Chapter 12

It's too damn hot.

While I can't say I was a stranger to heat, this desert was something else entirely. Luckily, I had time to stumble around this bloody desert. At best, I had heard rumors of a large army forming to cross into Ylisse. So, it wasn't the most infuriating thing when I found myself stuck in a city whose name eludes me due to heatstroke and a spot of dehydration.

It could be worse, you could have avoided the main road and died somewhere in the middle of the desert.

"How are you on this fine morning?"

With that, my self-appointed caretaker walked in.

"I'm fine... I don't think I ever caught your name."

"That is because I have given it. Forgive me I have come off as discourteous. I would have if Remus had asked that I not divulge it."

"Remus?"

"Yes, he is one of the finest smiths in our fair city."

No way.

"Can I see him?"

"Of course, he was quite eager to speak with you. I shall have my son show you the way."

"Does Remus have my stuff by chance?"

"He does."

Of course.

With that, and a word of thanks, I followed his son to a large smithy, with a particularly ornate sign. I walked in to that same old man laboring over a blade.

"Do I even want to know?"

"Know what boy?"

"Why you're here?"

"It's my smithy boy."

"You know damn well that's not what I meant."

"Out with it then, I have better things to do than listen to you lover boy. It seems you're running after a different skirt this time. Get bored of the first one already? Or are you just moving up in the world? She's certainly a step up. Still blonde though."

"How do you know that?"

"Figure it out boy."

"You're so in-Forget it, just give me my stuff."

"In a hurry are we? I suppose you would be. Do take some time and explore town. I promise you won't regret it."

"We'll see."

As soon as he handed me stuff I took a quick look inside.

Everything's here. My money bag looks bigger.

Opening the bag I noticed it had more gold coins than I could hope to count.

"Why did you..?"

The smith was empty, the forge cold and dusty as if no one had set foot in there for some time. Shuddering, I left the forge and reentered the city. It was busy if I was putting it lightly. I eventually found my way to the central marketplace. I found the merchant I had been hoping to find.

"You must be one of the Anna's?"

"I certainly am. Do you owe me money? No, I'd never forget your face if you did."

"At the end of this I will. I'm looking for some tidbits."

"In that case follow me."

She quickly closed up shop and led me into a home behind her stand.

"So what do you want to know?"

"I want to know how to get into the Plegian Royal Palace."

"That's it? I was kind of hoping you were asking for something more dangerous."

"Like what?"

"My measurements."

"Some other time perhaps."

"Oh and I need to find someone who probably lives at the palace as well."

"The plot thickens. Who do you need me to find?"

"A fellow who goes by the name of Validar."

-o-o-

All you have to do is ask him how he drove off Grima. Stop wasting time. He doesn't have any reason to not tell you. Then again, he refused to tell when you had first asked him.

For almost ten minutes now, I had spent arguing with myself over asking him a simple question. Ignoring the bickering in my head, I went over to his tent. He was sitting outside caring for his weapons.

His weapons are certainly interesting.

He wielded a single straight sword. The sword itself has some manner of inscription, but it was in a tongue I was unfamiliar with. It looked simple enough, but unlike most blades Falchion could not nick its edge. On his other hand he wore a gauntlet with six jewels each of a different color. Black, white, yellow, blue, green and red were the colors. As Morgan had explained since he was never forthcoming with information, each jewel allowed the gauntlet to absorb one tome of that element and use it for the corresponding number of uses left on that tome. She also said that he is unable to use more than one type of magic at a time and if he has no talent for a particular magic he is unable to use it.

"Romulus?"

"Milady?"

Out with it.

"How did you drive away Grima?"

His smile faded and an uncharacteristically melancholy look replaced it.

"If I tell you this will you promise me that you won't stay your blade when the time comes?"

"I don't understand, but I must know, so I promise you that I shall not hesitate."

"First you must understand that this Grima was born of a person known as the Fellblood."

"Born of a person?!"

"Indeed and it is this person that betrayed your father and slew him."

"How do you know this?"

"The Fellblood was controlled into performing this act, betraying the one closest to them. This act was but the first step of the path we now walk. From this act darkness grew and Grima overtook them, but the person that once existed remained. All of the Fellblood's humanity could not be purged. Through some miracle, I was able to reach that."

"Do you know who it was?"

"..."

"I do not wish to pain you Romulus, but do you know who it was?"

"I don't. I could not even see a face. The Fellblood was cloaked in shadow. They begged for death, for a release from the sins that they have committed. I have killed many, men and Risen alike, but I could bring myself to slay so wretched a creature. Regardless of my thoughts on the act itself, only your blade can put down Grima. As I turned to leave they asked if I could not bring them death, to grant them a boon instead."

"What did they ask of you?"

"I do not wish to say."

"I must know."

"I cannot say it."

"Is it truly so terrible a thing?"

"It is not but it frightens me all the same."

"Romulus, please I must know."

As he told me what the Fellblood asked I feared I had misheard him, but they hung in the air enveloping the very space in which we stood. The words he uttered:

"Protect Lucina."

A/N It's occurred to me that I've been gone for quite some time. This chapter is definitely on the short side, but it conveys what I wanted for this. I anticipate the Plegian War will take around 4-8 more chapters and then 3-6 chapters on the 2 year interlude 10-12 on the Valmese war with around 6 for the final fight against Grima, and an epilogue. Of course these are estimates depending on how much I remove or add as I deem necessary. Thanks for reading!

-DF