Matched
Lucina roused, eyes opening to take in the wall, body recognizing it was much later in the morning than she was accustomed to rising. She uncurled, sitting up to rub her eyes and think about last night. It felt good to be there for Robin in the same way he'd been for her. A guilty pleasure, for even after she'd logically argued against intimacy yesterday, yesternight certainly had done no part to untangle their emotional connection to one another.
Everyone had limits, and last night he'd needed someone. Not to confide in or seek advice from, but to be present. To be with him, and remind him whatever happens, he was never alone.
He would always have her. One way, or the other.
She knew there was no prospect of true separation. Early in the campaign she entertained the idea of simply disappearing after all this was over and done with. That was impossible now. She could never do that to her family, or him.
Perhaps, when all this was over… And he was truly free of the fate the gods intended for him...
Lucina shook her head, exhaling to the empty room as she slid bare legs over the edge of the bed. This wasn't the time to think about such childish whims.
She looked around, realizing how late in the morning it was and moving quickly to wash herself and dress.
Minutes later she paused by the mirror on the way out. She ran a hand through her hair, turning in either direction before making downstairs.
Entering the basement she saw activity in full swing. Weapons clattered in the sparring area, teams of agents received various briefings at boards along the far walls, and Robin being surrounded by a group of important-looking people at the main table.
Movement caught her eye and she saw Say'ri giving her a small wave. Lucina smiled widely, pleased to see her friend alive and well. She nodded back, not wanting to interrupt the meeting as she approached.
"... Lon'qu's team uses the opening to infiltrate the warehouse, now empty. The fire takes out the latest batch, and this time tomorrow the Valmese are using decade-old ballistas."
"If any team isn't able to complete their objective, remain hidden and return to base before dawn," Say'ri added, looking around. She took a deep breath, "This is the largest operation we have attempted, but if we are successful these strikes will cripple the Valmese defenses. I won't tell you the mission is more important than your lives… But remember your duty, and what we are fighting for."
The others nodded, standing taller as Say'ri looked them over. Lon'qu stood beside Robin, translating quietly for those who needed it.
"Until then, you have your jobs. The operation begins at sundown, so get a hearty lunch. Good luck, we're all counting on you," Robin dismissed them, looking over and spotting Lucina as they dispersed.
"Hey you. Sleep well?"
"I feared you'd started without me." Lucina folded her arms, "And I was right."
"Lucina," Robin sighed, rolling a map aside, "You're always right. Never forget that."
She was saved a response as Lon'qu cleared his throat. "Robin, I have concerns about my team's objective."
"Oh?" Robin looked to the map, frowning.
"The storehouse is too close to the eastern barracks," Lon'qu pointed, "If an alarm should sound we would be overwhelmed in minutes."
"And that's why tonight's the best night to do it," Robin pulled another report from the far end of the table, "Soldiers are moving out, they're planning some training exercises in the field. This may be the only chance we have at hitting this particular warehouse of siege weaponry components. The faux-assault on the castle will provide ample noise for your team to slip in and out while they're scrambling to defend their leadership."
"The enemy has been adapting to our tactics quicker of late. If tonight is the night they see through the guise, my team is the furthest from any of the safe houses."
"Is Lon'qu afraid of a little dying?"
"I fear not completing our objective. Give me more men."
"Not women?" Robin asked indignantly, gesturing on Lucina's behalf. Lon'qu's scowl deepened and the younger man patted his shoulder, "Relax, I'll come too. Would that make you feel better?"
"How would that possibly make me feel better."
"Well if you died, I'd probably die too. There's some joy in that, right? Back me up Lucina."
"I would take solace knowing you shared an untimely end," she admitted.
Lon'qu sighed, shaking his head. "Then I'll see to getting you fitted with something a little more mission-appropriate."
"If it doesn't fit under my cloak I won't wear it!" Robin called after him.
"Am I coming?" Lucina asked as Lon'qu departed, coming to Robin's side of the table and looking at the map.
"Yes, but here," he pointed to the castle, "You're on the team poking at the west gates, drawing attention from the storehouse."
"A distraction."
"You're good at it. Did you use new shampoo today?"
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Nevermind. I've put you on a patrol with Say'ri this afternoon, it'll give you a chance to get familiar with the area while she scouts out any last minute adjustments."
"How soon until we leave?"
"Lucina?" Say'ri returned to the table, tying her hair back in the traditional Chon'sin style, "Are you ready to depart?"
"I… Suppose I am," she answered, glancing to Robin who winked at her.
Lucina held his gaze a moment longer. He really did seem refreshed today. She gave him a small smile and followed Say'ri heading for the stairs, Robin turning back to the table and examining a weather report.
Vaike paused at the edge of the wood, sniffing the air. The others stepped around him, audible sighs of relief heard at the sight of the massive city walls.
"Smell something there, big guy?" Inigo paused beside him and followed his gaze to the sky, "What is it, boy?"
"Rain," Vaike nodded impressively, tapping his nose. "Always smell it."
"Not a cloud in the sky," Gaius observed, "Care to wager on that?"
"If you're finished, we have more immediate concerns."
Gerome's surly voice beckoned and they looked to where he pointed. A large refugee population camped right outside the city gates.
Inigo sucked air through his teeth, "I'd heard about that…"
"What's the problem?" an annoyed voice called from behind them, arriving to see everyone stopped.
"If they're not letting citizens into the city, sweet Severa," Inigo winced, scratching his head, "We're gonna have trouble getting in."
"Gerome will think of something," she stated confidently, watching the taller man who folded his arms with a nod. "If he can find us in a countryside tavern, he can find Lucina."
"If Lucina is in there, I won't stop until we find her."
Gaius looked between Gerome's absent stare and Severa's souring expression.
"We could pose as mercenaries, just to get access to the city," Inigo suggested, "And no guard is above a good bribe. You have money, right Gerome?"
"And what if they offer to escort us to the castle?" Severa argued.
"Then we kill them on the way," Gerome answered starting down the path, others following before Gaius called out.
"Hold up…"
From the main gates a throng of soldiers filed out, marching in unison through the refugee camp towards the main road. They were still a safe distance away, but the small group didn't want to press their luck by getting nearer.
"Where do they think they're going in all that armor," Inigo chuckled, shaking his head.
As the column marched closer they could see each soldier was encased, head to toe, in layered plate. A thin vision slit was the only opening in the shell of dark red steel that connected the man inside to the world outside.
"Knights," Gaius breathed, staring as the others looked to him.
"Knights ride horses," Vaike objected, but Gaius shook his head.
"Not the Valmese knights."
The column kept coming.
"There has to be…" Vaike trailed off, losing count.
"Five-hundred exactly." Gaius' toothpick finally slipped out of his open mouth, "The Crimson Guard."
"Why are you so freaked out?" Severa glared at Gaius, clearly refusing to be impressed.
"Because the Guard only march when‒"
"Hoooly crap," Vaike uttered, staring as another figure came into view.
A giant of a man, at least two feet taller than the tallest knight, marched behind them. He was surrounded by a retinue of normal sized, now seemingly dwarfish people. The deep red armor was in similar style to the knights', and the way he carried himself said only a fool would dare stand between him and his destination.
"It's him," Gaius murmured, "That's Walhart."
"Okay, that guy is huge," Inigo admitted, "But I repeat: Where do they think they're going? No one's marching more than an hour in that much armor, even with Goliath on your heels."
No one offered an answer, though a hesitant step in the opposite direction from Gaius made them consider following suit as the marching men continued on the road towards them. But then the column turned suddenly into the open plain beside the refugee camp.
"Maybe it's some form of training exercise…" Vaike offered as the soldiers fell into rank.
A decorated knight stood at the front, shouting to the men for almost a minute before Walhart moved to the front. They couldn't make out his words, though it seemed to be an invigorating speech. Knights were shifting slightly, atmosphere of energy increasing.
"It's like they're preparing for battle," Severa muttered with narrowed eyes.
"Against what, the forest?" Inigo chuckled, stopping when Gaius pointed out the lone figure walking around the formation, drawing a circle in the dirt with black powder.
"That's not Robin, is it?" Vaike chuckled, recognizing the Plegian-style cloak.
"Yeah, he probably jumped ship when he saw how cool their armor was." Gaius grinned hesitantly, growing more confident they weren't in immediate danger.
"Or he lost it in a fight to a little girl," Inigo suggested, grinning too as the figure pulled its hood back when she reached the front of the formation. "Oh she is cute."
Gerome and Severa scoffed, others' chuckles growing stronger as Walhart turned, saluting the girl with a fist to his chest before she slammed her hands to the ground and the entire army sank into shadow, disappearing into the earth.
Then it was silent for almost a minute.
The girl stood uneasily. An honor guard surrounded her, moving slowly back towards the main gates.
"What… Was…" Severa uttered, breathless.
Vaike blinked, dumbstruck.
Even Gerome's mouth was slightly open, mask failing to hide surprise.
"Dark magic."
They turned to see Tharja emerge from the forest behind them, though her appearing after days on the road was admittedly less impressive than watching five-hundred men and one giant disappear in an instant. Cynthia marched behind her.
"Lookie what I found! Told you we were being followed."
"Powerful dark magic, cast by a powerful sorceress," Tharja continued, looking to the distant girl before her guard disappeared between the refugee tents.
"Can you perform it?" Gerome asked, first to recover and refocus. "Get us inside the city?"
"If I could I wouldn't have followed you for the last week."
"So now you need us,." Gerome sniffed disapprovingly.
"Sorry, are we over this?" Inigo gestured impatiently to the open field, "Where did they go? They can't take on the main Ylissean front with that, even with Humongo at the helm."
"Aren't… The reinforcements coming today?" Gaius looked to Vaike, who was still staring at the field.
Feroxi soldiers milled through the streets of Valm harbor. Having just arrived, many were eager to stretch their legs and enjoy a day of not-being-on-a-ship before they started marching tomorrow morning. The Ylisseans had pushed the warfront so far forward they would be lucky to see any action before the battle of Mila.
So when five hundred of Valm's finest teleported into existence around them it was an unexpected turn in the day's direction.
"We rendezvous with Lord Chrom before the main siege, but this fort along the way could serve as a rally point for those who remain loyal to Walhart even after his defeat," Flavia gestured across the map spread over the main table, "Right now they'll be unprepared and lightly manned…"
She trailed off at the sounds of combat. Basilio moved to the window, single eye narrowing.
"Valmese."
"What?" Flavia stared, unsure if he was joking due to his unfaltering expression, "Impossible, scouts reported no enemy activity for miles."
"You can tell them that."
Flavia growled, moving to the window to see he was in fact serious. She grabbed her greatsword and jerked her head to the entrance as he hefted an axe. The door flew open as they approached, two knights entering before being bowled over by the two considerably larger Feroxi. Basilio stood over them, grinning as he brought his axe high.
The streets were scenes of massacre, Feroxi troops caught unprepared and unaware as Valmese soldiers pushed forth in unbroken rank. Their armor and strength were unstoppable. Even after Feroxi units rallied and managed some semblance of unity, there was little they could do to get past the knights' formation in such narrow streets.
"On me!" Flavia bellowed, holding her sword high to push to the front of her force in the street. She didn't break stride as she made for the enemy wall, knocking one spear aside and shouldering another away with her pauldron before driving her sword forward into a knight's chest.
It caught in the breastplate, but it provided her warriors with the confidence to charge forth. They spearheaded into the knights, breaking their ranks as Basilio charged with his warriors from a sidestreet.
The swirling melee made determining the flow of battle impossible, all the Feroxis knew was that they had the number advantage. Following their khans' savagery they began dogpiling on Valmese, using body weight to bring them to their knees before another could deliver a killing blow.
But for every knight felled it seemed five Feroxi were speared or crushed between the all-consuming machine of steel that were the knights. They lacked the Feroxi brutality, but due to their discipline and training. The latter seemed to be winning the day after almost an hour of close-quarters city fighting.
Basilio brought his axe down on a knight's helm with a roar, blood running down the split armor into the dark coat now obscuring the cobblestone road. He gasped for breath, surveying the surrounding carnage in a moment of muffled cries and smashing steel. Dozens of dead countrymen littered the streets, for the handful of knights around them. Eyes staring into space, bodies too still for life. No amount of injury inflicted on Valm today was worth this.
His foot slipped on slick stone, bringing his attention back to combat. He looked up the street to see Flavia pushing into enemy ranks with a unit of Feroxi berserkers, and down the street to see an absolute giant of a man.
The Conqueror lifted a Feroxi clean off his feet in a facehold. The smaller man struggled, kicking at the arm holding him before the giant spun to slam him into a building. Stone cracked and crumbled from the impact and the giant lowered his arm, Feroxi warrior motionless against the dented wall, feet a meter off the ground.
Then the giant turned to face him. It took Walhart a moment to recognize him, and he hefted his weapon.
"Khan, I have heard of your tales," Walhart bellowed, staring in Basilio's direction as he marched towards him. A Feroxi leapt at Walhart with a cry, but the giant didn't pause as he caught the would-be challenger by the throat and made a fist around his spine, dropping him to the floor before his next boot left the ground. "And your failures. I was not impressed."
"Conqueror," Basilio inhaled deeply to catch his breath and stood taller. A large man himself, Basilio barely reached Walhart's shoulders. "Confident words from men hiding behind so much steel. Shed a few layers, I may impress you yet."
Walhart smirked, raising his axe to point directly at him.
"Were you worth the time."
Basilio swung up suddenly, catching Walhart's large axe in the shaft and sending it wide over the man's head. He lunged, bringing his axe back down at an angle at the giant's knee, but Walhart knelt to glance the attack off his cuisses.
He spun away to use the momentum for a follow up but Walhart appeared at his shoulder, stopping the swing before it started. A gauntlet gripped the back of Basilio's collar and yanked him over an extended knee.
Basilio hit the ground rolling away as an axe split the road where his neck had been.
"You have something for me, Khan," Walhart boomed, striding towards Basilio as the smaller man recovered his footing amidst the blood and bodies.
"Yeah, my axe," Basilio spat, lowering himself to receive an attack. Walhart didn't hesitate, closing their distance without pause.
Basilio read a diagonal slash and planted his feet to parry, when Walhart's grip slid up to choke the axe-head in one motion as both his arms shot out like pincers. Basilio instinctively chose to block the axe arm, but Walhart's free gauntlet connected to his jaw like a mace.
He stumbled back, dazed, slipping on stone as grey swallowed his vision and he lost consciousness.
When his eye cleared he was on his knees, Walhart's grip secure around his collar.
The conqueror smirked, planting his axe in the ground and reaching for Basilio's face.
A cry rang out and they both looked to see Flavia leap over a knight, sword coming down for Walhart's face. At this range and her dexterity there was no escaping the blow.
Walhart leaned in, stifling the weapon so only her pommel struck his temple as he thrust his shoulder into her gut. She staggered back as Walhart straightened, blood running freely down the side of his face.
Flavia hadn't even caught her breath when he started marching towards her, dragging Basilio behind him. She backed away, creating space to swing when Basilio appeared in front of her like a shield to halt her attack.
She reeled awkwardly, redirecting the momentum of her greatsword to avoid her ally.
"Weak!" Walhart bellowed as he lunged, punching her wrist. It popped loudly and she grimaced, dropping her weapon as his hand closed around her neck.
He grit his teeth as he stared between them, blood streaming from his wound.
"This is the best of the northern realms." His nostrils flared in disgust, "Pathetic."
Flavia's eyes fluttered as he pinched the sides of her neck, and he let her crumple.
"Now, Khan, give it to me."
"No dinner?" Basilio muttered, split lip bleeding down his chin.
"Such wit," Walhart reached forward to grab his skull, "A pity your training did not receive the same attention."
Then he paused as his fingers met the strings of the eyepatch stretching across Basilio's head. A smirk emerged as he followed them to his face.
"Such wit," he repeated, ripping the eyepatch off and thumbing the orb beneath.
"The goddess..." Basilio mumbled, air of humor gone now.
"There are no gods, save man," Walhart stated, pressing his armored thumb into Basilio's eye socket to retrieve the glimmering blood-red gem. He was not careful.
Basilio grit his teeth in pain but refused to give voice as Walhart extracted the smooth stone. When he finished Walhart held the gem in his free hand, feeling its roundness.
"Gules," he whispered, closing a fist around it and turning back to Basilio.
"Thank you for delivering it to me."
"Better… Kill me," Basilio glared with his remaining eye.
Walhart sniffed.
"Were you worth the time." He choked Basilio into unconsciousness and called out to the knights, gemstone held high.
Setting sunlight came through the tall windows lining the halls of the castle, casting an orange glow along the marble floors and stone walls. Soft-soled boots meandered along the hall, owner pausing now and then to turn a page or lean against a wall.
Morgan yawned wide, looking up from reports to stare out the window in thought. The sun was in her eyes but she didn't look away, light rays turning her dark blue to sky as she narrowed her gaze.
Across the street from the far west gate, two figures who'd been there hours before. Too far to make out detailed features, but she could tell they were both women. Based on clothes: one from Chon'sin and one foreigner.
"What are you up to…" she mused, tapping her papers to her chin and going on a mental adventure.
They were two spies, planning on infiltrating the castle to assassinate… Someone important. Or Excellus. They succeeded, naturally, because she wouldn't want to stop that, but then she'd meet them in the entry hall, and they'd have a totally epic duel showdown with a bunch of martial arts because the one was from Chon'sin.
An irritable voice broke into her fantasy and she looked over in annoyance as Excellus scuttled into view, whining about something.
Through the window, beyond the grass, over the gate and across the street, Say'ri stretched.
"The sun has almost set. Was there anything else you wished to go over before we return?"
Lucina shook her head. She knew the nearby streets well enough now, yet she didn't mind chatting a little longer.
"You've told me much of your past today. When this war is over, what will you do?"
Say'ri looked up to the castle with a longful expression, "Chon'sin is small, but rebuilding will take years."
"But you're the princess, surely your people will dedicate themselves to whatever course you set them on."
"Princess by birth, absent by choice. Ruling was never something I desired," Say'ri sighed, leaning back against the building with her hands behind her hips before glancing at Lucina, "I admit, I am envious of your situation. Tell me, was it relief, or disappointment, you felt upon hearing you would not inherit the throne?"
Lucina considered her with a slight frown. The thought hadn't occurred to her, it simply was. What she preferred never seemed to take part in any decision she'd made. Her people needed her to be strong, so she was. Their fate required that she go back in time, so she did.
Duty, not desire, had set her on the path of life. What did she feel upon learning the throne was not to be hers? The same thing she felt when learning they had to flee the castle when she was young, or losing friends and family time and again.
"Lucina?"
Say'ri's voice brought her back to the present to see her friend's look of concern.
"I don't know what I felt at the time, though if I were faced with the choice now I would want… What would be best for my people."
"Fie," Say'ri looked away, "You've been given the freedom from ruling and still think only of duty. What would you want? When this war is over, what do you want to do?"
"I want to…" Lucina realized she was thinking too hard on something that should be a simple answer and said the first thing that came to mind, "See the world. And experience… New things. Things I could never see in my time."
"This is your time."
Say'ri looked back to the castle as dusk rose slowly up the sides, chasing the light away.
"But that is an admirable dream. One I wish I could fulfill myself," the girl sighed before motioning down the street.
"You could abdicate the throne, give it to someone else," Lucina suggested, following her up the quiet road.
"As I said: I am envious of your situation," Say'ri repeated, not looking back, "But I was not given an escape from my duty. My country needs me, and I would trust no one else to put the country over themselves."
Lucina followed quietly, hesitant to speak before Say'ri slowed.
"I am sorry," she stopped so Lucina could catch up and matched her pace, "I sound like a jealous child. I am happy that my friend is able to see and do the things she dreams of."
"If I survive this war," Lucina qualified, but Say'ri shook her head in rejection of the afterthought.
"You will survive," Say'ri stated as if noting the sun had set or that grass was green. "And when you start your journey I suggest to bring a companion. 'If you wish to go fast, go alone. If you wish to go far, go together.'"
Lucina smiled, walking with Say'ri back through the emptying streets of Mila.
Night had fallen, streets deserted save a few patrols that wandered their routes, torches held high to illuminate every shadow.
"They're thorough," Robin commented beside Lon'qu, two of them lying prone on the low rooftop across the street.
Lon'qu didn't answer, watching the four guards stoop to examine a gutter.
"It's been awhile since I've done field work, is this okay?"
"You could talk less," Lon'qu broke his silence, eyes never leaving the guards.
"I mean we won't be late or anything?"
Robin watched as the man turned to him slowly, eyes conveying the only words that need be said.
"Right, talk less..." Robin uttered, facing forward again. The guards met another patrol and engaged in conversation. It appeared to be the smallest of small-talk.
"It's just that they're talking," Robin began again and Lon'qu dipped his forehead to the tiles, "So I figured it'd be a good time to catch up."
"We're working right now," Lon'qu spoke through grit teeth as one of the guards leaned against a wall and folded his arms.
"Alright well where do you wanna catch up after, any good places to eat around here?"
"There's a restaurant that serves gaijin near the square. It has acceptable yakisoba."
"Great, you want to‒"
"No."
"C'mon man I haven't seen you in forever," Robin whined quietly.
"There are countless items that need to be seen to before the Ylisseans get here. We can dine together once we're victorious."
"I wanna eat sooner!" Robin complained like a child.
"Take Lucina."
"She's…" Robin went quiet and Lon'qu looked at him, "Man, it's complicated."
Lon'qu regarded him for a moment before returning his attention to the guards.
"...How complicated is it?" Robin mimicked Lon'qu's deep voice, "Well, I'll tell you Lon'qu, since you asked. So we started off not liking each other, right? She tried to kill me a couple times, then I saved her life and we've been like best friends since then until we got married, but then she kissed me and ever since then it's been really awkward. Like we're pretending it never happened but I mean… You can't just pretend you didn't kiss someone, right?"
Lon'qu stared. He blinked with a slight shake of his head.
"What do you think, what would you do in my situation," Robin implored him, nudging with an elbow.
"Take her to dinner," Lon'qu answered, turning back to the street.
"You sure‒?"
"Yes."
Lon'qu stood and Robin realized the men had gone, street empty save the hanging lamps along the sides. He followed the swordsmen to the edge of the building where they dropped into the alley, making their way through the winding sidestreets, occasionally pausing to let a patrol pass before continuing towards the outskirts of the city.
When they finally arrived at the end of an alley Lon'qu stopped and Robin stared.
"This isn't the place, is it?" Robin looked between Lon'qu and the massive warehouse before them.
Near the outer walls, clear land between it and fifty yards in any direction with a guard almost twenty strong on constant watch, the building hadn't been done justice. It was much larger than anticipated, and made of stone, and Robin wasn't sure why that hadn't been pointed out to him.
"What's the problem?" Lon'qu asked, turning to see his expression.
"What's the ‒ Lon'qu when was the last time you saw fire melt stone?"
"Are we here to disrupt their supply of stone?"
"Don't be cute," Robin scolded, turning back to the street and trying to think. "By the time someone notices the fire it won't have covered a quarter of that warehouse."
"Improvise."
"Improvise," Robin repeated, nodding sarcastically as Lon'qu slunk down into the shadows of the alley.
"You'll think of something. It's almost time," Lon'qu noted, pointing with his chin towards the perpendicular street where another group of shadowy figures crouched near the alley.
"This is an example of bad intel, and I can't be held responsible for bad plans based on bad intel," Robin disclaimed as Lon'qu raised a hand to acknowledge the other group.
"So we're going home?" Lon'qu asked with disinterest, looking to a rooftop where archers nocked arrows.
"No, I'll think of something…" Robin muttered, scratching his ear. He sighed, "Do it."
Morgan looked up from her books as hurried footsteps scuffled down the hall towards the study door.
"So help me Excellus‒" she started as the pudgy man opened the door but his bug-eyed expression made her pause.
"Rebels are gathering outside the west gates!"
She blinked, staring at him. Not out of shock, but failure to understand. "Why?"
"To kill us, you idiot child!" Excellus screeched in panic, grabbing her sleeve and dragging her through the halls.
"They would be insane to try to attack the castle directly, they know they don't have the manpower or the equipment to get past the gates," Morgan thought aloud, frowning as Excellus moved her to a window overlooking the courtyard between the castle and the walls separating them from the city.
Sure enough, before the side gate outside, a small force had gathered. Their allegiance was impossible to discern from this distance but it was after curfew, they were armed, and they looked like they meant business.
"They attack while Walhart is away, I told you that public demonstration was a mistake!"
"That demonstration was a show of capability. For them to stage an attack shortly after is… Just dumb." Her eyes widened, "Or smart…"
"Domina!" A soldier arrived, saluting Morgan and ignoring Excellus, "Guards report an attack on the warehouse near the east barracks minutes ago."
"A distraction!" Excellus exclaimed, tugging at Morgan's sleeve like a child, "Pull them back to defend the castle!"
"If we lose that warehouse, defending Mila is going to get a lot harder," Morgan uttered, mind running through its inventory.
"The warehouse is a distraction, trying to pull our forces away from the castle," Excellus explained like she were a simpleton, "Pull them back!"
"Divert all available men to that warehouse," Morgan commanded, guard saluting without hesitation and departing.
"What are you doing?!" Excellus exclaimed, eyes wide in terror.
Morgan ignored him as she made for the stairs. Nothing was ever as it seemed with these guys. They were always two steps ahead, so she had to be three steps ahead. Their target was the warehouse, which meant they knew its contents.
Anti-siege ballistas were of little use against the resistance, who would never stage a full-on assault. This was for the benefit of the Ylissean army, so the two were collaborating. Two hands moving with one purpose: to defeat them.
Defeat her. That wasn't gonna happen.
Past the west wall was the densest part of the city, with a million alleys and escape routes to lose pursuers. Chasing the resistance through their own turf was a certain way to waste time, but she aimed to distract the distractors.
She entered the armory where a unit of soldiers were quickly suiting up for combat.
"You lot, with me!"
Lon'qu ducked under a pike, spinning to drive a sword through the thigh of another attacker before delivering a rising uppercut to the pikeman's exposed neck. He yanked his sword free as Robin strolled past towards the warehouse, matching his pace as he whisked the blood from his weapon.
"They're getting reinforcements," Lon'qu caught his breath, eyes narrowing as he surveyed the skirmish.
Resistance fighters weren't trained for extended combat, and as more Valmese poured from the barracks and castle this looked to be becoming extended combat.
"Yeah, that's not what I was expecting," Robin answered, stooping to recover a chained tome from a body with a frown. "I didn't think the Valmese believed in mages."
"Probably about as effective as not believing in swords, or arrows," Lon'qu commented, glancing to the book, "There were reports of a small chapter of dark mages aiding the Valmese, but they've never been seen in combat."
"This one did. Briefly," Robin muttered, tucking the tome under his arm, and looked over to see a resistance fighter take a Valmese javelin. "Help them, I won't be long."
"You don't have long."
Lon'qu drew his other sword and ran to join their allies in the fray as Robin entered the warehouse.
It was four stories tall, open space broken by crates on one half and an assembly line of ballista construction machinery on the other. He looked up, spotting what he'd hoped to find.
Exposed rafters.
Lucina leaned to the side, bringing Falchion down in an arc as the soldier missed with his spear. She corrected her stance, opponent falling to the ground as Say'ri turned to her.
"Something's wrong, they're not reinforcing this defense."
She was right. Lucina looked up the courtyard to see Valmese and resistance fighting, but no sign of reinforcements on their way. They could probably push into the castle with the numbers they had right now, but to what end. There was no tactical advantage of taking the castle when they couldn't hold it. Yet pulling back now would simply allow the extra soldiers here to flood their true objective. This wasn't going according to plan.
A resistance fighter cried out as electricity crackled the air, dropping to his knees as his opponent sprinted towards him, launching off his shoulder and leaping for Lucina.
She poised Falchion, ready to spear such a sloppy offense until she saw the girl's face. A youth, no more than fifteen, spark of life in her large eyes as she came down towards her. Lucina barely had time to avert her sword, cleaving the oncoming blade from its hilt before the girl landed, hilt coming down on Lucina's forearm.
The pinched muscles caused her grip to release just as the girl shouldered into her, stripping Falchion away.
Lucina stepped back calmly, rubbing her arm and flexing her fingers. Say'ri looked ready to engage before she too saw the girl's age, and she looked to Lucina uncertainly.
Now she wasn't flying towards her, Lucina could make out the girl's appearance properly. Rounded face, wavy hair bobbed just before becoming straight… Yet it was her large eyes that were the most striking. A deep blue that failed to hide brimming intellect.
"We have the castle surrounded, there's no need for you to throw your life away," Lucina explained patiently, holding her arms out to show she meant no harm.
There were no Valmese in the immediate vicinity, the girl had far outstripped the honor guard that fought to reach them near the entrance to the castle, waylaid by resistance. She'd had obvious training, but was still young.
The girl was frowning at her, panting as she held Falchion at the ready despite Lucina's tone and body language making it clear she wouldn't harm a child.
"What's your name?" Lucina asked, taking a step closer.
"W-who are you?" the girl asked, taking a step back and staring at Lucina as Say'ri moved slowly along her flank.
"My name is Lucina, of Ylisse," Lucina stated, stopping to meet her gaze evenly and take in her oddly familiar facial features. Fair skin, dark hair of the same shade as her own. She could have passed for one of the royal family, if Lucina didn't already know everyone in it. "Who are you?"
"I don't…" the girl muttered, eyes scrunching for a second before narrowing on her like she was struggling to remember something important. "My name is Morgan."
"Morgan. I'm fond of that name," Lucina spoke truthfully, smiling at her. The fighting was drawing closer. "You're very skilled with magic. I've only known one person who could use it without a tome."
"Stay back!" Morgan lifted Falchion in defense as Lucina took a tentative step forward.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Morgan, but I fear that weapon will not be very useful in your hands, and I would like it back."
"I know how to use a sword," Morgan growled, even as Falchion's tip lowered as the blade became too heavy for her.
Lucina almost smiled. "You look like you do. Yet that is a particular weapon, and in the hands of someone not of my‒"
Say'ri moved. Too quickly to avoid notice, too slowly to miss Falchion. Lucina stared as her blade pierced Say'ri's stomach like a pen through parchment.
Morgan leapt back in horror, Falchion clattering to the ground as she stumbled away from Say'ri who sunk low, clutching her wound with an expression of shock that matched Lucina's.
"Fall back!" Lucina commanded, snapping back to the present and sprinting into action.
She retrieved her discarded weapon and lifted Say'ri onto her shoulder, throwing one last glance at the youth. Morgan watched them go as the guard enveloped her, driving off the last of the resistance.
"Retreat!" Lon'qu barked, grabbing an ally by the shoulder and shoving him towards the side street they would escape from as a Valmese charged them.
He engaged his opponent, dispatching him quickly before turning back to the warehouse. No sign of Robin. He looked to see his window of escape closing, resistance fighters pulling back against the fresh division of Valmese that arrived at the scene. Gritting his teeth he limped towards the warehouse.
Shouldering into the door and scanning the open half of the room revealed nothing.
"Robin!" he called, stopping at each aisle of crates to look for him, but the tactician was nowhere to be found.
"Lon'qu?"
He looked up, spotting Robin shuffling along the rafters. He'd evidently climbed the crates, stacking several to make up the distance between the top shelf to the ceiling where he'd moved along the rafters, though to what end Lon'qu could only imagine.
"Almost ready, just need to get over there!"
"We need to move, now! We're getting cut off‒!" Lon'qu began before the door to the warehouse flew open.
Lon'qu dipped into an aisle and ducked, peering between the boxes to see a dozen men file in. He had half a mind to hide, but looking down he could see a dotted trail of blood from his calf to the floor. He glanced up, but Robin had resumed fiddling with something in the nook of two beams. No help there. The best Lon'qu could hope for was drawing back to the end of an aisle and force his opponents into fighting him two or three at a time.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he limped to the end of the aisle. He placed his remaining blade on the ground and sat on his haunches, knees to the floor, and inhaled deeply.
It wasn't a new experience, nearing Death's door. He'd been here so many times before, he barely felt the adrenaline. But it was good to gather himself, make the mental preparations. Just in case today was the day his debts were finally collected.
He would not face the end afraid.
Marching boots halted before him, then proceeded forward in sync. When they were five meters away a voice called out.
"Rise. Face your death with honor."
Lon'qu's eyes opened, seeing a dozen lances lowered at him. A shield wall of spear tips.
There were two ways out of this world. Lying down, or on your feet. His way was decided the day he picked up a sword, and he had no regrets.
The scabbard scraped on the ground as he slowly rose, weapon at his side.
"Who's first?"
The shieldwall moved forward as one and he lowered into a defensive stance, preparing to deflect one, take three, and cut down as many as he could before being driven to the ground, when several things happened at once causing everyone to look up.
A loud bang drew everyone's attention to the top of the wall of shelves beside them, seeing Robin teeter for balance as the wall dipped dangerously forward. When it passed the threshold Robin turned, plume of fire rising from his hand into the rafters where it met an unseen catalyst, fire turning dark purple and enveloping the entire section of rafters in a silent explosion. Without the center beams other supports slid out of position and the entire roof began to cave.
Then attention was brought back to the more immediate concern: the wall of crates and shelves falling towards them.
Lon'qu kicked a box through the other side, diving into its place as the Valmese struggled to clear the aisle in time for the wall to crash into the next, causing a domino effect until it hit the stone wall of the warehouse which cracked, and without the ceiling supports, gave way. With one wall gone, the side walls buckled inwards, following the crumbling ceiling rushing to the floor and dragging the remaining wall with them.
After almost thirty straight seconds of ear-deafening noise, a few pieces of debris settled into place. Dust and smoke filled the air, orange from the fires spreading amongst the wood.
A stone slab shifted and poofy hair poked out of the other side of a horizontal shelf. Lon'qu coughed, covered in white dust. There was scattered movement, but discerning friend from foe was impossible in the smokescreen around them. Which was fortunate since his sword was lost somewhere in this rubble.
He heaved himself onto the layer to broken building around him, navigating carefully over boxes and debris, barely able to see his own feet. Shapes were moving around him, coughing, fumbling amidst ruins, but he kept his heading until a shape drew beside to take him on its shoulder. His guard immediately lowered at the voice.
"Glad I came now?"
Lucina had been staring at the long table of maps with vacant eyes, mind trying to sort half a dozen ideas at once, when relieved voices met her ears. She looked up, seeing a white-dusted Robin hand a whiter Lon'qu off to a crowd of worried looking resistance fighters.
"Thank the gods," she uttered, crossing the room to embrace Robin.
He stared over her shoulder, arms coming around her until she pulled back, hands on his elbows.
"When the others returned without you, I feared the worst," she uttered, staring at the coat of white covering him.
"Things didn't go according to plan tonight…" he admitted, taking in her worried expression. "...What happened?"
"Something was wrong," she spoke softly, glancing back at the injured being tended to by the healers, "We didn't need to pull back, they weren't defending the castle."
"Yeah, we got more than I was expecting," Robin replied, raising his eyebrows as he looked over the injured too.
They were already short on manpower. While tonight's mission would be counted as a success to some, it was a failure in his eyes. The cost far outweighed the results. They were stretched thin enough.
When he looked back he realized Lucina was looking at him.
"Something else?"
She turned back to the wounded.
"Say'ri was hurt. The healers don't know…" she trailed off.
They walked past the rows of mats and wounded fighters as she explained what happened at the castle. When they arrived at Say'ri's mat Robin leaned over the healer to see their friend lying very still, breathing labored.
When he looked back at Lucina she was shaking her head, and he cut her off as her mouth opened.
"It wasn't your fault."
"It shouldn't have cut. I told her that, in her village. It should have been no sharper than a club."
"We don't know what happened, but feeling bad about it doesn't help anyone. You weren't holding the weapon or making a grab for it, you have as much right to feel guilty as I do." Robin put a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes. "Go shower off, get some rest."
She looked at him. "While you and the others tend to the wounded, and make plans?"
He cleared his throat and shook his head. "That was a stupid thing to say, sorry. I just…"
"I know. But I want to help."
He nodded, gesturing to the table at the center of the room. "I'll be there, if you need anything."
"Will you be long?"
"Hours," Robin sighed, walking away. "Hours and hours…"
He wished he was exaggerating, but tonight's setbacks hadn't been a fluke. He'd read the other reports to confirm what he already knew, but the enemy had adapted. Seen through the simple ruse, and punished them for it.
Future plans couldn't be so simple. If the enemy was now thinking three steps ahead, he had to be four. And then five.
He couldn't allow a repeat of tonight. They simply didn't have the bodies.
Hours later Robin looked up from the maps and closed dossiers and rested his eyes. He wasn't sleepy, just tired of looking over logistics. The success of tonight's mission meant the Valmese would have little anti-siege capabilities, they would have to take to the field to defend the city. Which meant dozens of other opportunities to sabotage were available now, but the unexpected casualties limited their ability to respond to these opportunities. With a few more fighters MIA, possibly captured, it made for a logistical nightmare he held sole ownership over.
But he'd managed to chart a course for the next two days using the people he had. Safe operations, mostly surveillance.
Around him most of the bustle had died down. Only a few healers and sentries wandered the dimly lit basement now, and he wondered what time it was.
He rose, donning his powdered white robe and making for the stairs, raising a hand to acknowledge the hushed Otsukaresamades that followed him.
Robin made his way up the inn, meandering at a slow pace while his thoughts continued to run the gamut. They'd had the luxury of distance before. All the tricks he'd use, the feints and double-feints and diversions were new to Walhart. He could run circles around the Valmese military method of "Move here, crush there."
But tonight the Valmese demonstrated that they could adapt or that they could be lucky, and only fools counted on someone else's luck.
Robin stopped at the top of the stairs, looking down his hall.
He walked forward quietly, arriving beside his door where Lucina sat, knees drawn up to her chest, forehead resting on crossed arms. She wore a simple sleeping tunic and didn't stir when he slid down the wall to sit beside her.
She seemed to sense his presence, leaning slightly to rest against his shoulder. He glanced over, but her breathing was even and steady. Her freshly washed hair smelled nice. Definitely new shampoo.
He sighed, thoughts returning to the night's events. The enemy knew the value of its strategic resources, what to defend and what the resistance would target. So they had to be where they weren't expected. Target what the enemy didn't realize it needed… But how close of an eye did they have on their supplies? What did they know about defending against sieges? What he'd give to be in the same room as them, if only for a minute's conversation. Size up the competition, get in their head, and know every move they'd make in a tactical setting.
Lucina sighed. He glanced over but she simply nestled closer against him. He gave her a light nudge but she didn't respond.
He was glad she was safe. Say'ri being injured was sad, he was always sad when friends were hurt. But if it had been Lucina, paying for his miscalculation... He would have never forgiven himself.
Robin looked down at her, swallowing. He gently brushed her damp bangs aside, clearing her forehead so he could give it a soft kiss.
Maybe she was reluctant to embrace their newfound feelings for one another, but that didn't change the way he felt. Last night had been a moment of weakness for him, moments he never shared with anyone before, except her.
He trusted her, and she would always have him. He would win this war for her, because he couldn't think of a more important cause to fight for than to ensure Lucina was safe.
"Did…you finish?" she mumbled quietly, not rising from her position against him.
She didn't move or speak, and for all he could tell had fallen back to sleep. He rested his head on hers as thunder rumbled somewhere far away.
"I fear I'm just getting started."