Chapter 2

Robin laid back in the caravan. The sound of wheels hitting the ground echoed through Robin's mind. As Robin slowly entered a deeper sleep. Robin felt something pull at him. Something covered his vision…everything so fuzzy…everything so full of haze…Robin pinched his nose as he tried to wake up. He opened his eyes to see he was standing in fog. He began to wander through the purple mist. The deeper he entered the mist, Robin felt his head grow warm and his head began to ache. He wobbled around in the mist. I… Robin stopped as he heard a whisper in his ear. Robin glanced towards his hands as the mist grew darker but he felt the embrace again as it pulled him out of the mist and slammed him onto the floor.

Robin's eyes opened as he felt the caravan shake and shudder as the road became rough. Shit, Robin smiled, was getting to the good part. Robin got up and peeked his head through the caravan's front. He saw the driver holding tight on the reigns. Robin carefully sat down next to the driver as they came closer to open area. Robin spotted a large bridge with a roaring river flowing underneath the bridges stonework.

"Oy," The driver started. "That bridge is the one Lord Chrom mentioned, right?" the driver pointed towards the large bridge. Robin nodded.
"Yeah, fastest route to Renga Ferox." Robin stated. "Going around would double the ti-" Robin grabbed the driver and pushed him down. A large axe slammed into the wood of the caravan.

"By Naga's tits!" the driver cursed. Robin pushed the driver into the caravan. Robin glanced around to see more axes being thrown at the other caravans. A few drivers laid nearly split in half from the attack.

"Robin!" Robin turned to see Chrom and Frederick ride out towards the battlefield. Robin jumped down and rushed towards the field. Stahl and Sully rushed next to Robin. Robin reached out for a hand. Sully pulled him up and on to her horse.
"Stahl!" Robin barked, "Get Vaike and Miriel on to the field." Robin noticed the ground began to shift as a dozen risen pounded the ground with their rotten fists. Sully slowed down as they approached Frederick and Chrom. Robin jumped off the horse and drew his blade.

"I can't believe they are here of all places." Chrom muttered. Frederick nodded.

"Whatever force is guiding them, does not wish us to reach Regna Ferox." Robin stated. Frederick pounded the blunt end of his spear on the ground.

"Then let us tear a hole through their frontline," Frederick stated. Chrom grinned.

"I agree." Frederick and Chrom rushed forward.

"Wait!" Robin shouted. "We don't know if," the earth began to shake as more risen began to claw up to the surface. "Shit!" Robin ran up to Sully. "When Stahl gets here, I need you to rush down the left." Robin shouted and pointed towards the number of risen pushing themselves from the dirt. "Guard their left flank!" Stahl trotted up with Vaike on his horse. Vaike jumped off and bellowed out.

"Let's get this going one!" Vaike hesitated as Stahl and Sully rushed towards the left.

"Vaike let's get going." Robin stated. Robin turned to Vaike. Vaike laughed.

"Well you see," Vaike started. Suddenly a large axe fell next to Vaike. "My axe!"

"The buffoon forgot his axe." Miriel stated as she jumped down from a flying wyvern. Cherche waved down at them. Virion notched his bow.

"I don't care! Just get in there." Robin shouted. "Cherche! Get us some covering fire. Virion make those shots count." Robin turned to Vaike and Miriel. "We need to get in there and take out anything that might pick off Cherche." Robin pointed forward. "Now, move!" Robin kicked up dirt as he shot forward. Robin's sword began to heat up as he charged up his left hand with lightning.

Chrom sliced through Risens' arms and legs. Risen approached from behind. Stahl impaled them with his spear and tossed them off the heavy spear towards a pack. Arrows came down from the sky. Arrows returned fire at Cherche. Cherche pulled on her wyvern's reigns.

"Come on, Minerva," Cherche smiled, "Time to show these cute Risen up." Virion flinched.

"Cute, Cherche?" Virion tightened his legs as Minerva began to maneuver through the Risens' arrow. The arrowheads scarped against Minerva's scale. The steel sparked against the hard scales.

Robin sliced through one Risen's chest. Vaike jumped over Robin and slammed his axe into another Risen's skull. He kicked the corpse forward.

"Enter the Vaike!" He shouted.

"Robin!" Robin turned to see Chrom run up to him. "They keep coming. It's just like last time." Robin nodded.

"We need to find the leader of this pack." Robin huffed, "If we don't we'll be outlasted." Sully rushed passed them. Stahl followed behind. "Hey!"

"Sorry, Robin!" Stahl shouted. "Sully thinks she found the guy you're talking about." Robin turned around to see more Risen approach.

"Fall back to the bridge!" Robin shouted. "Let's hope Sully's got the right one." The Shepherds gathered at the bridge's mouth. "Hold this position." Robin shouted. Miriel began to mutter incantations. Her tome floated above and radiated red light. In a flash of red, the area in front of them ignited in flames.

"That will inhibit their advance." Miriel stated. "I will only be able to sustain this spell for an acute duration." Robin nodded. Get it done, Sully. Robin thought.

Sully rushed at the largest Risen with her lance. The large risen side-stepped and slammed its axe through Sully's spear. The creature was about to slam its other arm into Sully but Stahl impaled his spear into the creature's side. The creature dug into the earth and grabbed hold of the spear's shaft. The spear shattered as Stahl tried to pull the creature with him. Stahl and Sully drew their swords.

"Just like practice!" Sully shouted as she pursed her lips. She tapped her horses's sides and rushed forward. She clung close to its chest as she sliced through the creature's arm. The risen reeled and tackled Sully and her horse. Sully pushed herself off her horse as the beast fell backwards. The sound of bones fracturing echoed. Stahl rushed too and dug his blade into the creature's back. The creature fell forward and collapsed on to the ground. "Ay!" Sully shouted. "Get Lissa in here!" As if by call, Sumia came in with Lissa behind her on a Pegasus. Once the Pegasus landed, Lissa jumped to the ground. Lissa's staff began to glow a bright white light.

"Here I am!" She shouted as she rushed towards Sully. Robin and Chrom exhaled slowly as the last Risen fell.

"Just in time," Robin huffed as sweat dripped from his chin.

"Getting tired already?" Chrom laughed as sweat soaked his shirt. "Maybe," He huffed, "you should spend more time training then with your face in a book."

"Sure," Robin chuckled, "As soon as you stop rushing into battle before we have a plan." Chrom rubbed the back of his neck.

"Ouch." Chrom grinned. The caravans slowly trickled in. "Off to Regna Ferox then?" Chrom stated.

"Yeah," Robin glanced over to see Sully's horse being helped up as Lissa used magic to mend its wounds. "Let's hope there isn't any other distractions." Robin loudly sighed.

"What do you mean we have to prove ourselves!" Chrom shouted. From Risen to this, Robin sighed, something hates us. Robin looked at the structure that stood before them. A large stone wall with one giant portcullis and two smaller doorways at opposite sides of the it. At the top of the wall, a woman in a thick set of armor stood.

"What I said was clear," the woman stated, "I am Raimi, head guard of this wall." Raimi glared at Robin, "We have been having attacks by Plegians dressed like Ylisseans. We cannot be certain if you are the real Shepherds we were told about." Robin gritted. So, it's me who they hate. Robin thought. Got it!

"Then how do we prove ourselves?" Chrom shouted. Raimi raised her arm up. Archer's appeared at the wall.

"Through battle," Raimi stated. Chrom reached for his blade.

"Certainly my blade is enough proof," Chrom stated. Robin glanced, "No other blade exists like it! Falchion is Naga's trust in my family!" Raimi remained unfazed.

"Then prove you can use it!" Raimi shouted as she brought done her arm. Arrows rained down at them. Robin slammed his hand together and created a barrier of wind around most of the shepherds. Chrom stepped outside of the barrier

"Then I'll show you," Chrom grew Falchion and prepared for the arrows. Robin tried to increase the side fo its barrier when Sumia grabbed Chrom by his collar. She pulled close enough to her Pegasus's saddle. Chrom pulled up onto it.

"I got you, Captain!" Sumia stated. Robin grinned.

"Nearly became a pincushion." Robin muttered. "Miriel, I'll need your help." Robin created a barrier of wind around the top of the wall. Miriel nodded and step next to Robin. The barrier doubled in size as the archers stood back. Raimi smiled.

"So it begins," Raimi walked towards the only gate into the fortress.

"Hey, can you guy's start moving," Robin shouted as he kept his hands up, "Don't know how long I can hold this barrier to stop the archers." Miriel grunted.

"I'd say the barrier's duration is 10 minutes to 20 minutes," Miriel stated, "Make haste." Robin chuckled.

"Don't be so generous, Miriel." Robin chuckled. The others nodded and rushed towards opposites of the fortress. Frederick followed Chrom and Sumi towards the left. Vaike, Virion, and Cherche rushed the right. "Too bad Stahl and Sully can't join in. That horse can't walk on cold snow with its wound still healing." Robin gritted his teeth.

"Hey, Brother!" Robin glanced towards Daraen and Reflet. "Well take it from here!" Reflect smiled. Daraen booked it right. Reflet went left. As she ran forward Reflet slammed into something. She rubbed her nose. "Stupid invisible wall!" She muttered. "Wait?" she noticed a large suit of armor in front of her. "Ah, ghost armor!" suddenly the suit of armor began to shake its arms.

"Wait, it's just me Kellam!" Kellam's face peered form under the suits thick plates. "I've been here the whole time." Reflet paused and began to laugh.

"I knew that!" She laughed. Note to self, Reflet scratched her chin, investigate magic properties of this Kellam's armor. Kellam sighed. "Onward then!" Reflet stated. She pulled Kellam forward. Kellam blinked twice as this small woman pulled him forward with ease. She burst in on to the battlefield. She slammed into one of the enemy warriors with an axe. She grabbed the axe and slammed it down on the warrior's leg. She hit his chin with her palm and kicked him in the chest. With that, she ripped the axe from the warrior's hand. The other warriors paused at Reflet. Chrom felt a sweat from on his head.

"What is she?" He muttered. Sumia shook her head. Reflet raised the axe.

"Onward!" Reflet stated, "disarm and hit them with the blunt edge." She rushed at another and slammed the flat face of the axe into the enemy's chest. The man went flying.

"Sounds like sister is having fun," Daraen grinned. The enemy soldier's laid unconscious on the floor or pinned against the wall. Daraen twisted the key around her finger. "Let's head out." Robin huffed as sweat poured down his face. The sweat drops sunk into the snow.

"How are you holding up?" Robin asked. Miriel grunted at him. Robin nodded. "I get it."

Raimi watched as both gates burst open. She readied herself as her soldiers were dispatched one after another. The archers quickly notched their arrows and shoot carefully but they slowly dropped their arrows and rushed at the shepherds with their arming swords. Daraen and Reflet rushed towards Raimi. She grinned.

"So, you wish to challenge me?" She stated, "Is the prince scared?" Daraen smiled as she flipped her bangs out her face.

"Not at all," Daraen grinned as she notched a few arrows. Reflet nodded.

"We just wanted to test something." Reflet rushed forward. She slammed down her stolen axe at Raimi. Raimi raised her shield at the attack. Raimi gasped as she felt her body being pushed backwards into the gate. Two arrows flung at her and clanked against her armor. The tips of the arrowheads shattered the chains hooking Raimi's pauldrons to her breastplate. Raimi felt her pauldrons shuffle on her shoulders. Daraen notched a single arrow and Reflet prepared to rush again.

"Do you surrender?" Daraen asked. Her purple eyes looked dart at her. Reflet nodded.

"How about we call off this charade?" Reflet stated. Raimi raised her arms up.

"It seems the charlatan was myself," Raimi said, "I surrender." Reflet ran up to the border of the wall.

"Robin, you can relax now!" The barrier of wind died down as Robin and Miriel collapsed. Robin huffed as he felt the cold snow between his fingers. He turned to Miriel whose hair was sticking to her neck.

"That was fun," Robin chuckled between breathes.

"I do not have the reserves to retort to that comment." Miriel mumbled. Robin chuckled.

"I get that." Robin got and waved at Reflet.

Robin was covered sweat. His short red hair soaked as drips of water. He patted his head with a towel given to him by Reflet. The cold air kissed his skin and drained out the warmth. The moon shone bright in the sky. The moonlight bathed the room in a lonely and mysterious haze. Raimi guided them towards a large open room. A large fireplace roared and its warm light clashed with the soft cold moonlight. A woman with her arms crossed grinned at them. Her skin was the rich tone of the earth. The warm light radiated off her.

"So, how did it go Raimi?" the woman smirked. Raimi kneeled to her.

"You were correct East-Khan Flavia." Raimi glanced towards the floor. "We were no match for them." Flavia nodded.

"Of course, they were." She scolded, "Look at them!" She pointed at them, "They are obviously well-armed and finely funded. They are not some poorly funded expendable group of mercenaries."

"Yes my Khan," Raimi walked out. Flavia placed her hand on her hips and walked up to Robin. She started at Robin's face.

"While I'll be," Robin gulped as Flavia's brown eyes were dissecting him. "You're here son, aren't you?" Flavia took a few steps back. Robin tilted his head.

"Pardon?" Robin asked. Flavia shook her head.

"That old hag didn't tell you about me?" Flavia scoffed. "We'll it's not important." Flavia crossed her arms. "I know why you're here." Flavia closed her eyes. "And I"ll help you." Chrom nodded.

"Thank you, East-Khan Flavia." Chrom bowed. Robin pulled him back up.

"There's a catch." Robin stated, "Right?" Chrom turned to Robin. Flavia nodded.

"You're as sharp as her too." Flavia smiled. "You really are your mother's little boy." She grinned widely. "Even wear her favorite coat." Robin stayed silent. "But yes, the catch is I do not have the authority to send help." Lissa squeezed between Robin and Chrom.

"What? But aren't you the big cheese?" Lissa asked. Flavia waved her off.

"Sort of," Flavia stated. "I have to share power. It's our way. So you'll fight for me and then I'll give you what you seek." Chrom was about to chime in, "No hon, there isn't any way around it." Flavia bellowed out at them. "It's either that our take your tails back to Ylisse. So? What'll it be?" Chrom walked up to Flavia and laid out his hand. "Smart boy." Flavia grinned.

Excuse me KHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! ahem

Enjoy!