Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Fire Emblem, only myself.

"talking"

'thinking'

-area-

description of what's going on or something a character is doing

(point of view)

/Mode change/

In Occupation's Shadow

(Anthony)

/Field Mode/

-Ruined Fortress-

We defeated some members of the Ganelon Bandits, and we were joined by Florina and Wil. We continued heading west. We stopped for the night at a ruined fortress. We aren't going to have much rest now that we've killed some of the Ganelon Bandits, they will continue to come after us.

"Ah, this should suffice!" Will said as we rode up. "Tonight's bed!"

"This mildewy old fortress? Is this the best we can do?" Sain asked. "Come, Wil! Surely you jest!"

"The bandits keep everything in turmoil around here. No one has time to worry about travelers." Wil explained. "Also, there are rather a lot of us."

"This will be fine. Who wants to be stuck inside, anyway?" Lyn asked. "I prefer a place where I can feel the wind blow."

"As long as I'm at Lyn's side, I'll be fine." Florina said.

"And for your protection, your man-at-arms Sain will be right here by your side, ladies." Sain said.

"Sain, both you and I are to remain awake. We will alternate the watch." Kent said.

"Ah, alas…" Sain said sadly. We went in.

"Your pardon, milady…" A girl said while coming up.

"Who's there?" Lyn asked.

"I… forgive my intrusion…" The girl said. "My name's Natalie. I'm from a village not far from here… Ah! Ow…" The girl said as she hurt her leg.

"Are you all right?" Lyn asked with concern. "Hm? Your leg…"

"It's fine. Don't worry. It's from a childhood sickness…" Natalie explained. "I can't travel far on it, but it doesn't trouble me much."

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Lyn asked.

"I'm looking for my husband… I heard he was in this area." Natalie explained. "He said he was going to raise money to have my leg mended. He left the village and hasn't returned. He's a kindhearted man, but I think he might be involved in something dangerous. I got so worried… Here's a sketch of him. It's a poor likeness at best, but… His name is Dorcas. Do you know of him?" She asked while showing us the sketch.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe I've seen or heard of him." Lyn said.

"I see…" Natalie said sadly.

"Don't worry, you'll be reunited with him soon." I said to Natalie.

"How do you know?" She asked me.

"I'm still trying to get it out of him how, but everything he's predicted has come true." Lyn said.

"Ok. How soon until I see him?" Natalie asked.

"Before the day is over." I told her.

"But it's almost over now." She said.

"I know." I said. Some bandits came to the outside of the fortress, but only I saw or heard them.

"Here they are. We've finally tracked down the band that defeated Migal." The leader said.

"So they've decided to hole up in this ruined fortress. Perfect." One of the bandits said. "We'll wait 'til it gets dark, and then…"

"You're an idiot!" The leader screamed. "There are only a few of them, and some are women! If we attacked them at night, I'd be a laughingstock! Besides, we might hurt the women by mistake! I will not be so wasteful!"

"You're right, Carjiga! You're so smart!" The bandit from earlier said.

"We'll avenge Migal and get some pretty souvenirs to boot. Who knows, maybe I'll be a leader after all. Ha ha ha!" Carjiga said while laughing. "Let's go! Spread out and encircle the place, you rogues! Let's finish this before it gets too dark to see!" All of the bandits came out. "Hey, you! Your name's… Dorcas, right?" He asked Dorcas, who was silent. "You haven't done much since you joined us. If those weapons of yours aren't just for show, today's the day to let us see what you can do." Dorcas remained silent. "I want you to attack from the back entrance to the east. There's supposed to be a woman inside. I want you to capture her. Do that, and I'll increase your share of the take. If you want gold, you'll get the job done." Carjiga said as he walked away.

"A bunch of women, huh? It would break Natalie's sweet heart to see me sink so low." He said.

"Lady Lyndis!" Kent shouted. "Outside the fortress! Bandits!"

"What did you say?" Lyn asked.

"Persistent bunch, aren't they? What do you think?" Sain asked. "Shall we go and face them?"

"No… Natalie cannot move well, and that would put her in danger." Lyn said. "Let them come to us. We'll fight them here, within these walls." Everyone got ready. "Anthony, take over. The command is yours. All we have to do is hold out until they tire and leave. " Natalie didn't look so well. "Rest easy Natalie. No one will harm you! Listen everyone! Fight with caution!"

"Lyn! Go and defend the right entrance!" I told her.

"Right!" She said.

"Kent and Sain! Go and defend the south entrance!"

"Will do!" Sain replied.

"Florina and Wil! Go to the left side! There is a cracked wall, and the enemies will probably take advantage of it!"

"W… We'll do our b… best." Florina said nervously.

"Cross! Go slightly outside the south entrance and fight back the enemy!"

"Understood." Cross replied.

"I'll go slightly outside the right entrance and do as I told Cross!" I told everyone.

/Battle Mode/

Me- 7 characters Enemy- 14 characters Other- 1 character

We all took the positions I said to. Dorcas came up and attacked Lyn with a Hand Axe, she dodged. Two bandits attacked Cross, he struck both, then struck again. A bandit came up and struck at Kent. The bandit missed, but Kent hit. A bandit attacked Sain, but missed, and Sain hit. A bandit attacked me and missed, I struck back, and then finished him off. An Archer Bandit attacked Wil, and he struck back. More bandits moved up.

"Anthony! The fighter who just attacked me… Doesn't he look somewhat like that picture of Natalie's husband?" Lyn asked.

"Yeah, that's him." I told her. "You can recruit him by talking to him, but let me try.

"Ok." Lyn said. I move up to Dorcas.

"Dorcas, that's enough." I said to him.

"… How do you know my name?" He asked.

"Two reasons, the first is I have knowledge of the future and learned your name by that, the second is that Natalie told me." I explained. "The group I'm with is defending her."

"What?" Dorcas asked surprise. "Natalie's… She's here?"

"That's right, she came looking for you because of how worried she was, do you thing she would like you working for bandits?" I asked him.

"…You're right." He responded "I can't do this. I'm done with these bandits. Here and now." He said. "I would like to repay you for your kindness toward Natalie. Allow me to fight for you."

"I will, and together we will push back these bandits easily!" I declared.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 12 characters Other- 1 character

Dorcas used a critical hit on a nearby bandit, the bandit went down. Wil struck down the Archer Bandit. Kent and Sain finished off the bandits attacking them. Cross took down one of the bandits attacking him. A bandit attacked Kent and missed, but Kent struck him. A mercenary bandit struck Sain and hit, Sain struck back. The remaining bandit attacking Cross struck at him and missed, Cross finished him off. A Mercenary Bandit attacked the cracked wall.

"What are you waiting for? She's just a child! A girl!" Carjiga shouted. "Grrr! Get more men out here now!" Two bandits arrived, one being a Mercenary.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 8 characters Other- 1 character

Sain and Kent struck down the bandits attacking them. Wil attacked the bandit attacking the cracked wall, his attack hit. Lyn went closer to one of the Mercenary bandits, but waited in a bush. Dorcas went inside the fortress. Cross attacked a bandit, the bandit attacked back but missed, Cross hit again. I went closer to Carjiga. The Mercenary bandit attacked Lyn, but missed, she hit him. The Mercenary Bandit at the wall attacked it again. The bandit that attacked Cross struck at him and missed, Cross finished him off. Two bandits arrived.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 7 characters Other- 1 character

Lyn used a critical on the Mercenary Bandit, he went down. Wil struck the Mercenary Bandit at the wall again. Dorcas went up to Natalie.

"Natalie!" Dorcas shouted.

"Is it you?" Natalie asked.

"Natalie! Are you all right?" Dorcas asked her. "What were you thinking, coming out all this way?"

"I was worried about you. Please, don't let my leg trouble you anymore." She begged. "You mustn't put yourself in such danger. Please!"

"I'm sorry, I must have been out of my head. I didn't realize… That boy Anthony made me open my eyes." Dorcas said.

"Anthony brought you here?" Natalie asked.

"I'll explain later. We've got to drive back these bandits first." Dorcas replied. "Listen, stay put. Don't move from here."

"All right. As long as you're here, I know I'm safe." Natalie said. Sain attacked a bandit, the bandit struck back and hit. Kent struck a bandit, the back struck back, but missed. Cross finished off the bandit Kent was fighting. I went closer to Carjiga. The Mercenary Bandit at the wall struck it again. The bandit near Lyn attacked her, but missed, she attacked him and hit. The bandit battling Sain attacked Cross, but missed, Cross finished him off. An Archer Bandit attacked me. Two bandits arrived.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 6 characters Other- 1 character

Wil finished off the Mercenary Bandit at the Wall. Sain moved towards the wall. Dorcas moved to the right entrance, I attacked the Archer Bandit, then struck again. Both Mercenary bandits near Lyn attacked her, only one hit, she struck them both. A Bandit attacked Kent, but missed, Kent struck back, then struck again, taking the bandit down. The Archer Bandit attacked me. A Bandit attacked the cracked wall. Two bandits arrived.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 6 characters Other- 1 character

I finished off the Archer Bandit. Wil finished off the wall, and Sain attacked the Bandit near the destroyed wall, the bandit attacked back and missed. Kent went over to Carjiga. Dorcas attacked one of the Mercenary bandits and missed, the Mercenary Bandit struck and hit, Lyn finished the Mercenary Bandit off. Florina went to help Dorcas and Lyn. The Mercenary Bandit attacked Dorcas and hit, but Dorcas missed. Another Mercenary Bandit attack Lyn, but missed, Lyn struck twice and defeated him. The bandit near Sain attacked and hit, but Sain finished him off. Two more Bandits arrived.

Me- 8 characters Enemy- 4 characters Other- 1 character

Kent attacked and hit a Bandit, the Bandit struck and missed. Dorcas attacked the Mercenary bandit, and hit, finishing him off. Lyn finished off the remaining Mercenary bandit with a critical hit. The remaining bandit, besides the boss, attacked Sain, but missed, Sain struck twice and finished him off.

"Curses! They're not human!" Carjiga shouted. "I've got to get out of here!" He ran away.

/Field Mode/

"The enemy's fled…" Lyn said. "Anthony! We've won!" We went back into the fortress.

"Dorcas!" Natalie shouted with joy.

"I'm so sorry, Natalie." Dorcas said.

"All's well that ends well. Right, Natalie?" Lyn asked. We began walking outside, and Dorcas came up to me.

"Anthony, could I join you?" He asked.

"Of course." I replied. "With you on our side, we won't lose."

"Our village is close. I'll take Natalie home and return tomorrow." Dorcas said.

"Hm? Why can't we just say our farewells today?" Lyn asked.

"Because I invited him to join our group." I said to Lyn.

"But we're going to Lycia…" Lyn said.

"I have to go somewhere to earn money. If you think I'll be of use, I'd like to fight for you." Dorcas said. "You helped my wife… I owe you."

"Dorcas…" Lyn said.

"Please, Lyn. We are both in agreement on this." Natalie said. "Watch over my husband."

"All right." Lyn said. Dorcas and Natalie walked off and we went back inside. "Things have finally calmed down."

"We'll continue taking turns keeping watch. Please rest easily." Kent said.

"Is that all right?" Lyn asked. "Are you sure? Sain?"

"Of course!" Sain replied.

"Let me warn you… If bandits sneak up on you, they'll cut you down without mercy. Do you understand that?" Lyn asked.

"What, do you doubt my bravery?" Sain asked. "Am I not a knight? There's no reason to worry! Right Kent?"

"If there's anything suspicious, we'll take care of it." Kent said. "Rest assured."

"Really? Well, good night then." Lyn said. "See you tomorrow, Anthony."

"Let's go." Kent said to Sain.

"Ha! No one ever trust me…" Sain said.

"I do, but I wouldn't trust you to be around my sister." I said to Sain.

End of Chapter

Another chapter done, please review, oh and, I now have a forum where you can talk about stories with me in them, if you want to check it out, then just select forums under my profile, the rest will be obvious, it's not just for any one category, so don't look for it under the Fire Emblem forums.

Name: Dorcas

Description: A man from a small village in Bern. He fights for his wife.