Alex breathed heavily as he straightened up, a trail of sweat dripping down his temple in the cold weather of Regna Ferox, wrenching his blade from a Risen Fighter's corpse as it dissipated into the harsh gales before he looked about, the village saved and the first engagement between the combined Marauder-Ylissean forces and the Risen a great success.
Sheathing the steel sword, he went about the squads that came with him, the main bodies back at Ylisstol under Fredrick's management until he returned, a brief few days to open himself a bit on a hands-on approach with the more recent members of the units, their mission the protection of Feroxian villages on the border from a recent Risen horde.
He was sure that they should all be nursing wounds by now, but to his surprise at Ylisstol, the healing arts of the staves were quickly adapted by Plegian maidens, healing the wounds obtained with the guidance of Lissa who, along with a few other Shepherds, arrived to support Alex in his short duty. He approached the first group, five cavaliers reigning in the horses as he spoke with the leader. "First time facing these... monsters, how is your troop faring?"
"Unsettled by the lifeless nature of these corpses, I can't believe that Plegia had employed such monsters against anyone."
"And yet, their country suffers as well from these beasts as villages and towns are razed by the dead, the 'creators' tasting more medicine than they wanted to reap as their main body has discarded most of their people for important figureheads." Alex moved on to the other troops to hear their opinions, the basic understanding between all of them was that the Risen were more than just a mere threat, they were a plague across the land.
Soon, he stumbled across Barlowe, having come to partake in battle beside the tactician, tending with some of his wyvern riders before he took notice of the coming tactician, waving the riders back to their mounts as he addressed Alex with a turn. "Greetings, sir, are you heading for the planning tent?"
"Yes, follow me along the way as we discuss." Alex mention them toward the encampment down near the village as the troops regrouped and followed. "As one of Gangrel's men a long while ago, have you ever seen the Risen beforehand or were they from something else all together, Barlowe?"
"I have to be honest, sir, the Risen were employed at Emm's martyr act, but never employed again or beforehand in the war, it was as if they..."
"...Simply appeared from somewhere else?" With Barlowe's nod, Alex started to think. "Then Plegia WERE using odd methods to control the Risen threat, but they couldn't keep it together as Aversa disappeared soon after to who-knows-where, but it is part of the dark magic like they were created through those, but for what reason?"
"Are you saying, sir, that...?"
"The Risen are not part of any country and may have come from somewhere else? Yes, I do." Alex said as they started to walked through the snow-covered pathways of the camp. "Both Chrom and Lissa bore witness to something like an eye that brought forth these undead horrors into our world, the fact the Plegia was able to control and command gives me the idea that they had gotten help... from someone who knows full well what the Risen are and is not above using all the resources to get their way." Entering the tent, the Shepherd members of Gregor, Lon'qu, Donnel, Lissa, and Tharja looked up to find Alex as he planted his hands on the table with diagrams and maps of the Feroxian wildness and village locations. "I take it that your battles have gone smoothly?"
"Gregor excellent, Gregor's blade crushed many alongside allies." The titan laughed heartily as he flexed a arm in proud display.
Lon'qu was more reserved, probably from the two females there, but he kept his distance as they were closer to the tactician than him. "...It was a good point of training..."
"I wish it wasn't so hard to fight with some new faces!" Lissa said as she spared a look of sympathy to Barlowe who simply bowed to the princess before rested her head on the table with a smile toward Donnel.
"Yeah, I thought it would be easy to cooperate with the Marauders, but it's a bitter root to swallow, sir!" The Villager-turned-Mercenary said as he planted a hand on the table, revealing the fact that he had a ring on as he shared the same of Lissa, a fact not missing on Alex.
"Good, now I understand that most of the troops that came out with me are growing tired from these small skirmishes, but the reason that I wish to repeat, just in case anyone had forgotten, is a dual purpose of training those in winter warfare and to limit how much Risen swarm Feroxian borders to a minimal."
"Easier said than done, tactician." Lon'qu said as he took a place beside Alex and pointed to a portion of the map of the northern villages, ignoring Tharja who stood silent. "A scout had located an opened Reeking Box past the mountain range that separates these villages from the dangerous area, almost missing it if a reformed dark mage hadn't sensed its strange disruption." Alex rubbed his jaw as the others looked at the place in question. "Until we can either close the box or wear its poison out, Risen will be drawn into the area in a greater rate."
"Alright, then you, Gregor, Donnel, and Barlowe will take a small able force to sever the source, make sure to bring with you some vulnerary, some of the Marauder clergy and healers were wore out from the consist battles, so I am having them stay with Lissa until..." Alex, in a attempt to turn, started to stumble, gripping the table as the members nearly rushed over to pick him up. "Forgive me, I have just been burning the oil in great quantities to ensure that we all live through this."
"Perhaps Gregor could offer remedy for lack of sleep?"
"No, I better return to my tent and drift additional plans for combat, I will be okay." Alex took his leave as the others watched him walk out, even Barlowe hesitated to help as he was unsure how he could help. They did understand that Alex were being difficult in admitting that he was only human, he couldn't ensure everything to go his preparations as a god would want, needing to rest like any other being in the world.
Lon'qu was more abrupt as he picked up his steel blade and sheathed under his belt. "I think that it is best that we proceed with his plan, the Risen will not wait for any of us to wait." Lon'qu said, but quickly caught Lissa's stare as he explained. "He needs to rest, we can not change how he is, we need to manage our own battles for a bit before his return."
"No, but..." The blonde-haired princess groaned as she took her stave in hand. "Fine, but expect me to be first in putting him to sleep if he comes back to rant plans in his state." She took off with Donnel following behind as each of the members dismissed themselves before Barlowe sorted through the plans to make with his small group before pausing and looking about.
"Odd, Where did sis go, I thought she was going to stay here for a bit..." He shrugged as he returned to study, following Lon'qu trail to make a plan...
Alex was glad to be out of the tent and away, he couldn't let the others notice that he was wearing himself out for their sake, especially Tharja.
After the Marauders' creation, rumors started to spread about the monster who was Kellam, Alex informing Chrom beforehand about the ghostly knight aiding him out of a sticky situation, but that was only one as people started to make guesses about him, what race he was and where he came from, the basic being Plegia.
He wanted to ease his mind and Chrom provided the perfect diversion, Khan Flavia had noticed a large amount of Risen along the border of their countries and requested aid in purging it so that the border guard could have an easier time combating the menace.
Alex gladly accepted the mission as he was starting to get rustic, though when the small band of Shepherds came to help, he almost felt his life flash on by. However, it was a aid instead of a hindrance as they displayed their skills once more against the fallen foes with minor injures to get from it, their lives placed in his hands.
As part of getting to know the Marauders more, Gregor had taken to telling stories and techniques to those willing to listen, Lon'qu proving to be a excellent teacher and fighter as many have requested the chance to fight him while Donnel showed them how to live from the land in farming and hunting, skills that would be misplaced in the desert of their home, but homely in Ylisse and Ferox. Lissa's cheerful nature brought many to the belief that they were not alone one bit and only needed to extend a hand for allies and friends, though Alex was more into the fact that Donnel and Lissa were secretly engaged, mostly hiding it from Chrom which they will keep doing for a long while.
As for Tharja, she had changed back to being a terrifying dark mage that the Shepherds knew and respected, but the resolve and will to be a different person for him shocked Alex quite a lot, even after three months out.
"I'm glad that Tharja's acting like her old self again." He started to sway in the snow fall like something was turning wrong, was the ground meant to be getting blurry? "A-Although... I feel... Urk!" His head pounded like a heavily-used drum as his body started to seize up, feeling departing him as the blurriness increased into seeing three things across the ground. "Ch-Chills up my spine... G-Goose bumps... C-Can't stop sh-sh-shivers..." As his vision started to black out, he tried to shake it off as Tharja came out of hiding.
"Alex? ...You all right?" Tharja moved closer to the Grandmaster, a questioning look her face as she crouched down, noticing how his body was starting to shutter. "Alex, you're shaking like a leaf!" Hasty, her hand hovered Alex's forehead as she winced from the heat emitting from the point. "And your forehead's on fire!" Tharja felt her entire being going into panic before she tried to calm down for Alex. "Okay, Tharja, think." Slowly, she breathed out the panic as she made to pick Alex up, placing her book in Alex's sachet for easier carry. "We need cold water and a spell to bring down the fever..." But try and try again, she couldn't easily move Alex without dragging him across the ground, upsetting her again as every second wasted, the worse Alex would get. She wanted to cast a hex so that she could do it better when a gruff voice spoke.
"Oy. Tharja be needing aid?" Alex's body was lifted high and positioned on Gregor's shoulder as the hulking man smiled. "Was curious where you vanished, decided to check around before heading off." Tharja kept silent as Gregor carried the Grandmaster to the infirmary tent, her bangs covering her eyes. "No worry, Gregor be making sure that tactician gets..."
"NO!" Tharja surprised herself and Gregor with that shout, so she cleared her throat to make her point, soft as if may be. "I-I wish to nurse him back to health alone, please."
"Oh? Is dark one feeling scared of Gregor's skills?" Tharja shot a glare at the elderly mercenary as she had heard some unsettling rumors that placed Gregor to be too personal in a number of his skills, including wishing to sleep next to NEXT Alex to help cure a 'bite'.
The mercenary simply laughed as they entered and found a distant cot to set Alex in. "No trouble, Gregor likes Alex top notch when he gives orders." Leaving the pair behind, the Mercenary headed out with a few parting words. "Keep him close, Alex fine man to have in life." Despite the man's parting laugh, Tharja was not in the mood as she began to work, grabbing a nearby towel and soaked it in a basin of water she prepared while Gregor set the tactician down, sqeezing out excess amounts of water before resting it on Alex's forehead and whispering a small hex to bring the fever further down, but the rate that it was going to leave, he was going to be asleep overnight, but she didn't care, his health was much more important than any of her desires...
The task was easily dealt with as the box had died out, the Risen small and ill-organized as they were soon crushed by the small team dispatched, the isolated pockets now easily crushed by Feroxian border guards. Back at the camp, Tharja read to pass the time as she watched over Alex and ensure that he was recovering when he started to stir. "Nnnrgh..."
Tharja marked the chapter as she greeted her interest. "Hello."
"Huh?" Alex was quite understanding of Tharja's stalking habits, but taking him to the infirmary was not part of her style or liking as he sat up slowly and looked around. "Wh-What happened?" He removed the towel carefully, feeling much better than what he was walking on with early. "Why am I lying here?"
"You lost consciousness and collapsed." She held the book close as she watched him, a worried look making its way on her face. "It was because of the fever."
Alex stared at the sorceress for a bit before face palming himself as he recalled what had brought him low. "Yes, I-I've been feeling unwell for a while." He shook his head as he rested back down, noticing that his cloak was hanging on the rack a short distance away. "Probably been working too hard."
"I thought that you might accuse me of putting a curse on you..." Alex turned his gaze to Tharja who appeared to be shaking a bit, but not from the weather outside, but it was the belief that she had buried deep down that she despised and the guilty feeling that came from it.
"Alex lightly gripped Tharja's shoulder, surprising from the slight touch. "I'd never assumed that!" He pulled the hand back as he was trying to exert more strength than he had. "What kind of monster would curse their friend..."
Tharja took a moment to process the words and gave a uneasy chuckle at it. "...Oh. Right." She could feel the suspicion in the words if they were made by someone else, but did Alex not believe her and would hate her? "That would be crazy!" She wanted to act like it didn't matter at all to her, but he made her self-conscious. "Heh heh."
Alex resumed laying down as his eyes stayed on her. "Anyway, thank you so much for taking care of me."
Tharja bowed her head with her bangs hiding her eyes as she recalled their first conversation, it being a constant thorn to her as she was still hurt from the words, despite any reassurance. "Didn't you once say you wouldn't want me taking care of you?" The words stung, but she often told herself that Alex made it out to be a crime, something that he didn't want at all, love.
Alex knew where she was coming from and at the time, it was true that he didn't want it to be like he was merely something to stalk and watch over, but her devotion was very much real for him. He ran a hand over his face to cover a smile that graced under the cover before he spoke again. "Clearly, I was mistaken."
Tharja wasn't too keen on the tactician's words as she was a difficult woman to convince. "You're just saying that because I helped you out."
"No, it's true!" Slumber started to fill his body as he spoke some more. "In fact, I wonder if you wouldn't mind...staying..." Sleep grew heavier as he took in a yawn, his eyes blinking out to sleep. "Just...just for a while."
As Alex fell asleep, Tharja took his left hand and held it, glad that he had accepted her as a friend. "Aw, how sweet." She crept closer and parted some hair out of the way. "He's sleeping." Certain that he was truly asleep and won't wake up, she knelt down and placed her elbows on the open section of bedding.
"Sleeping and...helpless." She allowed herself a good chuckle as she moved a bit closer to get a lock of hair from her beloved as the thief Gaius was unwilling to get her a single lock, but what had happened next surprised her as Alex grabbed Tharja and pulled her into the bed, causing her to drop her ingredients pouch as he unconsciously pulled the sheet over both of them. After a moment, she tried to pull free as she only wanted the lock, not this close of bonding. 'How does he have such a strong grip and yet still possess a gentle touch for his tactics?'
She tried again to get loose, but he instinctively gripped tighter and made her realize it was too soon to celebrate.
"Enjoy this moment, my lovely stalker, I only wish to be content at this moment of rest so please, don't try to leave." His voice carried a tone of command and Tharja felt the need to obey, despite her personal wants of freedom to do more as he rested. "Thank you for your care, I am too stubborn for my own good at times."
"You could say that again." As she felt the grip loosen, she had the chance to leave, but decided otherwise as this was perfect, she could get the lock later as a hand rested with Alex's and the other rested on the pillow that they shared. 'He is playing this game to get me, but he won't get a reaction...well, I have already given a response when I used my 'normal' practice, but this...is nice.' She also took to sleeping, pressing to ensure closeness as the shadows within the day hid them from sight...
"I reckon that they're fine." Donnel was used to Lissa and her cheerful persona and served as a helpful friend and lover to the princess. "I think it is best that we leave them alone."
"Come on, everyone noticed Tharja being weird before and during the training and it falls to us to find out." Lissa was determined on finding out what was the problem and was determined to face any hex or curse to get to the truth. "We got to get the source before they get too shut in about it!" Gregor had passed word to the camp of Marauders and Shepherds that Tharja was aiding Alex and that he was suffering from a high fever during the stay. The only thing stopping Lissa from entering was Donnel as he played the leveled-head in the pair, Barlowe adding his own input.
"I just don't think it is a wise idea, Princess Lissa, my sister has a habit of changing people... who push it to a major degree."
Lissa rolled a hand and smiled. "Please, Alex is a nice guy, he is not the type of person to let harm fall upon his friends." Before Donnel or Barlowe could voice any more, Lissa turned with closed eyes and strode toward the entrance...
...Only to collide into something tough, causing her to fall to the ground as she rubbed her face, feeling the pain behind the impact. "Ow, why was there something in the entrance..."
"The same reason for someone to leave with a full recovery." The blonde princess looked up and lightly chuckled under her breath as Alex was standing tall over her. She was helped up onto her feet with the tactician's pull and started to dust herself off as Alex spoke. "I'm surprised that it took you so long to drop by for a slacker like me."
"Well, excuse me for being worried about you!" Lissa shouted as Barlowe tried to look behind Alex, but the darkness inside the tent hid anyone else inside before turning to Alex.
"Master Gregor said that Tharja was here, helping you get better, she still here?"
"She was, but after I had recovered, she said that she needed to find some ingredients around here." Lissa sighed greatly as Donnel guided her away with Barlowe shrugging and heading to find Lon'qu who accepted a challenge from the Captain. Silence filled the area before Alex spoke again. "It's clear, you can come out now." Emerging from behind Alex, Tharja took a place beside the tactician, indebted to him yet again and followed him as they took to walking about the camp. "We can't exactly leave this location quite yet, there may be more Risen spots that we are not yet informed of."
"Alex, I know." A blush was evident on Tharja's face as she was gleeful for both the cover and the 'shared' moment in the med cot. "I am still not over the fact that you had kept me in your arms while in that bed."
Alex laughed in a good nature. "You didn't seem to mind all that much when you started to settle in." Tharja blushed a little more with 'vapors' flowing out of her head as Alex continued with a smile. "Besides, you are a very lovely woman who just likes a strange tactician that she had met a long time ago." Tharja slugged Alex's shoulder which hurt, but he just liked to be there for her nowadays. He looked at his trailing ally and noticed that she was shaking a bit. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, just..." She didn't finish as she was conscious of it herself, the cold was picking up and she was ill-prepared for it. "I should have brought a coat to protect against this accursed weather." She turned to Alex and saw that Alex pulled out a coat from the sachet that he had brought with and kept. "W-what are you..."
"Making sure that you don't freeze." Helping Tharja put on the coat, the pair continued on as they resorted to more casual subjects. "By the way, when did Lissa and Donnel get engaged?, I don't recall any interaction between them before I left."
"That is because the far-Donnel had proposed to Lissa before they had arrived to your location four days ago." Tharja could smell the faint scent of cinnamon that was too connected to Alex to be a coincidence, he loved the cinnamon rolls that he had first tasted in Ylisstol the first time he had arrived, a story that she learned a month after Gangrel's defeat. "I don't think that the Exalt will be all that pleased to learn of the arrangement."
"A secret huh..." Alex rubbed his chin as he pulled Tharja closer, to elbow length. "Well, I guess that they will need to be on my good side if they don't want Chrom on their tails so quickly!" Alex started to laugh and Tharja soon joined with a semi-angelic laugh in glee as Alex talked to her about so much of causal and military matters, feeling pleased that Alex had both allowed her to stay with him for a extended time in his castle room and that he was more than willing to be there for her. something that she came to realize was a simple step of romance for him and a honest one...
This was a lengthy one to be sure, but this is the second to last of their blooming relation, so stay tuned to more of Tactics and Magic.
