The late hours into the return of the pair waned heavily on all of them and who could fault any of them, Plegia was planning war that Alex couldn't fall asleep as he heard the steps of someone and headed out, his room on the second floor to see Chrom pace lightly across the ground and he joined Chrom as the young prince sighed. "A piece of gold for your thoughts?" Chrom was caught off-guard, but he recovered as Alex drew closer, the tactician himself having explained that he helped bring a young villager to arms, somehow inspire a number of brigands to serve as his own personal army, and how Christian had made himself quite the accomplished master with the blade, neglecting the fact that his gloves were turned to rags and he replacing them once more until he could get some ACTUAL magical resistance on his attire, like his cloak.
"Oh, hi, Alex. Just... dueling with some unpleasant thoughts..." Alex nodded as Chrom continued with a hum. "Tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first." The tactician made no notion to tell him otherwise as he started, looking to the stars in some form of relief. "...Not everything Gangrel... Well, you said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence... It was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death fifteen years ago." Alex nodded as that sounded like something the Mad King would attest to, as he held to the past too tightly. "Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse." He shook his head as he finished. "I was young, but I remember those dark times. ...I know how they affected Emmeryn."
"Such an experience would change anyone, a painful lesson for the weak willed." Chrom nodded as he continued.
"Indeed. When our father died before her tenth year, he left her quite the legacy... Plegia's desire for vengeance... Our own people's unbridled rage... My sister became a target for blame on all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults—and stones. She still bears the scar from one... But she never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."
"It must have been so hard..." Alex didn't fully understand the stress of being the Exalt really meant, but it was a heavy burden, one that stained the legacy of the Exalt itself, but the stain was slowly, but surely being removed with ease with Emm as the ruler, a peaceful and caring ruler indeed as Chrom continued
"I cannot claim to know how she does it, Alexander. I could not greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people 'forgave' her? ...She never resented them for it. She represents the best part of the halidom—the part most worth protecting. She IS peace. But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him." Chrom slightly shook his head as he continued. "...So perhaps I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to." Their small chat was disrupted by the familiar face, the savior of Lissa and the Champion of the West.
"Well spoken, sir." Chrom didn't speak with anger or resent as he spoke the name on the tongue.
"Marth..." The masked warrior stepped out of the shadows and into the brief torch light that glowed across the castle itself.
"Good evening to you."
Chrom wasted little time to inquire how Marth got in. "How did you get here?"
"The cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove." The prince drew back as he spoke in surprise.
"There? But how would you...?" He rubbed his head with an defeated tone as Alexander inquired the place.
"You know the place, Chrom?"
"Yes. I bashed in part of the wall while training the Shepherds." An embarrassing memory from the sound of it as Chrom explained it out. "It's only a small hole, and I'd thought it well concealed, but..." Marth held up a hand as he claimed their secrecy.
"Your secret is safe with me." He then pointed to Chrom as he continued. "I come here only to warn you."
This confused Chrom as he asked with folded arms. "Warn us?"
"The exalt's life is in danger."
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours." Marth bit their lip as they tried to explain the next part.
"What if..." With a pause, Marth continued in a manner that held a regal essence of mystery. "What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight."
"Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?" Marth sighed as he nodded before moving on a different action.
"Yes, I expected you wouldn't believe me. So allow me to prove it!" With that, Marth drew forth the similar blade and Chrom, by instinct, moved to draw his own before Marth announced the reason. "I'm about to save your life..." A tilt of the head yielded to the bush. "...From him." Without warning, a Assassin rushed out, but Marth was ready, blade tossed in the air in a leap as well, the foe's blade sweeping at thin air before Marth's sword was caught and he slashed through the Assassin, the man dead before touching the ground, a swish coming from Marth as he continued. "I trust... this proof will suffice?" Chrom paused in amaze before he replied, Alex himself actually interested as to the action and the words themselves.
"...Yeah." Marth, however, was unprepared as a second Assassin came from the tree, angle to kill Marth who tripped on the fallen blade, the only loss being the mask worn and revealed to the pair that Marth was actually female, Chrom shortly dismissing it as he charged forward in a flash and slayed the second Assassin with ease, turning to be surprised by the reveal. "Wait, you're—You're a woman?" She turned and stated her place in the matter.
"And quite the actress, too. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until just now." They didn't waste time as an explosion erupted in the palace and the trio dashed in, Alexander gathering the parties together to face off with the attackers.
The interior toward Emm's chambers was turned into chaos as soldiers of unmarked loyalty stemmed forward and with an intent to kill as Chrom yelled, the forces readied in the unguarded section, the guards elsewhere as part of the routine. "Emm!"
"Chrom! Take Lissa and flee while you still have time!" Falchion drawn, Chrom didn't back down as he readied himself for battle.
"No! We're not leaving you! Just stay where it's safe!" Christian shouted as he readied his blade with ease and an angered look on his face.
"With our good luck, we break the leader, the rest WILL turn tail if they FULLY know what's good for them!" Alex slightly nodded as he looked down to the courtyard and to the leader, a dark-skinned man and the briefest glance yield an answer to his mind, Validar, his blood which he turned away, taken by someone who loved him and his friend dearly before everything. 'Marth's' blade started to glow as she commented about it herself.
"Falchion is gleaming..."
Chrom asked Marth who stood in the way of the main way into the chambers. "What's wrong?
Marth bit the lip once more as she remarked. "It's not your concern." The struggle was real as Chrom countered with ease.
"Seems like nothing ever is with you."
"My apologies."
"Just stay at Emmeryn's door. We'll handle the killers." Considering that they haven't killed anyone quite yet, due to the routine, Alex didn't press it as the battle started, Emmeryn trying to save them beforehand once more.
"Chrom, please! Flee while you still can! You each have but one life, and I do not wish it weighed against mine!"
"Sadly, Emm..." Alex stated as he gathered his power and felt the familiar touch, a kindred spirit to him from the shadows of despair looming to call for more. "We cannot follow such a command, you are the peace of the people, if you were to die, the despair would be graver than any are willing to speak of." They set up and the enemies came close, he taking to the other side of Chrom's stand and held the line against the foes that sought to siege the chambers and them, but they were made of tougher stuff than before as they fought back. The forces grew stronger with the aid of a half-human, half-beast creature that Alex recognized as a Taguel, Christian really surprised by the creature, but he continued to hit hard into the enemy ranks with ease, more so than how Vaike was actually his lot. Chrom even managed to convince one of the thieves to join them, though his request was in sweets instead of JUST gold, unless provided with more sweets which didn't make too much sense to the tactician, but he focused more on his power as it felt more alive to him now before he heard the voice.
"So, you know now of who I really am..." Alexander didn't slow down as he countered with a default tone.
'I do, but you actually feel different, more than I had suspected in my lack of memory, were we friends or just allies?'
"Deeply connected friends, to be called an ally would be a dishonor, but you must understand that, though you have changed me to see the world in a broader picture, I still hold to the fury and rage I have against humanity."
'Then grant me the strength to fight and we will cleanse the stain of corruption before our very eyes, to see what is truly evil or merely fearful of the real facts." The voice agreed as Alexander focused once more before leaping back, a blast of dark energy hitting his place as the dark-skinned man chuckled in victory.
"Well, well..." He laughed madly as he claimed the impossible. "Oh, I know you... Submit to me, and perhaps I might honor you with the truth!"
"Your words are hollow, assassin, your word is nothing more than foolish beliefs and lies stemmed from a broken soul." The man growled as the attacks barraged his place, but he countered with the same ease, even taxing his gloves a bit in stronger versions of his Thunder spell, not tiring, but getting aid from Christian who forced the man back as he raged.
"Emmeryn was supposed to be an easy target... You will pay for interfering in my designs!"
"The thing to pay here is your own foolishness in believing it to be simple." Christian easily blocked the dark attacks before Alexander leapt over, the horde breaking down as he lined himself and fired, a Thunder orb shattering through the dark flux and straight through the man as blood seeped up from his mouth.
"No... This is... all wrong... How could... you have known the plan..." Alexander didn't need to know how or why, just as they were there to defend the Exalt, not kill in her name vainly as the party regrouped in a distant corridor as Chrom sighed in relief to the safety of Emmeryn.
"Thank the gods you're safe!"
"It is you I have to thank, Chrom." Emmeryn replied as she clasped Chrom's hands in relief as Phila remarked in shame.
"I beg your forgiveness, milord! I failed in my duty—they should never have made it into the castle in the first place." It was hard to not keep them out, they knew the routine and movement of the members in question, to kill a few would have been simple to attack Emm in her own quarters, but the timing was more of a rushed attack, hoping to hit with a success instead of a failed mission, resulting in all the attackers dead, not one remaining to tell the error of their ways.
"Peace, Phila. You couldn't have known what was coming. Only Marth could..." The name caused Emm to raised her brow in confusion as she asked, clearly seeing the individual, but not asking for the name in the conflict.
"...Marth?"
"Yes, I would speak more with..." He paused in confusion as he looked around before asking the pair who came closer. "Um... Alexander, Christian, where's Marth?" Both thought about it before Christian answered.
"Well, I have no clue, she was here for a second or two..." Chrom groaned as he released Emm's hands with a small shout.
"...Not again!" He dashed off to catch her before she left the palace, both shaking their heads as they escorted Emm along the way for the time being...
The castle courtyard near the entrance point for her was silent and quiet, an easy tone for her as she halted in her step and turned, musing something else before turning back and attempted to continue before Chrom appeared and spoke. "Going somewhere? You have a bad habit of leaving without saying goodbye, you know." Marth sighed as she confirmed it.
"Yes, I'm afraid I have a few bad habits."
"Good ones as well—you saved my life, as well as both of my sisters. Is there some way I can repay you? Some favor I can grant?" Marth just smiled as she replied to the inquire.
"Hearing your offer is reward enough."
"But there must be something..."
"I already have what I came for:" She looked to the stars in relief before replying. "History has been rewritten."
"And what future averted?" Marth mused the idea before she explained it out.
"After the exalt's untimely assassination, the Fire Emblem would be stolen. This, in turn, would lead to a great war, and soon to the end of mankind itself." She shook her head as he remarked the troubling words in doubt to the current soul listening to her. "...But I'm sure that sounds like madness to you." Chrom paused in thought before he shook his head, slightly surprising her as he answered.
"...Strangely, no. It doesn't." He nodded as he continued. "Somehow I know I can trust you. And I hope someday to repay your favors."
"Perhaps one day you shall. Until then..." No farewell as she continued on through, disappearing into the shadows as Chrom was left silent, but understanding as he headed on back into the castle.
The Taguel seemed to sneer to the small gathering as Emm thanked her. "Brave taguel, there are not words enough to express my gratitude."
"So you know our true name?" Christian looked to Alex as he asked in confusion.
"Sorry, but what is a taguel, Alexander?" Alexander took the moment to explain, his mind refilled somewhat with returning thoughts and reading up in the short time.
"A Taguel is a type of shape-shifter, blessed with the abilities of a common animal to increase their strength and resistance greatly, some claim that they descended from the ancient 'Laguz' but such fables are hollow nowadays because..." Alexander didn't press it, but the Taguel faced him with a angered look as she exclaimed.
"You know of the Warren Hunts!?" Alex did not attack the invading woman as he calmly spoke.
"History tries so hard to hide the facts, but it never gives me the name needed to really hunt those who proceeded in such a vile way."
"Yes, it's precious little your kind seem to understand. It was man-spawn like you that invaded our warren and slaughtered my people." Emmeryn gasped as the two stared at each other before she inquired in concern.
"What?! Is this true? Who would do such a thing?" The Taguel sharply turned as she pointed at Emm.
"Ha! Do not act so shocked. You are all the same. Right down to your base desire to ruin and destroy all your touch—even each other." The words did have an impact as Emm lowered her hands and nodded to the words, man itself flawed with fear and anger as she remarked about it.
"...There is truth to your words, perhaps. I'm told that, in taguel society, everyone is treated as an equal. Mankind could learn much from your warren. The words may come too late and mean too little, but I am deeply sorry. We have stolen your friends and family and made the world a lesser place." She bowed to the Taguel as Phila tried to reassure her.
"Your Grace—you had no fault in this!"
"You claim to be blameless, and yet you would apologize? Pah! Your words are but wind."
"I know... But they are all I have." The Taguel paused before she remarked once more.
"...You seem sincere, man-spawn. You feel my pain as your own." She didn't make a move to hurt anyone as she extended out her arms, a number of scars littered her body as she commented. "...I've never felt that before. Look at me." There was no one person to say otherwise that it was never their fault for it is by Man that such creatures and beings suffered for their own desires and sick interests. "...See what I am. I will never trust mankind. But you... Perhaps you truly are not like the others."
"All I ask is a chance to earn your trust." Emm took one of the hands and held it tight in apology and worry for the lone Taguel to her own mind, the deeds of the past not forgotten for Alexander and Christian to personally discover for the peace of the Taguel.
Soon, Chrom, Emm and their stewards discussed the chances of the attack itself and who was to blame for it in the long term. "It will take time to investigate how the assassination plot got so far. We have no leads at present." Chrom was not one to yield to the lack of knowledge as it was clear as to who would profit from such an attack.
"It was Plegia! I'm certain of it. They'd do anything for the Emblem." He turned to his elder sister and requested of her to move. "Emm, you can't stay here. Come to Ferox where it's safe."
"And leave the people undefended?" She shook her head as she confirmed her standing in it, despite a lack for it. "War is at our borders, Chrom. Do you expect Ylisse to stand against Plegia without a leader? They must know their exalt stands with them."
"But if something happens to you? What then?" Thankfully, Fredrick confirmed a different option as he commented.
"Your Grace, perhaps you might relocate to the eastern palace for the time being?" His finger trailed to the point as he continued in thought. "The other kingdoms would know nothing of it. You would be safer." Chrom himself nodded as he plead for her to do it.
"Yes, please. At least that. I can't leave for Ferox with you right in harm's way." Emm thought about it before she nodded.
"Very well." A sigh of relief left Chrom's mouth as he continued.
"Thanks, Emm. I mean it. We'll escort you to the palace before we head north to the border." The danger was apparent, but it was something that had to be faced, heedless of the forces that sought to thwart that and bring a war to an end before it was too late, blind to the high chances that war itself had come and would leave no man, woman, or child alive long enough for them to flee into the pages of mystery...