Chapter 5a: War Preparation
"Chrom, if I might suggest," Robin said, leaning over the map in the center of the room and tracing his finger along a route that runs through the mountains along the border of Plegia. "We make the suggestion to the Royal Knights to station additional soldiers here."
"At Themis?" Chrom asked, perking up his right eye. "The dukedom has its own standing army. Any troop movement from the Royal forces will put the people on edge. Especially should there be word that it's on a border province."
"And we're reasonably at the cusp of war with Plegia," Robin responded. "It's better to be on edge and guarded, rather than being dead, is it not?" He asked before a hard jolt knocked him back and had his head strike the wooden frame of the cart in which they sat. "Gods, I'd say wooden frames are trying to kill me and put you out a tactician."
A laugh left Chrom's mouth as he too was jostled into the cart frame. A wooden game piece then rolled off the table. "Gods, damn this bumpy road. "
Robin laughed and then returned to a more serious expression, looking back at the map. "Themis is precariously placed on the border. Plegia would have an advantage there if they use their Wyverns." He said, pointing out the mountains, "Terrain would impede infantry movement, and the crags are perfect places for small camps for harrier squadrons. Pegasi are at a disadvantage in the skies against Wyverns: I'd fear an attack here, which may come all too soon, would not go in Ylisse's favor should Themis not receive a greater troop regimen."
"True, but if we move our troops there, then it's going to cause unrest for Themis's citizens. They'd be safer, but more aware of the danger," Chrom mulled over it, "There's no easy answer to this."
"That's how things are in war," Robin said, leaning back and opening a leather book that had several loose sheets of paper, all of which had notes and markings on them. He flipped through a few pages, "I believe we have a few steps we can take, but judging by the current, well… climate, I'd say full scale war is on the horizon."
"You say that, or?" Chrom paused, looking Robin in the eye.
"Are you suspecting me of something?" Robin cocked his eye. "That's Frederick's job. "
Chrom laughed and sat back, as another bump in the road sent the Prince tumbling to his side, at which Robin held onto the table and his book. "Of course," Chrom said, sitting back up. "I don't suspect you of anything, I do suspect this road and cart of attempted regicide though."
An awkward silence between the two persisted for a couple moments before both broke into a fit of laughter that ended once more with Robin resuming his serious face. "Look, here's a scenario: First Plegia strikes at a small village on the outskirts of Themis, " Robin said, placing a figure holding an axe on the map. "This is similar to the attack we saw at Southtown, Plegians, posing as bandits."
"Ok, go on…" Chrom drummed his fingers on the cart's table.
"As a response, Themis deploys what troops it currently has. Due to a lack, they cannot overcome this group entirely before they retreat." Robin said, placing a small piece of a staff bearing rider, on the map, and sliding the axe-figurine back. "They do damage on their retreat: pillage storehouses, set fires in the fields, and cause general havoc." He said, moving the piece back even further. "This forces Themis's current forces to respond by overextending: just enough to cross the border. At which point," Robin stopped, and placed three wyverns on the field, placed in a triangle, and then sliding both the axe and the troubadour forward, into the cup of the three dragons. "The Plegian regulars step in, defending the retreating 'bandits' and harrying the Themis forces, at this point, they have exactly what they want: a pretext for an all out war. They can take prisoners and make demands, or simply use the border crossing as a means of proof of aggression. Either way, the outcome is largely the same."
"And then we're back at war," Chrom nodded, "which isn't going to bode necessarily well for us."
"So, either way, we need to put to action a plan, any plan, to bolster Themis's defenses," Robin said, "if we can either deter the bandit-esque false flag operation with greater number at Themis, or simply stop them from making the escape into Plegian land, we can prevent an otherwise nearly inevitable escalation."
"And what do we do if we wind up at war?" Chrom looked down at the map, as Robin nodded, flipping through his book.
"Plegian forces are largely consistent of Wyvern riders, axe-wielders and dark mages. In this, we could feasibly attain an advantage, however it seems we're at a lack for what we could make use of," Robin sighed, "From what I've gathered, Ylissean forces outside the Shepherds are largely lance-users. Pegasus and Falcoknights, along with run of the mill soldiers as well as armor knights like Kellam; a composition that won't handle well. We need more Sword fighters: Myrmidons and Mercenaries, Cavaliers. Wind Mages and Archers to handle the Wyverns. I fear that in terms of Aerial forces in particular, we're at a severe disadvantage: wyverns will tear through our Pegasus Knights in the sky."
Chrom shook his head, "Unfortunately, that is true, but…"
"Look, I'm going to do everything in my power to make a miracle happen. But I fear that I'm a battlefield tactician, not a true grandmaster," Robin sighed, "it'd be best if we could stall out our time and avoid a direct war with Plegia as long as possible. Even with the boon we gain from the Feroxi, of course, in that, we do have something: our alliance forces Plegia into a two front war, should we be able to deflect and counterattack." He shook his head, "We could station the Shepherds in, but that would delay our reporting back to Ylisstol, and I'm sure you and Lissa would like stop at home, and I would fathom that if the Plegians are going to exploit that weakness, they'd not do so if our presence was in Themis, and even if they did, they'd do so more than once."
"On that, I agree," Chrom said, "I'll talk to Emm when we make our return. Though, I'd be sure Lissa would be quite happy with a trip to Themis."
"Why's that?" Robin asked, pausing for a moment, as he recalled that Maribelle was the daughter of Duke Themis, and Lissa and her were best friends. "Wait, it's Maribelle isn't it?"
"Yes. They're best friends, after all," Chrom said, a smile on his face.
"Ricken as well?" Robin added in, "He seemed quite fond of her as well."
"Of cour—OW!" Chrom said, only to again have the cart roll over something and wind up bashing his head on the wooden frame. "Someone burn this cart!"
"Don't say that, Frederick will actually do that," Robin said laughing.
"Oh, gods. He would," Chrom said with an abject look of horror, followed by a bout of laughter.
"That said, we're sure to be coming up on Southtown, shall we stop for the night or do we push on?" Robin asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"Yes, if only to get out of this infernal cart," Chrom said, leaning over and telling the cart driver to stop at the next town.
Southtown Outskirts
Sully walked up behind Lon'qu who stood in the middle of a clearing. His eyes were closed, and his blade was already drawn. The cleanly sliced log clearly showed his intention of being outside the town, when most had retired to the tavern, the inn or otherwise. "Those were some impressive moves on the battlefield the other day, Lon'qu," Sully said gruffly, with a smirk on her face.
Lon'qu shook his head and sheathed his sword. With a simple grunt, he promptly turned and began to walk away from her.
"Your fighting is so fluid," Sully said, following him, "yet so crisp. I'd love to see how well I stack up against you."
"I refuse," Lon'qu promptly said, without looking her in the eye.
Sully laughed, "Scared?"
"No, I simply have no interest in it," Lon'qu continued his solitary walk away from her.
"The damn hell that mean?!" Sully exclaimed, the confident irritation in her voice clear, "You think you've got me beat before we even start?"
Lon'qu shook his head, and silently took another step. Had he looked in her eyes, he'd have seen the rage building.
"You don't know a damn thing about me, especially not about how I fight," Sully said, her voice rising, "Not until we've crossed blades!"
"You are a woman," Lon'qu replied, his voice cold and lacking the flagrant irritation that Sully's was rife with. However, his words clearly hit a nerve in her.
"Oh that does it!" She practically yelled, spinning her lance and moving into a combat stance. "Draw. Draw and defend your life, punk!"
Lon'qu turned around, his hand inching close to his sword. "Stop."
"Make me!" Sully yelled, moving into action. She charged, thrusting her lance forward, "You think you're better than me because you're a man? Let's just see about that!" Her voice was clearly venomous.
Lon'qu tilted his head, and in an instant had drawn his weapon. He brought it up, deflecting her lance, and sweeping his leg out, sent the crimson armored knight into the dirt. As quickly as the fight had begun, it was over. "That would've hit me."
"It's a good thing for you that you parried then," Sully said, with a groan. Her lance had rolled out of her grip, and a bit of blood rolled from her lip as she lifted herself up from the ground, "Let's see if you're as quick next time." She said, as the sound of his footsteps signaled his departure.
Southtown, Market Area
"Hello!" An older woman with grayish green hair adorned with a large red bow, wearing a light brown dress and blue and white striped apron called out. Chrom looked over at the woman, whom was clearly a purveyor of baked goods.
"Hello to you as well!" Chrom waved, as Sumia tugged on his arm. He turned towards her, "Sumia..?"
"Let's stop here, that shop smells delicious!" she said, excitedly, and began moving in the direction of the other woman's shop, before she toppled over herself. "Ow..!"
"Sumia! Are you alright?" Chrom said, as he moved to lift her back to her feet. "Those boots?"
"Yes. I mean…" She said, dusting herself off with an annoyed look on her face. A nod from Chrom and a bit of mild groaning from as she shook her arms, lightly rubbing away at a scrape on her right forearm, preceded them walking up, hand –in-hand to the woman at the front of the shop.
"Hello, Sir," the woman said, looking at Chrom as he curiously looked past her, eying the shop, which had an assortment of pastries and cakes lined up for sale. A warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the slightest hint of cinnamon filled the air around the shop. "You look well today, Prince Chrom, who's the fine lady with you?"
"Oh-oh, I'm Sumia, Ma'am," Sumia said, blushing as the woman mentioned her.
"Nice to meet you two, my name is Kalla," she said, walking with Chrom and Sumia as they walked up to a table.
"Any recommendations?" Chrom asked as they sat down.
"Well, we're known for Rhubarb pie," Kalla responded.
"Oh, just like my mother used to make!" Sumia exclaimed, looking across the way.
"Gods, I hate Rhubarb, I think I'll pass," Chrom shook his head, "Anything with a little meat?"
"Yes, " Kalla said, eagerly looking back into the shop, "I'll be right back."
"Chrom, you work so hard," Sumia said, "I would bake for you myself were we not out on patrol."
"Oh, I think I'll have to try one of yours when we get back to the capital then" Chrom answered with a smile. "As long as it's not Rhubarb."
"I won't make any promises about that, but I know you'll love it" Sumia responded.
"Sounds like it might be blackmail again," Chrom laughed, "You know, you're something else, Sumia."
Southtown Outskirts
"…sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five…" Robin groaned, as his arms buckled and his body shook. His world was hazed in black, as he struggled to lift himself up. The added weights upon his back almost completely ensured that he wouldn't. His arms were still bent at ninety degrees, and sweat rolled down his face as he forced himself back up until his arms were straightened. If combat related injuries didn't make him want to pass out, Frederick's idea of physical training certainly did. "Gods above, that's sixty-five." Robin said, trying just to stay conscious.
"Not enough, Sir Robin." Frederick said, "Start over from zero and increase the weight."
"I feel dead." Robin said, breathing heavily, "And gods-be-damned, that's at least my own weight added to my back".
"I do hope you're exaggerating," Frederick said, "at least about the feeling dead part. Because very well you might actually be dead if this all you can handle."
"Says you, you've barely broken a sweat." Robin said, moving into a kneeling position and wiping away the sweat. "Just how do you build that kind of endurance?"
"Well, I wake early every morning to build the campfires, and scout ahead for each of our patrol routes and remove rocks. It would most an issue were one to turn an ankle on march." Frederick answered.
"Right. So, I owe for helping me stay in shape, so let me help with tomorrow." Robin answered as he took a long drink from his waterskin. "It'll be a breeze with my magic. Find a tree, hit it with a blast of lightning…"
"Instant forest fire." Frederick said coldly, but for a moment, Robin knew he saw an excited twinkle in his eyes.
"Well, I suppose that could happen." Robin shrugged.
"Just focus on the training, Robin." Frederick answered.
Robin groaned and dropped to a prone position as he felt Frederick again stacking the weights. It was going to be a long hour.
The Following Day
Ylisstol
"You know, Robin… it really hurts when you're right about some things." Chrom said, his voice almost shocked as he walked into the room that Robin had taken to while the meeting between Chrom, Emmeryn and a myriad of other members of the Ylissean court was taking place.
"What do you mean?" Robin looked up from the book he had buried his nose into.
"There was an attack on the outskirts of Themis. …the Duke's daughter, Maribelle has been taken captive by the Pleigans and they're demanding a parley with Emmeryn for terms of her release."
Author's Note: A battery of supports. Also a callout to another story of mine. I was thinking on including a scene involving Robin, Vaike and a few of the others, but I'm waiting until Chapter 8 to use that. Chapter 5 soon. Just gotta translate the moves into the story.