The journey to Ylisstol was filled with speed-walking, forest, talking to Lissa and Chrom, and trying to tolerate Virion's speaking.

Honestly, after hearing his 200th "fair-maiden" directed towards Sully, I wanted Sully to just beat the crap out of him. Unfortunately, she didn't. Frederick didn't allow her.

Other than Virion being annoying, nothing else of any sort happened, and it only took two more days to reach Ylisstol. When we first saw the city in the distance, I was instantly surprised at the sheer size of it. The city was massive, with tall walls guarding it against all directions, the only notable entrance in the front where all the carts were going to.

When we got closer to the actual cities, every cart started pulling to the side, no doubt giving space for Chrom and Lissa given the fact that they were bowing while doing so. We soon entered the city and, once again, was surprised at how familiar it all felt.

The buildings were still relatively small but it was significantly more diverse than the little village we were in before. Shops ranging from meats, vegetables, tools, weapons, tomes, clothes, jewelry, and restaurants littered the entirety of the entryway, still bustling with people despite the day starting to end. I even saw a brothel hidden between a weapon shop and a jewelry shop. It really felt like an old version of New York.

As we kept going into the city, the city started transforming from a busy marketplace to a more quiet residential neighborhood. Buildings, the majority now two stories tall, were well maintained and usually had children playing out at the front. Most of them stood and looked by as we walked, some of the children even waving at Lissa, which she returned. Adults were usually outside talking in groups, giving salutes or greetings towards our group.

Finally, we arrived at the massive castle at the very end of the city. The castle was double the height of the walls, and wide enough to cover the rest of the space leftover quite well. It was completely white, possibly marble, with banners strewn all over the front. On the second floor of the castle was a massive balcony, where pegasi, which Lissa told me about during our short journey, sat and rested. Then, at the very top of the castle was a tiny balcony where a large bell sat.

"Alright, we're finally here. Me, Lissa, and Frederick are going to talk to Emmeryn about our mini journey. Sully, take Virion and David and show them the barracks. We should be back by the end of the day," Chrom said.

"Aww. Do I have to? I hate those long meetings," Lissa complained.

"Well, you're going to have to get used to them. They're kinda mandatory now that you're of age," replied Chrom, grabbing her sister by the arm and practically dragging her up the stairs.

Frederick dutifully followed as Sully guided me and Virion up the stairs and to the right of the entrance where Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick entered.

We continued walking for a couple of seconds before coming across a wide yet short building made of wood, which went horribly with the white of the castle. However, it looked to be well maintained and didn't look too bad if you only looked at the actual building. Sully placed her horse into a stable on the side of the building, giving it an apple that she had gotten from a small market earlier and entering through a side door.

"Come! I'll introduce you guys to our residents," she called.

Virion instantly went running, entering through the door in the front, me following along at a much leisurely pace.

The living place, which I assumed was where we were, was very cozy looking and held that image of what I'd imagine a medieval house would look like.

On the right side of the room, the side that Sully entered through via the side door towards the stables, was a kitchen that took up the majority of the space. Different utensils were hung from the roof, a wide table sitting right underneath said tools and a large fireplace with a grill on top against the wall.

On the left side of the room, a table with multiple chairs was set up, with two large couches adorning the walls. A small, what looked like, chess set sat on the table, seemingly untouched. The wall opposite of us had a door that seemed to be leading to other rooms.

There were two people inside when we got there, one in the kitchen and the other in the living room, doing push-ups on the floor.

The girl in the kitchen was small and young, probably around Lissa's age, sharing the same golden hair as Lissa but sporting an outfit that I saw in the more expensive-looking shops, in contrast to Lissa's wardress. She looked at me when we entered, scoffed, and immediately looked away. I didn't even do anything yet…

On the other hand, the man that was doing the pushups was insanely built and was massive, easily towering over everyone else in the room. He sported dirty blonde hair that he had in a sort of ponytail and had tan/darkish skin color, the first I had seen. He had a grin on when he saw Sully come in, immediately going over to her.

"Sully! Was wondering when you were gonna come back. Spar with me. Teach here hasn't been teaching too much these past few days, and I'm aching to get back into it!"

"Nah. I'm tired. I'm gonna get some rest," she told Teach.

She started making her way to the doorway leading to the other rooms when she stopped herself and turned around and introduced us.

"Oh, yea. These two are our new recruits. The guy dressed like Maribelle is Virion. The other David."

With that, she left.

"Well, new recruits. Haven't had those in a bit. Welcome to the team!" Teach came over and patted us both on the back, roughly may I add, moving us towards the coach and motioning us to take a seat. We took a seat, me and Virion having the same confused expression at what was going on.

"Normally it's Lissa who welcomes new recruits in, but given she isn't here, I'll do it. Heya! My name's Vaike, but call me Teach. I'm the brawn of our little squad, the leader some might even say. If you need anything, or any advice or any practice or anything, talk to me." Teach ended his little speech with a flex of his muscles, Virion snorting in disgust and turning away.

"Honestly Vaike, can you be ANY more vulgar? Act like you're a Shephard, not a lowborn," the girl said, shooing Teach away and sitting down on a chair across from us.

"My name is Maribelle, a part-time Shephard and noble. I don't really stay here often, but I occasionally visit to see my dear Lissa. I can assume that the well-dressed one is Virion?" she asked, looking at Virion.

"Hmph. A person with actual manners. Greetings fair lady, I am Virion, the noblest of archers and wooer of all ladies upon this realm. May I say, you are a sight to behold. How your beautiful, fair-colored skin complements your gorgeous outfit. Only the finest craftsman and wonderful mother could've made you."

This time around, me and Vaike shared the same disgusted expression as Maribelle tried to hold her neutral expression, but leaked a tiny smile before turning to me.

"And your David?"

"Yea. I'm David."

The room went silent, Maribelle probably expecting me to say something regarding what she was wearing or how beautiful she was but I stayed quiet. Not only did I think she was an alright-looking girl at best, but I also had no experience taking adjectives that far in describing a person.

"Ok. Well, at least one of you seems to be decent," Maribelle commented, standing and moving back towards the kitchen.

"Virion, would you like some tea?" she asked.

"Oh, would I." Virion immediately got up and chased after her, Vaike taking his spot and sitting down next to me.

"I never understand those nobles. They expect themselves to be at the very top of the world when in reality they depend on us just as much as we depend on them," Vaike whispered.

"Well, frankly I never really paid attention to those guys. Even if I did, I knew they wouldn't give me the time of the day. Wasting my time if you ask me," I responded.

Vaike didn't say anything before smiling and reaching out his hand.

"Welcome to the Shepherds David. Call me Vaike. Hope to make a good friend out of you."

I smiled and received his hand, shaking it earnestly as Virion and Maribelle continued their nonsensical chatter.


The rest of the evening was spent chatting and chilling with Vaike. Turns out the guy was relatively laid back, only getting serious when it came to training. When I told him that I had no training whatsoever, his eyes lit up and tried convincing me to become his student. When I told him I use magic, however, he gave up and sat back down. Maribelle and Virion mainly kept to themselves, chatting over random crap that nobles probably cared about and drinking tea in the kitchen. Sully never came out.

It was starting to get dark when Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick reappeared, his face giving off some dangerous vibes. Vaike immediately took notice of it.

"Guys, gather up. We need to talk." Chrom said.

Maribelle and Virion got up from their chairs in the kitchen and formed a small circle around Chrom, who was in the middle of the living room.

"Where the hell is Sully?" he asked.

"I'll go get her," Vaike said, getting up and hurrying to the hallway. I heard a yell, followed by some silence when Vaike and Sully reappeared, Sully looking a bit disheveled but alert.

"Alright, we've got some bad news. Emmeryn still does not want to go to war with Plegia."

Vaike and Sully groaned at that, but quickly shut up when Frederick gave them a death glare.

"I understand that this is unfortunate news, but I at least have some good news." Chrom continued. "While I didn't convince her to formally declare war, I did convince her that they were being enough of a problem to warrant some help. Given the war my father had some years ago, we still haven't recovered fully so we'll need some manpower. That's why tomorrow we're leaving for Ferox to ask for some aid."

"What makes you think they'll help?" asked Sully.

"We've got an agreement with them. If we go to war, they help us. Vice versa for them."

"But. Technically, aren't we not at war?"

Everyone turned to me as I said that, and upon all the attention, I instantly got red, partly embarrassed for saying something and partly afraid of what might happen. Then, as if everyone was in sync, they all turned to look at Chrom, who was now staring at the floor.

"Frankly. I didn't think about that…"

"Chrom… How could you not think about that…" Lissa asked, shaking her head.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter," he said. "We'll make our way to Ferox and still ask for troops. Sooner or later Gangrel will attack Ylisse officially and we'll need the troops as soon as possible."

"But sire. What if they don't give us the troops. They don't have any reason to do so until the war has officially been declared." Frederick commented.

"We might as well try. It beats sitting here, doing nothing while they get closer and closer to our border. The last thing I need is them invading with us being ill-prepared to meet them. Anyway, who's coming with me tomorrow."

Pretty much every hand went up into the air immediately, save for one.

"Unfortunately prince Chrom, I have matters to attend to in Themis so I will not accompany you. I imagine my dear Lissa can more than handle any healing you guys might need." Maribelle said. "I'll be off. Best of luck to you all."

When Maribelle left, I was quite surprised to find Virion still standing with us, instead of leaving with her. Vaike also noticed.

"You're not going with your girlfriend?" Vaike asked Virion.

Virion looked at him with disgust. "Girlfriend? Excuse me, but simply because we had a most elegant conversation does not mean that we are romantically engaged."

"Well, past Maribelle, it seems everyone's going to be going tomorrow. Perfect. Two pegasus riders will be joining us as well, courtesy of Emmeryn. You guys should head to bed, we're leaving early tomorrow." Chrom stated, waving to us before leaving the barracks, Lissa and Frederick following along.

"Seems Chrom wanted Sumia to come along. Couldn't be aaaanny more obvious huh?" I heard Vaike say.

"Obvious? About what? I asked.

"Sumia is one of the pegasus riders I no doubt is going to come along. Chrom has had a crush on her ever since they met each other," he explained.

"And Sumia has one as well. But neither will admit it. Or better said, both are too embarrassed to admit it," Sully added, passing by and going into the hallway.

"Yup. Take notice of them tomorrow. You'll see plenty of chatting." Vaike winked at me as he went through the door that Sully had just gone through.

"Oh! By the way. Take any of the open rooms. There are plenty!" Vaike called out before disappearing into the room opposite Sully's.

"What a curious bunch these are, don't you think David?" Virion asked.

"They are. But they seem to be a good bunch."

"Indeed."