Shepherds

'Initially a project of the prince's own fancy, the Shepherds were quick to evolve from a simple gaggle of those mismatched and unfitting of other companies to the lead strike force and vanguard for the Ylissean army, not to mention Exalt Chrom's personal guard.' - A Brief History of Ylisse, Volume 8 of 12

Compared to the disaster they had endured, nothing else particularly noteworthy occurred as the Shepherds completed their trip to the capital. It was a stressful journey, keeping an eye open for any signs of further destruction, but it seemed that fate had some mercy to spare, qw Ylisstol and the surrounding region was spared.

Robin didn't even realize how close they were until they emerged from one of the valleys. The homes of light grey stone dotted the hillsides, sitting among farms which rolled over the countryside. The walls of Ylisstol, sheet white and adorned with the greens and blue of the city's heraldry, protected the urban heart which blossomed off of a tall, lightly forested ascent. In the skies above, massive creatures with unimaginable wingspans glided among the clouds.

Robin had to squint to properly tell what he was looking at, the bright sun and distance hiding the details. "Are those birds?"

"Pegasi," Chrom and Frederick answered simultaneously, eliciting an excited gasp from Robin, entranced at the chance to see a flying horse. "Ylisse's army fields the largest number of them out of any other nation, I do believe," the knight continued proudly, his eyes catching one of them reasonably close by, following it. "These would likely be 1st Wing's patrol. I'd hazard a guess that given the time of day it's either 3rd, 7th, or 11th Squadron's shift."

Lissa grumbled, "Frederick, how could you possibly know any of that?" Putting on her best impression of the stuffy lieutenant, she stomped around briefly, imitating his previous statement in her best deep voice. "Nobody wants to hear about stuff like that their first time in Ylisstol!"

Having failed to read her audience, however, Lissa turned to see Robin furiously questioning Frederick over the exact minutia of the pegasus knights' and their troop organization. Chrom smiled, affectionately mussing up his sister's hair while waving at one of the low-flying riders.

As they reached the city gates, a large bell chimed for the arrival of the prince and princess, and soon they were on approach to the palace flanked by a procession of decorated knights. At every opportunity Robin attempted to get a look at the city, though it was a challenge with the crowding around by the townsfolk. Not sure how much he enjoyed the direct attention, he drew up his coat's hood, letting it keep his face in shadow. Easy to do, given the high noon sun.

"Is it proper to allow someone like me into the palace?"

Chrom turned and raised his eyebrow with an incredulous smirk. "Did you forget that you're surrounded by royalty?" He saw Robin fumble around with a self-doubting response for a moment, before mercifully cutting him off again. "Our sister has made herself famous for her legendary involvement with the common folk. These honour guards are for her protection usually, as she makes her rounds to the orphanages, churches, and markets. It's how she inspires loyalty."

Frederick nodded. "The exalted Emmeryn decided very early on in her rule to cultivate her reputation and the people's loyalty through very different means than that of their father. Loyalty through kindness, rather than military zeal."

Robin nodded, more to himself than anybody else, as they began their ascent toward the palace grounds. He didn't even notice how much time actually passed after their arrival, too caught up in admiring the beautiful stonework of the statues and columns throughout the palace, or the gardens woven into every little bit of spare outdoor space. Between Chrom and Lissa privately speaking with their sister, a brief tour of the grounds from Frederick, and simply waiting around, several hours had indeed passed. A hot meal was at the forefront of his mind as Chrom and Lissa finally emerged from the throne room, a tall, extravagantly-dressed woman following them.

At the very instant Frederick could see her, he hurriedly kicked the back of Robin's leg, forcing him to kneel. He himself did the same. "Your Grace!"

Dainty, soft footsteps carried down the corridor as the exalt approached. "Stand, dear Frederick. Stand, friend." Her voice was smooth and smooth, and Robin could tell she was trying not to let any inflections slip through. The pair returned to their feet as she approached, and she offered them a smile as warm as the sunlight shining in through the palace windows. Upon her forehead was emblazoned the very same symbol that marked Chrom's shoulder, the Exalt's Brand, he called it. The sight of it caused Robin to fidget, pulling the glove on his right hand tighter.

"Your grace," Robin said, placing his hand on his chest and bowing forward a touch.

"You are Robin, I presume?"

"That I am," he said quietly. Though he seemed to have some grasp of proper etiquette, the exact details were foggy.

"Chrom tells me you were instrumental in saving Southtown, and at great risk to yourself, no less. So instrumental, in fact, he wishes to bring you into the Shepherds as a field strategist, if I'm not mistaken." She gave a polite nod. "On behalf of the people of Ylisse, let my voice speak for them in thanking you."

Robin shrunk a little, rubbing the back of his neck, "Oh, I'm not sure I'm the one which deserves such," the exalt's raised hand stopped him.

"And yet you are receiving praise regardless. Accept such blessings where you can, for every one of them is precious." Robin nodded in apology and allowed her to continue. "I am the Exalt Emmeryn, firstborn child of Mercury. And by the will of Chrom, I do hereby," she suddenly begins tapping Robin's shoulders gently with the head of her staff, "name you a knight of the Order of Shepherds. May your watchful eye keep safe the flock."

Robin's eyes went wide, and he turned to look at Chrom over Emmeryn's shoulder. "Knight?"

Chrom shrugged, a smug smile on his lips. "I figured you'd overthink it and start to refuse if I gave you any warning."

Robin frowned in shock and protest, standing straight again. He was considerably taller than Emmeryn was, he'd neglected to notice. Only managing to get the words "but I" out of his mouth before the crescent-moon head of the staff pressed into his chest.

"My word Chrom, you were right," the exalt chuckled, "have I been so blind to my people's problems that they truly don't understand kindness when they see it?" Her smile rose practically into her cheekbones. "You are to serve in the Shepherds. Thus, you serve Ylisse as a knight."

Robin sank back onto one knee, eyes toward Emmeryn's shoes. "I gladly accept this generous gift, your grace."

The nodded, her staff tapping Robin on the side to get him to stand up once again. "Splendid. That completes the inductions for the newest recruits, then."

Chrom nodded to Frederick, disappointment apparent on his face. "Sully brought us two others. Recruitment's not healthy anywhere, it seems."

Emmeryn stood tall, slowly and elegantly walking back towards the throne room. "It is a sign of peace, my dear brother. As I have said to your friend, accept such blessings where you find them." She leaned toward Chrom, both of their backs to the rest, and the exalt whispered, "I share your concern. We can speak of this at a later time."

The prince nodded, and stepped back toward Lissa. "If you would be so kind, sister. Robin ought to see his new accommodations, and perhaps meet the rest."

Perking up, Lissa stood on her toes and smiled. "Absolutely! Robin, let's take you to the Shepherds' Garrison."

The walk took another hour out of the day, Lissa taking the time to give Robin a good look at the city along their way to the Garrison. The large stonework bastion built into Ylisstol's west wall served as the home for the Shepherds, being part stable, armory, smithy, and barracks. The deep sky blue banner of the order hung everywhere it could, from the walls and flagpoles to the barding and surcoats.

A few faces poked themselves up from various bits of business as Lissa walked through the Garrison's halls, until they were approached by an imposing woman of tall stature and short hair. "Welcome home, princess," she said to Lissa, her voice deep and boyish. "This what you brought for us?" She asked while giving Robin a bit of a sizing up.

Lissa nodded. "That's right! Sully, I'd like you to meet Robin. He's going to be the Shepherd's new tactician. Robin, this is Sergeant Evangelina Sullivan," the full name caused the woman to wince and fight back a glare at the princess.

Shaking her head, her mess of short red hair getting even less kept, she narrowed her eyes at Robin. "It's Sully. If I ever hear otherwise your mouth will answer to my boot. We clear?"

Robin stood ramrod stiff, but not out of nervousness. He'd been assuming the posture of a military outfit since he'd walked inside, and at the question he simply nodded quickly. "Crystal clear, ma'am."

Sully gestured for the pair to follow, "good! I'll rally everybody so we can get introductions out of the way sooner rather than later." They reached a sizable hall, where two long tables were set up near a massive fireplace, which was currently roaring and roasting some large bird, as well boiling a heavy iron pot of some sort. Flanking the walls were several suits of armor, as well as assorted crates in varying conditions.

Sully pulled out a whistle very similar to the one hanging from Lissa's necklace, and let out a single shrill note, which reverberated loudly throughout the Garrison. "Shepherds attend, mess hall! Don't make me impatient!"

The man by the fire, a brawny fellow, had already spun around as he heard the trio approach, leaving the food to cook for the moment. "Afternoon Sully! What's with the Frederick impression?"

Sully narrowed her eyes. "Don't make me clock you, Vaike. You'll go from stirring pots to scrubbing them if that damn mouth of yours keeps going!"

The man called Vaike held up one finger, frowning. "Hold on Sully, I just need to say one other thing, it's important." There was a short pause and he let out a thunderous belch. Lissa's lip curled in disgust, and Sully's eye twitched a bit, but Robin couldn't help but smirk.

"I'll have your blonde head on a plate, Vaike," Sully threatened, and before long the room was starting to fill with people. Most of them looked like they belonged, barring Robin himself, a short brown haired youth probably no older than sixteen, and a well-dressed fellow with long, flowing hair.

Sully addressed the hall. "Some of you have been eager to meet our new recruits. Unfortunately, it seems as if enlistment has been down across the country, so we only have three." She walked over to the side where the long-haired gentleman and the teenager stood. "This here," she placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, "is Donnel. He's from Farfort, and cut his teeth fighting bandits with nothing but a sodding pitchfork and a pot for a helmet."

"You went as far as Farfort?" The question came from a man in green armor.

Sully shook her head. "I met with him at Stillford. He'd been looking to volunteer in the army. I got to him first," she threw her head back proudly, just as the well-dressed man stepped forward.

"You are lucky to have him, just as I, Virion, was fortunate enough to run into the lovely sergeant," he introduced himself loudly. "I could not simply sit by idle in the lonely walls of my villa as a noble organization such as yours was so in need."

Sully rolled her eyes as Virion spoke, and shoved him backwards towards the wall, speaking again to everyone present. "In short, yes, he is that annoying. No, he doesn't stop. The good news is that he's three times the shot Captain Chrom is with a bow."

"That may be the best compliment you've ever given me, my dear S-" he was immediately winded by Sully's gauntlet slapping into his gut hard enough to wind him.

Thoroughly amused by the banter, Robin folded his arms as the other recruits were given their introductions. Lissa smiled at him encouragingly as Sully turned to him. "This was the captain's catch. I wasn't given much detail about him. Lissa?"

Her feet kicked up on a crate from her seat, she shrugged her shoulders. "Robin can speak for himself, can't he?"

Both Sully and Robin shrugged for different reasons, but he didn't hesitate to step forward. His words were already carefully picked out as he began, regaling the last couple of weeks to the rest of the Shepherds, leaving out certain key details, such as the eruption on the road, his amnesiac state, his former life's involvement with the Grimleal, or that his swordplay was is its infancy.

"The captain," Sully followed up, "was apparently so impressed by his tactical ability that he'll serve as our field strategist. Wouldn't be my first call to let an unknown or a rookie call the shots, honestly, but those are our orders."

Lissa spoke up after that, "I don't think you'll be disappointed, Sully."

The sergeant shrugged and nodded. "Good enough for me! Vaike, I'm calling for an early meal to get everyone acquainted, can you manage that?"

Robin's eyes took a minute to settle on which one was Vaike, numerous names being thrown at him all at once, but he managed to single him out as he nodded and returned to the cooking pot.

"Are we all here or," Sully looked around, doing a quick head count. "Divinity damn him, did Kellam just decide to skip out on this or," she was interrupted as one of the suits of armor in the corner shifted and spoke up.

"I'm right here, sergeant. I was here when you came in," said a soft voice. Robin turned, and sure enough, an unassuming man stood unflinching in the imposing suit of armor trimmed with flecks of orange heraldry.

"Sarge is blind," came a voice that Robin could not pinpoint, and the room was suddenly happily laughing. Looking to Lissa, he suddenly decided to just allow himself to become overwhelmed with all the new names and faces, and immediately interjected himself into the revelry, exchanging names with a half-dozen more Shepherds in the next minute. He wore a smile on his face the entire time, more genuine fun than he'd had since he could remember.

The meal was late, burned, and undercooked in some places, but he didn't care. Robin was too busy memorizing names and facts. Miriel was impossible to understand, but he desperately wanted to ask her about history and magic both. Stahl, the other sergeant, was both professional and welcoming, in contrast to the rough Sully. Virion, while a bit of a fop, was incredibly friendly, if a shameless flirt.

The night went on and on, until, before he knew what had happened, Robin had awoken in an unfamiliar bedchamber with a headache, a dry mouth, and no memory of anything after a certain time. His panic was short lived, however, as he realized that it was not more supernatural amnesia to blame, but the foul alcohol on his breath.