Chapter XIV: The First Diversion

The next day saw Caleb sat in the war council room with his mother. The pair were running a strategy simulation which to Robin's shock, Caleb was winning. Handily. Chrom had been watching the last fifteen minutes or so and had felt it wisest to simply watch. He knew Robin was fighting a losing battle based on the frown that had dominated her face for the last few minutes. It was interesting to see and yet Chrom was glad that the pair were working together. It would he hoped make the war easier to deal with and have Robin carry a lighter burden as a result.

Caleb paused as his mother lost her commander and she sighed, "I am glad that I taught you well." she smiled. Caleb couldn't help but smile too. Despite the fact that he was worried about her. He had hoped that she would have capitalised on his mistakes more than she had.

Maribelle fussed over Lucina and the young woman sighed. She didn't want to talk to her mother given that the blond had hated the thought that Lucina was married to Caleb. The bluenette only had to wonder what her reaction would be if she were to heavens forbid produce another heir for him or realise that the pair had Alana who was THEIR future child. Maribelle's words were ignored and Lucina tried instead to focus on what she was doing. Reading a book on the uses of healing staves seeing as she didn't want to read the romance novels that were in the room. Brady was with Cynthia helping her after the poor girl had a major spill and managed to sprain her ankle. He was always helping Cynthia out, Lucina noticed. She just wished that Caleb would hurry up and save her from her mother's ranting. She sighed and heard something about periods. Then she resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "I haven't had any since before I came back to the past." She shot out, absent mindedly and instantly regreted it. Maribelle let out a horrified gasp,

"What?!"

And Lucina sighed. It was going to be a LONG day in more ways then one. Her mother then ranted about seeing a healer about it and Lucina tuned it out. She didn't care. All of those in from the ruined future had been malnourished to the point that children were impossible and no one cared about it. All of them had not had the monthly blood since Lucina was fourteen, stress had been a factor but the damage that Grima had done was also another. They barely had anything to eat and had to fight for everything they had. Lucina had to admit the rations were a blessing. While others might have complained those that came from the ruined future most certainly did not.

Of course while Lucina was having to deal with her mother Noire sort out Caleb and Robin was surprised. Noire however didn't want to say what was wrong in front of Robin so Caleb offered to talk to her privately. He and Noire left Robin and a confused Chrom. They were out for a few minutes and then Caleb returned looking for the healing staves,

"Is Noire ok?" Robin asked,

"Just a stomach ache." Caleb replied mildly and Robin sighed. It was concerning that Caleb was the one that everyone of the future children chose to see with their problems, save for Lucina. However Robin was certain that there was more to it then that. Noire had looked like it was more than just a stomach ache. To Robin it looked like the poor girl was having cramps that one got when they had their period. Perhaps Caleb was having the grace not to say that in front of Chrom; 'Surprising,' Robin thought. Her son was a strange man that she would have to come to understand at some point.

Three months. That was how long it took the ships to arrive from Plegia fully stocked for the campaign ahead. In those three months Maribelle had little in the way of knowing her daughter's state of health. She appeared to be healthier than when she and the others had first joined the Shepherds but that was all Maribelle knew. She noticed that little Alana had another growth spurt and was surprised by the general increase of energy that the group of future children seemed to have that lead to more training. She watched as Caleb practiced with Brady on how to use tomes Laurent was presently busy with learning the ins and outs of swords from Lucina. She grit her teeth as it should have been HER that taught her son...not some Plegian ruffian that knew nothing about the Ylissean forms of magic and stances. She watched as Caleb calmly encouraged Brady and she felt a pang. This was Robin's son...not some Plegian ruffian she reminded herself and Robin would have trained him to be the best mage possible even if that were using the form of Plegian Mages and Dark Mages. She looked closer at the young man and sighed. She didn't know what to think. He seemed so uncivilized. And yet he seemed to be well educated. Very much unlike some who was a barbarian, he was poised and calm. She had never seen the boy lose his temper, not even once. He was the one that seemed to be the most responsible alongside Laurent and of course Lucina. Yet he came as a mystery. He seemed to carry himself well and yet like her son had a more...informal way of talking with people. He could stomach Vaike's lewdness; yet understand Virion's accent with ease. Hell he could talk every bit as formally as the Archer. Even so Maribelle was undecided as to what to feel about having a son-in-law that was Robin's son. She could see Robin, however; the calculating expression very much like hers. Maribelle sighed and remembered talking to the boy. He was reading a book which on the face of it he would not have been able to understand...should not have been able to understand and yet...he did. He knew what he was reading and had an understanding of the text. He even summerised it for her! Maribelle had thanked him but the shock had been there. She felt like she needed to talk to Lucina but her own daughter had taking to avoiding her lately. Maribelle sighed. She would work out the strange enigma that was Robin's son.

Caleb and Lucina had just settled Alana down when there was a knock on their door. Lucina was the one to answer it and Noire came in looking decidedly pale, "I'm so sorry to have to bother you both," the dark haired archer and Tharja's future daughter appologised, "I didn't realise that I was on...well...you know." and they did as little needed to be said about it. Caleb fetched the heal staff that he kept on hand for such things,

"It's no trouble Noire," Caleb replied, "Besides it's what friends are for."

"I am glad I have friends like you then," Noire smiled, "I'll have to clean up later." the archer nodded and Caleb spoke,

"We'll see about some supplies for you as well Noire."

"Thank you." Noire smiled weakly and left them to get herself bathed after Caleb had done what he could to take the edge off Noire's pain.

Three days later, Lucina hummed as she began her kitchen duty. Severa was with her. Lucina had been sore; uncomfortably so. She had not had cramping like it before so she decided that she would talk with Caleb later about it. Severa had gathered the ingredients that they needed and Lucina busied herself with the prep work. The arguement with Maribelle was still in the bluenette's mind. She couldn't believe that she was being told to leave Caleb. Lucina had protested against her mother's words and stormed out of the room; violin down in its case. She refused to talk to Maribelle after that. Besides Brady was the violinist in the family, not Lucina. She couldn't make it sound any good at all and and it sounded little better than a cat screaming. She had found that on the face of it, she was better at the piano, although she would never tell Maribelle that.

Severa sighed as Lucina diligently did all of the prep work and the red haired mercenary let her. Anyone with eyes in their head could see Lucina taking out her frustration on the food. Severa let her. She felt that the young woman needed it. She was shocked to find out that Lucina wasn't getting on with her mother, but Severa knew the feeling all the same. It was like that for her and Cordelia. The latter being so...perfect that Severa wanted to change her hair to the pale blue that was her father's. Owain had said that red was the colour of Severa's nobility and she (despite her misgivings) had kept it that way. Complete in two long pigtails that reached half way down her thighs.

The former Duchess of Rosanne started to cook the main meal when she felt a strange sensation between her legs. She ignored it and focused on the task at hand. It wasn't painful, just unpleasant.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Chrom had spoken with Maribelle and noticed that Lucina and the others that joined the Shepherds with her all seemed to sit together. They spoke softly and he found it difficult to read what was being said his best guess was that they were talking about private things, if Lucina's expression was anything to go by. Caleb was calm and it seemed that the group were tighter knit than Chrom had first thought. Robin came to them and they stopped only long enough to hear what she had to ask of them. Caleb said something to her and she nodded. Then she came to Chrom, "They sure like to stick together don't they?" Chrom asked his tactician,

"True," Robin replied, "apparently they need some supplies for some of the young women, although Caleb won't tell me which ones need it."

"I guess they are used to managing their own affairs," Chrom sighed, "it would and is likely one hell of an adjustment for them."

"You're very calm about this." Robin responded with a raised eyebrow,

"There is no point in stressing them over something like that," Chrom replied, then he added, "Just make sure there is enough for all of the young women." and Robin knew what he was talking about. She didn't need to have the words for what Chrom was asking of her. She would make the adjustment for the extra women they had in the army.

"I will," Robin promised and then she frowned, "I haven't see Tharja...do you know where she is?"

"With Gaius the last time I checked." Chrom said calmly and Robin sighed in response. She had feared the worst when Tharja's eyes had taken a gleam when she saw Caleb, but if she was with the ginger haired thief it would be fine.

Later that night Lucina heard a frantic knock on the door and she opened it to reveal a white-faced Severa, "Severa is everything alright?" Lucina asked her friend,

"No," the former Duchess winced, "there's damn blood in my platoons." she grumbled and Lucina frowned

"Have you had any sign of-"

"NO! I had no gods' damn warning." Severa snapped then she winced

"Do you need anything?" Lucina asked her,

Severa looked down, "Yeah." she mumbled and Lucina checked though what she had and pulled out some period supplies that Caleb had managed to get for them as discretely as possible from Anna. Of course Severa was the second young woman in as many weeks that had it start up again. With Severa taken care of, Lucina sighed and winced again as more pain cut through her lower body. She was getting less and less comfortable as the night wore on and she sighed. Caleb had yet to come back and Alana had gone to bed. She grimaced as the pain was followed by a less than pleasant sensation. She decided that she would go to have a bath when the door opened to reveal Caleb. He looked tired and she sighed, "Tough day love?"

"You could say that," he grimaced. "I had a chat with Noire and hers seems to have stopped for now."

"It looks like Severa's has started," Lucina disclosed, "she said she didn't get a warning that it was going to come."

"Hmm everyone is different I suppose," Caleb replied thoughtfully, "You holding up alright?" Caleb asked her,

Lucina sighed, "Not really." She admitted, "I think I've spent the entire afternoon cramping up and I feel...off."

"Maybe some rest will help," Caleb offered kindly, "I'll go and get the heal staff."

"Are you sure about that Caleb?" Lucina asked him,

"If you're not feeling right it should help." he replied and she sighed. She wasn't sure what was going on but it couldn't be good.

Caleb was woken with a frantic Lucina practically panicking and he groaned. All he got from her frantic whispers was that there was blood in their bed. Then he firmly gripped her shoulders, "Lucy," he croaked then he swallowed to try sounding less like a frog and more like himself, "It's going to be alright, I'll get you a warm bath and some clean clothes, will you need...?"

"I-I don't know..." Lucina panicked again and Caleb held her for a full minute,

"I'll get it for you." he reasured her. He moved then to prepare a bath and crossed pathes with his mother

"Something wrong?" She asked and Caleb replied,

"No, everything is fine Mother." and Robin frowned,

"I don't think so," she said and Caleb sighed, "look I won't ask much but at least let me help." she said and Caleb felt a chuckle,

"Thanks, but there isn't much that needs to be helped with."

"Alright then," Robin sighed then she looked serious, "How long have you had to watch over them?"

Caleb paused and Robin saw him look down, "S-since I was...uh...I was fourteen." Caleb said quietly as he filled the bucket for Lucina's bath, one that would require a few more buckets,

"I see." Robin said sadly and Caleb continued,

"We had precious few people that we could trust at that point," he used his fire magic to keep the bath warm while he fetched more water. Robin realising her son was filling the bath joined him in his task, "By that stage everyone was on the battle field fighting while we were being kept "safe", though it was hardly safety that we had."

Robin listened to Caleb's tale and learned a great deal. With the task done she left him thinking that the bath was for him.

With the bath ready he bought Lucina in to relax. She sat in the water as he cleaned their bedding. He'd got everything she needed and was about half of the way through what he needed to do to make her comfortable when he was met with none other than Maribelle. He knew that she didn't approve of him and he sighed. She stopped and Caleb would have kept going had she not spoken, "Oh, Caleb...you haven't seen Lucina have you?"

"No," the tactician responded calmly. He knew that Lucina didn't want to talk to Maribelle however he decided that he wouldn't be the one responsible for what happened between Lucina and her mother. He was going to stay out of it. Maribelle regarded him a while longer before she turned back the way she had come. He heaved a sigh of relief and ducked into the bathroom.

With the bleeding sorted Lucina was able to return to bed and know that there wouldn't be blood spilling on their bed.

Caleb was tired the next morning but he didn't make a fuss. They had ships to be packed into and work to do. Caleb spent his time with the Future Shepherds all getting ready for such a trip. They spent their time working out who would share their quarters with who as Owain recently married Severa in the same low key ceremony as Caleb and Lucina, the others also followed suit. It was hardly unheard of but the pairings surprised Caleb. Kjelle was with Yarne and Brady had chosen Cynthia. Noire and Laurent as well as Nah had as yet not paired up and they seemed content to sleep in their own cabins. Caleb and Lucina shared and Alana made sure that she was close to them.

Three days of sailing wasn't exactly comforting to Lucina. She was in agony still and Caleb had done what he could to ease it for her. Alana was worried for her but there was little the child could do. Lucina was glad that she wasn't getting seasick on top of the pain. Although the pain did make her feel like she wanted to be sick. Caleb was surprised when Maribelle had came to speak with him but he said little as he was more focused on the task at hand. Lucina did manage to join Caleb after a while. She might not have felt the best but at least she was out and about.

Chrom stood as the breeze carried them towards the Valmese and towards the beginning of the war. It was hard to believe that things were so peaceful. He noticed that Lucina seemed to join him and he smiled glad to see her and Caleb. It was odd that the pair were married but according to the "Roster" they were and Robin quietly informed him that there were more marriages since they'd left the port. He sighed and wondered if there was something that he was missing and sighed. He'd noticed that Lucina made a point to avoid Maribelle but there was little that he could do. He had to let the pair sort it out. In the meantime he met with Robin and Caleb to discuss what plans they could use against the Valmese. They had a few ideas but nothing solid. Caleb had gone to check on the mounts and Robin spoke to Chrom,

"Do you remember the simulation I ran with Caleb a few days ago Chrom?"

"Yes," the blue haired lord replied, "what about it?"

"Well," Robin began then sighed, "I gave Caleb the worst case possible against the Valmese and...he sacrificed half his fleet against the Valmese. I would never have thought to do it. He knew that we would have plenty of room for the remaning soldiers."

"What?!"Chrom gaped,

"He's a better tactician than I am," the Grandmaster replied. "Far better than I could gave anticipated." she said as Maribelle arrived. The young woman looked between Robin and Chrom and she asked what they meant.

Caleb having checked on the mounts of the Shepherds then went on to do inventory; dull but needed. He made a note of the supplies and then headed back to report to Robin. He didn't notice the quietness of the ship. He did notice that the breeze had stopped and he frowned. Something didn't feel right.