Meeting in the Fields
Chrom wiped the sweat off his brow and eyed his opponent. A few meters away, a young man in dark robes was catching his breath, recovering from Chrom's last attack. Chrom smiled, taking satisfaction that his opponent was having difficulty.
"Is that all you've got?"
Chrom was about to respond, when his foe disappeared for the briefest moment. Chrom saw the man running, not towards him but farther away. Chrom saw a tome emerge from the man's robes.
"Thunder!"
Chrom braced himself for the incoming bolt of magic. Chrom heard an impact on the ground next to him. The attack had missed.
Chrom's smile returned, and he ran towards his opponent, sword ready to strike. He saw that the tome was gone once again, and a sword was in its place. "This is it!" Chrom shouted. His sword came down with a force that pushed his opponent down to one knee. Before his opponent could respond, Chrom spun around and landed a solid strike on his opponent's side. His opponent was sent tumbling a few feet.
The young man groaned and rolled onto his back.
"Robin!" a young voice called. Chrom turned to see his sister, Lissa, running up to him. "Chrom, be careful! He's delicate!"
"You okay, Robin?" Chrom asked, running up to check on him. Chrom extended his hand to help Robin up.
"I don't know how I feel about being called delicate, but it's feeling pretty accurate right now. I know we're using training swords, but you could still hold back a bit," Robin said, accepting Chrom's hand. Chrom pulled Robin up and patted him on the shoulder.
"I was, but you kinda forced me to step up a notch," Chrom said, smiling. "Though I would appreciate some more practice against magic. You didn't have to pull back your attack."
"Oh, you wanted to miss?" Lissa asked. She had begun healing Robin.
Robin dusted himself off. "Sorry. I was thinking of the best tactical approach, but then I thought I needed more sword practice than magic. It was tough enough, using that bronze sword back in Southtown. And even if I had hit you, I know you'd be able to withstand it and finish me with the next attack." Robin turned to Lissa. "Thank you, Lissa," he said. "I'm feeling better, already."
"That's what I'm here for. And to make sure Chrom doesn't do anything stupid, like injure our tactician," Lissa said.
"It'll take more than that to injure our tactician." Chrom said.
"Hey, speak for yourself," Robin responded. "I don't know how I'd be feeling, if Lissa wasn't here right now."
"But this was good practice. Thank you for accepting my challenge," Chrom said. "I like to know how everyone fights in the Shepherds."
"That's an important part of planning tactics and strategy," Robin said. "I can already see ways we can work better in battle, together. I'm glad I accepted your challenge." Robin extended his hand, and Chrom shook it.
"Excellent duel. Let's do it again, sometime," Chrom said.
Robin laughed. "Sure. Though give me some time to rest. Lissa can heal my body, but I don't know if you can restore my energy."
"I think you might be permanently sleepy," Lissa said. "I mean, look at your hair! And your eyes always seem half-closed."
"But if he didn't have that look, he wouldn't be the Robin we know," Chrom said.
Robin was thoughtful for a moment. "Who is the Robin you know?" he asked.
"Robin..." Lissa said, looking at him with sympathy.
"I guess you can have the pleasure of getting to know yourself as we do, too. But one thing I know is Robin is a good person, who will help even complete strangers in need."
"Sounds like you're describing yourself," Robin said.
"Hah, well, that's how I know. It takes one to know one."
The three of them shared a laugh.
"I'm glad all of you are having fun on the eve of our march," a stern voice said.
"Frederick! You were watching?" Chrom asked.
"Indeed, I was," Frederick said, walking up to them in his armor. "Robin, you would do well to join my training regimen. You move quickly, but you don't have the strength to back it up. Even if you had blocked that last attack, you would not have been able to stop it."
"I might have to take you up on that offer," Robin said.
"Ouch. Be careful what you say, Robin!" Lissa said.
"Lady Lissa, I believe you are long overdue for some training. I believe you were the one who said you wanted to get stronger."
"Oh my, look at the time! I have to go!" Lissa said, already running away. "See you tomorrow morning, everyone!"
"Lissa, wait up!" Chrom said, moving to join her.
"Before you go, milord, I wanted to remind you that Lady Emmeryn wishes to see you before dusk," Frederick said.
"Ah, of course." Chrom turned to Robin. "You know your new quarters?"
"Yes, thank you. Lissa and Sumia showed me around earlier," Robin said.
"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow?" Chrom said.
"See you tomorrow," Robin replied.
"Bye," Chrom said as he started to walk away. Frederick nodded to Robin and joined Chrom. "Get some rest!" Chrom called. He joined with Lissa in the distance, and the three of them disappeared behind a hill.
"Whew," Robin exhaled, tiredly. He walked over to a nearby well and rinsed his face with some water. He then wandered to a small patch of grass and allowed his body to collapse onto the ground.
Robin reached out to the sky with his hand. The glare from the sun was blocking the mark on his hand. The sun couldn't block it from his mind, though. He sighed. He had been awake for twenty-four hours. A lot had happened in that time. He had met some wonderful people, seen some horrible monsters, and found skills he possessed that were disturbingly war-related. He did not enjoy the possibility that he had honed his skills through violent practice on other people.
Footsteps provided Robin with an appreciated distraction from the mysteries of his past. He could hear several sets of heavy feet. There were probably four horses, from the sound they made.
"Chrom!" Robin heard the voice of a woman. The voice was soft and loving. Robin allowed his brain to create a picture of this woman, based solely on her utterance of one word. He was picturing a kind and comforting beauty, with a maturity beyond her years. "Chrom, is that you?"
Robin stood up from the grass and brushed himself off. He looked up to see that the voice belonged to the woman he had seen before on the streets. Robin's eyes widened when he remembered that she was the leader of Ylisse, the beloved Exalt, Emmeryn. Robin immediately bowed.
"Your Grace, I'm afraid not. Chrom went off to find you," Robin said, still in a bow.
"Oh, please stand up. You do not have to bow."
"As you wish, Your Grace," Robin said. He stood up and saw Emmeryn approaching with three other guards, all on horseback. Three of the horses had wings, though.
Emmeryn looked him up and down, then smiled. "You are Chrom's friend. We met this morning. Robin, is it not?"
"You honor me with my name, Your Grace," Robin said. He was still a little nervous, so he looked down at the ground.
"If you are Robin, friend of Chrom, then you can call me Emmeryn, friend of Robin."
Robin looked up, his eyes wide again. "But... is that okay?"
Emmeryn smiled. "We are all friends, here. I wish to be friends with all of my people. And I hope they think of me as a friend, as well."
"You are too kind, Your Grace!"
"E-mme-ryn."
"You are too kind... Lady Emmeryn."
Robin began to wonder if Emmeryn ever stopped smiling. Her smile was contagious, however, and he found himself smiling as well.
"Ahem, Lady Emmeryn." One of the guards behind her caught their attention.
"Ah, Phila, I'm sorry," Emmeryn said. She turned back to Robin. "Perhaps you can be of assistance. I was looking for Chrom to go over his plans for entering Regna Ferox."
"Anything I can do to help," Robin said. He hesitated for a moment. "...What is it that you would ask of me?"
"Phila, could you hand me the reports?"
"Of course, Your Grace," Phila said. She came up next to Emmeryn and handed her a bundle of papers. Emmeryn took the papers, then handed them to Robin.
"These are our latest intelligence reports on the border between Ylisse and Regna Ferox. I wanted Chrom to create a few proposals on approaching their land. I understand you have quite a tactical mind?"
"Lady Emmeryn!" Phila exclaimed. "Pardon my inquiry, but should you trust this man with this information so early?"
"Chrom told me that he would be entrusting Robin here with tactical plans. We can save a trip and precious time if Robin gets the reports earlier."
Robin didn't know what to do. He was a little surprised that Chrom had said that. He didn't want to voice his surprise, though, because that would weaken Emmeryn's words. He could sympathize with Phila, however. Even he wasn't entirely convinced that he was trustworthy.
"If it is your request, then I will help however I can," Robin said. "If it would ease Lady Phila's mind, I do not mind being monitored throughout the process."
"Thank you, Robin, but that will not be necessary," Emmeryn said. She turned to Phila. "Right?"
"Of course, Lady Emmeryn. Forgive me for questioning you."
"Phila, I appreciate your questioning. You help me stay on a path both righteous and true. Please don't ever hesitate sharing your concerns."
Robin watched the two of them interact. Emmeryn was indeed a kind ruler, but not a blind one. Robin took some comfort in Emmeryn's understanding of Phila's position. He figured it was probably tough to balance kindness with practicality, as Emmeryn and Chrom often do.
"Amazing," Robin found himself saying aloud softly.
"Oh?" Emmeryn had heard Robin's comment. "Thank you, Robin. Though you are being too kind. I think amazing is the person who farms every day to feed his family and his country. Amazing is the soldier who would knowingly risk her life for the good of her country."
"Amazing is the person who can inspire loyalty and friendship in a poor stranger in less than 24 hours," Robin said. "Like Sir Chrom. And as I am now seeing, Your Grace as well."
"Amazing is the person who has no memory, but a great wealth of skill and intelligence, and the graciousness to use them for the good of others, when they could easily be used for malicious intent. In fact, your story is quite amazing, and it has only just started."
"Yes, yes, everyone is amazing," Phila said, slightly annoyed at the exchange. Emmeryn giggled at this.
"My, my. Phila, I didn't think you would be so disapproving," Emmeryn said. "I will make sure to watch what I say around you."
"I'm sorry, Your Grace!" Phila exclaimed, somewhat flustered. "I do not disapprove! I believe that it is Your Grace that attracts such high-quality people, Lady Emmeryn. But dusk is approaching, and you wanted to save time by meeting Sir Chrom."
Robin smacked his own forehead. "Forgive me, I have diverted way too much of your time." Robin pointed off toward the hill. "Sir Chrom headed that way. If you hurry, you should be able to catch up."
"But you are joining us, of course," Emmeryn said. "You will be discussing the plans with Chrom, will you not?"
"Robin, you may ride with me," Phila said. "If that pleases you, Lady Emmeryn."
"That should be fine," Emmeryn said. She turned to Robin. "Okay?"
"Yes, thank you," Robin said. "And while I don't know how much it's worth, I really do appreciate your kindness and welcome. You and Chrom and Lissa."
Emmeryn smiled once more. "Welcome to Ylisse. The people's happiness is my happiness."
Robin turned to Phila. "Lady Phila, I hope for multiple opportunities to prove my loyalty and earn your trust."
"I look forward to it," Phila said, as she extended her hand. She helped Robin up onto her pegasus. She and the two other guards formed a triangle around Emmeryn. The four of them took off to catch up with Chrom. As Robin reflected on how much had happened in just 24 hours, he couldn't help but wonder what epic tales were in store for his future.
Author's Note: This is my second submission, though I started writing it well before my first. While I was writing chapters for Searching for an Olive Branch, I would often come up with story ideas that were more appropriate in a different setting or premise. So it is my hope that writing more than one story at the same time can help rather than hamper progress. Or maybe I am being a naive writer.
Anyhoo, I welcome your thoughts. I actually have 23 pages written for this story, but they're not in order and they skip around. I had considered just writing vignettes and not following a chronological order, kind of like the 100 theme challenges I've seen, but for some reason, I feel like that method doesn't befit the style of this story.