It was difficult to say when exactly but at some point Robin noted that it had grown noticeably cooler. The landscape had also changed from the rich browns and vibrant greens to more subdued hues. When the man commented on the matter Chrom nodded.

'Ferox is noticeably cooler than Ylisse year round, less forgiving. Some say that at the far north of the country you can actually find snow throughout the entire year.'

Robin nodded and from there the conversation moved to the weather in general as the amnesiac was reminded of what sort of climate he could expect in the various lands of the known world.

'It can get really hot and humid in the Ylisse during the summer, makes me really glad that we have a summer castle in the mountains where we can spend the worst of it.'

Lissa commented with a wistful sigh. Robin smiled and was about to comment when the sound of hoof beats sounded ahead and everybody looked to see who it was, hands instinctively moving to their arms and there was a noticeable relaxation at the realization it was Sully. The cavalier pulled up near Chrom and reported.

'We're almost at the border!'

Chrom nodded at the news and gave an order, one of the retainers pulling the leather cover from the end of his lance, unfurling the blue and silver banner of the Exalts family. Robin looked mildly surprised as he asked.

'The border? I take it there is some sort of landmark that makes it obvious?'

Several eyebrows were raised as the man became the focus of questioning stares before Sully slapped her forehead.

'Right! Amnesia!'

The statement released a collective sigh of understanding and it was Chrom who explained.

'Yes there is a landmark of sorts, a wall.'

'Some say it stretches from one end of the continent to the other!'

Lissa added. Robin's eyes opened wide.

'Truly? How would they even build such a thing?'

'Apparently, yes and I'm afraid I'm no expert on the matter.'

Chrom answered with a shrug before Lissa joined in.

'Didn't Sumia give you that history scroll? I'm sure it's in there.'

'I haven't managed to read much of it as of yet.'

Robin answered even as he stood in his stirrups, looking ahead vefore sitting down and turning to Chrom.

'Would it be alright if I went ahead?'

The prince couldn't help a chuckle as, at that moment, Robin's battle hardened face resembled that of a child waiting for his nameday gift.

'Sully, if you could escort our friend here?'

'Sure thing. Come along than.'

With that the two left the main column and trotted off ahead. Even as the royals laughed good-naturedly at the surprising display Frederick scowled as he muttered.

'He at least plays the fool convincingly enough.'

Not as silently as he had planned as Lissa turned to him.

'Oh lay off him Frederick! There has to be a limit to your paranoia.'

The knights face took an almost hurt look for the briefest of moments before shifting to his usual expression.

'I am merely maintaining guard with an unknown person who has proven to be dangerous.'

'And we appreciate it.'

Chrom interrupted, throwing a silent look towards Lissa, warning her not to argue further.

'But I have decided to trust the man and he has given an oath. I do not expect you to befriend the man but please be courteous.'

Frederick sighed but nodded.

'Yes my lord.'

The wall was impressive and though there were places, too many in his opinion, where the woods grew close to the wall itself the fortifications were obviously regularly maintained and even at a distance robin could see soldiers patrolling it. As it grew closer Robin could see increasing problems with the fortifications, the lack of overlapping kill zones for example, too say nothing about how maintaining and manning such a fortress must be a noticeable strain on any countries budget but the overall impression was, nonetheless, impressive.

'You should close your jaw.'

Robin turned to Sully with a raised eyebrow, the girl had a good humoured, if somewhat cheeky, grin on her face as she continued.

'So you're a fan of matters military eh?'

Robin shrugged.

'It would seem so. I just kind of can't help but look at such things, find good points and bad and when seeing something particularly impressive I suppose I feel… "Happy" for want of a better word.'

Sully nodded, the grin disappearing.

'I know the feeling.'

She turned in the saddle and waved at the column while Robin turned his attention back to the fortifications before him. Before long they rejoined the column and covered the ground to the gate quickly, the intensified movement on the walls not escaping their notice. Once they were within fifty yards of the gatehouse the herald rode forward before pulling up and, with lungs well practiced in the art, bellowed.

'An envoy from her grace, the Exalt Emmeryn of Ylisse, descendent of the Hero King of old and the first Exalt to the Khans of Regna Ferox!'

For a moment nothing seemed to happen before, with an audible clang, a postern in the gate opened and a fully armoured man at arms stepped through, further soldiers visible behind him before the door closed again. The man approached the herald and, scowl in place looked over the Ylissian column.

'So, which one of you is the envoy?'

'That would be me.'

Chrom rode up; reining in not far from the man at arms who looked him from head to toe, scowl still in place.

'And you are?

'Prince Chrom of Ylisse, descendent of the hero king and the first exalt.'

The Feroxi's scowl vanished for a moment replaced by surprise before reaffirming itself on his face.

''You have proof?'

The herald extended his hand with a scroll but the man shook his head.

'Writing and seals can be forged, but apparently the Exalts bloodline bears marks that cannot be forged.'

Robin raised an eyebrow at this, even more so at the angry murmur rising from the Ylissians around him. Frederick kicked his mount forward and glared at the Feroxi but Chrom lifted his hand and demanded silence.

'Frederick, help me with my armour.'

The knight, frown still in place, dismounted after his lord and helped the man, exposing his right shoulder. The Feroxi officer's eyes opened wide and he nearly doubled over in his bow.

'Forgive me your lordship.'

'I trust there is a good reason for the demand?'

The Feroxi nodded before bellowing an order to open the gates.

'Aye, your lordship. We've been constantly harassed by raiders from the south, some claiming to be Ylissian envoys and just recently there has been talk of "things" causing mayhem in the countryside.'

'Risen.'

Chrom nearly spat while being helped back into his armour. The Feroxi shrugged.

'If that's what you call "blasted man shaped monsters that won't die until you hack them into several pieces and than turn to a mist leaving behind foul smelling gear" than yes, Risen.'

He paused as he watched the gates fully open before turning to the prince with another bow.

'I once again apologize though may I say it is better for you that I happened to be on duty. The officer usually responsible has recently taken to shooting before asking questions.'

'I see.'

Chrom replied, now fully back in his armour.

'Can you provide an escort, just in case we encounter another overzealous officer?'

'Of course.'

The officer nodded and turned to run through the gates, closely followed by the Ylissians.

'I confess, from what you have been telling me about Ferox I was expecting their capital to be more austere.'

Robin said as he looked around the hall they were standing in, his comment drawing several incredulous stares.

'In what way is this not "austere"?'

Lissa snorted, waving her arms around indicating the room. Robin remained unimpressed.

'There is way too much luxury here for it to be called so.'

He sniffed while looking down his nose at the surroundings. Before Lissa could argue Robin turned to Chrom.

'Is it normal for this "Khan" of theirs to keep foreign dignitaries waiting?'

The prince shrugged as he answered.

'East Khan, and yes, if you visit Ferox you're bound to wait as those on duty go to drag whatever dignitary from the training ground. These people would much rather be bashing skulls than talking.'

'Charming.'

Robin grinned as he looked around the hall again.

'So I take this "East Khan" is going to be some immense barrel chested brute with biceps the width of my waist?'

Several grins appeared from the Ylissians at this with Lissa nearly jumping as she turned to Chrom.

'Oh please can I tell him, please!'

'Tell me what?'

Robin asked as he turned to the royal siblings, eyebrow raised.

'If it is all the same with you I think I might tell him.'

All eyes turned to the new voice, the woman striding past the sentry who, somewhat late, banged the butt of his great axe on the floor before declaring.

'Her grace, the Khan of East Ferox, Flavia!'

Heads were bowed in greeting as Flavia strode to Chrom, pausing briefly before Robin.

'I hope you're not overly disappointed that my biceps aren't the width of your hips.'

The man opted not to reply and fortunately the khan did not seem to expect it as she strode up to Chrom before, grin on face, she grasped him by the shoulders and kissed his cheeks before repeating the procedure with Lissa.

'It is good to see you again cousins!'

As the khan and royal siblings exchanged pleasantries Robin leaned in to Frederick and whispered.

'Cousins?'

The knight nodded as he explained.

'His grace, the late Exalt, needed to secure his northern border and so married the daughter of the than ruling khan, the girl also happened to be the cousin of her grace Flavia's father hence the relation.'

'Logical.'

Robin nodded as he took to observing the three as they exchanged pleasantries, now that it was mentioned he did note certain similarities in build and face.

'So I take it military assistance is a given seeing as they are related?'

Frederick sighed.

'If it only it were that easy.'

Before Robin could ask for clarification he noticed the tone between the cousins had changed and so he shifted his attention back to them.

'Right than, now that the pleasantries are done how about I guess what it is that brought you to the grim north. It's you're trouble with Plegia, isn't it?'

Chrom nodded.

'Aye, that is precisely it.'

'Can't say I'm surprised; the bastards have been very active as of late. If anything I'm surprised it took this long for Emmeryn to send a delegation.'

Flavia stated as she walked to one of the halls walls, dominated by a massive map of the world.

'So we can count on your aid?'

'Of course.'

The khan answered Chroms question before stopping in front of the map.

'I do have problems of my own, of course. My sources say that Ylisse is also having a "risen" problem and a number of the clans are too busy dealing with them to march south. Additionally as you can see.'

The woman drew an imagined line on the map as she spoke.

'The territory under my administration does not give you the possibility of hitting Plegia from the north, for that you'd need the West Khans support. '

Chrom frowned as he looked at the map.

'So we would have to assist you in beating Basilio into submission?'

Flavia grinned a predatory grin.

'That would probably be best for you, aye.'

Robin had grown increasingly confused by the conversation and finally leant in towards Frederick again.

'Could you explain?'

Frederick sighed but was soon giving the amnesiac a short explanation.

'Ferox is co-ruled by two khans. However every year the chosen champions of the khans fight and the winning champion transfers the seniority of leadership to their master who is essentially in charge of foreign policy for a year.'

Robin scowled at the notion, he thought it a very ineffective method of establishing leadership.

'I take it that this khan is not the senior this year.'

'Indeed not.'

Robin frowned.

'So why are we not negotiating with the one who is?'

Frederick gave the man a look before answering.

'Bypass a relative? No, something like that would not be acceptable.'

Robin shrugged but remained silent and shifted his attention back to the negotiations, if they could be called that.

'So what do you say Chrom? You man enough to duke it out in the arena?'

Flavia asked grinning broadly while slamming a hand into his shoulder. A grin spread across the prince's face.

'Naturally. Any rules to know?'

'If someone yields don't kill them. Apart from that anything goes.'

Flavia answered with a shrug. Chrom nodded.

'What about Basilio? What sort of person has he got as his champion?'

'Baldy has been using the same guy for a few years now, some heathen named prick from the far west of Valm, good with a sword though and has gained leadership for the bald oaf.'

She paused for a moment, resting a hand on her chin as she remembered something.

'Though my spies have been saying he might have opted for a different champion this year which would be a pain as they have not been able to get anything more than that. There usually quite good at it so perhaps it's just talk.'

'Doesn't matter anyway, there isn't anyone better than my bro in swordsmanship.'

Lissa declared, Flavia laughing loudly at the declaration.

'That sounded almost like a challenge! What do you say Chrom, up for some sparring?'

'Always.'

Despite himself Robin found he was impressed with the arena, it's size and the effort that obviously went into it. The Feroxi themselves he was less impressed with as he was with the notion of having their leader nominated via combat by proxy. Therefore he was more than happy to avoid their company and instead accompany Chrom down to the arena floor where, with Chrom already in armour, double checkthe straps were done properly alongside Frederick before checking the arena floor itself.

A mosaic of sorts, the man deciding it was a sun that was being presented. It seemed an odd choice of flooring to Robin, somewhere in the back of his mind he recalled arenas being more a matter of sand than pictures made of stone, though when he tried to concentrate on the thought pain flared through his head and he gave up on making some sense of the seemingly random memory.

He lifted his head at the sound of doors opening and followed the movement of the Feroxi elders as they re-entered the arena after the previous sanctifying of the ground before the event before dragging off an ox to judge whether the auspices were appropriate for the important day or some other such thing, the gore staining their robes a testimony to the thoroughness of their action.

'The gods and spirits of our forefathers have spoken, today we shall have a new khan of all Ferox!'

The statement was met with a roar of approval from the gathered Feroxi.

'Good, I was getting fed up with waiting.'

Robin turned to look at Chrom and nodded his agreement. Movement was seen from the opposite side of the arena as the massive frame of Basilio, pointed out beforehand to Robin and named as the Khan of west Ferox, marched in with his champion, the sight of which caused Chrom to hiss in surprise.

'If it isn't our mysterious friend, Marth.'

Despite the distance there was little doubt that it was indeed the stranger that had assisted the royal siblings during their first encounter with the risen.

'Do you think that's the west khans champion?'

He asked, moments later it was answered as Marth entered the arena before stopping midway.

'Looks like it.'

Chrom replied before taking a deep breath.

'Wish us luck.'

He said with a grin before moving forward, he did not get far as Robin rested a hand on his shoulder.

'I've noticed you have a strong preference to attacking with your sword, don't forget you can use your shield for that as well.'

Chrom nodded to Robin's words even as he continued.

'Also you're bigger and physically stronger than "Marth" there, don't forget to use that to your advantage.'

He finished, removing the hand, feeling slightly embarrassed about his giving obvious advice. Chrom however simply nodded before walking towards the centre of the arena.

Chrom finished a short prayer before cursing the bravado that made him decide to do the fighting himself. He had every confidence in his martial ability true but he also knew how much could go wrong. So, as the elder droned on to complete the ritual before the fight he busied himself with observing his opponent.

Marth stood in silence, seemingly as busy observing Chrom as he was him. The stance was practiced, comfortable. The type that betrayed someone well versed in martial abilities, easy on the legs but one from which it would be easy to go into a different stance, ready for the fight.

The elder finished and quickly left the arena even as both champions shifted their stance and drew their blades in an almost simultaneous motion. Chrom's eyes widened slightly before narrowing, his opponents weapon seemed like an exact replica of Falchion! For a moment he wondered what purpose someone would have in making something like that before pushing the thought aside as he concentrated on the fight.

A swift movement of his feet to shift his stance before a short, fast jab at Marths eyes. Unsurprisingly the youth moved back and Chrom withdrew his arm even as he moved his feet to follow the feint with the proper blow. Here he was somewhat surprised to find the jab at his opponent's gut was deflected with casual ease and the two moved, shifting their centre of balance ready for the next attack, it was Marth that did so sooner and Chrom found himself back-pedalling under a series of short, sharp attacks that he always seemed to be just in time to deflect and shortly he realized he knew the pattern.

When the next attack came Chrom deftly caught Marth's blade with his own and, with a quick movement of his wrists, locked their blades, pushing the youths down and opening him for a blow from the shield. Marth, however, was fast. The youth managed to unlock the blades and threw himself aside so that the shield barely knocked his shoulder, staggering him but none the worse, his sword going up deterring Chrom from following up the attack with another.

The two regained their balance and stood facing each other in a guarded stance and despite the circumstances Chrom found himself thinking about the sword mimicking his and the fighting style resembling his own, a question escaping him without conscious thought.

'Who taught you how to fight?'

For a moment that seemed to drag on neither spoke nor moved, seemingly ignorant of their location and the baying crowds demanding the fight resume. Just as the prince had given up on hearing an answer Marth tilted his head.

'My father.'

The words were barely out of the youths mouth before he immediately launched another series of attacks.

'I thought so before but now I'm certain, Chrom has definitely improved since I last saw him.'

Flavia leaned in to Lissa as she made her observation, the princess eagerly agreeing.

'You would not believe how many training dummies he goes through.'

Flavia laughed at that making Sumia turn to the two.

'Aren't you worried about the captain?'

'Chrom can manage.'

Lissa dismissed the notion with a shrug, Flavia nodding her agreement.

'Precisely. Besides only one in seven combatants actually die in the arena.'

Lissa started to nod before the meaning of the words sunk in and she turned to Flavia.

'Wait, what?'

As Flavia raised her hands in an attempt to placate the worried looking princess and Pegasus knight Frederick observed the fight.

'Has anyone else noticed?'

He suddenly asked no one in particular, it was Sully that responded.

'Yeah. Marth there is fighting much like Chrom.'

She nodded before pointing at the fighters.

'There! You saw that! It was like he was mimicking Chrom.'

She stated, earning a series of nods and muttering agreements.

'She.'

'Excuse me?'

Sully and a few of the others turned to the direction of the words, eyebrows raised. Robin shrugged.

'"She". Marth is a girl.'

He stated receiving a number of odd looks. The silence dragged on for a moment before he muttered.

'Well she is.'

'He's going to finish it.'

All eyes turned back to Frederick who had fallen silent, eyes glued to the fight and everyone followed his example.

The two put some distance between themselves again observing their opponent, Chrom noting that Marth's chest was barely moving. All that fighting and the brat still wasn't short on breath! Using the short pause he considered his options and, almost unbidden, Robins words came to mind, Chrom sighed and decided perhaps he should change his strategy a bit.

When Marth attacked Chrom moved into it, pushing the Falchion look-a-like to the side before slamming his helmeted head into Marths masked face.

The contact was met with a roar of approval from the stands and Marth staggered back, a hand instinctively moving upwards even as Chrom followed and delivered another blow, the edge of his shield connecting with Marths helmet and sending the youth to the ground. Before he could get his wits back Chrom drove a foot into the youths chest, driving him into the floor while resting Falchion on Marths neck.

'Yield.'

The prince demanded. To Chrom it seemed to take a long time but it couldn't have been more than half a moment before Marth lifted his hands up while croaking.

'Yield! I yield!'

Satisfied Chrom removed his foot from his opponent's chest and Falchion from his neck and slowly he realized just how loud it was. Everywhere the people in the stands were roaring their approval or displeasure and numerous hands were raised in salute and Chrom found himself thinking that such applause was quite pleasing.

Sheathing Falchion he turned to see Marth had already regained his feet and was making his exit but before Chrom could decide whether to pursue he felt something slam into his back and, on turning, saw Vaike's grinning face.

'Nice! I see you've learned a thing or two from ol'teach.'

Before he could reply Lissa jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezed till he thought his neck might break.

'Nicely handled.'

Flavia said as she slapped a hand into his shoulder.

'Let's just grab the bald oaf and we'll go hammer out what we want him to do.'

Once she decided she had found a spot where none would find her without her noticing them beforehand Lucina removed the helmet with a hiss as the pain flared up again. Gingerly touching the parts of her head that hurt the most she cursed herself for not being able to resist the temptation of fighting her father. She knew that so much could have gone wrong, he could have killed her or, even worse she could have killed him! She knew all this and yet she couldn't stop the joy she felt at having a proper fight with the man who would be her father.

Oh they had sparred in her timeline, if one felt you could call a man teaching a child the basics of duelling sparring that is. It had felt good, even if he did not know the relation between them.

With a sigh she put the helmet back in its place and turned to leave, she had indulged herself enough but now she would find someone to look at her injuries and once that was done she would return to the reason of her presence in this time.

She would challenge fate.

Robin was in a foul mood. He had assumed, as others did, that the purpose of this march north was to establish the plan of the two countries attacking Plegia to punish it for it's piracy. Instead he found out it was an attempt into frightening the country into ceasing the unofficial hostilities. The man could not himself from snorting at the thought, if Plegia had been concerned about fighting both countries at once it wouldn't have allowed its population to pillage both countries at the same time. Therefore, he summarized, this whole endeavour was a waste of time and he would no doubt be destined to spend the next years chasing pirates if he were to remain in Ylissian service, not exactly a fruitful career option. Perhaps he should leave the country? Maybe even to Plegia? It definitely did not seem like he would have to deal with a ruling family that crippled their military over there and raiding, the knowledge somehow was clear in his head, could be an excellent, if short lived, source of wealth.

Even as the thought entered his mind he brushed it away, he had given an oath and it still held him and there was some level of debt he felt to the Ylissian royals for not only accepting him into their service but giving him a position of authority in it. No matter where he enlisted elsewhere he sincerely doubted he would make such a sudden rise.

'That is a serious expression you bear friend.'

Robin turned to see who had addressed him, Virion looked back with a friendly smile as he pulled in the reins to walk beside the amnesiac. Robin shrugged.

'I have serious thoughts.'

Virion nodded as if agreeing.

'I know the burden. We do, after all, live in rather serious times. One might risk saying that that is all the more reason to occasionally think less serious thoughts such as about the lovely maidens that seem so common in this land?'

Robin gave a short bark of a laugh.

'I would say there is a time and a place for everything and with my position my time is mostly concerned with the fact that there is an army at the borders and a lack of will to deal with it. Woman can wait for a later period.'

'So you say.'

Virion nodded as he spoke.

'And yet I could not help but notice that you seem to pay a fair bit of attention to this "Marth", is it the mystery she shrouds herself in? Or is it the lady of war image that has you so enthralled?'

Robin snorted.

'Marth is…'

He trailed off slowly as his mind registered something odd about what the man next to him had said and when he realized what it was he turned in the saddle to fully face Virion.

'You've noticed Marth is a girl as well?'

Virion snorted and took on an insulted face.

'Good sir I am Virion! Archest of archers and gifted with a keen mind and sharp eyes! I shall confess I had not thought to pay the lady much attention at first but once I overheard you claim her to be a maiden I thought to observe and must agree with you. A girl may dress like a man and speak like one but the hips will never lie. Much like the case of our fair Sully.'

Robin looked at Virion for a moment in silence before barking out a laugh.

- 'Sully does have a fair set of hips it must be said.'

He agreed with a grin. Somewhere up ahead Sully suddenly felt the urge to punch someone.

Maribelle could not help a sigh; it always seemed to be the way. No sooner is she called off to take care of some family business than the Shepards go off on some task or another. She did not mind doing work for her father, if anything she greatly appreciated the man treating her as someone he could trust with family affairs but still she had joined the Shepards to be able to spend more time with Lissa and perhaps…

She shook her head as she felt the colour rising in her face before sighing again over the silly idea that had come unbidden. Still, she thought, it would be nice if she could actually be present the next time they ride out and not hear of it some days after the fact.

'Are you unwell milady? Tired?'

She looked up to see one of her escort, a soldier in the service of her father, looking at her with a concerned look making her wonder just how loudly had she sighed.

'No. I'm all right.'

She answered, straightening her back. The man at arms did not seem convinced as he replied.

'There will be a town in a mile or so…'

He did not finish the thought as movement ahead drew his attention, the man standing in the stirrups to get a better look. Curious Maribelle followed his gaze to see a long column of wagons and riders approaching from the opposite direction. She couldn't help but frown, the wagons would no doubt try to hog the road they were travelling on and though technically she could use her status to force them off and wait while she moved past she did not like to abuse her authority.

The man at arms, however, was thinking of other matters and as he sat down he turned and barked an order, the remaining retainers pulling on helmets and loading crossbows, the action making Maribelle look again, she audibly hissed in surprise.

The riders were armed and armoured in Plegian fashion while marching next to the wagons and bound to them as well as to one another, came a long column of men and a few women. The riders did not slow down but had obviously seen the Ylissians as they likewise pulled out weapons and formed up into something resembling a formation.

Pulling at the reins Maribelle came to a stop in the middle of the road, her retainers forming up around her, before shouting towards the Plegians.

'Who are you and what are you doing with these people?'

The Plegian column slowed to a halt and for a moment no answer came. Just as Maribelle readied to repeat her question one of the Plegians rode forward.

'Get out of my way.'

'Answer her ladyship when she asks a question!'

The man at arms bellowed. The Plegain scowled but before he could say or do anything a voice was heard.

'Milady! Save us!'

One of the men near the front of the long line of captives pulled at his bonds in an attempt to get closer to the armed Ylissians.

'We are merchants from Ylisse! These men attacked us as we were making our way back from Ferox! Please…'

A Plegian rode up and struck the man with his whips, sending him to the ground, blood flowing from the wound on his head. The Plegain who had been speaking turned back to the Ylissians.

'These men have not paid the taxes due to my master for usage of his roads.'

Though Maribelle had not moved during the exchange her mind was working, reminding herself where the borders were and who owned what land.

'You have no authority here Plegian, release these men!'

The Plegain glared at the noblewoman before spitting.

'Get out of my way.'

Maribelle stayed still, returning the mans glare.

'Get out of my way!'

He snarled, hand going to the sword at his side.

Later on nobody would be able to say which side struck first.

'Well this does not look good.'

Lissa summarised it nicely. After days on the road they had been glad to see the walls of Yllistol though the journey through the city was somewhat odd, the hustle and bustle Robin had seen before was almost gone replaced with a sense of unease, made all the more potent by the fact that, if anything, the city was more crowded than before. Asking the passed people yielded nothing of value save numerous and often contradicting stories about dark things happening on the borders, within the forests of Ylisse or within the families of the nobility. When they rode through the gates of the castle and saw the courtyard a hive of activity with armed men moving around readying themselves for the march they could now venture an educated guess.

'Do you think Plegia has actually invaded?'

The princess asked no one in particular, Chrom, spying Phila approaching the group, answered.

'We shall soon know.'

'My lord, it is good that you are back. Her grace would like to see you quickly.'

Chrom nodded before turning to the Shepards.

'Get to the barracks but don't get too comfortable. Robin you stay with me.'

Phila did not say anything but the look on her face spoke amply about her feelings about the mans presence. They made good time and soon were in a small chamber, a tired looking Emmeryn greeting her siblings with a smile. An elder noble, all but dressed for war was also present, a look of relief appearing briefly at the sight of Chrom before shifting to one of confusion as he shifted his gaze to Robin.

'Chrom, Lissa. I'm glad you are back. What news from Ferox?'

'Flavia is now Khan of all Ferox and agreed to make it clear to Plegia that hostility against us is hostility against them.'

Emmeryn sighed as she nodded while the noble turned to the Exalt.

'There we have it! Call the banners, your grace! Within a fortnight we can avenge this outrage tenfold and put an end to these upstarts ravaging our lands!'

'I will not go to war, lord Themis.'

Themis' face went red but before he could say anything Chrom interrupted.

'What is going on Emm? What's happened while we were gone?'

Emmeryn sighed heavily before answering.

'Lady Maribelle Themis has been kidnapped by a Plegian force.'

Lissa gasped, hands going to her face. She looked ready to collapse but Frederick gripped her tightly and guided her to a chair that Robin had pulled out. Chrom meanwhile stood in stunned silence for a moment.

'But how? Why and when?'

'A few days ago. My men came with reports that a town had been raided and the men responsible were making for Plegia. I gathered what men I had and rode to catch them before they did.'

Lord Themis sighed heavily as he sat down as well, as if the anger that had vanished was all that had kept him on his feet.

'My daughter was riding back to Ylisstol, she had a fair escort with her but… we found few survivors. The had been attacked by a large force of Plegians, they thought Maribelle had been taken alive and we did not find her among the… the dead so we continued our pursuit, tore apart their rear guard but they reached Plegia.'

He paused here and cast a glance at the Exalt before, sighing heavily, he continued.

'Still chased the whoresons but in their own territory they began receiving reinforcements and, god forgive me, I agreed with my men and withdrew when the darkies began to encircle us.'

'Maribelle isn't… she isn't…'

Lissa tried to speak but ended up choking before she could get far. Emmeryn gestured to a parchment that Phila picked up and presented to the Exalt who passed it to Chrom. Emmeryn spoke even as Chrom read the message.

'That was delivered yesterday, the words are rather clear.'

'The the Exalt of Ylisse, etcetera, from the most illustrious and noble master and king of all Plegia, etcetera, Gangrel, fifth of this name, greetings.'

Chrom read out loud, his eyes narrowing as he did.

'Transgression into Plegia… murder of my subjects… reparations!'

He finished with a snarl, lifting his head up with a growl even as Robin took the parchment from him.

'What is this drivel?'

'Seems your neighbours wish you to pay for Mari… Miss Themis' return as well as blood money for those of their men your lordship, the Duke, killed.'

Robin summarised, after scanning the contents of the parchment.

'I must say these Plegians are rather bold as well as impolite.'

'I'm sorry sir but who are you?'

Lord Themis asked, looking at Robin with a raised eyebrow. Before Robin could answer Chrom stepped in.

'This is Sir Robin, he is one of my tactical advisors.'

Lord Themis seemed to want to say something more but shook his head and turned to Emmeryn.

'I have restrained my urge to put Plegia to fire and sword as you wished but what will you do about this outrage?'

Emmeryn, who had been sitting with a pensive look on her face turned to face the duke.

'Lord Gangrel wishes to meet me and I shall oblige.'

What she wanted to say after that vanished under the uproar that was heard as everyone bar Robin spoke at once. For a moment Emmeryn sat in silence before rising to her feet and cutting through the noise in a commanding tone.

'I have decided!'

The noise faded and she continued in a calmer tone.

'I will negotiate and try to get your daughter back your lordship, you have my word on it.'

Lord Themis did not seem completely convinced but nodded his agreement. Chrom, frowning heavily, spoke up.

'At least allow me to accompany you Emm, I won't hear any disagreement about the matter.'

'I'm coming as well!'

Lissa added. Emmeryn looked from one of her siblings to the other before sighing and nodding with a smile. Robin looked at the proceedings in silence before feeling a slight tug at his person. Looking down he saw Lissa gripping his arm.

'You're coming as well right? In case things go wrong and we need a plan to save Maribelle.'

He wanted to say that whether he could help Maribelle depended on too many variables for him to be able to say anything with certainty but at the sight of the princess looking up to him as she was he found he could do nothing other than sigh.

- 'Of course I am.'

So if you've read the above you'll have noticed that I made some (big?) changes.

I will not describe every skirmish from the game as I think it isn't necessary for the plot. On the other hand I tend to embellish those that I do so it will probably even out.

The other is more my take on answering a question that bothered me, why is Ferox so willing to assist Ylisse and why didn't Chrom go ask Basilio for help seeing as he was the one with the authority to make the decision? In olden times most alliances were sealed with marital ties between the families signing the agreement so I opted to make Flavia and Chrom cousins, of sorts, therefore giving a reason for the above and removing a plot hole (?).

If you read it feel free to write what you think, words of praise and constructive criticism are always welcome.