Author's Note: My dear Readers, here is the fourth installment of Together We Ride. Once again, I'm doing my best to provide good content. My skill as a writer has gotten a lot better from what it once was but I'm still trying to build on it so any kind of criticism is very welcome. No fights this chapter. Sorry about that if you were looking forward to some more action. This is the first small branch of deviation from canon as well as building on what Xander's presence means in Fire Emblem. Some OC's make themselves apparent in this chapter as well. I do my best to try and not bog down this story with characters I just throw in but if I do I'll usually have some more purpose for them rather than just whatever they do in their first appearance. I dislike bogging a story down in OCs. At some point it's just like who is this guy again? Which one did that thing? Also, there are more than enough canon characters for me to use for whatever story purposes I have. Anyways, here's the story.

Don't Worry, I'm a Master Diplomat

The rest of the night is quiet and the Shepherds went to sleep fairly quickly. I'm thankfully not on watch duty but I am now Lissa's retainer and Frederick will have my head if I'm not guarding her tent overnight. The only people who have personal tents are Lissa, Chrom, and Robin. The guys minus Virion gave up the common tent for Sully and Miriel both of who couldn't care less but accept it anyways.

I exchange goodnights with Lissa and settle down in front of her tent leaning against Bladeless which I had planted in front of the entrance. Not the most comfortable position but I was able to keep watch for most of the night before dozing off.

"Xander, Xander!" My head is swatted at and I startled awake. "Abuh? I'm up, I'm up!" I scramble to my feet. Lissa giggles. "It's time to start marching, I woke up some time ago but it looked like you really needed your sleep."

I groan and dismiss my greatsword. "Frederick didn't see you did he?" He would kill me if he found out I wasn't taking my duties seriously.

Lissa smiles at me and reaches up to pat my head. "There there, Lissa will protect you from the big bad Frederick." I frown. "That might actually work to be honest. Alright, if he comes after me you get to tell him to go away."

Lissa slyly smiles at me. "What if I don't want him to go away?" I grin back mockingly. "Oh? Does the princess like the company of the brave, stoic knight?"

Lissa reddens. Oh, that's right I forgot her first crush was Frederick! "Don't worry master, you're secret is safe with me." I wink. She swats at me and crosses arms. "Hmmph. See if I defend you now."

I roll my eyes. "Yes what a shame. Who knows what I would mistakenly say in the throes of agony once Frederick catches up to me. I might even have to offer sensitive information to secure my safety."

Lissa growls and sticks her tongue out at me. "You're no fair Xander! Now that you've crossed the line, you get to pack up my tent as well."

I shrug as she walks off. "Amateur." I mutter as I walk off to tell Frederick that Lissa needs help with her tent.

Hitting the Ylisse-Feroxian border is the strangest thing. We hike past a hill on the path and all of a sudden everything in front of us is wreathed in the dead of winter. The Longfort is clearly in sight and most of the Shepherds are staring in blatant amazement. "The Longfort." I say to Robin. "One of the world's greatest architectural achievements and Regna Ferox's answer to those who would try their luck in the north."

"Xander." I turn to Chrom. "We will be acting in Emmeryn's stead so they should admit us in. If the Border Guard doubts us, will you help vouch for our intentions?" I nod my head. "Of course. Leave it to me." Fortunately, I was confident about helping our group across the border without the needless battle. Raimi, the platoon leader and gate keeper for this part of the border was more or less a psuedo-sister from before I left. She was quite a few years older than me but she was the one who took care of me while I was at the orphanage. Whenever she got a break from border duty she would come to blacksmith shop where I was apprenticed and share stories of the people who came to the gate. She was one of the biggest influences on me in my life growing up.

"Halt! Who goes there?!" A male voice roared. That was definitely not Raimi, probably one of her grunts. "I am Prince Chrom of Ylisse! I seek an audience with the Khans!"

The man laughed and his tin soldiers chuckled along with him like stereotypical henchmen. "Well then! I be Darryn, captain of the border guard Milord! And I've killed three 'Prince Chroms' in the last week!"

I decide to cut in here, having enough of this dumb charade. Sorry Sumia, stealing your moment here. I step forward beside Chrom to make sure he can see me. I wink at Chrom. "I got this, I'm a master diplomat."

"HEY ASSWIPE!" Chrom makes a strangled noise that almost sounds like a whimper. "My name is Xander, I hail from Tyrus! I don't know how a horseshit for brains farmer like you got promoted to Captain, but if you can try to peek beyond your mountain of fat you can obviously see that the good Prince bears the Exalt's mark AND Falchion!"

The wind blowing through the clearing was the only noise audible.

Then Sully broke it with an appreciative whistle.

"My... apologies Prince Chrom." Darryn said through clearly grit teeth. "We've had problems with brigands impersonatin' you in the past. Clearly, we thought wrongly you were the same."

Chrom cleared his throat and looked pointedly away from me. "All is forgiven Sir Darryn, if you would let us in?"

A couple minutes later and we were on our sweet way into the interior of the Longfort while men that manned the gate brought our wagons inside. "Ahh, feels good to be out of the snow." Stahl said shaking the drift from his hair.

"Forget that! What in the blazes was that Xander?!" Chrom croaked. I shrug. "Diplomacy in Ferox is a mix of insults and bare knuckle brawling. Besides, I grew up alongside some people a lot tougher than these chumps." I sweep my eyes over the gathered Feroxian knights. "Speaking of, Darryn!"

The captain turns from Chrom to me reluctantly. "What do you want brat?" I cross my arms. "You can stop with that for one. Naga knows you've already got one foot in the grave for your stunt with the Prince. Where's Raimi? I know for a fact she was posted here as the captain. She nabbed herself a husband or something?" Internally I was feeling very nervous. Raimi is supposed to be here. It's canon. There's no way my actions caused a ripple like that to happen. Right?

"She's dead." Darryn said bluntly.

There was a loud clang as I slammed Darryn against the wall holding him up by his armor. I saw red and bit my tongue. "Explain." I glared into his dark eyes.

Daryn scowled and shoved back loosening my grip enough that his feet touched the ground. "She lost a duel 'bout a month ago. Some crazy merc' missing an ear gut her with her own spear. She was injured from an earlier spar and the fuck had a Lancereaver, but he was gabbing 'bout the guard and she would'na have that."

Of course she would do that. Raimi would never let anyone who mocked her men to walk free. And she was just stupid enough to do it while injured.

"Why didn't you duel him afterwards?! You would have been her second am I wrong? What kind of scum doesn't fight for a comrade who died for them?"

Darryn looked down and the Feroxian knights looked similarly downcast. "She asked us not to."

I let go of him clenching my fists. "Of course she did." Raimi always detested revenge duels. They were what killed off the rest of her family. Some feud that got out of hand.

"Where is this bastard now?" I growled. I'll fuckin' kill him. Raimi was quite literally one of the only people I considered family from this world.

Darryn's onyx eyes met mine. "I believe he mentioned the Arena in Tyrus. He might be tryin' for the Tourney." My mind was already made up.

The Shepherds didn't need me to win their battle in the arena anyways. Besides that, I'm convinced Lucina threw that fight with Chrom anyways. She was too skilled and experienced to lose against a Chrom with only a few victories under his belt.

I was going to track down this cocksucker and put him in the ground.

"If yer gonna do what I think, you'll need somethin." He departed and I was left burning a hole in the floor with my heated gaze.

A hand gripped my shoulder. "Xander." I turned meeting Robin's eyes. The rest of the Shepherds were either looking at me curiously or looking away as if ashamed they had seen my outburst.

"While I'm sure Chrom wouldn't mind letting you pursue this fiend," Chrom nodded solemnly from the side of Robin. "From what we heard about your friend, do you really think she would want you to risk your life like this?"

I snarled. "No offense, Robin, but fuck off. You especially don't get to say anything. You didn't know her and you wouldn't know shit about losing someone close to you."

"Xander!" Chrom admonished. Before I could say anything else Frederick came forward. "Milord, I believe Xander would like to request a leave of absence until his task is finished." Chrom frowned before nodding. "Granted."

I gave Chrom a terse nod of thanks before turning to Frederick. "Go. I will assume your duties until you return." Some of my anger seeps away and I feel regret for making Frederick take care of my responsibilities. Robin deserves something of an apology as well at some point.

"Thank you." Frederick gives me an almost imperceptible smile. "Do not thank me yet. While you are gone I shall devise a new training regimen for this climate."

I grimace as I leave to find Darryn. He is in the armory taking down a peculiar spear from the wall. As he turns I get a glimpse of the spear. It's a beautiful cylinder of steel almost as tall as I am with a foot long polished point and protrusions below the blades end and near the base.

At least, it would have been beautiful except for the dried blood crusting its body. I frown. "Why hasn't it been maintained?"

Darryn looks away. "None of the boys would do it. Said it woulda been disrespectful to treat it like any other spear."

I nod. "She was always crazy about that spear. She was practically married to it." I took it from him. "I'll take care of it now."

Darryn nodded and looked at me strangely. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I'm real grateful for what yer doin'."

I stared down at the spear. "Don't mention it old man. She was my oldest friend. It doesn't sit well that her life ended like this but at least I can make her legacy something greater."

The boy scowled as he was dragged to yet another orphanage. The others always ended up kicking him out, whether it was because of fighting or they didn't have the space or they just didn't like him. He didn't expect this one to be any different.

"I've got anotha' one Greta. This one be sneakin' food and coin at the bar. I got him out just as they realized he was stealin'."

"They didn't even notice me until you called out to me!" The boy glared up at the man behind shaggy blonde hair. "They wouldn't have caught me neither!"

"Just put 'em with the others. I'll get you your coin."

The gap toothed man smiled crookedly and yanked the boy. "C'mon boy, hehe at least yer good for one thing. That coin is gunna help me warm the bed tonight."

The man pushed the boy into a room and closed the door shut sealing the room in darkness. The boy kicked at the floor and turned to the single cot in the room slumping against it. He fingered his necklace his hands finding each surface by memory.

The door cracked open. "Hey new kid..." The boy turned to the ajar door raising an eyebrow at the wild haired boy on the other side. "Whattaya want?"

The kid opened the door all the way. "C'mon, the knight is practicing again." The boy looked up at him confused. "The knight?"

The kid sighed. "Look, do ya wanna come or not?" The boy shrugged and stood. The two boys left the orphanage coming out to a small snowy cobblestone yard on the backside of it.

There were a number of other kids gathered all looking at one person. The boy and the kid shoved forward until they stood at the front.

"Whoa."

The 'knight' was a young girl with neck length blonde hair stuck to her forehead. What attracted the orphanage's attention was the genuine knight's spear in her grasp, twirling through the air as she practiced. In all actuality her practice more akin to a trainee than any kind of knight but with enough time that practice could let her take her spearwork to another level. To the boy it seemed as if there was a knight in front of him fighting fierce battles and flowing with her spear as if she was one with it.

The boy immediately felt a burning to move as she did, to fight as she did. So he picked a long stick and watched her from across the yard swinging his stick like she did her spear and crying out when she did. Some of the other kids did the same, yet it was only the boy who remained at that spot after the others got hungry or tired and left. Long after dark the boy swung and jabbed his stick doing his best to get any closer to the knight who even now still moved in those same motions.

"You're doing it wrong."

"Eh?" The boy panted looking up at the knight. She nodded down to his stick. "Your hands." She pointed out two spots on the spear. "You should be holding it here."

The boy frowned and then adjusted his hands before going back to his own practice. "What's your name?"

The boy stumbled into another swing his breathing becoming heavier. "... Xander."

"I'm Raimi." The boy looked up at her meeting her impassive gaze before nodding to hide a smile. Maybe this orphanage really was different.

I stepped into the expansive blacksmith shop breathing in the familiar scent of ash and oiled metals. Harpax's Smithery was the largest establishment in the trade district of Tyrus and possibly the most successful business in Regna Ferox. It makes sense when you think about it. The most skilled blacksmith sets up shop in the capital city of a warrior nation.

The forge was set up so there were multiple smiths at work in the back while finished works were on display in the front of the shop. Even now, customers perused finely crafted gear around counters and talked to our more charismatic workers about what they needed.

I showed the boy at the counter my shop badge. The badge is a forged plate smaller than my hand set with jewels that acts as identification for employees who wish to enter the forge. It also serves as a way to signify your ranking within the shop's smiths.

My plate marks me as one of the three members that hold the highest rank within the shop. Harpax, me, and-

"Xander!" The forge goes silent as Axia, the third of the highest ranked smith's in the shop stepped up to me. We grinned at each other and clasped arms. Axia joined the shop a bit after I did. We were both the personal students of Harpax but while I traveled to make a name for myself, she stayed to nurture new smiths and support Harpax. She was also the only one other than me taught by Harpax to be able to forge enchanted arms. Axia was a twenty-year old with dark skin, lean muscle, long legs and a shaved head.

We greeted each other and I looked over the forge appraising our members. I whistled. "Damn Axia, how many members do we have now?" She laughed. "We're up to 60 members in total. There's about 40 here now."

My eyes widened. "Well shit, we might as well be a guild now." She nodded. "We're just about there to be honest. A few of our Journeymen got promoted and are looking to set up branches in the east and the west." My smile grew even wider. "That's amazing Axia." I really was happy about this. When I joined the forge had maybe 4 members. I was Harpax's first pupil and while I never took an apprentice, I always tried to look after the others that joined us. It was exhilarating for me to be apart of something this flourishing and successful.

"What's that you got there?" Axia pointed to the wrapped bundle hanging from my back. I sighed. "Raimi's dead."

Axia flinched. "Aw hell. I'm sorry Xander, I know you guys were close." I nodded somberly. She crossed her arms. "Well c'mon then, I'm sure you wanna see ta the old man." She lead me towards the back of the shop. Our path took us between men and women bent over anvils and others putting their ideas to parchment. We made slow progress towards Harpax's office as those familiar with me greeted me and newcomers came to meet the wayward apprentice to Harpax. Eventually though we arrived at the office that held the owner. Axia lead me into the room without any deliberation not even bothering to knock in her brash nature.

Harpax posed an intimidating figure even hunched over his desk. He was one of the biggest men I've ever seen at an imposing 8 feet tall. His size was augmented by the large barrel shaped muscles around his arms and thin finely weaved clothes he wore. He had long white hair pulled back into a ponytail and a short white beard. A small pair of glasses made him look like a cross between a distinguished noble and a berserker warrior. He was also handicapped. He'd been so ever since I met him which just goes to show how amazing smith he is if he could teach the trade while not having the use of his hands. He had them wrapped in bandages but I remember the scarred tissue underneath when he would wash them. He never fully explained how it happened but some kind of magical experiment left his hands ravaged, only able to handle something as light as a pencil.

"Hey old man, guess who showed up?" Axia said as she strolled up to his desk. Harpax sat up and his eyes locked on me. I froze not sure if I should feel nervous or happy and then he grinned. "Xander." I smiled back. "Harpax."

He gestured to a seat in front of him. "Please, sit." I take my usual spot in front of his desk feeling the nostalgia. "Axia, could you-" She smiles at us and waves a hand. "Yeah, I got it. Tea for the old guy and a mug for our prodigal son."

"Thanks Axia," I call at her as she walks away.

"She has been good to me." Harpax says quietly. "Since you have left, my hands have become worse. I can no longer feel the parchment as I write upon it." He holds up the paper he was writing on revealing it to be messily scribbled characters as if he had been practicing his handwriting. I fidget feeling a pit of guilt for leaving him in this condition.

He gives me a small smile. "I must admit, it is nice to not worry about so much paperwork anymore." A lump gets stuck in my throat. "W-We'll figure something out old man. I'm working for Prince Chrom of Ylisse now. He's a good man, if I ask there may be something he can do."

Harpax grins sadly. "I'll trust you on that son. But we should talk of happier things now that you've returned." Axia comes back in with a tray of tea and a mug of my favorite brew.

She smiles at Harpax and ruffles my hair. "I've got some initiates to tend to. If you need me just holler."

I knock drinks with Harpax and we sip on our beverages as I tell of my travels as a bounty hunter. The atmosphere in his office is warm and friendly and I'm content in the fact that my mentor still has a place for me in his life.

I speak of my encounter with the Risen and my struggles with Bladeless and he frowns. "That is troubling indeed. The dead walking is an unnatural occurrence, one that does not bode well for the future."

I shrug. "I'm more concerned with the fact that they don't fall as easily to Bladeless. It almost got me killed." Harpax smiles. "It is good you made friends then." I nod. "Yeah. Honestly, I'm not convinced that I can't make something to combat them. I know that there are weapons against the undead. Falchion for one. If the stories were right about that, than can't they be right about light magic as well? If anything was effective against the Risen, it would be that. If we could get our hands on some light magic, we could start making inscriptions and even enchant weapons to combat them!"

Harpax's face hardened. "Swear to me you will never attempt any kind of working with light magic. Ever." I look at him confused. "What do you mean? Isn't it worth looking into?"

He cradles his shaking hands around his cup. "Some things, are better said than done."

"Promise." I swallow nervously. It is rare to see Harpax as grim as he is now. "I-I promise." Harpax sighs. "Forgive me, but I cannot allow you to continue along that line of thought. I will explain no further."

I nod hesitantly. "Alright. There was another reason I came if you have time?" Harpax nods and seems relieved at the subject change.

I bring out Raimi's spear and unwrap it. "When I crossed the border, I learned that Raimi had been killed." Harpax nods. "Yes, I heard tale of that. The victor has been participating in matches at the Arena for the past month in preparation for the Tournament of Khans. His name is Vaughan"

I growl. "I can't let Raimi's death go unchallenged." Harpax nods. "I will pull some strings. He fights for the West Khan so I will enter you for the East Khan." How convenient.

The Tournament of Khans consists of a series of one on one duels between the East and West contestants until six fighters remain on either side. The six vs six is usually what determines the winner of the contest. Each one on one victory is worth two points and the six vs six is worth 12.

"Thank you." I bow my head. "I did want to ask if you would like to work on a project with me for the fight." Hardin's eyes trained on the spear. "We have never done so before." It was true. Usually, he would teach me the methods and leave me to work on it by myself. Bladeless was a result of countless hours of toil and sweat. The culmination of my efforts in smithing and my time under Harpax. This would be something different. "I always liked a challenge." I grinned at him.

Harpax steeples his fingers. "What did you have in mind?"

"Again!" The woman called. Time had passed since the boy first picked up the stick. It was spring and the boy was nearing 11 years since his birth. Xander grunted and launched himself towards Raimi trudging through the mud.

Xander had grown and his previously shaggy hair was now tied back at the nape of his neck. He had grown taller and his muscles while not anything out of the ordinary were spry and spoke of density earned through experience rather than work outs.

Raimi had not grown taller but her build became more muscular and her hair had been cropped close to her chin to not get in her face. She was now 15, nearing the age where she could claim to be an adult.

"Hah!" Xander thrust with his blunted and carved spear. Raimi swept it to the side with a flick of her wrist and jabbed forward with her own grazing Xander's chest as he dodged aside. Xander growled in frustration and swung his spear horizontally at her head. Raimi's face hardened and she ducked under it while spinning her spear. The blunt end slammed into Xander's gut lifting him off the ground before he fell back.

Xander coughed as he tried to get his breath back. "What did I tell you about swinging your spear like that?" Raimi thumped her spear against the ground.

Xander painfully sat up. "I don't understand why I can't do that, you do it all the time!" Raimi glared at him. "You're using a spear, NOT a sword. You thrust and jab unless you were specifically taught how to swing and even then, it's not an excuse to bash people with your spear. I do it because I was taught. You have no such reason."

Xander nodded reluctantly as he got to his feet. Raimi pointed at him. "'Now, I want 200 more thrusts because of that stunt. And you won't do it again unless you want ten times that number, am I clear?"

Xander grimaced. "Yes Ma'am." Raimi glared at him. "'What was that?" Xander straightened. "'Sir, yes, Sir!" Raimi nodded. "Good. Now get to it!"

"Children!" They both turned to see Greta by the door to the orphanage. "There you are! Come inside, we have prospects!" She slammed the door.

Raimi and Xander sighed as one. Prospects were people that came to the orphanage to adopt a child. Most of the time it would be some trader or merchant that needed an extra pair of hands. If you were lucky, you were adopted by a craftsman and had the opportunity to become an apprentice.

They both had no hopes for this though. Raimi was too close to adulthood to be wanted by anyone that wanted a worker and Xander was Xander. Greta often told prospects his history as a rebellious delinquent and how his 'temperament' made him unlikely to be a good worker. She was right but it was still plenty cruel.

Xander and Raimi filed in behind the rest of the children in the orphanage. Raimi was the oldest and tallest but Xander was coming up right below her so they opted to stand behind the shorter children. "This sucks sis." Raimi snorted. "As if I could ever be related to a dirt for brains numbskull like you." Xander rolled his eyes. "Well, there was that one time you-"

"Shhh!" Greta hushed him as the prospects came in. Xander eyed the prospects warily. They were ugly. It was a man and a woman with matching facial features down to the same bulbous nose and shaved heads.

"Ohh, the children! Aren't they just Vincent?" The woman cried out in this awful high pitched tone that made Xander wince.

"They are just, Victoria." The man named Vincent looked at each child one by one before settling on Raimi. "Oh isn't this one just a vision of beauty and strength Victoria!?" The ugly woman stepped forward and took hold of Raimi's chin. Xander glared at her and Raimi looked away most likely feeling as disgusted as Xander was.

"She is darling. How old are you my dear?" Raimi kept her eyes away. "Fifteen." She bit out. Victoria took her hand away. "What a shame, what a shame. Too old dear." Vincent nodded. "Too old darling."

"But you, how old are you?" Xander was forced to look up as a rough hand gripped his chin. He glared back at Victoria. "I'm eleven." He snarled.

Victoria smiled disgustingly sweet at him. "Oh what fire, I like this one Vincent dear." Vincent nodded and smiled at Greta. "I trust your judgement darling. We'll take this one." He said holding out a pouch of gold. Greta kneaded her hands. "Oh, are you sure? That one is a little-"

"We'll take this one." Vincent said again more insistently this time. Greta nodded reluctantly. "I suppose." And took the bag.

Xander's heart sunk. This was terrible. He wouldn't, he couldn't accept this! As Vincent and Victoria were turned he grabbed Raimi's hand which he noticed was shaking. "I'll come back, don't worry. They won't even notice when I make a break for it."

Raimi's eyes met his and there was a tender moment between them. Then Raimi shook her head. "No Xander. You will not. This is a chance to get out of here. You are young enough that you-you can forget all of this and start a new life."

Xander gaped at her. "'Wh-what? Forget?"

Raimi nodded sharply. "Yes, and I... I won't forgive you if you come back!"

Xander's fists clenched his fists and stepped back. "Come child!" Vincent called. "Yes, come child!" Victoria echoed.

Xander tore his face away from Raimi's stony gaze blinking furiously and running the other way.

Maybe Raimi was right maybe he should forget. Yeah, the couple was weird as fuck, but they could make good parents. Right?

|X|

They did not make good parents. Xander was taken to a small shack a few streets away before he was thrown into a cage by Victoria, who had surprisingly large muscles underneath that gown. And that was of course when Victoria spoke to Vincent about making it out of the city with their new slave with a deep voice that matched Vincent's own.

When Vincent called Victoria, Victor is when it clicked for Xander.

Oh, they're slavers. He thought numbly. He was so shocked that he didn't even react when they threw a cover over his cage and loaded it into a wagon.

How was he supposed to escape now? Once they got to wherever they were going he was as good as a goner. He couldn't escape and even if he did, Raimi wouldn't be waiting for him. They may be rough with each other, but they were really as close as siblings. Did she not care about him like he did for her? Was it something he did?

Xander didn't know and it made the feeling in the pit of his stomach even worse. Xander cried for the first time in years in that cage.

|X|

Raimi felt terrible as she sobbed in her room. It must have been the right thing to do. It must have! This way, Xander had a chance at a better life. Maybe one day they could meet again. He a merchant or trader and she the knight in shining armor. It was a wonderful fantasy but just the thought of it made her heart ache.

Finally, she decided to stop being sorry for herself and try to go for a walk to cheer herself up. She eventually found herself close to a community board filled with notices about jobs. She stared at the ragged parchment that called for recruits for the border guard.

Ferox had a small standing army compared to their true fighting force but they didn't see much action. The knights that usually got recognition were the border guard. They were posted all along the Longfort defending the land from brigands and outlaws.

That was what she had wanted to be ever since she could hold a spear. She was orphaned at 12 and she still remembered her parents. Her father at least. Her mother had died in childbirth but her father seemed to be enough of a man to fill both roles when he needed to. He was the reason she wanted to be a knight. His death at the border just made her more determined to spare others the same fate.

Suddenly, one of the notices fell from the board in a stray breeze. She picked it up examining it. It was a wanted poster, stating that two slavers had been spotted in the area and if they were sighted, to report to the town's guard station.

Raimi's breath caught as she saw the caricature of the slavers. "No..." She breathed out in horror. The faces on the poster were a dead ringer for the prospects that came to the orphanage earlier. The slavers that came. The slavers that took Xander. "Oh gods." She muttered. She had told Xavier not to escape! She had even told him that she wouldn't forgive him if he did escape. "What have I done?" She bit her lip. No! She would not lose Xander. He was the closest thing- he was family to her! There had to be something she could do.

"The town guard." She clutched the paper and sprinted off towards the thankfully close guard station. "Help! Please help!"

A guard shambled out of the station holding a spear. "What's all the racket about?" Raimi ran up to him with the poster. "Please sir! I need your help! Slavers have taken my brother!"

The guard looked at her, instantly at attention. "When was this?"

"A few hours ago, they took him under the guise of adopting him, but I recognize them on this poster!" She shoved the parchment at the guard. The guard sighed and rolled the paper out. "'Vincent and Victor huh? There's no use kid. They'd be long gone by now."

Raimi shook her head. "That can't be! There must be something you can do! You're the town guard!" The guard rolled up the paper. "Sorry girlie. Not much we can do about cases like this. It's unfortunate, but these two are more than smart enough to get out of town as fast as they can." Raimi seethed. "If you can't save one boy, than what good are you?! This is your duty!"

The guard growled. "Listen girl-"

"Darryn!" The guard stood at attention, all anger gone from his features. Another guard stepped out of the station, this one with a large dark beard and a simple badge on affixed on his armor denoting him as the captain. "What's going on out here!?" Raimi ran to the captain and dropped to her knees. "Please Sir, I beg you to help my brother! He was taken by two slavers just a couple of hours ago. There's a chance they could still be in the town! I can't leave him to those monsters, he's only eleven!"

The captain stroked his beard. "Is that true Darryn?" The guard grunted to his captain nodding as he passed over the poster. "Vincent and Victor." The captain looked down at the girl his gaze unshakable but undeniably somber. "These two are craftier than our usual miscreants miss. Given their history for being cautious, I sincerely doubt your brother is still in town."

Raimi bowed her head. "Please Sir. I can't let him go without fighting for him. If there's even the slightest chance, don't you think that you ought to act?" The captain sighed and looked up. "Gods above. Darryn!" The subordinate saluted. "Rouse the men, notify the gates that we are on lockdown as of now and grab a squad. We're going hunting." Raimi beamed as she stood. "Thank you Sir!" The captain shook his head. "Don't thank me yet, your brother is still in danger."

A squad of armored knights marched down a street in unison, their armor clanging together and ringing out through the streets. Raimi sighed as they finished clearing another street. She had thankfully been able to convince the captain to let her join his squad as they searched. Her fierce temper combined with her always present spear made her welcome without much fuss. The captain hastened his pace and stepped up beside Raimi. "Listen miss, we only have a few streets left before we hit the last gate. If we don't find find him then, it is most likely that they have already escaped." Raimi nodded solemnly. "There's still a chance though." she remarked and sped up her walking. Her heart was beating ever louder as they neared the next crossroads. Xander needed to be safe. If he wasn't she would be to blame.

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard a voice she had thought to never hear again. "Get off of me you mouthbreathing cocksucker!"

"Oh Vincent, this child sooo adorable. A bit loud though."

"Victor darling, He is a cute thing. He could be a bit quieter though. I agree." Raimi followed the voices to a nearby alleyway and looked inside. There was a shadowed wagon leaning against the side of a building and beside that lay her quarry. Xander was being held by one of the twins and the other was digging through covered crates in the back of the wagon.

"Halt!"

Both twins immediately gazed at her. "Well, Vincent, isn't it the lovely girl from earlier." Vincent shook his head. "As wonderfully beautiful you are girl, we have already met our quota for the day. You should have stayed at the orphanage." Vincent brandished a strange looking short sword from the crate he was looking through.

Raimi locked eyes with Xander. "R-Raimi?" His eyes shone with hope and trust. Xander grinned at her.

"Hey Victor?" The slaver holding him looked down. "What is it darling? You can tell Victor dearest aaaanything."

"You're an ugly motherfucker."

"Well, I never-" Crunch "EEEhh!" Xander bit down on the hand near his face and when Victor moved his other hand to pry Xander off he elbowed back nailing him straight in the privates.

Xander dove forward ignoring the keeled over Victor. Raimi growled as she passed Xander taking the opportunity to strike at Victor. The slaver had just enough time to raise his head before being run through by Raimi's spear. All those years of practice had turned her thrust into a precise stab matched by only those who had seen battle before.

"D-Darling, I'm sorry..." Victor breathed his death throes. Vincent turned to Raimi, his face pale. "Y-You BITCH!" He spat, his face in a rictus of rage and sorrow.

Before he could act, he was surrounded by the knights that had followed Raimi. Each of them had their spears pointed in Vincent's direction, daring him to throw himself on them.

Raimi heaved and removed her spear from Vincent's body. She stumbled and was almost knocked over by Xander colliding with her side. "I'm sorry! Please don't be mad at me!" She embraced him careful to keep the blooded end of her spear away from him. "I'm not mad at you Xander." She soothed. "I'm mad at myself. I shouldn't have ever said those things to you. Could you ever forgive me?"

Xander nodded and sobbed into her neck. Raimi smiled softly. "I missed you little brother." Xander hiccuped. "I'm so glad you're back big sis."

"I'll never leave you. I love you little brother." Xander sniffles. "I love you too big sis."

The captain trudged over. "That was fine spearwork Miss." Raimi looked up at him smiling. "Thank you Sir." The knight smiled back. "What would I have to do to interest you in joining the town guard? We could use a soldier like you."

Raimi shook her head. "My apologies Sir, but I have my sights set on the border guard." The captain chuckled. "Tis a grand goal Miss. Though I might be able to help you with that if you are willing. Open border guard positions are rare, and I could help with that."

Raimi pulled Xander closer. "Thank you Sir. I think I will take you up on that offer once I turn of age." Xander breathed softly against her neck having fallen asleep. After all, she has a younger brother to protect.

"Miriel." I called out hoarsely. Miriel jumped a little from her position over her newest book. She then squinted at me examining my horribly bagged eyes and unshaven face. "Xander? From what radix is your somnolent mien culpable?" I squint at her. "Huh?" Miriel's lips thinned and she placed a cool hand over my forehead. "I posit that extended peiods of wakefulness and irregular meals and insufficient water have bestowed upon you a minute fever. Your thought process has slowed down tremendously and you are exhibiting discombobulation at my standard modus operandi."

"What's that?"

Miriel took a deep breath. "You look extremely exhausted Xander and you're running a light fever. Why is that?" I stare at her gaping. Did.. Did Miriel just talk like a normal person? Oh gods I'm hallucinating, I must have gone off the deep end after working for four days straight on the project I was collaborating with Harpax on.

"No Xander, you're not hallucinating. That does explain your current state however. Did you happen to need my help on this project?" How did she do that? Can she read minds?! Oh gods don't think about her tits don't think about her tits! Wait... I'm talking aloud right now aren't I?

Miriel nods as a crimson flush climbs up her face. "Oh. Um, sorry? I mean, you have, not that you don't have nice tits, they're great! I just didn't want you to think that's all that I think about you, you're more than your tits just, now and then I happen to admire them and oh gods someone stop me." I whimpered. Miriel, now completely red faced covered my mouth with her hand.

"Xander, no speaking. Nod if you understand." I nod. "Good. Now, while I am... flattered by your attention I suspect this is neither the time nor place if you wish to express your interest in my breasts." I nod slowly as a blush matching hers grows on my cheeks. "I will go find this Harpax, I assume he is the owner of the blacksmith shop I have heard tell of?" Another nod. "Good. You will-"

"Xander? Miriel?" We turn as one finding Lissa standing at the entrance to Miriel's quarters. "What are you doing?" She asks, an unreadable expression on her face. Miriel practically teleports to Lissa's side. "Lissa, I thank the gods that you are present. Xander needs to rest, he has been up for four days without sleep or proper sustenance. I have an errand to run, thank you for your help."

"Wha-?" And she's gone. Whoever made Miriel's speed stat in the game was clearly smoking something. "Xander, what the heck was that?" Lissa looked between the door and me a lost look in her eyes.

I shrug and try my best to keep to short sentences. "Need Miriel for errand. Need sleep. Embarrassed her. No talk now. Too much risk." Lissa sighed. "Gods you're difficult Xander. Come on, you can sleep in my room." I make a distressed grunt. "You'll be fine, Chrom is off practicing with Frederick they won't come in. And if they do find you sleeping in my room, I'll stay so I can explain."

I sigh in resignation. Lissa smiles and grabs my hand leading me to her room. As I plod after her I marvel silently at how soft her hand is. I thought lotion didn't exist in this world? I wonder if I can find some cocoa butter.

Lissa sits me down in her ridiculously comfortable bed covered with pink fluffy sheets and throw pillows. How did she get this stuff? I didn't even they made pink sheets in Regna Ferox?

Obscenely soft and bright bed covers aside, my eyelids are growing heavy at the warmth of the bed. "Uh uh, no sleep yet big guy." I perk up at her voice furiously blinking the sleep out of my eyes. "Wha?"

Lissa sits beside me. "Here, drink this." She hands me a cup of water. "This will have to do for now. Once you get up, I'll get you some food. You're not allowed to get worse alright mister?"

I nod as I drain the water. I don't even notice her taking the cup from me and setting it on the bedside. "Arms up." I raise my arms and at this point my wits have completely left me as she strips me down to my cloth boxers.

She tugs me to my feet and pulls back the covers just in time as I fall down sighing in happiness. Lissa giggles as she tucks me in. "Hey Xander?"

"Yeah?" I yawn. "What was Raimi to you?

"... Big sis."

"I'm gonna make you tell me about her in the morning."

"Mm.'

"I-I just want you to know that you have other people now too. When you heard what happened... I'd never seen you so angry. Or devastated. You haven't been with us long, and I know some of the Shepherds are a bit... rough around the edges. But you are one of us. And we all want you to come back to us safe. You've been a good friend ever since you joined us. Maybe a bit stupid." She giggled lightly. "But you mean well and none of us can fault you for it."

I stay silent.

"Sooo… You and Miriel huh?"

I mercifully lose consciousness at that moment.

AN: Well therein is the chapter Readers. We get to see some anger from our main character as well some backstory to this whole Raimi business. I wanted to do the flashbacks because that provides some insight towards his bond to Raimi and that will help us learn more about why he feels this way. Raimi's POV was actually pretty fun to do just because we only see her in stern knight captain mode. Harpax was fun to write. I tried to not play into stereotypical blacksmith/master tropes but there are a lot of those. I hope I made him unique and true to the story. Axia was less so, just because we don't really see much from her at this point. Some of this is just me filling the time before the Tournament with content. I just didn't want to jump straight to the Tournament with a timeskip when I could do so much more. Anyways, I'm excited to put out more content next week. On a sidenote I am working on other stories. Some ideas I'm tossing around are things like a MHAxWorm crossover, a MHAxSekirei crossover, a MHA OC, a unique BleachxSolo Levling Fanfiction, and my personal favorite, a Percy Jackson Danmachi crossover fanfiction. Probably gonna start working on that right now while I have some time.