Here's a little side-story that's still relevant to the plot, hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem, the characters shown in this story belong to their respective creators.

Angus woke up and stretched, he was tired from yesterday's marching as he decided to change from his sleeping clothes to his battle gear, just in case the battle might come early. He gears up in his newly obtained chainmail, strapping on the individual plates. He then takes his kilt and wears it around as a sash around his chest plate. He sees a shadow in front of his tent.

"Is someone there?"

"Ah, is that you Sir Angus?"

Angus froze as he recognized the voice of the person outside.

"Yes, Madam Maribelle, it is me."

"May I come inside?"

"… Yes you may."

Maribelle walked in, as opposed to her normal proud strut that gave off an air of superiority, she walked in with meekness and humility, making Angus wonder on what she was going to say. She sits on the chair, across Angus' bed. She takes a deep breath and sighs.

"Sir Angus, I owe you an apology for our last conversation."

"No need, what's done is done."

"No, but I also have to tell you, you were not the only who has been subject to the injustice committed by nobles."

Angus raised an eyebrow, he didn't know that someone as seemingly stuck-up and uppity as Maribelle could suffer at the hands of nobility. Maribelle's face was looked sullen as she begun to share her story.

"Some scoundrel had attempted to rob the Royal Treasury, and the thief had pinned the blame on my father, saying that he hired him."

Angus frowned, as smear campaigns were common among nobility, he shouldn't have been surprised.

"Of course, if it were not for the Exalt's request for further investigation, my father would have been executed. And he was ridiculed and shamed along the way as well."

Angus felt pity for Maribelle's family, as they had suffered humiliation from many.

"But we had received a letter on the day of his execution, the thief from before confessed that he was forced by the nobles to lie about my father hiring him."

Angus was shocked that nobles would go so far to put down one another.

"After throwing those scoundrels to jail, I took it upon myself to be an upholder of justice and the law. I made myself tidy and neat, to embody the ideals of a clean and just society."

Angus nodded with an impressed face. Maribelle's attitude was a result of her desire of justice, of her picture of a society that upheld the law. She had taken one route, a clean and spotless route, it would be incredibly rare for her to even resort to physical violence.

"I envy you madam, you took something from your misfortune and made it an ideal to strive for."

"But what about you? I have not heard yet of what you did to your oppressors."

Angus sighed while scratching the back of his head.

"I created a network of connections, securing my family's safety and our political power. I made powerful allies that would back me up."

"Sounds very impressive of you, at least you had done something for your family."

"Yes, but the path I took only became chaotic, I sparked unrest and distrust among my countrymen. I was too rash in making an enemy so quickly, I had taken out my anger on the one who oppressed instead of attacking the system that allowed this oppression to happen."

"But you still did something that saved your family, you acted quick and it paid off."

"Yes, but maybe if I had gone through your path, maybe things in Scotland would have turned out better."

"Let's just agree to disagree Sir Angus." Maribelle said with a smile.

"Of course, we'll continue this discussion later."

As Maribelle walked out, Angus thought to himself.

"If I had become like Maribelle, would conditions in Scotland have gotten better? Was the rebellion unnecessary?"

Meanwhile, Maribelle was also pondering on the method of Sir Angus.

"If I had done something like Angus, would my family's reputation be less affected? Could we really have retaliated against those scoundrels?"

Emmeryn sat down as she contemplated her current situation. She had left the capital, her people, she couldn't help but wonder how they were doing. Was society breaking down, or were they successful in keeping the order. She could only imagine the worst as she kept worrying about her beloved country and people.

Meanwhile, in Ylisstol

Marcus stands before the crowd, as two men stood behind him with two young men, beaten and bruised. The Ylisseans seemed a bit outraged that one of their own had been injured.

"This is what happens to those who dare break the law! If you wish not to end up beaten and bruised like these two fools, then be a model citizen and follow the law, regardless of your hatred of Plegia!"

"What gives you the right!? Those monsters killed our sons and sold our daughters!" one person from the crowd screamed.

Marcus sighed exasperatedly.

"You WILL follow the law! And I will make sure that this society stays stable with the Exalt's absence!"

"And what if we refuse to listen!?" another person protested.

Rune then walks up next to Marcus.

"Then you're welcome to take it up with the Berserker next to me."

The crowd backed up a bit as they saw the same man who killed two knights, the man that severely beaten Prince Chrom in a fight. They had a fearful look while Marcus wore a smug expression. Marcus had some leverage over these citizens and by god, he'll be using it all to his advantage.

"Remember, uphold the law and stay loyal to the Halidom, and I will guarantee your safety. But if you wish to disobey us, then by all means."

The guards dragged the beaten men away as the crowd felt obligated to pay attention.

"Now that we have gotten the law and order matters out of the way, I will have to discuss the evacuation proceedings."

The convoy was camped in Breakneck Pass, due to the heat and fatigue affecting the soldiers. In the camp was a large tent that stood out. It was Emmeryn's personal tent. It was larger than the rest since she was the Exalt. Her large sleeping bag only took up a quarter of the room, and there was a large table, fit for eight people should she decide to hold council here. And on the bed, Emmeryn stared wistfully off to empty space. Emmeryn couldn't bear not knowing the condition of her beloved city or if Plegia took it over. She knew one person who could tell her the future. She calls over a servant and says.

"Can you please call over Phila? And tell her to bring all her paperwork"

The servant nods and runs outside the tent. Emmeryn waited for a bit, until the servant returned, with Phila.

"You called for me milady?"

"Yes I did Phila. Do you have the list of mercenaries of whom we hired?"

"Yes, the other paperwork is mostly with the knight-commander, but I do have a list of mercenaries hired by the Halidom right here."

"Can you find someone named Marth?"

Phila wore a confused face at the name, but then decides to search through the long roll of paper, putting her index finger to scan for the name.

"Yes, Marth is on the list."

"Where is she? Is she also a part of the escort?"

"No, it says here that she offered her sword to defend Ylisstol, so she is stationed at Ylisstol."

Emmeryn frowned at the news as her hopes of knowing the fate of Ylisse were dashed.

"Pardon me speaking out of turn milady, but why are you so interested in this Marth character? Is it because she predicted the attempt on your life?"

"I can't shake this feeling Phila, even when I'm so far from Ylisstol, I still worry about our people, their future, their fate at the hands of Plegia. I was hoping that Marth could tell me."

"Madam, I apologize but I don't believe that you should go to such lengths."

"I know Phila, but I'm willing to any length to protect my people."

Phila could notice the longing and sullen face of Emmeryn, a face of worry and regret. Phila breathes a huge sigh and says.

"There is a rumored Foreseer in these parts."

Emmeryn perked up at what Phila had said.

"She is strange mystic who recently arrived from a foreign land, she holds quite the power of fortune-telling and her fortunes have always been correct, and to top it off, her price is free. But there's just one problem."

Phila then takes a paper from her pocket and spreads it on the table.

"After a year, she isolated herself from the world, hiding away somewhere in this area. She has left instructions on how to reach her, but no one could understand the language she wrote down."

Emmeryn looked at the language with interest, the writing was full of curves, lines and dots, and was written in cursive.

"So the only problem with reaching her is our inability to understand this language?"

Phila nodded.

"Well we have to try, maybe someone in this camp knows the language."

"I apologize milady but I have tried that also but to no avail, not even the greatest linguists of the Halidom can recognize this language."

"Well we still have to try, and I do have someone in mind. Please call Chief Hagen over."

Phila nodded and exited the tent, Emmeryn waited for awhile before Phila returned with the towering figure of Hagen behind her. Hagen then sat across the table and asks.

"Why did you call me Your Highness?"

"Chief Hagen, do you see the paper on the table?"

"Yes I do, you want me to read it?"

"Only if you understand the language."

Hagen reaches for the paper and reads it. In less than five seconds, he drops it and says.

"I'm sorry Your Excellency but I don't read or speak Arabic."

Emmeryn and Phila were genuinely surprised that Hagen was even able to recognize the language.

"But you know this language?"

"Of course, Arabic traders pass by every now and then. The script on this paper is without question, Arabic."

"If you can't read it, do you know anyone else who can?"

"Hmmm, Rune could decipher some of the figures since he's a regular trader with the Arabs, but sadly, he isn't here right now."

Emmeryn was regretting the decision of making Rune stay behind.

"But I think one of the mercenaries joining us could read it." Hagen offered while turning to Phila. "Do you by any chance have Khalid in the list?"

"You mean Khalid al-Mulawwith? The assassin that we hired after his assistance against the Plegian assassins?"

"Yes, his name is undoubtedly Arabic, I've heard names like Salah-ad-din, and al-Jizah and Khalid's name is no different. If you need someone to translate and interpret that text, Khalid is your best bet."

Emmeryn then took a moment to ponder on this.

"Milady, remember, there is a risk of trickery from this man. Judging from his questionable background as an assassin, it would be unwise to dismiss the possibility of treachery."

"I'm willing to take the risk Phila, bring him here."

Khalid was finishing his afternoon prayer, he rolls up his prayer mat. He had just finished his Asr prayer and had plans of meditating on a Quran verse. He enters his tent, sits on his bed and opens the book. He thinks of his current situation and finds the appropriate verse.

يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تحرموا طيبات ما أحل الله لكم ولا تعتدوا إن الله لا يحب المعتدين

Khalid then read the verse out loud.

Ya 'ayuha alladhin amanuu la tuharrimuu tayibat ma 'ahall alllah lakum wala taetaduu 'inn alllah la yuhibb almuetadin

(O ye who believe! Do not deprive the good things that Allah has given you, and do not transgress: for Allah does not love the aggressors)

Khalid then kneels and bows as he raises both arms, staring to the heavens.

Laqad amtadat alddmma, walakan faqat fi asmika, lakhiratuk 'akbaran!

(I have spilled blood, but only in Your name, for Your greater good!)

He then closes his eyes and meditates on the words that Allah handed to Muhammad. But his deep concentration is interrupted. He feels a presence approaching as he anticipates the next event. He looks as the tent flap expectantly, with a messenger coming in right on cue.

"Sir… al-Mulwwith?"

"It's al-Mulawwith." Khalid corrected sternly. "What do you want?"

"Y-Yes, the Exalt requires your presence."

Khalid was surprised that the Exalt needed him out of all people.

"Okay, tell your Exalt that I'll be there at once, okay?"

The messenger nodded as Khalid had to wonder why in the world the Exalt would call him. He holds on to his belongings as he goes to the visibly largest tent. He enters the room, with the messenger in tow.

"Here he is milady."

Khalid looked and saw the Exalt sitting on the table, together with the fearsome Chief Hagen and Phila, the captain of the Pegasus Knights. Emmeryn smiles and gestures to the seat.

"Please, have a seat."

Khalid takes a seat across Emmeryn and then makes his query.

"Why have you called me here Your Highness?"

"I have a certain document that needs translating, but the language itself is unknown to Phila and I."

"But why me?"

"Well, we called Hagen here to read it and he claims that the language is known as "Arabic". He also said that you were also a speaker of that language."

Khalid was surprised that the Ylisseans found an Arabic text, he thought that it was long gone.

"Yes madam, I am in fact, Arabic. May I see the document that needs translating?"

Emmeryn gestured to the table, where the document laid. Khalid pulled it closer to read it.

المستقبل، من الله من نفسه

شمال ممر بريكنيك، هناك حقل من الحجارة

العثور على الحجر مع أقدم شجرة الزيتون تنمو على ذروتها

البحث تحت الحجر. هذا هو المكان الذي سوف تجد لي

"Almustaqbal, mmin alllah min nafsih." Khalid recited as he put his finger on the text.

"Shamal mamarr bryknyk, hunak haql min alhijara"

"Aleuthur ealaa alhajar mae 'aqdam shajarat alzzaytun tanmu ealaa dhurutiha"

"Albahth taht alhujr. hadha hu almakan aldhy sawf tajid li."

Emmeryn and Phila were amazed that Khalid could just read it like that, the language was so foreign to them that they couldn't even derive a single meaning from that strange writing.

"So, what does it mean?"

Khalid then turns to Emmeryn.

"Madam, this document is an instruction. It's says: Foreseer, Divinations from God Himself

North of Breakneck Pass, there is a field of stones. Find the largest stone with the eldest olive tree growing at its peak. Search under the stone. That is where you will find me."

"North of Breackneck Pass… A field of stones, does that sound familiar to you Phila?"

"Yes milady, I believe that was the training ground for junior Pegasus Knights, but gods, was she so near after all this time?" Phila asked. "But how do we know that there are no enemies there?"

"I don't know, I only came to translate this document. It's up to you whether or not you want to go."

"I say we go." Emmeryn suggested.

"But milady, the Eastern Palace is our destination!"

"That may change once we know the future of our people Phila." Emmeryn said. "I will go, regardless of your approval."

"Then let me accompany you Your Excellency, I wish to meet this foreseer as well." Hagen added in.

"How about your Danes?"

"They can survive without me, they are strong after all."

"Then it is settled, we will make a short walk to the north."

"Okay, if I'm no longer needed, then I will be on my way." Khalid said as he excused himself.

"Wait, we could still use your help."

Khalid turns around and makes a face, expecting something else from Emmeryn.

"We may still need you in case the Foreseer also speaks your language, you will serve as out translator."

"Okay madam, I will ready my belongings then." Khalid bowed as he left the tent.

The men at the stables prepared four horses, the largest horse was being saved for Emmeryn since it was a royal stallion, with a well-groomed mane and shiny white fur. But Emmeryn was so generous to lend it to Hagen, due to his 400-pound weight being too much for the smaller steeds to handle. Khalid mounted his horse while Phila mounted her personal pegasus. All four were wearing personal disguises to hide their faces, with Emmeryn wearing a hooded cloak, Phila wearing full armor with helmet, Khalid wearing his Hashashin outfit and Hagen wearing a massive chainmail mask over his face. One horse was left empty, prompting Hagen to ask.

"Your Excellency for whom did you prepare this horse?"

"This horse is for the gifts I will bring to the Foreseer."

"Who will be the one guiding it?" Hagen wondered.

"That will be me." Khalid voiced as he held on to the horse's leash. "I will be the one to hand over the gifts.

"So if we are done with these preparations, then let us leave immediately. We cannot afford to waste daylight."

"Phila's right, let's go." Emmeryn said as she set her horse forward.

"Right behind you."

After nearly an hour of trekking on the rough terrain, Emmeryn and company see the large field of stones before them. Hagen dismounted his horse and saw a weathered sign right next to the field.

Fragment Fields

"Quite an interesting name." Hagen commented while stroking his beard.

"Legend has it that a god of stone fought and died here. All the stones here were the fragments of his body."

"If he died, then he's not a god." Khalid humored dryly.

"Anyway, we should search for the stone with an olive tree growing on its peak."

"But where do we start? There's a ton of olive trees growing on the peak of these rocks, and no offense but they all look the damn same."

And true to Hagen's word, the scattered rocks, stones and boulders of varying size had trees growing on their peak. They couldn't tell which rock was actually the one they were looking for.

"We can't afford to waste time." Phila reminded. "We can't just stay and search all the stones, I say we—"

"Found it." Khalid pointed at a large rock with a tree on top.

All three of them were dumbstruck that Khalid found it so quickly. Khalid found the rock so quickly even though they all looked the same. They gave him a questioning look, expecting an explanation for such a quick response.

"Look at that giant boulder over there, it looks weathered and old, and the tree on top has the longest roots out of all the trees here."

Emmeryn and Phila couldn't argue with that logic as they all approached the giant stone, with Hagen guarding the Vanguard. As they reached the foot of the rock, they could hear a growl as a large cat came out and pounced on Hagen. Hagen throws off the creature and gets into stance, with the creature getting ready to pounce once again. Phila accompanies Emmeryn to safety as Khalid joins Hagen to fight the cat.

"Be careful, this beast is very strong!"

"I'll take your word on that!" Hagen replied as he charged at the tiger, with the tiger also running in for a clash.

"Janan, takun hadiat walwuquuf."

Khalid heard the very familiar sound of Arabic as he saw a woman emerge from the cavern. Khalid saw a very voluptuous and attractive young woman of average height. She had medium skin, long lustrous black hair, brown eyes, and a distinct hourglass figure. Her outfit was similar to that of haram women, though her body was covered with cloth, hiding her face and other parts of her body.

The tiger stops it charge and immediately goes to the woman's side and sits. Hagen and Khalid are unsure of what to do as they hesitantly sheathe their weapons. Emmeryn emerges from her hiding spot.

"Are you the Foreseer?"

"Yes, I am Almustaqbal, the fortune teller. You certainly have come a long way to reach me. Come, I will show you inside."

All four reluctantly go inside, fearing retaliation from the tiger.

"Don't worry about the tiger, he won't bite. Unless you've earned enough merit to earn one."

The inside of the hideout was much like that of a hermit's. Clean, fresh. There was little furniture, save for the cupboard and table in the kitchen. There was a fire cooking in the middle with some strange animal skewered on a stick. Emmeryn, Phila, Hagen and Khalid sat on the floor while Almustaqbal sat across the fire.

"I knew that you would be coming."

"Then I assume you know why we're here?"

"Correct, but it's no enigma. Every comes to me asking for their future, you are no different."

"Then will you tell us?"

Almustaqbal laughed.

"It's not that simple. You will need to answer a riddle by me. Say the right answer and you will receive your fortune, say the wrong answer and it's out the door."

"That hardly seems fair." Phila commented.

"And I'm granting you information about the future for free." Almustaqbal remarked with a deadpan. "I think I'm being quite generous."

Phila had no answer to that. Emmeryn sighs and asks

"What is the riddle?"

"It is small in size, yet can do so much. It is a powerful tool that requires no touch."

Phila and Hagen were intrigued by the question, it sounded hard and it would seem that the Forseer wouldn't let anyone have it easy. But Emmeryn takes a deep breath before answering.

"The human mind."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Yes."

"Can you explain why?"

"The mind can do many things, solve problems, visualize pictures, imagine, dream. It is our mind that has allowed us as humans to transcend animalistic nature."

The other three wore an impressed face at Emmeryn's reasoning.

"It seems that I have underestimated you Your Excellency." Almustaqbal said with an amused tone.

Emmeryn and the others were visibly surprised that Almustaqbal could identify Emmeryn, even with Emmeryn's face hidden.

"She truly is a psychic."

Almustaqbal then closes her eyes as she meditated.

"Now tell me, what future do you seek?"

"Tell me the fate of Ylisstol."

Almustaqbal was surprised by the answer as she broke out of her concentration.

"So He was right…" Almustaqbal muttered as she stood up and took a scroll from the shelf. "The Lord came to me in a vision today and told me to hand this scroll to the one who seeks the fate of her nation."

Emmeryn's eyes widened as the Foreseer had been expecting her all along. Almustaqbal hands the scroll to Emmeryn.

"Take it, through it, you will see the fate of your nation."

Emmeryn touched the scroll, and the whole world around her changed.

Emmeryn stood in the middle of Ylisstol, but it wasn't the bright, bustling city she knew. The sky was dark, and it was raining. The streets were empty and the houses were burning. Ashes and dust flew in the air as Emmeryn stared in horror at the post-war Ylisse.

Except it wasn't over.

A shout from the upper areas of the streets.

"Retreat to the castle!

Emmeryn looked at the castle, to see hundreds of men retreat back into the castle, with the archers on the castle wall killing the pursuing enemy. Emmeryn saw the corpses lying on the ground. Men who were bakers, farmers, fathers and workers, all dead from a pointless struggle.

The vision changed as Emmeryn was transported to her throne room, but it was not the bright bastion of peace that she once knew, it was a bloodbath. There was armored man, clad in ashen armor, smoked by the intense heat of battle. He stood as he looked at the corpses before him, before he saw more Plegians go inside the throne room. He was clearly fatigued as his breath began to fog, and his stance began to falter.

Emmeryn was desperately hoping that the man would know when to stop fighting. But the man did not surrender. He gets into stance once again, with fire in his eyes. He runs back into battle, for one last fight.

The vision changed once again, to see Chrom sitting on the throne, with the whole of Ylisse bowing to him. Emmeryn was confused at this. She saw Chrom sit by his queen, who was holding something in her arms. Before Emmeryn could comprehend what was happening, she gets sucked out of the vision.

Emmeryn returns to consciousness as she realizes that she had only been unconscious for a few minutes, with Phila worriedly by her side. Emmeryn quickly sat up as Almustaqbal gave her an expectant look.

"So what did you see?"

"I saw… Ylisstol in flames, with every one of our soldiers fighting futilely…"

"Then that is the answer to your question."

Emmeryn and Phila wore a face of dread at the straight answer.

"B-But is that truly the fate of Ylisstol? To fall to Plegia?" Phila asked in horror.

"Normally, though it is true that no event is set in stone, when Allah tells you your future, said future will come true, regardless of what you do. Now tell me what else you saw."

"I saw… Chrom, being crowned as Exalt of Ylisse."

"Now what does that imply?" Almustaqbal asked.

Hagen and Khalid shared a solemn expression as they already knew what that meant. Phila, on the other hand, was ready to blow.

"You dare predict misfortune and death to the Exalt!?"

"I'm not the one who makes these fortunes, only Allah makes these fortunes."

"Then I say this "Allah" is a load of pegasus dung!"

Almustaqbal recoiled in shock while Khalid looked ready to kill as he drew his scimitars.

"Phila! That is quite enough." Emmeryn commanded, raising her voice a little.

Phila froze, as she had never heard Emmeryn raise her voice before. Emmeryn then sighs and says.

"Excuse us."

Emmeryn and Phila went outside, with Hagen also following, leaving Khalid and Almustaqbal in the room.

"Why haven't you left?"

"Because I also have a question."

Emmeryn and Phila stood outside, as Emmeryn was reprimanding Phila.

"Phila, that was rash of you to say."

"But milady! That lady had basically said you could not escape your death! She wishes demise upon you!"

"She means no harm Phila." Emmeryn replied sternly. "You can't just—"

Emmeryn felt a piercing headache as she collapsed to the ground.

"Milady!"

Emmeryn saw a different vision this time, Chrom and the Shepherds fighting the Plegians. With the Danes also providing support, Chrom was winning. But there was something wrong, Plegians shouldn't be this far in Ylissean territory. Emmeryn realized what this meant as she exited the vision.

Emmeryn reawakens as Phila held onto her. Emmeryn then turns to Phila and says.

"We have to get back to camp, now."

"But milady! You need rest!"

"Rest can wait Phila, I had another vision, the camp is going to be attacked! We need to go back!"

Hagen's eyes widened as he then mounted his horse and kicked it off.

"I apologize Your Excellency! But I must go aid my men!"

Hagen rode off at great speed as Phila then helps Emmeryn mount her horse.

"Milady, are you absolutely sure?"

Right on cue, a horseman arrives and the man in armor asks.

"Milady! The camp is under attack! Prince Chrom is urging you to stay where you are!"

Emmeryn then gets into position to ride as Phila also mounted her steed.

"Milady! We prioritize your safety!" the messenger cried.

"Chrom and Lissa are in danger, I must go back!" Emmeryn replied as she kicked up her horse.

"Then let us go with you!" the messenger responded as he readied his horse.

"Okay! Let's ride!" Phila said as she flew off, rushing to return to Breakneck Pass.

Back in Almustaqbal's hideout, Khalid woke up from his brief state of unconsciousness. He takes a breath as he turns to the foreseer.

"Is that truly my future?"

"This woman you love will not be yours, for she has found someone already, and you will only serve as a mercenary in Ylisse."

Khalid sighed dejectedly while Almustaqbal continued.

"But Allah finds purpose for you in Chon'sin."

Khalid perked up at the mention of this. Why does he need to go to another continent anyway?

"But what will I do there? What purpose do I serve?"

"That is for you to find out."

For those worried about Almustaqbal being an OC, NO. She is NOT going to be part of the story, even if I gave her a name. She will just serve as the foreshadower for the next part. She MIGHT be relevant on a later date, but as of now, this'll be her only appearance

Also, a small opinion poll.

Do you want Ylisse to actually win the battle?

Now 1v3 is pretty hard for soldiers who only have a few days of prep time, and it will come as Mary Sue-ish if I make it look like Marcus lead them to victory. But I want to know what you think!

Thanks for the reviews and watch out for my other stories!