Hello there, all. Sorry about the delays. Genetics labs are a pain when you partners know collectively about as much about how genetics work as Hideo Kojima. Anyway, when last we left our heroes, they were galloping full speed towards Irilia, the city under siege.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, just the OCs cointained in the story. With that, on with the show!

Chapter 1: Enemies Abroad

As Richard and Carrick neared the border between their native Dunis and neighboring Irilia, Carrick looked over to Richard, noticing a determined look in his eyes.

"So, do you have any ideas as to what we're going to do once we arrive, Milord?" Carrick said. "After all, we won't be able to just waltz into a city that's under siege."

"You're the advisor, Carrick, you think of something."

"Wait. Milord, you didn't have a plan when you were going to set out on your own?" Carrick asked, slowing down his horse. "I'm not paid nearly enough for this job."

"What was that last part?" Richard asked, turning around. "Besides, if you didn't come, I would have observed from afar, judged a course of action, and followed from there. But since you're here, I can just ask you to come up with a plan instead!"

"Richard, could you look this way for a second?"

At the foot of the hill on which the two were standing, there appeared to be a flash of green and red. Upon closer inspection of the scene, Carrick began to notice that the scene below them was a battle. Two cavaliers, each sporting the standard bronze and green armor of Irilia, were fighting against several brigands, each carrying heavy looking axes.

"Richard, those are Irilian cavaliers. We need to help the-" Before Carrick could even finish the sentence, Richard was already halfway down the hill, his sword unsheathed and swinging through the air. Carrick quickly dismounted, patted his horse with a quick "there there, girl," and followed his friend.

At the bottom of the hill, Richard had already chosen his first opponent. As he drew, near, the first brigand noticed him and stepped out of the way to avoid taking Richard's sword to the head. The brigand then swung his axe around to counterattack, but his strike was caught by Richard's blade. After parrying his enemy's axe, Richard struck once more, hitting the bandit's shoulder and causing his opponent to jump back in pain. The bandit charged forward in a final, desperate attack, only to have Richard dodge out of the way. Before his opponent could turn around, Richard finished the job by cutting a diagonal gash into the brigand's back, sending him collapsing to the ground. Just as he was about to wipe a bit of dust of his cape, Richard noticed Carrick in front of him, slightly winded, muttering strange words under his breath while holding an old book. Richard ducked just in time to see a fireball sent by Carrick sail over his head, followed by a sickening scream. As Richard turned around, he noticed another brigand, lit aflame, who had been right behind him.

"Thanks for that, Carrick. You saved my-"

"Thank me later!" Carrick shouted, readying another fire spell. "For now, just duck!" With that, a second fireball shot past Richard to finish off the already burning bandit.

"Carrick," Richard said, looking at the smoldering pile of what was once a bandit, "You realize that you mages are sadistic, right? With the whole "burning enemies alive" thing?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Milord." Carrick responded, with just a touch of sarcasm. "Just be glad I'm on your side. Besides, it saves this guy a burial if I just cremate him where he stands." With that, Carrick simply ran over towards the cavaliers, who had problems of their own to deal with, and left Richard grasping for words.

Meanwhile, unconcerned with the lordling and his assistant, one of the two Irilian cavaliers charged towards one of the brigands, lance in hand. As he passed, however, the brigand brought down his axe, snapping the wooden lance in two. The cavalier wheeled around, dropped the broken stick in his hand, and drew forth a sword. In another pass, the cavalier had felled the brigand as quickly as an owl captures a field mouse.

As the first cavalier fought, his partner contended with a brigand of his own. Readying his lance, the rider stared down his foe, waiting for a move. Under his helmet, the horseman planned his next move. He urged his horse forward, charging at the bandit, who stood in place ready to chop though a spear. Before the brigand could even raise his axe, however, he found himself suddenly on fire. He turned around long enough to see a blue robed mage, clutching a red spellbook, standing before his eyes. Unfortunately, the bandit's view of the wizard was cut short by the cavalier's lance piercing though his chest. As the brigand collapsed to the ground, the cavalier rode over to Carrick and removed his helmet. Beneath was a man no older than Carrick, looking to be in his younger twenties. His hair, Carrick noticed, was a fascinating shade of black, looking almost green in the light.

"Thank you, sir mage." The cavalier said. "Judging from the color of your robes, you are from Dunis, yes? Have you been sent to help us?"

"There's still two more of those brigands, let's finish them off, then we can talk." Carrick said, preparing another spell for another approaching bandit. "Do you have a sword?"

"Yes," said the knight. "Though I'm not as good with it as my lance."

"Never mind that," Carrick said. All you need to do is hit him, got it? Give me a weak spot to hit with my fire magic."

With that, the cavalier rode off towards the brigand, brandishing his sword. He quickly cut a gaping wound into the brigand's side before riding out of the way of the impending counter. Carrick then sent a fireball in the bandit's direction, leaving him nothing more than a pile of ash.

"Just one more, the leader, it would seem." Carrick said, eying the final enemy.

"Let me handle this one, Carrick," said Richard, charging forward. "You there, cavalier, with the sword, help me out!" With that, the cavalier turned his horse towards the bandit leader and began to charge.

The bandit leader readied himself for the attack, and skillfully jumped out of the way of the knight's charge.

"Ha! Is that all you've got, you Irilian pretty-boy? No wonder your capital's bein' sacked while we speak!"

"Actually no, THIS IS ALL WE"VE GOT!" yelled a voice from behind. The brigand turned just in time to see Richard charging forward. But all the man could see was the lordling's sword. No it couldn't be…Glowing?

"The Kingmaker!" The brigand king thought. "Only the royal family of Dunis knows that techni-" It was all he could manage to say before his torso was cleaved in two by Richard's sword. As the pieces fell to the ground, Richard sheathed his sword and ran over to his horse.

"Come on, Carrick! We've no time to lose!" he yelled, mounting his steed. "You two! Ride with us, we need to talk." With that, Richard immediately began off towards Irilia.

"What is the matter with him?" the green haired cavalier said, looking at Carrick. "he could at least take a moment to catch his breath. After all, finding Dunian reinforcements out here makes gives us much more time."

"You see," said Carrick, mounting his horse, "Lord Richard's a bit preoccupied with his "not-girlfriend" Princess Amia. He'd sooner tickle a sleeping wyvern than dally with her life on the line. By the way, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I am Carrick, royal mage and advisor of Dunis. And that hothead riding off towards Irilia is Prince Richard."

"Really?" said the still helmeted knight. "I never knew the Dunian royalty were so skilled in battle."

"Normally they aren't, at least not in peaceful times such as the last few years, your recent tragedy excluded." Carrick said, stiffening his pace. "Other than the Kingmaker, only used in times of war, we Dunians prefer to live peaceful lives. Not Richard, though. There's just something about him that seems prone to battle. Also, I still haven't caught your names."

"Oh, sorry about that." The green knight said. "I'm Logan, and this here is my partner, Jason."

"Hello, nice to meet you." The other knight said. He quickly fumbled with his helmet before taking it off, revealing a head of long brown hair. "Thanks for your help back there, and 

what a coincidence too. We were just sent to ask for reinforcements when we were attacked by those brigands. That's when you came along."

"You were just sent? Then Irilia still stands?"

"Yes, if barely." replied Jason. "We were sent out from the main keep just before Armenian troops stormed the courtyard. Lady Amia's personal guard are holding them off, but they won't last much longer."

"How did you get out of the keep if the enemy had you surrounded?" Carrick asked, puzzled.

"Though the Queen's Pass." Logan said. "It's a secret passage out of the throne room the royals use when they need to make a quick escape. Of course, it's hardly ever used, as King Charles would prefer to fight with his troops and Lady Amia is a skilled tactician. Fortunately, though, hardly anyone knows the passage exists."

"Can you go in through the passage?"

"Sure, if you know where the entrance is."

"Richard, slow down! I've got a plan!"