Shepherds of Unwelcome Change

The fire at the center of their small campsite was slowly losing ferocity as the flames ate through the last of the wood that had been gathered for it earlier. The sporadic crackling and snapping of wood that had lulled Frederick and Lissa into a sound sleep began to dissipate, leaving Robin with nothing other than the sound of occasional crickets and her own thoughts.

She sat cross-legged, arms folded neatly in her lap, and coat wrapped tightly around her to keep her warm since the fire was no longer providing heat as well as it had been. With eyes unfocused yet locked onto the dwindling flames that flickered in defiance at their eventual demise, Robin was replaying everything that had happened since she woke up.

One memory. Not even a full memory. It was just enough for her to know her name, know she had a mother, and somehow know that she wore the same coat as her mother. It was just enough for her to know that today truly wasn't the first day of her life, but was it the first day she had ever woken up with no memory? A simple enough question that required a one syllable word answer, yet being unable to know the answer was enough to keep Robin awake.

"Having trouble falling asleep, Robin?" came a gentle voice, rousing her abruptly from her thoughts.

Robin's eyes quickly shot to the source of the voice, finding Chrom watching her with a softened gaze. "Apologies, Chrom," she offered quietly, averting her gaze. "I didn't realize you were still awake."

"No need to apologize, though you still haven't answered my question." Chrom's voice seemed to carry on its natural friendly tone, but Robin thought she heard something else in his voice.

"I—yes…" she admitted with some difficulty.

Chrom frowned at her slightly. "You have nothing to fear from us, Robin. You're a Shepherd now, we won't hurt you—"

She silenced him with a shake of her head. "No. It's not that. I guess it's just that I have a lot on my mind."

"Anything I can help you with?" Soft blue eyes were waiting for her when Robin looked back up to find Chrom watching her with careful regard. His words were calming, and his desire to help her seemed genuine enough. But Robin couldn't help but blush under his watchful gaze.

"No…it's nothing like that. You'll probably think it's foolish…" Robin said, rubbing her arms nervously out of her own self-consciousness.

"You have nothing to fear from me, Robin," Chrom said earnestly, "least of all judgement."

"Alright," Robin sighed, trying to build some confidence. "When I woke up today, it was with no memory. All I have is what I've learned from you or just know instinctively…and I don't know if it'll happen again."

Chrom nodded somberly in realization. "You're afraid that if you fall asleep, you'll wake up tomorrow with no memory again."

"Yeah. Pretty foolish, isn't it?" she laughed nervously.

"I don't think so," Chrom answered without hesitation. "I can't image what it's like to wake up with nothing. It must be terrifying…" He hesitated a moment, his eyes reflecting the sympathy he felt in his heart towards Robin's predicament. "But… your name is Robin. You are skilled with a blade and magic. You have a mind for tactics which helped you save a village with Frederick, Lissa, and myself; and you agreed to join the Shepherds if it is something you would still want." Chrom offered her a smile. "And if you wake up tomorrow with no memory, I would be happy to remind you."

Robin looked at him with a mixture of shock and gratitude at such genuine kindness. "Th-thank you, Chrom."

"Of course," he said easily. "Now, you should try and get some rest. We still have a ways to go before we reach the capital." Chrom gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be here for you in the morning, should you need me."

Her cheeks burning from Chrom's words, Robin gave him a quick nod. "Thank you."

His smile grew faintly. "No need to thank me. Its what friends are for."

"O-of course," Robin stumbled quietly, receding from the fire slightly before turning to the side gingerly, resting her head on her arm as she closed her eyes. From behind her, she could hear soft shuffling from Chrom as he must have followed suit with trying to fall asleep.

As she closed her eyes, Robin devised a mantra that she repeated over and over to herself. My name is Robin. I can use a sword and magic. I'm good with tactics. Their names are Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick. I am a Shepherd now. We're traveling to Ylisstol after saving a village from Plegian Bandits. Ylisstol is the capital of Ylisse. Their ruler is the Exalt, Emmeryn—and as her thoughts ebbed into nothingness, sleep finally overtook her.

"This is not your-your fault. Promise me...you'll escape from this place. Please…go…"

A loud explosion shattered the veil of restless sleep that had kept her, launching her into the waking world. With a heart skipping in panic. Adrenaline began to surge in her veins as she hastily dragged herself to her feet, her limbs burning with soreness.

Her name was Robin. She was the new tactician for the Shepherds of Ylisse.

And Chrom and Lissa were missing.

On her left, Frederick seemed horrified as he came to the same realization that his charges were missing. A scream coming from the newly ablaze trees sent Robin and Frederick into action, though. Robin scrambled for her sword resting on a nearby stump before charging after Frederick into the flames. Before they could make it very far, however, Frederick's horse bleated in fear as they were about to rush by it; and he spared it only a moment to draw his sword and sever its ties, allowing the beast to flee from a terrible fate it would have been doomed to if it remained tied to the tree.

As they ran, searching for Chrom and Lissa, Robin became distinctly aware of the intense burning that was radiating from her right hand. The edges of the violent purple brand sending waves pain through her arm. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to maintain a grip on her sword, but from the sounds coming from in front of her, the ringing of metal blades clashing together, Robin knew the relinquishing her sword was not an option.

Tearing through the underbrush of the forest around them without care of the branches and thorns that tore at them as they went by, they found that the sounds of battle were growing louder as they ran onwards. Both knight and tactician carried the same hope that they would make it to Chrom and Lissa in time before either the flames or the source could do either harm, Frederick's wary nature and mistrust of Robin left behind as they worked towards a common goal.

Suddenly the pair found themselves no longer in the heavily overgrown forest and instead in a small clearing, spotting their targets just off to their left. But what lay beyond their comrades was enough to squeeze Robin's heart to a near standstill with icy talons.

Creatures clad in armor that appeared to melt into the shadows cast by the surrounding flames advanced towards them. Their movements were jarring and unnatural, jerking awkwardly with each motion as if they weren't quite in control of their own bodies. Black and purple smoke oozed from them in sickening puffs as if their mere existence caused them to burn from the inside out. It would certainly account for the charred discoloration of their skin.

From where they stood, Robin could make out the frames of Chrom and another figure struggling to take out the first of the creatures that had charged them. Working in tandem to kill the unknown enemies that swung at them with chaotic, unplanned attacks, they succeeded in bringing down the last of those that had reached them.

"Milord! Milady! Are you hurt?" Frederick called to them as he and Robin ran to make it to their side before the next wave of monsters lingering in the tree line charged. Upon their approach, however, the other figure that had been helping Chrom was nowhere to be seen.

"Frederick, take Lissa and get out of here!" Chrom ordered. He had taken up a defensive stance, blade gleaming in the firelight as he refused to take his eyes from the enemies that skulked forward with shambling steps.

"What?! No!" Lissa cried. "I'm not leaving you here!"

"Now, Frederick!" Chrom commanded forcefully. "There is an old fort to the north. Stay there until the danger's passed."

"And what about you?!" Lissa shouted, desperation and fear causing her voice to waver.

"I'll make sure they don't follow you," Chrom answered resolutely.

"But—"

"Go, Lissa," Robin interrupted her. "I'll stay here make sure he doesn't do anything reckless."

"But—"

"Come, milady," Frederick said, seizing her by the arm. "We must retreat at once, as your brother commands. Trust that he can survive this battle."

"Chrom…" Lissa said waywardly as her last protest died on her lips before she finally allowed herself to be led away by Frederick.

As Frederick and Lissa disappeared into the trees, fleeing the battlefield, Robin took her place at Chrom's side. She reached for the tome secured to her belt with her left hand, flipping instantly to a page marked by repeated use, while wielding her sword in her right. As she readied herself for battle, she prayed that Chrom couldn't see how badly her hands were shaking.

"Are such horrific creatures commonplace in these lands?" Robin asked, hoping that her voice didn't betray her uncertainty or fears.

"They're not from Ylisse, I promise you that."

The confidence that Chrom held as he spoke and faced down the enemies that struggled to reach them was something that Robin could only hope to aspire to. Facing down these monsters, the only thing that kept her from being frozen to the spot was Chrom. She had to stay confident for him. She had to fight for him. After all, she told Lissa she would.

"Stay close to me, Robin," Chrom continued, giving her a sideways glance. "These things are tough to kill and seem to have a knack for not staying dead."

Robin caught his gaze before nodding in understanding. "On your signal, Chrom."

With only a slight hesitation beforehand, Chrom began his assault on the creatures that had risen from the shadows, charging at the nearest thing that resembled a soldier wielding an ax. Robin trailed close behind, lunging forward to land her own attacks in the aftermath of Chrom's.

Occasionally, they would find themselves brushing against each other. As Chrom withdrew from his enemy after landing a blow, Robin would surge forward to keep the enemy preoccupied, bumping shoulders with Chrom as they were slightly out of sync. It wasn't enough to affect their lethality, but it was enough for them to realize they were far from a cohesive unit. It wasn't seamless cooperative combat, but it was an effective pair up.

As they fought on, Robin became more accustomed to flipping between wielding her sword and utilizing her magic. When Chrom charged a nearby creature wielding a short-ranged weapon, Robin would turn to one of the many pages marked with symbols for specific elements in certain forms, pulling from the energy from within her and forcing it towards the enemies that got too close to Chrom while he was engaged with another unit. It was draining on her, but she forced herself to continue on, refusing to leave Chrom's side.

After a momentary respite long enough to catch their breaths, Robin took the lead for offensive attacks in order to give Chrom a slight respite. With heart pounding in her throat from the strain of battle and the hitching sensation of fear that would have kept her rooted to the spot; Robin launched herself at the enemies that came before her, her determination to stop these creatures here before they could harm any others spurring her forward. It was only as she was landing a disarming blow that her renewed fervor worked against her.

The strength Robin placed behind her blow was just enough to amplify the critical flaw in her bronze sword that had been getting worse with extended use. As she struck at the monstrous swordsman's blade, her sword shattered, sending jarring pain up her arm as the pieces of bronze clattered uselessly on the ground.

Robin let out a yelp in surprise at the demise of her blade and threw herself backward carelessly in an attempt to avoid the creatures next strike. Before it could recover from its miss and rush her again, Robin, with a snap of her fingers, summoned flames that leapt up hungrily from the monster's feet. Encased in the blaze, the creature road inhumanly before it was reduced to ash.

"You alright?" Chrom asked as he pulled back to her side once more, a critical eye scanning for wounds.

"Down a sword," Robin answered him breathlessly. "But I still have my magic."

Chrom nodded quickly. "Don't overdo it. I'd hate to have to carry you out of here," he teased.

"I'm supposed to keep you from being reckless, not the other way around," she added with a smirk.

"Just…be careful, Robin."

The sincerity that gave his voice such a somber tone, a clear antithesis to the battle raging around them, caused Robin to hesitate a moment before she followed behind Chrom.

Magic being her only weapon, Robin started to feel the drain on her energy as the amount of enemies had finally been reduced to a number that could be counted on one hand. Stepping back from Chrom's side for a moment to regain her breath, astounded by the amount of stamina Chrom had to continue on persistently, her judgement lapsed just enough to lose focus on her surroundings.

One of the creatures with sickeningly long claws materialized from the ground suddenly, grabbing ahold of Robin's legs and ripping them from underneath her, sending her crashing to the ground on her back. The fall caused her to drop her tome, and she was forced to stare at this blighted monster. It reeled back, and Robin didn't even have a moment to consider using her magic in a risky quick-cast.

Raising her arm in a meager defense, the pain she felt burning from the brand on her hand was quickly replaced by the stabbing pain as the creature's claws tore through her arm, flesh parting easily.

Unconsciously, Robin let out a sharp scream at the pain that raced through her senses, scorching her nerves far better than any fire could as she quickly clutched her arm to her chest and struggled to back away from the creature that continued with its advance.

Her feet struggling to find purchase on the dirt and loose stone of the clearing, Robin looked desperately for Chrom, praying that he might be able to come to her aid once more.

It was not Chrom, however, that came to Robin's aid; but another blue-haired swordsman wielding what seemed to be the same blade. The figure from before, Robin recognized, as the masked man quickly cut down the adversary that had wounded her.

"Can you stand?" The masked man asked her, his voice and accent sounding forced and distorted to her ears.

Before she could discover the answer, however, a voice calling from behind them interrupted her. "Captain Chrom! Wait! I'm coming!" shouted a female cavalier in crimson armor from atop her mount.

Regaining her focus, Robin looked for the masked man only to find herself alone for the briefest of moments before Chrom was kneeling before her, dirt and grime from the battle clinging to his face but failing to obscure the concern and fear that flickered behind his blue eyes and was written on his face.

With one hand gripping her shoulder to ensure she remained upright, Chrom turned to the cavalier and archer that arrived. "Sully!" he shouted, pointing to the remaining few creatures as instruction before he turned back to Robin. "Robin, can you stand?" he asked breathlessly.

"Yes," she answered without hesitation, although she had no way of knowing if it was the truth.

Whether or not Chrom believed her answer, he quickly helped her to her feet, the resulting movement causing her to wince at the jostling of her arm that was inevitable. Thankfully, the pain wasn't enough for to cause her to miss the creature that drew its bow; and she shoved Chrom away from her with her good arm, sparing them both from the arrow.

Red sigils glowed ominously around her as she quickly cast her magic at the archer, lighting the fiend ablaze before it had time to knock another arrow and draw.

Chrom turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "You seem to be getting better at that," he commented, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, trial by fire, I guess," she sighed wearily, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Seems that way," Chrom chuckled.

His concern laden eyes left Robin a moment to survey their surroundings as he sheathed his weapon in the mailable ground so that it was easier to retrieve at a moment's notice should he have need of it. Off in the distance, they heard a celebratory shout that Robin assumed was from the woman Chrom had called Sully.

"Sounds like that's the last of them," he said, relief evident in his voice. The relief evaporated though when he finally registered the way Robin had her arm pinned to her chest and the blood that seeped out of the tears in her sleeve. "Robin, your arm."

"It's nothing," Robin said hastily. "Just a few scrapes."

"That looks like more than nothing." Chrom glanced about to make sure they were truly clear of enemies, before reaching out to her. "Here, let me see."

Although she was loath to admit that her own carelessness had resulted in her injury, she had a feeling that Chrom wouldn't allow her to refuse. Instead, she carefully extended her arm, tensing up at the inevitable pain from his well-meaning probing of the wound.

The ragged edges of Robin's coat clung to the torn edges of her flesh, causing Chrom to wince in sympathy as he did his best to carefully roll her sleeve out of the way. "I'm sorry," he muttered softly when he saw her cringing in pain out of the corner of his eye.

"These are worse than a few scrapes," he said, assessing the three claw marks that perforated Robin's arm. "And they're too deep to stop bleeding on their own." With full sincerity, he met Robin's soft brown eyes that had been watching him. "I'm afraid we're going to have to cut it off," although he couldn't stop his lips from twitching into a barely concealed smile.

Robin would have snatched her arm back were it not for the firm yet tender grip Chrom maintained. "Do you always make jokes after fighting monsters, or is it just the adrenaline talking?"

"It may be a little bit of both," he laughed softly. "But we do need something to stop the bleeding," Chrom added, the mirth draining from his voice steadily.

"You can use this," came a masked voice, startling both of them.

It was the man that had aided Chrom before Robin arrived and had saved her from the creature. He was dressed in deep blue, his sword sheathed at his side and mask secured over his features. In his hands was a lengthy shred of cloth that matched the color of his armor, which Chrom accepted without hesitation.

"Thank you," Chrom said graciously as he began to tightly bind Robin's arm enough to draw out a frustrating amount of pain from the wound while also maintaining enough pressure to stem the flow of blood seeping out of it.

"It seems we both owe you a great debt," Robin added. "Thank you."

"Yes, you saved my sister's life," Chrom agreed, looking up briefly from what he was doing. "My name is Chrom, and this is Robin. Might we ask yours?"

There was a slight hesitation in his veiled response. "You may call me Marth."

The name was one that Robin did not recognize, though it sounded vaguely familiar. Chrom however, perked up at it. "Marth? After the heroic king of old?" he did not get an immediate response. "You certainly fight like a hero. Where did you learn your way with a sword?"

"I'm not here to talk about me," Marth said, stopping Chrom before he could ask any more questions. "This world teeters on the brink of a horrible calamity. What you saw tonight was but a prelude." He paused a moment. "I came you to warn you of what fate has in store, my job here is done."

As the masked figure turned and began to walk away from them, Robin could sense that Chrom wanted nothing more than to chance after him and get answers out of the mysterious man; however, he abandoned that desire and continued to bind her wound. A fact which did nothing to alleviate the guilt that she felt from having him help her in the first place.

"Not one for much conversation, is he?" Robin asked playfully, trying to use her lightheartedness to hide her grimace.

Chrom hummed in amusement. "His skills clearly lie elsewhere." With a final flourish, Chrom secured the makeshift bandage with a tight knot. "Lissa will have to take a look at this when we make back to her. But thanks to you, we carried the night." he added with a smile before waving to Sully and the archer that were beginning to approach them.

And for some reason, Robin felt like she had heard him say that before.

Ylisse was a stark contrast from the previous darkness they had been exposed to. Light flooded the city, drowning the busy streets in warmth, banishing all shadows. Even the palace that towered at Ylisse's center failed to bring any sense of foreboding despite what should have been a looming presence.

And the people. Robin had never seen so many people in one place before. It was amazing that anyone was able to get anywhere with how crowded the streets were; and yet, people filtered through each other with ease, stopping at shops and stalls that added to the crowdedness or greeting friends and family that they came across.

Robin looked at it all with a pleasant mixture of emotions. Awe at the beauty and size of Ylisse, with its lightly colored brick buildings that towered above them at extraordinary heights and clustered together near the roads with merchants and homeowners leaning out through windows and doorways as they completed the days. And she felt an overwhelming sense of wonder at all the different sights, conversations, and smells that were around her.

"Well, what do you think?" Chrom asked with a gentle smile after giving her some time to absorb it all.

"I've never seen so many people in one place before," she said in awestricken fascination.

Frederick, however, didn't have any patience for her child-like wonder. "It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods," he interrupted, receiving a glare from Chrom. "I see no evidence of the great quake. It must have been limited to the forest."

"Well, that's a relief!" Lissa said with a smile. "Robin wouldn't have gotten to see how pretty Ylisstol could be otherwise."

It was then that Robin realized how foolish she must look, behaving more like a child in awe of a new toy brought before them rather than the tactician she had been asked to be. Quickly, she buried her smile behind a blush and gaze cast downwards at the others' scrutiny.

A unanimous murmuring and excited commotion drew all of their attention, however. "Look!" several people shouted in off-kilter unison. "It's the Exalt!" laughter and cheering accompanied as the people suddenly parted to the sides of the road. "The Exalt has come to see us!" Soon, Chrom, Frederick, Lissa, and Robin found themselves being swept by the tides of people to the side.

From in between the people in front her, Robin could just make out the figure of an elegant woman with golden hair framed by a simple crown that formed a halo that silhouetted her flowing curls. This woman was making her way through the crowds with a peaceful bearing, as she was escorted by several knights and riders atop pegasi. Despite her grim accompaniment, however, the woman wore a gentle yet beautiful smile as she waved to the people in the crowd as she passed.

"The Exalt is your ruler, yes?' Robin asked, raising her voice to be heard over the cheers for the Exalt.

"Yes," said Frederick, surprising her with an answer. "Her name is Lady Emmeryn."

Emmeryn, Robin repeated, committing the name to her new memory. "Is it safe for her to walk among us like this?" she asked out of general curiosity and concern.

"The Exalt is a symbol of peace—Ylisse's most prized quality," the great knight explained from behind her. "Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world…" However, Frederick's words drifted away from her as Robin watched the Exalt pass by her.

As she passed, Robin noticed that the Exalt bore on her forehead a strange marking, almost like a tattoo. And for some reason, it seemed familiar to her; and not simply because it was the same as the one Chrom brandished on his shoulder. The sense of peace she felt gazing upon the woman betrayed her to a moment of weakness and lost focus, and the noise of the crowd and those that she accompanied drowned out, leaving her to nothing but silent blackness.

"Robin…" it hissed at her, sending chills down her spine. "Robin…" it called to her, the voice foreign and inhuman, yet intoxicating in a mysterious way. "Robin!" it screamed at her begging to be heard.

"Robin?" Chrom asked, drawing her back into the light of day.

"S-sorry," Robin stammered, self-conscious of the fact that she hadn't paid attention to a word Frederick had said beyond something about a fell dragon. "So many people…it's a little overwhelming. I guess, I just got caught up in it for a second there."

The blue-haired gentlemen frowned at her slightly, as if sensing the lie in Robin's half-truth, but he didn't press further. "To answer your question, it may be dangerous for her to be out here, but with Plegia poking at our border, the people need her." A fond smile spread across his face, "She's a calming presence when some might otherwise call for war."

Robin looked back at the precession that had all but past where they stood, Lady Emmeryn no longer visible from between the crowd and guards that swarmed her. "Then the Ylissean people are indeed lucky to have her," she mused thoughtfully.

"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa exclaimed, flashing her a cheeky grin.

"Yes, I imagine she…" and then Lissa's statement hit her. "Wait, what? She's your… But wouldn't that make you and Chrom…" Robin let her words trail off, sentence unfinished in abject horror.

"The prince and princess of the realm, yes," Frederick said bluntly, confirming her fears. "You remember Chrom's name and not this?"

Her eyes darted quickly between Chrom and Lissa, "N-no, I…" Finally, embarrassment overtook her as Robin blushed furiously, quickly looking down in shame. "F-forgive me. I didn't know…"

"Don't worry, Robin," Lissa giggled playfully. "Chrom and I have never cared for formalities or titles."

"Otherwise your behavior would be treasonous," Frederick cut in, drawing out a flinch from Robin.

"Frederick!" Lissa growled, smacking him on the arm. "Can't you at least try to be nice?"

"Niceties are like trust, milady," he said, fixing Robin with a cold glare. "They are earned."

"That's quite enough, Frederick," Chrom said sternly, saving Robin from further vindication.

"Apologies, milord. I meant no disrespect."

"It is not me you should apologize to," Chrom sighed, his eyes falling on Robin for the briefest of moments before turning back towards where his older sister walked. "It looks like Emm is returning to the palace. Would you like to meet her?" Chrom asked.

Words failed her as she struggled to determine what the appropriate response should be. Was she even worthy to meet someone as important as the Exalt of Ylisse? Was she even worthy to have had traveled with a prince and princess as she had been?

"Of course, she wants to meet her!" Lissa exclaimed, looping her arm through Robins enthusiastically. "I'm sure Emm would love you, Robin."

"I…um…" Robin stammered, tensing visibly before finally caving to the younger's enthusiasm. "Ok…?"

"Come on then!" Lissa said, her excitement and cheeriness causing her to nearly rip Robin's shoulder right out of its socket as she all but danced towards the palace.

Chrom couldn't help but chuckle fondly at the sight as his little sister all but dragged Robin alongside her. "It looks like Lissa is becoming quite fond of her," he mused thoughtfully to the gentle knight that stood beside him.

"All the more reason I will be watching more closely," Frederick responded. "Very few suspect the friend to land the fatal blow."

Letting out a loud sigh, Chrom made his way towards the palace at a much more leisurely pace, Frederick keeping in stride beside him. "Must you be so hard on her, Frederick?" he asked, maintaining a neutral tone from the years of practice achieved with etiquette lessons. "She has no memory, and I can't imagine what it's like to have someone treat you so coldly without understanding why."

"She claims to have no memory," Frederick was quick to correct him.

"And how do you propose she prove her lack of memory?" Chrom snapped, annoyance getting the better of him momentarily.

"I do not know, milord," the knight admitted. "All I know is that her coat looks quite Plegian. And that none in Ylisse have white hair as she does."

Chrom frowned. Frederick wasn't saying anything that was new to him. He had recognized her as a non-native to Ylisse the moment he saw her, and the brand on her hand, which Robin had worked expertly to conceal since she woke up, was quite telling of that as well. However, Chrom couldn't also forget how terrified she looked the previous night before the strange creatures attacked.

Robin had been cowering before the fire, wrapped up on herself as she stared with a terrified and forlorn look into the fire. Her eyes had been darting and flickering with each flame that leapt up from the embers. His heart had ached at the sight. He couldn't begin to understand how she must felt with no memory and being thrust into the middle of a near-war so suddenly. And the guilt of subjugating her to it further by asking her to join the Shepherds ate away at him.

"She was too afraid of forgetting all her memories again to fall asleep last night," Chrom said in a lowered tone, his voice thick with sympathy. "That kind of fear… It's not something you can fake, Frederick."

"I heard the exchange you had with her, milord," Frederick stated.

"You may have heard it," Chrom said. "But you didn't see it…she was terrified." He shook his head. "I am not asking you to trust her, Frederick, but that you trust me. Trust me when I tell you that her story is the truth."

The great knight hesitated a moment before offering a response. "Very well, milord… I suppose that I could perhaps treat her with less contempt than I have been thus far."

"Thank you, Frederick," Chrom sighed. It may not have been the reversal in opinion he had hoped for, but it was a start in the right direction.