Hello again!

Apology 1: Sorry for the late upload! Apology 2: Sorry about the lack of the Halloween chapter! I started writing it, but it wasn't working, and didn't really come together, so I ditched it. Also, special thanks to ShinyEevee87, for a review, fave AND a follow! Thanks! In answers to your questions:

1- Nope, haven't missed a chapter. Kit just missed some of the plot due to being unconscious.

2- Sure I'll do more Emmeryn! Over this and the next chapter, I'll have a couple Emmeryn conversations, just for you.

Onwards!

Chapter 8

A recently-recovered Kit sat across a table from the Feroxi swordsman.

"So..." Kit began. "You used to serve Khan Basilio?"

The swordsman responded with the merest nod of his head.

"And after we won the tournament, you were told by Basilio to join the Shepherds?"

The same slight nod.

"Lon'qu, right? Well, okay. I'm Kit, the Shepherds' tactician. Nice to meet you. Get some sleep. It's already dark outside."

As the silent swordsman left, Kit glanced out the window of Ylisse Palace. He saw Chrom, apparently wandering the grounds aimlessly. With a glance at the sky, he sighed, and headed for the gardens.

Kit found Chrom staring into the distance.

"What's up?" Kit asked as he approached.

"Emmeryn..." Chrom said, his voice almost a whisper.

"Hmm?"

"Some of... Some of Gangrel's reasons... Aren't entirely wrong."

"Who?"

"Gangrel is the King of Plegia. My father was a tyrant. He launched this country into a long and bloody war with Plegia. Many people died- on both sides. It only ended when my father died and Emm took his place. She ushered in peace. Finally." Chrom sighed. "The people hated her though. For a while, she had to walk the streets with bodyguards. Still, some rocks thrown made their mark. One left a scar that still hasn't faded."

"Where is this going, Chrom?" Kit asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Where did her strength come from?" Chrom asked, turning to Kit. "How did she endure? How can she forgive those who hated her? How could she find the will to persevere after the people expressed their hate in so many ways?"

"Why do you need to know, Chrom?" Kit asked, concerned now.

"Because..." Chrom started, looking miserable. "I'm afraid that in that situation... I might not have her strength."

Lissa found Emmeryn staring into the distance.

"What's up, sis?" Lissa asked. Emmeryn turned round, smiling.

"I'm just trying to figure something out."

"Figure what out?" Lissa asked, head tilted to one side.

"Kit." Emmeryn said simply. Lissa looked puzzled. "I'm trying to figure out how Kit gets up." Lissa's confusion visibly increased. "Think about it. He's taken a lot of bad hits. Any one of the more major hits he's taken would have crippled a normal soldier, even with healing staffs. So... How does he recover so fast? More importantly, how does he recover at all?"

"I... I don't know." Lissa mused. "I've always just... Healed him."

"... Interesting." Emmeryn stared out of the window again, staring down at Kit.

"What is? Figured it out?" Lissa asked quizzically.

"... No." Emmeryn finally answered. "Keep healing him, okay? Just... Be there for him."

"Of course I'll heal him and be there for him, Emm!" Lissa replied. "I... I love him." She finished quietly.

Emmeryn smiled. "Get some rest, Lissa. You look like you need it."

"Uh... Yeah. Sure." Lissa replied, bemused by the sudden change of track. She left, quietly. Emmeryn looked out the window again.

"Oh, Kit..." She smiled gently. "Do you even know yourself?

Kit's eyes widened. He reached down to his belt for a sword that wasn't there.

"Chrom!"

Seeing the look in his eyes, Chrom drew his sword.

"What is i-" Chrom began, but then saw what Kit had noticed. Marth was striding through the palace gardens, sword in hand. "Marth? How did you get in!?"

"Simple." Marth replied casually. "Over the wall, using the part of the wall that's broken enough for me to get a grip."

"Crap..." Chrom cursed under his breath. "How did you know about that!?"

Marth waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. Your secret's safe with me, anyway. And that's not the reason I'm here. The reason I'm here is... This!" On that shout, he turned to a nearby bush, just as an assassin leapt out. Marth dodged the first attack, slashing at his attacker afterward. As the first assailant fell, a second rushed forward, and Marth had barely enough time to dodge. The sword grazed his mask, slicing it away. Marth stepped forwards, dispatching his opponent with one attack.

"You're... A woman?"

"Yes. I'm honestly surprised you didn't figure it out sooner." Marth laughed. "But no time for questions." She threw a sword to Kit. "I knew you'd be short of one. Now, we fight!"