A Tall Tale Expanded

by The Dreaming Fangirl

Facing the threat of Grima's forces, Inigo and his friends have been charged with escorting supplies to a vulnerable fort along Ylisse's Northern Border, but when a bandit attack turns over the village of Talonfall, they discover a sinister plot. Will our heroes be able to rescue the villagers in time?

Attack of the Wyvern Marauders Chapter One: The Debriefing

"Thank you all for coming today." Lucina ruffled the papers in her hands, "When you're ready, Laurent, please begin the weekly report."

"Of course." The boy said, "In the few weeks since our last correspondence, the situation with Valm has become drastic. Gerome and Yarne are currently evacuating as many people as they can, but, of the nations left in the continent, only Rosanne and Chon'sin have been able to put up sufficient resistance to the Risen's attacks."

"Have either of them been able to locate any of their strongholds? If we could just track them back to their source, we'd be able to cut those dastards down at the knees."

"I like your style, pretty boy. Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast!"

"I'm glad you approve, Brady," Inigo let out a sigh, "but, I'd have been more assured if a cute girl had said that." He turned his head towards Severa.

"Could we not right now? We've got bigger things to worry about than your ego."

"As much as I wish I could say they had, nothing in Gerome's report indicated they found areas that match what you're looking for, Inigo. The bases they've captured did have some reeking boxes in them, but, as for where they could be mass producing them, no leads have been found."

"Damn."

Laurent added, "The transportation of the Voice appears to be coming along smoothly, though it appears a few hundred refugees have chosen to follow her to Mt. Prism. Gerome suspects they should be arriving within a few weeks."

Lucina said, "That's to be expected. Any news from Lady Say'ri?"

"She's currently staying behind to handle the frontlines in Chon'sin, but, if circumstances were different, I'm certain she would've been attending the journey personally."

Lucina let out a smile, "That sounds like her. Send a few battalions to meet Lady Tiki when she arrives. We're lucky the Risen haven't been able to turn any fliers yet."

"About that…"

"Yes, Laurent?"

"I'm afraid this might concern Severa as well."

She rose from her chair, "We have a lead on Morgan?"

"Not exactly. This is more of a rumor than anything else."

"Spit it out, man! Any information's better than none."

The mage clutched at his notepad, "I-"

"I didn't call you to this counsel for your silence, Laurent. If you have something to say, then say it. What have you heard?"

"According to Gerome's report, there's been sighting of a pegasus knight battalion to the west. They mostly conduct night-raids, but a cloaked figure has been rumored to be leading them."

Severa slumped, "But why?"

"Again, this is only a rumor for now. There could be anyone under that cloak."

The manakete piped up, "We still haven't much from Aversa since Grima's puppet fell at the Dragon's Table. Still, if she's managed to survive everything until now…"

"That does pose a problem." Lucina turned towards her mage, "Laurent, please make sure we have at least three archery units to accompany the group meeting the Voice at Mount Prism."

"Understood."

Lucina squeezed the girl's hand just a bit, "We'll find your sister, Severa."

"Gerome and Yarne will be looking into it once they're done with the evacuees. The next item on the agenda concerns itself with the border mountains."

"Did something happen at the Border Pass? Just say the word, and I'll go grab my boots."

"Thank you for your concern, Cynthia, but, if something had happened, I would have already been sent you there by now."

"Gotcha. If you need us, just say the word. Est1 and I'll be over in a flash."

Owain said, "But something had happened at the Border Pass, right? I doubt we would've been called if this were an ordinary report."

"Our reports indicate the border mountains between us and Plegia have been displaying an abnormal amount of activity."

"It's quiet," Lucina paused, "too quiet." She placed the document she had onto the table and continued, "Kjelle suspects the Risen are planning a surge attack on the border pass, but until Noire returns back from her scouting mission, we won't know for sure. In the meantime, she's requested for some supplies for Fort Recta."

Severa said, "That dinky fort overlooking Northwood? What's so special about that place?"

Inigo answered, "It's situated near Ferox's eastern wall. Northwood and Boreal trade with one another constantly, so the security there hasn't been all tight."

Owain said, "They'd kill two countries with one stone."

"That's probably the idea. My lady, how would you like to handle this?"

Lucina pointed to the location on the table's map, "Cynthia, how long would you say it takes for a caravan to make it to Fort Recta?''

"I'd say that depends on the size. The incline makes it so that nothing too big can come mess with the fort, but the flip side is that no large caravans can make it there either. Getting supplies there would be tricky."

Inigo said, "Could backpackers travel their supplies?"

Cynthia answered, "I think so. They could be relying on pegasi to transport the supplies there too. The pegasi likely wouldn't be able to carry much though."

Severa asked, "Did Kjelle mention anything about bandits in that report? If they knew the backpackers' route, it'd be an ample place for an ambush."

"Bandits are more commonly found along the southern half of the border mountains, but they're not unheard of either. I would like you guys to go along with them just in case. Inigo?" Lucina turned her head towards her brother, "You know this area the most out of all of us. Can I ask you to lead this mission?"

"I'm on it."

"Cynthia, your high mobility will play a key role in this. I'm leaving you in charge of reconnaissance for this mission."

"You gotcha!"

"As far as the ground fighters,"

"I've got this one." Inigo said before turning his attention towards the center of the table, "Severa, Owain, you two will be with me as the vanguard."

"You're asking me for help? I think I would've remembered if I saw any pigs flying today."

"You're welcome to stay here if you'd like, Owain. With that show you were making a few days ago, I figured that sword hard of yours was itching for a proper match. Or is a simple escort mission too much for your 'dark' blood to handle?"

"That does it!" He reached for Inigo's collar, "Let's take this outside!"

"I'd be happy to. It's high time you got a dose of reality anyway."

"Enough!" Lucina said, "Inigo, that was uncalled for."

Severa said, "That was low, even for you."

"Right, right. I'm sorry."

"Owain, you can let go of him now."

"Tch. Jerk." The myrimidon sat back in his seat.

Lucina's voice was soft, "Brady-"

"I know. Every mission needs a priest. I'll keep 'em from killin' each other."

She smiled, "Thank you."

Nah's voice popped up, "So what's my role in all this?"

"I was hoping you could serve as the team's long-range support."

"You're better off sending Laurent then. The second I transform; the caravan might fall off the cliffs in terror."

The mage answered, "I did consider that, but as it stands, I'm needed here more right now."

Lucina said, "If you want to go, Laurent, I won't stop you."

"Thank you, my lady, but the last time I left for a mission, you had occupied yourself so much in work that you hadn't slept in three days."

The manakete raised a knowing brow, "Oh."

"What?! But I-"

"I know it's much to ask for, but do you mind doing this favor for me, Nah?"

The manakete sighed, "If there's no one else, then fine. That said, I will only transform as a last resort, so try not to count on me too much."

Lucina asked, "You got that, Inigo?"

"I'll make sure to keep that in mind."

"Thank you all. If that is everything, you are all dismissed."

Those that sat around the Exalt's table filed out of the room gradually. Just as Inigo had turned to leave, he felt a grip on his arm. "Inigo, wait."

"Sure. Everything all right, sis?"

The young lady's voice was low, "Be careful out there."

"Always."

"I mean it. No joking around this time."

The myrmidon's tone lowered, "I know. We'll be back before you know it." He wrapped his sister in for a hug.

They stayed in that embrace for a while silent. Lucina squeezed a little tighter, "Take care of yourself out there."

"I will. Try not to push yourself too hard while we're gone."

Lucina nodded, and it was then that she let go. "I wish you wouldn't push Owain so hard."

"We're in the middle of a war. We don't have time for those childish games of his."

"And you have the time to flirt with every girl that you see?"

"Well, that's-"

"Everyone has their own way of coping with what's happened these last few years. I know Owain may seem immature at times, but when things get serious, he'll rise to the occasion."

"I know."

Lucina reached out for another hug. Her voice was small, "You make sure you stay safe out there." She squeezed her brother tighter, "I don't want to lose you too."

Inigo's voice was soft, "You won't."

"Promise?"

He squeezed a little tighter, "I promise."

1 I came up empty when I went looking around for the name of Sumia's (and therefore Cynthia's) pegasus back when I was first writing FE: Awakening fanfics, so I improvised and chose this one. I figured, with her love of classic Archanea stories, a name like Est would fit Sumia's tastes quite nicely.