Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on AO3

The alley was dark, dank, and out of the way. The perfect place for secret deals..

"Are you with me then?" the Prince asked. He was hooded, wearing a dark robe that covered his entire body. Rain poured down heavily, thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning lit up the night sky. Before him stood two knights, one old, one about the same age as the Prince.

"Yes, my Prince." The Elder Knight said. A bona fide war hero. Sir Gunter, the Stalwart. He who held the line against an entire platoon of Hoshidian soldiers despite being wounded and outnumbered at the now celebrated Battle of the Careless Ford. The King had knighted him then, and granted him the illustrious title of 'Champion of Nohr'.

The younger knight spoke up now, a half cheerful, half reserved smile on his face.

"I'm with you, my friend. Always. No matter what."

Silas. The Prince's old friend, now Gunter's squire. Recently turned eighteen. He had fought his way into the army, all for the chance to meet the Prince again. He'd become the top of the academy, and as such Gunter offered him a place as his squire, one the young man had accepted. Once, the Prince had been forced to forget him, but the moment the memories came back, he sort

It had been pure chance, but it had made the Prince's job a little easier.

"Good….actually no, not good. Great. Absolutely fantastic!" The Prince pulled his hood down with a smile. "…I uhm…have a rather large favour to ask the both of you…"

"Of course, my Prince..anything. What is it you wish?" Gunter had replied.

"Well….."

A jolt awoke Corrin from his slumber. His head had been resting on the window of his carriage, currently making its way, at the back of the convoy, and after the carriage had it a bump, predictably, his head had smacked against the window. Jakob, Felicia and Flora were with him, although the sisters were currently asleep against one another.

He let out an annoyed sigh, and rubbed his head. "….I hate travelling in fucking boxes. Why is it I always end up travelling in fucking boxes Jakob?"

"Because of your fondness for escaping, Master Corrin."

"Oh shut it, you hate them too."

Jakob could only nod in agreement. "It does bring back bad memories for both of us, Ma-"

"Jakob, we're in private. You can call me by name."

"Of course, Corrin. My mistake…So this is it then? The final stages?"

"The final stages of phase one, yes." Corrin confirmed. "Lilith will finish things up in the North Fortress by tomorrow and move to meet with Gunter and Silas. If Azura plays her part, we'll be attacked on the road. Taking the survivors prisoner. It'll give us the…..opportunity to travel to Hoshido to collect Azura and her allies. All we need to do in the Capital is procure Daedalus then all proceed to the ruin. Our Anna has been preparing it for our, and the gems, arrival."

"Can we trust our Anna? She is…"

"An arms dealer? How is that worse than what we're planning, Jakob?"

"I take your point...still, it pays to be a little cautious, at least. Our plan is downright treasonous."

Good. Corrin thought. Anna's help will give us our way into the deeprealms.

"Then phase two, correct?" Jakob said, continuing on from earlier, a savagely satisfied grin on his face. "I will enjoy seeing my dear sister again. I have….missed her."

"You'll get revenge on your family for abandoning you, Jakob. I promise."

You, and many others.

"That is all I can ask for, my friend."

Corrin smiled, and glanced at the still sleeping maids. "..Gods, they're adorable like this."

"Best not let Lady Azura hear you say that. She has a great like of you."

You have no idea. Corrin thought, supressing a grin. "I hope so, Jakob. It just so happens that I like her too. I'd rather talk about you and Flora…"

"I will not dignify that with a response."

Corrin let out a storm of laughter, one cut short as the maids woke up.

"Oh…..forgive me, Master Corrin. We fell asleep." Flora hastily apologised, but Corrin waved a hand.

"Doesn't matter. You were tired, sleeping is fine." He said with a kind smile. "And given what's coming in the next few weeks, you'll need all the sleep you can get."

Corrin's smile morphed into a cruel grin, one that was soon mirrored on the faces of Jakob, Felicia and Flora. Corrin opened up the drinks cabinet, and removed four glasses, which he filled with the bottle of brandy inside it. He handed the glasses out, and raises his on a toast.

"To vengeance, my friends. Vengeance, blood, and glory."

The Prince led them through a side alley…and through the winding streets of the village. The knights did their best to keep up with him as the rain hammered down.

"My Prince!" Gunter called after him. "Slow down!"

The Prince carried on at the same pace as before, until he reached a nondescript house.

"Here." He said, as he took out a key, and unlocked the door, he ushered them inside.

Gunter looked around, until his eyes fell on a woman in a chair.

A blue haired babe in her arms.

"I have some explaining to do." Corrin said. "This is Azura…and the babe…"

Gunter and Silas' eye went wide and his next words.

"..Is our son. Shigure."