March 3th
15:00
It's been three days since the Sherperds left for their expedition to Regna Ferox.
The weather changed from spring to winter, it was cold and the snow began to fall.
"Brrr! F-F-Frederick! I'm f-f-freebing!"screamed Lissa cold by the weather
"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind."suggested Frederick. And as he did that Lissa follow it.
"Holy shit it's really cold"said Sully
"I-I-I K-k-k-now."stutered Sthal
"A-a-a-acording to-to my cal-calculations, we must be ne-near the fortress gate."said Miriel tembling from cold
"Man you all need to learn from teach. Cold is in your head. If you keep cool yo won't be cool."announced Vaike, that somehow was ok with the weather even though he was shirtless.
" Mymy ho-how can he be shirtless in this weather and not be co-cold?"asked Virion
" I-I have no idea"responded Chrom
"It's not that bad guys. When I'm up there in the sky it's almost as cold."said Sumia troting on her Pegasus
"So this is the fortress?"asked Robin as he saw it a few duzen meters away from them
"Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox." answered Chrom
"The Khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners"commented Frederick while shielding Lissa from the wind with his horse
"Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy."
"Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best."said Chrom"Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse."
The Sherperds continued to walk towards the fortress and as they got closer they saw something
"Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobilizing."alerted Frederick
"What?! Why?" asked Chrom
"Who can say? But they look ready to let fly at a moment's notice. We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe." Frederick said looking at the Sheperds"Perhaps we ought to pool our supplies and select which Shepherds to deploy? Loath as I am trust him, Robin might offer some valuable insight in this..."
"Indeed he IS our tactician, after all. So, Robin ? What do you suggest?"
"Hmm..."Robin took a look at the fortress forces and at the Sheperds"Miriel, Vaike, Sthal, Sully, Fred, Lissa, Me and Chrom. Virion you stay behind to look at our supplies and Sumia go up to get some info on their defenses."
"Alright Robin"said all the Sheperds
"Eh... Robin you forgot about me."someone approched Robin from behind
"Hã?"Robin looked behind him and saw Kellam"Oh sorry Kellam, ehr just come with us ok?"(Dear Naga I completly forgot about him)
after Five minutes...
The Selected Shepherds went to the front of the gate.
"Halt! Who goes there?!" shouted some woman on the top of the fortress
"In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the Khans!"shouted Chrom from the ground
"Not another step, my bold lad! I've lancers at the ready!"alerted the woman
"Hold, milady! We not your enemy!"shouted Frederick" Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest."
"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand!"responded the lady
"B-brigand? Now see here-"Fred thyed to respond
"You think you are the first 'Ylisseans' to try to cross our border?"she asked"I have the authority to fell such impostors where they stand."
"This can't be good"commented Robin
"How dare you! You are in the presence of Prince Chrom, the Exalt's own blood!"shouted Fred
"Ha! Yes, indeed-and I'm the queen of Valm! You do realize impersonating royalty is a capital offense, yes?"
"Oh fuck." said Sully"This gal is crazy."
"Mmm... Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way."she gave some sort of signal"You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"
"Rgh... Emmeryn won't like this at all..."said Chrom worried"Please, good lady! If you'd just listen-"
"I've heard quite enough! Attack!"she shouted and some lancers threw their lances at Chrom.
"Righ!" Chrom went to draw his sword but in a blur he was gone and the lances were in where he once stood
"Chrom!"shouted all the Sheperds
"Don't worry guys I'm fine!" Chrom shouted from somewhere.
"Where is he?"asked Stahl
"Up there."pointed Miriel to the sky
"Oh, Captain, I'm so relieved I made it in time."said Sumia to Chrom preparing to land
"That goes double for me, Sumia! And this is the second time you save me this week."commented Chrom
"It was nothing Captain."
"Chrom, they're coming!"alerted Robin as the forces from the fortress began to come
"All right. The Feroxi way it is!"shouted Chrom getting everyone in combat stance
"So Sumia. Got their formation?"asked Robin
"Y-yes Robin. Four on the left and five on the right, two archers, a soldier and a knight on the left. And two soldiers an archer a knight and a mercenary on the right." Sumia informed
"Hmm... Chrom we are to avoid any casualitys right?"asked the tactician
"Yes. We don't kinda want ot kill any of them."
"Ok then. Everyone only makes them unable to battle, not forever and don't kill. Only knock them out ok?!"ordered Robin
"Gonna be hard bu ok."said Sully
"Teach here go teach yo how it's done."
"Ok, Chrom, Kellam go to the left and grab someone's attention."
"Roger that Robin." Chrom said and he went to the left. As they went they Chrom felt something "Why do I feel like I've being watched?" Chrom asked him self
"Erh... sir right here" said someone
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Chrom shouted
"I'm standing in plain sight, sir. Right he-"
"BWAAAH!"screamed Chrom" Oh! I-is that you, Kellam? When did you arrive?" Chrom asked
"... The same time as you. I've been with you all along. Er, I AM still a Shepherd, right?"the thirteen-year old Kellam asked in fear" It's quite the honor, after all.
I'd hate to lose it. Sometime I-"
"Of course, Kellam. Forgive me. You're just so... quiet, I completely-"
"Quite all right, sir, quite all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss."said the boy in gigant heavy armor
"At least the Feroxi didn't find you."
"I've been calling to you and waving my arms for several minutes..."said Kellam kinda sad"I don't think they've so much glanced this way."
"You almost sound disappointed."responded Chrom
"Well, I just... I'm glad you finnaly saw me! Just try to keep an eye out from now on?"
"O-ok Kellam."said Chrom
"Robin gave us orders to grab someone's attention so don't worry Sir I will protect you."said Kellam all confident
"Milord!" Fred shout was heard. While the blue armored horse came troting with Fred and Miriel on it's back
"Hey Fred, Miriel. So Robin sended you two here as well?"retorically asked Chrom
"Yes. Don't worry milord I will protect you."
"Good you and Kellam will do a great job."
"Me and who?"asked Fred
Meanwhile, with the rest of the Shepherds
"Sumia go with Vaike to the right and try to grab that Knight's attention."commanded Robin
"Understood Robin."said Sumia"Vaike come here slowly"
"No need to worry Teach here knows how to approch a flying horse." Vaike said while going towards the pagasus
*Blruhhr*the pegasus didn't like Vaike
"Easy girl this will be quick." Sumia told her *sniff-sniff*"I hope"she said a little green
"Stahl, Sully, you two go behind them and help with anything. Lissa you and me will go even more behind ok?" Robin commanded
"Right"said Sully and Sthal
"No worrys Rob."happily said Lissa
"Fred on your left."alerted Chrom and with three seconds to spare Frederick blocked the lance of one Knight
"Thanks milord."Fred then began to beat the crap out of the knight
"Fred remember don't kill them."
"Of course milord." Fred then procced to give the knight a good night punch
"I can't see a thing with this snow."said Chrom"We better pay more attention."
"Sir!"Kellam blocked a soldier's lance from striking Chrom
"Wow Thanks Kellam."
"No prob sir." Kellam then continued to fight the soldier
"Kellam if you please?" asked Miriel with a Fire ready to casualitys
"Su-sure." Kellam hitted hard the soldier giving him no time to run from Miriel's Fire.
"Fire!"she shouted and the soldier was smashed into the wall of the fortress
"Good job Miriel."said Chrom
"Of course milord. But if I were you I would move to the left."said Miriel
"Huh? Why?" Chrom asked while doing it" Uah!" he screamed as two arrows flew pass him
"Because of that. Two archers in that direction."
"Ok, Fred let's go."commanded Chrom going towards the archers
"Of course milord."responded Frederick doing the same
"Hya!"Chrom arrived at the two archers location and slamed the flat part of his sword into the archers head making him cold out
"Wha-"before the second archer could have reacted Frederick did the same thing as Chrom but with his lance instead
"Good work Fred. Now let's regroup."
"That won't be nescessary."said Miriel coming alongside Kellam
"Huh? Why?"
"Because we are already grouped."explained Miriel"And let's hope that this two don't end up with serious brain damage."
"Yeah I think I slamed him to hard."said Chrom
"I know I saw it."said the mage
"How? I can't see a thing, unless it's in front of me."asked Chrom
"Aff... My glasses have a spell that make my vision clean, it removes any obstructions as long as I apply mana to them."
"Usefull. Can you make more?"
"Negative they are too expensive and hard to make."
"Ok then..."
"Milord they seem to have droped this." Frederick then shows Chrom a key with the tag west door.
"This must be the key to acess the top. Let's keep it for now. Now lets go up there." commanded Chrom
"Over there!" shouted Sully and Sthal avoided an arrow
"Thanks Sully!"
"No time to thank me let's go." Sully and Stahl then went towards the archer who shot that arrow, only to find the archer alongside two soldiers a mercenary and a knight all together" Shit."
"Lets go back."suggested Sthal
"Roger that."responded Sully
"Hya!" the soldiers and the mercenary went to fight them. The archer stood behind to attack from a distance and the knight stood alongside him to protect him
"Sthal take the mercenary, the soldiers are mine."shouted Sully blocking two lances at once
"Need a hand?"asked Vaike out of nowhere.
"What?"Sully asked only to see Vaike falling from the sky slashing the ground producing some sparks shocking the two soldiers out
"Liked I called that move Thunder Hammer."said Vaike all proud
"You almost got your self killed!"shouted Sully"Now let's go help Sthal."
"Nha. Sumia is already helping him."said Vaike
"Hya!"Sumia tackled the mercenary with her pegasus knocking him out by the momentum of the impact
"Thanks Sumi."
"Your welcome Sthal."as Sumia said that an arrow passed by her "I think I should go, bye." Sumia then flew away from the arrows.
"Me too" said Sthal as the same think happend to him
"I can't see a thing."said Robin from behind with Lissa
"Hey Rob do you hear that?"asked Lissa hearing some troting
"Yes."
"Hey Tic Tac."said Sully arriving with Vaike in her horse back and Sthal by her side.
"So?"
"Two soldiers and a mercenary down."said Vaike
"Good where Sumia?"
"Right here!" Sumia said landing next to Robin
"So only the archer and the knight left?"he asked
"I believe so."responded Sully
"Sorry Robin but me and Vaike weren't able to get the knight away from the group..."
"It's ok Sumia, so here's the new plan..."
"Hmm... where are they?"asked the archer focusing his vision
"Thunder Hammer!"shouted Vaike slashing the ground with his eletrified axe
"Gya!"screamed the archer being shock
"Hey!"shouted the knight
"Thunder!"shouted Robin shotting his lighting sphere at him shocking him out as well" Hm... Those guards are very weak"commented Robin
"Yes..."confirmed everyone
"Maybe they are new?"suggested Lissa arriving
"Hey what is this?"asked Vaike getting something from the ground
"It looks like a key..." commented Sthal
"Hmmm... maybe that's a key to the fortress..." thought Sumia outloud
"Hmm... let's go up the fortress then."said Robin walking east.
"So milord what it's the plan?"asked Frederick while him, Chrom, Miriel and Kellam stood behind the entrance door to the top of the fortress
"Kellam you open the door."
"Huh? Why-why me sir?"asked the always unnoticed man in gigant armor
"Because you are the one with the highest defences. So if they see us opening the door you can take a hit or two." Lied Chrom knowing that Fred had better armor(He's so natural stealthy that I believe that they won't notice him opening the door)thought the blue haired prince
"Roger that Sir!" Kellam then took the key out of Chrom's hands and opened the door and as expected none of the enemies noticed
"Ok Kellam what do you see?"asked Chrom
"Only one knight."
"So only one knight huh?"smirked Vaike as Robin opened the door for the fortress with everyone behind him in a line
"Vaike be quiet!"shhhhed everyone
"Huh? Hey you shall not pass!"shouted the knight as he went towards the east group
"Thanks Vaike."said Robin loading his Thunder spell
"No probs student."
"Hyyaaa!"the knight ran towards Robin getting face to face with him
"Thunder!"the tactician shouted as he deployed his spell at point-blank
"hgjkjgjkjh"the knight got eletrecuted and passed out.
"What was his plan? To knock us down stairs?"asked Sully as she saw the scene
"More like let me get a Reality shock."mocked Vaike getting a few chuckles
"Here's the plan. Hey you over size bin!"shouted Chrom to the knight
"Milord, may you forgive me but why?"asked Fred confused
"Because of this."responded Chrom drawing out a Rapier
"Hya!"the knight ran towards them at full speed
"Kellam block this hit for me." Chrom commanded
"Roger that sir! Gya!" Kellam said as just as he did it stoping the knight in place
"It's over!" Chrom said as he went to attack the knight with his Rapier but the knight luckly blocked it
"You will kill him with this. Fire!" shouted Miriel as she released her spell upon the knight knocking him out from termal shock
"Let's advance. And see what's next."ordered Chrom
"A mercenary a fighther and an archer. And I believe that is the same on the other side."
"Ok Sumia watch out for that archer and go for the mercenary. Sully Sthal pair up and go against that Fighetr, Vaike you and I will go for the archer. Lissa have you finished?"
"Just a second Vaike wasted too much mana on his Thunder Hammer attack. I need to fill him up."explained Lissa"Done!"
"Ok everyone adavance!"commanded Robin
"There!"shouted the archer and he and the mercenary began to attack the east group. And for Robin's luck the archer attacked him and the mercenary went for Sumia.
"Hya!" Sumia engaged the mercenary in combat blocking his hits with her lance protecting her self and her pegasus from the blows. And after a strong parry she was able to disbalance him and knocking in the head out"Fiiuu."
"Thunder!"shouted Robin as his spell intercepted an arrow in his direction"Now Vaike!"
"Time to teach you a lesson! Thunder Hammer!"shouted Vaike as he smashed his axe on the ground shocking the archer out"Lesson learned...hehe I'm out of mana heehe"laughed Vaike
"I'm not filling you up"pounded Lissa
"Sully, Sthal go for yours."
"Roger that Tic Tac"responded Sully and she and Sthal went for the Fighter" Green I'm going to grab his attention and ya will knock him."
"Alright!"understood Sthal and as he and Sully went towards the fighter, Sully began fighting him making her best to avoid his axe swings while Sthal went behind him and smashed the plain part of his bronze sword on the fighters head getting another knock out" A Hammer I think Vaike will like it. Since he just created his Thunder Hammer attack"commented Sthal as he grabed the fighter's weapon
"Please don't"asked Sully
"Vaike present for ya!"shouted Sthal bringing the hammer to Vaike
"Hey a Hammer now I can use a real thunder Hammer!"shouted Vaike excited
"Vaike celebrate later, let's go west there is where Raimi is and Chrom as well" ordered Robin
"Alright here is the plan... Fred and Kellam you two will tank their atatcks while me and Miriel counter them. Got it?"asked Chrom as he both Kellam and Fred nodded and Miriel sweat droped." Alright lets go!"shouted Chrom as he and the west team went for combat" Hey you three!"
"Huh? There you are!"shouted the archer as he saw them"Guys advance!"he shouted and the mercenary and fighter went towards the group
"Prepare for battle! Kellam let me take care of the fighter. Fred the mercenary!"said Chrom as he began to engage the Figheter. In a quick exchange of blows Chrom knocked the Fighter out with the plain part of his sword
"Sir!" Kellam shouted as he blocked an arrow going towards the prince
"Milord is in danger! I have no time for you"said Fred as he went from fighting the mercenary to beating him out
"Enough Frederick!"shouted Miriel as she had a Fire ready to go for the archer"Fire!"she shouted being the last thing that the archer heard before going to sleep
"Yes Fred that's enough"scouted Chrom" Now let's go, Raimi is at east." said Chrom leading the way
"Chrom!"shouted Robin
"Robin!"shouted Chrom back
"You guys made it." congratulated Robin"Lissa go check on them"
"Fine but after that I'm done Vaike made me use all my mana"said Lissa as she went to check on the west team
"What happen? Is Vaike ok?"asked Chrom worried while Lissa recover his energies
"Phisically yes, mentally no."responded Lissa
"Vaike just created an new attack that he called Thunder Hammer. He bassically drop him self off Sumia's pegasus and smash his thunder charged axe into the ground."explained Robin
"Oh so he is fine."concluded Chrom
"Yup and it's awesome!"shouted Vaike
"Sorry to interrupt this little reunion but this is where you fakers progress ends"said Raimi letting her self be knowing
"She's a knight so-"
"Let me solve this Robin. I will show her how true I am."said Chrom drawing his Rapier
"Let our battle sound out the truth of your words."said Raimi challenging the prince.
"Hya!"Chrom jumped at Raimi with his rapier in hands slashing down.
"Ammatour."said Raimi as she blocked with her sheild"Huh? A Rapier?!"she shouted as Chrom's blade cutted through her shield slicing it in two.
"See no one but a lord can use a Rapier's power."said Chrom
"Hmm a royal brigand those are rare but not impossible. This isn't the first time that I face one."responded Raimi charging towards Chrom
"You got to be kiding me"said Chrom avoiding her charge. But in a twist Raimi swang her short lance into the prince torso making him fly to the wall"Ufff!"
"Chrom!"shouted the others
"Don't worry you guys are next."said Raimi ready to throw her lance at him
"No they are not."said Chrom exalling light mana from his shoulder mark
"Huh? That tatto is real...Ohoh"said Raimi as she saw Chrom dashing towards her with his rapier glowing bright yellow
"SOL!"he shouted as he slahsed through Raimi's armor
"Noo Chrom !"shouted the Sherperds as they saw it happening
"Then your claims were... true..."Raimi said as she felt defeated with her armour falling appart leaving her with only a black spandex
"Lissa!"shouted Robin
"On it!"Lissa then went to check on Raimi's body as quick as she was ordered"She's fine."she said with a face of relief"Only her armour was destroyed , but her energy and mana were drained. She will be up in a few minutes"
"That's a relief."said Chrom
"Milord congratulations."said Frederick
"Huh? Congratulations for what?"asked Chrom
"You just performed Noontime's evolution 'Sol'."explained Fred
"Wait really?"
"Yes milord."
"Awesome but I still have to master it though"said Chrom
"Don't worry milord we will train really hard so you master it in no time"said Frederick
"Urgh..."moaned Raimi begining to wake up
"That was fast"commented Lissa
"I see that you are awake now".Chrom said as Raimi began to stand up
"A thousand apolegies, prince Chrom. I truly took you for a brigand imposters."Raimi said bowing"But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you just have!"she shouted "I will send word of your arrival to the capital and escort you there personally."
"That would be most appreciated, thank you"said Chrom
"Now if you excuse me I need to re-armour my self"Raimi said before leaving
"Amazing. Her whole demeanour changed"said Robin
"In Ferox, strength speaks louder then words." explained Frederick" I should have known better then to overestimate the value of diplomacy here..."
"So can we get going Chrom?"asked Lissa
"Yes, it's not getting any warmer"answered Chrom begining to walk inside the fort" Everyone lets go!"Chorm shouted to the other Sherperds who were around an mini fire created by Miriel in order to get warm
"Ye-yes Captain!"shouted them
"And someone go inform Virion!"remembered Robin
Night, inside the Longfort...
19:40
"You guys really can punch. Most of my man will be at least a week at the hospital" said Raimi as she, her man and the Shepherds shared a meal on the forts caffeteria
"Hehehe sorry bout that"apologised Chrom
"Nonsense. We were the wrong ones."said an injured soldier
"Still..."Chrom tried to say something
"Don't worry about it your highness, just enjoy the meal. We will have a long trip until the capital"said Raimi going back to attacking her food
"O-ok."responded Chrom
"Hey Chrom."Robin called for his new friend.
"Huh?"
"That Sol thing. Was that a combat art?"the tactician asked
"Yes."responded Chrom"Oh right, I just remember that I own you an telling about . But I would recomend you to ask Miriel. She knows "
"Ask me what?"asked Miriel from behind Chrom
"Buaawaaa! Miriel don't scare me like."asked Chrom getting an eyes rolling as an response
"Anyway, what you may ask me Robin?"
"Can you give him an explanation about combat arts? I just know how to use "laughed Chrom
"Very well."accepted Miriel taking a sit near them"Where to begin..."
"From the begining would be good."jocked Chrom reciving an ugly look from Miriel
"Remember Blessings right?"
"Yes. You said that they help with spells and combat arts."remembered Robin
"Correct. You know that all combat tomes are bless based?"
"Now that you told me that... Yeah I noticed."
"Very well,Combat tomes are nothing more then a storage of combat you storage them in other things? Yes , but it's known for being hard."
"In other words combat arts are like spells?"theorized Robin
"Yes."
"So...We don't need tomes to use spells?"asked Robin
"No we don't. However tomes , make it easier , quicker and a less mana costing way to use them. I don't know if you have noticed but I don't use my Fire tome all the time I use Fire."
"Really?! Can you teach me how?"asked Robin surprised
"Of course."responded Miriel"So anything else you would like to know?"
"No I belive that's all"said Robin satisfied
"Explended. Now if you gentleman excuse me."Miriel left
"I didn't know that."commented Chrom
"You don't know a lot of stuff big bro"mocked Lissa who was near by
"Haha very funny, delicate lil'sis"Chrom mocked back and he and Lissa began to argue
"Why do I have the felling that it will be a long trip..."Robin commented to him self