Chapter 16

Nathan pulled Mystletainn from off his back and stretched his neck for the upcoming fight. Three Valamese warships had surrounded the one Nathan and the others were on, cornering them as they frantically shoved planks across to board the ship. The tactician knew they were vastly outnumbered, but, as usual, it was all part of the plan.

"Well, a risky plan…and possibly stupid…" The man mused to himself. Lissa and Morgan stood next to him, tomes at the ready. Chrom and Sumia were also nearby, preparing to engage, as well as Frederick and Cherche. A few other shepherds were also scattered about the ship, ready for combat. Nathan hoped their small strike force would be enough to bring down a few Valamese warships, and he could already tell, based on the formations the Valamese soldiers employed, that experience was on their side for this fight.

"Here we go people, like we discussed!" The tactician called out, raising his black and gold blade. "For Ylisse!"

All at once, the Shepherds charged for the separate ships, splitting up into smaller units. Nathan, Lissa, Morgan and Frederick headed towards the one where the tactician had spotted what appeared to be a general from the Valamese army, heavily armoured and hiding near the back of the enemy lines. Cherche rode overhead, with Minerva spitting fireballs on any who tried to shoot her down with arrows.

"Lissa, Morgan, watch our backs, and take out any archers you can!" Nathan told the two. "We need Cherche and Minerva to stay up there, for a quick evacuation if we need it!"

The pair nodded, and Morgan grinned widely at her father. "We'll take care of things here, daddy!" The amnesiac cheerfully replied. Nathan smiled slightly at her before moving to aid Frederick, who was fending off a group of Valamese soldiers with his lance. Nathan swooped in behind the man, pulling a tome out of his cloak and feeling it's energy flow through his body. Frederick quickly rolled out of the way as Nathan yelled, "Thoron!"

A large yellow beam of pure lightning shot out from the hand of the tactician, blasting away all the Valamese soldiers who stood in front of it and carving a hole in the side of their warship.

The tactician and Great knight quickly regrouped, with Nathan stuffing his tome back into his black robes and gripping his sword with both hands. A Valamese soldier charged in his direction, and the tactician quickly pivoted on one foot, dodging the attack, and swiftly driving his blade through the armour of the man, impaling him. As he withdrew his blade from the man, he groaned slightly, seeing two more enemy soldiers charging towards him. "…We're in for a long one, here…" The man whined to himself.

"Sir Nathan?" Frederick yelled as he struck down another soldier with his lance.

Nathan grunted in reply as he dodged a thrust from an enemy lance, responding with a ball of fire from his arcfire tome, incinerating the soldier. "What?"

"Well, I was thinking about my proposal to Milady Cherche…and-"

"NOW IS NOT THE TIME, FREDDY!"

Frederick spun his lance before swatting aside another enemy unit. "But you said it is of the utmost importance I propose to her before we get to Valm!"

Nathan rolled his eyes as he clashed blades with an enemy Myrmidon. "Yes, I did, but I didn't mean you should propose to her when we're trying not to get killed by a bunch of soldiers!" He snapped back.

"I…alright, Milord…" Frederick meekly replied.

The two fought in silence for a few minutes, before Nathan groaned and turned to the man. "Dammit! You've peaked my interest, Freddy…so what did you have in mind?"

The great knight's eyes lit up as he fended off another group of Valamese soldiers. "Ah, Milord! I have such great plans for my proposal!"

Nathan quickly dodged an arrow being fired from an archer near the back of the ship before impatiently replying, "So I've heard…and these plans are…what, exactly?"

"Well, I've been thinking…" Frederick began, "…And I want to make sure it is a special occasion."

Nathan nodded back to the man while ducking a swing from an enemy axe. "Well, yeah, I know that…but I'm just wondering what exactly you're planning on doing."

"Er, yes…" Frederick said, his voice wavering with nervousness.

"Freddy, we're your friends. Whatever you're thinking of, no one will judge you for it. We're here for you, to help you with whatever you need." The tactician replied.

"Yes, um…so…I was thinking of having a fancy dinner set up with Cherche, and, perhaps, prepared by you and the other shepherds? It will make it heartfelt, I believe. And, when the meal has finished, I shall propose."

Nathan scratched his head. "Wow, you've really got this all planned out, don't you…" He replied. The great knight nodded as they cleared out the last of the surrounding enemies.

"So?"

"Of course, Frederick. Mind you, I don't think any of us are good cooks…but if that's what you want, we'd be more than happy to help you with your proposal."

The great knight breathed a large sigh of relief. "Thank you, Milord."

Nathan grunted in reply. "I still think that could've waited for when we weren't fighting a ship full of soldiers, but I'll let it slide for now."

Frederick opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by a massive armoured general lugging his way towards them, sporting blood red armour and a fearsome looking golden spear.

"Arrogant pups! The seas are my home, and they shall be your grave!" The man roared, spinning his spear before charging towards Nathan and Frederick. The great knight pushed Nathan aside as he readied his lance, crashing up against the man.

"Not while I draw breath!" The great knight growled, using his strength to shove the Valamese General backwards. As he stumbled, Nathan rushed in, but his sword bounced ineffectively off of the man's armour. The general sneered before bringing his massive shield to Nathan's midsection, knocking him to the ground.

"Aaa-aargh…" The tactician coughed, spitting up some blood. The General raised his spear to end it, but Frederick charged into the fray, sliding over as he scooped up Nathan's fragile body and the two slid out of harm's way, leaving the Valamese leader to stab a hole in the floor of the ship.

Frustrated, Nathan pulled his Thoron tome out of his robes again, and fired a blast of the yellow lightning straight at the man. However, it simply bounced off like a rubber ball, the beam shooting off into the sky.

"Arrogant fools!" The general sneered. "You think I would not be prepared for such attacks? My armour has been forged with the finest protection spells cast upon it! You cannot pe-"

A fireball rained down from above, swallowing up the General. Nathan and Frederick looked to the skies to see Minerva and Cherche, circling overhead. Minerva let out a triumphant roar as Cherche smiled down to them.

"H-heh…I was careless…however…believe me…you will not survive in Valm…" The armoured man spat, collapsed over on the ground as he let out his final words. "The…conqueror…will…kill you all…" He gasped, before his final breath left his body and he passed on.

Nathan turned to Frederick, a worried look on his face as he slowly stood up. The great knight offered him a hand, but the man waved him off. "He was…strong." He weakly muttered, still holding his stomach from the earlier blow.

The great knight nodded in agreement. "To be honest? When I clashed lances with him, and then he deflected your magic so easily…I thought we were doomed. We were very fortunate to have Cherche and Minerva watching over us. These Valamese warriors are certainly of a strong breed."

Nathan nodded before Cherche swooped down, and the two hopped on Minerva to carry them back to their boat. As they flew away, Nathan sent one last shot of Thoron directly through the ship's hull, sending it sinking into the deep blue ocean. Watching the lifeless body of the Valamese general slip into the depths of the sea gave the tactician chills.

After arriving back on board of their ship, they saw that the others had made it back safely as well. Chrom looked to them as they arrived, and Nathan gave him a nod.

"All appointed ships, head right at them! Ramming speed!" The Exalt ordered. Nathan watched as a large section of their fleet sped up, including the ship they were on, heading straight for the enemy ships.

"Any second now!" Nathan called out. "Get ready, everyone!"

The shepherds stayed on board their ships until they were nearly on top of the enemy warships, and Chrom cried out, "JUMP!"

Nathan and the others ran for the edges of their ships, jumping off and into the murky blue ocean below them.