Hope will never die : a Fire Emblem Awakening quest

After some hesitation, you decide to ask Henry for help. The dark mage might be odd, and probably a bit too casual about things like 'risks' and 'danger', but if can really uses animals to follow Gaius' trail, you're confident you might be able to find him rather quickly. And at least you're somewhat familiar with the Plegian defector, which helps too.

The silver-haired mage isn't especially hard to find, though you notice the rest of the soldiers seem to give him a wide berth. If that bothers him, however, he shows no sign of it, saluting your arrival with a grin and a wave.

"Nya ha ha, it's Sumia's kid! Long time no see!"

You suppose it has been quite a while. You try to suppress the small pang of guilt by reminding yourself that you had a lot on your plate recently. You always intended to get back to him... eventually.

"Hello, Sir Henry. I wanted to ask for your help."

"Sure! If it's cursing someone though, I have to ask for permission first, apparently." he answered with his trademark smile.

You try your best not to wince. "It's... not that."

You quickly explain the situation, and Henry seems all to eager to accept, apparently entirely approving this opportunity to 'take a little field trip'. However, as you suspected, convincing Mother and Virion to let you go with him is... a bit harder.

"Absolutely not. At least let us provide a suitable escort."

"Moving in a large group through the mountains would be more dangerous" you argue. "It would also take longer."

"And the crows don't like being around too many people" Henry happily chimed in. "Well alive people at least, nyah ha ha."

Not. Helping.

"Why is it so urgent to speak with Gaius anyway?" your mother pleads. "He should be back here in a few weeks at most, right?"

"It might be longer" Virion corrects with a grim expression. "I've asked him to monitor Plegian movements deep into the mountains until winter's end. he just drops messages to our forward camps before going back into the fray. I don't expect to see him directly until Spring. Still," he argues "I agree. Surely this can wait?"

You frown. "You can't promise he'll still be among us in a few months, uncle Virion." It sounds cold even to your own ears, but last year taught you to no longer take the people around you for granted, if nothing else. "If I don't do it now, I fear like I might not get another chance. As for why..." You sigh. "I can't explain it entirely. But I think... I think we need more information on the Fire Emblem and why it was stolen. Aunt Lissa told me Gaius was probably the one who knew the most about that."

"That's absurd!" Virion can't help but protest. "Surely he already told everything he knew about that already?"

However, this time it's your mother who corrects him, looking crestfallen. "He... he was interrogated by Chrom and Robin. As far as I know, no-one else was given any details afterwards. At the very least, Chrom never talked about that night, and I never pressed him."

The Duke of Rosanne let out a swear. "And no-one thought of asking since then about something that happened more than a decade ago. Still, does it have to be you? I can send another patrol with specific instructions..."

"Why the sudden interest in the Fire Emblem, though?" your mother asks softly.

"I..." You hesitate, unsure of how to answer. "It might seem insane, but I think... I think this is something Naga wants."

You half-expect to be met by scepticism, if not outright disbelief, but Mother at least seems to seriously consider your words, and while Virion looks disturbed, he doesn't immediately protest.

"I don't know much about the Fire Emblem" finally admits your mother "but I know it's important to the Exalted line. And I know there's a connection between Naga and your ancestors, although I never really understood it. If... if you really believe it's the best thing to do, I'll trust you."

You can see how much those words are costing her, and you hate yourself for putting her through that. Nonetheless, you feel certain that this is the correct course of action. "Thank you."

"Daily messages though!" admonishes Virion. "Your animal friends can manage that much, Henry? If I don't hear from you two for two days straight, I'm sending our entire air force after you, consequences be damned!"

"Please, Henry. Take good care of my daughter."

The dark mage simply smiles. "No problem, Sumia! I still owe you a favor from that time you gave me your body, after all!"

Your mouth falls open in shock, while Virion almost choke on his own breath. What?! Your horror and sense of betrayal is only strengthened by the sight of your mother turning bright red.

"It-it-it... It isn't what you're thinking at all!"

***

A frantic and desperate explanation eventually manage to placate you a little - though you still think you're scarred for life, and resolve never telling any of this to Cynthia. The final step is then to make the final preparations for your departure. Gone are your royal clothes, replaced by a brown scout uniform with a fur mantle. Still a bit too big, but you'll manage. You even gave yourself an improvised haircut to avoid standing out as much as possible, your short blue hair giving you a somewhat boyish figure. Falchion is the only thing that might out yourself as the princess of Ylisse, though you at least covered the handle to hide the gold ornaments. Well that and the Brand in your eyes, but if an enemy got close enough to see it, then it's likely you're already in big trouble.Finally, your two magic tomes are secured at your belt, while your Einherjar is hidden under your tunic, a very literal trump card if things went south.

Henry, for his part, did not seem to make any particular effort to disguise himself, though you hope that his usual Plegian robes might help should you encounter an enemy patrol. You're not sure what to think of his obvious enthusiasm at your coming expedition, but try to convince yourself that it's probably a good thing. Hopefully. The both of you are travelling light at your magic teacher insistence; you are pretty inexperienced with how a long travel through the wilderness is supposed to be prepared, but you would have believed them to require more gear. Then again, you are willing to admit that the man who talks to animals might know more on that subject than you.
Endurance B, Willpower B+. Keeping up the pace.
The two of you finally hit the road, crossing the Verdant River before your ascension through the Dragon Range, making your way through a small mountain path. The two of you travel for a week, which is a peculiar experience in many respect. Your physical training serves you well for the days of constant walking and facing the biting cold of the snowy mountains. Still, you doubt you'd have made it out easily without your travelling companion. Henry's gift with the various animals is certainly astounding; while he does claim an affinity for crows, during your travels you see him converse with raptors, wolves, mountain goats... The night the two of you spends sleeping into the lair of a 'befriended' bear is both nerve-wracking and exciting. At first you believed him to be using some kind of magic, but after watching him closely for a few days you never see him using any spell that might explain the phenomenon. He's just... doing it. Not unlike Cherche with Minerva, you realize. You're not quite sure what to make of that.

His conversation, however, can be a little bit distressing. You can at least appreciate the absolute sincerity of his every words, but dealing with someone who seems to have absolutely no filter isn't always easy. From the gruesome descriptions of his deeds on the battlefield to the frankly disturbing accounts of his past life, not to mention the recurring lust for blood it's hard to not feel at least a little bit crept out. And the apparent lack of a deeper purpose for most of his actions is rather alien to you; if his claims were to be taken at face value, he betrayed Plegia (apparently slaughtering his previous comrades-in-arm in the process without any hesitation) on a whim, and joined the Shepherds on an impulse, which would suggest he might do the same again at any given day.

Despite this, you can't help but keep trusting him. He has been nothing but helpful and friendly to you, and while that traumatizing anecdote involving him and your mother still haunts you, it bespoke of a great deal of trust between them. You don't know what Father saw in him to welcome him among the Shepherds, but through the years, he had shown himself to be a surprisingly good judge of character.

Almost every time.

That being said, asking Henry to talk about the night your father died had been a mistake.

"Oh yeah, Robin skewered him with a lightning dagger. Bam, straight through the stomach! Actually, I think I taught him that spell..."

You remind yourself that Henry is a valuable ally, one who has helped you time and time again without ever asking for anything in return. A powerful dark mage whose help is invaluable to the Shepherds and to Ylisse.

Because otherwise there'd be very little reason to not punch him in his grinning face right now.

That being said, you certainly can appreciate his efficiency. Not once during your travels does he hesitate on the direction to follow, his every step showing the utmost familiarity with the wild environment you're in. On the sixth day, he finally delivers the news.

"So my friends just told me that Gaius and his friends are a bit ahead. Maybe one hour of walking? Betcha you're happy!"

For once, you can't help but return his smile. Despite your misgivings Henry certainly came through, and knowing Gaius is almost within reach is lifting your spirits considerably.
Stealth E+. Henry helps? Hah. A hazardous encounter.
Which is why finding yourself surrounded by a Plegian patrol lying in ambush only minutes later is quite the let-down. A swordsman and an archer in deep grey mantles, a burly axeman with a shaved head - why does he seem somewhat familiar to you? - and a lack of clothing seemingly unfit for such a weather, and a cloaked female whose clothes are displaying the eye of Grima.

"Oh yeah, the crows told me about you guys too. I kind of forgot about that."

How did you forgot, you desperately want to scream. Fortunately they don't appear to be immediately hostile, their leader instead addressing Henry with a guarded tone.

"I didn't expect to find another faithful here. I believed we were the only patrol in this sector."

"Eh, we're not a patrol" Henry just shrugged, looking utterly at ease. "Just here looking for someone, that's all."

You can't help but sweat despite the cold. This could turn very badly, and henry utter lack of apparent concern is somewhat unnerving - though probably helpful. The Grimleal gives you a glance, but is quick to ignore you, which suits you just fine.

"Hmm. Can you tell me about your mission? I don't like last minute surprises, and with enemies looming near-"

"For the love of Grima, can we just move on?!" the axeman interrupts. "Who cares what he's up to, you're all freaks anyway. We almost caught up to that... that... filthy, craven murderer, there's no need to waste time with an even crazier member of your cult and a damn brat that..." His indignant speech slows down as he give you a second glance. "Huh. Didn't we meet somewhere?"

"I don't think so." You do your best to not meet his eyes, for fear he'd see the mark in yours. As you feared, you must have met him somewhere, though right now you can't remember where. Nonetheless, there are only so many circumstances you might have crossed path with a Plegian auxiliary, none of them good.

The man doesn't sound quite convinced by your denial, but his obvious desire to be on his way seems to win out. The Grimleal seems more hesitant, though.

"I don't care about the girl, but you do seem a bit familiar, though" she says, addressing Henry. "What did you say your name was?"

"Well, I didn't say, so you couldn't have known, nyah ah ah! But I'm Henry, nice to meetcha! And this is Luci-"

"Lucia." you immediately cuts him off. "My name is Lucia."

"Oh yeah, that suits you too!"

... Is he even aware of the situation? The female spellcaster is fortunately more focused on your teacher's name than your own... which unfortunately could come with its own set of problems.

"Henry... I think I heard that one before. Then again, I suppose it's not the most uncommon name either..."

"True that!"

And the fierce-looking fighter is still eyeing you suspiciously. You need to cut this encounter short before something gives you or Henry away (assuming he doesn't do it on his own). You're just not sure how to do it. Then again... maybe you could learn a bit more about what they're doing themselves? The man made it sound like they tracked someone... could it be Gaius?

[] Try to take your leave. The shorter this conversation is, the better chance you have to avoid a fight.
[] Strike first. You're not confident in your ability to trick them, and they might become a problem later anyway.
[] Attempt to learn more. They haven't recognized you yet, so you may have a chance to get them to talk about their own plans.
[] Don't intervene. Maybe, just maybe, Henry has it all under control?
[] Write-in.​