Hello again!

I'm on time with an upload! I'm happy. Also- I'm cold! So... If you see any typos, then point them out to me, then blame them on November and cold fingers (they don't type very well). Not much else to say here except...

Onwards!

Chapter 9

"So, how about a tome?" Kit asked Marth as figures detached from the shadows all around them.

"Sorry." Marth apologised. "Only grabbed that sword."

"I'll be fine, I'm sure. Marth?" Kit asked. "Can you get the rest of the Shepherds ready? We're gonna need them pretty soon." As Marth dashed into the palace to wake everyone, Kit looked around the gardens. Shadowy figures were appearing from the darkness, moonlight glinting off blades.

There was one figure without a blade. He stood taller than the rest, and seemed to be the leader. Kit focused his eyes on him as the rest of the Shepherds congregated behind him and Chrom. He heard Lissa move close to him.

"Shepherds!" He yelled. "Today we stand in defense of the Exalt herself! Fight with all your strength! Now..." There was a moment of stunned silence on both sides, at the force of the usually quiet tactician's yell. "Attack!"

Blades clashed. Enemy spells flew through the air. Kit hardly took any notice. He dashed forwards, towards the looming dark mage that seemed to be leading the attack.

A Plegian swordsman stepped in the way. Kit ducked under his blade as he lashed out. He heard a yelp from behind. Looking, he saw Lissa, recoiling from a cut to her arm- the blade's tip had just hit her. An enraged Kit surged upwards, sword cutting through armour and bone with a satisfying crunch.

Worried, he turned to the medic.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned. Lissa managed a smile.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. Go!"

Kit nodded, focusing on the battle again. While he had been distracted, two Plegians- a mage and an axeman- had crept in front of him. His mind and vision slipped into that familiar state.

Mage. No armour- just robes. Low defence. Magic tome. Effective at long or short range. Incantation takes time. Axeman. Low armour. Lots of gaps. Axe. Sword has advantage. Relying on hitting first.

Kit grinned. He lunged forward towards the mage, rolling out of the way of the magic bolt, feeling it's heat just singe across his shoulder, then surged forwards again, impaling the mage easily through his robes. He turned, sensing the axe rather than seeing it, and blocked it with his sword. Chrom rushed in, delivering a brutal attack to the warrior, before Kit delivered the finishing blow to the disarmed, weakened warrior. Lissa quickly healed the burn across Kit's shoulder from the fiery magic attack.

"Good news, Kit." Chrom grinned. "Reinforcements." He gestured to a thief who was dodging and ducking between Plegians, wounding but not killing. Then he pointed to an apparently unarmed woman.

"How is she reinf..." Kit's sentence died in his throat as he saw the woman transform into a beast before diving into the fray, finishing those the thief left. Kit was left speechless.

"... Okay..." Was all he could manage. Shaking his head, he turned back to the towering dark mage stood before him. His eyes narrowed. The dark mage was tall, standing a head above the other Plegians, as well as most of the Shepherds. While the hair on his head was wild, his goatee beard was carefully and neatly trimmed. A purple tome hung at his belt. His smile was evil, his eyes burned with hatred.

"So..." He mused, in a voice as evil as his eyes. "You're here. I'd hate to kill you. You could be very... Valuable." He said, staring straight at Kit. "Get out of my way. The Exalt is my priority. And the turncoat."

Kit readied himself in a fighter's stance.

"I said..." He snarled. "Get out of my way!"

Kit sized him up. Dark mage. Low armour. Sword will work fine. Tome. Dark magic. Probably powerful. Got to avoid it. Seems intelligent. Can't rely on him making a mistake. I have to attack. For Emmeryn!

That last thought snapped him back to reality, and fuelled his rage. His eyes narrowed further. The imposing dark mage attacked, launching a flare of dark magic that tore the flagstones near Kit's feet apart as he leapt away. Just as his feet touched the floor, he dived forwards, slicing at the mage. The sorcerer dodged to one side, leaping with a look of shock and anger.

Kit's blade had still found a target. Pages gently fluttered to the ground, sliced neatly in two. The sorcerer dropped the remains of his tome, face twisted with rage. Kit advanced on the retreating mage. Suddenly, he smiled. Kit stopped in confusion for a second, just as Marth came sprinting out, screaming:

"Kit! Watch out! He's got a-"

A blast of dark magic ripped through the flagstones again, this time catching Kit full in the chest, blowing him backwards. He landed sprawling and gasping for breath. The dark mage held his second tome triumphantly. He grinned a twisted grin and advanced on the prone Kit, as Lissa sprinted to him.

Chrom and Marth stood in front of Kit suddenly, Falchions crossed in a defensive X. As the sounds of magic clashing on steel rung through the air, Lissa crouched over Kit. The staff glowed green, its light illuminating Kit's torso. Lissa bit her lip with worry as Kit lay, still prone.

"Come on, come on..." She whispered, still seeing no movement after the glow faded. Kit took a sudden, choking breath inwards. Lissa almost fainted with relief. The tactician tried to sit up, but he had to grit his teeth and gently collapse back to the ground.

Marth and Chrom struck at the same time. Marth's Falchion sliced the dark mage's second book in half, cutting his spell off in the process, and while he recoiled, Chrom struck. The sorcerer was cut down, barely a cry escaping his lips.

As soon as the dark mage hit the ground, both Chrom and Marth sprinted to Kit.

"Kit!" They yelled simultaneously. "Are you alright?"

Lissa turned to them.

"He's fine. He needs rest. Chrom, can you help me carry him?"

Chrom lifted Kit, supporting one shoulder while Lissa held the other. Kit managed to half walk, half stumble with them, before gratefully sinking down onto the soft bed.

Lissa sat, relieved, on the edge of her bed. She let her hair down, the blonde locks falling around her shoulders. Hearing the door open, she looked towards it. Emmeryn stood in the door, her familiar gentle smile on her face.

"How's Kit?" She asked, stepping into the room.

"Recovering." Lissa replied. "He'll be fine in a day or two."

Emmeryn smiled knowingly. "You sound very relieved. Maybe... Too relieved?"

Lissa pouted. "Emm! You already know how I feel about him! Quit mocking!" Emmeryn laughed.

"Sorry."

"I just wish that..." Lissa sighed. "I wish he'd take notice of me. I need to get his attention..."

"Let things run their course, Lissa."

"Get his attention..." Lissa muttered under her breath as her eyes closed. Emmeryn rolled her eyes and left.