Chapter 3
Robin covered his eyes from the bright light of the hundreds of burning candles hinged to the wall. I expected a crowd but not this. Robin thought. His face scrunched up as the smell of a thousand sweaty bodies hung in the air. The smell of old blood was stuck in the sand below their feet. Thousands of battles were fought in this arena. Robin jostled his belt. He felt the hilt of his blade. The silver steel was cold to the touch as the dull grey steel gyrated in its sheath as the crowd stomped the ground in excitement.
Robin looked over his shoulder to see the few shepherds he picked for the mission: Kellam, Vaike, Sumia, Frederick. Chrom stood beside Robin. He had a large smile plastered over his face. Robin rolled his neck around. From one setback to another, Robin thought. Robin grabbed his jaw. Maybe I should start praying. Robin sighed.
"Is everyone ready?" Robin turned to ask. They all nodded at him. Chrom placed his hand on Robin's shoulder and nodded at him.
"My friend," Chrom smiled. He shined his pearly whites at Robin, "This will be over quickly." Robin grabbed Chrom's shoulders with both hands.
"Our luck so far would say the contrary," Robin stated. Chrom chuckled. Robin's brow twitched. Robin moved around and loosened up. Robin felt his body ache from holding up that barrier.
"Okay, you know the plan right?" Robin winced as his muscles tensed, "Keep an eye out for stragglers and take them out." They all nodded at him, "and be ready to improvise." Robin tightened his belt and sighed, "Let's go!" The Shepherds began to walk into the main part of the arena. The great large circle bombarded by the heat and the light of a thousand tiny flames. Raimi watched from the entrance to the arena.
They walked into the center of the arena. The crashing sound of the audience's feet echoed throughout the stadium. The roar was deafening.
"Hold it!" Robin and Chrom flinched as Sully ran up to them with her face scrunched up from annoyance. She rushed forward. "I got a bone to pick with you!" Sully jabbed both men in the chest with her extended finger, "Why aren't Stahl and I in the lineup." Sully spat at the ground from her steed, "You of all people should be taking a rest," She poked Robin's chest twice. "Wouldn't two extra horsemen speed up the process? I bet we could outflank them easily!" Sully's lips pursed out as she spoke. She crossed her arms as leaned back on her horse. Chrom scratched his chin as he leaned on to his left foot.
Robin held up his hands. "You're absolutely right but,"
"Then why aren't we out there." Sully asked as Stahl appeared behind her looking quite sullen. Before Stahl could begin to talk, Sully covered his mouth. "Don't say anything Stahl."
"The main reason is safety," Robin said, "We need to stay close to each other. We can't keep pace with you on your horses." Robin crossed his arms. "And Sumia is here because Chrom believes she'll be more of an asset and won't overextend." Though honestly, Pegasus and wyverns are probably more likely to have that problem, Robin thought.
"I'm guessing Frederick is here for the same reason." Sully asked. Robin nodded. She scowled and nodded. "He's the chief an all so I guess I can't argue with that." Robin nodded.
"Unfortunately so," Robin chuckled, "If it was up to me he would probably say behind in all future battles. "Robin chuckled. Sully giggled.
"that ain't going to happen." Sully elbowed Robin. "He's head's as empty as Stahl's stomach."
"Uh guys," Chrom asked, "I'm right here." Sully raised her brow.
"I know." Sully turned around and left the area. Stahl followed behind her.
"Quite a spectacle," murmured Frederick to Robin as he trotted in place on his heavily armed horse.
"She just wants to help?" Robin muttered. The crowd's volume skyrocketed as the crowd began to stomp the ground with more force. Robin could see a bouncing Lissa shouting out towards Chrom from the stands. Robin smiled. Go team, he grinned. Robin felt a sweat form on his neck as Lissa began doing all sort of waving. She's still full of energy… Robin thought. Robin noticed she had roped in several Feroxians to cheer with her. How the hell did she do that?
Robin froze when he noticed most of them where men. Scratch that. Robin chuckled. Robin grinned when he noticed Stahl and Sully moved in with Lissa and her group. Sully's shouts alone drowned out the spectators around them. The combating sounds shattered across the air. Sumia calmed her white Pegasus by running her fingers through its snow-white mane.
On the other side, the enemy team came into view. Robin flinched at one figure.
"So anything noteworthy about our enemy?" Chrom asked. He firmly gripped the fine gilded hilt of his sword, Falchion. Robin bit his lip. He shook his head. Chrom shook Robin's shoulder. "What is it, Robin? Chrom asked. Robin examined the other warriors.
"couple things," Robin muttered, "Faster and lighter armored warriors upfront. The left flank seems to have bludgeoning weapons. They are probably aiming for Frederick or Kellam." Robin gritted his teeth, "But that's all easy to handle." Chrom glanced over and squinted his eyes. He flinched. "You see what I'm worried?" Chrom nodded.
"Shit," Chrom cursed, "I thought we'd be facing a swordsman named Lon'qu. Supposedly he's the West Khan's, Basilio's, premier warrior." Chrom muttered. Robin nodded. Chrom tightened his grip on Robin's shoulder.
"But something is bugging you, too." Robin asked. Chrom shifted his weight, his blue cloak twisting behind him.
"There tactics," Chrom sighed, "They remind me of the Ylissean guard's basic strategy." Chrom sighed. "Whoever is leading them is not native to Regna Ferox."
"So the question is who is this mysterious leader?" Robin chimed in.
"I got a guess," Chrom muttered, "But I'm not sure if my eyes or my memory is correct. Robin nodded.
"I know what you mean but," Robin stated. Both men saw the single odd warrior among them.
"Why is he here." Chrom growled. Robin shook his head.
I don't know but it's not important, Robin said. "we stick to the basic plan," Robin rubbed his chin. " Sumia will intercept those warriors with blunt weapons on the left flank. I'll have Frederick take Kellam to the center to guard our rear." Robin chuckled. "I'm assuming you'll be helping Sumia on with those warriors with the hammers. Spears are designed to counter weapons designed to crush." Robin exhaled.
"Vaike and I will play clean up. Frederick and Kellam should be able to slow down anyone attacking from the right. We just have to keep up our momentum especially if they are able to get passed Kellam and Frederick." Robin placed his hand on Chrom's shoulder. "Right" Robin turned to Chrom. His expression was more stern than usual. "Hello?" Robin asked. Chrom removed his sword from its sheath. "Chrom, what the hell are you doing?" He rushed passed Robin and ran towards the enemy team. He ignored most of the team except the one unit that perplexed both. Robin noticed that as soon as Chrom prepared to attack the unique stranger. The stranger mimic Chrom's movements. "Chrom!" Robin cursed out. Damn it! What is that idiot doing! Robin hissed.
The stranger and Chrom clashed with each other. Robin noticed they're weapons we nearly identical. Robin flinched. With every strike, they seemed to move like a moving river. Both the stranger and Robin and deep blue capes that flowed with the wind.
"The other soldiers are not moving. Should we advance?" Frederick asked Robin. Robin shook his head.
"This isn't about the battle" Robin whispered, "Chrom wants answers," Robin sighed. "I can't blame him for that." Robin turned to Frederick, "Do you get a good look at that individual who saved Lissa?" Frederick nodded. "And that person…" Frederick nodded
"I suppose or milord just wants to know who the miraculous stranger is and why he is doing here." Frederick nodded.
"That is a very good question," Robin sighed. Robin stared as the two blue haired warriors fought. "A stranger who appears in the nick of time while wielding such a similar blade." Robin cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck. "I'm sorry friend but we have more important things at hand then such questions. "Sumia!" Robin barked. Sumia quickly jumped on her Pegasus. "Get Chrom back here." Robin turned to Frederick and whispered to him. "I need you to ferry Kellam to the right flank as soon as the battle horn sound." Robin turned around to Vaike. "Vaike!" Robin turned to the grinning warrior as he laid his axe on his shoulder.
"Where do you need the Vaike!" he spouted as he smiled from ear to ear.
"Just do your thing. Got it." Robin grinned. Vaike patted his defined chest twice.
"Easy as pie, come on!" Vaike shouted. Robin counted the seconds as Sumia picked up Chrom from his battle with the stranger and bringing him back.
1
2
3
4
Robin gritted his teeth. A loud horn roared through the arena.
"Time to move!" Robin shouted. Vaike nodded and rushed forward. Frederick rushed with Kellam behind him on his horse passed the stranger. The Stranger didn't move as Frederik's armored horse caused a small dust storm around its gallop. Quickly, Robin slide into the dust cloud with Vaike right behind him. In a swift motion, Robin and Vaike slammed through weapons' pommel into the gut of the two large warriors, who guarded the stranger's left flank.
"Vaike remember only to-" Vaike waved at Robin as he slammed the dull edge of his axe into the face of one of the guards.
"Yeah! Yeah! Only to first's blood," Vaike dodged the other guard's strike and forced him to the ground by smacking his pommel into the guard's back. "The Vaike's got this." Robin turned to see the stranger jump at Vaike and him. Robin drew his sword to block the strike. Robin kicked the stranger's chest. Robin paused. Robin smiled.
"You saved Lissa from those undead monstrosities, the Risen." The stranger remained quiet. "Yet here you are, in some weird coincidence, blocking our path to get aid from Ferox."
"That's all it is. Chance. It is the strange hand of fate." The stranger said, "I just seek to do what I must to better my fate." Robin grinned.
"Aye, fate's a cruel mistress but we must pull on the strings of fate to guide our own sail" Robin straightened his back. Robin grinned as he wiped his nose with his right thumb, "But you know that coming to a princess's rescue from monster that arrive through a portal," Robin grinned, "That is not mere chance." Robin grinned, "What is the old saying." The stranger remained silent. "Heroes arrive always on time." He remained silent as he mirrored Robin's footwork. Robin slowly moved to the left. The stranger continued to match Robin's movements. Robin sparked lightning in his hand and blasted the ground. The stranger jumped away from the cloud of dust. Robin paused as Chrom rushed through the dust cloud towards the stranger. Robin grinned. All yours.
Chrom and the stranger's blade sparked as the grinded steel against steel.
"You still haven't answered me!" Chrom barked. "Why? Why are you standing in our way?" Chrom slammed Falchion into the ground. The stranger remained quiet. Chrom shifted his weight and rushed forward. "You cannot win this. Fate is on our side." The stranger grimaced as Chrom pushed the stranger further towards the back of the arena.
"Are you so sure of fate?" the stranger mused, "Are you sure fate is on your side? That you'll win?" the stranger sighed. "fate is cruel." Chrom huffed.
"I'm not certain of fate's intentions," Chrom said, "Even the mightiest of warriors fall to a many." Chrom tightened his grip on Falchion, "But my resolve will force fate to bend. I am the master of my destiny." The stranger stepped backwards. Chrom rushed at the stranger. The stranger's deflected Chrom's strikes. Chrom brought down Falchion quickly then slammed his shoulder into the stranger's body. Chrom rushed forward and stabbed forward. Falchion froze inches from the stranger's throat.
"It is over, Marth," Chrom stated. Robin flinched at the stranger's name. "Yield, we have won!" Chrom's voice echoed across the arena.
"Marth?" Robin questioned. Why does that name feel…? Robin noticed his tome glow lightly. Robin opened the tome. The pages flung open to a page. Marth, the Hero-King. Quite a legacy you are taking on, Robin smirked. The roar of the crowds slowly died down as the Shepherds traded the arena for the quiet of Flavia's palace.
Robin grabbed his head. His mind was clouded as his muscles ached. Robin felt his mind shift with his tired muscles. Robin closed his eyes. Flashes of blurry images hit him. Robin yawned.
Chrom chatted loudly with Sully and Stahl. Frederick stood silently next to his lord as he and the two-colored knights drank from cups filled with cold pale ale. Miriel and Lissa chatted over the proper treatments over Vaike's many strains from over exerting himself. Robin nursed a cup and drank in the warm liquid.
"Something a-miss, dear Robin," He looked up to see Virion. He flicked a strand of his shoulder length light-blue hair. "I'm right, no?" He gave his usual smile.
"Yes, take a seat." Robin motioned towards one of the wooden chairs around. The two men sat down and talked over the battle. "I have a question for you. Do you think if I give you certain details that you'll tell me who or what I'm describing?" Virion raised an eyebrow.
"I'm certain I can help but what is the purpose?" Virion grinned, "I don't wish to use my powers of perception for vile means."
"It's perfectly pure." Robin grinned. "I have a suspicion about a certain person and you," Robin smiled as he shook his head, "have a certain expertise in this field." Virion raised a brow at Robin. Robin leaned back in his chair. "I'll sweeten the deal. If you do this for me, I'll be your wingman tonight. We can chat up local women." Virion chuckled at Robin's offer.
"You have my attention!" Quickly, Robin relayed a few details and Virion eloquently answered. Virion nodded and smiled. He whispered into Robin's ear. Robin sat back in his chair. He rubbed his chin as he stared at the ground. "So, have I impressed you with my legendary prowess in the art of deduction?"
"Well, I cannot say. We'll have till we get confirmation," Robin muttered. Virion flinched as Robin nodded, "I think you're spot on though. It makes sense. But now I have a new question and that question is why. Why keep this inconsequential detail a secret?" Robin shrugged. "Maybe, time will tell me but until then." Robin got up from his chair and motioned for Virion to get up. "Come on then," Robin bowed to Virion, "A promise is a promise. Let's us go skirt chasing."
"My dear Robin, you cannot go around saying the art of wooing in such a harsh manner!" Virion protested, "It does the art no justice." Robin laughed and nodded.
"Very well." Robin raised his hands up, "Let us serenade dear maidens with our charm and honeyed words." Robin smiled. Virion chuckled.
"You, my friend," Virion placed his hand on Robin's shoulder, "Will prove quite a threat to any maidens' stone cold defenses." The two chuckled as they wandered out of town towards a Feroxian village heavily covered in snow.
So I must have been tired when I posted the previous chapter 3. I missed a whole section I rewrote and missed the entire arena part. Oops.
