Chapter 1

The midnight battle against the creatures that suddenly appeared in the forest west of Ylisstol was quite taxing on the shepherds. This was especially true for Robin who was still unaccustomed to being in combat. Robin was a man of about 21 years of age at average height and muscle mass with unkempt silver hair and wearing a tan shirt and pantaloons complete with a cloak with a hood and strange purple designs on the sleeves, he had been found sleeping face down on the wayside by the shepherds remembering little more than his name, and after aiding the shepherds in saving a town from bandits, Chrom; a tall 22 year old man with navy blue hair and wearing a blue top with a sleeveless right side and long sleeved left side and a cape in the back and a pair of gray pantaloons, he was the leader of the shepherds and after noticing Robin's tactical genius had decided to appoint Robin the position of tactician among the shepherds.

As the shepherds caught their breath after the battle Robin had gone to speak to Chrom about future tactics to employ should the shepherds ever face the creatures again. Just as Robin had finished speaking with Chrom, Frederick: who was a tall muscular knight with brown hair and wearing blue and silver armor had walked up with the young masked man who had saved Chrom's younger sister Lissa from one of the creatures. Lissa was a beautiful 18 year old girl with bouncy blonde hair in pigtails and wearing a yellow and white dress.

"Milord if I may interrupt, this young man wished to speak with you." "Of course Frederick, thank you." Chrom now turned his attention to the young masked man. "Thank you for your help dispatching those creatures and saving my sister, my name is Chrom might I ask yours?" "You may call me Marth", answered the young man.

"You mean after the heroic king of old? You certainly fight like a hero, where did you learn your way with a sword?" "Forgive me, though I did not come to speak of myself. I come bearing a warning."

"A warning", Chrom asked shocked. "The world is on the brink of a terrible calamity what you witnessed tonight was but a prelude, you have been warned." After speaking his warning the young man walked off without another word.

"Well that was strange", stated Robin. "Indeed, milord what do you make of the man's warning?" asked Frederick. "I have no clue what to make of his warning Frederick, though I have a feeling this is not the last we will see of him."

"At any rate we should make haste back to Ylisstol to ensure the people are safe." "A wise idea milord, I shall ensure everyone is ready to move within the hour." "Thank you Frederick." At this the trio returned to the main group to prepare for the walk back to Ylisstol.

The shepherds arrived in Ylisstol; the capitol of Ylisse around midday and were surprised and relieved to notice no signs of the horrors they encountered in the forest. People were walking the streets smiling and laughing going about their business as normal. The exalt of Ylisse; Emmeryn was just finishing her weekly visit to the people of Ylisstol as the shepherds reached the center of town.

"The Exalt is your ruler yes, is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?" Asked Robin curiously. "Of course she is safe, with Plegia poking at our borders she is a calming presence to the people when some might otherwise call for war." Answered Chrom.

"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa suddenly exclaimed. Robin now turned to face Lissa. "Yes I imagine she… wait she's your sister! But that would make you and Chrom…" "The Prince and Princess of the realm, you remember milord's name and not this?" Frederick asked with a chuckle.

Robin now turned back to Chrom. "I thought you said you were shepherds?" "We are in a manner of speaking, we just have a lot of sheep."

"Chrom, I mean Prince Chrom, please forgive my dreadful manners." "Just Chrom is fine I've never been much for formalities. It looks like Emmeryn is returning to the castle, come I'll take you to meet her."

Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, and Robin arrived at the castle and were escorted to the grand hall where Emmeryn was waiting to greet them along with Phila, who was the head of the royal Pegasus knights that guarded Emmeryn. Once the group reached the great hall Robin was amazed by the extravagant architecture; large marble pillars with gold trim engraved with an image of a Pegasus knight and large beautiful silk banners with an image of the brand of the exalt on them hanging from the wall and beautiful marble flooring.

"Chrom, Lissa, you've returned, I trust our people are safe?" Emmeryn asked with a smile. "As safe as they can be Emm. We just had to deal with a small group of brigands that crossed over from Plegia." Answered Chrom.

"Are you all unharmed?" Asked Emmeryn. "We're fine Emm we had lots of help." Lissa said cheerfully. "I see, you speak of your new companion?"

"Emm allow me to introduce Robin, he fought bravely with us against the brigands so I've decided to make him a shepherd." Said Chrom. Emmeryn now turned her attention to Robin. "It seems Ylisse owes you a debt of gratitude Robin, thank you." "It was no trouble at all milady." Robin said while bowing.

Frederick now stepped forward and began to speak. "Forgive me milady though I must speak. Robin claims to have lost his memory though it is only that, a claim. We cannot rule out the possibility that he is a brigand himself or even a Plegian spy."

Emmeryn now turned to face Chrom. "And yet you allowed him into the castle? Chrom does this man have your trust?" "Robin fought to save Ylissean lives. My heart tells me that's enough, so yes he has my complete trust." "Well Robin it seems you have Chrom's trust and as such you have mine as well." "Thank you milady." Said Robin.

"Well now that introductions are out of the way we can get down to business." Said Chrom. "Phila I assume you've heard of the deathly creatures we encountered last night?" "Yes milord, they have been spotted all across Ylisse. We were about to hold a council session to discuss this new threat, perhaps you and Sir Frederick would join us? The council could use any information you have on the creatures." "Of course we will join Phila, lead the way."

"Well that's our queue Robin, c'mon I have a surprise for you!" Exclaimed Lissa happily, as the pair walked off through the castle grounds towards Lissa's surprise.

A/N: This is my first attempt at writing a fanfiction so any review or constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.