How she had cried that day.
Both her father and mother had refused to see her, citing how this was an important meeting that could not be delayed, nor could she be allowed to stay in their presence. Angry, she ran and hid in the furthers corner of the castle, intending to stay hidden until her parents would order the entire castle staff to find her.
That would show them!
But no one came.
She had secluded herself atop a tree in the royal garden. It was her own little refuge whenever she felt the need to hide, but…
Maybe she had hidden herself too well? As the hours went, Lucina could feel herself growing hungry and decided enough was enough. Hunger had won over her anger, and she decided to see if she could raid the kitchen for something delicious.
As she tried to climb down the branches of the tree, she lost her footing and fell. It was a nasty landing. While she was fortunate to not land on her head, she did sprain her ankle in the fall. She did not know how long she laid there on the ground and cried. The pain was searing, and she just wanted it to stop. But it didn't.
She wanted someone to hold her and comfort her, but no one would likely come. There was rarely anyone in the gardens. Never had she felt so alone.
''Lucina! What happened?''
It was her uncle Robin that would find her first after what felt like an eternity.
''I…(sob)…I fell! It hurts! Uncle…(sob) Uncle…make it stop!''
Immediately Robin was by her side and examined her leg before gently caressed her forehead.
''There…there…It's just a sprained ankle. You'll be fine, we just need to bring you to the infirmary and have that leg looked at, ok?''
With difficulty Lucina nodded at this. Robin gave her a reassuring smile before digging a small flask op from his coat.
''Here drink this, it'll help against the pain.''
The drink was bitter and difficult to keep down, Lucina nearly spat it out, but once she managed to swallow the unpleasant drink, it immediately warmed her body in a pleasant way. The pain was still there but it grew numb and more bearable.
''I'm going to carry you now, ok?''
Gently Robin lifted her up in a bridal style. Lucina gave a whimper and clung to the tactician with all the strength she could muster.
At the infirmary she was quickly seen to and placed in a bed. The healers bandaged her feet to apply compression and placed some cold bags around it for it to not swell further.
Robin for his part stayed with her during the entire process, sitting beside her as the healers attended her. Coming with a few comforting words to her from time to time.
After the healers left, he spoke.
''Angry at your parents?''
Lucina knew it was not really a question, but more of a statement. Her uncle always seemed to be able to read her like an open book. Lucina meekly nodded in response.
''Father said he didn't have time for me…''
At this he gave a tired sigh.
''Lucina…You need to understand that your parents are important people. Your father especially…And they have a great many duties to attend. One day you'll need to do the same.''
That did not help her getting in a better mood at all.
''But I'm their daughter…''
''Your father is Exalt of Ylisse and your mother is his queen. They are not only responsible for you and your little sister, but for the entire country and its people. They must also make time for them.''
Lucina didn't respond to this and simply starred down at her hands; it was a lecture she had received all too often.
''Look…Lucina…Your parents can't always be with you but know that they love you and by attending their duties, they are protecting you in more ways than you can see. It would break their heart if anything ever happened to you, so you must promise me that you don't do anything as reckless as climbing a tree unsupervised in the future.''
His voice was soft and caring. She knew that he genuinely cared for her as much as her parents, yet she still felt grumpy at the entire situation. It would take a few days before she would be ready to forgive her parents.
''Maybe just think about it, ok kiddo?''
She did not answer his question but came with one of her own.
''Will you stay with me?''
He laughed; it was a pleasant laugh.
''Can't promise that I will always be with you, but I would gladly do it for as long as I can.''
The tactician then made himself more comfortable in his seat and with an elegant motion precured a green apple from the nearby table. A small knife appeared on his right hand, and he began to cut the fruit with practiced movements.
He then handed her the largest piece.
''Here, eat. You must be hungry hanging up in that tree all day.''
The apple was bitter yet had an agreeable sweetness to it. Lucina could feel herself getting in a better mood, as she ate. As soon as she finished her first piece, her uncle immediately gave her another.
Time passed in silence as she ate, and he cut. Once she finished the last piece, Robin rose from his seat.
''I'll tell your parents were to find you. Stay out of trouble now, ok Lucina?''
He then ruffled her hair in a playful manner, she couldn't help but to give a small giggle and nodded in response.
At this he gave her a warm smile. His crimson eyes seemed to shine with a warmth and care that made Lucina understand that she was loved more than she would ever know.
Despite him not being related to her family, he was always there for her whenever they were not, she loved him for that…she loved her uncle Robin.
The armies of Ylisse after much preparation was finally sailing off from Port Ferox. It was a curious sight, most of the ships appeared to be sparsely manned and barely any of their soldiers were equipped with heavy plate. Even if the combined army of Ylisse numbered at least fifty thousand, more than half of their number had been left behind at port.
Hardly an assuring situation if one were to go against an enemy with at least twice the number and most of their soldiers armed to the teeth.
Even so moral was high for the soldiers knew that they were under the command of the legendary tactician Robin of Ylisse.
Surely, he had a plan.
And surely, he did. Robin did not leave half of the army at home because of some folly, it was simply because it would not be enough room to transport them all to Valm in one trip. Over half of the ships had been loaded with oil and explosives. The plan was to send them amongst the midst of the Valmanese fleet. The fleet of Valm, which mostly consisted of simple transports, would naturally try to board them owing that they lacked other ways to fight. After which the ships would be set on fire; dragging the entire Valmanese fleet in a firestorm that would hopefully consume them all.
Lucina did not like this.
The plan was too reckless, too risky.
A key point in the plan involved her father's flagship charging straight into the enemy's centre. It would be the only ship that would engage the Valmanese directly, and the only ship that would be fully manned with the cream of the top of Ylisse. Worse they were to make it clear to the enemy that this was their flagship with bright banners and flags and all.
''Why must you put yourself at risk father?''
Lucina was currently arguing with her father in his private cabin. It was a small dim room with little space, but it served well enough. Her father was not one for luxury. Both father and daughter were looking over a map of the ocean between Ylisse and Valm. The last war council before the battle had been held a few hours ago and Exalt Chrom had just briefed Lucina of their plans himself.
''Because we need to create an illusion that this is a genuine assault and lure their flagship to engage us. We'll then take out their general and prevent them to coordinate any effective response to our little surprise.''
Lucina was unconvinced.
''And how can you be sure that their leader would take the bait?''
''He's a glory hound. Virion is familiar with their general, and he has told me that any self-respecting servant of the Conqueror would be eager at the prospect of taking my head themselves. Apparently, my head would make quite the gift. Not that I blame them, I'm quite dashing, no?''
This made Lucina uneasy, she could not fathom how her father could smile at the last sentence.
''Father! How can you not take this seriously! You could die! And our soldiers…They are not equipped properly and…''
Her father lifted his hand to silence her.
''I do not fear death with the Shepards at my side. And our soldiers are equipped as the situation demands it. Heavy armour would drag them to the bottom of the sea if they were to fall overboard.''
Lucina still had her fears.
''But…the wind…how can we be sure that the wind will be on our side…and the fire…would it not consume us as well?''
''Each ship would have a few mages that will cast wind to drive our ships forward and they will leave their post with their assigned riders as soon as they near the enemy. As for us, Robin have assured me that by manipulating the flow of the wind, we can effectively shield ourselves from the fire. Not that I know the specifics, but I trust in his expertise.''
It seemed that the traitor had versed her father well in whatever arguments she could have had.
Her father approached her and gently held her hands.
''Lucina, I know you just want to protect me, but have a bit of faith. Nothing is going to happen to me here. And I didn't die in your time before many years from now, so have faith.''
Lucina nodded at this and gave her father a smile before excusing herself.
She knew she had lost this battle.
As she came up on deck, Lucina began to ponder the last few days events.
She would be alone in this battle; her companions had been assigned to different ships that would keep a respectable distance from the decoy ships. Of course, she might have been able to request that they be assigned to the flagship, but that would not serve. It would be suspicious if she was to request the presence of seemingly random people. She preferred that her relations be kept hidden for now.
At least she had managed to have a private word with each of her companions before sending them off to their respective posts. Luckily, team Hawkeye had all been assigned to the first wave of the Ylissean invasion force, even if they were not posted on the same ship. As for the team Past Diggers, they had left Port Ferox a few days before the ships set sails. With any luck they would be able to complete their mission in time to rejoin them alongside the second invasion wave.
More importantly she managed to talk to Noire about the possibility of poisoning the chief tactician. Noire had been her mother's assistant, and Lady Tharja had been a most competent potion brewer. It should not have been too difficult for her to slip something in the tactician's food when the time was right.
However, Noire had vehemently refused to even entertain the idea, citing fearfully how her mother always kept an obsessive close watch on the tactician.
''Nothing gets past her when it comes to him! She would see through it immediately! And if she ever figures out, who did it…Dear Gods Lucina! Please don't ask me to do it! She would tear me apart! Daughter or no!''
And so, Lucina had let it drop. Sometimes she wondered how it was even possible that Lady Tharja managed to have Noire, given how obsessive she was with the tactician. He never married in her timeline.
But at least she had explored the more subtle option of getting rid of the tactician, even if it was not the most honourable. But as one had taught her before; All is fair and game in war.
Lucina would spend her time inspecting the ship and crew yet couldn't find anything that might be a threat to her or her father. If that traitor was planning on something it was not happening on this ship.
And so, the days dragged on.
On the seventh day after leaving port, the Ylissean ships finally faced their opponent.
The battle went as the tactician had predicted. The Valmanese eagerly swarmed the Ylisseans ships and found little resistance on most of them. For them it seemed that the Ylisseans had already lost heart, abandoning ship as soon they were boarded. They would laugh at how the cowards flew or swam away to the other ships that was in the process of sailing away from the battle.
All did this except one; The flagship of Ylisse. And so, the valmanese fell on it with all their might, ignoring the other ships that had abandoned the battle. In their mind those cowards were not even worthy of the conqueror's wrath. If any of them suspected foul play, they did not voice it or were ignored by their superiors that were hungry for glory.
Surrounded, the Ylisseans was assaulted at every possible direction, yet they held firm. Eager to engage such worthy opponents the Valmanese general ordered his soldiers to clear the way for him and his personal guard.
''Ylisse! You have fought brave and hard, but your situation is hopeless! Surrender! And I; Ignatius! General of the great conqueror Walhart shall grant you mercy! Refuse and the sea shall become your grave!''
The Valmanese General was clad in blood red plate armour yet moved as if it didn't encumber him at all.
A big and intimidating man yet it was clear that he was far older than her father with balding spots on his head, and a face that was hard and aged.
Her father was not intimidated.
''No, it is you and your men that are walking to your graves! If you want my head, then come, and take it yourself!''
At this the general smiled.
''And so shall I…''
With a roar, the general charged with his bodyguard across the ramp that connected their respective ships. Exalt Chrom did the same with his Shepards, and their forces clashed in the middle of the ramp.
The ramp was wide and strongly built, made to withstand the heavy weight of dozens of men clad in full plate. It made it possible for the Valmanese to cross without fear of their bridge breaking, but it also gave the Shepards room to manoeuvre around their heavier opponents.
Lucina used this to her full advantage. Using the extra space to sidestep two enemies before slashing them across their throats were there was little armour. She even kicked one out of the ramp were he quickly drowned in the water. Her efforts made a hole in the general's defence and her father was able to rush in and engage the general himself.
The battle was short but intensive. While the general was bigger and maybe stronger than her father, he was considerable slower and less nimble, and he did not possess a magical sword that would cut through any plate. After a few exchanges of blows, Chrom ran his sword through the general's belly as he prepared to make another strike. His opponent made a bloody grunt, before falling to his knees and remained motionless.
Her father quickly withdrew his blade from his opponent's corpse and wasted no time moving on with their plan.
''Frederick! Give the signal! Their general is dead!''
With that Knight Captain Frederick blew a small horn, and their mages, who had remained hidden down the hull, emerged and began to enact a ritual that would detonate all their decoy ships.
Fire erupted across the entire Valmanese lines, and men began to panic and shout.
In the chaos, no one had noticed that the general rose up again and prepared to charge the distracted Exalt.
No one, but Lucina…
Acting quickly, she rammed into the huge man before he could attack her father. As they fell from the ramp and into the water, the general turned around and caught her in a powerful bearhug. A huge splash was heard, and both Lucina and General Ignatius sank into the deeps.
Lucina desperately tried to free herself from the dying mans grasp, but to no avail. She was losing air and could feel herself growing weaker as the seconds passed.
She could not die here! Not like this! Not before she could ensure that her father would be safe! Not before…
Lucina could feel herself losing consciousness, but suddenly someone grabbed her by her collar and with one mighty pull, freed her from the general's arms.
Her saviour secured her with one arm around her waist and began to swim op. As they reached the surface, Lucina's body made her grasp for air and she began to kick wildly in a desperate act to stay afloat, but it was difficult as waves of saltwater keep assaulting her and her saviour.
''Easy…Easy…Don't flail, move your limbs in circular motions…circular motions.''
Lucina tried to do as the voice instructed her. She could not see for the water and had only strength to keep herself afloat. She would have drowned if not for her saviour pulling her up back to their ship as someone threw them a rope.
Once on deck Lucina tried to clear her lungs for seawater. Her eyes still burned, and everything was a blur.
''Are you alright?''
It was the voice of her saviour, she had thought at first it was her father given how he held her, but as her vision cleared, she was not met with her father's familiar blue eyes, but with crimson red.
It was Robin, soaked as her and looking at her with a worried expression.
Immediately she kicked him away. He landed hard on the deck of the ship, while she in turn almost lost her balance.
''STAY WAY FROM ME! DON'T YOU…DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!''
She tried to reach for her blade, but was immediately restrained, while the other Shepards immediately moved to protect their tactician and help him up.
Shout of disapproval surrounded her, but Lucina did not care.
How dare he…How dare he look at her with those caring eyes…
And done with another chapter ^^ Oh Lucina, Robin is just trying to help (or do he?) :P
Hopefully I would be able to write one more chapter before the year is over. Next chapter will be from the POV of Aversa.
Thank you all for reading and seya next time.