As the chasms gave way to the open roads that would guide them to Ferox a heavy weight seemed to have settled upon the usually jovial shepherds, even the usually laid back scouts had a grim set look of determination upon their faces, during the march Corrin had opted to travel on one of the spare horses due to her leg injury, although the healers insisted she rest further in the medical cart she simply could not bring herself to, the very air around her no longer held that crisp feeling that signalled the coming changes to the weather it felt heavy, suffocating almost, as her dragon blood attuned to the feelings of the soldiers she called comrades in this conflict "And how many more times shall we throw ourselves upon the pyre, to be reforged within the crucible of conflict?" The thought terrified her, each time she had fought through her resets she had lost a part of herself, her innocence, her hope… all coated crimson and she stood there atop a mountain of the fallen, both friend and foe… she shuddered trying to dispel the image Anakos had shown her when he had infected her mind.
Robin watched Corrin closely, she had been concerned ever since the dragon queen had mounted up part way through the chasms, it was almost as though she were atop a summit, unreachable, the tactician shook her head, it was Corrin, there was nowhere she could go that she couldn't be followed, cautiously Robin approached "Corrin?" The queen didn't seem to respond so Robin opted to reach up, a struggle with her height, to place her hand upon the dragon queen's this seemed to rouse her slightly.
"Robin?" Corrin seemed to take in her surroundings, exhaling as she did, a visible puff of breath showing the declining temperature.
"Yeah… Just making sure your okay" The Tactician chose to move her hand to Corrins thigh, with little thought, simply to give the queen some semblance of contact.
"I'm fine, just…" She hesitated and sighed "Feeling the weight of the world" Her far off stare returned as the tactician looked puzzled.
"Hearing that makes me worry more, Corrin your not alone, you never will be. No matter how many centuries pass the bonds you forge will endure them all and eventually we may all meet again in another life." Robin smiled up at the queen as she spoke hoping to reassure her.
Corrin gave a weary sigh "If only it were so simple. I'm longing for my home… to go back to a time where I could lounge around and my only concerns were on the days schedule. Yet at the same time… I long for a truly peaceful life… away from the chaos of war and the duties of royalty, away from this gnawing madness within me…" Her voice all but dropped to a whisper as she spoke, Robin strained to hear her but simply nodded.
"I don't think the weight of the world is what's crushing you right now, I think there's more to it, I cant help but wonder what it is though" Robin began to lose herself to the various theories and ideas, the ways the weight could be lifted from Corrin's shoulders.
Elsewhere the shepherd's found their own comforts, Ricken stayed close to Maribelle the mage offering support whenever the troubadour required it, Sully volunteered to remain as a column guard instead of joining the outriders she remained on Fredrick's left side ensuring that he had one less angle to worry about defending, Lissa had all but exhausted herself and now despite his fear Lon'qu carried the sleeping princess upon his back a look of discomfort upon his face.
Anna watched these little parings with a small smile although her eyes drifted towards Corrin, as much as the merchant thief wanted to believe her feelings had faded they lingered like a bad sale, that thought made her more depressed, she sat upon her own cart within the column a nifty little Anna-vention that was self propelled with magic and unfolded into a shop, the secret selllers were always equipped to make a sale after all. As she continued to sink further into sadness she heard a voice "Jingles? You doing okay?" She turned to see the orange haired thief that reminded her so much of Asugi Great more sad feelings even with that thought in mind she smiled "What can I do for you Gaius?"
The thief moved his lollipop from one side of his mouth to the other before speaking "Nothin' was more concerned about you, seriously Jingles ain't you losin profits?" Gaius's eyes widened as Anna somehow slumped more, he could almost see the tiniest rain cloud forming above her head.
"Even I'm not so cold hearted as to try to sell my finest quality wares to people who aren't really feeling the whole… shop till you drop mood" Anna shrugged, ignoring the look Gaius was giving her "Corrin taught me a while ago, golds great an all but… Peoples hearts… The feelings held within them are worth more than even the greatest treasures and they shouldn't be discarded so lightly or taken without thought" Anna's eyes focused on Corrin's back as she spoke, her dragon seemed to be getting further and further away with each passing day it seemed.
Gaius looked at the seller "That's pretty heavy Jingles… That one treasure that you ain't plannin on stealin back?" He followed her look, he'd seen it more times than he could count, the look of someone who had folded a winning hand.
Anna gave a mirthless chuckle "She's not mine to steal Gaius, never was… not really. I thought I could make her happy, help her deal with the losing Azura to Laslow, but I think I made it worse somehow. I left her because I realized I couldn't give her what she needed. Gaius… I stole her and then abandoned her, as much as she claims to forgive me I don't think she has… I havent forgiven myself yet" Anna sighed and looked to the darkening sky as she spoke.
Gaius could hear the pain in her voice and hearing the details he got a better grasp on the seller, the situation she found herself in was unenviable at best "Look Jingles… You told anyone about these feelin's besides me?" When Anna shook her head Gaius sighed "Secrets that hold that kinda weight over you ain't healthy Jingles" It was then he had an idea "Look I had a lil game night planned to lighten up everyones spirits tonight, you should come, let your hair down" he shrugged before Anna could answer "Just a suggestion" and with that the Thief made his way down the column hoping that he could actually throw a game night together.
The snow began falling covering the fresh tracks the Shepherds were leaving on the road to the longfort, as they neared a frozen river Lucas landed his wyvern in front of Chrom which prompted Corrin and Robin to approach "Risen down the way, Nico and the others are currently tryin to deal with a few stragglers but its a group large enough to pose a threat that's for sure"
As he finished speaking Chrom turned to the Shepherds "Fredrick give the word to the Vanguard, we've got Risen ahead." Fredrick nodded and turned to ride down the column, sully mirrored his movement before breaking off to gather the members of the outriders, before long the Shepherds core force was assembled, the support corps consisting a few additional healers and logistical specialists pulled to the side and began unpacking what would be required, as the final preparations were being made Corrin touched her tome, a bright flash of magic consumed her before she appeared in a suit of light armour not to different from Sully's, her tattered cloak remained as it always did, she then moved to the supply cart and thanks to Cordelia's organization easily procured a pack of Javelin's and a steel Lance, now equipped she moved her horse alongside Fredrick who raised an eyebrow at her.
"A Paladin is it now Lady Corrin?" He spoke with an even tone but Corrin couldn't help but smirk slightly, a brief respite to her melancholy.
"Yes, my elder brother taught me personally. I hope his standards live up to yours" As Corrin spoke Fredrick's mouth twisted into a small smile.
"We shall see" With that he turned to the cavalry members that had formed a small line, himself, Sully, Stahl, Corrin and Maribelle to provide support, above him he saw that Cordelia, Sumia and Lucas were already in position to aid their charge, wordlessly he raised his arm and then signalled.
Nico leapt back sending a knife into the Risen as he did thankful that the creature fell, he did his best to take the moment of reprieve while he had it, although the skirmish had only been going on for a few minutes the scouts were already beginning to feel the march through the Feroxi outskirts, he could see Whisper barely avoid a Risen's claws before she sliced the offending creatures arm off, Sevaria threw out another Fimbulvertr towards a cluster of Risen the witch's magic freezing them solid, the most impressive feat was Cain and his Wyvern despite being bloodied carving a small hole within the main group of Risen however he was beginning to falter.
As Nico weighed up his options he heard the thunder of hooves and gave a small smile "Right… Cant let them show us up" He readied a pair of short blades, his eyes taking on a colder look, focusing on the group in front of him simply advanced becoming a whirlwind of destruction as soon as he was within striking range.
A/N: So… I'm back again, I didn't want to give on this and intend to post whenever I can. I do apologize for taking so long its been difficult to find the time to simply sit down and write. But I intend to try and go back to posting weekly, hope I can keep up with that.