Chapter 3: Bonds Forged Anew
Waking up for the third time that evening, Robin sighed as she resigned herself to another night of minimal sleep. Despite this being the case for the better part of two weeks, she didn't feel any strain or exhaustion from the lacking amount of rest compared to the rest of the Shepherds.
I wonder if it's always been like this for me, even before I lost my memories.
Rolling out of her cot and beginning to braid her hair back, she mentally shrugged as there was plenty to keep her mind busy even without the confusing dreams and lack of recollection of anything prior to two weeks ago. After arriving in Ylisstol, Robin was overwhelmed not only by the scale of the capitol, but by the revelation that Chrom and Lissa were members of the royal family. Meeting their older sister, the Exalt Emmeryn, had been a surreal experience, due in part to how humble and compassionate she presented herself. Even after Frederick presented his doubts about Robin's condition and identity, Emmeryn firmly accepted Chrom's decision to have her join the Shepherds, which she came to realize was the name of the collective army for the kingdom of Ylisse.
You know, making me the chief tactician for the Shepherds seems kinda crazy when I really think about it. Trusting someone he had just met with the reins to their entire military success is simply ludicrous. Guess it shows how much he puts faith in people.
After enjoying a bath and proper bed for the first time in her newest memories, Robin had mulled over that decision all night. The next day, when she talked to Chrom about it, he just laughed and told her not to worry about it. After giving her a tour of the barracks where she met some of the other Shepherds, Maribelle and Sumia being the most memorable, Robin had devoted herself to research in the royal library, determined to make up for her lack of knowledge and live up to the expectations Chrom had for her.
Taking off her nightshift and putting on her tunic and pants, Robin smiled as she recalled the numerous texts and scrolls she had consumed over the next few days, and the occasional war meeting she was invited to. In addition to being able to read and write, she found she possessed a photographic memory, able to recall details from manuscripts and reports which she brought up when relevant, earning many impressed looks from other generals and incredulity from nobles who gained status from privilege rather than effort. Being a down to earth and practical person, Robin showed respect where needed but wasn't afraid to criticize or correct when she felt it was necessary, much to Chrom's delight. As he explained after a particularly passionate debate she had with nobles from northern territories over bandit disputes, being the crown prince made it so that he had to hear every issue presented, but couldn't share his real opinions for fear of losing support in the form of troops and taxes. Almost on instinct, she had vowed to always work for his interests and the good of all Ylisse.
When everything in my life is so confusing, why am I so confident when it comes to Chrom? His mannerisms, his fighting style, it feels like I know him like the back of my hand, which is unnerving when I can't seem to remember anything before I met him.
Slipping on her socks and boots, Robin frowned as she looked around for her signature robe. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, many of them centered on a certain blue haired lord she had grown close to in a very short amount of time. Giving her head a small shake, she stood and pulled her tent flap back, finding her cloak folded neatly on a stool right outside. Recalling the events from the day prior, Robin grinned, silently thanking Lissa for her thoughtfulness as the first hints of day break showed on the horizon. In addition to her brother, Lissa had been a constant companion and become a surrogate younger sister to Robin, who found her antics and positive attitude a welcome balm to the stress of learning and running her job at the same time. Not that it worried her for long; Robin was adjusting extremely fast, and it felt so routine as to induce an air of deja vu for the young tactician.
Well, let's see what the day has in store for me. Given our marching pace, we should arrive in Regna Ferox in about 2 days. Based on the latest scouting reports, there's a good chance we'll run into more of those Risen. Something about them just sets me on edge. At least they make for engaging training dummies if nothing else.
Draping her robe over her arm, Robin set out, determined to hone her body and mind before the day truly began.
Returning from his latest patrol, Chrom stopped by Robin's tent, wanting to discuss with her their plans once they arrived at Regna Ferox. Pulling back the flap, he frowned as he found her cot empty, sure to find her reading or writing as was her habit over the past week or so. Stepping out, Chrom was about to return to his own tent when he heard the sound of someone grunting, and the swings of a weapon moving through the air. Intrigued, he moved towards an open patch of field, where he found Robin doing shadow fencing with an iron sword, flowing from one strike into another with almost dance-like movements. She was absolutely mesmerizing to behold, dressed in a light tunic and breeches with the rising sun turning her lilac hair almost white. Blinking out of his reverie, Chrom stepped forward, causing her to turn his way in a readying stance and widen her eyes at the sight of him.
"Well, I didn't expect to find you out here; guess you still have plenty of surprises. Light sleeping again last night?" Chrom grinned at her, which caused her lightly blush as she lowered her weapon.
"Yeah, not as many confusing dreams though," Robin replied, taking slow breathes as she smiled back at the prince. "Figured I'd do something productive to keep myself preoccupied before our march today. I take it your patrol went without any hitches?"
"Yep, nothing to report," Chrom said lightly, drawing his trusted Falchion and resting the tip in the ground. "If you find yourself open to the idea, how about sparring with me for a little bit? I'd like a better feel for your fighting style."
Raising an eyebrow, Robin smirked as she slowly returned to her ready stance. "I thought you picked it up well enough from our previous battles. But I suppose it'll be fun to see how I measure against the prince of Ylisse."
Chrom laughed as he drew Falchion from the ground and entered his own fighting stance. "Glad to see some confidence. Let's find out if you can back it up."
After a brief pause, they both rushed each other, determined to land the first blow. Chrom quickly came to realize that when Robin wasn't weighed down carrying a tome, she was fast, very fast. He may have had the advantage in terms of strength, but he was slowly being pushed to use defensive parries rather than offensive strikes. She never stayed in one spot long and varied her cuts and thrusts to seem as unpredictable as possible. Looking to shift the match in his favor, Chrom feinted a stab to Robin's chest and when she twisted to deflect it, he shifted his blade to strike her shoulder, which caused her eyes to widen in shock. Having already committed to her first motion, she swiftly reversed her grip and brought her sword up in a rising strike, leaving both fighters frozen as they had each landed a blow on the other at the same time.
"Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side," Chrom panted, lightly wiping his brow as he sheathed Falchion. "You must have had one amazing teacher; I've never fought anyone with that style before."
"You think? I'd like to believe that myself," Robin replied breathlessly, slightly opening her tunic to air it out, causing Chrom to go red as he averted his eyes quickly. "When I'm not focusing on magic or strategy, wielding a blade this way seems almost instinctive. Guess that's another mystery we can add to the list of my past."
"Don't worry about it too much," Chrom said genially, stepping up and putting his hand on her shoulder. "Either the memories will return, or we can do some investigations when we have spare time. In any event, I'm glad to have you as an ally and friend. Let's get cleaned up a bit before we continue our march today."
"I second that," Robin responded, strapping her sword to her belt and giving him a glowing smile. "I look forward to reaching Regna Ferox and seeing about getting aid against the Risen and Plegia."
"As do I," Chrom agreed, turning to head back to camp with Robin at his, trying not to glance too much at her or the way her clothes seemed to highlight her feminine figure.
Robin fiddled with the Thunder tome she carried, nervously glancing around the giant arena in front of her. After receiving a less than jovial welcome from Feroxi border patrols thinking they were bandits, she and Chrom had held an audience with Flavia, one of the ruling khans of Regna Ferox. According to her, a tournament was going to be held to determine which khan would hold supreme authority of the nation for the next few years. After promising them an alliance if she won the tournament, Chrom agreed to have him and the Shepherds represent her in the fight for succession. Once the members had been selected to participate among the Shepherds, they had been led to the Grand Arena, one of the greatest monuments in Ferox's history, filled to the brim with cheering spectators and mercenaries representing the other khan in this competition. Among the mercenaries was a face she recognized.
"Chrom, look over there!" Lissa had noticed the masked warrior as well.
"I see him," Chrom affirmed, drawing Falchion as a deep gong sounded, announcing the start of the match. He rushed forward, determined to engage Marth at all costs. Robin provided support when she could, paralyzing an armored knight with a well-placed spell and engaging some fighters who tried to attack him from behind. Watching as the swordsman engaged each other, several things caught the attention of the tactician as she cautiously approached.
His blade, it appears almost identical to Falchion. Chrom never mentioned there being another one. Also, that fighting style, it seems to be a variation of Chrom's as well. Something doesn't add up here…I need to confirm something.
Seeing Marth score a strike on Chrom's side, Robin dashed forward, launching a small lightening bolt that forced Marth to flip backwards to avoid it. Stepping up to Chrom, she handed him a vulnerary as she fixed her gaze on the masked combatant, folding her tome away in her robe and drawing her iron sword.
"Chrom, Vaike needs help protecting your sister; go, I'll finish things here."
"All right but be careful. He's a fierce fighter."
After a quick gulp of the healing tonic, Chrom gave her a firm nod as he set off, leaving Marth and Robin to silently gauge each other.
"He barely landed any hits on me. What makes you think you can do any better?"
Listening to the way Marth spoke so brashly, one of the pieces clicked in place in Robin's head. Smirking, she entered her stance, lightly holding her blade with both hands.
"I'm not as hot-headed as he was. Why don't you try me and find out?"
After a slight pause, Marth rushed forward, extending a stab which switched to a cross slash after Robin parried the first strike. Being half a head shorter than Robin, Marth made up the difference in reach with quick footwork, and a level of speed that made his style less power based and more finessed. However, Robin found there were gaps in his strikes, as though he wasn't fully confident in his form.
"Perhaps if you weren't trying so hard to hide your secrets," Robin commented lightly, locked in a bind with the masked youth, "you wouldn't be so conflicted with fighting. Must be hard hiding your gender all the time, isn't it?"
"Huh? What do you-?"
"Checkmate!"
Seeing Marth's cheeks visibly pale, Robin took that opportunity to strike. Breaking the bind holding them in place, she whipped out her tome and struck her with a bolt of Thunder, knocking the masked fighter off his feet and apparently unconscious.
"Well done Robin. He was the last one remaining. We won!"
Turning around, Robin smiled as Chrom stepped forward, taking her sword arm and raising it in triumph to the roar of the crowd. She was so swept up in the moment, it took her a moment to recall the feeling she had experienced when crossing blades with her previous opponent. Turning her head slightly, she found the masked figure had vanished again.
So, Marth disappeared again…seems about right. I imagine she will show up before long. But what was that sense I was having, some emotion welling up from within? It almost felt like I knew her from somewhere…maybe a connection to my past? Too many questions, not enough answers. I guess time will tell, and the only way to move is forward.
Alright, back to Awakening and all the fun story elements I can make. As a teaser, I'm planning on doing a bit of a crossover with another Fire Emblem series, and have already given a hint as to what it will be. Bonus points to anyone who figures it out, and look forward to more chapters to come!