Sienna

"So this is Ylisstol, capital of Ylisse." I said in awe. "I've never seen so many people."

Truth be told, I don't remember seeing this many people.

"It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods." Frederick said.

"Well that's a relief!" Lissa said.

When we walked closer, we got a better view of the castle. We saw guards and a woman. She had blonde hair was dressed all in green.
"The exalt is your ruler, yes?" I asked.

"Yes." Frederick said. "Her name is Lady Emmeryn."

"Is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?"

"The exalt is a symbol of peace- Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world."

"With Plegia poking at the borders, the people need her." Chrom said.

"Then the Ylissean people are indeed lucky to have her." I said.

"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa gushed.

"Yes, I can imagine she... wait, what?She's your... but wouldn't that make you and Chrom..."

"The prince and princess of realm, yes." Frederick said with a smile. "You remember Chrom's name and not this?"

"You said you were 'shepherds'!"

"And so we are... in a manner of speaking." Chrom said. "We just have a lot of sheep."

"C-Chrom! I mean, Prince Chrom! Sire! Forgive my dreadful manners!"

"Just Chrom is fine. I've never been much for formalities."

"The prince and princess... That explains why Frederick tolerates all the teasing, eh?"

"Indeed." Frederick said. "Oh the sacrifices I make for the good of the realm..."

"It seems Emm is returning to the palace. Would you like to meet her?" Chrom asked.

We walked into the castle. Beside Emmeryn was a girl with light blue hair. If I remember correctly, her name was Phila. One thing I noticed about Emmeryn was she had the same brand on her forehead that Chrom had on his shoulder.
"Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home." Emmeryn said. "Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fared you all?"

"Well- we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while."

"Wonderful. And our people?"

"Safe as they can be, Emm. But we still need to watch the borders."

"Forgive me, milord." Phila said. "My pegasus knights should've intercepted them."

"No, Phila. Your duty was here, with the exalt."

"And besides, we had plenty of help!" Lissa said.

"Ah, speak of your new companion here?" Emmeryn asked.

"This is Sienna. She fought bravely with us against the brigands." Chrom said. "I've decided to make her a shepherd."

I am loving my new job!

"It sounds Ylisse owes you a great debt of gratitude, Sienna." Emmeryn said.

"Not at all, milady." I said.

"Forgive me, Your Grace," Frederick said. "But I must speak. Sienna claims to have lost her memory, but it is only that: a claim. We cannot rule out the possibility that she is a brigand or even a Plegian spy."

"Frederick!" Chrom snapped.

"Yet you allow her into the castle, Chrom. Does this woman have your trust?"

"Yes. She risked her life for our people. That's good enough for me."

"Well then, Sienna... It seems you've earned Chrom and as such you've earned mine as well."

"Milady." I said.

"But thank you Frederick, for your prudence, as always. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have such a tireless guardian. I hope they remember to mention that from time to time..."

"They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace." Frederick said. "Phila, I assume you've heard about the deathly creatures we encountered, yes?"

"Yes, milord. They've been sighted all across Ylisse." Phila chimed in.

"Chrom we are able to hold council." Emmeryn said. "I was hoping you could join us."

"Of course." Chrom said.

"I think that's our cue, Sienna!" Lissa said. "C'mon! There's a place I want to show you."

I followed Lissa down a staircase and into a room. There was Sully, the girl from earlier, and two other people. One was a man with spiky blonde hair (not to mention he spoke in third person) and a woman with greyish hair.
"Here we are! The shepherds garrison!" Lissa said. "Go on! Make yourself at home!"

I took a look around and then went back to Lissa's side. I only felt comfortable next to her.
"Lissa, my treasure! Are you alright?" A girl asked nervously. "I've been on pins and needles!" A blonde woman asked.

How many blondes are there?

"Oh, hey Maribelle!" Lissa said.

"'Oh hey' yourself. I've sprouted 14 gray hairs fretting over you!"

"Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two! Although I could do without the bugs or the bear barbecue..."

"Hey squirt! Where's Chrom?" The man asked. "I bet he had a rough time without ol' Teach and his trusty axe!"

"Oh so you're 'Teach' now, Vaike, is that it? Hee Hee. And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?"

"Ha! Never doubt the Vaike! ...Wait, was that an insult?"

"Beg your pardon, but may we see the captain?" The other woman piped in.

"Poor Sumia." Maribelle said. "She's simply been beside herself with concern. Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. She may have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded."

"Aw Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom." Lissa gushed.

"Worry?" Sumia questioned. "Well... I... he's our captal... our prince- of course I'd worry!"

"So who's the stranger?" Vaike asked.

"No one's stranger than you, Vaike..." Lissa giggled. "But allow me to introduce Sienna! She just joined the Shepherds. Chrom's made her our new tactician. You should see all the tricks she's got up her sleeve!"

"Oh yeah? Can she do this?" Then Vaike burped.

Guys are weird as heck.

"I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts. 'Teach'." I giggled. "I'm any cases, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances."

"Ugh, Vaike! That was abhorrent!" Maribelle groaned. "Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery? And you, Sienna? Don't encourage him! I'd hoped you were cut from finer cloth! Hmph!" Then she walked away.

"Don't take it to heart, Sienna." Sumia reassured me. "Maribelle warms to people slowly."

"Or burns too quickly" Lissa giggled. "Hee Hee! But yeah, just give her time."

At that moment, Chrom walked in.
"Ah! Captain! You've returned!" Sumia perked up. "I was- I mean, we were so-" Then she fell flat on her face. She got up and brushed herself off.
"Sumia! Are you alright?" Chrom asked. "...Those boots of yours again?"

"No! I mean, yes! I mean..." She sighed.

What the heck was that about?

"Alright listen everyone: in the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox."

"Regna Ferox?" I asked.

"A unified kingdom to Ylisse's north." Sumia answered. "Inhabited by barbarians, or so it's said."

"Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace." Chrom said. "Typically the exalt would request such aid in person. But given the recent events... Well the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital. So the task has been passed to us. Now this mission is strictly voluntary. So if, for any-"

"I volunteer!" Lissa piped in.

"Me too!" Vaike said. "You'll be needing  ol' Teach for such a delicate mission!"

Shouldn't have said that, 'Teach!'

"I'll go as well." An armoured man said. We all looked at him. "What? I've been here the whole time!"

"I... I, um..." Sumia stuttered

"Yes, Sumia?" Chrom asked.

"It's just that... I'm not sure if I'm ready for a proper mission just yet. I'd probably just get in the way..."

"Well, you could stay behind the main group and if a battle is met, just watch and learn? Your choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield."

"W-well if you think it's wise, Captain."

"Just stay by me and you'll be fine."

"Oh yes! I mean- Yes sir. I'll do that."

What's her deal? Perhaps maybe... it doesn't seem unlikely...

We arrived at the plain fields outside the Ylissean village where I first put my "tactical skills" to use.
"Is everyone ready?" Chrom asked. "We have a long march ahead."

"W-wait for me!" The voice of a young man called out.

"Stahl?" Chrom asked.

"Why am I the last to know about this expedition to Ferox?"

"Huh? Vaike was supposed to..." Lissa paused. "Vaike! Did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?"

"The Vaike never forgets!" 'Teach' boasted. "I just don't remember, is all..."

"Ugh... I swear, you'd forget your own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself! Speaking of which, did you remember to bring your axe this time?"

"Hey! That was one time! ... Okay, twice, but training sessions don't count. Anyway, I got it right here. Teach is loaded and ready for action!"

Nope. No, he isn't.

"Glad to have you along, Stahl, ol' buddy!"

"That makes one of us." Stahl groaned. "I was in such a hurry, I had to miss breakfast! There were muffins, and cakes, and... I'll tell you about it while we march..."

"Your name is Stahl, right?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sienna." Chrom apologized. "This is Stahl, one of our finest."

"Hello, Sienna. Miriel told me we had a new Shepherd. Stahl said. "Er, Miriel's one of our mages. She should catch up soon."

When we arrived at a small village near the border, there was those creatures from last night attacking the village.
"Gods, have the Risen spread this far?" Chrom asked.

"'Risen?'" I asked.

"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one." Frederick replied.

"Everyone, remember what we're up against!" Chrom said.

"Mya ha!" Vaike laughed. "They'll remember me once I drive my axe into their... Wait... my axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!"

Called it!

"Vaike, this is no time for jokes..." Chrom said sternly.

"I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it! It's got to be around here somewhere..."

"Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!"

"Alright listen up! Especially those of you who BROUGHT their weapons!" Frederick glanced at Vaike. "All weapons have strengths and weaknesses to bear in mind. Lances have an advantage over swords, for example, while swords best axes. We'll want to work this into our strategy whenever possible."

Hmm. So it's like Rock, Paper, Scissors? Easy peasy.

When we defeated the Risen chief, the rest of them retreated. Hopefully, that was the last of them.
"Finally, and good riddance!" Chrom said. "But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad..."

"Then no path is safe." Frederick said. "We'll need to stay wary."