Author's Note - Spelling and grammar are both fixed throughout the story. I've begun to care about it, and I apologize that it wasn't all that good prior to the updates, and I thank you for sticking with me through that. Without further ado, Chapter 4 - End of Author's Note
Frederick looked at the Shepherds, and those of their allies that weren't Shepherds, but had stuck with them to this point around him. They looked broken, and he was powerless to do anything about it. He sighed, knowing that it would most likely be the last time they would all be assembled at the barracks. He had led them straight there from Ylisstol upon seeing the reaction of the citizens. He knew that time was of the essence, from here on out, he had the feeling that it just about always would be. Despite that, he dragged his feet. What he was about to do would cut their numbers in half, and then some after that.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. Any conversation in the room stopped immediately. All eyes were trained on him. Reluctantly, he went on.
"As... As you all know, we lost our captain, and king, Chrom in the last battle. The battle to save the world, perhaps. As well as 2 of the Shepherds finest, his wife Olivia and Vaike. Sadly, we cannot to take proper time to mourn them in Ylissean custom, as we simply do not have that time. But first, before I continue, I would like to say this. I am well aware that some of you are foreigners to Ylisse. Some of you even run your own countries. Those of you that wish to, are welcome to leave our ranks, and return home, to defend it against the attack that is almost certainly coming."
Say'ri almost ran from the room, without a word. Frederick knew why she left, and would bring it up in a moments time. But first, he had to wait. There were more people leaving, more that he actually cared about. Virion stood up reluctantly.
"Alas." He exclaimed to the whole room. "I fear I cannot waste a moments time. I failed Rosanne once before. I fear cannot do it again, even if it's defense costs me my life. I must leave."
"Aptly put, dear." Cherche stood at her husband's side. "We are sorry to abandon you in such a dreary time, Frederick, but it can't be any better at home, in Rosanne."
Frederick had expected the two of them to be among those who left. He bowed politely to them.
"You both have already done so much for us. It saddens me to see you go. But, little choice remains these days. Do give my regards to baby Gerome before you go. He's such an emotional child."
Cherche smiled at the mention of her son, while Virion had begun to say goodbye to the other Shepherds immediately after speaking to Frederick. He paid close attention to Sully in particular. Cherche noticed this, and dragged him bodily from the barracks.
Frederick smiled slightly as they left, feeling saddened. He was close with both of them, and their talents in battle would be greatly missed in any battles that would be fought in the near future. He glanced around the room yet again. Flavia was waiting for him.
"Well. We really fucked up, didn't we?"
"…I suppose we did. You're returning to Regna Ferox?"
Flavia tried to laugh. "I have to. I'm the reigning khan, and Basilio is dead. I never should have come with you to fight Validar and Grima in the first place. Especially as we failed, I have to imagine my absence is being felt heavily right now. Farewell Frederick." Flavia said nothing else, and walked from the room. Lon'qu shot her a glance as she left, but she shook her head no. Basilio had given him to the Shepherds, and in the Shepherds he would say. Flavia would be damned if anyone or anything would change that.
Frederick felt a light tap upon his shoulder, and turned to face the last of those leaving.
"Anna." He spoke.
"Lighten up! It's not like I'm leaving all together! I'll finance the army for as long as I can! You can't make any gains when you're dead! Ooh! That's a neat phrase! I should use that to sell weapons once this Grima thing blows over..." Anna walked from the barracks as well, leaving Frederick flabbergasted and confused.
He walked up to the front of the room, his mood and attitude little improved from the beginning of the meeting.
"I have one more item to discuss, and then if anyone else has an issue worthy of being brought before us all, they have the floor." Frederick took a deep breath. "We received a letter from The Voice. She claims that Rob-... Grima is marching upon The Great Mila Tree, and she has requested help from as many nations as she can get it from to defend it. A show of unity during these troubled times, and save the center of our common religion. The letter was waiting for us in the barracks, and was sent shortly after the incident at the Table. I've no idea how it got here that fast, but if anything, it proves it's urgency. This is a matter of grave importance. I need volunteers to both go and help Tiki defend the tree, and to stay here to manage things at Ylisstol with myself. Lissa has requested I stay behind for this battle..." Frederick looked ashamed, unaware that his could prove to be the more daunting task.
In the end, Lon'qu ended up leading the Mila Tree group, which consisted of himself, Cordelia, Henry, Panne, Maribelle, Nowi, Libra, with Gregor as the second in command. They all departed immediately to prepare for the journey, and battle that was right around the corner. Frederick was left with Sully, Stahl, Mirel, Sumia, Donnel, Ricken, Gaius, and Tharja.
"Alright." Frederick spoke to the 8 Shepherds who remained with him. "Is there any other business that any of you would like to bring up? The floor is yours, if so."
Frederick stood away from the area he was speaking. Almost instantly, Donnel took his place.
"Well, I, uh, hate to always be th' one who points this stuff out, your Frederickness, but... Did we leave both Falchion and the Fire Emblem with Chrom's corpse?"
Shit.
Kellam sprinted through the forest, pursued by an uncountable number of Risen. In his hands, he held both Falchion and the Fire Emblem. He had gone back to retrieve them shortly after the other Shepherds left to go back to Ylisstol, with none of them recalling them in the slightest. Unfortunately, Grima wasn't stupid, and had left them heavily guarded, though still in the same place. Kellam used his stealth to steal both of them, but found that as soon as he did, the Risen noticed him. He had been running ever since, the Risen gaining on him all the while. Finally, he was within sight of Ylisstol. Unfortunately for Kellam, he had made the mistake of wearing his armor, which was what let the Risen catch up to him. He felt a blow on his back, and he fell face first into the ground. The Emblem hit the ground with a thud, and the gemstones scattered. Falchion sank into the ground like it was butter. Kellam was the opposite of grace as he fell, and he knew right away something was broken. But he couldn't stop. He tried to get up, but instead bore witness to the crowd of Risen forming all around him. He knew then that it was hopeless. As soon as he had that obvious revelation, the apparent leader of the Risen, if one was judging only by strength, stepped forward. The blade of his axe was the size of his chest plate. And almost as dull. It took several chops to fully remove Kellam's head, his armor proving useless in the end.