Mmk, Round 2! Here's that Author's Note: I do not own Fire Emblem, nor anything you recognize from it. And also, I do own the names that I have crafted, and General Saul is not referring to the womanizer from FE6. -.-

Anyways, Unfold Chapter 1!

Timmo

CHAPTER 1: FLEE!

It is the following morning, and north of Sinren and Saul, at the castle of Border Mulan, a soldier of Flerial approaches the Flerian princess, Tania.

"Princess Tania! Vox's forces are approaching!"

"What!" She looks bewildered and exhausted. "So soon? Ah, we've had no time!"

"Milady, we lack the arms to defend this place. You must return to Castle Flerial."

"I can't" she squeals at him, losing her temper slightly, "Not yet! We haven't found Sinren and her companions yet. Sinren is my friend, and she needs my help. I won't abandon her. Oh, I know! Go ask father… I mean, King Salbei, for more troops."

He bows, "Yes, Your Highness." And he runs toward the gate of the castle.

"Sinren… please be safe…"

Outside, the Vox men discuss the battle plan: "Commander Chaskar, the enemy appears to be fortifying its position in the castle."

"Hmph. They're tenacious, but they have no hope of stopping our advance."

He looks confusedly at Chaskar, head cocked slightly to one side, "What are your orders, sir?"

Chaskar's eyes light with a fire seldom seen by his men before. This is the Chaskar they fear, the Chaskar who would tear through any mass of men to end up the victor of the day. "Ha! Orders? You just stand here and watch. I'll crush them myself."

Trembling, the second-in-command nods and backs away, " As you command, sir…"

Chaskar walks forward, an ominous giant in his gleaming red armor that denoted his knightly status. He parts from his band of fighters and approaches the castle of Border Mulan. He engages the guard in battle. Before the guard can even lift his own spear to a height at which combat is possible, Chaskar whirls his lance in a full circle and runs the guard through, killing him, blood staining the ground, and spotting the already crimson armor that Chaskar wears. He pulls back his lance, which is firmly lodged somewhere deep in the slain guard's back, and he realizes that the man isn't going to let go. Kicking the carcass roughly off of the weapon, Chaskar yells back to his men, "That's what happens when you face the lance of Chaskar! Haha!" The fire in his eyes is finally beginning to dim, as is the wrath that makes him a bloodthirsty warrior. He signals to the second-in-command and they enter the small fortress, and spot Princess Tania, who, in turn, sees him and his second.

"St-stop right there! Call off your forces and turn back, or you'll have me to deal with!"

Chaskar barked in laughter, "Haha! Is that so? And who might you be?"

"Who-? I am Tania, Princess of Flerial! I will not permit you to abuse my country any longer." She stands, squaring off with Chaskar.

"Frelia's royal brat, huh? How convenient…" He says, smirking.

She now begins to lose her cool slightly, the tremble in her voice showing it. "Leave this castle immediately. If you harm me, my father and brother will hunt you to the world's end."

Chaskar barks again. "Ha! Yes, I have heard how King Salbei dotes on his precious little daughter." He smirks, "Let's see how true that is. You'll make us a fine hostage, my dear. Seize the girl and lock her up!"

His second nods, "Right away, sir!" He grabs her and drags her down a hallway toward the castle's dungeon.

She screams, "No! Let me go!"

As Chaskar leaves the castle, Sinren and Saul ride north, having broken camp and now approach Border Mulan.

Sinren looks over at the man in the red armor. "Saul, look."

"I see it. It seems that Vox's army has already reached Flerial. Princess, this place is perilous. We should bypass Mulan altogether and head straight to the capital city."

"But we can't just ignore this. You were there when Naeris was invaded, you saw what I saw. You saw how the people suffered at the hands of Vox's soldiers. Homes were destroyed, possessions stolen, women kidnapped, even children were murdered, Saul! And anyone who resisted was executed without question or remorse. Without hesitation. Please, Saul. I can't allow that to happen here. I don't want to see any more people harmed by Vox's atrocities."

"Alright, Princess. I understand. Perhaps we can retake Mulan. But, Princess, you must act with caution. Your people need you, too."

"Of course, Saul. Come on. Let's go!"

Saul rides toward a nearby house and Sinren waits outside, sword in hand, ready to defend herself and Saul. She hears voices from inside.

"The rumors are true aren't they? The Vox army's taken over the castle. It looks like they've seized the castle gate, too. Smart work, the gate provides great defense. They must be fierce warriors. Watch yourself."

Chaskar now turns and sees Sinren in the distance, "Hm? Is that the Princess of Naeris? Haha! This really is my lucky day! Fame and fortune ride to meet me! Move on, slugs! Bring that girl to me!"

One of Chaskar's men engages Sinren, and as the two are fighting, Uaine rides southward from atop a ridge near the castle, with a Flerian knight following him.

"Sir Gillium, is that Mulan? Have we reached Flerial's border already?"

"Aye, we have. Her Highness Princess Tania should be inside that castle."

"But look, the countryside is crawling with Vox soldiers! Where's the castle guard! Has Mulan fallen? Are we too late?"

Gillium frowns, "Too tough to say from here. Princess Tania is in no danger if they want her as a bargaining tool. We men of the Eastern Watch will see her to safety."

"Yes. Yes, of course. We mustn't give up. We must move. We've got to retake the castle. Then we ride forth to Princess Sinren's aid."

"I've stronger armor than you do. I'll take the lead and you cover my back, young Uaine."

Sinren kills her opponent and she and Saul charge across the field towards Gillium and Uaine and help reduce the load.

"Is that you, Uaine? I'm relieved to see you are still in one piece!"

"Yes…and you as well, General. As long as you lead us, sir, the Knights of Naeris cannot lose!"

Saul smiled at him, "Uaine, you and I must work together to protect Princess Sinren. I want you to ride with us."

"Sir! With honor, sir!" Uaine spots Sinren herself and rides over to her. "You don't want to break that fancy blade, here," he throws her his cavalry sword, "Princess Sinren, it is good to see you are well."
"Uaine, thank you, I see you made it through unscathed."

"Y-Yes, Your Highness! I met up with Sir Gillium of Flerial and explained the situation in Naeris. He told me that Princess Tania was in danger as well, here at Mulan. We rode as swiftly as we could."

"Tania's here? Uaine, we must hurry!"

"Understood." He leaves and begins to ride back toward the Vox troops. He slows as Sinren charges past and kills the man harassing Gillium. Saul follows and rides to Uaine. Gillium and Sinren are under attack once again, and Uaine slays the spearman attacking the left flank as Sinren spins around and cuts down Gillium's attacker. Now, the field is more to Eirika's favor. Her fighters outnumber Chaskar and his remaining man by two. She begins to calculate a scheme. "Everyone forward, take out the soldier, Gillium, I'll take him," she points at Chaskar, "though that armor looks tricky."

"I've found them! Stragglers from Naeris! Don't let them get away," Sinren wheels around and sees three more Vox soldiers pursuing them. Chaskar's man ambushes Sinren and she parries, falling to the ground and rolling to her right, but sees Gillium's lance protruding through his chest and sighs in relief. "Saul, Uaine, get the newcomers. Gillium and I will take him."

"Your Highness." Saul and Uaine stir their reins and charge at the oncoming advance of Vox fighters.

Uaine finds himself under heavy assault and wounds both men who are attacking him, but is hit hard himself. "Ah, General, some help, please."

Saul kills the man nearest Uaine as he retreats back somewhat.

On the other side of the battle, Sinren engages Chaskar in battle.

"Bah, what a worthless bunch of curs I've been assigned!" They fight and Sinren wounds him on her first strike, and then parries his. He attacks again, on a fake and hits Sinren in her breastplate and jars her arm, sending Uaine's sword to the ground. She draws her rapier and gasps, "Almost," throwing herself at Chaskar and hurling her rapier through his lower arm into his gut, succinctly eviscerating him.

"This…this cannot be," he looks at her, blood spilling from the open wound onto the ground as his eyes open wide, "I…" and he falls to his knees and grins, looking skyward, "To the last, Grillo. To the last, I was yours." And he slumps to the ground, dead.

Sinren wipes her rapier blade on the ground and she looks at Gillium, who is placing Chasker's lance next to his body. "He was scum, Your Highness, but a skilled fighter. Huh…" They look over to where Saul is guarding Uaine, and he kills the man with the spear, but the final man dodges through Saul's onslaught and runs straight at Uaine, jumps, and brings his axe down hard into his chest.
"Ah… General Saul!" he yells, blood trickling from his mouth as tears well up in his eyes. "I'm sorry," and he falls over, off his horse and hit's the ground with a sickening thud, as the man stands there cackling.

"No! Uaine!" Saul charges the man and beheads him while jumping down off of his horse and running to Uaine's crumpled form, and his face is bleeding where his lance shattered and the fragments of wood slit him. Tears and blood mingle around Uaine's eyes and his bright blonde hair has dried blood in it. "Uaine! Can you hear me, boy?" Saul gently shakes him and Uaine shudders and coughs, sending a new spatter of blood across his armor. "Ah, Uaine! Easy, don't move. You're fine." He picks him up and carries him across to the castle, the horses in tow and Sinren's eyes growing as she notices just what the blood bundle in Saul's arms is.

"Uaine! Oh no! Saul, is he alive?"

"Barely, though I doubt his recovery. Hopefully, his father knew what he was doing when he crafted this armor for him." Saul lays Uaine down on the ground. "Go in and get Her Highness Princess Tania. I'll be in soon." Gillium and Sinren enter the castle.

They approach the dungeon where she was left and Gillium breaks the lock on the door with his lance. "Princess Tania."

"Sir Gillium…I'm sorry, I never meant to cause you such trouble."

"It was no trouble. I live to serve, Princess."

"Tania!"

"Sinren! Is that really you?"

"Tania, what are you doing, so far from Castle Flerial?"

"I heard that Naeris had fallen, and I was so worried. But I'm glad to see that you are safe. Wait! Where is Sinris? Is he well?"

"I wish I knew."

"You haven't heard from him? Oh, I hope he hasn't been harmed. Come on, we must go to Castle Flerial. My lord father may know something."

"Thank you, Tania."

The three walk back outside, and Sinren looks at Saul, who shakes his head sadly. Uaine still had not woken up. He rides with Saul on Saul's horse. Hopefully the healers at Castle Flerial could help him. "Princess, if we do not ride with much haste, Uaine…he'll most surely die…"

A day passes and the group has reached Castle Flerial. Uaine is left with the healer's of the court, but still hasn't woken up. Now, Tania, Sinren, Sir Gillium, and Saul enter His Majesty King Salbei's court.

"Oh, Tania…I'm grateful to see that you're safe and home again! You've no clue how I worried when I heard you were under attack at Border Mulan. You are not to leave again without my permission. Do you understand?"

"Don't be mad, Father. Look, I come bearing good news. Sinren! Come out now!"

Sinren walks up from the shadows at the back of the court and stands next to Tania. "King Salbei, I am pleased to see you again, even in these times."

"Ah, Sinren! It does my heart good to see you safe."

"Thank you. I was able to escape the castle before Naeris fell. But I'm not sure if my father…" she looked at King Salbei, her face marked with dread, anxiety, and hope.

"Yes." Her eyes lit up as he spoke this word, and she moved closer to him. "I have received word of your father."

"Your Highness? Please tell me. Is my father well? Is he here?"

He sighs, "My friend, King Flavian Pontifex," he clears his throat, "did not…survive the fall of Naeris Castle." He looks at Sinren sadly, not knowing what condolences he could offer.

"No…it cannot be."

Saul runs forward, beside Sinren, "What? How?"

"Rest assured, Princess, General," he nods to each as they are addressed, "Vox will be punished for this cowardly act. This is Flerial's vow. Sinren, please stay here and rest. I cannot imagine how exhausted you must be."

Saul steps forward, "King Salbei. You know of Prince Sinris' disappearance, do you not?"

"Yes, we hear the prince and his men hound Vox at every turn. It's said that that he led his forces into the empire itself. Reports suggest he's crossed the border and now fights in Renvall."

"My brother…He fights on? Even now?"

"Yes. My Pegasus knights bought this information at great price. Even though Naeris has fallen, he charges into the enemy's heart. He is truly Flavian's son…I wish I knew whether he remains unharmed, but I do not."

"King Salbei, I thank you for your offer, but I can not stay. I intend to ride to my brother's side with reinforcements."

"I cannot allow it. I know how you feel, but this plan is suicide. I would be betraying Flavian's memory if I allowed any harm to befall you. Stay here. Rest and mourn. Leave the war to the warriors."

"I know you mean, well, Your Majesty. However, I have lost my father, and my twin brother is in peril. He is a part of me…I cannot rest while he risks his life."

"No. Naeris has no more army. Vox's forces decimated it. I wish that Flerial could provide you with soldiers, but…my son, Hann, is on his way to meet the empire's forces. We cannot spare a single brigade. Your own retinue cannot possibly face Vox alone. Are you so determined to go?"

"Yes. With apologies."

"As resolute as your father, eh? What am I to do in the face of such foolhardy determination? Vanessa."

A young woman who had been in a quiet conversation with Gillium appears next to Sinren, making her jump. "Here, Your Highness!"

"Moulder."

From the archway leading out of the hall appears an elderly priest in a red robe, with blood stained on his white clothes and his worn face. He had been out helping to dress Uaine's wounds. He came up, next to Vanessa. "You called, my king?"

"Gillium."

Sir Gillium advanced, next to General Saul, his green armor shining. "Yes, sire?"

"You are to accompany Princess Sinren of Naeris into Vox territory. I expect each of you to provide aid and support for her brother."

They all bowed and Gillium spoke, "Our lives are yours."

Salbei turned to Sinren. "These are some of my most trusted and stalwart vassals. They will prove themselves valuable on your journey. Remember, you are venturing behind enemy lines. You will need supplies, so I will have a convoy prepared to accompany you, no matter how far you tread."

"King Salbei, I…Thank you."

"No, save your thanks for the day you return, with Prince Sinris at your side."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

While Salbei and Sinren are conversing, Moulder turns to leave and beckons Saul and Gillium to follow him to Uaine. Tania and Sinren follow them into the entrance hall and Tania takes Sinren down a corridor. "Sinren, you don't really intend to go through with this, do you? I can't guess how you feel, but it's too dangerous."

"Thank you for your concern, Tania. But I have to go."

"Sinren…Oh, why is this happening? What's gone wrong with the world?"

"Tania…"

"Why would Vox invade? Emperor Grillo is a man of peace. His people adore him. And you and Sinris are friends with Prince Zetan, are you not? What could be the cause of this madness?"

"I have no answers for you, Tania. I want to believe it, but we are at war. If I do not act, I may lose my brother. I have to fight, it's my only answer."

"But, Sinren…"

"No. We leave," she looked out the window, deciding it was several hours after midday, "at first light in the morning."

"Very well, Sinren."

"Sinren!" The girls turn around toward the mouth of their corridor closest to the entrance hall and hear the yell again, "Sinren!"

"I am here!" She yells back, coming forth into the hall and nearly colliding with Saul, who had dashed down the elaborate staircase away from the sickbay where Moulder, Gillium, and Uaine were. "Saul, what's going on? You must be ready to leave tomorrow morning at first light. You should rest."

"Princess Sinren…that is too soon. If you leave tomorrow, you will be down a healer, a cavalier, and your General."

"Now! Saul, whatever do you mean?"

"With all due respect, Your Highness, I have no intentions of creating animosity, but I will not leave without Uaine. He's just woken up!"

Sinren is looking angry now. "It is a five day march to Renvall from here, Saul. Five. If we move very swiftly."

"Uaine only needs three days to recover, I know you would prefer tomorrow morning, but Uaine is a valuable fighter."

"Saul, I will not waste three days waiting for a fourteen year old recruit!"

"Princess, he may be fourteen, but he shows amazing skill. And he survived that hit he took yesterday! It would've killed most."

"But my brother, Saul. I must find Sinris."

"Uaine's brother Aegis fights alongside your brother."

"Then they will have a reunion upon our return. Tomorrow morning, Saul."

"Your Majesty!" Moulder enters the hall while Saul is talking. "I know you want to haste! I know that, but Uaine has every right to fight that you do!"

"Your Highness," says Moulder, "I have healed young Uaine to the best of my magic's ability. He suffered a heavy would, but will be well and ready leave in two days' sunrise, and will be fine for the journey."

Gillium too enters the hall, "Sinren, I watched Uaine fight, he is a born warrior. You really cannot afford to lose one of his caliber when you have only six fighters and a healer at your disposal."

"I see. Two days. We rest tomorrow, but we leave before sunrise, the following morning. I apologize for being hasty, but Sinris is in growing peril." She sees King Salbei at the balcony. "King Salbei, could you send one of your Pegasus riders to scout the road as far as Ide?"

"I'll go," Tania says, walking out of the corridor in gleaming white armor with a hardy ash spear with a golden head. "Father, may I?"

"So be it. Be careful though. Report to my antechamber in exactly twelve hours' time for a war conference. Now, sleep! It is late."

Tania walks out to the stable and mounts her Pegasus, and the chilled silence is broken only by soft wings and her whinny in the placid night air.

All right, there you go, Please review, God knows I need help. Haha. Until next chapter is up, this is your own, Abbot Timmo.