but gods, it felt worth it when Lissa slid right under the falling body and made it to Stahl with her healing staff.

I turned to see who else I needed to fight… only to realize that there weren't really any left, at least around us. The sound of slightly distant fighting hinted the cavalry quad were still battling, but… not us here.

"You look like you need this." A canteen dangled into view, and I leaned my head back to see Chrom next to me. "You look exhausted," he murmured. I decided against pointing out that he looked just as bad, with dirt and blood smeared across his face. "Virion said you found them."

"Yes, I did," I whispered. I took the canteen and guzzled down the water. I ended up drinking a little fast and choked a little, coughing. "I need to remember to not do that."

"Drink water too fast?"

"I'm not used to nice clean water." I shook my head and looked up at him as I wiped my mouth. "Miriel is alive and conscious, and doesn't seem to be bleeding, but might be bruised. She didn't mention anything." I glanced back. "...Stahl's bad."

"Damn." He closed his eyes, and I knew he was blaming himself. "Damn them…" He shook his head and took a few deep breaths before sheathing his sword. "I'm going to talk to the leader."

"You're what." My eyes widened and I grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving. "No way! This crazy lady almost killed you! Almost killed Stahl!"

"We need to stop this pointless fighting." He opened his eyes and looked at me. "If Stahl is really bad off, he'll need more than a healing staff."

"Yes, but…" I thought just killing the lady would solve the problem just as well. "You can't just…!"

A loud clanging cut me off, and we both turned to see a woman wearing heavy armor had jumped down from… I supposed it was a watchtower. "I am Raimi, guardian of this fort!" she boomed. Her voice echoed off the walls. "Let our battle sound out the truth of your words!"

"Freaking hell, she is loud and dramatic," I grumbled. I looked at Chrom. "You're seriously going to talk to her?"

"I have to try," Chrom whispered. He gave me a sad smile. "I…"

"But-!"

"Please." He rested a hand on mine, but made a point to not pull me off him, even though we both knew he could.

I stared at him for a long moment and sighed, finally letting go of his arm. "Go on." I thought it foolish, but it was important to him. "But wait for Robin, please. Let him set up some sort of cover."

"I will. Keep Stahl safe."

"I will." I glowered up at him. "And I swear, if you get injured, and make Lissa cry a second time…"

"Duly noted." He walked off, heading straight for Robin, and I sighed a bit. He was… so aggravating.

"Hey, what's with you two?" Blondie popped up out of nowhere and ducked as I automatically attacked. "Easy, it's me!" he yelped. I blinked slowly at him. "It's the Vaike."

"...Sorry, Blondie," I whispered. I decided to just sheathe my sword to lessen the chances of taking someone's head off. "Between who?"

"Hmm? Oh, right. You and Chrom buddy."

"Huh?" I gave him a confused look. "What do you mean, exactly?"

"I mean that you two are rather touchy close, and was curious."

"...We are?" I thought a bit, and supposed I had to admit that I did let my guard around him a bit. "Well, he seeks me out more than I seek him out. He's aware that Robin and I haven't exactly had the best of lives."

"Ooohh, it's him doing them 'I want you to have fun and be comfortable' thing. He did it with me too." Blondie shrugged. "He can be a bit oblivious to how much privilege he has, but he does do his best to help people in the slums. That's where I'm from, and where we met. He'd gone down because apparently the reports about conditions didn't match what he'd been hearing. Never let it be known who he was, even when my axe took a little dislikin' towards him." He nodded. "Yeah, makes sense now. Especially since you gotta deal with a brother who doesn't remember ya."

"Yes, I really needed to be reminded of that." I narrowed my eyes and then sighed. "Oh, whatever. Regardless, there's nothing."

"Well, there's friendship. That ain't nothin." He shrugged. "I'm going to make sure the area's clear."

"Please don't lose your axe." I smirked slightly as he groaned, and waved as he walked off. The smirk fell, though, when I tried to think about just… first Virion and now him. Was there something unusual about how we interacted with each other? I didn't really have a lot of interactions to compare, and I was rather grateful to Chrom, if only because Robin clearly adored him. I didn't think there was anything really 'odd', other than the general 'I am actually opening up to a person' thing. But it was a bit hard not to, when he made such an effort to make sure Robin and I were comfortable...

Before I could continue that line of thought, thunder crashed into the wall, and I jerked my head up to see that Robin was throwing magic at Raimi. Chrom charged through the thunderbolts, and I noticed he switched his direction every once in a while, likely so that Raimi couldn't find a spot where Robin wouldn't fire for fear of hurting Chrom.

Raimi, of course, tried to charge, but armored knights weren't well known for their ability to deal with magic well. So, instead, she threw a javelin at Robin, clipping his side, and picked up another lance to use against Chrom. Chrom, however, parried it, and then jumped back as Robin launched another thunder spell despite heavy bleeding. I winced as I noticed Raimi's arms and neck were blistering, from the heat of the thunder as it bounced through the armor.

However, she held her ground, breathing heavily. "This is nothing," she wheezed. She held her lance tightly enough to make it trembled. "I am a warrior of Ferox! I will not fall!"

"Can we stop with this pointless fighting already?" Chrom asked. He brought his sword down. "This is more than enough! Just lay down your arms, and I'll lay down mine, and-!"

"I heard the Crown Prince of Ylisse was a warrior like his father!" She scoffed, and didn't seem to notice as Chrom's face blanked and then turned very, very stony. "But here you are, begging for your life! There's no way you are-!"

"I'm begging for yours." Chrom's voice dropped to a quiet murmur, seething in anger and threats. "Yours and the soldiers' you command. Make your choice."

Her choice was to lunge, aiming right for his face. However, taking advantage of how weakened she was, Chrom caught the lance, blood dripping his arm as the bladed part bit into his palm. Then, with one quick movement, he twisted, and jerked the spear out of her grip, throwing it to the side. She tried to punch him, but he ducked down, and hooked his leg around hers to pull it out from under her. She fell with a loud clang, and tried to scramble up.

But Chrom brought up Falchion and leveled it at her face in a silent warning. He glared at her for a brief moment as she stared at him with wide-wide eyes. But then the glare softened for a look of careful calm. "If you surrender, we can have our healer tend to you and your people," he offered softly. The wind blew, making his cloak billow dramatically, and from my point of view, it almost looked like it was trying to shelter Raimi, even as he held the weapon at her face. "Will you?"

She was silent for a long, long moment, just staring. But then, finally, she whispered, "...Yes. Your strength is no falsehood." She bowed her head. "I… surrender."

"Then let's tend to your wounded, and ours." He sheathed Falchion and gave her his hand. She hesitated a moment before taking it, and he helped her up, supporting her as she stumbled. "Here, let me help you."

The battle slowly winded down after that, and the others quickly ran around to check on each other, and on Stahl and Miriel. I lingered back, watching Chrom help Raimi limp over to Lissa, and I couldn't help but smile slightly. Even if I was a bit annoyed that he managed to pull this off.

Not every enemy could be reasoned with. I knew that, better than anyone.

The Ylisseans were a little weirded out that, after we had tended to the injured and buried the dead, the Feroxi wanted to throw a party, but I didn't think it was that unusual. Feroxi had a mentality similar to most mercenaries: whatever happened on the job didn't affect what happened off the job.

"So, explain to me again just why there is a party?" Chrom asked, looking a little lost as the two of us leaned against the wall and watched the chaos. He also eyed his mug of ale warily, since it had been topped off five times already, without his permission. "I mean… um…"

"Feroxi believe that there are multiple levels of the heavens, and those who fall in battle, or die in childbirth, are granted access to the highest level," I answered. I refused all offers of alcohol and stuck to water. I could survive a gutting thanks to Grima, but Grima apparently had no head for alcohol because I really didn't. Then again, Robin did, so maybe that was just a sign of me not being a 'perfect Vessel'. "So, they are celebrating their comrades' ascension. They'll have the more somber funerals and the like later, when we outsiders are gone."

"But with this much alcohol?" He gestured to one of the two tables set up in the center of the room, filled with wines, ales, whiskeys, beer, and other alcohols I didn't recognize on sight. "There's more alcohol than food."

"Wine is totally a food. It's made from grapes." I gestured to the others, who, after a few drinks, happily joined in on the festivities. "Besides, aside from Virion, Frederick, and Lissa, the rest of them are too drunk to care."

"I'm not sure how much I like how right you are." He winced as the sound of something shattering rang out over the offkey bawdy song some people were singing. "Should I look?"

"No, Frederick ordered us to rest, remember?" I winced as more crashing sounds hit my ears. "Oh dear."

"I am banning alcohol for the Shepherds. Forever."

"I don't blame you." After all, it was absolute chaos and it wasn't just the Feroxi causing trouble. We were in the biggest room of the fortress, and the whole place was as lively, and loud, as any three taverns. We already had to stop a couple from drunkenly stripping down. And stop some fights. And remind people that no, they couldn't fly, no matter how high they jumped off from. "Rather surprised you're not drunk like the rest of them."

"I like the occasional drink, but I dislike the idea of not having entirely full control. Besides, considering what I break when sober…" He grinned at the little joke and I laughed. "Is Robin winning the drinking contest?"

"Robin could outdrink a god." I laughed again, however, when I realized just how much he was putting away. "I'm sure he's using this as a learning experience."

"I'm all for experience." He paused, and slumped slightly before glancing over at where Miriel was passed out. "Miriel isn't really one for drinking, so I'm wondering if she decided to experiment with 'drowning sorrows'."

"You know this wasn't your fault, right?"

"Logically, sure. Emotionally…" He sighed. "And all the people we killed. I can only pray it won't hurt negotiations."

"Well, she's going to escort us to the capital herself. If anything, I think this will help." I thought again of her explanation for why she'd attacked. "She said that Plegia had been masquerading as Ylisseans, but I…" I hesitated before deciding to just go for it. "I can't help but wonder if it was a double-trap."

"A double-trap?"

"Yes." I shook my head. "On the surface, it just appears like Plegia was trying to force tensions between Ylisse and Ferox, but according to Raimi, they had papers."

"...Now that you mention it, it seems strange that they'd keep papers marking them as Plegians on them for such an operation." Chrom sipped a little from his mug. "But if the intention was just to make them wary of any who came to the border, claiming to be Ylisseans…"

"She attacked you. She nearly killed you and yours, because of her doubts. You almost fell victim because of that paranoia. That's why I wonder if it was a double-trap." I looked up at him worriedly. "Though, regardless, you need to be more careful."

"Robin already gave me an earful for this." He groaned. "Same to Frederick."

"I think even Emmeryn heard Frederick's lecture, but that doesn't really matter. You are getting one from me as well." I frowned slightly. "Regardless of what you believe, Chrom, there are many who love you." I gestured to the Shepherds, all laughing and having fun. "They adore you. That's why they're here with you."

"No, they're good people who are willing to protect their homes. That is why they're here." He shook his head. "I'm just the one who makes sure they're nice and official, and get some gold for their services."

"Then let me ask you. Did you just do a little recruiting thing?" I tried to think of how things were in Plegia. "Did you put up posters?"

"Oh, gods!" He shuddered. "Frederick tried. He drew up a poster and everything! Emm and Lissa sprained their sides laughing at them."

"Was it that amusing?"

"It had me naked, and there was a 'Chrom Wants You' written on it to cover up any 'scandalous' bits."

"Well, now I wish there was a copy for me to see." I grinned as he groaned. "So, no recruitment posters."

"No." He shook his head, cheer fading. "No, I didn't want anything to remind the people of… the war. The drafts started with posters, before it turned to armed soldiers just rounding people up like animals." He drained his mug and tossed it onto a nearby table already overflowing with empty mugs. "No, I just… I asked Sully if she'd be interested at first. We're childhood friends, and she's one of the few friends I still have. She jumped on the idea instantly, and brought along Stahl. I asked Vaike after that, and he was just as eager. Frederick recruited Kellam. Lissa said she wanted help, and that brought Maribelle in. Miriel just showed up at the barracks one day and said something about how she found the idea intriguing." He shrugged. "It was just very… informal. The whole thing is, really."

"I see." I still thought that, at least for the early ones, it was because he had asked, but he seemed so completely certain he had nothing to do with it. "Well, why do you think they stay?"

"Huh?"

"This is a group of very… varying individuals of strong personalities." As if to prove my point, Blondie started a playful brawl with Red that soon dragged half the room in it, while Frederick and Stahl, safely healed if out of the next couple of battles, tried to sort it out. "They're all quirky. Even Robin." Robin was actually cheering them on from the sidelines, eyes sharp as he paid attention to how they fought. "I'm certain that most of them wouldn't even think about being around the others on a normal basis. I'm certain that they get on each others' nerves a lot. But they all stay. Why do you think that is?" I looked up at him and smiled. "Personally, I think they stay because of you."

"Now you're flattering me."

"Not really. Your people love you. Trust me. I traveled through Ylisse. You're as loved as Emmeryn, easily." I grinned as I noticed he was starting to turn very, very red, all the way to his ears. "Embarrassed?"

"N-no, it's just the alcohol." He reached up to try and cover his face, but, again, he was blushing to the tips of his ears. "I'm going to stop the fight."

"Good luck." I laughed as he fled, smiling softly when I was quickly proven right. Chrom easily and efficiently managed to get the fighters to break it up, and got them involved in a drinking contest. It wasn't long at all before he was talking to them like they were old friends, with Red and Blondie on either side of him.

As I laughed, I thought I noticed eyes on me and turned to try and figure out who would be staring. I barely managed to catch Sumia's gaze before she turned quickly away, talking animatedly with Miriel about something, and I frowned a little, worried. I definitely felt like I was missing something, but I just couldn't figure out the piece, and since this was twice now, I was certain I wasn't imagining it… yet I couldn't...

"Kestrel!" Lissa popped in front of me and snatched my hands. "Come on! Dance with us!" she cheered, dragging me behind her and over to where a bunch of people had set up for some group dances.

At that point, I had my hands full because I was horrible at dancing, but I did keep it in mind. I'd ask Sumia about it… if I ever remembered.

Notes on Sully:

Class - Cavalier; Reclass - Myrmidon, Wyvern Rider

Sometimes called Red by Kestrel

The daughter of a Duke, and a proud knight of Ylisse, her birth name is Soiree, though she rarely answers to it. Brusque and aggressive, she focuses on training, refusing to rely on her family's reputation to earn her place. Her personality is very suited for Ferox, truthfully.

She fights with the Shepherds both because it is led by her childhood friend, Chrom, and because the Shepherds are not besieged by the sexism that apparently runs rampant in the main army.

An absolute horrible cook, and should not be allowed anywhere near food preparation. Ever. She managed to outdo Chrom in 'worst cooking disaster', and that is saying something.

Author's notes: The 'Chrom Wants You' poster features in the Chrom-Frederick supports, and are a hilarious mental image. Vaike and Chrom having a cooking contest is based off their B and A supports. "Die, with magnificence" is one of Virion's crit quotes, and possibly my favorite of them. "Looks like Teach just got Tenure" is one of Vaike's crit quotes. "You want to try praying?" is one of Kestrel's actually (yes, I came up with four for her). Chrom sneak-visiting Vaike's home comes from Vaike's supports with Lissa.

The exchange between Raimi and Chrom about the begging of lives actually comes from Mass Effect (the Citadel DLC, iirc); I thought it fit here. The idea of 'big magic' messing with the weather comes partly from the Valdemar Series by Mercedes Lackey, and partly from the Elibe games, where the power (magic) of the Divine Weapon led to the Ending Winter.

Next Chapter - Interlude, Eastern Khan