Disclaimer: I do not own anything Fire Emblem
July 23rd, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Royal Palace
Kaylins head thunked onto the table she is sitting at, her arms stretched out in front of her on it. Across from her sits the Exalt of Ylisse, Emmeryn Enlyes, her benefactor. Garbed in her Royal robe and dress, her hair pulled forward over her shoulders, the older woman gives off an air of serenity.
"Come now Kaylin," she hears Emmeryn chide her. "It's not that bad."
"Not that bad," she mimics her tone flat. Here she looks up, grabbing one of the three forks with her right hand. "What exactly is the point of having not two, but three?! Different forks when you eat!" She waves the hand holding the fork haphazardly.
"That is a Salad Fork, used for eating Salads," Emmeryn responds. Kaylin groans at this, thunking her forehead against the table again. "The other two are a Fruit fork, for eating fruit or appetizers, and the classic Table Fork, used with most regular meals."
"How often are these actually used?" she sighs.
"State dinners are the most common occurrences," Emmeryn tells her. "Then there are the times when we have visiting diplomats, various parties or events, the occasional birthday."
She raised her head, her eyes wide with horror as she looks at Emmeryn. "Surely you can't mean for me to attend any of those!"
"I do," Emmeryn nodded her lips quirked. "As your guardian, and your benefactor, it behooves me to see you educated in the finer etiquettes of life."
"Gods," she muttered.
"It's not that bad," Emmeryn laughed. "You are a quick study. It took Chrom half a year to get to where you are."
"Chrom had these same lessons?" she raised a brow.
"Both him and Lissa," Emmeryn nodded. "They are the Prince and Princess of Ylisse after all. It would not do for them to be uncouth during one of the many aforementioned gatherings."
"I just can't see Chrom staying awake during the lessons," she smiled.
Emmeryn laughed at this. "Many times he did not," her voice is laced with humor. "He was almost as bad in them as he is during the council sessions."
She giggled at this, imagining the blue haired boy snoring away. He is better suited for the field right now. She shook away the thoughts focusing back on the situation. She looked back at the spread of utensils in front of her.
"Ok." She nodded. Pointing her Index finger at the left end, she began. "That is the Table Fork, Salad Fork, and Fruit Fork." She moved her finger to hover over the longest Knife in a trio of three. "This is a Dinner Knife, use in all meals to cut and push food." Her finger moves to the Knife with a sharp tip and serrated edge. "This is a Steak Knife, used for cutting thick portions of meat." She moves on to the last one. "This is a Fruit Knife. The pointed tip and flat blade make it ideal for cutting and peeling fruit."
"Good," Emmeryn nodded, drinking from her tea cup.
Kaylin moved to the set of spoons. "Here we have the normal Table spoon, used for Minestrone, Soup and Rice. The second spoon is a Fruit spoon, used with either a Fruit Knife or Fork when eating Fruit or Appetizers." She moved on to the last one. "This long handled one is a Long Drink Spoon, used for stirring Long drinks, Cocktails or any drink served in a tall glass."
Emmeryn smiled at her, and she could not help but feel a stirring of pride at that. She had been working hard to finish her lessons. While she would readily admit she did not enjoy the intricacies of the upper echelons of High Society, she knew Emmeryn wanted her knowledgeable in them, and she would be damned if she let the older woman down.
"That concludes everything to do with Table manners and Dinnerware," Kaylin nodded at her. "Tomorrow we will begin on the early histories of Ylisse, Plegia and Regna Ferox."
She groaned at this, knowing that she would get a headache from such a history lesson. Emmeryns dry tone broke her train of thought. "Or you could use the hour and join Frederick for his exercise regime."
She shuddered, waving her hands in front of her frantically. "Naga no! I want nothing to do with Frederick's Fanatical Fitness Hour again this week." She pointed to her left arm. "I am still sore from yesterday's hour."
"Then I expect you to look forward to the history lesson," Emmeryn drawled.
She nodded her head quickly. "I will be here, I promise!" She couldn't help but smile at how easily Emmeryn had roped her into the lessons. Just under two months living in the Palace with the Royal Family and she was already being groomed by the Exalt.
"If I can ask?" she ventured as she stood up and walked out of the room, her left arm linked with Emmeryns right. When the Exalt looked down at her with a raised brow she continued. "What exactly is the long term goal here?"
"What do you mean?" Emmeryns head tilted with confusion.
"I understand the need for these lessons, and the training with Chrom, Miriel and Frederick." She looked forward as they ascended a staircase. "After all of that. What's going to happen to me?"
"That, my dear," Emmeryn placed her free hand on her linked arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "That is entirely up to you. I will admit I hope you choose to stay on here in one capacity or another."
"One capacity or another?" now she was the confused one.
"There is a whole world for you to explore Kaylin," Emmeryn smiled down at her as they turned a corner into the hallway leading to the Throne Room. Phila fell in behind them, replacing the young Pegasus Knight that had been shadowing the Exalt. "You can go out into the world and do anything, but I would be happy to see you take up a position either in the Royal Palace or the Shepherds."
"Me, in the Shepherds?" her eyes widened at this. She had not given much thought to what she would do with her life. Being in the palace, a place of warmth where food and safety were readily available still took some getting used to. The fact that Emmeryn, Lissa and Chrom had shown that they care for her in a way no one except her mother had before had her loathe to think of leaving.
"You are a Water Mage," Emmeryn told her, her tone serious. "That alone makes you a target. Here with the Shepherds you can receive training not only in Magic to help you control your ability, but also in other weapons, so that when you can't, or won't, use said magic, you will not be defenseless."
"You're expecting them to try for me soon aren't you?" her voice fell soft at this, memories of her time in the Grimleal's captivity floating to the forefront of her mind. She could still feel the burning stripes of agony on her back; hear the crack of the whip.
"I would be lying to you if I said no," Emmeryn responded, her head shaking in unison. "The Water Magic alone makes you very valuable in the eyes of those who would wish to use you as a weapon," the Exalt said sadly. "That mark on your chest however," at this she tapped a finger to her chest, right where the mark is located under the blue silk shirt she is wearing. "That mark is something else entirely. It's completely natural, and as such, many will view it as a statement that you are of the Exalted Bloodline."
"I'm not though," she shook her head.
"The people who would use you for their own ends wouldn't care," Emmeryn responded. "To them that mark means a chance to oust myself and my siblings while placing in a figurehead that they would control."
"Doesn't that make me dangerous to you three?" she asked fearfully. She couldn't help but think that such a thing was very, very bad.
"Two of the councilors have made such arguments," Emmeryn nodded. "I however, along with Chrom and Lissa, do not care." She looked up at Emmeryn at this as they stopped in front of the two large doors leading to the Throne room. "You are Family, Brand of the Exalt or not."
"And Family sticks together," she finished for the Exalt as the doors swung open, a Knight holding each door open.
"Precisely," Emmeryn beamed down at her. Again she felt her pride swell at the compliment. She walked arm in arm with the Exalt down the length of the room, noting the men and women gathered off to one side. Parishioners, bringing their worries to their Exalt. She let go of Emmeryns arm and joined Lissa where she stood next to Emmeryns Throne. How does she find the time to do everything that she does? Or the Patience?
Lissa linked her right arm through her left, leaning in to speak. "I finally got those ribbons and clasps for your hair," she said quietly. "Now we can get it set up properly."
"What's wrong with my hair as it is?" she asked the older girl defensively. Her hair was one of the things she prized. Mom always did like brushing it. A memory of soft hands running a comb through her hair rose, but that was all she could truly remember of her mother. Her other memories of her where clouded with fog. She had died much too soon.
Lissa's response broke her from the somber thoughts. "Nothing at all, but you just have so much of it!" the blond explained. "A braid or two, and clasps at the end to help separate strands of it will add panache."
"So what you are saying is I have poor style choices," she commented dryly.
"Hey, you said it, not me," Lissa giggled. She just sighed at the other girl, shaking her head. She knew she would have to go along with it, when Lissa got an idea into her head, it was impossible to get it out. She's right anyway. This is a new chapter to my life, might as well make some changes. When Lissa's eyes gleamed with a familiar light though, she knew she had to stamp that particular thought out.
"We are NOT cutting my hair," she said, her tone serious.
"Just a foot or two!" Lissa exclaimed. "Shorten it just a bit and it would open up so many wardrobe choices!"
"Oh I see how it is," she chided the girl good-naturedly. "Chop off my hair and use it as an excuse to go buy some dresses."
Lissa pouted at her, knowing she had seen right through her plan. "Madam Flores promised me a new dress free of charge if I could get you to shorten your hair for her fall dress styles."
"My hair is not a bargaining chip Lissa," she laughed. "It's taken me sixteen years to grow it to this length. I am just happy those Grimleal bastards didn't cut it off when they grabbed me."
"Well phooey," Lissa pouted playfully.
"However," she rolled her eyes, knowing the other girl had her right where she wanted her. How Lissa always got her way with her, she would never know. "If you want, we can go down to Madam Flores shop tomorrow to try out some of her dresses."
"Yippie!" the blond hugged her from the side happily. She returned the hug, still amazed that her fortunes had turned so much.
The man in a Seneschals outfit, a knee length black and gold coat, black shirt and trousers, calf length black boots and bearing a blue crystal topped staff walked forward in front of the throne. He banged the rounded end of the staff into the floor twice, signaling for silence.
"Her Highness, Exalt Emmeryn will now hear from the Parishioners." He brought up a wooden board on which many papers were clipped to it. "First to present is Mr. Huckthorn of Blue Lark Lane, Market District, Ylisstol." At the Seneschals gesture, a portly man in a worn brown coat and brown trousers, cracked brown boots stepped forward. He bowed to Emmeryn before he spoke.
"Highness, I would like to bring to your attention a problem that myself and other vendors have been having over the past weeks." At Emmeryns nod the man continued. "Starting three weeks ago a group of men and women, garbed in black leather armor trimmed with red, all armed, have begun to demand 'protection' money from those of us on Blue Lark Lane, and our neighbors on Garden Street and Stokan Row."
"You have proof of these claims?" Emmeryn asked, her eyes narrowed. At this the Seneschal turned to the Exalt.
"They do Your Grace," the man nodded. He unclipped two papers and handed them to Emmeryn. She perused the documents quickly before handing them back.
"Have you an Idea where these 'Ravens' have set up shop?" Emmeryn asked the man.
"Indeed Highness," the man nodded. "They have made it no secret where they languish when not harassing the good folk of this city."
"Very well," Emmeryn nodded. "Once these proceedings are done, speak to the Seneschal. He will grant you a writ to take to Captain Fain of the City Guard. The Guard will remove these 'Ravens'."
"Thank you Highness," the man bowed before retreating to a small roped off section at the Seneschals direction.
"Next is the Lady Janet Kimmons," the Seneschal signaled the next woman to approach. "A Minor Noble of the House Amonthe."
Kimmons, she thought to herself, eyes narrowed at the Lady that approached. Where have I heard that name before? At Emmeryns gesture the Lady began to speak.
"Your Grace," Kimmons started her tone high and haughty. She instantly disliked the woman. "I have been sent from the town of Acada, in the northern section of my Uncle Stratus Amonthe's lands."
Her eyes snapped open wide at this, remembering the town she lived with her mother in. Flashes of playing in the small stream behind their house, walking through the town center during the day, her mother reading to her at night ran roughshod over her vision. Apparently Lissa noticed her tensing cause the other girl squeezed her arm, the silent question of what brought the reaction on evident on her face when she looked at her friend. She shook her head slightly, turning back to the conversation.
"Is something amiss with the town Lady Kimmons?" Emmeryn asked.
"Indeed Highness," the Lady nodded. "As of late, the town has been inundated with peasants who have no place to stay or work. They have been the cause of many a commotion this past fortnight."
"Explain," Emmeryn frowned.
"Earlier this year, floods and mudslides wiped out many a Farm and Plantations during the spring season once the winter snows melted. This has left many of my Uncles subjects jobless, as well as homeless. We have begun rebuilding, but there is only so much we can do. While we have returned a fair number back to where they belong, there are just as many of these lowborn fools who refuse to see reason."
She bristled at the lowborn comment. Oh how she wanted to let into the woman for that. She remembered what her mother had told her of the 'Great Lord Amonthe.'
"Have they given a reason for their desire to not return to their respective homes and jobs?" She could tell Emmeryn was annoyed with the woman. When she becomes annoyed she has a tendency to shift her right foot. Which she was doing so subtly right now.
"Some garbage about a child born to the town with a connection to the Great Dragon Naga," the woman waved her hand in dismissal. What? She thought as she tensed up yet again. This time Lissa looked at her, her eyes showing she understood. Has news of my Magic spread so far so quickly?
"Truly?" Emmeryn commented doubtfully.
"Yes," Kimmons nodded. "They are using these preposterous claims as a means to leech off of my Uncles subjects. They take up what available rooms they can, they do not pay for anything, and they are exceptionally rude to those who are their betters." Kimmons shakes her head at this. "Why they even accosted the guards sent to move them from the town."
"Well we can't have that," Emmeryn stated leaning forward. She turned to her sister. "Lissa, inform your brother that he is to take the Shepherds to Acada immediately. I want a full investigation and accounting of what is transpiring there. Check the lands that have been damaged by the spring melt as well. I would like to know what is needed to contribute to get those lands workable again."
"Tha-That is not necessary Your Grace," Kimmons stammered her posture stiff and eyes wide. "Only a few trained Soldiers would more than suffice to remove the rabble rousers from Acada."
"Nonsense Lady Kimmons," Emmeryn dismissed her statement. "This is what the Shepherds were created for. They can help out the citizens of Ylisse while freeing up the military units for more dire situations." At this Emmeryn smiled, and she truly hoped she would never be on the receiving end of such a steel covered visage from the woman. "My brother will get to the bottom of this problem. In the meantime, I suggest that you stay here in the palace in the guest wing while awaiting word that it is safe to return to Acada. It would not due to have these…rabble rousers harm one of Ylisse's Nobles."
The woman's breathe hitched at this and her fists clenched, but Emmeryn had backed her into a corner. She only nodded at this before a Knight came forward to escort her to her new accommodations at the Exalts behest. She grinned at the woman as she was led away, marveling at how easily Emmeryn had trapped the Noble.
The rest of the afternoon went by uneventfully. While she was not bored, she found her mind wandering to the training sessions that Miriel had been having her do. Every day they would spend two hours in the Shepherds Training yard learning her Magic. While she practiced, Miriel would take notes on everything. When she had asked why, Miriel had simply stated 'Water Mages are one every few hundred years. Any information I can glean from you can help future Mages from becoming casualties of their own Magic'.
Unable to argue with such Logic, she acquiesced to the older Mages demands. Miriel did not push her hard by any means, but she did insist on learning where her limits were in regard to how long she could hold the Magic, and how much she could do. Once that had been established, she began to have her use her Magic to perform attacks. Turns out water can be a rather powerful weapon when sent flying fast enough and formed into certain shapes.
Her second training involved physical fitness with Frederick to pack some muscle onto her 5'1 frame. A single hour was dedicated to building up her reflexes. She had asked Frederick why they would work on her reflexes and not her strength and his response had surprised her. 'You are short and weigh very little Kaylin' the Great Knight told her in that matter-of-fact tone of his. 'You're stature ensures you will never be as physically strong as most men and many women. It is better to work on your speed and reflexes. With those honed, you will be able to outpace and outlast those that rely on strength.' Frederick also demanded that she attend one of his Fanatical Fitness Hours a week.
Bastard, she thought at this. As if I don't have enough going on, I have to get pummeled into the ground by his sheer oppressive routine every week. She couldn't deny the results however. While she may have to crawl into bed after those hours, she was steadily gaining her form back. The great food and infinite amounts of it also helped. Her ribs were no long visible when she looked in a mirror.
Her third Training regimen consisted of working with Chrom and Lissa in Hand to Hand combat and Quarter-staffs. Lissa was surprisingly good in close combat. The blond puts Kaylin on her ass more times the she can remember every day. Weapons wise however, she only shows skill with Staves.
Chrom promised to get her a custom Staff, which according to him is still being forged properly, but has been training her using Quarter-staffs in the meantime. She enjoyed these sessions much more then she should have though. Training with Chrom is always interesting. They alternated what weapons she trained against every-day to give her broad spectrum knowledge, at least according to the Prince. She secretly thought he just enjoyed beating her with every weapon.
Drawing her attention back to the going-ons in the Throne room, she noticed that the Parishioners were all gone, the Seneschal and Lissa with them. Emmeryn sat on the throne, her chin in a palm in thought.
"What do you think of Lady Kimmon's claims Kaylin?" The Exalt asked her.
"Total Bullshit," she responded. When Emmeryn turned to her with a brow raised she explained.
"I don't remember much about living in Acada with my mom, but what I do was always shadowed by the fact that Lord Amonthe is a Bastard." Phila tsked at her use of language but she ignored the Guard Captain. "Amonthe always kept the people down. Everyone, my mother included, was afraid of angering him. When I was traveling with my Foster Father, we returned to the town maybe three times. Every time it was the same. Destitute people struggling to survive while the Lord lived fat and happy."
"Your thoughts on the destroyed Farms and Plantations?" Emmeryn asked her.
"Most Likely true," She grudgingly nodded. "The yearly melt up north in that area is always strong."
"The claims of this child connected to Naga?" Emmeryns tone was curious, but her eyes told her to choose her words carefully. Phila was not in the know yet about her Brand.
"Rumors and speculation used for that very reason. Makes it difficult to prove, and very easy to disprove," she mused. "It gives the Nobles ample room to maneuver against the commoners while leaving plenty of deniability should it blow up in their face."
Emmeryn smiled widely at her, and she couldn't help keep the return smile off her face. "You are learning very fast," the Exalts happy tone is contagious. Emmeryn stood up and motioned for her and Phila to follow her. She led the two of them through a series of doors into a small seating area. Emmeryn sat in a plush chair while she took a seat on the couch next to her. Phila parked herself outside of the door.
"I am pleased you were able to read so far into Lady Kimmon's motives."
"At first I wasn't able to," she shook her head. "However, she screwed up when she mention a rumor of such a child. Once that was out in the open, everything just fell into place."
"Very pleased," Emmeryn murmured. She had a waiting servant bring some hot Blue Star Tea while they chatted about her studies.
She had never thought herself a Tea drinker, but once Emmeryn had introduced her to the dozens of different choices, she found herself hooked. Blue Star Tea was her favorite, as Emmeryn well knew.
"Do you wish to accompany Chrom and the Shepherds on this trip to Acada?" Emmeryn asked her.
"No," she frowned. "What I can remember of that place is hazy. I have a few good memories of my mother there; I would rather not ruin them by returning while Acada is in such a state."
"Is that the only reason?" Emmeryn asked her.
"No, it's not," she said slowly. "If there is even a chance that that rumor is true, it could very well be a trap. My presence there in this matter would only complicate things."
"Exactly what I was thinking," the Exalt nodded, sipping her tea. "Since the Shepherds will be gone for a bit, and taking Frederick with them, I was wondering if you would like to train with me in their absence."
"Really?" she couldn't keep the anticipation out of her tone.
Emmeryn raised a brow at her. "Eager to get a few hits on me with that staff of yours are you?"
"I have not had much training against swords," she admitted. "Chrom switches weapons every day so that I have a basic understanding of everything.
"A Jack of all trades is a master of none," Emmeryn quoted. "Well in that case, we shall have to see if I can find the time to include a few training sessions a week with you."
"Where do you find the time for everything?" her question mirrored her earlier thoughts.
"It's called delegation," Emmeryn laughed. "A good ruler knows that they cannot run things alone. You have to rely on others otherwise you will get nothing done."
"Sounds like something Chrom should learn," her dry tone got a chuckle out of Emmeryn. "He tries to do everything himself."
"Oh he will learn in time," Emmeryn smiled. "It is why I assigned Frederick to the Shepherds. He makes an excellent second in command."
"Funny, I thought you assigned him to torture us all with his Fanatical Fitness Hours," she drawled.
Emmeryn laughed loudly at this. "Oh no, I'm not that cruel," her shoulders shook with laughter.
"I have been meaning to ask you if it is alright if I see the texts that the Library has on Water Mages," she changed the subject.
Emmeryns demeanor instantly turned serious. "If you wish it then yes, but there is very little, and none of them have happy endings."
"I need to know," she said quietly. "Any accountings may help me survive." She met Emmeryns gaze, seeing here grey-green eyes soften.
"I will have them brought to your room," Emmeryn told her. The conversation petered off at this, leaving an uncomfortable silence. Fidgeting in her seat, she finished her tea quickly, excusing herself.
She rushed out of the room, ignoring Phila's question of if everything was alright. Not paying attention to where she is walking, she blinked and found herself in front of the statue of Naga in the Palace's Chapel a short time later. Not wanting to attract attention, she sat down in one of the furthest pews, staring at the statue of the Goddess.
Why me? She had been asking that question ever since she got the Magic, but now that she was actually in front of an icon of Naga, she felt foolish for expecting an answer. She brought her knees up to her chin, still staring at the statue, hoping that somehow, she would get an answer, a clue, anything that would help her. All she got was silence.
July 27th, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Royal Palace, Shepherds Training Yard
The thwack of wood against wood reverberated through the courtyard as the two women sparring attacked one another. The taller woman, clothed in rough brown leathers and bearing a one handed wooden sword, faced off against a shorter woman in similar dress, only she bore a quarter-staff. The sound of creaking wood sounded out again as the two weapons met.
"You're letting me get to close," Emmeryn told Kaylin.
"Kinda hard to stop you when I don't have a tenth of your skill," she responded, her breathing slightly labored. They had been sparring for the last hour, trading blows. Ok, not so much trading blows as taking them with a lucky shot or two on her. Naga she's good.
"Shall I go easy on you then," Emmeryns brow rose in question.
"Nope," she shook her head emphatically. "I won't learn anything if you pull your punches."
"Learn by practical application it is then," The Exalt nodded, falling into an aggressive stance. Next thing she knew, Emmeryn had closed the ten feet between them, swinging her sword at her head. She slid her right hand down the haft of the staff, swinging it to catch the blow. Emmeryns sword clacked against the wood, and she used this momentum to spring back a step before launching a thrust at her middle.
She brought the staff down on the blade, knocking its blade toward the ground. Seeing an opening, she used the staff's greater range to stab at Emmeryns middle. Instead of connection, Emmeryn twisted to the left, letting the staff bypass her and stepping into her space. Emmeryns sword connected with her right shoulder when she turned to absorb the blow, the stinging sensation getting a curse out of her.
"The staff's greater reach is only useful so long as you're enemy cannot close the distance," Emmeryn said, spinning around and landing a blow on her back. She spun herself, drawing the staff in to her while swinging it at waist height. Emmeryn met this with her sword, shifting to her right to meet the follow through of the other end of her staff aimed at Emmeryns head.
"You are going for killing blows," Emmeryn tsked at her. "Focus on incapacitating your enemy, not killing them." To prove her point, Emmeryn stepped inside the range of the staff, rapping her right hands fingers. Cursing, she instinctively let the staff go. Emmeryn used this to ground the tip into the ground, smacking her left hand quickly, forcing her to drop the staff.
"See?" Emmeryn grinned. "In three quick moves, I disarmed you."
Panting, she took in air before responding. "So I should focus on hands and other exposed body parts?"
"Yes," Emmeryn nodded. "Hands if the enemy is not wearing gauntlets. Elbows, knees, armpits, neck. Anything that is exposed. You have speed on your side, and because you are small, you present a smaller profile for attack." She walked over to the weapons rack they got the weapons from, placing her sword back in its slot.
Those will be bruised tomorrow, she flexed her fingers. Half her body felt soar from where Emmeryn landed blows. "Gods I'm sore," she sighed.
"It'll get better," Emmeryn patted her shoulder.
"That's what Frederick said about his Fanatical Fitness Hour," she said flatly. "He lied."
Emmeryn laughed at this, herding her back into the palace. The Exalt led her back to their rooms. She was still staying in the guest room connected to Emmeryns own. After a lengthy bath the two of them were sitting in the antechamber with Lissa. Said girl had finally gotten her to cave and let Lissa at her hair.
"There," Lissa said after a short while, fastening the last golden clasp. "Go take a look." At her direction, she got up and walked over to the full length mirror in place on the right wall. The reflection showed that Lissa had braided part of her hair on her right side, running a dark blue ribbon throughout it. While that braid rested over her right shoulder, she noticed the two golden clasps on either side of her waist. They separated her sky blue pink streaked hair into three parts, the two bound parts flaring out from the clasps.
"I have to admit Lissa," she said, looking over her shoulder into the mirror to view the back, "You do know what you are doing."
"Of course I do," Lissa chirped. "I am a Princess."
"Right," she rolled her eyes, walking back over to the other two. "Any word from Chrom?"
"Only that they arrived and the Snow melt had indeed caused a lot of damage," Emmeryn told her. "Supplies to rebuild what was destroyed are already en-route."
"That must have cost a lot," she blinked.
"The funds from liquidating the Hammond assets covered it," Emmeryn explained. "Turns out they were hoarding quite a bit of treasure. After selling most of it off, the Royal Coffers are actually in the black for the first time in years," the Exalt nodded.
"At least some good came from those monsters," she said. She saw the look exchanged between the two sisters. "Anyways," desperate to change the subject, she grabbed onto the first topic she thought of. "Lissa, were you not supposed to go into the city this afternoon?"
"Yes," the blond nodded, letting the discussion change.
"Well then, I will get back to my studies," she said standing up. She nodded to Emmeryn in parting, leaving for the Library quickly.
Emmeryn watched sadly as Kaylin left hurriedly, knowing that excuse to study was a ploy to avoid talking about her time in captivity.
"The nightmares still plague her don't they," her younger sister stated.
"They do," she nodded. Turning to see sadness written across Lissa's face. "She tries to hide it, but I hear her crying herself to sleep almost every night."
"Is there nothing we can do?" her sister asked, tone frustrated.
"She needs time," Emmeryn soothed. "We cannot force this from her. That would only drive her away."
"She can't keep it bottled up either!" Lissa's fist clenched.
"She won't," Emmeryn laid a hand on Lissa's arm. "When she is ready, she will come to us."
A sigh escaped Lissa's lips, the young girl deflating in her chair. She nodded quietly before excusing herself. After she was gone, Emmeryn waited a few minutes herself before leaving. She found herself in the Palace Chapel, praying at the statue to Naga for guidance.
September 14th, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Ryoro Forge Works, Steelworks District
"Are you going to tell me why we are here Chrom?" Kaylin asked. She was becoming increasingly annoyed with the Prince. First he drags me away from training all the way out here and then he won't even tell me why. Ugh.
"It's a surprise," the Prince responded, flashing her a grin over his shoulder.
"The last 'surprise' someone had for me involved fish in the bath," she stated flatly.
Chrom laughed loudly at this. "That was all Lissa Kaylin," Chrom's shoulders shook. "Naga you screamed so loudly."
She punched his uncovered shoulder, getting another laugh. "We both know that you helped her get those fish."
"You can prove nothing," he grinned. He laughed again at the glare she shot him, leading her into the Smithing shop. Inside the walls are lined with weapons of every metal, from swords to lances.
"This Ryoro does a lot of work I take it?" she asked, surveying the inventory.
"That I do young miss," a man's deep baritone came from behind a wooden counter at the back of the shop. As Chrom led her over, she got a good look at the Smith. Standing taller than Chrom and wearing a Smiths apron, the man looked like a muscle corded barbarian. Wild brown hair falls to thick shoulders, his arms the size of tree trunks. Not an ounce of fat showing on his chest, his barrel-sized legs are covered by brown trousers, which themselves are protected by soot stained leathers.
Blinking at the site, she shakes her head and refocuses on the conversation. "You're package is ready Prince Chrom," the man smiled. "I can have it sent to the Palace at your behest."
"No need," Chrom held up a hand. "The person it is intended for is the young lady with me," he explained, gesturing to her.
"Is this the staff you said you were having made for me Chrom?" she asked intrigued.
"Ah, so you are the young miss," the Smith said looking her over with a critical eye. "I see why you asked for the inlays in such colors," he returned back to Chrom. Raising a brow at this, she herself turned to Chrom. "Inlays?"
"Come," the Smith beckoned them towards a back room. Upon entering, she noticed many crates of varying sizes. "Each of these contains completed works to be sent out," the Smith noticed her glances. "This one however," and here the Smith opened a slim crate standing against a wall, "needs not be sent out."
The Smith pulled out a Staff as tall as she was. The haft of the staff gleamed deep black, silver scroll work etched into the metal, twining around the staffs length. The bottom of the staff is tipped with a two inch round cap. The Head of the staff however is what truly drew her gaze.
Beautiful, she thought to herself. A single blue gem the size of her palm, a diamond upon closer inspection, sits ensconced in the center of a diamond shaped head half a foot long. The tip and edges of the diamond are rather sharp, showing it to be not only for show, but combat.
"It's gorgeous," she whispered, taking the staff when the Smith offered it to her. Running her hands over the haft, she traced the scroll work with a fingertip. "Does it mean anything?"
"It's the old Draconic tongue," Chrom informed her. "It means 'Those that guide the flow of life endure to protect it.'"
"I thought that was a dead language," she stated, running her hands over the gem in the staffs head carefully, lest she cut herself on the sharped edges.
"Lissa and I asked the Royal Scholars if they could write it out in Draconic. Turns out they could."
She turned to Chrom, a smile on her face. "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome," Chrom smiled in return. "Ryoro here spent a good amount of time finding the proper materials for the staff."
"Proper materials?" she asked the smith.
"Master Chrom told me about your gift," the Smith nodded. "He asked me to make the weapon from Metals that are naturally conducive to Magic. Took a while to find the Metal's and many more try's then I like to admit to smelt them properly, but the finished product should be quite safe to channel your Magic through."
She perked up at this opening her mouth to voice a question.
"Before you ask it, yes, I would be pleased if you would try it out here to make sure it works properly," Ryoro held his hand up.
She nodded at this, holding the staff at arm's length, both hands in the middle of the haft. Calling to her Magic, she felt the familiar soft prickle along her hands, as if her hair where standing on end. The blue glow flowed from her hands into the Staff, suffusing the dark metal with color. The scroll work glowed a vibrant blue while the haft took on an aura of the same color. Glancing up she saw the gemstone glowing brightly as if from an inner fire, the frame of the head glinting blue.
"Good, very good," the Smith mused, a hand tapping his chin in thought. "Spin the staff would you?"
At his direction, she spun the staff, the gemstone in the head leaving a bright blue stream of water behind. After a full circle was made, she stepped back, letting the Smith marvel at the Water Magic in the air.
"Now that is something to see," Ryoyo stated, running a hand through the Water slowly. After a minuet the Magic dissipated, leaving the smith looking at his hand. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the pair. "I trust that you are satisfied with the finished product?"
"Quite so!" she nodded quickly, still smiling. "I am curious though as to why it's not the size of a regular Quarter-staff." She directed this question to Chrom.
"A staff the length of you will be easier to handle then one a single foot or more taller then you are," the Prince explained. "While it shortens your reach a bit, you will not have to compensate for the extra reach, and it will be easier to wield."
"It's extremely lightweight," she said, hefting the staff in the hair.
"Designed that way young miss," the Smith said. "It is strong enough to turn blades, but light enough where it won't be a burden to you."
They spent the next half-hour going over the various Metals used in the Staffs construction. Once they left the shop and had turned onto the crowded street, she tapped Chrom lightly on the arm. "You did not have to go to such lengths to get me a simple weapon."
"I know," Chrom smiled at her. "You do need a weapon however, plus, this staff can serve the dual function of a Focus."
"Focus?" she questioned, her brows drawing down in thought as she went over her lessons with Miriel. "You mean like a Talisman?"
"Close to it yes," the Prince nodded as they passed through throngs of people. "Miriel informed me about the uses of such Talismans. It's why I had that gemstone placed in the staffs head."
"Where did you get it?" her gaze was drawn yet again to the egg sized diamond. "It must have cost a fortune."
"Didn't cost a single copper actually," he chuckled. "It's from the family treasury."
"What?!" she nearly shrieked. She glanced around quickly to see if anyone paid attention to them, but beyond the usual 'Milords" that the citizenry often gaze Chrom, no one was paying any extra mind to her.
"It is not a big deal," he smirked. "That particular gem has been sitting in the treasury gathering dust for centuries," his explanation came as he laid a hand on her left shoulder, gently steering her around a collapsed cart in the street. "Emmeryn is the one who suggested this particular gem when I brought the topic up with her."
"It's a Diamond though!" she whispered fiercely.
"It's a hunk of rock," the Prince countered. "That was not seeing any use sitting in the dark of a stuffy vault underground." At this she turned her head to him, boggled that anyone could think of something so valuable like that. "Also, it just happens to be blue, and diamonds are known to be great conductors for Magic. So naturally it was picked."
"You know, for Royals, you three sure don't act like them some times," she quipped.
"My dear Kaylin, that is quite possibly the kindest comment you have ever given me," the Prince said airily, a hand place over his heart. When he turned and winked at her, she couldn't help but giggle.
"Prince Chrom the Charmer," she smiled, leaning into the hand he still had placed on her shoulder. "Keep that up and you will be married off to some Nobles high-handed daughter."
Chrom visibly shuddered at this, getting a chuckle from her. "No thank-you," the Prince grumped. "When I marry, it will be for love, not for some political alliance."
"I never figured you for the Romantic type," she said looking at him.
"Many people don't figure me for many things," the Prince winked at her again. "I am quite full of surprises."
She just smiled at this, letting the Prince steer here through the streets. Once they exited the Steelworks district and passed through the First Wall, they were in the Noble's District called Uptown. Here the houses are manors of varying sizes, the cobblestone streets lined with stone pillared metal fences and trees adorned the pathways. Unlike some parts of the other districts located between the First and Second wall's, Especially Beggar's Vale, the streets were pristine and there is no underlying stench of unwashed bodies.
After a short fifteen minuet walk through Uptown, they found themselves walking through the Southern Gate into the Palace grounds. Nodding to the soldiers on duty that saluted them as they passed, Chrom noticed that she was slightly uncomfortable.
"Still not used to the salutes?" he asked her as they entered the main Atrium of the palace.
"It's just weird," she commented. "I'm not Royalty, yet everyone treats me as such."
"It's to be expected," Chrom shrugged. "Emmeryn is your guardian and benefactor. For all intents and purposes, you are a Princess now."
The Prince continued on a few feet before he noticed that she had stopped. He turned, chuckling at the sight of her jaw on the floor, her eyes wide. "Did Emmeryn or Lissa not explain that to you?"
"No, they did not!" she squeaked. Her mind was racing with the implications of what Chrom has just told her. "I'm not of the Exalted Bloodline though!"
"Yet you bear the Brand of the Exalt," Chrom pointed out, gently nudging her to get her moving again. They ascended flights of stairs to find themselves in the Grand Ball Room. As she looked around the room she had only been in a few times before, she noticed that Servants were busy furnishing and decorating it for some event to come.
"I was not born with it though," she hissed, a pair of passing servants nodded to them, their hands full of what looked to be crates of crystal goblets.
"Lissa was not born with a Brand either," Chrom pointed out. "Yet she is still of the Exalted line.
"That's different and you know it," she huffed. "Lissa is your sister. You three are the only living members of the Exalted Bloodline."
"That we know of," Chrom countered. "Ylisse has been around for over a thousand years," he continued as they exited the Grand Ball Room and entered a red carpeted hallway. "There have been many with the Exalted Blood flowing in them over the years that have chosen to forgo the life of Royalty or Nobility. A few even moved to other countries."
"Doesn't mean I am of Royal birth though," she shook her head. "My mother was a simple seamstress."
"What of your Father?" he asked her in return.
"I…I don't know," she answered quietly, looking down at the floor. "I never knew him. Mom always said that he died in the war against Plegia, nothing more."
"Well, there you go," Chrom nudged her with his shoulder. "You could be a long lost descendant of some ancestor that chose to break off from the Royal Line for whatever reason."
"Or I could simply be a seamstress's daughter," she poked him. "I have no intention of putting on airs."
"I know," Chrom nodded to her as they entered the east wing. It looked much more different then the first time she had seen it. Instead of the cloth draped statues and dust covered rugs, the walls and floors gleamed. Weapon racks adorned the walls at twenty foot intervals, paintings depicting grand battles on far flung fields took up the extra space. Pairs of guards stand at every adjoining corridor.
The Shepherds quarters took up much of the east wing. The rooms had been converted to training rooms, storage closets and barracks. Pegasii Knights, Cavaliers, soldiers and Knights now roomed in the east wing as well as the Shepherds themselves. Chrom had mentioned something about familiarity among the rank and file as to the reason why.
"Whether you see yourself as a Princess or not," Chrom added as they passed through the bustle towards the Shepherds own barracks. "Everyone else already sees you as such. They may not call you Princess yet, but I think it will not be that long before they do."
"It's not right!" she sputtered.
"What's not right?" Lissa's voice came from a trio of chairs around a table from the room they had just walked into. Sumia and Stahl sat with her.
"Kaylin here is just a little bothered by the fact that she is basically Royalty," Chrom shrugged.
"I am not Royalty!" she glared at Chrom.
"Not yet, no, but soon enough you will be," Lissa smiled at her.
"Um, what?" Kaylin's dumbfounded look got laughs from the three seated friends.
"Emmeryn is your guardian and benefactor Kaylin," Stahl explained. "If she was just your benefactor that would make you Nobility."
"But when she chose to become your guardian," Sumia continued, "She in essence adopted you."
"She never mentioned any of this!" she gasped.
"Because she knew how you would react," Lissa said gently. "She knows that you would not want something like this just thrust upon you."
"Thus the training," Chrom added in. "Eventually word of your Brand will spread, and when it does, you being a long lost descendant however many generations removed will help smooth over any…rumblings."
She just sank into a chair that Stahl pulled up to the table for her, her mind going in circles.
"I know it's a lot to take in," Lissa leaned forward, clasping her hands in the blonds own. "But it's for the best."
"How is it for the best?" she asked cautiously. "Won't it reflect badly on you three if the truth comes out?"
"You mean the fact that you are a Water Mage and bear the Brand of the Exalt?" Stahl asked dryly. "One of those facts is already common knowledge, at least in the capitol, and soon the rest of the country and beyond. The other will get out eventually, and from there, it will simply be assumed that you are long lost Royalty by the common people."
"Still though!" she tried to explain. "It's just not…it's…"
"Inevitable," Emmeryns voice came from behind her. She twisted around so fast she could swear she felt her neck creak. The Exalt took the proffered chair Stahl brought from another table. "I was going to explain the situation in detail to you later tonight, but I see my siblings could not keep their wagging tongues to themselves," she chided.
"Enlighten me," she said flatly, her eyes narrowed.
Emmeryn sighed as she turned a small smile on her. "Word has gotten out to the Nobility that you bear the Brand of the Exalt," Emmeryn sighed again at this. "We need to get ahead of the situation before rumor and speculation make things much worse."
"So you wish to declare me a Princess?" her tone was full of confusion, her face reflecting such she was sure. "Couldn't you just tell them it's connected to my Magic?"
"We could yes," Emmeryn nodded. When she opened her mouth to speak however, the Exalt held up a hand to stop her. "That however, presents its own set of problems."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"If we tell people that the Brand is a direct cause of your Magic, many will assume that means you have a direct connection to Naga," she explained. "Needless to say, there are always those who will assume people marked as such are deity's walking among us."
"So, my choices are either to be seen as a Princess or a demi-god?" she muttered.
"Unfortunately yes," Emmeryn nodded. "I understand that you have reservations about this, but the only other option is to declare you a usurper."
"Bet the council would love that," she drawled.
"They would actually," Emmeryn sighed. "Jeroth and Mikail both want exactly that."
Her eyes went wide as dinner plates at this, her fists clenched in her lap. "But why?"
"They feel that you are a threat to Ylisse," the Exalt told her. "Think on it from their point of view. A young girl bearing the Brand of the Exalt, along with the Fabled Water Magic shows up suddenly in the midst of our peace time."
"They think I want the Throne?!" her tone rose at the end. "I want no such thing!"
"We know that," Emmeryn said gently. "They are suspicious by nature. The council, while a diverse set of opinions, must have the best intentions of the country at heart. The way they see it, you're mere existence presents them with few options."
"Assimilation or death," she said flatly. Emmeryn visibly flinched at this, but she found it hard to care. Her temper was getting the better of her. "You have been manipulating me this entire time?!"
"No," Emmeryn shook her head. "My intentions are only to see you happy and safe," she started. "What I want however, is often times not what is needed."
"What about what I want?" she shot up, her hands clenched and shaking. "Do I have no choice in the matter?!"
"Of course you do," Chrom said, drawing her Ire.
"Is that what this was all about," she accused, shaking the new staff at him. "A way to placate me? A Bribe?!"
"No!" Lissa retorted. "That was nothing of the like!" The young blond was standing as well.
"Then what was it for?" she nearly shouted.
"Because your family!" Lissa yelled. "Because we care about you!"
"My family is dead!" she snapped loudly. The Princess recoiled at this. "Everyone I have loved is gone!" She held her hand up and summoned a globe of water into her palm. "Now all I have is this Gods cursed 'gift' which will one day kill me," she spat. She balled her fist, crushing the globe of water in a flash of blue light. "That is what will happen to me Lissa! Snuffed out like a candle! That is what you want to attach yourself to?!"
"We care about YOU!" the blond pointed at her. "Not the damn Magic, not the Brand, you!"
"You are more than the sum of your parts," Emmeryn interjected gently. She turned her gaze onto the Exalt, seeing her eyes reflecting her tone. "The Magic does not control you."
"Tell that to the others who have been killed by it!" she growled. "How many of them survived to tell the tale? None!" she was quivering with rage by this point. She knew she needed to calm down, but everything she had been holding inside like a damn was bursting forth, unable to be stopped. "This Magic got my Foster Father killed. It got an entire town killed! All those people, dead because of ME!" she was shouting by the end. "My fault, all of it!"
"Those deaths are not on your hands," Emmeryn returned, he voice calm, collected. "The Hammonds were responsible for those deaths. The Grimleal. Justice for those innocents has been served."
"THEN WHY DO THEY HAUNT ME STILL?!"She yelled. "Why do I see their faces every time I close my eyes?! Why are my dreams…" she choked off at this, a sob escaping her clamped lips. She turned and fled at this, running blindly through the halls, needing to get away.
"Kaylin!" Lissa shouted after the fleeing girl. She turned to follow her, but Chrom laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"Let me," he said quietly. Lissa looked up at him for a moment before nodding slowly, sitting back down, her shoulders hunched. Chrom walked out of the room, already sure of where Kaylin would end up eventually. Whenever the girl needed to think or be alone, she always went to the shrine to Naga in the Palace's Chapel.
Sure enough, when he reached the Chapel, he found Kaylin standing before the statue of Naga. With her back to him, she did not see him enter.
"What am I supposed to do here?" Kaylins voice was raw. "Am I supposed to use this gift of yours for some reason? Am I supposed to die by it?!" Chrom winced internally. Her voice shook, and even though he could not see her face, he knew she was crying. The girl's hair shook side to side as she cursed.
"What is the point of giving this Magic to anyone only to have it kill them?!" Kaylins voice steadily rose. "Why am I here? What do you want me to do?! TELL ME DAMN YOU!" She screamed this last out, her voice echoing in the empty chamber. When no answer came she dropped her staff, her shoulders hunched. Chrom walked up behind her, enfolding her in a hug. He felt her stiffen.
"Why did you follow me?" she whispered to him.
"No one should be alone when they are lost," he answered her. At this the girl turned in his arms, looking up at him. Her eyes brimmed wet, tears tracking down her face.
"I can't stop seeing them Chrom," she cried. "Every time my eyes close, every time I fall asleep, they are there faceless and blaming." She buried her face in his shirt at this, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. "My Foster Father, the villagers, all the other men and women and children that passed through that dungeon…I see them all."
He tightened his hold on Kaylin, lending what comfort he could. She only sobbed all the harder in his arms. He knew not what to say to her to help her, indeed he did not know if there was anything anyone could say that would help her. What she had been through had scarred her, physically, mentally and emotionally. He knew he was not one for words, so he did what he could, offered her a shoulder to cry on and arms to hold her.
After a lengthy time, Kaylin fell quiet, clinging to his shirt. He parted her hair to see her face, finding her eyes closed. He could feel her chest rising and falling against his own slowly. Poor girl cried herself to sleep. He gently lifted her into his arms, carrying her bridal style as he turned from the Chapel. Lissa and Emmeryn were waiting at the entrance as he left it. He nodded back towards the chamber. Lissa nodded and entered it, retrieving Kaylin's staff. He then led them back to Kaylin's room, gently laying the girl on her bed.
He covered her with the blanket, exiting the room when he was sure she was still asleep. In the antechamber he found his sisters seated at the table. He took his place next to Lissa.
"I hate that there is nothing I can do to help her," Lissa said quietly, her eyes cast down.
"We just have to be here for her," Emmeryn smiled sadly. "She has been through a great deal, and what we are forcing on her is just adding to the burden."
"Must we force it on her though?" Chrom asked his sister.
"I wish it were not so," Emmeryn answered. "We are left with little choice however."
"She doesn't want it though," Lissa sighed. "At least, not like this."
"It's this or death," Emmeryn grimaced. "Or exile, which in itself for her, would be worse than death."
"Stupid councilors and their stupid fears," Lissa muttered.
"They are not solely to blame Lissa," Emmeryn soothed. "While I believe that Kaylin has no ill will towards us, or designs on the throne herself, the people may jump to conclusions."
"Which can take a life of their own," Chrom finished. He sighed, rubbing his face. None of this sat well with him, but Emm was right, none of the options they had were desirable. At least Kaylin would be safe. "So how do we do it?"
"Preparations for an Announcement ceremony are already under way," Emmeryn informed him.
"So that is what the servants are doing in the Ball Room," he commented.
"Yes," Emmeryn nodded. "This needs to be done quickly. With news of her Brand spreading, we must get ahead of it. This way, the rumors will be quashed before they even have a chance to begin."
"How will it be addressed though?" Lissa asked her older sister. "We can't just say father had a secret child."
"No, she will be presented as a distant relative, generations removed," Emmeryn informed them. "Remember what I told you of Princess Enya when Kaylin first came here?" Chrom and Lissa nodded at this. "She had a child within a year of the fight that claimed the life of her Mage companion. Records of the time show that it was most likely his."
"I looked up that tale after you told us of it," Lissa said. "The records state that Enya left Ylisse a few years later. They don't say where to."
"Indeed," Emmeryn nodded at Lissa. "It is that history I plan to use. With the Brand and the Magic, people will not be able to claim, not with proof anyways, that Kaylin is not of the Exalted Line."
"You sound half convinced yourself," Chrom added in.
"I must confess that it is quite a coincidence," Emmeryn answered him. "A young girl bearing both Water Magic and a Brand suddenly showing up?" she shook her head at this. "Whether this is mere happenstance, Divine intervention, it matters not." She waved her hand dismissively. "She has grown on us all, and I will not throw her to the wolves just to ensure a few men sleep more soundly at night."
"She was rather upset at learning of our plans for her though," Lissa sighed dejectedly. "What if she decides to just leave?"
"She won't," Chrom stated. He didn't know how he knew, but he just did. At Lissa's look he tried to explain. "I am not sure how I know, but she won't leave. She has a family here now. She yearns for that above all else."
"I hope you are right," Lissa frowned. "I have grown rather fond of that girl."
"As have we all," Emmeryn smiled. "She will come around, she just needs time."
"How long till the Announcement?" He asked his older sister.
"Two weeks," Emmeryn told them. "I will be sending out missives to all the Noble Houses and Guilds to let them know of her and the date of the ceremony tomorrow"
"Not a lot of time," Lissa winched.
"No, it is not," Emmeryn sighed. "This means you need to get her a proper gown Lissa."
"Oh?" Lissa perked up at this.
"Yes, one befitting a new Princess of the realm," Emmeryn nodded. "Also, this gown should show off her Brand, just too quite any naysayers."
"Hmm," Lissa tapped her lips in thought. "I'm sure Madame Flores could come up with something in the time allowed." She smiled at this. "Just need to make sure it is modest, what with the location of her Brand."
"Yes, would not want anyone else making such a Faux Pass like our brother here," Emmeryn smiled.
"It was an honest question," he grumbled, feeling his cheeks flame. "I was not drawing attention to her chest."
"Which has grown by the way," Lissa teased him.
"Have not noticed," he said flatly, glaring at his little sister. She just giggled at this while Emmeryn laughed.
"Surely you have looked," Emmeryn got in on the teasing. "You are a growing boy, and she is gorgeous."
"Have. Not. Noticed." He clipped at them, shifting his glare to Emm. She only giggled at this, a smile wide on her face. He sighed, realizing that they were determined to embarrass him. "Ugh, sisters."
"Hey, teasing our only brother is a Naga given right," Lissa laughed. He just shook his head at the two devils, standing up. "I have some requisitions to go over with the Shepherds," he informed. "Need to get Kellam situated anyways."
"Kellam?" Emmeryn asked.
"A Knight," Lissa told her. "Quite able from what I have seen in the training yard earlier today. The man moves so quietly though it's as if he is not even there. And he wears full plate while doing it!"
"Sounds like he will be a great asset," Emmeryn smiled. "Your Shepherds are coming along quite nicely dear brother."
"We expect to have a few more recruits soon," Chrom nodded. "As word of us spreads, people will want to join to take up the fight." He nodded to the two girls is parting, leaving Emmeryns chambers and heading off towards the Shepherds barracks.