Alexander and Christian were not quite sure why they even had winter gear when it was bright and sunny in Ylisse, but crossing into Regna, it became clear why, the landscape was of snow and cold, no sane being would step into the realm without some form of warmth to keep them safe, but Lissa was taking the worst of it as she shook. "Brrr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing!"

"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind." Lissa did so as Frederick continued to ride in league with his allies before the snow and cold soon graced them all to a standing wall of stone and snow, Alexander musing as he asked.

"So that is the fortress?"

Chrom replied as he commented. "Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox."

Frederick added to it as he stopped short to the other side of Chrom. "The khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners. Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for open hostility." The Great Knight looked to Chrom as he continued. "This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy."

Chrom sighed as he returned the words. "Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best." He turned to the party as he explained. "Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse." Basically, make a good impression, if they were rude or anything along those lines, it would hit back to Ylisse and where would the alliance be, back to square one. They moved close as figures seemed to be forming on the walls before Alexander spoke.

"Something's not right..." It didn't take long for Frederick to follow the belief as he spoke.

"Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobilizing."

"What?! Why?"

"Who can say? But they look ready to let fly at a moment's notice." Frederick grimaced as he continued. "We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe." Frederick casted a glance at Alexander whose face took on a look of disbelief at the next words. "Perhaps we ought pool our supplies and select which Shepherds to deploy? Loath as I am to trust him, Alexander might offer some valuable insight in this…" The tactician gave an unbelieving gesture before he rolled his eyes and Chrom agreed as he asked for any ideas. Alexander started with selecting the core five for a good measure then selected Vaike, Stahl, and Sully to the fight as they approached the wall and a voice called over the stone bricks.

"Halt! Who goes there?!"

Chrom replied as he shouted to the top. "In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the khans!"

"Not another step, my bold lad! I've lancers at the ready!" Whoever it was, they were not giving too much quarter as Frederick yelled up.

"Hold, milady! We are not your enemy! Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest."

"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand!" That word meant one thing, someone else was incurring the Feroxi people to protective borders, posing as 'Ylisseans' to keep the land divided.

Frederick took offence to this as he continued. "B-brigand? Now see here—" The female voice continued as it yelled from the helm.

"You think you are the first 'Ylisseans' to try and cross our border? I have the authority to fell such imposters where they stand."

"How dare you!" Frederick shouted up the wall as he stated his case. "You are in the presence of Prince Chrom, the exalt's own blood!"

The figure gave a short 'Ha' before she continued. "Yes, indeed—and I'm the queen of Valm!" This was bad as the figure continued to speak, not giving way at any point. "You do realize impersonating royalty is a capital offense, yes?" They started to think before she made an challenge. "Mmm... Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way. You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"

Chrom grimaced as he whispered. "Rgh... Emmeryn won't like this at all..." Trying once more as he stepped forth some, Chrom tries to make the Feroxi people see reason. "Please, good lady! If you'd just listen—"

"I've heard quite enough! Attack!" Several spears were hurled off the wall, Chrom their intended target when he was suddenly grabbed and hoisted high in the sky by a pegasus, his savior none other than the shy Sumia, her resolve and will changed to fight as she stared ahead on top the pegasus, Chrom surprised in the sudden rescue as he whispered.

"Sumia...?"

"Better hold on tight, Captain. Could get bumpy." Chrom shook himself from the stupor as he replied.

"Uh...right."

Sumia chuckled a little as she turned her head to Chrom. "You'll be fine." A glint in her eye caught Chrom off-guard once more before he turned his attention to the other soldiers readying to hurl their spears at the pair of them.

"Sumia!" He drew Falchion as Sumia nodded.

"Right!" They came back around as they dodged the flying weapons, an advantage of the Pegasus Knights and their winged mounts being their speed as Sumia came flying down to the party as she huffed in relief. "Oh, Captain, I'm so relieved I made it in time."

"That goes double for me, Sumia!" Chrom turned to address the pegasus to be surprised once again. "And this—is this the same ornery pegasus we met on the road?!"

"Oh, she's a sweetheart, isn't she? ...Once you really get to know her…"

"Well, many thanks to you both." Chrom patted the creature on the muzzle and it shook its head before rubbing its face into Chrom's hand as Lissa shouted.

"I think the pegasus is blushing!" Frederick shattered the peace as he shouted for formation.

"And I think we had all best focus on the situation at hand!" The grounds started to rumble as soldiers poured out to attack them, the party the first in the battle as Christian shouted.

"Chrom, they're coming!"

"All right." Chrom then stanced with his blade as he bared his teeth to the oncoming enemies. "The Feroxi way it is!" They charged to counter the attack on them, breaching both ways with their strength and resolve as Sumia helped Chrom greatly and the Knight that Alexander spotted before the battle started, the same one from the barrack, joined the fight after Chrom talked to him and they bashed on through, the conditions being that death was not an option at that time, the Guard were doing their job while the Shepherds did theirs as they pushed on through even the armored knights that barred their path, but it was not enough as they slammed into the rear guard and their commander as her words cried out to the heavens.

"Let our battle sound out the truth of your words!" She was a tougher foe to crack as her guard and armor blocked most physical attacks, but not from magical or armor-piercing strikes as she braced hard for impact as Alexander channeled his Thunder in conjecture to Miriel's Fire and the knight captain buckled under as she was forced to drop her shield as she yielded. "Then your claims were...true..." The battle came to an end as the captain removed her helmet and stood up, slightly limping as she spoke. "A thousand apologies, Prince Chrom. I truly took you for brigand impostors. But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you just have!" She bowed as she acknowledged the party's request. "I will send word of your arrival to the capital and escort you there personally."

"That would be most appreciated, thank you." She headed through the passage as Alexander comment on the swift change in behavior.

"Amazing. Her whole demeanor changed."

"In Ferox, strength speaks louder than words." Frederick sighed as the Guard reorganized in respect. "I should have known better than to overestimate the value of diplomacy here..." Lissa didn't care as much as she was still shaking.

"So can we get going, Chrom?"

Chrom nodded as he returned the thought. "Yes, it's not getting any warmer." The Shepherds headed inside to the warmth of flames and comfort as they took their time waiting for the captain to return. Alexander took the time to read his tome, memorizing the Thunder spell as Chrom took to some rest, Sumia looming close to him which was odd as he was running himself tired for some reason and after Sumia went off to talk to him about something that Alexander wanted to talk about, he instead took to sleep for the moment. The young tactician shook his head as he glanced over to his wayward companion and started a conversation.

"Christian."

"Yeah, what's with the strange look of question?"

"Tell me..." Alexander rubbed his hands together as if to remove some form of powder from his fingers. "We were both lacking in memories and who we were to begin, but looking at us and comparing our nationality, where do you think we are?" Christian leaned back as he pondered the same idea before shaking his head and Alexander sighed with a bead of sweat. "Well, that doesn't clear too much up, I guess we are still in the dark on that notion."

"Yeah... but maybe it would be wise to look further into it, I mean, we don't look Ylissean or Feroxi, where did we come from?"

"A pondering question, I'll get on it as soon as I can, don't you worry, and if not, it doesn't change our partnership in this new adventure.

"Yeah... thanks." Christian nestled into the chair provided before dozing off and Alexander followed suit as they waited, a few hours more before they were called upon to join in seeing the ruler of the kingdom of Ferox.