AN: After one whole month (which is pretty much my regular update schedule), I finally resurface with another chapter. I am sorry for the shortness, but I didn't feel like writing a fight scene for this one.

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem and all referenced franchises belong to their respective companies.

Third person POV

"Chrooom… did we have to walk through the desert?" Lissa sighed, fanning herself with a handkerchief. "It's so hot!"

"It was either that or the mountains, Lissa." Chrom grinned once more at his sister, remembering what had happened days ago. But for you readers, it was only one chapter.

"Yeah, Lissa. It's not so bad." Robin shrugged.

"How can you be okay in those robes, Robin?"

"I was fine in the burning forest where meteors were raining down on us, so I think I can handle a little sun."

"Milord!" Frederick walked up to Chrom, a concerned look on his face. "Our scouts report some manner of engagement farther off."

"Understood. Get everyone ready to move."

"These desert sands are certain to bog down our units, milord. Only mages and fliers will likely be able to proceed unhindered."

"Um, I understand why fliers would be unaffected, but why mages? If anything, they would be more likely to trip over their robes." Robin innocently asked.

"We'll discuss this later. We have to talk about strategy now." Robin waved off his own question in confusion, not understanding the game's rules. Honestly, I don't either, but FIRE EMBLEM.

Some time later…

"So, if we're all set, we can engage the enemy now." Chrom drew his sword in preparation, eagerly waiting for the chance to throw it into the desert sands and pick it up once more.

"Yes, and now we can start… wait! Who are those two over there?" Robin pointed at the scantily-clad, seemingly 10 year old girl and the obviously not Russian mercenary.

"You there! Fiend! Keep your hands off that maiden!" Chrom announced, his sword pointing straight at Gregor.

"Fiend? Who is fiend? Gregor not fiend! Gregor is friend!" Gregor put his hands up defensively.

"Sure you are! And maybe my brother knows how to fly!" Lissa snorted in a derisive tone.

"Oy vey! Today has been nothing but insults and punches to groin. Gregor tries to do good deed, and Gregor becomes villain!"

"Gotcha, you slippery scamp! Prepare for a dose of Grima's wrath." The leader of the group of Grimleals sneered. I believe his name was Chalice, or Chalard, or something similar to that.

"Do you see now? They want to make with the catching of us!" Gregor gestured towards the clearly malicious man.

"Why are you all after the girl?"

"All? What is this 'all'? Gregor is not one of 'all'! Is impossible! Gregor have innocent-baby face!"

"I don't think an 'innocent baby' is how I'd describe it… maybe a 'battle-hardened mercenary'?" Robin shrugged.

"A 'creepy old guy'? Lissa leered at Gregor.

"Gregor heard that!" Gregor yelled, being offending at how everyone seemed to antagonize him. "Never be minding! Real enemies are over there! Gregor fight now, talk later!"

"Though I'm really confused right now, we can discuss this matter later. We have to protect that girl now."

"Y-you're going to help me?" Nowi stuttered, tears still drying from her eyes.

"We'll drive these bastards away! Just hang on for now with the weird man!"

"Gregor is not amused at these insults…"

After a rather simple battle, even with Chalard's Nosferatu, all of the Shepherds gathered to discuss the small dragon girl and the mercenary following her.

"This is just the worst. Day. EVER!" Nowi cried.

"Ho now, wee one! Do not make with the crying of tears. The evil people are now dead people. This is good, no?" Gregor pulled out a handkerchief from seemingly nowhere and offered it to her.

"I-I guess you're right. Th-thank you." Nowi gratefully accepted his hanky. " And… I'm sorry I was so mean to you earlier. I just get nervous around people who are… outside my age group."

"Your age group? Ha! Gregor much closer to your age than others here… Mr. Blue-hair Man.

"You mean me?" Chrom pointed at himself.

"Yes. Gregor is mercenary, yes? Maybe you hire Gregor? True, Gregor just finish killing former employers, but still very reliable! So long as you not try to hurt little girl, Gregor will not hurt you."

"Well, why not? We already have thieves and amnesiacs in our little group, why not another mercenary?"

"Wait! Please don't leave me! I WON'T go back on the auction block!" This statement got everyone's attention.

"Yer kiddin', right?"

"Selling women as if they were slaves… even the most innocent of flowers would be tainted from that."

"You couldn't even begin to imagine what they did to me… making me transform… calling out tricks… the worst part was the whippings…"

"What kind of scumbags buy and sell a little girl?! Even if she has a really cool ability…"

" You mustn't judge a book by its cover, milady. Manaketes live a very long time, and they usually retain a youthful appearance hundreds of years past our lifetimes."

"Really? How old are you, Nowi?"

"I dunno… I stopped counting when I reached a thousand."

"The dragonkin are said to be more resilient than men. Nowi would make a strong ally. Besides, we cannot risk her falling back into the hands of the Grimleal."

"Err, who exactly are the Grimleal?"

"Followers of the fell dragon, Grima. The selfsame dragon the first exalt defeated a thousand years ago. Even today there are some who yearn for the fiend's return. The patterns on your very robes suggest that you would be one of them."

"R-really? Frederick, I hope you trust me enough not to judge me by my clothing."

"You have saved milord's life on several occasions, so I believe I have no reason to doubt you. Either way, tents are flimsy, so I'd have no problems driving through the tarp and you if your actions become malicious." Frederick responded, a faint smile on his face.

"Um, yeah… heh heh heh… note to self: get weapon proof tarp for tents."

"Well, shall we get some rest? We're almost to the Plegian capital. We'll need all our strength, soon enough…"