In this land we've defended, from all things dark and cruel

Thank whoever I am supposed to thank that I found the practice spell in the tome. It wouldn't be pretty to waste all my energy shooting targets.

Vincent had been practicing his aim during the entire journey. He shot tiny balls of heat at tree branches and the occasional passing bird. He never could hit the birds (much to Chrom's amusement). But he had gotten better, that was certain.

Admittedly, it's hard to get worse than I was.

But it was getting dark and target practice was more of a challenge. After a stray ball of magic nearly hit Chrom, he called it quits.

"Aw, come on now, Lissa. Hardship builds character. Want to help me gather firewood?" Chrom said to Lissa who had been complaining for the last ten minutes.

"I'll pass, thank you. I think building too much character is bad for your health," she said tartly.

"We should start thinking about food. I have no idea when I last ate…" Vincent said trailing off.

About half an hour later they were feasting on a bear that Chrom had killed with his Falchion. "Ah, it's been a while since I've had something this good…Lissa? Dig in, it's good!" Chrom said between bites.

Lissa made a gagging motion, "Couldn't you stab an animal that normal people eat? You're messing with the food chain Chrom! Who eats bear? Right Vincent?...Vincent?"

"Lissa, when the time comes that you have no idea how long it's been since you last ate, anything tastes good." If possible, Vincent was eating faster than Chrom.

"Experiences make us stronger milady, even those that we do not enjoy," Frederick said in his wooden, monotone voice.

"Then why aren't you eating any Frederick?" Lissa shot back.

"Me?...I…I'm not hungry, yes. I ate quite a large lunch you see," Frederick said shakily.

The wooden soldier has emotion! Someone call a doctor! Doctor! Doctor!

"Yeah right, Frederick."

Ah sleep. I wonder how long it's been since I slept. I suppose my bed of grass was sleeping…

"Vincent, get up. NOW."

Mean voices disturb sleep. They must be eliminated.

Vincent felt a punch to his ribs. He bolted upright coughing. He saw Frederick standing above him, dressed in full armor, axe in hand.

"What the hell Frederick! I know you don't like me, but this-" He glanced around. The forest was burning. And Chrom and Lissa's beds were empty.

Vincent jumped up, located his tome of magic and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "It's show time. Frederick, may I ask you a question?"

Frederick, who was marching to his horse, motioned for Vincent to get on, "If it's quick."

"What do you Ylisseans swear by?"

Frederick spared less than a moment's thought, "We swear by the Gods, but sometimes the goddess Naga."

Vincent jumped on the horse and Frederick began to ride, "Good, because I've been meaning to say this…GODS DAMMIT! Alrighty, that was fun. Moving on to more important things, where are Chrom and Lissa?"

"I don't know," Frederick muttered. It was clear he blamed himself.

They rode Frederick's horse through the blazing trees for a few minutes before they found Chrom and Lissa. "Milord! Milady! Are you hurt?"

Vincent's attention was focused on some demon red eyed…things that were near where they stood. "What in hell are those things? They don't look friendly!"

Chrom gave Vincent a 'no shit' look, "I have no idea, but they're not from Ylisse, that's for sure."

The…things in question were beginning to group together. Vincent brushed the hair from his eyes.

Gotta impress the ladies…even on the battlefield. Battle rule number two! Always look good.

What's number one?

That's a good question myself, rule number one is: Don't die.

"Let's see how I am at tactics! Alright you three… Lissa, I want you to stay back with me here. Chrom, Frederick, ride around to the side of them and kill as many as you can while I distract them. Move out!" Vincent grinned.

Being in charge is kinda fun. Actually, not really. Not fun at all. Leave speeches and all other useless nonsense to Chrom.

Vincent began the now familiar incantation. It was hard to read in the dark, but doable. The…things began to slowly move forward. About eight of them. Maybe…four with axes, two with bows and two with swords.

"Let's do this!" Vincent shouted as he threw a fireball at the forefront thingy. Target practice paid off, it hit the thing in the gut. It fell over with a growl. Like when you piss off a cat.

But now I have their attention! Let the games begin.

Vincent began to work faster, they were angry now. They picked up the pace.

"Hurry Vincent!" Lissa said nervously, clutching her staff tightly.

Vincent tried to go faster, but he could only speak so fast. He launched two more fireballs, one hit, and one miss.

Gods dammit, where are you Chrom!?

Vincent began to back away from all the sharp objects that were in the things' hands.

An arrow struck the nearest thing in the head.

An arrow! We're saved!

...Neither Chrom nor Frederick had a bow…

A red haired cavalier was riding towards them. Fast. To be specific, she was riding to kill the arrows flew towards the things. They were confused, and Vincent began casting once again. Together, he and the two arrivals had finished up the confused things.

Vincent and the red haired cavalier looked at each other. They spoke at the same time, "Who'er you?"

"I'm Sully, how 'bout you?"

"Vincent."

"Hark! Have you forgotten me? I am Virion! The archest of ar- OOF!" the archer was interrupted by the red haired cavalier kicking him.

Vincent grinned at her as he watched the ruffley archer groan as he stood to his feet. He was about to comment when he heard a familiar voice.

"Hey! You all okay?!" Chrom yelled as he jogged towards them, Frederick close behind.

"Chrom! What kept you! I would be dead if these two hadn't showed up!" he said as he pointed to Sully and Virion.

"Sorry. We were attacked by these things along the way. Are you all well?" He nodded to Sully with familiarity and stared puzzled at the still groaning archer.

He and Sully must know each other.

"Hey! Look who it is!" Lissa exclaimed. Vincent turned to see a blue haired masked kid. "This man saved us before from these things!"

What kind of creepy creep wears a creepy mask with a sword that's… identical to Chrom's? What the hell?

"You may call me Marth," the creepy kid said. "This world teeters at the brink of cataclysm. Tonight, what you saw was merely the prelude to the greater event. You have been warned." The kid walked off into the forest. Everyone was silent staring at where the masked man had disappeared to.

"Well, should we be heading? What's her name, Emmeryn, probably wants to know what happened here," Vincent questioned.

Chrom and Frederick nodded.

"Holy crap! Look at all the people! There's so many!" Vincent exclaimed as he wondered the streets of Ylisstol with the rest of their merry band. Lissa giggled as Vincent turned every which way to see it all.

The city was magnificent. It was vast spanning, and the roofs were many different colors. The colors made the city even livelier than it was.

"You act like you've never seen a city before Vincent!" Lissa said.

"Well, I don't know. Maybe I haven't! Hmm, but maybe I have… it seems logical that I would have…" Vincent trailed off.

"We should be thankful the capital was spared of that earthquake," Frederick stated. Chrom nodded in agreement.

"Look! The Exalt has come to see us!" a nearby villager cried out.

Vincent turned his head to see the Exalt. She was far away, but she walked freely among the commoners with a minimal guard.

"So the Exalt is ruler, yes? Is it safe for her to walk like that, with such few guards?" Vincent said amazed.

"The exalt is a symbol of peace, Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world. But the first exalt joined forces with the divine dragon and laid the beast low. Exalt Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then," Frederick stated dignifiedly.

"She's a calming presence to the people, with all the Plegian raids on the border," Chrom said, a smile on his face.

"You must be lucky to have her then," Vincent said, still staring off at the Exalt in the in distance.

"She's the best big sister you could ask for!" Lissa said happily.

"…Wait, what? That makes you and Chrom…"

"Prince and Princess of the realm," Frederick finished.

"Oh shit, formalities. I'm sorry your worshipness if I have been rude-" Vincent was cut off by Chrom.

"No formalities please. I hate them, and I get enough of them in court. It looks like Emm is returning to the castle, would you like to meet her?"

"Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fared you all?" the Exalt said warmly.

Chrom scratched his head, "Well, we won't have bandit problems for a while, that's for sure."

"And the people?"

"Safe. For now, but unless we do something about Plegia…" Chrom trailed off.

Emmeryn nodded, "I'll put more pegasus knights on patrol. And who is this?" Emmeryn turned to Vincent.

Nobility has just addressed you. Don't. Fuck. Up.

"This is Vincent, he helped us fight off the bandits, and I decided to make him a Shepherd." Chrom explained.

"Thank you Vincent."

"Not at all milady, it was a pleasure," Vincent said smoothly.

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

"Milady, have you heard about those dreadful creatures we encountered?" Chrom's shadow Frederick said.

I forgot he was there. I should have figured.

"Indeed. They've been sighted all across Ylisse. Chrom, I trust I have your help with this matter?" she said.

"Of course."

"C'mon Vincent! That's our cue! I have somewhere to show you!" Lissa said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the smiling Emmeryn and the laughing Chrom.