The shepherds, long journey was going to end soon, the map shows a fortress, a snow fortress their destination, the whole area was cover in snow and freezing winds were blowing around the lands.
Lissa teeths were chattering loudly as the cold wind blows, seeing this Frederick quickly went went besides Lissa with his horse in an attempt to block the cold winds.
"Thanks, Frederick" Lissa said
"It's my duty to look after you, my lady" Frederick said as he looks towards Ezekiel who unlike others was perfectly fine.
"Ezekiel, are you not feeling cold?" Frederick asked
Ezekiel let out his breath and it turns into fog "I like feeling cold, my mother use to tell me about her home which was cover in snow, a giant castle surrounded by white snow, she use to tell me how her and her siblings and my grand parents used to play a game of finding walnuts in the snow. During my stay in Agartha, the fake priest throw me into a snow forest, full of beast" as he looks at a pinecone he pick on his way.
The shepherds already knows what Amethyst meant by that, Ezekiel's body is artificial and specificly made for doing inhuman feats.
Lissa then notice something else Robin was also not feeling cold. She was not like Ezekiel, then how is she not feeling cold.
"R-Robin are you not f-feeling c-cold?" Lissa asked with chattering teeths and shivering body.
"Well, I am not feeling cold for some reason" Robin said as she looks equally confused as Lissa
Amethyst words quickly perk-up the ears of other shepherds around them and Lissa who was closest to her, quickly looked towards Amethyst with shining eyes "Amethyst could you do the same to me?" Lissa asked
After what Amethyst said the other Shepherds quickly looked towards Amethyst and looked her with pleading eyes.
"Well, we need to learn how to adapt according to our environment as warriors, but we might have a important battle soon, so I wouldn't mind" Chrom said as Frederick sighs
"I could have made a moving boundfield if you all had told me you were feeling cold" Ezekiel says as all the shepherds looks at him disbelief their face saying 'wasn't it obvious'
"Well, my body is different don't blame me" Ezekiel defends himself, he quickly stretched out his right hand and starts chanting "winds of the north perish" a relatively small and easy spell which cost only a little mana and can surround quite a large area
The shepherds soon stop feeling cold and the snow covering their body disappears. They then began to thank Ezekiel.
Amethyst words earn a laugh from the shepherds and they continue their journey.
After half an hour of traveling, the shepherds reach the fortress and stop their horses infront of it
"So this is the fortress?" Robin asked as she points towards the giant gates of the fortress
"Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regan Ferox" Chrom replys
"The khans that rule Ferox had grown quite wary of foreigners" Frederick narrowed his eyes towards the fortress "still, don't mistake lack of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy" Frederick continue as he looks towards Chrom
"Negotiation, is not my strong suit, but I will do my best" Chrom says as he rubs the back of his head and starts moving towards the fortress, the shepherds following him from behind
As they reach the fortress gate Ezekiel notices something weird and moved besides Chrom "Hey Chrom, are the guards gathering to welcome you?" He asked Chrom
"What, why?" Chrom questions
"My lord, I think we should be ready for combat, just to be safe" Frederick suggested as he looks around them
"I am going to remove the boundfield and cast a better warming spell, as soon as they start attack tell everyone to stay at close Frederick" Frederick nods a Ezekiel words
"Robin, start preparing a plan" Frederick says to which Robin relpys with a nod
"Amethyst, give me a detail blue print of the fortress" Robin says to Amethyst as she starts scanning the whole fortress. Amethyst might be an incomplete product but her other functions make up for her incompetence.
Soon Amethyst displayed a perfect 3d model of the fortress with the position of the guards surrounding them. Robin quickly starts analyzing the whole map and starts thinking of the strategies for the possible battle.
The shepherds starts approaching the gate of the Fortress but it was closed
"Halt, who goes there?!" They soon heard a shout of a woman from inside the fortress.
"In the name of house Ylisse. I seek audience with the khans" Chrom answers as he get down from his horse and starts walking towards the fortress gate
"Not another step, my bold lad!, I have lancers at the ready" The woman says as Chrom stops near the gate of the Fortress
Amethyst words earns Robin's attention "silly, the winds are too strong for the arrows to be fired in the right direction"
A little far from them the others were still trying to talk things out
"Wait, my lady, we are not your enemy!!" Frederick Shouts "Exalt Emmeryn, herself send us here to discuss matters of mutual interest" he explains
"My only interest is to keep you, brigands, out of the Regna Ferox" came the answer from behind the fortress
"My lady, I assured you we are not brigands" Frederick tries to calm her down
"You think you are the first 'Ylisseans' to try and cross our borders. I have authority to fell such impostors" The woman threatens
"How dare you! You are in the presence of prince Chrom the exalt's own blood" Frederick shouts
"Haa, yes indeed. Then, I am the queen of Valm. You know impersonating as royalty is a capital offense?"
"Oi , Frederick don't you have some kind of emblem or royal seals for our identification" Ezekiel asked in a hurry as he saw lancers approaching them.
"I am afraid, I don't have any" Frederick answers
"F*ck, Chrom get back fast" Ezekiel tries to call Chrom back as he saw the lancers readying their spears
"Please, good lady, we are n-" Chrom finish his words as the woman order the lancers to throw their lances at him but before the lance could hit him, Sumia came riding the Pegasus and took Chrom with her
Chrom opened his eyes and saw Sumia holding him by her one hand, while riding the Pegasus "thanks, for the save Sumia" Chrom quickly position himself and sat on the Pegasus's back.
"Captain, I am so relieved that I made it in time" Sumia says
"Hey get down fast. The lancers are getting ready" Ezekiel shouts at them.
Chrom and Sumia quickly get to the ground and saw Ezekiel approaching them
"Quick, Chrom your sword falchion, that sword was made from Naga's teeth theirs no way that they would not recognize it"
"I am afraid, we first need to find a way to enter the caste, while doing minimum damage" Frederick says
"The gate on the right side of the fortress can be easily passed with minimum damage we should attack from their" Robin suggests as she looks at the map Amethyst was projecting
The shepherds starts moving towards the right side of the fortress. Robin suggested them to move in a pair of two people each fighting a single soldier to minimize damage and retrain the soldiers. As they don't want to kill any of them because it can later cause a dispute between them.
"Kellam use your shield and move forward towards the right gate and Frederick stay behind him and protect him form, any attacks from the sides from the sides, people with melle weapon, group yourself in a team of two and charge with Chrom, Sumia get ready after breaking the gate, we will create enough disturbances and you along with Chrom will attack from the skies try to take down the Commander and talk things out. The mages will take care of the lancers above the fortress wall, don't let them throw any lance , the archers attack the archers bellow and get cover for Kellam. Lissa, Ezekiel standby to heal the injured" The shepherds followed Robin's words and began their attack. When the lancers above the fortress walls were taken care of Robin order them to break the fortress gate.
"Well I don't think breaking the fortress gate was a good idea" Ezekiel said
"I asked you again, drop your weapons, you are already outmatched and listen to us first" Frederick said as they enter the fortress
"In your dreams" the women replied as she ordered a Feroxi soldier with a warhammer to charge tworads Kellam, while the other Shepherds were busy fighting. Kellam was shielding the shepherds from the archers, as most of their archers fail to penetrate his shield and the shepherds were able to break throw the fortress wall easily. But before the Feroxi could hit Kellam he was blasted off by blue birds which later surrounded Kellam as if protecting him
"No, you don't" They heard Ezekiel said who was holding wires in his hand.
The woman growls and orders the mages to fired at Kellam but before they could chant their spells the pair of archers shot them down.
Before the Feroxi Commander could give any order a sword came behind her, while a woman riding a Pegasus was flying above her.
"Do you surrender now?" Chrom asked
After they surrender Chrom had talk things out with the Feroxi Commander, Raimi. Their identification was confirm and they received an apology from the Commander. Lissa and Ezekiel heal the injured Shepherds and Feroxi soldiers. Soon after that they continue their journey to meet with the khan.
●●●●●
"Prince Chrom, please wait here till I summon the Khan" Raimi said
"Of course" hearing Chrom's reply Raimi bows her head and walks away to find the khan
"The khan is away?" Robin asked
"Out training, I guess. The khans of Ferox prefer batter over politics. Or rather, the battle is their politics" Chrom answers
"I guess they are not different from the khans of my world. One of them conquered more then 80% of a continent, which was one of the largest continent" Ezekiel says earning the attention of other who were also curious about the khan in Ezekiel's world
"He must have been a battle hungry man then" Chrom says
Amethyst added something that shouldn't have been, as it cause others to get a chilling feeling.
"H-how many w-wifes d-did he have?" Lissa sutters
Suddenly all of them jaw drops and Ezekiel just face palms, he knew how Amethyst knows that, he was the one who order Amethyst to find records of every historical figures, so that he could summon a strong servant. But now he regrets his decision.
Their talk was cut short as women with blonde hair and tan skin arrived "my name is Flavia, the khan of the east" the khan introduced herself as she greets them "I apologize for the trouble at the border, prince Chrom. I welcome you to Regna Ferox" she continues
"Thank you, but I am confident that we can put that misunderstanding behind us. Is it true that bandits have been impersonating as 'Ylisseans' near your villages" Chrom says as he greets the khan along with other shepherds present their
"Yes, those Plegians" Faliva said with site in her voice "we found documents proving in one of the corpses of their captains. Plegia must see some benefit in raising tension between our kingdoms" she explains
"Damn them" Chrom cruse "I....Forgive me your grace. That was indelicately put" he apologized
"Ha! Damn them and damn delicacy! Here in Ferox, we appreciate plain speech" Faliva just laughs it off
The talk between the khan and Chrom continues for a while, the khan agreed on forming an alliance if the shepherds won the tournament while representing east, Chrom agrees and Ezekiel decided to participate in the tournament
The shepherds arrived at the tournament hall where they met Marth again.
"Well it's a team match but I want to work out a little, don't worry, I will be fine I am taking the people in the left" Ezekiel says as he crack his joints and took out wires from his robe.
"Well, be careful Ezekiel" Chrom says as he receives a thumps up from Ezekiel
"Don't fight with Marth he is strong and it looks like he has a good party with him" Robin shouts at him
"Well well, you made a very big mistake fighting us alone" the man said as he saw Ezekiel approaching
"What do you mean it's 5 vs 4" Ezekiel smirks as he turn the wires into 4 blue eagles.
"Be careful he is a mage" one of the man said
A mage from their said fired a fire fall at him but as soon as it reach Ezekiel it was blocked by blue wires surrounding Ezekiel which soon turn back into eagles.
"My turn" Ezekiel smiles as he fire blue mana shots from his birds the 4 man fighting Ezekiel tried blocking them with their shield but their shield got blasted. So they tried dodging them, they were well trained warriors but it was beginning to take a toll at them. Then the birds turn into big blue swords and before they could process what just happen the swords past right through their chest.
Ezekiel then felt someone's blood lust and quickly move from his place. A sword passed right by his side, Ezekiel look at the person who threw the sword at his and saw a man carrying a eastern sword
"You look strong, what is your name?" Ezekiel asked as he pulled out his earing
"Lon'qu" the man answered
"Well then Lon'qu, I am Ezekiel, Ezekiel von Einzbern" the cross earing then turn into a golden sword
Lon'qu was surprised for a bit but ready his sword to fight Ezekiel. He thought that the mage would be a easy kill if his eagles were far from him so he waited for the right moment and throw the sword of one of the warriors he killed but now the mage know Swordsmanship.
Both Ezekiel and Lon'gu charged at each other both blocking each others sword with their own, they both looked at each other and then Lon'qu tried to kick Ezekiel but he quickly backed away, Lon'qu don't wait for a moment and directly charged at Ezekiel again, they start clashing their swords. Lon'qu thought that the Swordsmanship of Ezekiel was very bad as their were many opening but he got his sword block everytime he tried to attack those opening. Lon'qu then saw a opening in Ezekiel's stomach and tried to him but when he attack his blow was blocked by Ezekiel's sword, he got hit in the stomach by the back of Ezekiel's sword. Lon'qu tried to stand up but fails, so he just lies on the ground for Ezekiel to end his life but Ezekiel don't as they had already won the tournament with Chrom defeating the last opponent Marth.
Ezekiel looks towards Lon'qu "that was a good fight" and walks towards Robin and the others
"Ezekiel are you okay??" Robin asked as she inspect him for any injuries
"Well I am fine, most of them were pretty weak but that one guy name Lon'qu was quite tough" Ezekiel says as he looks at the earing in his hand
Their conversation was cut of short as the khan of the east, Faliva came towards them "Well fought, you have my respect. And perhaps more to the point an alliance. I will provide Yilsse the soldiers she need" Faliva said
"Truly? thank you, khan-east" Chrom said as he smiles brightly
"It was a part of our agreement, I should be the one thanking you, it's been ages since I held full power. Come my friends, tonight we shall celebrate" Faliva says as she walks towards her men's to prepare for the celebration
Chrom and others were then visited by a very big muscular man with a black eye patch wearing a battle armor "Bah! Any excuse for a party and Faliva jumps off" the man said
"Excuse me who might be?" Chrom asked
"I am the west-khan, Basilio, that you so rudely remove from power" the man introduced himself
"You are handy with a sword boy, you defeated Marth very quickly. The boy was even able to defeat my former champion. And you white hair boy, you were also able to defeat my former champion, and faster then Marth, you two are certainly talented Swordsman" the khan says and then he looks at Ezekiel "but boy, why do you leave so many openings? You know, your one mistake can cause you your head" the words of the khan gained the attention of others. They have seen Ezekiel mostly use magic, the know that he used to know a sword but never knew his way of sword technique.
"Ezekiel, is it true? I know Swordsmanship and knew leaving openings is not good" Robin looks at Ezekiel with worry
Ezekiel touches the magic crest near his eyes and said "That's the technique my grandfather uses. My mother who copied his swords learn it from and I from her crest. And don't worry I tried improving it very much, I have something called mind eyes which helps me in predicting moves"
"Ezekiel is it ? What do you mean by copying a sword" Basilio asked as he wasn't sure what Ezekiel mean by copying a sword instead of learning
"Well, my family has a special magic only capable of being used by us trace on" Ezekiel then quickly materialize a sword in his hands "it help us to copy any sword including the technique used by owner of tge sword"
Basilio laugh out loud "I would love to fight you someday but now I want to give you my former champion for beating my new champion" he then looks at the side and shouts out "Lon'qu"
The man that fought Ezekiel during the competition came "he is my former champion, Lon'qu. He is as good as Marth" Basilio says
"Are you sure about that?" Chrom asked
"Of course" Basilio says and then looks at Lon'qu
"He gives order and I follow them" Lon'qu says then looks towards Ezekiel "and my life was already spared by one of your companions, so I got no problem working with you"
"Then welcome to the shepherds Lon'qu" Chrom says
(A/N: writing the fight since like in game is hard)