AN: I do not own Fire Emblem, or Warcraft. Starting this chapter, this will be posted in the Crossovers section. This story is also now being posted at Feplanet.

The Northspear

"What an odd fate. This will be the third time I have defeated you." The Black Knight mused, his metallic voice condescending behind his faceless visage. "The first was in the forest of Gallia. The second was at Delbray in Crimea."

A young Ike glared a challenge in response. "We've met twice, and I've lost twice." He said. "But the third time will be different."

"Oh?"

Ike grinned confidently. "My sword-fighting skills were given to me by my father. If I stay true to them, I cannot lose."

The Black Knight seemed to cock his helmeted head to one side slightly. "Did you never think that using your father's techniques on the man who killed him would be futile?"

Ike pointed the holy sword Ragnell at the towering ebon general. "My father robbed himself of using his stronger arm." He challenged. "If he hadn't, he would not have lost to the likes of you."

The Black Knight chuckled, sounding mysteriously elated at that news. Ike narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You think so?" The ebon general asked, pointing Alondite at Ike. "Let us test your stronger arm then."

The Black Knight threw a downward slash into the air, sending a lethal wave of red energy directly at Ike...

With a gasp, Ike sat up abruptly in his bed, dazed and bewildered. He had just a had a flashback, a memory of the war three years ago. He had fought Zelgius, then the Black Knight, in single combat, and the only witness to it was Mist, his sister...Whatever. That was three years ago, he thought. Shaking the cobwebs from his mind, he took in his surroundings. He was in a small, wooden room and had been laying on a comfortable bed. The room felt as though it were swaying gently, on rolling waves. "I'm on a ship." He concluded aloud. "But wait...am I on the same ship? Was all of that with the purple light...a dream?"

"You're awake. Good." A gruff voice rang out. Ike turned to the source, and blinked in surprise. It was a man, a beorc. He was a little smaller than Ike, but his strong stature, alert eyes, and stern, bearded face suggested that he was one who had seen many a battle. His raiment was simple, a traveler's outfit, over which he wore a white tabard with the symbol of a golden sun encircled by a silver shine. He wore a long, blue cloak that covered his shoulders. The cloak was fastened at a shoulder with a large brooch symbol, a shield with the head of a kingly lion in the center. Over his shoulder was the haft of a large weapon. When the man shifted, Ike saw that it was a huge, ornate warhammer, decorated with the same lion symbol as his brooch. Ike shifted his weight to turn to his visitor, his mind full of questions. The man raised a hand in concern.

"Easy there." He said. "You've been through some rough trouble. Don't strain yourself."

Ike relaxed himself back into the mattress. "So...where am I? And how did I get here?" He asked.

"You're aboard the Northspear." the man responded. "The other day our mage warned of some 'magical disruption' in the area we were sailing to that was worth checking. When we got there, we saw the splinters of a ship, and three survivors clinging to the wreckage. So, we picked you up."

"Three!?" Ike said hastily, sitting up again. "Who else did you find!? And are they all right?"

The man chuckled. "The cat-woman is fine - she was awake earlier," He said, easing Ike's mind. "Kept threatening to mangle us unless she saw you and the black haired boy alive and well. When she saw you, she calmed down and went back to sleep. As for the other boy, he's banged up but he'll be fine."

Ike sighed with relief. "That would be Lethe." he said. "And the other is Soren. I'm glad they're OK."

"Lethe, hmm." The man thought aloud. "She was a handful. Kept hissing and snarling at me. The way she called me "human" made it seem like an insult. Very strong willed, she seems."

Ike paused. "You've never met a laguz before?"

The man shook his head. "Laguz? Never heard of it."

"...Maybe you know them by the term 'sub-human' then?" Ike asked, frowning. When the man shook his head again, Ike had to blink in wonder. How can anyone have not heard of laguz before? The man, watching him, raised a thick brow as he came to a conclusion.

"So it's true. You're from another world." He said, chuckling. "And I thought that halfbaked gnome had finally lost his mind."

Ike's jaw fell open. "This has to be some kind of joke." He said, bewildered. I can't be in a whole new world...I just can't.

"Ridiculous." the man said, shaking his head. "I don't gain anything from trying to trick you, and it goes against my code to lie to someone who needs my help."

Ike looked to his hands, flexing them. "If this is true...I don't know." He wasn't sure if he should be pleased, confused, or afraid. If he, Lethe, and Soren were the only ones pulled from the wreckage of the ship... "Was there any sign of the rest of the crew?" He asked, worried.

The man frowned grimly. "We found a few drowned bodies. Those we found we gave a respectful sea burial, and we consecrated the water around the ship. The Light will ease their journey to the afterlife. Trouble your mind no more with their fates." The man paused, reading Ike. "As for how you came here, I would not think over it long. Instead, tell me of yourself. Your name, for starters." At this, the man smiled.

"My name is Ike." He said. "I'm the commander of the Greil Mercenaries."

"And I am Caladoran, a knight in the Order of the Argent Crusade. Some choose to call me Calad." The man gave a short bow. "A mercenary commander? That's quite a job for one so strong looking. You've really the look of a soldier."

"It's a good job." Ike said proudly. "Our company does good work. We enjoy helping out anyone who needs it - regardless of how much money they have. We've even taken on jobs for free, because the people needed us." Ike smiled at his memories of his friends in the troops. He also chuckled at his memory of Soren, who was often upset with Ike and his occasional free job. He remembered the reprimand he had gotten the first time. "We are mercenaries! Professionals! We are not social charity workers!"

"You have a lot of honor." Caladoran said. "Admirable. You are a mercenary commander, you said. Was some of your company on board the ship with you?"

Ike shook his head. "Soren is the only one of the company who came with me on the ship. Lethe is a good friend, but not officially part of the company. Although, I wouldn't refuse her if she wanted to join."

Caladoran began stroking his beard. "About the cat-woman...Lethe is her name?" Ike nodded. "She seemed far more concerned with making sure you were fine than the other boy. Is there something special between the two of you?"

It was an odd thought to Ike. This kind of thing wasn't something he liked to ponder. His only real exposure to that sort of thing was Aimee, and thinking about her nearly made him shudder. At any rate, he doubted that Lethe would feel that way about him. She was too proud, and he assumed that falling in love with a beorc would be considered a mark of shame. He shook his head. "She's my friend. And honestly, she never did get along with Soren like she did with me."

Caladoran gave him a look that showed he was not convinced. "I see." He said. "What were you going to tell me about her being a...laguz? About how her tone seemed to suggest she was insulting me by calling me a human?"

"To tell you everything about why would take too long, and I don't really know all the details." Ike responded. "But among beorc - humans - there are many that coin the insulting term 'sub-human' when referring to laguz. In the same way, many laguz use the term 'human' when referring to us. As for why...you're probably better off asking Lethe herself. She's pretty knowledgeable about that kind of history."

"Laguz...hmm." Caladoran thought aloud. "The name fits."

"It means 'Children of Strength'. Beorc means 'Children of Wisdom." Ike explained. "I never understood any of that, honestly."

"I see. Child of Strength? I wonder then, if she is a good fighter."

"She is." Ike said, frowning. "She's very powerful. However, I am a little worried. Lethe I imagine is the only laguz in this world...I hope she doesn't stand out to the point of being an outcast."

Caladoran chuckled. "Honestly, I doubt it. She looks human enough - we don't have the luxury to be particularly picky where we're going." There was a sound like a low hiss outside the door that Caladoran ignored. "As long as she can fight well, I doubt anyone will give her more than a second glance. This is a world full of many strange creatures."

"Fight?" Ike asked. "Why would she need to be a good fighter?" He hoped he wasn't getting roped into another senseless war. He'd seen too much of fighting to battle for politics.

"I'll fill you in on the details later." Caladoran replied. He looked to the wall. "Oh! By the way, we saved your equipment, including that sword of yours. I'll tell you now: That's a good sword. And trust me, you'll need it." He pointed at the wall. When Ike looked, he saw his leather breastplate, his father's pauldron, and Ettard resting against the wall. Ike nodded, relieved.

"Well, I'd best be getting above deck." Caladoran said. "The captain will be wanting to know you're awake." He paused. There was a growl outside the door now. "And miss Lethe wants to see you. Take care."

When Caladoran opened the door, Ike saw Lethe glaring at the grizzled knight. Caladoran saluted her, and with a statement of "he's all yours" brushed past her. She turned to give him another suspicious glare before returning to Ike.

"I look human enough!?" She spat, indignant. "What...nerve! I don't hate you beorc...as much, but his sort I despise!"

Ike frowned. "I really don't think he meant any insult by that. He seems like an honorable enough person. At any rate...I'm glad you're well."

Lethe's expression softened considerably. "I'm...glad to see you awake also." She said, sounding relieved.

"What about Soren?" Ike asked.

Lethe flicked her tail, but her expression didn't change. "He's fine. He was asleep an hour ago." She said, walking over towards the bed and leaning casually against the wall. After a while, she slid her body down and sat. She was deep in thought, and her tail swished casually against her leg. She glanced at Ike, who also appeared deep in thought. Finally, she spoke, voicing her mind.

"So...have you been told that we might be from-"

"Another world?" Ike finished. "That's what that knight said."

"Do you believe him?"

"It sounds too farfetched." Ike replied. "But I don't know if there's any other explanation. Whatever that...thing was, I don't think we can say that it didn't have something to do with that storm. Plus, this...Caladoran, he says he's never seen or heard of a laguz before - even as a 'sub-human'."

Lethe's ear twitched, and her tail swished more aggressively. All laguz hated that name fiercely. Those who named laguz as such in her presence would immediately find themselves on the wrong end of her claws. She respected those beorc who would not call them as such, but she still kept her old hatred for those who remained bigoted. Ike saw the fierce look in her eye, and promptly tried to steer her thoughts back on topic.

"What about you, Lethe? Do you believe it?"

Lethe cupped her chin in thought. "I don't know." She said. "That...tiny beorclike...whatever it is, he called himself Hotsprocket...grrr... He kept babbling about it, using words I've never heard before."

"Times like these are when I need Soren the most." Ike said. "He might be able to sort this all out."

"Or maybe I won't be able to tell you anything you don't already know." Said a voice from the doorway. When they looked, Soren stood there, regarding the two of them sternly. He ran a hand through his hair before stepping slowly towards Ike's bed.

"Are you sure you should be walking?" Ike said. "Lethe I can understand, she heals quick. I'm here thinking, but I feel fine. You on the other hand...you're really not as tough as either of us."

"I'd rather not lie in a bed like an invalid when surrounded by strangers." Soren replied. "Besides, I'm feeling fine, if a little sore."

"Well, if you're all right..." Ike said softly. "Anyway, what's your take on us being...in a new world?"

Soren frowned. "I think we have to believe they're telling the truth."

"Wait...what?" Ike said, bewildered. "Is that logical?"

Soren shook his head. "Nothing that has happened to us has ever been logical. So, we must consider the illogical outcome to be true."

Lethe stood up. "That makes no sense." she said. "They could be lying to us! Ike is famous in Tellius. Even among laguz! They may want to take advantage of him!"

"Don't worry, Lethe." Ike said, smiling at her. "If that's what they're after, they'll be getting theirs."

Lethe growled in agreement. Soren shook his head at them.

"Look," he said. "If they were after anything that Ike may have, they'd have taken it and thrown us overboard! They're clearly not hostile. And they're clearly not from Tellius. I've taken a look above deck, and this ship is nothing like any ship I've known to sail from anywhere. So much metal, and very sharp looking. It's cold here. Wherever we're going, it's an absolutely frigid area."

Ike hadn't noticed this. He had been too deep in thought about everything that had happened, but now that Soren mentioned it, it was freezing. He noticed Lethe was rubbing her arms, scowling. Cold didn't seem to bother her as much as it would him, but she still didn't like it. Ike rose out of the bed and walked over to put on his equipment. After strapping Ettard to his back, he walked over to the door.

"Wherever we are," He said quietly, "wherever we're going, and whoever these people are, we might as well go and face it all while we're awake and active. I'm going above deck."

Lethe nodded, smiling, and followed him. Soren smirked, and exited the room after them.

Above deck, Ike soon learned that what Soren said was true. The ship they were on was long and narrow, the hull made of metal. The figurehead of the ship was fashioned in the shape of a large, metal eagle's head, the beak drawn to a razor's edge. Caladoran called the ship the Northspear, it certainly looks like one. Ike thought to himself. He looked up to the mast and saw the sails of the ship were not as high as any of the ships he'd seen; the boat seemed to be guided by the sails rather than actually being driven by them. He looked to the back of the ship, and saw what pushed the ship forward. It was a large, metal wheel, turning slowly. It had the look of a waterwheel, and it was propelling the ship forward.

"Ah. Good timing." Caladoran's voice rang from behind them. Lethe turned and glared at him, Soren regarded him with marked indifference. "I wanted to show the three of you where we're going." Caladoran said, turning to the bow. "Follow me."

When they reached the bow, Caladoran pointed off in the distance. Along the horizon, a huge landmass was emerging, partially covered in ice. Large cliffs seemed to split into a wide channel, ice dotting the waters within. The cliffs were high, and as they grew closer, appeared pockmarked in rocky outcroppings. The air seemed to grow more frigid the closer they got. Ike rubbed his arms uncomfortably.

"That, my friends," Caladoran said, "Is the Howling Fjord, part of the continent of Northrend. That is where we will be making port."

Ike turned to him, a question on his mind. "You said that we would have to fight where we're going. Why?" He asked. "What's over there?"

Caladoran's face became grim. "If you stare long into the abyss," He replied cryptically."The abyss stares back into you."

Ike blinked, unable to catch the meaning. "What do you mean?" He asked. "What abyss?" He looked at Lethe, who was staring at the paladin wide-eyed. Soren's eyes seemed fixed on the fjord.

"I'm sorry." The knight answered, walking away. "I'll brief you when we reach Valgarde."

Ike turned back to the cliffs, his mind now full of even more unanswered questions. As the boat entered the fjord, breaking ice along the way, Ike saw a mammoth cave cave reveal itself to the east. The boat turned, heading towards it. Inside, the roof seemed covered in large stalactites, giving off the appearance of a titanic beast's maw. He turned to Lethe, who was quietly sniffing the air, her eyes closed. After a moment, she opened her eyes and gave a feral growl.

"What do you smell?" Ike asked.

"Blood." She responded with quiet intensity. "And fear."

Ike shuddered. Lethe's observation and Caladoran's cryptic words dominated his mind. To him, the giant cave they were entering now felt like an entrance to death.