Interlude – Declaration

As soon as we returned to Ylisse, Chrom made an announcement about the threat. He was careful to emphasize that we were not yet at war, but that we could be. It was a sobering speech, and the first one he'd made that wasn't met with cheers. That was to be expected, of course. Same to the general air of gloom and unease that fell over the country in the aftermath. Ylisse had two years of peace after the second war with Plegia, and everyone remembered all too well that first disastrous war with Plegia.

No one wanted a war. But Valm might bring it to us no matter what we wanted. That's what tyrants did, after all. 'Conqueror'… what a fool.

"I'm sorry. I know it's distressing," I murmured. The woman I'd just spent the past few minutes listening to relaxed, wiping her hands on her apron. "I promise we're going to avoid fighting as much as we can. The trouble comes solely from Valm. If they invade, we have to defend you."

"I understand, your majesty," the woman whispered. She smiled ruefully, bowing her head. "Thank you for listening."

"Of course." I smiled brightly as she left and then greeted the next person to come to me with equal cheer and reassurance.

We'd been back in Ylisstol for a week, and it had been six days since Chrom informed the people of what was going on. I'd spent every morning since in the city, listening to people's worries. All I could do, really, was reassure them that Chrom would not make the decision lightly, but that seemed to be enough for them.

In between listening and talking, I studied the city, taking it all in. You could still see where the fires from two years ago had devastated the area. There were still traces of where the war had torn through. Ylisstol gave a brave face, but it still recovered. Ylisse still recovered. And so it was all too easy to remember the ruined rubble of the port. It was all too easy to see that damage here in Ylisstol. To see the lively market filled with screams and blood and trampled corpses.

I didn't want that to happen. I didn't want anything like that to happen here again. But would Valm give us the choice? I doubted it. Everything I'd heard about this Walhart made him seem like the most selfish person, with an arrogance and charisma to match. At least the Grimleal could say they do their vile deeds for someone other than themselves. Of course that someone was Grima, selfishness incarnate, but still.

As always, the crowd began thinning out around lunch, and so, Cordelia led me inside the castle again to eat and take care of my afternoon duties alongside Sumia and Maribelle. We walked in silence, as was our typical, though I waited until we were in the 'royal wing' of the palace before letting myself sigh and droop. Cordelia rested a reassuring hand on my back, silently giving me support.

"The worst part is that Valm continues to be silent," I whispered. We had pegasus knights flying patrols, but the rest of Valm's ships hadn't been seen. Cherche volunteered to fly back to Valm, but Chrom refused, citing it was simply too dangerous for now. "Honestly…"

"Everything will be fine, Kestrel," Cordelia reassured. Her tired smile told me how much this was getting to her too. I knew she helped Libra prepare medicines and the like when I dismissed her for the day. "We should talk of something else, though. Maybe that'll help us?"

"True. We've done nothing but eat and breath war preparations, huh?" I managed a smile as well, and racked my brain for anything I'd heard recently. Finally, it did remember a half-bit of a rumor I'd heard from Lissa's grumblings. "So, I heard something about Nowi and Donnel, of all people?"

"Yeah, I don't know." Cordelia laughed, already relaxing. "But they're apparently a couple."

"Really? When did that happen?"

"No one knows, really. It just kind of happened, like how Panne and Stahl happened without us noticing." She shrugged. "Regardless, they are yet another happy couple among our Shepherds. Hooray!"

"That's quite a few now, isn't it? Some have lasted quite a while too. I wonder if any of them are planning on children." I giggled and looked slyly at Cordelia. She instantly blushed and glanced to the side. "I didn't even say anything."

"Shush. I know what you were going to ask."

"Well, have you thought about it?"

"We have. Some. Both of us are a little worried about being parents. He was left at the church and I grew up on the streets." Her blush faded and she winced. "I'm terrified I'd give my child some sort of complex or make them feel unloved or… something. Libra's afraid too, for similar reasons."

"I think you'd be good parents personally, but I can understand." I smiled and poked her cheek. "I do hope your child will be good friends with Lucina and Victoria, though."

"Of that, I can be certain." Cordelia smiled finally. "Your children, Sumia's, and mine. That would be fun to watch."

"Wouldn't it?" I laughed, warming to the mental image. It was easy to add in Robin's children too. I really did hope they'd all get along, in that nebulous future. "Also, remember Cordelia, you and Libra will have us to help you."

"That's true." Her smile grew. "Ah, this is silly talk considering everything."

"Considering everything, silly talk is needed, and if I'm saying that, it must be true." I linked arms with her. "Let's find Sumia, actually, and continue the conversation. If nothing else, we'll get to watch her reactions."

"True." She laughed and leaned into me. "That'll be fun. Let's go!"

"Goodness, you two are certainly in a messy phase," I teased, cleaning up the changing area in the nursery. Both Lucina and Victoria gurgled and giggled a bit, kicking and rattling their toys. They'd drooled all over their toys, and their clothes, so I had to change them into something clean. "Sillies."

Lucina's response to that was to try and throw the toy. Well, probably more like she accidentally threw it, but it was still amusing. Her face scrunched up to cry, and I went to pick it up, but she hadn't thrown it far. Victoria swiped at it a few times, frowning, before grasping it and pulling it towards her. After putting it in her mouth, she handed it to Lucina before she cried. I stared, stunned, and I smiled when the two began laughing, outright laughing, instead of the little 'happy gurgle smiles' I was used to.

"I wish Chrom was here to see this," I whispered, finishing my cleaning and then washing my hands. "It's a shame he's missed their first laugh." But that was the way life went. He had been with me earlier, enjoying a much needed break, but a message came from Robin, citing new information, and so, Chrom had left to tend to it, asking a servant to get Cordelia, Maribelle, or Sumia for me. "I wonder…"

I carefully crept closer and both immediately focused on me. Grinning now, I quickly tickled them both and laughed when they laughed too. I heard the door open behind me, but didn't think anything of it, assuming it was simply Cordelia walking in. So, instead I continued playing with my girls, while also making sure they're clothes were neat and not dirty.

Something sharp struck me across the back, shrieking pain making me gasp. If I hadn't been a Vessel, it was quite possible the pain and shock alone would've knocked me out. My vision went white even with that durability. But it cleared quickly enough and I whirled to someone wearing dark clothes and a mask standing behind me. They carried a bloody blade, and it was easy to piece the pieces together from there.

This was an assassin. They aimed to kill me. And the way they approached menacingly even now made me sincerely wonder if they aimed to kill my children too.

"Non ignoras tu contra iniuriam tulit!" I snapped, delving into my magic. My blood burned, and the pain on my back intensified. I had no choice but my magic, though. I had no sword, and my dagger was in my desk. And the way to that was blocked. "Sanguinem tuum meum est: et succendetur!"

I gestured sharply, a spark of purple-red magic spiking from my fingertips. The assassin dropped, writhing in a pain so agonizing they couldn't even breathe. But I had no reprieve. Three more walked through and I cursed the fact that there was only one door to the nursery now. There was a secret entrance, certainly, but I was so frazzled that I honestly couldn't remember where it was. There were the windows, but we were a few floors up. I could survive, sure, but I had no idea if my girls were.

"Et succendam vos omnes!" I focused my magic on the new ones, trembling from effort. This wasn't a curse meant to be used on multiple people at once, and I had to hold it until they died. So even when the next three fell, I nearly despaired when two more came. So many, just for me. Just for us.

Lucina and Victoria wailed in fright behind me. I struggled to think of more damaging curses, but came up blank. I wasn't trained in this. I only knew a few. I never wanted to learn. Now, I regretted not knowing.

"Kestrel!" But it had been enough. Thank everything holy, it had been enough. Because Cordelia launched her way over the assassins and skewered two when she landed. I let the curses drop and collapsed on my knees, gasping. "I don't know who the hell you people are, but I'll make you regret coming here!" Cordelia snapped, eyes blazing with hatred. "You want to try against someone armed?"

"As if we'd give them the choice!" One of the recovering assassins suddenly burst into flames, and Maribelle strode in over the burning corpse, dusting the ash off her boot. "Ugh, they got my clothes dirty," she scoffed. She stood protective in front of me, and I felt like sobbing. Instead, though, I dragged myself up and worked on calming the girls. "That's quite expensive, you know. Almost as expensive as attacking my friends."

"You're all despicable wretches." The last two were stabbed as they tried to stand, one through the back and one through the arm, and Sumia just left the lance in as she rushed for me. "Kestrel, your back!" she gasped, wrapping a supporting arm around me. I nearly collapsed into her hug. "Maribelle, you have a staff on you?"

"I do." Maribelle also turned to fuss over me. Cordelia shifted kicked the corpses of the would-be assassins out the door, and killed a sixth one as they tried to push their way in. "Ugh… this is a messy injury. Hold still, darling."

"Thank you guys, so much," I breathed, coughing on my own tears. I wasn't going without a weapon again until things were safe. Ever. "Ah, goodness…" A thought occurred to me, though, and I turned to face them. "Wait, why do all three of you have your weapons, though?"

"Part of it is luck," Sumia explained. She helped me calm Lucina and Victoria into just sniffles and then helped me limp over to a chair. When the girls began whimpering again, Maribelle carried them over to me and got them settled in my lap. "I was learning tomes with Maribelle and…"

"And you weren't the only one attacked," Cordelia finished. She eyed the one pinned by the arm and swiftly hit them over the head twice. "Either dead or unconscious. Hoping for the latter for information." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry. I should have gotten here much sooner."

"I should've had Chrom wait until someone else came," I corrected. I hugged Lucina and Victoria to me, trying to not shake. Maribelle continued tending to my back. "Who else got attacked?"

"Lissa, Robin, and Chrom." Cordelia's eyes were dark. "Lissa was with Libra and me, getting axe lessons. When that happened, I rushed here as soon as I could. I heard of the attacks on Robin and Chrom, but I'm certain they're-"

"Kes! Kes, are you still here?!" Chrom swung into the room then, splattering with blood and dripping with sweat. He held Falchion in a white-knuckled grip, and simple stared for a long moment, watching Maribelle treat my back while I soothed the girls. As soon as Maribelle stepped away, though, he surged forward, dropped Falchion, and kissed me fiercely. "You're okay…" he breathed when he pulled away. "You are, right? The girls?"

"I'll be fine, and the girls were just frightened, love," I answered. Sumia dragged another chair over so that Chrom could sit, and she ushered Cordelia and Maribelle out, likely to make sure things were safe. "See? They're right here." I hugged them again, and my heart broke at how quickly they curled into me. "Just a bit frightened…" My voice caught and I choked on the words. "Oh gods, Chrom… I was changing their clothes. I had my back turned. If they'd hit me harder… if they'd hit me in a different spot, they would've… our girls…"

Chrom held me tightly, sitting to help shield Lucina and Victoria from everything. He shook even more than me, and I knew why. He'd left. He'd been lured away. If I hadn't been proficient with curses… if Cordelia, Maribelle, and Sumia hadn't arrived when they did… gods, I could've died. The girls could've died.

Gods above, my mother dealt with sort of fear every day after she ran with us. I wished I could've asked her how she managed it. I wished I could've asked her for help.

The assassins were dealt with quickly, as was expected, and those that lived… well, we handed them to Tharja and Gaius. It wasn't long at all that we got information from them, and our fears were confirmed. They were from Valm.

"I am so sorry!" Virion, for his part, took the news especially hard. After all, he was our resident 'expert' with Walhart and his troops, followed closely by Cherche. "I knew their methods were deplorable, but to send assassins after children…" he tried to say more, but, for once, he was without words and so, he simply bowed his head. "I'm so sorry. I should've thought of that."

"Virion, please, raise your head," I urged. I had to sit stiffly thanks to the injury on my back, but I did manage to snag him in a hug. "We're fine. And clearly, this isn't something you anticipated?"

"Mmm… no, truthfully." Virion slowly relaxed and let himself actually sit down beside me. We were in Chrom's very defensible study with the rest of the Shepherds, but most of them were busy cooing over Lucina and Victoria and triple-checking all the defenses. Only six weren't. Cordelia, Sumia, and Cherche were flying a patrol to make sure more weren't coming. Sully, Stahl, and Frederick did the same on the ground. "If it was anyone else, I would've, but Walhart values strength above all else. Crushing one's enemies beneath his boot. Assassins… don't fit that normal strategy."

"It seems odd for him to suddenly change tactics, yes."

"Got an answer to that one." Gaius popped over and sat down with Virion and me. "Your kids are cute, but they want to steal my candy," he complained, holding up a broken lollipop for emphasis. "Seriously, why."

"They're exploring the world and, thus, everything goes into their mouth," Virion explained with a little laugh. I simply giggled, relaxing. "So, your answer?"

"Well, seems like this Walhart got a new tactician within the last couple of years. Someone named Excellus, and he favors tactics like this." Gaius shrugged. "When there's a battle, Walhart just crushes, but Excellus seems to like making people dance and wince."

"Meaning he's not a very good tactician." Robin joined us then, and he wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders. It had taken a lot of time to calm him down when he learned Lucina and Victoria had been possible targets. "Purposely goading potential enemies," he growled, eyes still sparking with that quiet fury. "Only a fool thinks of that. An utter moron."

"True, considering that we're an 'unknown' enemy as well," Virion added. He frowned and glanced at Gaius. "Or are we not unknown?"

"They certainly weren't expecting our lovely bird here to make their blood boil," Gaius replied. He glanced at me, and I fidgeted nervously. Robin tightened his hug on me. "Tharja says that's a highly technical curse?"

"I saw my mother perform it enough times?" I whispered hesitantly. I tried to shrug, but Robin's arm prevented that. "I can do curses. I just hate them. A lot. And, as proven here, there's a lot of limitations. It's really best suited for briefly distracting to drop the guard, but I didn't have a lot of options."

"No, no worries. Tharja was more impressed than anything." Gaius fished through his pocket and popped some form of chocolate into his mouth. I wondered how it stayed unmelted. "Regardless, that's your answer. New tactician."

"But given his normal ways, that just makes it stranger." I frowned, trying to think this through. "The tactics run against what he seems to favor. Strength and domination do not fit the normal thought process of an assassin. Assassins are quiet disruptions, a way to destroy the enemy while pleading innocence."

"He could've changed in the past two years, but Cherche's very recent information seems to confirm that Walhart is still strength-obsessed warrior in lobster armor." He shrugged as we gave him very weird looks. "Apparently his armor looks like a lobster. Ask her for more information. She was scandalized by it apparently."

"Quite the feat, given Cherche's unusual sense of aesthetic," Virion commented. His soft smile hinted he was rather fond of it. I seriously wanted to know more about the two of them, but I couldn't figure out a polite way to ask. "But a new tactician… that puts a severe limit on how 'good' my information is. And given that Cherche didn't report it either…"

"Probably makes it a very recent appointment, and the game has changed considerably," Robin whispered. His eyes were still hard. "Well, if we go after them, I'll break them."

"Careful you don't break us with it. Remember what I told you during our chess matches."

"I know. I'll be careful. Thankfully, I know Chrom will reject anything that's too much." He finally softened and leaned into me. "And I'm sure I'll be calmer in a couple of days. I'm still livid."

"Ah, yes, I understand you and Olivia were in the middle of an intimate moment when the assassins so rudely-"

"Not what I meant!" Robin's face went a bright-bright red, and I burst into laughter, unable to help it, and Gaius and Virion soon joined in, The other Shepherds, particularly Lissa and Chrom, gave us weird looks. Olivia, holding Victoria, frowned before noticing how red Robin was and apparently putting the pieces together from there, because she went bright red too, adding to the confusion.

It only calmed when Frederick walked in, but that was mostly for his serious look. "My lord, my lady, if you can come with me?" he requested. Robin was already helping me stand. "With the princesses? You need to step outside."

"We do?" Chrom asked. He took Lucina from Vaike and I took Victoria from the still-blushing Olivia. "Why?"

"Word has spread quickly about the assassination attempt and we currently have people practically tearing down the gates, demanding reassurance that you are all okay." Frederick smiled slightly as Chrom and I simply stared. "Now, please?"

"Right." Chrom glanced at the others. "Check the crowd for me, will you?"

They agreed, of course, and Frederick quickly ushered us down the hall and onto the balcony where Chrom would make speeches. It took all my lessons in poise to keep my jaw from dropping at the sheer size of the crowd gathered. The last time I'd seen so many clustered together, we were celebrating the anniversary of the war's end. The last time I'd heard so many people cheer so loudly was during our wedding celebrations. They were actually loud enough to startle Lucina and Victoria, and I quickly worked on calming them, while Chrom addressed the people, reassuring them that we were fine.

As such, it took me a while to realize the mood of the crowd. While Valm stayed a distant threat, they had been uncertain, but Valm had struck us directly. Valm had threatened us directly, and now they could see the threat. They could see that this danger wasn't going to quietly disappear. So, they shouted for war, because someone who would allow an assassination like this… they were not someone to be trusted.

This was Ylisse's declaration of war. And gods above, they were going to fight whether we liked it or not.

Basilio and Flavia visited Ylisstol a week and a half after the assassination attempt, and the first thing both did was come check on Lucina and Victoria, and then me. Flavia was absolutely livid over the attacks, and Basilio took them personally, mostly because of Robin. Robin, after all, was Olivia's fiancé, and thus, he was part of Basilio's extended family. Therefore, so was I, and Chrom. It was a heartwarming loyalty, and it made me smile.

"Kestrel really took the worst injury, and it's gotten healed up by now," Robin finished explaining. Though we were in the very protected throne room, he had his tome in hand. I had my sword buckled to my belt, as Chrom had Falchion on his. None of us went unarmed now. "Aside from paranoia and lingering resentment, we're fine."

"I'm glad to hear that we avoided a worst-case-scenario," Flavia sighed. She finally relaxed and tapped the hilt of her own sword impatiently. Neither she nor Basilio were unarmed either. "Ugh… we're fighting cowards. Highly devoted, borderline insane cowards. It's lovely, isn't it?"

"Yes, quite." Robin smiled slightly, but the dark glint in his eyes didn't make it comforting. I almost felt sorry for Excellus. Almost. "I've been making plans."

"Oh, have you now?"

"He has," Chrom confirmed. He crossed his arms and smiled ruefully. "I've made no official announcement, since I wanted to wait to discuss it with you, but my people are of one mind. Valm is too dangerous. They clearly mean to destroy our hard-earned peace."

"Good, we're of one mind," Basilio replied. He and Flavia glanced at each other and nodded. "Our people have been difficult to control ever since the port. They want blood now. They want vengeance. Then we got word of what happened here. So now they want extra-vengeance with a side of blood-cake. They're frothing that we lost so much to cowards."

"Then it looks like we're all going to war again."

"Yep. But there's a problem: ships. Ferox only has a few. We were never one for naval fighting." Basilio spoke slowly, like he was navigating shaky ground. "We also need gold."

"True," Robin sighed, frowning. I closed my eyes, though, because I already figured it out. "So, how do we-?"

"Plegia," I whispered, opening my eyes to look at everyone. Robin stilled. Chrom froze. Flavia and Basilio sighed and looked resigned. "Plegia relies on sea trade more heavily than Ferox and Ylisse, so they have countless ships. Ships that did not see battle. They also have quite a bit of gold thanks to that sea trade, even after paying reparations for the war.."

"Pretty much, yeah," Basilio confirmed. He shrugged, and held up a hand as Chrom stiffened even further. "I know. Bad memories. But we have a fart's chance in the wind without them."

"I'm not happy about it either. Their new king is decidedly Grimleal, and only a fool would trust them." It took everything I had to keep my words even. "However, we do need those ships if we're taking the fight to them. Otherwise, we're setting up in Ferox for a largely defensive battle, and it will be a battle we lose. We're just not prepared."

"Right, if we're to stand a chance, we need to take out most of their prized cavalry in unfavorable terrain, the sea," Robin added. He sensed my unease and snuck his hand down to squeeze mine reassuringly. "The only other tactic I can think of is to sacrifice the westernmost cities of Ferox to prepare a strong defensive line. But I'd rather not do that."

"…I understand," Chrom whispered. He muttered something under his breath before gesturing to a guard. "Tell Frederick to meet me in my office in a couple of hours." The guard saluted and disappeared out the door. "I'll send the message. Hopefully, if I do it, they'll really feel how dire things are."

"Perhaps." Robin shrugged. "Either way, we're closer and it'll take us less time to mobilize our forces. We can handle Plegia."

"Thank you," Flavia murmured. She glanced at Chrom and me. "So, will you two be marching with us?"

"I am," Chrom confirmed. "My people seem to expect me to lead from the front, so I'll fight with you. As for Kestrel…" He glanced at me, and I grimaced. "She and I are still debating?"

"We've been focusing more on how to ensure the country remains safe in our absence," I explained, trying to not sigh. There were pros and cons to my staying or leaving, and we were both trying to figure out which would be better, for us and our home. "With an emphasis on our children. We're definitely moving them to the Eastern Palace, where Emm was going to take shelter before… well…"

"In that regard, the oaf and I are lucky," Flavia murmured. She smiled sympathetically, while Basilio rolled his eyes. "Feroxi don't follow a Khan who won't fight."

"We already have things set up in case of a battle, so it's an easy transition," Basilio added. He shrugged and clapped Chrom across the shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble. "But that's enough serious talk. We won't mobilize without Plegia's response, right? Why not let Flavia and I help with planning those defenses? We've some Feroxi who definitely won't mind the guard duty."

"In that case, you two can follow me," Robin happily told them. He even smiled, and it was his real smile. "I can also just go ahead and show you to your rooms while we're at it."

Robin quickly and efficiently got Flavia and Basilio out of the room, leaving Chrom and I in the throne room. We shared a smile, knowing just why the conversation suddenly ended abruptly. They'd all sensed how uncomfortable the two of us were with the topic.

"We'll decide after we get confirmation that Plegia will help," I whispered, deciding it was best to just wait a little longer. It was a hard decision, really. I didn't want to stay and wait, because my family and friends were fighting. I didn't want to leave and fight, because my girls were here and the country needed ruling. "I am a bit grumpy that you're not having to choose."

"I'm honestly not sure if that's better," he replied softly. He pulled me into a hug. "I'm not in a hurry to leave Lucina and Victoria, and I am worried about everything here. Ylisse is still very fragile."

"True. I think I'm just grumpy that it was just assumed that 'of course' you'd leave to go fight." I debated before leaning up to kiss him. "Well, whatever. I think you and I need to just not think of the war or anything for… oh… the rest of the day?" I smirked at him, waiting for him to catch my meaning. When he did, he grinned. "I have no more appointments for the day, truthfully, so what do you say to clearing your schedule after sending off that message?"

His answer was 'yes', of course. We both needed the break.

Notes on Valm:

Once called 'Valentia', it was ruled by sibling gods: Mila, the Earth Mother, and Duma, the War Father. According to the stories, both did their best by humans, but unfortunately, their different way of thinking simply led to chaos for the humans they loved, and so, they let themselves die to save their children.

After the gods were killed, it was ruled by Saint-King Alm, though he's also called 'Emperor' depending on the story, and Empress Celica, and the two led the country into its new age, where the blessings of the gods were distant. After the Schism, and Grima, it was renamed 'Valm' and slowly separated into several different nations.

Each country has a very unique culture and language, though they of course all speak Valmese and Trade Tongue as well. Most worship Naga, like Ylisse, but they also continue to worship Mother Mila and Father Duma.

Author's note: So, yeah, I figured this fit Excellus and that it provides a better reason why not only Chrom would go to war, but why his country and people would let him. Yes, Kestrel is very unimpressed with Walhart's reputation. Babies tend to master grasping between 3 and 4 months old, and often their first laugh is by 4 months.

Next Chapter – Of Sacred Blood