Chapter 2

Palace Ylisstol

The Shepherds were returning from their short trip to Regna Ferox to discuss and request some troops to help with the border defenses. The numerous bandit attacks from Plegia were really beginning to chip away at Ylissean front lines, and the Exalt refused to contract citizens for the army. Fortunately, with the help of Chrom's small army, the newly instated Regnant Khan of Ferox, Flavia gladly supplemented Ylisse with Feroxi soldiers to assist them with invading Plegians. This all being said and done, Chrom was still growing more and more agitated at the obvious attempts of war being instigated by Plegia's reigning King, Gangrel.

In the Shepherd's base of operation, the group gathered together, relaxing after their encounters at Ferox and subsequent participation in the Arena battle. More of the group than what Robin saw on his first trip here had grown substantially in numbers. The resident Mage of the group, Miriel and Stahl, a knight in service to House Ylisse just like Sully also caught up with them on their way to Ferox. There was another fellow. For whatever reason, Robin couldn't remember his name, but he was sure he saw him very briefly during the battle at the Feroxi gates. He hadn't seen him since. No one even spoke of this person afterwords, so he figured it may have just been his imagination.

Walking to the back of the baracks, Robin looked upon the shelf that semed stocked with many books. All organized by author and subject. Miriel was probably to thank for. She sat just to the side on a chair, cross-legged and reading a complicated book that Robin couldn't make heads or tails of by all the arcane symbols and shapes printed in its pages. Seeking to advance his tactical mind, he reached for the books that held the information he desired and began reading. Though, no sooner had he aquired the book was he interrupted. Chrom walked up from behind the strategist waving his hand in greeting.

"Amazing work today, Robin. I am very impressed! That strategy to pair up in battle was ingenious!" he praised. Robin smiled a little. He was quite proud that he thought of it. Before today, he had never even read a tactical treatise. He only came up with the 'pair up' system on the fly, so to speak. "Thanks. Although if anyone deserves credit, I'd say Sumia should get an honorable mention. It was her after all that saved you from becoming a royal pincushion. And if not for the act in itself, I probably would not have come up with that little tactic."

"True. All very true. I guess I'll go and give her a congradulations, and, I'll even give her your good word. She's a fragile girl at times. Maybe some encouragement will have her come out of her shell a bit." said Chrom.

Themis

The streets of Themis were calm this afternoon. The borders may be up in arms keeping the capital and the surrounding areas safe, and Themis was quite close to the border, but the air had a relaxed and calm feel today. Maribelle figured it would be a fine day to walk about town and observe the activities of her fellow citizens. "My, my. Such a peaceful day." she sighed. "Although, I can't help but feel somewhat... bored. Oh, how I do wish something worthwhile would happen today. I daresay, something to get the heart pumping." she mused.

The delicate noblewoman walked dutifully through town, eventually resting on a bench in the streets, parallel to an old sweets shop she used to frequent in her younger years. She reminisced on how her mother would once in a while take her there when she was but a child. Such bygone times brought a bittersweet feel to her heart. It was both the good and bad times of her life. Being the more sheltered noble child, she had problems making friends. Thank the Gods Lissa made an attempt to be friends with her. She feared how lost she would be in the world without someone so wonderful in her life. She twirled her parasol around lazily as she tapped her foot on the cobblestone road. Still nothing exciting happening today... As a matter of fact, nothing seemed to be happening today. In all her daydreaming, Maribelle didn't notice how the streets seemed quite empty. An oddity as if nothing else, at least the merchants would be out until the moonlight hours.

She looked to her left and right, wondering where the people could possibly be. Stepping up from her seat, she walked down the underpopulated streets, looking for any life around. She rounded the corner of the market street into the main plaza, and her eyes caught something jarring. In the distance, a large plume of smoke was rising in the air. It was no mistake that it was coming from the direction of the chapel that sat towards the back of the town. Her first instinct told her to simply turn back and head hope, yet her mind could not help but wonder at what was happening. Was this connected to the otherwise empty town? Her feet began moving, almost automatically towards the smoke cloud.

As she drew closer and closer, someone had finally appeared before her. It was a woman who called from the window of her home. "You there! Please return to your home and block the doors and windows! The Plegian's are invading!" she yelled. "Trust me, gal! Go no further and return home!" Before Maribelle could question her on Plegian's once again invading Ylissean soil, the woman slammed her window shut and pulled the curtains close.

Maribelle's heart rate quickened the moment she heard of the Plegian invasion. Taking the woman's advice, Maribelle turned back and headed for her manor. There, she could inform her father of the situation and have him evacuate somewhere safe until she could find a way to notify her fellow Shepherds of this disaster. Among the silent streets, only the sound of Maribelle's shoes hitting the pavement as she ran and her gasping breath were heard. Panic was quickly crawling under her skin as she feared the worst for her father's safety and of the citizens of the town. It seemed like the path to her home was taking an eternity to return to. Maribelle's mind was racked with what those barbaric Plegians could possibly want in this town. What value is there in pillaging Themis? Her thoughts were cut short as she stopped dead in her tracks just facing her home. She could see a sizable amount of the enemy occupying the front gardens of her home.

There was nowhere for her to go without being spotted at this point, and judging from the size of the group that stood at her home, the town would surely be taken within the hour. With silence and caution, Maribelle stepped backwards away from her home. If she was quick enough, she could find a horse at the stables and ride to Ylisstol for safety. As she began to recede, she backed into someone. Turning to see who it was, she looked up to see a dark-skinned woman with chest-length white hair.

"Oh, it looks like daddy's little girl is trying to make a run for it." she said, with an almost sensual tone. "Sorry to say, but you're going to have to come with me, girly. If you stay quiet, you might even keep that pig tailed head on your shoulders." Even if Maribelle wanted to call for help, the sheer terror of what was to become of her stole her very breath away. Taking that as a sign of surrender, the dark woman giggled haughtily, placing her sharpened, black nails over her lips.

Palace Ylisstol: Throne Room

The doors creaked open and in walked Chrom, Frederick, Lissa, and Robin. Moments ago they were informed that urgent news had arrived, and that they, along with the Exalt, must be notified immediately. Once the group was gathered in the throne room, Captain Phila the leader of the royal Pegasus Knights and Emmeryn's private retainer arrived, who had come bearing the news arrived.

"Your Grace, I have terrible news. Plegians have once again invaded Ylisse. This time they attacked the town of Themis and abducted the Duke's daughter!" The news rang heavily through everyone in the room. Robin was not at the same level of shock, but he did realize the danger that was approaching. Lissa clutched her chest as her breathing became erratic. "Th-The Duke's daughter..." she said, "That's Maribelle! Chrom, Emm, we have to get over there and help her!"

It was then that Robin realized the full extent of this emergency, it wasn't just anyone who was kidnapped, but one of the Shepherds. Even more important, Lissa's closest friend. Robin couldn't help but feel the same amount of panic the others did. He wouldn't allow something like this to continue. The captain stood at attention but shook her head at Lissa's demand. "It's no good, milady. They have already deserted Themis and have demanded that the prince himself meet with him in a designated location..."

"It seems that dastard will not stop until we go to war with Plegia... Better I end his reign right now than continue with these foolish raids he constantly invokes on our country..." Chrom said. His fists were clenched at the maddening thought of one of his own Shepherds being used as some sort of bargaining chip. "Fine then. Tell us the time and place, and we will be there. I've had enough of this..."

"Chrom..." spoke Emmeryn as she walked up behind her brother. "I understand your anger, but you must not give in. Should you immediately resort to violence, Ylisse may yet suffer more than what good you intend to bring."

"Then what am I supposed to do, Sister? I cannot allow this disrespect to continue."

Phila then stepped forward. "I'm afraid I must agree with the prince, Your Grace. doing nothing can only go so far... Plegia must know that there are penalties for such actions."

"I know how both of you must feel. But we cannot afford to go to war with another country. Not that I would ever want to, even if we could... This land still bares scars from it's last war, and I'll not allow unnecessary bloodshed... But if you so insist action be taken, then I shall attempt to parley with Gangrel: For I will accompany Chrom."

Silence fell over everyone. Emmeryn herself had voulenteered to go and make peace with their hostile neighbor. She truely did not wish to fight with them. Such a gesture was quite admirable indeed. One that Chrom would not turn down. "Very well Emm... We'll go and see them together, and let's hope that we can persuade Gangrel away from conflict..."

The grounds of the 'summit' that the royal family was set to meet straddled the border between Plegia and Ylisse. The terrain was mountainous, rocky, and overall a rough landscape to be in. Robin was suspicious of this King Gangrel. The way Chrom had portrayed him, he sounded like an unscrupulous man. If it were true, then the surrounding area was a perfect place to launch some sort of sneak attack. As a growing tactician, it certainly was not out of the realm of possibility. He scanned the surrounding area looking for either some sort of hidden enemy, or Maribelle herself. The Pegasus Knight Captain did say she was held hostage, so she was very likely nearby. He could tell she would be around for negotiation purposes, but for the moment, she was nowhere to be seen.

As the group, accompanied by Chrom's Shepherds, wound about the many rocky hills, the prince and Exalt finally came face-to-face with the tyrant himself. Robin looked upon the face of the so called "Mad" King for the first time, and for first impressions, he was certainly skeptical, and for good reason. The tall, red-haired man stood atop a rock looking down on the party that stood before him with a smug sense of superiority. His present company was a scantily clad woman dressed in black with matching feathers comprising the collar of her otherwise revealing outfit.

"Well, well. Isn't this a wondrous surprise? I expected the prince, and yet his royal big sister has come as well. Such an honor!" the man laughed. That cocky tone nearly made Chrom flare up and demand the return of his companions, but Emmeryn stepped forward before he could make any rash actions that both of them would likely regret. "King Gangrel, we've heard that an Ylissean is in your custody. Does this ring true?" she asked.

The impish Plegian king clicked his sharp nails together, maintaining a somewhat gleeful smile on his face. The darkly dressed woman behind Gangrel stepped forward in Gangrel's stead to answer. "It is, Your Grace. We caught one of your spies trying to sneak across our Plegian borders. I must say, that's quite dishonorable from a region that claims to love peace." Emmeryn turned her attention to Gangrel's company. "Forgive me, but who might you be?"

The buxom woman ran her black nails through her contrasting white hair and spoke, "You may call me Aversa. And now that we've gotten to know each other, would you care to inform us of your little spy over there?" She pointed to a cliff just beside their current location where Maribelle had been restrained by the hands with rope and accompanied by a Plegian soldier brandishing a dangerously sharpened axe.

Robin looked up to where the noble was perched and slowly withdrew himself from the conversation, taking Lissa with him to speak to the Shepherds. Specifically, their only airbound unit, Sumia. The three huddled together as Robin spoke in a hushed whisper so as not to alert the King and his adviser of what he planned. "Listen, Sumia. It's clear that Maribelle is a hostage in this situation. I don't think she was ever would have crossed the border for any justifiable reason... That said, we've got to get her out of there as soon as we can. She is one of us after all."

"I agree." the rookie Pegasus Knight said. "But how are we going to do that? If I try to fly up there, then I might be in danger... That guard doesn't look like he's just going to hand her over." Robin took a double take at the captive woman. The only way to reach her on foot without the need for flying was a path that was currently behind Gangrel. There would be no possible way for them to go to her aid right this second. As Robin formulated a plan, he heard the negotiations that went on behind him. He did not catch the entirety of the conversation, but he did hear mention of a "Fire Emblem" and Gangrel's intent to spill the blood of innocent lives. It looks like Chrom had correctly pegged the King for a villain after all.

Right in the middle of Robin's thought process, some Plegian fighters appeared to threaten the Exalt's life. A few of them were swiftly cut down by Chrom, but that move had, unfortunately, guaranteed a fight. As much as it pained the tactician to say it, Maribelle's rescue would have to be put on hold for a while until they could figure out what to do. Robin turned back to meet the tearyeyed gaze of Lissa, who couldn't help but stare helplessly as things were taking a rapid fall downhill. By the way things were going, she feared losing her best friend AND family.

Stepping in front of Lissa so that she would face him and not her endangered friend, Robin held Lissa's right hand in his. "Don't worry, Lissa. I promise you I'll find a way to get Maribelle out of this and back to safety. I'd stake my life on it."

By the time Robin turned to rejoin Chrom, the meeting had already ended and Plegian soldiers were swarming the mountains. The Shepherds stood their ground and prepared to defend themselves. As they stood ready for battle, Robin gazed up once more at the cliff where Maribelle is. Or rather, was. She was no longer there anymore, and the guard seemed to disappear too. He figured she must have used the ensuing chaos to escape. Even so, it was still dangerous in these parts, and she could easily be captured again. He turned to Sumia and signaled her to ride away from the fight and search for her. The girl took up her lance, mounted her stead, and as the battle began, she took to the skies.

Meanwhile, Maribelle ran breathlessly down the mountainside with fellow Shepherd Ricken, a young and growing Mage. Ricken was originally instructed to stay in Ylisstol and protect the garrison, but instead, he opted to join them, albeit covertly, to prove to Chrom that he wasn't a child anymore. To the boy's credit, he was directly responsible in helping Maribelle escape her captors, and the two ran together, keeping each other safe. Once they reached a far enough spot, the two nobles looked down upon the fight that ensued below. Maribelle's chest ached furiously at what she believed she had caused. If only she had been able to escape her captors sooner, this wouldn't be happening, and Lissa wouldn't be in such danger.

"All this bloodshed... All this dreadful fighting... I cannot believe this is happening. Never once had I dreamed that I would be the one to put my dear Lissa in such a situation..." she mumbled. She felt even worse when she saw some of her fellow Shepherds sustain some injuries on the field of battle. She would never forgive heself if someone had died. She wanted to look away, and yet she couldn't. She absolutely had to make sure that not only Lissa was safe, but the others who she gladly served with.

A large shadow soon appeared overtop of the two nobles and upon looking up, Maribelle noticed it was Sumia riding on a Pegasus. A sight that she never thought she would bare witness to. She almost couldn't believe it. "...Sumia? Is that you?" she asked in utter disbelief. The rookie knight nodded and smiled warmly at the safety of her two friends. "We can talk about it later, Maribelle, for now, you and Ricken had better climb on and hold on tight!" Sparing no more words, Ricken and Maribelle mounted the Pegasus and the three took off heading towards the fight.

Down below, the Shepherds fought their hardest. The Plegian numbers were dwindling and they all had the upper hand, if only they could just sustain their defense for a bit longer. A bulk of the enemy force was concentrated on Chrom and Robin of all people. The two had a reputation growing as of late, specifically, how Robin was quite the apt strategist. In light of this, many Plegians were persuaded a hefty amount of gold for their heads. They certainly were stubborn of nothing else, as most of their army had come for those two rather than the Shepherds themselves.

The two stood back to back as the last few enemies stood before them. One particular soldier came dangerously close and swiped his axe at Robin's mid section. The tactician winced at the scrape he got from just barely avoiding the strike and retaliated with powerful thunder magic. "Are you alright!?" Chrom called after fending off another enemy. Fighting through the sharp pain, Robin answered back, "It's just a scratch! I'm fine!"

With teamwork and sheer determination, they beat back the onslaught and the surviving Plegian forces withdrew from the mountains, clearly seeing they could not win. Everyone soon gathered together at the central path and helped their friends up wherever they possibly could. Chrom had to apologize to Emmeryn for being so brash and striking the first blow. Now it seems that war was an inevitability. Robin, however was more worried on the safety of Sumia and Maribelle. As luck would have it, Sumia carried her and Ricken to a safe part of the area where they were in no risk of getting attacked. He walked over to greet the noblewoman, but Lissa beat him to it, sprinting ahead of him and throwing her arms around Maribelle, sobbing uncontrollably. The two had a quick exchange of words before they noticed Robin approaching them. The man had his hand at his side for a while, trying to ease the pain from that scratch he received during battle. The scratch was not even that big, but it hurt so much... And for some reason, he seemed short of breath.

When Maribelle saw Robin once again, she couldn't help but lower her mood, though only slighty. "Oh, it's you. The new one." she said. Unlike their last encounter, she wasn't as hostile, which sounded pleasant to the tactician's ears. It shows that she was beginning to warm up to him. "Hello. I understand that you're not particularly fond of me... But please understand that I really am glad to see that you're okay and unharmed. It's a large weight off my shoulders." He gave a warm smile as he spoke, though afterwards it faded soon as he was struck with a sudden onset of fatigue. Again, nothing he looked too deep into. It was most likely due to the stress of fighting so many enemies in such a short time. He would get used to it if more battles were to come. On a brighter note, his wound stopped hurting.

Lissa nudged her friend with her elbow and giggled. "You know, just before we started fighting, Robin said he was going to bring you back even if he had to risk his life in the process! In fact, he was the one that told Sumia to find you so that you could be moved to a safer spot. I don't know about you, but I'd say he's a hero worthy of your attention, don't you think?" she chirped with a playful wink.

Loath as she was to admit it, Maribelle did owe her life to him. Once again he proved that he could devise strategies in battle, and he could hold his own against a small army if need be. That still didn't change the fact that he was just a commoner in the grand scheme of things, as cold as it may have sounded. Regardless, Lissa was right, he had proven that he could walk alongside her as a member of the Shepherds now. Maybe they would one day even sit down to tea if she felt charitable enough. Rolling her eyes and sighing, Maribelle stood with dignity as she faced him. "Well, if you must know, it's not that I dislike you. It was just that I was very worried about Lissa when she arrived, and I can be a bit... emotional when I worry. In any case, I apologize for being so discourteous to you. Also, you do have my genuine gratitude for rescuing me." she said.

She waited for a response from Robin, but he seemed to be dealing with another problem at the moment. He had a look of discomfort on his face, and his skin palor was slowly turning white. "Excuse me, Robin, was it? You look unwell... Were you injured during your fight...?" she asked. Robin couldn't help but fall to his left knee shortly after. His started feeling cold and sweat was dripping from his forehead. "S-Suddenly... I don't feel so well..." he murmured. His vision began to blur and before he could say another word, he passed out onto the mountain floor. Just seeing Robin tumble down like that sent Lissa and Maribelle into a panic. The latter knelt down next to his body and turned him around. She could see his hand still covering his side, and when she removed his hand from it's spot, a large amount of blood stained his shirt. His injury was much worse than he could have thought. Initially shocked at the way he had not even gotten taken care of after the fight, Maribelle instructed Lissa to get her a staff so she could tend to his wound before he lost too much blood.

Despite Maribelle's habit of trying to keep clean in any particular situation, she pressed her gloved hands against the wound to stop the bleeding with the pressure. For the most part, it helped to reduce any heavy blood loss, and she could easily save him if Lissa brought back a staff on time. While she held her hands in place, Maribelle just couldn't believe how someone would fight, and be injured like this for a person they barely know?

'Lissa said he would risk his own life, if it meant saving mine... I never would have thought you meant what you said...'