Chapter 7c: Ambush Attack!

Frustrated. That was the word that described Robin as he marched. If there was one thing he couldn't stand about the current state of affairs, it was that he could not get any word in that mattered. Chrom listened, but the Generals had the Exalt's ear and hand, and they hated Robin: how dare he move up from nobody on the streets to the Prince's right-hand man? Adding in the fact that, he was admittedly, a bit of a jingo, though he had a bit to blame on those vague visions, or were they memories, that continued to haunt him. Meanwhile, Emmeryn was every bit of a dove as could be: friction wasn't just possible, it was inevitable. Nevertheless, he loved the Exalt—just not as a leader for the current times, not during a war. He let out a long-drawn breath, as he looked around. Horses, carts, supplies, and a steady march of a painfully small army. He knew this mission was compromised, but it was still "secret" and there was "no possibility" of enemy attack. Frederick had a good description of what Robin thought this was: a load of Pegasus dung.

"Bothered?" Chrom asked from behind.

Robin sighed, again. "Yes. I can't help but think the corruption runs much further than one would think."

"Unfortunately, there's nothing I could do. Even with the information that it came from Marth." Chrom explained, shaking his head. "Emm… has very fond memories of the Hierarch. Our Father was caught up in his bloody crusade against the Plegians for much of her and my life. It was the Hierarch that took care of us. …It's frightening to think he's potentially a traitor, but we've seen Marth's uncanny foresight at work…" Chrom paused, "Wait, if Emm was killed the night the assassins broke in. How would she have known the Hierarch was a traitor?"

If a question from Chrom could possibly have put pressure on Robin, it was exactly that. Luckily, Robin had already had a quick answer to go with his cover story for why he wanted to change this. "…Chrom, how do you think the Assassins so readily got into the castle that night? And more over, how did they manage to not merely be sneaky thieves? Do you really think horsemen like the Cavaliers that nearly killed her were typical assassins? Someone let them in. And that someone was the Hierarch."

"I really don't want you to be right, but I fear you may be," Chrom said defeatedly.

"All we can do is prepare to defend Emmeryn at all costs, and I do mean making sure we're ready to fight in this self-same canyon." Robin said with a defeated tone. "If the Hierarch is compromised, so is this mission. It almost certainly means we're marching into an ambush. Not to sound defeatist, but it's very possible that an enemy brigade is waiting for us ahead."

"You always seem to have a plan for everything, so I'm sure I can count on you if it comes to that." Chrom replied, firmly patting Robin's shoulder.

"Just make sure our shepherds are all armed and ready. I'd suggest…" Robin paused, retrieving a well worn and heavily marked journal from his coat, "at the least distributing Wyrmslayers and lighter swords, like those replicas of Princess Eirika's to the soldiers we do have. And that means you as well, your Falchion is powerful, but the Wyrmslayer is still more effective at this time." Robin sighed as the convoy started to come to a stop. "Did we at least get Cordelia transferred?"

"Sadly, not in time for her to join us on this mission. She was, reportedly overjoyed when the request came to her," Chrom answered. "But she still had to be sent to the border on one last patrol while we escort Emm to her palace."

Robin let out a defeated sigh. "Can't change a single thing…" He said, eyeing the mountainous horizon.

"Worried about something, Robin?" Frederick asked as he rode up on Robin and Chrom, catching sight of Robin's expression and gaze.

"I am, Frederick. Marth left another cryptic warning, and as I said to Chrom, I fear this mission is already compromised… to state it plainly, we march into a…" Robin paused as his jaw dropped. "Trap... Look. Wyvern Riders!"

"Of all the ill tidings, blast." Frederick shouted, turning back. "Robin, do you have a plan?"

Robin smirked, "I wish I didn't need one, but yes. Our objective is to rout our ambushers. Safe to say that the mission was leaked, so outing the mole is needed, but we already know who it is." Robin looked back towards the Hierarch, who nervously looked back before breaking into a full-on sprint, towards the enemy. Turning back towards Frederick, "Combat muster for… myself, Chrom, yourself, Sumia, Lon'qu, Panne, Sully, Miriel, Lissa and Maribelle. Wind magic and Wyrmslayers. We're dealing with the Plegian Wyvern Knights… unseat the Riders, but keep the mounts in check. Kill both… be ready for the worst. Shepherds will take the Van, Royal guards with Lady Emmeryn." Robin turned back towards the rapidly approaching enemy force. "Looks to be nine wyvern riders and a small detachment of others coming over the ridge." He said, with a sigh, looking through his notes. "This is going to be a bothersome engagement. We are not in a good position here: sheer cliff faces along both sides of the path, and the enemy blocks us from simply charging through… even so, our best bet is a forward charge, with special attention to our sides, and let's hope they don't have anyone to roll boulders down onto us" He nodded, locking eyes with Chrom before wiping some dust off the cover of his tome. "Let's strike first."

"Agreed." Chrom said clutching the hilt of his sword.

"I'll hit that archer there, once he's dealt with, you and Sumia move up and strike that axeman. Be careful, he'll have the advantage. Parry or avoid it…" Robin started. "Panne, you're with Frederick: bring a good kick and a Javelin to the fore, that swordsman there probably has counter. Sully, you're with Lon'qu- cover him." He turned back, "Vaike, make sure you have your weapons."

"Hey! I've only forgot once or twice." Vaike complained, hoisting up his axe, to which Robin shrugged.

"Don't drop it!" Chrom yelled back.

"Ready?" Robin asked looking at Chrom who nodded, ready to put the plan into action.

"Shepherds! Move out!" Chrom yelled, signaling the beginning of the fight.

Robin broke into a run, ignoring the lingering pain in his legs from the march: there were much more important things to focus on now that the Hierarch's deception had come into play. Namely, living through this fight and ensuring that everyone else did as well. His boots fell on the dirt as he kept pace with Chrom as the Shepherds began the fight against their Plegian ambushers. He flung open his tome, "Sanctus alas…" He began to say, targeting the Plegian archer, knowing it was do or die.

Slightly ahead of Robin, the Hierarch quickly was approached by a Plegian, the one that Chrom and Sumia were going to strike once he had dealt with the archer. "Yes, I have orders to take a man into our custody, but I only see a pig." The axeman swung his axe towards the Hierarch in a threatening motion, taking note of the approaching Ylisseans. "A rash of traitorous bacon that sold out his own sovereign! And what do we do with little piggies, hmm?"

The Hierarch stammered back "Let them go free, perhaps?" He asked looking back to see Chrom running towards them, sword in hand.

"What are you, a chicken now? We've got a whole barnyard here! Well, it doesn't matter… you're going to the slaughter all the same. I doubt your Prince will have many friendly words to you either!" The axeman laughed before swinging his axe again, this time striking the Hierarch in the side.

Robin knew that was the exact moment to attack. "CRISTA!" He yelled, throwing his arm forward, letting the magic do its bloody work. A pink aura emanated from the ground as a gust of razor-like wind blew the archer back, tearing away at the man's face and arms. "CRISTA!" He called out again, without a second's lapse, allowing a second blast of the magic to strike. But his foe managed to retaliate, and Robin saw the golden glow of a magically enhanced arrow whizz past his face. It obliterated a dried tree stump a few feet behind him. "Luna" Robin thought, "Luckily, he missed." He then cast his Celica's Gale once more, this time the blast of magical wind was fatal: the man was blown from his feet, and Robin could see amidst the blood that there was no way his foe was still alive. "That's it," he huffed turning his gaze back on Chrom who was pouncing on the brigand that had lodged his axe into the back of the traitorous hierarch.

The brigand, however managed to land the first blow- the backside of his axe struck Chrom before Chrom could strike. That was the best Robin could hope for: the enemy was going to have the edge, and luckily it wasn't the edge of the axe that struck Chrom. Unfortunately for the Plegian, Chrom's weapon was much less forgiving than the steel haft of an axe. He managed to strike a bloody blow across the man's chest, and the Plegian's death came from wings overhead. "Coming through!" Sumia shouted as she dove from overhead, spearing the axeman.

"Thanks, Sumia…" Chrom said as he took a step back from the fallen Plegian.

"The opening moves are in our corner…" Robin said with a relieved sigh. "Frederick!" He called out, pointing out a Plegian swordsman, "At range! Be careful! Panne, if you can get the opportunity, take it, but don't risk it." The knight turned and hurled a javelin at the Plegian, but it was slightly off-mark, and while the attack landed home, it wasn't enough to grant the Taguel the opportunity, despite the giant rabbit's red-eyed glare showing she was itching to make the next move. He scanned the battlefield and bit his lower lip. "Gods… that's not good." He looked at the movements of the enemies. "Fred is in reach of two of their Wyvern Riders and a man with a warhammer…" "Lissa! Rescue Staff! Now! Get Frederick and Panne out of there! Vaike! Come here, quickly!"

"I gotcha!" Vaike's boisterous voice came from behind as Robin drew his sword. "Who are we bashing?"

"It's gonna hurt, but we're here to ambush that barbarian and that thief." Robin answered quickly as he pointed out two foes, both of whom were visibly bewildered when Frederick and Panne vanished in a flash of green light. "One more key move… Chrom." "Maribelle! You're up! Physic! Heal Chrom quickly!" He let out a long breath as he prepared himself for the next few moments. "Vaike, here they come!" Robin shouted as the first of their foes was on top of them. The axeman swung his axe, and Robin rolled out of the way, striking at the man from under his right arm. His sword met its mark, leaving a bloody gash across the man's side.

"It's Vaike Time!" Vaike roared as he literally leapt into action, taking his axe and almost recklessly piledriving the Plegian from above. As he removed his axe from the man's skull, he smirked and laughed. "Looks like Teach just got tenure!"

"Not now, Vaike…" Robin groaned as a second foe, the earlier speared thief leapt at Robin striking him in the arm, which caused Robin to holler in pain. But his battle instinct was in full swing, as was his sword. He brought it up and stabbed the Plegian under his jaw, giving the man a swift, but likely painful death. "That's… that." He said, wiping sweat from his forehead, knowing he just replaced it with blood from his wounded arm.

He took a step back, looking at the positions the Shepherds and the Plegians had taken. His gaze then set on Lon'qu, Sully, Chrom and Sumia: two teams, both engaging two wyvern riders. A blast of fire from the wyvern's mouth was a signal—not an attack, but a roar of agony. Chrom had landed a devastating blow to the creature, and in the beast's pained panic, it killed its own rider in desperation. In the same moment, Lon'qu deftly stepped aside, out of the reach of his foe's axe. The swordsman struck. Once, twice… four blows and he kicked the man from his seat atop the wyvern which snapped its jaws towards him. Sully turned her horse about and lanced the wyvern before it could do any harm. Being honest with himself, despite the wounded arm, he largely couldn't have asked for a more favorable opening to the fight.

"Good… we're making progress here." He shook his head, "Next moves… let me think… gods…" He huffed out. He coughed, masking his pain, "Everyone! Press the Attack! Break through this first group!" He pointed out a further Wyvern rider to Lon'qu, who quickly charged into the fight, with Sully at his side. He looked away, despite making his own move to run to Lon'qu's side.

In the same moments, Sumia threw a Javelin at the hammer-wielding barbarian. "For Ylisse!" she yelled as the javelin soared through the air.

Chrom was quick to support the Pegasus knight, "We're not done yet!" He yelled, as he jumped towards the barbarian, slamming his sword into his foe.

Two more enemies had met their end, and Robin's strategy was working. One more move and they'll have the enemy's forward line defeated. "Lon'qu!" Robin shouted, getting the swordsman's attention, "Here, it's a Levin Sword." He said handing the man his lightning-bolt shaped sword.

"I'm no mage, tactician." Lon'qu coldly responded. "Why do I need this?"

"Precisely because you're not a mage." Robin nodded, "I need you to at least cripple that archer there, and we won't have the time to get to him. Make him regret firing his arrows."

"Very well." Lon'qu responded, taking the Levin Sword.

"Don't break that… I want it back." Robin said with a slight chuckle, as he took a step back.

"You're wounded." Lon'qu noted, taking sight of Robin's bleeding arm.

"I am, but not badly." Robin said with a nod. "I'll manage."

"The hell you will." Sully shouted, "Hey, get one of our healers to handle that. Speaking of, there's Maribelle now…"

"It's just a scratch," Robin shook his head, "We've got bigger issues than worrying about that. Maribelle… Rescue staff. We need to reform our position, pull Sumia to us. Once Lon'qu brings down that archer, the enemy's main bulk will be atop us."

"Very well, Robin, but…" Maribelle smirked, "Oh, Lissa, take care of Robin, will you, dear?"

Robin groaned as he looked around. Having Lissa take care of him from the rear wouldn't set them back too much, and it likely saved a bit of their precious Rescue Staves. As long as the rest of the force moved up, they should be in a good position to engage the coming foes. And engage them they would. He quickly turned back as he heard a crack of thunder. He managed to catch a quick glimpse of a Plegian arrow, trailing the golden armor-defeating light of Luna as it soared through the air, having missed the evasive Lon'qu: It would do no harm, flying into the hillside and not any of the Ylisseans.

"Looking for me?" Sully yelled as her horse carried her to the Archer under the cover of bolts of lightning from the Levin Sword. She managed to sneak a blow in as Robin frantically waved for her to return to position, his heart sinking in his gut as the events played out.

"Let's see how fast you die!" Lon'qu shouted, raising the Levin Sword in a sword strike, bringing down a nigh-cataclysmic bolt of lightning, accompanied by a tremendous clap of thunder, striking the archer dead on the spot. "Hmm… better." He said as he turned back to Robin.

Robin nodded, taking back his sword, and caught sight of someone approaching from the rear. Flapping wings made him think that the enemy might be behind them as well, only to realize that it was a Pegasus, not a Wyvern. His blood went ice cold right then and there. He knew exactly who was approaching: Cordelia—which meant one thing. The border has fallen. "Can I truly change… nothing?" He asked himself.

"Prince Chrom!" Cordelia called out, flying through the canyon. "Enemy reinforcements to the rear!"

"To the rear!?" Chrom exclaimed. "Wait… your patrol…"

Cordelia's face immediately went pale, "We… failed, milord. The Plegians swarm across the border. My wingsisters bade me to tell you."

"DAMMIT!" Robin exclaimed, "We must…"

"Focus, Robin." Chrom commanded, "The battle here and now…"

"Right…" Robin said, as tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. "Lissa, move up and bring Corde in closer with your Rescue staff." He quickly said, using the tip of his sword to draw a quick diagram in the dusty part of the canyon where they stood, just out of sight of the enemy via a rather thorny tree. "Sully, you're on your own. Lon'qu, you're with Cordelia, press into the enemy's formation. Chrom, you and Sumia kill that foe there, he said, pointing out another sword fighter amongst the enemy. Frederick strikes at that axe wielder… from range." Robin breathed heavily. "We're almost out of the woods here, but…"

"But what?" Chrom asked as he looked over at his friend.

"But I'm afraid we're in far deeper of a problem than ever before." Robin said bluntly. "If only those reinforcements to the border had been sent… dammit."

"We need to focus on this battle here, and we can worry about the greater effort once our lives are out of immediate danger." Chrom said with a smirk on his face, "Let's kick their asses."

"That could be worded better, but you're right." Robin nodded. "Last part of this strategy is in sight, but I need Miriel and Maribelle to fall back as to not get caught by the enemy… and gods here they come!" Robin closed his eyes and clenched his fists. The sudden sound of fighting snapped him back. Arrows and hand axes were sent through the sky. One Plegian fell to Sumia's lance, and another Wyvern was slain by Chrom's sword. Frederick managed a blow on another foe but failed a second strike.

At that moment, he sighted another Wyvern gliding through the brown terrain. "Dammit. Miriel! We have to strike now!"

The mage turned her head as she saw Robin running towards her. "Right." She coldly said, turning around.

"Ready?" He asked as the two casters took aim at the rapidly approaching foe.

Miriel nodded, opening her tome, and with a quick shout "Ventus Verre!" her elwind spell complete and its razor wind buffeted their target.

"It's time to tip the scales!" Robin shouted as a blast of lightning shot from his right hand, lancing out and spearing both the Wyvern and its rider with a deafening clap of thunder.

He turned back to get a view of everything that had panned out: the Shepherds clearly had an advantage, and it was one he could be proud of. He hadn't expected anything to go well, but Robin knew they were all getting out of this one alive. Panne literally kicked the wounded man who had taken a hand axe to the chest from Frederick earlier off the edge of the canyon. Lon'qu and Cordelia struck down another foe, while Chrom, Sully and Sumia ran down another Plegian archer.

However, any uplift Robin had from the proceedings were soon put into check by one of the last few Wyverns descending upon Lon'qu. All he could do was watch from afar. This fight was unplanned.

The Wyvern rider brought down his axe, narrowly missing Lon'qu's head. "What?!" The Wyvern rider exclaimed as he quickly realized the swordsman deftly held the advantage, he hoped to seize by means of surprise.

"How well will you die!?" Lon'qu shouted striking at the Wyvern Rider with deft precision, only to be knocked back by the soldier's Pavise shield. Lon'qu shook his head and spit towards the ground. "I'll make this quick!" He shouted moving in again for another blow, hoping to kill his foe. And yet again, Lon'qu was knocked back.

"Like hell you will, you Valmese rat." The Plegian taunted, struggling to maintain control of his Wyvern which violently gnashed at Lon'qu. At least it didn't afford the rider another chance to land a blow on the myrmidon, who had gone in again for another strike, this time stabbing the Wyvern itself beneath its jaw.

"BE SILENT!" Lon'qu commanded, finally getting an opportunity to get past that shield, and in one last fatal blow, sliced the Wyvern Rider's head from his shoulders. Taking a moment to breathe, he took a step back and looked at the decapitated corpse atop the dying wyvern, "You're no warrior."

Robin nodded, turning on the ball of his foot. "Only their commander and his immediate guards are left… "Miriel, you're up, Frederick, support her. Chrom, Sumia, hit the other. I'll get the central dastard myself."

Chrom nodded. And the attack fell simultaneously. Miriel's elwind once again found its mark, only this time supported by Frederick, who gave a final edict to the man: "Pick a god and pray!" He roared as he let fly a hand axe, which swiftly dismounted the rider. At the same time, Sumia and Chrom carried out another coordinated strike against the remaining wyvern rider: no chance for a counterattack was given, and Chrom's wyrmslayer was the end of that foe.

All that was left was the one giving orders to the Plegians that had been deftly routed.

"I'll splatter you across the canyon floor!" The commander yelled as he dove down from the rocky perch that his wyvern was sitting on.

"You won't even get the chance." Robin responded, "Sanctus alas, obsecro vos revelare gloriae tuae antiquae… Crista!" He swung his right hand out, revealing the pink-glow of his wind magic, which again took the form of a tornado that threw his foe from his mount and tore the wings from it. The man landed hard on his back in front of the shepherds, and the wyvern plummeted into the canyon, rolling helplessly against its own weight.

"You… think… killing me accomplishes anything?" The enemy commander choked, clearly dying from his wounds. "Even now my brothers pour across your border… go ahead and flee exalt… watch as your subjects faith bleeds away with their lives… Plegia will hav…" he passed, before finishing his last words.

Robin took a moment to catch his breath before kicking the man well away from the axe, in case his death was but a ruse. "The border has fallen." Robin said sternly as he looked into the eyes of Chrom and Frederick. The Royal Guards, and Emmeryn herself weren't far behind.

Emmeryn was quick to act as she arrived with the Shepherds. "I must return to the capital." She said, rather bluntly, her tone just out of tune from how she normally acts.

"Your highness!" Frederick gasped.

"Emm…! That's suicide and you know it!" Chrom shouted, as he swung his fist as if striking something that wasn't there.

"If I'm not there, a riot could ensue. More Ylisseans could die needlessly."

"We will protect you." Robin said, firmly, placing his hand on Chrom's shoulder.

"No. The Shepherds are to go to Ferox. To safety. With this…" Emmeryn said, handing Chrom a shield.

"The Fire Emblem?" Chrom asked rhetorically.

"Nothing in House Ylisse matters more than it. Keep it safer than I could, Chrom." Emmeryn said with a nod.

"Dammit, Emm. You're just giving up?" Chrom shouted.

"No. I am not. Generals Berkin and Kidarf still stand ready in the capital, as do the Royal Pegasus Knights." Emmeryn nodded, "I will not yield the Emblem, but I won't shed unnecessary blood either."

"Emm!" Lissa cried out, "We still need you."

"Dry your tears, love, this is not good bye." The exalt said, kneeling down to stroke her sister's cheek, wiping a tear from her as she did. "We will meet again when you return with Feroxi reinforcements."

She nodded, bidding the Shepherds and Royal guards to part ways.

"This plan is exceedingly stupid." Robin bluntly said, after standing there and watching the others leave. "I know, I know, Morale is important, but she marches to her death."

"I know, it's right, but it hurts to hear it. Dammit, Emm." Chrom responded. "Muster the Shepherds. We ride for Regna Ferox."

Author's Note: Ready the Valkyrie Staff! Thought dead fic, Rise! Bah, it took me literally years to actually get this chapter written despite having done ALL of the gameplay for the run. Now, yes, I really just wanted to get the combat handled. 8a will cover 7 (End) and Morgan, Gregor + Nowi stuff.