When the sword was broken, I used the club.

When the club was broken, I still had the kunai and shuriken.

And the last of my weapons were broken or missing in a monster's body, but the battle was ours.

But let's start at the beginning of the retaliation.

My force of thirty soldiers was bolstered with Xander and his force of fifty. Preluding his appearance on the battlefield, a strange power invigorated all who were with him, and the monsters within the walls of the Northern Fortress felt that power thricefold-first with the new force of eighty facing them in front, second with the forces that had managed to scale the hill after defeating the rock throwers outside, and third with that strange power that, while invigorating us, was weakening them. As the last of the monsters fell, there was cheering amongst the soldiers and the townsfolk. I guess it was over. Whatever all of that was, it's a new threat to this fortress, aside from the Hoshidans.

I was on my knees. So much battling. I wonder if this is what my brothers and sisters have to deal with, whenever they get into battle. I looked around the courtyard. So many lost souls, injured, and they were being taken care of. All that time, the fountain was left untouched. I could use a drink-my eyes were covered.

"Guess who?~"

Her voice was always a music to my ears, but "Camilla, Gunter already spoiled that you would be coming here."

"Yes, but you ran out on all of us to continue working with the guard and the advisor's tasks. And you saved the townsfolk when you were the only one who was able to."

I shook my head. "A lot of families were lost today, though. It's not a sight to look forward too."

"True." Camilla uncovered my eyes and showed me the same scene. "Whatever was left after the battle will be taken care of." Her words highlighted the people that were taking care of the others that were injured, that were grieving after losses, and trying to ensure that they get better. "You served well as a leader, Weiss."

"…I guess I did."

"Indeed. You've done well for yourself here, Princess Weiss."

Another voice from behind. This time, I turned around to see who it was. "Xander!" I hugged Xander. "Thank you guys, for saving something very important to me."

I looked up at Xander. He was blushing.

"What?"

"Nothing-it's…good to see that you're okay."

"You indeed have the devil's luck, Weiss. You managed to save a town in such harsh conditions with limited resources."

I stopped embracing Xander, and saw that Leo was here. "Leo! I could've sworn I saw roots coming from the ground during that battle."

"All that battling's hopefully allowed new trees to start growing in the area-"

I hugged Leo, too. "Thank you too, Leo."

"Weiss!" Camilla pouted. "You hug Xander and Leo, but you don't even hugme?"

"Oh-!" I stopped hugging Leo and then hugged Camilla. She then hugged me back and lifted me!

"Whoa!"

"Oh, Weiss…it's been way too long!"

It's only been a season since you last saw me though.

"Remember what I said to you. You are a strong person, in spite of everything that's happened."

"Yep! My big sister is strong!"

A fourth voice, also of the royal family. I was able to move my head around and see her. "Eli-!"

"Elise!? I thought I told you to wait at the castle!"

And here comes Xander. Camilla let go of me so I could get a better look.

"I did! I waited at the castle!"

"Not this castle! Castle Krakenberg! The one castle in Windmire?"

"You weren't specific. And Father gave me orders to be at your side at all times!"

Leo smirked. "She's got you there, Crown Prince Xander. You're to keep a healer with you at all times."

"It's for her safety, Prince Leo." She then looked at Elise. "How did you get here?"

"With Adira! Turns out, she likes the snow and mountains!"

*whinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinny*

Xander groaned. Leo smirked while slightly baring his teeth. Camilla stifled a chuckle. Elise was just beaming at her answer to Xander.

They were all here-my brother and sisters. My face turned to concern.They were all here?"Wait a minute, you're all here? I've never seen you all here at the same time!"

"That's the surprise, dear Weiss." Camilla said. "We're all here to take you to Father."

Father? King Garon?

"He was very impressed with how you managed the Northern Fortress these past years," Xander added, "and has asked you to join him at his side."

I was going to see the man who 'raised' me. "When do we leave?"

"We leave by the time the skies turn to night," Leo answered.

"That's enough time to have a meal! You must come to dinner. Even with what's happened, the kitchen hasn't suffered much…hopefully." I would know because the kitchen was deeper in the fortress. "I'll make it, so feel free to rest a bit."

"Weiss?" Leo asked. "You cook?"

"A little. I had help from the chefs and the maids when I was younger-"

"Captain Hans is here!" "The Captain is here! Blocks!"

Captain Hans stopped that conversation train, but I felt that I couldn't move my legs to join the soldiers in formation. He stopped in front of them.

"Soldiers of the Northern Fortress!" He raised a hand to Prince Xander. "Crown Prince Xander, of Nohr!"

That's one way of getting out of making a debriefing speech. But Xander was okay with that.

"My people of Nohr! I am pleased by your efforts to have held yourselves strong against these unknown forces that have attacked your homes! You have all fought well, and I am proud to call you my people, despite the distance away from our Fatherland in Windmire. I understand that many of you here have lost loved ones, have lost homes, or have no true knowledge of the damage that has been done. For that, I am sorry that my efforts of protecting you were not enough."

You could hear the wind cut the air of what Xander had said.

"As those who died to ensure our safety, let us who live ensure its continuance! The soldiers I have brought here will be a part of the restoration efforts, to hopefully bring this Northern Fortress back to its former glory! Let us continue to live well, fight well, and continue well! For Nohr!"

[For Nohr!]

The sun was warming things up despite it being close to setting. The soldiers under Xander were very motivated by this, their morale rubbed off onto the people of the Northern Fortress, causing them to cheer, even though the latter group was mostly affected by the losses.

"The floor is now yours, Captain Hans."

Captain nodded. "Sergeant Weiss!"

I stepped forwards from my brothers and sisters, and stood next to Captain.

"To all of you that are of this Northern Fortress, you know her as Weiss, Sergeant of the Guard. She is the one who protected you well, when I and the Lieutenant were facing the enemy beyond the walls!"

I was given an applause.

"For many of you, this will be the last time we see her for a long time."

The audience was still surprised, even after revealing myself before this battle.

"Remember the one who has protected us here; now, she will protect us from afar, in her official station as Weiss, Princess of Nohr." He then turned to me. "Princess?"

Captain never calls me that. Well, it's going to get interesting from here on in. And what a way to defer a speechagain, Captain.

"My people of the Northern Fortress-" I raised my arms out towards them "-for the time that I have been in here, I am thankful for the many things, both within and without this castle, that have taught me to become who I am this day. Regrettably, as Captain Hans says, I go now to return to my origin of birth, to my Father the King Garon, where my station lies. Though I may be a Princess in name, I know that the knowledge and wisdom I have received from these lands will forever be with me! And I will ensure its continued endurance for the time that I still have in this kingdom!"

"Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!"

[Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!]

I bowed lowly. I could only smile. Well, there goes my chance of becoming a Lieutenant.