The Shepherds installed their camp far from the road, so they would be safe from bandits during the night. Each tent was already prepared, and the teenagers were gathering in a bonfire that Laurent had made.
"Thank you very much for teaching me how to pitch a tent, Cynthia" said Morgan while sitting beside the mentioned girl.
"No problem" answered Cynthia. She was concentrated in tearing the petals of a flower that she was holding with her hands. Her face changed her expression from happy to sad with each petal she ripped apart.
The rest of the Shepherds were doing different things around the bonfire. Laurent was reading a book. Owain was cleaning his sword, and casually whispering things to it. Inigo, Severa, and Kjelle were eating fish, that they had fished some hours ago.
"What are you doing?" Morgan asked Cynthia with curiosity.
"Checking my fortune with this flower" she answered, but Morgan didn't understand. Then, she took the last petal of the flower "Yes! He is thinking about me!" she exclaimed with excitement.
"Who?" asked Morgan as excited as Cynthia was.
"My boyfriend" when Cynthia answered, she squeezed the flower stem against her heart.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" asked Morgan.
"Yes. He is the coolest guy in the whole world" said Cynthia.
"Really? I would like to meet him"
"Oh, you will meet him. He is a shepherd after all" commented Cynthia.
"I'm so excited. I can't wait to know all the Shepherds!" Morgan expressed with emotion.
"I can't believe that you have never went camping before, Morgan" spoke Inigo, joining the conversation.
"Well, I kind of had a busy childhood with no time for a family trip" Morgan answered, he was serious now.
"Hey, you haven't talked about your family" Cynthia noted.
Morgan got silence for a moment and just watched the fire. "I don't have a family anymore" he said, causing surprise in the rest of the Shepherds. Inigo and Cynthia remained silence. Kjelle, Severa, and Laurent paused their activities. Owain was the only one who wasn't paying attention to the conversation.
Morgan noticed the uncomfortable environment that he had created. "I'm sorry, I think that sounded terrible" he apologized.
"Don't worry" spoke Cynthia, then she placed her hand on Morgan's shoulder. "We are your family now" she told him.
"She is right" Inigo affirmed.
Morgan emitted a tiny laugh. "Thanks" he muttered.
"Tomorrow we will arrive at Ylisstol. Once there, we can help with your research" Inigo told Morgan.
"Are you conducting a research?" Laurent asked Morgan.
"Yes, it is about diseases" answered Morgan.
"Fascinating. I would like to help, but that is not my area" commented Laurent.
"Which is yours?" asked Morgan.
"My mother and I are interested in time traveling and alternative dimensions" answered Laurent.
"Wow, that sounds amazing" expressed Morgan.
"Indeed. We have the theory that in the world there are certain caves that can lead you to another dimensions. We retrieved evidence from old tales and people who affirm to have met people from other worlds" Laurent sounded eager when he explained that. Morgan realized that that was the most expressive he had seen Laurent since he met him.
And Laurent continued talking about his research with Morgan for one hour. Morgan was really interested in all that knowledge. He even imagined himself traveling to another dimensions. He thought in all the possibilities, like post-apocalyptic worlds, encountering a female version of himself, another world where he has a normal family and doesn't have to run away from his past.
Soon, everyone got tired and entered their own tents.
Morgan was ready to sleep, but before doing that, he picked up the sorcerer's diary and stared to read it where he left. Last night he hadn't had the time to do it.
"Everything started two months ago. I have been feeling pain in my neck, specifically on the vessel's mark" Morgan read.
"Vessel's mark?" he questioned himself. Then he looked at his right hand, that was covered by his black glove.
"I don't know what that means. My sister didn't have this problem with her mark. And I don't want to ask for help, the people of the village may get scared, and they already fear me. During the night I have nightmares. I dream that I'm in completely darkness and suddenly six purple eyes appear and stare at me. I'm so scared, I don't want to die like my sister."
Morgan couldn't keep reading because his eyes were tired. So, he closed the book and tried to sleep. But even with his eyes closed, he was still thinking about everything, the Shepherds, his mother, his father, and the diary.
At the next morning, the Shepherds packed everything and continued their trip. They arrived to Ylisstol by midday.
As soon as they entered the city, some guards recognized them. One of the guards was immediately sent to the castle to announce the Shepherds' arrival.
As they walked through the city, Morgan was dashed by the beauty of the streets. He realized that it was as beautiful as Cynthia described it to him. He noticed another thing, people were staring at them and whispering things. He started to get uncomfortable, he could swear that they were staring specifically at him. "But that would be impossible" he thought.
Morgan would have liked to explore the city, but Inigo and Owain wanted to go straight to the castle. Kjelle, Cynthia, and Laurent separated from the others before reaching their destination, they preferred to see their parents first.
In no time, the four remaining Shepherds arrived to the castle. Ylisstol Castle was huge and mesmerizing. Morgan couldn't believe that he was actually going to be there. They crossed the main gate without problems. The first thing that Morgan saw was the beautiful and extensive garden. It had bushes in all kinds of form, elegant fountains, and historical statues.
They walked towards the entrance of the main building. In the doors two persons, and some guards, were waiting for them. One was a girl, who looked just a bit older than the Shepherds. She had long blue hair and were wearing a fancy blue dress. In the girl's head was a golden tiara. The other person was a man. He was tall and had a serious expression. His hair was brown and he was wearing a white shirt with a brown vest, and brown trousers.
As soon as the Shepherds got close, the girl approached Inigo and Owain.
"Thanks Naga you arrived safe" expressed the girl while she embraced Owain and Inigo.
"Glad to see you Luci" Inigo greeted her.
"We faced many obstacles, but we returned with success" said Owain with his epic tune.
When the girl released the princes, she addressed Severa.
"Thank you very much for taking care of them, Severa" the girl told her.
"It was an honor, princess Lucina" answered Severa.
"Lucina… she is my sister" Morgan thought. He couldn't stop looking at her. He even found something curious in her left eye.
Lucina realized that she was being watched. "Em… Inigo. Aren't you going to introduce us?" Lucina asked his brother.
"Oh, that's right" muttered Inigo. "Morgan, let me present you my older sister Lucina, princess of Ylisse, and the heiress to the throne."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady" Morgan said with nervous, he even bowed before Lucina.
Inigo laughed "Morgan, you don't have to be so formal with her."
"Don't bother him" Lucina scolded her brother. "So, what brought you here?" she asked Morgan.
"I'm the new tactician of the Shepherds" Morgan answered.
"Oh, that's great. That could really serve the Shepherds" Lucina mentioned.
"You should have seen him, Luci. You see, we were in this village and there…" Inigo started to tell their adventure to Lucina.
While the royalty was talking to Morgan. Severa approached the man in brown clothes.
"Father" she addressed him when they were face to face.
"Severa" he looked at her, and then gave her a hug. "I have missed you so much" he whispered.
"I missed you too, daddy" she whispered back. Then, they separated.
Severa's father was Frederick, the king's retainer. He usually was serious, but he had his tiny soft moments with his family.
"How was your trip?" Frederick asked Severa.
"Fine, I guess. I had a complication" Severa answered.
"What kind of complication?" Frederick asked.
"The 'my lord hired a suspicious tactician that he just met' type" Severa replied a little irritated.
"I see. Is that guy?" Frederick asked while looking at Morgan speak with the royalty.
"Yes" Severa didn't sound happy.
"Do you know where he got that robe?"
"No, he barely spoke about himself. Why?"
"Because I recognize that robe, and I know the king will recognize it too. I think that guy brought bad news with him."
"Prince Inigo, prince Owain. King Chrom is waiting for you in the throne room" a guard, that just came out from the building, announced.
"That's our call" Inigo said. "Let's go, Morgan. I want you to meet my father" that order made Morgan's hearth stop for a moment.
"What!? Really?" Morgan asked. He was starting to feel chills in all his body.
"Yeah. Don't worry, you'll be okay. Just use the same formality that you used with Lucina" Inigo suggested him.
"O-okay" was Morgan's short answer.
The Shepherds, princess Lucina, and Frederick went inside the building. They were crossing a large hall, full of paintings of previous kings and queens.
"Princess Lucina, may I ask you something?" Morgan requested.
"Of course" Lucina answered kindly.
"Your left eye…" Morgan didn't have the chance to complete the question because Inigo interrupted him.
"Yes, it is a birth mark. Just the members of the royal family can have it" said Inigo.
"It is called the brand of the Exalt" added Lucina.
"Do you guys also have it?" Morgan questioned Inigo and Owain.
"Of course, it is on my back" answered Inigo.
Owain removed the leather sleeve that he was wearing on his right hand, revealing the same mark that Lucina has in her left eye.
"Behold! The Brand of the Exalt in its pure glory" exclaimed Owain.
"That's neat" commented Morgan.
That talk helped Morgan to calm down. But still he wasn't prepared to see his father. Inside him, he was wishing that something happens, so he wouldn't have to see his father. But he took that decision, there was no turning back.
They arrived to the end of the corridor, where giant doors were being opened for them. The doors revealed a spacious room. In the end of the room were two thrones. Sitting on them was the king and the queen.
Morgan felt all his nerves take over him. His father was there. The person that he thought he would never meet was there. He looked just like her mother described him: noble, stoic, and self-confident. But he couldn't see the kindness right now, because he was looking at him with a severe look. Morgan felt almost judged.
Chrom got up from his seat and approached to them, as the same time they were approaching him. When they were face to face, Chrom spoke looking directly at Morgan.
"Who is this guy? And how did he get Robin's robe?" he demanded to know, causing a tense environment.
Morgan couldn't move nor articulate any word.
"Father, this is Morgan. My new tactician. And I don't know what you are talking about. That's his robe. If he were using someone's robe, he would tell us" Inigo spoke, trying to reduce the tension.
"I would recognize that robe anywhere. It's Robin's, where did you get it?" Chrom asked one more time.
Morgan felt cornered. All eyes were on him, but the only pair he cared about was his father's. Morgan knew he had to make up something quickly, but he wasn't sure if they would buy something that wasn't the truth. So, he felt inclined to that, the truth.
"Robin is my mother. She gave it to me" was Morgan's answer.
Everyone in the room got shocked, even the guards.
"Are you serious? You are Robin's son? Why didn't you tell me?" Inigo spoke, the indignation was all over his face. Morgan couldn't answer him.
"Robin's son?" Chrom muttered. Then he laughed like if it were a joke. "Can you believe that, Olivia?" Chrom asked his queen, who was just behind him. "Robin had a son!" the king exclaimed.
Morgan couldn't decipher his father's feelings. Was he really happy? Or he was disguising another feeling? He couldn't know, after all, he didn't know him.
"Well, I can't see why she wouldn't. She was a beautiful woman after all, and clever too" the queen finally spoke.
"Of course she was" Chrom muttered while recovering the composure.
"So, tell me, Morgan. Where is your mother?" Chrom asked with a neutral voice, even kind.
Morgan noticed a shine in Chrom's eyes. He guessed that probably he wanted to see his mother again. That made harder for Morgan to tell the truth.
"She is dead" Morgan said.
Chrom's expression changed abruptly. He was having trouble in processing that information.
"That's not possible. Robin can't die" Chrom said with disbelief.
"Chrom" Olivia tried to get his husband into reality.
"When did it happen?" Now Chrom's voice sounded empty.
"Two years ago" Morgan answered, he was staring to get sad by the situation.
"How?"
"She had a disease, that ended her life"
Chrom covered his mouth with his right hand. Morgan could swear that he saw some tears forming in his father's eyes.
"Excuse me" the king muttered before abandoning the room.
"Father!" Lucina called him. She was worried. She tried to follow him but was stopped by her mother.
"Lucina, your father wouldn't like you to see him like that. Please, let me take care of this" Olivia told her daughter. Lucina just nodded as an answer.
Then, the queen addressed Morgan. "I am so sorry for everything. Please, make yourself at home. Inigo and Lucina will show you the castle" she told him.
Morgan finally paid attention to the queen. She was really gorgeous with her beautiful pink hair and looked just like a queen from fairy tales. Morgan felt envy. He thought that maybe was her beauty that made Chrom choose her over his mother. But then again, he didn't know really well the story between his father and his mother.
He felt ashamed for thinking that. The queen seemed a good person and he didn't want to feel that way towards her. The queen's words were kind and it was obvious that she was also sad for his mother's death.
"Thanks, queen Olivia" said Morgan.
The queen smiled at Morgan, but that couldn't hide her pain. Then, she left the room.
"I should go and tell my parents the bad news" spoke Owain, then he left too.
"Father, are you okay?" Severa asked Frederick.
"No, let's find your mother and go home" Frederick answered. His face didn't express any emotion, but Severa could see the grief in his eyes.
Frederick excused himself and his daughter with Lucina and Inigo. He promised that both would be there tomorrow morning and then left.
"What did just happen?" exclaimed a confused Inigo.
"This country just lost someone important" answered Lucina.
"Morgan, why didn't you tell me before? You didn't know that your mother was this important?" Inigo demanded to know.
"Yes, I knew. And I didn't want this to happen. I ran away from my home because I wanted to leave behind everything that tortures me. I wanted a new life, a new start. But I guess that was too much to ask" Morgan tried to justify himself. Inigo and Lucina didn't know what to answer.
"I shouldn't have come here" Morgan muttered, that snaped Inigo's mind.
"Don't say that! Listen, I'm sorry. I think I understand you now. Let's just forget about your mother thing and let me give you a tour for the castle. What do you say?" Inigo tried to humour Morgan.
Morgan thought about it for some seconds, then he relaxed and answered "Sounds nice."
"Great. Lucina, will you come with us?" Inigo asked his sister.
"No, I want to be alone right now" Lucina answered, she seemed affected by her parent's reaction.
"Well, I guess we'll see you at diner. Let's go, Morgan" Inigo said before leaving with Morgan.
Inigo started by showing Morgan the gardens. Both of them recognized the statues of the ancient heroes that were there. Then, they went to the training grounds, where future soldiers were training. After that, they visited the kitchen, where they had lunch.
Morgan was enjoying the tour. Castle Ylisse was immense and amazing. He wondered how his life would have been if he had grown up there. On the other hand, Morgan was grateful for spending time with his half-brother. He never thought that his brother would be so nice and funny. Definitively, being with Inigo could make Morgan forget about his current situation.
After lunch, they continued the tour in the library. There were hundreds of books, that Morgan was sure he would read them later. Then, Inigo showed Morgan the balcony, where someone could have a broad view of Ylisstol. They watched the sunset there.
When It was already dark, Inigo took Morgan to one more place. They entered an empty room, that wasn't completely empty because there was a piano.
"What's this place?" Morgan asked.
"Here I practice my dance routines" confessed Inigo a little embarrassed.
"You dance? Of course you dance! Your mother was a dancer" said Morgan like if he just solved a mystery.
"Yeah, that's right. My mother used to dance for the army. Her dance movements made my father fall in love with her" Inigo joked.
Morgan emitted a fake laugh, "This is awkward" he thought.
"I have been working in a routine. Would you mind watching me and telling me your opinion" Inigo asked.
"Of course" answered Morgan.
Inigio positioned himself in the center of the room, then he started his choreography. Morgan didn't know a thing about dancing, actually, he didn't recall seeing someone dance before. Morgan was amazed by Inigo's technic. He looked delicate while dancing, and his pirouettes were incredible. At the end, Inigo made a reverence.
"So, what do you think?" Inigo asked, his face was blushed.
"That was amazing!" said Morgan while clapping his hands. "How did you get to be that good at dancing?"
"My mother taught me. And I want to surprise her with this routine" Inigo answered.
"That surely will surprise her. But I think I saw you being nervous" Morgan noted.
"Yes, I was. I don't usually have spectators when I dance" Inigo confessed.
"Why?" Morgan asked.
"I don't know. This has always been a secret. I think I'm afraid what people would think if they knew. Besides, how many princes do you know that dance?"
"Well, you can be the first one. That wouldn't be bad" Morgan tried to cheer up.
"I don't know. It's getting late. Let's have diner" Inigo said.
"Are you inviting me to dine with your family?" Morgan asked.
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"I don't think I should see your parents after what happened" Morgan commented.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine" said Inigo. Then he pushed Morgan towards the door.
Inigo took Morgan to the dining hall. There was a large wooden table covered by a blue tablecloth. On the table were some dishes and silverware perfectly placed in front of each seat. The room was being illuminated by a fireplace and a golden chandelier, yet the environment was gloomy.
Lucina and Owain were already there, sitting alongside.
"Where are our parents?" asked a concerned Inigo, while he was taking seat in front of Lucina.
"My parents aren't coming" Owain answered.
Inigo was about to ask another thing, but he was interrupted for his mother's arrival. Morgan noticed that Olivia's eyes looked tired, but she was still smiling.
"I see everyone is ready for diner" Olivia said when she saw everyone. "Morgan, please take a seat. It's an honor to have you here."
"Thank you, queen Olivia. I'll sit right away."
Morgan sat beside Inigo, facing Owain. Olivia sat beside Lucina.
"Mother, where is father?" Lucina asked.
"He won't join us today. He needs to be alone" Olivia answered.
The servants entered the room with different bowls with soup. When Morgan received his own bowl, he felt overwhelmed for how many different spoons where in front of him.
"Morgan, use this one" Lucina told him while showing a specific spoon.
"Thanks, princess Lucina" he said, and then took the indicated spoon.
"Oh Morgan, you haven't taken off your gloves. You can stain them" Olivia noted.
"Now that you mention that. I have never seen Morgan without his gloves" Inigo realized.
"That's because I have horrible scars in my hands. I'm too ashamed of that, I wouldn't like anyone to see them. I hope you can excuse me" Morgan answered.
"Don't be like that. There's nothing to be ashamed of!" Inigo tried to convince Morgan.
"Yes, Morgan. I bet your scars are awesome battle injuries" Owain said, he seemed eager to see Morgan's scars.
"Guys stop!" Olivia shouted. "Of course you can use your gloves whenever you want. I want you to be comfortable in this castle."
"Thanks again, queen Olivia" Morgan said. "That was close" he thought.
Then, everyone stared to eat. During diner, Inigo and Owain told everything about their trip. Morgan casually made a comment, he was more focused on learning how to use the silverware. Lucina was hearing everything with interest. Olivia pretended to hear, but her mind was in another place.
Despite the stress of not knowing which knife use for cutting his steak, Morgan had an enjoyable diner. Morgan was grateful that his father wasn't there. He knew that he would be more nervous with Chrom's presence. Thankfully, he has more time to prepare himself to face him. Morgan was wondering if his father would ask him more questions about his mother.
After diner, everyone said good night and went to sleep, except for Inigo and Morgan. Inigo took Morgan to another building that was close to the training grounds and the stable.
"Welcome to the Shepherds' barracks" said Inigo while showing the place.
In the room where all kind of things, like books, food, weapons, clothes, and other supplies. There were a large table with two benches of the same size. At the end of the room were some beds.
"You can sleep here for now, until you afford your own house. With your payment, that will be in no time" Inigo said.
Morgan analyzed the room. It was enormous and spacious, he certainly will feel alone in the night. But there wasn't another place, so he had to get used to it.
"He won't stay here" that voice scared the two guys, who immediately turned to see who had spoken.
"Father, you frightened us" Inigo said. He was smiling because he was relieved that it was his father.
Chrom looked serious, and his eyes were as tired as Olivia's eyes during diner.
"I'm sorry" he apologized. "Inigo, time to go to sleep" ordered Chrom.
"What?" he couldn't believe what he heard. "Father, I'm not a child" he complained.
"Now" Chrom replied a little irritated.
Inigo erased the smile on his face, it was obvious that he was containing some words he would like to say. He looked at Morgan and just said "See you tomorrow, I guess."
"See you tomorrow" Morgan answered.
"Good night, father" said Inigo before leaving.
Once they were alone, Chrom asked Morgan to follow him. They exited the barracks and entered the main building again. Chrom led them to the bedrooms area. Nobody spoke during the walk. Morgan was just watching his father's back, he still couldn't believe what it was happening.
Chrom stopped in front of a door, subsequently Morgan did the same.
"I have to apologize with you, Morgan. I didn't give you a proper welcome early" Chrom said, again his words sounded empty.
"It's okay, your majesty. I don't feel offended" Morgan answered.
Chrom took a key from his clothes, and he opened the door. He entered the room and indicated Morgan to come in too.
It was a spacious room. There was a big bed with purple clothing, a wooden closet, a wooden dresser, and a shelf filled with books. There also was a wooden desk with a quill, an inkwell, and some papers on it. On the wall were some maps of the country with hand-written annotations. On the floor was a purple rug that matched the bed's clothing.
"This was your mother's bedroom" said Chrom, he looked nostalgic.
"This is incredible" exclaimed Morgan. He was happy to see his mother's belongs.
"From now on, this will be your bedroom, and everything in here is also yours. I suppose that's what she would have wanted" declared Chrom.
"Thanks, your highness. I really appreciate this, but there's no need of me living here. As soon as I get a house, I will take all of this" Morgan said while inspecting some wooden figures on the night table.
"Actually, I want you to consider this castle your house. Your mother was a really special person for me, she did a lot for me. To take care of her son is the least thing I can do. Could you help me with that, Morgan?" Chrom sounded desperate.
Morgan didn't know where that was coming from. He certainly was aware that his mother's dead made his father sad. But was Chrom mourning the dead of a friend or something more?
"Of course, your highness. I'll stay here" Morgan answered.
"Thanks" Chrom muttered and he smiled for some seconds, the enough time for Morgan to notice it.
Chrom looked at the dresser behind him. He passed his hand over the dresser, removing a good amount of dust. Then, he tried to clean his hand with his trousers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think that everything would be dusty. It makes sense, since I don't usually let the maids clean in here" Chrom mentioned.
"Don't worry. I can clean it myself tomorrow. I'm really tired right now. I just want to sleep" Morgan said.
"Of course. I'll let you rest" said Chrom while leaving the room, but he suddenly stopped in the door frame.
Chrom gave one more look to all the room, like if he wasn't to come in anymore. Morgan noticed again the depressed look on his father's face.
"King Chrom, are you going to be okay?" Morgan asked his father.
"I don't know" said a confused Chrom. "I just feel like I lost a half of me" he confessed.
"Yeah, I felt the same. But your half is still with you, you just can't recognize it because it is in pain. But there's no eternal pain, so one day you will wake up and see yourself as a whole again. You just need time."
Incredibly, that discourse made Chrom smile again. "You certainly are your mother's son" he said. Morgan didn't know what to answer.
"Good night, Morgan" said Chrom and then left.
"Good night… father" Morgan answered, but he wasn't heard.
Thanks for reading!
Special thanks to:
Mysterious guest: I really appreciate your comments. Of course Falchion will be an important subject in the story. And yes, I have something planned for Owain and Severa, it may involve Inigo. Thanks for your support!
Littleleine: I loved that you loved it! I hope you also enjoyed this chapter. Thanks 3
Deuce: Those are really interesting questions. I'm planning that some characters will give their version of what happened between Robin and Chrom, but maybe later I can write a whole chapter about that specific time. And about Morgan, well I don't want to spoil the drama. Because yes, there is a lot of drama coming in this story.