Distant Blade (Japanese:後背の刃Blade of the Hinterlands) is the ninth chapter ofEirika's route inFire Emblem: The Sacred Stones.

Plot

Main article:Distant Blade/Script

AsEirika makes her way towardsRausten, EmperorVigarde relays new orders to his generals inGrado Keep. Vigarde sendsGlen to capture Eirika andValter toEphraim;Caellach to destroy theSacred Stone ofJehanna andRiev to destroy Rausten's stone; andDuessel to fight Ephraim andFrelia. Vigarde tellsSelena to await further orders in the capital.

Outside of Port Kiris inCarcino,Tana catchesEirika and asks to join her army. Eirika initially refuses, but acquiesces when Tana insists.

Once at Port Kiris,Seth ensures Eirika remembers the fake identity they agreed she would use to avoid enemies ofRenais. Before they can seek a ship to their destination, Eirika noticesL'Arachel nearby; Eirika approaches and greets her. L'arachel offers Eirika a pastry, but explains that ships are afraid to set sail for fear of a "giant ghost ship" in the waters. L'arachel suggests that Eirika instead pass through the longer overland route to reach Rausten, before departing for Rausten withDozla andRennac. After they leave, Eirika is approached by a mercenary by the name ofBinks; he asks if she is Princess Eirika of Renais, and intends to capture her for a bounty.

During the battle, reinforcements from Grado appear on the battlefield; among their ranks is a fresh recruit namedAmelia.Franz or Eirika can approach Amelia, and will assume she is a citizen and attempt to get her to safety; Amelia corrects them, but is persuaded to join them when she no longer believes what Grado has said about Eirika's character. Alternately, the Grado soldiers—with Amelia in tow—will leave the battle when the mercenaries are not winning definitively.

Once the mercenaries are routed, Seth corners one of the remaining mercenaries and interrogates him; the mercenary states thatPablo, one of the members of the Carcino Council of Elders, hired him. Eirika realizes thatInnes is in danger as he was going to pass through Carcino to reach Jehanna. Then, a messenger arrives to inform Eirika that Innes has been trapped by Carcino's forces in a siege; Eirika sends the messenger to Frelia and assures them that she will save the prince herself. If the player visited each of the villages, Rennac—one of L'Arachel's attendants—approaches Eirika; he asks if L'Arachel and Dozla have left, and rejoices when Eirika confirms they have.

Chapter data

Easy/NormalDifficult

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemies	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eirika dies	2–11+1	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	23+15−1	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 28 columns by 24 rows

Chapter Data
Conditions	Unit Data
Victory: Defeat all enemies	Player	Partner	Other	Enemy	Third
Defeat:Eirika dies	2–11+1	{{{partner}}}	{{{other}}}	29+17−1	{{{third}}}
Map dimensions: 28 columns by 24 rows

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Character data

Characters
New units
Tana Pegasus Knight HP 20 Inventory Heavy Spear Javelin Vulnerary Level 4 Automatically from preparations Amelia Recruit HP 16 Inventory Slim Lance Speedwing Level 1 Enemy, talk to withFranz orEirika
Forcibly deployed characters
Available characters

Item data

Items

Name Obtainment Method Ocean Seal Dropped by enemyPirate Killing Edge Dropped by enemyMyrmidon Axereaver Dropped by enemySoldier Elfire Dropped by enemyMage (reinforcement) Dragonshield Visit westernvillage Rapier Visit easternvillage Speedwing Steal fromAmelia or recruit her (reinforcement) Angelic Robe At the end of the chapter if everyvillage was visited

Shop data

Shop data

Armory (NTSC-J)Armory (NTSC-U/PAL)Vendor (NTSC-J)Vendor (NTSC-U/PAL)

	Name	Cost
	Steel Sword	600
	Iron Blade	980
	Iron Lance	360
	Steel Lance	480
	Iron Axe	270
	Steel Axe	360
	Hammer	800
	Hand Axe	300
	Iron Bow	540
	Steel Bow	720
	Short Bow	1,760

	Name	Cost
	Iron Sword	460
	Steel Sword	600
	Iron Blade	980
	Iron Lance	360
	Steel Lance	480
	Javelin	400
	Iron Axe	270
	Steel Axe	360
	Hand Axe	300
	Iron Bow	540
	Steel Bow	720

	Name	Cost
	Fire	560
	Thunder	700
	Lightning	630
	Shine	900
	Heal	600
	Mend	1,000
	Unlock	1,500
	Vulnerary	300
	Elixir	3,000
	Antitoxin	450
	Torch	1,000

	Name	Cost
	Fire	560
	Thunder	700
	Lightning	630
	Shine	900
	Heal	600
	Mend	1,000
	Unlock	1,500
	Vulnerary	300
	Antitoxin	450
	Torch	1,000

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Enemy data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

EasyNormalDifficult

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Binks Warrior 5 1 42 16 10 8 3 12 8 13 6 Steel Axe •Steel Bow Does not move. Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 20~22 5~6 9~10 9~10 1~2 4~5 0~1 9 5 Steel Sword -- Mercenary Soldier 8 3 22~23 4~5 0~2 1~2 0~1 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 22~23 4~5 0~2 1~2 0~1 0~1 0~1 6 5 Axereaver -- Mercenary Sniper 2 1 21 7 6 5 0 5 2 8 6 Steel Bow -- Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 20~22 5~6 9~10 9~10 1~2 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 18~20 5~6 10~11 10~11 1~2 2~3 0~1 8 5 Killing Edge -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 22~24 6~8 3~4 5~6 0~1 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 22~24 6~8 3~4 5~6 0~1 2~3 0~1 11 5 Hand Axe -- Mercenary Archer 8 3 19~21 4~6 4~5 3~5 0~2 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Shaman 8 1 17~18 3~4 1~3 2~4 0~1 2~3 4~6 7 5 Flux -- Mercenary Pirate 9 1 21~23 5~7 3~4 6~8 0~1 3~4 0~1 10 5 Iron Axe •Ocean Seal Does not move on turn 1. Turn 2 onwards, moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 21~23 5~7 3~4 6~8 0~1 3~4 0~1 10 5 Hand Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Mercenary Pirate 9 1 21~23 5~7 3~4 6~8 0~1 3~4 0~1 10 5 Iron Axe Moves to raidvillages, but prioritizes attacking units if he can do so without moving. If no destroyable villages exist, moves to attack units unprovoked. Mercenary Mercenary 9 1 20~22 5~6 9~10 9~10 1~2 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Mage 8 2 17~18 2~3 3~4 3~5 0~1 3~4 3~5 6 5 Fire -- Mercenary Archer 8 2 19~21 4~6 4~5 3~5 0~2 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 22~23 4~5 0~2 1~2 0~1 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Mercenary 8 1 20~21 5~6 9~10 8~10 0~2 4~5 0~1 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 22~24 6~8 3~4 5~6 0~1 2~3 0~1 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 22~24 6~8 3~4 5~6 0~1 2~3 0~1 11 5 Steel Axe -- Mercenary Mage 8 1 17~18 2~3 3~4 3~5 0~1 3~4 3~5 6 5 Elfire -- Soldier Soldier 9 3 22~24 4~6 1~2 1~2 0~2 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 12, if Amelia is alive and unrecruited. Amelia Recruit 1 1 16 4 3 4 6 2 3 6 4 Slim Lance •Speedwing • Will not move until provoked. • Leaves the map at the start of turn 12.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Binks Warrior 5 1 42 16 10 8 3 12 8 13 6 Steel Axe •Steel Bow Does not move. Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 22~24 6~7 10~11 9~11 1~3 4~6 1~2 9 5 Steel Sword -- Mercenary Soldier 8 3 21~23 5~7 9~11 9~10 1~2 4~6 0~2 9 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 21~23 5~7 9~11 9~10 1~2 4~6 0~2 9 5 Axereaver -- Mercenary Sniper 2 1 21 7 6 5 0 5 2 8 6 Steel Bow -- Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 22~24 6~7 10~11 9~11 1~3 4~6 1~2 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 19~21 5~7 11~12 11~12 1~3 2~4 1~2 8 5 Killing Edge -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 24~26 7~9 3~5 5~7 0~2 2~4 0~2 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 24~26 7~9 3~5 5~7 0~2 2~4 0~2 11 5 Hand Axe -- Mercenary Archer 8 3 21~22 5~6 4~6 4~5 1~2 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Shaman 8 1 18~19 4~5 2~3 3~4 0~2 2~3 5~6 7 5 Flux -- Mercenary Pirate 9 1 22~25 6~8 3~5 7~8 0~2 3~4 0~1 10 5 Iron Axe •Ocean Seal Does not move on turn 1. Turn 2 onwards, moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 22~25 6~8 3~5 7~8 0~2 3~4 0~1 10 5 Hand Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Mercenary Pirate 9 1 22~25 6~8 3~5 7~8 0~2 3~4 0~1 10 5 Iron Axe Moves to raidvillages, but prioritizes attacking units if he can do so without moving. If no destroyable villages exist, moves to attack units unprovoked. Mercenary Mercenary 9 1 22~24 6~7 10~11 9~11 1~3 4~6 1~2 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Mage 8 2 18~20 3~5 3~5 4~5 0~2 3~4 4~5 6 5 Fire -- Mercenary Archer 8 2 21~22 5~6 4~6 4~5 1~2 3~4 0~1 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 23~25 5~6 1~2 1~3 1~2 0~1 0~1 6 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Mercenary 8 1 21~23 5~7 9~11 9~10 1~2 4~6 0~2 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 24~26 7~9 3~5 5~7 0~2 2~4 0~2 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 24~26 7~9 3~5 5~7 0~2 2~4 0~2 11 5 Steel Axe -- Mercenary Mage 8 1 18~20 3~5 3~5 4~5 0~2 3~4 4~5 6 5 Elfire -- Soldier Soldier 9 3 24~26 5~7 1~3 2~3 1~2 0~1 0~2 6 5 Iron Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 12, if Amelia is alive and unrecruited. Amelia Recruit 1 1 16 4 3 4 6 2 3 6 4 Slim Lance •Speedwing • Will not move until provoked. • Leaves the map at the start of turn 12.

Enemy Units

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Binks Warrior 5 1 44~45 17~18 10~11 8~9 3~4 12~13 8~9 13 6 Steel Axe •Steel Bow Does not move. Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 25~29 7~10 11~14 10~13 2~5 5~7 1~3 9 5 Steel Sword -- Mercenary Soldier 8 3 26~30 7~9 1~5 2~4 1~3 0~2 0~3 6 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 26~30 7~9 1~5 2~4 1~3 0~2 0~3 6 5 Axereaver -- Mercenary Sniper 2 1 32~39 11~17 10~16 8~12 4~10 7~11 5~9 8 6 Steel Bow -- Mercenary Mercenary 9 4 25~29 7~10 11~14 10~13 2~5 5~7 1~3 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Myrmidon 9 1 21~26 6~10 12~15 12~15 2~5 3~5 1~3 8 5 Killing Edge -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 27~31 9~12 4~8 6~9 1~3 3~5 1~3 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 27~31 9~12 4~8 6~9 1~3 3~5 1~3 11 5 Hand Axe -- Mercenary Archer 8 3 23~27 6~9 6~9 4~8 2~5 3~6 0~3 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Shaman 8 1 20~22 6~8 2~6 3~7 1~3 2~4 5~9 7 5 Flux -- Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Iron Axe •Ocean Seal Does not move on turn 1. Turn 2 onwards, moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Hand Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Archer 9 1 23~28 6~10 6~9 5~8 2~6 4~6 1~3 7 5 Iron Bow Does not move. Mercenary Archer 9 1 23~28 6~10 6~9 5~8 2~6 4~6 1~3 7 5 Steel Bow Does not move. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Iron Axe •Hand Axe Moves to raidvillages, but prioritizes attacking units if he can do so without moving. If no destroyable villages exist, moves to attack units unprovoked. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Steel Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Hand Axe •Iron Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited. Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Steel Axe •Hand Axe Moves to raidvillages; moves to attacks units if one is in range or all villages are destroyed or visited.

Reinforcements

Name Class Lv # HP Str/Mag Mag Skill Spd Lck Prf Wlv Def Res Cha Lck Con Mov Inventory and Skills Mercenary Pirate 9 1 25~29 8~11 4~8 7~10 1~3 3~5 0~3 10 5 Iron Axe Moves to raidvillages, but prioritizes attacking units if he can do so without moving. If no destroyable villages exist, moves to attack units unprovoked. Mercenary Mercenary 9 1 25~29 7~10 11~14 10~13 2~5 5~7 1~3 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Mage 8 2 20~23 5~8 5~8 5~8 1~3 3~5 4~8 6 5 Fire -- Mercenary Archer 8 2 23~27 6~9 6~9 4~8 2~5 3~6 0~3 7 5 Iron Bow -- Mercenary Soldier 8 1 26~30 7~9 1~5 2~4 1~3 0~2 0~3 6 5 Iron Lance -- Mercenary Mercenary 8 1 24~28 7~10 11~14 9~13 1~5 5~7 1~3 9 5 Iron Sword -- Mercenary Fighter 9 1 27~31 9~12 4~8 6~9 1~3 3~5 1~3 11 5 Iron Axe -- Mercenary Fighter 9 2 27~31 9~12 4~8 6~9 1~3 3~5 1~3 11 5 Steel Axe -- Mercenary Mage 8 1 20~23 5~8 5~8 5~8 1~3 3~5 4~8 6 5 Elfire -- Soldier Soldier 9 3 27~31 7~10 2~5 2~4 1~4 0~3 1~3 6 5 Iron Lance Leaves the map at the start of turn 12, if Amelia is alive and unrecruited. Amelia Recruit 1 1 16 4 3 4 6 2 3 6 4 Slim Lance •Speedwing • Will not move until provoked. • Leaves the map at the start of turn 12. Mercenary Fighter 9 1 27~31 9~12 4~8 6~9 1~3 3~5 1~3 11 5 Iron Axe •Hand Axe --

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Reinforcements

• Turn 2
  • 1Pirate from the northwest corner of the map
• Turn 3
  • 1Mercenary from northeast of the vendor
  • 1Mage withFire from northeast of the vendor
  • 2Archers from southwest of the boss
• Turn 4
  • 1Soldier from northeast of the vendor
  • 1Mercenary from northeast of the vendor
  • 1Fighter with aSteel Axe from southwest of the boss
  • 1Fighter with anIron Axe from southwest of the boss
• Turn 5
  • 1Fighter with aSteel Axe from northeast of the vendor(Difficult only)
  • 1Mage withElfire from southwest of the boss
  • 1Mage withFire from southwest of the boss
  • 3Soldiers from the southwest corner of the map
  • Amelia from the southwest corner of the map
  • 1Fighter with anIron Axe and aHand Axe from northeast of the vendor(Difficult only)

Boss data

Stats with two figures separated by a ~ are presented as a range, representing stats that vary due to random growths. The figures to the left and right of the ~ are the stat's minimum and maximum possible values respectively.

Main article:Binks

Easy/NormalDifficult

Warrior Level 5 Affinity

Stats Max HP 42 Luck 3 Strength 16 Defense 12 Skill 10 Resistance 8 Speed 8 Constitution 13 Movement 6 Aid 12

Inventory Steel Axe Iron Bow* Steel Bow* Weapon Levels -- -- B C -- -- -- --

Warrior Level 5 Affinity

Stats Max HP 44~45 Luck 3~4 Strength 17~18 Defense 12~13 Skill 10~11 Resistance 8~9 Speed 8~9 Constitution 13 Movement 6 Aid 12

Inventory Steel Axe Iron Bow* Steel Bow* Weapon Levels -- -- B C -- -- -- --

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Strategy

The first challenge is to push through the enemies at the top of the map. You will want to move quickly, likely with help from mounted units, if you intend to save the western Village (which yields aDracoshield). On Difficult mode, bring someone strong to deal with the enemy Sniper.

The other Village only contains anotherRapier for Eirika, but saving both will net you anAngelic Robe. In any case Tana, despite her low stats, can reach it in fairly short order without danger by weaving around enemy attack ranges. Once both Villages close their gates, be ready for the enemy Pirates to start acting aggressive!

Even if you do not wish to train her, Amelia'sSpeedwing is a valuable acquisition. Alternately,Colm canSteal it; if Amelia is not recruited or killed in this chapter, she will appear again inChapter 13 with another Speedwing. Avoid entering her attack range until you are ready to engage her, as she will attack anyone in range and likely fall to the counter. However, since she has only 4 Move, the Soldiers surrounding her can all be baited to charge at someone outside of her attack range. Even Eirika, positioned six spaces away once the coast is clear, can Talk to Amelia from outside of her range.

Binks is easy to beat once the Mercenaries and reinforcements are dealt with. He is immobile, and the Axereaver dropped by a nearby Soldier puts him at a great disadvantage. Even if no one on your team can tank an attack, Binks does not have a Hand Axe or any form of healing, so as a last resort you could attack uncounterably, Rescue the attacker away to safety using a mounted unit'sCanto, and repeat until he is defeated.

Etymology and other languages

Gallery

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