Hey guys! Here's the latest Chapter, I hope you all like it! Its my first attempt at action scenes, and I don't like them much, but I won't omit them from the story. I apologize if it isn't too good, and feel free to leave a review to give me tips on how to improve, ok? Enjoy!
Chapter 5: First Blood
Chrom, Frederick and Lissa ashed into the Town Square's southwest corner, observing the damage the brigands had inflicted. There were several Myrmidons and Barbarians, and towards the Town Clock tower, there was a large man with red tattoos on his cheeks issuing orders. The few mages that were scattered about cast fire magic on other parts of the town, spreading the fire further.
"Chrom! We have to stop them!" Lissa shouted.
"Don't worry, Lissa. After today, these brigands won't be bothering anyone ever again…" Chrom replied, a grim look crossing his face.
At that moment, Robin appeared behind Frederick and called "Wait!"
As Robin approached, Chrom started to grow suspicious. "Robin! You followed us?! Why?!" He said forcefully. Drawing his sword, he raised it in a defensive position, as if expecting an attack from Robin.
"I'm armed, and I know my way around a battle. I want to help, if you'll have me." Robin replied calmly.
"Right. Of course." Chrom replied awkwardly. Lowering his sword, he continued, "Just stay close to us, all right?"
"Remember, Robin, these are practiced thieves and murderers." Frederick interjected. "They will not hesitate to cut you down if you permit them. Do not give them that chance!"
"Right." Robin replied.
"Ready, everyone? OK, Let's go!" Chrom said.
"Hold on! Listen, it would be bad if we got cut off or surrounded out there, we're outnumbered. We should travel in pairs, and hug the walls of those buildings and the riverbank so we don't get overwhelmed." Robin said hastily.
"And who are you to be giving us orders?" Frederick asked suspiciously.
"Frederick! We don't have time to question him! As crazy as it seems, I think that plan is our best and fastest shot at finishing this." Chrom said angrily.
"Thanks, Chrom. You and Frederick head north until you hit the riverbank, then proceed along it until you get to the bridge. Lissa and i will head east and we'll meet you there. Let's go!"
As Robin moved forward, he pulled out his Thunder tome and fired a few shots into the center of the square. Three Barbarians fell on impact and a fourth was blasted into a wall and did not get up again.
"Holy wow, Robin! You can use magic!?" Lissa exclaimed.
"Heh. I guess so." Robin replied. "I felt this tome in my coat when i was following you, and I-"
A sudden movement drew Robin's eye behind Lissa.
"Drop!" Robin commanded forcefully. Obeying instantly, Lissa ducked as Robin extended his right hand and hurled a ball of lightning right where her head had just been.
An enemy Myrmidon had crept up behind Lissa and taken a great slash at her back, but she avoided the strike and a moment later, the spell caught him in the chest, stunning him. A moment later, Robin opened the man's chest with a great upwards slash from his Bronze Sword.
"You all right?" Robin asked.
"Yeah, thanks to you!" Lissa replied with a grin.
"Good, the let's keep moving. We need to catch up to Chrom and Frederick."
As Robin and Lissa got to the designated rendezvous point, Lissa looked beyond the bridge and saw Chrom viciously battling the presumed leader of the band of brigands. This one seemed to match Chrom in physical strength, and both men were covered in small cuts from the other's weapon.
"Robin, look! There's Chrom!" Lissa said excitedly.
"Come on, we have to help him!" Robin said, dashing across the bridge. "Chrom! Get back!" he called.
Chrom jumped back, avoiding the man's axe and feeling a magical warmth around himself. A moment after the healing magic had taken effect, another spell sailed over Chrom's shoulder and struck the brigand in the face. Taking the opportunity, Chrom dashed in again and decapitated the man.
"Heh. That's the end of him." Chrom smirked as he wiped Falchion on the man's garment before returning it to it's sheath.
"Milord. The other brigands seem to have fled." Frederick remarked.
"Good. It seems as if this town won't be seeing any more bandit problems for a while." Chrom replied. Turning to address Robin, he said "That was some excellent work, Robin. Things would have been much worse without you."
"I'll say!" Lissa said. "Swords, sorcery AND tactics! Is there anything you can't do, Robin!?"
"You flatter me," Robin said, blushing slightly. "I'm just happy to have been of service."
"You certainly were, Robin. We thank you for that." Chrom added.
"Beg pardon, milord, but did you notice? Those brigands were speaking with a Plegian accent." Frederick interjected.
"Plegian? What's that?" Robin asked quizzically.
"Plegia is Ylisse's westerly neighbor. They've been sending small bands of brigands into our territory, hoping to instigate a war." Chrom answered grimly.
"War? What would they hope to gain from that?" Robin presed.
"I'll explain when we get back to Ylisstol. We should return there soon. Frederick?"
"I'll prepare what supplie we have for travel, milord"
"Good. We should travel a good distance before nightfall. We should reach the capital by noon tomorrow."