One for all and all for one

Gods damn, how can anyone live in such cold? If I couldn't conjure a fireball from nowhere I'd be an icicle a mile back!

Vincent rubbed his hands on his arms in an effort to warm himself, which proved to be fruitless, with the icy winds penetrating his cloak. He had drained his energy casting magic and didn't want to waste anymore in case of attack.

Sadly, that won't hold me back for long.

They were nearing a place Chrom called the Longfort. It was a fortress that spanned across the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox, said to be impenetrable on the ground.

Vincent stepped through the knee deep snow miserably. He would rather have another tangle with that bandit that nearly killed him than march all the way to whatever the hell the capital of Regna Ferox was.

No you really wouldn't.

But if Vincent hadn't of been bitching about the cold in his mind, he might of had the chance to actually listen and hear how badly the 'peaceful negotiations' were!

"Milord! The Feroxi guard is mobilizing!" Frederick called to Chrom and the rest of the Shepherds, all of whom were ready for a battle if need be.

Ah, this ain't good.

"Halt! Who goes there?" a voice from the Longfort called out to them. The knight had a booming voice, able to be heard from deep inside the Long Fort and the icy winds.

"In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the khans!" Chrom shouted back boldly, hoping the Feroxi would take to his bravery.

"Not another step! I have lancers at the ready!" The knight shouted as Chrom began to move forward. Oh, things are not looking good...

"Hold, milady! We are not your enemy-" Frederick tried to explain, but was cut off by a lance being thrown near his horse, which reared up on it's hind legs, letting out a surprised whinny.

"I will not reason with brigands! If you are who you say you are, then prove it the Feroxi way, on the battle field!" she cried back, causing a long and loud wave of 'haarumph's' to reverberate along their new battle field.

This woman is insane. But to men, all women seem insane at points.

Vincent pulled out his tome, ready for combat. The Shepherds did likewise and looked at him expectantly.

Ah yes…I'm the tactician. They need a plan from me…

He was saved the trouble of coming up with a quick plan as arrows were drawn at the same time in the Long Fort. These warriors were able to notch arrows and shoot off systematically, like it was everyday for them, at Chrom. There was nothing Vincent could do as the arrows whistled by and headed for their now defending target!

Sumia flew down from the sky and shot at Chrom and grabbed him quickly out of harm's way.

I… didn't see that one coming.

"Alright everyone! Spread out and keep moving! Avoid the arrows! Concentrate on breaking down the doors on the sides so we can storm the fort. Move!" Vincent yelled. He rolled to the side to avoid a javelin. He spun about and shot a fireball towards his attacker.

"Get the mage!" the soldiers cried from above.

Well…shit.

Vincent began to run as fast as he could in the snow. Which wasn't very fast. He blindly threw fire at the wall, occasionally hearing a scream.

Then he had an idea!

He ran at the Longfort as fast as he could, dodging arrows without ease. He pressed himself up against the wall so he couldn't be shot with arrows.

He heard fighting above him.

Did they get the doors on the side open? How?

Vincent edged his way along the side, trying to stay unnoticeable. He failed as more enemy archers shot at him. An arrow clipped his left leg and he began to run with a limp. As he rounded the corner, he saw the door open.

He sighed, he never was able to keep his eyes on everything. At least he thought that it had been his problem before…amnesia dammit! It really is a bitch.

He hobbled up to the top of the stairs onto the Long Fort to see Chrom and the others had finished it all up. Feroxi warriors lay everywhere dead or badly hurt. So much for their bravado before, they had shitty durability

…And no one's freaking out because I'm not here why?

"Oh Vincent, there you are! We figured you got lost along the way," Lissa said as she began to heal his leg.

Why does that sound like something someone would say to me a lot?