Red skies spanned as far as one could see in all directions bar one, directly east a great black tower rose from the red tinged wasteland and she felt herself drawn to it as if by some invisible hand. It was a long journey made all the longer by the sheer bareness of the surroundings and yet when something arrived to break the monotony she wished it had not. Shadows, always flittering at the edge of her vision, never staying still long enough for her to grasp what of and the moaning, naga the moaning! Soul rendering slowly gnawing away at her sanity, at her very soul!

The dark tower seemed to stop growing, no matter how hard she tried to reach it to escape the shades following her it stubbornly refused to come any closer as the shadows closed in, seeming to reach towards her as they moaned. Still she tried to escape only to feel their icy grip on her, pulling her back, overwhelming her and dragging her down.

Just before the shadows overwhelmed her she not so much heard as felt something laugh.

She woke with a start looking around frantically before she realized she was in her bed, in her room. The strangling sensation was just her sheets wrapped around her; the clamminess was her sweat soaked nightclothes. With a deep sigh she rested her head in her hands. Once her breathing had calmed down she untangled the bedclothes and rose to the basin on the table and washed her face, the cold water helping her wake properly.

With another sigh Emmeryn, exalt of Ylisse, prepared for the day. After a brief wash she broke her fast on bread, olives, cheese and wine that had been well watered down. With that it was time to have help with putting her robes on before dealing with the days duties. Fortunately the council dealt with the tedious daily running of affairs leaving her to concentrate on larger issues and ideas as well as the ultimate say.

Reading through the last of the letters she couldn't help a frown, the moment war with Plegia was certain most banks immediately sent letters assuring her that they would be more than happy to lend money to ensure her victory, at a reasonable rate of course. The worst was that they would need the money; true the revenue from royal lands as well as the war tax could easily supply the sums needed but the revenue was mostly supplied in nature and it would be months, if not years before the nobility agreed to a rate of tax, the people meant to oversee its collection and finally seeing some coin flow in, mercenaries and ships and merchants all needed to see coin immediately to do anything.

It was fortunate that Chrom had secured the alliance with Ferox what with the spymaster reporting that Plegia had to keep a hefty portion of its forces watching their northern border. With her siblings, hopefully, already in the northern realm they could soon reach a consensus on how to wage the war.

Emmeryn couldn't help but smile at the thought, her brother had protested vehemently against leaving Ylisse, Lissa even more so but they agreed to their mission in the end and she was glad for it. Though she did her best to hide it the assassination attempt and more importantly the implication of how enemies could sneak so many armed men into the castle was unnerving and she was well glad to see her siblings in relative safety. Ferox was no doubt safer, Flavia would look after them and they went with a small army, a handful of retainers and Chroms personal retainers, his Shepard's. An eccentric lot to be sure but more than competent and Frederick was with them to ensure order, as was Robin.

Emmeryns mood turned sour in an instant. Chrom trusted the man despite his dubious origins as did the rest of the shepherds, Frederick granted the man a grudging respect, as it seemed did Phila and many others in the palace guard or even some of the barons. She had herself given the man the benefit of doubt when he first arrived, treating him as she did many of the odd characters her brother had recruited into his shepherd's.

But every time this Robin was in her presence she couldn't help but notice the way in which he spoke, the way he moved, his mannerisms and the words he used. They all reminded her so much of that man, her father, it was sickening. His presence in her siblings company was a cause of worry as Chrom had always been of a militant mindset and seemed inclined to keep company with her fathers old allies and Lissa, though much more pacific in nature, seemed to look at the man as one might at an older relative. What sort of influence did he hold over her siblings?

'Your grace?'

The Exalt looked up to see Phila standing nearby, hands folded neatly behind her back. Seeing that she had her attention the commander continued.

'The escort is ready.'

Emmeryn looked up and out the window, checking the suns position to confirm that it was indeed that late in the day. Perhaps misinterpreting the action as hesitation Phila spoke up.

'Perhaps your grace has reconsidered?'

She shook her head.

'No Phila, I will go as planned.'

The commander's lips formed a thin line.

'Your grace, I feel I should point out that it is not the best of ideas of leaving the castle when there has been an attempt on your life barely a week ago.'

Emmeryn lifted a hand.

'I know Phila and I appreciate the danger but the people cannot see their exalt in fear in such times. We must carry on with normality as best we can.'

The knight nodded though it was clear that she was not happy with the arrangement.

Despite the situation the streets were crowded. No, she corrected herself; it is because of the situation the streets are so crowded. Refugees had been trickling into the cities and the safety of their walls since the troubles started, now with the enemy in the north and the coastal regions burning refugees had flooded the cities. Something would have to be done to bring order to the situation, she thought, some parts of the city organized to accommodate them as well as some sort of food subsidiary. Though most shouts were that of greeting and salute she noted calls of another type, that of anger, she did not hear the words but she could guess well enough. Anger about loved ones lost and homes fled, fear for their future and security all much the same as when she took the throne all those years ago. How much more suffering, she thought, would that mans legacy cause?

'Something troubling you, your grace?'

The hierarch, seemingly sensing the exalts mood spoke softly to her as they moved through the streets. Emmeryn put on a smile as she replied.

'Nothing serious old friend, merely thinking.'

The priest looked at her for a moment in silence before nodding and they went the rest of the way to the temple in silence. The crowds grew progressively thicker the closer they were and soon the Pegasus knights were spread out in order to push back the crowds. Emmeryn had started climbing up the stairs to the ornate entrance when it happened.

Someone slipped past the line of knights and ran straight to the exalt, followed by panicked cries. The assassin lifted her arm high and struck an overhand blow that would have shattered the skull had the exalt not moved, instead it caught a glancing blow, cutting off a part of her ornamental headgear.

Screams, panic and confusion reigned. A Pegasus knight tackled the attacker, knocking them both the ground and more knights ran up to assist. The crowd panicked and surged in all directions, many attempting to flee the scene while others pushed forward.

'The exalt has been killed!'

'Help! Murder!'

'Plegians in the city!'

The knights pushed to the Exalt, forming a cordon to keep the crowd away but were forced back under the sheer weight of the mob, here and there a knight disappearing in the press of bodies.

'Quickly your grace! This way!'

Dazed Emmeryn did not resist as the hierarch grabbed hold of her arm and dragged her towards the temple, away from the crowd. The moment they cleared the threshold it was as if a curtain had fallen, the sounds of the panic outside were muffled and slowly, as the pain subsided, Emmeryn found she could think again.

'I have to get out there! Calm them down!'

Nobody in the temple answered. Not the hierarch, nor the gathered clerics not even the Pegasus knight that had somehow been pushed into the temple. Seeing this Emmeryn turned on the knight.

'Open the gate and escort me out.'

'Yes your grace.'

The knight responded, snapping a salute as she did before moving to the doors, indicating the cleric there should step back. In a blur the cleric closed in on the knight, his leg lashing out and connecting with the knights knee, sending her to the ground with a pained yelp cut short as another cleric stepped in behind her and drew a curved dagger across her throat before pushing her to the floor where she kicked a few times before going still.

While this was going on another of the clerics moved in behind the exalt, one hand gripping her arm and forcing it back while the other dug into a nerve cluster, sending Emmeryn to her knees with a pained gasp. As the men bound her, another of their number turned to the hierarch who had tilted his head in greeting who returned the greeting.

'Well done friend, well done.'

'I live to serve the great dread.'

The men echoed the word and Emmeryn felt her gut twist, grimleal in the capital and the hierarch one of them? The group's leader continued speaking.

'Do you remember what you are to say?'

The heirarch nodded.

'I survived because I fled when you attacked the exalt…'

He got no further, a hand closed around his throat, cutting off his windpipe as one of the assassins sank steel into his back, the grimleals officer watched without the faintest hint of emotion as the hierarch slide to the ground, eyes wide and slowly dimming as his strength left him.

'Unfortunately for you it has been decided that your survival would be too suspicious. Rest easy knowing that your decades of service have brought much good to the cause of the righteous.'

Emmeryn found she was unable to take her eyes of the dying man. All these years, every lesson taught every piece of advice given every assuarance that what was being done was for the greater good he had been serving another's cause? The doors shook as the sound of several fists hitting it accompanied by a dozen voices made the men turn.

'Quickly now. We have to be long gone before they get in.'

The cultist hissed and the group made their escape, dragging the enervated exalt with them.

It took most of his willpower to suppress the shaking of his hand but he eventually managed. The thought of failure filled him with a sense of dread, causing the action to take much longer than it should have but in the end he succeeded in putting down the cup without a sound and breathed a sigh of relief.

'Well done. Now if only you could do so at a quicker pace I would acknowledge you passing this test.'

Robin couldn't help a frown as Lissa snorted, trying in vain to suppress a laugh. Maribelle meanwhile, having given her verdict regarding his performance, now picked up her own cup and drank from it in speed and perfection that seemed to underline the clumsy nature of the mans attempt to do so properly.

He had never thought that he would be having tea with the two blue bloods yet when Maribelle had expressed her gratitude for his part in her saving and offered him assistance should he need it the man pounced on the chance and asked for lessons regarding behaviour in Ylissian high society, he would come to regret it as Maribelle took to the task with zeal. Still, he could not complain as he was actually learning much, possibly re-learning when one took his amnesia into account, and he had the added bonus of discovering that prickly Maribelle had a witty charm to her when comfortable with someone, though the barbs were present on occasion. Lissa was often present for the lessons, predominately to laugh at the mans expense though, like with Maribelle, he found that when she was not getting into mischief the princess had a bright mind and was pleasant company, in small doses.

In hindsight, during the last two weeks he had learnt a lot about his new comrades having spent plenty of time on drill and resting in their company. Sully was a beast; there was no other way around it though the incident with seaweed was more than amusing and hinted at a more feminine side underneath her shell. Stahl, despite his assumed "averageness" was more than competent in everything he did. Sumia, well meaning but unlucky to the extreme and a voracious reader, he was no slouch himself in that regards yet only got through a portion of the literature she suggested and found that if he ever needed help finding a book or passage on some subject she was the person to ask. Miriel was always happy to bounce ideas and theories with him, though she still hadn't returned his old pouch now that he thought of it. Vaike was always ready for a challenge and the two found themselves frequently assisting each other in training, he still owed the blonde a kicking over leaving him at the mercy of Sully's horse that one time. With Virion he found training of a different kind, the two frequently duelling with game pieces as they manoeuvred their armies on the board. Annoyingly the foreign noble often ran circles around the amnesiac. With Frederick he had seemed to reach an accord, they often worked together, hammering out details concerning the Shepherds training and logistics yet the fitness hour, however, he could do without.

Of the others he did not see much partially by choice and partially by simple differences in schedule bar Chrom. As of late he had spent most of his time hammering out campaign plan's with the prince as well as the khans and their officers and in truth he found it exhilarating. True his opinion still mattered little in the grand scheme of things but it was something.

'Robin?'

'Yes?'

He turned his attention back to his tea-drinking companions, judging by the somewhat irritated looks he had been out of it for a while.

'We were asking whether Chrom would join us?'

Lissa asked, Robin nodding as he answered.

'He said he would, no doubt after he's finished being mauled by the khans.'

Initially there had been problems with that as many among the Ylissians found little reason for the constant bashing the Feroxi seemed to take so much delight in but gradually an understanding was reached, especially when it was discovered that such bouts did more for improving relations than anything else. Many of the southerners still felt somewhat uncomfortable with the custom however and it was visible on both the girls faces. It was this moment that Chrom opted to enter with a "Good evening" before casting an eye on the table.

'Is that gooseberry jam?'

The following morning things were noticeably different. When the Ylissians entered the hall they found only the khans present, the tribal elders that had normally taken part in strategic meetings till now nowhere to be seen.

Flavia looked worried and sighed before approaching the prince with a scroll.

'You might want to read this.'

Eyebrow raised Chrom took the offered scroll and read through it, eyes going wide and looking to Flavia.

'How certain is this?'

'Very, my agent swears on it. I'm sure in a few days you will also receive a letter from your own sources.'

Not being informed what had happened an annoyed Robin rook the scroll from Chrom, Frederick slow to protest as he was also interested in the contents. Robin quickly scanned the words before handing it to the knight.

'The exalt has been kidnapped.'

'Impossible.'

The knight barked as he took the scroll and read what was written, his face falling as he did. Chrom stood for a moment in silence before turning to Frederick.

'Get the shepherds ready to move.'

'Calm down Chrom.'

Flavia interrupted, the prince turning on her.

'My sister is a Plegian prisoner and you say "calm down"? I need to save Emm!'

'No one is saying you shouldn't, just do so with a plan.'

Basilio interrupted from where he stood, pulling maps free from their oiled cases. Robin approached the table.

'Do we know where the exalt is held?'

Flavia nodded.

'Aye. My spies say that Gangrel has declared Emmeryn will be executed at the Dragons Bones, a temple not far from their capital. "The Temple" might be a better term as it seems to be the most important in that cult of theirs.'

She paused before pointing the spot out on a map. Robin looked and clicked his tongue in annoyance, the place was a difficult one to reach from their current location and even if they managed the task they would have to flee through large swathes of enemy country to escape, unless they did so by sea, itself a dangerous prospect when one took into account Plegia's naval dominance.

'We need to sneak a force through hostile territory that is large enough to ensure we reach it safely and in time but small enough to evade notice and escape relatively unmolested.'

Basilio nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

'Aye, you got the gist of it. I can help as well.'

So saying he began looking through the maps before with triumphant "aha" he pulled one free and unwound it.

'During the great wars the khans had plenty of occasion to have proper maps made of northern Plegia while we ransacked the place.'

As well as Ylisse though he thought it would be impolitic to mention that.

'Though old they are probably the best maps of the region and if we cross reference them with more recent ones we should get a good picture of the terrain, including every gully, valley and water source.'

As he spoke everyone crowded around the maps, Robin placing a finger on the capital before pulled across going via the various less obvious paths and slowly a predatory smile spread across his face.

'I think we'll be able to manage.'

Flavia was correct. A day later a messenger did arrive from Ylisse with news of the Exalts kidnapping though the one who brought the message was a surprise, it was Phila accompanied by a fair number of the Pegasus knights. After the news was delivered the commander begged Chrom for his forgiveness in her failure to execute her duties. In truth Robin cared little for that but appreciated the appearance of additional combatants and an experienced leader like Phila meant the planning sped up.

'So in summary.'

Flavia, as the host of the meetings and ruling khan of all Ferox was the senior most rank in the hall and therefore spoke last in the meetings now summarised what had been worked out over the past days.

'Basilio and myself shall take the bulk of our forces and start an offensive across the border, draw attention to ourselves and hopefully draw forces away from the interior making your chance of slipping by unseen greater. After rescuing Emmeryn…'

"If" would have been more apt but with Chrom present nobody wished to use the word.

'You will withdraw via this route and link up with the oaf here.'

Basilio snorted at the name Flavia used to refer to him but everybody else simply nodded as they followed the route on the map. Robin sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

'When put like that the plan is pathetic.'

He muttered to no one in particular. Phila shrugged her shoulders.

'Perhaps but time is of the essence. Besides simple plans have less that can go wrong in them.'

There was a murmur of agreement at that.

'We have the strategy, what of tactics?'

'I need to see what the area is like and what sort of forces the enemy has… I can only guess so much from old drawings but it seems we are stuck approaching from the south and forcing our way in…'

Robin sighed again.

'I won't be able to say anything for certain until I actually see it.'

'Setting that aside.'

Basilio now spoke.

'I'm not certain you have enough men for the job.'

'We have the Shepherds, some men at arms and the Pegasus knights. It should be enough.'

'And yet…'

Basilio thought for a moment before turning to an aid.

'Get Lon'qu.'

Turning back to the others with a grin he continued.

'Lon'qu is my previous champion, undefeated before meeting that Marth character.'

The doors opened and a man walked in, his physical appearance betraying a foreigner to the continent. He stopped some distance away and placed a hand on his chest as he bowed to Basilio.

'You wished to see me?'

'Indeed. Lon'qu you will accompany prince Chrom and obey his commands as well as his officers.'

The man tilted his head again as he replied.

'Understood.'

Was all he said causing Chrom to lift an eyebrow.

'You agree just like that?'

'Of course.'

Came the mans reply. Basilio laughed in the manner he was prone to and slapped Lon'qu on the back, sending the man a staggering step forward.

'Poor company until properly drunk but a hell of a swordsmen and a competent officer as well. With him and his men with you you'll easily deal with any problems that might arise.'

'I'm sure of that, I'm glad to have you with us.'

Chrom smiled at the man who tilted his head in acknowledgment with a "milord". Robin looked the man over before shrugging.

'When can you and yours march?'

'Within the day.'

'Than I suggest you get ready.'

'You wished to see me master?'

'Yes child. Rise.'

The blonde did as told casting an appraising eye over the man, he was thinner than before he left on his failed attempt to assassinate the Exalts family and his skin took on a greyish hue but other than that the man seemed better for it and, as she had come to expect as of late, the hooded figure stood nearby, the man Validar had returned with and put in a position of authority within the cult. Her musing was interrupted by Validars voice.

'How go Gangrels preparations?'

'He has gathered a force at the temple strong enough to deal with most threats. However he complains of the lack of speed of the force operating in Ylisse and the northern lords maintaining so much of their forces on the border.'

Validar nodded.

'That does not matter. It has been brought to our attention that the Ylissians stand a good chance of reaching the temple, the force is not to be underestimated.'

He took a tome and held it out; she approached and took it from him.

'That tome will enable yourself and Aversa to prepare an ambush in case the Ylissians do arrive, one that they will not be able to counter without the greatest difficulty. You will go to the temple and begin work with Aversa and the coven to prepare it at once, you two are to co-operate in this.'

She did her best not to scowl, it was little secret that she and Validar's adopted daughter did not agree on most matters but she tilted her head.

'Yes master.'

Validar nodded before looking to the hooded figure and, as if receiving some mute instruction turned back to her.

'Additionally it would seem that my son has been sighted and is a part of the Ylissian force.'

Her eyes opened wide at this and she looked up.

'Your son?'

'The same that that woman kidnapped those sixteen years ago when she chose to betray the faith. She was cunning in hiding him and he will be older than one would think. A man full grown fighting as a man in arms. On his shield he will carry the tower in black on silver, or some approximation of it made by the infidel unaware of the sigils true meaning.'

Validar paused and a shadow of a smile appeared on his face.

'If he will not have the helm on than there will be a resemblance to his father.'

The smile vanished as the characteristic scowl returned.

'Take him alive.'

'Your will be done.'

She responded even as her mind churned with a thousand thoughts at the news. Perhaps sensing this Validar stood from his chair and placed a hand on her head.

'Do this well. Bring your brother back to the faith my daughter.'

She bowed low at that, all the thoughts pushed aside by the task given to her.

'I will not fail, father.'

When the door shut behind her Validar sighed and sat down again.

'So my daughter now knows. Is my lord certain this was wise? She harbours hate for the boy, blames him for her mothers abandonment.'

The hooded figure did not move from his part of the room nor did he turn to Validar but the voice was audible, felt more than heard.

'You have given her an order and Reflet will not go against that. I am certain she will cause him no harm.'

Validar bowed.

'Of course my lord. I did not mean to doubt.'

'Rise Validar, you are free to ask for clarification so long as my will is done.'

'Yes my lord.'

Pausing she lifted her ears, twitching slightly as she sought the source of the sound that had intrigued her, nose moving as she tested the scents on the air. Plegia was an odd land, she had long decided, everything in it was hot and dusty and very little humidity was to be found anywhere except the coast where most of the population lived. Panne knew this to be good news for the army as they had hoped to manage to pass through the land without anyone noticing their presence until it was too late.

There it was. She looked over the rocky land, the air twitching from the heat as she tried to see what had caught her attention. A lot of man-spawn and horses as well as the irritating smell of the other four-legged creature the people of this arid land frequently used to transport goods over large distances. The group was moving closer, she decided the road they were using would take within a few hundred yards of the dale the army was marching. Twitching her nose at the problem she waited long enough to get an idea of how many and who was marching where before she bounded off to report the finding.

It was a dirty business he knew but what could he do? After his last job he doubted he would have a friendly welcoming back on Valm and though serving slavers hurt his sense of what was proper he had to be a realist for once in his life. If the past months were anything to go by Plegia was set to win this conflict with Ylisse and losers, as he had oft found, were less likely to pay their bills. Though than again rumours had started drifting in about how Plegia had been mauled in a skirmish in the mountains at the start of open hostilities and apparently the Feroxi had flooded across the border, burning and pillaging as they went. Perhaps Plegia had bitten off more than they could chew?

'Oy!'

He turned at the sound to find one of the other mercenaries standing nearby.

'You speak to Gregor?'

'Who else?'

The mercenary answered as he rolled his shoulders.

'We got permission to check out the village, get some fresh food, you coming?'

Tempting, but he was not in the mood for company.

'Gregor thanks but is busy with the resting.'

'Suit yourself.'

The man shrugged as he walked off to join others. Gregor sighed, the other mercenaries were good enough lads, as good as any other he had met, it was the others who were the problem the actual Plegians, these Grimleal and their orders. As if on cue he walked by the wagons and he heard a faint sniffling coming from one of them he slowed his pace before he forced himself to walk on, he had to be smart for once. If he kept rebelling at every paymaster that had him do questionable acts he would never put away enough coin to retire like most sell swords his age. Ignoring the sound would be the smart thing to do.

He cursed and stomped off to where he had put his pack, made sure it was packed properly before walking off to where the wagons were waiting. Carefully checking the area he walked up to them and started ruffling though them before he found what he had been looking for.

'The hell are you doing here?'

Gregor cursed inwardly before turning, greeting the sentry who challenged him with a smile before, in one smooth motion, pulling his dagger and plunging it into the mans neck. Eyes wide the sentry staggered back trying to shout but only producing a hiss as bloody bubbles formed in his wound before he fell to the ground. Quickly checking the area to see if anyone had noticed Grogor pushed the corpse under the wagons before pulling the bag containing the captive's possessions before walking as quickly as he dared to the cage wagon. With another check he confirmed that most everyone was enjoying their siesta which meant he should be fine for a few more moments.

The key, he knew, was held by Chalard who always had guards with him making it impractical to attempt to acquire, meaning he had to resort to other measures. Sliding the dead guards dagger into the look he pushed and pulled until he found a good spot before he applied enough strength that his face went red and the lock broke under the strain.

Catching his breath he glanced around in fear that someone had heard his less than subtle lock picking and allowed himself a breath of relief that it seemed nobody had. Opening the cage he found the girl well at the opposite end of the cage, curled in a ball. Gingerly making his way in Gregor did his best to put on a non-threatening face.

'Oy! Is no cause for worry, is only Gregor making with the rescue.'

The girl only seemed to shrink into a smaller ball at his voice, sighing the mercenary tried again, moving closer still.

'Be easy, Gregor is good guy, not liking the hurting of little ones.'

He was within arm distance and stretched an arm out only to yelp as she sank her teeth into his outstretched hand, more in surprise than pain. Using his surprise the girl staggered by and out the cage, running off. Gregor cursed, scrambled out of the cage and cursed again before picking up both bags and running after her. Someone must have heard the commotion as someone walked out of their tent wearing only a shirt, directly into Gregors path. The mercenary and the man tumbled to the ground in a heap, before the man could gather his bearings Gregor punched the man twice before staggering to his feet and continue his escape as more people appeared and very soon someone realized what had happened sounding the alarm.

Gregor cursed, soon every armed man in the camp would be after himself and the girl, and the girl seemed to be under the impression that he was a bad guy! Cursing again Gregor paused and looked around and finding the girl he ran after her, intent on putting as much distance between himself and his former employer as possible.

'Thank you Panne, you can get some rest now.'

The Taguel tilted her head before leaving. Under the shade of the canopy the officers turned to the maps on the field table, frowns on almost every face.

'The bastards must have made the road after the war.'

'More than like.'

Phila agreed as she put a finger on the map.

'It is definitely not here nor is the village near the lake. Probably people settled here much for the reasons we wanted to use it, it's far from what were the main roads.'

'Can we backtrack? We could take this path here, we would still join the route we are currently taking here.'

Frederick joined in, his finger tracing the route. Robin eyed it.

'Perhaps. But do we have enough water before we reach the next source?'

Phila glanced at a wax tablet she had at hand and frowned.

'Doubtful. We could ration water but some of the animals would drop before we did.'

A heavy silence fell as they considered their options. Chrom, up to this point looking into the distance turned to the table.

'Panne said they were getting ready for a rest which means they'll be gone by evening. We can rest here until then and make up for it in the night.'

Robin and Phila frowned, being older soldiers they did not care much for night marches as there much to go wrong during them, it was Robin who spoke.

'Even if there is still the problem of the village. The moment someone there sees us they'll scatter and spread word of our presence here.'

'And what would you have us do about it?'

Robin shrugged.

'Killing everyone there would be the most efficient method.'

Seeing the looks on the faces of the others he raised a hand.

'Though even than there is always a chance of people slipping through the net. We'll probably be best off with hoping to bypass the village without notice while keeping some men to watch them. With luck they'll simply assume we're raiders and they'll take their livestock and run for the hills.'

If not they'll send word to the nearest army about us and they'll assume we're marching to save the exalt and hunt us down, he thought though decided not to voice it instead reaching for his goblet and taking a long draught of the mixture of wine, water and vinegar that most soldiers carried in their flasks. Chrom looked over his officers before nodding.

'We'll wait here and see if they move in the evening as most seem prone to here. For the time being I'd suggest you get some rest.'

It was about an hour later when a sentry ran into camp and delivered a report, the watch captain hesitated for several minutes before deciding to risk his superiors anger and wake them to inform them of developments, it was fortunate for him he did as they treated the matter seriously and soon the camps soldiers were roused and ordered to ready for battle as their commanders followed the sentry to see firsthand what was being reported.

'Of course they would run in this direction, bastards.'

Robin commented as watched the shapes moving closer to the gully they were in.

'What do you suppose they are doing?'

'Difficult to say at this distance but I would hazard a guess that the small one in front is running from the mass behind.'

'So a runaway but what? Thief? Slave? Child refusing to go to bed?'

'It doesn't matter.'

Robin interrupted to mass guessing.

'If they continue to come this way they'll run into us and alert the entire region of our presence, we have to prepare to kill them all.'

Nobody argued with him so he continued.

'Phila I would ask you to go back and get your knights ready. If it starts you make sure none of them escape. Frederick you get the men at arms ready. If those people do come here I'd rather you wait and take them in the flank. Take word to that Feroxi, Lon'qu? He's to do similar, Virion should be in charge of the Shepherds until we get back.'

Frederick and Phila looked to Chrom who nodded, confirming he agreed with the amnesiacs orders before moving back to carry them out. Before leaving Phila paused long enough to say,

'I shall send one of my knights to you to act as a messenger if necessary.'

After that the prince and the tactician sat in what little shade they had as they observed the pursuit going on. Before long the details became clearer.

'I'd say two in the front and about a score behind them.'

'I make the same… and they are definitely headed in this direction.'

The fell silent again as they observed what was happening, it would be Robin to break the silence this time.

'I seems the girl is tiring. With luck they'll catch her before they get to this spot and we'll be able to sneak by anyway.'

'We should help her.'

Robin turned to Chrom with a raised eyebrow the prince continued speaking.

'We can't really say we're knights if we sit by as something like this is happening.'

Robin sighed and shook his head.

'We're in this god forsaken country to save your sister. We can't do that if people know where we are.'

'I know.'

Chrom answered sharply before sighing and repeating in a softer tone.

'I know that but…'

His voice trailed off as he turned his attention back to the drama unfolding before scowling and standing up.

'I'm going.'

'Chrom that…'

Robin got no further before the prince left cover and sprinted towards the two closest shapes. Robin scowled, swore, spat before swearing again.

Sand had a habit of changing how it behaved based off of what would be the least favourable for you. As she was running it was loose and offered no grip, dragging her down and slowing her escape. Now, after tripping it suddenly decided to be rock hard and solid, making the world flash as she connected with it. The weight of all that had happened in the last days made Nowi want to curl up in a ball and cry but she couldn't, not yet not with them chasing her.

'Oy! Wee one! Stop with the running if it please you.'

The sound that came out of her mouth was something akin to a squeak and a scream as she tried to stand only for the treacherous ground under foot slip away making her fall on her face again. As she tried to escape she turned her head and saw the big man was now only a short distance away.

'No! Stay away!'

The man slowed, raising his hands up.

'Make with the hushing! Else little girl bring army on heads!'

As if on cue noise was heard from ahead and an armoured man appeared from behind the rocks, sword in hand. Nowi squeaked again and frantically looked to all sides for a way to run, fortunately for her the newcomer seemed not to be interested in catching her as he turned to the big man behind her.

'You fiend! Stop harassing the girl.'

'Harass?'

The big man blinked as if confused by the word before shaking his head.

'No friend you have wrong! Gregor not bad guy, Gregor make the rescue.'

The newcomer snorted.

'A likely story.'

He paused before looking to Nowi.

'What do you have to say?'

Nowi couldn't help but tear up as the frustration and fear from the past days welled inside her.

'These men caught me, shoved me into a cage now some big men want to kill me and I've got sand in my shoes!'

'What! Wait wee one you forgetting who opened cage for you?'

That made her pause, now that she thought about it it had been strange for someone other than the slavers leader to open her cage. The sound of armoured feet hitting the rocky soil heralded more people who lined up behind the newcomer. The mercenary calling himself Gregor looked somewhat concerned about the sudden increase of people he was facing but spoke up.

'See? Gregor be good guy here, help with the escaping. Is not Gregor's fault little girl run before he explain.'

One of the newest to arrive, a blonde girl, snorted.

'Yeah right.'

Gregor sighed.

This day be nothing but insults and punches to groin.'

Before taking one of the packs he was carrying and throwing it towards Nowi.

'Little one silly to run off without pack, should have given Gregor time to explain.'

She reached out and realized it was indeed her pack. Eyes going wide she quickly opened it and began sorting through it, hoping that her stone was still there. Gregor meanwhile turned to the strangers.

'Friends be certain this all misunderstanding. Gregor make good deed and free little one but former employers close so we should do with the running…'

He trailed off as the sound of several people approaching and turned on his heels, hand moving to his sword. Several slavers entered the scene, pausing at what they saw. After a brief moment one of them barked an order and they spread out surrounding the mercenary and Nowi. Glancing towards the others the leader barked.

'This does not concern you. Leave now.'

That done he turned to his followers.

'Take the girl alive, kill the traitor.'

Steel hissed as it left its scabbards as men moved to do as ordered. Gregor shifted his stance readying to move against the closest of the grimleal while Chrom and the others readied to intervene. One of the grimleal closed in on Nowi, hands already outstretched to take her captive. The girl herself finally found what she had been looking for.

'Stay away from me!'

She cried and a flash of light made everyone stagger back, hands raised in an attempt to avoid being blinded by the sudden display. Vision slowly returning the slaver had enough time to scream before he was enveloped by a mist that, on passing, left behind a frozen patch of ground amidst which stood the mortal remains of the man, the frozen corpse steaming in the air briefly before it shattered turning to a pile of frozen ruin.

'What the bloody hell?'

Robin asked no one in particular.

'A manakete? I never thought to see one.'

Chrom muttered under his breath. Everyone stood in a stunned silence until a second slaver was engulfed in the mist, Gregor opting to use the moment to cut down the man closest to him before rolling out of Nowi's field of vision while the Slavers scattered.

'Hold your ground! She can't hold that form for long!'

As if on cue the dragon that was Nowi gleamed with a bright light before the form vanished replaced by that of a petite girl, who fell to her knees, heaving at the strain of the transformation. As soon as that happened the slavers closed in again only to find their way bared by Gregor, soon joined by Chrom and the shepherds present. Robin however held back, gripping the Pegasus knight Phila had sent over by the arm.

'Get back to the main group, have them move up.'

She looked from the amnesiac to the fight, or more particularly Chrom before nodding and doing as told. Not the fastest runner Robin idly noted, trying to remember what her name was, Cordelia? He pushed the thought out of mind, especially the bit about how she was arguably the most attractive woman he had seen amidst a throng of attractive women and moved to join the fight, ducking in low under an axe blow, pushing his shield into his opponents face before stabbing into his gut, or tried to as the blade slid off the mail vest the man wore. His balance thrown off the slaver used the moment to pull his arm back for another attack, this time Robin pushed out with his shield, shoving the weapon to the side before bringing his own weapon in an overhand blow. A moments resistance heralded the blow connecting and the next moment he pulled his sword back to the ready position. The slaver tried to do likewise before realising his arm was no longer connected to his body, his scream of agony was cut short as Robin punched the steel blade through his neck.

Pulling the weapon back the amnesiac looked around, things seemed to be going well enough, Chrom had already sent two of the slavers to the ground and as Robin watched he ducked under the guard of a third, pushed the enemies spear point away before splitting his opponents head open. A fourth attempted to blindside him but found his path blocked, Kellam shoving his shield into the mans face, sending him staggering back spitting blood and teeth before Kellam lashed out again, this time with the spear punching through the mans gut.

To their other side Vaike caught his opponent's blade and forced it down before head butting the slaver sending him a staggered step back before bringing his axe around he hacked down all but splitting the man in two.

'Hold together! Hold together!'

Robin bellowed, hoping his voice would carry over the din before stepping forward and kicking a slaver in the back of his knee, sending the woman down on her knees with a cry before Robin brought his blade around and drew it across the slavers neck, sending her to the dry ground, the blood turning it to mud. The man he had assisted turned out to be the stranger who grinned at the amnesiac.

'With thanks friend!'

He said before rejoining the fight. Looking around Robin decided things were going well enough and looked for the other stranger and approached her, Lissa looking up from tending the girl as he approached.

'Can you turn into that thing again?'

He asked. The girl looked at him, very pale in face and breathing heavily before shaking her head, Lissa hurrying with an explanation.

'Nowi is exhausted, you can't expect much from her until she rests and gets some food and drink.'

Nowi is it? Nodding his understanding he opened his mouth to ask for more information but couldn't as Lissa's eyes opened wide and she called out a warning. Robin turned in time to stop the blow, though it felt like a load of bricks hitting his shield. His attacker did not pause and kneed the man in the side, knocking the breath out of the amnesiac. The slaver pulled back to get room for another attack only to scream as he seemed to spontaneously combust. Screaming he fell the ground and proceeded to roll around until Robin stepped on him and stabbed down.

'Are you well?'

Turning to Miriel Robin confirmed to which the mage nodded.

'Fortuitous. Is there any part of the engagement you would have me intervene?'

Looking around Robin saw reinforcements flooding the area and in what seemed like a heartbeat the slavers were cut down leaving the Ylissians in control of the field. Wiping the blood from his sword Robin slid it into its scabbard and went looking for Chrom and found him with Frederick, Phila as well as Lon'qu, who seemed to be doing his best to stay as far away from the Pegasus knight as possible.

'We have to hit their camp as well before they realize what is going on.'

He said by way of greeting, the others turning to him, Phila nodding before kneeling and drawing in the sand.

'We're about a half mile from their camp, no cover, no obstacles. It is safe to assume that they are alert though I do not believe any of these here.'

She paused to indicate the nearby bodies.

'Managed to escape therefore they might not be overly concerned as of yet.'

Robin looked at the drawing before nodding and knelt next to the knight.

'Frederick should go with the men at arms and take up positions here, Phila and her knights here. Leave the actual destruction of the camp to the Feroxi and Shepherds. It is imperative that you not let any escape. Any complaints?'

None were voiced and Chrom gave the order to move out. As they walked Chrom looked to Robin.

'I intend to offer that Gregor and Nowi a position within the Shepherds.'

'I see.'

Chrom looked to Robin with a raised eyebrow.

'No complaints?'

'You mean to hire a competent sell sword and a girl that turns into a monster, not much to argue about. Besides you seem obsessed with adopting every stray you come across to your Shepherds.'

Chrom smirked at that.

'Perhaps but you should be thankful, how many lords do you know that take in an amnesiac found in the middle of a field and make them an officer?'

'Point.'

Robin nodded and the two walked for a few more moments before Chrom turned to the man.

'Are you sure you don't want to complain?'

'Would it make you feel better if I did?'

'Maybe a bit.'

'In that case your lordship is a fool for dragging in a slip of a girl that changes into a monster and a sell sword who betrayed his previous employer.'

Chrom smiled for the first time in a while.

'Thank you.'

'Anytime.'