Robin tried his best not to panic and run in the opposite direction, far from the beast, but alas the beast blocked their only way out; trapping them inside what had been their own shelter. Lissa cowered behind Chrom as his two knights came to his defense. Frederick stood his ground and bore his axe, and Sully was left with her splintered spear shaft. Robin paged his tome for another spell to attack with, and stared aghast at the number of blank pages. His small array of spells, no doubt built up throughout his previous life, had almost been exhausted. The clustered amount of runes amounted to maybe three more spells. He reached for his sword and remembered; he had left it behind when the quakes broke out.
Frederick shouted and charged forward. He swung his axe at the creature's leg, but drew forth none of the miasma. The creature didn't even regard Frederick before kicking him back. Chrom and Sully caught Frederick's bulky frame as he skid back. The creature arched its shoulders as it gripped the broken log with both hands.
It's far more durable than the other creatures...
The creature started forward. Everyone stepped back. Its red eyes shimmered as they darted before the six targets. With a mighty swing, it swept the log across the ground, bring forth a gust a wind and just squarely missing the retreating party. Rocks and dust flew at them as the creature lowered the log once more and started forward. It's no good if we get backed into a corner, but then what are we supposed to do if we get too close?
Rather unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on one's viewpoint, Virion had a stroke of genius and decided to stand still. Sully barked at him to keep moving as she kept their pace. Virion brandished an arrow, of which he had few left as well, and poised to fire at the creature.
"You cannot threaten us!" he drew back the string. "And I certainly won't stand for it!" Another step and the creature would be able to knock Virion away with a single swipe. "Die with magnificence!" Virion fired the arrow, striking the creature in the neck, sending it backward. Virion pumped his bow into he air in victory as he laughed. The creature began to tremble as it slumped backwards.
"I don't believe it..." Sully was in awe.
And neither do I... Robin observed carefully. Where's that mist?
"T'was only a matter of quality over quantity, I'm afraid," Virion said as he cast a glance to the knights behind him. "Your axe was powerful, but lacked the precision of a well placed arrow."
The creature stirred. It suddenly lurched forward, eyes ablaze, snarling. It reached one pale hand over to its neck and angrily removed half of the arrow. Virion stumbled backwards.
"Virion back! We need a plan!" Robin shouted. The archer disregarded Robin and notched another arrow. He launched the arrow, striking the creature in the eye. It recoiled again, but was swifter still in dislodging the projectile and readying its weapon.
This may take a concentrated assault, if I could work out a formation...
It swung downwards. Virion feinted -or rather stumbled- far to the side, deftly avoiding the weapon but was knocked back by the force. The creature reached forward and gripped the archer by his ruffled cravat. Virion stabbed an arrow into the arm that held him, but the creature did not notice. It leaned its head forward as miasma spewed, as if it had the intention to bite the archer's head off. The archer started shouting words from another language as he struggled.
Sully held her own splintered shaft forward. "Like hell you will!" She shouted and charged.
"Sully!" Chrom called after her in vain. The crimson knight ran to the side and drove her splintered piece of wood far into the creature's chest. The creature groaned and looked down at her. It set its log aside and swung Virion into Sully, knocking them both to the side. Sully joined Virion in his incoherent shouting, though she didn't bother to speak in a language anyone used.
The creature set its gaze on Chrom as it moved forward again. Robin prepared a spell as he watched the creature's movements. He was about to relay his plan of attack, when the creature breathed hard, and spoke.
"Branded..." it moaned. Chrom and Lissa quickly backed away. "Kill the Branded..."
Lissa went wide-eyed. "It doesn't mean-"
"It knows who we are!" Chrom growled as he readied his sword. The creature swung its log again, scattering the group. Robin rolled to the side, less gracefully than he would've liked, and collided with a tipped barrel.
With a shout he unleashed a bolt of thunder. It struck the creature in the side of the head, instantly drawing its attention. Chrom and Frederick drew back as Sully and Virion managed to pull themselves to their feet. The creature started to lumber towards Robin.
"Okay so here's the plan!" Robin shouted. "I don't got a lot of spells left, but I'm gonna draw its attention! And I want you guys to strike whenever possible! It may be tough, but I'm betting it can die from a thousand cuts!"
Chrom was incredulous. "What?!"
"He means to use himself as bait..." Frederick observed, expression grim.
"I hadn't noticed!" Chrom snapped. "Let's not give that thing anytime to hurt him. Sully, can you fight?"
The crimson knight had just finished pulling herself to her feet. She reached for another splintered piece of wood before thinking better and discarding it. "Not till I find a weapon," she said glumly. Chrom could tell Frederick was biting back from repeating his comment from earlier. The Archer had repositioned himself and notched another arrow.
"I will fire all I have on your word!" he called. Chrom signaled Frederick as he ran for the creature.
"I'll go first!" He swung his blade and caught the creature's back, splitting its dry skin open and revealing stiff rubbery muscles that frilled outwards as they were sliced. Still no gas spewed from the creature's body. The creature turned its head and snarled.
"Virion!" Robin called. The archer complied and fired another arrow, striking the creature's shoulder. It swung its log at Virion, clipping his bow and knocking it from his grip. The iron weapon skid across the floor as Virion buckled to hold his hands. Sully took the opportunity to dash to the other side of the fort while the creature had its gaze set on the archer.
Robin quickly paged for another spell and sent it forth. "Eyes over here!" he shouted as the Thunder spell struck the creature and sent it backwards. It started for Robin again, who managed himself a smile.
"It's about as dumb as the other ones," he said to himself. "If we can keep this up we'll wear it down in no time!" Virion had carefully sidestepped the hulking mass and retrieved his bow. Robin noted with disdain that the archer had a single arrow left, meaning they would soon be out of options for ranged attacks.
"Again! Frederick, on me!" Chrom charged forward, the Knight close behind him. Chrom readied his blade for another strike, both Robin and Virion had their own attacks ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Chrom drew near and Robin saw the creature's eyes turn at the sound of his approach. "Again, Virion!"
Virion let loose the final arrow straight for the creature's face. The creature turned and swung its log.
The arrow caught helplessly on the splintered piece of wood.
"C-Chrom!" Robin shouted. Chrom complied and made for a charging swing. The creature turned and struck the fighter, knocking him back into a pile of barrels. Chrom let out a sharp gasp as the wind was let out of him. His sister ran to his side with her healing staff. "Hey, ugly, over here!" Robin readied one more spell as runes flew from the book's pages. The creature snarled at him as it drew its gaze away from Chrom. "Hah!" Robin flung out his hand... and watched as a recipe for eel stew illuminated the air, and fizzled away. "What..."
No offensive magic was cast. Robin looked down at the pages of his tome and found no more runes. "...I'm spent! I'm out of spells!" He cried. The creature snarled and flung another attack at Robin, missing.
Frederick shouted and swung his axe. The creature swung at Frederick. He held out his axe and caught the log. He groaned as he was pushed backwards by the beast's force. The log split loudly as the silver blade dug through it. The knight began to crumple under the weight, and Robing watched helplessly.
Chrom pulled himself to his feet. "Frederick, I got this!" As the creature fought Frederick for control of the log, Chrom dashed from the side and drove his Falchion through the creature's wrist, lessening the strain on Frederick before he removed the blade. The fingers went limp as the swollen hand hung loose from its forearm; only its skin and a few strands of dried muscle kept it attached. With only a single hand, the creature began to lose to the Knight in their struggle. Miasma spewed.
Finally! That's what happened to the lesser creatures... All we have to do is strike deep enough! Robin drew back. But that's gonna be tricky now that only two out of five fighters can properly defend themselves...
With a heave, the knight detached his axe and prepared to swing again.
The creature let out an irritated grunt as it pulled back its useless limb. Frederick brought the axe down, smirking as he did it. It cut the creature's shin wide open. More of the foul smoke arose, to the tactician's relief, but Robin realized with a start that he had no way to distract it again.
The creature drew back and readied its axe for one final swing. "Frederick back!"
Too late. The Creature howled and brought its log down on the knight. Robin braced himself for the image of the blue knight flattened against the ground and the cracking sound of a broken body.
The sound came, but not from the Knight. Frederick proudly stood his ground as the log splintered against his body. With a mighty crash the log disintegrated into fragments against his armor. The knight flinched at the force, but was otherwise unharmed.
Robin gawked. A log is a log for sure, but it should have at least knocked him over! What kind of guy is he?! A smile slowly appeared on Frederick's face, and for a moment Robin wasn't sure who he feared more. With a grunt the knight landed another hit on the creature, slicing its other wrist. The creature dropped what remained of its weapon.
"Yah!" With a shout Virion ran from behind, brandished a dagger, and clawed a gash into the monster's side. Gas seeped from the wound. We're wearing it down... it's bleeding out just like a normal person... Where would the best place to hit be?
"You had that this whole time?!" Sully called from afar.
"I didn't want to get it dirty 'till I used all my arrows!" Virion retorted humorlessly.
Robin remembered; the creature's neck still had a shaft of Virion's arrow lodged inside it. Perhaps it had pierced enough to cause damage, as they had seen earlier, but as it remained in place the gas remained safely inside.
"Somebody!" Robin shouted. "Knock that arrow free or land another hit on its neck! We need it to bleed out!"
"Slit its throat for the slaughter, of course," Virion mumbled as he wiped off his dagger. The creature started to thrash with its two limbs, forcing everyone back. Frederick leaped and swung at the creature's chest, nicking just below its collarbone. He was knocked backwards by a well placed kick, but just as the log before had failed, he was not knocked down.
"I'm afraid its a rather lofty goal, so to speak!" Frederick shouted.
"Gotcha covered!" Robin turned at the sound of Sully dashing from the other side of the fort.
"Sully, half a moment!" Chrom called after in vain once more as the crimson knight kicked herself up the creature's body, latching onto the spear handle still embedded in its skin. The creature started to attempt to shake her off. Sully shouted but hung tight. The creature brought one of its limbs down on its chest and beat like an ape. Sully was struck several times.
"Sully down!" Frederick shouted. Robin was quiet. In between blows, Sully reached for the remainder of the arrow in its neck. With another kick up the creature's body she finally gripped it and held tight. The creature reached with its weakened hand and gripped her waist.
"You better watch it, chump, I'm warning you!" She gripped with both hands. With a final shout, the creature yanked the knight loose like a tick. The arrow left with her, and Sully smiled. "Moron."
The arrow left a nasty gash where it had been removed, and the dank smoke positively spewed from the open wound. Its body convulsed with pain. It dropped Sully, and she struck the ground hard.
"Its ready for the kill!" Robin cheered.
Frederick and Chrom readied their weapons. "As one!" The captain shouted. Once more they ran for the beast. Chrom leaped into the air and brought his sword down on the creature's shoulder. The creature went to its knees, exposing its neck to Frederick.
"Your last breath approaches, Creature!" The knight swung his axe in a mighty downwards arc. It caught the monster's neck and worked its way down in one clean stroke. The ashen body crumpled to the ground, headless. The stringy mass of hair tumbled away helplessly as a geyser of miasma shot from the stump. The body shrunk, crumpled, and finally started to mist away; its severed body part soon joined it.
The two fighters stood back, panting. Lissa started running to each of the fighters, checking for damage. Frederick helped Sully to her feet, who was still smiling at the creature's demise.
"It was my arrow that secured our victory, no?" Virion ventured carefully. "So if we had to name the 'hero' of this particular encounter, so to speak..."
Sully's smile disappeared. "Shaddup, Ruffles."
Robin and Chrom carefully inspected the grounds outside the fort, searching for any sign of the creatures. Their bodies had long dissipated during their fight with the hulking one, and the light stink of their miasma hung in the air. The nobleman had retreated to retrieve his bundle.
"No sign..." Chrom breathed. His head turned as he scanned the nightscape. "None at all... did that even happen? Gods..." He hung his head and held his brow. Robin didn't blame him for doubting the last two hours. The lack of sleep had caught up with him as well, and he dragged his feet wherever he went.
"The coast seems to be clear for now," Robin said. "We should probably think about whether we head out or not."
"No," Chrom let out an anguished laugh before continuing. "Haha, no. Not after tonight. We find a way to block off the entrance again and we sleep. Maybe post a watch..."
The two worked their way back to the fort. Frederick had set the two doors upright, but they would not close with one set of hinges broken. The knight rested on a partially broken crate as he studied his work.
"Good work, Frederick," Chrom gave the knight a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It will make a good choke point if there are more of those things out there."
The knight shook his head. "Its not quite up to standard, Milord..." he said quietly. There was no hint of fatigue in his voice, but his body language was sluggish, marginally. "The warped latches could be hammered back into shape, and I could cut down a tree and fashion bolts to hold it in place. With a little extra effort it would be as if the doors were never broken-"
"Frederick?"
"Yes milord?"
"It's just for one night. It'll do."
"...As you wish."
The two squeezed in between the doors and into the fort. Sully had lit a campfire within a makeshift hearth, composed of rubble from the creature's attack. Lissa rested on her knees, here eyes sleepily fluttering open and shut. Robin sat down next to her and warmed his hands by the flames.
"Any sign of the nobleman?" Chrom asked. Sully let out a resigned shrug as she tossed a piece of broken wood into the fire.
"Don't know, don't care." She stoked the fire with what remained of her spear. "He could come back, or he could get eaten by those things. Doesn't matter."
"That's hardly a knightly thing to say," Chrom said with a smile. Sully didn't smile back.
"Half the words out of his damned mouth were hardly noble-like, so why should I bother?"
Lissa looked up at her brother. Her pigtails were messy and unkempt from the extra day and night on the road. "Chrom, we're not gonna march again, are we?" She asked worriedly. Chrom shook his head.
"No, sister, not tonight. We deserve a long rest. We can take it from here, you go to sleep."
"I'll try..." Lissa said as lay on her side. Her yellow clothes brushed against the dusty stone floor; a cut open, spread out sackcloth acted as a mattress for her. "Not sure I can, really... after all that..." Her voice quavered.
Chrom knelt beside his sister and faced the fire. "It'll be alright. Frederick and Sully are here with us. Nothing's going to happen." Lissa let out a soft grunt of agreement before drifting away, her breathing finally entering the rhythm of sleep.
Chrom rose up to face Robin and the two knights. "How does noon sound?" he asked. "Its already midnight, and six hours hardly feels like time to rest."
"Hell, fine by me." Sully poked the fire again. "But ol' Freddy-D prolly won't like it. 'If we were at war we'd march every dawn' or some crap like that is what he'd say."
"Frederick was tired too," Chrom assured her. "I think we all want rest. We may have to set a watch while the others sleep though, I don't think we could bear another sneak-attack."
"Bear?!" Robin's eyes lit up as he turned away from the fire.
"It was a figure of speech, kid," Sully said dourly.
Robin started for the gate. "No, no, Chrom's bear! The one he caught for dinner, it may still be up in the hills where I left it."
Sully shot a look at her captain. "You had friggin' bear for dinner and you didn't tell me?!"
"Sully, it's been a tiring night- Robin do you intend to go alone?"
The tactician stopped at the gate and looked at the wooded hills surrounding them. He mentally traced his steps from when the quakes started, to when they were chased down into the valley by the creatures.
"It'll hardly be a moment. I thought I'd at least secure some meat for breakfast tomorrow. I'll be right back!" And with that Robin slipped through the doors and vanished. Frederick entered soon afterwards, casting a disdainful look over his shoulder.
"Should I go after him?" Chrom asked aloud. Frederick shrugged.
"On your order I would accompany him milord, but I'm sure the woods are safe. See, the forest is slowly regaining its old sounds," Frederick gestured to Sully's horse. "And surely if the animals are no longer afraid, we should be fine as well." Chrom quietly realized that Gwendolyn had not reappeared, but Frederick said nothing, so he did the same.
Chrom paused at the knight's words, but nonetheless rose to his feet and started outside. "It's as he said, it's not far away. I'll be right back. Frederick, would you keep watch as the others rest?"
The knight saluted with a clenched fist to his heart. "Of course milord."
Chrom slipped away from the fortress to search for Robin. He checked his sword once and saw that it had ceased its glowing completely. His foreboding from earlier from gone. Naga herself had gently set his mind at ease; the danger was long gone. His mind still swam as memories of the eye flooded back to him.
What manner of phenomenon could this be?
Robin sank to his knees in despair. The ground was upturned and dusty from the quaking, multiple trees rested on their sides; their roots garishly poking the open space. Before him lay a chasm, spewing forth still-warm air. A glint of bronze shimmered partway down, the remainder of his sword; and further down from that was the simmering body of a dead beast. The burning smell of bear taunted his nostrils as he gazed hopelessly down at the beautiful and delicious animal.
It was the perfect meal! Its taste was earthy and subdued but its texture was the right compromise between stringy and tender! The sweet fat complimented every bite! This bear must've dined on berries; the flesh was so sweet! Robin gripped the sides of the chasm and peaked over the edge as much as he dared without burning his hair off. He took a deep, nasal inhalation of the burning beast below, and let out a long sigh. A sweet, pleasing aroma to the gods, I suppose. We were fortunate enough to make it out alive... With a touch of resignation, Robin gave what remained of the bear as a sacrifice to the gods whose names he didn't remember, and rose to his feet.
He started dejectedly back towards the direction of the fort, and in spite of the bright moonlight, he couldn't help but feel a great chill overcome him once more. It wasn't invasive, as when he saw the creatures. It was simply the primal fear of the dark. He quickened his pace to find the fort once more.
He started to hear noises nearby. "Chrom?" He called out quickly. Further down the path he heard another set of noises. He spotted movement in a nearby clearing and dove behind a tree. Instantly, he confronted the possibility of facing another creature, unarmed in the dark. His heart pounded as he dared peak behind the tree.
The figure in the clearing was not a creature. It was maybe a head shorter than Robin himself, and was draped in dark blue cloth. A silver sword was sheathed to its side. It turned its head, and Robin realized the figure was wearing a mask. The man Lissa mentioned? ...But this figure was hardly a man. He was short, and his frame was small. He was maybe a few years older than Lissa. Boy is more fitting perhaps...
"Not here..." the figure whispered. He paced back and forth, head jerking back and forth as he scanned the trees. "Hello?!" He called out, his voice shook. Robin froze and said nothing. "Not here!" he repeated again. "None of them made it here, dammit... Dammit!" He kicked the earth and struck a tree with his fist, crying out. Did he come with friends? ...Did the creatures find them first?
"H-hello?" Robin called out. The mask instantly turned to face him; its many slits permeated by a bright set of eyes behind them. "I heard you helped us with-"
The figure drew its sword. Robin stepped back. The bright eyes blazed in the moonlight, but the figure's expression was impossible to read in the dim light.
"Woah, there's no need for-"
The figure shouted and charged with his sword.
Scratch it! Robin turned on his heel and ran. He jumped and skid over upturned trees and jutting rocks as the figure chased relentlessly. He hardly heard his attacker move or grunt sans the sounds of his feet pounding the earth.
The fort's withered flagpole came into view. Robin braced himself as he dove through a thin wall of branches and leaves; breaking into the clearing.
"Robin?!" Chrom was on the other side of the clearing and ran to meet him. "What on earth are you running from?"
Robin ran to Chrom's side and ducked behind him as the masked figure broke into the clearing. He stood still, panting, his sword poised in front of him.
"You...!" Chrom stepped forward. "What's all this? Put that away! This man is my companion!"
Chrom could no longer make out the eyes from behind the mask, there was too much distance. The figure's breathing slowed. He carefully assumed an upright posture and sheathed his blade.
"...My apologies." His voice was subdued and raspy. "I thought you were one of them."
For some reason Robin doubted that, but he said nothing.
Frederick and Lissa stepped outside the fort to meet the commotion. Frederick quickly marched to Chrom's side; Lissa tailing behind him. The figure moved his head to regard each of the figures. Sully arrived too and watched at a distance.
"I suppose we can safely assume you took care of any straggling creatures?" Frederick ventured. He received no response; not even a glance from the masked figure. His gaze was currently set hard on Chrom.
The shepherd cleared his throat. "I thank you for your help. I'm not sure what would have happened to any of us had you not intervened." The figure said nothing still. "My name is Chrom. Might I ask yours?"
"You..." the figure finally spoke. He turned his head away before answering. "You may call me Marth." Chrom's eyes lit up.
"Ah, after the warrior-king from legend? You certainly look the part..." The dark blue tunic and cloak were staples of any modern depiction of the old Archanean King; one of the first to ally with the Divine Dragon Naga. The cloak was even fastened to the figure's shoulder with a similar buckle; a metal piece fashioned like a red gem; the paint wore away from it however. "And you certainly fight like a hero." Marth lowered his head.
Was he embarrassed?
"Pray tell where did you come from, and where did you learn to fight?" Chrom asked.
"I'm not here to talk about me." Marth finally turned his head back to face them; response abrupt and voice stern. "What you just saw tonight was nothing but a prelude."
Chrom's expression hardened. "You mean there's more coming? Where? Can you tell us anything about these things?"
"Chrom. If that is your name... do you know these words?" Marth gripped the handle of his sword before he continued. "Two sleeping dragons..." Chrom's breathing stopped short.
"And?" Frederick pressed impatiently.
"Two sleeping dragons," Marth repeated.
"...They long to rise again..." Chrom finished the figure's sentence. Lissa and Robin turned surprised glances at the Shepherd, but Marth continued.
"One is mankind's foe..."
And Chrom finished, hesitantly. "The other his sacred friend..."
Marth set his gaze on the sky above him and finished the verse alone.
"Two will carry a dragon's brand...
Their meeting heralds the Awakening... and the world's end."
The clearing was silent. Lissa clung to her brother. "What does that have to do with anything?" Chrom responded, worried and impatient. Marth returned his gaze to the party.
"This world teeters on the brink of calamity, and it all comes back to two nations and their leaders... and the dragons they serve. If you wish for an eternity as this night, then go forth blindly into Fate's hands." Marth turned away and faced the valley. "but if you wish to know how to prevent it; find me in Regna Ferox. I will tell you more there."
"What's all this about?" Frederick shouted angrily. "If this danger is so urgent then surely you can tell us now!"
"I hold my tongue because I fear for the forces who may listen at this time..." Marth spoke evenly, unfazed by the knight. "Forgive me, but I shall say no more. You have been warned." And Marth began his departure.
Robin turned to Chrom. The man's brow was furrowed and his eyes confused. Lissa however stepped forward.
"Um, sir? Please wait a moment!" She called. Marth complied. He cast a glance back at them. Lissa lowered her eyes and clutched her staff. "Um... what you did was very brave, and I... Thank you for saving me."
"...Think nothing of it, Milady." Those were the last words Marth spoke. A moment later he had vanished into the pale night.
Virion returned shortly after; completely missing the encounter with Marth. He carried his large bundle with him, which he set on the stone floor of the fort. He instantly set to work unwrapping it. The others remained quiet about their encounter with the masked man. Chrom was worried and distracted, and Lissa stared after where the man had departed; red flooding her cheeks.
Robin didn't know what to think. As far as he was concerned he had been attacked! The man only stayed his blade in the presence of Chrom. What could possibly motivate him to attack an unarmed man after the creatures had been taken care of? And what was he shouting about before Robin had distracted him?
Perhaps I am equal parts endearing or aggravating to whomever I meet. While Chrom and Lissa welcome me, Frederick and this Marth fellow respond to the aggravating part. ...Did he perhaps mistake me for that hooded figure from before? Had he arrived from the eye as well?
"Ah! Here we are...!" Virion proudly unveiled a collection of weapons; arranged neatly across the wide sheet used to hold the article together. He arranged several works of iron and steel; blades and spearheads as well as bows and arrows; their blades wrapped in cloth as to not slice anything as they were carried. Robin spotted the glimmer of silver somewhere among the assortment; some of these weapons were of very high value.
"And pray tell, what brings a man like you to Ylisse?" Frederick ventured. At last, finally! Robin didn't necessarily wish for this strange nobleman to fall under Frederick's scrutiny, but he was eager for an explanation himself and hadn't found the courage to ask.
The nobleman proudly fluffed out his cravat and proceeded to remove the metal armor binding his arm. "Ah yes... allow me to tell the tale..." Robin heard Sully groan. The Nobleman stood upright. "I my friends, am Rosanne de la Virion-"
"We know!" came the simultaneous cry from Lissa and Sully.
"You didn't let me finish..." The archer's expression took on a perfect exaggeration of downcast. "I suppose I shall be... relatively brief. I wouldn't want to spare anything important after all.
"My... home estate shall we say is host to many a fine metalworker." The nobleman gestured to the many weapons he had lain out. "Everything you see here is of the finest make; handmade by the greatest of blacksmiths and forgers from my homeland of the Duchy of Rosanne."
"And where would that be?" Robin ventured.
"It is a province of the continent of Valm," Frederick answered before the nobleman could. "Home of the 'Other Hero King;' a land of great turmoil."
The nobleman nervously fluffed out his cravat again and pulled at his collar. "That is... a very specific way to put it..." he admitted, but Frederick continued.
"The history of Valm is one of a constant struggle for power. Whereas the Hero-King lead the lands of Archanea into prosperity and holds it firm with his bloodline to this very day..." Frederick shifted in his seat as he continued. Chrom covered his face with his palm and let out a sigh. "The Other Hero King could only unite his land for a scant few generations! What remains of his grand empire are constantly at eachother's throats, to this very day. And if the rumors are true... then the fighting among dynasts and dukes has gotten especially bad. It is no wonder many Valmese are fleeing to other lands."
"Frederick!" Chrom snapped. "Perhaps we shall let a man who knows of his own country speak for himself!"
"No no, I'm afraid your blunt knight is correct. Blunt, but right nonetheless," Virion's frame deflated as he took a seat on the dusty floor. "My home was small, and a great force has been sweeping the continent, claiming provinces. Hardly the first time it has happened of course... but it was in my best interest to pursue a life outside of the continent until things blow over."
The nobleman gestured to the weapons. "As carrying any amount of wealth overseas is both unreasonable and illegal; I thought to sell these instead. Seeing as I barely got the chance to do that, I feel it is within Sully's rights (and you lot by extension) to freely take some for your own. Go on, surely Sir Robin at least could use a new blade for that empty sheath of his." Lissa stared rather uninterested at the pile of weapons.
The nobleman reached down for a steel spearhead and tossed it over to Sully. She snatched it out of the air and examined it. "You will have to provide your own shaft I'm afraid. I have a javelin here for you as well, should the urge to strike from afar ever resurface."
"That's mighty kind of you..." Sully said absently as she held the pike.
Chrom reached for a weapon and held up a silver axe. He examined it carefully. "Frederick, perhaps you could retire the axe that got burnt by all that magic..."
"It served us just fine tonight, milord. If it is truly below par; I'll temper and reforge it myself."
Gods but he's committed. Robin reached for an iron sword. He swung it once or twice and found it a major improvement over the weathered bronze sword he had carried. It was lighter but he could feel the greater balance and force in each swing. "I don't suppose you have a spell tome somewhere in there?" He asked.
Virion laughed. "I suppose next you shall ask me to procure a wyvern from Chon'sin! ...That is to say, no. Preposterous I'm afraid; Rosanne was never well versed in any magic sans the healing arts."
I know neither of those things... "That's a shame..." Robin sheathed the blade and found it fit perfectly in his sheath.
"Um, Virion?" Chrom spoke up. He hadn't claimed any weapon for himself. "I know an arms dealer in the capital of Ylisstol. We could lead you there that you could conduct business with him."
"What?" Frederick spoke up incredulously.
"Chroooom...!" Sully pointed her finger and growled at the captain.
"It's only fair. You've lent us weapons and helped with the threat from earlier."
Virion smiled and rose to a knee as he held a hand to his heart. "On my honor, Sir Chrom. Truth be told I came here in search of you to begin with... but my own matters can wait. I will be happy enough to once more be within the walls of a city and have a proper bed."
With that settled, conversation died down as Virion repackaged his bundle and Lissa once more went to sleep.
"We should set up a guard until sunrise," Frederick said. "It will be a good five hours; that amounts to about three two hour shifts. Who would like to go first?"
"Pass," Robin said weakly. "I'm hardly staying awake as it is." He lay on his back, relying on his cloak to shield himself from the cold stone floor.
Virion flourished his hair. "Should take a sharp eye this late at night; therefore I humbly agree to-"
"I'll go," Sully interjected. She helped herself to one of Virion's javelins and walked up to the ramparts. Virion deflated once more and watched her go. "Take it easy Chrom, Frederick. See y'all in the morning."
The sounds of the night grew louder as the campfire grew dimmer. Just before he fell asleep; Robin heard the knight whisper to his liege.
"Milord; the Sacred Verse of the First Exalt... He recited it ad verbatim! Does this not disturb you?"
"Greatly, Frederick. We haven't the time to worry tonight however. We will wait till we speak with Emmeryn tomorrow."
Not another word was spoken, and Robin drifted to sleep.