A/N: I feel like I'm running out of stuff to say in these author's notes, so from now on, I'm not going to put them at the beginning of chapters, only at the end. Unless I feel like I have something really important to say, then I will. So...yup! Enjoy chapter 13!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem. All characters you recognize belong to Nintendo/Intelligent Systems.

The first snows of the year came rather unexpectedly. It blanketed the ground like a thick, white shroud, and it kept falling steadily from the now gray skies. When finally most of Melior was left buried underneath the snow, it had begun to let up, but only slightly.

There had been a terrible blizzard the day the snow came, and no one saw it coming. Farmers who hadn't yet harvested their crops lost the entire fruits of their efforts, and those whose livestock was not put away lost the majority of them due to the frigid temperatures. Because of this, Crimea had begun importing most of their food and other animal products from the Begnion Empire, and it was costing them a pretty penny. Prices of food and other everyday items went up, and the people soon realized they couldn't afford many of the things they had once been able to. On top of all this, there were the war expenses, which could not be easily paid off. Crimea was hurting, and badly.

Empress Sanaki traveled home to Begnion shortly after the battle. Her goal was to organize an army so large and intimidating, the Beast Tribe would be afraid to attack again. Both Sigrun and Tanith weren't certain her strategy would work, but they obeyed her orders all the same.

Sothe and Micaiah also returned to their kingdom in Daein around the same time Sanaki left. Micaiah had a simliar thought in mind as Sanaki, though she was far less confident about it. Sothe had two major reasons why he decided to go back to Daein. The first being that he wanted to reorganize the Daein army. They hadn't fought in a war in over two years, so they were a bit out of practice. His second reason, and his most important one, was so Micaiah could be given a chance to relax before the time would come for her to deliver their child. She was four and a half months along now, so he wanted to ensure her safety for the remainder of the pregnancy. He knew she would be more comfortable at home, anyway.

With the last battle turning out the way it did, people were losing hope quickly. Even some people in the Crimean army were beginning to doubt a single victory against the Beast Tribe. Morale was slowly lowering, and Ike knew he had to do something about it. Seeking an answer to this problem, he went to find the Heron prince, Rafiel.

"Ah, Ike. Hello," Rafiel greeted him. He was in the library when Ike found him, reading a book about the ancient galdrar magic. He set it aside as the commander approached him. "Was there something you needed?"

"Yes, actually," Ike said, taking a seat beside him. "I want to know more about what's going on in Hatari."

Rafiel's pleasant expression fell. "Oh, I see," he said softly. "Well, there's not much more I can tell you. When I escaped, the Beast Tribe had taken control of the entire country. They forced the citizens into slavery when Queen Nailah didn't give in to their request."

Ike seemed to think about this information for a moment. If they really wanted to win this war, then they needed the help of another Laguz tribe. "I think I know what we have to do," he said aloud.

"And what is that?" Rafiel inquired. Ike could tell he felt a little uneasy about what he was going to say.

"We need to liberate the Wolf Tribe. Then maybe we can ask Queen Nailah for her assistance in this war." Rafiel drew back a little in surprise.

"Do you really think you'll be able to take on the Beast Tribe again? Especially after what happened last time?"

"We suffered last time, but I think we've learned from our mistakes," Ike said. "We need more Laguz on our side, otherwise, we have no hope in winning this war. "I have to ask one more thing of you though, Rafiel." Rafiel nodded his head slowly, letting Ike know he was willing to comply. "Would you be able to show us the best route to Hatari? Preferably one that will keep us far away from the Beasts until we get there?"

"I will try my best, Ike," the Heron prince agreed, smiling light-heartedly. "I have the utmost faith that we will win this time."

"I sure hope we do," Ike agreed. "Please excuse me, Prince Rafiel." He stood and bowed his head slighty. Rafiel nodded his head, and Ike left the room in search of Soren and the others.

He thrust his hand out and reached for the goblet sitting on the table, causing it to tip over from the force. With choler, he threw his head back, a low gargling rising up from his throat. He struggled to take in gulps of air, his chest heaving up and down. He watched painfully as the deep purple wine trickled down the side of the table, knowing he would not receive any solace that night. With a deep yearning and a sense of remorse, he sharply collided the back of his head against the edge of the table. His hands fell to the floor with a quiet thud.

"Your majesty?" someone's rang said from afar. He craned his neck awkwardly to see where the voice came from, finding one of the attendants at the door. She wrung her hands slightly, nervous to ask what the matter was. "A-are you alright?" Her eyes seemed to be a combination of fright and sadness.

"Go away!" he bellowed, causing the girl to shriek and quickly run out of the room. He was breathing even harder now, torrents of sweat pouring down his face, making his eyes sting from the saltiness. He let out a loud cry and ripped the fabric of his shirt clean off his body. "I have to end this now," he rasped, reaching into one of his pockets and pulling out a sharp, serrated dagger. Timidly, he lifted it high above his chest, ready to puncture his bare flesh. But just as he was about to do so, a force stopped him.

"I don't appreciate when my vessel afflicts themselves with such violent acts," the voice said. He lifted his head wearily, his eyes swimming. The dagger fell from his hand. "How am I to control you if your body becomes limp and useless?"

"Control?" he asked, suddenly aware of what was happening. "Surely you don't mean-"

"I mean just that," the voice cut him off. "I want full control of you-your body and your mind." His eyes went wide.

"My Goddess, please no!" he begged, clasping his hands together. "Isn't controlling my actions enough?"

"Not if I know you don't agree with them. This way, you will have no say. I will hold all the power." The voice lowered into a hiss. "Need I remind you of our agreement?"

His proud head fell and he exhaled deeply. "As you wish, My Goddess."

"Man, it's really snowing out there, isn't it?" Boyd said, staring in amazement out one of the many large windows in the banquet hall. Everyone seated around him at the table murmured in agreement. Tonight's meal would be their last one in Melior for at least a few months, and they were all trying their hardest to make the best of it.

"Everyone should remember to bring warm clothing with them," Soren reminded dully in a brief moment of silence. "We'll be going from one extreme to another on this journey to Hatari."

Ike nodded his head slowly, his mind somewhat adrift. "From extreme cold to extreme heat." Mia noted this and rested her hand upon his arm, bringing him right back to earth.

Rafiel entered the room then, followed by Reyson and the hawks. "I've scouted a route for us to travel," he said, taking a seat at the table. "We'll pass through Delbray and cross the Riven Bridge into Daein, and from there we'll go through the Daein city of Sella and then rest in Nevassa for a short time." He explained his plan to all of them. "Once we've done that, we'll have to cross the Desert of Death into Hatari."

"But isn't it called the Desert of Death for a reason?" Rolf piped up, earning a sharp elbow in the ribs from Boyd.

"You little peewee!" he snapped. "Prince Rafiel made it here alive, didn't he?" Rolf didn't answer him, merely gave him a look that could kill. The archer harrumphed and folded his arms across his chest. The room was silent again for a moment.

"Well, that settles it then," Ike said. "We set out tomorrow morning."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Chapter 14 will be here soon! :)