With Professor Light safe and sound, we made our way back to Ylisse with no more bloodshed. Plans were made to strengthen the defense of the city and also to put to use the soldiers that had begun to arrive from Regna Ferox. In my capacity as a tactician, I started studying up and planning some strategies of my own.
<Athena> Let's see, if I place these soldiers over here...
<Cinesra> Hey Athena, 'sup?
<Athena> Oh, Cinesra! You startled me. It's good to see you though, I've been meaning to talk to you.
<Cinesra> Really now? Pray tell, how this humble archer can be of service. *bow*
<Athena> Listen, before you came here, did you happen to know of me, or hear my name or anything?
<Cinesra> Oh, this is related to your memory troubles, is it not? Sadly, I'm afraid I cannot help you there. For though I am a well-traveled man, I have not heard of you nor seen your lovely face before we met in the woods. Surely, I would have remembered the countenance of such a ravaging beauty.
<Athena> Thanks, I guess... *sigh* What was it you wanted?
<Cinesra> I was actually interested in the game you have before you.
<Athena> Ah, this? I was actually using it to help me plan some strategies for the city's defense, though it's kind of easy when you control both sides.
<Cinesra> In that case, let me play the opposing team, and I'll help you!
<Athena> ... welp, that was over fast. GG. I can't believe I lost so quickly.
<Cinesra> I must confess that I'm actually very familiar with this game. For a newbie, you actually did very well, though. You really only lost because you were so concerned with saving your pieces.
<Athena> Well, yeah, duh. I told you I'm using this for practice. You wouldn't like me to make up strategies that involved me sending your fancy ass out to be sacrificed, would you?
<Cinesra> Most certainly not! But that's why you're the tactician and not me.
<Athena> Regardless, that really did help me out, so thanks. I think I have a few more defensive tactics in mind...
Later in the evening, I was strolling in the palace gardens, having a chat with Drohn. It was nice to be able to talk to each other normally rather than constantly be discussing strategies and warfare.
<Drohn> You know, I wanted to tell you that Gangrel wasn't completing lying when he was talking smack about Ylisse.
<Athena> Oh?
<Drohn> My dad... well, he was a pretty hardcore religious type. Fundamental Nagaist, couldn't stand people who didn't feel the same. And right on our borders was a country whose inhabitant worshipped Naga's enemies, and he started a crusade, slaughtering their people.
<Athena> Ohshi-
<Drohn> Yeah, tell me about it. Anyway, it started a huge war, and it probably sounds stupid and selfish, but that war was hard on Ylisse, too. It wasn't like the soldiers my dad was sending over all felt the same way he did, and as the battles went on, attrition grew and grew, until we had no able-bodied men left and my father was killed. I was just a young kid at the time, and Vesperia was only 10, though she took up the crown, ended the war, and sued for peace.
<Athena> Wow, that's impressive for a 10 year-old.
<Drohn> Yeah, that's why we called her "Brave". She stood up for peace and has never raised a hand in violence. Even now, 15 years later, she refuses to let us build up an army any more than what the Shepherds and her personal guard.
<Athena> That seems... kind of dumb, really. Though I can understand her striving to maintain her ideals.
<Drohn> Yep, and that's why I have to protect her. And people like Spoon will never understand that, either. But that's okay, I'll kill him. I have a feeling this war will only end with his death, even if Vesperia wouldn't want that.
<Seliph> Yeah, you take him, Chrom.
<Drohn> Oh, hey Seliph, nice of you to drop by. How the hell did you break into the palace gardens?
<Seliph> Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the spare gate keys you keep under that fake rock in the back.
<Drohn> Thanks, I guess.
<Seliph> Anyway, I came here to warn you guys. A bunch of assassins are going to come and try to kill Vesperia tonight. I know this because I can see the future.
<Drohn> O... kay....
<Seliph> I knew you wouldn't believe me, so let me demonstrate my foreknowledge for you by taking out that assassin that's lurking to take out you by hiding in that bush over there.
<Assassin> Wait, wha-
In a flash, Seliph rushed over and decapitated an assassin that had just started to rise up from a nearby shrubbery. Another assassin jumped out and took a slash at Seliph, though the young swordsman was able to dodge the attack so only the mask was cut off his face, and soon enough Drohn was there to take him out. Then he turned and say Seliph's face and long, flowing hair for the first time.
<Drohn> Wait... you're a girl?
<Seliph> Took you long enough to figure it out.
<Drohn> Well, excuse me for not staring at the body of a young presumably male mystery swordsman. Especially since most of the times we've met we've either been fighting or you're busy running away.
<Drohn> Does this mean we have to pick another name to call you now?
<Athena> Nah, she still looks more like Seliph than any of the female lords we've had.
<Seliph> Enough silliness! Let's get into the palace before the other assassins take out Vesperia!
Following Seliph's advice, the three of us ran inside and started calling for reinforcements, though only Cinesra and Light answered my summons quick enough. Together with Seliph, we staged a defensive perimeter around Vesperia's door, since we didn't have enough fighters to spread out any further. It seemed like the assassins realized that their stealth had failed and they were instead assaulting the palace in full force, hiding no longer. Peeking out a window, I was able to see a large contingent of enemy soldiers pouring in and was even able to get a glimpse of their leader. It was the sorcerer from my dream! The one I took down with Drohn. What was he doing here, and why did I dream of him before?
I didn't have much time to think about it because it wasn't long before the battle was upon us. Drohn and I held one corridor while I sent Cinesra and Maribelle to watch a side passage while Seliph positioned herself in front of the main door to Vesperia's room. A strange woman named Panne showed up and Seliph convinced me that she was here to help us, so I sent her to help Cinesra and keep an eye on the other passage.
As I was focused on the hallway I was defending with Drohn, I happened to catch sight of a familiar face in the enemies up ahead.
<Athena> TT, is that you?
<Drohn> Wait, you know that guy? Let me threaten him instead of killing him outright, then. HEY YOU, GINGER GUY. Drop your sword!
<TwistedTurtwig> Hey, take it easy, Blue. I'm not here to kill anyone, just want to steal some phat loot and get out of here.
<Athena> TT, why are you fighting with the enemy?
<TT> Do I, uh, know you from somewhere?
<Drohn> Look, you seem like a reasonable guy. Why don't you come fight with us? You won't be able to loot the palace, but we could use a Thief in our army. You'd get a percentage of all the loot we find, plus steady payment, good food, and a health care plan. What do you say?
<Athena> I have these cookies in my pocket, if it'll help sweeten the deal?
<TT> Cookies? I'M SOLD.
And so it was that TwistedTurtwig joined our team and I sent him over to help Panne and Cinesra with the overflowing enemies coming in from that side while Prof. Light did her best to keep everyone's HP up. Soon the rush of enemies slowed to a trickle, and only the Sorcerer was left. We all holed up in Vesperia's room and waited for him to show himself. As soon as he appeared, Drohn and I pounced on him together and took him out while TT found a chest to crack open.
<Drohn> Hey, I said no looting in the palace!
<Vesperia> It's okay, I didn't have a key to that chest anyway. You're welcome to keep the contents for the good of the Shepherds. ^_^
<TT> Yeah, you guys can have it. It's just a dumb book.
<WW> Ohshi- I heard there was a break-in and I came here as fast as I could.
<Drohn> WanderingWolf, is your guard good for
anything?
<WW> ...
<Cinesra> Regardless, that was a close call. Perhaps it would be best for Her Highness the Exalt to stay in a more secure location?
<Drohn> You're right. Vesperia, I want you to come up to Regna Ferox with me. We were going to head there anyway to request more soldiers anyway, now that there's a formal war and all.
<Vesperia> It's kind of you to think of my safety, Drohn, but I need to stay in Ylisse with my people. ^_^;
<Light> What about the Eastern Palace? You'd be safer there, and away from the border, but still within the country. It's a good compromise.
<Vesperia> Sure, that would be lovely. ^_^
<Drohn> Cool, we can escort you on our way to Regna Ferox.
<Panne> I'm coming too.
<Drohn> *eyebrow arch*
<Panne> I hate humans and everything about them because you killed all of my people except for me and you smell funny and you're all dumb and stupid. But I'm coming with you anyway because everyone who ends up fighting with you for any reason joins your entourage, it's just in the rules, so I'm stuck with you and you're stuck with me.
<Drohn> Well, uh, thanks, I guess. I wonder if that means Seliph is stuck with us too.
<Athena> Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since the battle... Did he run off again?
<Drohn> Oh, dammit. Lemme see if I can go hunt him down before he disappears. *runs off*
<Drohn> Hey, Seliph, stop!
<Seliph> ...
<Drohn> Listen, I just wanted to thank you, for saving me and my sister. Is there anything I can do for you?
<Seliph> No thanks are necessary. My only purpose in coming here was to change the future. If Vesperia had been killed tonight, the Fire Emblem would have been stolen by Plegia, and terrible things would have happened.
<Drohn> Oh, yeah, the whole "seeing the future" thing, right.
<Seliph> What, do you think I'm crazy or something?
<Drohn> Oh, no, not at all. I completely trust you. And because I'm such a good judge of character, I know that means you're cool.
<Seliph> Alright then. Later.
<Drohn> Wait, I thought you had to join the party now! ... dammit, she's gone again. Oh well. Guess I better get back and start planning to head back up north anyway.
