Miriel was not amused. From her perspective, everything leading up to her departure from Castle Ylisstol had gone swimmingly. Ricken - her pupil for the time being - had taken to his study of magic and the like extremely well, and she was confident leaving him at the castle to continue alone. The trip was suddenly pushed ahead of schedule- which was no concern of hers, it only meant one less hour of dawdling about the castle. Everything from the wagon onwards however was sheer tedium.
Things became irritating once she happened upon the weapons cart she would be guiding to the rendezvous point. The horse Frederick had assigned to pull the cart was of the eccentric and excitable variety, which she had little patience for. The cart was sloppily filled; bundles of spears and swords haphazardly placed inside with abandon, burying what little spare armor was brought along for the trip. The spare tomes she had requested were flung together into a burlap sack, which rested at the bottom of said pile.
The mage made no small deal of the Captain's mission, or the the Exalt's dependance on them, which is why she couldn't fathom such gross ignorance to detail. She allowed herself a scant ten minutes to rearrange the cart's interior to something more agreeable and orderly, inasmuch her scholarly constitution would allow her. The bundles of weapons were a lost cause, but she had freed up her tomes and the aforementioned armor by the time she was done.
Almost immediately Miriel hit another roadblock, quite literally. Just as she had taken the reins and sent the horse forward to pull the wagon, the front row of wheels ran over something large and solid that made the entire contraption jump upwards, nearly unseating her. Some fool had left behind a perfectly intact steel axe, free to tip over and nearly break the wagon wheels as it was ran over. This she hastily retrieved, dragged along the ground, and tossed into the back of the cart with abandon - striking the suit of armor. She already had a feeling she knew who was responsible, and if they wanted their axe badly enough after that, they could climb into the wagon and retrieve it themselves.
Miriel's ride through town and out the gate was uneventful and with little fanfare from the common people. A person like Sully would welcome the attention, whereas someone like Stahl, or even their own captain would be more apt to ignore or avoid such praise. She minded little either way. Once she was out of the gate and on her way to the Northroad, she made sure her steed was adjusted in its trajectory, and she cracked open a textbook to busy herself.
Through the rolling hills and dirt roads, she would occasionally catch a glimpse of a party pressing north further up the road - her comrades no doubt. Miriel saw no need to hasten her horse's step and proceeded at the usual speed. The unpaved roads made for a bumpy ride, what with the wagon wheels moving to and from the carved strips in the ground from previous travelers. This made it exceptionally hard to focus on her work, which she was doing ahead of time for Ricken's sake, and further dissuaded her from advancing her speed.
A couple of pieces of discarded food also alerted her to her comrade's passing through. She happened upon some discarded greens, the unfinished crusts of a piece of bread, and presently an apple core.
Surely those who can't take the time to burn their trash could at least toss it further from the road and let nature take it back?
The sweet smells of the forest and plains and the views of rollings hills and streams should have made for good concentration, but Miriel had a hard time getting her thoughts organized. She was already more than a little irate, and whenever she tried to focus on the mission at hand her mind inevitably drifted back to the Captain's report and the official mission statement from the council.
These creatures mentioned in the report, dubbed the Risen if she understood properly, had been a source of fascination and frustration both to her ever since she had read it. Why name a curiosity that fell from a portal in the sky as if it rose from the ground? She had little grasp on who or what these creatures or the young swordsman that appeared alongside them could be, but all signs seemed to point to Outrealm theory - something few scholars in her day took seriously.
Nevertheless, the council continues to amaze me.
When the Northroad finally came into view, sprawling alongside the rocky hills which marked the change from the grassy south to the mountains, Miriel became aware of an acute lack of caravans. She had yet to catch a glimpse of her comrades again, and could see them nowhere along the descent.
She cautiously bade her horse into a fast canter. Surely she hadn't been left behind already.
Miriel became aware of unfamiliar scent on the wind. It smelled strangely, and it only seemed to get worse as she progressed along the road. It seemed to be a cacophony of any and everything she thought disagreeable in a scent - the bluntness of old uncooked meat, the annoying persistence of rotting compost, and the stink of dog's breath - and the more she thought about it the more she realized that she could only describe the smell in these terms. It was as if this new element was determined to disgust her and her alone with everything she hated in a smell.
So lost in thought was she, that she was caught completely off guard in her descent down the hill when a sharp cry pierced the air. It bore the same raspy tone and deep intonation as a performer playing the part of a beast in a play, but it did so with frightening earnesty and so rawly it almost passed for the sound of an identifiable animal. It was enough to startle her horse and make it rear up in its shaft.
Miriel did her best to calm the horse as she adjusted her lenses and straightened her cap. She looked down once more to the road below, and finally made out several shapes exiting from the woods ahead. The lumbered forward with steady speed, screeching, howling. Their colors were pale and dull, they carried weapons, and they seemed to be moving to attack something, perhaps that gathering of horses that had just come into view at the bottom of the hill?
"...Huh…"
"What are those things?!" Stahl cried as he reared his horse back. The figures were in plain sight now, within galloping distance of the bridge. Even though he had only seen them at nighttime, Robin had no trouble identifying the ashen skin, swollen limbs, and stilted gait of these creatures. The daylight did them no favors. Their skin glinted an ugly shade of gray - too warm to be completely monochrome, too pale to even pass for a living creature's countenance. Nicks, cracks, and scars in their skin and armor were plainly apparent now. Their stone-grey masks rested unmoving upon their faces, brows set in an eternal glare. Heavy, rolling miasma spewed in puffs and clouds from their mouths and eyes, which shone red even in the sunlight.
Frederick took point as the other Shepherds scrambled backwards. Chrom, Lissa, Virion, and Vaike removed themselves from their horses.
"Those are the very things me and Sully fought off in the forest," the Rosannean spoke.
"And they're somehow uglier!" Lissa said in a shaky voice.
The creature's advance moved from a running charge to a sluggish march as they drew closer to the bridge.
Robin's steed exhaled nervously and shook its head about. Robin tried stroking its neck to calm it down, but he doubted his trembling hands did it much comfort. The sounds reminded him of that dark night in the woods, and his heart drummed inside his chest. He almost felt sick. He had forgotten until now how much he reviled these things, very least how they affected him physically.
"What did you call these things, 'Risen?' " Robin asked as he finally stepped down from his steed. He retrieved his sword and tome and had them strapped to his belt as his horse shuffled nervously.
Frederick nodded. "The council needed a name for the new threat, so they gave it one." He turned around to the others. "We need to act quickly! Phila faced some on her own, but we face much more than her! Everyone be prepared for the worst!"
"Prepare for them? They'd better prepare for us!" Vaike boasted. "Just wait till I drive my axe into their-" The fighter reached for the back of his belt to retrieve his weapon, but stopped and gawked.
"What, do you see something?!" Chrom looked between the bridge and his companion quickly.
"My axe… it's gone!" The Fighter began to panic.
Chrom grit his teeth. "So not in the mood, Vaike!"
"I'm serious! I coulda sworn I… I…" The fighter's expression dropped once more. "...I left it with the weapon cart."
"WHY are you a Shepherd?!" Sully shouted.
Chrom ran his hands through his hair. "O-Okay just… stay in the back with Sumia until we get these things under control." The Prince turned to Robin - wanting relief in his eyes. "Robin? We need a plan — fast."
The Risen howled from the other side of the river. In a matter of moments they'd begin crossing the bridge - giving them precious time to plan.
No less than five converging on the bridge, easily twice as many swarming at the forest - no sign of the caravan - we'd have to take three of theirs at least for each of our own, and one of them can't even fight! Robin tried to remain calm and think of a strategy - that was the very reason he was brought along in the first place, right? He'd need the most experienced soldiers at the front, or should the soldiers who'd never fought these before go first? No, sending someone like Stahl in front might be a mistake, he decided.
"A thought perhaps, Robin?" Frederick interjected. "All of these have fought alongside each other for years. Perhaps it'd be wise to stand back and let them do as they please… to start at least."
"What…?"
"Allow them to act on their own that you may get an idea on how they fight and behave, then you may be able to judge their abilities better. If something does go wrong, they can fall back on milord or myself." Frederick eyed the creatures in their approach. "The creatures in the forest had numbers and cover to their advantage, these do not - the odds are in our favor, and we can afford to be reckless if it may save us some time in the long run - even if we are short a member or two."
"I already admitted it!" Vaike called over. "Lay off!"
Robin considered this. He didn't want to run the risk of letting the Shepherds loose on these things and letting them get hurt. They still knew so little about these things - but it was all so sudden he barely had time to prepare in the first place. Perhaps an adlibbed plan was better than a half-baked one. The approaching creatures left little time to consider. Time was running out.
"Your call, Robin," Chrom said as he drew his sword. They could hear the creature's marching footsteps drum against the solid wood. "We'll do whatever you think is best."
"...Alright, let's improvise for a bit and get our bearings." Robin reached for his tome and nodded to Frederick. The knight nodded back and turned to the Shepherds.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" He bellowed. "...Especially those of you who brought their weapons!"
"Oh, bite me!"
"Their appearance was unwarranted, but the brutes have left us ample time to react! Our objectives - rout the enemy, clear their ranks as quickly as possible! Be aggressive and mind your allies! Fall back if you or a comrade needs help!
"Above all else: Protect your Prince and Princess! Even as one leads the charge and the other is in last place- not one of them is to fall!"
The others nodded and readied their weapons. Sully wore a devilish grin as she brandished her new spear, Stahl swallowed hard and drew his own iron sword, and Sumia sheepishly held a javelin as she dismounted her horse and awkwardly stepped forward.
"That goes the same for you, Robin," Frederick laid his eyes back on Robin. "As the Tactician you'll be of more worth in the fights ahead than even me, and we best start early in building the habit of keeping you alive."
"O-of course."
The Risen were nearly at the halfway point on the bridge. Their eyes shone brighter and the clinking of their armor grew louder. Their weapons gleamed in the light.
"Now then, any questions?!" Chrom shouted.
"Could I maybe borrow Frederick's axe till Miriel comes?" Vaike ventured.
"None? Good!" Chrom flung his mantle behind him as he pointed forward with his sword. "Shepherds, to arms!"
Robin leapt to the side as Sully charged forward on her horse. "I wiped the floor with you guys at night, let's see how I do with the sun in your eyes!" She shouted. The Risen halted their advance and shouted indignantly at the mocking voice.
A Risen swordsman growled and raised its weapon, idly waving it at the stallion as the beast strode by. Sully pulled her horse to the side, barely passing her foe. She raised her spear and stabbed it in the side of the head. Its mask crumbled and it toppled over the side of the bridge to be carried away by the waves, disintegrating and bubbling at the surface as its miasma created a trail of smoke along the current.
"That's one!" she cried triumphantly.
A spearman ran in front of her steed as if to be plowed over by it. Sully did not oblige and pulled her horse to a screeching halt. She held her spear forward and let her momentum carry its edge forward to pike the creature's chest - its leather armor tore. With a heave the crimson knight flung it over her shoulder. It tumbled to the ground - unmoving.
"That's two!"
A Risen brigand took the opportunity to leap forward and take a swing at Sully, neatly missing her face and grazing her horse's mane. She shouted and got her horse to move to the side once more. She stabbed with her spear and caught its shoulder, but it moved still. It charged and was stabbed once more to no avail. Sully grit her teeth. She stole a moment to turn her head back towards her comrades.
"Hey! Stahl! You wanna help or are ya just gonna watch?!"
Robin looked to the viridian armored Knight, whose horse had been counting nervously ever since Sully took off. He heard the viridian knight's apprehension as he let out a shaky sigh. "Oh… alright." The knight closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
With a shout Stahl sent his steed forward. It ran faster than Sully's and closed the distance instantly. With his first pass he slashed at the creature's shoulder. He turned his horse around, weaving past the other Risen. On his second pass lopped off its dominant arm, sending its axe hurtling into the grass. For the third, Stahl rode ahead and turned around for a charging gallop, knocking several Risen out of the way as his horse ran. Sully pulled her horse away and readied her own charge. Sully raised her spear and Stahl held out his sword. The creature helplessly looked back and forth between its two opponents as they closed in on both sides.
The two made contact. Sully's spear pierced the creature's bare chest and held it in place as Stahl's blade cleaved its head from its neck. The Risen disintegrated and fell to the ground, sending its comrades back as they recognized the threat these two posed.
The twin riders circled around once more to pass each other. The two held out their clenched fists and bashed armored wrists against the other, both smiling.
"And that's three!"
Robin was dumbfounded. This was the same Stahl wasn't it? The same person who mumbled and whined around Sully? The same one who pretended he was dying if he didn't eat something every hour?
"You will recall what I said perhaps? I had trained two Knights for the sole purpose of protecting milord." Frederick spoke suddenly, startling the tactician. "One was Sully, and the other was Stahl."
The twin riders had scarce a moment longer to celebrate when the Risen began converging again - drawing their numbers forward to swarm the new threat.
"Let's keep this momentum up!" Chrom called. "Everyone, forward!"
Frederick sent his horse into a gallop across the bridge, Chrom and Robin followed after.
Virion finally dismounted. Once he had his quiver and bow at the ready he started across the bridge to the others.
"U-um!" Sumia stammered, looking back and forth between their idle horses and the attack.
"Stay here with the beasts, my sweet." Virion called over his shoulder.
"Hey…!" Vaike barked.
"She will be a calming presence to the animals who weren't intended for combat," The archer reasoned. "Besides, twouldn't do for such a lovely flower to brace the dirt a battlefield so soon in our campaign!"
"If Sully heard that she'd attack you again," Lissa grumbled.
Robin looked over his shoulder back at the not-quite-Pegasus Knight as she watched them leave. She shifted back and forth between the strange creatures and her friends departing. She was doing just as she said just before their descent - standing back and watching. I can't force her to fight right now. Some other time perhaps, when her confidence is better.
The Shepherds regrouped at the front of the bridge. They all paused to get their bearings and choose a target. Lissa stood behind Frederick. Robin scanned the fallen Risen bodies as they began to flake away into wisps of smoke and ash. "Maybe hold back, Frederick - give everyone else a chance to get their time in with these things."
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
Sully spun her spear to the side and struck an approaching Risen in the arm. It stumbled backwards and left itself wide open for a strike from Stahl's sword, cleaving its skull in two and debilitating it. A fellow monster howled at the attackers and raised its long halberd into the air. It charged down an incline, heading straight towards the captain.
"Chrom?" Robin called.
"I see it!"
"One moment then…!" Robin pulled open his new tome. He was pleased at the feeling of new, stiff pages of unused runes brushing against his fingers. He quickly selected a spell and launched a ball of thunder.
The Risen was struck in its arm, sending its weapon hurtling away to pike the ground. Its descent was not slowed in the slightest - Robin's attack destroyed its balance and turned its charge into a helpless tumble. Chrom took advantage of the creature's weakness and poised his blade to strike it. It ran straight into his golden blade, with which he swung the creature into the air and down into the ground. Its chest heaved once, before the Risen began to dissipate against the blade's edge.
As Chrom stopped to wipe his sword, Robin spied the fallen axe from Stahl and Sully's kill, resting mere paces away. He picked it up and turned it over. It carried a faint, burnt scent common to the Risen, but besides that it looked like a standard-make iron axe.
"Chrom? This looks brand-new." The prince heard Robin and came over to look. "Do you recall what weapons the creatures used against us in the woods?"
"Their axes and swords you mean? ...Well, they were burnt and rusted if I recall properly. I'd barely count them as weapons."
"Just as I thought. But here they are using these…"
"You think they stole gear?" Chrom asked. "Where from?" Robin hoped his silence would serve as an adequate answer. All it took was a moment and Robin knew the prince had come to the same conclusion. "...We need to evaluate the caravan as soon as possible."
Robin nodded. He warily scaled the hill and peered over. The riders were doing a good job of pressuring the Risen away from their vicinity, but he could still see more approaching. Shapes still shuffled by the forest's entrance, but he couldn't tell whether they were living or Risen.
They were dealing with a schrodinger's rendezvous; there were equal chances their escorts were either debilitated and hiding, or claimed by the creatures. He didn't like either possibility, but they needed a way to be sure. If there were anyone to be freed, they could be rallied to their side for the fight - but the advance would be pointless if the forest were nothing more than a nest for more Risen.
As the sounds of battle clamored around him, Robin spied Virion from the corner of his eye and waved to him. "Virion! How good is your eyesight?"
"My eyesight? I could spy the stripes on a cat from stories below since before I was old enough to speak! What think you makes me the Archest of-"
"Fantastic. Get up here and help me with a vigil."
"...Of course."
The silver-haired man stowed his bow for the time being and scrambled up the incline to Robin's side. Chrom departed to aid in the offensive. The Rosannean blocked the gray sun from his eyes as he narrowed his eyes.
"Who do you see?"
"Well, those advancing towards us are… Risen. And those currently avoiding us and heading for Sully and Stahl are… Risen. Did you really need my second opinion in this?"
"But what about people?! Can you make anybody out in the forest that isn't a zombie?"
"...I spy none. But the sun is relatively bright and the forest is dark… If we were to move closer…" The archer paused. "...Robin, do you see that thing at the mouth of the wood?"
Robin did as Virion said and scanned the entrance to the woods once more. A pit in his stomach formed as he made out a hulking shape standing idle. It remained still as other Risen rushed past it and dove into battle.
"That's…"
"Another chief," the archer said gravely. "We'll need every hand on deck before we even dream of attacking that thing."
Robin seethed. He and the others barely made it out alive the last time they fought one of those things. Their own numbers were much greater this time around for sure, and yet…
Robin's attention was drawn away when Virion and turned his head. The archer gasped and pointed. A concentrated stream of Risen had were threatening to move upon the bridge, straight for their unarmed comrades. The offensive was too busy dealing with their present engagement to notice they were about to be swarmed. "That won't do…!" The archer scrambled down and started waving. "Hark, riders! Your flank, your flank!"
Sully heard Virion, and with a shout she turned and crushed a Risen's mask with the butt of her spear. Stahl drove his blade through another Risen's shoulder, sending it tumbling back to be overtaken by its comrades as they rushed for a chance to attack. Frederick traded his Silver Axe for a spear. He made large sweeping blows at the Risen's legs - they were knocked to the ground and trampled by his steed.
Robin spied a handful of Risen that chose to ignore the three knights and resume their approach on the bridge, towards the two unarmed Shepherds.
"Frederick?! Sully!" He called.
"I see 'em, I'm on it!" The crimson knight called back. She dove in and cleaved a creature, which left her open to a blow from another's axe. She was caught on the leg and driven back. Sully seethed as she held her spear with one hand and gripped her thigh with the other. The Risens' eyes gleamed as they raised their weapons and advanced for another strike. One Risen howled triumphantly - just as an arrow pierced its skull. Another one struck it in the arm and felled it. Before its friend had time to react it met the same fate, and they both lay still on the ground.
Lissa let out a worried whine once she saw the color dripping from her friend's leg. She detached herself from Frederick to run and help her - carefully she sidestepped the still bodies of Risen. Sully saw Virion standing near the Great Knight, pumping his bow in victory before reading another arrow.
"As though we were side-by-side, dear Sully!" he called.
Sully's brow twitched."...Yeah whatever." She flinched at the tap from Lissa's stave. "Easy, it's just a nick!"
Frederick turned at the sound of water splashing. As he defended the front of the bridge, the creatures had taken an alternate route. Some had decided to cut out the middleman and ford the river in an attempt to reach their prey. Some were already clawing their way up the opposite bank as others continued to wade. Frederick ran to the mouth of the bridge and cupped his free hand to his mouth. "Sumia, Vaike! You have to advance! We can't afford to stay separated for much longer! They'll pincer us!"
The Pegasus Kknight needed no convincing once her eyes were drawn away from her allies and to the gray, moaning hulks sloshing through the water, red eyes trained on her and her companion. Sumia ran for the bridge and latched onto the railings with one hand, still clutching her weapon with the other. She slowly, but surely pressed forward, Vaike was not far behind.
The newly grounded Risen rose on soaked legs and dragged their soggy bodies up the bank, hissing and growling. The Shepherd's steeds reared back at the noise - their nerves finally broke - and sped back the way they came. Sumia called out to them worriedly. None of the Risen seemed to pay the horses any mind. If anything her shout attracted their attention to her and Vaike once more.
The other Shepherds reconverged at the mouth of the bridge. "It's alright! We'll worry about the horses later!" Chrom called to Sumia. "Just keep moving!"
Chrom's words were affirmed by a Risen's growl as a pale arm started crawling up the side of the bridge. Sumia screamed and ran.
"Oh no you don't!" Vaike ran over to the side, gripped a railing, and planted his boot into the zombie's arm. It screeched in protest and reached out with its other hand. Vaike's leg was caught in its iron grip, and in response he lifted his other foot and smashed the creature's face with his boot. The Risen dropped back into the water below, but the action cost Vaike his balance and sent him on his back. He let out a grunt, but once he saw his attacker was gone, he laughed. "That's what you get! Ha!" Vaike worked himself to a sitting position.
An iron axe planted itself right where Vaike's head once rested and gently rattled his steel collar. "...Huh? Hey!" Vaike leapt to his feet just as the oncoming Risen readied its weapon for another blow. Its swing missed once more, and Vaike reached forward to catch its arm in a vice grip. His skin crawled at the creature's cold, dry touch. "Pheeew! You have to be the worst thing the Vaike has ever smelt! And the Vaike be smelling some awful stuff in his day!"
The fighter let out a growl and crushed with his arms. The Risen's brittle limb crumpled under the pressure and hung limp at its side, still gripping its weapon.
"Don't suppose you'd let me borrow that?"
The creature responded with a weak flail of its other arm, which was caught and brought over Vaike's knee, snapping it from its body. Its body disintegrated.
"I'll take that as a no."
"Vaike, you're supposed to run!" Sumia wailed after him. "Those things will tear you apart like that!"
"Hey! The Vaike can take a few-" The blonde man's words were cut off by a hiss as a spear caught him in the left shoulder. The fighter let out a most indignant growl and caught the spear shaft with his free hand. He yanked the Risen spearman forward and reprimanded it with a kick to the gut and a fist to the face. Too angry to think, he gripped its toothy maw and broke free its masken jaw. Miasma spewed from its disfigured orifice and the creature crumpled.
The forded Risen now paced cautiously at the mouth of the bridge, wary to engage the Vaike.
"...Should we help him?" Stahl asked. "He's kind of holding his own." He and the other fighters had built a defensive position against the remaining approaching Risen, and many were hesitant to break formation. Sumia cast another worried glance behind her as she finally set foot off the bridge.
"If he's smart, he'd keep moving!" Chrom said irritably. "Vaike! Quit playing games and get the hell over here before you get gored again!" he called.
Vaike gripped his shoulder and stepped back, still facing the onlooking Risen. He cautiously walked backwards, never looking away. Virion held an arrow ready to strike. A set of gray, clawed hands reached over the sides of the bridge and began to pull themselves up. More Risen had finished biding their time and began to scale the bridge to their prey. Vaike was trapped if he didn't start moving.
Chrom and Frederick rushed forward and started attacking the scaling Risen. Robin and Virion took to the sides of the bridge and began flinging magic and arrows in an attempt to dissuade the scaling Risen. Vaike moved at a sluggish pace and finally turned his back on the creatures. They began to advance.
"Hurry!" Chrom urged.
"Running with a bad shoulder is harder than it looks!" Vaike answered back. The approaching Risen readied their weapons and ran to pursue their quarry. Two Risen too many slipped by Frederick and Chrom and ran to trap the fighter. "And… aw crap."
Robin ran back to the mouth of the bridge just in time to watch Vaike get cornered. Virion spied the situation and notched an arrow. "Head's up!" He let fly two arrows, both struck their targets and staggered them.
Sumia held up her javelin and readied a shot. Her arms and legs trembled, and she hesitated in her throw.
Vaike picked up his speed for the light opening that was afforded him, but was caught from behind by a lunging Risen.
"They almost have Vaike!" Stahl shouted. That got the Shepherds to break formation and charge, leaving Robin and Sumia.
Vaike bashed at the Risen with his good arm. It was remiss to use its weapons, and merely held him in place. He let out a shout as more Risen dogpiled him.
Robin readied his thunder tome - fully intent on blasting the pile of zombies with Vaike underneath if it meant freeing him, but then he spied a figure rushing from behind the Risen onslaught. He waved his arms. "Woah, wait just a second! Give him some room!"
"So we should stop?! Yer kidding, right?!" Sully barked back at him.
A similar thought was going through Vaike's mind as the chalky, smelly shamblers had nearly blocked his view of the sun. Not that he couldn't handle these brutes any other day of the week, of course. On that matter, he wasn't sure if they intended to suffocate him the old fashioned way or by way of filling his lungs with that rancid smoke they breathed.
That was before he heard a sound amidst the racket of clinking armor and groaning. A sound like magical runes coming alight.
"Enveloping Flames / Rise from Earth's burning breath / Cast my foes away!
"Fire!"
There was a flash that pierced the veil of bodies, it became awfully hot, and Vaike was sure he was smelling actual smoke.
One by one the Risen removed themselves from Vaike, allowing him a moment to breath. He watched in bewilderment as they ran every which way as flames licked at their shoulders and arms. Some threw themselves over the side of the bridge to escape the flames, only to melt away in the water once their damaged frames became waterlogged.
Vaike scratched the side of his head and warily worked himself to his feet, just as yet another axe planted itself next to him. He had a start and flinched, but then he recognized the weapon.
"Hey, my axe!" He happily reached over and plucked it from the planks and gave it a swing.
"And here I was having second thoughts on what manner of ignoramus could mislay his weapon. Now I see I pondered for nothing." Miriel's familiar voice condescended to the fighter as the mage stepped alongside him, clapping a Fire Tome shut. Behind her rested the smoldering corpses of several Risen."I hurried as fast as I could down the hill, but once the steed's courage depleted I was forced to tread forward on foot as I lugged your abandoned abolisher! The brute had best be thankful."
Vaike sighed. "Yeah, thanks Miriel. For the axe anyway."
Sully and Stahl rode forward on their steeds and reached out to the two Shepherds.
"From what I could see during my descent the steed has congregated with its fellow beasts of burden following their own desertion. Mayhap we retrieve them once we- Oh!" Miriel was pulled off the ground and unto Stahl's saddle as he sped back to the other Shepherds.
Sully did the same for Vaike. "Watch the arm, watch the arm!" He cried, voice cracking.
Robin let out a sigh of relief. He saw Sumia finally lower her javelin. "They're safe now," he consoled. "That's all that matters." Sumia nodded dejectedly.
The group moved as far from the bridge as they could without meeting the Risen's line of defense. A few straggling Risen remained on the bridge, as if to stand guard against any retreating Shepherd.
Once Vaike and Miriel were returned, Lissa set to work on healing Vaike's shoulder.
A few Risen remained at the bridge, and only a few more still stood between the Shepherds and the forest. They remained immobile, daring the assembled army to move forward - even though at the current standing the Risen were vastly undermanned. A concentrated assault would be enough to break through straight to the forest.
"Glad you could finally make it, specs," Sully said. "What kept you anyway?!"
"I'm positive if there were any aforemention of an altercation afforded us we would have made a much greater effort to arrive here sooner," Miriel prattled off as she reopened her tome. "This does not bode well for our allies and I suggest we make haste, but surely that was the plan already proposed?"
"Inasmuch we could keep each other safe while doing it," Frederick said. "It is just as Phila said, these things are by no means intelligent, but they've done rather well in trying to drive us apart and pick us off with their numbers."
Robin nodded. "But that should be the worst of it. We've worn them down on the frontal, and Miriel managed to wipe out most of the back group with her flames. With their numbers thinned it should be a straight shot to the forest and their chief." Robin stepped away from the group briefly to get a visual on their destination. "Less than ten Risen left, so it should be…" Robin's blood ran cold.
"What is it?" Chrom asked. "Did you say another Chief?" He ran to Robin's side and joined his vigil. "...I don't see one."
"It was right there," Robin breathed. "Me and Virion saw it!" His heart began to race. "I-It couldn't have gone far, could it?"
"W-well maybe this is our chance to push forward," Chrom said. "We just need to keep a steady vigil to make sure it doesn't take us by surprise." The Prince looked back to his Shepherds.
"Everyone, we're pressing forward! Sumia and Miriel to the back, riders at the front! We're going to push through the remaining Risen and-"
He was interrupted by a sharp cracking sound piercing the air - coming from the bridge.
The water running under the bridge frothed and boiled by some unknown force, and presently a water spout burst from beneath the construct. Cracks and splinters formed in the wooden construct. The Risen above shuffled in confusion until the bridge finally gave way.
Planks and logs alike went flying through the air. The Shepherds split up briefly to avoid the crushing pieces of wood.
The burst of water made landfall and a shape appeared. A tall creature, consisting of dark, patched skin, swollen limbs, and a mane of wiry red hair that framed its head, beset by a stone mask. It wielded a large battle axe that it stowed over its shoulder as it broke into a charge, howling a deep and obscene cry.
Virion swallowed and pointed. "Found it."
"Thanks for the tip, Ruffles."
Sumia was speechless and would have remained frozen in position if she weren't pulled away by Sully. Frederick cursed in the name of some old knight and took point.
The Chief lowered its axe and dealt a powerful swing with its momentum - Frederick parried with his spear. His heavily armored steed planted itself into the ground and took the force of the blow, as its rider pushed back with his silver weapon. The Chief withdrew its weapon and took another swing. Frederick pulled his steed back and narrowly missed the swing.
A hiss in the distance informed the party of the oncoming Risen, once more ready to trap their prey.
"That does it - Everyone on me!" Robin shouted. "Nobody moves forward unless I say so! Sully, Chrom, up front! Stahl and Vaike guard the rear!"
"But I want a shot at the big guy!"
"Vaike, be quiet!"
"As for everyone else," Robin said. "...Virion, Miriel, Lissa and Sumia are behind me! We'll all provide support on both fronts where we can. Frederick, you take point!"
"As per usual," Frederick growled. The Risen Chief's red eyes glimmered happily as its prey bunched itself together. It readied a swing in a mighty arc that may catch all of them at once, but its swing was once more caught by the Great Knight.
"I need you to create an opening for others to launch an offensive!" Robin called back. "Speaking of which… Miriel?"
"With due haste." The mage cast a spell from her tome and launched a flaming ball that struck the creature in its face. Bits of its hair were set alight, and its skin was charred, but it otherwise remained unharmed.
"Virion?"
"As you command!" The Valmese let loose three arrows in succession that struck the creature's shoulders. They struck deep, but without someone to tear them free like last time it did no good.
Robin grit his teeth.
With its free hand the Chief reached and gripped at Frederick's side. The Great Knight obliged and wrapped his arm around its hand. He squeezed with all his might - the creature's hand twisted as its overshapen bones began to crunch under the Knight's press.
Chrom took the chance to leap forward and land a slice with Falchion. Its forearm was pierced and spewed miasma, finally forcing it back.
The oncoming Risen finally reached their target and howled as they leapt forward with their iron weapons. Stahl made a quick dash with his horse and incapacitated two of them before returning to his place in formation. Two more Risen attempted to squeeze into the brief opening the knight had left, but were quickly met with resistance by Vaike.
Virion chipped in on both sides with his arrows - some Risen were felled, but the Chief seemed mostly unaffected.
The blonde fighter knocked them back with his weapon, and then raised his axe into a mighty arc that wedged its blade down the creature's shoulder and nearly cleaved it in two. He kicked with his leg, breaking free both his axe and the creature's splintered side. Another Risen jabbed with its sword - Vaike was struck in the leg. Stahl retaliated and sliced its sword-arm off, and Vaike swung his weapon - crushing its other arm alongside its body as it was launched to the side. Lissa quickly healed Vaike once more.
More Risen appeared and attempted to swarm the two fighters.
"Miriel, help Stahl and Vaike!" Robin commanded. "I'll keep the pressure on the Chief!"
The Mage did as she was told and proceeded to launch another ball of flame towards the rear. It knocked a Risen off its feet and turned it into a struggling, burning mass on the ground.
The Risen Chief received a blast of thunder from Robin as it was still reeling. Sully strode by and landed a blow with her spear on its axe-arm, driving a hole through its stringy flesh. She quickly resumed her spot and turned to Sumia.
"See? Easy. He's not that tough!" she said. Sumia didn't respond.
"G-Guys!" a voice cried.
The Risen had clumped together in an attempt to bash their way through the line with brute force. Stahl hacked desperately at the oncoming Risen, felling some, only damaging others. Vaike held out his axe like a bar to block the creatures, but it refused him the opportunity to land anymore swings.
"R-Reorganize!" Robin called as he cast another spell. "Sully, you go back and help!" The crimson rider did as she was told and Robin took her place in formation.
The Risen Chief stalked forward, its toothy maw gaped and its red eyes shone. Robin stowed away his tome and readied his steel sword, just as Frederick and Chrom readied their own weapons.
"Once I parry it, expect a full onslaught to be its response!" The Great Knight declared. Robin and the prince nodded.
The Chief swung. Frederick knocked back its blow with his spear. It was nearly knocked from his hands. It swung once more, and one of the knight's hands lost its grip. The Knight quickly switched back to his axe just as the Creature launched its foot forward in a kick. Chrom and Robin landed blows with their swords, driving it back.
The Chief screamed as it planted its axe into the ground right beside Chrom, forcing the prince back.
"Milord!" Frederick charged forward and struck the creature's arm. It responded with a mighty swing that caught the Great Knight's shoulder and sent him tumbling from his horse. Gwendolyn whinnied loudly and took off in the direction of her master.
The Chief's eyes gleamed. It readied a massive downward swing that threatened to crush anyone caught in its path.
"Aw hell no…!" Sully pushed Miriel to the side and pulled Sumia from harm's way. Stahl scooped Lissa up in his arms, eliciting a yelp, and sped away from the Risen. Robin and Chrom dove in opposite directions as the blade beat the ground with a mighty quake. Their formation was completely shattered.
Miriel worked herself to her feet to dust herself off. She was about to complain when she was struck in the arm by a Risen. Vaike came to her rescue and held it still as it was hit with an indignant blast of fire. Stahl ferried Lissa over and set her down so she could see to Miriel.
Chrom worked himself to his feet.
"Remember what we did last time…" He said. "We just had to bleed it out!"
"That's a helluva plan when he's got a hundred little versions of himself sicced on our asses!" Sully said as she still kept Sumia close.
"More like five!" Stahl added. "They're thinning out!"
Robin traded his sword for his tome. "Alright then, we'll deal with the Chief, everyone else keep the Risen at bay!"
Sully tapped Sumia's shoulder. "Just stay away from the Risen and you'll be fine."
"But…!"
"They won't get near ya, promise."
The Risen Chief seemed in no part frustrated that it hadn't hit anything - in fact the discord seemed to please it. It allowed itself a moment to survey the brief moment of chaos as the Shepherds reorganized.
"Frederick?!" Robin called.
The Knight had propped himself up on his axe and pulled himself up. "Half a moment and I'll be ready!"
The Risen lunged forward to plow Chrom with its fist of misshapen fingers. Chrom caught the movement and planted his foot into the ground. He used its own momentum against it and swung it to the side, pulling it from its feet and laying it on the ground.
Robin dove in for a slice from its dominant arm and carved a gash deep enough to spew more miasma. The Chief's body shook as it groaned. Just a few more of these oughta do it!
It retaliated by knocking the tactician backwards in the split second it took to regain control of its arm. Robin tumbled through the grass and nearly cut himself on his own sword. He awkwardly pulled himself to his feet.
"Robin!" Lissa screamed.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" he groaned. "Stay put, we got this!"
With a shout Chrom drove the Falchion into the creature's chest. The sword stopped about halfway - possibly catching on a piece of its ribcage. The Chief screamed and abruptly stood up, nearly carrying Chrom off the ground with it. It dropped its axe and gripped the prince with his good hand. Chrom struggled and pulled at his golden blade - an attempt to pull it free from an angle to disembowel the monster proved too difficult, and its dry skin had made for a stubborn sheath either way.
The Creature was caught unawares by a charging Frederick, who with a twirling spin of his axe landed a gash into the creature's side. The Chief growled at the great knight before turning to consider its catch. With a mighty swing, it threw Chrom to the ground, taking his blade with him. The wound he left was shallow, and though miasma seeped it seemed no worse for wear. Chrom skid along the grass and stopped with his face and arms buried in the grass - Falchion twirled through the air and landed safely a few feet from him, tip buried in the ground.
Robin flung another spell the creature's way, who paid him no mind as it kicked Frederick away. He groaned in pain as he worked himself back to his feet, and was surprised when at the sound of hoofbeats. He turned to see Stahl hurrying over on his steed, holding out his arm.
"You alright?" he called. Robin reached over and caught his hand. With great strength, the cavalier hefted him onto his saddle without even stopping his horse - he was ferried over to the main group. Sully and Vaike busied themselves with keeping the few Risen left away from the middle row as Virion and Miriel launched projectiles at the Risen Chief. Once they were close enough, Robin slid off and hit the ground with both feet. His joints were sore from the spill form earlier and he seethed.
"Thanks, Stahl!"
"Anything to keep everyone on their feet!" The knight responded. "Now then… Hey you!" The Risen Chief caught Stahl's taunt and looked his way. Stahl screamed and galloped forward for another fly-by slash with his sword. He caught the Risen's thigh and drew miasma as he sped past. The Chief groaned and stumbled - its stamina was finally waning. Stahl made a turnaround and sped into another charge.
"Ready?! I am!" He gripped his sword with both hands for another devastating slash - one poised to take the creature's entire leg if it landed.
The Chief was ready for him this time. It planted its fist into the ground and took the full force of Stahl's charging steed. The crash sent Stahl and his steed off course to tumble into a heap. Sully cried after her friend, as the Chief set its sights on the fallen prince. Frederick had yet to rouse himself from the creature's previous attack.
Robin stood up to run, but his legs betrayed him - he was in no position to move quickly.
"Chro~om!" Lissa cried as she trembled next to Virion. "Get up!"
"Lissa, I want you to help Stahl!" Robin shouted over.
"But-"
Chrom groaned and stirred, but he had yet to show any signs of getting up. Even if Lissa could revive him, that would put two royals in the creature's path, and they couldn't afford that. Somebody who could defend themselves needed to fend of the Chief.
"Somebody else… should…" Vaike and Sully were still locked in combat, and Miriel and Virion still failed to catch the creature's attention. Robin forced his legs to run one stride before his joints cried out in pain again as he crumpled. Somebody should disengage and help Chrom… but then who would protect Miriel and Lissa? Think Robin, think!
Frederick struggled against gravity to get up, and the Creature inevitably stalked closer and closer to Chrom. It had yet to retrieve its axe, but both hands were poised to beat anything it chose into the ground.
"No!" cried a sharp voice. Robin heard the shunk of metal piercing flesh.
Sumia had stood between her lord and stabbed the creature's side with her javelin. The creature recoiled and stopped its approach.
The Pegasus Knight stood there, teeth grit, face pale as her legs trembled.
Sully cheered. She dealt another blow to her Risen combatant and pointed triumphantly "Guys! Guys look - Sumia got one!"
The creature looked down at its wound and snarled.
"WhatdoIdowhatdoIdoWHATDOIDO?!" Sumia wailed.
It lurched forward, pushing the girl back.
"Oh sh-" Sully broke away. The chief idly swayed its body, dragging Sumia's feet along the ground. The girl yelped. "Yank it back and poke it again! Or slash it! Something!"
"I can't!" Sumia cried as she tugged on her weapon.
Robin could hear Sully's horse coming in hot behind him, but he also saw Chrom's body rising from the grass. The prince's dark eyes blazed at the Chief, as he reached for his sword.
The creature growled and plucked the javelin from its side, tearing it from Sumia's hands. The girl shrank back and froze in place - her voice catching in her throat.
"I gotcha- hold on!" Robin held out his arm and halted Sully's steed. "The hell, Robin!"
"Wait."
Just as the words left his mouth, Chrom gripped his blade and sped to Sumia's aid.
"Hold on, I'm coming!"
The Chief swung both arms out to catch its prey. With one hand Chrom grabbed Sumia and dove beneath the Chief's reach, and with the other he brought Falchion into a powerful arc that gouged its side - connecting a line between his own blow and the wound landed by Sumia.
The creature's chest was cleft open, and miasma poured out. With a final groan, it crumpled to the ground. Its muscles and bones withered away as its body deflated into a dejected pile of flesh until even that began to mist away.
With a mighty grunt Vaike landed a downwards swing on a Risen, slicing its front in two and felling it.
That was the last of them. The fight was over. Robin heard Sully relax and dismount. Frederick had worked himself up to his knees as Gwendolyn gently tended to him, sniffing at his shoulder. Lissa cast her stave's healing glow on Stahl and his horse, and both were roused from their daze. Once she was done she ran to Robin and did the same. Miriel scanned the vicinity once more before letting out a long sigh and wiping off her spectacles.
Sumia was still silent. Both hands clasped her face as if to hold back her screams from earlier. Chrom gently steadied her and drew back his hand.
"You alright?" He said. "Sumia?"
"I… I'm… thank you, but…!" Sumia's stammers were muffled between her fingers. She squeezed her eyes shut and shrank away - running back to Sully. Robin stepped to the side and allowed Sully to catch her friend. Sumia slumped her head over Sully's side. Robin didn't hear any sobbing and was relieved. She was upset, but she was more shaken than anything.
"Easy, easy does it," Sully said. "You did good." Sumia nodded rapidly at the space behind her friend's back.
"I killed the last one." Vaike pointed to the body as its ashes drifted along the wind. "Did anyone… no?" The fighter shrugged and searched for Frederick. "Oy! Freddy-D, was this fight a good egg-sample or despite egg-sample?"
"Yes, congratulations, Vaike." The knight pulled himself to his feet. "You killed several enemies and followed a very basic strategy. Truly the highest of praises are in order."
"Ho-yeah! I knew it!"
"...Urgh."
Robin stepped away and looked across the battlefield. The bridge was in shambles, utterly uncrossable. Their horses congregated at the bank, looking across at them patiently. He could make out Miriel's wagon further down the road. "Well… we won't be heading back the way we came at any rate."
"Good riddance to them either way," Chrom said. "But if they could appear so far up the Northroad…"
"Then no path is truly safe," Frederick finished for him. "We must proceed immediately, but warily."
The forest had become eerily still. If there were more Risen hiding in there Robin wasn't sure he'd have the mental energy to even retaliate. He and Frederick walked cautiously among the trees to search for any sign of danger - or the caravan. Lissa had finished tending to everyone's wounds. Miriel left with Stahl and Sumia to round up the horses and evaluate the wagon. Guiding the horses through the river wouldn't be fun, so he was glad Sumia would be there to help them.
Chrom, Lissa and the others slowly approached the forest. They wouldn't approach in earnest until Frederick gave the all-clear. A watchtower of sorts towered a few lengths above the trees, billowing some flag that bore both the Ylissean royal crest and the Feroxi emblem.
Robin seethed as he took a bad step over an old log.
"How are you holding up?" Frederick asked.
"Ugh… even after Lissa's staff I'm still sore all over."
"A simple healing stave's effects are superficial without prolonged treatment. Here." Frederick reached into his belt and pulled a small vial from a pouch. He tossed it to Robin who caught it with both hands and held it up to the sun. "I meant to pass some out before trouble came along, but then the battle happened," Frederick said. "That is a standard issue vulnerary. It doubles as a salve and a tonic. It will not taste pleasant, but the adrenaline boost should numb your pain for the time being."
Robin took a sip, about a shotglass's worth, and tucked it into his pouch. He smacked his lips. "It's not terrible, just bitter. And… woah."
"Feel it already?"
"Yes, that's spectacular."
"That should last till the end of the day, and I don't recommend taking another dose if you intend to sleep tonight. Now then…" The knight pulled back some bushes and peered deeper into the woods.
"I don't see anybody," Robin said. "Do you think…?"
He didn't finish, and Frederick didn't respond. The Knight raised his hand and called. "Hullo, out there!" He called. "In the name of Prince Chrom of Ylisse, show yourselves!" No answer. Not even a rustle of movement. The Great Knight tsked to himself and drew his silver axe. "One hand on that tome of yours, Robin," he said. "We advance slowly."
Robin gulped and did as he was told.
Through the brush and bramble they came upon a light clearing, strewn with shapes and turned over contraptions that lay in the shade. Robin could spy a dead campfire - stamped out and suffocated by dirt and upturned mud - it was impossible to tell when it had been lit.
The ground was strewn with odds and ends, some weapons, clothes, and mundanities like pots and pans. There was no sign of life sans the occasional chirp of a cricket or the flutter of a distant bird's wings.
"It looks… all clear," Robin said.
"Indeed," Frederick nodded. "We'll call milord forward and see if we can't evaluate the situation."
Chrom idly turned over a pot with his foot. A dry, half-eaten mix of some grain meal stuck to the interior. He looked around at the turned over carts, dismantled tents and smashed crates. This all pointed to a struggle - but they had no proof of any casualties. He walked over to one of the still upright wagons and peered inside. Just like all of the other wagons he'd inspected - it was tightly packed with crates and bundles of food, weapons and clothes. Sans the garbage littering the forest floor the wagon's interiors were mostly untouched. Still no sign of any owners.
"Chrom?" Lissa asked shakily. "Where is everybody?"
Chrom idly threw up his hand. "Gone." He said. "Without a trace."
Miriel stood nearby, resting against a tree as she paged through a book. Sumia shuffled in her boots nervously as the other Shepherds searched the site.
"Where could they have ran off to?" Vaike asked. He turned over a crate and peered inside. "They shoulda ran off when the Risen attacked, but I didn't see nothin'."
"The Risen were waiting for us, Vaike," Sully said. "They coulda been hiding in the trees for hours for all we know. Plenty of time to get the hell out of here."
"But we didn't see anybody run our way."
"That doesn't mean a thing." Sully shook her head. Lissa gripped her stave.
Virion and Frederick returned from further down the path. "Still nothing?" Chrom called over.
The archer shook his head. "Nary a drop of blood, milord. If it weren't for the mess and the banner billowing above us, I'd hesitate to say the Caravan was even here in the first place." The archer adjusted his neck-piece nervously. "If you want my opinion… this doesn't add up, quite literally. An equation involving those things and a modestly armed trading caravan has an obvious outcome - but there is usually a... byproduct, if you will. Its absence should be relatively good news and yet..."
"Byproduct?" Vaike asked.
"He means dead bodies, Vaike," Sully said dryly. "That's what he and Frederick went to look for in the first place." Sully's brow was set in a glare, as she picked up a discarded sword.
"What about footprints?" Robin asked.
"The underbrush does not make for easily tracking those," the Knight replied.
"The entrance to the forest was beaten by the Risen's footsteps," Stahl said. "Anything on the road out of the forest?"
"I did check, and the answer is no." Virion sighed and held his brow. "Nothing left usually means they escaped, but alas no easy case for that either. I've yet to find a trace of their hired help, and even the wagon's steeds are missing without a trace. What are we to assume? They couldn't have simply vanished into thin air… could they?"
"I'd say that's impossible, but it was only a few days ago when I decried the undead as fantasy," Miriel said as she looked up from her book. "The only common link thus far is how prone the Risen themselves are to evaporating once their hides are spent."
"You're saying if you get killed by a Risen you disappear?" Stahl asked incredulously.
"I'm saying we must acknowledge how little we know," the scholar said sharply. "If some did escape, then it had to have been very few of them, judging by the destruction we see here. And yet we have neither the tools nor time to ascertain what truly transpired."
Chrom held his brow. Robin absentmindedly watched as the last warm coals of the campfire faded from orange to black. "...So what do we do, Chrom?" he asked.
"...The plan was to join with the group here and continue north." The prince adjusted the sword strapped to his side. "We already dealt with the possibility of travelling alone. We should continue with the mission, and quickly."
"We were outfitted under the pretense of a day's journey," Miriel said. "The wagon is trapped on the other side of the river, and retrieving the entirety of its contents will be a time-consuming chore. Even with the food we did retrieve, we'd only last a few days."
Chrom waved to the wreckage around him. "Then we resupply. These wagons are brimming with food and medicine."
"We're just going to take what we want from these people?" Sumia cried. Frederick was quiet.
"...It sounds pragmatic," Robin consoled. "But it would all go to waste if we don't."
"Or it'd just get lapped up by thieves or highwaymen," Sully added.
"Exactly. And it's not like we'll just walk off with everything," Robin said. "Even with all of our steeds we can only carry so much. We could… get as many wagons as possible, fill those, get to the nearest village and leave a message to be carried back to the capital. We could also shed some anything surplus and have it redirected to Ylisstol."
"You think a village of commoners would hold onto wagons stacked with valuables for some noble to pick up from them in a day's time?" Virion asked.
"If they have any love for their Prince and Exalt they'd better," Sully retorted.
Chrom turned to Frederick, who had remained silent. The knight's dark eyes studied the ground as his gloved hands worked at the handle of his axe. "Thoughts, Frederick?" he asked.
The knight looked about the wreckage once more. "...They won't be needing it anymore," he said drearily. The knight clapped his hands together. "Alright then! Let's guide the horses over and get these wagons ready to move! We clean up this mess and take what can be salvaged. Reconsolidate the contents of these wagons and leave what we don't need.
"Let's move, Shepherds!"
Robin had hoped that he had seen the last of loading wagons for at least another day. This was not the case - the party spent no less than three hours hustling about the mess left by the Risen. The Monsters claimed no food, but the weapon and armor supplies had been ravaged, just as Robin had predicted. All of this had set a pit in his stomach that wouldn't leave.
Presently he loaded packages of preserved food from one wagon and into another. Frederick and Vaike had been pushing pairs of wagons together, mouth to mouth, and then the Shepherds would trade items between the two wagons until their contents were uniform. Sully stood inside one wagon and passed him the food, which he took and threw into the other wagon. If he came across a bundle of weapons or a crate of sorts, he and Sully would carry it into her wagon.
The other Shepherds worked in similar pairs, but Miriel stood back and started work on a list, and Sumia walked from wagon to wagon to carry odds and ends to wherever they were needed. Any miscellaneous items were passed off to Sumia or Lissa to be carried to another wagon.
Speaking of which.
Robin just happened across a small bundle of spears and pulled it from his wagon. "Not foodstuffs so it has to go," he said. "Sumia?"
"On it!" Sumia happily trotted over and received the load from Robin. He had barely turned his head away before he heard a noise. Sumia had taken one step and skid on her feet, bumped into the side of his wagon and nearly dropped the bundle of weapons. She yelped and staggered against the ground to steady herself.
"Hey sis, how 'bout you take a break?" Sully called over. "The captain won't mind."
The brown-haired girl looked their way. "Um…"
"You earned it, get out of here. Take a short walk or something." Sully waved her hand and smiled. "I mean it, git!"
Sumia smiled back. She delivered the bundle of weapons to its proper wagon and then stepped away to another part of the woods.
"She has the capacity to fight well enough, but elsewhere she can hardly stand on her own two feet…" Robin observed.
"She's seen clerics about it," Sully said as she hefted up a particularly large parcel of preserves. "We've ruled out inner ear problems. I'm almost positive she just feels more at home in the saddle. She's been out of her element ever since she joined up with us."
Robin laughed lightly. He reached over to receive Sully's parcel, but she was remiss to hand it to him. She stood there, studying him, and Robin noticed her brow twitch. The pit in his stomach grew a little. "...Sully? Something the matter?"
...Oh damn, the golden rule.
The rider let out a shaky sigh."N-no, it's just… I'm kinda trying not blow up here, but..." The rider set down the package and crossed her arms. "Why the hell'd you stop be back there for?" her voice was quiet and reserved, but it trembled from withheld emotion. Robin didn't answer at first. "Weren't you listening when we said 'no man left behind?' You know what we woulda done if Sumia got hurt? You know what I woulda done if that thing made it to her?"
Robin held up a hand for silence, and Sully obliged. "You've always got her back, right?" he asked.
"Of course I do…"
"Well, I needed her to know that everyone here has her back. Not just you, and not just me."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Earlier, before the battle, when I tried to tell Sumia to lean on me and the others she didn't seem receptive. She still saw herself as a load and didn't want to get in the way. Once Chrom was in danger however, she stepped up to the occasion and fought back. After that I thought, well… she kind of needed to know that Chrom would do the same for her. He's always been supportive of her, but if nothing happened here - in battle - then all of his support would have just been words to her."
Sully seemed to be calming down, but she was still frowning. "Helluva time and place to be testing group psychology." She grumbled. "And it just seemed to embarrass her more than anything."
"I… kind of think that would have happened either way."
Sully said nothing, and then retrieved the package she had set down. "Whatever. She didn't die so that's all well and good. But… next time you wanna do some impromptu team building, could you send a warning my way? I just don't like sitting still when my friends could get killed without a damn good reason."
"Of course."
"Nothing against you, Robin, I know you're just doing your job. I'll just have to adjust. Here, catch." She lobbed the parcel Robin's way and he swiftly caught it.
"How much was left in the wagon?" Stahl asked Miriel as he hefted a small crate that rattled with glass bottles - of vulneraries most likely. "I know the caravan here more than makes up for anything we lose, but it's still Castle property. I kinda feel bad just leaving it on the side of the road."
Miriel scratched at her list with a pen and shook her head. "Nothing of import. The camping supplies and rations have been carried over. All that remains is a small stache of iron weapons and a Knight's suit of armor, both of which are easily compensated by the supply train here."
"...We're really just going to leave a suit of armor? Doesn't Frederick say those are expensive?"
"Do you know anybody present who'd make use of a complete Knight's loadout?" Miriel asked sharply.
Stahl scratched his head. "...Not really no." The viridian rider proceeded to stow the small crate into the wagon he was facing and turned to receive another armfull from Vaike, who stood in the opposite. Stahl reached out to receive a burlap sack of soft materials, but when the blonde man tossed them to him he let them drop to the ground.
"Stahl, what the hell!" Vaike snapped. "And they call me forgetful."
"Wait! A suit of armor! What if-"
"Robin! Chrom!" a voice cried out.
The tactician stepped away from the wagon to see Lissa running towards him. She excitedly pointed behind her.
"What is it Lissa?" Chrom asked. He and Frederick paused from their own unloading job as the little cleric ran up to him. She pointed again as her feet beat at the ground excitedly.
"I found something!" She said. "There's a pegasus just behind the trees over there. I think it survived the Risen." The cleric reached for her brother's hand and yanked him away. "C'mooon, before it flies off!"
"Alright, alright! I'm coming." The prince obliged. Frederick and Robin quickly followed after.
Sully sighed and stepped down from the wagon to continue unloading alone.
Just past the trees, to the northeast of the campsite was where Lissa lead Chrom and Robin. Outside the trees they came back into the green plains, backdropped by the rolling hills to the north. It was there that they saw a grey shape shuffling through the grass, carefully making its way towards the trees.
It was a silver pegasus. Its wings were tepid and hung low on its frame, its mane was a messy tangle of pale hair, and it limped along one foot. It wore a simple leather saddle and facepiece, studded and topped with iron plating.
"...Yeah, that's a Pegasus alright," Chrom said.
"Do you think it's part of the caravan?" Lissa asked.
"I don't see any markings to say such, it's lacking any emblem on its armor," Her brother replied.
"Maybe it belonged to the mercenaries Emm mentioned?"
Her brother nodded. "Maybe. Hmm…"
"It appears to have lost its rider," Frederick said. "...To think the only known survivor of the attack would be a steed."
"Sumia saw that thing flying earlier, right before the attack," Robin added. "Assuming it's the same one, of course. Not there are any other pegasi around here."
"Maybe it was looking for help?" Lissa asked.
Chrom studied the creature. It had slowed its approach and now it awkwardly watched the new party beholding it.
The prince held a hand out and stepped forward. "It's obviously hurt, so we'll have to do something about that. Let's have a look here…"
"Milord?" Frederick asked. "Hurt animals can be unpredictable. Would you like any assistance?"
"N-no, no! That's okay, I can do this on my own," Chrom said hurriedly. "Besides, too many people at once might spook it."
Nonetheless, Chrom's companions advanced slowly behind him to close the gap should something go wrong.
"Um… not to imply anything, but does Chrom have much experience with Pegasi?" Robin asked.
"Besides riding horses on the track when he was young? No." Frederick replied flatly.
Chrom ignored these as he crept closer. I can do this, it's just an animal. Already the Pegasus had begun shaking its mane and fidgeting. Its bad leg made it mostly stationary and unable to flee any farther. Its dark eyes discerned him warily as he approached. Nice and steady… I'll take care of this without breaking anything. I'll be careful and gentle… just like Sumia.
The instant he was within reaching distance, the pegasus cried out and whipped its head around. Chrom stumbled backwards. "W-Woah, easy girl!" When the prince stepped forward again the pegasus responded by stamping its hooves into the ground. Chrom held out both hands and carefully reached for the back of its head. "Easy… easy… I'm not going to -" The horse reared back and whinnied, beating both its wings and its front hooves in the air. "- Hurt you!" The display and blasts of air were enough to knock the prince on his back. The horse returned to all fours - it made a small hop to compensate for its hurt front leg.
Chrom shakily got to his legs and was met with another wild whinny and a flap from the steed's wings. "Easy there!" Chrom shouted.
"Chrom, maybe you should-" Robin began but was cut off.
"Captain, just a moment!" Sumia cried. The girl appeared from behind the trees. She ran for the captain, but slowed down once she drew near. She nearly tripped once her momentum was brought to a halt, but she managed to stay upright.
"S-Sumia?" Chrom nearly held an arm out between her and the pegasus. "Stand back! This creature's possessed or something. It won't let me get near it!"
Sumia looked between her captain and the hurt creature. "Who, this one?" she asked. "...She's not possessed, just scared. Here." The girl stepped forward.
The pegasus shuffled its hooves around once more. "Hi there," Sumia said with a smile. "I'm Sumia, what's your name?" The horse held up is wings and lowered its head. "I saw you back there. Did you happen to see me?"
Sumia came within inches of the steed and it had yet to recoil. Chrom was fighting the urge to call her back and risk startling it again.
Sumia held out her hand to the horse's face. It snorted and stomped its hooves. "No, no. Shhhh… it's okay." Her gloved hand met the creature's snout. "Sumia won't hurt you."
Sumia gently ran her hand up and down the horse's plated head. It's eyes began to sag, and its wings drooped to the ground. "Shhh… it's okay." Sumia stepped closer and ran her other hand under its neck and stroked at its mane. The horse finally lowered its head and let out a calm exhale. Sumia rested her head against the horse's. "Where's your partner?" Sumia crooned. "...Are you all alone?" The horse responded with a dejected snort. "The bad guys are gone, you're safe now. How's your leg? Can you walk?"
Sumia took hold of the Pegasus' loose bridle and led it towards the others. It showed no hesitation and followed her obediently. Chrom, Robin, and Lissa stepped out of the way to let the creature pass. Robin made extra sure to back away as much as possible, but he was brushed lightly by its soft wings.
"That's incredible," Robin said with a gasp. "A minute alone with you was all it took."
"It's not that different from dealing with horses," Sumia said softly. "I… just have a way with animals, I guess."
Chrom smiled. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. This is incredible, Sumia. Even for you."
Sumia blushed and turned back to her new friend. "W-Well then! Let's get you back with the others. Me and my friends can help with that leg of yours. We'll fix you up you in no time so you can fly again."
The other Shepherds were equally surprised at Sumia's find. A small circle formed as Sumia got a bucket and rag to dress the creature's sprained leg. The whole time she chatted to it, asking for its name and where it had been.
"She's a natural, I tell you," Sully said.
Vaike scratched his chin. "Hey, if a horse hurts its leg I think you're supposed to put it down?"
"That's for broken legs, idiot."
"Oh she's fine," Sumia said as she wrung out the medicine laden rag into the bucket. "I'd give her a couple of days before she's flying like normal again."
"What about trotting? Or galloping?" Frederick asked.
"...Um," Sumia stammered.
"Aren't hurt horses supposed to stay off their feet?" Stahl asked.
"If they can help it. Walking slow won't kill them," Sully responded.
"She could fly part of the way?" Lissa suggested.
"Pegasi use all of their limbs to fly, Lissa," Frederick said. "Contrary to popular belief." The Knight crossed his arms. "Sumia?"
"Yes…?"
"Keeping a wounded animal makes for slow travelling. We can't just leave you behind to tend to its wounds, can we?"
Chrom shook his head. "No. Bad idea. Not with the Risen abound."
"Then where shall it go?" Frederick asked.
"Um… we could trail the rest of the wagons while she heals," Sumia offered. "I can clamp her leg with a salve, walking like that won't hurt her. Even if she's really slow I can always catch up at the end of the day."
"And what if it comes to her not walking at all?" Frederick pressed.
"That shouldn't be too much of a problem," Chrom said. "Are any of these wagons large enough to carry a Pegasus?"
Sumia shook her head. "Oh no, she'd hate that…."
"She may not have a choice, sis," Sully said. "I don't wanna leave no hurt animal to die on the side of the street or nothin', but we do have a mission to get on with."
"...I guess," Sumia said.
"And even then, what do you plan on doing after its wounds are healed, Sumia?" Frederick asked.
"U-um… well…" Sumia twisted at the pegasus' mane. "She… doesn't really have anywhere else to go right now…"
"You mean to keep her?" Frederick asked.
"W-Well, I was thinking she could be useful if I got her back into shape," Sumia said. "I could ride her to scout ahead, or she could carry people far away if we needed to. And…"
"And?"
"I… kind of want a Pegasus," Sumia whimpered.
Frederick let out a long sigh. None of the Shepherds said anything. The girl looked to Chrom with her large, brown, pleading eyes. "Can't we keep her?" she asked.
Chrom's brow twitched as he ran a hand through his hair. "Th-that's… ah…." Was he sweating? "...If we're positive we can make do, th-then I don't see a problem…"
Sumia's expression was overtaken by a joyous smile.
"That was a cheap shot and you know it, lady!" Sully barked.
Sumia giggled and pressed her forehead to the Pegasus. "You hear that? You get to stay! I'll take good care of you. What was your name? Belfire? Caeda? Is your name Cadea? Can I call you that?!"
"Alright, time to leave the girl alone with her new pony," Sully said. "No getting through to her when she's like this."
"Is Caeda another ancient hero? Is that an auspicious name for a Pegasus?" Robin ventured as the group broke up to finish packing.
Sully looked at Chrom and rolled her eyes. "For her? Very auspicious."
Before Robin could resume with Sully, he was taken by the shoulder by Frederick. "A quick word alone, please," the knight said briskly. Robin suddenly remembered the pit in his stomach. The great knight lead him away from the campsite and towards the start of the path.
"About your performance today…" Frederick began.
"Augh, it's… I know. I know what you're going to say," Robin said.
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"I-I, my strategy wasn't sound. I kept changing gears and telling people to do different things. Vaike and Sumia nearly got overtaken, Stahl and Miriel got hurt, and I could barely lend a hand to stop the Chief. The Chief! Everything was so hectic once he showed up I just…"
"You had an answer to every shift in the battle," Frederick interjected. "You took control the moment it was necessary, and you instructed clearly and concisely. The situation was never favorable to begin with, but you carried us through. Even if we sustained some damage, you should know that it takes more than a few nicks and cuts to stop the Shepherds."
Robin was dumbstruck. Praise, from Frederick of all people. It didn't even sound vaguely condescending, like when he was training that morning. "Um… thanks, I…"
"However," the knight continued. "The battles with the Risen will surely only get tougher from here on out. You have proven yourself reliable many times Robin. The others know they can depend on you. Pray your performance stays that way. I still have every intention of taking action should anything unfortunate transpire with you in command. Understood?"
Robin swallowed. "Understood."
"Good. Now then, we should be almost ready to claim a few more miles before sundown. There should be five wagons. For today, Milord and I will take the front. You and Lissa will be one wagon behind, which should be for supplies, and relatively comfortable, given nothing happens to her - if you catch my drift."
"Yeah, of course."
"Good, let's hurry. We've lost a lot of time today. Hopefully the Feroxi will be understanding once they realize a trusted partner of theirs has disappeared."
The stranger rested in the shade of the trees and hid from the glaring sun. Its limbs ached as its body cried out, its thin, baggy cloak shielded its face from any source of light. The light stink of miasma carried along the wind. The clamor of battle from further up the road had died out long ago, and now a new trail of wagons emerged from the forest and plowed ahead to the north. It let out a snarl.
Destiny does prefer its original course… this battle played out almost exactly the same as it did in my dream - my little welcoming party did nothing to change that.
As if I should have expected better from mere bandits and merchants.
Alas, I can only do so much in this measly body - and no matter how much Spawn I set loose on this world, events remain rigid in their motions. Fate is determined to remain the same thus far. Multiple incursions and still none of my own allies have made themselves known. They must be biding their time…
This is besides the point. Despite my own efforts… despite the Interloper's efforts… Fate has remained the same.
It must remain the same.
This chapter was proofread by Branded King.