There was an old Sacaean saying, "Work twice as hard in the shade, avoid working twice as long in the sun." Kiran had probably never heard the adage, but it was his reasoning for leaving the castle at dawn. They had been on the road for a few hours already, and everyone seemed to have settled in. The early morning sun created looming shadows on the Askran road, as flocks of birds flew overhead. There was creaking and trotting and the sounds of rolling wheels. Fir had missed the cacophony of a moving war caravan. It was an almost religious experience, as if she was traveling down the paths of her forefathers. She stretched her arms, taking in the warmth of errant sunbeams that touched her skin.
"Enjoying yourself?" Marisa had her sword over her right hip, walking alongside the younger swords-woman. Fir had sworn she had seen her use the sword with her opposite hand, but didn't question it. "You look like you're about to burst at the seams."
"Of course!" Fir exclaimed, "This is the best chance to learn from all of you!"
"Ah, I figured as much." Marisa shot Fir a wry smile, before continuing. "Though your constant sparring sessions aren't enough?" The smaller girl bobbed up and down, shaking her head frantically.
"Sparring is the best way to learn swordsmanship," Fir stated, "But most people don't want to spar with me."
"It's less the sparring and more the time commitment." Fir scoffed at this.
"If you can't train for three hours, how can you expect to fight an actual battle?" Marisa shrugged in response. "Anyways, what I want is to spar with you." Fir looked at her cohort expectantly. Marisa chuckled.
"Are you sure you want another concussion so soon?"
Fir snorted involuntarily. "You and I both know that wasn't intentional," she replied, "You still owe me a match anyways." Marisa smiled slightly, and nodded her head.
"Alright. When we stop, fight to best of 3 points?" Fir nearly exploded from excitement. "And I promise I won't knock you out this time."
The noontime sun cut through the highly forested road, creating a dancing canvas of shadow and light. Alphonse and Anna quickly found a large clearing just off the road, and called a quick tactical meeting. It was … not exactly going well.
"Why try to be clever about it?" Lyn asked, "We should make for the front gate and bust it down!"
"Approaching the capital in a straight shot is a fool's errand," Soren argued, "We don't have the men to attack a fortified position at will."
"Do we have time to do anything else? Aren't there children in danger?"
"Children or not, our forces take priority," Soren said harshly, "If we're dead, we can't save anyone." Everyone else was silent. As rough as Soren was, he was absolutely correct. Kiran turned to Lyn.
"As much as I'd like to, we need to infiltrate the castle first," he explained, "I think Soren and Robin's plan has the highest chance of success with minimal casualties."
Lyn's face darkened. "While it may be necessary, the Sacaeans are usually not ones to support underhanded tactics."
"Winning is winning, and we need to win more than we need honor." Soren said dismissively, "That Muspellan woman gave us a map of the castle, it would be foolish not to use it to our advantage."
Kiran spoke up. It was pointless to continue this line of discussion, the decision had been made. "The real issue is how we attack Surtr." Chrom raised his hand. Kiran had found it odd that the exalt was in the meeting, given that Robin was his appointed tactician; but he never really questioned it. Well, not until Chrom raised his hand like a schoolchild answering a question. "Ummm … yes, Chrom?"
"Why don't we just … hit him?" he asked. The question took everyone aback.
"If what the others say is true, he can control fire." Soren said slowly, "You do understand that, correct?"
"Yeah, we just hit him extra hard!" Chrom replied. Soren closed his eyes and sighed. Aversa shot Robin a look, to which the tactician could only shrug.
Reinhardt spoke up. "Attacking him head on seems like a suicide mission, but it could work if we could get some mages on his flank without noticing."
"We're also dealing with two potential hostages, at minimum," Robin reminded the group, "Going in with no plan to take Surtr out immediately is risking those lives as well." Chrom looked slightly crestfallen. "Don't be too rough on yourself, friend," Robin continued, "It was a decent enough idea."
"Yes, it was just the execution of the idea was horrible." Aversa muttered to herself. Robin elbowed her, and received two pinches to his cheeks for his trouble. "Ah, big brother! What stretchy cheeks you have!" She growled out. Anna cleared her throat.
"For now, get some food in your stomachs," she said, "We have more marching to do before we get to the fire line. We'll rest there tonight, and march into Muspell tomorrow." There was some muttering, but the meeting was adjourned. And it felt like nothing had been accomplished.
"You said you wouldn't go easy on me!" A clash of sparring swords echoed through the woods. Fir and Marisa had forgone lunch to spar, and they had taken a best-of-five series to it's limit.
"I'm not," Marisa replied calmly, "You asked me to take you to your limits. I'm doing just that." Marisa switched hands. She had done this several times since the third match, which infuriated Fir. Keeping such a skill hidden away was heretical, and now Fir was determined to pull out any other skills Marisa might be hiding. The sound of blunt metal hitting blunt metal attacked her ears, but all she could focus on was the mercenary's cold countenance. The wry, sometimes nervous Marisa was replaced by a surgically accurate machine. Though, Fir thought, Many people might not notice the difference.
"Marisa? Fir?" A voice called from nearby. Tana entered the treeline on her pegasi. Fir had barely met the noble, but Nino vouched for her. But then she noticed that Marisa had actually lifted her guard slightly. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
"Milady! Why are yo- ow!" Marisa felt the blunt sparring sword smack her ribs, and she nearly crumpled from the hit.
"I thought you told me not to get distracted?" Fir asked, before helping the mercenary up. Marisa bopped her head lightly.
"That didn't count." She said bluntly, before turning to Tana. The pegasus rider had already dismounted, and was nearly at Marisa's side.
"Are you okay?" Tana asked frantically, "That looked like it hurt!"
"I- um-" Marisa's face turned red, and she tried to hide in her clothes. "I'm alright."
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Fir asked, now showing some concern. "I'm sorry if I did!"
"No, no," came the mumbling reply, "I'm doing okay. Wyreuher?" Marisa turned to Tana. Fir couldn't parse out what she said, but the noble girl seemed to get it.
"Well, the caravan is about to move out, and everyone said you two were sparring out here." She looked over both of them, and frowned. "And honestly, how reckless of you! What if some bandits or ruffians saw the both of you and decided to attack? What then?"
"I'd feel bad for the ruffians." Fir replied.
"Well … you are probably right," Tana admitted, "But still, it's very reckless! Now come along, the others are worried as well, even if they won't admit it." Tana got back on her pegasus, and offered them a ride. When it was declined, she took off, leaving the duo to walk back to the caravan on foot. It was silent for a little bit, before Fir piped up.
"So … you have a soft spot for noble types, huh?"
Marisa coughed, but didn't respond past that.
"Ah, just noble types with dark blue hair, then."
"She's in love with Lord Ephraim."
" … That's rough."
"You're telling me."
"So, you're just gonna sit on that?"
"I've had my heart broken before, I can stand it again." Marisa said it coldly, tossing the idea aside like yesterday's filth. Silence fell upon them once more.
"So … about that whole two handed technique …"
"Ambidextrous."
"What?"
"I'm ambidextrous," Marisa explained, "It means I can use both my hands."
"That's amazing," Fir looked at her in awe, "You have to teach me!"
Marisa sighed, "I'm not a great teacher, Fir. I doubt you'll learn much from me."
"If we spar enough times, I'll get the hang of it." She insisted.
"Fine, but no cheating."
"Alright, and no ogling any blue-haired maidens, deal?" Marisa bopped Fir's head again in frustration.
Tharja sat in abject misery. Sure, a battle would be the easiest way to test out some new hexes, and blow off some steam. When she was with the Shepherds, this was also the best time to get some peace and quiet.
"Tharja, what about this hypothesis?"
Too bad she wasn't with just the Shepherds.
Lute nearly shoved a bottle in Tharja's face, which she snatched away. "What's this, then?"
"I think that we could make a bottled spell, using a person's natural magic affinity." Tharja squinted at the excited mage in front of her. Lute was nearly shaking herself out of her boots. There was Sanaki and Delthea, as well as the new mage, Ishtar.
"I doubt you could make anything effective from it," Tharja replied, "So why are you bothering me?"
"Logically, you're the best at putting things in bottles."
"I don't understand what that even means."
"You makes potions, correct?" Tharja groaned. So this was the idea behind her asking.
"I'm not going to assist in this."
"Come oooooon, Tharja!" Delthea whined, "If I'm saying we need your help that has to mean something!"
"Agreed," Sanaki interjected, "Perhaps there's something we can do to convince you?"
"I very much doubt you can tempt me with anything."
"How about a research assistant?" Lute asked.
"You're already my 'research assistant'."
"It thought it was the other way around."
After several failed attempts to convince Tharja, Ishtar finally spoke up. "What if I could give you a willing test subject?"
"Willing." Tharja's response was curt, but she was intrigued. "Who could that possibly be?"
"After this battle, I'll test whatever hexes you want to try." Tharja's eyes lit up.
"Hee hee hee … finally, an interesting proposition," She responded, "I accept your offer, Princess of Friege. I hope you're ready for whatever I throw at you." Ishtar nodded, but said nothing. Robin had said that Tharja was only threatening in a sense, but all her hexes were more inconvenient than dangerous. It was a gamble; but if Lute's theory was correct, perhaps she'd have something that could help the army with Surtr.
"Hey mom, whatcha doin' up here?"
Cordelia turned her head, Morgan's black pegasus approached her, the red-headed Morgan waving enthusiastically. "Hello, sweetie," she called out, "I was just patrolling above, keeping the roads clear." The pegasus knight looked at her daughter suspiciously. "What are you doing up here?" She asked. Morgan looked at Cordelia innocently.
"Can't I just see my mother?" She asked. Cordelia raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I wanted you to tell me a story about father." Morgan admitted.
"I won't tell you a story about father now," Cordelia chided her daughter. "You know that distracts me."
"Princess Hinoka is already scouting out with Auntie Sumia, though!" Morgan argued, "You're just doing this so you don't have to march, aren't you?" Again, Cordelia was regretting telling Severa about her poor stamina. "I think you can tell me a romantic story about father."
"I have a better idea," Cordelia countered, "How about you tell me everything about Gerome." Morgan's face flashed through several unique expressions of embarrassment and horror. "What do you think Aunt Cherche and I talk about all the time?"
"Mother! This is embarrassing!"
"Oh? Have you and Gerome done anything? Like …" Cordelia paused for dramatic effect, " … kissing?"
Morgan attempted to hide behind her hair. It was too short. "No, we haven't done that."
She chuckled at that. Morgan was much too cute, she could see why Aversa enjoyed teasing Robin so much. "Holding hands? That's pretty tame."
"H-h-h-holding hands?! Practically a proposal!" Morgan argued. Cordelia laughed at this. It rang across the sky. Morgan pouted.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Her daughter didn't answer immediately, instead choosing to turn away. "I'm sorry if I teased you too much, you were just so adorable!"
"No, I just realized something." Morgan muttered. Cordelia noticed her daughter touch her hair and face, and frown even more.
"How about we land?" Cordelia offered. "I can tell you about father and I meeting Auntie Aversa later." Morgan lit up at that.
"You promise?!"
"I promise."
As they began to descend, Cordelia remembered the sad face Morgan had. The pegasus knight now had a new mission, and that was to protect her daughter and never let her frown like that again.
A small ruined fortress atop a large hill was the army's planned final stop of the day. The sun was still in the sky, though it had long since started it's descent into the horizon. Below them, approximately a mile away, sat the fire line. A large burn scar from Surtr's only incursion into Askran territory. So far, Kiran had to remind himself. There used to be a town there, Alphonse had said, but it burned away weeks ago. The tactician's had decided to have another meeting soon, but Kiran was not feeling especially optimistic.
"Incoming bird!" He heard Gaius shout from a watchtower. Kiran looked towards the fire line. A black wyvern was coming in slowly, as if bogged down by something heavy. Gaius reported in again. "Looks like three people, boss! What do you want to do?"
"Hold fire, but prepare to defend yourselves." Kiran replied. The wyvern seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place.
"What's that wyvern doing here?" He heard Clarisse asked behind him.
"You recognize it too?"
"Yeah," she responded, "It belongs to that Muspellan general." Kiran turned pale. That certainly couldn't be good. The wyvern circled the fortress once, before touching down near the gate. Two smaller girls seemed to be attempting to pull someone along, but were struggling to do so.
"Get those three in the fortress, and give that wyvern some food." Kiran ordered.
Ylgr and Veronica seemed unhurt, if a little frightened. Their friend was in much worse shape. He was covered in burns, and was barely breathing. The man was sent to the makeshift infirmary; hopefully they could help him. Laegjarn's wyvern looked over the fortress, and began it's trek back into the heart of Muspell.
"Let's have that meeting now." Kiran stated. Perhaps they had gotten their miracle after all.
The aura in this meeting was significantly less dour than before. Even Soren's mood seemed to be lifted.
That was when Chrom spoke up.
"So now we can just go with my plan, right?" He asked, "Just go in and hit him?"
"Why do you want to hit him so much?" Reinhardt asked. Kiran groaned.
"Chrom, we still can't just approach him and attack," he replied, "At least not without sustaining some severe burns." Chrom looked miffed, but said nothing. "If we can nullify his powers, then we can hit him hard." Kiran tapped his fingers impatiently. "If there was a way to stun him, that would probably work."
Ishtar stood up. "Perhaps the children could tell us something. If someone wishes to go with me, we can ask." Reinhardt stood up, but was met with a shake of the head. "I need you here, Reinhardt. I was hoping the Exalt would do the honor of helping me?" Chrom looked up and nodded.
"I can help." He replied, and the two excused themselves from the meeting.
Kiran was silent for a moment, as the others discussed the situation at hand. No matter how he looked at it, they just didn't have the people to attack this castle successfully. Even if it was a drop in the bucket, summoning a hero or two couldn't do any harm. The summoner stood up, and turned to Anna and Alphonse. "I need to get some fresh air, figure out the group that will infiltrate the castle, and we'll go from there." With that, he left the room.
Kiran leaned over a stone parapet. The wind carried with it the smell of rain. There was a storm coming that night, clearly a foreboding omen. He caressed Breidablik carefully. He had only brought enough orbs for a summon or two. Certainly not enough to make his army double in size.
"You look excessively worried." Ishtar had found him, no longer wearing her pauldrons and cape, revealing her shoulders and neck. "Not that it's uncalled for."
"We don't have the men for this."
"Oh, we certainly do," she replied, "If you look at numbers, we do not. But war is never just about numbers."
"Numbers help."
"Is that why you have the summoning vessel?"
"Yes," Kiran replied, "But I hardly have the orbs to summon an army."
Ishtar chuckled, "Who knows? Perhaps you will summon some sort of battle-hardened goddess." Kiran laughed at that.
"It's not polite to talk about yourself like that." He replied. Ishtar laughed as well, but then blushed.
"I really wasn't referring to myself, you know." Kiran didn't reply, and just kept smirking. "You're awful, I hope you know."
"I know." Kiran said, before looking at Breidablik. He sighed. "Might as well try, huh?"
"It could do no harm." She said kindly. The summoner nodded, and pointed the weapon ahead of him. The orb glowed an unnatural pearl color, and light shot from the barrel of the vessel. For a few seconds, there was just light. When it finally subsided, what stood in front of the duo shocked them. The robes were a familiar dark purple, with golden accents. The white hair was in a set of long twintails, and it seemed as though Robin was … floating. She began to laugh. The voice and face were distinctly feminine, but there was a layer of menace underneath it all.
"Ah, I live again!" She said, looking at the duo. "I must thank you two for releasing me." She approached them slowly. "Perhaps the Fell Dragon will allow both of you a quick death." Grima swung at Kiran, but missed. She looked at her hand, confusedly.
"Um, I know we just met," Kiran began, "But you've been bound by a contract, so you can't hurt anyone here."
"What?" Grima hissed, "What manner of joke is this?" She attempted to swipe at Ishtar, and missed; then Kiran again, another miss. "I am ruin! I … am … Grima!" After her fourth attempt, she glared at the summoner. "Release me."
"I … I'm not comfortable with that."
"Release me, and I'll still serve you and your … magically endowed assistant." She eyed Ishtar as she said it. Ishtar blushed, but also glared at the fell dragon.
"Again, not really seeing the upside to that idea." Grima huffed in frustration.
"Fine, I shall play your game." She said, "But my claws are not the only ways I can spread ruin. I have my words still." Grima began to float away, down a staircase. Kiran and Ishtar could hear her yell out, "Nice book, peasant!"
Ishtar spoke up, "Remember how I said we could do no harm?"
"Yeah."
"I don't think fell beast was an option in my head."
"Mine either." They looked at each other. "We should stop her." Kiran finally said.
"Agreed."
They passed by Reinhardt, who was comically halfway down the stairs, book thrown in his face. As he saw them pass by, he thought back to that horrifying girl that knocked him over; and how cute her angry and flustered face was.
Oh dear, that certainly didn't go as planned.
Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter! As always, any critiques, comments, questions, and reviews are loved and appreciated! And thank you all for reading up to this point!
Next Chapter: Marching Upon Muspell