Only Sorrow and Sadness Remains

"Chrom, what do we have to go on?" Vincent asked wearily. He had just led all the remainder of the army to join up with Chrom's faction. Tiring.

"We can't fight on two fronts," Chrom said, frustrated.

"We need to take Yen'fay out of the picture. But he has a large force, we'd sustain numerous casualties," Vincent said, running a hand through his hair.

"He has an advantage where ever we'd fight," Chrom sighed.

"Well…" Vincent stared at the map. There was one place…but it was completely insane.

Hello!

What?

Insane. Insane equals you.

…Got it!

A grin unfurled onto Vincent's face. "I have an idea Chrom, and you're probably going to hate it…"

Jessie wiped the sweat from her brow. The heat was unbearable in the volcano.

Father, why did this have to be your plan?

Jessie stepped onto the unsteady lava rock. The plan was to lure Yen'fey himself into the volcano and let the other troops battle around the mountain of fire.

All in all, a pretty shitty plan.

But it did work. Sure enough, Yen'fey and a small entourage entered the volcano.

Of course, he walked right into a trap. Archers butchered his small force from afar. All that was left was Yen'fey.

Well, that was easy.

But of course, Yen'fey wasn't weak like his petty troops.

"I hate to be cynical, but this bastard is going to kill us!" Remy shouted. He jumped at Yen'fey despite the weapon disadvantage. Their clash resulted in Remy's falling back due to a serious cut on his arm.

Vincent was the next to meet Yen'fey in battle. He lasted a little longer than Remy, but also had to fall back.

Anna, Ricken, Morgan, Matt and Heather were also repelled. And finally, Lowell entered the fray. Henry was launching dark magic to support the assassin, but Lowell didn't need it.

The Whirlwind of Valm engaged Yen'fey with a murderous expression. Their fight was bloody and didn't last long.

Yen'fey's body fell into the burning lava below.

Thank the gods, I need to get out of this heat.

"Yo! People!" Vincent yelled. "There's still a battle going on! The fun never stops!"

Oh, the fun never sto-, wait…he just said that! Grr, he took my line!

The usual people sat in the planning tent. Well, the usual people and some of the semi-usual people.

In plain words: Vincent, Chrom, Say'ri, Lowell, Anna, Jessie, Henry, Kid, and a few others Vincent either never paid attention to or didn't know their names.

"So…next step?" Vincent asked, straightening his stetson.

"We kill Walhart," Chrom said plainly.

"Easier said than done," Lowell muttered.

"Doust thee doubt our army?" Say'ri asked irked.

Lowell stared pointedly at her, "He's a monster, Walhart is. The slaughter of Garuvega is a perfect example."

Say'ri snorted, "Fie! That is a story told to make commoners afraid of Walhart. All the people there were attacked by bandits."

Lowell took his pipe out of his mouth, "Have you ever been there?"

When Say'ri shook her head no, Lowell continued, "So then you've never seen the bodies rotting beneath the sun. You've never seen the wild animals come out and feast upon the corpses. You've never seen the thousands of dead bodies. You've never seen hell.'

"I would know after all, I was there. Do not insult my friends and family by calling it a mere story. I am living proof of the atrocities the conqueror committed there." Lowell glared furiously at Say'ri. He got up out of his chair and left. Jessie got up to follow him. Vincent would have, but he was obligated to stay. After all, a strategy meeting without the strategist was…lacking.

Jessie followed Lowell. He was a hard one to keep track of. But she eventually caught up with him.

"Lowell…are you alright?" Jessie said cautiously.

"…" was his only response.

"Lowell…?" Jessie approached closer to him.

"…Leave me alone. I'm a monster."

"You don't mean that," Jessie stated.

"Yes I do, I killed my family," Lowell shifted so he wasn't looking at Jessie.

Jessie didn't know what to say. On one side, this was Lowell, it wouldn't seem odd for him to have done something like this. On the other hand, this wasn't at all like her Lowell.

"…Can you please explain?" Jessie inwardly winced. That was probably the most insensitive thing that could be done.

"It's a long story."

"I have time," Jessie said, allowing herself to get a little hopeful.

Lowell motioned for the chair beside him in the tent. It seemed he really meant it would be a while…

The sun shone on Lowell's face. He mumbled something incoherent as he sat up in his bed. While his bed was comfy, he had things to do that day. He yawned and got out of bed.

Reaching into his closet, he got out his 'work clothes.'

Don't worry, you'll get the joke soon.

He pulled on the tan clothes and wrapped his signature brown scarf around his neck. He took one last look out the window at the bustling city below. The duke's castle was a strange one. It was right next to the commoner's houses and shops.

Lowell opened the door, then closed it. He had forgotten something. He opened up his night table's drawer. He pulled out his knife and sheathed it in the hidden compartment in his pants.

Now he opened the door. He made his way down to the dining room. On the way, he met one of his favorite people in the castle: Commander Zael.

"Ah Lowell, how're you today?" the commander asked kindly. He carried the same accent Lowell's family had. That must be what happens when you serve a family for so long.

"Well, commander. How're you?" Lowell said brightly.

"Not bad. I was looking for you though," Zael said. He dropped his voice lower, "Did you tell your father about your 'work?'"

Lowell nodded, "He was actually pleased. Since mother died, he's been trying to protect the three of us the best he could."

"And what about Calista?" Zael quirked an eyebrow.

Lowell grinned sheepishly, "I…er…haven't told him yet."

Zael sighed exasperatedly, "You know as well as I do that a noble falling in love with a commoner isn't something that can happen. We're not in a story book here."

"I know! I know!" Lowell groaned. "I'm just trying to find the best way to tell him."

"Be it on your own head then sir," Zael addressed him formally to show the conversation was over and he had to go.

Lowell nodded and they went their own ways. Zael to the guard house most likely. And Lowell to get some breakfast.

When Lowell arrived in the dining hall, his father and brother were already there. "Morning father, morning Dagran," Lowell said while sitting down. His brother Dagran nodded in his direction. Their age gap stopped him from getting to know his older brother very well, as he was busy with courtly affairs.

Lowell's father, the duke, smiled warmly at his son, "Morning, my boy. Sleep well?"

Lowell nodded and began to eat. Halfway through his meal, Dagran excused himself and left to attend to his various business. Their sister still hadn't shown up for breakfast yet. When his father motioned for a servant to wake her, Lowell volunteered. It would get him a quick and quiet get away into the city.

Lowell made his way to his sister's room. When he finally arrived, he found the door locked. For his amusement purposes, he picked the lock and let himself in.

He saw his sister lying on her bed, still sleeping. She was like that, enough sleep was never enough.

Lowell crouched down right next to her and said, "Boo!"

She jumped up and screamed. Syrenne wasn't a very heavy sleeper. Lowell chuckled, "Hey, its morning, father is expecting you down at breakfast."

Syrenne yawned, brushing her long, dark, pink hair out of her eyes, "Are you off to your training?"

Lowell nodded and gave his sister a hug. "I gotta run though, tell father I'll see him tonight."

"Have fun with Calista," she smirked. He could trust his younger sister with a lot of things. They only were two years apart in age, unlike the gap with Dagran.

Lowell rolled his eyes and began to head out of the room. He had places to be.

Lowell strolled along the streets of Garuvega. It was a thriving, beautiful city. One of the few still in the country. After all, that mysterious conqueror in the north was putting a damper on trade. Garuvega still had its port. That alone was why the city thrived.

But that was not the destination of Lowell. Commoners were not familiar with his lineage, he wasn't a public figure in society. Dagran was the recognized one. Even his sister was more well-known than Lowell. And that worked to Lowell's advantage.

He walked for ten minutes before arriving at the usual tavern. He walked in with the swagger of someone who owns the place. Without even speaking to the bartender, he walked behind the bar to the private room. His boss was an old customer, he didn't get denied access to the private room.

Lowell walked in on guard. His master had jumped him on a few occasions to get him warmed up. But today didn't seem like one of those days, because he was sitting at the table sipping a beer.

"Bit early for a beer, don't'cha think?" Lowell said, amused.

Astar shrugged, "Keeps me awake."

"That seems like the opposite of a beer Astar," said the woman next to Astar.

That was Calista. His colleague, his friend, and his lover. She was witty, kind, and smart. Lowell and she got along just fine in their line of work.

The art of assassinry.

"I'm not like normal people missy," the old assassin took another gulp of his beer.

"Whatever you say," Calista rolled her eyes. Her pale hair was tied in a ponytail, just the way Lowell liked it. He sat down next to her.

"Right you two, the next step in your training. What did we do yesterday?" Astar muttered to himself.

"Roof jumping," Calista said. "Now we are on what you called 'Secret techniques of the Great and Powerful Astar.'"

Astar grinned, "Right. Let's head over to our training place and get to it."

The three of them got up and headed to their training field…

"Damn, that was tiring," Lowell took a drink of water as Calista sat beside him. "Especially that Whirlwind thing."

"You were really good at that though Lowell," she pointed out.

Lowell shrugged. "You were just as good at that Dawn of Light one."

"That's because I've been practicing it. I made Astar tell me how to do it so I could practice it," she winked at Lowell.

"I'm surprised you were able to convince him, he's like a rock in the wind there," Lowell pointed out.

"I never said it was easy," she chuckled.

"Alright you two! Enough for today, meet me here right away tomorrow!" Astar called to them.

The two soon-to-be-assassins nodded. They now had half a day to themselves. It was a rarity.

"What do you want to do?" Lowell asked, grabbing her hand.

"I dunno, let's walk around until something catches our fancy, my darling prince."

"I'm not a prince, you know that!" Lowell said exasperatedly.

She laughed and pulled him with her through the market on the beautiful day.

They stayed together all afternoon. Never leaving each other's sight. It was this way that they were happiest.

During when they stared out into the ocean, Calista asked Lowell, "Have you told your father about us yet?"

Lowell felt her lean onto his shoulder, "No…I haven't found the right time."

Calista snuggled into Lowell, "You should soon. My parents approve, we should find out if your father does too."

Lowell kissed her forehead, "If he doesn't, I'll make him approve. Nothing in heaven or hell will part me from you, Calista."

She smiled at that, "I love you Lowell."

"And I you," Lowell said peacefully.

After walking Calista to her home, Lowell went back to the castle.

"Heyo Lowell," Zael said as he opened the gate.

"How nice of you to be here to personally greet me," Lowell smirked.

The commander shrugged, "I merely decided to post myself here today. Bit of a laid back day."

"Have fun gatekeeping then," he waved.

He made his way through the long corridors into the dining hall. He arrived as Dagran was leaving. His older brother had always preferred to do things his own way. They nodded to each other as they passed. Syrenne and his father were still at the table though.

"Hey Lowell!" Syrenne waved in her girly nature. "About time you showed up!"

He smiled at his sister and sat down next to his two family members. After a few moments of small talk, he brought up the topic to his father that he'd been meaning to for so long.

"Father…I met a woman."

His father stopped eating and swallowed. He gazed sternly at his son, "And?"

Lowell searched for the best words, "I…am in love with her."

His father sighed, "Commoner or noble?"

"Commoner."

His father sighed again, "Hmm, what's her name?"

"Her name is Calista," Lowell said in a pleading undertone.

His father then suddenly smiled, "You must know I'm not like those other nobles, boy. It'll be a pain in the ass, but I think it could work out."

"You're serious?!" Lowell nearly shouted. When his father nodded, he got up and hugged his sister in happiness.

"You knew as well?" his father said with a hint of surprise towards Syrenne. "I should have guessed."

Lowell couldn't contain his excitement. He was going to get married to the woman he loved! If only it weren't so late at night, so that he could go tell her now!

Lowell stirred in his bed. His trained ears could hear something out of his window. He got up with a yawn. When he was halfway out of his bed did he realize it was still night. And there was light coming from outside his window.

Lowell slipped on his clothes from the other day and grabbed his knife. He opened his door of his room.

An arrow struck his door.

Lowell hit the ground out of pure reflex. He quickly looked around to see where his assailant was. He saw an archer a several yards away. And a sword sliced his head off. Commander Zael stood with a bloody sword in his hands.

"C'mon! We're under attack! We got to move!" Zael roared.

Lowell scrambled to his feet. "Where's the rest of my family?"

Zael winced, "I've been assigned to your protection, there are people protecting the rest of your family."

"Find them and save them. I know my way out of the secret passageway," Lowell ordered.

"Yes sir," Zael complied and ran off to elsewhere.

Lowell snuck down two floors through the intruders to get to the musty secret passage.

After twenty minutes of feeling his way in the dark through the passage, he made it to the outside.

And it was horrible.

Everything was on fire. Civilians were being cut down on sight. Women, children, anyone and everyone weren't spared. Corpses were everywhere.

Lowell nearly threw up, but he knew he had to get to Calista! He had to protect her!

He fought his way through the back alleyways of the city to get to the tavern. Thankfully, it wasn't on fire. Yet.

He cautiously made his way into the building. He felt dread as he saw the corpses of the barman and barmaids. He hurriedly looked around and found something he never expected to find.

His master was on the staircase. Astar lay dead with a sword in his heart. Scattered around him were corpses of the men who had probably attacked him.

"No! Nononono!" Lowell cried out. His master…one of his only friends. Dead!? It wasn't possible.

But the body in front of him didn't lie…his master…his teacher….was dead.

"Calista!" Lowell yelled. He had forgotten in the midst of seeing his master dead. He needed to find her now, more than ever. Lowell ran up the staircase to the second floor.

And he found her. "Calista!" Lowell yelled in joy.

He slid down by her. She was leaning against a support beam for the tavern. A knife in her gut.

"NO!" Lowell screamed in horror.

"Lo…well?" Calista whispered.

"Calista! I'm here!" he shouted. He felt around on his body for an elixir.

He didn't have one.

"Don't…worry about me," she coughed up some blood.

"Calista! You can make it through! My father agreed, we can get married! We can grow old together Calista. Just like we always dreamed. We swore we'd be together forever Calista! I love you, don't leave me!" Lowell cried.

"I'm glad…that my short life…was spent with you," Calista whispered. He head fell limp.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!" Lowell yelled.

Someone fell from the weakened roof into the room Lowell was in. With his hate and fury, Lowell leapt at him. The man with black hair and a purple cloak barely defended himself. "I'm not with them!" he shouted. "I'm not Valmese, I'm Ylissean!"

Lowell snorted and bashed his head with his knife. He was about to silence him when he heard a voice calling his name.

He turned to see Commander Zael walk up the stairs with Syrenne in his arms.

He ran toward him, "Is she alright? Is she dead?"

Zael shook his head, "Unconcious. But the same could not be true for your father. Walhart cut him down personally. I was unable to locate Dagran. I have failed you." He bowed his head to submit himself to Lowell's judgment.

"Don't worry Zael…I wasn't quick enough either," Lowell gestured to Calista's body. Zael's eyes widened considerably.

"But at least my sister is well," Lowell said with a twinge of happiness.

"Who was that man you just knocked down?" Zael said curiously.

"A liar, said he was Ylissean. I'm going to kill him now," Lowell said hatefully.

"Wait! Let's see if he can tell us anything first," Zael said urgently.

Lowell growled, but nodded. He bent over the man and shook him awake, "Name. Rank. Now."

The man took a moment to get focused, "I am Vincent, Spymaster of Ylisse."