Incursion.
After the attempted assassination of Emmeryn, the Shepherds were on their way back to Ferox in order to request reinforcement from the Khans. It had become clear now that there was no hope for a peaceful end to the war. Only way to stop it, was to defeat their enemies completely. Cassandra Lissa, Chrom, Robin, and a hierarch arrive at Breakneck Pass. The trip was exhausting, and some people were not afraid to voice their discomfort.
"Ugh, my poor feet. I've got blisters the size of eggs!" Lissa said, her poor feet being very sore from all the walking.
"Oh, it's not so bad, Lissa. Just a healthy little stroll! How are you holding up, Robin?" Chrom asked.
"My legs feel like pudding... Your endurance astounds me, Chrom" Robin answered.
"Normally I don't mind a good stroll. But even my legs are starting to feel like they are about to snap" Cassandra said.
Chrom smiled "Hah! Should I carry you?".
Cassandra blushed at the offer and quickly picked up her pace "Nope! I can walk on my own. Thank. You!".
Chrom couldn't help but to laugh a little as Cassandra walked ahead of them "I was kidding!".
Lissa suddenly forgot about how tired she was and spoke "So Chrom, have you asked her out yet?".
"No not ye-" Chrom began but stopped and blushed when he realized what Lissa asked and noticed his sister had the smuggest smile he had ever seen "Wh-what kind of question is that!? We're in the middle of a war! This is hardly the time or place for that!".
"Oh calm down Chrom, no need to get so intense" Lissa said calmly.
"Lissa!" Chrom growled out.
"Just saying, you should ask her soon, before someone with far better looks and charms swoops her of her feet" Lissa said.
Robin was trying so hard not to laugh at. But his mood changed when he noticed the Hierarch was looking around far more than necessary. There was something that was really of about him.
Frederick noticed this as well "Is something troubling you, Hierarch? You keep glancing up at the peaks".
The Hierarch barely heard him "Hmm? Oh, I'm just a b-bit nervous I'm afraid. Gh-ghastly times, these!".
"Chrom, who is that?" Robin asked.
Chrom blinked before answering "The hierarch? He's been a friend of House Ylisse for many years. He guided Emmeryn during the early years of her rule. Why do you ask?".
"I can't quite put my finger on it, but something feels…" Robin trailed of befor Two brigands run toward the group.
"Grah ha hah! Time to die, princey!" One of the Plagians said.
"Plegian soldiers? Damn! How did they know we were here? Everyone! Prepare for battle!" Chrom ordered.
The leader of the Plegian force was a man named Vasto who arrived on a Wyvern and took a deep sniff "Ahhhhhhhhh... Smell that, men? The winds of fortune are blowing our way!".
The Hierarch runs to the Plegian soldiers "Hold, sir! I am the man King Gangrel told you about! Did you not receive orders to take me into your protection?".
Cassandra glares at the old man. That's how the Plegians knew they would be here. The bastard sold them out!
Vasto gives him a evil look "I've orders to protect a man, true... But I see no man here! ...Only a pig! A rasher of traitorous bacon that sold out his own sovereign! And what do we do with little piggies, mmm?".
The Hierarch looked really nervous now "Well, you... I mean, perhaps... You let them go free?".
Vasto looked disgusted by the old man's cowardliness "Oh, are you a chicken now? Bawk bawk! We've a whole barnyard in our midst! Well, it don't matter what you are. The axe will fall just the same!".
"Eeeeeeeeeeeek!" The Hierach tried to run away, but a brigand behind him slams his ax in to the old traitor's back, killing him on the spot.
"Right! Now for the main event. By moon's end, they'll be erecting statues of me in the capital! Ho there! Ylisseans! Give me the Fire Emblem and your wench of a ruler, and spare yourselves a gory end!" Vasto demanded.
Chrom glares "Phila, take Emmeryn to the rear of the column. We'll fend off these blackguards!".
The battle broke out and Cassandra clashed with an ax wielder, which she swiftly disposed of. A Wyvern rider was approaching her, however a horse rider was rushing towards them, pulling out his large sword before cutting up the Wyvern's throat, causing it to fall down a cliff along with it's rider.
"Siegfried?" Cassandra said in surprise.
"When the Khan received your message I was sent out to meet you. Glad I arrived when I did" Siegfried said while glaring at the Plegian soldiers.
"We'll take all the help we can get. Come on let's drive them back!" Chrom ordered.
The battle went on until a red haired Pegasus rider arrived "Huff, huff... No! Plegians here as well?! Prince Chrom! Captain Phila! Beware! Enemy reinforcements to the rear! They'll be upon us soon!".
Phila looked surprised "Is that... Gods, Cordelia?!".
"Cordelia?" Robin asked.
"She's one of my knights. Young yet, but quite gifted. But she was stationed on the border... Why...? Oh, gods! Could it mean...?" Phila wondered in worry.
While the others were holding of the Plegians, Siegfried was confronting Vasto, who had a cruel smirk.
"I'll splatter you across the canyon floor!" He said in bloodlusted confidance.
Siegfried was not the least bit intimidated "You expect me to cower before an animal like you? You're yet to even slightly impress me".
Vasto glares as he makes his Wyvern charge at Siegfried, who avoided it's jaws before bringing his large blade down on the beast's neck with enough force to cut it's head clean of. Vasto fell of his now dead Wyvern, he looks at his dead mount for a moment before glaring at Siegfried with pure hate.
"I will make you suffer for that!" He said as he grabbed his ax and charged at Siegfried.
Siegfried blocked his violently strikes, his own strength allowing him to stand his ground and pushed Vasto back. Vasto yelled as he attacks again, but a swift swing from Siegfried's large sword was enough to make him stagger and fall. He quickly got back up, but Siegfried had measured his skills and was now going on the offence, using strong, fast and well aimed strikes that forced Vasto on the back foot. Siegfried knocked Vasto's ax aside and in a swift motion, he sliced up Vasto's chest, causing a fatal wound.
Vasto fell to the ground, but despite knowing he was going to die, he still managed to smirk "You doves think...killing me will change anything? Heh... Even now, my brothers storm across your precious border... Go on, dear exalted coward! Run! Flee while they slaughter your subjects! Save yourself... Let their faith in you...bleed away...with the rest...".
After the battle, everyone gathered to discuss what happened.
"They're gone" Chrom said.
"Your Grace! My prince! Run! As far and fast as you can! More Plegians are coming, not a half day's march behind you!" Cordelia said urgently.
"Cordelia, what are you doing here? ...Tell me the border remains secure!" Phila said.
Cordelia looks down "That I could, milady! But it would be false... Gangrel himself led his might against us! The end was upon us when my knight-sisters begged me fly and warn the exalt... I should have stayed... I should have stayed! Ah, gods, I can still hear the screams…".
"Peace, Cordelia. You did your duty. The sisters rightly prized your youth. You've many years yet to keep their legacy alive" Phila said.
"But I abandoned them! I'm weak... Their legacy deserves better" Cordelia said in shame.
"Sometimes fleeing takes the most courage. They knew that. Now pull yourself together. Let the faith they showed in you give you strength" Philsa said.
"Captain Phila, I... How can I go on like this? They were my...my family... *sob* Gods... Oh, gods…" Cordelia couldn't take it anymore and began weeping.
Siegfried put a hand on her shoulder "Cordelia, your comrades gave their life so you could live. As long as you are alive, their sacrifice wasn't for nothing. Your arrival made the battle easier and now that you've warned us, we can be more prepared. You can still honor their memory and make those Plegian animals pay for what they did".
Cordelia looks at him, tears still in her eyes, but she calms down slightly and leans on him "Thank you...".
Siegfried gently rubs her back, and it was clear these two have known each other for a while if Siegfried's words could comfort her like that.
Chrom clenched his fist "Damn those monsters!".
"I must return to the capital" Emmeryn said, shocking everyone.
Phila looked at her like she had gone insane "Your Grace, I cannot advise—".
Emmeryn interrupted her "I should never have left. If it's discovered I'm away when this news comes to light... The people could panic. Riot. More Ylisseans could needlessly die. Here, Chrom. I entrust this to you".
Chrom was shocked by what she gave him "The Fire Emblem?".
Emmeryn nods "Take it to Ferox, to safety".
"And leave you? No, Emm" Chrom said, refusing to just accept this.
"No part of House Ylisse matters more than the Emblem. It possesses tremendous power. But too much blood has been shed over it already. I hope it finds a better guardian in you than it did me" Emmeryn said.
"Emm, come on. You can't... Don't talk like that! You sound like you're ready to give up…" Chrom said, struggling to keep calm.
"I am not giving up, Chrom. I am only giving what I can" Emmeryn said.
Chrom shook his head "Emm, please! This is madness!".
"Sis, wait! Let me go with you!" Lissa pleaded.
Emmeryn looks at her "Stay with Chrom, Lissa. I command it".
"This isn't fair! It's not fair! I know our people need you, but we need you, too!" Lissa almost screamed.
Emmeryn smiled "Dry your tears, love. This is not good-bye".
"Your Grace, the pegasus knights will accompany you to Ylisstol" Phila said, if she couldn't change her Exalt's mind, the least she could do was help keeping her safe.
"Very well, Phila. Thank you" Emmeryn said.
"I will keep the prince and princess safe, Your Grace. You have my word" Frederick said.
Emmeryn nods at him "I know you will, Frederick. Thank you".
Frederick bows his head "It is my honor".
"Cordelia. You will stay here with Chrom" Phila ordered.
Cordelia looked surprised "But, Captain—".
"I know your heart is heavy, but this is how it must be. Your knight-sisters will be with you in spirit, wherever you go" Phila said.
Cordelia was silent for a moment "May they give me strength. As you command, Captain. I will pray for your safety".
"Come, Phila. We must go" Emmeryn said.
Chrom stepped forward "No! You don't have to go! This is absurd!".
"Chrom, you don't—" Emmery began but Chrom was done listening.
"Walking to your own death will not bring peace to anyone! Ylisse needs you. WE need you! Be selfish for once in your life!" Chrom said in frustration.
Emmeryn looks at him for a moment "... I love you, Chrom. Both you and Lissa are my everything. As for the peace I seek... You cannot see who it is for. I have to go. I'm sorry, I truly am. Let us embrace again in Ylisstol when you arrive with Feroxi reinforcements. I know you will come".
"...This is a terrible plan" Chrom said, sounding defeated.
"My lady, are you sure about this? If anything happens to you, the people will lose hope" Cassandra said.
"I will do what I must. And I trust you to be there for Chrom, Cassandra. He needs you more than any of you may realize" Emmeryn said.
"I... Of course, my Lady" Cassandra said with a bow.
"The blood of the first exalt flows strong in us. You and I will keep Ylisse safe. I believe it with all my heart. Safe journey, Chrom. Safe journey, Lissa" Emmeryn said as she and Phila leaves.
Chrom took a couple of steps forward "Emm... Emm?! Ah...".
Cassandra put a hand on his shoulder "I'm sure she will be fine, Chrom. We just need to hurry to get our reinforcemance and head back".
"Right..." Chrom said, but he had a very bad feeling.
The Shepherds had arrived in Ferox and was waiting for Flavia.
"B-but she's safe inside the castle, right? Phila and the others will protect her! And Khan Flavia is assembling her best troops as we speak. We'll make it back home in time. I know we will!" Lissa said but Chrom remained silent "Chrom? Say something! Say, Yes, of course we will!".
Chrom finally looks at her "...I'm sorry, Lissa. What?".
Lissa looked annoyed "Ugh, fine! Never mind! Let me know when you get out of your own head for a second!".
Chrom said nothing and Sumia approaches "Snap out of it, Captain!".
She punches Chrom square in the jaw, making everyone jump in surprise.
"OW! ...What the hell was that for?!" Chrom demanded.
"Oh no! ...Did I do it wrong? Captain Phila said sometimes a good slap will break someone out of their doldrums" Sumia said.
Lissa deadpans "Sumia, when you slap someone, you do it with an open palm. You just punched Chrom in the face!".
"Um... It's the thought that counts?" Sumia asked sheepishly.
"Gods, that seriously hurt…" Chrom said, rubbing his jaw.
Cassandra tried to hold it in... but she ended up bursting out laughing while holding her sides. She laughed for several seconds while the others looks at her, with Chrom looking less than amused by this.
"S-Sorry! HAHA! It's just! HA! Everything has been so tense lately, and then Sumia just does something I would never expect! HAHAHA! Gods I needed this!" Cassandra said, struggling to stop laughing.
"Yes, I'm so glad nearly having my jaw broken is so amusing for you" Chrom said sarcasticly.
Flavia, who had seen everything spoke "Ha ha! What's wrong, my dear prince? Sometimes love hurts! You're lucky to have strong women like these, and not just dainty flowers about. In any case, I bring good news. The Feroxi army has finally mobilized. Every last man is itching to fight. I must say, I'm looking forward to savoring a skirmish or two myself".
"Wait. You're coming along?" Chrom asked.
Flavia smirked "Of course! A khan must have her fun. I'm even bringing my insignificant other".
"Your who?" Robin asked.
"Basilio. The oaf isn't good for much, but he might stop a few stray arrows" Flavia said as they head to see Basilio.
"Chrom! Good gods, I've been looking for you everywhere!" Basilio said, sounding a little frantic.
"Is something wrong?" Chrom asked.
Basilio had a grim look "Our scouts have reported back. Dark news, I'm afraid... Ylisstol...has fallen".
"What?!" Chrom asked in shock.
"The Plegians captured your exalt and retreated back across their lines. Gangrel has declared she's to be publicly executed within the moon" Basilio explained.
"E-executed?!" Chrom said, sounding even more worried.
"Ooooh…" Lissa faints into Robin's arms.
"Lissa? Lissa!" Robin said in concern for the princess.
"They broke through Ylisstol's defenses that quickly? They move a lot faster than expected" Siegfried said.
"The dastard's not even trying to be subtle anymore" Flavia said in anger.
"I agree. It's an obvious trap" Robin said.
Basilio nods "The Mad King knew our scouts would relay this information back. It's clearly a provocation—a hot brand to the buttocks! We should consider our options carefully before jumping to any—".
"Shepherds! We march to Plegia!" Chrom said quickly.
Basilio clears his throat "Well, that would be ONE option, yes... But perhaps we've seen enough royalty waltzing into traps for one war already, eh?".
"I don't care if it's a trap, Basilio. He's going to murder my sister!" Chrom said, his anger blinding him.
"Peace, Chrom. Breathe a moment. No one's suggesting we don't act. We're simply saying we should act WISELY. We'll need guts AND wits in equal measure if we're to save your sister" Flavia said.
"The khans are right. I'll think of something, Chrom. I promise" Robin said.
Chrom took deep breaths "...All right, Robin. I leave it to you to formulate our strategy".
"Are you certain you're up to the task, Robin? It won't be easy. You hold the exalt's life in one hand, and all of ours in the other" Flavia said.
"A responsibility I do not take lightly. But I am equal to the challenge" Robin declared.
Flavia smiled "Ha ha! You've got stones, at least. I like that!".
Basilio smirks "No hesitation, no mincing words... He's either a genius or a fool! I suppose we'll find out once we march. Hold on to your tassets, Ylisseans. We've an exalt to save!".
"We will save your sister, Chrom. I swear we will!" Cassandra said, full of determination. The Plegians has gone way to far this time, and she will make them pay.
With that, everyone hurried to prepare, knowing they didn't have a second to lose. They needed to save Emmeryn before it's to late... This was just became much more personal.
.
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