Chapter 22: The Seacomers
~Two years later~
At the target field, someone looking at the target 150 meters or over and aims an arrow at it. After letting out a breath, she stretches the string with the arrow and releases it, hitting dead center of the target. Seeing this satisfies the archer before hearing a familiar voice.
"Pika!" Turning around, she sees her partner Pikachu running up to her and stops at her feet.
"What is it, Éclair? Is Chrom calling for me?"
"Pikachu." Éclair nods and the archer puts the bow into her case and picks it up when Éclair climbs up to her shoulder.
Then the wind blows through the archer as her below shoulder-length hair slightly parts away from her face, revealing to be Reina.
Her outfit changed during the two years' time as she wears armor on her chest and covers her left arm and hand leaving her wearing a glove on her right hand. Under the chest armor, she still wears her prior outfit but with pantyhose under the pleated kilt skirt. Reina still has her moon pendant with the mega stone hanging on her neck and wears a ring that has a symbol that similar to a crescent moon.
Reina walks through the corridor to the throne room where Chrom is waiting for her. Upon entering the room, she sees not only Chrom but Frederick, Lissa, Kai, and Meena there as well.
"Did you want to see me, Chrom?" Reina asks.
"Yes. I know I asked you this before, but are there any troubles with the soldiers and their Pokémon during training?" Chrom asks.
"Nope. The soldiers and their Pokémon are doing just fine. Didn't I told you this before yesterday?"
"Yeah, Chrom! You're such a worrywart when it comes to us and the Pokémon." Lissa points out.
Chrom nervously laughs. "My apologize."
Then they hear footsteps coming into the room and turn around to see a soldier coming into the throne room. After being here for so long, the trainers recognize that he is one of the guards from the castle gates.
"Sire, a messenger from Regna Ferox." He says.
The group looks at each other in surprise as the exalt turns to the soldier with a nod. "See them in at once."
The soldier bows. "Yes, milord."
Almost immediately after the man left, he soon returns with a familiar blond hair woman and soon bows at Chrom. "Prince Chrom, I come on behalf of Khan Regnant Flavia.
"Flavia?" Chrom says with curiosity. "Well, this is a surprise. Is something amiss?"
"I fear so, milord." Raimi nods with a frown. "The khan requests your presence at a summit as soon as you're able."
Chrom frowns with an anxious look. "What's happened?"
"Our western neighbors of Valm are no longer acting so neighborly. The emperor, who they name the Conqueror, has launched warships against us."
Chrom narrows his eyes with a composed expression as he speaks, "An invasion? Are you certain of this?"
The knight bows respectfully to him and answers, "Yes, milord. The Khan hopes to meet with you in Ferox if it pleases you."
They look to the exalt as Frederick asks, "What do you make of this, sire?"
He turns to his retainer. "Ill business to be sure. Raimi, we will meet with Flavia at once…"
As Raimi nods and takes her leave to quickly return to Regna Ferox, Robin comes walking over to them in her pink dress as she holds the infant princess in her arms. "Chrom…"
"I know what you're thinking, Robin, but we owe Regna Ferox a great debt. I must apprise myself of the facts there before deciding on a course of action." Chrom states.
"Nope, not what I was thinking." Robin smiles. "I was actually going to suggest we discuss strategy as we travel."
Her words surprise everyone, but the exalt shakes his head and looks to the young princess in her arms. "B-but Lucina is newly born! She needs her mother now."
"You told me House Ylisse has a tradition of wet-nursing," Robin says as she tries to persuade her husband. "And you and Lissa turned out rather well from where I stand. Lucina is a strong child; she takes after her father. The Brand in her left eye proves it."
It is as she said about their child. Lucina, their child, has not only inherited her father's cerulean blue hair but, from the day her blues eyes open, they were all shocked too in that she also inherited the Brand of the Exalt as well in her left eye.
Chrom frowns. "I'm not just worried about her, I'd worry about you as well."
"All the more reason to keep me close at hand, no? Together we can be more than we can alone, remember?" Robin reminds the exalt.
"Aw, let her come, Chrom! You could use her strategic thinking anyway." Lissa points out.
"All right, Robin. Just promise to stay safe. Lissa and I had Emm of course, but we lost our parents when we were young. I want Lucina to grow up with her whole family around her." Chrom says.
"As do I. You have my word." Robin says.
"I will ride ahead and assemble an escort, milord." Frederick says.
"Thank you, Frederick." The exalt says before the knight bows and takes his leave immediately.
"I'm quite impressed, Chrom. You make a fine ruler. You come a long way from tending sheep!" Robin says.
"Ha! Have I truly changed so much?" Chrom asks.
"Mmm… In a way, you haven't. But you've grown a leader, and, of course, as a father."
"I've tried to do my best. My sister left a weighty legacy. I do all I can just to live up to it."
After setting up for their departure, the Shepherds march towards Regna Ferox. For what it seems to be hours as the sun begins the set, Chrom decided to set up camp for the night even though he wanted to continue on the march but he knew better than to tire out his own men before a battle. The next morning, they arrive at the Ferox castle. Even though two years have passed, everything is still the same as when they first came to the Halidom with blue carpet and a large banner with two wolves hanging above a throne. In the center stands none other than the blond hair warrior.
The exalt immediately walks up to her with his tactician and the two trainers, Reina and Kai.
"I apologize I could not come sooner, Flavia." Chrom says.
The Khan shakes her head with a smile, "What matter is you are here, Chrom.
"Is it true Valmese warships have set sail? What can you tell us?"
Flavia frowns and shakes her head with a shrug. "Not much more than that, I'm afraid. The details remain hazy. Just a moment…" She turns her head and shouts, "Oaf! …Where are you, you big, bald– Chrom is here!"
Seeing this, Kai moves closer to Reina, "Is Flavia this kind of person?"
"Yep." Reina simply replies.
It wasn't before the eye-patched Khan shows up and walks over to them. "Ah! Well met, boy. I knew you'd come. We have someone you should hear from. I believe you've met? He claims to have insight into Valm's intentions."
Basilio goes to call in the person and then two figures walk over to the group. Their eyes widen in shock at the sight of one of the people in front of them.
"Virion?!" Reina exclaims in shock upon the sight of him.
The blue haired archer smiles at the sight of them. "Good day, lords and ladies. How fare you all? Allow me the great pleasure, and indeed honor, of introducing myself…"
"We all know who you are, Virion. Although I don't believe we've met your companion?" Chrom asks.
Virion smirks and bows as he continues, "Hmph! You know nothing! Prepare for my great unmasking! Long have I posed as archest of archers! Yet that was but a ruse! Yea, an artifice, to disguise myself as a mere above-average man. In truth, I am-"
The woman with long red hair and wears silver armor decorated with wyvern shaped wings, clears her throat interrupting the archer's fancy speech in the process and finishes politely with a kind smile. "May I present Duke Virion. I am his humble servant, Cherche. Greetings, sire. You honor us with your presence."
"Cherche!" The man says in disappointment. "You stole my moment!"
Ignoring the duke, Chrom turns to the woman. "A pleasure, Cherche. Perhaps you could speak on your master's behalf?"
The woman nods. "That may speed things along, yes…"
"Then please. Time is of the essence."
The young woman bows deeply, "Very well, then. First, concerning our origins… We hail from Rosanne, of fertile territory on the continent of Valm. Milord is the head of House Virion, and the rightful ruler of Rosanne." She smiles and points out, "A fact he often reminds us of– and loudly."
"Ha!" Virion exclaims with a smile and a shrug. "Is she not a true wit? She gets it all from me, you know."
Despite his words, the group continues to ignore his statement and continues. "So what brings a noble and his charge all the way across the long sea?" Chrom asks.
Hearing this, the archer's face quickly becomes serious as he answers, "The Valmese. Theirs was an unremarkable nation once. Tiny, almost pitiful so. Had our continent not shared its name, you might almost have forgotten it existed. And so Valm might remained, if not for Walhart the Conqueror. One by one, he has taken the surrounding realms into his growing empire. I had no choice but to ru… Er, that is, to RECRUIT new allies to aid my people. That's why I've come."
"…You fled for your life." Chrom says as he understands what the man was about to say.
Cherche nods. "More or less, yes. While milord hastily gathers his valuables and guided his people out to safety… I alone remained to keep an eye on the Valmese crisis. I was there as Rosanne was swallowed up by Emperor Walhart's overwhelming forces. In the end, I, too, fled here to Regna Ferox seeking asylum."
"To my great relief, I might add!" Virion says with a smile. "Eligible women are one of Rosanne's most precious natural resources! It would be a shame to waste any, even one who cuts of her lord and ma-"
"Ahem! As I was saying…" Cherche says with a cold smile as she gives a quick glance over to her master.
The archer nods and says, "Yes, yes, all right, it was only a jape!" He then turns to them with a nervous expression. "Please, by all means, you may con-"
"So begging your pardon, but perhaps it is time this long story short: Walhart has conquered our continent and now seeks to conquer yours."
Basilio walks up to the group with a stern look. "She claims the Valmese fleet will be at our shores in matter of days. We'll know soon enough if her story proves true."
I speak only what I know for true, good people. As does my lord." The woman says with confidence before giving her master a glare. "…At least, with respect to this matter."
"There's that wit of yours again!" Virion says with a nervous chuckle. "That wonderful… needing, chafing wit."
Before anyone can say anything, Chrom immediately says to the two, "I believe you both." His allies nod in agreement as he turns to the West-Khan. "Basilio, we must secure your ports as soon as possible."
"You should know that Valm has the strongest cavalry in the world." The Duke informs them as soon as he hears the captain's words. "You will want to station troops with experience fighting mounted troops."
They look at him in surprise as Chrom asks the archer nervously upon the advice, "Why, Virion, are you volunteering?"
"Of course." The archer bluntly answers. "I can't let Walhart continue to take control of Rosanne. I came to warn of the invasion Valm will bring on this land-"
"Milord wishes to join this battle in hope of freeing the people of Rosanne from Walhart's tyranny." Cherche quickly finishes.
Chrom nods as he says to the two, "All right, then. I appreciate your help in this fight. Robin, I'll be counting on you in strategizing a new tactic against this threat."
"Of course, Chrom." Robin says with a confident smile. "Leave it to me."
When they reach the port, they spot the largest ship than the rest with the most foreign and elegant design. Once they arrive, they are surrounded by numerous soldiers around them wearing gold and red armor, some with silver rather than gold. It's also just as Virion informs them before, many, if not all of the soldiers, ride on horseback.
Near the rails of the boat stands a strict tall man with pale brown hair and a beard and equips with a long spear in his hand. He glares at the villager, who wishes to talk with the man, but the spearman shows no change on his face as he frowns.
"You dare board our ship, worm? I will not discuss terms with a peasant; I will issue demands to all!" He then comes closer to the rails and declares, "Citizens! Soldiers! Hear my words! The Conqueror himself, Emperor Walhart, claims dominion over these lands! You will grant your new emperor your ships! You will grant him all your provender! You will grand him your loyalty and your every possession! And you will surrender this land's greatest treasure, the Fire Emblem! Do this, and your lives will be spared. Resist, and your lives are forfeit! Now, kneel! And swear fealty to the mighty Valmese Empire!"
Shock, the villager stammers in a plea, "B-but if you take all that we have, how are to make our living? Without food and ships, people will starve! Would you have us all die?"
The Spearman turns to the man with a nod. "…You'll do for now."
Much to the man's horror, the captain raises his spear high above him and quickly brings it down upon the man.
Chrom grimaces the scene before them. "These savages will never listen to reason. Everyone: prepare to engage!"
The exalts retainer looks over to his charge with concern. "Milord, are you certain? Another war…"
Without hesitation, Chrom looks over to the two with a nod and says firmly, "I've had time to ponder Ylisse's place in the world, Frederick. …And my own. We must stand against evil, in all its form or there can be no peace!"
Suddenly, they hear a roar not far behind them and sees a large wyvern. Riding on its back is none other than the ax-wielding vassal of the fallen duke.
"Might I join, sire?" Cherche asks as her wyvern lands next to the exalt. "This may not be my country, but it is my cause. My dear Minerva here hungers for a bite of the action as well!"
Hearing this, Chrom nods. "Of course."
Upon his approval, the wyvern lets out a shriek and takes flight once more as the two sides begin to fight. The tactician quickly pairing the soldiers in hopes of dealing against the enemies' advantage with mounts and large numbers. As the fight continues, Lissa and Meena do their best in making sure that their comrades receive their aid as a healer. Throughout the fight, Reina snipes several mounted soldiers while Kai protects her back from the heavily armored knights and protecting the two is Éclair and Kai's Pokémon: a bipedal, pangolin Pokémon. It has an icy blue hide and quills covered in ice. These quills stand to resemble icicles. It has two large claws on its paws and feet. its claws are long, thin, and hooked at the tips. Despite the weight of its ice-covered body, it's able to move swiftly through the enemy soldiers with its claws while protecting its trainer and Reina.
The battle continues on for hours as the unrelenting enemies continue to charge forward under their captain's orders. Robin puts everything into her power to fight back against the Valmese soldiers while giving direction to the soldiers. Seeing that his men are slowly grinding away by the Shepherds, their captain finally joined in the fray as his horse gallops off the decks of the boat and on the port with his men. Kai notices this sudden change and begins to call out to their tactician. Robin quickly sends orders to him and Reina to stop the enemy captain which they comply.
Seeing the two standing in front of his way, the captain shouts at them, "You are nothing! A speck of sand on the boot of the great empire!"
Kai prepares himself as the captain brings down his short spear in his hand while Reina waits for an opening at the captain having Kai distract him with a prepared arrow. Reina then widens her eyes seeing the opening and let go of the arrow. Looking behind him, Kai sees the arrow before moving away at the trajectory of the arrow as it hits the captain in front of the neck.
"What… H-How…"
The man's body begins to limp off his horse down to the ground dead with the arrow still stuck in front of his neck. With the death of their captain, the rest of the fight soon much easier as they are able to quickly fight off the enemy cavalries. From there, the outcome of the battle became clear as it also didn't last much longer than one or half an hour. It wasn't until after Chrom takes down the last spearman and Robin finally able to rush over to her husband.
"Chrom, is that all of them?" She asks
The captain nods slowly as he looks around. "Yes, but victory's come with a price…"
Basilio frowns as he glances around the port and his men. "The town is in shambles, as is my army."
"This is most troubling news." Frederick notes with a worried look. "Feroxi soldiers are the finest east of the long sea. IF they are having trouble, we are ALL in trouble."
Flavia shakes her head in frustration and frowned. "That's not the half of it. This was just the vanguard–but a taste of the meal yet to come."
"And once it arrives, their host will wash over the whole continent in weeks. There's no way we could repel them and defend our people. It would be a slaughter.
Chrom nods as he adds, "Ylisse is no better equipped to handle an attack from the sea… Robin, What do you suggest?"
She begins thinking carefully as she glances around the area. "Their greatest strength is their cavalry, which puts us at a disadvantage… on land. But if we were to catch them at SEA…"
"But how?! Ylisse has no warships, nor does Ferox."
"So we'd need aid from a kingdom that does…" Basilio trails off as he thinks about those conditions.
"You have someplace in mind, oaf?" Flavia asks.
"Perhaps a land that borders the sea, with enough wealth to afford his campaign?"
"Plegia!" Robin shouts.
"No. Absolutely not." Chrom says bluntly as he voiced his disapproval. "Out of the question."
"They have gold, boy!" Basilio argues. "Countless ships! And more importantly, we have a fart's chance in the wind without them."
"The oaf is right. …Crude, but right. There's only one path forward."
"Chrom will you reconsider?" Robin asks.
The exalt remain silent before finally letting out a sigh of defeat. "…Very well. Send a messenger and request a summit immediately. Let us pray this new king is more reasonable than their last.
"Indeed."
"You know, Robin… For the first time against Valmese forces, that was an impressive victory. You and Chrom have both grown quite adept. You should be proud."
Soon everyone disperses to prepare for their trip to the Plegia castle.