Hope will never die : a Fire Emblem Awakening quest

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Propose to spend a bit more time together...
-[X] ... to play a strategy game together.

"Actually, I was thinking... Would you like to join me for a moment? I have this board game I used to play with your father, but I'm afraid I wasn't able to find a suitable partner these last months."

A minor lie. You do occasionally play with Laurent, but those moments are few and far between, and becoming rarer as of late. Nonetheless, your offer is met with unexpected eagerness.

"Yes! Yes yes yes! Man, this is awesome! Since I left my stuff at our last home, I thought- hey, can we go now?"

Well, your plan to have an ice-breaker is working well enough. Almost too well in fact, with Morgan almost bouncing up and down all the way to your quarters, her earlier shyness apparently entirely forgotten. And the way her eyes shine when you pull out the strategy board... Well, it seems you managed to find one of Morgan's passions. It's clear she's familiar with the rules and is quite eager to start, though you're not sure you trust her grin.

You expected Morgan to be good at this, and in that respect, you are not disappointed. The first game turns out to be an all-out contest that you barely manage to win. You're kind of glad no-one was around to see you struggle to defeat someone four year your junior at something you believe to be reasonably good at. Morgan's pout at your victory is not unlike your sister's, but is quickly replaced by a newfound determination and another challenge. This time you manage a bit better, shamelessly exploiting the fact the quality of her moves seems to go down the more impatient she gets by slowing down your own rhythm. She clearly notices your ploy, but interestingly doesn't call foul play, though it doesn't help with her frustration.

Then she asks to play another round.

This is karma, you realize. All of these times you pestered Robin for one more game until you could manage a win, and now you're on the receiving end. Except that while you never came close to defeat the Grandmaster, you're actually worried that his daughter might not need that long to catch up. The wise move would be to call it a day, if not for your extreme reluctance to turn down any kind of challenge. You also could end it by throwing a round, but every fiber of your being protest at the very thought.

So you do what any reasonable person would, and conjure up all of your skills to beat a eight-year old at a game, which in turn makes her all the more determined to keep going.

In the end, you are saved by Nah coming to take her younger sibling for dinner. She almost manages to hide her snort at Morgan's outraged expression and your relieved one. However, if you had any doubt on the temporary nature of your salvation, Morgan's next words make things clear.

"This isn't over."

Nah shoots you an apologetic grin. Gods above, what have you done?

[X] Visit on the frontlines

The day of your departure doesn't come a moment too soon. Granted, you have better reasons to visit the frontlines than simply to escape an obsessive manakete, but it's a nice bonus.

Cynthia is here to see you off, doing her best to put a strong front. Still, you can't blame her for being nervous at the thought of you and Mother leaving the palace for the eastern border while leaving her behind. You know she's keeping herself busy these days, both with her flying lessons and that secret project she's keeping quiet about, but you're nonetheless glad Owain will be here to lift her spirits if the need arises. You also know your sister has become good friends with Inigo and Morgan too, so that might help...

"Hey, don't worry about me, I'll be fine! Just stay safe, okay?"

"Was I that obvious?" You smile and hug your sister goodbye. She's right. You just need to focus on your goals, and make sure to come back to her in one piece.

In the end, it was decided the safest path to the border remained the skies. You and Mother are flying together, escorted by Lady Cordelia and a small retinue of pegasus knights. Cu seems overjoyed at the chance to stretch her wings further than Ylisstol and its immediate surroundings, and you have to admit, you end up enjoying this three-day journey quite a bit. Seeing Ylisse from the skies like that is a unique experience, and the evenings spent around a bonfire talking to Mother, or asking Cordelia how Cynthia's training is going (while giving news of Severa in exchange) is kind of nice.

The last day is unfortunately a grim reminder of why you're here. Even from the skies, the signs of war are unmistakable. Burnt down villages and ruined fields are becoming a common sight, and you can only pray that the inhabitants were evacuated in time. Meanwhile, armed columns slowly make their way through the snowy roads toward the Dragon Range, the natural border between Plegia and Ylisse. In other circumstances, you'd have enjoyed the sight of those tall mountains. But as they become larger with each minute of flight, you can only wonder about the threats that might emerge from them.

A few hours later, you finally arrive at the army's main camp. Even in the middle of winter, the place is bustling with activity, thousands of men and women standing guard and preparing for the future battles. Amidst this activity, a familiar blue-haired figure makes his way toward your group as you land.

"Miladies, you are as always a sight for sore eyes" Virion exclaims himself. "And allow me to welcome you to our humble encampment, princess Lucina. I apologize in advance for the somewhat rustic accommodations."

"That's quite alright, uncle Virion. Or should I call you Grandmaster Virion now?"

That got a groan out of him. "Please don't. It's not even my official title, just something I'm being referred as for convenience sake. And to this day, I still have no idea why I accepted this horrible position to begin with."

"You seemed the one best suited for the job" half-apologized your mother. "And no-one can criticize the job you've done so far."

"Then I pray you won't have causes for regrets in the end" the Duke of Rosanne answered. "But enough about that. I'll have someone show Lucina her quarters. as I said, rustic, but I'm afraid there's little to be done about that."

"It's quite alright" you say. "It is only fair that I share the conditions of everyone else here."

"Ah, truly your father's daughter, then. Personally, I'm afraid I never got used to this sort of life. That is truly something I didn't miss from our Shepherd's days..."

"Has there been news these last days?" asks Sumia. "Any losses?"

"No losses so far, though we got a couple injured soldiers on patrol. They got caught into a rockslide." he answers. "As for news... Nothing major, but there is something. It can wait for the meeting tomorrow, however. I assume your daughter will join us?"

You nod. While finding Gaius was your main reason from coming here, being able to attend some of the war meetings at least was something you definitely intended to do.

"Excellent. For now, I suggest you rest after your day of flight. Or you could explore the camp if you wish. Not all Shepherds are here, but I imagine you may run into a few familiar figures."

That might not be a bad idea. While you are quite tired, maybe beginning to familiarize yourself with the place might be a good idea, especially if you're to spend the next weeks here. Though from what you saw, the place is quite large, probably too big to explore before the sunset. For now...

[] Find the stables. You might as well see how Cu is finding her new accommodations.
[] Go observe the outer perimeter. It might give you an idea of where the danger might come from.
[] Look for the infirmary. It'll give you a sense of how bad the situation might be.
[] Seek the supply depot. While you know the theory of how an army operates, seeing it with your own eyes cannot hurt.
[] Visit the barracks. You're curious to observe the soldiers routine.
[] Just rest. You'll need your strength for the days to come.

Spoiler: Notes

Late AND shorter than what I wished for. That's a busy week for you, I suppose.

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Seek the supply depot. While you know the theory of how an army operates, seeing it with your own eyes cannot hurt.

You fight off your initial instinct to check on Cu. You haven't see Cherche yet, but this camp should be able to take proper care of Rosanne's wyverns, so your companion will be in good hands. Instead, you decide to use the few hours you have left to look for the supply depot. You remember Robin stressing over and over the importance of logistics during your lessons, and while your personal feelings toward the man have considerably soured since then, his teachings have yet to fail you. Mostly, you're curious. Your knowledge of how an army works is almost entirely theoretical at this point, so you want to take this chance to see how it is done with your own eyes.

Finding it isn't particularly hard. The encampment might be big, but the large wooden buildings standing among a sea of tents are a dead giveaway, not to mention the frantic activity surrounding them. And at the center of it all stands a somewhat familiar figure, although you need time to put a name under his face.

"Sir Stahl! I hope I'm not bothering you."

"Wha-Lucina? When did you- I mean princess Lucina! Sorry!" The green armoured knight apologized, clearly surprised by your sudden appearance.

You were quick to wave his apology off - you were the one intruding, after all. Followed a minute where you had to assure him that yes, Sumia knew you were here and no, you didn't run off from Ylisstol at random to fight Plegians. All while trying very hard not to roll your eyes. Once that misunderstanding is cleared up, it's your turn to ask what he is doing there; you don't know Stahl very much, but this is hardly the place where you expected to find the famed viridian knight, hero of two wars and one of the older members of the Shepherds.

As it turns out, it appears he has acted as the Shepherds unofficial quartermaster for a long time now, Stahl happily explains, earning the position after he displayed a knack for keeping the army food supplies safe and well-provisioned.

"I mean, no soldier can fight on an empty stomach, that's just common sense!"

When you ask, he guides you through the registries, which make for a rather intimidating reading. When you voice the sentiment, the knight just sighs.

"I know what you mean. Honestly I can't wait until Miriel gets here. She's the one with a head for numbers, I'm just trying to keep up."

"Why isn't she there already then?" you ask. You never really thought about it, but if she's usually a vital part of this process, it felt strange for her to remain in Ylisstol. Stahl answers your question with a shrug.

"I think she's currently researching some magic stuff with Tharja. Something about those risen we've encountered last time we went in Plegia. Hope she'll be finished soon."

You can't help but shudder at the word. You've read a few reports about the living corpses met by Ylisse's army during the failed invasion of Plegia, but it's hard to wrap your head around the fact that Plegia somehow managed to make the dead fight for them. "Is there a lot of them around?"

"Hmm? No, not really. Barely saw any since we returned to Ylisse, to be honest, though Sully told me she met a few during her last patrols. I hope this keeps up, they're not a pleasant sight. Almost enough to make me lose my appetite" Stahl says. "For now, we burn our corpses just in case, to avoid any nasty surprise."

That's a sentiment you can share, although you suspect that they might show up in greater numbers once Plegia decides to really push forward. Still, the conversation with Stahl gave you a lot to think about - as well as a permanent invitation to come and assist him when you have free time for the duration of your stay here. Still, with that glimpse of the war, you can't help but wonder about the upcoming war meetings.

[X] In the thick of it

Virion's tent is packed with familiar figures. Say'ri looks more regal than ever in her Chon'sin armor. Flavia looks as fierce as you remember, the Feroxi Khan glaring at a spot on the map deployed before her. Karan, clad in a battered steel armor, make for a stern figure despite the shadows under his eyes. Even your mother is showing a face you're not familiar with. You are used to Sumia the loving parent, and you got to know Sumia the patient and well-meaning queen-regent; Sumia the pegasus knight is something of a novelty to you yet there's no mistaking her with anyone else.And of course there's Virion, the usually suave nobleman showing little of his usual genial manners.

Despite the serious atmosphere though, Virion's summary of the situation is cautiously optimistic. As fighting dies down alongside the border, the Plegian troops have more or less been entirely driven out of Ylisse, with a few pockets of resistance in the process of being reduced. For now, they seem content to gather their forces behind the mountain range and sending infiltration teams down the passes, turning the entire area into a massive playground for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Still, this gave Virion time to reorganize Ylisse's lines and integrate the allied forces into the fray, while pushing Plegia back provided a much needed morale boost after the previous disasters of last year.

"But you're still worried, right?" your mother interjects, as Virion finishes his summary.

"That is true, I'm afraid" he answers. "First and foremost, I'm concerned about the lack of naval activity from Plegia since the end of the war. Their fleet isn't quite what it once was, not after we wrecked part of it against the Valmese when they oh so graciously lent it to us, but it still should be a threat. I half-expected our southern shores to be aflame by now, to be honest."

That earns him a worried look from Say'ri. "Do you think they intend to sail for Valm instead?"

That... would certainly cause problems. If their lands were to be directly threatened, the help Say'ri and Virion could provide to Ylisse would be lessened, and their own presence here much less certain.

"Well, I doubt they'd be able to mount a full scale invasion, not without exposing themselves on this border" the blue-haired archer says. "Still, I wouldn't be surprised if they were to launch some sort of raid. I'm also worried they might offer support to those in Valm who might yearn for revenge against Ylisse and its allies. Walhart might be dead, but his dreams of conquest were followed by many."

You have trouble imagining anyone willingly allying themselves with Plegia, until your mind flashes to that dream. Maybe Virion's fears aren't that far-fetched.

"But there's something else. This last week, our patrols have caught several groups of Plegian soldiers trying to cross the border, sometimes accompanied by a few civilians. They surrendered as soon as we spotted them."

Duke Karan can't help but frown. "You think they might be spies?"

"I can't rule out the possibility of course, but so far most of them appear to be genuine."

"Deserters?" asks Flavia. "Ain't that a good thing then? If they're losing the will to fight, we must be doing something right."

"Maybe. But what bothers me is that almost all of them aren't fleeing the frontlines. Apparently, they're escaping Plegia itself. There seems to be some fighting inside the country, though the cause is unclear right now."

"You think it's a revolt?" your mother asks.

"I doubt it." answers Virion. "If I had to bet, I'd say there might be some kind of purge going on. Still, if this was true, I'd expect to see noblemen and officers at our borders, not conscripts and farmers." The Duke of Rosanne let out a sigh. "We simply don't know enough about what's happening in Plegia right now. But I suspect we won't like it when we find out."

You suspect that he might be proven all too right on that count.

[X] One with the blade

Fortunately, Say'ri provides you with the perfect opportunity to clear your head from your dark thoughts. The Chon'sin queen came to you at the end of the meeting to offer you to practice together. Which was exactly what you were about to ask her, so it works out quite well, you think. She can only chuckles when you mention the fact.

"Fie! Such drive! I can see the Teeth of Naga is in good hands."

Your smile grows wistful as your hand automatically find Falchion's pommel. "I... I hope so. I know a lot is expected from this sword and from the one who wields it, and... I just want to be able to honour my father's memory."

Falchion might have only been a small part of who he was, but it's the last memento you have of him, the constant reminder that though he is gone you can carry on his will. How pathetic it must seem, to have a sword, no matter how magical, be equated to a parent? Still Say'ri doesn't chide you for it; if anything, there's understanding in her gaze.

"Aye. From what I've seen, I have no doubt you will."

You notice her own hand rests on her blade's guard, and you can't help but give it another glance. It's quite different from the traditional Chon'sin killing edge that you've seen most of her retinue - not to mention Lon'qu - bear. "Your sword seems rather unique too. I've never seen one quite like it."

"This?" The queen pulls out the golden weapon to give you a better look, letting you contemplate the six branch-like protrusions along the central blade. "Tis called Amatsu, one of Chon'sin heirloom. It might not be as famous as Falchion, but it holds quite a potent magic as well."

The design does seem odd, but if it is deemed good enough to be used by someone as skilled as Say'ri, you have no reason to doubt its potency. "Was it passed down your family too?"

"... Aye. That is so."

The melancholic tone in her voice dissuades you to press further, and you mentally kick yourself. Of course it would bring painful memories to the surface, the same way that Falchion always made you think of Father. As if sensing your unease, Say'ri offers you a smile.

"Do not fret. The memories that come with this blade are bittersweet indeed, but I have learned to accept what happened. Today this sword serves as an inspiration to avoid the mistakes of the past."

That definitely sounds heavy. Still, you think you understand, at least partly. "I hope I can manage to do that as well."

"Then let us meditate together. One cannot wield a blade to its full extent without being in harmony with themselves first."

You nod. Lon'qu tends to favour jumping into action when it comes to training, but you don't dislike Say'ri's more contemplative approach. There will be time to talk about what he tried to teach you. For now, you're happy to simply sit together and clear your head, if only for an instant. For an hour, you can push aside the weight of the world bearing down on you, and as the day end, you can't help but think Falchion never felt lighter.

***

You wait until the second day to ask about Gaius' whereabouts. Unsurprisingly, he isn't stationed in the main camp, instead leading a scouting party through the mountains, tracking down Plegia's patrols, while sending the occasional report. That does mean he can stay away for weeks, and you don't believe you'd be justified in asking Virion to call him back. He is fighting a war, after all, and you don't want to interfere with his duties more than necessary. So if he might not come to you, you might as well come to him. After all, you already went this far, right? Of course, that meant you had to consider how to reach him, which is easier said than done. You will need to ask someone for help

[] Ask Cherche for help. The skies remain the fastest way to reach him, and probably the safest. Finding Gaius might be difficult if he chooses to stay hidden though.
[] Travel with Gregor. The mercenary worked with Gaius more than once and should be able to track him down. It might take days though, and would expose you to the potential dangers of the mountains.
[] Go with Henry? You may have some doubts about some of his... peculiarities, but from what you've heard in the camp, his uncanny abilities to communicate with animals made him quite handy to have around in the wilderness.
[] Kellam might help? Somehow? When did he even get there?

Spoiler: Notes

The results of One with the Blade and In the Thick of It will come with the next update.

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Go with Henry? You may have some doubts about some of his... peculiarities, but from what you've heard in the camp, his uncanny abilities to communicate with animals made him quite handy to have around in the wilderness.

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.​

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Attempt to learn more.

Trying to quiet your beating heart, you decide to take a chance. None of them seem to have recognised you or Henry so far, and it doesn't seem like they're too interested into pressing that issue. If you can convince them that you're not a threat to their plan, maybe you could learn about them... which might proves important if they do involve Gaius.

On the other hand, you're more and more convinced that simply letting Henry talk will end up in disaster. Meaning you have to try something.

"We're coming back from a spying mission, actually" you say, hoping to project some confidence. "We don't know anything about the people you're looking for."
Bluff E+. Charisma B+. Delaying the disaster.
The Grimleal looks at you suspiciously. "Rather young for a spy, don't you think?"

You try to hide your nervousness behind a smile. "That is the plan." Through your mantle, you offer her a glimpse of the dark tome secured at your side. "Most people wouldn't expect it."

She raises an eyebrow, but seems to relax a little. "I suppose that make some sense. Most apprentices wouldn't be allowed to leave the temple before finishing their training, though."

"Oh, I'm the one teaching her!" Henry happily answers. "She's not too bad! But she's been slacking of lately."

Your protest is almost instinctive. "I-I am not! It's just-I had a lot to do lately."

"That's true, I guess. Pretty caw-mendable of you, nya ha ha!"

At least outing yourself as a dark magic practitioner and the ensuing banter seems to have put the Plegians more at ease. You decide to seize the opportunity to push your luck.

"If I may ask, who are you after? Those mountains hardly seem like the place to find someone in particular."

"It might seem so" answers the Grimleal "but we've received reports of a Shepherd operating nearby. Killing him and his team will be a great boon for our Master Grima."

You can't help but shiver. Surely she means that part about Grima is a simple figure of speech? Still, they definitely seem after Gaius, which make things rather complicated.

"Why are we wasting time?" the axeman interjects. "I don't care about Grima or whatever, I just want that thief's head."

That earns him a dark look from his Plegian superior. "Quiet, fool. You may have earned Mistress Aversa's favours for your past deeds, but that does not give you the right to blaspheme in my presence. And remember. Lord Validar wants Shepherds corpses as untouched as possible."

"Aww, but you can do so much more with separate pieces..."

You ignore Henry's complaint, instead focusing on the implications of what was just said. They're targetting the Shepherds... and want intact bodies? There was only one reason you could think of, one that had rather horrible implications. And what about the already fallen Shepherds, then?

... what about Father?

You had to bit your lip to not scream at the thought. If your suspicions were true...

Your train of thoughts is interrupted by the bowman, who had remained silent until now. "Mistress, if I may. If those two are spies... why is he openly wearing those robes?"

Every Plegians suddenly focused on Henry and his dark mage garbs. Your magic teacher didn't seem bothered by the attention, however. "Well, I like those robes! I mean, I tried ditching them for furs and animal skulls without wearing a shirt, but that didn't come out too well."

The remark was met with dreadful silence, pushing you to make a desperate attempt at damage control.

"He means he just put them back on now that we're leaving Ylisse, of course. In order to not be attacked by our own side, you know?"

For a moment, you dare hope they're going to buy this excuse. Before the axeman speaks again in a slow tone. "You know, your voice really is familiar. And you're not the first blue-haired brat I met. That's rare, right?"

"Yup!" agrees Henry to your own consternation. "I mean, there's her sister. And Olivia's kid is kind of blue-ish? I'm more fond of red hair though. Hmm, red..."

"Silver-haired mages aren't too common either" the Plegian leader says, reaching for her tome, voice cold as ice. "And I think I remember something about a dark mage who defected to Ylisse a few years ago after slaughtering his own squad, with just that hair color."

"That sounds like something I'd do!"

I'm going to strangle him.

"You!" the bald warrior roared in your direction. "You're the kid from that night! You're the reason Vincent's dead!"

You threw yourself backward to avoid the whistling axe blow that immediately followed, rolling in the snow to gain some distance. At the same time, black flames were summoned by the Grimleal, only to be immediately countered by dark-red runes.

"Hihi, caster fight!" Henry's grin was positively demonic, seemingly not caring for the archer aiming at him while the woman prepared for a new magical assault.

For his part, the axe fighter seemed determined to go straight at you, with the swordsman apparently following to back him up. The two of them threatened to cut you off from your ally, leaving you with only an instant to make a decision.

[] Hold off the oncoming attackers. The odds don't seem great, but you have little choice. You'll have to hold on and hope Henry can prevail against his own opponents quickly enough to help you.
-[] Use Falchion
-[] Pull of a magic tome
[] Support Henry against his opponents. If you can distract the ranged fighters without getting stabbed in the back by the fighters, it could make Henry free to fully release his own spells.
-[] Draw your sword and come in close
-[] Blast them with spells
[] Retreat and try to find Gaius. He can't be far, and with Henry's help, you should be able to go straight to him... if the dark mage follows you.
[] Write-in

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Hold off the oncoming attackers. The odds don't seem great, but you have little choice. You'll have to hold on and hope Henry can prevail against his own opponents quickly enough to help you.
-[X] Use Falchion

Trusting Henry to deal with his own opponents, you unsheathe Falchion in one fluid move, just in time to meet the Plegian's charge. Still slightly off-balance, you manage to deflect an axeblow intended for your head, before managing to step around the enraged fighter. Before you can take advantage of his exposed flank however, the swordsman is on you, his lunge forcing you to move away. Finding back your balance, you prepare yourself for the next assault. You manage to spare Henry a glance, just in time to see him catch an arrow intended for his neck with his open palm, while still exchanging spells with the Grimleal; instead of the pained cry you'd have expected, his grin seems to grow even wider.

"Oy! You don't have time to look away, girly!"

You reluctantly agree, dodging yet another axe swing before blocking a sword thrust. You'll have to trust Henry and focus on your own opponents; two-on-one will be a challenge all on its own. Not an impossible one though, you reassure yourself as you once again dance away from your foes, leaving a cloud of snow in your trail. These opening moves gave you an idea of what they were capable of, and you feel confident you might be more than a match for them in skills despite being outnumbered.
Swords A- vs Axes B- / Swords C+. The virtues of training.
You can almost hear your heart pounding in your chest, while thoughts keep racing in your mind. The hulking fighter seems very much like the straightforward type, simply charging at you without a care for his ally. The swordsman, in turn, seems content to simply follow and cover his back, attacking you as soon as you make an attempt to take advantage of an opening. A decent strategy, you admit, but not a perfect one you think. With only one of them committed to fight as a team, the beginning of a plan forms in your head. You parry a strike, step back and turn around, breaking into a sprint away from the two of them, managing to keep your balance in the snowy ground.

"You're not getting away from this, brat!"
Intelligence B- vs Intelligence D-. Dexterity B+ vs Dexterity C. Gotta go fast.
As you hoped, you immediately hear the fighter's heavy steps following you, widening the gap between him and his ally. An instant before he catches up to you, you spin around, avoiding his charge entirely. The slippery ground prevents him from stopping straight away, and you take that opportunity to make a beeline toward the swordsman, intent on dealing with him first. The Plegian widen his eyes as he sees you coming, and you're on him in a flash, your blades meeting in a shower of sparks.
Strength A- vs Strength C. Ylissean royal style B- vs Common style. Breaking through.
Falchion almost bites through the man's steel sword, chipping away at the metal, while the force behind your blow is enough to make the soldier stagger. You follow up with a two-handed strike, who again is barely blocked. Your third swing literally cleaves through the other blade, leaving your horrified opponent with just a broken sword. Not giving him the time to react, you drive Falchion through his stomach. You do your best to ignore the man's dying gasp as he collapses, instead turning around to face your last opponent. It's hard to see how Henry is doing as his personal battlefield is engulfed in a storm of dark lightning, but his delighted laugh seems to indicate he's doing fine.

The Plegian warrior seems to barely register the death of his comrade, once again throwing himself at you with a hateful growl. Your arms tense under the strength of his blows, but you manage to hold your ground nonetheless, before slipping into a reverse guard, a move that Say'ri made you practice tirelessly. His axe slide to the side while you step inside his guard. From that distance and position, you can't quite deliver a fatal wound, but Falchion nonetheless bite deep into his flank.
Skill activated: Counter.
To your surprise, he doesn't step away despite his injury, instead grabbing your arm with his free hand. By the time you're yanking yourself free, his weapon already has come down. You manage to twist away at the last moment to avoid the worst of it, but you can feel steel tearing through your shoulder before ripping through your left arm. Stifling a pained shout, you roll away, leaving a bloody trail in the snow behind you. For his part, your foe simply puts an hand on his injury, growling at the sight of the blood, but otherwise shows more anger than pain.

"You're going to pay for that, you little shit!"
Injury sustained - physical skills and attributes temporarily go down a rank. Opponent trait 'Scarred Veteran' activates - penalties due to wound reduced
You do your best to ignore his words and the pain. With only one hand, wielding Falchion is definitely a challenge. The blade feels heavier, and it's hard to put much strength into your attacks or parries. Gritting your teeth, you keep going nonetheless, falling back on the fast legwork and quick deflections Lon'qu drilled you into. Still, the axeman is relentless, raining blows upon blows. You dodge most of them and block those you can't, but it's enough to make your uninjured arm numb and your head spinning.

"It hurts, huh?! That's just a taste of what Vincent felt!"
Endurance C (base B, injured) vs Endurance B- (base B+, injured). A last ditch effort.
That name again. Was that the man Gaius killed the night you were given your einherjar card? And the other was... Victor? You think that might be it, but pain and exhaustion are making it hard to think straight. And he's still not slowing down! Where's Henry? If he could- no. You can't afford to rely on him in a time like this. You have to end it soon, while you still have some energy. Once again, your weapons clashes, the axe forcing Falchion out of the way while pushing you backward. You let yourself fall on your back to avoid the reverse swing, and the fighter follows., diving toward you.
Dexterity C+ (base B+, injured) vs Dexterity D+ (base C, injured). Chon'sin style C- (base B-) vs Berserker style D+ (base C). Final curtain.
What you currently lack in strength, his own charge happily provides. With a flick of the wrist, you manage to reposition Falchion straight between you two, the man impaling himself on the holy blade. You allow yourself a couple of short, pained breathes before rolling away from his lifeless body, slowly standing up to provide support for Henry if he needs some. To your relief, it seems your magic mentor managed to finish things up on his end too. He truly is a fearsome sight right now, with a deep gash on his cheek and an arrow still stuck in the palm of his hand, yet a ferocious smile plastered on his face. As for his opponents... there is little left of the Grimleal mage, her robes reduced to crimson tatters as if struck by thousands of blades. As for the archer, his corpse lie in the snow, looking like it has aged a hundred years in the few moments the battle took.

Henry's eyes meet your gaze, and your instincts instantly scream danger. For a moment, it is as if he doesn't see you, but just another prey instead to satiate the bloodlust that radiates from his expression. He lifts his dark tome and every muscle in your body tense, trying to anticipate an attack that would certainly be fatal. The incantation never comes however, the dark mage instead releasing his trademark childish laugh.

"Nya ha ha! That was great! Hey, you already finished too?"

Not trusting your voice, you simply give him a nod, feeling like you just had a close brush with death. Your left arm is hurting all over, and you feel absolutely spent, but at least you managed to survive. Watching the corpses, you can't help but feel a pang of regret, quickly cast aside. It isn't the first time you have to take a life, and you fear it won't be the last. If it's to protect yourself or those you care about... Then that's a burden you'll have to carry, like your parents did. But just as you begin to relax and think on how to bandage your and Henry's wounds, the sight of three cloaked figures quickly approaching instantly puts you on guard.

"Henry, watch out!"​

The dark mage lazily turns around as you shakily raises Falchion once again. That is enough to make the trio stop and the man in the lead to lower his hood, revealing a dumbfounded Gaius.

"What the fuck are you two doing here?!"

***

A few minutes later, your group are safely resting at Gaius temporary camp, his men bandaging you as you explain the situation.

"You're completely insane, Little Blue, you know that?" the red-headed thief says, before giving you a blue flask. "Drink this. It should help with your injuries."

You gratefully take the potion, feeling the pain in your arm diminishing. It won't be enough to fully heal, but it should fasten the process. "What about him?" you point to Henry, who is currently watching his own wound with disturbing glee.

"Forget it, he's hopeless like that." Gaius shrugged. "It's not like he'll die from this anyway. I swear I saw him once put back his own blood in his body with a spell. Completely freaky if you ask me."

"Hex-tra freaky!" the concerned party happily agreed, earning himself dubious looks from Gaius' men.

"By the way, next time you ask your birds to track me down, tell them to not eat my damn breakfast! It's hard enough as it is to find any decent meal out there, let alone some sugar!"

"Aaaw, but they need to eat too! And after doing such a good job, it felt only right to give them a reward!"

"Yeah well reward them with stuff that are yours," Gaius grumbles. "Anyway Little Blue, what did you want to talk that was so urgent that it was worth getting shredded?"

You finish drinking the potion before answering. "I wanted to know more. About the night Aunt Emmeryn died. Lissa told me to ask you."

The Shepherd's expression turns grey, as he begin to fidget with one of his arrows. "Lissa told that, huh? Damn, talk about a pain in the ass. Why do you want to know anyway?"

"It's hard to explain," you admit. "But I realized the Fire Emblem was maybe more important than I thought. So I wanted to know more about the time when it was stolen, but no-one seems to know much about this."

Gaius sighs, a grim expression on his face. "Yeah, I suppose I know a few things. Not much about that shiny gold shield, but about that night... as much as I'd like to forget." He pauses, looking for his words. "Listen, before joining the Shepherds, I did a lot of things that I'm not proud of. I took things that weren't mine, and went in places I had no business going into. And I was quite good at it. As long as you could pay me, that was all the reasons I needed."

You nod. You always knew Gaius had been a thief of some sort, though it's the first time you hear him talk about his life before joining your father.

"So there's this guy who tells me he wants someone to get him and his guys into Ylisstol's palace to steal something. Clearly Plegian, but I didn't care much about that at the time, even felt a bit supportive of those guys given what happened to them during the previous war. Isn't the most charming folk, and a bit weird-looking, but his coins are good, so I figure I might as well do it, maybe take advantage of the opportunity to grab a few things for myself while I'm at it. It's not like royalty would really miss a bit of gold, right? So I lead them in."

You nod, already fearing where this is going.

"Next thing I know, I hear guards shouting that the Exalt was murdered and the prince injured." the thief pauses, a scowl on his face. "I didn't want things to turn like this. So I surrendered to the Palace's guards, and told your father all I knew about what happened. Next thing I know, that hapless fool is welcoming me among the Shepherds. Almost pissed myself at the glare Frederick sent my way when he said that."

Yeah, that seems like Sir Frederick. "And what did you know."

"At the time, not much," he admits. "That the one who hired me was Plegian, and probably a worshipper of Grima. I thought he wanted the Fire Emblem as revenge for Ylisse's crusade, a way to get back at Naga's faithful in a relatively harmless way. Thinking about it now though, it really seemed important to him. But I didn't know his name, and he got away after the murders and the theft, so we all thought it was the end of that. And then I saw him last year, the day Blue died. But this time he came with a name. Turns out my employer had been Validar, nowadays better known as King Validar, high priest of Grima."

That was not something you had expected. The current king of Plegia was the one behind your aunt's murder and the Emblem's disappearance? This had to be significant. "Did it not tell why he wanted the Fire Emblem?"

Gaius shrugged. "I wasn't exactly his confidant, you know. He mentioned something about the first step before Grima's rebirth, or some nonsense like that. I've never been the religious type, to be honest."

His lack of concern isn't something you share. After talking directly to Naga, you know how present the Gods can be. And while you don't know the details behind Grima's demise, having him coming coming back doesn't sound that far-fetched to you. "Henry, do you think it's possible? Using the Fire Emblem to bring back Grima, I mean."

"Eh, I don't know," he answered, looking away from his wound. "I don't know much about Grima to be honest, I just joined the Grimleal for the spells! Also the robes are pretty nice. But maybe? I mean, they never shut up about having him back when I was at the temple."

That doesn't do much to calm your fears. If they can bring back Grima, then is it already done? You'd like to think it's not - surely a dark god being resurrected would have come with sort of sign? - but you can't be certain of anything. Beside you, Gaius let out a sigh.

"You're being drawn into something dangerous again, Little Blue? I swear, you're just as bad as the time you almost got stabbed when we went out together. Thanks for not telling anyone, by the way."

"You're welcome," you automatically respond, before being struck by a thought. "Wait... about that night. I'm not entirely sure, but I think one of the guys who just attacked Henry and I was the brother of the man you killed back then."

"That so?" Gaius raises an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose that's one less person willing to stab me in the back then."

"That's not what I mean. They were here to steal the card of that old man, right? And they already took most of it?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Those cards..." you hesitate. "Those cards have real power. And since those two guys were working with Plegia, that means..."

This time the thief frowns. "That means Plegia might have something dangerous in their hand, is what you mean? How bad is it?"

You think of the progress you made with Marth's reflection, mostly by yourself and with hardly any guidance (beside the helpful advices from Tiki). You try to imagine what could several Grimleal, entirely focused on such cards and armed with dark knoweldge, could achieve. Depending on how many they gathered... You gulp. "It may be really bad."

"Great." Gaius reached down his belt, pulling out a candy from it. "Like I needed any more reasons to hate this war."

That leaves you with a decision to make. Until now, you've kept the einherjar card in your possession secret, mostly due to liking the idea of keeping such a thing to yourself, and maybe anticipating a dramatic reveal at a later date. Huh. Maybe you're more like Owain than you thought. But now that such a magic might be used against Ylisse at a later date, keeping such information to yourself doesn't feel right anymore. Once you're back to the main camp, you'll have to think about...

[] ... what to tell?
-[] to whom?

Spoiler: Note

This whole adventure is taking a bit longer than what I anticipated, but I feel like it's worth taking some time right now.

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Tell them about how and why we suspect Plegia has Einherjars and show them Marth
-[X] Virion and mom to start with. Anyone they recommend after to a good degree (Shepards, the Dukes/General). If what you suspect is true then having Marth may be a trump card you'll want to keep very close to your chest.

Compared to your week-long trek, the return journey is almost anticlimactic in its simplicity. After saying your goodbyes to Gaius and his group, Henry sent an animal messenger to the main camp. A few hours later, Cherche is landing near your position alongside half a dozen wyvern riders, smiling at seeing you safe and sound - though your bloodied arm makes her quirk an eyebrow at Henry. The dark mage only shrugs, seemingly unconcerned. You can only guess that Mother and uncle Virion might have some words with him once you're back though. You probably will have to make sure he's not treated too harshly; his help in finding Gaius had been invaluable, and though you had to deal with your own opponents alone in that fight, you're really glad he was the one to take care of that Grimleal.

That being said, it's hard to completely ignore the spiteful need to leave him hanging after his... uninspired support during your bluff attempt.

Nonetheless, it isn't long before you're once again safely behind Ylisse's lines, to the relief of your mother. Libra is almost immediately summoned to treat your wound as you give her and Virion an account of your journey. As you expected, they seem a bit sceptical when you mention Einherjars, that is until you summon Marth before their eyes, the ghost of the Hero King placidly letting himself be the subject of their examination - Virion going as far as hesitantly poke him on the shoulder.

You wonder if that ever happened to the real Marth. Maybe you'll ask Tiki if you ever got the chance.

Your mother, for her part, seems fascinated at seeing a legend standing before her, even if only an echo of one. No doubt this is something seemingly coming straight from one of her books. Unfortunately, excitement turns to dread when you deliver the second part of the news. The knowledge that the enemy might be able to summon against Ylisse heroes of the past is certainly an unwelcome development. For the next hours, you're interrogated on the potential and limitations of the card, and you answer the best you could, though Virion grimly reminds himself that there's no telling how much further the Grimleal might have studied this magic. In the end, it is decided to keep that secret under wraps, with a few key figures being forewarned about this turn of events. Hopefully being forewarned would help the Shepherds survive an unexpected encounter with a living legend.

The rest of your stay in the camp is mostly spent training with Say'ri and attending Virion's war meetings, while occasionally assisting Stahl with the army stocks or spending time with Cu - no flight together, sadly. Your injured arm is a small impediment on your swordsmanship, but you manage to make do, the Chon'sin queen focusing on less strenuous practices. Unfortunately, that also means you're able to make less progress than you hoped when it comes to replicating that technique Lon'qu showed you. Say'ri immediately knows what you are talking about, and the way she demonstrates it - something that could roughly be translated as 'Astra' in Ylisse's tongue - is a lot easier to grasp, her fluid and collected swordsmanship a lot easier for your eye to decipher than the frantic, lightning-fast moves of your usual teacher, but the the residual pain from your injury is enough to throw you off. Say'ri's assurance that you should find it easier to do once fully healed is a poor consolation, even though Libra tells you you're making a remarkable - surprisingly remarkable, in fact - recovery. Still, practising with someone like her is always a good way to improve, even if it's frustrating not being able to make the most of this opportunity.

It's also a good way to relieve stress after the growing tension coming from the war councils. As the days go by and winter comes close to an end, news from behind the mountain seem to become more and more concerning. Risen and Grimleal are apparently gathering en masse behind the passes, while rumours of bloodshed in Plegian cities keep growing with each new deserter - and by now, not a week go by without yet another small group desperate enough to cross the border despite the risks. Risks of spies among them notwithstanding, it's becoming clear that something terrible is happening in Plegia - and that Ylisse might see some of those results first-hand soon enough. For now Virion is readying his own forces, while getting ready to recall every Shepherd still in Ylisstol at a moment's notice. If Plegia's last offensive was a mere test, this year might well see a far more decisive battle.
​

Spoiler: Visit on the frontlines results

Characteristic: willpower raised to A-
Skill: Chon'sin style raised to B
Trait: Two worlds, one blade raising Ylissean royal style to B
Skill: dance raised to D-
Skill: tactics raised to C+
Skill: logistics raised to B-
Injury suffered; will be fully healed for the coming turn
Options unlocked: Reach for the stars (Lon'qu / Say'ri edition); Before the storm; Studying the legend; An army's stomach​

The full extent of what is happening in Plegia only becomes clearer during your last days at Ylisse's main camp though, as an Ylissean patrol shows up with no less than two thousand 'prisoners' in tow, a few hundreds disarmed Plegian soldiers accompanied by a host of exhausted civilians, children and elderly included, and led by nothing less than someone who introduced himself as a Plegian general. The man is quickly introduced to the day's war meeting. In other circumstances, you have no trouble imagining he would make for a fierce figure despite his fifty-or-so years, with his shaved and scarred head, a thick salt-and-pepper beard and a light armor showing most of his toned musculature - you're beginning to suspect Plegia might have something against heavy armor. To be expected for a desert country, you suppose. Yet right now, the man have a haunted look in his eyes, visible despite his tiredness. He nonetheless manages a bow toward his current company.

"My ladies, my lords. Me and my men are at your mercy."

Your mother is the first to speak. "Please take a seat, general. You must be exhausted." She pauses, looking more closely at his face. "I think I might have seen you before. The battle of Sharland plains?"

The man nods. "I led King Gangrel's right wing that day." He offers your mother and Cordelia a humourless smile. "Went well enough until we got counter-charged by Ylisse's pegasus knights. I was lucky to escape with my life - and almost all of my face." He negligently caresses the deep scar running through his forehead, looking at the red-headed wing commander of the pegasus knights who nods in recognition. "Though I suppose we never got formally introduced. My name is Mustafa, former general of Plegia."

Virion inserts himself in the conversation with the practised grace of a nobleman. "Well met, general. Though the circumstances are grim, I am at least glad to meet you not as an enemy, but as a prospective ally. Allow me to introduce you to the room?"

One by one, Virion names each of you. As your turn come, the Plegian general seems a bit taken aback, probably not expecting one of your age to be in such place, you imagine. Your calm demeanour seems to ear n yourself an approving nod though, before he bows to you as he does to most of the people present.

"What news of Plegia, though?" asks Flavia once the presentations are done. "Don't think you'd have come our way with so many in tow for no reason. Also don't seem like the type to leave your leader at the drop of a hat, am I wrong?"

"You're not," agrees Mustafa. "I know none of you would have any love for the late Gangrel, and even I would admit his moniker as 'the Mad King' isn't entirely baseless. Still even at his worst, he did nothing that come close from what is happening today. King Validar and his Grimleal... they... they're slaughtering our people."

You hold back a breath, as do many around you. The general continues, despite the words struggling to get out. "Not everyone. Some are used as slaves in order to serve, and the soldiers' close families are usually spared in order to ensure their compliance. But the streets of our cities are red with blood. They're especially merciless with those who would have little value as forced labor."

He doesn't need to elaborate for you to guess who would be in that category. "And Plegian soldiers go along with this... this monstrosity?" You can't help but share Duke Karan's indignation, as everyone around you if the mix of scowling or horrified faces is anything to go by.

"Many do," admits a grim-looking Mustafa. "Some are attracted to the promises of rewards and elevations toward the most zealous of them. Most are simply afraid for themselves and their loved ones should they voice their opposition. The most vocal dissenters against this... policy... are no longer around. And a few are simply convinced that such is the price for Grima to grant Plegia victory."

"But why?" protests Cordelia. "Just to get more Risen?"

"I... don't think so," says Mustafa after an hesitation. "I mean, many corpses have been reanimated, that much is true, but there are too many deaths for the Grimleal to use them all. According to them, it's all meant as a sacrifice, 'to hasten the return of our God', is what I was led to believe."

"Is that even possible?" asks a pale-faced Virion.

Libra seems to seriously ponder on the question, and doesn't seem to like the conclusion he reaches. "Probably not by itself. But a blood ritual of that scale could... could accomplish a great many things. If a first step toward Grima's resurrection was already taken, then maybe. I'd need to consult my wife for a more definitive answer."

You grow pale, and from the ashen faces of Mother and Virion, you suspect they might be thinking the same thing as you. Taking back the Fire Emblem might have been that first step. If so, how many more are needed? Legends of lost ages were one thing, but a reborn God of Darkness... what chance would Ylisse have? Even Falchion, the blade that supposedly cast Grima's demise once, seems insignificant at your side. The rest of the meeting is mostly a daze, and come the night, your dreams are haunted by the vision a city filled with corpses, a gigantic black dragon hovering above them while its six red eyes stare right into your very soul.

***

Returning to Ylisstol brings you little comfort. Being reunited with your sister and your friends only serves as a reminder of how close Ylisse might be from the brink, with Grima himself looming at the horizon. Fear has become a familiar companion to you, but this one is almost overpowering. Still, you must move forward. If the current bearer of Falchion is found wanting when the day of reckoning comes... then you're afraid that there will be no second chance, not just for Ylisse, but for humanity as a whole.

[X] Economy and Trade of Ylisse (LOCKED)
[X] Introduction to Military Tactics (LOCKED)
[X] Duties of an Exalt (LOCKED)

Pick eight (8) actions. For each choice, you may also ask one of the present children to accompany you. They might refuse, or external circumstances might prevent them to attend, but there's a chance the one picked will be present, and might help and/or benefit from the chosen action. Do note that while you can pick someone for Visit on the frontlines, external actors (also known as parents) might veto it.

Special: with many Shepherds on the frontline, some actions are only available if Visit on the frontlines is selected.

[] Visit on the frontlines: war is about to heat up once again, and you know that at the first sign of a Plegian offensive, you'll be shipped straight to Ylisstol once again. Still time is running short, and there's no guarantee the people guarding Ylisse's border will be there next year.

[] Path of Radiance: your training with the Marth einherjar went pretty much as well as you could have hoped. In order to reach the limits of what your family style has to offer, there is no choice but to keep it up.

[] To reach the stars - Lon'qu edition: now that your arm is no longer bothering you, you're ready to make another attempt at mastering the move the Chon'sin swordsmaster showed you. While his way of teaching might not be the easiest for you to grasp, you feel close enough that one last push might be all you still need to reach your goal.

[] To reach the stars - Say'ri edition: then again, you seem more compatible with Say'ri's teachings. If you manage to find the time, it might be worth a visit to the border. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] Death from above - sword edition: as you discovered during your previous training, sword-fighting while in the air is really, really hard. Well, you didn't follow the path of the sword because it was easy. All you need is to find a way with Cu to make it work.

[] Death from above - magic edition: then again, magic is also pretty hard to use when flying. Your aim is ruined, it's almost impossible to focus, and the pages of your tomes kept getting messed up. You have to figure out something.

[] Eyes in the sky: Cherche and her wyvern knights have little time for drills these days. But accompanying them on a patrol could be a formative experience. A rather risky one though, and you'd have to convince more than a few in order to be allowed to. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] Trodding the earth: alternatively, you could ask Sully to come along during one of her own patrol. There are things you can only see from the ground, after all. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] An army's stomach: your work with Stahl might not be the most glamorous, but it's nonetheless a vital part of warfare that you feel you should be more acquainted with. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] Teamwork makes the dream work: the last training sessions with your many friends have been a bit chaotic, but you all are making some progress... you think. Hopefully this time will go even smoother.

[] Harder, better, faster, stronger: of course, you could also work on your physical condition on your own. More is always better, right?

[] Dark arts for dark times: you might want to strangle Henry these days, but he's still your best choice for learning magic, and maybe the only one when it comes to dark magic. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] When there's smoke... : the recent tensions between Aunt Lissa and the remaining Dukes are worrying, especially at such a time. Trying to uncover its root might be difficult, but necessary.

[] Before the storm: with the Plegian hammer so close from striking, you suspect the war meetings are about to become even more hectic. Needs visit on the frontlines.

[] Whispers of the crowd: walking among the streets of Ylisstol might keep you close from your subjects, help to support them in these dark times... and maybe learn things that one might not hear in a palace.

[] Talking to the dukes: beside your mother and your aunt, you can't say you know much about the other members of the regency council. Yet those people might be the ones you'll have to rely on later as an Exalt. Spending some time to start knowing even one of them better could be a precious boon, and perhaps it could also be an interesting learning opportunity.
-[] Duke Themis: the father of Maribelle is an eminent lawmaker and politician, wielding a considerable influence among his peers. He is also accutely aware of the situation on the frontlines, his lands being threatened directly. Needs visit on the frontlines.
-[] Duke Lurelin: his wealth might end up a decisive factor in Ylisse's survival should the war be there to last. He is also well-travelled, and from what you heard always eager to talk about his foreign trips.
-[] Duchess Arnelle: while it is likely the fate of this conflict will be decided on land, her experience of sea battle makes her a valuable ally to counter plegian raiders... and to maintain contacts and supply routes with Valm. Though you're likely to be out of your depths here.
-[] Duke Karan: the grizzled veteran has recently been appointed as commander of the ylissean forces, though it remains to be seen what the status of the allied armies will be. Nonetheless getting to know the one tasked to win a war for you can't hurt. Needs visit on the frontlines.
[] Spend time in the library: it's been a long time since you went there, required readings from Maribelle excluded. Still, as new questions begin to appear, maybe some answers would be found in these walls.​

• [] Any specific topic in mind?
• [] Seek informations on the Fire Emblem

[] House of healing: the summer battles brought their fair share of wounded, and while only a few of them are transported to Ylisstol, it's still a challenge for the local temples to keep up. Opening up a palace wing to welcome them might be a significant help, albeit a time-consuming project (and probably a security risk).

[] Magic of the card: while the speed at which you can summon the einherjar and its duration are reaching the limits of what you believe to be possible, you never know what extra training can provide. Also you think there's room for improvement on the consistency of the spirit; its ghostly appearance suggest a lack of durability in the summon.
-[] Train the summon's duration
-[] Train the spirit's materialization

[] Tales of Altea: you now have a spirit holding most of the Hero King memories as a potential conversation partner. And it's hard to suppress your morbid curiosity when you think about the hard times he went through, and how they would compare with the current days.

[] A blade to save the world: giving Falchion its edge was the first step. But if you truly want to be worthy of the legendary blade, you still have much to discover about the Tooth of Naga.

[] Studying the legend: with your secret revealed to a select few, maybe it is time to seek the help of a magic expert when it comes to your einherjar card. It might help you with your own summon, or give Ylisse some insight about how to counter the Plegian cards.

[] A family by choice: you've come to appreciate the relaxing nature provided by the Justice Cabal reunions - and the opportunity it gave you to support your sister. Hopefully it can help Nah and Morgan too. Also, Owain wants to recruit?

[] Double down on your lessons: now more than ever, you cannot afford to take it easy.​

• [X] History, Laws and Politics of Ylisse (LOCKED)
• [X] Diplomacy lessons (LOCKED)
• [X] Economy and Trade of Ylisse (LOCKED)
• [X] Introduction to Military Tactics (LOCKED)
• [X] Studies on the state of the Realm (LOCKED)

[] Write-in: thinking hard about it, maybe there's something else you could do?

[] Special - slack off: given the circumstances, you can't help but disagree with some of your tutors over what you really should be focusing on.

Spoiler: Notes

Sorry for the delays, I started a secondary activity last month, and it's unsurprisingly eating on my free time. I'd expect one more hectic week before things calm down once again. Don't hesitate to point out anything I might have forgotten along the way.

 

[Macros]

Spoiler: Winning vote

[X] Visit on the frontlines
-[X] Dark arts for dark times
-[X] To reach the stars - Say'ri edition
-[X] Before the storm
[X] When there's smoke...
-[X] Add: Yarne
[X] Teamwork makes the dream work
-[X] Focus: ?
[X] Whispers of the crowd
-[X] Add: Noire
[X] Studying the legend

Spring comes with a sense of urgency. A coming offensive, dead legends being called upon to fight Ylisse, and a dead god looming in the background was enough to put you on edge.

[X] Economy and Trade of Ylisse (LOCKED)
[X] Introduction to Military Tactics (LOCKED)
[X] Duties of an Exalt (LOCKED)

As a result, you find it hard to really focus on your regular lessons. Focus is hard to come by, as your mind is filled with visions of the future, all painting a grim picture. Maribelle notices, of course, and is able to snap you out of it with a few sharp words, and a willingness to hear you over tea once your lessons are finished. She doesn't dismiss your concerns either, but not unkindly reminds you that for now, you have no choice but to trust adults like her to deal with those issues the best they can. Your turn would come in time, and probably sooner than either of you wish. Your economy lessons are far less fruitful, though you admit that you are probably more at fault this time than your teacher, who is at least trying to follow your instructions from last year. And while you're not the perfect student in your strategy lessons either, at least your tutor manages to keep your attention with detailed accounts of the previous wars against Plegia, drawing parallels when he can with the current situation. That at least proves to be a decent distraction from your gloomy thoughts.
​

Spoiler: Results

Skill: Law raised to B-
Skill: History raised to C+​

[X] Studying the legend

Still, you feel like you have to try to be proactive when it comes to the current threats. And a first step toward that is making sure Ylisse will be prepared for einherjar summoned against her. After asking Maribelle for advices, the noblewoman points you toward Miriel - which unfortunately means also Tharja, seeing as the two mages seem to work together a lot nowadays. With most of the Shepherds on the frontlines, the two of them have apparently repurposed their old barracks as a magic laboratory, giving them a workplace inside the castle's walls. You find them in the company of Laurent, apparently fulfilling his role as a scribe while the two adults are busy experimenting on a partially dismembered risen corpse, apparently indifferent to their bloodied robes and the somewhat macabre environment - the place being filled with bodyparts stuck in jars, partially decomposed cadavers and boiling liquids that you prefer not trying to identify. The smell alone is enough to make you uncomfortable.

While Tharja can't quite hold back a sneer at your sight, her and Miriel's interest quickly shifts toward the einherjar card. Every week, you are tasked with summoning a somewhat bemused Marth, not used to be prodded, poked and talked about as a curiosity, while the card itself is the subject of many tests. You suppose it's a good thing he doesn't remember much after each summon, because you suspect those repeated interactions would have tried the patience of any man.

While you don't understand everything when it comes to their technical discussions, you still learn a bit. First, it seems like this card (and presumably any other) only responds to one owner at a time, seemingly establishing some form of 'bond'. How that link is established in the first place remains unknown, as is whether or not a single person could use several cards at once. Miriel suspects that bond can be forcibly severed, given sufficient time (several hours at least, according to her estimate) and magic, though she decides to not experiment on that for now, to your obvious relief. For now, your card being the only one in Ylisse serves as a restrain to her curiosity.

As for you, the weekly summoning seems to do wonders for the duration of Marth's presence, especially with the help of Tharja's curt, yet helpful advices. While the dark mage is all but kind in her interactions with you, and all too pleased to chastise your "dreadfully sloppy technique, what is Henry even doing", she's quick to point out similarities between the einherjar card and the way one channel magic through a tome. Though the card itself holds the magic, while a tome serves as a tool to focus the user's own energy, both seems to require similar focus and mindset to use. While she doesn't go as far as actually give you tips - and Miriel is too busy scribbling notes of her own and rereading those of her son - you figure that might help you down the line.
​

Spoiler: Results

Skill: Magical Theory raised to C+
You can now summon Marth for eight hours a week
Ylisse might be better prepared for einherjar summons​

[X] Teamwork makes the dream work
-[X] Focus: ?

At the very least, you think the training sessions with your friends and family is slowly getting somewhere. While there's still a great deal of confusion with so many people around, everyone seems to get along a little better (and Kjelle no longer looks like she's about to kill herself when watching your sister hold a spear, so progress). There's still a few issues you figure you all will have to fix, such as Noire often ending up on her own due to her choice of weaponry, or Nah having trouble finding a training partner who wasn't Kjelle - Owain and Cynthia were quick to 'challenge the beast most foul', but tended to scatter at the first roar. Nonetheless, little things like Severa grumpily correcting Inigo's stance, or your sister cheering on Noire as she take aim with her bow are enough to make your smile.

You have more mixed feelings when you see Owain execute a decent approximation of one of your own sword move. While it's actually good - and a little flattering - that you seem to be rubbing off on him, it's hard to completely suppress the feelings of possessiveness toward the style Father taught you. Not the first time you feel that way, too. Something to think about later, you suppose. As for your own training, progress are a bit slow for now as you spend more time managing the others than focusing on your own improvement.

Spoiler: Results

The children present seems to be making good progress

Lucky thirteen?

At the very least, you're rather happy with your own growth. At five feet and five inches, you no longer have to look up so much when talking to an adult - in fact, you're just a bit taller than Aunt Lissa nowadays, and catching on your mother fast. You can feel the effects during training too, being able to put more weight into your swings. And while your thirteenth birthday come and go relatively unnoticed, with the exception of your close family, at least it is enough to make you feel a little more ready for the challenges ahead.
​

Spoiler: Results

Characteristic: Strength raised to A
Characteristic: Charisma raised to A-​

[X] When there's smoke...
-[X] Add: Yarne

And recently, you began to wonder whether the challenges might come from inside as well as outside. Tensions between Lissa and the dukes only seem to grow as Virion's reports on a coming offensive become more precise by the day. Duchess Arnelle once again propose an attempt at conciliation with Plegia, this time during a council session - and while Duke Lurelin doesn't openly support the course of action, you can't help but notice he doesn't condemn it either. Lissa's argument that the new ruler of Plegia is apparently in the business of killing his own people in order to turn them into undead abominations, and thus might not be a particularly trustworthy negotiator, is met with scepticism, Lurelin suggesting this might simply be a ploy by internal opponents to garner sympathy. somehow you doubt that, but you suppose your word alone might not be enough to convince them otherwise - though the urge to drag them into Miriel and Tharja's laboratory grows stronger by the minute.

At least Yarne seems to share your frustration, judging by the worried glances the whole conversation. You don't think your taguel friend has learned more since last time, but clearly the whole situation is putting him on edge.

[] Publicly support Lissa. Even if you don't have the Exalt's authority yet, you doubt you would be flat-out ignored.
[] Attempt to talk with one of the Dukes. Maybe it's naive, but sometimes communication might be all it takes.
-[] Which one?
[] See if Yarne can learn more. Your friend have proven himself surprisingly good at finding hidden information so far. He's going to hate the idea though.
-[] Focus on which council member?
[] Let things play out. Robin taught you that sometimes, it is better to let the other side make its move. You're not sure who you're playing against, or even if there is someone playing against you, but maybe you should simply wait for now.
[] Write-in

[X] Whispers of the crowd
-[X] Add: Noire

And you don't know if there's a link, but you feel like Ylisstol have been getting more restless these days. Part of it might simply due to the rumours of a new battle about to start in the coming months, propagated by soldiers and mercenaries on their way toward the front, but is that really all? Only one way to find out. You have taken the habit to walk through the streets of Ylisstol these last months, and you're determined to continue. This time though, two sets of ears might be better than one. This is why you decide to go to Noire, the unassuming girl probably better able to mingle than most of your friends despite her shyness.

You don't have to try hard to convince her to help you - in fact, she seems to relish the opportunity to accompany you, despite the vagueness of your objective. Now all you have to decide is where to focus your efforts.

Pick two options:

[] Castletown. In the shadow of the royal palace, Ylisse's most wealthy live here. While you doubt most noblemen would be inclined to impromptu discussion in the streets, you might have more luck with their servants. If not, a couple of well-reputed inns host rich travellers that might have heard something.
[] The Grand Market. Often called the beating heart of Ylisstol, activity here have slowed down since the war. It remains nonetheless a place where people of all sort of trade gather, and where one could hear about many things... provided one knew where to listen.
[] The warehouse district. Centered around the Tristain's river, this place is the residence of most of Ylisse's workforce, and an important hub for most cargo entering the capital. You are unfamiliar with this place, but maybe that's all the more reason to go there?
[] Naga's Tear. This district is the home of the less fortunate. It's also one you're passably familiar with, since it's here Libra established his shrine, leaving behind the glamorous temple in Castletown. With luck, your familiarity with the place and the people living here might be of help.
[] The Silver Gates. Home of the city's barracks - and thus more empty than usual. Probably the best place to learn about what's happening on the border, though that's not necessarily what you're after right now. Still, soldiers are usually more informed than most, so it might be worth checking.
[] The outskirts. Just outside city walls, the place is a somewhat chaotic mess, with refugees from the western province seeking refuge here. It's also a less controlled place, which might be an opportunity for those desiring to remain out of sight.
​

Spoiler: Notes

Happy birthday Lucina. ​

​