DECEPTION
The mother slowly opened her eyes as she felt warm heat upon her head. Then, she slightly raises her head from her pillowed hands to have a peak at what the open window reveals. The rising sun slowly shows itself from behind the mountains, letting its light shine upon what it touches. The mother then slowly sits straight and stretched to relieve the soreness in her body. Sleeping while sitting on a chair is really harder compared to sleeping on the ground. After her stretches, she continues to watch the rising sun, wondering why she not on a bed. But when she looked at the person who occupied the bed, she remembers.
The creation of a vessel for Grima was a success. As the vessel comes to age, so is the right time to awaken the sleeping soul of Grima. All that is needed to complete the awakening, Plegia must conquer Ylisse and retrieve the Fire Emblem. Yes, the mother remembers. After the conversion, she remembers the Grimleal as they placed an unconscious Robin on the bed. After they left, the mother stayed behind, puts pillows around her daughter, and pulled the blanket up to Robin's chin. She stayed up throughout the night, forming plans to escape Plegia and prevent Robin's destiny from happening. She must have fallen asleep after the stressful thinking and worrying.
The mother continued to look sadly at her daughter, noting the snow-white hair on that once dark head. She does not need to look at the Heart of Grima on Robin's right hand. Robin's snow-white hair will be a constant reminder that creating a vessel is a success… Grima, the Fell Dragon she once served, will take over her Robin's body and erase her existence… Oh, her poor baby! If only turning back the time is simple, like how she gently caressed Robin's cheek with her fingers.
Feeling the caress, Robin stirs then slowly awakens. At first, she looks disoriented. But when she saw her mother, the furrowed brow is gone and a groggy smile appears on her face. "Mama…"
The mother gave Robin a pleased smile. She proceeds to ask her daughter of how she is feeling today.
Robin yawned then answered "Okay." This elicits a small laugh from the mother. "Mm?"
The mother just shook her head, and answered Robin that the tiredness is caused of yesterday's activities. She then told her daughter to rest some more but Robin shakes her head.
So her Robin does not want to rest anymore. The mother then suggests to Robin that they will visit Big Brother and have a walk. Robin blinked, tilts her head and looks at the mother owlishly. The mother repeated her suggestion to Robin. Robin continued to look at her mother owlishly before she slowly nods her head. After that, the mother removed all the pillows that surround Robin before assisting her to climb down the bed.
The mother performed her morning ablutions before assisting Robin, at the same time, could not help but wonder about Robin's unusual behavior. Seeing that they are already prepared, the mother asked Robin if she wants to walk or be carried. Robin answered she wants to walk, therefore the mother took Robin's right hand and together they went outside the room.
As the mother closed the door, she felt Robin quickly hide behind her. The mother looked at Robin, but Robin's attention is on something else. The mother saw Robin's reason of hiding behind her by the form of a flock of Grimleal coming her way. No, coming for her Robin. Leading the vultures is her husband, Validar. She could see him carrying the tome Grima's Truth. Her hunch is true; they intend to teach Robin of the Grimleal ways. The mother stood and faced them while Robin continued to hide.
"Ah, my dear. I see you have our vessel with you." said Validar when he and his group came upon the mother. When Validar saw Robin peaking at him, he addressed her. "Good morning, Daughter. Can you tell me where you and your mother will be going?" But Robin just hid her face from Validar.
The mother quickly answered that she and Robin will be going to the library to gather books about tactical warfare, magic and swordplay. Seeing the amazed look given to her by the Grimleal, she quickly reasoned that it is part of her training regimen for Robin. She told them that she wants Robin to become an excellent tactician before she comes to age and fulfill her role as vessel for Grima.
The mother also reasoned that since Robin is still a child, the training will be slow. To achieve her goal, she decided to withhold Robin's lessons of Grima's Truth. Hiding her pain from surfacing, she made an example of her ordeal in teaching her dead son of the Grimleal ways and how to mold him into becoming an excellent vessel. It needs patience, understanding, and management of schedule to train a child.
Validar was thoughtful of what the mother explained. "Your logic is sound." he finally said. Validar looked at his fellow followers of Grima. "What do you think?" The Grimleal nodded. Validar then faced his wife again. "The Grimleal has agreed to allow you to continue your plans." he said. He narrowed his eyes, as if threatening her. "Do not fail on this, or we will take it upon ourselves to finish the job." with that said, he turned to leave, the rest of the Grimleal followed.
After watching the Grimleal leave, the mother looked back at her daughter. Robin continued to watch the Grimleal until they are not within sight anymore before she turns to look at her mother. There was a questioning look on her face, as if she does not recognize her father.
Back at Robin's room, the mother watches Robin read a picture book that is appropriate for her age. Thank goodness that the Grimleal has not questioned her false plans. Did they not realize that such an advanced teaching plan is impossible for a child of Robin's age to be understood? As the mother continued to watch Robin, she ponders the strange behavior of her daughter.
After watching the Grimleal leave, the mother told Robin that first they visit Big Brother. The owlish Robin agreed and they started to walk. During their walk, the mother noticed Robin's interest in her surroundings, as if it is her first time to see such sights.
At her son's grave, the mother saw Robin looking at her owlishly. Then Robin opened her mouth to utter "Big… Brother?" The mother has her suspicions but she just nods. After she and Robin visits her son's grave, the mother decided to borrow the books from the library just to keep up the pretense.
At the library, the mother hid some maps that she stole, er, borrowed, within the books. Inside the sanctuary of Robin's room, the mother faced a happy and curious Robin. She encourages Robin to start reading, on which Robin complies happily. Thank goodness that her enthusiastic Robin does not question her, always agreeing to what she says. Ah! Wait! Before Robin reads, the mother questioned Robin if she remembers yesterday's activities or anything from the past.
Robin started thinking. After a couple of minutes, Robin shook her head. But she just smiled and said "Mama" before she started reading.
After pondering Robin's strange behavior, the mother concludes that Robin had amnesia. Just how extensive the memory loss is? Robin did not remember her father or her brother, nor could she remember her surroundings and her home. But SHE, Robin's very own mother, is remembered. This is a huge advantage! As long as Robin does not have any recollection of this accursed place and what is planned for her, they will have a better future. They will be together, she and Robin, just like what she dreamed. Encouraged of these events, the mother took out the maps and begins to look for escape routes.
For three weeks, the mother traced many escape routes and formulated a contingency plan in case of emergency, at the same time, keeping up the pretense of training Robin. The mother found many ways on escaping Plegia Castle and its nearby towns. She even studied the schedule of the people and guards on when will they walk or patrol, time of sleep and turn of duty, and whatever they did. But she wonders where she would go once she left Plegia castle. She could not stay in one of Plegia's towns or she might be recognized. The world map she has taken does not show too much detail, rendering it useless to her.
She had her solution when one day, the generals needed her advice. The mother took this chance even though she was reluctant to join. From the generals, the mother learned that a battle occurred on the borders of Plegia and Ylisse, and Plegia took a heavy toll, saying that the enemy army is twice in size compared to Plegia's. The generals wanted her to plan and turn the tides. The mother complied and proceeds to do her task.
On the map, the mother could see that some of the Plegian army is guarding the borders near Regna Ferox and near the oceans. Hiding her delight, she noticed that the map is more detailed. She could see many routes that lead to other countries. However, the most favored route of the mother is through the Wasteland Borders. With her careful planning and preparedness, she can pass through the army undetected. And if it is possible, cross beyond the great wall of Regna Ferox and hide there.
After the mother's scheming, she told the generals of the solution to their problems. She told them that it is not necessary to place an army on the other borders, since Plegia does not have a quarrel with the other countries. She advised the generals to gather all the army on the border between Plegia and Ylisse. If they are worried of bandit raids, then she advice to retain a small force to patrol the towns. She also said to the generals that Ylisse does not have a port, meaning there are no ships. Pointing on the map on one of Ylisse's borders near an ocean, she advised the generals to send a navy to distract and disorient the enemy.
The generals were pleased of the mother's advice, thanking and telling her what a great genius she is. The mother smiled and modestly told them she is doing this for Plegia. After gaining permission to leave their presence, the mother then began to gather provisions for the oncoming journey through the Wasteland Borders.
After the war council, the generals followed the mother's advice. They called the rest of the army to assemble at the borders of Plegia and Ylisse. They even prepared the navy to set sail. It took almost three days for the army to gather on their designated area, and a week for the Plegian navy to arrive to the place that the mother pointed out. And yes, a battle ensued.
Glad that everything went according to plan. Before night came, the mother brought Robin with her, and went to her son's grave and bid goodbye before they went away. Now, the mother must wait for the late evening to come.
On a starless sky, the moon hid behind the clouds. The mother is aware that everyone, except those on guard duty, will be asleep. Quickly, she pulled out the bag of provisions and other important things from under her bed, and prepares her silver sword and Thoron tome. Finally, she wore her tactician robe of early years. It is darker and has less tassels and designs, compared to her current garment that shows her rank as a grand master tactician. It is still in good condition, in fact, it looks brand new. The color will be enough to blend in the night.
After the mother prepared her weapons and slung the bag on a shoulder, she quickly went on silent feet to Robin's room. Pulling out a key, she silently opened the door and entered the room. After she silently closed the door, she crept towards the bed. The mother gently carried Robin, letting her daughter's head be cradled on her shoulder. Robin was startled of the movement and she slowly wakes up. The mother shushed, and told Robin it is all right and instructed her to sleep. Robin smiled and nodded, then went back to sleep.
The mother continued to follow her escape plans. She would turn left or right, go straight, hide from someone then continue what she is doing. Finally at the walls surrounding the castle, the mother spied the guard to enter the barracks to switch duties with a fellow guard. As the guard entered, the mother quickly ran on silent feet towards the open gates. She continued to run while hiding within the shadows of houses and trees, until she managed to reach the outskirts of the town. The mother stayed within the shades of the woods as she looked back at the castle. Yes! She has escaped the castle! Happy of the accomplishment, the mother kissed Robin's brow before turning her back at Plegia. The mother started her travel towards Regna Ferox, towards a new beginning.