A/N: Two months...two whole months it took me to finally write something.
Apologies to everyone who has been waiting on this. But I don't know what to say, it's been a roller coaster of emotional turmoil for me these last two months and I only now seem to be getting over it. Getting too heavy there. Other reasons include finally getting Fire Emblem Warriors and I've been grinding the hell out of it.
I've also been playing through Awakening again and have been having to fight thoughts of a Robin x Sumia story. If anyone wants to know the idea and is up to adopt it PM me about it since I really shouldn't increase my story load any more than it already is.
Next Reviews:
Prometheus Dark: I actually had a snack when I was writing that chapter. God it's been too long. I enjoyed writing that chapter, and I think that's also one of the reasons why some of the wind left my sails for so long. Chrom and Robin will certainly get into some misadventures of their own, but that probably won't be for a while yet I'm afraid. Oh and you know Lissa will pull out all the stops. And it means a lot when you say that, I honestly think that characterisation is one of my weak points but if I'm getting a character right then that's good enough for me.
TatsuiChiyo: Yeah it does suck not getting reviews but its up to the reader's whether or not they want to leave one. And thanks for the support and keep up the good work yourself.
EJ17: Thanks for the compliment and I'll try to become more consistent again.
Temporal King: Sadly this chapter didn't come quickly. Pranking Lissa will start soon...oh so soon. Mwahahahaha *cough* *cough* got something stuck in my throat there. But yes, I'm hoping to start grinding out chapters again after this one. The main problem as well is that all the next chapter's, including this one, have been a pain to write. Just like always, thanks for the idea's and all of the support you bring me.
Anyway, enough of me gassing. On with the chapter: *The chains need to be oiled again after so long.*
Chapter 5- Zero to Village Hero
They had left Regna Ferox as soon as the son rose. While some of the Shepherds were annoyed at the early start, this was mainly because a few of them were nursing hangovers.
Serves them right for drinking too much last night.
Luckily the afflicted didn't complain too much, probably because of the 'suggestion' Frederick made to her brother should they complain anymore. Said suggestion was a week of is training regimen. That shut them up quickly enough.
So far, they had been able to make it beyond the Southroad and were starting to get close to Ylisstol. Despite having only been away for a couple of days, Lissa couldn't help but have missed her home and friends. But what she missed most of all was her older sister.
Emmeryn had always been a beacon of light to her, whether as a sibling, the Exalt, a princess or being a lady. Her older sister was her mentor in every sense of the word.
Even more so was that Emmeryn was the closest thing she had to a mother. Her birth mother, the one she shared with her siblings, died giving birth to her. Her father waged a crusade against the very people now tormenting their borders and villages. He, too, died before she had even seen him.
Her first year was spent with a wet nurse, and while she had very few memories of the time, she held no love for the woman who fed her, and the nurse held no love for her. She was simply doing the job her country paid her to do because of her biology.
Then there was the thought that tortured her every time it rung in her head. Lissa subconsciously gazed towards her brother's bare shoulder. Upon it, stood proudly, was the symbol of his heritage, it was the symbol that Emmeryn also shared.
It was the mark that she lacked.
Every day when Lissa woke up she would stand in front of a mirror and check every part of her body, hoping and praying that today would be the day.
Every day she was met with disappointment.
Every day she would think that her brother and sister weren't her siblings. That she wasn't a princess.
That her mother had had an affair.
Lissa looked away from her brother's shoulder and shook her head. Now was not the time to be moping around. She should be excited, they had accomplished their mission and she was about to see Emmeryn again. That thought brought a small smile back to her face.
"HALP!"
The cry of a boy brought her out of her reverie with a squeak. She hoped no one heard her.
"PLEASE SIRS! YA GOTTA HELP ME!" The same voiced continued.
Running towards them was a teenage boy with purple hair and a bronze pot on his head. As he came closer, the panic on his face became more abundant. He was waving one arm as his right was holding a pitchfork over his shoulder.
From behind two grizzly barbarians came into view. The hulking men were waving their axes around in a display of fear, the pelts of animals they had slain adorned their backs and waists.
"Calm down and get behind us." Chrom quickly ordered the boy.
"Hehe, looks like we caught up to the little piggy." The first bandit chuckled.
"Not another step." The blue haired prince glared at the two men as they came to a stop.
"What you gonna-" The second bandit started. "Shepherds?!" He all but squealed after realising who they were.
"Let's get outta here, the kid ain't worth it." The first suggested fearfully.
His partner nodded in agreement and the pair quickly fled.
"Th-thank you your lordshipness." The boy smiled still regaining his breath. "I don't know wha' they woulda done if Ah hadn't found yah."
"Its no problem, but why were they chasing after you…?" Chrom asked, gesturing for the purple haired boy to answer.
"Donny, er Donnel that is, your lordliness." The villager answered.
"Is it fine if we drop the formalities? It makes me uncomfortable." Her brother winced.
Donnel looked taken aback for a second, probably having had it drilled into him to always act as formal as possible towards those who were above him. He smiled brightly afterwards, thankful that he didn't have to force himself.
"Thank you kindly your princel-oops." The purple haired boy thanked, before trying to correct his mistake.
"Its no bother Donnel. Now, can you tell me why those bandits were following you?" Chrom smiled, knowing it would be hard for Donnel to change what he had always been told.
"Oh right, them bandits are holding mah entire village hostage. Please, you gotta help me sirs and madams." Donnel pleaded.
"Of course, Donnel, we'd be more than glad to help." The blue haired prince nodded.
"Oh, thank yah sir, thank yah." The purple haired villager smiled with relief as he started walking back the way he came.
"Shepherds, we're going to be taking a small detour before we return to Ylisstol." Chrom announced to everyone.
"Milord, are you sure this is wise? Would it not be better to report to the Exalt first?" Frederick asked.
"News can wait Frederick, this is urgent. What kind of example would we be setting if we didn't help those in need." The prince answered.
"Yeah, Frederick. We can't turn him down." Lissa agreed, smiling as the great knight sighed in defeat.
"Very well. Though we best be quick." The brown haired man frowned.
Lissa couldn't believe how far the farmer boy ran. Adrenaline does wonders to the persons body when they are determined. It had been close to the sun setting when they had met Donnel, now as they seemed to be getting to where the villager had come from, the sun had long since set.
"Is this the place?" Robin asked.
"Yeah." Donnel asked, starting to shake a little.
They had seemed to be near some dilapidated ruins. Torches had been lit atop where walls were joined, illuminating some of the area. Lissa had to admit, it looked pretty spooky at night, especially with the forest next to the ruins.
"We'd best be careful, we don't know much about the area." The tactician explained. "Everyone pair up and divide into two groups. One group head into the ruins by the entrance closest to use, the other will head into the tree and look for a second entrance."
"Alright." Chrom agreed. "You ready to join us Donnel?"
"Wha?! Me?!" The farmer boy asked aghast.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed." The prince apologised.
"It's not that I don' wanna help. It's just ain't never stuck a pig before so…" Donnel explained.
"I understand. But if you want to help and get stronger, now is the perfect time." Chrom advised, as the prune haired boy nodded.
"Frederick would you be willing to help him, give him some advice and guide him?" Robin asked the great knight.
"While my job is to protect milord and milady I will accept your request Robin." The brown haired man answered with a bow as he helped the villager atop his horse.
"You ready to go Robin?" Lissa asked him.
"Actually Lissa, I want you to pair with Lon'qu." Robin answered.
"What? Why?" The cleric asked flabbergasted.
"I just feel as though he'll do a better job at guarding you." The white haired man answered honestly.
"But you did perfectly fine last time." Lissa argued.
"That's because the Feroxi weren't trying to kill us. These bandits will be, and I don't feel confident enough that I'll be able to do it myself." Robin sighed. "I understand what you must be thinking. I enjoyed our time yesterday, but Lon'qu will be able to defend you better than I ever could."
"He has his aversions to women though." The cleric pointed out.
"Lon'qu told me he's able to ignore when in the heat of battle." The tactician countered. "Listen Lissa, please. If something happens to you or Chrom, I don't know what I'd do. I'm asking all of you to follow my tactics, and that alone scares me."
"But…" Lissa tried to say, but Robin held a hand up.
"Please let me finish." The white-haired man stated. "Lissa you have to understand that the Shepherds are my family now. Losing any of you is a thought that goes through my mind any time I make a plan, and that goes doubly for you and Chrom. Both of you mean so much to me in such a small amount of time, and I can't bear the thought of failing either of you. So please, I'm not just asking, I'm begging you. Please partner with Lon'qu for this battle, at least until I can grow stronger."
The blonde cleric looked into her friend's eyes, looking for any sense of doubt or any tell that he was lying. But she couldn't find any, what she saw instead chilled her.
Lissa saw fear. True fear. The type you would see in a small child after they had woken up from a bone chilling nightmare. The tactician was scared that his skill wouldn't be enough under the gravest of situations.
That he was sending his friends…his Family. To their deaths.
The blonde turned away. She knew her friend suffered from extreme anxiety, yet she was trying to force him to get over it this soon. What kind of friend was she to make him do something he didn't want to do.
"Alright. But you have to make it up to me sometime." She pouted.
"I'll try my best to do that." Robin replied. "I already informed Lon'qu beforehand, he'll be waiting for you near the forest."
As Robin walked away, the princess couldn't help but noticed that he walked towards the sole pegasus knight of the Shepherds. Try as she might, the blonde cleric couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Sighing, Lissa did as the cloaked man had asked of her and walked towards the Feroxi swordsman. The dark haired man was stood waiting for her, his sword already drawn.
"Heya Lon'qu." She greeted as cheerfully as she could muster.
"Princess." He replied stoically.
"So, I guess I'm with you, huh." Lissa smiled holding her arms behind her back and clutching her staff.
"The tactician has asked me to keep you safe. I will honour that request." The myrmidon answered.
"Khan Basilio said you were really strong." The cleric added.
"In Ferox, strength is everything." Lon'qu replied. "Your tactician was smart asking me to protect you."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Lissa glared.
"Apologies. I was not insinuating that our tactician was weak. But rather that he saw me as a stronger man and asked of me what he thought he could not." The swordsman answered.
"Alight, but we best get moving. Don't wanna fall behind." The blonde relented, now wasn't the time for that.
"Very well. I have but one small request." Lon'qu said.
"Yeah?"
"Please may you keep at least arm length away from me at all times." The dark-haired man grimaced.
"Oh, yeah. Forgot about that." Lissa grinned sheepishly.
Just as Robin had thought, there was a second entrance into the ruins. While there had been some bandits in the trees, their numbers had been minimal and had been dispatched without much threat. However, what had been interesting, was that one of the men had had a peculiar key on his person.
"I wonder if that means that the bandits have some chests somewhere." Stahl commented.
The green haired cavalier, who was by himself for some reason. Which was odd considering Lissa was certain that there was an even number of Shepherds, and Virion had gone with the other group.
"There could be." A disembodied voice replied.
"GAH!" Lissa jumped, only now noticing the Giant Suit of ARMOUR! That was standing beside Stahl's horse. "KELLAM! How long have you been standing there?!"
"I've been here the whole time." The black haired man sighed sadly.
"Well why didn't you say anything?!" The blonde cleric argued.
"I said hello…I even waved." The armoured knight replied dejectedly. Lissa swore she could see the dark clouds pouring down on the poor man.
"Oh. I'm sorry Kellam. You just seem to blend in." Lissa admitted.
"It's alright. I'm used to it." Kellam smiled dismissively.
"Come on let's go! Teach wants to earn his tenure!" Vaike cried excitedly.
"I'm surprised you haven't lost your axe yet Vaike." The cleric chuckled.
"Ummm…" The blonde fighter hesitated, before raising his hand, his axe in hand.
"I don't see what's wrong." Stahl commented.
It was then that Vaike opened his palm, but even though he had removed his grip from his axe. The heavy weapon refused to drop from his hand.
"The ignoramus had once more misplaced his weapon. I seemed it fitting too follow through with the threat I had made him." His partner explained.
"I thought you were joking Miriel." Lissa exclaimed.
"I assure you that I never joke about anything." The spectacled mage replied.
"As loathe as I am to agree with the buffoon, but he is correct. We don't want to fall behind the other group." Lon'qu spoke up.
"Alright! Let's go find that treasure!" Lissa cheered marching into the ruins.
"Who died and made you queen?" Vaike commented.
"It's princess." The cleric shouted back.
Inside, the floor was littered with the bodies of dead bandits, the sounds of clashing steel echoed towards them. Ahead of them Chrom and Sully were attacking in tandem, weaving through each other's strikes and being an unstoppable combination.
Close to them Frederick was aiding Donnel the villager in taking down an archer. While she couldn't hear what the great knight was saying, she certain that he was criticising the boy's form every stab attempt he made as arrows bounced harmlessly off of his impenetrable armour.
Another archer was aiming skyward, but before he could fire an arrow found its new home inside the mans chest. Looking towards where she thought the arrow came from, the cleric spotted its shooter. The cyan haired Virion was bowing before no one, no doubt he was already stringing together tales that he would use to try to woo a poor tavern who was down on her luck.
The beating of wings drew her gaze skyward. Sumia and her new pegasus, the one that had helped rescue her brother, were soaring in the air. It was then that a ball of thunder flew from the side of the aerial horse before disappearing over the wall next to her. A wail of pain echoed afterwards, no doubt the subject of the magical strike.
"Impressive accuracy." Lon'qu commented.
"Then why does he think he isn't strong enough?" Lissa asked no one in particular.
"Perhaps his failure against the Risen has affected him more than we believed." Miriel speculated.
"But it wasn't that bad. I wasn't hurt." The cleric argued.
"While that is true. The outcome would have been much different had I not arrived when I had." The mage countered.
"I guess you're right." The blonde-haired girl answered.
"I believe that is why he has taken to the sky. The vantage point allows him to see what he couldn't before." The myrmidon added.
"We still have that key and the ruins split again ahead." Stahl commented.
"Then let's go left this time since we went right before." Lissa suggested.
Receiving unanimous nods, Lissa had Kellam enter the new first. His giant armour would be able to take a hit or two and she would be able to heal him afterwards.
"Intruders! They're here for our loot!" One bandit cried.
"There's too many. Someone needs to alert the bosses." Another shouted.
"It's the Shepherds! Oh, Naga I didn't sign up for this!" The first shouted again.
"Then get outta here and warn the bosses. I can see the princess among them." The second called to him.
"R-right." The first called fearfully.
"Someone stop that thief." Lissa ordered.
"He's too far away. We won't be able to catch him." Lon'qu replied.
"Stahl! Can't you get him?" She asked.
"He's already in the trees princess. They would only slow us down." The green clad man answered. "We'll have to tell Prince Chrom after this Lissa."
"Yeah. He's not gonna be pleased." The cleric answered sadly.
"You may be Shepherds. But that don't mean I ain't goin' down without a fi-GAH!" The bandit started, before crying out in pain.
"Monologuing doesn't suit a dead man." Lon'qu stated, pulling his blade out of the man's chest. Flicking it to remove the excess blood.
"Curse you." The man gargled. "T-the bosses…will have the girl's head." He finished ominously as he fell to the floor.
Lissa couldn't help but feel a shiver go down her spine at that. The dying man's words were spoken with such hatred, and not for the first time she feared for her life.
"We found a couple of chest's here princess, but one's already empty." Stahl spoke through the silence to ease the mood.
Nodding her reply, she moved over towards the mounted man. Indeed, there were two chest's but one was already open, it's loot far gone. The other remained closed, its treasure, hopefully, still inside.
"If you would do the honours." The green clad cavalier presented the key gentlemanly.
"Thanks." Lissa replied taking the golden key.
Kneeling down was a pain because of her crinoline. The metal cage that acted as her only form of armour forced her to awkwardly bend forward to open the chest. The ache she started to get as she raised its lid was annoying, but nothing a good night's rest won't fix.
Inside was a silver staff with a blue jewel at its head. Golden wings sprouted from the head around the jewel. As with all staffs, the gem that rested upon it held a symbol that signified its use. All clerics and soldiers that entered the healing field would have to study extensively to recognised which each symbol meant. This one's jewel housed a sea green target inside.
"It's a Rescue staff." The cleric commented. "These are really really rare."
"What does it do?" Vaike asked.
"A Rescue staff allows the wielder to channel their magic to anywhere within their line of sight and can be used to warp someone to their location." Miriel explained. "Should someone find themselves surrounded, a cleric would be able to save them from certain death."
Once again, the beating of wings descended upon the group. This time, the flying horse landed beside them. It's rider and passenger dismounting. As Sumia tended to her pegasus, rubbing its snout and feeding it a treat, Robin approached them with a smile on his face.
"The leader's been defeated, and the villagers rescued. Chrom's talking to them now and we may have another Shepherd to add to the ranks." The tactician explained.
"Awww, Teach wanted to do more." The blonde fighter complained before being smacked by the hilt of Lon'qu's sword.
"Be thankful that is all I will do." The swordsman whispered threateningly.
"Is everything alright?" Robin asked in concern.
"Not everything. One of the bandits got away." Lissa answered. "We overheard them saying that he was going to alert their leaders."
"That's not good at all. I'll tell Chrom about it." The silver haired man sighed, wiping a hand through his hair. "For now, we'll lead you to the village. It's too late to set up camp and the villagers are willing to let us stay in the inn free of charge."
"That's nice of them, and it'll be nice to sleep in a bed rather than in a tent." The cleric admitted.
Nodding in reply, Robin went back towards the pegasus knight and told her of the plan. Rather than mounting again, Sumia took the winged horse by the reins and started guiding her forwards. The tactician then took out a book that Lissa hadn't seen before and the pair then started up a discussion, probably about the book.
'Since when did they get so close?' Lissa thought to herself. She had never seen them interact before, so it was strange to her to see the tactician and the pink clad girl together.
Shaking her head, she took to following them. Lissa only now had realised just how tired she was. Her diary entry probably wouldn't be as long tonight, she was ready to drop off at any moment.
Dear Diary,
Well we didn't make it to Ylisstol today. A village boy by the name of Donnel asked us to help save his town and we couldn't abandon a citizen in need.
It wasn't too hard, but Robin didn't want to pair up with me this time. I really hope he can gain some confidence soon, he really deserves all the credit for what he's able to do. Instead I went with Lon'qu, this grumpy new swordsman who doesn't like woman. Can you believe it? It's like we all have cooties or something.
I don't know when it happened, but Robin also seemed to have found a friendship in Sumia too. She's the sole pegasus knight of the Shepherds, and she didn't have one until we made Regna Ferox. So, it was kind of awkward for her for a while. But they seem to get along, and I think they like books.
In a way it's kind of cute, since they both have confidence issues. Maybe the two of them will be able to help each other.
We also were able to find a new staff for me too. I hope we don't need to use too soon though, it's for emergency usage only.
Anyway, I'm tired so I'm going to sleep. We'll finally be home tomorrow. Let's just hope something doesn't make us leave so soon again.
Lissa
A/N: Love it, hate it, leave your thoughts in the reviews.
Oh what have I started now. When did Robin and Sumia start hanging out? Who are the bandit's bosses? When will Vaike not lose his weapon? Answers on postcard please.
Now, I wasn't too pleased with this chapter. It's taking far too long for me too write it too so again I must apologise for how short it is, especially in comparison to the last one. Just haven't had the same enthusiasm as of late, but I think its starting to come back. So, yay.
Anyway, as always, leave thoughts in the reviews and if anyone wants to hear the Robin x Sumia story, feel free to PM me and I'll tell you it if you think you can pull it off and I'll see all you guys again, next time.