"Hiyah!"

*crack* *shatter*

And there goes my blade. Was that the last one?

There was cheering amongst the soldiers and the townsfolk. I guess it was over. Whatever all of that was, it's a new threat to this fortress, aside from the Hoshidans.

I was on my knees after so much battling. I wonder if this is what my brothers and sisters have to deal with, whenever they get into battles like these. I looked around the courtyard. So many lost souls, injured, and they were being taken care of. In fact, while I was busied with the battling, there were new faces in here, most of them soldiers, and likely from the castle. Maybe they came to aid this area? Definitely needed now.

And after all that battling, the fountain was left untouched. I could use a drink. I stood up-my eyes were covered.

"Guess who?~"

The Unmatched Wyvern Rider, her voice was always a music to my ears, but "Camilla, Gunter already spoiled that you would be coming here."

"Yes, but you ran out on all of us to continue working with the Captain of the Guard and the Royal Advisor. And you led in saving the townsfolk when you were the only one able to."

I shook my head. "A lot of families were lost today, though. It's not a sight to look forward too."

"True." Camilla uncovered my eyes to show me the people. "Whatever was left after the battle will be taken care of." Her words highlighted the people that were taking care of the others that were injured, that were grieving after losses, and trying to ensure that they get better. "You served well as a leader, Weiss."

"Yep! My big sister's strong!"

I turned around. It was Camilla. The other voice was Elise. Behind her was Xander and Leo-Leo looked more drained than the rest of my siblings. Elise ran up to me and gave me a big hug. "From now on, we'll be together forever, Big Sis!"

I pat Elise on the head. "It's good to see you too, Elise!" Usually, when she's here, Camilla's with her.

Leo chuckled. "You have the devil's luck, sister. Managed to save a city from ruins with such resources."

I smiled at Leo. Wait a minute-

"You handled yourself well. You'll become a kind ruler over many with what you've managed to do today-"

Xander! I hugged Xander.

"Thank you guys, for saving something very important to me."

I looked up at Xander. He blushed.

"What?"

"Nothing-it's good to see that you're okay."

Was there something on my face? I hope I wasn't too dirtied after all that fighting. I also hugged Leo. "You must have taken a lot out of you to cast that level of magic-" Wait. I stopped hugging Leo after I regathered my thoughts. "Wait. You're all here. I've never seen you all here at the same time."

"That's the surprise, dear Weiss." Camilla said. "We're all here to take you to Father."

Father? King Garon?

"He was very impressed with how you managed the Northern Fortress these past years," Xander answered, "and has asked you to join him at his side."

I was going to see the man who 'raised' me. "When do we leave?"

"Before the skies change color," Leo answered. He regained his composure. "It'll be cold, but the cover of darkness would be handy."

That's enough time for them to have a meal! "You must have a meal before we go. Even with what's happened, hopefully the kitchen hasn't suffered much." I would know because the kitchen was deeper in the fortress. "I'll make it, so feel free to rest a bit."

"Weiss?" Leo asked. "You cook?"

"A little. I had some help from the chefs and the maids when I was younger."

Iago was found unconscious in the stockades, and the prisoners managed to escape. He was alright, and apologetic that he couldn't be at the battle, but we managed, I assured him. Turns out, the message for me to come home was also for him to return to King Garon's side as his Royal Advisor. There was something different about him, but I kept it to myself.

We had a light supper. Some of the meat that I got from the guards after that pig hunt was used in a soup, and the kitchen had some resources left to add to that soup along with fresh bread. With royalty here, the remaining maids and butlers insisted that I dine with my brothers and sisters, but I had the time to clean up just as much as they needed to prepare for the food. I had to enjoy all of this now because I knew that I wouldn't get the chance to being in the sight and on the side of royalty.

The food and respite would warm us up for the journey to Windmire. There was a problem though-since the armory's weapons were exhausted, there wasn't a chance to replace the sword I broke with something similar. We resolved that with weapons stolen from the Hoshidans from the prison, so I ended up with a Hoshidan katana, something closer to what I was wielding before.

We were at West Gate just as the skies were about to darken.

Given that her mount was a wyvern, Camilla and her retainers rode out earlier.

Since I didn't have a mount, I ended up on Leo's horse, trotting side by side with Elise's horse. Iago had his own horse, and he would be riding alongside Xander.

Maybe Father would give me a horse, just like the rest of my family.

"Prince Xander."

Gunter. He rode up to us. "Captain Gunter," Xander greeted.

That's right-Xander was also trained by Gunter. "Will you allow a humble servant to serve as this one's outrider?"

"I'll allow it. Ride on, Captain."

"Well, this is it," Leo said. "Do you have everything you need?"

I nodded to Leo and then to myself. This was a very big first for me, and Iago, Gunter and I would be leaving Captain Hans alone to take care of the castle.

"Don't worry about me, Princess-I'm old enough to take care of myself."

I dismounted, and hugged him. "Thank you, for everything you taught me."

He wasn't much of a hugging person, but it was the fact that I would be gone for a long time that allowed me to bend that rule. "Take care, Princess."

"You, too, Captain." I stood back, saluted him, and was off with the others.

AN:

I thought I was going to leave it at 600 words and call it good, but might as well complete this section of the chapter.

Quite happy with this one. Now comes the part of going to Castle Krakenburg, something I wished the original game would've made better use of between Chapters 1 and 2.

-CST