Alright, so I should probably mention that I will again be going on vacation … I'll be back. This chapter will probably be posted hopefully while I'm gone, but it really depends on my editor. It also depends on if I can get this chapter finished before I leave since I still need my grammar extension to help with stupid little mistakes and habits I haven't kicked. So … needless to say, July might be a dry month, and I'm sorry about that. Well, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 19: The Simple Joys

The wagon had traveled far and, despite a few cold nights, for rest. As the wagon traveled along the vast valleys, a lively town appeared.

"Heads up," Cloud called into the wagon, "we're about to reach a town."

"I don't know if we should stop, though," Akira said, sitting up and stretching. Leven placed an arm on Akira's, a deep, hopeless, and pleading look crossing his features.

"It'll be a good place to rest," Robin said, looking up from the map again, small marks adorning random spots along the road. "So long as they don't know we're traveling by wagon."

He rolled up the map and tucked it into his coat, "We can hide in town and wait for them to pass by when they manage to track us here."

"If," Akira turned to look back at the mage.

"When," Robin's look was unyielding, "don't underestimate our opponents."

He glanced at Corrin, "I have no idea as far as the extent of lord Bowser's rage." Corrin only nodded, understanding what he meant before Robin turned back, "but I've fought alongside the Exalt back in the war. His persistence and fury are no joke."

He sighed and shook his head. "Regardless, we need to stop for supplies," then with a smirk, he added, "besides, wouldn't it be nice to sleep in an actual bed."

Akira winced, his hand drifting to a sore shoulder. Then looked away, "I guess it would be nice." Leven sighed in relief.

"Alright then, Cloud, find an Inn, and we'll stop for the night."

Marth tightened his grip on the arrow. Focusing on his target with every ounce of focus he had. When he let the arrow fly, it soared through the training hall and embedded itself just left of the bullseye.

The prince let out a defeated sigh. He wasn't nearly as quick at archery as his sister. While he wasn't bad per se, he might as well have been covered in heavy armor with how slowly he trudged around the training grounds while aiming.

His mind was still on his humiliating defeat. He didn't know Bowser Jr.'s age but watching the child run laps around him was a blow to his pride in many ways. He still had yet to beat him. In the several matches they have since.

He took one final look at the target and put his bow away. This was never his strong suit. Perhaps a ride would help. He turned his back to the training grounds, his mind playing back all his previous losses. Trying desperately to find a crack in Bowser Jr's defenses.

As he entered the stables, he couldn't help but be yanked out of his thoughts by the loud screeching and frantic pleas. He rushed inside to find Rex on the floor. In front of him was a wyvern. The beast was in a foul mood if its constant snapping at the dividing door was anything to go off of.

"Rex?" he rushed in and stopped short of the boy and the dragon. "Is everything alright?"

"Huh." Rex scrambled to his feet, "Oh right, yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just …" he turned his attention back to the dragon. "Summer's been a bit cranky without Corrin here to keep her company."

"Surely someone tends to her."

Rex shook his head. "I've only fed and given her water. Corrin's usually the one who watches her." He took a few steps back, ensuring to keep his distance from the beast. "She doesn't really like anyone except Corrin."

Marth turned to stare at the Wyvern, "Really?" Summer only glared in his direction, or at least that's how it felt.

"So," he returned his attention to Rex, "what brings you to the stables anyway?"

"Oh right," Marth scratched the back of his neck, "I was thinking of going riding for a bit." His mind returned to the paperwork mountain waiting for him now that his father had gone hunting for the thieves. "Before I have to get back to work."

Rex winced, and Marth couldn't hold back a small smile, "it's nothing that bad, just tedious." He then walked over to the stall where his horse waited. Then with a hint of embarrassment, he said, "Actually, would you mind helping me with this? Normally Lucina helps, but …."

Lucina couldn't help but smile as Corrin looked about the inn with wide-eyed wonder. There was something incredibly heartwarming about the other princess dancing around the lobby peeking at this and that while trying to keep her hood up.

"Hey," the next words got stuck in her throat. Should she call Corrin by her name? Well, she was a foreign princess, so the chances of rumors about her reaching this far from the capital are scarce but should she take that risk.

It didn't seem to matter as Corrin turned to face her anyway. "Yes?" Maybe she should give her a nickname so she wouldn't have to risk anyone hearing her name.

"Come here," Corrin didn't seem to question it and approached her with all her usual pep.

As she arrived, Lucina reached forward and fixed the hood of the Koopa princess's cloak, making sure to hide her silver hair from view.

"Oh, sorry." Corrin's cheeks turned a soft pink, and at that instant, Lucina realized just how close she had gotten to the other princess.

"It's fine," she hoped her own embarrassment wasn't too noticeable.

Thankfully the semi-awkward silence that followed was cut short by Akira tossing them something. "Here's your key."

Lucina turned to face the thief. "Oh, you bought the rooms already?"

"Yeah, three, two for us" he held up two other keys and pointed with his thumb towards the other thieves, "and one for you guys."

Robin approached despite his neutral expression; she somehow knew he wasn't too excited with the arrangements. "I think you're spending too much gold so early on our trip."

Akira waved him off dismissively, "It'll be fine."

"Well, aren't you a lively bunch?" the group turned their attention towards the reception desk. The innkeeper was a tall woman with long blonde hair draping over half of her face. Her eyes drifted towards the two princesses, and Lucina knew they must have looked rather odd.

While she had managed to sell off her old dress a few towns back. Corrin, however, had yet to trade hers and, aside from the large cloak draped over her shoulder, looked very much out of place surrounded by a vast array of clearly colorful commoners.

Robin's coat, while clearly cared for, had seen many trials. Cloud and Byleth looked more like mercenaries than thieves. Lucin'as outfit, while plain in its own right, was still very clearly crafted by an expert. In contrast, Akira and Leven were probably the most generic-looking travelers of the bunch.

By Naga, they must have looked so suspicious.

The innkeeper only raised an eyebrow at the sudden and panicked expressions on everyone's faces. They were still in the lobby; should they really be this on edge? She smiled brightly, "so, are you here for the festival?"

Lucina noticed how Corrin's eyes lit up at the mention of a festival, "a festival?" She turned to look at the other princess; all she could see was excitement. "Oh, please say we can stay for the festival,"

Lucina could feel something start to bubble up in her chest; she cast her gaze towards the ground. "I don't know? Is that a good idea?" They could be noticed and reported, and if Robin was right about the tracking things. She tightened her hold on Corrin subconsciously. All it would need is them getting detained once for their fathers to catch up.

"This might work in our favor." Robin's hand drifted to his chin, his eyes unfocused but stern. The group turned to see Robin, deep in thought.

Akira approached behind him, "How?"

Robin looked back at their leader, "Being surrounded by so many people might help in our escape from any trackers."

When nobody commented, he sighed and continued. "With so many wagons leaving the city, there would be no way for them to know which one is us, even if they manage to figure out our way of travel."

Byleth shrugged, "I say we should stay because there is most likely going to be a lot of food and drink." Cloud nodded.

Corrin and Leven made brief eye contact, and Corrin smiled brightly. "It sounds like so much fun," Leven nodded excitedly.

"Then it's decided."

Robin then turned towards Akira, "before we have too much fun, we need to gather supplies for when we do … Akira?" The mage chased their leader down after he had just walked off mid-conversation.

"So…" Lucina turned to see Corrin staring at the innkeeper again. She then gave Lucina a motherly smile as she met her gaze too.

The two girls approached the front desk, and in a hushed voice, the innkeeper asked, "are you two …" she looked thoughtful, "in hiding?"

Lucina straightened, "what would give you that impression?"

The innkeeper fixed them with an all-knowing smile "when you've been in this line of work, you tend to pick up on these kinds of things." She then gave a dismissive half-wave. "Don't worry, I was just curious, that's all."

Lucina shyly averted her gaze. I wouldn't know how to go about explaining this. After a moment, she came up with the best response, "It's complicated." She nodded understandingly.

"Don't worry, you're not the first couple to sneak by here." Lucina could feel her face burning; she wasn't quite sure why.

"Many eloping couples come by to get married during the big festivals." She could feel Corrin's grip around her arm tighten. Right, she's still probably freaked out by the idea of getting married. "Mostly due to food, drink and music are already in abundance."

Chrom rubbed at the knot forming in his brow. He was sure of it now. They had passed that particular old campsite more than once. Bowser seemed to be just as frustrated as he was.

"Kamek…" it came out in a slow and venomous growl. "You do know where we're going, right?"

The wizard turned back to face his king, and Chrom felt a bit bad as he saw the fear on his face, "Kamek, is there any way your magic could be disrupted?"

Bowser turned to face Chrom, "explain?"

"One of them is Plegian, without question." the thief in the Grimleal mask rushed to the forefront of his mind.

"And that blade he wields is magical in nature," he turned to face the other king. "Judging by the way he got away, he has magical potential."

"That's assuming he isn't already a fully realized mage," he could feel his anger rising. "And if he is who I think he is, then he is a very talented mage."

Bowser's anger seemed to even out, "You think he could have done something?"

"Plegia is known for their talents in black magic," his hand drifted towards Falchion. "and throughout the war effort, I've witnessed them casting hexes and curses."

He turned to Kamek, "is there any kind of curse or hex that could interfere with your tracking?"

Kamek looked thoughtful, "yes, a counter curse could be looping me, but …" he adjusted his glasses, "now that I know it's there, I won't fall for that again."

"You better not," Bowser said through a smirk.

Chrom returned to leaning against the railing. His temper had only worsened. Robin, his grip tightened. Please, Naga, don't do this to me.

This can't be him. It can't be him. Robin's gone; he'll make this imposter pay for dragging his memory through the mud. Whether he knows it or not.

AN/ I have no idea why that took so long to finish. And sorry it feels a bit slow, but umm, I'm getting there. I swear, fun fact, the thing with Chrom wasn't in the main plan. But I had to draw attention to it; there was no way Bowser's flying ships wouldn't catch up to a damn wagon.

~ (6/18/2022)