SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE

Between classes and work I am really busy but I finally got the time to work on this

I like to finish a chapter ahead before posting and chapter 5 has been kicking my butt. Trying to bring in more characters to re-introduce to the Milstines has been a real hassle since I need to accurately write for the characters I bring in so I don't misrepresent them. Characters who have a very diverse vocabulary like Laurent and Owain are tough. Anyways I am polishing chapter 5 and will be starting chapter 6 soon. I will also throw in some random supports for the two OC's with pairs I won't be putting them with in the main story.

After Grima

Part 1

New Kid in Town

Chapter 4: Sorrow acceptance

When the Shepherds returned to the camp they didn't stay long. They had two unconscious strangers and their baby sister with them. They didn't really have the right kind of setup to hold them there for the night so they rigged up one of their wagons to hold the two while they marched through the night. Luckily for them the moon was bright and they had a lot of oil to fuel the lamps they had brought. Lucina never left the wagons side, she felt so foolish for what she had said. She doesn't even have the slightest idea what she will say to him when he wakes. "And what about his siblings" she had thought. The one can only be about one or two years old.

"Lucina?" Inigo came around the wagon and picked up his stride so he was walking next to his sister. Dawn just breaking the horizon, the sun would be up in about an hour. "How are they doing?" His normal smile has been gone for a while. The sight of the bodies were still in his mind too since his face hasn't lost its sickly look to it.

"I haven't really checked on them," She said. "I feel as though it would be inappropriate for me to go in there." She doesn't want to give the wrong impression but she also doesn't know what they will do if they woke up, will they be violent? She would rather not be the one to find out first hand because she doesn't want the situation to get any worse than it is.

"Alright ill check on them." Inigo said climbing the moving wagon. There was somewhat of a tent covering it, not a coach wagon but it was working. But as Inigo jumped up there was a voice from inside.

"We are fine." It was Holmes. Starling Inigo he had fallen on his rear. Holmes looked out the back and immediacy leaped out of the moving carriage. He held a hand out to help him up.

"Thank you." Inigo said growing red in the face for his fall. "I normally am good at catching myself but..."

"Enough small talk." Holmes said cutting him off. "Where are we going?" He demanded.

"We are going the Capitol." Lucina answered. The wagon and the rest of the convoy stopped and most of the shepherds were now listing very intently. "We will be safer once we get there." She added.

"Where are my parent's bodies?" He asked his voice starting to shake again.

"We have them in our second wagon." Chrom said. Coming up to him. Holmes started to ask about his sister but was cut off. "We have her. Morgan our young tactician has been keeping good care of her. Isn't that right?"

"Right." She said holing Leysa in the same bundle, she appeared to be sleeping. "She is doing fine. Would you like to hold her?"

"No not right now. I think I'm still..." His physical state is not well right now. As much as he would love to hold his baby sister he couldn't risk dropping her.

"I understand." Morgan said as she rocked Leysa back and forth. "Do you have anything to feed her?" She asked. The baby started to struggle and it seemed that she wanted something.

"Here." He opened his pack and had a small bottle. He handed it to her. She took it and started feeding his sister. Inigo not liking where this was going, grew even redder than when he had fell. He didn't like the idea of her playing the mom role, but given the circumstances he decided to keep quiet.

"What now?" Asked Robin.

"I'll tell you what." Came another voice. "We go and kill the bastard." It was Ress. He was up but unlike how he looked last night, he seemed determined. There was a fire in his eyes that not even his brother could recognize him.

"Not in this state you're not." Chrom said, stepping towards him. "You need to think about what you are going to do next. Not just go for blood."

"I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT!" Ress yelled. "HE NEEDS TO BE KILLED!" he was trying very hard to suppress a tear that had formed in his left eye. Chrom noticed and at this his demeanor changed from demanding to sympathy. He couldn't be harsh with him right now. Not when he was like this. "You think so too right brother?" Ress said seeking for his brother's support but it wasn't where he wanted it to be.

"I do agree," He started. "But we need to plan this more than anything. We don't know where he is, we don't know how many men he has either." Holmes said very diplomatically. He always was the one to try and see all the details. They always thought he would leave and become a general with all of his problem solving and logistical skills.

"But... But..." Ress started. Then it hit him. His brother was right, they were at a loss of information on this guy. They had only just met Capa 3 days ago, they thought he was just another spectator. "Alright." Ress said. With that he hopped up into the wagon and stayed there the rest of the ride.

With the convoy moving again Holmes decided to walk with the group and eventually was able to carry Leysa again. As soon as he got a hold of her he didn't let her go. Not after last night. Although Morgan was really enjoying taking care of he she needed to get back to her duties as a tactician, Inigo was relieved too. Not that he thought this but he was worried this kid out of nowhere was going to steal the girl of his dreams. The Convoy was led into the back gates to not arouse attention. They didn't think that these kids needed to see the people laughing and greeting them all with all the praise in the world.

They had a funeral for their parents. Ress blacked out and Holmes had to be brought a chair after almost falling into the grave himself and this time Olivia was the one who took the baby. They were buried at the base of a cherry tree in the back garden of the palace. The tree was as pink as Olivia's hair and made the sorrow scene seem out of place but seemed to be the perfect spot since they didn't have a hometown. It was out of reach from the regular public and it seemed special have their own spot to rest. Their tombstones didn't have a date, name, or saying, but it had a Bass clef for Reginald, and a Treble clef for Geneva.

"Ress." Chrom said coming up behind him. Ress just continues to stare at his step-parents grave. "I know this is hard, so that's why I wanted to do something for you." Ress turned to look at Chrom, wondering what The Exalt could do, what he would do. "I want you to live with us here at the palace. We can help you too have a good life and help take care of Leysa."

"Are you adopting me?" Ress asked he didn't know how to feel about this, being adopted a second time. "Are you sure?"

"If you want to put it that way yes." Chrom said. "Besides, the shepherds could use someone of your skill. Being able to sneak into my own study is impressive in many rights."

"Well.." Ress said starting to feel a little better. "It wasn't hard. I use the hole by the maple grove that's been there for years." Ress suddenly froze. They haven't know about that for years, they could be attacked any moment.

"I know what you are thinking." Chrom said "I know about the hole. There is only one other person who knows about it." He said turning a faint red. "I kind of put that there when I was training one day." They looked at each other and laughed. This was unreal to Ress. First being in the Exalt's presence was extraordinary enough, now not only was he laughing with him, he is now going to be living with the royal family. Ress then saw the brand on Chrom's shoulder and just wished he had one. Wished he was blood related to them. They are good people and he knows they will be in good hands.