Author's Notes: So this is the first of many (hopefully) chapters where the plot doesn't move forward at all. It's just a log of what's been happening to Robin and the Shepherds, which may contain a little bit of fluff from time to time. This is also an opportunity for me to show some (but probably not all) of the supports that have occurred as well.

Pretty short first one, because there hasn't been too much time that has passed, and also many of the shepherds haven't been introduced yet.

March 13th:

Chrom and Lissa suggested that I keep a journal of everything that has happened since I've lost my memory. At first, I didn't want to, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt that I should. Who knows? If I lost my memories once before, it could happen again. If that ever happens, it'd be nice to be able to read about what I was like. Maybe that could help with restoring my memories too. This is it for now, I'll be looking to add more pages in the future.

March 14th:

Today's my first full day as a shepherd. The day started off well, for most of us. Stahl was upset that he missed breakfast. Some of the more diligent shepherds (like Miriel) packed everything for the trip today last night. Others (like Vaike), hadn't even started yet. Because of that, I had some extra time to read after breakfast. I don't have much to pack, but I did find a really interesting novel in my room last night. "The Waltz of the Three Kingdoms". I'll bring it with me, in case I have some extra time. While we were waiting for everyone to get ready, I overheard Virion and Miriel talking about something, I believe it was fortune telling or something along those lines.

We just reached the the border of Regna Ferox. Along the way, we encountered a group of Risen on our way here. I was a little nervous, because it was the first time I was commanding so many people, but the shepherds follow directions very well, and we killed them off easily. Everyone is pretty tired now, and it's dark out so we're resting here for the night. That's fine by me, because I'll have a lot of extra time to read my book.

{Insert (Omniscient Point of View, not in the journal): March 14th}

It was just after everyone had completed breakfast. Virion was resting at one of the tables in the dining hall. He didn't need to pack, frankly, because he didn't have anything to pack. In a sense, he felt extremely lucky that the shepherds have essentially taken him in, because he honestly wouldn't have anywhere to go. Even though it's nowhere near as luxurious as his previous life, his belly's full and he has a place to rest his head at night. That was good enough for now.

Suddenly, a bespectacled female mage walked up to him. "You are Virion, I presume?" The archer looked up at her and smiled. "Ah… my sweet… Er… Miriel, was it? How can I be of service?"

"Well, to be concise, I would like to ask for a favor." Miriel continued.

Virion chuckled. "For you, milady, I'd walk to the ends of the earth and over hot coals in order to-" "I'm studying prognostication, and need you to further explain the art." she interrupted.

Virion was taken aback slightly. "Y-you mean, fortune telling? Well color me surprised! Do tell, why would you approach me for such things? Did someone tell you about my gift?"

"An excellent inquiry." Miriel conceded. "I was informed by the princess of our realm that your fortunes have an exceptional degree of accuracy. Even if they are mere shibboleth, one can acquire hope through such means. This is an area of study that can be acutely fruitful."

Virion paused for a moment, deep in thought. "Hmm. Well, if you say so. But I must tell you this... There's a lot more to fortune-telling than staring at entrails or poking at tea leaves! Please, my dear, I urge you reconsider this request. The path is long and difficult, and I do not wish to subject you to such an ordeal." he finally mustered.

Miriel sighed. "You claimed you would stride across hot coals for me. Was this a falsehood?" "Not a falsehood… but more of a rhetorical flourish!" Virion retorted.

Miriel sighed once again. "So you are refusing my request? How fascinating. I thought my femininity sufficient to ensnare your cooperation. Well then. If you will not proffer aid, would you at least tell my fortune?

Virion replied with a grin. "Now THAT, milady, can be more easily done! I'm more than a little flattered that you're interested.

He reached out his hand. "Allow me to take a look at your palm. Let's see what tomorrow has in store for you…"

Miriel frowned in response. "Must you hold onto my palm whilst you work? I would very much like to be able to take notes."

Virion proceeded to ignore the mage. "Hmm…." he began. "WATER! I see water! You are drenched in… hmm… be careful… something valuable… damaged by water…."

Miriel immediately regained her interest. "Water? You must be more specific. Do you refer to a river or stream? Perhaps rain? Condensation? Fog? Although technically in a gaseous form, fog is-"

"Milady, PLEASE!" Virion interrupted. A fortune is not a textbook! I saw water, and that is all. Where it comes from, I cannot say."

Miriel looked deep in though for a moment. "Such answers would be scoffed at out of any credible journal. But no matter. We shall see tomorrow if your augury bears fruit…"

And with that, the female mage walked away. Virion wiped a bead of sweat of his forehead. "Whew! That was a close one!" he muttered to himself.

March 15th:

Yesterday night, I was reading my book while everyone was sleeping I guess. Suddenly, Lissa came over, sat next to me and started leaning on my shoulder. I ended up reading to her, but she fell asleep. She does look pretty adorable when sleeping. I ended up going to her bedroll instead. She was right. The wind did make it pretty cold.

We made it to the capital of Regna Ferox today. After Chrom and Frederick explained to me what the khan was like, I swear I expected a large muscular man. Flavia was clearly not that. She explained the rules of a tourney that would allow her to regain full power if we won. I just finished spending the entire afternoon brainstorming strategies for the upcoming tourney. Chrom is calling me for dinner, so that's all for now.

March 16th:

We began to do some final training for the tournament tomorrow. We started with Frederick's Fanatical Fitness Hour, which I sincerely hope I never will have to do again. I felt like throwing up. I don't understand how Chrom is able to seem fine after a workout like that.

Afterwards, the rest of us began to practice in our own separate ways. I mainly practiced using magic, because I didn't want to have to use Naglrath against soldiers we don't have to kill. Chrom practiced his swordplay and ended up destroying some of the Feroxi training dummies. I saw Sully and Stahl go off towards the stables, probably to retrieve their horses for mounted training.

{Insert: March 16th}

Sully and Stahl had been sparring for about an hour in the large Feroxi training arena meant for fighters on horseback. The place empty because the Feroxi army does not have many cavaliers. That was fine by the two of them, because it gave them an opportunity to practice without any interruptions from outsiders.

"Whew! That was a pretty great training session!" Stahl exclaimed as he wiped his brow. "Thanks a lot Sully, I'm gonna go find a place to go wash up."

As he began to leave, Sully grabbed onto his shoulder. "Hey! Where do you think you're going? Are you giving up so soon? What a wimp!"

"W-wimp!?" Stahl protested. "I'm just taking Robin's advice. He said we shouldn't work too hard today!" "That's your excuse?" The crimson cavalier replied. "He meant it for those COMPETING tomorrow. For us, we can train until our guts spill out if we want to." Stahl laughed nervously. "Except, I DON'T want to spill my guts today. I just want to fill them."

Sully shook her head. "How can you call yourself a knight if you crap out so soon? The legendary knights that served Marth would never give up so easily." Stahl's eyes lit up. "Oh! You mean Cain and Abel right? I know that one! They're the 'Bull' and 'Panther' from the old stories!"

Sully nodded. "That's the type of strength we need in the shepherds. And that's the type of strength I aspire to have." Stahl shrugged. "Well sure, who wouldn't want to be like those heroes that people sing songs about? Except I don't think I have that in me. I'm more of a… mellow type." Sully laughed. "Then take that attitude over to the kitchen, ya damned scullery maid! I plan to run circles around those rusty old legends."

Stahl sighed in defeat. "You really are something else, Sully. But you're also right, I could afford to be a little more forceful in my training." "Damn right!" Sully grinned. "And I won't stop training until I'm built like the Bull!"

"Haha… I'm sure that you'll…" Stahl suddenly realized something. "Wait… you're the Bull in this scenario?" "You got a problem with that?" Sully retorted. "No, no! That's totally fine!" Stahl stammered as he held his hands up defensively. "So I guess I'm the Panther then, huh? Yeesh! I guess I have my work cut out for me."

"Exactly. Now the only way we become better is to keep working hard while other people are resting, ya understand?" Sully continued. "So quit your whining, and get back atop that horse, we aren't even halfway done yet!"

Stahl sighed once again. "Alright." he conceded. "Let's keep going." He got back on his horse and the pair continued to train.

March 17th:

Today is the day of the tournament. After breakfast, I took Chrom aside and asked him a question about why he took me in. I'm not quite sure why I did it, but I felt like I should remind Chrom to be more cautious. Looking back, it may not have been the best idea to bring it up before we fought against the West Khan's champions, but what's done is done.

We ended up winning the tourney extremely handily. We didn't lose a single person and defeated all nine of our opponents. I was a little bit concerned about the armored knight that Miriel melted, but from what the infirmary tells me, he'll make a full recovery in the matter of days. What's unique about the West Khan's champions is that the roster included the masked swordsman. I wonder who he really is.

After the tourney, we received help in the form of an alliance with Regna Ferox. The West Khan also contributed by giving us his old champion, Lon'qu. He seems extremely capable and I look forward to seeing what that guy is capable of. We are about to begin our trip back to Ylisstol. We'll be resting at the longfort again on our way back. That's it for now, everyone is getting ready to march.

{Insert: March 17th}

It was just after breakfast was served. Robin walked up to Chrom as the shepherds were all filing out of the dining room.

"Can I ask you something, Chrom?" he suddenly asked the prince of Ylisse. Chrom grinned. "Uh-oh, should I be nervous?"

"When you found me collapsed and without memory, why did you take me in?" Robin inquired. Chrom cocked his head. "Well... Because you were collapsed and without memory?" he replied.

"So it was out of pity then?" Robin asked. "Well, isn't that enough?" Chrom retorted. "Did you ever think about if it were some sort of trap?" Robin countered back. This only caused the prince to laugh. "Well, that's what I have Frederick for."

Robin sighed in exasperation. Before he could begin again, Chrom spoke. "Robin, if I see someone hurt or in need, I'm going to help them. That's just who I am, and there's no changing it." He grinned. "Or would you rather I'd left you there, face down in the muck?"

"N-no…" Robin began. "I'm thankful for what you did, truly. But it scares me all the same. Chivalry and longevity do not go often hand in hand.

Chrom laughed once again. "I wish I had a gold coin for every time I got this lecture." "I can only offer advice, I'm afraid. You really should be more careful in the future." Robin shrugged.

Chrom placed his hand on Robin's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but no. If it happened again today, I'd do the same exact thing."

"But-" Robin began. "Peace, Robin." Chrom interrupted. "I have heard your counsel, and I know you mean well. But as I said, this is who I am. I can't change that, nor would I want to."

Robin finally nodded. "I understand. If that is your decision, then so be it. Just do try and be careful, Chrom. For my peace of mind, if not your own?" "I will. I promise." Chrom agreed.

March 18th:

Today we made our way back towards Ylisstol. On our way, we ran into Donnel, a farmboy that lived in a village terrorized by bandits. We helped him eliminate the threat, and Donnel asked to be allowed to join the Shepherds. Chrom agreed. Frederick tells me that Donnel seems to have a lot of potential, and with good training, he'll become a formidable soldier. I look forward to what Donnel is able to accomplish.