We only lost a handful of ships and a negligible number of soldiers, if the preliminary reports were to be believed. Standing on the lead ship and looking at the splintered and broken remains of the Valmese fleet, at least those that didn't turn tail and flee, I could see, pragmatically, that it was a win. I should've been happy. Jumping for joy, even. Not a single Shepherd lost in the whole campaign so far and only minor losses on our end, even accounting for the Port Ferox Tragedy.

I should've been happy, but I wasn't.

"Hot damn!" Basilio guffawed. "Here I was thinking you were crazy, Robin. Thought your plan would cook us all like hams. Consider this Khan humbled! Har!"

We stood on the deck of the lead ship. Everyone else was near the middle while I stared out at the wreckage.

"The pegasus knights have reported back, milords," Phila said, her voice steady and her arms behind her back. "Besides a few stragglers, the Valmese fleet has been completely wiped out. As far as I know, the only survivors are those captured by Sir Alexander."

"Crazy dastards," Chrom murmured. "They charged straight for our supply ships. What were they thinking?"

Flavia shrugged. "Loyalty, I'd guess. Must've known they were going to lose and wanted to cripple us before we could make it to their shores. Didn't work, though. Not with that stone wall over there."

"My Knight is quite capable, yes," Robin agreed. "However, there are more important things to discuss, I believe."

"Could we get away from all this, before we do that?" I asked quietly, turning around. "I'm… I'm sick of looking at this."

We settled down in our usual places, with me next to Robin and everyone else choosing whatever chair they wished. I took a deep breath before we began, feeling nervous sitting so close to Robin, for some reason.

"The campaign has been a success, so far," Chrom began. "Having two years to prepare has been a blessing. What with our troops, supplies, and the ships given to us, I feel we could take on the entire empire!"

"I would keep our enthusiasm to a minimum, Chrom," Robin commented. "I know it seems as if the past few weeks have been easy, all things considered, we still have not faced their full strength yet. Remember, they have the strongest cavalry in the world, so I've heard. We have been lucky that they haven't had the chance to utilize them yet."

"You're right, Robin," Chrom nodded, his eyes closed. "You're right, as always. It's easy to forget that this war has only just begun. It already feels like it has been going on for years."

"If what your time-traveling daughter's said is true, then there'll be many more years of fighting to come," Basilio wiped at his face. "Brings a tear to my eye. It's a Feroxi's dream."

"Now's not the time for jokes, oaf," Flavia grunted. "If he's not going to take this seriously, then I will. Sir Alexander, have you interrogated the men you've captured?"

I could feel Robin's gaze on me. Why was I so scared of him all of a sudden? "I… I haven't. Not yet. I came here right when the battle ended. They're still being held prisoner on the ship I commanded."

I flinched when Robin put a hand on my shoulder. It did not go unnoticed by him. "When you do, be sure to take Phila with you. Having two high-ranking soldiers in our army pressing them should cause one of them to crack, at least," He turned to everyone else at the table. "And… talk to me later. You seem on edge."

I nodded as Phila spoke. "If you will it, Grandmaster Tactician."

"Good," Robin said. "Now, Chrom, loathe as I am to do so, we must go over the casualty reports…"

I was going to talk with the soldiers we captured the next morning; it was getting late by then. However, I still stayed on the lead ship, looking out at the cold and clean sea. The stars reflected off the ocean, and it looked like the entire world had been devoured by the sky.

Here he comes.

"Alex," Robin began, coming up right beside me and looking out to the waves. "You've been on edge since you came back. What's wrong?"

My lips thinned as I propped up my elbow on the wooden railing, holding my iron hand up in the air. "Something didn't seem right, about what we just did. Something's wrong, Robin, and I don't know what. We won, didn't we? We won, but I don't feel any better about it."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "I don't understand."

"I don't either!" I nearly exclaimed. "I don't know why I'm feeling like this. This isn't that usual pull I get, either. I'm used to that. This… This is different."

"Alex, please," Robin pleaded. "You're my friend; I want to know what troubles you. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong!"

"I just," I took a deep breath, trying to get my ragged breathing and near-bursting heart under control. "Okay. Okay, okay, okay. Just, Robin. Killing is something we do. That's the way of the world. I've accepted that. It's never, ever, personal. What we just did to the Valmese, was it… Fuck, I can't believe I even thought that. Robin, was your plan personal? Was it vengeance?"

Robin looked at me, confused. "Are you- are you seriously asking me that right now?"

I held up my iron hand. "I know, I know. It was a stupid question. They burned down an entire town full of civilians. We destroyed their navy, full of people who probably volunteered. I told you, Robin, I don't know why I feel like this! Just," I sighed. "You're better off ignoring me, right now. I'm not making any sense."

"On that, we can agree," Robin replied quietly. "What a question to ask. They burned down a town, Alex. Do not tell me you feel sympathy for them."

"It's not so much that, Robin," I shook my head. "You're right; those bastards burned down Port Ferox. This is war, too. It doesn't matter if we sink to their level; we're all swimming around in blood. That's just the way things are." I looked up and out to the ocean. "I just wish it didn't have to be that way, I guess. All the pain, all the bloodshed. I'm already sick of it, and it's just begun."

"It won't be that way forever, Alex," Robin said adamantly, putting a gloved hand on my shoulder. "One day, we will be able to rest easy. All of us."

"Weren't you the one who said something else, back in Ylisse?" I asked, giving him a sardonic smile. "Something about how, even without Grima, there will still be wars? Still be battles, be killing?" I let out a low chuckle. "I find myself thinking about that now. I'm a knight, Robin. Your knight. Things aren't gonna get peaceful anytime soon, I don't think. Not for us. This is a way of life. Imagine us, thinking we could live in a world without war."

"Moping about it on the deck of the ship will not help matters," Robin pointed out, crossing his arms. "In fact, I think that only exacerbates the issue."

"Maybe," I nodded, conceding his point. "I'm just, it's nostalgic, fighting for a goal that we'll probably never see. Never thought anyone else would be doing it."

"What are you talking about?"

I waved my iron hand. "Nothing, Robin. Nothing at all," I stood up straight, my back cracking as I stretched. "I think we should go to bed. It's getting late."

Robin stopped me from moving. "Alex, listen to me." I blinked. "One day, I promise you, this will end. We will be free from all of this hatred and blood," Robin looked down, his eyes seeing something I couldn't. "I will be free from this ungodly burden. I think I know what has you so disturbed. You think I am becoming like him, don't you?"

"Wha-!?"

"Like Grima," Robin explained further. "You think that this is but a prelude, that this is a slippery slope. I assure you, it is no such thing. I will not even call it justice. This was the best strategy using the best tools we have. I will not turn into that… into the Fell Dragon."

I looked around wildly, making sure no one heard him. "Why don't you just go around telling everyone that, why don't you?"

"Because I'm terrified they will reject me."

"And here I am, telling you all that shit back at Carrion Isle and then worrying about some bullshit like this," I facepalmed, groaning. "Look, I'm sorry, Robin. I'm not sure if that's what's got my gut all wrong, but if it is, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a hypocrite. I just-!"

"Alex, I understand. You told me yourself. You have a wife and child to worry about now," Robin smiled. A genuine smile. "You want what's best for them. I-I almost envy you that."

Do I tell him? I think I'm going to tell him.

"You will, Robin. Well, hopefully," I replied. "You have us. The Shepherds. But, there's, uh, one thing I never told you."

Robin looked at me strangely.

"It's said that you could have a child too," I said quickly, deciding to pull the band-aid off all at once. "In your case, a little girl. Morgan's her name."

Robin's mouth plopped open, almost making me laugh. Thankfully, I kept it to giggles. His brows furrowed. "This is quite a thing to drop on someone on such short notice, Alex."

"Aren't I the best at that, though?" I chuckled. "How many times have I done that to you, I wonder? Three, four times? Heh."

"I'm not worrying about that right now; what you said before is much more important to me!" Robin pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't- Alex, I didn't think I even liked-!"

"That you don't like women? Or, rather, you didn't find them attractive or some shit like that, right?" I finished for him. He nodded sheepishly. I shrugged. "Can't really give you an answer for that, man. Hell, I did say it was possible, not that it was certain. We could ask Lucina or the others for confirmation if you want. Beyond that, though, adoption is always possible."

"It's much too late for this sort of talk," Robin held his head in his gloved hands. "A man can only take so many revelations before he loses it. I need to lay down."

"Didn't I say that earlier? How the turn tables."

"Your dry sense of humor truly knows no bounds."

"Would you have me any other way?"

"No," Robin shook his head. "No, I wouldn't. This conversation has been rather enlightening, in an odd way. Good night, Alex."

I watched him walk away, leaving me alone with the endless void of stars that surrounded our ships. "Good night, Robin," I frowned. "Good night."

I slammed the door behind me, stopping myself just barely from snarling in futile rage. "Fucking dickheads!" I growled. "I spare their lives and this is how they pay me back!? Spitting in my face when I ask questions!? Fuck!"

"Sir Alexander," Phila said, her stern voice cutting through the fog of rage in my mind. "Tearing apart the woodwork of our ship is ill-advised."

I blinked, looking down at myself. My iron hand was pumped back, ready to slam into the wooden wall in front of me. Rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly, I turned and propped my back against the wall. "I don't get it, Phila," I sighed. "I just don't. They've lost. They know it. But…"

"Would you do any different, were you in their shoes?" She asked pointedly. "They are loyal to their sovereign, just as you are. You would not give up valuable secrets of the Halidom were you captured, of course."

I looked at her for a second before shaking my head. "Of course not."

"Then why would you assume they would be so forthcoming with their own secrets? They may not be knights save one, but everyone has their own personal code that they will stick to."

I groaned. "Fuck, I get it already," I shrugged. "It's just been a frustrating week, alright? I don't understand how you're not about to burst yourself."

"I have been in this position for many years, Sir Alexander. I can deal with copious amounts of stress," Phila explained clinically, her hands behind her back. "If you and Cordelia are to be mine and Sir Frederick's successors, then you must be able to handle the same."

I blinked, confused by her words. "Successors?"

"Indeed," Phila nodded. "Did you not notice? This is Sir Frederick's way of 'grooming' you, as it were. Although I wish he did not choose such a chaotic time as this. However, considering his condition, he must have thought he had no other choice. I should count my blessings that I have had time to properly instruct Cordelia before she becomes Flight-Commander."

A part of me knew that was true. Hell, I saw it coming. Ever since Owain called me Knight-Commander by accident. Still, I couldn't help but groan and bury my face in my hand. "Can say that again. Not that I'm averse to the idea of Cordelia and I being those, er, Flight-Commander and Knight-Commander. Just wish I… Yeah, just wish I had time to get used to the position."

"That is why I am here, Sir Alexander. I will instruct you both, if I must," Phila said. "The first item on the agenda must be learning to control your anger. It is unbecoming of you to lose your senses because of simple japes. You will face much worse, should you become Knight-Commander."

"Phila, I've been to hell and back, quite literally, and mostly kept my cool," I replied hollowly. "This was just a lapse. A small outburst. Nothing more."

"Hmm. Perhaps," Phila conceded, before sighing. "Even with my patience, these will be trying times."

"Do all pegasus knights sigh like that, or is it just you, Sumia, and Cordelia?"

"You have spent more time with those two than I have, so I will let you come to your own conclusion on the matter." Phila replied, seriously.

I had to fight the urge to slam the back of my head into the wooden wall. "Here I thought you were completely humorless!"

"I wasn't joking."

"Of course you weren't!" I let out a breath. "What's even the point of interrogating these guys anyway? I doubt they know all that much."

"They could tell us about what lies within Valm. Specifically, the port we will besiege. Being Robin's right hand man, I thought you would see the value in this information," Phila answered.

"Damn you for being right," I grumbled. "Alright, we still have about a week until we make landfall. Let's come back in a few hours and try again."

Valm resembled a massive fortress from the sea. Valm Harbor did, at least. Of course, that was only the name of the place in the game. According to the men we captured, it had a more unique name: Saber's Rest. The significance of the name was lost on me, although the captured Valmese seemed to regard the name with a certain reverence. Probably a legendary figure or something; stuff wouldn't need to know about. All I needed to know was what I was looking at, and what they eventually told me.

Looks like the man-made equivalent to a walnut.

Beyond that, though, I didn't get much. The soldiers hadn't been at the harbor for weeks, if what they told me was true. A complete fortress, with very few weak-points. I told everyone what I'd learned, as little as it ended up helping.

"The harbor seems well-fortified," Chrom observed, his cape billowing in the cold wind. "The docks looks to be the least armed, but even then, they're easily defensible."

Most of the war council stood on the lead ship, looking out at the harbor.

"Maybe they'll think we're their friends?" I commented, crossing my arms. "Just tell them we came back from a booze trip."

"Uh huh, back from a 'booze trip' with a full contingent of soldiers and an armada full of warships and transports," Chrom smirked. "I will authorize it if you volunteer to tell them."

I raised my iron hand, ready to fire back another quip only for silence to follow. "Damn, got me there. Fine, let's just kill them all then?"

"That'd be the Feroxi way. Knew there was a reason I liked you!" Basilio laughed. "But, in all seriousness-"

"Didn't know you had a serious bone in your body, oaf. Least not one I haven't broken."

Basilio pounded his chest. "It'll take more than a few jabs to get to me, Reigning Khan! Anyways, like I was saying before she interrupted me, I think a direct approach would be best," Basilio walked to the railing of the ship, looking out to the harbor. "It's not like they got any weak points beyond the docks. Hell, think I see a lil' sandbar over there. Perfect for a beachhead. Heheh, beach."

"Basilio has a point, Chrom," Robin agreed, walking up next to the blue-haired lord. "We outnumber them. If we were to get through to the main square, and push them out from there, the port would be ours."

Chrom looked down, thinking. "It's a risky plan, I'll admit, but I can't see any other way."

"I would've suggested a different one. But from here…" Robin shook his head. "Sometimes the direct approach is the right one, and in this instance, I think that holds true."

"I will trust your judgment, my friend," Chrom said, turning to me. "Alex, get the men ready. We attack in an hour."

Pippin's hooves sank into the loose sand of the beach as he trotted along. I could feel the relief radiating off him. Felt bad that he had to spend so much time on a boat, but I needed him. I stood beside Robin and Chrom, with Phila and the Khans just behind them.

I dismounted. My feet sunk into the loose sand with every step. Looking up and shielding my eyes at the fortress-like harbor, I hummed. "It's quiet. When I joked earlier about them seeing us as friends, I didn't expect it to be true."

"Doubtless they saw us as we arrived," Flavia commented. "Not a single arrow or bolt has been loosed. I don't like this."

"I sent a squad of pegasus knights to scout from high above, milords," Phila reported. "With luck, they should be back soon with information-"

As if on cue, a horse's whinny came from above, and in the next moment several sets of hooves settled in the sand. The redheaded leader came forward, dismounting and taking off her winged helmet.

"Commander Phila! Prince Chrom!" Cordelia called, her voice serious. "I have news! The Valmese here have apparently been dealing with revolutionaries in their ranks. I saw a group of them hunting down a Chon'sinian woman through the streets. From what I could tell, she was unarmed, and lightly armored. She won't last long!"

"Revolutionaries?" Chrom echoed. "So, a resistance has formed against Walhart and his tyranny."

"It's only logical," Robin said, his brows furrowed. "Although I do wonder why the Empire would send a contingent to our shores if they're still dealing with dissent in their own lands."

"Who cares?" Basilio asked loudly, brandishing his axe. "An enemy of theirs is a friend of ours. Whoever this woman is, she's made the start of this battle a whole helluva lot easier!"

"The oaf's right," Flavia laughed. "Let's take 'em out before the sun sets!"

"Alright, seems like we won't get a better chance than this," Chrom said. "Robin? I leave the planning to you."

"I would not have it any other way, Chrom," Robin smiled. "First, we need to save that woman. Alex? Take Stahl and Panne with you and run down the men hunting her."

My lips pursed at hearing Panne's name. I'd've rather taken Nowi than Panne. At least Nowi didn't eat people. But, Robin left Nowi and Nah back in Ylisse, so I really had no choice if he ordered it.

I sighed, nodding. "I'll get a spare sword for her, too."

"Thank you. I realize how you feel about Panne, but trust me, it is better to have two watching your back rather than one, and besides a few more soldiers, I cannot spare anyone else."

I held up my iron hand. "I know, Robin. I know. I trust you. You wouldn't do this unless you had to. I'll go in a second."

Robin nodded, turning to everyone else. "Right then. As for the rest of you…"

I walked along the sandy beach right up to Cordelia and her squadron. "Just wanted to say, good luck."

"Good luck? Hah, do you believe in luck, love?" Cordelia asked, grabbing my left hand and squeezing it. "I don't need luck, Alex. I have you and Severa to fight for."

I smiled. "So you do," I looked up to the imposing fortress that was Saber's Rest. "Well then, just know that I love you."

"I love you, too," Cordelia replied, a small blush forming on her face. "More than you know."

After a quick peck on the lips that I really wanted to last longer, we parted amidst the giggles of surrounding pegasus knights. Even then, I couldn't stop smiling.

It wasn't until I entered Saber's Rest proper, with Stahl and Panne at my back, that that smile was wiped from my face.

Stahl, Panne, and a small group of soldiers was all that was afforded to me, just as Robin told me. The streets of Saber's Rest were crawling with troops, as was also expected. We chose our battles carefully, targeting small squadrons when they got to close to us.

"She is near," Panne's flanged voice rang out, echoing in my ears. "I can smell her. The scent of panic and indignance hangs off her."

"From where?" Stahl asked. Couldn't help but notice the small gold band on his ringfinger.

Panne's glowing red eyes focused down a street. "I can also hear the clanking of armor. Not her own, however. It is those of her pursuers. They are heavily armored and armed, but not mounted."

"That's their mistake," I growled, holding my lance close to me. "Without their cavalry, Valmese go down easily. Panne, Stahl, everyone. Get behind these walls. When the Chon'sinian woman runs past, charge them with everything you've got."

"Hmph. As you wish."

"Understood."

It wasn't long after that I heard what Panne already had - the thundering of armored footsteps on the stone street. No sound of hooves, as far as I could tell.

Are you doubting her, boy scout? This is war, not the castle. You can't afford to be like this.

I shook my head, readying my spear. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest, making my senses sharper, giving me focus. I heard a woman panting as unarmored footsteps ran past us, and I turned the corner, with everyone following.

It wasn't a full cavalry charge, considering it was just Stahl and I plus Panne, if you wanted to count her. But even then, the effect our surprise attack had was devastating. My spear was couched, and the moment it hit a Valmese soldier in the chest it sank into his armor and through his ribcage. I could feel his armor splinter and his bones crack as he was sent a few feet away after being dislodged from my spear. He fell upon the stone ground with a wet 'thunk' as blood slowly drained from the hole in his chest and through his faceplate.

Our soldiers fanned out, fighting the Valmese for all that they were worth. Panne's actions dredged up unpleasant memories, but I'd be remiss to say that she wasn't effective; her claws shredded through armor and skin and bone as if it was all paper. Stahl wasn't a slouch either; his sword cleaved a Valmese's head from his shoulders as he went along on horseback.

A few moment later, and we were all alone. The Valmese lay dead at our feet, their blood seeping into every crack and crevice.

I dismounted, looking down the bright street to see a black-haired woman catching her breath against a stone wall. Turning to Stahl and Panne, I nodded and approached.

"F-fie!" The woman exclaimed as I came closer. "So 'tis true. The Archanean League is born anew and on our shores! By the grace of the Earth Mother and the Divine Dragon! Were it any other time I would be stricken by fear."

She was small and slender, but she clearly had a lot of power behind that body. She wore a magenta robe with lacquered shoulder pads and shin guards, as well as two empty scabbards on either side of her hips.

"Er, nice to meet you, too," I replied, shrugging. "Good to know you already know us, milady. I'm Alexander, knight of Ylisse. Our scouts saw you being chased by the Valmese and our tactician sent us to help you."

"Aye, well met, then!" She said, holding out her hand. I shook it. "I am Say'ri of Chon'sin, and I lead the Resistance against Walhart. If you are as you say, then there may be hope for the world yet."

I was going to say something else before Panne came up behind me. "More patrols on the way, manspawn," Her flanged voice said curtly. "We need to move. Now."

Say'ri's eyes widened at the huge rabbit behind me. I waved my iron hand, attempting assuage her surprise. "She's right. We need to get to Robin and Chrom. If I remember correctly, they should be moving towards the middle of the harbor." I shook my head. "Whatever. Can you walk, milady?"

"That I can, sir. Though I am winded." She replied quickly.

"Good. Either way, I think you should hitch a ride with Stahl over there. That'll make sure we get to where we need to be quick. Oh, and before I forget," I laid my spear against the wall and unsheathed my sword. Holding the blade, I pointed the grip to the Chon'sinian princess. "For your protection."

Say'ri took the sword and I nearly fell back with the flourish she proceeded to do. Her eyes were laser-focused on the blade, studying every inch of the polished metal. After a moment, she nodded, smirking. "Aye, that will do nicely. You have my thanks, Knight Alexander."

"Thank me when the Valmese have been routed and the continent has been liberated," I replied, grabbing my spear. "Stahl, Panne, everyone! To the center!"

Our progress through the harbor was slow. Enemies were everywhere, behind every nook and cranny. It was like a game of, well, I couldn't remember the name of any particular game, not while in the heat of battle, but it involved hitting little pop-up animals every time they came from their holes. Or something like that.

I growled as my spear dug into a Valmese's helmet, shooting straight through the visor and out the other end, and decided to put a stop to my little moment. It was dangerous to space out on the battlefield.

Panne and Stahl, with Say'ri riding with him, as well as the rest of our men fought until we reached the square, or as I came to call it, hell. The clamoring of men in armor and the panicked screeches of pegasi above, as well as the ungodly sound of metal scraping and clashing against metal nearly deafened me. I stood firm, however, and so did Pippin. I was lucky to have a horse like him. Not many of his kind could look straight into combat and not even flinch.

Truly a god amongst equine.

I didn't join the battle earnestly, like last time. No, I'd learned my lesson. Instead, I led my men along the side, bypassing the worst of the fighting and making our way towards where Chrom and Robin should've been, had things gone according to plan. Even while avoiding direct combat, we still found ourselves in a fair share of scraps. Luckily, we were able to kill or fight off all who came against us, and eventually, we reached our destination. As courageous as Pippin had proven himself to be, even he was startled by the Valmese soldier being shocked by yellow, crackling lightning and falling to the floor with black, horrible-smelling smoke wafting from his body.

"Alex, you're here!" Robin exclaimed, a momentary smile flashing across his face as he ushered us back. "Quickly, this way! Did you find her?"

We retreated from the fighting and bloodshed into further down what appeared to be the main street of the harbor. "Yeah, she's safe. She's riding with Stahl, see?"

"Hah, so she is!" Robin sighed gratefully. "Thank the Gods! Er, my apologies. It has been- Just, come in here with me."

He briskly walked into a building, an old tavern by the looks of it. I turned to Say'ri and gave her a sympathetic look. "That's our tactician."

"Fie, but he is a flighty one, is he not?" Say'ri responded.

I laughed dryly. "Yeah. Sometimes, yeah."

The dark tavern was lit up by only a few candles. Tables were pressed against the windows and several broken walls. The place had either been run down before we got here, or a hard battle had been fought there. Considering how the outside world looked then, my bets were on the latter.

"Robin, did they…? Oh, there they are!" I heard someone say, only to see my favorite blue-haired lord come into the light. Stahl and Panne stayed outside while I took Say'ri with me, her blade still brandished. "Good to meet you, my lady. What is your name?"

"I am Say'ri of Chon'sin, and you must be Chrom of Ylisse," The black-haired swordswoman said. "Had I known I would be meeting with you today, I might have procured better garments!"

"Ah, so you know who I am? Who we are?"

"That I do, sir. Few across the long sea do not know your exploits," Say'ri explained. "How you dethroned the cowardly King Gangrel two years ago is a story fit for the sagas."

"As flattering as I am sure this is for Chrom," Robin interrupted, looking between the two royals. "There is a bloody battle going on outside that I intend to win. Now that you're safe, Say'ri, I'll be able to commence the final phase of our plan."

"You intend to garrison the harbor after your victory, correct?" She asked. At Robin's affirmation, she nodded. "I see. You are not so much killing them all as you are pushing them out with sheer numbers. A risky plan, but one that has worked as far as my eyes can see."

"We have the troops for such a plan," Chrom added. "We haven't even taken many losses. Not since, er, not since Ferox, at least."

My gaze hardened as I turned to Robin. "They don't have any trebuchets outside the port, do they? I swear to God, Robin-!"

"Peace, Alex," Robin held his hand up. "I had the pegasus knights confirm their absence, and just to be safe, I had a back-up plan at the ready if things had gone sour."

I let out a sigh of relief at that.

"I can see you are a capable tactician," Say'ri observed, before bowing. "I place myself in your care, Robin of Ylisse."

"Ah, thank you, I suppose," Robin mumbled something under his breath, making me raise a brow. "In any case, once we win the square over from the Valmese, it will be child's play to push them out of the town for good. Any isolated pockets of resistance will crumble without support from the main army. All that remains is, well, pushing them out. Alex?"

I stood at attention. "Yes?"

"I want you to take Stahl and Panne and form a cavalry charge. We've had to deal with many of them the past hour, and I want to give the Valmese a taste of their own medicine," Robin frowned. "Were it not for the training we put our soldiers through, they would have stomped all over us."

My lips thinned but I nodded. "It will be done, milord."

Robin let out a breath as I left. It relieved some of my tension, at least.

"Stahl? Panne? With me."

"Where're we going?" Stahl asked curiously, mounting.

"Straight into hell," I replied succinctly. "That's where. We're making the final push. Gather all the cavalrymen you can and meet me in the square. We're giving these bastards a taste of their own medicine!"

"This charge includes me?"

"Considering how you're able to tear people apart like they're made of parchment, yeah, you are," I replied. "Look at it this way: at least you'll be going in with your husband. Or mate. Hell, how do you two-?"

"T-this is hardly the right time to talk about-!"

"Stahl is my mate, manspawn. Although he does have a strange fascination with sparkly objects. So much so he decided to force one upon my finger," Panne answered easily, standing upright. Her rabbit body's furry skin rippled with each movement.

I gulped. "Alright, well, this is hardly the last conversation I want to have before I possibly go to my death. Let's just cut this short here. Like I said, gather the cavalrymen, and meet me in the square."

Stahl, who was still a little red in the face, nodded. "It'll get done!"

"Hmph."

"Thank you. Both of you," I laughed, getting on Pippin. "If I die today, tell Cordy and Sev that I love them."

Before they could reply, I went into the fray.

It wasn't a suicidal charge; they still needed me to lead the coming charge in the first place. Despite my joking around, I had no intention of dying. Not there. Not then. I stayed at the perimeter of the fighting, crashing against any Valmese that got too close. My spear pierced through their armor and went straight through their flesh. A dozen Valmese met their end that way, gurgling on the ground as the puncture wound slowly bled them to death. It was at that moment that I realized something.

I hate this.

I hated the sounds, the smells, and the feelings of battle and war. I recalled I used to find them nostalgic. Not then. Never again. It was hell, and I hated it. I never wanted to do it again, just sitting upon my horse and taking life after life as if I was a farmer harvesting crops. It was disgusting.

And I knew I wouldn't be able to stop. I couldn't stop. There was too much at stake, too many lives in danger. From Walhart and Grima both. I knew all that, but it didn't mean I would have to like it.

"Alex!" I heard Stahl call out. Pippin whinnied as I turned, seeing him with over a dozen cavalrymen plus Panne and Yarne. Crazy bastard actually brought his son with him. Not that I was pragmatically complaining; having two giant murderous bunnies on our side would help, certainly. I saw Yarne shrink away from me as I approached, favoring his mother's side.

"Stahl," I nodded, smiling. "Looks like we're ready to get this show on the road, huh?"

"Thank the Gods, yes! I could go for a nice warm meal right about now, but I guess we'll have to wait until this battle is over, huh?"

"Sad to say, yeah. Least you'll get to enjoy it with your family. Anyway!" I switched my gaze to the men beside and behind him. "All of you, listen up! Our job is to get the Valmese out of our shiny new harbor. That means pushing them out like the little dastards they are! We're going to ride over them and show them who really has the best cavalry in the world! Who's with me!?"

The men shouted and roared in response, and I found myself laughing again. "Good answer! With me, now! Charge!"

The sound of dozens of hooves upon the earth alongside my own filled and echoed in my ears. We ran straight into the Valmese line, crashing into them like waves against the rock. As before, my spear cut straight through them, sundering the armor and shattering their bones. Yarne and Panne sliced through men as if they were bred for it. Their claws and teeth cut and chewed through the men in front of us. It wasn't long before the Valmese began to retreat, if not because of our charge, then because of the two terrifying rabbits cutting a bloody swath through their ranks.

We weren't without our own casualties. I saw man be torn off his horse by a billhook and fall flat on his neck. Could only imagine the snapping sound it made, like twigs being crushed underfoot. Another cavalryman was riding along before a javelin impaled him through the chest, sending him tumbling to the ground as his horse sped along in a panic.

Despite those small setbacks, we were winning. The remaining soldiers from the battle in the square followed us, cleaning up those we couldn't.

We were almost to the gates of the town, then. The Valmese were routed – they'd lost. We had superior numbers and armaments. There was no hope for them.

"Still with me, Stahl!?"

"Y-yeah, I am!" Was his quick reply. I was amazed we were even able to hear each other over the maelstrom that was the battle.

"Good! Listen, we've almost won. We just need to-!" An arrow whizzed right by me, missing me entirely but messing with my ears. "Fuck! Stahl, can you still-?"

I turned to see the arrow sticking out of his right eye socket. The shaft and feathered bottom looked like a plant growing out of him. His left eye focused on me only briefly, his mouth hanging open like a fish out of water. The next moment, he fell to the ground, completely limp.

The battle still went on, with a dozen arrows being loosed onto our ranks beyond that one, but three of us stopped. Panne and Yarne's bunny form came upon the fallen cavalier, sniffing at him. Panne gently pawed at his corpse, as if a gentle tap was all he needed to get back up again. But he wasn't going to get back up. Dead people didn't get back up. Not unless they were Risen. Stahl wasn't going to get back up again. He was dead. Dead as a doorknob-

Two screeches rang through the battlefield, like someone scratching a chalkboard and slamming a bag full of broken glass, turning the battle into a standoff. Two pairs of blazing eyes turned upon the still retreating Valmese, and in the next moment, the battle turned into a bloodbath.

Claw and tooth crunched armor and weapons as two angry taguel brought their full might against the Valmese, tearing at flesh and bone and cartilage and anything they could get their claws on. I saw Panne tear a man's head clean off with her teeth. A saw Yarne kick another with his hind legs, splattering him against a wall like a blood bag.

…Stahl…

Panne and Yarne reached the small squad of archers, and the two taguel butchered them. Every single one of them. Only a handful of soldiers even made it outside the gates.

A part of me wanted to join them in raging bloody retribution on the Valmese. That part of me went silent as I looked down at my iron hand. Since the battle had simmered down, I gently guided Pippin towards Stahl's body. I dismounted, and my armor's clanking echoed in my ear drums with each step.

I hate war.

"Goddamnit, Stahl," I murmured, kneeling. "I told you none of us would have to die if we just… Fuck…"

Gingerly, I lifted his body up. His head fell backward, the arrow in his eye looking like a feathered flower.

"Let's go, man. It'll be alright."

I will not leave you to rot on the battlefield.

This chapter probably put me on so many people's shit lists, it's not even funny.

So, yeah, Shepherd death numero dos. Who knows how many more there will be?

Here's a link to our Discord: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

See you guys next time!

Edited on 3/20/21. This chapter nearly made me cry on a reread.