As Robin entered the medical tent she was met with the sight of Chrom staring down his elder sister, much like with Gangrel Emmeryn was composed and held herself with that same unearthly elegance, Chrom meanwhile looked frustrated there was a definite tension in his stance but concern in his eyes. Corrin looked between the two before sighing "I don't agree with it either Chrom but… it's her choice"

"Gods… I know it's her choice…" The tension flowed out of the prince as he spoke "But I can't agree with it" He sighed heavily his eyes focused on the ground.

Robin took this seeming reprieve to speak up "What's this commotion about?" Her violet eyes looked to Corrin for an explanation as they always did although the dragon queen seemed far too exhausted to provide one, the tactician was thankful when Emmeryn spoke up.

"I have decided to return to the capital, my people need me now more than ever and this attack along with the loss of the border only serves to reinforce this course of action" She spoke with quiet conviction, Robin was envious of the her unyielding nature.

"Even so, we both know that Ylisstol will fall if Gangrel is serious about attacking, he has been amassing soldiers for Naga knows how many years" Chrom seemed calm but Robin could hear the fear in his voice.

"We need you too Em! It isn't fair… We need you as much as our people do…" Lissa seemed on the verge of tears as she spoke, although Emmeryn's eyes softened at her sisters request she remained unwavering.

"If the people discover I have left their side in a time of crisis then the fall of Ylisstol may be hastened by panic which could in turn lead to riots. This would cause more needless deaths, I will not have that be the way our home falls" Her resolution shocked Robin, with all the information the Tactician had to hand she knew this was certainly a death sentence, Ylisstol while sturdy was old given at most a week its walls would fall.

"There must be another-'' Chrom began speaking but his point was silenced by Emmeryn simply raising her hand.

"There is another reason for my decision, it is not simply one made with the people in mind but the very fate of the world" This statement caught the attention of all in the tent "I would entrust you with this, keep it safe and away from Gangrel's reach in Ferox" From within her robes Emmeryn produced the a golden Shield shaped object with a single gem embedded within it.

"The Fire Emblem…" Chrom spoke with quiet reverence before looking to his sister "I can't take this and leave you to face Plegia alone" again Emmeryn held up her hand silencing any further comments.

"I ask that you look at the bigger picture Chrom, no part of house Ylisse matters more than the Emblem, it possess a power unlike any other, too much blood has been shed over it as such I think it will find a more fitting guardian in you than me…" She spoke softly refusing to meet anyone's eye instead her gaze focused on the foot of the medical cot that Corrin currently occupied.

"Don't talk like that… You sound as though you've already given up…" Chrom sounded defeated as he spoke those words; however as he spoke Corrin opened one of her crimson eyes.

"She isn't giving up… she's giving all she's capable of...I think we owe it to her to give it our all too… no matter what is at the end of all of this" The pain was etched into her voice as she spoke, it told all present of her experiences "Think of it like this, the faster we get to Ferox the faster we return with more troops to help defend Ylisse" She closed her eye once more and exhaled.

Chrom sighed "Fine… Then we shall make haste to Ferox the moment that you begin returning to Ylisse Em" He seemed to have been swayed if only temporarily, Emmeryn nodded to both her brother and Corrin before turning to leave although she hesitated just a moment.

"Corrin… Robin… I would ask that you both do all within your power to protect and assist House Ylisse, its members and its lands…" There was none of the usual conviction in her voice, she was simply asking as an elder sister concerned about her family.

Robin nodded as Corrin opened a singular crimson eye once more "Have faith in us Emmeryn… Together we shan't lose" She gave a half-cocked smile in order to further reassure the Exalt, with that Emmeryn gathered up Philia and her soldiers before beginning the slow trek back to Ylisse.

The Shepherds remained in the pass for the rest of the day giving the healers time to tend to the worst of the wounded while those who could work did all they could to help prepare for the rest of the trek through the pass, the next day they began their own trek with Lucas and Cain forming the vanguard along with Cordelia, Sumia would have joined them if not for her injury, they made good time towards the North road.

As evening fell they made camp, Corrin had recovered enough to at least help with the lesser tasks which at least placated her, Robin with the help of Cordelia and Nico over saw everything. Both Robin and Nico were frankly terrified at Cordelia's proficiency at getting everything sorted by the time the two of them had gotten half way through their work Cordelia was already taking on additional tasks and offering advice to others on how to speed up what they were doing, still both of them couldn't help but notice the sadness in her eyes.

In the evening Robin once again found herself in the company of the shepherds scouts the group sat around a fire making simple conversation "I'm telling you that ain't how it would happen" Lucas's voice cut through the chatter.

"Oh? Then please enlighten me. How would a Boar like you be able to do it?" Sevaria's cold tone cut through the warmth of the fire.

"Captain…" Whisper gently shook Nico while holding her writing pad in front of him before sighing and opting to poke him in an attempt to get his attention.

"Brother please… This argument has been settled do not bring it up again" Cain looked exasperated and exhausted by whatever this topic was.

After a few more moments Nico's calm voice could be heard "Well… That may be true but why don't we let our Tactician decide? She would most certainly be a better judge than us" His smiled playfully at Robin who was desperately looking for an escape.

"Good idea Cap, hey Tac who do ya think would win in a fight? Me and my Wyvern or the witch?" Lucas turned his attention to Robin, his pale green eyes held an intensity that reminded her of Vaike.

"Yes Captain that's more than agreeable, Robin my dear please explain to this oaf who would win" Her tone started off kind but ended as harsh as her magic.

"Uh… Can I ask why?" Robin began frantically looking for a way out her eyes looking for anyone anything she could use to escape, she was thankful when she spotted Gaius.

"Well this Oaf-'' Sevaria began her icy tone sending shivers down Robin's spine.

"This Ice Queen-'' Lucas's voice dripped with distain which caused Robin to begin baking away.

"Ah… um… OH! Gaius! What was that? Chrom wants to see me for an important meeting? Well… you heard the man I better get going" Robin stood hastily and began making her way towards Gaius who stood there confused before she grabbed his arm and began dragging him away, much to Nico's amusement.

Once they had passed a certain point the orange haired thief spoke "Mind tellin me why you're draggin me through the camp? Not that I'm complainin…" His cool calm voice slowed Robins pace and the Tactician sighed.

"I'm sorry Gaius I needed to get away before I got dragged into what seemed to be an ongoing and never ending debate" She finally stopped and turned to face him her violet eyes meeting his grey ones.

"Ah it's fine but uh… A favour for a Favour seems fair play to me" The thief smirked as Robin paled slightly.

"What uh… What's the favour?" She was on edge, she trusted Gaius not to ask anything too shady but at the same time he had yet to truly give up on his ways.

"Simple I need you to get some more of that Candy from Lady Corrin, the last bags already nearly gone and its… really damned good" Gaius's tone became a hushed conspiratorial whisper his eyes told her he was serious.

"O-Okay that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I thought you were going to pull in on some hair-brained heist that would lead to some wacky situation, this is much easier" She smiled a look of relief on her face.

"I mean… I have a few half-baked heists but no hair brained ones today, I'll keep you in mind though" He smirked moving the lollipop stick in his mouth from one side to the other before turning "You know where to find me when it's done"

Robin chuckled slightly "Of course, I'll get it done as soon as possible" a few passing soldiers gave her some wary looks as they walked past but she simply ignored them happy to have an excuse to see Corrin.

After some time searching and asking questions she found the dragon queen just outside of the camp, Corrin was curled up asleep amongst the large roots of a towering oak tree her glasses sat at the very tip of her nose threatening to fall off with each gentle breath, laying just beneath her hand was a battered looking book with some deep grooves in the cover, it was untitled and judging by the quill that lay discarded nearby it was most likely a journal of sorts, Robin's eyes remained focused on it there was so much she could learn about Corrin from it but… it was still a violation of her privacy no matter how much it could tell her… that was all it took for her to very gently slip the book from under her hand, Gaius's favour could wait for a few minutes, she then sat around the side of tree just out of sight and began to read.

A/N: Sorry for the very delayed update there's been a lot going on but I refuse to give up on this