Chapter Six
"Aw shucks! Do I have to, Ma?" A young boy was ordered to tend to his family's farm, specifically the chickens and pigs and their…droppings. As Donnel was grumbling to himself, a reflection shone in his eyes, blinding him. He didn't recognize the small group at first until he saw a man with blue hair and the high Exalt in all her majesty.
Donnel gulped and fixed the pot on his head, trying to be as presentable as one can with a cooking utensil as clothing, "I-It's the Shepherds! Ma! Be right back in a hogs shake!" The boy ran to meet the Shepherds. Despite his nerves, he was able to introduce himself while bowing, "H-hello ya Majesty! My name is Donny, eh – Donnel. Donnel Tinhead. 'Tis be the farm me and Ma own. What brings ya'll here?"
"Greetings, Donnel. No need to be so formal," stated Chrom. "We are just passing by, heading to the capital. Nice to meet you, but we will be taking our leave –"
"No, wait, sir!" Donnel got a glare from the exalt for the formality. "I'd like to join ya group, if you don't mind. See, I can handle a weapon!" The pothead took a lance and demonstrated on a dummy. He wasn't much for muscle, but he made up in sheer willpower. Nothing was going to stop him if he set his mind to a task.
Chrom sighed, "I see you have some training…and spunk. But I'm not sure –"
Squeals and clucking overpowered the farm. Someone stirred up the animals. Brigands. Roddick ordered them to plunder and take no prisoners.
"Chrom, brigands heading towards us. I recommend we see how Donnel does in combat, but protect him if necessary." Maybe I shouldn't have opened my big mouth. The exalt gave me a curious look, like he was asking me to explain how I can anticipate Donnel's fighting skills.
He is going to be a beast for the Shepherds if he survives.
"Very well. You have been trusted so far, Phil. We will watch closely, this Donnel."
Watch and be amazed, Chrom.
And with a lance to the chest, Donnel struck down Roddick, who could only breath out curses as he laid in the dirt dying. Chrom went to a shaking Donnel to congratulate him and mention how impressed he was. Only Donnel himself was more surprised.
"I have seen in battle and you have proven your worth of the Shepherds."
An excited Donnel was met with scolding eyes from his Ma, whom was also watching what transpired. Chrom was able to convince the highly distraught mother.
"Actually, we'd be thrilled to have him. The Shepherds need every good man we can find, and your son fought bravely."
"Y-you're very kind to say as much, Your Lordshipness, but…Well, you're a man grown now, Donny. I s'pose you can make up your own mind."
"Aw, Ma."
"You just come home safe, love. I'll see that the village is still standin' when you return a hero...Well?! Off with you, then! Glory's waitin', boy!"
"I ain't fightin' for glory, Ma. I'm fightin' for you! But if I do find some glory, I'll be sure to bring it home for you!"
We finally made it back to Ylisstol in the evening. After a nice chat with Donny about fishing, I figured it was about time to settle down for the night. Plans changed when I noticed a certain blue haired man by himself by a tree.
"Chrom? What are you doing out so late?"
"Oh, hi, Phil. Just...dueling with some unpleasant thoughts...Tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first...Not everything Gangrel said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence...It was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times. I know how they affected Emmeryn."
"Such an experience would change anyone."
"Indeed. When our father died before her 10th year, he left her quite the legacy...Plegia's desire for vengeance. Our own people's unbridled rage...My sister became a target for blame from all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults—and stones. She still bears the scar from one...But she never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."
"It must have been so hard..." I didn't expect to see Chrom so…depressed.
"I cannot claim to know how she does it, Phil. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people 'forgave' her? She never resented them for it. She represents the best of the halidom—the part most worth protecting. She IS peace. But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him. So perhaps I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to."
A figure came out of the bushes, "Well spoken, sir."
"Marth..."
"Good evening to you," Marth said bluntly.
"How did you get in here?"
Marth pointed to the castle, "The cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove."
"There? But how would you...?" Chrom got embarrassed that Marth found out about a training mishap that resulted in an opening in the castle wall. But there were more concerns than a simple mistake.
"Your secret is safe with me. I come here only to warn you."
"Warn us?" questioned Chrom.
"The exalt's life is in danger."
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours."
"What if...What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight."
"Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?" I wanted to step in to explain all this, but I was cut off.
"Yes, I expected you wouldn't believe me. So, allow me to prove it!" Marth unsheathed a sword and threw it high in the air. Jumping absurdly high, he caught it and thrusted the blade into an assassin charging out of the bushes.
"I trust this proof will suffice?" Chrom seemed somewhat convinced, but then another assassin jumped out into the opening and slashed at Marth, knocking off his mask, and thankfully, not inflicting wounds. Chrom, with his Falchion already out, charged at the man and cut him down. No one paid concern for the assassins as the unmasked Marth revealed…a woman.
"Wait, you're – a woman," announced the prince.
"And quite the actress, too. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until now," Marth flicked her hair back, showing that she didn't have short hair after all. She seemed young, yet mature.
Chrom, that is –
An explosion in the palace stopped the meeting. I knew this 'Marth' wouldn't want to reveal herself quite yet, so I stayed silent and pretended to be surprised. The palace needed our attention, so we had no more time as we dashed inside the castle. The Exalt seemed to be ok once we caught up to her. The problem happened to be the castle was infiltrated with even more assassins, all led by a sinister figure with red eyes.
"Remember, I want the Emblem in my hand and Emmeryn dead on the floor." All his followers complied, except two notables.
Gauis. Panne.
"Chrom, not everyone here is wanting to kill Emmeryn…I mean, maybe some will take convincing. Also, see their leader?" I pointed to the tall, shadowy figure, trying not to blow my cover. "The assassins should scatter if we defeat him."
The dark leader didn't seem amused when I called him out, "Hmph! Two assassins and the little princeling was not even wounded? Wait. Some of these actors do not belong on this stage," shoot, he must have noticed me, "Ho ho! Can it be?! After years of searching...Tonight, fate truly piles the gifts at my feet!" I blew my cover. No time for that as two assassins came from the left with swords. 'Marth' took them down easily with a glowing Falchion. She didn't pay much attention to why it was glowing as three more came from around the corner, but she stopped at the one with funny-looking long ears and scared face.
"Another assassin?"
'Marth' held up her sword to negate Chrom from continuing an attack, "Hold! Panne is not the enemy. I know…of her. And I knew she would come tonight."
"Quite the prophet, aren't you?"
"As you say. I swear to you, Panne is an ally."
"Good enough for me. All right, Shepherds! For now, we leave this Panne character be. Now, to the matter at hand: driving these scoundrels from our castle!"
All the Shepherds did their part in running out the rogues. It didn't matter what they threw at us; we had the better trained soldiers. Perhaps the fallen bodies on the cold floor was convincing enough, but an orange-hair man gave up when faced with a Falchion at his neck.
"Drop your weapon or die where you stand!" yelled the prince.
"Easy there, blue blood. I'm not here to hurt anyone. Just trying to make a living. I'm a thief, see? Bust open doors, crack into chests...that kind of thing. This lot said they wanted to break into some type of vault. Nobody said anything about murder. I'd just as soon sit this one out."
"Chrom, this is perhaps one of the rogues I told you that would easily surrender." I just can't keep my mouth shut, can I?
"Hmm. Maybe." The prince turned to the thief, "Then maybe you'd be willing to prove your good intentions?" With a confused look on the thief's face, Chrom continued, "We need all the help we can get to save the Exalt's life. You appear capable, and we could use any information you have about our foes."
"Oh, right—those good intentions. Fine then, I'll prove my sincerity...if you sweeten the deal."
"You want gold? Fine, you scoundrel. Let me just—oops." A small bag felled out of Chrom's pocket.
"Looks like you dropped something. What's in the satchel, mmm?" Gaius looked very intrigued.
"Nothing—candies from my little sister. I'm sure you—"
Now the thief was REALLY interested, "Candies? As in, sugar candies?"
"Well, yes. I assumed they'd be sweet, but – "
"It's a deal!" Chrom had the right bargaining chips, as candies were this rogue's favorite thing in all the land, "I said 'sweeten the deal,' didn't I? Don't get me wrong, I'll take the gold, too. Later. Unless you've got more of these. Have you got more of these?!"
Someone is too happy.
"Umm, I'll ask Lissa," said the dumbfounded exalt.
Many more thiefs, rogues, and assassins were cut down, leaving only their dark leader left. I decided to approach with caution with a lightning tome ready. His glare was terrifying with those red eyes. Fortunately, because I knew who he was, I wasn't scared.
"Well, well...Ha ha ha!" laughed the mage (I saw him use fire spells), "Oh, I know you. Submit to me, and perhaps I might honor you with the truth!"
"Actually, I know the truth MORE than you know…Validar." I sent a lightning bolt with a smirk. And with that, he was fried and fell to the pathway outside the castle.
"No. This is...all...wrong...How could...you have known the plan," those were his last words as I had nothing else to say. Didn't need to; maybe I spoke too much. We reconvened with the group to check on Emmeryn.
"Thank the gods you're safe!" cried her brother.
"It is you I have to thank, Chrom."
Captain Phila came in huffing, "I beg your forgiveness, milord! I failed in my duty—they should have never made it into the castle in the first place."
"Peace, Phila. You couldn't have known what was coming. Only Marth could…" Chrom looked around for 'Marth". She disappeared again, "Umm, Phil, where is Marth?"
"Good question, she was here just a minute ago."
She'll be back.
Emmeryn turned to face the strange rogue with the scars and ears, "Brave taguel, there are not words to express my gratitude."
Her ears perked up, "Ah, so you know our true name?"
I played dumb, "What's a taguel?"
"I am a taguel. The...The last taguel. We are shape-shifters. Most of your kind called us 'beast' or 'coney' in the midst of their hunt. I only helped you because my warren owes Ylisse a debt. Do not think us friends, you and I! It was man-spawn like you that invaded our warren and slaughtered my people." her death stare sent shivers down my spine.
The Exalt was greatly disturbed, "What?! Is this true? Who would do such a thing?"
"Ha! Do not act so shocked. You are all the same. Right down to your base desire to ruin and destroy all you touch—even each other."
"There is truth to your words, perhaps. I'm told that, in taguel society, everyone is treated as an equal. Mankind could have learned much from your warren. The words may come too late and mean too little, but I am deeply sorry. We have stolen your friends and family and made the world a lesser place." I could sense a sincerity and hurt in her words. And also did Panne.
"You seem sincere, man-spawn. You feel my pain as your own. I've never felt that before. Look at me. See what I am. I will never trust mankind. But you...Perhaps you truly are not like the others."
"All I ask is a chance to earn your trust."
Panne bowed and glared at me, then hopped off. What did I do to offend her?
Phila chimed in to give her report, "It will take time to investigate how the assassination plot got so far. We have no leads at present."
"It was Plegia!" exclaimed the prince, "I'm sure of it. They'd do anything for the Emblem. Emm, you can't stay here. Come to Ferox where it's safe."
"And leave the people undefended? War is at our borders, Chrom. Do you expect Ylisse to stand against Plegia without a leader? They must know their exalt stands with them."
"But if something happens to you? What then?"
Fredrick had a suggestion, "Your Grace, perhaps you might relocate to the eastern palace for the time being? The other kingdoms know nothing of it. You would be safer."
No, if we move, then that means…
"Yes, please. At least that. I can't leave for Ferox with you right in harm's way." I could tell Chrom was very concerned with his sister's well-being. Knowing future events and doing nothing on my own, I wanted to act.
"Chrom, if I may, I believe I have a solution." The wheels in my head started to turn. Time to change destiny for once.