Long time no speak eh? Well, fear not, I live! This chapter was shaping up to be a twenty page saga of love, loss, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, then I looked at the six month gap between now and my last update and decided to cut it in half and post this for now. I assure you though, these six months were not wasted, I spent extensive time researching the medieval warfare, and feudal culture. The biggest issue was deciding what country to base Nohr off of, and eventually I chose feudal Prussia (Both Marx and "Alekzander" have German origins, German armies of the time were largely composed of mercenaries, the two-retainer system originated from there, the armor worn by the Royals resembles fourteenth century German gothic fitted plate armor, and Germany has a relatively low percentage of farmable land. The big issue was that I couldn't find many instances of the feudal Germany using significant cavalry, while the Romans had dedicated cavalry divisions and similar architecture, whilst some of the etymology is drawn from France-who also had dedicated cavalry and decent plate armor). Yes, I researched, and I'm trying to create something approaching realism in a universe with, dragons, werewolves, kitsune, dark magic, and two slime monsters. I've also been writing small dossiers that redefine each characters' back story, to make them more significant to the plot (everyone in this story is significant, even the two-bit villains), and I have redefined the plot's goal.

As for you awesome two people that reviewed last time, thank you for your patience and the encouragement. This story is a side project for the time being, but hopefully it won't take so long to release the next chapter (seeing as its already half written), but just in case I'll respond to your reviews from now on with PM's, so there wont be a half year gap between your questions and their responses, but until then...

Unnamed Guest With the Long, Amazing Review: I'm not the best at writing emotion, I'll admit, I think that the best way for me to do that is through character interactions. I do intend on making Corrin understand the consequences of his actions (and boy, the way I have things set up to go down, there WILL be consequences), and his older siblings will hate his guts. As far as pairings are concerned, my plot demands that some romance occur, but it is secondary to fleshing out fateslandia and its history, and it won't be occurring for quite a while. I was thinking Felicia, just cause it seemed easy and low maintenance, but who knows what I'll do down the road? Well, it won't be Oboro, I know that much. I love her and all, but some of the changes to her backstory would make that a bit...odd, to say the least.

Lady L0iuse: I'm glad you thought the first chapter was good, and I hope to deliver even better content in the future. As for Xander's name, I compared it to a name that I believe I recall from an Austrian aristocrat named "Alekzander", granted, in German the letter Z is pronounced as "ts", but I figured the spelling was enough for me to come to the conclusion that there was a chance that his new name was inspired by this (it would certainly bridge the gap between Marx). That said, who the heck knows what was going through the writer's heads? I mean, have you read that script?

The clanging of chains was her only companion as the Nohrian escort pushed onwards, to a destination unknown. Though alone, she was not the only prisoner; the shackles pulled by the leading armored horseman also dragged along a small group of ninja, two samurai, about a dozen archers, and even fourteen of her kinsmen. Despite this, bound in the shame of capture at the hands of the Nohrian army, she was alone, writhing under their imprisonment at the hand of the Nohrian would-be oppressors, and they were each forced to silence, under threat of beatings by their captors.

Of course, isolation had always suited her just fine. Normally though, she would find some comfort in the presence of her kinsmen at her back, but with the future so uncertain she could not help but feel worry. Despite the Flame Tribe's policy against fraternization, the men in her party had spoken rumors heard from the Hoshidan regulars; the Nohrians would often pit prisoners against one another for their amusement, that training for Nohr's troops often included execution of unarmed prisoners, or skirmishes against them. Rinkah dismissed these as mere rumors - but doubt still lingered in her mind, for what other reason would they be separated from their main prisoner convoy by that brute of a commander, and then marched into the wilderness?

The escort stopped suddenly, almost causing Rinkah to trip in her shackles. The man that had commandeered them- a beast of a man, standing as tall as a horse and broad as an ox, with a square, bald head and exposed, rippling arms covered in odd, unfamiliar glyphs- approached, his ridiculously large axe at his side and a scowl on his face. Rinkah measured up the man slowly, watching his eyes as he paced alongside them, measuring up each of the prisoners in turn.

The man stopped suddenly and called out in a deep, harsh voice "Cavalry, form a perimeter! You two; footmen with the heater shields, help me release the prisoners! And you, with the winged helmet, fetch the weapons!"

Her fears all but validated, Rinkah's temper flared. She watched as the bald commander made his way up to her, glaring daggers into him, to which either he ignored or was oblivious to. Rinkah waited patiently as he undid the shackles on her feet first, then the ones on her hands. He turned to move to the next prisoner, but at that moment Rinkah's anger climaxed, and balling her fist to the point he knuckles were white, she struck him under the chin with all the strength she could muster with a fierce cry worthy of the clan chieftain's daughter.

The man stumbled to the ground, and must have bitten into his tongue for he spat out blood. The Nohrian regulars immediately fell into disarray, unprepared for an escape attempt. Rinkah grabbed a length of chain and began swinging it like a flail, striking the commander over the head as he attempted to rise. A Cyrtkensian mercenary closed in on her, but she swung the chain in a long arc to keep him at bay.

The commander rose again, somehow conscious and very furious. However, as Rinkah made to strike him again with the chains some of the glyphs on his arm began to blur slightly, and he swatted the chain away, as one would a fly. It was only then that Rinkah recognized the marking along his body, and made quickly to unleash her own secret weapon- a gift from the Fire Dragon itself.

But she was too slow. The markings allowed the man to move his bulk much faster than he had any right to. In a blur, he grasped and yanked the hand she held the chain with, then smashed his large forehead against her own. The force was impressive, so much so Rinkah felt weak in the knees and nearly lost consciousness, but before she could fall the man grabbed her shoulder, holding her upright, and struck her twice in the stomach with a massive fist.

Rinkah attempted to retaliate, kicking at his unarmored shins, but the man merely wrapped one of his massive hands around her neck and brought her too close for her to fight back. He spat blood from his mouth into her face, then in a feat of strength, lifted her clear from the ground by her neck. Rinkah kicked weakly as he choked her out in the air, leading the monster to grin maliciously at her feeble resistance. Suddenly, blood spurted from his shoulder, accompanied by a roar of animalistic fury, causing him to drop her. As she fell to the ground, gasping for air he spun quickly in the direction of the attack, only to find nothing. He looked about confused for a moment, but then was deathly still as a thin edge of steel bit shallowly into his neck, not enough for a serious wound, but it did draw blood.

The Nohrians had managed to rally, and suddenly the prisoners found themselves looking down the hafts of nearly three dozen spears. The dagger bit deeper, and the commander submitted "Hold position!"

The cavalry appeared uncertain, but raised their lances, to which the prisoners gave a collective sigh of relief. Rinkah rose to her feat unsteadily, but did not stumble. Her rescuer was none other than the Hoshidan ninja, Suzukaze, formerly of the Saizo family. She recalled that her father had attempted to convince him to renounce his loyalties to Hoshido and join the flame tribe, to raise a force of flame tribe ninja and teach them their techniques. The young ninja declined, proving surprisingly loyal to country that offered little and a family that renounced denied him an inheritance, choosing instead to pass the Saizo name and techniques to his older twin.

Of course, his loyalty made him even more appealing to her father, who still routinely tempted him. Rinkah was certain that her father would attempt to capitalize on this incident, perhaps even using it as an excuse to offer to marry him into the tribe, an honor not given to a Hoshidan in generations.

That was of course, if they escaped this with their lives.

"We seem to be at something of a standstill" the green-haired ninja spoke, his voice as sharp as his gaze, and without turning he continued "Milady, please take the key and begin releasing the rest of our comrades." It took a moment for Rinkah to realize that he was talking to her, but then complied without protest, beginning with her clansmen.

"I'll kill you for this" The mountain of man growled, but was silenced by the dagger's bite.

"No speaking, as you Nohrians say to your own prisoners." Suzukaze replied coolly "I'm interested in those markings. I thought that the Earth Tribe had fled into parts unknown to escape King Garon's tyranny."

The commander snorted "The elders are fools, too full of their own supposed power to realize the folly of resisting Nohr. My tribe's time as the most powerful people on the continent has long since ended, so while my people live and die in the mud like swine I will kill my way to the top of this new world!"

Suzukaze sighed "A shame that such strength is wasted on reckless ambition. Some loyalty and honor would do you some credit, surely the oldest and most powerful native tribe of this land would find a way to free itself from Nohrian oppression."

"Ha! Are all ninja so stupid, or only Hoshidan regulars? I know firsthand the folly of resistance, and your friends in the flame tribe would be smart to flee back into their century-long isolation."

Rinkah held her tongue in check as she returned to Suzukaze, keeping her anger towards the man's words- and how they rang true to her, at least in part, "They are all free and armed with the Hoshidan weapons that the Nohrians brought. They aren't the best, but they'll do."

Suzukaze nodded "Now, we are returning to Hoshido, and you are going to tell us how to get there."

The commander snorted belligerently, almost seeming to forget the blade at his neck "And why would you think that? You're surrounded by Nohrian cavalry, blade at my neck or no, killing you would be easy."

"Perhaps, but nobody must die today, not here." The ninja replied "Besides, we need only wound, or better yet kill a few of you, and then you won't be able to cover up that a group of high-value Hoshidan prisoners that you took to execute personally escaped. Your superiors would scowl at you, demote you, a permanent mark against your ambitions. I hear that officers that are demoted are flogged by their successor, is this true?"

A pregnant silence passed, then the commander spoke "The Bottomless Canyon is a week's journey by foot westward. Over the mountains, then you need only head north until you find a Hoshidan controlled crossing. But there is something that may interest you."

"I'm listening"

"There is a Nohrian general near here, escorting some weak noble to the capitol just south. He should pass through this spot in two days. This general is the very same that captured you during that skirmish along the border, and was fool enough to only bring a small guard."

"Hmmmmm… and what is it you gain from this exactly" Suzukaze questioned.

"Every time the Nohrian power structure shakes middling officers like me stand to gain. This general matters little, and we will crush you with or without him. He has wronged me personally as well, as well as many of my men, and we have been overlooked in his shadow. You have a chance of revenge here, as well as to get mounts and supplies to last you the trip, and deal a blow against Nohr. You'd be blind to turn it down."

"Perhaps, we'll see. But time is precious, and I think we should both go our separate ways." Suzukaze said, then began yelling demands to the rest of the Nohrians "You will withdraw a distance, to the capitol. Then we will release your leader, and withdraw ourselves. To attack us would be folly, do not. Our archers will watch our back as we leave.

Rinkah watched in awe as the soldiers formed a column and marched back down the road, as if nothing had happened. Kaze called out again "Soldiers of Hoshido, move out!", and it was so. Rinkah was impressed with how he handled the situation, and her father was right to desire the young ninja's loyalty. The Hoshidans moved down the road as well, the ninja taking the lead, then the archers, sandwiched between her warriors. Suzukaze himself began walking, careful not to let his blade slip, and Rinkah followed his lead.

"This is far enough." Suzukaze said, withdrawing his blade and pushing the officer away in a single motion. The hulk rubbed his neck where the blade had drawn blood, then turned. "Have fun playing at war, Hoshidans. The next time we meet will be the last." The man smiled- a hungry and twisted thing- and then turned and left.

Rinkah considered killing him then and there, calling out to the archers to release their arrows and the flee into the wilderness, but was drawn from her thoughts as Suzukaze put a hand on her shoulder "Milady, I know what he said about the flame tribe cut deep, but men like that will do more harm to Nohr than we ever will."

Rinkah growled, then looked down "You are right, Lord Suzukaze. But what do you propose we do now?"

The green haired man gave a small smile- a small, charming thing, much different than the opposing commander's- "Please, Lady Rinkah, formalities seem to put you ill at ease, and Suzukaze is a long name that means little to me. Just Kaze will do, and shouldn't you be leading us?"

Rinkah was caught off guard by his charm and perceptiveness, then remembered that he was in fact a ninja, and both were necessary for one such as him. Still, she cracked a grin "All right, if you say so Kaze. His offer is tempting, but it's obviously a trap. But this is my first time in Nohr, and I think it would be better if someone with a little more experience were to take the reins this far behind enemy lines."

Kaze's bowed his head slightly in gratitude "I believe you give yourself too little credit, but I am grateful for your confidence." Kaze turned to look back in the direction of the Nohrian division.

"I don't believe that we should leave that man to his word. If you could provide incentive to stay away from us…"

"I understand." Rinkah brought two fingers to her lips and blew fire about the road and beyond, setting fire to the woods. "Next time we meet will be the last-he'll be toast."

Corrin stood on the road out of the fortress fixated on Lilith as she finished setting his saddle upon his horse-a grey stallion named Oscar, bred for speed and stamina as opposed to battle nerves. "I thought that I ordered you to take the day off." Corrin said nonchalantly as he finally found the courage to approach.

Lilith spun towards him, as if noticing his presence for the first time "Oh, there you are Corrin! You'll have to forgive me, I couldn't help myself, I had to work on such a special occasion."

"Ah, you are referring to my leaving the fortress for the first time?"

Lilith giggled "Well, what else could it be?"

Corrin laughed nervously "I don't know, I keep thinking that something's going to happen and everyone will just forget about me, or I'll wake up, or I'll somehow mess up and they'll change their min-"

Corrin was stunned to silence as Lilith could no longer contain herself and laughed openly "Deep breaths Corrin, you'll be fine. I'm don't think that after all this time the Nohrian Royals would suddenly invite you to leave unless they were absolutely certain you were ready, besides, I'm sure they want you to be free just as badly as you do."

Corrin let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding "You're right, I shouldn't worry so. Besides, it might shake their faith in me if they saw me so nervous. That aside, will you be riding with me? I've never ridden for very long before, and your experience would be helpful, and more than a little reassuring."

"I'm afraid I've already arranged to be in a horse drawn carriage a distance behind you with the rest of your retainers. But I wouldn't worry, Gunter will be riding beside you, and I'm sure he is more than capable of helping."

"Lilith, don't tell him I said this, but Gunter is reassuring in the same way a dagger in your boot is. It's better to have it than not, but it makes you jump at shadows. Are you certain that you cannot help?"

"I'm afraid I must insist Lord Corrin."

"Really? Is something the matter? You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I'd tell you if I could, milord." She said hurriedly "But your horse is ready, and I have more things I have to do before we leave. I beg you good day, milord." Before Corrin could reply, she gave a quick curtsy and ran off, leaving Corrin confused in her wake.

"My, my my" a sudden voice whispered into Corrin's ear, making him nearly jump with surprise "I do so enjoy watching lovers quarrel. It's always so dramatic, so intriguing, especially when one has no idea they are quarrelling."

Corrin spun on the new arrival- a man with tanned skin and ashen hair that contrasted with his black eyepatch. He stood about Corrin's height and wore a ragged, well-worn cloak, which also nearly but not quite concealed a small bow and quiver of arrows. However, what Corrin felt to be most odd was his expression; a smile stretching from ear to ear, but rather than putting Corrin at ease it appeared unnerving, as though he weren't smiling so much as we was showing his teeth. Corrin smiled politely in return and refrained from allowing his hand to drift towards his sword.

"I'm afraid you have us wrong sir, I am merely a concerned friend."

The smile on the unnerving man's face wavered for a moment "Naiveté, how boring, but I won't tell. Unless I want to. Now why is the 'concerned friend' so concerned?"

Corrin considered his words carefully, finding the man no less unsettling when he wasn't smiling "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with, she was merely acting strangely is all."

"Oh, but I want to help, friend." The man's smile returned in full force, as he placed a hand on his chin and crossed one leg over the other so he was balancing on one foot. "Pray tell, did she cut you off abruptly and then run away?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

The man closed his visible eye, seemingly deep in thought "Huh, guilty then, is it? But for what? She'd never tell, and we wouldn't know where to start- unless if, no that's impossible. But what if not that?"

Corrin's interest was piqued "You think you know why? You must tell me."

The man looked at Corrin appearing conflicted "I'm not so sure, but if you say so… Do you see that man over yonder?" He pointed at a blond-haired man wearing a regal-looking longcoat, speaking animatedly to his brother, Leo "You see, before she came over here I may have seen your friend going to great lengths to avoid him."

Corrin scrutinized the long-coated man in question "Are you saying he may have slighted her in some way?"

"Erm... no. I know the guy, and he's a bit crazy, though he wouldn't do that for no reason. But who knows, maybe she goes for crazy."

Corrin tilted his head slightly "I'm afraid I don't understand your meaning."

The man's smile returned "Oh you know they probably rolled in the hay, shared a bed, made the beast with two backs."

"You mean they eloped? No, that can't right. Lilith would never."

"Wouldn't she though? All alone in this fortress, far from civilization, stuck serving a no-name lord without rest? I'd bet it's enough to drive anyone into the arms of the first interesting stranger they see."

Corrin growled at the accusation and allowed his hand to rest on the hilt of his sword "And who would you be to judge? I believe one should give his name before presenting such accusations to royalty."

"Wouldn't the little princeling want to know? I suppose I have no choice but to comply to the orders of my betters, don't I?" The man fell into a mock bow and let loose a slight chuckle "Unfortunately for you, my name is-"

"Niles! Cease and desist harassing my brother. No longer are you to entertain yourself at his expense!"

The man expressed slight annoyance before turning towards the new arrival "But milord, I was doing it for your benefit. After all, don't older siblings typically do the same to their younger ones? I thought that this would be to your liking."

The addressed liege sharpened his gaze, boring into the odd cloaked man with dark brown eyes that betrayed annoyance far exceeding his servant "I'm sure. Just as I am sure that you intend to bury the lavatories for the duration of our trip, and accept only half rations. For the good of Nohr of course."

The man's smile finally faded, and he began to leave "As the prince has declared, so it shall be."

Prince Leo's scowl softened as he turned to his older brother "I trust that my retainer wasn't giving you too hard of a time?"

"I find him a bit… unnerving, I'm afraid."

"You certainly look unnerved, what exactly did he say to you?"

After a moment of consideration Corrin deigned to tell his brother the truth "It's nothing really, but he suggested- and then asserted- that one of my retainers eloped with a spellsword in your company."

As Corrin spoke, a small smirk grew across Leo's face, and when he finished it appeared as though he was holding back a chuckle "You're too quick to lend your ear to strangers, Corrin. Before giving me his oath of fealty Niles was a con man and a thief, he is naturally inclined to decieve others for his own amusement. I would think nothing of it."

Corrin looked at his brother with a look mild curiosity "Excuse my asking, but why invite such a person into your inner circle?"

"The circumstances are complicated, but suffice to say I saw his worth, and despite his 'quirks' he has proven himself to be useful to me time and time again."

"The I won't question your decision again, Leo" Corrin smiled "I shouldn't allow such things to weigh on me, not on today of all days."

"Yes, well I'd prepare myself if I were you Corrin. It's a big world, and as far as odd characters go, Niles isn't all that impressive. In your isolation there's been much you have not yet seen, and if you're not careful the world will surprise you."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"Usually no, but we are princes of Nohr, trusted to lead armies into battle, and small folk to prosperity. Do not be surprised if Xander is reluctant to approach you from now on, except for the most private of settings, he cannot appear to give you favor, both to prevent others from accusing him of bias and to protect you from those that would use or harm you to get to him. Like him, we will be held to the highest standards, and we must all appear unflappable, incapable of oversight."

"When you put it that way, it sounds like being royalty is the worst thing in the world. But thank you for the advice, I'll keep it in mind."

"Be sure that you do. I must finish my preparations, I am sure Xander's company is ready by now, I must make sure mine is as well, I will see you on the road, Corrin." With that Leo turned around, leaving Corrin to watch his back as he went to rejoin his company.

"Um, Leo?"

Leo turned his head back to his brother "What is it? We both have things we must attend to."

Corrin scratched the back of his neck "Well, remember that thing you said about having to appear unflappable and incapable of oversight?"

"That? What of it?"

"Well, I just thought you'd like to know that your collar is on backwards."

There was a moment of silence as Leo confirmed what his brother said.

"Damn it."

Xander was alone at the point of the troop, having left Laslow on the front to watch over his duties as forward commander of the northern part of the border. It was two day's ride to the Northern fortress, and from there another day's ride to castle Krakenburg. However, Xander was tasked with recovering most of the Northern Fortress' guards-a grand total of only fifty men. Unlike his personal guard (consisting of twenty cavalry, half of which he left on the front, to keep the appearance that he had not left) these guards were not trained riders, and instead lagged behind him about forty paces with the supply caravans, slowed by their gambesons and thin breastplates, and escorted by his riders.

Leo's small company (also twenty riders, though their steeds appeared odd, and the armor they wore was strange and distinctly terrifying), kept pace at the rear guard, and had no issue keeping up, though they would occasionally dismount and walk alongside their steed for no obvious reason.

At this pace, it would take at least two, but no more than three days to reach Castle Krakenburg. Between this trip, whatever mission his father had planned for him, caring for his steed, and training more levies to bring back to the border it could be as long as a month until he returned.

"Brother, there is something I'd like to discuss with you about Corrin."

Xander turned his head, seeing Leo and his retainer-the dark skinned one-approach him "I'd rather not discuss family affairs in such an open venue. Perhaps another time, Leo."

"Xander, there is no need to fear eavesdroppers. The main force is too far behind to hear, not to mention the sound the horses make drowning our words."

Xander conceded to his brother "Very well, what is it you wanted to know."

"I just find it strange, that Corrin has made such strides since our last visit, and especially in such an uncertain time as this."

"Uncertain times create stronger men, stronger wills. These men restore the order with their newfound strength. Corrin realized how delicate our position is, and found the strength that he didn't know he had."

"I don't doubt our brother's determination, but it would be unfortunate if his gains in the last few weeks were to vanish on the battlefield."

"Such concerns are pointless, even I was unable to defeat him."

"But was it because he was a skilled swordsman? Or because we call him brother? Or because you feel some guilt for Kamui?"

Xander's eyes hardened "You'll not speak of that again. There is nothing that we have not yet shared on that matter."

"I'm sorry, Xander, but I must be sure. Don't misunderstand me, I think of him the same way you do, but will father? Would a samurai?"

Xander sighed, and in that instant Leo bore witness to one of the rare instances in which Xander was not Prince Alexander of Nohr, but Xander the brother, the human. "I could not beat him because he inspires loyalty in others. 'Strength is more than the ability to shake a pointy stick', you like to say. Well it is also true that there is more to strength than the ability to bore into your enemy's weaknesses, as you do."

"It is no grand feat to earn the loyalty of the vassals that serve you for nearly a decade. Could he command an army with the same respect? Could he be victorious with such an army?"

"You forget, they did not start friends. Quite the contrary, every one of his vassals has reason to hate him. To turn an enemy into a friend, it has never been done successfully since the conception of our kingdom, not by any of our kings. Corrin did it in a decade."

"They were children, not nations, and even then, it nearly ended with him dead more than once."

"As I recall, there are children in Hoshido. Perhaps in a decade he could convince them to never raise arms against him."

"The irony is strong in that. But even then, is Corrin good enough to pass father's judgement?"

"Could Corrin ever pass Father's judgement? As you said, he almost lost his life more than once in that castle, and now there are fewer guards than ever."

Something clicked in Leo's head, and he nodded to his brother in understanding "I see, then it is a good thing that he is strong enough to defeat you."

"Yes, but even were that strength not there, he has reached the limit of all he can achieve behind the walls of a fortress. Only the real world, real experiences can make him stronger now. Have faith in him."

"Very well, I will try. I might go back to him now, try to discuss various things, test his understanding of strategy. I sent my retainer-the tourney champion, Odin- to keep him company," He looked back and glared at his accompanying retainer "and to smooth over an unnecessary conflict."

Xander nodded, and a faint whiz was heard, followed by a thunk. Xander and Leo both searched for the source of the odd sound, and suddenly his horse reared and threw him off from the ground, Xander had a very good view of what spooked his horse- small spikes, shaped like pyramids, littered the ground in front of him, half concealed by dirt.

Leo caught on just before Xander himself did "We're under attack! Enemy Ambush!" Leo tried to turn his horse, but halfway through the rotation a myriad of arrows struck it through several chinks in its armor, causing it to fall over onto Leo in pain.

Xander rose from the ground, removing his scabbard from his back and drawing Flamberge- a two handed silver blade, crafted and enchanted by techniques no longer known to Nohr, and passed to each crown prince. He tossed the scabbard to the ground and quickly secured his sallet. Arrows pinged off Xander's armor, stopped by the thick plate mail and the light gambeson beneath it.

Fire erupted on the ground in front of Xander, and before long the raging flames rose around the entire company, guided by oil. From the shrubbery four figures appeared, two men wielding somewhat shoddy katanas, and the other two wielding small war hammers- ones he recognized as Nohrian designed, intended for fighting heavily armored opponents.

Leo finally pulled himself out from under his horse and quickly pulled up his combat collar-being a mage it was inconvenient to where a full helm, but he did not need one, as the magically infused collar turned away arrows that neared to close to his exposed head. Xander addressed his younger brother without taking his eyes off of his opponents "Join the rear guard with your brother, send the levies to the front with me, I shall handle these four."

Leo nodded, and made to leave, but as he did yet another hammer wielding man lunged from nowhere at his brother, and Xander's instincts took over, as he lunged towards the man and impaled him on Flamberge, performing a coup de grace as he pulled his blade down, disemboweling the man who dared threaten his family as he retrieved his sword "Your fight is with me." Xander warned the remaining four through his helmet "Any enemy of Nohr is an enemy of mine, and if you do not surrender, I will show no mercy to those who raise their arm against my country and people!"

Corrin had been having an enjoyable conversation with Leo's other retainer, the one whom Niles had suggested had eloped with Lilith (what had caused the strange man to approach him he could not discern, somethings about false legends and shadows). The man as far as he could gather, had been Leo's second retainer, after Niles, and was a mercenary (or scion of legend) from a far-off land. While he was born of two adept mages, he didn't know his father all that well, and his mother mostly knew healing magic, and enchanted weapons (Corrin was sure an axe was mentioned at some point), and he himself was trained in swordsmanship by a legendary master who was once a comrade of his father.

Corrin was sure that the next part would have been interesting, and the tale spun was an epic in every sense of the word, but he was interrupted as arrows began pelting them. Corrin had taken one to the stomach (thankfully, though he wore no gambeson, he believed the black material prevented bruising), and Odin had received an arrow to his left leg, though if the shaft sticking out of his skin bothered him as much as it bothered Corrin, he didn't show.

Rather, the young spellsword laughed loudly "And so legendary villains come to test their mettle against I, Odin Dark, scion of legend, the one who's darkness and heroic destiny comes from his own blood!" He annunciated this by quickly retrieving a spell tome from his longcoat, casting an ice spell hastily, forming a small pillar of ice and taking cover behind it. Corrin was quick to join him.

Corrin quickly took stock of the situation from behind his light helmet. Ahead most of the guards were struggling- they had little armor, except for their kettle helms and their breastplates. Less than half had shields, the rest struggled with either bucklers or no shield at all. Some of these unfortunate men crouched behind others who had shields large enough for two, and some of the others were hiding behind the bodies of their fallen brothers-for there were many. The wagons had begun circling to shield them, but their unprotected horses made for tempting and easy targets.

Odin had taken another tome from his longcoat, and began leaning out of the cover and shooting small bolts of fire blindly into the woods. Unfortunately, no one could close the distance between their company and the archers, even if they survived the barrage of arrows that would no doubt fall upon them, massive flames surrounded the convoy on both sides blocking them in. Corrin scoured his mind for a solution.

"Odin these ice pillars, do you think you can cast more of them? Enough to protect the entire company?"

Odin did not stop firing into the woods as he spoke "Alas, my fell hand has no dominion over the realm of ice. Spell books of yore can aid me, but I have only the one, and it struggles to maintain even our fortress of ice!"

Corrin scanned the battlefield quickly. This was nothing like the games of chess he played with Leo, and he finally understood why his brother always scoffed at the thought that it was preparing him for modern warfare. Just as another arrow emphasized how dire his situation was-this one from the other side of the pillar, where they were exposed- Corrin felt a tug in his gut, like he was being pulled towards something. Corrin looked in the direction his gut was telling him to go, and noticed a spot on the ground where the ground appeared blurry, as if it was emitting heat.

"Odin, can you cast a spell that will distract the archers, even if it only lasts a second? I think I have an idea."

Odin scoffed, as if insulted "You speak to Odin Dark himself, master of wizardry by birthright and blade master by right of conquest! Such spells come as easy as breathing!" The Spellsword tucked his tome back into his longcoat, then removed one of his gloves, shooting Corrin a look as he watched intently.

"Shield your eyes, even the greatest of mortal eyes are blinded by the light of the heavens." Odin warned. Corrin complied, looking at the ground and covering his eyes. Odin continued casting his spell, and through his eyelids Corrin was aware of the presence of a very bright light.

"Behold, the light of Naga!" Corrin heard a whizz, and then a pop- like a fire cracker. "Now, Corrin!"

And Corrin was off, dashing at top speed to his objective. Arrows still fell around him, but only half of what Corrin had seen before. Corrin lowered himself to the ground and slid to the spot on the ground, and then…

Corrin panicked. Sure, he had been able to detect the dragon vein, and even reach it, but then what? Pray to the dusk dragon? Will something into existence? How did dragon veins even work?

Thankfully, he didn't need to know. Suddenly Corrin jolted, as if the force pulling on him finally snatched what it wanted, and Corrin felt almost overwhelmed with power. Almost instinctively, Corrin forced that power back into the ground, and then heard a great rumbling sound. Looking around, Corrin saw the result of his efforts.

A large wall of water formed around the convoy, from all the way back with the wagons to the very tip where Xander led. The water doused the flaming oil with ease, then surged outwards, like a wave. Corrin heard some panic from within the trees, but by the time it reached the veritable wall had deteriorated into a small but powerful wave, probably only knee high.

Most of the guards watched in astonishment, then one cried out "Let's get the bastards!" and dashed into the woods, his shield raised as he ran to avenge his comrades. The rest were quick to follow, eager to turn the tides against their would-be killers.

Corrin for his part, hunched over in exhaustion. The ordeal had left him out of breath, but much of the power that he had felt when he was using the dragon vein had remained with him, giving filling his body with energy even as he panted for breath.

However, even that was not enough to keep his vision from going black.