Interlude - Desperation

We make our way to Ferox, at a hard march that actually made some people twist their ankles. Still, we kept going, and we sent Cordelia and Sumia ahead to inform Flavia about what happened. When we made it to the border, Raimi met us and escorted us all the way to Eclil, where Flavia greets us with warm food, warmer baths, and generally anything and everything we needed.

Now, we wait for Ferox to call their army, and for the dreaded news of Ylisstol's fall.

Everything moved both slowly and quickly. None of us knew what to do, yet we all were filled with nervous energy. And while we were waiting for more news from Flavia, Lissa had a panic attack.

"B-but she'll be safe inside the castle, right?" she sobbed. She shook badly, and it took all of Maribelle's strength to keep her from collapsing. "Phila and the others will protect her, and Flavia is getting the army, and we'll be back in time, right?"

"Try to take a breath, Lissa," I urged, crouching down to look her in the face. This meeting with Flavia had originally been just for Chrom and Lissa, and Sumia had come by to bring him food, but she'd seen Lissa falling apart and sent for Maribelle and me. Maribelle focused on supporting Lissa, while I tried to get through to her. "Deep breath, Lissa."

"B-b-but…!" Her voice cracked. "Chrom, tell me it'll be okay!" She twisted to look at her brother, who stared into the distance, not even acknowledging Sumia as she tried to get him to eat. "Say 'of course we will' or something!" But there was no response. "Chrom!"

"Huh?" Chrom jerked at the yell, and turned to Lissa. "I'm… sorry, did you say something?" he asked. He really hadn't been paying attention. "Do you need another handkerchief?"

"No! Gods, you idiot!" Her breath hitched and she turned into Maribelle. "Get out of your own head!" That didn't seem fair for her to say, considering she was the one sobbing. But, then again, fear made illogical idiots out of everyone.

"I… sorry…" Chrom flinched, and he looked away. It wasn't long before his eyes unfocused again. Likely, he was thinking of how poor of a brother he was, because that seemed like him.

"Captain, you should eat," Sumia urged, trying to catch his attention. I returned to trying to calm Lissa with Maribelle. None of us had much luck. "Captain…" Lissa was inconsolable, and Chrom was too deep in self-pity and hatred. "Oh, snap out of it, Captain!" And then Sumia proceeded to hit Chrom in the face with a gauntleted fist. It wasn't a punch. It was more of a fisted-slap or something. It certainly made a loud noise, one that made all of us pause and simply stare. "Um… did I do it wrong?" Lissa stopped crying; Chrom stared, his jaw reddening up. "Um… did I do it wrong? Phila always says a good slap will shake someone out of their doldrums."

"Those slaps are typically with an open hand, and not while wearing a gauntlet," I pointed out. "You hit Chrom in the face with something that's intended as a weapon."

"Oh." Her face went red. "I'm so sorry!"

"I think my jaw is broken," Chrom murmured, pressing a hand against his jaw. "Or that I lost some teeth."

"L-let me see!" Lissa yelped. She pulled away from Maribelle and raced over to Chrom, making little whimpering noises as she examined the area. Maribelle and I hung back awkwardly, while Sumia hesitantly moved behind me, her face mottled red from mortification. "Wow, Sumia, you did some damage!"

"I'm sorry!" Sumia squeaked, hiding behind me further. Maribelle was giving her a 'what were you thinking?' look. "I just… I forgot I was wearing my gauntlets still!"

"Why do you have them on?"

"I was sparring with Cordelia before I came here. Is it bad?"

"Bruised, but nothing broken or loose." Lissa giggled, patting Chrom's cheek. He looked exasperated, but he reached up to wipe away the tears still clinging to her face. "I'll tend to it with my staff later, Chrom."

"Well, you're livelier than I expected." Flavia finally walked in then, laughing a little. "Well, Chrom, it seems you're smart enough to surround yourself with strong women."

"Huh?" Chrom replied, looking confused. He glanced around, and that's when it dawned on all of us that Chrom was literally the only guy in the room. "Oh. Huh. I… actually, I don't know a good way to reply without sounding like an ass."

"Then you may keep quiet, and let me give you my news." She smiled slightly. "The army is mobilizing, and we'll be ready soon." Chrom and Lissa lit up at that. "Everyone is itching for a fight, and I must say, I'm looking forward to savoring a skirmish or two myself."

"I see." Chrom managed a smile, though he winced as his blooming bruise protested. "So, you'll be coming with us?"

"Of course, a Khan needs her exercise, and I won't send my people to fight where I won't go. I'm even bringing my insignificant other, once he gets his brown ass over here." She sighed. "But no, the oaf is like 'let me send scouts'. He's not good for much, but he'll stop a few stray arrows, at least." She smiled again. "For now, please, rest. You will need it in the coming days. No one knows war like a Feroxi, so believe me when I say…" Her smile fell and her expression became grave. "War is a beast, and it devours all that it wishes, without regard for anything but its own hunger. When it passes by, all fall victim to it, in body, in spirit, and in mind. There are no victors when War comes, only survivors, and it will take everything you have to be one of those survivors, no matter how strong you are." The sobering words echoed in the silence. "Rest, and gather your reserves. You will need them."

"...Thank you, Flavia." Chrom's own words were soft. "We'll… do that." And so we all went our own ways, with Sumia clinging close to me, and Maribelle taking charge of Chrom and Lissa.

Flavia watched us leave, and I didn't even need to glance back to know she was staring at us worriedly. She was afraid of what this war would do to us, because she was kind, and she might have even been praying to War itself to let us survive.

I checked in on everyone. I couldn't… not. There was nothing to do, and so, I fretted. In my fretting, I went to see if anyone needed help. I checked in on Frederick first, but he was instructing Sully, Stahl, and Kellam in lances, so I left them be. Robin had locked himself in his room, studying, and I just left him extra candles for when it got darker. Lissa was with Maribelle, having tea. I couldn't find Sumia, but a quick word with a servant told me she and Cordelia went flying to calm their minds. Miriel, Ricken, and Virion were in the library. Panne was curled up in the stables with the horses, chatting with them. Lon'qu and Vaike were actually sparring.

I sighed as I wandered the halls, almost put out that no one needed help. I thought about just cooking for everyone, if only to have something to do, but a quick glance to the sky told me that it was far too early to start cooking dinner. Grimacing, I decided to head towards Chrom's room and asking if he'd like to spar, since at least we'd be distracted for a bit. When I got to his room, though, I heard a strange clanging crash sound and burst in, wondering what the hell was going on.

Even when I was there, I couldn't figure it out for a second, though. Chrom was on his feet, Falchion in his hands, and the Fire Emblem was on the ground a short distance away, flipped over like it had been thrown.

"Chrom?" I whispered. There was no response. "Chrom, it's Kestrel. Can you hear me?" I knocked on the door frame when there was still nothing. "I guess you're in your own world." I walked further in, closing the door behind me, and bent to pick up the Fire Emblem.

"Don't touch it," Chrom hissed. He glowered at the thing. "Just…"

"Why don't I get it out of sight?" I used my foot to push it under the bed, and turned to face him. "So, what happened? Did it fall while you were practicing?"

"No, I tried to break it." His words were anger and bitter. "But while I'm a master at accidentally breaking things, but the one time I really want to break something important on purpose, it's impervious to damage."

"Well, it's older than the Hero-King, just like Falchion." I reached over and slowly pried his hands off the hilt. "You shouldn't wield this when you're so angry." I noticed that while there was no bruise on his face now, likely tended to by Lissa and Maribelle before they had their tea, his left hand was swollen. "Did you try to punch it at first?"

"...Yes." He slowly relaxed, and let me take Falchion from him. I set it against the wall nearby. "Emm gave me the Fire Emblem while she went off to a trap."

"So, you wanted to be rid of it, since losing it might mean Emmeryn could come back?"

"Hell if I know." He flopped onto his bed, the anger fading for fear. "I don't know anything. I don't know about Emm. I don't know about Phila. I don't know about our soldiers. I don't know about our people. I don't know anything." He looked up at me, like a lost child. "I feel like I'm back then. Fifteen years ago, when the war was going on. I didn't know anything then either. I just knew people were angry, about everything, and people slowly starved after some bad battle and peasants were conscripted and killed, and…" He groaned. "Three months. Not even. In three months, Ylisse was ruined, all because of my father. Emm spent the last fifteen years trying to heal the wounds, but now they're just…"

"Sometimes, you have to reopen a wound, because something was healed within it, or infection set in." I moved to the window and drew back the curtain to get some actual sunlight into here. He flinched at the light. "Ylisse might've been healing well, but Plegia's wounds festered."

"Reminds me of the old stories of Ylisse and Plegia being mirrors of each other. If one fell, so would the other." He fell silent, and I fussed about his room, tidying things up. "I'm not going to see Emm again, am I?"

"You don't know that."

"She told me to 'be happy'. The last person to use that as a goodbye never came back." He scowled at the wall. "No, Clara never came back at all."

"Clara?" I didn't know that name. "Who's Clara?"

"My father's best friend. She disappeared after he died, and I haven't seen her since." He sighed, relaxing slowly. "I'm apparently the last person to see her. My memory is a blur about it though. Nothing made sense."

"Disappeared?"

"Yeah." He sighed, glancing out the window. "Maybe she went after the assassin that killed my father. Maybe she was the assassin. Honestly, no one knows a damn thing. She came back from conquering Plegia Castle, gave Mother a hug, went to see my father, and just… disappeared."

"You miss her."

"She was basically my aunt. My father affectionately called her 'sister', even, and Mother talked fondly of her even after she left. Most condemned her, though. After all, she was my father's right hand." He laughed bitterly. "Plegia must really hate her, though. She was the Holy Swordsman of Ylisse-"

"Oh, her!" I gasped, startled. I knew that title. Many heralded her as one of the strongest swordsmen of the entire continent, even fifteen years later. "I never heard her actual name."

"I guess that was a way of trying to erase her. You never really hear my parents' names either." He looked over at me. "Maybe that'll happen to Emm and me too. Maybe it was too much to think we could atone for my father."

"Or maybe you just need a little more time." I sat beside him, and smiled. "Besides, maybe we can change Emmeryn's supposed fate." I rested a hand on his. "I mean… I'm not… so certain on if destiny can be changed, but…" I shrugged. "You're a weirdo. She's a weirdo. Maybe that'll make fate go weird. And then you can repair everything, one step at a time."

"Fate is just a word. Anything can change." He turned his hand over so that he could grasp mine, and he smiled. "Right, we'll… figure out something."

"Of course." I smiled back, though I knew mine was sadder. Destiny was inescapable, though Robin and I had spent our lives trying to anyway. But… "Would you like… some silly stories about Robin and I when we were kids?"

"I'd love to hear." His smile warmed. "I can use them to tease him."

"Precisely." I laughed. "Now then… what's a good one?"

A few days later, Basilio arrived with his own forces. Flavia called Robin, Chrom, Lissa, and me to the meeting with him, and unfortunately, his dark look, even as he tried to smile in greeting, told me that whatever his scouts found, it wasn't good.

"I'll just get straight to the point," Basilio began. All of us were clustered in a little group in a too large room, and it took me a moment to realize this was actually where we'd held the party, post Championship. That felt like lifetimes ago. "It'll take a few more days to rouse Ferox to its full army and, worse, I've dark news."

"Bad news?" Chrom sighed. I reached up to pat his shoulder reassuring, and he gave me a thankful smile. Robin, on the other side of the circle with Lissa, flashed me a teasing grin. I glowered at him. "What is it?"

"I insisted on scouts because I had a bad feeling and, unfortunately, my scouts confirmed it. Ylisstol has fallen, and fell within hours of you even getting here." Basilio's words felt like a slap in the face. "From what I understand, you had a few traitors in your mix. My scouts reported that the traitors were killed by the Plegians, apparently much like how Ylisse killed Plegian turncoats in the past."

"...I've heard that, but neither Emm nor I could ever find a record of it." Chrom winced, and I wondered if those who had killed the traitors had been killed themselves, to keep the secret. "My sister? My people?"

"The city is tattered and the people are bleeding, but it seems civilian casualties were minimal. Army… not so minimal. But once Exalt Emmeryn was captured, they retreated behind their frontlines with her. We've word that there will be a public execution within the moon."

"E-Execution!?" Chrom shook his head slowly, like he was trying to avoid processing the word. "That's-"

"An obvious trap," Robin finished. He frowned heavily, supporting Lissa. She must've collapsed, based on her wide eyes and pale face. "It's not even a subtle one. It's a provocation."

"Exactly," Basilio agreed. He looked annoyed by the thought. "It's a hot brand to the ass, basically. So, we should weigh our options and-"

"We're heading to Plegia," Chrom declared. He turned to march down the halls. "I'll get my Shepherds and-WHOA!" I, however, took advantage of his cape and snagged him by it, tugging him off balance. "Hey!"

"Thank you, Kestrel." Basilio sighed. "Now, then, I will admit that is one option." He waited for me to tug Chrom back to my side. "However, I think we've had enough royals waltzing into traps for the next century, yes?"

"He's going to murder her!" Chrom's eyes blazed with anger, but his posture was defensive, and fearful. "I don't-"

"Chrom, reminder, you lead people, and if this goes wrong, you'll lead them to their deaths," I pointed out lightly. It was enough to deflate him, though. "Now, then, no one is suggesting we don't act."

"She's right," Flavia confirmed. She scowled at Chrom. "We simply need to act wisely. We'll need guts and wits in equal measure if we're to pull anything off."

"Which, if you give me a day, I can do," Robin replied, almost airily. All eyes turned to him, and I was startled by the ferocity in his eyes. "I'll think of something, Chrom. I promise. Just wait a day."

"Are you certain you can?" Flavia turned her scowl to him, but he met the look without even a little hesitation. "You'll hold Exalt Emmeryn's life in one hand, and all of ours in the other, you know."

"A difficult task, but I can do it." Robin's words were firm. "I don't take the responsibility lightly, but I am equal to the challenge."

"...Ha…" Flavia started laughing, to everyone's surprise. "Well, you've got stones, at least! I like it!"

"No hesitation, no mincing words," Basilio agreed. He started laughing too. "You're either a genius or a fool, but I suppose we'll see which it is on the march!"

There was a bit more talking, but everyone soon scattered. Basilio and Flavia went to rally up a strike force to accompany us for this. Robin went to his room to study, while Lissa wandered off on her own and Chrom bolted out. I hesitated, trying to think of where to go, before realizing something.

Plegia meant Grimleal. Robin and I were heading right to the heart of Plegia. I…

My feet took me to Chrom's room, and, noticing the door was open, I simply stepped inside, watching Chrom throw things about the room. He even kicked out the Fire Emblem from under the bed, and I wondered if he was thinking of using it as a bargaining chip for Emmeryn's life. The thought made me nauseous, but mostly because such a choice would be…

"Are you going to try and change my mind, Kestrel?" Chrom asked softly. He stopped what he was doing to look right at me. "You've been staring for a while."

"I somehow doubt anything can change your mind when you're this determined," I replied, voice just as soft. I hesitated, feeling my stomach turn again, this time for other reasons entirely. "It's just… I'm wary of entering Plegia."

"Well, it's enemy territory, and this is a bit reckless, but-"

"That's not why!" I winced as my voice echoed back, and I realized I'd yelled the words. "I…" I started to shake. I was scared. I was really scared. "Well…"

"Kestrel?" Chrom came over and gently took my hands. "Kestrel, if you want to stay behind-"

"I'm not leaving you." The words were heavier than I intended, and I instantly tried to lighten them. "I'm not leaving Robin. I'm not leaving Lissa, or Sumia, or… or any of the Shepherds. I just…" I sighed, and decided that I needed a starting point, like I had with Emmeryn. "Okay." I turned away, and, after hesitating a bit, started undoing the buttons on my shirt.

"Kestrel!?" Chrom's voice was squeaky, and it was so easy to imagine his face going red. "H-hold on! What are you…?"

"Chrom. Just… look at the back of my shoulder. My left shoulder."

"U-um… okay?" He still sounded squeaky. "What am I…?" He trailed off, and I knew he'd seen it. I still flinched as I felt him touch the Brand. "Robin has a similar one on his hand. Is it some sort of familial tattoo thing?"

"Not quite." I took a deep breath for courage, and to settle my nerves. "Naga's not the only one with a bloodline." I glanced back nervously, worried he'd be disgusted or scornful or something. But, instead, I just saw curiosity. "Grima… has one too. Robin and I…"

"You mentioned being on the run from your father. Is that why he had so many people to send after you? He's high ranked?"

"A bit. It's… complicated, and I'm sorry, I can't…" My voice cracked. I couldn't say it. I couldn't say I was a Vessel. I couldn't admit it. "I…"

Chrom wrapped his arms around me, tugging me into a hug. "No, don't force yourself." His voice was firm. "You're Kestrel, a wonderful woman, a kind friend, and a fierce fighter. Your past is your own, and what you want to tell me, I'll gladly listen, but I don't want you to force yourself, when it's clearly so painful."

"Even if I'm of Grima?"

"So what? You're still you." He rested his cheek on my head, and I closed my eyes, leaning back into the hug. It was soothing, and comforting. "Will people still be after you, even though your father is dead?"

"I think so. Or it might… just come up? I don't know." My voice cracked again. "I don't know. I've only ever run. Yet now, Robin and I are heading deeper into Plegia than we ever dared. So I don't know what will happen."

"I see." Silence fell, but he didn't let go of me. If anything, his hold on me tightened. "I'll keep you safe." His words were soft, and certain. "I'll keep you and Robin safe. I promise."

"You're… so ridiculous." I laughed a bit, unable to help it. It was just so him to say that. "You're really too kind." I tilted my head back and managed a smile. "You know that you're hugging a half-shirtless girl, though, right?"

"Huh?" His expression blanked before his face went beet-red and he jumped back, not looking at me. "I… I'm sorry! I just… you seemed like… okay, I just really wanted to hug you, and I'm impulsive, but I swear I didn't mean anything by it! I just… um…" He went redder as I laughed. "Um…"

"If I thought you had ulterior motives, I would've thrown you." I buttoned up my shirt, and turned to face him. "I… needed the hug, I think."

"Happy to oblige, though I should've asked or waited or…" He groaned, sitting on his bed. "I'm… just going to continue packing."

"Alright." I still giggled, far too amused by his reaction, but it died as I watched him fuss about the room, throwing things into his pack at random. "Do you want help?"

"Shouldn't you pack?"

"All the years on the run, and you think I'm not good at packing? I've been packed." I sat down on the bed. "So, I'm free."

"Maybe later, but I like trying to think through things."

"Alright." I hesitated. "Do you mind… if I just stay in here anyway? I'll stay out of the way."

"You could never be in the way in the first place." He gave me a warm smile, and I returned it gladly, feeling a little giddy. "Won't you be bored?"

"I'm never bored when I'm with you. Besides, you have books. I can read." I twisted around actually, snagged a book from his nightstand, and began reading, stretched out on the bed. "Oh, is this a story of the War with Bern, from the Elibean Saga?"

"Yeah, though it's not a Ribald retelling."

"That's not all I read!" I laughed and started reading, humming a little as I did so. Chrom wandered the room, slowly packing for the trip. Every once in a while, the two of us chatted about some random thing we thought of, but we spent a lot of it in silence. Strangely content silence.

I… liked it. I liked him. Oh, gods, I had it bad, didn't I?

Notes on Maribelle:

Class - Troubadour; Reclass - Mage, Pegasus Knight

A high-ranked, high-class, somewhat bigoted member of the Shepherds, who is incredibly loyal to Lissa and Chrom. Especially Lissa. Something about Lissa being her first friend.

A very capable healer, with strong magic and some uncanny good luck. Her refusal to build up her physical strength limits her defenses, though.

Despite her bigotry against commoners, she is adamant that the laws should be equal for everyone and that justice shouldn't just go to whoever can pay the highest. To that end, she studies hard to become a magistrate.

Author's notes: In game, you just have one scene, but I split it into two parts to add a little bit more time. The 'Clara' mentioned here is the POV char for my Shadows of the Exalt, which details the last five months of the Ylisse-Plegia war.

Next Chapter - The Grimleal