Chrom and the Shepherds were beyond hot and tired. The sun had been relentless in beating down on them with intense heat for the past few days, no trees to give shade or nights to cool them off a bit. They didn't even come across any bodies of water to soak in, much to everyone's displeasure. Throughout the heated days, knights had offered a spot on their horses to aid some of the burning comrades, Lon'qu would carry Olivia, Lissa behind Frederick, Inigo hitching a ride from Gerome, and more sharing a spot with each other.

When they all walked over a dusty hill to see a town not too far off with water pooled off to the side, everyone nearly cried tears of joy as they had a sudden energy burst to get to the town as quick as possible.

They were accepted with open arms. The town was rather large and busy. The roads were made of stone, mostly, only changing to dusty dirty when there were alleys and homes grouped together. The markets along stores and shakes of the roads were busy, as was the town's plaza. Some of the Shepherds split to go dive down into some water while others went to quench their thirsts and cool off some place else. While everyone did that, Robin put himself in charge of getting rooms to house all of them for the night.

Robin was in a room at one of the inns inspecting when he turned to collide with something hard. Looking up, he smiled to see a sweaty bluenette grinning at him.

"Already putting yourself to work?" he asked, looking around the room.

Robin breathed out a chuckle. "Yes, well, I have to, or else everyone is camping out again. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but we have more than enough in our budget to allow them this one night to spoil themselves. It was a long and hot trip, so they deserve it."

Chrom nodded in agreement, stepping forward to put his arms around Robin and set his head against the other's. "I'm glad… We haven't held each other since the heat kicked in."

The albino laughed softly, setting his hands on Chrom's shoulders. "Yes, well, I didn't really need the extra workout to give myself a heat stroke."

The king pouted. "You wouldn't even let me hold you."

"It was too hot."

"I was more than capable to keep in control if you would have taken off some of your clothing."

Brown eyes gave him a look, an amused smile and a raised eyebrow questioning him. Chrom laughed and pressed their lips together. Tongues took their time to dance around each other, in no hurry to finish anything. Chrom's hands crawled under Robin's cloak, pressing down on the small of his back before sliding down to the curve of his ass.

Robin breathed in and pulled away from the kiss with flushed cheeks. "Not now."

"I know," Chrom replied rather bashfully, "I just wanted to touch you."

The tactician smirked and pecked Chrom's lips. "I think I spoil you too much."

"I don't mind at all. Please, continue to spoil me."

Robin laughed and pushed himself up a bit to spoil him a bit more. A knock stopped Robin from making their lips connect and pushed away from Chrom, coughing and turning to look out the nearby window. Frederick stepped in, his eyes setting on a slightly flushed Chrom.

"There are a few villagers that request your presence, Milord. They say it is serious."

"Er, yes. Alright. Now? Okay. Let's go."

Chrom stumbled a bit before making his way out the door with Robin and Frederick in tow. Robin grinned to himself, hiding it behind his hand. It was amusing to see Chrom having a slight problem. Outside the inn, there were three villagers who perked up at the sight of the Ylisse ruler. Immediately, one maiden stepped forward. She looked tired, as if she had wept for the past few nights.

"M-Milord…" she started off, holding her hands on her chest, "I… I am nothing but a simple woman. I work to get what I need and do what I can to keep happy. I only have but a few things that bring me joy; one of which i-is" she paused, her voice cracking, "my son. My son is all I have left…"

Chrom and his two companions listened intently, already feeling the urge to help the poor woman.

"My son... I, no, we, are not from this town. We actually live in a village quite a bit of ways from here. You see, my son is a fabulous dancer. He would dance in the village square for money or just for the fun of it. He… He was so happy when he came home to tell me that the Viscount in this town wanted to give him work."

"Is he here now?" Frederick questioned.

The maiden hesitated to nod. "I assume. The thing is…" she sniffled, "I haven't heard from him! We promised to write to each other, to keep in contact, but I haven't heard from him since he left! I-I came here looking to ask for my boy, but the guards threw me out!"

Robin stepped around Chrom to go comfort the sobbing maiden. He looked over at a couple that looked equally as desperate. "I assume you are in the same situation."

The couple nodded. "Yes, our son was recruited last month," the husband frowned, "We live in this town and we still haven't received word from him. Just like her, we tried to talk to Viscount Callum, but got thrown out."

Chrom's eyes narrowed. "If he was trying to be suspicious, he has certainly done well at that."

"We just want to know if our son is okay… and why they aren't giving us an answer."

"Understood. I will look into it immediately."

The sobbing maiden looked up from her hands. "Thank you, Milord! Thank you…!"

Frederick took to seeing the villagers off before going to investigate the home of Viscount Callum.

Robin looked to Chrom, frowning. "I don't like this one bit."

"You're telling me," the other sighed, shaking his head, "Something tells me there is something much more than dancing going on in there."

"Well, we could send in spies."

"Spies? I suppose we could… To get information to use against this Viscount guy. I believe every word of the parents, but-"

"We need solid proof. Assuming these boys aren't… you know."

Chrom nodded, determined. "They won't be. Now, should I send in Lon'qu and Gaius?"

"I think there is an easier and much more closer way to get in contact with Viscount Callum."

Blinking, Chrom looked at Robin, confused. Well, confused up until Robin started to sway his hips as he walked away, wondering out loud were Inigo was.

"No," Chrom muttered out, "No. Nonononono! Robin! Robin, come back here! Robiiiiin!"

And so, Inigo,Olivia, and Robin got together at the town's square that night. Instead of wearing the outfit similar to Olivia's, Robin actually wore something like Tharja. Awhile ago, Olivia had presented him another outfit to "switch it up a little bit." She apparently saw Tharja's mage wardrobe suitable enough for dance. The only thing that flustered him a bit was the cloth hanging between his legs. It was little to no protection in hiding his private area, even if he was wearing a loincloth underneath it.

The crowd in the square quieted down considerably when music coming from the same Shepherds who played at Robin's party started to pick up a tempo. Standing in front of them were Robin, who had learned more dances since then, and the others. They performed many dances over the whistles coming from the gathered people. Robin's eyes kept darting from person to person, hoping to find one that stood out amongst the rest.

Just when Robin thought the plan was a failure, a few men had stepped from the crowed when the dance was finished. A man with blonde slicked back hair clapped with the others, his eyes green eyes glinting. "Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Robin stepped up, "I thank you…?"

"Callum. Viscount Callum. Surely you know of me if you are out here dancing in the square. I say, if you weren't trying to get my attention, then I will be surprised."

Looking to the side, feigning bashfulness, Robin chuckled lowly. "I may or may not have wanted you to notice. I have heard of you recruiting dancers, so…"

Callum nodded. "You'd be right. Although…" he looked to Olivia, "I already have enough female dancers."

Olivia looked to Robin and Inigo. "I-I see… D-don't let me keep you, then!" With that, she fled; probably gone to tell Chrom of the result and Lon'qu of their son.

"Waaait! We aren't leaving now!" Inigo called after her.

"We could. There is something I would like you two to consider if you choose to work with me," the Viscount smiled, "Shall we go and discuss?"

The two dancers looked to each other before nodding, feeling slightly uneasy.

"Lead the way."