The Shepherds

The journey back to Ylisse wasn't an easy one. Lissa sit on the castle's stairs to rest herself. Robin was with her, but he's still standing up. For the princess, what followed the rescue of the town was truly awful. She first complain because Frederick did not accept the feast the villagers offer as a reward of their actions, and later in the day she was complaining about the bugs and after about the bear meat. And finally, she was almost killed by some humanoide creature. She owned her salvation to a boy named Marth who was comming from the same portal as these creatures. Now, back in Ylisse capitol, a meeting was held. So, she decided to show the Shepherds' garrison to Robin, but before that, she wanted to rest a bit, happy to be home and safe.

"You seems to be exhausted, Your Highness.

- Don't call me that, Robin. You can call us by our names, you know. Didn't Chrom said that too ?

- Ah, yes... Sorry... Lissa."

Hearing him saying her name make her smile. It was better that way.

"And... yes, I'm exhausted. I decided to come with my brother and Frederick to... well, to forge my character and show them I'm not delicate. Argh, I can't stand that he said that again to you !" Lissa sighed. "Well... all of that was... grueling.

- How about rest a bit longer, then ? You don't need to push yourself too hard." Robin was worrying, but Lissa didn't nod.

"No, I said I'll show you the garrison, I'll do it... and seeing the others will be nice. It's not like they will be some traps along the way, isn't it ?"

Lissa giggled, and Robin smiled back. Gathering her courage, Lissa stands up and they continue their way to the Shepherds' garrison. There, Lissa let him enter in the building.

"Here we are ! The Shepherds' garrison ! Go on, make yourself at home.

- Lissa, my treasure ! Are you all right? I've been on pins and needles !"

Another blond young woman run to Lissa and take her hands.

"Oh, hey, Maribelle !

- 'Oh hey' yourself ! I've sprouted 14 gray hairs fretting over you ! ยป

- Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two ! ...Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue...

- Hey squirt ! Where's Chrom ? I bet he had a rough time out there without ol' Teach and his trusty axe !"

Robin was seeing around when another blond hair, but a man this time with a big build, approches them. And then he sees the unknow man.

"Who's the stranger ?

- Allow me to introduce Robin ! Chrom's maked him our new tactician. You should see the trick he had up his sleeves !

- Oh yeah ? Can he do this ?"

Vaike executed a impressive burp, to Maribelle's disgust.

"Ugh, Vaike ! That was abhorrent ! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery ?

- Ah ah, I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts, "Teach."

- And you, Robin ! Don't encourage him ! I'd hoped you were cut from finer cloth. Hmph !"

And so, Maribelle go off, leaving this repulsive grouping.

"Don't take it to heart, Robin. Maribelle warms to people slowly." warned Lissa to Robin, this latter nodding to show his understanding.

"Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain ?" asked a brown-haired woman who was next to the door.

"I might be involved myself in other's business, but Sumia was being beside herself lately, during our trainings." said a green-haired man, scratching his messing hairs.

"Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom.

- Worry ? Well, I... He's our captain and our prince... Of course I'd worry !" Sumia was blushing when answering, leading Lissa to laugh lightly about that.

"Rumors said you went yourselves in big trouble during the journey, is that accurate ?" asked Stahl after Lissa's introduced him to Robin and after they greet each other with a handshake.

"Don't asked about that... I'm exhausted just to thinking about it... Hopefully, we got some helps. First Robin, then a mysterious boy... But the latter leave us after saying that problems only begins... Well, I'll let Chrom explain to you what happened..."

Lissa decided to see Maribelle, and left Robin with Stahl, Vaike and Sumia. The tactician let his eyes looking around in the garrison, and after that begins to talk with the three others.

Lissa found Maribelle in the same place as usual, driking her tea slowly. But the princess can tell her friend wasn't calm. Knowing she had the permission, she helped herself in serving tea and sit at the same table.

"You souldn't be so angry against Robin. It's his first time around, let him settle in !"

But Maribelle didn't respond. She continue to drink her tea, her eyes closed, like she was thinking only about her tea's taste.

"And... you know, I would be kidnapped or injuried without him...

- Don't think I'll owe him anything." Her friend respond harshly. "I was against the fact you joined your brother and Frederick, in the first place..."

- ...Wait, are you angry at me ? Didn't I tell you the reason I joined them, did I ?"

Finally, Maribelle put down her cup of tea and sighed.

"I know, I know... I'm worrying, that's all. I don't want you to be hurt.

- ...Sorry, Maribelle... But thanks."

She smiled to her friend, a sorry smile. And she began to drink her own tea. Then she tell her friend all what happened, except some details about the rescue she had for the sake of her friend.

Time passed before the leader comes in the garrison. At his arrival, Vaike, Robin and Stahl turns their eyes on him. Sumia wanted to greet him, but trip and fall.

"Sumia ! Are you all right ? Those boots of yours again ?

- No ! I mean, yes ! I mean..."

Sumia sighed, blushing, and stands up, dusting herself. Chrom was worried about her, but she seems fine and get himself together, asking then that everyone can regroup.

"All right, listen everyone : in the morning, we'll be marching to Regna Ferox.

- Regna Ferox ?" asked Robin.

"An unified kingdom to Ylisse's north. Inhabited by barbarians, or so it's said." explain Sumia.

"Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace. The Shepherds will march as ambassadors. Normally, the exalt would request such an aid in person, but given the recent events... Well, this mission is stricly voluntary...

- I volunteer !"

Lissa reacted immediately, full of energy, followed by Vaike. Some unknow voice tell his participation too, but Robin didn't see from where it come from. Stahl was in too. But Sumia hesitates. She was worrying about her being a weight. But he relieved her when proposing to her about observing and learning from a distance, and promising he'll protect her if needed. The only one who refused was Maribelle.

Everyone was preparing themselves. Learning from Lissa that Regna Ferox had a cold climat, he prepared about that with her help. And some time after he heard this same unknow voice from before.

"You are Robin, aren't you ?

- ...Where are you ?" asked the tactician, not seeing this person who was talking to him, while the voice was close.

"Er, here... Over here."

Trusting his ears, he turns in the direction the voice comes from... to only seeing one armor. He jumped with surprise.

"Argh ! A talking armor ! ...Wait a moment..."

No, a talking armor cannot exist. He never heard of such a thing, and was sure of it. He raised his head a little, and see finally a new face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't notice you.

- Don't worry about that, I'm used to... I'm not one with a big presence..."

Not one with a big presence ? That's impossible, the guy is tall and wear a big armor. How come that he's not someone with presence ? The only thing that make sense is that this man was under an incredible training that allow him to hide his presence.

"So, er... I just wanted to introduce myself... My name's is Kellam.

- Nice to meet you, Kellam." Robin said, accepting a handshake, and starting a conversation to learn more about him.

A little farther from the scene was Lissa, who was watching Robin all this time. She finally turn her head elsewhere, a slight blush on her cheek. Something got her attention... Something really interesting.

*How come he can do such a face ?* thinked Lissa, a smile on her lips. That face was really funny.