So, while we're still reeling from last chapter, lets move on with the next one shall we? Sane's gonna have to make a mad dash through the Midmire with strange injuries she has no idea how she acquired, while being chased by the Plegian soldiers of course. I've decided to have Olivia join the character roster one chapter earlier, because I thought it was weird how she was introduced as the one who's helping us get through the Midmire, but she wasn't playable until the next chapter.

There's also going to be brief sexual content towards the end of the chapter between Tharja and Sane, so if you're offended by that tough toenails.

We made it halfway through the Plegian Midmire before our advance was halted by the Plegian troops. I was managing to hide the fact I was injured from everyone other than Tharja, but if we got into a fight I knew I wouldn't be able to hide it any more.

'Unless I stay back as a support? But would that arouse suspicion?'

Tharja was at my side in an instant.

"Things are going south. Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded.

"I'm Sane the mighty, I've got this."

'Rather, I hope I got this...'

There were Wyvern Riders everywhere, which put us at a slight disadvantage because we only had two flying units. True our swords would best their axes, but superior mobility was just as much an asset as an advantageous weapon.

'Besides, the weapon triangle is malarky anyway...'

"Sane, what do you propose we do?"

'Always turning to me for advice.'

"With all those Wyvern Riders they'll quickly be able to surround just about anyone who isn't quick on their feet. We'll want the slower people to stick with the Cavaliers or Pegasus Knights. Keep Virion out of harms way, he's our best chance of taking down the Wyvern Riders. Wait..."

I glanced around the battlefield.

"Where are the Mages?"

"Staying back for now, out of harms way."

"Okay, I'll need to talk to them. How many Wind tomes do we have?"

"There's a few with the convoy."

I pulled on a strand of hair as I thought up a plan.

'No unit caps on levels is a fun feature.'

I knew we didn't have much time to whip up a good plan so I thought quickly.

"Okay, we'll divvy up into groups. Each group should have a mounted unit and a Mage with a wind tome. Each group should also have some who is a good defender, like Kellam or..."

I had to stop myself from saying 'Vaike'. Chrom seemed to get my point and nodded.

"I'll gather everyone up."

"And where shall I go?" Tharja drawled.

"Um... Stay close to me I guess?"

She smiled.

"You're quite the Tactician."

I rubbed the back of my head nervously.

"Well..."

My group consisted of Tharja, Olivia, Virion, Lissa and Stahl. We stayed relatively close to everyone else, but far enough away that we wouldn't get in anyone's way. The goal was to kill the commander of the Plegian troops and escape the Midmire. According to Olivia, the pass out of the Midmire was located behind the Plegian commander, meaning we couldn't just run away. Every time my group got into a skirmish I managed to stay behind with Lissa, but her, Virion and Stahl noticed.

"What's the matter Sane? You're usually a front-line girl."

"Just thought I'd let someone else share in the glory."

I was worried about Olivia. She wasn't really fighting material as long as she was classed as a dancer.

'I'll have to make her a Myrmidon or Pegasus Knight when I get the chance.'

Her dancing wasn't really doing anything in my opinion. It was cool and all I guess, but on the battlefield it just seemed pointless.

'Maybe I'll ask her to dance after the battle?'

"Milady, Wyvern Riders approaching behind us! I can't shoot them all!"

There were four Wyvern Riders coming towards us. Virion said he wouldn't be able to shoot them all, but I knew he'd be able to get at least one. Which left three for Tharja, Olivia and I.

'We should be able to get one each, right?'

When the Wyvern Riders swooped in on us, Virion loosed an arrow. The arrow pierced the leg of one of the Wyverns and caused it to jerk in pain. The rider was momentarily unbalanced, which allowed Tharja to strike them with her tome. The Wyvern, now without it's rider came at us with its fangs bared. We scattered to avoid the gaping maw and Olivia managed to slice open the Wyverns underbelly. It crashed to the ground, dead.

'Three left.'

The next Wyvern Virion shot, he hit between the eyes and it died instantly. I struck the rider with my magic and his body was launched several feet into the air and landed with a crunch.

'Two down.'

The next Wyvern Rider Tharja and I took down by launching bolts of magic at it simultaneously. The final one fell just as quickly, thanks to Virion and Stahl.

'We don't make that bad of a team, do we?'

We were almost at the Plegian commander, all that separated us was about one hundred yards of damp earth. I knew by this point everyone noticed my movement was off.

"Sane, are you alright?" Stahl asked in concern.

I shrugged.

"So... I might be slightly injured..."

Virion frowned.

"Milady, why did you not tell us?"

"Sane, if you're hurt, you should've seen a healer."

"I will as soon as we have some downtime."

Everyone was looking at me with concern, but I ignored them.

"Look, I'm fine! I'll see a healer once we're out of the Midmire!"

We continued making our way to the Plegian commander, reuniting with the rest of the Shepherds.

"Alright everyone, all we have to do is get past the commander and we're home free."

Amazingly enough, Chrom and the others were able to beat the commander without me doing anything.

'Maybe they can fight their way out of a wet paper bag?'

Making our way back to Regena Ferox was our next task. I've never had trouble walking before, even when I walked two miles in ninety degree heat with no water. But this walk was just absolutely brutal.

'Geez, this reminds me of the time I fell out of my tree and landed on my knees.'

I wasn't about to start complaining, what good would it do if I was complaining anyway? I just carried on and tried to keep up with the others. My plan however was ruined when a wild pot hole appeared and I twisted my ankle.

"Ah!"

I fell to the ground and cried out. I tried to stand up, thinking the injury to my ankle was nothing to worry about, but as soon as I put any weight on it I fell again. My second fall was just as graceful as the first. By the time I tried to attempt for a third time to get back on my feet Frederick came over to me on his horse.

"Milady, allow me to assist you."

Frederick held his hand out for me to hold onto while I stood up. He then lifted me up and onto his horse.

"Hold onto me milady."

I awkwardly placed my hands on Frederick's hips as he carried me on his horse.

"We'll have a healer take a look at your ankle once we get to Regena Ferox."

I tried to ignore the pain of my ankle and other injuries as the horse jostled it me with each step it took. Instead, I tried to think about the last time I was on a horse.

'I think I rode a horse last time I went to the fair... Wait, no. When was the last time I was on a horse?'

"I think I've been on a horse before." I said to Frederick.

"Oh? Was it a pleasant experience for you?"

I shrugged.

'Oh idiot, he can't see you, you're behind him.'

"I don't remember. I think I was a little kid. Like five years old?"

"Well, this should be an interesting experience for you then."

"Yeah."

We were quiet for a time.

"Sane, you were gone for a while. We were worried. Do you feel alright?"

"..."

"Sane?"

"I think I'm alright. I'd like a bath."

'Or fifty maybe.'

Even without Tharja telling me what happened during my two day imprisonment, I have the feeling it was something terrible.

"I noticed you have some scratches. And you're..."

I heard Frederick take a deep breath.

"Limping. Most people don't limp unless they've been hurt."

I shifted uncomfortably.

"I fought some Wyvern Riders. We can't come away from all battles scott free yeah?"

Frederick turned briefly to look at me.

"I... I'll deal alright? I don't want to talk about it."

"As you wish milady."

"It's your fault you know, this is what you get for trying to ruin my plans."

'That *blasted* voice!'

I slid off the horse and clutched my head. I was well aware of people staring at me, but I was too angry to care. Not even the throbbing pain in my ankle bothered me.

'You shut up, you aren't real!'

"Not real Sane? Come now, I've been with you longer than you want to admit..."

"Sane? Is everything alright?"

It was like fricken everyone was suddenly my best friend or something. I ignored everyone, not speaking to them, acknowledging them, or anything. I just kept walking.

"Milady, you're going to hurt your ankle even more!"

"You're such a child."

"I just feel so antsy, I need to walk. I'm fine alright?"

My answer seemed to please just about everyone except Frederick.

"There's no need to hurt yourself, allow someone to help you."

"Really, I-"

Frederick took ahold of me and pulled me back onto his horse, this time in front of him. He then wrapped an arm around me so I couldn't hop off.

"Milady," He said quietly. "I'll let you deal with your problems however you feel you have to, but in return I'd like you to allow me to watch over you. At least until we reach Regena Ferox."

Deciding it would be fairly useless to argue with Frederick, considering I wouldn't be able to wiggle out of his grip at this point. I could see Tharja looking at the two of us from a ways away. She had a hurt look on her face, as if I betrayed her in some way.

'She's probably got her heart set on marrying me or something.'

"Sir Frederick? How much longer until we reach Regena Ferox?"

"At the rate we're moving we should reach Regena Ferox within an hour."

"An hour?"

'How am I going to sit here for an hour?'

"Perhaps longer, the terrain here seems tricky."

'Well... This could be worse. I could be stuck on a horse for an hour with Brady.'

"And I assume I'll have to stay on this horse until we arrive?"

"I'd enjoy the company."

'Well, Frederick is very handsome. I suppose it's not so bad having to sit with him for an hour. Maybe this is the start of a beautiful relationship.'

"Who'd want a relationship with you?"

I balled my hand into a fist. I kept it that way until my nails nearly pierced the palm of my hand.

'You're getting real annoying.'

Thankfully, nothing really interesting seemed to be happening and I could just sit and chill with Frederick. I had to admit, I was having more fun than I probably should've been this close to Frederick.

'Was it him or Chrom who's twenty two? Meh, I've gone drinking at a pub, I doubt anyone will care if I'm getting a little close to someone who's got a few years on me.'

"Does this have something to do with your feelings of social inadequacy?"

'I swear if you don't shut up, I will make you regret ever talking to me.'

"Oh? And how are you going to do that?"

'Remember that tongue splitting video Courtie showed us?'

"You wouldn't..."

'At the lunch table, after we were talking about Evil Dead?'

"Don't go there!"

'Cottage cheese...'

"Go choke on a pair of nuts Sane!"

The voice was mercifully quiet after that, no doubt greatly disturbed by me pushing the memory on her. I chuckled, glad that I had finally been able to beat her at her own mind game.

"What's so amusing?" Frederick asked.

"Oh... Just... Nothing really."

There wasn't much to talk about with Frederick at the time, so I sat with him in silence. I'd randomly try to move my ankle around, but every time I did it just hurt and made me wince. When we finally got close enough to Regen Ferox to see the border wall, I smiled.

"Finally we're here! I can't wait to get a bath and some food."

Frederick chuckled.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were just like Stahl."

"No, if I were Stahl, I would've said food first."

"Ha ha... Of course."

Frederick dropped me off at the room Lissa and Maribelle were sharing so they could look at my ankle. I had to wait a moment because there were a couple people with injuries worse than mine, but since my ankle only hurt when I tried to move it I wasn't really complaining. I lay back on what I assumed to be Lissa's bed and sighed.

'Maybe I'll take a nap or two.'

The door opened up before I was able to fall asleep and Lissa walked in.

"Sane! I wish I could've talked to you sooner! I was so worried about you, but now that you're here we can talk all night!"

Her overly puppy dog demeanor made me smile.

"I'll have to eat and sleep eventually you know."

'Wow, it is impossible to not feel happy around you.'

"Yeah, but until then you're mine! Let me take a look at your ankle."

She poked at it and had me lift my foot up.

"This will be easy to heal."

Lissa tapped my ankle a couple times with the staff and muttered words of healing.

"There, your ankle should be okay. It'll still feel tender but you should be able to walk on it a little."

"Thanks Lissa. Say, how does one go about becoming a Cleric anyway?"

"I dunno. It's something to do with being magic I think."

"What are the words you say when you use your staff?"

"Det vitam pretiosum donum."

I derped.

"What does that mean?"

"I dunno. But it works."

I sighed.

"Yeah. That sounds about right."

I moved my ankle experimentally for a bit.

"Well, I'm going to go get a bath. I'll see you at dinner."

"See ya."

I walked to my room and opened the door. We were staying in the western palace with Basilio this time, and the layout was slightly different than the eastern palace. The only difference that really mattered to me though was we had our own personal baths.

'Good deal, I'm going to be here till dinner time.'

My room was a bit smaller than I would've liked, but it more than made up for it with it's spacious bathroom. I looked around the room briefly before stripping down to my underclothes. I was about to draw the bath water when I realized the tub was already filled with steaming water.

'What the..?'

"I was wondering when you'd get done seeing Lissa."

I jumped at the sound of Tharja's voice behind me.

"Gods damn it! Don't do that!"

She chuckled darkly.

"I took the liberty of drawing your bath. I know you like it warm. I got some soaps and oils too."

I looked at her uneasily.

"Uh... Thanks. You didn't have to do that though."

"Get in."

I stared at her, not believing what I heard.

"I'm sorry... You want me to bathe in front of you?"

She smiled.

"Who said I'm not going to join you?"

I looked at the tub.

"Um... That's an awfully small tub..."

Tharja began to remove her robes.

"Oh gosh! What are you do-"

I wasn't accustomed to women stripping in front of me. Sure, I've seen women changing in locker rooms, but in locker rooms you just change your shirt or pants, you don't strip naked. I blushed and looked away from Tharja until I heard her slide into the water.

"Um, you can take a bath here, I'll go somewhere else."

I tried to leave the bathroom, but I was standing too close to the tub and Tharja grabbed my around the waist and pulled me into the tub with her. The water was hot, but not scalding against my skin. I shrieked and tried to struggle out of her grip.

'No, no, no, no!'

I managed to do a graceful flip over the edge of the tub, and by graceful I mean I landed awkwardly on my shoulder and face.

"Don't go!"

I stood up, careful not to slip on the wet floor and left the bathroom. I could hear Tharja getting out of the water and following me.

"Back up off me! I might be open minded, but I don't know you enough to get in a tub naked with you, and I'm certainly not going to let you put your hands all over me."

Tharja was naked. Completely.

'Oh Jesus!'

"Tharja, please put your clothes back on!"

"Does this bother you?"

I grabbed my cloak and threw it around my shoulders, not caring that I was still wet.

"Yes, it does bother me."

"You didn't peg me as the type who would be bothered by the female body."

'Murr...'

"I'm not... I just don't want to see you naked quite like this."

She chuckled.

"How do you want to see me naked?"

I threw my hands into the air.

"I don't! Really! I'm not... Comfortable with that thing."

Tharja laughed darkly.

"Come here..."

Against my better judgement I followed Tharja back into the bathroom. She lowered herself into the tub and beckoned me. I stripped out of my underclothes and joined her in the tub.

"Do anything weird, and I will have Frederick break you in half."

"You can try..."

To Tharja's credit, she didn't try and touch me or in anyway invade my space. There wasn't a lot of room in the tub so we were touching legs as it was.

'Oh gosh, if she just moves her leg to the right a bit...'

I tried not to look at Tharja too much, despite the fact she was making it almost obvious she was admiring my body.

"Um... Can you turn your head for a bit?"

"Why? Shy again?"

"No I just don't want you to see... My... Uh..."

She smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"We're both women."

"Just turn your head!"

With a sigh, she turned away from me. I quickly washed up, not giving her a chance to turn back and peek.

"I wouldn't mind if you want a peek at mine you know." She said.

"I don't know you like that."

When Tharja washed herself, she didn't bother asking me to look away. If anything she seemed almost sad that I did. Well... I mostly looked away.

'Who would completely waste an opportunity to see a woman naked?'

I might have looked at her a little bit.

'Stop being a perv Sane!'

When we were done with our bath, Tharja surprised me by pulling out a vial of some sort of oil.

"Um... Please tell me this isn't going to get weird?"

"You have some bruises. This oil will help them fade faster."

"Tharja, I know what happened..."

"..."

"Why are you trying to deny it?"

"If you're so sure you know what happened, why do I need to remind you?"

"I don't know. Maybe hearing it will help me deal?"

I felt Tharja rubbing the oil into my skin, starting at my shoulders and working her way down my back.

"I did something to your memory. So you'd forget. But if you dwel on it..."

Tharja trailed a finger along my spine idly.

'Hey thaaaar...'

"All that'll happen is the memories will return. Horrible, horrible memories."

'Well, when you put it that way...'

"Alright. I'll just let it go then."

Once I dressed Tharja left. I still wasn't tired, and hadn't eaten anything for dinner.

'We have some more members of the team to talk to, I should chat with some of them before I go to bed. Who knows, maybe I can vulture some food from Gregor. Oh! I could steal Gaius' candy!'

Smiling to myself, I quickly ran a brush through my hair before leaving my room and heading towards the dining area.