Alexander and Christian spent enough time to further enforce their trust and belief in the others before they looked into the history of the Warren Hunts themselves, Alexander finding a name that shed some light. A man named Kimeran had revealed the presence of the warrens to anti-taguel nobles and they took care of the work, his involvement fearful and scared, but a wise soul as he found his role as Emm's greatest advisors after her father, a sane man who was more scared for his life, but has the view of the people in heart, just placed in the wrong way. He nodded before Chrom came. "Come, it is time to head out now." Both nodded as the books were returned and they headed out, to the Breakneck Pass, through which the fortress was located to be at, to their surprise, a hierarch came to accompany them at Emm's request, but Alexander's watchful eye was on the man within seconds, he wanted something out of it and Alex would ensure that he doesn't see the next sunlight if he is doing what he is planning...
The rocky terrain was trouble on their bodies and minds as the Shepherds marched to safeguard Emm with her small detachment of Pegasus Knights, Lissa finally snapping as she groaned, sitting on a stone and rubbing her ankles. "Ugh, my poor feet. I've got blisters the size of eggs!"
"Oh, it's not so bad, Lissa. Just a healthy little stroll!" Chrom spoke with a smile before turning to the duo of allies. "How are you holding up, Alexander and Christian?" Sadly, Christian was the one to voice his complaint.
"My legs feel like pudding... Your endurance astounds me, Chrom." Alex said nothing, though personally grinning to the lack of Fredrick's training instill into the tougher Mercenary.
"Hah! Should I carry you?"
"You can carry me!" The trio looked to Lissa as she extended her arms for help. "...No, seriously. I would really be okay with you carrying me." They just shrugged as the elderly man looked about with a hum before Fredrick inquired to the issue.
"Is something troubling you, Hierarch? You keep glancing up at the peaks." It was a valid point as the peaks were meant to be safe, Alexander looking as Lissa was helped to her feet by Christian, the voice coming back which he titled, or itself had titled 'Amirg'.
"The blood of kin fills the air, this is an ambush, should we kill the man now?" Alex shook his head as the man spoke.
"Hmm?" He then obtained a surprised look to fill in the nervous air. "Oh, I'm just a b-bit nervous, I'm afraid. Gh-ghastly times, these!" Alex didn't look upon it, but his right eye flashed a radiant green as Amirg was more infused in his blood than both had guess as he too had lost his memories, but not his hate or calm, both knowing the lie as Christian himself asked who the man was.
"Chrom, who is that?"
"The hierarch?" Christian nodded as Chrom explained. "He's been a friend of House Ylisse for many years. He guided Emmeryn during the early years of her rule." He raised a brow as he inquired as well. "Why do you ask?"
The Mercenary hummed as he rested a hand to his jaw in thought. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but something feels..." Before Christian finished, Alexander filled the gap with his own.
"Too unsettling, like a trap..." That was answered easily as a whole army of Plegian soldiers rushed out and shouted for war, clearly the more bloodthirsty members of the rest.
"Grah ha hah! Time to die, princey!" Chrom scowled as he readied his blade for battle.
"Plegian soldiers? Damn! How did they know we were here? Everyone! Prepare for battle!" Alex didn't need to know how, as the old man was shaking in his own boots to the incoming attack before the captain in charge shouted across the mountain and canyon.
"Ahhhhhhhhh... Smell that, men? The winds of fortune are blowing our way!" They cheered as the Hierarch rushed to try and save his own skin.
"Hold, sir! I am the man King Gangrel told you about! Did you not receive orders to take me into your protection?" The Shepherds were taken by surprise as Emm looked hurt herself as the Captain returned the comment.
"I've orders to protect a man, true... But I see no man here!" This broke the man as the captain continued in insanity. "...Only a pig! A rasher of traitorous bacon that sold out his own sovereign! And what do we do with little piggies, mmm?" The man stammered to try and save himself once more.
"Well, you... I mean, perhaps... You let them go free?" The man continued to be mocked as the words continued.
"Oh, are you a chicken now? Bawk bawk! We've a whole barnyard in our midst!" The men laughed before it finished with a dark and hungry look. "Well, it don't matter what you are. The axe will fall just the same!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeek!" But before the man could be killed, the brigand was blocked and had a Thunder spell blasted through him as the man was saved and he attempted to praise the duo for saving him. "Oh, thank you so..."
"Shut your trap, you worthless hog." Alex's look was very, VERY terrifying that Chrom wondered what he was beforehand if not a tactician as he gripped the man and easily lifted him with anger, a feat no one has ever done. "You just SOLD out your own leader and you think that you are safe by pleading for your life, the pigeon just came in..." A sharp pull and the man was staring into the eyes of someone who could easily have been Grima in disguise. "You have SEVERAL years to pay for your crimes in fear." The man was hurled hard as he tumbled right into Panne as Alex continued. "Panne, take this idiot to the back and hang him over the cliff side until he talks EVERY LITTLE BIT of his idiocy to the world, keep him hanging over longer if you want him to suffer for your own warren!" None challenged the command as Panne stammered herself, suddenly afraid of crossing the man emitting a powerful aura.
"Y-Y-Yes, sir!" Within a blink of an eye, she transformed, snatched the man by the collar, and only the cry of the man emitted from behind before it faded as Chrom inquired with a whisper to Emm.
"Is... he actually allowed that?" Emm turned and whispered back as she gave her standing on it.
"You want to get in between a angered man and his target, I don't have a handle on him, you ARE his commander." Chrom grimaced before turning back to the attacking force as the Captain spoke again.
"Ho there! Ylisseans! Give me the Fire Emblem and your wench of a ruler, and spare yourselves a gory end!" Alex was primed and ready and Christian also was ready as he seemed... bulkier and more tough than before as Chrom drew his blade and spoke.
"Phila, take Emmeryn to the rear of the column. We'll fend off these blackguards!" The division did so as Emm was retreat back and the battle began, the Shepherds pressing harder than before, as if to stave off the wrath of their tactician who was very ticked off, holding back some as they pressed on through, their force aided as a lone Pegasus Knight arrived with concern.
"No! Plegians here as well?!" She cleared her worry as she yelled, flying toward them. "Prince Chrom! Captain Phila! Beware! Enemy reinforcements to the rear! They'll be upon us soon!" The captain spotted the incoming ally and grimaced deeply.
"Is that... Gods, Cordelia?!" Alex leapt back as he inquired, hand hovering over his tome once more with his sword sheathed.
"One of your members?"
"She's one of my knights. Young yet, but quite gifted. But she was stationed on the border... Why...?" The meaning hit her hard as she felt a deep weight drop in her heart. "Oh, gods! Could it mean...?"
"For now..." Phila took to the side as a magic circle formed in front of Alex as he gave the impression that he was still drawing on the tome. "The reinforcements are history..." Cordelia noticed and banked hard left as wyvern riders arrived, only to be barraged with point-blank accuracy from Alex, everyone who was a mage or archer thorough shocked to the distance and range he was hitting, but they poured it on the fact that he was enraged with the betrayal and the Plegians as they closed the distance and slammed into the main body as the captain made his run.
"I'll splatter you across the canyon floor!" His wyvern went for Christian and the Mercenary merely sheathed his blade and got into a stance as the wyvern charged, chomping on him as the captain grinned, the smile leaving as the ride slowed down and Christian standing as he roared with fury, as he proceeded to do the most craziest thing that a young man could ever do, both hands gripping the widened jaw open.
"I AM PEEVEEEEEEEED!" He pushed it further before, in a swift action, slashed the head off with a hand and ripped the head apart in rage, the captain in shock as Chrom just thrusted his sword into the man, sitting on the mount and removing the blade caused the stunned corpse to fall, the wyvern body thrashing for a bit before dying, Christian huffing as Chrom spoke, the force before them uttered destroyed.
"...They're gone." Cordelia landed and charged over as she shouted to the members.
"Your Grace! My prince! Run! As far and fast as you can! More Plegians are coming, not a half day's march behind you!" Phila asked the dire question in concern.
"Cordelia, what are you doing here? ...Tell me the border remains secure!" The red head's reaction was a no as she shouted.
"That I could, milady! But it would be false... Gangrel himself led his might against us! The end was upon us when my knight-sisters begged me fly and warn the exalt... I should have stayed... I should have stayed! Ah, gods, I can still hear the screams..." She tried to cradle herself as Phila made to comfort her.
"Peace, Cordelia. You did your duty. The sisters rightly prized your youth. You've many years yet to keep their legacy alive."
"But I abandoned them! I'm weak... Their legacy deserves better." The look of her face told enough as Alexander held Christian back and shook his head to the now-averaged Christian again as they listened with the royalty.
"Sometimes, fleeing takes the most courage. They knew that. Now pull yourself together. Let the faith they showed in you give you strength."
"Captain Phila, I..." She cupped her face as she just cried to the horror. "How can I go on like this? They were my...my family..." if not for the hands, she would have face planted into the ground in sorrow. "Gods... Oh, gods..." Chrom was more vocal as he cursed the Plegians for their lack of honest faith.
"Damn those monsters!" Emmeryn's next words scared the members deeply and the duo getting a feeling of ill-hope implanted in the Exalt's mind.
"I must return to the capital."
Phila was first to speak as she begged Emm to rethink it. "Your Grace, I cannot advise—"
"I should never have left. If it's discovered I'm away when this news comes to light... The people could panic. Riot. More Ylisseans could needlessly die." She was kind and they understood, but she was not done as she pulled out a familiar shield from her Sage-like garbs, one that Emm held onto even in her meetings. "Here, Chrom. I entrust this to you." Chrom took it in surprise as he exclaimed.
"The Fire Emblem?"
"Take it to Ferox—to safety." The hands felt like it was forcing it on him as he tried to stand his ground.
"And leave you? No, Emm."
"No part of House Ylisse matters more than the Emblem. It possesses tremendous power. But too much blood has been shed over it already. I hope it finds a better guardian in you than it did me." Chrom wasn't ready to surrender to the terms as he tried to talk her out of it, his own sister out of a suicide.
"Emm, come on. You can't... Don't talk like that! You sound like you're ready to give up..."
"I am not giving up, Chrom. I am only giving what I can." She started to walk as Chrom called out.
"Emm, please! This is madness!" Lissa begged as well as she called out.
"Sis, wait! Let me go with you!" She paused for a moment before casting a glance toward them, a sorrowful one as she spoke.
"Stay with Chrom, Lissa. I command it." Tears started to well up in Lissa as she cried out.
"This isn't fair! It's not fair! I know our people need you, but we need you, too!" Emm returned, only to wipe the tears away as she spoke.
"Dry your tears, love. This is not good-bye." She didn't want it to sound that way, but the pair knew that something would go wrong, VERY wrong as Phila claimed her standing.
"Your Grace, the pegasus knights will accompany you to Ylisstol."
Emmeryn nodded as she accepted the aid. "Very well, Phila. Thank you." The leader mounted up as Fredrick was next with a bow.
"I will keep the prince and princess safe, Your Grace. You have my word."
"I know you will, Frederick. Thank you." A solemn farewell to say the least as he agreed with a pained tone.
"It is my honor." Cordelia made to do the same, but Phila spoke instead as she tapped Cordelia on the shoulder.
"Cordelia. You will stay here with Chrom." Cordelia tried to get her to reconsider, but it was in vain.
"But, Captain—"
"I know your heart is heavy, but this is how it must be. Your knight-sisters will be with you in spirit, wherever you go."
"...May they give me strength." She then nodded in a bow as she agreed. "As you command, Captain. I will pray for your safety." Emmeryn turned to Phila as she spoke.
"Come, Phila. We must go." Phila helped her onto the seat as Chrom shouted for her to rethink all of it.
"No! You don't have to go! This is absurd!"
"Chrom, you don't—"
"Walking to your own death will not bring peace to anyone! Ylisse needs you. WE need you! Be selfish for once in your life!" Emmeryn didn't counter for a bit, but when she did, she wished with all her heart that she was correct.
"I love you, Chrom. Both you and Lissa are my everything." The wings started to flap as she looked down slightly to them. "As for the peace I seek... You cannot see who it is for. I have to go. I'm sorry—I truly am. Let us embrace again in Ylisstol when you arrive with Feroxi reinforcements." Higher, the Pegasus went as Emm continued. "I know you will come." Chrom scoffed with the Emblem in his left as he commented.
"...This is a terrible plan."
"The blood of the first exalt flows strong in us. You and I will keep Ylisse safe. I believe it with all my heart. Safe journey, Chrom. Safe journey, Lissa." The Pegasus flew away and Chrom rushed too late to stop it as he called out.
"Emm... Emm?!" He collapsed to his knees in despair as Lissa rested a hand on his shoulder. "Ah..." Without any more pause, other than leaving the now-dead man to be bury, turned out scaring him badly had caused him to seize up and die, Panne not getting the full confess, but she knew now who had led her people to death, but more, there were also isolated cells of Taguel hidden away, FAR away in the frozen tundra of Ferox where no Ylissian had dared to pursue as the Khans then were VERY hostile to trespassers and they caught EVERY single member seeking to kill the remaining Taguels, members that Panne herself didn't know about and hidden away from the records as a personal request... from the hierarch himself in penance of his deed. The cold of the kingdom lead now by Flavia, being a welcoming comfort and sight, only made it worse to know that they were not helping Emmeryn anymore as they met in the main chamber with Lissa's grief.
"B-but she's safe inside the castle, right? Phila and the others will protect her! And Khan Flavia is assembling her best troops as we speak. We'll make it back home in time. I know we will." Chrom was silent as he just stood there with the Emblem in hand, Lissa questioning him to say something. "Chrom? Say something! Say, 'Yes, of course we will!'" Whatever trance he was in, he glanced once and replied with a grim look.
"...I'm sorry, Lissa. What?"
Lissa groaned as she exclaimed. "Ugh, fine! Never mind! Let me know when you get out of your own head for a second!" But Chrom returned to the silence as he stared blankly, Alexander and Christian not wanting to say anything to lighten or worsen the mood, then that was the moment that Sumia, the shy Pegasus Knight, took things into her hands as she strode right over with an exclaim.
"Snap out of it, Captain!" The reason was good, but not the method as she held a fist, both guys nearly calling out, Christian first to speak.
"Sumia...!"
"I wouldn't...!" But too little, too late as the fist flew, all flinching to the impact as Flavia entered, suddenly surprised by the sudden action as there was now a growing red mark in Chrom's face that could mean interior damage, Lissa healing it as Chrom went off in shock.
"OW! ...What the hell was that for?!" He rubbed his jaw, even though it was healed, it was going to sting like all of Plegia was suddenly partying with poppers and strange spike drinks.
"Oh no!" She paused as she looked up in confusion, clearly something lost up there. "...Did I do it wrong? Captain Phila said sometimes, a good slap will break someone out of their doldrums." Christian facepalmed as both of them allowed the humor of the event to hit them, Alex snickering as he answered.
"Sumia, when you slap someone, you do it with an open palm. You just punched Chrom in the face!" His laughter started to flow out easily, even Amirg started to chuckle as Sumia replied.
"Um... It's the thought that counts?" Chrom glared at the pair, but they couldn't shut up about it, a secret to how the mighty leader of the Shepherds was just downed by his loving relation before he spoke again.
"Gods, that seriously hurt..."
Flavia just laughed at Chrom's misfortune as she spoke. "What's wrong, my dear prince? Sometimes love hurts! You're lucky to have strong women like these, and not just dainty flowers about." The laughter stopped slowly with rolled eyes as the reigning Khan continued. "In any case, I bring good news. The Feroxi army has finally mobilized. Every last man is itching to fight. I must say, I'm looking forward to savoring a skirmish or two myself." Chrom paused from what he was going to say and instead asked about what she meant.
"...Wait. You're coming along?"
"Of course! A khan must have her fun. I'm even bringing my insignificant other." Christian made the mistake of asking as he looked puzzled, was she married?
"Your who?"
"Basilio. The oaf isn't good for much, but he might stop a few stray arrows." Both the members rolled their eyes, if all he was to this woman was a meat shield, then they needed to get engaged or at least, seen someone who MANAGES the affairs of the court...
They barely even start to get ready again when the titan came rushing at them, the Mercenary nearly drawing his blade, but was swiftly halted by Lon'qu, Alexander, Donnel, and Kellam from doing that as the West Khan spoke. "Chrom! Good gods, I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Is something wrong?" The look on the Khan was dire as he spoke.
"Our scouts have reported back. Dark news, I'm afraid..." He paused before speaking as the four released. "Ylisstol... has fallen."
"What?!"
"The Plegians captured your exalt and retreated back across their lines. Gangrel has declared she's to be publicly executed within the moon."
Chrom couldn't believe it as he stammered. "E-executed?!" Lissa took it worse as she fainted, Donnel saving her with a 'I got ya' and Alexander rushing over, lightly slapping her a bit.
"Lissa? Lissa!" But she didn't stir as Flavia scolded.
"The dastard's not even trying to be subtle anymore." Alex scolded himself as he put in his input, sending Donnel to get Lissa in bed.
"I agree. It's an obvious trap." He wanted the whole army to come baring down on Plegia to get them all riled up and eager for blood, the desire of the Mad King himself.
"The Mad King knew our scouts would relay this information back. It's clearly a provocation—a hot brand to the buttocks!" Basilio spoke as he grimaced. "We should consider our options carefully before jumping to any—" But Chrom was ahead as he suited up with quick ease and a command.
"Shepherds! We march to Plegia!" Basilio didn't continue before he commented with a clear of the throat.
"Well, that would be ONE option, yes... But perhaps we've seen enough royalty waltzing into traps for one war already, eh?" Chrom didn't seem to care for both his life and his spirit as he aggressively approached the Khan.
"I don't care if it's a trap, Basilio. He's going to murder my sister!" Flavia beat him to it as she lightly forced Chrom down, the share of relief evident on both of them as they tried to smooth it over.
"Peace, Chrom. Breathe a moment. No one's suggesting we don't act. We're simply saying we should act WISELY. We'll need guts AND wits in equal measure if we're to save your sister." Alexander himself nodded as he spoke, stepping up with Christian by his side.
"The khans are right. I'll think of something, Chrom. I promise." Somehow, Chrom calmed down as he looked to Alex, not seeing a powerful beast, but a close friend as he nodded.
"...All right, Alexander. I leave it to you to formulate our strategy." The young man nodded as Flavia inquired, curious if he can do such a thing.
"Are you certain you're up to the task, Alexander? It won't be easy." She raised both hands as she explained. "You hold the exalt's life in one hand, and all of ours in the other." a daunting task, but one that Alexander was ready for.
"A responsibility I do not take lightly. But I am equal to the challenge." Flavia just laughed to the will as she sling an arm over his shoulders, Alex just sighing as she went on.
"You've got stones, at least. I like that!"
"No hesitation, no mincing words... He's either a genius or a fool! I suppose we'll find out once we march." Basilio just smiled as he cheered. "Hold on to your tassets, Ylisseans. We've an exalt to save!" They all cheered with renewed resolve and vow as they readied themselves and prepared to head out before long.
In the dungeons of Plegia, Emm just rest in silence before the cell door opened and some thug commented. "Look at her, she is hardly..."
"Be silent or I will pluck that tongue out of your mouth." Emmeryn glanced up to Aversa looking down on her, the cell closing as the endowed woman spoke. "I will get straight to the point, Gangrel wants you dead and I have no issue with that, but something is wrong... VERY wrong." She bent a knee as she inquired. "Because the moment that you do end up in your grave, there will be a maelstrom of power tearing this whole place apart, I have felt it in my veins and I want to know what power do you command that would allow you that energy." Emm was silent before she breathed.
"In truth, I don't have such a power..." Aversa sighed as Emm continued without oppression. "But, I know that my brother, bold and hardy to the soul, will come to try a rescue, my thoughts go to him as there is someone among his allies that could possess this power... though, I can't fully recall who he called himself." Aversa nodded as she left, the door shut as the thug chuckled a bit before Aversa seemingly sneered.
"If I come back and there is anything wrong with her, your head is mine." The chuckle stopped as Aversa's eyes glowed violet, her power shattering something encasing her mind, she knew now, but had to keep the façade, until she could know who exactly she really was and that required the King to die in the field of battle...