Chapter Eight

Plegia isn't much of a fertile land by any standard. When we crossed the border into their territory, the plains and mountains become desert. Many bones were sticking out of the sand; gigantic fossils that may have belong to ancient dragons. The many gusts of wind created sandstorms that made travel difficult, except for Miriel and the Pegasus riders. We settled down for the night when a village nearby was scouted. I was about to enter Chrom's tent along with Fredrick to discuss our next steps, but a certain Pegasus knight came out from the tent first. I walked by her and I wanted to say something, but I couldn't. I just stood like a buffoon with an open mouth. I swore she said hi to me, but I wasn't sure. Fredrick bumped into me and grunted. He can be scary at times, and this was one of them. "I can explain, by apologies, Freddy." He just huffed and stared into my soul and after an eternity later, he went into the tent first. I looked around, and no one was there. Trying to look any more foolish, I grabbed a flap and entered.

"I'd like to believe it's our cunning that got us this far without being spotted," spoke Chrom, "But we've seen far too little of the Plegian Guard. Where are they? Whatever trap Gangrel has planned, he is in no hurry to spring it."

"These desert sands are certain to bog down our units in battle, milord. Only mages and fliers will likely be able to proceed unhindered." Fredrick was eyeing me, as if waiting for plan. But I just nodded and let the guys do the talking for now.

"Indeed, Fredrick. Good point, I'll keep that in mind. Phil, let's discuss strategy…um, Phil?"

I woke up startled, "Oh! Yes, of course, Chrom. How about we do this, and deploy these Shepherds?" I pointed to wooden figures on a table that simulated a battle. Chrom didn't seem impressed though.

"Phil? You do know that is the Stahl piece, right? And where's Miriel? We could use her skills as a mage…are you sure you are fine?"

Chrom had every right to be concerned. I wasn't on my game, "You are absolutely right, Chrom. My apologizes. No, I just have a lot on my mind as of now."

"Well, it is getting late. Maybe we should call it a night and discuss more first thing in the morning? Fredrick, you can be dismissed."

"Ok, milord. Phil, you better get some sleep. These upcoming battles are very important, as you know. We can't afford any loses." Fredrick was giving me the look again.

"Yes, sir."

With just the prince and I in the tent, I asked Chrom few questions, "If I may ask, how did the last battle feel to you? I mean, I've been pairing up our Shepherds a lot lately and I'm trying to find the best combinations. Am I doing this right?"

"Phil, be at peace. You are doing a great job so far. The pairings were very effectively. Now, as I recall last battle, we were able to defeat Vasto. But of course, I had some help. If you are referring to Cordelia and I, let me stop you for a minute. Cordelia is a very gifted Pegasus knight. She is more than capable of handling her own against any enemy. I trust her as much as any Shepherd, if not more."

"O-ok. That is a relief." I was fidgeting with my hands, "She came out of your tent, so I assume it was a full report on what happened at the border? How bad was it?"

There was a long pause and I wasn't sure Chrom would even answer, but he did, "She was here and she did give a report, yes. But something tells me she was holding back. Not sure what, but she was definitely shaken by the events. It was bad, Phil. All the Pegasus knights at the border…well, they didn't make it. Only Captain Phila survived."

I gasped, "How? We had reinforcements!"

"I know. But at the capital, not at the border. We had no idea this would happen…like this."

"I see, Chrom…should I go see Cordelia to see if she is ok?"

I hope she is ok.

"No need. I spoke gracious words to her. She really is strong, Phil. Stronger than you realized…the way she fights, it is amazing." Chrom chuckled, "Ha, I had to catch myself staring too long at her fight off Vasto."

"I, I see." I dared ask this question, but I feel like I had to, for the safety and best for the Shepherds, "Chrom, if there are Plegian soldiers waiting for us in the nearby village, but you mind if you paired up with Cordelia again?'

The answer was both painful and satisfying, "Hm. I don't see why not. Sure, that would work well."

"Ok, well I am glad I got the pairing settled! Now what about Sully, Stahl and Fredrick? They ride horses and the sand storms will slow them down…"

The morning was quiet. Too quiet for my liking. Maybe it was because I woke up earlier than everyone else. Or I had the bad case of insomnia. Either way, I left my tent to just walk around. The gusts of wind were not picking up, so I felt safe…until I tripped over a metal peg and fell on my face. I tried to brace the fall, but in doing so caused a gash on my left hand. I cursed myself for the act.

So this must how Sumia feels…

I ran over to the medical tent and went through the boxes to find a healing potion or something for my hand.

"Ow! I used the last of the salve yesterday, but this cut still stings. What to do, what to do..."

A voice jolted me, "You're not out of salve. I restocked your medical supplies this morning." I froze, and I had to catch myself from gazing too much.

"You did? Ah, that's great. Thank you, Cordelia. You never miss a detail, do you?"

The redhead looked at me like I had two heads, "I just like to stay on top of things. By taking stock of everyone's equipment, I know when anything needs replacing."

"Wait, you keep track of everyone's equipment?! And all in your head?"

"Of course. Imagine the chaos if our potions and equipment ran out at the same time."

"Um, of course," I laughed and scratched the back of my head, "Well, I can see why everyone calls you…a genius."

I struck a nerve and I may or may not have done that on purpose, "Do not call me that!" She spat out as if I insulted a family member of hers.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't any offense."

Cordelia sighed and dropped her look of terror, "No, of course you didn't. Please forgive me. It's just that...my superiors called me that from the moment I joined the knights. It was so very hard sometimes. Little Lady Genius, they called me. They teased and taunted me..."

"Oh." I tried to act surprised.

"They mocked me, too...My appearance, and my javelin technique." She looked very depressed now. It was my turn to be frustrated.

How could anyone mock such a beautiful, talented woman?! If only I had a way to scold her comrades, I would! They deserve it!

I then realized they were all dead, so it didn't matter anymore, "Gracious! I had no idea members of the Pegasus knights could be so spiteful. I assure you, when I called you a genius, I meant it only as a compliment."

"I know, I'm just overly sensitive, that's all." She was staring down to the ground now. I guess I wouldn't look at myself, either, me and my ugly mug.

"Well, if you ever need to talk, just let me know."

She seemed to perk up, "Well, since you offered," a small lance was pulled out, "What do you think of this javelin? I'm not sure about the balance, myself."

"Oh, umm, I meant if you ever need to talk about...never mind."

And that was when I faked my way in lance school and pretended to know about smithy and how lances work…

After the nice chat, we reconvened with the other Shepherds and prepared for the day at hand. Stahl had food in his hand and I'm sure Gauis stuffed some in his pockets, but everyone else appeared ready. The wind picked up immensely, creating low visibility and slow walking in the desert. We were close to three small houses when a little girl and a tall, buff man were running away from something.

I heard the girl first, "Ah! Get away! Everyone just leave me alone!"

"Please, be keeping down with the voice! You give away position! Very bad!" The redhead man spoke with a thick accent.

"My throat is dry, my shoes are full of sand, and some big weirdo is trying to kill me!"

Chrom yelled at the man while pointing his sword at him, "You there! Fiend! Keep your hands off that maiden!"

"Who is fiend? You mean Gregor? No, friend! You have idea wrong!"

Lissa, along with Donnel, glared at the guy, "Yeah right! Creep!"

Gregor sighed and shook his head, "This day has been nothing but insults and punches to groin. And all for doing good deed! Listen, friend! Gregor only want to—"

The swordsman was cut off by an explosion and a flash of fire. Magic fireball. A ball of fire went over the heads of the petite girl and the redhead.A Plegian mage came into view out of a dust storm, "Gotcha, you slippery scamp! Prepare for a dose of Grima's wrath."

Gregor pleaded more with Chrom, "Oy, this is most terrible! Do you see now? They make with the catching of us!"

After more bickering, Chrom gave up and let Gregor fight alongside us, "This is making my head hurt. We'll sort him out later. Right now, we need to protect the girl." The future exalt noticed the houses in the distance, "We need to warn these villages of the danger. But who to send? Best if it's someone who can move swiftly through the sands."

I poked him on the shoulder, "Oh Chrom, remember our chat from last night?"

"Hm? Um? Oh yes! Cordelia!"

The crimson Pegasus knight was summoned, "Y-yes, my lord?"

"Take us to that mage! Let's take these dastards head on!" As he grabbed her by the hand to her pegasus. She nodded and they rode off over the dust storms. Not far behind them was Sumia and Gauis. The rest of the Shepherds charged at lurking mages and barbarian Plegians that were hiding among the sand. I ordered Lon'qu to catch up to Gregor and the girl. With a grunt and side eye, he swept through the sand with ease as I covered his back. A Plegian came out of a fort and jumped in the air, attempting to slash at the girl. With a scream, she transformed while clutching a stone…

"By the gods, she's a manakete. I never thought I'd see one." Chrom looked down as he witnessed a girl become a terrifying yellow dragon. A force to be reckoned with, Lon'qu and I stopped our pursuit of that couple and focused our attention on the enemy. Sully and Vaike had no problems of their own, but that couldn't be said of Lissa and Donnel. The blonde healer used most of the staves to continuously heal Donnel. I told Fredrick to go help them out. Sumia and Gauis were able to reach all the houses to warn the village of the commotion. The commoners were very pleased with our help.

"Gods praise ye, good people! Gods praise ye one and all! We live in constant fear of what the Grimleal will do to us!" cried an old man.

"You have our thanks for the warning." Smiled another.

"Really? You'll protect the village? This little dung heap? Goodness, you are kind!" stated a young maiden.

After more mages and barbarians and thieves coming out of hiding, all that was left was the head mage.

He just snickered and stared me down, "Ha ha! You dare defy Grima, god of annihilation? And certainly not me, Chalard!"

"Enough." I blasted three straight thunderbolts at his direction. He was able to dodge the first two, but not the third. He went down with a soft thud, all burnt up from the lightning that went through his weak body.

"Master Grima...my life force...is yours."

The storms settled down, convincing us that wind magic was probably at play to throw us off. We didn't have home field advantage anymore, so we had to keep our wits sharp. More was to be expected, I was certain. The manakete came up to us, followed by Gregor, then the rest of the Shepherds.

"This is just the worse. Day. Ever!" cried the dragon girl that was back in human form.

"Ho now, wee one! Do not make with the crying of tears. The evil people are now dead people. This is good, no?" Gregor supported the girl and gave her a hug. She responded well enough and took him in and explained herself. She was captured and sold by men that paraded her as a pet. Actually, worse than a pet. Nothing unexpected from the Plegians. Gregor revealed himself to be a mercenary that was looking for work. Chrom didn't need any more convincing after the fight, he was hired. A bunny person came out of hiding, showing interest in the new Shepherds. Panne scowled at Gregor, calling him a manspawn or something then hopped away.

Flavia and Basilio joined the conversation and suggested we continue to march to the Plegian capital. Emmeryn's life had no time to spare.