Disclaimer : I do not own anything Fire Emblem
September 28th, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Royal Palace, Exalts Chambers.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Kaylin muttered. She stands in Emmeryns bed chamber, Hand Maidens rushing to and fro as they dressed her in her gown.
"You look stunning Kaylin," Lissa smiled at her. The Princess is sitting in a chair against a wall, observing the frenetic activity. "It's not like you can just show up in your regular tunic and trousers."
"Why not?" she grumped. She felt closed in with all these women fussing over a damn dress. "I'm still me."
"Yes, but for events such as these, what you wear is often what is presented to those in attendance. First impressions and all that," the blond waved her hand dismissively.
"I don't see you in a gown," she pointed out.
"This is your Announcement Ceremony," Lissa returned. "I have a dress; it's just much simpler than yours." The girl's face broke into a grin. "Wouldn't want to steal your thunder now would we."
"Oh, please do," she sighed. "Take as much of it as you want."
Lissa only laughed at this, standing up as she ran a critical eye over her. Following her gaze she looked down at the 'gown' the Hand Maidens are currently draping her in. This is not a dress, it's a damn trap," her thoughts echoed the small scowl on her face. The dark violet colored dress covers her right shoulder fully, dipping across her chest to the left, leaving her Brand on full display. It wraps around her left side, running back up to her neck. This covers the scars on her back.
The dress hugs her chest and waist, where a belt of tooled silver cinches it tight. From there the dress flares out slightly to her ankles. Silver embroidery worked along the Bodice of her dress makes it seem like a river of silver cascades down it. Similar embroidery works from the hemline halfway up to her waist. While the silk gown looks bulky, she had to admit it felt light. Silk dress gloves in the same color, silver scroll work flowing over them covers her arms a few inches above her elbows.
"Now for your hair," Madam Flores states. She starts to turn to the older woman behind her, but is stopped at said woman's sharp tongue clipping. "I said no moving," the woman scolded her."
Sighing, she just nodded, resigning herself to the further torment. She glared at Lissa when she noticed the young girl covering her mouth, stifling giggles. This only got more laughter from the Princess.
"Just don't do anything to drastic, please," she pleaded.
"Not to worry my dear," Flores said. She could feel the woman's hands running through her hair, doing something. After what seemed like forever, Flores turned her to face a mirror in the chamber. What she saw caught her breath in her throat.
Flores had done her hair up in a simple yet elegant bun at the back. From there her pink streaked sky blue hair had been curled. The waves fall down her back, short braids bound in gold running throughout. Flores pulled some of her curls over her right shoulders; leaving her left bare so the Brand was not covered. Small gemstones were woven into the braids with ribbons, which she noticed upon closer inspection are silver studded amethysts. With her hair done up so, it only falls down to her waist.
"I see you like it," Flores smiled over her shoulder.
"I never dreamed of the like," she answered honestly. Indeed she had not. This whole situation she found herself in was still taking time to come to terms with. Flores turned her over to a stool, directing her to sit down. When she had parked herself upon it, one of the Hand Maidens, she could not remember any of their names for the life of her, began applying makeup.
"Just a touch," Flores instructed. "A little rouge to add color, some eye liner to bring out those golden beauties." She nodded her head as the Hand Maiden applied said items. "Finally some light red lipstick."
After this was all done, Flores brought out a pair of violet silver encrusted slippers. After the slippers had been fitted to her, she stood at the dress maker's gesture. Doing a short twirl, sending the garment spinning out slightly away from her body in the process, she felt a smile break onto her face for the first time that night.
"See, I knew you would enjoy it," Lissa beamed at her. When she looked at the blond, she blinked in surprise. Lissa stands there in a simple blue and gold colored shoulder bearing dress, her hair done up into twin ponytails drawn forward over her shoulders. A necklace of small clear diamonds adorns her, dipping slightly below the hollow of her throat. Upon her brow rest's a likewise tiara, a thumb sized clear diamond at the forefront of it.
"When did you change?" she asked, her head tilted in curiosity.
"A few minutes ago," the Princess answered. "You were so wrapped up in what they were doing to your hair I doubt you would have noticed an army passing through."
"Sorry," she looked down at the floor, her cheeks heating. "I'm working on it."
"We all have some vanity in us," Madam Flores answered from her right. She looked over to the older woman, seeing understanding in her eyes. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"Not right now no," she shook her head, her curls bouncing. "It can be a distraction on the battlefield though."
"Planning on running into combat are you?" the woman raised a brow at her.
"Conflict is going to come to me whether I seek it out or not," she sighed. "I can't be worrying if my hair looks proper or not at such times."
"So cut it a bit," Flores said simply. She winched at this, still opposed to this idea. "Shorten it by a bit, up to mid-thigh."
"That's what I have been telling her," Lissa sighed. "She opposes the very thought though."
It's all I have of mom though; this thought ran through her head as she looked down at the hair covering her right shoulder. Cutting my hair just feels like I would be letting her go.
"That part of your life is gone Kaylin," Lissa said gently, taking her purple clad hands in the girls white silk ones. "Emmeryn always says that you have to look to the future, not back into the past."
"You sure you can't read minds," she queried, feeling like the girl had done just that.
"If I could," Lissa laughed, "Then I would have much more success at filching those candies from Sharna."
"Of which you are never getting my help with again," a small smile quirked her lips. "I have never gotten such a talking to for anything before."
"Makes you never want to get on Sharna's bad side again right?" Lissa linked her right arm through her left. Madam Flores smiled widely at the two of them before leading them out into the hallway.
Waiting for them was Frederick in Ceremonial armor. It certainly looked fancy, what with the silver armor tooled in gold and gleaming so bright she could see her own reflection in it. She knew however that anything Frederick wore would be functional. At his side is belted a two handed sword, the hilt topped with a golden dragons head. The scabbard, like the armor, is worked in gold lettering. Behind him stand two Knights in similar armor, just with silver worked into it instead of gold. Next to them stands two Pegasii Knights, their armor hugging their forms, silver worked into the metal.
At their appearance, Frederick and the Knights all salute, bringing their right arms up, fists clenched over hearts.
"Princess Lissa," Frederick bows to the girl. "Lady Kaylin," a bow to her. "The Ceremony is about to start. If you would follow me?" he held an arm out to his right, indicating the direction to go. Lissa nods at this, signaling the Great Knight to move. The other four guards fall into position behind them.
"It's going to be fine," she felt Lissa pat her arm. Realizing she had been squeezing the other girls arm rather tightly, she loosens her hold. She smiles at the girl, trying to take comfort in the Princess's outlook.
"What if I mess something up?" she asks, nervousness twining her fingers together.
"You won't," the girl soothed her. "We spent the last weeks going over everything. Just remember what you have been taught."
"Gods I'm nervous though," she echoed the feelings running through her.
"Quite expected," Frederick told her as he turned them into another long hallway, this one carpeted in royal blue. Guards stand at every doorway, saluting as they pass. She recalled Emmeryn telling her that the Royal Guard would be out in full force, inside and outside the Grand Ball Room. "It's not every day we get a new Royal."
"Do you have any reservations about this Frederick?" The tall man turned his head slightly, shaking it as he glanced at them over his shoulder.
"No, Milady," his attention returned to their path. "This is the proper way forward."
"Thank you," she let out a breath, realizing how much a single person's support meant. "I have been questioning it every step of the way myself. It is refreshing to hear that others believe in this as much as Emmeryn."
"She believes in you," Frederick answered her. They descended a wide staircase and came to a stop in front of a large door, guards stationed on the sides. Frederick turned to her at this. "I for one think that her faith is well placed."
"You just say that because she shows up for your Fanatical Fitness Hour every week," Lissa chuckled.
Frederick only smiled at this, turning to a servant woman that stepped forward. After a quick exchange, he nodded once, the woman bowing and turning away. He turned back to the two girls once again.
"We will be entering momentarily," he informed them. "Let us review one more time."
"Right," she nodded, running over the instructions in her head one last time. They had been drilled into her by Emmeryn over the last week so much she had begun to dream of them. "First is the entrance. We walk over to the Exalt where she introduces me to the gathered Nobles, Diplomats, Guild Representatives and various citizens."
"After that?" Lissa prompted.
"Next is the Oath," she gulped at this. According to Emmeryn, the Oath is the most critical part of the Ceremony. When she had asked what the punishment for getting the Oath wrong or backing out was, she had been told that exile was the best option that would be left. "Once that is done, the feast will start. Later on, there will be personal introductions to the assemblage, followed by dancing."
"Good," Frederick nodded at her. "You know the words to the Oath I trust?"
"Oh yes," she nodded quickly. "I have them memorized."
"Excellent," the man smiled at her.
"It will be a great evening," Lissa smiled. "The dancing is the best part."
"Naga take me now," she groaned. She had had a crash course in Ball Room Dancing from a hand-picked instructor provided by Emmeryn. Six hours a day spent fumbling and falling to the man's curses had provided the three siblings with much laughter. "Gods know I am going to mess that part up."
"Oh I wouldn't say that," Lissa chided her. "You learned the steps rather quickly."
"Practicing in private is much different than dancing in front of hundreds of onlookers," she told the girl.
"You will be fine," Frederick smiled at her. "Come now, it is starting." He turned at this, the great doors splitting down the middle as the halves were parted by two Royal Guards. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the long hours to come, stepping in unison to Lissa as they followed behind Frederick.
The Great Knight stopped just behind the Seneschal. The man wore the same garb that he does when hearing claims before the Exalt, only this time the clothes were tooled and embroidered rather finely in the Royal Blue and Gold colors of Ylisse. The man banged the hilt of his staff into the ground three times, drawing silence and attention from the entire room.
"Presenting Princess Lissa Rosaris Enlyes," the man said loudly, his voice carrying across the room. Lissa stepped forward at this, shooting her a smile full of confidence. She held her head high as she seemed to glide over the floor to where Emmeryn sat on a raised dais, a replica of her throne resting atop it. She bowed to her sister, moving to Emmeryns right at her nod. Chrom already stood at his sisters left.
At Fredericks reassuring smile and nod, she stepped up next to him, her hands nervously smoothing her dress, her stomach tight. "Keep your head high," Frederick whispered to her as the Seneschal tapped his staff another three times. "Don't look at the gathered people. Focus only on the Exalt."
She nodded to this, her attention returning to the man in front of her.
"Presenting the Lady Kaylin Deora," the man said loudly. He stepped aside at this, giving the room their first good look at her. Murmurs rippled through the room as she felt the eyes of everyone on her. She gulped at this, smiling tightly at Frederick as he presented his left arm to her. Placing her right hand on his wrist, she followed as he lead her through the room, keeping her head high and eyes locked on Emmeryn as they approached the dais.
When they stood in front of the dais, Emmeryn stood from her throne, her bearing regal. In addition to her usual garb, she wears a long cloak in the colors of Ylisse, blue trimmed with gold, the inside a soft white. Upon her head rests the Crown of Yliss. A solid band of gold encrusted with small gems, the Brand of the Exalt is stamped and outlined in Silver at the front. Belted at her waist is a sword similar to Fredericks own, this one being a single handed sword, the hilt capped with a gleaming blue gemstone. The swords black scabbard is tooled in Royal blue.
She looked to the right, seeing Chrom as he stood on Emmeryns left. In place of his usual black waist length tunic, pants and boots, the ones he currently wore reflected the Royal Colors, Royal blue trimmed in gold. His right shoulder stood bare, the Brand open to all to see. His left pauldron had been replaced with a silver gleaming one, gold scroll work running across it, the Brand stamped on it. His left arm still bore his gauntlet and bracer, just in similar colors to the rest of his garb. At his waist lay sheathed Falchion, its scabbard having been buffed till it shone.
She noticed a slightly shocked look on his face. Curious to know what that look was from; she set that thought aside for later. Looking to Emmeryn, she saw a wide smile splitting the woman's face, her eyes gleaming.
As Emmeryn stepped down to her, silence once again fell on the room. The Exalt looked past her, eyes scanning through the crowd before coming to rest on her.
"We are gathered her tonight to welcome a new member to the Royal Family of Ylisse," Emmeryns tone rang regal through the room. "Half a century ago, The Third Princess at the time, one Enya Matricia Enlyes left the line, taking with her a son born to the last know Water Mage. None of her descendants sought out the Royal Family through the generations seeking to regain what Princess Enya voluntarily gave up."
At this, Emmeryn looked back over the room, the quite conversations ending as her gaze passed over people. "Kaylin Deora, the young woman standing before you now, is Princess Enya's descendent. She not only wields the Lost Anima Magic of Water, she also bears on her body the Brand of the Exalt. Test's completed not only by myself, but also the Royal Scholarly Society and the esteemed Mages Guild has proven her Brand real, and not a replica."
Emmeryn turned her gaze back to her, her smile wide and bright. "Upon her swearing of the Royal Oath, it will be with heartfelt joy that I welcome her into our Family." Here she pulled out a Tome, the Brand of the Exalt emblazoned on it. She placed her hands on the Tomes mark, her breath coming quicker.
"Swear by this book, and by Naga," Emmeryns tone instantly calmed her nerves, her breathing evening out. "What say you?"
"I, Kaylin Deora, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Ylisse." Her own voice rang out, the strength of it surprising her momentarily. "I do so swear I will serve Ylisse in all things. I swear, by the Great Dragon Naga as my witness, to serve as a Princess, a Royal, of this realm for the rest of my days." Here she couldn't keep the smile off her face, pride swelling in her chest. "Through peace and war, hope and despair, I will stand for Ylisse. My life is hers; my Blood is hers, from now until I join Naga."
"Kneel Kaylin Deora," Emmeryn commanded. She adjusted her dress as she went down on one knee, tilting her head forward slightly. She saw the Exalt reveal a Tiara, the silver metal twining into the Brand of the Exalt around the base. In the tear drop of the Brand sits a thumbnail sized blue diamond. Emmeryn placed it on her head.
"This belonged to Princess Enya," Emmeryn informed. She had not been told about the Tiara. "It is time it was returned to her line. Rise now, not as Kaylin Deora, seamstress daughter, but as Princess Kaylin Enya Deora, servant and protector to Ylisse."
Surprised yet again at being giving Enya's name, she rose to her feet, her face reflecting her surprise. Emmeryn took her by the shoulders, turning her around to face the crowd in the room.
"I give you your Princess Kaylin Enya Deora, her line returned to the Royal Family." Clapping began from the crowd. Whether it was real of feigned, she couldn't help but smile. "May her years be long, and may she bring great joy and prosperity to Ylisse."
Cheers erupted at this, and she knew these were from the citizens of the capitol, and the Shepherds. The cheering spread through the crowd, continuing for a short while before Emmeryn stepped up on her right side, raising a hand. Silence took another minuet to fall.
"Tonight is a celebration," she began. "We have feasting, socializing and Dancing to look forward to." At this Emmeryn linked her arm though her own, leading her over to a large table, four chairs situated in front of it. Emmeryn sat her to her right. Once the Exalt was seated, Chrom sat to Emmeryns left, Lissa to Kaylin's right.
"Take your seats," Frederick's voice rang as he stepped up behind Emmeryn, his right hand on his swords pommel, eyes flicking over the audience. The gathered peoples filed to reserved tables. The Nobles and Diplomats took up four long tables on the left side of the Grand Ball Room. Guild representatives and citizens of the capitol took up four long tables to the right. A large space, nearly half the size of the room itself sat empty between the tables, clearly for the dancing later in the night.
The Shepherds themselves had a single table closer to the Royals themselves, eight chairs lining it. A blond with twin tails, the rest of her hair flowing over her back, garbed in a white and pink dress sat with them. She took this to be Maribelle, Lissa's noble friend from Themis. Pairs of Royal Guards lined the walls every twenty feet.
"Let the feast begin," the Knights voice signaled the servants. Doors opened along the wall behind the throne, dozens of servants bearing platters of food. They placed food in front of the Royals first, proceeding to fill the other tables at Emmeryns nod. Once the servants had filed out, being replaced by others bearing extra trays of food and drink, Emmeryn raised a Crystal goblet of red wine.
"To our new Princess," she stated loudly. "To Ylisse, and to our realms future." As far as she could see, everyone in attendance raised a goblet, all crystal as well, in salute to the Exalts words. At Emmeryns first sip, conversation broke out in the room, people beginning to eat.
"Looks like you made it," Chrom grinned at her, a glass of wine in his grip.
"I almost didn't," she confessed, taking a long drink of water. No wine for her or Lissa, Exalts orders. "I'm surprised I'm not shaking from nerves alone."
"Well, you did have a great set of teachers," Lissa winked at her. The blond sat enjoying what looked like some form of blue veined cheese on a cracker.
She smiled at this, turning to her own food. This was the first 'feast' she had attended, and from the looks of the spread before her, the cooks had held nothing back. Multiple roast meats, she could identify duck, mutton, pork and rabbit, along with a few she could not, sat interspersed with various fruits, cheeses and vegetables.
Remembering the Exalts lessons on table manners, she directed one of the servants to fill a plate with some of everything. Even though it felt weird to have someone serving her like this, she quickly forgot about it once the food was before her. Mouthwatering from the smells, she had not had anything at all to eat for lunch, damn Madam Flores for that. Using the utensils as Emmeryn had taught her to, she dug in.
The next hour was spent conversing with the three siblings while enjoying the best meal she had ever had. Once the food had been removed, a lot of it was still left over she noticed. Emmeryn directed them to stand.
"All that food can fill many mouths," she commented to Emmeryn. "Will it go to waste?"
"No," the Exalt shook her head. "As we speak, couriers are carting what is left to the various boarding houses, soup kitchens and orphanages in the city."
"Always thinking of everything," she smiled at the older woman.
"Not everything," Emmeryn's lips quirked upward. "Just enough."
"She's being modest," Lissa grinned.
Chrom hugged his sister from the side. "That's our sister, the Exalt," he grinned. "Wouldn't have her any other way."
Emmeryn returned the hug, signaling the servants to clear the floor. She watched as servants deftly cleared the tables, replacing the food with deserts of every conceivable type she could think of, and many more she could not.
"Not yet," Emmeryn grinned at her, halting her with a groan before she could start over to the nearest sugar clad table. "Now, we introduce you to everyone personally."
She just groaned at this again, getting chuckles from the three siblings. At Emmeryns first wave of her hand, the young girl who had sat in the eighth chair at the Shepherds table approached with an older man and woman, clearly her parents. The girl's father stood dressed smartly in all black, his grey hair, mustache and beard meticulous. Her mother, her blond hair done up elegantly wear's a pretty cream colored dress, the bodice trimmed in white.
"Your Grace," the girl, who she guessed was Lissa's age curtsied. "Prince Chrom, Princess Lissa, a pleasure as always." The three nodded to her at this. "My father and mother, Duke Adrian and Duchess Silla Von Bernhardt of Themis."
"A pleasure as always," Emmeryn smiled at the two. "I am please you could make it."
"As are we," Duke Adrian bowed to them as Duchess Silla curtsied.
"Allow me to introduce our new Princess," Emmeryn smiled placing her hand on her right arm. Emmeryn had informed her that she was to curtsy just this once to everyone she was introduced to her. She did so, a smile on her face even though what felt like rampaging butterflies winged through her stomach. "Princess Kaylin Enya Deora."
"Honored, Milord, Milady's," she voiced.
"The honor is ours," the Duke bowed to her. "When Maribelle informed us of the news from Princess Lissa, we found it hard to believe at first."
"Completely understandable," she laughed. "I am still finding it hard to believe myself."
"Your Brand is exquisite," the Duchess said, drawing everyone's attention to it. "Have you any idea why it has the extra markings on it?"
"We surmise it signifies her separation from our own line," Lissa informed them, smoothly laying out the explanation they had come up with. "Princess Enya would be our fourth cousin twelve times removed if she were alive right now," she continued.
"That means you share very little blood relation so far removed," Maribelle added in.
"Indeed," Emmeryn nodded at the girl. "While she is of the Exalted bloodline and bears the Brand, it is so far removed she might as well be of an entirely new blood line."
"Welcoming her into the current Royal Family was quite the genius move Highness," the Duchess smiled. "You not only quell any potential rumors of insurrection that may spring up, but you not only gain an ally, you bring fresh blood, new opportunities to the Royal Family."
"All in a day's work," Emmeryn nodded.
Looking in confusion between the Exalt and the Duchess at the 'opportunities' comment, she turned to Lissa with a raised brow. 'Later' Lissa mouthed to her. Turning back to the conversation, she put on a smile.
"Princess Kaylin, this is our daughter Maribelle," the Duke smiled at said girl. Maribelle curtsied to her, a small smile on her face.
"I am excited to meet you," she told the other girl. "Lissa has told me so much about you."
"Only good things I trust," her dry tone brought chuckles from the three siblings.
"Nothing but," she grinned. "She did mention something about fans and language."
"Oh?" the girl noticeably perked up at this. "I would be delighted to teach you the finer arts of High Communication as I did Lissa."
"So long as Lissa is there to add her support," she couldn't help keep the grin out of her tone. The quite groan from Lissa only added more pleasure to this.
"We shall have to set something up in the near future," Maribelle said.
"You will be staying for a while?" Lissa queried the hope evident in her voice.
"Indeed," Duke Adrian nodded. "Maribelle finished her schooling early. We have promised her that she can take up residence in our manor here until she is old enough to enlist with the Shepherds."
"What schooling exactly?" Chrom cut in. "I had thought you were fully educated years ago."
"I have been studying Healing and Light Magic these past two years," Maribelle said proudly. "I can better serve the citizens of Themis, and indeed all of Ylisse with such."
"A Light Magic Wielder, and a Healer to boot," Chrom tapped his chin in thought. She could practically see the gears turning behind his eyes. He turned to Maribelle's parents. "You support her in this?"
"We do," Duchess Silla answered him. "While no parent wants to send their child into danger, we know we cannot shelter her from the world forever. Serving with the Shepherds will not only give her much needed worldly experience, it also gives her the most safety."
"Very well," Chrom nodded, looking back to Maribelle. "Once your 18th name day has come, should you still so choose, I would be glad to accept you among the Shepherds ranks." Maribelle stood tall at this, and she noted that the girl was an inch taller than Lissa's 5'4 height. "However, until then, I expect to see you in the Shepherds training yard daily. I will not have someone in my ranks that lazes about doing nothing."
"Understood Milord," Maribelle nodded. "I shall not disappoint you."
Emmeryn nodded in parting to the three, gesturing to the next pair to move forward. The evening proceeded like this. The people would be introduced to her and her vice versa, they would exchange pleasantries, most times comments would be made about her brand, Lissa would give the same explanation, and the next person or persons would approach.
After what seemed like an eternity, her head swimming with all the names and faces she had been exposed to, she let go a reserved sigh when there was no one else to be introduced to.
"See, not so bad," Emmeryn smiled at her.
"I can barely hear myself think for all the names in my head right now," she groaned.
"Perhaps some sugar will fix that?" the Exalt winked at her. Perking up at this, she nodded quickly before dragging Lissa towards the closest table. She quickly grabbed a slice of chocolate cake, a small moan of delight escaping her as she tasted it.
"The fan lessons are your revenge for the fish aren't they," Lissa stated, quickly snapping up a few walnut cookies.
She nodded around the cake, smiling as she downed it with a glass of cold milk. "Been waiting to get you back for that."
"Well played," Lissa grinned. "I had thought you would have retaliated much sooner."
"Oh no," she shook her head smiling. "Emmeryn taught me much better than that."
"Much better then what?" Chroms voice from behind her brought a squeak to her lips as she startled.
"Don't do that!" she swatted him on his bare shoulder. "You know I hate it when you sneak up on me."
"It's so much fun though," he winked at her.
"You won't think it fun when you find yourself drenched for your troubles," she glared.
Chrom just chuckled at this, her eyes narrowing further. Undeterred he took to a rather large piece of glazed bread, his shoulders shaking.
"Karma Prince Chrom," she clipped at him. "It's said she can be quite fickle."
"I can't wait to see," he grinned.
Muttering to herself about mule headed princes she turned back to the Princess. "So what's next for tonight?"
"Dancing!" Lissa chirped happily, her eyes shining.
"That's right," she sighed dejectedly. "Embarrassment and mortification in droves."
"You will do fine," Lissa patted her arm gently. "Just look at tonight. You thought you would bomb long before this, and yet you conquered the battlefield so far."
"It's not a war," Chrom chided the two of them.
"Says you," she and Lissa said in unison.
Raising his hands in defeat, he just smiled and ate some type of small black square she did not know the name to. Before she could ask what it was, a ringing echoed in the room. As the crowds quieted, everyone turned to see the Seneschal standing in the center of the floor with Emmeryn. Once the noise abated, Emmeryn began speaking.
"Tonight has been full of good food and even better company," the Exalt said. "However, no gathering of this magnitude would be complete without some Dancing." At this a soft ripple ran through the crowd. "To start the rest of the night off, our first pair to grace the floor will be Princess Kaylin and Prince Chrom."
At this Chrom stepped up to her, offering his hand, a gentle smile on his face. Smiling nervously, she took his hand, letting him lead her out to the floor. She could feel the eyes of every person on her, her nerves twisting at the thought of so many people watching her stumble about the room.
"Just like we practiced," Chrom's quiet, yet strong tone soothed her nerves. He bowed to her, she returning it with a curtsy. He closed the distance placing his right hand in her left, his right on her lower back. She placed her free hand on his arm just under the pauldron on his shoulder.
Chrom winked to her as music started up, from where she could not tell. She recognized the tune from what they had practiced to, falling into step with the Prince as he began to dance. He guided her through the dance, his gentle yet sure grip leading her through the steps. Amazed that she had not made a mistake yet, thoughts quickly left her as she let the joy of the dance carry her across the floor.
"Enjoying yourself?" Chrom asked her as he twirled her, her dress flowing around her as she came around into his arms again.
"Quite," she laughed, her tone reflecting how much fun she found this.
"Knew you would," he continued, his steps guiding her. "You're a natural."
"Thank you," she beamed at him. Joyous laughter bubbling up as they spun around the floor escaping her, the dance ended long before she wanted it to. They ended the dance facing the Exalt, a troupe of musicians behind her. They bowed to Emmeryn, clapping echoing in the chamber. Chrom propped a brow at her in question as the floor began filling with other pairs. She nodded her head eagerly, wanting to dance some more. The Prince smiled, leading her to a clear spot again as the music started up.
They had practiced to more than a few songs, but the second dance was one she did not know. Biting her lip nervously, she looked up at the Prince, knowing her eyes reflected how she felt.
"Just follow my lead," he soothed her. "You will fall right into it." She nodded at this, taking a deep breath as he began to move.
Letting her instincts take over, her feet following along to the music with Chrom, she decided to just enjoy herself, mistakes or no. Turns out that had been exactly what she needed to do. After another exciting few minutes in the Princes arms, the song ended.
"May I cut in?" she turned to see Stahl standing there. Looking to Chrom quickly, the Prince gave her a nod before placing her hand in Stahl's extended own. Chrom was quickly engaged to a young noble by the name of Victoria. Turning back to her current partner, she smiled at the young Knight.
"Absolutely," she smiled at him. Stahl led her to a clear spot of the floor, holding her much the same as Chrom did. Once the music started, they began to glide. While he was less sure of himself then Chrom, she found that he was more than a decent dance partner, easy to follow. After three songs being spun about by the Knight, she had to take her leave, her breath starting to come short.
"You look like you are having quite a bit of fun," Maribelle's voice came from beside her as she drank down a glass of water.
"I am," she grinned at the girl. Maribelle had just finished a dance with Chrom, who was now spinning Lissa around, a happy smile splitting the girls face. "I thought I would be horrible at all of this."
"Lissa has informed me that you have had the best instructors," Maribelle commented. "Clearly, those lessons have taking root."
"Something I am supremely grateful for," she nodded. "I did not know a tenth of what I do now when I first arrived here."
"Where you not educated by your family?" Maribelle asked her.
"I had no family," her hair swayed side to side, the curls and short braids bouncing as she shook her head. Moving a few stray strands over her left shoulder she explained. "My mother was a seamstress, dead when I was six. My Foster Father, a traveling merchant, taught me numbers and letters, some history, but beyond that, what I knew came from books bought in the various towns we passed through."
"If rumors are to be believed, you were held against your will for a period of time were you not?" the girl's inquisitive tone was refreshing. Here was someone asking out of pure curiosity, not with an agenda layered behind it.
"Just under a year yes," she nodded. "The Grimleal took me from the town of Bracile. They held me until I managed to escape a few days west of Ylisstol. They found me again in the city, but that is where Emmeryn rescued me and took me in."
"Ah yes, the Grimleal. The worst of our Plegian neighbors."
"Are Plegians in general that bad?" she asked Maribelle. At the girls raised brow she continued. "When I was travelling with my Foster Father, we crossed paths with a few Plegians. They seemed liked decent folk. We never went into Plegia though. He said it was too rife with violence to risk it."
"Plegians in general are not bad," Maribelle said slowly, seeming to choose her words carefully. "They are just folk like anyone else, albeit worshipping Grima instead of Naga. Most just want to live their lives in peace."
Maribelle grimaced at this. "Let us converse on better things." They chatted quietly for some time. She found she liked Maribelle. Chrom had said that the girl could be hard to like at first, but she supposed that what the girl had to show in public was not what lurked behind the scenes.
The music shifted to slower flow, the dancing partners slowing down as well. She spotted Emmeryn sharing a dance with Frederick; the latter's face slightly red. The Exalt sported a rather large smile herself. Chrom was currently twirling Miriel through what looked like quite a complicated set of steps. Lissa danced with Vaike, the tall blond looking quite dapper in a black coat, white tunic, black trousers and black boots laced half way to the knee. The rest of the Shepherds were interspersed throughout the crowd.
After a short while, Maribelle excused herself to dance with her father. She stayed to the side, just watching the people as they enjoyed themselves. People watching, as Lissa named it, could say quite a lot about a person. Sully for instance presented a brash, manly attitude to those around her, but garbed in a red floor length dress, a smile on her face as she danced with one of the men from the Blacksmith's Guild. She could tell that even though the woman did not often let herself enjoy such things, she took to them with gusto when she did.
As the night grew longer, Emmeryn made her way over to her. The two had to say their farewell's to the people's as they left. When a bell tolled in the distance, signaling that it was now the dead of night, the only ones left in the Grand Ball Room were a few Nobles and Guildsmen, Servants cleaning up and the troupe of musicians.
"Kaylin," she turned to see Chrom approaching her with Lissa. "One last dance before the night ends?" He held his hand out.
She looked over to Emmeryn. So long as there were guests to see off, she still had a duty to be with the Exalt. At Emmeryns smile and nodded, she took Chroms hand. When they reached the floor, she heard a rather slow tune coming from the musicians.
"I asked them for this," he answered her raised brow. "I thought a slow dance at the end would be the best sending off for your first night as a Princess.
"You were right," she said, moving in closer to the Prince then the other times had warranted. Her left hand was in Chroms right, her right hand on his lefts upper arm near the pauldron. She felt his right hand on her waist. He began the dance slow, keeping the pace as they slowly moved across the floor. The music seemed to drown everything else out as she looked on the Prince. She could see his eyes reflecting his mood, gleaming brightly.
"I have not yet told you how beautiful you look tonight," he told her quietly as they danced.
"All Madam Flores work," she smiled shyly.
"They may have smoothed over a few edges," he gently joked, getting a huff and a playful smack on the arm from her. "But they could only accentuate what is already there."
"Prince Chrom the Charmer," she smiled, finding herself close enough to him to lay her head on his chest. He towered over her, the top of her head coming to his chin. She closed her eyes as she rested her head at his shoulders, letting the Prince guide her once again.
"Tonight has been rather successful Your Grace," Frederick stated, standing at her side. She looked on as her brother danced with the new Princess, the girls eyes closed. She could clearly see the smile Kaylin sported as they moved slowly in time with the last song of the night.
"Yes it has Frederick," she smiled. "I know a few of the Nobles are not happy with this, let alone Jeroth and Mikail from the council, but now she is safe, in a way."
"Being a Princess brings with it it's own dangers though," the Knight said.
"Better than being subjected to exile," she told him.
"True," the man mused. "The Grimleal will not wait much longer to try for her."
"No, they won't," she frowned. "I have to assume they will attempt to grab her in the near future. She is out in the public now."
"Shall I assign guards to her?" she could not see the Knights face, but she knew it would hold that same steadfastness it always held when speaking of her sibling's safety.
"Yes," she gave her assent. "I do want Anya assigned to her though. Kaylin likes her."
"As you wish," she could hear the slight bow she knew he gave her. The song ended, Chrom and Kaylin parting as the dance stopped. Kaylin placed her right hand in Chroms left elbow as he crooked it for her. The two teens walked over to them.
"You two looked rather comfortable," she teased the two. Kaylins cheeks turned a deeper red as Chrom cleared his throat, neither looking at the other.
"It is late sister," Chrom said after a moment. "I am going to escort Kaylin back to her room before turning in myself."
"Very well," she smiled at the two. They left after giving Frederick a nod. Two of the Royal Guards fell in behind them as they left. After a few short minuets of giving farewells to the last stragglers, she left towards her rooms, Frederick in tow.
She thanked Frederick when they reached her door. Upon entering her bed chamber she noticed Kaylin's door was ajar, light coming from beyond. After receiving no answer to her knock, she entered to see the balcony door open, the girl leaning against the railing. She had not yet changed out of her gown, her hair still done up. The jewels woven throughout glittered in the moonlight.
When she lay a hand on Kaylins exposed shoulder, they young girl leaned into it, taking comfort from her. She just stood there, knowing that when she was ready Kaylin would open up.
"I'm scared Emm," the girls voice was quiet as if she was afraid raising it would shatter the night sky. She looked to see Kaylins eyes hooded, lost in thought.
"Of what?" her quiet question brought the girls lower lip to her teeth, showing that she was uneasy.
"Myself," Kaylin's tone was sad. "I'm a Princess now. I have all the responsibilities that demands of me, along with everything else. What if I mess up?"
"How so?" her gentle tone let the young girl know that she would not judge.
"Just me being here puts everyone in danger," Kaylin began. Her hands clenched the railing at this. "We both know there will be attempts on me, most likely soon." She hunched her shoulders at this. "You and Chrom and Lissa will be caught in the cross fire."
"That is part of what it means to be a Royal," she wrapped her arm around the girl, drawing her in. Kaylins left arm wound itself around her waist, her head resting on her shoulder.
"What about when I lose control of my Magic?" her tone reflected the fear she could feel coursing through the girl's body. She knew this above all else frightened the girl. "When I pull too much?"
"I want to say that won't ever happen," her own voice fell at this, her mind going to the one text she had kept from Kaylin. The text written by Princess Enya herself that depicted, in rather explicit detail, what happened when a Water Mage perished.
"You can't though," Kaylin whispered, her tone quivering. "We both know that there is every chance that will happen."
"A chance does not mean a guarantee," she squeezed the girls shoulder. "As much as it could happen, there is the possibility of it never happening. You could very well live long into your years." She turned her tone teasingly. "Maybe even raise a family?"
"Who would have me for me?" Kaylin asked her. "Most will only want me for either my power or my new position."
"You will find someone," she told the girl. "They are out there."
"What about you?" Kaylin turned the tables on her, looking up at her. The girl's eyes were still wet, but her ploy had worked, she could see the smile in her eyes. "Have you not thought of marriage?"
"Many times," she nodded, looking back out to the stars. "I, unfortunately, cannot bear children though."
"What?" she heard the shock in Kaylins voice.
"When I was just thirteen an assassination attempt nearly claimed my life," she explained. The pain of that night, of learning what had happened echoing dully through her. It never truly went away. "The man's dagger pierced my stomach." She laid her left hand against her middle. "When I awoke, I was told by the healers that my womb had been severely damaged."
"Surely they could fix that though," Kaylin said, her face aghast. "A Vulnerary or healing magic?"
"The damage was already done," she shook her head sadly. "The blade was coated in Copperleaf poison."
"Gods," Kaylin shuddered at this. Copperleaf poison was well known for its acidic quality. Made it ideal for assassinations. If the blade did not kill the target, the poison would burn them from the inside out.
"The poison rendered me unable to bear a child," she could not keep the sadness from her tone. Kaylin squeezed her quietly, now offering her support.
"I am so sorry," the girl whispered.
"You did not know," she gently responded. "Almost no one knows. It is why I will not take a husband. There needs to be a clear line of succession to Chrom."
"You are sacrificing all your happiness at a future for that?" the girl asked her.
"I said I won't take a husband," she winked at the girl. "I said nothing about being alone. I have had lovers in the past. I will have them in the future." Kaylin's cheeks flushed a scarlet red at this.
"It is nothing to be shy about," she chided the girl teasingly. "One day you will have your own."
"Naga," the girl only turned a brighter red. She chuckled. It was not often she got to tease anyone. She found it refreshing and quite fun.
"Long may that day be off," Kaylin shook her head. "It may sound cliché, but I've always thought I would be married before…that."
"Mayhap you will," she nodded. "Maybe you will find you do not want to wait for marriage. Whatever the reasons when it does happen," here she lifted the girls chin with her left hand, looking into her golden eyes. The moonlight seemed to make them glow. "It will be your choice. Love often finds us at the most unexpected places, the most inopportune times."
"So embrace it when it comes along?" Kaylin asked her.
"Yes." Her answer was honest. "Life can often be quite short. Live it as fully as you can."
"Will I know it when it happens?"
"No, not at first," Emmeryn told her. "Love is one of the things that cannot be properly described. It just…is. You will understand when you feel it."
Kaylin just nodded at this. The two stood there, gazing up at the heavens quietly until the young girl started to fall asleep. Emmeryn guided her back inside, helping her undo her hair and get out of the gown. After everything was set aside and Kaylin was asleep under her covers, she blew out the candles, retreating to her own room for sleep.
October 2nd, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Royal Palace, Conservatory
Kaylin sat on one of the benches lining the walkways between the planters in the Conservatory. Filled to the brim, corner to corner, every twenty foot rectangular enclosure is covered with either flowers or herbs, both used by the Royal Herbalists for various potions and tinctures. Sitting next to her is Lissa, the girl's yellow and white hooped skirt contrasting sharply with her own dark green tunic and brown trousers.
Before them sits a dozen small children, all talking animatedly as the two Princess's entertained them. A young girl raised her small hand.
"Yes Mary?" Lissa asked the girl.
"Can you do the juggling again?" the girl asked her small voice squeaking.
"Kaylin?" Lissa looked to her.
"It will have to be the last for the night," Kaylin told the children. Getting cries from them she held up her hands, waiting for quiet to continue. "It is getting late," she pointed at the setting sun. "Remember what happened last time you were kept up?"
"We weren't allowed to see you for three whole days!" a young boy stated, his face puffing up in annoyance.
"Exactly," Lissa nodded. "So, after this, it's off to bed with you all."
"Ok Miss Lissa," the children said in unison, getting smiles from the girls.
Kaylin nodded at this, setting aside her staff as she stood up. Turning to Lissa, she raised her palms and summoned two small globes of water. At Lissa's nod, she handed them to her before summoning two more. While this served as a nice distraction for the children, it also helped her hone her Magic. Holding four orbs in existence together for long periods of time had been Miriels idea to increase her focus.
Once Lissa nodded again, they both began tossing the globes back and forth in tandem, one just slightly behind the other. The children oohed and ahhed at this, their eyes following the globes. Both girls knew that what the children truly loved about this little act was when one of them mistimed a catch.
Proving this, Kaylin fumbled one of the globes Lissa tossed her. Instead of landing in her hand, it splattered against her arm, getting a squeal of delight from the kids. Trying to recover, she mistimed yet another globe, this one landing square on her face.
Sputtering as she wiped the water away, she noticed Lissa grinning at the laughing children. "You did that on purpose."
"I did not," Lissa snickered. She still held two globes rather close to her face as she tried to cover her laughter. Narrowing her eyes, she prodded the globes with an extra bit of magic. The resulting explosion of water in the Princess's face brought more laughter to the children. Wiping away the water, Lissa only raised a brow at her.
"Sorry, guess I still need to work on my control," she grinned. Lissa just snorted at this, a small smile on her lips. They herded the children to one of the exits, where the mothers of two of the children were waiting for them.
"See you tomorrow Miss Lissa, Miss Kaylin," the children called as they were led away. The two girls waved to them as they disappeared down the walkway toward the Palace proper.
"The children do so love those shows," a voice said from the doorway. The voice belongs to her personal guard, Anya. Pink short hair cropped at her shoulders, the woman's green eyes crinkled with laughter as she handed them hand towels.
"It's hard to say no to them," Lissa nodded. "They are just so adorable."
Leaning on her staff as she wiped the remaining water away with the towel Anya provided, she felt content. Playing with the children always made her feel like that. Lissa had begun bringing her to these sessions a week into her stay here. They served to help bring her out of her shell, and brought joy to the children's lives.
"I'm more than happy to bring some smiles to their faces," she grinned.
"The children love you two," Anya smiled at them. Outfitted in the usual Pegasii Knight armor, a sword is buckled at her waist, a steel lance in her hands. Kaylin rather liked the outspoken woman. She not only provided a companion to her, but her advice, and knowledge, had already come in handy more than once. She had even gotten Anya to promise to teach her how to ride a Pegasus, eventually.
"Shall we return Milady's?" the Knight asked them. Nodding in unison, they started off towards the palace themselves, following the winding pathway. They walked into a gazebo surrounded by rose gardens when Anya stopped them.
Kaylin looked at the Knight, noticing that she was tense, her hands on her lance, eyes scanning their surroundings. "What's wrong Anya?" she asked. Lissa was already looking around them, her hands gripping her own stave.
"There should be two guards here," Lissa told her. "Part of the unit Anya is attached to."
"They would not abandon their posts," Anya informed them, sweeping her vision across the grounds. Darkness was falling fast, and with it, their vision would be limited to what the lit braziers showed.
"Told you they would notice," a rough voice said from above them. Five forms dropped from the top of the gazebo, blocking the path to the Palace. They spread out forming a half circle around them, leaving only the paths backwards open.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Anya's tone was clipped, stern. She moved in front of her and Lissa, her lance held ready.
"We are here for the Princess of course," the man in the center smiled gesturing to Lissa. The light showed his rotten black teeth. Face covered in scars, he wore used brown leathers, a grey cloak on his shoulders. In his hand is a sword. The other four men were dressed likewise, but their weapons varied. Daggers, a one hand Axe and even a morning star were gripped in calloused hands.
"You will be disappointed then," Anya stated leveling her lance at the leader of the group. "The guards who were here?"
"They did not put up much of a fight," the leader shrugged. "A shame really," his face broke into a leer. Kaylin shuddered inwardly at the look on his face. "They could have provided my men with some entertainment."
"Pig," Kaylin grimaced. The man looked at her, running an eye over her. She felt filthy from just that one look.
"A little young," the man tsked. "But beggars can't be choosers. My men will enjoy you."
"Never," Lissa snarled at the man.
"Don't worry Princess, we have orders not to harm you too much," the man on the far left chuckled lowly. "Your friend though, I bet she loves to get her hair pulled."
"Ugh, disgusting," Anya spit. "You will not lay a hand on either of them."
"As if a little thing like you could stop us," the man on the right, the one with the morning star, stepped forward. He began swinging the weapons spiked ball and chain. Anya shifted her stance, stabbing out at the man. The man only laughed at this, his weapon twining around the lance when he swung at it.
His laugh turned into a startled cry when Anya yanked her lance back towards her. Caught off guard, the man stumbled forward into striking range. Anya quickly flicked her lances butt upwards, crashing it against the man's jaw. A loud crack reverberated out, the man clutching at his ruined jaw as he fell to his knees. Anya followed this through by turning the attack into a full spin in her hands, thrusting the lance's sharpened head forward.
Kaylins eyes widened as she watched the lance sink into the man's chest, a sickening scream leaving his lips as he died. The Pegasii Knight yanked the lance out of the body, blood spraying out as the new cavity was emptied. She could see broken pieces of bone where his rib cage had been pierced sticking through the ruined flesh. Blood coursed from the wound, soaking the stone floor.
"Not so little now am I?" Anya taunted the four remaining men. The leader laughed loudly at this.
"Oh you are a lively one," he said, spinning his sword about in a flourish. "I think I will take you for myself before you die."
The three other minions ran forward, all reading to attack the Knight. Anya simply shifted her stance once more, stepping forward to meet them. She parried the one with two daggers, forcing his weapons to the left. Her left leg snapped out, a crunch signifying the man's knee had been shattered. He fell to the ground with a cry, dropping his weapons.
She thrust her lance backwards, the haft catching the man behind her in the solar plexus. His breath left him in a great wheeze, doubling him over. She stepped forward, meeting the Axe wielder with the haft of the weapon. When the axe bit into the soft metal designed for just such a thing, she twisted her weapon to the right. The axe left the man's hands as his wrists were strained to the breaking point. Clearly her arms had much more strength then her lithe frame let on.
She thrust the end of the haft into the man's face, blood spurting from his broken nose. His hands shot to his ruined face, leaving his middle open. Anya capitalized on this, spinning her lance around and running the man through. Kaylin could only watch in growing horror as the man slid off the lance, intestines spilling out onto the ground in a steaming pile. The man clutched at his stomach, trying to push his insides back inside him as he died.
Anya quickly shifted again back to the dagger wielding man, swiping her lance across his throat. Blood sprayed out onto the woman, coating her middle red as he clutched at his ruined throat. She continued this move onto the man on the ground, whom had just begun to stand up. Her arm pulled the weapon back, thrusting forward quickly. The lance punched through his unprotected face, his skull caving around the sharpened metal. Blood, brains and bone fragments rained from the exiting weapon, splattering the ground. She pulled the lance back to her, the head coated in blood and grey matter.
Kaylin looked at the hole where the man's face had been. She felt her stomach clench at the sight of all the blood and gore. She clapped her free left hand over her mouth, sure that if she removed it she would empty her stomachs content onto the floor. Lissa blanched at the sight, but held firm where she was, her hands on her stave.
"Impressive," the leader grinned. "I will definitely have some fun with you." He sprang forward, swinging his sword at her. She twisted her lance to meet his thrust. At the last second, the man turned his sword, ramming the flat of the blade into the lance instead of the edge. The blow pushed Anya back a step, throwing her guard off for a precious second.
The leader used this, stepping inside the lances reach. He rammed the hilt of his sword into Anya's face, staggering the woman. Blood flowed from her broken nose, but unlike the dead man from before, she did not raise her hands to her face. She swiped her lance across to her left, forcing the man to spring back a step. She made a shallow thrust, the man turning the weapon aside to his right. He tried to step into the lances range again, but Anya was ready for this.
She stepped forward, bending her knees as she let the punch sail over her shoulder. She turned her left shoulder to him, barreling forward into the taller man, and the impact of light plate to his middle sent him reeling back. She used this to bring her lance across his chest, the leather armor parting with no resistance as the weapon bit into his flesh.
Cursing, the man brought his left hand up to his chest, feeling along the deep grove in his flesh as his armor became stained with his own blood. "Bitch!" he snarled, pain and rage twisting his features. He jumped forward, sword swinging in an overhead strike. Anya stepped to her right avoiding the blow. The man's left leg snapped out, striking her left leg on the shin.
A crack sounded out, Anya's cry letting the girls know her leg had been broken. She fell to her knee as the man lashed out with his other leg, kicking her lance from her grip. As the weapon clattered across the ground, coming to rest against one of the dead men, he swung his sword down at her head.
Anya's sword was in her right hand in a moment, swung up to meet the man's sword in a block. Both hands placed on the hilt, one over the other, the Pegasii Knight grunted with the effort it took to hold off the man, but he was stronger than her, his sword moving towards her head.
Kaylin's brain screamed at her to snap out of the horror filled trance as the sword was an inch from the woman's face. She reacted purely out of fear, finding her left hand on her staff as she leveled it at the man. She thrust it forward, the blue gemstone blazing in the night as her Magic flowed along the staff.
A stream of water blasted into the man's chest, sending him flying back into one of the columns holding the gazebos roof. As he struggled to keep himself on his feet, he raised his head to stare at her. She couldn't help but look at the man's eyes as a second blast of water crashed into his chest. Shock took her breath away as the water cut through him. Water and blood splashed across the stone behind him, spraying onto the ground around him as he looked at her, eyes wide in disbelief.
She could only watch as he collapsed, eyes rolling back into his head as he died, blood seeping from the fist sized hole in his chest to run over his middle, pooling in his lap. She dropped her staff, feeling as if it had burned her. She lurched over to the nearest rose plot, emptying her stomach into it.
As she retched, she vaguely heard Lissa attending to Anya. A bright light sufficed the corner of her vision. Unable to face the sight of the corpse ridden gazebo, she continued to dry heave into the rose plot, hair falling forward to hide the tears streaming down her face.
At the touch of a hand on her shoulder, she whipped around, striking out blindly. Her arm was caught by Lissa. The blond pulled her into hug, holding on to her as she struggled to free herself.
"Let me go!" she cried, trying to free herself, but Lissa held on tight. "Gods I killed him. Let me go!"
"No," Lissa said fiercely, her face pale from the violence that had just occurred. Lissa forced her to look into her bright green eyes. "You did what you had to too save Anya."
"I killed him!" she cried again. She couldn't stop herself from shaking in Lissa's arms as her tears fell. She closed her eyes tight to stop the tears, still struggling to get free. "I could hurt you too!"
"You won't," Lissa soothed her. The girl pulled her head forward onto her shoulder, her hand running gently over her back. She stopped struggling, instead clinging to Lissa as she felt her legs turn to water. She sobbed into the girls shoulder, her hands clenching around Lissa's brown corset.
"We need to return to the Palace," Anya came up to them, eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. "They may not be alone."
Lissa nodded at this, shifting her grip to hold her by the shoulder. Anya picked up her staff as they proceeded around the gazebo. The blood covered Knight led the way along the lit path to the Palace. The night was oddly quite to Kaylins ears. She was sure there should be alarms ringing out, shouts and screams shattering the night at what had just transpired.
When they reached a side entrance to the palace, the two Knights on guard snapped to attention, hands on weapons as they rushed to the trio. The two Knights drew them into the building, exchanging quick quiet words with Anya. One of the Knights took off at a run deeper into the palace. The other took up his place in front of and just inside the entrance, his hand on his weapon, eyes scanning the darkness. Anya stood on their opposite side, stance mirroring the other Knight, just watching the interior of the Palace.
Kaylin stood silent against Lissa, the shaking having stopped. She felt numb, her mind blank. Lissa's voice sounded like a far off buzz to her ears as the girl tried to talk to her. She watched as Frederick and Chrom appeared suddenly in the corridor, a dozen Knights and soldiers accompanying them.
Chrom's lips moved, but no sound came out. Fredericks did the same, but she could not string thoughts together long enough to figure out why. The prince was suddenly prominent in her vision, his hand reaching out to her.
Chrom reached out to Kaylin, his hand near his shoulder when he saw a flash of fear in her eyes. Her face twisted with emotion as she flinched, stepping back hurriedly from him. He felt shock at this, but crushed it quickly.
"She's in shock," Frederick stated, looking at the girl as she clung to his sister. "We need to get you to the Exalt, and quickly," Fredericks tone brooked no arguments. Chrom nodded as he turned to follow the man, gesturing for Lissa to follow with Kaylin.
The walk through the palace was brisk, ending at Emmeryns chambers. Frederick gestured them inside along with Anya as he gave out instructions to the Knights. Two went running off, the rest arraying themselves around the door, hands on weapons. Frederick followed them inside.
Emmeryn jumped up when they entered, moving to them quickly. "Are any of you hurt?" her tone spoke volumes, the fear in it evident.
"Not physically," Lissa shook her head, her arms still around Kaylin.
"Kaylin is in shock Your Grace," Frederick informed the Exalt. "She needs rest."
"Put her in my bed," Emmeryn instructed Lissa. "I don't want any of us alone tonight."
Lissa nodded at this, directing Kaylin across the room and through the door. Once Lissa had returned a few minutes later, Emmeryn told her to sit. "Sit Anya," Emmeryn commanded the Pegasii Knight. "Tell us what happened."
At the Exalts direction, she pulled out a chair and sat in it. Chrom new the tale would not be a good one by the blood staining the woman's armor and lance.
"I was escorting the Princess's back to the palace after their time with the children in the Conservatory," the woman started. "At the Dawn's gazebo we were accosted by five armed men. They claimed to have killed the two Pegasii Knights that were standing guard there."
Chrom winched at this. He only hoped that their ends had been quick and painless. "They taunted us, claiming they were there for the Princess Lissa. They also made vulgar comments on what they intended for Princess Kaylin." Chroms hand tightened on Falchions hilt.
"They thought me easy prey to move aside to get at the Princess's," Anya's eyes flashed at this. "They died to those words."
"That blood is the intruders?" Emmeryn asked her.
"Yes, Highness," Anya nodded. "I took no cuts. The leader of the intruders got a shot in to my left leg, breaking it, but Princess Lissa mended it after the fighting was over."
"You took out five armed men by yourself?" Frederick questioned. "Impressive."
"Not all five," the woman shook her head at this. Chrom notched her face fall. "The leader, he had me. Only Princess Kaylin's interference saved my life."
"Kaylin saved you?" Emmeryn asked.
"Yes." Anya nodded at this. "She used her Magic to blast the man off me. He was thrown into one of the stone pillars. A second blast of her Magic punched right through his chest. It was not a welcome sight."
"She killed with her Magic?" Emmeryns eyes went wide at this.
"Yes," Lissa took up the story. "She dropped her staff and threw up into the closest rose planter though. She is horrified at what she did."
"She saved Anya's life though," Chrom stated.
"She sees it as her taking a life, not saving one," Lissa shook her head. "Right now that is all she sees. I looked into her eyes directly after. They were rife with guilt."
"Did the men say who sent them?" Emmeryn turned the questions back to Anya.
"No, Highness," the woman shook her head. "They only stated they were there to take Lissa, nothing more."
"We need to find those responsible," Emmeryn rubbed her forehead.
"I have the Guard searching the grounds for any more intruders," Frederick informed them. "The Guard has been placed on highest alert. The numbers on duty have been tripled for the moment."
"Good," Emmeryn sighed. "Let me know in the morning if you find anything." She turned to Chrom. "I want you with Lissa. Extra guards at your door as well."
Chrom nodded at this, Lissa as well. When Chrom opened his mouth, Emmeryn held up a hand. "I will stay with Kaylin tonight. She will need comfort from someone."
Chrom nodded at this, standing up to exit as Emmeryn nodded to Frederick before heading into her room. He exited with Lissa, an extra dozen Royal Guards standing ready to accompany them to his own quarters.
"Do you think you will find anything?" Lissa asked Frederick.
"No Milady," Frederick sighed. "Any stragglers have had ample time to escape. Also, if they had intended on a second attempt on you, it would have happened while you were waiting for us at the entrance."
"Will Kaylin be alright?" Lissa hugged herself.
"Everyone handles things like this differently," Chrom told her. "She took her first life tonight. It will hit her hard when she has regained her senses."
"It is time you retire for the night," Frederick informed them. At this, Chrom nodded, taking Lissa's shoulder as the dozen guards led them to his rooms.