Chapter 2) Cascade


Evans Castle is a particularly 'important' castle in terms of border. It's situated at the corner where Augustria, Verdane, and Grannvale all meet, and serves as the 'border watch' for all three, despite technically being a Verdane fortress. This is where Prince Gandolf took Lady Aideen, and where Lord Sigurd leads his forces. Rumors said the bridge was down, but it seems the Verdanite soldiers repaired it to launch another attack.

None of that matters to me, though. I am simply here as a healer, and to watch over my little brother. I simply wondered how many would die.


In the morning, the camp moved a little further away from the village, to lessen the chances of the Verdanite soldiers of running for my village and taking hostages. We ended up by the old chapel, abandoned and left to the elements, and it was here I decided to set up the infirmary for the 'Evans Campaign'. That meant the first thing to do was clean the place, from top to bottom.

I had originally planned to do it alone, assuming the others would be busy with other things. Lord Sigurd, however, seemed very insistent on not making me do all of my work alone, and actually scheduled 'cleaning the infirmary' as part of the chores for the day. That led to me having a rotating roster of helpers, some more enthusiastic than others.

"Why do we have to scrub so much?" Lord Lex complained. He had somehow managed to get soap suds in his hair, probably from slinging the water from the bucket too much. "This place was clean before I even got here."

"Well, Sir Lex, the healers at Leonster talk of invisible critters that can sneak into a wound and cause it to infect and pus," Sir Finn noted absently. Unlike Lord Lex, Sir Finn applied himself quite thoroughly into cleaning. "A friend of mine, Glade, almost lost his arm because he was injured and treated in an infirmary that seemed clean, but wasn't."

"You're exaggerating."

"You are welcome to take the risk, Sir Lex."

"Bah, you're too serious." Lord Lex grinned and splashed some water at Sir Finn, laughing as he sputtered. "You're fifteen. Act like it."

"I am!" He splashed Lord Lex back. "Perhaps you should act your own age!"

"I'm only eighteen!"

"Boys, please," I finally interrupted. I gave them both a stern look as Sir Finn flinched from guilt and Lord Lex grinned, unrepentant. "I need the place cleaned, not splashed about with soapy water." I leveled a particularly stern look at Lord Lex, whose grin faded. "Regardless of what you feel, you were tasked with helping me clean. If you feel that you cannot do that, you are free to leave and request someone take up the duties."

"I can do it," Lord Lex grumbled. He set about mopping the water he and Sir Finn spilled. "It's just mopping."

"Then see to it, please." I made sure to smile. "I'll make some tea for you two."

"Yeah, yeah." He grumbled a bit more under his breath, but didn't complain anymore. Sir Finn returned to scrubbing his section.

I made some tea and left it to steep on a small table before making up the beds. I had washed all the sheets twice, and left them to dry in the sunshine. As I made them, I counted the number we had. Providing we did not have unexpected recruitments, we would have two extra beds. The extra sheets could be used as extra bandages, then, if we ran out. I'd need to set up a place to boil water later, and have some needles and thread already in there for sterilization.

"Alicia!" Lord Lex called. I turned and saw him standing, saluting almost playfully. "Ready for inspection!"

"Let's see if you pass then," I gently teased, turning away from the beds. There was so much to do, but I had to pretend I was calm. "If so, you'll get some sweets."

"The hell? I'm not ten!"

"So, you do not want anything sweet?"

"Well, I didn't say that." He scowled as Sir Finn started snickering. "That's it!" He started tickling Sir Finn, making him laugh and knock over one of the buckets of water in the process. "Oops."

"Clean that up, and then you may both take a break." At this rate, It would be a miracle if we got everything in ready in time for the battle. It truly would.


I was right; we were not ready by the time Lord Sigurd led the troops into battle. I finished the last bit of it myself. I wasn't alone, of course; Lord Sigurd left Sir Arden to guard the chapel, and Lord Oifeye was not allowed to fight, so he stayed with me as well. But I figured it would be better if I just finished it up on my own.

"Everything okay, Miss Alicia?" Sir Arden asked, poking his head in. Because few Verdanite soldiers actually seemed to make it this far, Sir Arden frequently checked in on Lord Oifeye and I. "Do you need anything?"

"No, we're well, thank you," I replied, smiling at him as I mended a few of the blankets. "How do things go outside?"

"Near as I can see, they've pushed to the bridge." Sir Arden smiled back. "Let me know if you need help."

"I shall." I went back to work, and Sir Arden shut the door behind him.

"So, they're fighting…" Lord Oifeye murmured. He sat on the table, swinging his legs absently. He fidgeted, drumming his fingers on the table and fiddling with his sleeves. "I wish…" He wished he could be out there fighting. He wished he could be doing something.

"It is good to be bored," I gently chided, not looking up from my mending, even when he turned to look at me. "It means that none of ours are injured enough to leave the field. It means none of them are on the edge of death."

"Right…" He flushed from embarrassment. "I'm sorry."

"You're a squire, trained to fight, not to remain behind." Healers were always the ones left behind. "Do you know how to sew?"

"No…?" He jumped down from the table. "Why?"

"Come here. I'll teach you." I beckoned him over, and he reluctantly crouched next to me. "Now, here." I passed him the bit of the blanket I was working on. "You hold the needle like this…"

"Why do I have to learn?"

"Mending blankets and clothes is a way to help without going onto the field, and you can use the basics here for stitching up injuries." I bit back a laugh at how he stared at the needle and thread like it was a worm. "Besides, girls like boys who sew."

"R-really?" He flushed again. "W-well…" Carefully, he started sewing, accepting my critiques. He was a quick learner. It really wasn't long at all before his stitches were even and tight. "So, like this?"

"Yes, you're doing very well." I smiled softly and patted his shoulder. "But how are your fingers?"

"They… hurt, actually…" He mumbled, awkwardly holding out his hand. There was a bit of blood from where he'd held the needle. "My hand is already cramping. How is that? I can hold reins for long rides."

"Sewing is an art form, with just as much work as swordsmanship or riding." I took his hand and rubbed his palm, focusing on pressure points to help relieve the pain. "If you sew for a long while, you will build up calluses."

"Just like wielding a sword." His eyes held a bit more respect as he looked at the needle and thread again. "I bet if I had to mend something larger, I would mess up a lot."

"At the beginning, yes, but with practice, you would get better." I shifted the blanket to another tear. "Do you want to try again?"

"Maybe later." He smiled shyly. "I'd like to watch this time."

"Of course." I took the needle from him, and noticed something as he shifted to watch. "So, your mark is on your wrist."

"Yes, my left one." He pushed up his sleeve so that I could see it more clearly. It was blue, the same shade as Lord Sigurd's hair in fact, and the simple design was very angular, like a set of interlocked squares surrounding the Mark of Baldur. "Lady Ethyln's in on her lower right leg, and hers spirals out a bit more, more like a flower than my more 'shield' like design." His eyes shone. "Lord Sigurd's reminds me a lot of a wing, though it's got much sharper edges. It's huge!"

"Well, Lord Sigurd does have Major Blood." The Marks of Major Holy Blooded were much larger and more intricate than their Minor Blood counterparts "So, it makes sense."

"It does, but I'm always surprised when I see it." He became thoughtful. "I wonder what the other Holy Marks look like."

"Well, you do have quite a few people here with Holy Blood." I almost said 'you could ask', but frantic shouts caught my ear, so instead, I stood up and set the blanket to the side. "We have injured."

As if on cue, the doors of the chapel opened, and Sir Arden helped Sir Midir and Azel limp inside. Though some part of me wanted to immediately fuss over Azel, I knew I couldn't. Sir Midir was the one who'd been close to death before, and Sir Midir had more blood on him now, so it was Sir Midir that I had to tend to first.

"My apologies, Miss Alicia," Midir managed with a small smile as Arden got him on a bed and I went to work undoing his armor and getting his shirt off to look at the damage. "I seem to have undone your hard work."

"So long as you continue to live, Sir Midir, I believe you shall be forgiven," I replied, frowning over the injuries. "It looks as if you reopened your injuries." I glanced to the side and saw Lord Oifeye standing back by the blanket, staring at the blood. "Lord Oifeye, I need my staff, medicine, and bandages." He didn't move, still staring at the blood. "Oifeye."

"R-right!" he squeaked, racing off. He looked almost frazzled, but I could spare no thought to him. Instead, I had to focus on somewhere else who was freaking out: Azel.

"I'm sorry, Sir Midir! This is my fault!" Azel babbled. He hovered over me as I got Sir Midir to lay down and worked on cleaning the injuries. "If I hadn't moved out of formation, then-!"

"Azel, you need to sit down and be calm," I ordered, gently pushing him back. "I can't work if you are in my light." I turned away as he squeaked and jerked back. "Sir Midir, I trust you will not protesting staying here instead of returning to the battle."

"I know better than to argue with a healer, Miss Alicia," Sir Midir replied, smiling tightly. He glanced up at Azel. "And I chose to save you, Lord Azel, despite knowing that the exertion could reopen my injuries."

"Well, now you are my patient once again, and that means lying down and letting me work." I smiled as Lord Oifeye returned with the things I asked. "Thank you. Please check Azel for injuries while I work."

By this point, other wounded had arrived, and so, I moved quickly. I patched up Sir Midir before checking on Azel and sending him on his way. Sir Alec showed up, and tried to flirt once more, but I mended his arm and sent him out, even though he had to now fight with his off-hand. Sir Noish wasn't far behind, and he was sent out just as quickly, though he could only fight while riding thanks to his leg injury. Lady Ethlyn swung in to get an arm injury treated. Lord Lex managed to get slashed across the abdomen.

Some soldiers appeared more than once. I focused on keeping them healed, and keeping everything running smoothly. Lord Oifeye faithfully followed all of my instructions, and Sir Midir joined in on helping with minor things, such mixing some of the medicines into pastes and passing bandages.

I had no idea how much time had passed before Lord Sigurd appeared at the chapel. My mind said a handful of minutes; my body said days.

"Hold still while I access your injuries," I ordered, wiping some sweat from my brow and smearing blood. I frowned as Lord Sigurd shook his head. "Why are you…?"

"I came here to inform you that we have successfully taken Evans castle," Lord Sigurd explained. He smiled warmly. "And I wanted to ask if you wanted to move your infirmary to there."

"Ah, I see." I glanced around the bloody area, noting that we had some injured still. "Let me check to see if they can be moved safely." I eyed him warily. "I also wish for you to sit down for a check-up."

"Yes, ma'am." His smile softened. "Thank you, for taking care of them."

"It is simply my job." I waved him to a bed. "Sit, and be a good example for your soldiers."

"Yes, Miss Alicia."


Between Lady Ethlyn and myself, no one was seriously injured and no one was dead. Everyone required rest, of course, and frequent checks for infection, but no one had a wound that was immediately fatal or crippling. I almost found it too hard to believe, considering the small numbers, but there was no denying the evidence. We even had bandages and medicine left over.

"We're going to have to clean the chapel again," I whispered as I folded up the extra blankets and stored them. Even with no fatalities, there had been a lot of blood and mud ground into the stone floor there. "We need to also clean this room up." It was better than I had expected, but I could see the dust gathered in the corner. "The whole castle will need it, actually."

There was no reply to any of my words, of course. Sir Midir and Lord Oifeye were both fast asleep. I smiled softly as I tucked Sir Midir into bed, and draped another blanket over Lord Oifeye as he slept in a chair, leaning against the wall. Both mumbled in their sleep, but did not wake. I left them to their slumber and exited the infirmary, walking down the hall.

Earlier, everyone had been hunting desperately through the castle, hunting for Lady Aideen. However, just as many suspected, she didn't seem to be here at all. Still, it would be better to get it confirmed, and I needed to tell Lord Sigurd what needed to be done.

"Damn them!" Of course, Lord Sigurd seemed to be in a temper as I walked into the main room of Evans castle. "If even one hair on her head is harmed…" Lord Sigurd continued to growl, pacing and flailing. "I swear I'll…!"

"The last time I saw you this angry was when some nobles insulted me back at the academy," Lord Quan murmured. He and Lord Sigurd were the only ones in the room, and I had a feeling the two had arranged that on purpose. "Do you feel better?"

"No." Lord Sigurd groaned, all anger vanishing as he slumped. "Damn it. Damn those dastards."

"...Dastards?"

"I have a squire."

"So do I, but you don't hear me using such a strange word." Lord Quan smiled slightly. "It just doesn't have enough anger in it."

"Well…" Lord Sigurd glanced to the side, embarrassed, and yelped when he saw me. "Miss Alicia!" He bowed, looking a bit flustered. "I… uh…"

"I take it Lady Aideen was not found here, then?" I prompted, smiling gently and reassuringly. I was used to emotional outbursts, and I was used to keeping quiet. "Am I wrong?"

"No, you're correct," Lord Sigurd sighed. He gave me a brief smile in thanks before letting it fall. "There's no sign of her at all."

"In fact, it seems more that Prince Gandolf stopped here briefly before continuing on, with Aideen in tow," Lord Quan added. He crossed his arms and shook his head. "In short, he outran us."

"They can run, but until they've freed Aideen, they can't escape me!" 'Reckless loyalty' certainly did fit Lord Sigurd. He looked ready to charge right now.

"You should wait until the injured are not battling pain as well as their enemies," I chided. He winced and drooped, apologetic. "Perhaps let the king know what is going on?"

"She's right, Sigurd," Lord Quan added. He nodded to me and smiled briefly before growing serious. "Any further is an invasion. He might trust you as a paladin, but it would still be respectful. We can use the time between messages to heal and gather and train soldiers."

"You are both correct," Lord Sigurd sighed. He smiled sheepishly at us both. "I apologize. I'm sure my hotheadedness will cause trouble."

"I'm used to it." Lord Quan shrugged and pointed to me. "So, save your apologies for the nice lady."

"The 'nice lady' wishes you would rest instead," I replied, making myself laugh. I didn't want to think of what 'more soldiers' would mean for me. "Ah, but that does remind me. If you feel you must do something to be helpful, I do need someone to sweep the infirmary. We'll also need to clean the chapel again."

"I suppose we did make a big mess of the place," Lord Quan agreed. He smiled slightly. "Given the hour, though, I think that can wait until morning. But sweeping can happen now. We also need to clean enough rooms for us to have nice places to sleep."

"I will stay in the infirmary, as will Sir Midir." I made myself laugh softly. "Considering how deeply Lord Oifeye sleeps, it's likely he will remain there until the morning as well."

"Ah, that reminds me," Lord Sigurd said, snapping his fingers as if to symbolize the thought coming into his head. "How was Oifeye? When we took Jungby, we utilized ambush tactics, so he didn't really see a lot of injuries."

"He froze, briefly, but then went to work," I answered, shrugging slightly. "So long as I gave him orders, he was capable of moving. He might have a queasiness about blood, but I do not think there will be any trouble for now." When we had more wounded and actual deaths, though, I would worry a great deal, and not only of him. "Was there anything else?"

"No, that's all for now." He smiled warmly. "Thank you, truly."

"It is no trouble." I curtseyed to them both. "But now, I must return to my charges. Please, excuse me."

I barely waited for their reply before returning to the infirmary. It would… become much busier soon. My stomach turned at the thought, but I never let it show on my face.

I was a healer, and a healer had her duties.


Records on Sigurd

Paladin, Baldur Major, 22 years old

Heir to Chalphy, a beloved lord with no real enemies. His kindness and loyalty are his most notable traits

Has the mark of Baldur across his right shoulder and right shoulder blade.

A skilled leader who draws people in with a smile and an open hand, but his naivety and recklessness could easily prove his undoing


Author's Notes: Thus ends the 'prologue' of FE4. Sigurd's ACTUAL in-game class is 'Knight Lord', but in Awakening, his spotpass is 'Paladin', so I'm going with that instead. It's a bit… inconsistent about Holy Blood marks, and there's little to describe them, so I'm going with the interpretation that they're a combination of birthmarks and tattoos, that appear as the child gets older. Though not mentioned here, those with multiple holy bloods with have the markings for both bloods on them. Glade is a character from FE5.

Next Chapter - Interlude, Evans