Robin
Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! I didn't mean to call Stahl 'cute'! I mean, yeah he is. By it just happened to slip out of dumb mouth.
I looked at Stahl who turned away, I can see his the side of his cheek. His cheek is crimson red, maybe it's because of my comment. Gods! I just made things awkward between us.
Stahl
I don't know what to say back to Robin. I didn't think that an average man like me could be 'cute'!
I can't stand being around Robin right now. My awkwardness might just her more. So I galloped ahead, catching up to Frederick and Virion.
Robin
I knew it. He totally dislikes me now! He basically left me as he rushed towards Frederick! I let out a huge sigh of stress, while I put up my hood. The weather seems to be getting colder, it's a good thing I have this thick coat of mine to heat me up.
Virion
"It appears that you my sire have experienced a sip of feeling is it?" Seeing that Stahl ran away from the lovely Tactician.
"Wh—a? No I didn't." As Stahl tried to resist.
"The Shepherds seems to be full of lovely, beautiful ladies. Well if you don't mind, I'll be taking lady Robin out for a date, if no one is brave to asks her out." I could already imagine either Sully or Robin wearing a sweet maid outfit.
*WHACK!* "Ow! What was that for, Stahl?" The olive haired man smacked me lightly with the flat side of his sword. I could see his face flushed, he's probably thinking what I was.
"Did you hit me on the thought of seeing lady Robin, wearing a maid outfit?" Hmm looks like that hit his spot, he can't shield his bright red blushes from me. All the sudden Stahl raises his sword once more, probably to hit me again.
"It was only a joke my dear sir!" Stahl was about to bring a power of his might.
"That's enough you two!" Frederick on front shouted, a little annoyed.
We both had to apologize and marched forwards
—Two Hours Later—
Lissa
"We've been marching for houuuuurs! My knees are weak, my arms are heavy and the snow is killing meeee!" I whined and whined while shivering from the breeze. I can hear Frederick laughing at the back as he enjoys the cool air.
"Brrr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing!" I can't even form my words properly because of the cold! I wanna go home!
"Achoo!... Uhh... I think I have a co—cold Frewbdrik!" I think I'm sick, I can cure myself with my staff, but my hands are frozen to properly cast a spell!
"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the frosty wind." I walked back until I was towered by Frederick's armored horse, it at least lowered the cold from the wind. From the distance I could see the mighty fortress with guards on station. "Oh finally! We can rest from this dumb weather and have some hot cocoa!" While I stayed close to Frederick's horse.
Robin
I took off my hood that sheltered my head warm from the snowy weather, so I could get a better look of the fortress. The fort seems to be well fortified, the walls can be seen stretched until it can no longer be seen over the horizon on the sides. I remember looking at the world map back at the barracks, with the border's wall separating the entire nation from the other's.
"So this is the fortress?"
"Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox. Chrom replies back stating my thought to be true about the walls length.
"The Khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners. Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy." Frederick added
Chrom
I let out a sigh as it made a warm cloud of breath. I hated the thought of doing politics as it isn't my best course. I had to do it, because I'm the prince of Ylisse and I'm representing the kingdom.
"Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best. Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse." I warned everyone, since every action that we make here will either help or destroy this entire relationship with Regna Ferox.
Chrom
Here we are at the opposite side of the bordering nation, the gate happens to be closed as we waited for it to open. On my right side, Frederick rushes in a hurry with an urgent matter at hand.
"Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobilizing." The great knight remains calm after spotting the current situation. The Shepherds and I turned out gaze to the top of the walls' guardrails. Multiple Feroxi soldiers lined up together in a band, are to the teeth with various weaponry.
"What?! Why?" They can't possibly be hostile to us! Are they?
"Who can say? But the Feroxi looked ready to let their arrows and javelins fly at a moment's notice. We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe. Perhaps we ought pool our supplies and select which Shepherds to command?"
"Loath as I am to trust her, Robin might offer some valuable insight in this sticky situation." Frederick gives Robin a sharp glare that sent daggers to her heart, making her turn a complete 190 degree from Frederick.
Why does it feel like he's going to murder? Can't I win his trust? Robin thought to herself.
As far as the bad blood between Robin and Frederick, he realizes that realistically we need our tactician's intellect.
I walked casually to Robin, comforting her from Frederick and talked to her. "Indeed, she IS our tactician, after all. So, Robin? What do you suggest?" As I spoke in a calming tone. Dammit Fred! Why can't you two just get along together?
Robin
I sharply surveyed the area from my position, both levels from top to mostly bottom, not leaving a single bit of detail behind.
"There's a line of troops stationed on three gates, the gigantic gate at middle is a no go, that's completely locked up. As for the two smaller ones, we could force our way there by splitting our group while keeping our strength equally." I tactically explained to everyone.
Chrom
Wow! Robin's good at this! I let out a small chuckle from the thought of it.
"Thank you Robin, I'll take it from." There's an armored female standing in the middle of her battalion on the top floor. She must be the leader of this guard post. I walked slowly, showing no intentions of being a threat to them until...
"Halt! Who goes there?!" Until she powerfully shouts her question at us, or me specifically.
"Peace. My name is Prince Chrom, in the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the Khans!" I tried to negotiate with her as I took another step forward, closing in on their wall.
*THUMP!*
"Gah!" I lost my breath there for a second. One of the soldiers threw a javelin far from my position, missing on purpose.
"That was a warning shot! Don't you dare take another step, my bold lad! I've lancers at the ready to rain hell upon you!"
"Hold, milady! We are not your enemy! Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest." Frederick now tries to calm down the tension, while lowering his weapon.
"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand scum!" The border's female leader spat venom in her voice towards Frederick.
"B-brigand? Now see here—" My retainer once again tries to reason, until he was cut off mid sentence.
"You think you are the first "Ylisseans" to try and cross our border? I have the authority to fell such imposters where they stand." Now she's done it, Frederick is about to burst a nerve and start barking like a guard dog. This is bad news. I was about to stop Frederick from speaking any further until I was already too late.
"How dare you! You are in the presence of Prince Chrom, the exalt's own blood!" Unleashed his series of barking anger at the Feroxi border guard stationed, who barely flinched.
"Ha! Yes, indeed—and I Raimi am the queen of Valm!" So this guard has the decency to mock me and spit at us with such sarcasm.
"You do realize impersonating royalty is a capital offense, yes?"
"Listen, I am not impersonating anyone. I AM A PRINCE!" I couldn't contain my bottled up emotions until now!
"ENOUGH! I've heard what is needed to be. Mmm... Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way. You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"
"Rgh... Emmeryn won't like this at all... Please, good lady! If you'd just listen—" I try to blow things down with one final effort to negotiate but was cut off by Raimi.
"I've heard quite enough! Soldiers raise your javelins and ATTACK!"
Robin
The tension got to hot and the Feroxi had begun their assault at Chrom! Soon a barrage of javelins were tossed together towards Chrom who was shocked in the surprise attack that he just stood still.
Oh no, no, no! I'm not going to make it in time! I quickly tried to cast a powerful wind spell to knock every projectile off the air, before landing on Chrom. But I was too slow and too late to save him... My heart sank and my breathing fastened as my eyes widened in fear.
*SWOOSH!*
A gushing blast of strong wind waves had passed me, right before my eyes Chrom disappeared.
"Impossible!" Raimi shouts as she stared at the sky. I shifted my sight to see that Sumia had luckily arrived on time and scooped up Chrom away from danger immediately. I felt relieved that he was safe, but my heart ached at the view as Chrom held Sumia's waist. It feels like that I am jealous of her... to have Chrom holding on to her.
No! Now is not the time to be thinking about this silly feelings inside me! I have a duty to fulfill first! "Frederick let's retreat about 20 meters away from the long ranged soldiers and gather every Shepherd up pronto!" I commanded him and surprisingly he followed my orders, we backed off and took a breather as we prepare to fight. Sumia had then landed her pegasus near us while Chrom dismounted.
Sumia
"Oh, Captain, I'm so relieved I made it in time." Good grief that this pegasus recovered rather quickly and caught up.
"That goes double for me, Sumia! And this—is this the same ornery pegasus we met on the road?!" My Captain is surprised that I managed to get this pegasus moving rather quickly.
"CHROM! Thank goodness you're safe!" Oh it's Robin, why's she in such a hurry to see Chrom?
"Oh, she's a sweetheart, isn't she? ...Once you really get to know her— huh!?" Before I knew it, Chrom had immediately left me and went to Robin, as the two and Frederick discuss their battle strategies... I didn't even get to tell him more about my story. I can't shake this feeling of jealousy whenever Robin gets too close to my Captain. Oh Chrom, what's so special with her?...
Robin
The Feroxi border guards are forming in a battle stance, some stayed behind the wall to guard the interior as the others exits into the exterior, waiting for us.
I took a glance at the Shepherds, thinking on who to use and which members to split up.
"Frederick if I may. We should diverse our squadron into two, each group will attack separate gates and we'll meet up in the middle. Cornering the enemy with a pincer attack, forcing them to surrender."
"Hmm. It would be wise to tell us Robin on who will be on each team. I for certain am able to lead the second group if you'll allow me." Frederick insist on commandeering the other group, which I agree. After all he's the sergeant of the Shepherds.
"Okay then it's settled! Chrom,Lissa and Virion! You're with me, as for the rest will be joining Frederick on the assault at the eastern gate."
Chrom
Robin is very impressive when it comes to strategizing our plan of attack, with her in our side; we will win this fight for sure!
"Just a reminder to everyone! We're here to make allies, not enemies! So do your best to injure them but do not kill them. Understood?" I let out my loud voice to remind them of our main purpose.
Thus the battle at the borderlands had begun. There were four units to the east guarding the eastern gate, I began my attack charging forwards into the first enemy. I unsheathed my Falchion and made a quick slash to the knee of the first Feroxi causing him to tremble in pain, dropping his sword I delivered an uppercut to his chin knocking him out. Lissa was an emergency medic in the back, who shouted moral support to us while we do all the fighting.
Robin to my right lights up a spark of thunder, ejecting a weakened version to two enemies stunning them for the rest of the fight. While Virion dispenses a volley of arrows into the last Feroxi guarding the gate, landing most of his shots into the limbs, putting the enemy out of commission.
We've reached the western gate, but the wooden door of it was locked! Damm if only we had someone strong to break this apart of a key! I punched the door in frustration.
"Umm I could break it for you Lord Chrom..."
A mysterious voice appeared out of thin air. But it sounded familiar?
"BWAAAH! Oh! I-is that you, Kellam? When did you arrive?" I turned around to see a gigantic armored figure, oh wait! It's just Kellam? How did he get here!? He almost gave me heart attack for an instance!
"The same time as you. I've been with you all along. Er, I AM still a Shepherd, right? It's quite the honor, after all. I'd hate to lose it. Sometimes I—" Poor man, he showed an expression of disappointment.
"Of course, Kellam. Forgive me. You're just so...quiet, I completely—"
"Quite all right, sir, quite all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss." Phew! At least he's not mad about any of us not noticing him.
"Hey Kellam, do you mind helping me break open this humongous wooded door? We need to get to their leader before the other group gets slaughtered without our support."
Kellam agreed to help me and on the count of three, we shoulder bashed the door forcing it to open. The two doors collapsed on top of two unsuspecting victims and crushed them underneath, making them unable to move. Kellam went ahead to fight the others with Virion while Robin accelerating at immense speed caught up to me.
"Chrom! I've been thinking about how you rode with Sumia earlier... Do our units always have to fight one-on-one?"
"Are you suggesting we pair up? That's an interesting thought... I admit, I'd resemble a pincushion right now if it weren't for Sumia and her mount."
"Exactly. By pairing up, units could lend each other added offense and defense... It might also allow quicker soldiers to ferry slower units great distances... Yes... Yes! I'm sure of it. This opens up all sorts of strategic possibilities! We should try it whenever the opportunity presents itself."
Robin's face filled up with excitement. Though I'm also in the same feeling, I'll finally get to spend time with her on the battlefield, and maybe it'll make our bonds stronger together.
Robin paired up with me while Kellam had already forged one with Virion as they fought together. Over the distance Frederick's team had managed to enter the eastern gate.
Now the Feroxi had nowhere to hide, nowhere to go, they're completely surrounded by us. In the middle was that Raimi girl, who talked trash and threatened us. Robin and I fought as one for this one.
"Let our battle sound out the truth of your words!" Raimi clanks her armor with the strength of her short-spear. I glanced one last time at Robin and gave her a nod. We attacked her in a handicap as Raimi stabs and jabs me with her spear while I easily blocked every hit.
Robin was beginning to cast another thunder spell but Raimi has other plans, she used her last resort and threw her own weapon at Robin. I parried the projectile off the air making the armored Feroxi gasps in disbelief.
"THUNDER!" A line of surge passes by me and hits Raimi, knocking her down for good.
"Then your claims were...true..." Raimi fell on her last knee, seeing this the remaining Feroxi dropped their weapons and surrendered.
—Post Battle—
Robin
"A thousand apologies, Prince Chrom. I truly took you for brigand impostors. But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you just have!" Raimi finally realized the reality of truth.
"I thank you for not killing any of my men, if you were really a band of brigands. You'd kill them on the spot, but as brigands. They'll be disorganized and easy to defeat." Raimi bows in apology.
"No need to apologize Raimi. We're just doing what we know it right." I completely forgave her as I show her a smile in my face.
"I will send word of your arrival to the capital and escort you there personally!"
"That would be most appreciated, thank you." Chrom appreciated her and she walks away to send word.
"Amazing. Her whole demeanor changed." I told Chrom.
"In Ferox, strength speaks louder than words. I should have known better than to overestimate the value of diplomacy here." Frederick points out. Which I agree to.
"So can we get going, Chrom? I'm still feeeeezing over here!" Lissa questions who was shaking her entire body, trying to warm herself up with the remaining heat she had left.
"Yes, it's not getting any warmer." Chrom replies and we soon went to enter Regna Ferox.