Chapter 3: A new adventure
"So now that we can go out and look, where do we start looking?" Lissa asked the two as they sat in the dining hall for lunch.
After the training match, the four decided to take a small lunch break. Although Chrom was eager to start on the search, he knew he couldn't do it on an empty stomach. Thus, the four went to the dining hall of the castle. Chrom had taken a small sandwich. Lissa and Morgan both took salads, as they both claimed they were on a diet. Frederick took a small piece of venison. Morgan managed to put the roster down long enough to eat with her family.
"I say we should look around Ylisse for a start." Frederick suggested. "Perhaps we could find a lead."
Chrom took a bite out of his sandwich and looked at Frederick. "I'm not so sure we'd find much leads here. If he were seen, odds are it would have been reported."
"Well that stinks. We have so many open fields to search." Lissa whined. "I wish we had a lead."
"I'm sure a lead will come soon Lissa." Chrom said before taking another bite.
"Yeah, but exactly WHEN is soon?" Lissa pouted as she picked up her fork and started eating.
"Don't worry mom, we'll find a lead, I'm sure we just aren't thinking wise enough!" Morgan hugged her mother.
At that moment a solider approached their table. He wore a black uniform with a silver plate in the middle. On the sides of the plate were two purple parts of the armor extending upward to the man's collar bone. On his arms were white shoulder pads marked with purple stripes.
"Excuse me Milord, but I bring urgent news." The solider saluted the group at the table.
"Yes?" Frederick answered, receiving a look from Chrom.
"I bear a message from Princess Say'ri of Chon'sin. She request that you meet with her immediately." The solider told them.
"I see, what happened?" Chrom asked.
"The castle was attacked by a stranger. He tried to set the whole place on fire, but the princess managed to safely put out the fire and apprehend the stranger. However she requests that you see her immediately. It is of dire importance."
"hmm...I don't like the sound of this milord." Frederick said. "If Say'ri's home was attacked, it could mean another war."
"Right. I don't like the looks of this either." Chrom put down his sandwich and stood. "Thank you for the message, tell her we are on our way."
"Yes, sir." The soldier then walked out of the room.
"Why do you think Say'ri was attacked?" Morgan asked as she picked up the roster and flipped though it. "If anything, she's one you don't wanna mess with."
"We'll just have to go see for ourselves." Chrom said. As the others stood Morgan remained seated. "Something wrong Morgan?"
"Well...the roster is supposed to have data on all of the shepherds...but I can't find anything on Say'ri." Morgan looked saddened. "There's a blank page between Cousin Lucina and Basilio. I remember that Say'ri was in between, but now the whole page is blank." She showed them the book. Sure enough, on the left side was a picture of Lucina, Chrom's future daughter. On the right was a blank page. Morgan turned the page to see a picture of Basilio, the West-Khan of Regna Ferox. "There isn't a page ripped out or anything. It's just blank, but I'm not sure why...I hope it isn't because I flipped through it too fast." Morgan sighed.
"Strange...maybe the book is getting old and is losing power like tomes when they get closer to breaking?" Lissa suggested.
"Whatever it may be, I suggest we focus on it later." Frederick said. "For now, we best head to Chon'sin and assist Say'ri."
"Right, but...how will we get there?" Chrom asked. "Last time, we had to borrow ships from Plegia...and that's something I never want to do again, no matter what the circumstance..."
"You think Ferox gained some ships in then recent years?" Lissa asked. "If so, it could save us the trip across the border."
"I think we should go find out." Chrom smirked.
"But Milord, it is a long march to Ferox." Frederick asked. "I suggest Pegasi and horses would be an exceptional way of transport."
"We would have to take a small force with us then if we want to lower time." Morgan closed the book, looking a bit depressed. "If we count Frederick's horse...then we can only take eight to port Ferox."
"Well the four of us are going for sure!" Lissa smiled. "Annnnnnd, that means Chrom has to ask his wife."
A snicker escaped from both her and Frederick's lips as Chrom began to blush. "And why is that funny?" He asked.
"Because you have to interrupt her daily training regimen." Lissa chuckled.
"Forgive me, Milord, but it is always interesting when you interrupt Queen Sully for such things." Frederick could not help but hide his grin.
" *sigh* I guess we better go find her..." Chrom could not stop blushing.
"I don't get it, what's funny about Uncle Chrom and Aunt Sully?" Morgan asked, looking confused.
Lissa then turned to her child. "Oh that's right, you've never seen them argue! Don't worry, you'll understand soon. Besides, Chrom never wins anyway w-"
"LISSA!"
Back at Chon'sin...
The sun seemed to set behind the castle of Chon'sin as the sky turned a vivid orange. Birds flew through the sky at a slow pace, and the clouds drifted by even slower. Say'ri stood in her bedroom and watched the birds fly though the sky as she smiled to herself. She could overhead Mikel in the next room, enjoying himself another Chon'sin delicacy. She heard a knock on her door. She shook her head out of her thoughts and turned to answer the door. Awaiting her was a solider.
"Milady, all have been informed of your curious greeting, and each have sent a message." A solider reported.
"Great, what have they said?" Say'ri asked.
"Well Sir Virion and Lady Cherche both stated that they will come first thing in the morning, as Rosanne is a far ride from here, and as I arrived during something...extremely private, if you understand my meaning..."
"Fie! Do not talk about such things around me!" Say'ri blushed furiously. "Such thoughts make me uncomfortable...and of my comrades, no less."
"My apologies princess." The soldier stepped back a bit in fright of her. "Anyways... Gerome and Nah are both on their way and should arrive before nightfall strikes if all goes according to their schedule. Sir Priam shall also arrive first thing in the morning, as he has many battles to do that will run into the night. And as for lady Tiki...she has been out all day, according to her house sitter. She promised to deliver the messages as soon as she came home."
"Aye, Lady Tiki stays out all day, as she sleeps for days on end." Say'ri smiled. "Thank you, you are relieved of your duties for the night." The solider turned around and walked off, and Say'ri gently closed the door. Her mind drifted to her comrades, as many have gotten married before she met them. The simple thought of it made her blush. She tried to rid herself of these thoughts but her mind was stuck. She heard another knock on her door minutes later, and she snapped out of her unusual thoughts and answered. This time awaiting her outside was Mikel.
"Say'ri, I believe this is yours." Mikel was holding a blue tome that had a zigzag design on the cover. He placed it in Say'ri's hands and smiled. "It has many pictures in it of people dressed similar to you. I assume they must be from Chon'sin as well."
"This is my snapshot tome." Say'ri muttered under her breath.
"Snapshot tome?"
"A comrade of ours sold it to me, as her and her sisters make special tomes for special purposes on rare occasions." Say'ri then suddenly had a ghastly look on her face. "Her many, many sisters..." A blush arose on her cheeks.
"Well I'd like to meet this comrade soon." Mikel smiled.
"Come, there is something I have always wanted to do with you." Say'ri suddenly pulled him into her room and shut the door. The tactician looked around her room. It was coated in yellow paint that made it have a bright feel to it. She had a queen-sized bed lined with black sheets and pillows. She also had a mirror above a nearby nightstand. She had a dresser to the side of the room, lined with many pictures across the top.
"Woah...I never expected your room to be so-"
"Before you say it, It is not "girly". It is merely a replica of my childhood room in said childhood house." Say'ri looked serious, but let out a small giggle.
"I see..." Was the only response the tactician could muster. "Now what's this thing you've always wanted to do with me?"
Say'ri blushed furiously once more. "Fie! Must everyone keep making me blush on this night?!"
"...I'm sorry?"
"It is of none concern, just...be wary on how you say things...It sends chills down my spine."
"Oh. Okay."
"Anyways, I've always wanted us to take a picture with this snapshot tome, but the right time never seemed to approach." Say'ri gave him a sincere smile. "If now is not an opportune time, then strike me with a powerful blade!"
"Hah! Okay then, let's take a picture!"
Mikel then stood beside Say'ri and stared at the tome with a huge smile. Say'ri giggled and walked over to her dresser. She opened the tome up to a blank page and then walked back over to Mikel. She stood beside him with a shy smile on her face. He wrapped one arm around her and resumed his smile, making a faint blush appear on her cheeks. She placed an arm around him as well and smiled. "Now when you are prepared, just say Chon'sin with me."
"Hah, I'll be glad to!" He beamed. He then sat on the windowsill, keeping his arm around Say'ri, although she had to move her arm. "Ready."
"On the number three. One...two...three..."
"Chon'sin!" They both smiled.
The snapshot tome flashed a bright light for a quick second, then faded away. The light was so bright that Mikel rubbed his eyes for a brief moment. Say'ri walked over to the tome and saw that their picture was now in one of the blank pages. She smiled to herself and slowly closed the book. "You have my thanks, Mikel." She softly said. "You have done so much for me and my people. Chon'sin owes you a great debt."
"No, I need no recognition. Just seeing you smile is good enough." He could not stop smiling.
"It is best we retire for the night, tomorrow may not be such as relaxing as today."
"Right, thanks again for all your help Say'ri. I owe YOU a debt more than anyone."
"Think nothing of the thought." Say'ri giggled.
"The same goes for you." The man giggled, and with that, he walked out of her room. Say'ri stared as he left.
"I just noticed he is shorter than me...cute."
Not too far from Chon'sin...
"Today was a nice day to be outside." Said a girl. This girl had green hair tied up in a ponytail with red ribbons. She had long, pointed ears and wore a crested-shaped ordainment on her hair. She wore red clothing and a pink cape. She also wore pink cloth tied to her wrists. She seemed to wear pink socks as pink was sticking out of her red boots. "It seemed as though a huge weight was lifted. Everyone in the towns were in a good mood. It's hard to believe such happy times have returned to us." The girl looked up at the sky. The sun was about to set. "Oh, night's almost here. I better get back home; the stars are supposed to be bright tonight."
"TIKI!" Shouted a voice.
The girl turned to see another girl wearing nothing but red clothes, and a red cape to match. She had yellow stripes going down her boots and a yellow triangle on her chest pointing downwards. She wore white cuffs on her wrists and had her hair also tied up in a bun, which was also red.
"Anna?" Tiki said to her bewilderment. "What are you-"
"No time for chit chat this time. We gotta move to Chon'sin ASAP." Anna said with a worried look.
"Is Say'ri in trouble?"
"No, even better, she wants to speak with us immediately! And this shopkeeper's gotta hunch it's extremely great news."
"How can you tell?" Tiki asked.
"Hmmm...well there has been a recent report of a small man in tactician's uniform causing a bit of a ruckus in Chon'sin." Anna smirked. "I say we go check it out. It could be-"
"Mikel's back?!" Tiki's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.
"Woah, easy there dragon. For all we know it could be Validar. His name WAS heard amongst the attack on the castle today..."
"What?!"
"I can explain more on the way. Either this is the big sale of the millennium, or the biggest, most saddest shop fail ever."
"Let's not waste any time, to Chon'sin!"
Tiki pulled out a small, gray stone wrapped with a white lining. She held the stone up high over her head in her hand. Suddenly giant, pink petals emerged from the ground and wrapped around the girl like a flower waiting to bloom. In the blink of an eye, the petals were blown away as a rainbow of colors emerged from the inside. Tiki now emerged as a dragon from the inside, spreading her wings out and taking to the sky, yet she remained close to the ground. Tiki had the same skin color as her hair, although the wings were a darker version of said color. Anna jumped onto the dragon's back, and Tiki took off and flew off into the opposite direction of the sunset.
Back in Ylisse...
"Hiiiiiiii-YA!"
A woman dressed in red armor had slashed a training dummy in half with her lance. She had certain parts not covered by her armor, such as her shoulders and. She had red hair that was ruffled up more like a guy's hairstyle rather than long and down like a girl's. She had a white line down her boots, only they were directed upward. She smirked as she turned around to see the dummy sliced in half vertically. "Heh, what do ya know? First time all day I made a line down before cutting off the head." She sighed to herself. "Still, I should drag Chrom's arse down here for some training."
"I'm right here Sully." Chrom had walked up to her from the back gate of the castle.
"Dammit Chrom, shouldn't you be inside getting served dinner or whatever?" Sully asked her husband.
"No, we have more important matters to attend to. I've been looking for you all day. We're heading to Ferox tonight, and we planned on taking horses."
"Oh, so you were gonna tell me to stay home and cook some damn packable lunches again?" Sully teased. "I suppose you also want me to get in the tub and wash your-"
"Heh, of course not, but that second part can be done later. Lucina and Kjelle can be watched by another well-trusted shepherd if you wish." Chrom laughed, referring to their two young daughters. "But we need to go soon, as we need to get to Chon'sin right away."
"Chon'sin? Isn't that the one country that old-fashion lady was from?" Sully questioned, trying to remember.
"Say'ri..."
"Oh yea, her! The one who took her brother down without letting him even touch her. Damn was she strong."
"Um...she claimed her brother was not fighting his best."
"Oh don't tell me he LET his sister kill him!" Damn these family bonds..."
"I can understand why...I wouldn't be able to turn my sword on Lissa or Emm if they turned-"
"Anyways, why are we going to Ferox?"
"We have to use the port there to leave by sea, and we also need permission to not only use their docks, but to borrow a boat."
"I told you to have a boat built next time you needed to go across sea, didn't I?"
"I know, I should have listened..."
"Damn right you arse-head!" Sully then pulled her husband into a firm handshake. "But I still love you ya bastard."
"Thanks Sully, I-"
"Now how many are going on this trip?" She interrupted.
"Sully, please stop interrupting me." Chrom thought aloud.
"Oh, so now you want ME to stop interrupting YOU?!" Sully raised her lance at Chrom.
"Peace, Sully! What's gotten into you? You were so calm a moment ago..."
"Well, for starters, you interrupted me during my training! I just kept my mouth shut because I actually wanted you as a partner at the moment."
While Sully gave Chrom a harsh lecture, Morgan, Lissa, and Frederick watched nearby in the shadows.
"Woah, it IS funny to see Uncle Chrom get yelled at!" Morgan laughed.
"See, I told you didn't I?" Lissa giggled. "Chrom just makes simple mistakes."
"Should we perhaps save milord so we can be moving?" Frederick asked with a smile.
"I got it!" Lissa grinned and walked up to the couple.
"All right you two, let's get a move on, we got a castle to defend." Lissa clapped her hands in an impatient manner as she approached the two.
"Wait, we have to go help her defend her castle?" Sully asked.
"Apparently, it was attacked by a single stranger today, but-"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get a move on!"
"..." Chrom simply followed his wife to the stables, ignoring the amount of giggles that came from the princesses and the knight.
A page missing from the roster? How could this happen?
Anyways, Tiki and Anna are on the way to Chon'sin, while Chrom and the gang head to Regna Ferox!
Tiki: The Voice of the divine dragon who has been around for ages. literally. Since Grima's downfall, she has spent much more time with humans, but also sleeps for days on end. Although mature, she tends to let out her child-like side around her close friends. Since Mikel's departure, she often speaks of him fondly, but also refuses to answer any questions about any feelings that imply other things.
The longest sleeper.
Anna: One of the many, many enigmatic merchants found throughout the lands. Since Grima's defeat, she's sold more merchandise than before, to which results that she is almost always in a good mood, and even more in a selling mood. She talks very sweet about Mikel around her sisters, although she can't remember exactly which sisters have heard the tale.
The one with the most secrets.
Sully: The no-nonsense queen of Ylisse. Being called "The Woman to End All Men," Sully is actually sweet, a side that rarely shows to even her family. She endlessly trains since the defeat of Grima, but is known to take sporadic breaks and even train solo nowadays. Since the loss of her training buddy Mikel, Sully has occasionally paid Miriel a visit in her library.
The one you don't want in the kitchen making you a sandwich.