I own nothing. Fire Emblem is owned by Nintendo and Dishonoured is owned by Bethesda.
The Empress of Gristol: (Act 1)
Chapter 2: Princess of Nohr
"It's time to wake up, Lady Emily."
A tired groan was the response to Flora, though her words did open the princess' eye lids. She did not move anything else, until Felicia leaned over and shook her gently; shouting, "Hey, wake up, Lady Emily! Up and at 'em!"
Grunting, the princess raised her head off her red pillow to look at her trio of servants; noticing Gunter was also present. "Get lost." She hissed sleepily. "It's still dark outside."
"You've gotten up early than this, Princess," firmly stated the old solider. "You have practice today and Prince Xander shall not be kept waiting."
Jakob, standing at attention with an arm across his waist, followed up in his soothing tone that he only used for his mistress. "I have taken the liberty of readying both your armours, and, er, pounding out the dents." He smiled ruefully. "Your brother is a fearsome opponent, is he not?"
Emily let her head fall back on her pillow, pulling her red duvet up to her chin in mock defiance before releasing it in resignation. "Ugh. Fine." However, she stayed where she was for a few more seconds to savour the warmth of her sheets; muttering, "I'm getting up…as slowly as I can."
The light blue haired maid gave a playful smile. "Oh, we can help you with that. Felicia, would you please assist me?" She exchanged the same smile but with a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
"Sure thing!" The twins circled their mistress and leaned over to her. Both of them raised a hand to touch Emily's cheek in a gentle caress…before frost glowed around their fingers. The chilled fingertips could have given their mistress a severe cold burn if they wanted to. But the chill only causes the princess to flail and throw her sheets of the bed whilst squealing indignantly. "Alright! I'm awake! Totally awake now!"
The twins retracted their hands, but only Flora's smile grew wider. "That's how we dealt with slugabeds in the Ice Tribe."
Sighing, Emily dragged her legs off the bed until she sat on the edge with her hands on her knee. She might have quipped at her maids if the remnants of her dream had not still remained in her mind's eye. It didn't take much for her entourage to pick up on what was bothering her.
"Was it another Void dream, milady?" Asked Jakob tentatively.
"Yup, plus a memory and the Outsider to boot." She muttered in an attempt at frivolity.
"A memory and the Outsider!?" Exclaimed Felecia. "Isn't he that guy who gave you the mark in the first place?"
The princess nodded. "That's the one. He hasn't appeared since I received the mark and he came at the tail end of me reliving three years ago." Jakob and Flora gave grave looks, they themselves remembering that day and the quality of their service against the mysterious man.
Felicia, meanwhile, forced a peppy smile and grabbed her mistress by her unmarked hand. "Yeah, that was the day you climbed down the castle all by yourself! You were really cool and took on that masked menace and drove him out!"
Lady Emily smiled, ruefully. "What are you talking about? You were the one who kicked his ass, Felicia."
"Oh, I didn't do that much," she said while blushing; embarrassed by—in her mind—the undeserved compliment. "Xander was the one who ran him off. All I did was graze him…"
"Speaking of Xander," interjected Gunter with his typical sternness that rivalled the high prince. "It is high time you get dressed and meet him on the south tower roof. We can't keep him waiting." Emily nodded and stood up. Flora and Jakob took this as a sign to gather her armour while Flora began escorting her liege to her panelled dressing screen. As she disappeared behind the screen, Gunter made one last remark as he closed the bedroom's window. "And please walk to the tower this time, Lady Emily. No surprising sneak attacks this time, if you would be so kind."
"I was already planning to do just that," she replied with her restored gusto and mischief. "I've climbed the tower so many times now they won't be excepting me to come the normal way. I'll get the drop on them this time, its fool proof!"
Turns out it was not fool proof, for she had not counted on Leo to be there to blow her cover. The straw haired mage was certainly looking when he tapped her on the shoulder and loudly announced her presence. Even more so when he told her that her magic was banned from this practice session.
Emily would be peeved at her younger brother if she wasn't currently getting her arse served to her by Xander. It didn't help that he was on his armoured horse and wielding the scared blade Siegfried, though it explained why she was knocked down on her rear for the third time with her sword out of her hands.
"That's our sister for you," said Leo in his smuggest tone. "You won't beat the strongest knight in Nohr by sleeping all day, Emily. You can't rely on your light footsteps forever." At that moment, the princess resisted the tremendous urge to flip her brother off.
"Giving up so soon, Emily?" Xander voice contained more mockery, but the disappointment was clear and sharper than Leo's 'witty' remarks. "I except more of you. You are a princess of Nohr!" His words back by his grandiose domineer, he gestured to the sword on the ground. "Pick up your weapon and try again."
Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself up from the tiled roof. "Okay, Xander, just give me a bre—"
"We train like this so that we can defend ourselves from our enemies." He wasn't angry or loud when he spoke those words, but decisive. "Father has been tracking your progress. If you can't land a hit on me today…he may never permit you to leave the Northern Fortress. Ever."
The chill she felt was worse than the cold burn she had been given by her maids. "You know; I'm starting to wonder if our father is just insane rather than harsh." She spoke in jest, but her eyes began burning with concentration. Something that both her brothers saw.
"Motivated, are we?" Xander smiled, which was just a slight twitch of the lip these days, while Leo respectfully remained silent and gave the two fighters space. "Then use that fire to best me in battle, little Princess. But first…" The high prince raised his sword free hand up into the air and a glow appeared on the titled ground beneath him and his horse. Suddenly, a flaming fireball appeared in his hand; the flames licking his royal fingers. It then shot into the sky and came crashing down upon the ground directly in front of Emily; bursting into a visage of a burning dragon before flittering out of existence. The tarnished floor began to glow a bluish aura whilst a stunned princess gazed upon it.
"A dragon vein? There was a dragon vein up here the entire time!?"
"Yes, little sister," replied Xander. "You should have been able to sense it with your royal blood—"
"No, hold up! You mean for all the times you kicked me to the curb, we had to waste our healing staves and my retainers' time when we could have just used a dragon vein that was purposely placed here?"
"To be fair, sister," chimed in Leo. "Dragon Veins can appear in any material in our world and only us royalty can even realise they are there. But you have a good point. Why did you neglect this Dragon Vein for so long?"
Whatever bitter fruit Xander looked like he was swallowing, it helped serve to signal to the two young royals that their brother was embarrassed. No blushing cheeks were present, but would be preferred to the look that was taught on their older brother's face. Leo and Emily had a part of them that wanted to quip, but that was the part the resided in all the bad ideas that they ever had. So Emily silently stepped into the blue aura. The effects washed over her slowly and surely; soothing her bones and injuries.
As she stepped out, Xander readied himself on his steed. "If you would see the outside world beyond the view from you window, defeat me." Commanded the High Prince. "Prove that all of the time I've devoted to training you has not been in vain! Now pick up your sword!"
The dark-haired princess did not move to pick up her sword. Instead, she slowly approached her brother as she reached into a pouch that was on her belt. She pulled out a sword hilt that seemed bladeless, but as she took up her stance she pushed a button under the cross guard. The blade slid out, a long shard of steel that her brothers hadn't seen for three years.
"So you kept his blade for all this time," spoke Xander with a hint of amusement. "I trust that it is still battle worthy?"
"Very much so, big brother," she replied with the return of her cockiness. "I think it's time to get serious."
"Good," he replied; his horse neighing as it reared onto its hind legs. "Do not swing timidly, without resolve. You must genuinely try to kill me if you wish to be victorious."
The two combatants stared at each other, as the princess slowly closed the gap between them. She held her blade back like she had been taught whilst carefully side stepped to and through as she decided which angle to attack from. However, her brother decided to not give her such an approach.
Nohrian horses were a strong and agile breed, even when they are covered in armoured plating, and it is never pleasant when they charge at you. The high prince swung his sacred sword downwards at his sibling's sides. Before Siegfried could cut into her, Emily leapt into the air over the incoming sword. She did not try to swing, for she knew that any cut would be lacking in power to achieve her desire.
Having missed his target, Xander pulled on his horses reins to turn his steed around. And by 'around' I mean for his horse to practically leap into the air itself; rotating and landing on its hooves safely like a cat. Only a Nohrian horse could perform such a feat.
But his sister had landed more gracefully and more importantly faster. Fast enough to the point where she was at the side of her brother. She now held the blade with both her gloved hands; one remaining on the hilt while the other gripped the blade itself tightly. With her half-swording technique, she could thrust directly into the strappings the kept Xander's saddle stable.
Caught off guard, the prince slid off his horse away from Emily. Said horse, now without a master, panicked and cantered away from the fight. Leo was left to calm the beat down before it did something stupid.
Capitalizing on the advantage, the princess made a beeline for her fallen brother and raised her blade to his throat. She smiled cheekily, for victory was now hers…if this had been a real fight. Knowing she would not truly kill him in his moment of weakness, Xander was able to swing Siegfried with enough force to knock Emily's blade and throw her balance. This opening was not squandered, for he raised his sword free hand as he got up and back handed his sister.
The armoured fingers left a mark upon her face, but she resisted the urge to clutch her face in pain. Instead, she retreated back without stumbling and returned to her proper stance. Her brother gave her no room to pause as he continued to pursue and attacked with Siegfried; managing to make two passes that Emily barley dodged.
She remained on the defensive as her brother pushed her back. The dark-haired princess soon found herself on the healing tile and felt the sting from her face fade away. Emboldened, she raised her blade and prepared to parry her brother's next blow. But her ploy was easily read. The High Prince, instead of swinging his blade, stepped in and grabbed his sister by the sword arm.
Panicked, Emily responded by throwing a punch at her brother's face that bludgeoned his nose. But that didn't stop him from throwing her to the side onto her back. He spent his time letting the blood from his noes disappear while his sister rose from the ground; panting raggedly. The High Prince stepped away from the place of healing; holding aloft Siegfried in both hands as it began crackling with red lightning.
The princess, knowing what was coming, decided to gamble all or nothing by charging at her brother. As she ran forward, she prepared herself to dodge the magical attack that was coming. But it never came. She closed the distance and leaped into the air, twisting her hips as she swung her blade overhead in a spinning motion. Her blow stuck her brother's shoulder and managed to dent his armour and crack a bone.
As she landed, she heard Siegfried clang as it hit the ground. She stood up and saw her older brother, who had stepped back into the healing aura. He had his lips in a position that was the closest to a smile she had seen in years. "Well done, Emily. You're getting stronger every day."
Panting, the princess wiped the sweat from her brow as triumph shaped her lips. "Thanks, Xander. I couldn't have done it with your, uh, tough love."
"I disagree." He replied. "I believe you have natural talent." His attempt at a smile may be gone, but the pride for her didn't leave his eyes as he picked up his sword and placed it back into its scabbard. "Someday, along with your magic, you could be the greatest warrior in all of Nohr."
"Now you're just teasing me." Those bashful words were backed up with the full knowledge that Xander must have delayed his magical strike, without question.
"You know me, Emily. I never joke about serious matters." This was evident by his constantly stern face being even sterner than usual. "You could be the one to bring light to our kingdom so long shrouded in darkness."
Emily didn't know how to take those words for she couldn't fathom how she, the middle child and leased loved by their father, could ever bring light to anywhere. She shrugged, pressed the button on her borrowed blade and pocketed it. "Unless my mark allows me to control the weather, I don't see how that is possible. It's always dark and, personally, I like it like this." Her tone was jovial rather than sarcastic, but she still didn't meet her older brother's eyes.
Xander did not elaborate on his words, as Leo came with his horse by the reins. "Typical. You do know that true strength is more than simple swordplay, right?" His words bristled with impertiance and he could barely hide the sourness in his eyes.
The princess held her tongue as the High Prince accepted the reigns from the mage. "Calm yourself, little brother." Spoke Xander in a measured tone. "You really are compedative to a fault. As I've always said, you're a talented mage with formidable magical abilities."
"Hmm." Leo considered those words of praise before he brushed his fringe out of his eyes. "Well, just remember that pointy metal sticks are not the only path to power. Even if they are backed up by paltry parlour tricks." Smirking, he turned to his sister and regarded her marked hand. "Speaking of which, have you discovered more novelties to perform, sister?"
She grinned back at her brother whilst keeping various swear words from escaping her lips. "I have, actually. One of them would be of great interest to you, little brother."
"Oh, please," he scoffed. "We know that your spells are weak or just don't work against those with dragon blood. And none of your magic compares to mine; why would I be interested in them?"
"Well you see…this spell helps you realise that your collar is inside out."
"What!?" Spluttering, the young prince flailed his arms around as he looked at his fancy collar; which was indeed inside out.
Xander chuckled at his brother and even his horse was braying like it was taunting the mage. "It would appear someone got dressed while still half-asleep."
Blushing in embarrassment, Leo ran from his laughing siblings with his hands over his head. "Wh-why didn't you say something earlier?!"
Now laughing with more gusto, the High Prince gave another try at smiling. "Sorry, Leo. But that sort of thing is what makes you so very lovable."
"And very mockable." Added Emily; as all the nasty words she wanted to call her brother vanished as fast as he was running into one of the tower staircases that led below. All he could do was groan in shames as he finally vanished inside the tower.
It was then when Xander and Emily heard two sets of giggling from behind them. Turning, they saw Camila and Elise. The former had her arms folded underneath her chest while the latter was wiping away her tears of mirth. Upon being spotted, the two made their way to join the resting fighters. The eldest princess was the first to speak in a soft, loving manner: "Are you alright, Emily? Did you get hurt at all during practice? If you did, let me know right away so I can take extra-special care of you."
Politely, she declined the offer of mollycoddling from her sister, saying, "I'm perfectly fine, Camila. As always, thanks for your concern."
The youngest princess began jumping up and down to catch Emily's eye, whilst yipping, "I was worried for you too!"
"I know, Elise," she responded with a wide smile. "I doubt you'd be visiting me all the time if you didn't care about me."
The pigtailed blonde giggled and gave a cheeky smile. "Do you like it when I visit?"
In truth, she even liked it when Leo managed to visit. For as much as she loved her retainers and guard captain, the news and joy they brought lifted the boredom of staying in this fortress for so long. "You know it! Now come over here and give your sister a hug!"
"Yay!" Like a cat, the petit lady leaped at her sister and wrapped her arms around her chest. The force of contact alone spun Emily around and around, gasping for air as her sister had a surprisingly strong squeeze for her size. After a few spins in the air, the little princess soon found her feet on the ground and the hug was now of equal strength. "I love you so much! I love you more than anything in the whole, wide world!" This exclamation of happiness warmed the dark-haired princess heart and she tried to show that through their embrace.
Typical as it was, the moment was ruined by Leo. Having snuck back, his collar now fixed, he just had to chime in with a snide remark. "Elise, when do you intend to behave like the adult that you technically are?" She responded by blowing a raspberry at her brother and Emily joined her.
"Well, I for one think her cheer is a good complement to this gloomy kingdom, Leo." The straw-harried mage did not dispute Camilla. He even smiled a smile that was more pronounced than Xander, even though he was half-arsing it.
"It's not just her, big sister." Said the dark-haired princess as she stopped hugging Elise. "All of you are wonderful. Or at least to me you are…" She trailed off into a nervous chuckle. She scratched her head as grateful words tumbled from her mouth. "I-I mean…I know it must be irritating to have to come out so far to visit me and tolerate me since I lost some of my memories and all this Outsider nonsense…I just want to thank you all for everything you do for me…" Her smile then etched with mischief as she casually added. "Even you, Leo." The mage rolled his eyes, but smiled properly at his sister.
"We are grateful to have you as well," replied Xander with as much love as he could put in his voice. "But, Emily, I have some—"
"Let me tell her, Xander!" Exclaimed Camila with vivid excitement. She did not even wait for a response she was so excited. "We have wonderful news, Emily! Father asked us to take you back to the capital!"
Even though the Outsider had alluded to this in her dreams, it still felt like a bomb shell had been dropped on her. That concept, that dream, had seemed so out of reach for so long that she could not believe her sister. "Really!? Does that mean…"
Camila, smiling motherly, nodded and gently patted her sister on the shoulder. "Yes. It means you can finally leave this drafty fortress." She put a finger under her sister's chin and gazed down at her lovingly. "You must have been so lonely all this time, separated from the rest of the world…But now you'll be free!"
Elise clapped and cheered at these words, saying happily, "Isn't that wonderful!?"
"Yeah, it is…" Said Emily slowly as she drunk in those words. She then raised her arms to hug her older, and taller, sister; grinning madly. She then extended that hug to Elise and even Leo, though Camila had to drag him into range for that to happen. Xander did not join the hug, but he did pat the dark-haired princess on the head. "There will be plenty of time to discuss the details with Father." He gestured to one of the tower staircases. "Let us depart. I have already informed Gunter and he will meet us in the entrance hall with all your belongings."
At his command, the royal siblings parted and made their way down the stairs and halls of the Northern Fortress. They took the long route at Emily's request, for this would probably be the last time she would see these halls. Even though most of the furnishing was drab, compared to royal standards, and there was truly a harsh draft in most of the rooms; the princess was filled with melancholy at the prospect of leaving her home. The Outsider had called it a prison in her dreams and a part of her did feel that way. But the memories she had with her retainers and family trumped those bleak emotions, along with all the things that she learned here. She would even miss the faceless guards, though she was sure they would not miss the princess that had pranked and sneaked around the halls.
However, she was proven wrong when she and her entourage were intercepted on the floor above the entrance hall by a large number of guards. The one leading them, an orange harried spear-woman, signalled the others to bow as she picked up a hamper that was at her feet. "Lady Emily," she began in a very thick dialect you'd find in seashore towns. "We would like to give you a gift before you leave us. In commemoration of the… 'interesting' time you have spent with us."
Within the hamper was a pair of fresh, black boots. Knowing that her tripping reputation was well known, she smiled and laughed at their clear jab. "Thank you very much. You are all great comedians."
"We learned by watching you, ma'am." Their leaders jib earned laughter from her colleagues along with Leo; who earned a boot grind from Elise.
In good spirts, the dark-haired princess accepted the footwear and put them on. They were well made and it went without saying that they must have asked one of her servants for her foot size. Since it had been a long time since she had worn such things, they felt alien; not helped by the fact that she wasn't wearing socks. The lead guards-woman coughed and nodded her head back to the hamper, a pair of black, silken socks lying at its bottom. Now embarrassed, the princess gave apologise to her fellow siblings as she properly dressed herself.
Now slightly comfier in her new shoes, she looked to the guards and curtseyed to them. "Seriously, thank you all for your service."
There was a myriad of response from the guards, like "Thank you, ma'am" and "We're gonna miss ya, milady" and even a few cheeky souls who said "Don't trip on your ass, Lady Emily." The lead guard returned the curtsey and said, sincerely, "We wish you safe travels and hope you bring glory to Nohr. Take care, milady." She then turned to her fellows and began barking at them to get back to their posts, allowing the siblings to continue their journey; Emily now walking with a spring in her step and warmth in her heart.
When they reached the main hall they were not met with Gunter, but by the newest retainer, Lilith. She wore a handkerchief over her azure hair with her fringe poking out at the front. She also had a red jewel like mark on her forehead which she claimed was a very flashy birth mark.
She bowed to the royals from her position next to the open hall doors. "I hear you can finally leave the fortress. You must be very happy, Lady Emily." She spoke in a very gentle tone, the kind that could be mistaken for a breeze that passed slowly over a winding river. She lowered her yellow eyes to the new footwear of her mistress, asking, "Are those boots comfy, milady? Jakob and I did the measuring and we hope that they are to your liking?"
"I'll get used to them," replied the dark-haired princess as she carefully made her way to the entrance. "I haven't tripped up yet, so that's good. Where is Gunter and the others?"
"They will be back in a minute or two. Gunter has asked me to go with you to the capital so I can look after the horses."
The princess smiled at the maid. "Glad to hear it. I'd miss you and the others if you weren't coming along too."
Before they could continue, the High Prince directed a question at the servant as he surveyed the courtyard from the open doors. "Lilith, are the horses ready?"
"Yes, milord," she responded dutifully. "Everything is ready, and the horses seem excited for the trip." She smiled as she observed the horses that brayed near the entrance alongside a Wyvern mount that belong to Camilla. "They are all very fond of Lady Emily. Probably from all her time in the stables."
"Our Emily does love animals." Cooed the eldest princess as she went down the front steps of the castle to re-join her scaled mount. "Such a kind hearted soul…" This made Emily blush and activate her habit of playing with her short hair. "Why," continued the tall, purple haired princess as she stroked her wyvern tenderly. "She even nursed an injured baby bird back to health one time!"
Lilith opened her mouth for a split second before closing it again.
Leo spotted this and quickly enquired the maid, saying, "Is there something the matter, Lilith?"
Taken aback by the mage, the yellow-eyed maid gave a hushed response of, "Oh…no. It's nothing…"
"Isn't it obvious, Leo?" Said Elise with the same mischief in her eye that usually shone from Emily. "Lilith is sad because she going to miss Emmy!"
"Miss me?" Said the sister in question. "But she's coming with us."
"Oh," mumbled the young sister for only a split second before regaining her energy. "Well then," she began in sing-song tone, "I bet she's sad 'cause she won't have you all to herself in the stables anymore." She winked at the maid, whose face was ruby red. "You've always been especially fond of our sister, haven't you, Lilith?"
The maid was spared from answer by a prince who had hoisted himself onto his armoured mount, said High Prince's voice booming loud and clear across the courtyard. "As gripping as all this is, we should be on our way. We mustn't keep Father waiting." The siblings all nodded and the ones by the door began making their way to their mounts.
As Leo climbed on his respectfully sized horse and Elise clambered on her small pony, Gunter joined the group of royals with all four servants lined behind him. The old solider took his grey haired horse by the reins as he gave out his orders. "Flora, you and Felecia will remain here to watch over the fortress. Jakob and I will accompany Lady—"
"Bollocks to that!"
The old man's eyes sharped as he turned to the originator of those rude words; a dark-haired princess that looked at Gunter with disbelief.
"Emily," warned Xander. "What have I told you about your language."
"Never to swear unless necessary, and I feel that this is very bloody necessary." The princess walked towards her guard captain as he mounted his horse, looking steely as if he was arming himself against his liege's on coming words. "Gunter, what point is there leaving two trained maids in a place that I will probably never set foot in again. Especially ones as skilled as Flora and Felicia?"
"Lady Emily," replied the old solider in a firm tone. "It is best to leave Flora and Felicia here in case of an attack."
"Yes, attack a fortress that is famous for never being attacked once because it's too far out for anyone to care." She responded in a sarcastic tone. "And before you try and bring up that masked man, wouldn't he try and attack me on the road? Because that could happen and I think having more knives at hand is a good idea."
Camila, who was upon her wyvern, flew over and landed next to her sister. "Darling, if he did appear we would cut him to pieces before he could ever hurt you again." She gave a small as she leaned against the neck of her scaly steed. "I understand that you don't want to leave any of your servants behind. Believe me, little sister, I do. But we don't have enough horses and there seems to be only room for one in the caravan. Jakob is more than enough to tend to your needs and protect you."
Emily gave a tempered sigh. "Yes, Jakob is an excellent butler. But Flora and Felicia are frankly better fighters than him, especially Felicia. It would be a waste of her talents to leave her here; and from what you and the other have told me of Father, he will be sending me off to fight for him and it seems silly to leave two maids who can wield ice behind." Her sister nodded at the points she had made, while Felicia was blushing alongside her twin who was deathly silent.
Jakob stepped forward, a worried look on his face. "Lady Emily, if this is about your independence, I beg you not to leave me here. As I have said, I live to serve you and—"
"Jakob, I don't want to leave you behind, you dummy. I want all of you to come with me, because I value you all very highly…And you are still going to show me how to make tea. You will not weasel out of that one, mister." The silver haired butler smiled with relief, despite the dangerous prospect he would later have to face.
Gunter looked down at his liege with a softer look than before. "I understand that is what you desire, Princess, but it as Lady Camila says. There are no more horses except your own, but there is space for two in the caravan. One of them would be left behind."
"Felicia can take my steed" responded the dark-haired lady in defiant tone. "Jakob and Flora can share a horse; 'cause their steed can support two people. Besides, it might finally get one of them to propose." While Jakob just rolled his eyes, Flora was blushing fiercely; causing a chill around her that managed to freeze the ground beneath her. Smiling cheekily, she pointed to the caravan and finished her plan. "Me and Lilith will be spending our alone time in there."
The only reason a second maid blushed like mad was thanks to her little partner in crime, Elise, who added, "Looks like you are getting some more personal company with Emmy, eh?" Lilith buried her face into her hands, not wanting to look at anyone at the moment.
The old solider seemed happy with the outcome. He motioned to the retainers to join the entourage and so they did, the brunet being the one who was smiling the widest. She did not even trip or fall as she mounted her Ladies' steed while her twin had to hold Jakob's waist, a small smile gracing her lips. Soon, Lilith and Emily were positioned at the open end of the caravan; luckily having enough leg room alongside the weapons, staves and other equipment.
After receiving a nod from Xander, Gunter began to lead the royals out of the Northern Fortress. They cantered under the gateway while Camila flew over the tall stone walls, though she returned to ground level when they reached the gravel road that let into the hills and mountains that surrounded the isolated fortress.
Emily looked at her former home as it slowly began to shrink in size as they made their gradual way down the road. Mixed emotions were swimming around inside her, for what she had left behind and what she would soon experience; they shifted from bad to good in her mind.
"Lady Emily," tentatively asked Lilith. "Are you alright?"
She moved her head in a way that was neither a nod or a shake, her eyes still glued on the tall fortress. The princess suddenly began to hum a song that seemed fitting to sing, though she didn't have the will to commit.
Her brother, Leo, was riding behind the caravan and heard his sister. Smirking, he rode closer and asked his sister, "Do you plan to sing an actual song this time? Or is this just another sea shanti that you seem so found of."
"Yeah," she replied in a casual tone that did not reflect her mood at all.
The straw-haired prince shook his head, his smirk now a smile. "Oh, well. If you must. Just put effort into it, will you?" He paused for a moment. "And please, enjoy yourself. Whatever happens, we will all be here for you."
Emily smiled at her brother, the truth behind his words giving her the strength to sing. She turned to Lilith to share her smile, which she reflected cheerfully. Returning to stare at the fortress, which was incredibly small by this time, she opened her lips and began to sing:
"I thought I heard, the old man say; Leave her Johnny, leave her!
Tomorrow ye will get your pay and it's time for us to leave her!"
Her melancholy song drifted through the air like a morning mist; slow, calm and reaching as far and wide as it can before the sun rises and it disappears.
"Leave her Johnny, leaver her! Oh…leave her Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow and…"
"…it's time for us to leave her." Finished Lilith, like she used to do in their time in the stables together.
Emily continued to sing, her eyes still trying to spy her home when only the tower in which she resided was visible.
"Oh the wind was foul and the sea ran high..."
"Leave her Johnny, leave her," sang not only Lilith, but the twins joined in like they would do when Emily would practice piano; including the fact that Felicia always sung off key.
"She shipped it green and none went by…"
"…And it's time for us to leave her!" Were now sung by all the females; the princess' adding a high and low scale to their shared song.
Together, the continued to sing…
"Leave her Johnny, leave her! Oh…leave her Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow…"
…even when the Northern Fortress had finally vanished from sight.
"…And it's time for us, to leave her."
"Leave Her Johnny" watch?v=gEWS5dGSDOc