A/N: Thank you Xenkiv and Hiruma Musoka for the awesome betaing! Here is this week's art, Celestial Realms
You can see it on c2ii . deviantart . com or c2ii . tumblr . com
Not much to say this time! Happy reading!
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-~ [o] ~-
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"Do you hate Plegia?"
She was frail and delicate. Her short blond hair covered by white cloth. His mouth is slow to move as his mind plucks words with care. He rejects her accusation. His eyes waver as he speaks.
"There's no need for lies."
He was always a bad liar.
"Please don't hurt my friend, your highness."
The maiden pleaded. To her, he had taken away her family.
She's not Plegian he said. Not to him.
"Please take care of her."
They sent their farewells.
She was protecting them.
"I'm ready Chrom. Let's go."
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-~ [o] ~-
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In five days, they will be in Ferox territory. The tactician tallied their final progress on paper. They will focus on travel. Robin considers training a success. With funds and equipment rearrangement she admits they are well armed with manageable steel weaponry. Unlike her first encounter with Chrom, she no longer has to worry over the life or death with a single mistake.
A different sheet scribbled their failures. Exploration on the other had left much to be desired. Robin has yet to find her coveted tome. After Far Fort, the Shepherds did not have time to look for the Outer realms. She rolled the paper into a scroll and bound it with rope. The scroll is set aside for future attempts.
Tired, Robin leaned forward and blew out her candle. The Plegian clutched her robe close as she opened the tent flap and left the convoy. The wind was harsh further north. The pearl haired woman cannot say she appreciates the weather. There was a reason the theocracy often avoided Regna Ferox all together. Like her, they were unaccustomed to the cold.
And to think this is considered warm weather. Heavy snow has yet to fall. Robin scurried her way to warmth. Once inside the tactician quickly stripped her dirty coat. As fast as humanly possible she dived and wiggled into the blankets. Surely she will be an icicle before the Shepherds even meet the Khans. The tactician snuggled her pillows as though they were gigantic furry bunnies.
A mirth of laughter danced around her.
"You're back early."
Robin poked her head out of the fluffy cloud. Finding her target, she tackled him before he could dodge, not that he tried. The freezing girl latched on to him like a baby koala, attempting to absorb what measly heat the prince produced.
"The sun set two candles ago."
"Still early for you."
He returns her hug and she is delighted by the sensation of warmth. It was much too windy to keep a bonfire and as painful as it is to admit, it was not the best idea to start a flame in the prince's quarters. It seemed the tactician is not the only one with paperwork much to Chrom's dismay.
"It's cold, really really really cold at night. Are you happy now?"
"Hmmmm."
The lord did not share her issue with the climate. Camping in the woods was chilly but not to this extent. Robin desperately missed South Town. She missed when the sun was not a mere trinket hanging in the sky. It has been more than two months since she seen last saw Allene on their trip back to Ylisstol.
In fact, it was then she began sharing Chrom's tent for real.
Something changed the prince when they found that boy in Far Fort. She was not too surprised. It altered Lissa's view of the world as well. Such a scene would taint any soul.
The brunet boy ran away from camp the next day. Chrom dispatched half the Shepherd in search. Towards the east, they found a town of ashes. It was then she understood Gaius. There was nothing sweet about revenge. It only made the world bitter.
Chrom had not watched his home fall. The prince had seen fire but he has never watched houses turn to crisp. He did not know the meaning of true dread. Lissa never heard screams from a woman with melting skin. She never watched crying babes tossed into infernos.
Thievery was a crime. Murder must be punished. What was war but conflict between the armed? Even Frederick, as wary as he is, was too young to participate in the Naga Crusade.
But as the prince shift over a lump of ash to find a charred face, that day he learned of slaughter. In the wasteland, they found the boy dead. The child stabbed himself in the stomach. It was not a fatal wound by itself. He died in slowly in agony from blood loss.
The prince forced the thief to explain. It was not a happy truth Gaius told. The brigand killed a woman during their run in this town. The boy's father sought justice and his son followed. Before his death, the man cursed the Plegians. Grimleals burn in hell he screamed. Naga guides my soul.
And so the orange haired thief whisked the boy away before they showed the man what death was, rotting flesh, charred skin, and maggot filled organs. Staring into the ashes, it was the child that met death. No one was too young for war, too young for suffering.
It was not the answer Chrom wanted.
In another town a boy named Donnel offered to join. For the first time, the prince rejected a Ricken, the tactician could not change his decision. The lord told him to stay with his family and take care of his mother. There was much he could do without the Shepherds. And the Shepherds will have to make do without him.
But they'll be back she knows. To Chrom, something changes when a boy becomes a man. When he is older they will come back, because to the prince, Donnel was already a Shepherd.
Since then, fatigue plagued the Prince. Sleepless nights and tiring days dragged on. On their returning path to Ylisstol, Allene advised the Plegian to stay close to the prince. Robin didn't know what comfort she can offer. The maiden answered it was presence.
Sometimes people did not desire attention. Sometimes a person wished to know they were not alone. The world is a large placed filled with many people. There are people like Allene who would welcome others to her home in exchange for nothing. It was people like her that lightened Robin's world. And Robin could do the same.
This time the tactician acted upon the maiden's advice. One night she moved in and from then on, she stayed. Chrom did not gloat as she feared. Rather, he pretended there was nothing unusual. The game ended with no winner. The young woman concedes not all games need a victor; it was prize enough when he relaxed next to her. Robin knew the lord will not have nightmares tonight. One day Far Fort will no longer haunt him but as long as she is needed, Robin will stay.
"Did I ever tell you Allene got engaged?"
"Who…you mean the maiden?"
"She has a name Chrom!"
The prince did not share her enthusiasm for the maiden. In fact he leaned near distaste.
"I guess she missed having a freeloader about."
He laughed. She huffed.
"Not funny."
"Seriously?"
"Dead serious."
He pondered for a moment.
"She must be desperate for marriage"
"I can only imagine. I had only left for four months."
"Five months."
"Four and a half."
Robin whined.
The Shepherds are a month behind schedule. The court held back the prince's efforts, fearing an ally request may backfire. Should the Khans reject, Plegia may take this as an opportunity to attack. They argued it may as well be wasted effort that risked the royal's life. Either way, the prince somehow made his point. She made no effort to oppose good news. Robin sighed and snuggled closer to Chrom.
"I can't help remember a few months ago. This sleeping arrangement would have made you ill."
"Hush my human fireplace."
They laugh.
Chrom shifted away to meet her face. Robin grumbled at the sudden space. The man's deep shaded hair splayed upon the white sheets.
"Why mention her?"
"Huh? I thought you might want to know. Sumia pestered me about marriage today. I don't exactly have other examples to share."
His blue hair shifted as he looked away. Many of the girls began to gossip about romance and her sleeping arrangement no doubt fueled most conversations. But this had no impact on performance despite her previous fears. If anything, Lissa practically adopted her.
"Are you desperate for marriage too?"
Chrom was asking her? She snorts. As if the lord has not made that impossible for her.
His court all but accepted her as his mistress. They could care less who their prodigal prince beds as long as there was no child produced. Robin would not be surprised with an assassination attempt if that were the case. Whether there was an actual affair no longer matters. What everyone believed was beyond her control.
In any case, marriage was a forbidden topic. It was not her immediate concern. In fact it was never her concern the young woman repeated. She was neither courting nor courted.
"Why? Are you?"
Chrom is still weak to diversions.
"No. I suppose now is not the time."
Robin reattached herself to her heater. She was surprised Chrom has given this thought. But Chrom often seemed as though he was lost in politics. She had come to learn he is far from hopeless during their remedial lessons. Sometimes Robin doubts the lord was a shepherd, but rather a wolf in sheep's clothing, baiting her in before he sunk his teeth.
"I wonder when the time will be right," he asked.
Chrom still considered himself a weak diplomat. He believed his own impression enough to trick her as well. The prince is either a genius or clueless. Robin cannot decide on which.
"I think—" Her mouth voiced on its own.
She paused. Her brain slowed to a close halt. She approached an unknown destination.
"—I think peace is a good time."
"Peace" he repeated.
Robin hummed in reply. That's when there is no longer a need for tacticians or wars. It sounded unreal and so far away. The concept was the equivalent of catching spirits. Each time attained, like a ghost it slips through cracks of wounded hearts. She should just accept dying alone.
"Then we shall build a peaceful world."
"What?"
"We'll do it together."
Exalt Emmeryn for all her grace could not mend the rift between the halidom and her birth country. What a childish notion. The Plegian wanted to laugh, think him a fool like she once did. The best the humans can preserve is armistice, an endless circle of fighting and suffering fueled by pain and revenge. Even with nightmares of Far Fort and the boy, how can he still believe peace exist?
Instead, Robin could not help but smile, grinning madly as his insanity was infectious. Is this what the Shepherds saw when they saw their lord? What Ylisse saw in their Exalt? Was this the same emotion radiant from Lissa? Hope?
"Just you and me."
She answered. They shifted even closer.
"We'll make a peaceful world together."
Her eyes soaked in the light in his as her own, brightening her realm as the world turned dark. They held each other until dawn.
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-~ [o] ~-
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Arrows rained down upon Chrom. He emerged unscathed behind his shield as he called upon Aegis. General Raimi left no room for discussion. Her duty is to protect the Long Fort and thus far, her only visitors were brigands. As his tactician predicted, combat earned audience. His horse galloped next to Robin's preparing for the first move.
Stone walls penned the border between the halidom and the warrior realm. Fort Ferox stood tall and mighty amongst white sand that decorated the earth and sky.
Chrom and Robin surveyed the strong hold in advance. His tactician looked near and far for maps and design notes in Ylisstol's private Library. His father kept hidden record of his visits to Ferox in great detail in case there was ever threat from above. And for the first time, Chrom held praise for the once Exalt.
The day before, Robin drilled her plan from dawn to dusk. If combat initiate, there was no doubt Ferox dispatched an ample amount of troops to defend its gates. However, these units were spread apart upon the Shepherd's arrival. His tactician was certain these units will be easily disposed of. It did not matter how the skirmish occurred before the fort she explained, but once entered, it was a different game completely.
The fort could be entered through two large gates. The gate was designed to easily overwhelm invaders. More than three dozen Knights and swordsmen wait to welcome unprepared intruders. Should they attempt challenge every enemy, there is no doubt the Shepherds will be overpowered. The Prince is reminded the army is the livelihood of Ferox. They cannot afford to drag the skirmish too long without sacrifice.
Robin's tactic based itself on lightning. Attack quick, attack strong, overpower the first wave, and by keeping the momentum they can surprise the General like a well-aimed arrow. The battle will end once General Raimi cedes. The second Frederick opened the gate, Chrom and Robin will lead a direct assault on the woman. If executed correctly, they will defeat General Raimi in the next turn, ending the battle without unnecessary casualties to both sides.
However, this all changed when Robin looked to him wide eyed exclaiming the General was capable of counter. This came as a surprise as counter is rarely used by women. The user returns damage equal to the attack taken. This meant they must finish combat in as few strikes as possible. The lord shielded his tactician from arrows as she adjusted their plans.
"We're taking out the knights on the left first. Frederick, equip Orsin's hatchet. Draw the enemy units closer. I need you to stay barely within their range and force them to throw their spears. Everyone get in position to strike. Proceed as practiced."
As they wait, she assured him they need only be more cautious. They will discuss how to challenge Raimi when they have secured the gate.
In no time, the enemy knights came into reach. Chrom secured a path as Robin charged in leading the magic based units. Miriel sent fire support from behind. Lissa and Maribelle chanted wind spell one after another. With their combined efforts, Robin and Lissa managed to bring down two out of three of the knights. Maribelle led the second offense against the last knight. Dodging the Javelin, the wind magic struck its target.
When the physical wall fell. Robin signaled Sumia and Cordelia. With steel lances, the two dived in against the nearest archer. Too close to use his bow, the man was helpless against the Falcon Knights. Galeforce activated and the two pounce on to the next archer. Virion snipped the last swordsmen as Sully landed the last blow.
The troops from the further end of the field marched towards the Shepherds. They were two turns away from combat. They have ample time to prepare. Frederick waits by the gate with the key in hand.
"Chrom! Put away Eirika's Blade and bring out your rapier."
The replica sword was thin and light. It dealt less damage to armored units compared to the rapier however, it allowed for twice the speed hence doubling the success of Luna. Luna is an attack learned by great knights. The technique enables one to find the weak spot of the enemy's armor. Against a general with high defense, there was no other way to win and Chrom was not skilled enough to guarantee success with only two tries. The rapier is more effective against armored units in general but the day before Robin already calculated it would not be enough.
"It was you who advised me I cannot guarantee Luna if I use the rapier."
"You won't need to. I'll be leading."
Robin should know she was treading dangerous territory. It was Robin who drilled diplomacy. Chrom was the Captain of the Shepherds. The tactician advice the leader but it only made sense that is the Captain that negotiates. In any other struggle, it does not matter who lands the finishing blow, but this was a diplomatic gesture and he was here as the prince of Ylisse. So why teach what she does not practice?
"Robin. I am not afraid to lead the offense. You don't need to do this for my sake"
Her mouth twitched downward. What happened to the trusting his abilities? What happened to the training they pulled through together?
"It's not my intention to chide you Chrom."
She turned to him. He has not seen her like this since the day they met.
"General Raimi is capable of counter and she cannot use the skill if I lead from a distance."
In their journey thus far, this is the first time they have fought against counter. If anything, this was the first of many clashes to come. Ranged attacks such as magic and arrows prevent returning damage.
"She will use Luna and she will not miss. Her lance work trumps you in the weapon triangle. I fear with the addition of counter you will not…"
Had their assault on Raimi failed, Lissa and Maribelle would have finished what they started. In that case, failure did not mean death. But any fight could lead to death. He is unable to see the numbers Robin can but the lord knows there are lucky strikes that deal unsuspected damage that even his most confident swing could miss. But this is what every warrior endures, every knight and certainly every lord. To win, he is willing to take such risks.
"And what shall I do if I lose my tactician? To me, your life is equal to mine."
"I'll survive."
Her face showed no weakness. The Ferox guards marched steadily onwards. They were still one turn away. The wind blew harsher, white wind slashed between Robin and Chrom. His tactician did not hold the same vitality as him. That lucky strike he spoke of with the addition of Luna would kill her in one hit. She is a member of his army ready to risk her life with each battle. No unit would sacrifice the leader first. This argument he has lost. He is a hypocrite at its finest.
"Trust me as your tactician."
She dropped a tired smile.
"You will guard me as we've trained."
The wind calmed to an easy breeze. He nodded before pulling behind her dark horse.
"I trust you."
Frederick opened the gate.
Robin immediately flushed forward, releasing thunder against the closest barbarian. Chrom glided in from the side, knocking the enemy into the snow. Riding off the victory, black and white horses galloped side to side towards the decisive battle.
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-~ [o] ~-
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"Great Khan of the East, we are not here to invade your nation. I am Chrom, the crown prince of Ylisse."
Robin is pleased to know Chrom remembered at least some of her tutoring. It was important to remind the Khan they were powerful enough to overwhelm their first line of defense in less than three turns, even if it was more of an illusion than an actual dominance.
General Raimi introduced Khan Flavia who happened to be training away from the capital. The dark skinned woman was tall and extrudes authority with every step. Robin soaked in the power of the Khan as she outpaced her soldiers. She was a ruler that governed with might without any delicacy of Plegian proceedings. Perhaps brusque rule was better than deceitful play but was it superior to the reign of Exalt Emmeryn?
"You fight well Prince Chrom. Welcome to Regna Ferox. I know you're here about Plegia."
There is not much between Ylisse and Regna Ferox aside for their shared neighbor. Flavia skipped formalities, right to the topic at hand.
"I can't provide any troops for you."
"What? Why!?"
Lissa waved her arms frantically.
"You'll have to talk to that Oaf Basillo. He's the ruling Khan."
"But aren't you the Khan as well?"
Flavia grunted.
"Ferox is divided into the East and West Kingdom but only one rule. We host a tournament every few years to decide which. My champions lost a week ago."
The Plegian heard of such tradition but she can hardly imagine how strong the West Khan's champions were to defeat someone as strong as Raimi.
"His champions were able to best a General as powerful as Raimi?"
At this, Raimi muttered modest excuses and hid a blush. Flavia laughed as she patted the back of the short haired woman. The sound of metal to metal clattered the hall.
"No. Our champions are outsiders to prevent blood feuds."
Chrom cursed openly but the Khan appears to welcome the behavior. No doubt the prince begrudged his court for keeping them from arriving sooner. At least they could have some influence before the tournament.
"Then may I request an audience with the West Khan?"
Khan Flavia walked forward and nodded.
"Of course. Though I'll tell you right now he can't promise you much, Ferox loves a good fight but I see no reward to get between civil disputes."
"Civil disputes! Well I'll have you know-"
Lissa quickly shushed Maribelle by hold her hands over the noble's mouth. It's true the affairs between Ylisse and Plegia rarely end well for those who join in between. The taguel tribes nearly wiped out their own race.
"If Ferox are unwilling to aid Ylisse, will the same hold true for Plegia?"
Robin interrupted. Guaranteed neutrality is better than naught. The blond hero gave this a moment of thought.
"Not if they pay their weight in gold. I can't promise you that either."
This news sent Chrom's heart crashing in failure. But Robin felt her chest lighten immensely.
It seems Plegia has yet to offend the warrior realm, but at the same time they have yet to influence Ferox. By the state of affairs, she expected underhanded tactics to come into play to affect any possible ally of Ylisse. Food and water come and go with the weather but gold was something Plegia did not lack.
The lack of diplomatic efforts only meant internal affairs of Plegia dominated the theocracy more so than their tension with the halidom.
The Plegian saved this information in the pockets of her mind. She didn't know what reaction a show of weakness will receive. This may be the very reason the Mad King sends rounds of brigands over time; not too often but not enough to instigate a full war. It was a show of strength much like the strategy she used today.
Yet at the same time, the Plegian king could be acting upon his title of madness. Another Ylissean invasion is the perfect distraction to unsatisfied citizens. He would be sacrificing the lives of his people to retain the crown. Either way, Robin did not want her birth nation destroyed or her people to suffer.
"I'll send a message to the west. You can meet him tomorrow at Area Ferox. Better rest up. That Oaf will want a battle"
With that, the meeting ended. The servants led the Shepherds to their bed quarters for the night. As they retreated Robin stood behind Chrom. The two were led to the noble chambers.
Away from the Shepherds, his broad back slumped forward from exhaustion, physically and mentally. She has no doubt; one day Plegia will provoke Chrom to invade. One day, he will give in to pain and hurt as they hurt him. In every sense when that day comes, she will leave and he shall be her enemy.
But today, she risked her life for his. Today, she bled for his success.
Robin weaved her arms around him to guard him from cold. Today, she was by his side.
His arms returned the gesture to protect her.
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-~ [o] ~-
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"Do you hate Ylisse?"
Her pearl hair sprayed like spider webs next to his dark locks. Ivory arms lay over his heart.
"No."
She whispered.
"Not anymore."
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-~ [o] ~-
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A/N: You learn more from failure than success. As always reviews inspire me to write! So please! Even a small comment pushes faster updates! Also I'm currently doing sketches of scenes from Plegian Queen. Tell me what scene I should draw!
edit: In reply to a review, Robin is now sharing a tent with Chrom, (and bed due to Feroxian weather). Sorry if it wasn't clear enough! Robin does allude to what others think and what reality is are two different things. No worries, all the juicy development will happen on screen for my lovely readers!