It was a funny thing, he thought, the way one might think something should be and how it actually is. Throughout the entirety of the battle in the pass he had worried only about whether he'd be fast enough to drag Maribelle to safety. Once that was settled the matter of fighting off a small army made sure he had no time to worry about his own safety.

It was only now, days after the fight, long after the blood and mud were washed off of flesh and steel, when all the wounds had been closed and the aches from battered flesh and bone began to subside that Robin began to worry.

The reason was simple, he was under the scrutiny of a roomful of the countries most powerful and influential nobles, each of them doing little to hide their dislike for having a vagabond amongst them. The only friendly face was Chrom's, sitting at his sisters right hand side. Of the rest the Exalt was listening to him with the same polite smile that seemed to be a permanent element of her face while Duke Themis listened attentively, his initial distrust fading to an acknowledgment that the princes newest retainer was no stranger to either battle or command. Having finished his report of the battle and his assessment of the situation Robin received permission to sit which he did gladly, the bench creaking softly under his unarmoured weight. No sooner did he do so than the next man rose to speak.

It was a war council; there was no way around the fact. No sooner had the battle in the mountains finished than Pegasus knights returned with alarming reports of a larger force marching towards Ylisse, that force was now ravaging the northern provinces as smaller bands were let loose while the main force dug in to besiege the great castle that dominated the norths defence. Meanwhile the coastal regions burned as pirates stepped up their raids.

Robin had been invited to the council by Chroms insistence but the fact that he spoke first clearly signalled how little his opinion meant, by the time Emmeryn would speak every other lord present would have made their voice heard and his would have been long forgotten unless the thoughts happily coincided with one who was more important.

So instead he listened carefully, gauging the general mood and characteristics of each speaker, even thought he had already forgotten most of their names and titles, he did however find a pattern emerging.

The older sat to Emmeryn's right; most of them offered very martial opinions, happily coinciding with his own. Duke Themis even mentioned the amnesiac's previous opinion regarding the hiring of privateers to bolster the Ylissian's weak navy before expanding on it.

To the Exalts left, however, sat mostly younger ones whose opinions were much more muted and enthusiasm seemed lacking, worryingly the realms marshal seemed to be in line with those voices.

'We must act quickly, that is certain. Even as we speak the key to the north is under siege. It is hardly in prime condition and will not last long under a sustained assault.'

He did not get much further than that before another lord interrupted.

'And whose responsibility was it to ensure that the fortresses overseeing the realms security were properly maintained and manned?'

'Lord Nestor, I would appreciate it if you were not to interrupt others when they speak.'

The lord, one of the younger ones from amongst those sitting to Emmeryns right, tilted his head.

'I apologize your grace but I must speak. The negligence in this matter has been a matter of concern amongst the more… responsible members of the council for some time and the continued insistence to do nought of the matter leads one to think...'

'What are you suggesting, sir!?'

The marshal leapt to his feet, hand resting on his sword, most others likewise rising to their feet but before the matter could go any further a voice cut through the din.

'Sirs! Peace! Surely we do not need to fight here!?'

For moment the silence dragged on before hands moved away from hilts and the lords sat down again. Emmeryn nodded.

'Thank you, lord Hierarch.'

'Your grace.'

The hierarch returned the nod as he resumed his seat. Peace restored Emmeryn turned back to the Marshal.

'Now my lord, what would you have us do?'

The marshal, it seemed, was doomed to be interrupted as a voice sounded from the room.

'What else is there to be done but fight!?'

The marshal turned on the room, the anger on his face subsiding as he sighed before, with a shrug of his shoulders, he answered.

'We could negotiate.'

The statement was met with a small chorus of approval from the left side of the room and a heavy silence from the right before lord Nestor rose to his feet slowly.

'What?'

He said, the word heavy with disbelief. Another jumped to his feet as he shouted.

'The enemy is in the realm! They burn our land, lay ruin to the cities, slay the people and you would have us negotiate?'

As if floodgates had been opened the others jumped to their feet and shouts of "Treason!" and "Shame!" echoed off the walls. Emmeryn looked to the side and nodded to Phila who signalled and Pegasus knights moved in to separate the two sides of the room while those by the doors began thumping their spear butts against the floor, calling for silence that gradually fell.

The exalt looked over the faces of the council before speaking.

'You shall gather your banners but I lean towards the marshals opinion, we will put our trust in negotiating.'

'You grace…'

'I have decided.'

The words came out with such authority that the protest got no further. Throughout Robin had sat silently, content to listen and observe but now, without conscious thought he stood, all eyes shifting to the sudden movement.

'Your grace, if I may speak?'

Emmeryn did not answer immediately, looking at the amnesiac for a while with a short glance towards Chrom before nodding. Robin coughed and began to speak.

'I am a stranger here and know my council does not count for much but I feel I must offer it regardless.'

'Than bloody well get on with it.'

Somebody said, gaining a few chuckles from the room. Robin scowled but continued.

'Peace is something all men desire but for the word to have any actual meaning it needs to be supported by peaceful intentions and peaceful methods of procedure, neither of which Plegia show. This generation, bloodied in war deserves peace but peace comes with a price and if the price for peace is to be humiliation, than there can be only war!'

He was not surprised to see most everyone on the rooms left jump to their feet and hurl abuse at him, the fact that those on the right stood and shouted at those shouting at him was likewise expected. Therefore he kept his eyes on the exalt and noted the polite smile that seemed to be a permanent feature on her face disappear, her mouth now forming a thin line. The knights began beating the floor and peace was restored once more. Emmeryn rose to her feet, followed by the others.

'Thank you my lords, my mind is set. Gather your banners but we trust in negotiations. You may now retire. Chrom, if you could stay.'

All bowed and filed out of the room, Robin quick to get out of the way and doing his best to ignore the dirty looks sent his way, what surprised him was when two stopped in front of him.

'Well said, sir Robin. It is a sad day when the council needs a foreigner to spell the obvious to them but you have my thanks for it.'

'Thank you my lord.'

Lord Nestor smiled before walking off leaving Lord Themis who sighed.

'It would seem our lord Nestor thinks somewhat better of you.'

Robin shrugged as he answered.

'It would seem that he is the only one to do so with those who think less of me being led by none other than your exalt.'

There was the faintest hint of a scowl on the duke's face at the tone used about his exalt but he sighed before nodding a moment later.

'Her grace, once her mind is set, cannot be moved without great difficulty, very much like her father in that regard though she would only be angry if one were to say so.'

The duke's voice trailed off at that, a distant look appearing on his face. The two had walked, Lord Themis' men falling in behind them and they now stood in a garden, the sun long replaced with the moon in the sky. Robin waited for a moment, weighing whether it would be proper to before speaking.

'I understand her grace had an awkward relationship with her father?'

Themis looked at the man before shrugging.

'That would be a polite way of saying it. I don't think he really knew what to do with his children, especially after their mother died.'

The duke sighed heavily.

'Poor man was never prepared for the troubles he faced.'

'How so?'

That question earned him a surprised look from Themis before he remembered.

'Ah, of course. Maribelle mentioned your condition. I take it you do not know much about her graces father?'

'No, though his military campaigns are inspiring.'

Themis smiled.

'Yes, especially when you take into account he had never been trained for it and was of the clergy since his sixteenth year.'

'Truly?'

The duke smiled a sad smile as he answered.

'Aye. He was always quiet, never showed much enthusiasm for anything but prayer and books. Despite being the second in line to the throne he was more than happy to let his brothers deal with the court as he joined the clergy. About three decades later, one beautiful day in autumn, he received word that both his brothers all his nephews as well as his grandnephews were dead or missing, hacked apart during a grand hunt along with most of the court. He never confirmed it but apparently he received the news a few days after he barely escaped what would have been a fatal accident.'

Robin said nothing while the smile disappeared from lord Themis' mouth as he remembered those days.

'As you can guess thr sudden demise of every heir to the throne played havoc in the realms stability and when the Fire Emblem went missing civil order completely fell apart with every noble who could claim relation to the exalt bloodline claiming the throne and everyone with a sword at their side and armed men to back them thought to carve a kingdom for themselves to say nothing of "miraculously saved" members of the exalts family looking for support to claim their throne were cheaper by the dozen. And in all this our cleric left his monastery, rode through the war torn land and entered Ylisstol with only a handful of companions, presented himself to the bickering halidom and demanded their allegiance.'

A bitter smile appeared on the duke's face.

'Now they often try to present the situation as if everyone rallied around him and strove to clear the land from brigands, I trust I don't have to tell you this was not the case? But enough of us swore allegiance to him out of a sense of duty for us to force the remainder of the realm to bend the knee and clear it of bandits. He even found the emblem though I never did find out how he did it. During the chaos Ferox invaded and we had to push them from our north, a hard campaign but we killed both their khans in battle. They immediately got to bickering amongst themselves and one of them had the idea to ask our exalt to champion him, sealed the deal with marriage and next we know our two realms are allies.'

Themis paused here, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

'I am convinced Plegia was involved in the murder of the exalts family and the fire emblems disappearance but I can not say with certainty what motivated his grace when he decided to invade that country, I think there was some fear, some sense of dread though he never shared it with me, nor anybody else for that matter. Despite everything I don't think he ever really trusted anyone to understand him but we followed the man regardless. Ten years, ten glorious years we fought, crushed armies outnumbering ours several times over, sacked cities and burned their heathen tomes, tore down their dark temples and cast theose dark idols from their pedestals before, seemingly in perfect health, he died.'

'With his death whatever conviction was holding the war effort together vanished. People were exhausted, the realm was exhausted and so peace was signed. The eldest amongst his men, some with him since when he first walked into this castle to lay claim to the throne, mutinied. "Your exalt has been murdered and you would make peace with the guilty!" they called out, but their call went unanswered.'

As he spoke a sad smile had appeared on his lips. As he finished speaking he sighed heavily before turning to Robin.

'I'm sorry. I'm sure you have little wish to listen to my reminiscing.'

Robin shook his head.

'Not at all, it is very educational.'

'It is kind of you to say so. But the night is ending and I would like to get some sleep before it ends. Good night sir.'

'Good night my lord.'

Lord Themis and his retinue faded in the gloom swiftly enough leaving Robin to think about what he had heard. He stood so for a few minutes before sighing heavily and turning to leave but stopped dead in his tracks. The man looked one way than the other, took a few steps before stopping and taking a few in the other direction. With a heavy sigh Robin concluded a simple fact.

He was lost.

His attempt to backtrack yielded little and it took some time before he found two sentries doing their rounds. Fortunately they recognized him as someone allowed in the castle and pointed him in the direction of the barracks. So set he soon found himself in familiar territory and was ready to make for the barracks when he noticed a single figure.

It was Chrom, staring at the moon. Robin had thought to leave the prince to it but the man turned away at that moment and saw the amnesiac.

'Shouldn't you be in bed?'

He said by way of greeting, Robin smirking as he replied.

'I could very well say the same to your lordship.'

Chrom frowned.

'I thought I told you to call me by name.'

'You did.'

Chrom sighed, placing his hand on his sides and pausing as he remembered something. Pulling a pouch free he extended it to Robin.

'Lissa gave me some sweetmeats, something about keeping up my strength during the meeting. Made me promise to share with you though.'

Robin glanced into the bag and readily accepted some, enjoying the sweet sensation once he bit into it.

'Your sister is a nice girl, providing she isn't trying to suffocate me in my sleep.'

Chrom smiled softly.

'She does have a tendency to pull pranks.'

The two stood in silence for a moment after that, enjoying the sweets and looking at the moon before Chrom sighed and decided to just say what was bothering him.

'How much do you know about our conflict with Plegia?'

It was a tight fit but Lucina finally forced herself through the hole and allowed herself a moments respite as she regained her breath from the exertion of the climb.

Reaching Ylisstol without drawing too much attention to herself had been a challenge and she had to spend an agonizingly long day waiting for the sun to set so she could make her way into the castle under cover of darkness. Mind the wait was still shorter than what she endured waiting for word to filter back to the capital concerning the battle, the wars first battle with Plegia. She had been tempted to try to intervene in it but she did not know enough about the matter to hope to succeed so instead she waited, praying that nothing would change from what she knew and breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that everything had gone as it should.

Rest over she moved through dark paths amongst the shrubbery searching for whom she was looking for, she couldn't help a sigh of relief at the sight of her father before shifting her attention to the man he was talking to. The man seemed familiar somehow though Lucina could not put a name to him. It mattered little; carefully moving through the shadows she approached the two and soon she could hear the words being said.

'Emmeryn would never give such and order, nor would I wish her to.'

Her father ended with a sigh. The other man looked ready to say something but paused, turning his head towards the shadows in which she hid. Taking that as her cue Lucina double-checked the mask was in place before stepping into the open.

'Well spoken sir.'

She said by way of greeting. The retainer's hand immediately moved to his sword but Chrom seemed less impressed as he turned to her with a simple acknowledgment.

'Marth.'

Dozens of feelings wanted to escape but Lucina simply quashed them down.

'Good evening.'

'How did you get here?'

Her father asked and she could not help the smirk that appeared on her face.

'There is a damaged wall near the maple grove.'

The look on her fathers face almost made her laugh. The retainer, never taking his eyes off of her turned to Chrom.

'You know it?'

'Yes, though I thought I was the only one.'

'The secret is safe with me but I am here to warn you, the Exalts life is in danger.'

Chroms turned to her, a frown dominating his features.

'Explain.'

'A small force of assassins intend to infiltrate the castle, assassinate the exalt, the gathered lords and steal the fire emblem.'

It was the retainer who spoke, an unpleasant voice that again sparked a memory in her mind.

'And you would know this how?'

And there it was, the dreaded question. She had of course expected someone to ask it sooner or later but despite that she found she had no proper way to answer it, maybe if one of the others were here they would have known but al she could think to say was the truth, or at least a part of it.

'I… I have seen the future. Exalt Emmeryn dies in her chamber tonight.'

This time it was her father that answered.

'Have you given leave of your senses?'

That hurt, though she knew it to be a fully proper response to the statement she had hoped to avoid such words from her father. She sighed but was saved from exchanging further words when she heard the faintest of movement behind her.

'I had expected such a response so allow to prove my goodwill by killing him.'

A shape burst from the shadows, steel glinting in the moonlight, despite his speed there was little finesse to his attack and Lucina found it easy enough to draw her own blade, knock aside the attack and counter, sliding the blade through his torso, blood and intestines spattering the ground as the man's momentum took him a few more steps before he collapsed, twitched twice and died. She released the breath she had been holding and turned back to the two men, her father now joining his retainer in keeping a blade pointed in her direction.

'Will such proof suffice?'

Her father looked at the body before nodding slowly, the retainer seemed less impressed but before he could speak she heard more noise behind her and turned in time to see another shape leave the shadows. Lucina immediately shifted her weight to meet the attack, hands sweeping the blade up as her feet moved to secure her stance and she slipped. Her foot found no security in the blood stained grass and she shot her arms out in a desperate attempt to keep her balance but before she could the assassin was upon her.

Fortune in misfortune her sudden movement meant that his attack, meant to slash through her throat struck the side of her helmet, the hinges from which her mask rested to be precise in a blow that sent her stumbling back and the visor hanging loose as the ancient and much abused hinges broke under impact.

Not fazed the assassin shifted his grip ready for another blow but had to shift his attention as he found himself under attack. Chrom swept aside the assassins attack with insulting ease and opened his throat with his counter, the man dropping his sword as his hands moved up in a desperate attempt to stop the blood pouring from the wound even as his feet lost the strength to support his weight.

Lucina however had little time to see this as before she fully recovered her balance she felt her legs kicked out from under her, the contact with the ground knocking the wind from her lungs. Before she could move a weight slammed into her chest pinning her to the ground and the cold touch of steel was felt on her throat.

'Don't move.'

Now she recognised the retainer, though he was younger and his beard wasn't as impressive as she remembered it the man was one of her father's officers… Robin was it? It was him who had his foot pinning her to the ground and his blade at her throat, no doubt he was also the one who had kicked her feet from underneath her. She closed her eyes, both to conceal the mark and because her head was still throbbing from the blow but she heard her fathers voice.

'Get off of Marth.'

'But…'

'Do it.'

Lucina felt the weight disappear from her chest and the blade leave her throat, opening her eyes she saw that Robin had indeed left her though he was still close by, characteristic frown in place. Smirking at the memory she rolled away from the man and stood, left hand moving to cover her eye while the right picking up her blade.

Her father stood nearby and opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out as his eyes grew wide as they focused on her face. A sudden fear gripped her, had he recognized her? Impossible but maybe he saw the resemblance?

'You're a girl?'

It took a lot of effort for her to not sigh with relief and a small smile appeared on her face.

'And quite the actress it would seem.'

Chrom smirked in response though Robin seemed less impressed as he barked a question.

'How many are there and where are they entering from?'

'I do not know. I only know their primary target is the exalt.'

'Leave her Robin, we have to rouse the guards and get to Emmeryn.'

'And just leave her?'

Robin tilted his head in Lucina's direction, Chrom sighing as he answered.

'After saving Lissa and myself she deserves the benefit of doubt. Get the Shepard's, I'll go to Emm.'

'Tell me Phila, what do you think of all this?'

'You're grace?'

Emmeryn sighed as she leant back in the chair, putting aside the letter she had been reading in the lamps flickering light and turned directly to the Pegasus knight commander.

'About Plegia and the council meeting. About everything, what do you think?'

Phila looked around uncomfortably for a moment before offering a hesitant,

'It's not really my place to say, your grace.'

'Phila, please I could do with a different perspective.'

The commander sighed.

'It is a bad situation and action must be taken before the Plegians overrun the realm.'

'Do you hold any faith in negotiations succeeding?'

Phila hesitated, thinking for a way to word her thoughts. It obviously took too long as Emmeryn sighed.

'I see. Than what of Chrom?'

'Chrom your grace?'

Emmeryn nodded.

'He is a man grown now and a fine one at that but… he seems to have took to holding company with my fathers old allies and now he brings a man to sit on the council, some old mercenary that when he spoke I could almost see my father saying the exact same words.'

'I am certain, your grace, that Chrom is faithful to you as both a subject and as your brother.'

A small smile appeared on Emmeryns words at that.

'I never doubted Chroms loyalty… it is his reasoning's I worry about. He is too young to properly remember what things were like and he seems to be growing up too much like that man for his own good.'

Phila frowned. She had served long enough to know that when the exalt started referring to her father as "that man" than her mood was very poor. As she wondered what or whether to say anything Emmeryn sighed.

'I apologize. I should not bother you with my own worries like this.'

'There is nothing to apologize for, your grace.'

'No, there is. You've had a long day and you will have another on the morrow and yet I bother you with such matters. Go get some sleep Phila.

'Your grace…'

'I'll be fine. I intend to go to sleep soon myself so you do not need to stay.'

'Very well your grace.'

Phila however did not go to bed. She went through the keep, making sure the sentries were where they should be and doing their job, berating those she caught being derelict and sharing a few words with those who were doing their duty. All the while her conversation with the exalt wriggled at the back of her mind, it would be so useful if there was some way she could take some of those problems weighing on Emmeryn.

She paused as she realised that neither of the sentries meant to guard this doorway were present. Anger rose in her as she stalked amongst the pillars in the corridor ready to give them a proper berating when found. When she found them however all anger left her, the two Pegasus knights were stacked in a dark corner, the pool of blood from their slashed throats having spread into the circle of torchlight.

Before she was aware of it she had turned around and was running through the corridors in the shortest route to the exalts chambers, noticing in passing that many sentries were missing from their posts.

She should sound the alarm, she knew that but the overwhelming fear drove her in a single-minded effort to reach the exalt before the unseen attackers did. A sentry, obviously having heard her running, stepped out to challenge her when a call for help sounded from deeper in the keep causing the sentry to hesitate, looking behind her. Running past Phila managed to shout.

'Follow me!'

She did not pause to see if the order was followed as she kept running. Chest heaving she skidded down the corridor to Emmeryns chambers and put in another burst of speed.

A Pegasus knight was sprawled on the ground in a growing pool of blood. As Phila ran closer another stabbed forth at her enemy who danced back, another hooded figure moving past the point and lashing out, opening the girls throat in a spray of crimson. Closer to the door an assailant was split open from groin to neck, the knights comrade jabbing at those who would try to use the moment to attack.

Hearing her approach the closest assassins turned and moved to intercept her, to first didn't even seem to realise he had been dealt an injury until he stumbled and fell to his knees. Failing to stand up he looked down and seeing the wound he began to scream. The other feinted for her legs before slashing upwards, a manoeuvre she had seen too often and instinctively knocked the attack aside before countering, her blade piercing the assassin's throat. She barely paused to pull her weapon free before continuing to the exalts door where the situation took a turn for the worse.

One of the knights drove her spear through an assassins gut but rather than fall back the wounded dropped his weapon and grabbed hold of the spears shaft with both hands, using the opening another rushed forward and hamstrung her. Falling her cry of pain was cut short as the blade flicked up to stab through her neck.

Before the assassin could flank the remaining knight Phila ran into him, driving the point through the mans kidney. The other knight immediately made a series of short, fast jabs at those who thought to attack the commanders open back, driving them back where they circled the remaining knights as the readied to rush them.

'The exalt?'

Phila asked. The knight nodded.

'I've sent someone in to guard her, none of the bastards made it past us though.'

The commander nodded eying the assassins. Perhaps they were somewhat disheartened by the casualties suffered but having a mission to fulfil and outnumbering the knights they closed in, making sharp movements in the hopes of forcing their opponents to yield an opening for them to exploit and no doubt they would have overwhelmed them soon had reinforcements not arrived. The noise made the assassins turn in surprise and caught between two forces those remaining were scythed down in a heartbeat.

'My lord?'

Phila managed to get enough air in her lungs to greet Chrom who had led the small group.

'Is my sister safe?'

He said in reply. The Pegasus knight pounded on the door that, after a short delay, opened revealing a relieved looking knight and a concerned looking Emmeryn. She paled slightly at the bodies littering the area but her voice betrayed no discomfort.

'How is the situation in the rest of the castle?'

'Difficult to say your grace, we've not heard anything from the rest yet.'

Phila answered, Chrom beginning almost as soon as she finished.

'It is possible that there are more, some might be aiming for the other lords and even the fire emblem.'

Emmeryn folded her hands before nodding.

'What of Lissa? You should take her and leave the keep until we are certain there is no more threat.'

'Lissa is with Maribelle in the Shepard barracks, she's safe there. I've sent someone for reinforcements so all we can do is wait here until they arrive.'

Further disagreement was forestalled as hooded shapes appeared at the end of the corridor and now moved towards them.

'Dread lord?'

Validar looked to the man who instinctively flinched under the glare. A hand moved up as the elder stroke his beard. The flash of pain he had felt in the back of his mind meant that the men sent to assassinate the Exalt were dead and he now had to decide what to do with the changing circumstances. With a scowl he decided.

'You will take your men and secure the emblem, the rest will come with me to kill the exalt.'

'Yes dread lord.'

The two forces moved their separate ways and though outwardly calm internally Validar was fuming, the sudden reversal would mean he could no longer attack the gathered lords, effectively crippling the halidom before they mobilized, he would have to hope that the death of the exalts family would be enough and the fact that he had not received confirmation of the prince's death was becoming a worry. All those years ago a single prince of the exalts bloodline survived the culling and he nearly destroyed the grimleal in vengeance, that could not be allowed to happen again.

Following the plan of the keep supplied by his hidden agents he followed the cults assassins up a flight of stairs and could already hear the sound of fighting up ahead. A small group of Ylissians held the door to the Exalts chambers and were making the faithful pay a hefty toll in blood for every step. Validar couldn't help a hiss of annoyance, not only was the delay unforgivable but one of those holding out was the prince, not even injured by the two sent to eliminate him. There was no point in wondering whether a third would have succeeded; he merely needed to resolve the problem himself.

'Dread lord! Behind us!'

Validar turned and saw that was indeed the case he turned to the acolyte who had reported it.

'Stop them.'

'Yes dread lord.'

A short command later and the faithful turned to face the newest group of Ylissians, the acolyte proceeding to draw on the winds of magic. Leaving them to their fight Validar took the rest of grimleal to aid those already at the exalts door, soothing his mind he drew the energy needed for the spell and set his sights on the prince and he could not stop the predatory grin from spreading across his face in anticipation of the agonising death that would follow, he was to be denied. Someone threw their weight against him, knocking him to the side.

Dazed and winded the mage looked up to see a true horror, an abomination of fur and muscle had just crushed the skull of a man in its jaws before leaping aside out of the way of anothers attack on the back of another of the cultists, his bones breaking under the impact and his screams of agony echoing in the corridor. Snarling in frustration at this latest of setbacks he began focusing his energy for an attack on the creature only for movement to draw his attention. Ylissians had ran up the stairs and were now rushing to the fight, had the men left to block them already failed? No. He could see some of their number rushing after the Ylissians. It would seem the man in command had decided to simply push past the grimleal, probably leaving some of his number behind to keep them busy while the rest rushed to the Exalt.

Glancing back Validar noted with approval that the Taguel, for that is what the creature was, had been cornered by his men as was the prince's group. Therefore the mage concentrated on the reinforcements and their leader. A man who had rushed into the fight without donning his armour, thin face easily noticeable at this distance. His face. Validar paused and looked at the mans face, it was impossible, the child would be no more than sixteen and yet there was an unmistakable likeness in the face that, though easily double that age, forced one to consider certain possibilities that would explain how he had evaded the eyes and ears of the faithful all these years.

A warning made him turn, the movement saving him as instead of punching through his kidney the blade merely tore a savage gash on his side, making the mage gasp, his legs suddenly feeling weak and he fell to his knee. His attacker, a dark clad ginger haired thug, clicked his tongue in annoyance and shifted his grip to finish him off, two dark shapes moved in forcing the man to pull back, desperately parrying attacks from both of the assassins. Two acolytes fell to Validars side, one immediately chanting a healing spell the other hissing at the sight of the wound before looking around and calling to one of the grimleal.

'You! Come here.'

The assassin immediately disengaged and moved to the wounded, the acolyte continued.

'In the great dreads name.'

'Lord feast on my soul!'

The assassin responded, shifted his grip on his weapon and fell on it, not uttering a single sound even as he lay on the floor, a half foot of steel protruding from his back and his breath coming in increasingly pained gasps. The two acolytes wasted no time and began a chant, the blood from the dying man spreading and forming a circle round the fallen Validar. His vision dimming and the sounds seeming to vanish he cast a look at the man that had distracted him so… could it really be? If he survived he would have to investigate this further.

'By all that is holy, what is that?'

Chrom couldn't stop himself at the sight of a furry mass of muscle bound into the corridor and launched itself at the assassins.

'That would be the lady Panne, she is an ally.'

Chrom turned to regard Marth but could not reply immediately as someone attempted to use his lack of attention to launch an attack, only to find his weapon swept aside and the counter resulting in most of Falchion protruding from the mans back. Placing a foot against the assassins chest he kicked the dying man off while casting a glance at the girl. A dozen different questions milled about in his head but for the time being he simply settled for.

'And you know this because of your clairvoyance?'

There was a brief hesitation before Marth answered.

'Yes.'

'Any other useful titbits from the future?'

'One of these men, a ginger by the name of Gaius is not their ally and can be convinced to join you.'

Chrom snorted but could not offer any more substantial response as more of the attackers arrived and he was hard pressed to keep them at bay though that was soon followed by reinforcements arriving, Robins characteristic voice heard over the din and the pressure on those guarding the exalts door seemed to weaken.

'Stay at the door!'

With that directed at Phila he followed after the assassins, keeping up the momentum and keeping them from regrouping. A man struck at him, Chrom catching his opponent's blade, twisted down and pushed forward, slamming his weapons pommel into his opponents eye. With a cry the man staggered back, hands moving up in an instinctive attempt to ease the pain even as Chrom freed falchion and, taking a step forward, hamstrung the man before finishing him off as he fell to his knees.

Movement at the corner of his eye made him turn to see another dark clothes shape slipping along the walls. In a few steps he was at the man, who managed to dodge the attack, what came next surprised the prince as the man lifted his hands in surrender.

'Easy! I'm not with them!

Chrom would have ignored the words were it not for a fact, the man had very vivid ginger hair, Marths comment made him pause.

'Than why are you here?'

'I'm a mercenary, they paid me good money to help them sneak in…

'Sounds like you are with them.'

'I didn't expect them to start killing people! That's kinda unprofessional for thieves like me.'

Chrom scowled.

'Still sounds like the type of person better off dead.'

'Wait! I'm good at what I do! How about instead of killing me you hire me? My contract with them is kinda done so I might as well find new employment, I can even tell you which one of these jokers is their leader!'

Chrom couldn't help a sneer.

'And you'd just sell them out like that? What would you want, coin?'

The ginger shrugged at that.

'Yeah. I mean you're walking around with that big purse there so you can't be short.'

The prince couldn't help a short laugh.

'Sorry but that has sweets in it.'

He got no further as the thief eyes lit up.

'"Sweets?" As in "sweet sweets?" You have a deal sir!'

Chrom felt his jaw drop at the eagerness in the other mans face.

'Seriously? You'll join for a bag of sweets?'

Chrom couldn't help the disbelief in his voice. The thief nodded.

'And some cash of course. Unless you have more sweets. Do you have more?'

'Probably…'

'Sweet!'

The thief seemed to be very pleased with himself and turned from the increasingly confused prince and looked at the melee before nodding and pointing towards one of their number.

'See tall, dark and sinister over there? That's their boss.'

Chrom looked over and did indeed see what had to be the man whom the thief was pointing out. The prince thought for a second and made a decision.

'You're Gaius?'

The thief looked surprised.

'Did I say so? But yeah, that's me.'

Chrom nodded.

'If you are honest about serving me than draw steel and join the fight.'

'Sure thing blue!'

Before Chrom could even register the odd name Gaius had drawn his blade and moved through the melee in what seemed like a line towards the enemy commander. Following Chrom was slowed by the occasional opponent attempting to stop him and arrived after Gaius had sent the dark mage to the ground, blood pouring from his side, two men moving in to protect their leader and forcing the thief back. Chrom moved in, hamstringing a man, finishing him off with a quick slash across his throat. The other man hesitated at the sudden death of his ally and was now forced back under their attacks it was not long before one attack slid through his defence. Breathing hard Chrom looked around and saw that the fight was all but over.

'See if there are any alive. Take them prisoner.'

Robin's voice was heard in the sudden silence, people slowly moving to do so as others helped their own injured get clear of the bodies and lined up for treatment. Chrom looked around and realized that one face was missing.

'Stahl!'

'Yes captain?'

'This is Gaius, he is one of us now. Make sure the others don't try to kill him.'

If their was any doubt in the mans mind he did not show it as instead he nodded. That settled Chrom turned and left the corridor, looking for Marth.

She paused in the shadows as more men moved by, heading in the direction of the Exalts chambers. Lucina waited till she was certain they were gone before moving again, making good her escape. As more movement was heard she slid behind a column but even as the movement faded she found herself still standing in the spot, she knew it. A brief picture, it must have been spring because she was outdoors, her mother nearby talking to someone. Lucina, in the brief moment no one was paying attention to her, had of course gotten into mischief. She glanced down the column, half expecting to see the pictures she had drawn on the column that day.

'You have a bad habit of disappearing.'

She very nearly jumped at that but managed to suppress the urge and turned with a slight smile.

'I have a lot of bad habits.'

'Good ones too.'

Chrom approached as he spoke, Lucina shifting back to keep her eye out of sight. Her father must have misinterpreted the action as he stopped, spreading his hands to show he meant no ill.

'You saved both my sisters and myself, most people would be wanting a reward and you slink away… is there some boon you would ask of me?'

Lucina's smile took a sad tone as she shook her head.

'The offer is thanks enough.'

'I see.'

Chrom answered, clearly not seeing.

'But surely you must want something?'

More things that you could possibly imagine, she thought but she voiced only one.

'To avert the future and with the exalt alive after tonight that has been achieved.'

'I see. But if there is any chance for myself to repay this debt…'

'Perhaps there will be. Until than goodbye my lord.'

Lucina turned and walked away, half dreading her father calling out after her, half hoping he would. Chrom silently watched the girl disappear into the shadows before sighing and returning to his sister's chambers. There would be much to explain, the bodies to be cleared and the details of the assassination attempt to be discovered.

He was dying, that much was obvious. Despite all the effort made by the two acolytes who had teleported him away from the castle the wound refused to heal. Each breath sent new shards of pain flashing through his body, each breath was more difficult to draw than the last, is this how he was to die?

'No Validar. You are of too much value to me to die like this.'

The two acolytes had been sleeping an uneasy sleep and now leapt to their feet and the voice. It belonged to a man, cloaked and hooded who approached the makeshift camp making nothing of the magical energy pulsing through the acolytes. And stopped next to Validar who could now look up into the mans hood but saw nothing but a shadow darker than any night.

'Who…'

The mage managed to cough out, the shadow looked to him.

'You do not recognize me? That is not important you will in time.'

He turned to the two acolytes.

'Kill yourselves.'

There was no hesitation, one moment they stood in guarded stances the next they drew daggers from their belts and plunged them into their necks. The blood from the wounds seemed to flow towards the figure who placed a hand on Validars wound.

Pain. There was nothing but a pain so intense that Validar could not even scream in agony, it felt as if something was forcing its way in, some dark mass that threatened to destroy his body from the inside and than, it was over. He felt nothing, not the pain not the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, nothing.

'Get up.'

He did as told and rose to his feet without effort. Curious he looked down at where the wound was and recoiled in sight of it. The bloody hole was gone replaced by some dark mass resembling an eel's skin that seemed to carve into the human flesh around it. Looking back to the man Validar nearly recoiled, in the darkness of the hood he swore he saw six red lights briefly flash before seeming to be swallowed by the shadows. The voice, Validar now realized, was not so much heard as felt,vibrating in his bones. Suddenly the identity of who stood before him became obvious and before the mage knew it he had fallen to his knees, forehead pressed against the ground.

'Come now Validar, you have much to do.'

'Yes great lord.'

The FE franchise always have stories present to explain why you go from battle to battle killing things as well as sometimes bits and pieces meant to show that the other side also has motivation for their acts and perhaps because of that many things are only glossed over. This leaves a lot of things open to interpretation. In this case its my attempt to explain to myself why the former exalt did the things he did and left things the way they were. Even if you have your own image of the answer to the above than I hope you can just role with it.