DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fire Emblem, Nintendo does. I only own this version of the story, and original characters.

Reviewer Corner:

Dairokkan: Thanks man. Groznyi plays a part in this chapter too, along with another couple OC's I have.

(A/N's:1 I haven't recieved any emails from regarding, notbeing allowed to reply to reviewers, so I willcontinue to respond to whoever reviews. 2 This document editor seems to put words together when they shouldn't be together, and puts in spaces when there shouldn't be any either. There still might be a few spelling errors, but words not spaced are a result ofthis editor.3 This story of mine has its Rating changed to M, asthe rest of my Fic will regularly havesome violence, blood/gore, and suggestive themes.)

Chapter 3:AnAllyin a Time of Chaos

'That kid might only be an apprentice, but he seems to know what he's doing."

"Aye, he might become a good Taliver bandit after all."

"Shhh! Quiet, both of you, we are near the village wall. Pick a tree that is closest to the wall as much as possible, climb it, and rise yourself over. And stay as quiet as you can," whispered the swordsman.

The axe-weilders stopped talking abrubtly, and followed their orders.

The three found some good trees to climb, and managed to make it over the north wall, and into a makeshift guard post that was enough to conceal their movements into the village. They looked around at their surroundings before they spotted the first archer, along the west wall.

Jayson took the lead, with one behind him, while he ordered the guy with the throwing axe to stay where they came up over the wall, to watch their backs. He managed to kill the two archers closest to him, and was about to slit the throat of the third when someone yelled ...

"INTRUDERS! Intruders on the defensive wall!"

Jayson lunged at the enemy that was in front of him, effectively forcing his blade through the throat, leaving a gory mess as he plucked out his sword.

'Time to light the torch and get reinforcements!"

And this he did.

The sound of yelling and combat could be heard, and the men were getting anxious to move.

"Hold the line! We have to wait for the signal!"

The fighters were just itching to rush, but Groznyi even helped out. "The plan is to be followed, so hold until we get the flare, you dolts!"

And then I saw it ... Jayson was waving the torch back and forth. Time to go...

"Now! Move your asses!"I spurred them on, as there were battle-cries, shouting, even cursing, as our main force rushed into the valley, and up to the main gates.

I waited back at the tree line. I was a tactician, not a fighter, well at least not yet. And until I saw the main gates swing open, I wasn't going into the battle.

Twenty minutes later I jogged into the main square. It seemed at first that there appeared to be more defenders than what the dead bodies lying around the ground indicated. 'Did I think that because of in-experience, or what something else at work?'

I saw Jayson, and he waved me over to where he was standing.

"Not bad sonny. Seems you are a good tactician afterall."

"I'm working at it."

'You've earned the right to have the mark of the clan, boy,' thought Jayson.

I looked around the town square, and saw one of the groups of bodies I had seen earlier. They were Ganelons all right. They all had a big 'G' burn mark on their left shoulder, to signify their allegiance. I think I heard some of the men talking before we left camp, that if this battle was successful, that I'll be getting the mark of the clan that I was in. Something about proving ourselves during a battle, I think. Anyway, this pile was to be burned.

I then saw another group of people. They appeared to be villagers, and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw some of the men order the villagers to empty their pockets, and give whatever belongings they had.

I then noticed something that I hadn't when I first came in. 'Hmm, an armory. Should be something good inside.' Since everyone else was doing something, I walked in through the door by myself.

The place was deserted. The owner must have left in a hurry though, as the stoking fire for making the weapons was still burning. There were various weapons lying about, with some hung on the walls. There were mainly iron swords with the scattered axe.

'The men will take the axes, thats for sure.' Then I saw something different: a slim lance. It was leaning up against a wall behind the counter, so I went inside to get it. I had always wanted to use a spear, but not like a regular soildier usually fought with one. No, no, I would like to know how to use the lance, the same way a myrmidon knows how to use a sword: with speed and swift killing strokes.

I sheathed my sword andpicked up the lance. It was lighter than I thought it would be, and it was easy to use. When I wasn't sleeping, planning my next battle, or arguing with Groznyi, I was going to train with this lance and become an expert with it.

I heard a thump. I immediately went into a defensive stance, but also ducked behind the counter. My senses had perked up considerably. I scanned the room, looking for anything out of place. But the only sounds and movement was from the fire that was crackling. So I continued tolook around. A trickle of sweat rolled down the side of my face, from fear or nervousness, I wasn't sure.

'Can't be one of the men, they are too big, and clumsy to hide and be stealty in this place. They are all stealing stuff outside anyway.'

I continued to look around the room. The weapons were as they should be, on the weapon racks and wall. But still,something didn't seem right and I began to get a strange feeling. A sense of uneasyness, that could only be described as ... well, I wasn't sure. It felt, like I was being watched.

I slowly got up, and looked around a little further inside. 'That lump by the wall in the dark corner was not there before I came in...hmm...'

Slowly, but surely, I walked over to the slightly humanoid shape in the darkened corner with my newly acquired lance.

(Looking out the window, one minute earlier.)

'These must be the Taliver bandits the Marquess warned me about. But where is my assignment?...'

Suddenly the door opened to the armory, and a tall figure with a dark green cloak walked in. She scrutinzed the newcomer, taking in everything she could about his appearance. He had a mustache, was tall, and was ... not a brute? He looked a lot more slim compared to the bandits outside. But she had more pressing concerns to think about, as this young man starting looking around the weapon shop.

'This is just an armory, nothing to be concerned about in here...' thought the pink haired girl.

She saw the man move a little further inside, and a little closer to her. She tensed slightly because of it, and moved her hand closer to here sword. He walked to the wall, and picked up a new lance, that was just only hours old. He seemed to be at ease with it.

She sensed something about him though ... the way he moved the lance around, the position of his hands on the weapon, made her think that he was also way brighter than the company he kept. He could be the reason why the Taliver has become so notorious as of late.

'I wonder ... could he be the one?...'

And in wondering, she indirectly hit an axe handle. She saw the piece of wood fall, but it was too late to catch it. Because if she moved, it would give away here position even quicker.

'I had to do something stupid didn't I?'

The axe handle fell to the floor, making a dull thump sound.

(One minute later... Present Time:)

I saw a flash ... a Blade! I sidestepped just in time, and parried the blow with the lance. I backed up a few steps.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on there. I won't try to kill you if you don't try to kill me."

The young woman as she appeared to be, was slowly coming out of the darkness and had a quizzical look upon her. Not to mention, she was also a little short, with soft brown eyes, a brown tunic,a short yellow cape, and brown leather boots.But her most distinct feature thatI noticed, wasthatshe had pink hair.

'Probably not expecting that kind of a statement,' as I looked at her, with a questioning look myself.

Then there were then muffled sounds just outside the door. We both turned towards the door somewhat, but I only turnedso farso as to not have my back completely turned on the girl, but to also hear what was going on outside. I could barely make out some talking, but what I heard, I wished I hadn't. Trouble was about to start.

"Sid, put your pants back on, and go see what the kid is doing in the armory."

Not wanting to lose the girl that he had to another bandit, Sid killedthe barmaid he was justwith. "See, now that was a waste just to see what that little whelp was doing in there now wasn't it."

"Just follow the orders and get in there."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going."

After Sid went to the door, Grozyni was muttering to himself. "I'm glad the kid didn't see what he just did. Or Sid, you wouldn't be alive right now.'

As fate would have it, the kid would have another chance to see Sid at work, and what was about to happen, no one could have predicted.

"He would send Sid, that idiot would." I looked back at where the girl should have been, back in the shadows, only to find she was right behind me, which startled me a little. I was about to say something, but she put her finger up, signalling for me to be quiet. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"Looks like my only chance to survive this is to have you protect me. All I ask is to be recruited by your group if we survive. I don't care what you have to do or say to me, but my life is now in your hands."

Great, just great. Earlier in the day, I had people under my command who were taking lives. Now here I am, forced to protect one. No, two, as I had now taken responsiblilty of not only her life, but I also had to protect mine ... again. Oh, St. Elimine, what fate have you forced upon me!

Still, there was more to this girl that she let on, but there would be time for questions later. I picked up my lance, and spinned around as Sid opened the door, walked in through the opening, and then shut the door behind him as he saw who was in the building.

"What a nice meat of meat you found for me boy," exclaimed the dirty and bloody brigand.

I felt the girl shudder behind me. I couldn't blame her, as Sid was the worst man I have ever known for the way he treats women. The man was essentially a rapist, who didn't have a care or a clue in the world.

"You're not getting her, you dimwit, so hands off."

I heard a slight sound, and knew right away it was someone who was taking a sword out of its sheath very slowly. The guy in front of me used his axe most of the time when he fought, and other times his bare fists, so it had to be the girl. She must be planning to get ready to fight just in case I screw up.Must have thought thatit was hopeless, as soon as she saw him. But I knew appearances wasn't everything.

Sid in the meantime looked like he was going to laugh, but instead stepped besides me towards the young maiden. I blocked him with the tip of lance and pushed him back a few steps. He looked at me, and smiled a wicked grin, showing his rotten teeth. "You really like her don't you? I tell you this whelp, if you can kick me out through the door, I'll let you keep this wench. How about it?"

My response to his challenge wasn't with words. I pushed the young lady back out of the way, and threw a kick to his gut, and then I swung my lance in an upward motion, from down to up, like I was scooping something off the floor. Fortunately for my target, he had a hard head, as he only gotten a large bruise on his forehead, and no blood. From the force of the blow however, he landed backwards onto his rump.

I managed to stand Sid up, so I could make sure he went backwards through the door, when I hit him again. He attempted a punch at me, but he had a very hard time to just stand, let alone hit anyone or anything. I quickly moved back into the darkened section of the armory, and just out of Sid's point of view. Not that he could see very much to begin with.

I could hear sounds of coughing, and then, "With me out here boy, that's no privacy for you and the girl in the back ... heh, ha ha ha!"

Sid then saw me come running into his view out of the darkness as fast as I could go, and as I put a foot onto the counter in the armory, I vaulted myself into the air, diving into the man, which in turn from this amount of force, we both crashed through the door, to the ground outside.

The brute had his wind knocked out of him, and some extra bruises on the back of his head. He was currently writhing in pain, and not putting up anymore fight. I had a few cuts, as we both caused the door to break into several pieces, but I was inbetter shape, and got back up, with only a few cuts and scrapes. I then looked around seeing some very startled looks, butwhat did they know. They weren't trying to protect a young girl from an idiot.I went back inside before anyone else could, and found the girl. She looked at me with a concerned look, but that changed to part shock and part fear, as Igrowled at her.

"You better be worth it, with me risking my life to save your ass!"

She was guinely frightened now, as well she should be. The next few minutes were going to be tense.

"These brutes out there don't care much for women," I gestured with my thumb back over my shoulder, "and since you are the first one that I met that was still alive after a raid, I'm going to say to them that you're mine. I'm in the process of saving your life, so you better be praying to St. Elimine right as if there was no tomorrow."

Her facial expressions led me to believe that she was to reading between the lines, and there might not actually be a tomorrow for her.

She spoke for the first time, since I knocked out Sid. "I believe you. But after this is over, don't think for a minute that I'll be your little 'slave.'"

"Wouldn't dream of it..." She tried to stab me when I said this, as she didn't quite believe what I said. She was probably angry too. But I grabbed her wrist, surprising her. Just as suddenly though, I let her go, and gave her a stern look. She rubbed her wrist.

"I recommend not doing something like that when we walk out through that door."

"Your fast," she said in a whisper.

"Hopefully smart enough too. For both of us to escape with our lives out of this situation, we need to trust each other. You should count yourself lucky that you met me instead of anyone else in this group. Despite what skill you may have with a blade, you wouldn't be able to fight all of the men here. I should know, I'm their tactician."

She nodded slowly, giving me her trust for the time being.

'So, you are my assignment ... but why are you with these ruffians?' she wondered.

(One minute earlier, when Sid & I crashed through the door:)

Just about everyone looked. Jayson glanced at Groznyi, and Groznyi stared at me getting off of Sid's limp form, and going back into the building.

"Did Sid ever do anything to piss off our young war planner?"

"Well boss, Sid's view on the opposite sex was not something the boy admired."

Both looked at Sid, and then smirked at each other, as both were thinking the same thing...

'This will be interesting...'

(Present Time, Just Inside the Armory:)

I readied my lance in one hand, and had one of the girl's wrist in the other.

"I'll try not to hurt you, but this could get ugly in a hurry."

Her eyes were deceptively calm as I looked at her, but she seemed to understand. She gave me her dagger, and I secured it to my belt. I probably should have asked her if she had another one hidden, but I didn't push the matter. She needed to defend herself, if somehow I failed.

At least she didn't have a visible weapon. If she did appear to be armed, the men might kill her just for being hostile. Well, after they had their 'fun' with her.

I took a look to the door, gripping my lance even tighter, and hesitating slightly. My quest for money seemed so insignificant right now. It now became a quest to stay alive, but not just for myself, but for another too.

"Are you ready?"

I turned back to her. She seemed eager to get this over and done with more than I was. Maybe, she was sensing my uneasiness, but I wasn't truly sure.

Still, I wanted to be the first one outside, as I didn't want the men to think I was a coward if I came out behind the girl instead. And there was plenty of fear inside me at this point, so don't get me wrong. I just needed to stay calm and think things through, and everything should be okay. When I started to think like this though, I usually got a splash of reality at me, as things never go as they are originally planned.

"Lets go."

I pushed the door slowly open with the tip of my lance, and the door creaked as I did this. I stepped into the doorway first.

'Hmm, that part worked, as there are no arrows or axes flying at me...'

I couldn't see the villagers anymore. I figured they were moved to somewhere else only because I didn't see any new fresh blood spilled at where they gathered before.

I spotted Jayson, Groznyi, and several other axemen and archers that were standing out in the village square. I became quite uneasy, as if some big spotlight had just shined upon me. I would have swore it was the sun, if it wasn't cloudy, but in reality, several icy stares were coming into my direction. 'Just what I need, more attention...'

I then saw Sid to the side. He was being helped up by a couple of men, who had thought they had nothing better to do.

The girl, who had still not told me her name, started peeking out through, and unsurprisingly, was getting wooed at. So, I pushed her back inside for a second.

I then received a couple boo's for doing that action. 'Too bad you idiots, this one is not going to be violated like all the rest that you've had...'

"If you don't want to get beat up like Sid did a few minutes ago, you'll keep you hands and ... toothpicks away from her." I was grinning a little as I said that last part. I also received some well versed curses at that remark.

"Look Paul m' boy, if she's ugly, you can keep her, if she's not, well someone will have to test her out for us." Apparently, Groznyi didn't see her yet, as he said that comment. There were a few laughs as Groznyi answeredme though, unaware they were laughing at him, rather than with him.

I took a very aggressive fighting stance. "I'll follow through on my threa-" and before I could finish my sentence, I received a kick to my leg.

"That's for pushing me out the damneddoor!"

I went down to one knee, grabbing my injured one that was just hit. I looked up just in time to see Sid stretching out one of his arms, going straight for the young girl, while his other arm was rubbing hisbruises. Even after crashing through that door, he is still only using the head in his pants, instead of the one on his shoulders. The fury that had built up inside of me of seeing him go after my new charge, was second only to the legendary power of Armad's Axe. I stood up on my good leg the best I could, and spun my lance all in one quick, fluid motion.

The young maiden had a strickened look on her face, and was backing away from the brute as best as she could, but her legs were as heavy as iron. She then yelped, and I thought that she might have been injured too, but it was just Sid's blood coming out, splattering her some.

Sid had an odd feeling in the meantime both in his back and chest. 'Wha... just .. hap..pened... to me?' He began coughing and sputtering up blood, and looked down into his chest. He saw the tip of my lance sticking out of him, dripping blood onto the ground.

I had only just realized what I did as well. But this time, I was feelingimense anger, but also a little ... satisfaction? I believe it was, as there was now one less monster on Elibe.

I went closer to Sid, as I was about to yank out my spear, and spoke softly into his ear, "I told you no one would touch this girl."

I pulled out my weapon vicously, andpulled out someofhisinsides in the process. Sid was as dirty on the inside, as he was on the outside it seems.

"Behind you!" screamed the girl.

I swung my lance around in a sweeping motion, and in doing so, sliced open another axeman's arm, who happened to sneak up on me as I killed Sid. He clutched his arm as blood started to seep through his fingers, and backed off. But by now, I was getting angry shouts from the rest of the men, who were getting upset about the fact that another of their comrades was dead, with another injured, by their own tactician.

"Quiet down, and knock it off. If the kid wants the girl to himself, then so be it."

After about five minutes, the crowd of bandits had found somthing else to do, and I was leaning against a wall, nursing back my leg by pouring one of my few vulnerarys onto it. The girl was still inside the armory, but was inching her way out to me.

I hadn't seen Jayson leave to another part of town, but Groznyi, he was still around. He wasstill standing in the square, and stillstaring at me, with occasional glances at my companion. I knew he was not happy, but I didn't really care. I finally did something good for a change: I saved a life. I just hope she was worth the ache in my leg.

"You got big balls, whelp. But I'd watch your back from now on. Whatever trust you had with the men,is now gone."

"We both know that wasn't much."

He grunted. "She better be of some use to us in the future. I hate to see you waste your life on something as wretched as that littlebitch."

"I'm good at stealing ...supplies right out from the enemy.I can also listengood,so I can...gather pieces of information," she managed to sqeak out of her.

"Well see, wench. And one last thing. It would be best if you stayed close to your new friend there. He will be the safest thing you have in these parts from now on." Groznyi then left to find Jayson.

As Groznyi left,she came out of the armory, taking in adeep breath of fresh air. She looked to me andsaid the last thing I expected her to say.

"Thank you for saving me. I'm Lisa."

(Read & Review. But please, I would like reasonable and constructive criticism, not pointless flaming. Thx.)

Tactician from the NorthEast