Disclaimer: I don't own anything Fire Emblem.
The sound of waves crashing against rocks echoing in the distance brought Kaylin to conciseness slowly. Struggling through the fog covering her thoughts, she opened her eyes, squinting at the brightness. Raising an arm to give her eyes some shade, she propped herself up with the other.
Bringing her arm down as her eyes adjusted to the light, her eyes widened as she observed her environment. As far as she could see, horizon to horizon as she twisted her head about, there was nothing but water. She looked down to the ground, seeing it ripple slightly with her movements, yet she felt no moisture, as if the water was not wet.
"Where am I?" her question echoed out into the emptiness. Startled at how far it carried, she clamped her lips closed. She slowly stood, her legs shaking as if she had just finished training. Looking down at herself, she noticed that she was wearing a strange outfit. Her body is wrapped in a white midriff bearing tunic, the cloth hugging her chest. Like her dress from the Ceremony, it covered her right shoulder but left her left shoulder bare, the Brand on her chest exposed.
Her lower body is covered in a white sarong tied just under her navel. The garment falls to her left calf, and then dipped to ankle length on her right leg. Her hair felt heavier than usual. Running her hands over it, she found that nearly all of it had been tied into a dozen braids, falling to her waist. Each braids end is clamped and capped in silver. A few loose bangs fell forward into her right eye.
"Ok what by Naga is going on?" even with her voice quieter, it still echoed over the vast emptiness. "Who dressed me like this?"
She raised a hand to her head, struggling to remember what had happened. The last thing she recalled was entertaining a group of children with…someone, a blond girl maybe? In the Conservatory. She felt that there was more, pushed at the thought, but met only a mental wall. Frustration quickly built as she concentrated, but to no avail. The memory lay beyond her reach.
"So what now?" she muttered, turning in a circle. Everything was the same, just the same flat plane of water as far as she could see. She bent down to run her hand across the water, surprised when her fingers dipped into it. Withdrawing her hand, she tilted her head in confusion at the water lingering on her fingers. She stood and tapped her left foot, meeting resistance as if she were standing on stone. Small ripples flowed outward from her foot.
"So strange," she commented looking back up. She blinked in confusion when she took in the white barren tree towering into the sky in front of her.
"That was not there before." Her mind ran with questions as she approached the tree. When she reached it, she noticed that the tree's white bark was cracked, chipped and crumbling. Running a hand over the bark, it felt smooth as silk.
"It should not be smooth," she wondered at this. Where was she? How had she gotten here? As she walked around the trunk, she felt a stirring in the air. Her cloths moving softly in the breeze, she pushed the bangs out of her right eye when she returned to the 'front' of the tree.
As she appeared around the tree, she looked down at the base of the trunk disappearing into the water. Ripples in the water lapping against the trunk drew her attention a few feet away. Streams of water falling back to the surface, a form began to emerge from the rippling ground, rising higher. Stepping back from the form, her eyes went wide as the water took on a woman's profile.
The water woman stood taller than her by a head. Hair made from the water rippled around her, falling to her mid back. Her face, sharp and angular, yet beautiful, housed a small nose, full lips and slightly slanted eyes. A moderate bust, wide hips and long shapely legs finished the form. The woman's form, made from the water, cascaded with it, as if currents ran through her. Hey eyes are what truly drew Kaylins attention though. As they gazed at her, she noticed that they looked like blue crystal pools.
"Who are you?" she asked. She found her right hand had risen out to reach for the creature. Not recalling having raised it, she furrowed her brow in confusion. She felt like she knew this creature, but could not for the life of her recall HOW she knew it. The creature stepped forward slowly, raising its own left hand to match hers.
"What are you?" her question was met with a slight tilt to the left of the creatures head. She could feel the emotions emanating off the creature as it stepped to her. Her brain was telling her not to let the thing close, that it could be a danger, but her heart shouted that it was safe, that she would not come to harm.
Shaking her head at the warring thoughts, she stood her ground, keeping her hand up as the creature reached her. When it's hand touched her, their fingers twining together, warmth suffused her hand. The warmth travelled along her arm, enveloping her body as it spread. She felt her heart beat rapidly as the creature let go of her hand, wrapping its arms around her and drawing her in.
When she was flush against the creatures form, she looked up into its face, its eyes capturing her own. She did not know how, or why, but she got a sense of contentment, one she had not felt since her mother had died. Bringing her arms around the creature's waist, she gazed into those clear blue pools.
"What's happening?" her voice came out far smaller then she had intended. The creature only bent its head, placing a kiss on her brow. At the feel of those lips, she felt a stirring of…something, in her chest. When the creature pulled back, it pointed to the tree on her left. Following its arm with her gaze, she only saw the white tree.
"Am I supposed to see something?" she turned her gaze back to the creature. When it shook its head no, she frowned. "If I am not supposed to see something, what is supposed to happen?"
The creature only pointed back to the tree. Swinging her gaze to it again, she looked harder. Beyond the cracked bark, she could see nothing special about it. It stood a good forty feet tall, branches spreading out from the trunk, getting smaller as they neared the top. No leaves were on any of the tree limbs. Only white bark and more white bark.
"I don't understand," she frowned up at the creature. "Where is this? Did you bring me here? What is going on?" her questions were only met with silence as the creature stared down at her.
Grunting in frustration, she extricated herself from it's arms. She immediately felt a sense of loss at this. Fighting the urge to turn back into it's arms, she walked over to the tree, her bare feet leaving small ripples.
When she reached the tree, she ran a hand over the bark again. The feeling of smooth silk was gone. In its place the bark felt rough, its texture more natural. "Gods this place is weird," she muttered as she turned around. The hollow feeling that she had gotten when she parted from the creature grew when her eyes landed back on it.
Her body moving of it's own accord, she found herself in front of the creature, blinking as her arms wrapped themselves around its neck. The creature's arms returned the gesture, its hands linking together at the small of her back.
"Why am I drawn to you?" she questioned the creature, her head tilting slightly. The creature only placed another kiss on her brow.
She did not understand the feelings cascading through her. She felt happiness like she had never known, as if she had come home. She felt like a hole in her heart had been suddenly filled. Gazing into the creatures eyes, she tried to understand why she felt so RIGHT standing with it. A small part of her nagged that that thought was wrong, but when she tried to examine it, it only faded away.
"I wonder what Emmeryn would make of this," she smiled up at the creature. An image of a blond haired woman flashed in her mind before it dissolved, like mist before the sun. "Wait, Emmeryn?" she knew someone by that name, or at least she thought she did, but as she struggled to recall if this person was real she felt her mind going hazy. Bringing a hand to her forehead, she rubbed at it. "Was I talking about someone?" she asked the creature.
Unsure of what was going on, she tried to sort through her thoughts. Whenever she thought of anything other than the place she was in, the creature she was holding, her mind grew foggy. "That's not right."
Shaking her head, she pulled herself from the creatures arms again, albeit much more slowly. As she parted from the creature, that overwhelming urge to feel whole returned. Battling it down, she backed away from the creature.
"Why do I feel like this?" she asked it as she moved backwards. "What are you doing to me?" she knew she should feel afraid, but in place of it all she felt was confusion. Her back came up against the tree.
The creature followed her steps, trapping her against the trunk. It reached for her, cupping her face in its hands. Warmth raced through her at the touch, her eyes opening wider, lips parting. The empty hollow in her chest vanished as the creature pressed her into the tree with its own body, tilting her head back. She knew she couldn't stop whatever was going to happen. She was at the creature's mercy. Indeed she did not WANT to stop whatever was going to happen. Her heart screamed at her that this was right. That she was where she belonged.
The creature brought its head down, but this time caught her lips with its own. Her mind going blank, the only thing she could do was feel. The feel of its lips on her own, the feel of the water it was made from pressing into her skin, lighting a fire in her. Her left hand running through the creatures watery tresses, her right pulled its head in firmer, crushing her lips against the creatures as the kiss heated, growing passionate.
She vaguely felt the rough texture of the bark her back was pressed into go soft. A small part of her mind shouted to her that something was wrong as the creature pressed her back into the tree, it's lips never leaving her own as it held her. She could feel the tree turn liquid around her as they sank into it, but did not care.
As the light turned dark, as the tree swallowed them, covering them in the silky liquid it seemed to be made of, her mind, to no avail, tried to fight back against the feeling of completeness. When the light vanished all together and she could not see anything but those two glowing blue pools, she felt it release her mouth. The lips glided over her left cheek, a blazing trail of warmth left behind, moving to her ear.
"We've missed you."
October 3rd, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Royal Palace, Exalts Bedchamber.
Kaylin's eyes opened slowly. Her mind felt heavy, as if she had had too much sleep and not enough at the same time. She felt a fading emptiness in her as she woke up. Bringing a heavy hand to her face, she rubbed her eyes, trying to will her mind clear. Looking around blearily, she recognized the four poster bed she lay in.
Why am I in Emmeryns bed? This thought drifted through her mind as she sat up. Her pink pajamas rustled as the covers she was under fell to her waist. Shaking her head in confusion, she moved from the bed. When she stood on her feet, she rubbed her eyes again, fighting off the sleep clouding her mind.
What was I dreaming about? A single image of a tall white tree faded from her memory as she moved over to the door to the antechamber. She sniffed as the smells of what must have been breakfast drifted to her nose. Opening the door, she peered around the edge into the room. Lanterns bathed the room in soft light, the door to the hallway letting in sunlight as it lay open.
"Morning sleepyhead," she looked to see Lissa waving at her. Chrom sat across from her, with Emmeryn at her usual place at the head of the table. Before them sits four large plates of food covered with bacon, eggs, sausage, what Stahl called 'flatcakes', and fruit.
Taking the open seat closest to Emmeryn, she began to eat, her stomach growling in appreciation at the food. She stayed silent as she ate, ignoring what the siblings were talking about.
"Kaylin?" her name called to her. As she looked up to see who was talking to her, she found the three siblings looking at her, concern written across their faces. "Kaylin?"
"Sorry what?" she mumbled, shaking her head. Chasing away the last lingering feelings of…she couldn't identify what, with a glass of milk, she turn her full attention to the others. "Sorry, still waking up."
"We are just worried about you," Emmeryn said again. At her confused look, Emmeryn frowned. "After what happened last night, we are concerned."
"Last night?" she racked her brain, trying to remember what the Exalt was talking about. All she got was an image of her and Lissa with the children. "Lissa and I were with the children as usual."
"That's all you remember?" Lissa asked her.
"Yes, why?" she looked at the blond. "I don't remember anything after that. Did I hit my head or something?"
"No," Lissa shook hers. The Princess looked to her siblings, her face clouded. At Emmeryns nod, Lissa turned back to her. "We were attacked last night."
"What?" she sat up straight, her eyes going wide. "What happened?"
"Five men accosted Lissa, you and Anya at the Dawn Gazebo," Emmeryn told her.
"Anya!" she cursed herself for not thinking out the pink haired guard sooner. "Is she hurt?"
"She is fine," Chrom assured her. "She only took minor wounds, which Lissa patched up after words."
"Thank Naga," she sank into the chair, reaching for another glass of milk.
"She fought valiantly," Emmeryn nodded. "She took down four of the ruffians quite quickly from how Lissa tells it."
"Four?" she asked before taking a drank from the cup. "Didn't you say there were five? The last one got away?"
"No," Lissa grimaced. "You killed the fifth man, saving Anya's life in the process."
She blinked at this. Her hearth clenched as Lissa's words registered with her. Setting a suddenly shaking glass down on the table, she felt her breath becoming shallow. "I killed someone?"
"Yes," Emmeryn place a hand on her left one, stilling it.
"How?" she whispered. Looking at the three siblings, she saw the answer in their eyes. She had to hear it though. "Tell me."
Emmeryn's face went sad, her eyes reflecting this. "Your Magic."
She felt her stomach rebel violently at those two simple words. Jerking her hand free of Emmeryns grip, she launched the chair backwards in her haste to get away. She retched into a washing bucket in the bath chamber, its door bouncing loudly off the wall. As she heaved up everything she had just eaten, hands were suddenly in her hair, holding it back.
Her throat burning from the retching, she collapsed on her haunches, arms holding her up as she shook. The hands, belonging to Emmeryn she noted vaguely, presented her a glass of water. Washing her mouth out, she placed the glass on the ground lest she drop it.
"No, no, no, no," she whispered, her eyes shutting tight. Instead of the welcome black she hopped for, she was met with the visage of a scared face, eyes wide in pain and fear as her Magic punched a hole clean through his chest, blood painting the wall behind and around his body. "Gods no!"
Emmeryn held her tight, rocking her as she hopelessly pleaded for what she knew to be true to turn out false, a bad joke. All she got for her prayers was Emmeryns whispered words of comfort that it would be alright.
Once she had calmed herself down, despair settled over her in a cloud. She had killed with her magic and she had not even remembered it. What kind of person was she to just forget about taking a life?
"I…I need to go," she muttered, struggling to her feet. She felt unsteady, her legs struggling to hold her up. Emmeryn maintained a soft grip on her shoulders.
"Go?" Lissa's voice brought her attention to the girl. She and Chrom had followed them into the bath chamber.
"I took a life with my Magic Lissa," she grunted. Her tone was low, cold, even to herself. "I'm a danger to you."
"You are not," Chrom stated, frowning at her. "You defended yourself, Lissa and Anya. You did nothing wrong."
"I forgot about it Chrom!" she snapped at the Prince. "What kind of person FORGETS about taking a life?!"
"The kind that was in shock," Emmeryn told her. She struggled to get out of the Exalts arms, but her weak movements couldn't budge her. Emmeryn gripped her chin in her right hand, forcing her to look the older woman in the eyes. She felt she deserved contempt, ridicule, but all she saw in the Exalts grey-green eyes was compassion and understanding.
"Taking a life, let alone your first one, is always a terrible thing," the Exalt's words were soft. "What happened was horrible, but if you let it consume you, you will lose yourself."
She nodded slightly to let Emmeryn know she understood. At this, the Exalt hugged her. She let the woman's warmth seep into her. She knew she would be haunted by that act for a long time, but Emmeryn had much more experience in these matters. Surely the Exalt was right.
"Do you remember your first?" she asked her quietly, her words muffled by the woman's clothing.
She knew Emmeryn heard when her arms tightened around her. Drawing her head back, she looked up into the Exalts eyes, seeing them clouded with emotion. "I was ten," Emmeryn whispered to her. "They had come for us in the night. One of the assassins slipped past the guards." Her eyes grew hard. "He went for Chrom. We were sitting by a fire reading to Lissa. There was a Fire Iron." She sighed at this. "Come, you should get dressed, we have a busy day ahead of us."
Emmeryn sat in her chair at the council table, the chamber's other six chairs occupied. Around the table sits the five members of the Council. Jeroth Marsten, Mikail Romov and Akio Tachibana are the three men of the Council. The two women are Bernice Rosath and Delilah Augist. Her brother Chrom sits to her immediate right. Frederick stands behind her while the Seneschal with his wood board full of papers stands in the small cutout of the table before the entrance to the room, directly across from her.
"First order of business?" Emmeryn asked the Seneschal.
The man glanced down briefly at the papers on his board. "The matter of the criminal gang known as the 'Ravens' Highness."
"Was that not handled by the City Guard months ago?" Jeroth's tone was laced with contempt. He made no attempt to hide how he felt about the standing force protecting the city.
"At the time it was thought to be, yes," the Seneschal nodded to the councilor. "However, information from reliable sources has showed that these 'Ravens' had a much larger power base then assumed."
"How large?" Councilor Akio asked his fingers steepled.
"We can reliably confirm that their influence has spread throughout Beggars Vale." Emmeryn frowned at this. She had been trying to get the council to approve funds to clean out that hive of scum for years, but they always balked. "In addition, they had agents placed in almost every Guild."
"Had?" Councilor Rosath's brows rose at this.
"A courier was caught fleeing Captain Fain's men in the Artisan's District. The papers found on him pointed to a rather impressive ring of Gem Forgers. They did not hold out long when questioned."
"How many were taken into custody?" Chrom asked.
"Thirty-seven men and women were taken alive, all with varying wounds, none major. Another fourteen died trying to escape."
"The Guilds reactions to these events?" This was councilor Augist. She had a strong dislike for the Guilds.
"They sent missives stating that they had no knowledge of these individual's actions, nor do they condone such things." The Seneschals tone was dryer then the Plegian desert.
"Of course they said that," Augist sighed. "Bastards always have an excuse."
"Still quite a blow," Emmeryn mused. "They have been routed to Beggar's Vale?"
"According to Captain Fain," the Seneschal flipped through some papers. "The criminal gang known as the 'Ravens' have been chased into Beggars Vale. He requests permission to take a regiment of the Guard into the Vale to end this threat to the capitols populace."
"An extreme measure that," Mikail commented. "That will turn ugly very fast."
"The alternative is to let these 'Ravens' escape justice." Chrom leaned forward, one arm on the table. "It will give them time to rebuild their numbers. Not to mention the innocents living in the Vale suffering at the hands of that scum."
"Innocents in the Vale?" Jeroth snorted. "Don't be naïve Prince Chrom."
"Have you walked in the Vale?" Chrom narrowed his eyes at Jeroth. "Have you seen the people struggling to survive? Most live hand to mouth, when they can even find food. They turn to crime because it is the only option left to them."
"Send in the Guard and the Factions in the Vale will retaliate," Jeroth countered. "They have enough numbers to make it a very bloody, and costly, fight."
"What would you propose then Councilor?" Emmeryn asked the man.
"Forget these 'Ravens'," the man's hand waived dismissively. "Their wings have been clipped. They are no threat now. Move against the Vale and you run the risk of the Factions uniting. The Guard is not equipped, nor do they have the numbers, to maintain a siege against the Vale. This is what it would turn into."
"So we send in the Military," Chrom argued. "This is what it is for."
"What message would that send the citizenry though," Akio argued. "I hate what the Vale has turned into, but if you send the Military or the Guard against it, innocent blood will be spilled. The people will lose the respect and loyalty that you have struggled to win Your Grace."
"Bah," Rosath spat. "Innocent blood is already being spilled, every day in the streets of our city by the criminal elements harboring in the Vale." She grimaced. "We owe it to them to see that den of filth wiped out."
Emmeryn rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. These were the same arguments they always had when the issue of Beggar's Vale came up. The problem of the 'Ravens' tipped the scales in her favor though, if she could only figure out how.
"What about a small covert force?" Augist ventured.
"They would be spotted immediately Milady," Frederick answered. "The Factions keep watch over all the entrances to the Vale. No one gets in or out without their permission."
"Councilors, Your Grace," the Seneschal drew their attention. "This next information may be relevant." He pulled a stamped letter from the pile of papers. Frederick retrieved it, handing it to Emmeryn. "That was found on one of the dead agents in the Bankers Guild."
A.
It is time to move. Use the funds set up, get enough to ensure success, skilled this time, not the usual crap that N Peddles. I want the best. The four factions are working together on this. Amazing, I know, but apparently they have been sufficiently pissed off. They want delivery of the package within three nights. Unharmed and unspoiled. DO NOT mess this up, or its all our ass's in the fire. Destroy this.
P.
"When was this sent to this "A." Emmeryn asked. Her voice had turned to steel.
"The Banker kept meticulous records and receipts," the Seneschal answered. "According to those," he flipped to another page, "That letter was delivered two nights before the attempt on the Princess."
Emmeryns fist clenched. Anger flared through her as she thought of what could have happened. She turned her fiery gaze to the Seneschal. "Besides the four entrances to the Vale, is there any other way into or out of it?"
"The sewers Highness," the man nodded. "There are dozens of ways into the Vale from them."
"Dammit," she muttered.
"If they Factions could be removed, or even crippled for a short time, could the Guard move in and establish order?" Chrom asked.
"They could Milord," the Seneschal nodded. "Captain Fain has the men for such a thing, getting in without a battle is the problem."
"Draw them out," Emmeryn said. An idea had begun to take root. "The leaders of the Factions, their top lieutenants as well." Her eyes turned hard. "Kill the heads, the bodies will die."
"How though?" Jeroth asked intrigued. Emmeryn had to admit, while she did not like the man, he had his uses. "They will not come out willingly. Not unless something large enough is dangled in front of them."
"We give them something they can't refuse but to take a chance at," she smiled.
"And that would be?" Chrom asked her, a skeptical brow raised.
"Gradivus."
"You're not serious!" Mikail shouted. "Using the only Regalia that we have as bait is folly!"
"Unless you would rather we use the Fire Emblem instead," Emmeryn voice was low, icy.
"We should use neither!" Mikail retorted.
"They went after Lissa," she glared at the man. Her hands were clenched. "Kaylin was there. If they had succeeded, Ylisse would have lost both its Princess's."
"So we just hand them one of the most powerful weapons in the world?" the man snarled.
"Of course not," Emmeryn grinned. "It will be auctioned off to the highest bidder."
"Come again?" Mikail blinked, his confusion showing through.
"Black Market auction," Chrom caught on. "They would certainly show up for that."
"They would never buy it," Rosath frowned. "It is widely known that Gradivus is in your possession, along with the Fire Emblem Your Grace."
"True," Emmeryn nodded. "Unless it just happened to be stolen during a certain attempt on the Princess's life."
"A few whispered rumors in the right ears," Augist tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Those would carry far; spark enough interest to prove ample bait."
"We would not be able to control such an auction though," Jeroth cut in.
"Yes we would," Chrom smiled. "We get the Anna's involved."
"Oh Gods," Akio muttered. "Not the Anna's."
"We give them those licenses to import Valmese goods they have been hounding us for in exchange for setting up the auction and seeing that the Factions get word, and ample time to attend," Chrom explained.
"This could work," Jeroth tapped his fingers on the table in thought.
"Everyone for?" Emmeryn asked. All but Mikail raised their hands. He scowled largely at this, glaring at everyone at the table. "Passed." She nodded. "Chrom, contact the Anna's. Explain what we need and what we are prepared to give."
Chrom nodded at this. They all turned their attention back to the Seneschal. The other items on the agenda were all mundane and drab. Emmeryn sighed inwardly at this. Part of being the Exalt was dealing with the everyday things that kept the Realm from collapsing. Looking over at Chrom reminded her why she did this. Once he was ready she would hand the torch off to him, but not yet.
October 6th, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Market District, Anna's Imports.
"Not many people could get away with keeping a Prince waiting for three days," Chrom drawled as the red head appeared from the back of her shop. Anna stands at 5'5, her red hair up in a high ponytail. Her outfit, red and gold, highlighted her features. She was beautiful, and she knew it. Just like her other 47 Identical relatives.
"Part of the reputation," she winked at him. "If I went to every beck and call, people would think my goods were less than top quality. The mystique works well for me."
Chrom eyeballed a pair of clearly broken sextants. "Right," his dry tone got an eyebrow twitch from the Anna.
"I am here to see if you and the other Anna's are still interested in the Valmese importing Licenses."
The Anna's eyes instantly went sly, a similar smile on her face. "Oh, we are, but what would it cost us?"
"One small Black Market Auction." The Anna froze at this, eyeing him warily.
"If this is your way of trying to trick my family Prince," her tone turned threatening. He felt a shiver run down his spine. "You will find that we wield considerable influence in many economic circles."
"No trick," he moved over to the counter in the back, beckoning for the Anna to follow him. When she was leaning against it, a hand propped on her hip he continued. "As I'm sure you are aware, an attempt was made on my sister last week."
"Yes," she nodded. "Rumor says that new Princess of yours used her Magic to slaughter the attackers."
"Rumor is wrong," he grimaced. "It was only one attacker. A Pegasus Knight took out the rest."
"All this has to do with a Black Market auction how?" The Anna still eyed him warily.
"We have proof that the Four Factions ordered it," Chrom gritted. "We want you to auction off Gradivus as a trap."
The Anna's face lit up at the mention of the Legendary Lance. He could see the gold numbers tumbling through her eyes. "Use the Lance to draw out the heads, and then take them all at once. Without anyone to give orders, the Guard could finally move in and clean out Beggars Vale."
"Caught on a lot faster than the Council Members," he chuckled.
"Well I'm not called Anna for nothing," she grinned cheekily. Her tone turned serious. "We would have the License's whether this trap of yours is successful or not?"
"You would," he nodded.
"Is there a time line for this to happen?"
"Preferably within a week," he told her. "We have already started to spread rumors that Gradivus was stolen during the attempt on my sister. If we wait too long, people will assume it's a fake."
"We will do it," she nodded quickly. "You get us those Licenses; we will get you the Faction's heads on a plate."
After going over the details of the plan with the Anna, he left the shop, making his way back toward the Palace. Soon enough, a major treat to his family would be dealt with. This brought a smile to his face. The Shepherds had a battle to look forward to.
October 11th, year 2168 A.G.D (After Grimas Death)
Ylisstol, Capital of Ylisse
Dragons Circle, Grand Cathedral.
Kaylin looked up at the two story tall statue of Naga in the center of the circle from her spot on the steps leading into the Grand Cathedral. It was Sunday, and afternoon service had just ended. She accompanied Emmeryn and Lissa. Phila and a retinue of Royal Guards surrounded them as they left the building.
Chrom usually came with them, but he had told her he had pressing matters elsewhere in the city. She had noticed that the rest of the Shepherds went with him. When she asked Emmeryn about this, the Exalt had just told her they were looking into something and it was nothing to worry herself over.
"Where is your mind at?" Emmeryns voice at her shoulder startled her.
"I'm not sure," she answered honestly. "I have been feeling a bit out of sorts lately."
"Does it have anything to do with that night?" Emmeryn asked gently.
"Not directly no," she shook her head. "At least, not about the brigands." She hesitated here. How was she to explain something she herself did not understand?
"You can talk to us Kaylin," Lissa said from Emmeryns other side.
"I know," she nodded. "I am just trying to think of the words for it."
"This matter is confusing you?" Emmeryn asked.
"Very much so," she sighed. She decided to just wing it. "It's my dreams. Every few days I have this dream of something, but whenever I wake up, all I know is that it involved a white tree."
"That sketch you did days ago?" Lissa asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "I had to piece it together from multiple times because it fades after a few minutes upon waking."
"Would this have anything to do with your new hair style?" Emmeryn asked her. Bringing a hand up to her hair, she felt along the braids there. She had asked Lissa to braid half her hair starting at mid scalp. When asked about it, she only said she felt the change was right.
"I don't think so," she shook her head, said braids swinging. She had been thinking about clasping them in something. Silver maybe. "It was just time for a change."
"Uh-huh," Lissa's skeptical tone only got a mock glare from her. "Next you're going to tell me shortening your hair to waist length was just a spur of the moment decision as well."
"Ok," she muttered. "Maybe my dreams are influencing me, but how would they?" she just sighed. "I can't even remember them."
"Dreams are widely considered our minds way of working through issues we can't, or won't handle while awake," Emmeryn told her.
"I know," she just sighed again. "But what could a tree, a dead tree at that, mean?"
They passed next to the statue. She looked up at it. The stonework was amazing. The mason's had put in exquisite details. Looking down, she adjusted her staff, shifting it from her right hand to her left.
"It could mean many things," Emmeryn told her. "It could signify the ending of one part of your life, or the start of another. Those are just two of dozens, probably hundreds of things it could mean."
"Ugh," she groaned. "My brain hurts."
"Maybe some sweets would fix that?" Emmeryn grinned.
"Chocolate?" she perked up. Everything was better with chocolate.
"I vote for Éclairs," Lissa raised her hand.
"Almond Éclairs," she smiled at the blond. They both turned to Emmeryn. The Exalt was giggling.
"Yes, we will stop by Aldèric's bakery," Emmeryn laughed. "Gods know I can't resist when you two turn those eyes on me."
"What eyes?" Lissa asked, making said puppy eyes.
Emmeryn only giggled again. She linked her arms through the two girls as they exited Dragon's circle onto Braden Street, home of the famous Aldèric bakery. When they reached it, Lissa went inside with two guards to get the sweets while she and Emmeryn took seats at one of the tables on the fenced off patio. The guards fanned out.
She and Emmeryn waved to passerby's as they pointed them out. After a few minutes Lissa returned, laden down with chocolate. One of the guards carried three rather large mugs of steaming hot chocolate.
"I don't think you have enough chocolate Lissa," Emmeryns raised brow showed what she thought of the pile of heavenly sugar before the three girls.
"Just enough to satisfy us," Lissa giggled, biting into an Éclair. She took a large cookie for herself. Emmeryn nibbled one of those things Lissa called a 'Brownie'. She did not know why Lissa named a treat from a mythical creature that ate children.
She and Lissa spent the next half-hour filling themselves on chocolate in all forms. Once the last piece has vanished, they both let out a contented sigh.
"Better?" Emmeryn smiled at her.
"Much," she nodded. They left the bakery, making their way through the city. Passing through Market District, they were walking by a small open area filled with vendor stalls when the clash of blades drew her attention.
"You hear that?" she asked Emmeryn, halting.
"Hear what?" the Exalt looked at her. Lissa turned around to face them.
"I could have sworn I heard fighting," she was confused. She knew she had heard it. But the sound was gone now.
"Phila?" Emmeryns command had the Pegasus Knight moving closer to them, hands on her lance, eyes scanning the crowd.
"I cannot hear anything in this crowd Your Grace," the woman stated. "Either way, we should keep moving. You three are exposed out here."
Emmeryn nodded at this, signaling the guards. They closed ranks, moving quickly through the crowd. Those who did not see them coming and move aside were gently, but forcefully moved. After exiting the circle and proceeding a ways along the next street, Kaylin heard the clash of weapons again. Gripping her staff tighter, she looked around.
Both sides of the street were small shops next to each other. Small alleys separated the buildings. People crowded the street, going about their business. A flash of color at the corner of her eye snapped her head around.
Out of an alley one of the guards stood in front of, a young Knight, a man barreled into him. Caught off guard, the Knight crashed to the ground, the man on top of him. He sprang up, twisting away from another guard that reached for him, sword half drawn. A trio of men followed the first, weapons in hand. One of them jumped on the Knight on the ground. She moved a few steps forward to try to aid the fallen Knight.
She saw a flash of red as the sword flashed across the Knights throat. Screams drowned out the sounds of fighting as bystanders saw the fight start, rushing to get away. Unfortunately this meant that many of them had to get through the Knights to get away from the unknown assailants.
She heard Phila shouting orders over the din of the panicking crowd. The guards closest to Lissa and Emmeryn quickly closed around them, forcing anyone in there way aside. Those few steps away from the Exalt and Princess proved costly as panicking people forced her further away from the others. One guard was near her, and she struggled against the press of bodies to reach him.
When she was only a few feet, and bodies, away from the guard, she saw him raise his sword in a block as one of the four assailants attacked him with an axe. The guard turned the weapon aside, lashing out with a fist to catch the man in his face. The man grunted in pain, bringing about his left hand, a dagger clutched in it. Pushed off balance by the crush of the crowd, the guard took the dagger to his throat.
She watched helplessly as the guard dropped his sword, clutching at his ruined throat when his killer pulled the dagger free. He brought his axe about, hacking at anyone close to him. A woman fell with a scream, his axe buried in her back. She suddenly found herself facing the man, his back turned to her. The man pulled his axe free of the dead woman as she fell, raising it to strike at the child the woman had been holding on to.
Stepping forward without a further thought, she thrust her staff forward. She felt the resistance as the staff's sharpened head pierced through the man's neck. Not thinking about what she had just done, she pulled the staff out, the man falling forward as his blood sprayed the ground red.
Turning to face the ongoing fight, she saw the other three men fighting two remaining guards. Rushing forward, she stabbed out at the nearest man. Unlike the previous one, this man saw her coming. He met her thrust with his sword, edge clashing against the staffs head.
Using the momentum as she had been taught, she brought the capped end around on his sword. The impact jarred her hands, but she managed to hold on. One of the guards took advantage of the man's distraction, flicking his sword along the man's left arm. He screamed in pain, bringing the arm close to his chest, the flesh split open in a long furrow from his elbow to shoulders. The man sprang to his right to get away.
Following him, she spun the staff head back to face him, swinging it at his neck. He brought the sword around, the blade landing on the shaft. The sword clanged away, the shaft having turned the blade like Ryoro had promised. She stepped closer to him, bringing the capped end up again. Unable to get away, the end smashed into his jaw. Blood spilt from his lips as his head snapped to the right.
She shifted her stance, spinning the staff as she stepped forward kicking out at the man's left knee with her right foot. She heard the bone snap under the pressure. The man screamed, dropping to his knee. Before he could get there, the staff head had come around. She thrust forward; the staff required more strength to pass through the ribbed leather vest he wore but it still stank into his chest with a sick squelch.
Turning her head away from the surprise in the man's eyes, she withdrew the staff, doing her best to ignore the blood pooling under him as he fell backwards onto the cobble stones. One of the two guards was down; clutching a leg, a broken sword thrust threw it. Before the man standing above him could bring down the jagged end of the sword still in his hand, a large yellow haired blur crashed into him from behind.
"Vaike?!" she shouted as the Shepherd pull the axe he had buried in the man's back out. Twisting to face this new threat, the last man now had to face off against two opponents. The guard and Vaike quickly took him down. Turning to her, the two men quickly herded her close to a shops window.
"Always good to see you Kaylin," Vaike responded, grinning.
"Princess, we need to get you to safety," the guard said, sword out and facing the street. The guard with the sword through his leg had stopped moving. She turned her head from the sight of the blood around him. The sword must have severed an artery.
"Emmeryn and Lissa?" she asked him.
"They got away with the majority of the Guard," the Knight informed her. "They will be on the way to the palace. We should head that way as well."
"Wish I could join you, but I got to get back to Chrom," Vaike hitched his thumb back down the alley.
"What's happening Vaike?" she asked him.
"A great fight, that's what!" he exclaimed. Turning to the alley, he sprinted into it.
Turning to the guard, she saw his eyes register the look on her face. "Princess, your safety is what is important."
"Chrom could need help," she said.
"My duty is to ensure you are safe," he answered.
"Then I guess you are just going to have to follow me huh?" she flashed him a smile, diving down the alley behind Vaike. She heard the guard curse, but the fall of plated boots behind her told her he was following. She followed Vaike's path through the alley. She felt things squelching under her boots, the rotten stenches telling her nose what they were.
Vaike disappeared to the left at the end of the alley a long minute later. She heard a roar, then a clang of steel on steel. When she exited a few seconds later, she was met by the site of what could only be described as a battle. The Shepherds along with a dozen of the City Guard were engaged with near forty unknown men. She jumped at a man rushing up behind Vaike, sword raised.
Her staff pierced him under his left arm, right where Emmeryn had told her to strike if she could. The man was dead instantly, his heart having been destroyed. Yanking the weapon out of the falling man, she heard another curse as the royal guard exited the alley behind her.
"Thanks!" Vaike shouted to her as he finished off the second man he had been fighting, his axe cleaving the man's head in two, blood gushing out. Turning from this, she tried to find Chrom in the chaos.
"Princess! At the far end of the square!" the guard pointed. Following his arm, she saw Chrom about a hundred feet away fighting three men at once. Falchion flashed around him, cloak swirling as he danced. One man fell, head separated from his shoulders. Chrom turned and parried a thrust at his middle, spinning to the right behind the man. Falchion bit into the man's back, severing his spine. He pulled it out, blocking an overhead strike from an axe. He sprang back raising his sword.
A fireball engulfed the man. He fell to the ground screaming as the flames consumed him. Chrom raised the sword in salute to someone, probably Miriel before jumping back into the fray.
"Let's get to him," she shouted over the noise of the fighting. The guard only nodded grimly, raising his sword. They rushed forward, coming up behind a pair of enemy's that had just killed one of the City Guard, her blue and gold armor bloody.
Her staff bit into the back of one of the men where his heart was. The guard performed a similar strike against his target, pulling out his sword as he moved forward. She did the same, stepping over the corpse.
A man in all black jumped at her. The guard stepped forward, meeting sword against sword. As the two traded blows, she tried to find an opening.
"Kaylin!" she heard Stahl's voice over the din. "Down!"
Heading the warning, she dropped to a knee. A sword whistled over her where her head neck had just been. Twisting around, her staff caught the man behind his right knee. Bringing the haft up, she tripped him. Landing on his back, he rolled to the left, avoiding her stab at his knee.
Springing up the man turned to face her. Snarling something she could not hear, he brought his sword up, but stopped at the sword that blossomed out of his chest. Blood bubbling from his lips, he fell forward from Stahl's boot.
"Thanks Stahl!" she grinned at the Knight.
"What by the Gods are you doing here?!" he shouted as he moved up to her, looking around so as not to be caught off guard.
"Greenie and I came to help," she explained.
"Greenie?" he looked at her with a raised brow. She hooked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the guard as she saw him finish off a man with a thrust to his middle. The guard moved to them quickly.
"Sir Stahl," the guard nodded to him. "Mayhap you can talk some sense into the Princess and get her to leave the battlefield?"
"Doubt it," Stahl laughed. "The only one here who could do that is Chrom."
'Greenie' just sighed at this. Smiling at the man, she moved towards Chrom. They had to fight three more times before reaching the Prince. She killed two more men. By the time they reached Chrom, her staffs head was coated in so much blood, she could not see that the diamond in it was blue.
"What the blazes are you doing here?!" Chrom yelled when they reached him. Falchion's blade dripped red. The Prince himself looked like someone had splashed dark red paint across most of his outfit.
"Figured you should not have all the fun!" they still had to shout to be heard over the fighting. The Shepherds and guard were winning, the enemy numbers having fallen under twenty. Chrom just looked at her incredulously.
"We were separated from the Exalt and Princess Lissa sir," 'Greenie' saluted the Prince quickly. "Four of these men panicked a crowd."
"Damn," Chrom spat. "Did they escape?"
"No sir," 'Greenie' shook his head.
"Good," Chrom growled. He looked over the battlefield. "This will be over shortly. Kaylin, stay here. Stahl, stay by her side as well."
"Yes Milord," Stahl saluted.
"I can fight Chrom!" she jumped in.
"No," he shook his head. "Not if you don't have to."
A high pitched scream had them all turning. About thirty feet away, an enemy had just killed one of the City Guard. He grabbed a woman who had been hiding behind a pile of crates. Cursing, Chrom rushed forward. She followed him, to Stahl's and 'Greenies' protests.
"Stop or she dies!" the man brought a dagger up the woman's throat. She was sobbing, pleading with the man to let her go. "Shut it bitch!" he shook her violently.
"Let her go," Chrom gritted. Falchion raised.
"Drop your weapons," he snarled.
"Not happening," Chrom stated his demeanor calm.
"Want her blood on yer hands do ya?" the man spit. Kaylin's grip tightened on her staff. She shifted her stance. This drew the attention of the man, eyes narrowing.
"Oh ho!" he cackled. He pointed at her. "I'll trade you Princeling," he laughed. "This whore for that one!"
"Not happening," Chrom growled, his eyes sifting to her quickly.
"Chrom," she placed a hand on his sword arm. He looked at her like she was mad.
"No Kaylin. I'm sorry, but no."
"Trust me," she looked up at him. She held his gaze firmly trying to communicate that she knew what she was doing. Even though she didn't.
The Prince nodded slowly, sheathing Falchion. Stahl and 'Greenie' did the same. She handed her staff to Chrom. Turning to the man and hostage, she walked forward ten feet, her hands at her sides.
"Let her go," she said calmly. "Halfway is as close as I come until she's free."
The man just snarled at this. He threw the woman to the side, lunging at her. "Kaylin!" she heard Chrom shout behind her. Ignoring this, she brought up her hands together, arms extended, palms out.
The prickle of her magic rushed over her hands. A spear of water shot from her hands, lancing through the man. He stumbled at the force of the water, tumbling to the ground, a scream on his lips. A fist sized hole stood out on his back.
She looked to see the woman already running away. The fight was ending, the last few living enemy men surrendering.
"I didn't think you would have wanted to do that," Chrom said quietly, stepping up to her. He nudged the man with his boot, checking that he really was dead.
"More will die to me Chrom," she said just as quietly, looking over all the dead bodies. The stone was drenched in blood and gore. There was nothing pretty about battles. The books failed to describe the horror. Internal organs were external. Brain matter, bone fragments, lumps of intestines, severed limbs covered the ground. It looked like a charnel house, not a market square. "To my Magic. I have to come to terms with that. Otherwise I'm just a liability."
"You shouldn't have to face all this though," he sighed.
"I was forced into this a year ago," she took her staff back from him. Looking down at herself, she noticed splashes of red across her white tunic and brown trousers. Her boots looked more red then black. She bent down to clean her staff off on the dead man's clothing. "I have to come to terms with killing."
"Never come to terms with it Kaylin," Chrom turned her to face him, a hand on her shoulder. "The day you stop feeling horrified by death is the day you will find yourself lost. Trust me; I've seen it happen before."
She only nodded at this, turning away from the look in the Princes eyes. She walked over to an untouched bench along a wall, plopping down on it. She couldn't stop her hands shaking.
"It's the adrenaline," 'Greenie' told her, coming to stand near her. "Your body knows you are no longer in danger. It will pass in a few minutes."
"Thanks for following," she sighed.
"Your safety is my duty Highness," he simply stated.
She just sighed again. The Royal Guard was all like this. Anytime she tried to get any of them to open up, it was always, Highness this or Princess that. Gods it was annoying. Was it too much to just want someone to talk to her like a normal person!
"You're not a normal person though," 'Greenie' told her.
"I said that out loud didn't I." She blinked at him.
The man just laughed softly at this. She sighed again, resigning herself to the quiet as she waited for Chrom to finish whatever he was doing. A carriage pulled into the square a short while later.
"Our ride is here," Chroms voice brought her attention back to the day. She only nodded quietly, feeling tired. She climbed into the carriage after the Prince, setting her staff across one side of the carriage. She leaned her head against the back rest, resting her eyes. Chrom stuck his head out the door, saying something. When he closed it, back inside, the carriage began moving. He sat down next to her.
She leaned into his shoulder. She felt his arm come around her. Closing her eyes, she felt the rocking of the carriage pulling her into sleep as it took them back to the palace.