-'Walhart was probably hoping to trap us between his army and Steiger, fortunately that is no longer possible.'
The light flared up as a squire refilled the oil in the lamp letting the gathered officers see the map better.
-'What about Yenfay? Will he be marching as well?'
Flavia asked, turning her head to Sayri. The Chonsin shrugged her shoulders.
-'Perhaps, depends what his emperor will command.'
She sighed and leaned on the table with a frown.
-'But Walhart has never been subtle. If his previous campaigns are an indication he will gather all his strength to better grind us to dust with one battle.'
-'So until the scouts are back we'll have to assume that yes he is marching.'
Flavia crossed her arms and glanced at the map before shaking her head slowly.
-'Which leads us to decide, what now?'
Basilio rubbed his head.
-'Even if our sources are doubling the numbers Walhart has at his disposal we're badly outnumbered and if Yenfay joins him or they somehow manage to maneuver themselves to take us from two sides...'
-'Meaning what? We should leave a garrison and pull back to link up with the reinforcements that should have reached Valm?'
Chrom asked, glancing around his allies and officers. Robin, who had been leaning on the table staring intently into the map, now looked up.
-'I think I'd rather they try to take us from two sides.'
-'Pardon?'
Chrom turned to the constable, eyebrow raised. Robin turned his attention back to the map and placed his finger on a token.
-'Yenfay is here, Walhart here. They might be tempted to crush us between them especially, as our allies inform us, Walhart is less a strategist and more an inspiring leader, more like you than me.'
He shot a grin at Chrom before turning back to the map.
-'Such a maneuver is difficult to pull off and our scouts have, so far, been better than theirs meaning we'd probably know about it sooner than they would. In other words we might possibly be able to beat them separately before they know we're at their throat.'
-'That would indeed require their scouts to perform worse than ours.'
Flavia noted.
-'The knights are up to it.'
Sumia stated. Seemingly realizing how bold the statement sounded she went red and added.
-'They're good girls, they'll manage.'
-'We would have to count on the Feroxi as well, are your lot as skilled woodsmen as the stories would have us believe?'
Flavia and Basilio shared a look and grinned.
-'No.'
He said.
-'They're better.'
She finished. Chrom smiled at that and turned to Robin.
-'So is that what you are plotting? Blind one army and hit the other?'
Perched on her seat Lucina seemed to have been dozing but now looked up as Robin answered.
-'Yes. As Flavia said Yenfay seems to be the weaker of the two, plus there are some Dynasts in the area that might reinforce us. Basilio, do you see this river?'
-'No!'
All eyes turned to Lucina as she had found herself jumping to her feet as she shouted the one word. Robin bristled but Chrom placed a hand on his shoulder to restrain him as he turned to his daughter.
-'Yes Lucina?'
She shook her head as if trying to put her thoughts into words.
-'Basilio can't march on Walhart, not now.'
-'Lucina, explain.'
At her father's prodding she took a deep breath.
-'Basilio died after Steiger. He tried to hold Walhart at a crossing and lost.'
To her surprise Basilio laughed.
-'I always knew I'd die on some shitty field rather than in bed.'
Still smiling he rubbed his chin.
-'A shame it's a lost battle though.'
-'I assume you don't have any details about the event.'
Robin asked to which she could only shake her head, Robin snorted as he turned to the Exalt.
-'Your decision.'
Chrom looked at his daughter for a moment before nodding.
-'A lot has changed between timelines, we'll go with what Robin suggests.'
-'I see.'
Lucina said, shoulders slumping as she turned away.
-'See this river?'
Robin picked up as if there had been no interruption, everybody leaned in.
-'Go no further, fortify the fords and send out your scouts to blind Walhart. Even with his numbers he'll be hard pressed to push you from such positions.'
He paused briefly to cast a glance at Lucina before continuing.
-'Perhaps Flavia should go as well, just in case.'
Flavia nodded her agreement as Berengar, one of the Valmese nobles, interjected.
-'Perhaps I could take my men as well, most of them call that region home and will be useful in picking out fords.'
-'Will that leave us too weak to deal with Yenfay though?'
Chrom asked, Robin pulled a wax tablet to himself and looked over the numbers before shaking his head.
-'Not that bad. We should still send word out to the Dynasts in the area to link up with us. Also we should send word back to Xore and get the reinforcements gathering there to sail for...'
He trailed off and picked out a city.
-'Here. With luck we'll have Yenfay by the balls without that but it will be easier to link up for Walhart anyway.'
Chrom looked over the map, glanced to his daughter and stood straight, nodding.
-'The plan is sound, we'll go with it.'
He said as he walked to Lucina and rested a hand on her shoulder.
-'Try to get some rest everyone, we start restoring order in the army first thing tomorrow.'
People filed out of the tent, Sayri looking for Basilio, though before she could hail him she saw the man deep in conversation with Robin and she hesitated.
-'Not here.'
She overheard Basilio's voice as he shook his head, Robin shrugging before walking off, the other man following. She hesitated, wondering whether to follow but opted not to, Morgan had no such problem.
-'Stay out Morgan.'
Robin said when he noticed her.
-'But father...'
Robin glanced to Basilio who shook his head.
-'Basilio and I are having a private word, go find something else to do.'
-'But...'
-'Now.'
That final word made her stop in her tracks though she glared at the two as they left, Morgan only turned away when she felt Marc grip her shoulder.
The smell of damp earth was all around him. He did not know where he was and when he tried to move he felt something holding him, keeping him down. Trying again he was only drawn back as something spoke.
-'Stay with me.'
Something warm and soft gripped him and the voice was comforting yet he felt to need to rise and tried again.
-'No. Stay with me. Why would you not when I would give so much for you?'
He pushed harder.
-'So why? Why?'
He pushed far enough to see what was holding him and he screamed. Flesh falling away exposing yellow bone while maggots wriggled in the ruined neck.
-'Why do you make me suffer?'
Fingers like claws dug into him, carving away his flesh as it pulled him in despite his resistance.
-'So you fight and suffer, why?'
Something else said.
-'Why endure when you could be so much more?'
It spoke as he struggled to keep himself from the corpse as it opened it's jaw, filth and maggots pouring out.
-'Accept this truth or be consumed.'
The crow cawed loudly as it flapped away, more than not annoyed at not being able to partake in the meal before it.
The corpse hung by the neck looked skyward with unseeing eyes as an army marched past, some staring at the body in morbid fascination while most payed it no heed. Chrom turned away as he heard horses and saw the gathered nobles rein in near him.
-'Anything amiss majesty?'
Lord Nestor asked glancing between the corpse and the Exalt who sighed as he shook his head.
-'Just wondering what this sod thought of everything.'
-'Probably something along the lines of "Why me?"'
Another of the nobles offered. Chrom nodded.
-'Exactly, why him?'
Robin looked up at that, his pale face and shadows under his eyes testimony to another poor night.
-'You wanted order restored but soldiers only really listen to force. This sod.'
The constable paused to tilt his head at the corpse.
-'Thought no one would notice if he was a bit late on account of a bit more plunder, he has no one to blame but his own poor sense.'
Chrom shook his head, virtually all the men marching by had committed such or worse crimes so why this one? Still he saw the look on Robins face and knew if he persisted to question it he would only receive more lectures so instead he turned away and kicked backed his heels, setting his mount into motion, everyone following his lead.
-'How are things?'
-'Even as we speak the Feroxi and Berengars Valmese are marching west, so far there seems to be no problems with getting two armies marching out at the same time.'
Themis said.
-'And Steigar?'
Chrom asked.
-'Two hundred men garrisoned along with nearly a thousand of the wounded too poor to march.'
His father in law answered while Nestor added.
-'The medics say about half should recover enough to return to duty and we have a promise from the Valmese that they have put together another four hundred from various garrisons to strengthen the men we leave if necessary.'
-'And ahead?'
Chrom continued his questions, Robin shrugged his shoulders.
-'Sumia has most of her knights scouting, we've also Panne with her boy...'
-'Yarne.'
Chrom offered, Robin nodding as he continued.
-'Panne and Yarne are also sniffing around.'
A few awkward grins appeared as nobody was certain whether the Constable had chosen the wording purposefully. Chrom's grin faded quickly as he pulled on the reins and looked back on the army marching by.
-'So we are ready to meet this Yenfay.'
-'As ready as we can be.'
Nestor offered accompanied by nods from most else present. Chrom sighed.
-'Let's not keep him waiting then.'
-'My lord.'
Basilio turned his attention from his army marching past to the voice owner, a smile forming on his mouth.
-'Lady Sayri! A pleasant surprise.'
The chonsin rode up next to him, their retainers putting some distance to allow their lords to speak in relative peace.
-'I had thought to look for you once I was sure my lot was on the move... something wrong?'
He paused seeing the look on the girls face, Sayri sighed.
- 'I have dark thoughts, princess Lucina's words are on my mind.'
Basilio gave a chuckle.
-'Don't mind 'em. If a soldier were to take every gloomy story foretold seriously we wouldn't achieve anything.'
-'I know yet I...'
She paused, shook her head and started again.
-'I would remind you of the promise, that you would visit Chonsin once the war is over as I... I would be... if you...'
Sayri paused again and looked away. Basilio, smile now gone sighed heavily, looked around before sighing again.
-'Robin will gut me but... Sayri.'
The princess turned her head back to the Khan who sighed again.
-'You will likely hear that I've died, it might even be true, however...'
He raised a hand as he said that, seeing her mouth open, as he continued.
-'However I would ask you to wait... maybe a year if possible. As I'd also like to visit Chonsin with you.'
His usual tone softened as he spoke and near the end he looked away, face tinged red. Sayri's eye's had opened wide as her cheeks reddened and she looked down.
-'I think I... I think I understand.'
She said. Silence fell as the two stood still for a while longer before duty forced them to move.
The world was quickly fading from gray to black as the sun disappeared behind the horizon and the army had yet to fully establish it's camp. The pace had been hard and the stops few and many grumbled about the Exalt forcing it, his defenders quick to mutter how it was more likely the "Magpie", the silver and black Lord Constable that treated the soldiers such, of course only if none of the men of his household were within earshot.
-'I tell you it's not natural.'
The serjant shook his head as he spoke as if the emphasize his point.
-'He comes from nowhere and immediately has the prince's, rather Exalts, ear.'
-'Has to be something to it, some black arts?'
Another mused as he pocked the fire they huddled round with a stick.
-'The Exalt is the blood of the divine, no way any black arts could muddle him.'
Came another's voice.
-'So he's muddled normal like?'
That was as much as Severa heard as she passed the fire the conversation was taking place.
-'Strange isn't it? We only ever heard good things about the de...deceased.'
Severa nodded as she turned her attention back to Noire, both the girls laden with leather buckets as they made for the river that marked one of the camps borders.
-'People tend to focus on the positive once someone is gone.'
She found herself saying, the girl next to her nodding.
-'It still seems odd, us meeting people we knew from old stories and they are not that much older than we are.'
-'Or younger.'
Severa added, thinking of Owain and Ricket, the father looking to all the world as if he were the younger relative.
By that moment they had reached the river and gingerly made their way down the bank after making sure that no one was upriver from them. As the buckets filled the sounds of the camp became louder as a group approached and the words slowly became understandable.
-'Remember it is always easy to argue someone did wrong after the fact when all knowledge is given. At the time itself one oft has to act without any of it and must act quickly.'
A group of men appeared downstream from the two where the bank was smoother, their hooves echoing off the stones. The pages led the mounts to the river and as the animals drank rubbed them down. Closer to the girls a man and two youths stood, the eldest pushing aside the rocks and began to draw something in the dirt with a stick.
-'When you see the array post fact and know with clarity how both sides deployed it's easy to see the trap but on the ground having to rely on word from your scouts and what little you yourself can see it becomes a lot more difficult.'
Buckets filled they moved downstream and the group became clearer in the gloom and Severa could tell the man's surcoat, silver and black. Robin looked up at the sound of their footsteps on the loose stones, his children following his example. Having been spied the two future children nodded in greeting.
-'Good evening.'
-'Evenin''
-'Severa. Noire.'
The lord Constable tilted his head to them while his children nodded. Though Severa could not be certain it seemed to her that the twins smiles did not reach their eyes when they glanced at her. Pushing the thought aside she made to move and was surprised to hear Robin speak further.
-'Water duty? Surely the boys of your group are more suited... or Kjelle.'
Was their an insult implied there? Severa could not help but bristle slightly.
-'It's our turn.'
She stated, Noire nodding. The man shrugged.
-'Fair enough, just be sure not to overtax yourself Noire. You are prone to do so.'
-'I won't.'
She nodded again, setting the buckets down as she rubbed her arms. Severa bristled again, was the man implying she had no need not to overtax herself?
-'Father, you were explaining something...'
Morgan whined from next to the man, Marc nodding his head in tune. The man turned his attention to the twins and with a flick of the wrist tapped his daughter on the head.
-'I'm exchanging words with someone, you can survive without me speaking to you for a moment.'
He chided, his tone so light it surprised the girls who were more used to him barking or growling his words. Perhaps that was why Noire found herself talking instead of leaving.
-'We heard a bit of it... discussing some campaign?'
-'Aye. Or more precisely how the battle of Gharn ended the way it did.'
Curious Noire and Severa leaned in to look at the scratchings in the earth as Robin informed them what they meant.
-'Detlaf marched from here, finding his way blocked he chased off the men blocking his march only for the road to be blocked again. After chasing these skirmishers off his scouts informed him the enemy army had drawn up for battle. Detlaf decided to deploy his men for battle and struck his opponent...'
-'Which was his first mistake.'
Morgan interrupted, earning another tap on the head from her father. Severa frowned.
-'Whats wrong with that? His enemy is there the only other option is to retreat.'
-'That's the point, his enemy was there but he himself did not know how many there were or how they had deployed yet he chose to fight in such unfavorable circumstances.'
Marc said. Robin's stick was already traveling to his head when the man stopped and seemed to consider something before nodding.
-'Severa would you like to be Detlaf for a moment?'
The girl looked at him with a raised eyebrow as the man explained and was surprised when she found herself answering.
-'Very well.'
Robin's lips tilted upward slightly as he outlined her strategic situation. When he finished she scowled and looked at the scratchings.
-'Retreating would be disastrous so I have to attack.'
-'Marc if you could defend?'
Severa and Marc dueled as they shifted units across an imagined battle field till Robin declared Marc's forces had broken, Severa could not help a grin.
-'So Severa, what now?'
-'I pursue of course.'
The moment she saw the twins smirk she knew something was up even as Robin began scratching the new situation in the dirt.
-'The broken ground hinders your movement and unit cohesion collapses even as you men begin reporting in that the enemy has not only stopped running but also seem more numerous as they counterattack.'
-'What! But...'
She sputtered even as Morgan nodded.
-'Detlaf ran into a trap, the opposition was meant to lure him into ground where his heavy horse was less dangerous, they were butchered.'
-'True however...'
-'I'm leaving.'
Severa declared as she stood up and walked off, almost forgetting the buckets. Noire looked up and made to follow but paused long enough to bow to Robin before running after Severa as quickly as she could weighed down with her buckets.
-'Severa!'
Robin called after her to no avail.
-'I had forgotten she has a temper.'
He glanced down at the scratching with a sigh. Morgan piped up beside him.
-'She's also a sore loser.'
-'Perhaps... a shame as she could have still turned this around.'
-'Could she?'
Marc asked, glancing down at the map.
-'Historically Detlaf was amongst the first to be killed when his forces were ambushed, she had kept him out of the fight so theoretically...'
-'My lord?'
All three looked up as a squire in the Exalts colours walked up.
-'His majesty asks to see you.'
-'Very well.'
Robin stood straight and made to move before turning back to the twins.
-'In any case let this be a lesson, what may seem obvious in hindsight is not always so at the time.'
That said he tossed aside the stick he had been using and followed the squire. The twins watched him leave.
-'He's left us again.'
Morgan stated.
-'Yes.'
Was all that Marc answered. Morgan sighed.
-'I don't remember much but he always seemed to have more time for us before.'
Marc glanced to his sister and placed an arm on her shoulder.
-'He's leading a campaign, he might have more time afterwards.'
-'I know but...'
Her voice trailed off and Marc shifted so his arm now embraced Morgan.
-'Let's go.'
Morgan nodded and allowed herself to be led away by her brother.
Four days passed when Sumia appeared before Chrom and Robin with word her scouts had encountered a Valm Dynast. As the sun neared the horizon the man appeared, unshaven, disheveled and his armour showing signs of heavy use.
-'I am Prince Seweryn, lord of these lands though Walhart now holds most of the castles and cities.'
-'Greetings majesty, have a seat.'
Chrom extended a hand to one of two campaign chairs in the tent. The prince seemed glad to accept as he was the cup of heavily watered wine that tasted heavily of vinegar.
-'I've near three thousand men with me, Yenfay camps near Kovno.'
-'How many men?'
Robin asked, the prince shrugged.
-'My spies last estimated him at fifteen thousand, though we've bled him somewhat since then.'
Looks were exchanged, even with the the Prince's men they were outnumbered.
-'Any idea of his plans?'
The prince nodded.
-'He's taking the road north, possibly to link up with Walhart or to march directly on Steiger. I thought to ambush him at the Rose Ford but...'
-'But he beat you.'
-'But he beat me.'
The prince nodded, admitting his defeat with a stoicism born of year's of campaigning.
-'I've swung round and burned several villages to his south and set siege to Zalez before sneaking north when I received word your majesty was marching south... to be honest I was expecting more men to be with you.'
-'As were we.'
Muttered Nestor. Chrom replied more diplomatically.
-'We have more men sailing to meet us, but even without that we are strong enough to beat Yenfay.'
Seweryn nodded.
-'Perhaps, a greater chance than I did in any case.'
-'You were lord of these lands, where would you have us meet Yenfay.'
Robin interrupted, indicating the map on the table. The prince stood and glanced down before placing a thick finger on the parchment.
-'He'll have to follow the old road, it's the only one suitable for his numbers plus there are ample castles and cities for him to replenish his supplies at.'
-'As well as reinforce himself.'
Themis noted. The prince nodded even as he continued to trace his finger north.
-'The way is largely farmland, perfect for his numbers as well as to avoid further ambush but near Targan the road passes by swamps and woods, it'll slow him down and provide a good chance for an ambush.'
He emphasized his point by tapping the map, Sayri shook her head.
-'He'll expect an ambush.'
-'Any nobleman worth his salt would but it is the best ground given our circumstances.'
The prince shrugged. Robin glared at the map as he rubbed his chin but stopped the action abruptly as his gaze fell on a landmark.
-'Demon's Ingle...'
He muttered, drawing the attention of others in the tent. Prince Seweryn shrugged.
-'I suppose the place could be a good battle ground if we reached it quickly enough though I still believe my suggestion to be the better.'
-'Robin?'
Chrom asked while Virion found himself steadying the man who swayed on his feet, skin going pale. Silence fell as all eyes turned to the ill man before Sayri realized something.
-'Of course. Legend has it the daemon that Alm slew is under the mountain, his anger fueling the flames...'
-'How is that relevant?'
Seweryn asked, confusion evident on his face. Robin heard little as his mind swam he was...
...swaying on his feet, the harsh sun beating down mercilessly making everything swim before him, his mouth was dry and everything ached. Bodies lay around in great numbers, flies and birds already present in large numbers covering the dead.
-'Still alive Robin?'
He turned to see Gray walk up to him, despite the paleness of his skin and the ample sweat he still grinned as if they were back home, taking a break during the work in their fields.
-'You alright?'
Gray looked down to the blood trickling from between his tightly clenched fingers on the wound on his side before shrugging.
-'I've had worse, you look pretty bad though.'
He frowned in confusion till Gray indicated his neck, lifting a hand his fingers came away red.
-'Didn't even feel it, must look worse than it is.'
He said. Gray nodded and looked around.
-'You seen Alm?'
-'Inside.'
He answered waving a hand at the fortress, Gray nodded.
-'Let's see what he is up to.'
The walked through the gate an into the mercifully cool fortress...
-'Robin? Drink it.'
Someone shoved a leather mug into his hand and he obediently emptied it of the vinegary wine. Over at the map Seweryn shook his head.
-'Every family in Valm claims descent from one of the heroes of legend but you mean to tell me he is one of those heroes...'
He shook his head. Sayri nodded.
-'True I had also trouble believing it but I saw how he reacted to places of legend, he knows things even scholars miss...'
She paused and shook her head.
-'Even the Voice of Naga said it was possible.'
Seweryn opened his mouth, shut it and looked at Robin before shaking his head.
-'Honestly if you were thinking of countering Walharts "I am Alm reborn" rhetoric you should have chosen a better known hero, I could scarce recall the name and rest assured most will not even be abe to do even that.'
-'That was not our plan.'
Chrom shook his head.
-'To the best of our knowledge it is a fact, majesty, but it bears little importance now.'
He paused and scratched the stubble on his chin.
-'Though perhaps... Robin? Is it true you achieved a great victory at this Ingle?'
Robin, some colour restored to his skin stood and approached the map.
-'Yes, though not the one your legends say... Duman and Mila were put to rest under the Mila tree... possibly.'
He raised a hand as he saw Sayri open her mouth and continued.
-'Here we defeated Desaix... I killed the captain of his guard.'
A brief smile appeared on his face at the memory before fading as he brushed a hand across the map.
-'A lot can change in two millennia... do we have a more detailed map of this region?'
-'No but...'
Seweryn paused and turned to one of his officers.
-'Send for Dytryk.'
The sun's warmth beat the earth mercilessly, a shimmering haze testimony to its intensity. Thousands of men marched in the heat, their progress marked by a massive dust cloud. To the side small groups of riders rode up and down the column and observing it all was a knot of riders, sticking to the shade of a lone tree on a hill.
-'Why does it have to be so hot so early in the day?'
One of the riders, despite the hardened face his youth was still evident as the fuzz on his upper lip, muttered to no one in particular as he glared at the clear sky. A small smile appeared on the face of the older man to his side as he glanced down.
-'Were you not just complaining of the cold mornings and rain?'
The youth muttered something as the surrounding men grinned at the exchange. The speaker leaned on the saddles pommel as he continued.
-'The heat will dry up the mud, make it less likely our wagons get mired in the mud... though I confess I'd rather a cooler sun.'
Yenfay offered a brief smile to the Prince who nodded.
-'Do you think the usurper will try to delay us further?'
-'Perhaps, though from what we know your uncle is busy in the south.'
Yenfay frowned slightly at the reminder as he had to delegate a force to relieve the sieged city. He believed Zalez strong enough to withstand siege from such a force but the youth's hold on the principality was weak and there was always the danger that his vassals would declare for his uncle again should they believe him more likely to win.
The youth scowled mired in his own dark thoughts, Yenfay did not know the full story but the way the youth said it his uncle had conspired to steal the throne claiming him illegitimate and had enough support to do so. That did not matter, what mattered is that Walhart had used the youths claim to incorporate the principality into his empire though full support evaded him as many of the noble families remained loyal to Seweryn, thus explaining why he had been forced to spend the last year pacifying the land. It was a matter of days since the Emperor sent word demanding he march north.
He looked in that direction, from what he knew Sayri was north. The Wyvern league was still strong up there so he assumed she was still alive. He only hoped she would be smart enough to flee to Ylisse at Walharts inevitable triumph, not that the other continent would be safe for long.
-'Yenfay?'
He shook his head and turned to the surrounding nobles.
-'Let us move.'
He said even as he kicked back his heels.
Demons Ingle was calm that day, though it's very presence had an effect on the men, they fell silent as they marched past the smoking mountain, most had grown up with stories of the evil contained within. Those who not bothered by that were bothered, however, by the smell of sulfur that rose from the marshlands that lay to the mountains north, spreading across the lowlands ahead despite numerous attempts over the centuries to clear them.
Not a pleasant road but the fastest and Walhart was not one to accept comfort as an excuse for a slow response.
The royals rode near the center of the column and as the march slowed as the forward elements made to cross the causeway spanning one stretch of dry land to the next conversation started.
-'So what do we know of these Ylissians our traitorous cousins called over to assist them?'
Eyes turned to the older men in the retinue, some of whom had fought on that continent.
-'Depends which we speak of, there's Ferox, Plegia and Ylisse itself, all them as different as can be...'
-'Weren't they busy killing each other?'
-'Apparently not.'
Another shook his head.
-'They were but once Ylisse got it's act together they ended the war quickly enough.'
-'I've heard.'
Yenfay mused, looking back to the retinue.
-'That they killed Plegia's king and let them fight each other in the interregnum that followed.'
-'That seems to be the gist of it. What we've heard of the Ylissian commander he would a dishonorable scoundrel at best and a monster at worst.'
-'Truly? I had heard people speak of their Exalt as if he were a model knight.'
The young prince interjected leading to the noble shaking his head.
-'I was not speaking of their king, this Exalt, majesty, but of his constable. Some mercenary that rose to prominence during the war.'
-'Ah.'
The prince nodded.
-'It would not be surprising if the traitors that oppose Walhart were of such low caliber... but how would a righteous man allow himself to be guided by such?'
-'Even good men may be led astray, majesty.'
Yenfay said. a silence following the statement as the column picked up speed as the first elements had cleared the causeway.
-'What's going on over there?'
One of the nobles stood in his stirrups, peering into the distance where the vanguard was. Other eyes followed but before any suggestions could be made the shape of a pegasus rider was seen flying towards them, soon landing in a rush.
-'Majesties! Enemies on the other bank! We've engaged thinking them to be skirmishers but we've run into a small army... they fly the banner of the usurper Seweryn!'
-'So he's trying to ambush us again?'
-'He's supposed to be south at Zalez!'
-'What are his numbers?'
Yenfay said naught but glanced to the prince and saw he was likewise silent though the anger at his kin evident.
-'Organize the forces here, continue the crossing and watch for more of them. I'll ride ahead and see what is happening.'
Without waiting for an answer he kicked back his heels, spurring his mount onwards, his retinue following close behind.
His progress was slowed by the press of bodies at the causeway, corporals bellowing at their men to form up and move to the fighting suddenly having to start bellowing for them to move aside to allow the noble passage, not an easy task and several men fell from the causeway to the water below.
Yenfay did not spare them a glance, focused as he was on the other bank. Even before he reached it his progress was slowed as the men moving to cross found themselves hindered by those trying to run away, many of them wounded others panicked.
-'Keep moving forward! Clear the causeway!'
The nearest officer, on seeing who had given the order scowled but turned to his men and bellowed a command, his men dropping the points of their weapons and began marching forward. Faced with a solid mass of spear points the men trying to retreat found themselves with only two options, back or over the side.
The way clear Yenfay stood in his stirrups looking for the vanguard commander, spotting his banner the lord of Chonshin moved to him.
-'Report!'
He demanded as he reined in. The noble looked to him, the annoyance on his face disappearing as he realized who had spoken.
-'Just as the first banner began forming to continue the march men at arms under the banner of the Usurper Seweryn rode out of those woods and hit us. Fortunately we've managed to hold them off though we've been bloodied by it.'
He pointed to a knot of men ahead.
-'They've pulled back and are regrouping.'
-'Why haven't you pursued?'
The noble pointed to the trees.
-'I'm almost certain they've more men in the woods, planning to hit us once we move, and overwhelm us once we're disorganized.'
Yenfay looked to the woods and nodded, it would make sense if they had planned something like this.
-'Very well. I'll take a banner and strike them, you follow up with another and be ready to pursue the enemy or cover our flanks should they indeed ambush us. By that time enough of our infantry will have crossed to cover us should we need to fall back.'
-'Very well majesty.'
The noble nodded and turned to bark orders, Yenfay doing the same. The nobles formed up around him though unfortunately most of them without lances as the weapons tended to be transported on wagons and it would take some time for them to be distributed, still seeing the enemy had mostly broken their own lances on their first charge the odds were in their favour. Drawing his sword high he looked back and bellowed.
-'Prepare to advance!'
His men roared in response even as he swung his weapon down and kicked back his heels, spurring his mount into motion, his men following close behind.
The enemy, formed and counter charged the two columns meeting in a crash of steel and flesh. Men cursed, both sides calling the other traitor as they went to their bloody task and here and there a man would fall from his saddle, panicked horses leaving the fray, saddles empty.
-'My lord!'
Yenfay turned to look in the direction his retainer was pointing. A column of horse left the cover of the woodland and were now bearing down on the fight. Even as he watched, however, the banner he had left in reserved deployed to meet the charge and the enemy column had to swerve to meet the new threat. Satisfied the Chonshin turned his attention to his own fight.
The enemy fought on but when another mounted banner crossed the river and deployed to charge their nerve broke and they ran.
Whooping the Imperials pursued, Yenfay carried along by the mass of men around him, for a brief moment even he felt elation at the victory and simply went with the masses until he remembered his role as a commander and called for a halt, the realization that the dark walls of the forest were closing in on the road cooling his blood.
Even as he shouted his orders the men at the front pulled their reins sharply as they came to a bend in the road, some too late as their tired horses ran into the felled trees blocking the road, many screaming in agony as the branches, carved to sharp points, punctured their flesh, throwing riders from their saddle. The confusion only increased as the riders behind ran into the tangled mass, more horses stumbled and fell, more riders spilled from their saddle as the enemy they had pursued seemed to vanish amongst paths amongst the blockade, and the arrows fell among them.
Though most simply glanced off armour, drawing at most a curse from the man hit but many of the horses, now that the adrenaline from the fight was slowly leaving panicked at the injuries they might have otherwise ignored intensifying the confusion.
Onto this mass infantry now fell, darting from behind the felled trees, lashing at the horsemen with halberd, morning stars and war flails, knocking men and horses down where they could be finished off. Crossbowmen moved closer and shot at the mass, armour offering little protection at such close range.
-'Back! Back!'
Several men bellowed trying to restore order as the men at the back still pushed forward while those at the front were now desperately pushing back to escape the enemy they could do little against.
-'Get those men back!'
Yenfay barked even as he glared at the trees blocking the road, of course. The enemy, too weak to stop him in open battle was resorting to such delaying tactics to slow his march. Sighing in frustration he turned to a runner.
-'My compliments to the prince and request he move the infantry up.'
The pegasus rider confirmed as she moved to deliver the order, Yenfay turning his attention back to the debacle on the road ahead. Some sort of order had been restored and the men were pulling back, missiles chasing them even as the infantry were called back, moving behind the barricade, Yenfay nodded to himself.
They were planning to delay him, force him to clear such improvised fortifications on the road with his infantry forcing the entire force to wait as they moved up in enough force to do so, the dense woodland would make bypassing such a blockade difficult and with another blockade doubtlessly waiting further down the road such a move would be all but pointless.
Shouting drew his attention back to the blockade as one of the men that had been lying on the road had risen and was running to horsemen, missiles falling near him.
Two riders broke away from the banner and rode to the runner even as a bolt tore into his leg, dropping him. Pushing himself up the man at arms regained his feet only to fall forward as another bolt slammed in his back.
The cries from his men were answered by jeers from the enemy and Yenfay's eye's narrowed, that was another blow that needed to be answered.
-'Infantry up!'
-'Move! Quick march!'
-'Your majesty!'
Prince Michal turned to the noble who continued once he saw the youths attention was on him.
-'We shouldn't rush.'
-'Yenfay said to move the infantry forward.'
-'Yes, to clear a barricade.'
The noble nodded as he pointed to the cause way.
-'But if we rush the banners will get muddled causing delays and even needless causalities. The enemy will not run till they see we can overwhelm them.'
-'The traitor is there, they saw his banner.'
The noble's lips tightened at that.
-'I understand your majesty however little will come of unnecessary rush. We should also make sure Yenfay had not left any of the enemy behind him.'
Michal, face red turned to the man.
-'Had I not known better, lord Bytomir, I would say you felt some unease about meeting the traitors in battle.'
It was the lords turn to redden as he hissed a reply.
-'Your majesty should remember that those that have proven their mettle tend to seek ways to limit the casualties their side suffers.'
-'Enough my lord. Move the men forward.'
Came the reply before the prince spurred his mount into motion leaving Bytomir to spit out a curse before following.
-'Wait.'
Virion hissed as he saw a nervous twitch come from one of his men. Satisfied the exile looked through the reeds they were hiding amongst back to the road. The imperials were stretched out along the road, quick marching infantry forward to where the road was barred, cavalry withdrawing and letting their horses rest as they looked to find their pages who should be bringing up spare horses and lances.
A commotion drew his attention and he saw a group of riders get tangled with an infantry banner. The wind happened to blow harder revealing the flags and he recognized the device, the local dynast was it? As he shifted to point out the target he paused as the he saw another banner, closer on the road, It was from Rosanne.
-'Father?'
He started and looked down to Inigo.
-'Nothing. Prepare to engage.'
The order was passed down in a whisper and the exiled Duke's hand went up as he he judged the distance.
-'Loose!'
He barked even as his arm came down. Hundreds of strings snapped forward propelling their missiles and soon after the men on the road began to fall, cries of pain and panic reaching the concealed soldiers. Virion watched as the Imperials staggered and fell, as a horse reared up, the rider desperately trying to keep his seat even as another fell from his mount, arrow in his neck and his helmet tumbling from his hands that had only just removed it.
When his eyes fell on the Rosanne banner he thought to avoid looking at them but forced himself to do so, it was in a way his fault that they were here.
So he watched as the men staggered, some falling most turning, lifting their shields high as someone barked orders. Despite their efforts the number of men falling to the ground steadily increased.
He looked away, skyward, and saw what he had expected.
-'Target the flanks of the column!'
He barked, the order repeated down the line and the archers shifted their aim, the Imperials who were no longer under attack did not have long to enjoy the fact.
The wyvern landed with earth shaking force, it's jaws clamping shut on a soldier as it did, the unfortunate man shrieking as the Wyvern shook it's head like a dog that caught a rat to snap the mans neck.
The rider kicked it's mount who dropped it's prey and attacked another even as more wyverns landed. Pegasus knight swooped in and from the backs of the winged beasts soldiers slipped, quickly forming up and attacking an Imperial banner.
It was time.
-'Form up!'
He bellowed and waited a half moment before swinging his arm forward.
-'Advance!'
They did, mud sucking at their feet as they moved forward through the reeds and appearing at the side of the road, and towards the battle ahead.
-'Majesty! Enemy at the rear!'
The rider shouted out even as he pulled on the reins with such strength the horse nearly sat.
-'How many?'
-'Some hundred, hidden in the marsh.'
Yenfay gritted his teeth at that, he had blundered by not checking though, he couldn't help think, it was odd for a man with so little men like Seweryn to commit to such a fight.
-'Also dozens of Wyvern and pegasi joined in from somewhere further in the woods.'
That gave him pause, wyvern? Pegasi? Last they fought Seweryn had neither meaning he had been reinforced from somewhere. That would also explain the traitors sudden desire for battle. Turning his eyes to the blockade, with this latest intel this force no longer seemed likely to remain passive.
-'Infantry to form up to...'
-'They're charging!'
His orders interrupted as a noble pointed to the barricade, infantry were moving from behind the trees and forming up on the road while from between the paths the horsemen that had drawn them into the ambush were now moving out and forming into column. No, not the same. They were under a different banner now and when the wind blew it presented the device plain for all to see.
-'Ylisse.'
Someone spat. Yenfay swore under his breath before bellowing.
-'Form up! Prepare to repel cavalry!'
As the order was repeated he looked round and pointed out a noble.
-'Command here. Hold them off while we get the main force organized.'
-'Yes lord.'
Came the nobles reply even as he pulled at the reins to looked over the men placed in his command. With one last glare at the Ylissians forming to charge Yenfay kicked back his heels and rode off to the main force.
His head hurt. Everything hurt and there was the taste of blood in his mouth and he couldn't see, what had happened to him?
It hurt to move yet he forced himself to roll over and push himself up. Sounds flooded him along with the light, the roar of a thousand throats, the crash of metal on metal, wood shattering, animals and men screaming in agony and closer he could hear the send of.. eating?
His eyes focused and he saw that was indeed what he had heard, the wyvern tearing great chunks of flesh from a horse, his horse he realized, and swallowing ignoring the efforts of its rider to draw it's attention away from the meal and to the target the rider was interested in.
With a start he realized he was the target.
Prince Michal reached to his side trying to draw his sword even as, with an annoyed grunt, the wyvern abandoned it's meal and shifted its gaze to him. A shadow passed overhead and another wyvern barreled into its cousin and the two fell in a tangled heap, hissing and snapping at one another.
-'Majesty! Are you injured?'
The men of his household gathered round him and he found himself shaking his head.
-'I'm fine.'
He replied as it was true. The wyvern's attack left him shaken and bruised but unhurt, unlike two of his retainers whose broken bodies lay on the road.
-'Mount up your majesty.'
A squire brought a horse to him and held it as another noble helped him get into the saddle from where he looked around.
Ahead there was nothing but fighting, the flyers had carried a small force with them and deployed them where they formed ranks and struck at the imperials, disorganized as they where by the initial wyvern assault they suffered badly to the attack, another force of traitors attacking the reeling imperials only adding to the confusion.
-'That explains why they are so eager for battle.'
-'Pardon?'
He turned to the noble who pointed to the banners carried by the enemy.
-'Those are no Valmese dynasts, those are Ylissians. It seems they've managed to march south without us realizing, your uncle no doubt blinding our scouts.'
The prince shook his head and looked to the foreign colours.
-'Meaning...'
-'Meaning they do not mean to merely delay us, they mean to beat us.'
Bytomir looked round and nodded.
-'We need to get these men organized and, your majesty was correct, we should hurry the crossing of the remainder so they can't beat us piecemeal.'
Michal looked back to the mass still waiting to cross the causeway, a bottleneck forming on his bank as officers tried to find the best ground to deploy their men and remembered something.
-'What of Yenfay?'
-'If he hasn't realized what is happening by now than he is already dead.'
The prince shook his head and breathed deeply.
-'Norbat, rally the infantry. Bytomir, organize the men still crossing. I'll gather what cavalry we have and launch a counter attack.'
He raised his hand to cut off the objections he could see forming on his retinues lips.
-'I will not overreach. Charge in, throw them back and withdraw. So to your duties gentlemen.'
There was a chorus of "Majesty" before they wheeled away to do as told leaving him to ride up to the nearest mounted banner.
-'Majesty?'
The officer greeted him.
-'Can your men charge?'
He asked even as he looked them over, bloodied and none of them had lances though neither men nor horses looked too fatigued.
-'Of course though we thought to wait for lances.'
Michal nodded and when he answered he did so in a voice loud enough for most to hear him.
-'I would ask you to charge once more before than, can you?'
The answer came in a roar, a hundred men bellowing their affirmation as they saluted with their side arms, drawing a smile to the young prince's mouth.
-'Than follow me!'
Drawing his own sword he spurred his horse into action, his retinue and the men of the banner following.
Infantry scattered to make was as he looked to the Ylissian men on the road, if they broke then the army would no longer be divided in two. So decided he gradually picked up speed as he bore down on the enemies flank. Busy as they were only a few noticed their charge and they desperately tried to get their comrades to face the new threat, too late.
The men at arms tore through the Ylissians, knocking men down, weapons rising and falling and soon they were breaking, some already running under the onslaught.
-'Majesty! There!'
He looked and saw a group of horsemen running from the road ahead, more Ylissians?
-'Yenfay!'
His mood improved greatly, he would know what to do.
-'Has he been beaten?'
Michal turned, looking for the man that had suggested such a thing, before shaking his head, it was not as if he'd be able to tell with all faces covered under helmets.
-'Rally, we make for Yenfa...'
His voice trailed off as his eyes settled on something that silenced him, shapes were moving in the shadows of the forest. These shapes became clear as they rode out into the clearing near the road and silently formed ranks.
Men at arms and after a moment he recognized the banners, Themis and the black and silver of the mercenary who had become lord constable, Ylissians.
-'Face the woods!'
He shouted, his voice coming as more as a shriek than bellow. The call was taken up by those around him and men, up to now pursuing a broken enemy now stopped as their officers tried to bully them into formation. A trumpet sounded and the Ylissian horse moved forward, bellowing war cries in their barbaric tongue and in an instant the prince knew his infantry would not stand against their charge.
-'Prepare to counter charge!'
Men at arms formed up around him, sidearms ready. The Ylissians were charging now, the lances falling and Michal could see the infantry waver at the sight, some breaking away only to be thrown back into formation by the corporals stalking the rear.
There was a crash, screaming and suddenly the Ylissians were through leaving broken bodies in their wake.
-'Charge!'
The Valmese spurred their mounts and rode to the enemy, Michal deflected the first blow that came at him, stopped the next with his shield before lashing out he could not be certain but he thought he hit someone. No time to think as another shape looms in the dust and he is barely in time to deflect the blow with his shield, stabbing low with his own weapon in response. His opponent cursed and the prince was pleased to see the foreigner slump in his saddle.
-'Majesty! Watch out!'
He turned in time to see the steel point of a couched lance just before it caught him beneath his helm, tearing through the mail covering his throat. He was dead before it tore his head off.
-'Majesty!'
Yenfay saw it. More Ylissians pouring out of the woods, tearing the imperial army in half. Further grief came as he saw the Prince's banner fall as the foreign men at arms swarmed the road. Looking back he saw there was still fighting though the Ylissians and traitors of Valm were wearing the outnumbered imperials there.
-'We have to break through and link up with the men near the causeway.'
There was a moments silence before his retinue confirmed, such a move would leave most of the men this far from it stranded and probably wiped out, but with the fate of the prince unknown, presumed dead, they needed to make sure that the larger part of the army did not break.
Lifting his blade high he shouted.
-'To me! Rally to me!'
-'Rally! Rally to Yenfay! Follow Yenfay's banner!'
His men shouted, riding to formation, getting them to form ready for the charge. Kicking back his heels, Yenfay spurred his mount into the cavalry ahead. He lashed out at the first shape, deflected the strike from the second. The third smashed his weapon into his arm, making the Chonsin curse as he felt it numb under the blow but he kept riding forward.
Around him men fought as they kept pace with him, here one was knocked from his saddle, there another's mount fell and he with it. A throng of armoured forms, each trying to stop him and it seemed to never end until, suddenly, it did.
Yenfay looked round and realized he was free of the press and a fair number of men with him. Things did not look much better however.
The banners closest to him were fighting, ranks formed and a wall of spear points presented to the enemy but others were not, some were running to the fighting, others from it, some were wading into the marshes but the greatest gehenna was on the causeway as men were pushing from both sides, many falling from the causeway and into the waters below.
-'What is going on?! Get into formation and prepare for battle!'
It did not seem to do much. With a silent curse he rode to the nearest officer.
-'Get your men in order!'
-'The bloody hell you think I'm trying to do!?'
The man snapped back, his face paling as he realized who he had addressed.
-'Pardon majesty but the men are panicking.'
-'I can see that, why?'
The officer pointed past the causeway and in the direction of Demons Ingle.
-'That.'
The Chonsin followed his gesture and swore. A line of mounted men were formed at the edge of the wood ad though he couldn't make out their banners he could very well imagine who it was. He swore again, the newest batch of Ylissians did not seem to be moving and they probably had no intention of doing so. After all if they were to cut off the Valmese line of retreat than the imperials would have to fight to survive. As it was they were merely threatening to do so, thus making the more panicked of his men looking to run before they made good on that threat.
-'Restore order! Beat them or kill them just get these men back into formation!'
No sooner was the order out than another panicked cry came out.
-'They're charging!'
The enemy horse were indeed coming at them. Their line was uneven and many were without lances, probably enthusiastic over their success so far and their officers had failed to curtail them and yet there was a danger that their enthusiasm would carry their charge through.
-'Hold!'
Yenfay bellowed as he rode along the line.
-'Stand firm men of the empire! Hold!'
There was a crash as the enemy horse ran into the lines, men and horses screamed and for a moment it looked like the infantry would break as their first ranks were knocked down and trampled under the chests and hooves and swords of the enemy but they held. First the Ylissians slowed than stopped and slowly the Valmese began braving the weapons of their enemies and their numbers began to tell as more Ylissians found themselves dragged from the saddle or their horses killed under them.
Trumpets sounded and the foreigners seemed to remember their discipline and pulled out of the tangled mess of bodies they had created, a ragged cheer rose from the imperial ranks at the sight.
-'Reform!'
The order was repeated down the line as officers and corporals pulled men back into formation. On the Ylissian side they were also undergoing some reorganization. Infantry was moving to the front, probably in an attempt to wear the imperials down while the cavalry regroup, remount and rearm. Yenfay paused and looked closer at the enemy and felt a stab of worry.
-'Archers up! Get the archers here!'
What little archers were still capable of doing as ordered moved forward even as the Ylissian archers took their positions and, at a trumpet signal, began pouring their missiles into the Valmese.
Men staggered and fell, some wounded, some dead, some merely bruised as their armour turned the missiles away but the arrows kept coming. His own archers tried to counter the enemy but the incoming far outnumbered what they could deploy and soon the infantry were pulling back in a desperate attempt to escape the attack. Some of the missiles were falling amongst them, here a horse reared as an arrow slammed into it's hind, here a rider cursed as an arrow ricocheted off his helmet. Even as they pulled back a noble shouted.
-'We have to advance else we'll break!'
Yes, Yenfay mused, we have to advance and they know it. He could already see new mounted banners formed up behind the Ylissian archers, waiting for the imperials to break so they could ride them down and if they advanced, disorganized by the incoming missiles then they would charge and slaughter them anyway. Yet one of those still gave the imperials a chance to survive.
-'Infantry to advance! Cavalry to prepare to counter ch...'
His words ended in a gasp, an arrow slammed into his armpit, punching through the arming jacket and digging deep into flesh, knocking the air out of his lungs. Panicked cries surrounded him and several hands gripped him, stopping him from falling out of the saddle. But worse was the sound of several voices shouting.
-'He's dead!'
-'Yenfay is dead!'
Men who had till now fought bravely started running, many abandoning their weapons to hasten their retreat. That was all the invitation needed and the Ylissians charged, making those that had still held their ground break as the wickedly sharp lance points lowered.
"No! Rally! Fight!"
Yenfay tried to shout. To get his men to reform and fight once more but the words would not come out.
-'Get his majesty to safety! We'll hold them off.'
Someone was holding him upright in the saddle while someone else led his horse away from the enemy, away from the fight and away from the screams of thousands of men being put to the sword or drowning in a marsh.
Berengar was quite pleased. He and the Feroxi armies had successfully reached the river before Walhart and though without trouble had successfully thrown back his vanguard. Even now he could hear the sounds of engineers at work fortifying the ford. He also knew that the other fords were likewise garrisoned and being fortified, he had just come back from overseeing the work after all.
With his Feroxi allies informed he could now wash the dust off, eat dinner and rest for the next day. He pulled the tent flap back and scowled, it was dark he would need to have a word with his squires. Letting the flap fall he moved to where he knew the table would be when he stopped.
-'Finally! I do not like being kept waiting.'
The lamp flared to life and sitting in his campaign chair at his campaign table sat none other than Excellus.
-'Guards!'
Berengar bellowed, his guest sighing.
-'Oh please do be silent. I've made sure we will not be disturbed. Trust me when I say you would rather we not until I've spoken.'
Berengars hand moved to his sword but something in the other mans voice stopped him. The eunuch continued as if he had not noticed the action.
-'Or perhaps I should let this explain everything.'
He said even as he handed over a folded up parchment. Berengar looked at the parchment with disgust before tentatively taking it. As he scanned the letters there his face grew increasingly pale, Excellus giggled.
-'But I... they were...'
-'Hidden yes.'
The eunuch grinned broadly.
-'But no longer, now they enjoy the emperors hospitality.'
The smile remained in place but the humour did not reach his eyes as he observed the noble sit on his field bed as if his legs could no longer support his weight. The eunuch continued.
-'Needless to say the quality of said hospitality depends largely on your actions here.'
Berengar did not answer for a while, Excellus seeming happy to simply look on for several minutes before finally speaking.
- 'Shall we discuss details?'
Work has a nasty habit of killing the time and will to write.
First point fighting in a volcano is just silly, you'd combust long before getting near the magma.
Even without that Yenfay did not seem to be much of a general, attacking an enemy on ground they had chosen which nullified his advantage and amplified his enemies is not a smart thing to do so I ended up presenting him as a headstrong sort of commander that can get too excited about the prospect of getting to grips with his enemy.
In other news they released a remastered edition of FE Gaiden and the english translators decided to screw up my headcannon by changing Robin to "Tobin", asshats. Regardless we are continuing with my version.