That makes it two so far. How many more will fall before this bullshit is over, I wonder? Only one way to find out.

I had to keep my lips from curling in a disgusted snarl. How could I even think that? It was awful, how I was able to come up with thoughts like that so easily. It was an indictment of either me or the situation I found myself in.

I still remembered the way Robin looked at me when I brought in Stahl's body. The way the blood drained from his face. The way his mouth gaped like his jaw was broken. If there'd been any doubt in my mind, somewhere, despite what I had told him, it was quashed then and there. A monster wouldn't weep at the sight of a common soldier dead.

But Stahl wasn't a common soldier, I reminded myself. He was a Shepherd. I didn't know him very well but from the conversation back on the ships, we clearly understood each other.

We interred him just outside the port. What little Valmese made it out were going to be scarred for life, I was sure. We were eventually able to get Panne and Yarne under control, but not before Saber's Rest was colored red with gore. The two taguel didn't get out of it unscathed; Panne had a score of new scars that weren't there before, and Yarne had a scorch mark on his right cheek, but it was clear that we had emerged the victor. Saber's Rest was ours. It didn't feel like a victory, though. Not by a long shot.

Our losses were, like every battle so far, minimal. From a purely statistical standpoint, it was a resounding victory, even though we easily outnumbered the Valmese five to one.

Even Robin couldn't see it as a win.

"O blessed Naga! Divine Dragon of old and god of all that is and ever was, grant this soul mercy!" Libra's light voice rang out, despite the rain that roared around us. "Know that this brave man fought for your kingdom and fought bravely with naught a hint of regret. Let his soul come to your side, as we all shall someday."

I never saw myself as a religious man. Probably never would be, honestly. I'd been raised in a Christian household, although that only came about if you squinted. Hell, I could count the amount of times we attended church on one hand. Naga's religion wasn't my own, and yet I found myself praying, nonetheless. For Stahl. For everyone. For the damn war to be over quickly.

Not religious, huh? Maybe I ought to change that.

Chrom stood next to Libra, looking into the slowly closed coffin. He was drenched by the rain and yet he stood there still, as if punishing himself for not doing better. For letting a trusted friend fall on the battlefield.

Panne, however, worried me. She stood apart from everyone. Her red eyes darted between everyone, watching them warily. Her arms were crossed, as if she was waiting for something to happen.

I resolved to talk to her, at some point.

We hadn't gone two steps into the port before an incident occurred.

"You were sent here to change the flow of time, manspawn!" Panne snarled, red eyes glaring into Lucina's blue orbs. "All of you were. And yet, my ma- my husband lies dead! Slain by the hands of other men! Why did you not prevent it!? Why did you do nothing!?"

Lightning crashed through the sky, washing away the blood from the battle. Yet, it only highlighted the situation in front of me. The rain soaked through my clothes, and it was hard to see, but that didn't stop what was happening.

Despite the darkness, I could see Lucina's lips thin, and quiver. "I assure you, Panne, that that had I known this was to happen, I would have done anything in my power to prevent it. This did not happen in the future, that I know. Sir Stahl served our house faithfully for many years."

"M-mother, I know it's not her fault. I want to be angry too! But I can't blame them for-!" Yarne began, the bunny man padding up to her mother's side before she looked away from him. "Mother…?"

"All of you, manspawn," Panne growled, clutching a stone in her hand. "These Valmese you speak of, you say they murdered my mate. But in truth, it was all of you. You, the human race, have taken everything from me again."

"Panne, I need you to calm down," Chrom said, standing in front of his future daughter as if to shield her. "Stahl was a good friend of mine, and his death weighs on all of us heavily. I know we didn't know him as you did, but that does not mean you can hurl accusations."

Panne's lips curled back, showing shiny white teeth with prominent canines. "Can I not, manspawn? Had your mate been slain on this battlefield, would you walk, blameless? Can you say that you would act as the perfect paragon as is expected of you? Your friends must not be paying attention."

"Panne," Chrom stepped forward. "All I am asking you to do is calm down-!"

"Stahl's death has proven one thing to me," Panne continued, a resigned tone entering her voice. "Mankind is my enemy. I will never be one of you. Ever. Nor would I want to be. You are all monsters. Every single last one of you!"

She stalked off, alone, her bare feet slapping against the stone road. Yarne turned to us, his nervous face breaking into a scowl, whether at himself or at us I couldn't tell, and proceeded to run after her.

And, just like that, it was over. The only sound to follow was the constant downpour that surrounded me and the occasional crackle and momentary blue glow of lightning.

I looked down, standing at the side of the harbor square, my breath coming out in ragged, misty gasps.

I hate the cold.

"Alex?" A voice I knew intimately asked, just next to me. A familiar warmth came from my hand as someone grasped it gently. Their fingers intertwined with mine. I turned around.

Cordelia's ruby red eyes were there to greet me. She wore a hooded cloak over her usual clothes, keeping out the rain. I had something similar on myself, although clearly it hadn't worked very well.

"Cordy," I replied, a lump forming in my throat, making it hard to speak. "I…"

I turned to where Panne once stood, realizing I'd just seen a family be torn apart because of war, because of conflict. I imagined what it'd be like if it was me there, lying on the ground with an arrow sticking out of my skull. How would Cordelia react? How would Severa react?

Those thoughts were the reason why I'd become far more cautious during the campaign, since Carrion Isle. I already knew what could happen to me were I to lose Cordelia.

"If we stay out here, we'll surely catch something," Cordelia said quietly, "We need to go inside. Would you like to come with me?"

We'd probably have to rent out room and board with the civilians still within the harbor. That'd be easy. However, I still had one thing to do before I could go with her. My lips pursed as I looked to the ruined tavern that we'd turned into an impromptu command center.

The lightning had grown distant, but the occasional blue flash still shot across the stone buildings around us.

"Cordy, I," I swallowed, "I've got some things to do. With everyone else. When I'm done, I'll come back to you."

She needed me, and I needed her. In that moment more than any other. It was clear we'd both been shaken by both Stahl's death and Panne's outburst. I could almost feel the disappointment radiating off her.

I let go of her hand and quickly brought it up to her wet cheek, feeling her soft skin against my rough hand. I leaned my head down until our lips met. It was a quick kiss, but one I thought we both needed. She wrapped her arms around my waist, almost possessively. When our lips parted, I couldn't help but return the favor.

I'm coming out of this alive. My family is making it out of this alive. I swear on my honor.

I hadn't walked two steps into the old broken-down tavern before a heated discussion broke out. Maybe the next time I entered somewhere I'd be able to get three steps into the room before shit hit the fan.

"-but it is my fault!" Lucina exclaimed. "I should have- I should have known that this could have happened. I just… Sir Stahl lived long after this date, I was sure of it! How could I have let him-!?"

"Lucina, that's enough!" Chrom shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders. "It was not your fault! I know you would have done anything to protect him had you known. But you didn't, because it didn't happen. You can't predict when an enemy will loose an arrow, nor where it will strike!"

"I-I know, father, but-"

"No 'buts'. It wasn't your fault. End of story." Chrom said adamantly, releasing his daughter. "Gods, we should be celebrating a victory, instead, we're mourning the loss of Stahl. Gods' damn them!"

The scene was eerie, as I expected. The tavern was only lit up by a few candles, casting dim light that made long shadows along the broken walls. Chrom, Lucina, the Khans, Sumia, and Robin were there, gathered around the table.

"Guessing I missed some shit, huh?" I said, approaching. Everyone's gaze turned to me.

"You can say that again, Alex," Chrom mumbled, nearly slumping onto the table. "I've been trying to convince everyone that this isn't their fault. Especially Lucina and Robin."

"Stahl's death has left a void," Sumia murmured, hugging Lucina from behind. "It's not your fault, Lucina. I don't think… I don't think anyone could have prevented that."

"Could your worthless tactician have prevented it?" Robin asked hollowly. "You know, he is responsible for keeping everyone alive, and clearly he has failed in his duty here."

"Robin, please, we talked about this!"

"I know we have, Chrom! But my point still stands!" Robin stood up straight, his pale face a grim reflection of the turmoil inside him. "Stahl, a Shepherd, our comrade lies dead, buried six feet under the ground, and I couldn't do anything to prevent it! He relied on me, as you all do, and what did that grant him? An early death. Maybe if I had plotted a different strategy, found an alternate route-"

"What alternate route, Robin?" Khan Flavia asked pointedly, her arms crossed. "You know as well as I do that this place was locked up tighter than an Ylissean noblewoman's purse! There was no way in hell we were getting in here without a frontal assault."

"She's right," Khan Basilio grunted. "So was the prince. Things happen in war, you know. Bad things. And you can't predict them all," Basilio poked at his eyepatch. "Trust me, I know that better than most. I'm sure your knight does too."

I looked down at my iron hand, emotions bubbling inside me.

"The Valmese killed Stahl," I finally said. "They killed him, not any of us. None of us are to blame. It was a stray arrow. I wouldn't call it fate, but it happened, and we've got to deal with it. Shouldering the blame for it won't make this war end any faster."

"He's right," Chrom sighed.

"…Alright," Robin said finally. "I-I suppose we should move on to other topics, then. Namely what to do with the dead. Valmese bodies still line the streets."

"Bury them?" I supplied.

This time, Khan Basilio responded. He shook his head. "It'd take too damn long. I say we burn them. Quick, easy, and efficient."

I wonder if the families of those Valmese we killed will appreciate that. I wonder if Stahl's family will appreciate him being buried in the earth in a foreign land.

I just want to go home.

We never had to really deal with the dead in any disrespectful fashion; our incursions during the Plegian War were always in enemy territory, and we never captured land from them. I never knew what they did with all of the bodies. Burning them made sense. Basilio was right. It still left an awful feeling in my stomach though.

"I've spoken with Say'ri," Sumia began, her gait and stance somehow more confident than I remembered. "She says winter will be here soon. I request that we do our best to fortify and reside here during the next few months."

"If these northern Valmese winters are anything like the ones we get in Ferox, then I agree with the Queen," Flavia grunted. "If we marched out in that snow and ice then half our soldiers would freeze to death."

"That leaves how we're going to feed everyone over the next few months," Robin interjected. "I doubt the port has all the food we'll need, and even with the supplies we brought with us, our stores will be tight."

I opened my mouth to speak. Didn't know what I was going to say but I had to do something, anything. My mind was like a whirlpool, constantly swelling and pulling dark thoughts towards the center and forefront. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how I looked at it, I never got the chance to.

"Milords!" Someone said, walking into the tavern. I along with everyone else turned to see one of our soldiers. He was a bit lanky, but he seemed decent enough if how he moved in his armor was any indication. "Er, I suppose this is a question for the Knight-Captain, actually. U-uh, anyways! Sir!"

"Spit it out, soldier," I rasped. "We're in the middle of a discussion."

"A-aye, a thousand apologies, sir!" The soldier stuttered out, straightening out. "We were unloading our supplies when we found the prisoners from the ship you captured. They were all still waiting within their cells. We put them in with the other survivors from the battle. The men got to talking, I suppose, and they wanted to know - what should we do with them?"

My brows raised in surprise. Whether from what the soldier actually said or the fact that they were coming to me for an answer. I looked to everyone else at the war council to see their gazes focused solely on me. Seemed like they were all waiting to see how I'd respond. How I'd handle it. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and gathered my thoughts.

I've had enough.

My eyes shot open, my gaze hardening into a glare. "Give them enough supplies to get to the nearest village. Remind them that they're the lucky ones, and that I let them go out of good faith. I will not hesitate to cut them down should I find them on the battlefield again. Tell them to return to their families."

The room was silent. Even the soldier was stunned.

"Well? What're you waiting for?" I barked, "Go. Tell them."

"Y-yes sir! Thank you, sirs and ma'ams! Apologies for the interruption!"

The soldier left, and I turned to the rest of the war council. Chrom looked at me, a slight smile on his face as he nodded at me.

"Well, guess our supplies can't be too bad if we're just giving them away," Basilio commented.

"I do have to ask why you would do that, Alex," Robin said, leaning on the table in the middle of the tavern. "They are the enemy. Their gratefulness will not outweigh their loyalty to their liege."

I stared at Robin, my expression blank. "I've had enough death today, Robin. Haven't you?"

Robin blinked at me, before sighing. "I suppose I have."

"I think I'm going to spend the rest of the night with my wife and daughter, guys," I added, turning around. "I-I hope you all have a good rest of your night, I guess."

A few mumbled farewells were the response. I braved the cold, icy rain outside and went to look where Cordelia went.

We were going to spend the winter hunkered down in Saber's Rest. The details were hammered out in the days following our takeover of the harbortown. I'd learned in the next week that many of the buildings within the harbor had been abandoned, left behind by their original inhabitants when the Valmese took the place over. Those who were left, however, were more than happy to let us stay. Hell, most of them helped us build and repair the perishable and cheap housing on the outside of the wall as well as the desolate buildings within the port itself.

The housing outside the port was cheap, but effective. Layer upon layer of walls were erected. Mostly wooden with an odd bit of stone here and there. It was the best we could do on such short notice and with winter spreading its chill through the air.

The first snow fell in November. It blanketed the entire world in a sheet of white, and the temperature tanked until I couldn't stay outside for more than a few minutes comfortably.

With everything ready, all that we had to do was wait for the thaw of Spring.

With so much time on my hands, I was in need for things to do. Anything, really. Sparring and training was all well and good, but sometimes I'd have to rest, and I'd be bored.

With that in mind, I decided to explore. I brought up our small shortage of weapons in the war council, which Say'ri had joined, and the black-haired Chon'sinian princess let us know about a warehouse, one of many on the shore. It had been used by the Resistance to store weapons, but she assured us that more than that laid there.

We set out immediately.

"So," I began, my breath for once not fogging up in front of me. "What's the story behind this secret cache, milady? Did you forget that all those shiny weapons were there or something?"

Everything was blanketed in a sea of white. Icicles hung from overhanging roofs, threatening to fall at any moment. It was definitely well-below freezing, which made layering ourselves in as much warm cloth as we could possibly find necessary. I wore at least three layers of clothing, with a dark brown, somewhat raggedy cloak over it all the cover my head. A face-mask was all I got for my, well, face. While I must've looked like a tall, stocky monster walking through the frozen streets, Say'ri almost looked like a ball of cloth. The petite Chon'sinian princess tried her best to appear dignified while looking like a bursting tick, and she did a decent job of it, to be sure.

I hate the cold.

"Nay, Sir Alexander," Say'ri responded, leading me further and further down the line of storehouses. "Surely you jest! The Resistance, even at its beginnings, would never forget what is stored there. Our operations within Saber's Rest had been compromised, you see. A turncoat among our ranks who defected to the Empire. When we fled, we could not carry all of our equipment. So it was decided that we would hide them until such a time came that we could retake them. I was in the process of doing as such when- You know the rest of this tale."

I nodded solemnly. "The war's barely begun for us and it's been pretty brutal. Can't imagine how tough it's been for you guys."

"I have had to say goodbye to many close friends. Fie, sometimes I do not even receive that courtesy!" Say'ri exclaimed before sighing. "But that is enough palavering. It is here."

We stopped in front of one of the man inconspicuous looking warehouses that dotted the frozen shoreline. I couldn't help but compare them to empty coffins, what with them shuffled side by side in near-perfect order.

I turned to the black-haired swordswoman. "Is the door locked?"

"Nay. I unlatched it myself last I was through here," She supplied.

My brows furrowed. "Then how do we know there's still anything in there?"

"'Tis what we are here to be doubly sure of, is it not?" She looked at me curiously.

I removed my itchy face-mask and sighed, the air in front of me fogging up and almost blinding me. "Suppose we are. Alright, let's take a look-see."

I braced both my left and iron hand against the double doors and pushed. The doors groaned and squeaked with every inch, assuring me that they hadn't been opened in some time. I supposed that answered one question, at least. With one final push, and a near-deafening screech, the doors were opened, and the snow, wind, and cold entered the storehouse alongside us.

I was met with several stacks of uneven crates, covered in tattered cloth. I took step after step into the warehouse, almost like I was afraid to set something off.

"Hah! They have not so much as been touched since we left!" Say'ri proclaimed. "Fortune favors us!"

I let out a dry chuckle. "Heh. Looks like it. Let me just take a look at 'em."

The tops of the crates weren't hammered shut, thankfully, which made inspecting their contents all the easier. Inside them were swords, axes, spears, halberds, billhooks, war scythes, bardiches, everything we would need. There was a great variety of them, to be sure. Several blades looked to be of Chon'sinian make; curved, single-edged swords. Great for cutting through flesh but not much else.

I smiled. "Okay, yeah, we're definitely back in business. You've got a dragon hoard in here. This is, well, quite literally everything we could've asked for and more."

"You and yours are helping me liberate Chon'sin and the rest of the continent from Walhart's tyranny," Say'ri replied, "I would gladly give a hundred times more had I the means, and I know my compatriots within the Resistance would as well. We are in this together now."

"I guess we are, huh?" I looked off to the side. "I'll need to file a report for Robin. He'll decide where and who these things should go to- What's that?"

Say'ri followed my gaze to an item hidden in shadow. She squinted to get a better look before her eyes widened almost comically. "Fie! It can't be!"

"Can't be? Can't be what? Hang on." I approached it. It was propped against one of the many crates within the warehouse, cloaked in black. When I got closer, however, I realized what it was: a sword within its scabbard. A nice-looking one too, considering its color. The scabbard was lined with golden accents, which became apparent when I picked it up.

The grip could hold two hands, but it fit comfortably in one. The grip led to a circle-shaped cross-guard with two extensions leading to either side, with a design I couldn't recognize emblazoned on it. Curiously, I began unsheathing the blade. I held it up into the cold light cast from the doorway.

It looks familiar.

"Milady, any idea what this is?" I asked curiously, still inspecting the sword.

"That, Sir Alexander, is Sol," She answered, almost reverently. "An ancient weapon, forged in a time long since passed. It was once a treasure housed by the ruling family of the Old Province of Valm, until Walhart deposed them. It was secreted away to Chon'sin as the war raged on. I had thought it lost with the rest of our Regalia, but perhaps someone left it here for us."

"That makes it important, huh?" I asked.

Say'ri almost sputtered. "I-it is a priceless artifact, to be sure, but it is a sword. It is meant for one purpose: killing. Leaving it unused would be a disservice."

"Are you saying I should keep it? Finders keepers and all that?"

Say'ri raised a brow. "'Finders keepers'? I am unfamiliar with that term, but what I am suggesting is that we take this to your tactician, along with any other unusual oddities we may find within."

I gave the sword a test swing. It felt good to use, and it cut through the air easily. It felt light, almost worryingly so, as I was accustomed to my weapons having a bit more weight.

"Now this. This is a sword," I said, a goofy grin spreading across my face.

"Er, yes, it is." Say'ri looked at me worriedly. "I fail to see why you did not grasp that when you unsheathed it."

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that," I clarified. "I meant like- It's hard to say. Anyway!" I coughed, putting the gold-tinted blade inside its scabbard. "We should probably, well, fuck, we're going to have to count all this, huh? Let's go get some help."

"…and that's all there is to it, Robin. I hope you appreciate it, because I spent the better half of my afternoon counting these fucking things when I could've been doing much more entertaining stuff. Like counting the snowflakes and writing down their patterns. Or snuggling with my wife-!"

Robin held a hand up, cringing. "Please! Do not say another word! I do happen to appreciate your service today, Alex. Thank you."

Say'ri looked from me to Robin with a puzzled expression on her face. "Fie, you two are a strange duo. I have heard stories of knights and those they serve, and I do not mean to come across as rude, but neither of you resembles what I imagined."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I never really went through the proper procedure," I explained, crossing my arms. "Lots of complicated political stuff that I don't give a shit about. Anyways, we've got a few weapons that kinda stood out. First and foremost, this."

My iron hand tapped against the scabbard of Sol, the sword itself laying on Robin's makeshift desk. Early into our occupation, he chose a building centered smack-dab in the middle of the port town. Like many of them, it was spartan but livable enough. Only the soft glow of candlelight lit up the chilly room.

Robin reached a gloved hand out to the sword, picking it up. He unsheathed it slightly, inspecting the blade. "You said this is a Regalia weapon?"

"Aye, that I did," Say'ri confirmed. "Records of a weapon named 'Sol' have been passed down for countless generations, even beyond the accursed Schism. 'Tis not even stated whether the weapon has always been a blade; fie, there are even accounts of it being a spear."

"Sword's a sword. Be a waste to not use it," I commented.

"Indeed," Robin murmured after a small pause. "Hmm. Why don't you hold onto it, Alex?"

My lip twitched. "Heh, I was actually going to ask that myself."

"I am not averse to the idea. Sir Alexander seems capable." Say'ri nodded.

"It'd save me the gold it'd cost to forge a personal weapon for you, at least," Robin said. "And I need that gold right now. I am working on something for my own personal use."

"Well, that's ominous," I mumbled. "Gonna explain or are you just gonna sit there cackling to yourself?"

"Why do you have to say it as if I'm a witch?" Robin asked aloud. "It is nothing dangerous. Well, nothing dangerous for me, I should say. I'll be sure to send for you when it is done. I have a feeling you'll be impressed."

I snorted. "We'll see about that, Robin." I picked Sol up from the desk, strapping it to my hip. "We'll see."

I trudged through snow up to my knees on the outskirts of Saber's Rest. The sky was a clear blue that day, a small reprieve in the constant snow and dark clouds that had ensnared us for the majority of our time in Valm.

Eventually, I made it to my destination: a small, relatively isolated little shack. The person inside knew I was coming. Hell, I'd been stopping by almost every day since the end of the battle.

The door creaked open, and two red eyes glared at me from the darkness.

"You come here every day, manspawn. Why? What purpose does this game serve?" Panne hissed angrily.

"People are still asking about you, Panne," I replied, crossing my arms as my breath came out in a white mist. "They're worried. Ever since Stahl's… since Stahl's death you've become a recluse. Your son's still with everyone. Hell, I saw him and Noire walking the town the other day. We can help you."

"No. No you cannot," Came Panne's reply, acidly. "You manspawn have such thick skulls. How do you even stand upright without the weight of it sending you to the ground?"

"Do you think Stahl would've wanted this, Panne?" I asked, pointedly. "He spent his entire time with you trying to get you around all of us. We changed our own diets because he suggested it! Everything you're doing is spitting in his face!"

The taguel snarled, nearly splintering the door off its hinges. I stood my ground that time, staring her down as she marched up to me.

"What would you know about what he wanted!? The only reason I ever associated with any of you beyond simple acknowledgement was because of him! But now he is dead. He is gone, and I am alone once more."

I shook my head slowly. "You're not alone, Panne. You have Yarne. And you could have us, too."

"Hah, your words are as empty as your skull. Naught but several moons ago you could not even face me without shivering." Panne turned around, marching into the rickety shack. "And now you would lecture me on companionship? You do not know the slightest thing about me, manspawn."

"You're hurting. I know that much," I said mildly. "And sequestering yourself away all the way out here isn't going to make the hurting stop. Running won't make it stop."

"Get out of my sight, manspawn."

Panne proceeded to slam the door, causing the entire structure to shake. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

…This is going to take a while, huh?

Furious shouts echoed across the empty and cold training ground as our blades clashed. Short-lived sparks fell from our blades as we took swipe after swipe at each other, always ending up blocking or attempting to parry the other. Finally, after one more climactic locking of swords, we separated, gaining distance from each other.

My breath hung in the air as my eyes never left Chrom's. The Prince of Ylisse seemed a bit winded, but beyond that he seemed fine.

In a battle of attrition, he'll come out on top.

I'd long given up the notion of ever beating Chrom in single combat. The man had monstrous strength, easily being able to break any guard through sheer power alone. Then again, I did take my victories wherever I could; just being able to exhaust him was enough for me. However, the spar wasn't over, and having used Sol against Falchion, I wanted more. Needed more.

I may've hated war, but combat? Combat was still a thrill. One I couldn't get enough of.

Smiling, I stood up straight. "Getting a little tired, huh?"

Chrom laughed, flourishing Falchion with one hand. "Not even close. I'm just getting started!"

I guffawed. "Ha! Alright then, let's make a show!"

We charged at each other again.

I had to use Sol to keep myself standing, towards the end. The cold wind blowing against my sweat-soaked face was surprisingly refreshing, although a bit too biting, in my opinion. There I knelt, trying to catch my breath, when Chrom came up to me with his hand outstretched.

"I think that's enough for today," He commented. "It's been too long since we've had a good sparring match."

I let out something halfway between a sigh and chuckle before accepting the gesture. He pulled me to my feet with unsurprising strength. "Damn right it has. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have my ass kicked."

"Oh, come now. It wasn't that bad!" Chrom replied, sheathing Falchion. "You had me on my guard for most of that fight. If this had been a real fight with no rules, well, there's no telling who could've won."

I waved my iron hand dismissively. "Now you're just flattering me. I know I'll never beat you Chrom, but that's okay. How many of you are out there, after all?"

Chrom blinked. "Well, only one, I suppose. Well, no, two if you count Lucina."

I opened my mouth to respond but couldn't find any words to rebut with. "She does take after you the most, huh? Had a talk with her the other day, something something 'if a person needs help, I'll help them', kinda thing. You should've been there. She sounded exactly like you."

Chrom laughed, rubbing his forearm. "I guess I'm a lucky man then."

"Fuck, a lot of us are," I smiled, turning to the right and seeing a certain greyish-brown-haired Ylissean Queen bounding towards us. "Chrom, on your right."

"Wha-?"

"Chrom!" She exclaimed. "What're you doing, sparring out in the middle of this cold- Ah!"

Classic Sumia. Tripping over nothing…

She didn't slam face-first into the ground, though. No, Chrom didn't allow that.

"Even with the best boots gold can buy, you still end up tripping," Chrom observed, smirking to himself as he held Sumia, the brunette simply looking up at him with a dumbfounded expression. "Ha, it's kind of nostalgic, actually."

I sighed as Sumia's face turned a shade of red I hadn't though possible before standing upright by herself. "D-don't tease me like that! I appreciate you, uh, keeping me from falling, but what I was about to say was- Oh, forget it. Both of you look fine."

"If Prince Charming over there hadn't caught you," I began, "We'd be the ones fretting over you."

"Prince Charming?" Chrom asked aloud, looking at me curiously. "That's a strange nickname to give me."

"I'm sure it's one Sumia would use to describe you," I replied.

The clumsy Pegasus Knight giggled slightly. "Well, I'm not denying that."

"Oh, is that right?" Chrom asked, brow raised as he approached Sumia. "I've never really seen myself as a 'Prince Charming', although I could think of something similar when I first saw you in that wedding dress."

"Oh, Chrom, stop!" Sumia nearly squealed, holding her hands to her mouth. "You're making me blush!"

"What? I'm just telling you the truth," Chrom said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Even through all of this, you're still the greatest light in my life."

"Oh, Chrom…"

"Well, you guys seem to be off in your own little world," I surmised, picking up Sol and sheathing it. "Should I tell everyone to avoid this place while you two are in it?"

Chrom thought for a moment. "You know what? Yes, Alex. Thank you for offering."

I gave him a thumbs-up. "Hey man, I gotcha. No one's gonna come in here for the next hour, guaranteed!"

I left them behind, wondering if that was how Cordelia and I looked when we were together.

A few hours later, I wanted to indulge in a guilty pleasure of mine. I'd gained several in the years I'd arrived. Baking being one of them. However, there was one more that I got into almost as soon as I arrived.

This novel is trashy and I love it.

"Oh, which one is that, Alex?" Sumia asked, looking over the table at me. "Huh. Confessions of a Noble Maiden. It's been a long time since I read that one!"

"Dorothea can be a bit, uh," I made a circle motion next to my head using my finger. "But at least she knows how to pick them. Swear to God, if she'd gone with that dickhead of a noble, I would've thrown the book out."

"Oh, I know. Good thing the author knew that as well," Sumia giggled. "I'm glad I have the time to do this again. What with everything going on, I haven't really been able to read as much as I used to. Not that I really use it for the same thing anymore…"

I nodded. "Honestly? Same." I smirked. "But that little display earlier, and this whole caring, compassionate queen thing you're going for, hell, you're basically living in a novel now, aren't you?"

"Hah, I guess I am, hmm," Sumia replied, her expression taking on a wistful look. "I-it hasn't been all good, though. There are so many things I need to look at, to approve, to just do, it can be a bit stifling sometimes. Sometimes I can go days without even seeing Chrom; he has own duties to perform as well," A soft smile spread across her lips. "I wouldn't trade it for the world, though. Never. I'm exactly where I want to be."

I blinked, staring at her from across the table.

She's a lot stronger than I gave her credit for.

I looked to the window as a blizzard blew across the land, thinking for a moment.

"Alex? Is something wrong?" Sumia asked worriedly.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Just thinking how lucky Chrom is that he got a girl like you," I leaned back in my chair, putting my book down on the table. "I guess I'm living in my own novel too, heh. Engaged to the woman of my dreams, only to have that taken away because of war." My expression hardened. "When the war is over, and Walhart and Grima are defeated, our wedding will be amazing."

"You really do make her happy, you know," Sumia began, smiling. "Even with all of this bloodshed and chaos, I don't think I've ever seen her smile as much as she does now. Heh, sometimes, like during our battle with the Valmese fleet, I'd see her clutching her hand to her chest. I always wondered why until I saw the ring."

Cordelia and I had been engaged for months at that point. We'd seen each other at our most vulnerable and propped each other up when shit got real. I'd been more intimate with her than I'd been with anyone ever. And yet, when Sumia told me that, butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I felt a warm blush spread across my cheeks.

"Oh, don't tell me you didn't know!" Sumia laughed. "I swear, when she and I have tea together, sometimes all she does is talk about you and Severa. About how wonderful you both are and how lucky she is to have both of you. And here you are, telling me almost exactly the same thing! It's adorable!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You're lucky that I'm in the mood for distraction, else I'd argue."

"You're even speaking differently, too!" Sumia pointed out. "Have you been taking lessons from Maribelle?"

"I haven't talked to Maribelle in, like, a year? I think?" I took a second to think about but came up with nothing. "I didn't even know she was with us. I mean, I know she's a part of the Shepherds, but, yeah."

"Huh, I could've sworn," Sumia trailed off. "Anyway, yes, she's with us. Leading the troops from Themis in her father's stead, I think. Considering your new position, I'm surprised you haven't talked to her yet. She is technically under your command now."

"Oh, yay, I can't wait to be looked down upon for daring to converse with Lissa. Please, milady, spare my poor commoner's heart and let me go free."

"She's not that bad and you know it!"

I raised a finger. "I don't know. The first time I ever talked to her we had this whole conversation about where I came from. Turned out it was all just a test to see if I was dangerous to Lissa. Turns out, I wasn't," I looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I wonder if she'd think that now. Hmm."

"She definitely would. I know it. Cordelia's told me; you wouldn't hurt a fly." Sumia smirked teasingly.

"Since when did you become so good at getting at people?" I asked.

She waved her hand. "It doesn't matter. I think we've gotten too far off-topic. So, uh, tell me, what other things did you have to say about the book?"

My brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before I remember what she was talking about. I picked up the book I'd left on the table and reread the cover.

"Well, it's got a decent storyline. Although, like I said earlier, Dorothea comes off as a bit of an airhead…"

Our conversation lasted well into the day. Not like there was much to do, considering the blizzard outside. And winter was only halfway done, too. It was January of 1000 AS. Had it been any other time, I was sure there'd be celebrations back in Ylisse. The thousandth anniversary of the slaying of the Fell Dragon and the start of the Exalted Bloodline. All that good shit.

It was nice to have a distraction from everything that'd happened.

Wish you were here, Stahl. Panne and Yarne are a mess without you.

Speaking of the half-taguel boy, he was hard to find. The last I'd seen him, he was walking with Noire when it was still warm enough to have leisurely strolls through the streets of the port. After that, he vanished. To me, at least. I knew he was still around; the kids still talked about him as if he was, and I was inclined to believe them.

Eventually, however, whether through sheer persistence or luck, I found him. He was skulking around the streets the same day I had that book talk with Sumia. Didn't know what in the hell he was doing, but I didn't care. All I needed to do was make sure he was okay.

"Yarne."

Being a taguel, and being Yarne, I should've known that me just saying his name without him noticing would send him into the stratosphere. To be fair to him, he did get pretty far up. He held a hand to his chest, trying to get his breathing under control. I knew it was horrible, but I had to stop myself from outright laughing.

"S-Sir Alexander!" Yarne hissed breathlessly. "Y-you shouldn't sneak up on people like that! You could've given me a heart attack!"

"If all it takes for you to drop dead is me saying your name in my normal voice, then we're fucked."

"Your normal voice sounds so creepy and intimidating, though!" Yarne protested, "And being snuck up on in the middle of the night by a hunter is the worst thing that can happen to a bunny like me!"

I waved him off. "Whatever floats your boat, pal. Anyway, I've been looking for you for a while now."

Yarne's eyes widened as he took a step back, snow crunching beneath his feet. "F-for what? No, don't tell me! Are you going to-!?"

"Oh for God's sake, I'm not going to hurt you, you overgrown rabbit! I just wanted to make sure you were alright. It's been, uh, a few weeks since your dad's death and all, and I just wanted to…"

Even in the dim light, I saw Yarne's expression harden like stone. Suddenly, for just a moment, he looked like an ancient rock carving. His eyes glazed over and stared into nothing.

"Yarne?" I called out, putting a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly, I felt like the biggest asshole on the face of the planet. Granted, I was. There I was, teasing the poor guy when he clearly had a lot on his mind that he was holding back. "Kid, you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Yarne replied, his voice a disturbing monotone compared to his usual frightened tone. "It isn't the first time I've lost him. At least I got to know him this time. Even if I… even if I kept accusing him of…"

"Yarne, look at me," I said as commandingly as I could. Panne was in no position to comfort him, so I supposed that fell to me. "Listen, I know you and I have never seen eye to eye. It's the same way with Panne. But – and I'm serious about this! – if you ever need a place to go to just sit around and talk, my door is always open to you."

Yarne blinked once, then twice. The taguel ran a hand down his face. "I-I'll think about it, I guess."

I gave his shoulder a pat. "That's all I'm asking of you, Yarne. I know what it's like, feeling alone. It doesn't have to be that way." I took a step back. "You take care of yourself, kid."

I even felt bad just leaving him out in the cold like that, but I knew he had a place to stay, and I wasn't going to force him to come with me. That'd be completely counterproductive, honestly.

It's better than what he'd been getting from you. They all deserve better.

This chapter is more a way to settle things down from last chapter. Both I and the character kinda needed that lol. Shit will continue to get real so that won't change. Nice to have a reprieve though.

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Hope to see you guys next time!

Edited on 3/22/21. A good breather compared to what happened before it.