Chapter 8

After my little 'talk' with Lucina about boundaries, during which time Noire made an effort to replace as many nouns with the word muff as humanly possible, I just kind of coasted through the rest of the day on autopilot. I was tired, and quite honestly, the idea of hanging around in this barracks until Valm kicked down the door at Port Ferox did not appeal to me in the slightest.

Trudging back to my room after dinner and trying to decide if it was worth asking Chrom if my old room in the palace was still available, I practically tripped over Nowi.

I stumbled, throwing myself to one side and smacking my shoulder into the wall with a hiss to avoid stepping on her. For Nowi's part, she was standing with her arms outstretched, doing her damndest to block the hallway (and failing adorably, I might add), huffed and stomped one diminutive foot.

"Nowi!? What the ass!?" I groaned, massaging my shoulder.

"How many times do I have to call you before you notice me!?" the manakete girl practically screamed.

"Sorry, I'm tired," I mumbled, sidestepping her and continuing into the common room. "What's up?"

Nowi huffed again, but followed me into the empty room. I poured myself a cup of lukewarm tea, holding the kettle up questioningly to Nowi.

"You seemed really out of it at dinner," she said, shaking her head and perching on the edge of a chair. "And I was bored."

"Your face is bored," I yawned, before taking a long sip of the tea.

I leaned back against the sideboard, glancing down at Nowi as she swung her legs and frowned up at me. I'd left dinner fairly early, so none of the others were back yet. Honestly, if I hadn't heard from Noire that Ricken and Nowi were 'seeing each-other' I'd have half expected her to have jumped me already-

"So, if you're not with Tharja anymore does that mean we can bang again?" she asked brightly.

I did a literal spit-take, spraying tea across the room in an arc that just missed Nowi.

"That was both gross and amazing," she giggled.

"Why are you asking if I want to bang?" I gasped, once I finished choking.

"I'm bored and horny?" she said, quirking her head.

"Aren't you and Ricken a thing?" I asked, clenching my eyes shut and massaging the space between them.

"Meh. We're taking a break," Nowi said flippantly. "He's seeing some barmaid tonight from the Drunken Goat, so I thought I'd check and see if you were down to earn that eight."

My massage turned into a face-palm.

"I shoulda known I'd never hear the end of that," I groaned through my hand.

I glanced at Nowi through my splayed fingers as she grinned at me, fluttering her lashes innocently.

"Well, tell me the truth," I asked through my hand. "Was… was he better than me?"

"Who, Ricken?" Nowi asked. "Nah. He gets some points for effort and stamina, but loses some for just how much I had to teach him. That barmaid is in for a treat tonight, though."

"I'll bet," I deadpanned.

I finally felt it was safe to continue drinking my tea now, and took another, careful, sip.

"I mean, I talked to Panne, and she said the two of you spent all winter doing it, so-"

That was as far as Nowi got before I did a second spit-take.

"Is nothing sacred!?" I coughed, setting the cup down now.

"That was less funny the second time," Nowi said innocently.

I glared down at her for a moment, in which she did her best to look the very picture of innocence as she swung her legs back and forth beneath her. She batted her lashes at me, and I rolled my eyes.

"I feel like it's too easy for you to make me blow," I deadpanned.

Nowi snorted, hands flying to her mouth to try and stifle it, but I grinned as she eventually burst into a fit of giggles.

"You have a dirty mind," she said accusingly.

"You love it," I shot back.

"Yes, I do love the things you do with that tongue," Nowi said coquettishly.

"You… stop. Stoppit. No. Bad," I said, shaking my head. "Stop flirting."

"You love it," Nowi shot back, her tone low and sultry.

"I do, dammit," I groaned, running my hands down my face. "But that's the problem."

"What?" Nowi asked. "You've suddenly decided to become a priest?"

As she spoke, she huffed and crossed her arms, the childishness of the action in sharp contrast to the verbal 'come fuck me' cues she'd been throwing at my head only moments before. The tonal shift almost gave me mental whiplash.

"Fuck no," I sighed. "I do not want to do our usual song-and-dance in the living room I still share with two women who would love nothing more than to geld me right now."

"Oh, good, because I am actually really horny and really did not want to sit through foreplay," Nowi said, sighing in visible relief.

"Hey, firstly, fuck you," I said indignantly.

"That is my goal, yes," Nowi cut in.

"That tongue thing is part of the foreplay," I continued, eyes narrowing. "Secondly, I… had a really long day and have not been sleeping well."

"Well, I know something that'll tire you out and help you sleep really good!" Nowi giggled, hopping to her feet.

"Is it duck-duck-dragon?" I asked hopefully.

Nowi stopped, head quirking as she thought for a moment.

"Would making a 'fuck-fuck-dragon' joke be low hanging fruit?" she asked seriously.

"Oh my god!" I groaned, face-palming.

"Heh, usually I don't get you screaming for your god 'til you're on your back," she grinned.

"Were you always this vulgar?" I asked, struggling for deadpan. "Or did I corrupt you, too?"

"I. Am. Horny," Nowi said exasperatedly. "And while Ricken is off with some barmaid, no one else in this city is willing to fuck me! At least, no one else I trust! I am not in the mood for subtlety!"

"Clearly," I muttered.

"I heard that," Nowi huffed.

"Nowi, look, I-"

I froze, cutting off mid-sentence as I heard voices from downstairs. My head whipped around as someone started climbing those stairs, and with a burst of adrenaline I realized it was Robin and Lucina. In a moment of panic, I did the only thing that seemed to make sense at the time: I stooped, grabbed Nowi around the waist and hauled her over my shoulder before darting for my room.

"That's more like it!" Nowi cheered. "Take me! Have your way with me!"

"Oh for fuck's sake!" I growled.

"That's the idea!" she giggled.

I just groaned in despair, ducking down the hall and into my room. I kicked the door closed behind me, then let out a sigh of relief as I gently put Nowi back down.

"There, that should buy us some why are you naked?"

I blinked as Nowi kicked off her shorts, standing stark nude in my room with an amorous grin.

"A dragon never reveals her secrets," she winked. "I am, after all, a master of transformation."

"How!?" I asked, looking back and forth between her and the small pile of clothes she'd dropped on the floor. "Just… how!? I'm not even mad, just baffled."

"I feel like you're missing the point here," Nowi said, prancing over to my bed. "I'd also much rather you have thrown me to the bed, but I suppose I'll settle."

"Well excuse me for not being in the mood," I grumbled.

"Your pants tell a different tale," Nowi pointed out with a grin.

"It's an automatic response, don't get too excited," I sighed.

Nowi just grinned as she hopped up on the bed, leaning back on her hands as she crossed her legs, offering an unobstructed view of the small swell of her chest.

"You're killing me here," I groaned. "Fine. Fine! I give. You win!"

I pulled my shirt off over my head, and Nowi gave an appreciative whistle.

"Wow," she said, eyes lighting up. "You weren't exactly a small guy before, but I think I just died and went to hard-bodied-heaven."

"Flatterer," I smirked. "It's been a busy year. But I think I could use an abdominal workout."

"Justify it however you want," Nowi chuckled. "As long as you're in this bed in the next ten seconds, or I'm starting without you."

"Tempting," I laughed, kicking off my boots as I undid my belt.

And then we fucked.

Once we were done, I gave a low groan and collapsed next to a gasping Nowi on the bed. We looked at each other for a moment, both just panting and not saying anything, before she smiled.

"That was what I wanted," she said.

"Give… give me a minute," I gasped. "I'll catch my breath, and we can go for round two."

Nowi giggled, much calmer now that she'd cum a few times, and dragged herself over to lean against me, throwing one arm over me and perching her chin on my chest.

"I'm expecting great things from all your training," she told me.

"Gonna need to get some water or something," I chuckled. "We're gonna need to stay hydrated."

"Way ahead of you," she said, motioning with her eyes.

I glanced at the sideboard, where a pitcher and two cups were sitting.

"You planned this," I laughed.

"Of course," she said demurely. "I figured you'd need to blow off some steam."

"Hah! Nice try," I said.

As I spoke, I brought an arm up, pulling her close to me. Nowi sighed contentedly as she nestled against me, and my skin instantly began to sweat with the heat of her warmer-than-human body.

"Well, okay, I really wanted this, too," she chuckled. "But you did seem really stressed out."

"I didn't notice you hanging around all that much," I told her.

"Enough to see the signs," she shrugged, running her fingers idly through my chest hair.

"Am I that obvious?" I sighed.

"Only to someone who knows what to look for," she said, patting my chest. "Don't worry. Everyone else thinks your still a big, macho soldier man."

"A big macho soldier man that got that eight?" I grinned.

"Mm, not quite," Nowi smirked. "But you definitely hit the seven and a half, without even doing the tongue thing."

"Ah, but the night is still young," I chuckled.

"Then we'd better get some water into us," Nowi laughed, bouncing off me.

I sat up as she shuffled to the edge of the bed, totally unconcerned about her nudity. I watched as she poured a couple cups of water for us, before a thought occurred.

"You're not worried?" I asked.

"I'm still at least a year off being able to conceive," she shrugged.

"No, I mean about people talking," I laughed. "You know. Labelling you a slut or whatever."

"Psh, I don't care about those people," Nowi waved me off. "People in Ylisse are pretty liberal, anyway, in my experience. Why? Are you worried?"

"Are you kidding?" I chuckled ruefully. "Half of Ylisse already thinks I'm a man-whore, and the other half thinks I'm a woefully incompetent man-whore. It's a little late for my reputation."

Nowi shuffled back on her knees, handing me one of the cups before perching on the edge of the bed next to me. She took a long drink, before cradling the cup in her lap and leaning her head against my shoulder.

"Things are a little different when you live as long as I do," she explained. "I know I'm young by Manakete standards, but I'm older than Ylisse is, so it kind of really puts things into perspective."

"I guess there's also the 'not human' angle to consider," I agreed, taking a sip of my own water.

"There is that," she said thoughtfully. "Where's all this coming from, anyway?"

"Just… something I heard," I said evasively.

"Let me guess," Nowi said, nuzzling against my arm. "Tharja giving you grief when you broke it off with her? Or maybe… no, you two were pretty much done. Was it Robin?"

"You are not as stupid as you like people to think," I deadpanned.

"Guilty," she giggled. "And I prefer 'flighty', thank you."

"Yeah, Robin gave me the riot act," I sighed, looking down into my cup. "Told me how an unwed mother in this world is basically doomed to be a whore or otherwise die."

"Pfft, seriously?" Nowi asked, looking up at me.

"Uh, yeah?" I said.

"Firstly, Ylisse is probably the best place to actually be an unwed mother and still get a stable income that doesn't involve laying on your back all day," Nowi said.

"What, really?" I asked.

"You really think a woman could be a knight, but not a single mother?" Nowi giggled. "Women can own property in Ylisse. I think it was Emmeryn that put that law into effect, given how many men died during her father's war with Plegia."

"I did not know any of that," I said slowly.

Maybe I just hadn't noticed, given how normal, or rather accepted, it was back home? I'd have to pay more attention next time I went for a walk through town.

"Secondly, Tharja's a mage," Nowi went on. "A really good one. Any noble with half a brain would be falling over themselves to hire her."

"I… didn't consider that," I said slowly.

"Of course you didn't," Nowi said, leaning against my arm again. "She's mad, and you feel guilty. Trust me, once Tharja's over you, she'll be just fine. I'll even keep an eye on her myself. It'll be fun! She's a lot nicer than she lets on. Did I tell you she helped me find my parents?"

I suddenly went really still. This was… not ideal pillow talk. A little warning that Nowi and Tharja had already finished their support chain would have been nice, but…

"So, you knew," Nowi said softly. "It's okay. I needed the closure."

"I'm sorry," I told her, not knowing what else to say.

"It's fine, it's fine," she waved me off, taking another long drink. "Now, if we're just about done with the whole 'feelings' thing, can we get started on round two?"

I smirked, putting my cup on the sideboard.

"You know, I really did miss you while I was gone," I told her.

Nowi reached up, wrapping her arms around the back of my neck and pulling me back down to the bed.

After Nowi drifted off, I didn't end up sleeping. I just sort of lay there, staring at the ceiling until the silence grew to be too much. She had said a lot that had made my mind race, a lot of things to give context where Robin had just dumped on me the other day. Things I should have thought about, but had been too close to the situation, too emotionally invested, to consider.

Carefully, silently, I slipped out of bed. Nowi, fortunately, slept like a rock. She was currently sprawled out, taking up about eighty percent of the bed, despite being a third of my size, snoring as she clung to one of my pillows. It was adorable.

Or it would have been, had I not spent the last few hours plowing her.

Ah, it was still kind of adorable anyway.

I smirked a little as I pulled on my jeans. It felt good, getting to just unwind like this. I hadn't realized how high-strung I'd been since returning to Ylisse, and this had been a welcome reprieve.

The temptation to crawl back into bed next to that tiny heater of a girl was strong, but I knew I wouldn't sleep again tonight. Glancing out the window, I could already see the purple haze of dawn on the horizon, so I figured I'd just get a start on my paperwork for the day.

It was starting to get warmer in Ylisse as spring wore on, so I decided I didn't need a shirt this early and made for the door. I silently opened it and stepped into the-

"WHA!" I yelped tripping on something.

"YIPE!" Archer cried, leaping up from his spot right in front of my door.

"Mrf…" Nowi mumbled, nestling further into my pillow.

All of this happened in an instant as my face went rushing towards the floor, and only by twisting at the last second and landing hard on my shoulder did I prevent messing up my face or crushing my dog.

Of course, this was also the shoulder I'd thrown into the wall last night, so it hurt like a motherfucker.

I glanced up over my now-throbbing shoulder as I came up onto my hands and knees, watching Nowi groan and curl tighter around my pillow without waking. I sighed, letting my head hang for a moment before getting up properly and glaring down at my dog in the pre-dawn gloom. Archer just looked up at me, tongue lolling and tail wagging.

"You're lucky you're cute," I muttered, gently closing my door.

I waved the dog into following me, which he did without a sound, and we made our way to my office. I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it after the dog, and set about lighting the lanterns in the corners. Soon, the burgeoning light of dawn was overpowered by the flickering glow of the lanterns, and I set an extra one on my desk for extra illumination.

I'd learned early on that trying to read or do paperwork, or do damn near anything by candle or lantern-light, was a good way to give yourself a headache and eye-strain.

"God I miss electric lighting," I groaned, slumping down into my chair.

I missed a lot of things about home, in these wee-hours-of-the-morning insomnia sessions. I missed the internet. I missed fast food. I missed indoor plumbing. I missed modern basic hygiene.

I missed anonymity.

I missed being a no-one.

Being 'a someone' here in Ylisse was exhausting.

Archer huffed, padding over and placing his muzzle on my lap. I smiled gently as I stroked his head.

"First time I've felt homesick in months, and it's because I can't afford to be lazy here," I told the dog.

He just glanced up at me as I scratched behind his ears.

"Yeah, I know you don't understand anything I say," I sighed.

"Wuff."

"Smart dog."

We stayed like that for a time, the invoices I'd ignored yesterday going forgotten as I pampered my dog, and he luxuriated in the attention. Eventually, the sun began to crest the horizon, the first brilliant rays of golden dawn shining in through the open window and making me wince at the brightness.

I sighed, getting up to put out the lanterns before Elle could see me and give me shit about wasting oil again, but there was an urgent knock at my door.

"Enter," I called.

Archer glanced over his shoulder at the door as I turned, a visibly flustered Elle stepping into the room with Su'ko behind her. Alarm bells instantly began going off in my head, and I stepped around my table.

"What happened?" I asked without preamble.

"Milord, the Wing Commander is here to see you," Elle said.

"What. Happened," I repeated.

"I… don't know," Elle said. "But Lady Cordelia wouldn't have come personally, in her battle gear no less, if it weren't important."

I nodded, looking between the two.

"Elle, go get me a shirt, and my fancy jacket, please," I said. "Su'ko, can you please show Cordelia in?"

"At once, milord," Elle said, dropping a polite curtsey.

By the time the maid had turned, Su'ko was already gone. The maid shuddered at the ninja's antics, and I allowed myself a small grin at her discomfort as she left. It amused me to no end watching other people on the receiving end of the ninjas' disappearing acts.

With a vague afterthought, I realized I probably should have warned her that Nowi was asleep in my bed, but before I could call her back Archer had parked his arse on my boot and was looking up at me expectantly.

"I think things are about to get a lot louder around here," I told the dog, patting him.

"That is one way of putting it."

I glanced up as Cordelia stepped into my office, the Wing Commander as stunning as I remembered her being. She stopped, though, in the doorway, when she noticed my current state of dress.

"I was really hoping that my maid would get back before you got here," I admitted. "It's… been a while, huh?"

"Yes, it has," Cordelia said with a wide, genuine smile. "It is good to see you again, my friend. You look… muscular."

"I try," I shrugged, before tweaking my pecs a few times. "Good to see you, too. You look good. Rank seems to agree with you."

I kicked Archer off my foot, the dog huffing and giving me the stink-eye before padding past Cordelia and out of the room. As he left, Elle strode back in, carrying my clothes with her face as red as my guest's hair.

"Not a word," I told her.

"I should be used to this by now," Elle muttered darkly.

I just grinned as I pulled my shirt over my head, reaching again for my jacket, only to find Elle holding it up expectantly. I sighed and rolled my eyes, turning and letting the maid put the garment on me.

"And I see that rank still irks you," Cordelia laughed. "Duke Baham."

"Don't start," I groaned.

"I will agree to call you by name if you do so in kind," she said warmly.

"Deal," I nodded. "You want some breakfast or tea or something? You're here fairly early."

"Would that this were a social call," Cordelia sighed, shaking her head. "Unfortunately, I am here to collect you for an emergency meeting at the palace."

"That sounds ominous," I said. "They couldn't send a messenger?"

"My pegasus is faster than any horse," Cordelia said, before adding somewhat shyly, "And I was truthful when I said it was good to see you again."

"That sounds real ominous," I sighed. "What happened?"

"There has been… a messenger from Regna Ferox," Cordelia started.

My sphincter clenched in anxiety.

"It appears they have been invaded," she went on.

I drew in a deep breath.

"By Valm," the redhead finished.

I let out the breath, leaning back against my desk.

"I see," I nodded. "And, I assume with our military treaty, Chrom is bound to offer aid?"

"Yes," Cordelia nodded. "But he wanted to call a council of war before that. To that end, I volunteered to collect you."

"Okay, but there's a few things I gotta do first," I told her. "It'll be quick, I promise. Cover your ears."

Cordelia nodded, a curious furrow coming to her brow. One of her perfect eyebrows rose as I walked over to the wall, picking up a shiny, ornate bugle. I grinned as I stepped past her into the hallway, the pegasus knight clearly divining my intent as her hands flew up to the sides of her head. Su'ko giving me her own curious glance from beside the door as I lifted the bugle to my lips.

Now, for those of you who have not had the distinct displeasure of having to be woken up at the crack of dawn by a maniac belting out the cavalry charge call on a bugle in a confined space, I envy you.

Suffice to say that, by the time I was done, the entire barracks had heard me.

I'd been practicing.

"UP AND AT EM, BOYS AND GIRLS!" I screamed after I finished playing the call a second time. "THIS IS NOT A DRILL! FIRST RESPONSE TEAMS, I WANT YOU READY TO MOVE IN FIFTEEN MINUTES! EVERYONE ELSE TO BATTLE STATIONS! MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!"

My own ears were still ringing from the volume of the bugle when the doors in the officers' quarters all began to slam open, people hurrying to-and-fro in various states of disheveled dress.

"I'm going to stick that thing down your throat if you play it again," Lucina warned me, buckling her sword belt around her waist as she passed.

"If she doesn't, I'll put it up your arse," Noire added dangerously, buttoning up her uniform as she headed for the stairs.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh," Olivia was muttering, racing around with a hairbrush still hanging from her head. "I still haven't got the last of the surplus uniforms ready and the latest delivery from the orchards was late and we'll have to pick up things on the way to the coast…"

I watched the dancer with a quirked brow, wincing back as Virion raced past me, the archer still pulling on his jacket as he hit the stairs.

"You heard the General!" he was shouting, his tone much more dignified than mine. "To arms, bravest of souls! Your country calls upon you to defend her! To arms!"

Emm poked her head out of her room, a worried set to her features.

"Could you please do something to help Olivia before her head explodes from stress?" I asked her.

She took one look at where the dancer was currently walking in circles around one of the chairs in the common room, muttering to herself as she leafed through a sheet of papers, before nodding and disappearing back into her room.

Elle reappeared, still holding her ears, a bleary and disheveled Nowi wearing nothing but one of my shirts trailing behind her.

"Elle, I need you to go and find Erutreya in the barracks for me," I said. "Tell her to meet me in the courtyard, double-time. Then I'm gonna need you to watch Noire for a few hours."

"Of course, milord," Elle said, curtseying again.

Emm chose that moment to reemerge into the common room, grabbing Olivia by the arms and stopping her mid-rant, snatching the papers from her hands, and shoving her down into the chair.

"Now, tell me how to help," Emm said.

"You can definitely tell that she used to rule," Cordelia chuckled, appearing at my shoulder.

My head turned so fast I was worried it would pop off, eyes wide as I desperately tried to come up with some sort of lie in my sleep-deprived state.

"I'm high command, of course I found out," the Wing Commander grinned.

When I turned back, Robin was standing right on front of me. I had to bite my tongue not to yelp, the tactician glaring up at me.

"It's time, then?" she asked.

"So it seems," I nodded. "I need you to work with Virion and Olivia, make sure everything is ready to go by midday. I'll send word back as soon as I get deployment confirmation for the rapid response group."

"Yes, sir," she said, nodding once before disappearing into her office.

Tharja didn't stir. I didn't know if I should feel guilty or grateful about that fact.

"What's going on?" Nowi asked sleepily.

"War," I told her simply.

This brought her up short, the little manakete blinking a few times before casting a glance between me and Cordelia.

"Oh," was all Nowi said.

"I'd get to the Shepherds' barracks if I were you," I added.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll do that," she said, waking up quickly. "I'll… I'll take Tharja with me, too."

"Thank you," I sighed.

"Anything for my nine," she said with a playful wink, retreating back to my room to dress.

"Rawr," I chuckled to her back.

There was a definite sway to Nowi's hips as she disappeared into my room again.

"I don't want to know," Cordelia said.

"In my defense, she's older than your country," I muttered.

"I still don't want to know!" the redhead cried, clamping her hands to her ears again.

In that moment, it was very easy to see how she and Severa were related. Thinking of the volatile redhead almost made me slap my forehead.

"Robin, get a message off to Baham!" I shouted down the hall. "Tell them to make ready to mobilize, too!"

There was a shouted answer that was a little too gentle to be random curses, so I assumed it was an affirmative.

"Alright, Cordelia, let's get out of here," I said, making for the stairs. "I trust you're not travelling alone?"

"Full complement," she supplied. "More than enough riders to take you and your staff back to the palace."

"Just me, Su'ko and Erutreya," I told her. "We've been preparing for this. Everyone else knows what to do."

As I reached the bottom of the stairs I cursed, realizing I'd forgotten my sword. I turned to go back, mouth already open to tell Cordelia to go on ahead of me, but froze. Standing one step above me was Su'ko, arms laden with my sword belt, my daggers already strapped to the back of it.

"Girl, I don't know how you did that, but I don't deserve you," I told her, taking the belt.

Su'ko blushed a little at the praise as I strapped the belt on.

"Make way!"

We all stepped back as Lucina came barreling down the stairs, practically dragging a rumpled Ricken behind her.

"I was wondering where he was," I muttered.

"Are you sure you should be calling them to arms like this?" Cordelia asked.

I led her and Su'ko outside, shrugging as we walked.

"Worse comes to worse, I'll just tell them it was a drill," I said. "They wouldn't have sent you, of all people, to come get me if this wasn't important, though."

"True," Cordelia chuckled musically. "Although I will need to remember that 'it was a drill' excuse for my own troops."

"Works every time," I grinned.

"Really?" she asked dubiously.

"Of course," I laughed. "I'm the one in charge, so I can make that call."

We laughed as we stepped out of the barracks, finding Erutreya and Tennabree both waiting for us in the early morning chill. The Plegian mage looked especially miserable in the cool shadows that the sun hadn't reached yet, but, being a local girl, Erutreya seemed to just shrug it off. Both wore duty uniforms, although Erutreya's lacked the additional jacket that Tennabree was sporting.

Waiting not far away were three of Cordelia's newly-minted Pegasus Knights, resplendent in their polished bronze armor and crisp white tunics. Judging from the way I'd spotted them shivering before they snapped to attention, I'd have to suggest some leggings to the Wing Commander when we had some time alone.

"I only called for one of you," I stated, looking between my two officers.

"I came for information," Tennabree said evenly.

"It's called a bugle, and it's a brass instrument that was commonly used to signal-" I started.

"I meant about this mass deployment," she cut me off, exasperatedly.

Erutreya just snickered, as if she had been expecting this response.

"Early reports of Valm making landfall in Port Ferox," I told her bluntly. "I'm going to go hammer out our marching orders with the powers-that-be. Any more questions?"

"Can you never play that blasted 'bugle' again, please?" Tennabree growled.

"Just for that, no," I laughed. "As you were, Lieutenant."

Tennabree sighed and snapped a crisp salute, before exchanging a meaningful glance with Erutreya and returning to the barracks.

I froze for a moment, glancing over my shoulder. While we had been speaking, Cordelia and her knights had been double-checking the saddles and straps on their mounts, common practice when carrying 'high value targets', as I liked to think of us. I let out a small sigh of relief that Cordelia hadn't overheard me saying something I wasn't supposed to know yet.

The Wing Commander, seemingly satisfied, swung herself up into her saddle. Even though it was early and cold, I still had to admire the toned, creamy expanse of thigh that she presented as she did so.

"General, you and your people will ride with these three," she declared. "They will defend you with their lives."

"I've, ah, never flown before," Erutreya said hesitantly. "I tried out for the Pegasus Knights as a girl, but I think the pegasai all thought I was a boy, so…"

She trailed off, and I sighed.

"I'm gonna file that fact away for later," I told her with a weary grin. "But flying sucks, believe me. Su'ko, you ever-"

I glanced behind me, only to find my resident ninja absent. I looked around for a moment, actually spinning in place before spotting her already on one of the mounts. She looked placidly back at me, and the pegasus knight, who hadn't even mounted up herself yet, spun on her heel and gave a strangled yelp of surprise.

"Yeah, she does that," I laughed. "Come on, Captain. The faster we get on those things, the faster we can get off."

"If it helps, these are the finest fliers in the order, aside from myself and Queen Sumia," Cordelia supplied with a small smirk.

"Didn't you recruit them less than two years ago?" I deadpanned.

The three knights shuffled from foot to foot awkwardly, and Erutreya and I exchanged a glance. We both sighed, then, making for the waiting Pegasus Knights. In the end, the flight was mercifully short. Although I am sure my grip left grooves in my driver's bronze cuirass.

By the time Erutreya and I were done kissing the floor of the Palace's Pegasus Roost, dawn had fully broken and another sickeningly cheerful day had begun in Ylisstol. I knew from experience how beautiful the view up in the Roost was, and despite my fear of heights I would usually relish the chance to drink it in.

However, that day all I could think about was how tired I was.

For me, it wasn't as much a new day as it was a continuation of the day before yesterday. Everything ached, especially my core fuck-you-very-much Nowi, and I was being assailed on and off by random spells of dizziness. But I hadn't started slurring my words yet, and I could still see mostly straight, so it was clearly a great time to go to war.

I was already striding towards the door to the spiral stairs that would take us down to the Knights' Barracks proper with Cordelia and Su'ko, unflappable as ever, hot on our heels. Erutreya hurried to catch up, clutching at her stomach and looking decidedly green.

Cordelia looked as perfect as ever, not a single hair out of place, and Su'ko looked much as she usually did. Erutreya and I, though, both had a distinctly wind-swept look to us, our uniforms rumpled now and our hair messed up. Well, Erutreya's hair. But my beard was forked, and I grumbled a little to myself as I smoothed it back to normal.

"God I hate flying," I said, straightening my jacket.

I glanced back as my furred ruff suddenly fluffed itself just in time to see Su'ko pulling back, and grunted a muttered thanks to her. The corner of her mouth quirked ever so slightly, which on her was akin to a wide, beaming smile.

"Well, at least you can ride to Regna Ferox," Cordelia consoled me.

We reached the barracks below the Roost to find it a veritable hive of activity. However, unlike the Army Barracks when we'd left, which had been rousing to action in an ordered, drilled fashion, the Knights seemed to be on the verge of panic.

Cordelia blushed a little around the neck, but still held her head high as she led us through to the Palace proper. Erutreya and I exchanged another wordless glance; if the Knight Orders were mobilizing, then there was very little chance that this was a false alarm.

"Any word on any troop dispositions or anything yet?" I asked as we walked. "What are their numbers? Armaments? Mounted capacity? I know Valm likes its elite cavalry."

"I don't know," Cordelia said plainly. "I was barely given time to put on my armor before I had to go find you."

"I have a big barracks complex on the edge of the city, I'm not hard to find," I said a tad defensively.

"No, but it is on the edge of the city," Cordelia pointed out, laughter in her voice.

I ran a hand down my face to try and wake myself up as we walked, passing harried-looking servants as they rushed about, caught up in the mood of panic from the Guards and Knights. I tried to ignore the hustle and bustle and just power through, but it became incalculably worse as we neared the fancy meeting rooms on the ground floor, where Chrom held the House of Lords sittings. Men in the liveries of every Ylissean region clamored for more information, Palace Guards interspersed within the crowd seemingly being the only thing stopping a riot from breaking out.

As we approached, the various envoys and courtiers all caught sight of us and began to demand answers, but one look from me was enough to keep most of them from mobbing us. A disdainful glance from down Cordelia's elegant nose was enough to shut the rest of them up.

The Palace Guard cleared us a path through the protesting nobles, and Cordelia led us into one of the smaller meeting rooms. It was a good sign; it meant that Chrom hadn't gone so far as to call a full Council of War yet.

We stepped into the meeting room, joining five other people. Chrom and Sumia were both there, both of them looking freshly roused with their sleep-tousled hair and hastily-donned finery. Frederick loomed over Chrom's shoulder, as immaculate as ever in his suit.

Across from them was the familiar form of the Feroxi border guard, Raimi, standing beside a woman who could only be Cherche.

Raimi hadn't changed much, still wearing her bare metal armor, her hair still shorn almost to her scalp. She looked a little more tanned, though, her face a little more lined. Cherche was new to me, though, and I had to admit she was gorgeous. Even with that goofy wing-headdress framing her face. She had more Mediterranean-looking features than the people of Ylisse, I found myself thinking, her skin a shade darker, much like Virion's. Her short riding dress hugged her figure beneath her baroque armor, her long legs clad in thigh-high boots.

Both looked tired and weather-worn, their armor dirty and their skin sallow. No doubt Cherche had flown them here with as few breaks as possible, which would account for their bedraggled appearance.

"My people are dying, Exalt Chrom!" Raimi was shouting as we entered.

"Keep it down," I said mildly. "The vultures out there don't need any more fuel for the fires of their rumors."

Raimi and Cherche both looked up sharply as Chrom sighed a little in relief. Sumia waved a little, her face lined with worry.

Raimi crossed her arms, looking me up and down.

"You've lost weight," she said.

"I've been busy," I shrugged.

"I hear you're a Duke now," she added.

"Against my will, I assure you," I said dryly, turning to Cherche. "And you're new. I'm Duke Ben, General of the Ylissean Royal Army."

"A pleasure, Lord," she said, bowing a little. "I am Cherche, formerly vassal to House Virion of Rossane, a territory of Valm. I have come to deliver a grave warning."

"To hell with your warning!" Raimi thundered. "Those are my people dying! My lands being invaded by your countrymen!"

"I have fifty men ready to set out immediately as an advance force," I said, before anyone could speak, or an argument could break out. "I'll have a hundred and fifty more ready by noon. By the end of the week, I'll have more than a thousand ready to move out."

"Good! Send them north!" Raimi growled.

"That was for his benefit," I deadpanned, nodding to Chrom. "Good morning, Your Grace. Good morning, my Queen. You both look well."

"And you look like you haven't slept in a week," Chrom smirked.

"Guilty," I shrugged. "Permission to send an advance force to retake…"

I trailed off, remembering I wasn't supposed to know where the Valmese had invaded yet.

"Port Ferox," Chrom supplied with a chuckle. "And it is granted. Thank you for asking this time."

"I was worried you'd try to promote me again," I deadpanned, turning to Erutreya. "Find one of the Palace messengers. Send orders for the first response teams to head to Port Ferox. Retake it if they can, make sure the Valmese don't get further inland if they can't."

"Yes, General," Erutreya said, snapping a parade-perfect salute.

"Make sure they know not to take any chances," I added as she made for the door. "I want this done properly, like we trained for."

"Sir, yes sir," she said, slipping back into the chaos outside.

"Fifty men won't retake the port," Raimi said darkly.

"You underestimate my men," I told her, clasping my hands behind my back.

"I believe you may be underestimating your foe," Cherche said.

"Duke Ben's training has been… rigorous," Frederick said sourly. "If any force aside from the Shepherds were to retake the Port, it would be them."

Out of everyone in the room, Frederick was definitely not the one I'd expected to leap to my defense like that.

"That's a good idea," Chrom said, straightening a little. "We should send the Shepherds with them."

"Couldn't hurt," I shrugged. "The First has trained to work with outside units."

"Frederick, send word to Vaike," Chrom said.

"I will go," Sumia offered. "I feel like Frederick will be of more use for what is to come than I, love."

"Very well," Chrom nodded slowly.

"Tell them they can go with the midday group," I told her. "They'll never be ready to travel with the first team."

Sumia looked to Chrom, who nodded. She smiled and grasped Chrom's arm comfortingly, before slipping out of the room much the same way Erutreya had. As Sumia opened the door, she almost slammed it into Erutreya's face, the officer having to throw herself back a little.

"That was fast," I commented once both women had finished apologizing to each other.

"Orders were simple enough to relay," she shrugged.

"Good, now start taking notes," I told her, turning back to the table. "I need to know everything you know about the force in Port Ferox, and everything about the ones coming after them."

"That is… a lot," Cherche said hesitantly.

"This is war," I told her. "Information is a weapon far deadlier than any sword or spear. Tell me everything. So Erutreya can write it down for me."

"Damn, I know I have a pen somewhere…" the Captain muttered, patting down her pockets behind me.

"Start slow, though," I smirked. "She looks like she'll need time to get a rhythm."

There was a clatter behind me as Erutreya dropped the case of pens and charcoal all officers carried, and I sighed.

"Start real slow," I said.

I didn't get back to the barracks until nightfall.

All day long I'd had Erutreya relaying orders for me, and things were now in motion. Robin had gone herself with the midday group, which included Vaike's Shepherds and a squad of Knights led by Sully. Raimi had gone back north with the midday group, too.

The rest of the army was being corralled by Virion outside the city; feeding and housing a thousand men and women in this one tiny little barracks wasn't exactly feasible long-term, so we had a rotation basis where the soldiers could spend time here, time in the field, and time off-duty with their families in their hometowns. Now, though, the call had gone out, and we were mustering.

I'd decided to just let Virion handle it. This was his job, after all.

Cherche had opted to stay in Ylisse for now, and was currently being shown around the barracks by Erutreya. I'd really wanted to see her reunion with Virion, but it would have to wait.

Watching Archer meet Minerva, though, was something I'd never forget. The wyvern, which Cherche assured me was adorable by wyvern standards, had joined us on the trip back to the barracks, and was currently outside with my dog. Archer had just trotted up to the large, fire-breathing winged lizard, sniffed around her feet a few times, and then plonked down on one of her talons. Minerva had actually given Cherche a look that had basically said "is he for real?" before curiously sniffing the dog in turn. It had been adorable.

Now, though, I found myself back in the common room of the distinctly quiet barracks.

"I don't get paid enough for this shit," I groaned, running my hands down my face.

I sank into one of the armchairs, leaning back and closing my eyes. Just as I began to drift off, I heard the sound of familiar shoes striding across the floor, and I groaned a little as I sat up.

"Good evening, milord," Elle said, curtseying. "Would you like some tea? Or perhaps something more substantial?"

"I had a bite at the Palace," I told her. "I could use some tea, though. I feel like I'm going to pass out."

"Of course, milord," Elle said. "Give me a moment, I'll brew a fresh pot of the stronger blend that you like."

"Can I take you on Campaign with me?" I asked, letting my head flop back against the head of the chair. "I don't want some lazy Private half-assing my caretaking."

There was a clatter as Elle dropped some saucers against her tray, and I sat up enough to turn in the chair.

"I was just kidding, Elle," I told her. "After all, if I took you with me, who would take care of my dog? Or my kid?"

"Of course, milord," she said quietly.

"What's wrong?" I asked, eyes narrowing.

"It's just…" she trailed off, busying her hands with the preparation of the tea. "It's quiet in here now."

"I was just thinking the same thing," I told her, sinking back into my chair. "Why don't you prepare an extra cup and join me?"

"I would never presume, milord," she said quickly.

"Sit your ass down and drink your goddamned tea," I smirked.

"If it is your will, milord," she chuckled.

It only took a few more moments before the maid joined me, perching on one of the chairs next to mine and pouring two cups of tea. The fragrant aroma was no coffee, but it did serve to relax me a little.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

"It is… nothing, milord," Elle sighed. "I was just hoping we would have more time before… things started happening."

"You and me both," I sighed.

I took a long sip of the tea and groaned in relief as the liquid warmed me from within.

"I'd like you to move to Baham while I'm gone," I told her suddenly.

Elle looked up from her cup in confusion, clearly caught wrong-footed.

"I'm serious," I told her.

"But… why?" She asked.

"I'd feel better if you and Bertha were somewhere safe while I'm gone," I told her. "I'll talk to Bertha later. You can bring your whole family if you want. I'll even increase your pay-"

"No, milord, please, that won't be necessary," she said quickly. "It is… just very sudden."

"I am meant to be Lord of Baham," I told her, looking back down at my cup. "I don't belong in Ylisstol anymore. I'd like to leave you here, but, well, knowing what you know…"

"I understand, milord," Elle said softly. "When will I have to leave?"

"Soon," I told her. "I'm going north in the next few days to oversee the muster in Baham personally. You're welcome to travel with me, if you'd like."

"I think… I think I'd like that," she said after a moment. "I've never left Ylisstol before. I always assumed I would just end up serving at some minor noble's estate once my training was done, for the rest of my days. I… now that I think of it, I'm quite excited by the idea."

"Well, good," I smiled. "Pack warm, it gets cold up north."

"Will I not get in the way of your staff in Baham, though?" she asked.

"I don't have staff in Baham," I shrugged. "The Steward does. You'll be the first. Huh. Guess that makes you Head Maid. Does that mean I have to give you a pay-rise?"

"Head Maid!?" Elle asked, aghast. "I've only been a maid for… you can't possibly… I could never…"

"I don't care, yes I can, and yes you can," I cut her off. "You I trust, not some stuffy old bat who looks down her nose at me when my back is turned. I much prefer the way you do that to my face."

Elle blushed, muttering into her cup.

"It's just a thought," I told her. "I'll be absent during the war anyway, so your only duty will be to care for Noire until I come back. We can go from there when we get there."

Elle nodded, draining the rest of her cup and placing it down.

"I should go pack," she said, standing.

"I'm not leaving yet," I chuckled.

"I need to pack your things, too," she shook her head. "And little Noire's. She has quite the collection of toys already, and I would be loathe to leave any behind."

"Alright, have it your way," I smirked, waving her off.

I could see right through her, though. She was excited. This was an adventure for her, plain and simple. The chance to get out of Ylisstol, travel a little, see a little more of the world.

As Elle bustled from the common room, I let my head hang over the back of my chair, spotting Su'ko hovering in the shadows.

"You're coming too, I assume?" I asked her.

"But of course, milord," she said softly.

"Awesomesauce," I said, sitting upright again.

AN: The 'And then we fucked' line is actually something of an in-joke between myself and my editor, Minute Rice. Who is damn thirsty. So every time there's even a little innocent flirting, he leaves a comment in my drafts 'and then they fucked'. So, figured it would be a good place-holder to put in here, because of ToS reasons. Full version's up on (P)atreon, but please do not think my terrible smut is worth paying for.

I actually haven't got much else to say about this chapter. The plot progresses, I got some good jokes in, Nowi remains thirsty, it was a fun time.

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