I seriously have to apologize for how late this is. I honestly had too much on my plate and couldn't get around to finishing this chapter (and playing some Fates also contributed) but there shouldn't be any more distractions from here on out. My goal is to release one chapter every week now and hopefully I'll be able to stick to it. Here is the late Chapter 4. I'll get Chapter 5 up as soon as I can.
"The camp isn't too far ahead!" Lucina pointed to a small area. "Mommy said that we would have stewed bear tonight!"
I hear a very quiet, yet audible "ugh" was heard from behind me. I didn't need to turn around to see who it came from, I could safely assume it was from the great knight Frederick himself. Knowing how he reacted when he was fed bear jerky a few years ago, there was no chance he could've gotten over his fears in only two years.
"Look uncle look! You can see the fire from here!"
I look ahead to see a dim orange light coming from a path ahead followed by a small trail of smoke. I also heard familiar voices ahead.
"Daddy!" an irritated voice came from my side, "it's not fair, Lucina is older than me too!"
Lucina was sitting atop my shoulders, happily swinging her feet while the only luxury Severa had was to hold my hand.
"Haha! It's you're fault for being too slow!" Lucina leaned back practically hanging upside-down on my shoulders making faces while pointing at Severa.
I could hear footsteps behind me suddenly speed up and a sudden "Ow ow ow ow ow!" followed. I lean my head back a bit to see Lissa pinching Lucina's cheeks.
"Don't be rude!"
"Uncle turn left! Turn left Robby!" Lucina shouts at me while simultaneously struggling. I comply and quickly turn my body to the left.
"OWOWOWOWOW! Turn right! Turn right!"
It's hard to believe she still had so much energy after singing and skipping along for nearly half an hour.
"I'm sorry you have to deal with her Robin." Chrom walks up beside me giving me a quick smile.
I quickly lean forward for Lucina to sit back up before Lissa can cause any further damage to her cheeks.
"Hey! That really hurt!" Lucina pouts, "if I was the Exalt right now, I would make you clean all the toilets in the castle!"
Lucina straightened herself up and crossed her arms, putting a big smirk on her face.
"Well then I'm glad you aren't an Exalt now!" Lissa quickly reaches up and once again, began pinching Lucina's cheek.
"OWOWOW! Cut it out Aunty!"
As we reached the clearing where the camp was, I could hear laughter and the sound of chatter behind a small wooden gate.
"Are you ready?" Chrom asks.
I feel nervous, but at the same time I feel excited, excited to see everyone again. Chrom takes a step into the camp, and an announcement from a soldier follows shortly after.
"The Exalt has returned!"
I could the silhouettes of many people approaching Chrom as Lissa and Frederick walked forward.
Chrom turns back to me, giving me a smile and announced, "everyone, we have a guest joining us today!"
I hear a familiar voice shout back "Did you find them half-dead in a field?"
A few awkward laughs follow and Chrom continued,
"You'd be surprised what you could find during a midday stroll, we have a very special guest."
He turns to me and extends his hand out to me. I lean forward and reach out to his hand but instead, "Woah woah woah!"
I lose my grip on Lucina and she slips off my shoulders landing face first to the ground in spectacular fashion.
"Ouch! What's your deal uncle Rob!?"
I awkwardly stumble into the camp and I quickly notice the camp that was so previously lively had suddenly gone quiet, not even the sound of breathing was heard. They all held their breaths, eyes widened and bodies frozen in place like stone.
A berserker with tanned skin broke the silence, "Is that, Robin?"
He dropped everything he was holding and slowly began to approach me with his eyes still locked into mine while slightly trembling, "Robin, is that you?"
I only needed to see his face to recognize who he was, "Hey Vaike, it's been awhile hasn't it?"
Before I could flash him a smile he grabbed onto me, wrapping me in his arms in an instant.
"The Vaike missed his best student ya know?"
I couldn't see the expression on his face but I knew he was holding in a few tears by the way he was shaking. He held me tightly, too tightly.
"Vaike? I think that's eno-!?"
"What did ya try and pull back there tryna be a hero huh!?"
He was holding me so tightly I struggled to breath.
"Tryna steal the spotlight from the Vaike?!"
I desperately began tapping his shoulder again and again but my vision was slowly being invaded by darkness.
"WAHHH! Don't make the Vaike worry like that again!"
I gasp for a last breathe of air and mutter, "Air! Need air!"
"WAHH!"
It's no use, Vaike was crying so loudly my words were drowned out.
"Thoron!"
A quick bolt of lightning suddenly hits Vaike in the back. The impact forces Vaike to release his powerful grip on me forcing me to tumble back, gasping for air.
"Out of the way!"
I can hear a female voice as it rushed through the cluster of soldiers.
"I have to see this for myself!"
The crowd of soldiers suddenly part and a short red-haired woman stood in front of me. She wore a dark hooded robe with Plegian patterns running down the arms and hood. It was similar to my own robes.
She covers her mouth with her hands as she spoke, "Could it really be?"
Her voice was shaky, more so than Vaike's was.
"Is it really you?"
As she slowly began to approach me I open my mouth to say, "You know, it's not a sound strategy letting me in here so easily. What if I was the enemy? I could call reinforcements now that I know your base is here."
She continues her approach and responds back, "I suppose, although these robes would make me look more shady wouldn't you agree? Besides, something in my gut tells me you're no enemy of mine."
Her eyes begin to water as her approach begins to speed up.
"A tactician ought to base her judgements on more than a gut feeling."
I look up smiling at her as she responds, "And how did you know I was a tactician?"
I pause before answering, "I have my ways."
She finally reaches me and standing before me, she responds, "You know who I am. And based on your concern from before, I can only surmise I'm someone you care about... Isn't that right?"
She jumps forward and quickly throws herself at me.
In an almost whimper like voice she calls out, "Father…"
I slowly begin to wrap my arms around her.
"It's good to see you again, Morgan."
